The Angler Magazine | June 2024 | Middle TN /Northern Alabama Edition

TACKLE TIPS NYMPH RIGS FOR TROUT LOCAL LAKE & RIVER FORECASTS

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PUBLISH YOUR OWN FISHING MAGAZINE

Swordfshing is great any time of the year, but during summer you can justify the fuel burn to get where they live. It’s nearly impossible to run that far ofshore in June and not come across diving birds indicative of mahi or tuna. With minimal efort, this can be a nice score to put something in the box if you don’t have luck with the swords. It is normal to get skunked while swordfshing, and I don’t recommend going if you can’t accept that possibility. Te best way to go into it is to be fully prepared for both a fsh of a lifetime or to just chill with friends. Make no mistake, when you do land one of these beasts, it’s some of the most exciting fshing you can experience, and it’s worth the skunk risk.

Although you don’t have to run as far, the same consolation prize applies to heading out for tilefsh, snowy and yellowedge grouper, queen snapper, barrelfsh and rosies. Mahi fshing to, from and during deep-dropping rounds out a trip nicely.

Be prepared for mahi when heading ofshore in summer. Keep at least four rods designated for working a school and more for trolling. J hooks are a must for these head-shaking, sky-rocketing, fippy-fappy, squirm-fsh, but just about any line and bait will do. Tese tasty little dummies aren’t picky and would strike a banana peel if you jigged it right. Tat said, the speed of the bait is a variable you might have to adapt to. Teir toddler mentality kicks in when you try to take a bait away from them, encouraging them to strike something they just turned their nose up at. If you get hit when reeling in your bait, open your bail and give them a chance to eat.

If you get excited about fsh with pointy faces, be prepared for a marlin encounter this time of year. I keep rigged ballyhoo in a trolling spread and a pitch rod set up. Marlin aren’t overly common here, but when you see one, you want to be prepared for more than to simply wave and think, “that was neat.”

SBy Capt. Quinlyn Haddon

SUMMERTIME’S BACK, BABY!

ummer in the Keys, albeit hotter than the devil’s you-know-where, is one of the best times to be on the water. With more calm days, open seasons for most species, and mahi peppering ofshore waters, this is the time of year to boogie out and hunt for whatever tickles your fancy.

the

and

of our

Marlin enjoy a mahi snack as much as we do and will pop up unexpectedly while mahi fshing. If you have a large live bait, toss that sucker out. If not, a mahi from the box will do in a pinch. Give her time to eat, hang on and enjoy the ride.

Mahi season is already of to a great start for both size and numbers. Come on down and fll your coolers!

Capt. Quinlyn Haddon; Sweet e’nuf charters, marathon, Florida Keys; @captainquinlyn; captainquinlyn.com; (504) 920-6342.

50,000 Plus Anglers Strong Promoting TakeAction Initiatives For Preserving Our Fisheries And Supporting Our Community.

At 18’2” in length and with a 70” beam, the Mosquito is a very capable hull for many situations – however it’s designed to do one thing with absolute perfection: silently stalk inshore

WHEN FISHING SHALLOWS,

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13" 16" 22" 24"

FISH THE GREATER JACKSONVILLE KINGFISH TOURNEY JULY 13-20!

The “Grandaddy of all Kingfsh Tournaments” will get the First Coast buzzing July 13-20, as the 44th annual Greater Jacksonville Kingfsh Tournament presented by VyStar Credit Union hosts a full week of tournaments with more than $500,000 in cash and prizes.

Te competition kicks of July 13 with the Kingfsh Kick Of Beach Tournament, in which competitors are limited to state waters within 3 miles of shore. Tis event evens the odds for the smaller boats to haul in the largest kingfsh of the day and collect the $50,000 cash prize.

Fishing for the General Tournament begins Friday morning, July 19. Tis cornerstone event pays out to 20 places for both large fsh and aggregate. First place for largest fsh of the tournament will be awarded a Contender 28T with twin 200 Yamaha outboards, an Ameritrail Trailer and a custom T-top and leaning post by Custom Marine. Tis boat package is valued at more than $225,000.

Junior anglers have a shot at a 16foot boat with a 15 hp Yamaha, and the Junior Ofshore Tournament pays out to 25 places. Te Ladies Division pays out to 10 places.

cold beverages, hot food and vendors. Awards Day on Saturday, July 20 is all about celebration, with Kids Zone activities, rafes and seminars.

For inshore anglers, the popular Redfsh Tournament fshes on Saturday, July 20 with payouts of more than $12,000.

Jacksonville Marine Charities is the operating arm of the event, and it supports non-profts throughout the state. Recently, Child Cancer Fund, the Down Syndrome Association and the Child Guidance Center have beneftted from the organization, which also supports other local charity fshing events like Te Premier Trout, Flounder Pounder, Wounded Heroes on the Water and others.

For complete details, visit king fshtournament.com.

All the boats and fsh coming to the docks at Jim King Park and Boat Ramp at Sisters Creek Park in Jacksonville creates a festival atmosphere. Te

Trout are Eating Your Nymph More than You Realize

Alarge trout rising to a high-riding dry fy is one of life’s true pleasures. It’s pretty darn easy to see. Te fy is bouncing happily along the surface, and with a splash it’s gone.

On the other hand, that same fat rainbow trout sucking in a nymph 6 feet down in a dark run may not be as obvious. When you’re nymphing, speed is of the essence. In a second, that fsh will expel the fy. Tere are a bunch of diferent strike indicators designed to help you see the sometimes-faint signal of a hit. Some work well, some break, some slide, and some just suck.

