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BIG BEND : Mike McNamara • (850) 510-7919 • captmike@coastalanglermagazine.com BREVARD : Chris Milner • (321) 631-1001 • cmilner@coastalanglermagazine.com DAYTONA/NEW SMYRNA/DELAND : Amy Chibbaro • (386) 478-3812 • achibbaro@coastalanglermagazine.com Chris Chibbaro • (386) 478-9234 • cchibbaro@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
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Losing Count On The Clinch River By Nick Carter
E
very now and then, there are magical days when all the variables align. It can seem almost too easy. The fish just eat what you’re throwing, and it’s glorious. Of course, these days happen more often for those who have a fishery dialed in. And for the rest of us who can’t be on the water daily to learn a river, the next best thing is to go with someone who can. That’s where Capt. Dane Law and Bill Stranahan, of Southeastern Anglers, stepped in during a recent trip on the Clinch River, northwest of Knoxville, Tenn. The Clinch is one of the Southeast’s
premier trout fisheries. It is a 13-mile tailwater fed by cold, oxygenated waters of Norris Dam. Tennessee stocks the river with rainbow and brown trout, and bank anglers line up near stocking points to pitch baits for a seven-fish limit. That’s all well and good, but for anglers in search of more than a fish dinner, the river is great because of all the trout that survive this initial onslaught. There is some natural reproduction in the river, and with a 14- to 20-inch protected length range and an allowance of one keeper fish longer than 20 inches, trout that reach the protected slot are free to grow. And they grow quickly. The Clinch has gained a reputation for being fickle and for requiring delicate presentation of tiny flies. “The Grinch or The Cinch,” is a clichéd phrase Bill related to me while launching his jet-powered G3 on a hot Tuesday morning in June. By mid-afternoon, it was difficult to imagine this river being stingy. Maybe a minute into our first drift, Dane hooked up with a gorgeous rainbow that pushed the upper end of that 20-inch slot. It was an indicator of good things to come. The action remained constant for the next five hours. We must have caught 30 or more trout, including four that measured 18 to 20 inches and a couple presumably larger fish that snapped the 6x tippet required to draw strikes. And it was simple fishing. Dane and Bill showed up armed to the teeth with 5- to 7-weight rods and reels, with everything from floating to 300-grain sinking lines. Their flies ran the gamut from tiny midges to big articulated streamers. On this day, the vast majority of their arsenal saw no action. The only thing we needed was Bill’s initial suggestion: a size 16 bead-head Prince Nymph dropped 5 feet beneath a foam hopper. Several times, Dane or Bill remarked that the river normally doesn’t fish this ridiculously well. But when it all comes together, there is nothing more fun than floating a river and losing count of the fish. Southeastern Anglers is a multi-state fly fishing outfitter. Check out all the trips they offer at www.southeasternanglers.com
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Destination: Fishing!
Using Technology For Rhode Island Stripers By Tom Schlichter
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t’s hard to find a place better suited for catching trophy striped bass than the waters surrounding Rhode Island’s Narragansett Bay area. With a mix of rocky bottom, strong currents and tons of forage species in nearby ocean waters, plus miles of mud flats inside the bay, this stretch is loaded with big fish potential. Flippin Out Charters skipper BJ Silvia has mined these waters for more than 30 years. He’s boated hundreds of bass in the 40-pound class, plus five weighing 50 to 54 pounds… and he thinks the fishing here is on the verge of getting better! “The number of stripers coming through the ranks right now is amazing,” he said, “We’ve got plenty of cow bass, plus an unprecedented number of fish ranging from shorts to 20 pounds. If we protect the young year classes over the next few years, the potential is outstanding.”
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The shallow waters of Narragansett Bay receive a solid shot of big stripers each May, the 48-year old revealed. Those fish drop out of the Hudson River and spread across the mud flats, traveling in small wolf packs that most anglers target with random casting. Using the latest technology, however, gives Silvia a big edge. He’s hooked on side-scanning sonar to isolate the bass packs on the flats. “Any fishfinder can spot fish below the boat,” Silvia emphasized, “but my Humminbird Solix 15 scans the surrounding waters with super-clear images that push out several hundred feet. For the sharpest images, I set my system to scan within 100 feet. Once we spot these fish, we target them with big plugs like a Musky Mania Doc or topwater spooks. Last spring, the big bass were more spread out than usual, so my Solix proved a lifesaver. It helped get me on the fish quickly, which resulted in more fishing and less searching around.” Technology counts later in the summer as well, added Silvia. Once the stripers leave the shallows, they hold around bottom humps in ocean depths ranging from 20 to 50 feet during July and August. Here, the striper sharpie targets cows using live eels. He’ll fish one weightless rig, one with a small egg sinker, and a third with more weight based on drift speed. On tough days, he said, the biggest bass often prefer the lightest rigs. Focusing again on his technological edge, Silvia noted the bestknown striper spots see tremendous pressure, so he uses his Humminbird fishfinders (he also has a Solix 12 and Solix 10) to look for isolated pieces that don’t show up on the charts. “I use the auto-chart live feature to record them as way points,” he said. “That way, I’m hitting small spots others miss. These often hold the biggest fish.” Contact Silvia at Flippin Out Charters (Flippinoutcharters.com; 401-529-2267). To go it alone, tie-up or launch from Fort Adams State Park Newport, RI (www.dem.gov; 401-847-2400). For overnight accommodations, The Courtyard by Marriot, Middletown, RI (www. marriot.com; 401-849-8000) is reasonably priced and a five-minute drive from the water.
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America’s Boating Club Delivers Boating Education
W
hen it comes to boating education, nothing beats getting out on the water with an instructor. Whether you are learning about the subtlety of throttle control while docking or decision making based on the rules of the road while underway, having a knowledgeable instructor to guide you is irreplaceable. A good source for on-the-water boater education is United States Power Squadrons – America’s Boating Club. Your local squadron will have a schedule of courses covering topics like boat safety equipment and procedures, basic vessel operation and controls, close quarters maneuvering, operating a boat on plane, docking, anchoring, emergency maneuvers and man overboard recovery, to name a few. To bolster your on-the-water training, America’s Boating Club has released digital assets designed to enhance boating education with the Digital Media Library and America’s Boating Channel. Funded by grants from the United States Coast Guard, United States Power Squadrons – America’s Boating Club’s Digital Media Library houses multiple formats of digital media focused on boating safety and boater education including videos, slideshows, images, animations, audio presentations and instructor’s manuals. Videos have also been made available through a YouTube channel, America’s Boating Channel, to allow users to stream video content online. Videos and animations cover a wide range of topics and are organized into sections like Planning, Departure, Underway and Arrival. Each video goes into more detail tackling subjects like life jackets, vessel inspections, steering basics, anchoring, man overboard, docking, mooring and shoreline landings. “In an ongoing effort to make boater education more accessible, we have turned to digital and online resources to disseminate the latest information,” said Gary Cheney, chief commander, United States Power Squadrons. “The mission of the United States Power Squadrons is to promote safe boating through education. By offering video assets through the Digital Media Library and America’s Boating Channel, we give
individuals access to vital boating information that they can view at home or on the go. It’s all part of making it easier than ever before to become a safer and more knowledgeable boater.” Providing original multimedia content instructors can use to enhance their classroom offerings, the Digital Media Library lets individuals view videos at home to reinforce what is learned in class. Videos provide an introduction to a range of boating topics, essential skills and etiquette. Links to “Learn More” at the end of each video promote further education. New content is added regularly. A new video series currently in production includes four videos on various aspects of life jackets, six on personal watercraft operation and one each on accident reporting, frequently asked questions about navigation rules, visual distress signals and mobile maritime service identities. Videos are also available in both English and Spanish. The Digital Media Library can be accessed at uspsdml.org/videos/. America’s Boating Channel can be found at americasboatingchannel.com/. Knowledge is key to a safe and enjoyable time on the water. United States Power Squadrons – America’s Boating Club, has the materials you need to enhance your education. Find your local squadron at www. americasboatingclub.org and sign up for a class today!
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FISH & FISHING
Hunting Sharks
MARK SOSIN
M
ost anglers go out of their way to avoid hooking a shark. In their minds, anyone who actually hunts sharks doesn’t know much about fishing and has his priorities mixed up. They reason that these toothy critters don’t put up much of a battle. With sharks of any size and particularly in relatively shallow water, you’re going to have to crank the engine and chase them with the boat. Two of the toughest and most memorable battles I have ever endured involved sharks that pounced on a fish I had almost landed. In the first instance, I was leading a relatively small wahoo to the boat so we could release it. Suddenly, an oversized mako shark ate half of that fish in one bite and inadvertently got itself hooked. We chased that mako forever, and I put every ounce of pressure on it that I could until my arms and shoulders turned numb from the pain. During all that time, we hadn’t even slowed the shark down. Finally, in desperation, I purposely broke the shark off. The second battle took place over Pinas Reef in Panama, where I was getting close to landing a 250-pound black marlin. That’s when some unseen creature devoured the marlin in three bites. It took over an hour before I could bring that shark alongside the boat. It had to weigh at least 1,500 pounds and was half as long as the boat. That, by the way, was the biggest fish I’ve ever caught. Whenever and wherever you fish, keep a rod rigged and ready for sharks. It should have an abrasion leader about 10
feet long and 12 to 18 inches of single-strand wire between the abrasion leader and the hook. A circle hook should be your first choice because its hooking ratio is higher than any other type. And remember that you don’t have to set it. Unless you are only trolling, you want to be able to cast a bait in front of a cruising shark and retrieve it on the surface or close to it. A balao or a strip of natural bait should do the job. Casting to a cruising shark is exciting sport, but in areas that boast plenty of sharks, you can also anchor the boat and chum them with chunks of natural bait. You’ll need a quick release on the anchor, because a hooked shark will take off at considerable speed. Keep in mind that sharks on the flats or in relatively shallow water can be easily spooked, so your cast has to be on target. The bait should ease in front of the shark and appear as if it is getting away. Sharks do not have a bony skeleton like other fishes. They can literally turn their head and bite their tail, and their body is extremely strong. The best policy for any shark and particularly those of size is to keep them in the water and don’t bring them aboard the boat or try to handle them like other fishes. And, every shark has teeth, so be careful. If you’ve never hunted sharks, this is a good time to try. You’re going to be amazed at the battle they put up and how many times you have to follow them with the boat. Catching sharks can be exciting for anglers of any age, but if you take youngsters fishing, they’ll talk about catching it forever. Don’t pass up the opportunity to expand your fishing horizons.
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Center s Sheri Daye
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ogfish – it’s an ugly name for a pretty fish. It’s also one of the most delicious species in the world. I know some seafood shops that store hogfish fillets behind the counter and bring it out only for special customers. I’ve had chefs beg me for hogfish once they found out I was into spearfishing. One chef wrote, “Not even for fresh broiled flounder could you pry my cold, dead hands off a hogfish fillet.” Some describe it as the perfect combination of flavor and texture because they are “sweeter than grouper, flakier than mahi, and as rich as scallops.” Their unique flavor is due to their diet of small crabs, shrimp and seashells, which translates into moist, white, tasty meat. Hogfish use their elongated snouts to root around in the sand for food, like a hog. Due to this tendency of searching with nose in the sand, it is very uncommon to catch them by hook and line, although it is possible to bait them with shrimp. Hogfish are sometimes thought of as nature’s gift to spearfishers, especially for beginners, because they are relatively abundant, relatively easy to spear, and such a prized catch. Hogfish can live up to 11 years, and they all start out as females. Upon reaching about 3 years and 14 inches, they transform into males with harem groups of females dominated by a larger male. Juveniles are pale pink and attain a deep dark band spanning from the snout to the first dorsal spine as they mature and turn into males. Maximum size is about 24 pounds. They can be found on rocky bottoms, ledges and reefs throughout the western Atlantic, from North Carolina and Bermuda, south to the Gulf of Mexico and the northern coast of South America. They are very common in Florida and the Bahamas and can be
found in shallow waters, ranging from 10-100 feet. Assuming you are in the right place to find them, here are some spearfishing tips: 1) Bag/size limits ensure a healthy stock and protect it from overfishing, so respect the local laws. 2) Look on reefs and especially on sand edges for bigger hogfish. 3) They are not difficult to spear, so take your time, be selective, and don’t take long shots. 4) They are abundant in the Bahamas. This is a good fish to practice your slinging/polespearing skills. Only take the shot if you are sure you can land it. 5) If you are not seeing any, try Sheri Daye displays a stirring up the bottom and make a world-record hogfish. sand cloud. If there are any in the vicinity, they will come to investigate. 6) Do not take advantage of their nature. Take one for dinner, and respect them for the beautiful experience and the delicious meal. 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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FLORIDA
By Andy Flack, Canvas Designers Inc. ell, all the boats have packed up and headed out from Old Bahama Bay to their homes. What a fantastic tournament. Congratulations to all the winners and everyone who came out and braved what has become the normal weather pattern of the Winner’s Circle Tournament. Winding up its 19th year, Winner’s Circle Charities has surpassed $2 million in funds distributed to worthwhile charities. The charity partnership that started it all—The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, in the name of Brett Weinstein, will never be forgotten. Other leaders in the community have come on board to partner with Mike in his efforts. Rob Thomson of Waterfront Properties and Steve Moynihan of HMY Yachts are now co-hosts of the Winner’s Circle Charities Fishing Tournament with Mike as well. This year’s charity partners were Richard David Kann Melanoma Foundation, Waterfront Ways and Marine Industry Education Foundation. All of them were extremely grateful for the record-breaking year on the fundraising side. The fishing was also phenomenal. The tournament had record-breaking weights in all three categories tuna, dolphin and wahoo. One boat caught a billfish slam—white, blue and a sail. The new Lady Angler category saw Debi Cantor, of Waterfront 1, take the tuna and Lynne Henderson take the dolphin trophies home. On the leaderboard, the winners caught tournament record-breaking fish. The top three boats were: No. 1-MR. LTD, a 70’ Viking, took home Grand Champion honors with a total TDW weight of 237.8 pounds, which included
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a 115.2-pound tuna as well as a 99-pound wahoo, both tourney records. No. 2-Honky Tonk, a 42’ Invincible, took second place with a total TDW weight of 117.2 pounds. No. 3-Plum Krazy, a 41’ Bahama, rounded out the top three with a total TDW Weight of 94.1 pounds, which included a 63.3-pound dolphin, another tourney record. The tournament committee and our charities would like to thank all the anglers and sponsors. Without their support and generosity, this tournament and gala would not be possible. Visit www.winnerscirclecharities.org to keep up to date and watch for next year’s events.
