Coastal Angler Magazine | November 2024 | Greater Orlando Edition by Coastal Angler Magazine

navigating peace of mind

Unpredictable waters

THE IMPORTANCE OF BOAT INSURANCE

Embarking on the open water is an exhilarating experience, flled with the promise of adventure and relaxation. Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or a weekend cruiser, protecting your vessel with proper insurance is not just a choice—it’s a necessity. Explore the reasons why every boat owner should prioritize boat insurance for a worry-free voyage.

Navigational fexibility

The open water can be unpredictable, with unexpected storms, collisions, or other potential accidents. Boat insurance can give you fnancial protection if there is damage to your vessel, providing coverage for repairs or replacement.

Damage and injury

Accidents on the water can result in damage to other boats, docks, or even injuries to passengers. Boat insurance offers liability coverage, which can pay for damages or injuries you’re liable for while boating, up to specifed limits, and lawsuit costs if you’re sued. This includes damage you cause to another watercraft or if someone on or near your boat is injured and you’re found to be legally responsible.

Theft and vandalism

Unfortunately, boat theft and vandalism are realities that boat owners face. Boat insurance has comprehensive and collision coverage that can protect you against events outside of your control, including theft and vandalism.

Incurred medical payments

Accidents on the water may lead to injuries for you or your passengers. Boat insurance offers a range of optional medical payments coverage limits, helping to cover medical expenses if you are in an accident or someone is hurt on your boat, regardless of fault.

Peace of mind for fnancing

If you fnanced the purchase of your boat, most lenders require insurance coverage to protect their investment. Having boat insurance not only fulflls these requirements but also gives you peace of mind knowing that your fnancial interests are safeguarded.

Some water municipalities and marinas may require proof of insurance for docking or accessing certain areas. Boat insurance allows you the fexibility to explore different destinations without worrying about entry restrictions.

Emergency towing and assistance

Progressive boat insurance can include optional Sign & Glide® On-Water Towing coverage. If your boat is disabled or breaks down on the water, Sign & Glide® pays for on-water towing, jump starts, soft un-groundings, and fuel delivery.

Wreckage removal

If your boat sinks, Progressive boat insurance will cover the cost of removing your boat from the water (if removal is legally required).

Investing in boat insurance is not just about protecting a valuable asset; it’s about safeguarding the memories, experiences, and joy that come with your on-water adventures. Don’t let unforeseen circumstances disrupt your journey—navigate with confdence, knowing that Progressive boat insurance has you covered. Ensure a smooth and worry-free voyage, because when it comes to your boat, peace of mind is the ultimate luxury.

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DRESSED TO KILL & FULLY LOADED

The quest to ﬁnd the ultimate men’s watch has traditionally been a difﬁcult one in the world of fashion. A timepiece with the perfect look and functionality has long been the goal of both watch designers and enthusiasts alike.

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The three sub-dials provide a precise timekeeping function. The sports silicone band is durable yet comfortable, providing a secure ﬁt that won’t slide around on your wrist. The band is also easy to clean and maintain, making it perfect for everyday wear. The watch’s 30 Metre Water Resistance rating ensures that it has you covered whatever the occasion.

The Renegade Blue is also built to last, with a sturdy stainless steel caseback and exquisitely detailed bezel. The watch is powered by a super reliable quartz movement, which is covered by our incredible 5 Year Movement Warranty - ensuring accurate timekeeping for many years to come!

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THE FASCINATING JOURNEY OF TARPON MIGRATION

By Dr. Benjamin Cole

Tarpon (Megalops atlanticus), known as “silver kings,” are renowned for their acrobatic leaps and strength, making them a top target for anglers. However, their fascinating migration patterns also play a crucial role in maintaining marine ecosystems.

Tarpon migration is largely driven by the need for feeding and reproduction. Tese highly

migratory fsh can travel thousands of miles, infuenced by water temperature, food availability, and spawning needs. Preferring temperatures above 72°F (22°C), tarpon move south during colder months, seeking warmer waters.

the U.S. Atlantic coast, they travel from Virginia to Florida and the Caribbean, while in the Gulf, they move from Texas and Louisiana to Mexico. Teir northward migration begins in late spring, driven by rising temperatures and abundant food. By summer, tarpon reach as far as Virginia, signaling the start of fshing season. As fall sets in, they return south to warmer wintering grounds.

A key driver of tarpon migration is spawning, typically occurring between May and September in ofshore areas with strong currents. Afer spawning, larvae are carried into estuarine environments like mangroves and marshes, crucial nurseries for juvenile tarpon. Tese habitats are essential for the species’ survival, but environmental degradation threatens their health.

While tarpon are primarily a catch-andrelease species, improper handling during fshing can lead to mortality. Conservation eforts, including safe fshing practices and habitat protection, are essential for sustaining tarpon populations. Organizations like the Bonefsh & Tarpon Trust work to monitor migration, protect critical habitats, and promote responsible fshing.

Found in the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, tarpon migration varies by region. Along

Tarpon migration is a remarkable journey, driven by the search for favorable conditions. By protecting these iconic fsh and their habitats, we can ensure their survival and preserve their role in marine ecosystems for future generations.

RIG IT RIGHT FOR THE OPTIMUM BITE

Capt. Russ Walker

If a fsh can see the bait, they’ll hit it much faster than if they must search through grass or mud. Tat’s why I rig to suspend the bait, keeping it above the bottom where fsh can easily spot it. Grass fats are incredibly productive fshing grounds, and targeting the edges where the fat drops of into deeper water is the key to catching bigger fsh.

In around fve to six feet of water, grass growth stops, forming a natural erosional edge where fsh like trout, cobia, tarpon, and mackerel hunt. Tese edges act like a “superhighway” for predatory fsh. While smaller fsh are found on the fat, the big ones hang near the edge, diving into the deeper channel when necessary.

Te best tool for this fshing method is a fat-topped popping cork. Te cork keeps the bait suspended at the desired depth and makes a popping sound when tugged, drawing fsh to the noise. Tis is especially useful for beginners, as it’s an easy technique that produces great results. With just a few pops, the live shrimp below the cork will jump into plain sight, attracting the fsh.

As a charter captain, I’ve found this method efective for anglers of all experience levels. It’s not uncommon to catch 80 to 100 fsh during a four-hour trip using this rig. It works equally well ofshore near wrecks, suspending bait for species like permit.

I make my own 200 lb. rated, fat-topped popping bobbers, stronger and shorter than store-bought versions. Tey’re perfect for fshing

everything from trout to tarpon, with only the hook size and leader changing. Te leader length is always four and one half feet, and the magic depth on the grass-fat edge is fve feet.

Typically, I use a 3/0 Mustad Wide Gap Hook with a 1/4 oz. egg sinker and a 30 lb. fuorocarbon leader. Tis rig works wonders for trout, pompano, mackerel, snook, redfsh, and ladyfsh.

So, give it a try! Pop the cork a few times, remove the slack, and hang on. When the bobber disappears, just “yank it and crank it.” You’ll see your catch increase by at least 40 percent. Fish On!

Capt. Russ Walker is a USCG Masters licensed fshing guide and owner of Tide Walker Charters out of Cape Coral, FL. www.tidewalkercharters.com

PATCH REEF FISHING in the Keys

By A. deGruchy

The Florida Keys transform into a fishing paradise as the intense summer hurricane weather fades and cooler fronts begin to roll in. This fall, it’s all about the patch reefs... vibrant underwater gardens teeming with a variety of species. Targeting these patches is incredibly fun and rewarding. You’ll encounter species like snapper and grouper, along with various types of mackerels. Light-action fishing is always a blast,

and in the Keys, there are countless patch reefs to explore.

To find a patch reef, look for shallow spots scattered with coral and sand, typically just a few miles offshore at depths of typically between 1530 feet. For gear, we recommend using a PENN Spinfisher VII 3500-4500 combo. The Mustad 3/0 Demon circle hooks are reliable, and when it comes to bait, live shrimp are unbeatable. It’s all about enjoying the vibes and seeing what you can reel in... mutton snapper, red groupers, porgies, Spanish mackerels, and much more!

This fall will be even more special with the opening of Three Waters Resort in Islamorada. This elegant new destination offers not just stunning accommodations but also brand-new restaurants and a magnificent ambiance. Imagine savoring fresh culinary experiences while soaking up breathtaking waterfront views. After a day on the water, kick back and enjoy a drink at one of the resort’s dining venues or onsite restaurants.

