Coastal Angler Magazine | July 2024 |Palm Beach & Fort Lauderdale Edition

MAHI MADNESS

WORLD RECORD BLACKFIN!

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PUBLISH YOUR OWN FISHING MAGAZINE

By Nick Carter

Trout don’t grow huge on a diet of insects alone, so Budkey fshes 2- to 3-inch-long bait lures to take advantage of the carnivorous tendencies of big fsh. Tese fsh have good eyesight, so he fshes 4-pound-test and said light line can be the diference between catching dozens of fsh or nothing at all.

Now… battling 10-pound trout in current with light line is tricky, to say the least.

“You really have to wear them out. you all the way down the creek and back up it, jumping and thrashing,” Budkey said. “If you try to muscle them, they’ll break you o

SIT THERE AND FOR GIANT TROUT

Part-time guide Stephen Budkey catches a lot of outsized trout fshing the streams of western Pennsylvania. Much of his success with giant 6- to 15-pound rainbows and browns has to do with location, but he also uses some interesting tactics that specifcally appeal to large fsh.

Te setting is on Lake Erie tributaries. Tese streams vary in size, but generally Pennsylvania is known for smaller fows. Te key to their productivity is the lake. Lake Erie feeder streams experience steelhead runs a lot like the rivers of the Pacifc Northwest. Fish grow large gorging on baitfsh in open water before pushing into tributaries in early fall to spawn. Te lakerun rainbow trout in this migration are called steelheads, and there are bruiser brown trout that run up out of the lake, as well. Budkey also has access to a stretch of privately managed tailwater, which is an obvious target-rich environment for very large trout. Regardless of where he’s fshing, he uses tactics and gear that might seem odd to

trout anglers in other regions.

If you’re a snooty fy fsher, set your tweed hat aside for a minute. Tis might not convince you to pick up a spinning rod, but Budkey has an undeniable knack for catching giant trout, and you might just learn or adapt something from his style of fshing.

Reading water in western Pennsylvania is the same as it is anywhere. Trout like the cold, welloxygenated water of broken water and rifes. When targeting large trout, Budkey said he looks for the deepest runs or waterfall holes in the creek he’s fshing.

“I’m talking about creeks that are sometimes just the width of your car, and these fsh will just stack up in there,” he said. “And when they stack up, they really stack up. It’s wild.”

Budkey said clients who are decent anglers can have 25-fsh days that include trout that might weigh 6 to 10 pounds. Most of these trout were originally stocked by the state, but there is some reproduction, and holdover fsh that have been in

To even the odds, Budkey fshes a 10-footlong noodle rod, which is extremely absorb shock during the fght and protect that light line. Another important factor is a big net for landing fsh, and it doesn’t hurt to have someone else to serve as net-man. Sometimes it’s not possible to bring big fsh to hand, and a net man can wade out to get them.

When trout are aggressive, they are super aggressive, Budkey said. He likes a good-old foating Rapala when the trout are actively chasing and fshes a 2-inch F05 or a 2.75-inch F07 tied on with a loop knot. He just throws it into the current, gives it a jerk to get it wobbling and lets it sit there until a fsh crashes it.

If fsh want something on or near the bottom, Budkey fshes jigs. Trout Magnet jigheads in 1/32 and 1/64 ounce—the lightest you can get away with—paired with Gulp! sof plastics are deadly. Trout are suckers for these scented plastics, and he likes the 2.5- and 3-inch minnows as well as Killer Crawlers and Pinched Crawlers.

Te technique with the jigs is slow. Budkey said he just wiggles the rod tip to give the lure some action.

“It’s almost like I don’t want to move the jig toward me very much, at all. I just want it to sit there and wiggle,” he said. “It’s like shaking a donut in someone’s face at the gym. Tey can’t handle it. Tey’ll run out and grab it.”

Afer the take, it’s time to start worrying about how to battle that fsh to the net on super-light line. Budkey said that is the most fun part of trout fshing, and he loves nothing more than showing other people how to experience it.

See some of Budkey’s tactics on YouTube @FishFightsPA.

NOAA PROCLAIMS RIDICULOUS ONE-DAY SNAPPER SEASON

In mid-June, NOAA Fisheries announced a one-day recreational season for red snapper in the South Atlantic. Although there was widespread grumbling and gnashing of teeth by recreational anglers, it did not come as a surprise to pretty much anyone.

First the season: Red snapper harvest will be open for recreational anglers in the South Atlantic, from North Carolina through Florida, on July 12. Te limit is one fsh per angler.

Te date is subject to change in case a small craf weather advisory is projected. Any change in the date of the recreational season will be announced in the Federal Register, Fishery Bulletin, and an announcement via NOAA Weather Radio.

Now the reasoning: In 2008, NOAA’s stock assessment indicated red snapper in the South Atlantic were in bad shape and devastatingly overfshed. Over the last 16 years, NOAA has essentially shut down recreational fshing for the species, and catch limits for commercial fshing have been kept very low. Not surprisingly, it worked! Populations rebounded to the point where data indicates red snapper are now more plentiful in the South Atlantic than at any time since such data existed. What’s more, the fshery continues to improve ahead of the projected recovery timeline.

Tis year, instead of allowing greater access to the fshery, NOAA decided to tighten already draconian restrictions. Te overall quota for red snapper was cut by 25 percent for 2024. As the fshery has improved, recreational anglers have gone from a ridiculously short fve-day season in 2019 to an absurd one day of fshing in 2024.

According to NOAA Fisheries, the red snapper fshery is in a “recovery trap.” Abundant red snapper have led to increased incidental catches by anglers, and NOAA extrapolates that data into a formula for catch-and-release mortality. Basically, they’re telling us that there are so many red snapper that anglers are killing too many of them by catching and releasing them.

Te result is tighter regulations in an infexible system, where highly questionable data is used to shut down access to a public resource. We’re not even going into numerous occasions in recent years when NOAA has been forced to admit its data is shockingly fawed.

According to the American Sportfshing Association, work is underway to improve data collection for the South Atlantic red snapper fshery.

In the meantime, try not to get in a boat wreck during the one-day mad dash to catch your one red snapper from the Atlantic. Or you can just trailer your boat to the Gulf of Mexico, where the states fnally managed to bludgeon some sense into federal fsheries managers a few years ago.

For more information, go to coastalanglermag.com.

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TO IMPROVE YOUR OFFSHORE GAMEPLAN READ WATER

Welcome to the best day of the week—the day before your next fshing trip! If you’re going ofshore tomorrow, it’s time to make a game plan, and a look at current Sea Surface Temperature (SST) charts is the frst step. With knowledge of accurate surface temps, chlorophyll imagery and other environmental factors, you can home in on areas that are likely to hold baitfsh and feeding predators.

By Mark Ambert

to consider when targeting gamefsh. It provides shelter and feeding opportunities for all marine life. While you can stumble upon fsh just about anywhere in the ocean, you’ll locate more on and around structure.

Large underwater structure defects current and pushes nutrient-rich water toward the surface, creating areas where bait concentrates and holds. Also remember that weed lines are a key form of structure on the edges of the Gulf Stream.

A reasonably priced satellite service is a small price to pay when compared to rising fuel prices and time spent running in search of gamefsh. Here are a few of the factors SST charts can help you decipher and improve the odds of fnding fsh.

