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Heads Of Cold Steel Winter Steelheading In Upstate New York By Frank Geremski -The Angler Magazine of Upstate NY publisher
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inter steelhead fishing can be chilling, but once you hook into a 10-pound, lightning-fast bolt of silver, your blood will be boiling. The speed and explosion are what lures steelheaders to expose themselves to harsh Great Lakes winters. And there’s more. On Upstate New York’s Salmon River, there are plenty of beautiful, large, lake-run brown trout mixed in. Plus, today’s lightweight protective clothing provides comfort between strikes. The Salmon River in Oswego County, N.Y. (www.visitoswegocounty.com) offers consistent steelhead fishing during the late fall, winter and spring. In fact, the river has runs of trout and salmon from Lake Ontario all year long. With many quality tributaries along its length and a hatchery, this highquality wilderness river once was home to a legendary Atlantic salmon run. Rebounding populations of Atlantics still exist due to restoration projects, but Pacific salmon dominate the scene in late summer and fall. Huge chinook salmon, some heavier than 30 pounds, and coho salmon run up 14 miles of prime spawning and fishing waters each fall. A good number of steelhead (rainbow trout) follow the salmon to feed on the eggs dropped during this legendary fall salmon run. The steelhead feed aggressively during the salmon run, and they remain in this beautiful blue-ribbon river all winter, providing more than six months of explosive action. Winter thaws and early spring rains invite the remaining Lake Ontario steelhead to spawn and join their riverwintering kin. It’s a truly dynamic trophy trout experience. The Salmon River holds big fish. Ten-pound steelhead are commonplace. Fish in the teens are a definite possibility, and persistent steelheaders get chances every year on specimens in the 20-pound range. When salmon first enter the Salmon River in September and October, steelhead and lake-run brown trout mix in with pacific salmon making their spawning run. Both trout species feed on salmon eggs, and just when the salmon die off, the brown trout begin to spawn. Their eggs supplement the steelheads’ diet. Large numbers of giant trout and steelhead winter in the river, with additional fish running up from Lake Ontario all winter and early spring. When they first enter the river, these brightly colored bullets aggressively strike offerings like egg sacks, bright Estaz flies or beads that imitate eggs. Midriver matriculation brings them past the village of Pulaski, where there are about 10 miles of mostly public fishing access to deep holes, runs, rapids and every kind of trout water. Several high-quality tributaries flow in along the way and provide excellent spawning grounds up to what’s considered the upper section of the river. Natural reproduction does occur, and New York state operates a large hatchery on the upper end of the Salmon River. Since the Salmon River is a tailwater, this upper section is fishable all winter and never ices up. With egg availability diminishing, the winter steelhead diet evolves to more nymphs and stoneflies. Fly fishing is effective yet challenging. This section of river is ideal for fighting and landing large fish, with catch and release encouraged. Many trophy steelhead in the teens are photographed for replica mounts, and brown trout in the 5- to 10-pound range are caught regularly, with fish in the teens a possibility. 8
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The Salmon River has a reputation for tight quarters during the peak of the salmon run. Crowds diminish during winter steelhead season. Weekdays bring even less competition. Two very select permit-only resort properties are located on the two best sections of river offering managed access and exclusive riverside lodging. On the upper river, The Tailwater Lodge in Altmar, N.Y. has private southside access to Schoolhouse Pool and the runs and holes above and below. This is the prime wintering spot for a large percentage of steelhead and the best access for ice-free angling. The Tailwater is an Orvis-endorsed lodge, which includes an on-site fly shop, “The Woodshed.” Zero Limit Adventures Guide Service, also Orvis endorsed, has a collaborative relationship with Tailwater Lodge and provides outstanding guidance to this section and the entire Salmon River. They’ll get you dialed into current river conditions and what the fish are feeding on. The Tailwater Lodge’s opulent accommodations coupled with their location on the river and exclusive access make it the Mecca for Salmon River steelheading. This large section of river provides various speeds of current and holding water with ice-free conditions all winter. Tactics for hooking these giants include fly fishing, spinning, float fishing and center-pin techniques. The Angler Magazine highly recommends booking an experienced licensed guide on your first day to instruct you on equipment, fly or bait selection and technique. Allow Tailwater Lodge (www.tailwaterlodge.com) and Zero Limit Adventures (www. zerolimitadventures.com) ease the entry into this elite pursuit. Douglaston Salmon Run (DSR) manages more than 2 1/2 miles of exclusive access in the lower end of the Salmon River where steelhead first enter from Lake Ontario. Early steelhead action can be fast and furious. Winter access is dependent on weather conditions, as the middle and lower sections of the Salmon River get slushy or iced over during mid-winter cold speels. DSR (www. douglastonsalmonrun.com) publishes an accurate and honest daily report that functions as a great information source for river conditions and fish movement. The highly challenging adventure of hooking and battling your first 10-pound-plus Great Lakes steelhead will certainly not be your last. This divine experience will put you in a league of sportsmen who are the only ones to understand this trophy steelhead quest. It’s a feeling like the adrenaline rush of your first buck or sailfish. This heart-pounding adventure on a beautiful river will provide a memory that can be yours forever. To check out the “Men of Steel” video, go to
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12/15/16 3:09 PM
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Editor’s Note: Each month, Coastal Angler Magazine and The Angler Magazine staff search our vast coverage area for photos that will grace our covers. With well over a million readers in diverse coastal and inland markets, our magazines strive for broad national appeal as well as local-level intelligence to put anglers on fish. The cover is different depending on which edition you, the reader, are holding. The following is a little information about this month’s covers.
COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE Houma, Louisiana
FREE
The big black drum on the cover of Coastal Angler’s January editions was caught by Banging The Drums Of Jacki Shae, whose south Florida upbringing Houma, La. taught her a love of fishing from an early age. Winter Chrome In On a recent ladies-only fishing trip to the Upstate N.Y. marshes around Houma, Louisiana, Jacki learned a newfound respect for black drum. Local This often overlooked cousin to the everpopular red drum might not be much on looks, but it puts up a heck of a fight and grows even larger than the big bull reds prized by so many anglers. Rumor has it the fish on the cover was caught with one of those kids’ Barbie rods spooled with 30-pound test. With tutelage from their guide Brittney Novalsky, the ladies also did battle with some of the big redfish Louisiana is famous for. Four young women staying on a houseboat and hauling big fish from the Louisiana mud… what more could anyone ask for from a fishing expedition?
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The covers of this month’s editions of The Angler feature a beautiful chrome steelhead Winter Chrome In caught by Zero Limit Adventures Guide Rob Upstate N.Y. Reynolds. The photo was taken by Zero Limit Banging The Drums Of Adventures Guide Matthew DeRosa. The fish was caught on the Salmon River in Oswego County, New York. To learn more Local about this fantastic fishery view this month’s article “Heads of Cold Steel” by The Angler Magazine Upstate New York publisher Frank Geremski. Zero Limit’s diverse team of guides offer tailored trips of a lifetime and expertly fish many tributaries of central and western New York. They can be reached by e-mail via mderosa@zerolimitadventures.com by phone at 585-766-2421, or view their website at www.zerolimitadventures.com. Zero Limit has a collaborative relationship with the opulent Tailwater Lodge www.TailwaterLodge.com in Oswego County. Tailwater Lodge offers exclusive access and wonderful accommodations on the banks of the Salmon River, home of legendary trophy salmon, steelhead and brown trout runs from Lake Ontario. Call Tailwater Lodge for availability and reservations at 315-298-3434. To learn more about Lake Ontario, the Salmon River and Oswego County fishing go to www. visitoswegocounty.com or call 1-800-248-4FUN. Houma, La.
Fishing Reports Catch Photos News & Events
PHOTO COURTESY OF ZERO LIMIT ADVENTURES GUIDE MATTHEW DEROSA VOLUME 22 • ISSUE 264
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LADIES DRUM UP ACTION IN THE LOUISIANA MARSH By Jacki Shea
I
find myself staying in the strangest places when I go on fishing adventures. But as long as it involves fishing, sleeping on a couch or on the ground really doesn’t matter. On this particular trip, my friends and I found ourselves in a small houseboat on a river in the Louisiana marshes west of New Orleans. It was tiny, there was only one bathroom (picture four girls trying to use one bathroom), and the bed sheets smelled like a man after a long day of fishing. You might be wondering what brought us to such a place, and I will give you two very good reasons: redfish and black drum. Enormous specimens of these two drum species come into the marsh each fall and winter, 20 to 30 pounds to be more specific. If you plan on making the trip to Louisiana to do some inshore fishing, it is not necessary to stay on a houseboat; however, I highly recommend it. When
you wake up each morning, you are on the water ready to fish with your boat tied up next to you. Of the drum family, redfish seem to be the most popular inshore species. Redfish are always a great fight, especially the big bulls. But many anglers seem to overlook black drum, which are sometimes referred to as a “mud donkeys.” It is not an attractive fish, nor is it great for eating; therefore, it is not commonly targeted. This fish does, however, grow the largest of the drum species, and it fights with the same action and power as a bull red. Now that I’ve caught a few, I believe black drum can look very pretty once the Louisiana sun hits those scales just right. Redfish and black drum are thick in the Louisiana marshes all year, but the season for the monsters runs from September to January, when big fish move from offshore into the marsh following migrating baitfish. When the baitfish show up inshore, the big fish won’t be far behind. For bait you can use live or artificial depending on whether you are trying to sight fish or just toss a line out and wait. On our trip, we used a standard knocker rig, with an egg sinker and a hook, and sank split live blue crabs and shrimp to the bottom and waited. The fishing is quite simple when you know where the fish are, although a guide is recommended for those unfamiliar with the waters because it’s easy to get lost in the marsh. Keep an eye out for cold fronts. The cold fronts clean up the water and bring the fish closer to the surface, which makes for perfect sight fishing. The fish also enjoy the cooler inshore water, so they will be more abundant and active. Check out Jacki’s YouTube channel Jacki Shea Fishing for videos of her fishing adventures. Her guide for the Louisiana trip was Brittney Novalsky who can be contacted through www.fishingadventureswithbrittney.com. For more fishing with Jacki Shea, go to
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By Tom Karrow Researcher Tom Karrow assessing fishery health in Abaco with a Bahamian angling guide from the Delphi Club. Photo by Andrew O’Neill
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hen I first started fly fishing in the 80s, the sport was not nearly as popular as it is today. Shops carrying fly tackle were sparse, people with knowledge of the sport were few and far between and getting lessons was nearly impossible. When I think back to those days, recalling the number of flies I lost in trees, the frequent tangles I developed and the shear lack of fish I caught, it is a wonder that I kept with it. Indeed, if it were not for the fly tying component of the sport, I might well have thrown in the towel. I love fly tying; being able to create something to fool fish with is a marvelous achievement. In contrast to my early fly fishing days, today there is a seeming abundance of information on the sport, from equipment, to angling destinations; everyone seems to have some insights. On top of this has been the advent of the Internet, a treasure trove of information and misinformation. The fact of the matter is, fly fishing is not nearly as complicated as it may seem. It is simply a form of fishing that allows for lightweight or nearly weightless “lures” to be used, which without the added weight in the line could not be presented to a fish. In some cases, fly fishing is a far superior method for fooling fish and in others, deep waters for example, far more challenging. When it comes to heavily pressured or sensitive fish, especially those inhabiting shallow inshore waters, I would argue fly fishing can often out-produce other techniques. Being able to imperceptibly drop a fly in front of fish when they are used to loud splashes from heavy lures or live baits can often result in fooled fish. Fly fishing is sometimes called an art, perhaps because of the apparent delicateness of the cast, the manner in which the line travels out over the water, or because many incorrectly, consider it hard. So let me correct this fallacy. Fly fishing is not hard, it does not need to be complicated and it can be very easily learned. If you really want to learn to fly fish, I would suggest a trip to the Bahamas. The weather is beautiful, the waters are stunning, and the people, culture and food are marvelous. The chance of catching fish is very high, as the guides are great instructors and a week’s worth of fly fishing immersion would provide incredible advancement in understanding and skill level. Throughout my travels in the Bahamas, I have met many wonderful guides and visited many top-notch facilities. To highlight one Bahamian guide or lodge is simply impossible. However, when it comes to learning the sport, be honest. When booking a trip to a lodge, perhaps directly or through a travel company like Yellow Dog Fly Fishing or Frontiers International, tell them what you want. Tell them you are a beginner. Tell them you want to learn. Through this strategy, those in the know will put you with facilities and personnel best suited to an instructional 12
