Coastal Angler Magazine | February 2023 | Greater OrlandoEdition

JIG A SQUID

FOR AFRICAN POMPANO

By Nick Carter

200-foot-deep structure.

Capt. Rick Croson, of Living Water Guide Service, showed Barefoot this bite for the rst time, and on that trip, they caught African pompano until they were tired of reeling them in as well as amberjack, dolphin and black n tuna. e widely accepted best way to catch African pompano is with a utter jig. However, Barefoot is never content with a tool or technique until he tries to nd a better way to do it.

“ ey are extremely susceptible to utter jigs, but the problem with those is the teaser assist hooks. We kept hooking them on the outside of the face with those wired stinger hooks,” he said. “With their thin, delicate skin, it’s tough to get a hook set. We were losing a lot of sh.”

e technique Barefoot settled on is to use his own 4-ounce Squid Decoy Jigs.

For most anglers, African pompano are welcome bycatch on bottom- shing trips for other species. But restrictive seasons on standard structure-oriented o shore species like grouper and snapper have made African pomps a primary target. In terms of gameness and quality as table fare, some might argue they belonged near the top of the list the whole time.

“ ey shut down grouper shing in January, and I’m not going to stop going o shore, so they’re the next likely candidate,” said Coastal Angler’s own Capt. Tim Barefoot. “ ey pull hard, they bite and they taste great. I’d put them

up in the top ve of my favorite sh to eat.”

African pompano school up on nearshore and o shore structure in late winter and early spring on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. A couple of years ago, Barefoot was introduced to a ridiculously good bite for 15- to 45-pounders out of Wrightsville Beach, N.C., and what he learned might help you dial in the bite where you sh.

Cold water consolidates African Pompano to their comfort zone this time of year, and out of Wrightsville Beach anglers nd the magic 65- to 67-degree temps 45 to 60 miles out on 120- to

“African pompano are very close to the bottom,” he said. “We drop that squid down to the bottom and pull it up just a few feet. Sometimes you can just set it in the rod holder and wait for it to get slammed. Sometimes you might want to give some action, but don’t overdo it. Squid are their primary food source. When they see it, they’re not shopping… they’re buying.”

Barefoot uses 40-pound braid to an 80-pound uorocarbon leader. He ties on his jig with a loop knot. e thing about squid is sh always attack them from behind to disable their beak. Barefoot said sh take the squid jig deep, and the result is a solid hook set in the mouth.

Find Capt. Rick Croson at livingwatersoutdoor.com and check out the Squid Decoy Jig at barefootcatsandtackle.com.

By

With big trout on my mind, I hooked up the boat and headed to deep south Texas. An approaching cold front was going to shorten my trip to a single day, but I felt con dent it would be worth the 5-hour drive. As the cold front swept across north Texas, my anticipation was high as I headed south to warmer temperatures and extra hours before the frigid air and high-powered north wind turned a nice winter’s day into artic conditions. e morning greeted me with calm winds and dense fog, which is not typical south Texas

weather 14 hours prior to the strongest cold front of the year. e norm is 25 knots from the south or southeast with a storm of this magnitude on the doorstep.

I headed to my pre-determined location at a safe speed considering the conditions. I was in no hurry, as the prime bite was not until 10 a.m. e forecast was sunny, calm and 70 degrees for the day, followed by north at 35 knots and a low of 28 the next morning. I was certain the approaching weather would have the bite red up, and it did not disappoint. e sh didn’t feed on everything

I tied on, but once I homed in on what they wanted it was nonstop!

I pulled up to a favorite cove, positioned the boat well outside the prime area and quietly slipped into air-clear, knee-deep water of the grass at. I had a 5-inch paddletail ready at the end of my rod. A er covering the prime area with only one follow by a small red, it was time to change. I downsized to a 3.25-inch paddletail with a light purple back and a pearl belly. As I looked up a er rigging my lure, I spotted a huge trout about 5 yards in front of me. She was there for several seconds and then slowly disappeared. I knew she was aware of my presence even though she didn’t spook, and I didn’t have high hopes of catching her, but I did try. I was excited knowing my plan had me in the area of the trophy-size trout I was targeting.

I noticed nervous mullet about 40 yards away and slowly made my way in that direction. It was nonstop action on reds in the 26-inch range, and I caught one 3-pound trout. ese sh were a little deeper in thigh-deep, crystal-clear water over grass and potholes.

roughout the day, I tossed three sizes of similar body-style paddletails, all with built-in tail rattles. e smallest, a 3.25-inch lure, was the only one that caught sh. I used three di erent colors, so it was only the size that mattered on this day under pre-front conditions. Although I did not land the big trout I was targeting, I am satis ed that I was in the right place and will go back soon.

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

Capt. Michael Okruhlik

BEFORE THE

PHOTO COURTESY OF KNOCKIN TAIL LURES®.

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By David Hulsey

Asingle-handed y rod, which you might refer to as a “normal” y rod, is the tool of choice for most anglers seeking trout or other species on our inland rivers. But I’m here to tell you there’s a revolution building steam. Don’t be surprised when someone on your local river shows up wielding a two-handed spey rod. ese long rods are gaining popularity because they o er certain advantages.

For centuries, two-handed spey gear has been used only in pursuit of big anadromous sh such as salmon or steelhead on the huge coastal rivers of many continents. However, in the last decade or so, micro or trout spey rods have found their way into the hands of anglers. is smaller trout-sized spey gear opens the door for shing areas and for species that inhabit some of our beloved rivers and mediumsized streams.

If it lives in moving water, it can be caught with spey gear. Trout, of course, are the main quarry, but other sh such as smallmouth, spotted bass, largemouth, white bass and stripers are also fair game. Smaller-sized spey rods in 4-, 3-, or even 2-weight sizes are extremely e ective tools for reaching sh in big water with dicey wading areas.

Besides being loads of fun to sh and cast, a spey rod is designed to launch ies into the next county with little or no back-cast room available. Most troutsized spey rods are less than 12 feet long, with longer rods up to 16 feet reserved for big steelhead or salmon. A 2-weight spey rod is similar to casting a 4- or 5-weight single-hand y rod. A 3-weight spey rod can handle ies in sizes that a 5- or 6-weight single-hand can cast, and so on.

