NAPLES/MARCO ISLAND/EVERGLADES/BONITA SPRINGS EDITION
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Blackfish Inshore Rigging Tips PHOTO COURTESY OF DARYN ANDREW WHITE VOLUME 23 • ISSUE 288
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LIFE ON THE COAST IS BETTER WHEN YOU STAY CENTERED.
190 FSH SERIES
Make the most of the open water with Yamaha’s 190 FSH® Series. Our all-new 19-foot center console boats have been redesigned from the ground up for more fishing and family fun. A saltwater corrosion resistant driveline protects you from the harshest elements. And with an extra spacious layout and new storage pods to keep all of your gear, the 190 FSH Series will put you in the middle of everything you love about living on the coast. Starting at $29,799.
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FROM SHIP TO SHORE
All trademarks mentioned are owned by, or licensed to, the AkzoNobel group of companies. © AkzoNobel 2018.
© 2 0 1 9 H AVA LO N K N I V E S
AND EVERYWHERE IN BETWEEN.
The new Havalon® TalonTM Quik-Change IITM Multi-Blade Cutlery System brings together nearly 40 years of expertise in the surgical field and decades of quality time spent out in open waters. This innovative platform features a variety of reliable add-on blades designed to make clean work of the dirty work all the way from ship to shore. 4
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For over a century, a league of canned crusaders have been fighting to keep boats safe from barnacles, slime, algae and other aquatic evils that rob your boat of its true performance. With advanced know-how and unique capabilities, each antifouling is tailored to different conditions, and has the power to defeat fouling in all its forms. Micron® WA is a water-based formula that’s powered with advanced Water Activated Matrix technology to efficiently release active ingredients over time for valiant multi-season protection. Micron® WA is easy to apply and clean up, making it ideal for boaters in all waters and regions. For super-powered antifouling protection and proven performance, choose Interlux®.
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Tampa Bay, A Jewel On
Florida’s Gulf Coast By Rosemary J. White
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ampa Bay has some of the very best fishing in the state of Florida, which means it is some of the best fishing in the world. What makes Tampa Bay so unique is the many different varieties of both freshwater and saltwater fish to catch, as well as the many different ways to catch them. If you are not a boat person, Tampa offers the world’s longest fishing pier, the Old Sunshine Skyway Bridge. Here you can catch snook, tarpon, grouper, black sea bass, Spanish mackerel, king mackerel, cobia, sheepshead, red snapper and pompano. That’s 10 species of highly desirable fish from just one location, without a boat! And if that list alone is not impressive enough, fishing the bridge is convenient, too. You’ll need some specialized gear, but once
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you’ve got it you can drive right onto the pier to your exact sweet spot and unload. It’s also lit at night! There’s no limit as to what time of the day you can fish. Feel like delving into the ocean world a little deeper than a concrete bridge? Tampa Bay boasts the stunning Fort Desoto County Park. Here you can simply slip on a pair of old sneakers and wade into cerulean blue waters and lush seagrass beds. Sound surreal? It is. Wading is a stealthy approach to fishing. In addition to species from the list above, you can also catch redfish, trout and flounder. Looking to fish the deeper waters of the bay? About 45 miles out, the water depths start to reach the 80-foot range. Out here, the possibilities are endless. Varieties of grouper, assortments of snapper, arrays of sharks, blackfin tuna, sailfish, mahi, amberjack, jack crevalle, permit and bonita can be added to the previously mentioned lists of available species. What if you tend to lean more toward the fresh side? Tampa Bay has some of the most diverse freshwater fishing opportunities one can imagine. Use a kayak to quietly glide through the tannic waters of our creeks to catch largemouth bass that grow upwards of 10 pounds. The creeks also hold massive bluegills, crappie, toothy alligator gar, tilapia, catfish and carp. The secret to what makes our freshwater fishing so thrilling is that you never know what you are going to catch. You see, many of our saltwater species inhabit our freshwater, as well. It is not only possible, but it is common to catch a big largemouth and then five minutes later a 15-pound common snook. Tampa Bay offers a temperate climate, direct access to the Gulf of Mexico, artificial reefs, a unique slowly sloping continental shelf, and an abundance of freshwater feeds. From grass flats and mangrove systems in our inshore ecological system, to the deeper channels throughout the bay and Intracoastal Waterway, anglers have the opportunity to catch anything from sharks to Goliath grouper. The potential for the catch of a lifetime exists on every cast.
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*At participating dealers only. Qualifying retail customers may receive instant savings off the selling price of a Honda powered boat package or Honda Marine engine(s) sold for repower. This promotion is limited to new Honda Marine 40 HP through 250 HP outboard engines, 2014 and newer models, sold and delivered between January 3, 2019 and June 3, 2019 and registered by the Dealer in accordance with American Honda Motor Co., Inc.’s sales registration requirements. Only Honda Marine outboard engines sold for personal use qualify for this promotion. Fleet, commercial & government sales are ineligible. Engines sold under special pricing / promotions including (but not limited to) demo and tournament fisherman engines are also excluded. Honda Marine reserves the right to modify, amend, cancel or revoke, in whole or in part, this promotion at any time without prior notice. © 2019 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Always wear a COASTALANGLERMAG.COM personal flotation device while boating and read• your owner’s manual. All Honda outboards meet EPA and CARB emissionIlevels. THEANGLERMAG.COM I FEBRUARY 2019 NATIONAL 7
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NauticStar Introduces
SEE IT AT THE MIAMI INTL BOAT SHOW BOOTH A237 The 251 Hybrid offers a fresh new look and a new 25-foot model to NauticStar’s very successful hybrid lineup. This unique multipurpose vessel offers the perfect size and features for a family friendly pleasure boat and a tournament ready fishing platform. NauticStar has also moved into the 30-foot plus category with its
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newest member of the family: the 32 XS Offshore. This outstanding saltwater performer delivers all the necessary fishing features for the serious angler with a smooth, dry, comfortable ride with cutting edge styling and comfort features never before seen in a boat of this style and size. With its 10’ 6” beam, the 32 XS Offshore offers a spacious and comfortable bow that features large forward lounge seating with arm rests and plush wrap-around bow seats. The head console has a fully lined interior with a sink, SeaDek floor and electric flush toilet. It has a spacious and ergonomic helm to allow for dual 12-inch or 16inch multifunction displays. The leaning post features ergonomically correct Llebrock double billfish seats with flip-up bolsters and pivot arms. It has a sink, tackle storage, and a slide-out, 35-quart YETI cooler. The D-channel, integrated T-top can be fitted with a variety of options such as a retractable shade and fold-down cockpit television. Aft, the jump seats flip-up for a spacious fishing deck with sizable, infloor fish boxes and large port side dive door. “Engineered for exceptional reliability and performance, the new 32 XS Offshore carries forward NauticStar’s 100-percent wood-free construction and one-piece foam filled fiberglass stringer system,” said Ryan Witt, director of engineering. “Additionally, we’ve added some great new design features such as sculpted hull sides, a sideentry cockpit door, and large insulated in-floor fish boxes. The 32 XS Offshore also features cutting edge technologies with NaviOP digital vessel control system and Klipsch custom-tuned audio system.” “I am very proud of the team and all they have accomplished over the past year,” Schiek added. “These new models are truly exciting and we look forward to introducing many great new models in the future.” The 251 Hybrid and 32 XS Offshore will be on display in Miami at booth A237 and available for test rides in the Yamaha in-water display. For more information on each of NauticStar’s new model introductions, please visit: 195 Bay - https://nauticstarboats. com/boats/nauticbay-boats/195-nauticbay/ 251 Hybrid - https:// nauticstarboats.com/boats/hybrids/251-hybrid/
TI EES EHT TA LTNI IMAIM WOHS TAOB 732A HTOOB
auticStar Boats, a subsidiary of MasterCraft Boat Holdings, Inc., has been reinvesting in the business at an accelerated pace, specifically, modernizing the plant and developing leading edge new products. The Company launched the new 195 Bay Boat in August, followed by the 251 Hybrid in September and will debut its largest offshore model yet, the 32 XS Offshore, at the Miami International Boat Show. “To say we have been busy at NauticStar is an understatement,” NauticStar President Tim Schiek said in a statement. “We have assembled a strong team of marine experts focused on delivering the highest quality and best performing boats in their segment. This is not only driving continuous improvement in our boat building processes, but throughout the entire organization. We have also implemented a more disciplined product development process that is delivering more new products, at a faster cadence, with increased consumer insights and innovation that ultimately will deliver the best boating experience for our consumers at a reasonable price.”
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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Get A First Look At Miami International Boat Show
THE ALL NEW
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IT’S CRAZY COOL!
NAUTICSTAR’S
251 HYBRID
Three Exciting New Models!
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With its sleek lines and stylish contours, the new 251 Hybrid offers a fresh new look and a 25 foot addition to the NauticStar Hybrid lineup. This unique multi-purpose vessel offers the perfect size and features for a family friendly pleasure boat and a tournament ready fishing platform. If you need a serious fishing machine for yourself or a boat with enough room for a large crowd, the 251 Hybrid is the boat for you! Check out all the incredible features of the 251 on our website and design the boat of your dreams.
Factory installed with
Call (662) 200-4664 or visit our website:
NauticStarBoats.com COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM Some photos shown with optional equipment
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By Tom Schlichter
Winter Bulldogs Out Of Ocean City, Maryland By Tom Schlichter
Ron McClelland caught this 24-pound blackfish aboard the Fish Bound out of Ocean City, Md. in April of 2018. Mate Kevin Twilley helps hoist the beast. Photo courtesy of Fish Bound Charters.
K
enneth Westerfeld was expecting a big blackfish when he set up on a solid, single-tug while wreck fishing out of Ocean City, Md. back in January of 2015. What he wasn’t expecting was a new International Game Fish Association (IGFA) world record at the end of the line.
