Coastal Angler Magazine - April / Southeast Georgia by Coastal Angler Magazine

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SE & COASTAL GEORGIA EDITION

Bass Pro

Mike Iaconelli Talks Kayaks Inshore

Make New Lures

Confidence Lures

Local

Fishing Reports Catch Photos News & Events

ELITE SERIES PRO MIKE IACONELLI CHASES REDFISH FROM A HOBIE KAYAK VOLUME 22 â&#x20AC;¢ ISSUE 267

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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.

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The cover of this month’s Coastal Angler Venice, Louisiana: editions features a gorgeous Louisiana red A Paddler's caught by Kaku pro-staffer and Louisiana Heaven tuna captain Jeff Schneider while fishing from the deck of a Kahuna SUP. There is perhaps no better place in the world to chase redfish from a paddle-powered boat Local Bass Pro Mike Iaconelli than Venice, Louisiana. Kaku’s president Talks Kayaks Inshore Kevin Hawkins tells us all about it in this issue. With thousands upon thousands of acres of marshland situated around the mouth of the Mississippi Delta, it is a paradise for inshore species and the anglers who target them. There are so many options for kayak and paddleboard anglers around Venice. They range from mothership trips out in the Gulf of Mexico for big cobia, jacks and bull reds to easier hand-launch expeditions off the side of the road in Venice, where marsh ponds and canals in tall grass make it easier to find fishing out of the wind. No matter where or how one decides to deploy a little plastic boat in the waters around the Delta, the fishing will be fantastic. It truly is heaven for anglers under paddle power.

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THE ANGLER MAGAZINE Bass Pro Mike Iaconelli: Down Off The Deck

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Professional bass tournament angler and Mike Iaconelli TV personality Mike Iaconelli is one of the most recognized anglers in the world. The 2003 Bassmaster Classic Champion and 2006 Make New Lures Angler of the Year, “Ike” can claim to have won Confidence Lures Local almost every major award in professional bass fishing. But he’s also a self-described fish-head, who will fish anywhere, any way for anything that will pull on the other end of a line. It’s fitting that the rig pulling his stateof-the-art Bass Cat boat also has a Hobie kayak strapped to the roof for quick and easy, on-the-spot fun fishing. In this month’s magazine, Ike tells us about his love of kayak fishing in a question-and-answer session that delves into some of the tools and techniques he uses inshore. Ike is one of the best bass fishermen in the world, and his tournament skills translate well to saltwater. The cover of this month’s The Angler Magazines is of “Ike” with a good redfish caught while filming for his TV show “Going Ike” in Port Fourchon, Louisiana. We interviewed him in the run-up to this year’s Bassmaster Classic, and taking a moment to talk kayaks seemed a breathe of fresh air for him during crunch time. Talks Kayaks Inshore

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Kayakin’ The Spring

By Patrick Sebile

ife is getting vibrant. Things are warming up, and spring is here. As a ritual long established, I feel the need to be close to nature. And to me there’s no better way to experience the feeling of life awakening than riding a kayak with a rod in my hand. I have fished and guided from all kinds of boats, from small skiffs to majestic deep-sea vessels, but a small plastic shell puts me right next to the fish, my hands always a few inches from the water’s surface. It’s not a money matter, as I own boats. Perhaps it is the challenge? I definitively spend more time each year fishing from my skiff or bass boat, and surely catch more fish from these boats. They are true fishing machines, helping me cover lots of water to find fish. And they can carry all the gear necessary for any situation. On my kayak, I have to think effectively about what my needs are and carefully consider every single thing I will bring onboard. It’s a good way to find the balance between needs and wants. So how do I fish while kayaking? In freshwater and saltwater, my approach is to slowly and surely cover every spot. In a kayak, I am much more aware of, and more capable of, targeting the places where fish hide. Superbly silent, my Pro Angler carries me at the edge of two worlds, above the surface where we

live and the liquid world, which holds the object of all our passions. My kayak tackle boxes have a variety of carefully selected key lures that will help in different situations and environments, nothing more than what I will need. I carry Magic Swimmers, hard for open water and soft for heavy cover and structure. A Flatt Shad snagless is effective in both open and snaggy areas. Twitch baits like the Stick Shadd definitely go into my box, as they are needed if fish are active. A handful of plastic worms, a couple of bucktails, and then a topwater or a pivot frog will complete this set to fish from a ’yak. Seated just above the water, gliding silently with gentle movements of my feet on the pedals, rod in hand and with eyes searching, I use the smooth approach to get as close as I can to the spot or to the fish. Then all that’s left is a short but accurate cast. Proximity also gives me greater enjoyment of seeing the fish and seeing it bite. That’s why I love kayak fishing this time of the year. And you never know; I may let my lures sit in the tackle box and simply hook a shiner or a shrimp and let it swim. Or maybe I won’t even do a thing, just watch the water and the life that surrounds it—just enjoy life… and a kayak ride. Patrick Sebile is the owner and lure designer of Sebile Innovative Fishing (www.sebile.com).

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Mike Iaconelli Talks Kayaks And Redfish

Editor Nick Carter had the chance to interview professional bass angler Mike Iaconelli just before the Bassmaster Classic. We didn’t want to jinx Ike by talking about the Classic, so we asked the Hobie pro about his love of kayak fishing.

hat’s the appeal in stepping down from the deck of a bass boat into a kayak? Ike: Growing up in southern New Jersey, I consider myself a small-boat angler first. Many of my early childhood experiences fishing involved fishing from the bank, rowing a small jonboat or paddling a canoe. Kayak fishing fills a huge niche in my fishing life. Outside of competitive bass tournament fishing, I’m still a huge fish head. That means fishing for all freshwater and saltwater species in my down time. When I’m fun fishing or filming for TV shows, I love to access remote places that I can’t get into with my full size bass boat. Kayak fishing is also a HUGE breath of fresh air to leave behind the big boat and all of the time and preparation that go along with launching and running that boat. With your tournament schedule, do you get to spend much time on the salt? Ike: I definitely try to go inshore and offshore fishing each fall when the tournament season concludes. This past fall, I spent a week in Port Fourchon, Louisiana hanging out at Hobie Worlds 6 and filming a kayak fishing episode for season two of my TV show, Going Ike, which premiers this spring on the Pursuit Channel! I had a great time catching big redfish and trout, plus it was awesome meeting the Hobie World Championship competitors from all over the world who love fishing as much as I do. I also had a chance to go offshore fishing with my buddy Ish Monroe in San Francisco during November. We were mainly targeting lingcod, and it was an amazing day of fishing! Where do you put your kayak in and what do you fish for in New Jersey? Ike: I mostly fish the small lake behind my house, which has largemouth bass, northern chain pickerel, crappie and sunfish. My son, Vegas, got a brand new Hobie kayak from Santa for Christmas this year. The fish in our lake better watch out this summer! I’m really looking forward to spending time with my family and pursuing exciting new fishing adventures. How do redfish compare to “green fish?” Ike: Anyone who has caught a big redfish would agree that they are definitely more powerful and are a very aggressive fish in general. One of my favorite things about targeting redfish is that most of the time I can focus on shallow-water power-fishing techniques and search for active, feeding reds. With the “green fish,” there are a lot of times that I have to slow down and present a bait to them slowly such as with a jig, worm or finesse fishing.

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What skills, techniques and gear from your bass arsenal translate well to inshore? Ike: Casting accuracy/ presentation, reading tides and powerfishing techniques are the first three that come to my mind. Often when I’m inshore fishing, I am targeting fish that are relating to a grass edge or current break. If I can make accurate, quiet casts, there’s a good chance I’m going to catch more fish! Having grown up fishing the Delaware River, which can have up to a 7-foot tide swing between low and high tides, I’ve spent much of my life learning how fish position based on the tide level and current. This experience translates extremely well to inshore fishing…. I bring a lot of traditional power-fishing gear that you’d also find in my Bass Cat boat when I’m fishing for bass: Abu Garcia “Ike” Series Rods, Berkley Trilene braided/ monofilament/ fluorocarbon fishing lines, Rapala Skitter Walk and Skitter V topwaters, VMC jigheads, and Berkley Powerbait and Gulp swimbaits, grubs, and more soft plastics. How is your Hobie rigged out? Ike: I have a Power Pole Micro Anchor to stop the kayak on a dime. This is a very crucial piece of equipment, which allows me to quickly stop and fish an area without the kayak drifting with the current or wind. This is huge when you are fishing specific targets such as points, current breaks, laydowns, docks and more. I also have a Lowrance HDS 9 Touch unit, a storage crate for my Flambeau Zerust tackle boxes and tackle bags, landing net, rod holders, and of course, Hobie’s Mirage Drive pedals so I can keep my hands fishing instead of paddling! Electronics play a huge role on the bass tournament scene, what’re your thoughts on electronics in kayaks? Ike: Electronics play just as huge of a role in kayak fishing. I really use it the same as with my Bass Cat boat! As I just mentioned, I run a Lowrance HDS 9 Touch unit on my Hobie for its GPS/ sonar abilities. I rely heavily on the information I can gather from the Lowrance such as mapping/ bottom contours, reading the water temperature, and using the sonar for locating fish, cover and structure to name a few. I may mount a Hydrowave on the Hobie as well soon. It’s another great innovation in electronics, and I use it often in my boat to fire up fish. I’m always interested in adding tools to my boat or kayak that help me catch more fish!

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Lou

By Nick Carter - Photos Courtesy of Kaku

f there’s a heaven for folks who fish from paddle-powered boats, it must look a lot like Venice, Louisiana. This narrow spit of marshland at the Mississippi River Delta is a maze of canals and bays that flush into the Gulf of Mexico with fecundity born of joining waters. Channels and marsh ponds tucked into thousands of acres of wetlands make it the perfect habitat for redfish, seatrout, flounder and other species. It’s like the landscape was designed for fishing and exploring with a paddle. Kevin Hawkins was born and raised in Tarpon Springs, Fla. He is the president of Kaku Kayaks & Paddleboards but calls himself the company’s chief pro-staffer. He prides himself on the amount of fishing he does and designs his boats on experience. Venice is one of his favorite testing grounds. Whether its launching roadside into the marsh, a trip outside the pass from remote Port Eads or a mothership expedition to the Gulf ’s famous oil rigs, it’s the perfect setting to test his boats. It doesn’t hurt that the fishing is awesome. When the seas aren’t too rough, there’s no adventure quite like a mothership trip out to the oilrigs in search of cobia, kingfish and bull reds. Kaku pro-staffer Capt. Jeff Schneider is also a tuna captain who runs a 36-foot Contender when he’s not paddling a small plastic boat. With kayaks loaded, it’s about an hour and a half run from Venice Marina out to 50-foot-deep rigs in West Bay. Hawkins described a day he fished with Schneider, and although the primary target was cobia, a big 45-inch redfish was the highlight. Armed with big 5000 reels and 40- to 50-pound tackle, they dropped Kaku Wahoo kayaks into 2- to 3-foot seas. Even on the stable fishing platform, Hawkins said it might have been a bit much for new paddlers. For a veteran it was fun. “It’s awesome, man. I love paddling a good kayak in that stuff and busting over big waves,” said Hawkins. “When it gets rough like that, it’s fun.” They fished a series of four or five structures linked by a bridge, which gave space to paddle around and explore. Hawkins said he paddled right up to the corner of a pier, dropped his jig straight down and began back paddling before jigging. That’s when the big bull red ate. “When you’re in the shallows and they pull you around, they call that the Cajun sleigh ride,” Hawkins said. “When you’re in deep water like that, he heads straight down. He was pulling me, and that kayak was smashing straight down on those waves. It was pretty intense.” Invariably, fish seek something to wrap the line around, and only by kicking off a beam was Hawkins able to keep himself from going