Color Breaks: Te boundary areas between blue and green water, ofen referred to as color breaks, will typically stack up bait and hold above-average numbers of gamefsh.

Chlorophyll is the beginning of the food chain for marine life. Find it and you have a good chance at locating bait and fsh. Temperature and chlorophyll breaks ofen correspond with color changes. So, once you’ve reviewed the images and located the general area of a color break, this becomes an area of interest.

Structure & Current: Structure is critical

If you can fnd a color change that corresponds with structure, this is where you want to begin fshing. If everything lines up, there’s a good chance upon arrival that you’ll see marine life including birds, porpoise, fying fsh and other bait. Tis doesn’t mean you won’t catch fsh in of-colored water, but there’s a much better chance you’ll fnd concentrations of bait in or around the edges of areas where green and blue water interact.

Tides from inlets also play a role in water clarity, creating rips and weed-line formation. Bait will concentrate along the edge, especially where this water pushes up against the waters of the Gulf Stream. Look for these demarcation lines on incoming and outgoing tides.

Learn to read these vital signs both on and of the water using charts. If you can consistently

fnd areas that hold bait, you’ll always have a shot at your quarry. You will have become a top predator!

Mark Ambert, IG @marksgonefshing_™

ENTER TO WIN

By Mark Ambert

JIGGING UNDER POWER!

The electric reel is a game changer for highspeed jigging. Electric provides some distinct advantages in comparison to hours spent manually cranking jigs at high speed through the water column.

With this style of jigging, I’m talking about working heavy jigs for big fsh on deep structure. Te key to catching fsh is fnding areas that consistently hold bait. Look for reefs, hills, and larger wrecks in deep water that hold baitfsh. Tis is where you’ll fnd feeding fsh.

Check your sonar screen frequently and look for “scratches” or fsh feeding in the water column. We usually assign one person to call out depth changes along with depth of marked fsh. Tuna can be found from 250 feet up to the surface. Highspeed cruisers like wahoo and kingfsh prefer the upper 50 feet of water, while amberjack will be close to structure. Jigging and adjusting depth to target fsh is more efcient under electric power, and the most difcult part of the electric game is picking the right equipment that works together.

Simplicity, along with reasonable size and weight, are key considerations for long days targeting big game fsh. I landed on the Piscifun Kraken X electric reel, and it has become indispensable in my arsenal.

Te Kraken is moderately priced and uses the same proven Japanese motor technology as many of its competitors. Te 33 pounds of max-drag were put to the test unexpectedly in the reel’s frst trip during a battle with the ultimate slugger—a 40-pound-class amberjack. Tey’re not called “reef donkeys” for nothing! Tis reel made short work of that AJ without heating up or momentarily shutting down, which is a common issue for overtaxed electric reels. I fsh a lef-handed model when high-speed jigging, and the Piscifun PB5000 battery pack provides all-day power and complete

mobility around the boat.

Te Kraken mates perfectly with the Goofsh Monster Deep PE4-7. It’s a 7-foot rod that handles a maximum jig weight of 700g. It can deadlif 44 pounds, and has held up to some signifcant adversaries without being too heavy.

I spool all my reels with FINS braid. I use the 45/6, which has 45-lb. breaking strength and the diameter of 6-lb. monoflament. Tis matches the reel specifcations while adding line capacity. Te thin diameter also cuts through the water with little resistance, which is critical for vertical jigging.

On the business end, I use jigs in the 180-to320g range but can go as heavy as 700g if needed to reach bottom. I use a 50-lb. wind-on leader from Sufx. My go-to jigs are from Williamson, under the Rapala family of lures. Rapala also owns VMC,

so these lures are equipped with high-quality hardware. I use Koika, Kensaki, Vortex, Abyss and Benthos jigs.

With these in your arsenal, you can cover any situation and depth. Make sure to purchase glowin-the-dark options along with high visibility and natural colors. Purchase your favorites in multiple size ranges from light to heavy, and you’re set!

With an electric reel, you can easily alternate jigging retrieves from a slow yo-yo motion, which mimics a wounded baitfsh, to a full-on high-speed assault, which triggers the bite refex. Experiment with diferent techniques and settle on the one that works best on any given day.

Make sure the drag is set like any other star drag reel with the ability to pay out line when a big fsh slams your ofering. Once hooked up, use the electric motor to apply constant pressure. I fnd this is more efective for wearing a fsh down than manually pumping the rod while reeling.

Most of all, experiment with your new rig. It will open a world of new options and make your days much more enjoyable. I alternate between the powered setup and a quality spinning rod setup specifcally for jigging.

I personally have over 400 hours of hardcore jigging on this combination without a single point of failure. Now get one on the water and enjoy your new-found passion!

Mark Ambert, IG @marksgonefshing_™

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Blackfin Schools are Still Here!

By Emily Hanzlik

Just in case you missed the frst few runs of blackfn tuna that made it to south Florida, they’re still around, and this month I’d like to share some information and tips about targeting this amazing eating fsh.

Blackfn are very easy to distinguish from other tuna species. Like all tuna species, they are football shaped with smooth scales. Unlike yellowfn, blackfn do not have elongated dorsal or anal fns. Tey have a black stripe running along the top of their back. Most blackfn caught around here weigh between 5 and 10 pounds and measure in the 20- to 30-inch range.

Tese tuna are found from Massachusetts down into Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico. Within these regions they will almost always be found in schools. Tese schools can be found in a variety of water depths which varies due to current and water conditions as well as the presence of baitfsh. However, they will typically not venture past 200 feet.

Since blackfns are highly migratory fsh and are constantly moving, they can’t exactly be targeted of reefs and other structures, like some other species. However, they do feed primarily on baitfsh and hunt prey like grunts, threadfns, blue runners or even pinfsh, and many times structure is what consolidates these baitfsh. Tuna schools can ofen be found wherever the bait schools are, and they tend to stick around for a while as they clear out all the baitfsh in an area. Tere are occasions when they will also eat squid or shrimp that foats past them.

Of Florida, blackfns spawn from April to September. When they spawn, the schools of blackfn move farther ofshore and participate in broadcast spawning. Te purpose of moving ofshore is to make sure that the eggs stay adrif in the Gulf Stream and don’t get pushed inshore. However, since the eggs and young tuna spend a majority of their life ofshore, this creates opportunities for predators such as mahi-mahi, skipjack tuna, sailfsh, birds, and of course sharks.

Tere are many ways to target blackfn tuna. I like to drif fsh for them with whatever bait is prevalent and available, whether it’s blue runners, sardines or threadfns. A typical spread for drifing might include two weighted downlines—one for the middle of the water column and one deeper— and a couple of freelines, one on each corner. Kites are another great way to present baits on the surface. With a spread like this, you’ll cover the water column from top to bottom and have a good chance of putting baits in a school of hungry blackfns. If you don’t love live bait, slow-pitch jigging around reefs is also an option. Either way, you never know what else you’ll catch while fshing for tuna.

Remember, fshing is called fshing and not catching for a reason. Try and try again until you succeed! Te IGFA all-tackle world record blackfn tuna weighed 49 lbs., 6-ozs. It was caught of Marathon, Florida back in 2006.

Emily Rose Hanzlik has caught more than 60 IGFA world records in various categories. Find her on

media @emilyhanzlikoutdoors.

