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VOLUME 29 • ISSUE 347
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM
F R A N C H I S E
O P P O R T U N I T I E S
A V A I L A B L E
FEBRUARY 2024
W O R L D W I D E
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else, here are a few tips to help you hook and land more tripletail. • Cruise Carefully: Floating at the surface and doing its best to imitate a garbage bag, a tripletail is easy to spot once you develop an eye for it. Run a trap line on plane with a dedicated spotter and you can cover water quickly to locate “trips.” However, you’ll put fish down if you wake them too hard. Stay at least 30 feet off a trap line or channel markers while prospecting. When you spot a fish, give it a few minutes to settle and come back to the surface while you bring the boat around to approach with the trolling motor. A tripletail at ease on the surface is an easy fish to target. • Consider Your Eyewear: Obviously, polarized glasses are a must when sight fishing anything. The color of your lenses matters, too. It’s worth investing in a couple of good pairs so you can switch out according to conditions. Gray or blue works best in clear water. In dingy water, go with copper or rose lenses. • Stay Rigged and Ready: If you’re targeting trout, redfish or whatever, keep a tripletail rig on hand and keep an eye out for them when you’re running to a new spot. A good basic rig is a popping cork with a short 20-pound fluorocarbon leader of a foot or less and a 2/0 circle hook. Live shrimp is best, but if you’re fishing artificials, a DOA shrimp or a Gulp! shrimp or crab will also work. • On Approach: Come at your quarry from down-current and cast well past it so that your bait drifts back in front of its nose. If that cork starts to dance, give it a few seconds before coming tight. Tripletail have small, hard mouths and you want to be sure the fish has taken the bait. • Fish Small Baits: The reason a tripletail is hanging out on that marker is to eat the small crabs and shrimp that live there. They’re used to small food and have small mouths, which is why they’ll sometimes reject big shrimp. Pitch small or medium shrimp to them or small baitfish and lures no longer than about 2.5 inches. • Stick With Them: If a tripletail spooks or goes down, it usually isn’t going far. Try drifting an unweighted bait on a longer 4- or 5-foot leader that will get down deeper on a long drift past your structure. If that doesn’t work, t will soon be the time of year when everyone’s favorite oddball, the go hit your next mark and come back later. There’s a good chance the fish will tripletail, starts moving in closer to shore to hang out on structure or free- be sunbathing happily on the surface when you return. floating debris. Whether you actively sight fish them by running a line of traps and markers or if you just happen to see one while pursuing something For more tips and tricks, visit coastalanglermag.com.
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FISHING FORECAST
Mount Pleasant Pier by Chris Pounder, Contributing Writer
T
he Mount Pleasant Pier forecast for February fishing is similar to the ones from the past few months. Until the water temperature starts to climb above 60 degrees, we typically see anglers focus on sheepshead and trout. Look to target these species on the incoming tide when possible. With everyone looking for the same fish in a handful of locations, this is a good time to remind everyone of a few things. Thanks to Coastal Angler Magazine and social media posts from our fishermen, sheepshead have become THE fish everyone wants to catch from the pier. Sheepshead are caught from one end of the pier to the other, but during the winter months we see better results in deeper water. With multiple anglers wanting to fish those areas any given day, it’s important to share the space and let everyone in on the fun. Pier rules allow for 2 rods per person in the water at a time. We appreciate fishermen that share the space, help each other out, and make memorable experiences for all involved. Fresh mussels seem to be the most reliable bait when targeting the local population of sheepshead. Gamakatsu sizes 1 thru 4 live bait hooks pair great with mussels and are popular among regulars. Fiddler crabs, oysters, and sand fleas also make good bait; however, fiddlers may be difficult to find when it’s cold out. The River Watch Café and Gift Shop on the pier carries frozen sand fleas, Gamakatsu hooks, and a variety of other bait and tackle items to help you land the big one. Catch a nice one, share your photo with us, and we’d love to feature your catch here next month. See you on the pier.