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“We were into big blackfish right off the bat,” explained the Queens, N.Y. angler, “and I knew immediately when I set the hook that this was a double-digit white chin. I got three quick turns on the reel and then all I could do was hold the rod high and tight while she dove for the wreck. More than half way to the top, however, she got a second wind and tore 40 feet of line from my drag, which was nearly locked tight. I couldn’t believe the power. That’s when I knew this one was more than special.” When the monstrous bulldog finally hit the deck, Westerfeld was stunned by its size. Back at Sunset Marina in Ocean City, the huge white chin officially tipped the scales at 28 pounds, 8 ounces. That blackfish, still the all tackle world record for the tough-lipped bottom feeders, was decked aboard Capt. Kane Bounds’ six-pack charter boat Fish Bound, a vessel on which Westerfeld has taken several ’teen-sized bulldogs over the years. “I’m convinced there’s even bigger blackfish in Maryland waters,” he said. “A couple of years ago, an experienced SCUBA diver reported seeing two giant blackfish on an offshore reef there—the smaller one he estimated at 30 pounds.” Capt. Kane agrees that bigger fish probably lurk in the 80- to 150-foot depths where he concentrates most of his blackfish efforts. “I think our ’tog have a little longer growing season than up north,” he reasoned. “That makes a difference with a fish that can live more than 30 years. In 2017 alone, we had five that broke the 20-pound mark. Three of those were released.” You’ll want to fish heavy in these waters if giant ’tog are your target. Bounds recommended conventional outfits with smooth drags and 50- to 60-pound test braided lines. He also goes big on hooks, choosing 5/0 and 6/0 sizes over more traditional 3/0 and 4/0 selections. Expect to need 8 to 12 ounces of lead to get to the bottom. Monster blackfish bite right through the winter months, with many of the largest fish decked each year in February, March and April. Westerfeld advised anglers looking for the blackfish of a lifetime to use fluorocarbon leaders no matter which rigs or hooks they choose. “Maryland’s waters are pretty clear in the winter and low visibility fluorocarbon leaders really provide an edge,” he said. “Seaguar’s 60-lb. test Blue Label fluorocarbon leaders have worked well for me. They have great abrasion resistance and impact strength, plus very little stretch—three things you really need with these brutes.” To fish with Capt. Kane on the six-passenger Fish Bound, contact: www. fishboundcharter.com; 443-497-1361. Open boat fans can check out the Morning Star (http://morningstarfishing.com; 410-520-2076).
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
1/21/19 10:31 AM
Central Florida Bass Are On The Beds By Nick Carter • Photo by Brett Cannon
W
hile largemouth bass across much of the country remain hunkered down in a winter pattern, bass in central Florida are running full tilt in all three stages of the spawn. Right now tournament angler and guide Ricky Congero is wearing out big Florida strain largemouths on the eight Kissimmee Chain lakes around Orlando. Whether you’re an angler in need of a road trip or if you’re sitting in an easy chair waiting on your reservoir to get right, Congero’s tactics might help steer you to the largemouth of a lifetime. Starting in November and December, Kissimmee largemouths begin staging up in prespawn behaviors. The first big waves of fish hit the flats toward the end of January. They’ll move in and out with the passage of cold fronts, but from January into early March there will be fish in all stages of the spawn. The key to locating them among miles of thick vegetation is to find hard-bottomed shallow flats. “You can pattern them year-round based on the spawning flats,” Congero said. “During prespawn, they’ll be staged in the first grass maybe
100 yards off those flats. Postspawn, they’ll move out into the dense hydrilla and hyacinth.” Congero starts by covering water with moving baits like swim jigs and Chatterbaits in search of bass preparing to move up. When the smaller males arrive on the flats to fan out beds, it’s an indicator that fishing is about to get very good. “If you start catching a bunch of young bucks on the flats, the big females won’t be far behind,” he said. In the tannic waters of the Kissimmee lakes, it’s difficult to spot fish on the bed. Instead of sight fishing, Congero looks for the locations big females prefer. “You always find the bigger females bedded on isolated pads, as opposed to the big clumps of pads,” he said. “They’ll spawn right at the base of the stem.” And while heavy braid and heavy-duty tackle are mainstays for hossing big fish out of thick vegetation, fishing beds requires stealth and finesse. Sizing down to 17- or 20-pound fluorocarbon, Congero likes a short 5- or 6-inch Senko. A staple on the Kissimmee lakes is black with a blue tail. He Texas rigs it with 1-ounce tungsten bullet weight, which is pegged to the head of the worm. This allows him to feel when his bait hits the stalk, at which time he lets it sit on the bottom until the bass picks it up. “Don’t set the hook as soon as you feel her pick it up,” he warned. “She might just have the tail in her mouth and you’ll come back with half a worm. Wait until she’s swimming off with it. Reel up all the slack and give her a second or two before you set it.” For a guided trip, contact Congero at (973) 6998981 or email info@blackcloudfishing.com. Follow him on Instagram @Ricky_Congero.
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VISIT AND Visit andEXPLORE Explore Burnsville, NC Burnsville, N.C.
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hether you’re hiking, exhibits. The restaurant, conces- through Yancey fishing or camping sion stand and gift shop are open County. hether you’re hiking, fishing or Mountains and the South Toe in the mountains or May thru a fun camping in the mountains, at- October. River Campground Valley. StretchingEnjoy nearly has 9 tent sites only. attending a performance at Parkfilled day on tending a performance at Parkway 500 miles through the mountains the Playhouse ororcoming North Virginia way Playhouse comingtotothe theMt. Mitchell Winding of along the Carolina southern and water, catching Crafts Fair Crafts or Carolina Literary without a single red light, Mt. Mitchell Fair orMountains Caro- edge of Yancey County, the Blue the the fishBlue native to Festival, there’sLiterary alwaysFestival, a good day waiting Ridge one of the best lina Mountains Ridge Parkway givesParkway travelersisan our mountains. for you in Burnsville, North Carolina, espe- scenic drives in America. there’s always a good day waiting amazing view of the Black MounWe is guarantee cially for travelers who like to discover their The Blue Ridge Parkway the forown youjourney. in Burnsville, North Car- tains and the South Toe River your fishing only access to Mount Mitchell County is home State Park at Hwy andwill mileolina, Yancey especially for travelers whoto waterfalls, Valley. Stretching for nearly 500128trip be full campgrounds, hiking post It’s five miles sumSnakeroot Ecotours offers custom tours like to discover theirbackroads, own journey. milestrails, through the355. mountains of to of the fish-catching clean rivers, and six the 10tohighest peaks mit. and The Parkway by Civilian Con-Observation at Mount State Park. of one ofplatform the wildest andMitchell most scenic corNorth Carolina Virginia was – built Yancey County is ofhome experiences! in the eastern United States. servation Corps labor in the 1930s. Workers ners of Western North Carolina. They invite and not one single redlight – the waterfalls, campgrounds, backToe River, Located in southern Yancey County, used dynamite to blast tunnels through the you into astoundingly Southern diverse Appalachian habitatsMounand Blue Ridge Parkway is one the a Carolina roads, hiking trails,(6,684 clean feet) rivers,is the Hemlocks, Black Mount Mitchell highest mountains andofcarve road through rough, and reveal the mysteries of the Southern Appatains. More info at www.snakemountain of the peaks Mississippi River. It drives remote terrain. The Parkway rises to an el- lachian scenic in America. and six of theeast 10 highest in best Mountain Campgrounds are all lo-Mountains. See more info at www. rootecotours.com. was designated North evation over 5,000 as it off passes through snakerootecotours.com. Blue Ridge Parkway is thefeetcated Eastern America. the first state park in The Highway 80 in the South The Burnsville-Yancey ChamCarolina in 1916. Today it features an obYancey County. Located in southern Yancey only access to Mount Mitchell Toe River area of Yancey County. servation platform on the summit next to Enjoy a fun-filled day on the water, The Burnsville-Yancey Chamber of ber of Commerce and Visitor State Park at catching Hwy 128the andfish mileCounty, Mount Mitchell (6,684 State Park and and Visitor Center is located at Elisha Mitchell’s grave and an interpretive nativeMount to ourMitchell mountains. Commerce Center is located at 106 West Main post 355. It’s miles to thefishing feet) is the highest mountain East Crabtree Meadows by Main Street in Burnsville. Inside museum with historical and environmental Wefive guarantee your trip will be full are of accessed 106 West findofa inforhelpful The restaurant, standThe Parkway fish-catching experiences! was built by the Blue Ridge Parkway. you’ll find aStreet. of exhibits. the Mississippi River. It wasconcession des- summit. helpfulInside staff you’ll and lots and gift are park openinMay through River, Carolina Hemlocks andEcotours Black offers staff and lotslodging, of information mation shopping,on CCCOctolabor in theToe 1930s. Workers ignated the shop first state North Snakeroot cus-on attractions, ber. Theincampground limited to used only nine Mountain are all located off dining and local businesses and services. The attractions, lodging, shopping, dynamite to blastcampgrounds tunnels tom Carolina 1916. Today itisfeatures tours of area one of of the wildest tent sites. Highway 80 in the South Toe River Visitor Center and office are open Monday& dining, and local businesses through the mountains and carve an observation platform on the most scenic cornersthrough of West-Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call Winding along the southern edge of Yancey County. Mountand Mitchell State Park road through rough, remote ter- ern summit to Elisha services. Visitor Center and office Carolina. Yanceynext County, the Mitchell’s Blue Ridge a Parkway and Crabtree Meadows areNorth accessed by theWe invite (828) you 682-7413. givesand travelers an amazing view ofrain. the Black Blue Ridge Parkway. The Parkway rises to an ele- into astoundingly diverse habitats open Monday thru Friday 9am to grave, an interpretive museum with historical and environmental vation over 5,000 feet as it passes and reveal the mysteries of the 5pm. Call (828) 682-7413.
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FISH & FISHING
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FLORIDA
More than 1,400 boats—in water and on land, over 1,100 exhibitors, new boat models and product debuts, demo docks, marine electronics pavilion. Miami’s hottest fishing spot. Catch everything from sport fishing yachts, center consoles, dual consoles, downeast boats, express fishing boats, bay boats, and walkarounds from all the top brands, plus a Sportfishing Pavilion packed with fishing tackle, accessories, clothing and more.
