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tretching 500 miles across the northern side of the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, the Puerto Rico Trench is the deepest in the Atlantic Ocean. This 6-mile-deep feature is part of what makes the Virgin Islands one of the world’s best sportfishing destinations. Here, where the Atlantic Ocean borders the clear waters of the Caribbean Sea, the Virgin Islands rise as the peaks of an enormous underwater mountain chain. The islands offer some of the best diving, snorkeling and most beautiful beaches anywhere, but it is off these islands that serious anglers come to play. Beneath the surface, the topography is spectacular. About 20 miles north of St. Thomas, the travel hub of the U.S. Virgin Islands, the North Drop falls precipitously to depths of more than 28,000 feet into the Puerto Rico Trench. Cool Atlantic currents are stirred off Virgin Gorda, and sea life abounds. The big pelagic species congregate to feed on an abundance of baitfish drawn by the drop. A similar situation occurs off the South Drop, just 8 miles south of St. Thomas, and the smaller drops around St. Croix. Short boat rides put anglers on abundant baitfish and the bigger fish that feed on them. Marlin can be caught year-round, but spring to fall is peak time for blue marlin, which show up in numbers and feed aggressively around the full moons. The bite is legendary. The IGFA Women’s alltackle world record, a 1,073-pound blue marlin, was caught off the Virgin Islands, along with 24 other world records over the years. The granders—1,000-pound-plus marlin—show up on occasion, but the Virgin Islands also offer numbers. During the USVI Open/Atlantic Blue Marlin Tournament, 207 blue marlin were released over four days of fishing. Marlin average about 350 pounds out of St. Thomas, and 500-pounders are caught regularly. But blues aren’t the only game in town. The location of these islands 6
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almost seems strategic. Sailfish, white marlin, tuna, wahoo, dolphin… the most sought after gamefish for sport and the table frequent these drops in good numbers to feed. Working the drop by trolling rigs across the depth contours produces consistently good action year-round. The sailfish bite peaks October through March. Yellowfin tuna are present late summer through winter, and blackfin and skipjack tuna provide
action year-round. Wahoo are also a year-round target, and dolphin fishing peaks in fall. The fishing is world class, and the Virgin Islands are also easy to get to. A short plane ride from the continental U.S. puts anglers in the middle of the action. And with lodging that ranges from quaint to luxurious, there are options for anyone who wants to live out their offshore fantasy. To learn more about the Puerto Rico Trench, go to
FORTHELO VEOFFISHING.CO
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It’s the Honda of Outboards. Literally.
Quality, reliability, technology and fuel-efficiency have made Honda an automotive legend. You’ll find those same strengths in every Honda Marine outboard. Honda outboards deliver best-of-class features in models ranging from 2.3 to 250 hp. Many even share engine technology and components used in Honda vehicles like the Accord, Odyssey, Fit and Pilot — vehicles that have proven themselves over millions of miles. No wonder all Honda outboards are backed by the only 5-year manufacturer’s warranty in the industry. Power your boat with the brand that offers millions of miles of proven performance — Honda Marine.
Take Advantage Of 2.49% APR Financing On All New Honda Outboards Or 4.49% APR Financing On All New Honda Outboard Engines Or Boat/Motor Packages — Going On Now! To Find Your Nearest Authorized Honda Marine Dealer, Visit Our Website Now From Your QR-Enabled Phone, Or Go To ca.hondamarine.com *APR financing available on all new Honda outboard engines through American Honda Finance Corporation upon approved credit. 2.49% APR financing for 24 – 48 months, available to customers who qualify for the AHFC super preferred credit tier. Example for new Honda outboard engines: 2.49% APR for 36 months financing at $28.86 a month for every $1,000 financed. 3.49% APR for 60 months financing at $18.19 a month for every $1,000 financed. 3.49% APR for 84 months financing at $13.44 a month for every $1,000 financed. Offer good on any new and unregistered Honda outboard engine, with a minimum amount financed of $1,000 and a minimum monthly payment of $100. Check with participating dealers for complete details. Dealers set actual sales prices. For well-qualified buyers, not all buyers may qualify. Higher rates apply for different terms and/or buyers with lower credit rating. Lower rates may also be available. Offer valid through 01/03/17, on new and unregistered Honda outboard engines (2hp – 250hp) and only on approved credit by Honda Financial Services through participating dealers. Honda Financial Services’ standard credit criteria apply. **APR financing available on all new Honda outboard engines or packages (boat, motor and trailer, where Honda outboard engine is the main source of power) through American Honda Finance Corporation upon approved credit. 4.49% APR financing for 12 – 180 months (term and rate based on amount financed) available to customers who qualify for the AHFC Super Preferred credit tier. Example for new Honda outboard engines or packages: 4.49% APR for 84 months financing at $13.90 a month for every $1,000 financed. 4.49% APR for 144 months financing at $9.00 a month for every $1,000 financed. 4.49% APR for 180 months financing at $7.64 a month for every $1,000 financed. Offer good on any new and unregistered Honda outboard engine or package, with a minimum amount financed of $1,000 and a minimum monthly payment of $100. Check with participating dealers for complete details. Dealers set actual sales prices. For well-qualified buyers, not all buyers may qualify. Higher rates apply for different terms and/or buyers with lower credit rating. APR may be subject to dealer mark-up. Offer valid through 01/03/17, on new and unregistered Honda outboard engines or packages and only on approved credit by Honda Financial Services through participating dealers. Honda Financial Services’ standard credit criteria apply. ©2016 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Always wear a personal flotation device while boating and read your owner’s manual. All Honda outboards meet EPA and CARB emission levels. COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM NOVEMBER 2016 NATIONAL 7
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he numbers don’t lie. Guatemala’s Pacific coast is the most productive sailfish destination in the world. Days of double-digit releases would be considered spectacular anywhere. Off Guatemala, it’s just an average day. Annual release rates show a dozen sailfish per boat, per day. And that’s just a year-round average. It is not unusual during peak seasons for boats to raise more than 50 or 60 sails a day, sometimes a lot more. In March of 2006, Capt. Ron Hamlin, and the anglers on the Captain Hook, released 124 sailfish in a single day less than 15 miles off Guatemala. The legendary former skipper out of Casa Vieja Lodge in Puerto San Jose still holds the record. For conventional anglers, it’s pretty much a sure thing. For fly anglers, it’s the best odds you’ll find. The concentrations of sailfish in this small slice of the Pacific are astounding. But it’s not just sails. Natural factors such as dramatically shifting currents, temperature barriers and high oxygen levels close to the surface combine to hold baitfish year-round. The eddy formations that swirl off the Guatemalan coast are crowded with life, including the big pelagics and the fish they feed on. There are more Pacific sailfish than can be found anywhere, but there are also marlin, wahoo, slammer Dorado and yellowfin tuna. Casa Vieja Lodge says blue marlin in the 200- to 400-pound range are thickest April through July, with black marlin up to 400 pounds showing up December through March and smaller striped marlin November through January. On average, every Casa Vieja boat encounters marlin every three days while targeting sailfish. During peak billfish seasons of December through March and then again from May through July, grand slams are an everyday possibility. Boats fish anywhere from 2 to 50 miles out in an area renowned for flat seas. The most consistently productive area is a canyon known as “The Pocket.” Only about 40 nautical miles wide, The Pocket drops to depths of 3,500 to 4,000 feet. Those constantly shifting currents deflect off the walls of the pocket stirring up nutrient rich waters that attract bait and big gamefish. Casa Vieja takes the fishing very seriously. Guided by some of the world’s top-tagging and award winning captains, their fleet of classically maintained 35’ Contenders and 40’ Sportfishers consistently produces world-class results. They are inheritors of history. A majority of the
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captains and lodge staff were employees of the original Fins ’n Feathers Inn that launched the Guatemalan sportfishing industry. These are the same sportsmen who have cared for the fishery since it exploded onto the sportfishing scene in the 1990s. With total release using circle hooks, the conservation philosophy has been central to Casa Vieja’s operations for more than a decade. With this kind of stewardship, as well as emphasis from the Guatemalan Government on limiting commercial fishing, the fishery continues to thrive. The lodge was also designed by lifelong sportsmen who know it is best to recover from a non-stop day of action on the water in worldclass accommodations. Luxurious rooms and top-notch local cuisine are paired with a staff trained to fill the needs of discerning travelers. It’s the perfect place to relive the day’s catch or dream of the morning’s possibilities. For more information on fishing Guatemala and the Casa Vieja Lodge, go to www.casaviejalodge.com.
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Decorè for Coastal Living Hand Crafted Accent & Area Rugs
Sand Dollar on Blue Stripes
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NOVEMBER 2016
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our Rip Roller is tearing up the water as you retrieve it in short quick jerks. Suddenly the water explodes from the vicious strike of a peacock bass. In your excitement and shock, you instinctively jerk your rod up before the peacock has had a chance to get the hook firmly in his mouth, and 6 inches of lure and three massive treble hooks come flying past your head. Your first encounter with the huge peacock bass of Brazil’s Amazon will be one you never forget. Fishing for this massive, hard-fighting predator can be best described to anglers as hooking into a 20-pound smallmouth bass that is having a bad day. To top off this fishing adventure, you are fishing over 1,000 miles from the ocean in the heart of the world’s largest rain forest on black water rivers that are home to more than 2,500 species of fish and the world’s greatest diversity of flora and fauna. Anglers will catch four or five different species of peacock bass, ranging from the popoca and butterfly species weighing an average of 3 to 5 pounds to the massive paca or arzu, the current world record of which is a 29-pounder caught by Andrea Zaccherini in 2010. Anglers can also catch aerobatic arowana, several species of catfish weighing upwards of 200 pounds, wolf fish and myriad other species. Peacocks will readily hit topwater baits on waters that aren’t heavily pressured, the most famous being the big propeller driven Woodchopper and its clones, as well as the more subtle Spook type baits. As with most species of fish, subsurface jerkbaits and jigs will produce bigger numbers of fish caught than topwater lures. Fly fishermen have discovered this game
2016T AMAZON
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as well, fishing big Deceivers, Dahlberg Divers and Clouser type flies. Heavy baitcasting tackle loaded with 65to 80-pound braided Kevlar line is the ticket for peacocks, as they are structure-oriented fish. The war is outfitters including River Plate Anglers and to keep them out of the cover once hooked. Fly fishermen need to bring saltwater Acute Angling. River Plate Outfitters, fishing in style 9- and 10-weight fly rods coupled with a Brazil since 1992, has leased exclusive fishing fly reel with a smooth drag and 30- to 50-pound rights on 10 different tributaries encompassing over 1,000 miles of black water rivers in all four tippets. In the last 15 years, Manaus, a city of 2 million dry zones in Brazil’s Amazon. It’s all within a 500in the heart of Brazil’s Amazon, has become mile radius northwest and south of Manaus. This the epicenter of South America’s peacock bass enables anglers to fly directly into these private fishing. American Airlines flies a daily five-hour lands by wheel or float equipped Caravan charter non-stop flight between Miami and Manaus planes and be in prime unpressured waters the and back, making Manuas easily accessible. The first day of their trip from mid July through mid majority of operators will have anglers spend March. The key to these operations is their six the first night in Manaus and then fly by charter “river trains,” each consisting of 250-squareaircraft to their fishing destinations. Most mother foot single or double occupancy air conditioned boat and cruise ship operators that offer peacock cabins that can be moved to the tributary in the bass fishing operate on the upper Rio Negro dry zone with the most ideal water conditions in out of Barcelos, a city of 30,000 people located a given time frame and not be relegated only to 300 miles upriver from Manaus. The waters of the upper Rio Negro dry zone. the Rio Negro and the mouths of its tributaries For additional information, contact River within a 150-mile radius of Barcelos receive the majority of the peacock bass fishing pressure. Plate Outfitters at www.riverplateanglers.com There are presently more than 40 mother boats/ or Jim kern at jim@emuoutfitting.com or at 817cruise ships operating out of Barcelos and a large 946-2479. Jim has been to Brazil 32 times since 1997 and can give you the real facts on most of lodge in the area. The other option for small groups of 6 to the Peacock Bass operations in Brazil’s Amazon. 12 people is a fishing trip on private indian For More Amazon Peacock Bass fishing, go to lands and government preserves leased by a couple different
CAMFRESHWATER.COM
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By CAM Staff • Photos Courtesy of Big Pine Key Fishing Lodge
T
hey call Islamorada the Sportfishing Capital of the World. This slim string of six small islands about halfway down the Florida Keys separates the Atlantic from the Gulf of Mexico, and just offshore in the Atlantic, warm blue currents of the Gulf Stream deliver a steady flow of baitfish and the big migrating pelagic species that feed on them. The Continental Shelf is a highway for swordfish that move through in depths of 1,400 to 1,900 feet with a consistency that may be unmatched anywhere in the world. It is possible to target these deepwater giants any month of the year off Islamorada, and even during the day. But it is sportfishing only for hardcore anglers. Swordfish are elusive anywhere, the most difficult of the billfish to catch, and fights lasting several hours are the reward for tempting a bite from 150- to 400-pound or larger fish deep in the abyss. If catching a swordfish is one of the boxes that remains to be checked off on your bucket list, you’d be hard pressed to find a better place to do it. A little closer in, where the Gulf Stream swings over broken bottom and the offshore humps Islamorada has become famous for, it creates rips where disoriented baitfish become easy prey for dolphin, wahoo, sailfish, kingfish and tuna. In the summer months, flocks of birds are a dead giveaway for dolphinfish pushing frenzied bait to the surface. When that’s not going on, fish can be found trolling feather or jet head lures and plugs. A bite while trolling means it’s time to slow down and cast baits to catch other fish drawn to the same area. Sometimes this is met with spectacular results, especially for mahi, which tend to gather in numbers. Some of the most spectacular action on the humps comes from blackfin tuna. It can show up in spurts any time of year, but fall typically brings a push of 10-pound-plus tuna that can be incited into surface-feeding frenzies. Chumming up blackfins with pilchards is a very visual experience that allows even anglers armed with fly rods to hook up with multiple hard-fighting fish.
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As the tuna move toward the reefs with the late fall and winter baitfish migrations, the bigger fish begin to show up, and kite fishing becomes one of the preferred methods for teasing up fish 20 pounds and larger. The other fish that shows up to take advantage of baitfish from November through the winter is sailfish. There’s a reason why Islamorada is home to so many sailfish tournaments during the winter months. It can seem like everyone drops everything they’re doing for a chance to fly release flags. In fall and winter, sails move in to gorge on abundant ballyhoo around the reefs. This can present opportunities to anglers less than 5 miles from the docks off the islands of Islamorada. The 130- to 200-foot depths produce the most consistent bite where strong currents and changes in water color to a deep royal blue give away the edges and rips where sailfish hunt. Trolling or kite fishing the reefs can produce numerous fish in the 60-pound range when the bite is on. But on sunny days when the weather cooperates, it is possible to sight fish for sailfish inside the reefs in water as shallow as 20 or 30 feet. Even smaller boats can get in on this action. From the tower, crewmembers seek out the fish. When the alarm goes out, chum and baits are deployed. There’s really no technique more exciting. Anglers in the know await those bluebird skies on winter days when seeking out sailfish becomes as much hunting as it is fishing. And if all the offshore action isn’t enough to convince any angler to start making plans right now, fall also brings some of the biggest bonefish of the year to the Islamorada flats. Time it right, and you can be fishing the flats in the morning and trolling the bluewater in the afternoon. What more could you ask for?
For More Fishing in Islamorada go to
CAMSALTWATER.COM
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10/18/16 3:15 PM
The only thing we don’t fish for is excuses.
With everything from sailfish, grouper and tuna out front to bonefish, permit and tarpon out back, you have every excuse you need for dropping what you’re doing and heading for Islamorada in The Florida Keys. fla-keys.com/islamorada 1.800.322.5397 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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Get six years of product protection at no extra charge on new Suzuki outboards from 25 to 300 horsepower. You’ll be covered until 2022.
SUMMER MIGHT BE WINDING DOWN, BUT THE SUZUKI SAVINGS SEASON IS JUST HEATING UP
Suzuki is extending its popular Repower Finance program, as well, with attractive rates now available to all qualified borrowers. ®
In addition, Suzuki is offering cash rebates of up to $800 on select models. Your dealer has the models and amounts or you can visit our website for more information.
The Suzuki Savings Season 2016 ends soon so see your participating Suzuki Marine dealer today – or visit suzukimarine.com – for details on these special offers.
Gimme Six Extended Protection promo is applicable to new Suzuki outboard motors from 25 to 300 HP in inventory which are sold and delivered to buyer between 10/01/16 and 12/31/16 in accordance with the promotion by a Participating Authorized Suzuki Marine dealer in the continental US and Alaska to a purchasing customer who resides in the continental US or Alaska. Customer should expect to receive an acknowledgement letter and full copy of contract including terms, conditions and wallet card from Suzuki Extended Protection within 90 days of purchase. If an acknowledgement letter is not received in time period stated, contact Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. – Marine Marketing via email: marinepromo@suz.com. The Gimme Six Promotion is available for pleasure use only, and is not redeemable for cash. Cash Rebates apply to qualifying purchases of select Suzuki outboards made between 10/01/16 and 12/31/16. For list of designated models, see participating Dealer or visit www.suzukimarine.com. Customer and participating Dealer must fill out the appropriate rebate form at time of sale. Customer will have the choice to either apply the cash rebate against the original dealer invoice (Suzuki will credit Dealer parts account) or have a check sent directly to the customer. There are no model substitutions, benefit substitutions, rain checks, or extensions. Suzuki reserves the right to change or cancel these promotions at any time without notice or obligation. * Financing offers available through Synchrony Retail Finance. As low as 5.99% APR financing for 60 months on new and unregistered Suzuki marine engines. Subject to credit approval. Not all buyers will qualify. Approval, and any rates and terms provided, are based on credit worthiness. $19.99/month per $1,000 financed for 60 months is based on 5.99% APR. Hypothetical figures used in calculation; your actual monthly payment may differ based on financing terms, credit tier qualification, accessories or other factors such as down payment and fees. Offer effective on new, unregistered Suzuki marine engines purchased from a participating authorized Suzuki dealer between 10/01/16 and 12/31/16.“Gimme Six”, the Suzuki “S” and model names are Suzuki trademarks or ®. Don’t drink and drive. Always wear a USCG-approved life jacket and read your owner’s manual. © 2016 Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.