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GREATEST SNOOK STORY EVER TOLD THE

Every fsherman has a story of the “one that got away.” In my case, the “one that got away” story is of an ongoing battle that became personal.

One fall morning in central eastern Florida, I was fshing under a dock with a Zara Spook. During my retrieve, an explosion broke the water in a way I had never seen in 35 years of fshing. I stood in shock as line peeled of my 4000-size Penn Battle II combo. When the fsh jumped, I saw it was in the mid-40-inch range, and as is frequently the case with big snook, she played with me for a while before bolting into the pilings to break me of. Tis monster would have been my personal-best.

A few weeks passed before I returned to the same dock. Tis time I went armed with a paddletail. Maybe 15 casts in, she bit. I could tell right away it was the same fsh because of the way it fought and because it hit in the exact same location. Speaking of the same, she did the same thing and broke me of in the pilings.

Would you believe me if I told you it happened again? Well, you better, because it happened six more times! Afer the fourth break-of, as I was walking along the shore, I found the Spook I lost the frst time I hooked the fsh.

I told you it became personal. Over the next

four months, I woke up at 4:30 a.m. fve or six days a week to fsh the same spot.

By Brian Dapelo

I ended up having a total of seven hook-ups and break-ofs with that fsh before I went back to the drawing board.

I geared up to a Penn Battle II 5000 rigged with 30-pound braid and a 50-pound mono leader. I changed lures to a Zman MinnowZ pinned to a ¼-ounce DOA red long-shank jighead. My logic was the long shank would give space between the hook point and the leader, which kept getting frayed by the fsh’s teeth or sliced by the gill plate.

On the morning of Aug. 11, on the third cast of the day at the same spot, my lure just stopped. As I came tight, I saw the head of a snook. As it got closer, it kept getting bigger, and when I gave my rod a hard tug, the fsh didn’t even fght. It swam straight to the shoreline. I knew right away it was THE ONE! I worked quickly to measure and photograph

the fsh so I could release it safely. It was 44 inches, without the tail squeezed.

We all have stories of the ones that got away. How many can say they’ve had the same fsh get away seven times, only to land it eight months later in the same spot?

Got a great fshing story? Write it up and send it with a few photos to editorial@coastalanglermagazine.com. We might just share it with the world.

fishing the Palm Beaches

SFishing Forecast

with

Darcizzle

Please be sure to check out my YouTube Channel “Darcizzle Offshore” for fishing videos every week! www.youtube.com/DarcizzleOffshore

Estimated 100 pound tarpon that I caught and released!

ummertime fishing is in full swing here in sunny South Florida! Prevailing southeast winds, typically light in July, and water temps in the high 80’s will be the norm for the next couple of months. Mahi mahi have been seen in good numbers but expect their size and numbers to dwindle as the summer progresses. Your best bet to catch some delicious mahi will be to run out looking for those weedlines and other debris. I have had the most success lately just drifting with the flotsam, tossing out dead bait chunks, and sending a live bait down deep. July also means a lot of bonita aka false albacore, kingfish, and sharks should be in our waters. You can find sails, kingfish, bonito, sharks, and maybe some mahi anywhere in depths from 80’ to 300’ all along our coast. If it’s one of those typical hot & flat days, try trolling to cover more ground and excite the fish to bite. When you are bottom fishing, try using live bait to eliminate a lot of the “by-catch.” The blackfin tuna bite has been excellent the last couple of months, especially on the kite or if you can live chum, with bigger than average fish for this area being caught regularly. Try fishing for tuna in the early morning and before sunset, they love to feed in low-light conditions.     Inshore and at the inlets, pilchards and sardines should be showing up more and it’s time for the snook spawn and tarpon to start showing up. Tarpon have been seen and landed at the Palm Beach Inlet and I know that snook are being landed at the Jupiter Inlet, especially if you can get your hands on some live croakers. Snook spawn in areas where high current flow will carry their eggs during the new and full moons this time of the year through September. You will find snook and tarpon congregating at the passes, bridges, and major sloughs with a fast-moving current. These fish like small live baits such as pilchards, shrimp, pinfish, croakers, and live crabs. Remember, snook season is closed and it’s only catch and release. Keep in mind, these fish like conserving their energy. They only eat when eating is ‘easy’- often at night or on strong tide flows. Plan your trip according! Good luck and safe travels out on the water this month and be sure to shout or say “hello” if you see me fishing…follow your dream!

772-201-5899 • Brian@tckayakfishing.com • tckayakfishing.com

Inshore

Snook fishing near your favorite inlet should be on your list of fish outings this month. They should continue to be in their spawn mode running the beaches and inlets. Get out early and launch at places like the south side of Jupiter Inlet. Fish the beach south and look for snook in the trough and tarpon rolling in the surf. If you want to avoid the heat of the day, fishing dock lights and bridge shadow lines at night are a great way to catch one. Launching at Sawfish Park in Jupiter will allow you to access some good areas.

Freshwater

Clown knifefish and peacock bass should be in their summer patterns. Look to find weed edges near deeper water and free line live shiners or shad. Try to get them back into the water quick to ensure a good release in the warmer water temps. Check out Pushin’ Water Kayak Charters on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for all the latest adventures my clients and I get into.

Offshore

Fishing offshore should produce plenty of bonita, kingfish, tuna, sailfish, and some wahoo in the mix. Slow trolling a live bait like a goggle eye or pilchard will be your best bet. Try trolling 80-250 feet of water looking for weed line or current breaks along reefs and ledges. Vertical jigging should still be hot. Try dropping Catch Fishing jigs in 200-300 feet of water; let it fall to mid-water column and rip it back to the top.

Fort lauderdale

Pat caught this beautiful mahi.

Brian and a nice tuna.

Blake with a good kingfish.

By Mark Ambert

With the summer season upon us, many will choose to spend long hours on the water in the pursuit of their favorite fish. Doing so we run the risk of becoming severely dehydrated. Now is the time to gain a better understanding of this situation and what we can do proactively to prevent it from happening.

When you sweat or lose water through other ways, you lose electrolytes. Replenishing your body with just water can dilute the electrolytes that are already low in your system. This could lead to your sodium levels becoming very low. When this occurs, you could become very ill.

Electrolytes are a key ingredient for any active day on the water.

Dehydration is something we’ve all heard about but unless you’ve experienced a full bout, you probably won’t realize how debilitating and dangerous this condition can be. Early signs and symptoms of dehydration range from minor to severe. Increased thirst, dry mouth, weakness, dizziness, confusion, and fatigue are all signs that an individual may be lacking the proper amount of water. This holds especially true when spending a full day on the water in an open style boat.

Many think that dry mouth is one of the first signs of dehydration. If you are experiencing dry mouth, your body is likely already craving water. If you are concerned that you may be dehydrated, a good way to check is to check the color of your urine. Light to yellow clear is optimal.

If your urine is anything but clear, you are lacking the water your body needs. Dark yellow is not the color of healthy urine. If your urine is brown, you need to speak with your physician immediately.

As a rule of thumb, you should try to drink between half an ounce and an ounce of water for each pound you weigh, every day. For example, if you weigh 200 pounds, it is recommended you drink 100 ounces of water if you are performing non-strenuous activities.