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Great equipment meets great Bahamian culture. Photo by Tom Karrow
environment. You want a location that offers everything, lodging and food of course but also equipment, casting lessons, fly tying lessons, safety instruction along with patient and professional guides. One common thread that has become apparent through my research in the Bahamas is the respect that Bahamians have for travelers, specifically bonefish anglers. Bahamians openly welcome tourists, recognizing the importance that bonefishing has on local Family Island communities. Bonefishing on some Bahamian islands provides employment for up to 80 percent of the local population. With that level of economic importance, industry professionalism is critical along with healthy fisheries. In the Bahamas you will find both a high degree of angling knowledge and amazing fisheries. The Bahamas are certainly an excellent place to consider taking a trip and a phenomenal place to learn to fly fish. What I find most attractive about the Bahamas is the shear diversity available. With more than 700 islands, there is something for everyone. And for anglers, old and new, there are always new opportunities to learn from. Tom Karrow is a sustainable tourism scholar from the University of Waterloo. His research focuses on the Bahamian bonefishing industry, centered on the guides and their knowledge, stories and experiences. For more on his research see: http://tomkarrow.wixsite.com/bahamasguide-tek, and follow Coastal Angler Magazine for updates and more. Tom Karrow can be reached at tkarrow@uwaterloo.ca or tomkarrow@ gmail.com. For more Bonefishing in the Bahamas, go to
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no weight reduction had gone into the components above the handle. The guides were large and weighty. As a result, the rod was annoyingly front-heavy, even when I mounted two of the spinning reels I had tabbed for the task. Lost balance led to lost feel and sense of control over my bait. It took an oversized reel to bring anything resembling “balance” to this rod, and the resultant combo was still cumbersome. “It’s hard to get a rod perfectly balanced without knowing the reel a guy plans to put on it,” said Russ Lane, a Bassmaster Elite Series angler known for his talent for tackle tinkering. Lane wraps many of his rods with Winn Superior Rod Wrap (www.winngrips.com) to give them the same advantages of hand control and comfort that he gets with the Denali Attax rods and other rods in his arsenal already fitted with Winn grips. But at times there’s a secondary benefit to the wrap. “Sometimes adding the Winn rod wrap can add just enough weight to balance a rod,” noted Lane. He faced a formidable “weight-forward” balance challenge with the flipping/pitching rod he uses to punch matted vegetation with soft plastic lures and 1.5-ounce tungsten By Mike Pehanich weights. “I needed to add more weight to the handle,” Lane recalled. As usual, he covered the cork mid-grip of this 7-foot, 6-inch Denali Lithium Flipping Stick (Xtra Heavy) with the ightness” has been the dominant thrust of rod evolution for years. Lightweight guides, skeletal reel seats, split grips… these and other polymer overwrap. Before he added the wrap to the butt grip, however, he developments have served rod builders in their ongoing quest to added Storm SuspenStrips—adhesive-backed rectangles of soft lead that he reduce rod weight and, in turn, diminish fatigue and enhance angler comfort generally uses to add weight to his jerkbaits—to the tapered butt grip. “You can get the balance perfect by adding just enough lead tape over the and feel on the water. Oddly enough, radical downsizing of rod components sometimes produces butt grip before adding Winn overwrap on top of it,” explained Lane. “Balance the opposite of its intended effect if rod balance is significantly compromised makes a big difference when you are flipping those heavy tungsten weights in along the way or when heavier-than-usual lures or terminal tackle enter the heavy cover all day long.” picture. Several seasons ago, a rod manufacturer asked me to road test a new midFor a word from Lester on the benefits of Winn Grips, go to priced spinning rod the company was planning to bring to market. The design team had taken the split grip concept to an extreme, virtually eliminating the mid (rear) grip altogether and adding a very airy foam to the butt grip. However,
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Shown above: Chad Roberson, President of H2O Sports congratulates Danny Amador on his new boat.
hat’s a real mouthful of salutations, but the winner of Coastal Angler and The Angler Magazine’s Boat Giveaway contest is certainly deserving of all three. Danny Amador was drawn as the winner of the 15’10” Cape Craft boat with 75 hp Honda engine and a Coyote trailer. A massive fire at H20 Sports Manufacturing delayed much of their manufacturing, and Danny Amador had to wait until Dec. 9 to pick up his brand new Cape Craft vessel. That’s where the story gets really interesting. Dec. 9 is Danny’s birthday. Yep, and as all December birthday people know it’s always “Happy Birthday and Merry Christmas.” Coastal Angler Magazine would like to salute Danny Amador for his patience in receiving his boat. Unforeseen circumstances can sometimes alter even the best of transactions. Danny Amador’s patience and H20’s commitment to fulfilling the contest award represented the best of our industry. In addition to Danny’s boat, motor and trailer, Chad Roberson, H20 Sports Manufacturing’s President, insisted on
throwing in a free bimini top and invited Danny Amador to pick his favorite custom color for the boat. Good things are worth waiting for. Special thanks to Top Notch Marine in Fort H2O Staff and Danny Amador shown at H2O Sports headquarters. Pierce, Fla. for their assistance in titling this boat to our Florida winner. Once again to Danny Amador: “Congratulations, Happy Birthday and Merry Christmas!”
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UNDER THE SEA
Center s LIONFISH: CAN’T BEAT ’EM? EAT ’EM! SHERI DAYE
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lthough beautiful to look at, the invasive lionfish poses a severe threat to Atlantic and Gulf waters. They are known for having spines that can sting if not handled properly, but the meat is perfectly safe and delicious to eat. In other words, they are venomous but not poisonous. Lionfish is becoming increasingly common on restaurant menus and is even available at Whole Foods grocery stores. Connoisseurs often compare the quality to hogfish – a fine, delicate white meat. The scientific community concluded that home aquarists are to blame. Much like the python in the Everglades, it only took a few released invasive individuals to begin the breeding cycle. Since they are a new and strange looking species, native fish are not consuming lionfish. Yet lionfish are consuming juvenile native species at an alarming rate. Adding to the problem, they also breed at an amazing rate. Females reach sexual maturity at six months and release up to 30,000 eggs every five days. They now cover the east coast of the U.S., the entire Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic side of Central and South America, and can be found between 2 and 1,000 feet deep. The most effective way of hunting them, by far, is spearfishing. Since they have no natural predators, they are not wary which makes them easy to spear. Just handle the spines with care and you will be rewarded with a delicious meal while helping the environment! Lionfish hunting tips: 1. First, you must find them! Unfortunately, they are everywhere—look on reefs, wrecks, sometimes out in the open and often in ledges and holes. 2. Handle them carefully and do not to let the fins puncture your skin. If stung on the hand, remove any rings right away. The best treatment is heat, which breaks down the venom. Heat packs or hot water collected from the boat exhaust can be used. 3. Use the specially designed pole spears (such as Neritic) and use lionfish containers (such as the Zookeeper), which are puncture-proof. These specialty items can be found on the LionfishHunting.com website or your local dive shop.
4. Once back on the boat/shore, place lionfish into cooler and continue to handle with care. The protein-based venom is broken down by heat but preserved by cold. 5. Lionfish can be filleted just like any other fish. See LionfishHunting.com for a good set of instructions with photos on how to fillet. 6. Lionfish can be prepared like any other white-meat fish. Many recipes can be found online. For an impressive presentation, they can even be cooked whole as cooking neutralizes the venom. P. S. The Blue Wild Ocean Adventure Expo, which takes place April 2017 in Ft. Lauderdale, will have a Lionfish Pavilion featuring several exhibitors along with a cook-off event where several chefs will be showing off their best recipes and giving samples. Happy Hunting! Sheri Daye is a world-record holder, host of Speargun Hunter, and producer of “The Blue Wild Ocean Adventure Expo” in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Follow “Sheri Daye” and “The Blue Wild” on Facebook and Instagram.
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t’s 6:30 a.m., and my photographer and I are following a black Ford F-150 from Georgetown to Rolle Town in Exuma, Bahamas. The sun is slowly making its journey upwards, and the landscape seems to be glowing because of it. We make our way to a little dock below a hill, park our rental car and board the boat. Off we go dashing across the still water in the dim early morning. The sun and its bright orange rays are barely above the horizon. Exuma is an interesting place to bonefish. Known more for the swimming pigs and its dozens of beautiful cays, the island has become a popular hub for tourists in search of authentic Bahamian island life. Boasting top resorts like Sandals Emerald Bay, February Point and Grand Isles, Exuma is not short on gorgeous properties overlooking its turquoise and electric blue waters. My guide, Reno Rolle, explains that Exuma has never been known as the fishing capital of The Bahamas; that title is held by Andros, Eleuthera, Bimini or Abaco. But Rolle said his clientele includes people from Germany, Paris, the Unites States and lately, Canada. And Rolle, who has been fishing for 20 years, does everything he can to make his clients lifelong patrons. “I’ve got a guy from Germany who has been fishing with me for six years,” he said. “For one, I feel that as long as people get comfortable fishing with you as a guide they continue to building that relationship and it becomes naturally like that’s your friend. When we look at bonefishing, sometimes it just draws the outer world into these islands.” There are eight full-time professional bonefish guides on Exuma. Exuma is centrally located in the island chain of The Bahamas. A 35-minute flight from New Providence, Exuma is also an hour from Miami. Flights include Air Canada, American Eagle and Delta Airlines. The Tropic of Cancer runs through a beach in Exuma, aptly named the Tropic of Cancer Beach. There is lots to do on the island. The swimming pigs tour, a journey through most of northern Exuma, takes guests from Barraterre on Great Exuma to Compass Cay in the north. Four C’s Adventures is a recommended guide service that can accommodate large groups. Visitors not only get to meet the pigs on pig beach, they get to explore Thunderball Grotto, an underwater cavern filled with marine life, which served as a pivotal scene in the 1965 James Bond film Thunderball. Within a few miles of that is a sunken drug plane. Then there is a beach filled with endangered iguanas, a property once owned by actor Nicholas Cage and of course Compass Cay and its equally
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famous nurse sharks. These are experiences that can only be found on Exuma. Thousands of sailors anchor in Georgetown each year during the summer season, many are on their way south in an epic exploration of the Caribbean. Exuma’s harbors are well protected and exciting. Chat N Chill, a restaurant and bar found on Stocking Island, overlooks that harbor. On a dull day, you’ll find about 20 people on the island feeding stingrays and eating fresh tropical conch salad and enjoying a Kalik – beer of The Bahamas. Rolle, my guide, grew up on Exuma. The son of a taxi driver, Rolle began instructing me in the ways of the fly rod during our trip. “It’s the only way to bonefish,” he told me. While we circled around the back of Rolle Town searching for the gray ghost in the marshes, I learned just how complex using the fly rod can be. Rolle caught one bonefish that day, I caught zilch. Needless to say, I did not master the fly rod. As we returned from our trip, the tide became increasingly low and suddenly several sandbars appeared above the water’s surface. Exuma is truly one of the most exciting and unpredictable islands in the Bahamian archipelago.
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PUBLISHER’S NOTE MIKE AND LISA DANFORTH
Here Come the Shows! And headed to Los Cabos for Marlin.
