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EDITOR : Nick Carter • editorial@coastalanglermagazine.com WEBMASTER : Dmitriy Pislyagin • webmaster@coastalanglermagazine.com ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: Corporate Headquarters info@coastalanglermagazine.com • 888-800-9794 BIG BEND : Mike McNamara • (850) 510-7919 • captmike@coastalanglermagazine.com BREVARD : David String • (321) 684-5888 • dstring@coastalanglermagazine.com DAYTONA/NEW SMYRNA BEACH : Don Meadows • (407) 960-2340 • donm@coastalanglermagazine.com FLORIDA KEYS : Ed Gocher • (305) 587-9101 • ed@coastalanglermagazine.com FORT LAUDERDALE : Gene Dyer • (954) 680-3900 • gene@coastalanglermagazine.com FORT MYERS : Nadeen Welch • (239) 595-8265 • nwelch@coastalanglermagazine.com GREATER MIAMI : Scott Deal • (561) 945-6999 • scott@coastalanglermagazine.com Monica Isaza-Deal • (561) 945-8899 • monica@coastalanglermagazine.com GREATER ORLANDO : Phillip & Giselle Wolf • (407) 790-9515 • phillip@coastalanglermagazine.com LAKELAND & SUMTER : Mary Flaitz • (352) 598-4219 • maryf@coastalanglermagazine.com NAPLES : Mike Weber • (414) 531-4172 • mikew@coastalanglermagazine.com NC FLORIDA/NATURE COAST : Cary & Lynn Crutchfield • (352) 372-4237 • crutch@coastalanglermagazine.com NE FLORIDA : Danny Patrick • (904) 742-4696 • danny@coastalanglermagazine.com OKEECHOBEE : Ken Gabryel • (863) 532-3671 • keng@coastalanglermagazine.com PANAMA CITY/FORGOTTEN COAST : Randy Cnota • (229) 834-7880 • randyc@coastalanglermagazine.com PALM BEACH COUNTY : Barbara Ryan • (561) 373-8040 • barbara@coastalanglermagazine.com SARASOTA : Phil Prevoir • (239) 257-4684 • pprevoir@coastalanglermagazine.com TAMPA BAY : Chuck Atkins • (239) 464-5153 • chuck@coastalanglermagazine.com TREASURE COAST : Misti & Gary Guertin • (772) 285-6850 • treasurecoast@coastalanglermagazine.com flahama@coastalanglermagazine.com
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Catching Winter Cobia In The Keys By John Steinhorst
F
ebruary through April offers some of the most productive fishing of the year in the Florida Keys. An amazing variety of migratory fish species travel to the Keys as cold water temperatures push them south in the Gulf of Mexico and on the east coast. The most convenient place to base a Keys fishing adventure is directly out of Marathon, which comfortably rests in the middle of this tropical island chain. Marathon encompasses a unique collection of islands, creating the ideal boating and family destination with access to both ocean and gulf waters but far enough from the crowded streets of Key West. Capt. Chris Morrison, a 20-year Keys veteran who guides out of Marathon, enjoys hooking excited anglers up with these hungry migrating species, which include record-breaking cobia, king and Spanish mackerel, trophy sailfish and several species of jacks. Versatility is the name of the game, and options are abundant. Most often the best plan is to just decide where you want to fish, from the immense Gulf or blue ocean waters to the many reefs and wrecks surrounding the islands. Then be ready for anything when you get there. There are several techniques that work for each species, and Morrison utilizes a wide variety to keep his 8
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Temple Fork Outfitters’ Gary Loomis Inshore boat, although cobia sometimes swim with bull sharks and rays. Start drifting live shrimp back Series rods bending and his clients smiling. Live bait and jigs are most productive to with light monofilament leader and small hooks, ensure positive results. Pinfish and live shrimp and you are bound to get action from one of are among the easiest to obtain, since most local several species of snapper. If you start getting bit bait shops carry them. Deep jigs, such as butterfly off clean, add a piece of leader wire and you will types, and ¼- to 1-ounce bucktails are essential likely get hooked into a cero or king mackerel. to carry in your arsenal. For catching cobia, If you decide to fish the bay or gulf side of the present the pinfish on ocean-side wrecks and Keys island chain, you might want to anchor reefs as well as Gulf waters from 15 to 100 feet in 10 to 15 feet of water and hang that chum using the same rig for grouper down deep. Limit bag for landing Spanish mackerel. Head out to is one per person with a 33-inch size minimum. deeper Gulf waters and expect more cobia, king On sunny days, Morrison likes to spot cobia mackerel, and goliath and gag grouper. The with his polarized sunglasses from the tower of wintertime fishing action in the Florida Keys will his SeaVee boat above the reef line or in blue be sure to heat up your reel. If you need an expert light-tackle fishing water when a color change edge is present. When you see a cobia on the surface, cast the bait in guide, Capt. Chris Morrison has guided anglers front with no weight and at least 60-pound to more than 100 world records and received monofilament leader. Wire is usually necessary a Lifetime Achievement Award from the on your jigs as king, Spanish, and cero mackerel International Game Fishing Association. Visit are numerous throughout these prime fishing www.captchris.com for more info. grounds. John Steinhorst has contributed to many If you do not have a guide, the reef line on the ocean side from 25 to 40 feet is a good place publications during the last 20 years and can to start. Anchor and hang a chum bag over the be contacted at www.JohnSteinhorst.wix.com/ IslandMedia. side with ground-up frozen baitfish. Chum brings the For more Cobia fishing in the Keys, go to party to the back of your COASTALANGLERSALTWATER.COM
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Captain Fantastic.
How have so many of Marathon’s light-tackle guides achieved super-hero status? Because whether it’s tailers in the shallows, migrating tarpon out front or snook and redfish out back, our professional captains come to the rescue by putting you onto some amazing angling action. fla-keys.com/marathon 1.800.262.7284 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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RodsandReels Product Review AVET REELS SXJ 6/4 RAPTOR Since 1999, Avet Reels has been bringing to the market revolutionary reel designs that set the standard for performance. Their innovative SXJ 6/4 Raptor lever drag casting reel features Avet’s patented dual carbon fiber drag system, which produces twice the drag of the original Avet reels. The powerful system features adjustable strike pre-set and a strike stop button to prevent accidental advancement. The reel’s one-piece frame is precision machined 6061 T-6 marine grade aluminum with stainless steel components and is anodized for superior corrosion resistance. An offset machined handle arm reduces center-line profile and cranking wobble and is capped with a comfortable soft-touch handle knob. The two-speed transmission has a user-friendly shifting mechanism. Avet’s silent dog and gear anti-reverse system and M.C. Cast adjustable magnetic anti-backlash cast control system, both patented, are some of the most innovative and reliable in the industry. The SXJ 6/4 Raptor has nine stainless ball bearings, an alarm clicker and a light, narrow spool designed for optimal jig casting efficiency and less line leveling on the retrieve. It’s proudly made in the U.S.A.
CANYON REELS EX-80 TWO SPEED TROLLING REEL In case you hadn’t heard, Canyon Reels has redesigned its powerful EX-80 Two Speed Trolling Reel to give anglers the edge when pulling spreads for huge fish. The original EX-80 was extensively tested and matched up very well against the giants off the Northeast coast. When the captains made suggestions, Canyon listened, and the result is an even better EX-80, which features multiple upgrades that make it smoother, and easier to use. The EX-80 is a monster reel. It boasts a max drag of 105 pounds at strike and more than 155 pounds at full drag. A pre-set feature allows for accurate drag settings with an easy one-touch shifter. Upgrades include additional harness lugs that provide better balance control, an all new double drag system for drag runs that are even smoother than the original, and an oversized T-bar handle for additional cranking power. Several other improvements have also been made to increase the durability of this already remarkable reel. The end result is an incredibly smooth and user-friendly reel with the power to stop any fish in the ocean.
WWW.AVETREELS.NET
WWW.CANYONREELS.COM
ENIGMA HPT TITANIUM CASTING RODS
JP ROSS BEAVER MEADOW
Enigma Fishing is raising the bar on performance, while lowering the price point. Every aspect of their HPT Titanium Casting Rods were designed with extreme attention to detail. These high-performance tournament level rods are designed with premium, ultra-light Japanese Toray Carbon proprietary blend blanks. The HPT rods were designed and tested with input from professional anglers such as three-time Bassmaster Elite Series Angler of the Year, Aaron Martens. Enigma Fishing has customized and precision balanced each individual HPT rod to be ultra functional, exceptionally beautiful and tailored to exacting actions and specifications demanded by today’s tournament anglers. All rods feature premium American Tackle components, including the multiaward winning MicroWave Line Control System, which increases casting distance and accuracy. The blank-through reel seats offer finger-to-blank contact for unparalleled sensitivity and incredible ergonomics and palmable comfort, while further reducing weight as well. Premium cork grips balance out each rod perfectly! Enigma Fishing’s new HPT series features a sleek black rod blank, cork handles, stylish purple wraps and chrome accents. Delivering technique-specific performance second-to-none, the all-new HPT series raises the bar for all others!
WWW.ENIGMAFISHING.COM
MUD HOLE TURNKEY INSHORE ROD KIT
The JP Ross Beaver Meadow is a fly rod meticulously designed to fish the beaver dams and plunge pools of small trout streams where an 11-inch fish is a trophy. That’s not to say this rod can’t handle an 18-inch brown on big water, but blue lines are where it shines. It is a short, sensitive rod with the feel needed for the gentlest of nibbles but enough power to reach out 50-plus feet with a hopper-dropper rig. The Beaver Meadow is available in a 5’ 2/3-weight, two-piece and a 6’6” 2/3-weight four-piece for fishing small streams with wet flies and dry flies. The 6’6” also has the ability to cast medium weighted streamers. The 7’6” 4-weight four-piece, the 7’9” 3-weight fourPhoto by Draper White piece, and the 8’0” 5-weight four-piece all have the shorter length required for tight quarters but the backbone to land larger fish and cast streamers and multi-fly rigs. JP Ross rods are custom-made by hand in Upstate New York. Each rod is made to order, so the details are exquisite, and components can be customized from the grip and reel seat to the guides and thread color. The Technology used to achieve this awesome balance of sensitivity and power is breakthrough technology, the joining of carbon fiber and fiberglass that JP Ross calls Carbon Silica Hybrid interface. It makes a beautiful casting and wonderfully sensitive rod.
WWW.JPROSSFLYRODS.COM
Mud Hole Custom Tackle is offering amazing value with its inshore fishing rod building kit. This turnkey kit includes everything you need to build your own custom inshore trout and redfish fishing rod. The kit features the extremely popular and versatile SJ842 rod blank. This 7’0” medium-light power rod features a fast action for throwing soft plastics and topwater lures at wary flats fish. Along with the blank, the kit includes a matched guide set, handle kit and everything from the CRB Wrapper, a CRB rod dryer and ProPaste and ProKote Rod Finish along with all the tools needed to build your own custom rod. This is a great set for the avid fisherman who wants to take his or her fishing to the next level. To get started custom building your own high quality rod, visit www.mudhole.com and check out all our Turn Key Kit options or simply Google: Mud Hole Turnkey.
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RodsandReels Product Review OKUMA KOMODO SS BAITCAST REELS
The original Komodo 350 size baitcast reel has been the recipient of tremendous accolades. It is considered an extremely tough reel and an excellent value. For 2017, the Komodo family welcomes the Komodo SS, featuring a new 450 size and stainless steel drive system. The Komodo SS is built around a heavy-duty stainless steel main gear, pinion gear, drive shaft and spool shaft to deliver an internal foundation of unrelenting strength and corrosion-resistance. Komodo SS reels use rigid, machined aluminum frame and spool, aluminum side plates, high-output Carbonite drag system capable of a maximum drag output of 30 pounds, and updated 6-pin Velocity Cast Control System. Performance features include six or seven (depending upon size) stainless steel High Performance Bearings, plus roller bearing, for outstanding corrosionresistance. The synchronized level-wind system does not disengage for casting, which allows it to maintain alignment at all times and eliminated drag pressure spikes when using braided lines. Bait clickers are standard on all models. The Komodo SS series includes two sizes, 350 and 450. The 350 size includes a 6.4:1 gear ratio and maximum drag output of 25 pounds. There are four models in the 350 size. The 450-size Komodo is available in a 6.3:1 gear ratio and a hyperfast 7.1:1 ratio. Komodo SS series baitcast reels are covered by the Okuma 3-Year Limited Warranty.
WWW.OKUMAFISHING.COM
UGLY STIK BIGWATER SERIES Ugly Stik has refreshed its iconic Bigwater series with all-new Ugly Tuff saltwater guides and an updated look. Beginning with Ugly Tech construction, the Bigwater series maintains the toughness for which all Ugly Stiks are known. One-piece Ugly Tuff stainless steel guides eliminate insert pop-outs and provide durability and corrosion resistance for those harsh saltwater applications. The Bigwater series retains the traditional Ugly Stik Clear Tip design for more strength at the tip of the rod. Comfortable EVA handles and conventional reel seats give anglers a non-slip, comfortable grip no matter the conditions. The fly, standup, downrigger/dipsy diver, surf, spinning and casting models have also been upgraded to include a standard seven-year limited warranty. Four Bigwater spinning combos and two trolling combos for downrigger applications are also available. The combos feature a graphite spinning reel, available in sizes 50, 60 and 70, and have a durable aluminum spool. The reel featured on the Bigwater downrigger combos is a size 30 line counter round reel with a metal handle and power knob.