So come on down this fall and get ready for some fun fishing in the Florida Keys. With Three Waters Resort as your home base and Bean Sportfishing Charters as your vessel, you’ll be hooked on the fishing, the food, and the laid-back vibes!

By Capt. Jack Gohmert

HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN CHUM BAIT FOR FISHING SUCCESS

Creating your own chum bait can signifcantly boost your fshing success. Chum, a mixture of fsh parts and attractants, draws fsh to your spot by creating a feeding frenzy. Making your own chum lets you tailor it to the fsh you’re targeting and saves money. Here’s a simple guide to making efective chum and using it for the best results.

Chum is a blend of fsh-based materials that attract predatory fsh. When

placed in water, it forms a scent trail and visual signal that lures fsh like snapper, tuna, and sharks. Whether you fsh ofshore, from a pier, or inshore, chum helps by concentrating fsh around your location.

Making chum is straightforward. You’ll need the following:

Tools:

• Food processor or meat grinder

• Bucket or container

• Rubber gloves

• Freezer bags (for bulk storage)

Ingredients:

• Fish scraps (bait lefovers, carcasses)

• Canned fsh (sardines, mackerel, or tuna)

• Fish oil or menhaden oil

• Breadcrumbs or oats (to bulk up the mix)

• Optional: sand or cornmeal (to sink chum faster)

How to Make Chum Bait: Step-by-Step

1. Gather Fish Scraps: Collect lefover fsh scraps or use canned fsh. Local fsh markets are great for sourcing discards.

2. Grind the Ingredients: Use a food processor to grind fsh scraps into a paste. For canned fsh, mash it along with the oil for a strong scent trail.

3. Add Bulk: Mix in breadcrumbs, oats, or cornmeal to bulk up the chum. Tese ingredients absorb oils and create a scent cloud. Sand can help sink the chum.

4. Enhance the Scent: Stir in fsh oil to intensify the scent, making it travel farther underwater.

5. Pack and Freeze: Freeze large batches in bags. When fshing, break of chunks and toss them into the water.

For ofshore fshing, throw small amounts of chum every few minutes to create a steady attractant. For shore or pier fshing, use a chum bag or cage to suspend and slowly release the chum. Adjust the size and consistency of your chum based on the fsh species. Larger fsh prefer coarse chum with chunks, while smaller fsh may respond better to a fne mix that creates a cloud.

Making your own chum is a cost-efective way to improve your fshing. With minimal tools and ingredients, you can craf a bait that attracts fsh and turns a slow day into a successful one.

Family Owned & Operated for 50

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Academy Sports + Outdoors, East Colonial 11955 E. Colonial Dr. Orlando, FL • Academy Sports + Outdoors, Lee Vista 6640 Eagle Watch Drive Orlando, FL • Academy Sports + Outdoors, Millenia 3557 Gardens Ridge Way Orlando, FL • Academy Sports + Outdoors, Lake Mary 3641 Lake Emma Road Lake Mary FL Bagg’s Produce, Sanford, 2485 Sanford Ave, Sanford, FL 32771 • Boat Tree Marina, 4370 Carraway Place, Sanford, FL 32771,(407) 322-1610, boattreemarina.com • Noble’s Marine Leesburg,Highway 441& Palmetto,Leesburg, FL 34748, noblesmarine.com • Noble’s Marine Crystal River, 1931 NW Highway 19, Crystal River, FL 34428, noblesmarine.com • Mudhole Custom Tackle, 2133 Componet Loop St. 1001, Oviedo, FL 32765, mudhole.com, Highbanks Marina & Camp Resort, 488 W Highbanks Rd, DeBary, FL 32713, campresort.com • Thomas Lumber Company – Orlando, 231 West Gore Street, Orlando, FL 32806, thomaslumber. com • Orlando Outfitters, 2814 Corrine Dr., Orlando, FL 32803 • Bitters Bait & Tackle, Longwood, 165 N. US HWY. 17-92, Longwood, 32750 • Gibson’s Truck World, 3455 S. Orlando Dr., Sanford, Fl.32773 • Owens Fishing & Marine, 935 N. Bay St. Eustis, Fl. 32726 • Avalon Ace Hardware, 14807 E. Colonial Dr., Orlando Fl., 32826 • Richardson’s Fish Camp, Kissimmee, 1550 Scottys Rd, Kissimmee, FL 34744 • Wojo’s Bait & Tackle, St. Cloud, Oak Park Center, 4245 13th St, St Cloud, FL 34769 • West End Trading Co. 202 S. Sanford Ave., Sanford, FL 32771 • Lakeside Bait & Tackle, Tavares, 1000 W Burleigh Blvd, Tavares, FL 32778• Jolly Gator Fish Camp Bar & Grill, 4650 FL-46, Geneva, FL 32732

November 1 - safe daylight – the 16th Annual Shad and Crappie Derby begins! Visit https://coastalanglermag. com/orlando/shad-crappie-derby/ for complete information.

Hurricane Milton dumped a lot of water in Florida – Central Florida wasn’t spared either. With high water levels, fish have many places to hide. Spawning season will congregate fish in the lakes along the St Johns River, and females will stage in 6-12 feet of water as males prep the beds. Crappie will be the early target for Derby anglers. American and Hickory shad show up around Christmas. Bass will begin their fattening up during pre-spawn with male buck bass found in shallow water before the full moon. Big female bass will be nearby in deeper water adjacent to the males. Blue channel catfish will be found in deep holes on the downstream side of river bends.

November generally yields the winning crappie in the Derby – folks longlining, and spider-rigging Lake Monroe seem to be catching a little more than in Lake

Harney or Lake Jessup. It is a little early to find them on the channel edges but check your fish finders. Deep river bends don’t frequently produce big fish until after the second cold front for specks. In Lake Monroe and Lake Harney, you’ll find folks drifting minnows under a bobber on windy days – same for Jessup. During the full and new moon phases the lily pads near deep water will be the place to find some slabs. For the folks trolling, speed matters. Longline works best in the 1.0 to 2.0 mph range, a little slower for spider rigging .5 to 1.2 mph. Jig colors and depth is also a big factor. Set your baits at different depths and change colors until you find what the fish prefer. Heavier jig heads and slower speeds will allow the baits to run deeper. Crappie like to hug the bottom and bite upwards - look at their up-sloping head and mouth. Crappie jigs that work great in the Derby: 2” curly tails in all colors, Roadrunner lures, mylar jigs, and ice jigs. Colors: Pink, green, chartreuse, red/white, black, blue/white, yellow, orange, purple, and combinations thereof. Good luck it only takes one fish to win!

In December we will look for the return of hickory shad, American shad, and blue back herring for their 4-year life cycle returning to the waters they were born. They love small spoons and shad darts. Although the shad are not supposed to eat during their spawning run, they bite!

Hurricanes and high-water levels have changed the normal fall transition. The first cold front has already passed. Here in Central Florida, November is typically the start of fall weather and cooler temperatures during the days and nights. The fish are starting to school up and feed on bait near the mouths of creeks, canals and both ends of all the rivers. The cooler weather, shorter days and water temps have motivated the fish to start the transition to staging areas and shallows seeking out locations for spawning. The cooler water temps will not only turn on the topwater bite for bass it will also trigger the crappie into their spawning mode also. Schooling bass are biting lipless Rattle Trap baits around the eel grass in both Lake Harris and Lake Eustis, also reports on both Zoom Speed Worms and 10” old monster worms in dark colors along the deeper edges of the Kissimmee grass and the deeper water between

the offshore eel grass. The bigger fish are feeding and fattening up for the first of this season’s spawn. It usually starts with the New or Full Moon stage in December. November is one of the best months of the year for freshwater fishing in Central Florida. If we get a good cold snap before the moon phases the fish will be on the move. Look for the staging areas close to deep water that is close to a flat. Deeper water out in front of canals, mouths of the rivers and Haynes Creek on both ends and shallow boat docks that have deeper water closeby are places to target.

Anglers are already catching nice black crappies all throughout the chain. Minnows are being sold by the dozens as our annual snowbirds are arriving daily. When the moon phases get close the males will be moving shallower. Look for them near the lily pads and edges of the grass. Find a sign-up location near you and register for the 16th Annual Central Florida Shad and Crappie Derby beginning on November 1st - FREE to enter with over $7500 in prizes for the winning anglers. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Seminole Junior Anglers

Marine Grade Stainless Steel Parts Custom Axles • Accessories Large Parts Inventory For All

Hello fellow anglers and friends, our Seminole Junior Anglers were slotted to fish a tournament on Lake Seminole in Bainbridge, GA in October but unfortunately Hurricane Milton had other plans. With the impacts of both Helene and Milton on the state of Florida and Georgia we were not able to fish the event. We are Looking forward to our next tournament on Lake Harris as we consider it one of our “home” lakes.

