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PHOTO COURTESY OF FELICIA SCOCOZZA VOLUME 23 • ISSUE 278
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O P P O R T U N I T I E S
A V A I L A B L E
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W O R L D W I D E
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THE LIGHTEST PENN REEL EVER MADE The Lightest PENN Reel Ever Made. The all new Conflict II matches an extremely light weight design with PENN’s legendary durability. Featuring our RR30 body, CNC Gear Technology and HT-100 Drag system, the Conflict II is the ultimate inshore reel.
PENNFISHING.COM
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© 2018 PENN is a registered trademark of Pure Fishing, Inc.
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Solar Shade™ ZERO Long Sleeve Shirt
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CEO / EDITOR IN CHIEF : Ben Martin • camads@coastalanglermagazine.com COO : Tracy Patterson • tracy@coastalanglermagazine.com ART DIRECTOR : Rebecca Snowden • graphics@coastalanglermagazine.com EDITORIAL COORDINATOR : Nick Carter • editorial@coastalanglermagazine.com WEBMASTER : Derrick Oppelt • webmaster@coastalanglermagazine.com ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: Corporate Headquarters info@coastalanglermagazine.com • 888-800-9794
FLORIDA
BIG BEND : Mike McNamara • (850) 510-7919 • captmike@coastalanglermagazine.com BREVARD : Chris Milner • (321) 631-1001 • cmilner@coastalanglermagazine.com FLORIDA KEYS : Cliff Lumpkin • (305) 849-9093 • cliff@coastalanglermagazine.com FORT LAUDERDALE : Gene Dyer • (954) 680-3900 • gene@coastalanglermagazine.com FORT MYERS : Nadeen Welch • (239) 595-8265 • nwelch@coastalanglermagazine.com GREATER ORLANDO : Phillip & Giselle Wolf • (407) 790-9515 • phillip@coastalanglermagazine.com GREATER MIAMI : Gene Dyer • (954) 680-3900 • gene@coastalanglermagazine.com LAKELAND & SUMTER : Mary Brasher • (352) 598-4219 • maryf@coastalanglermagazine.com NAPLES : Nadeen Welch • (239) 595-8265 • nwelch@coastalanglermagazine.com NC FLORIDA/NATURE COAST : Cary & Lynn Crutchfield • (352) 372-4237 • crutch@coastalanglermagazine.com NE FLORIDA : Danny Patrick • (904) 742-4696 • danny@coastalanglermagazine.com PANAMA CITY/FORGOTTEN COAST : Randy Cnota • (229) 834-7880 • randyc@coastalanglermagazine.com PALM BEACH COUNTY : Barbara Ryan • (561) 373-8040 • barbara@coastalanglermagazine.com SARASOTA : Phil Prevoir • (239) 257-4684 • pprevoir@coastalanglermagazine.com TAMPA BAY : Chuck Atkins • (239) 464-5153 • chuck@coastalanglermagazine.com TREASURE COAST : Misti & Gary Guertin • (772) 285-6850 • treasurecoast@coastalanglermagazine.com
flahama@coastalanglermagazine.com
SOUTHEAST
ATLANTA : Bob & Brenda Rice • (706) 614-8231 • bobr@theanglermagazine.com CHARLESTON : Jane A. Redden • (205) 725-9616 • jane@coastalanglermagazine.com
Sam Buckareff • (843) 607-8629 • sam@coastalanglermagazine.com
CHARLOTTE/PIEDMONT : Mark & Haley Alberghini • (704) 651-1934 • mark@theanglermagazine.com COLUMBIA/MIDLANDS : John Lux • (803) 807-6885 • jlux@theanglermagazine.com MYRTLE BEACH : Mike Masiero • (732) 674-3019 • mmasiero@coastalanglermagazine.com SW GEORGIA : Bob & Brenda Rice • (706) 614-8231 • bobr@theanglermagazine.com TIDEWATER/OUTER BANKS : John Tiger • (757) 707-9654 • john.tiger@coastalanglermagazine.com
Laura Tiger • (757) 707-9655 • laura@coastalanglermagazine.com
WESTERN NC : Debra & Joe Woody • (828) 775-9663 • woody@theanglermagazine.com WILMINGTON/MOREHEAD : Charlie Lamm • (252) 205-6472 • clamm@coastalanglermagazine.com
NORTHEAST BOSTON : George Regan • (617) 488-2842 • boston@coastalanglermagazine.com LONG ISLAND : Lisa & Michael Danforth • (203) 321-7635 • lisad@coastalanglermagazine.com CONNECTICUT/RHODE ISLAND : Lisa & Michael Danforth • (203) 321-7635 lisad@coastalanglermagazine.com
GULF COAST MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST : Adam Nelson • (228) 627-5903 • anelson@coastalanglermagazine.com
You guys are everywhere.
A
nglers share some very unique commonalities. One trait that seems standard across the board is that whenever we find ourselves in a new destination, regardless of why we’re there, we always want to find out about “what’s biting.” Normally a quick trip to a local tackle shop gets us up to speed. I often hear from readers that they were in a different state or a different region and found a copy of our magazine at the tackle shop they went into. One such reader recently told me, “I live in Wilmington, North Carolina, and I read your Wilmington edition every month. I was in Mississippi recently on business and I saw a copy of your magazine at a local tackle shop. The next month I was in Key West, Florida and saw a copy of the magazine at a tackle shop there. I just landed in Connecticut today and can’t believe that I just picked up another copy of your magazine at a tackle shop here in Connecticut. You guys are everywhere.” It is true; we are available for free in over 30 market areas, but we’re not everywhere yet. Our franchise publishing model is changing the way American anglers view a local fishing magazine, and we’re looking to further expand our footprint. If you think owning your own business as the publisher of your area’s local fishing magazine is something that would fit your career and lifestyle goals, give us a call for information on potential franchise opportunities in your area. Previous publishing experience is not required. We have a complete training program and ongoing support system that enables our co-publishing partners to quickly establish the magazine as a primary resource for the avid angler nearly everywhere. Best regards,
Toby Nelson • (228) 623-1761 • tnelson@coastalanglermagazine.com
GREAT LAKES WEST MICHIGAN : Phil Belsito • (616) 957-1714 • phil@theanglermagazine.com
INTERNATIONAL PUERTO RICO/VIRGIN ISLANDS : Ace Bassue • (407) 285-9453 • ace@coastalanglermagazine.com COSTA RICA : Mike Erickson • (561) 262-2242 • mike@coastalanglermagazine.com © 2018. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. Disclaimer: Coastal Angler Magazine / The Angler Magazine will not be held liable for injuries incurred while partaking in activities described herein, or for claims made against products or services provided by advertisers.
Ben Martin Editor in Chief info@coastalanglermagazine.com
1-888-800-9794
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WHO CARES ABOUT PUTTING YOUR LURE RIGHT ON TOP OF FISH?
All trademarks mentioned are owned by, or licensed to, the AkzoNobel group of companies. © AkzoNobel 2017.
YOU SHOULD.
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For over a century, a league of canned crusaders have been fighting to keep boats safe from barnacles, slime, algae and other aquatic evils that rob your boat of its true performance. With advanced know-how and unique capabilities, each antifouling is tailored to different conditions, and has the power to defeat fouling in all its forms. Micron® Extra leads the charge in all waters. Using its signature dual-protection with boosting Biolux® technology, it provides high-quality, multi-season protection that survives hauling and relaunch without the need for repainting. For super-powered antifouling protection and proven performance, choose Interlux®.
All trademarks mentioned are owned by, or licensed to, the AkzoNobel group of companies. © AkzoNobel 2017.
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Paddlesports Product Review CARIBE TIBURON INFLATABLE SUP You’ll be slithering through the waves with ease and gliding along in true mariner style when you hop on Caribe’s inflatable SUP. Decorated with a shark silhouette and further amplified by a cool camo print, this blue and black paddleboard is always a hit among water-lovers with a penchant for adventure. The Tiburon Inflatable Paddleboard comes with 6 D-Rings on the softpad so you can attach a variety of accessories like a cooler, 2 Kayak Seats, dry bags, etc. it also comes with a D-Ring on the front bottom deck, excellent for anchoring or towing the board. A very wide 34” design provides stability like no other board on the market. It’s ideal for fishing and long rides and has a smooth non-slip softpad that provides grip as well as comfort. Concerned about hooks on board or punctures from oyster beds? No worries! Double deck Tarpaulin layers protect the board from punctures while providing the most rigid inflatable experience out there. All Caribe’s boards come with a 2-year warranty against manufacturing defects.
WWW.CARIBESUP.COM
AIRHEAD SUP BONEFISH 1138 True to its name, the Airhead SUP Bonefish 1138 is a paddleboard specifically designed for fishing. This super-stable fishing SUP has two inflatable sponsons that give anglers the firm platform they need for fighting big fish and navigating rough water. There are four strategically placed mount pads on deck to accommodate four rod racks, Airhead SUP Fishing Racks and Bucket Racks. Two smaller accessory mounts are perfect for small rod holders or other accessories, and two stainless D-ring cooler tie downs round out endless possibilities for equipment customization. A classic teak-look EVA decking provides sure footing. At just 41 pounds, transport of the Bonefish 1138 is easy, and two molded handles fore and aft make carrying it to the water a breeze, even when it’s fully loaded. There is versatility built in with 10 stainless steel D-rings and two stretch tie downs. The Bonefish 1138 comes with a mesh backpack for transport and storage, a Hi Pressure hand pump for quick and easy inflation, a pressure gauge, valve wrench, board strap and repair kit.
WWW.AIRHEADSUP.COM
KAKU WAHOO 10.5 The new Kaku Wahoo 10.5 may be the baddest little ’yak on the water. It is a compact version of the Wahoo 12.5, which has proven itself as a superb fishing kayak. Kaku went and shaved a couple of feet and more than 10 pounds off of the original Wahoo to create a boat that is easier to transport and paddles very well in the tight environs kayak anglers often find themselves in. And while the Wahoo 10.5 gives up size, it does not sacrifice fishability or performance. It has all the features of the Wahoo 12.5. By flattening the rocker and lowering the keel, Kaku has designed a boat that tracks well and is easy to stand on. A sick deck pad rounds out the look of a quick little ’yak that is stable, comfortable and easy to handle.
KAKUKAYAK.COM
MANTA RACKS Whether it’s a mother-ship expedition offshore, a day-cruise to some isolated islands or exploration deep into the mangroves, there are a lot of places paddle-sports enthusiasts want to be that are too distant to access under paddle power. SUPs and kayaks take up a lot of room on the deck of the boat, and Manta Racks has come up with the perfect solution. The Manta Racks system stores your kayaks or SUPs securely to your boat, where they are out of the way, and it utilizes the boat’s rod holders, so there’s no need to drill any new holes for mounting. With a patented 360-degree locking swivel feature, paddleboards, wakeboards, kayaks, kiteboards, water skis and surfboards can be easily stored on the gunnel of the boat without drilling extra holes. All of your boards are out of the way of your passengers, securely fastened to your Manta Racks system. Go farther when you take your boards.
WWW.MANTARACKS.COM
WILDERNESS SYSTEMS RADAR SERIES With its new Radar Series, Wilderness Systems continues to build on its legacy of innovation, performance and quality in fishing kayaks. The Radar Series is Wilderness Systems’ first tri-powered kayak, which means it has paddle, power and pedal capabilities. It features S.M.A.R.T. Hull Technology that combines stability, maneuverability, acceleration, responsiveness and tracking throughout the entire design for ultimate
performance in multiple water environments. In addition to a flat platform for standing and freedom of movement, the Radar boasts state-of-the-art outfitting including expansive SlideTrax rails, a multitude of storage opportunities, and scupper options to deploy the Helix MD motor drive, Helix PD pedal drive and multiple options for electronics, including down-imaging, side-scanning or both. With Helix PD, a built-in steering control system allows for easy navigation that leaves your hands free for fishing. The AirPro Max seat complements the package with optimized positioning for any mode of travel.
