Coastal Angler Magazine | July 2024 | Lowcountry Edition

MAHI MADNESS

WORLD RECORD BLACKFIN!

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PUBLISH YOUR OWN FISHING MAGAZINE

By Nick Carter

Trout don’t grow huge on a diet of insects alone, so Budkey fshes 2- to 3-inch-long bait lures to take advantage of the carnivorous tendencies of big fsh. Tese fsh have good eyesight, so he fshes 4-pound-test and said light line can be the diference between catching dozens of fsh or nothing at all.

Now… battling 10-pound trout in current with light line is tricky, to say the least.

“You really have to wear them out. you all the way down the creek and back up it, jumping and thrashing,” Budkey said. “If you try to muscle them, they’ll break you o

SIT THERE AND FOR GIANT TROUT

Part-time guide Stephen Budkey catches a lot of outsized trout fshing the streams of western Pennsylvania. Much of his success with giant 6- to 15-pound rainbows and browns has to do with location, but he also uses some interesting tactics that specifcally appeal to large fsh.

Te setting is on Lake Erie tributaries. Tese streams vary in size, but generally Pennsylvania is known for smaller fows. Te key to their productivity is the lake. Lake Erie feeder streams experience steelhead runs a lot like the rivers of the Pacifc Northwest. Fish grow large gorging on baitfsh in open water before pushing into tributaries in early fall to spawn. Te lakerun rainbow trout in this migration are called steelheads, and there are bruiser brown trout that run up out of the lake, as well. Budkey also has access to a stretch of privately managed tailwater, which is an obvious target-rich environment for very large trout. Regardless of where he’s fshing, he uses tactics and gear that might seem odd to

trout anglers in other regions.

If you’re a snooty fy fsher, set your tweed hat aside for a minute. Tis might not convince you to pick up a spinning rod, but Budkey has an undeniable knack for catching giant trout, and you might just learn or adapt something from his style of fshing.

Reading water in western Pennsylvania is the same as it is anywhere. Trout like the cold, welloxygenated water of broken water and rifes. When targeting large trout, Budkey said he looks for the deepest runs or waterfall holes in the creek he’s fshing.

“I’m talking about creeks that are sometimes just the width of your car, and these fsh will just stack up in there,” he said. “And when they stack up, they really stack up. It’s wild.”

Budkey said clients who are decent anglers can have 25-fsh days that include trout that might weigh 6 to 10 pounds. Most of these trout were originally stocked by the state, but there is some reproduction, and holdover fsh that have been in

To even the odds, Budkey fshes a 10-footlong noodle rod, which is extremely absorb shock during the fght and protect that light line. Another important factor is a big net for landing fsh, and it doesn’t hurt to have someone else to serve as net-man. Sometimes it’s not possible to bring big fsh to hand, and a net man can wade out to get them.

When trout are aggressive, they are super aggressive, Budkey said. He likes a good-old foating Rapala when the trout are actively chasing and fshes a 2-inch F05 or a 2.75-inch F07 tied on with a loop knot. He just throws it into the current, gives it a jerk to get it wobbling and lets it sit there until a fsh crashes it.

If fsh want something on or near the bottom, Budkey fshes jigs. Trout Magnet jigheads in 1/32 and 1/64 ounce—the lightest you can get away with—paired with Gulp! sof plastics are deadly. Trout are suckers for these scented plastics, and he likes the 2.5- and 3-inch minnows as well as Killer Crawlers and Pinched Crawlers.

Te technique with the jigs is slow. Budkey said he just wiggles the rod tip to give the lure some action.

“It’s almost like I don’t want to move the jig toward me very much, at all. I just want it to sit there and wiggle,” he said. “It’s like shaking a donut in someone’s face at the gym. Tey can’t handle it. Tey’ll run out and grab it.”

Afer the take, it’s time to start worrying about how to battle that fsh to the net on super-light line. Budkey said that is the most fun part of trout fshing, and he loves nothing more than showing other people how to experience it.

See some of Budkey’s tactics on YouTube @FishFightsPA.

NOAA PROCLAIMS RIDICULOUS ONE-DAY SNAPPER SEASON

In mid-June, NOAA Fisheries announced a one-day recreational season for red snapper in the South Atlantic. Although there was widespread grumbling and gnashing of teeth by recreational anglers, it did not come as a surprise to pretty much anyone.

First the season: Red snapper harvest will be open for recreational anglers in the South Atlantic, from North Carolina through Florida, on July 12. Te limit is one fsh per angler.