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THE ALTERNATIVE TO BUYING A NEW BOAT
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hat a wild, wet and woolly week it was for the fleet fishing the Pelican Yacht Club Invitational Billfish Tournament out of Fort Pierce, Fla. Jan. 9-12. First, the fleet of 30 fishing teams crushed all the records for the 39th annual tournament, and for the 65-year history of sailfish tournaments fished in eastern Florida waters. The final tally was 969 sailfish caught and released. The tournament’s second day of action wound up being the single best day in sailfish tournament history for any event fished north of Palm Beach County in waters of the Atlantic Ocean. A total of 712 sailfish were caught and released by the 27 boats on the water that day. The top three boats that day accounted for 121 sailfish by themselves — JT, led by Capt. Mark McDevitt, had 41 sailfish; Cowpoke, led by Capt. Mike Brady, had 40 sailfish; Alikai, led by Capt. Patrick Price, had 40 sailfish. The 41 by JT, owned by David Johnson of Beach Haven, N.J., stands as the new record for the tournament for a boat in a single day. Consider also that tournament rules stipulate fishing time as 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. But since the boat departed Fort Pierce Inlet each day, and the sailfish were concentrated in an area north of Patrick Air Force Base and south of Port Canaveral’s main channel some 45-50 miles north, tournament boats were forced to sacrifice up to 1:45 of fishing time each day just to reach the best fishing. But when they did, they were rewarded, at least for two days. The event began Jan. 9 when Grand Slam, led by Capt. David Grubbs
of New Smyrna Beach, sat down on an area so packed with hungry sailfish that it looked like a feeding frenzy under his boat. Grubbs felt it was going to yield some fish, and ran there because he knew it would produce bites. Few, if any, in the fleet knew his plan. By noon, the cat was out of the bag. Big time. He wound up with a Treasure Coast area then single-day record 38 sailfish catches that day and a substantial lead on his competitors, known to be some of the best sailfish skippers in the western hemisphere. Teams racked up catches of an incredible 86 double-headers, 45 triples and 15 quads. It was truly staggering. On Jan. 10 the fleet followed the leader, Grubbs and crew, to the fertile fishing grounds off the Space Coast and helped him achieve something many experienced sailfish specialists thought could only be accomplished in Mexico or Costa Rica. The captains called it epic and incredible, unbelievable and amazing. But it wouldn’t last. On Jan. 11 the fish had either scattered a bit, moved back north out of range, or simply quit biting, like fish of any species do. The fleet of 27 fishing that day picked up “just” 93 releases. Saturday, with a smaller fleet fishing because of lay days mandated by tournament rules, those numbers dwindled more. The final day anglers tallied only 29 releases, reminiscent of the season’s start in December when sailfish bites were very hard to come by.
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Close Encounters of the Shark Kind By John Lidington
A diver observes a reef shark near Shark Canyon. In natural encounters, when sharks are not being fed, they rarely approach divers much closer than this.
“K
atharine the Giant Great White Shark Lurks Off Florida — Again” If Katharine was here, as the South Florida SunSentinal announced on Nov. 26, winter was on its way. Usually this snowbird shark from Cape Cod arrives first, and being a great white, she always makes the news. For divers, though, her arrival means the migrating lemon and blacktip sharks are on the way. It’s shark time for Florida’s Gold Coast! When I started diving in the 1960s, the arrival of sharks meant the departure of divers. Prevailing wisdom held that sharks were dangerous and unpredictable and should be avoided. That outlook on sharks began to change in the 70s. Scientists, such as the University of Miami’s Dr. Samuel Gruber, had turned shark behavior into a major study area. H. David Baldridge analyzed data from more than 1,500 cases in the worldwide shark attack file established by Dr. Perry Gilbert to identify the real factors behind shark “attacks.” The emerging picture showed an animal superbly adapted to its environment by its 400-million-year existence in the oceans. Man, as a newcomer to their world, was not seen as food, and usually ignored. In his 1974 book “Shark Attack,” Baldridge wrote: “I wish not to generate any
fear of sharks in the mind of any reader, yet a healthy respect for these beautifully adapted beasts would appear to be justified…” It took the PR genius of Jacques Cousteau to popularize this science and help dispel unnecessary fear of sharks. The air of authority gained from his highly regarded TV series lent credence to his book “The Shark: Splendid Savage of the Sea,” in which he documented divers regularly interacting with sharks. Sharks were becoming accepted in the diving world. But there was a bump in the road. At the same time “Shark Attack” appeared, Peter Benchley published Jaws. His depiction of sharks as malevolent killing machines was promptly translated to visual form in Steven Spielberg’s movie adaptation. The impressions from those twin horror assaults did eventually fade, but for quite a while it was the rare diver who didn’t experience flashbacks of huge toothy mouths while doing back entries. The twenty-first century has seen divers’ attitudes shift even more favorably toward sharks. Today many divers want to encounter sharks. They regularly visit sites naturally frequented by sharks in hopes of diving alongside these majestic fish. When diving Jupiter during the winter shark migration, your chances for shark encounters skyrocket! According to Shana Phelan of Singer Island’s Pura Vida Divers, “The most common sharks we see year round are nurse sharks, reef sharks and lemons. Our most active shark months are in the winter, with lemons in January and blacktips in January and February. Winter sightings are most likely at Shark Canyon and on some of the wrecks.” Shark Canyon, here I come! Pura Vida Divers hosts regular shark dives in February. To learn more about these awesome creatures, book a PADI Shark Conservation Specialty Diver class, or hop aboard their next charter. Contact Pura Vida Divers at 561-840-8750 or visit www.PuraVidaDivers.com.
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By Capt. Michael Okruhlik • Photo courtesy of Controlled Descent Lures
A
s a young boy growing up in a small town, being outdoors was the thing to do, and fishing was my favorite pastime. I have vivid memories of biking to ponds and creeks with my buddies and trips to the Texas coast with my family. When I wasn’t fishing, I watched fishing on TV. Hank Parker was one I tuned in on regular basis. So, you can imagine how humbled I was when I met Mr. Parker with my two sons. My youngest gave him the age-old trick of, high-five, down low, too slow! Mr. Parker doubled over laughing.
Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would have published articles in a national fishing magazine, for which I am truly grateful to Coastal Angler. Nor did I imagine someday I would design and manufacture my own line of fishing lures. Without fishing, none of this would have been realized. Since we are in the season of giving, give the gift of fishing to a child so they can have similar memories. On a recent trip, I took both of my boys, 5 and 7, fishing in the kayak. This was a lure-only trip. The boys wanted to get some casting practice, and they wanted to trick a fish on Dad’s lures. The tides had been relatively high for the past several weeks, and I had been catching some good reds on one particular flat. The area had some small islands and a grass flat that tapered off to a cove that was about 6 feet deep. I explained to my boys the lay of the bay and explained how some areas had drains or slightly deeper channels that drained off the flat and into a cove. These were the areas where we would cast because the fish would use them like roads as the tide was falling. I explained it was like a leaf floating down a river. Once they selected the color of lure they wanted to throw, I strategically anchored the kayak in a position where they both had the opportunity to fish the area properly. It wasn’t long before we had the first fish, a 16-inch trout. After a few more trout for both, the excitement really began. My youngest hooked into a 7-pound red! The fish took him 360 degrees around the kayak, tangled in his brother’s line, and went under the anchor rope! After the fish was landed, we took a few photos and I continued to show them the value of catch and release, which we did with all fish that day. To say that I am a proud father is an understatement. In 2018, my oldest landed his largest trout, which weighed more than 5 pounds, and my youngest caught his largest red! Take a kid fishing and let them make their own memories. You never know where it might take them. Captain Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Controlled Descent Lures and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.
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SWFL’s KUBOTA HAS THE Freshwater Scene MACHINE TO FIT L YOUR LIFE!
by Capt. Roan zumFelde
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ake Okeechobee bass fishing, weather permitting, should be seeing a good number of spawning fish on both the new moon and full moon in February. Even if we have cooler than normal conditions it should not affect this too much. Bass are bass and they will want to make babies this month, especially if the weather turns spring-like early. There should be continued success for the crappie fisherman using small jigs or Missouri minnows (also called fat head minnows) under small corks. I would expect low water conditions on the lake to be in affect, so be very careful running around at high speeds; I have seen many lower units and transoms ripped off boats. If the lake gets down to extra low levels, then the fly fishing in the Rim Canal should get very good and really concentrate some bass and bluegills. This should hold true for the River also. If the weather is warm then small poppers will be great, if not you might have to use small wooley buggers or other small weighted flies to get down a little. Highly suggest any fly you throw to have a weed guard on it. Lake Trafford should still be seeing great success for the crappie anglers and the same type of rigs and bait apply from the previous paragraph. Trafford Marine should have plenty of bait on hand. If we get some warm weather in February the topwater bite for bass should get started on the lake. They will want to move out of cover and to the shallower edges, searching for food and building for the spawn, so they will be hungry. I like to throw yellow poppers on this lake, not sure why but they seem to work the best for me; we have plenty at the shop. For the Everglades Canals this will probably be the most up and down month for fishing. I would expect pretty good bass action both on top and underneath. The cichlids will mostly be dormant and this will lead to more bluegill and bass on the line. Water will be dropping so there should be more fish in the main canals and out of the marshes. Not my favorite month to fish the canals but you can still catch some nice fish if you fish slower than normal and downsize your lures or flies. Tiny crankbaits, run parallel to the drop off edge, usually out from the main bank, about five feet work very well and with the cooler water you will probably have less worries about taking off cichlids. Come visit Mike and me at Mike’s Bait house and Indian Pass Outfitters on Danford Street, next to Bayview Park in Naples and we can talk fishing. We carry a full line of tackle including: fly fishing needs and both saltwater and freshwater gear, food, drink, and bait. Thanks and good fishing. Roan z
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2 NAPLES | FEBRUARY 2019 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM/NAPLES/
If you want to contact Capt. Roan z for a freshwater fishing trip or ask any fishing questions he can be contacted at the Shop 239-775-2248 or cell number 239-269-4426. Check the Web Site www.indianpassoutfitters.com and www. mikesbaithouse.com
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Brent Bensmiller, the owner of Paddle Naples, is an expert at kayak fishing the local waters. He is available for kayak fishing charters and lessons. Watch for Brent’s monthly Kayak Fishing Report in the Coastal Angler Magazine.
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by Capt. Brent Bensmiller
hroughout the month of February, you can expect cold fronts to continue pushing through, keeping water temps in the high sixties. Most game fish will be very lethargic and putting minimal effort into catching a meal. For those of you using live bait, stick to a live shrimp under a popping cork. If it's the artificials you prefer, then make sure to slow your retrieve to the point where it’s painfully slow, where you think a fish wouldn't strike the lure. The freshwater bass bite should be productive during this time of year as the peak spawning season nears. Ponds and lakes will hold warmer water, with plenty of fish willing to cooperate. Bass will be lurking near the water’s edge and hold in areas well-protected from wind. Throwing plastic worms or flukes will get you hooked up and should lead to plenty of action. Many freshwater ponds located near the coast around SWFL will also hold some of the same gamefish you're after in the saltwater. Now I know you're thinking this can't be true, how could saltwater fish live in freshwater? Well you see my friends, over time and after many hurricanes and floods, these fish have made their way into ponds where they now thrive. Although they may not be giants, they are still very exciting to catch. I tend to use some of the same bass setups and lures for these fish. Worms bounced along the bottom, to small flies stripped quickly will do the trick if you have the patience. These fish can definitely be a bit more picky and stubborn compared to their saltwater counterpart. Matching the hatch and using live baits such as shiners or bluegill will grab their attention too. If you're fishing the inlets there will be plenty of sheepshead and pompano in the mix. Anchor up the yak near the docks on an incoming tide and it will produce. Pompano will be biting on the sandy bottom ledges with an incoming tide as well. My go to lure for these guys is a pink banana jig. Pop it off the bottom and get ready for that thump! They are always a fun fish to catch and make great table fare, not to mention they put up a nice fight! Things should continue to keep getting better as the water cleans up and fishery slowly bounces back. Good luck out there and tight lines!
