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O P P O R T U N I T I E S
A V A I L A B L E
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THE LIGHTEST PENN REEL EVER MADE The Lightest PENN Reel Ever Made. The all new Conflict II matches an extremely light weight design with PENN’s legendary durability. Featuring our RR30 body, CNC Gear Technology and HT-100 Drag system, the Conflict II is the ultimate inshore reel.
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CEO / EDITOR IN CHIEF : Ben Martin • camads@coastalanglermagazine.com COO : Tracy Patterson • tracy@coastalanglermagazine.com ART DIRECTOR : Rebecca Snowden • graphics@coastalanglermagazine.com EDITORIAL COORDINATOR : Nick Carter • editorial@coastalanglermagazine.com WEBMASTER : Derrick Oppelt • webmaster@coastalanglermagazine.com ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: Corporate Headquarters info@coastalanglermagazine.com • 888-800-9794
FLORIDA
BIG BEND : Mike McNamara • (850) 510-7919 • captmike@coastalanglermagazine.com BREVARD : Chris Milner • (321) 631-1001 • cmilner@coastalanglermagazine.com FLORIDA KEYS : Cliff Lumpkin • (305) 849-9093 • cliff@coastalanglermagazine.com FORT LAUDERDALE : Gene Dyer • (954) 680-3900 • gene@coastalanglermagazine.com FORT MYERS : Nadeen Welch • (239) 595-8265 • nwelch@coastalanglermagazine.com GREATER ORLANDO : Phillip & Giselle Wolf • (407) 790-9515 • phillip@coastalanglermagazine.com GREATER MIAMI : Gene Dyer • (954) 680-3900 • gene@coastalanglermagazine.com LAKELAND & SUMTER : Mary Brasher • (352) 598-4219 • maryf@coastalanglermagazine.com NAPLES : Nadeen Welch • (239) 595-8265 • nwelch@coastalanglermagazine.com NC FLORIDA/NATURE COAST : Cary & Lynn Crutchfield • (352) 372-4237 • crutch@coastalanglermagazine.com NE FLORIDA : Danny Patrick • (904) 742-4696 • danny@coastalanglermagazine.com PANAMA CITY/FORGOTTEN COAST : Randy Cnota • (229) 834-7880 • randyc@coastalanglermagazine.com PALM BEACH COUNTY : Barbara Ryan • (561) 373-8040 • barbara@coastalanglermagazine.com SARASOTA : Phil Prevoir • (239) 257-4684 • pprevoir@coastalanglermagazine.com TAMPA BAY : Chuck Atkins • (239) 464-5153 • chuck@coastalanglermagazine.com TREASURE COAST : Misti & Gary Guertin • (772) 285-6850 • treasurecoast@coastalanglermagazine.com
flahama@coastalanglermagazine.com
SOUTHEAST
ATLANTA : Bob & Brenda Rice • (706) 614-8231 • bobr@theanglermagazine.com CHARLESTON : Jane A. Redden • (205) 725-9616 • jane@coastalanglermagazine.com
Sam Buckareff • (843) 607-8629 • sam@coastalanglermagazine.com
CHARLOTTE/PIEDMONT : Mark & Haley Alberghini • (704) 651-1934 • mark@theanglermagazine.com COLUMBIA/MIDLANDS : John Lux • (803) 807-6885 • jlux@theanglermagazine.com MYRTLE BEACH : Mike Masiero • (732) 674-3019 • mmasiero@coastalanglermagazine.com SW GEORGIA : Bob & Brenda Rice • (706) 614-8231 • bobr@theanglermagazine.com TIDEWATER/OUTER BANKS : John Tiger • (757) 707-9654 • john.tiger@coastalanglermagazine.com
Laura Tiger • (757) 707-9655 • laura@coastalanglermagazine.com
WESTERN NC : Debra & Joe Woody • (828) 775-9663 • woody@theanglermagazine.com WILMINGTON/MOREHEAD : Charlie Lamm • (252) 205-6472 • clamm@coastalanglermagazine.com
NORTHEAST BOSTON : George Regan • (617) 488-2842 • boston@coastalanglermagazine.com LONG ISLAND : Lisa & Michael Danforth • (203) 321-7635 • lisad@coastalanglermagazine.com CONNECTICUT/RHODE ISLAND : Lisa & Michael Danforth • (203) 321-7635 lisad@coastalanglermagazine.com
GULF COAST MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST : Adam Nelson • (228) 627-5903 • anelson@coastalanglermagazine.com
You guys are everywhere.
A
nglers share some very unique commonalities. One trait that seems standard across the board is that whenever we find ourselves in a new destination, regardless of why we’re there, we always want to find out about “what’s biting.” Normally a quick trip to a local tackle shop gets us up to speed. I often hear from readers that they were in a different state or a different region and found a copy of our magazine at the tackle shop they went into. One such reader recently told me, “I live in Wilmington, North Carolina, and I read your Wilmington edition every month. I was in Mississippi recently on business and I saw a copy of your magazine at a local tackle shop. The next month I was in Key West, Florida and saw a copy of the magazine at a tackle shop there. I just landed in Connecticut today and can’t believe that I just picked up another copy of your magazine at a tackle shop here in Connecticut. You guys are everywhere.” It is true; we are available for free in over 30 market areas, but we’re not everywhere yet. Our franchise publishing model is changing the way American anglers view a local fishing magazine, and we’re looking to further expand our footprint. If you think owning your own business as the publisher of your area’s local fishing magazine is something that would fit your career and lifestyle goals, give us a call for information on potential franchise opportunities in your area. Previous publishing experience is not required. We have a complete training program and ongoing support system that enables our co-publishing partners to quickly establish the magazine as a primary resource for the avid angler nearly everywhere. Best regards,
Toby Nelson • (228) 623-1761 • tnelson@coastalanglermagazine.com
GREAT LAKES WEST MICHIGAN : Phil Belsito • (616) 957-1714 • phil@theanglermagazine.com
INTERNATIONAL PUERTO RICO/VIRGIN ISLANDS : Ace Bassue • (407) 285-9453 • ace@coastalanglermagazine.com COSTA RICA : Mike Erickson • (561) 262-2242 • mike@coastalanglermagazine.com © 2018. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. Disclaimer: Coastal Angler Magazine / The Angler Magazine will not be held liable for injuries incurred while partaking in activities described herein, or for claims made against products or services provided by advertisers.
Ben Martin Editor in Chief info@coastalanglermagazine.com
1-888-800-9794
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WHO CARES ABOUT PUTTING YOUR LURE RIGHT ON TOP OF FISH?
All trademarks mentioned are owned by, or licensed to, the AkzoNobel group of companies. © AkzoNobel 2017.
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For over a century, a league of canned crusaders have been fighting to keep boats safe from barnacles, slime, algae and other aquatic evils that rob your boat of its true performance. With advanced know-how and unique capabilities, each antifouling is tailored to different conditions, and has the power to defeat fouling in all its forms. Micron® Extra leads the charge in all waters. Using its signature dual-protection with boosting Biolux® technology, it provides high-quality, multi-season protection that survives hauling and relaunch without the need for repainting. For super-powered antifouling protection and proven performance, choose Interlux®.
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Paddlesports Product Review CARIBE TIBURON INFLATABLE SUP You’ll be slithering through the waves with ease and gliding along in true mariner style when you hop on Caribe’s inflatable SUP. Decorated with a shark silhouette and further amplified by a cool camo print, this blue and black paddleboard is always a hit among water-lovers with a penchant for adventure. The Tiburon Inflatable Paddleboard comes with 6 D-Rings on the softpad so you can attach a variety of accessories like a cooler, 2 Kayak Seats, dry bags, etc. it also comes with a D-Ring on the front bottom deck, excellent for anchoring or towing the board. A very wide 34” design provides stability like no other board on the market. It’s ideal for fishing and long rides and has a smooth non-slip softpad that provides grip as well as comfort. Concerned about hooks on board or punctures from oyster beds? No worries! Double deck Tarpaulin layers protect the board from punctures while providing the most rigid inflatable experience out there. All Caribe’s boards come with a 2-year warranty against manufacturing defects.
WWW.CARIBESUP.COM
AIRHEAD SUP BONEFISH 1138 True to its name, the Airhead SUP Bonefish 1138 is a paddleboard specifically designed for fishing. This super-stable fishing SUP has two inflatable sponsons that give anglers the firm platform they need for fighting big fish and navigating rough water. There are four strategically placed mount pads on deck to accommodate four rod racks, Airhead SUP Fishing Racks and Bucket Racks. Two smaller accessory mounts are perfect for small rod holders or other accessories, and two stainless D-ring cooler tie downs round out endless possibilities for equipment customization. A classic teak-look EVA decking provides sure footing. At just 41 pounds, transport of the Bonefish 1138 is easy, and two molded handles fore and aft make carrying it to the water a breeze, even when it’s fully loaded. There is versatility built in with 10 stainless steel D-rings and two stretch tie downs. The Bonefish 1138 comes with a mesh backpack for transport and storage, a Hi Pressure hand pump for quick and easy inflation, a pressure gauge, valve wrench, board strap and repair kit.