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LET THE BATTLE BEGIN... Designed from the inside out for the technical
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THE ONLY DURABLE HIGH QUALITY ROD WRAP
Russ Lane: Bassmaster Elite Series™ Pro
“Winn overwraps help me as a tournament angler in so many ways. They’re great in all weather conditions. I don’t have to physically squeeze my rod during a cast as hard as I did with cork or EVA. That gives me a better degree of accuracy with less fatigue. Multiple color options also allow me to organize different rod actions and lengths using different colors. I honestly could never use a rod again without my Winn overwrap!”
winngrips.com 1-877-854-7601
WinnGrips.com, Winn, and the Winn Brand Symbol is a registered trademark of Winn Inc. © 2016 Winn Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
10/18/16 3:15 PM
By Mike Pehanich
I
believe this is the Golden Age of fishing tackle. For my money, the amazing quality and range of rods available to us today is clear evidence of that claim. Improvements in graphite quality, skeletal reel seats and lightweight braid-resistant guides have paved a path to conspicuous performance benefits, and rods conscientiously tailored to nearly every angling task are helping anglers execute specific techniques with a flourish. Yet, until recently, the seat of angler control—the handle—seemed stuck in the Dark Ages. Cork, a survivor from a bygone era, seemed like it would dominate rod handles forever, with EVA foam the only alternative material allowed any territorial claim. But progress has come, finally, to the rod handle. In recent years, alternative rod grip materials have hit the market including carbon fiber, a slick lightweight option; tough Kevlar tubing; composite cork, a denser and more durable cork-based material blend; and Syncork, a light and durable material with a rough-hewn appearance. Some have used shrinkwrap to give EVA foam a different look and feel, too. Color and design options have emerged, with even a “camo cork” available
now to rod builders. One of the biggest breakthroughs may have come two years ago when Winn Grips (www.winngrips.com), the Huntington Beach, California-based maker of grips for sports equipment, introduced its interchangeable grip system and rolled out a full line of handsomely designed rod grips made from its patented WinnDry material, which maintains its tacky feel in wet conditions and weather extremes. Early Winn prototypes were colorful and interesting, and they provided a hint of the performance benefits of ergonomic comfort and angler control that has come to characterize the grips today. Yet some thought early designs too similar to the golf grips that have made Winn a global leader in that field. Winn’s founder, aerospace engineering pioneer Dr. Ben Huang, took angler feedback to heart. Winn’s grip system has evolved into a versatile line of rod handle components. Rod makers, from leading brands to custom builders, have caught on quickly to the advantages of the grips. At ICAST 2016 in Orlando, Lew’s Fishing Tackle captured three Best of Show awards for products featuring Winn’s advanced polymer materials in rod handles and reel knobs. Lew’s, Kistler, Denali and others displayed new rod lines with Winn grips. Winn has introduced an element of “fashion” to fishing rods, too, by offering a broad range of bold colors and multi-colored and sometimes multi-textured designs that can complement tournament jerseys, boat colors and wraps, or represent a signature look or the colors of a favorite sports team. Winn’s quieter contribution to today’s tackle evolution could come in the emerging practice of “retrofitting” favorite old rods with Winn rod grips and in routinely fitting cork and EVA rod handles with a Winn “skin” in the form of Winn Superior Rod Wrap, a tape-like overwrap.
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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UNDER THE SEA
Center s SPEARFISHING TRAVEL
SHERI DAYE
A
s spearfishing continues to grow and capture people’s interest, so has the amount of travel related to spearfishing. The allure of exotic locations, different species, and the possibility of world records has spawned a new breed of traveler, and resorts and charters are happy to cater to this crowd. In Florida, there are live-aboard charters that take scuba divers to fertile grounds out of the lower Keys into the Gulf or the Dry Tortugas – such as Seaclusive Charters. There are also charters that cater to smaller groups of freediving spearfishers such as Killshot, Into the Blue, and more. The Keys are especially attractive to vacationers, as the scenery above the water can be just as interesting as below. In the Bahamas, resorts with marinas are well-equipped to handle divers, some of them weekend warriors coming by boat from Florida. The clear waters and beautiful marine life are a big draw. Bahamian law requires freediving-only and the use of either slings or polespears for spearfishing. Rather than being a deterrent, it’s created a new breed of divers who enjoy this simple and primitive form of hunting. The ability to add cracked conch or a lobster tail to a meal is a big bonus. Both coasts of the United States have a number of spearfishing charters to choose from as well. Divers can enjoy a change of scenery and try their luck at hunting white sea bass in the kelps of California, cobias off the rigs of Louisiana, stripers in the waters off Rhode Island, African Pompanos off the wrecks of Hatteras – all exciting catches. International travel has increased significantly in the past few years. Mexico, Panama, and Costa Rica are a big draw with desirable species such as Cubera Snappers, cobias, and tunas – depending on which coast. Fiji, Tahiti, Tonga, and Ascension Island have been yielding world record wahoos and tunas, drawing the more hard-core divers. Here’s some quick tips to make sure your travel is fun, safe, and productive: 1. Go with friends and watch out for each other - in the water and out.
2. Choose a reputable charter that specializes in spearing and ask the captain about fish and conditions. Make sure your skill level is up to par for that location. 3. Make sure you are properly equipped for the fish you are targeting and follow the law. Be aware of the local fishing regulations and limits. 4. Use a Sportube to pack your spearguns and use the wetsuits for padding. Tell TSA you have “fishing equipment” rather than using the word “speargun”. 5. Buy DAN insurance – they are a reputable agency known for covering divers, including evacuation services. For divers in search of adventure, traveling to different hunting grounds can yield the trip (and fish) of a lifetime. Life is short, so get out and enjoy it! Follow “Sheri Daye” & “The Blue Wild Ocean Adventure Expo” April 22-23, 2017 - Ft Lauderdale - Instagram and Facebook
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he number 64 is not just some number to me. It represents the countries where I have travelled to fish. Because of my passion for fishing, my work as a travelling fishing guide and outdoors journalist, and my job in product development for various brands and companies, I have had the opportunity to fish all over the world. The following is a list of my top 5 fishing destinations and a little information on why it is worth visiting them. 5) Sette Cama, Gabon: If catching big fish on lures from the shore is your thing, then this is the place. Near the Equator on Africa’s South Atlantic coast, it offers the wildest stretch of coastline on the continent. You can hook 150-pound tarpon, 80-pound cubera snapper, 60-pound African threadfin, 50-pound barracuda or 40-pound jack… while walking and casting plugs along the beaches and the inlet.
4) Vastervik, Sweden: A 4,000-island Scandinavian archipelago where fresh and saltwater of the Baltic Sea meet, brings predators to feed mainly on herring. I’ve been there a dozen times because there are true chances for really, really big pike. The local record is 26kg, so around 57 pounds. 3) Archipelago de Chiriqui, Panama: Cubera snapper have long been some of my favorite fish. They have a finicky side as well as the brutal power of a hammer beating steel once hooked. On northern Panama’s Pacific Coast, the islands and rocks in the Chiriqui region are where I have experienced great success catching cubera on lures. I’m not much interested in dropping a 2-pound bonita and waiting for a bite. I’d rather use a Stick Shadd 182fsk or 210sk on 80-pound braid. Cast it, let it sink and retrieve it with twitches, jerks and pauses. The area is also a great for really big roosterfish and tunas. 2) Great Barrier Reef, Australia: When you’re 200 miles away from the shoreline and the depth is only about 20 feet, you know you’re on a special spot. This is what the Great Barrier Reef and the Coral Sea off Australia’s eastern coast are all about. There are dozens of valuable game fish, from the biggest of all the jacks, the giant trevally, to the incredible wahoo bite of August, the elusive Chinaman, snappers and groupers, and of course giant marlin. The best fishing organization I ever fished with is based there, the Nomad Mothership. 1) Venice, Louisiana, USA: The consistency of the fishery in the Mississipi River Delta is something awesome and unique. Venice offers both inshore and offshore fishing at its best. It’s hard to go there and not be exhausted after catching so many fish more regularly than any place I have ever been. To me, it is definitively the hottest fishing spot in the world. Redfish, seatrout, yellowfin tuna, red snapper, giant jacks… I especially love to fish in the saltwater marsh, using a small Flatt Shad 50 Snagless that I jig like a soft plastic. This lure is longer lasting than soft plastics, which matters when there are so many bites! Patrick Sebile is the owner and lure designer of Sebile Innovative Fishing (www.sebile.com).
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ecently, more than 170 charter captains gathered on Florida’s east coast at Jensen Beach to attend a two-day educational, informative and competitive event in support of their livelihoods and continued longevity of the profession. The event, hosted by Costa Del Mar at River Palm Cottages & Fish Camp, offered fun competitions between captains, bonfires, films and a pig roast, but the encompassing message was conservation. Those in attendance were Costa charter captains from as far away as Michigan, New York and North Carolina. Most, however, were Floridian guides who make their living in these waters and are with the movement Captains For Clean Water. Check out the website www.captainsforcleanwater. org and sign up with your support. Otherwise, it will soon be the Neverglades instead of the Everglades. The Captains For Clean Water movement is the result of years of mismanagement by the Corps of Engineers. Our nationally recognized estuaries in Florida are in long-term collapse due to damming, ditching
and draining of the River of Grass. Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie Rivers are artificially connected to Lake Okeechobee by way of man-made canals that allow billions of gallons of nutrient- and sediment-laden freshwater into them. Lake Okeechobee discharges are killing seagrass, oysters and other aquatic life. Nitrogen, phosphorous, insecticides (from spraying) and other pollutants linger for years in the estuaries. These chemicals fuel toxinproducing algal blooms and increased red tide outbreaks. Moreover, the Herbert Hoover Dike surrounds Lake Okeechobee and prevents water from flowing south into the Everglades, as it has historically done. Florida Bay and the Everglades now receive about 1/6th of the freshwater flow it once did, killing thousands of acres of seagrass because of high levels of salinity. The solution in short is: Lake Okeechobee must be cleaned in man-made wetlands before releasing water south through the Everglades. More storage and storm water treatment areas south of Lake Okeechobee are required. Legislation is already passed with the money available to acquire land for additional storage. Everyone needs to get on board and sign the petition (referendum). Go to www.captainsforcleanwater.org for more information and how to support the movement. Many attendees brought their fishing gear and took advantage of the annual mullet run from the beach, the dock and on boats. Those of us who took our boats had the opportunity to welcome visiting guides aboard to experience Florida fishing at its finest. Snook, tarpon and jack crevalle were inshore and off the beaches. Offshore pelagics such as dolphin and sailfish were capitalizing on the mullet as well. My first mate, Vicki, and I welcome aboard Capt. Jason Coslow and his wife Kathy of KC-1 Sport Fishing of Lake Michigan. Kathy hooked up her first tarpon along the St. Lucie inlet. Jason assisted Vicki in landing and boating a sailfish over 5 feet long. Contact Captain Terry Fisher of Fish Face Charters in Cape Coral, Fla. at 239-357-6829 or fishfacecharters@yahoo.com. See his website at www. fishfacecharters.com. He is also available as a captain for hire on your vessel.
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What makes a pair of pliers your favorite? For me it is functionality, durability and dependability. The SCARFACE by Danco Pliers is exactly that for me. These pliers have a sturdy frame that does not flex or bend and fail-proof cutters that cut anything I put them on. A comfortable rubber non-slip grip keeps my hand from slipping when wet or covered in fish slime, while the lanyard keeps my pliers attached to my hip if I should drop them. Stainless steel construction and a titanium coating ensure these pliers will not rust or corrode (we all know how harsh saltwater is). An internal spring-loaded hinge assists with keeping these pliers from getting hard to open and close. If you were ever to actually wear a set out, replaceable cutters are inexpensive and easy to swap out. I don’t leave home without a pair of Danco pliers, as I have become dependent on them both on and off of the water. To me, these things make the ultimate pair of pliers. That all Danco pliers and knives come with a lifetime warranty, a 30-day return policy and free shipping as well as an unbeatable price point is all icing on the cake. — Craig McMicken; @backwatercartel
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by boat. Given the remoteness meet, film and interview many great guides, but one and extensive flats, the many that stands out is local legend, Mr. Ralph Moxie, a shallow reefs, mangrove islands man who has been guiding and boat building for and coastlines, it is advisable that decades. Mr. Moxie was more than happy to share his guides are secured for their local knowledge, and I am honored to have met him. He knowledge. Understanding tides, was recently recognized by the Bahamas Fly Fishing currents and fish movements are Industry Association for his efforts, and I can see why. vital in finding fish, and traversing Mr. Moxie is not only a local fixture on Mangrove Cay, this maze of islands requires skills he is a wonderful ambassador for the Bahamas... much only acquired over decades of like many of the elder bonefish guides I have met. learning and experience. Although Central and Southern Andros both Local guide Douglas Saunders came through recent Hurricane Matthew OK, took time to show us the beautiful Northern Andros took a direct hit, and the people waters of Mangrove Cay. “Bonefish there need your help. To support the Bahamas relief Doug,” as he is known, fished while efforts, check out the Bahamas Hurricane Restoration I polled the boat and we discussed Fund : https://www.crowdrise.com/restore-bahamas2/ the fishery, conservation and fundraiser/restorebahamas. tourism. Doug is a professional, knowledgeable and conscientious Tom Karrow is a Doctoral Candidate, University guide whose main priorities are of Waterloo, College of the Bahamas Research Fellow safety and happiness of his clients. and BTT researcher. For more on his research, follow He is an innovator of fly patterns him on Facebook and visit http://tomkarrow.wixsite. and hook-release tools. com/bahamas-guide-tek. By Tom Karrow • Photos by Dan Decible Although easily accessible, the east coast of Mangrove Cay is more heavily fished, and consequently estled in the heart of Andros between South has fewer and more-educated fish. Andros and North Andros is beautiful Anglers seeking fish on the east side of Mangrove Mangrove Cay. I spent weeks this past June Cay can stick with usual patterns but need to use on Mangrove Cay, interviewing bonefish guides and longer leaders with fine tippets to trick wary bonefish. documenting their lives, stories and knowledge for Smaller flies might also be wise, and stealthy wading better bonefish conservation. is a must. While on Mangrove Cay, I was graciously hosted Although I threw a line and polled Bonefish by Swains Cay Lodge. This wonderful facility sits on Doug to some bonefish, the primary purpose was a stunning beach where bonefish, barracuda, snapper for research funded by Bonefish and a host of other species reside, and there is a and Tarpon Trust. Gathering lagoon on the property where resident baby tarpon local historic knowledge is For More Bonefishing in Mangrove Cay, go to continuously roll. critical to understanding changes Like much of Andros, the road runs north to south in the fishery, which allows on the east side of the island. Access to the west is only for enhanced conservation. I
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he Stuart Sailfish Club recently announced the 63rd Light Tackle Tournament and the third-annual Florida Sailfish Amateur Championship to be held Dec. 8-11 at the prestigious Sailfish Point Marina on Hutchinson Island in Stuart, Fla. Tournament Chair Thomas Dyer, who is also president of the Stuart Sailfish Club, is hoping to build on the success of last year’s tournament. “We were sold out last year, and I expect that to happen again this year,” Dyer said. “This is one of Florida’s largest purses, and the event is taking place at a prestigious and private marina that many folks will never have the opportunity to fish from. We are honored that Sailfish Point will once again host this tournament.” The Tournament will again hold two divisions of competitors, the Professional Division and an Amateur Division. This year’s Tournament will be limited to the first 30 entries in the Professional Division and the first 20 entries for the Amateur Division. The Professional Division will fish all three days and the Amateur Division selects fishing any two of the three days. The Calcutta for the Professional Division could reach $345,000 if all the professional boats participate and would be one of the largest purses in Florida. For more information and registration packages, contact the Stuart Sailfish Club at sailfish@stuartsailfishclub.com or call (772) 286-9373.
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W H A T ’ S
T R E N D I N G
OKEECHOBEE
SERVING OKEECHOBEE, HIGHLANDS, GLADES, HENDRY, DESOTO AND HARDEE COUNTIES Welcome to the Okeechobee edition of Coastal Angler Magazine. November in south central Florida is one of the best times of the year for local residents. Mother Nature will be providing a hint of fall with cool nights and moderate daytime temperatures. The humidity should be on a downward slide and those pesky late afternoon thunderstorms will be in the distance past. There will also be a steady stream of old friends arriving from the north with plenty of stories and experiences to share at the backyard grill or over a cup of coffee. For fishermen, November marks the beginning of the bass spawning cycle in Lake Okeechobee. The bass will be coming off the open lake and taking up residence along the outside edges of the marshes to bulk up for the winter-spring spawn. During this pre-staging the bass are aggressive feeders and it’s a fun time to fish. In smaller lakes and streams, the bass might not make such a dramatic move to the shallows but the cooler water temperatures will make them more likely to move up into the shallows to forage for food. The end of Day Light Savings Time occurs on November 6th and our clocks fall back one hour so tournament fishermen be prepared for a change in first-light starting times. November also brings the return of our waterfowlers to the area. November 19-27th marks the 201617 mini season for general ducks which then expands into the winter duck season lasting from December 10th through January 29th. Hopefully Mother Nature will cooperate this year by spreading some cold and blowing snow in the upper Great Plains and Northeast to drive the birds south this winter. Fall Turkey and deer seasons are already underway in some form or fashion so be sure to visit www. MyFWC.com for Hunting Zone guidelines and season dates. With the return of the snowbirds continued on page 2
SFWMD Begins Historic Test to Help Reduce Discharges to Coastal Estuaries By Randy Smith, SFWMD
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hree years ahead of schedule, South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) engineers have begun a test to retain additional water in the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes, which will reduce the flow of water into Lake Okeechobee. This critical step in the nearly $800 million public investment in Kissimmee River Restoration will allow scientists to measure the ecological benefits of this new operating plan for the river and its floodplain. This action is consistent with the SFWMD Governing Board’s direction to reduce freshwater releases from the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes into Lake Okeechobee and then to the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie estuaries. “Holding water north in the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes provides the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which manages Lake Okeechobee, more flexibility when it comes to releasing water to the coastal estuaries,” said SFWMD Chairman Dan O’Keefe. “Beginning this operation early also allows us to test the Kissimmee Headwaters project to ascertain the benefits to the ecology of the river system.” Ongoing Kissimmee River Restoration progress essentially has two parts: n Backfilling the channelized river and returning it to traditional oxbows so that the floodplain can be hydrated to its natural state; and n Holding water at higher elevations in the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes at the river’s headwaters and slowly releasing that water south to methodically inundate the river’s historic floodplain during the dry season. Holding water north creates 100,000 acrefeet of water storage in the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes and thereby reduces water levels on Lake Okeechobee. This also provides for the gradual release of this water to the river that is vital to the ecology of newly restored sections of the river and better mimics natural, historic conditions. Increasing water storage will also slow the flow of water to Lake Okeechobee, where currently,
water can flow into the lake from the Kissimmee River and other watersheds up to six times faster than it can be released. Background: Kissimmee River Restoration The Kissimmee River once meandered for 103 miles through central Florida. Its floodplain, reaching up to three miles wide, was inundated for long periods by heavy seasonal rains. In the 1960s, the river was channelized by dredging a 30- foot- deep straightaway through the river’s meanders creating the C-38 canal. While the project delivered on the promise of flood protection, it also destroyed much of a floodplaindependent ecosystem that nurtured the river’s ecology. After extensive planning, construction for the Kissimmee River Restoration Project began in 1999 with purchasing sufficient land interests to retain water in the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes and backfilling 8 miles of the C-38 canal. Three construction phases are now complete, and continuous water flow has been re-established to 24 miles of the meandering Kissimmee River. Seasonal rains and flows now regularly inundate the floodplain in the restored area, as they did before channelization. The comprehensive restoration project will return flow to the river’s historic channel and restore about 40 square miles of river/floodplain ecosystem. During the next three years, backfilling of the remaining 6 ½ miles of canal will be complete, a new weir will be constructed and the project will begin operating.