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Brent Bensmiller, the owner of Paddle Naples, is an expert at kayak fishing the local waters. He is available for kayak fishing charters and lessons, as well as guided kayak and paddleboard tours. You can reach Brent by email at brent@ paddlenaples.com or by phone at 239-301-8888. Check out www.PaddleNaples. com and our FB page: https://www.facebook.com/paddlenaples/ for more information.
4 NAPLES | FEBRUARY 2019 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM/NAPLES/
Naples Spearfishing
by Capt. Bill D’Antuono
A
s sportsmen, we must adapt to and deal with Mother Nature in all her forms. Just days before Christmas a ‘MeteoTsumani’ blasted Southwest Florida and brought storm surge and 25 foot waves onto our beaches. Winds were recorded over 50mph and the gulf was stirred up and looked like a glass of chocolate milk, even 100 miles offshore. Needless to say, diving has been tough the past month or so. But as advantageous as I am, we have to take the good with the bad. The change in seasons and weather patterns also stirs up the fish. The snapper fishing has been phenomenal and cobia have been schooling around deeper wrecks. Water has since cleared up and clarity has improved. Even so, my dive trips have been limited to deeper water because of the visibility since the last Okeechobee releases in July so this is nothing new. In years past, winter time diving presented clear water, but it all depends on weather patterns and this being an El Niño year means more turbidity in the Gulf. We have recently seen some stellar days on the water. With seas less than two feet, getting out on the water and finding fish has not been a problem in recent weeks. Water temperature is still hovering around 70 degrees and air temps can be near 80 and makes for comfortable wintertime diving. I have been targeting deeper wrecks hunting cobia, snapper, and grouper. I try to find new spots along the way and it’s always nice having divers willing to check out new spots; they tend to be most productive and keep away from more populated, pressured areas. Stay tuned with our latest catches on my Instagram @OffshoreNaples and Facebook @BillDantuono pages. Leave a comment there or shoot me a message if you have any questions about spearfishing. I look forward to talking to new clients and promoting diving in Southwest Florida. Till next time.
Capt. Bill is a dive master at SCUBAdventures in Naples, in 2013 his efforts helped to lift a 50 year ban on spearfishing in Collier County waters, he is the founder of the Naples Spearfishing League and is available as a local spearfishing guide. You can contact Bill at naplesspearfishingleague@gmail.com - www. spearfishingnaplesFL.com FACEBOOK.COM/CAMNAPLES/ FEBRUARY 2019 | NAPLES 5
Let’s Take it Outside
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confused. You defiantly also want to have a hen and a Tom decoy, as this might help bring in the bird a lot faster. Tom’s want all the hens to themselves, so if he sees another Tom with a hen he may move in fast to get rid of him, then get careless and give you a shot. I use Mojo Outdoor decoys; they have some great features and the price is right. For something different I will be using my Mojo Outdoors “Scoot N Shoot” and my “Tail Chaser Max”. I think they are going to give me an advantage I didn’t have before - I will keep you posted. Good luck hunting this season, send me your pictures and hunting stories. I will be giving away a Woodhaven Prize Pack on Facebook this month, so make sure to like “Let’s Take it Outside” page and comment Woodhaven to WIN.
by Misty Wells
ow that we are wrapping things up with Whitetail season, it’s now time to turn your attention to Turkeys. Just like many other species that we hunt, turkeys can be tuff and you need to bring your “A Game” to harvest that perfect Tom. A few things that us hunters need to focus on more are Turkey Calls and Decoys. Let’s get started with the wide range of sounds Turkeys make and why it is important to know what they mean before heading out for the hunt.
Misty Wells Host of “Let’s Take It Outside” TV, Radio & Video series featured by the Tampa Bay Times, Outdoor Pro –Writer & Adventure Guide. Founder of “A Reel Future” a non-profit organization devoted to knowledge, conservation & the passion of fishing to foster kids Statewide. www.mistywells.com
21st Annual Naples
The Yelp is the most heard sound from turkeys, both male and female, it is commonly a locator saying, “I’m over here”. The Purr is another sound you may hear a lot from turkeys; it usually means they are content. When they are feeding or generally communicating with one another, they will often use a Purr, this is why a Purr Pot is important to have in your calling collection. Cutting is another important sound they make; it is a series of loud and fast clucks with a few Yelps thrown in. When a Hen is fired up and wants attention she may start Cutting. This will usually get a Tom’s attention pretty quick. Let’s not forget the Gobble. The sound all turkey hunters want to hear, this is a clear indication that a Tom is excited and looking to attract a hen. This is also used by a Tom to let the other males in the area know he is there and he is trying to deter them from coming in. My favorite brand of calls is Woodhaven Calls, the owner Mike Penetecost is a genius when it comes to designing them. Mike is an avid turkey hunter and an expert call designer and he has teamed up with a few other experts to bring some new items to the line-up this year. The Black Reactor was designed by 3x Grand National Calling Champion Scott Ellis, the Blue Cutter/Vyper were designed by Grand National & World Calling Champion Bill Yargus, and Mike designed the Hyper Ninja. Why are Decoys important? Turkeys see in color and have eye sight 3x better than humans, so a decoy can give you a chance to take the focus off the hunter and onto the decoy for starters. A decoy is also important for a turkey to associate with the call. If a turkey comes in from a call and does not see a decoy, he may get 6 NAPLES | FEBRUARY 2019 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM/NAPLES/
SATURDAY, MARCH 9, 2019
New Moon by Capt. Leighton Ingram
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wo days before the New Moon, four days after my father would say aloud to me. Looking high upward to the indigo morning sky, the moon had left its glow today and was falling towards the black waters of Charlotte Harbor. A lonesome boat ramp, the horizon was fading to a charcoal shade of color, a steady north wind blew softly chasing the falling tide. I thought of my fleece pullover at the warm house, sipping on the black coffee in a smoky haze of the two-stroke’s protest. Popping my collar up to cut the chill, the smell of her perfume tried to change my mind. Creeping out the channel, the earthy tobacco smell of the mangrove jungle reinforced my quest of what might be. The horizon was grey; opening up the throttle I crossed the bar and tucked towards the warmth of the bushes. The water was glassed off under the shadow of the green mangrove canopy. The big blue flew parallel to me. He squawked aloud breaking off my port side, he flew towards the faint pink brush strokes. Spooking mullet “stringing” down the reef. Poling the skiff up-tide through a twisted maze of button wood trees and mangroves, I followed the warmth of the black water. Mottled ducks silhouetted off the bow, they “chattered” in the wake of their whistling wing tips. A snook pop echoed from the bay to my south. The thrashing and popping became louder, there were multiple snook feeding in the scattered bays in less than a foot of water. I stepped out of the skiff, securing it to a thick mangrove root with a piece of dock line. Grasping a seven-weight loaded with a Jack Allen Popper, I watched a lone snook completely dominate a cove inside the bay eating anything that pushed water. The cast was long of the fish, he turned from the touch. First strip was hard, the “blurp” sound echoed within the bay. The snook came back, I followed up with two short strips “plop, plop”. Locked on the fly and charging, I watched its shoulders wake the surface, two more “plop, plops”. The fish crushed the Allen fly strip setting and coming tight, the snook reared up out of the water. The fish had two great runs and headed for the tide. Using the whole rod the snook gave in and turned towards the rod tip. Released and healthy I listened to the fish feeding as I poled out with the last of the tide.
Leighton Ingram is a true sportsman and full-time captain. Specializing in skinny water fly fishing and light tackle in the Charlotte Harbor estuary. A native Floridian, he is knowledgeable about Florida’s wildlife and history. His unique trips are an exciting, up close way to experience the charms of an old Florida landscape. Contact him at leighton@truefloridaexpeditions.com or (239) 776-2904. FACEBOOK.COM/CAMNAPLES/ FEBRUARY 2019 | NAPLES 7
Naples Bay Area by Capt. Brian Boxx
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s we watch the rest of the country participate in Winter, I’m reminded of how lucky we are to live in Paradise. My northern fishing friends are complaining about how long it’s been since they have wet a line without it icing or sitting in their boat house wishing for the ice to melt so they can splash their vessel. South Florida gives us the opportunity to fish year-round so don’t squander it. Get out there and enjoy it! In the backwaters, huge Jack Crevalle are crushing baits. With its sickle tail and streamline body this fish is built for speed and maneuverability, earning it the nickname “Canal Tuna". These bruisers will put any inshore setup to the test. Jacks are not very picky eaters and will crush just about anything you place in front of them. My personal favorite is top water using Storm lures “Chugg Bugg". The hits are literally explosive, followed by the symphony of screaming drag with braided line peeling through the rod guides. This never ceases to bring me that thrill I crave as an angler. The mangrove edges are alive with sheepshead, snapper, and black drum. Live shrimp fished on jigheads or a circle hook and bobber have been our top producers for these species. This is a great way to spend some quality family time as it’s full of action and excitement. If you’re fishing the right spots the bite should be almost instant. Look for a spot that has good water flow and gives the fish some form of cover. Just off shore the Tripletail bite has been insane! These fish will hold tight to just about anything floating and will aggressively take a live shrimp. The many stone crab pots dotting our waters this time of year offer almost endless opportunities to hook into one. Just remember crabbers and their families depend on those traps. Treat them with respect and stay out of their way when they are hauling them in. Catch you next month. Stay salty my friends.