WWW.AIRHEADSUP.COM
KAKU WAHOO 10.5 The new Kaku Wahoo 10.5 may be the baddest little ’yak on the water. It is a compact version of the Wahoo 12.5, which has proven itself as a superb fishing kayak. Kaku went and shaved a couple of feet and more than 10 pounds off of the original Wahoo to create a boat that is easier to transport and paddles very well in the tight environs kayak anglers often find themselves in. And while the Wahoo 10.5 gives up size, it does not sacrifice fishability or performance. It has all the features of the Wahoo 12.5. By flattening the rocker and lowering the keel, Kaku has designed a boat that tracks well and is easy to stand on. A sick deck pad rounds out the look of a quick little ’yak that is stable, comfortable and easy to handle.
KAKUKAYAK.COM
MANTA RACKS Whether it’s a mother-ship expedition offshore, a day-cruise to some isolated islands or exploration deep into the mangroves, there are a lot of places paddle-sports enthusiasts want to be that are too distant to access under paddle power. SUPs and kayaks take up a lot of room on the deck of the boat, and Manta Racks has come up with the perfect solution. The Manta Racks system stores your kayaks or SUPs securely to your boat, where they are out of the way, and it utilizes the boat’s rod holders, so there’s no need to drill any new holes for mounting. With a patented 360-degree locking swivel feature, paddleboards, wakeboards, kayaks, kiteboards, water skis and surfboards can be easily stored on the gunnel of the boat without drilling extra holes. All of your boards are out of the way of your passengers, securely fastened to your Manta Racks system. Go farther when you take your boards.
WWW.MANTARACKS.COM
WILDERNESS SYSTEMS RADAR SERIES With its new Radar Series, Wilderness Systems continues to build on its legacy of innovation, performance and quality in fishing kayaks. The Radar Series is Wilderness Systems’ first tri-powered kayak, which means it has paddle, power and pedal capabilities. It features S.M.A.R.T. Hull Technology that combines stability, maneuverability, acceleration, responsiveness and tracking throughout the entire design for ultimate
performance in multiple water environments. In addition to a flat platform for standing and freedom of movement, the Radar boasts state-of-the-art outfitting including expansive SlideTrax rails, a multitude of storage opportunities, and scupper options to deploy the Helix MD motor drive, Helix PD pedal drive and multiple options for electronics, including down-imaging, side-scanning or both. With Helix PD, a built-in steering control system allows for easy navigation that leaves your hands free for fishing. The AirPro Max seat complements the package with optimized positioning for any mode of travel.
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Paddlesports Product Review NUCANOE FLINT NuCanoe made waves when it introduced its new Flint kayak at iCast. Here is a boat jam-packed with features for serious anglers, yet the price tag is way below what you’d expect for such a high-quality kayak. At 11’3”, and less than 70 pounds, The Flint is the perfect boat for exploring creeks, rivers and backwater marshes. It is agile, responding nimbly to the paddle, and it also tracks very well despite its shorter length. Light enough for easy one-man transport, this boat is amazingly stable, and unique scupper hole design provides a firm deck. The Flint cockpit is wide open and fishes like a much larger kayak. There’s plenty of room and stability for standing to fish on an uncluttered deck, and the new Hawg Trough channel keeps your measuring board handy but out of the way. With five gear tracks, handy spaces for tackle boxes and angled flush-mount rod holders, NuCanoe has come up with a simple yet efficient and customizable layout for everything an angler needs. The side handle that doubles as a quick-clip paddle holder is a handy innovation someone should have come up with long ago. Cap it all off with the comfy custom-height Pinnacle seat NuCanoe is known for, and this is a top-notch fishing platform for a reasonable price.
WWW.NUCANOE.COM
PERCEPTION PESCADOR PILOT 12.0 Perception’s pedal-powered Pescador Pilot is a fishing machine that is extremely comfortable and functional for anglers. It excels in flat water and is an excellent kayak for inshore and bay fishing as well as on freshwater lakes and ponds. The Pilot Drive propeller system effortlessly propels the boat, even in reverse, while leaving both hands free. The spacious, sit-on-top design with generous storage and accessory mounts make the kayak easy to customize. Superior stability allows anglers to cast and fight fish while standing. Comfort is absolutely necessary for serious anglers spending long hours on the water. The Pescador Pilot is built for that. A roomy captain’s chair features zonal mesh to promote cooling airflow. On-the-fly seatback adjustment tilts back for relaxed pedaling or forward for sportier pedaling.
With performance, comfort, features, and storage that outdistance its price point, especially for a peddle-driven kayak, the Pescador Pilot is also a great value. This boat is proudly designed, molded and hand assembled in the USA and is backed by a 5-year warranty.
WWW.PERCEPTIONKAYAKS.COM
OLD TOWN PREDATOR PDL Prepare yourself for a totally new fishing experience. Old Town has taken boat control to new heights with forward and reverse via an efficient and easy-to-use propriety pedal-drive system. It gets you to the spot fast, and keeps you on the spot without paddling. With forward, reverse and agile maneuverability, you’ll experience precise boat control while your hands remain free to focus on fishing. The removable pedal drive installs in seconds and tips up instantly for shallowwater docking. The Predator PDL’s specially-designed hull combines the perfect balance of smooth pedal stroke speed and stand-up stability. The Old Town PDL pedals exactly like a bicycle, converting modest pedaling into maximum propulsion. A 10.3:1 gear ratio means that anglers can reach speeds up to 5.5 mph to reach fishing spots fast and efficiently. It also makes trolling through a range of useradjustable speeds easy and effective. The Predator PDL is infinitely customizable with rigging accessories from Cannon, Scotty, YakAttack, RAM and more.
WWW.OLDTOWNCANOE.COM
SEA EAGLE 350FX FISHING EXPLORER For anglers who like to go it alone, Sea Eagle’s 350fx is a terrific choice. The most stable and rugged entry in Sea Eagle’s Explorer Series of inflatable kayaks, it’s a lightweight (51-lbs.) and easily portable one-person fishing machine. Nearly indestructible, the 350fx features a double layer of 1000 Denier reinforced protective layers on the tubes and bottom, a 40-inch fish ruler, plus two spray skirts—each with three rod holders and accessory belts that hold tools, hooks and lures. A fully adjustable foot brace is easily positioned for maximum comfort and more power per stroke while a nifty anchor system quietly locks in advantageous casting positions. Suitable for paddling in waters rated to Class IV, 16 high-capacity self-bailing drain valves make this entry ideal for fishing in moderate whitewater rivers up to Class III. Close the valves to remain high and dry on flat waters, and insert the removable skeg to improve flatwater tracking. Fully inflated in seven minutes, the 350fx fits in a car trunk and handles electric motors up to 34-pound thrust. This inflatable fishing kayak is 11’6” long and has a maximum weight capacity of 575 lbs.
WWW.SEAEAGLE.COM
FLYCRAFT STEALTH The Flycraft Stealth is one of the most versatile boats in the world. Its unique construction and shape give it the functionality of many boats in one. From motoring on the coast or lakes to rowing rocky streams and mild whitewater, the Flycraft Stealth is your one boat answer. The boat’s lightweight and minimalistic design allow it to be easily carried on a roof or in a truck bed. No roof rack? No problem; this boat deflates and packs down to fit in a trunk or closet. At just 98 pounds, one person can easily transport or load this boat solo. For information, call 801-810-4022.
WWW.FLYCRAFTUSA.COM COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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QUIK-CHANGE II ™ Our Innovative, Interchangeable Fixed Blade Cutlery System 9” FILLET 7” FILLET 5” FILLET 3” SERRATED
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FLY FISHING
Michelle Bowman with a Yucatan baby tarpon from an inflatable SUP.
For more Bowman, go to
CAMFLYFISHING.COM
GAME CHANGER Sea Eagle FishSUP Stand Up Paddleboard
Win th Sea Eagle e FishSUP Pro Moto r Fishing Rig Packa ge! Fu
www.Coa ll details at stalAngle rContest.c om
Fits in a Bag! Paddle or Motor
Incredibly stable, the new inflatable FishSUP FS126 Stand Up Paddleboard is an angler’s dream. Lightweight, packable, portable and ready in moments. The FishSUP fits in any car trunk and inflates in just 7 minutes. Stand, sit, fish, motor, troll, fresh, salt or brackish water...the FishSUP goes everywhere. 800-748-8066 M-F 9-5 EST Dept C2048B 19 N. Columbia St., Suite 1
• 12’6” long x 40” wide for exceptional stability • Motor mount holds up to a 55 lb. thrust electric motor • EVA foam pad for secure stand up footing • 36” Built-in fish ruler • Heavy duty two layer drop stitch construction for a solid, super tough SUP board • Multiple d-rings and elastic cord for gear & accessories
MSRP $1149!
Port Jefferson, NY 11777
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NO 26
The best fishing stories start with you getting away.
F F
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2018 242CC
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2018 220CC ® Exclusive Variable Degree Stepped (VDS) Hull for Performance, Safety & Stability ® 10 year Structural Warranty ® SailTech Construction: 100% Composite, Reinforced with Kevlar® & Carbon Fiber ® Lifetime No-Rot Guarantee ® Bow To Stern Intelligent Ergonomic Design with Premium Finishes ® Family Friendly Features for Fun, Comfort and Safety
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Take a
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You could get a discount when you combine your auto and boat policies.
geico.com | 1-800-865-4846 | Local Office Some discounts, coverages, payment plans and features are not available in all states or all GEICO companies. Boat and PWC coverages are underwritten by GEICO Marine Insurance Company. Multi-Policy Discount available to auto insureds that have purchased a boat policy through the GEICO Marine Insurance Company. GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, D.C. 20076; a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. © 2018 GEICO
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For a limited time, get Suzuki Extended Protection, Instant Savings and attractive financing on select Suzuki outboards from 25 to 350 horspower. See your participapting Suzuki Marine dealer for details or visit www.suzukimarine.com.