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Get to know the local customs.
By Sean Hascup • Photo by James Ferrera
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The beautiful seaside community of Martin County, Florida, is thrilled to welcome the new U.S. Customs Facility to Witham Field. The facility will serve marine and aviation needs, providing efficient, streamlined customs processing alongside the customized aviation services of Atlantic Aviation and Stuart Jet Center. And, of course, just around the corner is the naturally quaint beauty of Southeast Florida’s hidden gem, just begging to be explored.
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lease take a seat. I’m going to prepare you for a freedive. Concentrate on your heart rate, listening carefully to your breathing (you want to hear it), and get your breathing cycles in sync. Start with slow inhales… even slower concentrated exhales. Try filling your belly with your inhales, not your chest, keeping your shoulders low. Relax your neck, legs, arms, back and the rest of your body. Once your breathing feels relaxed and in sync, close your eyes and focus on your breathing. Do four breathing cycles as explained above before slowly opening your eyes. Once you have opened your eyes, keep up the relaxed breathing, it should be easier to have your cycles in sync now. Now I’m going to show you a simple cycle for a longer breath hold. See if you can hold your breath for the rest of the article after you combine what you have focused on from above with the next breathing cycle below; it should feel more natural to you by now. Are You Ready? If you’re not feeling comfortable, don’t worry. That is normal. See how long you can last, but don’t push it. If at any time you start feel uncomfortable or are just ready to breathe, do it! Follow This Cycle: Inhale... Slow Exhale... Inhale... Slow Exhale... Inhale… Slight Hold... Exhale... Inhale... Hold... Read! Slowly roll and break below the ocean’s surface, with wide leg kicks bringing you down to the sea floor. As you descend, you can feel your body compress as the ocean hugs you in. You gently land on the bottom, concealing yourself behind a sea fan. Your wetsuit acts as camouflage, blending in with the surroundings. Grabbing onto rocks, you slowly pull yourself across the bottom next to corals teeming with life. As you approach the ledge, you spot a sleeping sea turtle on the edge of the reef, its arms folded in and its eyes resting. When you get closer, you see how detailed its ornate shell is. You lie in the sand a few feet from your new friend. As you stare in awe, it begins to feel your presence. Opening its eyes slowly, it looks you right in the soul and gives a slight roll, as to say, “Good morning pal, what the heck are you doing here?” Then it slips away from the reef as it carves effortlessly into the sea. You realize the moment is fading, and you must return to the surface. Inhale... Slight Hold... Exhale... Inhale… Slight Hold... Exhale... Inhale... Relax. High fives to your freedive buddy, who was close by watching your dive. What an epic experience! And that was only the first dive of the day! Sean Hascup is a spearfishing and travel guide at Hascup Hunts International. See his advantures online at www.SpearfishingGuides.com, Facebook.com/HascupHuntsInternational and Instagram.com/Blood_Sweat_And_Spears. Email him at HascupHunts@Gmail.com.
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By CAM Staff
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t wasn’t all that long ago that the public of perception anglers evoked images of old men in floppy brown hats. That’s no longer the case. It’s cool to fish these days, and the gear and apparel associated with the sport have seeped into the wider market of coastal life. Likewise, crossover into fishing from surf sports, diving and other recreational pursuits has created a marketplace driven more by the overall saltwater lifestyle than any particular sport. The recognition of this evolution is what led Surf Expo to unveil a new Bluewater inshore and offshore fishing category at its twice-a-year trade shows. “You look at Instagram and see surf brands on guys fishing offshore. There are inshore anglers wearing Rip Curl and Billabong,” said Surf
The show features more than 2,500 booths of apparel and hardgoods and a full line-up of special events, including fashion shows, awards ceremonies, education and demos. Average buyer and exhibitor turnout exceeds 28,600 attendees per show. The main attractions at Surf Expo have always been the hard goods, the powerboats and surfboards, kayaks, kite boards, wakesurf boards and SUPs. Everyone has seen the transition of traditional paddlesports into angling over the last decade. The rapid emergence of fishing kayaks and SUPs has proven to be much more than a flash in the pan. The soft products, the apparel and accessories, go along with the hard goods. Andres said an outfitter could fill the whole store, front to
Expo sales manager Kenneth Andres. “The same is going on with the surfers. Those guys are out there in Pelagic and Fish Hippie. We are the pivot point… you can see all of this crossover at Surf Expo. ” The largest and longest-running board sports and beach/resort lifestyle show on the planet welcomed fishing to the cool kids’ table in January 2018. Their Bluewater debut included 15 fishing exhibitors with some heavy-hitting brands like Salt Life, Heybo Outdoors, Hell’s Bay Boatworks, Hooked Soul, Bimini Bay and Calcutta Outdoors. Feedback from buyers and exhibitors was overwhelmingly positive, and the Bluewater category is growing headed into Surf Expo’s Sept. 6-8 show at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. “We offer the opportunity for buyers to see the latest in trends for hard and soft goods in coastal life,” said Andres. “With our confluence from southern California, the Pacific Northwest, the Caribbean, Central and South America, the Northeast and the Southeast, this is a trend-setting show. “We’re trying to get the word out to retailers. We’re inviting outfitters to come check it out,” Andres continued. “We want fishing and boating retailers and marinas to come to the show and put product that’s going to sell into their stores. And if they’re not ready to buy, they can at least see these trends for themselves.”
back by attending Surf Expo. He said these soft goods are where a lot of the aforementioned crossover is going on. The vacation industry, with the buying power of hotels, resorts and cruise lines, is outfitting shops with the trends they see at Surf Expo. And above it all, Surf Expo is a pure, trade-only event, which eliminates the hubbub and beef-jerky hawkers of open-to-the-public trade shows. Intentionally held during retail down time—the September and January restocking periods for outdoor-sports retailers—it is a marketplace to get business done in a laid-back atmosphere. “When people come to the Surf Expo for the first time, they notice the relaxed, cool atmosphere. It’s that lifestyle we all buy into, and there are a lot of beautiful people at a surf show,” said Andres. “It’s just a great place to be if you’re in the water sports industry. If you’ve got a shop, come check it out for yourself.” The September Surf Expo kicks off with a “BBQ & Bluegrass” demo day sponsored by Costa from noon to 5 p.m. on Sept. 5. Buyers and media are invited to Turkey Lake at Bill Fredrick Park in Orlando to demo boats and products and to eat while listening to live music from the Blue Cypress Bluegrass Band.
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For more information on the Surf Expo, go to www.surfexpo.com.
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By Randy Cnota
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esidents of Eastpoint, Fla., in Franklin County, suffered a devastating loss in the early morning hours of Sunday, June 23. More than 30 homes were destroyed when a prescribed burn raged out of control and ravaged this small town. The widespread fire moved rapidly, giving residents mere moments to escape with their lives. An estimated 200 people are now displaced as a result of this tragedy. Many lost all that they owned. It’s a hard life in Eastpoint. Most residents are seafood workers who perform the grueling task of tilling the bays for oysters. The bay system, which has for so many years produced the world’s best
oysters and allowed this community to thrive, has been plagued with disasters. Over recent years, floods, the oil spill and water-control disputes have overwhelmed this small town, making the hard living on the sea even harder. Many had to choose between paying for insurance and putting food on the table, which has made the impact of this fire all the worse. The people of this and neighboring communities have come together to help as best they can, but even this resilient bunch have been dealt a blow that seems insurmountable. Day by day, however, they go on about the business of helping each other clean-up, rebuild and get back to work. These folks are some of the toughest, kindest and hardest-working people you’ll ever meet. Perhaps there’s a reason for the many tests they’ve faced, but for now it’s plainly obvious that Eastpoint could use some help. Whether you’re an oyster-eating angler like me who appreciates what small towns like this offer our society, or if you’re just moved by the human impact of this event, your help would be greatly appreciated by so many. The Franklin Co. Sheriff ’s Office is spearheading relief efforts to assist with housing, clothing, food and even boats so these folks can get to work. The campaign has gained momentum, and we ask that you help keep it going. If you’d like to contribute, go to their Gofundme site or mail your contribution to the Franklin County Sheriff ’s Office 270 SR 65 Eastpoint, FL 32328 made payable to FCSO charity fund. For more information, contact Ginger Coulter at (850) 670-8500. Randy “C-Note” Cnota is co-publisher of the Panama City/ Forgotten Coast edition of Coastal Angler Magazine and owner of C-note Charters in Panama City, Fla. Check him out at cnotcharters.com. To donate towards the gofundme.com account, go to
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By CAM Staff
A
ny surgeon or taxidermist will tell you the best tool for cutting flesh is a scalpel. And that’s where knife-maker Havalon got its start. Their parent company, Havel’s, is a medical device company that supplies scalpels for surgical use. When the idea arose to bring the same incredibly sharp blades to the outdoors, it gave tools to outdoorsmen that are more precise than any hunting or fillet knife ever invented. The first Havalon Piranta was a blade modeled after an autopsy scalpel that folded into a sturdy handle. It offered all sorts of outdoorsmen the benefits of an ultra-sharp scalpel blade in the form of a pocketknife. But the blade itself was not built to handle the rigors of everyday use. That’s when Havalon began tinkering to find the best combination of sharpness and strength. The resulting innovation has made Havalon one of the top-selling knife companies in the country and the leader in the hunting industry. “We have always felt—that a sharp blade does not need to be
used with any excessive force,” said Havalon Marketing Director Ryan Cull. “This is still a core belief of our company, but we know there is a segment of consumers that want to have sturdier blades.” The need for a sturdier blade that retains Havalon-level sharpness launched the Talon project. Designers set out to create a knife handle that accommodates an entire collection of different ultra-sharp blade styles. With a 3-inch serrated blade, a 3-inch gut hook combo blade and fillet blades of 5, 7 and 9 inches, it is the only knife you’ll ever need at the cutting board or skinning pole. This all-in-one precision cutting tool was three years in the making. Designing a handle mechanism to swap out blades quickly and easily was achieved with the ingeniously simple push-button Quik Change II system. Finding the sweet spot between scalpel sharp and durable was the next step, and the blades also needed to be tailored to their particular uses. Through more tinkering and testing, Havalon landed on AUS-8 steel—the gold standard—which offers the best combination of edge retention and strength. Thickness and shapes of the different blades were custom designed. Fillet knives require flexibility; gut hooks do not. Each blade type was carefully considered and rigorously tested to achieve optimal performance for its intended use. The final result is a single knife kit that outperforms a whole cutlery set of traditional knives. Extreme sharpness is something Havalon users have come to expect with blades intended for replacement when they lose their edge. Talon blades are different. They are scalpel sharp, yet they are strong enough to be resharpened. “So long as users don’t pry on the blades with extreme force or damage them in some other unforeseeable way, they should be able to go years without buying replacements,” said Cull. “The versatility of the blade styles along with the strength and sharpness of the blades make the Talon one of the most innovative products to come out in the industry in years.” To see all the features of the Talon and all of Havalon’s other scalpel-sharp knives, go to www.havalon.com.