Te date is subject to change in case a small craf weather advisory is projected. Any change in the date of the recreational season will be announced in the Federal Register, Fishery Bulletin, and an announcement via NOAA Weather Radio.

Now the reasoning: In 2008, NOAA’s stock assessment indicated red snapper in the South Atlantic were in bad shape and devastatingly overfshed. Over the last 16 years, NOAA has essentially shut down recreational fshing for the species, and catch limits for commercial fshing have been kept very low. Not surprisingly, it worked! Populations rebounded to the point where data indicates red snapper are now more plentiful in the South Atlantic than at any time since such data existed. What’s more, the fshery continues to improve ahead of the projected recovery timeline.

Tis year, instead of allowing greater access to the fshery, NOAA decided to tighten already draconian restrictions. Te overall quota for red snapper was cut by 25 percent for 2024. As the fshery has improved, recreational anglers have gone from a ridiculously short fve-day season in 2019 to an absurd one day of fshing in 2024.

According to NOAA Fisheries, the red snapper fshery is in a “recovery trap.” Abundant red snapper have led to increased incidental catches by anglers, and NOAA extrapolates that data into a formula for catch-and-release mortality. Basically, they’re telling us that there are so many red snapper that anglers are killing too many of them by catching and releasing them.

Te result is tighter regulations in an infexible system, where highly questionable data is used to shut down access to a public resource. We’re not even going into numerous occasions in recent years when NOAA has been forced to admit its data is shockingly fawed.

According to the American Sportfshing Association, work is underway to improve data collection for the South Atlantic red snapper fshery.

In the meantime, try not to get in a boat wreck during the one-day mad dash to catch your one red snapper from the Atlantic. Or you can just trailer your boat to the Gulf of Mexico, where the states fnally managed to bludgeon some sense into federal fsheries managers a few years ago.

For more information, go to coastalanglermag.com.

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TO IMPROVE YOUR OFFSHORE GAMEPLAN READ WATER

Welcome to the best day of the week—the day before your next fshing trip! If you’re going ofshore tomorrow, it’s time to make a game plan, and a look at current Sea Surface Temperature (SST) charts is the frst step. With knowledge of accurate surface temps, chlorophyll imagery and other environmental factors, you can home in on areas that are likely to hold baitfsh and feeding predators.

By Mark Ambert

to consider when targeting gamefsh. It provides shelter and feeding opportunities for all marine life. While you can stumble upon fsh just about anywhere in the ocean, you’ll locate more on and around structure.

Large underwater structure defects current and pushes nutrient-rich water toward the surface, creating areas where bait concentrates and holds. Also remember that weed lines are a key form of structure on the edges of the Gulf Stream.

A reasonably priced satellite service is a small price to pay when compared to rising fuel prices and time spent running in search of gamefsh. Here are a few of the factors SST charts can help you decipher and improve the odds of fnding fsh.

Color Breaks: Te boundary areas between blue and green water, ofen referred to as color breaks, will typically stack up bait and hold above-average numbers of gamefsh.

Chlorophyll is the beginning of the food chain for marine life. Find it and you have a good chance at locating bait and fsh. Temperature and chlorophyll breaks ofen correspond with color changes. So, once you’ve reviewed the images and located the general area of a color break, this becomes an area of interest.

Structure & Current: Structure is critical

If you can fnd a color change that corresponds with structure, this is where you want to begin fshing. If everything lines up, there’s a good chance upon arrival that you’ll see marine life including birds, porpoise, fying fsh and other bait. Tis doesn’t mean you won’t catch fsh in of-colored water, but there’s a much better chance you’ll fnd concentrations of bait in or around the edges of areas where green and blue water interact.

Tides from inlets also play a role in water clarity, creating rips and weed-line formation. Bait will concentrate along the edge, especially where this water pushes up against the waters of the Gulf Stream. Look for these demarcation lines on incoming and outgoing tides.

Learn to read these vital signs both on and of the water using charts. If you can consistently

fnd areas that hold bait, you’ll always have a shot at your quarry. You will have become a top predator!

Mark Ambert, IG @marksgonefshing_™

ENTER TO WIN

AFISHING FORECAST

Mount Pleasant Pier

by Chris Pounder, Contributing Writer

s we get into July we get into the time of year where there tends to be more action from fishermen closer to sunrise and sunset to avoid the mid-day heat. The trick to landing the big ones in July without melting is to select early mornings and late afternoons around productive tides. While you can catch fish on any tide, one suggested time to try is the last hour or two of the outgoing tide thru the first couple hours of the incoming tide. When the tide goes slack and starts to come back in it seems to signal the dinner bell for flounder and trout. The most productive baits are live mud minnows, shrimp, and mullet; however, if you run into a school of pinfish or blues you may have to try different spots to find the species you want.

