LAKE & RIVER FORECASTS
navigating peace of mind
THE IMPORTANCE OF BOAT INSURANCE
Embarking on the open water is an exhilarating experience, flled with the promise of adventure and relaxation. Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or a weekend cruiser, safeguarding your vessel with proper insurance is not just a choice—it’s a necessity. Explore the reasons why every boat owner should prioritize boat insurance for a worry-free voyage.
Unpredictable waters
The open water can be unpredictable, with unexpected storms, collisions, or other potential accidents. Boat insurance can give you fnancial protection if there is damage to your vessel, providing coverage for repairs or replacement.
Damage and injury
Accidents on the water can result in damage to other boats, docks, or even injuries to passengers. Boat insurance offers liability coverage, which can pay for damages or injuries you’re liable for while boating, up to specifed limits, and lawsuit costs if you’re sued. This includes damage you cause to another watercraft or if someone on or near your boat is injured and you’re found to be legally responsible.
Theft and vandalism
Unfortunately, boat theft and vandalism are realities that boat owners face. Boat insurance has comprehensive and collision coverage that can protect you against events outside of your control, including theft and vandalism.
Incurred medical payments
Accidents on the water may lead to injuries for you or your passengers. Boat insurance offers a range of optional medical payments coverage limits, helping to cover medical expenses if you are in an accident or someone is hurt on your boat, regardless of fault.
Peace of mind for fnancing
If you fnanced the purchase of your boat, most lenders require insurance coverage to protect their investment. Having boat insurance not only fulflls these requirements but also gives you peace of mind knowing that your fnancial interests are safeguarded.
Navigational fexibility
Some water municipalities and marinas may require proof of insurance for docking or accessing certain areas. Boat insurance allows you the fexibility to explore different destinations without worrying about entry restrictions.
Emergency towing and assistance
Progressive boat insurance can include optional Sign & Glide® On-Water Towing coverage. If your boat is disabled or breaks down on the water, Sign & Glide® pays for on-water towing, jump starts, soft un-groundings, and fuel delivery.
Wreckage removal
If your boat sinks, Progressive boat insurance will cover the cost of removing your boat from the water (if removal is legally required).
Investing in boat insurance is not just about protecting a valuable asset; it’s about safeguarding the memories, experiences, and joy that come with your on-water adventures. Don’t let unforeseen circumstances disrupt your journey—navigate with confdence, knowing that Progressive boat insurance has you covered. Ensure a smooth and worry-free voyage, because when it comes to your boat, peace of mind is the ultimate luxury.
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THEHIGHS OFUNICOR HUNTING
Throughout chc year, the Florida KC)'S provide excclltnt billlish oppor1unitics.
Bycapt.QulnlynHaddon
Sailfish c.an be foulld year.round and are most reliably targeted in late autumn through the spring when they feast on ballyhoo at the reef.
Swordfishing is grc.1t any time ofthe year. as lcmgasM!3.lhcr accommodal('S!he l<>nsrnn l() the decpwa1cr JcdgcS. Tai:gcting them during tht:: day re<1uii:csdroppingabaitLothebottom.
�fariinfishi11gjsdoableduri11gsummer.butit$ certainlyJess thanreliable. 'Ihey a.-eoftenhooked as bycatch while fisltillg for the mahi or tuna on whichtheyarefeeding.
I recently had the pleasure of taking a trip solely targetingmarlinandswordfish.\Vehadtwo fishermen on board who were firs1 1liners with both.spl't'i<$. It wasintcro:,ting ,vatching them go 1hrough thebipolarswingsofbUlfishing. ·n1eywere
there LQ a$$i:.land learn, and I got lo watch them enjoy nnd suffer through thefull experience. Initially. there was opliini.sm as the su1\ rose a11d wedeployed ail elaboratetrolling spread. 1he setupmust haveseemedfantasticaltoanewcomer, with the giant lures.strange-looking teasers and lines everywhere. like we were captained by a coffoc fuclcdspider.Thedaywas )'Oung.1hcspread ,rasaworko(an,andthenc,,·bieshadnoreasonto doubt ourchances.
Frustrationsoo1lfollowed.Aswewerewtapping up marlin 1rollillg to head for the swordgrouods.
wepa.ss«1agorgeous weed linefull ofhma birds. It looked likeourbestchance... until the right rigger caught grnss. Upon• gentle rc1ricvc10dc.1rtheline,itpopf)OOthe rigger, foll1hroughthespreadam.lauempll-'<ll.Omate with the teaser al the worst time. We packed up inthemiddleof1hegiantflockof birdsthat mockedusforquitting.Ahh,disappointinent It was time co hii Lhe swordgrouncb and beginthecycleagain.Our nextelaboratesetup wo,dd drop to 1,500 feet.and the doe e)eS of optimismmadetheir nextappearance. 1hc dance belwccn doubt. lx)rcdom and forcedoprimismcontinued.a,,;ourfirs1bitedidn1l occuruntilafter4 p.m. It wasaheavyhit.a reelstopping, drag-pulling, set-up-the-harpoon type hit that had us giggling like children. El'eryone was re�1dy to t.1keon dutieswhen, JOO.feet from theweight, the rod tip popped up and everrone experiencedgut.wrenchingheartbreak.
On Lhc nc:ic1 drift, we hooked up again, and cvcrronequietlyheldtheirexcitement untilthetlsh hit the deck. l don't m.�d to cxplah\ the foe-ling in that Jlext moine11t, but with smiles and high fives a1J around > it was the 011e we wereall looking for. We tookhomesati.sfactio11.exhaustio11.andbigbags ofm<.".ll.
Hunting swimming unicorns is hands-down m)' favorite fishing. If youwant toexperiencethe emotional rollcrcoaS1cr of chasing the fish of a lifetime,givemeacallalSwce1 E'nul'Charters.
Capt, Quinl)'u Hmtdcm guides wit/1 Swed E'Nu/Clwrlers, Mnratliot1, Florida Keys. ww1�capt<1inqui11ly11.ccm1; <fi>captai11q11i11/y11; (504) 910�-12.
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TACTICS FOR DOG DAYS BASS 4
It’s hot. Te lakes and reservoirs are covered with jet skis, wake boats and party barges full of sun seekers.
Dog days conditions can be tough for bass fshing, but fsh settle into patterns this time of year that can lead to productive days on the water.
Finding cooler water is the key to catching bass when the surface temperatures reach uncomfortable levels, and there are several ways to do this.
Go Deep: Te huge schools of fsh that concentrate on ofshore ledges and river channel bends at many of our large reservoirs have already been beaten into submission by every angler with sonar by this time of year. You might still be able to pick a few out of the school with deep crankbaits, drop-shots or footballhead jigs, but sometimes it’s worth fnding less obvious fsh to target.
Tere are other areas that hold fsh. Tat 30-footwide shell bed of the main channel might not be covered with bass, but there will be some fsh there if there’s some current, and these bass see much fewer lures and are more willing to bite this time of year. Search with a crankbait, wiggle a football-head on the bottom or drag a big Carolina rigged worm over the shells and see what happens.