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TAMPA BAY FISHING REPORT BY: CAPT. WOODY GORE
A
s the water warms and temperatures rise, you’ll not likely find snook, redfish or trout in skinny water--except early in the morning or late at night. Depending on water temperature and bait movement, they transition between deep and shallow water. Many times, you’ll find them suspending at different levels (depending on the thermoclines) or chasing bait along a shallow shade line of the mangroves. This time of year, greenbacks seem to be the bait of choice. Other baits that also work are threadfins, pinfish, chunked ladyfish and the old standby--live shrimp. Early mornings are great times for artificial lures. It seems like I’m constantly talking about artificial lures and folks ask me why? It’s simple, artificial lures are exhilarating and exciting. Basically, it’s the true measure of an angler’s ability to consistently deceive fish into striking a non-natural food source. The key points to artificial lure fishing are patience and proficiency, followed by
personal confidence. Soon, you’ll find yourself relaxing with an artificial lure, while anxiously anticipating the next heart stopping strike of a snook, redfish or trout. Mackerel fishing in Tampa Bay is strong. There are some giant drag screamers chasing schools of threadfins. These are some of the most exciting fish you’ll ever catch on light tackle. Larger mackerel average from three to five pounds. They hit hard, rip off 20 to 30 yards of line, and make you wonder what’s on the end of the line. Simply find some hard bottom, a marker or just look for birds diving on feeding fish and you’re set. Toss out a bag or two of chum and get ready for some rod bending light tackle action. Try using greenbacks or threadfins with small wire leaders and long shank hooks. I use 50-pound Seaguar fluorocarbon leader and long shank hooks. Mackerel are excellent table fare, but it’s important to immediately bleed, eviscerate and put them on ice. Grill the filets with lemon juice and garlic salt for 10 to 15 minutes. For mangrove snapper, it’s that time of
the year. They are fairly easy to catch and are found on every rock pile or structure around Tampa Bay. Light line and smaller hooks should produce a nice grey snapper meal. They’re really partial to the new hatch greenies or threadfins, but always love shrimp. Use a chum bag or better yet chop up some of the small greenies or threads and toss them into the current. Give Me a Call & Let’s Go Fishing – 813-4773814 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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TRICKS TO BEAT THE AUGUST HEAT BY: CAPT. MIKE ANDERSON
A
ugust in Florida brings hot days and high water temps. Aside from fishing early and late, there are some other simple things you can do to conquer the heat and high water temps of August. Fishing shallow can be tough, go with cut bait! Cut threadfin herring, pilchards, ladyfish and pinfish are all great choices. When the water is hot, fish don’t want to chase live baits down--they want easy targets. Another good tactic is to fish areas of moving water. Anywhere the flow of water is squeezed down to a funnel (through a bridge or pass) it can create some extra current and makes feeding easier as the current brings food to them. Also, these areas often tend to be a little deeper and, therefore, offer a slightly cooler water temp down deep. Find the shade. People aren’t the only creatures on the planet that like shade when it’s hot. Fish under the shade of the mangroves on high tides. Again, cut bait will work best. Bridges offer great shade for both angler and fish alike. Aside from providing shade, bridges are fish magnets, because they provide structure. Fishing deep water docks can
also be very productive. Docks offer great shade, structure and often hold bait as well. The older dilapidated docks are usually the best producers. If you’re like me and love to throw artificial baits, docks are one of my favorite August target areas. With artificial baits, you’ll need to slow them way down. Even under the shade of a dock, most snook and redfish won’t chase baits down. If you think you’re working your lure slowly, slow it down even more. August can be a tough month to fish, but by using these simple tips, you can still remain fairly productive.
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RECIPE OF THE MONTH
CRABMEAT STUFFED PORTOBELLO MUSHROOMS
BY: MICHELLE ATKINS
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Ingredients:
Directions:
• 1 cup crabmeat • 1/2 cup cream cheese • 1/2 cup fresh parsley leaves, chopped • 1/2 cup green onions, chopped • 4 tablespoons parmesan cheese • 2 large portobello mushroom caps, or 10 white mushrooms caps • Nonstick cooking spray • 1/4 teaspoon old bay • 1/4 teaspoon salt • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Combine the crabmeat, cream cheese, parsley, green onions and parmesan cheese. Season with Old Bay, salt and pepper to taste. Stuff the mushroom caps with the mixture. Spray the tops with nonstick spray to help them brown. Transfer to the oven and bake for about 20 minutes, or until the filling is hot and melted. Serve as a main dish or side to fish or steak. Enjoy!
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4 TAMPA | AUGUST 2018 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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BARRACUDA BOB’S CLEARWATER & DUNEDIN
BY: CAPT. JOE LONDOT
A
ugust on our coast always means days hot enough to melt asphalt. But for those intrepid anglers willing to brave the heat and change their tactics a little bit, the rewards make it all worthwhile! Big live shrimp can be tough to find around here at this time of year; so, switching to alternative baits will make the difference between fishing and catching. Inshore, big reds and trout can always be found cruising the shallows during the early morning hours along Bayshore and Edgewater Boulevards between Dunedin and Clearwater, as well as, the shallow grass flats and mangrove shorelines behind Honeymoon and Caladesi Islands. This is when walking the dog with big topwater plugs like MirrOlure She Dogs or Sebile Bongo Minnows really pays off. Later in the day, when the sun is up, you can generally find the same fish in deeper channels along the flats, but a change of baits is in order. Switch to a jig and tail combo with a quarter ounce jig head and Gulp tail in new penney, white or root beer and work that combo as deep as you dare without catching tons of grass. The fish will be cruising the cooler waters. Big snook, and I mean fish in the 30 to 50-inch range, are still marauding along Pet Beach at the southern tip of Honeymoon Island and the rock piles at North Beach. Big live grunts are the bait of choice along Dog Beach. Along the beaches, there are still plenty of pompano, whiting, trout and reds to keep things interesting. A knocker rig tipped with a sand flea, fiddler crab or small live shrimp is all you need to score plenty of beach cruising fish. Plenty of fish are also being landed on Nekid Ball Jigs and Crazy Jigs in various weights and colors. Tarpon are still running the outer sandbars and can still be taken by anglers wading the beaches.
The usual bait and rigs, i.e. pass or blue crabs, live threadfin herring, pinfish and even half a frozen mullet or ladyfish soaked on the bottom will entice the kings to bite. Just remember, heavy tackle and super sharp hooks are needed if you want to land these big boys. Those of you who prefer to fish when it’s a little cooler, should get out and fish at night. Anglers fishing the causeway bridges with green underwater lights suspended from the bridges are catching huge snook, nice mangrove snapper and the occasional big redfish or trout. Offshore, anglers are reporting limits of gag and red grouper, cobia, amberjack and kingfish from 30 feet right on out to 100 feet of water. The gags, amberjack and cobia are usually caught on live baits like pinfish, Spanish sardines and cigar minnows around ledges, rocks and wrecks while the reds are typically taken off swiss cheese hard bottoms on big hunks of squid, cut baits and frozen sardines. As always, space in this article is too limited to discuss all of the baits, tackle, rigging and tactics to employ for a productive fishing trip. Just stop into Barracuda Bob’s on your way out to get all of that stuff and talk to our crew about the best ways to get the job done. Everyone on our crew is an experienced angler and is glad to help you in every way possible to ensure that your August fishing expedition is as successful as possible! Barracuda Bob’s is your sportfishing headquarters on the Dunedin Causeway and is the big yellow building on the right as you’re heading towards the water. We carry everything you might need to enjoy a day of productive fishing, no matter your targeted species. Our knowledgeable crew is happy to help you get rigged up with the right gear and baits to bust the big one; we’ll even tell you where the fish are biting! Visit us at 240 Causeway Blvd. Dunedin, FL. 34698 (727) 466-1776. Check us out on Facebook or on our website at www.BarracudaBobs.net COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM | AUGUST 2018 | TAMPA 5
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WHEN IT COMES TO BAROTRAUMA, THE RIGHT TOOLS MEAN EVERYTHING Venting tools should be inserted 1-2 inches behind the base of the pectoral fin, under a scale at a 45-degree angle, just deep enough to release trapped gasses. Descending devices return fish to a depth where gases in the body cavity can recompress.
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he Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has asked us to share the following information with our readers. It’s that time of year when you may be fishing for snapper and grouper. Continue your role as a conservationist by looking out for fish with signs of barotrauma and being prepared to respond. Barotrauma is a condition seen in many fish caught in waters greater than 50 feet that is caused by expansion of gases in the swim bladder. It’s important to know in advance what tools are available and how to use them to help fish return to the bottom and increase their chances
of survival. Signs of barotrauma include the stomach coming out of the mouth, bulging eyes, bloated belly and distended intestines. Descending devices take fish back down to a depth where increased pressure from the water will recompress swim bladder gases. They fall into three categories: mouth clamps, inverted hooks and fish elevators. Learn more about descending devices and how to use them at MyFWC.com/SaltwaterFishing by clicking on the “Descending Devices” playlist. Venting tools are sharpened, hollow instruments that treat barotrauma by releasing expanded gas from the swim bladder, enabling the fish to swim back down to capture depth. Please note, items such as fillet knives, ice picks, screwdrivers and gaffs are not venting
tools and should never be used to vent a fish. Venting a fish incorrectly may cause more harm than good. To properly vent, lay the fish on its side (on a cool, wet surface). Venting tools should be inserted 1-2 inches behind the base of the pectoral fin, under a scale at a 45-degree angle, just deep enough to release trapped gasses. Never insert venting tools into a fish’s belly, back or stomach that may be protruding from the mouth. Learn how to vent properly by visiting https://youtu.be/jhkzv1_2Bpc . Descending devices and venting tools should only be used when fish show one or more signs of barotrauma and cannot swim back down on their own. It is essential to work quickly when using these tools and return the fish to the water as soon as possible. Anglers should choose the device and method they are most comfortable with and that best fits the situation. To learn more about catch-and-release techniques, visit MyFWC.com/Fishing and click on “Saltwater Fishing,” “Recreational Regulations” and “Fish Handling.” To learn more about barotrauma, descending devices and venting tools, visit our YouTube channel at MyFWC. com/SaltwaterFishing. For answers to questions, contact 850-487-0554 or Marine@MyFWC.com.
