Coastal Angler Magazine | July 2024 | North Central Florida / Nature Coast Edition

MAHI MADNESS

WORLD RECORD BLACKFIN!

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PUBLISH YOUR OWN FISHING MAGAZINE

By Nick Carter

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

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

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

SIT THERE AND FOR GIANT TROUT

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

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

trout anglers in other regions.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

NOAA PROCLAIMS RIDICULOUS ONE-DAY SNAPPER SEASON

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

For more information, go to coastalanglermag.com.

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TO IMPROVE YOUR OFFSHORE GAMEPLAN READ WATER

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

By Mark Ambert

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

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

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

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

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

Structure & Current: Structure is critical

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

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

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

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

Mark Ambert, IG @marksgonefshing_™

ENTER TO WIN

By Mark Ambert

JIGGING UNDER POWER!

The electric reel is a game changer for highspeed jigging. Electric provides some distinct advantages in comparison to hours spent manually cranking jigs at high speed through the water column.

With this style of jigging, I’m talking about working heavy jigs for big fsh on deep structure. Te key to catching fsh is fnding areas that consistently hold bait. Look for reefs, hills, and larger wrecks in deep water that hold baitfsh. Tis is where you’ll fnd feeding fsh.

Check your sonar screen frequently and look for “scratches” or fsh feeding in the water column. We usually assign one person to call out depth changes along with depth of marked fsh. Tuna can be found from 250 feet up to the surface. Highspeed cruisers like wahoo and kingfsh prefer the upper 50 feet of water, while amberjack will be close to structure. Jigging and adjusting depth to target fsh is more efcient under electric power, and the most difcult part of the electric game is picking the right equipment that works together.

Simplicity, along with reasonable size and weight, are key considerations for long days targeting big game fsh. I landed on the Piscifun Kraken X electric reel, and it has become indispensable in my arsenal.

Te Kraken is moderately priced and uses the same proven Japanese motor technology as many of its competitors. Te 33 pounds of max-drag were put to the test unexpectedly in the reel’s frst trip during a battle with the ultimate slugger—a 40-pound-class amberjack. Tey’re not called “reef donkeys” for nothing! Tis reel made short work of that AJ without heating up or momentarily shutting down, which is a common issue for overtaxed electric reels. I fsh a lef-handed model when high-speed jigging, and the Piscifun PB5000 battery pack provides all-day power and complete

mobility around the boat.

Te Kraken mates perfectly with the Goofsh Monster Deep PE4-7. It’s a 7-foot rod that handles a maximum jig weight of 700g. It can deadlif 44 pounds, and has held up to some signifcant adversaries without being too heavy.

I spool all my reels with FINS braid. I use the 45/6, which has 45-lb. breaking strength and the diameter of 6-lb. monoflament. Tis matches the reel specifcations while adding line capacity. Te thin diameter also cuts through the water with little resistance, which is critical for vertical jigging.

On the business end, I use jigs in the 180-to320g range but can go as heavy as 700g if needed to reach bottom. I use a 50-lb. wind-on leader from Sufx. My go-to jigs are from Williamson, under the Rapala family of lures. Rapala also owns VMC,

so these lures are equipped with high-quality hardware. I use Koika, Kensaki, Vortex, Abyss and Benthos jigs.

With these in your arsenal, you can cover any situation and depth. Make sure to purchase glowin-the-dark options along with high visibility and natural colors. Purchase your favorites in multiple size ranges from light to heavy, and you’re set!

With an electric reel, you can easily alternate jigging retrieves from a slow yo-yo motion, which mimics a wounded baitfsh, to a full-on high-speed assault, which triggers the bite refex. Experiment with diferent techniques and settle on the one that works best on any given day.

Make sure the drag is set like any other star drag reel with the ability to pay out line when a big fsh slams your ofering. Once hooked up, use the electric motor to apply constant pressure. I fnd this is more efective for wearing a fsh down than manually pumping the rod while reeling.

Most of all, experiment with your new rig. It will open a world of new options and make your days much more enjoyable. I alternate between the powered setup and a quality spinning rod setup specifcally for jigging.

I personally have over 400 hours of hardcore jigging on this combination without a single point of failure. Now get one on the water and enjoy your new-found passion!

Mark Ambert, IG @marksgonefshing_™

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Blackfin Schools are Still Here!

By Emily Hanzlik

Just in case you missed the frst few runs of blackfn tuna that made it to south Florida, they’re still around, and this month I’d like to share some information and tips about targeting this amazing eating fsh.

Blackfn are very easy to distinguish from other tuna species. Like all tuna species, they are football shaped with smooth scales. Unlike yellowfn, blackfn do not have elongated dorsal or anal fns. Tey have a black stripe running along the top of their back. Most blackfn caught around here weigh between 5 and 10 pounds and measure in the 20- to 30-inch range.

Tese tuna are found from Massachusetts down into Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico. Within these regions they will almost always be found in schools. Tese schools can be found in a variety of water depths which varies due to current and water conditions as well as the presence of baitfsh. However, they will typically not venture past 200 feet.

Since blackfns are highly migratory fsh and are constantly moving, they can’t exactly be targeted of reefs and other structures, like some other species. However, they do feed primarily on baitfsh and hunt prey like grunts, threadfns, blue runners or even pinfsh, and many times structure is what consolidates these baitfsh. Tuna schools can ofen be found wherever the bait schools are, and they tend to stick around for a while as they clear out all the baitfsh in an area. Tere are occasions when they will also eat squid or shrimp that foats past them.

Of Florida, blackfns spawn from April to September. When they spawn, the schools of blackfn move farther ofshore and participate in broadcast spawning. Te purpose of moving ofshore is to make sure that the eggs stay adrif in the Gulf Stream and don’t get pushed inshore. However, since the eggs and young tuna spend a majority of their life ofshore, this creates opportunities for predators such as mahi-mahi, skipjack tuna, sailfsh, birds, and of course sharks.

Tere are many ways to target blackfn tuna. I like to drif fsh for them with whatever bait is prevalent and available, whether it’s blue runners, sardines or threadfns. A typical spread for drifing might include two weighted downlines—one for the middle of the water column and one deeper— and a couple of freelines, one on each corner. Kites are another great way to present baits on the surface. With a spread like this, you’ll cover the water column from top to bottom and have a good chance of putting baits in a school of hungry blackfns. If you don’t love live bait, slow-pitch jigging around reefs is also an option. Either way, you never know what else you’ll catch while fshing for tuna.