2775 Bayview Drive Naples, Florida 34112 Capt. Brian Boxx is the owner/operator of Reel Salty Endeavours, a proud veteran owned and operated charter service. If you, your family, or guests are looking to get out on the water, contact him through his website, https://www.reelsaltyendeavours.com/contact-us/, Facebook at Reel Salty Endeavours, or call 904-866-5050. 8 NAPLES | FEBRUARY 2019 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM/NAPLES/
Tarpon Tango
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by Capt. Christina
appy 2019! Hope everyone is continuing with their New Year’s resolutions. I know I am and right now we are doing whatever it takes, so here is the scoop. Recently I’ve started my project boat, a 16’2 Scout Sport Fish, I am doing a complete overhaul. I’ve had the boat about five years now and never had the time to fix it up. She’s finally close to ready, so I can start my backwater fishing charter and eco tours, shelling etc... I can’t wait to get out there and teach and learn more about fishing. Just the way it brings people together of all types when you’re reeling in a fish, you just can’t help but smile. Be on the lookout - you won’t be able to miss this boat! I have been fishing and exploring Naples’ backwaters and The Everglades National Park since I was a kid, starting with our 13’ Gheenoe, which has since been upgraded to the Lowtide25. Recently, I had the chance to hit the crab buoys in search of Tripletail. Everyone in our area has been getting them, but we are usually fishing out of a 16’ foot center console Gheenoe. The water ideally needs to be perfectly flat for us to run out of the pass on a busy Naples boating day. The conditions were just right, the water was flat. We headed out of the pass for our 1st tripletail experience; we hit the first line of crap buoys with no luck. Didn’t see a single fish! We were just about to takeoff and head towards the next line when I saw a tripletail on the last buoy in our line; I had no idea that when you pointed at them, they could see you! We spooked him and had to move on to the next line of buoys. We weren’t sure how many tripletail we were going to be able to see, it being our first experience, so we were bummed about spooking the first one we came upon. In the next line of buoys, we finally spotted another one in time to not spook it. We threw out the shrimp just a little past the buoy and reeled slightly. That was it, he saw the shrimp, attacked the bait, and we had our 1st tripletail hooked. Our first one was only about 13” but the first is the first, nonetheless. We continued down the line of buoys and came across another, pulled in, but not a keeper at only 15”. After a few more small ones, we were down to our last two lines of buoys. One after another, we got two keepers! One 18” and the final coming in at 24” and weighing 10lbs. For our first experience, I’d say we did amazing! Give it a shot! thanks so much :)
You can follow Captain Christina Kraus on Instagram- Captxtina_naples and Backwater Fishing Charters coming soon! Stay tuned and Email: Saltwatercaptainchris@gmail.com FACEBOOK.COM/CAMNAPLES/ FEBRUARY 2019 | NAPLES 9
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VIEW FROM THE GOOD FORTUNE II, By Dr. Judy Hushon
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he Conservancy of Southwest Florida’s eco-cruise tour aboard the Good Fortune II makes two trips a day into Rookery Bay. Conservancy naturalists help passengers understand and enjoy the rich nature that is on display. With the weather starting to change, the birds are preparing for their active season of nest building, laying eggs and rearing their young. With no hurricanes this season, last year’s nests only need some shoring up and relining and many of the birds have already begun this process. The absence of hurricanes also means the mangroves are in full leaf. The red mangroves line the shores with the black mangroves behind them and the white mangroves still farther back. The mangroves in Rookery Bay look healthy with only a few trees upended by Hurricane Irma and some stumps washed into the bay. These mangroves help to block storm surge, wind and waves, protecting the land behind them from storm damage. Salt water can wash through the mangroves without damaging them and their prop-root structure breaks up waves. Our eagles in Hall Bay usually lay their eggs in December and they hatch about a month later. Both eagles have been seen flying around and roosting in the tree where their nest is located. Some osprey are also preparing for an early nesting season. Traditionally, they have not nested until late January, but several pairs are definitely putting finishing touches on nests located on channel markers, which keep the snakes and raccoons away. This may be a by-product of global warming, since their greatest stressor is heat at the end of the season before their babies have fledged. The wading birds are also starting to migrate to Rookery Bay from the Everglades, especially since this has been a dry fall and the Everglades will be drying out. They typically collect along the roots of the red mangroves and wait for small fish to appear. So far, we have seen great blue herons, great egrets, snowy egrets, reddish egrets, little blue egrets, cattle egrets, tricolor herons and on one evening cruise we saw a couple of roseate spoonbills flying over. On one morning cruise, we caught sight of a black–crowned night heron looking for a final treat before his daytime nap. Most of these wading birds, except for the night heron and the great blue heron come to the rookery island at night. The oyster catchers have returned and are regularly seen
feasting on the coon oysters on the oyster mound at the entrance to Hall Bay. They are typically at the edge of the water where the oysters are opening to filter the water. They reach in with their strong bright orange beaks and clip the muscle that holds the oyster shell before eating the meat inside. The oyster catchers migrate north during the summer and only return to Southwest Florida in the fall. There have also been a lot of dolphins around Rookery Bay. We have seen a number of mothers with small babies, probably still nursing. Last week, we were treated to a feeding frenzy in very shallow water, after which the five dolphins involved slowly swam off to find more fish. The dolphin sightings are almost like taking a Disney jungle ride as they appear and actually swim under and around the boat. The evening show at the rookery island is visible every night. In the half hour before sunset, 1,500 to 2,000 birds flock to a small island only about 120 feet in diameter that is covered with mangroves. During the day, you can see brown pelicans and double crested cormorants digesting their previous meals, but at night, everyone joins in the party. There are flocks of up to 100 ibis at a time, armadas of pelicans flying in formation, little blue herons slipping into the foliage never to be seen again and of course all of the other birds that hang out in Naples and Rookery Bay during the day. The unwritten rule is that you have to be at the island before sunset so the birds arrive in swarms. This process is also noisy and there definitely is a pecking order. Laterarriving birds will take places occupied by already roosting birds, but not without a noisy altercation and this goes on constantly for the half hour before sunset.
DR. JUDY HUSHON, CONSERVANCY OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA BOARD MEMBER AND VOLUNTEER NATURALIST. TO BOOK YOUR CRUISE ABOARD THE CONSERVANCY’S GOOD FORTUNE II CALL 239-213-2500 OR VISIT WWW.CONSERVANCY.ORG/GOODFORTUNE.
14 NAPLES | FEBRUARY 2019 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM/NAPLES/
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and knowledge needed for any fishing adventure by offering dedicated sporting goods associates at its stores outhwest Florida is a fishing paradise for both recreational and professional anglers. With more than 1,000 species of fish to provide guidance. Each year, the company in the area, having the proper gear, lines and tackle is the key to shares its founder’s love for fishing reeling in a big catch. This is a feat Sunshine Ace Hardware has through its annual fishing expo, helped many fishing enthusiasts accomplish through its wide a free community event for local selection of top-quality products, expert advice and engaging fishing enthusiasts of any age. Reel events, including its annual free fishing expo, Reel in the Sunin the Sunshine, held at the Sunshine shine, which will take place on Saturday, Feb. 9. Ace Hardware in Bonita Springs, Back in 1958, Don Wynn established Sunshine Ace Hardware provides a mixture of unique offerings in one convenient with the desire to offer residents a one-of-a-kind retail expelocation. Open to the public from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and features rience with a variety of premium brands and services to assist a variety of activities, including the opportunity to participate with home repair, maintenance issues and DIY projects. The in free fishing seminars led by fishing captains, demonstrations family-owned and operated hardware store strived to be more by vendor product experts and special deals. Attendees can also than a great hardware store, building strong relationships and going above and beyond to help its customers. Today, Sunshine participate in a prize drawing for the chance to win a variety Ace Hardware’s nine stores serve as go-to locations for grill mas- of leading products, including a YETI cooler, with proceeds ters, beach-goers and professional and amateur fishing enthusi- to benefit Southwest Florida Muscular Dystrophy Association asts alike, with friendly, knowledgeable associates helping make (MDA). The event will also include a charitable lunch benefiting MDA, offering the choice of a hot dog or hamburger with chips shopping a breeze. and a drink for a donation of any amount. Wynn was no stranger to being Fishing hobbyists are sure to catch great deals with on the water and was often found blowout offers on Sunshine Ace Hardware’s exceptional selecreeling in a big catch aboard his tion of fishing products. The fishing expo features representaboat, “Miss Sunshine.” Wynn’s tives from more than 20 brands including Costa, Diawa, Penn, love for angling and Southwest Shimano, YETI and more. These vendors will demonstrate new Florida’s great fishing spots products and share their detailed knowledge of the gear on sale. led Sunshine Ace Hardware in becoming a major contributor to To attend the fourth annual fishing extravaganza, just be there to “Reel in the Sunshine” at 9100 Bonita Beach Rd. in Bonita today’s local fishing community. Sunshine Ace Hardware supplies Springs on Feb. 9! Learn more at www.SunshineAceHardware. com/RITS. anglers with the right products Fourth Annual Reel in the Sunshine Hooks Local Fishing Enthusiasts
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FACEBOOK.COM/CAMNAPLES/ FEBRUARY 2019 | NAPLES 15
S.W. Florida’s Last Major Show Before Summer 30th Annual
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16 NAPLES | FEBRUARY 2019 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM/NAPLES/
M.I.A.C.C Marine Industries Association Of Collier County
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he Marine Industries Association of Collier County Foundation, along with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will offer a free Kids’ Fishing Clinic for children between the ages of 5 and 15 from 9 a.m. to noon March 9 at Naples Pier, 25 12th Avenue S. This free clinic enables young people to learn the basics of conservation stewardship, fishing ethics, angling skills and safety. In addition, environmental displays will offer participants a unique chance to experience Florida’s marine life firsthand. The Kids’ Fishing Clinic strives to achieve several goals, but the main objective is to create responsible marineresource stewards by teaching children about the vulnerability of Florida’s marine ecosystems. In addition, organizers hope to teach fundamental saltwater fishing skills and provide participants a positive fishing experience. Fishing equipment and bait are provided for kids to use during the clinic, but organizers encourage children who own fishing tackle to bring it. A limited number of rods and reels will be given away to participants upon completion of the clinic. If conditions allow, participants will have the opportunity to practice their new skills and fish from the pier. This event is a photo catch-and-release activity. An adult must accompany all participants. Individuals or companies interested in helping sponsor this event or volunteering at the clinic should contact the MIACC Foundation Event Coordinator, Tiffany Sawyer-Schank at 239-682-0900 or email foundation@miacc.org. About MIACC Foundation The MIACC Foundation is the charitable branch of the Marine Industries Association of Collier County, who is responsible for producing the annual Naples Boat Show(s) and the Naples Christmas Boat Parade. The Foundation was organized to develop, produce, and support programs related to recreational boating and our marine environment. Annually, the Foundation supports many local programs such as Kids Don’t Float Life Jacket Loaner Program, CCSO Build-A-Boat Program, Freedom Waters Foundation, Friends of Rookery Bay, Junior Deputy, Keep Collier Beautiful, Miss Marine Queen Scholarship Pageant, and the Naples Community Sailing Clinic. As a charitable nonprofit, the Foundation seeks sponsorships and donations to help support its programs and charitable contributions. A majority of Foundation funding comes from boat donations. Donors can give a boat, even if it’s not in running condition (some exceptions may apply) for a tax deduction. The Foundation will make all the arrangements to pick up and sell the vessel at no cost to the donor. Donors receive the full fair market value as a lawful IRS tax deduction. For more information about donating to the MIACC Foundation or for a schedule of events, visit www.MIACC.org or Like the Facebook Fan page Facebook.com/MarineIndustries. For more information about MIACC, visit MIACC.org or contact Tiffany SawyerSchank, at (239) 682-0900 Email: director@miacc.org. Follow us at: • Facebook.com/ MarineIndustries • Facebook.com/MIACCBoatShow • Twitter @NaplesBoatShow, • Instagram #marineindustries FACEBOOK.COM/CAMNAPLES/ FEBRUARY 2019 | NAPLES 17
Everglades Backcountry Experience
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by Capt. Rodney Raffield
i Coastal Anglers, Capt. Rodney with EBE here. Fishing through this month has been very good, with bunches of snook in the Backcountry. These fish are running mostly on the small side, with the occasional larger fish. But it looks very good for our snook fishing in the years to come. I am still catching some redfish, but not as many as in the last 3 months. They are running on the small side as well. These fish are falling for 1/4oz jigheads fitted with either a Zman or Wiffelure paddle tail in chartreuse, pearl, and gold glitter. Fish have finally showed up in the deeper holes, with good numbers of trout falling for the aforementioned lures. I expect fishing to continue being productive for the remainder of the winter. Remember I am an artificial specialist and I love to share my knowledge with others, so give me a call and let me show you what I do. Till next month, tight lines my Coastal Anglers friends, Capt. Rodney Raffield. Capt. Rodney Raffield is a 6th generation native of the Everglades area. If you would like to experience fishing this awesome place he calls his Backyard, he can be contacted at 239-695-4626 or email captrodney@centurylink.net. Best way to see what he does on a daily basis is to follow on Facebook at Everglades Backcountry Experience.