PENN SLAMMER III The Penn Slammer III, which won Best of Show in the saltwater reel category at iCast 2016, is the reintroduction of the heavy-duty reel that has become trusted by charter captains around the world. Slammer III reels feature a new IPX6 Sealed System, which keeps water out of the gear box and drag system in heavy spray and sea conditions. An updated Slammer Drag System now utilizes a proprietary Dura-Drag material. With the computer-controlled CNC gear technology system, the precision brass main, pinion and oscillation gears are individually machined for exact tolerances to provide the smoothest operation. Eight models of the Slammer III are available, ranging in size from 3500 to 10500 models. Gear ratios range from 6.2:1 with 37 inches of line retrieve on the smaller reels to 4.2:1 with 43 inches of line retrieve on the largest. Maximum drags start at 30lbs in the smaller models and run to 60lbs on the largest. The oversized reel handle grip gives the angler added control during the fight. The 3500 Slammer III is the smallest of the family weighing 13.9oz while the 10500 weighs 43.1oz.
WWW.PENNFISHING.COM
DANCO BAIT STIK Danco’s Bait Stik is the original rod and reel combo developed specifically for catching bait with a sabiki rig, and it is still the best. The rod in this combo is 7’3” and features two-piece construction with an extra-hard phenolic tip for superior strength and extreme sensitivity. Comfortable EVA grips and a gimbal butt with cover means anglers will be yanking bait from the water with ease. Anyone who has ever tried to store a sabiki rigs knows the frustration of attempting to keep them from becoming a tangled mess. With the Bait Stik, that is not a problem. While not in use, the sabiki rig can be safely and conveniently stored inside the rod, which is a huge plus. The combo comes with either a casting or spinning reel. The spinning reel comes with an anodized aluminum spool, a graphite body and rotor and an oversized eggshaped knob. The casting reel has an aluminum body and side covers, brass gearing and a star drag. Catching bait has never been so easy. When the bait tank is full, rinse everything down with fresh water, store the sabiki rig in the rod and forget about it. Look for the Danco Bait Stik in your tackle store.
WWW.SHAKESPEARE-FISHING.COM
OCEAN 2 RIVER TOURNAMENT COMBO
ZEBCO BIG CAT SERIES Zebco is launching an impressive offering of beefedup rods and reels called “Big Cat” to accommodate serious value-minded anglers who passionately pursue catfish. The spincast reels are built with a titanium nitride plated stainless steel spinnerhead to add durability and reduce friction. Big Cat XT conventional-style reels will likely be the top pick for the most avid trophy hunters from the Mississippi River to Santee Cooper and all waters in between. Two conventional reels will be offered. The Big Cat XT 30 conventional trolling reel will hold 455 yards of 30-pound test. The Big Cat XT 350 round baitcasting reel holds 200 yards of 20-pound test. Worth noting is that a headlamp handy for nighttime catfishing will be free to consumers who purchase rods and reels within the very affordable Big Cat and Big Cat XT series.
WWW.ZEBCO.COM
Ocean 2 River (O2R) Tournament spinning combos are designed to perform to the exacting standards of serious tournament anglers while standing up to the grueling conditions and treatment offered up by hard-core fishermen in the marine environment. The IM-7 fast action graphite rods come with Seaguide Atlas Performance aluminum oxide guides, comfortable cork split grips and a graphite reel seat with a cork inlay and cushioned stainless steel hoods. These rods combine strength with sensitivity and excellent casting power. They are available in medium and medium heavy weights to suit a range of line and lure weights. The reels feature a solid aluminum frame, graphite side covers and rotor and a double anodized aluminum spool to stand up to the saltwater environment. A 5.1:1 gear ratio is suitable for fishing a wide range of lures all day long without wearing out the angler’s wrists and hands. Stainless ball bearings and a comfortable oversized T-knob provide for longer casts, smoother drag runs and comfort while fighting fish. Look for the O2R combo and other fine Danco products in your tackle store.
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ON THE COVER
RHODAN INTRODUCES 72” SHAFT GPS GUIDED TROLLING MOTOR
Editor’s Note:
Each month, Coastal Angler Magazine and The Angler Magazine staff search our vast coverage area for photos that will grace our covers. With well over a million readers in diverse coastal and inland markets, our magazines strive for broad national appeal as well as local-level intelligence to put anglers on fish. The cover is different depending on which edition you, the reader, are holding. The following is a little information about this month’s covers.
COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE The Florida Keys, Marathon
FREE
BIG BEND EDITION
The February edition of Coastal Angler Magazine features a cover image of Capt. James Platt with a 35-pound cobia he landed onboard a SeaVee boat about 10 miles out from Marathon’s Tarpon Creek Marina on the ocean side of the Florida Keys. The photo was provided by Capt. Chris Morrison of Keys Light Tackle Fishing Charters, who Local was fishing with Platt when they caught a limit of cobia, along with king mackerel, mangrove snapper and grouper. Morrison uses medium-heavy, Gary Loomis-designed Inshore Series rods from Temple Fork Outfitters along with 30-pound test Cortland Master Braid line to handle cobia and many species he targets in winter months. Home to the world-famous Seven Mile Bridge, Marathon is a group of tropical islands perfectly situated in the middle of the Florida Keys island chain. This ideal boating and family destination offers easy access to the Atlantic Ocean, Florida Bay, Everglades and Gulf of Mexico waters for an amazing diversity. Wintertime in the Florida Keys means anglers see large numbers of migratory fish such as cobia, king and Spanish mackerel, wahoo, sailfish and blackfin tuna pushed down from colder northern waters. Marathon is an excellent destination to base your Keys vacation for an unforgettable adventure. See writer John Steinhorst’s article on winter and early spring fishing out of Marathon in this month’s issue. Fishing Reports Catch Photos News & Events
VOLUME 22 • ISSUE 265
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THE ANGLER MAGAZINE Ice Fishing On Golden Pond, New Hampshire
WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA EDITION
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This month’s cover image for The Angler Magazine was taken by Chuck Fritz on the ice at Squam Lake in Holderness, New Hampshire. Old Timers might remember the 1981 movie “On Golden Pond.” It was filmed on Squam Lake, and the most interesting storyline in the film had to be the cantankerous Local character Norman’s obsession with catching a humongous rainbow trout named Walter. Squam Lake looks a lot different with a layer of ice over it than it does in the movie, which was shot in the summer. The fishing is still good, though. Just ask Tim Moore, the ice fishing guide who was photographed for the cover with a pretty yellow perch he caught through a hole in the ice. The ice fishing season on Squam and nearby Lake Winnipesaukee generally runs from January through March each year, and anglers target giant white perch and lake trout as well as smallmouth bass, crappie, sunfish and yellow perch. If there’s anyone out there who knows where Walter is hiding after all these years, it has to be Tim. See Tim’s story inside this months issue and check out his website at www.timmooreoutdoors.com. Fishing Reports Catch Photos News & Events
VOLUME 22 • ISSUE 264
F R A N C H I S E
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MERCURY MARINE’S VESSELVIEW MOBILE AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD
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ercury Marine’s VesselView Mobile app is now available for free download on the App Store and Google Play in North America. Available for iOS and Android mobile devices, including smartphones and tablets, the VesselView Mobile app instantly provides users access to their boat’s SmartCraft digital data in the palm of their hand. The product recently won a prestigious IBEX innovation award. The VesselView Mobile module, which is needed to fully utilize the app, is available for purchase at participating Mercury Marine dealers, from the VesselView Mobile app or on www.vesselviewmobile.com. The product is compatible with all Mercury SmartCraftcapable engines built since 2003. One module supports single through quad engine applications. SmartCraft is a fully integrated suite of digital technologies, including marine gauges, sensors, vessel systems and computercontrolled features, giving users a higher level of control over their boat’s propulsion and electrical systems. Now, with Mercury Marine’s VesselView Mobile, users can see SmartCraft engine data right on the screen of their mobile device. The app also includes useful new features such as Fuel Information, Maintenance Reminders, Mapping, Performance Summary, and Fault Code Diagnostics. VesselView Mobile makes preparing for and spending a day on the water easier, safer 14
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and more enjoyable by letting users perform the following functions from their mobile device: • Connect to the SmartCraft data network in your boat from your iOS or Android mobile device via BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy 4.0) • See SmartCraft engine parameters like engine hours, fuel burn, water temperature, battery voltage, RPM, etc. (parameters available are specific to each engine family). • Get fault code diagnostic information so you know and understand if that fault is something to be addressed when you return to the dock, or is more urgent. • Fuel Management provides accurate fuel usage data along with fuel remaining plus indicates time and distance to empty when the user enters fuel added via the app. • Locate your nearest Mercury Marine dealer • Get points of interest information for your body of water, including fuel and restaurant locations, and more • Record a moment on the water for future reference • Access checklists associated with your boating lifestyle • Get maintenance reminders and access historical maintenance information logs. Mercury Marine’s VesselView Mobile app also provides users with a Web-based account that gives them and their preferred dealer app and module will be on display at the 2017 an even deeper connection to their boat. The Miami International Boat Show.
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Core Concepts Make
Ice Fishing Easier By Tim Moore
S
pending hours on a frozen lake isn’t easy. Your body works overtime just to stay warm. Then, add the activity level that often accompanies ice fishing, such as drilling or chiseling holes and chasing tip up flags, and it can be downright exhausting. The degree of difficulty extreme cold temperatures add to fishing is what keeps most people from trying ice fishing. While there is a ton of gear designed to make ice fishing easier, core concepts, such as efficiency and mobility go a long way to make ice fishing easy enough for even the most warm blooded people. When you strengthen your core muscles with exercise, you train the rest of your 16
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muscles to work in harmony, which leads to better balance and stability. The same can be said for ice fishing. Exercising core concepts on a regular basis not only improves technique and lure control, but ice fishing actually becomes easier. The hottest new lures and trending techniques might catch a few fish, but they do little to improve your ability as an angler, especially when everything is frozen. Efficiency is arguably the foundation of any core. A highly efficient ice angler accomplishes more tasks in a shorter amount of time, and therefore catches more fish. Being efficient means eliminating unnecessary steps. Fewer steps means more time fishing, and more time fishing means more fish caught. Every second you spend with your line out of the water is time spent not catching fish. Efficiency begins off the ice. There are many things you can do before you leave your house that will make you more efficient. Start by leaving equipment and lures you won’t need at home. If you’re going fishing for panfish and you have larger rods mixed in with panfish rods, you will have extra gear to deal with on the ice. It doesn’t seem like a big deal until you’re fishing in subzero temperatures and the rods you need get tangled with the rods you don’t need. Rigging multiple rods with different lures before you leave your house will also reduce steps on the ice. Then you can cycle through pre-rigged rods rather than tie new jigs in the cold, wind or snow. Have you ever seen the deck of a tournament bass angler’s boat? They have many rods rigged with different lures so they don’t have to re-tie while they are fishing. The same goes for ice fishing, especially when it’s freezing out. The work you do at home pays off on the ice, but there is more you can do while fishing to make things easier, such as putting gear back in its place when you’re not using it. Then when you want to move you have less equipment to put away. Sometimes we are so
excited to get fishing that we tend to lay gear on the ice when we are done using it rather than put it back where it belongs. By the time we decide to move there is gear all over the place, which makes moving harder. The Godfather of modern ice fishing Dave Genz always says, “If it’s easy you’ll do it.” Focus on ways to make everything easier and you will be more productive. The little things add up. Just as backpackers try to shave ounces off their packs to make hiking easier, successful ice anglers are always trying to shave off unnecessary tasks to make fishing easier. The equipment you use also contributes to your efficiency. A Vexilar sonar flasher removes a lot of the guesswork. Figuring out if there are fish under you and their depth could take hours without a flasher. A sonar flasher is easy to use. It will instantly show you the entire water column including the bottom, your jig, and anything else that shows up under you, such as a fish. All in real time! Clam Outdoors makes a number of items specifically designed to make certain tasks easier on the ice. Prices range from a few dollars into the $1,000 range. The simple lowcost products often make a big difference. The Clam Can allows you to carry bait in your pocket. Not a big thing, but it makes a huge difference when it’s cold. Rod Slicks keep ice rods from getting tangled, and Fish Trap shelters get you out of the cold quickly and allow you to move around easier. The parts all have a sum that equals success. Mobility is another important core element of ice fishing. Mobility allows you to cover more water, which allows you to put your lure in front of more fish. Think of ice fishing the same way you do when open water fishing. We rarely head out onto the water and cast in the same spot over and over again. Ice fishing is no different. Every hole you drill is a cast. Make more casts and you’ll catch more fish. If you make a lot of casts in an area and don’t catch anything, move to another area and repeat. Give yourself a time limit, and don’t stay in the same area if you’re not catching fish. Ice Fishing doesn’t have to be cold and difficult. Core concepts that make ice fishing easier also make it more fun. Establish a routine and it will become second nature. By constantly thinking of ways to strengthen your core, you make ice fishing easier. Before you know it, you will be catching more fish than ever before. And who doesn’t love catching more fish? Tim Moore is a full-time licensed fishing guide in New Hampshire. He owns Tim Moore Outdoors and the New England Ice Fishing Academy. For more information visit www. TimMooreOutdoors.com. For more Tim Moore, go to
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12/15/16 1:24 PM
15TH ANNUAL SAVANNAH BOAT SHOW IS MARCH 3-5
SOUTHEAST
fishing experts are on-hand for seminars and demonstrations. The show also features boats overlooking the Savannah River and other maritime displays and exhibits. In its history, the show has held shag contests, seafood festivals, live music and other family entertainment. It’s one of the few winter boat shows in the country fortunate enough to have a waterfront view. Whether it’s sunny or inclement weather, there is something interesting for everyone at the Savannah Boat Show. The Savannah Boat Show was launched in 2003 at the Savannah Trade and Convention Center on Hutchinson Island by JBM & Associates, long-time producers of the Charleston Boat Show. Since then it’s become a coastal empire tradition and boating and fishing enthusiasts make this an annual outing with family and friends. Each year, the region’s best boat dealers showcase their new products and services to kick off the boating season. It’s one stop shopping at the Savannah Boat Show, with boat manufacturers on-hand to answer questions, along with financial and marine insurance companies to assist with everything necessary for life on the water. LOCATION Savannah International Trade and Convention Center 1 International Drive Savannah, GA 31402
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he Savannah Boat Show, now in its 15th year, is located on Hutchinson Island, Ga., overlooking the Savannah River on the South Carolina border. This show’s strength is its location. Two hours north of Jacksonville, Fla. and two hours south of Charleston, S.C., it is a natural magnet for attracting boating enthusiasts and exhibiting companies from all three states and beyond. The show primarily showcases powerboats. Savannah, like Charleston, is on the coast, which makes it a strong saltwater fishing location. Each1year, Airline_CoastalAnglerAd_3-2016_Layout 1 3/18/16 1:07 PM Page
HOURS Friday, March 3, 2017 Noon to 6:00pm Saturday, March 4, 2017 10:00am to 6:00pm Sunday, March 5, 2017 11:00am to 5:00pm TICKETS Adults: $8.00 Children 4 to 12: $5.00 Children 3 & Under: Free Seniors (65+) & Military: $5.00 Parking: $5.00 or take the River Street Ferry for Free
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A COASTAL EMPIRE TRADITION...
