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Heads Of Cold Steel Winter Steelheading In Upstate New York By Frank Geremski -The Angler Magazine of Upstate NY publisher
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inter steelhead fishing can be chilling, but once you hook into a 10-pound, lightning-fast bolt of silver, your blood will be boiling. The speed and explosion are what lures steelheaders to expose themselves to harsh Great Lakes winters. And there’s more. On Upstate New York’s Salmon River, there are plenty of beautiful, large, lake-run brown trout mixed in. Plus, today’s lightweight protective clothing provides comfort between strikes. The Salmon River in Oswego County, N.Y. (www.visitoswegocounty.com) offers consistent steelhead fishing during the late fall, winter and spring. In fact, the river has runs of trout and salmon from Lake Ontario all year long. With many quality tributaries along its length and a hatchery, this highquality wilderness river once was home to a legendary Atlantic salmon run. Rebounding populations of Atlantics still exist due to restoration projects, but Pacific salmon dominate the scene in late summer and fall. Huge chinook salmon, some heavier than 30 pounds, and coho salmon run up 14 miles of prime spawning and fishing waters each fall. A good number of steelhead (rainbow trout) follow the salmon to feed on the eggs dropped during this legendary fall salmon run. The steelhead feed aggressively during the salmon run, and they remain in this beautiful blue-ribbon river all winter, providing more than six months of explosive action. Winter thaws and early spring rains invite the remaining Lake Ontario steelhead to spawn and join their riverwintering kin. It’s a truly dynamic trophy trout experience. The Salmon River holds big fish. Ten-pound steelhead are commonplace. Fish in the teens are a definite possibility, and persistent steelheaders get chances every year on specimens in the 20-pound range. When salmon first enter the Salmon River in September and October, steelhead and lake-run brown trout mix in with pacific salmon making their spawning run. Both trout species feed on salmon eggs, and just when the salmon die off, the brown trout begin to spawn. Their eggs supplement the steelheads’ diet. Large numbers of giant trout and steelhead winter in the river, with additional fish running up from Lake Ontario all winter and early spring. When they first enter the river, these brightly colored bullets aggressively strike offerings like egg sacks, bright Estaz flies or beads that imitate eggs. Midriver matriculation brings them past the village of Pulaski, where there are about 10 miles of mostly public fishing access to deep holes, runs, rapids and every kind of trout water. Several high-quality tributaries flow in along the way and provide excellent spawning grounds up to what’s considered the upper section of the river. Natural reproduction does occur, and New York state operates a large hatchery on the upper end of the Salmon River. Since the Salmon River is a tailwater, this upper section is fishable all winter and never ices up. With egg availability diminishing, the winter steelhead diet evolves to more nymphs and stoneflies. Fly fishing is effective yet challenging. This section of river is ideal for fighting and landing large fish, with catch and release encouraged. Many trophy steelhead in the teens are photographed for replica mounts, and brown trout in the 5- to 10-pound range are caught regularly, with fish in the teens a possibility. 8
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The Salmon River has a reputation for tight quarters during the peak of the salmon run. Crowds diminish during winter steelhead season. Weekdays bring even less competition. Two very select permit-only resort properties are located on the two best sections of river offering managed access and exclusive riverside lodging. On the upper river, The Tailwater Lodge in Altmar, N.Y. has private southside access to Schoolhouse Pool and the runs and holes above and below. This is the prime wintering spot for a large percentage of steelhead and the best access for ice-free angling. The Tailwater is an Orvis-endorsed lodge, which includes an on-site fly shop, “The Woodshed.” Zero Limit Adventures Guide Service, also Orvis endorsed, has a collaborative relationship with Tailwater Lodge and provides outstanding guidance to this section and the entire Salmon River. They’ll get you dialed into current river conditions and what the fish are feeding on. The Tailwater Lodge’s opulent accommodations coupled with their location on the river and exclusive access make it the Mecca for Salmon River steelheading. This large section of river provides various speeds of current and holding water with ice-free conditions all winter. Tactics for hooking these giants include fly fishing, spinning, float fishing and center-pin techniques. The Angler Magazine highly recommends booking an experienced licensed guide on your first day to instruct you on equipment, fly or bait selection and technique. Allow Tailwater Lodge (www.tailwaterlodge.com) and Zero Limit Adventures (www. zerolimitadventures.com) ease the entry into this elite pursuit. Douglaston Salmon Run (DSR) manages more than 2 1/2 miles of exclusive access in the lower end of the Salmon River where steelhead first enter from Lake Ontario. Early steelhead action can be fast and furious. Winter access is dependent on weather conditions, as the middle and lower sections of the Salmon River get slushy or iced over during mid-winter cold speels. DSR (www. douglastonsalmonrun.com) publishes an accurate and honest daily report that functions as a great information source for river conditions and fish movement. The highly challenging adventure of hooking and battling your first 10-pound-plus Great Lakes steelhead will certainly not be your last. This divine experience will put you in a league of sportsmen who are the only ones to understand this trophy steelhead quest. It’s a feeling like the adrenaline rush of your first buck or sailfish. This heart-pounding adventure on a beautiful river will provide a memory that can be yours forever. To check out the “Men of Steel” video, go to
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12/15/16 3:09 PM
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Editor’s Note: Each month, Coastal Angler Magazine and The Angler Magazine staff search our vast coverage area for photos that will grace our covers. With well over a million readers in diverse coastal and inland markets, our magazines strive for broad national appeal as well as local-level intelligence to put anglers on fish. The cover is different depending on which edition you, the reader, are holding. The following is a little information about this month’s covers.
COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE Houma, Louisiana
FREE
The big black drum on the cover of Coastal Angler’s January editions was caught by Banging The Drums Of Jacki Shae, whose south Florida upbringing Houma, La. taught her a love of fishing from an early age. Winter Chrome In On a recent ladies-only fishing trip to the Upstate N.Y. marshes around Houma, Louisiana, Jacki learned a newfound respect for black drum. Local This often overlooked cousin to the everpopular red drum might not be much on looks, but it puts up a heck of a fight and grows even larger than the big bull reds prized by so many anglers. Rumor has it the fish on the cover was caught with one of those kids’ Barbie rods spooled with 30-pound test. With tutelage from their guide Brittney Novalsky, the ladies also did battle with some of the big redfish Louisiana is famous for. Four young women staying on a houseboat and hauling big fish from the Louisiana mud… what more could anyone ask for from a fishing expedition?
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The covers of this month’s editions of The Angler feature a beautiful chrome steelhead Winter Chrome In caught by Zero Limit Adventures Guide Rob Upstate N.Y. Reynolds. The photo was taken by Zero Limit Banging The Drums Of Adventures Guide Matthew DeRosa. The fish was caught on the Salmon River in Oswego County, New York. To learn more Local about this fantastic fishery view this month’s article “Heads of Cold Steel” by The Angler Magazine Upstate New York publisher Frank Geremski. Zero Limit’s diverse team of guides offer tailored trips of a lifetime and expertly fish many tributaries of central and western New York. They can be reached by e-mail via mderosa@zerolimitadventures.com by phone at 585-766-2421, or view their website at www.zerolimitadventures.com. Zero Limit has a collaborative relationship with the opulent Tailwater Lodge www.TailwaterLodge.com in Oswego County. Tailwater Lodge offers exclusive access and wonderful accommodations on the banks of the Salmon River, home of legendary trophy salmon, steelhead and brown trout runs from Lake Ontario. Call Tailwater Lodge for availability and reservations at 315-298-3434. To learn more about Lake Ontario, the Salmon River and Oswego County fishing go to www. visitoswegocounty.com or call 1-800-248-4FUN. Houma, La.
Fishing Reports Catch Photos News & Events
PHOTO COURTESY OF ZERO LIMIT ADVENTURES GUIDE MATTHEW DEROSA VOLUME 22 • ISSUE 264
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LADIES DRUM UP ACTION IN THE LOUISIANA MARSH By Jacki Shea
I
find myself staying in the strangest places when I go on fishing adventures. But as long as it involves fishing, sleeping on a couch or on the ground really doesn’t matter. On this particular trip, my friends and I found ourselves in a small houseboat on a river in the Louisiana marshes west of New Orleans. It was tiny, there was only one bathroom (picture four girls trying to use one bathroom), and the bed sheets smelled like a man after a long day of fishing. You might be wondering what brought us to such a place, and I will give you two very good reasons: redfish and black drum. Enormous specimens of these two drum species come into the marsh each fall and winter, 20 to 30 pounds to be more specific. If you plan on making the trip to Louisiana to do some inshore fishing, it is not necessary to stay on a houseboat; however, I highly recommend it. When
you wake up each morning, you are on the water ready to fish with your boat tied up next to you. Of the drum family, redfish seem to be the most popular inshore species. Redfish are always a great fight, especially the big bulls. But many anglers seem to overlook black drum, which are sometimes referred to as a “mud donkeys.” It is not an attractive fish, nor is it great for eating; therefore, it is not commonly targeted. This fish does, however, grow the largest of the drum species, and it fights with the same action and power as a bull red. Now that I’ve caught a few, I believe black drum can look very pretty once the Louisiana sun hits those scales just right. Redfish and black drum are thick in the Louisiana marshes all year, but the season for the monsters runs from September to January, when big fish move from offshore into the marsh following migrating baitfish. When the baitfish show up inshore, the big fish won’t be far behind. For bait you can use live or artificial depending on whether you are trying to sight fish or just toss a line out and wait. On our trip, we used a standard knocker rig, with an egg sinker and a hook, and sank split live blue crabs and shrimp to the bottom and waited. The fishing is quite simple when you know where the fish are, although a guide is recommended for those unfamiliar with the waters because it’s easy to get lost in the marsh. Keep an eye out for cold fronts. The cold fronts clean up the water and bring the fish closer to the surface, which makes for perfect sight fishing. The fish also enjoy the cooler inshore water, so they will be more abundant and active. Check out Jacki’s YouTube channel Jacki Shea Fishing for videos of her fishing adventures. Her guide for the Louisiana trip was Brittney Novalsky who can be contacted through www.fishingadventureswithbrittney.com. For more fishing with Jacki Shea, go to
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By Tom Karrow Researcher Tom Karrow assessing fishery health in Abaco with a Bahamian angling guide from the Delphi Club. Photo by Andrew O’Neill
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hen I first started fly fishing in the 80s, the sport was not nearly as popular as it is today. Shops carrying fly tackle were sparse, people with knowledge of the sport were few and far between and getting lessons was nearly impossible. When I think back to those days, recalling the number of flies I lost in trees, the frequent tangles I developed and the shear lack of fish I caught, it is a wonder that I kept with it. Indeed, if it were not for the fly tying component of the sport, I might well have thrown in the towel. I love fly tying; being able to create something to fool fish with is a marvelous achievement. In contrast to my early fly fishing days, today there is a seeming abundance of information on the sport, from equipment, to angling destinations; everyone seems to have some insights. On top of this has been the advent of the Internet, a treasure trove of information and misinformation. The fact of the matter is, fly fishing is not nearly as complicated as it may seem. It is simply a form of fishing that allows for lightweight or nearly weightless “lures” to be used, which without the added weight in the line could not be presented to a fish. In some cases, fly fishing is a far superior method for fooling fish and in others, deep waters for example, far more challenging. When it comes to heavily pressured or sensitive fish, especially those inhabiting shallow inshore waters, I would argue fly fishing can often out-produce other techniques. Being able to imperceptibly drop a fly in front of fish when they are used to loud splashes from heavy lures or live baits can often result in fooled fish. Fly fishing is sometimes called an art, perhaps because of the apparent delicateness of the cast, the manner in which the line travels out over the water, or because many incorrectly, consider it hard. So let me correct this fallacy. Fly fishing is not hard, it does not need to be complicated and it can be very easily learned. If you really want to learn to fly fish, I would suggest a trip to the Bahamas. The weather is beautiful, the waters are stunning, and the people, culture and food are marvelous. The chance of catching fish is very high, as the guides are great instructors and a week’s worth of fly fishing immersion would provide incredible advancement in understanding and skill level. Throughout my travels in the Bahamas, I have met many wonderful guides and visited many top-notch facilities. To highlight one Bahamian guide or lodge is simply impossible. However, when it comes to learning the sport, be honest. When booking a trip to a lodge, perhaps directly or through a travel company like Yellow Dog Fly Fishing or Frontiers International, tell them what you want. Tell them you are a beginner. Tell them you want to learn. Through this strategy, those in the know will put you with facilities and personnel best suited to an instructional 12
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Great equipment meets great Bahamian culture. Photo by Tom Karrow
environment. You want a location that offers everything, lodging and food of course but also equipment, casting lessons, fly tying lessons, safety instruction along with patient and professional guides. One common thread that has become apparent through my research in the Bahamas is the respect that Bahamians have for travelers, specifically bonefish anglers. Bahamians openly welcome tourists, recognizing the importance that bonefishing has on local Family Island communities. Bonefishing on some Bahamian islands provides employment for up to 80 percent of the local population. With that level of economic importance, industry professionalism is critical along with healthy fisheries. In the Bahamas you will find both a high degree of angling knowledge and amazing fisheries. The Bahamas are certainly an excellent place to consider taking a trip and a phenomenal place to learn to fly fish. What I find most attractive about the Bahamas is the shear diversity available. With more than 700 islands, there is something for everyone. And for anglers, old and new, there are always new opportunities to learn from. Tom Karrow is a sustainable tourism scholar from the University of Waterloo. His research focuses on the Bahamian bonefishing industry, centered on the guides and their knowledge, stories and experiences. For more on his research see: http://tomkarrow.wixsite.com/bahamasguide-tek, and follow Coastal Angler Magazine for updates and more. Tom Karrow can be reached at tkarrow@uwaterloo.ca or tomkarrow@ gmail.com. For more Bonefishing in the Bahamas, go to
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no weight reduction had gone into the components above the handle. The guides were large and weighty. As a result, the rod was annoyingly front-heavy, even when I mounted two of the spinning reels I had tabbed for the task. Lost balance led to lost feel and sense of control over my bait. It took an oversized reel to bring anything resembling “balance” to this rod, and the resultant combo was still cumbersome. “It’s hard to get a rod perfectly balanced without knowing the reel a guy plans to put on it,” said Russ Lane, a Bassmaster Elite Series angler known for his talent for tackle tinkering. Lane wraps many of his rods with Winn Superior Rod Wrap (www.winngrips.com) to give them the same advantages of hand control and comfort that he gets with the Denali Attax rods and other rods in his arsenal already fitted with Winn grips. But at times there’s a secondary benefit to the wrap. “Sometimes adding the Winn rod wrap can add just enough weight to balance a rod,” noted Lane. He faced a formidable “weight-forward” balance challenge with the flipping/pitching rod he uses to punch matted vegetation with soft plastic lures and 1.5-ounce tungsten By Mike Pehanich weights. “I needed to add more weight to the handle,” Lane recalled. As usual, he covered the cork mid-grip of this 7-foot, 6-inch Denali Lithium Flipping Stick (Xtra Heavy) with the ightness” has been the dominant thrust of rod evolution for years. Lightweight guides, skeletal reel seats, split grips… these and other polymer overwrap. Before he added the wrap to the butt grip, however, he developments have served rod builders in their ongoing quest to added Storm SuspenStrips—adhesive-backed rectangles of soft lead that he reduce rod weight and, in turn, diminish fatigue and enhance angler comfort generally uses to add weight to his jerkbaits—to the tapered butt grip. “You can get the balance perfect by adding just enough lead tape over the and feel on the water. Oddly enough, radical downsizing of rod components sometimes produces butt grip before adding Winn overwrap on top of it,” explained Lane. “Balance the opposite of its intended effect if rod balance is significantly compromised makes a big difference when you are flipping those heavy tungsten weights in along the way or when heavier-than-usual lures or terminal tackle enter the heavy cover all day long.” picture. Several seasons ago, a rod manufacturer asked me to road test a new midFor a word from Lester on the benefits of Winn Grips, go to priced spinning rod the company was planning to bring to market. The design team had taken the split grip concept to an extreme, virtually eliminating the mid (rear) grip altogether and adding a very airy foam to the butt grip. However,
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Shown above: Chad Roberson, President of H2O Sports congratulates Danny Amador on his new boat.
hat’s a real mouthful of salutations, but the winner of Coastal Angler and The Angler Magazine’s Boat Giveaway contest is certainly deserving of all three. Danny Amador was drawn as the winner of the 15’10” Cape Craft boat with 75 hp Honda engine and a Coyote trailer. A massive fire at H20 Sports Manufacturing delayed much of their manufacturing, and Danny Amador had to wait until Dec. 9 to pick up his brand new Cape Craft vessel. That’s where the story gets really interesting. Dec. 9 is Danny’s birthday. Yep, and as all December birthday people know it’s always “Happy Birthday and Merry Christmas.” Coastal Angler Magazine would like to salute Danny Amador for his patience in receiving his boat. Unforeseen circumstances can sometimes alter even the best of transactions. Danny Amador’s patience and H20’s commitment to fulfilling the contest award represented the best of our industry. In addition to Danny’s boat, motor and trailer, Chad Roberson, H20 Sports Manufacturing’s President, insisted on
throwing in a free bimini top and invited Danny Amador to pick his favorite custom color for the boat. Good things are worth waiting for. Special thanks to Top Notch Marine in Fort H2O Staff and Danny Amador shown at H2O Sports headquarters. Pierce, Fla. for their assistance in titling this boat to our Florida winner. Once again to Danny Amador: “Congratulations, Happy Birthday and Merry Christmas!”