REPOWER FINANCE Six Years of Protection at no extra charge on all new outboards 25 to 350 HP.
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Rates as low as 5.99% on new Suzuki outboard on approved credit.*
Gimme Six Extended Protection promo is applicable to new Suzuki Outboard Motors from 25 to 350 HP in inventory which are sold and delivered to buyer between 04/01/18 and 06/30/18 in accordance with the promotion by a Participating Authorized Suzuki Marine dealer in the continental US and Alaska to a purchasing customer who resides in the continental US or Alaska. Customer should expect to receive an acknowledgement letter and full copy of contract including terms, conditions and wallet card from Suzuki Extended Protection within 90 days of purchase. If an acknowledgement letter is not received in time period stated, contact Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. – Marine Marketing via email: marinepromo@suz.com. The Gimme Six Promotion is available for pleasure use only, and is not redeemable for cash. Instant Savings apply to qualifying purchases of select Suzuki Outboard Motors made between 04/01/18 and 06/30/18. For list of designated models, see participating Dealer or visit www.suzukimarine.com. Customer and participating Dealer must fill out the appropriate form at time of sale. Instant Savings will be applied against the original dealer invoice (Suzuki will credit Dealer parts account). There are no model substitutions, benefit substitutions, rain checks, or extensions. Suzuki reserves the right to change or cancel these promotions at any time without notice or obligation. * Financing offers available through Synchrony Retail Finance. As low as 5.99% APR financing for 60 months on new and unregistered Suzuki Outboard Motors. Subject to credit approval. Not all buyers will qualify. Approval, and any rates and terms provided, are based on credit worthiness. $19.99/month per $1,000 financed for 60 months is based on 5.99% APR. Hypothetical figures used in calculation; your actual monthly payment may differ based on financing terms, credit tier qualification, accessories or other factors such as down payment and fees. Offer effective on new, unregistered Suzuki Outboard Motors purchased from a participating authorized Suzuki dealer between 04/01/18 and 06/30/18. “Gimme Six”, the Suzuki “S” and model names are Suzuki trademarks or ®. Don’t drink and drive. Always wear a USCG-approved life jacket and read your owner’s manual. © 2018 Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.
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SOUTHEAST
By Will Clements
B
ass move shallow in spring, and kayaks are some of the best crafts to follow them. Most kayaks draft only 4 to 5 inches and can get to many places that bigger boats can’t. Culvert coves are some of my favorite places to bass fish this time of year. On large reservoirs, culvert coves are the shallow coves cut off from the main lake by roads or other barriers. The water has to come through somewhere, and typically this is via a narrow concrete bridge or large culvert. Many of these backwaters are only accessible in kayaks or other small vessels. On lakes with significant winter drawdowns, some of these areas are dry through the winter, which allows terrestrial grass and brush
to grow. When spring rains bring lakes back to full pool, these areas are flooded, creating havens for bass moving shallow to spawn. A kayak can slide into these areas and escape the traffic and spring winds on the main lake. Many people bank fish from the road in these areas; a kayak can access the entire cove. Kayaks also give you the ability to sneak up on bedding fish. Often you can drift in slowly enough that the fish see your kayak as a floating log. Being quiet is the key to sneaking up on these shallow fish. Try putting peel-and-stick foam anywhere you lay your paddle or rods. Any slight bang against the plastic hull reverberates through the water and can spook fish. Also, be aware of your shadow. Kayaks inherently cast less of a shadow than larger boats, especially when the angler is seated. Try standing in your kayak only to spot bedding bass. Then sit down to sneak in for the cast. When bed fishing, release fish quickly back to their beds to keep our fisheries strong. For prespawn and postspawn bass, be sure to fish the creek channel and culvert leading into and out of these areas. Bass congregate in these areas before and after spawning. My favorite baits to throw in these areas are bluegill imitations and reaction baits. In these sheltered backwaters, bass encounter less fishing pressure and can be easier to catch. When bass are up shallow or protecting beds, I like bluegill imitations. My favorite is a swim jig. You can fish it slow like a jig, fast like a swimbait or anywhere in between. It comes right through the grass and brush. I also like buzzbaits and spinnerbaits. In stained water caused by spring rains, bass will jump all over a loud and flashy bait. These protected, stained backwaters will warm up faster than any other water in the lake. Bass will be searching for any warmth they can find. Keep an eye out for these secluded culvert coves, and keep your kayak ready. Will Clements is an Outside World Outfitters Fishing Team member (outsidegeorgia.com/), a club series coordinator with River Bassin (www.riverbassintrail.com) and a Nucanoe team member (www.nucanoe.com).
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NORTH CAROLINA
By TAM Staff
A
ccess to skinny water and the ability to launch anywhere are the two most prominent advantages to fishing under paddle power. At no other time is this more advantageous than during the spring spawning runs. When longer days and warming water temperatures spur the urge to spawn, many species go on the move. On reservoirs, ponds and lakes, bass, crappie and bream will all be shallow in some stage of the spawn. The shallow draft of a canoe or kayak allows anglers to sneak into backwaters to find the beds. But even more exciting this time of year are the species that run out of the reservoirs and up the creeks and rivers. Up any tributary
By Will Schmidt
F
rom bare bones to fully loaded, a stand-up paddleboard (SUP) is a great platform to fish from. Typically coming in under 30 pounds, it is easy to transport, it’s quiet and super stealthy, and with a standing view it makes for a fantastic platform to sight fish from. The portability and ease of clean up make it great for a quick after work trip with a rod, reel and handful of lures. Add a cooler and a few extras, and you are ready for a full day of fun on the water. To maximize your time on the board, here are my three top tips. • Paddle control is perhaps the most important thing about SUP fishing. Quickly storing your paddle to transition from paddling to
that feeds a good fishery, spring offers the best fishing of the year for one species or another. Each spring, white bass in huge numbers push up rivers and creeks to spawn. They stage in the current breaks and provide fast action for anglers throwing spinners, curly tail jigs, small crankbaits and even flies. In a canoe or kayak, white bass make for an interesting float trip. Drift down the river, prospecting with a few casts in each eddy. That first strike tells you it’s time to drop anchor. Where there is one white bass, there is usually a whole school. They might weigh a pound on average, but they can get up to 4 or 5 pounds and fight much harder than their weight. In many fisheries, walleye are most susceptible when they head upriver to spawn. For a fish that spends most of its time in the deepest water it can find, the spring run is really the only time a paddling angler can target them efficiently. They are consolidated in the river, where they school up near the bottom behind sandbars or other current breaks. They can be caught with deep-running lures bounced slowly along the bottom or a live baitfish fished with enough weight to keep it down near the bottom. The king of the spring spawning runs has to be the landlocked striped bass that state wildlife agencies stock in reservoirs. There is no freshwater fish so large and powerful that can be found in such skinny water. In many systems, the spring run is just a precursor to the larger summer runs that occur when reservoir water conditions become uncomfortable for the fish. In spring and summer, chucking an oversized swimbait to eddies created by wood structure or drifting a live baitfish on a circle hook under a balloon can lead to surprisingly large results. And the best thing about these spring runs is access to them can actually be better for anglers in little plastic boats. Bank-bound anglers are limited to one stretch of shoreline. Big boats are impeded by shoals and shallow water. With a canoe or kayak, the only limitations are private property and the distance you’re willing to carry a boat to launch. casting can be a clumsy noisy process, but I’ve found a simple and effective trick. Using a length of rope about 2 feet longer than your waist, tie a loop in each end. Then wrap the rope around your waist, putting one loop through the other. When you spot a fish, put the handle of the paddle through the hanging loop and the blade on the board, now you are ready to cast and still have quick access to your paddle if you need to maneuver while fighting a fish. • At some point you will need to hold yourself steady to keep from spooking fish while working a productive spot. An anchor works, but I like a stake-out pole. They are easy to deploy, silent and effective. There are nice commercial models available in the $100 range, but I made one easily for about $15. Most large gardening departments sell sturdy hard plastic tomato stakes. They have a point at one end that will penetrate on most flats. I also added a PVC T joint as a handle and a small piece of foam noodle as a float. This works well on soft shallow flats and can be tied to the board or run through an open-ended rod tube to hold you in place. • Gear management especially during an extended outing is something you will need to consider. I opt for strapping on a cooler, preferably one that latches shut like the Orion. This gives me a secure place to put gear that will not be lost in case of an inadvertent plunge. It also offers a comfortable seat, which doubles as a safety feature to lower your center of gravity in rough situations. Furthermore, the Orion has built-in Yak Attack rails, which allow you to attach Ram style accessories like rod holders. Light, quiet and fun, an SUP offers a great way to get to the fish whether for a quick trip after work or leisurely day of fishing. Will Schmidt is a seasoned tournament angler who has been writing about fishing for nearly two decades. Check out Orion coolers at Orioncoolers.com.
