Coastal Angler Magazine - April / Naples/Marco/Everglades by Coastal Angler Magazine

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Venice, Louisiana:

A Paddler's Heaven

Local

Bass Pro

Mike Iaconelli

Fishing Reports Catch Photos News & Events

Talks Kayaks Inshore

PHOTO COURTESY OF JEFF SCHNEIDER VOLUME 22 â&#x20AC;¢ ISSUE 267

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Each month, Coastal Angler Magazine and The Angler Magazine staff search our vast coverage area for photos that will grace our covers. With well over a million readers in diverse coastal and inland markets, our magazines strive for broad national appeal as well as local-level intelligence to put anglers on fish. The cover is different depending on which edition you, the reader, are holding. The following is a little information about this month’s covers.

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The cover of this month’s Coastal Angler Venice, Louisiana: editions features a gorgeous Louisiana red A Paddler's caught by Kaku pro-staffer and Louisiana Heaven tuna captain Jeff Schneider while fishing from the deck of a Kahuna SUP. There is perhaps no better place in the world to chase redfish from a paddle-powered boat Local Bass Pro Mike Iaconelli than Venice, Louisiana. Kaku’s president Talks Kayaks Inshore Kevin Hawkins tells us all about it in this issue. With thousands upon thousands of acres of marshland situated around the mouth of the Mississippi Delta, it is a paradise for inshore species and the anglers who target them. There are so many options for kayak and paddleboard anglers around Venice. They range from mothership trips out in the Gulf of Mexico for big cobia, jacks and bull reds to easier hand-launch expeditions off the side of the road in Venice, where marsh ponds and canals in tall grass make it easier to find fishing out of the wind. No matter where or how one decides to deploy a little plastic boat in the waters around the Delta, the fishing will be fantastic. It truly is heaven for anglers under paddle power.

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THE ANGLER MAGAZINE Bass Pro Mike Iaconelli: Down Off The Deck

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Professional bass tournament angler and Mike Iaconelli TV personality Mike Iaconelli is one of the most recognized anglers in the world. The 2003 Bassmaster Classic Champion and 2006 Make New Lures Angler of the Year, “Ike” can claim to have won Confidence Lures Local almost every major award in professional bass fishing. But he’s also a self-described fish-head, who will fish anywhere, any way for anything that will pull on the other end of a line. It’s fitting that the rig pulling his stateof-the-art Bass Cat boat also has a Hobie kayak strapped to the roof for quick and easy, on-the-spot fun fishing. In this month’s magazine, Ike tells us about his love of kayak fishing in a question-and-answer session that delves into some of the tools and techniques he uses inshore. Ike is one of the best bass fishermen in the world, and his tournament skills translate well to saltwater. The cover of this month’s The Angler Magazines is of “Ike” with a good redfish caught while filming for his TV show “Going Ike” in Port Fourchon, Louisiana. We interviewed him in the run-up to this year’s Bassmaster Classic, and taking a moment to talk kayaks seemed a breathe of fresh air for him during crunch time. Talks Kayaks Inshore

ELITE SERIES PRO MIKE IACONELLI CHASES VOLUME 22 • ISSUE 267

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Kayakin’ The Spring

By Patrick Sebile

ife is getting vibrant. Things are warming up, and spring is here. As a ritual long established, I feel the need to be close to nature. And to me there’s no better way to experience the feeling of life awakening than riding a kayak with a rod in my hand. I have fished and guided from all kinds of boats, from small skiffs to majestic deep-sea vessels, but a small plastic shell puts me right next to the fish, my hands always a few inches from the water’s surface. It’s not a money matter, as I own boats. Perhaps it is the challenge? I definitively spend more time each year fishing from my skiff or bass boat, and surely catch more fish from these boats. They are true fishing machines, helping me cover lots of water to find fish. And they can carry all the gear necessary for any situation. On my kayak, I have to think effectively about what my needs are and carefully consider every single thing I will bring onboard. It’s a good way to find the balance between needs and wants. So how do I fish while kayaking? In freshwater and saltwater, my approach is to slowly and surely cover every spot. In a kayak, I am much more aware of, and more capable of, targeting the places where fish hide. Superbly silent, my Pro Angler carries me at the edge of two worlds, above the surface where we

live and the liquid world, which holds the object of all our passions. My kayak tackle boxes have a variety of carefully selected key lures that will help in different situations and environments, nothing more than what I will need. I carry Magic Swimmers, hard for open water and soft for heavy cover and structure. A Flatt Shad snagless is effective in both open and snaggy areas. Twitch baits like the Stick Shadd definitely go into my box, as they are needed if fish are active. A handful of plastic worms, a couple of bucktails, and then a topwater or a pivot frog will complete this set to fish from a ’yak. Seated just above the water, gliding silently with gentle movements of my feet on the pedals, rod in hand and with eyes searching, I use the smooth approach to get as close as I can to the spot or to the fish. Then all that’s left is a short but accurate cast. Proximity also gives me greater enjoyment of seeing the fish and seeing it bite. That’s why I love kayak fishing this time of the year. And you never know; I may let my lures sit in the tackle box and simply hook a shiner or a shrimp and let it swim. Or maybe I won’t even do a thing, just watch the water and the life that surrounds it—just enjoy life… and a kayak ride. Patrick Sebile is the owner and lure designer of Sebile Innovative Fishing (www.sebile.com).

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Mike Iaconelli Talks Kayaks And Redfish

Editor Nick Carter had the chance to interview professional bass angler Mike Iaconelli just before the Bassmaster Classic. We didn’t want to jinx Ike by talking about the Classic, so we asked the Hobie pro about his love of kayak fishing.

hat’s the appeal in stepping down from the deck of a bass boat into a kayak? Ike: Growing up in southern New Jersey, I consider myself a small-boat angler first. Many of my early childhood experiences fishing involved fishing from the bank, rowing a small jonboat or paddling a canoe. Kayak fishing fills a huge niche in my fishing life. Outside of competitive bass tournament fishing, I’m still a huge fish head. That means fishing for all freshwater and saltwater species in my down time. When I’m fun fishing or filming for TV shows, I love to access remote places that I can’t get into with my full size bass boat. Kayak fishing is also a HUGE breath of fresh air to leave behind the big boat and all of the time and preparation that go along with launching and running that boat. With your tournament schedule, do you get to spend much time on the salt? Ike: I definitely try to go inshore and offshore fishing each fall when the tournament season concludes. This past fall, I spent a week in Port Fourchon, Louisiana hanging out at Hobie Worlds 6 and filming a kayak fishing episode for season two of my TV show, Going Ike, which premiers this spring on the Pursuit Channel! I had a great time catching big redfish and trout, plus it was awesome meeting the Hobie World Championship competitors from all over the world who love fishing as much as I do. I also had a chance to go offshore fishing with my buddy Ish Monroe in San Francisco during November. We were mainly targeting lingcod, and it was an amazing day of fishing! Where do you put your kayak in and what do you fish for in New Jersey? Ike: I mostly fish the small lake behind my house, which has largemouth bass, northern chain pickerel, crappie and sunfish. My son, Vegas, got a brand new Hobie kayak from Santa for Christmas this year. The fish in our lake better watch out this summer! I’m really looking forward to spending time with my family and pursuing exciting new fishing adventures. How do redfish compare to “green fish?” Ike: Anyone who has caught a big redfish would agree that they are definitely more powerful and are a very aggressive fish in general. One of my favorite things about targeting redfish is that most of the time I can focus on shallow-water power-fishing techniques and search for active, feeding reds. With the “green fish,” there are a lot of times that I have to slow down and present a bait to them slowly such as with a jig, worm or finesse fishing.

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What skills, techniques and gear from your bass arsenal translate well to inshore? Ike: Casting accuracy/ presentation, reading tides and powerfishing techniques are the first three that come to my mind. Often when I’m inshore fishing, I am targeting fish that are relating to a grass edge or current break. If I can make accurate, quiet casts, there’s a good chance I’m going to catch more fish! Having grown up fishing the Delaware River, which can have up to a 7-foot tide swing between low and high tides, I’ve spent much of my life learning how fish position based on the tide level and current. This experience translates extremely well to inshore fishing…. I bring a lot of traditional power-fishing gear that you’d also find in my Bass Cat boat when I’m fishing for bass: Abu Garcia “Ike” Series Rods, Berkley Trilene braided/ monofilament/ fluorocarbon fishing lines, Rapala Skitter Walk and Skitter V topwaters, VMC jigheads, and Berkley Powerbait and Gulp swimbaits, grubs, and more soft plastics. How is your Hobie rigged out? Ike: I have a Power Pole Micro Anchor to stop the kayak on a dime. This is a very crucial piece of equipment, which allows me to quickly stop and fish an area without the kayak drifting with the current or wind. This is huge when you are fishing specific targets such as points, current breaks, laydowns, docks and more. I also have a Lowrance HDS 9 Touch unit, a storage crate for my Flambeau Zerust tackle boxes and tackle bags, landing net, rod holders, and of course, Hobie’s Mirage Drive pedals so I can keep my hands fishing instead of paddling! Electronics play a huge role on the bass tournament scene, what’re your thoughts on electronics in kayaks? Ike: Electronics play just as huge of a role in kayak fishing. I really use it the same as with my Bass Cat boat! As I just mentioned, I run a Lowrance HDS 9 Touch unit on my Hobie for its GPS/ sonar abilities. I rely heavily on the information I can gather from the Lowrance such as mapping/ bottom contours, reading the water temperature, and using the sonar for locating fish, cover and structure to name a few. I may mount a Hydrowave on the Hobie as well soon. It’s another great innovation in electronics, and I use it often in my boat to fire up fish. I’m always interested in adding tools to my boat or kayak that help me catch more fish!

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Lou

By Nick Carter - Photos Courtesy of Kaku

f there’s a heaven for folks who fish from paddle-powered boats, it must look a lot like Venice, Louisiana. This narrow spit of marshland at the Mississippi River Delta is a maze of canals and bays that flush into the Gulf of Mexico with fecundity born of joining waters. Channels and marsh ponds tucked into thousands of acres of wetlands make it the perfect habitat for redfish, seatrout, flounder and other species. It’s like the landscape was designed for fishing and exploring with a paddle. Kevin Hawkins was born and raised in Tarpon Springs, Fla. He is the president of Kaku Kayaks & Paddleboards but calls himself the company’s chief pro-staffer. He prides himself on the amount of fishing he does and designs his boats on experience. Venice is one of his favorite testing grounds. Whether its launching roadside into the marsh, a trip outside the pass from remote Port Eads or a mothership expedition to the Gulf ’s famous oil rigs, it’s the perfect setting to test his boats. It doesn’t hurt that the fishing is awesome. When the seas aren’t too rough, there’s no adventure quite like a mothership trip out to the oilrigs in search of cobia, kingfish and bull reds. Kaku pro-staffer Capt. Jeff Schneider is also a tuna captain who runs a 36-foot Contender when he’s not paddling a small plastic boat. With kayaks loaded, it’s about an hour and a half run from Venice Marina out to 50-foot-deep rigs in West Bay. Hawkins described a day he fished with Schneider, and although the primary target was cobia, a big 45-inch redfish was the highlight. Armed with big 5000 reels and 40- to 50-pound tackle, they dropped Kaku Wahoo kayaks into 2- to 3-foot seas. Even on the stable fishing platform, Hawkins said it might have been a bit much for new paddlers. For a veteran it was fun. “It’s awesome, man. I love paddling a good kayak in that stuff and busting over big waves,” said Hawkins. “When it gets rough like that, it’s fun.” They fished a series of four or five structures linked by a bridge, which gave space to paddle around and explore. Hawkins said he paddled right up to the corner of a pier, dropped his jig straight down and began back paddling before jigging. That’s when the big bull red ate. “When you’re in the shallows and they pull you around, they call that the Cajun sleigh ride,” Hawkins said. “When you’re in deep water like that, he heads straight down. He was pulling me, and that kayak was smashing straight down on those waves. It was pretty intense.” Invariably, fish seek something to wrap the line around, and only by kicking off a beam was Hawkins able to keep himself from going

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Experience Heaven

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under the rig and losing the fish. He gave a piece of advice for battling big fish from a kayak in deep water. “Keep the tip of the rod toward the front of the boat,” he said. “When the rod goes to the side, that’s when you run the risk of flipping.” If an open-water mothership trip seems a little much, Port Eads sits on the southernmost tip of Louisiana, right at the end of the Mississippi River. It’s only accessible by boat, and reasonable prices buy lodging and good meals. Also known as South Pass, the location is a few minutes paddle from the open Gulf and offers excellent fishing for big jacks, reds, cobia, blacktip sharks and any number of other species big enough to warrant medium-heavy rods, 3000 to 4000 reels and 30- to 40-pound-test lines. Hawkins likes artificials and prefers Slayer Inc.’s Sinister Swim Tail rigged on a 4/0 jig head. For him, sinking bait outside the pass would detract from the reason he fishes from kayaks and SUPs in the first place. “Kayaks are about stalking and hunting the fish,” he said. “You’ve got to use your instincts to find them. I don’t like to just sit on a hole and fish bait.” It’s as much fun as you can have sitting down… or standing up if seas are calm enough for an SUP like Kaku’s Kahuna, which is specifically designed for fishing. But perhaps the best bet for calm waters is a third Venice option, to launch roadside. Highway 23 runs from New Orleans to Venice, and Tidewater Road is where the pavement ends. There are any number of places to hand-launch a kayak or paddleboard. Hawkins mentioned Yellow Cotton Bay as well as a series of marsh ponds and cuts at a circular canal known as The Pinwheel. Once you find fish off the grass edges, it’s probably the best inshore action in the world, and it’s easily accessible to paddlers. Popping cork rigs are a no-brainer, but Hawkins said once you get tired of catching scads of rat reds and trout, it’s time to switch to the paddletail rig he likes to fish outside the pass. “We’re looking for the big ones,” he said. “You’ve still got to be ready for the big ones. No matter where I am in Venice, I’ve got a 30-pound rig.” For more information on Kaku Kayaks & SUPs, see kakukayak. com.

To learn more about fishing from a Kahuna Paddleboard, go to

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The 12.5′ length of the Wahoo helps ensure stability. The Wahoo spans 33″ wide, great for fishing! Weighing only 74 lbs, the Wahoo is WWW.kakukayak.com lightweight, but incredibly stable. The Wahoo has a capacity of 400lbs.

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THE DAY’S BIG CATCH SHOULD BE YOUR ONLY FOCUS Insurance coverage through BoatU.S. makes for a great start to what could be an epic day of fishing. Our policies are designed with coverages custom-made for Anglers and include 24/7 claims service from boating experts. • Agreed Value Coverage for Your Boat, Engine(s) and Boating Equipment • Broad Cruising Areas • Charter and Guide Coverage Options Available • Coverage for Fishing Gear • Tournament Coverage • Water Towing and Roadside Assistance from TowBoatU.S. – the Nation’s Largest Fleet

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Paddlesports Product Review COVERALLS KAYAK COVER

CREEKKOOLER FLOATING COOLER

Who says kayak covers need to be bulky and thick? CoverAlls kayak covers deliver protection, strength and durability in a lightweight, tough material that keeps your kayak clean and dry year-round. Protect your kayak from nature and the elements. Prevent dirt, debris, pollen and leaves from piling up in the cockpit and seat. Block bugs and critters before they move in. Keep water out with material that’s not just water-resistant—it’s water-PROOF. Our covers are also UV-resistant to preserve your kayak’s hull and rigging from the sun’s damaging rays. Best of all, CoverAlls kayak covers are a breeze to use. They slip on quickly, draw closed with a single poly cord and cam lock—not zippers—and get snug with durable Velcro straps. There’s even a built-in red flag for transport. The cover slips off easily and stows neatly in an included compact stuff bag that even fits in most deck hatches. Spend more time with a rod and reel and less time with a hose and scrub brush. See how much better protection can be at www.coveralls.biz!

Space is always at a premium when you’re on the water in a paddle-powered vessel. Whether it’s a kayak, canoe or stand-up paddleboard, a lack of stowage often forces us to leave behind the things not absolutely necessary for the activity at hand. On a larger boat where there’s plenty of room, many anglers wouldn’t think of going fishing without a cooler full of iced-down beverages. With the new Creekkooler, those navigating under paddle power can have the same luxury. The Creekkooler is an innovative floating cooler designed with dual-wall construction and top-quality insulation to retain ice and keep things cold for extended periods. Its shape cuts through the water, limiting drag and allowing it to be pulled easily behind a boat. Creekkooler has a 30-quart capacity and will hold 30 12-ounce cans and 20 pounds of ice. It has four drink holders on deck and a 1/8-turn watertight lid that makes it a great tool for extra dry storage, too. Whether it’s for keeping drinks cold during a day on the water with buddies, packing in provisions for a multi-day float trip, or extra dry storage for the stuff you need but don’t have room in the boat for, Creekkooler is an innovative new product that will make your excursion under paddle power more comfortable.