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8 TAMPA | AUGUST 2018 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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CIVILITY, CONSIDERATION AND PATIENTS – WORDS TO UNDERSTAND AND LIVE BY
BY: CAPT. WOODY GORE
O
ccassionally, when anglers get together, the sharing of fishing and adventure stories can result in hours of companionship often leading to quality and lasting friendships. However, the pressure to catch fish, inexperience and often overcrowded fishing areas can increase the strain on people’s patience and tensions. This behavior sometimes undermines what otherwise would’ve been a relaxing and fun day on the water. Everyone is guilty, it’s called impatience and having a temper, and unless you’re an extremely easygoing person, or on daily doses of Valium, you’re likely to lose your temper at some time or another. Although not deliberately, we’ve all done it, we unintentionally cut someone off, take a little too long getting our boat into or out of the water, or getting a little too close to another angler. When we do, we must brace ourselves for that all familiar “hey idiot” stare or an oratory of verbal repartee often including profanity. When this occurs it’s often difficult to maintain a non-confrontational attitude, especially when someone starts calling you every name in the book using an aggressive profanity assault. However, it’s to your emotional and often physical advantage to totally ignore their futile attempts at provocation. Very often, as you venture out for a relaxing day on the water, you encounter folks with the mental and emotional capacity below the age of three lacking the ability to comprehend everyday logic. Nevertheless, there they are, in a boat, fishing, and guess what? The water around them for a square mile belongs only to them and you or no one else should dare get too close. Whenever you find yourself in this situation, here’s the deal; if you offend someone just wait until they’re finished yelling the insults, simply say you’re sorry
and continue your day by ignoring them. However, should you engage the situation, more times than not, you will lose your composure, become emotionally involved and give the other person control of your emotional state. When actions and tempers flare the possibilities exist for that situation to escalate often to a point of physical confrontation or worse yet, violence. When that happens no one wins. Always remember, “never give anyone control over your emotions”. Common Sense, on the other hand, is what the world refers to as wisdom, which requires little education, but also requires the ability to think and reason. Combine common sense with everyday civility and consideration and our lives become much brighter and lots more fun. In closing, let me say that fishing is a great individual and family pastime offering a source of relaxation, entertainment and most of all fun. Nothing will ruin the day more than getting upset with someone or having them upset with you. Always try to be patient, courteous and use common sense by thinking before you act. Don’t let someone turn a fishing trip into water rage. 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. COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM | AUGUST 2018 | TAMPA 9
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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT
Garmin’s Striker Plus 4
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hese days kayak and accessory manufacturers are making it easy to mount your favorite accessories on your kayak. From rod holders to propulsion units, these accessories need to be light weight and user friendly. Weather your fishing or cruising the mangroves, a sonar/GPS is a great addition. Garmin produces a compact, user friendly unit called the Striker Plus 4. One feature that makes this unit great for kayaking is the screen is
readable in bright sunlight. Another feature to mention is Garmin’s CHIRP sonar technology produces a high level of clarity and target separation, even in shallow water. Finally, the Quickdraw Contours mapping software creates HD fishing maps of the places you’ve been. No special knowledge is required water. You can check one out at Jack’s Kayaks. 1764 Missouri Ave. N. largo, FL. 33770. 727-452-4684
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FLATS TO NEARSHORE REPORT BY: CAPT. GARY BURCH
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ishing is very active in the summer time on the flats and inshore waters. Clearwater Bay and St. Joseph Sound in Dunedin have been on fire with all of the shallow water species showing up on the incoming tide. The water temperatures will be near 90 degrees and the afternoon air temps are reaching 95 degrees. As long as you can keep moving with the tide, that will be your ticket to catching fish for August. Fishing early in the morning (using the incoming tide) or fishing late afternoon/early evening, will help also. On all of my charters in July, clients have caught more than 20 trout. Some of these trout have been 20 inches or bigger. It should be similar in August. Pick a grass flat inside the major passes and set up on the moving tide. Trout, mackerel, bluefish, lady fish and small sharks have been all over the flats. Use
shrimp on a float or three-inch green backs for non-stop action. Some four to five-pound mackerel and blue fish have been caught using this method along with some 20-inch trout. We caught many lady fish, lots of black tip sharks, and some of the biggest mackerel I have ever caught. We also caught a few scattered snook, redfish and mangrove snapper to add to the fun. Make sure you use the top of the incoming tide to catch a variety of fish on the flats. Finding an area that has grass, with sand holes and moving water, has been the ticket. These types of areas generally hold the bait fish, pinfish and white bait, which attracts the larger species such as redfish, trout, mackerel, ladyfish and sharks. Try different flats, some are better than others. On a recent charter trip, four college kids from Texas joined me for their summer fishing break. We set up on a very active grass flat in Clearwater and slammed the trout and redfish. All of the guys caught over 30 trout up to 18 inches and at least a dozen redfish. Most of the fish were caught on live shrimp under a float. Cody had the honors of catching the biggest red at 28 inches. Chris added a nice 18-inch black drum to the mix. August will be a very active month for fishing the shallows of Clearwater Bay. The weather and water conditions are usually very stable, and that’s what the fish like. As long as it stays consistent, minus the rain showers, the fishing will continue with lots of catching going on. 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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WATER TEMPERATURE AND FISHING BY: CAPT. WOODY GORE
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omfort is paramount to all species and water temperature is a major factor because of its governing effect on a fish’s bodily functions. Have you ever questioned why fish congregate in one particular area one day and completely disappear the next? Various circumstances might cause fish to relocate. Probably the most overlooked is water temperature. Because fish are coldblooded, weather and water temperature is a controlling factor in finding them one day and not the next. Every species has a comfortable temperature range. They tend to tolerate temperatures within that preferred range or comfort zone. If that preferred temperature range changes too much, the fish may relocate to a more appropriate temperature or become inactive until they find a more suitable temperature zone. Understanding temperature change and its effects is important to your fishing trip. As water temperatures change, either exceeding high or dropping below a species particular comfort range, they become non-responsive and lethargic. Understanding their comfort tolerances goes a long way toward selecting the right location, time of day, bait or lure. For example, water temperatures dropping in the low 60’s puts spotted sea trout in high spirits, but becomes very disconcerting to snook, redfish, and tarpon. On the other hand, temperatures in the low to mid 80’s are fine for snook, redfish and tarpon. When water temperatures reach into the 90’s, as is often the case in Tampa Bay, you might begin searching out deeper, cooler waters. How fish react to today’s temperature often depends on the temperature it was exposed to yesterday, and even some days before. Gradual temperature changes over several days or weeks frequently result in better long-term fishing. Rapid changes now and then stimulate a strong short-term bite.
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12 TAMPA | AUGUST 2018 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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FRESHWATER FISHING REPORT
LAKE ALFRED, AUBURNDALE, WINTER HAVEN AREAS BY: RON SCHELFO
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he temps are hot and so is the bass fishing. Come on out to Polk County! The abundance of rain lately has cooled off the water and is keeping it moving making our great bass environment even better! We are seeing many catches in the 7 to 10-pound range. This is shown in the enclosed photo (taken July 5th) during our weekly bass tournament held on Lake Shipp in Winter Haven. Phillip Glenn is displaying his BIG BASS win of 10 lbs. 4.75 oz. Phillip and his buddy, Daniel Steverson, also took 1st Place with a total of 17 lbs. 8.75 oz. Our best reports are currently coming in from Lake Alfred, along with Lakes Haines, and Rochelle in the North Winter Haven Chain and Lakes Summit, Shipp, and Howard in the South Winter Haven Chain. Our anglers report they are mostly using top water baits. Frogs and Chug-NSpooks seem to be the best. Surprisingly, we are still getting
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reports from the North Winter Chain and Lake Alfred on decent size blue gills and shell crackers. Fish a drop off and you will find those large shell crackers. Fish the pads if you’re looking for blue gill. Baits of choice are still live red worms and crickets. Anytime you’re over in our area, stop in for a current update on our local “Hot Spots.” The 20th season of Ron’s Tackle Box Weekly Bass Tournaments is in full swing! Weekly registration is $30.00 per boat (1 or 2-man) and the tournaments run from 6:00 PM to 9:30 PM each Thursday through the end of October. Prizes are awarded for BIG BASS and 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place categories. The location each week is not revealed until Thursday mornings and is announced in “The Ledger” and on our FaceBook page. Of course, you may always call Ron at (863) 956-4990 for tournament information and fishing reports. Our tournaments are all around great fun. Come out and join us! 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
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14 TAMPA | AUGUST 2018 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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TALES FROM THE TUPPERWARE NAVY BY: BRUCE BUTLER
The Fisherman’s Candy Store W
elcome back Yak fans! This month I achieved a milestone in my relationship with The Coastal Angler Magazine. This month marks my 10th August writing the tales and stories I’ve shared with you. So, in honor of this less-than-momentous occasion, I decided to share with you my very first article from August 2009. You may use this to tell me if I’ve improved any over the years. I never thought I would be doing this all these years. Thanks for your feedback and support, and thanks to CAM for giving me the venue for my musings. The following is my first article. Hi everyone, and welcome to the world of kayaking. The kayak, originally invented by the natives of Alaska, has become a true revolution in boating. Having purchased my first kayak in 1981, I have seen them become an APV (all purpose vehicle). Whether you are hitting the surf, running rapids or taking a slow trip down the river, the kayak in its different models can do it all. And, best of all, in our tight economy (no gas) a truly eco-friendly craft that leaves little or no footprint on the habitat or environment preserves our natural heritage for future generations to come. The kayak has evolved from a structure of whale bone and seal skin, to space-age carbon fiber, Kevlar, fiberglass and the virtually indestructible roto-molded plastic --the Tupperware Navy has truly arrived. Why a kayak? With a price range from $5000, to as little as a couple
of hundred dollars, there is a “yak” for every use and budget. From a boat trip with kids to watch the manatees and eagles, that flourish on the Nature Coast, or a fishing trip sneaking up on reds in the shallow water of our bays and inlets, these boats will let you go places and see more than any craft on the market. Probably the best thing about a kayak, is that most only weigh in the neighborhood of 60 to 70 pounds; so, you can throw them on top of almost any vehicle (I even saw one loaded on the top of a bicycle)! Throw a couple of straps over it, and you are on your way--no expensive trailer (although they make some nice ones) or fancy rack. Thule and others do make some outstanding racks. I actually told my buddy at the kayak shop that he had one of the nicest racks I’d ever seen. That was the first and last time I ever said that! Well, it’s time to hit the water for this month. Next month we’ll cover which boat is right for you. Bruce Butler of Indian Bay Outfitters is Hernando County’s premier kayak fishing guide with full and half-day charters available. Kayaks, tackle and gear provided. Just bring your lucky hat and a good attitude and be ready to see some pristine shoreline and great fishing. Bruce Butler “Stumbling Gypsy” (352) 428-5347 Bruce@IndianBayOutfitters.com www.IndianBayOutfitters.com
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COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM | AUGUST 2018 | TAMPA 15
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SUMMERTIME MEANS SHARK TIME BY: CAPT. ANTHONY CORCELLA
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f you’re a fisherman you’ve been asked “do you ever catch sharks?” If you fish in the bay the answer is probably, yes. But if by chance you haven’t tangled with the Tiburon, here’s a quick rundown to get you in the action. First, where do the sharks live? Easy, go taste the water. Does it taste salty? Yes? Then sharks most likely live there.
•
The Tampa Bay area is home to multiple species of shark. The bay has hammerhead, bull shark, blacktip, bonnethead, sharpnose, lemon, spinner, and nurse sharks to name a few. We also have mako, tiger, and the occasional great white a little further offshore. The bay is a breeding ground for many shark species, so the size of sharks swimming our waters range from one-foot pups to 12-
foot giant hammerheads with everything in between. The most common sharks caught in the Bay are bonnethead, blacktip, sharpnose, nurse, and bull. Tackle can range from a med action 7.5-foot rod with a 4000size spinning reel to an 8 to 9-foot heavy action convention set up with 6.0-8.0 size reels and up. The bonnethead and sharpnose can’t say no to a live shrimp, dead baits and cut threadfins as well. Free-lined baits (or fished under a bobber) work well on the flats where you will find these sharks. Twenty-pound braid and 40-pound fluorocarbon leader will land most of these sharks. The blacktips prefer live pinfish, greenbacks or mullet. They will hit cut baits and even lures. Baits fished on floats and freelined work well. Knocker rigged bigger baits will attract the bigger fish around the bridges and passes. Blacktips are the most sporting of the inshore sharks and give drag-burning runs on medium inshore gear. Some of the bigger blacktips push well over 100 pounds. So, a mediumheavy 8-foot rod with a 6000-size spinner or an 8-foot conventional with a 6.0 are best suited for these guys. Lastly, consider the big dogs of the inshore shark family, the hammerhead, bull, nurse, and lemons. Bulls, hammerheads, nurse, and lemons will mostly hit dead baits on the bottom. These are big fish and require big gear. Chunks of Bonita, ladyfish, threadfins, or stingrays will attract these brutes. Fish of 200500 pounds are not uncommon in the bay. Ninefoot rods with a 9.0 conventional, loaded with 100-pound braid and steel cable leader are the tools of big shark hunters. The bull shark is the most common of the giant sharks in the bay. Lemons are caught with
frequency as are nurse, and the majestic hammerhead which is a rare trophy in Tampa area waters. Sharks feed at all times. Night fishing can be very productive and a bit cooler in the summer months; although, plenty of sharks are caught throughout the daytime hours. Best areas to try are anywhere inside the bay, the beaches, passes, area flats, bridges, docks, piers. Yes, they are everywhere! One last word of caution-avoid those teeth! Cut off the bigger sharks well above their jaws and make sure you gave a firm grip on the smaller ones when removing the hook. Do not grab a small shark by the tail. They can turn all the way around and bite you! Ok, you’ve been warned--now go out and get that monster! Please practice catch and release and follow FWC regulations if you keep a blacktip, sharpnose, or bonnet to eat. Now it’s time to take these tips and get out there and fish! 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. Capt. Anthony Corcella Pocket Change Inshore Fishing Charter 727-432-6446 www.fishtampacharters.com Check us out on Facebook
16 TAMPA | AUGUST 2018 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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HERNANDO COUNTY SHARKS
BY: CAPT. JOEL GANT