Cool-Water Tribs: A tributary stream feeding cooler water into the lake attracts baitfsh and bass. Fish ofen stage on points where a feeder creek enters the main body. Eliminate water quickly with crankbaits or spinnerbaits to see if there’s anyone home before
slowing down with a jig or a worm.
By CAM Staf
Extend the Night Bite: Bass do a lot of their feeding at night this time of year, and anglers can take advantage of this by fshing the frst couple hours of daylight.
Tis pattern will also show you that not every fsh in the lake goes deep. Shallow rocks and grass edges hold bluegill, shad, crayfsh and all sorts of other tasty critters. Start on top at or before dawn with a walking bait or popper and cover as much water as you can before the sun gets up. Tis is not really a numbers game, and the bites will be scattered, but it’s a lot of fun when a big fsh blows up your lure.
Fish the Shade: When the sun gets high and hot, you’ll fnd fsh hunkered down in the shade. Docks, laydowns, overhanging trees or matted vegetation all provide the shade bass and the things they eat look for. Bank shade is also where you’ll fnd bream beds where bass like to feed.
Skip a wacky rig up as far up under a dock as you can get it. Drop a jig into that blowdown. Work a frog over matted grass or punch through it with a heavy Texas rig. Cover water and pick apart those shady areas. It’s a fun style of fshing that can also be productive under less-than-perfect conditions.
For more bass tips, go to coastalanglermag.com.
Coleman Roberts caught his 9-pound, 4-ounce bass in July at Lake Istokpoga, Fla.
TREASURE FOUND!
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RUN-AND-GUN TROLLING Scout Weed Lines Quickly and Effectively
By Mark Ambert
With summer weed line formation, mahi become a favorite target for the “run and gun” method. A good way to quickly scout if anyone’s home is a modifed version of the troll. I have observed and adopted this method used by professional captains for mahi.
The Setup
Keep a couple of spinning rods rigged and ready with pitch baits that can be trolled. Te rig consists of a 7-foot medium-heavy spinning rod with a 6000-size spinning reel—preferably with a baitrunner setting.
If you’re not familiar with the baitrunner function, it is a free-spool setting that allows line to pull from the spool while the bail is engaged. When a fsh grabs your bait, it can take it without feeling resistance.
My favorite combo is a Penn Carnage III boat rod with a Shimano Tunnus reel. Spool up with 20-lb. mono and add a 40- or 50-lb., 4-foot fuorocarbon leader. Tie on a Gamakatsu 6/0 or 7/0 Octopus hook using a Palomar knot. Insert the hook under the chin of a fresh frozen, small- to medium-sized ballyhoo. Make sure the point of the hook exits directly between the eyes. I like a Squidnation Slammer 3-inch plastic chugger head
with the bait to produce more action.
Cast this behind the boat along a weed line while underway. Position it several yards past the last wakes from the prop wash, and slowly work the bait by twitching the rod tip while holding it above your head. Tis will cause the ballyhoo to skip like a feeing baitfsh. You can work two baits in this manner by staggering the distance. If nothing hits within a few minutes, move on.
Tis method is slower than traditional trolling, and it is deadly for locating feeding fsh on large, scattered weed patches. If you are using a baitrunner reel, allow the fsh to run a few seconds before setting the hook.
The Electric Alternate
An alternate method that’s ideal for long straight weed lines or rips is a more traditional trolling setup. I use the Piscifun Saltfow ofshore rod and a Kraken electric reel with battery pack for this type of trolling.
Te Saltfow is 8-foot, 3-inch rod with a sof tip. It has a unique line guide setup that eliminates rod twist under a load. Te Kraken electric reel is new to me this year and has already paid dividends.
beneft when constantly retrieving lures to clear weeds or move locations. A traditional ballyhoo rig with a teaser and bait spring is my choice for medium-speed trolling. A good premade rig is the Mahi Chaser by Trolling Pro Tackle.
Once you get a hook-up, get some fresh squid, jigs or live baits in the water and hang on. Te Mahi show is about to get started!
Mark Ambert, IG @marksgonefshing_™
Cast Lures in a Mitzi Tournament 17
LOBSTERING IN THE KEYS A FUN & FLAVORFUL ADVENTURE!
By A. deGruchy
If you’re craving the thrill of the hunt and the taste of fresh lobster, the Florida Keys are your paradise. Here’s a quick guide to help you fnd these delectable critters, catch them, and turn them into a simple, yet fancy meal. First things frst, you’ll need the right gear. Grab a tickle stick, to push lobsters out of their hiding spots, and a lobster net to scoop them up once they’re on the move. Snorkel gear is essential for getting up close and personal with these lobsters, and don’t forget gloves to protect your hands from sharp rocks and lobster spines. Lastly, a measuring device is required to make sure your catch is legal size. Tey are measured in carapace length, and it’s important to know how to measure
them before gathering them.
Now, let’s talk lobster hotspots. Spiny lobsters love to hide in crevices, under ledges, and around coral reefs. Te regular lobster season runs from August to March. Once you have your snorkeling gear, you can generally fnd them in as shallow as 6 feet deep. Keep an eye out for their long antennae sticking out from their hiding places, and then gently use your tickle stick to encourage them out before swifly scooping them up with your net. Teir behavior is to swim away, naturally, and spiny lobsters use their tail to swim backward. Make sure your net is in position to anticipate them swimming backward into your trap. Once they’re in it, it’s also important to close the
Repower Center
netting to prevent any slip ups and runaways.
Once you’ve got your catch, it’s time to enjoy. Te easiest way to prepare lobster is to grill them. Split the lobsters in half lengthwise, brush with a mixture of melted butter, garlic and a squeeze of lemon juice and grill them shell-side down until the meat is opaque and slightly charred. Serve with a side of melted butter for dipping, and you’ve got yourself a fancy feast.
So, gear up, dive in, and get ready to enjoy the freshest lobster you’ve ever tasted. Happy hunting!
Visit www.myfwc.com for more information and updates on Florida Spiny Lobster regulations.
LIGHT UP THE NIGHT
Tim Barefoot
Fishing under lights at night is a good thing to do 12 months out of the year, but it is especially good during the hot summer months, when daytime temperatures can make standing on the deck in the glaring sun less than appealing.
During the hottest days of the year, snook, trout and redfsh follow bait directly to bright light, like moths to the porch light. Being that I sell boat lifs for a living, I suggest installing the biggest brightest lights on your docks that you can. Some systems can be controlled remotely with an app on your phone.
To turn your dock into a fshing Mecca, you must learn to use existing facilities for maximum return on investment. You can also feed shrimp and minnows with cornmeal and keep them attracted with lights at night. Once you get the bait concentrated, you will have the fsh concentrated as well. For more information on this, check out my Youtube channel.
If you don’t have a dock, you can still light up the night with powerful and lightweight lithium battery spotlights or purpose-made fshing lights that run on your boat’s electrical system. Some of these are submersible. Turn the lights on and hang out for a few minutes. You’ll be amazed at how many baitfsh show
up.