Another popular option is to target closer to the grass line at high tide. When the water comes all the way in, we typically see redfish and other species feeding. The redfish around the pier are a little like garbage disposals in that they eat just about anything. We see them caught on minnows, shrimp, cut bait, as well as chunks of blue crab. If your live bait is getting picked by crabs or bluefish, it may be time to utilize them to your advantage and get even. Fresh blue crab and cut bluefish are known to produce great results when targeting reds. If the blue crab is 5 inches from point to point and is not a female with eggs its fair game for dinner or bait. Bluefish do not have a size limit, but keep in mind you can only keep 3 per day whether for bait or consumption.

Summer months are a great time to have some fun crabbing with the family as well. The best time to give it a try is during lower tides using chicken necks for bait. Crabbing is a perfect summer activity for kids of all ages and is relatively easy for beginners to learn. To try your luck you’ll need an inexpensive drop net, a weight, some chicken necks for bait, and about 30 feet of crab line or rope. If you don’t have any equipment, the River Watch Café & Gift Shop on the pier has everything you need for a day of crabbing.

Visit Charlestoncountyparks.com to learn more about what’s going on at the pier and around your county parks this summer. There’s plenty for both the fishermen and non-fishermen in your family as our special event season is in high gear.

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

Seung Noh with 22" flounder

Demetrius with redfish

Nice Speckled trout after dark

SPANISH !

Greetings from Edisto Island!

It’s getting hot out here! The near shore reefs are getting more Barracuda around them and I’m beginning to get into my summer routine of big Jacks and sharks.

Big predatory fish means big live baits and what better than the Menhaden that are beginning to arrive. As I was looking for one of these bait balls the other day I noticed some birds going crazy above something about a mile of the beach. As I got even closer, I saw that it wasn’t bait but instead a large school of feeding Spanish Mackerels!

I immediately dropped my cast net and picked up my 8wt fly rod. Using a basic Clouser Minnow, I sent it right in the middle of the carnage. With one strip of the fly line I came tight; BANG! What a great little fight and what’s more is that you can just keep doing it over and over again. When these fish are focused on feeding there isn’t much that distracts them. No need to have a trolling motor, just idle up slow and enjoy.

EDISTO FISHING FORECAST

by Capt. Justin Ravenel, Contributing Writer

Now some folks out there swear by making a ceviche out of these fish and I can attest that it’s not too bad. Very simple and easy; just filet and add lime juice. Other folks tell me they take them home and deep fry them and I’ve decided to take their word on the matter.

Either way these fish are available all summer long and never seem to disappoint.

For those of you interested in getting in on the action with conventional tackle you really can’t go wrong with top, bottom and every color combo in-between. Be more concerned with the size of the tackle you choose. Even the largest Spanish feeds on small minnows so small works every time.

You never know what you might see in the surf and a lot of times I’ll come across large Jack Crevalle hanging close to those feeding frenzies. Larger sized plugs seem to work for me when it comes to these mammoths. Be warned though; it’s a hell of a ride!

