Coastal Angler Magazine | April 2023 | Tampa Bay Edition

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MAHI

ALASKAN SUMMER LOCAL REPORTS & CATCH PHOTOS

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PHOTO COURTESY OF ALYSSA VEGA IG:@FISHWITHLYSS / TIKTOK:@FISHWITHLYSS VOLUME 28 • ISSUE 337

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MAHI A Few Facts About Everyone’s Favorite Fish

By CAM Staff

• All the Pretty Colors: Dolphinfish are revered for their gorgeous colors, which change according to their excitement level. They can change colors and even flicker from day-glow green and yellow with blue highlights to lighter blue and metallic silver over the course of a fight. As soon as you pull them out of the water, this brilliance begins to fade. These changing colors are due to cells called chromatophores in their skin. Chromatophores reflect light, contain pigment, and are controlled by central nervous system, which gives mahi their awesome chameleon-like abilities.

• Rabbit of the Sea: Part of the allure of mahi for anglers is their prevalence. When they are around, there are usually a lot of them around.

They grow quickly and reproduce prolifically, like rabbits. Dolphinfish can grow up to 3 inches in a week and reach sexual maturity in just five or six months. They spawn two or three times a year, and each female can release up to a million eggs during each cycle.

• Size Matters: While smaller “peanut” mahi travel and feed in giant schools, larger individuals cruise in smaller packs of two to five fish. The average dolphin only lives two or three years, and they have a lifespan of five to seven years. The IGFA all-tackle world record weighed 87 pounds and was caught off Costa Rice in 1976.

• Speed: Dolphinfish are estimated to swim up to 50 nautical mph, which allows them to feed on pretty much anything they can fit in their mouths.

This includes their little brothers and sisters.

O

n the end of a line or wrapped up in a tortilla, dolphinfish are a worldwide fan favorite. Here are a few facts you might not have known about mahi-mahi:

• What’s in a Name? Mahi-mahi is the Hawaiian term for the fish historically called dolphin or dolphinfish in the mainland United States. In Polynesian “mahi” means “strong,” and “mahi-mahi” translates to very strong. Although most U.S. scientist still refer to the species as dolphinfish, the term mahi has become more

prevalent in recent years, perhaps through foodfish marketing or to avoid confusion with the mammal also called dolphin.

Spanish speakers typically refer to the same fish as “dorado,” which means “golden.” Obviously, this comes from the fish’s color, and dorado is also used widely in the Pacific as well as in English-speaking South Africa.

Dolphinfish are found in all the world’s tropical and subtropical oceans. They go by many names in many languages. They are Shiira in Japanese, goldmakrele in German, lambuka in Arabic… and the list goes on.

• Management: It’s usually bad news for anglers when the federal acronyms pay special attention to a species. However, years of declining catches have led Florida fishermen to call for tighter regulations for dolphinfish in the Atlantic.

Currently, NOAA and SAFMC are looking at options.

Florida boasts some of the best dolphin fishing in the world. The sharp multi-year decline in the fishery is alarming. Last year, while SAFMC mulled potential regulations changes in federal waters, Florida preemptively slashed limits in state waters by half—from 10 fish to five fish per person, with the vessel limit dropping from 60 to 30 fish per day.

SAFMC did not follow suit. With opposition to tighter regulations from North Carolina, where dolphin fishing appears to be getting better, the per-person bag limit in federal waters of the South Atlantic remained at 10 fish per person, while the daily vessel limit was modified from 60 fish to 54 fish. There is a minimum size limit of 20 inches in federal waters off South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. There is no minimum size limit off North Carolina.

Many Florida anglers were stunned by the decision to pretty much allow federal regulations to remain as they were. Changes, however, are likely on the way. NOAA/SAFMC have initiated a “management strategy evaluation” with a stated goal of annually determining dolphinfish supply before allocating harvest equally to different regions and user groups. We might get a look at what that means by 2024.

• Grocery Shopping: Most of the mahi-mahi you find in restaurants or at the grocery store comes from the Pacific. In the South Atlantic, just seven percent of the total catch limit is allocated to commercial fishing.

MAKE IT A DOUBLE!

down tight, as it will cut itself if it’s not wet. Test your knots, pulling hard on them, before use.

I’m going to get sporty this year and make a double-squid tackle for the blackfin tuna. I may get two at once, but that’s a gamble I’m willing to take. Stay in touch to my YouTube channel for video featuring the blackfins. I think the blackfin tackle will be made with 50-pound fluoro.

Regardless of the lure, I use jig heads that make baits walk the dog underwater like a GotCha Plug. I fish the front lure with a jig head, and it zigs and zags with the same cadence of the trailing lure, which has no jig head, just a hook. Often the trailing bait gets the bite.

I’m not going into a lengthy explanation in writing about how to make this tackle, but will show an up-close detailed video that explains this simple knot and rigging completely.

Tim Barefoot

A

“double tackle” is what I call rigging two lures on the same main line. In certain situations, this appearance of a school of fleeing baitfish or shrimp is irresistible to predators, and I’ve got a clean and simple way to rig a double tackle.

This the time of year, a double tackle can be deadly in inshore fisheries.

Spring brings huge schools of small, immature bait rolling up the creeks off the Intracoastal. They push into the shallow bays and up the rivers trying to find a place to hide from all the predators. Rigging two identical baits together can be irresistible to predator fish, and at the same it confuses them. I think fish look at this tackle, with baits zigging and zagging, and are forced to decide which one to eat, rather than whether or not to eat.

There is always the possibility of catching two fish at a time using this tackle. It happens a lot.

Speckled trout, striped bass and American shad are a few likely candidates for this tackle. Spring trout sometimes key on juvenile shrimp, and this tackle is a dead-ringer for the job. American and hickory shad are complete idiots for this tackle, as they stage in tight schools and you often catch doubles. For the speckled trout, I like a 3-inch DOA Shrimp. For shad, I prefer small soft-plastic worms.

Depending on water clarity, I fish 20- to 30-pound fluoro for trout and 8- to 12-pound fluoro for shad. There is a very fine line between using a fluoro light enough to get the bite and heavy enough to withstand the force of two fish yanking against each other on the line. The knot that connects everything together is pretty simple, but it takes a little practice to get it just right.

It is a must to moisten the fluoro when cinching the knot

To see video instructions on rigging Tim Barefoot’s double tackle, go to https://youtu.be/FsdUGwyM9c4.

For more, visit barefootcatsandtackle.com.

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Catch More Springtime Crappie I

By TAM Staff

t’s the time of year when crappie fishing can get mighty easy. However, you can always strive to load the cooler with more and bigger fish. Here are a few tips: • Know Your Prey: Crappie are on the move this time of year. They might be staged up at prespawn or postspawn depths, or they might be right up on the banks in a foot and a half of water spawning. Knowing their cycles will help you find them.

Before and after they spawn, crappie hold on brush and structure just outside of their spawning areas. They move up into the shallows to spawn in waves, and this can go on for a month or more. So, while some fish are easy targets when they’re spawning or guarding fry on super-shallow brush, there are other, possibly larger, fish feeding a little deeper.

If you’re not catching the numbers or size you’d like to see in the shallows, get on the trolling motor and use your sonar to find the creek channels and first drops off the spawning areas. Find some good brush or search the fronts of docks.

You might find big schools slab crappie. Pitch jigs or minnows to individual brushpiles or slow troll these deeper areas to find fish.

• Ditch the Bobber: A minnow under a bobber is a traditional and effective crappie rig. It is not, however the most efficient way to catch them in most situations. During the spawn, male crappie are the ones that stay shallow and guard the nests. They are aggressive, and they are not necessarily feeding when they attack. These fish are particularly susceptible to gaudy, brightly colored jigs.

Crappie jigs are the best way to cover water both on

8 NATIONAL

APRIL 2023

spawning banks and on deeper brush. Even when they’re feeding heavily, crappie on brush won’t chase their prey more than a few feet. A jig allows you to make numerous casts and thoroughly cover the water horizontally and vertically in the time it would take to hook and soak a single minnow under a bobber.