I love yarn indicators for their sensitivity and the plastic air-flled bobbers for ease of use. Both styles rigged up the leader about twice the depth of the water you’re fshing help you detect the strike. Any hesitation, dive or shif in direction of your indicator might be a hit.

I tell clients, if they think a fsh might even be breathing on the fy to set the hook! You get a heck of a lot more strikes than you think you do when nymph fshing. Any slack between your indicator and fy allows a fsh eat and spit your nymph out, and sometimes go completely undetected.

At close range, high-stick or Czech-nymphing techniques work great. No indicator is needed, as diferent colored lines or coiled-line indicators that straighten when a fsh takes are the deal. A lot of the time, the trout is felt when it takes the fy, or you will see the line suddenly stop. Tis method is deadly in experienced hands.

Another method of strike indication is the use of a big dry fy as the

indicator. Usually, a piece of fuorocarbon tippet is tied to the hook and a nymph or two hang underneath. Tis is a good when the fsh might spook if a plastic bobber crashes on their heads. A buggy looking dry fy is a lot less scary.

Another cool way to catch trout on subsurface fies is to watch them eat it. I call this ninja fshing! You’ll need the sun at your back or directly overhead. Start by locating a particular fsh, and then tie on a brightly colored fy that stands out and is easy to see. Cast upstream of the fsh, and let it drif down to the fsh. Sometimes a fy bounced right into their face will get a refex strike. Tis is a good way to learn how fsh react to fies and how currents afect your ofering. If you are in a pool with several fsh, you might be amazed at how many fsh take a swipe at it. You will then realize how many strikes you’ve been missing.

David Hulsey is a North Georgia-based guide and fy fshing instructor. Call him at (770) 639-4001 and visit Hulsey Fly Fishing at hulsey fy fshing.com.

WIN A KAYAK FISHING TRIP

Skye

FROGGIN FOR BASS

By David McGavock, Angler Magazine Editor

June is the month when many frogs begin to bellow in the water and for a bass there is no better delicacy. Heavy spring rains increased the amount of nutrient flow in many waters and have created an abundance of aquatic weeds, grasses and algae on area lakes, ponds and streams. This typically gives tadpoles a place to hide from predators until they develop into adult frogs.

Good numbers of frogs have been reported in May and early June and are proving to be the lure of choice for many bass anglers.There is nothing more exciting to an angler when a bass strikes a top water frog on the surface. Cast the frog along a weed line or around heavy cover. Retrieve the frog by switching, popping or swimming on the surface as to mimic a natural frog behavior.

Fishing a top water frog can be frustrating to some anglers as numerous strikes on the lure can result in missed fish. Most bass angler’s misses are due to setting the hook too early. The secret to fishing a top water frog is allow the bass to take the frog. A successful top water frog angler must learn not to react and set the hook on the splash of the attack, but rather to wait until you feel the fish pulling your line. This will be hard to do, but once you train yourself to do that, your hookup rate will go way up.

Top water frogs have been very productive with bass in early June. Fishing top water frogs are typically known by most anglers to be productive in the fall of the year but heavy spring

rains have increased the numbers of frogs early this season. Try your luck with a top water frog for some hot largemouth bass action!

CATFISHING IN JUNE

By Simon Blackstone, Outdoors Writer

Juneis the time of year when water temperatures reach the range that is preferred by catfish to turn on to feed. Several nice catches of catfish were reported this week by anglers as water temperatures moved in the mid 70's and 80’s on many area lakes, rivers, ponds and creeks.

Catfish species from flatheads, blues, yellows, and channels were reported caught on a wide variety of baits. Bait that always remains a constant to get a bite at the end of the line by a catfish is the night-crawler. Chicken livers, larger minnows, cut bait, shad and artificial stink baits are popular as well.

Bottom fishing is the most popular way of angling to catch one of Tennessee’s and Alabama's most favorite fish for the dinner table. Early morning and late afternoon hour’s catfish will cruise the shallows looking for small bluegill and other baitfish so fishing a larger minnow, night-crawler or chicken liver under a float can be very productive. Most anglers bring two rods and fish on the bottom and with a float to determine which depth is best on a given day.

Catfish can be caught throughout the summer months and create great recreational enjoyment for many anglers. Nothing makes a finer traditional southern dish than fresh catfish, hushpuppies, fries or green beans and homemade cole slaw. Catfish is very versatile and can be grilled, baked, pan-cooked or fried.

Catfish are hard fighters on rod and reel so make sure you have good equipment and some good fishing line to land them. A fishing net can come in handy as every experienced angler knows being stuck by a catfish spine can make a good day turn bad. If you’re looking for some excitement and a tasty dinner get out the fishing equipment and enjoy one of Tennessee’s and Alabama's favorite pastimes and try some catfishing.

EARLY SUMMER SHELLCRACKER BITE ON

By David McGavock, Angler Magazine Editor

commonly known as shellcracker are feisty sunfish that can easily reach weights of 1 to 2 1/2 lbs when fully mature. Shellcracker normally live 5 to 6 years. Redear typically spawn when water temperatures are between 68 to 72 degrees. Large shellcracker typically spawn deeper than bluegill in 4 to 6 feet of water. Once the crappie spawn, shellcracker will sometimes move on old crappie beds and will spawn a few weeks later. The old timer's who fish for crappie will tell you once your crappie beds start producing catches of shellcracker the crappie have spawned already and moved to deeper waters.