Captain Justin Ravenel Ravenel Fishing Charters

843-864-5056

Facebook: ravenelfishingcharters.com

Instagram: justin_ravenel

OFFSHORE REPORT

by Capt. Mike Able, Contributing Writer

A Peculiar Year

Talk about a peculiar year for the Charleston offshore anglers!! I’m sure many think it’s not the best opening sentence for an offshore fishing report, but it’s the truth. Lots of questions as to why the mahi are not here in full force, why the water temperature is so much warmer already but just a month and a half ago we were complaining about the water temperature being too cold. If you’ve made it this far then you are probably second guessing even going offshore, and while the bite might be slower than normal on some species, there are lots of other opportunities to target and be successful. First off, the billfish bite continues to be very good. Reports of blue marlin being caught in the deeper water(usuallly 300’ to 800’ of water) while some of the shallower depths will maybe allow a better chance at sailfish, a possibility of a blue, or even some meatfish. One of my best days offshore on my boat, Sloanie B, was just last week. We went two for two on blue marlin, saw another that we couldn’t get a bite out of, and jumped off two sailfish. That was all in a three quarter mile area in three hundred fifty feet of water, all on ballyhoo. We went back a couple of days later to try our luck again and while we raised two more blues, we just couldn’t get a bite out of them. We trolled for a majority of the day in three hundred to six hundred feet of water and other than seeing those two blues we caught no meat. While it wasn’t necessarily our target species of the day, we had youngsters on the boat and needed to bend a rod before we left. So, we trolled inshore to the ledge and put out a green metal cedar plug so far behind the boat, as well as Nomad DTX minnows and some ballyhoo on the long riggers. In the short forty five minutes we were there we caught two blackfin tuna on the cedar plug and a nice gaffer mahi on ballyhoo to save the day! Some of the more productive days will be time spent on the ledge. It’s usually your best shot at tuna, mahi, wahoo, and maybe even a sailfish. While some aspects of the trolling have been slower, some have resorted to bottom fishing! That usually tends to be productive all the time. Summertime nearshore wrecks and reefs will provide bottom action, as well as the chance of cobia and king mackerel. I would concentrate on stuff in 60-100 of water this time of year. You can also find success bottom fishing the ledge with baits on the bottom as well as some live bait up top for a wahoo, mahi, sailfish or king! NOAA just released the Red Snapper season for our area and we get one day to do it. That special day is Friday July 12th! For more details please check NOAA’s website for all rules, regulations, and specifics in regards to the Red Snapper day. Please remember to check our website, www.haddrellspoint.com, for some great instructional videos on inshore, offshore, and fly fishing techniques. Or, if you are in the area please stop by and visit us and our friendly staff! We are here seven days a week to help guide you to the right tackle, gear, equipment, and bait so you can be successful on the water! Hope to see you out there!

Fish Local and Shop Local!

Capt Mike Able

Haddrell’s Point Tackle & Supply

Since 1983

843-881-3644(Mt Pleasant)

843-573-3474(West Ashley)

WFolly Beach Pier

by Noah O’Brien, Contributing Writer

e are now in the heat of Summer, which not only means the outside temperature is hot, but the water is also at its warmest point with the temperature typically in the 80-90 degree range. While the warmer water does tend to drive a lot of species out into the cooler Atlantic water, we will see a good number of speckled trout, sheepshead, pompano, Spanish and King mackerel. The early morning or in the evening on an incoming tide will be your best chances of landing these fish. Once we get into the middle of the day, the water is typically too warm, and the fish are less active.

The best setup for the surf fish is going to be a medium action rod anywhere from 6’6”-7’6” with a simple bobber rig. For the bobber rig, you’ll want around a foot of mono leader above the bobber with 2-3 feet of mono or steel leader and a ½-1 ounce egg sinker about halfway underneath the bobber to keep your hook from floating on the surface. Live shrimp will always produce the best results for trout, while fiddlers and barnacles will produce better results for sheepshead. With the trout, you’ll want to be in the shallow surf, or no more than 50 feet behind the breaking waves. For the sheepshead, you want to work those pilings the best you can, but you must stay on your toes to ensure they don’t go and wrap around the pilings, which is every angler’s nightmare.

Please come and join us for our third Moonlight Mixer of the year on July 26th for some dancing and responsible drinking! We won’t have another fishing tournament out here until September, but we love to see everybody out here enjoying the outdoors, whether you’re catching or not. For any questions or inquiries, please contact the Folly Beach Pier at 843-762-9516.

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

Yamaha's WOMEN ON THE WATER

By Katie Jo, Pluff Mud Princess Outdoors

When People hear the name Yamaha Outboards… they might envision one of the world’s leading manufacturers of outboard motors. One that boasts over 60 decades of innovation and dedication to the world of boating. A name that for a lot of folks makes the difference between just sitting sedentary at the boat ramp OR having the motorized power to take off and explore. But if you’ve never had the opportunity to go to said boat ramp or push off and explore in a Yamaha Powered vessel… Then how do you ever get involved?

There’s no fancy PDF file or Bluetooth option that you can download that will give you all the confidence or knowledge to be a well-rounded angler/ boater in every situation. No online crash course that is fit to everyone’s style of learning and especially not geared for a woman in a very male dominated sport/ industry. So, if you are left with no guidance, encouragement or opportunity to get involved with fishing and boating… How would you ever?

This was the exact dilemma that I, like other ladies, was faced with as a new angler & boater coming onto the scene. And though, I could find online, tons of overwhelming amounts of information and resources. With my little understanding and knowledge at the time, I had no way of making sense of any of that information. Let alone feeling confident going out on water trying to utilize any of it. And though I’ve spent a decade on the water, molding and self-teaching myself to become the experienced angler I am today. Not everyone has the time or effort to commit.

