Coastal Angler Magazine | June 2024 | Greater Jacksonville Edition

the importance of boat insurance

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PUBLISH YOUR OWN FISHING MAGAZINE

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

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

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

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

SBy Capt. Quinlyn Haddon

SUMMERTIME’S BACK, BABY!

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

the

and

of our

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

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

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

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FISH THE GREATER JACKSONVILLE KINGFISH TOURNEY JULY 13-20!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

For complete details, visit king fshtournament.com.

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

Trout are Eating Your Nymph More than You Realize

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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As an authorized service and repower center for many brands including Yamaha, Volvo, Suzuki, Mercury, Evinrude and Cox Diesel, your needs will be covered. With a huge inventory of parts, they’ll likely have what you’re looking for. Advanced has also catalogued an inventory of over 5,000 used parts in case what you are looking for is no longer available or you can’t fnd it anywhere else.

Advanced ofers services such as routine maintenance, custom electronics, trolling motor and power-pole installation. Tey don’t stop there. Rewiring your boat, gauge and switch panel replacements, steering, canvas and Sea-Deck are also in their arsenal. Almost anything you can think of, they can handle including cutting custom dash panels with their computerized CNC router.

Ready for the latest in engine technology? Advanced Marine has an inventory of over 100 Yamaha and Mercury engines ready to bolt onto the back of your boat, and fnancing is available. Refresh your dashboard with the latest gauge and NMEA integration technology. Just give their repower specialist Harrison a call for an estimate, and you never know when the

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By A. deGruchy

SCHOOLING PERMIT ON THE WRECKS

Permit schools have been sighted in the Florida Keys over the past couple of months, and June marks the fnal stretch of their journey. Tese elusive permit are wrapping up their ‘spring break’ routine and are heading to some of our ofshore wrecks to spawn.

Tis time of year can be great for permit, because they school up and provide ample opportunity for hook-ups. Pursuing a permit takes strategy and stamina, since these fsh are known for putting up a serious battle. Any angler who is interested in trying to land one of these

prized sportfsh needs to know what they are signing up for.

When fshing for permit on ofshore wrecks in Islamorada, we usually target schools around wreck sites like the Eagle in June. Tese wrecks are typically on the ocean side in deeper waters, ranging from about 30 to 100 feet deep.

For tackle, we typically use 6500 combos with fuorocarbon leaders and circle hooks. Spotting and sight-casting to permit is usually the goto method. Tis means looking for glimpses of fashing silver just below the surface. Permit love

crabs, and they have great eyesight. fcial crabs like the Savage Gear 3D Crab are very realistic, and they are ective and cost-friendly. However, it’s tough to beat a live blue crab for permit bait. Hook them through the shell to keep them lively. Let the crab swim freely to drif into the school of permit and prepare for action. ght, fne-tuning the drag is crucial with permit because overpowering them won’t do the trick. You want the drag set just right, enough to make progress when reeling in, but allowing the permit to run… and it will run.

Permit are one of the most sought-afer sportfsh in the Keys because they’re notorious for their incredible strength. Anyone who’s ever hooked one can tell you that they’re strong enough to make even the toughest angler break a sweat. Once you do land your frst permit, it is a moment you’ll never forget.

While they are a ton of fun, permit aren’t known as a particularly desirable food fsh. Catch and release is the way to go because they play a crucial role in our ecosystem, and releasing them safely helps ensure we’ll have permit to play with in the future. Land them as quickly as you can. Handle them gently for a quick release to minimize stress and ensure the fshery thrives.

Many times while permit fshing, we encounter exciting bycatch like other jack species, grouper and snapper. It’s all about the thrill of the catch in these beautiful waters of the Florida Keys.

To book a permit charter, visit www.beansportfshing.com.

One if by Land . . . Two if by Sea

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A 9-Year-Old’s First For-Real Fishing Trip

Remember the frst time you went fshing for real? For many of us, the earliest trips elicit memories of a blue plastic container of red wigglers, a red-and-white plastic bobber and the ripe muddy fsh smell of an active bluegill bed. But that’s not what I’m talking about. I’m talking about the frst time you went fshing for real.

Maybe it was the year you were fnally allowed on the annual charter trip? Or perhaps it was the long-planned bass fshing weekend with Grandpa? Whatever it was, the person who took you decided you were ready to grow beyond the pushbutton-reel stage of fshing. It was on that trip when you became one of the crew instead of the kid who stayed home with mom.

Remember gathering your gear in anticipation? Remember waking up throughout the night and checking the clock to make sure you didn’t sleep through the alarm?

Jackson Willer, 9, of Melbourne, Fla., recently experienced his frst for-real fshing trip. Really, Jackson has fshed most of his life. His frst fsh was a jack crevalle caught with his Pop-Pop, Chris Willer, and his Mimi, Joann Willer, when he was 3 years old. But the Willer men are saltwater people, and when Jackson’s older cousin Ryan Willer, 21, told him to be ready early the next morning because they were going fshing, it was something new and exciting… his frst trip as one of the boys.

In the morning, before Ryan and Jackson lef for Sebastian Inlet, Pop-Pop pulled a special surprise from the back of his truck. He handed the 9-year-old a Penn 450SS mounted on an Ugly Stik. With freshwater wash downs and occasional cleaning, these vintage reels spin smoothly for decades. Chris (aka Pop-Pop) had been fshing this one since he bought it in the 1980s.

“I’m going to take care of it for as long as I possibly can,” said Jackson

on receiving the gif. “It feels really special. He was the one that taught me how to use a shing rod and all that stuf.”

So…armed with the rod and reel and a tank of live shrimp, Jackson and Ryan fshing for “I thought, there he goes. He’s running with the pack now. He doesn’t need us anymore,” said Joann (aka Mimi).

It wasn’t exactly a jam-up day on the water, but that’s fshing, and Jackson had fun.

“First I caught a redfsh, and then I caught a snook,” Jackson said. “It was pretty fun trying to reel it in and everything. It was hard and it was fun.” Jackson also said he doesn’t know when the next trip is, but he’s excited.

And that’s the whole point. Even if it’s just another day on the water for you, remember that the kid you’re taking was likely lying awake last night seeing visions of monster fsh and epic drag-peeling battles.

If you’ve got a great fshing story to tell, email us at editorial@coastalanglermagazine.com.

In Remembrance…

The Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament lost a good friend of the tournament this past year, in Mike Youngblood.

Mike was a fixture on the Kingfishing scene for many years….he was also a past champion, who held the record for

largest fish for a long time, before it was finally broken.

“Napa Mike”, As he was known, since he worked for Napa Auto Parts for over 40 years…..was a member of the Jacksonville Offshore Sports Fishing Club, the old Jacksonville Beach fishing pier crew, and was an integral part of several local kingfish tournaments through the years. His passions included NASCAR racing, the Florida Gators, and of course his Fishing.

The GJKT family was saddened when we learned of his passing but take solace in the fact that he is now forever sailing in calm winds and following seas.

RIP Mike Youngblood, you will be missed.

-Steve Thompson

Jacksonville Marine Charities

In 1980, a small group of local businessmen wanted to organize a fishing tournament, similar to those in which they had participated in other coastal areas. They thought Jacksonville was an ideal location for such an endeavor and plans were made to launch the First Annual Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament, held in July 1981. Since then, the GJKT has become one of the largest events in Jacksonville.

Jacksonville Marine Charities, Inc, the 501 c(3) organization behind the Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament, evolved through the success of the GJKT and utilizes its proceeds to support marine science research, preservation, and education.