I weigh 178 pounds and drink 100 ounces of water per day or 6 bottles of water to stay hydrated (one bottle of water = 16.9 ounces). Drink more if you are active. Coconut water is a great addition to aid in staying hydrated.

During physical activity where you are sweating quite a bit, you may want to grab a sports drink or coconut water rather than plain water. This will help to better replace sodium lost in sweat. I use electrolyte packets sourced from Amazon. The two I like most are Ultima Replenisher Daily Electrolyte Drink Mix and LMNT Zero-Sugar Electrolytes.

If you are going to be engaging in any outdoor activity such as boating, sandbar sunning, or fishing, you definitely should add electrolytes to those 100 ounces. I always drink electrolytes the night before and again first thing in the morning to get them active in my system before heading out.

Be sure to also drink water throughout the day — especially when consuming alcohol. Other factors to keep in mind when thinking about your daily water consumption include environmental factors and any illnesses or health conditions you may have. Extremely hot or humid air makes you sweat more and will require additional intake of fluid. If you are sick, you will lose fluid more quickly and needs to be replenished.

As you can tell, being properly hydrated is not a perfect science. The best approach is to listen to your body and look for feedback signs. Lack of hydration can lead to severe problems, including muscle breakdown, kidney injury, and electrolyte imbalances. So, stay hydrated and enjoy that day on the water without concern.  It will also reduce your recovery time from a full day’s activity on the water.

Mark ambert, iG @marksgonefishing_™

The Delray Beach Police Department in partnership with KOP Mentoring Network and Delray Citizens for Delray Beach Police hosted the 4th Annual Delray Beach Police Fishing Clinic. Children from the Delray Beach community got the chance to go out and fish on Lake Ida with the assistance and generosity of the Everglades Bass Masters Fishing Club whose members came out and donated their time and boats to take the children fishing. Urban Fishing Florida, a veteran owned business, also came out to teach kids about his social media platform and how he turned his hobby into a business. Approximately 50 children went fishing with their local police officers. The success of our program is all thanks to our sponsors who assist us with making this a memorable event for the children. Thank you, Delray Citizens for Delray Police, Chick-fil-A, Coastal Angler Magazine, AFTCO, Bass Pro Shops, Air Around the Clock, Everglades Bass Masters Fishing Club, Reel Fishing Charities, Urban Fishing Florida, and SOE Foundation.

Forecast fishing

ITo donate or assist with next year’s event, please email leon@mydelraybeach.com.

Sergeant Oscar Leon Delray Beach Police Department

’d typically be writing about a fishing “forecast,” but I recently heard an unforgettable story from one of my good clients, David Gaston, from Orange Beach, Alabama. On Thursday, May 30th, David Gaston set out offshore to do some pre-fishing for the Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic with his friends and family. That’s when they hooked up with this epic catch that could go down in history as the largest bluefin tuna caught off the coast of Alabama, weighing in at 831.6lbs, breaking the previous state record of 829lbs set back in 2006.

David fought this fish for 11 hours on our IGFA80 Full Roller rod paired with a 130 Tiagra with full drag applied, eventually having to use the reverse thrust from the engines to board this fish onto their 66’ Viking Sport yacht, “Fat Chick.”

To make this record possible, David was the only angler to touch the rod for the entire fight, getting help from his crew to stay hydrated with the occasional fresh water spray down to keep clean and cool. The Gulfstream Custom IGFA 80 full roller rod that David used to catch this fish is 100% made and assembled in the USA from a blank that’s made specifically for Gulfstream to the full Winthrop roller set. For more information on this build, email tim@gulfstreamcustoms.com.

ROADTRIPFISHING

By Keith Lozott Contributing Writer

TOWING FROM

ROADTRIPFISHING Buddy Banana Kibosh

Typically, I don’t believe in superstitions, but a er a recent shing trip with my buddy Neil, I may be a believer!!! e morning started slow; I caught a small snapper and small snook. Neil was in skunk mode, so we decided to try a spoil island where I’ve caught some trout, snook, and a gag grouper on a prior trip. To our dismay it was dead as well. Just as we were about to exit stage le , Neil was working a topwater lure back to the boat when what appeared to be a large bull shark came up from the bottom and tried to hammer the lure. Unbelievably it totally missed the lure and disappeared. It was impressive to witness such a big specimen of a sh take a swipe at the lure.

THE BAHAMAS!

By Keith Lozott Contributing Writer

A er the “Shark Week” experience, we continued to struggle so I decided to implement Plan C and move from the east side of the Indian River to the west side. I’ve had some nice shing on the west side with trout, reds, and snook. We made our way across the river stopping at another spoil island only to be greeted with a jack attack. I landed several jacks and Neil hooked one that got o . His skunk was still intact but with jacks around I gured that would change. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case.

Typically, I don’t believe in superstitions, but a er a recent shing trip with my buddy Neil, I may be a believer!!! e morning started slow; I caught a small snapper and small snook. Neil was in skunk mode, so we decided to try a spoil island where I’ve caught some trout, snook, and a gag grouper on a prior trip.

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To our dismay it was dead as well. Just as we were about to exit stage le , Neil was working a topwater lure back to the boat when what appeared to be a large bull shark came up from the bottom and tried to hammer the lure. Unbelievably it totally missed the lure and disappeared. It was impressive to witness such a big specimen of a sh take a swipe at the lure.

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A er the “Shark Week” experience, we continued to struggle so I decided to implement Plan C and move from the east side of the Indian River to the west side. I’ve had some nice shing on the west side with trout, reds, and snook. We made our way across the river stopping at another spoil island only to be greeted with a jack attack. I landed several jacks and Neil hooked one that got o . His skunk was still intact but with jacks around I gured that would change. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case.

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We used the trolling motor to quietly make our way towards the mangroves hoping to get a glimpse of a red, snook, trout, ounder, or any inshore species willing to bite. As we approached the shore, we noticed another bull shark working the shore and of course I had to make a cast or two at him, but he had no interest in my o ering. We kept working the shore and nally it happened for Neil!!! He made a long cast and almost as soon as the lure hit the water, he was on with a nice sh, but we couldn’t see what it was. He started gaining ground getting it closer; enjoying the ght and then it happened! e sh came unbuttoned and at this point I was like dude, what did you do in a previous life to deserve this??? We made our way toward a dock that I know holds snook. I made a long cast and right then I was hooked up with a huge sh. It was a big snook; I got her to the boat, revived her, and released her to ght another day. Success! I said, “let’s go to lunch and call it a day”. I asked Neil if he was hungry and then he disclosed to me that he ate a banana for breakfast! Neil knows not to bring bananas on the boat (it’s bad luck), but it didn’t occur to him that the curse would remain in e ect with it digesting in his stomach. Myth con rmed or was it bad luck? He should’ve brought his lucky rabbit foot!!!

800-4-SEATOW

We used the trolling motor to quietly make our way towards the mangroves hoping to get a glimpse of a red, snook, trout, ounder, or any inshore species willing to bite. As we approached the shore, we noticed another bull shark working the shore and of course I had to make a cast or two at him, but he had no interest in my o ering. We kept working the shore and nally it happened for Neil!!! He made a long cast and almost as soon as the lure hit the water, he was on with a nice sh, but we couldn’t see what it was. He started gaining ground getting it closer; enjoying the ght and then it happened! e sh came unbuttoned and at this point I was like dude, what did you do in a previous life to deserve this??? We made our way toward a dock that I know holds snook. I made a long cast and right then I was hooked up with a huge sh. It was a big snook; I got her to the boat, revived her, and released her to ght another day.