I like an artifcial shrimp jig or live shrimp best. Live shrimp are the most efective bait out there, but I like artifcials because it limits the amount of tackle and hassle. A good technique is to drif down a series of lighted docks and cast to the lights. When you fnd fsh, concentrate on that area with repeated drifs.
A word of advice: Be quiet! Older and wiser snook or trout are not stupid. Use the trolling motor only when it’s needed and not at all when possible. In my humble opinion, fsh become wary to the sound of a trolling motor. Remain calm and make as little noise as possible on your drifs. Don’t play music, stomp around on the deck, talk loudly or slam cooler lids.
Te light attracts the fsh and catching them is up to you. Match the hatch by taking notice of the type and size of the bait you see. Tis might require casting smaller jigs or even small shrimp or baitfsh fies when the fsh get picky.
Tis is the perfect atmosphere for showing children how to catch fsh. Te visual aspect of this technique is very entertaining and educational. Check out my Youtube video
for a perfect example of fshing a well-lighted dock properly.
For more information, visit barefootcatsandtackle.com and check out his YouTube channel.
Don Norton
A Very Special Thank You
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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AIRBOAT RIDES
Airboat Wildlife Adventures ... 863-655-4737 4971 US-98, Sebring
APPAREL
*Lake Placid Western Wear 863-465-4731 417 US 27 S Lake Placid
ARCHERY
*Skull Hill Archery ............. 863-484-0032 1505 Parrott Ave, Okeechobee
BARBER SHOP
Matt's Barbershop 863-991-2317 5367 US 27 South Unit B, Sebring
BASS FISHING TOURNAMENTS
The Big Show Bass Tournaments 518ranger1992@gmail.com 863-412-9095
BEAUTY SALON
Flippin' Out Salon .............. 863-402-4605
3605 Sebring Parkway, Sebring
BOAT DEALERSHIPS
*Erwine's Marine 863-635-4492
250 S. Scenic Highway, Frostproof
BOAT/WATERSPORTS RENTAL
*Lake June Pontoon/ Jet Ski Rental 863-464-0236
10 Lake June Clubhouse Rd, Lake Placid
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Lake Placid Chamber of Commerce
18 North Oak Ave Lake Placid 863-465-4331
Okeechobee Chamber of Commerce
55 S Parrott Ave, Okeechobee 863-467-6246
CHURCHES
*First Baptist Church 863-655-1878 1927 Blessing Ave, Lorida
DOG GROOMING
Rachel's Dog Grooming ........ 863-214-3334 1128 Corvette Ave, Sebring EDUCATION / SCHOOLS
*Chapman School of Seamanship 772-283-8130
Captain's License - www.chapman.org, Stuart
FISH CAMPS / CAMPGROUNDS
*Hendersons Fish Camp ....... 863-465-2101
35 Henderson Rd, Lake Placid www.hendersonsfishcampfl.com
FISHING GUIDES / FRESHWATER
Capt . Angie Doughit . . . . . . 863-228-7263
Lake Okeechobee Bass, Crappie/Bluegill southfloridabassfishing.com
Capt Corky Neff 606-584-0144
Lake Istokpoga, Lake Placid
Corky & Tangies Guided Bass Fishing Tours.com
Capt . Reno Alley ............... 800-749-2278
Lake Reedy, Walk-in-Water, Crooked Lake memorymakinguides.com
Capt . Valerie Morrell ........... 863-633-6969 Headwaters floridatrophybassguide@gmail.com
FISHING GUIDES / SALTWATER
*Capt Dave Stephens 941-916-5769
Boca Grande Pass, Charlotte Harbor
FISHING ROD SALES / REPAIR
Red’s Rod Repair & Custom Rods 3816 Divot Rd, Sebring .......... 863-273-4998
FISHING TACKLE
*Bridgemasters (Candy Store) ... 863-676-1009 2131 SR 60, Lake Wales
*Fast Break Bait and Tackle ... 863-763-0973 1505 State Road 78 West, Okeechobee fastbreakbaitandtackle.com
FRESH FISH MARKET
*Okeechobee Fish Company 863-357-7500 7841 FL 78W, Okeechobee facebook - Okeechobee Fish Company
GUNS & GUNSMITHS
*Gator Guns Inc . 863-993-2666 715 N Brevard Ave, Arcadia www.gatorgunshop.com
JRC Guns & Ammo ............. 863-212-0324 3033 US Hwy 27N, Sebring
HEARING AID SPECIALIST
*Lampe & Kiefer Hearing Aid Center 863-202-2323
130 S Commerce Ave, Sebring
HOME INSPECTION
SUN RAY Home Inspections .... 863- 553-8660 www.sunrayhomeinspectionsllc.com
HUNTING RESORT
*Lightsey's Family Ranch 863-464-0268 545 New Boot Hill Rd, Venus floridahuntingoutfitter.com
LIVE BAIT
*Neibert's Baits 863-263-0686 4971 US 98, Sebring
MEDICARE HEALTH PLANS
*Colleen Pennisi-Perez 786-213-3948 126 Dal Hall Blvd, Lake Placid
MUSEUMS
*Lake Placid Historical Society Depot Museum ................. 863-465-1775 12 West Park Street Lake Placid Sebring Historical Society ..... 863-471-2522 321 Center Ave, Sebring OUTFITTERS
Okeechobee Outfitters 863-655-2454 www.guided-hunting.com
PAINTING - HOUSE
*Bernies House Painting 863-304-8937 Bernieshousepainting.com, Sebring
*Galati's Restaurant 863-382-3333
ASK RED
How Many Different Bass Are There?
f you aren’t sure, join the species.
And here’s the strangest thing, smallmouth and largemouth bass are actually not considered bass since they are members of the sunfish family.
*editors note. Sara Menendez who normally writes this column is off on maternity leave.
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Experience world-class bass fishing in the heart of Okeechobee, FL, where every cast is an opportunity for an unforgettable catch.
Hunter wins Bill Dance Giant Bass Open On Lake Chickamauga- Dayton, TN
If you’re an angler, you’ve probably heard of Bill Dance, one of the most famous professional bass fishermen over the last fifty years, but what they might not know is that he’s created an “Open Bass Tournament” for kids and adults that everyone can fish. The tournaments are strictly amateur events and there are six scheduled for 2024. Each tournament is two days long and participants can choose to fish one or two days at each event. The cost is $140 per day or $200 for both days for adults and $70 per day or $100 for both days for children.
So, what makes this event different? Well, unlike most tournaments, The Giant Bass Open offers cash awards every hour!
Hunter Brousseau had the opportunity to enter the tournament on June 22nd and 23rd at Lake Chickamauga in Dayton, Tennessee, and on Day One weighed in the winning fish at 6:30 in the morning. Fishing a Gambler Baits Giggy Head, paired up with a Zoom Trick Worm, against 99 youth anglers, Hunter caught and weighed in a 9-pound 9-ounce wall hanger to not only win the $500 hourly payout but also winning the Grand Champion award of $1500 along with a medal and trophy.