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Paddlesports Product Review NUCANOE FLINT NuCanoe made waves when it introduced its new Flint kayak at iCast. Here is a boat jam-packed with features for serious anglers, yet the price tag is way below what you’d expect for such a high-quality kayak. At 11’3”, and less than 70 pounds, The Flint is the perfect boat for exploring creeks, rivers and backwater marshes. It is agile, responding nimbly to the paddle, and it also tracks very well despite its shorter length. Light enough for easy one-man transport, this boat is amazingly stable, and unique scupper hole design provides a firm deck. The Flint cockpit is wide open and fishes like a much larger kayak. There’s plenty of room and stability for standing to fish on an uncluttered deck, and the new Hawg Trough channel keeps your measuring board handy but out of the way. With five gear tracks, handy spaces for tackle boxes and angled flush-mount rod holders, NuCanoe has come up with a simple yet efficient and customizable layout for everything an angler needs. The side handle that doubles as a quick-clip paddle holder is a handy innovation someone should have come up with long ago. Cap it all off with the comfy custom-height Pinnacle seat NuCanoe is known for, and this is a top-notch fishing platform for a reasonable price.
WWW.NUCANOE.COM
PERCEPTION PESCADOR PILOT 12.0 Perception’s pedal-powered Pescador Pilot is a fishing machine that is extremely comfortable and functional for anglers. It excels in flat water and is an excellent kayak for inshore and bay fishing as well as on freshwater lakes and ponds. The Pilot Drive propeller system effortlessly propels the boat, even in reverse, while leaving both hands free. The spacious, sit-on-top design with generous storage and accessory mounts make the kayak easy to customize. Superior stability allows anglers to cast and fight fish while standing. Comfort is absolutely necessary for serious anglers spending long hours on the water. The Pescador Pilot is built for that. A roomy captain’s chair features zonal mesh to promote cooling airflow. On-the-fly seatback adjustment tilts back for relaxed pedaling or forward for sportier pedaling.
With performance, comfort, features, and storage that outdistance its price point, especially for a peddle-driven kayak, the Pescador Pilot is also a great value. This boat is proudly designed, molded and hand assembled in the USA and is backed by a 5-year warranty.
WWW.PERCEPTIONKAYAKS.COM
OLD TOWN PREDATOR PDL Prepare yourself for a totally new fishing experience. Old Town has taken boat control to new heights with forward and reverse via an efficient and easy-to-use propriety pedal-drive system. It gets you to the spot fast, and keeps you on the spot without paddling. With forward, reverse and agile maneuverability, you’ll experience precise boat control while your hands remain free to focus on fishing. The removable pedal drive installs in seconds and tips up instantly for shallowwater docking. The Predator PDL’s specially-designed hull combines the perfect balance of smooth pedal stroke speed and stand-up stability. The Old Town PDL pedals exactly like a bicycle, converting modest pedaling into maximum propulsion. A 10.3:1 gear ratio means that anglers can reach speeds up to 5.5 mph to reach fishing spots fast and efficiently. It also makes trolling through a range of useradjustable speeds easy and effective. The Predator PDL is infinitely customizable with rigging accessories from Cannon, Scotty, YakAttack, RAM and more.
WWW.OLDTOWNCANOE.COM
SEA EAGLE 350FX FISHING EXPLORER For anglers who like to go it alone, Sea Eagle’s 350fx is a terrific choice. The most stable and rugged entry in Sea Eagle’s Explorer Series of inflatable kayaks, it’s a lightweight (51-lbs.) and easily portable one-person fishing machine. Nearly indestructible, the 350fx features a double layer of 1000 Denier reinforced protective layers on the tubes and bottom, a 40-inch fish ruler, plus two spray skirts—each with three rod holders and accessory belts that hold tools, hooks and lures. A fully adjustable foot brace is easily positioned for maximum comfort and more power per stroke while a nifty anchor system quietly locks in advantageous casting positions. Suitable for paddling in waters rated to Class IV, 16 high-capacity self-bailing drain valves make this entry ideal for fishing in moderate whitewater rivers up to Class III. Close the valves to remain high and dry on flat waters, and insert the removable skeg to improve flatwater tracking. Fully inflated in seven minutes, the 350fx fits in a car trunk and handles electric motors up to 34-pound thrust. This inflatable fishing kayak is 11’6” long and has a maximum weight capacity of 575 lbs.
WWW.SEAEAGLE.COM
FLYCRAFT STEALTH The Flycraft Stealth is one of the most versatile boats in the world. Its unique construction and shape give it the functionality of many boats in one. From motoring on the coast or lakes to rowing rocky streams and mild whitewater, the Flycraft Stealth is your one boat answer. The boat’s lightweight and minimalistic design allow it to be easily carried on a roof or in a truck bed. No roof rack? No problem; this boat deflates and packs down to fit in a trunk or closet. At just 98 pounds, one person can easily transport or load this boat solo. For information, call 801-810-4022.
WWW.FLYCRAFTUSA.COM COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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QUIK-CHANGE II ™ Our Innovative, Interchangeable Fixed Blade Cutlery System 9” FILLET 7” FILLET 5” FILLET 3” SERRATED
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rugged canvas roll pack
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FLY FISHING
Michelle Bowman with a Yucatan baby tarpon from an inflatable SUP.
For more Bowman, go to
CAMFLYFISHING.COM
GAME CHANGER Sea Eagle FishSUP Stand Up Paddleboard
Win th Sea Eagle e FishSUP Pro Moto r Fishing Rig Packa ge! Fu
www.Coa ll details at stalAngle rContest.c om
Fits in a Bag! Paddle or Motor
Incredibly stable, the new inflatable FishSUP FS126 Stand Up Paddleboard is an angler’s dream. Lightweight, packable, portable and ready in moments. The FishSUP fits in any car trunk and inflates in just 7 minutes. Stand, sit, fish, motor, troll, fresh, salt or brackish water...the FishSUP goes everywhere. 800-748-8066 M-F 9-5 EST Dept C2048B 19 N. Columbia St., Suite 1
• 12’6” long x 40” wide for exceptional stability • Motor mount holds up to a 55 lb. thrust electric motor • EVA foam pad for secure stand up footing • 36” Built-in fish ruler • Heavy duty two layer drop stitch construction for a solid, super tough SUP board • Multiple d-rings and elastic cord for gear & accessories
MSRP $1149!
Port Jefferson, NY 11777
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NO 26
The best fishing stories start with you getting away.
F F
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PINE ISLAND SOUND, FL
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CoastalA
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2018 242CC
FISHING FOCUSED FAMILY FRIENDLY “Sailfish Boats are truly versatile. A great fishing boat and a great family boat all in one.”
2018 220CC ® Exclusive Variable Degree Stepped (VDS) Hull for Performance, Safety & Stability ® 10 year Structural Warranty ® SailTech Construction: 100% Composite, Reinforced with Kevlar® & Carbon Fiber ® Lifetime No-Rot Guarantee ® Bow To Stern Intelligent Ergonomic Design with Premium Finishes ® Family Friendly Features for Fun, Comfort and Safety
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Take a
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Register at:
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You could get a discount when you combine your auto and boat policies.
geico.com | 1-800-865-4846 | Local Office Some discounts, coverages, payment plans and features are not available in all states or all GEICO companies. Boat and PWC coverages are underwritten by GEICO Marine Insurance Company. Multi-Policy Discount available to auto insureds that have purchased a boat policy through the GEICO Marine Insurance Company. GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, D.C. 20076; a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. © 2018 GEICO
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Center sp
For a limited time, get Suzuki Extended Protection, Instant Savings and attractive financing on select Suzuki outboards from 25 to 350 horspower. See your participapting Suzuki Marine dealer for details or visit www.suzukimarine.com.
REPOWER FINANCE Six Years of Protection at no extra charge on all new outboards 25 to 350 HP.
Instant Savings of up to $800 on select models. See your dealer for details.
Rates as low as 5.99% on new Suzuki outboard on approved credit.*
Gimme Six Extended Protection promo is applicable to new Suzuki Outboard Motors from 25 to 350 HP in inventory which are sold and delivered to buyer between 04/01/18 and 06/30/18 in accordance with the promotion by a Participating Authorized Suzuki Marine dealer in the continental US and Alaska to a purchasing customer who resides in the continental US or Alaska. Customer should expect to receive an acknowledgement letter and full copy of contract including terms, conditions and wallet card from Suzuki Extended Protection within 90 days of purchase. If an acknowledgement letter is not received in time period stated, contact Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. – Marine Marketing via email: marinepromo@suz.com. The Gimme Six Promotion is available for pleasure use only, and is not redeemable for cash. Instant Savings apply to qualifying purchases of select Suzuki Outboard Motors made between 04/01/18 and 06/30/18. For list of designated models, see participating Dealer or visit www.suzukimarine.com. Customer and participating Dealer must fill out the appropriate form at time of sale. Instant Savings will be applied against the original dealer invoice (Suzuki will credit Dealer parts account). There are no model substitutions, benefit substitutions, rain checks, or extensions. Suzuki reserves the right to change or cancel these promotions at any time without notice or obligation. * Financing offers available through Synchrony Retail Finance. As low as 5.99% APR financing for 60 months on new and unregistered Suzuki Outboard Motors. Subject to credit approval. Not all buyers will qualify. Approval, and any rates and terms provided, are based on credit worthiness. $19.99/month per $1,000 financed for 60 months is based on 5.99% APR. Hypothetical figures used in calculation; your actual monthly payment may differ based on financing terms, credit tier qualification, accessories or other factors such as down payment and fees. Offer effective on new, unregistered Suzuki Outboard Motors purchased from a participating authorized Suzuki dealer between 04/01/18 and 06/30/18. “Gimme Six”, the Suzuki “S” and model names are Suzuki trademarks or ®. Don’t drink and drive. Always wear a USCG-approved life jacket and read your owner’s manual. © 2018 Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.
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FLORIDA
Photo by Zach Doleac
T
o an angler, sunglasses are a tool that’s as important to comfort and success as anything else on the boat. And when you purchase an expensive pair of high-performance shades from the tackle or fly shop, you don’t leave the store without an eyewear-retention lanyard to keep them safe while you’re on the water. Only you don’t call this device an “eyewear-retention lanyard.” They are called Croakies, and the reason the brand is
synonymous with the product is because Croakies has been doing right by outdoors enthusiasts for more than 40 years. Croakies was born in the mountains of Jackson, Wyoming more than 40 years ago. A deep connection to the outdoors is what drives the company toward greater product innovation and better, more sustainable production practices. Croakies has consistently raised the bar in creating industry-leading products coupled with unique prints and patterns to turn the ordinary into extraordinary for those hitting the water, the trail, the beach or anywhere in between. Today, Croakies is much more than just a strap to hold your eyewear on, though. The brand is home to a broad collection of industry-leading retention products including eyewear retainers, belts and dog collars and leashes. From their technical, adjustable system to keep your earbuds safe and untangled to guitar straps and lanyards for any use, Croakies creates stylish, durable and functional products for active people. On behalf of all of us at Coastal Angler, thanks Croakies for saving our shades and keeping us dialed in while on the water for the past 40 years. For a complete overview of the 2018 Croakies collection, head over to croakies.com or follow the brand on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter using @Croakies. For more on Croakies, go to
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he 11th Annual Blue Wild Ocean Adventure Expo, an action-packed water sports expo for watersport enthusiasts of all ages, returns to the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center April 14-15. Produced by Sheri Daye, a world-record spearfishing diver, the Blue Wild Ocean Adventure Expo is South Florida’s premier water sports expo. Daye crafted the expo to be both educational and entertaining. Attendees can learn from renowned speakers about the latest techniques, shop cool products and socialize with like-minded ocean lovers. Spanning 65,000 square feet, the indoor event attracts upwards of 5,000 attendees and more than 150 exhibitors specializing in freediving, scuba, spearfishing, paddleboarding, adventure travel and more. The event also features one of the most extensive marine art and underwater photography exhibits in the country. This year, the expo has added a brand new hook-and-line fishing section.