Keith Lozott The Fishing Realtor

Success! I said, “let’s go to lunch and call it a day”. I asked Neil if he was hungry and then he disclosed to me that he ate a banana for breakfast! Neil knows not to bring bananas on the boat (it’s bad luck), but it didn’t occur to him that the curse would remain in e ect with it digesting in his stomach. Myth con rmed or was it bad luck? He should’ve brought his lucky rabbit foot!!!

Keith Lozott The Fishing Realtor

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south county inshore & Freshwater Fishing Forecast with

ith

Here is your July forecast for inshore and nearshore Palm Beach County. The pretty standard summer pattern will continue near shore with bonita, kingfish, sailfish, bar jacks, and rainbow runners all being common catches. If you push out a little farther offshore, it’s a great time to also search for weed lines and floating debris to put a couple mahi in the box. A favorite lure the last couple years is the GT Ice Cream. You can cast them far and easily crank them back across the surface. They seem

to be irresistible to many different species. Neon yellow and chartreuse have both been very productive colors.

One of my favorite methods for locating fish this time of the year that is hard to beat is tossing a handful of small pilchards or threadfins as chum out on the ledge. It usually doesn’t take very long for the predators to find them. It’s a great time to get the fly rods out and connect with some large fish that are normally out of reach. I suggest using sinking lines so that you can cover more of the water column. Large deceiver and heavy clousers are both great choices for flies. Snook will be cruising the beaches; I think the best tactic for them is to fish directly from the beach as the boat tends to spook them easily. Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnows in clear, silver, or silver and black is usually a great choice. Rapala X-Raps in white seem to be productive also.

In freshwater, I would expect the fishing to stay active on the Ida Osborne Chain, and if the water levels stay low. The fishing in the Everglades has been phenomenal. Topwater fishing in the early morning and evening can be hard to beat.

Good luck out there!

ECO ToURISM

with Chris Thalmann

Aqua Adventure Tours, Inc. • 561-635-6899 • www.aquaadventuretours.com

Summer is a great time to get a better appreciation of our unique environment here in South Florida! The days are long, just about everyone’s out of school, everything is less crowded, and there are plenty of fun ways to get outside and learn about our ecology and the wildlife.

I’ve mentioned before in this column one of my favorite nature-based group programs... Adventure Awaits! It’s a whole series of outdoor experiences led by wildlife and nature professionals at the Palm Beach County Department of Environmental Resources Management. Everything from nature hikes to swamp tromps, kayaking, fishing clinics, biking, 4K and 5K wildlife runs, birding, photography workshops, and more.

The Adventure Awaits program has been in existence for many years but it still offers new and different outings that appeal to a broad audience!

Owing to our weather this time of year, many Adventure Awaits programs are geared to early morning and late evenings. For evening events, especially anything west of the ocean beaches, I strongly encourage you to bring your favorite bug repellent.

You can check out https://discover.pbcgov.org/erm/Pages/AdventureAwaits.aspx for upcoming events, including nighttime sea turtle walks

and evening wildlife hikes. The first of the nighttime turtle walks was last month. These tend to be extremely popular because... turtles! So, if you see it’s “sold out”, don’t panic - maybe try some kayaking or a morning wildflower walk.

And be sure to jump on the wait list too, while it’s not the same as having a ticket, chances are decent you’ll find a spot if you’re patient.

Adventure Awaits uses Facebook pretty extensively to post upcoming events. I definitely recommend following the series and Palm Beach County ERM to hear about upcoming events.

And if group tours just aren’t your thing, feel free to contact us at Aqua Adventure Tours. We’ll be happy to set up a private outing for just you, your family, or friends and help you learn more about our unique coastal environments and the many amazing creatures who live here with us.

Here’s to enjoying some time outdoors this month!

Colleen showed this giant bull who’s the boss while on a trip to the ledge.

Fishing topwater for Everglades peacocks is a type of fishing everybody should experience.

Tunas make everyone happy.

This big jack ate a shrimp jig in 115’ of water. Wasn’t expecting that!

Palm Beach In & OffshOre

Fishing Forecast with

Welcome to the Palm Beach fishing forecast for July. The waters from Palm Beach Inlet to The Breakers Hotel will be holding smoker kings just outside of the 60’ reef along with some good mutton snapper fishing with yellowtails also being mixed in. If you’re looking to catch tails, there’s no better way than to throw the anchor and start chumming. Frozen chum works great, but if you’re looking for the “flags” you have to make your own chum. Mix two boxes of chum with some type of fish oil and then use oatmeal to keep it together; drop this down in a ball with your cut bait, then hold on!

HIf you’re just looking to bend rods, the water from Palm Beach Inlet to the Juno Pier will be your best bet. Bonitos will be swimming the edge (130’), as they are awesome fighters on light tackle and great for the kids. Keep a look out for the blackfin tuna, as they also swim on the edge with the bonitos. Further offshore, dolphin and wahoo will be swimming the weed lines. Keep your eyes peeled for floating structures and/or bird action; if you see either, head that way fast, fish on!

Inshore anglers, Palm Beach Inlet will be the hot spot for tarpon and snook. These fish want to eat small live bait, so call your local bait guy on VHF 68. Remember, you can’t catch them from the couch!

appy July 4th! The Palm Beaches and Jupiter will be red hot! A plethora of species for anglers to target snook, tarpon, sharks, and jacks will provide explosive action.

Snook anglers can target beaches, inlets, and the ICW. The snook will school up in local inlets, along deep channels, and beach fronts. Live bait schools are prevalent just about everywhere you look. Greenies are my bait of choice for snook, but pinfish and mullet will get the bite as well. D.O.A. lures work great for snook along the beaches, nothing beats a D.O.A. C.A.L. 3” Shad Tail in bayou tiger or pearl color. Rapala Twitchin’ Mullet baits are also a great choice while fishing the beaches or drop-offs where snook are lurking. The average size of the snook ranges from 5 to 30 pounds.

Silver king action will be great. The tarpon can be found lurking along the beaches and near deep channels. Tarpon school up, where early morning risers will get the best bite. Tarpon on the beach range from 50 to 130 pounds. The silver kings gathering in the inlet and ICW are willing to devour any greenie in their path, but don’t shy away from artificial baits. The D.O.A. Bait Busters and D.O.A. TerrorEyz in root beer or pearl provoke drag screaming action.

The ICW will offer great fishing for big jacks, sharks, bluefish, and even some big tripletail. Docks, seawalls, and mangrove shorelines are great areas to locate fish. Look for bait fish in the area as tell-tale signs that predator fish are nearby. Live baits, Rapala Skitter Walks, or D.O.A. Terror-Eyz will get your drag screaming.

That is the fishing report, hope you all enjoyed. Remember, you can’t catch them from the couch, so get out there and get hooked up. Tight lines!

Taylor caught this snook caught on a D.O.A. 4” Jerk Bait.

Todd and a tarpon boat side.

Joe with a tarpon ready for release.