In place of the October tournament SJA was able to volunteer their time at this year’s Gumbo Wars which if you didn’t know moved to Downtown Sanford. If you haven’t been to Gumbo Wars you’re missing out! For a small donation you get the best Gumbo this side of the Mississippi…and you get plenty of it. Gumbo Wars is held every year in October and the money raised goes to the Hook Kids on Fishing program, Teen Sportfishing, our SJA team and many more.

Two of these groups I am specifically enthusiastic about: Teen Sportfishing Association and our very own Seminole Junior Anglers. TSA is without a doubt the best program around getting the younger kids that are just starting out in the sport on the water and also the older kids that continue through their senior year in high school. This is where my son got started, and I owe them for getting me involved with the freshwater side of fishing. Check them out on FB if you want more information.

If you want more information on SJA feel free to reach out to me or check us out on FB. Both TSA and SJA follow the Seminole County Public School year for our season and would love to help get your kids on the water to enjoy this great sport!

I look forward to writing this column in December after we compete in the Harris Chain tournament and hope to have great finishes to report for our teams.

A special thanks goes out to Gumbo Wars from the Seminole Junior Anglers - we look forward to helping with volunteers next year!

We couldn’t do it without the parents and our sponsors so please support them: Coastal Angler Magazine, Mudhole Custom Tackle, Citgo Petroleum, Oakley, Avid Gear, Jeff Bell Real-estate Agent, W.W Gay, Trico Transmissions, CST Fishing Apparel, Mid Florida Carts, Grove Scientific & Engineering, Flynn’s Tree Pros, W.W Gay Mechanical Contractor, Inc., Hatcher Insurance, Certified Financial Group, Sunstate Fleetworks, Nolan Capitol Advisors and more!

“Spreading Awareness and Acceptance to Au3sm through the Sport of Fishing” www.au%smanglers.org

Bobby Bakewell Jr. Wins BASS Open on Lake Martin

By Phil Wolf, Coastal Angler Magazine Orlando

Central Florida native Bobby Bakewell Jr. from Orlando Florida narrowly missed a win earlier this season when he fished in the BASS Open event on the Harris Chain of Lakes. Day two was difficult for Bobby, only catching 2 keepers ending up in 5th place. The scheduled location for the last event of the season was Lake Hartwell - but that area was devastated by Hurricane Helene, so the event was re-scheduled to Lake Martin in Alabama. I had spoken with him while he was pre-fishing Hartwell and was starting to figure out how to catch the better fish out of the clear deep water. Lake Martin was the last place he thought that he would get his first Open Win.

Bakewell landed 13 pounds, 12 ounces on the final day of the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Lake Martin presented by SEVIIN to earn a comeback victory with a threeday tally of 35-15. He anchored his bag with a 4-10 largemouth, which earned Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the Tournament honors. With the win, Bakewell punched his ticket to the 2025 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic at Lake Ray Roberts in March - a lifelong dream come true.

Bobby is a Seminole Jr. Angler Alumni. He started to hone his skills catching bass by competing in High School BASS Nation events and other local derbies fishing with his dad and friends. His knack for catching huge bass while fishing offshore using forward facing sonar has garnered multiple wins with 5 bass limits in excess of 30 pounds! This is a feat most anglers will never catch, especially in a tournament. I have watched him grow into an amazing young angler as he reached the next level in his fishing career.

Practice on Lake Martin was not particularly kind to Bakewell, but one buzz bait bite toward the end of practice gave him a starting spot for day one. He mixed in the buzz bait and then offshore brush piles to catch just over 9 pounds. The shallow bite was much better on day two when he got seven buzz bait bites in the span of an hour.

Admittedly, Bakewell is not a buzz bait guy. He loves fishing offshore and catching bass on a jerk bait, but it was the buzz presentation that carried him through the week, particularly the final two days. When he arrived at Lake Martin, he unwrapped a ½-ounce Greenfish Tackle Toad Toter buzz bait sent to him by 44 Tackle, not knowing it would be the bait that would change his life.

He used different trailers, including a Bruiser Baits Crazy Craw and then a Zoom Horny Toad when he ran out of Crazy Craws. White or silver was his best producing color. Using a 7-foot, 3-inch medium-heavy casting rod and an 8:5:1 reel with

40-pound-test Yozuri braid, Bakewell said mostly he simply used a steady retrieve. Bakewell reeled that buzz bait along shallow seawalls in 3 feet of water and less, where he could see the bottom. The bottom also had to have rock - it could not be clean clay. As the sun rose, the shade line became even more important. Bakewell commented, “I started running it and I started getting bit, so it worked out,” he said. “I’m usually not a buzz bait guy, but it was a lot of fun. I threw a Whopper Plopper and I just didn’t get as many bites and got more bites with the buzz bait. So, I just ran with it. Ninety eight percent of the bass I caught bit within three cranks of the reel handle.” A ½-ounce Bakewell Custom Jig he hand-ties with a Bruiser Baits Crazy Craw produced a couple of good bass as well as a Bruiser Baits Rad Shad.

To start day 3, Bakewell fished an area he had never fished before that he had found looking at his maps at 10:30pm the night before. He landed a couple of keepers to start the day, but a cast next to a dock produced a big largemouth, which turned out to be the highlight of Bassmaster LIVE coverage and “Big Bass” of the event at 4 pounds 10 ounces.

Bobby said, “I was going through a little bit of a dry spell and started thinking that I should have gone to water I had fished before. Then I hooked that giant. It was crazy. I was trying to decide whether to let the boat ram the dock or go for the bass, and I chose the bass. I’m so glad I did, too.” After gaining his 5-fish limit, Bakewell suffered a long lull but in the last hour he caught two bass over 2 pounds along a shade line to bolster his bag. Bakewell said, “I kind of knew I didn’t have enough. I had almost admitted defeat. I hadn’t got bit in 2 hours or so. I got to a shady pocket, and I picked up the buzz bait and a 2.80 ate it. A pound here is huge. I ran to another shady pocket across the way and caught a 2-pound spot that culled out a 1.60. It was little decisions like that that were the difference this week.”

“I’m going to have to make room on the mantle,” he said. “That Classic berth is so sweet. It hasn’t really set in. After practice, I was just ready to get done with this one. Now, I’m really happy we are done with this one.”

Finishing the season just a few points out of the top 9 anglers who all qualify for the Bassmaster Elite Series next season. With this win he hopes to secure new major sponsors to help his with his tournament expenses next year. It has been a pleasure knowing Bobby and watching him grow to be a super successful young angler. Coastal Angler is proud to have grown up with Bobby and we are excited for him and his future in professional bass fishing!

Boat Dealers New & Consignment Sales

Boat Dealers New & Consignment

1 - Astor Marine (352) 759-3655 24535 FL-40, Astor, FL 32102 www.astormarine.com

Astor Marine (352) 759-3655

24535 FL-40, Astor FL www.astormarine.com

Sea Tow of Central Florida Lakes (877) 800-1492

6 - Sea Tow of Central Florida Lakes (877) 800-1492 12307 Wedgefield Drive , Grand Island, FL 32735

12307 Wedgefield Dr., Grand Island, FL

AT Trailer (407) 892-1100

CJS Aluminum Inc.