Here’s the main advantage of two-handed gear: Easy casts of 70 or more

feet can be launched from positions that are impossible with a single-hand y rod. Right now, the wheels in your head should be turning about places on your home river you have always wanted to run a y through but couldn’t reach.

Fishing is done down and across current to carefully swing ies through likely runs or holes, and the angler waits for the electric jolt of a trout or bass. Flies imitating bait sh, emerging insects, and even brightly colored Atlantic salmon or steelhead ies in smaller sizes are readily taken by sh. A well-tied y sweeping in front of a predator can draw a hunger reaction or a re ex strike in almost any condition.

Casting and shing micro spey gear is extremely fun and e ective. I hope you will join the trout spey revolution!

David Hulsey is a north Georgia guide who also teaches spey and regular y shing classes. Contact him through his website at www.hulsey y shing.com.

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Elite Series Descends on Okeechobee

By CAM Sta

The Bassmaster Elite Series opens its 2023 season Feb. 16-19 with a stop at Lake Okeechobee. It’s the rst time since 2017 that B.A.S.S.’s top pros have competed at the “Big O,” and depending on the weather, most pundits are predicting heavy sacks from some of the world’s best bass anglers.

Last time Elite Series anglers descended on Florida’s largest lake in 2017, they also shed in late February. A monster 9-pounder turned heads as the big sh of the tournament. Alabama pro Tim Horton topped the eld with a four-day total of 83 pounds, 5 ounces. at’s a better-than 20-pounds-per-day average, which is strong for any shery, but it’s not as good as it gets for this historic big-bass factory.

Back in December, locals Jerod Boltz and Jon Bowman secured the 2022 Roland Martin Marine Center Series Championship with an awesome, nearly 30-pound nal day on Dec. 11. eir big sh of the day was an 8.15-pound Okeechobee giant. ey caught most of their sh on chatterbaits, an Okeechobee favorite, and spent some time shing speed worms and ipping cattails.

With two months separating the Roland Martin event from the Elite Series event, there’s no doubt some things will change, but Florida’s mild winters mean some things will likely remain the same. Okeechobee is typically primed for big sh in the month of February, and there might be some bed shing going on. “Big O” bass will likely be up shallow in all stages of the spawn.

As with any shery, weather patterns have a way of ruining the best laid plans. February fronts from the north are notorious for shutting down hot Florida bass bites in a hurry. Last February, Coastal Angler contributor Capt. Angie Douthit reported consistent action with spinnerbaits, worms and chatterbaits, and said they were also catching sh ipping and pitching.

For more information, go to www.bassmaster.com.

B.A.S.S. photo by Seigo Saito

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By Emily Rose Hanzlik

CATCH FLOUNDER On the Move!

over to the other side of their head and they spend the rest of their lives looking up with one side of their body at on the bottom. ere are several species of ounder with overlapping ranges. Summer ounder are what northern anglers call ukes, their range in the Atlantic stretches from Nova Scotia down to Florida. Southern ounder inhabit the Atlantic coast as well as the Gulf of Mexico, while Gulf ounder can be found in the Gulf of Mexico from Florida to Texas. Southern ounder can be identi ed by their white underbelly and an absence of the ocellated spots the other two species have. ese spots resemble eyes, which are thought to trick predators. For southern ounder, males don’t grow much longer than 12 inches, while females can reach about 25 inches.

Southern ounder range from North Carolina to Texas, however, they do not migrate besides going o shore for mating and then returning inshore. While inshore, they prefer shallow muddy and grassy ats, where they hide on the bottom and ambush prey.

When the mating season rolls around in late fall and early winter, ounder migrate out of the passes. At the end of winter into early spring, all of the females and some males head back inshore.

Flounder can be caught with arti cial and live bait. Arti cial lures such as jigs, small swimbaits and spoons worked near the bottom can all produce sh. Small live bait works the best, with nger mullet being my personal favorite. Small pilchards, mojarra and mud minnows will also do the trick.

Light tackle is all that is needed to catch them. A small weight, 1-ounce, or so, with a short 12- to 16-inch sh- nder rig works best. A live shrimp on a jig head, such as a Troll Rite, jigged along the bottom can also work great and is a good way to cover more area with a live bait.

Some of the best places to nd ounder are on inlet rock piles and bridge or pier pilings. Cast upstream and work lures downstream, or let your bait dri downstream.

With the cold fading away, so will the ounder, but they return with spring. Many anglers believe the second cold snap is prime time, when southern ounder begin moving through the inlets. e timing varies greatly, but it can be gangbusters in the inlets if you catch it right. Even if you don’t, there will likely be some stragglers moving through.

Flounder are interesting sh. As hatchlings, they swim upright with eyes on both sides of their heads, just like most sh. As they mature, one eye moves

e IGFA all-tackle record for Southern Flounder is 20 pounds, 9 ounces. It was caught out of Nassau Sound, Fla.

Emily Rose Hanzlik holds 56 IGFA world records in various categories. She hails from West Palm Beach, where she has a part time Bow n Guide Service as well as shing classes for Jr. Anglers. Find her on Social Media @emilyhanzlikoutdoors.

It’s 8:17 p.m. Been out on the lake for hours.

But there are more fsh in the water.

And my LBP batteries are still going strong. Maybe One More Cast . . . the offcial battery of “One More Cast...”

Photo courtesy of Caroline Lewis, The Kids Can Fish Foundation

2023 Shad and Crappie Derby UPDATE

As we turn the corner from 2022 to the 2023 New Year and begin the final month of the of this season’s 14th Annual Shad and Crappie Derby, we want to thank all of you who have registered to fish in this community “Free to enter” fishing tournament. In early March we will once again be giving away a stack of prizes to our monthly Big Fish winners as well as crowning this season’s’ Youth and Adult champions for Shad and Crappie. For those of you who have been on the water and uploading your catches we thank you for your participation in the longest running FREE tournament in Central Florida. For 14 years now our sponsors and product suppliers have grown, and this season’s prizes will put huge smiles on our winning anglers’ faces. Special thanks to all the sign-up locations and product sponsors listed on our Derby Ad pages, without them we could not have this awesome event!