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lthough beautiful to look at, the invasive lionfish poses a severe threat to Atlantic and Gulf waters. They are known for having spines that can sting if not handled properly, but the meat is perfectly safe and delicious to eat. In other words, they are venomous but not poisonous. Lionfish is becoming increasingly common on restaurant menus and is even available at Whole Foods grocery stores. Connoisseurs often compare the quality to hogfish – a fine, delicate white meat. The scientific community concluded that home aquarists are to blame. Much like the python in the Everglades, it only took a few released invasive individuals to begin the breeding cycle. Since they are a new and strange looking species, native fish are not consuming lionfish. Yet lionfish are consuming juvenile native species at an alarming rate. Adding to the problem, they also breed at an amazing rate. Females reach sexual maturity at six months and release up to 30,000 eggs every five days. They now cover the east coast of the U.S., the entire Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic side of Central and South America, and can be found between 2 and 1,000 feet deep. The most effective way of hunting them, by far, is spearfishing. Since they have no natural predators, they are not wary which makes them easy to spear. Just handle the spines with care and you will be rewarded with a delicious meal while helping the environment! Lionfish hunting tips: 1. First, you must find them! Unfortunately, they are everywhere—look on reefs, wrecks, sometimes out in the open and often in ledges and holes. 2. Handle them carefully and do not to let the fins puncture your skin. If stung on the hand, remove any rings right away. The best treatment is heat, which breaks down the venom. Heat packs or hot water collected from the boat exhaust can be used. 3. Use the specially designed pole spears (such as Neritic) and use lionfish containers (such as the Zookeeper), which are puncture-proof. These specialty items can be found on the LionfishHunting.com website or your local dive shop.
4. Once back on the boat/shore, place lionfish into cooler and continue to handle with care. The protein-based venom is broken down by heat but preserved by cold. 5. Lionfish can be filleted just like any other fish. See LionfishHunting.com for a good set of instructions with photos on how to fillet. 6. Lionfish can be prepared like any other white-meat fish. Many recipes can be found online. For an impressive presentation, they can even be cooked whole as cooking neutralizes the venom. P. S. The Blue Wild Ocean Adventure Expo, which takes place April 2017 in Ft. Lauderdale, will have a Lionfish Pavilion featuring several exhibitors along with a cook-off event where several chefs will be showing off their best recipes and giving samples. Happy Hunting! Sheri Daye is a world-record holder, host of Speargun Hunter, and producer of “The Blue Wild Ocean Adventure Expo” in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Follow “Sheri Daye” and “The Blue Wild” on Facebook and Instagram.
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The event also features Port Salerno’s finest restaurants. For the fourth consecutive year, the festival was voted the “Best Local Event in Martin County” by TC Palm Newspaper’s readers. This year will see continued enhancement of the Fishermen’s Village and Market. Here you can learn about the history of Port Salerno and go home with some locally caught fish. The festival features three stages with some of the area’s top bands performing, and a new Kids Fun Zone. Advance tickets are just $7 on our website and Facebook page. These tickets will be available for purchase until January 20 or until supplies run out. Admission at the gate will be $10 for adults, children 12 and under are free. The festival will also provide complimentary transportation to and from the event via trolley or water taxi. A portion of the festival proceeds is distributed to local charities. For complete festival information go to the website www. PortSalernoSeafoodFestival.org or call 888612-4192.
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et in the mood for seafood! It’s time for the 11th Annual Port Salerno Seafood Festival. The fun begins The Port Salerno Seafood Festival Inc. is Saturday, Jan. 28 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. This local event a not-for-profit trade association dedicated boasts the best seafood that you will find at any festival, a great to preserving the heritage and integrity of the music line-up, arts, crafts and local business vendors, a Kids commercial fishing industry in Port Salerno. Fun Zone, mermaids, pirates and more. “There is a reason why the seafood is so delicious,” said Edward “Butch” Olsen, Jr., president of the Port Salerno To learn more about last years Port Salerno Festival, go to Commercial Fishing Dock Authority. “We serve the freshest seafood and locally caught fish when possible. The majority of our seafood is prepared by BluewaterSFC_half_pg_Feb2017 FOR PRINT.qxp_Layout the fishermen and their families. This is truly a family affair.” 1 12/7/16 11:18 AM Page 1
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s anglers, SCUBA divers and Florida beachgoers, using sustainable practices. we all have a stake in maintaining the health of One of the easiest ways to choose sustainable the natural areas that bring us so much joy. By seafood is to keep it local. Many restaurants and seafood integrating sustainable fishing and seafood practices markets throughout Florida feature the “Fresh from into our daily lives, we can ensure that local ecosystems Florida” designation. This endorsement by the Florida thrive for generations to come. Department of Agriculture guarantees foods and In fact, as an angler, you are probably already their ingredients are sourced from local suppliers and choosing your seafood in an eco-friendly way. Rod- producers, including seafood caught by local fishermen. and-reel fishing is one of the most environmentally Visit www.freshfromflorida.com for a list of restaurants beneficial ways to source our seafood. Staying within throughout the state that feature “Fresh from Florida” catch limits and taking home fish to feed your family food. lowers our dependence on commercial fishing. RodWhen local favorites aren’t available, or if you are and-reel catch practices facilitate natural fish stock new to the intricacies of sourcing sustainably caught replenishment, both inshore and on our reef systems. seafood, programs like the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Smaller, locally caught fish are also lower on the Seafood Watch can provide great guidance to help you food chain than their predators, like tuna, salmon and make informed choices. swordfish. Although popular on the dinner plate, larger Their straightforward system categorizes seafood predatory fish are more likely to accumulate toxins by location and ranks them into one of three groupings: within their systems. Catching fish puts you in direct “Avoid,” “Good Alternative” and “Best Choice.” The control over what reaches your dinner plate, ensuring Seafood Watch program comprehensively evaluates each you are able to make informed, healthy choices. fishery, so the same species may fall into two different The relatively recent introduction of biodegradable categories, based on how and where it was sourced. fishing line and the prevalence of monofilament Once you have the right tools, it is easy to choose recycling stations throughout local parks and piers sustainably caught seafood and improve your fishing are further increasing the long-term sustainability practices. Join Pura Vida Divers in January for a fun of fishing. Check out the Florida Fish and Wildlife social night and engaging presentation that will teach Conservation Commission’s Monofilament Recycling you the basics to sourcing seafood that’s best for your Program website to learn more about these important family and our planet. Visit the events page on our stations: www.mrrp.myfwc.com. website at www.puravidadivers.com for details, or call When species seasonality, weather conditions or us at 561-840-8750. the day-to-day bustle limits your ability to get out on the water and For more about choosing sustainably sourced seafood, go to catch your own seafood, there are still many ways to ensure the food on your plate was sourced
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accomplished, as they examine hundreds of species of local invertebrates, sea turtles, algae and fish from the Gulf, including sharks. The facility in Panacea, which is south of Tallahassee on the Gulf, is open at 222 Clark Drive most weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. For a modest entrance fee, a fee that
that’s where the staff of Gulf Specimen Lab comes in. Knowing the Gulf really well from years of exploring it, they go out in their boats, collect the requested specimens, take them back to their lab, carefully package them, and send them off to labs in the United States, Canada, Europe, and even outer space for use on the Space Shuttle and International Space Station. All the while, the specimen collectors are very careful not to damage the coral and delicate ecosystems of the Gulf. Begun in 1963 by a truly remarkable man, Jack Rudloe, the lab is an independent, non-profit organization that has engaged in mariculture, farming the depths of the sea, studying endangered species, and—maybe most importantly for future generations— opening up their facilities to thousands of school children in hopes of educating the youngsters and maybe inspiring some of them to study marine science as their career. Every year thousands of school children and more than 20,000 ordinary visitors visit the facility and probably come away with awe and admiration for what the lab has
goes to the maintenance of the many tanks of live sea animals, visitors can photograph, read about and marvel at the exhibits, and even touch and hold some of the live animals. The facility has knowledgeable staff and interns who are eager to share their knowledge and answer questions. If you’re really lucky, you’ll get to meet and interact with the founder of the Lab, Jack Rudloe, author of fascinating books like “The Living Dock at Panacea,” “Potluck,” “Search for the Great Turtle Mother,” “The Erotic Ocean,” “The Wilderness Coast,” and—with his late wife, Anne—“Shrimp.” If you do meet the man, ask him about the influence of Nobel-Prize-winning author John Steinbeck on his own career. You’ll no doubt come away with an appreciation of a new kind of Florida fisherman: one who collects fish and other specimens for use in the fight against cancer and other terrible diseases.
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STUART TOURNAMENT ANGLERS HAPPY TO SEE SAILFISH By Ed Killer
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They’re baaack. Not long after Thanksgiving, anglers on Florida’s Treasure Coast set sights on the warm-water eddies spinning westward from the Gulf Stream. Typically, December and January make up the sailfish season in this region, as thousands of sailfish migrate south along the coastline to their winter spots off Mexico. Four tournaments take place on the Treasure Coast each season. For much of the last two sailfish seasons, the sailfish have been few in numbers. That all changed this year. The fourth annual Fish Heads Invitational Sailfish Tournament sailed out of Sailfish Marina on Stuart’s Manatee Pocket Nov. 29-30. A fleet of 18 boats compiled the young event’s catch record of 108 sailfish releases. Martha D with Capt. Scott Fawcett, owner Ryan Dayton of Wellington and Maryland, angler Dan Hall and mates Kyle Francis and Matt Coppelletta caught 14 sailfish to win the tournament. Miss Victoria led by Capt. Brian Speedy caught 12 to finish second. Ohana led by Capt. Eddie Wheeler placed third with 11 releases. Fawcett said his team’s big day, where they caught nine, came to the south of Stuart, off Juno Beach, in about 120 to 200 feet of water. The weather was oddly spring-like–warm with southeasterly winds. The 28th Pirates Cove Sailfish Classic saw 24 boats enter the tournament. Fishing patterns continued the same way for the three-day event, and the sailfishing was good. The tournament fleet racked up 222 sailfish. Capt. Josh Chaney led Champagne Lady with owner Tony Ingram of Stuart, anglers Carl Repetto, Rob Miller and Mark Donohue, and crewmen Connor Tillman, Mark McDevitt and Sean Young, to a day-high nine releases on the final day for a fleet-best 20 releases. Showtime! With Capt. Wink Doerzbacher and Vintage with owner and Capt. Hans Kraaz each caught 18 sails and placed second and third, respectively. Nice start to the month-long tournament season, but the area’s longestrunning event, the Stuart Sailfish Club’s 63rd annual Light Tackle Sailfish Tournament was next. And the sea conditions did not remain the same. The weekend of Dec. 9-11, the Light Tackle swung into action from Sailfish Point Marina. A fleet of 24 boats competing in traditional and amateur divisions endured very rough seas and high winds. The fishing was still pretty good, as the fleet caught and released 152 sailfish. Toast with Capt. Newt Cagle, owners Jared and Michael Gillman of Palm Beach, anglers Ron Martin, Anthony Rizzo, and Jimbo Brogan, caught and released 14 sailfish to win the event. Cagle and crew caught the go-ahead sailfish about 35 minutes before the tournament’s lines out call to edge out Showtime!, Challenge with Capt. Jim Hardee and Floridian with Capt. Glenn Cameron, each with 13 releases. Marlin Hunter with owner and team captain Kurt Von Seekamm of Sewall’s Point won the amateur division with six sailfish releases. So, with 75 percent of the Treasure Coast sailfish tournament season in the books, it’s good to see the area will not have to relinquish its earned nickname from the 1930s – Sailfish Capital of the World. Ed Killer is the outdoors columnist for Treasure Coast Newspapers and is part of the USA Today network.
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iami is the place to be over President’s Day weekend as more than 100,000 boating enthusiasts from around the globe are expected to flock to the Progressive Insurance Miami International Boat Show. Recognized as one of the world’s largest and greatest boat shows, 2017 marks the show’s second year at the Miami Marine Stadium Park & Basin, where it will unveil a number of elements expected to further solidify Miami’s position as the boating capital of the world. Building on its 2016 success, the Miami Boat Show will unveil a number of enhancements in 2017—from transportation and product offerings to food and beverage—while maintaining all the elements that make the Miami Boat Show such a beloved experience for attendees and exhibitors. Highlights include: More Boats to Browse, Board and Buy: Organizers anticipate more than 1,300 new boats on display throughout this year’s show with more new model debuts than ever before. The number of boats in-water is expanding 35 percent to an estimated 550 boats and yachts—all located in the show’s marina. From
sport fishing and high performance boats to personal watercraft and wake sport boats, family cruisers and luxury yachts, there is something for every lifestyle and budget. More to Taste and Toast: The 2017 Miami Boat Show encourages attendees to come hungry and thirsty! A highlight of the 2017 show is an enhanced food and beverage program featuring more than 150 options ranging from luxe to casual fare. More Large Yachts: More than 100 new luxury yachts for sale, makes the Miami Boat Show one of the largest yachting exhibitions in the country. Attendees seeking the VIP treatment will have exclusive access to everything from premium bites and live music, to concierge services, VIP parking, and an exclusive on-water VIP lounge aboard the 111-foot Biscayne Lady. More Strictly Sail: The show’s second location, Strictly Sail Miami, will dock at Miamarina at Bayside and feature approximately 130 sailboats, a large selection of sailing and power catamarans, seminars and sailing gear. Free water taxis and shuttle buses run until 7 p.m. More On-Water Experiences: Sea trials will allow interested shoppers to take the boat of their dreams for a spin. This year, more boat exhibitors will participate, giving boat buyers a chance to test-drive a number of options. In addition, the show will offer its Discover Boating Hands-On Skills Training. Space is limited; advance registration is recommended. More Parking and Transportation Options: The Miami Boat Show will offer seamless transportation to and from Miami Marine Stadium Park & Basin with water taxis, shuttle buses and abundant parking. The show will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day. Tickets may be purchased in advance at www.miamiboatshow.com. For more information, see www.miamiboatshow.com or search the show on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. The phone number for the Florida office is 954-441-3220.