2 - Nobles Marine (352) 787-5792 437 N Palmetto St, Leesburg, FL 34748 or 1931 N. Hwy 19, Crystal River www.noblesmarine.com

Nobles Marine (352) 787-5792

437 N Palmetto St., Leesburg, FL 1931 N. Hwy 19, Crystal River, FL www.noblesmarine.com

3 - Craig Catamaran (407) 290-8778 4333 Silver Star Rd. #100 Orlando, FL 32808

Craig Catamaran (407) 290-8778 4333 Silver Star Rd. $100 Orlando, FL

4 - Triangle Marine (352) 343-6146 11415 US-441, Tavares, FL 32778 www.trianglemarinecenter.biz

Triangle Marine (352) 343-6146 11415 US-441, Tavares, FL www.trianglemarinecenter.biz

30 - Aamco East Orlando (407) 277-3311 6304 E. Colonial Dr. Orlando FL 32807 Full Service Mechanics

Aamco East Orlando (407) 277-3311

6304 E. Colonial Dr., Orlando, FL Full Service Mechanics

25 - Central Florida Marine (407) 647-6262 1021 N Orlando Ave, Maitland, FL 32751 www.centralfloridamarine.com

Central Florida Marine (407) 647-6262 1021 N. Orlando Ave., Maitland, FL www.centralfloridamarine.com

38 - Orlando Boat Sales (407) 253-7111 3165 N John Young Pkwy, Orlando, FL 32804 www.orlandoboatsales.com

Orlando Boat Sales (407) 253-7111

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24 - Boat Max USA (321) 866-0306 9700 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando FL 32817 www.boatmaxusa.com

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46 - Gibson Truck World (407) 321-0660 3455 S. Orlando Dr. Sanford, FL 32773 www.gibsontruckworld.com

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14 - Boat Tree Marina (407) 322-1610 4370 Carraway Pl, Sanford, FL 32771 www.boattree.com

Boat Tree Marina (407) 322-1610 4370Carraway Pl., Sanford, FL

60 - Next Level Inc.“Florida Marine Customs” (407) 704-5676 • 87 W. Michigan St. Orlando, FL 32806 info@floridamarinecustoms.com

Next Level Inc. “Florida Marine Customs” (407) 704-5676

87 W. Michigan St., Orlando FL info@floridamarinecustoms.com

Boat improvement / Service & Repair Centers / Replacement Parts

36 - All American Marine (407) 855-9988 7024 S Orange Ave, Orlando FL 32809 www.allamericanmarineorlando.com

Boat Improvement / Service & Repair Centers / Replacement Parts

All America Marine (407) 855-9988

35 - All Star Marine (407) 423-9953 28 W Jersey St, Orlando, FL 32806 www.manta.com

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Advanced Marine Services (407) 498-5142

1322 Carolina Ave., St. Cloud, FL advancedmarine.co

29 - Lake Fairview Marina (407) 295-0117 4503 N Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, FL 32804 www. Lakefairviewmarina.com

Lake Fairview Marina (407) 295-0117

32 - Portside Marine (407) 249-1124 2730 Forsyth Rd, Orlando, FL 32792 www.portsideorlando.com

4503 N. Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, FL www.lakefairviewmarina.com

Portside Marina (407) 249-1124

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23 - Talon Marine Services (407) 542-7600 439 Aulin Ave, Oviedo, FL 32765 www.talonmarineservices.com

Talon Marine Services (407) 542-7600 439 Aulin Ave., Orlando, FL www.talonmarineservices.com

20 - Team Marine Services (407) 260-8326 1350 28th Street, Orlando FL 32805 www.teammarineservices.com

Team Marine Services (407) 260-8236 1350 28th St., Orlando, FL www.teammarineservices.com

19 - Ahoy Marine (407) 323-8373 511 E 25th St, Sanford, FL 32771 www.superpages.com

Ahoy Marine (407) 323-8373

9 - Instant Insurance Agency (352) 735-5560 25833 State Road 46, Sorrento, FL 32776 www.instantinsuranceagency.com

4820 E. Irlo Brunson Memorial Hwy., St Cloud FL www.attrailercenter.com

Bait

& Tackle Shops / Outfitters / Apparel

Marinetec Systems (321) 363-6550 1061 TidenVille School Rd., Winter Garden FL www.marinetecsystems.com

15 - American Tackle Co. (800) 516-1750 2133 Component Loop, Suite 1031, Oveido, 32765 www.americantackle.us

Bait & Tackle Shops / Outfitters / Apparel

5 - Lakeside Bait & Tackle (352) 742-3336 1000 W Burleigh Blvd, Tavares, FL 32778

American Tackle Co. (800) 516-1750 2133 Component Loop, Suite 1031, Oviedo, FL www.americantackle.us

7 - Owens Fishing & Marine (352) 357-3030 935 N Bay St, Eustis, FL 32726

Lakeside Bait & Tackle (352) 742-3336 1000 W. Burleigh Blvd., Taveres, FL

11 - Highbanks Marina & Camp Resort (386) 668-4491 488 W Highbanks Rd, DeBary, FL 32713 www.campresort.com

Owens Fishing & Marine (352) 357-3030 935 N. Bay St., Eustis, FL

14 - Boat Tree Marina (407) 322-1610 4370 Carraway Pl, Sanford, FL 32771 www.boattree.com

Highlands Marina & Camp Resort (336) 668-4491

488 W. Highbanks Rd., DeBary, FL www.campresort.com

21 - Bitters Bait & Tackle (407) 699-6619 65 N US Hwy 17 92, Longwood, FL 32750 www.bittersbaitandtackle.com

Boat Tree Marina (407) 322-1610 3370 Carraway Pl., Sanford, FL www.boattree.com

43 - Academy Sports + Outdoors East Colonial 11955 E. Colonial Dr Orlando, FL Lee Vista 6640 Eagle Watch Drive Orlando, FL Millenia 3557 Gardens Ridge Way Orlando, FL Lake Mary 3641 Lake Emaa Road Lake Mary FL

Bitters Bait & Tackle (407) 699-6619

65 N. US Hwy 17-92, Longwood, FL www.bittersbaitandtackle.com

Academy Sports & Outdoors

East Colonial 11955 E. Colonial Dr., Orlando Lee Vista 6640 Eagle Watch Dr., Orlando Millenia 3557 Gardens Ridge Way, Orlando Lake Mary 3641 Lake Emma Road, Lake Mary

45 - Wojo’s Bait & Tackle (407) 891-1003 Oak Park Center, 4245 13th St, St Cloud, FL 34769

48 - Mud Hole Custom Tackle, Inc. (407) 447-7637 2133 Componet Loop Suite 1001, Oveido, FL 32765 www.mudhole.com

Wojo’s Bait & Tackle (407) 891-1003 Oak Park Center, 4245 13th St., St. Cloud, FL

56 - Orlando Outfitters (407) 896-8220 2814 Corrine Dr., Orlando, FL 32803 www.orlandooutfitters.com

Mud Hole Custom Tackle, Inc. (407) 447-7637 2133 Component Loop Suite 1001, Oviedo, FL www.mudhole.com

Home Improvement Contractors & Service Providers

Orlando Outfitters (407) 896-8220 2814 Corrine Dr., Orlando, FL www.orlandooutfitters.com

26 - DWR Plumbing LLC. (407) 293-3717 6344 All American Blvd, Orlando, FL 32810

27 - Orlando Painting Service (407) 896-0839

Captain Troy Perez (321) 607-2033 capt.troyperez@gmail.com Mosquito Lagoon - Indian River - Port Canaveral

65 Harold Ave, suite B, Winter Park, FL 32789 www.orlandopaintingservice.com

28 - Millennium Electric (407) 420-2001 4340 Edgewater Dr, Orlando, FL 32804 www.millennium-electric.com

41 - Water Works Pressure Cleaning & Sealing (407) 376-9526

490 Buck Lake Lane, Geneva, FL 32732 www.jmwaterworksinc.com

Orlando Painting Service (407) 896-0839 65 Harold

31 - Pyramid Cabinets (407) 947-8499

451 Fairvilla Road, Orlando, FL 32808 www.codepyramid.com

31 - Pyramid Cabinets (407) 947-8499 451 Fairvilla Road, Orlando, FL 32808 www.codepyramid.com

210 N. Goldenrod Rd., Orlando, FL CF (407) 281-9210 Spacecoast (321) 345-2011 www.cjsaluminum.com

34 - Thomas Lumber Company (407) 841-1250

231 W Gore St, Orlando, FL 32806, www.thomaslumber.com

A&H Storage (407) 678-0507

2500 N. Forsyth Rd., Orlando, FL www.AHStorage.co

49 - Martin Tree Service, Inc. (407) 359-1119 1215 Bob White Trail, Chuluota, FL 32766 www.martintreeserviceinc.com

Thomas Lumber Company (407) 841-1250

231 W. Gore St., Orlando, FL www.thomaslumber.com

50 - Campbell Renovations Inc. (407) 947-0016 285 Campbell Ranch Run, Geneva, FL 32732 www.campbellrenovationsinc.com

51 - Vapor and Company (407) 878-7397 3621 S. Orlando Dr., Sanford, FL 32773 SR 436 Altamonte Springs East SR 50 Orlando www.vaporandco.com