Several educational seminars, taught by world-class experts and celebrity-speakers like TV personality Manny Puig, Gatorboy Chris Gillette, and others, are scheduled throughout the weekend and are open to anyone who wants to attend. In addition, daily interactive workshops hosted by industry experts offer proven techniques and tips including speargun rigging, lionfish preparation and sampling, knot-tying for fishermen, fish filleting demos, yoga sessions and more. The popular Kids Zone will offer free face painting, art classes and crab races. The Blue Wild offers activities for the whole family to enjoy. “What began as a small charity event has evolved over the past 11 years and flourished into an exciting, must-attend event,” said Daye. “For marine art fans, we truly have one of the country’s most impressive collections—from the world-renowned to the local scene, with artists such as Carey Chen, Pascal Lecocq, Michelle Brener and many more.” Returning exhibitors include Austin’s, OMER, Mares, PADI, Chaos Fishing, Florida Freedivers, Papa’s Pilar, Wong Spearguns and many more. The Expo is pleased to welcome several new exhibitors such as Shimano, Custom Rod & Reel, SeaHunter Boats, Laser Tools Co, Reel Addictive Charters, Sporty Girl Apparel and Scubotics. Adding to the excitement, the Expo also has state-of-the-art water toys, kayaks and Contender Boats. The Blue Wild Ocean Adventure Expo is known for its high-energy crowds and fun vibe. The diverse crowd includes visitors, experts and exhibitors from all over the world who flock to Fort Lauderdale for its desirable and central location. Water-lovers can also take advantage of the year-round tropical weather and warm waters. Entry is $20 at the door and includes a free goodie bag (while supplies last) and free entry to the Saturday night After-Party at the Fort Lauderdale Beach Courtyard Marriott. For information, visit www.TheBlueWild.com or check out a video from last year at https://youtu.be/_QvqnHyxmr0.
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pparently there are more dangerous critters than gators to worry about when paddling Florida’s rivers. Last month, reports of a rampaging river otter emerged out of Manatee County, and the culprit appeared to have been targeting kayakers. According to the Bradenton Herald, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission confirmed multiple reports of aggressive otter encounters over two days on a stretch of the Braden River in Manatee County. The first was received Saturday, March 3, when two kayakers reported being bitten by an otter. The next day, Sunday March 4, two more kayakers reported being attacked by an otter. The second day’s encounters occurred about 2 miles from the previous attack. One of the victims, Sue Spector, 77, was interviewed by Fox 13 News after receiving stitches and rabies treatments as a result of the attack. “… I heard someone make a comment that, ‘Oh, there’s an otter!” Spector told Fox 13. “And then all of a sudden he jumped on my kayak and two seconds later he jumped on me.” According to the report, the animal clawed, scratched and bit Spector’s arms, nose and ear. Her kayak flipped and a lifejacket and hat saved Spector from sustaining additional injury as her husband and other kayakers in the group fended the otter off with paddles. FWC posted warning fliers at nearby boat ramps, but the terror might have already ended, as there are reports the otter might also have had a run-in with an alligator.
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THE ALTERNATIVE TO BUYING A NEW BOAT
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TAKE A KID
CORY GURMAN
A
s winter gives way to spring, anglers from all over begin to experience one of the best times of the year to get out fishing. Many of the easiest and unsuspected places to fish can be right out your front door, leading kids of all levels to connect with a wide variety of fish. There is likely good, fishable water within walking or biking distance of where you live. Many golf course ponds and retention ponds produce big bass and good numbers of fish in the 3- to 4-pound range. While most ponds will hold fish, the most productive ones will have structure to protect fish from predators as well as give shade during the day. Overhanging trees, grass and bushes are all things to look for. One of my favorite ways to catch these bass is by hooking a plastic worm through the middle of its body (wacky worm) and letting it flutter weightless to the bottom near the structure. An occasional gentle twitch will attract attention, and bent rods will be sure to follow. Surf fishing, another favorite of mine, is a fun and easy way to catch dinner while enjoying a beautiful view. Fish travel all along the surf in search of a meal, but if you can concentrate your efforts where the bait is congregating, you will greatly improve your odds of hooking up. Birds diving into the surf is a sure sign that bait is in the area. Find diving birds, and you’ve found a great place to set up. Advanced techniques and high-end gear aren’t mandatory for novice anglers to put some good eating fish on the table. A 10-foot rod, a reel sized similar to a 6500 Penn Spinfisher (spooled with 20lb. mono) and a sand spike will be your basic set up. As far as tackle goes, I use a pompano rig or fish finder rig above a sputnik weight, all of which can be found at almost any tackle shop. For bait, shrimp and clams are good all-around choices. When I use
clams, I generally place them in kosher salt beforehand to toughen them up. Whiting, black drum, the occasional redfish and the ever-tasty pompano are some of the fish you can expect to catch this time of year. To be better prepared for your next fishing adventure, I highly encourage you to tap into the wealth and resources found on the Web. Surf fishing Florida (www. surfishingflorida.com) and other local forums are great ways to find where the fish are running. A search on YouTube will further address some of the things I’ve talked about, and with a visual aspect, you will be well on your way to enjoying the great outdoors. Cory Gurman is a freshman at Ponte Vedra High School in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. Besides reveling in the great outdoors, Cory enjoys spending time with his three golden retrievers and rooting for the Atlanta Braves. Follow him on Instagram @fishhunter1119.
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ummer is just around the corner, and south Florida families will be spending more time on the water. From the bathtub to the open ocean, kids need to feel comfortable and confident about their in-water skills. One of the most important lessons to remember is to use the buddy system. It’s one of the first things we teach young snorkelers during Pura Vida Divers’ Snorkel Summer Camp sessions. Campers know to stay within arm’s reach of their in-water buddy. When duck-diving under the surface, they practice one up, one down. This ensures someone is always alert and paying attention to their swimming partner. At the beach, or when exploring snorkeling spots like the Blue Heron Bridge, show young swimmers where lifeguard stands are located, and point out swim zones that lifeguards patrol. Flags on the beach alert swimmers of the day’s conditions. It’s important that children understand what these flags mean and how conditions affect their experience in the water.
Another important consideration for in-water activities is identification of potentially harmful wildlife. During Pura Vida Divers’ Snorkel Camp, campers are taught to identify many local species. They know how to spot a camouflaged scorpionfish, and which jellyfish to avoid. The knowledge is essential for a great experience in the water, and it also introduces children to a whole new world of animals. Many kids get caught up in the excitement of seeing fish, rays, octopus and other interesting animals. The more confident they feel in their swimming skills, the more they can fully engage in enjoying their adventure. The camp staff has found that the easiest way to introduce kids to snorkeling is to introduce one item at a time. It’s important to choose comfortable-fitting gear, rather than just grabbing a snorkel package off the shelf. Call Pura Vida Divers to set up an appointment for a mask, snorkel and fin fitting, or stop by the shop to chat with staff and learn the basics of choosing the right gear. At Snorkel Summer Camp, we ensure campers are comfortable wearing their masks and looking underwater in shallow, standing water. Once they know how to put on their mask, where the strap should sit and how to use defog, we attach a snorkel and have them breathe first on land and then in water. Once kids are comfortable using their mask and snorkel, it’s time to learn how to swim using fins. Even the most experienced kids can learn to be more efficient. It’s amazing to watch skills and comfort in the water blossom as kids conquer each new technique. This summer, Pura Vida Divers will offer two sessions of Snorkel Summer Camp. We work with kids of all experience levels between the ages of 6 and 10. By the end of the week, even novice snorkelers are swimming alongside their parents during a family snorkeling event at the Blue Heron Bridge. For more information, contact Pura Vida Divers at 561-8408750 or stop by the shop at 2513 Beach Court, Singer Island, 33404.
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crisp March air was cold enough to have me bundled up tight in layers and a heavy coat. To make things a little more interesting, the previous week of heavy rainfall had the dam wide open, causing swift current and massive waves in high winds. After fishing for half the tournaBy Ryan Kennedy ment day with no success other than a few short fish, I was feeling a little discouraged. have dreamed of certain That’s when things took a turn for the better. As my partner and days that would come I approached a stretch of rocky bank, I reached for a Red Crawdad along for as long as I have Rapala DT-6 crankbait and started slinging casts toward the bank. A been fishing bass tourna- few casts in led us to a small transition area where the size of the rocks ments. Those dreams turn changed. The first cast at this transition started with a bang. into goals, and those goals My St. Croix Mojo Bass Cranking Rod, which is a glass rod, was are attainable with hard work bent heavily. I was in for the first good fight of the day. After what and perseverance. It’s beyond seemed like an eternity, I was holding a 4-pound, 8-ounce Lake Gunamazing to me looking back tersville spotted bass. If you are familiar with the lake, you know a on my most recent tourna- spot of that size is something to appreciate. It’s just 3 ounces shy of the ment to see how God’s plan 4-pound, 11-ounce lake record. came together down to the My demeanor quickly changed for the better. Back on deck, with very rock that I bumped my one cast behind me after landing Spotapotamus, I was laser focused. I crankbait into before catching slung my crankbait as far as I could cast toward a log just past the same the fish I had always dreamed transition area. Within three cranks of the reel, my dream was about about. to become a reality. Moments later, I was holding a 9-pound, 8-ounce The goal that had elud- donkey of a largemouth. ed me thus far in my tournaTo get this straight, let’s go over what just happened. In three casts, ment career was catching an a near-lake-record spotted bass was in the boat, my new personal best absolute giant in a tourna- largemouth bass was in the boat, and 14 pounds of fish were in the ment. Don’t get me wrong, I am always excited to catch a big bass, but livewell. My partner and I ended up with over a 20-pound limit with whenever it happens it always seems to be while fishing for fun on the only four fish and qualified for the 2019 FLW Collegiate National lake or while pond-hopping around my house. This all changed, as I Championship! will forever remember, during the situation I am about to describe. Contact Ryan Kennedy at ryankfishing@gmail.com. Keep up with I was fishing at Lake Guntersville, Alabama, during the second his exploits on YouTube: Ryan Kennedy Fishing, Instagram: @ryankstop of the FLW Collegiate Southeastern Tournament Trail. The fishing and Facebook: Ryan Kennedy Fishing.
I
By Chris Beardsley
Let's Go See
If We Can Find Some Reds!
www.
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CALL FOR YOUR NEAREST DEALER
252.235.2461
TAMPA BAY FISHING REPORT BY: CAPT. WOODY GORE
Sue tagged this nice trout on the grass flats.
Katie Atkins with her first snook.
A
pril fishing is getting warm and the fishing should be off the wall. The weather will hopefully be cooperating and we’re anticipating a great bite to kick off the summer. Depending on tides and lunar phases, snook fishing is going gangbusters with nice fish caught on both live bait and artificial lures. This should continue through April and May on into the summer. Remember, snook are closed from May 1st through August 31st so revive them quickly and return them gently to the water. Redfish are found almost everywhere in the Tampa Bay
area. Search for them around oyster bars and grass flats in the mornings. Expect good Brian & Ashley early morning and their topwater action matched pair of on the flats and Blue fish along mangrove shores. Work both incoming and outgoing tides. Live sardines, pinfish, cut bait and crabs work well for redfish. Trout fishing has been exceptional all year, and unless something drastic happens we can expect it to continue into the summer. Look for nice sized trout on grass flats, especially deeper edges, on outgoing tides. South Tampa Bay reports great catches of big trout on the grass flats. Cobia should start traveling the flats and open water, sometimes as singles or groups and often behind large rays. Keep your eyes peeled, toss your bait close and the battle begins. If it’s
a mangrove snapper dinner you’re after, it’s a great time to fish for these tasty rascals. Also expect large snapper action at night around the full moon. Tarpon anglers should check the beaches and bridges. Threadfins, crabs and larger sardines should do nicely. Toss them directly into the path of rolling tarpon and hang on. Bridge tarpon are always fun, be ready to cast off your anchor line and buoy to give chase. If you are looking for some great light-tackle action, look no further than maks and bluefish. The bay usually gets full of threadfins and that gets the blues and maks fired up. Drift the bait schools, or anchor around markers tossing out white baits or threadfins and hang on. Shiny artificial lures like silver spoons also work. I am expecting the weather to remain stable; the winds should stay fairly calm for some warm water offshore action. While
temperatures will often affect the near-shore bite, cooler offshore temperatures turn fish on. Give Me a Call & Let’s Go Fishing – 813-477-3814 The area’s top outdoor fishing guide, Captain Woody Gore has guided and fished the Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Tarpon Springs, Bradenton and Sarasota areas for over fifty years; his charters offer 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 professional guides and captains, I can arrange and coordinate any outing or tournament. Just tell me what you need and it’s done. For more information please visit my website at: www.captainwoodygore. com, or email me at fishing@ captainwoodygore.com or give me a call at 813-477-3814.