Move quickly until you find the fish. Then you can slow down and catch them all. If you still want to support the local live bait store, go ahead and buy some minnows and thread them through the lips on a crappie jig.

• Scent: You might not need it all the time to catch fish, but scent helps crappie find your lure and convinces them to eat. It doesn’t hurt to tip your jig with a minnow, and artificial attractants like PowerBait Crappie Nibbles or JJ’s Magic can sometimes make them bite when they’ve got lockjaw.

• Network: Make friends with other crappie anglers. There’s no shortage of available crappie in most lakes.

Sharing information with other anglers helps everyone stay on top of the fish.

You don’t have to tell anyone where you sunk your Christmas tree in January, but a little give and take doesn’t hurt when you’re talking about stages of the spawn or effective colors.

For more crappie fishing, visit www.coastalanglermag.com.

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BIG BLUEFISH

range from Cape Cod down through Argentina. Their migrations are a tricky subject. Most people believe bluefish travel from Florida up to New Jersey, and then back down to Florida. However, this has never truly been proven.

While doing some research, I found a few studies that never came to a clear conclusion.

What we do know is that bluefish spawn at the edge of the Gulf Stream off Florida in spring. The timing varies from year to year, but there is usually a three to seven-day window when larger bluefish swim closer to shore. For Florida, this is the time when we catch our largest bluefish, and this week is

By Emily Rose Hanzlik normally sometime in April.

Most smaller “snapper” bluefish tend to hang around mangroves, estuaries and bridges to ensure their safety. This provides them with cover from predators and access to smaller prey also hiding in these “safe” areas.

Once they get large enough, they move off the coast to feed on larger, more abundant prey. They are typically found in inlets, around piers and off the beaches, where large bait schools ensure a better hunt with less energy being exerted.

When hunting for bluefish, you’ll want to start where the bait is. Most of the time you will see bluefish schools popping bait schools on the surface, and other bluefish will be cleaning up the mess below. For this situation, you can use any kind of spoon, X-Raps or jigs. Normally, you’ll want to use a small piece of wire so that they don’t cut you off.

If you don’t see bluefish popping baits, you can look for oil slicks. Some experts say they can smell the odor from their oils. But, for those who can’t “sniff out” the fish, you can throw chunks of dead leftover bait and let it stink up the water to draw them in. Usually a 2-inch chunk of mackerel, jack or even dead baitfish like sardines will attract any bluefish in the area.

Currently, on the east coast of Florida, you can keep three bluefish per ith spring finally here, the ocean is open to many possibilities here person, per day. Many people prefer to use bluefish as bait, while some will in South Florida. One of my favorites is the arrival of larger bluefish, make a stew or cook them whole. The IGFA all-tackle world record bluefish which tend to migrate this direction at this time of year. was a 31-pound, 12-ounce monster caught out of Hatteras, North Carolina.

Bluefish are a popular game fish in almost all the waters surrounding Emily Rose Hanzlik holds 56 IGFA world records in various categories. the United States. Smaller bluefish from 7 to 9 inches are sometimes called She hails from West Palm Beach, where she has a part time Bowfin snapper. These fish have extremely sharp teeth, with prominent canines on Guide Service as well as fishing classes for Jr. Anglers. both the top and bottom jaw.

Find her on social media @emilyhanzlikoutdoors.

Bluefish are common along the Atlantic coast of the United States, and

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t its late February commission meeting, FWC approved regulations changes to cut possession limits for three species and establish new open seasons for two of them in Florida’s Atlantic state waters. The modifications are consistent with current and pending regulations for federal waters of the Atlantic.

Photo courtesy of Quinlyn Haddon

R

REGS TIGHTENED FOR RED PORGY, SNOWY GROUPER, BLUELINE TILEFISH • The bag limit for red porgy will be cut from three to one fish per person, per day. An open season of May-June will be established.

• The snowy grouper bag limit will be one fish per vessel, per day.

This is a decrease from one fish per person, per day. An open season of May–June will be established.

• The blueline tilefish bag limit will be reduced from three fish to two fish per person, per day, and for-hire captain and crew will be prohibited from retaining a bag limit.

Last year, the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council approved management changes to help rebuild the red porgy and snowy grouper stocks, which are overfished and undergoing overfishing, and to reduce the risk of overfishing for blueline tilefish.

The red porgy recreational limits will be effective April 1 in Atlantic state waters, and the snowy grouper and blueline tilefish regulations will go into effect at a later date once pending federal regulations have been implemented.

For more information, visit MyFWC.com.

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APRIL 2023

FLORIDA 7

RELEASE DEVICES Now Required in State Waters

A

nglers pursuing reef fish in Florida state waters will now be required to have a descending device or venting tool onboard that is ready for use. They will also be required to use the device or tool on fish exhibiting signs of barotrauma prior to release. This new rule was scheduled to become effective April 1 after being approved by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at its February meeting.

Release mortality is a top fisheries management challenge. As reef fish are reeled up from depth, they can suffer a pressure-related injury known as barotrauma. If not treated correctly, barotrauma can be lethal to fish Descending devices or venting tools can help fish recover from the effects of barotrauma.

Barotrauma mitigation tool requirements have already been adopted in Gulf and Atlantic federal waters. In Gulf federal waters, fishers have the choice of possessing either a descending device or a venting tool that is rigged and ready for use. In Atlantic federal waters, fishers are required to have a descending device that is readily available for use. This new rule for Gulf and Atlantic state waters allows anglers to choose which type of tool

8 FLORIDA

APRIL 2023

PHOTO COURTESY OF RETURN ’EM RIGHT

best fits their circumstances.

A summary of the proposed rule presented at the meeting also indicated a concern about private anglers either not being aware of the requirements or not having confidence with the use of such devices. FWC has committed to an outreach program designed to raise awareness on the proper use of barotrauma mitigation tools.

Find current reef fish gear requirements at MyFWC.com/ReefFishGear.

Anyone who plans to harvest or attempt to harvest, including catch and release, certain reef fish species in Gulf or Atlantic waters from a private recreational vessel must sign up for the free State Reef Fish Angler designation and renew it annually. Learn more at MyFWC.com/SRFS and sign up today at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com.

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ANGLERS LAND NEW IGFA WORLD RECORDS

T

he International Game Fish Association (IGFA) tracks record fish catches around the globe. Their world record database is a great source to see some of the fish anglers are catching around the world. Here are a handful of catches recently approved for the record books. To see all newly approved IGFA records, visit igfa.org.

Pin’s Snakehead

On Aug. 12, 2022, Ng Yam Pin landed this beautiful 28-pound giant snakehead in Rawang, Malaysia to set IGFA’s mens 20-pound line class world record. Pin caught the big snakehead on a Duo Fangbait lure and released the fish after recording the weight and proper measurements.

The IGFA all-tackle world record for giant snakehead was also caught from Rawang. It weighed 30 pounds.

Bluch’s Rainbow Trout

On Nov. 5, 2022, Aussie angler Frank Bluch was fishing the Tekapo Canal, New Zealand, with guide Nicor Sutherland, when he landed this impressive 21-pound, 13-ounce rainbow trout. It set the new IGFA men’s 2-pound tippet class world record. The fish ate a fly Frank calls the “Orange Monstrosity.” The all-tackle world record rainbow was caught from Lake Diefenbaker, Canada. It weighed 48 pounds.

Ochmann’s Wels

Joachim Ochmann caught this huge 140-pound, 10-ounce wels from Rio Ebro, Spain on Oct. 1, 2022. It took him nearly two hours to land the new IGFA men’s 16-pound line class world record. He released it after taking proper weight and measurements. The all-tackle world record wels was caught from River Po, Italy in 2010. It weighed 297 pounds, 9 ounces.

Okuyama’s Grass Carp

Fumiya Okuyama holds several IGFA world records for grass carp, and he recently set another with this 109-centimeter (nearly 43-inch) fish he caught on Oct. 20, 2022, to establish the new IGFA all-tackle length fly world record. The all-tackle world record by weight was caught at Piasuchnik Dam, Bulgaria in 2009. It weighed 87 pounds, 10 ounces.