WWW.COVERALLS.BIZ

KANOOLERPRODUCTS.COM

WHALEBACK PADDLEBOARDS TORTUGA

When I’m not in the studio or at the racetrack, I’m fishing. Every chance I get. I recently started SUP fishing, and the 12’6” Tortuga by Whaleback Paddleboards is a real game changer. At 12’6” x 34” x 10.5”, with twin pontoons, the stability is ridiculous. I can walk nose to tail and all around the rails to reel in fish from any direction. Its 3-inch side bite tracking fins allow me to squeeze into shallow flats, and its maneuverability and stability is great offshore as well. With a fullcoverage, water-resistant traction pad, the deck space is unmatched. And its 28 customizable

By Matt Nix, Racin’ Nation Radio

WWW.WHALEBACKPADDLEBOARDS.COM

JACKSON KAYAK KRAKEN 13.5

Jackson Kayak’s Kraken 13.5 is an all-new option for paddlers looking to tackle big water. Based on The Kraken 15.5 platform, the 13.5 sheds some length for more maneuverability but with all the punch of its big brother. This kayak, just like the original, is designed for the most challenging paddling environments and intended for the offshore and big-lake kayak angler. It’s a natural follow up to the first collaborative design between legendary kayak angler, Jim Sammons and Jackson Kayak’s design team led by Tony Lee. The new Kraken 13.5 is a boat shaped and built to accommodate those hitting the open water in a nimble, smaller footprint but still capable of big water management. It’s designed for punching through surf, handling rough offshore currents, swells, beach landings and those who desire ultimate performance and maneuverability. With more features than can be listed, Jackson has considered all the needs of bigwater anglers and packed them thoughtfully into this kayak. Its great-tracking hull has the speed to cover miles and the volume and storage to carry you and your gear comfortably on long outings. 16

inserts and deck tie downs let me rig up my YakAttack lean post, rod holders, GPS and paddle holder and still have room for the cooler, cup holder and lawn chair. Because let’s face it, nothing’s better than celebrating a good catch with a cold one. Whether you’re an experienced SUP fisherman or just getting started, the 12’6’ Tortuga is the board for you. It sets you up with everything you need. You just have to find the fish. All Whaleback boards are made in the USA. Visit www.whalebackpaddleboards.com or call 561-3361612 for a dealer near you.

PAU HANA BIG EZ ANGLER At 11 feet long and available in both 32 and 36 inches of width, Pau Hana’s Big EZ Angler is built to be stable, the perfect platform for fighting any game fish. This paddleboard is derived from the classic Big EZ, and is shaped to provide anglers the balance they need while remaining easy to maneuver in shallow water without disrupting fish underneath. It is lightweight at just over 30-pounds, which means it is easy to launch anywhere there’s a place to carry it to the water. It can be rigged up for any kind of fishing, can handle heavy loads and carry all the gear you need. With a soft and stylish deck and space in between the pieces for water drainage, the Angler comes pre-equipped with 25 multiple threaded mount attachment points using Pau Hana’s innovative SeaMount System. Coolers, tackle boxes, anchors, nets, rod holders, paddle clips, lights and anything else an angler needs can be easily mounted on deck. The Big EZ Angler is a real teak paddleboard with the capacity to carry everything an angler needs and provide a stable platform to fish from.

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Paddlesports Product Review RAM MOUNTING SYSTEMS Whether you are on a lake, stream, whitewater, inlet or ocean, kayaking is all about adaptability. RAM has created a complete line of rust-resistant mounting solutions for kayaks that allow anglers to mount items where they are needed. RAM Mounting systems offer the widest selection of kayak fishing accessories to adapt to a wide range of fishing scenarios. With a patented ball-and-socket design, RAM mounts allow anglers to mount almost anything at the perfect angle. This provides flexibility to mount equipment within reach, but out of the way. RAM’s kayak mounts and fishing accessories are rugged, compact, and have no sharp edges or points. All of our kayak mounts are backed by a lifetime warranty and are made in the USA. RAM mounts are the solution for mounting anything you might need on the water. A full line of rod holders covers everything from fly rods to conventional baitcasters and spinning rods of all sizes. Electronics, like fishfinders, chartplotters, phones, tablets and cameras can be mounted securely where they are needed. RAM even has a special system for mounting transducers for depthfinders. If there is something that needs to be mounted on a kayak, chances are RAM has thought of it and designed a product to hold it.

WWW.RAMMOUNT.COM

THE SKIMMER KAYAK MOTOR KIT Paddle fatigue getting to you? Want to motorize your kayak or canoe? There’s no need to pay $2,000 for a motorized kayak. Watercraft Technologies’ The Skimmer is a simple system for motorizing your kayak or canoe, and it costs less than $400. It is a lightweight, portable motor that mounts easily to your stern. Just snap it on when you need it. Fishing has never been easier, safer and more convenient. Go farther and save your energy for fishing! Increase your range! Catch more fish! The Skimmer weighs only 6 pounds. It’s 12v battery operated. There are easy controls for steering and motor lift. It’s environmentally safe, with no pollution, oil or gas spills. The Skimmer is made for saltwater, but does great in brackish or fresh water. It is able to propel a craft 2-4 knots and lasts two to five hours per charge. Imagine running your kayak at that speed and that long with zero effort! This propulsion system is great for people who want to get on the water and not worry about paddling hard into a swift current or strong wind. It is also great for those with shoulder, back or elbow issues. This kayak trolling motor kit carries a one-year, full parts replacement policy. See The Skimmer in action and order online at www.kayaktrollingmotor.com or order by phone at 631-848-3119.

WWW.KAYAKTROLLINGMOTOR.COM

MALIBU X-WING CONSOLE

Storage is a huge issue when all the gear you need at hand must fit in a space the size of your legs and lap. Malibu’s X-Wing Console is a fantastic option for storing and organizing gear in the cockpit of a kayak. Mounting of electronics, rod holders and other accessories can all be accomplished on one unit without drilling unnecessary holes in a kayak’s deck. A dry-storage compartment included in the unit makes the perfect place for valuables as well as being a great place for a battery. The X-Wing slides back and forth on a track mounted to the gunnel, so placement can be customized on the fly so it’s there when you need it and out of the way when you don’t. It’s also completely removable for storage and transportation. The X-Wing fits Malibu Kayaks, and modifications and adapters can be used to make the console fit other brands.

WWW.MALIBUKAYAKS.COM

YAKGEAR COOLER SEAT A cooler is one of the most valuable tools in most anglers’ arsenals. It goes everywhere and serves as a refrigerator, stepladder, poling platform, storage box and even a seat. YakGear’s Cooler Seat and Rigging Kit allows anglers to turn their cooler into a more comfortable and practical seating platform. Perfect for fishing, paddling, camping, tailgating and hunting, the YakGear Cooler Seat and Rigging Kit consists of the YakGear Sting Ray Seat and the necessary hardware to mount and secure the seat to a cooler. The kit is compatible with all coolers that feature “Front Locking Holes” including Yeti, Grizzly, Engel, Yukon, Icehole, some of the Bison models, and many more. The YakGear Sting Ray Seat features built-in back braces, which allow rigid back support without pressure from an exterior backrest. While most seats slouch down or fold over, the YakGear back braces hold the seat in place. As an additional feature, the seat has an aggressive non-slip pad to prevent unwarranted movement while sitting.

YAKGEAR.COM APRIL 2017

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FLY FISHING A Modern Take On Booking Fishing Guides And Charters

a better way. In April 2016, Fisher Guiding was founded. Since then, Hill has been working full time to turn his dream of easy one-stop shopping for charters and guided trips into reality. Fisher Guiding is a web-based service that lets anglers book trips with guides and charters online. It allows potential customers to search, review, message and pay guides all through an easy-to-use website. This service allows guides and captains to advertise and book clients based on available dates. It makes payment hassle free and allows guides and captains to market to customers in a way never before available. For some independent guides, the local fly shop is the only avenue available for them to book clients. Fisher Guiding is looking to supplement and modernize by offering a variety of scheduling and booking tools. Right now, Fisher Guiding currently has booking options from Alaska to the East Coast, Bahamas, Belize and Costa Rica. Although the consumer website just launched eight days ago, Fisher is already off to a great start with trips booked and new guides joining daily making for a constantly growing community. “Ultimately, the goal is to have guides and charters representing every market and fishing destination in the USA and around the world,” said Hill. It will be interesting to see how Fisher Guiding impacts the industry. The advantages are obvious for guides and charter services, but the greatest benefit may be for the consumer. Customers can read reviews and even message guides right through the website. Booking and paying for trips can be handled in two easy steps. While all change forces adaptation, a more competitive and transparent system will serve both the professionals and consumers. Ultimately the goal of Fisher Guiding is to make guides and charters more accessible to the public and contribute to the growth of the sport. A high tide will raise all the boats. See for yourself at www.fisherguiding.com.

FLY FISHING

ooking fishing guides and charters has not really changed at all for 50 years, so the industry is ripe for change and improvement. That is what Edward Hill—founder of Fisher Guiding– thought before launching his online service for guides and captains and the anglers who use them. Hill worked at Front Range Anglers before By Charlie Warfield graduating from the University of Colorado. There he saw firsthand how the guiding business worked in the local area. After school, he did private sector work in Washington, D.C., but after a couple years felt the need for a change and a new challenge. He began planning a trip to the Everglades with his father to do some fishing and reflection. Hill began searching the Internet for local guides. He was frustrated by the lack of information and the hoops he had to jump through to get hold of a guide. He had to look up guides and then call them for available dates and rates. It was a hassle, and it then turned out the guides he tracked down didn’t have the dates available he was looking for. Hill thought there must be

CHOOSING THE CORRECT BAITFISH FLY

f you look in many fly anglers’ boxes, you will see a huge array of flies in all shapes, sizes and colors. However, having the one correct fly in the box is the key to fishing success. Picking the correct flies for any saltwater fly fishing situation is key to whether or not you’ll be catching fish. Walking into a fly shop and looking into the fly bins can prove mindboggling to the uninitiated. The bins are filled with so many flies with which the fledgling saltwater fly fisher has little or no knowledge. Saltwater flies differ from their freshwater cousins in size and dress. Sometimes, like the kid in a candy store who is more influenced by the attractive wrapper than its contents, the beginning saltwater fly angler often chooses the eye-candy, over-dressed flies far too bulky to resemble a baitfish or a crab, flies that hook fishermen rather than fish.

Baitfish patterns

I believe a sparsely dressed baitfish pattern is preferable to a bulked up flashy fly. Why? The sparsely dressed fly will have a more natural look than will an all-too-spruced-up fly. Also, my experience has shown that a fish is far less selective when presented the sparsely dressed fly. The fly is only an imitation, a hint, of what the fish is feeding on, producing in the fish a reflexive action to strike. Perhaps one of the most important parts of the saltwater fly is its large eye that resembles closely the good-sized eyes on baitfish such as sardines, pilchards, and anchovies. Game fish zero in on that oversized eye when chasing and feeding on baitfish. Focusing on that eye results in fewer lost meals.

Color

Natural colors work best. Olive green, browns, tans and

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FLY FISHING Upstate New York

Bass On The Fly! By Mathew DeRosa

t was a very successful spring steelhead season on New York’s Salmon River. Approaching the tail end of the season, a friend and I made a “last chance” trip in hopes of finding a few final drop-back steelhead left in the system. We fished the lower section of the river, near Lake Ontario, to increase our chances of a tight line. It was one of those days when spring starts meshing into summer. The sun was shining with a few high clouds, the warm breeze was 70 degrees, and we had the river to ourselves. For an angler, being outside and fishing in a short sleeve shirt with no one around should be enough to call any day a success. This day was about to get better. As we cast into a river with increasing water temps and a majority of the steelhead already back in Lake Ontario, our expectations of a tight line were low. Soon enough, as we launched large flies

into the water, the addicting tight line grabs began. These fierce strikes were not steelhead, but hungry smallmouth bass. We enjoyed a full day on the river swinging 4-plus-inch flies and catching more than 25 smallmouth bass apiece. Are you a bass fisherman? Have you experienced the power of a bass on a fly rod? Smallmouth and largemouth bass will aggressively hunt down prey, which makes catching them on a fly rod extremely enjoyable. The late spring and early summer months are perfect to experience bass on the fly in Upstate New York. Altmar, N.Y. is on the Salmon River a short drive from the Tug Hill Sportsman Club. Both the Salmon River and the Tug Hill Sportsman’s Club are great places to learn how to fly fish and test your skills on bass. The beautiful scenery and vast expanse of meandering clear water make the Salmon River a top-priority fishing location in late spring. Favorable river conditions draw in large numbers of smallmouth bass. The river has more than 12 miles of public fishing property, and you can fish all day without encountering another angler. Smallmouth enter the river in April to spawn and remain in the system until September. Average Salmon River smallmouth bass range from 2 to 3 pounds; some weigh more than 5 pounds. Bass are present the entire length of the river from Altmar to the Douglaston Salmon Run. Tug Hill Sportsman Club The Tug Hill Sportsman Club is located on 450 acres of gently rolling land and is home to four lakes. The lakes make up about 45 acres of pristine largemouth bass-infested water. New to fly fishing or experienced, the opportunity to catch a world-class largemouth is there. The fish in these small lakes have had unpressured feeding, growing and reproductive conditions as the property has been carefully managed for more than 25 years. The goal is to provide guests with the highest quality angling. Enjoy Tailwater Lodge’s relaxing accommodations and fish the Tug Hill Sporting Club with Zero Limit Adventures! Matthew DeRosa is a guide with Zero Limit Adventures. For more information on the Tug Hill Sportsman’s Club and Zero Limit Adventures, visit www.zerolimitadventures.com.

whites are all great color combos for baitfish patterns. You should, however, carry a selection of blue and white, red and white and, of course, chartreuse and white in your fly box.

Size

Depending on what type of fish you’re pursuing, the size of your flies will vary. But, in most saltwater fly fishing situations, you’ll also need baitfish patterns that range from a small anchovy patterns in size 6 to large sardine or pilchard patterns in size 2/0. Remember, just as it is on the spring creek or on the large river, it’s all about matching the hatch, weather it’s insects or baitfish.

For more flyfishing with Bowman, go to

CAMFLYFISHING.COM

35 Acres of Private Access to the World-Renowned Salmon River 42 Luxurious Accommodations On-Site Bar and Restaurant • Daily Hot Breakfast Included Salmon River, Altmar, NY 315-298-3434

TailwaterLodge.com

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You could get a discount when you combine your auto and boat policies.

for your boat geico.com | 1-800-865-4846 | Local Office Some discounts, coverages, payment plans and features are not available in all states or all GEICO companies. Boat and PWC coverages are underwritten by GEICO Marine Insurance Company. Multi-Policy Discount available to auto insureds that have purchased a boat policy through the GEICO Marine Insurance Company. GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, D.C. 20076; a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. © 2017 GEICO

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FLORIDA

Elite Series Anglers Visit The Big O

By Steve Daniel, the voice of Okeechobee fishing

hen Bassmasters Elite Series competitors came to the Big O in February, they went all out to showcase our great fishing. In the end, Timmy Horton came out on top. He did most of his fishing with a jig in the bulrushes on the south end of the lake. He knew if the wind got up it could spell trouble, and it did. Even though he carried a 7-pound lead into the final day, it would be nerve racking to finish the job. He ran back to the Harney Pond area and caught 12 pounds to win by about a pound over Tennessee angler Ott Defoe.

At the weigh in, Horton’s daughter showed up with a pizza box, and no one knew what that was all about, but my wife Deb and I knew; we were there. Horton won an event on New York’s Lake Champlain several years ago. On the final day he made a long run, over 60 miles, to catch a 20-pound bag. The only way he could lose the event was if the weather got bad and he could not get back to the weigh in on time. Being aware of this, he returned early and tied his boat to the dock. Rules state that an angler can’t leave the boat unless there’s an emergency. After approval from Tripp Welden, tournament director, Horton’s cameraman, who was his observer and could not get out of the boat either, ordered a large pizza to the boat. They enjoyed a long afternoon tied to the dock. Here on Okeechobee, Horton also enjoyed a big lead going into the last day. The plan was to go to the south end, get a heavy bag and return early to have an early lunch tied to the dock. It didn’t happen that way. The wind got up and changed the area he was fishing, and it took Horton until 11:30 a.m. to even catch his first bass. In the end, Horton caught enough to win, and the rest is history, but that is what the box of pizza was all about. I bet the pizza got cold waiting the docks. With water levels falling here on the Big O, we will be fishing some really shallow water going into April. Here is a tip: Get a 4-foot stick and keep it by the driver’s seat to feel the bottom. If you feel sand and the water is deep enough to get on plain, you will be fine. If the bottom feels hard, keep idling out until you have deeper water. Use a little common sense. Fishing in April will be incredible. An extremely successful professional bass tournament angler, Steve Daniel is 30-year veteran Okeechobee guide and the voice of Okeechobee fishing on WRVO Radio Network 1’s Hooked Up With Steve and Deb. Check out the show at www.renoviolaoutdoors.com

To learn more about fishing in the Big O, go to

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BEACHMARINEPRODUCTS.COM

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DINNER AND

A SHOW By Michael Landress

riskly driven by warm sea breezes, we drifted in 26-fathoms—three grizzled and oft impatient anglers awaiting a bite. Biker Brad and I chartered Capt. Chris Le-Mieux and his 27foot Conch Cruiser out of Boynton Beach with expectations of catching summer dolphin. Joggling in 2-foot seas, Chris set the lines. After a few minutes, we noticed the spinning rod baited with a lively threadfin at the transom presenting a tad odd. The monofilament was loosely wrapped around the reel’s handle and bail. The line was straight down from the rod tip and disappeared beneath the Conch Cruiser. Chris seized the rod and quickly untangled the quandary then began a feverish retrieval of slack line. A tenacious, girly mahi gobbled the jittery herring then torpedoed toward the vessel. I reached for the camera in an effort to capture images of her aerial assault for freedom, but missed the opportunity because Chris forced the straining rod in my face barking, “REEL . . . REEL . . . REEL!” We watched in awe as the flailing dolphin rocketed through the air twisting and turning with great energy. Perhaps, the mahi is the prettiest fish in the world’s oceans. The brilliant harlequin green and cyber yellow of its lit skin, embellished with ultramarine specks in contrast with blue water, is spectacular. Having missed two epic jumps, I couldn’t resist the temptation. I passed

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the rod to Brad so I could focus on capturing the final flurry of vaults with a camera. But, as quickly as the acrobatic breaches had begun, they ceased. The worn dolphin laggardly cruised near the surface. Her brilliant color quickly faded as she succumbed to a well-placed, razor sharp gaff. Wild-eyed and grinning from ear to ear like yellow cartoon sponges, we extended our gratitude for the show by welcoming her aboard for a dinner engagement. Dinner and a show is how we roll!