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FISHING REPORT
BY CAPTAIN EDDIE PERRY | LAKE OKEECHOBEE – NORTH END
W
ith Lake Okeechobee water levels on the rise from recent rains, we could see a level over 16.5 feet above sea level very soon. That being said, the fishing on the lake has been excellent. Bass are moving in from the open lake and pre-staging in areas for their annual trek to the spawning grounds. The problem is that they are not staging in their usual places. With the lake level high bass have moved past their normal outside areas and are staging farther inside the grass line. What I’m trying to say is, you’re going to have to look for them a bit before you can get into the numbers of fish we have been catching. I recently worked on a six boat group trip and for the two days we fished. We caught a total of 653 bass on six boats, now that’s strong fishing. The best part is we were all doing something different as far as the type of cover we were fishing. Full days you can expect 40 to 80 fish a day on shiners and 25 to 40 on half days. The top water action is starting to pick up again as the water temperatures start to cool. The months of Oct, Nov and Dec are great top water months and your chances for a big fish greatly increase this time of year. The top waters I prefer this time of year are prop baits, Devils Horse, Torpedo’s and Crazy Shad type prop baits are deadly during these months. With the passing of Hurricane Mathew, the lake has undergone some changes that will help those fisherman who like to flip. Strong winds and high water have created numerous mats of floating vegetation that big bass like to hide under. So grab your 1 ounce weight, a soft plastic craw and start punching mats. You may not catch big numbers of fish but you will catch bigger fish. Kings Bar, Eagle Bay, and Tin House Cove are great places to start your morning on the lake.
Welcome
Speck fishing has yet to really get started in the lake itself, but a few anglers are catching specks in the Kissimmee River on minnows. Speck fishing should pick up soon so be ready when they show up. The early wave of specks do not usually last long so catch them when you can. Be sure and stop by Garrard’s Bait and Tackle for all your fishing needs. GOOD FISHIN Capt. Eddie Perry Capt. Eddie Perry is a 5th generation Floridian and owner of Okeechobee Adventures Guide Service. He has fished the Big ‘O’ since he was a little boy and has professionally guided on the Andrea Fuenties, 6-lb morning starter, with Capt lake since 1996. There isn’t Ed Perry much that he hasn’t seen on the lake. He can be reached by telephone at (863) 763-7722, web www. OkeechobeeAdventures.com, Facebook.com/OkeechobeeAdventures, or at Garrard’s Bait and Tackle.
continued from page 1
comes the return of the art & craft season and the food festival season. If cotton candy and deep fried cheese cake is you thing, you’re bound to find it somewhere close. Check out the Community Events pages for just a sampling of events within a few hours drive. Finally, by the time many of you read this edition, our long and contentious election season will be over. No matter who you voted for be thankful for the right to vote. If you were eligible to vote but decided not to, then shame on you. Over the generations much blood has been shed to protect our democracy and only by raising our voice through the power of a ballot can it be protected. Whether it’s electing a new president or voting to protect and save our natural resources and environment, your voice and your vote do make a difference. Ken Gabryel Co-Publisher Coastal Angler Magazine - Okeechobee
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My favorite lakes
doesn’t allow the use of lead weights but they are ok to use in New York. Also seasonal dates and size limits for black bass can vary both By: Steve Daniel “The Voice of Lake Okeechobee Fishing” within the state and between the states. Within New York State both the season start date and the size limit of black bass varies among the different regions-lakes of the state so make sure you check out all the regulations and licenses required. If fishing the St Lawrence River in the 10,000 Islands area, you may need a Canadian fishing license and don’t forget your passport. Give me one lake to fish year around it would have to be Lake Okeechobee. Even with the heat and humidity our summer time fishing is better than any lake in the country and we all know how good it is during the winter. The one thing I miss the most about not competing on the tours is not getting to visit these great fishing lakes, but on the positive side I get to fish Lake Okeechobee almost every day and produce a great radio show with Deb, my best friend. Deb misses the traveling more than I do, she is the daughter of a truck driver everyone called Hoppy and she was fearless when it came to travelling, a good combination. Steve Daniel Until next month, Tight Lines hen I was a full time bass pro fishing the Bassmasters Elite and Steve Daniel FLW tours, I had an opportunity to angle on some of the best For more information on the fishing or a guided trip of a lifetime, fishing lakes in the country. Each season Deb, the cats, and I would catch Hooked up with Steve & Deb, the Voice of Okeechobee fishing leave my favorite lake, the Big ‘O’ and travel to some of the hottest on: RenoviolaOutdoors.com Friday 4-6:pm and Saturday & Sunday lakes in the nation. at 10-12 noon EST; WOKC.com, 100.9fm on Saturday 5-7:am; and Our year usually started in February and we’d travel to Texas and wafcamfm.com 100.5fm on Sundays 5-7:am. Or visit our website at fish some quality lakes like Falcon and Amistad in Del Rio. Amistad www.OkeechobeeProSteveDaniel.com. Telephone (239) 560.2704 was one of the lakes I just couldn’t get enough of. Clear water where the bass could see my jerk bait from a long distance. The water was always very clear with grass growing as deep as 20 feet. Of all the lakes in Texas this is my pick. When we left Texas we’d drive all the way across the country to California where Clear Lake was the best place for me. The scenery and water was spectacular and it holds some very large bass. The only thing wrong with Clear Lake was it was a long way from Lake Okeechobee. Once done in California we would work our way back to the south and fish some nice lakes in Alabama, Georgia and eventually turn north for the summer. Going north in the summer was something Deb and I always looked forward too. We always thought the best job in the world would be guiding anglers on the Big ‘O’ in the winter and guiding the Great Lakes in the summer where you didn’t need airconditioning. Two of my favorite northern lakes are Lake Erie where you can fish from three different states and Lake Champlain which borders both New York and Vermont. These are very large lakes and can be fished like we fish here on Lake Okeechobee. They have clear water and have large areas of shallow grass. Champlain is a lake where you can catch bass in a lot of different ways including; flipping grass, frog fishing, top water fishing, and even drop-shot fishing deep water. If I had to pick a lake other than Lake Okeechobee it would be Lake Champlain, just not in the winter. Ice fishing is not my thing. I have a friend Tim Erwin from Tennessee, who played tackle for the Minnesota Vikings for fourteen years, and he once told me that ice fishing was for people whose wives wouldn’t let them drink at home. Lake Champlain is a great destination and you can fish it from many different areas. A word of advice, if you visit any of these destinations you need to check all the regulations, for instance Lake Champlain borders two states and each state has very different laws. Vermont
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HIGHLANDS FISHING REPORT BY LY NGUYEN | HIGHLANDS COUNTY
Night time bass fishing
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s October leads into November, many fisherman will find success chasing the bait schools and keying in on the potential start of pre-spawn bass season. As it continues to be hot throughout the middle of the day I suggest giving night fishing a try. Many fish species can be caught in the dark of night. One of the more common fish species to be targeted at night are crappie. The bite on Lake Istokpoga has been consistent and should improve as air and water temperatures drop. Many anglers will float or secure lights around their boat to attract bait fish thus drawing in the crappie. Anglers use either live minnows or jigs to produce bites. Best results are generally in deeper areas of the lake or on the ledges that hold bait. Another fun target at night are catfish. Catfishing can be slow at times but catches up to 6-7 pounds are common. Target areas with still water. The main baits seem to be chicken liver, live worms, or cut bait fished on the bottom. Bass fishing at night can be very fun and exciting. At night bass can be caught on a variety of baits. Without the sense of sight you must rely more on your other senses. To battle the darkness I generally rely on sound and feel. If you have spots that are consistent during the day, it is a good idea to try fishing those spots at night as well. In general, bass will be located in the same areas during the day as they are at night because those areas typically offer the best feeding opportunities or protection. Fishing familiar areas also gives you the advantage of having a better feel on your casts and lures in the dark. In addition to usual spots, throwing lures near structure or cover at night can also pay off. Bass usually tend to relate more to a structure at night, especially one that is lighted, typically because there are smaller fish that congregate in these areas and give bass a chance at an easy meal. Casting a jig or spinnerbait near a lighted dock can definitely 4 OKEECHOBEE
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be key at night. Shallow dark water should not be overlooked either, bass are much more comfortable at night and will venture in to shallow water to find food. Do not hesitate to throw a large worm close to shore in a shallow dark area, especially under overhanging trees. The majority of the large bass I have caught have been in water less than five feet. If the fishing is slow and none of the usual spots are working try using a buzzbait or a spinnerbait to locate the bass, and then switch to a finesse worm or a jig once you have found them. Plan on using a sensitive rod for night fishing in order to be able to feel when a bass takes the lure. Also make sure that you have a decent strength line on the spool that can handle large bass. I would recommend using at least 30lb braided line, you do not want the reason you lost your catch to be because your tackle was too light. At night you will be fishing by touch rather than sight so you need every advantage you can get. Using a light and sensitive graphite rod can provide some feeling in the dark. Casting has to be spot on to make sure you know where your lure is going since you can’t see where you are actually casting. Also fighting the bass in the dark can be a difficult transition. Some people use black lights mounted to their boat with fluorescent line in order to be able to see the line on the water which helps with casting and locating the lure. Overall if you get anything from this, remember to use strong tackle and sensitive rods for night fishing. Bass fishing at night is something that every fisherman needs to try at some point. It usually results in better bass fishing in Florida and can even lead to netting some big bass in the double digits. As far as tips go, do not set the hook when you hear a bass break the surface; make sure you actually feel the fish on the line first. At night it may take bass several strikes before it actually connects with the lure so make sure you leave it until you
NOVEMBER 2016
Highlands Fishing Walter Stewart, Nightime Bass
feel it. Try fishing near docks and structure with lights, bass like to wait here to ambush baitfish and other food. Clear lakes at night tend to be best. The best time to night fish in Florida is around April through November. Fighting a bass in the dark is exhilarating, you can’t see what you’re fighting but you can hear everything. The best time of the month for night fishing is during the week of the full moon. The bright moon entices the bass to more heavily feed at that time. The clear night sky lit up from a full moon also provides enough illumination to see casting points, disturbances on the water, buoys, and safer boat operation. Another bonus to night time fishing is that you generally have the body of water to yourself. A calm peaceful environment without the heat of the daytime. Anyone interested in trying their hand at moonlight bass fishing? There is a local group of guys that will be starting a full moon bass tournament to be held the week of each full moon. This is an event open to anyone
with a livewell in their boat. Information or inquiries can be seen on Facebook at “Highlands Bass Anglers Tournament Trail” or call 863-381-2310. Remember to be safe while out at night. Make sure your lights work properly and stay aware of potential dangers, including other boats. Good luck and I hope this read provides you some tips to success.
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HIGHLANDS LAKE PROFILE LAKE GLENADA | BY GEOFF BALOG
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ake Glenada is located between Avon Park and Sebring just off of U.S. Highway 27. Lake Glenada is a medium sized lake by central Florida standards with a surface area of 197 acres. The shape of the lake is somewhat irregular and can be divided into three bowls. The center of each of the bowls varies in depth from 35 feet to 25 feet with the shallowest being 15feet deep. It’s roughly ¾ quarters of a mile long and ½ mile wide. It has a small but paved parking lot which can accommodate about 10 boat trailers. The launch is a single concrete ramp with a dock. There is also a T-shaped fishing pier which anglers frequently use to fish from shore. The area to beach a boat on the shoreline is very limited. Lake Glenada though small in size produces nice size bass with the largest to date reported to FWC Trophy Catch program being an 11lb 7oz bruiser caught by Adrian Echols in August of 2014. There have been many stories about the one that got away but Adrian’s is the largest reported to the FWC to date. Lake Glenada is also a favorite among local panfishermen with large numbers of shellcrackers, specks, and bluegill caught regularly along with your standard
catfish, gar, and mudfish. Primary baitfish include shad, bluegill and a variety of shiners. Water quality runs from semiclear to darkened green associated with the summertime algae blooms. The shoreline is a mixture of cattails, emergent grasses, eel grass, hydrilla patches and developed agricultural areas. The campus of the South Florida State College is located on the northern edge of the lake which provides some unique sites and fishing habitat. The bottom of the lake consists of scattered grasses and some shell rock areas and quickly falling contour lines give bass ample opportunity to egress into the depths during the coldest of days or to escape the summer heat. Lake Glenada offers anglers a wide variety of fishing techniques. Along the shorelines, top water frogs, plugs and spinners can be used effectively. Soft plastics such as Texas rigged worms, swimbaits, and flipping baits are great in the cattails and emergent vegetation. In the submerged grasses crank baits, rattle traps, swim baits, and Carolina rigged soft plastics produce well. In the deeper areas of the lake, deep diving crank baits and drop-shot rigs often produce the biggest bites.
SPECIES SPOTLIGHT
BUTTERFLY PEACOCK By CAM Okeechobee Staff
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he Butterfly Peacock, also known as Peacock Bass, is an extremely popular freshwater non-native fish introduced to south Florida in 1984 by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Known as a strong fighting fish, the Peacock Bass, a member of the Cichlid Family and a native of the Amazon basin in South America was introduced into the waterways of south Florida as a sport fish and to control the growing non-native Cichlid and African Spotted Tilapia population. The Butterfly Peacock has a bass-like shaped body with a large protruding lower jaw. They are very colorful with a green to black dorsal surface with yellow to cream colored sides. They have three thick black vertical bars down the sides and they have a large black spot with a white or yellow-gold halo on the caudal tail. Adult males can be distinguished from females for they have a pronounced hump forward of the dorsal fin. Due to their sensitivity to temperatures below 60°F, they are generally restricted to the deep water canals of Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade Counties. The
average weight of a Butterfly Peacock in a fish in the 1-2 lb class. The Florida State Record stands at 9.08 lbs though a 12 pound fish measuring 25.5 inches was caught but never reported to the state. The IGFA World Record is a 12.6 lb fish caught in Venezuela. The State regulation for the harvesting of Butterfly Peacock Bass is two fish per day of which only one may be 17-inches or longer in total length. The Peacock Bass is also a species in the FWC Big Catch Angler Recognition Program with minimum entry being 18-inches or 4-lbs for adults and 13-inches or 3 lbs for youth under the age of 16. Fishing for Peacock Bass is similar to fishing for largemouth bass with the exception of plastic worms. Baits such as small Rapala-like stick baits, spinners, PopRs, Tiny Torpedoes, and even jigs will catch Peacock Bass. Just leave the plastic worms home or for the largemouth bass. However like largemouth bass, live shiners around 3-inches long are Peacock’s preferred prey. Since most of the canals have limited vegetation cover, you can downsize your rod and reel to lightweight spinning or
bait-casting equipment. Fly-fishermen will also find this an exceptional species to target. Peacocks are hard strikers and they provide strong runs with plenty of acrobatics. You’ll find Peacock Bass just about anywhere you find largemouth bass. Shaded areas provided by bridges and overhanging trees, culverts and other water structures, fallen trees and submerged logs, canal ends and intersections, and along shoreline vegetation are all good starting points for finding these fish. Peacocks are generally caught during daylight hours so you can save your nights for other quarry. The Butterfly Peacock Bass provides great table fare. Its flesh is white meat with very little oil and produce nice size fillets. When cooked the meat is flaky and tender with a light sweet taste similar to snapper. They take seasoning well and just about any type of cooking technique from frying, grilling, baking, and stir-fry. Whether you are a local resident or short term visitor, whether you are a saltwater fishermen or a freshwater fishermen, spending some time fishing for Butterfly Peacock Bass will be time well spent.
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FISHING REPORT BY CAPTAIN BRIAN NELLI | PALM BEACH KAYAK
Atlantic Coast Inshore
November finally brings the cooler weather in to allow us to fish all day without the heat. Snook, redfish, trout, bluefish and Spanish mackerel should be on your radar. Fishing mangrove lines and docks will produce most of the inshore species. Try using a slower presentation like a DOA shrimp around these structures. Channel edges and drop off along the flats will produce the aggressive bluefish and Spanish. I prefer wading out of the kayak to fish the channels and drop offs. Wading gives you the opportunity to really work an area where fish should be holding.
Atlantic Coast Offshore
Northeast winds will start to push through this month making the surf an issue for each trip. When you hit the beach and see that the surf is rough, take some time and watch the waves. Most of the time you can see there is a pattern of a few big sets and a calm period. Time it out right and stay dry. Fish will start to move in shallow as the cold fronts push through. Look to target mahi, kings and sails in the 80-120’ area. As always gogs will be your best bet for live bait. Don’t forget about the bottom fishing as well. Muttons and yellowtails will be lurking in the 60-100’ reef patches. Frozen sardines, live mullet and frozen gogs will work best. Check us out Pushin’ Water Kayak Charters (TCkayakfishing) on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube for all the latest adventures my clients and I get into. See you on the water!