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ust as we are recovering from our turkey day food hangover, here come the Christmas holidays. By the time you read this, the holidays will be over, the kids will be back at college and life should be getting back to normal after the crush. Fishermen and boaters alike will be checking their calendars to make plans to see and dream big at the upcoming shows. We will embarking on our first Bucket List trip of the season for Marlin off of Los Cabos, Mexico. Boat show season will officially kick off with the mega New York Boat Show January 25. It’s one of our favorites. A huge show, supported by many regional businesses, anything and everything new in boating is on display. These are the boats and new toys to drool over. The New York Boat Show is followed by our own Providence Boat Show February 2-5. Grab the family and make way to the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence to see boats, gear, and an incredible lineup of seminars and special events. It’s a family friendly show with lots for the fishing family to enjoy. Our own Captain Jack Sprengel will be on deck with high impact seminars —but with a twist: he’s rounded up a group of specialists who may or may not be household names to you. “If you don’t recognize some names on the line up, it’s because they spend more time avoiding the spotlight rather than calling attention to what they are doing,” says Captain Jack. “These guys are some of the best at what they do—and they come with my personal seal of approval.” Deep Blue, Coastal Angler’s pro fish-simulator will be back to test your skills as landing the big ones in front of your peers – this can be tougher than it looks! It is a blast for kids of all ages! There is an entire seminar series on navigation & seamanship—so if you want to learn how to maneuver your boat better in close quarters, or learn to use the new navigation smartphone and tablet apps that have flooded the marketplace, get yourself to Providence! February and March will bring our favorite New England Fishing Show, along with the Hartford and Long Island Boat Shows – lots more on those to come! Tight lines, Mike and Lisa Danforth Owners and Publishers
Tens of thousands of boating and fishing enthusiasts start their season at the Progressive® Insurance New York Boat Show. 2 RHODE ISLAND
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FISH FOCUS ZACH HARVEY
Use This Show For All It’s Worth
Some nonpartisan wisdom on getting the most out of a day at the boat show
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n the interest of full disclosure, through and the commission’s spent. I admit that my writing career I’ve heard it from a broad array of has landed me at a great many local seasoned boat owners over enough and national boat shows in a great years to regard it as sound advice that many booths over well more than a it’s also wise to buy from a dealership decade—often back-to-back-to-back that can perform factory-authorized shows in what amounted to 30- or service and warranty work for hulls 40-consecutive-work-day marathons and engine(s) they sell. that left me brain dead. I’ve also read a quadrillion boat show press A detailed analysis of two releases over the years. The very sight comparable boats’ respective of one on my desk still sends me into strengths and weaknesses—and a seizure of eye-rolling cynicism. It a battery of questions that, as the might be that I’m not the guy to write saying goes, “work both ends a piece on getting the most out of the against the middle”—can reveal a show —which is, I think, the exact reason I’m the right man for the job. tremendous amount of information about both models. The reality of I have no personal economic stake in show attendance. Nor am in the buying a production boat, even a custom one, is that compromises are market for a 40-foot, quad-outboard canyon day boat this winter. everywhere: Stability for speed, cost against size, fishability for creature comforts, head-sea performance for following-sea performance, etc. Even so, I believe the Providence Show, and well-run boat shows in What you’re after, more than floating perfection, is the closest possible general, remain a critical piece of the boat-shopping process. The trick match for your family’s and your expectations, given financial reality. is to use the show (or the web or the dealership yard, for that matter) for Obvious as it sounds, the act of stepping onto a boat will instantly the things it does best. generate—and answer—100 questions that could never occur to you after watching 300 virtual walkthroughs of the same vessel. It’s not a Pre-show, set aside time to take a realistic inventory of your own actual sea trial (the dealership does that part best), but you might be surprised needs relative to the boat you seek. Think about how often you’re apt to how many boats you’ll DQ or fall for, and more importantly, how well fish truly big water in near-gales: It may well be that that big, beautiful the simple act of boarding the boat can help you define the nuts-andCarolina hull and its big, bold associated price tag will be big-time bolts of your preferences. . Side-by-side scrutiny is invaluable. overkill. It might prove more important to channel the dollars toward, for example, basic comforts like a small vee berth, maybe an enclosed A boat is a complex network of interdependent mechanical and head to make the proposition of a day on the water with Dad a bit more electronic systems that will, if all goes well, drop right into the worst, appealing to the wife, young son, and daughters. Or, the shoreline places most hostile environment for machinery of any kind—the open ocean. you want to fish may line up better with a shallower-draft, more nimble You have to keep that last bit in perspective: The fact that time and tide skiff—a smaller craft with fewer bells and whistles, easier to handle, will adversely affect the boat’s condition. Accept that at some point its lack of amenities no big deal since you’ll be fishing solo more than something is going to break at which time you’ll will need to put your not. The examples are endless, but the point’s the same: Be honest with boat in trustworthy hands for repair. So pick up a Sea Tow membership yourself about what you really need. Impulsive decisions at the dealer and get on with finding folks you can trust when you need them. will cost you enjoyment when it matters. Industry bigwigs observe how the internet has changed the way people Armed with this self-knowledge the show can be a great tool for the shop for boats, engines, or after-market gear. One RI veteran seller savvy buyer, not necessarily to save the last dollar, or because of the echoed a familiar sentiment when I asked him about the state of his bag full of giveaways you accumulate as prowl the aisles. Simple as it business: “By the time these guys actually walk into a showroom,” he sounds, the people are the first and best reason to be here. Meeting said, “they’ve compared a half-dozen brands, know every standard with these folks one after the other lets you give real consideration to feature and option, every number on the spec sheets, and they’ve the person behind the business from whom you buy. Your ownership watched or read every available review of the boat. They’ve done their experience will be substantially more pleasant if you can access a good homework in a serious way….By the time they’ve come to shake my teacher or two, particularly near your slip. That starts with the person hand, they’re ready to talk hull color, or they have a short list of sharp who furnishes your new ride. questions folks ask right before they pull the trigger.” Put real effort into vetting the folks who are competing for your business. To take it a step further, I’d say that given the number of sharp-looking, carefully engineered, solidly constructed boats on the market, a firsttime boat buyer might do best shopping in reverse, so to speak, choosing a boat around the folks who will stand behind her after the sale goes
Whatever research you have done on your own, take advantage of the experience at the show. Seasoned hands at the show can help you make sense of the dizzying array of choices—help you stretch your buck a long way if you let them, and care for you and your new purchase for years to come.
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PROVIDENCE BOAT SHOW RETURNS IN EARLY FEBRUARY
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he Providence Boat Show presented by Washington Trust returns in early February to the Rhode Island Convention Center, and fishing and boating enthusiasts should get ready for three days of checking out the latest in boats and equipment, attending seminars and special events, and socializing with both old friends and new. The boat show opens on Friday, February 3 and runs until Sunday, February 5.
apps to complement your onboard navigation or stress-free docking techniques, how to get your captain’s license, or outboard engine basics, you’ll find a session to meet your needs in the ASOS series. There is even an opportunity to have a one-on-one session with an experienced captain so you can ask him or her about the situations that challenge you on the water.
The pool at any marina or resort is usually where the action is—and it’s Show organizers have once again jam-packed this wintertime expo with no different at the Providence show. The event’s indoor pool will host activity. For anglers, one of the most popular activities is attending the lots of demos with Stand-Up Paddleboards and paddle-powered craft. If Sport Fishing Seminars coordinated by Captain Jack Sprengel of East you’re in the market for a kayak to fish from, this is a great area to check out. At the pool, all ages can also enjoy hands-on fun piloting a fleet of Coast Charters. model boats. Each year, Captain Jack builds on his seminar lineup of the previous year; he keeps his finger on the pulse of what his fellow anglers are most Having fun is a big focus at this show—and what’s more fun that interested in to gather a team of experts who can present on a range of attending the Providence show with your best boating friends? This topics. This year, he mixes popular presenters with experts who are new year, organizers have given all clubs that are connected to the water an extra incentive to attend by staging the Ocean State Challenge. to the show and bring fresh topics. If the fishing seminars are on your radar, check out the boat show website before you arrive to plan your schedule. But make sure you fit in at least one session with Captain Jack, who balances deep knowledge with fun to create a session that is his own trademark. All the Sport Fishing Seminars will take place at Reel Island, a popular hub of the show for fishing fans.
Any boating-related club or group can compete for this annual trophy. You don’t have to be the most skilled competitor to win: just show up en masse, with all your fellow club members, for a group photo. The club that brings the largest group wins. You can also get discounted tickets if you buy as a group, so head to the Show Attractions section of the boat show website for a registration form.
The Annapolis School of Seamanship (ASOS) returns this year with a Also back by popular demand are the show’s trademark Sea to Table series of boating seminars that will school you in foundational skills events. This is the best way to sample and learn about local seafood. every mariner should know. Whether you want to learn about the best You’ll also be able to get some tips on how to prepare your catch. These
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An an Island Capta Photo
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An angler’s first stop at the Providence Boat Show should be Reel Island, a hub of this three-day show for fishing fans and home to Captain Jack’s Sport Fishing Seminars. Photo Credit: Tom Richardson
events are fun and inspiring, but be forewarned: the Sea to Table events draw a big crowd, so arrive early to get a front-row seat! Visit the show’s website at providenceboatshow.com to learn more and purchase tickets. When you buy online, you can access multi-day and group discounts. Students and retired and active military with a valid ID can receive $2 off their admission at the gate, every day of the show.
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WORD ON THE BITE TOM SCHLICHTER
January Options: It’s Still Fishy Out There
H
appy New Year! You realize, of course, that it’s time to start fishing again, right? After all, you’ve got all those mint holiday gifts to try out, the message boards are already speculating about cod, herring, white perch and tidal trout, and there’s little to do in the way of yard work that can’t be put off for a bit. Save for NFL play-off and Super Bowl parties, weekends should be pretty-much open now that all the obligatory family get-togethers have come and gone.
So, then, what’s keeping you at home? Oh, yea, it’s cold outside. Well, that can be a problem - but not one that can’t be conquered by dressing in layers, wearing wool knit hat, wearing boots or “skins” and bringing along a pair of waterproof gloves. Choosing to sail or fish when the wind lays low and temperatures moderate is another good idea – although you find the colder it is out the less company you are likely to have and for some, that’s worth a little extra shivering. While wintertime options are a lot thinner than summertime choices here in the Northeast, you’ll find the fishing can be surprisingly reliable if you keep abreast of the latest reports and time things right. Codfish are the traditional choice, but ling, herring, white perch and any freshwater fish that can be pulled through the ice like bass, pickerel, trout, and yellow perch are all in play this time of year. Heck, you can even go fly-fishing at Connetquot River State Park Preserve. I like early winter codfishing for two reasons: first off, local wrecks haven’t been picked clean as yet and your odds of catching a 20-pound plus cod or big pollack improve dramatically the first few times a skipper hits a particular wreck each season. Try to get on the first offshore wreck trip of the New Year aboard your favorite boat, or jump on the first trip following a prolonged stretch of bad weather so the wrecks have had a few days to restock. While many anglers with recent cod fishing experience favor high-low rigs or diamond jigs for hooking up these days, old salts often take party boat pools by keeping things as simple and uncomplicated as possible. Using two hooks around wrecks increases your chances of snagging, especially when a big fish tries to burry itself in the snags. For this reason, veteran codders often prefer a single-hook bottom rig, and many fish their skimmer clam baits it with a little slack in the line.
Small jigs will tempt all kinds of panfish through the ice. Slightly larger grubs or tins like a small Kastmaster or Swedish Pimple increase the odds of catching bass, walleye and trout. Photo by Tom Schlichter. even less reliable. If the herring run is thick, catching them during daylight hours is little problem. Generally, however, the bite is better after dark with the hours between 10 p.m. and 2 p.m. the most productive and a street light casting its glow upon the water a key ingredient for success. There are also plenty of herring to be found along the Connecticut coast, with solid catches usually made from shore at the Fairfield County marinas (ask permission to fish from the docks – don’t trespass,) the Cummings Point Beach fishing pier and the fishing pier at Stratford. If you still have an itch to target stripers, the bass fishery on the lower Housatonic River can actually be outstanding this time of year. There bass here are of mixed sizes with a good representation of bigger fish in the 20 – to 30-pound class plus some bruisers pushing 40 pounds. Soft plastics like Fin-S-Fish in pearl or pink are the way to go according to David Molnar, a Fisheries Biologist with the Connecticut DEEP.