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TALES FROM THE TUPPERWARE NAVY BY: BRUCE BUTLER
W
elcome back yak fans. This month we’re taking a trip-that’s right, a destination story. Over the years I’ve talked about Aripeka, Ozello, St. Martin’s River and good old Indian Bay among many others; and, I realize that I had left out a great destination--Fillmans Bayou. Located at the northwest corner of Pasco County this hidden gem offers some great fishing I first fished Fillmans in the mid 80’s but it was pretty rough. The only way to get there was down a dirt and gravel stretch of Old Dixie Highway; and, if that wasn’t enough, cars were broken into regularly. I remember pulling up along the canal (again this was in the mid 80’s) and saw there was an old rusted-out Ford pickup with the window boarded over! As I walked toward the canal, an old guy (you know probably about my age now) raised up from behind some bushes where he was fishing and said, “ I’d watch my car if I was you”. “Had some problems, I remember asking”. “Yeah. Last week some low-life busted out my window and there wasn’t a damn thing in that truck worth taking! So, now I’m fishing over here hoping they’ll come back”, and he pulled the Thompson Contender from behind the bushes, I don’t know what caliber he was using, but the hole at the end of the barrel looked big enough to put my thumb in! At that point, I went into my “yes” or “no sir” mode, but he was all right. I always wondered if he ever caught up with those guys. Okay, about now you’re thinking “thanks a lot, just where I want to go”! Now the good news. Coming in from the south is now paved and the area is secured with no problems for several years. Though coming in from the north is still that old gravel
stretch of Old Dixie Highway. I guess I’ll have to admit I kind of like it when some things don’t change. Fillmans was named for one of the early Pasco (then Hernando) C o u n t y residents and was one of the first places where Glen Pla and I shot one of the Average Angler segments. Over the years, I ended up shooting about 10 shows with him; and, I wish him luck getting his new show Angler Town on the air. There are basically two ways to get into Fillmans. One is by the end of the canal; but, be warned--it’s an ugly put in if you’re by yourself (big rocks). Or, paddle over from the ramp at Norfleet’s, and then come in through the cut-through from the north side. Fillmans Bayou has been the go-to-spot for guides from Pasco and Hernando counties for decades, and offers multiple springs, some great flats, and excellent structure. The oyster bars on the outside are a great area for trout and reds, and the spoil islands are good for sheepshead and Black drum; but, the fish I enjoy most is some of the monster snook that hang out in this pristine habitat. Working the outside edges of the outer Islands on an incoming tide can be very productive. The 4” glow chartreuse, as well as the glow shad from Gulp, have worked well. As with any area, there’s a learning curve to find your way around. You have two choices-- either spend the time or spend the dime, LOL. Well I’m probably going to get yelled at for writing this from a couple of buddies, but I wanted to share a little with my readers about this great spot. Any questions, give me a call. If I’m in a good mood, I might even answer them. Until next month, may the fish you catch be worthy of the story you want to tell. Bruce Butler “Stumbling Gypsy” (352) 428-5347 Bruce@IndianBayOutfitters.com www.IndianBayOutfitters.com
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HERNANDO COUNTY SPRING IS HERE
BY: CAPT. JOEL GANT
F
inally Fishheads, this is what we’ve all been waiting for, great fishing and great weather! The fishing in March was very good; April will be even more exciting. The cold fronts should be pretty much over, but we will still have cooler days. Many species will be on the move this month in the Nature Coast. Offshore, look for migrating fish like kingfish, sharks and cobia to be on your favorite deep structure spots. When bottom fishing, try putting out a free lined bait such as live pinfish, whitebait or a frozen dead bait like a threadfin on a stinger rig. Also offshore we are still catching (and releasing) some big gag groupers. Plenty of white grunts are always on hand to catch and take home to eat as well. If you’re ready for a really good fight, the goliath grouper are around. On a recent charter we hooked one and fought it for about 20 minutes before it won the fight with a break off. Nearshore, look for the Spanish mackerel to school up on the white bait. Try to match the hatch with a quarter ounce jig and Zoom jerkbait. Don’t be afraid to work the bait fast, if you feel a hit, don’t stop, keep moving the lure. Use a steel leader only if you have to, it seems the bite slows when using a leader. Chumming will bring the macks in for the attack. Inshore, look for redfish and trout to be in
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the skinny grass flats or rocky bottom areas; they should be in the two to six foot depths. Anything from topwaters, crankbaits and jigs can entice a hit. Live baits like shrimp, live white baits and cut baits will also produce a bite. Don’t forget that tarpon will be around this time of year. When fishing for tarpon, be very considerate of other boats; please don’t go on plane through the middle of them. The guides up around Chaz and Homosassa are working for their clients, when you see a lot of boats in the area, slow down and idle in. Tackle for tarpon can be anything from fly rods to conventional tackle, and from live to artificial baits. The key in tarpon fishing is patience. Get out there on the water and make some memories with friends and family! I’m always looking for reports and pictures. You can email me or stop by my website and become a “FISHHEAD”. 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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4 TAMPA | APRIL 2018 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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ANGLER OR PSYCHOLOGIST? BY: CAPT. WOODY GORE
T
he popular observation that fish are simply instinct driven has given way to new theories. Some scientists now believe fish possess a mental and reasoning capacity supporting the ability to remember. Therefore, an aptitude to remember something would seemingly indicate a mental capacity for memory. Apparently it’s not just fishing anymore, now we’re going to have to psychoanalyze the fish and how they think before we can catch them. Perhaps if we understand more about memory it might help. In worldwide aquaculture studies concerning fish behavior, scientists are finding that fish are capable of pursuing strategies of manipulation, punishment and understanding while exhibiting stable collective traditions. Good examples are the many varieties that cooperate in catching food and recognizing predators. To learn requires retention of an experience, object, event or information. However, to retain something necessitates the use of short-term and long term memory. Basically, short term memory stores limited amounts of information for restricted periods, roughly 15-30 seconds. Contrasted to long-term memory, where an unlimited amount of information is stored indefinitely and recalled from 30 seconds to decades later. Thinking about the time it took the scientist to come up with their theories, I can’t help but trust that if they had consulted with veteran anglers, they might have shortened their study time. Most seasoned anglers would gladly explain fish must have memories, otherwise how could they identify the difference between food and predator? Also, how would they distinguish between sights, sounds, colors, or navigate territorial waters? Seasoned anglers understand psychological reasoning leads to understanding. In other words, the behavioral characteristics of fish, how they behave at certain times of the year, react to certain colors, noise, flash and water depth involves a learning process.
Those who fish with regularity appreciate the consideration that must be given to artificial lures. Various reasons indicate that fish interpret baits or lures as either food or predator, food if previously eaten and predator if hooked. They may also get used to seeing it, which decreases its effectiveness. Psychologists refer, to this as acclimatization or getting used to something. Understandably, we know fish repeatedly eat and are hooked on the same lures and baits. However, this does not indicate a loss of memory. It can however, indicate a stronger urge to protect its territory or the basic instinct associating hunger with food. Case in point would be a huge snook hooked many times, but always heading for the mangroves or dock pilings, remembering this survival technique means freedom. Consistently, successful anglers and hunters understand members of the animal world use their senses beginning on or after birth to gather information relating to their environments. However, without memory all would be useless. The fact they do have memories relates to the principal goals of species survival and becomes an important tool in the evolutionary process. When given some thought and usually taken for granted, we soon realize these marvelous creatures are actually fairly intelligent often beyond our comprehension, so treat them with respect and remember that lifetime-trophy you just shot or landed did not get there by being dumb. Give Me a Call & Let’s Go Fishing – 813-477-3814 The area’s top outdoor fishing guide, Captain Woody Gore has guided and fished the Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Tarpon Springs, Bradenton and Sarasota areas for over fifty years; his charters offer world class fishing adventures and a lifetime of memories. For more information please visit my website at: www. captainwoodygore.com, or email me at fishing@captainwoodygore.com or give me a call at 813-477-3814. COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM | APRIL 2018 | TAMPA 5
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SOUTH SHORE TAMPA BAY SPRING THINGS
BY: CAPT. JOEL BRANDENBURG
O
ne spring thing I like is spring break; I get a lot of kids on the boat from all around the world. Some are avid anglers, some have fished a couple of times and some are first timers. No matter which category they fall in, they all share that same look of excitement and amazement when that first fish of the day strikes and makes their drag scream. I coach all kids on four things: reel fast, keep the rod tip up, anchor the butt of the rod in your hip bone and don’t give them any slack. I’ve seen people reel backwards, rod pumpers, line slackers, screamers, let goers, dancers, runners, jumpers, hook setters and criers; I love them all the same. Kids who are either experienced direction followers, or naturals, stay calm and perform the correct motions. By the end of the charter most kids have become much better anglers and gain a new love for the sport of fishing. Keeping the kids
busy is very important; there is nothing worse than taking a kid out on their first fishing trip and having a slow or non-existent bite. Take a kid fishing this spring! Another spring thing I like is all the wildlife. The dolphins, manta rays and mullet are jumping. Jacks, reds, snook, trout, pompano, mackerel and ladyfish are schooling. The Ruskin Air Force assembles as the pelicans, seagulls, ospreys, eagles and man o war birds are diving on acres of boiling bait pods, plus the major league fish (sharks, tarpon, kingfish and cobia) show up to clean house. The Bay and Gulf areas come alive during this time of year. It’s definitely a sight to behold. A final spring thing is the weather change. Cool one day and warm the next, or still one day and windy the next, or sunny one day and rainy the next, or even all of these things changing in a single day. If an angler can figure
out where the fish are and what they are feeding on during all tides and weather conditions, then they officially becomes an expert. There are a lot of variables to consider in spring, be a versatile angler and be prepared at a moment’s notice to change the game plan depending on what Mother Nature has in store. Be safe on the water, watch out for lightning. We are the lightning capital of the world, take appropriate shelter. I’ll fish my clients all day in a rain storm if they want, but the minute lightning strikes in the area, we’re out. Spring is also a very busy time of the year on the water, so know your surroundings and watch out for other boaters. Hope to see you out on the water this spring; it’s a glorious time of the year! For a charter with Captain Joel Brandenburg of Ana Banana Fishing Company visit www. anabananafishing.com or call 813-267-4401 or visit him in person at Hooks at Little Harbor Resort. For info on our kids fishing summer camp visit www.anabananakidsfishingcamp.com
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8 TAMPA | APRIL 2018 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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CAPT. SERGIO’S CORNER START OF IT ALL
BY: CAPT. SERGIO ATANES
A
t last, April is nearly upon us, and with it comes some of the best fishing Tampa Bay has to offer. Anglers from Double Branch in the north to Bishop Harbor in the south are treated to some of the best inshore fishing anywhere in the state. Snook start their migration from the creeks and rivers to the flats and eventually to the passes to spawn by the first full moon of May. Redfish and trout that call the flats home all summer long start bulking up on the greenback sardines. This live bait treat starts the ball rolling in the spring and lasts until the first cold snap in the fall. Look for the bait along the mangroves, not far from there you’ll find the fish. Black drum start moving under the bridges which they will call home for the summer. Heavier tackle in the 30 to 40-pound class is recommended. A good example of a black drum set up is an Azores 5500 or 6500 spinning reel
with 3/0 circle hook, 40-pound test fluorocarbon leader and one-ounce weight. Fresh cut blue crabs are the bait of choice here. Spanish mackerel and cobia also follow the bait inside the Skyway Bridge. The bigger baits will hang around tripods, artificial reefs and rocky bottom that abound from Channel A just inside the Skyway to the Howard Franklin to the north. I find Spanish mackerel fishing exciting and very productive for my clients, so I make it a point to start my morning by searching for a school of big mackerel to get the adrenalin going. After boating 30 or 40 mackerel, it’s time to move on and start another hunt. My method for fishing Spanish mackerel is very simple. Find the bait, anchor and start a chum line to keep the mackerel feeding behind the boat. Cut greenbacks will work great; a five pound box of frozen chum also does the trick.
Using light action tackle such as an Okuma Shadow Stalker seven and a half foot rod, Helios SX 3000 spinning reel with plenty of 15 pound test braided line and a #1 XX long shank hook with 30 pound test fluorocarbon leader about 30 inches long works well. The XX long hook eliminates the need to use wire leader and increases your bites. Hillsborough County has six artificial reefs that produce great quantities of Spanish mackerel every year. The information with GPS location can be obtained from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission; they can even mail you their brochure upon request. If you have kids, mackerel can entertain them all morning long. Remember that redfish and snook are great to catch but sometimes hard to find and slow to bite. Make this April a family affair with the kids by putting them on some fast mackerel action. Captain Sergio Atanes is a native resident of Tampa and has been fishing the water of Tampa Bay and Boca Grande for over 45 years. He is the 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
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM | APRIL 2018 | TAMPA 9
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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT
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T
hese days a lot of folks are adding trolling motors and other electric propulsion units to their kayaks and SUPs. One thing that has not changed is the need to keep these platforms as light as possible. Most battery units are heavy, however, the crew at Jacks Kayaks has an easy plug in solution. The battery box can hold either one or two light weight lithium batteries. The total weight with one
battery is around 3 pounds and with two batteries is approximately 5 pounds. Beside their light weight, lithium batteries can hold a charge for an extended period of time; some up to a year.