For any additional information about the pier or what’s biting this week feel free to call the River Watch Cafe & Gift Shop on the pier at 843-762-9946 Chris Pounder, CPRP Manager Mount Pleasant Pier
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FEB. 2024
LOWCOUNTRY 3
EDISTO FISHING FORECAST
Lowcountry Camping by Capt. Justin Ravenel, Contributing Writer
A
s we move further into our winter season it becomes more and with overnight camping is to soak in more than you normally would. more clear that this is the time to dust off the camping gear If you have a cooler full of drinks you’ll never get around to drinking and hit the water! Full sun and low to no wind days offer great and food you won’t get around to eating then you may spend more time opportunities to not only find the perfect little camping spot but new toting, moving and re-arranging things than enjoying the trip. fish as well! Pair those weather conditions up with the right tide and Now let’s talk fish! When it comes to finding new fish I have a few you can really have an amazing day out there. different things I look for but one common denominator is structure. Let’s talk about wind; it not only dictates the boat ride but it also Fish need structure to do a few different things. Like, hide for example. spells out the long night ahead of us camping folk. While watching the When water temps drop and the bulk of the live bait leaves; dolphin local weather on my phone I noticed a three day stretch with minimal will turn to local game species to survive until warmer weather. to no wind and full sun. This being my slower time of year I knew that Dolphin have a unique hunting method using sonar. This allows them if I got the “hall pass” from my wife; I would seize the chance to go to detect prey that’s outside their field of vision. Trout, red fish and explore new water! other species use structure to evade dolphin. A great example of good After getting the clearance from corporate; I take a look at tides. structure is a downed tree. Over time fish will learn that this is a safe Looks like low tide is in the morning; perfect. I’ll spend the first part spot to hold up in the winter. Depending on depth, use the current to of the morning poling my skiff through shallow drift a soft plastic down under that tree. Lightly water, sight fishing big hungry schools of reds jigging it around should do the trick. It may cost with a fly rod. As the water rises to mid tide I’ll you a couple jig heads by getting snagged a couple begin to target speckled sea trout. I’ll cast soft times. This is small inconvenience when it comes plastics in every little creek mouth and tide rip to learning the best way to fish a new spot. If and I can find. you’ve worked that jerk shad across every inch of Next I acquire the proper permits for my bottom in that spot with no bites then take it off campsite. This is done either online or by calling and rig up a paddle tail. Before moving on, try ahead of time. SCDNR provides many camping the middle water column to see if any speckled opportunities up and down the coast and you’ll sea trout are there. While it’s no secret that some find that many are vacant and available in the of the largest trout in the low country are caught colder months! Here is a link that will direct in the lower water column, the bulk of them are you to all the sites in South Carolina and the somewhere in the middle. information you’ll need to attain the proper I just returned from one of my winter permits. https://www.dnr.sc.gov/mlands/ camping trips. It was cold out there but the bite specregs.html was hot. I’ve included some shots of the trip. I’ll Finally it’s time to get the gear together. It’s be posting the video out of the entire trip on my a time for taking what’s important and leaving Instagram page, (@justin_ravenel). what isn’t. Fishing wise, you should need In closing let me say this; don’t overthink it. nothing more than a good light tackle spin rod Buy a decent tent and a good sleeping bag and and 8wt fly rod. Bring plenty of jig heads and just go. I almost bailed on this trip last minute plastics though. Without a doubt we’ll need because my buddy came down with the FLU and more than one if we are looking for new fish. couldn’t join. I took my dog and my fishing gear How else are you going to know there was a tree and it was the most fun I’ve had in a while. Captain Justin Ravenel under the water right there? I’m headed upstate for striper next month and Ravenel Fishing Charters When it comes to camping gear everyone is a I look forward to telling all about it. Until then; I’ll 843-864-5056 little different. I say less is more. Meaning, the less see you at camp. ravenelfishingcharters.com you bring the more fun you’ll have. The whole idea 4 LOWCOUNTRY