Ultimately, our goal remains what it was when we were founded 44 years ago, to deliver to the fishermen and our community a first class Tournament and generate support for local marine charities. Over the past 43 years, Jacksonville Marine Charities, Inc has donated over $660,000 to the First Coast family.

The Greater Jacksonville Kingfish tournament itself, however, remains the Jacksonville Marine Charitis greatest gift to the First Coast community.

JMC is proud to support a variety of marine-focused charitable programs within the community including:

• Host of the ‘Down at the Dock’ Derby in partnership with Down Syndrome Association of Jacksonville.

• Safe Harbor Boys Home Spot Tournament

• North Florida Women Veterans Organization

• Jacksonville School of Autism Flounder Pounder Tournament

• Linda Netti Memorial Kayak Challenge Tournament

• Jacksonville University’s Marine Science Research Institute

• Development of Sisters Creek Park as the permanent site of the GJKT

• Support of the MaliVai Washington Kids Foundation

• Support along with the City of Jacksonville offshore & inshore reef programs

• Support of the St. Johns Riverkeeper

• Support of the Florida Lure Anglers Banding for Austin & Clay Roberts Inshore youth tournaments

• Support of the Heroes on the Water.

• Support of the Florida Wildlife Commission.

• As an advocate of coastal conservation along with CCA of Florida.

• Support of Duval County Maritime Management Plan

• Support of Hunger Fight of North Florida

• Wounded Hero’s of America

• Child Cancer Fund

“ It is all the good things that sport, volunteerism, and charity are supposed to be—all rolled into one event.” -Senator Jim King

TIME FLIES WHEN YOU’RE HAVING FUN!!

And here we are, it’s time again for the 44th annual Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament. And what a week we have in store for you.

This is Mel Hammock, of the Board of Directors of Jacksonville Marine Charities, and previous Tournament Chairman. You’re probably thinking “why are you writing the Tournament Chair’s welcome message?”. So, I’ll let you know. Generally speaking, we bring volunteers up through the various chairs to ultimately become a TC (Tournament Chairman). And for the year 2024, we selected one such person in Fran Beach. And then our planning began. Well early in 2024, our dear Fran fell ill and had a long stay in the hospital. Eventually, by the grace of God, she was sent home to rehab and just basically get better. Our thoughts and prayers continue for Fran and we hope to see her back in some capacity in the future.

In her stead, I and our team of directors, have taken over the day to day responsibilities of the Tournament Chairman, and continue to push forward to have a spectacular kingfish tournament!!

I think by now, you all have had the chance to see our plans for our GJKT Kickoff Beach tournament, paying out a whopping $50,000 cash for the largest kingfish, plus paying out to 20 places, based on 300 entries at only $275 per entry.

And then the following week, during the one-day general GJKT, we will be awarding one lucky angler a brand new 2024 Contender 28T, twin 200 hp Yamaha outboards, complete with custom T-top by Morgan Metals & Designs & and an AmeraTrail trailer. And this top prize is valued at well over

$225,000!! We will also have plenty of calcuttas for those of you wanting to cash in on your lucky week, bringing the payouts to record levels….we’ll even have a Calcutta for the two largest fish, one from the beach tourney and one from the general a week later, for even more cash to win.

Our Lady Angler tournament will take place in conjunction with the General Tournament, and there will be a Youth Dock tournament on Tuesday of Tournament week, as well as our

ever popular Junior Angler Offshore tournament, held on Wednesday of Tournament week. So bring the whole family out and make your own memories !!

Our site will be busy all week with vendors and exhibitors, music, kid’s activities as well as other activities, so plan to spend some time, and enjoy food and drinks under the Liar’s Tent.

It goes without saying that this tournament cannot go on without the tireless hours put in by an entirely volunteer force of people from all walks of life that come out to put on a great show.

It also needs to be said that our sponsors are our lifeblood. While onsite, take a moment to take a quick look at all the sponsor banners, that will be hanging around our site, along the fences, and under the tent and on the bleachers. These people have given their time, money, and merchandise from their generous companies to help support JMC and the GJKT, some of them are fishermen, others are not, but the ties that bind them are as one…and in supporting Jacksonville Marine Charities, and the GJKT, we are able to give back to the community in various ways. Check out our JMC page, in this edition, to see just some of what we support.

So if you see someone with a tournament volunteer or committee shirt, a smile and a nod for their service goes a long way.

Likewise, if you know any of our sponsors, please thank them, and the best way to do that is by frequenting their place of business and using their services. It’s the best way to thank them in the end.

I wish all my fellow fishermen and women, Good Luck

And I hope to see all of you at the scales !!

Go to: kingfishtournament.com for all the details…

Mel Hammock Board of Directors of JMC / GJKT

(on behalf of the entire JMC board of directors team)

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We specialize in horizontal directional drill, open trench, and auger bore underground utility installation. Our portfolio includes completing projects as prime or sub -contractor, as well as working with project owners through design build initiatives.

T B Landmark Construction, Inc. is proudly sponsoring the Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament Junior Anglers. Timothy Beasley has been fishing in the Kingfish Tournament since he was a junior angler himself.

WHEN ONLY THE BEST CAN BE TRUSTED

JULY 11 – 20, 2024

44th Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament

JULY 10 – 13 10am-7pm SITE REGISTRATION:ALL TOURNAMENTS

JULY 11 Thursday 5:00pm

6:30 pm

JULY 13 Saturday

6:30 am

12:00 pm

1:00 pm

3:30 pm

JULY 15 Monday

12:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Site Open

C Captain’s Meeting : Kingfish Kickoff Beach Tournament

KINGFISH KICKOFF BEACH TOURNAMENT

Fishing Begins

Weigh-in Opens

Site Opens

Fishing Ends: Be in line at Sisters Creek to weigh fish

Site Registration for All Remaining Tournaments

JULY 16 TUESDAY YOUTH DOCK TOURNAMENT

9:30 am – 11:30 am

11:00 pm – 8:00 pm

5:00 pm – 8:00 pm

6:30 pm

Youth Dock Tournament Fishing

Hotdog Lunch & Awards to Follow

Final Registration: Jr. Angler & Bag Pickup

Site Open: Boatique,Raffles,Exhibitors,Liars Tent

C Captain’s Meeting : Jr Angler Offshore

JULY 17 WEDNESDAY JR. ANGLER OFFSHORE TOURNAMENT

7:30 am

10:00 am – 8:00 pm

12:00 pm – 8:00 pm

12:00 pm

3:30 pm

6:30 pm

Fishing Begins

Site Registration for All Remaining Tournaments

Site Open: Boatique, Exhibitors, Food, Liar’s Tent

Jr. Angler Offshore Weigh-in Opens

Fishing Ends: Be in line at Sisters Creek to weigh fish

C Captain’s Meeting : Redfish Tournament

JULY 18 THURSDAY

10:00 pm – 8:00 pm

5:00 pm – 8:00 pm

6: 0 pm

General Tournament & Bag Pickup

Site Open: Boatique, , Exhibitors, Liar’s Tent

Jr. Angler Awards

C Captain’s Meeting: General Tournament

JULY 19 FRIDAY GENERAL TOURNAMENT FISHING

6:30 am

12:00 pm – 7:00 pm

3:00 pm 5:30 pm

Fishing Begins REDFISH ONLY

Site Open: Boatique, Exhibitors, Liar’s Tent

Weigh-in Opens

Fishing Ends: Be in line at Sisters Creek to weigh fish

JULY 20 SATURDAY REDFISH TOURNAMENT

Safe Light :00

2:00 pm

2:00 pm– 5:00 pm

4:00 pm– 5:00 pm

6:00 pm

During Awards

Fishing Begins

Site Open: Boatique, Exhibitors, , Liar’s Tent

Fishing Ends: Be in line at Sisters Creek to weigh fish

Kidz Zone

Jr. Angler Fishing Seminar in association with Fish Florida Sponsored by Salt Life Food Shack

AWARD CEREMONIES BEGIN:

Kickoff Beach Tournament Awards

Redfish Awards

General Tournament Awards

Raffle Drawings

Nosara Costa Rica trip drawing

Shimano Rods/Reels drawing

(Don’tneedtobepresenttowinbutyouwon’twanttomissit!)