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Experience Heaven

APRIL 2017

under the rig and losing the fish. He gave a piece of advice for battling big fish from a kayak in deep water. “Keep the tip of the rod toward the front of the boat,” he said. “When the rod goes to the side, that’s when you run the risk of flipping.” If an open-water mothership trip seems a little much, Port Eads sits on the southernmost tip of Louisiana, right at the end of the Mississippi River. It’s only accessible by boat, and reasonable prices buy lodging and good meals. Also known as South Pass, the location is a few minutes paddle from the open Gulf and offers excellent fishing for big jacks, reds, cobia, blacktip sharks and any number of other species big enough to warrant medium-heavy rods, 3000 to 4000 reels and 30- to 40-pound-test lines. Hawkins likes artificials and prefers Slayer Inc.’s Sinister Swim Tail rigged on a 4/0 jig head. For him, sinking bait outside the pass would detract from the reason he fishes from kayaks and SUPs in the first place. “Kayaks are about stalking and hunting the fish,” he said. “You’ve got to use your instincts to find them. I don’t like to just sit on a hole and fish bait.” It’s as much fun as you can have sitting down… or standing up if seas are calm enough for an SUP like Kaku’s Kahuna, which is specifically designed for fishing. But perhaps the best bet for calm waters is a third Venice option, to launch roadside. Highway 23 runs from New Orleans to Venice, and Tidewater Road is where the pavement ends. There are any number of places to hand-launch a kayak or paddleboard. Hawkins mentioned Yellow Cotton Bay as well as a series of marsh ponds and cuts at a circular canal known as The Pinwheel. Once you find fish off the grass edges, it’s probably the best inshore action in the world, and it’s easily accessible to paddlers. Popping cork rigs are a no-brainer, but Hawkins said once you get tired of catching scads of rat reds and trout, it’s time to switch to the paddletail rig he likes to fish outside the pass. “We’re looking for the big ones,” he said. “You’ve still got to be ready for the big ones. No matter where I am in Venice, I’ve got a 30-pound rig.” For more information on Kaku Kayaks & SUPs, see kakukayak. com.

To learn more about fishing from a Kahuna Paddleboard, go to

FISHINGLIFE.CO

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The 12.5′ length of the Wahoo helps ensure stability. The Wahoo spans 33″ wide, great for fishing! Weighing only 74 lbs, the Wahoo is WWW.kakukayak.com lightweight, but incredibly stable. The Wahoo has a capacity of 400lbs.

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THE DAY’S BIG CATCH SHOULD BE YOUR ONLY FOCUS Insurance coverage through BoatU.S. makes for a great start to what could be an epic day of fishing. Our policies are designed with coverages custom-made for Anglers and include 24/7 claims service from boating experts. • Agreed Value Coverage for Your Boat, Engine(s) and Boating Equipment • Broad Cruising Areas • Charter and Guide Coverage Options Available • Coverage for Fishing Gear • Tournament Coverage • Water Towing and Roadside Assistance from TowBoatU.S. – the Nation’s Largest Fleet

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Paddlesports Product Review COVERALLS KAYAK COVER

CREEKKOOLER FLOATING COOLER

Who says kayak covers need to be bulky and thick? CoverAlls kayak covers deliver protection, strength and durability in a lightweight, tough material that keeps your kayak clean and dry year-round. Protect your kayak from nature and the elements. Prevent dirt, debris, pollen and leaves from piling up in the cockpit and seat. Block bugs and critters before they move in. Keep water out with material that’s not just water-resistant—it’s water-PROOF. Our covers are also UV-resistant to preserve your kayak’s hull and rigging from the sun’s damaging rays. Best of all, CoverAlls kayak covers are a breeze to use. They slip on quickly, draw closed with a single poly cord and cam lock—not zippers—and get snug with durable Velcro straps. There’s even a built-in red flag for transport. The cover slips off easily and stows neatly in an included compact stuff bag that even fits in most deck hatches. Spend more time with a rod and reel and less time with a hose and scrub brush. See how much better protection can be at www.coveralls.biz!

Space is always at a premium when you’re on the water in a paddle-powered vessel. Whether it’s a kayak, canoe or stand-up paddleboard, a lack of stowage often forces us to leave behind the things not absolutely necessary for the activity at hand. On a larger boat where there’s plenty of room, many anglers wouldn’t think of going fishing without a cooler full of iced-down beverages. With the new Creekkooler, those navigating under paddle power can have the same luxury. The Creekkooler is an innovative floating cooler designed with dual-wall construction and top-quality insulation to retain ice and keep things cold for extended periods. Its shape cuts through the water, limiting drag and allowing it to be pulled easily behind a boat. Creekkooler has a 30-quart capacity and will hold 30 12-ounce cans and 20 pounds of ice. It has four drink holders on deck and a 1/8-turn watertight lid that makes it a great tool for extra dry storage, too. Whether it’s for keeping drinks cold during a day on the water with buddies, packing in provisions for a multi-day float trip, or extra dry storage for the stuff you need but don’t have room in the boat for, Creekkooler is an innovative new product that will make your excursion under paddle power more comfortable.

WWW.COVERALLS.BIZ

KANOOLERPRODUCTS.COM

WHALEBACK PADDLEBOARDS TORTUGA

When I’m not in the studio or at the racetrack, I’m fishing. Every chance I get. I recently started SUP fishing, and the 12’6” Tortuga by Whaleback Paddleboards is a real game changer. At 12’6” x 34” x 10.5”, with twin pontoons, the stability is ridiculous. I can walk nose to tail and all around the rails to reel in fish from any direction. Its 3-inch side bite tracking fins allow me to squeeze into shallow flats, and its maneuverability and stability is great offshore as well. With a fullcoverage, water-resistant traction pad, the deck space is unmatched. And its 28 customizable

By Matt Nix, Racin’ Nation Radio

WWW.WHALEBACKPADDLEBOARDS.COM

JACKSON KAYAK KRAKEN 13.5

Jackson Kayak’s Kraken 13.5 is an all-new option for paddlers looking to tackle big water. Based on The Kraken 15.5 platform, the 13.5 sheds some length for more maneuverability but with all the punch of its big brother. This kayak, just like the original, is designed for the most challenging paddling environments and intended for the offshore and big-lake kayak angler. It’s a natural follow up to the first collaborative design between legendary kayak angler, Jim Sammons and Jackson Kayak’s design team led by Tony Lee. The new Kraken 13.5 is a boat shaped and built to accommodate those hitting the open water in a nimble, smaller footprint but still capable of big water management. It’s designed for punching through surf, handling rough offshore currents, swells, beach landings and those who desire ultimate performance and maneuverability. With more features than can be listed, Jackson has considered all the needs of bigwater anglers and packed them thoughtfully into this kayak. Its great-tracking hull has the speed to cover miles and the volume and storage to carry you and your gear comfortably on long outings. 16

inserts and deck tie downs let me rig up my YakAttack lean post, rod holders, GPS and paddle holder and still have room for the cooler, cup holder and lawn chair. Because let’s face it, nothing’s better than celebrating a good catch with a cold one. Whether you’re an experienced SUP fisherman or just getting started, the 12’6’ Tortuga is the board for you. It sets you up with everything you need. You just have to find the fish. All Whaleback boards are made in the USA. Visit www.whalebackpaddleboards.com or call 561-3361612 for a dealer near you.

PAU HANA BIG EZ ANGLER At 11 feet long and available in both 32 and 36 inches of width, Pau Hana’s Big EZ Angler is built to be stable, the perfect platform for fighting any game fish. This paddleboard is derived from the classic Big EZ, and is shaped to provide anglers the balance they need while remaining easy to maneuver in shallow water without disrupting fish underneath. It is lightweight at just over 30-pounds, which means it is easy to launch anywhere there’s a place to carry it to the water. It can be rigged up for any kind of fishing, can handle heavy loads and carry all the gear you need. With a soft and stylish deck and space in between the pieces for water drainage, the Angler comes pre-equipped with 25 multiple threaded mount attachment points using Pau Hana’s innovative SeaMount System. Coolers, tackle boxes, anchors, nets, rod holders, paddle clips, lights and anything else an angler needs can be easily mounted on deck. The Big EZ Angler is a real teak paddleboard with the capacity to carry everything an angler needs and provide a stable platform to fish from.

WWW.PAUHANASURFCO.COM WWW.JACKSONKAYAK.COM APRIL 2017 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

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Paddlesports Product Review RAM MOUNTING SYSTEMS Whether you are on a lake, stream, whitewater, inlet or ocean, kayaking is all about adaptability. RAM has created a complete line of rust-resistant mounting solutions for kayaks that allow anglers to mount items where they are needed. RAM Mounting systems offer the widest selection of kayak fishing accessories to adapt to a wide range of fishing scenarios. With a patented ball-and-socket design, RAM mounts allow anglers to mount almost anything at the perfect angle. This provides flexibility to mount equipment within reach, but out of the way. RAM’s kayak mounts and fishing accessories are rugged, compact, and have no sharp edges or points. All of our kayak mounts are backed by a lifetime warranty and are made in the USA. RAM mounts are the solution for mounting anything you might need on the water. A full line of rod holders covers everything from fly rods to conventional baitcasters and spinning rods of all sizes. Electronics, like fishfinders, chartplotters, phones, tablets and cameras can be mounted securely where they are needed. RAM even has a special system for mounting transducers for depthfinders. If there is something that needs to be mounted on a kayak, chances are RAM has thought of it and designed a product to hold it.

WWW.RAMMOUNT.COM

THE SKIMMER KAYAK MOTOR KIT Paddle fatigue getting to you? Want to motorize your kayak or canoe? There’s no need to pay $2,000 for a motorized kayak. Watercraft Technologies’ The Skimmer is a simple system for motorizing your kayak or canoe, and it costs less than $400. It is a lightweight, portable motor that mounts easily to your stern. Just snap it on when you need it. Fishing has never been easier, safer and more convenient. Go farther and save your energy for fishing! Increase your range! Catch more fish! The Skimmer weighs only 6 pounds. It’s 12v battery operated. There are easy controls for steering and motor lift. It’s environmentally safe, with no pollution, oil or gas spills. The Skimmer is made for saltwater, but does great in brackish or fresh water. It is able to propel a craft 2-4 knots and lasts two to five hours per charge. Imagine running your kayak at that speed and that long with zero effort! This propulsion system is great for people who want to get on the water and not worry about paddling hard into a swift current or strong wind. It is also great for those with shoulder, back or elbow issues. This kayak trolling motor kit carries a one-year, full parts replacement policy. See The Skimmer in action and order online at www.kayaktrollingmotor.com or order by phone at 631-848-3119.

WWW.KAYAKTROLLINGMOTOR.COM

MALIBU X-WING CONSOLE

Storage is a huge issue when all the gear you need at hand must fit in a space the size of your legs and lap. Malibu’s X-Wing Console is a fantastic option for storing and organizing gear in the cockpit of a kayak. Mounting of electronics, rod holders and other accessories can all be accomplished on one unit without drilling unnecessary holes in a kayak’s deck. A dry-storage compartment included in the unit makes the perfect place for valuables as well as being a great place for a battery. The X-Wing slides back and forth on a track mounted to the gunnel, so placement can be customized on the fly so it’s there when you need it and out of the way when you don’t. It’s also completely removable for storage and transportation. The X-Wing fits Malibu Kayaks, and modifications and adapters can be used to make the console fit other brands.