Brian with Snappers
Brian Nelli | 772-201-5899 | Brian@tckayakfishing.com | www. tckayakfishing.com
FISHING REPORT
BY CAPT. DAVE STEPHENS | PEACE RIVER - PORT CHARLOTTE
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irst off I would like to start by welcoming our fellow northern anglers back to Florida. November is upon us and this is the time of year a lot of fish can be on the move. Some of our local game fish will be moving close to or into deeper water as winter approaches. The two that come to mind are Trout and Snook. Trout normally will be on and around the flats until a major front pushes through. Snook on the other hand are more fragile and will begin to move closer to deeper water. Redfish can still be found on the flats on the lower tides. With the cooler water temperatures, rivers and creeks will begin to hold a greater number of fish. If live pilchards are still available in your area that will get the best bite. If not I would recommend shrimp or pinfish. If you’re fishing over grass with shrimp or pins you might want to use a float to stay just above it. I also like to down size my line strength to 10# braid. It has the diameter of 2#, and you can cast it a mile. I pair that up with a St. Croix Tide Master Med Fast 7.5’’ rod with a Daiwa Ballistic 3000 reel. Those three seem to make a deadly combo on open water fish. Trout fishing will be getting even better with the falling water temperatures. On the lower tides outside bars have become very productive. As the tides rise, fish will move onto the flats. Look for areas that have broken bottom. Live bait such as pilchards and pinfish will get the better bites. If we have an early front that comes through these fish might seek deeper water. I don’t see this happening, but you never know. Snook will be on the move this month sometimes making them a little difficult to pinpoint. If we stay nice and warm the flats will continue to hold good numbers of fish. If we have some cooler weather in November that could push fish to deeper water. Local canals and river mouths are areas to locate deep water Snook. If you find yourself fishing these guys around
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Capt Dave client with snook
heavy structure, be prepared. Big Snook are not easily pulled from docks. I recommend jumping up to 20# braid and a stiffer St. Croix Tide Master med/heavy rod. You don’t need a long rod in these situations since your probably making short casts. Also jumping your leader to 40# will help with the barnacles. If the water is clear you may get by with 30#. A Daiwa Ballistic has plenty of drag to turn most fish’s heads. Don’t be afraid to put the heat on them. Once you get them out you can go a little easier so you won’t pull a hook. If you would like to experience some of southwest Florida’s finest fishing, give us a call or send us an email. All our charters are private and customized to fit you and your party’s needs. Capt. Dave Stephens | 941-916-5769 | www.backbayxtremes.com
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10/17/16 3:20 PM
FISHING REPORT
SECRETS OF CHARLOTTE HARBOR, FT MYERS | BY FISHN’ FRANKS
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his past October was a tough one, Red Tides all through the month and then Hurricane Matthew blew by. Add all this up and you get a November which could go either way. The west winds driven by the bottom half of Matthew blew the Red Tide onto the beaches and into the ICW which then ended up along much of the shoreline and small coves. While the interior of Charlotte Harbor remained unaffected by the Red Tide, as the rivers were pumping millions of gallons of fresh water into the Harbor and Red Tide needs salt water to live, the Redfish were one of the biggest losers of the Red Tide. Just as the Red Tide was at its worst the big adult breeders were heading into the Harbor. Judging by the large number of monster Redfish schools along the bars on the east side and in front of Turtle Bay, it appears many more survived than were killed but big number of spawning fish did die. What will this mean? Well we’ll find out in about two years. We had a bad spawn last year with lower than normal numbers of breeding Redfish, and this year right now we have a huge population of Reds in the Harbor. So we’ll see in a few years if the Red Tide impacted the spawn. If two years from now the fishing for Reds isn’t that great, we’ll know why. Snook continue to be the dominant game fish in the Harbor even with the presence of large numbers of Redfish. Snook dominate the action in the canals, the beaches and the piers. Tarpon are also a common catch right now with smaller Silver Kings feeding in the canals. The cool thing about this is both Tarpon and Snook will take the same lures and baits, though Snook are by far the easier ones to catch. A Storm Twitch or a Bomber Long A-15, even the paddle tail shads are making the Snook throw caution to the wind and striking these lures with a vengeance. The difference between Snook and Tarpon fishing is that Snook are found right under the docks or within two feet of the seawall. Tarpon on the other hand are more of a middle of the canal fish. So if you’re targeting Snook, cast the lure under a dock or right along the seawall. If after a few casts you don’t get a strike cast out towards the middle of the canal for a Tarpon. When I cast for Tarpon I try to get the lure deeper into the water and more towards the bottom. If I am casting a paddle tail or jig, I will let it sink for a three second count before I start reeling in. This allows the lure to settle deeper into the water. To keep the lure closer to the bottom during the retrieve I hold my rod tip closer to the water while lifting the rod tip up will get you over the rocks and other debris on the canal’s bottom. For Snook, being in shallower water, the position of the lure doesn’t seem to matter as much so I keep the lure a bit higher which provides for fewer chances of the lure getting stuck on debris. So I will start retrieving as soon as the lure hits the water keeping my rod tip up 4 feet from the surface of the water. This makes the lure come in just under the surface and Snook love to hit up. The jaw of a Snook is designed for striking at food while it is in front of its face and higher up. The same is true of Tarpon, both fish can and do feed off of the bottom, but the shape of their jaw and where their eyes are makes it easier for them to feed from the bottom looking up. This is much different than a Redfish who’s built for mainly bottom feeding. November should also be a good month for bottom fishing in the Gulf. After a storm, Grouper usually come closer to shore as will Snappers. Bonita and King Mackerel are here for the month unless we get a major cold spell, which is unlikely. In recent weeks both Mahi and Wahoo have also been spotted off our coast. So there is plenty of action offshore this month.
The big questions for the month will be, how long will the Red Tide last and how can you avoid it. Since Mother Nature will determine how long the Red Tide will be around that leaves us with keep moving to stay clear of the tide. Watch the direction of the wind for the Red Tide will follow the wind, the waves and the natural tide. When the wind makes an abrupt change in direction expect the Red Tide to move with the wind change. Just a week ago a guy asked me about the Red Tide and it was very near the shore and extended out only a few miles. Then overnight the wind shifted from the west to the east and the Red Tide reached out to fifteen miles the following day. So winds out of the west blow to the Red Tide to shore on this coast and easterly winds blow it out into the Gulf. Another thing to keep in mind is that a Red Tide may not go all of the way to the bottom. Often times in water deeper than 30 feet, the surface or near surface waters may be deadly to fish while the fish on the bottom are not effected at all. Anyway, the best bet for this month will be to stay in the brown back waters of the Harbor for some great action with Snook and Redfish or in the canals for Snook and Tarpon. If you are going out into the Gulf, you may have to put some miles between you and shore to avoid the Red Tides. But I pray they will be gone soon. Fish’n Franks Charlotte Harbor Secrets is written by Fishin’ Franks, located at 4425D Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte, FL and 14531 N. Cleveland Ave, Ft Myers FL. We may not always be politically correct, but you can be guaranteed that, we will write it as how we see it! If you plan on visiting just remember, “This ain’t no Boutique, this is a Fishin’ store!” We can reached by telephone (941) 625-3888 or on the web at http://www. FishinFranks.com
Area Fishing Guides Capt. Mark King Reel Dreams Fishing: Bass, Lake ‘O’, Florida Keys Live bait & Artificial Clewiston, FL Ph: (863) 677-0983 www.MarkKingFishing.com
Capt Eddie Perry Fishing: Bass & Panfish Lake ‘O’ Live Bait & Artificial Okeechobee, FL Ph: (863) 763-7722 www.OkeechobeeAdventures. FloridaBoyArt.com/
Capt. Dave Stephens Back Bay Xtremes Charters Fishing: Snook, Tarpon, Redfish Peace River - Port Charlotte Ph: (941) 916-5769 web www.BackBayXtremes.com
Steve Daniel Steve Daniel Guide Service Fishing: Bass Lake Okeechobee Live Bait & Artificial Clewiston, FL Ph: (863) 885-2230 www.OkeechobeeProSteveDaniel.com
Capt. Brian Nelli TC Kayak Fishing Fishing: Palm Beach Kayaking Palm Beach, FL Ph: (772) 201-5899 www.TCKayakFishing.com
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Capt. Chris Chesley World Wide Charter Fishing: Bass, Lake ‘O’ Hunting: Ducks, Lake ‘O’ Lakeport, FL Ph: (863) 946-2736 www.CaptChris-Okeechobee.com NOVEMBER 2016
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KAYAK FISHING 101 BY ROBERT FARABEE
Paddling in windy conditions
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geared up for immersion and paddle with ind is as common as rain here in other experienced kayakers. Remember the sunshine state. Especially in that 1 knot equals 1.15 mph. central Florida where coastal breezes can Here in central Florida most of the collide. This can be a problem for kayakers lakes are small and relatively shallow. who aren’t prepared or experienced for This makes them highly susceptible to the windy conditions. rapidly changing conditions especially First you need to know your during the summer thunderstorm season. limitations. Here are some basic rules When venturing out onto the water you I use when getting ready for a kayak should always key an eye to the sky for trip on a windy day. Learn the basic approaching weather. terminology used by mariners. ‘Light One feature that makes paddling Air’ consist of winds of 1-3 knots which in windy conditions much easier is result in very safe conditions. A ‘Gentle feathering. The individual blades of the Breeze’ consists of winds of 7-10 knots; kayak paddles are set perpendicular to small whitecaps will begin to appear each other, or close to perpendicular, so that may become challenging for novice kayakers. A ‘Moderate Breeze’ consists when the blade that is not propelling the boat is raised in the air, it will cut through of winds of 11-16 knots; this produces the air rather than act as a sail against conditions approaching the upper limit it. This makes a person’s paddle stroke for inexperienced paddlers. A ‘Fresh quicker and less taxing on the arm. Some Breeze’ consists of winds of 17-21 knots; higher end paddles feature shafts that quite challenging in a kayak and solid experience is required. A ‘Strong Breeze’ consists of winds of 22-27 rotate to allow for an adjustable feather; the paddler can then tailor knots; paddling is very difficult, kayakers should be experienced, the feather to his or her paddle stroke. Most paddles that have this feature will be two piece paddles with several holes for adjusting the feathering. Paddling in high wind is like paddling on long trips. Your paddle shaft can make a big difference in your stroke. The shaft of kayak paddles can vary in shape, materials, and length. The most common shape for a paddle shaft is the straight shaft, though it can be tough on the wrists during longer paddling trips. Bent shafts feature strategically placed bends that make gripping the shaft easier on the wrists, though this design can shorten a paddler’s stroke. Some designs work to counteract this shortening by carefully designing the location of the bends, though the overall results of this design are up for debate. The shaft materials can also have an impact both on wrist comfort and paddle stroke effectiveness; carbon, for example, is exceptionally rigid, which makes for a strong paddle stroke but increased strain on the wrists. Plastic will flex more, which means one’s paddle stroke is likely to be less efficient but the wrists may be more comfortable. Finally, plan your trip to start out facing into the wind while you are strong and fresh. This will also help you when you return and your back is to the wind. You may also consider a small umbrella to help as a sail when on open water or when you just want to relax and get out of the sun. So, take the time, find yourself, and go yaking. Rent or buy but give it a try. You’ll find many manufacturers and models of kayaks to choose from for the type of experience you’re looking for, from angling to tandem models you can find it at GS Outdoors located at 5621 U.S.27 Hwy 27 N. Sebring Fl. 33870 or follow us on Facebook. Robert Farabee • Pro Staff GS Outdoors | reelitinrob@gmail.com 8 OKEECHOBEE
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10/17/16 3:20 PM
Canal Recreation Area Free - Boat ramps, bank fishing, picnic shelters with tables & grills, water, restrooms, raised scenic viewing platform
anal (Bare Beach) Free - Boat ramps, bank fishing Canal Free - Boat ramp, bank fishing
ecreation Area - C. Scott Driver Park - Boat ramp, marina, bank fishing, bait, fishing license, guide service, ice, picnic shelters with tables & grills, water, showers, camping
HIGHLANDS LAKE MAP TROUT DAMON
ADELAIDE CHILTON OLIVIA LILLIAN EAGLE POND
64
64
PYTHIAS PIONEER
BYRD
SILVER LELIA
DUCK DEER
FOX ISIS VIOLA VERONA
TULANE ANOKA
LOTELA GLENADA
ANGELO
LITTLE LAKE BONNET BONNET LITTLE RED WATER BASKET
SEBRING
ARBUCKLE CREEK ROAD
DINNER 17
LUCAS
SEBRING
JACKSON 17A
LITTLE JACKSON
27
RED BEACH
CHARLOTTE
BLUE CHRISTY
WOLF
823
17
HUCKLEBERRY
EDILA
GRASSY POND
MUD
COUNTERFEIT
LETTA
LOST SUBMARINE
ARBUCKLE CREEK
AVON PARK
DENTON GRANADA
AVON PARK BOMBING RANGE
98
RUTH
66
LYNN
JOESPHINE
JOSEPHINE CREEK
17
HILL
HARRY
PERSIMMON REDWATER FRANCIS
CARRIE
NELLIE APRHORPE SIMMONS
HENRY
BLUE
621
JUNE IN WINTER LACHARD SIRENA
CREWS
LAKE PLACID
ISTOKPOGA
SADDLE BAGS HUNTLEY
LOST
AUGUST
821
CLAY
MIRRIR
MCCOY
29
PEARL GRASSY
PLACID DIANE
LITTLE GRASSY
29
BUCK 70
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ANNIE
NOVEMBER 2016
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TOURNAMENT NEWS OCTOBER 1, 2016 LAKELAND JR BASSMASTERS
Venue: Harris Chain By: Martin Bozeman Comments: Nice weather greeted the young anglers as they headed into the last tournament of the season before the year ending Classic. This was the day to add points to their totals for Angler of the Year. Though the bite was scattered some anglers did manage to bring in some quality fish.
Younger Div (8-16yrs) First Place: Fisher Cusic, 14.23lbs Second Place: Chase Givens, 6.29 lbs Third Place: Sammy Acree 6.13 lbs Big Fish: Fisher Cusic 4.64 Older Div (16-18 yrs) First Place: Roger Weigel 13.64 lbs Second Place: Bryce Goff: 12.33 lbs Third Place: Stanley Flesher: 8.36 lbs Big Fish: Bryce Goff: 5.70 lbs Next Tournament will be the Lakeland Junior Bassmasters Classic to be held at Lake Kissimmee on Nov 5 & 6.
OCTOBER 1, 2016 ROLAND MARTIN MARINE CENTER SERIES Q-4
Venue: Lake Okeechobee By: Ramon Iglesias Comments: CLEWISTON, FL - The final qualifier (#4) of the 2016 Roland Martin Marine Center Series is in the books and the story of the day is big bass and big checks. Yes, that’s starting to sound like a broken record with the highest paying team tournament trail in Florida, but with twenty-pound-plus limits filling out the top 10 and plenty of extra zeros on checks rather than in the livewells, you won’t find many complaints here. Play it again Big O! With the rest of the country welcoming in Fall and saying goodbye to summer, anglers and big-bass fans in Clewiston were treated to mid 80 temperatures, little wind and lots of photo opportunities. And the biggest one came when Kail Stevens and Chis Schirling put over 30 pounds of Lake Okeechobee bass on the scales. “The first place we pulled up on, both of us had 3 ½ pounders pretty quick,” Stevens said. “We thought it was going to 10 OKEECHOBEE
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start going off from there but it slowed down on us around 11 a.m. with about 24 pounds. We thought, this isn’t going to win. Everybody has been catching 30 pounds. This ain’t enough.” “We were flipping reeds all day with a black and blue jig and beaver,” said Schirling. “Then we went back to our previous stretch the last hour and Kail put two good ones in the well to seal the deal.” With a total weight of 30.91 lbs., Stevens and Schirling also found a $5,000 check with their names on it. To sweeten the pot, Bass Addiction threw in a $150 gift certificate. In second place with 24.35 lbs. was the team of Donny Bass and Mike Meisenheimer. No stranger to the bountiful payouts of Lake Okeechobee and the RMMC Series, Bass is the reigning champion of the Series. “We had a small limit early within the first hour,” Bass said. “We were punching mats all day long with 1 ½ to 2 oz. weights from Hawg Tech with dark plastics. We did have a chance at 30 lbs. with both of using losing a couple nice ones.” “It was a grind,” said Meisenheimer. “I was a fill in since Donny’s partner couldn’t make it but it worked out in my favor.” With a second place check for $2,000 and an additional $500 going to Bass for his 7.72 Big Bass of the day, Meisenheimer and Bass made the alternate connection pay off. Rounding out the top three with a little over 23 pounds was the father and son team of Brian and Brice Powant. “We caught most of our fish flipping,” said the 13-year old Powant. “But we picked one up casting as well.” “We were throwing a Reaction Beaver and Gambler Ugly Otter in Black and Blue,” the elder Powant said. “I had a chance to practice yesterday but scrapped that early and we ended up catching them from the North end.” Their total weight of 23.25 lbs. was good enough for $1,300. The Gambler 2nd big bass check for $100 went to the team of Steve Lake and Kevin Lake along with $100 Reel Deal Outdoors 15th place finish gift certificate. With the top nine teams bringing in 20 pound plus limits, the fourth and final qualifier of the 2016 Roland Martin Marine Center Series continued to reward the anglers and big-bass fans gathered in Clewiston for the weigh-in. First Place: Chris Schirling and
Kail Stevens, 5-fish, 30.91 lbs Second Place: Donny Bass & Mike Meisenheimer, 5-fish, 24.35 lbs Third Place: Brian Prowant & Brice Prowant, 5-fish, 23.25 lbs Big Fish: Donny Bass & Mike Meisenheimer, 7.72 lbs Next Tournament will be the Classic to be held on Dec 10-11.
Chris Schirling & Kail Stevens, RMMSC
IF YOU ADVERTISED HERE 10,000 READERS WOULD HAVE SEEN YOUR AD. Contact Ken Gabryel 863.532.3671 keng@coastalanglermagazine. com for more information
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10 John Stretch Park Free - Boat ramp, bank fishing, picnic shelters with tables & grills, water, restrooms, scenic viewpoint, play area, dump station 11 Clewiston City Park Free - Boat ramps, bank fishing, picnic shelters with tables & grills, scenic viewpoint 12 Alvin Ward Park Free - Boat ramp, bank & pier fishing, picnic shelters with tables & grills, water, restrooms, play area 13 Moore Haven Lock & Dam Free - Bank & pier fishing (south side of river) 14 Old Sportsmans Village Free - Boat ramp, bank fishing, picnic tables 15 Fisheating Creek Free - Boat ramp, bank fishing 16 Harney Pond Canal Recreation Area Free - Boat ramps, bank fishing, picnic shelters with tables & grills, water, restrooms, raised scenic viewing platform 17 Dyess Ditch Canal (Bare Beach) Free - Boat ramps, bank fishing 18 Indian Prairie Canal Free - Boat ramp, bank fishing
LAKE OKEECHOBEE
19 Okee-Tantie Recreation Area - C. Scott Driver Park - Boat ramp, marina, bank fishing, bait, fishing license, guide service, ice, picnic shelters with tables & grills, water, showers, camping
R A M PS
Jaycee Park Free - Boat ramp, bank & pier fishing, water, scenic viewpoint, picnic tables 2 Nubbin Slough Free - Bank fishing, scenic viewpoint 3 Henry Creek Free - Boat ramp, bank fishing 4 Chancy Bay Free - Boat ramp, bank fishing, equestrian access 5 Port Mayaca North Free - Boat ramp, bank fishing, scenic viewpoint Port Mayaca South Free - Bank fishing, scenic viewpoint 6 Canal Point Picnic Area Free - Boat ramp, bank fishing, picnic shelters with tables & grills
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Moore Haven Lock & Dam Free Bank & pier fishing (south side of river) 14 Old Sportsmans Village Free Boat ramp, bank fishing, picnic tables 15 Fisheating Creek Free - Boat ramp, bank fishing 16 Harney Pond Canal Recreation Area Free Boat ramps, bank fishing, picnic shelters with tables & grills, water, restrooms, raised scenic viewing platform
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Pahokee Marina/Campground - Boat ramp, boat rentals, marina, camping, bank & pier fishing, cabin rentals, water, restrooms, pool Paul Rardin Park Free - Boat ramp, bank fishing, picnic shelters with tables & grills, water, restrooms, scenic viewpoint Hooker Highway Access Point Free - Bank fishing, scenic viewpoint scant parking John Stretch Park Free - Boat ramp, bank fishing, picnic shelters with tables & grills, water, restrooms, scenic viewpoint, play area, dump station Clewiston City Park Free - Boat ramps, bank fishing, picnic shelters with tables & grills, scenic viewpoint Alvin Ward Park Free - Boat ramp, bank & pier fishing, picnic shelters with tables & grills, water, restrooms, play area
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Dyess Ditch Canal (Bare Beach) Free - Boat ramps, bank fishing Indian Prairie Canal Free - Boat ramp, bank fishing Okee-Tantie Recreation Area - C. Scott Driver Park - Boat ramp, marina, bank fishing, bait, fishing license, guide service, ice, picnic shelters with tables & grills, water, showers, camping
RV sites rentals • Cabin rentals • Boat rentals Bait & Tackle Shop • Tavern • Live Music Sat & Sun Family, pet and motorcycle friendly 9500 SW Conners Hwy, Okeechobee, FL Mon-Thur 12 Noon – 8:00pm • Fri-Sun 10:00am – 10:00pm
(772) 597-4455 www.JandSFishCamp.net
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TROPHY CATCH
& BIG CATCH
ANGLER RECOGNITION PROGRAMS
Big Catch Award Levels Trophy Catch: • Specialist 3 Easy Steps • Master Angler • Photo with weight visible on scale and entire bass body visible • Elite Angler • For Details Visit: • Bass must be released www.MYFWC.com/BigCatch • Submit entry to TrophyCatchFlorida.com Earn rewards for release trophy catch!