For more with Will Schmidt, go to
TAMFISHING.COM
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crisp March air was cold enough to have me bundled up tight in layers and a heavy coat. To make things a little more interesting, the previous week of heavy rainfall had the dam wide open, causing swift current and massive waves in high winds. After fishing for half the tournaBy Ryan Kennedy ment day with no success other than a few short fish, I was feeling a little discouraged. have dreamed of certain That’s when things took a turn for the better. As my partner and days that would come I approached a stretch of rocky bank, I reached for a Red Crawdad along for as long as I have Rapala DT-6 crankbait and started slinging casts toward the bank. A been fishing bass tourna- few casts in led us to a small transition area where the size of the rocks ments. Those dreams turn changed. The first cast at this transition started with a bang. into goals, and those goals My St. Croix Mojo Bass Cranking Rod, which is a glass rod, was are attainable with hard work bent heavily. I was in for the first good fight of the day. After what and perseverance. It’s beyond seemed like an eternity, I was holding a 4-pound, 8-ounce Lake Gunamazing to me looking back tersville spotted bass. If you are familiar with the lake, you know a on my most recent tourna- spot of that size is something to appreciate. It’s just 3 ounces shy of the ment to see how God’s plan 4-pound, 11-ounce lake record. came together down to the My demeanor quickly changed for the better. Back on deck, with very rock that I bumped my one cast behind me after landing Spotapotamus, I was laser focused. I crankbait into before catching slung my crankbait as far as I could cast toward a log just past the same the fish I had always dreamed transition area. Within three cranks of the reel, my dream was about about. to become a reality. Moments later, I was holding a 9-pound, 8-ounce The goal that had elud- donkey of a largemouth. ed me thus far in my tournaTo get this straight, let’s go over what just happened. In three casts, ment career was catching an a near-lake-record spotted bass was in the boat, my new personal best absolute giant in a tourna- largemouth bass was in the boat, and 14 pounds of fish were in the ment. Don’t get me wrong, I am always excited to catch a big bass, but livewell. My partner and I ended up with over a 20-pound limit with whenever it happens it always seems to be while fishing for fun on the only four fish and qualified for the 2019 FLW Collegiate National lake or while pond-hopping around my house. This all changed, as I Championship! will forever remember, during the situation I am about to describe. Contact Ryan Kennedy at ryankfishing@gmail.com. Keep up with I was fishing at Lake Guntersville, Alabama, during the second his exploits on YouTube: Ryan Kennedy Fishing, Instagram: @ryankstop of the FLW Collegiate Southeastern Tournament Trail. The fishing and Facebook: Ryan Kennedy Fishing.
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CATCHIN’ AND COOKIN’ ANOTHER EPIC SEA BASS ADVENTURE JIM BAUGH’S RECIPE OF THE MONTH
By Jim Baugh
SASHIMI
Yeah, this is pretty easy but it is a mighty tasty dish. Only tip I have is of course use your fresh caught sea bass filet and clean well. My wife and I LOVE sea bass sashimi! And that is exactly how we dined the night back from our offshore trip. For dipping sauce use a standard wasabi and soy or light teriyaki sauce. The second sauce I make is an Asian that is a mix of soy, ginger, garlic, and spring onion, Fantastic! My buddy Mike gave me a little fresh yellowfin during the trip so we have tuna and sea bass sashimi. Can’t beat it. Try it!!
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Jim Baugh Outdoors had the pleasure of returning to our offshore waters to produce a sea bass show on board the Rudee Angler. Based in Virginia Beach, this is one of the more popular offshore charters to have taken advantage of the short sea bass season during February. This sold out excursion was blessed with rather calm seas, however the fog was so thick it gave a new definition to pea soup. The trip started early. We left the Eastern Shore by car at 1am, arriving just before 2 am at the Rudee Inlet. By 3am, the boat was heading out of Rudee Inlet. The ride was long but very nice and gave us all time for a shut eye nap before the reeling began. A lot of anglers brought their bait, mostly clams; however I stuck to my tried and true squid. One angler brought mackerel and did VERY well. My first drop was baitless, carrying our underwater deep drop camera rig. The rig got hung in the wreck on the very first drop. Oh well, that we knew would happen one day and that is why for this type of filming, we always buy inexpensive HD sports cams. We knew it was only a matter of time before we would lose the camera offshore. Thankfully, JBOTV has several other underwater cameras and was able to film the action the entire trip. The bite was good all day, but the best bite was on the last drop. We all caught some nice sea bass and it was an awesome way to spend a Saturday. For charter info contact the Virginia Beach Fishing Center and they will update you as to what the seasons are, what’s biting, and what’s a good time to go. Special shout out and thanks to Edward Speight who presented JBOTV with such an awesome plaque (actually two of them). Thanks again, and we will fish again soon! You can watch this sea bass show on JBOTV YouTube channel, it’s free and please subscribe while there. You can easily search YouTube or here is the direct link For the latest in Jim Baugh Outdoors TV features check out our JBOTV Channel online and be sure to subscribe! Every subscriber gets a free Ebook of HOOKED and Aftermath! A big thank you for just subscribing and please feel free to leave comments and suggestions. Simply go to the about section on our channel, the dropbox link is there for the two books. Enjoy! Jim Baugh, Jimbaugh.net, Jim Baugh Outdoors TV
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Virginia Beach SPORTFISHING RUNDOWN By Dr. Julie Ball, IGFA Representative, Virginia Beach
F
inally, the spring fishing scene will come together, and water temperatures will get a boost as the weather warms this month.
Atlantic Croaker
Tautog are always a favorite for bottom bouncers, with the bite really taking off in bay and inshore waters in April. Bay water anglers can anticipate catching limits of tog, with most bites coming from the pilings and the tubes of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, with the best luck always happening with fiddler crabs, when you can get them. Most fish generally range from 3 to 5-pounds within the bay. Deeper water wrecks will offer up some bigger fish, but this bite will slow as the water warms throughout the month. Big seabass will also compete for your offerings on the same structures, but these fish remain off limits until mid-May. Hurry if you want to get in on the tog action, since this fishery closes at the end of April. And everything will be right in the world of saltwater fishing once the catches of big red drum from the Eastern Shore at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay jump-start the courtship between drum and angler for the season. As schools of big drum filter into the lower bay and spread among the shoals and breakers lining the Eastern Shore barrier islands, local anglers will rush to intercept these early season drum using blue crabs and peelers. Some of these bulls can measure to well over 45-inches. Black drum will also make a solid showing in these same areas, with sea clams a favorite bait for these scavangers. The flounder bite will emerge in lower bay waters for the rest of April. Some limits of keepers are possible, rewarding those who put in their time along the Eastern Shore seaside inlets, Oyster, Magothy Bay, and Back River Reef. Look for this trend to heat up with the warmer temperatures. Pier anglers will be smiling again as croaker light up their worlds at local fishing piers. Plenty of medium-sized hardheads will filter in along the ocean front, Oceanview and Buckroe, and within the Chesapeake Bay’s tributary rivers, hitting on squid and blood worms. Sea mullet will also
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make a showing in these same locations on bloodworms. Nice snapper bluefish can also swarm the Virginia Beach Oceanfront and lower bay waters this time of year. Puppy drum usually provide good action in Rudee Inlet, with some good numbers of pups also showing in Little Creek and Lynnhaven. Speckled trout are also expected in these same areas this month, but the recent fish kill could put a considerable dent in this backwater action this season. The deep water off the Virginia coast is still the place to crank up big blueline and golden tilefish, black-bellied rosefish and grouper from over 300 feet of water. But pesky dog fish are still a nuisance this month, but they will begin to thin out soon. Jumbo black seabass are also in the same areas, but these fish are illegal to keep right now. Offshore opportunities are pushing this way. Most of the action is still happening mostly off North Carolina, with bluefin, blackfin, and yellowfin tuna presenting a variety for the fleet. Dr. Julie Ball of Virginia Beach is regarded as one of the top Saltwater Anglers in the world. Among her many Sport Fishing honors are seventeen IGFA World Records, the only Level VIII Master Angler title in Virginia, and the 1st woman to earn Expert Angler and Top Angler titles from the state. An active advocate for recreational sport fishing, Dr. Ball’s mission is to share her passion of fishing and inspire others to recognize and value our precious resources through the love of the sport. Dr. Ball is an International Game Fish Association Representative for Virginia Beach, and is a member and record holder in the International Women’s Fishing Association.
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Last month, we covered starting the process of repowering a boat. Now that you are ready to take the plunge, your next decision is who you will purchase the motors from. This is the most important step you will make. My family has always dealt with Causeway Marina in Camden. My Dad says buying local is important and knowing the person behind the counter and in the shop, is worth its weight in gold. Any dealer can sell an engine, but installing it and servicing it over the next decade is what you must consider overall. As you may have read in a previous issue, my dealer helped me secure an Evinrude Pro Staff relationship. Because Causeway Marina had always serviced my boat, they knew how many hours I ran the boat a year, what kind of fishing I was doing, and what I was looking for in the repower. After much consideration, I went with the Evinrude ETEC G2 225HO engines. One thing I was looking for in new engines was a wider RPM and speed spread that I needed to operate in a variety of offshore sea conditions. Because I fish out of Oregon Inlet, I needed engines that would give me high torque and immediate speed out of the hole to get on plane and power over inlet ocean swell. Best of all--unlike my previous engines that had to be serviced every 100 hours-- my new Evinrudes only need to be serviced every 5 years or 500 hours! I also went with dual electronic controls and the ICON II Multiple Engine Binnacle Controls. These controls are smooth, and you can easily adjust your RPMs while underway. You can also use the RPM adjustments to make small adjustments to your speed. I also selected the Evinrude ICON Touch Series display system. This information supercenter has all the information I will need. It displays engine RPM, speed, oil pressure and levels, fuel level, MPG, distance travelled, engine trim and a host of other options. Switching power from control box to control box is also very simple and fast. Once the engines were on, all we had to do was test which props matched the engine and boat. Every repower is different and the propellers are the last part of the puzzle. You have to try several different blade and pitch combinations until it gives you the performance you need. After we selected the correct propeller combination, it was time for 5 hours of break in period. It was a well spent 5 hours because the repower had completely changed how the boat handled. With the old 4 stroke motors I had, the boat needed to be going at least 4000 RPMs to get to a good cruising speed. This was fine when it was calm, but if you are fighting rough seas 4000 RPMs made the ride rough. Now I can cruise as low as 2800 RPMs in rough seas giving me a smooth ride. The boat will also go as fast as 60 MPH now which is great in a calm ride to the Gulf Stream. Once the five hour break-in period was done, it was time for fishing and enjoying my new motors!