With the high flood waters from Hurricane Ian the beginning of November had very few anglers on the water because public boat ramps were closed, and the river system was an idle zone. At the end of the month a nice Crappie was caught and up-loaded to

our site by Margaret Williams. Her entry won largest for November. The December big crappie was caught by Avera Williams. Any anglers catching a crappie of 15-inch or larger will also get a certificate at the awards event for the 15-inch Crappie Club. No Shad entry for the month of November or December but a few were caught early in January. We go to print for the February issue 2 weeks before the month ends so we will announce January and February winners at the Awards event. With the whole month of February left for catching monster shad or crappie, get out there and catch this season’s winning fish!

Look for all of this year’s winners to be listed in the up-coming March issue, It only takes one fish to win!

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 • 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 • Halls Feed Store, Apopka, 15 E. 5th Street, Apopka, Fl. 32703, • Jolly Gator Fish Camp Bar & Grill, 4650 FL-46, Geneva, FL 32732 • Lk. Pointsett Lodge, 5665 Lake Pointsett Rd., Cocoa, 32926 • Strike Zone Fishing, 2771 W. New Heaven Ave. US 192, Melbourne, 32904

Jolly Gator Bass Series Returns in March

By Phil Wolf, Co-Publisher Coastal Angler Magazine

March always starts our new tournament season on the first Tuesday after Daylight Savings time startsMarch 14, 2023, at 5:00 pm boats will launch! This tournament has been running for so many years that we have lost track, your Coastal Angler Magazine Orlando’s staff has been involved for 9 years now, Co-publisher Phil Wolf is the official Weighmaster for these events and all results can be reviewed on the Coastal Angler Magazine Orlando Facebook page.

Thursday March 9th at 6:30 pm, Jolly Gator Fish Camp Bar & Grill will be the host for our annual Team registration meeting, this is the weigh-in site for all events. All tournaments are open to any 2 angler teams, $40 entry fee per event. Events are every Tuesday evening and one Saturday per month until our season’s Classic in mid-August. Payout is one place per 7 boats and $10 per boat for the Big-Bass of the event. Teams that finish in the top 10 in points or win an event and fish at least 21 events all qualify for the end of season Classic. The team with the most points at the end of our season and the seasons’ largest bass will win big bucks for their efforts. This Central Florida Bass Series has grown to be one Central Florida’s biggest and best weekly bass tournaments - averaging over 25 boats

per event in 2021. Over $10,000 was paid out at last year’s Classic! Some of the best anglers fish with us, so if you think you want to give it a shot and learn how, come join us for an event. All Tuesday events start at 5pm and launch at CS Lee Park next to Jolly Gator just east of Sanford on SR 46 at the St. Johns River Bridge, Saturday events start at safe light till 3pm.

The public is also welcome at our events to watch our anglers bring their daily catches to the scales. Jolly Gator has great food and some of the coldest beer in town. Come join us for our events and become a regular fan! We’re looking forward to seeing everyone at the weigh-ins – Good Luck from Phil.

Presenting Sponsor

14th Annual Shad and Crappie Derby – Derby ends February 28, 2023 at sunset. Hurry, there is still time to win! Visit www.coastalanglermag.com/orlando to learn how to register. The awards will be in early March – we will contact winners via email.

Now is the time for huge bass! The spawn is on. Shallow beds during full and new moon phases will produce the biggest bass all year. Catch, photo, and release these large female fish for the reproductive cycle to complete. The largest bass are lazy and will eat larger baits – big wild shiners although expensive are the absolute best bait for a trophy fish. Large wild shiners in pre-spawn areas (not more than 500ft. from the beds), can yield the monster you’re looking for. When throwing artificial, try using baits that mimic predators of fish eggs, namely

lizards, shiners, and bream. Lipless Rattle Trap style crank baits, soft-plastic lizards, and shallow surface lures like a Devil’s Horse work great.

Speckled perch (crappie) are feasting every chance they get during the spawn. Minnows are plentiful in the river system and grass shrimp round out their diet. Jigs tipped with minnows trolled along channel edges is a sure bet. Watch your depth recorder in the river bends while trolling and you will learn to see them before they strike the lures. Crappie spawn in colonies and bunch up – locate them and troll many passes for a bucketful of good eating. Florida crappie limit is 25 per person.

Shad are in full swing; go get them while they last. Small 1.5” tandem shad darts with a trailer spoon trolled against the current at 1.5 to 2.0 mph should get a strike in shad alley – between Mullet Lake Park south all the way to Puzzle Lake. In February, the area near the mouth of the Econlockhatchee River will produce shad – good luck in the Derby!

February is the month that bass anglers wait all year long for - to catch huge 5 bass limits on the Harris Chain of Lakes! In the recent MLF College and High School Tournament events several limits over 25 lb. plus were weighed in. Most anglers are finding schools of fish on offshore grass close to shallow water flats and spawning areas. With the up-coming full moon early in the month and recent cool snaps the water temps will be sending the big females to answer mother nature’s calling. They will be moving shallow and looking for their place to spawn near the aggressive buck bass males.

The baits of choice recently have been white spinnerbaits and also bladed jigs. You can fish these baits near wood lay-downs, lily pads, eel grass or Kissimmee grass and hydrilla. Baitfish hide near structures for food, shade, and protection.

Areas with hydrilla hold all sorts of bait and bass. Try to graph deeper grasses that are near canals, docks, or bridges. Weightless flukes in white, copper field, watermelon red are other baits to have tied on with this cooler weather. Twitch, twitch, pause is the cadence that seems to make your bait dart back and forth. Lipless crankbaits in bright orange or chrome blue back are another bait that can really make for some fun days fishing when they are feeding on baitfish. A yo-yo technique can trigger reaction strikes especially when ripping it out free from eel grass or hydrilla. Cast them out and vary your retrieve until you get bites then repeat. Topwater baits are a great way to get explosive strikes. Once you get a bite or catch a fish, slow down and work that area thoroughly. Check the canals all over the chain for the bedding females. Take care of these fish when caught and take time to release them unharmed. Good luck - the time to catch a memory of a lifetime is now! Take a kid with you when you go.