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LOWCOUNTRY 5
Lowcountry American Shad F
ebruary is an exciting time of year for me. Here in the Lowcountry it is part of a season that only shows up one time a year and that is American Shad. American Shad, like Salmon, go out to sea through most of the year, and during their spawning season, which is February through the first or second week of March, the American Shad migrate from the ocean, heading up a few select rivers to some of our lakes to spawn. If anglers make themselves familiar with these locations and educate themselves with the techniques used to catch these fish, they are in for some fantastic fishing fun! The American Shad, also nicknamed Freshwater Tarpon due to their fast running and multiple high jumps during some fights, is a powerful fighting fish. It swims fast and vigorously, darts left to right, turning its body sideways to cup the water and use the current to its advantage. This fish is targeted for a few reasons. One is the fish’s roe/fish eggs. A number of people love to fry them up and eat them. Some individuals like eating the fish themselves. The other is using them for cut bait for Catfish and other species, but the main reason I fish for them is the fight, and the lighter the tackle, the better. I use custom light action rods with four-pound test monofilament. I also highly enjoy fly fishing for them with a four or five weight nine-foot combo. I personally have been tying my own flies and jigs for years now, but there are a number of curly tail grubs and tied jigs that are available in different weights and sizes. One of the most popular colors in any of these jigs or flies is chartreuse. Now these fish can be caught on whatever size tackle you are interested in using as long as the rod and reel are capable of casting the artificials you are using to attract these fish, and to help you out, I am going to let you in on a few secrets about American Shad that may help you in your own fishing adventure when targeting them. Let me start by saying American Shad move in schools. You do not find too many of them singled out. American Shad are constantly on the move and love swift moving current. In the rivers usually located just before a dam, the currents can come to a stall and almost have no movement. Some will find it hard to find a Shad during these moments. That’s because Shad will move in tight groups and head for the deepest part of the channel, and they will move cont'd on pg 10
Jiggin' Jerry
6 LOWCOUNTRY
by Jiggin’ Jerry, Contributing Writer
FEB. 2024
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FISHING FORECAST
Folly Beach Pier by Noah O’Brien, Contributing Writer
W
ith November-February never being a given on the temperature day to day, it can create a confusing, yet calm and serene time for fishing. The water is not filled with anglers, so it leaves us to all our favorite spots uninterrupted. In these last couple of months, we have seen a lot of beautiful mid 60’s - to mid 70’s days, but also a lot of windy, rainy, and chilly days on Folly Beach. We love to see y’all out here at the Folly Beach Pier, whether you are fishing or not, and whether it is rain or shine. With that being said, this is the time of the year when the sheepshead bite has historically ramped up for us. While it is a complicated and frustrating fish to catch, the reward when you do is always worth it. They’re picky, their mouths are small, and the window for you to set the hook into one is almost non-existent. One of the most effective ways to catch sheepshead is by using the very barnacles and other crustaceans that they feed on, but like everything else with sheepshead, that is also a complicated process. The easiest way of getting barnacles on your hook is by sending the hook through the underside of the barnacle and then through the opening at the top. Typically, the underside is a little bit softer than the rest of the shell around the barnacle, so it makes it just a tad bit easier to get on and stay on the hook. You also will want to make sure that most of your hook is covered in the bait that you are using, as sheepshead are extremely smart fish, and they can see that hook from a mile away. We look forward to seeing y’all out here, and always remember to follow South Carolina DNR rules and regulations. For any additional information visit charlestoncountyparks.com.