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[ 1]
[ 2]
[1] Nick Walke with a nice catch on his beautiful custom rod. Visit Nick on Facebook (Nick’s Custom Rods) to see his awesome work! [2] Keith Blackburn caught this 5 lb 2 oz citation black sea bass in early March. Congrats Mike! [3] Mark Clarke with his 26.5” puppy drum just right of the point on Hatteras Island! Head to Hatteras and let Red Drum Tackle Shop hook you up!
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[ 3]
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KAYAK FISHING: NEW PRODUCTS ALERT By Bryant Franklin
W
ith all the cold weather we are having, I have not had much time (nor desire!) to wet a line. Alternatively, I have spent more time out doing my homework for the upcoming season. I went to the Richmond 2018 fishing expo; what a show! I turned into a little kid. It was like a grownup’s Chuck E Cheese. All kinds of toys, apparel, new rods and lures. I watched a few fishing seminars from a few of the top pro fishing stars on tv but my main focus was to check out what’s new in the kayak industry. At the Appomattox Paddle booth, I saw lot of familiar faces. Rob Choi gave me a good lesson on Flathead catfishing and where I should go to target them. This is a bucket list fish I want to go after this spring, so I’ll write about where to go and what to use in my next columns.
“The Famous” Kayak Kevin Whitley told me a bit about his 2017 Ocean Kayak Trident fishing tour in Florida. One big attraction was the kayak that everyone has been talking about, and just released to the public, the Bonafide SS127--with a hull weight of only 69lbs and made right here in the USA. I talked to Bonafide founder Luther Cifers a few weeks later at the Paddle VA store in Hampton. He explained to me how they had listened to kayak fisherman and had over a dozen configurations before finally getting it just right. Luther is no stranger to the kayak world introducing the famous Yak Attack Brand of kayak accessories that started in his Burkeville Virginia basement in 2009. He has also released a few new rail mounted rod holders. I can’t wait to replace the older ball mounted style with these new revolutionized style. The Bonafide Kayaks have a great price point, the SS127 will price at $1599 and the smaller SS107 will be right at $1299 and will be released around the April timeframe. Be sure to watch out for this new gear as you shed the cold and warm up for Spring!
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PANFISHIN’ By Mike Buss
T
his month we will continue our series of fly fishing friendly fishes by concentrating on freshwater panfish and bluegills in particular. Many of us got our start fly fishing by targeting these fish primarily because they can be found in a wide variety of waters and when found will readily take a fly. Just about any fly that looks buggy will take panfish, but I like bluegills best because they will also readily take a top water popper and they put up a very spirited fight. In fact, if they got any larger they would be almost impossible to land because they’re such fighters. All you need to do is walk around any pond at twilight and listen to all the slurps and splashes taking place as bluegill after bluegill attacks another top water bug. I have spent many pleasurable hours casting top water poppers to bluegills and getting strikes on almost every cast. Most of the time these fish will be the size of your hand. If you want to catch the big bull bluegills, you need to go deep because that is where they live and that means using sinking lines or at least a sink tip line. Bluegills can be found in a wide variety of waters, but if you want to target waters that hold big fish you need to look for water that is rich in nutrients and produces microscopic life that supports a food chain that will support all stages of bluegill life. You can tell water has good nutrient level if it is murky as opposed to being clear. Good bluegill waters also have abundant shallow water and vegetation. Lots of a wide variety of weeds provides ample protection for Bluegill fry and plenty of food and feeding opportunities through all stages of their life. They also like warm water temperatures and are most comfortable in water between sixty-five and eighty degrees. The presence of woody structure is also a bluegill magnet. Bluegills typically spawn a couple of times a year in this area and will quickly overload a lake or pond with lots of stunted fish without a good supply of predator fish. Largemouth bass in good numbers do a real good job of keeping the bluegill population in check. Any good bluegill water will also be a pretty good largemouth bass lake. Good bluegill water will usually have gently sloping banks because there will usually be a lot of shallow water as a result. The more of these characteristics you find, the more likely you will be fishing in a lake, pond or river that will hold good numbers of big bluegills. I like to use a 5 or 6 weight balanced outfit. If I am planning on using top water poppers, I will use a weight forward floating line. If I am going after the big ones I will use a sinking line to get down to them and use a count down system to make sure my flies get down to them. I normally use leaders with ten-pound test tippets. I’ve found small blue poppers work very well and just about anything that looks buggy and nymph like will work when fishing deep. When fishing poppers, I like to cast to rising fish. If I can get my popper close I usually get an immediate strike. If I don’t, I let the popper rest before giving it a twitch and let it rest again. I retrieve it in this pause, twitch pattern all the way back or until I see another rise to make another cast. If I am fishing down deep, I look for an area with some structure and then make a cast with my sinking line. It’s important to know how fast your line will sink so you know the depth your fly is reaching. I usually start at the five or sixfoot level and keep letting my fly sink deeper on each cast until I connect with fish. Then I count my fly down to the same level until I stop getting strikes. These fish are a lot of fun to catch and put up a very tough fight, plus they swim in almost all of our local waters so you don’t need to travel far to find them. Good luck and tight lines. 10 TIDEWATER & THE OUTER BANKS
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OBX INSHORE By Aaron Kelly
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Writing this article in mid-March, I eagerly await April since we just had snowfall last night in this nor’easter blow. It quickly melted but what the heck?! April should bring warmer temps. Mid-sixties and water temps above 50. Red drum have been spotted by a few boats and a drone just last week. That makes me feel old, guys flying drones around looking for fish. Pretty soon there will be an app that tells you how many and what size. Reluctantly, I subscribe to the newest technology, heck I just installed side scan sonar. Man, I wish I had this back in the rockfish days! Also reluctant are the drummies, to take a bait since waters are still in low forties. They will be more susceptible to taking bait and jigs in April! Which leads to exciting sight casting opportunities for both large and small reds! There are quite a few qualified guides in the area to get you into position to see one of these schools of fish and toss a meathog jig! There will also be opportunities to catch small stripers and sea trout tossing ¼ ounce jigs around docks and marsh points with sloughs. I feel, however, the drum highlight the month. Guys will line up in the surf tossing chunks of fresh bait way out with these custom 11-foot rods that are truly works of art. These custom rods can be found (along with fresh bait) at any of our local tackle shops, which I am very proud of. Heck, getting a custom drum rod from a guy like Nick Walke gives you more than just a graphite rod. It gives you a piece of art from colorful threads and wraps. His experience and passion for catching drum over the years is apparent in location of rod guides, reel seat, rod action, spline, and much more. An old Wanchese fisherman’s advice to me when I was a younger says it all, “when the pollen falls In the spring, the drum are here!” The lessons I was gifted by others’ experiences are things I treasure. So when you are cussing while dusting off all the pollen off your windshield, remember, the drum are here! You do not need an app on your smart phone for that! Good luck fishing! Captain Aaron Kelly Rock Solid Fishing • www.rocksolidfishing.com • 252-441-6575
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f this photo of a happy kid with a humongous fish doesn’t make you smile, nothing will. Chase Stokes, 11, caught his 33.25-pound, 40inch carp on a nightcrawler while fishing at Otter Creek in Panton, Vermont in April 2017. It is one of the three state records caught by Vermont anglers last year. All of them are species not typically targeted. In May, angler Mike Elwood landed a record redhorse sucker while fishing on the Winooski River in Colchester, Vermont. The sucker, landed on a live worm, weighed 9.9 pounds and measured 29 inches long with an 18-inch girth. The third record for 2017 was a cisco, also known as lake herring. Alan Franchot caught his 2.25-pound state record while trolling on Lake Champlain in September. “We saw some incredible catches in 2017, especially Chase’s carp,” said Shawn Good, fisheries biologist with Vermont Fish & Wildlife. “It was an impressive looking fish, but what’s really exciting to me is that we’re starting to see more Vermont anglers fish outside of the box, as I like to call it, by taking advantage of many of the overlooked fishing opportunities we have in our state.” Good said fishing in Vermont remains excellent for traditional species like bass, trout, salmon and pike, but that anglers should take a look at some of the oddball fish like bowfin, drum, gar, fallfish and suckers that can provide great action as well as trophy potential.