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Center colors and feather pattern selection for the avid fly tyer is endless. If you are willing to put in several days of hard hunting this winter, at the end of the season you very well could end up with enough waterfowl plumage to last you an entire year of fly tying. To add icing on the cake, as if harvesting your own fly tying material wasn’t enough motivation, wild duck will provide you with some of the most highquality table fare the Sunshine State has to offer. For those new to hunting, here are the licenses and permits you will need to hunt ducks in Florida; that way you can avoid an unpleasant encounter with the game warden. If you’ve never bought a hunting permit before, you will first need to take the online hunter safety coarse at www. myfwc.com. Once you have completed that, you will then need to purchase a standard Florida hunting license, a Florida By Brandon Tourigny • Photo Courtesy of Cohutta Fishing Company waterfowl permit, a migratory bird permit (which is free), and if you intend to hunt public land you will also need a Wildlife or all of us fly tyers, the cost of materials always seems to be a big set back, as it is with many art forms. The more addicted to the art of fly tying one Management Area (WMA) permit. The final thing you will need to purchase gets, the faster money will seem to fly out of the wallet. However, for those before you hit the marsh is the annual Federal Duck Stamp, which can also be who consider themselves all-around outdoorsmen, I have a simple solution to purchased at www.myfwc.com. Catching fish on your own handmade flies is one of the most rewarding help ease the pain of buying fly tying material: go duck hunting! Why would you go spend crazy amounts of money at fly shops to buy high- experiences in our sport, and using feathers that came off of waterfowl you quality waterfowl plumage when the great state of Florida is home to millions harvested makes the experience even better. Duck season is in full swing now of ducks and other waterfowl all found on public land. In the Sunshine State, until the end of January, so go get your license, pull out the old 12 gauge, and any duck hunter is allotted 6 ducks a day (with certain species restrictions), and go hunt! when push comes to shove a single medium sized duck such as a wood duck For more duck hunting and fly fishing, go to will provide you with a wealth of material to tie from. As it just so happens, nearly every single species of migratory duck that frequents North American flyways can be found within our borders, so the
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SOUTHWEST FLORIDA
By Capt. Jim Kalvin
T
here’s been a lot of gloom and doom lately regarding the cumulative effect of creeping regulations curtailing access to our aquatic resources. I’d like to put that aside and concentrate on a very positive aspect of our water world that is the shining jewel of the southwest Florida boating scene. Actually, this project is composed of 36 shining jewels! Billed as the largest artificial reef project in the western hemisphere, the Paradise Reef Project is the brain-child of Naples attorney and angler Peter Flood. Working with Diane Flagg, chair of the Economic Task Force in Collier County, the project was submitted to utilize BP restoration funding to construct 36 artificial reef sites that would enhance opportunities for fishermen, photographers, SCUBA divers, eco-tourists, and all of the peripheral services that they require. The project received the support of Collier County, the City of Naples, the City of Marco Island and the Marine Industries Association of Collier County.
BP supplied the initial $1.3 million for the project, and private funding added another half million dollars to get the ball rolling. A year and a half later, we have 36 new reefs that will be there for the next 500 to 800 years. From 10 to 26 miles offshore, the reefs stretch from Marco Island to north Collier County. The main structures are done, and boy are they producing! Mr. Flood has the project in full-steam-ahead mode even now—securing private donations to purchase and place reef modules to tie the main structures together. Five of the locations have been named for local families with “Legacy” donations of $100,000, and reef modules can be “bought” for $2,500 with your name, the name of a loved one, or a business or non-profit on a plaque affixed to the structure. This is the consummate public/private partnership, and no tax monies were used. Two years ago at the dedication ceremony, I said I hoped this project could be a template to be utilized in other areas. My hope is stronger today, as the results are visible and irrefutable. A documentary film was made by award-winning cinematographer John Scoular, in conjunction with Executive Producers Lance and Harry Julian, showing the project from conception to execution. Award winning underwater cinematographer Andy Casagrande provided stunning footage. The film has been nominated for an Emmy! The final product can be seen at: http://video.wgcu.org/video/2365794811/ A short trailer can be viewed at: https://vimeo.com/145743717 Contributions to the project can be made by mailing a check payable to Community Foundation of Collier County, 1110 Pine Ridge Road, Suite 200, Naples, FL 34108. Enter Artificial Reef on the memo line. Not only will this project help the entire aquatic eco-system of southwest Florida, an annual injection of tourism dollars are estimated to reach 30 million dollars per year once the reefs reach maturity. Standing Watch is Florida’s largest boating coalition. It advocates for reasonable access for law-abiding citizens balanced with science-based resource regulations. For information, go to standingwatch.net. To see the final video, go to
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WEST COAST FLORIDA
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t’s 6:30 a.m., and my photographer and I are following a black Ford F-150 from Georgetown to Rolle Town in Exuma, Bahamas. The sun is slowly making its journey upwards, and the landscape seems to be glowing because of it. We make our way to a little dock below a hill, park our rental car and board the boat. Off we go dashing across the still water in the dim early morning. The sun and its bright orange rays are barely above the horizon. Exuma is an interesting place to bonefish. Known more for the swimming pigs and its dozens of beautiful cays, the island has become a popular hub for tourists in search of authentic Bahamian island life. Boasting top resorts like Sandals Emerald Bay, February Point and Grand Isles, Exuma is not short on gorgeous properties overlooking its turquoise and electric blue waters. My guide, Reno Rolle, explains that Exuma has never been known as the fishing capital of The Bahamas; that title is held by Andros, Eleuthera, Bimini or Abaco. But Rolle said his clientele includes people from Germany, Paris, the Unites States and lately, Canada. And Rolle, who has been fishing for 20 years, does everything he can to make his clients lifelong patrons. “I’ve got a guy from Germany who has been fishing with me for six years,” he said. “For one, I feel that as long as people get comfortable fishing with you as a guide they continue to building that relationship and it becomes naturally like that’s your friend. When we look at bonefishing, sometimes it just draws the outer world into these islands.” There are eight full-time professional bonefish guides on Exuma. Exuma is centrally located in the island chain of The Bahamas. A 35-minute flight from New Providence, Exuma is also an hour from Miami. Flights include Air Canada, American Eagle and Delta Airlines. The Tropic of Cancer runs through a beach in Exuma, aptly named the Tropic of Cancer Beach. There is lots to do on the island. The swimming pigs tour, a journey through most of northern Exuma, takes guests from Barraterre on Great Exuma to Compass Cay in the north. Four C’s Adventures is a recommended guide service that can accommodate large groups. Visitors not only get to meet the pigs on pig beach, they get to explore Thunderball Grotto, an underwater cavern filled with marine life, which served as a pivotal scene in the 1965 James Bond film Thunderball. Within a few miles of that is a sunken drug plane. Then there is a beach filled with endangered iguanas, a property once owned by actor Nicholas Cage and of course Compass Cay and its equally
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famous nurse sharks. These are experiences that can only be found on Exuma. Thousands of sailors anchor in Georgetown each year during the summer season, many are on their way south in an epic exploration of the Caribbean. Exuma’s harbors are well protected and exciting. Chat N Chill, a restaurant and bar found on Stocking Island, overlooks that harbor. On a dull day, you’ll find about 20 people on the island feeding stingrays and eating fresh tropical conch salad and enjoying a Kalik – beer of The Bahamas. Rolle, my guide, grew up on Exuma. The son of a taxi driver, Rolle began instructing me in the ways of the fly rod during our trip. “It’s the only way to bonefish,” he told me. While we circled around the back of Rolle Town searching for the gray ghost in the marshes, I learned just how complex using the fly rod can be. Rolle caught one bonefish that day, I caught zilch. Needless to say, I did not master the fly rod. As we returned from our trip, the tide became increasingly low and suddenly several sandbars appeared above the water’s surface. Exuma is truly one of the most exciting and unpredictable islands in the Bahamian archipelago.
For more Bonefishing in the Exumas, go to
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Home Shores Report
T
he winter fishing has been phenomenal! Our usual friends, the speckled trout, have been making a good showing around the bay. Redfish have gone back to being their more spooky selves, milling about in the ultra-clear water brought on by the drop in water temperature. Snook, on the other hand, have all but cleared the outer coastal habitats and have made their way into the backcountry canals where the dark mud and dense vegetation
provide warmth and cover. The big breeder snook have been averaging good sizes as those fish have begun to congregate in those hard to reach areas. Fly anglers with patience and a passion for countless hours of looking at maps on google earth have enjoyed great success with flies more reminiscent of freshwater bass than the salty flats of Tampa Bay. It has been a pleasure to explore some secluded backcountry bayous this winter and get super skinny. Spillways and creek mouths have produced slot sized fish, but the big momma line-siders have required more reconnaissance and exploration deeper into enemy territory. This makes for great bonding experiences with friends, deep in the “groves” dodging spiders and low branches on the shores of Hillsborough and Manatee counties. Speaking of bonding, friendships
By: Gian DeBella
and family; I’d like to take a moment and recognize some people who have made a strong difference in Operation Home Shores Inc. For the readers who are unaware of our mission, we actively engage in recreational therapy with combat veterans to include fly casting, fly tying, kayaking and hunting. This year has been full of happy smiles and veterans enjoying the outdoors thanks to some amazing sponsors. Our last fundraiser for 2016 was the Skinny Water Culture Christmas Bash. Vince and Jenn Stegura, along with the SWC Family welcomed us in order to help us raise awareness and raffle off some items courtesy Power Pole and Allen Fly Fishing. We were able to not only sell enough raffle tickets to surpass the market value of the items, but thanks to Skinny Water Culture and Bar Fly Safety Harbor we were also gifted with half of the proceeds from the bar sales that evening. These outstanding individuals have managed to fund an entire year of fishing programs for veterans in one single night. This
WORK
stands as living proof that the power of love and compassion can move mountains and provide healing for those who seek it. I would like to personally thank Vince and Jenn Stegura of SWC, Jeff and Celeste Harrell of Bar Fly, Jacob Lenges of Tribal Flys, Ron Bachman of BCR Game Calls, the entire team of JL Marine Systems/Power Pole Shallow Water Anchor, the team at Allen Fly Fishing, the Illustrious Fellow Court Douthit, Capt. Adam Mailliez, all of our friends and family and every single person who attended the event for the incredible, heart-felt show of solidarity for our noble cause. I wish you all a happy and prosperous 2017 full of tight lines and wet flies.
SIDE STEPS
Gian DiBella President/Director- Operation Home Shores, Inc. “Veterans Finding Healing, Outdoors.” 501(c)(3) Facebook.com/OHStampabay G.DiBella_OHS@Yahoo.com
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South Shore Tampa Bay Winter Wonderland
By: Capt. Joel Brandenburg
T
his time of year we charter many tourists and “snow birds”. On a four hour charter they can expect to see everything from manatees and dolphins to alligators, sea turtles and many different species of fish and birds. All of these animals are exciting for the tourist to see and make for great photo ops. To a captain seeing these animals is more than a photo op, it’s a fishing op. We learn to use these animals to locate and catch fish or use them to decide to pull up anchor and go to another spot. Below are a few examples of how we use these animals to catch fish. When fishing for cobia we look for cobia to be under manta rays, manatees and sea turtles. We don’t know exactly why cobia like to hang out with these animals, but there are few theories. The most common theory is that they swim near the bottom stirring up crabs, seahorses, shrimp, starfish, eels etc. I have found all of these in a cobia’s belly. Another theory is that cobia hang under the manta rays to eat the newborn rays as they pop out of the womb. We have found dozens of baby manta rays in the bellies of cobia. When we are snook, redfish or trout fishing and dolphin or sharks move into our fishing hole, we usually pull anchor and move to another spot. I’ve seen it happen too many times, when the gamefish are hitting us one after another and dolphin or sharks move in and the bite shuts off. My theory is that once the predators move in the gamefish stop thinking about eating and immediately start thinking about
how to keep from being eaten. If we are trying to catch bait, we look for birds like sea gulls, ospreys, cormorants and frigate birds circling and diving. When pelicans are diving on bait fish we watch their behavior for a few minutes and note certain occurrences. Once a pelican makes impact with the water and pops up, it does one of three things. The bird will either tilt it’s head back and gulp which means it caught a sizable baitfish, keep it’s bill in the water fishing around because it’s fishing for glass minnows, or just fly away. If schools of jumping mullet are seen, it’s normally a good place to anchor and fish for redfish. Redfish travel with mullet schools this time of year. Chum heavily with greenbacks to pull the reds from the mullet and keep them in your fishing area. Keep an eye on the prop wash behind your boat, many times in the winter you can locate schools of pompano jumping in your wash. When you see this, put your boat in neutral, shut off your engine and start casting either chartreuse or pink Silly Willy jigs all around the boat. For a charter with Captain Joel Brandenburg of Ana Banana Fishing Company or to purchase a holiday fishing gift certificate for the angler in your life visit www. anabananafishing.com or call 813-267-4401. To find him in person, come down to Hooks Grill at Little Harbor Resort, home of the world famous hook n’ cook! Sign your kid up today for our summer fishing camp, visit www. anabananakidsfishingcamp.com
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Barracuda Bob’s
Clearwater & Dunedin
By: Capt. Joe Londot
A
short 20-minute drive west of Tampa International Airport is a fishermen’s paradise that few anglers in the Tampa Bay Area are aware of. I’m talking about the area surrounding Dunedin which includes the protected backwaters of Clearwater Bay, St. Joseph Sound, the Dunedin Causeway, Honeymoon Island and the nearshore reaches of the Gulf of Mexico. These places are some of the least developed and ecologically diverse waterways and beaches on Florida’s West Coast. Here you’ll find both sandy and rocky beaches fronting the gulf and inshore waters, expansive grass flats, miles of mangrove shorelines and oyster bars. Also, you’ll see numerous spoil islands stretching into the distance both north and south of the Dunedin Causeway and many docks, piers bridges and other structures. Tarpon, snook, redfish, trout, mackerel, flounder, sheepshead, black drum, snappers, mullet, ladyfish, bluefish, sharks... the list of species found here is as long and diverse as anywhere on our coast. Whether you are a shore-bound angler or fish out of a kayak, canoe paddle board or boat this area offers some of best fishing Florida has to offer. Excellent tidal flow from the Gulf of Mexico into the backwaters, through the passes and between the numerous barrier islands carries a constant stream of baitfish, shrimp, crabs and other edibles into the rich grass flats and mangrove islands. Whether you’re fishing from land, wading, paddling or boating,
it is absolutely critical that you carry the right fishing equipment, baits and tackle to maximize your fishing success. At Barracuda Bob’s Island Surf and Sports our friendly crew has decades of experience fishing these waters and are happy to share our experience and expertise with anyone that asks. Helping our customers catch more fish and reap more enjoyment from every outing is job number one for us. We stock just about everything you might need to be a more successful angler. We have everything from frisky live baits to top artificials; cast nets to rods and reels; fishing line to terminal tackle. Also, we are now also offering kayak and paddle board sales and rentals to serious anglers that want to explore more productive fishing spots that simply aren’t accessible to shore anglers. Come explore the incredible beaches, waterways, islands and shorelines of our beautiful area and make sure to stop into Barracuda Bob’s to find whatever it is you need to be productive. Whether it’s gear, bait or rigging, or good advice on where to fish, we are here to help! Barracuda Bob’s Island Surf & Sports is located at 240 Causeway Blvd. Dunedin, FL 34698. We are the last building on the right before crossing the Causeway to Honeymoon Island. Barracuda Bob’s offers the best in bait and tackle, beach and water toys, kayak and paddle board rentals and much more!