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FISH THE GREATER JACKSONVILLE KINGFISH TOURNAMENT

ingfish anglers will converge on Jacksonville the week of July 17 for the 37th edition of the Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament. Steve Thompson, Captain of the Sea Snake, will once again serve as tournament chairman. With more than 30 years of experience on the SKA circuit, he brings unique insight to the Jacksonville tournament. The traditional two-day, Thursday/Friday format returns this year. Each angling boat will be allowed to weigh one fish Thursday and up to two fish Friday. Boats that made a wrong turn on day one still have a fighting chance on day two. Also returning is the single-engine class, where payouts go to the top 10 largest fish only. This year’s event, unlike last year, will not pay big fish or aggregate. The wildly popular ladies division will be expanded for 2017 and payouts will go out to the top 10 largest fish caught by ladies. Last year there were more ladies than ever arriving at the weigh scales, and with expanded payouts more are expected this year. As usual, there will be fun for all the kiddos. Junior anglers will have their own offshore day on the boats on Tuesday, and there will be a juniors dock tournament. As bonus prizes, there will be treasure chest drawings. Every boat that weighs a fish on Friday will receive a treasure chest key. Lucky keys open one of 10 treasure chests valued at more than $700 each! With donated fish, organizers will

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also be handing out tickets for $100 drawings. Again this year, an awesome gas-powered, customized golf cart will be raffled off. This isn’t your grandad’s golf cart; this one has 14-inch offroad tires, a Yamaha gas engine, Bluetooth sound system and lights all around. It is worth more than $9,000, and raffle tickets can be purchased with a $10 donation. New this year is a traveling angler prize, where one lucky angler from outside of 75 miles of Jacksonville will win cash. This is for the heaviest king outside the perimeter. It’s this, especially for an entry fee of only $345. just another way Jacksonville On top of all that, there is the seafood festival. Marine Charities and the GJKT says thanks for Don’t forget to visit Ship2Shore, the tournament’s fishing with us. And let’s not forget the grand prize. Once seafood vendor, and enjoy some fresh cooked again, the GJKT is proud to award, for the seafood. Make plans now to attend this year’s event. heaviest kingfish of the tournament, a Contender 22 Sport boat, powered by a 250 hp Yamaha 4 The weather is predictable in July, and big fish stroke outboard. Sitting on a brand new Trailer, are always plentiful. Over the years, several with a custom T-top by Pelagic Fabrications and tournament winners have come from within 5 a custom boat cover made by Mousa’s Auto & miles of the inlet. Marine trim shop, this To learn more about last years event, go to prize is valued at more than $86,000 dollars. No one offers a prize value like

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ishing in the Big Pine Key area can be the experience of a lifetime. The areas around Big Pine Key have a deep history that includes a large range of visits by famous explorers, pirates and American industrialists. Hundreds of years ago Native American tribes made frequent visits to harvest the Florida Keys’ rich abundance of seafood the area provided. Now many years later and well into the 21st century the combination of flowing Gulf Stream waters, coral reefs, lush mangrove islands, shallow flats and a complex interconnection of deep channels make this area unlike anywhere else in the world. Due to the ability to easily access both the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, the variety of fishing is absolutely endless. Directly offshore is the famous Looe Key Reef. Tournament sport

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fishing boats often travel many miles to target a great sailfish bite off these reefs. Other pelagic gamefish such as black fin tuna, dolphin and speedy/yummy wahoo can also be targeted. Big schools of the very tasty reef fish such as mutton, mangrove, lane and yellowtail snappers are plentiful in these areas. Between May 1 and Dec. 31, grouper is open to harvest. Very nice black, gag, and red groupers can be caught around all sorts of bottom ranging from inshore patches close to shore all the way to the outer reef. If the inshore gamefish are your preference, there may be no better location in the world than Big Pine Key area. Close proximity to the famous Bahia Honda Bridge provides some of the best live bait tarpon action in all of the Keys. The shorelines, channels and bays in the area provide some of the very best habitat there is to target these giants with a fly rod. Endless amounts of shallow flats in close proximity to deep channels provide miles and miles of habitat for much sought after permit and bonefish. You could fish a lifetime in the area and only discover half of what the region is capable of providing. No matter what style of fishing you prefer, no matter what time of year, Big Pine Key is an incredible area capable of catering to both the diehard enthusiast and the casual recreational angler! Contact Capt. Nate Wheeler and Waypoint Fishing Charters at 305394-2177 or captnatewheeler@aol.com, and see the website at www. waypointfishing.net.

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FLORIDA

3/20/17 3:22 PM

Center sp Rookie Wins FLW Tour on Harris Chain

ot a newcomer to the bass-tournament crowd but a rookie this season on the FLW Tour, Enigma Pro Bradley Dortch came from fifth place to win the third stop on the Harris Chain of Lakes in Leesburg, Fla. Unlike a lot of the top finishers who were sight fishing for bedding bass, Dortch caught his fish on championship Sunday switching between a lipless crankbait and a large plastic worm in junebug color to sack up 22-2 pounds of Florida largemouths. Starting the day off with a 7-pounder and a fish nearly 4 pounds right behind it proved that deciding to go winding instead of pitching a soft stick bait to grass and lily pads was a great idea. His gut instinct was right. He figured a lot of the fish had moved due to the incoming front. The decision to move as well as picking up a large worm late in the morning and making a long casts to catch a second bass of nearly 7 pounds was right-on. Dortch sacked up his huge bag on FLW Live with the huge smile on his face while the current leader Debary Florida native, John Cox was struggling to get his bedding fish to bite. In the end, Dortch bested the three-day leader by about 4 pounds to take home the Tour Trophy and a $100,000 grand check. All the while, another well-known Florida pro, J.T. Kenny, was having a great day, bringing a huge 27-pound-plus sack to the scale. It was the tournament’s largest five-fish limit, and Kenny came all the way from tenth place to take second, less than 2 pounds behind Dortch. Only the top five anglers had the FLW-Live cameras on board, so the updates to the FLW site were coming in via an I-Pad from the Marshall onboard J.T. Kenny’s boat. Kenny’s huge sack had him on the hotseat until Dortch brought his 22-pound plus sack to the scale. The three-day leader, Mud Hole Custom Tackle Pro John Cox was last to the weigh scale, and after a tough day1:14 trying get1several bedAirline_Ad_CoastalAngler_8-1-14_Layout 1 8/1/14 PM to Page

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ding fish in the 5-pound-plus class to bite, he brought in a limit of just over 14 pounds. He ended up placing third right behind Kenny. The “Angler of the Year” points leader, FLW Pro Brian Thrift, ended up in sixth place after finishing second in the last three tournaments he has fished. This makes five straight top-10 finishes for Thrift, which is the longest streak for any tour angler since Kevin Van Dam had 10 in a row. With his tournament win, Dortch has now earned 500 total Angler of the Year points on the season and is in second place in the coveted Rookie of the Year (ROY) race. Justin Atkins, of Florence, Ala., the current ROY leader, is one spot ahead of Dortch with 502.

To watch his announced win, go to

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3/20/17 3:22 PM

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

McDonald Wins IFA Kayak Fishing Tour Event at Punta Gorda

Photo courtesy of Hobie Fishing

ike McDonald, of Sarasota, Fla., measured a combined limit of 55.13 inches to win the first 2017 regular-season event for the Florida West Division of the IFA Kayak Fishing Tour presented by Hobie Fishing in early March at Punta Gorda, Fla. Over his seven years fishing the IFA Kayak Tour, McDonald has racked up an impressive list of first-place and runner-up finishes. High winds caused McDonald to abandon his original plans and head to his home waters of Sarasota to put in his kayak. “I fished the boat division the day before and the wind was blowing so hard it blew out all the water where we wanted to fish,” said McDonald. “So I felt comfortable fishing my home turf on Sunday.” The angler launched from Durante Park and located baitfish via diving pelicans. His first cast with a topwater bait hooked an 18-inch trout. Looking to upgrade his trout, McDonald casted again and hooked into a large snook. “I figured I would take another cast and hooked the biggest snook of my life,” said McDonald. “I was bound and determined to catch him, but he ended up cutting me off after 10 minutes.” After retying, McDonald landed a 24-inch trout. Thinking he would not be able to upgrade any more, he made his way across the bay in search of redfish. On his first cast, the angler pulled in a 31-inch redfish. “At this point in time, I hadn’t made a cast without catching a fish,” McDonald said. “I was very lucky. I couldn’t do anything wrong today except lose that snook.” McDonald won the $1,500 first-place prize, $420 in Anglers Advantage Cash, $250 from Power-Pole, the $100 Berkley Gulp! Big Trout Award and the $100 Berkley Gulp! Big Redfish Award along with $100 credit for Berkley’s website for catching his 31-inch redfish with Berkley Gulp!. Derek Engle, of Spring Hill, Fla., measured a combined 49.88 inches to win the $1,000 second-place prize. Engle concentrated in the Tampa and

Sarasota areas, fishing potholes with plastics and hardbaits. The angler added $315 in Angler Advantage cash. Third-place finisher David Shields, of Erdenheim, Pennsylvania, measured a total of 47.75 inches for a total of $477. Although the wind howled and the water was lower than he expected, Shields stuck with his plan and fished hard. The angler fished around Pine Island and traveled approximately 4 miles. “I threw a gold spoon, topwater and a jerkshad at creek mouths and small potholes,” said Shields. “I was very excited to catch two fish in these conditions.” While the IFA Kayak Tour is usually dominated by local anglers, some fishermen are willing to travel long distances to get their redfish tournament fix. Shield flew in from Philadelphia to fish, and his winnings helped pay for his mini vacation. The IFA Kayak Fishing Tour events are catch-photograph-release tournaments with low entry fees and minimal travel requirements. For information, visit www.ifatours.com.

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WEST COAST FLORIDA

3/20/17 1:34 PM

Fishing the Sunshine Skyway Bridge

ne of the many places tarpon. The usual in Florida that offers a fee for each car wide variety of fishing on the piers is $4, plus $4 for experience is near the Sunshine each adult. As evidenced in the Skyway Bridge in Tampa Bay. photo here, one can also find Officially known as the Bob kayakers fishing near the piers Graham Sunshine Skyway as well as boaters in differentBridge, the structure is almost sized fishing boats. 22,000 feet long and can be The piers may be too high a little unnerving for vehicle for some fishermen, and so passengers going on I-275 there are many legal spots for between St. Petersburg and those who want to fish from Terra Ceia in Manatee County. shore. One can find deep More than 50,000 vehicles channels near those spots, and travel over it every day. snook have been known to Built in 1987 to replace an congregate there. The warmer older bridge that was partly times of the year are popular destroyed in a ship collision in for migrating fish. 1980, the new bridge rises 180 feet over the water. After the U.S. Coast Guard cutter “Blackthorn” collided with a freighter, “Capricorn,” in 1980, 23 Coast Guardsmen lost their lives. One can see a memorial to the “Blackthorn” in a park at the northern end of the bridge. After the cutter was raised, officials decided they could not use the ship again and allowed it to be taken out into the Gulf to be scuttled, after which it became an artificial reef for recreational diving and fishing. Today, one can find Because several million fishermen using the western people are within driving fishing piers at the Sunshine distance of the piers, those Skyway Bridge, although large places are popular for many trucks, recreational vehicles, anglers. One can also see and trailers are not allowed. The fishermen wading along the piers are open 24 hours a day. flats in search of some keepers. One can buy fishing supplies, When I’ve been there, I have bait and drinks on the piers, looked up at the vehicles as well as free copies of the speeding along the bridge high latest fishing regulations. No above the water and wondered alcoholic beverages or pets are how many of the passengers allowed on the piers. Promoters look down with envy at the of fishing there claim that the fishermen enjoying a day on, at, approaches to the old bridge or in the water trying their luck are the longest fishing pier in to catch some good fighting the world, and therefore one fish. can find dozens of anglers there Kevin McCarthy, the on any given day. award-winning author of Among the fish species “South Florida Waterways” found near the piers are black (2013 - available at amazon. sea bass, cobia, grouper, com for $7), can be reached at king mackerel, pompano, ceyhankevin@gmail.com. red snapper, sheepshead, For more on Kevin McCarthy, go to snook, Spanish GOBOATBOUND.COM mackerel and

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YOUR RESOURCE FOR: Attention Advertising Sales Reps Have you ever wondered what it would be like to own the media company that you were selling advertising for? Ever considered how different your life would be if you didn’t have to hand over the bulk of your sales revenue to your employer? Have you ever thought about how much easier your sales job could be if you didn’t have to beg your sales manager for every little extra thing that you wanted to give your customer? Ever wondered what it would be like to control your own time? You don’t have to wonder anymore. Coastal Angler and its freshwater component The Angler Magazine are offering magazine franchises throughout the continental U.S. and abroad. Now, you can be the publisher and completely control the advertising department of your magazine. After nine years of franchising this magazine and with 42 current locations, we can say with confidence that these home-based magazine locations can be opened in nearly any location with a minimum population base of 500,000 and an active angling community. We have also identified our ideal candidate as being someone with previous media sales experience. Male or female, success in this endeavor is gauged more on advertising sales than fishing prowess. If you are a current or former media advertising sales rep, you owe it to yourself to check out our franchise opportunities. For more information, call 888-800-9794 or email info@ coastalanglermagazine.com.

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Naples • Marco Island • Everglades • Immokalee • Bonita Springs • Estero

www.coastalanglermag.com/naples

APRIL 2017

Free Kids Fishing Clinic See Naples pages 14 & 15

The Sullivan Family had a great day fishing in Islamorada. Photo submitted by Dr. Bill Sullivan.

PUBLISHER & EDITOR Mike Weber

ARTIST

Lauren Zimmer Member of:

CAM Naples 201704.indd 1

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Bill D’Antuono Brent Bensmiller Capt. Mike Hatcher Capt. Brian Hayhurst Executive Chef Corey Heath Leif Johnson

CONTACT INFORMATION

Capt. Jim Kalvin For advertising inquiries, editorial comments, article submissions, press releases, calendar Capt. Billy Norris updates, photography, artwork and all other Capt. Pete Rapps inquiries, please contact: Alan Ritchie Tiffany Sawyer-Schank Mike Weber • (414) 531-4172 Capt. Roan zumFelde

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3/19/17 4:46 PM

FROM THE PUBLISHER MIKE WEBER

Dear Readers, Readers, Dear 28 Years of Excellence in Service, Performance and Customer Satisfaction!

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The Coastal Angler Magazine that you are reading is part of a franchise publishing publishing system system that spans that spans 18 markets in Florida, England and the 18 markets in Florida, New England New and the Northeast, Northeast, the Southeast, the Gulf and even Costa Rica and the Southeast, the Gulf and even Costa Rica and the Bahamas. In total, we have 40 franchise locations. This Naples edition that edition youisare reading is locations one of those and I am you are that reading one of those andlocations I am its publisher. its publisher. I have enjoyed publishing our Naples edition for the past I have enjoyed publishing our Naples edition for the past three years. It’s been personally rewarding and profitable. Unfortunately, II can can no no longer longer perform Unfortunately, perform the the duties duties associated associated with publishing this great little fishing magazine and must a buyer NaplesCoastal CoastalAngler Angler Magazine Magazine franchise. afind buyer for for thethe Naples franchise. Everything is in place and running smoothly. This is very much a turnkey business opportunity opportunity and the new owner will be supported as I have been by an an excellent excellent franchisor franchisor organization. organization. If you love the outdoors and think you would If you love the outdoors and thinkI you would running enjoy running your own business, would likeenjoy to encourage your own business, I would like to encourage you to check out you to check out this franchise opportunity by contacting our Corporate Office at 888-800-9794 or email info@ at 888-800-9794 or email info@coastalanglermagazine.com. coastalanglermagazine.com. You’ll be glad you did. I know I’m glad I did. You’ll be glad you did. I know I’m glad I did. Sincerely, Mike Weber Co-Publisher Naples Edition of Coastal Angler Magazine 414-531-4172 • mikew@coastalanglermagazine.com

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FISHING FORECAST

CAPT. PETE RAPPS

Chokoloskee, Everglades City, & the Everglades National Park

he full moon this April falls on the 11th and the New moon is on the 26th. April is the first month of the year that we will not have any extreme negative daytime low tides to be concerned with. Looking at the moon phases, tides, and the Solunar calendar, I like what I see for peak bite days on the 9th through the 13th, and the 24th through the 28th. Refer to my website for the current Solunar Calendar. There is a link on the bottom of my home page for “Solunar Bite Times” Snook are on the move from the back country to the near gulf river mouths. Best bets for catching snook during this time is live bait like pilchards and thread herring. Try the mangrove shorelines where the water is moving over deeper cuts. Typically there is an eddy of still water around each point. The snook will be laying in there waiting for bait to be swept by with the current. Drift your baits into the eddy for your best chance. If you want to hook up with the “Silver King”, tarpon are beginning to show on the shallow flats. They are on the move and are feeding on many things like thread herring, pilchards, ladyfish, and crabs. Rig a good rod with a 8/0 circle hook, tied to 4’ of 60lb fluorocarbon leader, on a spinning reel filled with 30-40 lb braid. Don’t forget to point your rod tip at him each and every time he jumps so that he can take drag easier without pulling the hook or bending it straight on you. If tarpon are on your “bucket List”, you should think about joining us down in Big Pine Key at the Bahia Honda in Big Pine Key. I am there with our top tarpon fishing guides doing TarponOnly charters from the middle of April through the middle of June, catching several of these “Silver Giants” every day. I hope that these forecasts serve as educational and beneficial to you, and that they will help you become a better angler. If you have any questions or would like to book an instructional charter, please contact me at the below email. I also conduct free instructional seminars and lessons to various groups, clubs, tackle shops, and other venues throughout the year. If your group could benefit from a workshop, please do not hesitate to contact me. Also be sure to check out our website for dates of future workshops.