Current Leader Paul Desrosier 14.625 lbs Jessamine Lake
Dan Melvin, Warmouth 9.125-in
Andrew Rodriguez, Mayan Cichlid, 1.5 lbs
Notable catches Top: Dave Cummings Sr. 8.56lbs, Lake June in Winter John Yoder, 8.875 lbs, Lake Weohyakapka Center: Bill Springer, 9.81 lbs, Lake Istokpoga Bottom: Joe Picior. 10.375 lbs, Lake Placid Terry, 10.5 lbs, Polk Tenoroc FMA
Ethan Crossan, Blue Tilapia, 3.31 lbs
Brandon Aks, Butterfly Peacock 4.5 lbs
Noah Inman, Bluegill, 9-in
Max Lepa, Bluegill 8-in Robert Nino, Butteryfly Peack 2.5 lbs 12 OKEECHOBEE
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Board
BRAG
Garland Wilmoth, warmouth-1lbs, Waltn Cty Pond
FWC TROPHY CATCH HALL OF FAME SEASON 4 S TAT U S
Top row, left to right: Dan Patrick McClintick, 13.69 lbs., Kingsley Lake Paul Desrosier, 14.625 lbs., Jessaminie Lake Second row, left to right: Jacob Elliott, 13.75 lbs., Alligator Lake, Jason Stake, 13.0 lbs., Kingsley Lake Joshua O’Clair, 13.94 lbs., Hillsborough Co Private Pond
Be sure to submit your Brag Board pictures to pics@okeechobeecam.com
Third row, left to right: Nick Thliveros, 13.25 lbs., St Johns Co Private Pond Robert Lee Lockman Jr, 13.69 lbs., Orange Co Private Pond
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COMMUNITY EVENTS NOVEMBER 3
NOVEMBER 7
57th Ft Lauderdale Boat Show Venue: Bahia Mar Yachting Center City: Ft Lauderdale www.ShowManagement.com
57th Ft Lauderdale Boat Show Venue: Bahia Mar Yachting Center City: Ft Lauderdale www.ShowManagement.com
Sebring Drag Racing Sebring International Raceway City: Sebring www.SebringRaceway.com
NOVEMBER 9 21st Annual Fall Fuel Up Florida Flywheelers Venue: Flywheeler Park City: Fort Meade www.FloridaFlywheelers.org
NOVEMBER 4 57th Ft Lauderdale Boat Show Venue: Bahia Mar Yachting Center City: Ft Lauderdale www.ShowManagement.com American Indian Arts Celebration Venue: Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Seminole Museum City: Clewiston www.AhTahThiKi.com Feast of Little Italy Venue: Abacoa Town Center City: Jupiter www.FeastOfLittleItaly.com Navy Seal Muster & Music Festival Venue: Navy Seal Museum City: Ft Pierce www.NavySealMuseum.org Stuart Air Show Venue: Witham Field City: Stuart www.StuartAirShow.com
NOVEMBER 10 Feast of Little Italy Venue: Abacoa Town Center City: Jupiter www.FeastOfLittleItaly.com Navy Seal Muster & Music Festival Venue: Navy Seal Museum City: Ft Pierce www.NavySealMuseum.org Stuart Air Show Venue: Witham Field City: Stuart www.StuartAirShow.com Taste of Lee Venue: Centennial Park City: Ft Myers www.tasteoflee.com
NOVEMBER 6
50th Annual Highlands Fine Arts & Crafts Festival Venue: Downtown Sebring 31st Annual Muster & Music City: Sebring Festival www.HighlandsArtLeague.org Venue: Navy-Seal Museum 50th Annual Highlands City: Ft Pierce Fine Arts Festival www.NavySealMuseum.org Venue: Sebring Circle Park 50th Annual Highlands Fine City: Sebring Arts & Crafts Festival www.VisitHighlandsCounty.com Venue: Sebring Circle Park 57th Ft Lauderdale Boat City: Sebring Show www.HighlandsArtLeague.org Venue: Bahia Mar Yachting Center 57th Ft Lauderdale Boat City: Ft Lauderdale Show www.ShowManagement.com Venue: Bahia Mar Yachting Center Feast of Little Italy City: Ft Lauderdale Venue: Abacoa Town Center www.ShowManagement.com City: Jupiter
NOVEMBER 5
American Indian Arts Celebration Venue: Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Seminole Museum City: Clewiston www.AhTahThiKi.com
www.FeastOfLittleItaly.com
Arcadia Heritage Festival Venue: Oak Street City: Arcadia
Stuart Air Show Venue: Witham Field City: Stuart www.StuartAirShow.com
Navy Seal Muster & Music Festival Venue: Navy Seal Museum City: Ft Pierce www.NavySealMuseum.org
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21st Annual Fall Fuel Up Florida Flywheelers Venue: Flywheeler Park City: Fort Meade www.FloridaFlywheelers.org
Rib Fest Venue: Vinoy Park City: St Petersburg www.RibFest.org Sponsor: Great Explorations Children’s Museum Dirty Dozen Mud Run Venue: Sebring International Raceway City: Sebring www.SebringRaceway.com
NOVEMBER 13 Rib Fest Venue: Vinoy Park City: St Petersburg www.RibFest.org Sponsor: Great Explorations Children’s Museum
NOVEMBER 17
Ft Myers Boat Show Venue: Harborside Sebring Drag Racing City: Ft Myers Venue: Sebring International Raceway www.GoBoatingFlorida.com/fort-myersCity: Sebring boat-show www.SebringRaceway.com
NOVEMBER 11 21st Annual Fall Fuel Up Florida Flywheelers Venue: Flywheeler Park City: Fort Meade www.FloridaFlywheelers.org Rib Fest Venue: Vinoy Park City: St Petersburg www.RibFest.org Sponsor: Great Explorations Children’s Museum
NOVEMBER 18
14th Annual Suncoast Credit Union Pig Jam Venue: Randy Larson Softball Stadium City: Plant City www.PlantCity.org 30th Annual American Sand Sculpting Championship Venue: Ft Myers Beach City: Ft Myers www.FMBSandSculpting.com
Ft Myers Boat Show Venue: Harborside Dirty Dozen Mud Run City: Ft Myers Venue: Sebring International Raceway www.GoBoatingFlorida.com/fort-myersCity: Sebring boat-show www.SebringRaceway.com
NOVEMBER 12 13th Annual Calusa Blueway Kayak Fishing Tournament Venue: Olde Fish House Marina City: Matlacha www.GulfCoastKayak.com 9th Annual Treasure Coast Beer Festival Venue: Tradition Square City: Port St Lucie www.TreasureCoastBeerFest.com
NOVEMBER 19 14th Annual Suncoast Credit Union Pig Jam Venue: Randy Larson Softball Stadium City: Plant City www.PlantCity.org 30th Annual American Sand Sculpting Championship Venue: Ft Myers Beach City: Ft Myers www.FMBSandSculpting.com
Ft Myers Boat Show Crazy Pepper Chili Cook Off Venue: Harborside Venue: Sebring Circle Park City: Ft Myers City: Sebring www.GoBoatingFlorida.com/fort-myerswww.VisitHighlandsCounty.com boat-show 21st Annual Fall Fuel Up Stuart Seafood Festival Florida Flywheelers Venue: Memorial Park Venue: Flywheeler Park City: Stuart City: Fort Meade www.StuartSeafoodFestival.com www.FloridaFlywheelers.org
NOVEMBER 2016
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COMMUNITY EVENTS FWC License-free Saltwater Fishing Day www.MyFWC.com
NOVEMBER 20 30th Annual American Sand Sculpting Championship Venue: Ft Myers Beach City: Ft Myers www.FMBSandSculpting.com
NOVEMBER 27 30th Annual American Sand Sculpting Championship Venue: Ft Myers Beach City: Ft Myers www.FMBSandSculpting.com
Ft Myers Boat Show Venue: Harborside City: Ft Myers www.GoBoatingFlorida.com/fort-myersboat-show Stuart Seafood Festival Venue: Memorial Park City: Stuart www.StuartSeafoodFestival.com
NOVEMBER 21 30th Annual American Sand Sculpting Championship Venue: Ft Myers Beach City: Ft Myers www.FMBSandSculpting.com
NOVEMBER 22 30th Annual American Sand Sculpting Championship Venue: Ft Myers Beach City: Ft Myers www.FMBSandSculpting.com
DECEMBER 1
Be sure to submit community events to info@okeechobeecam.com NOVEMBER 24 30th Annual American Sand Sculpting Championship Venue: Ft Myers Beach City: Ft Myers www.FMBSandSculpting.com Thanksgiving
NOVEMBER 25
30th Annual American Sand Sculpting Championship Sebring Drag Racing Venue: Ft Myers Beach Venue: Sebring International Raceway City: Ft Myers City: Sebring www.FMBSandSculpting.com www.SebringRaceway.com
NOVEMBER 26
NOVEMBER 23 30th Annual American Sand Sculpting Championship Venue: Ft Myers Beach City: Ft Myers www.FMBSandSculpting.com
30th Annual American Sand Sculpting Championship Venue: Ft Myers Beach City: Ft Myers www.FMBSandSculpting.com
DECEMBER 4 HSR Classic 12-hr of Sebring Pistons & Props Venue: Sebring International Raceway City: Sebring www.SebringRaceway.com
DECEMBER 8 Sebring Drag Racing Venue: Sebring International Raceway City: Sebring www.SebringRaceway.com
HSR Classic 12-hr of Sebring Pistons & Props Venue: Sebring International Raceway DECEMBER 9 City: Sebring Highlands Bike Fest www.SebringRaceway.com Venue: Kenilworth Lodge City: Sebring DECEMBER 2 www.HighlandsBikeFest.com HSR Classic 12-hr of DECEMBER 10 Sebring Pistons & Props Venue: Sebring International Raceway Highlands Bike Fest City: Sebring Venue: Kenilworth Lodge www.SebringRaceway.com City: Sebring www.HighlandsBikeFest.com
DECEMBER 3
Top of the Lake Christmas Festival Venue: Flagler Park City: Okeechobee www.OkeechobeeMainStreet.org
Lake Placid Wild Game Dinner Venue: Parker Island City: Lake Placid www.lpnr.com Sponsor: Lake Placid Noon Rotary
DECEMBER 11
HSR Classic 12-hr of Sebring Pistons & Props Venue: Sebring International Raceway City: Sebring www.SebringRaceway.com
Highlands Bike Fest Venue: Kenilworth Lodge City: Sebring www.HighlandsBikeFest.com
DECEMBER 17 Smithsonian Waterways Exhibit City: Okeechobee www.VisitOkeechobeeCounty.com
TOWN OF MURALS: Citrus Heritage
T
he town of Lake Placid in Highlands County is known as the Town of Murals. With forty-six outdoor painted murals depicting the rich heritage of its people and environment, it makes this small town a must see when visiting central Florida. The origin of citrus goes back about 20 million years, probably beginning in southeast Asia or what is today Malaysia. From there explorers and traders carried the fruits to the Middle East, Africa and eventually Europe. During the 1490’s early New World explorers such as Christopher Columbus and Ponce de Leon brought citrus seeds to Florida. By 1579 orange trees were growing in St. Augustine. The first orange trees in the Lake Placid area were planted by Seminole Indians and by the first white settlers, Joshua Lastinger. Today more than 100,000 acres in Highlands County produce over 30 million 90-pound boxes of oranges,
mostly for the production of orange juice. This mural shows the harvest in modern times. It is located at the corner of Main Street and Park Street in Lake Placid Florida.
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TOURNAMENTS, CLAYS, AND GUNS NOVEMBER 2 Lake Placid Weekly Open Bass Tournament Venue: Lake Placid City: Lake Placid
NOVEMBER 3
IDPA Venue: Okeechobee Shooting Sports City: Okeechobee www.OKShooting.com com NOVEMBER 4 Xtreme Bass Series Championship Venue: Lake Okeechobee Ramp: C. Scott Driver City: Okeechobee www.XtremeFishingSeries.com Lake Placid Weekly Open Bass Tournament Venue: Dinner Lake City: Sebring
American Bass Anglers Dist 28 Venue: Lake Istokpoga Ramp: Istokpoga Park City: Lorida www.AmericanBassAnglers.com
BASS Nation Pro Am State Championship Venue: Seminole City: Seminole www.Bassmaster.com South Florida Bass Rattlers Venue: Lake Okeechobee Ramp: Belle Glade City Park City: Belle Glade Lakeland Jr Bassmasters Classic Venue: Kissimmee Chain Ramp: Camp Mack City: Lake Wales www.LakelandJuniorBassmasters.com
Lake Placid Team Trail Venue: Lake Placid Ramp: West Ramp City: Lake Placid
NOVEMBER 6
Southend Challenge Venue: Lake Okeechobee Ramp: Roland & MaryAnn Martins City: Clewiston www.facebook.com/SouthendChallenge Workhorse Team Tournament Classic Venue: Lake Istokpoga Ramp: Istokpoga Park City: Lorida Lake Placid Weekly Open Bass Tournament Venue: Lake June-in-Winter City: Lake Placid
NOVEMBER 9 Lake Placid Weekly Open Bass Tournament Venue: Lake Jackson City: Sebring
Lake Placid Weekly Open Bass Tournament Venue: Lake Huntley City: Lake Placid
NOVEMBER 2016
NOVEMBER 12 Orlando Bass Club Venue: Lake Okeechobee City: Clewiston www.orlandobassclub.com
Outcast Bass Club Classic Venue: Lake Okeechobee Ramp: C. Scott Driver City: Okeechobee www.OutcastsBassClub.net
Lakeland Jr Bassmasters Classic Kissimmee Chain Venue: Camp Mack City: Lake Wales www.LakelandJuniorBassmasters.com
NOVEMBER 7
Avon Park Great American Gun Show Venue: Avon Park National Armory City: Avon Park www.GreatAmericanPromotionsLLC.com Sponsor: Great American Promotions
Youth Hunt Deer-Hog Venue: Gulfstream Tract City: Polk County www.Outreach.MyFWC.com
FL Fall Turkey Zone C General Gun Opens Closes 1/1 www.MyFWC.com
Seminole Christian Bass Club Classic Venue: Lake Okeechobee City: Okeechobee www.facebook.com/ SeminoleChristianAnglers
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Outcast Bass Club Classic Venue: Lake Okeechobee Ramp: C. Scott Driver City: Okeechobee www.OutcastsBassClub.net
FL Deer Hunting Zone C General Gun Opens Closes 1/22 www.MyFWC.com
NOVEMBER 11
16 OKEECHOBEE
Orlando Bass Club Venue: Lake Okeechobee City: Clewiston www.OrlandoBassClub.com
Associated General Contractors Fun Shoot Venue: Quail Creek Plantation City: Okeechobee www.QuailCreekPlantation.com
BASS Nation Pro Am State Championship Venue: Seminole City: Seminole www.Bassmaster.com
South Florida Boy Scout Fundraiser Venue: Quail Creek Plantation City: Okeechobee www.QuailCreekPlantation.com
NOVEMBER 5
Xtreme Bass Series Championship Venue: Lake Okeechobee Ramp: C. Scott Driver City: Okeechobee www.XtremeFishingSeries.com
Seminole Christian Bass Club Classic Venue: Lake Okeechobee City: Okeechobee www.facebook.com/ SeminoleChristianAnglers
Glock Style Fall League Venue: Okeechobee Shooting Sports City: Okeechobee www.OKShooting.com Lakeland Gun Show Venue: Lakeland Center City: Lakeland www.FloridaGunShows.com Sponsor: Florida Gun Shows Sailfish Club Shoot Venue: Quail Creek Plantation City: Okeechobee www.QuailCreekPlantation.com
West Palm Beach Gun & Knife Show Venue: South Florida Fairgrounds City: West Palm Beach Heartland Bass Anglers Club www.FLGunShows.com/ Venue: Lake Clay Sport Show Specialists City: Lake Placid www.facebook.com/HeartlandBassAnglers NOVEMBER 14 Avon Park Great American Gun Show Venue: Avon Park National Armory City: Avon Park www.GreatAmericanPromotionsLLC.com Sponsor: Great American Promotions
Lake Placid Weekly Open Bass Tournament Venue: Lake Clay City: Lake Placid
Lakeland Gun Show Venue: Lakeland Center City: Lakeland www.FloridaGunShows.com Sponsor: Florida Gun Shows
Lake Placid Weekly Open Bass Tournament Venue: Lake Francis City: Lake Placid
NSSF Rimfire Challenge Venue: Okeechobee Shooting Sports City: Okeechobee www.OKShooting.com West Palm Beach Gun & Knife Show Venue: South Florida Fairgrounds City: West Palm Beach www.FLGunShows.com Sponsor: Sport Show Specialists
NOVEMBER 13 Lake Placid Team Trail Venue: Lake Placid Ramp: Placid View Ramp City: Lake Placid
NOVEMBER 16
NOVEMBER 18
Toho Marine Elite One Man Series Venue: Lake Okeechobee Ramp: C. Scott Driver City: Okeechobee www.TohoMarine.com/elite-one-mantour Lake Placid Weekly Open Bass Tournament Venue: Lake Glenada City: Avon Park
Be sure to submit tournament results and pictures to pics@okeechobeecam.com
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TOURNAMENTS, CLAYS, AND GUNS
NOVEMBER 19
Bass Busters Silver Div Venue: Lake Okeechobee Ramp: Roland & MaryAnn Martins City: Clewiston www.BassBustersFlorida.com Big Reel Bassmasters of Margate Venue: Lake Istokpoga Ramp: Henderson Fish Camp City: Lake Placid www.BigReel.org North Tampa Bass Club Classic Venue: Lake Okeechobee City: Clewiston www.NorthTampaBassClub.com
St Pete Pro Bass Venue: Lake Arbuckle City: Arbuckle Park www.StPeteProBass.com Tampa Bay Bassmasters Classic Venue: Lake Okeechobee City: Clewiston www.TampaBayBassmasters.com Toho Marine Elite One Man Series Venue: Lake Okeechobee Ramp: C. Scott Driver City: Okeechobee www.TohoMarine.com/elite-one-mantour 2 Guys Charlotte Gun Show Venue: Charlotte County Fairgrounds City: Port Charlotte www.NextGunShow.com Sponsor: 2 Guys Shows Fort Myers Gun, Knife, Civil War and Militaria Show Venue: Araba Shrine Temple City: Ft Myers www.fmaac.tripod.com Fort Myers Antique Arms Collectors
FL Deer Hunting Zone B Muzzleloader opens Closes 12/2 www.MyFWC.com FL Fall Turkey Zone A General Gun Opens Closes 1/1 www.MyFWC.com FL Fall Turkey Zone B Muzzleloader Opens Closes 12/2 www.MyFWC.com
FL General Duck Mini Season Opens Closes 11/2 www.MyFWC.com
NOVEMBER 20
Bass Busters Gold Div Venue: Lake Okeechobee Ramp: Roland & MaryAnn Martins City: Clewiston www.BassBustersFlorida.com Big Reel Bassmasters of Margate Venue: Lake Istokpoga Ramp: Henderson Fish Camp City: Lake Placid www.BigReel.org
Rebel Boys Bass Club Venue: Lake Istokpoga Ramp: Henderson Fish Camp City: Lake Placid
FL Deer Hunting Zone A General Gun opens Closes 1/1 www.MyFWC.com
FL Canda Goose opens Closes 11/27 www.MyFWC.com
FL Deer Hunting Zone D General Gun Opens Closes 11/27 www.MyFWC.com
North Tampa Bass Club Classic Venue: Lake Okeechobee City: Clewiston www.NorthTampaBassClub.com
FL Fall Turkey Zone D General Gun Opens Closes 11/27 www.MyFWC.com
Rebel Boys Bass Club Venue: Lake Istokpoga Ramp: Henderson Fish Camp City: Lake Placid
Tampa Bay Bassmasters Classic Venue: Lake Okeechobee City: Clewiston www.TampaBayBassmasters.com 2 Guys Charlotte Gun Show Venue: Charlotte County Fairgrounds City: Port Charlotte www.NextGunShow.com Sponsor: 2 Guys Shows
DECEMBER 3
Thanksgiving
NOVEMBER 25
Lake Placid Weekly Open Bass Tournament Venue: Lake June-in-Winter City: Lake Placid
NOVEMBER 26
FWC License-free Saltwater Fishing Day www.MyFWC.com Steel Challenge Venue: Okeechobee Shooting Sports City: Okeechobee www.OKShooting.com
Fort Myers Gun, Knife, Civil War and Militaria Show NOVEMBER 27 Venue: Araba Shrine Temple City: Ft Myers Gulf Red Snapper Season www.fmaac.tripod.com Sponsor: Fort Myers Antique Arms Collectors Closes www.MyFWC.com IDPA Venue: Okeechobee Shooting Sports NOVEMBER 28 City: Okeechobee Lake Placid Weekly Open www.OKShooting.com Bass Tournament Venue: Lake Jackson NOVEMBER 21 City: Sebring Lake Placid Weekly Open Bass Tournament NOVEMBER 30 Venue: Lake Placid Lake Placid Weekly Open City: Lake Placid Bass Tournament Venue: Lake Huntley NOVEMBER 23 City: Lake Placid Lake Placid Weekly Open Gulf Snook Seaon Closes Bass Tournament www.MyFWC.com Venue: Dinner Lake \ City: Sebring DECEMBER 2 NOVEMBER 24 Lake Placid Weekly Open Bass Tournament Youth Hunt Deer-Hog Venue: Lake Clay Venue: Grassy Island City: Lake Placid City: Okeechobee County www.Outreach.MyFWC.com
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Westminster Academy Fundraiser Shoot Venue: Quail Creek Plantation City: Okeechobee www.QuailCreekPlantation.com American Bass Anglers Dist 28 Venue: Lake Istokpoga Ramp: Istokpoga Park City: Lorida www.AmericanBassAnglers.com Bass Busters - Toys for Kids Venue: Lake Okeechobee Ramp: Roland & MaryAnn Martins City: Clewiston www.BassBustersFlorida.com Lake Mary Bassmasters Venue: Lake Istokpoga Ramp: Trails End City: Lorida www.facebook.com/lakemary.bassmasters South Pasco Bassmasters Classic Venue: Lake Okeechobee Ramp: Roland & MaryAnn Martins City: Clewiston www.SouthPascoBassmasters.com Southend Challenge Classic Venue: Lake Okeechobee Ramp: Roland & MaryAnn Martins City: Clewiston www.facebook.com/SouthendChallenge IDPA Venue: Okeechobee Shooting Ramp: Sports City: Okeechobee www.OKShooting.com Jupiter Christian Fundraiser Shoot Venue: Quail Creek Plantation City: Okeechobee www.QuailCreekPlantation.com Tampa Gun Show Venue: Florida State Fairgrounds City: Tampa www.FloridaGunShows.com