As of /2024 *Schedule subject to change

2024 GENERAL TOURNAMENT PRIZE STRUCTURE

Over $356,000 TOTAL PAYOUTS

LARGEST FISH

1ST PLACE 11TH PLACE $1,000

2ND PLACE

3RD PLACE

Over $225,000 BOAT, MOTOR, TRAILER* Over$17,000 150 HP YAMAHA*

12TH PLACE $925

$5,000 13TH PLACE $875

4TH PLACE 14TH PLACE $825

5TH PLACE 15TH PLACE $775

6TH PLACE 16TH PLACE $725

7TH PLACE 17TH PLACE $675

8TH PLACE 18TH PLACE $625

9TH PLACE

$4,000 $3,000 $2,000 $1,250 $1,200 $1,150 19TH PLACE $575

10TH PLACE $1,100 20TH PLACE $525

AGGREGATE

1ST

5TH PLACE $2,500 15TH PLACE $750

6TH PLACE $1,500 16TH PLACE $700

7TH PLACE $1,225 17TH PLACE $650

8TH PLACE $1,175 18TH PLACE $600

9TH PLACE $1,125 19TH PLACE $550

10TH PLACE $1,025 20TH PLACE $500

1ST PLACE LARGE FISH CONTENDER 28T, Twin 200 Yamaha Outboards, AmeraTrail Trailer, Custom T-Top by Morgan Metals & Design

LADY ANGLER PRIZES

Sponsored by Shark Coatings and Crystal donated by Linda King in honor of Former Senator Jim King

LADY

1ST PLACE

2nd PLACE

3rd PLACE

4TH PLACE

5TH PLACE

6TH PLACE

7TH PLACE

8TH PLACE

9TH PLACE

10TH PLACE

ANGLER

$2,000 + CRYSTAL

$1,500

$800

$700

$600

$500

$400

$300

$250

$200

1st PLACE AGGREGATE

$12,000

Sponsored by Custom Tree Surgeons

For every 10 boats over 300, we will add 1 place to Large & 1 place to Aggregate

General Tournament TWT’s include Mega Large $250, Large $50, Agg $50, S. Eng Mega Large $200, S. Eng Large $50, Super $500.

BONU$- Additional Cash Prizes for Cobia: Sponsored by North Florida Marine Association, in memory of John Lowe & Pete Lofton

1ST PLACE $1,000 2ND PLACE $500 3 RD PLACE $250

Mystery Weight Kingfish, $1,000 – Sponsored by Gauge Saver

Donate your extra fish & get a ticket for the drawing of Five $100 bills Sponsored by Merit Financial

**MSRP Value

Prize Structure subject to change. Totals i nclude Jr Angler & Redfish prizes

Quick out the gate…

The Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament is something my sons and I look forward to every year. I have been fishing this tournament for many years and always appreciated the way the tournament has been run. From the incredible prizes to the family friendly atmosphere throughout the week, there is a reason it is and has been one of the largest kingfish tournaments around!

We started the tournament morning how we always do in every tournament, loading the boat with ice, gear, and food for the day. We typically buy a dozen baits before heading out in case it is difficult to catch bait. This particular morning, the bait man had an issue and was running late. Instead of waiting, we decided to make a run where we knew the bait would be so we could be fishing by lines in.

We weren’t the first boat to the spot, but when we arrived we quickly caught bait and started putting lines out. Funny enough, all of us mentioned that we had a good feeling about how the day was going to go. What we did not know was how quickly our day would be made.

After catching a few snakes, the spot we were fishing had become a parking lot filled with other boats. The bite seemed to

be turning off and we were looking for other options. At 7:50am we decided to give it 10 more minutes, 7:57am the rod went off, and by 8:10 we had her in the boat.

When the fish hit the deck, we knew this would be the biggest kingfish we had caught in a tournament. We immediately put her in the fish bag and made our way back to Mayport. It’s always a great time when the 3 of us get to fish together, but it’s not every day you get to weigh a 57.75lb record breaking fish to win The Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament. This tournament will always be a special one for us and we look forward to fishing it for many years to come!

-Dan Crowley

IT TAKES ONLY ONE SMALL CHANGE TO CATCH MORE FISH.

SO WE ADDED SIX.

Youth Dock Fishing Tournament

Wednesday, July 16th from 9:30 am. to 11:30 a.m.

Located right at Sisters Creek Marina, on our 14’ wide floating docks and pier

TOURNAMENT INFORMATION:

• Registration fee is $ 10 per child. A parent or guardian must register each child.

• Registration form must be received at the Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament registration area prior to 9:30 on July 16th, 2024.

• The winner will be determined by measuring the total length of all fish caught. All fish will be measured nose to a pinched tail.

• All participants are required to provide their own equipment and bait.

• The Fishing Tournament will run from 9:30am to 11:30am July 16th, 2024.

• Hot dog lunch immediately following the Tournament.

TOURNAMENT RULES:

• FWCC Catch and Release rules apply. All fish caught will be eligible for weigh in with the exception of stingrays and invertebrates such as crabs & jellyfish. In case of a tie the earliest recorded measurement time will be declared the winner.

TAKE A KID FISHING!

It’s time once again for the 2024 edition of the Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament. And with that comes the annual Junior Angler portion of the tournament. A day dedicated only to the Juniors.

• Only one rod per angler will be allowed.

• Participants must be 15 years or younger as of Kids Dock Tournament date.

• Only one parent or adult guardian will be allowed to accompany a child on the dock.

• The Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament recommends that ALL children wear unapproved personal flotation device while on the dock.

• Shoes or sandals must be worn at all times while on the dock.

• Wrist bands will be provided to all registered participants and must be worn to gain access to the dock.

• Due to the size of the dock the tournament is limited to 100 participants.

This year the Junior Angler boat tournament will be held on July 17th.

The concept of the Junior angler tournament is to get the kids off the couches, away from the video games, and enjoying a day on the water and wonders of the great outdoors, and especially our magnificent ocean.

Since it’s inception, the Junior angler entry fee has been only $10 for boats that are entered in the general tournament. If you so desire, and are not registered in the general tournament, you can enter your Junior to only fish the Junior angler day for $50.

We generally have upwards of 200 or more juniors fishing with us, as anyone 16 years or younger can fish. Once again, we will be awarding prizes for the top 25 kingfish weighed, with the grand prize package of a boat motor trailer package! Hard to beat that.

So, come on out and be a part of making a special day for your junior angler, and I’m just betting your blessings will be tenfold.

Sea Snake

Junior Angler Offshore Tournament

Wednesday, July 17th, 2024– Jim King Park and Boat Ramp at Sisters Creek Presented by TB Landmark Construction, Summit Contracting, Fish Florida, Atlantic Coast Marine, Dandee Foods, Academy Sports & Outdoors, Adkison Towing

The Jr. Angler Offshore Tournament, established in 1991, promotes the participation of youthful fishing in a sporting event which encourages conservation of marine life and awareness of the necessity to protect our natural resources.