Remember, fshing is called fshing and not catching for a reason. Try and try again until you succeed! Te IGFA all-tackle world record blackfn tuna weighed 49 lbs., 6-ozs. It was caught of Marathon, Florida back in 2006.

Emily Rose Hanzlik has caught more than 60 IGFA world records in various categories. Find her on

media @emilyhanzlikoutdoors.

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GREATEST SNOOK STORY EVER TOLD THE

Every fsherman has a story of the “one that got away.” In my case, the “one that got away” story is of an ongoing battle that became personal.

One fall morning in central eastern Florida, I was fshing under a dock with a Zara Spook. During my retrieve, an explosion broke the water in a way I had never seen in 35 years of fshing. I stood in shock as line peeled of my 4000-size Penn Battle II combo. When the fsh jumped, I saw it was in the mid-40-inch range, and as is frequently the case with big snook, she played with me for a while before bolting into the pilings to break me of. Tis monster would have been my personal-best.

A few weeks passed before I returned to the same dock. Tis time I went armed with a paddletail. Maybe 15 casts in, she bit. I could tell right away it was the same fsh because of the way it fought and because it hit in the exact same location. Speaking of the same, she did the same thing and broke me of in the pilings.

Would you believe me if I told you it happened again? Well, you better, because it happened six more times! Afer the fourth break-of, as I was walking along the shore, I found the Spook I lost the frst time I hooked the fsh.

I told you it became personal. Over the next

four months, I woke up at 4:30 a.m. fve or six days a week to fsh the same spot.

By Brian Dapelo

I ended up having a total of seven hook-ups and break-ofs with that fsh before I went back to the drawing board.

I geared up to a Penn Battle II 5000 rigged with 30-pound braid and a 50-pound mono leader. I changed lures to a Zman MinnowZ pinned to a ¼-ounce DOA red long-shank jighead. My logic was the long shank would give space between the hook point and the leader, which kept getting frayed by the fsh’s teeth or sliced by the gill plate.

On the morning of Aug. 11, on the third cast of the day at the same spot, my lure just stopped. As I came tight, I saw the head of a snook. As it got closer, it kept getting bigger, and when I gave my rod a hard tug, the fsh didn’t even fght. It swam straight to the shoreline. I knew right away it was THE ONE! I worked quickly to measure and photograph

the fsh so I could release it safely. It was 44 inches, without the tail squeezed.

We all have stories of the ones that got away. How many can say they’ve had the same fsh get away seven times, only to land it eight months later in the same spot?

Got a great fshing story? Write it up and send it with a few photos to editorial@coastalanglermagazine.com. We might just share it with the world.

COASTAL ANGLER

North Central Florida/Nature Coast

Cary & Lynn Crutchfield

ALACHUA, CITRUS, COLUMBIA, DIXIE, GILCHRIST, LEVY, MARION, SUWANNEE

JULY

Happy Birthday America. You are going through a really rough patch right now, but you are still the greatest country in the world! Until January 6th 2021, I pretty much took our democracy for granted. I thought all of that had been settled many years ago. God Bless America. I am so glad that Florida, in the United States, is where I landed! My heart breaks for the people of Ukraine, Gaza, Israel and Hatti.

See page 2 for this month’s recipe Crunchy Green Salad with Shrimp and Citrus Dressing, an encore presentation. It is fast and easy, won’t heat up your kitchen, and too good not to share again! This recipe received a double “You can make this again.” from Cary, my inhouse critic.

See pages 8 and 9 for Catching Air, an encore presentation from Dr. Ken Sulak. I get a little thrill every time I see (sometimes only hear the splash of) a gigantic sturgeon jumping in my front yard, Suwannee River. Why do I think they jump? I think they want a peek at my world, as I enjoy putting on my swim goggles and peeking at theirs.

If you have fishing questions, the greatest fishing experts in the world write for our magazine. Call, text or email them and thank them for taking their time to write for us and generously share their knowledge and expertise. Also, please thank our advertisers. Their support pays our print bill.

I want to remind you that there is NO place for alcohol on the water. My opinion might be unpopular, but alcohol contributes to deadly boating accidents, just as it does to deadly car accidents. There are children on those scalloping boats. The 4th of July holiday will bring many boats to my beloved Suwannee and to every waterway in Florida. Every year we hear about a deadly boating accident that involved alcohol. It doesn’t have to happen again this year. Safely enjoy summer on our magnificent Florida waterways. Have fun, but stay smart, stay safe and stay alive!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA

Lynn Crutchfield Co-Publisher Coastal Angler Magazine of North Central Florida/Nature Coast

North Central Florida

Nature Coast Staff

SALES

Cary Crutchfield

EDITING & PRODUCTION

Lynn Crutchfield

DISTRIBUTION

Rosa Crisman

GRAPHIC ARTS & DESIGN

Kathleen Stemley

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Tommy Derringer

Noel Kuhn

Dr. Kevin McCarthy

Capt. Andrew Fagan

Capt. Jason Clark

Capt. Katie Jo Davis

Capt. Jonathan Hamilton

Capt. Tony Johns

Capt. Pat McGriff

Capt. Brent Woodward

CONTACT INFORMATION

crutch@coastalanglermagazine.com

352-542-0356

Photo by: Suwannee River Water Management District

CRUNCHY GREEN SALAD WITH SHRIMP AND CITRUS DRESSING (SERVES 2)

Thank you to The Crab Plant for the shrimp. Visit their Fresh Seafood Market or enjoy Cooked Seafood to go. You are welcome to sit at their table and view

beautiful Kings Bay while you enjoy your delicious, freshly prepared meal, watching manatees, dolphins, pelicans and boats. Or, you can carry it home; your choice. Open Tues-Thurs 10:00-5:30, Fri-Sat 10:00-8:00. 201 NW 5th St. Crystal River 352-795-4700.

DIRECTIONS

1. Chop garlic, parsley and onions. Zest lemon and orange. Combine in medium bowl: garlic, parsley, onions, lemon zest, orange zest, 1 tablespoon oil, 2 tablespoons orange juice concentrate, 1 tablespoon lemon juice and a tablespoon of water. Add shrimp, set aside for about 30 minutes, mixing several times.