NOVEMBER 2016
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HUNTING REPORT
CAST & BLAST:
CAPTAIN CHRIS CHESLEY
I
Special selection
LURE OF THE MONTH
t’s been a long hot wet summer and with so much standing water on the farmlands and even the golf courses, many early and local birds have not been where I told them to go on Lake Okeechobee, Lol. Lots of Florida Mallards along with some Teal and Woodies are where they always hang out, in the northwest marshlands of Lake “O”, but that’s nothing to get excited about. I haven’t been on the marsh for a few weeks so no new happenings to report on. The majority of our wintering ducks originate from the Prairie Pothole Region of the upper Great Plains - Central Canada area and the Atlantic Flyway. Before these birds begin their flight south they need to be motivated by cold weather and persistent snows that cover their food sources. With last year’s El Nino now in the rear view minor, weather conditions up north should return to a more normal pattern and we should see nice numbers of ducks this season. Being this far south, we’ll have to hope for some cold weather to arrive. To prepare ourselves for the November mini season which runs from November 19th to Nov 27th get out into as many open hunting areas as possible and begin building your Plan As thru Plan Cs. I’m sure that the STA’s will attract many new arrivals as always. As all waterfowlers know, good duck hunting depends on quality wetlands yet our wetlands are continuously under attack by industrial, agricultural, and population infringement and pollution. To protect these resources we need to be vocal in our support and the first step is by contacting our state and national representatives and Gov. Rick Scott. I know you may think it’s a waste of time, but contact Mr. Newton Cook at United Waterfowlers of Florida and ask him about never giving up and
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how continuous pressure on these politicians pays out in the long run. While you’re at it, all you should join and-or financially support this fine org an i z at i on . They have our backs in the political arena and they never give up. There is too much to lose and we have already lost much of our wetland resources. Every bit of money goes to keeping our wetlands healthy for future generations of waterfowlers. Go to www.UnitedWaterfowlersFL. org for we all need to do our share in this battle. And don’t forget to vote on November 8 for those representatives that support our wetlands, our right to bear arms, and our way of life. See ya in the marsh. Capt. Chris Chesley Captain Chris Chesley has been a World Class Charter Boat Captain for over 45 years. Catching Marlin, Tuna and Swordfish from Cape Cod to Bimini and Bermuda to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. He has fished and hunted Lake Okeechobee since 1968 and now lives in Lakeport, FL. He is both USCG Licensed and an IGFA Certified Captain. Fishing and Hunting responsibly creates character and instills the integrity needed to preserve our Great American Heritage. You can contact Capt. Chris via his website www.captchris-okeechobee.com, email capt.chris@worldwidecharters.net, or by telephone 863-946-2736.
GAMBLER BIG EZ By: CAM Okeechobee Staff
N
ovember on Lake Okeechobee marks the beginning of pre-spawn staging for the Florida largemouth bass. In the coming months bass will be returning to the shallows to spawn but before that time, they stage near the outside edges and in the grass beds to feed up and gain weight for the spawn. During this time you need a bait that produces in all types of conditions and water depths. Gambler’s Big EZ is a soft plastic swim bait than fits the bill nicely. The Gambler Big EZ has a segmented body and paddle tail that provides a realistic profile in the water while creating a thumping sound the bass can’t resist. The lure can be skimmed across the top as a topwater bait, it can be tossed into the edges of emergent vegetation such as cattails and various grasses, and it can be used as a swimbait low in the water column. Typically the bait can be hooked onto a jighead, Texas rigged, used in conjunction with a belly weighted hook or weightless hook. For extra durability in thick cover,
NOVEMBER 2016
threading the bait onto a twist lock bait keeper will prevent the slipping and pull downs you normally experience while retrieving through vegetation. For open water application, the Big EZ has a deep trench down its back to conceal the working end of the hook while keeping the hook’s point unimpaired. For weedless applications, skin hooking the tip of the hook inside the top trench will minimize the pickup of weeds while keeping the point of the hook readily available during the strike. The Gambler Big EZ comes in a wide selection of colors, but on Lake Okeechobee some of the preferred colors are Florida Five-O, Copperfield, Ghost Shad, New Shad, Watermelon, Lane Toad just to name a few. The Gambler Big EZ also has a few siblings that can be used as trailers on your favorite spinner or for that giant female you know is just lying there. The TZ is the smallest in the family measuring in at 3-inches, the Little EZ measures 3.75-inches, the EZ Swimmer measure 4.25-inches, the Big EZ measures 5-inches, the GZ 6.5 measures 6.5-inches and the GZ 8 measures in at, you guessed it, 8-inches long for those monster hawgs. November is the time of year that Florida bass come shallow and become aggressive, so having a flexible bait to cover a wide range of conditions is a must have and Gambler Big EZs are the way to go.
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10/17/16 3:20 PM
INDUSTRY NEWS
BASS PRO SHOPS ACQUIRES CABELA’S FOR $5.5 BILLION
OCTOBER 4, 2016 Fishing and hunting equipment chain Bass Pro Shops agreed to buy rival chain Cabela’s for $5.5 billion. The agreement will help the privately held company to nearly double its store count in North America. The combined company will own 184 stores in the United States and Canada. It was not immediately clear whether the acquisition would result in any store closings, but the companies said in a statement that Springfield, Mo.-based Bass Pro Shops will “celebrate and grow” the Cabela’s brand, according to USA Today. Long known for large-format destination stores, Cabela’s has lost ground to smaller, nimbler competitors and online retailers. Sales at stores open at least a year fell 1.3 percent in the first half of this year, compared with a year earlier, according to a securities filing. The number of purchases at Cabela’s stores fell 8.1 percent during that period, reflecting a drop-off in foot traffic as customers bought less clothing and footwear from the retailer, although hunting sales increased and average revenue per transaction rose 8.2 percent. The deal marks a dramatic expansion of the outdoor retailing empire controlled by Bass Pro Shops CEO Johnny Morris, who founded the company in 1972. The billionaire will lead the newly combined entity as CEO and will retain majority ownership. Bass Pro Shops has about 99 stores and 20,000 employees. Cabela’s has about 85 stores and had about 19,700 employees at the end of 2015, according to a securities filing. Cabela’s credit card division held by the subsidiary, World’s Foremost Bank based in Lincoln, Neb, sold its $ 5.2 billion in receivables to Capital One Financial Corporation which will now mange the cards and work towards converting users to the Bass Pro Shops brand.
B.A.S.S. TO ALLOW 10-FOOT RODS IN 2017
BIRMINGHAM, ALA The 40-year-old rule, rule C8, that has limited Bassmaster tournament competitors to rods that were 8 feet or shorter will be changed for 2017, allowing competitors to use rods as long as 10 feet. The new rule will apply to all B.A.S.S. trails, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens and all B.A.S.S. Nation and youth events. Restrictions on rod length began in the west, and they were the catalyst for the development of the popular and
effective flippin technique. Dee Thomas of California, the ‘Father of Flippin’ began winning tournaments in the state by ‘dipping’ jigs in stands of tules with a 14 foot surf casting rod. When competitors complained, Thomas developed the flipping presentation, which delivered the lures to the same spots with a 7 ½ foot rod. The 8 foot maximum was added to B.A.S.S. rules by B.A.S.S. founder Ray Scott and Tournament Director Harold Sharp in 1976. Back then, competitors were paired by random draw and took turns controlling the boat. There were no pro anglers and co-anglers; everyone was fishing for the same prize, two to a boat. Scott and Sharp believed a rod longer than 8 feet gave the angler operating the boat a distinct advantage over the other. Today’s Elite Series events pair one angler with a marshal or cameraman who is not fishing. Open tournaments involve a pro angler or ‘boater’ who is fishing for a larger prize and the co-angler or ‘non-boater’ who is restricted to the back of the boat. An article in the September 2016 B.A.S.S. Times Magazine, written well before the rule change was formally proposed, noted that some tournament circuits in the western U.S. began allowing longer rods years ago to accommodate the growing popularity of large, heavy swimbaits. Elite Series anglers also like longer fishing rods for smallmouth bass techniques, including the float-and-fly method which is impractical with a rod shorter than 9 or 10 feet. The float-and-fly technique involves using a 1/8 to 1/16 ounce jig suspended 10 feet or more beneath a plastic bobber on line as light as 4-pound test, and it is particularly popular on smallmouth fisheries during the cold winter months. That means it could come into play early as the Bassmaster Elite Series begins its 2017 regular season on Tennessee’s Cherokee Lake, Feb 9-12.
SMITHSONIAN WATER/WAYS EXHIBIT COMING TO OKEECHOBEE
In partnership with the Florida Humanities Council, Okeechobee Public Library, Okeechobee Main Street and Okeechobee Tourist Development Council the Smithsonian Water/Ways Exhibit will be available for public viewing from December 17, 2016 through January 28, 2017. The Smithsonian Water/Ways Exhibit is designed to illustrate the importance of water as a critical component of life on our planet. Come and discover the central nature of water in our lives by exploring how we use water, how water unites communities and affects every element of life, including culture, climate, health, economics, politics, agriculture, transportation, industry, landscape, settlement, migration and even spirituality. As part of the Okeechobee exhibit, artwork from famed marine wildlife artist and conservationist Guy Harvey will also be on display. The exhibit will be at the Okeechobee County Historical Courthouse located at 304 NE 2nd Street, Okeechobee, FL. OPEN MON-FRI 9AM TO 5PM FOR LARGE GROUPS OR QUESTIONS CONTACT SHARIE AT THE OKEECHOBEE TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (863) 763-3959.
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Lake Okeechobee Conditions Avg Trending Precipitation: 2.67 Below Day Temp (F): 80 Above Night Temp (F): 59 Average Full Moon Name: Full Beaver Moon Current Last Year Avg Trending Lake Level (ft): 15.97 14.83 15.75 Steady Water Temperature (F): 84 — — Steady For Coastal Tides, visit http://www.saltwatertides.com
Solunar Table November 2016 Date Day Nov 1 Tues 2 Wed 3 Thur 4 Fri 5 Sat 6 Sun 7 Mon 8 Tues 9 Wed 10 Thur 11 Fri 12 Sat 13 Sun 14 Mon 15 Tues 16 Wed 17 Thur 18 Fri 19 Sat 20 Sun 21 Mon 22 Tues 23 Wed 24 Thur 25 Fri 26 Sat 27 Sun 28 Mon 29 Tues 30 Wed
Minor Major Minor Major Sun Sun Moon Moon Moon Moon Reflect AM AM PM PM Rise Set Rise Set Max Up Down % Phase 6:53 12:42 7:16 1:05 7:32 6:40 9:03a 8:17p 2:41p 2:18a 4% 7:43 1:31 8:06 1:55 7:33 6:39 9:54a 8:59p 3:27p 3:04a 9% 8:35 2:23 8:58 2:47 7:34 6:38 10:44a 9:45p 4:14p 3:51a 15% 9:28 3:16 9:52 3:40 7:34 6:38 11:32a 10:33p 5:03p 4:38a 23% 10:21 4:09 10:45 4:33 7:35 6:37 12:20p 11:24p 5:51p 5:27a 31% 11:14 5:01 11:38 5:26 7:36 6:36 1:06p No Moon 6:41p 6:16a 41% 11:05 4:53 11:30 5:18 6:37 5:36 12:50p No Moon 6:31p 6:06a 51% 11:55 5:43 — 6:08 6:37 5:35 1:33p 12:15a 7:21p 6:56a 62% 12:18 6:31 12:43 6:56 6:38 5:35 2:16p 1:14a 8:13p 7:47a 72% 1:04 7:17 1:30 7:43 6:39 5:34 2:58p 2:14a 9:05p 8:38a 82% 1:50 8:04 2:17 8:30 6:40 5:33 3:41p 3:16a 9:58p 9:31a 90% 2:37 8:51 3:05 9:19 6:40 5:33 4:26p 4:20a 10:53p 10:25a 96% 3:28 9:42 3:57 10:11 6:41 5:33 5:13p 5:26a 11:51p 11:22a 99% 4:23 10:38 4:53 11:08 6:42 5:32 6:03p 6:34a No Moon 12:20p 100% 5:24 11:39 5:54 — 6:43 5:32 6:58p 7:41a 12:50a 1:21p 97% 6:29 12:13 6:59 12:44 6:43 5:31 7:56p 8:46a 1:51a 2:22p 92% 7:35 1:20 8:05 1:50 6:44 5:31 8:56p 9:48a 2:52a 3:22p 84% 8:41 2:26 9:10 2:55 6:45 5:31 9:57p 10:44a 3:51a 4:20p 75% 9:43 3:29 10:10 3:56 6:46 5:30 10:57p 11:35a 4:48a 5:15p 65% 10:39 4:26 11:05 4:52 6:47 5:30 11:55p 12:21p 5:41a 6:06p 54% 11:30 5:18 11:54 5:42 6:47 5:30 No Moon 1:02p 6:31a 6:54p 44% — 6:04 12:15 6:27 6:48 5:29 12:50a 1:40p 7:17a 7:40p 34% 12:34 6:45 12:56 7:07 6:49 5:29 1:43a 2:16p 8:02a 8:24p 25% 1:13 7:24 1:35 7:46 6:50 5:29 2:35a 2:51p 8:45a 9:06p 18% 1:51 8:02 2:12 8:23 6:50 5:29 3:26a 3:25p 9:28a 9:49p 11% 2:29 8:39 2:50 9:01 6:51 5:29 4:17a 4:00p 10:10a 10:32p 6% 3:08 9:19 3:30 9:41 6:52 5:29 5:08a 4:37p 10:54a 11:16p 2% 3:49 10:00 4:12 10:23 6:53 5:28 5:59a 5:16p 11:39a No Moon 0% 4:34 10:45 4:57 11:08 6:54 5:28 6:50a 5:58p 12:25p 12:02a 0% 5:21 11:05 5:45 — 6:54 5:28 7:41a 6:42p 1:12p 12:48a 2%
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Come see us at the Fort Myers Boat Show NOVEMBER 2016
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By Dustin Catrett • Photo by David McCleaf
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roseate spoonbill paid little attention as we crept along the mangroves less than a mile from where the ocean and river converged. The cool incoming tide pushed against my legs, as a definitive line of blue water slowly flowed into the Indian River lagoon. Casting into the current, my buddy Ed and I slowly retrieved lures over a thick bed of seagrass. “Fish on!” he shouted, as a scrappy blue-and-green striped fish wiggled on the end of his line. It wasn’t the snook he was expecting, or a redfish like the one I’d caught earlier. “Little mutton snapper,” he said, tossing it back. “You never know what you might catch around here.” Moments later, my rod also curved into an arc. “What’ve you got?” Ed asked. “Snook!” I happily replied, catching a glimpse of its dark lateral line as it launched out of the water and into the air. “We’ve got a double then,” he said, as his rod bowed for the second time. Only it wasn’t a snook, redfish or snapper at the end of his line; it was a huge spotted seatrout. Referred to as “gators,” for their large size, it was one of the largest seatrout I’d ever seen. Ed and I stared in awe as the giant fish thrashed and churned saltwater just feet from Ed’s rod tip. I quickly landed my snook then released it, while Ed continued to battle the big fish for several minutes before managing to grab it with both hands. “They don’t get much bigger than this,” he beamed proudly, lifting the massive fish up for a photo. We estimated the seatrout to be more than 30 inches long, and after admiring it for a few moments, Ed gently lowered it back into the water where it swam away. Made For Anglers Home to the current International Game Fish Association (IGFA) world record for the largest spotted seatrout caught (it weighed more than 17 pounds), the diverse crystal blue waters of Fort Pierce, in St. Lucie County, always deliver a spectacular fishing experience each time Ed and I visit. Spotted seatrout grow much larger here than in other parts of the country, a benefit of the region’s warm tropical climate and abundance of prey fish commuting through the Fort Pierce inlet from the Atlantic Ocean. There are also redfish, tarpon and all four types of snook, along with a smorgasbord of other varieties such as lookdown, flounder, bluefish, black drum, jack crevalle, sheepshead, pompano, snapper and grouper to catch, as the lagoon is an estuary for many inshore and pelagic species alike. For more than a hundred years, Fort Pierce in St. Lucie County has been 14 FLORIDA
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a fishing town, and each year I’m pleasantly surprised to find that all the local hotels, tackle shops and restaurants still eagerly accommodate anglers like us. There are plenty of fishing piers, boat launches and public parks providing easy access to the water. Kayaking around areas like Little Jim Island and Bear Point, we’re always able to find a fish or two to catch. Seventeen miles (give or take a few miles) off the coast, the warm currents from the nearby Gulfstream provide plenty of bluewater action each winter when the “Sailfish Capital of the World,” just south of St. Lucie County, experiences huge migrations of Atlantic sailfish through its world famous “Sailfish Alley.” All Around Alluring Yesterday, Ed and I found several private inshore and offshore fishing charters in the area that cater to anyone’s budget and schedule. We ended up booking an offshore charter—aboard The Last Mango—and had a blast winching up grouper, snapper and amberjack from the patchwork of reefs and wrecks along the ocean floor. That evening, we recounted fish tales over wine and dinner at Cobb’s Landing overlooking the Fort Pierce City Marina. The open-air, tiki-style restaurant cleaned, prepared and served our very own catch in a variety of delectable entrees. After a short stroll to the Sailfish Brewery for craft beers, it was back to our rooms to rest up for the following day. This morning, Ed and I were eager to get to the lagoon to cast our lines. After putting on my waders, I quietly stepped into the calm serene water just after sunrise. As the ocean slowly drank the river, it reaffirmed to me why wade fishing during a falling tide is the real treasure of the area. Even without a boat or kayak, I can still immerse myself within one of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet, where dolphins, manatees and birds of every color abound. It’s one of few places where the next cast could be another world record, or result in catching a species I’ve never seen before. And best of all, it’s knowing as soon as the sun illuminates the warm blue water, a few of life’s worries will wash away with the tide. Get hooked on Fort Pierce in St. Lucie!
