The Angler Magazine | July 2024 | Okeechobee / Lake Istokpoga Edition

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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.

Don Norton don@theanglermagazine.com

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To our Angler Members Group

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The New Angler Magazine – Lake Istokpoga/Lake Okeechobee is pleased to announce the New Angler Members Group, and we’d like to invite you to learn more about it and how to become a member.

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ASK SARA

What are the Effects of Warm Water on a Fishes Metabolism?

Summertime in Florida often means one thing: it’s hot!! As air temperature rises, water temperatures increase as well. Lake water temperatures can reach upwards of 90 degrees or more during the summer months, and that will change dramatically how a fish behaves and, for the fisherman, how to best target them.

Warmer water increases a fish’s metabolism, causing them to expend more energy and, as a result, they feed more often. However, warmer water also contains less oxygen, which can slow down a fish’s feeding response. While you would think that fish would have the desire to hang out in deeper water where it’s cooler, deeper water also often contains less oxygen, particularly if there is a thermocline present.

This means that at a certain depth, there is little to no oxygen in the water, so fish are unable to survive. Fish like to find that sweet spot where there is cooler water, but still ample oxygen. Fish will also hide out in places with lots of shade, such as areas of vegetation, downed trees, and docks. This will provide them with opportunities to hide from other predators and avoid direct sunlight. Often, areas of a lake that have lush, green vegetation will have high oxygen concentrations as well, so baitfish, and in turn, sportfish, will utilize those areas.

When you’re fishing in the summertime, remember to pack plenty of water, wear sun-protective clothing and hats, and always have sunscreen handy. If you’re fishing on Lake Istokpoga, be mindful of lower lake levels that may impact navigation. Also, as we get into the rainy season, be aware of weather cues that may indicate a storm is moving in. Be safe out there!

Come Outside & Play!

— Sara Menendez, M.S. | Freshwater Fisheries Biologist III at Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

If you have any comments on any information related in this article, please reach out to Sara Menendez at sara.menendez@myfwc.com.

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When have we ignored technology ?

By Bryan Brasher

You may not believe this. But just the other day, I had someone ask me about the future of forward-facing sonar in bass fishing. Obviously, I’m being sarcastic.

It didn’t happen “just the other day.” It’s happened multiple times a day – every day of the week – for at least a couple of years now.

For the record, I have no inside information about any restrictions that will or won’t be placed on forward-facing sonar in B.A.S.S. events in the future. When these decisions are made, I’ll find out about them 36 hours before everyone else, and I’ll write the story for the public.

But as the debate rages on, one question keeps running through my mind: As humans, when have we ignored improved technology in favor of the status quo?

I’m asking you in all seriousness. There probably have been times, but I just can’t think of one. There was a time, thousands of years ago, when humans walked everywhere they went. Then someone discovered horseback was a more efficient means of travel, and trillions of human steps were instantly saved.

Then railroads were built to take us from one end of the country to the other, and the workload for horses instantly got lighter because humans realized trains were faster and more comfortable. The invention of the motor car took even more stress off horses as humans used them just to get from

Forward-Facing Sonar

By Don Norton

I’ve been fishing for largemouth bass for well over 60 years and I have seen many innovations in the sport. We’ve come a long way baby…..

When I read “The Editor’s View” by Bryan Brasher, Executive Editor, B.A.S.S. Publications Editor, and B.A.S.S. Times Magazine, it made me stop and think. And for all you guys who are for or against forward-facing sonar, I think you’ll agree, he made some great points!

I reached out to Bryan and received his permission to reprint his editorial in The Angler Magazine.

one side of town to the other.

Then airplanes came along and changed our travel plans as much as anything else has.

At no point during the evolution of travel did any human jump up and scream “No! I’d rather walk.” Or “No! I’d rather ride my horse across the country for months instead of just hopping on a train that gets me there in a few days.

The technology was there so we used it. Remember watching a television with three channels and walking across the room to change from one channel to another? If you’re over 50, you probably do. But anyone younger than that only knows a world of multiple channels devoted to every conceivable topic and remote controls to navigate them without leaving the comfort of your chair.