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1/17/17 1:31 PM
GEORGIA
WILD AND CRAZY FEBRUARY
By Jimmy Harris
I
f you’re like me and have traditionally spent a lot of time outside in February, you’ve already got a pre-conceived idea of what to expect. What I typically advise clients who are coming from out of state to fish with us here in Georgia is to be prepared for absolutely any kind of weather. It’s good advice wherever trout live across the Southeast. The fishing will be great and the crowds will be small, but the weather is totally unpredictable. Bring plenty of layers of clothing and adjust as necessary. Snow events are most likely to occur in February, as are ice events. Snow is good. Ice is bad! My advice is, if it’s snowing and not hazardous to drive, go fishing. Something about the barometric pressure just really turns the fish on, kind of like me. During snowy weather, I’ll eat two bowls of chili, three pieces of cornbread and a big warm piece of apple pie all under the notion of preparing my body for the storm. And that’s what the fish are doing. We really have had some epic fishing days when it’s snowing. My good friend and guide Henry Cowen tells
me the stripers on Lake Lanier are the same way. If you like dry fly fishing in winter, February is your month. Good hatches of blue winged olives and midges happen on a regular basis, so don’t leave home without those patterns. If there’s no surface action, you simply resort to your typical winter strategies of dredging with an indicator. You’ll know when it’s time to change. Now for a reality check. If you look at the historical data for February weather in north Georgia, you’ll swear they’ve mixed it up with another month. Average daily lows run from 34 to 40 degrees and the highs are 54 to 60! Does that sound like winter to you? More like spring? Problem is, we don’t go fishing on the averages. You’ll also find that the record low in February is -9 degrees. Now I’ve been fishing on days when the air temperature was in the single digits, but I don’t have to do that any more. That’s a young person’s game, and I wish them all the luck in the world at it. It was fun when I was doing it, and the fishing was pretty darn good. I recall a day when every rock in the river had a shelf of ice around it. The water as clear as glass and a trout was under almost every one of those ice shelves. You had to drift a Bead Head Pheasant Tail right in front of their noses and watch for the take, but they would take it, and I had a blast. You can, too. Just dress warmly, and by all means, don’t fall in! For more trout foshing in Georgia waters, go to
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COLD WATER CRANKIN’ FOR BASS
By Randy “C-note” Cnota
I
f you’re the type to leave the comfort of a warm wife and bed early on a winter morning to go chase little green fish, then we have something besides insanity in common. Getting bass to bite in cold water can be a daunting task at times. With that notion, I automatically go into search mode. I think most anglers would agree that the best search bait for bass is a shad- or crawdad-imitating bait that wiggles, dives, rattles and vibrates. Crankbaits offer all this, and they cover water quickly and efficiently. A bass’s metabolism slows in cold water, but this does not mean they don’t feed. Quite the contrary… bass are opportunistic creatures that will eat when the opportunity presents itself. Even in the coldest waters, a bass will move with lightning speed to crush a crankbait when the presentation convinces the fish
it’s looking at a feeding opportunity. Weather is the biggest factor to consider this time of year. Cold fronts can kill any bite you have going, but after a few days of stable weather, it can be great even if water temps haven’t warmed. In most lakes, bass have the option to move deep during winter’s chill, but this doesn’t mean all of them do. Between the shad die-off and crawfish molt, there’s plenty of food for winter bass both shallow and deep. Find the bait, find the bass. If you were to peek into my cold-water crankbait box, you’d see a variety to cover multiple depths, water conditions and cover. If it’s a lake with shallow grass, I’ll rip a lipless bait through the grass before moving deeper with a flat-sided crank like the Spro Little John or a Norman DD22. In very clear water, it’s hard to beat a Rapala Shad Rap to get finicky fish to eat. This tight wiggling rattle-free balsa bait is hard for bass to resist. I use both shad and crawfish colors for stained and clear water conditions. When ripping a bait through grass, I use a medium-heavy action rod. A 7’2” stick has enough length and backbone to rip a bait free from the grass… a technique proven to get violent reaction strikes. If I’m working over rocks and wood, I prefer a longer medium action rod with more give in the tip for decreasing snags and keeping fish buttoned up. When casting balsa baits, I opt for a light action rod with a very forgiving baitcasting reel, or I’ll use a spinning rod and light line to cast these featherweight lures. In most all of these applications, I spool up with Seaguar InvizX 100% fluorocarbon line. Occasionally I’ll use braid in thick grass, but even then I use a fluorocarbon leader. To get a bait as deep as possible, don’t be afraid to use 8-pound test, but 10-pound test usually works best for me. It’s cold outside and spring is a long way off for the die-hard bass angler. So get out of your warm bed and get your crankbaits in that cold water to see for yourself how effective they can be this time of year. Randy Cnota is the co-publisher of Coastal Angler/The Angler Magazine’s Panama City/Forgotten Coast edition.
For More fishing with Randy ‘C-Note’ Cnota, go to
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1/17/17 12:55 PM
Chasing Big Bulls In BC By Cam Sigler Jr.
B
ack in 2014, I went north of the Canadian border to fish for bull trout and westslope cutthroat trout with Gordon Silverthorne, who owns the Kootenay Fly Shop in Fernie, British Columbia. This area west of Calgary is littered with good waters. I have taken large groups up to fish the Elk and surrounding rivers with him. It was on these trips that I found myself focused on catching bull trout. Big bulls on a fly became my quest. I had caught many, up to nine in a day, but had yet to break the 27-inch mark. Bull trout are in the char family with brook trout and Dolly Varden. They range from northern parts of California and Nevada in the south to the Northern Territories of Canada and East to Montana and Alberta. They can grow in excess of 40 inches long and to weights heavier than 30 pounds. They migrate up and down systems based on food sources and into feeder creeks to spawn. They typically inhabit waters that stay under 59 degrees and are one of the most sensitive of the chars, requiring pristine waters to thrive. They are recognized as endangered in most states and protected in most systems in the provinces. A bull trout of 12 pounds might be 10 years old. I was back in Fernie in 2015 chasing trout with a few friends. As usual, we had good fishing for beautiful cutthroats, but I was chasing bulls. We spent a few days on the Elk River and caught a few bulls longer than 20 inches, but not in great numbers. My attention turned to a small pristine river south of Fernie called the Wigwam. In the past I had sent anglers from my groups there, but because of limited daily access, I had not fished it myself. Access is difficult. From the parking area, it’s 800 feet down to the river. It’s a hang-onto-trees steep. It reminded me of some streams I guided in Alaska, cold and clear enough to see pebbles 20 feet deep. The first hole was full of bull trout. After many casts, I landed one longer than 30 inches. As a group, we
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caught many cutts that averaged about 16 inches and juvenile bulls of the 19-inch variety. In conversation, Gordon spoke of the nearby Kootenay River bull trout fishery and about setting up an operation there. The Kootenay is a glacial-fed river formed by runoff and feeder streams primarily out of Kootenay National Park above Cranbrook, Canada. I told him to count me in for an expedition that fall. It didn’t happen because of a landslide in the river’s headwaters that blew the river out for an entire season. It’s tough to fish a fly without visibility. Because of water levels and clarity, the window for fly fishing the Kootenay is about six weeks in fall, if you are lucky. I finally got my chance to fish it in late October of 2016. Author Tom Boyd, who is writing a book on all the char species, and I made the 6-hour drive north from my second home in Washington to a tent camp Gordon and big-game outfitter Eric Grinnell had erected on the river. The camp was great, complete with a stove in every tent and a generator for lights. It was located a good distance between put-in points, and we saw only four other boats over three days. The four of us had a terrific time. We saw a few deer on the river and kept an eye out for grizzly and black bears but saw no evidence of them. I did wake one night to the sound of wolves howling in the distance. Water levels dropped over the three days we fished, and the water cleared even more. The weather was clear and cold. The fishing is primarily from 16-foot boats with outboard jet pumps. The river is braided and skinny in places, so the driver must pay attention. It is glacial fed and there are quarter-mile log jams on the banks. When this river is running 15 feet above the level we fished at, it must be roaring. This is a 7- to 9-weight show with sink tips. I have caught many bulls dead drifting a rabbit strip or synthetic-based fly that swims with this method. This trip, stripping seemed to work the best. We
were on the tail end of the kokanee salmon spawn. Once spawned out, these landlocked sockeye salmon float downriver, and the bull trout key on the spent fish. So we threw lots of 10-inch flies. Bull trout are very aggressive and opportunistic. They have to be in these systems. Bulls can move daily, but once we found them in a section they readily took most flies we threw. Bull trout, like many trout, like structure. Snags, logs, and big rocks in the river often hold them. I caught the biggest fish of our trip on the last cast of the last day in a tail out. It topped 29 inches and took a crawfish pattern I tie for smallmouth. We caught a few juvenile bulls in the 19-inch range and a few cutthroat, but our average bull trout was about 23 inches. I saw a few fish that were clearly bigger than our biggest catch. My guess is there are bulls in the Kootenay pushing the 40-inch mark. The largest we heard of on a fly weighed about 30 pounds. The bull trout fishery in the U.S. and Canada is fragile. I suggest chasing them sooner than later. If you decide to fish the Kootenay next fall, look for the guy holding up the 35-inch fish. Hopefully that’s me, as I will keep going back. For information or to set up a trip, contact Gordon Silverthorne at info@kootenayflyshop.com.
For more Bull Trout Fishing in BC, go to
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1/18/17 2:08 PM
A WINTER WADE
By Capt. Michael Okruhlik • Photo Courtesy of My Coast Outdoors
A FLY FISHING
s we idled away from the dock on a mild mid-winter morning, we all anticipated that telltale thump of a solid wintertime trout. Although the fall and winter weather had been mild, the big trout had already started finding their way to the normal winter feeding areas where we hoped to intercept them. Armed with slow-sinking soft plastics, we were confident we would be giving our cameras a workout on this trip. As we quietly drifted into our first and what would be our only stop of the day, we noticed a lone angler had beat us to our target area. Showing him the
CHOOSING A SALTWATER FLY ROD
C
hoosing the right fly rod is a personal choice. There are so many rods and various rod actions (fast, moderate, tip flex, full flex, slow etc.) that selecting a rod can be very confusing. It’s confusing to me, and I live a breathe this stuff! Rod Length: 9 feet or Shorter? In most saltwater fly fishing situations the 9-foot rod is standard. It provides enough length to keep a back cast off the water, to pick up fly line off the water to redirect a cast and is the best option for making longer casts. However, in recent years many companies have developed wonderful fly rods that are much shorter and can cast with the best 9-footers on the market. The new short rods are 7 to 8 feet in length and have a moderate (slow) action. The combination of a shorter rod and slower action make these rods a deadly tool when casting larger flies and poppers at close range. Fly fishing for redfish, baby tarpon or other fish that hold tight to cover does not require long casts. And when making short cast, the short rod is a more accurate tool. The Grip And Feel Find a fly rod that feels good while you’re holding it. The feel can be the difference between casting the rod well and not. I have picked up some very high-end rods with grips that felt like tree trunks. I believe a grip with a narrower diameter is best because it allows you to feel the rod load much better. Rod Guides The guides on a fly rod are an important part of the overall
CANGL_FIL1-FIL4.indd 2
courtesy he deserved, we anchored up short of the sweet spot and made our first wade out deeper. We pecked away at some mediumsized specks and kept an eye on the lone angler who we felt had the upper hand based on location. We watched him land one trout before he boarded his skiff and slowly idled out of the area. Although we had more action in deeper water than he had up shallow, we still decided to ease into our original planned area as the rising sun increased the water temp on the shallow flat. As the sun rose higher in the sky, the baitfish became more active and helped fine tune our target areas to cast. The water here was shin deep and clear with the bottom structure composed of soft mud with abundant grass and potholes. Using a white, slow-sinking paddle shad, I was slowly swimming it across the flat, pausing to let it slowly descend, and then I’d continue the retrieve and repeat. On one pause, I felt that telltale solid thump and then listened to the drag scream after the hookset. They were here! This was our first solid fish of the day, a thick-shoulder 6-pound trout. After a quick photo and release, we continued to ease down the shoreline sight casting to potholes or mullet. The next strike was hit and run, with the fish staying low and burning drag. After spinning me around a few times, I landed a solid upper-slot red. After several hours on this wade, I finally saw what I had been looking for, fleeing mullet at the edge of a pothole. A few cranks of the reel handle and I was hooked up. Not what I anticipated, but it was a medium-sized trout. I made a second cast to the same pothole, reeled my lure to the far edge and as soon as it paused it was inhaled! This trout sent foaming water sailing through the air while shaking her massive head. She tail walked four times before I had her close enough to verify her true size. The icing on the cake, an 8-pound trout in clear shin-deep water on a south Texas grass flat. Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Controlled Descent Lures and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com. For more wading in the Texas winter waters, go to
PEACEFULWATERS.CO performance. Many rods today are equipped with flexible snake guides, better known as REC Recoil guides, that are lighter than standard snake guides. These REC guides allow the rod to flex between the stripping guides’ footings for a more efficient transfer of energy during the cast. These REC guides add to the rod’s casting performance, creating greater line speed. Another added bonus to these REC guides is they will bend and not break if bumped on a boat rail. Rod Action Rod actions vary greatly. It’s kind of comparing apples and oranges. Some anglers prefer a fast action; some prefer a moderate action. There are benefits to both, but for the beginning or intermediate fly angler, a moderate action rod is the best choice. A moderate action rod will cover a wide spectrum of casting situations and is easier to cast and cast efficiently into a stiff wind. These rods also load a fly line using more of the fly rods taper, making it easier for the angler to feel the rod load. You can always purchase a fast action rod down the road as your skills progress. Rod Balance So, now that you have picked out that perfect saltwater stick, ask yourself… How does it feel in my hand? Is the rod tip heavy? Is the rod butt heavy? Does the rod feel too heavy overall? Too light? These are all question that need to be answered. The best rod is the one that feels well balanced from tip to butt. Balance the rod on your index finger at the top of the full wells grip. A well-balanced rod will balance evenly on your index finger. This is a fly rod’s sweet spot. It will be the optimum place for the thumb of your casting hand every time you cast.
