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SPRING
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WANT TO BE A CHARTER CAPTAIN?
GIANT TREVALLY
MAR 21-24 • PBBOATSHOW.COM PHOTO COURTESY OF TOMMY MIANO
VOLUME 29 • ISSUE 348
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM
F R A N C H I S E
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MARCH 2024
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PHOTO COURTESY OF KNOCKIN TAIL LURES®.
KEEN SENSES
ARE ESSENTIAL FOR SUCCESS
By Capt. Michael Okruhlik
I
t is always important to pay attention to our surroundings as we go through life, and fishing is no exception. How many of you have been fishing without any action and find yourself daydreaming and going through the motions until you feel the tug on your line? Suddenly you are frantically trying to remember the cadence of your retrieve to duplicate the action, but you are dreaming of fish instead of trying to catch them. Well, in this article and the accompanying video for The Angler Video Magazine, I will go over a specific situation when paying attention paid off, and you can see it and hear me talk through it on the video. I will also share some wisdom from two incredible Texas guides whom I was fortunate enough to spend a few hours with on the topic of targeting big trout. While wading in knee-deep water that
4 NATIONAL
MARCH 2024
was about 61 degrees, I could see a few mullet jumping in their casual mullet way. It was enough to keep me interested in the area. The bottom had undulating depth with grass and scattered potholes, or sand pockets for those not familiar with the term. I was throwing a slowsinking soft-plastic jerkbait, letting it slowly sink between twitches where the sand and grass met. With a cast in mid-air, I saw a mullet do an abnormal flip. It was distinct from the norm of the day and not as if it were being chased, but different, nonetheless. I burned my lure back in and made a cast just beyond where the mullet flipped. When my lure paused near the area, a nice redfish slammed my soft plastic. Had I not been paying attention and blew it off as just another mullet jumping, I would not have caught that fish and a few more in the general area. Since we cannot always have a bird’s eye view,
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we need to utilize the birds’ eyes. Here are a few tips I picked up on during a conversation with guides. Birds do not always need to be feeding to point us to fish. There are subtle hints, such as a head turn of a gliding pelican. They don’t turn their head for no reason; they saw something. Maybe they saw a huge trout and kept soaring because it was too big for them to eat. Also, watch the lines birds are relating too. They may not dive, bait may not flee from the shadow, but they are flying that line for a reason, and maybe you should work your way toward the area. Pay attention on the water and in conversation with old salts. You might need to read between the lines, but the answers are there. Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Knockin Tail Lures®, and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.
PHOTO COURTESY OF KNOCKIN TAIL LURES®.
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JACK CREVALLE: BATTLE THE BULLIES OF THE REEF
S
ometimes called the “poor man’s giant trevally,” jack crevalle will strike a surface lure or bait aggressively, and once hooked, engage the angler in a slugfest they won’t soon forget. Jacks are world-class fighters. These fish are perfect for small-boat anglers because they frequent inshore and nearshore waters. They can be caught in bays, inlets, canals and off reefs, where they target schooling baitfish. These fish are perfect for light spinning gear or a fly rod, as they will readily take any fast-retrieved bait imitation. They frequently show up in bays and estuaries following migratory baitfish like mullet. Strong current that concentrates bait is usually best, and you’ll find them at the mouths of the inlets on a strong outgoing tide. Any nearshore reef close to an inlet that has “nervous water” – a sure sign of bait schools—is prime territory for jacks. A 7-foot medium-action spinning rod equipped with a 6000 sized spinning reel and spooled with 40-pound braid is a prime tool for fighting these fish. I like a fluorocarbon leader in the 50-pound range for abrasion resistance. These fish are not leader shy. Jacks school up in large groups of juvenile fish under 10 pounds. The larger 20-plus-pound fish usually hunt in pairs. While a
By Mark Ambert
5000-class rod and reel setup will handle the smaller fish, a larger setup will be better for anything over 20 pounds. Pro-Tip: If you tangle with one of the larger fish, get a second bait or lure in the water for a double hook-up! Live bait and chum will usually find the biggest fish. Any local seasonal bait such as herring, pilchards, sardines or mullet will do the trick. For maximum fun factor, a topwater lure or fly stripped fast can’t be beat. I usually locate a school of feeding fish first then break out the fly or topwater spinning gear for sport. A 9- or 10-weight fly rod setup with an intermediate line is optimal. When fly fishing, a popper, Deceiver, Clouser or any streamer pattern will work. I use flies that cast easily and in colorful patterns to attract the fish. With spinning gear, any noisy or splashy plug such as a 3- to 4-inch Storm Chug Bug is ideal. I also use a 4-inch Heddon Zara Spook in white with a walk-the-dog retrieve. Watching this lure get knocked out of the water and eaten is worth the
price of admission. For sub-surface action, the Rapala X-Rap size 10 in Ghost finish can’t be beat. The initial run of a big jack is spectacular, with ever shortened runs to follow. Using lighter gear, you might have to chase bigger fish down, so be prepared to move. Once a fish is spent, I usually use a net or tail grab the fish boatside for a quick picture and safe release, as these fish have limited food quality. Now head out your local inlet and target these plentiful and eager sluggers. They will not disappoint. Find Mark Ambert on Instagram @marksgonefishing_™; Email: marksgonefishing25@gmail.com.
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MARCH 2024
NATIONAL 7
DO YOU WANT TO BE A CHARTER CAPTAIN? By Capt. Quinlyn Haddon
I
went fishing while on Florida vacation about a decade ago. After returning home to Canada for two months, I drove back to pursue a career in the industry. I had zero experience, no connections, and less than half a clue on where to begin. For those with a similar dream, here’s what I learned. First, it doesn’t matter how long you’ve been a weekend warrior. If you want to be a captain, be a deckhand first. You don’t know what you don’t know, and working for someone fishing the waters you plan to guide provides all kinds of information. Every fishery has its own etiquette and unspoken guidelines. Community is crucial, and paying your dues and earning respect goes a long way. Captains communicate about fishing on the water, and often, we are each other’s first responders. This same-team mentality is nearly currency. Beginning as a deckhand is difficult. Nobody wants to train you, yet you must be trainable. On your own time, practice skills like knot tying, bait rigging and net throwing. Veteran fishermen are usually happy to flex knowledge to those who ask for help humbly. No matter what you learn, be ready to have a captain you work for tell you it’s wrong. Adapt, and learn things their way. The expectations of deckhands are high, and everything on board will be their fault. You are expected to arrive early, stay late, come in on days off, anticipate your captain and clients wants, and do it on minimum salary. The biggest issue with new deckhands is they sometimes don’t show up. Finding a replacement at 6 a.m. is nearly impossible, and it affects the productivity of a charter. Being a fisherman takes a special kind of person. If can fish six days a week and still want to go out for fun on your day off, this job
may be for you. If you’re on the boat watching the clock, you won’t last long. Showing up to the dock consistently is a great way to make connections and get work. If you can’t find work, show up an hour before local charters head out. Walk the dock and ask if anyone had a no-show deckhand. If you do this consistently and pass out your number, eventually someone will call you. They will see you have the dedication to show up. Deckhands are also required to be on a drug consortium. Sign up and keep your paper with you. Lastly, if you hold a captain’s license and are working as a deckhand, make sure your “captain” has one too. You do not want to be held liable for someone else’s mistakes. Protect your future in the industry. If this is something you want to do, I highly recommend going for it. In 10 years, I have never regretted it or lost the smile it puts on my face. Capt. Quinlyn Haddon guides with Sweet E’Nuf Charters, Marathon, Florida Keys. Captainquinlyn.com; @captainquinlyn; (504) 920-6342.