25 PRIZE PLACES!! First place, largest fish will be a custom boat, 25 HP Yamaha motor and Magic Tilt trailer. All juniors who weigh a fish (excluding First Place winner), will be entered in a random drawing for an additional prize and (Must be present to win).

Drawing to be held on Jr. Awards Day, Thursday July 18, 2024. The GJKT, in association with Fish Florida and Sponsored by Salt Life Food Shack are continuing the Junior Angler seminar program in 2024. The seminar will be held on Saturday, July 20th.

The seminar is approximately 45 minutes in length. The first 100 Junior Anglers participating in the seminar will receive a complimentary rod and reel, courtesy of Fish Florida.

JR. ANGLER KINGFISH TOURNAMENT

Jr. Angler Captain's Meeting: Tuesday July 16, 2024 6:30 pm

Jr. Angler Offshore Tournament: Wednesday July 17, 2024 7:30-3:30

Jr. Angler Awards Ceremony: Thursday July 18, 2024 6:00 pm

REGISTR ATION:

Registration Fee $10.00 / $50 per child, without a GT entry! Registration will be open through Captain's Meeting on Tuesday, July 16th

A birthday to remember…

First off, I want to thank you for the world class tournament your crew puts together. Myself, my family, and my friends have fished it for many years, and it has given us memories that will last a lifetime.

Until last year, our best finish was winning the aggregate in 2006 with a group of my best friends. I didn’t think that day would ever be topped, but a last-minute decision to fish the 2023 junior angler did just that.

Myself, and my two boys (Drew 15 & Owen 13) were planning on going tarpon fishing for Owen’s 13th birthday, but we had an entry to the tournament and our kingfish gear in the boat. I knew where there had been some nice fish, but it was out of range for my 25’ Pathfinder.

On the way to the ramp, I realized that we could weigh the fish by vehicle, so we decided to give it a go. The day could

not have been any more perfect, glass calm conditions and the bait was throw and go. We were the last boat to the spot and the best of the best fisherman were already there. It didn’t appear the fish were biting, but I think it was a rare day that the mackerel preferred pogies over runners, and pogies were all we had.

We caught 8 kingfish, and I knew one that Owen caught was big enough to make the trip to Jacksonville. I texted my wife on the InReach to meet us at the ramp with a fish bag and the boys and I raced back with big smiles. We loaded the fish in the bag, and off they went leaving me behind with a dirty boat.

They made it to the scales and Owen’s fish weighed 39.13 pounds which was just big enough for the win and a 14’ Ohana boat. To this day they are running the river and ICW with the boat they won and continuing to make memories.

Thank you GJKT and all the sponsors for making this happen. Lastly, if you have or know any kids, please take them fishing. You never know, it could change their life!

Thank you, Robert Holmquist & Team Luckybird

$50,000 Cash for First Place !!

Yessir, that is correct, $50,000 for the largest king caught during the GJKT Kickoff Beach tournament.

Each year, soon after the Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament has given out its final prize, the GJKT board of directors has wrap up meetings, to discuss the previous event, and make plans for the upcoming year.

And each year we have lots of suggestions as to what you, the fishermen, want…or would like to see. With that said, as of late there seems to be a push by a large segment of the field to go to a beach tournament. On the other hand, the traditionalists want to keep it as is….or has been…a two day tourney.

Well, this year we decided to have two separate tournaments, with independent payouts, and a bonus Calcutta between the two tournament days for an extra payout!! Thus was born our inaugural GJKT Kickoff kingfish Beach tournament. With an exceptional payout of $50,000 for the largest king! This is an angler tournament, with a healthy payout for first place. (

I mean really, who’s fishing for second! ). We are basing the payout on participation, with a minimum of 300 entries to guarantee the 50k, so be sure to sign up, and at $275 entry, it should be a no-brainer. Get into the calcuttas, and win even more cash. We will still be paying out to 20 places as well.

Our general tournament will still be a one day event in itself, with the big fish in that one winning a 28T Contender, powered by twin Yamahas, worth well over $225,000 !! This general tournament will be the regular open tournament with no East boundaries, from Flagler Pier to Brunswick.

Enter both tournaments at the same time and get a code for $75 off the general tournament. Go to kingfishtournament.com for complete details and online registration.

This is one you don’t want to miss….I know I won’t….and we’ll hope to see you at the scales!!

-Steve Thompson Chairman of Jacksonville Marine Charities / GJKT

Jacksonville REDFISH Tournament

Saturday 20th, July 2024

Presented by Jacksonville Marine Charities

Sponsored by C & L Landscaping

Jim King Park and Boat Ramp at Sisters Creek

15 Places to be awarded

Boat-Largest Fish

1st Place - $2,500

2nd Place - $1,000

3rd Place - $500

4th Place - $300

5th Place - $200

Most Spots

1st Place - $2,500

2nd Place $1000

3rd Place - $500

4th Place - $300

5th Place - $200

$75 Per Angler, and you qualify for both categories!

Kayak - Largest

1st Place - $2,500

2nd Place - $500

3rd Place - $250

4th Place - $200

5th Place - $100

One for the ladies…

This is the story of last year’s Lady Angler winning fish in the GJKT, as told by husband and captain John Adams.

The last 8 years or so, the crew has just been my family, wife, daughters, grandsons and son-in-law. Thus the name of the boat “Reel Family”.

During the 2023 GJKT, it was determined that the first big fish run would be Amber's turn, as her sister has placed in the lady angler in previous years.

We caught stud pogies right off the bat, and felt

confident as we cruised to our spot. At around 11:30 the First king hit of the day happened and Amber got the rod

Unlike what most big fish do, this kingfish ran due west for 10 mins with us chasing it down. We got worried as it seemed like it was taking us into the breakers in 12' of water.

But finally, after what seemed forever, she turned east and settled down as we chased it for another 10 minutes or so.

Then she came right to the top and we put the gaff in her, amid high fives and hugs !!

Amber’s day was made more special, at the end of the day, as she not only placed, but she WON the Lady angler division of the GJKT !!

Made most special, as it was won with her “Reel Family” Congrats Amber

-John Adams

A secured bag…

What a day! What a tournament! Bitter is sweet is how I would describe it. Our team set out to deep water to find the winning fish and we thought we did that with our 2nd kingfish of the day topping 52lbs. But we got a call from one of our buddy boats and said keep fishing, there is word of a big fish being caught down south. With that news, we kept fishing our spot hoping for a bigger fish or one to go with it for the

aggregate. We stayed all day and finally got the 2nd fish we were looking for to put us in good shape for the aggregate. Back to the scales we ran. What a weigh in! A new tournament record was set by POSSEE which broke our record set in 2002, 55.2 lbs. We ended up winning the aggregate again. BACK to BACK years, which we are very proud of.

Thank you to the Greater Jacksonville Kingfish tournament for a great tournament and congratulations to POSSEE on your record fish!

-Team Salt Life Food Shack

Tommy Rady – Captain Mark Titus

Nelson Railey

Chase Benton

Trey Seeker

PHOTO CREDITS: LEONARD BRYANT PHOTOGRAPHY

2024 JACKSONVILLE KINGFISH EVOLUTION

Early fishing vessels included rafts and dugout canoes constructed from a wooden frame and covered with animal hide or tree bark. The oldest fishing boats were dugout canoes, documented 7,000 – 9,000 years ago and were cut from logs using stone crafted tools.