Hello supporters and friends of Seminole Junior Anglers! Let’s talk about a few updates from the first half of our season with Florida Bass Nation High School tournaments. Only two National bids were given out through the first half of the year and one of the bids went to the SJA team of Bryce DiMauro and Bryce Balentine. They are the first team to represent Florida Bass Nation High School in the National High School tournament to be held in August of 2023. We have also already qualified 4 teams for the State Qualifying tournament to be held in June of this year. A big congratulations to all our teams who compete at the highest level in high school tournament angling.

Our most recent tournament was held on Lake Okeechobee on January 8 and 9, 2023 out of Clewiston, FL. Fishing was very difficult. Abig change in weather hit us hard the Friday before the tournament. Winds blew out of the NE at 15-20 and the temperatures dropped about 10-15 degrees. The water clarity on the west and south side of the lake went from decent to terrible. On day one of our event more than 30 area high school teams did not bring a fish to the scales. Our best SJA teams could only bring in bags of 12 and 10 lbs. And these were our best bags. Fish catches and 5 fish limits were very scarce.

We are off to Lake Seminole this month and please don’t forget about our St. John’s River Bash on February 11, 2023. This event helps to get our anglers to the State and National events in June and August. Please come fish with us or buy some raffle tickets at the event on Saturday, February 11. Please call me, Dave DiMauro 407-353-4575 for more information. We are 501 3 C. Thank you again for all the support from all our sponsors.

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

34 - Thomas Lumber Company (407) 841-1250 231 W Gore St, Orlando, FL 32806, www.thomaslumber.com

34 - Thomas Lumber Company (407) 841-1250 231 W Gore St, Orlando, FL 32806, www.thomaslumber.com

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

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

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

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

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

Areas Best Picks for Restaurants

Areas Best Picks for Restaurants

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

17 - St. Johns River Steak & Seafood (407) 878-0980 550 N Palmetto Ave, Sanford, FL 32771

37 - The Steer (407) 286-6802 8015 S. Orange Ave., Orlando FL 22 - Huey Magoo’s (407) 706-6004 www.hueymagoos.com 10 Locations – See our ad on Restaurant Page

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

22 - Huey Magoo’s (407) 706-6004 www.hueymagoos.com 10 Locations – See our ad on Restaurant Page

13 - Camp House Restaurant (407) 915-5401 100 S White Cedar Rd, Sanford, FL 32771 www.camphousebarandgrill.com

13 - Camp House Restaurant (407) 915-5401 100 S White Cedar Rd, Sanford, FL 32771 www.camphousebarandgrill.com

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

53 - T J’s Seafood Shack (407) 365-3365 197 E Mitchell Hammock Rd, Oviedo, FL 32765 12231 E Colonial Dr. #230, Orlando(407) 250-4191 www.tjsseafoodshack.com 54 - Oasis On The River (407) 636-6300 4380 Carraway Place, Sanford, FL 32771 56 - Celery City Craft (407) 915-5541 114 S. Palmetto Ave., Sanford FL 32771 celerycitycraft.com

-West End Trading Co. (407) 322-7475 202 Sanford Ave, Sanford, FL 32771 www.drinkatwestend.com 99 Captain Troy Perez 321-607-2033 capt.troyperez@gamcil.com

Lagoon - Indian River - Port Canaveral

CJS Aluminum Inc.

N. Goldenrod Rd. Orlando 32807 Phone: CF 407-281-9210 Spacecoast 321-0345-2011 www.CJSAluminum.com

52 - The Deli (407) 332-8800 4360 Carraway Pl, Sanford, FL 32771 53 - T J’s Seafood Shack (407) 365-3365 197 E Mitchell Hammock Rd, Oviedo, FL 32765 12231 E Colonial Dr. #230, Orlando(407) 250-4191 www.tjsseafoodshack.com 54 - Oasis On The River (407) 636-6300 4380 Carraway Place, Sanford, FL 32771 56 - Celery City Craft (407) 915-5541 114 S. Palmetto Ave., Sanford FL 32771 celerycitycraft.com 55 -West End Trading Co. (407) 322-7475 202 Sanford Ave, Sanford, FL 32771 www.drinkatwestend.com

CoastalFlo

Enterprise Rd. Suite 340, Orange City 32763, Phone: 386-845-4516 www.CoastalFlo.com

1/4 or 1/8 oz. Mission Fishin jig head. Fly fishing is also best in February because of the sight fishing opportunity, calm days are even better.

February is the month you can find large schools of big black drum weighing 20-40 pounds. The large schools can be found on the flats, under causeways and bridges and in Haulover Canal. To target large black drum on the flats, look for seagulls working the water and you should see the drum tailing on the surface. The best conditions will be calm and sunny days in the flats. To

find and target the large schools in deeper water, the conditions can be overcast and windy and you can use a Lowrance side scan to find them. The tackle to use on the flats: 10-20# braid with a 30# mono leader tied to 1/8 - 1/2 oz. jig head. The bait I use is Gulp shrimps, ½ a blue crab or ½ a shrimp on a 1/8 - 1/2 oz. jig head.

For the deeper water fish use 15-30# braid with 30# mono leader and the

ing should heat up around the buoys outside of Port Canaveral. To catch triple tail use 20-30# braid with a 40# a 3/0 or 4/0 J-hook with a small split shot and live shrimp. If the water temperature rises above 68 degrees, you have a good chance of catching Cobia near shore on rays

Most of the time Troy’s clients use 20-30# braid and 40# mono leader with a chartreuse 1½ oz Troy Perez Cobia Buster jig. Hopefully, these tips help you catch more fish.

Capt. Troy Perez is a professional guide with over 40 years’ experience fishing the Mosquito Lagoon, Indian River and Port Canaveral. To book a trip with Capt. Troy please call 321607-2033 or e mail capt.troyperez@ gmail.com.