COOKING DIRECTIONS

2. For dressing, mix 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons orange juice concentrate, 1 tablespoon lemon juice and 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar. Blend well. I put in a small bottle and gave it a good shake.

3. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. For ease of clean-up, line a flat, oven proof pan with foil. I use a broiler pan. Place shrimp on pan, including all the yummy marinate ingredients. Season with salt and pepper. Bake for 5 to 7 minutes.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 Garlic Clove

• 2 Tablespoons fresh Parsley

• 2 Tablespoons fresh Green Onions

• 1 Lemon, zested and juiced

• 1 Orange, zested, peeled and cut into segments

• 4 Tablespoons frozen Orange Juice Concentrate

• 3 Tablespoons Olive Oil

• 10 to 12 Shrimp, (largest available) peeled and deveined

• Salt and Pepper

• ¼ Cup Garlic-Butter Croutons, coarsely crushed

• ¼ Cup roasted Pistachios, or Almonds, coarsely crushed

• Salad Greens of your choice, I choose Spring Mix

• ¼ Cup shaved Parmesan Cheese

• 1 Tablespoon Red Wine Vinegar

While shrimp are cooking, place salad greens on plates and drizzle dressing over greens. Sprinkle crushed croutons, crushed nuts and Parmesan over greens. Place cooked shrimp (5 to 6 per plate) over greens and garnish with orange segments.

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

German POW Camps in North Florida FLORIDA WATERWAYS

By Kevin McCarthy

Alittle-known fact about World War II in Florida, was the presence of 26 prisoner-of-war camps here, primarily for German prisoners captured in submarines or ships or European battles. One of those camps was in the small town of White Springs in Hamilton County, along a bend in the Suwannee River. With a recent population of a little over 700 people, the town hosts an annual four-day Florida Folk Festival and has the site of a four-story-tall springhouse, that used to attract thousands of annual visitors who wanted to soak in the sulfur-smelling waters to cure their aches and pains.

The main POW camps in North Florida were at Camp Blanding just east of Starke and Camp Gordon Johnston south of Tallahassee. The two red arrows on the map here point to those two main sites. The POW camp in White Springs had a much smaller POW camp from mid-1944 to 1946. A blue arrow points to the town.

The reason that Florida had so many camps, was for the relative ease of establishing such sites (flat land, vast stretches of uninhabited land, pleasant weather, and relatively few people compared to later decades). The idea of such facilities, was to have a steady supply of labor to use by Florida farmers and landowners, who needed fresh workers to replace the thousands of young men who had been drafted into the Armed Services to fight overseas. The German prisoners in White Springs, for example, were used in the cutting and loading of pulpwood and repairing firebreaks. The German prisoners were usually happy to be in sunny Florida rather than in the harsher camps in Europe. By the end of 1946, after World War II was over, all the POWs housed in Florida camps were sent back to their own

countries. Interestingly, a number of the POWs, having experienced the pleasant conditions of Florida, returned to the state after the war in order to visit or in some cases to settle down, marry American women, and raise their families here.

One of the amusements that the American guards taught the German POWs was baseball. It was relatively cheap to build a baseball diamond, get some balls and bats, and teach the prisoners the rules of the game. The guards and local townsfolk would play each Saturday afternoon. One wonders if any of the prisoners took the game back to Europe after the war. Another local pastime in White Springs that the prisoners used was the springhouse, which still stands today. Some of the local people became incensed when they saw the prisoners enjoying the springhouse, especially when the locals thought about the harsh conditions of American prisoners of war in Europe. Some 378,000 German prisoners of war were incarcerated in this country. Camp Blanding itself housed more than 4,000 prisoners. Today few remnants of the POW camps remain in Florida, but they played an important role in the war effort.

By April, 1946, only 243 POWs remained at Camp Blanding, but they were soon all transferred or repatriated to their home countries, where they were expected to help rebuild the destroyed cities.

Kevin McCarthy, author of Suwannee River Guidebook (amazon, 2014), can be reached at ceyhankevin@gmail.com.

White Springs springhouse

Camp Blanding

A painting of Camp Blanding

Map of North Florida

Old baseball diamond

A map of POW camps in Florida

HOMOSASSA

Summer is in full effect and that means Scallop Season is finally here! Scalloping is a big to do on the Nature Coast and brings people from all over. Scalloping is a great family time event for everyone. You don’t have to be a fisherman to enjoy scalloping. However, if you want to get out and do some fishing July is a great month.

Red fishing is pretty strong in July. Fish the outside points on the incoming tides around St Martin Keys with cut bait or live bait. Look for jumping mullet. Gold spoons are a great way to locate fish this time of the year if you are looking to throw articficals.

For trout look at your offshore rocky areas on moving tide. 1/8 oz DOA jig heads in chartreuse or red rigged with Mirror Lure Lil John’s in watermelon red flake is my go-to. While you’re out there, make sure to bring shrimp. The

Mangrove Snapper and grunts can be non-stop action for the kids and great table fare for the fish fry that evening! Shrimp on a 1/4 oz jig head will keep the kids happy around rocky areas. If you are looking to get out and do some scalloping, plan your day around the last two hours of the outgoing tide. The rock island tripod would be a good starting area. Remember to keep a look out for other boaters and bad thunderstorms. This time of the year we get some bad afternoon storms that produce a lot of electricity. Make sure to keep a spotter on the boat at all times. Someone responsible needs to be keeping an eye out on your crew. It’s very easy for a great day to turn into a bad day. Be safe out there. Be safe and tight lines!

Capt. Jonathan Hamilton www.stumpnation.us 352-424-3260

KATIE JO’S NATURE COAST ADVENTURES

Summer is in full swing and so is the heat. As a Florida girl, that is okay with me! I would rather be warm than cold, and I think the fish feel the same way. Shallow water rock piles have been producing trout, mangrove snapper and grunts utilizing a 1/8-ounce chartreuse jig head with a shrimp. Hang on tight though as there are still gag grouper living on those very same rocks.