Bonita Springs Fishing
by Capt. Billy Norris
The past month has been great fishing here at Pale Horse Fishing Charters! Backwater has been producing quality fish and the nearshore reefs are fishable again! In the bay, quality sheepshead are being boated every day. Again, remember that this time of year sheepshead are spawning, so catch and release is highly encouraged. Big jacks and snook are also being caught consistently using whitebait. We’ve been catching tons of redfish, however most are rats in the 12-20 inch range. Although not many monster reds have been landed, days with 20-30 redfish caught have not been uncommon. Offshore, the bite has returned! The reefs are odd however, keeping guides and recreational anglers on their toes, never
knowing what you will catch. What I believe happened, is that this past year’s red tide killed everything alive and we are catching what is returning now that the water is better. Common species last year like gigantic goliaths and cobia have been absent, but others have taken their place. We have been catching tons of margates (great table fare), mangrove snapper, big (breeding) sheepshead, and small grouper on the bottom. As far as pelagics, there are a ton of blacktip and spinner sharks, bonito, and kings around. In addition, the tripletail fishing this year has been the best I’ve seen it in over a decade! The bite is back on and fish are waiting to be caught!
Capt. Billy Norris is owner/operator of Pale Horse Fishing Charters. If you, your family, or guests are looking to fish Estero Bay, Bonita Springs or the surrounding area, contact him through his website: www.PaleHorseFishingCharters.com or Facebook page: www.facebook.com/palehorsefishingcharters or give him a call at (239) 285-7710. 18 NAPLES | FEBRUARY 2019 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM/NAPLES/
In The Wake by Capt. JimKalvin I fear I will not. Blurted by the late Jerry Fineis many years ago as we sat at the rail of a now long-gone waterfront bar here in Naples. He was semi-famous amongst our peer group for his common-sense approach to matters of the soul and was also known as sort of a back-woods philosopher with a unique and sometimes spectacular point of view. He was also one of the best friends I’ve ever had. I asked him to clarify. “Kalvin”, he began, “there are things I want to do before I die and I fear I will not get them done. So, my biggest fear is that ‘I will not’.” Jerry died of cancer unexpectedly about 12 years ago, and he left a lot of things on his “to do” list. I think about him each winter, as that was our favorite time to go out and see what kind of trouble we could get into on the water. He was a story teller. And one story that came to mind while I was thinking about him the other day was generated by yours truly. “Fear Not” was his 42’ custom sport-fish that was built for simplicity and speed. Jerry hadn’t taken the time to properly learn how to handle her in close quarters, so he generally had someone with him who could navigate backwards into his slip at the marina once the trip de jour was completed. One particular Sunday, a friend of mine asked me if I could help him move his converted pontoon barge from Park Shore to Naples. He was nervous doing it alone. I noticed when we pulled out of the dock in Moorings Bay that there were two holes cut into the back of the two pontoons. I asked what they were for and he told me, “that’s to bail the water out – sometimes water gets into the pontoon from the loose welds up front”. Red flag, for sure. But this particular Sunday the Gulf was like glass and the trip would only take an hour or so. Or so I thought. Half a mile south of Dr’s Pass, the engine quit. I eventually got it running again, but it took over an hour and the wind had begun to come up out of the North. Long story short, we started to sink just off of Naples Pier. See, those holes that let you bail water out also let water in when you were in a following sea. I called 911 on my primitive cell phone and worked my way to the front desk of NPD. I told them what my problem was and was told nobody would be on the water until 10:00, which was 2 hours away. I hung up and called Jerry – which was a major “no-no” on a Sunday morning. He only set one day for himself each
week and this was it. It took me 5 minutes to convince his wife to wake him up. “Lisa, my damn boat sank – I need to talk to Jerry!” “Jim, you know it’s Sunday – I’m not to wake him up.” “Darlin’ – did you hear me? The boat I was on sank – I need to talk to Jerry now!” “Can’t you call the police?” she asked. “I did – there’re no marine units on shift for 2 more hours.” “Well, shoot…..that doesn’t sound right.” “10-4, that’s what I thought! Now can I please talk to him?” I heard muffled conversation, a groan, and a very creative collection of adjectives, then his voice came on the line. “If you ain’t already dead, you’re gonna to be!” “Jerry – I’m in the water about a quarter mile west of the Pier – I need you to come get us – there’s two of us.” We did the dance about calling the police and he was as incredulous as Lisa and I were, that there were no marine units on the water yet. “Ain’t there anyone else you can call? You know about my docking issue…” “Really?! I’m floatin’ on a friggin’ cooler here!” Before I could say anything else, I heard him yell at Lisa, “Get the keys, we gotta go!” 20 minutes later “Fear Not” looked like she was on gilded wings as she came around the outer marker at Gordon’s Pass. Her aluminum tuna tower was shining like a halo in the morning light and Jerry had those Diamond Edition Cummins power-plants a-hummin’! I breathed a sigh of relief. Feeling a little like live chum, floating over what I knew was awesome live bottom, I could not wait to get into that boat! We picked up the coolers, tool boxes, life preservers, and other flotsam from the “wreck” and headed back to Turner Marine, passing the outgoing police boat on the way in. After I backed her into her slip, we had a few cold drinks and de-briefed the morning. “What made you all of a sudden jump out of bed and come on out?” Jerry gave one of his signature grins as he said, “I heard the boat go down.” “You what?” “We were talking, and I was hearing the ‘slap, slap, slap’ of the waves on the hull, then that sound stopped and you said you were floating on a cooler. I heard the hull go beneath the waves! Talkin’ time was over!” he said with a laugh. That was one of his favorite “Kalvin Stories” he’d share around a campfire or at any one of our various watering holes. We salvaged the barge and all of the equipment the following week and my buddy was able to go forward with his business, but I never volunteered for any more of his “barge trips”!
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Captain Jim Kalvin is a Florida Native, a U.S.C.G. Licensed 100 Ton Master, and a Marine Contractor. He can be reached at 239-280-6054, or at james.kalvin61@gmail.com
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The Best Angler Photos From Southwest Florida!
Jack & Margaret Griffin caught this 37” snook caught from shore in New Pass, then safely released her.
Artist Dale Werner w/ a huge sheepshead caught fishing w/ Capt. Barry Cuda.
10 YO Mason & Dad showing of their Lake O catch!
Joe Savoca caught this 37” snook in Estero Bay January 4th.
Great day fishing on the Dalis fishing charter with Capt. Paul and Capt. Mike.
Ron Smits w/ a dandy gag grouper, off Boca Pass in 100’ of water.
Mark Marsh w/ red grouper, off Boca Pass in 100’ of water.
Joseph Burkert with a beautiful snook.
Mike Davidson w/ a nice tripletail, off Sarasota crab buoys.
Photos submitted courtesy of:
Capt. Bart Marx Capt. James Marko Capt. Terry Fisher
Capt. Dave Stephens Capt. Mike Manis
24 NAPLES | FEBRUARY 2019 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM/NAPLES/
Text your fish pics to 239-595-8265 or email them to camftmyers@gmail.com. Please include your name, type, size, and location where fish was caught and we will do our best to get you on the board.
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By Capt. Terry Fisher
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ast September, my first-mate Vicki and I took off on a whirlwind vacation to explore the waters of Italy. We started in Venice, where other than the shoe leather express, the only way to get around is by boat. To my knowledge, Venice is the only place on earth where unique modes of water transportation play out in day-to-day living. The Adriatic Sea plays host to yachts, cruisers, pleasure and fishing boats. The Riva de Biasio (The Grand Canal), Venice’s main thoroughfare, is busy with all types boats, like taxis, police, garbage, ambulances and construction cranes, which all share the canal in relative peace. Fishermen line the canals with long poles, catching what look like small baitfish for dinner. Tuscany, in central Italy, was our second stop, where we hired fly fishing guide, Gianlucca Orselli, of Florence. Gianlucca was one of four terrific guides from a local fly shop in Florence. He grew up fishing the Arno River, which runs through the middle of Florence,
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but suggested we fish the Lima River, close to the towns of Lucca and Pisa. During a 90-minute drive to the river, we saw the old castle walls of Lucca and other historical sites we would not have seen without the drive. Once in the mountains, the views were as picturesque as those of northeast Georgia. The river and its feeder creek were comparable to places we’ve fished in Colorado, Idaho and Wyoming. We worked hard to catch rainbows and browns. Unfortunately, the fishing was not as productive as we had hoped, but it was no different than some days I’ve spent on rivers in the U.S. There are a lot of trout and char streams in Italy to consider, but we would not trade our experience of being together in this lovely setting. Our third stop, the Italian Riviera, is where Vicki and I left part of our hearts. The Cinque Terre is part of an Italian National Forest located in northwestern Italy on the Liquarian Sea. The rugged coastline is incredibly beautiful. Five villages are built on mountain ledges, with steps up to each cliff-side dwelling. Fishing and boating are “old world,” existing mostly for locals who make their livelihoods on the sea. A limited number of recreational fishermen on small vessels were seen close to shore or sitting on the rock ledges catching small fish on sabiki-like rigs. We chose the quaint town of Vernazza as a base and stayed for three nights. I rented a 20-foot boat for two days to explore the waters. There were reports of yellowfin tuna swimming the rocks as close as 300 yards offshore, but all we could do was wish for adequate equipment and bait, as there were no tackle shops. Next time we will take our own. Explore the possibilities of fishing in Italy at www.flyfishitaly. com. Or contact me by email or phone at fishfacecharters@yahoo. com, (239) 357-6829.