CENTRAL EAST COAST

FEBRUARY 2023

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 with a minnow. Anglers trolling jigs are catching good limits of crappie. The key is to find them suspended in open water.

1W 5:42 AM 1.92 H

11:25 AM 0.33 L

5:41 PM 1.8 H

11:43 PM -0.12 L

2TH 6:32 AM 1.97 H

The best place to fish

11SA 5:29 AM 0.09 L 11:58 AM 1.96 H 5:52 PM -0.15 L

12SU 12:39 AM 1.98 H

Wind wind and more wind, go away already. Near shore fishing has been great and should continue this month. Massive schools of redfish have been near the port and around the tip of the cape. Look for the birds diving and good chance that there on them. There have been large bunker schools around, so take the time and look. They may not be flipping so watch your machine and the mudd balls. The reds will eat anything you throw in the school, buck tails, bunker, and I’m sure even a hotdog. They’re all big and upwards of 35lbs!

Many of my offshore trips turned into port trips and beach trips if we were lucky with a west wind. If you want to catch a bunch of stuff and keep the kids happy get a few dozen live shrimp and have fun. The way we do our beach fishing is with medium rods and light tackle while using a 1/0 circle hook with a #20 leader to a small swivel then mainline. On the mainline use a 1 or 1.5 oz egg sinker. This

is the typical fish finder rig, works great, very basic. Everything eats a shrimp. Shark fishing has been on fire as well. Large blacktip, hammerhead and blacknose have been plentiful. A bunch of bulls too. This time last year the big extinct sandbar sharks moved in so we are hoping they do the same thing. They are a blast to catch in shallow water.

Offshore on the days we can get out have been great but this is also the time of year that the kings are picky. If they don’t have a live bunker or threadfin flashed in front of their face they wont eat. You will literally watch everyone around you hooked up and they will not touch a dead spinner bait. You really have to put the effort in right now to catch the live baits.

Last year this time was the best ling run we had as many fish were caught this month. Many of the giants were caught in Feb. It was even better than March. Take advantage of those sunny days and go look around. 55foot depths seem to be the most productive this time of year. Patrick has always been a productive. The rays are showing up! Have a great month and good luck. Captain Chris- www. firedupcharters.com

Big beetle spins and small M-5 Rapalas work best.

12:13 PM 0.28 L

6:31 PM 1.86 H

3F 12:30 AM -0.17 L

6:17 AM 0.2 L 12:40 PM 1.89 H 6:43 PM -0.15 L

21TU 2:44 AM -0.72 L

9:22 AM 2.71 H

3:09 PM -0.65 L

9:45 PM 2.7 H

22W 3:33 AM -0.62 L

10:06 AM 2.66 H

3:57 PM -0.67 L

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 red colors work best.

10:34 PM 2.65 H

7:15 AM 2.04 H

12:58 PM 0.21 L

7:15 PM 1.93 H

13M 1:34 AM 1.95 H 7:14 AM 0.29 L 1:31 PM 1.84 H 7:43 PM -0.16 L

4SA 1:12 AM -0.21 L

7:54 AM 2.11 H

1:38 PM 0.13 L

Bluegill - I have been trying a new tactic this summer. A good way to beat the heat.I have been fishing 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

7:56 PM 1.99 H

5SU 1:51 AM -0.23 L

8:31 AM 2.17 H

2:16 PM 0.06 L

8:36 PM 2.04 H

6M 2:27 AM -0.24 L

9:06 AM 2.2 H

2:51 PM -0.01 L

9:14 PM 2.07 H

7TU 3:02 AM -0.21 L

9:40 AM 2.2 H

3:25 PM -0.06 L

9:52 PM 2.08 H

8W 3:36 AM -0.17 L

10:14 AM 2.17 H 3:58 PM -0.09 L 10:31 PM 2.08 H

14TU 2:38 AM 1.93 H

8:21 AM 0.34 L 2:35 PM 1.82 H 8:52 PM -0.2 L

23TH 4:22 AM -0.45 L

10:50 AM 2.54 H

4:45 PM -0.6 L

11:22 PM 2.52 H

24F 5:11 AM -0.25 L

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.

15W 3:49 AM 1.98 H

9:32 AM 0.31 L

3:49 PM 1.88 H

10:01 PM -0.3 L

16TH 4:59 AM 2.09 H

10:39 AM 0.19 L

5:02 PM 2.01 H

11:05 PM -0.44 L

17F 6:02 AM 2.26 H

11:40 AM 0.02 L

6:08 PM 2.2 H

18SA 12:05 AM -0.59 L

6:58 AM 2.44 H 12:37 PM -0.19 L

11:34 AM 2.37 H

5:34 PM -0.47 L

25SA 12:12 AM 2.35 H

6:02 AM -0.02 L

12:20 PM 2.17 H

6:26 PM -0.3 L

26SU 1:03 AM 2.15 H

6:56 AM 0.19 L

1:09 PM 1.98 H

7:22 PM -0.12 L

27M 2:00 AM 1.97 H

7:55 AM 0.36 L 2:03 PM 1.83 H 8:22 PM 0.02 L

9TH 4:11 AM -0.1 L 10:47 AM 2.11 H 4:32 PM -0.12 L

11:10 PM 2.06 H

10F 4:47 AM -0.01 L 11:21 AM 2.04 H 5:09 PM -0.14 L 11:52 PM 2.02 H

Fishing Lake Okeechobee in August can be challenging but fun! Challenging due to hot temperatures, possible afternoon thunderstorms and lower water levels. Now is a good time to brush up on your deeper water angling skills whether its fishingin the Kissimmee River or the Canal system. Bass like the deeper, cooler water temperaturestie on those deep diving crank baits. Along with crank baits, a CarolinaRig (c-rig) or a texas-rigged big worm will produce some quality bass.

7:08 PM 2.4 H

19SU 1:01 AM -0.7 L

7:48 AM 2.59 H

1:30 PM -0.4 L

8:03 PM 2.57 H

20M 1:53 AM -0.75 L

8:36 AM 2.69 H

2:20 PM -0.56 L

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 the water looks perfect.