Most anglers will agree the key to success is locating shellcracker as numerous crackers can be found in one location. This can fill the basket or stringer with the prize fish. Fully mature shellcracker are very thick in the back and make a very nice filet. Shellcracker are excellent dinner fare for the table and are larger in size than most sunfishes.

Shellcracker are caught on red wigglers or nightcrawlers and bite best on the bottom with a small # 6 or # 4 wire hook and light sinker. Jigs that mimic aquatic larvae are very effective as well. The shellcracker gets its name from feeding on small snails and mollusks hence the name shellcracker.

Check your creel and size limits on public waters to make sure you adhere to the Alabama and Tennessee laws. Also, make sure you can identify a shellcracker. Many anglers confuse shellcracker with bluegill. Shellcracker have an orange or reddish gill flap. Observe this in the photos attached.

Shellcracker are hard fighters on rod and reel so make sure you have some good fishing line to land one of the toughest fighters pound for pound in Alabama and Tennessee waters. The bite is on so head out into the great outdoors for a summer day of shellcracker fishing. Keep fishing a tradition take a kid along for a memory of a lifetime.

Lynn Crutchfield, Co-Publisher Coastal Angler Magazine of North Central Florida

Redear

LAKE AND POND EDUCATION SERIES

LAKE AND POND AERATION: WATER MANAGEMENT, WATER CHEMISTRY AND STRATIFICATION?

By David McGavock, Angler Magazine Editor

Whyaerate? Well the obvious is to prevent water stratification which occurs when water temperature and oxygen levels separate providing the highest oxygen level in the upper depths of water. The middle layer has a lesser amount and the lower can have little to no oxygen. This can be a very high risk for fish kills and poor water quality.

Aeration de-gasses water releasing potential hazards by pushing gases to the surface and dissolving it into the atmosphere. This helps to better manage water quality by reducing high levels of nitrogen, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide and methane gases which feed algae and aquatic weeds and create and anaerobic water quality (lack of oxygen). We have all smelled stagnated water which has that rotten egg stinch. Aeration mixes the upper and lower levels of water providing higher oxygen levels or aerobic water quality (rich in oxygen) to the entire body of water. It takes years to establish good fishery in lakes and ponds. And one day to wipe it out. Oxygen depletion can be prevented by providing the proper amount of aeration. University research has shown one to two horsepower of motor per surface acre of water is needed to properly aerate a lake or pond.

When a fish kill occurs due to oxygen depletion the dead lower layer of water with no oxygen rolls over on the upper levels thus causing low levels of oxygen. This is lethal to fish when the oxygen levels fall below 4 part per million. Normally, this occurs on several cloudy windy days in a row. Keep in mind colder water holds oxygen 5 times more than warmer water.

To understand why fish kills occur and how to prevent it, one has to understand how oxygen is naturally produced in lakes and ponds with no aeration. We all understand trees and plants produce oxygen but how is oxygen produced in water? Sunlight creates a process known as photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is the process by which phytoplankton (microscopic plants in the water) use sunlight to convert carbon dioxide into a food source and release oxygen as a by-product. On cloudy days there is very little oxygen produced due to the lack of sunlight. When winds are combined the lower levels of oxygen on the bottom of the lake or pond can be rolled over to the surface thus depleting oxygen to lethal levels for fish to survive.

Let's discuss fountains. A fountain is something that is placed in water for looks or aesthetics. They move a very small amount of water per minute and normally have very little impact on improving water quality and aerating lakes and ponds. So be educated and understand the product you need based on your particular lake or pond.

There are three types of aeration which need to fit the property owners individual lake or pond. Which is best for your lake and pond based on design, depth and water quality?

High volume Surface Aerators pull the oxygen dead water from the lower depths at a very high flow rate to the surface and supply fresh oxygen through the displacement of air by the

massive bubbling. While efffective in waters less than 10 feet, they can move 1000 to 3000 gallons a minute depending on the motor horsepower size. These types of aerators are commonly used in commercial fish production and problematic weed and algae shallow water lakes and ponds to move massive amounts of water to improve water quality and oxygen production when carrying high loads of fish per acre or to keep the water quality oxygen rich to reduce nitrogen levels that feed aquatic plants and algae.

Display Aerators aerate the top three to four feet of water and shoot the water into the air in numerous display patterns. They are much more aesthetic and provide a beautiful appearance. Light kits are available during night time operation. Aeration with display aerators require one to two horsepower of motor per surface acre. Half horsepower motors are available for ponds less than one acre.

Subsurface Aerators is best for lakes and ponds with depths of more than 6 feet. Water can stratify creating different layers of temperature and oxygen levels. Subsurface aeration provides oxygen from the bottom to the top by the use of diffuser plates strategically placed in a lake or pond. This type of aeration pushes the colder layer of water up intermixing the water

Display Aerator

Subsurface Aeration

High Volume Aerator

LAKE AND POND EDUCATION SERIES

temperature. It will keep the water cooler during the hot summer months and more stable. It moves more water per minute and is 3 times less to operate on electrical costs per month.

This three part educational series on aeration, water chemistry, water depth and stratification will continue next month. This is intended to educate lake and pond owners for best management practices and anglers to better understand how to locate fish based on water conditions, depth, season and climate conditions on any body of water.