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Noah O’Brien, Operations Manager II Folly Beach Pier 101 E Arctic Ave, Folly Beach, SC 29439 Office: 843-762-9516 / Mobile: 843-814-7344 Noah O’Brien@ccprc.com / CharlestonCountyParks.com
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LOWCOUNTRY 9
LOWCOUNTRY SHAD cont'd from page 6 up and down that section of river. As the current picks up again, either from a tidal current or a dam letting water out, the Shad will start to move in large circular motions, usually from one side of the river to the other side of the river from bank to bank. This movement could be either clockwise or counterclockwise. To understand the timing of the movement when this begins is by finding the first school and catching a number of them. The catching usually only lasts around two to five minutes then the group moves on. You find yourself casting and casting, waiting and trying to find them again while anchored in one location, but don’t forget to remember the time that you started catching them because shortly when the group appears again, keep in mind how long it took for them to show back up. You will find it amazing to figure out that waiting that amount of time again, give or take ten minutes, the group will arrive again. This can be easily seen when you have a number of anglers lined up in boats up against the bank. You find yourself watching them. Then you notice the first boat all the way to the right or left start getting hookups. Then about 60 seconds after that the next boat closest to them starts catching fish, and in a few minutes after that, the next boat will start catching them and so on until they reach your location. You will need to learn some of the techniques involved in catching the Shad. The only other clue I am going to tell you, it is important to understand the depth the fish are moving at. If you are not aware of how far your jig is falling and you do not understand where the strike zone is for these fish, you will not get a bite. I leave all the other secrets to you to find out. The reason I say this is because that is part of the fun, and if I tell you everything now, well, what fun is that?! So if you are interested in going after some of these seriously hard fighting fish during this cold time of year, go to the DNR website and look up some of the locations that might be accessible for you to have a great time fishing for American Shad.
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FEB. 2024
I hope this information helps you with your next fishing adventure. Like I always say good luck out there and have fun fishing! To view some fishing adventures, go to my YouTube Channel Fishing With Jiggin Jerry or follow me on Facebook @fwjigginjerry.
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Jiggin’ Jerry 843-619-7437 fwjigginjerry@gmail.com
FEBRUARY 16-18, 2024 SC STATE FAIRGROUNDS
T I C K E TS & D E T A I L S A T
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FEB. 2024
LOWCOUNTRY 11
FISHING FORECAST by Capt. Chase Edgren, Contributing Writer
Hello Everyone, Capt Chase here with Last Cast Charleston. Charleston winter fishing continues to be great for Wahoo and Tuna. The water temperature over the ledges has dropped below 73 degrees. To target these species use sea surface temperature software to scout for 70-72 degree water over good bottom numbers from 150-200’. This last month we have caught numerous Wahoo above the 50 pound mark along with some really nice sized Tuna. It’s been pretty tough fighting through the Sharks. If you have the ability, I’d utilize larger 50 wide reels with 60 pound mono. Gives the angler the ability to increase the drag and get the fish to the boat faster. Another technique, once you hook up turn off the ledge with the attempt to keep your fish away from the hungry sharks. Wahoo and Tuna are generally located in the same area. Live bottom ledges in 150-200’ of water. While trolling I have a mixed spread for both species. Closer to the boat will be my darker colored baits always with a medium or large ballyhoo, DTX nice and tight to the boat, my shorts (behind squid chain teasers) are generally a larger bullet or concave head over medium or large ballyhoo. Further back in the spread generally are light colored seawitch with a small or medium ballyhoo. Lastly, shotgun rod will always be a cedar plug during the winter. Tuna do not like the boat, so our long and shotgun rod’s are at least 100 yards behind the boat. A few local Captains have had recent success with Wahoo, using planers with 75’ of leader getting their dark colored bait deeper in the water column. If you’re experiencing too many cut offs from Wahoo. I like to use 12” of #7 wire connected to 80 pound mono using an Alberto Knot. It has a small of enough profile that we still catch Tuna. This months favorite bait: -Fathom Offshore Mini Torpedo Concave Purple/Black with an Orange head -White Seawitch (80lbs Floro with 7/0 hook) -Black and Purple Nomad DTX 200 While we have this down time prior to South Carolina’s spring Mahi season. This is a great time to get your hands on all your equipment. At minimum put fresh line on your reels and check all your rod guides. Fishing line is the least expensive investment in fishing yet it’s the only item connecting you to the fish. Don’t procrastinate and drop your reels off at Haddrells before the crowd. I’m also breaking down all our pre rigged baits and rigging them with fresh leaders, new ball bearing snap swivels, and sharp hooks. Check the status of your HMS Permits, Saftey Equipment, EPIRB, and Fire Extinguishers prior to going offshore. Last Cast Charleston we offer 12 Hour offshore charters and Walk On Charters (pay per person). You can find us on www.lastcastchs.com Instagram: LastCastCHS Facebook: Last Cast Charleston. Contact me in reference to this article and get 10% off a trip. Chase P. Edgren 719-930-9008 ranger.edgren@hotmail.com 12 LOWCOUNTRY
FEB. 2024
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Our own Jiggin’ Jerry, Pro Staff Fisherman for Palmetto State Armory, manned the fishing counter on a January Saturday during a personal appearance.