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FLATS TO NEARSHORE REPORT BY: CAPT. GARY BURCH
W
e are about to enter another boating and fishing season as spring and then summer comes upon us, be as safe as possible and make your boating and fishing season enjoyable. Here are a few basic safety recommendations from the U.S. Coast Guard: • Sailboats and boats being paddled have the right of way over power boats. • When two boats meet head-on, neither vessel has the right of way. Both should keep right and pass on the left. • If crossing a channel, the boat moving up and down the channel has the right of way. Stay clear and let them pass. As a boat owner, you are responsible for the safety of your passengers and yourself. You can call your local Coast Guard station and get all of the rules of the road and additional info on boating courses offered. On to fishing, April and May could be the best
time to go fishing on the west coast of Florida. As the water temps warm, look for all the action to pick up. The first sign will be the return of bait schools. The scaled sardines and small threadfins were around most of our mild winter, but now there will be more. Look for them to start showing up on the grass flats inside of Clearwater and Dunedin passes. Also, schools of bait will be under and around the bridges near these passes. White bait has been available to cast net on any given day in different areas throughout the bays of Clearwater and Saint Joseph’s Sound all winter. Pick your species of fish to chase, net up some white bait and go for it. Snook, redfish and trout, will be the main targets on my charters. Here are some starters on finding the fish. Reds will be scattered throughout the mangroves and oyster bar shorelines. You’ll need a high tide to get up close to these areas and you may have to search a lot of water. Use white bait and chum, this should get their attention. If you find a nice school of reds, be stealthy, they can be very spooky. Don’t forget to bring shrimp along; I’ve seen shrimp out catch white bait three to one before. Small pinfish and fresh cut chunk baits, like mullet or ladyfish will also work. Snook will be on their way to the beaches and passes in April. You may find them on spoil
islands or in the shallows near the passes. They’ll be feeding on white bait and pinfish on the flats and in the passes. Use the same baits to target these fish as they will be hungry after spending winter in hiding. Look for trout in the same areas you found them in March, three to four foot depths around passes, spoil islands and in areas with sand and grass bottoms. Drift through these areas to find fish. Once you find them, toss out live baits under floats to catch the big gators. Don’t waste time if you’re not catching fish, moving quickly will put the odds in your favor. Other targeted species will be tarpon, kingfish, cobia and mackerel. It’s the time of year for catching kingfish close to shore. No matter what type of fishing you want to do, April is one of my favorite months to be fishing inshore and on the flats. 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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RECIPE OF THE MONTH SPICY MARGARITA
Step one: Use your tequila of choice. 1/4 of a jalapeño seeded or not (if seeded it will not be as spicy). Place jalapeño in tequila and let it sit on the counter for a few hours. Spice will infuse with tequila. Step two: Make a simple syrup with equal parts sugar and water. Place in a sauce pan and melt together over medium heat.
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Step three: Put it all together. Take 1 shot of tequila, 1 shot Gran Marnier, ice, simple syrup to taste and a twist of lime. Place in a shaker and shake.
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t’s that time again. The summer heat is fast approaching and refreshing cocktails are a must. I keep hearing about this spicy margarita, so I thought I would give it a try.
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Step four: Rim a glass with salt by wetting the rim with lime and dipping it in salt. Pour your cocktail into the glass. Garnish with a lime. Enjoy!
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FRESHWATER FISHING REPORT LAKE ALFRED, AUBURNDALE, WINTER HAVEN AREAS
BY: RON SCHELFO
I
t’s a great time to go out and target blue gill and shell crackers, this season has been the best one in years. We have been receiving great reports from Lakes Rochelle and Haines here in Lake Alfred, and also Lakes Shipp and Howard in the Winter Haven Chain. The most successful baits have been live red worms and crickets. When fishing for shell crackers, your best bet is to fish drop offs or try the mouths of canals. Blue gill like to hang out in the weed lines and lily pads, so that’s where your focus should be for them. If you’re after some big bass, check out our area. Our best reports are currently coming in from Lakes Rochelle and Haines in Lake Alfred. Our anglers are finding them in the three to six foot depths and many are using lipless crankbaits and Bass Assassin Boss Shiner swimbaits with success. There are many six to eight pound fish being seen and caught. Reports from the South Winter Haven Chain have also been very favorable on size and quantity of bass. The best reporting lakes there
have been Lakes Summit, Shipp and Howard. Fishing the mouth of canals has also been a good place to snag a nice bass. At this time our anglers are mostly choosing live shiners as their bait of choice. Call me and I’ll point you in the right direction for all these species. Come by the shop, we’re always stocked with live baits and a huge selection of plastic and hard baits as well. We’re here to serve! Our 20th season of Ron’s Tackle Box Weekly Bass Tournaments will begin the first Thursday in April (April 5th). Weekly registration is $30.00 per boat for a one to two man team, and the tournaments run from 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. each Thursday through the end of October. Prizes are awarded for the largest bass as well as 1st, 2nd and 3rd place categories. The location each week is not revealed until Thursday mornings and is announced in “The Ledger”, our website. Like and follow us on Facebook, or you can call Ron at (863) 9564990. 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 Check us out on Facebook and like our page.
Fishing Team
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM | APRIL 2018 | TAMPA 13
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MANGO TANGO TIME BY: CAPT. ANTHONY CORCELLA
A
pril is a great month for mangrove snapper in Tampa
bay. To target them I use a three quarters of an ounce Mission Fishing jighead, 20 pound fluorocarbon leader, a light rod and a 3500 size reel. Also, you’ll need about 10 dozen shrimp from Mitch’s Bait and Tackle. When using a shrimp on a jighead for mangrove snappers, remember to hook the bait through the head as it seems to result in more bites. Start your search by finding a rock pile or fishing around the Skyway. These fish like a strong current, so take that into consideration when trying to find fish. Once you find a worthy spot, drop a chum cage to the bottom, it will get them chewing faster. When fishing for mangos, free line a shrimp with a heavier leader and a 3/0 hook and you’ll likely hook into a Spanish mackerel. They taste very good smoked, I’m confident that you can also hook
into other good eating fish as well using this method. Now is the time to take these tips and get out there and fish! If you would like to take a fishing charter with us save 20% off for April, just mention this fishing report. 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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RODS NOT REMOTES “REEL LIFE” BY: MISTY WELLS
A
s I sit back and take a look around at the next generation out on the water, I mostly see kids glued to their devices. Most of the kids today are consumed by social media, so it begs the question, “what can we do to make some changes in these kid’s lives to get them outside and engaged in Reel Life?” One may question the impact that fishing may have on a child; I can honestly say that after taking over 2,000 foster kids fishing, I have never been with one child that didn’t have the best time of their life catching their first fish. Fishing is such an even playing field because you don’t have to be the fastest, strongest, smartest or even have any experience. If you take a kid fishing, make sure to avoid some common mistakes that turn kids off. Firstly, don’t wait until they’re a certain age, if they can hold a small rod and reel take them out for a bit and get them started early. Kids have a short attention span, especially if the fishing is slow, so be sure not to stay too long unless the kids don’t want to leave. Try to make their fishing experiences easy, don’t target hard to catch species, go for a species that offers a lot of action. Size doesn’t matter with kids, their measure of success is different than ours, let them have fun no matter what they catch. I have been with kids that reel up a piece of the bottom and they laugh so hard and want a picture of their “rockfish”, make it fun. Don’t be impatient if they tangle their line or lose their bait a million times, it honestly happens to me a lot more than I want to admit! Don’t’ forget to
teach them about safety and conservation, they’re the future of our fisheries. Give them a sense of accomplishment and ownership, explain why they are releasing a fish and why we leave a spot better than we found it. Of course don’t forget to teach basic skills as well, tying and baiting hooks, netting and releasing fish – let them do it themselves! I have a great non-profit that takes kids in group foster care fishing year round called “A Reel Future”, donate and volunteer with us. There are kids with special needs, kids in single parent homes, kids on the wrong path that need a positive diversion and kids looking for anything fun to do. It’s not hard to find an organization that you can be a part of for a day, week or all year long. I promise you this; you will get way more out of it than you give it. I have taken over 2,000 kids fishing so far and I am not stopping anytime soon, come join the “Reel Life” with me. www. areelfuture.com Misty Wells hosts the television and radio show “Let’s take it Outside”, she is an outdoor and travel writer, tournament director and offers adventure fishing and hunting trips. She is the founder of “A Reel Future” a non-profit organization devoted to sharing knowledge and passion of fishing and the great outdoors to foster kids statewide.
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SHORELINE REPORT FISHING THE “RICHEY’S”
BY: PAUL PRESSON
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n 1883 Captain Arron Richey moved from Saint Joseph Missouri to the shores of the Pithlachascotee River, feeding into the Gulf. He established the first post office and a general store, which provided supplies to the local fishermen. This was the land of cattle rustling to rum runners. Fishing, salt, cattle and citrus fruit were the mainstays of what was to be known as Port Richey. In 1914 Port Richey fragmented and this was the birth of New Port Richey. In the 1920’s several celebrities made this area their home. George Salaza, a famous golfer and inventor of the sand wedge resided in the city. Many Hollywood actors wintered in
New Port Richey and stayed at the Hacienda Hotel. Another historic building is the Meighan Theater which still stands and now is used for local theater groups. The fishing in New Port Richey and Port Richey is very different from Tampa Bay. The terrain is rocky and the water has almost a tea stained color. The “Richey’s” have a good number of parks that allow access to the Gulf of Mexico and great fishing. The Werner- Boyce Salt Springs is a kayak angler’s paradise. Located in Port Richie, this park has an abundance to offer. There are trails leading to a number of springs. The parks amenities include pavilions, benches and a restroom. A great
feature on the grounds is a kayak rental and snack food kiosk. The put-in for the kayaks is located in the marsh, where yakkers can paddle to the Gulf. Personally owned kayaks are also welcome. There are also fresh and saltwater land-based opportunities in the park. The Robert K. Reese Memorial Park is located on Green Key in New Port Richey. Before entering the park you will see nothing but mangroves to your left and right. The park has a nice beach, pavilions, grilling stations and restrooms. There are numerous cuts in the mangroves of the park entryway for land-based, wade and kayak fishing. There is also a primitive launch for small boats and kayaks. Wade
fishing in this area can be tough; the bottom is primarily muck and large rocks. There are plenty of mangroves for snook and red fish, trout can be found in deeper water. These two parks don’t even scratch the surface as far as the great parks for anglers in these cities. This is an easy day trip for anglers from Pinellas and Hillsborough County’s. Get off the couch, get out there, explore and fish new areas. 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!
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IMPROVISE, ADAPT AND OVERCOME BY: PAUL PRESSON
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he captain of the boat was ready and waiting for his passengers, he couldn’t help but notice that the winds were picking up. Off in the distance he observed a pretty nasty chop, but nothing was going to put a damper on this day. The excited group marched onto the vessel, for many this was their first time inshore fishing. They motored out to open water; the plan was to cast net whitebait. The seas were too rough; there would be no greenbacks today. That did not even cause a hiccup in the captain’s plan, one of the bait wells was already full of shrimp. The first species targeted was inshore grouper; everyone was pitching baits under the docks. After an hour or so of catching nothing, it was time to motor on. The high winds
had pushed most of the water out of the captain’s favorite honey holes; this was going to be a more difficult trip than originally planned. The next move was to head inland and fish the mangroves. All of the usual suspects seemed to have lock jaw, but the catfish were hungry. The group made a few more moves around the spoil islands and still caught nothing. The shrimp supply was running low, still not a problem; there was cut bait in the cooler. Everyone started dead sticking or using a float with cut bait, not a bite. Five hours into the trip and nothing to show for it, the boat maneuvered into a canal and anchored up next to a small bridge. The captain reached into his tackle box and pulled out a baggy of three inch, amber colored, plastic shrimp
tails. He told the group that they would now be targeting flounder. A few of them looked at the soft plastic bait and scoffed as if to say, “we will never catch anything with that”. After some brief instructions, FISH ON, a flounder and it was a doormat. Once again, excitement filled the air and the flounders kept coming. The trip was a great success! This was all because of Captain Scott Sebor of VetCatch having not one, not two, but many alternate plans to ensure a successful day on the water. With the willingness to improvise, adapt and overcome, anyone can have a productive trip. Thank you VetCatch for a great day on the water! VetCatch, a nonprofit 501 © (3) is a Florida born organization dedicated to using fishing and
boating to focus on physical and mental healing for our disabled veterans. They are committed to restoring a sense of self through positive connections, outdoor adventure and relieving stress on the open water. The organization operates in the Tampa Bay area. For more information on how to help these great efforts or to participate in a fishing adventure, go to www. vetcatchinc.org, or check out their Facebook page. There is no better therapy, than a day on the water. 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!