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12/15/2016 4:13:50 PM
Hernando County
By: Capt. Joel Gant
New Year
W
ith the holidays behind us and a new year starting, its a great time to reflect. For me, sitting and listening to some Jimmy Buffett music and drinking a fruity adult beverage helps me to think of all the memories of this past year. This is the fishdaddy’s way of doing deep mediation.
I reminisce about the charters, the people I’ve met on these trips, the many fish we’ve caught and fishing situations we’ve experienced. Some of these experiences also include teaching a young angler (and many adults) about fish and how to fish. Afterwards I apologize for yelling so loud. I think of all the friends I’ve
made fishing, chartering and the great people I’ve met here in Hernando Beach. With a big smile, I raise my drink and toast this past year and thankful for the life I’ve been blessed with. The gag grouper bite has been hit or miss. I recommend chumming a little, then dropping down. If there’s no action after a bit, change spots, sometimes you don’t have to move far to find them. We’ve been getting some 30 inch plus fish on trips. The season closes on December 31st and we’re not sure when it will open right now. Red grouper are being caught in deeper waters. There are still hundreds of stone crab traps out so keep an eye out not to run over them and end your day with a rope wrapped around your prop. There has also been some kingfish being caught. This is a migrating fish so time is limited on these line screamers. Inshore fishing has been good, look for redfish, trout and snook to move into shallow areas that may be
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spring feed. As the water gets cooler, these spring fed flats will be warmer than surrounding areas. This is the time you can use large shrimp under a strike indicator. Try to read the waters, look for movement and wakes made by mullet. Also look for small openings that could be small creek channels. Work all baits and lures slowly this time of year, the fish are cold and not overly aggressive this time of year. I’m always looking for reports and pictures. You can email me or stop by my website and become a “FISHHEAD”. Get out there on the water and make some memories with friends and family! Capt. Joel Gant operates Fishdaddy Charters out of Hernando Beach, he knows the local waters like the back of his hand, and works both inshore and offshore trips. Check him out on face book or you can reach him at (352) 279-1615. Visit his website, www.fishdaddycharter.com
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12/15/2016 4:13:51 PM
By: Capt. Jim Kalvin
A
new year is upon us and our water access rights have diminished over the last 12 months. New critical wildlife areas have been approved by FWC Commissioners, and once marked, local boaters will lose access to half a dozen barrier and spoils islands in Southwest Florida. Also, the Our Florida Reefs program is cruising right along. Proponents of that movement are hoping to curtail fishing, diving, anchoring and other water related activities along the near-shore reef tract from Stuart down to Key Biscayne. More marine protected areas proposed in the Keys will mean no access in even more places. The new Everglades National Park plan has taken access rights from generations of air-boaters and others from Everglades City to Flamingo, and east to Miami and Homestead. Are these closures and regulations really needed? Some may be; others probably not. The problem is that in most cases, these initiatives are being promulgated on very sketchy science. Volunteer observations are now the rallying cry of the closure advocates. However, volunteer data collectors are just that, they’re not biologists and they’re not professionally trained. They are being utilized by closure proponents and activist agency staffers so that they can’t be brought in front of a legislative
committee when their science doesn’t hold up. They can’t be legally challenged by boating organizations – as state biologists have been in the past. They are the perfect vehicle to use to create new regulations based upon incomplete data. With so much data being compiled by volunteers, are we still employing legions of biologists and scientists? If so, why are we not using their talents? The regulatory train is neither consistent nor easy to follow, but it is rolling down the tracks none-the-less. Boaters need to do one of two things – pay attention and plan to attend meetings from Key West to Pensacola, or support an organization that is already doing just that. Standing Watch supports science-based regulations that balance public access with the real needs of the resource. Agency leaders should be planning our next decade’s worth of regulatory programs, and they should be held accountable if things do not happen according to the wellthought-out and scientifically executed program. Our future, and the future of our children and grandchildren, should not be in the hands of amateurs or hobbyists. Despite having 11 state and federal agencies that are tasked with monitoring and managing water quality, it seems as though they have all failed. Both coasts are experiencing the worst fish kills and toxic algae blooms in history.
We must participate proactively in the legislative process and in every regulatory program possible. Insist on letting the science say what the science wants to say! It’s time to stand up and insist that our agencies work with the people of Florida! The whole of our aquatic resources deserves support and consideration – not just pet species, or outright closures. You can take all of the boats off the water tomorrow and our aquatic resources may still collapse due to contamination, single-species management efforts and cronyenvironmentalism. Join us at standingwatch.net, and help us help you through contact and relationships with our legislators, agency leaders and other like-minded organizations. Our strength comes from numbers and personal relationships with others involved in the issues. Help us preserve your access to our waterways, and help us insist that the needs of the entire resource be considered with each new regulatory effort. Standing Watch is Florida’s largest State-wide grass-roots boating organization. See how you can become a part of their proactive effort by visiting standingwatch.net. Or call 239-821-4245.
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Egmont Key
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West Coast Trophy Speckled Trout By: Capt. Mike Anderson
T
rophy speckled trout fishing is usually considered an east coast thing, but over the last four or five years the west coast has gained some ground on what I consider true trophy sized trout. Trout in the 27 to 32 inch range are becoming much more common and January is the month that you’ll start to see these big gator trout. Cool and clear shallow water normally over some dark bottom is where you’ll find
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these fish. They’ll usually be alone or hanging with just a few of their large pals. Stealth will be a big key as these fish are old and smart. I use 10 pound Spider Wire Ultra Cast and a 15 to 20 pound Berkley Pro Spec Fluorocarbon leader for long casts. A large live pilchard or pinfish is hard for them to turn down, but you’ll cover a lot more water and get your bait in front of more fish going with your favorite
artificial bait. My favorite for big trout is the MirrOlure Marsh Minnow in pearl or chicken color fished on a weedless weighted bass hook. This helps me to make long casts and allows a snag free retrieve. The paddle tail on the Marsh Minnow offers great action that seems to trigger even the wariest trout. I also have great luck on calm mornings and afternoons working topwater lures slowly over these areas, but again the clear water and shallow conditions make bait presentation very important! Make a long cast past your target pot hole and work your bait towards the edge of the hole, not directly through it! Your line coming through the hole in front of your lure could be enough to spook a fish. Shallow running swim baits can be effective as well. It’s hard to beat the MirrOlure MirrOdine for action and results. Again, early mornings and just before dusk are your best bets as light conditions become more favorable.
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Remember stealth is everything, moving water is always a must, long casts are key and precise bait presentation is imperative. Doing all these things can lead to that 30 inch trout of a lifetime. Catch Capt. Michael Anderson every Saturday for the “Reel Animals Fishing Show” on 970WFLA from 6:00a.m. to 8:00a.m., and Sunday mornings on AM620 for the “TA Mahoney Co. Reel Animals Radio Show” from 7a.m. to 9a.m. To book a trip call 1-866-Gamefish.
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8 TAMPA | JANUARY 2017 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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Tales from the Tupperware Navy By: Bruce Butler
W
elcome back yak fans, I hope that you all have a great holiday new year! I want to share some ideas about survival tips for winter fishing, apologies and a fishing story. If you were as crazy as we were to go out in the cold snaps, here are some tips that would’ve helped you to beat the cold. First, like mom always told you, “dress warm” with lots of layers. Waders, hip boots and the like help keep your feet from freezing. A trick from my Uncle Lew is to put a heat pack in the bottom of each boot; you’ll be good for several hours. However, if you decide to do this, be sure to let some air in on occasion to allow the pack to work properly. Another great idea is to use Playtex gloves or something similar under your regular gloves, and put Ben-Gay on your hands. My hands always freeze so for me this tip is a lifesaver. As for apologies, on a past trip we three hardy
souls hit the frigid water in the midst of the cold snap. My friend Brian had no waders so I brought him a pair of my old ones to use… I swear to God I didn’t know they had a hole in them. He suffered the first couple of hours before he had to head in. They say they can save most of the toes, so I can’t understand why he’s complaining. In all honesty he is. Anybody want to buy some used waders? On a recent trip to Hernando county’s pristine shores my buddy Lew and I set out to do a little spring fishing. This area of the coast is loaded with springs fed by the Florida aquifer. We put in at one of my favorite spots and worked our way across the bay picking up some nice trout on a mixed bag of lures. We used Zara Spook Jrs. in bone, MirrOdines, Lil Johns in glow and Lew’s favorite, Gulp glow shrimp. Paddling back to the spring I couldn’t get the old Jeannie C. Reilly song Harper Valley PTA out of my head, it had played the day before on a country channel. As we set up at the spring the bite was a little slow and so I started singing verses from Harper Valley. Out of nowhere I hooked into a nice black drum, “I’m on to something, I thought”, another verse another drum. Lew shook his head and refused to join me in a chorus (his loss), seven drum later he finally caught his first fish. I accused him of humming it but he won’t admit it. We were primarily fishing straight down into
the spring with live shrimp at about 25 to 30 foot depths. It was neat considering that a few feet to either side you could get out and walk. The sides were producing some nice reds, one over thirty, a twenty nine and two nice keepers. As I hummed one more verse of Harper valley I landed a Dogfish rod and reel combo someone had recently lost, at which point Lew started muttering something about karma. I replied,” the day my momma socked it to the Harper valley PTA”. If you’ve made it this far I’d like to say hi to everyone in the Tampa bay area as well as all my friends here on the Nature coast. Tight lines y’all. Bruce Butler “Stumbling Gypsy” (352) 428-5347 Bruce@IndianBayOutfitters.com www.IndianBayOutfitters.com
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RECIPE OF THE MONTH: GUACAMOLE Add salt, pepper and lime juice. Continue tasting it until it tastes to your liking. If you want to kick it up a notch and make it spicy, I usually add a tablespoon of Siracha. You can also add tomato to the mix as an option. Chop it very small. Thank you Fernando Sandoval for the Guacamole recipe
Ingredients:
If you have any questions, comments or would like to share a recipe of your own, contact Michelle at cnmoasis@gmail.com
• 5 mature avocados • ¼ of an onion • 5 cilantro leaves • Salt and pepper as desired • Siracha • Lime Juice Mash the avocados in a large bowl until you have a thick paste. Chop the onion and cilantro into very small pieces and add them.
Freshwater Fishing Report
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anuary, February and March is the best time of year for speckled perch, we are already getting good reports from all of our area lakes. As the weather continues to get colder, the fishing for these guys just gets better and better! Specs are responding best to live minnows, but using chartreuse jigs are also a good choice. The South and North Winter Haven Chains as well as other area lakes are all showing signs of bass starting to stage, so it’s best to fish along the shoreline, not toward the shore. The baits of choice have been lipless crank baits, with my top recommendation still being the Booyah One Knocker in royalty color. I also recommend trying critter baits, like a lizard or crawler in white or various light colors. Work them by flipping along the shore line. No matter what the weather or what you’re after, this is a great time
By: Ron Schelfo
of year to catch some great fish. Our 18th season of Ron’s Tackle Box Weekly Bass Tournaments has now ended. We’ll be back the first of April 2017, see you then! Have a blessed and happy New Year! Ron Schelfo, Owner RON’S TACKLE BOX, LLC 380 S. Lake Shore Way Lake Alfred, FL 33850 (863) 956-4990 www.ronstacklebox.com “Catch” my Weekly Fishing Report every Saturday (6-8 AM) on 970 WFLA
10 TAMPA | JANUARY 2017 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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Skinny Water Report
By: Derick Burgos
I
t’s been a little rough out there as far as wind is concerned, blowing mostly from the north this gave us many opportunities to plan launches in protected areas. Although there were times the wind caught up to us, paddling the bay has been very manageable. The trout bite has been the hottest bite, with many being caught all over the bay from the mangrove shorelines to grass flats. Many are caught early in the morning at low tide on topwaters primarily using the Dawgwalker by Unfair Lures. Sub-surface baits like the Rip-n-Slash also work well as the tide rises and the fish move to deeper grass. Snook have been a little shy with the cold water temps but have been swarming the back country and willing to eat on the warmer days. Strong incoming tides before, during and even after the new moon have been best. Kaboom poppers work magic in the dark, deep back waters, and you can’t go wrong with a soft plastic rigged on a sixteenth to eighth of an ounce jighead. The redfish bite has been slow but is picking up. The winds make it harder to see them and keeps them scattered and on the
move. As the wind settles, so will the reds, so any sub surface baits and soft plastic shrimp will get you hooked up. Try casting a gold spoon if you can’t find them right away or a live shrimp on a cork. Jack crevalle are also on the move again and in full force! Huge schools have been invading the rivers and canals and are as hungry as ever! I couldn’t get anything passed these guys so like the old saying goes, “if you can’t beat em’ join em”. The days are cold but the fishing can still be hot. Sheepshead, snapper, pompano and many more inshore critters can be caught throughout the winter here in Tampa Bay. Don’t let the cold keep you inside, this is Florida, come outside and have some fun! Derick Burgos is a kayak fishing guide and owner of Phatfish Kayak Charters in Tampa Bay. He has called the area waters his home for over 20 years. He specializes in Snook, Tarpon, Redfis and more on artificial lures, live bait or fly. He can be reached at 813-447-4732 phatfishkayak@yahoo.com www.phatfishkayakcharters.com
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Mahi Marine Tech Tip: Boat Trailer Care
N
othing ruins a great day on the water like your trailer being broken down on the side of the road. There are precautions you can take before you leave for your destination to avoid an inconvenience. Spend a few minutes checking the tire pressure, tire wear and lights. Also, take an overall look for loose parts such as the winch and tongue jack. When you return from your
day on the water, rinsing the trailer as well as the boat is crucial. At least, rinse the section exposed to the water if not the whole trailer. Salt corrosion is a huge enemy for parts of the trailer that are not aluminum or galvanized steel. Springs, spindles, hubs and mounting hardware are some of these. Some other good ideas for trailer care are an annual inspection of bearings and hubs. Bearing buddies are no guarantee against water intrusion. With the wheels off, this is also a good time to take a look at the springs and shackles. Lastly, don’t forget the lights. LED lights are sealed and usually low maintenance. If your trailer is equipped with incandescent bulbs, dielectric grease will protect the sockets and any other exposed connections. Contact the crew at Mahi Marine for all your boat trailer questions and repairs.
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Head Boats By: Paul Presson
Photo By: Jason Goulet.