No one is actively hoping to go backward on that front. Ditto with landline telephones and long-distance charges versus cellphones and unlimited flatfee usage. Or six-lane highways and 70 mph speed limits versus two-lane dirt roads.

Or how about X-rays versus cutting a patient open to find out what’s wrong? Seriously, that’s how problems were once diagnosed. All of this may sound crazy compared to forward-facing sonar versus the other alreadyincredible sonar we’ve been using for decades. But you see my point.

When has the human race deliberately chosen the hard route when an easier one was readily available? I have to chuckle every time a bass angler mentions FFS and talks about “giving fish a chance”.

I spent my entire 20s fishing tournaments from a 17-foot aluminum boat with a 40-horsepower Force outboard and zero depthfinders against guys who made no apologies for their 21-foot fiberglass rigs, 250-horsepower outboards, top-of-the-line electronics, and four or five days to practice for a Saturday event, when I might get lucky to knock off on Friday at lunch-time.

Exactly who was giving the fish the better chance in that scenario? And where was the list of rules that made things “fair” for me?

Anyway, we could go on forever about this topic – and with the ridiculous way social media works these days, I’m sure some people will.

Rest assured, though, those folks – the ones who declared themselves FFS geniuses when they were four beers into a pitcher at their local dive bar – will have no say-so in the ultimate outcome of this debate.

B.A.S.S. formed a committee long before the Elite Series season began, and guys like Mark Zona, Davy Hite, James Hall, and Kyle Jessie – people who care about the good of the industry and sport as a whole – will ultimately make those decisions.

I don’t know what they’ll decide. But I assure you, walking from here to Oregon likely won’t be involved. BB

— Bryan Brasher

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P.O. Box 267 1927 Blessings Ave. Lorida, FL 33857-0267

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1927 Blessings Ave. Lorida, FL 33857-0267

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Recipe ofthe Month

4th of July Cake

Ingredients:

nstick cooking spray, for the pan

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour p stone-ground white cornmeal aspoon baking powder aspoon baking soda aspoon kosher salt ps granulated sugar

• 2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, at room temperature

• 5 large eggs, at room temperature

• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

• 1 cup buttermilk

• 3 tablespoons rainbow or red, white and blue sprinkles

icks (1 1/2 cups) unsalted butter, at room temperature   aspoon kosher salt   ces chopped white chocolate, melted and cooled slightly    ps confectioners' sugar   1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

• 1 cup blueberries

• One 16-ounce container strawberries

• 1 tablespoon apple jelly or apricot jam, melted

Directions:

Special equipment:  a pastry bag and a rosette tip

r the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 9-by-13-inch rectangular baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper and coat again with the spray.

mbine the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a small bowl. Whisk together and set aside.

at the granulated sugar and butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until smooth and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in the eggs, 1 at a time until combined, then beat in the vanilla. Reduce the speed to low and beat in one-third of the flour mixture until just combined. Beat in half the buttermilk and then repeat, adding the flour in 2 more increments and alternating with the second half of the buttermilk. Stir in the sprinkles. Transfer to the prepared pan and spread the batter evenly. Bake until the cake is golden brown and the top springs back to a light touch, 30 to 35 minutes. Cool 15 minutes in the pan.

4. Run a small knife around the edges of the cake to release the sides and turn the cake out onto a baking sheet. Remove the parchment paper and then flip again onto a serving platter or cutting board so the top of the cake is back on top. Cool completely before frosting.

5. For the frosting: Beat the butter and salt in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy. Add the white chocolate and beat until fluffy. Gradually beat in the confectioners' sugar and vanilla. Increase the speed to medium-high and beat until very smooth and fluffy.

6. Transfer 1/2 cup of the frosting to a pastry bag fitted with a small rosette tip. Frost the top and sides of the cake with the remaining frosting.