Charters and Guides The friendliest and most knowledgeable captains

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Captain Rapps’ Charters & Guides offers year round expert guided, light tackle, near shore, and backwater fishing trips in the 10,000 Islands of the Everglades National Park, and spring time Tarpon-only charters in the Florida Keys. Book your charter 24/7 using the online booking calendar, and see Capt. Rapps’ first class web site for Booking info, Videos, Recipes, Seasonings, and more at www. CaptainRapps.com.

The Daly family caught a nice mixed bag of local fish on a recent Captain Rapps Fishing Charter out of Chokoloskee. COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

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| APRIL 2017 | NAPLES 3

3/19/17 4:46 PM

The

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Kayak Fishing Report BRENT BENSMILLER

CALL 239.301.8888

TODAY!

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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.

pring has finally arrived! It’s the perfect time of year to get out and fish. The weather should be quite nice most days and water temps will be climbing into the mid 70’s making the bite heat up quickly. April is usually a windy month so it can be tricky to find a spot calm enough to fish. Look for spots in the mangroves that will be protected from the heavy winds and anchor up. Make sure to check your wind app days before hitting the water and plan accordingly. April will yield a mixed bag of game fish including tarpon, snook, redfish, trout, pompano, and sharks. Many of these fish will be concentrated in the inlets by structure such as docks and bridges. Loads of bait fish and crabs will be flushed through the inlets as the tides come and go, providing an easy meal for these predators to ambush while they hide around the structure. Try to match the hatch when you pick a lure to throw. Using a lure that is a similar pattern and size to the bait in the area will produce the most strikes. If you prefer to catch live bait, throw your cast net around the bridge pilings for pilchards as this will be the bait of choice during the spring. As the water warms up these game fish will push from the inlets into the bay, hiding along the mangroves. Targeting these fish a couple hours before high tide until a few hours after the tide change should get you plenty of bites. Keep your eye on the tides and wind chart this spring and hit the water early for plenty of action. See you guys on the water!

You can reach Brent by email at brent@paddlenaples.com or by phone at 239301-8888. Check out www.paddlenaples.com for more info!

PURE FLORIDA EVENTS FOR APRIL Pure Florida Specialty Cruises

Date/Time

Location

Details

Spring Science Cruises

April 15 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

Tin City, Naples The Marina at Edison Ford, Fort Myers

Spring into science with interactive experiments perfect for kids! Free child admission with paid adult. Departing at 10 a.m. in Naples, 12 p.m. in Fort Myers.

Bark on the Ark

April 15 8 am - 11:30 am

The Marina at Edison Ford, Fort Myers

Guests and dogs are welcome on board the M/V Edison Explorer for a river cruise and playtime at a nearby beach!

Free Kids Cruise

Every Saturday in the Naples 10 am - 11:30 am

Tin City, Naples

Free child admission on the 10 am sightseeing cruise in Pure Florida's Naples location. Free child admission valid with purchase of full adult ticket.

Book online at PureFL.com! Call 239.263.4949 for reservations in Naples. Call 239.919.2965 for reservations in Fort Myers. Call 239.574.0804 for reservations in Cape Coral. See Pure Florida ad on page 5.

Capt. Mike Hatcher with nice redfish caught and released on a Pure Florida Charter. Photo submitted by Pure Florida.

Celebrating 45 Years in Business!

Capt. Mike Hatcher with a nice red grouper caught on a Pure Florida Charter Photo submitted by Pure Florida.

4 NAPLES | APRIL 2017 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

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Backwater Fishing Experience with Pure Florida

CAPT. MIKE HATCHER

he natural environment of Southwest Florida is an attentiongrabbing attraction due to its abundance of sunshine, water and the presence of many unique species of wildlife. This area has proven to be a prime fishing location for anglers of varying levels of expertise, for both deep-sea and back-bay fishing. To maintain its status as a premier fishing destination and pristine environment, there are fishing regulations in place to help protect the fish and the environment. As a captain for Pure Florida’s fishing trips and charters, passengers usually ask me about the local fishing regulations and how they affect the species and amount of fish they can take home. Although the rules may seem tough to understand to anglers who are new to the fishing scene, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) recreational saltwater fishing regulations are essential to understand and practice so that everyone can enjoy the benefits of the Southwest Florida waters for years to come. Every state is different and federal water rules and regulations vary, so it is important to stay upto-date on the daily bag limits, size and in-season regulations for each species you are hoping to reel in. Many anglers are unsure or unaware of the amount of saltwater fish that can be taken home, as well as the minimum size limit or season for a keeper fish. To prevent the dangers of overfishing a certain population of fish, anglers are given a specific number of fishing, according to size, and a quantity of a certain species that they can catch and keep on a daily basis. It is important to know the limits of each fish before you go out on the water to avoid any confusion about the legality of your catch. Here is an easy list to follow of popular saltwater fish in the Gulf of Mexico that reflect bag limit regulations: UNDER FOUR-BAG LIMIT • Grouper - The collective Gulf grouper (black, snowy, red, warsaw and speckled hind, scamp, gag grouper and yellowfin and yellowmouth) bag limit is four fish in any combination of species. The red grouper and gag grouper have a special two-bag limit within a combination two-bag limit. TEN-BAG LIMIT • Snapper (cubera, red, vermillion, lane, mangrove, mutton, schoolmaster and black and wenchman) The snapper collective bag limit is ten fish per person, unless the species regulations state otherwise. If the species is not included in the collective, the angler can retain a total of ten snappers in any combination. The lane snapper and vermillion are a bit tricky. These two fish have a special 20-bag limit. You are allowed to catch up to 10 vermilions or up to 20 lane snappers, not exceeding a combined total of 20. The last thing you want to do is catch a fish that is either prohibited from harvesting or unknowingly exceed the catch limit. So, before your next fishing trip, make sure to check the bag limit, size and inseason regulations. If you are on a guided charter and are unsure if a species can be harvested, ask the captain for clarification. If you’re looking for guidance on your next fishing excursion, book a fishing trip or private charter with Pure Florida. Experienced captains can take you to the best spots for catching in-season fish and can share their knowledge of bag limits, size and season, enabling you to simply enjoy your fishing trip. Then you can simply pick a beautiful day to go out on the water and enjoy spending time in one of the most sought-out pristine fisheries in the world, Southwest Florida’s Gulf of Mexico. To ensure that you are not exceeding the catch limit in state mandated waters, visit myfwc.com to download the 2017 Florida Recreation Saltwater Fishing Regulations. Captain Mike Hatcher was born and raised in Collier County. He is a Senior Fishing Captain with Pure Florida and is experienced at navigating back bay, coastal and deep-sea waters.

Experience Pure Fishing with Pure Florida

“I’ve been fishing with Pure Florida for 10+ years. Their captains and crew are topnotch and truly care about the anglers onboard.” - Nick Clemente

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CAM Naples 201704.indd 5

| APRIL 2017 | NAPLES 5

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Dodging Mammoths LEIF JOHNSON, CONSERVANCY OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA BIOLOGIST

efore computers, before roads, before cities, and farming, language and indeed even while we were still burning ourselves trying to control fire, the gopher tortoise was here, burrowing in the sandy soils of a Florida that was nearly three times as big as it is today. As residents of the state of Florida for nearly 2 million years, gopher tortoises are truly living relics of a time gone past and a testament to what it takes to survive. Deep in their burrows, extending more than 40 feet underground, they witnessed the extinction of many other Florida residents including dire wolves and 500 pound armadillos. The burrow has quite possibly been its one true saving grace and most likely the reasoning behind the scientific name Gopherus polyphemus, where polyphemus refers to the giant cyclops from The Odyssey that trapped Odysseus and his men in his cave. These skillfully crafted burrows have helped to buffer them from fire, predators and extreme climates throughout the years providing a safe and secure refuge for escape when needed. Their hardened, calloused exterior, even at a young age, evokes a certain air of wisdom, a notion of resilience and endurance. Sturdy and solid, they have accumulated an instinctive understanding of the land, an understanding that is ingrained into every growth ring in their shell and every wrinkle in their skin. That knowledge has been passed on for millennia allowing for countless generations to succeed even as they dodged the thunderous footsteps of mammoths and 13 foot tall sloths. Yet all the years of learning and evolving this inherited body of knowledge had no way of preparing future generations for the inventions of automobiles, roads, buildings, and ultimately the unstoppable spread of their users. Adult tortoise out basking (left), Adult tortoise resting at the entrance to its burrow (right) Wallace Stegner once wrote “We are the most dangerous species of life on the planet, and every other species, even the earth itself, has cause to fear our power to exterminate. But we are also the only species which, when it chooses to do so, will go to great effort to save what it might destroy.” The gopher tortoises need to burrow in high, sandy soils has put it directly in the path of development in Florida. Something that has inevitably caused some to see them as a hindrance, just another obstacle along the endless pursuit of progress, but in reality it should be a reminder, a symbol of the true price of progress. KEYSTONE The Romans may have had a profound understanding of the term “keystone”, but it was Dr. Robert T. Paine who coined the term

“keystone species” in the 1960’s. He found that even though certain species, like the ochre starfish and sea otter, may not be present in large numbers, they have a profound impact on their environment. A keystone species functions much like the architectural stone used in Roman arches where if removed the entire system falls apart. The gopher tortoise is widely accepted as a prime example of this term and may in shape; even faintly resemble an upside down keystone. Remove the tortoise from the equation and many other species will be negatively impacted. In fact, studies have found over 360 different species utilize their burrows in one way or another meaning the fate of an entire ecosystem is held up by the stout legs of this tortoise. No species should have to justify their “worth” to society Somewhere along the relatively short timeline of human history, beside the evolution of thumbs and enlarged cranial capacities, came the uncovering of morality in our genus. Other creatures may have glimpsed this overtime, but for the most part nature exhibits an “implacable indifference.” So for possibly the first time in the history of the planet, a species has truly been able to grapple with the consequences of having a sense of morality — to struggle with the balance between our feelings of compassion and empathy and our need to survive. Life is ripe with the strife that lies between helping and ignoring. I would only hope that a species capable of such a struggle could one day find a way to live in unison with it, ultimately allowing a species like the gopher tortoise to live unimpeded by man’s chaotic struggle for life — t hat we may learn to accept the hectic nature of our being and buffer those less able to adapt to our habits while at the same time acknowledging that we need nature, we are nature, and without it we are truly lost. So the next time you see a gopher tortoise, whether it’s on a preserve like the one here in the Smith Preserve at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida or on someone’s lawn in town, remember what it took for them to get here. Envision them sidestepping mammoths and think about the hundreds of other animals that rely on their unwavering presence, because though they may have avoided being crushed by the giants of the past they can’t escape the bulldozers in the future without our help. Learn more about the Conservancy of Southwest Florida www.conservancy.org

6 NAPLES | APRIL 2017 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

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DentistryofNaples.com 8 NAPLES | APRIL 2017 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

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EVERGLADES CITY & CHOKOLOSKEE

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GLADES REALTY “Your Everglades Connection”

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207 West Broadway P.O. Box 599 www.GladesRealty.com

Lou Danna with a nice catch on a recent charter on the Pure Florida KUDU. CAM Photo.

MARCO ISLAND TIDE CHART Florida, Naples, Marco Island, Caxambas Pass

April 2017

N 25° 54.5' / W 81° 43.7' Sunday

Monday

6:20a

7:03a

7:51p 3:38p

5:18a 9:44a

6:42p

6:20a

10:52a

5:05a 5:01a

24 7:55p

5:09p

4:19p

7:55p 12:03p

5:48a

6:11p

6:30a

1:58p

1:01p

1:20a

7:00p 7:15p

27 7:56p

7:11a 7:11a

8:21p

28 7:57p

1:32p 7:53a 8:00a

3:11p

6:52a

8:33p 9:27p

8:34a 8:52a

2:49p

9:22p 10:33p

9:18a

5:38p

24 7:55p

1:33p

12:59a 0

2:35a

10:52a

8:13a 5:01a

7:52p

11:39a

2:03p

1:47a 8:40p

5:09p

7:55p

8:56a 5:43a

6:11p

12:28p 7:56p

10:08p 7:15p

7:56p

7:11a

10:54p 8:21p

28 7:57p

11:01a 8:00a

9:27p

1:01p

12:05a 7:09p

7:28a

3:11p

6:52a

29 7:57p

4:08p

5:05a

11:41p

7:54p

6:40a

3:32p

4:10a

9:26a

3:38a

2:15p

6:53a

12:34p

12:59a

12:25p

6:17p

6:19a

10:57p

6:58a

11:00p

11:41a

10:19a

21 7:53p

2:55a

3:01p

3:20a

8:46a

5:46a

1:20p

6:54a

12:19a

6:59a

9:38p 5:06p

26 (New)

2:32p

6:26a

7:53p

4:44a 2:10a

6:55a

9:38a

10:43a

2:28p

2:34a 9:24p

8:09a

4:40p 12:11p

10:06p

7:50p

5:28a

11:44a

11:42p

8:46a

7:05a

7:50p 4:14p

4:44a

8:25p

2:09p

4:48p

5:02a

7:06a

9:14p

7:00a

7:32p

9:33a

6:55a

3:48p

19 (3rd) 7:52p

3:37a

7:49p

11:14a

11:05p

7:32a

1:24a

7:07a

1:32a

8:00a

3:52p

4:20a

8 1:46p

7:34p

1:29p

1:37a

7:47p

12:39a

7:08a

2:54p

11:42a 8:52a

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

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Saturday

7:12a

7:47p 1:20p

6:34p

4:06a

8:22p

7:01a

6:19p 1:17p

12:36a

6:56a

8:23a

3:22p 10:41a

10:28p

7:02a

7:49p

3:30a

7:30p

6:56a

7:51p

12:52p

1:43a

4:07a

7:03a

7:57p 2:08p

3:05a

6:20a

2:57p 10:06a

9:50p 6:37p

7:08a

7:48p

11:31p

12:45p

3:33a

11 (Full)

2:54a

2:32p

7:18a 4:47p

4:20a

Friday

7:13a

7:46p

6:08a

1:55p

2:42a

7:09a

7:48p

9:28a

11:01a

12:56p

10:06p 5:19p

5:00a

7:14a

7:46p

11:33a

3:49p

1:47a

7:10a

8:30p

9:53a

7:15a

7:45p

3:48a

11:59a

10:05p

7:02p 2:25p

12:47a

7:16a

7:45p

2:38a

7:54p

4:01p

3:38a

2:15p

6:53a

10:25a

Thursday

3 (1st)

7:17a

2:16a 0

10:57p

6:58a

3:32a

3:07p 9:26a

9:51p

9:26a

9:00p 3:09p

2:10a

7:46p

7:53p

9:41a

2:55a

1:20p

6:54a

6:59a

2:38a

26 (New) 7:56p

8:46a

7:38p

8:43a

2:10a

12:32p

6:26a

7:53p

1:36a

12:28p

12:34a 6:16p

5:43a

5:32p

6:55a

9:03a

10:06p

4:19a

Wednesday

7:10a

1:23a

7:50p 2:40p

Tuesday

1:16p

8:27a 0

7:05a

9:11p

12:09p 5:38a

Monday

7:13a 0

4:48p

3:28a

8:36a

9:14p

7:00a

2:14p

2:44a

5:17p

5:02a

7:50p

Sunday

11:32p

April 2017

N 25° 51.5' / W 81° 23.2'

4:01p

10:21a

11:46a

Florida, Naples, Everglades City, Barron River

7:47p

4:52a

3:52p

7:06a

8:34p

8:09a

7:52p

11:20a

1:24a

1:48p

19 (3rd)

7:01a

12:29a

7:57p

7:32a

7:49p

8:06a

4:26p

4:20a

7:07a

10:39p

11:20a

EVERGLADES TIDE CHART 30

7:12a

7:47p

4:00a

2:54p

2:06a

8:22p

7:33a

11:39a 6:55a

11:47p 5:32p

7:52p

10:09a

12:36a

6:56a

7:02a

1:22p 7:33a

7:20p

6:56a

7:49p

1:30a

7:30p

6:23a 11:27p

11:33a 0

12:57p

3:26p

3:33a

7:08a

7:48p

6:58a

6:37p

1:55p

9:31p

10:45a

7:13a

7:46p

3:00a

11 (Full)

12:54a

12:32p

1:52a

7:14a

8:06p

2:11p

2:42a

7:09a

7:48p

7:46p

9:33a

12:56p

1:47a

7:10a

6:30p

12:41p

12:40a

7:15a

7:45p

7:53a

11:59a

12:16a

7:16a

5:02p

11:17a

12:47a

Saturday

3 (1st) 7:45p

6:27a

Friday

7:17a

Thursday

5:10a

10:08a

Wednesday

3:40p

5:13a 0

Tuesday

239-695-4299 (Bus) 239-777-6614 (Cell) Karen@GladesRealty.com

6:07a 12:30a

12:26p

10:33p

| APRIL 2017 | NAPLES 9

3/19/17 4:46 PM

FISHING FORECAST CAPT. ROAN ZUMFELDE

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e ready for the B pompano this April with one of our