WWW.MALIBUKAYAKS.COM

YAKGEAR COOLER SEAT A cooler is one of the most valuable tools in most anglers’ arsenals. It goes everywhere and serves as a refrigerator, stepladder, poling platform, storage box and even a seat. YakGear’s Cooler Seat and Rigging Kit allows anglers to turn their cooler into a more comfortable and practical seating platform. Perfect for fishing, paddling, camping, tailgating and hunting, the YakGear Cooler Seat and Rigging Kit consists of the YakGear Sting Ray Seat and the necessary hardware to mount and secure the seat to a cooler. The kit is compatible with all coolers that feature “Front Locking Holes” including Yeti, Grizzly, Engel, Yukon, Icehole, some of the Bison models, and many more. The YakGear Sting Ray Seat features built-in back braces, which allow rigid back support without pressure from an exterior backrest. While most seats slouch down or fold over, the YakGear back braces hold the seat in place. As an additional feature, the seat has an aggressive non-slip pad to prevent unwarranted movement while sitting.

YAKGEAR.COM APRIL 2017

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FLY FISHING A Modern Take On Booking Fishing Guides And Charters

a better way. In April 2016, Fisher Guiding was founded. Since then, Hill has been working full time to turn his dream of easy one-stop shopping for charters and guided trips into reality. Fisher Guiding is a web-based service that lets anglers book trips with guides and charters online. It allows potential customers to search, review, message and pay guides all through an easy-to-use website. This service allows guides and captains to advertise and book clients based on available dates. It makes payment hassle free and allows guides and captains to market to customers in a way never before available. For some independent guides, the local fly shop is the only avenue available for them to book clients. Fisher Guiding is looking to supplement and modernize by offering a variety of scheduling and booking tools. Right now, Fisher Guiding currently has booking options from Alaska to the East Coast, Bahamas, Belize and Costa Rica. Although the consumer website just launched eight days ago, Fisher is already off to a great start with trips booked and new guides joining daily making for a constantly growing community. “Ultimately, the goal is to have guides and charters representing every market and fishing destination in the USA and around the world,” said Hill. It will be interesting to see how Fisher Guiding impacts the industry. The advantages are obvious for guides and charter services, but the greatest benefit may be for the consumer. Customers can read reviews and even message guides right through the website. Booking and paying for trips can be handled in two easy steps. While all change forces adaptation, a more competitive and transparent system will serve both the professionals and consumers. Ultimately the goal of Fisher Guiding is to make guides and charters more accessible to the public and contribute to the growth of the sport. A high tide will raise all the boats. See for yourself at www.fisherguiding.com.

FLY FISHING

ooking fishing guides and charters has not really changed at all for 50 years, so the industry is ripe for change and improvement. That is what Edward Hill—founder of Fisher Guiding– thought before launching his online service for guides and captains and the anglers who use them. Hill worked at Front Range Anglers before By Charlie Warfield graduating from the University of Colorado. There he saw firsthand how the guiding business worked in the local area. After school, he did private sector work in Washington, D.C., but after a couple years felt the need for a change and a new challenge. He began planning a trip to the Everglades with his father to do some fishing and reflection. Hill began searching the Internet for local guides. He was frustrated by the lack of information and the hoops he had to jump through to get hold of a guide. He had to look up guides and then call them for available dates and rates. It was a hassle, and it then turned out the guides he tracked down didn’t have the dates available he was looking for. Hill thought there must be

CHOOSING THE CORRECT BAITFISH FLY

f you look in many fly anglers’ boxes, you will see a huge array of flies in all shapes, sizes and colors. However, having the one correct fly in the box is the key to fishing success. Picking the correct flies for any saltwater fly fishing situation is key to whether or not you’ll be catching fish. Walking into a fly shop and looking into the fly bins can prove mindboggling to the uninitiated. The bins are filled with so many flies with which the fledgling saltwater fly fisher has little or no knowledge. Saltwater flies differ from their freshwater cousins in size and dress. Sometimes, like the kid in a candy store who is more influenced by the attractive wrapper than its contents, the beginning saltwater fly angler often chooses the eye-candy, over-dressed flies far too bulky to resemble a baitfish or a crab, flies that hook fishermen rather than fish.

Baitfish patterns

I believe a sparsely dressed baitfish pattern is preferable to a bulked up flashy fly. Why? The sparsely dressed fly will have a more natural look than will an all-too-spruced-up fly. Also, my experience has shown that a fish is far less selective when presented the sparsely dressed fly. The fly is only an imitation, a hint, of what the fish is feeding on, producing in the fish a reflexive action to strike. Perhaps one of the most important parts of the saltwater fly is its large eye that resembles closely the good-sized eyes on baitfish such as sardines, pilchards, and anchovies. Game fish zero in on that oversized eye when chasing and feeding on baitfish. Focusing on that eye results in fewer lost meals.

Color

Natural colors work best. Olive green, browns, tans and

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FLY FISHING Upstate New York

Bass On The Fly! By Mathew DeRosa

t was a very successful spring steelhead season on New York’s Salmon River. Approaching the tail end of the season, a friend and I made a “last chance” trip in hopes of finding a few final drop-back steelhead left in the system. We fished the lower section of the river, near Lake Ontario, to increase our chances of a tight line. It was one of those days when spring starts meshing into summer. The sun was shining with a few high clouds, the warm breeze was 70 degrees, and we had the river to ourselves. For an angler, being outside and fishing in a short sleeve shirt with no one around should be enough to call any day a success. This day was about to get better. As we cast into a river with increasing water temps and a majority of the steelhead already back in Lake Ontario, our expectations of a tight line were low. Soon enough, as we launched large flies

into the water, the addicting tight line grabs began. These fierce strikes were not steelhead, but hungry smallmouth bass. We enjoyed a full day on the river swinging 4-plus-inch flies and catching more than 25 smallmouth bass apiece. Are you a bass fisherman? Have you experienced the power of a bass on a fly rod? Smallmouth and largemouth bass will aggressively hunt down prey, which makes catching them on a fly rod extremely enjoyable. The late spring and early summer months are perfect to experience bass on the fly in Upstate New York. Altmar, N.Y. is on the Salmon River a short drive from the Tug Hill Sportsman Club. Both the Salmon River and the Tug Hill Sportsman’s Club are great places to learn how to fly fish and test your skills on bass. The beautiful scenery and vast expanse of meandering clear water make the Salmon River a top-priority fishing location in late spring. Favorable river conditions draw in large numbers of smallmouth bass. The river has more than 12 miles of public fishing property, and you can fish all day without encountering another angler. Smallmouth enter the river in April to spawn and remain in the system until September. Average Salmon River smallmouth bass range from 2 to 3 pounds; some weigh more than 5 pounds. Bass are present the entire length of the river from Altmar to the Douglaston Salmon Run. Tug Hill Sportsman Club The Tug Hill Sportsman Club is located on 450 acres of gently rolling land and is home to four lakes. The lakes make up about 45 acres of pristine largemouth bass-infested water. New to fly fishing or experienced, the opportunity to catch a world-class largemouth is there. The fish in these small lakes have had unpressured feeding, growing and reproductive conditions as the property has been carefully managed for more than 25 years. The goal is to provide guests with the highest quality angling. Enjoy Tailwater Lodge’s relaxing accommodations and fish the Tug Hill Sporting Club with Zero Limit Adventures! Matthew DeRosa is a guide with Zero Limit Adventures. For more information on the Tug Hill Sportsman’s Club and Zero Limit Adventures, visit www.zerolimitadventures.com.

whites are all great color combos for baitfish patterns. You should, however, carry a selection of blue and white, red and white and, of course, chartreuse and white in your fly box.

Size

Depending on what type of fish you’re pursuing, the size of your flies will vary. But, in most saltwater fly fishing situations, you’ll also need baitfish patterns that range from a small anchovy patterns in size 6 to large sardine or pilchard patterns in size 2/0. Remember, just as it is on the spring creek or on the large river, it’s all about matching the hatch, weather it’s insects or baitfish.

For more flyfishing with Bowman, go to

CAMFLYFISHING.COM

35 Acres of Private Access to the World-Renowned Salmon River 42 Luxurious Accommodations On-Site Bar and Restaurant • Daily Hot Breakfast Included Salmon River, Altmar, NY 315-298-3434

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You could get a discount when you combine your auto and boat policies.

for your boat geico.com | 1-800-865-4846 | Local Office Some discounts, coverages, payment plans and features are not available in all states or all GEICO companies. Boat and PWC coverages are underwritten by GEICO Marine Insurance Company. Multi-Policy Discount available to auto insureds that have purchased a boat policy through the GEICO Marine Insurance Company. GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, D.C. 20076; a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. © 2017 GEICO

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SOUTHEAST

FRANKLIN COUNTY, FLA.,

A Tarpon Fishing Destination

he areas of the Forgotten Coast in Franklin County, Fla. might not be your first thought when planning your quest to bag a silver king, but you really should consider it for your next fishing destination. Franklin County is not only home to beautiful, historical areas that take you back in time, the fishing is also second to none. Typically, May through August is the best time to find these migrating monsters as they come north for the summer, but given the warm conditions this year it might be sooner. Tarpon are not always an easy fish to catch, but if you hire one of the many seasoned guides that understand their habits, it increases your odds of landing one exponentially. Capt. Jordan Todd, of Saltwater Obsessions (www.facebook.com/ SWOfishing) understands these fish extremely well, and regularly cracks the code to get them on the end of his client’s line. Having a keen understanding of the migration pattern and feeding habits, he can put you in the right place at the right time to do battle. If you bring your own boat to chase tarpon, you can count on them making an appearance around the mouth of the Apalachicola River, Ballast Cove, Dog Island, Mud Point and Alligator Point. Live bait, like threadfin herring, pilchards or pinfish are always a good bet. Try live mullet or jigs tipped with shrimp near the mouth of the Carrabelle River. They’ll often

be chasing mullet up and down the lower portion of the rivers and into the bays. Live mullet free-lined is a good bet when you’ve located actively feeding fish. You’ll know they’re active when they’re crashing on bait balls; mullet learn to fly and the commotion is intense! Techniques vary from casting and drifting live bait to sight fishing with a fly rod, but one thing is constant: these are big tarpon that migrate to this area! You won’t be chasing juveniles; they will usually be in the 70- to 100-pound class, so gear up accordingly. Spinning gear is always a good bet for presenting live bait. A 7’ med-heavy action rod with an 8000to 12000-series reel will do the trick. Fly fishermen should consider a 12-weight rod and a comparably matched reel with a quality drag system. These fish will test your equipment! Speaking of equipment, Apalachicola now features a fly fishing shop. The Forgotten Coast Fly Company, located in the historic downtown district, is a technical fly shop that provides the fly fishing community with fly tying material and tools as well as American-made rods, reels, line and merchandise. Your Franklin County tarpon quest awaits you along Florida’s forgotten coast. To hook up with one of Franklin County’s tarpon guides, visit www. floridasforgottencoast.com./ca.

Your fish is waiting. Florida’s Forgotten Coast

Boaters and mariners will find something to love in Franklin County. Carrabelle features deep water access to the Gulf of Mexico and freshwater rivers. Plan a kayak or day sailing eco-adventure from Apalachicola or St. George Island. Eastpoint and Alligator Point offer direct access to the best inshore fishing on the Gulf Coast. Bring your own boat or rent one here; there’s no better place to enjoy Florida’s Forgotten Coast.

Visit Floridasforgottencoast.com/ca for complete launch, marina, guide and tackle information.