7. For the garnish: Place the blueberries in 6 rows of 6 berries each in the top lefthand corner of the cake. Trim and halve the strawberries lengthwise and make 4 rows of strawberries across the cake. Pipe stars between the blueberries and use the remaining frosting to pipe a border around the bottom of the cake. Brush the berries with the melted jelly. Cut and serve.

Norton

ISTOKPOGA FISHING FORECAST

Summertime Fishin'

Fishing in Florida in the summertime can be tough. With air temperatures actually hitting the 100’s, water temperatures are rapidly rising into the high 80s. And this year, we’ve been faced with an exceptionally dry period.

If you look around Highlands County you can see the evidence of the heat wave. Burned-out grass and lakes at their lowest level ever.

The snowbirds left a few months ago and even the locals are going up to the mountains to cool off. This is the beginning of the Dog Days of Summer. But the bass haven’t left, and there are still a few guys and gals out there catching them.

The water level on Lake Istokpoga is the lowest I’ve ever seen, and many of the landowners who live in some of the canals are finding their boats sitting in mud or sand, unable to motor out to the lake.

Some of the area guides take advantage of the summertime to learn even more about the lake. Guide trips tend to be few and far between, but searching for fish never ends.

The rains are coming and by the time this article is published, we’ve hopefully received an adequate amount of rainwater to raise the water levels and cool things off.

BEAUTIFUL LAKE ISTOKPOGA

Bait ofthe Month

Arbogast Jitterbug

By Don Norton

The Greatest Big-Bass Lure of ALL Time?” That’s what the article in the May issue of the BASSMASTER MAGAZINE stated! A great article written by Ken Duke goes on to say In the era of big swimbaits and forward-facing sonar does this century-old plug still hold the lunker title?

The first bass, over 60 years ago, that smashed my black jitterbug made me a lifelong believer in the power of this phenomenal bass fishing lure. I’ve written about it in numerous articles in both the newspaper and the magazine, as well as a couple of my books. I love fishing this topwater plug.

In Ken’s article, he raises the question, when was the last time you fished an Arbogast Jitterbug? Did you answer in days, years, or decades? If you’re less than 50 years old it’s likely that your answer was never.

The plop, plop, plop sound of the lure coming across the surface of the water doesn’t begin to

According to Ken, the Jitterbug – and most particularly, the Musky Jitterbug – is the greatest big-bass lure of all time, hands down, no

The Field and Stream magazine ran a big-fish contest from 1911 to 1977, a total of sixtysix years and in that time, more big entries were credited to the Jitterbug than any lure by far. To further illustrate the point, there

are currently still four state-record largemouth bass caught on the Jitterbug. You might think this is all ancient history, but one of those state records occurred as recently as 2016. Most older fishermen are aware that the original Arbogast Jitterbugs were made out of wood. Specifically, aromatic cedar. This provided just the right amount of buoyancy to make the lure a topwater plug. Then, around the 50’s, they started manufacturing the lure out of plastic.

The large, musky jitterbug remained a wood lure until the early 80’s.

Ken’s reference to the Musky Jitterbug, in case you’re not familiar with it, had two treble hooks, one on each side and a third off the tail end. When a bass strikes this 5” lure, there’s a pretty good chance of a hookup.

Fishing topwater lures like the Jitterbug often require patience – something most anglers are in short supply of. The plop, plop, plop sound of the lure coming across the surface of the water doesn’t begin to prepare the angler for the strike. You can’t imagine unless you’ve experienced it for yourself.

Other topwater lures have been around for years and anglers will attest to their effectiveness. The Zara Spook, Devil Horse, and Hula Popper are but a few of these incredible baits. But none compare to the Jitterbug.

That Time of the Year!

By Brandon Baughman

It’s that time that we’ve all been waiting for as South Florida bowhunters. Archery season is upon us! For the die-hard bowhunters, the spots have already been picked. The archery equipment has already been gone through. The Bow is sighted in. The target bucks have been picked out and patterned now all that needs to happen is an opportunity! And in this moment of excitement and anticipation, there are some things that we can take from this as archers to make sure that our opening day is not spoiled, but successful.