H
ead boats (charter boats that can accommodate many anglers), also known as party boats have been around for generations. They’re a great alternative for anglers that don’t own boats and still want to go deep sea fishing. If you’re looking for a good boat and have the time, check the docks as the boats come in. Watching the catches of the day and listening to passenger’s comments are great ways to choose a boat. Keep in mind, every boat has bad trips, so you may want to observe for a couple of days. Also do some homework, go to their website and look at the history of the company and photos of the latest catches. Once aboard, the rods, reels, tackle and bait are provided, but you can always bring your own. When bringing your own equipment, remember many operations do not allow braided line; it may cause cutoffs of other people’s lines. Most boats provide dead bait, but if you want to fish with live bait, boats can accommodate this by individual live wells or you can provide your own. A majority of boats allow you to bring your own food, or you can eat from their galley. Don’t expect gourmet food, but when you’re fishing hard, their burgers are hard to beat. Meal tickets may be available for purchase in advance – it depends on the circumstances. Evaluating your skill level, “sea legs” and the fish you want to catch are important factors in determining the length of the trip. A six hour trip is great for a social get together, but your stringer may look pretty slim at the end of the day. The length of the trip determines the distance, water depth and number of stops
a captain will make. If you’re a novice, you won’t want to start out doing a 72 hour trip, 100 miles out is no place to find out that you get sea sick. Choose a boat that has the amenities and rules that fit your needs. On overnight trips and longer, a working shower is a great way to cleanup and get ready for the next stop. Check the bunk situation for longer trips, is it inside and air conditioned? Some party boats allow coolers with your own adult beverages and some don’t, check before your trip. If you’re drinking, pace yourself, you don’t want to be hanging over the rail “chumming” the whole trip Be courteous, don’t be a “runner”, a person that sees another individual catch fish and picks up his/her gear and immediately tries to work their way into the action, they’re the worst. Don’t be that dummy that slams the lid to the bait well each and every stop. Please, don’t be the one that sneaks a GPS aboard. Captains work hard for their numbers and this is just not acceptable! There are a number of things you can do to make your trip more enjoyable; bring all the necessary gear, take the proper precautions to prevent sea sickness, purchase motion sickness patches or pills. If you are allowed to reserve spots, as a general rule, reserve the stern. There’s more room and it can be advantageous for better fishing. If it’s first come, first serve, get there early. These vessels have experienced captains and mates; they are the key to a successful fishing trip. They work very hard, show your appreciation and tip accordingly. Whether you are looking for a social outing or an overnight adventure, head boats are the answer. They’re a great way to enjoy offshore fishing without the headaches of boat ownership!
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Paul Presson, outdoor writer and published cartoonist. He has fished the coastlines of Tampa Bay for 28 years, land based, wade, kayak and by flats boat. If he is not writing, he is out on the water! COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM | JANUARY 2017 | TAMPA 13
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Fly Report Clouser Minnow
I
f you’re new to the sport of saltwater fly fishing, and especially if Santa just brought you a new tying vise for Christmas, please read this column carefully. The green and white fly in this photo is called a Clouser Minnow, it is the single best streamer ever invented. If your entire box is filled with nothing but this pattern in a variety of different colors and sizes, you’re in great shape. Every single gamefish that swims in southwest Florida will eat this fly. Here’s a little history for you. Bob Clouser originally created his minnow to catch smallmouth bass from the Susquehanna River near his hometown of Harrisburg, PA in 1987. Since people have been tying flies for centuries, that makes this pattern an absolute newcomer in the sport. A short time later, legendary angler Lefty Kreh brought the Clouser Minnow down to Florida and in just three years caught 63 different species on it. His current tally is over 100 species. The secret to the success of the Clouser Minnow is the effortless way it mimics a wounded baitfish darting through the water. The lead dumbbell eyes give it a slight bouncing action that happens naturally every time the fly is stripped. On a #2 hook it’s the same size as a small pilchard or large glass minnow, two baitfish that are the favorite food of almost every predator along our coast. Scale it up a bit and it can imitate a mullet or even a needlefish for deeper water species. I don’t need to go into the details about tying the Clouser Minnow, Google and YouTube will take care of that for you. This is without a doubt the easiest pattern you’ll ever have to tie and that’s all the more reason to love it. It’s nothing more than a couple small clumps of bucktail, some crystal flash and a dumbbell
By: Capt. Gregg McKee eye wrapped on a hook. I can whip out an almost flawless Clouser in less than a minute even though tying flies has never really been one of my passions. I tie for e c o n o m i c purposes; these patterns only cost me about .25 cents each in hooks and materials. That’s a nice savings from the $2.75 to $4.99 that minnows usually sells for at fly shops or online. You’re obviously unlimited in the color combinations for this fly but my main choice is chartreuse and white, which does a near perfect job of looking like a glass minnow in the water. Brown and white is a close second since this looks a bit more like a shrimp, and solid white Clousers work great on snook. I’ve tied them on hooks as small as #6 for spooky Caribbean bonefish and up to 5/0 for Key West sharks. My lifetime species count isn’t as impressive as Lefty Kreh’s, but the only inshore fish I haven’t personally caught on a Clouser is the notoriously difficult permit. However, I once guided someone to that achievement. So sit down at your vice and start filling your brand new fly box up with Clouser Minnows. It won’t take long and it definitely won’t cost you a lot of money. You’ll be surprised at how many different species you can add to your list of fish caught on fly. Capt. Gregg McKee Wildfly Charters www.wildflycharters.com
3100 4TH ST. N. ST. PETERSBURG, FL 33704 | 727.578.0404 2122 S. DALE MABRY HWY. TAMPA, FL 33629 | 813.250.0929
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Tampa Bay
M
oving water and a livewell full of pilchards and pinfish will work for snook, but don’t be surprised if you catch a redfish or gator trout off the same grass flat. However, if you’re looking to snag the snook of a lifetime with the heart stopping action of a topwater lure, just tie on MirrOlure Top Dog Jr. and walkthe-dog. You’ll witness the most incredible heart stopping strike as a giant snook crashes your lure. Always remember those big snook are females and probably full of eggs, so handle with care. Snap a quick photo and get her back in the water, or better yet never lift her out and slowly revive her for an in-water release. For those who love the drag screaming action of mackerel fishing, this is the time of year. If kingfish are your thing, hit the beaches and hard-bottoms close to shore for action that is sure to pick up as water temps come down. Anchor up and chum, or slow troll live baits or spoons. There are resident fish, but most of the giants are pelagic and follow the baitfish schools north in the spring and south in the fall. However, thanks to the gill net ban and commercial harvest regulations, there are more big mackerel around Tampa Bay now than there have been in many years. These fish are enormous for their species. Fish in the three to five pound range are common. When they get to this size they have tremendous speed, power and endurance almost like small kings. Finding them is fairly simple, just locate a spoil bar or inshore reef within five to eight feet of the surface surrounded by deeper open water of 10 to 20 feet. These are natural feeding areas that attract mackerel. Once you’re anchored up-tide
By: Capt. Woody Gore
from the reef or bar start pitching a few cut greenbacks. If they are close by it won’t take long before the feeding frenzy begins. Use a live, smaller, nose hooked greenback as bait on a 2/0 Daiichi long-shank hook on a 50 pound hard Seaguar leader tied to 15 pound braid. Mackerel are respectable table fare. For those you keep, bleed them promptly and get them on ice. I put mine in a large heavy duty trash bag before putting them in my cooler; it helps keep the cooler clean. At the cleaning table, fillet them and remove the skin or fillet them and leave the skin on for smoking. Oversized redfish are everywhere in the bay, but if you’re having difficulty finding them locate a school of big mullet and fish it. For the last two months the redfish bite has been one of the best I have seen in three years. Every part of the Tampa Bay seems to hold multiple schools. Live greenbacks and of course cut baits on circle hooks seem to be the bait of choice. Other baits include threadfin herring, cut large greenbacks, cut pinfish, cut ladyfish and cut mullet. The big trout have started to show up on our flats. I like to find a good grass flat with plenty of potholes. Start by working the edges of as many potholes as possible, you’re sure to find some worthwhile fish. Trout are a good species to work on your artificial bait skills, because they are not too picky. One good artificial is a Gulp shrimp under a popping cork. Hook the shrimp just like you would a live one, through the carapace or head. Just cast out and pop the cork, the popping sound will draw the trout’s attention for a sure hook up. Trout no longer have a closed
season, so, only take what you plan on eating for dinner. Also they do not freeze well. Remember they are a fragile species and have a delicate slime coat, use a dehooker and not your hand or net for the ones you release. The pompano are starting to show up along sandy bottoms and around the sandy bottoms of the bridges throughout the bay. Shrimp and sand fleas are always good baits of choice, but for me you can’t beat a Doc’s Goofy Jig with a feather teaser. “Give Me a Call & Let’s Go Fishing” – 813-477-3814 Captain Woody Gore is the area’s top fishing
guide. Guiding and fishing the Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Tarpon Springs, Bradenton and Sarasota areas for over fifty years; he offers world class fishing adventures and a lifetime of memories. Single or Multi-boat Group Charters are all the same. With years of organizational experience and access to the areas most experienced captains, Woody can arrange and coordinate any outing or tournament. Just tell him what you need and it’s done. Visit his website at: WWW. CAPTAINWOODYGORE.COM, send an email to wgore@ix.netcom. com or give him a call at 813-477-3814.
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16 TAMPA | JANUARY 2017 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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Capt. Sergio’s Corner
By: Capt. Sergio Atanes
Thieves of Tampa Bay
I
f there is a good time to catch thieves, January is the perfect month. I am talking about sheepshead that invade the rocky bottoms, docks, bridges and wrecks inside Tampa Bay. Sheepshead are nicknamed bait steelers, thieves Eveline with a 12 pound and convict fish sheepshead for their cunning ability to steal your bait before it even hits the bottom of the bay. The big females migrate in from the Gulf of Mexico to spawn somewhere around mid December depending on water temperature and hang around until late March. Sheepshead are great fighters on light tackle, especially the big females that range from 5 to 12 pounds. Feeding on mostly shrimp, fiddlers, small crabs and barnacles they are considered great table fair. Tackle changes depending where you are fishing for them. Around bridges and docks, light
spinning tackle such as 15 pound test braided line and 20 pound test fluorocarbon leader with a #1 hook will work just fine. Fish hanging around these areas tend to be smaller, and most are males in the 1 to 3 pound class. The big females on the other hand prefer the deeper waters of the bay and hang around the ledges, wrecks and rock piles in anywhere from 12 to 30 feet of water and average in size from 4 to 12 pounds. Here I prefer to use medium tackle, a seven foot rod medium action rod with a large spinning reel with 20 pound test braided line and 30 pound test fluorocarbon leader. I tie a loop knot in the leader to a 1/0 hook and use a Texas rig for my weights. I will also use a small glow soft bead because this keeps the sinker from hitting the knot and the glow beads seem to draw the attention of the larger fish. Live shrimp, fiddler crabs, bloodworms and sand fleas are all great sheepshead baits. Fiddlers work best, but lack of time on my part to catch them drops them down to second best behind live shrimp. Since sheepshead are bait stealers, regular shrimp works best, but don’t waste money on medium or large shrimp; there’s just more bait for them to steal. These fish can be caught from shore, bridges, docks and rocky areas. On the water, their favorite
spots are artificial reefs, wrecks (16 of which are located inside Tampa Bay), ledges and rocky bottoms. Remember, the deeper water holds the bigger fish. Fishing for the thieves of Tampa Bay is a fun and rewarding experience. Hooking and fighting an 8 or 10 pound sheepshead will put a big smile on your face, and if you have kids they will love the experience. Capt. Sergio will be holding an all day fishing school on January 21, 2017 teaching “when-where-how to catch fish”. A seven hour class with four instructors (local captains), for more information please contact Capt. Sergio at 813-973-7132. Captain Sergio Atanes is a native resident of Tampa and has been fishing the waters of Tampa Bay and Boca Grande for over 45 years. He is owner and operator of S & I charters which is one of the largest charter booking services in the West Coast of Florida with 55 professional captains on staff. Capt. Sergio Atanes can be reached at (813) 973-7132 or www.reelfishy.com
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Share Your Gift
A
lot of older people like myself (I turned 50 this year), will tell you how the holidays have changed and become too commercial, too much about the gifts and not enough about the giving.
The truth is nothing has changed and if you want to feel fulfilled this time of year it’s up to you to share your most precious gift, “time”, with the ones you love. Now I’m not saying I didn’t enjoy all those cool
By: Paul Caruso
toys growing up, but I would gladly give back the Rockem Sockem Robots or even my Atari 2600 for a few more hours on the water with my Father. My Dad grew up a city kid and never even touched a fishing rod until I was old enough to hold one. I was only one when we moved from the city to a house on a lake, and I’m confident it was a few years after that before he put the rod in my hand. If you’re worried that you don’t know enough to teach your kids how to fish, picture my Dad rowing the length of the lake trolling a night crawler on a hook with a bobber. It’s no surprise that we didn’t catch a whole lot of fish in the early years. Luckily for us bluegills are aggressive when it comes to eating a worm and bass are suckers for a Hula Popper on a calm morning. Our angling skills eventually progressed
with the help of Jimmy Houston and Roland Martin’s television shows, which we watched together every Saturday morning. Today when I pack my fishing gear it includes; hi-tech braided lines, micro guides, fluorocarbon leaders and suspending lures. It’s only on those days when I take a kid fishing or a whole group of kids, that I go back to basics and rig a bunch of rods with a hook, a weight and a piece of shrimp that I remember the beautiful simplicity of how I fell in love with fishing. The looks on their faces when the rod tip bends and they feel the weight and strength of their first fish is priceless, for some of us, we still get that same look on our face all these years later. If you want to feel the real spirit of the holiday season, take a kid fishing and share your love of angling and the gift of your time.