You’ll find some boats sailing for cod on the West End, too, but at this sector of Long Island, ling are more often the focus. The fishing is pretty much the same as codding, except for using slightly smaller hooks, and the action tends to me around wrecks or in the 17-Fathoms area. This can be fill the cooler action, especially on calmer days when it’s easy to keep your bait on the bottom and feel the light taps of ling. Be aware, however, that ling are On the freshwater front, you might be surprised at how cooperative panfish soft-fleshed fish so, if you want them to taste supreme when you get home, can be in open water. With a slight warming spell serving as their prompt, put them on ice the minute you catch them – even if it’s freezing outside. bluegill, crappie and yellow perch will often respond to a 1/64- or 1/32-ounce white, pumpkinseed or yellow jigs tipped with a mealworm, grass shrimp or If offshore fishing isn’t your idea of fishing fun, herring can be a great inshore garden worm. This is not big-game fishing but it can be fun and will get you option. This silvery winter delight been somewhat unreliable in recent years out of the house. Place a small float 24 to 48 inches above the jig, cast out as but there is usually a decent run inside Mount Sinai Harbor on the North far as possible into open water, and then simply allow the wind to move your Shore of Long Island and at Magnolia and Coney Island piers on south offering slowly across the water. If the float tips, wiggles, stops or moves in side. Sabiki rigs, jigged lightly, are the usual offering. The Captree and Jones the wrong direction, set the hook with a gentle motion. Local mill ponds Beach Piers also offer some herring action, although these locations are and shallow lakes are ideal for this approach. In deeper waters, you might 6 RHODE ISLAND
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Codfish should be in play this January. This double-header was decked by the author aboard the open boat Miss Montauk. Photo by Tom Schlichter.
Herring are one way to keep warm in January. Magnolia Pier is a spot where you can catch them day and night. Photo courtesy of chasintailtv.com. want to try simply setting half a worm or a couple of wax worms on the bottom with a split-shot or two for weight. If all else fails, there are always a few tidal trout to be found at Bubbles Falls, Rattlesnake Creek and the Nissequogue River’s Whites Pool. Berkley Power Baits, night crawlers and cheese balls work well at all three spots. While you’ll mostly catch small brookies which must be released, an occasional chunky rainbow and the possibility of a trophy brown exceeding four pounds should help keep you on your toes. And then there’s ice fishing; solid ice is never a sure bet along the coast, but most years see some solid surfaces in mid-to late January. On Long Island, try hitting Lake Ronkonkoma for a shot at walleye, white perch, crappie and maybe a largemouth or smallmouth bass. Laurel Lake on Long Island’s North Fork is another possibility. Here, you’ll find trout, bass, pickerel, yellow perch and panfish. Small tear-drop style jigs tipped with wax worms will work on the panfish, but you’ll want something a little larger like a Rapala Jigging Rap, Swedish Pimple or live shiner suspended beneath a float to entice the ‘eyes, picks and bass. On the Connecticut side, Beach Pond in New London County and Gardiner Lake in Salem both offer superior walleye fishing while further inland, Candlewood Lake is loaded with crappies and panfish, plus walleye, trout and bass. COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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KNOW YOUR TARGET TOM SCHLICHTER
To Ice Your Catch
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atch a veteran largemouth bass fanatic work a lake during the summer season and you’ll get a lesson in tactical fishing. He’ll purposefully probe every nook and cranny along weedy edges, poke his bow into dense brush and stick-ups at the back of coves casual anglers fail to inspect, and frequently consult his electronics in search of hidden underwater structure including rocks, submerged stumps, weed-beds, channel edges and shoals – even on waters he has fished a hundred times before. Place the same angler on a frozen pond with an ice auger and a tiny jigging stick, and a blank stare will likely cross his face. It’s little wonder that facing a vast and featureless frozen white surface seems so intimidating to otherwise competent anglers. After all, most of us get to spend plenty of time during the warm months patterning our quarry at their most aggressive and using visible structure as our starting cues. When lakes freeze over, however, we pursue fish in their most shy and sluggish state with few recognizable tip-offs as to where they might congregate. That can make starting out a little tough.
Marty Bazata caught and released this largemouth bass on a shallow Long Island Pond. It was is first catch through the ice. Photo by Tom Schlichter.
YELLOWS LOVE THE DAWN
If targeting sunnies specifically, drill several holes over a wide shoal or across the tip of a noticeable point, then head back to the first hole to start fishing. That should give spooked fish time to filter back to their lairs where they’ll hopefully inhale red, yellow, chartreuse or orange tear drop jigs tipped with wax worms. Don’t bounce the jigs for these fish. Instead, slide them s-l-o-w-l-y from side-to-side across the hole.
Look for the yellows to also stack up along slopes whenever possible, especially in inland waters such as Candlewood Lake in Connecticut or the New York City and lower Adirondacks in New York. In Long Island lakes and ponds, which generally lack steep slopes, this species often suspends parallel to deep weed beds, especially when these beds border channel edges in four to eight feet of water.
One great thing about these feisty panfish is that you should be able to find them in the same place for several consecutive days as long as the weather holds consistent. Note that sunfish often feed best in the waning minutes of sunlight. Frequently, holes that have been fruitless all day will light up half-an-hour before dark.
Small, one- to two-inch white or pumpkinseed grubs, red or chartreuse tear-drop jigs, and Swedish pimples interest these fish. Tip any of these with a wax worm or small garden worm. Perch will also hammer small minnows suspended from tip-ups. Hook the minnows under the dorsal fin, being careful not to pierce the spine. This will keep your baitfish lively and attractive. Although live minnow are preferred, yellows are not above eating a fresh dead baitfish.
Pickerel have a reputation for being water wolves, and the description fits even during ice-fishing season. Fond of shallow water, they can be caught close to shore in two- to five-foot depths along phragmite groves, around submerged stumps and logs, or just off the edges of weed beds and points that slope gradually toward deeper water. Although they will hit jigs pickerel are most fond of shiners, making them an ideal target for using tip-ups while you try to jig bass, perch or trout in deeper water nearby.
DIG IN FOR SUNFISH
Bluegill and pumpkinseed can be surprisingly tough to catch during the winter months. While aggressive to the point of being obnoxious during swimming season, they tend to bite lightly and make themselves scarce Another roadblock to getting started with ice fishing is that many anglers as lakes and ponds freeze over. Perhaps that’s because of their tendency imagine all fish species act alike while trying to survive beneath the ice. to patrol shallow three- to six-foot depths where they are easily spooked Nothing could be further from reality. Even in the dead of winter, each as anglers drill new holes. species has individual preferences and tendencies. Sorting out these differences helps maximize your time on the rink. To that end, here’s a Look for sunfish to hide in the thickest weed beds you can find beneath the brief look at the habits and habitat preferences of some Long Island and ice. They are especially fond of weedy cove mouths, shallow flats bordered by channel edges, and slope waters alongside pronounced points. Connecticut ice-fishing favorites. Yellow perch are prone to roam, but not as haphazardly as some experts might have your believe. Instead, they simply slide from one piece of structure to the next. When deep water is available, they tend to suspend three to four feet above the bottom - but they will school tight to gravellaced lake beds in water depths of eight feet or less.
GET EDGY FOR PICKEREL
Often, the biggest yellow perch are caught within an hour or two of If you manage to connect with one pickerel, there’s a good bet others sunrise, especially beneath new or black ice. Expect these fish to move are nearby. These are not schooling fish, however, so leave ten to twenty deeper under a strong sun and shallower with cloudy skies. They yards between several fishing holes positioned parallel to the shore. For may also trek a little deeper and off the bank for each week the water See Know Your Target (Continued on Page 10) remains frozen. 8 RHODE ISLAND
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112th Annual Progressive® Insurance New York Boat Show® DOCKS AT THE JAVITS CENTER JANUARY 25-29, 2017 Escape winter and plan for fun on the water, shop hundreds of boats & marine innovations
The 2017 Progressive Insurance New York Boat Show cruises into the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center January 25-29 offering boat lovers the chance to shop, compare and board more than 350 boats from luxury motor yachts, sport fishers, wake/ski boats, and runabouts at the best prices of the year. Plus, visitors will find the latest marine technology and thousands of boating accessories. Beyond the newest innovations and best in boating, the Show features five days of summer dreaming. Highlights include: The latest on-water technology, including the new Jet Surf board, a motorized surf board, educational seminars from fishing to boat maintenance and much more.
TICKETS:
$16 for adults; children 15 and under get in FREE
Buy tickets online at NYBoatShow.com
WHEN & WHERE:
Wednesday-Sunday, January 25-29, 2017 • Wednesday-Friday: 12:00pm-9:00pm • Saturday: 10:00am-9:00pm • Sunday: 10:00am-5:00pm
Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, 655 West 34th Street, New York, NY
www.NYBoatShow.com
Twitter, Facebook and Instagram - @NYBoatShow #NYBoatShow
See Know Your Target (Continued from Page 8) most ice-fishing applications, six- to eight-pound test leaders work fine - but you’ll need to use a minimum of 15-pound test to deter cut-offs when targeting this species.
BIG STRUCTURE LURES LARGEMOUTHS
Largemouth bass are ready, willing and able no matter what the temperature. Just as in the summer, largemouths prefer to hang around obvious structure such as docks, submerged stumps and weed beds. Find one of these items reasonably close to a school of sunnies or yellow perch, and you’ve located prime bassing real estate. Position a minnowbaited tip-up two feet above the bottom on the fringe of feeding panfish Trout are always willing in cold water. Be aware that they can cruise at any depth. and outwait a lunker. Haul a three- or four-pounder through the ice and Photo by Tom Schlichter. you’ll have a great holiday story to tell.
LOOK DEEP, LOOK FLAT FOR TROUT
SAFETY FOREMOST
Like bass, it’s best to play the waiting game with trout by positioning several minnow-baited tip-ups at various depths. If you get lucky and connect, drill more holes in the same area and set your remaining baits to the identical depth. Keep in mind that trout will cruise anywhere from just above the bottom to within inches of the ice. Cover the entire spectrum.
Of course, the golden rule of ice-fishing is to stay safe. Don’t step on any frozen surface measuring less than four inches thick. While a lake does not have to be frozen fully across for ice fishing, stay well clear of open water and be wary of thin spots that may develop where rivers and streams enter or exit any lake. It’s also a good idea to fish with a buddy or two at all times, and to carry along a safety line and throw ring just in case someone does fall through.
Think of trout as being the exact antithesis of bass. Instead of gravitating toward weeds, slopes and muddy bottoms in four- to eight-foot depths, they generally prefer open water over flat, sandy bottom in eight to 20foot depths. Find a spot where muddy or gravel-laced bottom borders sand and you’ve got a location where trout and yellow perch catches are likely to overlap.
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There’s never any guarantee that Long Island or Connecticut anglers will see ice thick enough to allow hard water pursuit each winter, but the past couple of years have been kind to hard water fans and hopefully the trend will continue. Get your gear ready now, because first ice is best ice and you’ll want to head out right away.
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rs will ut the lly the est ice
ep on a lake ear of rs and buddy just in
Welcome to our ongoing series highlighting Long Island’s fresh seafood in the growing trend of providing local and sustainable fish and shellfish to consumers and restaurants. In this Sea-to-Table column, we highlight a different seafood each month, interview the folks who grow and catch the food, as well as the restaurant owners and chefs who prepare it. We feature their favorite recipes along with wine and beer pairings to enhance the experience. We invite you to enjoy our recommendations and to submit your own to us at www.coastalanglermag.com/longisland.