8:55 PM 2.68 H

In the early morning hours have a hard top water lure tied on like a bang-a-lure or devils horse and aim at the edges working the lure out about 20-25 ft as you go along the rock-bottom in the River and Canals. If you’re fishing the lake, some areas of the lake are showing signs of algae which is normal this time of year.

What’s biting now?I’ve been taking bream trips; fingerling catfish 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 USA.

West Lake Toho - The summer bass bite has been improving with the best times to fish in the early morning and late evening. Summer rains have kept the flood control gates open every few days. The water quality is clear. Goblins Cove is still producing good numbers of bass - fishing with live shiners over hydrilla. Fish the boat runs’entrances at sunrise for good top water action. Every morning at sunrise, bass can be found schooling on shad; anywhere there is flow. It usually lasts 30 minutes after sunrise.

East Lake Toho - Bass fishing on East Lake has been good using artificial baits early morning.

will be at

bigger

August can be considered a tough time to fish in East Central Florida for several reasons, but that does not mean you can’t find plenty of opportunities to bend the rod and do battle with some awesome fish. The most notable factor that effects our lagoon fishing is the sweltering summer heat and how it plays into the day for most of our desired gamefish targets. There is only one way to beat the heat and stay catching regardless of how hot it gets. Fishing in the cooler times of the day is a sure way to keep yourself a bit more comfortable and achieve your goal of some solid catches. Hitting the water very early or late in the afternoon and even exploring your local night fishing is a spectacular work around keeping you off the water in those times of high sun and maximum heat.

4-H Club Projects – Achieving Goals, Learning Responsibility

Head, Heart, Hands, and Health. These are the four Hs that stand for the values members try to work on in America’s largest youth development organization. There are over six million members learning skills that will lead them for a lifetime. 4H club members range in age from kindergarten to seniors in high school. Members of 4-H market programs can participate in projects that include beef, lamb, and hogs. An important part of raising livestock as a 4-H project is learning valuable life skills such as basic animal science care, management and responsibility!

With little tidal current until you get to the Ponce Inlet area in the north or Sebastian Inlet to the south, we do not have the relief of cooler ocean water flooding the shallows multiple times a day regardless of where the sun is. In those nontidal areas, the water temperatures climb as the sun does and by midday it is uncomfortably hot. Just like ourselves the fish also react to the oppressive heat and look to find some refuge. For us some cold drinks and a little shade with some breeze is exactly what we look for to cool down and relax, maybe a little time in the AC even. Typically, the last thing we look for is a giant meal. Fish do the same and look to find cooler deeper water or some shade to ride out the heat. Much like colder weather the heat also causes fish to become lethargic and many time unwilling to feed or do anything but sulk. If you do find yourself looking to catch in the heat, baits like live shrimp are a good choice as they fit the bill of a lite snack and not a full meal. In the cooler times like early morning, late evening, and even nighttime you can look to utilize more substantial offerings and the topwater plug excels at this. With the summer waters heavy bait presence those topwater plugs will get a look and can even be fished at night with great success. Also, live baits like mullet will get plenty of looks and are a great choice in the dark. Don’t let the dog days of summer get your fishing in a slump! Beat the heat and keep catching.

Aubrie Winters got involved with 4H at the age of five raising chickens. At the age of 8 Aubrie completed her first market project. She raised a pig that she sold at the Central Florida Fair market auction. During her swine project Aubrie learned how to train, feed, care, and market herself but this was never her end goal. Aubrie has always loved the cows in the pasture. With the money Aubrie’s swine project brought and she had saved she purchased a young steer for her to raise and take to auction. Three years later she is growing her life skills and building her resume and savings account.

This year Aubrie picked out a Maine Angus steer to raise. She named him Wallen. Aubrie and Waller have been attending shows all season competing against other 4-H members. This early March Aubrie will round out this year’s project at the Central Florida Fairgrounds. At the fair she will compete in events that judge her skills handling, grooming and livestock knowledge. Her project with Wallen will conclude on Sunday March 12th. There buyers can come and bid on Wallen at the auction or make a add-on donation and this will help Aubrie continue to learn and finance her project for the following year. Please join us at the event and see how 4-H is helping our youth set goals be responsible!

Interested in learning more on how you can help support Aubrie?

Contact winters.4H.project@gmail.com to find out more info! Hope to see you at the fair!

August fishing can be a challenge sometimes, but it’s always a fun time. The cold-water upwelling is still around and causing issues for bottom fishing and finding bait. By cold water, I’m talking about the yearly thermocline. Just because you can’t get a bottom bite going doesn’t mean the bottom fish don’t come up in the water column a little. Get on the wrecks and chum. You will find the cold pushes the fish up. They try to get to the warm water level. It’s not uncommon at all to see amberjack, snapper, cobia, mangroves, and many other species not far from the surface. Picking out the biggest fish can be fun especially for your charters.

Kingfish should continue to do

In West lake Toho, the bass bite is right on schedule. The females are in shallow water spawning on the beds. This is the best time to put the trolling motor in and hunt for bass beds. One of the most important tools is a good pair of polarized glasses to cut the glare off the water. Bait of choice will be anything that you can see in the bass bed that the fish will pick up. My favorite color soft plastic is a white senko. Most fish are being caught in the Kissimmee grass in 2 to 3 feet of water. Sandy areas are best. Bass will go back to the same bedding areas, and in a month’s time, several bass will use the same bed over and over. Live wild shiners will produce even bigger bass during the spawn. I prefer wild shiners 8 to 12 inches long because the

The crappie bite has been on fire fishing with minnows and for the jiggers fishing in and around vegetation. Specks have been holding in 3-5 ft of water in fairly clear water, if it’s tannicky but clear that’s ok to fish in. Jig head and body colors to try are chartreuse; bright pink; light blue; yellow and white. A lot of what you chose to fish with will depend on water clarity and depth. The areas on the lake that specks can be caught ranges from the west side of the lake on the shoal all the way around and on the north shore such as Dyess ditch; Horse Island; parts of Indian Prairie and Tin house; 3rd point; parts of Kings Bar and Grassy (river side) and some over on the East side around Hendry Creek and around J & S lock (north side).