Man’s desire to catch fish for both the table and sport has evolved through the years beginning with a 9,000-year-old dugout canoe. Finally, a major motivation for the present design of the modern-day fishing boat has been competitive fishing tournaments. Heading the list is the Annual Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament which has motivated fishermen and boat manufactures to design and build a better fishing boat that not only gets to the fish faster but is also designed to catch a money winning kingfish.

Today’s kingfish boats are often outfitted with multiple outboards that can reach distant kingfish waters and with great speed. Which in some years has put the family and everyday kingfish team at a big disadvantage.

During the 44th Annual GJKT an entire new day dedicated to a beach fishing format will attract more family and tournament fishing teams to the weigh-in scales located at Sister’s Creek. This one-day event, called the GJKT Kickoff beach tournament, will have anglers fishing in waters restricted to within three miles offshore of the beaches (state waters) and with a northern boundary including the Brunswick Inlet and a southern boundary including the Flagler Pier. The top prize for the largest kingfish will be $50,000.00, so sharpen up your kingfish skills! The general tournament without the 3 mile boundary will be held the following week with a top prize of a 28T Contender boat motor and trailer package worth over $225,000 !

Several king mackerel fishing tactics have also changed during the years where hooks, leaders and terminal fishing tackle was scaled down to fifteen-pound fluorocarbon fishing lines and tiny #6-4X trebles hooks while slow trolling with live cigar minnows, menhaden, and similar smaller kingfish baits. However taking into consideration this year’s kingfish format,

most fishing teams will be fishing for that one bite, hooking up to a $50,000.00 “Smoker”!

Large live mullet which can be netted in the bays and nearby tidal rivers will be an excellent choice while at the same time, beefing up your terminal kingfish tackle and leaders. Silver eels rigged with multiple hooks are also excellent dead baits when targeting tournament size king mackerel. Another key is locating schooling Spanish, blues, and large schools of menhaden. Avoid king fishing where that are no signs of baitfish, which includes diving and hoovering sea birds.

A 10-pound fish shaped downrigger weight is employed with a 20-foot drop back distance from the weight to the silver eels. Three large live mullet are also flat lined on the surface with 30-pound kingfish tackle as well with various drop back distance from just a few feet behind the boat to 75-feet.

Two-speed kingfish reels filled with 450-yards of 30-pound monofilament fishing line should be used to match up with the larger kingfish baits. The 30-pound kingfish line is directly attached to a 130-lb. “Spro” swivel. Next a 4-foot section of #7, 81-lb. Malin piano wire is haywire wrapped to the remaining side of the swivel. For the nose hook, a 5/0 J-hook is haywire wrapped to the tag end of the leader wire. A short section of #8, 96-lb. Malin piano wire is haywire wrapped to the eye of the nose hook. The length of the stinger wire is adjusted so that the “Stinger Hook” can be barbed right in the back of the live bait and just behind the dorsal fin. The stinger hook is a #1-4X treble hook. Reel drags are set at 8-lbs.

Tides at many of Northeast Florida inlets are also critical with the best tide coming during the middle and right up to the flood tide when water clarity is best. Also, slow troll large kingfish baits along the beaches and just offshore where on the clean side of a tide line, or color change.

For tournament information visit www.kingfishtournament. com.

-Terry Lacoss

GREATER JACKSONVILLE KINGFISH TOURNAMENT SPONSORS

Give thanks and support to the companies that help support the 44th annual Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament.

TITLE SPONSOR

PLATINUM SPONSORS

GOLD SPONSORS

SILVER LEVEL SPONSORS:

ABYSS BATTERY

ACADEMY SPORTS AND OUTDOORS

ANCIENT CITY CONTRACTING

ARTHURS WEALTH MANAGEMENT

ATLANTIC COAST MARINE

AVID ANGLER

BAE

BLOSSMAN GAS

CHAMPION CYCLING

DANDEE FOODS

FISHBITES

FOLSOM CORP / TSUNAMI

FOUNDATION BUILDING MATERIALS

GAUGE SAVER

JAX COASTAL

MERIT FINANCIAL

NORTH FLORIDA MARINE ASSOC (NFMA)

NORTH FLORIDA SALES

RANDY MARION CADILLAC OF JACKSONVILLE

REEL THIRSTY ICE

SANDOLLAR RESTAURANT

TECNICO CORP

PRESENTING SPONSORS

BRONZE LEVEL SPONSORS:

ADAMEC MARINE

AT&T PIONEERS

BOTE

CORTEZ ON THE WATER

FARM BUREAU INSURANCE

FLORIDA GEORGIA WINDOWS & DOORS

GEMLUX

MATTRESS FIT

MIKE BURCH FORD

NE FLORIDA DRONES

SAFE HARBOR SEAFOOD

SALT LIFE FOOD SHACK

KATHY SCOTT STATE FARM

TOTE

TOW BOAT US

TROLLING MOTOR SERVICES (TMS)

TROPICAL GUTTER PROS

FRIENDS OF THE TOURNAMENT:

ANTIQUE & MODERN CABINETS

ARLINGTON BAIT & TACKLE

BEACHES DERMATOLOGY

CCA

CRUISES & TOURS

DIVERS SUPPLY

DRY POCKET

GREATER JAX YOUTH ATHLETIC COUNCIL

INRIVEROROCEAN

L’ORÉAL DERM

MURPHY COMMUNICATIONS

OCEAN TAMER

ST JOHNS BAR PILOT

ST JOHNS BOAT COMPANY/MARINE GROUP

SEA TOW

SPORTSMAN’S WAREHOUSE

XTREME WINGS

BENTLEY PRINT CO

350-HP OUTBOARD INTRODUCING THE LIGHTEST

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Fishing Report & Forecast Mayport

By Capt. Kirk Waltz

Summer is upon us and I look forward to calm seas and the right amount of ocean swell. The month of May started out with a bang with a few crazy weather fronts. A lot of wind made for a few days of bumpy days on the big pond. I believe that our normal Bermuda High weather patterns will begin to dominate soon. Look for copious amounts of bait to push into the beach and bring bull reds, sharks, tarpon, kings ,bonita, sailfish, cuda’s, and cobia. Catch a live well full of these and pitch back into the pods. I try to find big swirling black or dark bait pods that have not had a net tossed on them. Big fish can be easily spooked and stealth will pay big dividends. Just toss a med heavy spinner like a Shimano Saragosa 6000 and a med heavy rod like a Bluewater Jigging rod rigged with a 2-3oz egg sinker and a 2 ft length of 60-80 shock leader with a 5/0 live bait hook back into the foray and hang on. If there is any fish in the pod they should whack it!

Look for the striking fish to hit these live baits trolled over the regular haunts both on the beach and the local party ground hot spots. Kings, cudas, sharks, bonita,sails, and cobia will lurk around the hot spots and should readily take these frisky baits. A good trolling rod like a Shimano Torium 30 with 20-30lb line works best and a short piece of wire for slow trolling Rigs can be easily made or stop

by Strike Zone or B&M and the boys will sell you premade rigs or how to make ‘em. The bottom fishing can be good this month for seabass, grouper, beeliners, triggers, and snapper. Check the regs for what you can and cannot keep as they vary.

The big rocks will hold redfish and trout with a small amount of action for Spanish on the higher tides. One of the cool things this last month were the huge bluefish cruising the rocks up to 36inches and just crushing live pogies freelined against the rocks. A Williamson Gomako Jig , Shimano Jig or Seahawk lure works well with a small length of wire attached when trolling or tossing at the Spanish mackerel. As the heat builds these fish seek cooler water so try to keep that in mind when you check the rocks.