For More Fly Fishing with Bowman, go to
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1/18/17 2:08 PM
The Angler Magazine Southwest GA & East AL
Publisher: Bob Rice Contributing Writers: Dr. Andrew Cox O’Neill Williams Nick Carter David Randall Cefus McRae Renae Randall Henry Cowen Jake Davis Noey Vineyard Keith Hudson Paul Tyre Mark Smith Jim Farmer Sam Williams David Hare Casey Crawley Matt Henry Gary Turner Rene Hesse Wayne Wooten Steve McCorkle Graphic Designer: Meri Mock merimockdesigns@yahoo.com A Free Publication The Angler Magazine is Published Monthly and Distributed Across the Southeast.
By B & B Publishers P.O. Box 766 Madison, GA 30650 706-614-8231 bobr@theanglermagazine.com Reproduction of Contents in Any Form is Prohibited
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FEBRUARY 2017
Cover Photo by O'Neill Williams SOUTHWEST GA EAST AL 1
Learning New Fishing Skills
I have been fishing all of my adult life and a good portion of my childhood and adolescent years. Over these years, I have developed new angling skills. These include various applications of fishing plastic worms and other plastic baits, using tubes, improving use of spinning and baitcasting equipment, mastering fly fishing and using GPS technology more effectively. At my stage in life, I did not think that there were many other angling techniques left to expand my fishing arsenal. I have tended to focus upon improving my skills in using existing fishing techniques. Recently, I have been researching and experimenting with the float and fly technique and the use of tightlining with weighted jigs. These fishing techniques originated on the waters of East Tennessee. These techniques are especially suited for fishing deep waters during the cool fall and winter months. It seems that the colder the water, the more effective float and fly and tightlining are in catching fish. In my travels through Tennessee, Kentucky, and western North Carolina, I note that these waters are similar to those found in north and central Alabama as well as north and middle Georgia. All of these waters have ample rocks, rock ledges and bluffs, and steep shoreline banks. In addition, I have always enjoyed fishing leadhead jigs and also tie my own handmade jigs for use on both conventional and fly equipment.
2 SOUTHWEST GA EAST AL
by Andrew A. Cox Accordingly, using float and fly accommodates the use of some favored lure types and existing skills in using spinning and fly equipment. Use of the float and fly as well as tightlining jigs required some outlay in new equipment, a pastime that I have shown little restraint. Purchase of a long 9 or 10 foot sensitive spinning rod, some three way swivels, and weighted floats improved my technique. I also purchased some specialty float and fly and tightlining jigs from some fishing supply outlets that specialize in tackle sales and dissemination of information on float and fly and tightlining angling methods. Technology has definitely impacted angling and the rapid dissemination and acquisition of new angling knowledge. Some Google and Yahoo searches yielded much written information on tightlining and float and fly. I particularly enjoyed accessing the forums that provide a wealth of information on these angling methods. There are also assorted videos that provide visual descriptions in setting up and fishing these methods. I mastered many of my prior angling skills over the years through trial and error, observing other anglers, and asking questions. With technology, the essentials of learning new angling methods can be easily mastered and in a fraction of time to that required in the “good old days” prior to the Internet and similar technology.
FEBRUARY 2017
I have been able to transfer the former East Tennessee float and fly and tightlining techniques to the waters of West Georgia and East and Central Alabama with some ease. Using float and fly in particular, I have been catching largemouth, spotted and hybrid bass with some frequency on my home waters and in areas of my home waters that I have not caught fish for some years. I believe that with continued practice, float and fly and tightlining jigs may become my “go to” angling techniques particularly during the winter months. I certainly plan to keep a fully rigged float and fly rod and reel in my boat’s rod box. Who said that an old dog cannot learn new tricks? Technology makes learning these new methods much easier. Good fishing. Dr. Andrew Cox is a contributing writer to outdoor publications and newspapers. He is a member of the Georgia Outdoor Writer’s Association. Dr. Cox financially supports his fishing habits as Professor Emeritus at Troy University, Phenix City, Alabama. He may be contacted at andrewtrout@aol.com.
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Muddy Water Bass Tactics One thing those of us who fish river system lakes is that at some point you are going to pull up to the lake and it will look like chocolate milk! Generally this will happen during periods of high rainfall. Creeks and rivers carry sediment into lakes and reservoirs, making clear water stained and turning stained water into mud. Many anglers will make the mistake of not fishing the area or searching all day for cleaner water as they are intimidated by the condition. I say fish it, especially in the spring! It’s typical for bass to move up into shallow water in muddy conditions. Bass feel safe in dirty water, knowing it’s easier to hide from predators in these conditions. Additionally, the muddy water will warm faster which draws the bait which in turn provides bass with increased feeding opportunities as well. Much of this occurs in the shallows or at the point where the rain water flows into the lake or river. Bass tuck up under and behind rocks, weeds and wood, or another type of cover that provides a slack area. But, in muddy waters, bass can also be found in areas devoid of cover too, especially in the areas that have a defined “Mud Line”. I’ve found large concentrations of big bass actively hunting across featureless, shallow flats that are normally unproductive due to the lack of cover. Food sources are key to finding active muddy water bass. If you find large schools of
shad and other kinds of baitfish in an area more times than not you will find active feeding bass in the same area. Bass in muddy/stained water don’t rely on sight as much as they rely on other senses. The hearing as well as their ability to detect vibrations through its lateral line, are the two most critical senses they rely on to find prey in the muddy waters. Once I have located an area with shad or other prey, choosing lures that produce lots of vibration and sound is a major key to catching bass. Crankbaits, spinnerbaits and blade baits are often the best choices, as these kinds of lures all produce lots of sound and vibration that allow bass to easily locate the lure. When selecting crankbaits, use rattle baits such as the Azuma Shaker-Z from Profound Outdoors or an Excalibur XR-75. The best spinnerbaits are usually those with two or three blades, as they produce greater vibration and sound than single blade versions. Additionally, spinnerbaits with
by Capt. Jake Davis
Colorado blades produce more vibration than do willow leaf blades. Lastly, if you find water that has reached the 56-57 degree range, tie on a 3/8 ounce red buzzbait and slow roll it on the surface around old weed lines or over stump fields. Hold on tight! Other kinds of lures that work well on muddy water bass are jigs and plastics but with modifications and additions. My jig of choice in muddy water is a ½ ounce Mussel Crawler, black/blue with a large trailer and rattle. Soft plastics can be productive in dirty water, but the key is choosing larger plastics and ones that produce more vibration. Tomahawk Worms or D-Bombs from Missile Baits can excel around bedding fish in muddy water. Adding rattles to these lures often makes them easier for bass to find. Also, a more subtle vertical presentation like soft plastics jigs are usually a better option for muddy water bass. Since these lures are typically fished on the bottom with a slower presentation, it’s beneficial to use scent. Scents can be used on spinnerbaits, and can help in muddy water when fishing the lure very slowly. While they can be used on crank and blade baits, they’re less effective, since they don’t stick well to the hard body of the lure. Scent use is far more important with vertical lures and a slow presentation, like with jigs and plastics.
Capt Davis is a USCG Licensed Professional Fishing Guide on Lake Guntersville and Tim’s Ford. Visit www.midsouthbassguide.com or 615-613-2382, msbassguide@comcast.net
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FEBRUARY 2017
SOUTHWEST GA EAST AL 3
Local Lakes & Forecasts
Lake Seminole
West Point Lake
Forecast by Capt. Keith Hudson Keith Hudson Guide Service hudsonsprobass@gmail.com 706-884-1483 or 706-882-1743
Forecast by Guide Paul Tyre paultyrefishing@yahoo.com 850-264-7534
The lake is slightly stained and pulled back down about 4-5 feet after being nearly full. Thanks to all my customers and a quick reminder to book now to insure your day during PRIME TIME (March 15th - June 15th). Visit www.LakeWestPointFishing.com for more info. Bass: Fair - Schools of spots mixed with hybrids, white bass and stripers and even the occasional largemouth can still be caught on jigging spoons and dropshot rigs on deeper offshore structures. A total of 50- 75 mixed bag fish a day is not uncommon. Baits such as suspending jerkbaits, unweighted Flukes, Senkos and spinnerbaits are catching shallow largemouth bass and spots. Try to fish these baits in or near any shallow cover or around schools of baitfish. Fish the open water in the pockets with 1/4 ounce Rat-l-Trap, a Strike King Lucky Shad crankbait or an A-Rig. The shallow bite will only get better as the water warms in February. The creeks seem to always warm first. The pre-spawn is just around the corner! Linesides: Fair - The downline bite with shad or bass shiners remains pretty good. Freelining a live bait will also work at times. Most of the fish seem to be holding 20 to 30 feet deep. The topwater bite is happening now but is still kind of hit or miss. Look for gulls and loons diving, as this makes it easier to pinpoint schooling stripers. I usually throw a Redfin or Pencil Popper for bigger fish. A 3/8 or ½ ounce white Rooster Tail, a chrome C.C. Spoon and the A - Rig have also been producing. A bucktail jig is effective as well. The mouths of most creeks and the river ledges have been holding fish. Trolling with mid-depth crankbaits and Alabama Rigs can be effective in these areas as well. By late February a few linesides will start the river run if temps remain unusually warm. Crappie: Good - If the weather stays warm in February, the crappie fishing will get very good in a hurry. Fishing with minnows or a small jig around brushpiles, and blowdowns in 3-6 feet of water will produce some big pre-spawn crappie, especially in the evenings. Fish can be caught deep as well on a straight line with minnows around creek channels. Concentrate on trees and brush that are close to the old creek channels.Yellow Jacket, Wolf and Whitewater Creeks are producing already. Trolling the channels in these creeks with 1/16 ounce Jiffy Jigs will also produce nice catches in February.
Water temp.: 66 degrees, lake level: 2 feet above full pool, clarity: Chattahoochee Arm –muddy, Spring Creek – clear, Flint River – stained.
Bass fishing has been excellent. The bass have grouped up in schools all over the lake as they have been feeding up for the winter. With the mild winter we have had, the lake still has an abundance of grass which has made the conditions perfect for a vibrating lipless lure like a Strike King Red Eyed Shad Tungsten 2-Tap in Chrome/Blue fished along the grass lines in 8 to 10 feet of water. To find the bass, I like to fish parallel down the grass line at a fast pace until I catch a couple and then slow down and work the area more methodically. Spinnerbaits have been very productive because of the grass. A good one to try is a Strike King Premiere Plus Spinnerbait in 3/8 ounce double willow in Blue Shad color for clear water and a Chartreuse for stained to muddy water. The reason I like these spinnerbaits is the head designs will come through the grass efficiently. The stripers and hybrids have been biting really well on Lake Seminole with some over the 20 pound range. I've been using an SK Tour Grade Titanium Umbrella Rig, loaded with 1/4 ounce swimbait jig heads rigged with Swim-n-Caffeine-Shad in Pearl White successfully. The crappie have been bunched up in 8 to 10 feet of water and are biting extremely well on jigs and minnows. To schedule a fishing trip or to get up-to-date lake conditions, please give me a call at (850) 264-7534 or email me at paultyrefishing@yahoo. com. Let's go fishing!
Lake Eufaula/Walter F. George Forecast by Capt. Sam Williams, Hawk’s Guide Service 334-687-6266 hawk184@earthlink.net Water temperature: low 50's, lake level: 188.13, water clarity: muddy. The early January storms have relieved the drought with over 10 inches of rain. It also left the river muddy. West Point Lake has been very low and with the rising water there will bring muddy water down our way. Mid-February promises to be good fishing as the water clears up. Noisy baits such as Rat-L-Traps and buzzbaits worked slowly will generate a strike around cover. Big jigs with rattles and chatterbaits will work as well. Crappie are tough to catch in dirty water. Some are being caught in trash piles on minnows. Panfish are biting on the banks near cover. Catfish on jugs do well in muddy water. Cut bait is the trick. Be sure and check www.alababachildrensclaccic.org and see the opportunities to support the kids at the hospital. We have a Henry rifle added now. Dress warm, in layers, and be safe on the water. God bless & good fishing.