I am working the outer oyster and sand bars for red and black drum as well as flounder with the same set up as the rock piles. The most important part for fishing these fish is having water movement. I typically like fishing midincoming through the mid-outgoing tides.

On the nearshore side, hogfish are still hanging between the 20- and 60-foot range along hard bottom. I target these fish when the current is not very strong, in between the full and new moons. That allows the shrimp to marinate along the bottom and them to find it. And it is a fun thing to do when the inshore tides are not very strong.

Scalloping season begins July 1 in Crystal River and scouting efforts are showing we are going to have another decent season this year. It is a great experience for everyone and so much to experience in the Gulf of Mexico!

CEDAR KEY

Heyanglers, man this heat is kicking my butt! I mean the fishing is great but it's just plain hot. So make sure to stay hydrated when you’re on the water.

As far as the fishing goes, it seems the snook, reds, and trout aren't minding the heat too much at all. I'm finding plenty of reds and snook close around the islands and in some deeper drop offs. Currently I'm using everything from cut bait to hard and soft plastics to take them on.

The trout are still on deeper parts of the flats and on nearby reefs. For those, I'm using popping corks with paddle tails in the shallow areas and for deeper spots, I'm just using a jig with a soft plastic. It also wouldn’t hurt to tip your leader with some wire in the deeper areas. They are holding a good amount of mackerel. I'm sure we all know what their teeth can do to a mono leader.

Well y'all, until next month. stay safe and stay hydrated out there.

Capt. Jason Clark

In The Slot Fishing Charters 352-639-3209

Those Magnificent Jumping Suwannee Sturgeons CATCHING AIR

Ken Sulak, Suwannee River Ecologist & Naturalist Alachua, FL | jumpingsturgeon@yahoo.com

It starts deep at the bottom of the dark silent river – 3 to 4 powerful tail beats and three sharp acoustic clicks. With a sudden upturn of the body, the fish explodes upward, 100 pounds going vertical, catching air, lots of air. A good jump can power a big fish 6-9 feet into the air. You have to be quick to get a photo; hang time is just a little more than a second. But an accomplished jump by a big old Suwannee River Gulf Sturgeon is impressive, a magnificent display of power. The exit is almost vertical, the tail continues to beat back and forth in the air as the fish rises. Then comes a half-twist of the body, or a full 180 degree twist, turning upside-down in a horizontal layout. It all ends in that signature loud body smack on the surface, a sturgeon version of the bellyflop. Nothing else on the river sounds like it. But, if you happen to be close by, that impressive report can be downright scary. In the calm of the night, when the air is still and narry a boat is stirring, that startling report can be heard from a mile or more away, even further underwater by another sturgeon. A loud splash upon re-entry isn’t the end of the sequence. At the peak of its jump, the big fish gulps air, ‘catching’ air for real, re-filling its long swimbladder. Hitting the water, it immediately flips right-side-up, and powers down deep, emitting one more sharp snapping sound on the way down, disappearing into the deep for another day or two.

No, it is not the same fish jumping repeatedly in the same spot, but hundreds of fish in the same area, each jumping about once a day, most commonly in the early morning. Jumping is rarely a solitary event. And, it is Gulf Sturgeons of all sizes (1 to 8 feet long) that join in the show. In mid-summer, June and early July before the thunderstorm season really gets rolling, jumps can occur as frequently as 6-10 times per minute in the best areas (just off Manatee Spring for one). The inexperienced juveniles do not quite have it down exactly, sometimes coming out at odd angles, or forgetting to do the body twist. Late in the season, some of the big old fish occasionally seem to lack enthusiasm, no acrobatic jump ending in a loud splashdown - just raising the head out of the water, long

enough to gulp a mouthful of air. Then a sideways flop, and a big curving sweep of that primitive sharklike tail, powering back down.

Regardless of size or skill, jumping is an essential part of life for the Gulf Sturgeon. But, jumping has nothing to do with shedding parasites, capturing prey, spawning courtship, reacting to boat noise, or attacking fishing boats. Sturgeons have been around and most likely jumping for over 100 million years, long before humans arrived on the scene, and long before mankind invented boats and motors. Before sturgeons were commercially fished, before dams blocked their migrations, and before pollution devastated fish populations, sturgeons existed in truly astounding numbers. Even in colonial days, when sturgeons were the dominant large fishes inhabiting North American rivers, jumping was in full swing. The colonial naturalist, Mark Catesby , observing Atlantic Sturgeon jumping in the Savannah River in the early 1700s summed it up very elegantly:

"...in May, June and July, the rivers abound with them [sturgeons], at which time it is surprising, though very common to see such large fish elated in the air, by their leaping some yards out of the water; this they do in an erect posture, and fall on their sides, which repeated percussions are loudly heard some miles distance in still evenings; it is also by this leaping action that many of them are taken, for as some particular parts of the rivers afford them most food, to those places they resort in greater plenty. Here the inhabitants (as the Indians taught them) place their canoes and boats, that when the sturgeon leap, these boats and canoes may receive them at their fall. It is dangerous passing over these leaping holes, as they are called, many a canoe, and small boat having been overset by the fall of a sturgeon into it."

Using underwater acoustic investigations near Manatee Springs in 2011-2012 revealed that sturgeons ‘talk’ to each other. They communicate by producing loud sharp snaps – very similar to a loud pop of the human tongue

Image credit to the photographer Oscar Sosa

down from the roof of the mouth - often emitted in an evenly-spaced series of three: ‘snap-snap-snap’. For about a mile of river, the deep channel below Manatee Springs serves as one of about ten main sturgeon summer ‘holding’ area, where several hundred congregate. Put a highend hydrophone in the water when no boats are around and what you hear are lots of snapping sounds – punctuated by those loud jumping sounds. These internal snapping sounds have a characteristic wave form, frequency, and duration – an acoustic signature. A SCUBA diver once reported hearing repeated snaps or clicks while diving near Troy Springs. He initially suspected an odd gear malfunction, but nothing seemed amiss. Then he realized that the chorus of snapping sounds was coming from a group of nearby sturgeons. Nice visual confirmation that those snapping sounds were produced by Gulf Sturgeon. And, as it turns out, the loud crash landing sound of a jumping sturgeon precisely matches the frequency of the sturgeon’s own click sounds – a patterned sound signal all on the same wavelength. Yes, you might see a sturgeon jump just about anywhere up and down the