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By Chris Beardsley
A
s an avid surf fisherman, I enjoy the variety of fish that can be caught from the beach. Of course, catching anything worthwhile can be a challenge. Depending on the tide, time of year, time of day, water temperature, lunar phase, what color socks the mailman is wearing and what uncle Eddie had for dinner last night can all play a part. This is especially true when targeting speckled sea trout, especially big gators. With so many things swimming just off the shore, targeting a
single species from the beach doesn’t always pay. There are, however, ways to increase your odds. Using the proper bait, lures and techniques are paramount. When surf fishing, I like to consider myself a jack-of-all-trades. In other words, I like to come prepared. If one thing doesn’t work, I don’t wait long to move on to the next thing. I have favorite confidence baits. There are times, however, when those fail and I’m quick to change it up. When targeting big trout from the beach, I like to throw a gold spoon. It’s a quintessential bait for nearly anything, and it rarely fails to produce. With low visibility or when it’s slow and the big gators, or little specks for that matter, just aren’t interested, a paddletail with contrasting colors is a great choice. Again, the gold spoon is killer in low-vis situations, but a 3-inch Bass Assassin Chicken on a Chain rigged with a red or chartreuse jig head also fits the bill perfectly. I also like the Berkley white paddletails with the same color jigs. Another way to put a good gator in the cooler is try bouncing a Doc’s Goofy Jig off the bottom, just like fishing for pompano. The pink and yellow seem to produce best, and don’t be afraid to be a little aggressive with them. When fishing a paddletail or a Goofy Jig, let the jig contact the bottom then give a sharp lift and let it drop until it contacts the bottom again. Raise your rod tip straight up and allow the jig to drag across the bottom. Give it an occasional twitch, and then repeat the sharp lift action. Changing the tempo of the retrieve and frequency of your lift can make all the difference. Long casts are crucial in the surf, and require a medium action rod at least 7.5-feet long. I use 30-pound-test braid. The super thin diameter coupled with the ability to really load up the rod provides plenty of inertia to launch relatively light baits a good distance into the surf. Targeting gator trout in the surf is challenging, and using the old standbys is often great strategy. But using a variety of baits and techniques can increase your odds of success.
By Steve Wayne
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Florida pro Drew Benton with the BASS Elite Series 2018 Lake Travis Champion trophy. BASS Photo. 4
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f you have been living under a box of Whopper Ploppers and were unaware of the recent changes in professional bass fishing, the Bassmaster Elite Series roster of professional anglers has changed. With the newly created Major League Fishing Bass Pro Tour, many Elite Series pros left the Elite Series in order to compete in the newly formed Bass Pro Tour. The Elite Series responded with a reduction of their tour roster to 75 anglers and welcomed many new faces. Here’s a lineup of the Florida Bass pros competing in the upcoming 2019 Elite Series. Who will you root for? • Drew Benton, of Panama City: The 2018 BASS Elite Series Lake Travis champion has amassed nearly $300,000 in winnings since 2016. Expect Benton to do very well in 2019 as he is beaming with confidence from a very successful 2018 season. • Drew Cook, of Midway: A BASS Opens qualifier, Cook had two top-three finishes during the 2018 season of the BASS Opens Series. He has had a good bit of success fishing a variety of waters outside of Florida. Expect him to be a contender for Elite Series Rookie of the Year. • Koby Kreiger, of Bokeelia: This seasoned
pro returns to the Elite Series after fishing the 2018 season on the FLW Tour. Kreiger has big-league experience and should fare well in both smallmouth and largemouth fisheries. • Kyle Monti, of Okeechobee: A second-year Elite Series pro, Monti returns after a season-high 34th-place finish at Grand Lake. Monti cut his teeth bass fishing on Lake Okeechobee, so expect him to do well at the first Elite Series stop on the St. Johns River in Florida and grass filled Lake Guntersville later in the season. • Cliff Prince, of Palatka: This veteran Elite Series pro returns with seven top-10 Elite Series finishes. Prince should be the odds-on favorite to do well if not win on his home waters of the St. Johns River Feb. 7-10. • Bernie Schultz, of Gainesville: This veteran Rapala pro has amassed over $1.2 million in Elite Series winnings. Schultz is deadly with everything from a spinning rod to a flipping stick. Watch him to do well in 2019. • Jessie Tacoronte, of Orlando: This second-year Elite Series pro returns after missing the 2018 season due to shoulder surgery. Look for Tacorente to bounce back after a sub-par first season. He should be healthy and ready to go for 2019.
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onsider this an important decision. Other than deciding whether or not to use one, a surprising number of anglers seldom give leaders much thought. As long as there is some type of buffer against the deadly dentures of some species or the abrasive hide of others, fishermen tend to be satisfied. Their attention shifts to other aspects of the sport. Choosing the right material and proper construction for an effective leader are some of the most overlooked challenges in rigging. The ultimate, of course, centers on fishing a light line without a leader. That seldom is possible on the saltwater scene. Experience will prove to you that the fish you hook has teeth, abrasive skin, or the bottom is rugged. Any of these factors will end the battle almost before it starts. The general rule is that the heavier the leader material, the fewer strikes you will get. The solution demands a compromise. You want the strongest leader possible without sacrificing too many strikes. Monofilament leader invariably produces more strikes than single strand wire or nylon coated wire. Sometimes you have to use wire or every fish of a given species will cut you off. When you do use wire, rely on the shortest length that will produce favorable results. For offshore trolling, a short length of wire makes it easier to rig a bait. Some anglers even insist that a skipping offering being trolled works better if there is a short length of wire in front of it. The length of the leader is equally significant. From
MARK SOSIN a protective standpoint, if the species you seek has an abrasive body, the leader should be longer than the average fish you might catch. Then, when the fish is moving away from you and the line streams over its back, you have the protective advantage of a leader. This part of the leader does not have to be as heavy as the short length around its mouth and gills, but it should be stronger than the line. Fly fishermen become aware of a leader’s importance very quickly. In that type of fishing, the leader helps to turn over the fly properly so it lands on the water delicately. In very clear and shallow water, a longer leader enables the caster to enjoy a more delicate presentation where the fly line lands farther from the fish. This is particularly important on the saltwater flats for a variety of species including bonefish, permit, tarpon and redfish. Fly leaders take many basic forms, but the most important thing to remember is that each succeeding section should be shorter than the one before. The majority of tournaments and all recordkeeping organizations establish specific leader requirements. It makes sense to study them before you decide to compete or fish for a record. Leaders are a critical part of rigging each outfit you use. Cutting corners or ignoring details can be a serious mistake. If you lose a trophy fish because of a faulty leader, you’ll have a hard time forgiving yourself.
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Queen Conch In The Bahamas Sheri Daye
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hile hunting for that perfect fish for dinner, you sometimes run across other tasty treats. One of my favorites is from the Bahamas: the famous queen conch. This creature is as delicious as it is beautiful and deserves to be treated with great respect. Their slow growth and late maturation makes them susceptible to overfishing. Once abundant in the Florida Keys, it became illegal to harvest them in the 1980s when they were harvested to the point of collapse. It’s taken quite a few years to see the beginning of a comeback, but they will likely need continued protection for years to come in the U.S. In the Bahamas, the importance of this valuable resource has been realized and rules are in place to protect it. The recreational limit is six, and they must have a thick, well-formed lip—meaning they had a chance to grow into adulthood and reproduce. Also, they must be harvested while freediving. Inside the conch shell is a soft-bodied mollusk, which is in the same family as clams, oysters, octopi and squid. They live near coral reefs and seagrass beds and can reach up to 14 inches long. Besides humans, they have a few predators in the water—loggerhead turtles, nurse sharks, spiny lobsters and more. The meat has been consumed for centuries by islanders in the Caribbean and serves in a multitude of dishes such as salads, chowders and fritters.
Conch Tips:
1) Regulations are subject to change so double check before harvesting any marine life. 2) When diving, it is easy to see that in certain places in the Bahamas, especially close to highly populated areas, the conch are 16
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not as abundant. Do not take any from these areas, even if it’s legal. 3) They are easy to spot and move slowly, so use good judgement. Target mature adults that have reproduced and are toward the end of their lifecycle. Consider taking less than the legal limit. 4) The mollusk is not easy to extract or to clean, so if you don’t know how, make sure you have a professional on hand at the end of the day to help you or teach you. 5) Don’t forget to check for pearls in the mantle. These pink pearls are beautiful and more rare than traditional pearls. 6) The inedible part of the conch (the guts, also called “slop”) makes excellent bait for fishing, especially for mutton snappers. Nothing goes to waste! 7) You might (or might not) want to eat the pistol, also known as “Bahamian Viagra.” It is part of the conch’s digestive system and looks like a clear noodle. 8) The Bahamas exports conch to the U.S., but bringing your own conch meat back to the U.S. by boat is strictly prohibited. Safe diving and Happy Hunting! Sheri is a world-record holder, host of Speargun Hunter, and producer of “The Blue Wild Ocean Adventure Expo” in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Follow “Sheri Daye” and “The Blue Wild” on Facebook and Instagram.
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As fisherman, we all know how hard live bait can be to find. Seasonal weather patterns change the way fish are biting, so a variety of bait is key. Bait fishing is so important that fishermen spend weeks prior to tournaments catching bait and then keep them penned up all for a couple epic days of fishing. The last thing you want is for your bait to die because of a pump failure. At Hooker Electric, we have designed a durable, strong and long-lasting baitwell system. This system is capable of supplying multiple livewells with its adequate DC brushless motor. You will no longer need multiple pumps to supply each livewell. Now, by adding the Hooker Electric custom manifolds, you can divert water to the designated wells by adjusting the amount of water flow to each well with our variable flow knobs. This allows you to run all of the wells from one Hooker Electric pump and have another one for redundancy. The system is easy to use with the variable flow dial, without having to restrict the pump. This Hooker Electric livewell system is a plumb-andplay setup with a variety of sizes. It’s available in 2500, 4500 and 7500 GPH and we also offer an on/off feature for the pumps. For more information, visit www.hookerelectric.com or check out their Instagram page @Hookerelectric_pumps.