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ST. PETE REPORT POUND TOWN
BY: CAPT. CHRISTOPHER TAYLOR
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arch was a total knockout! The redfish bite was an inferno that stretched from the Howard Frankland Bridge to the Sunshine Skyway Bridge and even further south around Fort Desoto State Park. When it comes to fishing these big schools of reds, it’s not a matter of if they’re there; it’s where. Tides, wind and water clarity are some of the things to bring into perspective when in search of these fish. Unexpected cold fronts that bring a whirlwind of fury to most guides in Tampa Bay will reset the most experienced angler back to the basics of fishing. However, if the conditions are right there are plenty of fish to wrangle up. April is well known for its cooperative weather and great fishing; the redfish bite is predicted to be steady through the month. When it comes to non-stop, drag screaming, rod bending action that leaves you with a sore forearm, snook is the second fish for the month. The snook spawn historically starts before or after the full moon in May and peaks in the month of June. April is the month that the stove heats the pot. Go to spots for snook are all
major passes and bodies of water surrounded by sandbars or some type of structure that has the potential for holding bait-fish during tidal changes. The most common fish caught are the smaller males; however there are plenty of big female snook to be hooked into. April is definitely a great month for all day snook fishing because of the forefront of their spawn and water temperatures reaching the mid 70’s. This allows for great feeding activity as they will become lethargic as water temperatures rise during mid-summer. Choice baits for redfish this month are live or cut pinfish. For snook I recommend live scaled sardines, or dead scaled sardines cut in half. Free-lining baits, or with the necessary split shot for stronger tidal flow is the preferred presentation for both targeted species. Captain Christopher Taylor Florida Reels Fishing Charters www.floridareelsfishingcharters.com (813) 220-6135
3450 34th Street North (Hwy 19) Saint Petersburg, FL 33713 (727) 317-4949 www.stpetefishingoutfitters.com COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM | APRIL 2018 | TAMPA 19
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PASCO COUNTY BY: CAPT. BOBBY CARROLL
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he water temperature has cracked the 70’s and we all know what that means, insane fishing! The bait has flooded the flats and it has been very easy to round up. The snook seem to be ahead of schedule and have moved out to their late spring spots already
and have been feeding very aggressively. With that being said, it doesn’t seem like the snook population got hit too hard this past winter, so look for a strong bite all throughout the year. Redfish are already schooling up on the outer mangroves and oyster bars, when you catch one
you’ll often end up catching a second and third as well. This time of year reds don’t care what you throw in front of them because they are eating any and everything, whether you’re throwing greenbacks, shrimp, pinfish or artificials, they’re hungry and are showing it!
We are still getting some quality trout hanging around the potholes at the low tides and on the edges of the oyster bars. If you’re looking to have some artificial fun with all three species of fish, break out the topwater lures! You’ll definitely have a show with some big explosions by using this method. Moving forward, snook will start to migrate to the beaches to start their summer breed in late April into May and June. Redfish will only get bigger with their schools and will start to stay tucked under the mangroves as the summer heat starts to come into full force. If you are trying to look for the bigger trout into the late spring and summer, the earlier you’re on the water the better, as they seem to move to deeper water as temperatures rise. To book a charter with Captain Bobby Carroll and the Florida Fishing Experience please call (727) 271-3257
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f this photo of a happy kid with a humongous fish doesn’t make you smile, nothing will. Chase Stokes, 11, caught his 33.25-pound, 40inch carp on a nightcrawler while fishing at Otter Creek in Panton, Vermont in April 2017. It is one of the three state records caught by Vermont anglers last year. All of them are species not typically targeted. In May, angler Mike Elwood landed a record redhorse sucker while fishing on the Winooski River in Colchester, Vermont. The sucker, landed on a live worm, weighed 9.9 pounds and measured 29 inches long with an 18-inch girth. The third record for 2017 was a cisco, also known as lake herring. Alan Franchot caught his 2.25-pound state record while trolling on Lake Champlain in September. “We saw some incredible catches in 2017, especially Chase’s carp,” said Shawn Good, fisheries biologist with Vermont Fish & Wildlife. “It was an impressive looking fish, but what’s really exciting to me is that we’re starting to see more Vermont anglers fish outside of the box, as I like to call it, by taking advantage of many of the overlooked fishing opportunities we have in our state.” Good said fishing in Vermont remains excellent for traditional species like bass, trout, salmon and pike, but that anglers should take a look at some of the oddball fish like bowfin, drum, gar, fallfish and suckers that can provide great action as well as trophy potential.
It’s Tarpon Time In The
Florida Keys
By CAM Staff • Photo by Pat Ford
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t is the heart of the tarpon season in the Florida Keys. With the annual migration in full swing, there should be silver kings everywhere over the next couple of months. The big spring run begins most years in February. It can last deep into the summer when conditions are right. This is when the big fish are most vulnerable. Averaging 80 pounds and sometimes running much larger, tarpon in the keys offer a fishery unlike any other in the world. The west coast of Africa might have the world record 286-pound, 9-ounce tarpon, but nowhere in the world has the opportunities to sight fish tarpon like the Keys. Poling the flats, there is a very real possibility of encountering tarpon up to 200 pounds and heavier in shallow and ultra-clear water. Migrating tarpon will push up into the backcountry in the thousands, skirting the edges of the flats and channels. Staking out or anchoring the boat in an ambush point where the angler is likely to encounter numbers of hungry tarpon is best accomplished through a local guide who stays on top of the movements of these giant fish. One thing you’ll notice is that while some captains might guarantee “shots” at tarpon, none promise you’ll actually bring one boatside. With a fly, enticing a big tarpon to eat is something that takes a lot of skill and a little luck. First-timers are probably better off fishing live bait, and a crab fished under a float in the passes and around bridges where fish are
concentrated can lead to multiple hook-ups in a day’s trip. What follows is a fight that cannot be matched by any fish anywhere. The powerful runs and repeated jumps of a hooked tarpon are what made them so highly prized as a game fish. Even experienced anglers are frequently left broken hearted when the line falls slack. Winning a battle with Megalops is an achievement to be remembered. Winning the battle comes with a heavy dose of responsibility, as well. Tarpon have a life span of 50 years or more. They are slow growing, and it takes them seven to 13 years to reach sexual maturity. This and their value as a game fish make them susceptible to population decline. Every effort should be made to release them with the best chance for their survival. All Florida tarpon must be released, with an exception for anglers who have purchased a state tarpon tag for the purpose of achieving an IGFA world record. Large tarpon should remain in the water at all times, which means unhooking and photographing them should be done quickly, with an effort to keep the head and gills in the water as much as possible. Never attempt to drag a tarpon over the side of the boat. Tarpon will often fight to exhaustion, so reviving them after the fight will greatly increase their chance of survival. Hold them horizontally in the water with their mouth open, moving them forward to push water over their gills. Do this until they are able to swim off on their own.
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ummer is just around the corner, and south Florida families will be spending more time on the water. From the bathtub to the open ocean, kids need to feel comfortable and confident about their in-water skills. One of the most important lessons to remember is to use the buddy system. It’s one of the first things we teach young snorkelers during Pura Vida Divers’ Snorkel Summer Camp sessions. Campers know to stay within arm’s reach of their in-water buddy. When duck-diving under the surface, they practice one up, one down. This ensures someone is always alert and paying attention to their swimming partner. At the beach, or when exploring snorkeling spots like the Blue Heron Bridge, show young swimmers where lifeguard stands are located, and point out swim zones that lifeguards patrol. Flags on the beach alert swimmers of the day’s conditions. It’s important that children understand what these flags mean and how conditions affect their experience in the water.
Another important consideration for in-water activities is identification of potentially harmful wildlife. During Pura Vida Divers’ Snorkel Camp, campers are taught to identify many local species. They know how to spot a camouflaged scorpionfish, and which jellyfish to avoid. The knowledge is essential for a great experience in the water, and it also introduces children to a whole new world of animals. Many kids get caught up in the excitement of seeing fish, rays, octopus and other interesting animals. The more confident they feel in their swimming skills, the more they can fully engage in enjoying their adventure. The camp staff has found that the easiest way to introduce kids to snorkeling is to introduce one item at a time. It’s important to choose comfortable-fitting gear, rather than just grabbing a snorkel package off the shelf. Call Pura Vida Divers to set up an appointment for a mask, snorkel and fin fitting, or stop by the shop to chat with staff and learn the basics of choosing the right gear. At Snorkel Summer Camp, we ensure campers are comfortable wearing their masks and looking underwater in shallow, standing water. Once they know how to put on their mask, where the strap should sit and how to use defog, we attach a snorkel and have them breathe first on land and then in water. Once kids are comfortable using their mask and snorkel, it’s time to learn how to swim using fins. Even the most experienced kids can learn to be more efficient. It’s amazing to watch skills and comfort in the water blossom as kids conquer each new technique. This summer, Pura Vida Divers will offer two sessions of Snorkel Summer Camp. We work with kids of all experience levels between the ages of 6 and 10. By the end of the week, even novice snorkelers are swimming alongside their parents during a family snorkeling event at the Blue Heron Bridge. For more information, contact Pura Vida Divers at 561-8408750 or stop by the shop at 2513 Beach Court, Singer Island, 33404.
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ith a new U.S. Customs facility at Witham Field in Stuart, Fla., those travelling from the islands of the Bahamas will have a convenient place to clear customs in Martin County. The Martin County Board of County Commissioners announced a late spring opening of the U.S. Customs Facility at Witham Field, which will process international travelers arriving in Martin County via aircraft and marine vessels, allowing boaters, pilots, residents and visitors to clear Customs without having to travel to Fort Pierce or West Palm Beach. This project is the first intermodal clearance facility of its kind built in Florida. This facility has been welcomed by the marine community not only in Martin County but throughout the State of Florida. With Stuart’s location on the east end of the Cross-Florida Canal/Okeechobee Waterway, boaters returning from the Bahamas will be able to conveniently clear back into the U.S. and continue on their way to Florida’s west coast and the Gulf of Mexico or continue to points north via the Intracoastal Waterway. The Witham Field location is conveniently located within a 10-minute drive of 90 percent of the marinas in Martin County. This facility will greatly enhance Martin County’s tourism efforts, specifically in the recreational boating sector and related marine industries. When complete, the facility will consist of a 3,210-squarefoot concrete block structure with road access for marine trailers, parking lot and a customer-friendly environment. Funding for the project is provided through an 80/20 grant partnership with the Florida Department of Transportation Aviation (Multimodal) Division and the Airport Enterprise Fund. The facility will be operated by U.S. Customs and Boarder Protection. As it is with Witham Field, user fees will cover the cost of operations expenses. The Customs facility at Witham Field is anticipated to open in May. Visit www.martin.fl.us for news and information. Follow Martin County on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MartinCountyBoardofCountyCommissioners/. COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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Bimini Sands Resort And Marina To Host First Timers Flotilla
Bimini Sands Resort and Marina is on South Bimini, a mere 60 miles from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
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ith the beautiful islands of the Bahamas so close to the south Florida coast, many boaters and fishermen would love to make the crossing, but this adventure can be intimidating for the novice boater. Bimini Sands Resort and Marina, located on South Bimini, will play host to a First Time, Fun, Fish Flotilla. The event is being coordinated by Capt. Chase Camacho. Participants will depart May 2 from a marina in Ft. Lauderdale with a planned return date of May 6. There will be a “How To Cross” seminar at the I.T. Parker Community Center at Harbor Towne Marina in Ft. Lauderdale on April 19. The twohour seminar will cover many of the safety-related issues that are necessary for a safe and fun crossing. The weekend will include a number of family friendly activities and a one-day fishing tournament. Bimini Sands Resort and Marina will provide a discount on accommodations. Minimum boat size for participation is 22 feet. Airline_Ad_CoastalAngler_8-1-14_Layout 1 8/1/14 1:14 PM Page 1 For more information, visit www.bluewaterseries.com click on Flotilla or contact Brad Michael at bradgmichael@gmail.com.