So, when I saw Yamaha’s incredible “Women on the Water” campaign on my Facebook page back in January of this year. Well, it didn’t take long before I was pitching this crazy ambitious idea to them, of wanting to partner with them at Yamaha Outboards to create a TRUE Women on the Water Event. A one-of-akind, two-part event for the ladies, where Education and Encouragement would meet Opportunity and Experience! And after lots of meetings, fortunate timing and incredible support from the amazing people at Yamaha Outboards and Hanckel Marine.

Well, yours truly… a Pluff Mud loving, fiddler crab chasing, Proud Charleston, SC Local.

Got the green light needed to host an outstanding and impactful Women on the Water event this past month RIGHT HERE in Charleston, SC. Where we gathered a tremendous group of ladies at Hanckel Marine’s location off Hwy 17 in my hometown of West Ashley. And as our ladies arrived for our Yamaha sponsored fishing & boating event on that picturesque Hot summer day in June, it was clear...

City Fishing Charters as well as William Burbage with Mullet Charters. Who all came together, with their Yamaha Outboard Powered Vessels for a truly memorable fishing experience. And as our confident lady anglers boarded their boats for their possibly first ever fishing trip, there was an overwhelming sense of eagerness and excitement that seemed to overcome the whole landing. And as we took to the gorgeous Stono River to target those treasured inshore species like the Redfish, Trout and Flounder. I stood back from the bow of the boat, gazing upon all the lady anglers and their enthusiasm as they reeled in their Carolina rig decked with live bait and then just as quickly as the bait was reeled in, it was casted right back out again… hoping that their bait would be the one to be chosen.

We may have all come from different backgrounds, age groups, ethnicities and life experiences. But we were all there together in union, for the same shared reason… TO FEEL INVOLVED AND INCLUDED AS A WOMEN

So, when we embarked on the first portion of our event that day, it seems we too had embarked on a journey together. We laughed, shared and learned in each other’s company. All in an environment that would make even the most novice angler or boater feel encouraged and accepted. Covering all the basics of Fishing and Boating 101, as well as speaking on some great inshore fishing tips as well as boating terms & etiquette. And it was clearly visible, the joy felt throughout the room. These ladies were feeling confident and empowered in a whole new way, all because of an “inspiring” Pluff Mud Princess Fishing Class.

It was about that time that the familiar sound of the drag peeling rang out across the marsh like a victory tune for all to hear. And soon after, just as the familiar and beloved iridescent, golden shimmer of a lowcountry Redfish radiated out from under the surface of that muddy Stono river. I too was overcome with an abundant feeling of astonishment and gratitude. For this life that I have been blessed to live. Teaching, guiding, inspiring and creating with others, all around fishing and the outdoors. One that led me to this exact unbelievable moment in my journey of partnering with leading names in the industry and community like Yamaha Outboards and Hanckel Marine. Which will only help further my mission of educating and empowering whoever I can. But especially our often overlooked but powerful, women and youth anglers.

So as my first mate Darcy Hill and I went to join up with the ladies for the second portion of our Event. At the ever-bustling John P. Limehouse boat landing or Limehouse as the locals refer to it. We were greeted by trusted and experienced USCG licensed and local Charter Captains Kaleb Sherlin of Captain Kaleb Charters & John Fuss of Holy

So as the boats met back at the dock and our event concluded for the day, I was again left reminiscing on my own fishing and boating journey, one didn’t come easy, was quickly understood or ever given to me at a young age. But it’s with that same journey and support from others, as well as interest and demand from other ladies and youth. That these event are such a profound contributor to the overall acceptance, recognition and inclusion of women in the fishing and boating world. And I know with the support and advocacy for these events from leading names like Yamaha Outboards, Hanckel Marine and others. More women, youth and new anglers & boaters will be encouraged and inspired to start fishing and boating. As well as influence other companies and manufacturers in our industry and local communities to step up and advocate for WOMEN ON THE WATER. So, thank you all again to everyone who made this incredible event possible. But especially to Yamaha Outboards and their phenomenal team. And remember, when you’re choosing your next fishing or boating company to support with your business. Support the ones who care about YOU and your community.

Until the next event, Tight Lines

Why Lowcountry Coastal Angler Magazine Should Be in Your Back Pocket!

by Jiggin’ Jerry, Contributing Writer

Ihave been writing for Lowcountry Edition Coastal Angler Magazine for years. It has given me the opportunity to share all kinds of information with locals and tourists. I have discussed tips and tricks, conservation, locations to fish, and even people’s experiences from childhood to becoming an adult when it comes to fishing, so why should the Lowcountry Edition Coastal Angler Magazine be in your back pocket?