Alot of fish are swimming off the coast of Fort Lauderdale this month. July is a month of great fishing action and variety. Trolling the reef will not only yield great action but tire out anglers’ arms too. Bonitos are all over the reef and eating everything you pull past them. Every so often you may also catch a tuna or a wahoo trolling, so be ready. I personally like to do a lot of offshore fishing this time of year. There is not nearly as much action as there is on the reefs, but July is a great month to go offshore looking for mahi-mahi schools. Mahi-mahi eggs just hatched a few months ago and these schoolie sized fish (3-5 pounds) are making their way around the Gulfstream, trying to stay alive long enough to get big. When they are this size, they congregate in large schools... there’s safety in numbers. You can troll a lot of miles offshore without a single bite but if you are lucky enough to find a school of these, you can load your whole fish box. Schoolie dolphin stick together so the trick is to leave one in the water. You will see the others in the water stay close and swim right with them. Start casting out pitch baits on light tackle spinning rods and have a ball catching mahimahi for a while.

I also particularly like wreck fishing this time of year. It’s good to mix it up on a fishing trip rather than go trolling the entire time. Deep dropping around the wrecks can be lucrative for some big gamefish if you’re lucky. Groupers are biting better and better the past few years and the wrecks are where the groupers live. Dropping live baits or a chain of squid baits are both solid methods to catching grouper around the wrecks. Drop down smaller cut pieces of squid and the vermillion snappers should give you some good action. Jacks, barracuda, and cobia are all nice sized gamefish that patrol the 200-300’ shipwrecks.  All can be caught on live baits and will give you a great fight. I recommend using heavier tackle around the wrecks so you can get the fish out of the structure before they can wrap you up; these fish are all trained professionals. Good luck to everyone fishing this month. Tight lines!

Fishing Forecast with Freshwater

c apt. Johnny s tabile

South Florida Fishing Charters • (954) 440-5200 • sflfishingcharters.com

In the dead heat of summer, it may be hard to find motivation to head out to the fishing grounds, this year especially as it seems warmer outside than years past. Take it from someone out there daily to start early and be done early, especially when fishing with kids. Keep everyone hydrated, including yourself. I like to bring fruit or something I can keep in the cooler to snack on all day to stay energized.

The Everglades water level has been low, and I hope it will stay that way throughout summer. We typically have two seasons in the Everglades: wet and dry. The wet season is summer (high water), and the dry season is winter and spring (low water). This year, it has been the opposite due to the El Niño weather patterns. When the water level is low, it concentrates all the fish into the main canals, making them an easy target and fun for the whole family. In the Everglades, it’s not uncommon to have a ten-species day, including the peacock bass and various cichlids among native species. My top producers for the Everglades are jerk baits and the Z-Man Micro Finesse lineup. I have 2 rods rigged with both, at all times, so I can quickly change it depending on the situation.

The Lake Ida Chain has also been fishing well. This is the season when the peacocks get extra aggressive in this warm water. Most mornings in July, the water temperature will be in the high 80s and low 90s, and the fish don’t seem to mind it. Largemouth bass fishing has been good as well. Early morning topwater is my favorite, throwing pretty much any spook or prop bait. After the morning topwater bite dwindles, I hit them with subsurface lures and, eventually, bottom contact baits. The best jerk bait I have found is the Shimano Zumverno 95SP; it’s a beast and out-fishes live bait if you can get the rhythm down.

Catching clown knifefish can be challenging. I have found the one artificial lure that will save you time from catching or buying bait. Have this one lure rigged up and start casting. It begins with a Texas Eye Jig Head by Z-Man, and the soft plastic part is a Z-Man 5” StreakZ; rig it up and work the bottom and just off the bottom and wait for the boom! Clowns thump these like crazy, and they’re a lot of fun to catch.

There’s plenty of fish to catch in the waterways of South Florida, just remember you can’t catch them from the couch. Tight lines!

Summer has arrived and the fishing is still red hot. I recommend going out early morning or late afternoon to stay away from the extreme heat conditions and the afternoon thunderstorms, plus the bite is usually better then too. I’d like to tell you about two great recent trips I made with clients. One was to Flamingo for some snook and the other to Holiday Park for some exotic flyfishing targeting peacock bass.

The trip to Flamingo Everglades National Park was with Tristen and his wife Abby. It was a slow start as one of the last cold fronts passed through the day before and there were some higher winds. We went to several spots and finally one spot produced multiple snook. The trick for this spot was the wind. It was blowing everything including the bait right towards it. The snook seemed to be stacked up as Tristen started pulling one snook after another to finish off the day successfully.

The next trip was to Holiday Park with Maggie and her son Patrick. This time we were flyfishing, catching fish after fish, almost every other cast. We must have caught 80 fish that day; from black bass to peacock bass and Mayan cichlids. The key was getting out early in the morning. This time of year, the water level is lower, and the fish are all stacked up in the canals. Patrick was experienced at flyfishing and taught his mom the basics. By the end of the day Maggie was not only flyfishing but bringing in some nice catches.

Tristen and a snook.

Maggie and Patrick with a bass caught on fly.

TRIPLE THE THRILL WITH EVERGLADES TRIPLETAIL

By A. deGruchy

Fishing in the Everglades is always a blast, and sight-casting tripletails is one of the coolest challenges out there.

Tese fsh are unique with their three-tail look and tendency to hang out near foating debris. If you want to catch them, using live shrimp and spotting them is a great way to do it. Idle around and look for foating seaweed, as tripletails like to hang around that to camoufage.

Use polarized sunglasses to cut the glare and make it easier to spot them. Move slowly through these areas, keeping your eyes peeled, but fair warning— it’s not as easy as it sounds.

Once you see a tripletail, don’t rush in. Tey can be skittish, and sudden

moves or loud noises can scare them of. Drif toward them with the wind or current to avoid using your engine.

Tripletails love live shrimp, so get the liveliest, healthiest shrimp you can fnd. Hook them through the tail or behind the horn on their head so they stay active and attractive. Cast your shrimp past the tripletail and slowly bring it back toward them. Let the current make it look natural.

If the fsh is near the surface, just freeline it. If they’re deeper or the current is strong, add a little weight to keep the shrimp down. Sometimes it takes a while to fnd and approach tripletails, so don’t rush it.

Use light to medium tackle, 15- to 20-pound good since tripletails have sharp gill plates. Early morning or late a is usually best, since tripletails are more active and easier to spot then. should be around for the next couple of months of the summer.

Catching tripletail is truly a fun challenge that mixes the thrill of the hunt with the excitement of the catch. Whether you’re a fshing pro or just starting, targeting tripletails in the Everglades is an adventure you won’t forget.

If you are interested on getting on some Tripletail, book a charter with Bean Sportfshing, www.beansport

FLORIDA BONEFISH AGGREGATIONS DISCOVERED

During the 2023-2024 bonefsh spawning season, researchers with the Bonefsh & Tarpon Trust documented, for the frst time, bonefsh prespawning aggregation sites in Florida. Te frst was discovered in the Upper Florida Keys and the second is a suspected site found near Key West. Tese discoveries are a hopeful sign of continued recovery for the species afer a decades-long decline.

“Finding these nearshore areas where bonefsh school by the thousands before migrating ofshore to spawn in deep water is essential for their conservation,” said Jim McDufe, BTT President and CE0. “As our science team continues to identify these sites, we will work with our state and federal partners to ensure that they are protected, ensuring a healthy future for one of Florida’s most iconic fsh species.”