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TIPS FROM A PRO
DON’T FORGET ABOUT SPINNERBAITS BRANDON LESTER
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any great lures have come and gone in the bass fishing world over the years. Some seem to take the whole industry by storm and then die down once the next best thing comes along. Some prove themselves and become a
Make reel memories.
with dirty water, I like a red Colorado blade for extra visibility and a skirt with a lot of chartreuse. In clear water, I can throw double willowleaf blades for a subtler thump, and I’ll opt for a more
Stuart, located in Martin County, is known as the Sailfish Capital of the World. Sitting on the most biodiverse estuary in the Northern Hemisphere, and the northernmost point of the South Florida Reef, Martin County is home to 100 artificial reef systems and over 800 species of fish. Its climate, waterways and natural environment make it a mecca for fishermen and nautical explorers year-round. An array of unique shops, fine restaurants, great golf courses and quiet beaches make a day ashore fun, too. Inshore, offshore, salt water or fresh, head out for an adventure and reel in the memories.
staple in everyone’s tackle box. There is one lure, though, that doesn’t get the attention it deserves on the tournament scene these days. With all the fancy square-bill crankbaits and bladed jigs, it’s easy to forget about the tried-and-true spinnerbait. Few baits are as good at covering water as the spinnerbait, and this time of the year that is half the battle. Early in the spring, warm days will cause water temperatures to rise. Bass move shallower to look for places to spawn. Water conditions also play a big role in this. More fish move up earlier in dirty water, which warms faster than clear water. When these fish move shallow, they like to get next to a stump, laydown, dock, rock, really anything that holds heat and gives them a place they feel safe. The spinnerbait is my favorite bait for targeting prespawn fish for two reasons. Reason No. 1 is they are virtually weedless. I can throw spinnerbaits in pretty thick cover, and as long as I’m careful it will come right through. It comes through wood especially well. Reason No. 2 is the unlimited options. If I’m faced
natural skirt color. Having all those options is important with the everchanging conditions of spring. When you’re actively searching for fish, keep an open mind. I’ve caught them anywhere from bluff banks to shallow flat pockets and everywhere in between this time of year, so let the fish tell you where you need to be and what you should be throwing. My favorite spinnerbait rod is a 7’2” medium heavy (EPS86MHF) MHX Elite Pro Series rod that I build. It is a great all-purpose blank. It has plenty of tip, so I can make precise casts to targets, and it also has plenty of backbone. I use a 7:3:1 bait-casting reel spooled with 17-lb. Vicious ProElite fluorocarbon. If I could only choose one spinnerbait for the rest of my career, it would be a ½-ounce tandem willowleaf/Colorado combo with one silver and one gold blade and a chartreuse and white skirt. My favorite is made by a new company called Kinkee Baits. It has a combination of wrapped wire down to 18/1000-inch wire, which creates vibration bass have never felt before.
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Get more tips from Lester at
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By Heather Sneed and Amanda Nalley
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ob and Shelly Stowe, of Jupiter, knew plenty about freshwater fishing from their years living in Michigan, but when it came to saltwater fishing, they weren’t quite sure where to start. That’s when they found out about a local Family Saltwater Fishing Clinic being hosted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). “We had no experience with saltwater fishing,” said Shelly. “That class was so complete. It was A++. I learned how to set up a pole, how to unhook a fish from the line, how to cast correctly and how to bait a hook. Every single person involved in teaching that class was so friendly, helpful and knowledgeable that if they had it again, we’d take it again.” For years FWC has hosted kids’ and women’s fishing clinics. In 2017 they added adult saltwater fishing clinics. These free, one-day educational events are for anyone 18 and older, male or female. Participants learn everything they need to know to fish on their own, from knot tying and fishing tackle to conservation efforts and marine habitats. Clinic class sizes are kept small for a hands-on approach. At the end of the day, you’ll also get to try catch-and-release fishing firsthand. Bring your own gear or FWC will provide some for the day. And don’t forget your recreational saltwater fishing license. Visit MyFWC.com Calendar for upcoming dates and locations. For women and adult saltwater fishing clinics, you’ll need to register in advance, either on the calendar, or by calling 850-487-0554 or emailing Heather.Sneed@MyFWC.com.
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ne particular type of architecture that Florida fishermen know is the fishing shack, usually a ramshackle wooden structure that looks to be on its last legs, but which can still provide a lot of comfort. Some of our bodies of water, in fact, have become well-known to boaters as places where the lucky can tie up far from shore, cook a light meal, rest and even seek shelter from a mild storm. For example, Charlotte Harbor and Pine Island Sound in the southwestern part of our state have a number of simple, one-story, wood-frame cabins set on pilings. The temporary home-away-from-home usually has no electricity, no plumbing, no phone, and a distance from shore that precludes cell-phone service. They do, however, often have rain gutters to collect water that the fishermen can use for cooking or even drinking. Florida officials declared the shacks navigational hazards and causers of pollution and actually began to burn some of them down in the mid-1980s, but consultants hired by the fishermen pointed out that the water around the shanties was too shallow for boats to collide with the structures and many fishermen used chemical toilets. As a result, some of the shacks have been placed on the National Register of Historic Places because of their importance in local heritage, and that should preserve them until a powerful hurricane hits them directly. The flimsy-looking structures, usually made of pine or cypress, can nicely withstand the subtropical sun, the wind and rain. Metal gable roofs and board-and-batten siding protect those inside from storms, and screened windows keep out the flies. The shacks have a good air flow with shutters that can be propped open.
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The wooden stilt houses in Biscayne Bay south of Cape Florida have long been famous among fishermen in Miami-Dade County. Standing about 10 feet above shallow water on wooden or reinforced concrete pillars, Stiltsville dates back to the 1920s and 1930s. Some of the structures may have begun as places for alcohol consumption during Prohibition and for gambling, which was legal a mile offshore, and some of them became quite elaborate. When Congress expanded the Biscayne National Park in 1980 to include Stiltsville, the existing shacks were allowed to remain, but hurricanes and natural deterioration have taken their toll. Today only seven of the original structures remain, but the park service has added hurricane strapping to help the remaining shacks withstand strong winds. “No trespassing” signs warn interlopers to stay away, and access to the structures is limited to their owners and friends. Stiltsville has been featured enough in magazine articles that many visitors go to Biscayne Bay to see the remaining shacks. That has provided docents an opportunity to teach many non-residents about the rich maritime history of the area. The above-mentioned are just a few of the different kinds of fishing shacks in our waters, some quite elaborate, some pretty basic, but many with a history and allure that makes them part of our fishing history. Kevin McCarthy, the award-winning author of “South Florida Waterways” (2013 - available at amazon.com for $7), can be reached at ceyhankevin@gmail.com.
For more on Kevin McCarthy, go to
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FISH & FISHING
Trolling Tactics
“L it.”
MARK SOSIN
et me show you something,” Capt. Skip Smith said. “Pick any trolling lure and any color combination and I’ll catch a fish on
Of course, our selection included the most non-appetizing color combination we could find. One lure was streamed on either side a respectable distance astern. Within 10 minutes, Skip had a sailfish chasing the baits and striking one of the lures. What he did is etched in memory. Instead of trolling in a straight line, working shallower and then deeper, changing speed, or doing any of the common trolling tactics, Skip took a different approach. He would make a sharp turn to port and a couple of minutes later he made a sharp turn to starboard. This created slack line on the side of the turn and increased speed for the lure on the outside of the turn. When he switched direction, the lure that had sunk picked up speed and headed back to the surface. Let me tell you that the technique works. Fishing with Capt. Bouncer Smith out of Miami, I learned something else. Inshore waters are burdened with no-wake zones designed to slow down fast-moving boats heading for open water. While most anglers are frustrated by the slow progress in these waters and can’t wait to get through this delay, Bouncer takes a different approach. He has two rods rigged with swimming plugs, and he streams them astern as he enters the no-wake zone. It’s surprising how many fish he catches on those plugs in areas that hardly anyone fishes. Another skipper showed me that after he streamed the standard trolling spread, he put another bait directly astern and close to the boat. It surprised me to see how many fish came up and hit that bait. This seems to work particularly well on tuna. If you fail to raise fish on that short bait, try fishing it long down the middle. That puts it farther astern than the other baits.
Aboard some of the bigger boats with outriggers, captains often troll their long and short baits at specific distances astern. The clips on the outriggers are attached so that when each line is clipped on, it positions the bait or lure at the same spot each time. I prefer to adjust the length of the lines based on sea conditions and results. There are days on the water when shorter distances astern work and other times when the results are better if you troll the baits farther back. As a reminder if you troll natural baits, dead or alive, they should be changed frequently. Too many anglers simply put baits or lures astern and steer a straight course. Successful trolling demands concentration and dedication to details. The key lies in making changes from where you position the offerings to the speed you use and the courses you steer. If you’re not raising fish, keep making changes until you do.
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On The Water With
Kaku By Capt. Ryan Drygas
T
arpon Springs, a small town on the west coast of Florida an hour north of St. Petersburg, is a best-kept secret for redfish and snook. It sits within a web of waterways connecting the Gulf of Mexico to rivers, lakes, ponds, marshes and eventually Tampa Bay. This vast system offers excellent inshore opportunities, and it’s a ton of fun to explore under paddle power. I know a local who grew up there and knows the water like the back of his hand. Kevin Hawkins, owner of Kaku Kayaks, invited me out on the water to try his newest SUP, the Voodoo. Kevin lives, eats and breathes fishing. When he’s not fishing from one of his kayaks or SUPs, he’s thinking about ways to design these boats so they’re better to fish from. The Voodoo is a hybrid that melds the best qualities of an SUP, a kayak and a micro-skiff. We launched from his local ramp on a Saturday afternoon a cou-
ple hours before sunset. I don’t have the words to describe the picturesque setting that spread out before me. Mangroves, oyster beds and hidden shoals were in abundance. We paddled to the tip of a mangrove island where a smaller canal led to docks, sandbars and windbreaks. We had to cross the main channel to get there, and there was a 1- to 2-foot chop with the boating traffic and winds. The Voodoo was stable and fast, tracking straight as it cut through the channel. I was surprised the chop didn’t offer more of a challenge, but the hull design of the Voodoo is flawless. It also features a chair, which—without adjustment—offers two seated positions and can be used as a poling platform. The boat paddles well from a seated or standing position, and the ability to make powerful strokes with a low center of gravity came in handy during the crossing. As we rounded the tip of the island, we found wind-shade in a pocket. We poled down to cast right under the mangroves and docks. The Voodoo’s stern has five molded-in Power Pole mounts that allow for dual or single Power Pole Micros. And from a stability standpoint, the boat might as well be the deck of a skiff. Kevin hooked into a 25-inch redfish and fought it with ease from the open deck. As we paddled through the backside of the mangrove islands, we cast to oyster beds and under docks. The final spot Kevin had planned was a back corner of an area with a long sea wall and sand flats. Kevin wanted to hit it right at sunset, when the redfish bite is best. We could see reds tailing over the shoals as the tide went out. If you are looking for a perfect fishing machine, look no further than Kaku. These boats are a fisherman’s Cadillac. Kevin’s obsession with crafting a superior fishing vessel is evident in the sleek, stable versatility of his boats. For more on Kaku Kayak, visit kakukayak.com.