ALLIGATOR POINT • APALACHICOLA • CARRABELLE • EASTPOINT • ST. GEORGE ISLAND COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

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Picking the Right Inshore Rod

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By Tobin Strickland CAM Special Correspondent

any overlook the importance of selecting the right rod for the job as it relates to casting artificial lures. There are five things to consider with casting performance in regard to graphite

rods. The first is the modulus of the graphite in the blank. Higher modulus graphite weighs less and is stiffer. Then there’s power of the blank, the tip action, the weight rating for the blank, and finally the rod length. For example, a medium power 6’6” or 6’9” rod, with a fast tip rated for 1/8 to 1/2 oz. is a great rod for inshore casting and fighting speckled trout and redfish with lures that range from 1/8 to ¾ oz. This rod specification will be well suited for topwaters and subsurface walkers. A medium light rod power with a fast action tip may cast the smaller lures slightly better, lures like the Mirrolure Little John on 1/16- or 1/8oz. jig head or a swimbait hook. The higher the graphite modulus of the blank, the lighter the blank will be and still keep the performance. For example, for my soft plastic rod I use a Lew’s Custom Lite Speed Stick in a medium lite action, 6’10” and rated for 1/8 to ½ oz. It’s constructed from 85 million modulus graphite. It’s light, casts far and accurately and is extremely sensitive. I can still cast larger lures such as She Dogs on this blank, and it makes for a lighter stick working lures all day. Tobin Strickland created TroutSupport.com - Tech Support for speckled trout and redfish anglers.

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APRIL 2017

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3/20/17 9:34 AM

GEORGIA

FANNINCOUNTY

Offers Trout Fishing Of Every Kind By Bob Borgwat

rom its highland origins to beyond its breach of the powerhouse gates at Blue Ridge Dam, the Toccoa River forms the spine of trout fishing in Fannin County, the Trout Capital of Georgia. Less than 3 miles from downtown Blue Ridge, the Toccoa spills cold water year-round from Lake Blue Ridge. Tammen Park flanks the river’s west side in the shadow of the powerhouse. Trout stockings take place weekly at the site, where bank fishermen soak baits like crickets, red worms, salmon eggs and Berkley’s PowerBait. Fly-fishermen and anglers with spinning tackle wade this first quarter-mile of the tailwater, armed with seasonal fly selections and lures that resemble small baitfish. Others launch drift boats

to reach miles more of trout water that flows through woodlands and along stunning private homes. Fifteen miles downstream, the Toccoa River enters Horseshoe Bend Park at the town of McCayesville, which shares the state border with Copperhill, Tenn. Trout are stocked here, too, on a weekly basis through June. Benches, pavilions and a playground shadow rocky shoals and long pools where anglers find good action in the catch-and-keep setting. Above Lake Blue Ridge, the Toccoa flows for more than 20 miles from its origin in adjacent Union County. Along its way, the river flows through a patchwork of national forest land where fishermen access the river on foot, by canoe/kayak, at roadside pullouts and recreation sites. Rainbow trout are the primary species of trout in the Toccoa, but wild brown trout occupy some of the deeper and darker waters of the river. Deep Hole National Recreation Area, off Highway 60, and Sandy Bottoms Canoe Access Site are maintained by the National Forest Service. Deep Hole features campsites and easy river access where hundreds of trout are seasonally released every other week through June. At Sandy Bottoms, the Toccoa is stocked monthly and managed under delayed harvest regulations. From Nov. 1 through May 15, trout anglers are restricted to using singlehook artificial lures/flies, and all trout must be immediately released unharmed. After May 15, fishing reverts regular Georgia trout regulations. For many anglers, the tributaries to the Toccoa River play the most important part of trout fishing in Fannin County. Big Creek, Noontootla Creek, Coopers Creek, Rock Creek and Fightingtown Creek are the largest of these small streams that hold trout. Public access to these streams is scattered across the Chattahoochee National Forest, where graveled roads often run alongside the streams. In other cases, fly fishers hike to reach tributaries where lighter fishing pressure promises a more remote fishing experience. Catches include wild rainbow, brown and the colorful indigenous brook trout. They’re not large, but the brookies hold a special attraction for anglers. For more information about trout fishing in Fannin County, see the Reel Angling Adventures website at www.ReelAnglingAdventures.com, or call the outfitter at 706-838-5259. The Fannin County trout stocking schedule and fishing regulations are available online at www.GeorgiaWildlife.org.

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APRIL 2017

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Coastal Georgia Fishing Forecast

Its official, spring has sprung. The trout, whiting, black drum, and redfish have bit well during March and this trend should continue thru April. This winter and spring offered some of the best low tide red fishing I have experienced in quite a while as well. While many of the redfish were oversized, the amount of redfish in the slot was outstanding. I think this speaks well of the redfish population. The savvy sheepshead anglers have been having a banner winter/ spring also, with many double digit fish landed. I think April’s fishing pattern should continue to be solid for these three species, AND there will be some welcome additions as well! One of the first species to head back into the inshore waters of Camden and Glynn Counties will be the Southern Flounder. This fine eating flatfish can be found throughout our region in a multitude of spots. Small and medium drains and creek mouths will all hold flounder this time of year, during the falling tides. A ¼ jig tipped, or fish finder rig tipped with a mud minnow or small mullet is one of the best ways to locate and catch flounder. If you catch one, be sure to work the area over pretty good, as the first flatties of the year can be schooled pretty tight. One of my favorite methods for flounder fishing is with Gulp! 4” pearl white swimming mullet pinned to a chartreuse ¼ oz. jig head. With live or artificial baits, be sure to work the bait slow and methodically.

By Capt Tim Cutting

April may be one of the best months of the year to plan your next whiting fish fry. These great tasting fish will be found in the surf, and sounds from St. Mary’s to Little St Simons. Whiting, like most fish, like clean slow moving water. This usually means fishing around tide changes, especially close to the new and full moons when the current picks up. The periods between ¼ and ¾ moons offer a slower current and the bite can last thru entire tide phases. Whiting will hit a variety of natural and artificial baits, but fresh shrimp is my favorite. Whether you buy your shrimp live, frozen, or straight from your local grocer, make sure they are fresh. I like to remove the head and peel the shrimp before placing it on the hook. One of my top secret tricks is to soak a few pieces at a time in diet Pepsi before dropping it to the bottom. In the sounds, bounce around in 14-20 ft. of water until you start getting bit. The surf can be a bit trickier, but there are many breaks and sloughs around the bars that will hold fish. In the surf you can fish as shallow as 6-8 ft. on up to 20 ft. One of the tried and true whiting holes is located out from the King and Prince on St Simons Island. For those that are land locked, the piers at Jekyll Island and St Simons Island will offer excellent chances at whiting as well. If surf fishing is your thing, the southern end of Jekyll Island has public access and plenty of fish. I like to fish the last of the incoming and first of the outgoing when fishing from the beach.

April is also the time to land “big ugly”, alias black drum. While many drum will be caught in the 2-4 lb class, this is truly the time when you may get a bruiser in the 30 lb or bigger class. My favorite bait for big breeder drum is blue crab. Simply pop the top off the crab, remove the legs, and either cut it in quarters or halves and you are ready to go. Many hooks will work, and I recommend a circle hook in the 6/0 to 8/0 size. The remaining leg holes make perfect spots to run your hook thru. Although night time is often best for these brutes, many are caught during the daylight hours as well. Most of these fish will be found in the deeper holes near the sounds in 20-30 feet of water. The St. Mary’s jetties, the piers on Jekyll and St Simons, and the deeper holes around the Sydney Lanier Bridge are all good spots. For those of you who like topwaters, this is the time. Try the top of a rising tide EARLY in the morning over scattered grass and shell. I like a Chug Bug, Spook Jr., or Rapala Skitterwalk. When that water explodes and you’re connected to a gator trout or monster red, take a picture and let her loose…we need those special fish back in the gene pool! Karma will reward -Capt. Tim Cutting Coastal Georgia Inshore Charters St Simons Island, Georgia 912-230-1814 www.fishthegeorgiacoast.com

2 SOUTHEAST & COASTAL GEORGIA | APRIL 2017 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

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offshore • inshore

redfish • shark • flounder

light tackle • fly

Capt. Tim Cutting 912.230.1814

trout • tarpon • triple tail

The Reelin’ in a Cure Band Party and Tripletail Tournament to benefit the Glynn County Unit of the American Cancer Society will take place on Mother’s Day Weekend, Friday, May 12th & Saturday, May 13th, 2017 at Morningstar Marina on St. Simons Island. The Friday night Band Party will be a PINK OUT PARTY to honor the local mothers who have or are currently battling cancer. We encourage everyone to wear pink head to toe in support of these brave women! Band Party tickets are $40 per person in advance and includes entertainment provided by Stewart & Winfield, food by Southern Soul Barbecue and beverages provided by Parker’s Convenience Stores. The cost to participate in the fishing tournament is $100 per adult angler and $50 for junior anglers. Fishing Tournament entries include the Captain’s Meeting, Band Party, Swag Bags, and participant prizes. Tickets can be purchased at Kennedy Outfitter’s or online at www.acsvictoryboard.org. COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM | APRIL 2017 | SOUTHEAST & COASTAL GEORGIA 3

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3/19/2017 1:53:28 PM

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ST. Simons Bar Date Day 2017/04/01 Sat 2017/04/02 Sun 2017/04/03 Mon 2017/04/04 Tue 2017/04/05 Wed 2017/04/06 Thu 2017/04/07 Fri 2017/04/08 Sat 2017/04/09 Sun 2017/04/10 Mon 2017/04/11 Tue 2017/04/12 Wed 2017/04/13 Thu 2017/04/14 Fri 2017/04/15 Sat 2017/04/16 Sun 2017/04/17 Mon 2017/04/18 Tue 2017/04/19 Wed 2017/04/20 Thu 2017/04/21 Fri 2017/04/22 Sat 2017/04/23 Sun 2017/04/24 Mon 2017/04/25 Tue 2017/04/26 Wed 2017/04/27 Thu 2017/04/28 Fri 2017/04/29 Sat

Time 12:03 AM 01:01 AM 02:02 AM 03:07 AM 04:14 AM 05:20 AM 12:21 AM 01:15 AM 02:05 AM 02:51 AM 03:32 AM 04:10 AM 04:45 AM 05:19 AM 05:54 AM 12:05 AM 12:46 AM 01:30 AM 02:20 AM 03:16 AM 04:17 AM 05:19 AM 12:14 AM 01:12 AM 02:07 AM 03:00 AM 03:51 AM 04:42 AM 05:34 AM

Hgt Time Hgt 7.97 H 06:39 AM -0.3 L 7.7 H 07:41 AM 0.07 L 7.4 H 08:49 AM 0.33 L 7.14 H 09:58 AM 0.42 L 6.99 H 11:02 AM 0.35 L 6.98 H 12:00 PM 0.21 L 0.08 L 06:19 AM 7.06 H -0.08 L 07:11 AM 7.16 H -0.22 L 07:57 AM 7.22 H -0.28 L 08:39 AM 7.2 H -0.25 L 09:18 AM 7.1 H -0.12 L 09:57 AM 6.91 H 0.08 L 10:35 AM 6.67 H 0.34 L 11:13 AM 6.41 H 0.62 L 11:52 AM 6.16 H 6.73 H 06:31 AM 0.88 L 6.53 H 07:13 AM 1.11 L 6.38 H 08:03 AM 1.24 L 6.29 H 09:01 AM 1.25 L 6.28 H 10:00 AM 1.11 L 6.39 H 10:57 AM 0.82 L 6.61 H 11:52 AM 0.44 L 0.44 L 06:16 AM 6.92 H 0.0 L 07:09 AM 7.24 H -0.42 L 08:00 AM 7.48 H -0.75 L 08:49 AM 7.6 H -0.92 L 09:40 AM 7.58 H -0.9 L 10:33 AM 7.42 H -0.7 L 11:29 AM 7.19 H