For the bass bite, artificial lures, and live bait (shiners) have been

The crappie bite is right on time in the Kissimmee chain. Look for the crappie to be spawning in shallow water around any vegetation like lily pads, reeds, and Kissimmee grass. The males will be the first ones in, competing for spawning areas. The males will be smaller, and their tails will be all shredded up from fanning the beds. The male crappies will be aggressive, ready to eat anything near the bed. Bait of choice is minnow on a gold hook under a float. Now the key is to keep coming back every few days and you will find the big females will come in. One other thing to check is, outside the edge of the grass line, sometimes when the males are in the female crappie stack outside, then slowly move in and you can really work them over. Always practice safe boating - check out SeaTow.com.

Nearshore beach fishing is going to really be picking up. Tarpons are there and rolling every day. You can slow troll them or just drift in the mornings with live bait. We have caught them on everything. Chunk baits, live baits and artificial. There is not much they won’t eat. Beach fishing in 20-30 feet is a blast. You’d be amazed how shallow all these fish come in. Kings, bonito, jack crevalle and many other extreme fighting fish. Look for the schools of bunker. If you find them, you will find the fish. Shark fishing is about as good as it gets right now. If you’re looking for some fun with the kids, anchor up in 20 feet off the beach and hold on. Bonita and king are an excellent

are there and rolling every day. Bonita and king are an excellent

producing fish. The bigger bass are being caught pitching jigs and creature-style lures and senkos and working a Zara spook around grass edges/clumps. Throwing a popping frog and swim baits/jigs are producing bites offering some exciting top water action. Having your favorite worm rigged up and ready is always a staple here on the big O as well as a spinner bait and chatter bait. Lure colors for bass are Junebug; black/blue; red shad; white; Mayan cichlid (orangish); shad and bluegill patterns. Areas for bass fishing are pretty much the same as for the specks. Bass and Specks are being caught in the Canals and Kissimmee River and offer a great alternative for windy days. I hope this information will help you to have a better productive day on the water. To book your next fun day fishing Okeechobee for bass and/or specks call 863228-7263. My Sponsors are: Toho Marine, St. Cloud, Florida; Mercury Marine; BnM Poles; Gill; Maui Jim; Bullet Weights; G-Loomis; Real Magic; Tru-Turn hooks; Lews; Mid-South Tackle; Gene Larew; Pradco Brands; Rapala and Navionics.

well, many fish in the 40/50lb class have been caught recently. Captain Joe of the FireFight had a 48-pound kingfish last week. Stud of a king. Nice work Joey

fish have a big appetite and want to feed without exerting a lot of energy.

Grant Futrell won “Big Shad” of day at “Hook’d On Lake Monroe” Tournament at 2.20 pounds for $100 bucks

17 yr. old Christian with his personal best over 8lbs. fishing the “Big O” with Capt. Angie Douthit Derby November big crappie winner–Margaret Williams with a slab!

Smith Family Wins Crappie Division at “Hook’d On Lake Monroe” Tournament

TIPS FROM A PRO

FISH A BIG WORM FOR SPAWNING BASS

Over the next few months, waves of sh will ood the shallows to spawn. is presents the opportunity to catch some monster bass, and a plastic worm is always a main player for me when it comes to the spawn.

A Texas-rigged stickbait is a very common technique, but many people use it ine ciently by casting to a lot of dead water. I try to maximize productivity by casting to high-percentage targets. I focus on isolated cover. In the South, this could be small patches of grass and groups of pads, where spawning females are hidden from the naked eye. In other parts of the country, the structure might be wood or rock. Make multiple casts and work these areas slowly. I use a bigger-style stick bait, normally in the 6” version. Darker colors like a black and blue tip are my go-to. I use lighter 1/16- or 1/8-ounce weights to keep the bait looking natural. Use heavier line to cast around thick cover for large sh, but avoid braid which might be visible to sh in shallow water. I like 17- to 20-pound uorocarbon.

When I want to cover more water and locate sh, slowly reeling a big speed worm-style bait works great. e vibration the tail gives o drives sh crazy. It’s an awesome way to nd sh before slowing down to pick the area apart. I like darker colors like a junebug when the water has some stain and gravitate to more natural green pumpkin with some ake when the water is cleaner. I use ¼- to 1/8-ounce of weight and 15- to 17-pound uorocarbon.

A wacky rig is also e ective when sh are shallow. I sh it just like the Texas-rig in isolated cover, but I sh it weightless. is is great for heavily pressured sh. I use lighter line in the 10- to 15-pound range and a spinning rod for a wacky rig.

Flipping a worm is the last technique I will cover. is allows you to put a bait in places other styles don’t allow and e ciently pick apart heavy cover. I use a large Senko-style so plastic, and braided line is a must. I like 3/8 to ¾-ounce of weight, depending on the thickness of the cover. Remember, the only way to set yourself apart is to slow down and put your bait in places nobody else has.

Except for the wacky worm, rod and reel choices for each technique are similar. I like a longer 7’6” medium-heavy to heavy action rod for most worm shing. e 13 Fishing Omen Series has a few rods that are perfect for the job. I use a faster-speed reel like the Concept A 7:5:1.

For the wacky worm, I like a 7’ 3” spinning rod in medium-heavy. A reel with good drag is important, and I’d recommend the Axum from 13 Fishing.

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

TYLER WOOLCOTT

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Here’s a memorable beach moment: You’re basking in the warm sun, toes in the sand, letting the gentle turn of the foam-capped waves lull you into a state of complete relaxation. As your eyes scan the endless horizon of blue on blue, you’re rewarded with a school of dolphins making their way across the sea. There’s no denying their signature shape as they leap from the water. If you don’t see anything else extraordinary the rest of the day, you can take solace knowing you’ve witnessed one of nature’s most playful and intelligent creatures in their natural habitat.