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Naples Best Custom Jigs available exclusively at: Mike’s Bait House & IPO 2052 Danford St Naples, FL 34112 mikesbaithouse@gmail.com www.mikesbaithouse.com

Mike’s Bait House has everything you need for a day on the water. 239-775-BAIT (2248)

Live and Frozen Bait – Tackle – Beverages Including Beer & Wine - Snacks

Southwest Florida Freshwater Scene

opefully the Winds of March have subsided and the weather and the fishing are really in full swing. Water in the Everglades canals was still a little high in the beginning of March and although the fishing was very good the bass bite was a little slower than normal. April will usually clear that up. Bass fishing in all the Glades canals should be at its peak this month. Peacocks will be out of hibernation and the bass and other species should be ravenous since most of the water will be out of the marshes and in the canals. Lake fishing should be good on both Trafford and Okeechobee, but if you really want some great fishing venture up to Highlands County and explore the lakes around Lake Placid and Sebring. I usually like to do this in a two day adventure, fishing multiple lakes in the two days. Most of the waters are in close proximity so you can pick and choose what type of lake or river or creek. Lake Okeechobee I would expect roughly the same conditions on the lake to apply from last month. Water levels will be the biggest factor in the lake this month if we have had rain and the water stays up then the fish will be spread into high cover areas. If the water bottoms out and the lake becomes difficult to navigate then the Rim Ditch will be holding some great numbers and this is when you can really target them on fly. The lake closest to lake O in Highlands County is Istokpoga. What a great shallow water lake to fish. Ramps on both the north end and south end make it easily accessible and the fishing can be spectacular on both fly and conventional bass tackle. If fishing this lake with a fly you will need an eight weight rod, big fish and big cover to get them out of. Trafford Fishing will still be going strong for the month of April. Will probably see more bass hunters on the lake than pan fisherman but I would expect there to be some early bluegill bedding to go on this month and that might be fun on small 3 and 4 weight rods. Bass on poppers should be good especially around the pads and bull rush on the south east side of the lake. The Trafford counterpart in Highlands County would be Lake Josephine. This is a three section lake with both clear and stained water. The lake has cover similar to Trafford with pads and cattails and bulrush but it also has docks that can be very productive. . For the Everglades Canals This is usually the peak month for these bodies of water and the month were you can target all the species before summer heat and rain hurt the fish activity. Peacock bass and all the cichlids will be on high alert for anything they can wrap their gums around. Largemouth bass should be more accessible due to lower water levels and you should see a better overall average size. Any top water fly like the Grave Digger or Trail Hopper should wreck them. If going up to highlands check out Arbuckle Creek or Kissimmee River for water similar to the canals. There are a good number of places to bank fish or wade fish in highlands two of my favorite lakes for this is Lake June and Lake Placid along with a huge number of smaller waters to check out. Good luck and if you need more info come see me at the shop. Come visit Mike and I 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.

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

10 NAPLES | APRIL 2017 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

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Dan Francisco caught a nice yellow tail snapper on a recent Dalis II charter

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12 NAPLES | APRIL 2017 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

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STANDING WATCH

CAPT. JIM KALVIN

he legislative session is barely underway in Tallahassee, and there are over a dozen proposed bills that will affect Florida Boaters directly, and nearly 100 bills that could impact waterway users from kayakers to yacht brokers. And, as always, water access has the attention of Standing Watch’s Board of Directors. Do you know what an “MPA” is? How about a “BRA”? (get your minds out of the gutter!) Can we actually eradicate invasive species? Do we know which species are actually invasive? Why are we just now proposing a pilot program that will give us information on invasive species by the year 2020? I mean….what has our Bureau of Protected Species Management been doing for the past 30 years? What is “SCORP”? To begin with, an MPA is a “Marine Protected Area” – no human access. A BRA is a “Boating Restricted Area” – which could be implemented should the owner of a submerged aquatic area request, and properly demonstrate the need for, boating restrictions. It is assumed that these BRA’s will be no entry areas. Who owns which submerged lands? Good question – but that seems to change with the political winds of the day. SCORP is the acronym given to the “Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Program”. This is a look-ahead at the needs of Florida’s resident and visiting outdoor enthusiasts, and the program seeks to map out demands for management and opportunities for users over the next few decades. This program came to the attention of Standing Watch years ago, but it was in the development stages, and there really wasn’t much to see. One thing did catch out attention, though. In a State with almost 1,000,000 registered vessels, and home to over 3,000,000 recreational fishermen, not to mention hundreds of thousands of visiting vessels each season, SCORP appears to provide very little for the pursuits of those who fish, boat, SCUBA dive, or enjoy the waters with anything but a paddle-craft. This is interesting in a world where motor-boaters are the only contributors to the “user-fee” based system that funds FFWCC and DEP. Anchoring is up for consideration again. Anchoring restrictions, that is. Actually, the way the present legislation has been proposed – Standing Watch supports it. It basically gives the FFWCC the authority to identify “at risk” vessels, or vessels that do not conform to existing sanitation requirements. They can then notify the vessel owners, and let them know that they are being given notice to bring their vessels into compliance with existing laws, or fines and worse can be imposed. Sounds simple – and I would suggest that they take it a step further. Let them know that should their vessel become a navigational hazard, or an environmental hazard, that they will be held responsible – personally and financially - for any damage caused by, or any services required by, said vessel after said notice has been delivered. This is basically how the anchoring bill began last year. However, Legislators began to carve out “enclaves” of anchoring restricted zones as political favors for friends and neighbors. Luckily, boating advocacy groups were on-point to stop that – and we will be again this time around. What this legislation will look like when this article hits the printed page is anyone’s guess. Bills change with each committee hearing. And one thing I learned a long time ago is that those who want to take your rights of access away will not stop, and they do not rest. And then there is SB 1262 introduced by Senator Farmer from Broward County. His bill would prohibit minors less than 16 years old from operating a power driven vessel with greater than 10 hp engine, or a sailboat longer than 10 ft without an accompanying person 21 yrs old or older who is not intoxicated. The only exceptions are for those involved in a public school sailing program. Senator Farmer’s office was non-responsive when asked about the genesis of this bill, the reasons behind it, or if they have considered the impact of said legislation on youth sailing centers across the State, families on lakes and rivers where boat traffic is a non-issue, or boating in general where hundreds of thousands of youths, under the direction of responsible parents and instructors, take to the water each weekend. This is a prime example of legislation proposed from a huge population center that will impact millions of others who choose not to live in those East Coast conditions. Have a local issue? Use existing laws and enforcement agencies and do something about it. Don’t legislate rights away from the rest of the State! It will be an interesting and contentious session with a House Speaker running for Governor, a senior Senator suggesting that he may also run for the same seat, and an embattled budget process that has both House and Senate members in defensive mode. Initiatives that require funding will find it a difficult year. Taking rights away, however, doesn’t cost anything. So in the interest of “appearing to get something done,” there will be more than a few of these efforts put forth. We have to watch closely, and we (you) need to be prepared to participate when needed. Our website at standingwatch.net has been hacked, and is down as of the deadline for this article. Hopefully it will be operational again by the time the current mag comes out. As “environmental “ folks are taking the time to attack our advocacy efforts, we can only assume that we are being effective! We need your help to continue – join us on the website, or donations and membership forms can be sent to Standing Watch, P.O. Box 990399, Naples, Florida, 34116. Or you can email james. kalvin61@gmail.com . The Phone number is 239-821-4245.

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Free Kids’ Fishing Clinic Teaches 160 Kids to Fish

eaching children a lifelong hobby, instilling appreciation for our marine environment and providing fun, family outings was the objectives for the Kids’ Fishing Clinic in Naples on March 11th. The Marine Industries Association of Collier County Foundation, along with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) offered a free Kids’ Fishing Clinic for children between the ages of 5 and 15 at the Naples Pier. Over 160 kids from the community turned out for this free clinic. Young anglers learned the basics of conservation stewardship, fishing ethics, angling skills and safety. “The smiles on the kids’ faces and the squeals of delight as many of them reeled in the first fish of their life, is what it’s all about” says Tiffany Sawyer-Schank, one of the event organizers from the MIACC Foundation. Fishing equipment is provided to each participant by Fish Florida and the MIACC Foundation. Bait was provided by Serenity Bait Company for kids to practice their new fishing skills off the Naples Pier. Nearly 60 volunteers from the community assisted organizers with setup, rod rigging and teaching kids at each skill station. A special thank you to our volunteers Naples

TIFFANY SAWYER-SCHANK

Fishing Club, Marco Sport Fishing Club, Windstar Fishing Club, Findictive Charters Capt.Michael Avinon, Capt. Robbie Schank of Captain Redfish Rob’s Charters, Capt. Geoff Crouse of Chasin Tales, Lauren Michelle Wilmering, and Naples High School Golden Eagles. Cosmos Italian Café & Pizzeria and Michael Koroghlian of Dunkin’ Donuts was kind enough to keep volunteers well fed and hydrated throughout the day. 2017 Event sponsors: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Marine Industries Association of Collier County Foundation, Fish Florida, Coastal Angler Magazine, and many generous donors. 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 239682-0900 or email foundation@miacc.org. For more information about the MIACC and the MIACC Foundation, or for a schedule of events, visit www.MIACC.org or contact Tiffany SawyerSchank, MIACC Executive Director, at (239) 682-0900 email: director@ miacc.org. Like the Facebook Fan page for up to date information facebook. com/MarineIndustries.

MIACC Foundation Photos.

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ESTUARY CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION

NAPLES TIDE CHART Florida, Naples

April 2017

N 26° 07.8' / W 81° 48.4' Sunday

Monday

7:45p

7:10a

6:02a

6:37p

6:20a

3:13p

9:26a

12:36a

10:52a

7:55p

5:30a

5:09p

12:07p 6:12a

5:58p

6:54a

7:56p 12:36p

7:57p

4:29p

4:02a

3:11p

29 7:57p

1:43p

2:24p

3:42a

8:16a

9:00a

9:04p

8:52a

9:27p

10:36a

9:40p 3:43p

6:52a

8:15p

8:00a

8:21p

7:54p

2:40a

7:35a

6:58a

3:38a

1:07p

7:28p

7:11a

7:15p

6:53a

9:08a

10:57p

9:26a

10:00a

2:42p

3:54a 9:33p

3:14a

2:15p

1:45a

6:53a

6:42p

6:26a

6:11p

2:55a

2:15p

8:35p 2:51p

2:20a

1:20p

12:55a

7:53p

9:16a

26 (New) 7:56p

12:09a

5:43a

2:10a

6:55a

7:55p

7:13p 1:40p

1:18a

12:28p

11:38a

11:22p 5:14p

4:47a 5:01a

1:24a

6:59a

7:53p

8:18a

11:02a

12:11a

6:55a

5:07p

7:08a

11:39a

11:08a

3:54p

9:51a

7:00a

7:50p

8:45a

10:06p

8:46a

5:43p

7:05a

8:53p

11:44a 5:20a

10:33p

WIGGINS PASS TIDE CHART Florida, Naples, Wiggins Pass, Cocohatchee River

April 2017

N 26° 17.4' / W 81° 49.1' Sunday

Monday

12:11a

5:21p

7:01a

7:03a

3:57p

10:25a

12:08a 12:36a

10:52a

7:55p 11:52a

5:46a 5:01a

5:09p

7:55p

6:57p 6:11p

7:11a 6:26a

2:39p

6:54a

7:56p

7:15p

7:56p 1:20p

1:39a

7:41p

7:52a 7:11a

1:51p

2:29a

8:27p 8:21p

7:57p

8:34a 8:00a

9:14p 9:27p

22 10:24p

8:52a

5:28p

29 7:57p

2:27p 9:15a

11:20a 5:01a

3:11p

6:52a

3:24a

7:54p

4:42p

3:38a

10:07a

10:57p

10:44a

3:26p

4:38a 10:32p

6:58a

4:13a

2:15p

6:53a

2:59p

9:26a

9:19p 3:50p

2:55a

1:20p

7:53p

10:00a 3:19a

26 (New)

6:59a

7:50p

9:44a

9:52p 10:06p

7:05a

3:47a

8:46a

7:57p

9:02a

2:10a

12:51p

12:53a

6:29a 5:43a

6:55a

7:53p

2:17a

12:28p

12:22p

12:06a 6:13p

1:24a

6:55a

5:51p

12:01p

7:00a

7:52p

2:33p 9:17a

9:15p 9:14p

8:09a

7:50p

12:28p 6:19a

4:48p

5:02a

7:06a

11:51p 5:58p

5:33a

3:52p

3:03a

19 (3rd)

7:52a 1:10a

11:39a

6:56a

4:38p

10:50a

2:07p 8:47a

8:38p

7:01a

7:52p

7:49p

7:47p 12:05p

5:07p

4:20a

2:25a

10:58p

11:39a

11:02a

7:12a

7:47p

4:41a

2:54p

7:07a

8:22p

7:32a

6:42a

1:41p 8:14a

8:01p

7:02a

7:51p

7:49p

1:49a

7:30p

6:56a

5:37a

7:39a

7:23p 6:37p

6:20a

1:16p

4:07p

3:33a

7:08a

7:48p

9:50p

11:04a

7:13a

7:46p

3:41a

1:55p

11 (Full)

1:13a

12:51p

2:33a

7:14a

8:25p 2:52p

2:42a

7:09a

7:48p

7:46p

9:52a

12:56p

1:47a

7:10a

6:49p 1:22p

1:21a

7:15a

7:45p

8:12a

11:59a

12:47a

7:16a

7:45p

11:58a

Saturday

3 (1st)

7:17a

12:35a 0

Friday

6:46a 0

Thursday

5:29a

10:49a

Wednesday

3:59p

5:32a 0

Tuesday

3:08p

4:26a

10:03p 10:33p

9:59a

Where’s the Water???

4:48p

3:03a

8:18a

9:14p

8:09a

7:52p

1:49p

8:16p

19 (3rd)

7:01a

7:52p

7:50p

2:19a

7:48a

8:22p

7:06a

7:49p

11:07p 4:59p

5:02a

7:47p

4:34a

3:52p

4:20a

1:23p

7:39p

7:32a

5:58a 11:09p

6:56a

7:30p

7:02a

7:51p

10:03a

11:21a

4:08p

3:42a

1:41a

7:15a

7:02p

6:56a

7:03a

6:40a

12:57p

10:14p

ALAN RITCHIE

3:36p

7:12a

7:47p

10:55a

2:54p

7:07a

7:49p

1:05a

9:06p

3:08p

3:33a

7:08a

7:48p 12:32p

6:24p

1:55p

2:42a

7:13a

7:46p

10:20a 2:42a

11 (Full)

12:29a

12:07p

1:34a

7:09a

7:48p

7:41p

1:53p

7:14a

7:46p

9:08a

12:56p

1:47a

4:53a

7:45p

12:23p

12:22a

7:15a

6:05p

7:28a

11:59a

12:47a

7:16a

4:37p

10:59a

Saturday

3 (1st)

6:02a

Friday

7:17a

Thursday

4:45a

9:50a

Wednesday

3:15p

4:48a

Tuesday

hen navigating Wiggins Pass, local knowledge is very important. The main reason is that the navigation channel is in a continuous state of natural change and the best water isn’t always where the marked channel would indicate. The Collier County office of Coastal Zone Management does a nice job of adjusting the channel markers from time to time but each Captain of a vessel using the pass needs to stay current with “local knowledge” information that is available and avoid the shallowest areas. Water depths in the channel are affected, of course, by the tides but are also impacted by wind and sea conditions. For example, strong winds, particularly sustained winds, out of the east will also reduce water depths in the pass and will make a low tide even lower than what is calculated by the tide tables. The Estuary Conservation Association, Inc., a local North Naples non-profit has been very active in providing information that enhances local knowledge of shoaling conditions in the pass. On a regular basis, the ECA does soundings in and around Wiggins Pass channel to assess the relative depths of the water in the channel at “mean low water”. While this information is not to be used for navigation, it does provide some insight into the shoaling that has occurred. This information is best used, by comparing the most recent two soundings that are available on line as theyprovide trend data on the shoaling over a 3 or 4-week period which is generally useful. It is, however, historical information which is not intended to project future conditions in the Pass.... hence, it is not to be relied on for navigation. For example, take a moment to compare the following two examples: The top image was created on February 8, 2017 and the bottom image was created on March 2, 2017. If you compare the two, you will note that the floating red markers have been adjusted to the north and that conditions have improved to the west of Marker Green 1. This general information can be useful when boating in and out of Wiggins Pass. You can stay up to date with the changing conditions in the pass by checking the ECA website (www. estuaryconservation.org) to get access to these soundings. Safe boating! Alan Ritchie is a member of the Board of the Estuary Conservation Associationbased in North Naples, FL. If you would like to learn more about ECA’s ongoing efforts to restore and sustain the environmental health of the Cocohatchee estuary, please see www.estuaryconservation.org.