One of them being patient. As an archer, you’re very familiar with patience, but in the heat of opening day, there needs to be a little extra. There’s a lot of excitement happening at this moment needing to hurry and get to the stand. Getting there before other hunters. Arriving before sunrise. In all this hustling bustle if you’re not careful, you could forget important things like not taking your release to the stand with you or forgetting your quiver of arrows. Just sit back and take a moment, doesn’t have to be a long couple of seconds even, just to make sure that everything is going as planned. It could save you from disaster! Patients before entering the hunting woods can be a huge asset for your hunting success

situation is calming yourself down once you get to your stand, settle down, get comfortable, breathe, and think every scenario through so that when a situation happens, you’ll be able to execute your shot flawlessly! Thinking of this now will pay big dividends during your hunt!

It can get trying at times for sure, but those that are going to be successful, are the ones that have got their brain on track!

The last thing I want to hit on is confidence! Confidence goes hand-inhand with mental stability. Think about it you’ve done all this scouting you set your stand in the place where you think it should go. You made plans on how to read the wind to get to your stand, you put thousands of arrows through your bow to make sure you’re good to whatever distance you feel comfortable shooting, you’re in the stand ready to go, and all of a sudden this little thought goes in your mind. Did I do this right? Did I sit in the right place? Could I really take a shot that far? All this doubt starts affecting you. An hour into your set, the sun starts breaking over the horizon and you don’t see anything, that doubt starts creeping in faster than anything. Don’t let it! Remind yourself of all that you’ve done to get to this point and stay confident that you’ve made the right choices. Whether your animal comes in on a string or you don’t see anything that day and yet you did everything you could to be ready. And if you’re one of the few on opening day and everything goes exactly the way it is supposed to, you can walk away with one more notch on your confidence belt which just builds a better foundation as an experienced bow hunter!

Considering that archery is 80% mental, and 20% equipment, if you’re mental game is not on that could spell disaster as well. You’re in the woods, trying to make sure everything is supposed to be where it’s supposed to be and then all of a sudden you have this giant buck standing in front of and your brain is going haywire. There’s a good possibility you may miss that animal. Buck fever itself is already a hard thing to get over, but if your brain is already excited it compounds the problem. A good remedy for the

Let’s face it hunting in South Florida is not for the faint of heart. Between the heat, and the bugs, trying to find your own piece of woods to hunt, not to mention the elusive South Florida deer that we have. It can get trying at times for sure, but those that are going to be successful, are the ones that have got their brain on track! Patience, calm, and confidence are just as important in taking to the woods as your bow arrows and your release! Here at Skull Hill Archery, we hope everyone who ventures into the deep woods is successful and if there’s any way we can help you whether it’s with your equipment or hunting advice we are here for you! God bless and happy hunting!!!!

FULL SERVICE PRO SHOP

We are a fully stocked Pro shop for all your archery needs. Including consigned and new bows.

• 20 yard indoor range

• 50 yard covered 3D range

• Knowledgable bow techs

Fishing with GREAT FISHERMEN

By Don Norton

When I was a kid, I loved playing sports. I remember how hard it was to keep up with the older kids who were bigger, taller, and much more skilled in the sport than I was. At times, I felt like just giving up.

When I was around 12, I was trying out for our local little league baseball team, and I remember telling my dad that I wasn’t sure if I was going to make the team or not because most of the boys were older, bigger, and better ballplayers. He advised me to stick with it, work harder, and learn from the other players. I ended up making the cut, became part of the team, and continued to become a better ball player over the years.

But I remember my dad sitting down with me and my brothers and explaining to us that if you want to become better at something, regardless of what it is, you need to surround yourself and compete against people who are better than you.

I’ve heard that advice repeated many times growing up, as well as throughout my working career. If you want to become good at something, spend your time with people who are already good at whatever it is.

I wanted to become good at bass fishing. In my late teens and into my early 20s, I traveled all over the country competing in bass tournaments and seldom taking home a check. Back then, most of the tournaments were boaters and non-boaters so you had little choice as to who you might be spending a day in the boat with. I fished with some really good anglers in the process and learned a great deal from all of them.