Over the course of the 2023-2024 bonefsh spawning season, which spans from October to April, BTT Florida Keys Initiative Director Dr. Ross Boucek and his team tagged 44 bonefsh with acoustic transmitters with the help of Florida Keys fshing guides. BTT scientists also deployed 37 acoustic receivers on the reef tract, which allow them to monitor bonefsh spawning movements.

“We documented seven spawning events during the 2023-2024 spawning season,” said Dr. Boucek. “Four bonefsh tagged with archival depth measuring tags spawned during these events; three of the four fsh recorded maximum depths of 332 feet, 310 feet, 302 feet. Te fourth fsh recorded a maximum depth of 180 feet on its frst possible spawning or false spawning attempt. Te recorded spawning depth of approximately 300 feet is consistent between the Upper Key spawning site and the suspected spawning site near Key West, and with recorded spawning events in Te Bahamas.”

During full and new moon cycles from fall through early spring, bonefsh

migrate 70 miles or more from their home ranges to nearshore pre-spawning aggregation sites, where they prepare to spawn by gulping air to fll their swim bladders. At night, they swim ofshore and dive hundreds of feet before surging back up to the surface. It is believed the sudden change in pressure as they ascend makes their swim bladders expand, causing them to release their eggs and sperm. Afer fertilization takes place, the eggs hatch in about 24 hours, and the larvae drif in ocean currents for between 41 and 71 days before settling in shallow sand- or mud-bottom bays, where they develop into juvenile bonefsh.

“Our long-term goals are to conserve the reproductive cycle of our growing bonefsh in the Florida Keys,” said Dr. Boucek. “We still need to know where spawning occurs across the Keys, what threats like habitat loss those spawning fsh might face, where their larvae go, and the habitats the juveniles need to ensure that our new population of bonefsh can reach their full potential.”

For more information, go to bonefshtarpontrust.org.

YOUR REEF FISHING CHECKLIST

Regulations change and so do reporting and license requirements. Here are some things FWC wants you to remember before you head out on the water.

1. Get a License and Reef Fish Angler Designation

In addition to a fshing license, you’ll need a State Reef Fish Angler designation if you plan to target any of the following reef species: mutton snapper, yellowtail snapper, hogfsh, red snapper, vermillion snapper, gag grouper, red grouper, black grouper, greater amberjack, lesser amberjack, banded rudderfsh, almaco jack and gray triggerfsh.

Te State Reef Fish Angler designation is free and required for all anglers fshing from private recreational vessels for reef fsh. Tis includes anglers who are exempt from a regular fshing license. Tis free-of-charge designation is used to help fsheries managers improve recreational data of reef fsh, which helps improve the management of our fsheries.

Get your license and State Reef Fish Angler designation online at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com, in person at a license agent or tax collector’s ofce or by calling toll-free 888-FISH-FLORIDA (888-347-4356).

2. Know the Regulations

Know the regulations for the species you are targeting, as well as those you might catch incidentally, before you drop a line. When you reel in a fsh, you will know whether or not you can throw it in the fsh box.

Tere are also specifc reef fsh gear rules, such as using non-stainless steel circle hooks, a dehooking device and a descending device or venting tool. Check regulations in the area you plan to fshing by visiting MyFWC. com/ReefFishGear.

3. Have the Correct Release Gear

Quick and proper use of a descending device or venting tool can help fsh get back down to depth and improve their chance of survival. Such a tool must be onboard when you are targeting reef fsh, and you should know how to properly use it to alleviate barotrauma in fsh hauled from the depths.

Venting tools are sharpened, hollow instruments designed to release expanded gases in the swim bladder of fsh experiencing barotrauma. Knives, ice picks and hooks are not legal venting tools and ofen cause more harm to the fsh than good.

To learn more about barotrauma and how to use descending devices or venting tools, visit MyFWC.com/Barotrauma or check out ReturnEmRight.org/ BestPractices, where you could be eligible to receive free descending device gear.

CATCHING MAHI FOR PRIZES

By Capt. Quinlyn Haddon

For the past two years, I’ve had the pleasure of taking Coastal Conservation Association’s Leiza Fitzgerald out on the water to assist in tagging dolphinfsh for the CCA STAR competition. As if going fshing wasn’t enough of a prize, recreational anglers can sign up for this competition, with a donation to a good cause, and participate in this fshing side quest for all sorts of epic prizes.

Tagging trips with Leiza are some of my favorite mahi trips. She is more excited about catching throw-backs than anything we put in the box. Each undersized mahi, and most of the keepers, are handled with care and released with some fancy new jewelry.

With her tagging gun locked and loaded and a towel to lay over the fsh’s eyes to calm them, Leiza carefully and quickly turns peanuts into prizes, and sends them on their way.

CCA Florida STAR presented by Yamaha is a summer-long event that invites anglers and non-anglers to participate and win prizes valued at almost $500,000, including boats, motors, scholarships and more. Te competition is currently live, and registration is open until Sept. 2.

“In the past nine years, it’s been amazing to see STAR participants support conservation and embrace the catch-photo format,” Fitzgerald

said. “Awarding nearly $4 million in prizes, with $900,000 specifcally awarded in youth scholarships to the thousands of statewide STAR registrants is exciting, but even more exciting is the awareness STAR has created for the conservation of our marine fsheries.”

Te 2024 STAR competition is comprised of eight divisions targeting inshore and ofshore species along with trash cleanup. Wherever your home waters are, there is a way to get involved.

Te most notable of the STAR competitions is for tagged redfsh. Te best opportunity to catch this year’s tagged redfsh will be in Citrus and Charlotte counties, STAR’s 2024 Destination Counties, which each have eight tagged redfsh in their coastal waters.

Six years ago, STAR initiated a tagged fsh division for ofshore anglers, the Tigress Outriggers and Gear Tagged Dolphin Division. Tis division ofers one winner a $10,000 cash prize or scholarship. Te frst STAR registrant who catches a STAR tagged dolphin wins.

Te tagged dolphinfsh were caught and released of the Florida Keys. Tese fsh will migrate up the east and west coasts, providing anglers a shot at recapturing one. Tere have only been two tagged dolphin recaptured in six years, and neither angler was registered in the competition. You have to be in it to win it!

Make sure to report any tagged fsh you catch, whether you are registered or not. Take photos, measurements, tag numbers and information, and note the location of recapture. You do not need to remove the tag if you are releasing the fsh.

Fish are very mysterious, and there is so much we don’t know about them. Te more data we collect, the better conservation we can provide.

Capt. Quinlyn Haddon; Sweet E’nuf Charters, Marathon, Florida Keys; @captainquinlyn; captainquinlyn.com; (504) 920-6342.

- $80 Entry (includes one year CCA membership)

- $40 Entry for current CCA members

- FREE for Youth

- Over 100 Days of Fishing

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- Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day

CAST LURES IN A MITZI TOURNAMENT 17

FIND BLUEGILLS TO FIND GIANT SUMMER BASS

Fishing during the hot stale days of summer is ofen thought to be the toughest and slowest fshing there is. I am here to help with that.