Many of you may recall, Hunter won the Big Bass award at the last BIG SHOW BASS TOURNAMENT held on Lake Istokpoga with another 9-pound bass. He is gaining quite a reputation as a big bass angler.
Hunter currently holds the record for the largest bass weighed in for the youth division out of all the events. His favorite reel is a Solus XCS 7.3:1, left-handed model with Cortland Silent 65 pound braid on a Signature Series MDJ Hex 7 1/2' Heavy action rod.
'Tis the Season
By Brandon Baughman
Hunting season is upon us and for those seasoned hunters, you already have this figured out, but for those that are new to the game let’s talk still hunting styles. There are three that I’d like to discuss tree stand hunting, ground blind hunting and saddle hunting. These are all great ways to get the job done some you may favor more than others.
Let’s talk about everyone’s go to the old tree stand. Tree stand hunting has been favored for a long time because it gives you the advantage of being out of the line of sight of the deer. While giving you a great place to rest and wait till the big one walks out. Setting up a tree stand is relatively easy couple bolts and nuts and a few friends and you could strap it to any tree that’s strong enough to hold the stand. It’s convenient easy and comfortable. You can also hunt with a friend When you get a two-man ladder stand, these are personally my favorite because when your friend decides not to go, you’ve got plenty of room for everything to sit right next to you! Whether it’s a ladder stand a climbing stand or a hang on stand these stands, this give you the advantage of being in the trees where nothing one sees!
The next still hunting style would be the one that’s probably the oldest and that’s groundline Hunting! And just like in the name, you’re sitting on the ground , now we’ve advanced a lot since putting a bunch of sticks in front of you and try to hide behind it. The ground blinds of today have gotten very technologically advanced. they’ve gotten bigger to handle up to six people if you want to hunt with six people that is. They’ve made them taller where you can stand in them and shoot that’s a plus For us bowhunters. They’ve also made it to where you can see through the fabric on the inside where you can keep the blind completely closed and see what’s going on around you. Ground blind hunting is also very easy to set up and you can put it anywhere. Those don’t like to go to the trees. This would be the way to go for you.
Lastly, we have saddle hunting, which is the newest craze and honestly probably one of the most mobile way to still hunt! Saddle hunting consist
of a cloth style saddle seat that’s hooked together with ropes and the then connects to a tree with even a bigger rope that gives you complete mobility around the tree and in any tree that hold your weight. It’s light and compact, no more going into the woods with a whole bunch of weight exhausting yourself and if you want to change mid hunt to a different tree, it’s a simple climbing down and climbing back up the next one! There are Several different saddles out there and you really got to try several to find the one that you like that fits you the best! But when the stars align saddle hunting gives you the advantage of throwing the deer off his game and on yours! If you’ve been hunting for a long time and have stuck with one way of hunting or new and don’t know which way to go, these options here broaden your horizon and give you different opportunities to maybe bag that animal that you’ve been trying to get. Don’t knock it till you try it And when you find the right one, knock it and send it!!! If you have any questions about any of these still Hunting styles or any equipment that it takes to do said hunting style Give us a call at Skull Hill Archery we would be happy to help you get in the woods!
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
Capt. Mark King
Okeechobee REPORT & FORECAST
It’s been a pretty typical summer here on Okeechobee fishing for bass. Get out early, catch some bass, enjoy the sunrise, and get off the lake when it gets hot and the bass stop biting.
Numbers have been good, and some pretty nice bass have been caught on both live bait [wild shiners] and artificial lures. The outside grass line seems to be the place you want to set up to fish with live bait and if you want to throw a frog or soft plastics just move in from the outside into a little heavier vegetation. Some of the areas that I have been fishing are from Clewiston north to above Cochran’s Pass, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t other areas that are producing as well. With the daily storms this time of the year I try to not go too far so that I can’t beat the storm back to the boat ramp. The water has been fairly clean so no need to make long runs if you don’t want to, areas like the West Wall, and above Uncle Joe’s Cut have had some good bass.
I had a pretty amazing day recently with some clients from Indiana. The bite was a little slow but we did put a nice bass just shy of seven pounds in the boat and then caught a tarpon that put up a good fight for my thirteen-year-old client. I have seen Tarpon during the summer months here on Okeechobee for years and have had a few clients have one on for seconds and then get off, but we got this one to the boat. My guess is around forty inches and somewhere between twelve to fifteen pounds, but what a great catch of a tarpon here on Okeechobee.
The lake condition is pretty good right now and we pray it stays that way even as they continue to spray and kill our vegetation. With the summer catches being pretty good I believe it should be a good season here on Okeechobee when the water cools and hopefully no hurricanes make their
way toward Florida. It’s not too early to start planning and booking those winter trips to Okeechobee where the bass fishing is good, and the weather is even better. — Capt. Mark King www.markkingfishing.com | 863-677-0983
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ISTOKPOGA FISHING FORECAST
Frog Days of Summer
Well, here we are folks, in the dog days of summer, or as many bass fishermen refer to it as the “Frog Days of Summer.”
August and September are two of the best months of the year to take advantage of the exceptionally warm water and the bass that stay in the shallow bullrushes and pads.
This year is no different. Water temperatures have been high all spring and now that summertime has officially arrived, it’s time to go froggin’.
Plastic frogs and toads can be effective almost any time of the year, but they seem to do best when it's hot and muggy. And if you’re in Florida right
now, it definitely falls into that category.
I prefer a seven-foot, three-inch medium-heavy to heavy baitcasting rod, with a high-speed Lew’s reel, spooled with thirty-pound braid when fishing pads and bullrushes. For open-water fishing, I have another rod and reel combo, a seven-and-a-half-foot medium action rod with a Lew’s reel spooled with fifteen-pound fluorocarbon.
If you’re into topwater fishing, now is the time to get out those frogs!
HERCULES
The Terror of the Ridge
By Don Norton
It was just about an hour after daybreak, on the 4th of July, in 1943, when Jim Jacobs, owner of the Triple T cattle ranch on old route 98, just south of Lorida, Florida, checked on his herd. He normally rode the northern stretch of his 500acre spread with Toby, one of his oldest ranch hands, but he had decided to go by himself today. Most of his men were taking the day off to enjoy the festivities in Sebring, and he planned to go into town later in the day. He had been a cattle rancher all his life, and when his daddy died in ’38, he’d inherited the ranch. He couldn’t imagine doing anything else.
He had ridden out to the southeast ridge, near an oxbow in the Kissimmee River when he spotted the half-eaten carcass of one of his prized steers. As he neared the bloated body, he sensed danger as he reached for his gun. There was movement in the tall grass near the edge of the water.