river, from April through October. But the real action is in these deeper holding areas in midsummer. If you do not have a boat, the State Park pier at Manatee Springs is a great place to view jumping sturgeons. Another is from the old railroad trestle crossing the Suwannee just north of Old Town, now part of a Rails-to-Trails hiking and biking path. Hundreds of these great river beasts congregate, resting for the season after a winter of intense feeding out in the Gulf. They like it deep and dark, hanging out where they can rest without bucking the strong surface current, down where secretive sturgeons can hide in the teadark water. Sturgeons do not feed in summer, so they are rarely hooked by anglers. If they did not jump, you would never know that the Suwannee is home to about 15,000 of these impressively large fish. No, they are not seeking refuge from summertime warm water. That is an old myth, borrowed from up north where midsummer water temperatures are a real problem for cold-water fishes, adapted to northern waters. Sturgeons actually begin to settle into holding areas in early spring, when the river is still cold. Down here in Florida, those

sturgeons have been around for maybe 50,000-100,000 years, certainly since the end of the last ice age (15,000 years ago). Gulf Sturgeons are nicely adapted to our warmer waters. These aren’t snowbirds suffering in the Florida heat. They can handle summer water temperatures up to 90 degrees, as they do in the Pascagoula and Pearl rivers, no problem. But moderated by Floridan Aquifer from thousands of seeps and hundreds of springs, the Suwannee normally hovers around 75-80 degrees in summer, rarely heating up like other Gulf Coast rivers. Carrying a lot of fat from 5-6 months of intense winter feeding – Gulf Sturgeon really pack it on – a reserve that lasts all summer as they gradually lose up to 20 percent of their body mass. Sturgeons of all sizes and ages congregate, click away, and jump to catch air in long deep runs below deeper holes. They hover near the bottom, down below the current where the swimming is easy. Brings to mind the smooth lyrics of that classic Gershwin song ‘Summertime and the livin’ is easy – Fish are jumpin’ and the cotton is high”. Each holding areas is a safe haven for hundreds of sturgeons, April through September, where they can hang out placidly, sturgeon style. Particularly during periods of low water, sturgeons concentrate in these deep holding areas. Jumping activity gets intense then –and so does the level of sturgeon communication by clicking –probably letting stragglers know where the group is hanging out.

But loitering in the deep, conserving energy, hovering just about the bottom, requires neutral buoyancy. In the same way that a SCUBA diver stays neutral by inflating his buoyancy compensator (BC), a sturgeon must somehow do the same thing. Running almost the length of the body, the long swimbladder serves the same purpose. A long duct connects the swimbladder to the gut, enabling the fish to refill its version of a ‘BC’ by gulping air. But, although the duct has a shutoff valve, air is gradually lost, absorbed into the body tissues (hemoglobin in the blood is the culprit that grabs the oxygen). At some point, about once every day or two, that sturgeon ‘BC’ needs refilling. The fish gets antsy wasting energy, having to repeatedly swim down to stay neutrally bouyant at depth. And that’s when it suddenly accelerates and rockets to the surface. OK, but why not just swim slowly to the surface, stick the head up, and take a mouthful of air? The problem

then is getting back down to the bottom with a freshly re-inflated bladder. It is practically impossible to dive back to the bottom with a full BC, and nature did not provide these ancient fish with dive weights. The solution is to get as much elevation as possible, gulp air, then hit the water hard and power back down to the bottom. And that is exactly what sturgeons do. And in the process, a big old sturgeon gets to sound off, making a great loud splash as if crashes back into the water.

But Nature is rarely satisfied with solving one problem at a time. For most fish species, jumping is either a means of escaping larger predators, or a means of overtaking and capturing smaller prey. In sturgeons, jumping is a necessary part of life, to keep that swimbladder full and functional. However, clever Nature has found a second use for jumping –group communication. Sturgeons never form a coordinated ‘school’. They move individually, only grouping up loosely, behaving more like herd mammals than modern schooling fishes. Some Russian scientists say they are not really fish at all, but something else altogether. Gulf Sturgeon jumps, accompanied by those serial snaps and loud crash landing, form a characteristic sequence, what scientists call ‘a fixed behavioral pattern’. It would be tough to prove scientifically, but is seems inevitable to conclude that those magnificent sturgeons with their impressive jumps are simply letting each other know where the group is hanging out. Just like herd of cattle hanging out together in a field, mooing to let each other know the right place to be.

People either love or hate them, describing the ancient armored torpedoshaped fish as either really nifty or truly ugly, either a delight to behold or a nuisance to power-boating on the Suwannee River . Either way, it is difficult not to be impressed by the aerial acrobatics of an armored 6-foot long sturgeon, and by the loud report when that fish hits the water. And, it is equally difficult not to be impressed with how Nature has solved two very different problems at once. An ancient escape pattern, jumping to avoid being eaten, has evolved into a way to control underwater buoyancy, and simultaneously a means of acoustic communication. Why do sturgeons jump you ask? Now you know!

2024 Revision for “North Central Florida/Nature Coast Coastal Angler Magazine”

1Catesby, M. 1731. The natural history of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands. Vol. 1. London. 2Boaters – be safe, when the sturgeon are flying, don’t power full-tilt mid-river through a holding area. Instead, slow down and hug the shore. Those jumpers need depth to accelerate, so most jumps occur away from the shoreline. And, when they rocket up, they do not know that your boat is overhead.

Image credit to the photographer Oscar Sosa

INGLIS/YANKEETOWN

Julyis here and it’s burning hot! I’ll offer you a few tips and tricks to beat the heat and combat it while still being productive. As I stated above, July is here, and we are midway into the summer. The heat is intense, with most days hitting a heat index over 100. You really need to be cautious and know the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke and how to avoid it. One step is keeping plenty of fluids on the boat Gatorade, spring water, body armor, etc. One of my personal favorites has been the Gatorlyte. It has everything that you need to keep hydrated and doesn’t have a bad taste! Another is to always provide some type of shade for a break from the sun all together (umbrella, Bimini top) in addition to a good hat. I always wear plenty of sunscreen and a highly rated spf shirt, at least “spf50” and a sun gaiter or buff. Periodically, it wouldn’t hurt to dump some cold water onto the buff, wring it out and put it back on, to keep your neck and head cool. The biggest tip I could give, would be fishing early in the morning until 11 or 12 and afternoon from 4 till dusk.