4 SOUTHWEST GA EAST AL
FEBRUARY 2017
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Lake Harding
Forecast by Steve “Colonel” McCorkle stevemccorkle61@yahoo.com The lake has finally returned to full pool. In the recent weeks we have had lots of rain, and the water level has stabilized at full pool. The water has cleared up and the debris that was littering the lake has subsided. The water temperatures are in the mid to high 50’s and should continue to remain in the 50’s as outside temperatures continue to fluctuate from lows in the 20’s and highs in the 70’s. The water is very clear, and as mentioned above, is back to full pool. Fishing has been average for this time of year and as the water has returned into coves and around docks and structure, fish are moving to those locations. The lake has stabilized and is now in the winter pattern. Bass can be caught deep or shallow around heavy structure depending on where you are fishing on the lake. On the main lake and in the main creeks the bass are located on the ledges, channels, points and also around boat docks with lots of structure. The best lures for largemouth bass and spotted bass are in the deeper water is jigging spoons, deep water crankbaits, and a rubber or hair jig. Fish the deeper points, ledges or creek channels moving the bait very slowly. If you fish the structure around boat docks of 10 feet of water or less, you may be able to fish a pig-n-jig or worm. The Carolina rig may also be a good choice on the points and ledges because the bait stays in the strike zone longer than a crankbait and you can move it very slowly. Bass can also be caught fishing the bridges using either a rubber jig or small jig head worm by allowing the bait to fall slowly around the bridge pilings. Striped bass and hybrid bass can be caught in deeper water near points or the channel using either rubber jigs, crankbaits or jigging spoon. Find the baitfish schooling and you should find stripers around these baitfish. If you find the schools of baitfish moving on the surface then a Rat-L-Trap, jerkbait or topwater bait can produce good stripers. Crappie fishing should start to pick up as we move into February and definitely into March. On the colder days crappie can be caught around the bridges and around deeper brush piles, boat docks and other structure. A good technique to catch the crappie is to troll using a spider rig set up using 4 to 8 rods. You can troll using live minnows or small jigs. The key is to troll as slowly as possible and to locate the depth of the fish so that you put your bait at that depth. On the warmer days and as we approach March, crappie will be able to be caught along the bank using jigs or minnows. Look for fishing to improve toward the end of February and into March. The weather will continue to have periods of extreme cold followed by several days where the temps move into the 60’s and 70’s. We should expect a good bit of rain and expect the winds to gust at times. Good luck fishing!
Lake Jackson
Forecast by Brian Lee leebrian16@yahoo.com
Water temp: 48-55 degrees, water level: full pool, clarity: stained. The bass are still being caught on many different baits. The best pattern right now is cranking any kind of structure that collects heat. The early morning bite is slow due to the overnight cool temps, but you can still catch them. Just fish the areas that will get the first bit of sunlight. A #5 Shad Rap in crawfish is a go-to bait this time of year, as the bass roam rocks seeking heat and food. Concentrate on depths of 2-8 feet when throwing the Shad Rap. If the water appears to be more muddy than stained, just switch to a brighter color and continue the same pattern. If shallow water isn't your cup of tea in the winter time, then you can also catch bass deep. Your electronics will play a huge role in locating the deeper fish. In idle ditches, channels and offshore humps, mark the fish and choose your bait of choice. A Fish Head Spin will catch these fish as well as a Flex-It spoon. The spoon will catch them being fished vertical, but the bite will be slow. Once you fire up the school you can vary them quick. The Fish Head Spin can produce them just as good. Casting beyond the school and a slow retrieval is working best.
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ee the y rifle less & COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
FEBRUARY 2017
SOUTHWEST GA EAST AL 5
Hea
Lake Martin
256.401.3089 davidbhare@yahoo.com For most of us this month kicks off the crappie season. By the end of the month you will have to hunt a parking space at most ramps around Lake Martin. Our crappie guides were out scouting on another lake and boated 48 in 4 hours, and based on that, Lake Martin is on schedule to be turned on by the time you’re reading this. Although you can catch crappie on all areas of our lake, most guides will be targeting areas from Midway Island north to above Camp Asca and everything in between. When you’re out searching on your own, do not overlook the creeks. If you have never done a crappie trip with us, then you’re missing out. We use the latest and greatest center console boats with plenty of room and have more rods out than most people own. It's crazy catching when the bite is on and the guides know how to keep you on them once they locate them. Give it a try. Stripers are likely to be most anywhere in February. I will be in most cases carrying clients for the biggest trophies that Alabama has to offer which is on Lake Martin, and springtime is an awesome time to get you a wall hanger. Planer boarding is one of the most popular ways to fish this month and for the remainder of the spring. We will be using several different types and sizes of bait. I love using big bait and getting that topwater action when these trophy stripers chase these baits to the top, blowing them slam out of the water! It's as exciting as fishing gets. Even though you may have some very stained areas in February, you can always find fishable water on Lake Martin with its 880 miles of shoreline and 44,000 acres of fishable waters. Striper fishing has really gotten popular over the last several years, and with that comes the pressure on these fish making it tough for some folks to catch them on a consistent basis. So if you are one of these people, you need to hire a guide and fish with them a few times a year to learn techniques and some areas that produce catches. Even guides have tough days at times, but if you pick a guide or even a friend who has been doing this for years and years, they can and will get you going down the right path, which in return makes for more happy fishing days! Don't forget to continue to fish under the birds and gulls this month. If you see us at the ramp and have any questions, we will try and answer them the best we can, but nothing takes the place of some one-on-one action in our boats, so keep that in mind the next time you’re coming to Lake Martin. Tight lines and stay safe.
6 SOUTHWEST GA EAST AL
FEBRUARY 2017
Fi dealin fish in reliab roadb you w when R the m that bass would locati a roa that fi times focus be a r differ as a m roadb struct My fa crank the en Carol Po are th as the struct fish fishin the p out fr drop gives easily is dee as po becau worth over p Term and a R in the stop o to do retain Howe that i for ba all of and p When becau
Forecast by Capt. David Hare Alex City Guide Service
PANAMA CITY TIDES - FEBRUARY 2017
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1 Wed 12:29 0.6 2 Thu 1:45 0.3 3 Fri 4 Sat 5 Sun 6 Mon 7 Tue 8 Wed 9 Thu 10 Fri 11 Sat 12 Sun 13 Mon 14 Tue 15 Wed 12:43 0.4 16 Thu 2:01 0.2 17 Fri 18 Sat 19 Sun 20 Mon 21 Tue 22 Wed 23 Thu 24 Fri 25 Sat 26 Sun 27 Mon 28 Tue
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3:53 3:19 3:31 4:07 4:57 5:56 6:58 7:57 8:52 9:42 10:28 11:12 11:55 2:24 2:05 2:15 2:41 3:18 4:05 5:00 5:59 6:55 7:48 8:38 9:29 10:24 11:26 12:58
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0.3 8:33 -0.1 8:25 0.3 0.5 7:46 0.2 11:55 0.0 0.7 0.9 1:43 -0.4 1.1 2:53 -0.7 1.2 3:55 -1.0 1.3 4:53 -1.1 1.3 5:46 -1.2 1.2 6:34 -1.1 1.1 7:13 -1.0 1.0 7:42 -0.7 0.8 7:56 -0.4 0.6 7:52 -0.2 0.3 7:28 0.1 7:10 0.4 0.5 6:41 0.2 9:56 0.2 0.7 5:05 0.2 0.8 12:24 0.0 0.9 1:42 -0.2 0.9 2:36 -0.4 1.0 3:26 -0.5 1.1 4:12 -0.6 1.1 4:53 -0.7 1.2 5:31 -0.7 1.1 6:04 -0.7 1.1 6:32 -0.6 1.0 6:55 -0.4 0.8 7:10 -0.1 0.3 7:10 0.2 5:24 0.3
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RISE
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Heat Up Your Wintertime Bass Fishing with These Hot Spots
Fishing in the winter can be tough on anglers, not only dealing with cold outside temperatures, but also having to find fish in cold and at times unstable water conditions. There are four reliable patterns I choose when fishing in the winter, and they are roadbeds, points, and riprap and many times in that order. Do you want to know why? Well, it’s because they are bass magnets when it’s cold. Roadbeds: Are some of ese Hot Spots the most overlooked places that anglers miss when bass fishing. If anglers rs, not only dealing with cold would take just a little time sh in cold andlocating at times unstable a bass magnet like a roadbed, they ns I choose when fishing in would the find that fish are there and many ap and many times in that order. Do times are big and not pressured. When fishing roadbeds, I try to are bass magnets when cold. that shows up on my electronics. It may focus on any it’s irregularity a rock pile, ed places thatbeanglers missa ditch whenwith bassstumps, etc., but if you find something different you will find fish ese Hot Spots cating a bass magnet like a roadbed, hanging around it. Bass use roadbeds as a migration route to and from different access areas. Locate mes are big and not pressured. roadbeds on a map, When and if they are close to a channel or other ty that showsstructure, up on my It because you can really whack them. be electronics. sure to fish them ers, not only dealing with cold My favorite baits for fishing t if you find something different you road beds are Rapala deep diving sh in cold andcrankbaits at times and unstable the Fish-Head Spin, as they allow me to cover eds as a migration route to and fromeffectively. I then back them up using a the entire water ns I choose when fishing in column the ap, and if they are close to a channel or with a Trokar ap and Spots manyCarolina times inRig that order. Do hook with a standard soft plastic. e Hot Main points ou can really Points: whack them. Mylake favorite are bass magnets cold. are thewhen secondit’s stop on the list ng crankbaits and the Fish-Head Spin, ed places thatasanglers whenpiece bassof they are miss yet another mn effectively. I then that backwill them up structure be holding a bass magnet like a roadbed, ,cating not only dealing with cold in the winter. When tandard soft fish plastic. mes are and big and not pressured. in cold at times unstable When to locate op on the list fishing as theypoints, are yetI try another ty that shows up on my electronics. It I choose when fishing in the the points that run a long way e winter. When fishing points, I try to out from thedifferent bank and into a utand if you findtimes something you many in that order. Do he bank and drop into off. a drop Thismeallows me to use many Thisoff. allows eds as amagnets migrationwhen routeit’s to cold. and fromto use many different presentations and e bass gives bass the ability to move and down the water column y to move up and down the water columnupeasily, I ap, and that if they are Iclose a channel or deep diving crankbaits if the point places anglers misstowhen bass easily, usually start out using the point is deep, because II want to stay in contact with iswhack deep, because want to stay in contact with the bottom as much ou reallymagnet them. My favorite tingcan a bass like a roadbed, is also key toasfishing wintertime points, because bass possible. Using big baits ngare crankbaits and Fish-Head Spin,is also key to fishing wintertime points, es big andbecause notthe pressured. When need the assurance that thebig bait it chases to eat is t is worth the energybass spent doing so. Slow rolling mn effectively. Ion then back them updoing that shows up my electronics. It worth the energy spent so. Slow rolling big spinnerbaits he nod. I trick out my Rapala Terminator spinnerbait by tandard soft plastic. over pointsdifferent in the winter f you find something you also get the nod. I trick out my Rapala Terminator spinnerbait by painting the entire bait white, blades op on the list as they are yet another sd as migration route and all. on to it isa the third stop myand list.from Riprap exists to do one e winter. When fishing points, I try to , and if they are close a channel or it becomes a bass Riprap holds bass ng. However, theRiprap: addedto benefit is that he bank andin into awinter, drop and off.itThis allows me to use many the is the third can really whack them. My favorite micro and biological food sources that attract baitfish my list. y to move upstop andondown theRiprap water exists column easily, I and the Fish-Head Spin, scrankbaits won’t be far When riprap start on toaway. do one thing, fishing thatto isstay to Iinalways the point is deep, because Iand want contact with retain the earth from moving. n effectively. I then back them up aster, because the sun is rising in the east. I start out is also key toHowever, fishing wintertime points, the added benefit is because bass ndard ork mysoft wayplastic. off the bank getting deeper and deeper to it becomes bass magnet t is worth thethat energy spentadoing so. Slow rolling big on the list asfor they are yet another change in the riprap because bass are usually attracted bass anglers. Riprap holds he nod. I trick out my Rapala Terminator spinnerbait by allfishing of the micro and biological winter. When points, I try topoints.food sources that attract baitfish riprap as bass use it as an ambush andaprovides shelter, when me theretoisuse bait,many bass won’t be far away. esome bankof and droplocations off. Thisso allows theinto best bass on the lake. Road beds, d it is the third stopfishing on myriprap list. Riprap exists one When I always starttoondo the west side of the lake to down move auplake and thewarm water column easily, Isun is rising in the east. ak indown theitwinter andfaster, start catching fish because will because the ng. However, the added benefit is that it becomes a bass
17
by Jay Striker
I start out throwing a crankbait parallel to the bank and work my way off the bank getting deeper and deeper to locate the active zones. I look for some type of change in the riprap because bass are usually attracted to it, so I try to be sure to hit the corners of the riprap as bass use it as an ambush points. When fishing in the winter, don’t overlook some of the best bass locations on the lake. Road beds, points, and riprap could be the best way to break down a lake in the winter and start catching fish faster. Thanks for taking the time to read and check me out at www.jaystriker.com. Striker Nation, I’ll see you on the water.