It wasn’t unusual to lose a calf, or even a cow in the marshy water along the shoreline of the river. He figured they’d lost three or four every year. But this was an exceptionally large steer, and it was half-eaten. It would have taken something exceptionally large to take down a twelve-hundred-pound steer, and then to eat half of it. Maybe it was a large cougar. There were a few of them around, although he hadn’t seen any indication that one was in the area. But a cougar, no matter how big it was couldn’t have eaten half a steer. Maybe a bear, he thought.
Climbing down from Nellie, he suspected a pair of cougars, or maybe bears, as he reached for his old .44 magnum, holstered on his side. His old man had carried that gun for years and seldom ever fired it, but Jim practiced with it often and kept it clean as a whistle. Drawing the gun, he could see that Nellie was scared. She’d been his favorite horse for years and she seldom ever showed fear. Once, when she was much younger, she stomped to death a den of rattlesnakes, saving her life and Jim's. Whatever took down that steer was close by. And she knew it.
As he neared the edge of the water, buzzards were circling in the sky. Looking and listening, Jim could see where the steer had been taken down. There was blood everywhere. Grass and weeds were flattened to the ground, and it looked like the big animal had been dragged ten or twelve feet towards the waters edge. Without warning, Nellie reared her front legs, as he turned around and watched in horror as a huge alligator attacked her from behind. With a death grip on her hindquarters, the beast was able to pull her down. Kicking and snorting, she fell on her side with the big gator holding firmly to her hind legs. Jim fired three shots
into the side of the gator, careful not to hit Nellie. His aim was perfect, but the big gator seemed unfazed.
He could see that it was a huge alligator. Or was it a crocodile? He wasn’t sure. He’d seen both and occasionally a large gator would attack a calf or one of his neighbor's sheep, but he’d never heard of one attempting to take down a full-grown steer, let alone a horse. This was a true monster. Certainly, the largest gator/croc he’d ever seen. He knew alligators were common along the shore of the Kissimmee River, as well as Lake Okeechobee and Lake Istokpoga, but crocodiles never came this far north. On some days it wasn’t unusual to see dozens of gators basking in the sun. They seldom bothered his livestock.
He had seen crocodiles before when he’d made a trip to the Thousand Islands in the Everglades with his dad, but never here, he thought, and he had always heard that they didn’t get along very well with the gator population. Whatever this thing was, it was huge. The creature flipped Nellie over as it bit deeper into her hind legs and hip, attempting to drag her towards the water.
They couldn’t agree on whether it was an alligator or a crocodile... But they could all agree that whatever it was it was close to twenty-five feet long and weighing close to a ton.
He fired a couple more shots, trying desperately to kill the beast or at least make it let go of Nellie. He knew to kill a gator, you had to place the kill shot literally right between its eyes. But he couldn’t get a good shot. Fearing that he’d miss and hit Nellie, he continued to fire into the belly and back of the beast. It didn’t seem to have much of an effect, until suddenly, the monster let go of Nellie, glaring ferociously as it looked back at him.
Later, as Jim recounted the tale to his ranch hands, he said he could not tell if the shots had hurt the animal or just made it angry. Either way, it began to move menacingly toward Jim as he fired repeatedly.
Alligators and crocodiles can move amazingly fast on land, and even given the huge size of this creature, it was quickly closing in on him.
Just as he was braced for the attack, another creature, even larger than the first
came rushing out of the tall grass and struck the smaller gator just behind the front legs. The second gator was at least five feet longer than the first and the two wrestled and fought as they rolled towards the water's edge. The smaller of the two, suffering deep cuts along its side, broke away from the death grip of the larger creature and quickly dove deep into the river. The huge beast that had inadvertently saved Jim’s life, triumphant in the battle, followed after it, looking to finish the fight. Jim was in shock. He quickly reloaded his revolver and helped Nellie back to her feet.
She was bleeding pretty badly from her hip, the bone shining brightly white against the afternoon sun, and Jim knew he had to get her back to the barn and get a vet over to patch her up. She would survive, despite the huge gashes in her hip and legs.
Watching over his shoulder as they walked away, he would never forget the enormous size and shape of that second alligator. Was it a gator or a croc? He just could not tell for sure. Whatever it was, he hoped their paths would never cross again.
A few weeks later when he met with a few of the other ranchers at a town hall meeting in Sebring, they too had seen something that resembled the monster Jim described, but none had been that close. They could not agree on whether it was an alligator or a crocodile, or some other prehistoric beast. But they could agree that whatever it was it was close to twenty-five feet long and weighing close to a ton. They all knew that alligators did not get that big. Nor did crocodiles. It had to be some kind of hybrid or maybe it wasn’t either. Maybe it was some kind of dinosaur left over from the past.
Years went by before another incident occurred. Unlike Jim’s run-in with the creature on land at the edge of the Kissimmee River, this time it happened to a fisherman on Lake Istokpoga. There were many stories about what happened on that day in 1945. Some said it was just a wild story, something made up to scare people. But others knew the victim, and they believed the story to be true.
It seemed that old Doc Whitley, a retired pediatrician in Lake Placid had launched his small wooden rowboat at Windy Point on Lake Istokpoga that day, hoping to catch a few crappies for the dinner table. At 82, Ron was still in surprisingly good shape, but his daughter worried about him out on the lake by himself.
When he didn’t get home for lunch, she got worried. Then, missing dinner was the last straw. That evening, she went to the sheriff’s office after dark to report that her dad had never made it home.
The sheriff and a few of his deputies drove down to Windy Point and found his
old beat-up Ford parked under one of the sprawling oak trees. No other vehicles were there and even in the darkness, there was no sign of movement anywhere. The sheriff attempted to reassure his daughter that he probably got tired and decided to camp out on one of the islands, even though he knew that was pretty unlikely. He suspected that the old-timer had had a heart attack and died alone on the water. He promised her that they would look for him in the morning.
An hour before sunrise they organized a search party and they found his boat around eight a.m. in a small cove at the bottom of Bumblebee Island, probably pushed into the reeds by the wind. The boat was still partially afloat but overturned and the stern was gone, or at least a couple feet of it. There was no sign of the doctor.
Further investigation showed huge, deep cuts into the wooden structure of the boat, indicating something exceptionally large had bitten into the boat. One of the deputies who had worked in Miami said it looked like a Great White Shark had attacked the craft. But sharks lived in saltwater. It couldn’t have been a shark. They all looked at each other. Could an alligator have attacked him while he was fishing? It seemed pretty unlikely. And how big would an alligator have to be in order to bite off a couple feet of a boat? The sheriff scratched his head as they continued to search the area.
They spent five days scouring the lake and the islands. The only thing they ever found was an old straw hat that may or may not have belonged to the doctor. It was partially shredded, but still floated. The body was never found. Stories soon circulated that a monster alligator or crocodile was roaming the lake, searching for its next meal. Fishermen began carrying shotguns and rifles on their fishing trips.
Stories soon resurfaced about Jim Jacobs and his run-in with the big gator a few years earlier. It wasn’t long before people began reporting incidents of seeing the monster in both Okeechobee and Lake Istokpoga. One report came from an elderly lady who thought she saw the monster lazily swimming along in Lake June, only to discover it was a group of kids on floating rafts.