Contact Small Waters for more information on aeration, water quality issues or to install an aerator in your lake or pond at 615.977.0752.

POST SPAWN CRAPPIE AND JIGS

By David McGavock, Angler Magazine Editor

Crappie

fishing has long been associated with a stick float and minnow. The development of small jigs has fast become the preferred choice of many anglers to catch crappie. Jigs come in a variety of design, sizes, and colors and most anglers have their jig of choice.

Post spawn crappie normally stay close to the shallows on drop off ledges with structure the first few weeks. After the spawn, the stress and rigors of reproduction fighting off other predators trying to eat their eggs and offspring have taken a toll on them. They are hungry. As the bluegill move in to build the nests many anglers fishing with a jig to catch bedded bluegill begin to catch crappie to their surprise. With a slight drop off, crappie will be schooled up and during times of the day dart in to feed on the bluegill fry and fingerlings.

When an angler locates a potential spot with crappie concentrated a jig can be the perfect choice. It's a good idea to choose a color or lure that matches the prey source. It can be very good technique on crappie if the angler finds that spot that has numerous feeding fish.

Trolling the bait behind a boat has proven very effective as well once crappie move off the banks. The crappie are on the banks and many have already spawned so post spawn fish can be very aggressive on jigs. Trolling speed can be adjusted from medium to slow to try and determine how to get your jig to the proper depth of the fish. Watch your line and rod tip as it slightly bends and then retrieve your catch. Mark the location as there may be large schools of fish in that spot. As you take your catch off the hook get set back up and troll right over the same spot again. Often, one good located spot can result in catching the day's limit.

Crappie are known as papermouth so the hook can easily pull out so bring the fish in slow and net them to prevent catch loss. Try some post spawn crappie fishing and enjoy the outdoors!

FATHER'S DAY IS SUNDAY, JUNE 16TH

By David McGavock, Angler Magazine Editor

Father's day is coming soon. It's interesting to know as Valentine's and Mother's Day is the busiest day of the year for flower sales but most don't know the most popular gift on Father's Day. It's a knife. It could be for hunting, fishing, camping or just a simple pocket knife. If your looking for the largest knife selection in Alabama then Winter Timber Outdoors located in Athens, Alabama is the place to visit.

Winter Timber was built for the hunter, the adventurer, the outdoorsmen and women who love nothing more than spending time in their locals woods and waters. They carry the top outdoor and lifestyle brands as well as a huge selection of firearms, ammo, and knives.

Whether it's ducks in the Delta with your closest hunting buddies or toes in the Gulf Coast sand with your family. With a huge selection of top-rated outdoor clothing, hunting gear, guns and knives there is something for everyone at Winter Timber. If your looking for that special Father's Day Gift check it out. The staff is very knowledgeable and courteous. The address is 1124 US Highway 72 East, Athens, Alabama 35611. The website is wintertimberoutdoors.com.

Winter Timber Family

Pickwick

BIG BROWN'S ON THE PICK

By Ty Garrett, Outdoors Writer

Lake has long been infamous for big smallmouth bass and jigs can be lure of choice to catch the monsters. A TVA lake located in Alabama and Tennessee has an excellent population of smallmouth that covers 43,000 acres. Their diet of

gizzard and threadfin shad produces some monster smallies and there is no shortage of anglers who enjoy catching them.

The first of May the majority of smallmouth are going to be post spawn. After a tough period of spawning, smallmouth tend to seek cover for a few weeks before returning to currents of the Tennessee River. As the water warms up, smallies head for the deeper cooler waters. They tend to be scattered but when you locate them it can produce good results.

Smallmouth put up a good ferocious fight with aerobatics and really turn on the fight once they get boatside. Just let them do their thing and keep a tight line until they are ready to be lipped.

The Tight Line Mussel Crawler Jig Pickwick Special is a good choice. A football head in color of green pumpkin and 1/2 ounce is a good choice to tie on the end of your line. The football head mimics a crawfish movement which smallies are always on the search for in their natural diet. Currents can be strong and sometimes the angler must go up to a 3/4 ounce. Keeping it on the bottom is very important when fishing in the currents.

Pickwick has always been a good producer of big smallmouth so give it a try on your next fishing trip and go for the big brown bass.

Ty Garrett is a well known tournament angler and works in Sales at Sharp Motor Company in Pulaski, Tennessee and can be reached at 931-363-2533.

LET'S TALK ARTIFICIAL STRUCTURE IN LAKE AND PONDS

By David McGavock, Angler Magazine Editor

Fishstructure or fish attractors provide shelter and produces a mini food chain for fish. Smaller fish feed on the algae and aquatic insects on the structure which in turn attracts larger fish to feed on the small fingerlings. This type of fish habitat has proved very beneficial to concentrate fish and produce higher catch rates of numerous fish species.

As a lake and pond professional, questions have been asked about how to provide cover into lakes and ponds for the fish. The old school way was to use cedar tree's or leave rocks and trees pushed up from the build into the basin to provide cover. This method worked well but made a nightmare for easy hang ups while fishing with rod and reel. It is especially frustrating when you try to introduce a child to fishing and it's one hang up after the next. Normally, the adult gets frustrated from the re-tying of the rig and the child senses it and gets turned off to their early experiences of fishing.

New more modern methods of providing fish attractors have been made. Companies have all types of man made fish attractors that work really good for providing cover and concentrating fish allowing higher catch rates. The problem is they can be quite expensive to purchase adequate numbers to make that honey hole.