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ith the popularity of shark week, I thought I’d talk a little about shark fishing. As spring turns into summer, we get the warming of the water. Sharks, and I mean big sharks, start to move into our area. On very recent charters, we either caught, hooked or saw a lot of big sharks. From hammerheads, bull sharks, tiger sharks, lemon and (my favorite) nurse sharks. Nurse sharks are not that aggressive, as you can see in the picture, they remind me of a big puppy (this nurse shark was released unharmed). But with all sharks, total caution should be taken when handling them. If the hook is hard to get to, just cut the line and the hook will come out in a short time. As far as catching sharks, I like to use a fairly heavy rod with 50-pound braid, a two-foot steel leader and a 7/0 circle hook. Chumming is the key to bringing in big sharks. A chum block will work; but, if you have some fresh cut-up bait, that seems to work best. On a charter last month, we had a tiger shark come up and bite the chum net while I tried to bring him up, and he tore the net. There are some sharks you can keep to eat. I’m no shark expert; so, I prefer to release them. As my friend Mike and I say, “we have an agreement with them--they don’t eat me and I don’t eat them”, and it has worked so far. Sharks have gotten a bad reputation; but,
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they are a major part of the eco-system. Scallop season opened with a bang. Limits were there, if you worked for them. Scalloping can be fun for the whole family. All you need is a mask, snorkel and fins. You do need to know how to swim and, even better, good at snorkeling. Try to be at your spot an hour or two before low tide. When the water is shallower, it makes it easier to dive down to get them. As always, make sure you know the regulations. Gag grouper are still in season. With the warmer water, it has been challenging. Stay persistent and, if your first spot is slow, move to your next. Try frozen threadfin, squid or live pinfish. Be patient and you will succeed. 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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COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM | AUGUST 2018 | TAMPA 17
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POLARIZED SUNGLASSES BY: CAPT. GARY BURCH
I
f you are going out on the water for some fishing or just driving all day in the Florida sunshine, you know how important it is to have a pair of quality sunglasses. For years, boaters and fishermen have used polarized sunglasses to reduce glare and block UV exposure, because they spend so much time on the water. The popularity of polarized lenses has increased dramatically, as has availability, because of everyday outdoor general use. Polarization is like a chemical venetian blind which rearranges light and lets you see through the glare. The most effective way to eliminate glare is with 100% polarized lenses. How do polarized lenses work? Light reflected from surfaces like a flat road or smooth water is generally highly polarized horizontally. This
horizontally polarized light is blocked by the vertically oriented polarizer’s in the lenses. The result is a reduction in annoying and sometimes dangerous glare. Do polarized sunglasses help see fish below the water surface? Yes. First, if there is glare, they help a lot by reducing its blinding effect. Second, even without glare, they selectively reduce other reflections from objects above the water--including the clouds and the sky. The end effect is that the water seems darker, but more transparent. The use of different color lenses will help you see into the water with better clarity. For example, here on Clearwater’s shallow water flats, amber and green lenses (normally used for inshore fishing) filter the lighter greenish type shallow water glare allowing you to see the bottom and fish more clearly. Blue and grey lenses are used for offshore fishing. These colors filter reflective glare from the darker blue waters, allowing you to see fish and bait further down into the water column. Wearing a pair of sunglasses when fishing, or just in the sun all day, will also keep your eyes
protected from UV (ultra violet) exposure. When buying a pair of polarized sunglasses, the quality of the lenses will make all the difference in the world. 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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ST. PETE REPORT AUGUST SNOOK FISHING
BY: CAPT. CHRISTOPHER TAYLOR
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ugust brings lots of sun exposure, fun on the water, and predictable afternoon showers. For the avid fisherman, snook fishing is the fourth thing that comes to mind. From mangroves to mosquitos, and sunburns dressed with insect repellent, the experience is addictive. Even though snook season is closed during the month of August, the practice of catch and release is extremely popular. These fish, by now, are well within their spawning patterns and eating everything in sight. Snook have a great reputation for their performance abilities, when being hooked. Most favored of these abilities are the powerful runs and acrobatic jumps displayed by the fish at the end of the line. Some anglers go to great lengths just to, hopefully, hook into one--others (more experienced) do very well. Depending on who you talk to, the ins and outs of fishing for snook can get complex. However, most popular methods used are very simple to learn and perform. Locating snook right now is as easy as it gets. Beaches, passes, and grass flats adjacent to mangrove estuaries will be holding snook. On rising and falling tides, snook will be found on and around mangrove points, oyster bars, and the occasional sandbar. On the beaches, if possible, you want to target the areas closer to passes. This does not mean that the areas away from passes don’t
hold snook. It just means that your chances are better the closer you are. Passes hold many snook this time of year, especially due to their spawn that starts in May and ends in late summer. The flats angler, who possesses a talent for skimming through inches of water to cast at one fish, will enjoy spending their paychecks snagging mangrove roots, and branches. When fishing these areas mentioned, I recommend free-lining live or cut scaled sardines within the target area or “strike-zone” using 30-pound fluorocarbon leader and a 3/0 hook. The addition of a few splitshot may be necessary to keep baits in the specific location during stronger tides. The phrase “match the hatch” is a tried and true method used to select the proper bait for fishing any given area. The waters of Tampa Bay are now filled with pinfish, also known as, “pin perch” or “sand perch”. These little palm size bait stealers are candy for snook, especially when their numbers are high in “snook territory”. Pinfish can be caught by throwing a cast net or can be bought at most bait shops. As far as tackle goes, I prefer a 7-foot Tsunami Airwave Elite medium-fast-action rod, matched up with a 4000 series Tsunami Shield spinning reel spooled with 30-pound braid for just in case I hook a big one. I predict the snook fishing to remain stellar through the next few months leading into the second season of the year. If interested in catching a ton of snook, feel free to call me at 813220-6135 or, to find out more, visit www.Floridareelsfishingcharters. com. 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
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PASCO COUNTY BY: CAPT. BOBBY CARROLL
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he summer days are in full effect and fish are on their summer patterns. Get out early and get back in before the heat of the day! Snook have been on the beaches and in big groups. The bite all depends on the tide. The bigger and more tidal movement we have, the better the bite will be. Have a livewell full of mixed baits on hand, because some days they are super picky. Once you hook one, it’s almost always a 30 inch or bigger fish. Redfish are being caught in good numbers, at first light, on the higher tides. With these
waters up into the 90s, you have to be patient with them on the first fish to bite in the school. But, once they start chewing, they shouldn’t stop! As the day goes on, make your bait as lazy as possible. Add a split shot or two to your leader to hold the bait in place and get it as far under the mangroves as possible. During the lower tides, I like using topwater baits to see where the reds are laying on the flats. Look for the mullet and you’ll find the redfish. Surprisingly, trout are still being caught ranging in sizes up to 23 inches. To get the
biggest trout this time of year, target them at first light when the water is coolest. Use a slower working artificial bait or cast net greenbacks and put them under a cork. Look for the deep pockets as that will hold the cooler water. To book a charter with Captain Bobby Carroll and the Florida Fishing Experience please call (727) 271-3257
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20 TAMPA | AUGUST 2018 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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SOUTH SHORE TAMPA BAY BY: CAPT. JOEL BRANDENBURG
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ost saltwater fish spawn in the summer, unlike most freshwater fish that spawn in the spring. Freshwater fish like bass, bream, catfish and crappie make beds near the banks in fresh water lakes, ponds and rivers during Springtime. Saltwater fish like snook, cobia, Spanish mackerel, ladyfish, jacks, sea trout, sharks, tarpon, Jack crevalle, mangrove snapper, gag grouper, red grouper, sting ray and many other species of saltwater fish are feeding and breeding in Tampa Bay. They can be found in tight schools. If an angler can locate where their target species is schooling, that angler can most likely chum a lot and keep the school in casting range. It’s the time of year when you can target a species and limit out quickly by finding the school and keeping the school in place. Below are some species that we like to target during the summer and how we catch them. I’ll start out with my favorite gamefish--snook. Snook is not in season during the summer, but I love to catch them during this time of year. You can find them in large schools and catch some big ones. Snook spawn in the summer on white sand beaches. We like to sight cast them in clear water locations. We like to chum them with crippled thread fins and green backs using a bait bat, which is a cut-off husky hitter plastic
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bat that holds a couple dozen baits. Once you throw your bait on top of the schooling snook, you’ll see the snook flash and swirl on the crippled bait fish. Immediately, cast your hooked bait on top of the swirl and hold on. The snook that just missed the crippled chum bait instinctively will make a U-turn to look for the bait she just missed and mistake your hooked bait for the chum bait—snook on! The reason snook is my favorite gamefish is that, in my opinion, no other gamefish (pound-forpound) strikes a bait with more aggression than a “line sider.” Another schooling gamefish that feeds and breeds during summer is mangrove snapper. Sometimes, we hesitate targeting them with clients on charters because a lot of tourists we charter from northern states come down to Florida and, not only want, but expect to catch BIG FISH. On average, mangrove snapper are smaller gamefish. Mangrove snapper must be 12 inches to keep and you can harvest 10 of them per day, per person. We get excited about a 15 or 20-inch fish and the tourists sometimes say “is there a bigger fish we can go after?” Once we find a large school of mangrove snapper on a reef, wreck or structure, we anchor with the tide flowing from the boat to the school. We like to chum by having our first mate cutting a thread fin or Spanish sardine into eight pieces. We like to use an 8-pound test mono leader with a small “J” hook. We hide the “J” hook in the 1/8 piece of cut bait and free line it down in the chum line. It’s very important to pay out enough slack to make your hooked piece of baitfish flow down in the chum line at the same exact rate as the chummed pieces. If there’s even a slight tick in resistance on your hooked bait during its decent, the mangrove snapper will pass on it. It’s hard to fool Mother Nature and snapper are very picky; but, if you go with the flow you can trick them. Cobia is one of our favorite schooling gamefish to target during the summertime. We find them a lot in pairs (male and female) and sometimes find up to a dozen together at a time. We target cobia in Tampa Bay around structures such as, towers, cans, markers, buoys, anchored ships, docks, bridges, and also under animals such as sea turtles, sharks, sting rays and manatees. Cobia stick to these structures like a bass on a bed. We tell our clients we are going on a cobia hunt. What that means is checking dozens of structures and burning a lot of gas. We average one cobia sighting for every ten structures. Sometimes, we find several at the first structure and, at times, we run fifty structures a day and don’t see one cobia for three days in a row. Some years we have a hot cobia bite for only three weeks and, some years, three months or more. Every year is different and we have yet to determine why; but, cobia are predictably unpredictable. Once we sight a cobia we are immediately looking for two things--how big is it (keeper or under sized) and are there other cobia with it? Once we know what we are dealing with, we can approach the cobia in a particular manner. For example, if we feel the cobia is a keeper we set up with the tide and sun in our face and the wind at our back. Facing the tide keeps our boat drifting away from the cobia during the approach rather than getting pushed towards the cobia. The sun in our face assures our shadows won’t spook the cobia during the approach. The wind at our back makes for a long accurate cast. You must make the first cast count and lead the cobia like a quarterback leads a receiver on a pass. For cobia bait, we use green backs, pinfish, thread fins, Spanish sardines, baby sting rays, baby catfish, Spanish mackerel heads, ladyfish heads and plastic 10-inch black eels. For a charter with Captain Joel of Ana Banana Fishing Company call 813-2674401 or visit www.anabananafishing. com or Find him at Village Marina at Little Harbor under the big yellow Ana Banana sign. For information on Ana Banana Kids Fishing Camp visit www.anabananakidsfishingcamp.com
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22 TAMPA | AUGUST 2018 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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CAPT. SERGIO’S CORNER DOG DAYS OF SUMMER
BY: CAPT. SERGIO ATANES
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ugust weather means hot, hot and hotter. So, over the years I have learned how to get around the afternoon thunder storms and 90-degree temperatures that are so common. My answer is easy. Don’t fish, or fish at night. Guess what, I fish at night. Fishing at night is well worth it for me since it’s in my blood to fish and I need my shots of salt air at least several times or more a week. Most of my clients understand that I will not charter during the day in August, but I’m willing to do the
night thing around docks. Let’s explore how and what I do to make it work. Before we get to the how-to fish the docks, let’s make sure we have everything we need to make it work. 1. You need a good trolling motor to go from one dock to another--keeping noise down to a minimum. I prefer one with an anchor lock. You’ll know when you hit the bottom; plus, it locks your GPS coordinates and keeps you in the same place. There are three brands that offer GPS, and my old standby has always been Minn Kota. 2. If the water around the dock is less than 10 feet, my first choice would be to use my Power Pole. Hit the down button and you are anchored in with no noise. 3. A sonar/chart plotter is a must to find your way around in the dark and back home on the moonless nights. If you are lucky enough to have side scan, that’s even better and lets you see if there are any structures under the dock. My experience has
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been the more structures, the better chances of getting the big ones. This is where my Simrad system pays for itself in no time. 4. Always carry your own underwater light, if you can afford to add it to your boat. I prefer ShadowCaster SCM-CC-20, which lets me change the color according to water conditions. A power toggle switch on your dash allows for changing the colors (red, green, blue and white). Lights also work great around the bridges at night for tarpon and trout fishing. If adding an underwater light to your boat is not feasible, Hydroglow LED underwater lights work well--they clip to your battery post. 5. To make sure everything works and gets you back home safely, one of the most important items is the batteries in your boat. This is one area I believe very strongly in, whether I am fishing day or night. I want the best I can get. After years of trial and error, I can say Optima marine batteries are the best in my book. They might cost a little more, but my safety and knowing I can start my 300 HP Yamaha Outboard every day and run two baitwell pumps, plus electronics all day, is most important. Now let’s get to fishing the docks. First, it’s best to know the area you want to fish at night. Make some day trips and take a close look at the depth of water and any visible structure. Many home owners and builders have dumped concrete blocks or rubble left over when the house was built. Make note which home owners have underwater lighting around their docks. That would be my first starting point--next the docks with structure. Consider them as a Burger King or KFC that attract bait fish, and bait fish attract big fish. Anchor up-current from the dock. Free line live medium shrimp or greenbacks and let them drift toward the dock. I find bigger snook and trout will hang midway between the outside and middle of the dock. For redfish, I use a small split shot about six inches from the hook to keep the bait on the bottom. If depth of water is four feet or greater, I fish more toward the center and closer to the shoreline. Here is where underwater lights play a big role. Pick a dock to fish and anchor within 3 to 4-feet from the dock.