When I was growing up I learned from my father, my brothers, and my uncle who loved to fish. As I got older, I sought out the best bass fishermen in the area and competed against them regularly.

And then I had the opportunity to work for and learn from one of the

greatest fishermen in the world, Buck Perry of Hickory, North Carolina. Buck was enshrined in the Fishing Hall of Fame and is considered The Father of Structure Fishing.

One of the most important things I learned from him was “there are no experts in bass fishing, we are all students.”

Over the years I’ve continued to learn by fishing with many of the best anglers in this area. One of those anglers is Mike Winker, who’s on the cover of this magazine.

Mike’s both a great fisherman and a good friend. He’s one of those guys who are always looking for new, innovative ideas when it comes to bass fishing while continuing to hone his skills to a higher level.

The cover shot of Mike holding a huge bass wasn’t the first time he landed a large bass, and I’m sure it won’t be the last. But on that day, I learned something, something I’d learned long ago and forgotten, I’d learned patience.

Flipping and pitching comes pretty naturally to me, as it does to many anglers. But sometimes I forget the purpose of the flip or pitch, and in the process, my bait is in and out so fast, that the bass hardly has a chance to see it, let alone eat it.

That day, as we fished together on Lake Istokpoga, I watched Mike display real patience as he pitched his bait back into the pads and then just waited. Minutes passed and a slight twitch of his rod tip, a short turn of his reel handle and I could see he was “working the bait,” very, very slowly. I was in the front of the boat and had already pitched into the same area, retrieving the bait quickly as I flipped even further ahead. Mike was rewarded with a beautiful trophy bass because of his patience.

I learned something that day. We truly are students, constantly learning from each other.

By Kristen Smoyer

4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION

In 2014, my journey with flyboarding began, and I was introduced to this exhilarating sport that would change my life forever. What started as a mere invitation to learn and teach flyboarding soon evolved into a deep-seated passion that would lead me to new heights – literally and figuratively. Inspired by my love and the joy of being on the water, I started Lake June Pontoons, a boat and jet ski rental operation in Lake Placid, Florida. Here, I strive to create a space where people can experience some of the joy and excitement watersports brought into my life. It’s a place where my family and I can enjoy the beauty of freshwater lakes and raise my son surrounded by the stunning natural landscape we all call home.

You’re all invited to come on down the 4th of July and enjoy Lake June with us. I plan to do a little flyboarding over the lake. It’s going to be a lot of fun. See you there!

Sportsmen’s Foundation for Military Families

Our U.S. Armed Forces veterans and their families have sacrificed so much for our freedom and our way of life.

The Sportsmen’s Foundation for Military Families (SFMF) was established to honor that sacrifice.

Eligible military veteran families are given the opportunity to participate in a professionally guided outdoor adventure. For the veteran family, an SFMF experience is often the trip of a lifetime and is extremely therapeutic for those who could use a helping hand in recovery. It is our humble way of saying “thank you” for your service.

We invite you to learn more about the Sportsmen Foundation for Military Families.

“The number one best coping skill is the ability to maintain and put forth a positive attitude, especially in the face of adversity. SFMF hunts nurture that attitude and subsequently help combat veteranhunters cope during the ups and downs of life.”

Over the course of American History millions of combat veterans of the United States Armed Forces have fought to protect our country and our freedom. One of the tragic consequences to our combat families and their families has been the sometimes long-lasting detrimental impact of their mental and physical well-being. It is known that a show of appreciation for their sacrifice is often great therapy, and may go a long way toward recovery.

The Sportsmen’s Foundation for Military Families, an IRS 501 © (3) charitable organization, helps provide that therapy. Should a combat veteran be struggling mentally or physically, we

lend a hand. Coping skills improved, confidence regained, and a better chance for success in life. The singular experience of the hunt and all that it represents to the veteran will greatly aid in longterm quality of life, reduction of Post Traumatic Stress among those who suffer, and bring comfort to their mental well-being.