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Snook fishing during this transition is very much dependent on the weather. A warming spell pushes snook out faster toward the passes and bays, while a cooling trend will slow them down. A cold snap will absolutely shut the bite down. If it breaks cold and clear the morning of your planned fishing trip, you’re better off targeting trout and reds. While snook are moving out, big schools of scaled sardines and threadfin herring start to show up close to shore. These baitfish, also known as whitebait or pilchard and greenbacks, respectively, become the favorite food source for snook as well as many other gamefish. When water temps reach the mid-70s, a snook’s metabolism ramps up and they’ll eat anything from crabs and shrimp to mullet, but a lively sardine or herring freelined on a 2/0 circle hook is as close to a sure thing as you’re going to get. Generally, these baitfish are also pretty easy to find this time of year. Where you find the bait is where you’ll find snook. Look at a map and draw a line between a known wintering hole and the passes where snook spawn in summer. In spring, they will be somewhere along this line, staged up and feeding on structure. Snook are ambush predators and prefer to hang in the slack water while the tide sweeps food in front of them. By CAM Staff On the beginning of an incoming or outgoing tide, look to the docks, bridges, points, channel swings, mangroves, oyster bars and anything else that provides a little current shade adjacent to faster water. River mouths are a good place to start your search. If there are greenies or whitebait present, there’s a very good chance a school of snook will be there feeding on them. Want to know for sure? Use a chum bat to sling a double handful of disoriented greenies where you think snook might be. If they’re there, you’ll know it in a hurry. Fresh live bait is the easiest way to catch fish, but the spring feed-up also provides lots of opportunity for anglers throwing artificials. If you’re someone who prefers to skip the hassle of catching and keeping bait, you can absolutely get the job done with a baitfish or shrimp imitation. Topwaters, soft-plastic paddletails, soft-plastic shrimp, twitchbaits, plugs and bucktails nook are hungry when they break out of the winter doldrums and go will all get bit. A couple benefits to artificials is you can use them to cover lots on the move this time of year. As spring temperatures begin to stabilize, of water quickly to find fish and they can be skipped up under mangroves they push progressively farther out of their backwater holes, and their and docks. migration intersects with the arrival of spring baitfish schools. It’s a recipe For more tips and tactics, go to coastalanglermag.com. for an aggressive feed-up ahead of the summer spawn.
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Every year, just after the New Year, American shad move from the northern states south. This year, my dad and I went to central Florida to see if we could find some shad making their way up a river. Unfortunately, after hours of constant jigging with light tackle and tiny jigs and a couple miles of paddling a tandem kayak, the shad were a bust. We decided to take a lunch break with lines out for a catfish or bowfin. We soaked baits for about an hour without even a nibble. At this point, I was more than a little disappointed after driving three hours without even a bite to show for it. Don’t get me wrong, the scenery was beautiful, but I was determined to catch something! I started jigging again as my dad slowly paddled us back to the truck. About a quarter of the way back, I got a bite, a cute little 10-inch largemouth. Despite the size, I was satisfied; I had beaten the skunk. I continued jigging until we were about halfway back, where this narrow part of the river opened wider. I made a “last cast” and had decided to call it quits. As I cranked my jig straight in, I was surprised when it got thumped! I laughed and told my dad we had been doing it wrong all day. To test the theory, I tossed my jig out and again just cranked it in. About two feet from the kayak, a huge swirl appeared where my jig was, and 4-pound line started By Emily Hanzlik ripping off my ultralight. My dad paddled to keep the fish a manageable distance from the kayak while also maneuvering defensively to place the kayak between the fish and the vegetation. After an extremely stressful nearly 20-minute fight, we netted a beautiful, 7-pound-plus Florida sunshine bass. I frantically checked the FWC website for the state record, which weighed 16 pounds, 3 ounces. However, I knew I had one more hope for a record. I checked IGFA and was more than pleased to find the women’s 4-pound-test record was a 5-pound fish. If approved, this will be my first record that was not targeted. When you’re hunting records, it’s key to be prepared. No matter where we go, I keep my certified Rapala scale and my tape measure in a glasses container in whatever bag we have that day. The other key is to make sure you always have accurate line on your reel. I use tournament Ande line so I don’t have to worry about my line over-testing. Other than that, it’s just the f you’ve read my column, you know that catching IGFA record fish is what luck of getting that big one. I love to do. I’ve caught more than 60 of them, and people frequently ask Emily Rose Hanzlik has caught more than 60 IGFA world records which is my favorite. It’s tough to pick, but the following recent record in various categories. Find her on social media @emilyhanzlikoutdoors. is at the top.
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Springtime Fishing By: Caitlyn Gatrell
I
t’s that time of year again! The weather is warming up and the fish are coming out to play. Boat days are going to become a lot more frequent for us as we’ll be joining tons of other anglers for the new fishing season. We look forward to spring every year because it brings out some of those trophy game fish. We love to chase big snook, redfish, and tarpon, and the warmer temperatures provide plenty of opportunities. On a typical spring fishing day, we’ll head out to the island to scoop up some lively white bait. A little way offshore, the pilings also carry some large threadfin. Once we get the bait secured, we head inshore towards mangrove islands. Finding an area with a deep cut and a flowing current is the goal, and pulling up to action is a great sign. It’s especially exciting when the tarpon are present, as we’ll just see rolls all around. We’ve even seen a couple jump out of the water while chasing bait; it’s a surreal sight. Our go-to method in the spring is to free line our live bait on the mangrove lines or near drop offs. It usually doesn’t take long before we get a bite. That hard thump and drag screaming run makes the long winter wait worth it. When it’s a big fish on the line, it’s an insane experience. Each species has its own unique fight, and they are exciting and heart racing in their own ways. Getting the fish to the boat is an amazing feeling, and after snapping a few quick photos, we ensure a good release. Watching them swim back and eventually disappear is a humbling feeling. Spring season is really the “take off” for fishing season. For ourselves and our fishing friends, it’s when we finish fixing up the boat, dust off our gear, and get ready to face some new adventures. The springtime fights are extra fun in my opinion because the fish are feeding well. That means the hungrier fish there are, the more bites we’ll be getting. Another bonus with fishing in spring is that the time changes again, and the warm days become longer. The longer the days, the more time we have to be on the water. Fishing is pretty productive for us, and the sunset bite is the icing on the cake. Spring fishing in Southwest Florida is an excellent adventure that’s sure to keep your heart racing and your mind happy. Lots of popular species will be on the prowl, some preparing for spawning season, so the fishing opportunities are endless! FACEBOOK.COM/CAMNAPLES/ | MARCH 2024 | NAPLES 1
2024 Bonita Boat Show and Fishing
By: Capt. Terry Fisher
F