51 - Vapor and Company (407) 878-7397 3621 S. Orlando Dr., Sanford, FL 32773

Martin Tree Service, Inc. (407) 359-1119 1215 Bob White Trail, Chuluota, FL www.martintreeservice.com

SR 436 Altamonte Springs East SR 50 Orlando www.vaporandco.com

Campbell Renovations Inc. (407) 947-0015

285 Campbell Ranch Run, Geneva, FL www.campbellrenovationsinc.com

Areas Best Picks for Restaurants

Vapor and Company (407) 878-7397

47 - Jolly Gator Fish Camp Bar & Grill (407) 349-5554

4650 E State Rd 46, Geneva, FL 32732 www.thejollygator.com

3621 S. orlando Dr., Sanford, FL SR 436, Altamonte Springs, FL East SR 50, Orlando, FL www.vaporandco.com

39 - Fish on Fire (407) 812-6881 7937 Daetwyler Dr, Orlando, FL 32812 www.fishonfireorlando.com

Area Best Picks for Restaurants

Jolly Gator Fish Camp Bar & Grill (407) 349-5554

40 - High Tide Harry’s (407) 273-4422 4645 S Semoran Blvd, Orlando, FL 32822 www.hightideharrys.com

4650 S. State Rd. 46, Geneva, FL www.thejollygator.com

Fish on Fire (407) 812-6881 7937Daetwyler Dr., Orlando, FL www.fishonfireorlando.com

33 - Boston’s Fish House (407) 678-2107 Aloma Square Shopping Center, 6860 Aloma Ave, Winter Park, FL 32792 www.bostonsfishhouse.com

17 - St. Johns River Steak & Seafood (407) 878-0980

550 N Palmetto Ave, Sanford, FL 32771

High Tide Harry’s (407) 273-4422 4645 S. Semoran Blvd., Orlando, FL www.hightideharrys.com

550 N Palmetto Ave, Sanford, FL 32771

37 - The Steer (407) 286-6802 8015 S. Orange Ave., Orlando FL

Boston’s Fish House (407) 678-2107 Aloma Square Shopping Center 6860 Aloma Ave., Winter Park, FL www.bostonsfishhouse.com

22 - Huey Magoo’s (407) 706-6004 www.hueymagoos.com

10 Locations – See our ad on Restaurant Page

St. Johns River Steak & Seafood (407) 878-0980

13 - Camp House Restaurant (407) 915-5401

550 N. Palmetto Ave., Sanford, FL

100 S White Cedar Rd, Sanford, FL 32771 www.camphousebarandgrill.com

Huey Magoo’s (407) 706-6802 www.hueysmagoos.com

52 - The Deli (407) 332-8800 4360 Carraway Pl, Sanford, FL 32771

10 Locations - See our ad on restaurant page

Camp House Restaurant (407) 915-5401

53 - T J’s Seafood Shack (407) 365-3365

100 S. White Cedar Rd., Sanford, FL www.camphousebarandgrill.com

197 E Mitchell Hammock Rd, Oviedo, FL 32765 12231 E Colonial Dr. #230, Orlando(407) 250-4191 www.tjsseafoodshack.com

The Deli (407) 332-8800 4360 Carraway Pl., Sanford, FL

54 - Oasis On The River (407) 636-6300 4380 Carraway Place, Sanford, FL 32771

TJ’s Seafood Shack (407) 365-3365

197 E. Mitchell Hammock Rd., Oviedo, FL 12231 E. Colonial Dr. #230, Orlando, FL www.tjsseafoodshack.com

56 - Celery City Craft (407) 915-5541 114 S. Palmetto Ave., Sanford FL 32771 celerycitycraft.com

Sanford Marina (407) 322-2910

531 N. Palmetto Ave., Sanford FL

55 -West End Trading Co. (407) 322-7475 202 Sanford Ave, Sanford, FL 32771 www.drinkatwestend.com

Celery City Craft (407) 915-5541

114 Palmetto Ave., Sanford, FL www.celerycitycraft.com

West End Trading Co. (407) 322-7475

202 Sanford Ave., Sanford, FL www.drinkatwestend.com

Community Service Providers Community Service Providers

Sea Tow of Central Florida Lakes (877)800-1492

12307 Wedgefield Drive , Grand Island, FL 32735

Always Looking for Captains

Lake, Orange, Western Volusia, Seminole, Osceola, Western Brevard, Eastern Sumter, Eastern Polk

All American Marine

7024 S Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32809

Phone: (407) 855-9988

www.allamericanmarineorlando.com

Service All Outboard Brands – Stern Drives –Canvas – Interiors – Trailer Repair

Lake Fairview Marina

4503 N Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, FL 32804

Phone: (407) 295-0117

www. Lakefairviewmarina.com

Consignment Sales – Outboard Service –Storage – Ship Store – Sailing Classes

Triangle Marine 11415 US-441, Tavares, FL 32778

Phone:(352) 343-6146

www.trianglemarinecenter.biz

Bennington Pontoons – TideWater Johnson – Evinrude – Yamaha

Boat Max USA

9700 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando FL 32817

Phone: (321) 866-0306 www.boatmaxusa.com

Pioneer - Glasstream - Aquasport - Stottcraft New Boats Sales - Authorized Yamaha and Suzuki Dealer Parts and Service

Thomas Lumber Company

231 W Gore St, Orlando, FL 32806, Phone: (407) 841-1250 www.thomaslumber.com

Old Fashion Lumber Yard – Lumber – Trim –Custom Doors – Hardware – Delivery –Customer Service

Campbell Renovations Inc.

285 Campbell Ranch Run, Geneva, FL 32732 Phone:(407) 349-0016 Cell:

Vapor and Company

3621 S. Orlando Dr. Sanford FL 32773 Phone:(407) 878-7397 www.vaporandco.com

Electronic Cigarettes and E-Liquid Experts in Smoking Cessation Orlando Coastal Angler Magazine Approved! Altamonte Springs, Orlando East SR 50

November means Hurricane season is over, and the ducks are showing up in masses. West Toho should be excellent for duck season, the lake is covered with heavy vegetation making it a duck mecca. The bass are getting ready to go into pre-spawning mode. The water levels are up for the winter. Crappie season starts now. Grab your fishing poles and let’s go!

first full or new moon. Ok, the bait of choice in October on the Kissimmee Chain will be Zoom Vibe worms and flukes. If fishing open water hydrilla, throw Rattle Traps, Yozuri 3d minnows or Rapala X Raps. If your lure snags in the vegetation, make sure to rip it out and shake the rod tip to clear the lure during the retrieve – many times the fish strike when the lure is full of grass screaming out of the vegetation. My personal favorite is live wild shiners fished under a float for trophy lunker black bass. Shallow sandy areas and hydrilla are your best bets.

Male bass are schooling up feeding on bait making their way into shallow water to compete for spawning areas. The big females will not be far behind, feeding on anything they can find. When the water temperatures drop in the low 70s and as the cold fronts approach, the fish will keep going shallower as the water cools off. The first spawn will take place in less than 12 inches of waterusually in December around the

Crappie will still be in deeper water until the first of the year. Fish open water edges of hydrilla patches. East Lake Toho is a good bet for big crappies. Jigs tipped with a minnow are the norm; put as many rods out as you can manage. Blue gills are scattered all over, use red wigglers fished on the bottom.

Call to check out duck hunting and fishing charter dates. Capt. Randy DuMars can be reached at 407-908-8498.

popping bug. I have thoroughly enjoyed hearing the popping bug get hit. Daytime anglers are catching good numbers fishing the shallow bedding areas. Bait of choice is crickets fished under a float.Another good area to fish is canals when the water is flowing, trolling will only trigger more bites. Crappie - Anglers are fishing open water for crappie using jigs tipped Anglers trolling jigs are catching good limits of crappie. The key is to find them

at nighttime in the canals using a fly rod, throwing popping bugs up against the bank. On a good moon phase, the bluegill will crush the

East Lake Toho - Bass fishing on East Lake has been good using artificial baits early morning. The best place to fish will be at the edges of the cattails. Then move to open water as the morning progresses. Most anglers are flipping open water pepper grass matts with good success. Fish the deeper edges of the grasswatermelon seed, Junebug, and

Panfish - Fish open water shell beds with red wigglers. If you are looking to fill the cooler for dinner, the open water shell beds are hard to beat.