It’s legal, just keep the noise down and turn the light on and watch the magic happen. First small bait fish, then shrimp, and even small crabs show up, followed by snook, trout and reds. I always take extra tackle for night fishing, because you never know what lingers around those dock and bridge pilings at night. Tampa Bay has two great bridges for fishing--the Howard Frankland and the Gandy. I found the better areas to fish are not the center spans, but within two hundred yards of shoreline. Anchor under the bridge and let your baits drift towards the shadow line for tarpon, snook, cobia and trout. Catch black drum on the bottom using a heavy spinner with 40 or 50-pound test braided line, 50-pound fluorocarbon leader, a 2/0 Khale (wide gap) hook and 2-ounce sinker with cut fresh blue crabs. August is a great time to fish without the heat if you try some evening trips. Tackle for dock fishing: • 7 ft. Okuma Shadow Stalker spinning rods 10 to 20-pound class • Okuma Helios SX HSX-30 reels • Fins 15-pound Windtamer braided line tied to 30-pound test fluorocarbon leader • 1/0 Trident circle hook Tackle for bridge fishing: • 7 ft. Okuma Cedros spinning rods (66 to 150-pound class) • Okuma Zores Z-65S spinning reels • Fins 50-pound braided line tied to 50-pound test fluorocarbon leader • 3/0 Trident circle hook 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
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THOUSANDS OF ANGLERS MOBILIZED IN CROWDSOURCED EFFORT TO BETTER UNDERSTAND LITTER IN OUR WATERWAYS
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his Independence Day, Keep America Beautiful, the non-profit steward of litter prevention, and Fishbrain, the world’s most popular mobile app and social network for people who love to fish, announced that they had joined forces in an effort to collect data on the country’s most polluted rivers, lakes, and waterways. Inspired by the ever-popular 4th of July fishing trips, and running for months to come, Fishbrain users were empowered to photograph trash they encountered and removed during their everyday angling adventures. They then logged these images in the app, using both the hashtag “#trashoftheday” and Fishbrain’s geolocation function. The hope is that, with the ongoing participation of Fishbrain users, Keep America Beautiful will be able to harness this data to better understand waste levels around the country, so their nationwide team of volunteers can more effectively focus their trash collection efforts. The need for such an initiative couldn’t be clearer. Research from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency suggests that almost 80% of “aquatic trash” is made up of consumer goods, this figure having almost doubled between 1960 and 2013. The pollution of water by plastics has become an increasing concern throughout 2018, with increasing volumes of scientific research showing its detrimental effects on the environment, wildlife, and even human health. On launch day, 32,800 people took part in the campaign across 575 different fishing locations. The data collected showed that California was the most active state when it comes to cleaning up America (especially in Harbor Lake, Los Angeles). The state was closely followed by Texas (with particularly
high activity at Lake Corpus Christi), Florida (Halifax River), Utah, and Colorado. The photographs shared by anglers indicate that plastics are a particular issue, with plastic beverage containers, plastic straws, and bottle caps being some of the most frequently logged items. Cigarette butts, paper items, and glass beverage containers were also a large concern. Luis, from California, who participated on Independence Day, commented about the project: “My sons and I took home two bags of garbage that weren’t ours today, and I challenge you to make a difference too! Every time you fish the shorelines anywhere, try to leave it cleaner than you found it. We have to preserve our fishing grounds for our kids and grandkids to fish someday.” Johan Attby, Fishbrain’s CEO added: “Our users love nature and are committed to looking after the country that we all treasure. It’s an honour to work with the folks at Keep America Beautiful to help tidy up waterways across the country. To harness technology in this way, and to engage with a community already out and about fishing, will have some beautiful consequences and we can’t wait for more anglers to heed the call as this partnership continues!” “Much of the current discussion about the scourge of marine debris is related to reducing and preventing land-based litter – and particularly plastics – from reaching our oceans,” added Keep America Beautiful President and CEO, Helen Lowman. “Our partnership with Fishbrain and its millions of fishing enthusiasts helps us identify litter hotspots upstream, while focusing our collective attention on keeping our waterways cleaner and more beautiful for all of us to enjoy.” The hope is that this project, and others of its kind, can help make America even more beautiful for generations to come.
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PLOT YOUR COURSE: THE REGION’S ONLY ON-WATER BOATING EVENT DOCKS SEPTEMBER 7-9 NATIONAL MARINE MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION (NMMA)
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he 2018 Progressive Insurance Tampa Boat Show, the area’s only on-water boat show will showcase the marine industry’s newest boats, technology and accessories from September 7-9 at the Tampa Convention Center and Harbor. Visitors to the Bay Area’s largest boat show can view, board and buy boats at the best prices of the year on hundreds of boats from the region’s top dealers. The three-day boating extravaganza will offer visitors interactive features for families and boaters of all experience levels with 2018 highlights including: • NEW! Ladies Let’s Go Fishing - Ladies’ Day, Sunday Sept. 9: Calling all ladies who love life on the water. Join female captains and anglers for a day of fishing fun. No equipment or experience required. A ‘Ladies Day’ ticket costs $60 and includes box lunch, hands-on seminars and a complimentary happy hour sponsored by Freedom Boat Club. • NEW! Boat U.S. HandsOn Boating Courses: All levels of on-water experience can sign up for boating courses to hone skills or learn new ones with Boat U.S. experts and captains. Check TampaBoatShow.com to reserve your spot and view a full listing of courses soon. • NEW! Progressive® Boat Club: Attendees can improve their nautical know-how with the Annapolis School of Seamanship on deck offering an array of handson boating courses, plus master docking skills at the docking pool with remote control model boats. Visitors can also try Progressive’s NEW Oculus Rift virtual reality experience, putting themselves at the helm of a virtual boat race. • Fred’s Shed DIY Seminars: Think “Tool Time” for boaters where attendees can enjoy free hands-on clinics on boat
maintenance, repair and upgrade techniques in a garage-like setting. • VIP preview night on Thursday, Sept. 6: Attendees can enjoy an exclusive all-access pass to view and board in-water boats and yachts before the show is open to the public for $75. The price includes valet parking, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. Tickets to the VIP event are only available online at TampaBoatShow.com. For more information, visit TampaBoatShow.com and follow the show on Facebook and Instagram. Keep up with us by using #TampaBoatShow across all social channels. WHEN: Sept. 7-9, 2018 Friday: 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Sunday: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Note: In-water area closes at sunset WHERE: Tampa Convention Center 333 South Franklin St. Tampa, FL 33602 TICKET INFO: Adults 13 and older: $12 Youth 12 and under: FREE (when accompanied by a paid adult) TICKET SPECIALS: • $3 off tickets available for all members of the military with proof of valid ID • $20 family online ticket package for 2 adults and 2 children – Saturday ONLY • Subway $3 off coupon at box office or promo code for online purchase Purchase tickets at TampaBoatShow.com or at the show box office starting 9 a.m. Sept. 7 The Progressive Insurance Tampa Boat Show is produced by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), the world’s largest producer of boat shows and the leading association representing the recreational boating industry. NMMA member companies produce more than 80 percent of the boats, engines, trailers, accessories and gear used by boaters and anglers throughout the U.S. and Canada. The association is dedicated to industry growth through programs in public policy advocacy, market statistics and research, product quality assurance and promotion of the boating lifestyle. For more information, visit www.nmma.org.
26 TAMPA | AUGUST 2018 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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SEPTEMBER 7–9, 2018 AT THE TAMPA CONVENTION CENTER
Tampa Bay’s Biggest Boat Sale! Shop hundreds of boats, including sailboats, and the latest in marine gear, electronics and accessories. PLUS—boating and fishing seminars, on-water education and more!
Tickets and show details at TampaBoatShow.com #TampaBoatShow
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HOW FISHING IS CURING CANCER, PTSD & OTHER BAD STUFF BY: MISTY WELLS
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omewhere in our lives we are all touched by someone, maybe ourselves, that have experienced Cancer, PTSD or some other severe type of disease or ailment. Did you know that by fishing you can help find a cure for Pediatric Cancer? The National Pediatric Cancer Foundation is doing just that and they are having fun while saving lives for over 21 years. The Annual Yerrid Foundation, NPCF Grand Slam Fishing Tournament October 5th – 7th is a fund-raising event for Pediatric Cancer raising about $500,000 a year to find new and better treatments for kids. (A majority of cancer research focuses on adult treatments.) They fund clinical trials and collaborate with a huge network of hospitals across the nation to fasttrack less toxic and targeted treatments for kids-increasing survival rates dramatically. One in 285 children will be diagnosed with Cancer. A number that is unbelievable. They are saving lives by donating millions for treatments and cures through Annual Events like this. Raising dollars and spirts, they also have a “Kid’s Fishing Derby” sponsored by Steve Yerrid where the children battling Cancer are out of the hospital and fishing from the docks at the Vinoy having a reeling good time. www.nationalpcf.org
How about a cure for PTSD, did you know about Wounded Warrior Anglers? The Wounded Warrior Anglers is a group that caters to veterans, through alternative therapies, by getting them on the water fishing and teaching them to build their own rods to give them self-worth. Many of these veterans suffer Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression or other mental illnesses. “Did you know that 23 veterans are dying of suicide daily? It’s the veterans who gain the most benefit from this program. Mike Plainte, a former Navy Corpsman, said he moved to Southwest Florida in 2012 and became a recluse who rarely went out. “I always had a joy for fishing. One day I met Judy & Dave driving down the road. They told me to go online and check it out. Now I fish for a living. I’m a kayak angler, I do charters and tournaments. They lifted me back up.” So, come join us at the Plantation on Crystal River Redfish Classic the weekend of September 21st to raise money for WWA. Meet Ronnie Green, host of “A Fishing Story”, Jason Maniecki (Buc’s former defensive tackle) and me. Thanks to Freedom Boat Club of Tampa Bay we have $5,000 in prize money to give away, so you can fish, catch, cure & win. www.plantationredfishclassic.com Hooked on Hope is also another amazing event held October 12th weekend in Tampa Bay. To date, Hooked on Hope has raised nearly $300,000 for the breast cancer patients in the Tampa Bay communities. Funds are used to purchase post-operative, medically needed surgical garments and other needed items, not covered by insurance, for approximately 200 uninsured and under insured patients each year. In addition, a grants program helps patients fighting breast
cancer with treatment support and assists patients with items such as prescriptions, office co-pays, hospital co-pays and living expenses during breast cancer treatment. Here is the cool thing, all you have to do is sign up, fish and have fun. They provide the Captain, boat and good times. The organization began when two sisters, Captain Lori Deaton and Mary Ostien, could not find any fishing tournaments benefiting local breast cancer programs. So, the sisters combined Lori’s expertise as a professional fishing guide and Mary’s background in oncology care and education to do something for breast cancer patients in the Tampa Bay communities. Sign up or Sponsor at www. hookedonhope.org . Now you see how fishing is replacing hospital beds with fishing rods and working to cure our communities one fish at a time. Misty Wells is the host of “Let’s Take It Outside” TV show & National Radio show, Outdoor Pro –Writer & Adventure Guide for the Outdoors. Founder of “A Reel Future” a non-profit organization devoted to sharing knowledge & passion of fishing and the great outdoors to foster kids Statewide. Show info or be a guest go to www.mistywells.com
28 TAMPA | AUGUST 2018 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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n July, NOAA Fisheries announced a 50 percent reduction of the recreational mutton snapper bag limit for the Gulf of Mexico. The new regulations went into effect July 23. The recreational bag limit decreased from 10 mutton snapper per angler per day within the 10-snapper aggregate bag limit to 5 mutton snapper per angler per day within the 10-snapper aggregate bag limit. Minimum size limits were increased from 16 inches to 18 inches total length. The reduction was justified by a 2015 population assessment, which indicated mutton snapper are not experiencing overfishing and are not overfished, but that the adult population is smaller than was previously estimated. The reduction was deemed necessary to ensure overfishing does not occur. The new size limit also applies to the commercial sector, which will be affected by an annual catch limit reduction, as well. The annual catch limits for mutton snapper during 2018-2020 will be decreased from 203,000 pounds whole weight to: 134,424 pounds whole weight in 2018; 139,292 pounds whole weight in 2019; and 143,694 pounds whole weight in 2020 and subsequent years. The commercial minimum size limit for gag grouper was also increased from 22 to 24 inches total length to be consistent with recreational fisheries.