ebruary 29-March 3 are the dates for this year’s Bonita Springs Boat show being held at the ‘old’ Grey Hound Racetrack. I will be on hand along with Captain Jay Rodriquez of Salty Native Fishing Charters to deliver three, one (1) hour seminars each day on ‘Where, When and How to Catch Fish’. Each one (1) hour session will include either inshore, offshore or tarpon techniques designed to insure everyone knows how and where to ‘catch a fish of a lifetime’! Question and Answer sessions will be available at the end of each presentation. Register at any of the seminars to win a FREE FISHING CHARTER to be given away by drawing, at the end of the last seminar on Sunday, March 3 (winner does not have to be present and will be notified based on the information provided on the registration form). Check the boat show itinerary for times of each of these three topics to be covered during the seminar assigned to cover them each day. Springtime brings out the best in people and fish. The fish are less lethargic and more aggressive. Strikes become more aggressive on both artificial and live presentations. Artificial presentations include soft plastics, topwater, swim and twitch baits. Shrimp, pilchards, pinfish and threadfins some of the more effective live baits. Depending on the water temperatures, migratory species such as spanish mackerel, kingfish, tarpon and shark will open up the fishery making it worth-while to target just off the beaches and passes. Sheepshead are both inshore and offshore. Large ones normally remain inshore around the docks, seawalls and Mangroves throughout March. They are harvestable and provide some great angling and eating for those who like to target them. The seatrout bite should be good this month with larger ones in the mix. I enjoy targeting them in the grass flats anywhere from three to five foot of water. The higher March tides will offer opportunities to fish deeper holes and areas around the mangrove islands that were not accessible to many anglers during previous winter months. Regardless of when or where one fishes for them, they will bite on artificial and live presentations. Hopefully the spanish mackerel migration will be in full swing. When here, they will be found off the beaches, in the passes and inshore. Watch for diving birds and catch them on live or artificial presentations. I utilize a couple of methods to catch these fish. 1) I like to target them in the passes or off the beaches on incoming and outgoing tides. I freeline pilchards on light tackle with heavy monofilament leaders to prevent ‘bite-offs’. Other than for Kingfish, I do not like to use wire line with or without ‘stinger’ hooks, although they are very effective. I have a good catch rate and more bites on 40lb. monofilament leaders with 1oz. silver spoons (slow troll or cast) in the passes. 2) In the grass flats while fishing for seatrout one may expect to catch a number of them on artificial or live bait presentations. I recommend and use a popping cork on most all occasions when fishing for seatrout in the deeper grassy flats. Spanish mackerel, pompano, ladyfish, jack crevalle usually become part of the action. 2 NAPLES | MARCH 2024 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM/NAPLES/
The redfish action should start to pick-up for anglers as the higher tides allow boat access the shallower ‘back-country’ locations in and around the mangroves. During the winter months we experience low water levels that prevent anglers from getting boats to these reclusive spots. Therefore, I spend a lot of time during the winter months working the high side of the tides in and around the passes, under and around docks, with a lot of current until the spring tide levels allow access to the ‘shallows’ of the winter months. This can be a very rewarding and effective strategy. It’s just a matter of when they are there (time of day). March fishing offers both options. I prefer live shrimp, live pilchards, live or cut pinfish. Sheepshead, mangrove snappers and snook are the other species feeding along with the redfish. Springtime snook will be found at the mouth of creeks and up the rivers. They will also be in the shallows of the passes and under the docks. Again, the higher March tides will allow anglers access to the same ‘back-country’ locations that redfish will be found. Live presentations of pilchards for these fish will be the most productive. Offshore locations should produce some nice size mangrove and lane snappers along with grunts for harvesting. These will be accessible for anglers not having vessels for long-range running (10 or more miles out). I suggest one looks to 35-45 foot of water with bottom structure such as grass, rubble, etc. Medium heavy rods with small circle hooks (1/0-2/0) and light leaders of 15-20lb for best results. Recommended baits are squid, pilchards, silver side minnows and shrimps. Take more chum than beer for best results! Long range offshore locations (35-40 miles) with depths from 85 to 110 ft. should produce some nice mangroves, lane snappers and grouper for harvesting. Baits of choice will include squid, pinfish, cigar minnows and shrimps. Upgrade your equipment to bigger circle hooks, medium to heavy rods with stronger line and leaders to handle the bigger fish.
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World-Class
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Visit our website www.CoveCommunities.com FACEBOOK.COM/CAMNAPLES/ | MARCH 2024 | NAPLES 3
FOR RENT N EW ESTAT E H OM E
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Marathon MM50 Florida Keys
CENTRALLY LOCATED IN Marathon FL
6 BED 7 1/2 BATH
For more information, contact Mike Aranda, Founder/Broker
c. 239.476.2301 mike@thenewhomespot.com www.latitude24.com
11 Beds (Sleeps 14), 3 separate living quarter, Full Kitchen, Wet Casita Kitchen, Coffee Bar, 2 Covered Patios, 5 houses from open water, custom cornhole court, Pool, Oversized Jacuzzi, Large AstroTurf fenced yard, Fire Pit
Vacation Rental License: 23-266
$1,365 per night 7 Night Minimum Disclaimer : Rental rate amounts do not include taxes, fees or ser vices
4 NAPLES | MARCH 2024 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM/NAPLES/
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5 BED 4 1/2 BATH * 3,219 SqFt Luxury Finishes include Cambria Stone Quartz, Coretec Luxury Flooring, Travertine Entry Way, and Hand Thrown Pool Pavers Price Includes Dock, Pool, and Landscaping. Professionally Decorated.
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TheNewHomeSpot.com FACEBOOK.COM/CAMNAPLES/ | MARCH 2024 | NAPLES 5
Crazy Weather By: Capt. Billy Norris
T
his has been one crazy year so far with the weather! We have had seemingly endless rounds of storm fronts rolling through, creating rough seas for much of last month. That being said, when you can get out on the water the bite has been phenomenal! Backwater has been solid when targeting the wintertime staples. There are sheepshead and black drum on the docks, oyster bars, and around structure. Redfish have also been eager to take baits, and some nice snook have been chewing as well. Estero Bay has had a great trout bite in the backwater and catching a limit hasn’t been too difficult. There are a lot of smaller fish mixed in, but if you keep at it the keepers add up. Nearshore has also been productive. The kingfish have still yet to show up, but the cobia bite has more than made up for it. We have consistently been catching solid cobia, with some big ones coming onboard. Cobia will eat a variety of baits including fish, shrimp, crabs and even cut bait. Lately our go to baits have been large pinfish or thread herring. In addition to cobia, there have been some huge black drum hanging on the nearshore wrecks. Although the larger ones aren’t the
6 NAPLES | MARCH 2024 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM/NAPLES/
greatest table fare, smaller fish under 20 inches or so are delicious! The snapper bite inside of 9 miles has also been good. Mangroves and lanes have been active, especially on the patch reef and ledges. Offshore has been on fire. We have definitely had to pick our days to go deep due to the unusually high winds, but when we’ve been able to get out, it’s been on fire! Red grouper season is open, and they are crushing baits. The snapper bite offshore is the best I’ve seen it in a long time. Mangrove, lane, mutton, and more are covering the wrecks and reefs, and getting them fired up hasn’t been a problem. This year we have been catching giant lane snapper in large quantities. The cobia have also been present offshore, and on multiple days we’ve been able to sight fish them off of the surface. The fishing is great right now, and it should continue to get better! If the weather cooperates, you can get out on the water and crush some fish! Contact us at Pale Horse Fishing Charters to book your backwater, nearshore, or offshore trip today!