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he older I get, the more I like to fish inshore for all the usual suspects from the Northeast, down through the Carolinas all the way to the Keys. From stripers and specks, to drum and snook, every fish loves a shrimp or minnow imitation under a float. And this includes many freshwater predators. I always keep a float rig tied on when fishing inside. Popping, cigar and oval floats all have their place, and an added “clicking” sound adds value, especially when fishing a soft plastic shrimp under the float. There are plenty of commercially available floats, but I want to share a simple and effective way to achieve the same end result… and one that will rarely foul or tangle. Whether the beads are external or internal, the clicking sound is perfectly married with the splashing sound that drives fish bananas. To make the simple external-bead-style clicking float, view the video below. Allow 1/16- to 1/8-inch clearance (total, not both ends) between the beads and ends of the pegs to allow the beads to tap the plastic pegs. Follow the instructions below to make the internal-bead-style clicking float. Materials: 80-pound fluorocarbon; small plastic beads, like those found in sliding cork kits; small swivels; a commercially available foam slip cork with plastic pegs. Steps: • Thread braided mainline through the plastic peg and one of the small beads. • Feed the mainline through to the other side of the slip cork and then tie it to one side of the swivel. • For the other side, thread a fluorocarbon leader through the other peg, thread on a small bead and tie it to the other end of the swivel.
• Press one peg securely into the slip cork, and then pull the bead and swivel into the float’s interior channel. • Press the second peg into the cork, and your slip cork is now a clicking float. The tiny beads slide back and forth on the line to tap the plastic pegs inside the float. • Tie a 3/8-ounce jig head and a soft plastic shrimp onto the leader, and… just add water. There are a number of opinions on how deep to fish below the cork. I like between 18 and 24 inches of fluorocarbon, depending on water depth. This same tackle works extremely well in freshwater for striped and hybrid bass in moving water. Just use a fluke-style soft plastic instead of a shrimp. The largest largemouth bass I caught this year was under cigar float with an internal clicker. I was fishing a Super Fluke for striped bass. Smallmouth bass in rocky rivers are complete idiots over this same rig. Wherever you are, and whatever you’re fishing for, a float rig is something you should keep tied and ready on the deck. Visit Barefootcatsandtackle.com. For video instructions on making a clicking cork, see:
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nglers are catching a lot of big largemouths in Texas. Last year’s Toyota ShareLunker Program, which tracks bass heavier than 8 pounds, certified 486 bass caught from 89 Texas lakes in 2018, and that’s just the fish that were reported. At the beginning of 2018, the Toyota ShareLunker program debuted a new year-long season for anglers to enter bass for prizes, recognition, and to help enhance bass fishing in Texas. Anglers entered largemouths into four categories including six “Legacy Class” bass of 13 pounds or heavier that were entered during the spawning window Jan.1 through March 31 and loaned to TPWD for the selective breeding and stocking program. The total number of entries in other categories who provided citizen science data included: five “Lunker Legend” bass 13 pounds or heavier caught outside the spawning window or not loaned for spawning, 107 “Lunker Elite” bass weighing 10 to 12.99 pounds, and 368 “Lunker” bass at least 24 inches or weighing between 8 and 9.99 pounds. The top five ShareLunker producing lakes in 2018 included Lake Fork near Quitman with 73 entries, Lake Conroe near Houston with 41 entries, Lake Athens in Athens with 28 entries, Sam Rayburn Reservoir near Jasper with 21 entries, and O.H. Ivie Lake near San Angelo with 17 entries. For updates on the Toyota ShareLunker program visit https:// www.facebook.com/ShareLunkerprogram and https://texassharelunker.com/.
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FRESHWATER Nevada’s WORLD-CLASS CUTTHROAT
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he International Game Fish Association (IGFA) keeps the most extensive list of fishing records in the world. With categories for all types of tackle and species, some records are more impactful than others. This potential all-tackle length world record for cutthroat trout is without a doubt an impressive fish. Adam Garcia caught and released this giant cutthroat on Nov. 11, 2018 while fishing Nevada’s Pyramid Lake. The fish measured 85 centimeters in length, or more than 33 inches. Once the paperwork clears, the fish could dethrone the old 81-centimeter length record. Garcia is no newcomer to the record books. According to IGFA records, he holds four line-class world records for weight, all cutthroats caught from Pyramid Lake in 2016 and 2017. Some of those were actually longer than his Nov. 11 fish. The biggest one, which holds the 16-lb. line class record, weighed 24 pounds. Pyramid Lake is a large and natural desert lake near the California border northeast of Reno. It is the world hotspot for giant cutthroat trout, where anglers can wade from shore and cast jigs for record-class fish. Every single one of IGFA’s line class cutthroat records were caught from Pyramid, as well as the all tackle world record, which was caught back in 1925 by John Skimmerhorn.
Surprising Winter is the Best Planting Time
I am often asked when is the best time to plant fruiting plants. My answer is usually the same; the best time is 20 years ago or today. The second best time to plant is during the winter months. Plants are dormant, and can be easily shipped and planted with no stress on the plant because there is not a lot of maintenance once the plant or tree has been planted. Simply dig a good hole, water thoroughly
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TIPS FROM A PRO
Cold-Water Bassin' BRANDON LESTER
F
ebruary is one of those transition months. Spring is just around the corner, and it might have already arrived in some places, but it’s still wintertime for most of the country’s bass fisheries. Bass are cold-blooded animals, which means the colder the water is, the more the fish’s core body temperature decreases. That also means the fish’s metabolism slows down. Metabolism is the chemical processes that occur which allow the fish to maintain life, grow, heal and make energy. Humans are warm blooded, so our body temperature stays a steady 98.6 degrees. A fish’s temperature drops with the water temp, which makes them more sluggish the colder it gets. If you’re like me, you’re ready to eat three meals a day and some snacks 365 days a year. It’s different with fish. In warm water, fish feed every day, throughout the day and into the night. In the winter they don’t feed nearly as often. One reason is they don’t move around as much, so they don’t come into contact with prey. Fish feed-up heavily in the fall when the water is still warm to put on weight. Bait is plentiful then, and instinctually they feel cold weather coming. I have way more 20- and 30-fish days in spring than winter. You’re not likely set any records for fish catches in cold water. Fish bite for two basic reasons, either because they’re hungry and the bait looks like food or because the bait has come into their territory
and they instinctively attack it. Reaction strikes are greatly reduced during the winter. In water mid-50 degrees and lower, you really need to make the fish want to eat in order to catch them. I try and fish the warmest water on a lake, as fish in these areas will be more active. A couple degrees in water temperature can make all the difference. Slower-moving baits work best for cold-water bass. I like baits that stay in one place and can be worked slowly, like a jig. A suspending jerkbait with Mustad KVD trebles will hang in one place, hopefully right in front of their face. Use lighter line in cold water, as it allows the bait to move more realistically. Eight or 10-pound Vicious fluorocarbon is preferable on a jerkbait. Objects in the water, especially rocks, retain heat. On sunny days, the shallow water near rocks on the bank will often be warmer. Keep in mind that fish don’t bite nearly as hard in cold water. You will feel them kind of “load up” on the bait instead of slamming it. The fish are just picking up the bait and doing as little as possible to catch it. Those “light bites” increase the importance of having a sensitive rod. I build my own rods and will tell you that MHX Rods from Mud Hole Custom Tackle help me catch more fish, especially in cold water. Higher quality graphite makes a more sensitive rod. MHX Rods are much more affordable and the quality is better than a vast majority of rods out there. For extremely light bites, I recommend the NEPS series of blanks built with Winn Grips.
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Rates as low as 5.99% on new Suzuki outboards on approved credit.* [60 Months]
3 Years Limited Warranty + 3 Years Extended Protection
Gimme Six Extended Protection promo is applicable to new Suzuki Outboard Motors from 25 to 350 HP in inventory which are sold and delivered to buyer between 01/01/19 and 03/31/19 in accordance with the promotion by a Participating Authorized Suzuki Marine dealer in the continental US and Alaska to a purchasing customer who resides in the continental US or Alaska. Customer should expect to receive an acknowledgement letter and full copy of contract including terms, conditions and wallet card from Suzuki Extended Protection within 90 days of purchase. If an acknowledgement letter is not received in time period stated, contact Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. – Marine Marketing via email: marinepromo@suz.com. The Gimme Six Promotion is available for pleasure use only, and is not redeemable for cash. Instant Savings apply to qualifying purchases of select Suzuki Outboard Motors made between 01/01/19 and 03/31/19. For list of designated models, see participating Dealer or visit www.suzukimarine.com. Instant Savings must be applied against the agreed-upon selling price of the outboard motor and reflected in the bill of sale. (Suzuki will, in turn, credit Dealer’s parts account.) There are no model substitutions, benefit substitutions, rain checks, or extensions. Suzuki reserves the right to change or cancel these promotions at any time without notice or obligation. * Financing offers available through Synchrony Retail Finance. As low as 5.99% APR financing for 60 months on new and unregistered Suzuki Outboard Motors. Subject to credit approval. Not all buyers will qualify. Approval, and any rates and terms provided, are based on credit worthiness. $19.99/month per $1,000 financed for 60 months is based on 5.99% APR. Hypothetical figures used in calculation; your actual monthly payment may differ based on financing terms, credit tier qualification, accessories or other factors such as down payment and fees. Offer effective on new, unregistered Suzuki Outboard Motors purchased from a participating authorized Suzuki dealer between 01/01/19 and 03/31/19. “Gimme Six”, the Suzuki “S” and model names are Suzuki trademarks or ®. Don’t drink and drive. Always wear a USCG-approved life jacket and read your owner’s 26manual. NATIONAL FEBRUARY I COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM © 2019 SuzukiI Motor of America, 2019 Inc.
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Progressive Casualty Ins. Co. & affiliates. Annual premium for a basic liability policy not available all states. Prices vary based on how you buy. *Available with comprehensive and collision coverage. COMMON CVRS_0219.indd 3
There’s a reason they say, Curse like a sailor. That’s why we offer basic plans starting at $100 a year with options that won’t depreciate your watercraft and accessories*. 1.800.PROGRESSIVE | PROGRESSIVE.COM
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