Inshore and nearshore, the fishing has been great, as long as you are wary of the heat. Tripletail, cobia and big schools of reds and trout have showed up. The trout bite has been spectacular, on the last part

of the outgoing, using live shrimp under a popping cork. Tripletail and a cobia have been an exercise I’ve used to beat the heat. When the bite is stagnant on the low tide with no movement, just start the boat up and drive around the buoys, grass lines, rockpiles and points looking for those guys. Redfish have schooled up and the late afternoon high tide has been wonderful, as long as you are patient enough to wait them out! Good luck and tight lines this month!!

Capt. Andrew Fagan

Instagram : Capt_redfishdrew EBB TIDE CHARTERS

Wow!SUWANNEE

It's hard to believe it's already the middle of 2024! Good news is that the height of the Suwannee River is falling!

July is a great month for fishing around the Lower Suwannee River Estuary. This is the time of the year when you will find the most species of fish along this part of the Florida Coast. Along with native redfish and speckled trout you will find the pelagic species, cobia, tripletail, tarpon, mackerel and sharks. All of these fish species can be found on the flats and inshore/nearshore waters.

So what's the best bait for this time of the year? If artificial is your thing, then fast and flashy is what you will be looking for. That's why the old tried-n-true silver spoon is so effective! Next, is a lipped plug that can be fished at varying depths, just depending on the conditions. When fishing in the early morning, late evening or on overcast days, a large top water plug can provide a lot of excitement, and who doesn't luv a top water bite! But truthfully, day in and day, out it's hard to beat a ¼ to ¾ ounce jig head (depending on water depth and current) paired up with a FishBites Fight Club Lure, I really like the 5 inch Brawler Jerkbait. If natural, “real” or live bait is your thing, this is a great time of the year. There are schools of bait fish including pin fish, mullet, mehaden and other “white baits” almost everywhere you go. Get you a cast net and explore a different kind of fishing, while getting your baits for later on! This is

also great for kids as they get to experience things, to see and touch them!

This is also scallop season along the Nature Coast of Florida. While there are not any scallops around the Lower Suwannee River Estuary, it's not a bad run North to Horseshoe Beach. During the years when the Suwannee River has not been high and the local rains have been light, you can find scallops just North of the HSB Channel. In recent years, the conditions have not been good with anglers having to travel to Pepper Fish Key and Rocky Creek! That's a long run from Suwannee.

Currently in the news there have been several shark attacks in West Florida. I have been fishing and swimming in these waters for more than 60 years, ans based on my observations, there are more sharks now than in the past. If you choose to get in the water, avoid stained and or murky waters and don't wear bright clothes or flashy things in the water.

Maybe next month we will cover some shark fishing equipment along with tips and techniques.

Remember to watch the weather for those afternoon thunderstorms! Until next time y'all be safe and Catchemup!

Captain Tony Johns | 352-221-2510

www.lowersuwanneriverfishing.com

Instagram: captaintonyjohns

Facebook: Lower Suwannee River Fishing Adventures

KEATON BEACH

Trout fishing has been great, despite mid 90s air temps, and right at 90 for water temps. The best “bite” has been during the last two hours of the rising tide. My last trip out (7/11/24) today is June 13th, saw limits of trout for Robert Cross of Shellman, Ga. with his buddy Donnie Fleming, from Panama City, Florida. We also released seven more keeper trout to 20 inches after limiting out, while trying to land a couple of reds. All their fish including a nice 24 inch red, came on live pinfish rigged under a Back Bay Thunder. The day before, while scouting for Tuesday’s charter, Dave Malone and I caught half our trout on live bait and the other half on Assassin;’s 5 inch shads, bounced on their 1/8 oz. Chartreuse Flash jighead. Our top two color choices, were Stinky Pink and Laguna Shrimp.

The current routine should hold

true, with most of the trout moving out to offshore grass flats, finding edges and troughs nearby for refuge from the heat. Don’t be surprised though to catch a few close in, as I recall a few years back, a 6 lb. 10 oz. 29-inch-long trout, my client caught in 2.6 feet in August, with water temps 90 to 91 degrees.

Reds have been caught out as deep as 4.5 feet, as they move off the grass line seeking food and cooler temps, I suppose. Our two hookups were in 4 plus feet this week. I expect that trend to hold for July, as we normally catch reds mixed in with our trout in grass flats, as deep as 6 feet this time of year.

Meanwhile, Let's Go Fishing!

Pat McGriff dba One More Cast guide service for 30 years! www.onemorecast.net onemorecast@gtcom.net cell: 850.838.7541

HORSESHOE BEACH

Helloeverybody, Hope everyone is having a good start to the summer and staying cool. It has definitely been very hot and dry, but we’ve been sticking with it and catching fish.

Trout fishing has been excellent, and we are still catching fish in the 3 to 4 foot range, but also out into the deeper stuff as well, throwing pop corks or just a free jig head. in the darker water, I’ve been doing a lot of pink and when it cleans up, going to my whites and clears

Redfishing has been a little more difficult. We are still catching the numbers, just not quite the size we are hoping for. Once again, we’re getting keepers, just not big top slot fish, but every once in a while, a big overslot, throwing shrimp, when I can get live and cut finger mullet.

We are definitely seeing a lot of big scallops. You still have to do some culling, but there is plenty to get. If the rain stays off, we should have a good clean water season.

Well guys, whether fishing or scallop related, give us a call if you want to get out there and go with us. Once again, we provide everything. All you need to bring is drinks and snacks.

Until next time, keep it Reel native!

Captain Brent Woodard

Capt. Dave Malone with a nice 21 inch trout 6/10/24

Donnie Fleming and Robert Cross with their catch 6/11/24

SURF & PIER

WOW, surf water temperature is 85 and rising! I do not ever remember the water getting this hot, this early. I sincerely hope that the hurricanes leave Florida unscathed. The mullet run is slated to start next month. In the past years, hurricanes have squashed our mullet run surf fishing. Not this year, fingers crossed.