It’s Tarpon Time In The
Florida Keys
By CAM Staff • Photo by Pat Ford
I
t is the heart of the tarpon season in the Florida Keys. With the annual migration in full swing, there should be silver kings everywhere over the next couple of months. The big spring run begins most years in February. It can last deep into the summer when conditions are right. This is when the big fish are most vulnerable. Averaging 80 pounds and sometimes running much larger, tarpon in the keys offer a fishery unlike any other in the world. The west coast of Africa might have the world record 286-pound, 9-ounce tarpon, but nowhere in the world has the opportunities to sight fish tarpon like the Keys. Poling the flats, there is a very real possibility of encountering tarpon up to 200 pounds and heavier in shallow and ultra-clear water. Migrating tarpon will push up into the backcountry in the thousands, skirting the edges of the flats and channels. Staking out or anchoring the boat in an ambush point where the angler is likely to encounter numbers of hungry tarpon is best accomplished through a local guide who stays on top of the movements of these giant fish. One thing you’ll notice is that while some captains might guarantee “shots” at tarpon, none promise you’ll actually bring one boatside. With a fly, enticing a big tarpon to eat is something that takes a lot of skill and a little luck. First-timers are probably better off fishing live bait, and a crab fished under a float in the passes and around bridges where fish are
concentrated can lead to multiple hook-ups in a day’s trip. What follows is a fight that cannot be matched by any fish anywhere. The powerful runs and repeated jumps of a hooked tarpon are what made them so highly prized as a game fish. Even experienced anglers are frequently left broken hearted when the line falls slack. Winning a battle with Megalops is an achievement to be remembered. Winning the battle comes with a heavy dose of responsibility, as well. Tarpon have a life span of 50 years or more. They are slow growing, and it takes them seven to 13 years to reach sexual maturity. This and their value as a game fish make them susceptible to population decline. Every effort should be made to release them with the best chance for their survival. All Florida tarpon must be released, with an exception for anglers who have purchased a state tarpon tag for the purpose of achieving an IGFA world record. Large tarpon should remain in the water at all times, which means unhooking and photographing them should be done quickly, with an effort to keep the head and gills in the water as much as possible. Never attempt to drag a tarpon over the side of the boat. Tarpon will often fight to exhaustion, so reviving them after the fight will greatly increase their chance of survival. Hold them horizontally in the water with their mouth open, moving them forward to push water over their gills. Do this until they are able to swim off on their own.
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TIPS FROM A PRO
DON’T FORGET ABOUT SPINNERBAITS
M
BRANDON LESTER
any great lures have come and gone in the bass fishing world over the years. Some seem to take the whole industry by storm and then die down once the next best thing comes along. Some prove themselves and become a
with dirty water, I like a red Colorado blade for extra visibility and a skirt with a lot of chartreuse. In clear water, I can throw double willowleaf blades for a subtler thump, and I’ll opt for a more
By Nick Carter
N staple in everyone’s tackle box. There is one lure, though, that doesn’t get the attention it deserves on the tournament scene these days. With all the fancy square-bill crankbaits and bladed jigs, it’s easy to forget about the tried-and-true spinnerbait. Few baits are as good at covering water as the spinnerbait, and this time of the year that is half the battle. Early in the spring, warm days will cause water temperatures to rise. Bass move shallower to look for places to spawn. Water conditions also play a big role in this. More fish move up earlier in dirty water, which warms faster than clear water. When these fish move shallow, they like to get next to a stump, laydown, dock, rock, really anything that holds heat and gives them a place they feel safe. The spinnerbait is my favorite bait for targeting prespawn fish for two reasons. Reason No. 1 is they are virtually weedless. I can throw spinnerbaits in pretty thick cover, and as long as I’m careful it will come right through. It comes through wood especially well. Reason No. 2 is the unlimited options. If I’m faced
natural skirt color. Having all those options is important with the everchanging conditions of spring. When you’re actively searching for fish, keep an open mind. I’ve caught them anywhere from bluff banks to shallow flat pockets and everywhere in between this time of year, so let the fish tell you where you need to be and what you should be throwing. My favorite spinnerbait rod is a 7’2” medium heavy (EPS86MHF) MHX Elite Pro Series rod that I build. It is a great all-purpose blank. It has plenty of tip, so I can make precise casts to targets, and it also has plenty of backbone. I use a 7:3:1 bait-casting reel spooled with 17-lb. Vicious ProElite fluorocarbon. If I could only choose one spinnerbait for the rest of my career, it would be a ½-ounce tandem willowleaf/Colorado combo with one silver and one gold blade and a chartreuse and white skirt. My favorite is made by a new company called Kinkee Baits. It has a combination of wrapped wire down to 18/1000-inch wire, which creates vibration bass have never felt before.
Get more tips from Lester at
FISHINGMAGAZINE.FISHING
ot many people know that much of the southern Appalachians are classified as a temperate rainforest. With average precipitation of about 60 inches a year, there is a swath of mountains from north Georgia up through western North Carolina and into east Tennessee that is a very wet place. Those rainfall statistics might be hard to believe during drought years, when low flows and high summer temperatures leave southeastern trout lethargic in the lower elevations. But even on the hottest days, it is wet and cool in the lush creek bottoms of the high mountains. It’s what allows our wild trout, and our only native salmonid—the southern Appalachian brook trout—to thrive. No one is thinking about low flows in spring, though. Creeks and rivers are usually full with heavy spring rains. The tailwaters are flush, sometimes blown out with dam releases. Flash floods are a dangerous possibility where small mountain creeks fall through their gorges. If you’re going fishing in the mountains this time of year, you better bring a rain jacket. You should also make sure you bring your streamer box. Sure, we’re in the middle of some of the best dry fly action of the year. The Hendricksons, March browns, sulphurs, caddis, drakes and giant stones might all be flitting around right now. But when the sky grows dark and those first fat drops of rain begin to fall, take time to don your rain jacket and tie on something big and nasty. The fishing is getting ready to get mighty fun. On multiple occasions, I’ve seen trout go absolutely bonkers in rising waters on the front end of a heavy rainstorm. All those raindrops are impending doom for the little crawling things that cling to rhododendron leaves. Flushed from the leaf litter or rolled out from the stones on the streambed, everything a trout likes to eat is stirred into the flow as the water rises and becomes stained. Although the window of opportunity might be short, as the trout and the angler must both take cover at some point, the opening moments of a torrential downpour can be magical. On the larger flows where there is the potential for large brown trout, bigger is better. I keep a few big, heavy, white Buggers in my box that only get wet when the water is rising. Those big bunny flies and articulated streamers you bought on a whim but never used? Now is the time to try them out. Even on the smaller streams, rising water can spark a sub-surface feeding frenzy. Smaller streamers or double-nymph rigs with a big black stonefly as an anchor are both good options for fish that are frantic to gobble all the protein they can get while it is available. Fishing in heavy rain requires the angler to use some common sense and not be literally carried away, though. Keep an eye on the conditions. Lightning is dangerous, as is rapidly rising water. Don’t put yourself in a situation you can’t get out of.
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By Conner Jones
E
Look for Shadows: A trout’s camouflage is effective, designed to hide it from predators with better eyesight than humans possess. Sometimes the best way to spot a fish is by looking for shadows. If a fish is suspended any distance off the bottom, it will cast a shadow that contrasts against the bottom more so than the fish itself. Find the shadow, and you have found the fish. Find the Right Water: This means using the angle of the sun to your advantage. Try to position yourself so glare is minimal. Heavy currents and deep water can obscure what is hiding below, so be sure to check the shallows. Tail-outs are the shallow stretches at the end of a pool, usually with a uniform current and gravel or cobble bottom in free-stone rivers. These features make the tail-out ideal for spotting fish, but their shallow nature can put fish on edge, so be sure to go slow! The Gear: It’s hard to overstate the importance of good sunglasses on the water. Good sunglasses will not only cut the glare off the water, allowing you to see the underlying structure of the river, they will also enhance your ability to see fish. Good sunglasses are the key to being able to spot fish and also the easiest way to step up your sight fishing game, so invest in a good pair. Conner Jones is with Cohutta Fishing Company. Contact him at cjones@cohuttafishingco.com and visit their website at www.cohuttafishingco.com.
ven out in the open, trout are remarkably adept at hiding their presence. The muted colors and speckles of their backs are beautiful out of the water. In the water, these features make them invisible to the untrained eye. Most of their predators come from above, so spotting and stalking trout is difficult, which is what makes it so much fun. Here are a few tips to help you successfully sight fish for trout. Go Slow: This cannot be overstated. The easiest fish to see is the one you just spooked. As the fish bolts you will inevitably ask yourself, “Why was I in such a rush?” Go slow, start at the tail of the pool and work your way to the head. Be methodical. Look for Motion: It’s amazing how little motion it takes for a trout to keep its place in the current. However, these small movements are sometimes all it takes to give away a fish’s location. Look for unnatural movement like the side-to-side pulse of a tail or the telltale white of an opening mouth. Sometimes, this is the only clue Airline_CoastalAnglerAd_3-2016_Layout 1 3/18/16 1:07 PM Page 1 a trout will give to its location.