Lake Okeechobee’s water level has risen slightly due to hurricane Helena. Despite rain; wind; hot air temps and dodging storms, the lake has been fishing really well for bass and now crappie. Since we are not quite into the spawning time for crappies, the best way to target and catch them is a slow troll. Fishing with a rod that’s made for trolling is best with the BnM Capps and Coleman 10ft trolling rod or a Buck’s Graphite Crappie Combo. When fishing with these setups I like to use Road Runners in the Vibe Runner or Curly Tail series. The colors of bodies I prefer are chartreuse/ black; white and electric chicken. Try targeting deeper water areas; canals; channels and drop-offs. While trolling for crappies we’ve been catching a few smaller bass and bluegills which are always fun when fishing with kids. For those targeting bass, areas on the lake such as the Shoal; North shore; Dyess Ditch and Tin House has been the most active areas but that will change somewhat as the weather starts to cool off and bring in more spawning bass then

these areas will extend out and allow more boaters to catch bass and enjoy the day.

Bass lures right now that are producing are popping frogs; swim baits/swim jigs; flipping/pitching; worms; rattle traps and top water lures worked slowly and methodically around certain types of cover. For the most part, the water quality looks good, some areas you can see the bottom but we need to see more aquatic vegetation such as eel grass; pepper grass; shrimp grass and hydrilla which allows coverage and food for smaller fish; bait fish and minnows to thrive. I hope this information helps you to have a more productive day on the water. Please use boater courtesy and respect those around you and while running in your boat. To book your next funfilled and productive day fishing on Okeechobee call 863-228-7263. I’ll be happy to answer your questions and discuss what’s important to you and gear the trip accordingly so that everyone has fun and catches fish. Visit www.southfloridabassfishing. com for complete info. Capt. Angie’s Sponsors: Mercury Marine; BnM Poles; Bullet Weights; Real Magic; Gill; Lews; Gene Larew; Pradco Brands; Rapala; G-Loomis and Toho Marine.

bass trips which are typical for this time of year. The month of September is when to start thinking of booking your bass fishing trip, as the females start to feed up while they make their way into the shallows for the early spawn time. It’s also the time to book your fall crappie trip too. Good fishing areas: parts of the shoal; Dupree Bar; Dyess ditch and Horse Island and Indian Prairie. Tin house has been solid throughout the season for crappie, bass and bream, work your way up towards 3rd and 2nd point where you’ll find some bass feeding on the bedding bream. A few areas on Kings Bar have been good and

To book you’re next fun-filled, productive and educational fishing trip call me at 863-228-7263 or log onto my website to check out the customers and their catches; hotel recommendations; guide rates and etc. Capt Angie’s sponsors are: Caymas boats and Toho Marine; Lews; G-Loomis; BnM Poles; MidSouth Tackle; Maui Jim; Gill; Bullet

Weights; Road Runner; Real Magic; Tru Turn hooks; Mega Strike; Gene Larew; Pradco Brands and BUFF

Goblins Cove is still producing

Tide Charts Brought To You By:

Commerce Way, Unit #101, Longwood, FL 32750 www.respitecmedical.com • 407-834-2266 and 1-800-945-6685

CENTRAL EAST COAST

NOVEMBER 2024

DAY TIME HEIGHT

1F 2:34 AM 0.39 L

9:14 AM 2.96 H

3:00 PM 0.71 L

9:17 PM 2.74 H

2SA 3:07 AM 0.37 L

9:52 AM 2.95 H

3:34 PM 0.74 L

9:54 PM 2.7 H

3SU 2:41 AM 0.38 L

9:30 AM 2.91 H

3:08 PM 0.79 L

9:30 PM 2.64 H

4M 3:16 AM 0.41 L

10:11 AM 2.84 H

3:44 PM 0.85 L

10:09 PM 2.58 H

5TU 3:55 AM 0.45 L

10:54 AM 2.76 H

4:25 PM 0.91 L

10:51 PM 2.51 H

6W 4:39 AM 0.51 L

11:41 AM 2.68 H

5:13 PM 0.96 L

11:41 PM 2.46 H

7TH 5:31 AM 0.57 L

12:33 PM 2.63 H

6:11 PM 0.97 L

8F 12:39 AM 2.44 H

6:33 AM 0.63 L

1:30 PM 2.6 H

7:17 PM 0.91 L

9SA 1:45 AM 2.46 H

7:42 AM 0.65 L

2:29 PM 2.62 H

8:24 PM 0.76 L

10SU 2:55 AM 2.57 H

8:51 AM 0.62 L

3:28 PM 2.68 H

9:26 PM 0.54 L

11M 4:02 AM 2.73 H

9:55 AM 0.54 L

4:25 PM 2.77 H

10:23 PM 0.28 L

12TU 5:04 AM 2.94 H

10:53 AM 0.45 L

5:19 PM 2.88 H

11:16 PM 0.04 L

13W 6:01 AM 3.13 H

11:47 AM 0.35 L

6:11 PM 2.97 H

14TH 12:06 AM -0.16 L

6:55 AM 3.27 H

12:38 PM 0.28 L

7:02 PM 3.04 H

15F 12:56 AM -0.28 L

7:46 AM 3.34 H

1:28 PM 0.26 L

7:52 PM 3.06 H

16SA 1:45 AM -0.31 L

8:36 AM 3.33 H

2:17 PM 0.28 L

8:41 PM 3.03 H

17SU 2:35 AM -0.26 L

9:25 AM 3.24 H

3:07 PM 0.34 L

9:31 PM 2.95 H

18M 3:25 AM -0.13 L

10:15 AM 3.1 H

3:58 PM 0.45 L

10:21 PM 2.83 H

19TU 4:17 AM 0.04 L

11:05 AM 2.93 H

4:51 PM 0.57 L

11:13 PM 2.67 H

20W 5:12 AM 0.24 L

11:57 AM 2.75 H

5:49 PM 0.68 L

21TH 12:08 AM 2.52 H

6:10 AM 0.44 L

12:50 PM 2.59 H

6:50 PM 0.74 L

22F 1:06 AM 2.39 H

7:12 AM 0.6 L

1:44 PM 2.47 H

7:52 PM 0.75 L

23SA 2:07 AM 2.31 H

8:14 AM 0.71 L

2:37 PM 2.38 H

8:50 PM 0.7 L

24SU 3:09 AM 2.29 H

9:12 AM 0.76 L

3:29 PM 2.34 H

9:42 PM 0.62 L

25M 4:07 AM 2.33 H

10:05 AM 0.77 L

4:18 PM 2.33 H

10:28 PM 0.52 L

26TU 4:59 AM 2.41 H

10:53 AM 0.74 L

5:04 PM 2.35 H

11:10 PM 0.41 L

27W 5:45 AM 2.49 H

11:36 AM 0.69 L

5:47 PM 2.38 H

11:49 PM 0.32 L

28TH 6:28 AM 2.58 H

12:17 PM 0.64 L

6:28 PM 2.41 H

29F 12:27 AM 0.23 L

7:09 AM 2.65 H

12:55 PM 0.6 L

7:09 PM 2.44 H

30SA 1:04 AM 0.17 L

7:49 AM 2.69 H

1:32 PM 0.57 L

7:50 PM 2.45 H

PONCE

SEBASTIAN (IRL)

November is a great time of year for fishing along the east coast of Florida. The offshore really starts to get Fired Up so to speak. Bunkers are normally in the basins more consistently and much easier to get. Remember to use that large heavy sinking net. If you still can’t locate or catch them, a box of frozen cigars works just fine. Head out to the reefs or ridge line and start from there for a few different species - kingfish and blackfin tuna or even sailfish! Typically, this time of year we see a daily clean line. (Where the water goes from muddy to clear). Fish that clean water side break and you should increase your chances. Normally Thanksgiving is that time frame that everything really turns on but typically this whole month is a Fire Fight. The typical stinger wire rigs work well with a size 4 treble hook. Just go see Nick at the Fish and Dive

shop and he will hook you up with whatever you need along with some great looking fresh cigar minnows.

Other species that show up well are mahi and wahoo. There’s no secret here to this kind of fishing. Use your normal ballyhoo rigs and smaller chuggers and find your weed lines, edges or just fish the stream. The fall run can be just as good or better than the spring run.

If you’re looking to keep busy and it’s too rough to go out, fish the jetties with live mullet or live shrimp on a small knocker rig. Fluorocarbon is not a bad idea either. Snook and redfish have been doing well and should continue to Fire.