During these “dog days of summer”, I like to get to the beach no later than 5:30 AM. If it is not a cloudy morning, you can see to bait and cast by 5:45. Why? Because the best bite is from daybreak, not sunrise, till 9:00AM. The other good bites usually happen three hours before dark. If you want to avoid all the heat, night fishing can also be very productive. I also like to fish the full moon during the summer. The best early moonrises will be July 17th to the 22nd.

What can you expect to catch during this hot summer? All the usual suspects. Whiting, pompano, redfish, black drum, bluefish, trout, ladyfish and on and on. Plus, this time of year, we will have a legitimate shot at tropical species like tarpon, snook, permit and bonefish. Do not be shocked; just be prepared. I have caught all these species in the surf, here in northeast Florida. A friend of mine, Tony Younan, caught TWO big Permit one summer not too long ago. One of them was a 23 pounder. He caught it on a very small bait and small hook while

fishing for pompano. He thought he had a Jack Cravelle or a shark. So, set your drags light and you may land an unexpected trophy.

Early mornings with a calm surf and clean water can be a very good time to throw artificials. My favorites are top water and suspending hard baits. They can be deadly on seatrout in knee deep water. They are there feeding on very small pompano and whiting. My favorite strategy is to wade out to knee deep and fan cast in all directions. That includes casting parallel to the beach in only knee-deep water. If you want to go home with a tasty flounder, switch to a jig and curly tail and retrieve slowly through the trough. Also fan casting. If no luck just move down the beach ten yards and start over. The Flounder are also there munching on pomps and whiting.

If you want to hear the drag scream, catch a small whiting and pitch it back out on your big rig. Put your sand spike deep and set your drag light. It you see the American flag stop by and say, “Hello”.

Tight lines.

ST. AUGUSTINE

It’sNoel Kuhn

43 years of surf fishing experience, surf fishing guide and long distance casting coach. Founding member of Florida Surf Casters club. 904-945-0660 www.TheSurfAngler.com

summertime, so get to the beach! Right now, along our beaches, just outside the surf, there are millions of pogies (menhaden) getting chased, thrashed, and eaten by one of many predatory fish who roam our waters this time of year. The pogies as of report time, are a little scarce, but they should show up in better numbers as we head further into the summer months. Tarpon, kingfish, huge jacks and sharks are just some of the monster sea creatures waiting for you to hook into! A great all-around rig to catch just about all those fish is to rig a live pogy on a medium to large circle hook (5/0 to10/0) and cast just around the edges of the pods. You may or may not want to weight the bait down a bit, depending on current and wind conditions. Getting an early start will also increase your chances of hooking up along the beach, as the feeding frenzy tends to taper off as the sun gets higher in the sky. By now tarpon should be thick along the beach, gorging themselves on the pogies, but another fun way to catch the silver king in our region is to hunt them behind the shrimp boats. Summer brings the shrimp boats within a mile or so of the beach. Look for the boats that have birds hanging around, as those are the ones getting ready to, or just recently dumped their by-catch overboard. Approach the shrimp boats from behind and be very aware of any rigging they may have in the water. It’s as simple as going slow and looking at what’s feeding in the by-catch. Net a few of the floating fish and use them for bait. When you see a tarpon gulping down by-catch, just toss your bait

in the chum line and hold on. If you don’t see any tarpon, you’re sure to see a ton of big sharks and they will definitely put a bend in the rod.

Inshore, the best bite will be early (from about 6 a.m. to 10 a.m.). Things tend to get a little too hot during the day and the fish will sit lower in the water column. At first light, a top-water really can’t be beat this time of year, as redfish and trout will be willing to give serious chase and devour a top-water plug like the Berkley J-walker 120. Once the sun gets up a bit, you’ll want to change to something sub-surface, like the Saltwater Assassin Elite Shiner Paddle Tail. I like to rig them on a 1/8 oz. or ¼ oz. jighead to help keep the bait down where the fish will be. A live mud minnow or shrimp pegged to a jighead will also work well when fishing deeper.

The water will be at its murkiest over the next couple of months and there are a few ways to get a fish’s attention even on the “dirtiest” of days. A couple old faithful rigs are the popping cork and the gold spoon. I like to rig a popping cork with about 1foot of leader, under it with a scented soft plastic or live bait. This is many NE Florida anglers’ go-to rig for high tide summer fishing for redfish, trout, and flounder. The popping noise will attract fish from a good distance. The gold spoon is also great this time of year, as it puts off a lot of vibration, that allows fish to find it even in the murkiest of waters.

Capt. Tommy Derringer www.InshoreAdventures.net 904-377-3734

TRIPLE THE THRILL WITH EVERGLADES TRIPLETAIL

By A. deGruchy

Fishing in the Everglades is always a blast, and sight-casting tripletails is one of the coolest challenges out there.

Tese fsh are unique with their three-tail look and tendency to hang out near foating debris. If you want to catch them, using live shrimp and spotting them is a great way to do it. Idle around and look for foating seaweed, as tripletails like to hang around that to camoufage.

Use polarized sunglasses to cut the glare and make it easier to spot them. Move slowly through these areas, keeping your eyes peeled, but fair warning— it’s not as easy as it sounds.

Once you see a tripletail, don’t rush in. Tey can be skittish, and sudden

moves or loud noises can scare them of. Drif toward them with the wind or current to avoid using your engine.

Tripletails love live shrimp, so get the liveliest, healthiest shrimp you can fnd. Hook them through the tail or behind the horn on their head so they stay active and attractive. Cast your shrimp past the tripletail and slowly bring it back toward them. Let the current make it look natural.

If the fsh is near the surface, just freeline it. If they’re deeper or the current is strong, add a little weight to keep the shrimp down. Sometimes it takes a while to fnd and approach tripletails, so don’t rush it.

Use light to medium tackle, 15- to 20-pound good since tripletails have sharp gill plates. Early morning or late a is usually best, since tripletails are more active and easier to spot then. should be around for the next couple of months of the summer.

Catching tripletail is truly a fun challenge that mixes the thrill of the hunt with the excitement of the catch. Whether you’re a fshing pro or just starting, targeting tripletails in the Everglades is an adventure you won’t forget.