TAMPA BAY FISHING REPORT BY: CAPT. WOODY GORE

SHEEPSHEAD

S

heepshead fishing action can be enjoyable, and they’re great for eating. Sheepshead are usually in the same places year-round. So, if you are looking for early morning action, check submerged rock piles, jetties, piers and structure-laden tidal creeks. Nevertheless, the key to finding sheepshead is looking for structures and habitats usually associated with food. Of course, tides play a significant role in their feeding habits.

Finding bait for sheepshead is not complicated; practically any marine-dwelling crustacean or bivalve living in saltwater will work. Fiddler crabs, in my opinion, are one of the top sheepshead baits. Fiddler crabs are usually found where the sand or mud meets the water. Look for small penny-sized holes with crab colonies darting in and out. I use a lightweight Carolina rig or knocker rig for deeper water, like around bridges. For anything shallower, I free-line them on a snelled Diachii circle hook.

A close second to fiddlers is the mud crab that most folks never consider.

This little crab lives under oysters and rocks and requires a little effort so, yes, you have to get out of the boat and turn over some rocks and oyster clusters.

My third favorite bait is a 3/4 to 1-inch piece of fresh or frozen shrimp.

Stay away from the old and freezer burned shrimp. Shrimp are good sheepshead bait and are nearly as effective as fiddlers or mud crabs. Best of all, they are easily acquired from your local bait shop.

Another good bait, commonly used for pompano, is sand fleas (aka mole crabs), which are also a great choice for sheepshead. Sand fleas live in the surf zone along most Florida beaches, often seen swimming back in the water after each wave. Sand flea rakes are sold in tackle shops and used to capture these small crabs. Or, simply use your hands to filter the sand as the water and sand retreat after large waves.

Essentially, any marine-dwelling crustacean or bivalve you can get your hands on will attract the bite of a sheepshead.

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APRIL 2023

TAMPA 1

ST. PETE REPORT BY: CAPT. ANTHONY CORCELLA

ALL GAVE SOME AND SOME GAVE ALL

T

he snook and redfish are flooding the flats. April and May are prime times to target them. There are some real trophy class fish of over 40 inches, if you know where to look and what to use.

We’ll start with where to look.

The best flats have spotty grass and potholes that sit right along the mangroves. The trick is to position your boat according to the tide. If the tide is out, position yourself well away from the mangroves and cast up as close as you can to the bank and spotty grass. If the tide is up, you want to cast right up on the mangrove line.

A lot of times, you can see the fish. If you do, chum them up to keep them nearby. If you can’t see them, a little chum can help draw them in.

Cut bait works very well as bait and chum. Use threadfin shad, cut pinfish, cut ladyfish or cut mullet. Live white bait also works, if you can find it. If I had to pick, it would be cut pinfish for the monsters.

For the artificial gang, you can’t go wrong with a 1/4-ounce gold spoon.

Retrieve it at a medium speed. Top waters and Mission Fishin jigheads rigged with a soft plastic body are always deadly.

Tackle should be a bump up from your usual trout gear. A 7-foot 6-inch 8 to 17-pound class rod with a 3500 to 4000 size real loaded with 15-pound Powerpro braid will handle everything you run into. A 3-foot piece of 20 to 30-pound fluorocarbon tied to a lure or #5 circle hook will complete the tackle end.

Pocket Change supports our military veterans and is proud to be a part of the 4th annual On the Water with Veterans fishing event. A projected 170 veterans will sign up for this FREE event out of St Petersburg FL. This is a four hour inshore fishing trip, lunch and raffles! If you’re a veteran, and wish to participate, please go to www.onthewaterwithveteransinc.com or call 813-370-6567. Disabled? Bound to a wheelchair? No problem! The event is completely adaptive and encourages you to join!

— 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 of giving back to our veterans.

Capt. Anthony Corcella, Pocket Change Inshore Fishing Charter - 727-432-6446 www.pocketchangefishingcharters.com | Check us out on Facebook

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SPECIES SPOTLIGHT:

PAINTED BUNTING

T

here’s not a bird in Florida that is more brilliantly colored than a male Painted Bunting! The male Painted Bunting has a striking array of colored feathers from yellow to blue, green and red. Despite how colorful the feathers are, it is impressive how well-suited and camouflaged they are in their surroundings.

Females are not as colorful as males. The females have greenish/yellow feathers that make it sometimes difficult to identify them, as they have few other field markings to identify them.

Painted Buntings live in grassy areas and dense overgrowth. They mainly feed on seeds that they find on the ground, or they gently pick the seeds off of the surrounding grass. Painted Buntings are more common in Florida in the Winter months, but there are areas of northern Florida where they breed and can be found year-round.

Buntings can often be seen on your backyard feeder, if you fill them with smaller types of bird seed that closely resemble the seeds they would find growing on the ground vegetation. They tend to be very secretive and shy around people but, with some patience, they will present themselves and resume feeding, if you’ve previously scared them off.

Local parks are the best areas to see Painted Buntings. Look for them near dry, dense overgrowth. Typically, areas like this are immediately adjacent to mowed areas, butterfly gardens, adjacent to parking lots and tall grasses under oak trees. Look for them in shady areas on the ground at a park in your neighborhood today!

By: Wes Tallyn

— Captain Wes Tallyn was raised in Florida and is a fisherman, birder, avid outdoorsman, photographer, and environmental scientist.

Wes has a focus on conservation and education in the community and is the owner of Snook Jam Outdoors.

You can find him on Instagram @ snookjam or call 727-410-5853.

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APRIL 2023

TAMPA 3

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CAPT. SERGIO’S CORNER BY: CAPT. SERGIO ATANES

A

pril is the start-up month for some of the best fishing Tampa Bay has to offer, and this month’s topic is two unsung heroes. You guessed it--Spanish mackerel and Cobia.

Spanish mackerel and Cobia follow the bait inside the Skyway Bridge. The bigger baits will hang around tripods, artificial reefs and rocky bottom that abound from channel A just inside the Skyway bridge to the Howard Franklin bridge to the North.

My method for fishing Spanish mackerel is very simple. Look for the diving birds, and they will guide you to the bait. If there is bait, the Spanish mackerel will be there feeding. Once you find the bait anchor and start a chum line to keep the mackerel feeding behind the boat. Cut greenbacks will work great or a 10-pound box of frozen chum also does the trick.

I use light action tackle such as a 7’ 6” medium action Okuma rod and a 3000 Okuma Helios 3000 spinning reel with plenty of 15-pound test Fins braided line. With their razor-sharp teeth, mackerel bite off a fair share of hooks, so I prefer a #1 or 1/0 XX long shank hook with 30-pound test fluorocarbon leader about 36 inches long.

Hillsborough County has six artificial reefs that produce great quantities of Spanish mackerel every year. The information with GPS location can

be obtained from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and they can even mail you their brochure upon request.

To fish for cobia, I anchor up on grass flats in the three-to-four-foot depth, and get my clients started with live sardine on a float letting it drift with the current for trout and some redfish. In the meantime, I cut forty or so green back sardines and toss them around the boat within 6 or 7 feet away, creating a scent field to attract the large brown southern stingrays. Cobia are somewhat lazy, so they will ride under the big rays as they stir the bottom for food.

The cobia are there to help themselves.

Keep one rod ready for action with a live pinfish or large greenback sardine with a 3/0 circle hook tied to a 40-pound fluorocarbon leader. Use a medium spinner like an OKUMA Salina 4000HA spinning reel 30-pound FINS Windtamer braided line and a medium heavy rod. I have been able to pull several nice cobia with this method, while keeping my clients happy catching other species, as we wait for the cobia to show. You might have to move, if the rays don’t show up.