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On The Water With
Kaku By Capt. Ryan Drygas
T
arpon Springs, a small town on the west coast of Florida an hour north of St. Petersburg, is a best-kept secret for redfish and snook. It sits within a web of waterways connecting the Gulf of Mexico to rivers, lakes, ponds, marshes and eventually Tampa Bay. This vast system offers excellent inshore opportunities, and it’s a ton of fun to explore under paddle power. I know a local who grew up there and knows the water like the back of his hand. Kevin Hawkins, owner of Kaku Kayaks, invited me out on the water to try his newest SUP, the Voodoo. Kevin lives, eats and breathes fishing. When he’s not fishing from one of his kayaks or SUPs, he’s thinking about ways to design these boats so they’re better to fish from. The Voodoo is a hybrid that melds the best qualities of an SUP, a kayak and a micro-skiff. We launched from his local ramp on a Saturday afternoon a cou-
ple hours before sunset. I don’t have the words to describe the picturesque setting that spread out before me. Mangroves, oyster beds and hidden shoals were in abundance. We paddled to the tip of a mangrove island where a smaller canal led to docks, sandbars and windbreaks. We had to cross the main channel to get there, and there was a 1- to 2-foot chop with the boating traffic and winds. The Voodoo was stable and fast, tracking straight as it cut through the channel. I was surprised the chop didn’t offer more of a challenge, but the hull design of the Voodoo is flawless. It also features a chair, which—without adjustment—offers two seated positions and can be used as a poling platform. The boat paddles well from a seated or standing position, and the ability to make powerful strokes with a low center of gravity came in handy during the crossing. As we rounded the tip of the island, we found wind-shade in a pocket. We poled down to cast right under the mangroves and docks. The Voodoo’s stern has five molded-in Power Pole mounts that allow for dual or single Power Pole Micros. And from a stability standpoint, the boat might as well be the deck of a skiff. Kevin hooked into a 25-inch redfish and fought it with ease from the open deck. As we paddled through the backside of the mangrove islands, we cast to oyster beds and under docks. The final spot Kevin had planned was a back corner of an area with a long sea wall and sand flats. Kevin wanted to hit it right at sunset, when the redfish bite is best. We could see reds tailing over the shoals as the tide went out. If you are looking for a perfect fishing machine, look no further than Kaku. These boats are a fisherman’s Cadillac. Kevin’s obsession with crafting a superior fishing vessel is evident in the sleek, stable versatility of his boats. For more on Kaku Kayak, visit kakukayak.com.
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By Tom Schlichter
Y
ou couldn’t tell by looking in the tannic-stained water, but Capt. Gary Dubiel was convinced redfish were holding just a few feet from the bank. “Toss your line up tight and see what happens,” he instructed. My cork popper landed with a splat and the trailing DOA shrimp settled toward the bottom. I waited a second, gave a “pop” and watched the cork slide under with an 8-pound red in full protest. “They’ll smack that setup every time,” smiled the skipper. It’s no secret that the coastal waters of North Carolina teem with redfish and stripers, but many visiting anglers focus their efforts solely on inlet and ocean waters. For truly amazing topwater action, the bays, creeks and river systems are also well worth exploring. “There’s amazing variety on the inside here,” said Dubiel, of Spec Fever Guide Service (www.specfever.com), who specializes in putting light-tackle and fly-fishing fans right in the mix. Dubiel especially enjoys working the Neuse River area because it hosts stripers and seatrout year-round, plus redfish from spring though mid-October. “These stripers are estuarine and don’t run to the ocean,” he explained. “They typically measure up to 32 inches, which makes them perfect for light gear and fly rods. Even better, they mix in with the specks and slot-sized redfish. We often catch all three on the same trip.” The striper action really heats up in late April when the bass return from spawning farther upriver to offer outstanding surface action from Oriental to New Bern, N.C. Much of the fun takes place in knee-deep depths here in the river’s mouth at Pamlico Sound, and that makes for a ton of topwater thrills. Interestingly, the Neuse River—America’s widest at 6 miles across the mouth— doesn’t have a lunar rise and fall in tides. Rather than look for current, Dubiel works around structure while using a trolling motor to quietly get in and out of
potential hot spots. He likes casting at old wood when possible, often using a Bob’s Banger Capt. Gary Dubiel of Spec popper. “Because the fish often Fever Guide Service works hang in the shallows here, you can call them from a considerthe long wand for shallow able distance if you make a litwater Neuse River stripers, reds tle noise,” he said. “This is also and specks. Photo by Felicia a great lure for covering a lot of Scocozza. water. Some of our wood fields are pretty expansive.” Push up into the Neuse River tributaries above and below New Bern and you’ll also find largemouth bass, crappie and perch. The creeks stay warmer than the river in the winter months, so there are times in late winter and early spring when you might catch any of these along with a striper, redfish or speckled trout as well. “It certainly makes for an interesting mixed bag,” quipped Dubiel. Just an hour drive from Moorhead City, N.C., the Neuse River is easily accessible from Oriental, New Bern or the ICW. For accommodations, consider Bridgepoint Marina (www.bridgepointe.com) in New Bern. It’s within 500 yards of public launching at both Lawson Creek Landing and Union Park Point. For more info on the New Bern area, visit www.visitnewbern.com.
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ho doesn’t have a smile on their face when they’re spending time on the water? You can’t help yourself. Boating is the definition of getting away from it all. And getting away from it all is always more fun with friends. This is where the United States Power Squadrons–America’s Boating Club comes in. Enjoying your time on the water with family and friends starts with being safe and responsible while having fun. That’s what makes America’s Boating Club different than most boating organizations. For over a hundred years, the organization’s focus has been on providing unsurpassed boating safety education. But the organization’s leadership and members are passionate about a membership that doesn’t end on Sunday and doesn’t care if the calendar says it’s winter. It’s about being together and building a community through a variety of events like parties, meetings and even just getting together for no reason at all. Driven by this passion, United States Power Squadrons–America’s Boating Club, the country’s largest nonprofit boating organization, just launched its new logo. This is the first of several planned updates in the organization’s new brand image and identity. Changes to the organization’s website, social media platforms and collateral are expected in the coming weeks.
“We are United States Power Squadrons but we are also America’s Boating Club,” said Gary Cheney, chief commander, United States Power Squadrons. “This is not just a name change, it describes what we do. We go boating and have fun doing it. Our squadrons are social clubs as well as providers of high quality boating education— allowing members to enjoy the sport and camaraderie of boating and any number of activities that keep us together. Togetherness is what this lifestyle is all about. We joined the organization for the boating education, but we stayed for the friends.” Offering classes For Boaters, By Boaters in boat handling, navigation, boat maintenance, weather and related subjects, United States Power Squadrons— America’s Boating Club serves as a virtual “yacht club” with boating and social activities for all types of recreational boaters. With over 27,000 members organized into 356 local clubs across the country, America’s Boating Club is comprised of families who contribute to their communities by promoting safe boating through education. Members are vital to strengthening the communities they live in and know it’s important to live their values by giving back through public service and volunteer opportunities. Members provide courtesy vessel safety checks, help the NOAA’s National Ocean Service keep nautical charts accurate and organize beach cleanups. “Our commitment is to continue learning, teaching, laughing and helping our fellow members enjoy boating,” continued Cheney. “Whether you’re passionate about cruising, racing, making new friends, volunteering in your community or learning from experienced boaters, your local squadron has the resources you need to engage your passions and, perhaps, instill some new ones.” In February of 2017, the United States Power Squadrons announced its America’s Boating Club co-brand to its squadrons, following an almost yearlong renaming exercise. To learn more about United States Power Squadrons–America’s Boating Club, visit www.americasboatingclub.org.
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FRESHWATER Jordan Lee Wins Back-To-Back
Bassmaster Classics Bassmaster photos by Andy Crawford
I
n sixth place headed into the final day of the Bassmaster Classic on March 18 at lake Hartwell, S.C., Alabama’s Jordan Lee was in striking distance to do what only two anglers have ever done—win the Super Bowl of bass fishing twice in a row. And he did it. With a final day surge that took him to the scales with 16 pounds, 5 ounces, Lee tallied a three-day total of 47-1 to edge out California pro Brent Ehrler by a single pound. With his Classic win last year at Lake Conroe, Texas, Lee joins Rick Clunn and Kevin VanDam as the only three anglers in the history of the sport to win back-to-back classics. With the $300,000 purse, Lee pushed his career earnings with B.A.S.S past the million-dollar mark.
“It was just a perfect week for me,” Lee told Bassmaster. “I caught fish on five different baits and a lot of different techniques.” Boat docks were the ticket to Lee’s success. Following poor practice rounds, he could not nail down a strong pattern. From Day 1, Lee reverted to his comfort zone and his strength. “I just wanted to cover as much water as I could to give myself the best chance of putting a bait in front of a fish,” he told Bassmaster. “On this lake, I knew boat docks were going to play because they always do—and that’s what I like to do.” Live on Day 1, video showed Lee pumping his fists over a chunky largemouth he finessed out from under a dock with black floats. Black floats tend to warm the water around them, and the fish were staging up prior to the spawn. A strong sack of 18-10 on Day 1 must have buoyed Lee’s confidence in the dock pattern. Despite catching nothing but smaller spotted bass and just 12-2 on Day 2, Lee was still solidly in the top 25 to make the cut to fish Championship Sunday. Lee found his magic pocket on Day 3. Fishing a Strike King Rage Swimmer, a Strike King Ocho and a Strike King Shimmy Stick, he stuck to that one little pocket and pulled fish from beneath almost every dock. Green pumpkin was his primary color. Jason Christie, of Oklahoma, who led through the first two days of competition, dropped back to third place after the final day with a three-day total of 45-15. Ehrler’s 46-1 earned him second place. Alabama pro Mark Daniels Jr. caught the Berkley Big Bass of the tournament, a 6-pound, 11-ounce largemouth that won him $2,500. Reporting by Bassmaster’s Bryan Brasher.
