Coastal Angler Magazine | April 2020 | Panama City/Destin & The Forgotten Coast Edition by Coastal Angler Magazine

PANAMA CITY/DESTIN & FORGOTTEN COAST EDITION

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PELAGICS From Little Plastic Boats

PATTERN SPRING SPECKS PHOTO BY JORGE BUSTAMANTE, COURTESY OF BRIAN NELLI - WWW.TCKAYAKFISHING.COM VOLUME 25 â&#x20AC;¢ ISSUE 301

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By Capt. Michael Okruhlik

or those who want to catch a heavy speckled trout, April is perhaps your best opportunity. April trout are still heavy from their lowered metabolism of winter. They are heavy with eggs and about to spawn. This makes April a prime month for heavy fish. The warmer water also makes them extremely aggressive and more willing to strike artificial lures of all styles. Let’s go over the how, when and where to target trophy trout in the spring. How: When water temp reaches the low to mid 70s, topwater action can be some of the best of the year. Aggressive trout are attracted by the rattling sound and erratic sway of the cigarshaped lures. You can’t go wrong with bone/white/ silver or a combination of these colors. I like to match the size to the conditions and forage in the immediate area. Required casting distance and surface conditions also play a vital role in my decision making. In rougher conditions, I typically use a large lure. The rattles of various lures also have different pitch. I prefer to use the higher pitch over a muddy bottom and a lower tone over sand, grass or shell. Slow-sinking, rattling, shad-style twitch baits

are also a good choice when trout don’t want to “rise” to the occasion. I prefer these lures with near-mirror reflective finishes. They do an excellent job of impersonating a wounded baitfish, and no large spawning trout in its right mind will pass up an injured baitfish. I can’t leave out the most versatile trout lure of all, the soft plastic. There are many styles, sizes and colors, but I prefer those that give more bang for the buck. When the fish are aggressive, I steer toward a soft plastic with a larger paddle that vibrates, creates a great swimming motion even on the pause, and one that rattles. These three components stimulate a fish’s lateral line, and they can’t resist the need to feed. When: I plan trips according to the solunar tables. I make every effort to be at my spot fishing during peak feeding times so that I’m not traveling from spot to spot when the fish are eating. Where: In spring, I direct my attention to grass flats. Wading is the superior method to consistently catch large trout, but you can still target flats from a boat. I prefer a flat with broken grass patches, potholes, channels, the dreaded prop scar or anything else that breaks up the grass to create ambush points for trout. Try to cover each transition from multiple angles, as trout will

stage on the edge of the sand against the grass. Pay attention to the where, when and how on your next trip. It will increase your odds of landing a trophy trout. It never hurts to practice catch and release on these beautiful fish. Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Knockin Tail Lures, Controlled Descent Lures and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.

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atching big pelagics is one of those “someday” goals for many kayak anglers. Venturing into the open ocean under paddle power after species like kingfish, mahi, sailfish and tuna can seem daunting to anglers accustomed to inshore waters or freshwater lakes and rivers. The first question you might have is: “Where am I going to find them?” Inshore, there are grass flats, mangroves and channels drop-offs that offer kayak anglers good places to start. Offshore waters don’t always give up information quite as easily, but the clues are out there. You just have to know what you’re looking for. The ocean is a big place, but I believe 10 percent of the water holds 90 percent of the fish. Narrowing it down to that 10 percent is the first step. Start your research off the water by locating a beach or other launch point that is close to hard bottom, wrecks or a reef line. This can be done with a little online research and a good mapping chip for your GPS. When the day comes to venture into the pelagic zone, take some time on the beach before heading out. Know the current, wind and water conditions. Is it calm? Is it rough? Are there a lot of weeds on the beach? Is there bait close to shore? Which way is the wind blowing? Answering these questions helps you decide what baits to use and at what depths to fish them. In general, calm days call for running baits deeper in the water column. With some surface chop or visible action on top—like bait jumping or fish breaking the water—run baits closer to the surface. Other things to look for are rips, color changes, birds and weed lines. A rip is an area where two currents meet. The water will look more turbulent than surrounding areas. A defined color change will have strong current running along its edge. Usually these color breaks and rips consolidate debris and weeds, and often birds will hover over these areas. The weeds and current attract bait, which in turn attract the pelagics. When you’re offshore, you have to take what the ocean gives you. Anything that looks different than the surrounding water is a place to put baits out. If you find yourself on the water with no wind, surface activity or weeds, look to your GPS to show you the way to hard bottom, structure, rock piles or reefs. There will always be some type of baitfish around these areas to attract pelagics. Find the bait, and you will find the fish. If you are new to offshore kayak fishing or are thinking about trying it, this information should give you a start on your quest to land a pelagic from your kayak.