— Capt. Sergio Atanes is host of Florida West Coast Fishing Report on Facebook and YouTube every Monday night 7-8 p.m. live. He is also host to Aventuras De Pesca USA on national TV and Radio Show. reelfishing.com | Email: atanes@msn.com | Phone: 813-973-7132

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APRIL 2023

TAMPA 5

St. Petersburg

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St. Petersburg, FL - Apr 2023 High

Date 1

AM

ft

Sat

Old Port of Tampa

www.USHarbors.com ezdocktampa.com

Old Port Tampa, FL - Apr 2023

Low

High

Date

PM

ft

AM

ft

PM

ft

Rise

Set

Moon

2:04

1.5

6:44

-0.2

6:23

1.1

7:19

7:49

1

AM

ft

Sat

Low PM

ft

AM

ft

PM

ft

Rise

Set

2:23

1.7

7:30

-0.2

7:04

1.0

7:19

7:48

2

Sun

12:08

1.9

2:09

1.6

7:19

-0.1

7:07

0.9

7:18

7:49

2

Sun

12:44

1.9

2:38

1.8

8:05

-0.1

7:46

0.8

7:18

7:49

3

Mon

1:01

1.9

2:13

1.6

7:46

0.0

7:45

0.6

7:17

7:50

3

Mon

1:37

2.0

2:52

1.8

8:33

0.0

8:24

0.6

7:17

7:49

4

Tue

1:46

1.9

2:18

1.7

8:09

0.2

8:19

0.4

7:16

7:50

4

Tue

2:22

2.0

3:03

1.9

8:55

0.2

8:59

0.4

7:15

7:50

5

Wed

2:28

1.8

2:26

1.9

8:28

0.4

8:54

0.1

7:15

7:51

5

Wed

3:04

2.0

3:13

2.0

9:13

0.4

9:33

0.1

7:14

7:51

6

Thu

3:09

1.7

2:38

2.1

8:45

0.6

9:29

-0.1

7:14

7:51

6

Thu

3:47

1.9

3:25

2.2

9:31

0.5

10:10

-0.1

7:13

7:51

7

Fri

3:53

1.6

2:56

2.3

9:01

0.7

10:09

-0.2

7:12

7:52

7

Fri

4:33

1.8

3:41

2.4

9:48

0.7

10:48

-0.3

7:12

7:52

8

Sat

4:41

1.5

3:20

2.4

9:16

0.9

10:53

-0.4

7:11

7:52

8

Sat

5:25

1.6

4:04

2.6

10:06

0.9

11:31

-0.4

7:11

7:52

9

Sun

5:38

1.3

3:49

2.5

9:28

1.0

11:47

-0.4

7:10

7:53

9

Sun

6:27

1.4

4:34

2.7

10:24

1.0

7:10

7:53

10

Mon

7:01

1.2

4:25

2.6

9:25

1.1

7:09

7:53

10

Mon

7:49

1.3

5:10

2.7

12:21

-0.4

7:09

7:53

11

Tue

5:09

2.5

12:52

-0.4

7:08

7:54

11

Tue

5:54

2.7

1:22

-0.4

7:08

7:54

12

Wed

6:06

2.4

2:12

-0.3

7:07

7:54

12

Wed

6:51

2.5

2:42

-0.4

7:07

7:54

13

Thu

7:31

2.3

3:39

-0.3

7:06

7:55

13

Thu

8:10

2.3

4:14

-0.3

7:06

7:55

14

Fri

9:27

2.2

4:53

-0.4

7:05

7:56

14

Fri

1:36P

1.6

10:01

2.2

5:33

-0.3

4:33

1.5

7:05

7:55

15

Sat

11:10

2.1

5:51

-0.3

5:14

1.3

7:04

7:56

15

Sat

1:46P

1.7

11:44

2.2

6:32

-0.3

6:01

1.2

7:04

7:56

16

Sun

1:28

1.6

6:36

-0.2

6:27

0.9

7:03

7:57

16

Sun

2:02

1.8

7:17

-0.2

7:05

0.8

7:03

7:56

17

Mon

12:28

2.1

1:37

1.8

7:13

0.0

7:23

0.5

7:02

7:57

17

Mon

1:00

2.2

2:18

2.0

7:53

0.0

7:58

0.5

7:02

7:57

18

Tue

1:33

2.0

1:49

2.0

7:42

0.3

8:11

0.2

7:01

7:58

18

Tue

2:01

2.2

2:34

2.2

8:21

0.3

8:47

0.2

7:01

7:58

19

Wed

2:31

1.9

2:04

2.2

8:05

0.6

8:56

-0.1

7:00

7:58

19

Wed

2:56

2.1

2:48

2.3

8:45

0.5

9:32

-0.1

7:00

7:58

20

Thu

3:25

1.7

2:21

2.4

8:23

0.8

9:38

-0.3

6:59

7:59

20

Thu

3:50

1.9

3:04

2.5

9:05

0.8

10:16

-0.2

6:59

7:59

21

Fri

4:18

1.5

2:42

2.5

8:38

1.0

10:20

-0.4

6:58

7:59

21

Fri

4:44

1.7

3:22

2.7

9:24

1.0

10:59

-0.3

6:58

7:59

22

Sat

5:13

1.4

3:07

2.6

8:49

1.1

11:04

-0.4

6:57

8:00

22

Sat

5:43

1.6

3:45

2.8

9:41

1.2

11:42

-0.4

6:57

8:00

23

Sun

6:18

1.3

3:36

2.6

8:54

1.2

11:52

-0.3

6:56

8:01

23

Sun

6:47

1.5

4:14

2.8

9:58

1.3

6:56

8:00

24

Mon

4:09

2.5

6:55

8:01

24

Mon

8:04

1.4

4:47

2.7

12:27

-0.3

6:55

8:01

25

Tue

4:48

2.4

12:47

-0.2

6:54

8:02

25

Tue

5:27

2.5

1:19

-0.2

6:54

8:01

26

Wed

5:37

2.2

1:51

-0.1

6:53

8:02

26

Wed

6:17

2.3

2:22

-0.1

6:53

8:02

27

Thu

6:48

2.0

3:00

-0.1

6:53

8:03

27

Thu

7:26

2.1

3:35

0.0

6:52

8:03

28

Fri

12:56P

1.6

8:36

1.9

4:04

0.0

3:02

1.5

6:52

8:03

28

Fri

12:38P

1.7

9:09

1.9

4:45

0.0

4:14

1.5

6:51

8:03

29

Sat

12:38P

1.6

10:22

1.8

4:57

0.1

5:01

1.3

6:51

8:04

29

Sat

12:56P

1.8

10:56

1.9

5:41

0.1

5:36

1.3

6:50

8:04

30

Sun

12:42P

1.7

11:41

1.8

5:40

0.2

6:02

1.0

6:50

8:05

30

Sun

1:14

1.9

6:26

0.2

6:33

1.0

6:50

8:04

1:27P

1.5

10:37A

10:14A

1.1

1.3

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Hernando Beach

bluepelicanmarina.com www.USHarbors.com

Rocky Creek, LittleFL Pine Island Hernando Beach, - Apr 2023

Low

High

Date

Low

AM

ft

PM

ft

AM

ft

PM

ft

Rise

Set

12:24P

2.2

11:35

2.6

7:08

0.3

6:58

1.2

7:20

7:51

12:55

2.4

7:52

0.3

7:49

0.9

7:19

7:52

Mon

12:30

2.7

1:21

2.5

8:28

0.3

8:31

0.6

7:18

7:52

4

Tue

1:16

2.8

1:44

2.7

8:59

0.3

9:09

0.3

7:17

7:53

7:52

5

Wed

1:56

2.9

2:06

2.8

9:29

0.4

9:45

0.1

7:15

7:53

7:14

7:52

6

Thu

2:35

2.9

2:27

2.9

9:58

0.5

10:21

-0.1

7:14

7:54

-0.2

7:13

7:53

7

Fri

3:14

2.8

2:51

3.1

10:27

0.6

10:57

-0.2

7:13

7:54

9:35

-0.3

7:12

7:53

8

Sat

3:56

2.7

3:18

3.2

10:57

0.8

11:36

-0.3

7:12

7:55

1.0

10:19

-0.3

7:11

7:54

9

Sun

4:42

2.6

3:49

3.3

11:29

1.0

7:11

7:56

10:03

1.2

11:08

-0.3

7:09

7:54

10

Mon

5:33

2.4

4:26

3.3

12:20

-0.3

12:04

1.2

7:10

7:56

3.0

10:43

1.4

7:08

7:55

11

Tue

6:33

2.2

5:10

3.2

1:09

-0.3

12:44

1.4

7:09

7:57

5:11

2.9

12:07

-0.1

11:36A

1.5

7:07

7:55

12

Wed

7:46

2.1

6:07

3.1

2:08

-0.1

1:37

1.5

7:08

7:57

1.9

6:27

2.7

1:20

0.0

12:56

1.6

7:06

7:56

13

Thu

9:21

2.0

7:23

2.9

3:21

0.0

2:57

1.6

7:06

7:58

9:43

2.0