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By Tom Schlichter
Y
ou couldn’t tell by looking in the tannic-stained water, but Capt. Gary Dubiel was convinced redfish were holding just a few feet from the bank. “Toss your line up tight and see what happens,” he instructed. My cork popper landed with a splat and the trailing DOA shrimp settled toward the bottom. I waited a second, gave a “pop” and watched the cork slide under with an 8-pound red in full protest. “They’ll smack that setup every time,” smiled the skipper. It’s no secret that the coastal waters of North Carolina teem with redfish and stripers, but many visiting anglers focus their efforts solely on inlet and ocean waters. For truly amazing topwater action, the bays, creeks and river systems are also well worth exploring. “There’s amazing variety on the inside here,” said Dubiel, of Spec Fever Guide Service (www.specfever.com), who specializes in putting light-tackle and fly-fishing fans right in the mix. Dubiel especially enjoys working the Neuse River area because it hosts stripers and seatrout year-round, plus redfish from spring though mid-October. “These stripers are estuarine and don’t run to the ocean,” he explained. “They typically measure up to 32 inches, which makes them perfect for light gear and fly rods. Even better, they mix in with the specks and slot-sized redfish. We often catch all three on the same trip.” The striper action really heats up in late April when the bass return from spawning farther upriver to offer outstanding surface action from Oriental to New Bern, N.C. Much of the fun takes place in knee-deep depths here in the river’s mouth at Pamlico Sound, and that makes for a ton of topwater thrills. Interestingly, the Neuse River—America’s widest at 6 miles across the mouth— doesn’t have a lunar rise and fall in tides. Rather than look for current, Dubiel works around structure while using a trolling motor to quietly get in and out of
potential hot spots. He likes casting at old wood when possible, often using a Bob’s Banger Capt. Gary Dubiel of Spec popper. “Because the fish often Fever Guide Service works hang in the shallows here, you can call them from a considerthe long wand for shallow able distance if you make a litwater Neuse River stripers, reds tle noise,” he said. “This is also and specks. Photo by Felicia a great lure for covering a lot of Scocozza. water. Some of our wood fields are pretty expansive.” Push up into the Neuse River tributaries above and below New Bern and you’ll also find largemouth bass, crappie and perch. The creeks stay warmer than the river in the winter months, so there are times in late winter and early spring when you might catch any of these along with a striper, redfish or speckled trout as well. “It certainly makes for an interesting mixed bag,” quipped Dubiel. Just an hour drive from Moorhead City, N.C., the Neuse River is easily accessible from Oriental, New Bern or the ICW. For accommodations, consider Bridgepoint Marina (www.bridgepointe.com) in New Bern. It’s within 500 yards of public launching at both Lawson Creek Landing and Union Park Point. For more info on the New Bern area, visit www.visitnewbern.com.
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United States Power Squadrons–America’s
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ho doesn’t have a smile on their face when they’re spending time on the water? You can’t help yourself. Boating is the definition of getting away from it all. And getting away from it all is always more fun with friends. This is where the United States Power Squadrons–America’s Boating Club comes in. Enjoying your time on the water with family and friends starts with being safe and responsible while having fun. That’s what makes America’s Boating Club different than most boating organizations. For over a hundred years, the organization’s focus has been on providing unsurpassed boating safety education. But the organization’s leadership and members are passionate about a membership that doesn’t end on Sunday and doesn’t care if the calendar says it’s winter. It’s about being together and building a community through a variety of events like parties, meetings and even just getting together for no reason at all. Driven by this passion, United States Power Squadrons–America’s Boating Club, the country’s largest nonprofit boating organization, just launched its new logo. This is the first of several planned updates in the organization’s new brand image and identity. Changes to the organization’s website, social media platforms and collateral are expected in the coming weeks.
“We are United States Power Squadrons but we are also America’s Boating Club,” said Gary Cheney, chief commander, United States Power Squadrons. “This is not just a name change, it describes what we do. We go boating and have fun doing it. Our squadrons are social clubs as well as providers of high quality boating education— allowing members to enjoy the sport and camaraderie of boating and any number of activities that keep us together. Togetherness is what this lifestyle is all about. We joined the organization for the boating education, but we stayed for the friends.” Offering classes For Boaters, By Boaters in boat handling, navigation, boat maintenance, weather and related subjects, United States Power Squadrons— America’s Boating Club serves as a virtual “yacht club” with boating and social activities for all types of recreational boaters. With over 27,000 members organized into 356 local clubs across the country, America’s Boating Club is comprised of families who contribute to their communities by promoting safe boating through education. Members are vital to strengthening the communities they live in and know it’s important to live their values by giving back through public service and volunteer opportunities. Members provide courtesy vessel safety checks, help the NOAA’s National Ocean Service keep nautical charts accurate and organize beach cleanups. “Our commitment is to continue learning, teaching, laughing and helping our fellow members enjoy boating,” continued Cheney. “Whether you’re passionate about cruising, racing, making new friends, volunteering in your community or learning from experienced boaters, your local squadron has the resources you need to engage your passions and, perhaps, instill some new ones.” In February of 2017, the United States Power Squadrons announced its America’s Boating Club co-brand to its squadrons, following an almost yearlong renaming exercise. To learn more about United States Power Squadrons–America’s Boating Club, visit www.americasboatingclub.org.
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FRESHWATER Jordan Lee Wins Back-To-Back
Bassmaster Classics Bassmaster photos by Andy Crawford
I
n sixth place headed into the final day of the Bassmaster Classic on March 18 at lake Hartwell, S.C., Alabama’s Jordan Lee was in striking distance to do what only two anglers have ever done—win the Super Bowl of bass fishing twice in a row. And he did it. With a final day surge that took him to the scales with 16 pounds, 5 ounces, Lee tallied a three-day total of 47-1 to edge out California pro Brent Ehrler by a single pound. With his Classic win last year at Lake Conroe, Texas, Lee joins Rick Clunn and Kevin VanDam as the only three anglers in the history of the sport to win back-to-back classics. With the $300,000 purse, Lee pushed his career earnings with B.A.S.S past the million-dollar mark.
“It was just a perfect week for me,” Lee told Bassmaster. “I caught fish on five different baits and a lot of different techniques.” Boat docks were the ticket to Lee’s success. Following poor practice rounds, he could not nail down a strong pattern. From Day 1, Lee reverted to his comfort zone and his strength. “I just wanted to cover as much water as I could to give myself the best chance of putting a bait in front of a fish,” he told Bassmaster. “On this lake, I knew boat docks were going to play because they always do—and that’s what I like to do.” Live on Day 1, video showed Lee pumping his fists over a chunky largemouth he finessed out from under a dock with black floats. Black floats tend to warm the water around them, and the fish were staging up prior to the spawn. A strong sack of 18-10 on Day 1 must have buoyed Lee’s confidence in the dock pattern. Despite catching nothing but smaller spotted bass and just 12-2 on Day 2, Lee was still solidly in the top 25 to make the cut to fish Championship Sunday. Lee found his magic pocket on Day 3. Fishing a Strike King Rage Swimmer, a Strike King Ocho and a Strike King Shimmy Stick, he stuck to that one little pocket and pulled fish from beneath almost every dock. Green pumpkin was his primary color. Jason Christie, of Oklahoma, who led through the first two days of competition, dropped back to third place after the final day with a three-day total of 45-15. Ehrler’s 46-1 earned him second place. Alabama pro Mark Daniels Jr. caught the Berkley Big Bass of the tournament, a 6-pound, 11-ounce largemouth that won him $2,500. Reporting by Bassmaster’s Bryan Brasher.
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UNDER THE SEA
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ike land hunters or rod-and-reel fishermen, spearos also study and perfect some tricks of the trade. Spearos immerse themselves into the fishes’ environment, so the first skill to master is to look like you belong there. Beginners tend to exhibit aggressive behavior, chasing and spooking fish. If fish scatter when you get near, study how calmly an experienced diver moves in the water. Until you achieve a non-threatening aura, all other tips and tricks will be useless. After achieving smooth diving technique, here are some techniques to get near fish. 1) Aspetto (Italian for “wait”)—It starts from the surface with a smooth duck-dive into the water while removing the snorkel. You descend with soft kicks until you begin to free-fall as you scan the bottom. By turning your fin blades, you maneuver to the right spot, perhaps where the reef meets sand. You lie motionless on the bottom until curious fish come to check you out. Moving only your eyes, you pick out the prey, move your gun slowly, and make a well-placed shot. A good spearo will make this technique look easy, but it is not. This is especially effective with evasive fish that become curious when you do not move, such as mutton snappers in Florida, stripers in the northeast, and bigeye emperors in Hawaii. 2) Agguato (Italian for “ambush”)–This is a dynamic stalking technique to get closer to prey without being noticed. The diver navigates the bottom using the environment to get closer to the prey. The diver must consider current, visibility and available bottom structure while moving from one object to another, blending into shadows or hiding behind reef formations. If your body can be hidden while closing the gap, the fish will remain unaware of your presence.
3) Flashers/ Sheri Daye practices “aspetto” technique. chum—Especially Photo by Joe Marino effective for hunting pelagics such as jacks, tunas, dolphin and wahoo. Multiple mirrors dangle below a float, and the flashes of light in the water imitate the reflective glare from a school of baitfish. The fish come in to investigate. Chum can be used in combination with a flasher to bring them even closer and keep them interested. In addition to these techniques, serious spearos are likely to train in a pool, use meditation techniques, and do cardio exercises to increase their breath hold capacity. Many take freediving classes to increase bottom time and safety. While there is no certification required to do it, classes should be a pre-requisite, as freediving is a sport that can lead to “blackout” and death if not practiced correctly. Spearfishing is a beautiful, selective way to catch fish, but it is also physically and mentally demanding. Above all, be safe and happy hunting! Sheri is a world-record holder, host of Speargun Hunter, and producer of The Blue Wild Ocean Adventure Expo in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Follow “Sheri Daye” and “The Blue Wild” on Facebook and Instagram.
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hen Jesus Chavarria was a small boy nearly 60 years ago, he remembers a giant silver fish with huge scales brought to the dock at his home in the small Pacific river port of Sierpe, Costa Rica. No one had any idea what it was. He went on to captain offshore sport fishing boats all over the west coast of Costa Rica for the next 35 years and retired a few years ago to taking guests fishing the backwaters of the Sierpe River. His specialty is snook but now and then he began to catch tarpon. Tarpon are not indigenous to the Pacific Ocean, but over the years anglers began to encounter a tarpon now and then. The thought is that over more than a century since it was constructed, the Panama Canal has provided passage for tarpon, which now reside in the Pacific. Tarpon capture has been recorded as far south as Colombia and as far north as El Salvador. Saul Porras’ capture of a tarpon that weighed barely 3 pounds at a creek mouth in southern Costa Rica changed the whole thought process. Chances that a fish that small swam through the canal and that far are slim. Are tarpon now breeding in the Pacific? FECOP, the sport fishing advocacy and conservation group in Costa Rica, agreed to sponsor a project to find out more about tarpon in the Pacific. They contacted Didiher Chacon, who had worked on a Costa Rican Caribbean tarpon project almost three decades ago in Barra del Colorado for Dr. Roy Crabtree, of Florida. He agreed to work on the science part of the project. “The Sierpe Wetlands are perfect habitat for juvenile tarpon,” explained Chacon. “That very well may account for the increase in numbers of tarpon caught there in the last few years.” Most of the river tarpon are small, less than 30 pounds, but fish as large as 100 pounds have also been taken. Phase 1 of the project will concentrate in southern Costa Rica. A DNA comparison will be done between Pacific-caught tarpon and tarpon taken from different parts of the Caribbean side of the country. They will also study what the Pacific tarpon have been feeding on. Today this can be done with a small tissue sample without sacrificing the fish. All Pacific caught tarpon will also be tagged. Chacon noted that there is a possibility over time for tarpon to change the ecology of the rivers. It is not yet known what they are feeding on or how they will affect native fish. The Pacific-side tarpon are now showing with enough frequency to make it worth finding out. Tropical storm Nate delayed the project when the massive amounts of rain that fell not only caused major landslides but also completely flushed everything out of most of the country’s rivers. Find out more about Pacific tarpon and other FECOP projects on sport fishing conservation at www.fishcostarica.org.
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N
ot long ago, people didn’t know there were great white sharks off the coast of South Carolina. Now, thanks to the obsessive pursuit of them by Outcast Sport Fishing Charter Capt. Chip Michalove, everyone knows they’re out there, and in numbers during the winter months. Michalove seems to have figured it out, and he’s not sharing his secrets for fear of hurting the species he spent more than a decade trying to pattern. The captain has caught nearly 30 of these apex predators over the last three years. His most recent catch has made national news after a post about him catching a 16-foot-long, 3,000-pound white shark went viral from his Facebook page. Journalist Mandy Matney wrote in Hilton Head Island’s Island Packet about Michalove’s giant fish. She reported that with a two-man skeleton crew, Michalove had to radio to another fishing boat for backup to bring the giant fish boatside where it could be tagged and released. Michalove tags great whites for the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy in Chatham, Mass., according to the Island Packet report. They are working to study the movements of the sharks in the Atlantic, and through technique Michalove does everything he can to put minimal stress on the animals.
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