Pale Horse FC | palehorsefishingcharters.com | 239-285-7710
FACEBOOK.COM/CAMNAPLES/ | MARCH 2024 | NAPLES 7
MARCO ISLAND
3125 Bayshore Dr., Naples, FL 34112 239.417.0141
www.USHarbors.com
www.USHarbors.com
March/2024 • 25°58’N 81°44’W High
March/2024 • 26°8’N 81°48’W
Naples, FL - Mar 2024
Marco, Big Marco River, FL - Mar 2024 Date
9148 Bonita Beach Rd., Bonita Springs, FL 34135 239.262.2940
NAPLES
Low
High
Date
Low
AM
ft
PM
ft
AM
ft
PM
ft
Rise
Set
Fri
3:51
1.7
2:43
2.4
8:37
1.0
10:35
0.1
6:48
6:30
2
Sat
5:20
1.5
3:15
2.4
8:48
1.2
11:54
0.0
6:47
6:30
3
Sun
4:03
2.3
6:46
6:31
6:31
4
Mon
5:28
2.3
1:09
-0.1
6:45
6:31
6:44
6:32
5
Tue
11:08
1.8
7:32
2.5
2:15
-0.3
2:02
1.7
6:44
6:32
1.2
6:43
6:32
6
Wed
10:53
2.0
8:56
2.7
3:14
-0.5
3:10
1.5
6:43
6:32
4:42
1.0
6:42
6:33
7
Thu
11:11
2.1
9:58
2.9
4:05
-0.7
4:04
1.2
6:42
6:33
-0.7
5:32
0.6
6:41
6:33
8
Fri
11:33
2.3
10:50
3.1
4:50
-0.7
4:51
0.8
6:41
6:33
6:26
-0.6
6:22
0.3
6:40
6:34
9
Sat
11:58
2.4
11:39
3.2
5:33
-0.6
5:37
0.4
6:40
6:34
2.4
8:07
-0.4
8:12
-0.1
7:39
7:34
10
Sun
1:23
2.6
7:14
-0.4
7:24
0.0
7:39
7:34
2:51
2.6
8:46
-0.2
9:02
-0.3
7:38
7:35
11
Mon
1:29
3.1
1:50
2.7
7:54
-0.1
8:11
-0.3
7:38
7:35
2.7
3:24
2.6
9:24
0.2
9:52
-0.5
7:37
7:35
12
Tue
2:23
2.8
2:18
2.8
8:32
0.3
9:01
-0.5
7:37
7:35
4:17
2.4
3:57
2.7
10:00
0.5
10:43
-0.5
7:36
7:36
13
Wed
3:20
2.5
2:49
2.8
9:08
0.6
9:52
-0.5
7:36
7:36
Thu
5:16
2.1
4:33
2.6
10:37
0.8
11:39
-0.4
7:35
7:36
14
Thu
4:21
2.1
3:23
2.7
9:42
1.0
10:49
-0.4
7:35
7:36
15
Fri
6:26
1.8
5:15
2.5
11:16
1.1
7:34
7:37
15
Fri
5:33
1.8
4:03
2.6
10:11
1.3
11:56
-0.2
7:34
7:37
16
Sat
7:48
1.6
6:14
2.4
12:44
-0.2
12:07
1.3
7:33
7:37
16
Sat
7:14
1.6
5:02
2.5
9:23
1.6
7:33
7:37
17
Sun
10:07
1.6
7:31
2.3
1:57
-0.1
1:22
1.5
7:31
7:38
17
Sun
6:48
2.3
1:12
-0.1
7:32
7:38
18
Mon
11:38
1.7
8:51
2.2
3:14
0.0
2:48
1.5
7:30
7:38
18
Mon
11:56
1.9
8:20
2.3
2:25
0.0
2:40
1.7
7:31
7:38
19
Tue
12:11P
1.7
10:07
2.3
4:28
0.0
4:07
1.3
7:29
7:39
19
Tue
12:15P
2.0
9:38
2.3
3:30
0.0
3:53
1.5
7:30
7:39
20
Wed
12:31P
1.8
11:09
2.4
5:23
0.0
5:06
1.1
7:28
7:39
20
Wed
12:22P
2.1
10:37
2.5
4:24
0.0
4:45
1.3
7:29
7:39
21
Thu
12:47P
1.9
11:59
2.5
6:05
-0.1
5:51
0.9
7:27
7:39
21
Thu
12:13P
2.2
11:22
2.6
5:08
0.0
5:25
1.0
7:28
7:40
22
Fri
1:05
2.0
6:40
-0.1
6:31
0.6
7:26
7:40
22
Fri
12:16P
2.3
11:59
2.6
5:45
0.0
6:00
0.8
7:26
7:40
23
Sat
12:42
2.6
1:26
2.1
7:12
0.0
7:09
0.4
7:25
7:40
23
Sat
12:31
2.4
6:19
0.1
6:33
0.6
7:25
7:41
24
Sun
1:23
2.6
1:50
2.2
7:44
0.1
7:47
0.2
7:24
7:41
24
Sun
12:33
2.6
12:50
2.5
6:50
0.2
7:05
0.4
7:24
7:41
25
Mon
2:03
2.5
2:15
2.3
8:14
0.3
8:23
0.1
7:23
7:41
25
Mon
1:07
2.6
1:11
2.6
7:19
0.4
7:38
0.2
7:23
7:42
26
Tue
2:44
2.5
2:38
2.3
8:45
0.5
8:59
-0.1
7:22
7:42
26
Tue
1:42
2.5
1:29
2.7
7:46
0.6
8:11
0.0
7:22
7:42
27
Wed
3:24
2.4
2:57
2.4
9:13
0.7
9:35
-0.1
7:21
7:42
27
Wed
2:19
2.4
1:45
2.7
8:11
0.8
8:47
-0.1
7:21
7:43
28
Thu
4:06
2.2
3:13
2.4
9:40
0.9
10:13
-0.1
7:20
7:43
28
Thu
3:01
2.2
2:00
2.7
8:31
1.0
9:26
-0.1
7:20
7:43
29
Fri
4:53
2.0
3:31
2.4
10:04
1.1
10:57
-0.1
7:19
7:43
29
Fri
3:50
2.0
2:22
2.7
8:46
1.2
10:11
-0.1
7:19
7:44
30
Sat
5:52
1.9
3:58
2.4
10:23
1.3
11:53
-0.1
7:18
7:44
30
Sat
4:55
1.8
2:53
2.6
9:01
1.3
11:08
-0.1
7:18
7:44
31
Sun
7:06
1.7
4:38
2.4
10:38
1.4
7:17
7:44
31
Sun
6:24
1.7
3:34
2.6
9:19
1.5
7:17
7:45
AM
ft
PM
ft
AM
ft
PM
ft
Rise
Set
Fri
4:59
1.8
3:42
2.2
10:04
1.0
11:21
0.1
6:48
6:29
1
2
Sat
6:15
1.6
4:17
2.2
10:22
1.2
6:47
6:30
3
Sun
7:40
1.5
5:15
2.2
12:32
0.1
10:40A
1.4
6:46
6:31
4
Mon
9:33
1.5
6:48
2.2
1:48
0.0
12:59
1.5
6:45
5
Tue
10:45
1.7
8:26
2.4
3:03
-0.2
2:35
1.4
6
Wed
11:15
1.8
9:43
2.6
4:06
-0.4
3:46
7
Thu
11:44
1.9
10:45
2.8
4:57
-0.6
8
Fri
12:15P
2.1
11:41
3.0
5:43
9
Sat
12:46
2.2
10
Sun
12:35
3.0
2:18
11
Mon
2:29
2.9
12
Tue
3:22
13
Wed
14
1
Moon
8 NAPLES | MARCH 2024 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM/NAPLES/
Moon
WIGGINS PASS
10871 Kelly Rd Ft Myers, FL 33908 239.267.6857
1150 Hamilton Lane Chokoloskee, FL 34138 239-695-2414
EVERGLADES
www.USHarbors.com
Wiggins Pass, Cocohatchee River, FL - Mar 2024
March/2024 • 26°17’N 81°49’W High
Date
www.USHarbors.com
March/2024 • 25°51’N 81°23’W
Everglades City, FL - Mar 2024
Low
High
Date
AM
ft
PM
ft
AM
ft
PM
ft
Rise
Set
Moon
Fri
4:35
1.3
3:27
1.8
9:36
0.7
11:34
0.1
6:48
6:30
1
2
Sat
6:04
1.2
3:59
1.8
9:47
0.9
6:47
6:30
3
Sun
7:52
1.1
4:47
1.8
12:53
0.0
9:55A
1.0
6:46
6:31
4
Mon
6:12
1.8
2:08
-0.1
6:45
5
Tue
11:52
1.4
8:16
1.9
3:14
-0.2
3:01
1.2
6
Wed
11:37
1.5
9:40
2.1
4:13
-0.4
4:09
7
Thu
11:55
1.6
10:42
2.3
5:04
-0.5
8
Fri
12:17P
1.8
11:34
2.4
5:49
9
Sat
12:42
1.9
10
Sun
12:23
2.4
2:07
11
Mon
2:13
2.3
12
Tue
3:07
13
Wed
14
Low
AM
ft
PM
ft
AM
ft
PM
ft
Rise
Set
Fri
6:16
1.7
5:08
2.4
1:01
0.1
12:03
0.6
6:46
6:28
2
Sat
7:45
1.5
5:40
2.3
2:01
0.1
12:14
0.7
6:45
6:29
3
Sun
9:33
1.4
6:28
2.3
3:20
0.0
12:22
0.8
6:44
6:29
6:31
4
Mon
7:53
2.3
4:35
-0.1
6:43
6:30
6:44
6:32
5
Tue
1:33P