Many lake and pond owners are now building their own fish attractors made in various styles. PVC and drainage pipe , sakcrete and large cinder blocks or a five gallon bucket or any size pail is one way to build a perfect fish habitat. Normally, about 20 fish attractors per acre work best. Place fish attractors in various depths and different places in the lake and pond. During winter or hot summer months, having attractors in deep water creates a perfect spot.

One of the greatest thing's about these types of fish attractors is the angler do not hang up in them. The hook just bounces off the pipe and keeps you right in the structure for the action. Once a fish is hooked they rarely get wrapped around the structure like a normal sunken cedar tree or other wood structures.

The best way is to put 4 attractors in a square or cirlce formation. This creates more structure or habitat space to hold

more fish. The smaller fish seek out the structure to hide from the larger predator fish thus bringing in the larger predator fish to feed on them. Marking your fish attractors with a buoy or small float helps to identify their location for future fishing. Casting around a fish attractor is almost a guaranteed catch as fish are concentrated around them. It's great for children as the concentration of fish around them make them easy for a child to catch and get hooked on fishing. You can research building fish attractors on the internet and find many genius ways lake and pond owners are doing it to provide cover and create that special honey hole for your next fishing trip.

PANFISH ON FLOAT AND FLY

By David McGavock, Angler Magazine Editor

Afuntechnique to avoid the messy hands of a live bait is fast gaining popularity. It's called the Float and Fly. With a weighted float and feathered jig, it's becoming very popular on lakes, ponds, rivers and streams.

It can be fished at whatever the depth the angler chooses and throughout any time of year. Just set your depth where the fish are biting. Sometimes, it takes a little trial and error to find the right depth. Once the angler is dialed in it can be extremely effective to catch numerous freshwater species but especially effective on crappie, bluegill and shellcracker.

The key is having the right style of float and the right sized jig. For panfish, a 1/64 to 1/32 ounce jig is the perfect match. Colors can vary on any given day. In the spring time, a white or chartreuse is the best color. Once the summer moves in a black and chartreuse mimicing a small bass fingerling can be a very good choice. Fall colors black seems to work very good.

The float needs to be weighted and the best choice is an oval float. The weighted float makes it easier to cast longer distances and in the event of wind keeps the jig from moving to fast. Comal floats are very good choice as they come in many shapes and sizes. Although, a round weighted float can yield good results the oval float will rock better on the water when wind is present. This can create a natural movement of the jig below.

The best technique is to give slight pulls with the float then let it sit a few seconds then repeat the process all the way to the

boat or bank. Many anglers will tip the jig with a waxworm, mealworm or an attractant. It's a finesse style of panfishing and can be very exciting when the float disappears and the action is on! Try some float and fly panfishing and enjoy the outdoors.

POST SPAWN JIGGING FOR MONSTER BASS

By David McGavock, Angler Magazine Editor

Mostexperienced

anglers agree that flipping or pitching a jig is the best way to catch big largemouth bass. Big largemouth like heavy cover especially after the post spawn when the rigors of the spawn have taken there toll. Bass have no eyelids so the heavy cover reduces sunlight and creates a good ambush point to seek out their prey. Rocky banks can be good as they hold crawfish which is a delicacy to big bass. Color choices on jigs vary but typically a black, blue and brown selection is the most popular. A 3/8 or 1/2 ounce jig is the most common for big bass.

Good bass jig anglers fish a jig using three techniques. The first is by flipping the jig into heavy color and shaking the jig then rinse and repeat. The second is by hopping the jig along the bottom with a high rod tip. Often, the jig is popped and dropped and hop it some more. The third technique is to drag the jig with a low rod tip and reel up the slack and in combination with swimming the jig with a slow retrieve. When pitching or casting the jig around brush, boat docks, and trees, the angler should cast past the target spot and work the jig up to the target as not to spook the fish.

A heavy rod with a fast tip is the right rod setup. The reel of choice is a fast gear ratio as bass normally pick up the jig and begin to swim into deeper waters so the angler needs a gear ratio to pick up the line quickly to set the hook. Line choice is normally 15 to 25 pound test fluorocarbon or braid. Hardcore jig flippers will take a black magic marker and color the braid up and 2 feet to camouflage it.

Once a bass takes the jig the angler feels a thump and then a hard hook set is needed. Then, comes the fight to get the monster from the heavy cover. Often, the bass may pick up the bait unnoticed to the angler and swim out of the cover into deeper water. Good jig anglers are constant line watchers. Once the line starts to move the slack is picked up quickly and the hook is set.

If you want try to catch a monster bass try flipping or casting a bass jig. Enjoy the great outdoors!

TIMS FORD HYBRID STRIPER CHALLENGE

By David McGavock, Angler Magazine Editor

Theunpredictability of hybrid striper makes it a challenge to figure out whether the fish will be in the channel or on the flats each day. Just when you think you got them figured out they are doing something different.

The hybrid striper is a cross between a striped bass and white bass. The man-made "Frankenstein" fish as most experienced anglers call them. The hybrid striper makes a strong, mad dash surge after being hooked and can easily snap your line. Once it runs for 50 yards or so, it usually plays out and the fight is on to get your catch to the boat or bank. The striped bass or striper will surge and run for longer distances and normally several long runs occur until ultimately it tires and the angler can begin the fight to the boat or bank. Experienced striper and hybrid striper angler's usually know whether the hookup is a striped bass or a hybrid striper on the end of the line.