Most hunters will tell you that hunting is much more than simply the harvesting of an animal. The act of hunting represents a call to nature, independence, bonding with friends, a quiet reflection, for many a passion like no other. Hunting may represent the single biggest

stress reduction and “cleansing” of the soul for the individual who is dedicated and enthusiastic about outdoor activities. While the act of hunting on the surface may appear inconsequential, it is all that the hunt represents to the veteran hunter that truly matters. The completion of the hunt represents accomplishment, ability, achievement, and success. These values will remain and aid the veteran long after the hunt is over. Ultimately, the hunt, for the enthusiastic combat veteranhunter, is anything but inconsequential. We have no high-paid staff, we continually seek donated or reduced-rate adventures from well-known

and experienced outfitters, and we are extremely frugal, watching every penny. However, because we cater specifically to the entire family, never isolating the veteran from their family, our costs are high. Please consider a donation of whatever you can afford, $10, $100, or even $1000. Automatic monthly contributions, such as $15 per month, are particularly helpful, as they provide for a consistent budget. You may contribute at www.huntforvets.com. We welcome you to visit our ranch in Florida. Come see for yourself, firsthand, the work we do with veterans and their families. We are confident you will appreciate the benefits. We owe our veteran families more than we can ever repay, but we must try. Your online donation will help in the healing, help in recovery,

help them get their family back together as it should be, with dreams and hopes of a brighter future. Please donate at www.huntforvets.com right now.

In order to participate in Outdoor Adventure with The Sportsmen’s Foundation for Military Families, you must have served in combat. We accept Combat Veterans from all war eras. All hunting and fishing trips are 100% paid for. Qualifying families just need to arrange their own transportation.

Thank you and God Bless,

— Danny & Carla Santangelo Founders of Sportsmen’s Foundation for Military Families | www.huntforvets.com

The 33rd Caladium Festival, Car, and Bike Show

July 26th, 27th and 28th, 2024

"A blooming good time at the Caladium Festival." - Kim Moody

"A Splash of Wine, Day Dreamer, and Bottle Rocket were the best sellers in 2023."

- Dr. Robert "Bob" Hartman

"The caladium festival is the highlight of the growers year."

- Jennifer Bush

"My wife and I are Master Gardeners and we wouldn't miss the caladium festival." - Robert Fromhartz

My First Column

By Hunter Brousseau

Welcome everyone to my column and thank you for reading the very first article I have written for this magazine. My name is Hunter Brousseau I am 12 years old and going into the 7th grade this coming fall.

My column topics will discuss many topics such as bass tournaments, social media, baits and techniques, and sponsor reviews and will include information from some top bass pros from B.A.S.S. and M.L.F.

I have been very fortunate with my grandfather being Gerry Brousseau and a great many doors have been opened for me and I have learned from some of the top pros of yesterday as well as today's superstars.

It would be impossible for me to list every pro whom I have fished with, had dinner with, or just discussed techniques with, and every company who has sponsored me or offered me a sponsorship at such a young age.

This first article is informational so that those of you who don’t know me will have some insight into what to expect in future articles.

I promise you I will never stop learning, never stop helping others, and never forget to thank those who have taken their time, efforts and cost to help me travel this road to this point or will do so in the future.

My webpage will be up and running shortly and once in place you can contact me there with questions or thoughts on what you would like to see in future columns. In the meantime please contact The Anglers Magazine through their email and I will forward any comments and requests

In closing, I want to share with you what is important to me:

• Family closeness and values

• Friends are very important to me

• A solid education

• Sharing knowledge and helping others

• Protect our resources and make sure we leave them better than I found it.

• Treat everyone you meet equally or better than you want to be treated.

• Show young anglers the only restrictions placed on them are those that they set.

Tight lines - I hope you enjoy my column each month

I would like to Thank Don Norton for allowing someone my age to have a column in a fine magazine and share my thoughts.