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FISHING FORECAST

Tip of the

CAPT. BRIAN HAYHURST

Month

Naples to Marco Island CAPT. BILLY NORRIS

Tides

his time of year, we are inundated with our snowbird friends from the north. The most common misconception I see from the freshwater Northern anglers is that they are not familiar with how the tide and moon plays such a huge role in our saltwater environment. Most charters want to go first thing in the morning and assume that the afternoon is a lost cause. However, this is far from the case. Unlike fishing freshwater, the time of day is not the most important factor. In order to be successful you need to keep a close eye on the tide charts and moon phase. With regards to the moon, the bigger it is, the stronger the tide. The full moon can be an incredibly hot bite. The moon is directly in control of the tides. The trick to catching fish based on tides is you NEED moving water. If the water is still, you will have a long period of catching stingrays and catfish. Here in Southwest Florida, we usually have four tides a day, high-low-high-low (not necessarily in that order). Usually the tides change by a period of about 45 minutes per day, meaning that if today’s high tide is at noon, then tomorrow it will be at about 12:45. Plan your trips to coincide with moving water; high or low doesn’t matter as long as the water is moving. Obviously high tide will open up more areas for you to navigate to, however low tide tends to force fish to congregate in deeper holes. If you do get stuck around a slack tide, remember that the water will always start to move near the passes first. So if you are finding yourself fishing in an area with no moving water, move closer to the passes for a while until the water starts to move further back. Spring is here and fishing should begin to get fantastic soon, so get your permit and tarpon gear ready!

ith spring in full swing and warmer water temperatures upon us the fishing becomes Stellar! I have noticed a fair amount of tarpon showing up from Wiggins Pass to Caxambus towards the end of March, which means the migration, is near. Fishing for these silver kings I like the last of the outgoing or first of the incoming tides. I recommend using medium size spinning rod with a reel capable of holding 250 yards of 20lb-braided power pro. Tackle can be scaled up or down depending on skill level, 60 to 80lb fluorocarbon is a must ranging four to six feet in length. Most of the pros will tell you that a free lined blue crab with no weight or under a float no bigger than 2-3 inches in size is candy to these beautiful fish. Palm size pinfish, grunts, or pilchards will also make great live baits. Since tarpon are not a fish that we would eat you always want to ensure a healthy release of these exquisite creatures. Target places to find tarpon are the beaches and off the passes and they will range about 75lbs up to 125lbs. If you are looking for those massive 150-to 200lb tarpon you can also use cut jacks, ladyfish or mullet. Tarpon fishing is a waiting game so get out on the water and watch their patterns and put your time in and you should have great success. You will probably only hook into one out of the five tarpon you may see and being able to land him is a totally different story! Hopefully the winds will die down this month and we can get back to some great fishing. Special thanks to Quality Bait for helping to donate shrimp for the kids fishing clinic at the pier. Super excited to see all those kids have so much fun catching fish on a day that started out pretty windy. Tight Lines, Brian Capt. Brian Hayhurst is the owner of Serenity Bait Services located at 2365 Davis Blvd. in Naples. If you would like to talk to Brian he can be contacted at 239-273-4421 or by email at serenitybaitcompany@gmail.com.

Capt Billy Norris owns Pale Horse Fishing Charters, he can be contacted at 239-285-7710 or by email at palehorsefishingcharters@gmail.com, his website is www.palehorsefishingcharters.com.

Photo submitted by Capt. Billy Norris.

Kingston caught his 1st 26 in 7lb Redfish with Capt Robbie (Dad) on Redfish Rob’s Charters

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NAPLES SPEARFISHING LEAGUE BILL D’ANTUONO e are now officially into spring and water temperatures are rising. We actually had a mild winter in my opinion and we were able to get offshore quite frequently this time around. Last issue you may have seen the picture of the black grouper landed offshore of Naples in February. Black grouper are a rare species on the West Coast of Florida and for whatever reason, I have been lucky in finding them recently. Black grouper, or “carbos”, can be found anywhere in the gulf but more frequent depths of over 80’ on wrecks & natural bottom. The grouper featured in last issue’s Coastal Angler came from over 100’ and was accompanied by a few other sizable relatives. We were fishing and diving a frequented area when I had noticed on my Garmin handheld GPS that there was an unexplored ‘mark’ nearby. We moved over to it and didn’t see a whole lot of interesting relief on the bottom machine. The captain looked over to me and said, “well theres only one way to find out.” We descended and I wasn’t impressed at first but my sixth sense knew there was more down there. I kept swimming until a goliath grouper came across my path. Knowing these giants live on a few feet of relief I followed the 300lb fish and saw the honey hole. Monster mangrove snapper, hogfish, unlimited red grouper were all in my sights, but I was looking for the carbo. I ended up shooting a 26” mangrove snapper, truly a beast, a sizeable hogfish but no black grouper. I checked my remaining air, 750psi, time to go up. Once topside, we told the crew what was below our boat. After swapping tanks & doing our surface interval, we dropped right on the spot for another dive. Our team landed right on top of our target, a 52lb black grouper. We ended the day with all quality fish and a fishing story that is hard to top. With the warm water returning and favorable seas, contact me to get on a trip and aquire your next fishing story!

2017

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 or visit him at SCUBAdventures.

Photo submitted by Bill D’Antuono.

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In the Wake by Capt. Jim Kalvin

was at a crawfish boil a few weeks back with my wife, and we were chatting it up with another couple by one of the ample food service tables. He was a ships Captain, she was a Captain’s Widow – much like Ruthie is from time to time. But this guy – Capt. Mike – has a real ship to command. He runs a 600’ vehicle and equipment transport back and forth from Hawaii to California – 2.5 months on duty, 2.5 months off. And the Pacific Ocean is a brutal place! He started talking about the last trip – where a crack developed in the fore-section of the ship, and they were taking on 150 gallons of seawater per hour through the seam. Obviously, they completed their trip, and the leak was repaired. But that’s just one of the stories Mike shared as he stood there watching my eyes widen while contemplating the thought of what could’ve been. Then, it was my turn. See….you have to “swap” sea stories. It’s not a one-way street, or a stand-up routine. But what stories do I have in my files that could stand up to that one? Tell him about the time one of my clients lost the biggest grouper I ever saw? Or about the time my anchor got stuck on the Cuban wreck? Or the time I got stuck for 8 days at sea with the rudest, laziest, dumbest 1st mate ever known to mankind?……. “There was that one trip I had where I got my first ride on a U.S. Coast Guard rescue chopper….” He actually seemed interested in hearing details…. So I proceeded to share the tale. You may think that this will begin with, “it was a dark and stormy night….” But it wasn’t a dark and stormy night. It was a beautiful late August night in Charleston South Carolina. I had completed a run down the Eastern Seaboard with my clients – a lovely couple from Jacksonville – and we had made Charleston after a night passage around Cape Hatteras. The Ship was the “Magic Castle”, a 70’ custom trawler built entirely out of teak in Spain 30 years prior. We hit a few squalls during that last leg of the trip, but all was well as we made the entrance channel at Charleston. We picked our spot in the incoming parade of ships, jumped in line, and made Charleston Municipal Marina at dusk. It was then that we heard that Hurricane Irene was coming up through the Caribbean, and northeast Florida was in the center Renovation Repair Re-Decking Pile Repair & Encasements Boatlift Service & Repair Maintenance Dredging U/W Surveys Consulation A Jim Kalvin Company - Serving Collier County’s Waterfront Since 1982

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of the long-range “cone of uncertainty”. The next day, my clients rented a car, and drove south to secure their home and business for the threat of a tropical blow. The storm was four to five days out, and I was a day and a half from Jacksonville, so they were going to send a deckhand north, and we were to bring the vessel home – well up the St. John’s River. With such short notice, the only “man” available was the feller I referred to about 6 paragraphs up. He was the one I was stranded on the ship with for the trip from Florida to Nantucket 2 months earlier. But…..I figured I could put up with him for a day and a half. After all, what could possibly go wrong with only 120 miles left to go? I timed my departure with the outgoing tide, which was just before midnight, and off we went with a full tank of fuel. We surfed the falling water out past the jetty at the channel entrance, and made a course for Jacksonville. I took the first shift at the helm, and “wonder-boy” went to bed. About an hour later, the steering began to feel “mushy” – which was normal on this vessel. The steering chains from the bridge-deck went down around two different sets of pulleys until it reached the steering quadrant in the engine room. It was normal to have to adjust the chain tension at one or more of the pulleys periodically. I tried to raise wonder-boy via our pre-determined VHF channel – as he was supposed to be able to be reached three levels below if I needed a hand. I needed a hand. He didn’t respond. I laid on the horn for about 30 seconds, and with no response – I did it again. He finally staggered up the stairs with a comforter wrapped around him and said, “…did you need something?” “Sigh!”….“I have to go adjust the steering chains, I need you to take the helm for about 20 minutes…..” “Right, well……when you go down there, see what that awful racket is – some kind of horn is going off down below….” It was the high-water alarm in the fwd bilge! The reason the steering was mushy was because the fwd bilge was full of water! A subsequent inspection by the insurance adjuster would reveal that a repair done to the ship’s hull 15 years earlier had failed, and we lost a forward center plank just stbd of center. The “mayday” was sent, the helo & crew responded, and,….I have to tell you, it was an “E Ticket” ride! (you’re showing your age if you know what that means!) Swimming to the rescue basket wasn’t the worst part. The worst part was circling the foundering ship in the wee hours watching the dc lighting flicker on and off as it was failing. The even worster part was calling my client from Air Station Charleston to tell him the news. All in all, it was a 30 year old wooden ship that experienced a critical failure of a defective repair. We were never in imminent danger, and we followed all of the right protocols. The owner of the ship now has her re-fitted, repowered, and he’s contemplating another trip to Nantucket. Any takers for “First Mate”? Captain Jim Kalvin is a Florida Native, a USCG Licensed 100 Ton Master, a local Marine Contractor, and is President and Founder of Standing Watch, Inc. - a Statewide coalition of Boating Advocates. Jim is available to speak to your group on a variety of boating or legislative topics. James.kalvin61@gmail.com

24 NAPLES | APRIL 2017 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

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rgoDock CEO Kent Weisenberg’s challenge was simple, straightforward—and very ambitious. After living on the water for most of his life and watching conventional dock materials buckle, chip, splinter and fade, he sought to revolutionize fundamental dock design and repair. His driving belief: boaters, anglers and other waterfront residents should expect better performance, design life and aesthetics from their docks—especially docks that float outside high-dollar homes. Weisenberg, a multi-patented engineer, entrepreneur, inventor and also the President/ COO of SippTech, a design and engineering firm, sought with ErgoDock to improve the safety and comfort of dock surfaces—with added touches of elegance. After three years of prototyping and testing, he found the solution he was aiming for: a multi patent-pending panelized surfacing material with application potential reaching far beyond what it was originally designed for. Independent testing has shown ErgoDock consistently outperforms its competitors in safety, comfort, aesthetics and installation versatility. The product is formulated and manufactured to deliver industry-leading ergonomic performance in the most extreme climate conditions. ErgoDock has 20 times the slip resistance and impact attenuation than that of other decking materials. It’s also 30 percent cooler in direct sunlight, self-extinguishing, resists stains and eliminates pooling by self-draining, which dramatically reduces the

potential for mold and mildew. Today, ErgoDock’s ground-breaking features have gained attention from consumers—and interest from businesses seeking to grow with ErgoDock. The interest from businesses comes at an ideal time in ErgoDock’s growth plan; however, Weisenberg explained that he and his partners are looking for that one “perfect fit” company that can expand sales and expedite production to meet demand. He added that the ErgoDock concept has the potential to expand into other industries and applications including decks, patios, wheelchair ramps, walkways, bridges and many more. “It’s the product’s big numbers that have drawn the most interest from the business community, especially investors,” Weisenberg said. “Just consider: ErgoDock has more than 20 times more static and dynamic slip resistance than wood or composite decking, more than 20 times more impact absorption which mitigates injuries from falls and reducing fatigue on feet, back and joints. It’s made of 100-percent environmentally-friendly materials and because of its unique surface, it’s 30 percent cooler than wood or composite decking.

“Including prototyping and testing, we are a three-year-old company, and we’re looking to expand quickly to meet growing demand for ErgoDock’s products. As a result, we’re actively engaging in talks with investors, manufacturers and distributors to expedite the product’s reach. Currently the people we’ve communicated with clearly understand ErgoDock’s mission to create a material that far outperforms the competition on safety, comfort and customization.” ErgoDock supplies two product options— over decking applications and new decking or replacement applications. • ERGOWOOD: a permanent customizable solution that combines unparalleled technology with the durability of treated natural wood. • PEEL & SEAL: a permanent customizable coverage option that installs quickly over existing surfaces.

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Catching Snook from a Kayak – By Eric Henson

atching snook from a kayak can be lots of fun, whether it’s pitching baits on the beaches, stalking them on the flats or trolling creeks and rivers. There are many ways to target them from a kayak. These fish are constantly on the move, so it really comes down to finding a location where there are good numbers depending on the time of year. Snook are extremely temperature sensitive. This is one of the main reasons they are constantly moving. Their migration ranges from offshore reefs and beaches, all the way back into where creeks and rivers turn to freshwater. Once you’ve zeroed in on their location, you better have the right gear and tactics to get the job done. My personal favorite way to target them is with artificial lures. I try to match what they are eating at that specific time of year. If it is during the shrimp run, I use a life-like softplastic shrimp called a Monster 3X X-MOVE. For the mullet run, I use a Yo-Zuri 3D Inshore Series Twitchbait (SS). For the white bait run I use Mirrodines or paddle tails. And for flies I do the same thing… “match the hatch.” My

absolute favorite way to target them is with topwater lures and flies. Where I do most of my fishing around Sarasota, Fla., spring finds snook in a transition. They will be fattening up as they make their way into the passes, beaches and nearshore reefs for the big summer spawn. A lot of people will paddle into the passes and get close to some type of structure to target these fish. Dropping a live finger mullet, ladyfish or pinfish near structure on a circle hook that matches the size of the bait is a recipe for success. Make sure to use nothing less than 30-pound fluorocarbon leader because their sharp gill plates will cut through lesser line like butter. I enjoy hitting dock or bridge lights in the passes on the full and new moons. Most of the time you will see them stacked around the lights. If they are hanging near the surface, I will first pitch topwater lures like Yo-Zuri 3DB Pencil at them. If that doesn’t get the bite, I will watch the type and size of bait passing through the light. Then I will

Eric Henson is the owner of Casting Kayaks LLC, a guided kayak fishing company out of Sarasota, Fla. He specializes in inshore light tackle or fly fishing from Tampa Bay to Charlotte Harbor. Check out his website www.CastingKayaks.com or give him a call at 941-504-1349.

free line a similar size and color soft plastic like the Monster 3X BIG-M or X-SWIM. If the fish are hanging a little deeper, I will add weight to get it in the strike zone. Be sure to look for larger snook lurking in the shadow lines. Although targeting these fish in the passes from kayaks can be lots of fun, the water can be rushing at times, and I always take safety precautions. Wearing a life jacket at all times and the buddy system work best. Know your limits.

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WEST COAST FLORIDA

3/20/17 1:34 PM

By Capt. Michael Okruhlik

of Braid I

Photo Courtesy of Controlled Descent Lures

The POWER

often tell people the power of braid will instantly make them better fishermen. I truly believe that. In last month’s article, I mentioned a very popular slow-sinking lure that everyone raved about but that I could not catch a fish with. Well, the power of braid changed that.

WEST COAST FLORIDA

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Somewhere in the 1990s, I jumped on the bandwagon and bought several of these popular slow-sinking lures. I read all of the articles that were written about it and tried to follow the directions on how to properly fish it, especially in the winter for large speckled trout. Occasionally, I would catch a fish or two, but most cast came back empty handed. Fast-forward about 10 years, and one day while wade fishing Shamrock Cove in Texas’ Corpus Christi Bay with three friends, it all changed. We were lined up walking this grass flat and throwing the same famous lure. Yes, I was throwing the lure I had not been able to catch many fish on for over a decade. I tied one on because a buddy said he had been killing the trout on it. I waded alongside the three of them watching them catch trout after trout. As frustration settled in, I started to mimic my friend closest to me. I would cast within 10 yards of his cast and mirror his rod movement. I still didn’t catch a fish, while he continued to do so. By now I was completely clueless on why I couldn’t work this lure properly. I ask him to cast his lure a few feet in front of and several yards past me. Once it passed by, I could see the movement of the lure and how it twitched, paused and darted. I made my next cast in a direction where I could clearly see my lure moving through the water. No matter how vigorously I worked my rod, my lure moved almost in a straight line through the water. What I discovered was I was the only one not using braid. The non-stretch and sensitivity of the braid is what made the lure twitch and dart to attract the fish. On my next trip, I was spooled up with braid, and finally caught fish on this famous lure. Simply by using braid, I became a better fisherman, and this lure soon became one of my favorites. There are still instances when I do not use braid, but for those who have not tried it, or have not tried it in years, spool up with the newest braid technology. It can instantly make you a better fisherman. Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Controlled Descent Lures and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.

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3/20/17 1:34 PM

r spread ACR ELECTRONICS GLOBALFIX V4 Global leader in safety and survival technologies, ACR Electronics, Inc., recently released the GlobalFIX V4 Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB). ACR has taken its world-renowned EPIRB manufacturing expertise to create one of the highest quality and lowest-cost EPIRBs available. The GlobalFIX V4 is competitively priced and offers tremendous value with new features. Notable features include: user-replaceable battery with a 10year battery life, internal 66 channel GPS, a four LED array strobe light, and a new wrist strap for handsfree carrying in an emergency evacuation. The GlobalFIX V4 applies three levels of integrated signal technology: an internal GPS for pinpoint positioning, a powerful 406 MHz distress alert, and 121.5 MHz homing capability to effectively conclude final stages of rescue. The on-board GPS can quickly pinpoint the sender’s position to within 100 meters. As search-and-rescue personnel are deployed, a separate homing signal and integrated LED strobe light guide rescuers to the beacon’s exact position. For more than 60 years, ACR has been designing and manufacturing quality products to save lives. The new GlobalFIX V4 has gone through months of independent testing to ensure the design, functionality and performance live up to the ACR standard of excellence. The GlobalFIX V4 is also compact enough to be stored in your ACR RapidDitch abandon-ship bag along with all of your other safety gear. For mariners who want an EPIRB with longer operational life and more output power, ACR will continue to offer the GlobalFix iPRO and PRO range of EPIRBs.