Date
Tournament
Feb 11 Feb 12 Feb 18 Feb 18 Feb 25 Feb 25 Feb 25 Feb 25 Feb 26 March 4 March 4 March 4 March 12 March 18 March 18 March 19 March 25 April 1 April 1 April 2 April 8 April 9 April 22
Crappie Nutz West Point/Highland Reel Money Eufaula/Lakepoint Highland Team West Point/Highland Reel Money Seminole/Big Jim’s Eufaula Bass Trail Eufaula/Lakepoint Reel Money Blackshear/Veterans Wind Creek Trail Martin/Wind Creek Marina Crappie USA Eufaula/Lakepoint American Fishing Tour West Point/Highland Crappie Nutz Eufaula/Florence State Park Highland Team West Point/Highland Boyd’s Marine Eufaula/Lakepoint Eufaula Bass Trail Eufaula/Lakepoint Reel Money Seminole/Big Jim’s American Fishing Tour West Point/Highland Highland Team West Point/Highland Crappie Nutz Harding/Country Market Wind Creek Trail Martin/Wind Creek Marina Boyd’s Marine Eufaula/Lakepoint Reel Money Eufaula/Lakepoint Reel Money Seminole/Big Jim’s American Fishing Tour West Point/Highland Reel Money Blackshear/Veterans
Lake/Ramp
Contact (334) 520-7587 (229) 416-5661 (706) 523-0547 (229) 416-5661 (334) 726-5697 (229) 416-5661 (386) 546-3614 (334) 687-6664 (404) 550-3610 (334) 520-7587 (706) 523-0547 (334) 794-2598 (334) 726-5697 (229) 416-5661 (404) 550-3610 (706) 523-0547 (334) 520-7587 (386) 546-3614 (334) 794-2598 (229) 416-5661 (229) 416-5661 (404) 550-3610 (229) 416-5661
If you would like to see your upcoming tournament listed on The Angler Magazine tournament page, email bobr@theanglermagazine.com or call at 706-614-8231.
heck meisout at www.jaystriker.com. Striker Nation,with I’ll emicro point because want tothat stay in contact anddeep, biological foodIsources attract baitfish COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM keybetofar fishing points, salso won’t away.wintertime When fishing riprapbecause I alwaysbass start on saster, worth the energy spent doing so. Slow rolling big because the sun is rising in the east. I start out eork nod. outthe mybank Rapala Terminator by myI trick way off getting deeper spinnerbait and deeper to
Full Snow Moon
February 10th FEBRUARY 2017
SOUTHWEST GA EAST AL 7
Cold Weather, Cold Water Crappie Now that the air and water temperatures are in the 40’s and the crappie are lethargic, it can make for a long day of not catching many fish. Here are some tips I learned from Crappie Country owner and tournament angler, Mike Bridges. On a recent trip with my brother-in-law, Ben, the air temperature was 45 degrees, water temperature was 46 degrees, misting rain and a northeast wind at 5 MPH. We located fish on each side of a 17 feet deep creek channel at about 12 feet with a large school in the channel at about 15 feet. We were long lining Crappie Country Hot Grubs (curly tails) on 1/16 ounce jigs running about .9 MPH. The bite was very slow, and we were getting short strikes about 90% of the time. After about an hour of this I decided to call Mike and see what we could do to improve our hook up ratio. Mike told me that when the crappie are cold, they don’t chase the bait, but mainly turn to a scent bite. He said “tip the bare jigs with minnows, let it sink and reel very
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slowly through them, or troll feathered jigs such as Sugar Bugs tipped with minnows at about .4 MPH”. After this conservation, we bought some minnows and rigged our rods both ways and started trolling. Since my boat will not run slower than .9 mph I would start and stop the motor to run at about .4 MPH. We did catch a few fish this way, but it was very slow. I decided that since the speed wasn’t consistent we would anchor and try casting bare jigs tipped with minnows into the fish. This did work better than trolling. Using these methods improved our hook up ratio, even though the bite was slow, we were now catching fish! The next time you run into this kind of conditions, try these methods, and I am confident you will catch more fish. In addition to catching crappie, here is what happened to me. While casting the jig and reeling slowly, I got hooked up with what I thought was a very large bass or catfish. I could feel what I thought was its head
FEBRUARY 2017
shaking vigorously while it was peeling line. Keep in mind I was fishing with 6 pound fluorocarbon, 6’ 6” light rod and had set the drag to light to try and land this monster. This went on for about 15 minutes, and the fish finally wore down and came to the surface. Ben had the net ready, and when he saw the fish, he laughed and said, “It is a huge carp and it is tail hooked, no wonder it took so long”. What I thought was its head shaking was the tail
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
by Wayne Wooten
powering the fish away! We weighed the fish at 16 pounds, and we then released it. I was hoping for a monster bass, but the fight was fun even though it was a carp!
Know What's Growing in Your Pond
Knowing what types of aquatic vegetation are growing in your pond and how to properly manage them is essential to having a healthy ecosystem that fish will thrive in. There are so many different types of aquatic vegetation in the Southeast that it can be hard to properly identify everything. Many of these plants can be harmful to a fishery. Being able to determine whether a plant needs to be completely removed or just maintained is key to a healthy ecosystem. Even the beneficial plant species can easily grow out of control and take over a pond if not maintained properly. Managing a plant species consists of various chemical treatments to control growth and manual removal methods. There are many species that require specific chemical combinations to effectively maintain a healthy pond environment, which is why it is important to know exactly what species you are dealing with. What are the benefits of maintaining a healthy aquatic plant population? 1). Plants provide cover for small or newly hatched fish to hide from predators. 2.) Plant growth attracts all sorts of insects and invertebrates that fish feed on. 3). Provides cover for spawning fish. 4). Gives fish shade relief from the sun. 5). A better environment for recreation/fishing.
6.) Plants raise the dissolved oxygen levels by releasing oxygen into the water through photosynthesis. What is the right amount of plant growth to have? There is no correct answer to that question because every pond’s ecosystem is different. Determining a management plan depends on what type of plant species are present, the structure of the pond and what fish species that call the pond home. A rough rule of thumb to use is to have no more than 30-40% of the seabed with some type of vegetation growth. How do you tell which plants are bad to have in your pond? Getting a lake management specialist to come out and inspect your pond is always the best solution. There is also literature and online resources at your disposal. One example of a plant species that is quite common in the Southeast and can be detrimental to an ecosystem if it gets well established is called Giant Lyngbya. This plant grows more aggressively and can completely take over an entire pond or lake in a short period of time. Giant Lyngbya is by far one of, if not, the hardest aquatic plant to control, and once it does get established, there is virtually no way to completely remove it. There are ways to reduce and control its growth, but
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by Steven King
the correct use of mechanical removal and the right chemical combinations must be used or you could be making the problem even worse. This plant is essentially the equivalent to a lake management horror story. Giant Lyngbya gives off toxic gasses that smell like sewage, virtually nothing will eat it and it has no ecological benefits. This plant will get so thick that it often makes fishing impossible, and can develop new resistances to herbicides year-after-year making different combinations needed to consistently keep it under control. This plant is just one example of how important it is to know what you have growing in your pond and being able to identify these problem species early on before the problem gets out of control to where the ecosystem becomes unhealthy. To contact ILM for any of your lake management needs, please call Steven King at 678-207-7631 or send an email to sking@ilmenvironments.com.
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Solunar Table February 2017
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Throw It Out and Reel It Back or Just Do Nothing
Good grief! What bait or lure is that? It’s a Road Runner. Ever used one? Bet you have and not even known it. A Road Runner is a brand of lures that will catch bass, crappie, stripers, walleye, northern pike and a bunch of other critters from freshwater, and then redfish, sea trout, blues and more from saltwater. It’s a funny shaped painted lead head jig with a little spinner on the bottom. You can vary the sizes, colors and trailers to make it what you want. Good. Ok, so what’s the point here? Doing nothing? When’s that? From late December through February, an angler can catch buckets of crappie from underneath the major marina docks on the reservoirs across the South, East Coast and Midwest. In most states, the limit is liberal, up to 35 to 50 per day. The crappie will gather there by the thousands. Doing nothing? Just rig up to three or even four tiny 1/64th ounce Road Runners in bright colors on a single light action soft tip rod with 6-pound test line and drop it down to the giant schools of crappie and do nothing. Think about it. Test yourself. Put a Road Runner on a light action rod and hold it still in the water where you can see it. Is it still? No, it’s kind of just vibrating. If it were a minnow, it would not be scurrying around hopping and darting in the frigid winter temperatures. So, drop it down on the ‘Christmas Tree Rig’ I described and you’ll get bit. In this case, less is more. When one bites, leave it down a few counts and others will get aggressive and bite another of the jigs. So why not use minnows instead? You don’t need to spend the time rigging the minnow on the hooks. You’ll catch plenty without the trouble of minnow managing. Before I go to something else, here’s a tip to double your catch doing this wintertime jigging. Tag your Road Runner with something stinky. It’ll permeate through the water level where you’ve located the crappie, help hold the fish at that level and depth and encourage the bite. What to use? I like either tagging the hook with a piece of leach or a mealworm. Action is not required, only the smell. Pick up a few little Fisher’s Choice cans of the stinky stuff and you’re in business. Another thing, keep your noise down to a minimum. Don’t jump up and down on the dock celebrating your catch. It’ll spook the school. See? Doing nothing with the bait will work. Ok, what else? Road Runners for northern pike and walleye. Yes, but this time, since northern pike are so aggressive, all you do with your Road Runner is cast it out and reel it back. Northern will follow it in and bite it at the boat, so don’t give up on the cast until it’s over. Walleye will compete for it when fished down in those deep summertime holes, and it’ll work even better if you slow it down and add the leach for smell. The little spinner below the jig head is an attractor, and the trailer in your choice in colors will match the baitfish in the waters where you’re casting. Be sure and use a wire leader or those toothy thieves will cut you off every time. Stripers? Absolutely. Cast it out and reel it back. Just locate the depth of the school, and there you are. When you have them on the surface feeding, you’ll hook up three times to one over a surface bait. Need a bigger bait or profile for redfish? Use a big Road Runner with a large curly tail trailer. My goodness, the number of reds caught on a jig with a trailer on the Gulf Coast year-round would sink a battleship. Again, cast it out and reel it back. Mr. Red will get it. I fished with Eddie Woodall at Full Net Charters December a year ago, and using Road Runners tagged with extra-large curly
By O’Neill Williams
tailed plastics, we caught 25 huge reds in two hours with many doubles. That was for a television show, and that exercise usually cuts your catch in half with all there is to do to make it look natural. I caught three that weighed a total of over seventy-five pounds on the first three casts. Throw it out and reel it back. Travis and I visited Cajun Vista Lodge a couple of falls ago. I fished with Captain Wayne, and using Road Runners with light colored swim tails that come in the package, caught plenty of representative redfish. We fileted them for dinner that night at the lodge. I believe Road Runner calls that size a Salt-Runner. Anyway, redfish love them. No longer a rookie in fishing for northern pike since he has visited with me to Carroll Lake Lodge several times, Travis caught his largest pike last time up, a forty-eight incher. Combination: Road Runner with large gold spinner to match the color of the yellow perch baitfish, swim tailed trailer, wire leader, throw it out and reel it back technique. Maybe if you want to turn your fishing into catching sometime, stock your tackle box with Road Runners in a multitude of colors and sizes, cans of Fisher’s Choice leaches and mealworms that were once alive but now aren’t, and don’t try to overdo the presentation. Give it a try. References; www.neworleansfishing.com, www. carrolllakelodge.com, www.fullnetcharters.com.
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Brag Board b from Carl Tennille with a big sla Lake Eufaula
*
N I W
!* R E N
Tony Adams took this big 9 point, 205 pound buck Garrett Cox from the Bass Cats Fishing Team with a huge Seminole bass fishing with Paul Tyre
Phillip Faulk from Page Arizona. with a big Eufaula crappie th his first striper Young Conner Franklin wi
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This big 24 pound catfish was a big surprise for Haley Waldrup when she caught it on an eighth ounce Rooster Tail using 10 pound line while fishing in East Alabama
*This month’s winner will receive an Angler Magazine cap
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IT'S BOAT SHOW TIME! www.
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252-235-2461
A DREAM WEDDING
By CAM Staff
From left, Capt. Kevin Rose and Capt. Judy Helmey officiated and witnessed the wedding of Erin Bodnar and Casey Maday, of Des Moines, Iowa, aboard the Miss Judy Too before catching a pile of fish for the reception.
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ove and the smell of sheepshead were in the air on Jan. 6 aboard the Miss Judy Too out of Savannah, Ga. It was a dream wedding for bride Erin Bodnar and groom Casey Maday, of Des Moines, Iowa. The couple got hitched while bobbing over an artificial reef off the coast of Georgia with captains from Miss Judy Charters officiating and witnessing the event. “It was a grand day for a wedding and fishing,” wrote Capt. Judy Helmey in a special edition of her weekly fishing report. She added that it was a, “one fiddler one fish kind of a catching deal.” And it’s a good thing the bite was so hot. After the ceremony, the newlyweds and the crew burned through 267 fiddler crabs to boat this mixed bag of sheepshead and black drum. They were on a mission, because fish is on the menu for the couple’s wedding reception back in Iowa.
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CASTING DISTANCE POWER AND REEL SETTINGS
By Tobin Strickland • Photo Courtesy of Lews Reels
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ne of the first things any angler can improve to catch more fish without getting new gear is to increase his casting distance. The first adjustment to make is the “spool tension” knob on the right hand side of any baitcaster. With the lure just hanging from the end of the rod tip, first tighten the knob, then release your thumb and slowly unscrew the tension knob until the lure just begins to fall. On the left side plate, you’ll see the centrifugal brake external setting. If you are new to throwing a baitcasting reel, start with a setting of about 4-6. If you have an internal centrifugal brake, set at least two brakes “out / engaged.” If you want to cast far, you have to make a powerful, rod-loading, casting stroke. It’s compact and uses 2 hands. It’s not a big one-armed cast. Tighten the spool tension knob about a quarter turn and practice casting hard. Once you’re throwing your hardest without backlash, slowly begin loosening the settings and feathering the spool edge a little. Slowly adjust the centrifugal brake setting looser, one click, or one brake, to maximize cast distance. Then slightly re-adjust the spool tension knob. In the end, I find that I can still adjust slightly lighter and manually feather the spool edge with the thumb. This is where you’ll get your longest cast distances. Cast hard my friends. Tobin Strickland (aka TroutSupport) is a field staff angler for Lews Reels.