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Brian Nelli operates south Florida’s Pushin’ Water Kayak Charters. Check them out at www.tckayakfishing.com and email Brian at brian@tckayakfishing.com.

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ennessee’s Lake Chickamauga has garnered a lot of press in recent years for giant largemouth bass. The introduction of Florida-strain largemouths certainly paid off for this 60-mile-long Tennessee River impoundment. The thing is, all the hype over bucketmouths has overshadowed world-class fisheries that already existed on the Tennessee River from Chickamauga down through Chattanooga. Flowing between high ridges of The Scenic City, the big river pumps out some pretty spectacular action for catfish and smallmouth bass. Richard Simms, of Scenic City Charters, said the fishing heats up with water temperatures this time of year. Whether you’re looking for bigshouldered river smallies, giant blue cats—or a little bit of both—right now is the time to be on the water. Smallmouth Bass: The Chickamauga tailrace lights up with aggressive smallies in spring. They feed up in a 10-mile stretch below the dam. Simms said fishing jigs and soft plastics around rip-rap, current seams and edges is productive. But drifting live threadfin shad or shiners with the current leads to faster action. With light 6-poundtest line enticing the most bites, any smallmouth is a handful. They typically run from 2 to 4 pounds on the river, and a decent day will produce 10 to 15 of

these scrappy bronzebacks. Simms said to expect a mixed bag on live bait. Everything eats shiners, so anglers will also catch white bass, spotted bass, largemouth bass, crappie, yellow bass, catfish and maybe a striped bass. Catfish: Big blue catfish are abundant on the Tennessee River from Chickamauga Dam all the way down through Chattanooga. When flows are right, the tailrace can be very good. When too much water is being released from the dam, Simms heads up to the reservoir. Either side of the dam, the prespawn bite peaks in April. “Both fisheries hold great big catfish,” said Simms, “and pre-spawn is a great time for catching trophy fish.” On the reservoir, deep drop-offs and river channel holes with structure are the places to vertical drop cut skipjack herring, bluegill or chicken breast. Below the dam, Simms drift fishes those same baits on light 10-pound tackle. In 2009, Simms’ client, Jerry Uhrine, caught a 52-inch-long, 75-pound blue catfish on 10-poundtest line. It is a National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame line-class record. “That light tackle technique is really fun because the average catfish we catch is 5 to 10 pounds,” said Simms. “Those 10 to 20 pounders aren’t unusual,

Photos courtesy of Scenic City Charters.

and every now and then we get one of those really big fish.” An average half-day trip from April through October typically yields 50 to 100 pounds of catfish. “It’s real easy to stock a freezer,” said Simms. Check out Scenic City Fishing Charters at www.sceniccityfishing.com.

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Photos courtesy of Tuna Duck Charters, Hatteras, NC.

April action can be fast and furious off the Outer Banks. Here’s one on deck and another on the line.