JCapt. Dave Stephens

Boca Granda Pass, Charlotte Harbor, and the Flats REPORT & FORECAST

uly is a month that many different things should be going on. Sometimes Mother Nature can dictate those things, but we will go over them.

This time of year, we start seeing large tarpon that have left the pass move up into the harbor. The deeper holes are the best places to start looking, getting an early start with calm wind can help. If the lady-fish are feeding on glass minnows this will also attract feeding tarpon, look for bird activity.

For the anglers that don't want that much of a fight? Well, the juvi's can be fun to catch and are found on the flats and also outside the bars on local flats. The early morning bite is normally better before the boat traffic picks up. Snook are moving into their post-spawn pattern, but will still be found in the normal areas, like bars that are holding mullet, and mangrove shorelines that have good tidal flow. Look for

snook also moving into creeks and in the backcountry, mullet is also important for locating fish in these areas.

Summertime redfish can also be very good. It seems to me the wetter summers seem to be better for reds this time of year. Look for mangrove shorelines with good overhanging mangroves, they seem to like the shade on hot summer days. The mangrove snapper bite will be very good in places with deep cover. Deep potholes on the flats will also hold good numbers of fish. If these guys seem a little spooky you might want to drop your hook and leader size down. Also, remember fellow anglers this time of year thunderstorms can develop very fast this time of year. So keep an eye on the sky!

If you would like to experience some of Southwest Florida's finest fishing? Give us a call our trips are customized to fit your party's needs.

DISCOVER LAKE PLACID'S TREASURES AT THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUSEUM!

Step back in time and experience central Florida's history at the Lake Placid Historical Society Museum! Housed in a 1920s Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Depot, this gem is more than just a museum — it's a journey through the heart of Florida's past. Open Wednesday to Saturday, from 10am to 3pm, our doors are always open for history enthusiasts and curious minds alike. Admission is absolutely free!

Our museum isn't just about showcasing history; it's about living it - we bring the stories of central Florida to life in a way that's casual, fun, and inviting. Whether you're a history buff or just looking for a unique way to spend some time, the Lake Placid Historical Society Museum is the perfect destination. — 19 W. Park Street, Lake Placid, FL 33852

Lake Okeechobee water levels have been slowly coming down and it is currently around the 12.50 mark so use extreme caution running your boat, especially when getting on/off plane.

With levels getting lower, it’s a great time to fish the canal system and the Kissimmee River for bass, bream, and crappie around the river pilings early in the mornings. You’ll find the bream beds along the river’s edge as well as bass chasing/feeding on the spawning bream.

When I fish the river this time of year for bass it’s a great time to use deep diving crankbaits around ledges and drop-offs in crawdad, shad, and bream colors and Carolina rigs rigged with creature-style baits, big worms, senkos, and flukes. The best colors are June bug, red bug, black/blue, white, and tilapia.

This time of year, I like to start early in the morning and get my 6 hours of fishing in before the heat of the mid-day and/or before possible afternoon t-storms or heavy rain. If you’re launching from Scott Driver or the Okeetantie ramp located on the Kissimmee River, an area that’s produced steadily, has been around Tin House and Kings Bar. If you’re coming from the West, launching at the Harney Pond canal but be sure to stop by Big Water Bait & Tackle for all your tackle needs before heading out to fish around Dyess Ditch, Monkey Box, and Horse Island.

Some areas in and around the shoal have been producing bass and bream bites around the grassier, maiden cane areas. Other bass lures that are catching are swim baits and jigs, some top water worked slowly, like Zara spooks or a Devil Horse. Spinnerbaits worked on or near the outside grass edges, flipping and pitching creature-style lures like big worms and senkos.

Remember, this is a good time of year to fish deeper water areas and avoid running the lake and possible lower unit issues if you’re unsure. The canal system such as the J&S area, the river and canal down around South Bay, and Slims Fish Camp holds quality fish and produces a lot of fun action..keep an eye out for schooling fish. To book you’re next fun and educational day fishing Lake Okeechobee call me at 863-228-7263 or log onto my website at www. southfloridabassfishing.com where you’ll find up-to-date customer pics and their catches, past fishing reports, pricing, etc. I am currently taking deposits for the upcoming season so book early to get your preferred date(s). Thanks to my sponsors: Toho Marine in St. Cloud, Florida; Gill; Bullet Weights; BnM Poles; Mercury; G-Loomis; Lews; Pradco Brands; Gene Larew; Mid South Tackle and Megastrike.