2017/04/30

Sun

06:30 AM

-0.38 L

12:28 PM

Time 12:38 PM 01:38 PM 02:42 PM 03:49 PM 04:56 PM 05:58 PM 12:53 PM 01:41 PM 02:24 PM 03:03 PM 03:38 PM 04:11 PM 04:41 PM 05:12 PM 05:45 PM 12:33 PM 01:16 PM 02:03 PM 02:55 PM 03:52 PM 04:51 PM 05:48 PM 12:44 PM 01:36 PM 02:26 PM 03:15 PM 04:03 PM 04:53 PM 05:45 PM

Hgt 6.86 H 6.59 H 6.4 H 6.34 H 6.46 H 6.71 H 0.04 L -0.1 L -0.18 L -0.18 L -0.1 L 0.06 L 0.26 L 0.49 L 0.74 L 5.95 H 5.81 H 5.75 H 5.81 H 5.99 H 6.34 H 6.82 H 0.01 L -0.41 L -0.77 L -1.0 L -1.07 L -0.95 L -0.66 L

6.94 H 06:41 PM -0.27 L -

Time Hgt 06:55 PM -0.31 L 07:58 PM 0.03 L 09:07 PM 0.26 L 10:16 PM 0.32 L 11:21 PM 0.23 L 06:53 PM 7.01 H 07:41 PM 7.28 H 08:24 PM 7.47 H 09:03 PM 7.55 H 09:40 PM 7.51 H 10:17 PM 7.39 H 10:52 PM 7.19 H 11:28 PM 6.96 H 06:23 PM 0.97 L 07:08 PM 1.17 L 08:02 PM 1.3 L 09:04 PM 1.31 L 10:10 PM 1.15 L 11:14 PM 0.85 L 06:42 PM 7.39 H 07:32 PM 7.95 H 08:21 PM 8.39 H 09:10 PM 8.66 H 10:01 PM 8.71 H 10:54 PM 8.57 H 11:50 PM 8.29 H -

4 SOUTHEAST & COASTAL GEORGIA | APRIL 2017 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

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Craig James’ Post Spawn Tactics For Bass For those of us that live in South Georgia, April is the last month of what I will label as “excellent” bass fishing. Fish are still cooperative, and most days...I did say most…you won’t burn up in a boat. Though the spawn is over, for the most part post spawn bass are still relatively easy to locate, as long as you look in the right places. To target post spawn bass, the best place to start is where they spawned to start with. This time of year I like to look for areas with high concentrations of “vacant” beds and start my search there. You can bet the fish haven’t went far, and most of the time I find that post spawn fish will congregate on flats close to shore. If the bottom is fast sloping use your depth finder to find the deepest water out from the bank, then divide it in half and a good majority of fish will be holding around that area. For instance if the bottom slopes fast to 12 feet then I position my boat where I can make my casts to where there is approximately 6 feet of water. When using your electronics be sure to fish any structure you come across thoroughly, as post spawn fish really seem to stack up any time cover is present.

Another great post spawn lure is a diamond tail worm made by Bruiser Baits. Rigged weightless, and twitched about a foot below the surface, this lure frequently produces big bass for me. Top colors are Plum, Green Pumpkin, and Lily pad. I like to fish this setup on spinning gear, mounted to a 7 ft 3 inch Vexan Rod. This enables me to make long casts and enables me to feel light bites. One thing you will encounter with any floating worm is a lot of line twist. A squirt of Reelsnot will eliminate this problem and keep you tangle free.

When it comes to post spawn lure selection we could go on and on, as the choices seem endless. I’m going to give you a few of my top picks for this time of year. My number one pick for this time of year is a bassaddictiongear Fatso Stick in Junebug. Much like a Senko, the Fatso has a slow fall bass can’t resist. What I like better is that it’s larger than a normal stick worm and a great deal more durable. I like to spray it down with Java ReelSnot to enhance appeal and improve hook ups. I fish the Fatso on a 7 foot heavy action Vexan Bass Rod with an Abu Garcia Revo reel spooled with 15 pound fluorocarbon line. This setup enables me to set the hook with lots of power.

craigajames052886@gmail.com

Be sure to take advantage of April’s great weather, and even greater bass fishing! It won’t be too long before it’s so hot you can scramble an egg on the floor of your boat!! If you have any questions about techniques or products mentioned in this article, feel free to give me a call. Until next time bent poles, tight lines, and you won’t catch them at home!!! Craig James 912-282-3838

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March Fish Fry Fare

Targeting Flounder on the Georgia Coast Flounder is usually not the first species that comes to mind when you are specifically targeting one type of fish. But make no mistake, it can be done and on many days with huge success. I am sure almost every one of us has been inshore fishing for “whatever bites” or even targeting Reds or Trout and come up with a nice Flounder. This happens quite frequently, as Flounder hold in many different places. When targeting Flounder around St Simons Island, we look for areas that will hold more than just one or two. As with all species, if you catch a Flounder throw back in and work the area thoroughly, because you may have just found a gathering spot-they will congregate in pretty big numbers--just like Reds and Trout. You must be prepared to lose some jig heads if you are going to become a Flounder pounder. Our favorite areas usually have one thing in common: structure. This structure is usually pretty gnarly and manmade. One of the most commonly shared tips on Flounder fishing is to drag a mud minnow in the mouth of a small creek or run out--and this does work. BUT, for numbers and size, fishing the nasty stuff will pay big dividends. Flounder like docks, rocks, jetties, rip rap, pilings, bridge rubble, bulkheads, wrecks or any obstruction a Flounder can lie next to and ambush bait. Finding this kind of structure is no problem on inshore waters of the Golden Isles.

These same techniques apply to live bait as well-the only difference in being when to set the hook. When I am fishing a jig and plastic I set the hook immediately. However, when fishing with mullet or mud minnows we wait at least five seconds before setting the hook. We have a theory that because of the Flounder’s thin throat, he likes to turn his bait head first—making it easier to swallow. Baitfish can be pinned on a jig head or fished with the traditional fish finder rig. In all cases go as light as possible, but still allowing you to keep in contact with your bait. Furthermore, in both cases set the hook hard! Flounder have a bony mouth—plenty of Flounder are lost right at the boat because the hook never went through the fish’s face. When netting a Flounder, try to keep his head just under the water as he will go ballistic when his eyes break the water and often dislodge even a pretty good hook set.

Clean water also helps when Flounder fishing. Although Flounder have a very pronounced lateral line that picks up movement and vibration, they rely on sight very heavily-and their sight range is less than that of other fish due to their eye placement. The technique is very simple. I personally like to use artificial bait when targeting Flounder. My favorite is a Gulp! 4” swimming mullet, although I recently fished a tournament where a 16 pounder was caught on the Gulp! 5” jerk shad. I pin the swimming mullet on a jig head and slowly hop or drag it across the bottom. Naturally I try to get as close to the structure without hanging up, but sometimes this is unavoidable. I just re-tie. Most of my bites come within 10 ft or less from the boat. I purposely fish very close to or on top of the spots. The Flounder don’t mind, and it seems the vertical presentation actually gets more bites and definitely less snags. This technique will work in water from 1 foot on up to twenty.

One last tipis using a popping cork. When fishing shallow, a cork will allow you to cast to a good potential Flounder lair, and drag your presentation slowly back to the boat. This rig keeps the vertical presentation and cuts down on snags. Both the Gulp! and live bait work well. As always, hope this helps and you won’t know unless you go. Capt. Tim Cutting Coastal Georgia Inshore Charters http://www.fishthegeorgiacoast.com/

6 SOUTHEAST & COASTAL GEORGIA | APRIL 2017 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

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Southeast GA Lakes and Ponds Lakes, ponds and the Okefenokee Swamp have provided Great fishing in March. That prime bite will continue in April. This is my favorite time of the year, as the bass move from a spawning phase to a munching phase. We had our winter for a short spell in March this year, so don’t be surprised to see some bass still on beds in April. Bass typically move off the beds and have a week or so where they are in a “funk” and won’t feed well, but once they shake it off, they feed with reckless abandon until the summer heat arrives. Chad Lee of Alma did great for bass last month in Alma area ponds. He caught dozens of fish up to about 6 pounds and even caught a few crappie mixed in. He caught lots of his fish on Ol’ Monster Worms and shallow crankbaits. He even tried a new lure to bass, a Savage Gear Shrimp and caught about 30 bass. Yes, that wan’t a misprint, the little fake crustacean triggered bites from bass that just couldn’t stand it dancing around haphazardly on the bottom. Once the fish shake off the spawning funk and get active, they usually inhale swimbaits like the gold flash minnow (that’s my favorite color for blackwater systems) Keitech 3.8-inch swimbaits rigged on a Flashy Jighead (with a gold blade). That combination has been deadly the last couple springs. If you fish a clear water pond, look for AYU to produce well, also. Another postspawn trick that works great on days they don’t want to chase down something is a wacky-rigged Assassin Fat Job Worm. Stick the worm right in the middle with a wacky rig jighead, throw it out and let it wobble to the bottom, twitch it a few times, and repeat. They can’t stand that slow fall during the post-spawn period. Bream and shellcracker fishing should pick up significantly as waters warm and the fish move shallow for their first wave of spawning. In some of the blackwater ponds and lakes, the bluegills have already started biting well during warm spells. Look for bluegills and shellcrackers to spawn around hard bottom. Worms suspended just above bottom or fished on the bottom will fool shellcrackers, while crickets and artificials work great for bluegills. The

ponds at Paradise Public Fishing Area near Tifton are awesome for bream fishing, whether from the bank or a boat. For more information about fishing the area and license requirements, visit www.gofishgeorgia. com. Flier fishing in the Okefenokee has been slower than usual so far this winter because the weeds have been very bad on the east side (Folkston entrance). I have not been since last fall because it is hard to throw a spinner with the bladderwort (weeds) floating everywhere. You can still find pockets of open water to dabble a sally and catch fliers and warmouth, but you have to look for open water. The angler award size for fliers in the GA DNR angler award program is 9 inches, and there are lots of them bigger than that in the swamp. If you want to register one and get the award (a nice certificate and a custom-made hat), take photos and fill out the form located on the DNR website at www. gofishgeorgia.com. I would suggest the Fargo entrance this spring to avoid the weeds. To catch fliers, pitch Okefenokee Swamp Sallies suspended underneath a small balsa float (e-mail me if you want a copy of any of the swamp articles I have written in the past). A bream buster pole is my favorite for pitching the little fly. So far, yellow has been the best color overall this winter. For pickerel (jackfish), use flashy, fast-moving baits like in-line spinners (Dura-Spins are the most durable, as they are built with soft wires that flex when a big ‘ol bowfin latches on), spinnerbaits, or minnow plugs. Catfish fishing should be off the chain on the west side (Fargo), as the yellow bullhead catfish shake off the winter and eat up worms and shrimp on the bottom. The bass fishing on the west side has been good again this spring, with reports of half-dozen bass per trip and a few pushing 6 to 7 pounds. Capt. Bert Deener Capt. Bert’s Lures 912-287-1604 bertdeener@yahoo.com

8 SOUTHEAST & COASTAL GEORGIA | APRIL 2017 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

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Coastal Cookin’ with Mrs. Susan Something different to do with your catch of the day- make a nice chowder! It’s still “soup weather” at our house!

Flounder Filets in Foil Ingredients: ¼ pound of fresh or thawed frozen Flounder per person Butter, softened Salt and pepper Grated onion (1 small onion) Dried Thyme Fresh Parsley, chopped

Directions: Preheat to 400 degrees Tear off piece of foil big enough to wrap each portion. Spread about a teaspoon of softened butter on the middle of each piece of foil and place fish filet on it. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Add at least a teaspoon of grated onion, a pinch of Thyme and a half teaspoon or so of fresh parsley. In a conventional oven: Place foil packets on a baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes. If you are using your grill: Place packets on grill, cover and cook for 15-20 minutes. To test for doneness: open one of the foil packets and see if the fish flakes easily. Serve in the packets with lemon wedges. Enjoy!