OUR FAVORITE HOLIDAY OYSTERS
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onths that end in “R”, the holidays, ok, almost anytime. These are times when I think of oysters! Rhode Island is one of the country’s major oyster producers and there is little that beats a Matunuck oyster, straight from its bed in Matunuck pond, shucked and served with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc – except maybe a Matunuck Oyster Bar Oyster Rockefeller! The oyster’s journey starts as a tiny seed, each a perfectly formed tiny oyster as seen under a microscope. Just as with land-based farming, oyster farmers buy and plant oyster seeds in their natural habitat of sea beds containing partial or remaining oyster shells, where the seeds attach and grow into tiny oysters. Before harvesting, farmers spend almost 2 years tending to the oysters, cleaning and thinning their rank, and transplanting them several times to other waters to keep them warm and well fed. As the oysters mature, they develop flavor, known as their “merroir,” a distinct taste based on the unique environment of their growth, similar to a vineyard’s “terroir” or earth that gives its grapes and resulting wine its own sense of place. Oysters’ taste can be described as creamy, sweet, rich, or salty. “The first flavor of a Rhode Island Oyster, for example, can be like sipping the ocean,” says Sandy Ingber, Executive Chef of the legendary Oyster Bar in New York’s Grand Central Terminal. “Salt pond oysters can have a sweeter after taste.” Perry Raso, owner of Matunuck Oyster Bar, suggests serving raw oysters with a French mignonette sauce--the classic mixture of wine vinegar, shallots, pepper and white wine--to enhance the brininess of the oyster. Raso is an expert on oysters: Matunuck Oyster Bar sits just outside of the Matunuck Oyster Farm where oysters are harvested direct from the nursery and brought to the
restaurant. His favorite way to eat and serve raw oysters is with a mignonette sauce that includes the added twist of Granny Smith apples: Crisp and clean, it is a perfect complement to fresh Matunuck oysters. Check out our website for that recipe! If you prefer a heavier preparation for your oysters, such as the classic Christmas Eve Oyster Stew or a traditional Oysters Rockefeller, just be sure not to overpower the oyster’s unique flavors. A light cream and a splash of liqueur can go a long way to tame a savory oyster into a sweet and salty treat without overwhelming its naturally delicious brininess or adding unnecessary calories During these cold weather, a favorite at Matunuck Oyster Bar is Chef Perry’s version of Oysters Rockefeller. Lighter than the traditional New Orleans dish, the flavor of the oyster comes through free and clear in this creamy treat, using Pernod and tarragon as the up ‘till now secret ingredients. Whichever oyster or oyster preparation is your favorite, one thing chefs agree on, hold the cocktail sauce. They will tell you that it was invented to mask the flavor of less-than-fresh seafood. While perhaps not such a threat today, just adding lemon, cilantro, or even a little jalapeno to oysters will make them sing. John Callahan of Rhode Island’s Bellevue Liquors suggests eating oysters along with a white or rose wine to bring out the best of their brininess. “For raw oysters, pair with a Champagne or sparkling wine, a Sauvignon Blanc, or the relatively unknown Dry Furmint,” says Callahan. “Royal Tokaji produces one of the best Dry Furmints with the scent of grape flowers and flavors of lemon and key lime and a hint of nuttiness as well as a long crisp finish.” For cooked oysters, John says to try a rose, either still or sparkling. (See John’s recommendations below).
Oyster Rockefeller Recipe from
Matunuck Oyster House: -2 tablespoons butter -2 teaspoons salt -1/2 cup Pernod -1/4 cup shallots, minced -4 quarts of heavy cream -1 bunch tarragon, chopped -1/4 cup of grated Parmesan -4 quarts fresh spinach, chopped, or two packages frozen spinach -2 dozed oysters on the half-shell, opened and rinsed -2 cups Ritz Crackers -4 tablespoons melted bacon fat -2 dozen fresh shucked oysters on the half-shell (medium sized) Instructions: Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Melt butter in medium saucepan and add shallots, cooking until translucent. Add Pernod and ignite to burn off alcohol. When flame starts to subside, add cream and bring to a boil. Immediately reduce heat and simmer until reduced by 1/3. Do not allow to brown. Half-way through the reduction, add tarragon. Stir in salt and Parmesan and remove from heat. In a separate saucepan or glass bowl placed in a microwave, wilt the spinach by placing it in a little water and heating until water is evaporated and spinach is wilted. Set aside. Meanwhile, crush crackers and saute lightly in bacon fat. To prepare the Oysters Rockefeller, place 1 tablespoon wilted spinach (3-4 leaves) on top of fresh oyster in the half-shell. Then place a generous amount (depending on oyster size) of the prepared sauce on each oyster. Sprinkle generous amount of cracker topping over oysters so that there is an even amount on each oyster. Place oysters in a baking dish, surrounded by mounds of salt to steady them if necessary, and cook for 10 to 15 minutes until golden. Serve with Mignonette sauce (optional).
If you prefer a cold glass of beer with your oysters, be sure to stock up on Narragansett Beer’s Porter brand. “Hands down our winter Porter seasonal makes an excellent pairing with Oysters Rockefeller” says Mark Hellendrung, President of Narragansett Beers. “The roasted notes of the roasted barley and hearty malts of our Porter blend beautifully with the mineral flavors of the oysters.” Whether eating raw, roasted, stewed or baked, Rhode Island
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oysters are the ultimate sea-to-table staple. Sustainable, locally grown and delicious, all you need to enjoy them is the courage to try your first one: You’ll be hooked. This story is excerpted from an earlier story where Perry shared his secret recipe for Oysters Rockefeller. To our knowledge his recipes are now State secrets so we wanted you to have a chance to share this recipe in the New Year!
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You can find your monthly issue of Coastal Angler Magazine Rhode Island FREE OF CHARGE at these locations. If you would like the convenience of a personal subscription which brings your issue of Coastal Angler Magazine Rhode Island directly to your home through the mail, just go to the website to subscribe at http://coastalanglermag.com/rhodeisland/subscribe/ 12 RHODE ISLAND
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O
ne of the slowest ways to learn is learning from your own mistakes… but some of them will be priceless over time and hopefully you’ll laugh at yourself along the way. Just last weekend, a buddy and I hit the bay on a quick afternoon wade fishing trip and we excitedly launched the boat on a super low tide. Fail number one! Even if you are in a hurry, check the tidal forecast. We almost didn’t make it out of the little bayou. It didn’t stop there; we ran to our fishing area only to look at each other and say, “I thought you put my rods in the boat”…. “no, I thought you did”—Fail number 2! We both began to laugh. We always have plenty rods in the boat, and we still had just enough to get the job done, check out our big trout spot and to catch this redfish. There are faster ways to learn than just spending time on the water. You can spend years and not make much real advance guessing where to be and what to use. Hire teaching guides, go with better fishermen, read quality magazine articles, and watch quality instructional videos. Make sure you get good positive referrals to make sure you get the most out of your time and it will be something that will benefit you years to come. Laugh at yourself often. Tobin created the TroutSupport.com DVDs and has supported thousand’s of anglers in taking their game to the next level.
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By Ed Killer
hen you have empty pockets, the thought of someone pressing a wad of cash firmly into your sweaty palm can be intoxicating. Want also can do that to a country and its leadership. It nearly happened to the Bahamas. For the discount price of $2.1 billion, China wanted to buy fishing, timber and farming rights for the next 10 years from the Bahamas. Reports from the Bahamian capital of Nassau suggest the proposed deal is dead in the water. For now, future fishing and diving trips to the islands will continue to be fruitful and productive. Following two weeks of outcry from Bahamian citizens, environmental groups, tourism officials, fishing organizations, recreational anglers and even the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, it appeared in late November the deal was a no-go. Bahamian Prime Minister Perry Christie said any such deal would have been “rejected outright.” This is a classic case of Bahamian officials trying to monetize what limited natural resources the country has. Once the arrangement became public, however, it was realized how lopsided and short-sighted it was. The deal would have far-reaching ramifications ecologically, economically and internationally. Let’s start with the ecological. Chinese corporations are in the business of feeding a nation of more than 1 billion consumers. To them, the Bahamas must look like a gold mine. Thousands of square miles of tropical reefs are inhabited by creatures great and small, all of which taste good dipped in soy sauce. More than anything, what Chinese interests were paying for was exemption from regulation and enforcement. The cash-strapped Bahamian government already struggles to enforce laws against illegal fishing, human trafficking and drug smuggling. Can anyone envision the Royal Defence Force boarding a factory fishing ship hailing from Shanghai to bust it for undersized lobsters?
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Additionally, according to the Marine Conservation Institute, these fishing businesses often use indiscriminate and destructive harvesting equipment and methods. They kill non-targeted species and marine habitat. Entire schools of migrating yellowfin and bluefin tuna would be at risk. Dolphin, wahoo, snapper and grouper also would be taken in great quantities. And does anyone think for a second that Chinese ships would obey the Exclusive Economic Zone of U.S. Federal waters? The second part of this foolish concept is the economic damage wrought to the Bahamas—and Southeast Florida. The Bahamas chief form of income is tourism. Year-round sunshine and beautiful beaches are the main draw, but right behind those two are recreational fishing, boating and diving. According to an economic study by the World Travel and Tourism Council, tourism represented 43.6 percent of the nation’s GDP in 2014. Some 98,000 jobs in the Bahamas are based on tourism. The deal would impact the Treasure Coast marine economy, too. Thousands of boaters use marinas in the three-county area as well as Palm Beach to provision for trips to the Bahamas. They spend money here getting ready to go there. No fish in the Bahamas would mean a sharp decrease in our boat traffic. Yet, earlier this year, Bahamian minister of agriculture and marine resources V. Alfred Gray authorized ambassador to China Paul Andy Gomez to pursue a deal he initially called a “progressive initiative.” Gray, Gomez and others were willing to mortgage a 10-year projected $38 billion in tourist revenue in exchange for $2.1 billion in fishing rights. For now, it seems Bahamian officials have reached a conclusion that is best for their country’s future. But there will be more offers to come. Not all of them will be brought to light before they are agreed upon. Ed Killer is the outdoors columnist for Treasure Coast Newspapers and TCPalm.com, and this column reflects his opinion. Friend him on Facebook at Ed Killer, follow him on Twitter @tcpalmekiller, email him at ed.killer@tcpalm.com or call him at 772-221-4201. For more about the Chinese and Bahamian relationship, go to
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U.S. Angler Steve LEssard Crowned
Hobie Fishing Worlds Champion
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fter three days of fish and fun, 11 North American World Championship Team members recently returned to their respective states from Lafourche Parish, La. There they represented the United States and Canada in the sixth-annual Hobie Fishing World Championship, presented by Rhino-Rack and hosted by Hobie Cat Company. Anglers either qualified through regional tournaments or were invited to attend the crowning event held December 8-10. Competitors from 17 countries fished for the chance to be crowned this year’s Hobie Fishing World Champion.