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APRIL 2017

FLORIDA

3/20/17 3:22 PM

Bimini Bliss At The Inaugural World Resorts Bimini Wahoo Challenge

By Travis Cartwright

tense silence filled the Resorts World Bimini marina. A crowd of onlookers sat near the weighing station waiting for the next boat to arrive. Anglers from across the United States had descended on the tiny island of Bimini for the Inaugural Resorts World Wahoo Challenge Feb. 2-5. There were 25 boats, with men and women from as far away as Texas battling it out for the top prize of $35,000. Everyone at the weigh-station lingered anxiously, sipping on free rum punches and Kalik, the native beer of the Bahamas. Suddenly the silence was broken by a boisterous sound. It was music, more specifically a guitar solo. Someone was blaring George Thorogood’s “Bad to the Bone” loudly. As Team Bad Habits idled into the marina, an angler on deck was rocking out to the music, beer in hand. A group

FLORIDA

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bikini-clad girls flocked to the men. It was obvious that Bad Habits was having a good day. “We went out early and kept hunting,” one of the men said. “It was a lot of fun being out there.” The team caught several wahoo, and they found mahi-mahi too. The event was sponsored by the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism in collaboration with Resorts World Bimini and the Bahamas Ocean Sports Authority. Team Who’s Your Daddy from Miami, Fla. caught an 80.3-pound wahoo on the first day of the tournament. Who’s Your Daddy took first place with a total combined weight of 261.5 pounds. Second place went to Bad Habits with a total weight of 248.6 pounds. Third place went to Fishin’ A Loan with a total weight of 191.3 pounds. The tournament was a celebration of all things Bahamian, and the anglers were treated to authentic Bahamian food, drinks, music and hospitality. Bimini consists of two main islands, North Bimini and South Bimini, and numerous cays just 50 miles south of Florida. It has a history of entertaining fishermen. People use golf carts to get around on North Bimini, as the island is only 7 miles long. Many visitors even rent bicycles and spend their days having picnics on the island’s gorgeous beaches. Bimini is no stranger to hosting lively and exciting events or personalities. The Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon believed the fountain of youth was located somewhere on the island. Many famous Americans visited the island during the 1960s and 70s, too, including Ernest Hemmingway, Jimmy Buffet and Martin Luther King. King, the late great civil rights leader, wrote parts of his Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech in Bimini. He stayed at the Bimini Big Game Club. The legendary Bimini Big Game Club, located in Alice Town, caters to visitors in search of world-class fishing experiences that range from bonefishing and deep sea fishing, and there’s incredible shark diving as well. Today, Bimini hosts scores of visitors in search of their own fountain of youth. The island, with its close-knit community, offers an escape from the modern world.

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FLORIDA

3/20/17 3:23 PM

Blue Wild Ocean Adventure Expo Celebrates 10th Anniversary April 22-23

Photo courtesy of Controlled Descent Lures

heri Daye, producer of the 10th Annual Blue Wild Ocean Adventure Expo announced the popular water sports expo, which features exhibits, seminars, demos, marine art and more, will return to the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center April 2223. What began as a small charity event has evolved over the past decade and flourished into an exciting, two-day event. The 2017 Blue Wild Ocean Adventure Expo will exceed 65,000 square feet, host 160 exhibitors and anticipates 5,000 attendees. Highlights include seminars and exhibits on freediving, scuba, spearfishing, fishing, marine art, underwater photography and videography, paddle boarding, adventure travel and more. The popular Kids Zone will offer face painting, art classes and crab races. The event offers activities for the whole family to enjoy. Attendees will be fascinated by the variety of celebrity speakers like TV personality Manny Puig and other experts who are a “who’s who” in the underwater worlds of freediving, spearfishing, photography, video and more. Hands-on workshops offer proven techniques and include: Yoga Session, Lionfish Preparation and Sampling, Marine Art Printmaking, Fish Filleting Demos, How to Hunt Off Your SUP and more. “I’m thrilled to be celebrating our tenth anniversary this year. We strive to offer an exciting atmosphere where like-minded ocean lovers and watersport enthusiasts of all ages can meet up and socialize,” said Daye. “I’ve crafted the expo be both educational and entertaining, where attendees can learn about latest techniques and products, shop for great deals, listen to the best speakers and network with one another.” For marine art fans, The Blue Wild Ocean Adventure Expo has one of the most impressive collections—from the world-renowned to the local scene with artists such as Carey Chen, Don Ray, Randall Scott, Jason Mathias and many more. Returning exhibitors include Aqua Lung, Mares, Cressi, SEAC,

FLORIDA

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PADI, Pelagic, Bass Pro, YETI, Florida Freedivers, Island Water Sports, Nautical Ventures, Wong Spearguns and many more. The Expo is pleased to welcome several new exhibitors such as NAUI, Reef Photo and Video, and Coco View Resort. Adding to the excitement, the Expo also has state-of-the-art water toys, kayaks and Contender Boats. The Blue Wild Ocean Adventure Expo is known for its high-energy crowds and fun vibe. The diverse crowd includes visitors, experts and exhibitors from all over the world who flock to Fort Lauderdale for its desirable and central location. Water-lovers can also take advantage of the year-round tropical weather and warm waters. Entry is $20 at the door and includes a free goodie bag (while supplies last) and free entry to the Saturday night After-Party at the Fort Lauderdale Beach Courtyard Marriott. For more information, visit www. TheBlueWild.com or check out a video from last year at...

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Make reel memories. Stuart, located in Martin County, is known as the Sailfish Capital of the World. Sitting on the most biodiverse estuary in the Northern Hemisphere, and the northernmost point of the South Florida Reef, Martin County is home to 100 artificial reef systems and over 800 species of fish. Its climate, waterways and natural environment make it a mecca for fishermen and nautical explorers year-round. An array of unique shops, fine restaurants, great golf courses and quiet beaches make a day ashore fun, too. Inshore, offshore, salt water or fresh, head out for an adventure and reel in the memories.

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A TRIBUTE TO

Legendary Boat Builder

Curt Whiticar

“Millennium is a leader in our industry and makes quality products that I’m proud to represent!” - BILL DANCE Bill Dance Outdoors

1OO

BOAT SEAT From left are Coastal Angler Magazine Co-Publisher Gary Guertin, Curt Whiticar and Jim Dragseth, president of Whiticar Boat Works. Photo courtesy of CAM/Treasure Coast.

By Ed Killer, Outdoors columnist for USA Today Network

ver the course of a life spanning more than a century, Curt Whiticar earned quite the reputation. He was the patriarch of the Stuart family best known for building classic sport fishing boats and died March 7 of prolonged congestive heart failure and kidney issues. He was 106. “Through his life, he touched so many people’s lives,” remembered his son John Whiticar, 67, of Jensen Beach. “He was one for getting things done. And he was so proficient at whatever he would set about to accomplish.” George Curtis Whiticar was born Feb. 13, 1911 to Capt. Add Whiticar, a commercial fisherman and charter captain who fished out of New Jersey. Curt Whiticar was the oldest of three brothers who all followed in their father’s fishing footsteps. They took paying customers on fishing adventures through the St. Lucie Inlet. But when customers were thin, they fished commercially. Curt Whiticar’s dad first came to Stuart to scout the bluefish and Spanish mackerel commercial fishery in 1917. The family settled in Stuart full time in 1926. Curt Whiticar built his first boat in 1921, and by the late 1930s had begun to make a name for the family with his craftsmanship. By the 1950s, his boats were in demand by anglers who wanted boats built to handle the sometimes-choppy Treasure Coast offshore waters. Whiticar boats were known for a sharp entry bow and steep deadrise, which made them perfect for slicing into a 4- to 5-foot-high wave. More than 60 Whiticar boats have been built since Whiticar assembled his first. Capt. V.J. Bell, of Stuart, ran the Bone Shaker, a 40-foot Whiticar, for Stuart’s Joe Lehner for more than 10 years. “It was a great headsea boat which was Whiticar Boats’ claim to fame,” said Bell. “It had a sharp entry, and ran really well into a sea or a chop. And once we got to where we were going, it was a fish-raising machine. It had a clean wash, small propellers. It was a very strong boat, too, overbuilt, if anything.” Bell was one of many Stuart-area captains to come to the area from the Delmarva Peninsula. Many of them came as mates working for Capt. Ray Parker, who owned a red-hulled Whiticar named Hobo. They stayed for the great sailfishing—a sport fishery pioneered by Whiticar and his family. They were among the first in the area to promote conservation of sailfish. The Whiticars were also among those who founded the Stuart Sailfish Club. Whiticar retired from boat building in 1986 at age 75. He received a number of awards and recognition for his service as a craftsman and a leader in conservation. Last month, he was inducted into the International Game Fish Association’s Captain and Crew Hall of Fame. There will be a celebration of Whiticar’s life April 9 at Indian Riverside Park in Jensen Beach. In lieu of flowers, the family asks to make contributions in his name to the Stuart Sailfish Club, the Stuart Heritage Museum or Treasure Coast Hospice.

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anhandle lionfish hunters only have until May 19 to compete in the Panhandle Pilot Program. This yearlong lionfish removal incentive program rewards divers for harvesting lionfish off Escambia through Franklin counties. The program may be ending, but lionfish are open for harvest year-round, and there are no bag or size limits. For every 100 lionfish removed, divers receive a tag that allows them to take an additional cobia or red grouper in state waters, but this tag must be used before May 19. The first 10 teams who remove 500 or more lionfish also qualify to name an artificial reef in the Panhandle. To date, six groups have qualified to rename an artificial reef. The program ends the day before the annual Lionfish Removal and Awareness Day Festival, which is May 20-21 at Plaza de Luna in Pensacola. A revamp of the statewide Lionfish Challenge will also be launched that same weekend. More information on this program will be coming soon. Learn more about the Panhandle Pilot Program and how you can get rewarded for your lionfish removals by visiting MyFWC.com/ Lionfish.

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What to Wearipsum Lorem WheN KAYAK FISHING

By Nick Paul Carter Lebowitz By

im Salazar has been kayak fishing Southern California since the 1990s. He’s old school. Floridian Brandon Barton started in 2010. He’s from the new school. Both are elite-level Hobie fishing team members, a pair of Top Guns. For Salazar, the water is sizzling when it hits the relatively frigid 70s. He dresses accordingly, in a shorty farmer john wetsuit worn over a pair of fishing board shorts. For UV protection, he tops the ensemble with a hooded polyester sun shirt. His feet have it easy. “In the summer you can’t get me out of my flip flops,” he said. Where Salazar is traditional, Barton is modern. Comfort in hot weather and protection from insects are Barton’s major concerns. In the summer and spring he wears lightweight nylon fishing pants paired with a long-sleeve sun shirt. He tops them with a hat and a neck gaiter—popularly known as a buff. “The sun beats down on the water. I keep my whole body covered up,” he said. Some warm water anglers wear shoes made for the water. Barton prefers to slather sunscreen on his bare feet. If he’s fishing offshore or for dinosaurs, he adds fingerless fishing gloves. “For tarpon and sailfish, you need some hand protection,” he added. Although they fish in different climates, both pros avoid cotton. They dress for the conditions in clothing built to shed water and dry fast. You should too. Photo: Brandon Barton dressed for the warm Florida climate in lightweight sun-protective fishing clothes. Photo courtesy Brandon Barton.

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Tackle Corner:

By Mike Pehanich

Angling for comfort and joint health

nce upon a time, fishing was deemed a passive, even contemplative game, a quiet pastime spent under a straw hat and a warming sun. No more! Modern angling is an active endeavor generally characterized by energetic casts, and plenty of them. The aggressive style of the modern angler takes its toll on the body with back, wrist, elbow and shoulder injuries. “As we get older, our bodies kind of fall apart,” said Bassmaster Elite Series angler Mark Menendez during an outing on Kentucky Lake. Menendez has developed tendinitis in his elbow. “I have had to figure out ways to fish that are less taxing on my body.” He has changed technique and equipment to reduce the wear. He fishes soft swimbaits like the Strike King Shadalicious far more these days, working them on relatively light spinning tackle and line testing no more than 10 pounds. It’s effective and easier on his elbow. The other adjustments he makes relate to his tackle. He lauds the Winn grips now featured on Lew’s Custom Lite, Lew’s Tournament Performance TP1 Speed Stick and Lew’s Mach Speed Stick rods. “The advantage to the angler is that the Winn grip adheres to your hand, but it’s not sticky,” he explained. “It just makes you feel you have a good grip on your rod and reel. The grips also allow me to make longer casts because I have better control of my rod and reel.” Musky and saltwater anglers are also taking advantage of the “tacky” feel and security of the non-slip polymer to protect against joint stress. Eavesdrop on a group of musky fishers for long and you’re bound to hear complaints of sore elbows and forearms. Many musky anglers are building custom rods with Winn grips, employing larger 1.25-inch Straight Taper split grips or a Straight Taper fore

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grip coupled with a 15-inch Straight Cylinder Saltwater grip capped with a fighting butt to extend the rear handle to 18-plus inches. Winn will add a new 18-inch grip to the Saltwater line this spring. Builders of custom surf and offshore rods are already making plans for its use. But oversized grips and rod wraps are finding favor with other anglers, too. At the Bassmaster Elite Series event at Lake Okeechobee in February, anglers with arthritic hands and joint issues noticed the booth Winn shared with North Fork Bait & Tackle owner and rod builder Steve Keller, who also operates a Winn Authorized Service Center at his store in Jensen Beach, Fla. Arthritis sufferers noted their preference for larger grip diameters to ease gripping pressure. The 1.25-inch Winn grips caught their attention, as did the array of offerings in the Winn Superior Rod Wrap line of overwraps, which enable the angler to put a layer of non-slip Winn polymer over existing cork or EVA grips. Winn grips and rod wraps (www.winngrips.com) are available in a wide range of sizes and colors. The Winn interchangeable grip system offers an endless combination of configurations.

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TIPS FROM A PRO

FRESHWATER LEARN CONFIDENCE IN NEW TECHNIQUES

BRANDON LESTER

rowing up in southern middle Tennessee, I was fortunate to have a lot of really good fisheries within a couple hours of my house. I had my choice between the Tennessee River lakes like Guntersville, Wheeler and Wilson or the typical highland reservoirs located in the hills of Tennessee. I spent many days fishing club events and absorbing every bit of knowledge I could. It helped me become a versatile angler and to stay in tune with the seasonal movements of bass. These things helped prepare me for the situations I would later face on

the Bassmaster Elite Series. I remember my very first Elite Series event. It was at Lake Seminole. I had never been to the lake and didn’t know a thing about it. After a tough first day of practice, I ran way up the Flint River to see if I could find something up there all to myself. What I found was a couple of small backwaters with clear water and fish that were setting up to spawn. These places had been completely overlooked, and I finished 21st in that tournament. I caught almost every fish on a floating worm, something that is very popular during the spawn around my home waters. That tournament and many others since have taught me that no matter where you go in the country, or what body of water you’re on, there will always be something that fits your fishing style. It may not always be the winning pattern,

but more times than not, I would rather be fishing for fewer fish with more confidence. The very best lure in any tackle box is confidence. But this doesn’t mean I stubbornly sticking to the same techniques I’m comfortable with. Successful tournament anglers must keep up with the latest trends. Lures, line, rods, reels and everything else are constantly evolving. It helps to stay on the forefront. As I travel the country, I learn a lot of new techniques and about new baits that work in particular regions. Every time I go to a tournament and a new technique arises that I’m not familiar with, the first thing I do when I get home is take it to a nearby lake and try to learn it. When trying to learn something new, it’s best to do it in areas you know hold fish. A good example of this was at the first Elite Series event of this year at Lake Cherokee. Cherokee is in east Tennessee, but it is much different than my home waters. There is a hot new trend among the locals there called the “Damiki rig” that is dynamite for catching smallmouth relating to baitfish. It is a small fluke-style lure rigged on a Lake Erie-style jig head that allows for precise placement of the lure at depth. I had heard about the rig leading up to the tournament and tried it in practice, but I never could figure it out. Our tournament was actually won on that rig, and several of the top guys were doing it. After that tournament was over, I spent the next day on my home lake with nothing but that rig. I wanted to learn everything there was to know about it. I went on to catch some big smallmouth on my home lake with it, and although I still don’t consider myself an expert, I feel like I can catch them on it next time the opportunity arises.