Not only are the next few months an amazing time to catch fsh, they can also be the easiest time to pin-point patterns for big bass. Spawning bluegills are the key. Bass will set up around bluegill beds and feed heavily on an easy meal of bluegills that congregate in the shallows to spawn.

Whether you are an experienced tournament fsherman or someone who just gets out every once in a while to stretch a line, this pattern is easily found if you know what to look and listen for.

You heard me right, listen! Tere are many ways to locate bluegill beds, and my favorite way is to use my ears. When you get around bluegills feeding in grass or lily pads, you will hear distinct little popping sounds of small fsh sucking prey from the surface. When you hear this, you know you are in a productive area, and the big bass should be close by.

Another way to locate these areas is to use your eyes in shallow water. Bluegill fan

TYLER WOOLCOTT

out an area on the bottom just like a bass when they spawn, but they do it in big groups and create a pattern on sand and hard bottom that looks like the surface of the moon.

If the water is even a little clear, you should be able to spot a bunch of odd craters and divots on the bottom even from a distance. Tis is typically in very shallow water, and bass use this shallow water to their advantage. Spawning bream make easy pickings.

If all else fails, or in murky water, I fnd these beds with my electronics. I idle around with side scan in 2 to 5 feet of water to locate crater patterns on my units and mark them with waypoints to come back and fsh later. Tis is a good way to locate beds that are less pressured, because they are harder for other anglers to fnd.

Tere are a few diferent baits I use to catch bass around these beds. Te most important thing is to stay as far away from these areas as you can, while still being able to get a cast into them. Be stealthy because shallow-water bass are skittish.

I like a bluegill-colored popping frog and also a bluegill-colored swim jig with a trailer to match. I’ll also throw a weightless wacky-rigged Senko and will put a little nail weight in the Senko when fshing deeper beds. A lightweight Carolina-rigged Trick Worm or a shallow-diving squarebill crankbait are two other good options. Hopefully this summertime bass tip helps you have a fun and productive day on your waters!

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

THE FORGOTTEN FISH

When we inshore anglers gather around the dock, you can count on one or more of these being the topic of conversation: trout, redfsh, founder or snook. Seldom is it the sheepshead. Although they are not a species frequently targeted with lures, they can provide an aggressive bite and a worthy fght. Keeping them out of the structure they love is the real challenge.

By Capt. Michael Okruhlik

depending on the current, were all it took to place his shrimp in the strike zone. Te strike zone is typically as close to the structure as possible. If you notice the sheepshead swimming around, they always have their noses to the structure.

Te sheepshead is a fsh that my son had never caught until a few weeks ago. We took a trip to South Texas to view our second of four Starship launches at the SpaceX facility. Afer the excitement and rumble of the launch, we picked up some live shrimp, and he was soon rumbling with many sheepshead.

We set our sights on the Queen Isabella Memorial Causeway, as it has a nearly unlimited amount of structure ideal for attracting sheepshead. Using the anchor mode on our trolling motor made it easy to stay close to the bridge pilings where the sheepshead were congregated. My son especially liked targeting them because we were under the causeway and in the shade, as opposed to being out on the open fats where we typically fsh.

A small sharp hook and a split-shot or two,

I fnd that keeping your bait small helps attract the bite. It is benefcial to keep a tight line, as the bites can be very light. One tactic that served my son well was to walk toward the back of the boat and away from the structure once a fsh was hooked. Tis assisted in pulling it away from the structure. Trying to manhandle the fsh out on light tackle would certainly have led to some break-ofs.

Stay vigilant in checking your line for frays afer several casts and defnitely afer each fsh. Keeping a sharp hook will also help in landing more fsh because of their boney, teeth-flled mouths. Tis turned out to be an extra memorable fshing trip. We witnessed another historic space launch, and his catch landed him in second place for the Texas CCA Star Tournament with his sheepshead.

Tis is why I always say, take a kid fshing! Tey might win a college scholarship.

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

BALLYHOOD TOP GUN LURES

WORLD RECORD BLACKFIN CAUGHT AT MIAMI TOURNEY

Amonster blackfn tuna caught during Te Miami Dolphins Fins Weekend tournament is an unofcial world record. Te 50.1-pound blackfn was certifed by an IGFA biologist, and it outweighs the existing IGFA all-tackle world record by a little less than three-quarters of a pound.

Angler Robert (Bob) Kowalski landed the huge blackfn aboard the 34’ Express Sportfsher Miss Britt, which was captained by Gareth Haddam and chartered by Pete Sinnick and his family. In addition to being a potential new world record, the fsh won the largest tuna division at the tournament and earned the team a $30,000 payout.

Te existing IGFA all-tackle world record blackfn tuna weighed 49 pounds, 6 ounces. It was caught in 2006 of Marathon, Florida Keys by Capt. Mathew Pullen. Fins Weekend is an annual fundraiser hosted by the Miami Dolphins. It is a two-day tournament with proceeds going to support the Baptist Health Orthopedic Institute Youth Athletic Outreach Program. For more information, go to bluewatermovements.com.

PHOTO COURTESY OF KNOCKIN TAIL LURES®

IN TEXAS, GIANT FISH BREED GIANT FISH

When it comes to growing giant largemouth bass, Texas has fgured some things out. Since 1986, the state’s Toyota ShareLunker program has conducted a breeding program using huge largemouths caught and donated alive by anglers. Tese donated bass, called Legacy Class, must be heavier than 13 pounds. Tey spawn in a facility before being released, along

with their ofspring, to spread big-fsh genetics across the state.

Te results of the program are apparent in the giant Texas bass caught each year. Many of them go right back into the breeding program, and the spring of 2024 was the fourth ShareLunker season in a row that the program has deemed exceptional.

Tis spring, anglers contributed 19 Legacy Class, 13-plus-pound bass from seven diferent Texas lakes. O.H. Ivie in west Texas is the best big-bass fshery in the country right now. It produced 12 bass heavier than 13 pounds this season, continuing a hot streak that goes back to the 2021.

Highlights from the 2024 Toyota ShareLunker collection season:

• Angler Kyle Hall’s 15.82-pounder was the 37th heaviest all-time Texas largemouth bass.

• Angler Kyle Hall has recorded a Legacy Lunker in three consecutive seasons.

• Six out-of-state anglers etched their name into the program’s record book. Te anglers hailed from Kansas, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma and Washington.

• Angler Larry R. Walker reeled in two Legacy Class Lunkers in 2024. State biologists did genetic analysis of this year’s Legacy Lunkers and made some incredible discoveries:

• ShareLunker 666, reeled in by Larry R. Walker from O.H. Ivie, was a recapture of ShareLunker 646 originally caught by Mechelda Criswell in 2023.

• A 13.2-pound fsh from Lake Athens was the ofspring of ShareLunker 552, which was caught by Randall E. Claybourne in 2014 at Lake Fork. Tis is the frst time a Legacy Class descendant from this family tree was discovered in the program.

• Of the 19 Legacy Class ShareLunkers, 13 had secondary relationships to either previous Legacy Class fsh or other ShareLunkers from which anglers submitted scale samples for genetic analyses.

• In the last fve years, the program has achieved an excellent overall fsh survival success rate of 94 percent.

The Return of a

Tat’s a lot of big-fsh genetics going back into Texas fsheries.

For more information, go to TexasSharelunker.com.

See the Forest Through the Trees

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