The rip outside of the rocks will hold kings, cudas, sharks, cobia, and an occasional sailfish. Slow troll this area on the bottom of the outgoing tide for best results.

The inshore Mayport basin both north and south from the little jetties will hold trout, reds, some drum, sheepshead, and flounder along with lots of jacks and ladyfish. The falling outgoing tide produces the best result. Try topwater plugs early like a Bomber-Long A or a white gulp swimming minnow for positive results.Remember as it gets hot these fish feed early and late in the back country. I also go to my old standby of mud minnows or shrimp on a 1/4oz jig to catch a few fish for the cooler..

For more fishing tips listen to the Outdoorshow radio program on 1010am or 92.5fm every Saturday from 7am to 10am. He can be reached at 904.241.7560 or 904.626.1128 or go to www. enterprisefishingcharters.com

Fishing Report & Forecast Sisters Creek

By Capt. Tony Bozzella

Juneis hot weather fishing, I prefer to get out very early and if I can’t I will fish the evening around sunset. Evening fishing you will have to have your guard up due to thundershowers & wind, so early is best. If you do fish the afternoons most of the time It can be productive fishing bait in the deeper areas and edges of channels for the bull Reds. A simple fish finder rig with an 8/0 J hook or a 12/0 circle (preferred) and a wreck anchor, you are ready. Large chunks of mullet or ladyfish will be a ticket for a hook up. You will have to move around on different tides to locate your fish. Also baiting sharks in the local sounds can be productive. Basically the same thing, however, a piece of wire is used to attack the hook to prevent cutoffs. If that doesn’t interest you, I would get out early and throw top water plugs and divers for Reds, trout and other fun species such as Jack’s ladyfish etc. I work areas such as ledges, structure, grass lines, and points. Certain bulkheads holding

bait can be productive as well. If you find any of these areas holding good concentration of finger mullet or pogies this can be a potential hotspot , throw your lures up current and bring your lures back with the current naturally. If you know fish are there, be patient and throw long shots to keep the fish unaware of your presence, which is another key to success!! Most common lures are a bet, there are NO secret lures.... work the ones you have had success with and know how to work very well.

“ Walk the dog” method of retrieve for top waters. Sweep and pump pause for lipped divers and crank baits. Continue to look for areas of concentrated bait.

Flounder will be in the mix and like most of the same areas, however structure such as rocks and dock pilings are a good choice. A TBS jig paired with a finger mullet, mud minnow, or shrimp can be successful. If you like lure fishing flounder, fish the jig with a gulp bait working it across the bottom until you feel the thump. Also a bucktail jig tipped with a bait can be deadly. One day fishing a ledge slowly hopping my bucktail across the bottom I was rewarded with 22 flounder!!! What a great day. Until next month, tight lines.

Capt. Tony Bozzella / TBS JIGS www.tonybozzella.com 904 651 0182

Fishing Report Pier and Surf

By: Noel Kuhn

Fishing is hot hot hot during the Summertime. As our water temps start creeping towards 90 degrees, earlier is better. The early morning bite is the best. Sunrise during June is about 6:30AM. I meet my customers at 5:30 because by 5:45 we have enough light to bait and cast. On hot Summer mornings the bite usually shuts off by 10:00AM.

There is still a pretty good Pompano bite in June. By July almost all of them have passed us by headed for cooler water in North Carolina. So go early and catch some of these delicious fish before they are gone! When I hit the beach I usually have several live fresh baits

ready to go. This morning I had live fleas, clams and crabs. I also had FKS aka fresh killed shrimp. However, what caught the most fish was lime green/crab flavor/FISHBITES. For the last ten years, I have never gone to the beach without Fishbites. Later in the Summer they are a game changer due to bait stealers. From June through October our surf is full of two inch long Pompano and Whiting. With fresh bait, you do not even see your rod wiggle. When you reel in you discover you are fishing on credit. No bait equals no fish. It is now time to break out the Fishbites. I prefer just a one inch long piece with the corners rounded off.

This is the best month to catch the best eating shark which is the Bonnethead. We are what we eat and they are crab eaters. Hence their meat taste better then most species. To catch one, like the 20 pounder in the picture caught in May 2024, you want to use 100 pound mono finished off with a 5/0 MUTU light circle hook. Since they are after the Calico/Spotted crabs in the surf, the best bait is a half of a Blue Crab. Set your drags light. The first run is a real sand spike tester.

Alright go now and go often before the dog days of Summer are upon us. It will not be too long before the annual Mullet Run cranks up. More about that next month. See you on the beach!

Noel Kuhn

Surf fishing guide and long distance casting coach. 904-945-0660 www.TheSurfAngler.com

Nassau Sport Fishing Association

The Nassau Sport Fishing Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to develop and promote saltwater fishing in the Nassau County area while adhering to state, federal and local regulations, to encourage compliance with rules of water safety by club members and the general public, and to promote youth related community activities.

Early Spring Fish of the Season season has concluded and Late Spring season is underway. The Fish of the season is an eleven month tournament split into 5 seasons. Each season, members target and weigh specific species. In December, NSFA crowns the Mens and Ladies Angler of the year. The early spring season saw our anglers stalking Black Drum, Whiting, and Pompano. With the weather cooperating, our fishermen weighed a record 42 fish. Leading anglers for the season were awarded prizes at the May member social. This season first prize awards went to Marv Leininger with a 4.38# Black Drum, Larry Hubbard with a 3.46# Pompano, Lyndon Godwin with a 1.83# Whiting. We also had 2 youth angler awards this season for Grant Baudek with a 1.65# Pompano and Thor Person for a .56# Whiting.

Many thanks to all the members that supported the NSFA food booth at the Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp festival. It takes countless volunteer hours to pull off this success. Special thanks go particularly Shawn Arnold, Terry Kelly and Brook Kelly for their leadership. Also, many thanks to all the folks that patronized our food booth. Without you, NSFA could not fund the many educational opportunities and Scholarships awarded.

Speaking of the NSFA scholarships, this year’s awardees will be honored at the July member social. Watch this space next month as we announce the amazing young people garnering this year’s awards.

With the Shrimp festival behind us, NSFA now turns its focus to the Fernandina Beach Kingfish and Fishing Rodeo. The tournament has been moved up this year from the usual first weekend of August to the

last weekend in July. The Captain’s meeting will be on July 26 and fishing begins on July 27. Like last year, this will be a beach focused tournament with anglers restricted to no more than 3 miles offshore.

For tournament rules, prize payouts, and other competitions, see details at NSFARODEO.COM. Early Bird Registration is now open. Register early and save. Our team has also arranged discounts at local hotels for anglers that would like to stay overnight in Fernandina which could save as much as $200on your overnight accomidations. See our website for details.

NSFA meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month at Kraft Athletic Club on Amelia Island. Join us on 26 June for our monthly social gathering. If interested in joining, please visit our website at NSFAFISH.NET or stop by one of our meetings.

As always, Stay Safe, and we will see you on the water!

Authorized Key West Dealer

Fishing Report & Forecast Fernandina / Amelia Island

By Terry D. Lacoss

June is one of Amelia Island’s best fishing months where consistently excellent weather and warm water temperatures showcase both saltwater and freshwater fishing. Some of the best fishing comes at many of the offshore fish havens including sunken wrecks, lime rock ledges and live bottoms. King mackerel will be schooled at many of these popular fishing locations, consistently weighing from ten to twenty pounds. Although forty-plus pound “Smoker” kingfish are often rare, a few of these reel smokers will be caught each summer.