One of the local boys, having just read about one of the great Roman mythological characters, Hercules, took it upon himself to name the beast. Hercules was no longer a myth.
*The book Hercules – The Terror of the Ridge is part of a trilogy of three books; Queenie – The Legend of Lake Istokpoga; and “The Old Man,” and will be available in September 2024
Fall of The Big O
By James Hall
I’vesaid this before, but it bears repeating; I dread Bassmaster’s annual 100 Best Bass Lakes issue. Yep, the issue you are holding in your hand right now. Why? It takes a lot of work. I mean, a LOT of work… and I don’t rejoice in tremendous amounts of work. That said, when the work is done and the magazine is printed, there’s not an issue I’m more proud of. As you’ll read, we don’t just identify and rank, willy-nilly, 100 lakes in the nation that happen to have bass. We go in search of the best, then let the data place them in their rightful, earned spot within the rankings. What you don’t see, however, is what’s left on the cutting room floor. And sometimes the lakes that didn’t pass the muster have a curious story to tell. Let’s take Lake Okeechobee, for instance.
If you were to look for data to prove Big O deserved to make the Top 100 cut in 2024, it would be easy to find. Scott Martin, native son of Clewiston, Florida, situated on the banks of lake Okeechobee, won the St. Croix Bassmaster Open presented by SEVIIN held there in February. Not only did he win the tournament, but he averaged over 30 pounds per day to earn the trophy! Alone, that
So, no, the Big O is no longer ranked... ...If Florida anglers are mad…or concerned…or hopefully both, then I urge them to take action.
Have you been to Lake Okeechobee lately? How was the bass fishing?
I just came back from a trip the other day and I can tell you the lake is not fishing like it once was. And it wasn’t just this last trip. It’s been tough for quite a while.
I read a recent article by the Editor-in-Chief of BassMaster Magazine, James Hall and I think he might be on to something.
I’ve talked to him a few times in the past, so I asked him for permission to re-print his article from the July/August magazine. Here’s what he had to say.
statistic would have vaulted this lake up the rankings like a rocket ship. However, to make the TOP 50 in the 224-boat field, you only needed to catch 14 pounds per day. The vast majority of anglers competing in this event did not land a limit the first two days of competition. Oh, and I should have mentioned that Martin won the event by more than 20 pounds. Yes, his results were the definition of an outlier. So does the Big O still have some giant fish swimming within its monstrous 451,000 acres? Absolutely. Can the average angler spend a weekend there and not get a bite? You betcha.
See, the Big O has a problem right now that you can’t identify by looking at top-line data. According to B.A.S.S. Conservation Director Gene Gilliland, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is holding the lake at significantly higher levels than in the past, which is hindering aquatic plant growth. The lack of aquatic vegetation (which is the lifeblood of Florida bass fisheries) is proving detrimental to Okeechobee’s
— Don Norton
bass recruitment and sustainability.
“Last year, there were about eight or nine places to catch big fish. Next year, we may have four places,” said Martin. Can you imagine, four places on 451,000 acres that hold good fish? Needle, meet haystack.
So, no, the Big O is no longer ranked. It may represent the most significant fall in the history of Bassmaster’s 100 Best Bass Lakes rankings. (Last year, Okeechobee was ranked 10th in the nation.)
If Florida anglers are mad…or concerned…or hopefully both, then I urge them to take action. Write letters or call the Jacksonville District Office of the Corps of Engineers, as well as the South Florida Water Management District. Martin recommends going all the way to the top, as well, by ringing Gov. Ron DeSantis. Also, check out www.anglersforlakeo.org. Lake Okeechobee is a storied fishery and has played a pivotal role in competitive bass fishing for generations. If anglers make enough noise, perhaps the agencies in charge of water levels there will make the right decision and this lake will be one of the best in the nation once again.
Okeechobee REPORT & FORECAST Hunter Brousseau
Professional Tournament Angler Interviews
Hello, everyone, this month my topic is going to be your favorite lake - favorite bait - favorite color, and your biggest bass. I reached out to some pro friends of ours and they answered those questions.
As you can see all the lures and the lakes vary but the big fish by the pros are pretty much in the same weight class. Most people think that the newest baits are a must-have to catch fish but when talking to all the pros above they agreed that old-time favorite baits are not used much anymore but are still as deadly as ever. Look through your tackle and find some of these old baits and hit your favorite body of water. You will be surprised how well they still work today.
Everyone has a favorite lake; bait and color. I hope you enjoyed the interviews. Next month I will be discussing my trip to Kentucky Lake and to ICAST.
Till next month, tight lines everyone.
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Okeechobee REPORT & FORECAST
ishing on Okeechobee has been best early in the mornings then again late afternoons after the temperatures cool off a bit and t-storms pass. The bass and bluegill fishing is what’s biting now so if you’re heading out fishing for bass you’ll want a top water lure; swim jig/swim bait; senkos or 8-10 inch worms; spinner bait; flukes; popping frogs.
Color patterns that have been producing bites are: white; june bug; red bug; tilapia; Okeechobee craw and black on cloudier days. Areas to pinpoint lately have been around any good-size blue gill beds; transitional spots/areas that the bream are moving in/out as the spawning continues throughout the summer months.
If you are seeking to catch a few crappie get a very early start in the morning, fish deep water areas like the Kissimmee River and Canals around bridge pilings; drop-offs; ledges, etc.. The bite can be slow at times but remember this is summer and really not crappie time of year until the fall months when water temperature starts cooling off.
For bluegill fishing, an ultra-light spinning outfit works best with 4-6 lb mono line, small split shot weight for some added distance to your cast, small bobber if you prefer and either red wrigglers or crickets works best. Bluegill are being caught in very shallow water and closer to the outer edge grass lines. Bluegills like a little harder bottom, with/without vegetation, what matters the most is the “right type of bottom”.
Shell crackers on the other hand like a little more sandier bottom and prefer some type of vegetation. A lot of times you’ll catch shellies and bluegills in the same area.
Around bream beds you’ll also catch Mayan cichlid’s which is everywhere and they are aggressive and harass the bream when they are on the beds. I keep the cichlid’s and give them away at the boat ramp. We need to cut the cichlid population down and I hear they’re great to eat.
Areas to fish for bass are: Tin house; 2nd and 3rd points; parts of Kings Bar and Grassy; Taylor and J&S canals, especially J & S this time of year can be great, the canal has lots of humps, rock piles, etc. Parts of Indian Praire; Horse/Dyess Ditch; parts of the Monkey box and Observation Shoal and North/West side of Dupree Bar.
Please use extreme caution when boating, the water level is low and lots of areas of the lake are a hard cap coral rock bottom which is not lower unit friendly.
Want to get in on the early bass and crappie bite, now is the time to book your fun filled and productive day fishing Lake Okeechobee.
You can call me at 863-228-7263 and be sure to check out my webpage where you’ll find rates; hotel recommendations; purchase fishing licenses; what to bring; current customer pictures with their catches and etc.