ATLANTA FLY FISHING SHOW IS FEB. 3-4
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all-to-wall displays of the newest fly rods, reels, boots, waders, clothing, flies and fishing watercraft, will greet visitors to the inaugural Atlanta Fly Fishing Show Feb. 3-4 at the Infinite Energy Center, 2029 Satellite Rd., Duluth. Parking is free. In addition to the sold-out aisles filled with merchandise, lodges and exotic destinations, show visitors can view continuous fly-tying demonstrations, how-to-do-it seminars and hourly audio/visual presentations ranging from brown trout in Patagonia to Alaska’s Kenai River. Casting demonstrations are scheduled by Lefty Kreh, Gary Borger, Bob Clouser, George Daniel, Simon Gawesworth and Joe Humphreys. Tying Classes will be offered for an additional fee from experts like Blane Chocklett, Kevin Arculeo, Jason Randall and Henry Cowen. For space availability and enrollment in tying classes call (814) 443-3639. Fly Fishing Show admission is $15 for one day, $25 for two days. Children under age 5 are free as are Boy and Girl Scouts under 16 in uniform. Active military with an ID are $10. Film Festival admission is $15 or $10 with paid admission to the show. For a list of fly-fishing films, classes, seminars and demonstrations, visit flyfishingshow.com/atlanta/ or phone (814) 443-3638.
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BY JAKE DARLING, UNICOI OUTFITTERS
Black Caddis Dry Hook: #14-18 dry fly hook Thread: UTC 70, black Body: Black Superfine dubbing Rib: X-Sm wire, black Hackle: Black (neck cape hackle) Wing: Elk hair, natural During this month, many tailwater streams will begin to have black caddis buzzing around on warmer days. These hatches often happen during the afternoons, and have great potential to force many fish to the surface to feed aggressively. The black caddis hatch is a very fun hatch to fish due to the larger size of bugs that usually come off. Most days a #14 or 16 will do the trick on many tailwaters, making it much easier to spot your fly on the water. Make sure to have plenty of black caddis in your box this month, because you are definitely going to be seeing them. Contact Jake Darling at jake@unicoioutfitters.com.
KICKING FISH TAIL WITH CAPT. JUDY
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By Capt. Judy Helmey
Bill Hunter, his son Dallas and Dallas’ grandfather Al Hunter raced the rain back to dock after a good trip with Capt. Matt Williams.
t had been dry in coastal Georgia until then that line of storms we had been watching last month, when the rains came. This was now upon us. We all rushed up from the winter’s unseasonably warm, yet wet, dock and the Hunter fishing team got in the weather didn’t do anything to hurt the car with a bag of fish fillets. Off they went to fishing. find another adventure! Capt. Matt Williams of Miss Judy Inshore, we are still catching the Savannah Charters took Bill Hunter, his son Dallas, slam, which is redfish, spotted sea trout, and and his father Al out and they had a great flounder. We are also catching sheepshead, time. It wasn’t the perfect weather day, black drum and a few whiting. The best bait either. Early in the morning, we were all for all these fish is live shrimp, but if you can trying to decide whether or not Capt. Matt get them, mud minnows will work. For those should leave the dock. The winds were fish that prefer to eat something wrapped in a howling and there was a strong line of shell, purple-back fiddlers are going to be your showers moving in from the northwest. best bait. As soon as I talked to Bill, he decided to The artificial reefs are offering short boat go. It does seem that every time Bill leaves rides to big fish. They continue to amaze me the dock the winds are howling. It is his for sure! There is plenty of catching to be signature weather event. had if you just keep looking. We are catching Here’s how it went: After departing sheepshead, black drum, flounder, black sea with Capt. Matt, they searched for the bass, ocean perch, triggerfish and trophy perfect spot, which was somewhere out redfish as well as other bottom biters. The best of the wind. Capt. Matt found it and they bait to use on the bottom is squid. I have never caught quite a few fish, with young Dallas met a fish that didn’t like this stuff. I guess you catching the biggest redfish. I was watching could call it the universal bait of all times. the weather from the house and Matt was keeping an eye to the sky. After taking a Miss Judy Charters has been operating quick look at the radar on their phones, it out of Savannah since 1956. See their website was time to make a run to the dock, where at www.missjudycharters.com and be sure to I met them and took a few photos while check out the Inshore School dates. Capt. Matt hurriedly cleaned the fish. To learn more about Miss Judy and the History of Georgia Fisheries, go to As he was finishing up, we all felt drops of rain and
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WILD TROUT ON THE EAST FORK PIGEON RIVER, N.C. (An excerpt from Flyfisher’s Guide To North Carolina & Georgia) By Nick Carter
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t its top end, high in the Shining Rock Wilderness halfway between Brevard and Waynesville, N.C., the headwaters of the East Fork of the Pigeon River are about as pretty a place as I’ve ever been. I don’t know if she takes me seriously, but I told my wife I want my ashes scattered up a particularly beautiful and hard-toget-to tributary of the East Fork. I see it as a parting gift to my brothers, who will likely be tasked with the mission. Hopefully they’ll take their 3-weights and put the urn in the rear pouch of a fly vest. Tumbling from more than 5,500 feet of elevation from Black Balsam knob, Yellowstone Prong, the creek’s largest high tributary, and the East Fork itself offer close to 8 miles of wilderness trout fishing in some of the most picturesque gin-clear plunge pools and brawling pocket water anywhere. Along with East Fork tributaries, there are untold miles of water worth exploring for native brook trout on the river’s upper end, which is accessed by relatively short hikes from several locations off the Blue Ridge Parkway. A word of warning, though: these flows are steep… you-might-need-a-rope steep, and it’s a long way to help if one were to get into trouble up these prongs. Even those in relatively good physical shape will find fishing these waters to be grueling. On the lower end of its publicly accessible waters, the East Fork is flatter and much larger than it is in the brook trout waters above. The terrain is not nearly as treacherous, and with the influx of multiple
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tributaries, it has become a small river by the time it crosses off the eastern edge of the Shining Rock Wilderness Area. A trail gives the only viable access to several miles of river before it begins to parallel the Blue Ridge Parkway. This stream appears to receive surprisingly light fishing pressure. There are a lot of backpackers and waterfall watchers who use the area extensively, but I guess most anglers don’t typically go this far into the woods to catch small trout. Although the majority of the rainbows and browns you’ll catch on dries and droppers in the pocket water will range from 6 to 10 inches, there are some bruisers hanging out in the deeper holes. These deep holes are plentiful, but the bigger fish are notoriously hard to fool. Take a few minutes to stop and watch one of the large plunge pools on the river just upstream of the trailhead. In clear water, you’ll see the smaller fish first, feeding high in the water column. Look a little longer and deeper, and fish 14 to 16 inches or longer will make themselves visible hanging near the bottom. Flyfisher’s Guide To North Carolina & Georgia is 218 pages of extensively researched information on the area’s best trout fishing. It includes more than 40 full-color maps, photos, driving directions, GPS coordinates and tips and tactics. It is available on wildadvpress.com, Amazon and at fly shops, and signed copies are available by contacting the author at nsc8957@gmail.com.
SWEET STICKS:
RODS FOR KAYAK FISHING By Paul Lebowitz
I
n nearly 20 years of kayak fishing, I’ve seen the boats radically change. These days they are purpose-built for angling, and much more stable and forgiving. On the other hand, the thinking on what makes a good kayak rod has scarcely evolved. There’s been little need. For most applications, off-the-shelf gear made for the general fishing market works fine. A standard bass or flats quiver will suit you well whether you’re fishing from a ’yak, a powerboat or the shore, although the adjustable butt of Manley Rods’ offerings is a nice feature. It’s only when you get to big game that the need for specialized kayak sticks is magnified. Let’s cover the big exception: the rod tip. When landing a fish from a kayak, you’d do well to have some glass for shock absorption. High-sticking is almost inevitable. Most big game kayak anglers fight their fish while sitting. An intermediate length butt is an advantage, something on the order of 12 to 13 inches, about 2 to 4 inches shorter than normal. That’s just right for tucking into your belly while seated. A strong backbone is a plus for easier fish management, particularly when the battle is in its closing stages. Rod length is a matter of preference. It’s nice to have enough reach to get the tip around the bow, but it isn’t strictly necessary. If you’re hooked up and you point your rod tip at the bow, the fish will pull the kayak around to face it.
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UNDER THE SEA
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SHERI DAYE
peargun selection is one of the most hotly debated topics on spearfishing forums. Fortunately, there are many great brands nowadays – such as Wong, AB Biller, Riffe, Hammerhead, Cressi, SEAC, Mares, Rob Allen, Koah, Mako, JBL and more. Over the last century, spearfishing equipment has evolved from very simple muscle-powered slings and polespears, made with wood and rubber bands, to the modern-day spearguns equipped with a trigger mechanism and more exotic materials. Interestingly, slings and polespear are making a comeback—but that’s a topic for another month—so let’s concentrate on how to select a modern-day speargun. If you walk into your local dive shop, you will notice there are two main categories of band-powered spearguns: the American style, usually recognized by the wood stock, and the Eurogun, which has a tubular shaped barrel and a rear handle. The Eurogun originated in Europe where most spearfishing is freedive-only, fairly deep, and for small, easily spooked fish. Hence these spearguns have a low-profile, streamlined design and thinner shafts. If you are diving in similar conditions, the Eurogun style might be for you. On the other hand, if you want a sturdy, durable and easy-to-load gun that will handle bigger fish, you might lean toward the American/wood-style gun. This is also the style used for big powerful tuna guns, because they can be ballasted and accommodate up to six bands. There’s also a hybrid design, which incorporates the best elements of both with wood stock in the back and a carbon fiber tube in the front. Once you’ve chosen between styles, the next question is length. Most Eurogun sizes are 90 to 160 centimeters, and most American guns are between 36 and 65 inches. So, with the conversion from centimeters to inches, they have pretty much the same length range. If you are diving in low visibility or hunting in rocks like they have in California or Rhode Island, you would choose a shorter gun. If you are hunting spooky fish in clear waters like mutton snappers in Florida, you would opt for a longer gun. If you are just getting started and expect to dive in variable visibility, 130 centimeters or 50 inches would be a good medium length for an all-around reef gun.
Sheri Daye hunts with a Wong Hybrid Speargun. Photo by Joe Marino.
Here are some additional tips: 1) Join a local spearfishing club and learn from the more experienced people. Observe what equipment they use and ask for advice. 22) Shop at a dive store that caters to spearfishing. They carry more choices and have experienced personnel to help you choose. These include Austin’s in Miami; Florida Freedivers in Palm Beach; James & Josephs in San Diego, Calif.; Freedive Shop in Sacramento, Calif. and more. 3) Check out the custom-gun builders. There are some high-quality builders who will work with you directly, give you advice, and design it to your specs—such as Wong Spearguns from Hawaii or Sea Sniper from California. Most importantly, you should pick a style that suits you and the conditions you dive in. Chances are you will get hooked and add more spearguns to your arsenal in the future! Follow “Sheri Daye” & “The Blue Wild Ocean Adventure Expo” April 22-23, 2017 – Ft. Lauderdale - Instagram and Facebook.
For more Sheri Daye, go to
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TIPS FROM A PRO
FRESHWATER THE REBIRTH OF 8- TO 10FOOT BASS RODS BRANDON LESTER
E
ver since I can remember, there has been a rule in B.A.S.S. tournaments barring the use of rods longer than 8 feet. To my knowledge, it is because Dee Thomas and other Californians were using 10-foot and longer rods for “flipping” when the technique was first invented. Evidently the powersthat-be back then didn’t like this new way of fishing, so they banned the use of long rods. At the conclusion of 2016, B.A.S.S. decided to change this rule and allow us to use any rod up to 10 feet in length. Bass fishing has evolved
they fight. The extra rod length will help keep the line tight during the fight, giving the fish less opportunity to escape. For the small wooden crankbaits, the longer rod gives control over how deep the bait dives. Hold the rod tip up, and the bait dives shallower. Stick a couple feet of the blank in the water, and it runs deeper. Add longer casting distance and you will be hitting depths never before achieved with some baits. A longer rod will also be beneficial for flipping and pitching. We all know what
tremendously in the past several years, and there is no doubt this rule change will be another big breakthrough. Will long rods become the norm in everyone’s boat? I don’t think so, but I believe these rods will have a time and place in bass fishing. I have been busy building and testing a few of these longer rods with the guys at Mud Hole Custom Tackle. We’ve made encouraging findings. The first long rod I built is a 8’6” medium power spinning rod. I wanted a rod to cast small, wooden crankbaits on light line for more distance. I also wanted this rod to act as a drop shot rod for open-water smallmouth fishing. Although I don’t see myself using this rod all the time for drop shotting, imagine a scenario where you are casting a drop shot in current and need that extra length to control the way the line drifts. Also, anyone who has ever fought a river smallmouth knows how hard
happens when we set the hook on a 12-inch bass with a 7’6” rod, well imagine what will happen when you set the hook on one with a 9-foot flipping stick. We’ll be jerking 3-pounders out of the thickest cover! When that 10-pounder bites, she might not be the one that got away anymore. There might be cases where a long flipping rod is more efficient, as well. The technique of flipping, as it was done originally, by stripping line through the guides and never using the reel, will probably come back to light because we can now use a rod long enough put a bait where it needs to go. I will be building a long flipping stick before the elite series heads to Lake Okeechobee. What better place to try it out than the land of the giants? Keep tabs on 8-foot-plus rod building by visiting www. MudHole.com, and hit me up on Facebook with any questions.