For More Fishing in Ft. Pierce Florida, go to
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10/18/16 10:41 AM
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S By Ed Killer
TUART, FLA— It’s a well-known fact that as one’s leg and near state record status, or small Stuart and Martin County are often referred to tarpon snook with a tarpon-like eye and mouth, but in fishing circles as “The Sailfish Capital of the snook like body, or the fat snook, which looks like a World.” What is lesser known, but just as true, is humpback fish, can all be caught within 3 miles from that this area of Florida’s Treasure Coast could also where a sailfish can be caught. be called “Snook City” or “Kingfish Kountry” for the What’s beautiful is that snook can be caught on same reasons the sailfish has become a community a wide variety of live or dead baits like mullet and icon. shrimp, artificial lures and flies, and can be caught Sailfish Capital of the World was a hard-earned from boats, on foot, from bridges, docks, wade and appropriate moniker first penned in an outdoors fishing, on the beach, near spillways and pretty much column in 1938 by a journalist who worked for the anywhere water can be accessed. Miami Herald. As for kingfish, anglers can find a personal The writer had been a guest of Ernie Lyons, best swimming less than a mile off Martin County longtime editor of the Stuart News, along with beaches during these months. The Southern Kingfish several other outdoor columnists from other areas Association, the nation’s largest saltwater tournament of the country during a week in January 1938. Lyons, trail, has made plans to fish its 2016 and 2017 a savvy and colorful columnist, knew Stuart’s true National Championship tournament in these waters gifts to the world lay in its subtropical location and for that very reason. King mackerel up to 60 pounds proximity to world-class sportfishing. Working with are possible, and numerous kings between 30 and 40 local tourism officials and the charter fishing fleet, pounds will be caught by tournament fishing teams. Lyons and Stuart lucked out when a particularly Winners will take home boat-motor-trailer packages strong run of migrating sailfish passed offshore of the worth tens of thousands of dollars. St. Lucie Inlet. That week, an estimated 1,000 sailfish Large lively live baits are the best way to land a were caught, and most were released, during what was trophy tournament-winning kingfish, but if it’s fun described as an unprecedented confluence of fish and fishing, these sporty predators will eagerly take dead skilled anglers. Typically, in this region, trolled dead baits like ribbonfish, live blue runners or bluefish, or baits are used to catch them in 80 to 160 feet of water even lures. only a few miles off the shore. All three of these remarkable catches are available But the rivers and inshore waters of the area and eager to feed this time of year. Regardless of one’s have also always been full of memory-making fish desired type of fishing, there are plenty of options to of a lifetime. The snook fishing in Stuart has always be enjoyed in the Sailfish Capital of the World. been exceptional. The waters of the St. Lucie River, Ed Killer is an outdoors columnist with Treasure although sometimes beleaguered by Lake Okeechobee Coast Newspapers and the USA Today Network. discharges, are still home to five subspecies of snook. For More Fishing in Martin County, go to Nowhere else in the world can this claim be made. Common snook as long
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FUN FALL FISHING FOR SMALL TARPON
for our baitcasters we use a 1/8- to ¼-ounce jig head with a Berkley PowerBait 4-inch Mullet in either Dorado or glow/chartreuse color. Now we’re covered from top to bottom. An early morning topwater bite is not unusual but lasts only as long
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omething we love to do this time of year before all the hard fronts begin to arrive is visit the Charlotte Harbor area for fast small tarpon action. While most of the attention in this tarpon hotspot on the southern Gulf coast of Florida is given to those big Boca Grande bruisers in the spring and summer, the small guys are a lot of fun. Young tarpon come out to play in October, and the bite can last until December especially in the mouths of the Myakka and Peace Rivers. These rivers meet in the headwaters of the harbor around Port Charlotte. Two freshwater rivers that feed the harbor are where tarpon love to winter. Here the water is more stable and often warmer than the harbor itself. Other fish in big numbers move into these rivers this time of year for the same reason. Snook, redfish and largemouth bass live here and share food with the tarpon. The same conditions exist along the east coast where tarpon move back into residential canals, under bridges and in backcountry bays. We simply idle up these bodies of water and look for tarpon rolling or busting bait. Once we see a few tarpon, we go into stealth mode and study where the most activity is shown and concentrate in that area. Most flats tackle will do the job as long as the leader is beefed up to 30- and 40-pound test fluorocarbon. We prefer Berkley Trilene 100% Fluorcarbon as it is virtually invisible under the surface. For our spinning reels, we spool with 10- to 20-pound test Spiderwire Stealth, 30-pound test Stealth on baitcasters. Snook and tarpon, even the smaller ones, are tackle busters, so we rely on a 7-foot medium heavy rod. This has the backbone to control the fish but light enough to enjoy the fight. Tarpon can be suckers for a weightless Berkley Gulp! Jerk Shad, either pearl white or rootbeer gold color, rigged on a 3/0 or 4/0 Superline hook. This is a bit too light of a bait for anything but spinning gear, so 18 FLORIDA
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Photo by Sam Howzit as the sun stays low. Once the sun is up, the fish drop down but the bite stays strong. After we spot fish rolling slowly on the surface, we’ll cast about 5 or 6 feet directly in front of the fish. The trick is to work the baits slowly. Usually tarpon do not want a bait that is quickly retrieved. The bite will feel like a tiny thump. These fish have a tough lip, so a hard hook set is required. To release a tarpon, we handle with care. They still have some fight left even after being boat side. A firm hold on the fish prevents damage while we remove the hook. It is important that we return the fish to the water quickly and revive until he can swim away on his own.
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TIPS FROM A PRO
FRESHWATER MY FAVORITE FISHING DESTINATION
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT
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DOWNSTREAM ROLLTOP BAG
BRANDON LESTER
raveling across the country for the last three years with the Bassmaster Elite Series has led me to some amazing fishing destinations. I’ve been about as far as one can go in every direction in the United States and have gotten to experience some great fishing. Although I don’t have a definitive answer on where my favorite place to fish is, I will say that without a doubt my favorite fish to target are big northern smallmouth bass. Let’s talk about some of the places I’ve been and what makes the places and the
Lakes. My next experience with northern smallies was on the St. Lawrence River in upstate New York. The Thousand Islands area is a beautiful part of the country and should be on every bass fisherman’s bucket list. The river is full of fish, and a lot of people there seem to fish more for other species so the smallmouth are quite catchable. A little ways away on Lake Ontario is the home of more willing smallmouth. Next on the list is Lake St. Clair in Michigan. St. Clair is
Chums’ new Downstream waterproof bag is a medium-sized shoulder bag or fanny pack for folks who enjoy the outdoors, especially if you like water sports and fishing. From offshore boaters to kayakers and stand-up paddleboarders, this 6” x 10” x 4.5” travel bag is designed to protect your gear against the elements encountered while on your adventure. It has a roll-top closure that fastens at both ends and is completely airtight and waterproof. The material is very durable, made of double sided TPU-coated nylon and has waterproof RF welded seams. A front pocket with YKK water-resistant zipper is handy for your sunscreen or lip balm and has a drain hole for quick drying. The Downstream is a smart choice for boaters, anglers, stand-up paddle boarders and kayakers in need of a personal bag with easy access and a variety of wearable options. Keep your gear dry with Chums’ new line of accessory cases. Visit www. chums.com or your favorite specialty outdoor retailer to get yours today. Chums came about in 1983 when a Colorado River guide sought a simple way to keep his sunglasses out of the river. Through this innovative idea, the Chums original cotton eyeglasses retainer was born. More than thirty years later, Chums is now a global brand that offers a wide range of outdoor products and apparel. Chums’ mantra is simple: provide fun, quality products to enjoy while at work or play. Chums - Helping you hang on since 1983.
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fisheries so special. My very first experience with the Great Lakes was at the Elite Series AOY championship in 2014 in Escanaba, Mich. I ended up finishing that tournament in ninth place and qualified for my first Bassmaster Classic. I was super impressed with the place as soon as I rolled into town. Everyone in Escanaba was very nice and hospitable, which is something you don’t find everywhere these days. It is a nice quiet town much like the Tennessee town I was raised in, with great places to eat and nice places to stay. As far as the fishery, just take a look at the weights from that tournament and they will speak for themselves. Little Bay and Big Bay de Noc are chock-full of big smallmouth as well as walleye, pike, perch and everything else you would expect to find in the Great
unique because you can either fish in the lake, which is great, or you can fish one of the rivers that flows into or out of the lake, which is what I chose to do when I was there. In all these places, smallmouth bass will absolutely chew a small soft plastic bait on a Mustad dropshot hook fished on a MHX EPS 81MLXF rod from Mud Hole Custom Tackle. Catching these fish requires good electronics, so I rely heavily on my Raymarine units to locate the big schools. As I was writing this last week, I got thinking I needed to go and pay those smallmouth a visit. My dad and I jumped in the car, drove to Lake Michigan and had a ball. I would encourage you to do the same before it gets too cold!
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FRESHWATER PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT CUSTOMBILT PONDTOONS INTRODUCES CAMO MODEL
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Custombilt Pondtoons introduces for fall 2016 a new camo model that makes the perfect duck hunting boat or just a cool version of their small-water fishing boat. Also new is the optional Lehr 9.9 HP 4-stroke propane motor that will run off the propane tank for your grill to deliver clean and efficient power. All boats are all-welded aluminum construction and made in the USA with premium options to meet every hunter and fisherman’s needs in boating. The Pondtoon is the perfect small-water boat for the avid river and pond angler, duck and bow hunter, as well as the family with children or grandchildren. Their pontoon boats are factory assembled in three standard sizes, 14’x5’, 14’x6’, 16’x6’ with options and additional features that allow you to equip the boat for your fishing and hunting style at a very affordable price. In addition to the new camo style boat, they also have a fishing series, hunting series, pleasure series, farm/pond work boats, search and rescue and wheelchair accessible models. Call or email with any questions to help you customize your very own CustomBilt Pondtoon boat! For more information, email Steve Bynum at pondtoons@gmail.com or call 334-684-2210.
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here’s stocking trout, and then there’s unintentionally releasing 80,000 rainbow trout into the open ocean. In the short-term, recreational anglers will be the beneficiaries of a $1.5 million accident at a Danish fish farm. Reuters reports that a cargo vessel collided with fish farm nets between Danish Islands in the Baltic Sea on Oct. 11. The fish, which were bound for the slaughterhouse within a few days’ time, weighed about 6.6 pounds each. Recreational anglers are being encouraged to get out on the fjord and catch as many of the escapees as possible. Authorities are concerned the jailbreak could have disastrous consequences for the native sea-run rainbow trout populations. According to the Associated Press report, wild populations are preparing to run up the rivers to spawn right now, and their eggs would make tasty morsels for the farmed fish. Other Danish biologists have dismissed the threat as minimal because the farmed trout are unprepared for life in the wild and are conditioned to heavy feedings. There is a good chance the fish will die of starvation or be consumed by larger predators before they are able to do much damage. One thing is for sure, if there are Walmarts in Denmark, the shelves will be emptied of spinners, salmon eggs, Powerbait and canned corn. There isn’t a stocked trout in the world that can resist Green Giant Niblets.
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even it wasn’t so beautiful. Most places they are found, BUCKET LIST roosterfish are A commonly known A RI T C A • C OS as denizens of the surf. In Costa Rica, they are in the surf and everywhere else. Midway down the spit of land that is Central America, Costa Rica is in the heart of the By CAM Staff roosterfish range, which spans the Pacific from Peru to the Baja Photos Courtesy of Francisco Mejias California Peninsula. The average fish caught probably weighs less than 20 pounds, but it takes one weighing 60 or 70 pounds to really ames Like Los Sueños, Quepos and the Osa Peninsula ring out in raise eyebrows. our collective angler imaginings as the sportfishing destinations They are plentiful, big and powerful, and half the fun of catching of fantasy. Reports filter back to the U.S. with stories of 50-sailfish them is fishing for them. Sure, the most consistent way to catch them days, multiple blue, black and striped marlin… billfish action that seems is trolling or drifting live baits. But we’re talking about a fish that will too good to be true on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. cream a topwater lure. There is not much in fishing more exciting than a Well, those reports are most likely true. Costa Rica is one of the world’s topwater take, so when it is possible one might as well take advantage of it. best billfish destinations. But not everyone is into spending long days With roosterfish, the preferred surface presentation is ripping a trolling offshore. For some anglers, casting a line or working a bait is as popper across the top with as much splashy commotion as possible. It’s much a part of the fun as fighting a fish. That’s where Costa Rica’s exotic not a finesse technique. When a fish homes in on the bait, it will chase, and astoundingly good inshore fisheries step in. often hitting several times before it finds the hook. Year-round, just off the coast of Costa Rica, huge snook, big cubera It’s this kind of explosive action that makes Costa Rica worth the snapper and giant roosterfish hunt the gorgeous beaches, rocks and reefs. trip for inshore action alone. And of course there’s also all those marlin, Any number of species is subject to find the end of your line, but the chief sailfish and tuna. target for anglers has to be the roosterfish. For More Inshore Fishing in Costa Rica Visit With its tall Mohawk of a dorsal fin and multi-hued stripes, the roosterfish’s oddball appearance is enough of a reason to try and catch one. FRABILL-8.5 X 4.94-IFLOATSUIT.pdf 8/9/16 11:20 Its aggressive nature and powerful runs1 would make it aPMtarget for anglers T
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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT PIRANA FISHING LURES With its patented Jet Trail System, Pirana Fishing Lures has given the fishing world one of those “why didn’t someone think of this before” moments. Pirana has taken proven elements of highly successful crankbaits and jerkbaits and given them a new feature that is the most innovative and effective to hit the market in years. These lures leave a bubble trail, an enticement that draws in predatory fish and triggers them to strike. The effectiveness of bubble trails is well documented. Bluewater anglers troll jet head lures. Bass anglers fish gurglers and buzzbaits. Pirana’s Jet Trail System brings the same concept to crankbaits and jerkbaits. With an open mouth and gill slots along the lure’s sides, water is forced through the lure on retrieve to create the jet trail. Pirana has also put a lot into the details. These lures have a finely tuned wobble and dive as well as a rattle chamber for additional noise. Bright red gills, holographic silver eyes, a hex-scale pattern and a high-gloss finish complete the package. The lasting trail of bubbles, however, is what sets them apart. Pirana’s latest, which should hit the market soon, is the new and improved P200, which has a lip above the mouth opening. Whether the target species are redfish, seatrout and snook inshore or largemouth and smallmouth bass or trout in freshwater, anything that will eat a plug will be more likely to eat one with a jet trail. For more information visit www.piranafishinglures.com or call 386310-7165.
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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT UNDERWATER FISH LIGHT If you live on the water or have ever cruised any local canals or shorelines at night, you’ve probably seen how effective and widespread Underwater Fish Light’s products are. They seem to be just about everywhere, and are almost always loaded with fish. Their classic Natural Green lights look amazing in any waterway, but they recently released a new line of Vibrant Green underwater lights that illuminate the water with a richer green color that really stands out from the crowd. In addition to the unique look, these lights are also 50 percent brighter than the classic systems and are perfect for those looking to “out glow” their neighbors. Of course these new lights come backed by the same guarantees that Underwater Fish Light is famous for, including their well known “Fish Guaranteed or Your Money Back” promise. You can try the new Vibrant Green systems or any of their other models for sixty nights in your own waterway, and if you’re not thrilled with the performance of the light, you can return it for a full refund. Obviously they don’t get too many returns. There is also a new line of Caribbean Blue underwater lights that look incredible in clear waterways, but customers outside of the Florida Keys should opt for either the Natural Green or Vibrant Green, as these will look the best in murkier waters. With a 3-year warranty and money back guarantee, you can’t go wrong with Underwater Fish Light. Visit them online at www.FishLight.com or call 1-855-FISH-LIGHT for more information.