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South Georgia Rivers The rivers have fallen out earlier than usual, and that is going to be good for the fishing but not good for the condition of the fish (probably going to be skinny) or the population (lots of them won’t grow as much as they would on a flooded river and will get eaten by predators more than they would if the river were high). As always, the river levels are going to dictate the quality of fishing this month. A front that stalls is all that you need to put the river back up in the floodplain. At the time of writing this, both rivers are just getting fishable (both in river level and temperatures). I predict that the fishing on both rivers will be good, but less than the fantastic fishing we’ve had since 2014. On the Altamaha River, the crappie fishing was good in the oxbow lakes in all parts of the river. The fish should still be around shallow cover this month after they spawn. I like pitching Assassin Tiny Shads suspended under a float to shoreline cover and the mouths of creeks to catch the tasty panfish. Chartreuse and shad hues have produced best for me. Of course, minnows will catch a bunch of fish, as well. Bass fishing was excellent last month. A tournament held on the middle river took 20 pounds to win and 14 pounds to make a check! That’s stout on a river! The winning team had 2 fish over 6 pounds. This is the month when buzzbait fishing will fire up. I caught my biggest bass, a 10-lb., 1-oz. behemoth, on a buzzbait fished in the Jesup area. The channel and blue catfishing should pick up this month as the water warms. Cut baitfish, shrimp, and chicken livers fished in the deep holes will produce whiskerfish in all areas of the river. White cats in the lower Altamaha will still be chowing this month. Put a piece of shrimp on the bottom in the tidal portion of the river, and hold on.

of fishing. Those who caught it right had a blast. This is redbreast and bluegill month, though, if the river cooperates. What I love about fishing the Satilla is that you will usually catch a half-dozen different species or more. Early on this month, fish the deep holes behind sandbars and put a worm on the bottom to catch about anything that swims in the river. Satilla Spins will start working great once the water warms into the 60’s. You can cover lots of water looking for redbreasts with this little spinnerbait, and biggest roosters will frequently jump on the lure first. Target the “seams” where swift water meets slack water and also heavy cover where a creek runs into the river. If this year mirrors last, then crawfish, black-yellow, redwhite, and black-chartreuse versions of the miniscule spinnerbait will produce some awesome catches. The new colors dreamsicle and bruised banana gold also fooled a bunch of fish. The 1/8-oz. version will work best when the water is higher, but the 1/16-oz. will come into its own as the river drops out and paddlecrafts are the norm. If you missed my article on the details of fishing the Satilla, e-mail me and I’ll send you a copy of my Georgia Outdoor News article from spring 2014. To monitor all the Georgia river levels, visit the USGS website http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ga/ nwis/rt. Capt. Bert Deener Capt. Bert’s Lures 912-288-3022 bertdeener@yahoo.com

Once the water at the Waycross gage drops below 6 feet (at the time of writing this it is at 7.5 feet), the panfishing will take off. Last month the crappie fishing was fantastic for anglers fishing the oxbows and backwaters. Minnows produced the most from reports I received, but jigs fooled them for anglers used to pitching artificials. One angler sent me a photo of a cooler of fish that he had caught in just a morning 10 SOUTHEAST & COASTAL GEORGIA | APRIL 2017 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

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southeast georgia angling

Randy Hanson , Folkston caught this and several other nice crappie from the Trader’s Hill area of the St. Marys River

Terry Miles ,Waycross caught this angler award-sized (9 3/4 inches) flier out of the lake at Laura Walker State Park

send photos to: tony@theanglermagazine.com

Ed Zmarzly , Waycross caught this nice bass from a Valdosta area pond.

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potential for mold and mildew. Today, ErgoDock’s ground-breaking features have gained attention from consumers—and interest from businesses seeking to grow with ErgoDock. The interest from businesses comes at an ideal time in ErgoDock’s growth plan; however, Weisenberg explained that he and his partners are looking for that one “perfect fit” company that can expand sales and expedite production to meet demand. He added that the ErgoDock concept has the potential to expand into other industries and applications including decks, patios, wheelchair ramps, walkways, bridges and many more. “It’s the product’s big numbers that have drawn the most interest from the business community, especially investors,” Weisenberg said. “Just consider: ErgoDock has more than 20 times more static and dynamic slip resistance than wood or composite decking, more than 20 times more impact absorption which mitigates injuries from falls and reducing fatigue on feet, back and joints. It’s made of 100-percent environmentally-friendly materials and because of its unique surface, it’s 30 percent cooler than wood or composite decking.

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Wee Willy Wigglers Are Fly Rod Magic

By Craig Riendeau

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arm-water fly fishermen are always looking for the “magic fly” that will catch fish all the time no matter what the conditions… something irresistible to most species of fish in a lake all at the same time. Well, I think I’ve come up with that fly. Say hello to the Wee Willy Wiggler (W3). This fly pattern is as easy to tie as it is to fish. I would place it under a guide fly category as you can crank out a dozen easily in an hour. For detailed instructions on how to tie this pattern go to my website offthedeepedge.com. If it takes you more than five minutes to tie this, maybe fly tying isn’t for you, which then is the case I’d check out Rainys Flies Inc. They are making the Wee Willy Wiggler commercially available. As for fishing this fly pattern, it doesn’t get any easier. Several of my fishing companions call this style of fishing “just stupid easy.” I tend to fish this fly under a half inch foam indicator or as I refer to it, a depth regulator. Even though the indicator does detect strikes very well, that is really the secondary reason for its usage. Its main purpose to suspend the fly at a specific depth and hold it over a specific spot for as long as you want it to stay there. Basically, you’re putting the fly in the fish’s face and leaving it there until out of hunger, curiosity or annoyance he eats it. Lucky for us anglers, fish do not have fingers to poke at the fly to see what it is or push it away. Any testing comes in the form of a bite.

To fish this, set the fly’s depth under the “regulator” to be just above the cover you may be fishing over. Things such as weedbeds, rocks, logs, fish cribs or even fish you see suspended

on your electronic devices. Most species tend to feed upward. Then simply cast at the area and wait. It is similar to being an impatient bait fisherman with a cricket and bobber. Let the fly dangle over the area you think there is a fish for say five or 10 seconds (sometimes more). If nothing happens, give it a six to twelve-inch strip and repeat. If there is a breeze blowing, just let the indicator drift with the current, mending occasionally to control the speed of the drift. It may sound silly but it is addicting, especially once you start catching fish. So, there you have it, the most productive fishing method that you’ll ever do. When using this method and anyone asks what are you fishing for you can blatantly say “fish” without being facetious. That’s because with the Wee Willy Wiggler you’re never quite sure what is going to eat it. Anything from a small bream to a 10-pound bass may show up at any time, so hang on to your rod tightly.

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Tackle Corner:

By Mike Pehanich

Angling for comfort and joint health

nce upon a time, fishing was deemed a passive, even contemplative game, a quiet pastime spent under a straw hat and a warming sun. No more! Modern angling is an active endeavor generally characterized by energetic casts, and plenty of them. The aggressive style of the modern angler takes its toll on the body with back, wrist, elbow and shoulder injuries. “As we get older, our bodies kind of fall apart,” said Bassmaster Elite Series angler Mark Menendez during an outing on Kentucky Lake. Menendez has developed tendinitis in his elbow. “I have had to figure out ways to fish that are less taxing on my body.” He has changed technique and equipment to reduce the wear. He fishes soft swimbaits like the Strike King Shadalicious far more these days, working them on relatively light spinning tackle and line testing no more than 10 pounds. It’s effective and easier on his elbow. The other adjustments he makes relate to his tackle. He lauds the Winn grips now featured on Lew’s Custom Lite, Lew’s Tournament Performance TP1 Speed Stick and Lew’s Mach Speed Stick rods. “The advantage to the angler is that the Winn grip adheres to your hand, but it’s not sticky,” he explained. “It just makes you feel you have a good grip on your rod and reel. The grips also allow me to make longer casts because I have better control of my rod and reel.” Musky and saltwater anglers are also taking advantage of the “tacky” feel and security of the non-slip polymer to protect against joint stress. Eavesdrop on a group of musky fishers for long and you’re bound to hear complaints of sore elbows and forearms. Many musky anglers are building custom rods with Winn grips, employing larger 1.25-inch Straight Taper split grips or a Straight Taper fore

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grip coupled with a 15-inch Straight Cylinder Saltwater grip capped with a fighting butt to extend the rear handle to 18-plus inches. Winn will add a new 18-inch grip to the Saltwater line this spring. Builders of custom surf and offshore rods are already making plans for its use. But oversized grips and rod wraps are finding favor with other anglers, too. At the Bassmaster Elite Series event at Lake Okeechobee in February, anglers with arthritic hands and joint issues noticed the booth Winn shared with North Fork Bait & Tackle owner and rod builder Steve Keller, who also operates a Winn Authorized Service Center at his store in Jensen Beach, Fla. Arthritis sufferers noted their preference for larger grip diameters to ease gripping pressure. The 1.25-inch Winn grips caught their attention, as did the array of offerings in the Winn Superior Rod Wrap line of overwraps, which enable the angler to put a layer of non-slip Winn polymer over existing cork or EVA grips. Winn grips and rod wraps (www.winngrips.com) are available in a wide range of sizes and colors. The Winn interchangeable grip system offers an endless combination of configurations.

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TIPS FROM A PRO

FRESHWATER LEARN CONFIDENCE IN NEW TECHNIQUES

BRANDON LESTER

rowing up in southern middle Tennessee, I was fortunate to have a lot of really good fisheries within a couple hours of my house. I had my choice between the Tennessee River lakes like Guntersville, Wheeler and Wilson or the typical highland reservoirs located in the hills of Tennessee. I spent many days fishing club events and absorbing every bit of knowledge I could. It helped me become a versatile angler and to stay in tune with the seasonal movements of bass. These things helped prepare me for the situations I would later face on

the Bassmaster Elite Series. I remember my very first Elite Series event. It was at Lake Seminole. I had never been to the lake and didn’t know a thing about it. After a tough first day of practice, I ran way up the Flint River to see if I could find something up there all to myself. What I found was a couple of small backwaters with clear water and fish that were setting up to spawn. These places had been completely overlooked, and I finished 21st in that tournament. I caught almost every fish on a floating worm, something that is very popular during the spawn around my home waters. That tournament and many others since have taught me that no matter where you go in the country, or what body of water you’re on, there will always be something that fits your fishing style. It may not always be the winning pattern,

but more times than not, I would rather be fishing for fewer fish with more confidence. The very best lure in any tackle box is confidence. But this doesn’t mean I stubbornly sticking to the same techniques I’m comfortable with. Successful tournament anglers must keep up with the latest trends. Lures, line, rods, reels and everything else are constantly evolving. It helps to stay on the forefront. As I travel the country, I learn a lot of new techniques and about new baits that work in particular regions. Every time I go to a tournament and a new technique arises that I’m not familiar with, the first thing I do when I get home is take it to a nearby lake and try to learn it. When trying to learn something new, it’s best to do it in areas you know hold fish. A good example of this was at the first Elite Series event of this year at Lake Cherokee. Cherokee is in east Tennessee, but it is much different than my home waters. There is a hot new trend among the locals there called the “Damiki rig” that is dynamite for catching smallmouth relating to baitfish. It is a small fluke-style lure rigged on a Lake Erie-style jig head that allows for precise placement of the lure at depth. I had heard about the rig leading up to the tournament and tried it in practice, but I never could figure it out. Our tournament was actually won on that rig, and several of the top guys were doing it. After that tournament was over, I spent the next day on my home lake with nothing but that rig. I wanted to learn everything there was to know about it. I went on to catch some big smallmouth on my home lake with it, and although I still don’t consider myself an expert, I feel like I can catch them on it next time the opportunity arises.