By Tom Schlichter

he Outer Banks of North Carolina needs little introduction to fishing fans. A true angling Mecca, it boasts super action with striped bass, red drum, cobia, sea trout and a host of inshore species while also offering tremendous offshore action for tuna, billfish, wahoo, mahi and additional pelagic favorites. These ocean predators really get your blood boiling in April, when the action comes alive 25 to 30 miles offshore. “We really do see a great mix of blue water species in April,” said charter Capt. Dan Rooks of the 51-foot custom Carolina Sportfisher, Tuna Duck (252-216-6160; http://tunaduck.com) which sails out of Hatteras Harbor Marina (252-986-2166; https://www.hatterasharbor.com.) “Typical action this month sees yellowfins in the 40- to 70-pound class, blackfin tuna weighing 20 to 25 pounds, and wahoo to 60 pounds. Early in the month, you might also deck a bluefin while the end of the month sees white marlin, blue marlin and sailfish arrive on the scene. Many of the big blues will top 400 pounds.” It’s the combination of bottom structure and a meeting of offshore currents that draws big game species to these waters, explained Rooks. The warm waters of the Gulf Stream flowing up from the south and cool waters of the Labrador Current dropping down from the north meet along the edge of the continental shelf, providing sharp temperature breaks that stack squid, ballyhoo, flying fish and other baitfish. Match a Anglers aboard Capt. Dan Rook’s Tuna Duck Charters celebrate a break over some structure, and you have a great spot to start hefty tuna that slammed a popper off North Carolina’s Outer Banks. your search. “It’s not as important that the temperature break be large as that it be well-defined,” noted Rooks. “I’ve seen breaks here as small as half-a- said. “A storm might push the cool water farther out or bring warmer water degree and as large as 20 degrees. Any break can produce if the surrounding closer in, so you constantly need to make adjustments. Expect to spend some conditions are right. Look for clean water, active baitfish and plenty of life. time searching out the fish even if they were stacked up just a day before. That’s one plus for heading out with a charter skipper; we’re on the water daily, Those are tip-offs that you are in the right area.” Although he’ll sometimes jig or work poppers for tuna, Rooks spends which helps us keep track of shifting currents, temperature breaks and baitfish most of his time trolling. His favorite setup is a natural dead-bait spread, with schools. Some days you find the predators sooner than others – but never give eight ballyhoo trolled in a V-pattern at 7 knots. He works hard to drag his up hope because once you dial ’em in, the fishing here is as good as it gets.” Anglers looking to trailer to this area can find transient dockage, fuel, hotel offerings across structure points, where temperature breaks are discovered accommodations and a boat launch ($10) all at Village Marina (252-986-2522; using on-board temperature gauges and satellite imagery. “The breaks move, of course, and you need to be aware of that,” Rooks www.villagemarinahatteras.com) in Hatteras. COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

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n today’s uncertain world, everyone, especially kids, welcomes an opportunity for stability. One obvious source is family, and any activity that strengthens family will pay dividends. Snorkeling certainly qualifies as a family building activity. The family that plays together stays together. Having fun is important for building family unity if for no other reason than it makes you want to continue what you are doing. But it’s what happens during play that creates feelings of strength and security that make family members see family as a source of support. Building family strength requires communication, shared responsibility, commitment, shared chores and established routines. Snorkeling together fits this framework well. It gives adults and children the chance to demonstrate and practice these behaviors. Consider what goes into planning a dive outing—and how each family member can have a role: • Where do we go? Everyone can have a say on the big trips, while choice of quick local trips could rotate among family members. • What do we bring? Deciding what gear will be needed and how to organize and pack it may require adult oversight, but kids can, and should, take part. • How do we stay safe? Again, age may dictate how you buddy up, but even youngsters should understand they have a responsibility to stay close and check on their partner. Who tows the dive flag this time? • How do we finish up? Everyone needs to take on chores to pack up,

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unpack, clean, dry and store the gear once home. So, when should you introduce your child to snorkeling? Plant the seeds early. I think using a mask and fins should be part of learning to swim. A mask gives clear underwater vision and forces mouth breathing. Fins greatly increase kicking efficiency, boosting a child’s confidence. As soon as they are comfortable swimming and diving with the mask and fins, add a snorkel. While teaching basic snorkeling skills is a family affair, there are other fun ways to strengthen and add to those skills. Pura Vida Divers’ offers a summer Kids’ Snorkel Camp for kids 8–12, built around the PADI’s Skin Diver program. This day camp uses exciting, interactive games and group activities to enhance skills ranging from marine life identification to underwater buddy rescue. The last day brings the whole family together for a pizza party and snorkel outing. The ultimate memory maker is a family snorkeling vacation. There’s no shortage of locations offering interesting aquatic environments for snorkeling. Two very special snorkeling trips are offered each year by Pura Vida Divers—a manatee watching trip to Crystal River, Fla. and swimming alongside whalesharks off of Isla Mujeres, Mexico. For information on the Kids’ Snorkel Camp, guided snorkeling at the Blue Heron Bridge or manatee and whale shark trips, call Pura Vida divers at 561-840-8750 or visit their website at www.puravidadivers.com.