Fishing for striped bass and hybrids in June on Tims Ford is normally early morning and the bite is over. As the month progresses and the summer heat begins to build water temperatures increase and once it gets into the 80 degree level, they go deep. Striper anglers have to search in deeper water to locate them.

In July, once the summer doldrums set in both striper and hybrid concentrate in schools around the thermocline with cooler waters and adequate oxygen levels. Most anglers locate then on a fish finder and troll the depper waters to catch them. When they want to feed, schools of shad are the primary choice and it can be quite the show to watch on the surface.

Throwing lures mimicing a shad or a swim bait can be very effective for a hook up. Anglers who are out on the lake often look for birds diving for the schools of shad for a morning breakfast. This can be very effective to locate schools of hybrid that are aggressively in feed mode and blowing up on schooled surface shad.

If your looking for some action, give hybrid striper fishing a try and enjoy the great outdoors.

INTERESTING FISH KNOWLEDGE: ROSY REDS

By Simon Blackstone, Outdoors Writer

Manyfishermen are familiar with the standard Fathead minnow. Fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) have long been the standard for late winter and early spring fishing and have proven to be the most versatile bait to catch a wide variety of fishes from crappie, catfish, bass, bluegill, white bass and many others.

The Fathead minnow in its wild form is generally dull olivegrey in appearance, with a dusky stripe extending along the back and side, and a lighter belly.

What many fishermen in our area have not seen is the Rosy Red Fathead. Rosy Reds (Pimephales promelas) were discovered in Arkansas by fish farmers in 1985. This distinct color morph which existed in a small percentage of Fathead minnows resulted in a red coloration. The red coloration was line bred and developed into a very popular fishing bait minnow. It has even become popular in recent years to many aquarium enthusiasts.

Rosy Reds are primarily found as fishing bait around popular crappie lakes throughout the southeast such as Weiss Lake, Smith Lake and Sardis Lake. The red coloration is much more visible in the deep darker water that crappie and other fish

species concentrate. They can survive in lower levels of oxygen which makes them an excellent bait choice over shiners. This red minnow is the preferred minnow to guides and professional crappie tournament fishermen who compete all over the country for prizes and cash money.

MOON THURSDAY, JUNE 6, 2024

MOON FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 2023

THE FULL MOON IN JUNE

By David McGavock, Angler Magazine Editor

Old folklore has it, the bluegill spawn occurs during the full moon once water temperatures reach 72 to 75 degrees. The bluegill move to the banks and the action is on for one of the hardest fighters pound for pound on rod and reel in Tennessee and Alabama waters.

Crickets under a float are the preferred choice of many anglers to catch spawning bluegills. Red worms, mealworms and wax worms work as well. Many anglers use a beetle spin, rooster tail, and plastic jigs. Artificial flies can be effective.

Bluegill are one of the unique fish in Tennessee and Alabama that spawn several times from May till October. This is one of the best times to introduce a kid to fishing as the action can be hot and heavy if the right honey hole is located. Most anglers remember that first time in our youth we sat on a hot spot and caught a basket of big bluegill. A memory most of us will never forget and became hooked on fishing.

Light tackle with 4 to 6 pound test line and a number 6 wire hook is the best equipment for catching bluegills. Bluegill will hammer crickets thrown around the beds but on those slow days try a red worm with just a hook and no sinker. The slow fall of the worm looks more natural and is less likely to spook bluegills on those slow days. Many times this technique can make a day of fishing when other anglers have no luck filling the basket.

A 8 to 10 inch bluegill will give an angler all they can handle on light tackle and is about as much fun to catch as any fish species when the bite is on.

School’s out so take a kid fishing for some hot bluegill action and make a memory of a lifetime. If you’re looking for an enjoyable day try some bluegill fishing and enjoy the outdoors.

THE GREATEST LURE EVER INVENTED

By David McGavock, Angler Magazine Editor

As a former tackle shop owner and avid fisherman I've tried many different types of artificial lures for fishing over my lifetime. Over the years, you find a handful that are the go to when just want to catch a fish. As a kid, I was up at dawn to wade the creeks and streams of Tennessee and Alabama and as long as it would catch a fish that's what I chose to tie on the end of my line.

The fast running creeks normally were plentiful with smallmouth bass. Although, they were never monster's a good 1 to 2 pound smallmouth gave a good fight. Flying in the air and peeling a drag on light tackle was as much excitement as most could handle. The go to bait was what we called a Slider worm 4 inch and black with a pink tail.

They were made in a nearby town from me and every kid who fished knew the tall tales of the black fire-tailed Slider worm. Smallmouth, largemouth, bluegill, rockbass and many other species were caught in my youth with the black firetail Slider worm. We rarely used a worm weight. It was cast on a light line 4 to 6 lb test and with a good quality hook rigged weedless. Once the bait hit the water in a preferred good spot, we would switch the bait on top. Nothing brought more happiness when a brown bass blew up on the Slider worm and the fight was on. I think all true anglers look back on their youth and the lures of choice back then still today you will find them many years later in their tackle box. Perhaps, even introduced to their kids or grandkids and taught the technique of how to catch a fish.