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12/15/2016 4:14:08 PM
Reelin with Roland
R
oland Martin is a fishing legend and there is a reason for that--he is a “World Class” angler. It is not every day that when your buddies ask you “What did you do this weekend?” you get to say “I went fishing with Roland Martin”. The weekend of December 3rd, I got to do just that and it was a once in a lifetime experience. Roland and I were able to be a part of something new--the 1st Annual Fishbrain ITrekkers Tournament held in Tampa Bay. This 1st Annual Tournament was a CPR (catch, photo, release) event and Roland and I were looking for our Inshore Slam-Trout, Redfish
and Snook. We started the day with Capt. Mike Grasso of “Reel Pro Charters” and headed out to Weedon Island to get a little shelter from the wind. That is where we caught about 40 Snook the last time we were out with Capt. Mike. Roland Martin has not only changed the way folks fish, he is now changing the way they use their favorite “Fishing App”-Fishbrain. Roland is sharing where he is fishing, how he is fishing and what he is using to catch all the monster fish he is reeling in—and, it’s free. Did I also mention the pay-out was $5,000 for this Tournament? That coupled
By: Misty Wells
with Roland Martin is a recipe for success. The proceeds from this Tournament went to benefit “A Reel Future”, a non-profit that works with children in group foster care and takes them fishing. To date over 1,000 kids have fished with “A Reel Future”. Tournament Director Tom Swick said, “It was a great first event with positive feedback and we are already planning our next event to be even bigger and better”. The fishing that day was tough. It was windy and the tide was being pushed out, but Roland knew what to do. We headed across the bay and started fishing with some live bait, throwing close to the edges of the mangroves and the docks while we did a slow drift. We bent a few rods, caught some nice fish, and I learned a lot from fishing with the master. Roland has some of the best fishing stories from his global adventures. I could have stayed out all day with him. Heading back to Hula Bay was a much nicer ride,
the wind had died down quite a bit and we were excited to see who was going to win the big money. We raised enough money from raffle ticket sales to sponsor 40 “A Reel Future” kids to go fishing, and some of the anglers walked away with a pocket full of Christmas money and lots of prizes. All I can say is, fishing with Roland and spending time on the water with him was incredible. Stay tuned, you never know who I will be fishing with next. Happy New Year Coastal Angler readers, keep your “Lines Tight” for the new year. Misty Wells is a founder of “A Reel Future”, a non-profit organization devoted to sharing knowledge and passion of fishing and the great outdoors to future generations and foster kids in need. She is the host of the national radio and television show “Let’s Take It Outside”, outdoor professional, writer and adventure guide for fishing and hunting trips. Mrs. Wells also sponsors the Clearwater High School Fishing Club. For show information or be a guest, go to www.mistywells.com
20 TAMPA | JANUARY 2017 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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12/15/2016 4:14:09 PM
Mayan Gold
pick your propulsion: Pedal - Paddle - Power
By: Will Korte
sometimes you can have them all
I
want to take a moment to acknowledge what I feel is a little known fish that I often catch incidentally while pond fishing for tarpon and snook; the Mayan Cichlid. According to FWC, Cichlids are native to the Atlantic slope of Central and South America. They were first recorded in Florida Bay in 1983 and are now found up to at least Pinellas County. They can survive in a wide range of salinities and environments. These fish will take a variety of offerings. I was once fishing in Tampa Bay with my father and he caught one on a live shrimp. I’ve seen them caught on MirrOdines and Gulp! Shrimp and are cooperative for fly anglers. Despite most of these fish being small, (the IGFA world record is 15
inches and 2.5 pounds), these fish are sporty fighters. In my opinion, the best way to catch these fish in terms of fun and likeliness of getting an eat is with a fly rod. Perhaps what is the coolest thing about these fish is their appearance. Black stripes like a sheepshead, with a black dot on its tail like a redfish and a bright orange body making it truly beautiful. Mayan Cichlids are always a welcome member to my fishing adventures. Will Korte is the editor of the Tampa Bay edition of “Coastal Angler” and is a member of the Florida Outdoor Writers Association. To contact Will, email tbt0813@ yahoo.com. Also check out Will’s blog 727Angler.com
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12/15/2016 4:14:12 PM
Flats to Nearshore Report By: Capt. Gary Burch
A
s we start a new year, we find ourselves dodging cold fronts. Even with temperatures on the cold side, there will be sunny days that warm the waters on the flats. This will be the time to get out and search your favorite trout and redfish areas. The optimal conditions for catching redfish and trout would be a high tide in the afternoon at the warmest part of the day. As the water moves up on the sun baked flats, it could be three to five degrees warmer. The fish will be more active in this warmer water and so catching a gator trout or an oversized redfish should be easier. The water temperature in the Tampa Bay Area will consistently be below 65 degrees, and most of the time around 60. Clearwater and Dunedin will hold some of the biggest gator trout on the west coast of Florida. Start out drifting and casting artificials like an eighth or quarter ounce jighead with a plastic tail. I like my plastic tail jigs to have a white belly and either root beer, dark green or new penny type color. Also, some flashy glitter mixed in can be attractive. Bounce your artificial along the bottom and through the sand holes as you drift. With this method you can cover a lot of ground. Also have some live shrimp on board, because when fish are found you can toss shrimp under a float for steady action. Remember to retrieve your artificials slowly; in the winter fish
are not going to be very active. If there are no takers, try a different drift until fish are found. Remember the regulations for our region for trout; the minimum size is 15 inches with a max of 20. You may harvest four per person per day with only one of the four over 20. Redfish can be hit or miss in January. You may think you have them locked in, but a cold front could blow through and change everything. Mangrove shorelines and oyster beds are your best bet. You can drift these areas with artificials or set up and throw live shrimp. If nothing is home, move on. Once you locate a school of redfish, use a stealth approach because they will be very skittish. For the winter months, the pattern seems to be finding and catching fish, then a cold front blows through and it’s back to finding fish. Dodging the cold fronts and getting out fishing in January can be challenging, but also can be very productive. It may take a little more searching than normal, but it will pay off when you find the fish. Happy New Year Capt. Gary Burch owns and operates All Catch Charters and specializes in live baits and artificials. He guides inshore, flats and backcountry from Clearwater to Tarpon Springs. To reach Capt. Gary for a charter, please call 727 458-6335 or visit his website: www.allcatchcharters.com
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22 TAMPA | JANUARY 2017 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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12/15/2016 4:14:13 PM
Hog Fish Season By: Jerry Guerra
As they say, things come in threes. The third spot was a charm. We got three gags over 30 inches and could have shot 100 hogfish. We shot a total of six nice ones for dinner. The visibility was perfect for spearfishing-about 30 feet of horizontal visibility and 50 feet of vertical visibility. We were about 18 miles due west of Ft. Desoto. We started working on Aiden’s snorkeling and open water swimming skills. These are key elements to learn to be a great freediver at a young age. He is nine now and learning quickly.
M
y dad, Jerry Guerra, Sr., Lee Hoagland, his Little guy Aiden Hoagland and I headed out to hunt some good ledges for hogs and grouper in about 45 feet of water. We started teaching Aiden the safety and joy of freediving. We got a late start, but none-the-less we were happy to be out there. We hit a couple of shallow wrecks for grouper and snapper, but didn’t have much luck.
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12/15/2016 4:14:15 PM
I Love Me Some Sea Bass!!
T
he sea bass have been on fire! We have been catching them on almost every trip out to the St. Pete reef within the last few weeks. The sizes on these guys have been roughly 14 to 16 inches with some smaller ones mixed in. The choice of bait has been live or dead greenbacks, but if you can’t get them, a few dozen handpicked shrimp from Mitch’s Bait and Tackle will definitely do the trick as
well ( by the way- he pretty much has them all time). The setup that I use is a Penn 3500ssv lined with 15 pound braid along with a one ounce sinker and a 3/0 hook tipped with 20 pound fluorocarbon leader. While fishing for the sea bass, don’t be surprised if you also hook up with a few snappers too. If you’re ready for arm pain, the big black drums are also around. We were
By: Capt. Anthony Corcella
broken off a few times by these big bruisers that were in the 40-50 pound range while we were hunting for Sheepshead at the bridges. However, we were able to wrangle up a few of the “smaller”15 pound class fish. I have also been snook fishing lately. I’ve been throwing free lined shrimp on a moving tide with success. If you have patience, flip out some dead bait and just let it sit-you will be surprised on what you might hook up with this time of the year! When the cold fronts move in, it’s time to fish the deep residential canals for trout. When there’s a super low tide there’s no water on the flats, therefore the places these fish can go for both food and safety are limited. I like to use live shrimp
Live & Frozen Bait
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on the bottom with a three foot leader rigged with a split shot. This is also an excellent time to break out those stink Berkeley Gulps, as now is the time where these baits won’t get pecked apart by pinfish or puffers. Put these tips to use and you’ll set yourself up for some great cold weather fishing. What makes our charter service unique is that we cater to disabled veterans and wheel chair bound clients! Our boat is able to accommodate wheelchairs and is ADA compliant. IF YOU’RE A DISABLED VETERAN YOUR TRIP IS FREE!!! This is our way we give back to our veterans. Pocket change inshore fishing charters Capt. Anthony Corcella 727-432-6446 www.fishtampacharters.com Check us out on Facebook Pocket Change Inshore Fishing Charter
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24 TAMPA | JANUARY 2017 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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12/15/2016 4:14:17 PM
GE
O
ne of the slowest ways to learn is learning from your own mistakes… but some of them will be priceless over time and hopefully you’ll laugh at yourself along the way. Just last weekend, a buddy and I hit the bay on a quick afternoon wade fishing trip and we excitedly launched the boat on a super low tide. Fail number one! Even if you are in a hurry, check the tidal forecast. We almost didn’t make it out of the little bayou. It didn’t stop there; we ran to our fishing area only to look at each other and say, “I thought you put my rods in the boat”…. “no, I thought you did”—Fail number 2! We both began to laugh. We always have plenty rods in the boat, and we still had just enough to get the job done, check out our big trout spot and to catch this redfish. There are faster ways to learn than just spending time on the water. You can spend years and not make much real advance guessing where to be and what to use. Hire teaching guides, go with better fishermen, read quality magazine articles, and watch quality instructional videos. Make sure you get good positive referrals to make sure you get the most out of your time and it will be something that will benefit you years to come. Laugh at yourself often. Tobin created the TroutSupport.com DVDs and has supported thousand’s of anglers in taking their game to the next level.
W
By Ed Killer
hen you have empty pockets, the thought of someone pressing a wad of cash firmly into your sweaty palm can be intoxicating. Want also can do that to a country and its leadership. It nearly happened to the Bahamas. For the discount price of $2.1 billion, China wanted to buy fishing, timber and farming rights for the next 10 years from the Bahamas. Reports from the Bahamian capital of Nassau suggest the proposed deal is dead in the water. For now, future fishing and diving trips to the islands will continue to be fruitful and productive. Following two weeks of outcry from Bahamian citizens, environmental groups, tourism officials, fishing organizations, recreational anglers and even the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, it appeared in late November the deal was a no-go. Bahamian Prime Minister Perry Christie said any such deal would have been “rejected outright.” This is a classic case of Bahamian officials trying to monetize what limited natural resources the country has. Once the arrangement became public, however, it was realized how lopsided and short-sighted it was. The deal would have far-reaching ramifications ecologically, economically and internationally. Let’s start with the ecological. Chinese corporations are in the business of feeding a nation of more than 1 billion consumers. To them, the Bahamas must look like a gold mine. Thousands of square miles of tropical reefs are inhabited by creatures great and small, all of which taste good dipped in soy sauce. More than anything, what Chinese interests were paying for was exemption from regulation and enforcement. The cash-strapped Bahamian government already struggles to enforce laws against illegal fishing, human trafficking and drug smuggling. Can anyone envision the Royal Defence Force boarding a factory fishing ship hailing from Shanghai to bust it for undersized lobsters?
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Additionally, according to the Marine Conservation Institute, these fishing businesses often use indiscriminate and destructive harvesting equipment and methods. They kill non-targeted species and marine habitat. Entire schools of migrating yellowfin and bluefin tuna would be at risk. Dolphin, wahoo, snapper and grouper also would be taken in great quantities. And does anyone think for a second that Chinese ships would obey the Exclusive Economic Zone of U.S. Federal waters? The second part of this foolish concept is the economic damage wrought to the Bahamas—and Southeast Florida. The Bahamas chief form of income is tourism. Year-round sunshine and beautiful beaches are the main draw, but right behind those two are recreational fishing, boating and diving. According to an economic study by the World Travel and Tourism Council, tourism represented 43.6 percent of the nation’s GDP in 2014. Some 98,000 jobs in the Bahamas are based on tourism. The deal would impact the Treasure Coast marine economy, too. Thousands of boaters use marinas in the three-county area as well as Palm Beach to provision for trips to the Bahamas. They spend money here getting ready to go there. No fish in the Bahamas would mean a sharp decrease in our boat traffic. Yet, earlier this year, Bahamian minister of agriculture and marine resources V. Alfred Gray authorized ambassador to China Paul Andy Gomez to pursue a deal he initially called a “progressive initiative.” Gray, Gomez and others were willing to mortgage a 10-year projected $38 billion in tourist revenue in exchange for $2.1 billion in fishing rights. For now, it seems Bahamian officials have reached a conclusion that is best for their country’s future. But there will be more offers to come. Not all of them will be brought to light before they are agreed upon. Ed Killer is the outdoors columnist for Treasure Coast Newspapers and TCPalm.com, and this column reflects his opinion. Friend him on Facebook at Ed Killer, follow him on Twitter @tcpalmekiller, email him at ed.killer@tcpalm.com or call him at 772-221-4201. For more about the Chinese and Bahamian relationship, go to
COASTALANGLERSALTWATER.COM
12/15/16 2:16 PM
U.S. Angler Steve LEssard Crowned
Hobie Fishing Worlds Champion
A
fter three days of fish and fun, 11 North American World Championship Team members recently returned to their respective states from Lafourche Parish, La. There they represented the United States and Canada in the sixth-annual Hobie Fishing World Championship, presented by Rhino-Rack and hosted by Hobie Cat Company. Anglers either qualified through regional tournaments or were invited to attend the crowning event held December 8-10. Competitors from 17 countries fished for the chance to be crowned this year’s Hobie Fishing World Champion.
After three days of challenging windy conditions, Steve Lessard deservedly claimed the top prize, becoming the first two-time Hobie Fishing World Champion. Just as soon as handshakes, camaraderie and celebrations were over, the other competitors started planning how the crown could be theirs at the seventh Hobie Fishing World Championship. “The first major cold front of year hit on day one,” Lessard said. “Honestly,
it helped me because I knew fishing conditions would change drastically. I knew it was going to be a physical as well as mental challenge. It’s easy to get discouraged with muddy water and high winds, but I was able to settle in and catch a few fish on the worst day. Day two went better and put me in first place.” Richard Somerton, representing Australia, took home a hard-fought second place. U.S. angler Matthew Vann rounded out the podium with his third place finish. Competitors fished for trout, flounder and redfish from identically rigged Hobie Mirage Pro Angler 14s, provided by Hobie Cat and outfitted with Lowrance electronics, Power-Pole MICRO Anchors, Yak-Attack accessories, Ram Mounts and equipment including Daiwa, Lurefans, Hobie Polarized and AFTCO gear. Bassmaster Elite pro Michael Iaconelli surprised the 49 international competitors when he showed up at the welcome dinner to cheer them on. “Unlike the competitions that I’m involved in, kayak fishing takes more strategy because it is much different and more difficult pedaling to the fish than racing over in a motorized boat,” said Ike. Competitors got a double surprise when he returned to congratulate Steve on his win and participate in the camaraderie that is an integral part of the Hobie Worlds. In the bayous of southern Louisiana, Lafourche Parish is the gateway to Cajun country and the Gulf of Mexico, offering a distinctly Louisiana “bayou” way of life and memorable experience for competitors. And then there is the fishing. According to Hobie’s Keeton Eoff, this could easily be the kayak fishing capital of the world. “We are very proud that Hobie Fishing Worlds chose to host their international tournament in Leeville this year. One of the best assets of Lafourche Parish is the world-class fishing, and Hobie anglers have been able to experience what makes our area so exceptional. The visibility of this tournament on a national and international level allows potential visitors to see the recreational value of our destination and why they should experience it firsthand,” said Timothy Bush, executive director of the Bayou Lafourche Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. For more about Hobie Fishing Worlds, go to
OFFSHOREANGLER.CO
By Jeff Anderson
I
n a significant step forward for the outdoor recreation industry and the sportfishing community, President Obama recently signed into law the Outdoor Recreation Jobs and Economic Impact Act of 2016. This legislation requires the Department of Commerce to assess and analyze the contributions of the outdoor recreation industry, including recreational fishing, to the United States economy. The legislation will help to ensure sportfishing industry jobs and recreational fishing’s economic impact are accounted for as part of the gross domestic product (GDP). The passage of the Outdoor REC Act was needed to make sure that the outdoor economy—and it’s estimated six million jobs and $646 billion in economic activity—receives official government recognition for years to come. “The Outdoor REC Act will also ensure that the outdoor industry’s economic statistics will be measured in the same comprehensive way as other business sectors, such as the automotive and apparel industries,” said American Sportfishing Association (ASA) Government Affairs Vice President Scott Gudes. “This is important because industry economic impact estimates also include data that show the non-direct impact that the activity has on the economy. For example, it would also include sportfishing’s contributions to travel and tourism, not just the purchase of tackle.” ASA is an active part of a team representing a wide-range of outdoor industries that will work with the Department of Commerce to shape how outdoor recreation is defined and ensure our reach and impact are recognized. In post-campaign remarks, President-elect Trump has voiced his support for maintaining fishing and hunting on our nation’s public lands.