8:08

2.6

2:45

0.1

2:36

1.5

7:05

7:57

14

Fri

10:39

2.2

9:04

2.8

4:46

0.1

4:37

1.5

7:05

7:58

Sat

10:35

2.2

9:43

2.7

4:00

0.1

3:59

1.2

7:04

7:57

15

Sat

11:31

2.3

10:39

2.9

6:01

0.1

6:00

1.2

7:04

7:59

16

Sun

11:14

2.3

10:57

2.8

5:01

0.1

5:05

0.8

7:03

7:58

16

Sun

12:10P

2.5

11:53

3.0

7:02

0.1

7:06

0.8

7:03

8:00

17

Mon

11:47

2.5

11:58

2.9

5:51

0.2

6:01

0.4

7:02

7:58

17

Mon

12:43

2.7

7:52

0.2

8:02

0.4

7:02

8:00

18

Tue

12:17

2.7

6:34

0.3

6:50

0.0

7:01

7:59

18

Tue

12:54

3.1

1:13

2.9

8:35

0.3

8:51

0.0

7:01

8:01

19

Wed

12:51

2.9

12:45

2.9

7:11

0.5

7:34

-0.3

7:00

7:59

19

Wed

1:47

3.1

1:41

3.1

9:12

0.5

9:35

-0.3

7:00

8:01

20

Thu

1:39

2.8

1:13

3.0

7:44

0.7

8:16

-0.4

6:59

8:00

20

Thu

2:35

3.1

2:09

3.2

9:45

0.7

10:17

-0.4

6:59

8:02

21

Fri

2:24

2.7

1:42

3.1

8:16

0.9

8:57

-0.4

6:58

8:00

21

Fri

3:20

2.9

2:38

3.3

10:17

0.9

10:58

-0.4

6:58

8:03

22

Sat

3:08

2.5

2:11

3.1

8:47

1.1

9:36

-0.4

6:57

8:01

22

Sat

4:04

2.7

3:07

3.3

10:48

1.1

11:37

-0.4

6:57

8:03

23

Sun

3:53

2.4

2:43

3.0

9:19

1.2

10:16

-0.2

6:56

8:02

23

Sun

4:49

2.6

3:39

3.3

11:20

1.2

6:56

8:04

24

Mon

4:38

2.2

3:17

3.0

9:53

1.4

10:58

0.0

6:55

8:02

24

Mon

5:34

2.4

4:13

3.2

12:17

-0.2

11:54A

1.4

6:55

8:04

25

Tue

5:26

2.1

3:57

2.8

10:30

1.5

11:43

0.2

6:54

8:03

25

Tue

6:22

2.3

4:53

3.0

12:59

0.0

12:31

1.5

6:54

8:05

26

Wed

6:19

2.0

4:45

2.6

11:17

1.6

6:53

8:03

26

Wed

7:15

2.2

5:41

2.8

1:44

0.2

1:18

1.6

6:53

8:06

27

Thu

7:25

2.0

5:47

2.4

12:37

0.4

12:20

1.6

6:53

8:04

27

Thu

8:21

2.1

6:43

2.6

2:38

0.4

2:21

1.6

6:52

8:06

28

Fri

8:37

2.0

7:14

2.3

1:44

0.6

1:46

1.6

6:52

8:04

28

Fri

9:33

2.2

8:10

2.5

3:45

0.6

3:47

1.6

6:51

8:07

29

Sat

9:35

2.1

8:52

2.3

2:57

0.7

3:13

1.4

6:51

8:05

29

Sat

10:31

2.3

9:48

2.4

4:58

0.7

5:14

1.4

6:50

8:08

30

Sun

10:17

2.3

10:07

2.4

3:59

0.7

4:20

1.1

6:50

8:06

30

Sun

11:13

2.4

11:03

2.6

6:00

0.7

6:21

1.1

6:50

8:08

AM

ft

PM

ft

AM

ft

PM

ft

Rise

Set

Sat

11:28

2.1

10:39

2.4

5:07

0.3

4:57

1.2

7:19

7:49

1

2

Sun

11:59

2.2

11:34

2.5

5:51

0.3

5:48

0.9

7:18

7:50

2

Sun

3

Mon

12:25

2.4

6:27

0.3

6:30

0.6

7:17

7:50

3

4

Tue

12:20

2.6

12:48

2.5

6:58

0.3

7:08

0.3

7:16

7:51

5

Wed

1:00

2.7

1:10

2.6

7:28

0.4

7:44

0.1

7:15

6

Thu

1:39

2.7

1:31

2.7

7:57

0.5

8:20

-0.1

7

Fri

2:18

2.6

1:55

2.8

8:26

0.6

8:56

8

Sat

3:00

2.5

2:22

3.0

8:56

0.8

9

Sun

3:46

2.4

2:53

3.0

9:28

10

Mon

4:37

2.2

3:30

3.1

11

Tue

5:37

2.1

4:14

12

Wed

6:50

1.9

13

Thu

8:25

14

Fri

15

1

Moon

Sat

Moon

Photo courtesy of

Greene Marine Construction

A Li f Abo t v e the Res t

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

APRIL 2023

TAMPA 7

Y PRE-REG B H

APRIL 17RTICE MEMBER P

$

300

Old Salt 30th Anniversary

SPRING KING OF THE BEACH TOURNAMENT AND FESTIVAL April 27-29, 2023

H

ave you ever tournament fished? If you have, then you know what the “King of the Beach” is and if you haven’t and always wanted to, it is the best tournament in town.

This Spring, we are celebrating our 30th Anniversary! We cannot believe that we have been crowning Kings for so long. We are changing up some of the prizes, including last place (30th place) will win $5,000. We also will have some fun giveaways to truly celebrate a milestone year for us.

APRIL 27-28-29, 2023 MADEIRA BEACH, FL MORE THAN

1ST PLACE SINGLE ENGINE

$300K WINS A $18K

IN PRIZES

SUZUKI REPOWER PACKAGE

RICH TWT’S 3 LEVELS

6 DIVISIONS: OVERALL, SINGLE ENGINE, LADIES, TRAVELING ANGLER, YOUTH & SPANISH MACKEREL

There are three main reasons to fish the King • LEVEL PLAYING FIELD: The Old Salts have made the competition one of the fairest to all levels of fishermen. They implement a 30-mile boundary to ensure any size boat can compete. They also offer extra places to single engine vessels. There are also no intimidating check outs or shotgun starts.

30 MILE BOUNDARY - NO CHECKOUT

• OVER 60 PLACES TO WIN: The tournament has six divisions; Overall, Single Engine, Spanish Mackerel, Traveling Angler, Ladies and Youth. Each division has cash and/or prizes with approximately $250,000 up for grabs.

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT:

• LOW ENTRY FEES: You can enter the tournament for as little as $300, which is almost half the cost of most Kingfish tournaments. So, the risk is smaller and, at the same time, the rewards are bigger. First place overall team can win over $100,000, if you are all in!

OLDSALTFISHING.ORG

PROCEEDS BENEFIT OLD SALT FISHING FOUNDATION, PARC & OTHER LOCAL CHARITIES

8 TAMPA

APRIL 2023

The event is so much more than just fishing. It is a 3-day festival with all types of marine and art vendors and a food festival with local flavor. Friday night is Community Night with live music and more, boat displays and a kid’s fishing night off the sea wall. “Celebrating 30 years is such a huge milestone for an event like ours. We are honored to have the support of all of the fishing community,” says Old Salt President Tom Verdensky. The event will be held at the Madeira Beach Recreation Complex at 200 Rex Place, Madeira Beach. The Old Salt Fishing Foundation hosts this semi-annual event to benefit several local charities.