1.8
9:57
2.4
5:41
-0.2
5:28
1.0
6:42
6:30
1.1
6:43
6:32
6
Wed
1:18P
2.0
11:21
2.7
6:40
-0.3
6:36
0.8
6:41
6:31
5:03
0.9
6:42
6:33
7
Thu
1:36
2.1
7:31
-0.4
7:30
0.7
6:40
6:31
-0.5
5:50
0.6
6:41
6:33
8
Fri
12:23
2.9
1:58
2.3
8:16
-0.4
8:17
0.4
6:39
6:32
6:32
-0.5
6:36
0.3
6:40
6:34
9
Sat
1:15
3.1
2:23
2.4
8:59
-0.4
9:03
0.2
6:38
6:32
2.0
8:13
-0.3
8:23
0.0
7:39
7:34
10
Sun
3:04
3.1
3:48
2.5
10:40
-0.2
10:50
0.0
7:37
7:33
2:34
2.1
8:53
-0.1
9:10
-0.2
7:38
7:35
11
Mon
3:54
3.0
4:15
2.7
11:20
-0.1
11:37
-0.2
7:36
7:33
2.2
3:02
2.1
9:31
0.2
10:00
-0.3
7:37
7:35
12
Tue
4:48
2.8
4:43
2.7
11:58
0.1
7:35
7:34
4:04
1.9
3:33
2.2
10:07
0.5
10:51
-0.4
7:36
7:36
13
Wed
5:45
2.5
5:14
2.8
12:27
-0.3
12:34
0.4
7:34
7:34
Thu
5:05
1.6
4:07
2.1
10:41
0.7
11:48
-0.3
7:35
7:36
14
Thu
6:46
2.1
5:48
2.7
1:18
-0.3
1:08
0.6
7:33
7:35
15
Fri
6:17
1.4
4:47
2.0
11:10
1.0
7:34
7:37
15
Fri
7:58
1.8
6:28
2.6
2:15
-0.2
1:37
0.7
7:32
7:35
16
Sat
7:58
1.2
5:46
1.9
12:55
-0.2
7:33
7:37
16
Sat
9:39
1.6
7:27
2.4
3:22
-0.1
12:49
0.9
7:31
7:36
17
Sun
7:32
1.8
2:11
-0.1
7:32
7:38
17
Sun
2:03P
1.8
9:13
2.3
4:38
-0.1
4:24
1.0
7:30
7:36
18
Mon
12:40P
1.5
9:04
1.8
3:24
0.0
3:39
1.2
7:31
7:38
18
Mon
2:21P
1.9
10:45
2.3
5:51
0.0
6:06
1.0
7:29
7:37
19
Tue
12:59P
1.5
10:22
1.8
4:29
0.0
4:52
1.1
7:30
7:39
19
Tue
2:40
2.0
6:56
0.0
7:19
0.9
7:28
7:37
20
Wed
1:06P
1.6
11:21
1.9
5:23
0.0
5:44
0.9
7:29
7:39
20
Wed
12:03
2.3
2:47
2.0
7:50
0.0
8:11
0.7
7:27
7:38
21
Thu
12:57
1.7
6:07
0.0
6:24
0.8
7:28
7:40
21
Thu
1:02
2.4
2:38
2.1
8:34
0.0
8:51
0.6
7:26
7:38
22
Fri
12:06
2.0
1:00
1.8
6:44
0.0
6:59
0.6
7:26
7:40
22
Fri
1:47
2.5
2:41
2.3
9:11
0.0
9:26
0.5
7:25
7:39
23
Sat
12:43
2.0
1:15
1.9
7:18
0.1
7:32
0.4
7:25
7:41
23
Sat
2:24
2.6
2:56
2.4
9:45
0.1
9:59
0.3
7:24
7:39
24
Sun
1:17
2.0
1:34
2.0
7:49
0.2
8:04
0.3
7:24
7:41
24
Sun
2:58
2.6
3:15
2.5
10:16
0.1
10:31
0.2
7:23
7:40
25
Mon
1:51
2.0
1:55
2.0
8:18
0.3
8:37
0.1
7:23
7:42
25
Mon
3:32
2.6
3:36
2.6
10:45
0.2
11:04
0.1
7:22
7:40
26
Tue
2:26
1.9
2:13
2.0
8:45
0.4
9:10
0.0
7:22
7:42
26
Tue
4:07
2.5
3:54
2.6
11:12
0.3
11:37
0.0
7:21
7:40
27
Wed
3:03
1.8
2:29
2.1
9:10
0.6
9:46
0.0
7:21
7:43
27
Wed
4:44
2.4
4:10
2.6
11:37
0.4
7:19
7:41
28
Thu
3:45
1.7
2:44
2.1
9:30
0.7
10:25
-0.1
7:20
7:43
28
Thu
5:26
2.2
4:25
2.6
12:13
0.0
11:57A
0.6
7:18
7:41
29
Fri
4:34
1.6
3:06
2.1
9:45
0.8
11:10
-0.1
7:19
7:44
29
Fri
6:15
2.0
4:47
2.6
12:52
-0.1
12:12
0.7
7:17
7:42
30
Sat
5:39
1.4
3:37
2.0
10:00
1.0
31
Sun
7:08
1.3
4:18
2.0
12:07
0.0
1
10:22A
1.1
Moon
r u r o e y t a W e l u R 10:18A
1.1
7:18
7:44
30
Sat
7:20
1.8
5:18
2.6
1:37
-0.1
12:27
0.8
7:16
7:42
7:17
7:45
31
Sun
8:49
1.7
5:59
2.6
2:34
0.0
12:45
0.9
7:15
7:43
Follow us on Facebook and sign up for email offers at SunshineAce.com Bonita Springs (239) 992-0169
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The Silver Kings By: Jessica Harris
6-5050
10 NAPLES | MARCH 2024 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM/NAPLES/
I
t’s nearing the time of tarpon season! Florida, also called the Fishing Capital of the World, has so many fishing opportunities, but one experience stands out among the rest - tarpon fishing. Tarpon, aka The Silver Kings, are such a unique catch. Pictured here, I had a wonderful trip in the tarpon capital of the world also known as Boca Grande. This was the experience of a lifetime! It was a full 10-hour day of tarpon fishing. Now if any captain knows, Boca Grande in May is not for the weak. You will be surrounded by other boats trying to catch tarpon. But if you can beat that, you’ll be in for a great time. My trip started out fast. Within the first hour, I had 2 tarpon hooked and got 1 to the boat. It was a learning process on remembering to put the rod tip down when they jumped. The whole day, I used crabs as bait and boy did it work. When you catch your first tarpon, remember to keep a scale for good luck! As the day passed, we had to stop at one of my favorite places for lunch, Cabbage Key. Then back at it we went. The tarpon were biting like crazy and at one point, we were the only boat out there and got to experience a wonderful sight of tarpon rolling at sunset. That was in itself, a once in a lifetime opportunity. The fishing came back on as the sunset, and we hooked up to 3 more! I was able to tag one and become more educated on their migrating, eating and the way they live in general. Each tarpon I caught, was hooked right in the button. (Right where you want it!) This trip and what I was able to accomplish reached a lot of people and I was able to speak about the experience on several radio stations. So, to be able to write about the experience all over again is really special to me. And I would like to give a huge shoutout to James of Boca Coast Bait Fish Chum and Airborne Outdoors Fishing Charters with Chris Fanelli for sponsoring me and making it happen. Happy Fishing!