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Endless Fishing Opportunities

In Marathon

By Capt. Chris Johnson, SeaSquared Charters Marathon, the very heart of the Florida Keys, offers fishing options as vast as the crystal blue waters that surround the islands. to experience the exhilaration of big game sport fishing closer to shore and easier on your budget. Rounding out the sport fishing options in Marathon are bonefish, snook, Goliath grouper, permit and barracuda. Each challenging in its own right and all worthy of a place of honor on your trophy wall.

ill Your Trophy Wall With visions of Ernest Hemingway’s exploits in their heads, adventurers flock to Marathon from around the globe to fulfill their dreams of catching the sportfish of a lifetime. The offshore deep blue waters are the realm of the mighty swordfish, who live in the 1,500-plus-foot depths. Fishing for swordfish is highly technical and is best done with an electric set-up. While a magnificent creature to display above the fireplace, swordfish are also prized for their food value. Closer inshore are sailfish, which are unsurpassed in their size range for combined strength and spectacle. These silver speedsters, with their distinctive blue fan-shaped fin, are free-roamers that seem to prefer the coral reef areas. They are best fished for where their favorite foods are plentiful, such as along weed lines or around schools of blue runners, goggle eyes or pilchards. Perhaps the most elusive of all the sportfish in the Marathon waters is the Silver King. The tarpon that visit the Middle Florida Keys each spring love to hang out at bridge passes, where their food of choice is easily obtainable. These areas are known for their relative calm conditions, making tarpon fishing a comfortable experience for all anglers, even those prone to seasickness. Using light spinning tackle and circle hooks, fishing for tarpon is about as sporting as it gets. And, to hook one and chase it through the bridge pilings, hoping to be rewarded with a few jumps and maybe a picture at the side of the boat is an unforgettable experience. With a plethora of media coverage of sharks, catch-and-release fishing for them has become increasingly popular. The Marathon area sees a vast spectrum of sharks, including lemons, blacktips, bulls, blacknoses, nurse, spinners, hammerheads and tigers. These range in size from little guys to behemoths at 12 to 15 feet in length. Light tackle, shallow water angling for sharks in the Middle Florida Keys presents the opportunity 30

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Fill Your Dinner Plate When it comes to catching fish with a top-quality food value, you’d be hard-pressed to find a greater bounty than contained in the waters surrounding Marathon. On the Atlantic coral reefs and wrecks, snapper of all variety are plentiful for the taking year-round. Yellowtails, mangroves, muttons and lanes offer endless rod-bending entertainment and fill the bellies of hungry anglers at the end of the day. Grouper – blacks, reds and gags – are ever-present as well, although they tend to retreat to deeper waters during the summer heat. Additionally, the season is closed for them from January 1 to May 1. There are many more species that provide high-quality table fare – too many to list – but include amberjack, cobia, kingfish, Spanish mackerel, cero mackerel, pompano and on and on. Marathon’s offshore waters are fishing central for pelagic species that provide angling excitement. Venture 26 miles out to the Marathon Humps and you will be in tuna heaven. Blackfin and skipjack tuna are abundant year-round, and the only thing that can prevent you from getting there to catch them on any given day are the winds. But, on a calm day, the ride out and back is comfortable and the catching typically rapid-fire. Dolphin (mahi) and wahoo roam the open sea in a continuous hunt for food. Anglers seek them along weed lines and around any sort of floating debris. Feeding birds, particularly frigates, also indicate their presence. The spectacle of the blue and yellow blaze of a dolphin or the blue and white zebra-like stripes of a wahoo on the end of your line is indelible. Entertain The Family. There’s nothing finer for family bonding than spending quality time together on the water, away from the interruptions of everyday life. Marathon boasts multiple venues that are ideal for a day of family fun fishing. The patch reefs, Hawk Channel, the Seven Mile Bridge and the nearshore bay waters are chock-full of fun-catching fish. Snapper, hogfish, porgy, yellowjack, maybe even grouper, keep the rods bent with tasty rewards at the end of the day. Just for fun, there are sharks, barracuda, jacks and more. Catch ’em and release ’em and on to the next! So, whether you’re looking to fill your trophy wall or your dinner plate, or just have a great day out with the family, Marathon offers the fishing opportunities to make your dreams come true. Capt. Chris Johnson specializes in offshore, gulf/bay, reef/wreck, sailfish, shark and tarpon fishing with SeaSquared Charters, docked at Faro Blanco Resort and Yacht Club in Marathon. You can reach him at 305-743-5305, http://SeaSquaredCharters.com and http://Facebook. com/MarathonFishing.

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3/20/17 3:40 PM

The Bahamas Extreme Kayak Fishing Tournament

Photo courtesy of Controlled Descent Lures

nglers with the guts to mix big-game tournament fishing with kayaking will head to beautiful Grand Bahama this month to compete in the Extreme Kayak Fishing Tournament April 2023. This two-day kayak fishing tournament will attract anglers and their family members from all over the world for a chance to win more than $40,000 in cash and prizes, and all to help raise funds for the Humane Society of Grand Bahama. There will be free entertainment, food, drinks, a huge raffle and lots of fun for the entire family! “This event, now in its fourth year, has gained tremendous interest and notoriety for anglers and sporting enthusiasts from throughout the USA, Canada, China and Brazil. We have seen the competition grow each year from 40 anglers in our inaugural year in 2014 to some 280 participants last year,” said Bahamas Ministry of Tourism (BMOT) spokesman Richard Treco, Sr. “The high level of competition, coupled with our incredible on-island authentic cultural experiences and diverse product offering, makes this event most attractive for the seasoned as well as relatively new to the sport, angler.” Joe Hector, of Extreme Kayak Fishing International and organizer of the event, said he is excited to work with The BMOT on this tournament, and is particularly pleased with its rapid growth. “The Bahamas Extreme Kayak Fishing Tournament truly is the gold standard for kayak fishing in the world, as it provides everything into one great getaway: fun and family adventures, awesome fishing from white and blue marlins to huge mutton snappers, friendly people and the most beautiful destination in the world,” said Hector. Pre- and post-tournament packages range from $595 triple or qua-

druple occupancy for a three nights stay to $1,370 single occupancy for a seven nights stay, which includes tournament registration, hotel accommodations at the Flamingo Bay Hotel and Marina, round-trip transportation for the angler and his/her kayak from Port Everglades to Grand Bahama, a cocktail reception and awards dinner. Fish caught during the tournament will be given to the Grand Bahama Children’s Home, Flamingo Bay Hotel and Marina, and volunteers assisting with the project. For more information or to register for the tournament, visit www. extremekayakfishing.com or call 954-661-0175.

To learn more about the event and how to register, go to

THEFISHERMANPARADISE.COM

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UNDER THE SEA

SLINGS AND POLESPEARS

from companies have challenged this SHERI DAYE traditional design by changing the here’s a fun retro-movement taking hand position. The place in spearfishing—a trend toward Headhunter Guerilla primitive hunting gear. Slings and Sling has a comfortable polespears are used in places that do not allow trigger mechanisms, such as Bermuda or the grip, which transfers the weight load from Bahamas, but they are growing in popularity the wrist and distributes the force throughout the forearm. Sea Archer slings look like an outside these regions too. This could be attributed to the new Sling/ underwater bow and arrow. The user holds Polespear category for world records, run by the body of the sling just as they would with a the International Underwater Spearfishing bow and arrow. There’s nothing more beautiful Association (IUSA). However, I suspect the than watching a skilled underwater hunter real reason is that many hunters appreciate using a sling and hitting the mark with a freethe challenge and simplicity, not unlike land- flying shaft! Polespears are another fun option. hunters opting for bow-and-arrow over rifles. It’s a beautiful art form that evokes images of They can be made of fiberglass, aluminum Indians using extreme stealth and having great or carbon fiber. The tip can have a flopper, three-prong paralyzer tip or a slip-tip. Neritic respect for their prey. Slings and polespears are great tools for Diving company makes polespears with someone who is either learning how to spearfish interchangeable sections that can be assembled or interested in improving their hunting skills. in different length configurations. Users may Compared to modern spearguns, they force a choose to use a shorter polespear when hunting diver to become calmer and stealthier because in dirtier water or in tight spaces. When diving of their shorter range. One must slow down and in deep clear water, fish may not be cooperative study the behavior of fish in order to get closer and a longer polespear may be desired. The to them. While both slings and polespears are ability to quickly construct your weapon of powered using rubber bands without trigger choice is one of the best recent innovations, along with magnetic slip-tips that don’t fall off mechanisms, these two styles differ. Slings, sometimes called “Hawaiian slings,” while diving. I must admit that I can’t help feeling a are similar to a slingshot where the band is pulled back to launch the spear. Traditionally, smug sense of satisfaction when I land an the shooter was a tubular-shaped piece of wood elusive fish with a simple stick and rubber with a hole drilled down the center so the shaft band. Regardless if you are a novice or could slide through when being launched professional, primitive hunting offers a forward by the band. Recent innovations fun and entertaining challenge. Why not

Charles Duffie with a polespeared hogfish. Photo by James Ferrara.

add another skill to your spearfishing resume and another choice in your toolkit? It will double your fun and make you a better hunter! 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.

For more Sheri Daye, go to

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APRIL 2017

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Spearfishing Course for Freedivers

By Capt. Chad Carney Photo courtesy of Controlled Descent Lures

n 2016, Freediving Instructors International (FII) presented their new spearfishing course at The Blue Wild Expo in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. If you’re new to spearfishing or a veteran, this wealthof-knowledge course, from many of the world’s best spearfishermen and freedivers will be invaluable. All students must already have a Level 1 freediving certification from an internationally recognized agency. FII founder Martin Stepanek, and freediving instructors John Dornellas and Cameron Kirkconnell, wrote the textbook for the course, called FII Spearfishing. The first course was taught by Martin and John at Florida Freedivers, Jonathan and Kelsey Dickinson’s dive shop in North Palm Beach, Fla. just days before The Blue Wild. Jonathan became a FII Spearfishing Instructor in September and taught the course to most of his staff and several customers since. The classroom section of the course runs a half day and is packed with great content including spearfishing ethics, freediving safety, location safety about dive planning, site obstructions, currents, marine animals, divers and boats. Information about spearfishing gear, it’s handling and use is covered thoroughly along with underwater hunting skills and techniques. The second half of the day is the pool training, where speargun handling and float line training is hands-on. The provided spearguns are unique in that they can be loaded in the water with total safety, because their shafts are completely stationary, as they are permanently bolted to the muzzles and mechanisms. Otherwise, the spearguns are fully functional and allow the best practice for pool or confined water training. Hunting styles and tricks are also taught and practiced in the pool around a portable artificial reef at the pool bottom where students will stalk a foam fish. Certification is completed with the classroom and pool session, along with a written test. A day of real ocean spearfishing is an option and may vary from location to location, but in the Palm Beaches, Jonathan says they plan for a day of spearfishing in moderate depths where water entries with gear can be polished, and also float lines can be used in currents. Reefs with low structure are available for stalking with, aspetto and agguatto techniques. The photo is Jonathan Dickinson with a recent 70-pound amberjack!

Check out www.floridafreedivers.com and www.freedivinginstructors.com for more information about the course and spearfishing and freediving equipment. Capt. Chad Carney runs diving and spearfishing charters in southeast Florida and can be reached at 727-4237775 or chad.carney@yahoo.com.

To learn more about Florida Free Divers, go to

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NAT_0417.indd 35

APRIL 2017

NATIONAL

3/20/17 3:40 PM

FISH & FISHING

THE LIGHT WAND MARK SOSIN

earning to fish a fly in saltwater adds a new and extremely challenging dimension to the sport. Light-wand enthusiasts on the marine scene don’t have to trip over tradition that sometimes limits the thinking and performance of their brethren who focus attention solely on trout and salmon. There are differences. When you work over fish in a stream, you often have ample time to contemplate the situation, change flies if the first one doesn’t work, and even try several approaches. Even a shoreline largemouth bass lays claim to a stationary feeding station near a log or under the lip of a lily pad. Saltwater critters remain on the move, probing and prowling continuously or they hold on a seat in the restaurant until the water level rises or falls a certain amount. Then, they change position. If you happen to spot your quarry, you only have seconds to get a fly in front of it. The first cast has to count. Simple hesitation can cause you to miss the opportunity. When you are blind casting, it’s important to read the water and recognize another set of signals. Predators frequently follow a feeding rhythm tied directly to the stage of the tide. Since they are not restricted to a few deep pools or the tail end of a run, finding them and presenting a fly with accuracy requires detailed knowledge of their habits and habitat. Casting in saltwater demands a bit more distance than it does in many freshwater settings. False casting becomes a handicap when you’re trying to drop a fly in the path of a cruising gamefish. You won’t have time to admire the tight loops or match the distance to the target precisely before dropping the fly gently on the skin of the water. The repeated surges of a powerful marine denizen tethered to flyline, leader and backing, or the task of driving a fly into the wind and in front of a cruising fish have no parallels in other forms of angling. Once experienced, these challenges trigger an insatiable appetite that demands more.

For smaller species of fish, a 9-weight fly rod that is 9-feet long would be my first choice. The reel should be single action, hold adequate backing, and left or right hand retrieve. You should turn the handle with your primary hand rather than what many fly fishermen do today. With a 9-weight rod, the reel should hold at least 200 yards of 20-pound dacron or braid. The second outfit for larger fish starts with a 12-weight or 13-weight rod and a reel that holds at least 275 yards of backing. Again, if you are right handed, choose a right hand retrieve. If you’re new to fly fishing, the time to break out the fly rod is when fishing is very good and your chances of success are boosted. It pays to keep it rigged and handy all the time. Let me warn you that catching fish on a fly rod becomes addictive. Once you start hooking fish on the light wand you will also be hooked.

For more Mark Sosin visit

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3/20/17 3:40 PM

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A slippery knife can make filleting fish a difficult chore. Dexter UR-Cut Fillet knives were designed to eliminate this problem, while providing comfort and control by custom molding the grip to a user’s hand. Coastal Angler put Dexter’s design to the test at the docks with a cooler full of sheepshead, which are known to be difficult to clean. The customization involves boiling the handle before dipping it in cold water and gripping it tightly so the owner’s grip is impressed on the handle. With attention to thumb position during the process, we were able to customize the grip to the exact position our fillet men prefer. It took just a few minutes, and the result was a well-balanced tool that felt secure and comfortable in the hand. Then we took our blades to the cutting table. Dexters are known for maintaining a super-sharp edge, and having just the right amount of flexibility. Past experience has taught us they are also easy to sharpen. We were not surprised to find the blade on our new UR-Cut knives performed flawlessly working along spines and ribcages. Our hands and the table were coated in slime, and this is where the URCut showed why it is more than just a good knife. We intentionally created a slippery situation by not washing down, and the non-slip properties of the custom handles performed as advertised. For more information, visit...

UR-Cut features the same legendary DEXSTEEL, super-sharp edge, and just-right flexibility that you are used to with Dexter... 1.Dip handle in boiling water for 2 minutes. 2. Dip in cold water for 1 second. 3. Grip and form handle for 10 seconds. 4. Put back in cold water for 10 seconds and your done.

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APRIL 2017

NATIONAL

3/20/17 3:41 PM

O/B MOTOR BRACKET Mounts to your existing swim platform

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PANTHER SWIM PLATFORM OUTBOARD MOTOR BRACKET Now, with the new Panther Swim Platform Outboard Motor Bracket you can transform the family boat or even the work boat into a fishing machine. The convenience of having a kicker motor makes slow trolling for your favorite species much more efficient and productive. The new bracket easily mounts to most swim platforms and features three levels of convenient height adjustment to accommodate most platform heights and motor shaft lengths, for optimal prop depth and performance. • Rated for two- and four-stroke motors up to 20 hp with max motor weight of 195 pounds • Constructed of black powder coat aluminum • Comes complete with transom support bar for weight support torque resistance For more information, contact MarineTech Products at 1 651-486-2010 or visit

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ost anglers would probably enjoy a shopping spree in the fishing section of the local Walmart. An Ohio man allegedly helped himself to not one, but two free-ofcharge shopping sprees last October, and has now been charged with stealing an estimated $3,800 worth of fishing gear, according to NBC affiliate WLWT. Warren County, Ohio prosecutor David Fornshell told reporters that Derrick Marcum, “pretty much cleared out the aisle.” According to the WLWT report, Marcum was arrested last October when he attempted to carry two backpacks stuffed with fishing gear out of an Ohio Walmart. He was arrested that same day for the theft of $1,300 worth of gear. But it wasn’t until recently that investigators connected that incident with another theft that occurred the previous day at another Ohio Walmart. Marcum allegedly filled five plastic bins with tackle and then proceeded to the self-checkout, where he paid only for the bins. Investigators valued that heist at about $2,500. A grand jury indicted Marcum, and he waits in jail for his arraignment, according to reports. Jail time seems a pretty steep price, even for thousands of dollars worth of fishing gear.

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Buy a new Suzuki outboard from 25 to 300 horsepower and take advantage of not just one, but ALL THREE Suzuki Spring promotional offers.

Add cash rebates on select models and you can get up to $800 cash back. Plus our Repower Financing is available at attractive interest rates (on approved credit.*)

Just say, “Gimme Six!” and you’ll get six years of product protection. That’s right, you’ll get Suzuki’s three-year limited warranty and Suzuki’s 3-Year Extended Protection Plan at no extra charge.

See your participating Suzuki Marine dealer today and find out how you can get the ultimate deal on the Ultimate 4-Stroke Outboard.

Six Years of Protection at no extra charge on all new outboards 25 to 300 HP.

Cash Rebates on select models. See your dealer for details.

REPOWER FINANCE

Rates as low as 5.99% on new Suzuki outboards (OAC).*

For details and the name of your nearest participating Suzuki Marine dealer, visit www.suzukimarine.com

Gimme Six Extended Protection promo is applicable to new Suzuki Outboard Motors from 25 to 300 HP in inventory which are sold and delivered to buyer between 4/01/17 and 6/30/17 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. Cash Rebates apply to qualifying purchases of select Suzuki Outboard Motors made between 4/01/17 and 6/30/17. For list of designated models, see participating Dealer or visit www.suzukimarine.com. Customer and participating Dealer must fill out the appropriate rebate form at time of sale. Customer will have the choice to either apply the cash rebate against the original dealer invoice (Suzuki will credit Dealer parts account) or have a check sent directly to the customer. 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 4/01/17 and 6/30/17. “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 manual. © 2017 Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.

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PENNFISHING.COM

LET THE BATTLE BEGIN The Slammer is back! Featuring a full metal body and rotor, IPX6 sealed gear box and spool design, a full Brass CNC Gear system,

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and a smooth yet powerful Dura Drag System. The Slammer is not only back…. it’s better than ever before.

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