Happy Thanksgiving and we hope you have a great rest of the year fishing. If you need any help, please don’t hesitate to contact us or meet us at Bluepoints Marina for a few bluegills. God Bless, and Good Luck. www.firedupcharters.com

November typically brings in the first cold front and we usually get one in the forties which makes redfish, seatrout, and black drum more aggressive. The water should start to drop with less rain than in the last 2 months. I like it better when the water is higher, you have more areas to fish, and more variety to target. When the cold fronts come, the next day the skies are usually clear which makes for great sight fishing. Shallow water makes them tail more. With the grass coming back in the lagoon, the cold snaps will start to thin it out and create sand holes to pitch to. You will have windier days also; use cut bait on the points and drop offs. The north winds will change the areas you fish, fishing more northern points instead of the southeast points I fish during the summer. The small black drums should be in bigger schools in the winter months. I do not see as much bait in November as you have done the previous 2 months like finger mullet, so I fish more where the bigger

mullet hangs out usually around sand holes, shorelines or drop offs. I target mostly redfish and black drum in November. Be aware on Saturday, Sunday, and Wednesday mornings till 1pm the duck hunters are in the Indian River and Mosquito Lagoon so typically I fish on the outside of islands to avoid interfering with them.

I have noticed in the Lagoon and Indian River the population of smaller fish have grown with the abundance of grass on the flats, which is encouraging. You will find fish in some areas and nothing in others, which 5 years ago you would find fish everywhere. With the grass coming back hopefully the fishery will continue to grow. Ocean fishing at the jetties and the buoys can still be good for snook and redfish but I typically fish for tripletail on days calm enough to get out. I like east or southeast wind a couple of days before and north wind is not good to fish because it dirties up the water. In November, there seems to be fewer anglers on the water possibly because they are hunting instead, like me.

Pro tip of the month - go fishing after the first hard cold snap!

Miami Beach, Government Cut

Friday November 1- Safe Daylight, Orlando Coastal Angler Magazines’ 15th Annual Shad and Crappie Derby begins!! Catch/Photo/ Release, tournament, Check our website or check-out the November issue of Orlando Coastal Angler Magazine to find a sign-up location near you. With over 25 locations in Orange, Seminole, Lake or Osceola Counties there is one sure to be one close to your home or where you buy your minnows or get bait. FREE to enter and fish, Adult division and Youth division. Monthly prizes for largest fish of the month and Grand prizes for the over-all winners of each division. Over $5000 in prizes to give away to our lucky winning anglers. Tournament continues until the last day in February, fish as much as you want and enter as many fish as you want, spread the word and tell 5 of your angling friends!

Friday November 8 – UCF Knights CCA 8th Annual Fall Banquet & Auction, hosted at the Carl Black & Gold Cabana,4465 Victory Knights Way, Orlando, 32816. Event starts at 6pm with open bar, catered dinner to follow at 730, Live Auction at 830 – 930pm, then all raffle prize winners postings. Tickets includes annual CCA membership, corporate tables available, for tickets or more info for contact Mandy Sutherland, Msutherland@ccaflorida.org

Thursday November 14 –6pm, Clermont CCA Annual Fall Banquet, hosted at the Clermont Art & Recreation Center, 3700 S. US HWY 27, Clermont. Event starts at 6pm with open bar, catered dinner to follow at 730, Live Auction at 830 – 930pm, then all raffle prize winners postings. Tickets includes annual CCA membership, corporate tables available, for tickets or more info for contact Adam Miller at 407-401-7674 or amiller@ ccaflorida.org

Thursday November 145pm to 8pm, “Alive After 5” in Sanford - The staff of Orlando Coastal Angler Magazine

would like you to join us for an evening of fun in downtown Sanford. This event is the second Thursday of each month downtown. Block Party on First Street! Don’t miss the chance for a fun night on the town.

Thursday November 28 –“Thanksgiving Day” the staff at Orlando Coastal Angler Magazine want to wish all of our loyal readers a happy start to our Holiday Season, spend some time with family and friends and give thanks for the many blessings you have as we spread Holiday Cheer !

Friday December 5 – 6pm, Lake Mary Chapter CCA Annual Fall Banquet, hosted at the South East Ramp Hanger, 2151 Spinner Lane, Sanford 32773 off Skyway Dr. Event starts at 6pm with open bar, catered dinner to follow at 730, Live Auction at 830 – 930pm, then all raffle prize winners postings. Tickets includes annual CCA membership, corporate tables available, to purchase tickets or more info for contact Sara Anderson at 407-854-7002 ext.111 or sanderson@ccaflorida.org

January 17-18, 2025 – 6th

annual ‘Get Hooked on Lake Monroe’ Fishing Tournament and Seafood Festival. Free to Enter - $10K in Prizes! You can also enter the same fish in this season’s 16th Annual CF Shad and Crappie Derby! Live music, Hook Kids on Fishing Event on Sunday, Seafood, Vendors and More. Contact Dom Maresco at West End Trading Company, 202 S. Sanford Ave – www.drinkatwestend.com, Dustingioertz@gmail.com.

If you have an event or meeting you would like included in the “What’s Hitting Around Town” column, send your details to: Phil Wolf phillip@ coastalanglermagazine.com. Deadline for inclusion is the 10th of the preceding month.

Shades of greatness that once was. That is a sentence I’ve wanted to write for years now, and I can honestly write it while feeling good about what we saw throughout the summer in the lagoons around the Space Coast. Since the devastating loss of our seagrass flats that dominated the lagoon ecosystem, past years of persistent brown algae blooms caused by an overabundance of nutrients have decimated the grass. It’s been a struggle to find those silver linings around seemingly endless dark clouds of setbacks, and that’s coming from an eternal optimist lifelong student of the lagoons. What was that bright ray of sunshine breaking through the clouds, you say? Seagrass growth! Not just a little patch here and there, but real coverage in many areas around the Lagoons. We have seen small spots of growth and shoots of hope popping up on occasion over the years, but what we got this summer was completely different. Areas in the Mosquito Lagoon that were some of the last to lose seagrass coverage got coverage that rivaled the days of old. 1000 islands, flats from 520 to Pineda in the Banana, north of 528 in both the Indian and Banana, the No Motor Zone, and many other areas that aren’t remote also got great growth and coverage. It was beyond refreshing to see and I found myself on many occasions jumping out of the kayak or boat just to feel that seagrass on my feet. This growth explosion was predominantly seen in one of the most important species of grass our lagoon holds, widgeon (Ruppia Maritima). This is not “fake grass” like we’ve seen takeoff with the massive coverage of the algae caulerpa prolifera in 2-6ft of water. Even though it looked like grass and had some ground cover, it does not hold the life our real grasses did. Many factors have no doubt lead to this grass growth, and I’d like to think all of the work and personal responsibility we’ve seen from our neighbors have helped get the water to stay clear and promote this growth. It doesn’t just take clear water for the grass to grow. There must be something to sprout and sprout it did thanks to nature’s built in mechanism to sustain a species even after devastation. Just like many other plants and grasses. The seagrass Ruppia Maritima (widgeon) spreads by fragmentation, migrating growth, and a flowering/seeding process. These miniature little seeds not only disperse in the water to seed new areas. They also land in the substrate to help thicken the existing bed. Of course, because nature always finds a way, not all the seeds become grass immediately. Some are “stored” in the riverbed as a sort of seed bank. The seed bank lays dormant until it’s time of need and conditions are correct. This process was explained to me by Dr. Todd Osborne of Whitney Labs at the University of Florida. W ith a little luck, plenty of hard work, some clear water, and hopefully we see that grass growth fill back in for the summer growing season. This resurgence of habitat will be key in the restart of our once abundant food web the lagoons created. As time passes, if the grass can hold on, sea life will return.

for the first time.

Schedule a off-shore trip with “Fired-Up Charters” out of Port Canaveral, the bite is HOT!

16th Annual Gumbo Wars Winners! Team Gumbros, only their 2nd year competing.

Josh Wolf & Alex Funke, “Team Of The Year” winners of the Extreme Series Team Trail on the Harris Chain

Team Art’s Sandwich Shop competing

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HOW DO HURRICANES AFFECT FISH?