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n a lifelong pursuit of many fish up and down the East Coast, I finally found the species that constantly holds me in awe when I planted roots in northeast Florida more than 30 years ago. With their beauty, strength and tenacity, redfish are second to none. At one point not too many years back, redfish were almost was wiped out, but with good conservation they bounced back in a big way. They have become one of Florida’s pet fish, a favorite of many anglers, that have provided untold hours of fun. Of all the redfish studies conducted, one intensive study by South Carolina’s Dr. Charles Wenner stands out as one of the best. He dissected the habitat of the species and really gives insight as to where, when and what they do. North Florida’s Atlantic coast offers prime habitat that allows redfish to grow to enormous size. Here are some interesting tidbits gleaned from Dr. Wenner’s study. The world record redfish weighed 94 pounds, 2 ounces and was caught out of Avon, N.C. on the Outer Banks. With a range that extends from the Texas Gulf Coast all the way to Maryland and Delaware in the Atlantic, they are also called red drum, spottails, channel bass, redfish and puppy drum. After hatching, juvenile reds grow to about a half-inch in a short period of time and then move from deep water to shallow estuaries. They love our spartina grass flats, where they begin the transition from fry to sub-adults. This occurs during the fall and winter, when they don’t eat much. They remain fairly inactive while waiting for spring. When spring sets in, their metabolism kicks into high gear. By July, juveniles can grow to 7 to 8 inches or longer by

eating small crabs, shrimp and small fish. Redfish mature at about 33 inches and 5 years of age. They typically begin the spawning cycle around the last moon of August and peak from October into November, depending on water temperature. Males produce a drum-like sound, hence the name red drum, which draws the females close and lets the school know it’s time to spawn. Dr. Wenner studied eight females and 22 males in a huge tank. They produced 60 million eggs in a three-month period. Large individuals reach a ripe old age of 45 to 50 years. That’s a long time for a fish to live, so be sure to handle big ones carefully. One of the coolest things I learned was that a redfish tagged in Bulls Bay, S.C. was caught 189 days later in Mantanzas Inlet, Fla. That’s quite a journey for a fish that measured 18 inches to start. Most redfish only travel about 5 to 10 nautical miles from where they were hatched. Capt. Kirk Waltz is a radio talk show host, writer and charter captain who runs Enterprise Fishing Charters. Like them on Facebook or Instagram or go to www.Enterprisefishingcharters.com. Listen to the Outdoors Show in the First Coast area every Saturday on 1010am or 92.5fm from 7-10 a.m.

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Photo courtesy of Capt. Scott Burgess, Skinny Situation Charters

By John Saporito

n fishing, it often pays to be suspicious. Unchecked hearsay saturates the pursuit, and it all amounts to an unfortunate barrier that every novice angler must confront. As a result, few people ever really get good at this sport. For the proficient angler, a thorough understanding of fish and their habitat ushers fishing far closer to a science than it does to a crapshoot. As humans, we are born only with an understanding of how to operate on dry land. We are able to breathe, to move about, and we know how to seek out comforts and avoid dangers. These capacities do not translate to the marine environment. We are biologically unfit to survive beneath the water’s surface, and most people, therefore, cannot empathize with the aquatic world. Water is an incredibly different medium than air. The most tangible distinction is the tremendous shift in density from one medium to the next. The sea is roughly 800 times denser than the air. Think about that for a moment. Sea creatures, as a result, don’t experience the constraints of gravity that land-based organisms endure. Their bodies are perpetually supported by water. This leads to a phenomenon known as indeterminate growth, which allows fish to continue growing throughout their lives. If a fish keeps living, it keeps growing. Such a trait can give rise to colossal specimens, but it requires a feat of survival. The sea is the ultimate crucible of life and death—a domain where mistakes spell doom and second chances are nonexistent. A seemingly endless, hopelessly convoluted food web blankets the planet’s marine ecosystems, bridging regions that are separated by immense distances and orchestrating the fates of all organisms that make their home in the sea. There is no getting ahead in this world; survival ensues on a meal-by-meal basis. Predatory fish, masters of instantaneous evaluation, must promptly determine the risk and reward in every feeding opportunity. Each decision a gamefish makes will dictate whether it perishes or lives long enough to feed again. The fundamental duty of all fish is to eat without being eaten by something else. From its earliest days as a fledgling hunter, the survival of any gamefish is contingent on its ability to carry out this task. Most will not even have the good fortune of transcending their formative stage as hunters of plankton. The minority that survive long enough to contribute a new generation to the sea will do so by becoming proficient in sensing danger and making good predatory choices. This is why big gamefish are so hard to catch; their size is a reflection of a lifetime of excellent judgment. A big fish is a smart fish, an experienced fish. John Saporito is a lifelong fisherman and student of the seas. Visit him online at www.guerillaangling.com.