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ishing the colder months of winter certainly has advantages. Most noticeable is the lack of crowds. This translates to more parking, less boat traffic and fewer people fishing in your favorite spots. Here’s how to dress for kayak fishing in the frigid conditions. Pay attention; for safety’s sake, it’s critical to dress properly and choose a stable kayak such as a Hobie Mirage Outback. Base layer: It’s important to have quality base layers that will wick water away from your skin instead of holding it in. Avoid cotton. Instead, go for wool or synthetics such as polyester. When layering over base layers, look for a zip-up fleece and fleece pants. Immersion layer: The best protection you can get is a drysuit. A suit made with a highly breathable material, such as Gore-Tex, will cost quite a bit more. If you’re going to spend a lot of time in the suit, it is well worth it. Waders: An inexpensive but adequate option for all but total immersion is a pair of breathable waders paired with a breathable dry top. Be sure to wear a wading belt as an extra safety measure. Gloves and footwear: For gloves, go for wools or synthetic materials, like fleece, so when they inevitability get wet, they won’t feel as cold on your skin. Look for a fleece lining and slit fingers that bend back for easy knot tying. For footwear, I like to wear thick wool socks under my dry suit, with booties on top. Wading boots are also nice and warm.
12/15/16 2:16 PM
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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JANUARY 2017
WEST COAST FLORIDA
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12/15/16 12:02 PM
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By CAM Staff
n architecture professor at the University of Kansas is experimenting with a novel idea that might help restore some of the coastal habitat lost to development in Florida. Keith Van De Riet, an assistant professor at UK’s School of Architecture, Design & Planning is currently undergoing an experiment with the seawalls at WannaB Inn on Manasota Key on Florida’s west coast. On this barrier island off Englewood, Fla., he has equipped a 20-foot section of the previously bare seawall with concrete panels designed to mimic the shape of mangrove roots. With 3-D modeling of actual plants and the use of crushed oyster shells as aggregate, the idea is to recreate some of the same benefits natural mangroves provide sea life. The panels were installed in October, and after just a few weeks they were showing signs of life. Van De Riet saw a problem with the loss of environmentally beneficial mangrove forests while teaching at Florida Atlantic University. He became interested in replicating some of those benefits, and his work continued after joining faculty in Kentucky in 2015. On the ground in Florida, FAU doctoral student Jessene Aquino-Thomas is monitoring the panels. If the “Reef Wall” panels prove successful, Van De Riet imagines them being used on a large scale to regenerate lost habitat. The experiment is funded by a grant from The Curtis and Edith Munson Foundation. The inn gave Van de Riet money matching his grant funds to complete his experiment.
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WEST COAST FLORIDA
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JANUARY 2017
I
n late November, scientists with the Mote Marine Laboratory released 320-hatchery reared snook into a Sarasota Creek as part of research into methods for enhancing wild snook populations. Snook are one of Florida’s most popular species for anglers, and they have had a rough time over the years. Winter freezes, red tides and increased fishing pressure all contributed to a sharp decline in populations in the late 1980s. Since that time, careful management and strict fishing regulations have led to a rebound in fish stocks, but snook are a species highly susceptible to environmental factors on the northern end of their natural range in Florida. For this reason, Mote and FWC have been continually researching the use of hatchery-reared snook to replenish populations hit by red tides or cold weather. This most recent study will tag and stock 10,000 to 15,000 juvenile snook into various waters of Sarasota and Manatee counties, including Bowlees Creek, Whitaker Bayou, Hudson Bayou, Phillippi Creek, North Creek and South Creek. The idea is to develop guidelines and learn more about how hatchery snook behave in the wild and their impact on fisheries. Mote will monitor the released snook in Phillippi Creek using transponders similar to the microchips for cats and dogs. This research is funded in part through Mote’s Fisheries Conservation and Enhancement Initiative and FWC’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute.
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LICE TOWN, BIMINI—Wahoo Smackdown VIII, hosted by the historic Bimini Big Game Club Resort and Marina on Nov. 10-12, saw more than 150 anglers competing for more than $25,000 in cash and prizes and landing over a ton-and-a-half (3,253.5 pounds) of fish in the process. With more than 50 record-setting catches in the waters around the island, Bimini has often been referred to as the Sport Fishing Capital of the World. “Bimini’s legendary fishing action held true once again,” said tournament director Capt. Robbie Smith. “Fish were everywhere, the action was competitive, and the fishing gods were with us.” A fleet of 35 boats fished, with 25 making it to the leaderboard. Over the two days, 133 fish were caught, the largest weighing over 84 pounds. Team Murderized, out of Grand Bahama, took top team honors with 11 fish weighing a total of 292.5-pounds, taking home $15,000 in cash winnings. Second place Team Monster Catch, out of Miami, earning $7,500 in cash winnings, caught the largest fish of the tournament, an 84.7-pound monster. They weighed eight fish for a total catch weight By Dr. Stefan Harzen • Photos Courtesy of Harzen/Brunnick, of 285.6 pounds. Team Box N Bull, out of Fort Lauderdale, finished third, taking Taras Oceanographic Foundation home $2,500 in cash winnings, with a total catch of 13 fish with a total catch weight of 262.8 pounds. tournament, and a closing awards party on the great lawn, featuring a buffet, Tournament coordinator Beth Watson said the weekend “went flawlessly,” live entertainment and a full open bar. adding the announced plan to refund tournament entry fees if the tournament Sponsors included Sysco, David Dunleavy Performance Fishing apparel, was called due to weather, attracted the largest number of entries since the Bost Lures, Sands Beer, InTheBite, Flanigan’s Seafood Bar and Grill, Faro Blanco tournament’s inception. Resort and Yacht Club, Reef Safe Suncare, Bacardi Oakhart Key West Marlin Tournament festivities included live local entertainment nightly, a cocktail Tournament, Roffs, Tito’s Vodka, Tropic Ocean Airways, and Island Glass Art. reception poolside for the captains meeting, a cookout on day one of the
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Anglers For Conservation wishes to thank all of our Paddleboard SponsorS sponsors who generously Raffle Nance Cacciatore contributed to our 2016 Paddleboard House, Indialantic ProteCt our WAters Aloha Shirt Sponsor Blue Turtle Magazine fundraising event. Surf Silent Auction Sponsors
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TIPS FROM A PRO
FRESHWATER WINTERTIME CRAPPIE FISHING
BRANDON LESTER
E
very year as my bass tournament season comes to an end, I start thinking about crappie fishing. I like to take a break and let the competitive flames refuel a bit. When the calendar strikes November and water temperatures dip into the 50s in Tennessee, I take several days to go crappie fishing. These fish make really good table fare, they are also very fun to catch, especially the big ones like you find in winter. I am well aware of how good crappie fishing is in spring. But for the way I fish for them around home, fall and winter are when you can really fill the livewell.
It works the same way when fishing laydowns. I look for laydowns on vertical banks that have a good-sized trunk. If they have a big trunk, I know there is a good-sized treetop out in the water. If they are there, I will see them on my SideVision. Once you find fish, cast exactly where they are or just beyond them, not 3 feet to the left or right. If you miss a crappie’s strike zone by 6 inches, you’ve missed it by a mile. Make the cast, count your bait down to the desired depth and reel just fast enough to maintain that depth. No jigging, nothing fancy, just a
Crappie stack up in large schools this time of year, at it’s not hard to catch them if you know what to look for. Crappie always hang around cover of some type. The two key pieces of structure on my home water are boat docks and laydowns. There are a few docks that seem to always hold fish, but I like to hunt for them with my Raymarine electronics. I turn on SideVision mode and start searching. Crappie will be in big schools, and I might go down a line of 50 docks with only one dock holding the mother lode. To see how big they are and to make sure they are crappie, I will put an Aqua Vu camera down there and check them out. Most of the docks I fish are floating, and the magical depth is normally at least 20 feet of water under the dock. The crappie will normally be suspended under these docks anywhere from 8 to 15 feet down, depending on the water clarity.
slow reel. My favorite jig head is a 1/32-ounce ball-shaped jig head with a good sharp Mustad hook, but I will go up to a 1/16-ounce if the wind is blowing or I’m fishing deeper than normal. Any soft plastic minnow imitation in the 2-inch range with a straight tail will work. Stay away from twist-tail grubs for this method because they cause your bait to rise too much. I use a S721 MHX rod built with supplies from Mud Hole Custom Tackle, including a Winn grip. It is 6-foot-long, super-sensitive and has the perfect action for controlling small baits. I team it with a 1000-size spinning reel and 4-pound Vicious Panfish line in fluorescent green. The green line helps me detect light strikes. These tips will help you all the way up until crappie start moving shallow to spawn. These fish are fat and healthy this time of year. So get out and have some fun this winter.
Get more tips from Lester at
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Surprising Winter is the Best Planting Time
I am often asked when is the best time to plant fruiting plants. My answer is usually the same; the best time is 20 years ago or today. The second best time to plant is during the winter months. Plants are dormant, and can be easily shipped and planted with no stress on the plant because there is not a lot of maintenance once the plant or tree has been planted. Simply dig a good hole, water thoroughly
at planting, and take the rest of the winter off. Even though there are no signs of growth above ground, the root systems will have time to get adjusted to their new location and begin to initiate new root growth. There are plenty of advantages of growing your own edibles. First of all, you know what has been done over the course of the growing season from a chemical stand point. Second, the fruit just taste
better coming out of your home orchard versus buying fruit from the grocers that have little to no flavors. Thirdly, it is good for your soul and you will feel more connected to the environment and nature. Whether it is an apple tree, muscadine vine or a blueberry bush; now is the time to plant. Let’s Grow Together. Greg Ison, Ison’s Nursery and Vineyards, 800733-0324, www.isons.com
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N
estled in the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina, Jackson County is home to the Western North Carolina Fly Fishing Trail and its centerpiece, the Tuckasegee River, which dissects the county as it flows north to Fontana Lake. The “Tuck,” as it is known to the locals, is a beautiful tailwater trout fishery used for the 2011 USA Fly Fishing Championships, in which the Gold Medal was won by Team USA member Logan Egan. The most popular time to fish the Tuck is during the delayed harvest (DH) fishing season from Oct. 1 to the first Friday in June each year. During this time frame, the Tuck is a catchand-release fishery with artificial-lure, single-hook restrictions. This stretch of specially regulated water runs about 5.5 miles outside the small towns of Dillsboro, Sylva and Cullowhee. The boundaries of the DH are marked by signage on the banks. These regulations appeal to fly fishers and spin fishers alike. You will not only see anglers stripping streamers, drifting nymphs, and casting dries, but you will see a fair number of spinner fishermen taking good numbers of brook, rainbow and brown trout. Jackson County receives an annual stocking of 92,800 trout, the most in the state of North Carolina. In October and November 2016, the Tuck DH section was stocked with 19,600 trout. Rainbow and brook trout made up about 80 percent of this number, and the other 20 percent were brown trout. Normally, trout reach 12 inches in length before making it into the Tuck, but anglers should expect to see, and potentially land, some trophy-sized trout on any drift or presentation. Many anglers wade the river, and drift boats are also popular. Stream flow is controlled by Duke Energy, which posts three days of release schedules on their website, www.duke-energy. com under the Nantahala link. Duke Energy has also provided boat ramps on Old Cullowhee Road and North River Road that many drifters use while floating the Tuck. South River Road is a popular area for anglers and guides due to the number of pull-offs that parallel the river and make accessing the river easy. Access to the Tuckasegee is great compared to some other rivers in the area, but there is some posted private property. Be sure to avoid it. The Tuck is also part of the North Carolina Mountain Heritage Trout Waters program, which allows anglers to fish with a special three-day license that costs only $5. Many anglers opt to purchase a regular fishing license with a trout stamp since the fee is fair and it gives access to almost all the state’s trout waters. A non-resident can purchase a 10-day fishing license and trout stamp for $33 or an annual fishing license and trout stamp for $51. The Tuck DH runs very close to downtown Sylva, yet its beauty catches most first-time anglers off guard.
In fall, the red, yellow and orange leaves dancing on the trees highlight the contours of the surrounding mountains. A bald eagle might closely judge your fishing skills, watching for its opportunity to show you how it’s done. Winter brings cleansing and the occasional snowfall, in which many local anglers find solitude chasing trout on tiny midges. Winter fishing pressure is minimal, which makes it a great time to land a large trout if you’re willing to test your mental toughness wading in cold water. Spring comes to life with budding trees and insects hatching, signaling the coming summer. Anglers spend late evenings on the Tuck sight casting to rising trout honed in on larger dry flies and emerger patterns. Spring evenings can be very peaceful, since most anglers have broken down their rods by 6 p.m. and are headed to the local brewery or one of the many unique restaurants or food trailers in downtown Sylva or Dillsboro. There is a list of local restaurants and breweries at www.mountainlovers.com, or just ask local fly shop employees for their recommendation. In 2016, the North Carolina General Assembly proclaimed Jackson County the Official Trout Capital of North Carolina. Jackson County is home to 4,600 miles of trout streams with a good mixture of hatchery supported streams and wild streams. Check out www.NCTroutcapital.com for more information. Jackson County was also the first to have an officially designated Fly Fishing Trail, which highlights 15 different streams and rivers for any angler to test their skills. Many have taken the challenge of catching and releasing trout or smallmouth bass in each location. There is a map that gives detailed information about each stream, directions, and the type of fish anglers can expect to catch. More information is available at www. flyfishingtrail.com. If you are looking for a fishery with plenty of trout and the opportunity to catch a 25-incher, the Tuck is for you. It is relatively close to Atlanta, Knoxville, Charleston and Charlotte. The Tuck is just an hour west of Asheville, N.C., and it is at the base of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Blue Ridge Parkway. This makes for a nice and easy weekend retreat, or it can be a popular destination for longer stays due to accessibility and other local attractions. Come and experience North Carolina trout fishing at its best! Shannon Messer owns Appalachian Flies and manages and guides at Blackrock Outdoors Orvis Authorized Fly Shop at 570 West Main Street, Sylva NC 28779. Contact him at 828-6314453 or appalachianflies@gmail.com.
North Carolina’s Tuckasegee River, A Southern Gem By Shannon Messer
For more fishin’ on the North Carolina Tuckasegee River, go to
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FISH & FISHING
A DIFFERENT APPROACH MARK SOSIN
I
t’s commonplace today, but more than a halfcentury ago few anglers even thought about it. The late Dr. Webster Robinson wanted to catch either a sailfish or striped marlin on a fly rod while casting from a boat that was out of gear so that the fly was not being trolled. Working with his skipper, Capt. Lefty Reagan, these angling legends fathered the concept of teasing a fish. They reasoned that if they could raise a billfish on a hookless bait, capture its total attention by keeping the tasty morsel just out of reach, work the fish within casting range and substitute a different offering at the last minute, the mission would be successful. I knew both men well and listened intently as Web Robinson described the process to me in detail. He even gave me a copy of the fly he used. Teasing ranks as an extremely effective technique for countless species in a variety of situations. Working on sailfish or marlin on the offshore grounds is just one phase. Sometimes known as bait-andswitch, it’s nothing more than using a live bait, dead bait or a certain artificial to excite a fish enough so it will eat the lure or bait you want it to devour on the tackle of your choice. Very light tackle enthusiasts often tease their quarry into striking so that the line doesn’t break on the initial contact. I’ve teased countless species from sharks, albacore and tuna to striped bass, redfish, barracuda, amberjack, snook and many more. Let me share a couple examples to show you how effective teasing can be. Using a spinning outfit, I rigged a plastic worm exactly the same way as I would for largemouth bass. Pacific sailfish normally don’t include plastic worms as part of their diet. We teased one with a bonito belly and, once the boat was out of gear, I cast the worm. My partner yanked the teaser out of the water and the fish inhaled a plastic worm faster than you can read this.