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FLORIDA
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By Patrick Morrow From left, Tommy Holms, owner of Outcast Bait & Tackle, Kent Creel, and STAR winning angler Andrew Brown.
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n July, a Panhandle angler won big in the state’s largest family-friendly fishing competition. CCA Florida STAR, presented by Yamaha, awarded Andrew Brown, of Pensacola, a $79,000 prize package for a tagged redfish he caught while wading Santa Rosa Bay. If you fish and haven’t yet registered for CCA Florida STAR, you could be missing out on the chance to win some huge prize packages. “Andrew is a perfect example of how it’s done,” said STAR Director Leiza Fitzgerald. “It was his first chance of the year to get on the
water after some health issues, and he made sure his membership was current and that he was registered for STAR. He shared that he was not going fishing without being registered.” Brown has been a CCA Florida member since 2015 and registered for and participated in STAR each year since the event’s inception. After catching his STAR-tagged redfish (tag #522), Brown met with CCA Florida representatives for verification on July 8 at Outcast Bait and Tackle in Pensacola. He chose a prize package that included a Contender Boats 22 Sport with a 200 HP Yamaha and a Rolls Axle Trailer. While the Tagged Redfish Division is the event’s most publicized division, with remaining prizes including a Conley Buick GMC Sierra Pickup or one of several Yamaha-powered boat packages from Hewes Boats, Carolina Skiff and Cottonmouth Boats, the event has 17 divisions and many opportunities to win, with most divisions determined by random drawing of all anglers who submit catch photos. Anglers of all ages and skill levels have opportunities to win, and kids ages 6-17 can register for free with their current ($10) CCA Florida youth membership. Registration is $40 for current CCA Florida members, or $75 for non-members, which includes CCA Florida membership. STAR runs through Labor Day, and anglers are encouraged to fish hard while there’s still a chance to get in on some awesome remaining prizes. “We’ve had 16 tagged redfish caught this season, but only two winners, simply because anglers weren’t registered and didn’t think it could happen to them,” said Brian Gorski, CCA Florida Executive Director. “And it’s not just about the tagged redfish, though prizes in that division are amazing, but there are so many ways for anglers to win in STAR, you just have to register.” All entries must be photographed with the official 2018 CCA Florida Measuring Device, which is available free of charge at various locations throughout the state, including all Florida West Marine stores, the preferred distribution location. For a full listing of measuring device locations, visit ccaflstar.com. For more information on STAR, or to register, visit ccaflstar.com.
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Take A Kid
By Cory Gurman
S
ummer is a popular time for families to take time out of their daily routines and travel near and far. Whether you are exploring new destinations or visiting relatives, there will most likely be fishing opportunities wherever you are going. Disney World in Florida, for example, has long been an icon for families who seek adventure in amusement parks; roller coasters, wet and wild rides, parades and dining all come together within this massive compound. What most people who visit these parks don’t realize is that this massive compound is dotted with hundreds of ponds that are well stocked with fish, most notably bass. You may fish on your own from the many access points or hire a guide for an awesome side adventure. This summer, I had the opportunity to travel to Panama and
visit friends as well as to tour the country. While Panama has an abundance of historic sites to visit, it’s also surrounded by both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, which made it easy to take a few days to sample their incredible fishing. My dad and I chose to chase the elusive rooster fish off the pacific coast, and we joined up with Capt. Dave Murphy in the small town of Boca Chica, Panama. Capt. Dave is formerly from the U.S. (Fla. Keys) and now owns and operates Reel Inn In Panama as a fishing guide service. Rooster fish inhabit the shallower waters of the Pacific, mostly around the rock outcroppings that protrude from the ocean floor. Our day started by filling the livewell with large blue runners we caught on sabikis. We headed to the first fishing spot and set two live baits out behind the boat. As we slow trolled the blue runners around this large rock outcropping, it became apparent just how far away from my home waters I was. The natural beauty of the Pacific Ocean is stunning. Within 40 minutes, line began to peel off one of the TLD 20s. After letting it eat for several seconds, I came tight on the fish and the rod doubled over. This fish had the tenacity of an amberjack and the running speed of a kingfish. After a long 20 minute battle, I landed a 50-plus-pound rooster fish. It was awesome! Two more days of fishing produced a total of four rooster fish and an experience of a lifetime. Capt. Dave Murphy provided lodging with first class service and a top-notch fishing experience. He can be reached through his website reelinninpanama.com. Cory Gurman is a student 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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FLY FISHING
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t’s summertime, and that means mako sharks on the fly in southern California! If you ever get a chance to try it, mako sharks are the premier summertime gamefish off our coast, and being able to sight fish a fly to them is an experience like no other in fly fishing. Here are some suggestions on tackle and flies to get you into the Mako shark game. Rods The fly rod used when mako shark fishing is more a fish fighting tool rather than a casting tool. Fly rods in the 12- to 15-weight range are what I recommend. These rods easily cast a large fly and have enough lifting power to fight a mako shark from deep water. For larger makos, I use one-piece custom rods that are 7 ½ feet to 8 feet in length and can cast a fly to 30 feet quickly and accurately. They are great fish-fighting tools, especially for makos in to 200- to 400-pound range. Reel The drag system must be able to apply at least 18 pounds of drag pressure at its maximum setting. Most fly reels used in the saltwater these days are designed to apply up to 20 pounds of drag pressure. The reason you want a reel to have this amount of drag pressure is to be able to apply maximum pressure on the fish when it is swimming away from the boat and during the final moments of the fight. You want to be able to “lock down” on the mako and hold it at the boat so you can get a quick release. If the drag is too light (not enough drag pressure), you will never get the mako to the boat. Line retrieval The rate at which the fly line can be retrieved depends on the size of the reel’s arbor. The larger the arbor, the more line you can retrieve in one revolution of the fly reel spool. I recommend using the largest arbor reel possible. Many fly reel companies make reels with large ar-
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bors specifically for big saltwater gamefish like makos, tuna and marlin. Flies The flies I use for mako sharks are large-profiled flies with a foam popper head. These flies are typically 8 to 12 inches long and tied on plastic tubing. I prefer tube flies because they are able to slide up and down the steel leader, saving the fly from getting eaten up by the shark. My hook size varies from 6/0 to very large 10/0. As for fly colors, red/orange combo is what I like best. This color combo is easy to see in tough lighting conditions. However, I will have one rig with a different color fly. The reason I do this is if the mako gets turned off by the red/orange color combo, a change in fly color can get the mako to react to a different color fly. Now go catch some Makos on the fly!!
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WC is reminding Florida anglers of its three Saltwater Angler Recognition programs. Anglers of all ages and skill levels can earn prizes such as certificates, shirts, hats, rods and reels, dehooking tools, rubber-coated nets and more. Successful anglers receive recognition in Florida Saltwater Recreational Fishing Regulations booklets and on the Club Members page of CatchaFloridaMemory.com, plus the chance to win monthly raffle prizes courtesy of generous program partners. Catch a Florida Memory programs also promote fisheries conservation. In addition to decreasing pressure on the most sought-after species, the photo entry process encourages catch and release and responsible fish handling. Saltwater Life List Similar to a birding life list, this program challenges anglers to track their progress at catching 71 different species of saltwater fish. Anglers who catch at least 10 different Life List species can join the Saltwater Fish Life List 10-Fish Club and receive additional prizes for 30, 50 and all 71 fish on the list. Saltwater Reel Big Fish Memorialize your Saltwater Reel Big Fish by submitting a photo of you with your catch and a photo of the fish over a measuring device. This program includes 30 different species in both adult and youth categories. Saltwater Grand Slams FWC has nine different Saltwater Grand Slams that award anglers for catching three specified fish within a 24-hour period. From the Inshore Grand Slam consisting of red drum, spotted seatrout and flounder to the Florida Grand Slam of permit, tarpon and bonefish, these challenges make you work to increase your fishing skills. Learn more about Catch a Florida Memory programs at CatchaFloridaMemory.com.
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ou don’t have to quit fishing just because it’s hot. You just have to fish at night rather than during the day. Oh yeah – and leave a light on. August is the perfect month to catch white bass, crappie and hybrid bass under lights. Young-of-the-year shad, the primary forage in many reservoirs, are just getting to “bite size” and sport fish are busy filling their bellies. To catch fish under the lights, anchor your boat in a strategic location just before dark. Your best bets are over a deep brushpile or artificial structure, creek channel ledge or mudflat. Once the sun sets, set out lanterns, floating lights or submersible halogen lights, and wait. What happens is a natural phenomenon of the aquatic food chain. The light attracts microscopic zooplankton, which attracts minnows and shad. When the lights have congregated a large school of shad, the predators show up below. Drop a jig or live bait down, and you’re in business. It might take a trip or two to become accustomed to fishing at night, and there are safety considerations to keep in mind. Once the sun sets, your boat needs to have navigation lights on. Wear your lifejacket and become familiar with the area before it gets dark. Go slow and use a hand-held spotlight to locate shorelines or obstacles while under power. Check out the July/August 2018 issue of Kansas Wildlife and Parks Magazine (ksoutdoors.com/Services/Publications/Magazine).
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lorida bass anglers might feel snubbed by the recent release of Bassmaster Magazine’s 2018 list of the country’s 100 best bass lakes. I mean, come on, don’t the editors at Bassmaster look at social media? The giant largemouth bass being caught from places like lakes Kingsley, Tohopekaliga and Istokpoga have to count for something. Run a search on the Florida TrophyCatch website, fisheries like the Ocklawaha Area waterways are producing scads of huge largemouth bass. Yet not a single Florida Mike Sabock caught this 10-pound, fishery made the top-10 of Bassmaster’s rankings, 6-ounce largemouth from Lake Hernando in July. Photo courtesy of while Michigan’s Lake St. www.TrophyCatchFlorida.com. Clair and Mille Lacs Lake in Minnesota ranked fourth and fifth, respectively. Are they trying to tell us bass fishing is better in Michigan or Minnesota, where the growing season is a fraction of what it is here in the sunshine state? In all of Minnesota, no one has ever caught a bass that weighed more than 9 pounds. The Minnesota state record largemouth, which has stood since 2005, weighed 8 pounds, 15 ounces. In Florida, a fish that size might not even warrant a photo. For decades, fisheries biologists across the country have been trying to ramp up bass fisheries in their states by introducing Florida-strain genetics. It’s all so they can give their anglers fishing almost as good as what we have in Florida. Texas is a shining example of what intensive management with Florida-strain fish can do for fisheries in producing big fish. When it comes to rankings, it all depends on how fisheries are judged. Bassmaster’s list might be better described as the nation’s best tournament bass lakes. Using statistics gathered from tournaments as well as from state biologists, ranking decisions were made by a panel, which undoubtedly needed to consider geographic distribution for the sake of their publication’s public perception. Looking at the statistics, it’s hard to argue against national rankings for lakes like Texas’ No. 1-ranked Sam Rayburn or Tennessee’s No. 2-ranked Chickamauga Lake. Those places are on fire right now. They are producing 40-pound, five-fish tournament sacks. But for raw numbers of truly big bass—those weighing more than 10 pounds—Florida must be right up there at the top of the list with California. The bone thrown to our Florida fisheries was a ranking as the No. 3 state for total number of fisheries to make the top 100. Florida ranked third behind No. 1 Texas and No. 2 California. Seven Florida fisheries ranked in the top 25 for bass lakes in the Southeast. They were: No. 4 Okeechobee, No. 5 Tohopekaliga, No. 7 Istokpoga, No. 10 Seminole, No. 11 Rodman Reservoir, No. 18 Harris Chain, and No. 24 Kenansville Reservoir. Here we’re considering decent-sized impoundments, which makes sense. But when considering Florida bass fishing as a whole, it’s important to realize the state is a web of connecting waterways that offer the right conditions for growing big bass. Overall, it can be argued that Florida has better bass fishing than any other state in the country. Where else could one catch a 14-pound largemouth from a backyard drainage ditch?