This Spring we will be presenting checks to P.A.R.C., Celma Mastry Ovarian Cancer Foundation, Pediatric Cancer Foundation and to Florida Strong fisherman. To find out more information or to register for the tournament, go to www.

OldSaltFishing.org, email amy@OldSaltFishing.org or call 727-216-6601.

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• Non-Ethanol Fuel • Diesel & Propane • Open 7 Days a Week • Wet & Dry Slip Dockage • Monthly and Daily Storage • Ice, Beer & Snacks • Fishing Charters

• Bulk Ice • Close to Shopping & Great Restaurants • Live and Frozen Bait • Marine Supplies • Public Pump Out • Fishing Tackle

503 150th Avenue, Madeira Beach, FL 33708 | 727-399-2631 Marina@madeirabeachfl.gov | Madeirabeachmarina.com

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

APRIL 2023

TAMPA 9

RIVERS TO BAY REPORT BY: CAPT. JOHN RIVERS

I

t’s officially Spring in the Tampa Bay Area. Snook are all over the place and are feeding well. Water temps are right where they should be, which puts the fish in a good mood. This means bent rods and screaming drags.

Live bait is the best choice but, if you like tossing artificials, no worries-- you’ll catch your fair share as well.

Here are a few lures that I like when targeting snook, redfish and trout.

Headon’s Spook is my go-to for top-water. For redfish and trout, I like tossing a 4-inch paddle tail. One of my favorite colors is white and clear with red metal flake.

Snook in Tampa Bay are live bait feeders, but you can still get them to eat artificials. I like a 1/8-ounce snake-lock jig head with a ZMan Paddlerz.

Schools of redfish are also showing up on the flats in a few areas. These fish are very boat shy, so be quiet and patient and you’ll hook a few. Once again, live or cut bait has been the best way to hook these skittish bronze beauties. Some of the redfish schools have been beat up by some fishermen, but that’s just how it goes with the number of boaters on the water these days; so, again, be patient and you’ll hook a few. They are mostly oversized fish, which means your drag is going to scream.

The sheepshead bite is still going strong in Tampa Bay. The rock piles, jetties and bridges have been producing some nice catches. Live shrimp, fiddler and mud crabs have been the baits of choice.

If you’re going to be in the Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg or Clearwater area, give me a ring. I trailer my boat to the best fishing spots, so we don’t have a long boat ride to the fish. With 15 years of guiding under my belt, you’ll be in good hands if you jump aboard my New 2360 Ranger and go on a fishing adventure with me.

Tight Lines.

— Captain John Rivers | www.r2bfishing.com captjohnrivers@gmail.com | 727-313-1781 10 TAMPA

APRIL 2023

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APRIL 2023

TAMPA 11

LET’S GOOOO! BY: CAPT. T J SHEA

I

’ll borrow a line from one of my crew to sum up the next few weeks here on the central Gulf coast, “Let’s Goooo!”. I don’t think Dallas Allen of Epic Diving Florida could have said it any better. No matter how you like to enjoy the sun and salt, our region has something to offer you this time of year. The sand bars, beaches and islands that have been mostly vacant for the last few months will start to see boats, rafts and umbrellas. Locals and tourists alike will start building that Vitamin D back the natural way--in hammocks and lounge chairs. Coming into the pass, the smell of burgers and dogs on grills will have all of us captains salivating after long days on the water. Ideal air temps morning, noon and night may confuse us into thinking we are living in San Diego instead of the Tampa Bay area for a while.

Offshore, the size of our boats won’t be the determining factor in how far we can run. For the most part, weather will be predictable and we won’t have to dedicate one of our Raymarine MFD’s to the Sirius weather app. With macks, tuna and bonita busting bait in every direction, the hardest part will be staying focused on making it to whatever original waypoint we have punched in. Yozuri poppers and small bucktails will be hard at work. If trolling is

your fancy, then now is your time. With big fish still close to shore, you don’t have to run far for a prize catch. For those that do head out to the deep, monsters will be waiting.

Fishermen won’t be the only ones enjoying these springtime conditions--scuba diving will also be in full swing. Visibility in the Gulf can be very temperamental and unpredictable, but this time of year is the exception. Calm seas and the lack of rain will bring water clarity to its peak. It won’t be uncommon to watch our divers from the surface as they hover just off the bottom, exploring the underwater world below. If you are a newer diver, an underwater photographer or just haven’t had the chance to check out the Gulf of Mexico yet, this is your time to come out and see just how beautiful it can be. With temperature swings throughout the year close to 40 degrees, we have a unique and hearty variety of marine life that is unmatched across the rest of the state.

So, whether you’d rather be fishing, diving or just relaxing on one of America’s top beaches, now’s the time. Call your buddies, and “Let’s goooo!”.

CHARTERS

— Capt. TJ Shea. Owner/Operator 2 Shea Fishing and Diving Charters.

TJ has been exploring above and below the Gulf of Mexico since he was 8 years old. Contact us at 813-385-2169 and at info@fishanddivetampa.com

CHARTERS Fishing, Diving and Spearfishing Charters in Clearwater, Florida Sunset Cruises and Holiday Light Cruises Full Service Dive Center 813-385-2169 | info@fishanddivetampa.com 198 Seminole St. Clearwater, FL. 33755

www.2sheacharters.com 12 TAMPA

APRIL 2023

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

6

6000 66th St. N • St. Petersburg, FL. 33709 (727) 546-8484 • AmericanDiscountMarine.com COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

APRIL 2023

TAMPA 13

Est. 1935

Suncoast Tarpon Roundup Welcome to the 89th

Suncoast Tarpon Roundup!

t

Join us in supporting the preservation of our fisheries as we celebrate our 89th year, kicking off in May 2023!

ruly a Florida classic of tradition to the most sought-after gamefish in the World! This is our 89th year, and we are excited to continue the longest running tarpon tournament in the world!

The Suncoast Tarpon Roundup Tournament Series is an all release tarpon fishing tournament, promoting sportsmanship, research and education, while bringing the community together to enjoy the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay’s premier game fish, the Megalops Atlanticus.

We are honored to have Task Force Dagger Foundation as our beneficiary. Task Force Dagger provides assistance to wounded, ill or injured US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) members and their families. We respond to urgent needs, conduct Rehabilitative Therapy Events (RTE) and provide the next generation health solutions for issues facing our service members. We are a rally point to combat traumatic brain injury (TBI), Post Traumatic Stress (PTS) and environmental exposures. “Our cohesive programs enable families to seize the moment and live life.”

THE TOURNAMENT SERIES: We are excited to have our Tarpon Tune-up Tournament to kick off tarpon season. This will be a free team event with the top three teams awarded entries into the tournament series. This will be a team event consisting of three individual tournaments awarding the top five teams for each event.

The top 15 teams qualify for finale day.

Entry Fee - $600 per Team for 3 Tournaments May 20th - Tune Up Tourney. Free entry.

Fish from 6:00am to 5:00pm.

June 3rd - First leg of the Full Moon Tarpon Tide Special. Extended hours from 6:00am to 8:00pm. You pick your favorite tide to fish.

June 17th - Second leg. Regular hours 6:00am to 5:00pm.

Also available to those who wish to fish it is the week-long Calcutta starting July 3rd at 6:00am and ending on July 7th at 5:00pm. Entry fee will be $100 per angler. Prizes to be announced.

The Suncoast Tarpon Roundup annual awards banquet will be held on August 26, 2023

SPECIALTY AWARDS:

- Tune-up Winner “Rick Wotring Award“ - First Tarpon released “Mark Travis Award” July 8th - Junior Division Day Fishing.

- Lady Angler with most releases “ML Baylees” $50 entry fee. Every junior angler gets a prize - Team with most releases “Jimmy Groves Award“ package at the banquet in addition to regular trophies for 1st through 3rd place. Age bracket - Veteran with most releases “Scott is 14 and under.