I met a man who showed me beautiful flies for offshore species. When I told him I could catch a sailfish on a cigar just as easily as with one of his flies, he laughed at me. We were shooting a television show in Panama, and late in the day Capt. Karl Anderson asked if I had a cigar. He rigged it with a leader and hook, attached it to a flyrod and waited for a sailfish to show in the trolled teasers. We stopped the boat, Karl yanked the teaser away from the fish, and I cast the cigar. Within seconds, the sailfish crashed the cigar, went airborne, and all you could see was tobacco showering through the air. As Karl put it, that’s no longer theory. Teasing fish opens a broad new dimension to the sport. As an angler, it allows you to hook fish on all types of tackle using any bait or lure you choose including cigars and plastic worms. Try it and you’ll become hooked on the technique just as I am.
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Rod Holders
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FLY FISHING
CASTING FOR REDFISH: BEYOND THE DOUBLE HAUL
I
t is well-known that the double haul and the back cast are essential for fly fishing for redfish. Here are three more casts I believe are very important when targeting winter reds with a fly. Fly Repositioning Cast This cast is wonderful when you need to recast a fly to a redfish that refused it or when you missed your target. It works best when 20 or more feet of line are outside the tip-top. It is essential to the success of this cast to not rush picking the fly line up off the water. The key is to load for the back cast by beginning with the rod tip close to the water and slowly lifting the line off the water. Then wait to feel the rod load on the back cast. Once you feel the rod load, make a forward cast, allowing the fly to hit the mark. I’ve witnessed far too many fishermen rush to recast, and in doing so, miss their target on the second cast. The Quick-Cast For The Short Game When sight casting, you will need to execute some short, quick accurate casts. The short cast is one of the most difficult casts to make because a fly rod made for short casting has yet to be built. When red fishing, unless I know I’ll be making long casts, I keep roughly 40 feet of fly line stripped into a line management basket (a bucket if fishing from a skiff) and 20 feet of line outside the fly rod’s tip-top. The first 15 feet of the belly section of the line will easily load the fly rod with minimal false casting. Place the fly between the index finger and thumb of the hand not holding the rod. If a redfish is spotted at close range, make a back cast while at the same time releasing the fly from your hand and cast to the redfish.
Master The Cross-Wind Cast The wind blows where redfish live. The most difficult winds to a fly flinger are the cross-wind and the following-wind. Both are guaranteed to give the angler fits. The best cast for these challenging situations is the Belgian cast, a very quick cast that when executed correctly presents the fly under challenging conditions. The key is to make an extended side-armed back cast, followed by a high extended-arm overhead cast that will provide the angler distance when working in a big wind. A word of caution: The side cast may produce the painful problem of a fly imbedded in the angler if the wind is blowing toward the casting arm. Put It To The Test When targeting winter redfish, the fly angler will be presented with many different casting situations depending on weather conditions. It’s important to understand and execute each of the casting techniques discussed. Once mastered, a trophy redfish is only a cast away! Conway Bowman caught this 41.65-pound IGFA fly-caught world record redfish out of Hopedale, La.
For More Fly Fishing with Bowman, go to
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FISHING AND DIVING
The Maldives
By Capt. Terry Fisher
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t had been 20 years since I had boarded a followed by fishing. The Maldivian government live-a-board to fish and dive. My friend, Capt. is famous for it’s eco-friendly approach and Wayne Hasson, president of Aggressor and serious application to fish conservation. The Dancer Fleets, invited me to accompany him to government’s prohibition of net and long-line the Maldives for a world-class fishing and diving fishing for commercial purposes has sustained the expedition. Over the years, Wayne and I have abundance of fisheries. Commercial fishermen use fished and dived many exotic locations, including line and pole, preventing by-catch of species other waters of the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Pacific than their main target, which is tuna. Sport fishing, and Atlantic. This was my first visit to the Indian therefore, has thrived. Among the game fish found Ocean. are giant trevally, barracuda, wahoo, dorado, A three-leg flight from Miami through New yellowfin tuna, sailfish and marlin. Bonefish and York and Dubai landed us in Male, the small, permit inhabit the flats. bustling capital of the Maldives. Upon arrival, There are many charter fishing operations Wayne and I quickly cleared customs and were in the Maldives. I had numerous opportunities to assisted by a friendly and helpful crew of the be transported to beautiful sand beaches in the mother ship. We were transported aboard a ‘Dhoni’ middle of the Indian Ocean to fish for bonefish, (dinghy) by water, to lush accommodations aboard giant trevally, jack crevalle and other species. the Maldives Aggressor. This live-a-board vessel While sailing to new dive sites, we used a ‘Dohni’ boasts a full-service galley, huge salon, 10 guest to troll and catch tuna, sailfish, wahoo and dorado. state rooms and decks for relaxing, sunbathing, At night aboard the Maldives Aggressor, we dining under the stars or just getting away for bottom fished for grouper and snapper. some private time. This luxury yacht offered all Trolling, spinning, fly-fishing gear, including of the comforts and amenities of a five-star, land- lures and fly presentations are basically the same as based property with toilets, lavatory and shower we use in the states. Diving various locations and facilities to satisfy the most demanding guests. seeing up close the numerous species that I would This voyage, Dive with the Owners Week, fish for was an added and educational bonus. provided me the benefit of being surrounded Perfect water clarity offered a vast array of marine by a number of crew, divers and fishermen, life at every dive destination. representing more than 10 different countries. The Maldives is a nation of islands. It is also For information on this trip of a lifetime, visit the “Honeymoon Capital” of Europe and parts www.maldivesfishing.com or www.aggressorfleet. of Asia. Temperatures range from 77 to 86. There com. Contact Capt. Terry Fisher of Cape Coral, are 26 atolls with 1,190 islands. One island boasts Florida’s Fish Face Charters at fishfacecharters@ a rainforest. Only 209 of the islands are inhabited yahoo.com. with a total population For more fishing in the Maldives, go to of only 400,000. Tourism is the leading industry,
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A
ll tournament anglers want to win. The questions are: How bad do you want that win? How much are you willing to sacrifice? How much are you willing to put on the line chasing the big win? The answers aren’t cut-and-dry or crystal clear. Most tournament anglers I know are perfectly content competing at the club and local level for beer money. But don’t underestimate the will of those guys either. I recently competed in a Deerpoint Team Trail event with Travis Poole in which a win would have been a few hundred dollars for us to split. It was low threat, low entry fee and big fun. You’d think that given the conditions that day, any sane man would’ve stayed at home. Approximately 4 inches of rain fell that day, the wind blew and lightning popped around our heads all day. Still, most guys that entered the event that morning brought their catch to the scales in the pouring rain hoping to claim the prize. The weather didn’t seem to dampen their desires one bit. They wanted it bad enough, at least they did that day. For the professional angler, the weather is just one of many elements they must fight to stay in the game. Family, sponsorship obligations, mechanical problems and financial burdens are just a few of the non-fishing issues that require an angler to do a gut-check nearly every day. All these things must be tended to before the angler can even set out to find fish for a coming event, and he’s usually a one-man crew. Some of the top touring anglers have support networks taking on some of this for them, but rest assured, they didn’t get there with them. Stories from many of the top pros sound the same, tales about sleeping in the cab of their trucks for weeks on end, dining on peanut butter day after day, selling possessions off to fund the next event, and practicing in horrible weather because they only have two days to figure out unknown waters. If there was one thing I could define that separates the successful tournament angler from the others, it’s this: he wanted more. The guy in this picture is my friend Johnny Nguyen. He is a great example of what I just described. I can’t tell you how bad he wants it, but I can tell you he possesses at least one critical element for fishing success: the undeniable, unflappable, hard-core love for the sport. No tournament here, just him out fishing on a day he probably shouldn’t have been. But there he is, doing what he loves. Some get it, others never will. Randy Cnota is the co-publisher of Coastal Angler/The Angler Magazine’s Panama City/Forgotten Coast edition.
For More fishing with Randy ‘C-Note’ Cnota, go to
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hose of us who live life outdoors know it’s not always sunny. It can get downright ugly, and many times the best bite of the year is on the leading edge of a nasty front. With good foul weather gear, wind and rain should never stand between anglers and feeding fish. Pelagic Gear, a company founded on and devoted to the ocean lifestyle, has developed a line of gear that guarantees anglers will stay happy and dry, no matter what Mother Nature sends rolling in. Pelagic’s Dri-Flex Lightweight Jacket is perfect to throw in the bag for those dewy mornings or windy evenings when there’s a slight chill. Pelagic’s DRI-FLEX fabric provides the comfort of a lightweight jacket while protecting you from the elements with water repellant technology. When it’s time to take protection from the elements up a notch, anglers shouldn’t get caught on the water without
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Pelagic’s Hurricane Jacket. For more than a decade, this 100-percent waterproof outerwear has been the choice of hardcore captains around the world. It was designed specifically for the harsh conditions of the marine environment with technical features that cater to the needs of anglers. With welded zipper technology, reflective hex-safety patches and a moisture-wicking liner, the Hurricane Jacket keeps anglers dry and shielded in bad weather. And then there are those times when you need protection all over. Pelagic’s Stormbreaker Foul Weather Jacket and Bib are a full barrier to the elements. The suit is made of a lightweight PVC that is 100-percent waterproof, yet comfortable to wear. Again, it was designed specifically for anglers, with a loose cut for optimal maneuverability and plenty of ventilation. This is also the perfect rain barrier for the traveling angler. It is lightweight and packs easily, so an angler never has to leave the docks without the full protection from harsh conditions. Good foul weather gear is essential to every angler. When it comes to selecting protection from the elements, it makes sense to choose gear designed specifically for fishing. Any outerwear will do if the mission is a stroll through the park. Pelagic Gear’s line protects anglers and keeps them fishing in the kind of brutal conditions only found on open water. To learn more about the Pelagic Lifestyle, go to
ANGLERSDREAM.CO
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FITEC CAST NETS Fitec International has been providing the very best cast nets available to anglers for over 50 years. They are the world’s largest manufacturer of cast nets and their products are in stock or online with all major retailers and distributors where cast nets are sold. The superior quality in their handmade nets gives anglers the fun and performance they deserve while out on the water. Hold a Fitec net next to a competitor and you will see there is no comparison. Fitec’s Super Spreader and Ultra Spreader cast nets are simply the best! Fitec offers four distinct categories to ensure you are able to get the net you need. The patented EZ throw cast net is designed with a disc feature that is perfect for the novice. The RS, or Recreational Series, is designed for shallow waters or for the person who wants a lighter net. The SS, or Sport Series, nets are designed with a 1-pound per radius foot weight system and are the No. 1 selling cast net in the country. Finally, the GS, or Guide Series, nets are designed for the serious angler, built with the highest quality standards and the fastest sink rate. Fitec values your business. They go to work every day with you, their customer, in mind. Their mission is to “bring innovative quality products to customers, with drive and passion every day.”
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Seeking to become the leading and most comprehensive manufacturer of all things diving and fishing, Hammerhead Spearguns has made another addition to its lineup of gear. They are proud to announce the launch of the Dentex NT, a utility glove so durable yet flexible it’s almost like having a second skin on the hands. The Dentex NT comes with an ANSI Cut Level 5 and Puncture Level 3 and is woven from Hammerhead’s signature red Dentex fabric, but now it has a Sandy Nitrile coating on the palm and fingers, giving it increased resistance to heat and chemicals, plus additional grip. The Dentex NT is also known to be extremely pliant, molding seamlessly into your hands, so no clumsy mitten-hands here. You can even pick up a penny while wearing them! The wide range of things you can do with the Dentex NT gloves is staggering. You can use them not just when you fish or handle tricky, spiny sea critters but also when doing repairs or squaring off with hazardous materials. Welding a piece of metal to fix your boat? Piece of cake! Filleting tuna? Sure thing! Changing lines and hooks? Say goodbye to line abrasions and getting pricked, stabbed, or poked on your fingers. Sharp tools and hot objects no longer pose a threat to your valuable hands.
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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT ERGODOCK OFFERS IMPROVED RESILIENCE, AESTHETICS AND SAFETY
While many docks along the Florida coastline buckled to the force of Hurricane Matthew this fall, widespread reports from boaters and anglers indicated that docks utilizing ErgoDock technologies held up considerably better. With the damage and debris left in Matthew’s wake, the resilience of ErgoDock proved significant—not only because of its strength, but because of expected durability against future hurricanes that routinely batter the coast. The ErgoDock difference is its inherent structural augmentation. ErgoDock is designed to provide a matrix that evolves the dock into a single structural component instead of a succession of individual parts like most marine docks are constructed. Independent tests report that ErgoDock significantly outperforms all other dock options in comfort, safety and customization. ErgoDock’s unique texture, for example, enhances safety with a far more slip resistant material than wood or composite decking. The ErgoDock surface also is designed to allow more “give,” increasing comfort and safety by easing stress on ErgoDock owners’ feet, back and joints while also mitigating any potential injury from a fall. ErgoDock prevents deterioration, therefore reducing the need for maintenance. Its products adhere with an impervious membrane to seal all decking materials and are self-draining, to prevent UV or water degradation of existing decking or concrete surfaces. “Our purpose was to create a material that far outperforms all other dock options when it comes to safety, comfort, customization and longevity,” said Kent Weisenberg, founder and CEO of ErgoDock LLC. “There is nothing like it on the market. ErgoDock is a multi patent-pending marine surfacing system that is revolutionizing the dock design and repair industries.” Weisenberg, the sole named inventor on 28 U.S. and foreign patents, added, “We passionately pursue improving the world’s infrastructure with green technology. ErgoDock surfaces are made of sustainable materials that fight the depletion of our environment.” ErgoDock products can be used in various stages of a dock’s life whether for preservation, safety, aesthetics or for any combination of the three. Still want that traditional wood dock look? ErgoDock offers ErgoWood Decking, which is select-treated wood that is pre-dried and then encased in ErgoDock’s patented SafeTread material and prevents deterioration from sun and water while increasing a dock’s life by as much as 10 years over current decking materials. “Add it all up, and ErgoDock products represent a major leap forward in dock design and repair,” Weisenberg said. “We want people to know that there is another option out there–one that comes with ergonomic elegance and represents a resilient, safe and viable option that contractors will want to offer their customers.”
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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT XTRATUF CAMO-LINED LEGACY BOOT Designed to keep fishermen sure-footed on the water, XTRATUF’s Camo-Lined Legacy Boot is the ideal boot for fishing in the elements. An interior camo lining and XTRATUF logo that are visible when the boot is rolled down adds a pop of color to XTRATUF’s classic performance boot. Not your typical rubber boot, the Legacy is triple-dipped to create a seamless coating of rubber that further strengthens an already watertight material, thus sealing the boots and making them impervious to fish oils and chemicals. The soft, pliable and lightweight neoprene latex rubber gives the Legacy boots unparalleled comfort and flexibility. The hand-laye r e d construction allows for flex and strength at critical stress points on the boot. A signature chevron outsole design and unique rubber compound provides maximum surface contact for ultimate traction and stability in even the most severe fishing and work conditions. These 100 percent waterproof boots will keep the warmth in and the cold out when the temperature drops.
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LET THE BATTLE BEGIN The Slammer is back! Featuring a full metal body and rotor, IPX6 sealed gear box and spool design, a full Brass CNC Gear system,
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