By Dr. Sal Benezo

During a hurricane, fsh experience dramatic changes in their environment that can afect their behavior, habitat, and survival. As the atmospheric pressure drops with an approaching hurricane, the water pressure at diferent depths also changes. Fish have swim bladders that help regulate buoyancy, and the rapid changes in pressure can afect how they swim and maintain their depth. Some fsh may dive deeper to avoid the surface turmoil.

Hurricanes churn up sediment from the seabed, making the water murkier. Tis can reduce visibility, afecting how fsh fnd food and avoid predators. In coastal areas, this turbidity can also carry pollutants and toxins from land runof, negatively impacting the water quality.

Hurricanes generate powerful underwater currents and massive waves. Many fsh seek refuge in deeper waters, coral reefs, or underwater structures to avoid being swept away. Shallow-water fsh may struggle more to fnd shelter from the turbulence, which could lead to displacement or death.

Hurricanes ofen bring a rapid infux of fresh water from rain and runof, lowering the salinity of coastal waters. Some species, especially those adapted to certain salinity levels, may be stressed or forced to move to more stable areas. Additionally, the mixing of ocean layers can lead to changes in water temperature, which can afect fsh metabolism and spawning behaviors.

Te disturbance of the water column can disrupt oxygen levels, particularly in areas where organic matter from land washes into the ocean. Decomposing plant material can deplete oxygen in the water, creating hypoxic (low oxygen) zones, which can force fsh to fee or risk sufocation.

Fish, especially schooling species, may instinctively move to safer waters before or during a hurricane. Some species seem to sense the change in barometric pressure and migrate to deeper or more sheltered areas ahead of the storm. However, fsh that get caught in the turbulent water may end up displaced far from their usual habitat.

Afer a hurricane, habitats may be altered signifcantly. Coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangroves—essential fsh habitats—can be damaged, leading to long-term impacts on fsh populations. However, hurricanes can also bring benefts, such as replenishing nutrients and oxygen in certain water bodies, which can stimulate plankton growth and temporarily improve food availability for fsh.

Fish have evolved to withstand many natural disturbances, including hurricanes, but the intensity and frequency of storms can have lasting efects on fsh populations, particularly for those in fragile ecosystems.

FOR THE LADIES

WHY COSTA RICA IS A TOP DESTINATION FOR LADY ANGLERS

TRACY PATTERSON

Costa Rica is a renowned destination for anglers, ofering calm seas, ideal fshing conditions, and worldclass fshing. It is especially popular among female anglers due to its safety, tournaments, and supportive crews, making it an unforgettable experience.

If you’re seeking high odds of catching billfsh, Costa Rica is the place to be. On a full day ofshore, it’s common to get multiple strikes. Te fat, calm seas make it enjoyable for anglers of all levels, letting you focus on reeling in catches rather than battling rough waters.

Costa Rica hosts two ultra prestigious women-only tournaments: the Ladies Angler Tournament at Los Suenos Resort and Marina, and the Pescadora Billfsh Championship at Marina Pez Vela. Both tournaments create a supportive

yet competitive environment for anglers of all skill levels. Te Pescadora Championship is

particularly unique, ofering two Female Angler of the Year awards based on diferent fshing techniques. It encourages women to challenge themselves and grow in the sport.

Costa Rica is ranked #1 in Central America for safety, and recent laws further protect women from harassment. Female anglers can feel comfortable walking around resorts and marinas. Charter feets also adhere to strict safety regulations, ensuring peace of mind while on the water.

Whether you’re staying at a boutique hotel or a private home, Costa Rica ofers a range of accommodations for groups of all sizes. Many resorts are conveniently located near marinas, allowing easy access to fshing trips and other adventures.

Costa Rica is home to many women who support the lady angler movement. Te captains and crews are eager to teach beginners, helping them hook their frst billfsh or refne their skills. With women accounting for a growing percentage of anglers, Costa Rica ofers a welcoming and empowering environment for female anglers.

Whether you’re an experienced angler or a frst-timer, Costa Rica ofers an unbeatable fshing experience. Its exceptional conditions, tournaments, safety, and camaraderie make it the top destination for lady anglers.

Cast Lures in a Mitzi Tournament 17

FALL=FLOUNDER

IBy Capt. Michael Okruhlik

t’s that thrilling time of the year, founder time! Te fall migration, reaching its peak in November along the Gulf Coast, promises an exciting infux of founder to their spawning grounds. Louisiana, following Texas, has also implemented a closed season during this peak run. But remember, the inability to keep fatties during this time doesn’t dampen the thrill of catching them.

Flounder will be migrating into the Gulf during this time, so the apparent ambush areas will be around passes that lead to the Gulf. Te founder will position themselves in diferent regions based on the tide level and current strength. In addition to using their burying-in-the-sand ambush technique, they also utilize structure in several ways.

First, any object that protrudes above the bottom is a great ambush point. Tis ofers a current break for forage fsh to gather directly above a buried founder, making for an easy meal. Objects such as bulkheads are also great ambush points. Flounder like to position themselves against the solid barrier and I think this can be for two separate reasons depending on what other factors are at play. As mentioned above, it could be a current break, especially if the bulkhead has a corrugated shape. When a founder settles against a bulkhead, its prey has less direction in which it can fee, allowing the founder greater odds of capturing it. When targeting founder, never pass up a bulkhead.

Secondly, founder can be caught using a variety of lures and live bait, especially if you keep it in contact with the bottom to increase your chances of a strike. When it comes to live bait, a frisky mullet is your best bet for landing a larger founder. If you’re aiming for a trophy, this is the way to go. Personally, I prefer fshing with lures, particularly the paddle tail style. Jerk-style sof plastics and bucktails can also be efective when worked in the same manner.

If I had to pick a tide to maximize my time on the water, I would choose a medium fow outgoing. Although there are no set rules that fsh always follow, I feel the founder feed more on their way out to the gulf, utilizing

the current to ease their journey. Contrary to the incoming tide, they bury themselves rather than fght against the current.

Don’t let the closed season discourage you from targeting founder during this migration; it will have its advantages. Going forward we will undoubtedly have a larger founder population, but the instant gratifcation will be a lot less trafc in our favorite founder spot! I will use the closed season to target a new personal best this season, as should you.

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

PHOTO COURTESY

OTim Barefoot

f course, October is when it all starts, but if you like to bottom fsh, then November is the month the turbo kicks in, leading to the crescendo of the year… December. I’ve always said the week of Christmas is the apex of the grouper fshing calendar, and I’ll stand by that statement now. Tis is when larger (male) gags move inshore to establish their territory on inshore ledges, wrecks, and live bottom, much like buck deer making scrapes and rubs to mark their territory. Tese males now wait for the smaller females to show up in numbers to spawn, and the bite traditionally goes of the charts.

A small piece of hard bottom can attract large numbers of fsh if it contains the right ingredients. First and foremost, you need to locate their food. Go to the places that have traditionally held the bait—cigar minnows, sardines, beeliners, etc. “Find the bait, fnd the fsh” has been my thought process for years. Tese fsh won’t show up to a party without food—common sense. You can anchor up on a stack of bait without seeing a big mark of fsh, but afer a few bites, you’ll notice the screen light up with more and more fsh showing up.

Anchoring up is key to shallow water grouper fshing. Te sound of fsh feeding travels great distances and doesn’t go unnoticed. Once an area is fred up, constant bites supercharge the atmosphere down there. If you’re drifing, you won’t get a specifc area fred up; you’ll only go back where you got bites. But if you anchor, the fsh come to you to join in. Tis draws the alpha predators—big sharks. Yes, you’ll lose some fsh and tackle to these bruisers, but enjoy the ride while it lasts. When sharks show up, it’s time to move on to another ledge or further down the same one.

Back to noise... Keep in mind that while we hear very little, fsh hear everything. Sound travels far underwater, and everything you do on deck—slamming cooler lids, dropping hard objects, loud music, yelling—is heard by the fsh. It could be the diference between catching smaller cows or big bulls. Large male groupers didn’t get old by being dumb. You don’t kill big bucks by being noisy, so treat your fshing with the same respect.

Te folks that target grouper come home with grouper. Te ones who go “bottom fshing” with cut bait and chicken rigs come home with “bottom fsh.” As Franklin Covey said, “begin with the end in mind.” If you’re targeting grouper, think and act like it. Put baits on the bottom that avoid trash bites. Spend time jigging up some of that “trash” and drop them back down on a Decoy Jig for optimal results. Watch some of my videos on YouTube (Tim Barefoot) for examples of what I’m saying.

For more information, visit barefootcatsandtackle.com.

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