Years have passed and I find myself most impressed with another

Charlie Brewer Slider bait. It's my new go to when I just want to catch a fish. I've tried many new baits and nothing compares to it. Countless times I've been in a boat and torched my fellow boat comrade as they asked would you let me have one of those baits. Even to the point of other boaters asking me hey what you catching all those fish on? The Charlie Brewer 2 1/8 Slider Minnow and this is the key Smoke Blue Shad model SMG74 to be exact. If you find them in stock by a dozen packs or more. Otherwise, you will wish you had if the stock runs out. I use it on a 1/16 ounce black head and it catches everything.

Bass, catfish, bluegill, shellcracker and is deadly on crappie. I've never seen a lure that will catch almost every species of fish. This bait mimics a natural small baitfish and works year round in all types of conditions. The key is a light line 4 to 6 pound test so there is lots of action on the bait. Cast and retrieve very slowly and wait for the thump then set the hook.

If your looking for a lure that catches fish this is the one. Lakes, rivers, creeks, and ponds this will work. We even use the bait to cull bass in private lakes and ponds as too many bass are the typical problem in private lakes and ponds. So, a certain amount of bass need to be removed every year to keep the lake or pond in balance.

Don't take my word on it just tie one on the end of your line and have the right setup as described above in line size and jig head size. I like a lighter jig head and a 4 lb test line as it gives the bait much more action. Check it out and email me if this is the greatest lure ever invented!

CRANKBAITS AND CREEKS

By Simon Blackstone, Outdoors Writer

Manyanglers received their introduction to fishing by wading area creeks and streams. Some of the most beautiful fish are found in Tennessee and Alabama from smallmouth bass, rock bass and pumpkinseed are found in area creeks and streams.

Crawfish and creek minnows can be very effective to catch fish in creeks and streams. Grasshoppers can be very effective as well. Many anglers have caught their own bait and filled a stringer with nice rock bass, longear bluegill, pumpkinseed and smallmouth.

The lures of choice vary from angler to angler but it’s hard to beat Rebel’s Stream Crawfish when fishing on creeks and streams. Although many small crankbaits will work. When cranking the bait it resembles a natural live crawfish or natural insect or minnow trying to escape a predator fish.

Crawfish are a mainstay and a delicacy to all fishes in creeks and streams and no other artificial bait mimics a crawfish better than the Rebel Crawfish. Smallmouth bass love a crawfish. There’s no harder fighter pound for pound than the smallmouth bass. They can be found in many creeks and streams in the area.

This is the time of year when water levels begin to drop and wading can be enjoyable and produce some nice brown bass. One may be surprised of the State record largemouth bass was caught on Sugar Creek in Lawrence County and weighed in 14 pounds 8 ounces.

Creeks and streams often provide shade from trees so fishing can be much more enjoyable out of the heat. Try some wade fishing in creeks and streams for an enjoyable day in the outdoors.

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HIT-AND-RUN GROUPER

Tim Barefoot

I’ve long been a proponent of chumming up a place on the bottom with squid and then feeding grouper a big live bait.

However, afer the last few trips, I’m starting to rethink this tactic because of the number of sharks we’ve been catching.

I’ve never seen as many sharks as we are seeing right now. Te bottom is covered with them, and the top layer of the water column is full of them. Tis past trip, we put out fve Spanish mackerel on light lines hoping for a wahoo bite. We caught fve sharks almost instantly. One of these bites was the biggest tiger shark I’ve ever seen. It was at least 12 feet long and 2 feet wide across the head. Te rest of them were standard 6- to 9-footers; it takes a toll on you to get them to the boat for dehooking.

apart to create a lot of smell down on the bottom. Ten I drop live pinfsh or small snappers to the grouper drawn in by the “chum.”

Lately, I’ve resorted to dropping big, pretty live baits frst to see if we can get a few grouper bites before the taxman arrives, and it’s become a matter of WHEN rather than IF he shows up. It’s “hit-and-run” fshing. We pull up on a nice mark with pinfsh and grunts already rigged on the jig. I hit the spot lock on the Rhodan and drop in for a few good bites. When the sharks show up, we just move up or down the ledge. Lather, rinse and repeat as ofen as needed. Granted, we haven’t boated as many of the smaller snappers or seabass for the cooler, but we’ve caught some beautiful grouper with this “hitand-run” style of bottom banging. Te wahoo are diferent story. We quit putting the light line out due to the instant shark bite. I’ve got to fgure something out for that. From now until the end of October or the frst of November, wahoo will be everywhere and nowhere at the same time. Tey will come inside the edge of the Gulf Stream following big stacks of bait. As usual, some king mackerel fsherman will catch a 100-pounder on a live menhaden in less than 100 feet of water while chasing a tournamentgrade kingfsh.

Between all the American red snappers—which we aren’t allowed to keep—and all the sharks, we’ve been run of of several square miles of bottom lately. Tankfully, we’ve found some of the grouper we’re looking for, but I’m seriously rethinking the “chumming” part of the tactics I usually employ. Normally, I begin on a spot by dropping whole squid on jigs, which the smaller fsh pick

I said all that to say this: We’re going to take more pinfsh and less squid to catch “hit-and-run” grouper. Someone please educate me on a bait that will not catch a red snapper!

For more info on the jigs and bait, check out Tim Barefoot’s YouTube channel and website, barefootcatsandtackle.com.

C-HAWK MITZI SKIFF: & Two Brands, One Philosophy

In the boating world, brand loyalty is earned. Over years, boater experiences with vessels— good and bad, on and of the water—are what build the reputations of boats. It might, or might not, come as a surprise that two brands that have garnered sterling reputations in the industry for functionality and dependability are manufactured by the same builder.