Some of the better Amelia Island offshore fish havens include FA, FB, FC, and the barge located off from the St. Mary’s Inlet. Schultz’s “Fish Market” is located only a few miles off from Nassau Sound and is an excellent grouper drop. All these fishing waters are marked on the local offshore map, and on the navigation feature of your fish finder.

Best fishing tactic for offshore kingfish includes deep jigging a series of small, feathered hooks for cigar minnows and Spanish sardines. Schools of baitfish will be easy to locate while schooling over all of the above-mentioned fish havens while making numerous small flips on the surface, or marking on your boat’s fish finder.

Once your live bait well is brimming with livies, barb then to a “Stinger” kingfish wire leader with a stinger hook and slow troll three to five live baits over and close to where the baitfish are schooling.

Spool up you’re spinning or conventional trolling reels with fifteen pound hi-visibility fishing line. Next, attach a twenty-foot length twenty-pound clear fluorocarbon shock leader using back-to-back uniknots. A small twenty-pound black barrel swivel is then attached to the business end of the of shock leader using a Palomar knot. A two-foot length of #4 Malin, brown colored wire is then haywire wrapped to the barrel swivel. Next, haywire wrap a #6, 4x treble hook to tag end of the wire leader. A short length of #4 Malin wire is then haywire wrapped to the eye of the #6,4x treble “nose” hook. The length of the “Stinger” wire is adjusted so that the stinger treble hook can be barbed just behind the dorsal fin of the live bait. Finally, a #4-4x treble hook is haywire wrapped to the business end of the stinger wire and barbed just behind the dorsal fin.

A typical slow trolling spread which is as slow as your boat will go, includes one flat line set at a fifty-foot setback distance and on the portside. One downrigger bait set at a thirty-foot depth with a drop back distance from a five-pound weight at twenty-five. Set the reel drag at one pound of drag and when a big kingfish hits, let him finish his speedy run and wear down for a speedy landing with a ten-foot gaff.

I would also recommend bringing along a couple of boxes of frozen cigar minnows as they work just as well when the kingfish are fired up! Gag grouper season is open from May 1st to June 14th in Atlantic

Ocean waters with minimum measurement of 24-inches. The bag limit is two per angler.

Live cigar minnows are also a great bait when bottom fishing for grouper, sea bass, flounder, and scamp grouper. Be sure and have a four ounce chartreuse and white colored bucktail jig on hand when a delicious, hard fighting cobia swims up to your boat unexpectedly! For more information on offshore limits visit www.myfwc.com.

Bull red drum will be feeding at the St. Mary’s inlet during all tidal phases with the last of the in-coming tide best at the very tip of the south jetty rocks. Fish dead on the bottom with live mullet, large shrimp, blue crab, or menhaden. Also look for tarpon, cobia, redfish, and kingfish to hold at the tip of these fishy jetty rocks as well.

Working a live shrimp under a float at the foot of the many runouts at the St. Mary’s jetty rocks will produce red, and black drum, seatrout, flounder and more.

In the back water, redfish will be tailing during a super high tide in “Marsh Lakes” which is just southwest of the Shave Bridge! “Good Luck”

For more information and charters, call Amelia Angler Outfitters (904) 261-2870 or visit www.ameliaangler.com

Fishing Report & Forecast St. Augustine Inshore

By Capt. Tommy Derringer

With air temps getting into the mid to upper 90’s the next few months it’s a good idea to get on the water as early, or as late as possible as the fish will be on the feed during those times and laying low during the heat of the day. Inshore toss your favorite top-water plug at first light for exciting redfish and trout blowups. My new favorite “walk the dog” type lure is the Berkley J-Walker. It has great action and it’s easy to walk compared to some others. If you’re not an “early bird” check out the dusk bite using the same lures. The fishing right off the beach really comes alive this time of year. Huge sharks, tarpon, kingfish, and many more will be chowin’ down on the giant pods of pogies right behind the breakers. It’s a great time to put your heavier tackle to the test!

When looking to catch some redfish be on the lookout for concentrations of finger mullet or pogies on the flats. You can be guaranteed that at least a redfish or two will be hanging nearby a big school of baitfish this time of year. During the higher tide stages one of my favorite lures to toss this time of year is the

spinner bait as it provides a ton of “thump” and flash that the fish can easily hunt down. My clients also have great success tossing a popping cork with either a Fishbites scented plastic or a live shrimp or mud minnow attached to a 1/4oz jighead. On the lower tide stages a lot of the bigger fish will move to slightly deeper water where it’s a little cooler. Live mud minnows or finger mullet will be hard to beat, but a chunked piece of ladyfish or mullet will also work especially well for the redfish when fishing deeper. A scented soft plastic like a Fishbites lure fished very, very slow will also be a good bet.

The flounder bite should be good at the St. Augustine and Mantanzas inlets and just about all the regular inshore flatty haunts. Fishing around the slack tides will give you the best chance to get your bait on the bottom where the flounder hide. Small to medium sized finger mullet on a fish finder rig can be deadly... Don’t be afraid to use a good-sized mullet to catch the doormats… just remember to let the flounder chew on the bait a few moments before setting the hook.

One of my favorite fish, the tarpon, should be thick along the beach gorging themselves on the bait (pogy) pods just about now (We’ve been seeing them here and there since mid-April this year). The best bite will be early morning and just before or after the afternoon summer rainstorms. Rig a live pogy on a large 6/0-10/0 circle hook and fish the outside of the bait pods. Sometimes a little weight to help the pogy get down will help. Depending on water temps you’ll also find some huge jacks and plenty of sharks around those pods... maybe even a stray cobia as well!.

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

Fuel up. Cast out.

Fishing Report & Forecast St. Augustine Offshore

By Capt. Robert Johnson

Snapper Time!

June is here and the water is hot everywhere. Gulfstream fishing is winding down and the Mahi of spring are a distant memory. Thankfully we have other options.

June marks the beginning of some of the best fishing of the year. Snapper fishing is off the chart. Obviously not Red Snapper which is closed but the other snapper. We are blessed in NE FL to have some of the best Mangrove or Gray snapper fishing to be found anywhere. This

is light tackle fishing with flourocarbon leaders being a must. Look for schools of Mangos (fisherman slang)on all of the larger ledges and wrecks anywhere from 80 to 145 ft. Chumming is helpful and you want to position your boat up tide from the fish. Long leaders and just enough weight to get to the bottom is the way to go. I prefer dead sardines for bait as live bait tends to catch more Amberjacks and Red Snapper. You will also catch a few jumbo Mutton snappers as well as the normal Vermilions.

In addition to the snapper species, you will also get bites from Grouper, Cobia and all of the other species that inhabit our reefs.

On the troll there will be plenty of king Mackerel and a few Sailfish closer to shore. Look for bait on and below the surface in the 80 to 100ft range.

Enjoy the calm seas of June and “Let’s Go Fishing.

Captain Robert Johnson (904)540-2628

Jodielynncharters.com

Jlfishing@bellsouth.net

Creation of the “Ripper” reef

Jacksonville, Fla. – May 6, 2024 – On Wednesday, Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) Florida, the state’s leading organization dedicated to marine fisheries conservation, education and advocacy, will join the Cameron Smith Foundation and Kistel Media to deploy a 175-foot by 60foot, former crane barge off Duval County to create the “Ripper Reef.”, the largest vessel deployment in Duval County since 2000

The barge will be deployed by Mobro Marine at the pre-permitted reef site known as Harm’s Ledge located 28 miles east of Jacksonville inlet in

90 to 100-foot water at approximately 30° 21.969’N 80° 54.365’W. The area is known to attract flounder, snapper, gag grouper, black sea bass and other species.