These guys come down to fish with Capt. Angie every May for three days. This is a picture of their filets.

Capt. Reno Alley

Lake Reedy Lake Reedy REPORT & FORECAST

Lake Reedy, (my home lake) is located in Polk County, in the little town of Frostproof. A nice size lake covering 3,483 acres with all kinds of vegetation. It is shallow along the bank, from one foot up to six feet along the weed lines. These are great flipping areas.

The lake also has plenty of deep water. The deepest I have seen is about 28 feet. It does have some nice drop-offs, and most are in the 12 to16 foot range.

This lake is deep. The lake does have some deep pepper grass in some 12 to 15 feet areas. Years ago, the state put in fish attractors, and some are still there if you look hard enough!

Lake Reedy is a brown-stained water lake. Visibility is two feet at the most.

This lake fishes on the hard side of bass fishing. It is not your average Florida lake to fish. You need some deep-water experience.

Good depth finders are a must on this body of water, and finding the bass is a little harder than normal.

or new

This lake is tournament-fished hard. Almost every weekend there is a bass tournament. The average weigh-in to win would be about 20 pounds for five bass.

Later on, I will tell you how to find some big ones on Lake Reedy. So, give this lake a try! — Captain Reno Alley - Memory Makin Guides 1-800-749-2278

Bolling

Stewart Butler 9 .9 Fellsmere Reservoir

Thomas Rust 10 .12 Little Lake Howell

Ginger Mark 8 .1 Lake Daugharty

Luke Palmer 13 .8 Golf Course lake

By Don Norton

ITHE Best Pizza!

restaurants and where we should go.

I might mention that my wife loves pizza! I think she could eat pizza hot or cold, every day of the week. In fact, if you remember the old commercial on TV where they spoke of someone walking a mile for a camel cigarette, I think my wife would walk a mile for a good pizza.

My buddy Dave has mentioned that the best pizza restaurant that he’s ever been to is located right here in Sebring, Florida. A restaurant named Galati’s. He’s told me about their incredible pizza so many times over the last 10 years that it just kind of went in one ear and out the other. That is until he mentioned it to my wife.

Of course, we had to go to Galati’s, and he was right! I don’t claim to be a pizza expert. I never really was a huge fan of pizza. But I am now!

’ve never been too fond of restaurants or eating out. During my working career, I traveled a great deal all over the country, and fine-dining restaurants, as well as fast food takeouts, became a staple when you’re living on the road. But to me, it wasn’t that big of a deal. A boy’s gotta eat!

Now, my wife loves to eat out! I can’t tell you how many times I’d be gone all week and ready for a home-cooked meal, only to get home and find my wife had been waiting all week to try a different restaurant. I just couldn’t win.

Coincidentally, I have a buddy who loves to eat out as well. I think he has eaten at every restaurant in Florida, both large and small. And because he knows my wife loves to go out to eat, he’s constantly recommending

Not only does my wife love the pizzas at Galati’s, but it’s now moved up to the top of our favorite restaurants.

If you haven’t visited Galati’s at 637 South Commerce Avenue in Sebring, (just down the street from the courthouse) you need to stop by Tuesday through Saturday, from noon to nine. They offer more than pizza on the menu, and there are plenty of tables if you want to dine in, or you can call ahead and order to go.

The new owners, Edward and Adriane Jackson are great folks and they’d love to meet you!

I don’t think I’ve ever recommended a restaurant or for that matter a pizza, but take it from me, it will be Love at first bite!

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!

Discover all the fun things to see and do in the Grand Lake Area as well as places to stay, places to eat, festivals and more at GrandLakeFun.com