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TIPS FOR 1 SUP FISHING

PLAY THE TIDE, WIND AND CURRENT: SUPs are lightweight and highfloating by design. This makes them portable, and it also makes them susceptible to the slightest current or wind. By knowing the currents, tides and weather and planning around them, you can save yourself from a grueling paddle at the end of a day. Either start the day with a paddle against the elements and drift fish back to the put-in, or use two vehicles to drift from a put-in to a separate take-out.

By CAM Staff

2 3

TAKE AN ANCHOR: An anchor or stake-out pole is essential when you want to stop paddling to fish. Staking yourself down with a pole keeps you stationary in shallow water, while an anchor gives the freedom to fish deep water. Even small fish have strength to pull an SUP, so an anchor helps when fighting fish, as well.

RIGGED OUT COOLER: On an SUP, your cooler is much more than an icebox. Mounted to the deck just aft of the middle of the board, it is a seat, a work surface and a great place to mount rod holders. Consider getting a cushion for comfort. Mount vertical rod holders to the cooler. Opt for a cooler top with a tray or cup holders to keep stray tackle from going overboard.

STREAMLINE GEAR: An uncluttered deck reduces hassle and makes fishing from an SUP much more fun. Take only what you need, which should include no more than a couple rods and reels and a small ith the explosion of kayaks and stand-up paddleboards (SUPs) in selection of tackle. Some folks like a strapped-down milk crate or a fishing, new boats have hit the market combining the best features 5-gallon bucket for holding gear. Others prefer to wear their gear in a tackle of both. Some even draw on the benefits of skiffs, including motor pack. You’ll also want pliers and fish grips on a lanyard. A small dry bag is power, to become hybrid vessels more like one-man flats boats. good for your phone, wallet and keys, because everything is going to get wet. This evolution of fishing vessels is good, but sometimes the results bear little resemblance to what drew people to the pursuit to begin with. Access to PADDLE LEASH: Tie down anything you mind losing, and this backwaters, portability, stealth and an elevated position are three advantages includes your paddle, which you’ll be up the creek without. Many prefer of SUP fishing. But the reasons most people get into it are cost-savings and a paddle leash with a waist loop. The other end ties off to the paddle simplicity. It’s like bank fishing with much better access. a couple feet below the handle. With the paddle head resting on the The unique experience is a primary driver for SUP anglers. The following board, the handle hangs right off your hip. With a little practice, this setup are a few tips to enhance that experience. allows for one-handed maneuvering of the board. Photo courtesy of Kaku

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By Henry Jackson

any kayak fishermen enter the sport as fishermen, not kayakers. Therefore, fundamental paddling skills are typically relatively low. Through necessity and self-discovery, most of us learn how to make a kayak move in the direction needed. But many bad habits are developed in the process, and bad habits can put stress on a paddler’s shoulders. Taking the time to learn correct paddling strokes will increase time on the water and decrease the chance for injury. The forward stroke is the most basic of all paddle strokes, and it’s usually the first one beginning paddlers figure out on their own. It’s also the most important stroke to perform correctly because you’ll use it 90 percent of the time. The key to a correct forward stroke is to engage the large muscles of the core and use them to power the stroke instead of our arms and shoulders. Performed correctly, the stroke is more efficient and allows you to paddle farther with less discomfort. Engage core muscles by rotating your torso as you reach forward to plant the blade in the water. As the blade is drawn toward you, unwind your torso to power the stroke, keeping your arms relatively straight. A great method for learning the concept is to hold the paddle out in front of you, arms completely straight, and paddle only by rotating your torso. The reverse stroke is another basic stroke that is learned relatively early by new paddlers. This stroke can put extremely high levels of stress on the shoulders when done incorrectly. To begin the reverse stroke, fully rotate your torso and plant the paddle blade at the stern of the boat. Then unwind your torso, powering the stroke, and bring the blade out of the water when it is even with your hips. It will take practice, but eventually you should be rotating far enough that the paddle shaft is horizontal with the side of the kayak, and if you were to drop the paddle it would land in the water without hitting the kayak. The draw stroke is one that, now that I’ve learned it, I cannot paddle without. The draw is used to move the kayak sideways. To perform the draw, rotate your torso until you are facing sideways in the direction you want to travel. Reach out, turn the paddle blade horizontal with the kayak, plant it in the water and draw it toward you. To recover, turn the blade 90 degrees and slide it through the water away from the kayak. Rotate it horizontally, and draw it back toward you. Repeat as necessary. Mastering the correct versions of these strokes will greatly improve your paddling experience and increase your time on the water. Youtube has several excellent channels that illustrate proper stroke techniques. One of my favorite channels is SeaKayakingTV, and there are several others that are top notch.