The first easy benefit is the magazine is free, allowing you the opportunity to just grab one when you are in a location where one is available. The magazine shares articles from all different writers sharing fishing tips and tricks from what’s biting seasonal to what to fish for in different locations, including some of their experiences traveling to other locations seeking some of those species of fish that we just can’t find in the Lowcountry.

Who knows? Maybe one of those stories may entice you to put together a nice fishing adventure or short vacation out of town, and of course, the magazine does advertise companies that have equipment that we outdoorsmen might need—from boats to boat motors, from radars to a nice fishing watch, charters, locations to fish, tide charts, tackle and supplies, and all other kinds of content and advertisements. So, if you’re on vacation and you’re visiting the Lowcountry and you find yourself interested in a day out on the water or planning a fishing adventure, grabbing a Coastal Angler Magazine may answer a lot of your questions and point you in the right direction.

If you’re a local and you find yourself just wanting to know what to target that month and what is everybody using for bait, or maybe seeking a nice tip or trick, getting a hold of that Coastal Angler Magazine may just put you on the right path. Don’t forget to keep your eye out because you never know what new tip or trick that I might reveal in my next article in the Lowcountry Edition Coastal Angler Magazine.

I hope this helps with your next or first fishing adventure. Like I always say good luck out there and have fun fishing!

YouTube Channel

Fishing With Jiggin Jerry or follow me on Facebook @fwjigginjerry

UPCOMING COASTAL EVENTS

July 3-6

HMY Lowcountry Cup Toler's Cover Marina

July 17-20

Edisto Invitational

Billfish Tournament

July 27

James Island Yacht Club, 53rd Annual King Mackerel and Inshore Tournament

(Captain’s Meeting July 26)

August 18-20

Marshwear Clothing

Holy City Tarpon Tournament

More info to follow

September 14

Folly Beach Pier

Cast Off Tournament

7am-2pm.. More info at 843-762-9516

September 19-21

2nd Annual Lady Red Tournament

Presented by: Marshwear More info to come

September 21

Mt. Pleasant Pier

Cast Off Tournament

7am-2pm. More info at 843-762-9946

September 28

Carolina Lady Anglers

26 Annual Fishing For The Cure (Captain’s Meeting September 25)

Here, along the Carolina Coast, when the community is hurting…

The Community shows up!

After a late April fire that closed Mt. Pleasant Seafood, Art’s Bar and Grill a neighbor down the road stepped up to help the fourth generation, family owned business in need. Art’s hosted a wing eating contest to help raise funds for the rebuild and the loyal locals showed up. Having been a distribution partner with Coastal Angler Magazine, Lowcountry for years, we are all in. After catching up with Sarah Fitch, the managing family member, at the wing eating contest, she informed me that Oyster Season, is the goal for reopening.

So, here’s to Oyster Season…

Got to love getting the bigger Reds in the back creeks of the lowcountry. Caught this 28” Redfish in Beaufort.

CATCHING MAHI FOR PRIZES

By Capt. Quinlyn Haddon

For the past two years, I’ve had the pleasure of taking Coastal Conservation Association’s Leiza Fitzgerald out on the water to assist in tagging dolphinfsh for the CCA STAR competition. As if going fshing wasn’t enough of a prize, recreational anglers can sign up for this competition, with a donation to a good cause, and participate in this fshing side quest for all sorts of epic prizes.

Tagging trips with Leiza are some of my favorite mahi trips. She is more excited about catching throw-backs than anything we put in the box. Each undersized mahi, and most of the keepers, are handled with care and released with some fancy new jewelry.

With her tagging gun locked and loaded and a towel to lay over the fsh’s eyes to calm them, Leiza carefully and quickly turns peanuts into prizes, and sends them on their way.

CCA Florida STAR presented by Yamaha is a summer-long event that invites anglers and non-anglers to participate and win prizes valued at almost $500,000, including boats, motors, scholarships and more. Te competition is currently live, and registration is open until Sept. 2.

“In the past nine years, it’s been amazing to see STAR participants support conservation and embrace the catch-photo format,” Fitzgerald

said. “Awarding nearly $4 million in prizes, with $900,000 specifcally awarded in youth scholarships to the thousands of statewide STAR registrants is exciting, but even more exciting is the awareness STAR has created for the conservation of our marine fsheries.”

Te 2024 STAR competition is comprised of eight divisions targeting inshore and ofshore species along with trash cleanup. Wherever your home waters are, there is a way to get involved.

Te most notable of the STAR competitions is for tagged redfsh. Te best opportunity to catch this year’s tagged redfsh will be in Citrus and Charlotte counties, STAR’s 2024 Destination Counties, which each have eight tagged redfsh in their coastal waters.