UPCOMING COASTAL EVENTS Now - March 31
Arts Bar and Grill Oyster Roast Every Saturday and Sunday 1:00pm-7:00pm 413 Coleman Blvd., Mt. Pleasant
February 16-18
SEWE Southeaster Wildlife Exposition Multiple Venues / www.sewe.com
February 16-18
Columbia Boat Show Jiggin’ Jerry demonstrates the feature of an inshore spinning reel.
South Carolina State Fairgrounds Columbia, SC www.columbiaboatshow.com
February 21
Suds & Bugs Fly Tying
Free event 6:30-8:30 pm Rivers and Glen Fly Shop, Mt. Pleasant
March 20
Suds & Bugs Fly Tying
Free event 6:30-8:30 pm Rivers and Glen Fly Shop, Mt. Pleasant
March 28
Cheers on the Pier
Free event 5:30-7:30 pm Live Music, Craft Beer and the sunset Mt. Pleasant Pier
A couple young customers scored some DOA shrimp and some knowledge on how to increase their success.
April 20
Charlestown Landing Fishing Rodeo 9am - 1500 Old Town Rd. Charleston Fishing for kids 16 years old and younger Bring your own equipment Registration at eventbrite.com
April 28
Blessing of the Fleet
7am-1pm / Mt. Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park Boat parade, live music, food and craft beer
Submit your upcoming events or tournament Info to:
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FEB. 2024
LOWCOUNTRY 15
Personal best in 70+ years of fishing - caught this 26”. 8.48lb Flounder in South Carolina.
I caught this 38” cobia in South Carolina’s Edisto 60 Reef. Cobia love the menhaden and it was an epic day on the water! Crystal clear visibility made it seem like I was fishing in an aquarium.
Don Paradis landed this 36" redfish at the Little River Jetties in SC.
40" Redfish caught in Sullivans Island SC.
Send Us Your Catch Photos! Upload your high-quality photos (at least 500kb) along with all of the catch details at:
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Twelve year old Reid caught this 6lbs. .47oz largemouth bass in Private Golf Course. His largest so far is 7.6 lbs. Submitted by Bob Moore (Grandfather).
FEBRUARY 14-18 • MIAMIBOATSHOW.COM
C-Hawk 25 Center Console The C-Hawk 25 Center Console is an infinitely customizable boat with a huge following among hardcore anglers. They are the boat of choice for many charter captains who prefer functionality over flash and want a no-nonsense vessel that’s designed to perform and built to take a beating.
SPECIFICATIONS
One of the great advantages of the C-Hawk 25 is it’s totally customizable, so it can be purpose built to be a better boat for whatever it is you need to do.