A big shout out to my sponsors: Mercury Marine; Toho Marine; Lews; Real Magic; Mid-South Tackle; BnM Poles; G-Loomis; Bullet Weights; Gill; Navionics and Rapala.
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Contact: Don Norton 863-273-499
Capt. Dave Stephens
REPORT & FORECAST
Well, fellow anglers our rainy season has definitely arrived and appears to be not near as dry as last year. In my opinion, this is a good thing. Our estuary requires a balance of fresh and saltwater. So hopefully this year we will get a more balanced system. The bad part is our
water will get a tea color due to the rainwater run-off. This is not a bad thing nor is it pollution, it's a result of the dead foliage on the ground. So, if sight fishing is your thing, it's going to be a little difficult in the north end of the harbor.
The snook fishing in the upper harbor has been very good lately. Look for feeding fish around creek mouths and mangrove points with good tidal flow. Live pilchards have been the bait of choice, free-lined on a 2\0 circle hook.
We have also had a very good mangrove snapper bite this year. These guys seem to be anywhere there's some structure or a deep point. If they seem to be picky you may want to downsize your tackle, snapper have very good eyesight. Dropping down to 20# fluorocarbon and a #1 hook will often help a lot.
This is also the time of year when the tarpon are up in the north end of the harbor. Getting an early start to locate rolling fish is the key. Also, fish can be found in the deeper holes in the harbor, and also the river mouths. Large schools of ladyfish can be found outside the bars feeding on glass minnows, this is also a good place to locate feeding tarpon. If the tarpon are there you will know, trust me. They will make their presence known. If you would like to experience some of Southwest Florida's fishing give us a call or send an email. All of our charters are customized to fit you and your party's needs.
— Capt. Dave Stephens } www.backbayxtremes.com | 941-916-5769
Lake Walk in Water Lake Reedy REPORT & FORECAST
This is a large body of water, 7,520 acres. Is only 10-12 feet deep. The lake water is dark stained and brownish in color, visibility is only about 1-2 feet.
This lake was one of the best lakes I ever guided. I fished it every day for many, many years. My customers caught a lot of big bass, some over 10 pounds. The biggest one was one I will never forget, 13.3 pounds!
I still do some guiding on it, but things have changed. In 2004, a hurricane, along with the state spraying the hydrilla, killed a lot of natural cover. All the hydrilla died, and the spraying also killed the bull rushes and the cat tails. The lake took a BIG dive and never recovered!
Now, the cover is Kissimmee grass and pencil reeds. There is some decent fishing on the state-installed fish attractors.
As far as lures go, you can use topwater lures and, big 10-12” plastic worms. Flipping worms or Gambler craws are good outside the grass lines. If you want to use live bait, use large wild shiners along the Kissimmee grass.
This is still a good lake to fish, but not what it used to be. She was the best! If you fish long and hard, there is still some good fishing left in this old lake.
The state tried to replant new grass with little success and the state also tried tagging fish with not much success. I guess the herbicide got the best of old Walk in Water.
I loved this lake!
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Help Fish Survive a Deep Catch
By Capt. Valerie Morrell
With the high water temperatures we are experiencing this time of the year, many fish are being caught in deeper water. But catching fish at depths of 10, 15, and 20 feet or more poses significant danger to the fish as it is brought to the surface.
Fish have a swim bladder, which enables the fish to maintain its depth without floating upward or sinking. As the fish descends the air in the bladder is compressed due to the increasing water pressure. When the fish is caught in deeper water the sudden rise to the surface when being reeled in causes the swim bladder to rapidly expand, distressing the fish. If the excess air in the swim bladder cannot be quickly removed the fish could die.
A quick easy method to remove the excess air from the bladder is to use an 18 gauge 1 ½” long hypodermic needle. Follow the pectoral fin (side fin) five or six scales past the end of the fin, towards the tail parallel
to the lateral line. Insert the flat (bevel) side of the needle under the 5th or 6th scale until it stops. Then lift the needle perpendicular to the fish’s body and push the needle in until it stops. You may hear a slight hiss as the air is released. Securely holding the fish place it in the water and press your hands inward to help force the air out through the needle. Make sure it stops bubbling before taking the needle out. Following this procedure will help ensure a healthy release. These needles are readily available at local retailers such as Wal-Mart, CVS, and Walgreens. They may also be purchased at Amazon by following the link below: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0BD2CF5N1?ref=ppx_pt2_ mob_b_prod_image
The deeper lakes in Highlands County such as Lakes Jackson, June, and Placid, or any lake with a depth greater than 15 feet are where this problem is prevalent now. By following this procedure you will be helping keep those trophy bass alive in Highlands County for others to catch
For more information on how to help keep fish from perishing after being caught contact Captain Valerie Morrell at 863-633-7335 or email her at floridatrophybassguide@gmail.com Captain Valerie has a kit for sale that contains everything you will need to safely release the air and safely return the fish to the water unharmed. 715 N Bervard Ave, Arcadia, FL • (863) 993-2666
Returns to Orlando Sept. 5-7
Surf Expo, the premier watersports and coastal lifestyle tradeshow, returns to the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., from Sept. 5-7, 2024. Held in the West Concourse, the September event features an expansive selection of exhibiting brands and an exciting lineup of events and networking opportunities.
“We are thrilled about the array of exhibitors that will be at our upcoming September event,” said Surf Expo Show Director Roy Turner. “From the established major brands to the next wave and start-ups, retailers will be able to meet face-to-face with key players and fnd the next new.”
to the preservation of our environment and coastal waterways.
“Surf Expo allows retailers to preview styles from fshing and marine products, top surf brands, hard goods, apparel, footwear, swimwear, boutique fashions, and souvenirs,” adds Turner.
Retailers attend Surf Expo to stock their shelves for adventures on or near the water and fnd the gear and goods to keep customers coming back for more. Whether it is surfng, paddling, fshing, hiking, camping on the beach, wake surfng, tubing or simply soaking up the sun, Surf Expo has everything needed to cater to customers with a passion for waterborne thrills, outdoor adventure or just the sun-loving beach vacationer.
Te Shoreline category at Surf Expo is the hub for brands that specialize in inshore and ofshore apparel and accessory products; sportswear, technical apparel and gear, footwear, outerwear and hardgoods as well as games and accessories to transition from a day on the water to stretching out on land. Tis helps target businesses associated with outdoor amenities and recreation found in lake and beach towns nationwide and ofers crossover opportunities for buyers and manufacturers alike.
Te Surf Expo show foor is organized by product category with complementing cross-selling categories in adjacent aisles making it easy for retailers to navigate so they can easily discover the newest brands and products in person, all while making purchasing decisions.
Chris McCotter from Lake Anna Outftters, Virginia, refects, “As frst-time attendees, we did not know what to expect beyond a strong recommendation to attend from a supplier. Te show was exactly what we needed to take our shop to the next level with the merchandise and brands we wanted to stock.”