After three days of challenging windy conditions, Steve Lessard deservedly claimed the top prize, becoming the first two-time Hobie Fishing World Champion. Just as soon as handshakes, camaraderie and celebrations were over, the other competitors started planning how the crown could be theirs at the seventh Hobie Fishing World Championship. “The first major cold front of year hit on day one,” Lessard said. “Honestly,
it helped me because I knew fishing conditions would change drastically. I knew it was going to be a physical as well as mental challenge. It’s easy to get discouraged with muddy water and high winds, but I was able to settle in and catch a few fish on the worst day. Day two went better and put me in first place.” Richard Somerton, representing Australia, took home a hard-fought second place. U.S. angler Matthew Vann rounded out the podium with his third place finish. Competitors fished for trout, flounder and redfish from identically rigged Hobie Mirage Pro Angler 14s, provided by Hobie Cat and outfitted with Lowrance electronics, Power-Pole MICRO Anchors, Yak-Attack accessories, Ram Mounts and equipment including Daiwa, Lurefans, Hobie Polarized and AFTCO gear. Bassmaster Elite pro Michael Iaconelli surprised the 49 international competitors when he showed up at the welcome dinner to cheer them on. “Unlike the competitions that I’m involved in, kayak fishing takes more strategy because it is much different and more difficult pedaling to the fish than racing over in a motorized boat,” said Ike. Competitors got a double surprise when he returned to congratulate Steve on his win and participate in the camaraderie that is an integral part of the Hobie Worlds. In the bayous of southern Louisiana, Lafourche Parish is the gateway to Cajun country and the Gulf of Mexico, offering a distinctly Louisiana “bayou” way of life and memorable experience for competitors. And then there is the fishing. According to Hobie’s Keeton Eoff, this could easily be the kayak fishing capital of the world. “We are very proud that Hobie Fishing Worlds chose to host their international tournament in Leeville this year. One of the best assets of Lafourche Parish is the world-class fishing, and Hobie anglers have been able to experience what makes our area so exceptional. The visibility of this tournament on a national and international level allows potential visitors to see the recreational value of our destination and why they should experience it firsthand,” said Timothy Bush, executive director of the Bayou Lafourche Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. For more about Hobie Fishing Worlds, go to
OFFSHOREANGLER.CO
By Jeff Anderson
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n a significant step forward for the outdoor recreation industry and the sportfishing community, President Obama recently signed into law the Outdoor Recreation Jobs and Economic Impact Act of 2016. This legislation requires the Department of Commerce to assess and analyze the contributions of the outdoor recreation industry, including recreational fishing, to the United States economy. The legislation will help to ensure sportfishing industry jobs and recreational fishing’s economic impact are accounted for as part of the gross domestic product (GDP). The passage of the Outdoor REC Act was needed to make sure that the outdoor economy—and it’s estimated six million jobs and $646 billion in economic activity—receives official government recognition for years to come. “The Outdoor REC Act will also ensure that the outdoor industry’s economic statistics will be measured in the same comprehensive way as other business sectors, such as the automotive and apparel industries,” said American Sportfishing Association (ASA) Government Affairs Vice President Scott Gudes. “This is important because industry economic impact estimates also include data that show the non-direct impact that the activity has on the economy. For example, it would also include sportfishing’s contributions to travel and tourism, not just the purchase of tackle.” ASA is an active part of a team representing a wide-range of outdoor industries that will work with the Department of Commerce to shape how outdoor recreation is defined and ensure our reach and impact are recognized. In post-campaign remarks, President-elect Trump has voiced his support for maintaining fishing and hunting on our nation’s public lands.
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ishing the colder months of winter certainly has advantages. Most noticeable is the lack of crowds. This translates to more parking, less boat traffic and fewer people fishing in your favorite spots. Here’s how to dress for kayak fishing in the frigid conditions. Pay attention; for safety’s sake, it’s critical to dress properly and choose a stable kayak such as a Hobie Mirage Outback. Base layer: It’s important to have quality base layers that will wick water away from your skin instead of holding it in. Avoid cotton. Instead, go for wool or synthetics such as polyester. When layering over base layers, look for a zip-up fleece and fleece pants. Immersion layer: The best protection you can get is a drysuit. A suit made with a highly breathable material, such as Gore-Tex, will cost quite a bit more. If you’re going to spend a lot of time in the suit, it is well worth it. Waders: An inexpensive but adequate option for all but total immersion is a pair of breathable waders paired with a breathable dry top. Be sure to wear a wading belt as an extra safety measure. Gloves and footwear: For gloves, go for wools or synthetic materials, like fleece, so when they inevitability get wet, they won’t feel as cold on your skin. Look for a fleece lining and slit fingers that bend back for easy knot tying. For footwear, I like to wear thick wool socks under my dry suit, with booties on top. Wading boots are also nice and warm.
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TIPS FROM A PRO
FRESHWATER WINTERTIME CRAPPIE FISHING
BRANDON LESTER
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very year as my bass tournament season comes to an end, I start thinking about crappie fishing. I like to take a break and let the competitive flames refuel a bit. When the calendar strikes November and water temperatures dip into the 50s in Tennessee, I take several days to go crappie fishing. These fish make really good table fare, they are also very fun to catch, especially the big ones like you find in winter. I am well aware of how good crappie fishing is in spring. But for the way I fish for them around home, fall and winter are when you can really fill the livewell.
It works the same way when fishing laydowns. I look for laydowns on vertical banks that have a good-sized trunk. If they have a big trunk, I know there is a good-sized treetop out in the water. If they are there, I will see them on my SideVision. Once you find fish, cast exactly where they are or just beyond them, not 3 feet to the left or right. If you miss a crappie’s strike zone by 6 inches, you’ve missed it by a mile. Make the cast, count your bait down to the desired depth and reel just fast enough to maintain that depth. No jigging, nothing fancy, just a
Crappie stack up in large schools this time of year, at it’s not hard to catch them if you know what to look for. Crappie always hang around cover of some type. The two key pieces of structure on my home water are boat docks and laydowns. There are a few docks that seem to always hold fish, but I like to hunt for them with my Raymarine electronics. I turn on SideVision mode and start searching. Crappie will be in big schools, and I might go down a line of 50 docks with only one dock holding the mother lode. To see how big they are and to make sure they are crappie, I will put an Aqua Vu camera down there and check them out. Most of the docks I fish are floating, and the magical depth is normally at least 20 feet of water under the dock. The crappie will normally be suspended under these docks anywhere from 8 to 15 feet down, depending on the water clarity.
slow reel. My favorite jig head is a 1/32-ounce ball-shaped jig head with a good sharp Mustad hook, but I will go up to a 1/16-ounce if the wind is blowing or I’m fishing deeper than normal. Any soft plastic minnow imitation in the 2-inch range with a straight tail will work. Stay away from twist-tail grubs for this method because they cause your bait to rise too much. I use a S721 MHX rod built with supplies from Mud Hole Custom Tackle, including a Winn grip. It is 6-foot-long, super-sensitive and has the perfect action for controlling small baits. I team it with a 1000-size spinning reel and 4-pound Vicious Panfish line in fluorescent green. The green line helps me detect light strikes. These tips will help you all the way up until crappie start moving shallow to spawn. These fish are fat and healthy this time of year. So get out and have some fun this winter.
Get more tips from Lester at
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Surprising Winter is the Best Planting Time
I am often asked when is the best time to plant fruiting plants. My answer is usually the same; the best time is 20 years ago or today. The second best time to plant is during the winter months. Plants are dormant, and can be easily shipped and planted with no stress on the plant because there is not a lot of maintenance once the plant or tree has been planted. Simply dig a good hole, water thoroughly
at planting, and take the rest of the winter off. Even though there are no signs of growth above ground, the root systems will have time to get adjusted to their new location and begin to initiate new root growth. There are plenty of advantages of growing your own edibles. First of all, you know what has been done over the course of the growing season from a chemical stand point. Second, the fruit just taste
better coming out of your home orchard versus buying fruit from the grocers that have little to no flavors. Thirdly, it is good for your soul and you will feel more connected to the environment and nature. Whether it is an apple tree, muscadine vine or a blueberry bush; now is the time to plant. Let’s Grow Together. Greg Ison, Ison’s Nursery and Vineyards, 800733-0324, www.isons.com
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estled in the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina, Jackson County is home to the Western North Carolina Fly Fishing Trail and its centerpiece, the Tuckasegee River, which dissects the county as it flows north to Fontana Lake. The “Tuck,” as it is known to the locals, is a beautiful tailwater trout fishery used for the 2011 USA Fly Fishing Championships, in which the Gold Medal was won by Team USA member Logan Egan. The most popular time to fish the Tuck is during the delayed harvest (DH) fishing season from Oct. 1 to the first Friday in June each year. During this time frame, the Tuck is a catchand-release fishery with artificial-lure, single-hook restrictions. This stretch of specially regulated water runs about 5.5 miles outside the small towns of Dillsboro, Sylva and Cullowhee. The boundaries of the DH are marked by signage on the banks. These regulations appeal to fly fishers and spin fishers alike. You will not only see anglers stripping streamers, drifting nymphs, and casting dries, but you will see a fair number of spinner fishermen taking good numbers of brook, rainbow and brown trout. Jackson County receives an annual stocking of 92,800 trout, the most in the state of North Carolina. In October and November 2016, the Tuck DH section was stocked with 19,600 trout. Rainbow and brook trout made up about 80 percent of this number, and the other 20 percent were brown trout. Normally, trout reach 12 inches in length before making it into the Tuck, but anglers should expect to see, and potentially land, some trophy-sized trout on any drift or presentation. Many anglers wade the river, and drift boats are also popular. Stream flow is controlled by Duke Energy, which posts three days of release schedules on their website, www.duke-energy. com under the Nantahala link. Duke Energy has also provided boat ramps on Old Cullowhee Road and North River Road that many drifters use while floating the Tuck. South River Road is a popular area for anglers and guides due to the number of pull-offs that parallel the river and make accessing the river easy. Access to the Tuckasegee is great compared to some other rivers in the area, but there is some posted private property. Be sure to avoid it. The Tuck is also part of the North Carolina Mountain Heritage Trout Waters program, which allows anglers to fish with a special three-day license that costs only $5. Many anglers opt to purchase a regular fishing license with a trout stamp since the fee is fair and it gives access to almost all the state’s trout waters. A non-resident can purchase a 10-day fishing license and trout stamp for $33 or an annual fishing license and trout stamp for $51. The Tuck DH runs very close to downtown Sylva, yet its beauty catches most first-time anglers off guard.
In fall, the red, yellow and orange leaves dancing on the trees highlight the contours of the surrounding mountains. A bald eagle might closely judge your fishing skills, watching for its opportunity to show you how it’s done. Winter brings cleansing and the occasional snowfall, in which many local anglers find solitude chasing trout on tiny midges. Winter fishing pressure is minimal, which makes it a great time to land a large trout if you’re willing to test your mental toughness wading in cold water. Spring comes to life with budding trees and insects hatching, signaling the coming summer. Anglers spend late evenings on the Tuck sight casting to rising trout honed in on larger dry flies and emerger patterns. Spring evenings can be very peaceful, since most anglers have broken down their rods by 6 p.m. and are headed to the local brewery or one of the many unique restaurants or food trailers in downtown Sylva or Dillsboro. There is a list of local restaurants and breweries at www.mountainlovers.com, or just ask local fly shop employees for their recommendation. In 2016, the North Carolina General Assembly proclaimed Jackson County the Official Trout Capital of North Carolina. Jackson County is home to 4,600 miles of trout streams with a good mixture of hatchery supported streams and wild streams. Check out www.NCTroutcapital.com for more information. Jackson County was also the first to have an officially designated Fly Fishing Trail, which highlights 15 different streams and rivers for any angler to test their skills. Many have taken the challenge of catching and releasing trout or smallmouth bass in each location. There is a map that gives detailed information about each stream, directions, and the type of fish anglers can expect to catch. More information is available at www. flyfishingtrail.com. If you are looking for a fishery with plenty of trout and the opportunity to catch a 25-incher, the Tuck is for you. It is relatively close to Atlanta, Knoxville, Charleston and Charlotte. The Tuck is just an hour west of Asheville, N.C., and it is at the base of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Blue Ridge Parkway. This makes for a nice and easy weekend retreat, or it can be a popular destination for longer stays due to accessibility and other local attractions. Come and experience North Carolina trout fishing at its best! Shannon Messer owns Appalachian Flies and manages and guides at Blackrock Outdoors Orvis Authorized Fly Shop at 570 West Main Street, Sylva NC 28779. Contact him at 828-6314453 or appalachianflies@gmail.com.