LENGTH: 24’11” BEAM: 9’6” DRAFT: 12” DRY WEIGHT: 2,800 lbs. FUEL CAPACITY: 112 Gal. MAXIMUM HP: 300 DEADRISE: 12 degrees TRANSOM: 25”/ 30”
“We have 10-plus guides using them on the west coast of Florida,” said C-Hawk Boats Owner Brad Grubbs. “In Georgia and South Carolina, they’re using it as a small passenger ferry. In Chesapeake Bay, it’s a crab boat.”
to commercial-application standards. They are designed to withstand hard use for years of trouble-free boating, and you can customize your C-Hawk from the factory in any way that suits your purpose.
At its core, the C-Hawk 25cc is a hard-core workhorse with a 300 horsepower maximum that will take you anywhere you need to go. Its 9’6” beam allows it to float in very skinny water with just a 12” draft, and it is also extremely stable, which should appeal for bottomfishing, diving and any other pursuit where a stable platform is preferred.
“We can mix and match consoles, fish boxes, full transoms, cut transoms, bare hulls… you name it,” Grubbs said. “There are some recreational guys adding towers and sight fishing for cobia, and such. Everything we do is built around keep it simple, keep it efficient, keep it easy to maintain, keep it cost effective to own and operate. They are all unique… no cookie cutter trailer queens here. The 25 is a great example of what C-Hawk is.”
Whatever you plan to do with it, all C-Hawk boats are built battleship tough
FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT CHAWKBOATS.NET.
LIFE IS BETTER IN A C-HAWK
Visit www.CHawkBoats.net to Find a Dealer Near You. 10 NATIONAL
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FEBRUARY 2024
NATIONAL 11
BLITZING BASS INVADE
EARLY SEASON ESTUARIES By Nick Carter
S
triped bass are king along the crags and marshes of the Massachusetts North Shore, and each year around the first week of May something very interesting takes place. They call it the early season in this stretch of coastline north of Boston, and it can bring on some of the fastest action of the year. All the baitfish—the herring, the sand eels, the silversides and bunker— push into the estuaries in search of warmer water temperatures. Big schools of striped bass move in with them. It leads to classic bass blitzes, when pods of stripers push bait up to boil on the surface as birds hammer them from above.
You can bet Matt Zimmerman, owner of Back Eddy Charters out of Beverly, Mass., will be there in the middle of the melee standing in the water waving a stick in the air. “I fly fish pretty much everywhere for everything, but it’s better early season,” he said. “You can use a slower presentation, mimic smaller baits, and cover the water column a lot better with a fly.” Historically, the pattern produced 40-fish days of smaller 14- to 26-inch stripers, known as “schoolies.” However, recent years have seen an uptick in larger 26- to 30-inch fish in the early season. “That’s great for fishing, but it’s not a great sign for the fishery,” Zimmerman said. If you haven’t heard, fisheries managers are scrambling to prop up Atlantic striper populations. Since 2019, striper reproduction on the Eastern Seaboard has been dismal due to weather conditions. Emergency action reduced the recreational limit to one fish in a slot limit from 28 to 31 inches, and more restrictive measures may be on the horizon. “The regs? I’m all catch and release, so it hasn’t impacted me too much,” Zimmerman said. “They’re trying to get the stocks up, but most of what we’re seeing is slot fish and up.” That’s not necessarily the case in the early season, which Zimmerman said is a time when you can just park the truck and wade in. “Most of the time I fish from a boat,” he said. “But early season, when there’s lots of fish in the river, it’s easier and you can catch more fish wading from shore.” Zimmerman fishes 5- to 8-weight rods and leaders of straight 20- or 30-pound monofilament. Intermediate sinking lines allow for good depth control, and a handful of Clousers and Deceivers are all you need. Zimmerman suggested 4- to 6-inch patterns and colors of green/white, yellow/white and gray/white. The fishing is best on the last three hours of an outgoing tide or the first couple hours of an incoming tide, when the bait moves around and incites feeding activity. This river bite is Zimmerman’s go-to pattern for about a month, after which he’ll move out to the beaches and rocky islands, where huge stripers herd bait and slam 6- to 8-inch Hollow Fleyes. Find Matt Zimmerman on Instagram @backeddycharters.