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er Co. -1536
Be a Friend to Brown Pelicans – Don’t Feed Them!
B
rown Pelicans are icons of the Florida coast and waterfront. They loaf on beaches, perch on piers, and soar across the Sunshine State. Although their numbers have increased significantly since the early 1960s when rampant pesticide use nearly drove them to extinction, they still need our help to thrive. Brown Pelicans are large seabirds that can live in fresh or saltwater environments. They are brown and white with short legs and an impressive wingspan of nearly seven feet. They are easily recognized by their long, narrow bill and large pouch they use to catch fish. Using their keen eyesight to spot prey from the air, Brown Pelicans dive right in, hitting the water with a splash. Their preferred food? Small, schooling fish such as sardines. While they are no longer a threatened species in Florida, Brown Pelicans remain part of the Imperiled Species Management Plan as they continue to face dire threats from loss of wetlands, pollution, nestsite disturbance, and entanglement in fishing line. Brown Pelicans, especially juveniles that may not have mastered the skill of plunge-diving, will readily accept handouts from boats returning to the dock and sometimes hang around fishing piers and bridges where they hope to make an “easy” meal of someone’s bait. But, by as14 NAPLES | MARCH 2024 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM/NAPLES/
sociating food with humans, birds put themselves at risk of becoming entangled in fishing gear. Audubon Florida has initiated a research project to investigate how hooking and entanglement are impacting Brown Pelican populations in Southwest Florida, including Tampa Bay. Because so many pelicans are rescued on or near the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, Audubon biologists are applying metal bands to the legs of pelicans healthy enough for release. The goal of this project is to understand how pelicans are interacting with recreational fisheries, what impact that is having on their population, and what steps we can take to reduce negative impacts on Brown Pelicans. What can you do to help? • If you spot a Brown Pelican with an ORANGE leg band, report it to fl.audubon.org/pelican-study. • Reel in caught birds, cut the barb off the hook, and back the hook out. • Remove and properly dispose of all used/unwanted fishing line and gear. • Don’t feed wild seabirds, including Brown Pelicans.
FACEBOOK.COM/CAMNAPLES/ | MARCH 2024 | NAPLES 15
Red ght this ulf. G in the
V cau Jimmy
r out Groupe
32” Tarpon on soft white plastic for Earl Horecky in Pine Island Sound backcountry.
e -this on ne of 2 d! o d n a endrix itch ro Mark H ke his slow p o r b
Tony with a nice wintertime snook with Capt. Christian Sommer.
Christin e Mu big gro lka crushed t her lim uper making he it! of qu ality fis h!
Water temps are high enough to let George Peters of Bonita Springs get a limit of nice sea trout from Wiggins Pass.
Amy Lockhart, military vet, with a nice snook.
Julie Scott did good off Venice inlet.
Tim Wh eele while a r caught this 4 nchored 0” drum Naples just off the Pier.
Photos submitted Courtesy of Coastal Angler Readers and Contributing Writers Submit pics to: camswfl@gmail.com or text to 239.595.8265
SPRINGfiSHING CLASSIC SPRING CLASSICEVENT EVENT
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CCA FLORIDA STAR STREAMLINED FOR 2024
C
CA Florida STAR presented by Yamaha, boasts amazing prizes, is the largest familyfriendly saltwater fishing competition in Florida and it begins May 25. A unique combination of conservation, data collection and education, plus prizes and scholarships valued at over $500,000, makes CCA Florida STAR the state’s not-to-miss-summer-long fishing competition. No other fishing tournament in Florida has the ability to engage participants
of all ages and experience levels, and even nonanglers can win, just by collecting trash and debris. Heading into the tenth year, CCA Florida STAR presented by Yamaha has made it easier than ever to participate. The summer long fishing competition encourages thousands of anglers of all ages to fish with a purpose – conservation and winning. STAR is simplifying the competition to make it easier for participants to enter their catches
and win big. It’s not just about anglers winning but helping the fishery win too. Florida STAR focuses on conservation with its technology-based, CPR format and dedicated smartphone app. This format promotes the proper handling of species and allows participants who, at the time of their catch are members of CCA and registered in STAR to upload photos of their catch for an entry in the competition. STAR has set the bar for other fishing tournaments to follow by implementing conservation friendly alternatives, such as a trash division and conservation division with rewards of some really big prizes. The CCA Florida STAR competition presented by Yamaha has a division for everyone, from the non-angler to the experienced angler and targets inshore and offshore species. For the 2024 competition, CCA Florida STAR will once again offer over $500,000 in prizes and scholarships but has pared down the number of divisions to make participation simpler. STAR will offer a Tagged Redfish Division, Tagged Dolphin Division, an Inshore and Offshore Division, Native Watercraft Kayak Division, Realtree Youth Scholarship Division, Power Pole Conservation Division and Costa Kick Plastic Trash Division. With so many ways to win amazing prizes and help protect our marine resources, now is the time to get registered and make fishing in Florida more rewarding this summer. For more information on STAR, become a member and register, call 844-387-7827 or visit their Facebook page and ccaflstar.com.
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LIFE IS A BEACH
By Richard L. Matteson
COOL WATER SNOOK&THE MARCH FISHING FORECAST
I
t’s not like summer, but there are still snook on the beach here on the Treasure Coast. I caught a 21-incher a few days ago in the surf and released it. My main artificial rig is a 4-inch DOA pearl white paddletail on a chartreuse 3/8-ounce DOA jighead. Snook are looking for warmer water, so they’ll be around inlets and bridges where the water is deeper. Sometimes they run the beach because the ocean is better for them than the shallow water in the lagoon. Some large snook are being caught in deeper water of the St. Lucie, both North and South Forks, Crossroads and around deep piers and bridges as well as around deep water in both the St. Lucie and Ft. Pierce inlets. Large jigs and live or cut bait fished early morning, at dusk or at night work best. Live 6-inch croaker seem to be the preferred live bait. This month, you can harvest one snook in the 28- to 32-inch slot here in the IRL Zone. March is windy and will be the last good month for many of the winter fish like pompano, mackerel and bluefish. Some fish, especially bluefish, will remain, but the numbers are relatively small. Pompano can be caught on the beach with orange fish bites and sand fleas. In the lagoon, try jigging from bridges with pompano jigs on moving tides.