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NOVEMBER 2016
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT NEW RECHARGEABLE HEARING AID Hearing loss can leave you feeling disconnected. And it can be more than just a nuisance for those who enjoy fishing, boating or the outdoors. The inability to hear or understand warnings from the captain or guide can be downright dangerous. MDHearingAid, the doctor’s choice for affordable hearing aids, has the solution for your hearing loss with discreet, easy-to-use devices that are surprisingly affordable. The MDHearingAid Volt is a rechargeable hearing aid that eliminates the need for finding and fumbling with tiny batteries. It plugs in just like a cell phone or tablet, and the lithium-ion battery lasts up to 22 hours with each charge. Just plug it in at night when you go to bed and you’ll hear clearly all day long. Doctor-designed, this state-of-the-art digital technology utilizes dual microphones paired with noise reduction to filter out background noise. With four programs and volume control, the user has complete control to communicate confidently even in the most challenging listening environments. You’ll be able to focus on what you want to hear, not the surrounding noise. It sits discreetly behind the ear and is nearly invisible so even those closest to you may not notice you’re wearing it. The MDHearingAid Volt includes dual USB charging station and convenient carrying case. Try this rechargeable and affordable FDA-registered digital hearing aid at home with a 45-day risk-free trial and a 100 percent money-back guarantee. Call 800-514-1609 and get FREE shipping with offer code CV74 or visit
WWW.MDHEARINGAID.COM
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
10/18/16 3:15 PM
The perfect gift for any fishing enthusiast. Rogue Angler Wallet
Genuine Salmon Leather Rogue Front Pocket Wallet
Rogue Front Pocket Wallet with Compass
Back pocket wallets are badly designed - they’re easy targets for pickpockets and a surefire way to ruin your back. That’s why we reinvented the wallet, for a more comfortable, more secure everyday. Our wallets perfectly fit the front pocket, where a wallet belongs. The best wallet you’ve ever owned, or your money back.
Free Shipping on Orders $49+ rogue-industries.com
1-800-786-1768
Shallow Water Fishing? MITZI SKIFFS GETS IT2016 RIGHT!!! 25cc C
Is This The Boat For Y
WELCOME OUR NEW FLORIDA DEALER: COASTAL MARINE, STUART FL
Call For Your Local Dealer
• The GS 1500 Series' PIE PANEL construction provides a truer spread and a flatter net than the industry expects. • Super high strength and high durability leadline allows for non-kink performance. • Exclusive SPS Monofilament Netting • 1.50lbs. of lead weight per radius foot. Mesh sizes start at 3/16th to 3/4th with radius from 6ft to 12ft. • Extra long 30ft. Polypropylene throw line. • Komfort Kuff included.
252.235.2461
sales@castnets.com • 800.332.6387
For a complete listing of products and where to buy them, go to:
WWW.CASTNETS.COM
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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CHawkBoats.net •M .com
www.
CALL FOR YOUR LOC
NOVEMBER 2016
252.235.2
NATIONAL
29
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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT INHIBITOR VCI PRO CHIPS FOR CORROSION PROTECTION Protecting your fishing gear from rust and corrosion has never been easier, or more effective. The Inhibitor VCI offers unrivaled corrosion and rust prevention to protect lures, hooks, reels and more. Fishing tackle is a magnet for rust and corrosion. Many people do not fully appreciate the money and time avid anglers put into building their collection of lures. Rust will damage hooks, split rings and the body of the lure. With VCI Pro Chips you can make sure you never lose any of your fishing equipment to rust. Saltwater speeds up rust and corrosion; protect your fishing tackle from saltwater. Inhibitor VCI Pro Chips are a safe, easy and economical way to ensure your fishing tackle, tool boxes, small part bins and any other small metal items stay rust free. Each chip is treated on both sides with Volatile Corrosion Inhibitors that release a non-toxic vapor to blend with moisture and oxygen and stop rust and corrosion. The special vapors penetrate into the smallest cracks or crevices, providing total protection in marine environments. There is no scent residue. Fish will never know you are rust free! With Inhibitor rust prevention products, even saltwater cannot cause your fishing tackle to rust or corrode. They are great for parts bins and tool boxes at home, too. It works on all ferrous and non-ferrous metals: brass, bronze, copper, aluminum, steel, and stainless steel. Visit www.theinhibitor.com to get your 20-pack of VCI Pro Chips for only $5.99.
WWW.THEINHIBITOR.COM
www.power-pole.com
Fishing Lights Dock Lights Flounder Lights 785-621-2646 30
NATIONAL
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fishinglightsetc.com
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
10/18/16 3:15 PM
RHODAN INTRODUCES 72” SHAFT GPS GUIDED TROLLING MOTOR
New Longer Shaft for High Bow Boats Excellent for Offshore Fishing Same Superior GPS Technology 4X More Accurate 36% More Efficient
Attention Advertising Sales Reps Have you ever wondered what it would be like to own the media company that you were selling advertising for? Ever considered how different your life would be if you didn’t have to hand over the bulk of your sales revenue to your employer? Have you ever thought about how much easier your sales job could be if you didn’t have to beg your sales manager for every little extra thing that you wanted to give your customer? Ever wondered what it would be like to control your own time? You don’t have to wonder anymore. Coastal Angler and its freshwater component The Angler Magazine are offering magazine franchises throughout the continental U.S. and abroad. Now, you can be the publisher and completely control the advertising department of your magazine. After nine years of franchising this magazine and with 42 current locations, we can say with confidence that these home-based magazine locations can be opened in nearly any location with a minimum population base of 500,000 and an active angling community. We have also identified our ideal candidate as being someone with previous media sales experience. Male or female, success in this endeavor is gaged more on advertising sales than fishing prowess. If you are a current or former media advertising sales rep, you owe it to yourself to check out our franchise opportunities. For more information, call 888-800-9794 or email info@ coastalanglermagazine.com.
Outstanding Customer Support Media Sales Representatives wanted immediately for fishing magazine franchisee opportunity. Must have 2 to 5 years media sales experience. Dependable transporation, a love of the outdoors and a good solid work ethic. Type A’s welcome.
www.gpsanchor.com
888-434-7726
For Information Contact Editor in Chief Ben Martin at 888-800-7974 or email at info@coastalanglermagazine.com
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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• No Hassle Return Policy
On All Hand Tools
Does your dog have
FISH BREATH?
presented. Valid through 3/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
Naturally Removes Plaque & Tartar, Controls Bacteria and Freshens Breath Without BRUSHING!
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hft_coa
How Does Harbor Freight Sell GREAT QUALITY Tools at the LOWEST Prices? We have invested millions of dollars in our own state-of-the-art quality test labs and millions more in our factories, so our tools will go toe-to-toe with the top professional brands. And we can sell them for a fraction of the price because we cut out the middle man and pass the savings on to you. It’s just that simple! Come visit one of our 700+ Stores Nationwide. R PE ON RAPID PUMP® 1.5 TON SU UP ALUMINUM RACING JACK CO
Customer Rating • 3-1/2 Pumps Lifts Most Vehicles • Weighs 34 lbs.
ITEM 69252/68053 62160/62496/62516 60569 shown
5999 comp at
8999 $119.99
SAVE $60
$ $
LIMIT 5 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 3/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
SUPER COUPON
12999
comp at
ITEM 69052 shown 69111/62522/62573
4
$ 97 VALUE
29 PIECE TITANIUM NITRIDE COATED HIGH SPEED STEEL DRILL BIT SET ITEM 62281/61637 shown
R PE ON SU UP CO
SAVE 37%
A
SUPER COUPON
WOW
A. HOT DOG
3 GALLON, 100 PSI OILLESS AIR COMPRESSORS
B. PANCAKE
ITEM 69269/97080 shown
ITEM 95275 shown 60637/61615
comp at
5999 $98.62
$3999
YOUR CHOICE
Customer Rating
SAVE 59%
$
ITEM 69397 63308/61427 95272 shown
5 DRAWER TOOL CART
R PE ON SU UP 30", CO
SAVE $235
Customer Rating
16499
comp at
18999 $399.99 Customer Rating
$59.99
comp at
ITEM 38391 62376 62306 shown
$4799
SAVE 20%
SUPER COUPON 3-IN-1 PORTABLE POWER PACK WITH JUMP STARTER
WOW
LIMIT 4 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 3/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
• 704 lb. capacity
LIMIT 5 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 3/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
$59.97
SAVE $ 78% $ comp at
67500 shown
Customer Rating ITEM 69779
1500 LB. CAPACITY DUAL WHEEL SWING-BACK BOAT TRAILER JACK
LIMIT 4 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 3/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
16999 $268.99 $1299 $1999
$
ITEM 69662 shown 60432/63018/63019
POWER INVERTER
LIMIT 1 - Cannot be used with other discount, coupon or prior purchase. Coupon good at our stores, HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Offer good while supplies last. Shipping & Handling charges may apply if not picked up in-store. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 3/1/17. Limit one FREE GIFT coupon per customer per day.
$
R R 2000 WATT CONTINUOUS/ PE ON PE ON SU UP Customer Rating 4000 WATT PEAK SU UPCustomer Rating CO CO
SAVE $139
LIMIT 5 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 3/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
ITEM 93068 shown 69590/61910 62447
$ 99 $ 99 16 $ $29.99 2799comp at29$44.99 comp at
$1199
Customer Rating
ALERT SYSTEM
PON WOWWIRSUPELEERSSCOU SECURITY
SAVE 60%
800-423-2567. Cannot or HarborFreight.com or by calling LIMIT 4 - Good at our stores coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original or be used with other discount Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original purchase with original receipt. through 3/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day. coupon must be presented. Valid
At Harbor Freight Tools, the “comp at” price means that the same item or a similar functioning item was advertised for sale at or above the "comp at" price by another retailer in the U.S. within the past 180 days. Prices advertised by others may vary by location. No other meaning of "comp at" should be implied. For more information, go to HarborFreight.com or see store associate.
LIMIT 3 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 3/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
• HarborFreight.com • 800-423-2567
800-423-2567. Cannot or HarborFreight.com or by calling LIMIT 5 - Good at our stores coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original or be used with other discount Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original purchase with original receipt. through 3/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day. coupon must be presented. Valid
B
QUALITY TOOLS LOWEST PRICES EVERYDAY VALID NOW ON 5,000 + ITEMS
99 $163.06
WITH ANY PURCHASE 3-1/2" SUPER BRIGHT NINE LED ALUMINUM FLASHLIGHT
20% FREE
ANY SINGLE ITEM
OFF
9 PIECE FULLY POLISHED COMBINATION WRENCH SETS METRIC
ITEM 63282/69043/42304 shown
SAE
Limit 1 coupon per customer per day. Save 20% on any 1 item purchased. *Cannot be used with other discount, coupon or any of the following items or brands: Inside Track Club membership, Extended Service Plan, gift card, open box item, 3 day Parking Lot Sale item, automotive lifts, compressors, floor jacks, saw mills, storage cabinets, chests or carts, trailers, trenchers, welders, Admiral, Badland, Bremen, CoverPro, Creekstone, Daytona, Diablo, Doyle, Drummond, Earthquake, Franklin, Hercules, Holt, Jupiter, Lynxx, Maddox, Portland, Predator, Quinn, StormCat, Union, Viking. Not valid on prior purchases. Nontransferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 3/1/17.
R PE ON SU UP CO
SAVE 70% Customer Rating
ITEM 42305 69044/63171
$19.97
$899
comp at
YOUR CHOICE
5
$ 99
ITEM 69381 60338 shown
LIMIT 8 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 3/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
WOW
SAVE $73
comp at
$
$8999 119
SUPER COUPON TS 900 PEAK/700 RUNNING WAT 2 HP (63 CC) 2 CYCLE GAS RECREATIONAL GENERATOR
Customer Rating
On All Hand Tools
• 700+ Stores Nationwide • Lifetime Warranty
800-423-2567. Cannot or HarborFreight.com or by calling LIMIT 5 - Good at our stores coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original or be used with other discount Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original purchase with original receipt. through 3/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day. coupon must be presented. Valid
• 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed • Over 30 Million Satisfied Customers • No Hassle Return Policy
R PE ON SU UP CO
ITEM 46807/68975 69221/62123/63017 69222 shown
12" RATCHET BAR CLAMP/SPREADER
2
SAVE comp at 85% $ 99 $399 $20.76
SAVE $105
LIMIT 8 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 3/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
R PE ON SU UP Customer Rating CO
ITEM 61258 shown 61840/61297/68146
comp at
5499 $8999
$159.99
2500 LB. ELECTRIC WINCH WITH WIRELESS REMOTE CONTROL
$
LIMIT 4 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 3/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
comp at
$17.97
$ 99
8
$ 99
5
ITEM 66537 shown 69505/62418
R 72" x 80" PE ON MOVING BLANKET SU UP CO Customer Rating
SAVE 66%
SAVE 106
$
ITEM 63054/60728 69034/62858 shown
9999
™
10 FT. x 20 FT. PORTABLE CAR CANOPY
LIMIT 7 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 3/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
R PE ON SU UP CO
Customer Rating
$
$205.99
$14999
comp at
LIMIT 5 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 3/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
9/30/16 2:16 PM
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NOVEMBER 2016
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
COME JOIN OUR TEAM!
Franchise locations available throughout the U.S. and abroad.
Ever wanted to be your own boss, run your own business and be involved in the fishing industry? Well now you can. Our franchisees enjoy the benefits of controlling their own time while building their incomes in an industry that they love. If you enjoy the outdoors and don’t mind meeting the public and immersing yourself in the world of boating and fishing, then you owe it to yourself to check out our franchise opportunities. We now have locations available throughout the U.S. and abroad. These are home based businesses designed to operate on relatively low overhead and modest investment. No prior publishing experience necessary. We provide a complete training program and ongoing support. For more information on a franchise location near you, visit www.coastalanglermag.com, call 888-800-9794 or email info@coastalanglermagazine.com.
Now Available
• New Orleans, LA • Baton Rouge, LA • Gloucester, MA • Nashville, TN • Denver, CO • Charlotte, NC • Milwaukee, WI • Seattle, WA
• Upstate New York SOLD • Costa Rica Reduced • Raleigh, NC New Listing • Newport, CA • Savannah, GA • Corpus Christi, TX New Listing
...And More!
© 2016. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. Disclaimer: Coastal Angler Magazine / The Angler Magazine will not be held liable for injuries incurred while partaking in activities described herein, or for claims made against products or services provided by advertisers.
ADVERTISING INQUIRIES
FLORIDA
Corporate Headquarters
info@coastalanglermagazine.com
888-800-9794
GREATER MIAMI
Scott Deal • (561) 945-6999
scott@coastalanglermagazine.com
Monica Isaza-Deal • (561) 945-8899 monica@coastalanglermagazine.com
NAPLES
TREASURE COAST & BAHAMAS
OKEECHOBEE
Mike Weber (414) 531-4172
Ken Gabryel (863) 532-3671
Misti & Gary Guertin (772) 285-6850
FORT MYERS
PALM BEACH COUNTY
nwelch@ coastalanglermagazine.com
barbara@ coastalanglermagazine.com
Nadeen Welch (239) 595-8265
Barbara Ryan (561) 373-8040
BREVARD
David String (321) 684-5888
pprevoir@coastalanglermagazine.com
NE FLORIDA
LAKELAND & SUMTER
danny@ coastalanglermagazine.com
maryf@ coastalanglermagazine.com
Danny Patrick (904) 742-4696
dstring@ keng@ coastalanglermagazine.comtreasurecoast@coastalanglermagazine.comcoastalanglermagazine.com flahama@coastalanglermagazine.com
Chuck Atkins (239) 464.5153
chuck@ coastalanglermagazine.com
BIG BEND
Mike McNamara (850) 510-7919
Mary Flaitz (352) 598-4219
captmike@ coastalanglermagazine.com
GULF CAOST
mikew@ coastalanglermagazine.com
TAMPA BAY
SARASOTA
Phil Prevoir • (239) 257-4684
GREATER ORLANDO
PANAMA CITY/ FORGOTTEN COAST
Phillip & Giselle Wolf (407) 790-9515
FLORIDA KEYS Ed Gocher (305) 587-9101
Randy Cnota (229) 834-7880
phillip@ coastalanglermagazine.com
Cary & Lynn Crutchfield (352) 372-4237
FORT LAUDERDALE
Jim “Mack” & Pat McKinney (954) 603-2304 fortlauderdale@ coastalanglermagazine.com
crutch@ coastalanglermagazine.com
DAYTONA/ NEW SMYRNA BEACH Don Meadows (407) 960-2340
ALABAMA GULF COAST Sarah Clark (205) 522-1756
donm@coastalanglermagazine.com
sarahclark@ coastalanglermagazine.com
CAPE COD/ISLANDS/ SOUTHERN MASS
Jessica Baptista
NORTHEAST
randyc@coastalanglermagazine.com
ed@coastalanglermagazine. com
NC FLORIDA/ NATURE COAST
GALVESTON/MATAGORDA/ UPPER COAST
PENSACOLA/DESTIN/ MIS GULF COAST
BOSTON
Kevin Ogle • (850) 586-3474
Chanci & David Mowry (713) 446-7395
gulf@coastalanglermagazine.com
WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA
GREATER ATLANTA AREA /SW GEORGIA
woody@theanglermagazine.com
bobr@theanglermagazine.com
boston@ coastalanglermagazine.com
RHODE ISLAND/ LONG ISLAND
UPSTATE NEW YORK Frank Geremski (518) 898-6484
Lisa & Michael Danforth (203) 321-7635
frankie@theanglermagazine.com
lisad@ coastalanglermagazine.com
Paul Drepanos (508) 733-7173
MAINE
jessicab@ coastalanglermagazine.com
pauld@ coastalanglermagazine.com
SOUTHEAST
chanci@coastalanglermagazine.com davidm@coastalanglermagazine.com
George Regan (617) 488-2842
Debra & Joe Woody (828) 775-9663
WILMINGTON
Brian Slesinski • (910) 797-6093
Bob & Brenda Rice (706) 614-8231
SE & COASTAL GEORGIA Tony Martin (912) 269-9679
CHARLESTON/COLUMBIA SESE& &COASTAL COASTALGEORGIA GEORGIA Eddie Hardgrove (910)264-5487
eddie@coastalanglermagazine.com travis@theanglermagazine.com travis@theanglermagazine.com
OUTER BANKS/ VIRGINIA BEACH
N.C. PIEDMONT
TravisHarper Harper Travis (912)266-1430 266-1430 (912)
MOREHEAD CITY
Roscoe Worth-Jones & Frank Jones (276) 274-9889
roscoe@theanglermagazine.com frank@theanglermagazine.com
Eddie Hardgrove • (910)264-5487
WEST MICHIGAN Phil Belsito (616) 957-1714
John Tiger • (757) 707-9654 eddie@coastalanglermagazine.com brians@coastalanglermagazine.com Eddie Hardgrove • (910)264-5487 tony@theanglermagazine.com john.tiger@coastalanglermagazine.com Brian Slesinski • (910) 797-6093 phil@theanglermagazine.com Laura Seitz • (757) 707-9655 brians@coastalanglermagazine.com eddie@coastalanglermagazine.com laura@coastalanglermagazine.com
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HILTON HEAD
Kathy & Mark McElheney (843) 478-5095
mark@coastalanglermagazine.com
PUERTO RICO/ VIRGIN ISLANDS Ace Bassue
MYRTLE BEACH
Kenneth & Ana Moore (843) 446-5777
kenmoore@ coastalanglermagazine.com
COSTA RICA
Thomas Hauer, Jr. (321) 445-1557
thomash@coastalanglermagazine.com (407) 285-9453 ace@ Thomas Hauer • (321) 445-1557 coastalanglermagazine.com tomh@coastalanglermagazine.com
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
10/18/16 3:15 PM
Graphite and fiberglass construction. One-piece stainless steel guides. Tougher than the original.
uglystik.com
@uglystik /uglystikfishing COLORS
PANTONE 200; CMYK: C-16.69, M-100, Y-87.59, B-7.22
PANTONE 877; CMYK: C-47.43, M-39.86, Y-39, B-3.48
COMMON CVRS_1116.indd 3
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