Get more tips from Lester at
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I am often asked when is the best time to plant fruiting plants. My answer is usually the same; the best time is 20 years ago or today. The second best time to plant is during the winter months. Plants are dormant, and can be easily shipped and planted with no stress on the plant because there is not a lot of maintenance once the plant or tree has been planted. Simply dig a good hole, water thoroughly
at planting, and take the rest of the winter off. Even though there are no signs of growth above ground, the root systems will have time to get adjusted to their new location and begin to initiate new root growth. There are plenty of advantages of growing your own edibles. First of all, you know what has been done over the course of the growing season from a chemical stand point. Second, the fruit just taste
better coming out of your home orchard versus buying fruit from the grocers that have little to no flavors. Thirdly, it is good for your soul and you will feel more connected to the environment and nature. Whether it is an apple tree, muscadine vine or a blueberry bush; now is the time to plant. Let’s Grow Together. Greg Ison, Ison’s Nursery and Vineyards, 800733-0324, www.isons.com
“ I had the chance to test the new Bossman TailSpotter and I must say I was very impressed. I’ve run a lot of boats in my career and this boat is as good if not better than anything I’ve driven.” Capt. Mike Hakala, Aqua Dream Lures
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ackle geeks have climbed high rungs of reel optimization for decades. Their basic game remains the same today: super-tune fishing reels by adding premium components and applying best cleaning and maintenance practices. But better materials and technology have elevated expectations of what fishing reels can be made to do. Russ Lane, who has earned six appearances in the Bassmaster Classic, took his habitual tackle tinkering to high-tech heights several seasons back. Lane today replaces standard reel parts with premium components that extend reel life and enable spools to spin at dazzling RPMs. What’s the fisherman’s takeaway after these reel transformations? The clearest advantages are longer casting distances, better control, heightened casting accuracy, and improved feel and sensitivity. Some premium reel components—strikingly colorful multi-textured reel knobs and anodized star drags and cast control caps, for example—can practically turn reels into showpieces, too. “Fishermen can’t believe what custom components can add to a reel’s capability,” said Noah Arroyo, owner of Off the Hook Reels. “And some fishermen are just as attracted to the unique colors and finishes you can bring to a reel and the rich look of premium parts.” Consider replacing standard reel parts with these upgrades: • Ceramic bearings – Ceramic bearings or ceramic hybrid bearings (the latter feature ceramic balls in a stainless steel or plastic cage) can elevate reel performance dramatically. Ceramic bearings can range up to 60 percent lighter than stainless steel bearings. They generate less heat and lower vibration levels, too, reducing friction as the spool revolves. Spool RPMs may climb dramatically, extending casting distance and improving accuracy by reducing the effort required to execute a cast. They also possess five times the life expectancy of stainless steel bearings. The one downside is that they produce a very audible hum, a turn-off to some anglers. HawgTech promotes its ABEC-7 hybrid bearings in nylon cages as allowing “a more free spinning bearing that also runs quieter.” • Carbon Fiber Reel Handles – Lightweight carbon fiber reel arms are
the most common reel upgrade. The difference in weight and sensitivity from conventional reel handles is discernible. They also give a sleek, skeletal look to the reel. • Winn Reel Knobs – Reel knobs made from Winn’s patented WinnDry polymer deliver the same all-weather “tacky” feel and security that Winn grips bring to fishing rods. “The Winn knobs available from HawgTech are so good, your grip never slips even when hands are wet or coated with fish slime,” said Arroyo. Two of Lew’s Best of Show awards at ICAST 2016 featured fishing reels with Winn reel knobs. HawgTech offers these knobs in several bold colors. • Anodized Aluminum Star Drags, Cast Control Caps – Colorful anodized aluminum can give a reel an “auto show” glow. You can go with matching or complementary color options for star drag controls, cast control caps and related parts. Maintenance steps: Of course, flashy parts alone won’t optimize reel performance. Make sure the internal workings of your reel are flawlessly cleaned and lubricated, too. “You have to optimize everything when you super-tune. Polish and clean ends and shafts and pinion gears,” said Arroyo. “When you do and then add your ceramic bearings and premium parts, you really end up with a great piece of machinery.”
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TAUTEN LINEWELDER Sick of having to learn and tie complex knots? The Tauten LineWelder creates a weld that is actually stronger than any knot. The device creates a “sleeve” of thermoplastic polymer around both ends of a looped line, holding the loop in place without bending or weakening the line. Knots weaken the line, and most lines’ strengths are rated with a knot, so using a Tauten LineWelder in place of tying a knot lets you get a connection that’s stronger than the advertised strength of most lines! The process is quick, easy, consistent and doesn’t require you to tie complicated knots. It’s perfect for new fishermen or veteran anglers who don’t want to bother with finicky knot tying. Just loop the line in the device, pull it taut and push the button to create a weld. This device can help fishermen who don’t want to tie complicated knots by removing the need entirely and allowing anglers to focus on the sport they love. The LineWelder works best on 10- to 12-pound-test monofilament nylon and fluorocarbon lines and 10- to 50-pound-test braided lines. Using an experimental technique, it can even join braided lines with monofilament nylon or fluorocarbon leaders to eliminate the need for a swivel. Accessories to weld a wider variety of lines are currently in development and will be available in the future. Visit tauten.com for more information and to see videos of the LineWelder in action. The Tauten customer service staff is always eager to answer any questions, so don’t hesitate to contact them.
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DEXTER UR-CUT FILLET KNIFE Dexter UR-Cut Fillet knives are the only fillet knives that allow you to custom mold the handle to your hand. UR-Cut provides the ultimate in comfort and control and is virtually non-slip in your hand. It’s simple and takes only minutes to customize UR-Cut to fit your hand. First, grip the handle and determine your grip position, paying attention to your thumb position. Dip and completely submerge the handle in boiling water for 2 minutes. Make sure the pot is deep enough so the handle does not contact the bottom or the sides of the pot. Then dip in cold water for 1 second, grip, squeeze, and hold the handle for 10 seconds. Dip back in cold water for 10 seconds and let cool. You now have a custom fillet knife, molded to fit your hand. Just like other Dexter knives, UR-Cut features the same legendary DEXTSTEEL blade, with super-sharp edges that are easy to re-sharpen and have just-right flexibility. UR-Cut fillet knives are made in the U.S.A. and are available in 6”, 7” and 8” lengths. Available at your local and online retailer. For more information and to view all Dexter fishing knives visit dexteroutdoors.com.
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FISH & FISHING
A DIFFERENT APPROACH MARK SOSIN
A
small sign on the corner of my attorney’s desk warns his clients to “Assume Nothing.” That caveat is just as valid on the water as it is in the practice of law. If an angler does not start catching fish within minutes of arriving at a spot, he begins to assume that his quarry must be elsewhere. The assumption, of course, is that he has chosen the right bait or lure and presented it in a natural and appealing manner to a fish that is ready to eat. A fish’s behavioral patterns, honed over eons, follow very specific guidelines with few deviations. Anything that differs from the norm instinctively alerts a fish that something may be amiss and it thinks of its own safety first. Regardless of size, a predator does not expect to be charged or attacked by its prey no matter how small the prey is in relation to the predator. That’s why a 3-inch fly made of feathers can spook a 100-pound fish. And remember that fish do not feed constantly for a variety of reasons. Most species use tidal currents, water flow, or the neck of a funnel to their advantage as they search for food. They either hold facing the current, swim against the flow, or work across it. Whenever you present a bait or lure, it should be upcurrent from where you expect the fish to be so that your offering appears to go with the flow. That tenet even applies when you are casting to a cruising fish. The more natural the presentation, the better the chance of a strike. Your quarry automatically measures energy tradeoff. The idea is to exploit each situation so they will expend the least amount of energy for the value received. That translates into the fact that they frequently refuse to chase a bait or lure very far before turning away. An ambush feeder merely wants to dart out, grab its prey and return to its lair. Bottom denizens follow a similar practice. If your offering isn’t close to the sea floor, it’s difficult to get them to swim toward the surface to get it. Successful bottom bouncing starts upcurrent and allows the bait to drag along in the productive zone. Once it sweeps above the quarry, the potential for getting a strike diminishes rapidly. Water temperature enters the energy tradeoff equation. In cold or even cool water, fish react sluggishly because the water temperature slows down their metabolism. It might even force them out of their usual lair in search of warmer water. In those situations, choose baits or lures that are easy for a fish to catch and slow down the retrieve or the trolling speed. And remember, in cooler water it takes fish longer to digest food so they feed less frequently. Those who catch fish consistently study and comprehend the basics of feeding strategy. You can be sure that the behavioral patterns of each species are not about to change. That puts the onus on you to modify your tactics until you uncover the combination that works. Before you abandon a spot because you think it doesn’t hold fish, make sure you have explored the full gamut of options. If you do make any assumptions, convince yourself that a fish is looking at your bait or lure right now. The results might surprise you.
For More Mark Sosin Visit
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NEW INTERLUX MICRON WA BOAT PAINT Micron WA (Water-Activated) is the newest addition to the AkzoNobel’s Interlux industry leading Micron Technology product range. It is a showcase antifouling paint that offers long-lasting, multi-seasonal protection in a water-based formulation. Micron WA combines powerful antifouling performance while reducing impact on the environment, leaving a smooth, clean hull. This paint is ideal for cruise, power and sailboats and suitable for all waters. Using a novel paint technology called Water Activated Matrix, Micron WA delivers a crisp, vibrant color and uniform appearance to provide a striking, attractive finish, while at the same time efficiently releasing the active ingredients to deliver powerful antifouling performance. More information is available at: www.yachtpaint.com/usa/diy/ products/antifouling/micron-wa.aspx
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11999 $179
comp at
LIMIT 3 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 6/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
700+ Stores Nationwide
SUPER COUPON
SUPER COUPON
SAVE 66%
$599 $899
Customer Rating
$
comp at
LIMIT 4 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 6/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
Customer Rating
ITEM 63056/63057/60405/63094 63150/61524/62322/90984 shown
$205.75
SUPER COUPON
$
SAVE 77%
$6999
10" SLIDING COMPOUND 72" x 80" MOVING BLANKET MITER SAW ITEM 69505/62418/66537 shown SAVE ITEM 61971 61972 98199 shown
SUPER COUPON 4 PIECE 1" x 15 FT. RATCHETING TIE DOWNS
SUPER COUPON
SUPER COUPON
comp at
LIMIT 4 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 6/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
LIMIT 1 - Cannot be used with other discount, coupon or prior purchase. Coupon good at our stores, HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Offer good while supplies last. Shipping & Handling charges may apply if not picked up in-store. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 6/1/17. Limit one FREE GIFT coupon per customer per day.
SUPER COUPON
SUPER COUPON
Customer Rating
VALUE
LIMIT 5 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 6/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
comp at
ITEM 63100
4
$ 97
SUPER COUPON
SUPER COUPON
12 VOLT MAGNETIC TOWING LIGHT KIT
SAVE 71%
ANY PURCHASE 3-1/2" SUPER BRIGHT NINE LED ALUMINUM FLASHLIGHT
WITH
ITEM 69111 62522/62573 69052 shown
Limit 1 coupon per customer per day. Save 20% on any 1 item purchased. *Cannot be used with other discount, coupon or any of the following items or brands: Inside Track Club membership, Extended Service Plan, gift card, open box item, 3 day Parking Lot Sale item, compressors, floor jacks, saw mills, storage cabinets, chests or carts, trailers, trenchers, welders, Admiral, Bauer, CoverPro, Daytona, Earthquake, Hercules, Jupiter, Lynxx, Poulan, Predator, StormCat, Tailgator, Viking, Vulcan. Not valid on prior purchases. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 6/1/17.
SUPER COUPON Customer Rating
FREE
ANY SINGLE ITEM
LIMIT 4 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 6/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
1/2" ELECTRIC IMPACT WRENCH
SUPER COUPON
SUPER COUPON
Customer Rating
$8499
LIMIT 7 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 6/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
comp at
$34.95
SUPER COUPON Customer Rating Weighs 73 lbs.
185 99 $
20"
94 $269.99
comp at
reight.com or by calling our stores or HarborF t or coupon or prior LIMIT 5 - Good at used with other discoun with original receipt. 800-423-2567. Cannot be from original purchase be purchases after 30 dayss last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must day. Offer good while supplie 6/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per presented. Valid through
• HarborFreight.com • 800-423-2567
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
11
® RAPID PUMP 3 TON LOW PROFILE HEAVY DUTY STEEL • FLOOR JACK SAVE
SUPER COUPON
comp at
99 $7 99
LIMIT 7 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 6/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
ITEM 61282 shown $ 61253/62326
$17.97
SUPER COUPON
At Harbor Freight Tools, the “comp at” price means that the same item or a similar functioning item was advertised for sale at or above the "comp at" price by another retailer in the U.S. within the past 180 days. Prices advertised by others may vary by location. No other meaning of "comp at" should be implied. For more information, go to HarborFreight.com or see store associate.
FEBRUARY 2017
NATIONAL
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1/17/17 12:54 PM 1/10/17 5:21 PM
34
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FEBRUARY 2017
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
1/17/17 12:54 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,
COMMON CVRS_0217.indd 3
and a smooth yet powerful Dura Drag System. The Slammer is not only back…. it’s better than ever before.
1/16/17 3:39 PM
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1/16/17 3:39 PM