Chartreuse or hot pink are good colors. Permit have been caught on the beach on small crabs, fish bites or large sand fleas. Both permit and pompano are 50 to 70 yards offshore. The mackerel bite is good on the beach early in the morning when bait is present. This bite is in the trough around the close breakers. Small spoons like silver 1-ounce Krocodiles or gold Johnson spoons with treble hooks work best, but they will hit any lure retrieved quickly near the surface. There are mackerel still in the Peck’s Lake area where you’ll need a boat. The bluefish bite has been sporadic with fish chasing bait in early morning or when bait is present. Trout are scattered in the lagoon and can be caught on jigs and topwaters like Skitterwalks and Zara Spooks on warm afternoons. The best trout areas are north from the power plant to the Vero Beach flats. The flounder bite is still good on small the 5- to 10-pound range have been taken on jigs jigs and live bait on the flats and around the bridges. and shallow-running crankbaits. Some redfish have been caught on jigs tipped Remember, see the birds, find the bait, catch with live shrimp from the power plant north. the fish! Target mangroves on high tide in the afternoon or Richard L. Matteson Jr. is a long-time Coastal mangroves with deep water. As usual, there are scattered schools of ladyfish Angler contributor and staff writer for Stuart Rod & Reel Club. Contact him at (336) 414-3440. and jacks cruising the beaches. Some nice jacks in
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18th Annual
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An Angler Tournament Angler Entry Fee is a Donation Catagories Ladies, Junior (16 and under), Weekend Warrior and Pro Prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd in all categories Contact Chris Todd Young at 305-797-5779 Admin@HabitatMiddleKeys.org Presented by
May 10th & 11th, 2024 Online Registration:
MothersDayDolphinTournament.com Captain’s Meeting The Island Fish Co. Friday May 10th - 6pm to 7pm
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Awards Banquet Marathon Yacht Club Saturday, May 11th - 7pm
Sunday Honor Our Moms Always in our Hearts JB!
TIPS FROM A PRO
ISOLATED TARGETS FOR BIG BASS
TYLER WOOLCOTT
A
round the country, spring is either here or it is rapidly approaching. There is an amazing tip I want to share to improve your chances for catching big bass this time of year. In spring, bass flood into shallower areas of any lake. Whether that be a bank, pocket or a flat shallow area, they move shallow to start their transition and get ready to do their thing. They use any type of readily available cover to stage up and then eventually spawn. This takes a lot of the guesswork out of the search for where your next bite may come from. What I look for is isolated cover and structure. Types of cover that I look for differentiate from state to state and lake to lake, but the general concept is always the same. The more isolated the better! For instance, here in Florida, anything from a couple lily pads or a very small patch of vertical grass sticking up away from most of the other cover is the ideal spot for a big one to be sitting. In other areas of the country, it could be a single rock, a piece of wood or any kind of debris or cover that looks out of place. Shallow brushpiles near a spawning area that you find with your electronics are also an awesome thing to look for. Some of my biggest spring bass have come from something so obvious that most anglers
go right past it. Fish also often replenish on these places very quickly, so don’t overlook visiting the same piece of structure multiple times in a single day. One of my favorite things to do is cast to isolated lily pads. There could be two tiny little pads out in the middle of a flat on their own, and I might catch multiple fish off the same two pads by revisiting them throughout the day. I often pick apart these objects by dragging something slowly by or through the structure. Typically, a wacky-rigged weightless Senko or a very lightly weighted Texas-rigged stick bait are my go-to lures. When in Southern states that have some stain to the water, I stick with darker colors like blacks and blues or junebug. When the water is clear, I’ll go with more natural colors like a green pumpkin. You can keep your gear pretty simple, but remember you’re fishing around structure fish can wrap you around and break you off. Use heavier line. Try stepping up your leader size to 12- to 15-pound Seaguar fluorocarbon on a spinning rod, and use 15- to 20-pound when throwing a Texas rig on a baitcaster. The 13 have fun and be safe on the water. Fishing Defy series of rods are awesome and Tyler Woolcott is a professional tournament affordable. I use the 7’6” MH for baitcasting angler and guide. Check out his website at rods and the 7’1” MH for spinning. www.tylerwoolcottfishing.com. Good luck out there this spring and always
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nD tea wit as par drawin Fla., is feature she pl around “I that I get a n Jeanet Christ you ag Th pound depen 16-foo on. Sh redfish be per Co Wiley in tim com, c some f
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MARCH 2024
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DECEMBER GIVEAWAY WINNER ZIPPING AROUND WITH HER NEW OUTBOARD
ENTER TO WIN!
A PAIR OF WILEY X SUNGLASSES THROUGH MARCH!
I
n December, Coastal Angler and Suzuki teamed up to award one lucky reader with an extra special Christmas gift as part of the magazine’s regular contest drawings. Jeanette Harkin, of Edgewater, Fla., is now the happy owner of small, but feature-rich Suzuki DF2.5 outboard, which she plans to use on the inshore fisheries around Smyrna Beach. “I was super excited when I found out that I won, because we’ve been wanting to get a nice trolling motor for a long time,” Jeanette said. “It was an extra special Christmas present from you guys! Thank you again!!!” The Suzuki DF 2.5 weighs just 30 pounds, and the smooth, quiet and dependable engine is a perfect fit for the 16-foot Gheenoe Jeanette plans to put it on. She goes out frequently after whitefish, redfish and blue crabs on the Intracoastal near her home, and this little rig will be perfect for zipping around on the flats and backwaters. Coastal Angler’s current Giveaway drawing is for two pairs of awesome Wiley X sunglasses. These high-performance and stylish glasses will be just in time for all your springtime outdoor adventures. Go to Coastalanglermag. com, click the “Contest” tab, enter the drawing, and you could be sporting some free new shades on the water this spring. To enter, go to coastalanglermag.com/contest.
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MARCH 2024
NATIONAL 11
WHERE THE SUWANNEE & STEINHATCHEE RIVERS MEET THE GULF OF MEXICO
PHOTO BY DAVID HAY JONES
GREAT FISHING!
Ne
Jus an
By CAM Staff
YOU CAN ALWAYS FIND A BOAT RAMP
DIXIE COUNTY
T
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REDFISH TIP:
THE GARRETT REDFISH DRAG
H
ere’s a quick redfish tip from Capt. Garrett Ross, of Miss Judy Charters out of Savannah, Ga. “While using a traditional adjustable style cork, adjust depth to allow the live shrimp to sit directly on the bottom. This means that your cork will be laying completely over on its side. Now, when the cold-water redfish decides to take the bait in its mouth, you will not know until the cork stands up right and starts to make way. It is suggested to reel lightly tight and allow the circle hook to do its job of lip hooking your redfish!” Capt. Garrett’s reasoning for the Ethan Long, 13, with a nice redfish caught effectiveness of his while fishing with Capt. Garrett Ross. technique is that a redfish has plenty of time to eat the shrimp and begin to swim away before the angler holding the rod even knows the fish is there. It might sound counterintuitive, but circle hooks have a way of coming unbuttoned when there’s an over-eager angler holding the rod. For more from Capt. Judy Helmey, visit missjudycharters.com. 12 NATIONAL
MARCH 2024
E
very saltwater angler knows the frustration of losing their hardearned catch to sharks. With a hard thump, that big, feisty cobia or snapper stops fighting and all that’s left to haul over the rail is a head. Those delicious fillets were donated to the taxman, and there’s nothing you can do about it. Well, it seems the U.S. Congress is at least willing to take a look at the issue of shark depredation, which is a shark hammering a fish on the line before it can be landed. The SHARKED Act is a piece of legislation working its way through Congress right now with bipartisan support. The bill is just a first step toward mitigating shark interactions with anglers, both recreational and commercial, but it’s one of those rare occasions when legislators might just come together. According to the American Sportfishing Association, shark encounters are increasing on all U.S. coasts. The Magnuson-Stevens Act of 2007—the sweeping legislation that gave us the decades-long red snapper fiasco in the Gulf of Mexico—has been successful, maybe too successful, in rebuilding populations of many shark species that were previously reduced by fishing. In addition to being frustrating to anglers, there is concern that sharks are negatively impacting fisheries, and there is already talk among fisheries managers of stricter regulations on anglers intended to offset or avoid shark interactions. With support from several sportfishing and conservation organizations, the SHARKED Act unanimously passed out of the U.S. House of Representatives, and at presstime it was headed to the Senate and potentially to President Biden to be signed into law. It would direct NOAA Fisheries to develop a task force to study the issue of shark depredation. The task force would be tasked with improving coordination and communication across the fisheries management community to identify research priorities and funding opportunities and make a plan to reduce shark/angler interactions. We can only hope this future plan puts limitations on the taxman and not on anglers.