Six years ago, STAR initiated a tagged fsh division for ofshore anglers, the Tigress Outriggers and Gear Tagged Dolphin Division. Tis division ofers one winner a $10,000 cash prize or scholarship. Te frst STAR registrant who catches a STAR tagged dolphin wins.

Te tagged dolphinfsh were caught and released of the Florida Keys. Tese fsh will migrate up the east and west coasts, providing anglers a shot at recapturing one. Tere have only been two tagged dolphin recaptured in six years, and neither angler was registered in the competition. You have to be in it to win it!

Make sure to report any tagged fsh you catch, whether you are registered or not. Take photos, measurements, tag numbers and information, and note the location of recapture. You do not need to remove the tag if you are releasing the fsh.

Fish are very mysterious, and there is so much we don’t know about them. Te more data we collect, the better conservation we can provide.

Capt. Quinlyn Haddon; Sweet E’nuf Charters, Marathon, Florida Keys; @captainquinlyn; captainquinlyn.com; (504) 920-6342.

- $80 Entry (includes one year CCA membership)

- $40 Entry for current CCA members

- FREE for Youth

- Over 100 Days of Fishing

- $500,000 in Prizes & Scholarships

- Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day

CAST LURES IN A MITZI TOURNAMENT 17

FIND BLUEGILLS TO FIND GIANT SUMMER BASS

Fishing during the hot stale days of summer is ofen thought to be the toughest and slowest fshing there is. I am here to help with that.

Not only are the next few months an amazing time to catch fsh, they can also be the easiest time to pin-point patterns for big bass. Spawning bluegills are the key. Bass will set up around bluegill beds and feed heavily on an easy meal of bluegills that congregate in the shallows to spawn.

Whether you are an experienced tournament fsherman or someone who just gets out every once in a while to stretch a line, this pattern is easily found if you know what to look and listen for.

You heard me right, listen! Tere are many ways to locate bluegill beds, and my favorite way is to use my ears. When you get around bluegills feeding in grass or lily pads, you will hear distinct little popping sounds of small fsh sucking prey from the surface. When you hear this, you know you are in a productive area, and the big bass should be close by.

Another way to locate these areas is to use your eyes in shallow water. Bluegill fan

TYLER WOOLCOTT

out an area on the bottom just like a bass when they spawn, but they do it in big groups and create a pattern on sand and hard bottom that looks like the surface of the moon.

If the water is even a little clear, you should be able to spot a bunch of odd craters and divots on the bottom even from a distance. Tis is typically in very shallow water, and bass use this shallow water to their advantage. Spawning bream make easy pickings.

If all else fails, or in murky water, I fnd these beds with my electronics. I idle around with side scan in 2 to 5 feet of water to locate crater patterns on my units and mark them with waypoints to come back and fsh later. Tis is a good way to locate beds that are less pressured, because they are harder for other anglers to fnd.

Tere are a few diferent baits I use to catch bass around these beds. Te most important thing is to stay as far away from these areas as you can, while still being able to get a cast into them. Be stealthy because shallow-water bass are skittish.

I like a bluegill-colored popping frog and also a bluegill-colored swim jig with a trailer to match. I’ll also throw a weightless wacky-rigged Senko and will put a little nail weight in the Senko when fshing deeper beds. A lightweight Carolina-rigged Trick Worm or a shallow-diving squarebill crankbait are two other good options. Hopefully this summertime bass tip helps you have a fun and productive day on your waters!

Tyler Woolcott is a professional tournament angler and guide. Check out his website at www.tylerwoolcottfshing.com.

THE FORGOTTEN FISH

When we inshore anglers gather around the dock, you can count on one or more of these being the topic of conversation: trout, redfsh, founder or snook. Seldom is it the sheepshead. Although they are not a species frequently targeted with lures, they can provide an aggressive bite and a worthy fght. Keeping them out of the structure they love is the real challenge.

By Capt. Michael Okruhlik

depending on the current, were all it took to place his shrimp in the strike zone. Te strike zone is typically as close to the structure as possible. If you notice the sheepshead swimming around, they always have their noses to the structure.

Te sheepshead is a fsh that my son had never caught until a few weeks ago. We took a trip to South Texas to view our second of four Starship launches at the SpaceX facility. Afer the excitement and rumble of the launch, we picked up some live shrimp, and he was soon rumbling with many sheepshead.