North Carolina’s Tuckasegee River, A Southern Gem By Shannon Messer
For more fishin’ on the North Carolina Tuckasegee River, go to
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FISH & FISHING
A DIFFERENT APPROACH MARK SOSIN
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t’s commonplace today, but more than a halfcentury ago few anglers even thought about it. The late Dr. Webster Robinson wanted to catch either a sailfish or striped marlin on a fly rod while casting from a boat that was out of gear so that the fly was not being trolled. Working with his skipper, Capt. Lefty Reagan, these angling legends fathered the concept of teasing a fish. They reasoned that if they could raise a billfish on a hookless bait, capture its total attention by keeping the tasty morsel just out of reach, work the fish within casting range and substitute a different offering at the last minute, the mission would be successful. I knew both men well and listened intently as Web Robinson described the process to me in detail. He even gave me a copy of the fly he used. Teasing ranks as an extremely effective technique for countless species in a variety of situations. Working on sailfish or marlin on the offshore grounds is just one phase. Sometimes known as bait-andswitch, it’s nothing more than using a live bait, dead bait or a certain artificial to excite a fish enough so it will eat the lure or bait you want it to devour on the tackle of your choice. Very light tackle enthusiasts often tease their quarry into striking so that the line doesn’t break on the initial contact. I’ve teased countless species from sharks, albacore and tuna to striped bass, redfish, barracuda, amberjack, snook and many more. Let me share a couple examples to show you how effective teasing can be. Using a spinning outfit, I rigged a plastic worm exactly the same way as I would for largemouth bass. Pacific sailfish normally don’t include plastic worms as part of their diet. We teased one with a bonito belly and, once the boat was out of gear, I cast the worm. My partner yanked the teaser out of the water and the fish inhaled a plastic worm faster than you can read this.
I met a man who showed me beautiful flies for offshore species. When I told him I could catch a sailfish on a cigar just as easily as with one of his flies, he laughed at me. We were shooting a television show in Panama, and late in the day Capt. Karl Anderson asked if I had a cigar. He rigged it with a leader and hook, attached it to a flyrod and waited for a sailfish to show in the trolled teasers. We stopped the boat, Karl yanked the teaser away from the fish, and I cast the cigar. Within seconds, the sailfish crashed the cigar, went airborne, and all you could see was tobacco showering through the air. As Karl put it, that’s no longer theory. Teasing fish opens a broad new dimension to the sport. As an angler, it allows you to hook fish on all types of tackle using any bait or lure you choose including cigars and plastic worms. Try it and you’ll become hooked on the technique just as I am.
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FLY FISHING
CASTING FOR REDFISH: BEYOND THE DOUBLE HAUL
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t is well-known that the double haul and the back cast are essential for fly fishing for redfish. Here are three more casts I believe are very important when targeting winter reds with a fly. Fly Repositioning Cast This cast is wonderful when you need to recast a fly to a redfish that refused it or when you missed your target. It works best when 20 or more feet of line are outside the tip-top. It is essential to the success of this cast to not rush picking the fly line up off the water. The key is to load for the back cast by beginning with the rod tip close to the water and slowly lifting the line off the water. Then wait to feel the rod load on the back cast. Once you feel the rod load, make a forward cast, allowing the fly to hit the mark. I’ve witnessed far too many fishermen rush to recast, and in doing so, miss their target on the second cast. The Quick-Cast For The Short Game When sight casting, you will need to execute some short, quick accurate casts. The short cast is one of the most difficult casts to make because a fly rod made for short casting has yet to be built. When red fishing, unless I know I’ll be making long casts, I keep roughly 40 feet of fly line stripped into a line management basket (a bucket if fishing from a skiff) and 20 feet of line outside the fly rod’s tip-top. The first 15 feet of the belly section of the line will easily load the fly rod with minimal false casting. Place the fly between the index finger and thumb of the hand not holding the rod. If a redfish is spotted at close range, make a back cast while at the same time releasing the fly from your hand and cast to the redfish.
Master The Cross-Wind Cast The wind blows where redfish live. The most difficult winds to a fly flinger are the cross-wind and the following-wind. Both are guaranteed to give the angler fits. The best cast for these challenging situations is the Belgian cast, a very quick cast that when executed correctly presents the fly under challenging conditions. The key is to make an extended side-armed back cast, followed by a high extended-arm overhead cast that will provide the angler distance when working in a big wind. A word of caution: The side cast may produce the painful problem of a fly imbedded in the angler if the wind is blowing toward the casting arm. Put It To The Test When targeting winter redfish, the fly angler will be presented with many different casting situations depending on weather conditions. It’s important to understand and execute each of the casting techniques discussed. Once mastered, a trophy redfish is only a cast away! Conway Bowman caught this 41.65-pound IGFA fly-caught world record redfish out of Hopedale, La.
For More Fly Fishing with Bowman, go to
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FISHING AND DIVING
The Maldives
By Capt. Terry Fisher
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t had been 20 years since I had boarded a followed by fishing. The Maldivian government live-a-board to fish and dive. My friend, Capt. is famous for it’s eco-friendly approach and Wayne Hasson, president of Aggressor and serious application to fish conservation. The Dancer Fleets, invited me to accompany him to government’s prohibition of net and long-line the Maldives for a world-class fishing and diving fishing for commercial purposes has sustained the expedition. Over the years, Wayne and I have abundance of fisheries. Commercial fishermen use fished and dived many exotic locations, including line and pole, preventing by-catch of species other waters of the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Pacific than their main target, which is tuna. Sport fishing, and Atlantic. This was my first visit to the Indian therefore, has thrived. Among the game fish found Ocean. are giant trevally, barracuda, wahoo, dorado, A three-leg flight from Miami through New yellowfin tuna, sailfish and marlin. Bonefish and York and Dubai landed us in Male, the small, permit inhabit the flats. bustling capital of the Maldives. Upon arrival, There are many charter fishing operations Wayne and I quickly cleared customs and were in the Maldives. I had numerous opportunities to assisted by a friendly and helpful crew of the be transported to beautiful sand beaches in the mother ship. We were transported aboard a ‘Dhoni’ middle of the Indian Ocean to fish for bonefish, (dinghy) by water, to lush accommodations aboard giant trevally, jack crevalle and other species. the Maldives Aggressor. This live-a-board vessel While sailing to new dive sites, we used a ‘Dohni’ boasts a full-service galley, huge salon, 10 guest to troll and catch tuna, sailfish, wahoo and dorado. state rooms and decks for relaxing, sunbathing, At night aboard the Maldives Aggressor, we dining under the stars or just getting away for bottom fished for grouper and snapper. some private time. This luxury yacht offered all Trolling, spinning, fly-fishing gear, including of the comforts and amenities of a five-star, land- lures and fly presentations are basically the same as based property with toilets, lavatory and shower we use in the states. Diving various locations and facilities to satisfy the most demanding guests. seeing up close the numerous species that I would This voyage, Dive with the Owners Week, fish for was an added and educational bonus. provided me the benefit of being surrounded Perfect water clarity offered a vast array of marine by a number of crew, divers and fishermen, life at every dive destination. representing more than 10 different countries. The Maldives is a nation of islands. It is also For information on this trip of a lifetime, visit the “Honeymoon Capital” of Europe and parts www.maldivesfishing.com or www.aggressorfleet. of Asia. Temperatures range from 77 to 86. There com. Contact Capt. Terry Fisher of Cape Coral, are 26 atolls with 1,190 islands. One island boasts Florida’s Fish Face Charters at fishfacecharters@ a rainforest. Only 209 of the islands are inhabited yahoo.com. with a total population For more fishing in the Maldives, go to of only 400,000. Tourism is the leading industry,
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ll tournament anglers want to win. The questions are: How bad do you want that win? How much are you willing to sacrifice? How much are you willing to put on the line chasing the big win? The answers aren’t cut-and-dry or crystal clear. Most tournament anglers I know are perfectly content competing at the club and local level for beer money. But don’t underestimate the will of those guys either. I recently competed in a Deerpoint Team Trail event with Travis Poole in which a win would have been a few hundred dollars for us to split. It was low threat, low entry fee and big fun. You’d think that given the conditions that day, any sane man would’ve stayed at home. Approximately 4 inches of rain fell that day, the wind blew and lightning popped around our heads all day. Still, most guys that entered the event that morning brought their catch to the scales in the pouring rain hoping to claim the prize. The weather didn’t seem to dampen their desires one bit. They wanted it bad enough, at least they did that day. For the professional angler, the weather is just one of many elements they must fight to stay in the game. Family, sponsorship obligations, mechanical problems and financial burdens are just a few of the non-fishing issues that require an angler to do a gut-check nearly every day. All these things must be tended to before the angler can even set out to find fish for a coming event, and he’s usually a one-man crew. Some of the top touring anglers have support networks taking on some of this for them, but rest assured, they didn’t get there with them. Stories from many of the top pros sound the same, tales about sleeping in the cab of their trucks for weeks on end, dining on peanut butter day after day, selling possessions off to fund the next event, and practicing in horrible weather because they only have two days to figure out unknown waters. If there was one thing I could define that separates the successful tournament angler from the others, it’s this: he wanted more. The guy in this picture is my friend Johnny Nguyen. He is a great example of what I just described. I can’t tell you how bad he wants it, but I can tell you he possesses at least one critical element for fishing success: the undeniable, unflappable, hard-core love for the sport. No tournament here, just him out fishing on a day he probably shouldn’t have been. But there he is, doing what he loves. Some get it, others never will. Randy Cnota is the co-publisher of Coastal Angler/The Angler Magazine’s Panama City/Forgotten Coast edition.
For More fishing with Randy ‘C-Note’ Cnota, go to
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hose of us who live life outdoors know it’s not always sunny. It can get downright ugly, and many times the best bite of the year is on the leading edge of a nasty front. With good foul weather gear, wind and rain should never stand between anglers and feeding fish. Pelagic Gear, a company founded on and devoted to the ocean lifestyle, has developed a line of gear that guarantees anglers will stay happy and dry, no matter what Mother Nature sends rolling in. Pelagic’s Dri-Flex Lightweight Jacket is perfect to throw in the bag for those dewy mornings or windy evenings when there’s a slight chill. Pelagic’s DRI-FLEX fabric provides the comfort of a lightweight jacket while protecting you from the elements with water repellant technology. When it’s time to take protection from the elements up a notch, anglers shouldn’t get caught on the water without
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Pelagic’s Hurricane Jacket. For more than a decade, this 100-percent waterproof outerwear has been the choice of hardcore captains around the world. It was designed specifically for the harsh conditions of the marine environment with technical features that cater to the needs of anglers. With welded zipper technology, reflective hex-safety patches and a moisture-wicking liner, the Hurricane Jacket keeps anglers dry and shielded in bad weather. And then there are those times when you need protection all over. Pelagic’s Stormbreaker Foul Weather Jacket and Bib are a full barrier to the elements. The suit is made of a lightweight PVC that is 100-percent waterproof, yet comfortable to wear. Again, it was designed specifically for anglers, with a loose cut for optimal maneuverability and plenty of ventilation. This is also the perfect rain barrier for the traveling angler. It is lightweight and packs easily, so an angler never has to leave the docks without the full protection from harsh conditions. Good foul weather gear is essential to every angler. When it comes to selecting protection from the elements, it makes sense to choose gear designed specifically for fishing. Any outerwear will do if the mission is a stroll through the park. Pelagic Gear’s line protects anglers and keeps them fishing in the kind of brutal conditions only found on open water. To learn more about the Pelagic Lifestyle, go to
ANGLERSDREAM.CO
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WAHOO “COWBELLS’’ & ‘’SNAGGER’’ DOLPHIN LURES
44
TOURNAMENT
WINS
TROLLS 6-10 OR UP TO 20 KNOTS — NO WEIGHTS NEEDED
RIGGED N’ READY!
“TOP GUN” SALTWATER TROLLING LURES
714-545 0196
FREE SHIPPING!
6-pak Special $69.00 w/ FREE Case
www.BALLYHOOD.com
FITEC CAST NETS Fitec International has been providing the very best cast nets available to anglers for over 50 years. They are the world’s largest manufacturer of cast nets and their products are in stock or online with all major retailers and distributors where cast nets are sold. The superior quality in their handmade nets gives anglers the fun and performance they deserve while out on the water. Hold a Fitec net next to a competitor and you will see there is no comparison. Fitec’s Super Spreader and Ultra Spreader cast nets are simply the best! Fitec offers four distinct categories to ensure you are able to get the net you need. The patented EZ throw cast net is designed with a disc feature that is perfect for the novice. The RS, or Recreational Series, is designed for shallow waters or for the person who wants a lighter net. The SS, or Sport Series, nets are designed with a 1-pound per radius foot weight system and are the No. 1 selling cast net in the country. Finally, the GS, or Guide Series, nets are designed for the serious angler, built with the highest quality standards and the fastest sink rate. Fitec values your business. They go to work every day with you, their customer, in mind. Their mission is to “bring innovative quality products to customers, with drive and passion every day.”