A wide range of both returning and new exhibitors will be represented that cater to the watersports, coastal life and outdoor industry such as; ORCA Coolers, GCI Outdoor, Teva, Xtratuf, POP Board Co., Salt Life, Hurley, CHUMS, Salty Crew, Captain Fin, Dark Seas, Howler Brothers, Rip Curl, SUNSKI, Deep Blue Gear, Fish Hippie, Jetty, Hook & Tackle, O’Neill, Reel Skipper, I-SEA Sunglasses, Chubbies, Vissla, Tommy Bahama, DIFF Eyewear, Katin, Outerknown, Free Fly Apparel and many more.
In September, Surf Expo will feature a full schedule including daily fashion shows, retailer learning labs, industry networking events, happy hours and parties.
For more information about the show visit www.surfexpo.com.
50,000 Plus Anglers Strong Promoting TakeAction Initiatives For Preserving Our Fisheries And Supporting Our Community.
At 18’2” in length and with a 70” beam, the Mosquito is a very capable hull for many situations – however it’s designed to do one thing with absolute perfection: silently stalk inshore game fsh in the shallowest coastal waters.
BUST A GULF COAST SCALLOP REPORT
Scallop season is underway for most of Florida’s Gulf Coast, and the reports we are getting so far are mixed—but mostly good—with some areas experiencing outstanding scalloping in terms of numbers, size and water conditions.
Scallops are regionally managed by the state, so diferent zones along the Gulf Coast have diferent seasons, with most remaining open well into September. Tere’s still plenty of time, plenty of scallops and plenty of places to go if you’re interested in an underwater egg hunt. Keep in mind, weather and water conditions can change quickly, and it can dramatically change the prospects for fnding bay scallops. Plan your trip accordingly.
Starting down south in Pasco County, the Anclote River area is apparently on fre this summer. Following a mediocre season last year, we’re hearing people rave about quick limits and good-sized scallops coming from shallow water. Te season opened July 10 in the Pasco Zone, and early on at least one person called it the best scalloping she’s ever experienced. Tese are big scallops, too, and we’ve heard talk of throwing back legal-sized scallops to fnd bigger ones. In mid-July, the shells were in as little as 4 feet of water, and with such a good early season, there should be some lef up until the season closes Aug. 16.
Just to the north, Hernando County scallopers were of to a slow start, but a little farther up the coast, the Crystal River to Homosassa area was very productive. We’re hearing reports of scads of scallops in as little as 3 feet, with a majority of boats concentrating in the 7-foot depths. Te size has been good, and it has apparently been difcult to fnd an undersized shell. With good weather and water conditions, good scalloping should hopefully last until the season closes Sept. 24.
We are also hearing good things farther north out of Keaton Beach and Steinhatchee, where the scallops are apparently very thick and close, although they might be trending smaller this year depending on your location. Limits in an hour or less were reported, with scallops hanging out in grass at 3- to 6-foot depths. Te Fenholloway-Suwannee River Zone opened June 15 and will close on Labor Day.
In the big bend, reports have not been great out of the St. Marks area, where heavy freshwater infux, low salinity and poor clarity are being blamed for scarce fnds during the early season. Some are pointing to better days ahead in late summer. As wind and water conditions change, scallops holed up in the 15-foot depths sometimes shif closer in, where they are easier to fnd. Te Franklin-NW Taylor County Zone remains open until Sept. 24.
Finally, over to Gulf County and Port St. Joe, the season opens Aug. 16 and runs through Sept. 24. Tere’s nothing yet to report, but historically this zone has been a good late-season option for grass fats that haven’t been picked over yet.
For seasons and regulations, go to MyFWC.com.
Commercial Gear for Anglers!
on high alert, and the noises of the day silenced, the bites can be startling and give the impression that the fsh is larger than it is. Tat’s part of the excitement of a topwater bite! I only use this tactic in areas I know well, for safety reasons, of course.
I know wading isn’t for everyone, and night wading is for even fewer anglers, but there are other methods. Fishing from a dock, boat or kayak are all good options. Focusing on dock lights, causeway lights and lighted piers can provide excellent fshing. Many canal homes have lights, both underwater and above the surface, that attract baitfsh, which attract the gamefsh we target. I’d say trout are the most prolifc, but reds and snook can be found mixed in with trout if you have them in your area. I like to target these areas with smaller lures, either a sof-plastic rattling paddletail or a small, hard, lipped bait with or without rattles. I prefer natural colors in some shade of white or clear with some silver mixed in.
I also enjoy fshing granite jetties at night. Setting up for this is a little more work but can yield terrifc results. When jetty fshing, I bring a generator and two 1,500-watt stage lights. Tese areas typically have more current, so my hard-lipped lures may be slightly larger, but I still go with the smallest lure I can work properly in the current. I stick with the same colors as mentioned earlier. Te channel and surf side of the rocks can both be productive depending on the tide, water clarity and bait. I recommend pointing one light in each direction until you determine which area has the best conditions.
Fishing at night brings new challenges, but it can ofer some of the best catches of the summer. If you decide to give one of these three methods a try, remember safety frst and don’t fsh alone. Enjoy some cooler times on the water and be safe.
Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Knockin Tail Lures®, and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.
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STUD AJ IS A SOUTH CAROLINA RECORD!
Fishing out of Murrells Inlet on May 23, angler James Carroll battled in a 129-pound amberjack that is a new South Carolina state record. Here is the story in Carroll’s own words:
We set out from Murrells Inlet, S.C. at the crack of dawn, heading ofshore to the Winyah Scarp area, about 60 miles out. Our goal was to catch some mahi or wahoo. Afer a few hours of trolling along a weed line and the ledge without success, we decided to move closer in and try bottom fshing.
We relocated to a spot about 50 miles ofshore in 100 feet of water. I switched to a Connley Fishing kingfsh rod paired with a Penn Fathom 40, rigged with 80-lb. Momoi Diamond Braid and a two-hook bottom setup.
At this location, we caught vermilion snapper, black sea bass, grunts and porgies, sometimes two at a time. It was a productive day. I began waiting afer getting a bite, hoping to hook a second fsh. While doing this, something big hit the line without getting hooked.
Finally, I hooked a monster fsh. Afer about 45 minutes of fghting, I told my great friend and captain of the Liberty Call, Gordon Jobe, to put the boat in gear to help bring the fsh up in the water column. Around the one-hour mark, we landed what turned out to be a South Carolina state record greater amberjack.
Using a Garmin InReach, we contacted friends onshore to check the state record weight for South Carolina. Tey replied with 123 lbs. We knew we had surpassed that mark but had to wait a few hours to confrm.
Back at the dock, we went to Seven Seas Seafood Market in Murrells Inlet, S.C., to weigh the fsh on their certifed scales. Te fsh weighed in at 129 lbs. and measured 69 inches in length. Afer certifcation by Kris Reynolds, of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, the crew at Seven Seas processed the fsh for me.
For more giant fsh, go to coastalanglermag.com
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