If you are interested on getting on some Tripletail, book a charter with Bean Sportfshing, www.beansport

FLORIDA BONEFISH AGGREGATIONS DISCOVERED

During the 2023-2024 bonefsh spawning season, researchers with the Bonefsh & Tarpon Trust documented, for the frst time, bonefsh prespawning aggregation sites in Florida. Te frst was discovered in the Upper Florida Keys and the second is a suspected site found near Key West. Tese discoveries are a hopeful sign of continued recovery for the species afer a decades-long decline.

“Finding these nearshore areas where bonefsh school by the thousands before migrating ofshore to spawn in deep water is essential for their conservation,” said Jim McDufe, BTT President and CE0. “As our science team continues to identify these sites, we will work with our state and federal partners to ensure that they are protected, ensuring a healthy future for one of Florida’s most iconic fsh species.”

Over the course of the 2023-2024 bonefsh spawning season, which spans from October to April, BTT Florida Keys Initiative Director Dr. Ross Boucek and his team tagged 44 bonefsh with acoustic transmitters with the help of Florida Keys fshing guides. BTT scientists also deployed 37 acoustic receivers on the reef tract, which allow them to monitor bonefsh spawning movements.

“We documented seven spawning events during the 2023-2024 spawning season,” said Dr. Boucek. “Four bonefsh tagged with archival depth measuring tags spawned during these events; three of the four fsh recorded maximum depths of 332 feet, 310 feet, 302 feet. Te fourth fsh recorded a maximum depth of 180 feet on its frst possible spawning or false spawning attempt. Te recorded spawning depth of approximately 300 feet is consistent between the Upper Key spawning site and the suspected spawning site near Key West, and with recorded spawning events in Te Bahamas.”

During full and new moon cycles from fall through early spring, bonefsh

migrate 70 miles or more from their home ranges to nearshore pre-spawning aggregation sites, where they prepare to spawn by gulping air to fll their swim bladders. At night, they swim ofshore and dive hundreds of feet before surging back up to the surface. It is believed the sudden change in pressure as they ascend makes their swim bladders expand, causing them to release their eggs and sperm. Afer fertilization takes place, the eggs hatch in about 24 hours, and the larvae drif in ocean currents for between 41 and 71 days before settling in shallow sand- or mud-bottom bays, where they develop into juvenile bonefsh.

“Our long-term goals are to conserve the reproductive cycle of our growing bonefsh in the Florida Keys,” said Dr. Boucek. “We still need to know where spawning occurs across the Keys, what threats like habitat loss those spawning fsh might face, where their larvae go, and the habitats the juveniles need to ensure that our new population of bonefsh can reach their full potential.”

For more information, go to bonefshtarpontrust.org.

YOUR REEF FISHING CHECKLIST

Regulations change and so do reporting and license requirements. Here are some things FWC wants you to remember before you head out on the water.

1. Get a License and Reef Fish Angler Designation

In addition to a fshing license, you’ll need a State Reef Fish Angler designation if you plan to target any of the following reef species: mutton snapper, yellowtail snapper, hogfsh, red snapper, vermillion snapper, gag grouper, red grouper, black grouper, greater amberjack, lesser amberjack, banded rudderfsh, almaco jack and gray triggerfsh.

Te State Reef Fish Angler designation is free and required for all anglers fshing from private recreational vessels for reef fsh. Tis includes anglers who are exempt from a regular fshing license. Tis free-of-charge designation is used to help fsheries managers improve recreational data of reef fsh, which helps improve the management of our fsheries.

Get your license and State Reef Fish Angler designation online at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com, in person at a license agent or tax collector’s ofce or by calling toll-free 888-FISH-FLORIDA (888-347-4356).

2. Know the Regulations

Know the regulations for the species you are targeting, as well as those you might catch incidentally, before you drop a line. When you reel in a fsh, you will know whether or not you can throw it in the fsh box.

Tere are also specifc reef fsh gear rules, such as using non-stainless steel circle hooks, a dehooking device and a descending device or venting tool. Check regulations in the area you plan to fshing by visiting MyFWC. com/ReefFishGear.

3. Have the Correct Release Gear

Quick and proper use of a descending device or venting tool can help fsh get back down to depth and improve their chance of survival. Such a tool must be onboard when you are targeting reef fsh, and you should know how to properly use it to alleviate barotrauma in fsh hauled from the depths.

Venting tools are sharpened, hollow instruments designed to release expanded gases in the swim bladder of fsh experiencing barotrauma. Knives, ice picks and hooks are not legal venting tools and ofen cause more harm to the fsh than good.

To learn more about barotrauma and how to use descending devices or venting tools, visit MyFWC.com/Barotrauma or check out ReturnEmRight.org/ BestPractices, where you could be eligible to receive free descending device gear.

CATCHING MAHI FOR PRIZES

By Capt. Quinlyn Haddon

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

- $80 Entry (includes one year CCA membership)

- $40 Entry for current CCA members

- FREE for Youth

- Over 100 Days of Fishing

- $500,000 in Prizes & Scholarships

- Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day

CAST LURES IN A MITZI TOURNAMENT 17

FIND BLUEGILLS TO FIND GIANT SUMMER BASS

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

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

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

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

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

TYLER WOOLCOTT

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

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

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

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

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

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

THE FORGOTTEN FISH

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

By Capt. Michael Okruhlik

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BALLYHOOD TOP GUN LURES

WORLD RECORD BLACKFIN CAUGHT AT MIAMI TOURNEY

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

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

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

PHOTO COURTESY OF KNOCKIN TAIL LURES®

IN TEXAS, GIANT FISH BREED GIANT FISH

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

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

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

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

Highlights from the 2024 Toyota ShareLunker collection season:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Return of a

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

For more information, go to TexasSharelunker.com.

See the Forest Through the Trees

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With more than 60,000 surface acres and 1,300 miles of shoreline, Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees is one of the largest outdoor destinations in Oklahoma. Located on the Grand River, the lake is hugely popular with boaters, fishermen, campers and anyone else who loves spending time in the great outdoors. Anglers are sure to have a blast searching for largemouth bass, white bass, crappie, channel catfish, bluegill and the rare paddlefish on Grand Lake waters. And Grand Lake’s shores are lined with so many unique attractions, shops, restaurants, state parks and casinos that seeing everything in one trip is next to impossible. There’s truly something for everyone to love in the Grand Lake Area!

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