C-Hawk and Mitzi Skif are both built in the U.S.A. with the same philosophy that simplicity leads to vessels that are easier and more afordable to operate and maintain. A simple, well-designed and well-built boat, comes with less hassle, leaving more time to spend on the water. Especially among anglers, this philosophy has built large followings for both brands among people who are more interested in fshing and boating than they are in pampering their pretty boats.

“We build a keep-it-simple-stupid boat. If you want something you can sof scrub at the end of the day and put it away, you’re my guy,” said Brad Grubbs, the owner and manufacturer of C-Hawk and Mitzi Skif. “We set out to make boats that are afordable to operate and afordable to own, and the philosophy has worked.”

Mitzi Skiff

Although Mitzi Skif originated in the 1990s for a singular purpose, the same philosophy for simplicity applies. Fly fshing the fats drove Tom Mitzlaf to design a skif with quiet maneuverability, extremely shallow draf and a clean deck layout to make him a better fsherman. It was simple by necessity, and it revolutionized the industry.

Tree decades later, Mitzi’s line of 15’, 16’and 17’ skifs achieves those purposes exceptionally well, and they have led the way with innovations that make them the fats boats other boat builders imitate. A Mitzi does everything the pricier skifs do, yet they are afordable enough for any angler to own and operate.

“If it ain’t broke, don’t fx it,” Grubbs quipped. Mitzi builds skifs for anglers more interested in fshing than in spending a lot of money.

Te 15’ remains a purpose-built fats boat for one or two anglers to sneak up on wary fsh in super-skinny water. Te 17’ models are more multi-purpose. Tey can fsh three anglers, and while they are primarily a fats boat, they perform admirably as bay boats with a modifed V-hull and an 11-degree deadrise at transom to reduce hull slap. Rolled gunnels knock down spray for an exceptionally dry ride.

Tey are solid and durable for long years of heavy use, and from hideaway pushpole holders to fush-mount hardware, Mitzi delivers clean and stable casting decks designed specifcally for hard-core anglers. www.mitziskifs.com

C-Hawk Boats

C-Hawk has been around since the mid1970s and ofers lines of bombproof 16’ to 29’ center consoles and 22’ to 29’ sport cabins that were originally developed for commercial applications. C-Hawks remain widely used commercially, and many recreational

boaters also see the value in a vessel that’s built to take a beating.

“Really, we just took a commercial-duty boat and put a little lipstick on it,” Grubbs said. “ Te boat is as tough as it ever was. It’s been the same boat for nearly 50 years.”

At their core, C-Hawks are hardcore workhorses, and the center console models have become popular with charter captains because they are built to withstand hard use for years of trouble-free boating. Grubbs pointed to C-Hawk’s 25 CC as a great example of what the brand has become. It’s an extremely stable fshing platform that drafs just 12 inches, and with a 300 horsepower max it’ll take you anywhere you need to go from skinny water to light ofshore duty. What’s more, it’s infnitely customizable from the factory.

“We can mix and match consoles, fsh boxes, full transoms, cut transoms, bare hulls… you name it,” Grubbs said. “ Tere are some recreational guys adding towers and sight fshing for cobia, and such. Everything we do is built around keep it simple, keep it efcient, keep it easy to maintain, keep it cost efective to own and operate. Tey are all unique… no cookie cutter trailer queens here. Te 25 is a great example of what C-Hawk is.” www.chawkboats.net

Every month, I provide tips to help make you a better angler. Tis month’s tip is one of the most important. With so many tackle and gear options on the market these days, staying organized on the water is difcult. Here are a few things I do that make me a more efcient angler because I know exactly where to go when looking for the right tool for the job.

Storage options vary depending on the type of fshing you do. I’m going to stick to bass fshing, but don’t be afraid to alter these tips to your style of fshing.

When storing baits, hooks, line and gear, your No. 1 enemy is moisture. Keeping your tools dry should be a priority because it keeps hooks sharp and everything else rust-free. I store almost everything in waterproof boxes or bags. Tese storage options might be a little more expensive up-front, but when compared to losing a whole box of lures or hooks to rust, your investment will pay for itself many times over.Another good trick I’ve learned is to use DampRid moisture absorbers. Here in Florida, where humidity is high and temperatures fuctuate, condensation builds up in boat compartments. Te best thing to do is to take your tackle out of the boat and move it inside, but this is not an option if you fsh a lot and have a lot of gear. DampRid containers help keep everything safe and dry by absorbing moisture from the air in your boat’s storage compartments.

Now let’s talk about organization. If you’re a bass angler, you have a ton of sof plastics in diferent styles and colors as well as packs of hooks, jigs and weights to fsh them. I use plastic Sterlite containers with latches to store my bags of sof plastics. You can buy them at Walmart. I organize my baits by the type of sof plastic they are, and I label each container. On the water, this makes it easy grab the style of bait I’m looking for. Also, before I leave the house, labels make it easy to load what I think I’ll need for the day and remove what I don’t.

On the hook side of organization, one mistake people make when organizing hooks is to take them out of the original packaging to place them in compartment boxes. Tis is a huge mistake. Hook packs are clearly labeled by size and style, which allows you to quickly identify them on the water. Also, hook packs are designed to keep hooks sharp, untangled and dry. You can store your hooks in a box, but you should leave them in their original packaging.

Hopefully, these tips help you be more efcient on the water and save you some money by protecting your investments.

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

TYLER WOOLCOTT

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