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New 2024!
Just Released! and In Stock
5 Countries, 5 Pure Silver Coins!
Your Silver Passport to Travel the World
T
The 5 Most Popular Pure Silver Coins on Earth in One Set
ravel the globe, without leaving home—with this set of the world’s five most popular pure silver coins. Newly struck for 2024 in one ounce of fine silver, each coin will arrive in Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) condition. Your excursion includes stops in the United States, Canada, South Africa, China and Great Britain, and this is the first time the Silver Passport Set has included two coins with obverses featuring Britain’s King Charles III!
We’ve Done the Work for You with this Extraordinary 5-Pc. World Silver Coin Set
Each of these coins is recognized for its breathtaking beauty, and for its stability even in unstable times, since each coin is backed by its government for weight, purity and legal-tender value. 2024 American Silver Eagle: The Silver Eagle is the most popular coin in the world, with its iconic Adolph Weinman Walking Liberty obverse backed by Emily Damstra’s Eagle Landing reverse. Struck in 99.9% fine silver at the U.S. Mint. 2024 South African Krugerrand: The Krugerrand continues to be the best-known, most respected numismatic coin brand in the world. Struck in 99.9% fine silver at the South African Mint. 2024 Canada Maple Leaf: A highly sought-after bullion coin since 1988, this 2024 issue is the FIRST Maple Leaf coin to bear the effigy of King Charles III. Struck in high-purity 99.99% fine silver at the Royal Canadian Mint. 2024 British Silver Britannia: One of The Royal Mint’s flagship coins, this 2024 issue carries the portrait of King Charles III for only the second year ever. Struck in 99.9% fine silver at The Royal Mint. GovMint • 1300 Corporate Center Curve, Dept. WRD374-10, Eagan, MN 55121
2024 China Silver Panda: China Silver Pandas have been collectors favorites since their introduction in 1983—noted for their heartwarming one-year-only designs highlighting the maturing of Panda cubs. Struck in 99.9% fine silver at the China Mint.
SAVE with this World Coin Set!
You’ll save both time and money on this world coin set with FREE Shipping and a BONUS presentation case, plus a new and informative Silver Passport!
Just Released and AVAILABLE NOW!
These amazing, just released 2024 Silver Passport 5-Coin Sets featuring five of the most popular Silver Dollars from around the world are in stock now. Don’t wait. Order immediately and your 2024 Set will ship directly to your door. Secure your Silver Passport Set right now—while they last!
BON US Case!
2024 World Silver 5-Coin Set Call for Price + FREE SHIPPING
FREE SHIPPING: Standard domestic shipping. Not valid on previous purchases.
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Please mention this code when you call.
SPECIAL CALL-IN ONLY OFFER Not sold yet? To learn more, place your phone camera here >>> or visit govmint.com/WRD
Asset Marketing Services, LLC d/b/a GovMint is a retail distributor of coin and currency issues and is not affiliated with the U.S. government. The collectible coin market is unregulated, highly speculative and involves risk. Prices, facts, figures and populations deemed accurate as of the date of publication but may change significantly over time. All purchases are expressly conditioned upon your acceptance of AMS’s Terms and Conditions (www.amsi-corp.com/terms-conditions); to decline, return your purchase pursuant to our Return Policy (www.amsi-corp.com/productreturn-policy). Keeping your purchase means you agree to the Terms and Conditions. © 2024 GovMint. All rights reserved.
Ultimate Roll-Up Fishing Skiff Inflatable Sea Eagle FishSkiff™ 16 The newly redesigned high pressure FishSkiff™ 16 is now lighter to carry due to the new ultra-light, ultra-strong construction that bonds two layers of reinforced PVC together. It also has a new patented, high pressure, inflatable, drop-stitch keel that provides better handling & control in open waters and rough conditions. Traverse 30 miles on a 3 gallon tank of gas and hit over 21 mph with just a 10hp motor!
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GRAND LAKE TO HOST
2024 BASSMASTER CLASSIC T
he field is set, and the grandest spectacle in bass fishing will be renewed for the 54th time from March 22-24. This year’s Bassmaster Classic will be held on Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees, with weigh-ins and festivities in Tulsa, Okla. Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees has more than lived up to its name. The 46,500-acre fishery provided some of the grandest moments in the history
of the event when Classics were held there in 2013 and 2016. Now the picturesque reservoir in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains will add to that grand lore when it again plays host the Super Bowl of Bass Fishing. As with past Classics held in Tulsa, daily weigh-ins will be held at the BOK Center in downtown Tulsa, with the Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo across the street at the Cox Business Convention Center. Daily takeoffs will be held about 90 miles away at the Wolf Creek Park and Boating Facility on Grand Lake. During the first Tulsa Classic in 2013, former Elite Series pro Cliff Pace of Mississippi claimed a wire-to-wire victory during a frigid event when icy precipitation tested the toughness of the 53-angler field. In 2016, local favorite Jason Christie led Days 1 and 2 and seemed poised to earn his first Classic trophy until fellow Oklahoma pro Edwin Evers caught a five-bass limit that weighed 29 pounds, 3 ounces to claim a dramatic come-frombehind win. “The Grand River Dam Authority is excited to see the Bassmaster Classic make its return to Grand Lake in 2024,” said GRDA President and CEO Dan Sullivan. “Not only will the event provide a tremendous economic benefit to the region but it will once again showcase Grand Lake to interested audiences across the country. “GRDA places a high priority on caring for the natural resources under its control, and being a three-time host of the Bassmaster Classic reinforces Grand’s reputation as one of the nation’s top fisheries. GRDA is excited to once again support the Bassmaster Classic, which is known as a premier event and competition for anglers.” On last year’s list of 100 Best Bass Lakes by Bassmaster Magazine, Grand Lake ranked 17th in the Central Division. That marks the 11th straight year that the fishery has ranked in the Top 100. The field will include 56 anglers competing for a $300,000 first-place prize and a total purse of over $1 million. “Since its inception, the Classic has been a tournament that changes lives,” said B.A.S.S. Vice President of Tournaments Chris Bowes. “The payday is great, sure. But the opportunity to refer to yourself as ‘Bassmaster Classic champion’ for the rest of your life — there’s no greater clout in our sport.”
The Return of a
For more information, see www.bassmaster.com.
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Endless Adventure Awaits.
With more than 60,000 surface acres and 1,300 miles of shoreline, Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees is one of the largest outdoor destinations in Oklahoma. Located on the Grand River, the lake is hugely popular with boaters, fishermen, campers and anyone else who loves spending time in the great outdoors. Anglers are sure to have a blast searching for largemouth bass, white bass, crappie, channel catfish, bluegill and the rare paddlefish on Grand Lake waters. And Grand Lake’s shores are lined with so many unique attractions, shops, restaurants, state parks and casinos that seeing everything in one trip is next to impossible. There’s truly something for everyone to love in the Grand Lake Area!
HOME OF THE 2024 BASSMASTER CLASSIC! Discover all the fun things to see and do in the Grand Lake Area as well as places to stay, places to eat, festivals and more at
GrandLakeFun.com