Sterling Award“ Finale Day Winner “Capt. Sonny July 15th - Finale Day. Top 15 boats. All must have at least one release to qualify. Regular hours Aylesworth Award“ 6:00am to 5:00pm.

- Week long Calcutta event 14 TAMPA

APRIL 2023

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

JUNE 3RD 1ST LEG

JUNE 17TH 2ND LEG

JULY 8TH JR. DIV.

JULY 15TH FINALE

2023

MAY 20TH TUNE-UP

50 BOAT LIMIT • $600 ENTRY

CAPTAIN’S MEETING MAY 18TH, 2023 @ 7PM

@

• INCLUDES MAY 20TH - JUNE 17TH EVENTS & THE TOP 15 TEAMS THAT QUALIFY FOR FINALE DAY - JULY 15 • SPECIALTY AWARDS MOST RELEASES • 1ST TARPON RELEASED TOP LADY ANGLER • TOP VETERAN & MORE

• WEEK LONG LEGACY TOUR $100 PER ANGLER - JULY 3RD - 7TH

• ALL PHOTO RELEASE TOURNAMENT

JUNIOR DIVISION

"ROUND UP" A KID

MAY 20TH TARPON TUNE-UP • FREE ENTRY CALL/TEXT DAVE TRAVIS 727.639.7203 • SUNCOASTTARPONROUNDUP.ORG Mullen’s

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APRIL 2023

TAMPA 15

5000 Calienta St., Hernando Beach, FL 352-610-9999 www.BluePelicanMarina.com

Financing Available

AUTHORIZED DEALER: our rder Y O l a i Spec s Now Sylvan 2023

Full-Service Marina and Marine Store

SOLD 2023 21’ Sylvann | Mirage L-1 LZ 115 Merc Pro XS Tri-toon/Extended deck $50,321

2023 25’ Sylvan | Mirage 8524 Resorter Yamaha 150 hp 4st LOADED!!!! $72,798

2023 Presenting Sponsor

Official Entry Form

BOAT ENTRY FEE: Includes 2 Tech Shirts, 2 Free Beer

Tickets, 2 free door prize tickets, & One Goodie Bucket per boat

Charitable Partner

____ $150/boat(Early-bird Entry) thru 03.30 _____ After March 30th, Regular Entry $165/boat

28th Annual CCBA Family Fishing Tournament April 29 & 30, 2023 MacRae’s of Homosassa (352-628-2602)

*Based on 150 paid boat entries

2023 23’ Sylvan | Mirage 8522 CRS Yamaha 150 hp 4st Loaded!!! $59,761

2023

1st

2nd

3rd

TROUT

$5,000

$1,500

$750

REDFISH

$4,000

$1,500

$750

REDFISH MOST SPOTS JACK CREVALLE

$500

$300

None

$150

$50

None

2023 Sponsors

____ Homosassa Slam Opt-In-$25 per boat (pays $500 cash)

Two tech shirts included (list sizes below included shirts also SXL Sizes are first come, first serve, be specific) ___S ___M ___L ___XL ___2XL ___3XL

I, the undersigned, have voluntarily agreed to participate as a captain on a vessel in the 2023 CCBA Annual Family Fishing Tournament. I hereby accept all risk to myself and all persons aboard my vessel, thereby re-leasing the Citrus County Building Alliance (CCBA) and MacRae’s of Homosassa, and any affiliated officers, directors, sponsors, employees, and volunteers from any liability, losses, or expenses, arising from any claims, including but not limited to; personal injury and/or death and damage or destruction of property, that may arise in connection with participation in this fishing tournament.

CAPTAIN: _________________________________________________ (please print)

SIGNATURE: ______________________________________________ ADDRESS: ________________________________________________ CITY: ____________________________________ ZIP: ____________ DATE: _____________ PHONE: (_____)________________________ Email: ____________________________________________________ Angler FULL Names (without Captain) Please print clearly

_________________________ ________________________

Boat Name__________________________________________ FL Vessel # ____________Emer. # ON BOAT ______________ Application w/ check: CCBA- 1196 S Lecanto Hwy, Lecanto FL 34461 Register on-line: www.CitrusBuilders.com CCBA Office: 352) 746-9028

16 TAMPA

APRIL 2023

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Springtime LARGEMOUTHS

By Danny Patrick

ON LAKE SANTA FE

I

get the springtime bass itch when the azaleas bloom. It’s the time of year when largemouth bass spawn on Lake Santa Fe. Bass spawn around the full moons of February and March on this 5,000-acre Alachua County reservoir. This year, I planned my annual Santa Fe trip for March 2-3, ahead of the March 7 full moon.

It was like entering another world that morning as my wife Kim and I motored onto the main lake. Mist rose through the lake’s ancient cypress trees. Wood ducks whistled and banked overhead. Ospreys squealed at us from nests high in the cypress, and loons serenaded us from open water.

Just being there made me feel so fortunate. I thought back to when I was 12 years old on my first Santa Fe trip with my dad and brother. We stayed at Griffins Lodge, which was a famous destination for speckled perch, bream and bass fishermen in the 1960s and 70s. They had small cottages for rent and a fish camp run by an old 16 FLORIDA

APRIL 2023

man named Roy Griffin.

Ol’ Roy taught me to fish Santa Fe. Over the years, he kept telling me to get away from the shoreline and to slow troll. I never really understood why until sonar showed me the grasscovered humps and ledges holding congregations of bait and gamefish.

On the lake, Kim and I slowed to trolling speed to get lines out. I fish 7-foot mediumaction rods with Ambassadeur 5500s loaded with 15-pound mono. The rig is simple, just a #2 wide-bend hook tied directly to the line. I hook wild-caught shiners through both lips from the bottom up.

We pull baits very slowly with a three-rod spread. Using level-wind reels, I let baits out 50 or 60 yards behind the boat. I leave the spool in cast mode and tighten the anti-backlash knob to provide enough tension to keep the baits from pulling line. You know you’ve got a bite when the line starts running out.

We only got two lines out before our first

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strike. When the middle rig started paying out line fast, I picked up the rod and pointed it at the fish. After 20 seconds, I engaged the reel, took up the slack and set the hook hard with a sweeping motion. I reeled fast to keep pressure on the fish and kept the rod tip low to discourage the bass from jumping.

The first fish was a fat 4-pound female that was full of eggs. Kim landed the second fish, a gorgeous 5-pounder. We caught several more in the 4-pound range before I landed a fat 8-pounder to finish an action-packed three-hour morning with eight total fish. We released them all safely after admiring the beautiful dark coloration characteristic of Santa Fe bass. I believe this is caused by the clear but tannin-stained water.

We experienced a great nature show, and I told Kim the bass we caught were like a bonus.

Oh, how I love Ol’ Santa Fe! Danny Patrick is co-publisher of the Northeast Florida edition of Coastal Angler Magazine.

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shore-based charter fishing group intended to catch the largest shark they could from Pensacola Beach, Fla. on Feb. 12. They did not, however, expect to crank in the estimated 13-foot great white that picked up their bait.

John McLean, of Big John Shark Fishing Adventures, runs shore-based charter trips for clients who want to catch the fish of lifetime. On this particular trip, his clients wanted to “go big, or go home,” so they used a huge yellowfin tuna head for bait and enlisted the help of local charter captain, Capt. David Miller, who paddled a small kayak 900 yards off the beach in rough surf to deploy the bait.

Normally, McLean uses a remote-controlled boat to deploy his baits, but these baits were too large for the RC boat to handle. They had a big fish on before Miller even made it back to shore.

“As soon as his kayak had hit the sand, we were hooked up to a massive shark,” said McLean in a YouTube video documenting the catch.

“I’ve never seen one that fast before,” he says in the video as line rips off the spool of an oversized big game reel.

All four of his clients took turns cranking the reel while everyone else gathered around to help secure the rod rack Mclean drives into the sand and uses to battle giant sharks. Even with heavy gear, the torque of the fight with heavy braided line loosened the reel from the reel seat.

“This shark was the strongest fish I had ever had on the line. It took all four of my clients switching in and out to land this shark,” McLean said.

“This is the only time I’ve ever seen my fishing gear pushed to the absolute limit.”