4 NORTH FLORIDA

APRIL 2020

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A BUCKET-LIST FISH WORTH CROWING ABOUT Photo courtesy of Crocodile Bay

By Todd Staley

hen anglers think of the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, they usually think about billfish. Costa Rica is one of the top destinations in the world to chase these pointy-nose acrobats. Many folks travel to Costa Rica with billfish fever and are not even aware of the great inshore fishery available. A fish many anglers have never even heard about before their arrival in Costa Rica is the roosterfish. This unique-looking fish with seven combs as a dorsal fin is only found in the Eastern Tropical Pacific between southern Mexico and Ecuador. In its most northern and southern ranges, the fish move as the seasonal drop in water temperature arrives. Costa Rica, being in the smack-dab middle of Roosterfish’s range, enjoys a fairly constant water temperature and a year-round fishery. In many places, roosterfish are only available by fishing the surf break. Not in Costa Rica. Of course they cruise the beaches looking for an easy meal, but they also roam the many volcanic reefs. One area that is extremely productive is the Golfo Dulce on the Osa Peninsula in southern Costa Rica, a 32-mile-long tropical fjord. Here you find roosters almost everywhere, along the beaches and even over reefs in 200 feet of water. This allows anglers to target them using several different fishing styles. The locals also catch them with dead bait using handlines off the beach. Roosterfish in the Golfo Dulce average 15 pounds, and fish over 50 pounds are taken weekly. The resort record at Crocodile Bay is 106 pounds. Live bait is most always a sure bet. Blue runners, goggle-eyes, sardines and lookdowns are the favorite choices and are readily available. If you are looking for a monster and have the patience to wait it out, bridle up a 3- to 5-pound live bonito and hang on. The best method to fish live bait is to either slow troll behind the surf line or drift fish over volcanic structure. In the deeper areas, a 2- to 6-ounce weight is added to send the bait closer to the top of the reef. In Costa Rica, circle hooks are required by law when using bait, so it is best to have the “crank don’t yank,” mentality firmly planted in one’s brain. Popper fishing is also popular. Fish will often rise to a lure that is really ripped through the water. This is not a walk-the-dog fishing. The faster you work the popper, with lots of splash, the more hits you will get. At times, you will be surprised by a big orange flash as a hefty cubera snapper comes up from 80 feet to smash a popper. If a fish misses its target, don’t stop. They will often come back and strike again. A long stiff rod and six weeks of dumbbell curls are required to cast poppers any length of time.

Photos by Capt. Allan Smith Jigging will also get you your first rooster, but they are a little shyer to a jig than live bait or poppers. White or chartreuse bucktails produce in the shallow water and mental jigs work in the deep areas. Just about any brand of jig will work as long as it is worked fast. No one I know has found the “Holy Grail” for taking roosterfish on a fly. If you are looking for a real challenge, it’s game on. If you are looking for big numbers on a fly, roosterfish is probably not a good choice of adversary. There has been some success by teasing up roosters, much like you would a sailfish. They can be teased with a lure or live bait or by casting a popper with the hooks removed. To get a fly in front of charged-up rooster though, you have to have the speed of a Western gunslinger and the accuracy of William Tell. If you happen to be lucky enough to be on top of a school of bait and a herd of roosterfish charge in on them, you can get your fly in the middle of that action and have a good chance of hooking up. Some have had success trolling the fly, but that is taboo in many a fly guys’ book. To sum it up, if someone tells me they regularly catch roosterfish on a fly, I certainly wouldn’t leave my wife alone with them. Surely they can’t be trusted. Anyone thinking about a Costa Rica billfish vacation should really book at least one day inshore. Roosterfish are a strong and beautiful fish with an iridescent hue. Their unique dorsal cuts the surface as it hones in on its target. When hooked, they make powerful runs and sometimes clear the water in an aerial display. They make for an exciting sporting challenge and a replica makes for a great conversation piece on the wall. They really are a fish to crow about. More information can be found at www.crocodilebay.com or by calling (800) 733 1115.