We set our sights on the Queen Isabella Memorial Causeway, as it has a nearly unlimited amount of structure ideal for attracting sheepshead. Using the anchor mode on our trolling motor made it easy to stay close to the bridge pilings where the sheepshead were congregated. My son especially liked targeting them because we were under the causeway and in the shade, as opposed to being out on the open fats where we typically fsh.

A small sharp hook and a split-shot or two,

I fnd that keeping your bait small helps attract the bite. It is benefcial to keep a tight line, as the bites can be very light. One tactic that served my son well was to walk toward the back of the boat and away from the structure once a fsh was hooked. Tis assisted in pulling it away from the structure. Trying to manhandle the fsh out on light tackle would certainly have led to some break-ofs.

Stay vigilant in checking your line for frays afer several casts and defnitely afer each fsh. Keeping a sharp hook will also help in landing more fsh because of their boney, teeth-flled mouths. Tis turned out to be an extra memorable fshing trip. We witnessed another historic space launch, and his catch landed him in second place for the Texas CCA Star Tournament with his sheepshead.

Tis is why I always say, take a kid fshing! Tey might win a college scholarship.

Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Knockin Tail Lures®, and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.

BALLYHOOD TOP GUN LURES

WORLD RECORD BLACKFIN CAUGHT AT MIAMI TOURNEY

Amonster blackfn tuna caught during Te Miami Dolphins Fins Weekend tournament is an unofcial world record. Te 50.1-pound blackfn was certifed by an IGFA biologist, and it outweighs the existing IGFA all-tackle world record by a little less than three-quarters of a pound.

Angler Robert (Bob) Kowalski landed the huge blackfn aboard the 34’ Express Sportfsher Miss Britt, which was captained by Gareth Haddam and chartered by Pete Sinnick and his family. In addition to being a potential new world record, the fsh won the largest tuna division at the tournament and earned the team a $30,000 payout.

Te existing IGFA all-tackle world record blackfn tuna weighed 49 pounds, 6 ounces. It was caught in 2006 of Marathon, Florida Keys by Capt. Mathew Pullen. Fins Weekend is an annual fundraiser hosted by the Miami Dolphins. It is a two-day tournament with proceeds going to support the Baptist Health Orthopedic Institute Youth Athletic Outreach Program. For more information, go to bluewatermovements.com.

PHOTO COURTESY OF KNOCKIN TAIL LURES®

IN TEXAS, GIANT FISH BREED GIANT FISH

When it comes to growing giant largemouth bass, Texas has fgured some things out. Since 1986, the state’s Toyota ShareLunker program has conducted a breeding program using huge largemouths caught and donated alive by anglers. Tese donated bass, called Legacy Class, must be heavier than 13 pounds. Tey spawn in a facility before being released, along

with their ofspring, to spread big-fsh genetics across the state.

Te results of the program are apparent in the giant Texas bass caught each year. Many of them go right back into the breeding program, and the spring of 2024 was the fourth ShareLunker season in a row that the program has deemed exceptional.

Tis spring, anglers contributed 19 Legacy Class, 13-plus-pound bass from seven diferent Texas lakes. O.H. Ivie in west Texas is the best big-bass fshery in the country right now. It produced 12 bass heavier than 13 pounds this season, continuing a hot streak that goes back to the 2021.

Highlights from the 2024 Toyota ShareLunker collection season:

• Angler Kyle Hall’s 15.82-pounder was the 37th heaviest all-time Texas largemouth bass.

• Angler Kyle Hall has recorded a Legacy Lunker in three consecutive seasons.

• Six out-of-state anglers etched their name into the program’s record book. Te anglers hailed from Kansas, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma and Washington.

• Angler Larry R. Walker reeled in two Legacy Class Lunkers in 2024. State biologists did genetic analysis of this year’s Legacy Lunkers and made some incredible discoveries:

• ShareLunker 666, reeled in by Larry R. Walker from O.H. Ivie, was a recapture of ShareLunker 646 originally caught by Mechelda Criswell in 2023.

• A 13.2-pound fsh from Lake Athens was the ofspring of ShareLunker 552, which was caught by Randall E. Claybourne in 2014 at Lake Fork. Tis is the frst time a Legacy Class descendant from this family tree was discovered in the program.

• Of the 19 Legacy Class ShareLunkers, 13 had secondary relationships to either previous Legacy Class fsh or other ShareLunkers from which anglers submitted scale samples for genetic analyses.

• In the last fve years, the program has achieved an excellent overall fsh survival success rate of 94 percent.

The Return of a

Tat’s a lot of big-fsh genetics going back into Texas fsheries.

For more information, go to TexasSharelunker.com.

See the Forest Through the Trees

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