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UNDER THE SEA
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ike land hunters or rod-and-reel fishermen, spearos also study and perfect some tricks of the trade. Spearos immerse themselves into the fishes’ environment, so the first skill to master is to look like you belong there. Beginners tend to exhibit aggressive behavior, chasing and spooking fish. If fish scatter when you get near, study how calmly an experienced diver moves in the water. Until you achieve a non-threatening aura, all other tips and tricks will be useless. After achieving smooth diving technique, here are some techniques to get near fish. 1) Aspetto (Italian for “wait”)—It starts from the surface with a smooth duck-dive into the water while removing the snorkel. You descend with soft kicks until you begin to free-fall as you scan the bottom. By turning your fin blades, you maneuver to the right spot, perhaps where the reef meets sand. You lie motionless on the bottom until curious fish come to check you out. Moving only your eyes, you pick out the prey, move your gun slowly, and make a well-placed shot. A good spearo will make this technique look easy, but it is not. This is especially effective with evasive fish that become curious when you do not move, such as mutton snappers in Florida, stripers in the northeast, and bigeye emperors in Hawaii. 2) Agguato (Italian for “ambush”)–This is a dynamic stalking technique to get closer to prey without being noticed. The diver navigates the bottom using the environment to get closer to the prey. The diver must consider current, visibility and available bottom structure while moving from one object to another, blending into shadows or hiding behind reef formations. If your body can be hidden while closing the gap, the fish will remain unaware of your presence.
3) Flashers/ Sheri Daye practices “aspetto” technique. chum—Especially Photo by Joe Marino effective for hunting pelagics such as jacks, tunas, dolphin and wahoo. Multiple mirrors dangle below a float, and the flashes of light in the water imitate the reflective glare from a school of baitfish. The fish come in to investigate. Chum can be used in combination with a flasher to bring them even closer and keep them interested. In addition to these techniques, serious spearos are likely to train in a pool, use meditation techniques, and do cardio exercises to increase their breath hold capacity. Many take freediving classes to increase bottom time and safety. While there is no certification required to do it, classes should be a pre-requisite, as freediving is a sport that can lead to “blackout” and death if not practiced correctly. Spearfishing is a beautiful, selective way to catch fish, but it is also physically and mentally demanding. Above all, be safe and happy hunting! Sheri is a world-record holder, host of Speargun Hunter, and producer of The Blue Wild Ocean Adventure Expo in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Follow “Sheri Daye” and “The Blue Wild” on Facebook and Instagram.
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hen Jesus Chavarria was a small boy nearly 60 years ago, he remembers a giant silver fish with huge scales brought to the dock at his home in the small Pacific river port of Sierpe, Costa Rica. No one had any idea what it was. He went on to captain offshore sport fishing boats all over the west coast of Costa Rica for the next 35 years and retired a few years ago to taking guests fishing the backwaters of the Sierpe River. His specialty is snook but now and then he began to catch tarpon. Tarpon are not indigenous to the Pacific Ocean, but over the years anglers began to encounter a tarpon now and then. The thought is that over more than a century since it was constructed, the Panama Canal has provided passage for tarpon, which now reside in the Pacific. Tarpon capture has been recorded as far south as Colombia and as far north as El Salvador. Saul Porras’ capture of a tarpon that weighed barely 3 pounds at a creek mouth in southern Costa Rica changed the whole thought process. Chances that a fish that small swam through the canal and that far are slim. Are tarpon now breeding in the Pacific? FECOP, the sport fishing advocacy and conservation group in Costa Rica, agreed to sponsor a project to find out more about tarpon in the Pacific. They contacted Didiher Chacon, who had worked on a Costa Rican Caribbean tarpon project almost three decades ago in Barra del Colorado for Dr. Roy Crabtree, of Florida. He agreed to work on the science part of the project. “The Sierpe Wetlands are perfect habitat for juvenile tarpon,” explained Chacon. “That very well may account for the increase in numbers of tarpon caught there in the last few years.” Most of the river tarpon are small, less than 30 pounds, but fish as large as 100 pounds have also been taken. Phase 1 of the project will concentrate in southern Costa Rica. A DNA comparison will be done between Pacific-caught tarpon and tarpon taken from different parts of the Caribbean side of the country. They will also study what the Pacific tarpon have been feeding on. Today this can be done with a small tissue sample without sacrificing the fish. All Pacific caught tarpon will also be tagged. Chacon noted that there is a possibility over time for tarpon to change the ecology of the rivers. It is not yet known what they are feeding on or how they will affect native fish. The Pacific-side tarpon are now showing with enough frequency to make it worth finding out. Tropical storm Nate delayed the project when the massive amounts of rain that fell not only caused major landslides but also completely flushed everything out of most of the country’s rivers. Find out more about Pacific tarpon and other FECOP projects on sport fishing conservation at www.fishcostarica.org.
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ITEM 93454/69054/63395/62603 shown
Customer Rating
NOW
Customer Rating
LIMIT 3 - Coupon valid through 8/1/18*
SUPER COUPON
DEWALT
41" to 61-3/4" • Crane height adjusts from 73-5/8" to 89"
9 $1299
SAVE $285
SUPER COUPON
2 TON CAPACITY FOLDABLE SHOP CRANE 40 VOLT LITHIUM CORDLESS • Boom extends from BRUSHLESS BLOWER
NOW
LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 8/1/18*
COMPARE TO
.
SUPER COUPON
Customer Rating
Tools sold separately.
LIMIT 1 coupon per customer per day. Save 20% on any 1 item purchased. *Cannot be used with other discount, coupon or any of the following items or brands: Inside Track Club membership, Extended Service Plan, gift card, open box item, 3 day Parking Lot Sale item, compressors, floor jacks, safes, saw mills, storage cabinets, chests or carts, trailers, trenchers, welders, Admiral, Ames, Bauer, Cobra, CoverPro, Daytona, Earthquake, Fischer, Hercules, Icon, Jupiter, Lynxx, Poulan, Predator, Tailgator, Viking, Vulcan, Zurich. Not valid on prior purchases. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 8/1/18.
Cannot be used with other discounts or prior purchases. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 8/1/18 while supplies last. Limit 1 FREE GIFT per customer per day.
60" HARDWOOD WORKBENCH WITH 4 DRAWERS
$9999
ANY SINGLE ITEM*
ITEM 63604/63758 98025/69096/63759/90899 shown
ITEM 68053/62160 62496/62516/60569 shown
SUPER COUPON
6.5 HP (212 CC) OHV HORIZONTAL SHAFT GAS ENGINE NOW
1351
• 3.5" LCD Display • Battery Included
99
SUPER COUPON
ITEM 60363/69730 ITEM 69727 shown CALIFORNIA ONLY
PROSKIT
$
MODEL: MT-1210
SAVE $40 $ COMPARE TO
COMPARE TO
Customer Rating
LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 8/1/18*
99
ANY PURCHASE
7 FUNCTION DIGITAL MULTIMETER
• 3-1/2 pumps lifts most vehicles • Lifts from 3-1/2" to 14-1/8" • Lightweight 34 lbs.
LIMIT 3 - Coupon valid through 8/1/18*
$
WITH
RAPID PUMP 1.5 TON ALUMINUM RACING JACK ®
NOW
NOW
20% OFF
FREE
850 Stores Nationwide • HarborFreight.com SUPER COUPON
SUPER COUPON
LIMIT 8 - Coupon valid through 8/1/18*
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At Harbor Freight Tools, the “Compare to” price means that the specified comparison, which is an item with the same or similar function, was advertised for sale at or above the “Compare to” price by another national retailer in the U.S. within the past 90 days. Prices advertised by others may vary by location. No other meaning of “Compare to” should be implied. For more information, go to HarborFreight.com or see store associate.
3/19/18 3/2/18 8:33 2:53 AM PM
GET A GRIP • Safer • Easier • Better
Made in USA
Don’t settle for imitations!
The Fish Grip is a fish landing device that was developed by avid anglers. The goal was to find a safer way to land a fish — safer for the fish AND the angler.
The Fish Grip will help you land fish!
601.368.8982
www.TheFishGrip.biz
Photo courtesy of Outcast Sport Fishing/Facebook
N
ot long ago, people didn’t know there were great white sharks off the coast of South Carolina. Now, thanks to the obsessive pursuit of them by Outcast Sport Fishing Charter Capt. Chip Michalove, everyone knows they’re out there, and in numbers during the winter months. Michalove seems to have figured it out, and he’s not sharing his secrets for fear of hurting the species he spent more than a decade trying to pattern. The captain has caught nearly 30 of these apex predators over the last three years. His most recent catch has made national news after a post about him catching a 16-foot-long, 3,000-pound white shark went viral from his Facebook page. Journalist Mandy Matney wrote in Hilton Head Island’s Island Packet about Michalove’s giant fish. She reported that with a two-man skeleton crew, Michalove had to radio to another fishing boat for backup to bring the giant fish boatside where it could be tagged and released. Michalove tags great whites for the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy in Chatham, Mass., according to the Island Packet report. They are working to study the movements of the sharks in the Atlantic, and through technique Michalove does everything he can to put minimal stress on the animals.
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THE PLANET’S
CLEANEST OUTBOARD It’s never been this much of a rush to make the right choice. The new Evinrude® E-TEC® G2® gives you power plus responsibility. Run the cleanest combustion outboard on the planet, period. Not just clean, but lean, with 15% better fuel efficiency*. No competitor takes you further on a tank of fuel. That’s more adventures to the gallon, more fish in the boat, more dollars in your wallet. The planet friendly E-TEC G2. No outboard engine runs cleaner.
©2018 Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP). All rights reserved. ®, TM and the BRP logo are trademarks of BRP or its affiliates. * Fuel economy claim based on BRP-conducted ICOMIA testing of Evinrude E-TEC G2 250 H.O., Yamaha 250 SHO® and Mercury OptiMax® 250 HP in a test tank to determine ICOMIA average cycle. Actual fuel economy dependent on engine model.
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