“We are not only excited to sink the largest vessel in Northeast Florida in almost 25 years but to do it with legendary golfer Cameron Smith makes this deployment iconic,” CCA Florida Executive Director Brian Gorski said. “CCA Florida aims to improve and create sustainable fisheries, coastal habitats and waterways, and the Ripper Reef is an extension of that commitment.”

Avid angler, Jacksonville resident and LIV golfer Cameron Smith donated to the artificial reef project and secured the naming rights for the “Ripper Reef,” named after Smith’s LIV golf team, “Ripper GC.” The “Ripper Reef” will provide a much-needed habitat in a transitional area while increasing recreational fishing and diving opportunities and relieving pressure on natural reef sites.

Since 2008, CCA Florida has deployed 46 artificial reefs across the state. Artificial reefs initiate the development of natural, thriving habitats for various species of fish, invertebrates and other marine life, such as smaller organisms that are vital food sources for other marine species, with the overall goal to create an evolving ecosystem while enhancing fisheries and improving water quality.

Departure for the deployment will be at 7 a.m. at Jim King boat ramp at 8203 Heckscher Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32226. Media are encouraged to attend

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2024 CCA FLORIDA STAR: WINNING IS EASIER THAN EVER!

CCA Florida STAR presented by Yamaha launched into year-10 on Memorial Day weekend! For 100 days, this unique fshing competition will award more than $500,000 in prizes and scholarships.

CCA Florida, the state’s leading marine fsheries conservation, habitat restoration, education and advocacy organization, holds the annual event to create awareness for conservation and support the protection and enhancement of Florida’s marine habitat.

Tis year, participating in STAR is easier than ever. Te competition has eight divisions including Tagged Redfsh Division, Tagged Dolphin Division, an Inshore and Ofshore Division, Native Watercraf Kayak Division, Realtree Youth Scholarship Division, Power Pole Conservation Division and Costa Kick Plastic Trash Division, and there are more than $500,000 in prizes and scholarships available!

“We are excited to kick of Florida’s largest family friendly saltwater

fshing competition for the tenth year,” STAR Director Leiza Fitzgerald said. “Tis year, it is easier than ever to participate in STAR because we have simplifed the competition to give anglers and non-anglers the chance to win big. Since 2015, we have given away more than $4 million in prizes, including $900,000 in college scholarships, and we can’t wait to do it again!”

STAR’s signature Tagged Redfsh Division presented by TH Marine ofers fve adult winners the choice of a Contender Boats 22 Sport, Dek Kat Boats 27 Flatz Kat, Spyder Boats FX19, Micro Draf Ski package that includes a Sea-Doo Fish Pro Trophy and a CanAm Defender. Each boat is powered by Yamaha and equipped with an Infnity trailer. For the frst two youth anglers, prizes include a tiller boat powered by Yamaha, a trailer, a Minn Kota trolling motor and Humminbird electronics.

In total, there are more than 160 prize-winning tagged red of Florida’s coastal counties. Citrus and Charlotte counties, STAR’s 2024 Destination Counties, ofer the best shot at a prize-winning received twice as many tagged reds as the other counties.

Te STAR competition also focuses on conservation with its CatchPhoto-Release format and smartphone app. STAR’s Trash Division has set the bar for other fshing tournaments to implement conservation-friendly alternatives.

All STAR entries must be photographed with the o Florida Measuring Device, which is available free of charge at locations throughout the state, including all Florida West Marine stores.

Te CCA Florida STAR competition presented by Yamaha has a division for everyone. Now with only eight divisions, plus ALL saltwater species included in the event and most winners determined by random drawing, anglers of all ages and skill levels can fsh from anywhere in Florida’s saltwater and have greater opportunities to win.

Registration is $40 for current CCA Florida members or $80 for nonmembers, which includes CCA Florida membership. Kids ages 6-17 can register for free with their current ($10) CCA Florida youth membership.

To register, visit ccafstar.com today!

888-POUND BLUEFIN CAUGHT OFF DESTIN!

In case you haven’t seen it yet, this enormous 888-pound bluefn tuna caught in late April out of Destin just might be the largest bluefn ever caught of Florida. It was brought to the docks at Boshamps Seafood and Oyster House on Destin Harbor, and although the fsh won’t qualify as a state record because landing it was a team efort, no one in Destin really seems to care. It’s a catch worth celebrating.

According to Te Destin Log, Capt. George Gill was piloting the Flat Dangerous on its frst Gulf of Mexico trip on Wednesday, April 24. About 68 miles out of Destin, the new 80-foot Viking encountered a massive school of surfacefeeding bluefns while the crew was fshing for bait.

With just four baits onboard, some small yellowfn, skipjack and blackfn, the captain gave chase, and the crew tossed baits into the school of bluefns. Tey lost three big fsh in short order, but the fsh of a lifetime for boatowner Warren Williamson, of Alabama, came tight on the fourth and fnal bait.

Te fsh died about an hour into the fght, and it was a team efort to haul it to the surface over the next four hours with 100-pound main line, 150-pound braid and 400-pound leader.

Te fsh measured 110 inches in length and weighed 888 pounds. Tat’s a heck of a fsh to break in a new boat!

Te existing state record, caught by Rick Whitley out of Destin in 2017, weighed 826.5 pounds. Another would-be new record was caught in 2022, also out of Destin by a team of anglers sharing time on the rod. Tat fsh weighed 832 pounds. Te Gulf of Mexico bluefn tuna record stands at 1,152 pounds. Tat fsh, caught of Louisiana in 2003, is the largest fsh caught by rod and reel in state history.

PHOTOS BY ANNE HINZE

CCW Petitions Big Sugar Over Everglades Restoration

Captains For Clean Water (CCW), a non-proft organized by fshing guides, is petitioning Big Sugar to drop its lawsuit seeking access to irrigation water from the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Reservoir.

Te EEA reservoir, which is currently under construction, is the centerpiece of Everglades restoration projects designed to provide relief from devastating Lake Okeechobee discharges and restore the fow of freshwater south, as nature intended, through the Everglades to Florida Bay.

Big Sugar, made up of sugar producers United States Sugar Corporation, Okeelanta Corporation (Florida Crystals) and Te Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative of Florida, claims farming interests in South Florida were promised water access by the federal government. Last year a federal judge threw out the case brought by Big Sugar, and this recent lawsuit is in the appeals process, with no projected timeline.

Explanation of the CCW petition reads: “If Big Sugar wins, they could push to use the EAA Reservoir as their personal taxpayer-funded water supply, upending years of restoration progress and sealing the fate of Florida’s future to include more damaging discharges, more toxic algae blooms, and more economic and environmental peril. It could also set a dangerous precedent, forcing Everglades Restoration projects to prioritize Big Sugar’s interests and replace their historical water supply over benefts to South Florida’s waters— regardless of how and when Sugar lost water supply since December 2000.”

To see more or to sign the petition, go to captainsforcleanwater.org. YOU THINK IT, WE INK IT! SCREEN PRINTING | EMBROIDERY STICKERS | BANNERS | SIGNS DECALS | WRAPS | LASER ENGRAVING DIRECT-TO-GARMENT PRINTING

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HIT-AND-RUN GROUPER

Tim Barefoot

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mitzi Skiff

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

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

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

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

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

C-Hawk Boats

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

TYLER WOOLCOTT

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