WWW.CASTNETS.COM
Seeking to become the leading and most comprehensive manufacturer of all things diving and fishing, Hammerhead Spearguns has made another addition to its lineup of gear. They are proud to announce the launch of the Dentex NT, a utility glove so durable yet flexible it’s almost like having a second skin on the hands. The Dentex NT comes with an ANSI Cut Level 5 and Puncture Level 3 and is woven from Hammerhead’s signature red Dentex fabric, but now it has a Sandy Nitrile coating on the palm and fingers, giving it increased resistance to heat and chemicals, plus additional grip. The Dentex NT is also known to be extremely pliant, molding seamlessly into your hands, so no clumsy mitten-hands here. You can even pick up a penny while wearing them! The wide range of things you can do with the Dentex NT gloves is staggering. You can use them not just when you fish or handle tricky, spiny sea critters but also when doing repairs or squaring off with hazardous materials. Welding a piece of metal to fix your boat? Piece of cake! Filleting tuna? Sure thing! Changing lines and hooks? Say goodbye to line abrasions and getting pricked, stabbed, or poked on your fingers. Sharp tools and hot objects no longer pose a threat to your valuable hands.
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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT ERGODOCK OFFERS IMPROVED RESILIENCE, AESTHETICS AND SAFETY
While many docks along the Florida coastline buckled to the force of Hurricane Matthew this fall, widespread reports from boaters and anglers indicated that docks utilizing ErgoDock technologies held up considerably better. With the damage and debris left in Matthew’s wake, the resilience of ErgoDock proved significant—not only because of its strength, but because of expected durability against future hurricanes that routinely batter the coast. The ErgoDock difference is its inherent structural augmentation. ErgoDock is designed to provide a matrix that evolves the dock into a single structural component instead of a succession of individual parts like most marine docks are constructed. Independent tests report that ErgoDock significantly outperforms all other dock options in comfort, safety and customization. ErgoDock’s unique texture, for example, enhances safety with a far more slip resistant material than wood or composite decking. The ErgoDock surface also is designed to allow more “give,” increasing comfort and safety by easing stress on ErgoDock owners’ feet, back and joints while also mitigating any potential injury from a fall. ErgoDock prevents deterioration, therefore reducing the need for maintenance. Its products adhere with an impervious membrane to seal all decking materials and are self-draining, to prevent UV or water degradation of existing decking or concrete surfaces. “Our purpose was to create a material that far outperforms all other dock options when it comes to safety, comfort, customization and longevity,” said Kent Weisenberg, founder and CEO of ErgoDock LLC. “There is nothing like it on the market. ErgoDock is a multi patent-pending marine surfacing system that is revolutionizing the dock design and repair industries.” Weisenberg, the sole named inventor on 28 U.S. and foreign patents, added, “We passionately pursue improving the world’s infrastructure with green technology. ErgoDock surfaces are made of sustainable materials that fight the depletion of our environment.” ErgoDock products can be used in various stages of a dock’s life whether for preservation, safety, aesthetics or for any combination of the three. Still want that traditional wood dock look? ErgoDock offers ErgoWood Decking, which is select-treated wood that is pre-dried and then encased in ErgoDock’s patented SafeTread material and prevents deterioration from sun and water while increasing a dock’s life by as much as 10 years over current decking materials. “Add it all up, and ErgoDock products represent a major leap forward in dock design and repair,” Weisenberg said. “We want people to know that there is another option out there–one that comes with ergonomic elegance and represents a resilient, safe and viable option that contractors will want to offer their customers.”
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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT XTRATUF CAMO-LINED LEGACY BOOT Designed to keep fishermen sure-footed on the water, XTRATUF’s Camo-Lined Legacy Boot is the ideal boot for fishing in the elements. An interior camo lining and XTRATUF logo that are visible when the boot is rolled down adds a pop of color to XTRATUF’s classic performance boot. Not your typical rubber boot, the Legacy is triple-dipped to create a seamless coating of rubber that further strengthens an already watertight material, thus sealing the boots and making them impervious to fish oils and chemicals. The soft, pliable and lightweight neoprene latex rubber gives the Legacy boots unparalleled comfort and flexibility. The hand-laye r e d construction allows for flex and strength at critical stress points on the boot. A signature chevron outsole design and unique rubber compound provides maximum surface contact for ultimate traction and stability in even the most severe fishing and work conditions. These 100 percent waterproof boots will keep the warmth in and the cold out when the temperature drops.
P SU CO
LIMIT 800-42 purcha Offer presen
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P SU CO
WWW.XTRATUFBOOTS.COM
LIMIT 800-42 purcha Offer presen
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LIMIT 800-42 purcha Offer presen
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$
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hft_coas
2000 WATT CONTINUOUS/ 4000 WATT PEAK SAVE POWER INVERTER
R PE ON SU UP CO
139
ITEM 60432/63019/63018
$
Customer Rating 69662 shown
$
129
99
$
16999 $268.99
comp at
LIMIT 4 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 5/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
WOW29 PIECE TITANATEIUMD SUPER COUPON
NITRIDE CO HIGH SPEED STEEL DRILL BIT SET
SAVE 78%
Customer Rating
$
ITEM 62281 61637 shown
19
SAVE $73
ITEM 60338 69381 shown
$
119
89
99
comp at 99 $163.06
LIMIT 3 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 5/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
6" VARIABLE SPEED DUAL ACTION POLISHER Customer Rating ITEM 69924 shown 62403/62862
$
99 54 $ 99
comp at
69 $149.99
LIMIT 4 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 5/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
R PE ON SU UP CO 1500
LB. CAPACITY DUAL WHEEL SWING-BACK BOAT TRAILER JACK ITEM 69779/67500 shown Customer Rating
SAVE 37%
$
99comp29 at $44.99
27
$
Limit 1 coupon per customer per day. Save 20% on any 1 item purchased. *Cannot be used with other discount, coupon or any of the following items or brands: Inside Track Club membership, Extended Service Plan, gift card, open box item, 3 day Parking Lot Sale item, automotive lifts, compressors, floor jacks, saw mills, storage cabinets, chests or carts, trailers, trenchers, welders, Admiral, Badland, Bauer, Bremen, CoverPro, Creekstone, Daytona, Diablo, Doyle, Drummond, Earthquake, Franklin, Hercules, Holt, Jupiter, Lynxx, Maddox, Portland, Predator, Quinn, StormCat, Tailgator, Union, Viking, Vulcan. Not valid on prior purchases. Nontransferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 5/1/17.
WOW
SUPER COUPON
$59.97
GAS RECREATIONAL GENERATOR
SAVE 95
ANY SINGLE ITEM
comp at
R 900 PEAK/ PE ON 700 RUNNING WATTS SU UP O C Customer Rating 2 HP (63 CC) 2 CYCLE
R PE ON SU UP CO $
20% OFF
$199299
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$
VALID NOW ON 5,000 + ITEMS
99
LIMIT 5 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 5/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
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How Does Harbor Freight Sell GREAT QUALITY Tools at the LOWEST Prices? We have invested millions of dollars in our own state-of-the-art quality test labs and millions more in our factories, so our tools will go toe-to-toe with the top professional brands. And we can sell them for a fraction of the price because we cut out the middle man and pass the savings on to you. It’s just that simple! Come visit one of our 700+ Stores Nationwide. R PE ON SU UP CO
RAPID PUMP® 1.5 TON ALUMINUM RACING JACK
WINNER
Customer Rating
– Truckin' Magazine
ITEM 95659 shown 61634/61952 • 580 lb. capacity
89
$
9999
$
99
7
$ 97 VALUE
LIMIT 1 - Cannot be used with other discount, coupon or prior purchase. Coupon good at our stores, HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Offer good while supplies last. Shipping & Handling charges may apply if not picked up in-store. Nontransferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 5/1/17. Limit one FREE GIFT coupon per customer per day.
WOW
SUPER COUPON
A
3 GALLON, 100 PSI OILLESS AIR COMPRESSORS A. HOT DOG
ITEM 69269/97080 shown
B. PANCAKE
ITEM 95275 shown 60637/61615
B
$3999 $
comp at
18 VOLT CORDLESS 3/8" DRILL/DRIVER WITH KEYLESS CHUCK
LIMIT 4 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 5/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
R PE ON SU UP CO
ITEM 69651/62868 62873/68239 shown
Includes one 18V NiCd battery and charger.
$
19
99 16 99 comp at
$49.21
ITEM 69249/69115/69137 69129/69121/877 shown
Customer Rating
RETRACTABLE AIR HOSE REEL R PE ON WITH 3/8" x 50 FT. HOSE SU UPCustomer Rating ITEM 93897 shown CO 69265/62344
$ $
2999
49
99$69.99
comp at
LIMIT 3 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 5/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
R PE ON SU UP CO
Blade sold separately.
12" SLIDING COMPOUND DOUBLE-BEVEL MITER SAW WITH LASER GUIDE
Customer Rating
$
12 VOLT, 10/2/50 AMP BATTERY CHARGER/ ENGINE STARTER Customer Rating
LIMIT 3 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 5/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
SAVE $499 64% comp at $8.48
LIMIT 8 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 5/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
ITEM 60581/60653 shown
comp at
SAVE $259
LIMIT 7 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 5/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
SAVE 57%
5999 $98.62
$ 99
2
SAVE 65% $
Customer Rating
7 FT. 4" x 9 FT. 6" ALL PURPOSE WEATHER RESISTANT TARP
SAVE $129
$ $
99 59 99
89
comp at
$189
LIMIT 4 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 5/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
Customer Rating
YOUR CHOICE
$319.01
LIMIT 5 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 5/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
R PE ON SU UP CO
SAVE 59%
15999
$119.99
R PE ON SU UP CO
6 PIECE SCREWDRIVER ITEM 62728/62583 SET 47770/62570 shown
SAVE $219
$5999 comp at
WITH ANY PURCHASE
Customer Rating
ITEM 69252 68053/62160 62496/62516 60569 shown
$
FREE
26", 4 DRAWER TOOL CART
SAVE $60
• 3-1/2 Pumps Lifts Most Vehicles • Weighs 34 lbs.
SUPER COUPON
$
ITEM 69684 shown 61969/61970
99 139 99
199
comp at
$399
LIMIT 5 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 5/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
WOW SUPER12"CORATUPREAONCHDERET BAR CLAMP/SP
ITEM 46807/68975 69221/62123/63017 69222 shown
SAVE 85%
$ 99 $399 .76
2
comp at
$20
Freight.com or by calling prior our stores or Harbor LIMIT 6 - Good at be used with other discount or coupon orreceipt. with original 800-423-2567. Cannot from original purchase be purchases after 30 dayss last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must day. Offer good while supplie 5/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per presented. Valid through
At Harbor Freight Tools, the "comp at" price means that the same • 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed • 700+ Stores Nationwide • HarborFreight.com item or a similar functioning item was advertised for sale at or above the "comp at" price by another retailer in the U.S. within the • Over 30 Million Satisfied Customers • Lifetime Warranty • 800-423-2567 past 180 days. Prices advertised by others may vary by location. No other meaning of "comp at" should be implied. For more On All Hand Tools information, go to HarborFreight.com or see store associate. • No Hassle Return Policy COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM JANUARY 2017 NATIONAL 33
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PENNFISHING.COM
LET THE BATTLE BEGIN The Slammer is back! Featuring a full metal body and rotor, IPX6 sealed gear box and spool design, a full Brass CNC Gear system,
COMMON CVRS_0117.indd 3
and a smooth yet powerful Dura Drag System. The Slammer is not only back…. it’s better than ever before.
12/14/16 2:59 PM
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