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Endless Fishing Opportunities

In Marathon

By Capt. Chris Johnson, SeaSquared Charters Marathon, the very heart of the Florida Keys, offers fishing options as vast as the crystal blue waters that surround the islands. to experience the exhilaration of big game sport fishing closer to shore and easier on your budget. Rounding out the sport fishing options in Marathon are bonefish, snook, Goliath grouper, permit and barracuda. Each challenging in its own right and all worthy of a place of honor on your trophy wall.

ill Your Trophy Wall With visions of Ernest Hemingway’s exploits in their heads, adventurers flock to Marathon from around the globe to fulfill their dreams of catching the sportfish of a lifetime. The offshore deep blue waters are the realm of the mighty swordfish, who live in the 1,500-plus-foot depths. Fishing for swordfish is highly technical and is best done with an electric set-up. While a magnificent creature to display above the fireplace, swordfish are also prized for their food value. Closer inshore are sailfish, which are unsurpassed in their size range for combined strength and spectacle. These silver speedsters, with their distinctive blue fan-shaped fin, are free-roamers that seem to prefer the coral reef areas. They are best fished for where their favorite foods are plentiful, such as along weed lines or around schools of blue runners, goggle eyes or pilchards. Perhaps the most elusive of all the sportfish in the Marathon waters is the Silver King. The tarpon that visit the Middle Florida Keys each spring love to hang out at bridge passes, where their food of choice is easily obtainable. These areas are known for their relative calm conditions, making tarpon fishing a comfortable experience for all anglers, even those prone to seasickness. Using light spinning tackle and circle hooks, fishing for tarpon is about as sporting as it gets. And, to hook one and chase it through the bridge pilings, hoping to be rewarded with a few jumps and maybe a picture at the side of the boat is an unforgettable experience. With a plethora of media coverage of sharks, catch-and-release fishing for them has become increasingly popular. The Marathon area sees a vast spectrum of sharks, including lemons, blacktips, bulls, blacknoses, nurse, spinners, hammerheads and tigers. These range in size from little guys to behemoths at 12 to 15 feet in length. Light tackle, shallow water angling for sharks in the Middle Florida Keys presents the opportunity 30

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Fill Your Dinner Plate When it comes to catching fish with a top-quality food value, you’d be hard-pressed to find a greater bounty than contained in the waters surrounding Marathon. On the Atlantic coral reefs and wrecks, snapper of all variety are plentiful for the taking year-round. Yellowtails, mangroves, muttons and lanes offer endless rod-bending entertainment and fill the bellies of hungry anglers at the end of the day. Grouper – blacks, reds and gags – are ever-present as well, although they tend to retreat to deeper waters during the summer heat. Additionally, the season is closed for them from January 1 to May 1. There are many more species that provide high-quality table fare – too many to list – but include amberjack, cobia, kingfish, Spanish mackerel, cero mackerel, pompano and on and on. Marathon’s offshore waters are fishing central for pelagic species that provide angling excitement. Venture 26 miles out to the Marathon Humps and you will be in tuna heaven. Blackfin and skipjack tuna are abundant year-round, and the only thing that can prevent you from getting there to catch them on any given day are the winds. But, on a calm day, the ride out and back is comfortable and the catching typically rapid-fire. Dolphin (mahi) and wahoo roam the open sea in a continuous hunt for food. Anglers seek them along weed lines and around any sort of floating debris. Feeding birds, particularly frigates, also indicate their presence. The spectacle of the blue and yellow blaze of a dolphin or the blue and white zebra-like stripes of a wahoo on the end of your line is indelible. Entertain The Family. There’s nothing finer for family bonding than spending quality time together on the water, away from the interruptions of everyday life. Marathon boasts multiple venues that are ideal for a day of family fun fishing. The patch reefs, Hawk Channel, the Seven Mile Bridge and the nearshore bay waters are chock-full of fun-catching fish. Snapper, hogfish, porgy, yellowjack, maybe even grouper, keep the rods bent with tasty rewards at the end of the day. Just for fun, there are sharks, barracuda, jacks and more. Catch ’em and release ’em and on to the next! So, whether you’re looking to fill your trophy wall or your dinner plate, or just have a great day out with the family, Marathon offers the fishing opportunities to make your dreams come true. Capt. Chris Johnson specializes in offshore, gulf/bay, reef/wreck, sailfish, shark and tarpon fishing with SeaSquared Charters, docked at Faro Blanco Resort and Yacht Club in Marathon. You can reach him at 305-743-5305, http://SeaSquaredCharters.com and http://Facebook. com/MarathonFishing.

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Micron: Generations of Innovation Every parent hopes their children will do well and have a better life than they did. At Interlux, we feel the same way about the products we make. With each new advancement and generation of Micron® Technology comes better performing, higher quality solutions. Innovation is a tradition we are proud to have carried on for over 30 years. From the long lasting and always dependable Micron CSC to our new, powerful water-based Micron Optima with Activated Biolux®, we build on our past success to deliver state of the art protection today. Whatever the year, you know you’ll always have the latest and best in Micron Technology. Visit our website for more information – yachtpaint.com

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3/20/17 3:40 PM

The Bahamas Extreme Kayak Fishing Tournament

Photo courtesy of Controlled Descent Lures

nglers with the guts to mix big-game tournament fishing with kayaking will head to beautiful Grand Bahama this month to compete in the Extreme Kayak Fishing Tournament April 2023. This two-day kayak fishing tournament will attract anglers and their family members from all over the world for a chance to win more than $40,000 in cash and prizes, and all to help raise funds for the Humane Society of Grand Bahama. There will be free entertainment, food, drinks, a huge raffle and lots of fun for the entire family! “This event, now in its fourth year, has gained tremendous interest and notoriety for anglers and sporting enthusiasts from throughout the USA, Canada, China and Brazil. We have seen the competition grow each year from 40 anglers in our inaugural year in 2014 to some 280 participants last year,” said Bahamas Ministry of Tourism (BMOT) spokesman Richard Treco, Sr. “The high level of competition, coupled with our incredible on-island authentic cultural experiences and diverse product offering, makes this event most attractive for the seasoned as well as relatively new to the sport, angler.” Joe Hector, of Extreme Kayak Fishing International and organizer of the event, said he is excited to work with The BMOT on this tournament, and is particularly pleased with its rapid growth. “The Bahamas Extreme Kayak Fishing Tournament truly is the gold standard for kayak fishing in the world, as it provides everything into one great getaway: fun and family adventures, awesome fishing from white and blue marlins to huge mutton snappers, friendly people and the most beautiful destination in the world,” said Hector. Pre- and post-tournament packages range from $595 triple or qua-

druple occupancy for a three nights stay to $1,370 single occupancy for a seven nights stay, which includes tournament registration, hotel accommodations at the Flamingo Bay Hotel and Marina, round-trip transportation for the angler and his/her kayak from Port Everglades to Grand Bahama, a cocktail reception and awards dinner. Fish caught during the tournament will be given to the Grand Bahama Children’s Home, Flamingo Bay Hotel and Marina, and volunteers assisting with the project. For more information or to register for the tournament, visit www. extremekayakfishing.com or call 954-661-0175.

To learn more about the event and how to register, go to

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UNDER THE SEA

SLINGS AND POLESPEARS

from companies have challenged this SHERI DAYE traditional design by changing the here’s a fun retro-movement taking hand position. The place in spearfishing—a trend toward Headhunter Guerilla primitive hunting gear. Slings and Sling has a comfortable polespears are used in places that do not allow trigger mechanisms, such as Bermuda or the grip, which transfers the weight load from Bahamas, but they are growing in popularity the wrist and distributes the force throughout the forearm. Sea Archer slings look like an outside these regions too. This could be attributed to the new Sling/ underwater bow and arrow. The user holds Polespear category for world records, run by the body of the sling just as they would with a the International Underwater Spearfishing bow and arrow. There’s nothing more beautiful Association (IUSA). However, I suspect the than watching a skilled underwater hunter real reason is that many hunters appreciate using a sling and hitting the mark with a freethe challenge and simplicity, not unlike land- flying shaft! Polespears are another fun option. hunters opting for bow-and-arrow over rifles. It’s a beautiful art form that evokes images of They can be made of fiberglass, aluminum Indians using extreme stealth and having great or carbon fiber. The tip can have a flopper, three-prong paralyzer tip or a slip-tip. Neritic respect for their prey. Slings and polespears are great tools for Diving company makes polespears with someone who is either learning how to spearfish interchangeable sections that can be assembled or interested in improving their hunting skills. in different length configurations. Users may Compared to modern spearguns, they force a choose to use a shorter polespear when hunting diver to become calmer and stealthier because in dirtier water or in tight spaces. When diving of their shorter range. One must slow down and in deep clear water, fish may not be cooperative study the behavior of fish in order to get closer and a longer polespear may be desired. The to them. While both slings and polespears are ability to quickly construct your weapon of powered using rubber bands without trigger choice is one of the best recent innovations, along with magnetic slip-tips that don’t fall off mechanisms, these two styles differ. Slings, sometimes called “Hawaiian slings,” while diving. I must admit that I can’t help feeling a are similar to a slingshot where the band is pulled back to launch the spear. Traditionally, smug sense of satisfaction when I land an the shooter was a tubular-shaped piece of wood elusive fish with a simple stick and rubber with a hole drilled down the center so the shaft band. Regardless if you are a novice or could slide through when being launched professional, primitive hunting offers a forward by the band. Recent innovations fun and entertaining challenge. Why not

Charles Duffie with a polespeared hogfish. Photo by James Ferrara.

add another skill to your spearfishing resume and another choice in your toolkit? It will double your fun and make you a better hunter! Sheri is a world-record holder, host of Speargun Hunter and producer of “The Blue Wild Ocean Adventure Expo” in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Follow “Sheri Daye” and “The Blue Wild” on Facebook and Instagram.

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Spearfishing Course for Freedivers

By Capt. Chad Carney Photo courtesy of Controlled Descent Lures

n 2016, Freediving Instructors International (FII) presented their new spearfishing course at The Blue Wild Expo in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. If you’re new to spearfishing or a veteran, this wealthof-knowledge course, from many of the world’s best spearfishermen and freedivers will be invaluable. All students must already have a Level 1 freediving certification from an internationally recognized agency. FII founder Martin Stepanek, and freediving instructors John Dornellas and Cameron Kirkconnell, wrote the textbook for the course, called FII Spearfishing. The first course was taught by Martin and John at Florida Freedivers, Jonathan and Kelsey Dickinson’s dive shop in North Palm Beach, Fla. just days before The Blue Wild. Jonathan became a FII Spearfishing Instructor in September and taught the course to most of his staff and several customers since. The classroom section of the course runs a half day and is packed with great content including spearfishing ethics, freediving safety, location safety about dive planning, site obstructions, currents, marine animals, divers and boats. Information about spearfishing gear, it’s handling and use is covered thoroughly along with underwater hunting skills and techniques. The second half of the day is the pool training, where speargun handling and float line training is hands-on. The provided spearguns are unique in that they can be loaded in the water with total safety, because their shafts are completely stationary, as they are permanently bolted to the muzzles and mechanisms. Otherwise, the spearguns are fully functional and allow the best practice for pool or confined water training. Hunting styles and tricks are also taught and practiced in the pool around a portable artificial reef at the pool bottom where students will stalk a foam fish. Certification is completed with the classroom and pool session, along with a written test. A day of real ocean spearfishing is an option and may vary from location to location, but in the Palm Beaches, Jonathan says they plan for a day of spearfishing in moderate depths where water entries with gear can be polished, and also float lines can be used in currents. Reefs with low structure are available for stalking with, aspetto and agguatto techniques. The photo is Jonathan Dickinson with a recent 70-pound amberjack!