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RESCUE
AT SEA
OFF VENICE By Capt. Quinlyn Haddon
E
arly in my career, I fished out of Venice, Louisiana. On off days, we fished inshore and roadside, which produced incredible catches like bull reds, 100-pound alligator gar and 70-pound blue cats. It was nothing to complain about, but my heart is always offshore. The offshore fishing off Venice is topnotch for yellowfin tuna, wahoo, marlin and swordfish, but the gas bill was too much for me to get out there as anything but crew. One evening, I was invited on an offshore trip and was told I got to plan the route. I ecstatically hit my Hilton’s offshore report to check the salinity chart and decided to hit an overlooked rig called Moxie. We headed out the next morning, caught bait and arrived at the rig. This rig sits in shallower waters and is a bit off the path for rig hopping, so it is often passed by. I was surprised to see another boat when we arrived. The bottom machine lit up with giant marks, and we tossed out our baits. I was running the deck and focused on the back of the boat, but I kept hearing the captain comment on the other boat. It seemed like they were diving, but they didn’t have a dive flag up. I heard him say the boat looked to be sitting
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low in the water. All of a sudden, Capt. Travis Mayeux started screaming, “LINES IN, LINES IN!” I was reeling everything up as quickly as I could when he pushed the boat to full throttle. I wasn’t sure what was going on until I had the lines secured and I turned around. The motors of the other boat had gone under, and the bow reached for the sky before slipping away. The boat sank in seconds. By the time we got to the scene, most of the flotsam had been carried away by the currents. We rescued the spearfishermen, one Pelican case and a fish bag. We ended our trip and took the spearfishers back to the dock. Their wallets and keys sank offshore, so they called Plaquemines Parish Sheriff ’s Office to get into their truck. The deputy ran their names, and one of them had an outstanding warrant. He was taken to jail for the weekend. It was a rough day for those guys, but it could have been much worse. Fishing offshore oil rigs provides a false sense of security. You are still very much offshore even though you are near a structure. The crew on those rigs are not lifeguards and are not paying attention to you. Considering how quickly the debris dispersed and how unfished that rig was, those fellas were very lucky we were there that day. Capt. Quinlyn Haddon guides with Sweet E’nuf Charters, out of Marathon, Florida Keys. Contact her at (504) 920-6342, captainquinlyn.com or @captainquinlyn.
NORSE BY NORSEWEST?
Embrace your Scandinavian side with a 7" blade
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f you looked out your window a thousand years ago and saw a fleet of Viking longships coming your way, you knew you were in trouble. For roughly two centuries, the Vikings voyaged, raided and pillaged wherever they pleased. As expert sailors and navigators, they reached as far from Scandinavia as Iran, Constantinople, North Africa and the New World in their quest to expand their kingdom.
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JOIN MORE THAN , SHARP PEOPLE WHO COLLECT STAUER KNIVES The steel of legend. For centuries, a Damascus steel blade was instantly recognizable and commanded respect. Renowned for its sharp edge, beauty and resistance to shattering, Damascus steel was the stuff of legend. While the original process has been lost to the ages, modern bladesmiths have been able to re-create Damascus steel to create the best blades imaginable. Sure to impress, naturally. Combining natural strength and natural wonder at a price that’s hard to beat, the Viking Blade is a study in Damascus steel that’s sure to impress. And should you ever find yourself facing a Viking horde, a flash of this knife will show that you’re not to be messed with. Don’t delay: Order within the next week and we’ll offer this blade to you for just $99, a savings of $200! That’s the best bang for your buck we can possibly offer: our Stauer® Impossible Price. Get your hands on one of the fastest-selling knives in our company’s history today. Knife Specifications: • 12" overall length. 7" Damascus full-tang blade • Includes genuine leather sheath Viking Blade $299 $99* + S&P Save $200 California residents please call 1-800-333-2045 regarding Proposition 65 regulations before purchasing this product. *Special price only for customers using the offer code.