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MATCH YOUR TACKLE TO THE FISH

By Robert Wiggers

or fish that are released, their survival often depends on the rod and reel used to catch them. Fish naturally don’t want to have a hook in their mouth, attached to a line, being pulled in a direction they don’t want to go. So, like any animal, they resist in an attempt to free themselves. The longer they fight, the more exhausted they become, and in some instances they deplete every amount of available energy in an effort to escape. The battle is over and the angler has won. Unfortunately, when it comes time to release the fish, it’s too exhausted to swim away on its own. Even if it is able to swim away, it certainly doesn’t have the energy to avoid predators that may be lurking around waiting for an easy meal.

Hooking and fighting a fish is an exhilarating experience. There was a time when it was considered to be more “sporting” to catch a large fish on very light tackle. A long fight requires a degree of skill and finesse in order to successfully bring a large fish to the boat. Anglers are recognized for such achievements through acknowledgement in the record books. However, the majority of recreational anglers don’t go fishing with the sole intent of trying to break a line-class record for a specific species. We go fishing simply to catch fish. Some anglers want something for the table, while others just want the satisfaction of catch and release. Regardless of reason, we usually choose a rod and reel that gives us the best chance of successfully landing the species we are targeting. Most anglers wouldn’t use freshwater bass tackle if they were trying to catch a billfish. The rod and reel you choose to use when fishing for a particular species should be carefully considered when practicing catch and release. Nowadays, the options for rod and reels are endless. Rods come in all lengths and are designed with different actions ranging from ultra light to heavy. Reels also range in size to match the rod, but have different gear ratios that allow an angler to retrieve the bait at a faster pace with less effort. Each combination performs differently. For this reason, many anglers carry a number of rods with them on any given trip. While it may be more fun to use a light rod and reel for catching a big fish, it’s simply not good for the fish or its chances of survival after being released. Studies have even shown that mortality of released fish can happen several hours after being released. There are always instances when anglers unexpectedly hook an exceptionally large fish on light tackle. But if you know beforehand that you are going to fish specifically for large fish, be sure to use appropriate tackle that reduces the fight time. I don’t know of any conservationminded angler that wouldn’t be heartbroken to see a large fish float away knowing the fish was potentially older than they were or that they just killed a spawning fish that could contribute more to the population.

COASTAL ANGLER PANAMA CITY, DESTIN & THE FORGOTTEN COAST PUBLISHER Capt. Randy Cnota

APRIL 2020 | www.coastalanglermag.com/panama-city

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TURN TO THE PROFESSIONAL GUIDES IN THIS SECTION TO GET IN ON POMPANO, COBIA & SPANISH MACK ACTION THIS MONTH!

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No matter the species of fish you’re after, we can help you gear up for a successful trip.

PANAMA CITY / WEST BAY BACKCOUNTRY / BAY / INSHORE:

rv Se

If you’re targeting speckled trout and redfish on the flats, it’s hot enough to focus your fishing time on mornings and evenings. If you can, choose the higher end of the tide while it’s moving, preferably on the way out. Look for the bigger trout in very shallow water right at daylight or dusk. The smaller trout will be in the 2- to 4-ft range and in greater numbers. Redfish will be in most of the same areas but will also be around the docks in the bay. The big reds can be caught around the big bridges and in the pass on the outgoing tide. Most live baits will work as well as soft plastic jigs and top-water lures when they are feeding on top, but the best bait is a live blue crab. Sheepshead are being caught around the jetties and other shallow inshore structures. Use a light weight bottom rig with a small shrimp or piece of shrimp. Pompano can be caught on the beach in the surf using a jig tipped with a piece of shrimp, or a sand flea. There may be some flounder and redfish mixed in there with them. Look for cobia cruising the beaches with rays or turtles and have a live eel ready to go for your best chance.

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Panama City, FL - Apr 2020 High

Date

Low

Rise

Set

Wed

3:35

1.3

2:49

-0.3

6:29

7:03

Thu

4:52

1.3

3:44

-0.3

6:28

7:03

Fri

6:33

1.3

4:29

-0.3

6:27

7:04

Sat

8:14

1.2

5:07

-0.2

6:26

7:04

Sun

9:44

1.1

5:37

-0.1

6:25