Check out www.floridafreedivers.com and www.freedivinginstructors.com for more information about the course and spearfishing and freediving equipment. Capt. Chad Carney runs diving and spearfishing charters in southeast Florida and can be reached at 727-4237775 or chad.carney@yahoo.com.

To learn more about Florida Free Divers, go to

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FISH & FISHING

THE LIGHT WAND MARK SOSIN

earning to fish a fly in saltwater adds a new and extremely challenging dimension to the sport. Light-wand enthusiasts on the marine scene don’t have to trip over tradition that sometimes limits the thinking and performance of their brethren who focus attention solely on trout and salmon. There are differences. When you work over fish in a stream, you often have ample time to contemplate the situation, change flies if the first one doesn’t work, and even try several approaches. Even a shoreline largemouth bass lays claim to a stationary feeding station near a log or under the lip of a lily pad. Saltwater critters remain on the move, probing and prowling continuously or they hold on a seat in the restaurant until the water level rises or falls a certain amount. Then, they change position. If you happen to spot your quarry, you only have seconds to get a fly in front of it. The first cast has to count. Simple hesitation can cause you to miss the opportunity. When you are blind casting, it’s important to read the water and recognize another set of signals. Predators frequently follow a feeding rhythm tied directly to the stage of the tide. Since they are not restricted to a few deep pools or the tail end of a run, finding them and presenting a fly with accuracy requires detailed knowledge of their habits and habitat. Casting in saltwater demands a bit more distance than it does in many freshwater settings. False casting becomes a handicap when you’re trying to drop a fly in the path of a cruising gamefish. You won’t have time to admire the tight loops or match the distance to the target precisely before dropping the fly gently on the skin of the water. The repeated surges of a powerful marine denizen tethered to flyline, leader and backing, or the task of driving a fly into the wind and in front of a cruising fish have no parallels in other forms of angling. Once experienced, these challenges trigger an insatiable appetite that demands more.

For smaller species of fish, a 9-weight fly rod that is 9-feet long would be my first choice. The reel should be single action, hold adequate backing, and left or right hand retrieve. You should turn the handle with your primary hand rather than what many fly fishermen do today. With a 9-weight rod, the reel should hold at least 200 yards of 20-pound dacron or braid. The second outfit for larger fish starts with a 12-weight or 13-weight rod and a reel that holds at least 275 yards of backing. Again, if you are right handed, choose a right hand retrieve. If you’re new to fly fishing, the time to break out the fly rod is when fishing is very good and your chances of success are boosted. It pays to keep it rigged and handy all the time. Let me warn you that catching fish on a fly rod becomes addictive. Once you start hooking fish on the light wand you will also be hooked.

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A slippery knife can make filleting fish a difficult chore. Dexter UR-Cut Fillet knives were designed to eliminate this problem, while providing comfort and control by custom molding the grip to a user’s hand. Coastal Angler put Dexter’s design to the test at the docks with a cooler full of sheepshead, which are known to be difficult to clean. The customization involves boiling the handle before dipping it in cold water and gripping it tightly so the owner’s grip is impressed on the handle. With attention to thumb position during the process, we were able to customize the grip to the exact position our fillet men prefer. It took just a few minutes, and the result was a well-balanced tool that felt secure and comfortable in the hand. Then we took our blades to the cutting table. Dexters are known for maintaining a super-sharp edge, and having just the right amount of flexibility. Past experience has taught us they are also easy to sharpen. We were not surprised to find the blade on our new UR-Cut knives performed flawlessly working along spines and ribcages. Our hands and the table were coated in slime, and this is where the URCut showed why it is more than just a good knife. We intentionally created a slippery situation by not washing down, and the non-slip properties of the custom handles performed as advertised. For more information, visit...

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PANTHER SWIM PLATFORM OUTBOARD MOTOR BRACKET Now, with the new Panther Swim Platform Outboard Motor Bracket you can transform the family boat or even the work boat into a fishing machine. The convenience of having a kicker motor makes slow trolling for your favorite species much more efficient and productive. The new bracket easily mounts to most swim platforms and features three levels of convenient height adjustment to accommodate most platform heights and motor shaft lengths, for optimal prop depth and performance. • Rated for two- and four-stroke motors up to 20 hp with max motor weight of 195 pounds • Constructed of black powder coat aluminum • Comes complete with transom support bar for weight support torque resistance For more information, contact MarineTech Products at 1 651-486-2010 or visit

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ost anglers would probably enjoy a shopping spree in the fishing section of the local Walmart. An Ohio man allegedly helped himself to not one, but two free-ofcharge shopping sprees last October, and has now been charged with stealing an estimated $3,800 worth of fishing gear, according to NBC affiliate WLWT. Warren County, Ohio prosecutor David Fornshell told reporters that Derrick Marcum, “pretty much cleared out the aisle.” According to the WLWT report, Marcum was arrested last October when he attempted to carry two backpacks stuffed with fishing gear out of an Ohio Walmart. He was arrested that same day for the theft of $1,300 worth of gear. But it wasn’t until recently that investigators connected that incident with another theft that occurred the previous day at another Ohio Walmart. Marcum allegedly filled five plastic bins with tackle and then proceeded to the self-checkout, where he paid only for the bins. Investigators valued that heist at about $2,500. A grand jury indicted Marcum, and he waits in jail for his arraignment, according to reports. Jail time seems a pretty steep price, even for thousands of dollars worth of fishing gear.

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LIMIT 4 - Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 8/1/17.

SAVE 66%

SUPER COUPON

Customer Rating

SUPER COUPON

4 PIECE 1" x 15 FT. 72" x 80" MOVING BLANKET

SAVE 80%

SAVE $70

SUPER COUPON

RATCHETING TIE DOWNS ITEM 69505/62418 ITEM 63056/63057/60405/63094 66537 shown 63150/61524/62322/90984 shown

LIMIT 3 - Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 8/1/17.

10" SLIDING COMPOUND MITER SAW

$ 99

• Includes keychain remote • Weighs 14.3 lbs. • 11-1/4" W x 4-1/8" H

SUPER COUPON

$1 1999

$149

3999 $62.27

LIMIT 3 - Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 8/1/17.

SUPER COUPON

ITEM 69030 69031 shown

ITEM 63476/61840/61297/68146/61258 shown

SUPER COUPON

$2999

Compare 99 $39 .94

1" x 25 FT. TAPE MEASURE

• Air delivery: 5.8 CFM @ 40 PSI, 4.7 CFM @ 90 PSI

7" VARIABLE SPEED POLISHER/SANDER

Customer Rating

ANY PURCHASE

WITH

SAVE $296

SUPER COUPON

SAVE 51%

FREE

Customer Rating

LIMIT 4 - Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 8/1/17.

Customer Rating

SAVE 54%

ITEM 69091/61454 61693/62803 67847 shown

SUPER COUPON

1000 LB. CAPACITY SWING-BACK TRAILER JACK

2.5 HP, 21 GALLON, 125 PSI VERTICAL OIL-LUBE AIR COMPRESSOR

SUPER COUPON

ITEM 68496/61363 68497/61360 68498/61359

$499

LIMIT 9 - Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 8/1/17.

SUPER COUPON

AMERICA'S BEST GENERATOR

SUPER QUIET

4000 PEAK/3200 RUNNING WATTS 6.5 HP (212 CC) GAS GENERATORS

Customer Rating

ITEM 69676/69729/63080/63079 shown ITEM 69675/69728/63090/63089 CALIFORNIA ONLY

SAVE $149

7 $15.99

LIMIT 8 - Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 8/1/17.

SUPER COUPON

$ 99 Compare $34.99

Customer Rating

$ 99

Compare

ITEM 69594/69955 42292 shown

339

Wheel kit sold separately.

SUPER COUPON

99 9 8 $2 99 Compare

$439

LIMIT 3 - Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 8/1/17. At Harbor Freight Tools, the “Compare” or “comp at” price means that the same item or a similar functioning item was advertised for sale at or above the “Compare” or “comp at” price by another retailer in the U.S. within the past 180 days. Prices advertised by others may vary by location. No other meaning of “Compare” or "comp at" should be implied. For more information, go toHarborFreight.com or see store associate.

Use Coupons:COASTALANGLERMAG.COM In-Store, HarborFreight.com or 800-423-2567 • THEANGLERMAG.COM APRIL 2017

NATIONAL

3/8/17 12:34 PM 3/20/17 3:41 PM

suzuki spring savings Three Limited Time Offers Make A Good Deal Even Better Suzuki Gives You All Three So You Don’t Have To Choose One Or The Other

Buy a new Suzuki outboard from 25 to 300 horsepower and take advantage of not just one, but ALL THREE Suzuki Spring promotional offers.

Add cash rebates on select models and you can get up to $800 cash back. Plus our Repower Financing is available at attractive interest rates (on approved credit.*)

Just say, “Gimme Six!” and you’ll get six years of product protection. That’s right, you’ll get Suzuki’s three-year limited warranty and Suzuki’s 3-Year Extended Protection Plan at no extra charge.

See your participating Suzuki Marine dealer today and find out how you can get the ultimate deal on the Ultimate 4-Stroke Outboard.

Six Years of Protection at no extra charge on all new outboards 25 to 300 HP.

Cash Rebates on select models. See your dealer for details.

REPOWER FINANCE

Rates as low as 5.99% on new Suzuki outboards (OAC).*

For details and the name of your nearest participating Suzuki Marine dealer, visit www.suzukimarine.com

Gimme Six Extended Protection promo is applicable to new Suzuki Outboard Motors from 25 to 300 HP in inventory which are sold and delivered to buyer between 4/01/17 and 6/30/17 in accordance with the promotion by a Participating Authorized Suzuki Marine dealer in the continental US and Alaska to a purchasing customer who resides in the continental US or Alaska. Customer should expect to receive an acknowledgement letter and full copy of contract including terms, conditions and wallet card from Suzuki Extended Protection within 90 days of purchase. If an acknowledgement letter is not received in time period stated, contact Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. – Marine Marketing via email: marinepromo@suz.com. The Gimme Six Promotion is available for pleasure use only, and is not redeemable for cash. Cash Rebates apply to qualifying purchases of select Suzuki Outboard Motors made between 4/01/17 and 6/30/17. For list of designated models, see participating Dealer or visit www.suzukimarine.com. Customer and participating Dealer must fill out the appropriate rebate form at time of sale. Customer will have the choice to either apply the cash rebate against the original dealer invoice (Suzuki will credit Dealer parts account) or have a check sent directly to the customer. There are no model substitutions, benefit substitutions, rain checks, or extensions. Suzuki reserves the right to change or cancel these promotions at any time without notice or obligation. * Financing offers available through Synchrony Retail Finance. As low as 5.99% APR financing for 60 months on new and unregistered Suzuki Outboard Motors. Subject to credit approval. Not all buyers will qualify. Approval, and any rates and terms provided, are based on credit worthiness. $19.99/month per $1,000 financed for 60 months is based on 5.99% APR. Hypothetical figures used in calculation; your actual monthly payment may differ based on financing terms, credit tier qualification, accessories or other factors such as down payment and fees. Offer effective on new, unregistered Suzuki Outboard Motors purchased from a participating authorized Suzuki dealer between 4/01/17 and 6/30/17. “Gimme Six”, the Suzuki “S” and model names are Suzuki trademarks or ®. Don’t drink and drive. Always wear a USCG-approved life jacket and read your owner’s manual. © 2017 Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.

NATIONAL

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APRIL 2017

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

3/20/17 3:41 PM

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,

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and a smooth yet powerful Dura Drag System. The Slammer is not only back…. it’s better than ever before.

3/19/17 2:26 PM

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3/19/17 2:26 PM