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By CAM Staff • Photo courtesy of www.BoldContentVideo.com
T
he advantage of a bird’s eye view is undeniable. From the stilt fishermen of Sri Lanka to the tuna towers on modern fishing boats, anglers have always sought an elevated view into the water. Drones are the latest tool fishermen have adopted to see farther and deeper. Drones in fishing are still relatively new and evolving, but there is already evidence it is a piece of gear worth packing in the tackle box. The first and most obvious use for video-equipped drones is reconnaissance. With technology that allows real-time viewing, it is possible to see farther out and deeper than ever before. A drone can cover more water looking for fish, bait, color changes and structure. Shore-bound or wading anglers have the ability to scout water they would have never seen before. Imagine the advantage of flying a shoreline, over a flat or even up a creek before approaching it. From the air and with moderately clear water, it is possible to eliminate unproductive water, identify likely structure and even spot individual fish or pods of bait. With just a few minutes of flying time, wading anglers or those fishing from kayaks can gather the kind of information that would require days of exploration without a drone. Even from a boat, the extended visual range gives you an advantage. Ever watch fish scatter at the sound of your motor? Using a drone to scout alerts you to the presence of fish, so you’ll know to ease up on them. Anyone who has seen videos of the guy battling bream with a hook-and-line equipped drone will recognize catching fish with a drone is nothing more than a gimmick at the moment. However, surf fishermen are effectively using drones to deliver baits much farther out than the length of a cast. Flying cut bait past the breakers is quicker and easier than paddling it out with a surfboard. And on freshwater reservoirs, bank-bound fishermen could deliver live herring to a distant river channel. This bait delivery system requires the use of a drone with the ability to carry a significant payload. The line is attached to a release clip suspended beneath the drone. With the reel on free spool, the angler flies the bait out before engaging the reel to provide tension to release the bait. There are already drone-specific release clips available, and outrigger clips and kite clips also do the job. The most important link in the system is the drone, though. You don’t want to fish with a cheap beginner’s model. For scouting, you’ll need a good camera and viewing screen. Payload-carrying capability is a must for bait delivery. With either function, extended battery life, stable hovering and the ability to fly in wind are necessary. Expect to spend at least $400 with the understanding that it is possible you’ll end up losing it in the depths. That could get expensive pretty quickly, but it’s peanuts compared to the cost of a boat.
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Bassmaster Ranks Rayburn The Best Bass Lake In The Country B.A.S.S. Photo
A
fter three years hovering in the Top 5 of Bassmaster Magazine’s 100 Best Bass Lakes rankings, Texas’ Sam Rayburn Reservoir finally took the crown as the best bass lake in the nation for 2018. Consistent production of heavy five-fish tournament limits and the potential for giant bass made this 114,500-acre reservoir northeast of Houston tops in the country this year. Rayburn started showing out in 2015, when it climbed to fifth in the rankings. In 2016 it jumped to fourth. And last year, Rayburn was the bridesmaid, sitting in second place. But, Rayburn is a bridesmaid no more, and for the first time captures the title. “Although there were some pretty spectacular numbers being produced from other lakes this year, Rayburn was a clear No. 1,” said James Hall, editor of Bassmaster Magazine. “While some lakes were boasting of a single 30-pound, five-bass limit being caught, Rayburn was spitting them out in rapid succession. And to top it off, a 40.28-pound limit was recorded in June.”
Countless limits of solid fish aren’t the only thing special about this lake. “When it comes to double-digit bass, Rayburn also seems to top the list this year,” Hall continued. “Three 10-pounders were weighed in during a one-day February derby. Plus, a 12.05 and a 13.06 were landed here in March. The lake is simply on fire right now.” The process to create the rankings takes about three months to complete. Data is received from state fisheries agencies across the U.S. This is coupled with catch data collected from dozens of tournament organizations from the past 12 months. After the numbers are crunched, a panel from the bass fishing industry debates the strength of the lakes to settle on the final rankings. The rankings identify the Top 10 lakes in the nation regardless of location, as well as the Top 25 lakes in four geographical divisions. “By dividing the Top 100 into four regions, anglers have perspective on fisheries nearby,” Hall explained. Tennessee’s Chickamauga Lake, which took the No. 2 slot this year, made a strong argument for No. 1, as it also produced 40-plus-pound limits this spring, two of them exceeding 42 pounds. Although this 36,240-acre fishery hasn’t produced quite as many big fish as Rayburn, there were two bass over 10 pounds recorded since February. The biggest weighed 11.21 pounds. California’s Clear Lake landed the No. 3 position on the strength of its production of big largemouth. Michigan’s Lake St. Clair climbed from ninth last year to the fourth in 2018, while Minnesota’s Mille Lacs Lake (last years’ No. 1 fishery) fell to No. 5. The remainder of the nation’s Top 10 are: sixth, Santee Cooper lakes (Marion/Moultrie), South Carolina; seventh, Diamond Valley Lake, California.; eighth, Thousand Islands (St. Lawrence River), New York; ninth, Lake Guntersville, Alabama; 10th, Falcon Lake, Texas. When it comes to bragging rights for the state with the most lakes to make the Top 100 list, Texas wins with 12. California boasts eight fisheries within the rankings, while Florida has the third most with seven. Complete rankings can be found in Bassmaster.com photo galleries.
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TIPS FROM A PRO
BEAT THE HEAT WITH NIGHT FISHING
BRANDON LESTER he dog days have arrived, and the lake is crowded with recreational boat traffic. The best fishing to be had during summer is after the sun goes
T
down. Around my home in Tennessee, most all of our club-level tournaments go to nighttime hours this time of year. Let’s talk about why the nighttime bite is so good, what to look for and baits that work well at night. First and foremost, if you’ve never spent a night out cruising your local lake, I think you’ll find it is the most quiet and peaceful fishing you will ever do. It’s like the whole world is asleep, and you have free rein of the lake. Baitfish often become more active at night, and the water cools just enough to get fish to come to the shallows and feed. Bass are a lot like us in that 100-degree temperatures make them want to find somewhere cool to just hang out. Their feeding windows become shorter this time of year, and mostly occur after dark. When looking for night fishing hotspots, think high percentage areas where you know bass live and feed. Keep in mind that they can’t see as well at night, so they must rely on their lateral lines to find food. Start at lighted boat docks, boat ramps, brushpiles
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WITH THE BEST & BRIGHTEST UNDERWATER LIGHTS! and points. When you find a good spot, revisit that place several times during the night because it will probably hold multiple fish. Also, don’t be afraid to fish places you wouldn’t dare fish during the day because of too much boat traffic, such as boat ramps and marinas. At night, when these places calm down, fish pull up and feed around them. You don’t need any specific gear for night fishing if you can get used to the fact that you can’t see your line. Many night fishermen use the exact same gear at night as they do during the day. Around my home lake, we fish clear blue fluorescent line at night and attach a black light to the side of the boat to see the line with ease. It helps. There’s nothing more fun than watching that line jump in the black light and knowing your bait just got hammered. Just about any bait that will catch a bass in the day will also catch one at night. The No. 1 key is to slow down. A fish’s strike zone shrinks at night because they can’t see as well. Slowing down helps put the odds in your favor. Some of my favorite baits are Texas-rigged worms (fished on an MHX NEPS 86HF), from small straight tail worms like the X-Xone Fat Finesse Worm all the way up to 11- and 12-inch worms, and even creature baits. Another great option at night is a spinnerbait. I usually throw a 3/8-ounce Kinkee Baits spinnerbait (fished on an MHX NEPS 86MHF) with a single No. 5 Colorado blade in black and blue color. The thin wire of this bait really lets it thump.
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Fish for Hungry Trout at Hunger Games Site in Western North Carolina
D
uPont State Recreational Forest in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Hendersonville, North Carolina, provides not only a scenic setting for trout fishing, but also a unique one. The delayed harvest waters of Little River flow through undisturbed mountains and over several notable waterfalls. Those same waters were immortalized on Hollywood’s silver screen as the backdrop for the exploits of Katniss Everdeen in the original Hunger Games movie. Movie buffs who wet a line on Little River in the DuPont Forest will no doubt recognize Triple Falls, which played a prominent role in multiple scenes in the movie. But there is good news for anglers: spending time on this stretch of Little River does not involve the life or death struggle it did in Hunger Games. Everyone is expected to come out alive. Many anglers also come out happy as this 1.8-mile stretch of Little River is stocked annually with a combination of 7,750 brook, rainbow and brown trout. North Carolina Wildlife regulations require a valid fishing license and the delayed harvest designation means it is single-hook artificial lures only with no harvesting of fish from Oct. 1 through the
first Friday in June. Starting the first Saturday in June and continuing through Sept. 30, there are no bait restrictions and a creel limit of seven trout per day with no minimum length on trout harvested. Because DuPont is a state recreational forest, there is ample parking in both the Hooker Falls Access Area and the High Falls Access Areas, with wide, easy-to-navigate trails to many of the key fishing spots. One downside to fishing this stretch of Little River is the popularity of the trails and waterfalls with those who do not fish. Expect plenty of hikers and sightseers, especially on nice weekends. And when the fishing is done, Hendersonville provides plenty of options for outdoor exploring, listening to live music, sipping craft beverages and enjoying great meals. The town’s main street has a serpentine shape surrounded by pedestrian-friendly sidewalks punctuated by planting beds, park benches and outdoor dining. The abundance of orchards makes Henderson County an ideal location for hard cider fans. Three cideries offer tasting rooms: Flat Rock Ciderworks on Main Street, Bold Rock Hard Cider in Mills River and Appalachian Ridge Artisan Ciders in a 1940s-era barn-turned-cidery. Another craft beverage experience is the East Coast location of Sierra Nevada Brewery, considered the Taj Mahal of craft breweries in the eastern U.S.
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AUGUST 2018
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“ Rainy Season ” Action Rages Out Of Playa Garza, Costa Rica By Craig Sutton
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he five-boat FishingNosara team logged 78 trips last month, and I’m stoked to announce that the marlin are here in northern Costa Rica, as our “second high season” is in full effect. The 32-foot Harvester led the charge for our Playa Garza-based fleet, with Capt. Alex going on a crazy run of marlin and sailfish releases over four days between June 9 and June 12. Jeff Broome scored the fish of a lifetime with Capt. Alex on June 10 with a black marlin weighing well over 450 pounds. The next day, Broome posted the trip of the year, to date. First off was a true double sailfish release. After the safe release of both fish, they added a third sailfish for good measure. Another monster came calling, as the Harvester reported another massive marlin release, the second
in two days. It was amazing work by Capt. Alex, Mate Wilson, and this group of Florida anglers. Here’s what Broome had to say: “Just wanted to say an enthusiastic THANK YOU for the incredible trip we had thanks to your team. In three days, we got three Marlin—two blues and a massive black—three sailfish, a huge dorado and a good deal more tuna and mahi! “Thanks to Capt. Alex and his hard-working deckhand Wilson, I was able to cross marlin off my bucket list of fish to catch. Definitely a dream for me, and I know I speak for all the guys in our group that it was definitely the fishing trip of a lifetime! “You could tell how passionate Alex was about fishing. His favorite thing to say after we brought in a catch was, ‘Let’s get another one!’” “Pura Vida!”-Jeff Broome The next day, Capt. Alex and FishingNosara Hall of Famer Chuck Harris scored another marlin release. That’s four monsters in four days. It was a truly legendary run for the Harvester. Meanwhile, Lila Weirich brought a big group of folks from Texas down in early June, so many that they need both the 32-foot Wanderer and Discoverer to hold them all. In addition to having a big time all week, these Lone Star anglers scored some fillets big as Texas. Monster mahi-mahi were abundant, and meaty yellowfin tunas added variety to the fillet bag With all the other fishing operations in Costa Rica on the hill for the summer, we have attracted adventurous anglers from all over the Pacific Coast, as well. Scott Burke drove in three hours from Tamarindo at 3 a.m., fished a full day, and went back the same day. The odyssey proved worthwhile, as the group reported three great sailfish releases. Shea Ralph is another journeyman angler who came from Jaco to Nosara, covering 140 miles on land in order to reach Costa Rica’s closest bluewater. They hooked up multiple sailfish and proved once again that the fish eat every day, even during the so-called “rainy season.”
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Teen Breaks Wyoming Green Sunfish Record
“J
Photo courtesy of Wyoming Game & Fish
ust one more cast, please,” Chris Castleman, 14, pleaded several times the evening of June 7. On the very last of the “just one more” casts, Chris hooked a new Wyoming state record green sunfish on a worm and bobber. He and his dad, Allen, knew the fish was much bigger than the panfish they’d been catching that evening at Bryan Stock Trail Pond in Casper. The next morning, the fish weighed 1-pound, 4-ounces on certified scales. It measured 12.25 inches long with an 11-inch girth. It was officially identified as a green sunfish by Fisheries Supervisor Matt Hahn, the state record form was filled out and a new record was on the books. The fish resoundingly beat the former state record caught at the Lovell Ponds in July 2010 by nearly 6 ounces. The world record weighed 2 pound, 2 ounces and was caught in Stockton Lake near Springfield, Missouri in June 1971. “This was a one in a thousand, maybe even one in 10,000 fish,” Hahn said about the frequency of a fish this size in the Wyoming green sunfish population. The green sunfish is native to middle America from the Great Lakes to Texas and as far west as Nebraska. It was introduced to Wyoming primarily as forage for bass, but also because it generally cooperates with warm-water anglers.
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