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IT’S PRIME TIME
ON AMERICA’S HOTTEST BIG BASS LAKE By Nick Carter
I
f a truly giant largemouth bass is on your bucket list, make plans to visit O.H. Ivie Lake in Texas over the next few months. Last year, this 19,000acre impoundment of the Colorado River burst onto the scene as the hottest big bass lake in the nation. A string of 17 monster largemouths from January through April kept O.H. Ivie in the headlines, and 10 of them were caught in February. And when we say monster, we’re not talking about 8- to 10-pounders, we’re talking about 13-plus-pound behemoths. According to data from Toyota ShareLunker, Texas’ trophy bass recognition and breeding program, February is the time to catch a giant at this central Texas reservoir. Bass are at their heaviest and most aggressive ahead of the spawn, when they are fat, feeding and full of eggs. Last February’s incredible streak was highlighted by an enormous 17.03-pounder that is the lake record and the eighth largest bass ever caught in Texas. Jason Conn caught it on Feb. 13, 2023, and he said the fish was even heavier before it started regurgitating shad in his livewell. Moving into March and April last year, the trophy bass statistics were still pretty amazing—with 34 fish heavier than 8 pounds—but the giant fish tapered off. Five 13-plus-pounders were caught during those two months, and then no one registered another one until November, when Shawn Strength caught a 16.65-pound monster. The totals for 2023 were 75 fish heavier than 8 pounds and 18 heavier than 13 pounds. The true total is potentially much more impressive, because these statistics include only the fish anglers bothered to register with ShareLunker. So, why has the productivity of O.H. Ivie largemouth bass fishing exploded
over the last three or four years? According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, intensive stocking of bass with Florida-strain genetics is the secret ingredient. Florida strain genetics produce larger, faster-growing fish than the native-northern strain genetics in the system. Part of the mission of the ShareLunker program is to breed trophy fish, and they do this by using 13-plus-pounders caught by anglers in their breeding program. It is estimated 75 to 85 percent of the bass in O.H. Ivie possess those Florida genetics. On top of that, weather played a role in the lake’s rise. Following a prolonged drought, heavy rain in the fall of 2018 raised water levels by more than 30 feet. “It gave these bass pretty much unlimited food and space to grow,” said a ShareLunker representative, “and they just grew like crazy.” Stay tuned. It’ll be interesting to see what America’s hottest big bass lake produces over the next four months, especially with all the added angler attention that comes with a bright hot spotlight.
The Return of a
See more on last year’s incredible fishing at O.H. Ivie at coastalanglermag.com.
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This Necklace is NOT for Sale … It’s yours for FREE* NE
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ou may think you understood the concept of “priceless” jewelry. For years, “priceless” meant “astronomically expensive.” That is, until now ... Stauer smashes the luxury status quo with the release of our FREE* 200-Carat Lusso Amethyst Necklace. That’s right, we said FREE ... as in “priceless.” No charge.* ZERO dollars.* Call now and we’ll send you this impressive helping of genuine amethyst (independently appraised at $295) for FREE. We cut the price 100%. You only pay $24.95, our regular charge for shipping and processing. We’ll even pay you back with a $30 discount certificate –– that’s our Better Than Free Shipping!
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* This offer is valid in the United States (and Puerto Rico) except in TX, FL, CO, OK, RI, NH, WV, OR, SC, VA, CA and ID. These state residents will be charged one cent ($.01) + shipping & processing for the item. Void where prohibited or restricted by law. Offer subject to state and local regulations. Not valid with any other offers and only while supplies last. This offer is limited to one item per shipping address. ** Free is only for customers using the offer code versus the price on Stauer.com without your offer code. † For more information concerning the appraisal, visit www.stauer.com/appraisedvalues.asp.
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