Why not re-create that special toes-in-the-sand moment with our Blue Topaz Dolphin Pendant? The beloved sea mammal has been captured mid-jump in sterling silver. And, tucked into its fins is a full two carats of shimmering blue topaz. Nothing captures the shimmering color of the ocean in the midday sun like blue topaz. With its sparkling clear blue color and high refractive index, blue topaz is one of the top-selling blue gemstones. And with our special price, you have quite the catch. Satisfaction guaranteed or your money back. Enjoy the Blue Topaz Dolphin Pendant for 30 days. If it doesn’t pass the test swimmingly, send it back for a full refund of the item price.

Limited Reserves. A full two carats of genuine blue topaz set in sterling silver for this price is as rare as a dolphin sighting. We cannot guarantee availability for long. Call today!

Stauer… Afford the Extraordinary ®

BASSMASTER CLASSIC RETURNS TO THE TENNESSEE RIVER

The 2023 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic—widely known as the “Super Bowl of Bass Fishing”—will be held March 24-26 in downtown Knoxville, Tennessee and on the University of Tennessee Campus.

e Bassmaster Classic is one of the world’s most prestigious championship tournaments and pits 55 of the world’s best bass anglers against one another for the title of Bassmaster Classic Champion. e Classic is a catch-and-release event, with bass being returned to the shery under the supervision of the TWRA.

Daily takeo s will be from Volunteer Landing on the Tennessee River in downtown Knoxville each competition day, and weigh-ins will take place in the ompson-Boling Arena on the University of Tennessee campus. e fan favorite Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo will be held Friday through Sunday, March 24-26 in the Knoxville Convention Center and the adjacent World’s Fair Exhibition Hall.

All activities and venues are free and open to the public.

For more information, visit Bassmaster.com.

B.A.S.S.

PHOTO BY SEIGO SAITO

C-Hawk Boats has made a name for itself among boaters who want no-nonsense, custom-purpose vessels that are designed to perform and built to last. Owner Brad Grubbs said their C-Hawk 25 Center Console is an endlessly customizable boat that has gained a lot of fans among charter captains who fsh them hard every day. “We have 10-plus guides using them on the west coast of Florida,” he said. “In Georgia and South Carolina, they’re using it as a small passenger ferry. In Chesapeake Bay, it’s a crab boat.”

At its core, the C-Hawk 25cc is a hard-core workhorse with a 300 horsepower maximum that will take you anywhere you need to go. Its 9’6” beam allows it to foat in very skinny water with just a 12” draft, and it is also extremely stable, which should appeal for bottomfshing, diving and any other pursuit where a stable platform is preferred. Whatever you plan to do with it, all C-Hawk boats are built battleship tough to commercial-application standards. They are designed to withstand hard use for years of trouble-free boating, and you can customize your C-Hawk from the factory in any way that suits your purpose.

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

CHAWKBOATS.NET

Old Pete was a retired stuntman bursting with stories. There was the time he stared down a grizzly bear. There was the time he won a competition and got to kiss a Hollywood starlet as the prize. And there was the time he got into a fistfight with the Duke. Many stories. Some were probably even true. I know two things for sure: that he had an excellent collection of turquoise and that he owed me for a poker game he lost. The last time I saw him, he opened a drawer and pulled out a collection of beautiful Navajo turquoise jewelry to repay his debt. Pete’s jewelry inspired our Tucson Sun Turquoise Collection. This jewelry set features turquoise that’s been gently enhanced to bring out its finest shades in a Southwestern motif. Finished with oxidized silver, this jewelry set captures the beauty and mystery of the Arizona desert. The rarest and most valuable turquoise is found right here in the American Southwest, but the future of the blue beauty is unclear. I recently spoke with turquoise traders who explained that less than 5% of turquoise mined worldwide can be set into jewelry. Once thriving, many Southwest mines have closed.

But Stauer saw this coming and is now one of the largest owners of gem-grade turquoise in the U.S. Don’t miss your chance to own the diamond of the desert. Act now. This is one of our fastest sellers, and we only have a limited supply of Arizona turquoise available for this ad. See why Stauer remains the best bang for your buck!

Jewelry Speci cations:

• Arizona turquoise. Oxidized silver finish. Ring: whole sizes 5-10. Pendant: 1 ¾" drop. Cuff: fits wrist to 7 ¼".

Stauer, 14101 Southcross Drive W., Ste 155, Dept. TSC130-01, Burnsville, MN 55337 www.stauer.com

Introduced in the New Product Showcase at ICAST 2022, the all-new MHX HD Rod Rack is the ultimate shing rod storage system with space for up to 20 of your favorite rods.

Constructed from Marine Grade HDPE material, it will never rot, warp or damage your tackle. Assembled with stainless steel hardware, no environment is o limits. Whether used on the dock for a post-trip wash down or just to help organize your garage and tackle room, this rod rack is a solid piece of equipment designed for serious anglers.

From y and light-tackle rods to heavy o shore rods, each rod’s ghting butt sits in CNC Milled recessed cups to add stability to all handle styles. e MHX HD Rod Rack has the size and the brawn to handle your full arsenal, indoors or outside. It even comes with four supports that lock in heavy duty bent butt o shore rods.

Measuring 26” x 16” x 8”, this heavy-duty, multi-purpose rod rack is easy to assemble and will nd a perfect place on your boat or dock, in the garage, or at the shop.

e MHX Rod Rack securely stores your rods, so they are ready at a moment’s notice. With an MSRP of only $229.95, you won’t nd a tougher, more versatile rod rack at such an amazing price. Shop for the MHX HD Rod Rack at mudhole.com today!

The Return of a

MUDHOLE.COM

Berkeley County, South Carolina

Berkeley County is a wonderland for outdoor enthusiasts, sports bu s, adventure seekers, and water lovers.

From exemplary fishing for striped bass, or a trophy largemouth bass, to our hiking trails and water activities, along with scenic outdoors where you can catch a glimpse of white tail deer and gators, Berkeley County has activities to fit all visitors and families.

Learn more about Berkeley County at: exploreberkeleycounty.com