It took a little more than an hour to bring the giant shark into the surf, and as soon as McLean realized it was a great white, his attention turned to releasing it as quickly as possible. They used a tail rope to control the giant white shark, and with the leader removed from its mouth, pulled it into deeper water to revive it before it swam away on its own.

White sharks are federally protected. They must be released immediately when they are caught, so McLean did not take measurements. However, he has extensive experience with big sharks, and he estimated this one at about 13 feet. A 13-foot white shark can easily weigh more than 1,000 pounds.

Great whites are a rare catch in the Gulf of Mexico, and especially from shore. This was not McLean’s first monster white shark, though. In early March of 2021, also on a shore-based charter in Pensacola Beach, McLean’s clients caught and released an estimated 12-footer.

Check out Big John Shark Fishing Adventures at bigjohnsharkfishingadventures.com, and see the video at http://bit.ly/3LjTtyw.

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THE ULTIMATE MIXED BAG in the Salmon Capital of the World

By Capt. Lukas Brickweg

T

he wondrous world of summer fishing in Alaska draws anglers from around the world who flock to these rich waters annually.

Ketchikan, Alaska, nestled in the heart of the sprawling temperate rainforest known as Tongass National Forest boasts the title of “Salmon Capital of the World,” and for good reason.

But salmon are not all visitors can expect to catch in this world-renowned fishery. As an experienced captain who runs daily charters out of Ketchikan during the season, I still find myself surprised by the productivity of these waters.

Along with five species of salmon, we also land big halibut, giant lingcod, pacific cod and rockfish in our daily catch limits. The fishing is superb, and so is the wildlife watching. Hit the water with us, and I will gladly hand over the binoculars when marauding pods of orcas show up on the surface or when magnificent humpback whales breach.

We share these waters with eagles, sea lions and so much more. It makes a perfect fishing getaway for the entire family.

The awe-inspiring beauty that surrounds Ketchikan is something that must be witnessed to understand. From the rugged terrain of old growth forest in Tongass down to the vibrantly rich waters, each day surprises visitors with landscapes and

wildlife that make Ketchikan a bucket-list destination.

Who doesn’t dream of giant halibut or monstrous king salmon on these scenic waters?

Peak season runs from midJune through September, with the absolute best fishing during the months of July and August. This occurs when we have an overlapping run of king salmon, silver salmon and pink salmon. All the while, big halibut will have moved in from deep water to feed on the abundance of food present. For these reasons, one can expect to catch all species with potential record catches of halibut, salmon, lingcod and rockfish hitting the docks by day’s end.

Here’s what you might expect on a good fullday charter. We start out bottom fishing for halibut in 150 to 400 feet of water until we get a limit. Using deep-water jigging rods, you’ll be tasked with reeling in hard-fighting halibut from the depths.

Then we switch gears to trolling with electric downriggers, running four rods for all five species of wild Pacific salmon. Whether or not we hit our limit of salmon, we usually end the day jigging with light tackle for giant lingcod and pelagic rockfish to top off the day’s catch. Why settle for one species

when you can fish for them all?

A processing service will fillet, vacuum seal and box up your catch to be shipped home overnight or taken on your flight as a checked bag. Ketchikan is easily accessible with convenient commercial flights, just two-hours out of Seattle, and lodging accommodations are available for groups of all sizes.

Book your dream trip to Alaska with Capt. Lukas Brickweg, of Ketchikan’s Finest Fishing Charters, at www.ketchikanfishingtrips.com, call (907) 6174717 or email at ketchikanfishingtrips@gmail.com.

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APRIL 2023

NATIONAL 9

FEDS SLASH ALABAMA RED SNAPPER QUOTA

ADCNR PHOTO

This federally imposed catch limit is the latest point of contention in a two-decade-long power struggle between the Gulf states and the federal bureaucracy over management of one of the region’s most iconic and economically important fisheries. Recreational red snapper fishing brings millions of tourism dollars to the Gulf Coast each summer. In Alabama, officials say the quota cut will bring an early end to the season.

The cuts are the result of a complicated formula used by NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to assess red snapper stocks.

Federal regulators and environmental groups are pointing to 2022’s reduced red snapper landings as evidence of a depleted fishery. In 2020, recreational anglers off Alabama caught 1.1 million pounds of red snapper. In 2022, that figure dropped to less than 500,000 pounds.

AL.com reported that Sean Powers, a leading researcher in the 2020 Great American Red Snapper Count, said the limited landings in 2022 were caused by reduced angler effort because of high gas prices and poor weather.

“The number of days people went out was half and we caught half of the quota,” Powers told Al.com. “That’s straight forward. I don’t think it reflects on the health of the stock.”

It’s worth noting that the Great American Red Snapper Count is the study that showed there were more than three times as many red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico than the figures NMFS was previously using to set quotas. For years, fisheries managers and politicians from all the Gulf states have been speaking out against NOAA’s “flawed science,” and the Snapper Count seemed to prove their argument. Since the study, NOAA has come up with a new system it says melds the Snapper Count with federal and state surveys. There is plenty of skepticism over NOAA’s “calibration.”

“Red snapper fishing is a huge part of Alabama’s Gulf Coast economy, which is why I’ll continue pushing back against the Department of Commerce’s disastrous proposal to decrease limits for red snapper anglers based on inaccurate data,” said U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R/Ala.) to Al.com. rustration is again mounting over federal management of the red Alabama’s quota this year is 558,200 pounds, down from 1.1 million snapper fishery in the Gulf of Mexico. This time, the uproar is coming pounds in 2022. The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council meets from the Alabama coast, where NOAA (National Oceanic and in April, and there is a possibility Alabama’s quota could increase slightly.

Atmospheric Administration) slashed the state’s 2023 recreational quota by See www.al.com to read an excellent article on the issue by John Sharp. more than 50 percent.

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WALK THE DOG FOR SPRINGTIME BASS

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TYLER WOOLCOTT

he months of covering water with your favorite topwater are upon us, and what a wonderful time it is! In some parts of the country, bass are already done spawning. While in others, the move to the shallows has only just begun. No matter the circumstances of your fish, they are on the feed and will certainly bite your lure if the right situation presents itself.

Where I live in Florida, the bass have already finished with their spawn. They are roaming and chasing food to replenish themselves after a few hard weeks up in the shallows. One of my favorite ways to catch these fish is by covering water with a walk-the-dog style topwater. Not only is it just the coolest bite ever, but it is also a bait that can mimic a ton of different food options. This should be used to cover water at a fast pace. Once you locate groups of fish, slow down with something else.

Throw topwater around anything the treble hooks won’t get hung up on, and remember to stay near areas where fish just finished spawning.

In many other parts of the country, bass might currently be up in the shallows spawning. This is another awesome time to throw a walking topwater. Use it to find fish spawning, and then slow down and pick up a few more fish with a slower bait, if needed. The target options are endless. Grass flats, shallow banks, wood, points, anywhere bass might be spawning is the perfect place to throw a walking bait.

Up North, fish might be in the very early stages of prespawn or even still have ice over their heads. Whatever the case may be, fish will bite a walking bait when the time is right… or when the water is in a liquid form. I have been very successful, especially on smallmouths, throwing a spook-style bait around spawning flats and points for very aggressive fish that are preparing to spawn. Some of the greatest fishing memories

I have from those parts of the country are from the prespawn. Throw it over rocks or grass points where bass chase bait as they feed up ahead of the spawn. Walk it over open water or down the bank; they will bite it.

Topwater rod and reel setups can be fairly simple. I like a shorter rod, which makes it easier to walk the dog, with a moderate action, so you don’t rip the hooks out of the fish. The 13 Fishing 7’3” Medium Defy is an affordable rod with the perfect action. I pair this up with a 7:5:1 Concept A2 spooled with 40-pound Seaguar Smackdown braid for long casts and minimal stretch. The 13 Fishing Power Slide is an awesome topwater for these situations, and I always stick to natural baitfish colors. Grab one of these, get out on your favorite body of water and have some fun!

Tyler Woolcott is a professional tournament angler and guide.

Check out his website at www.tylerwoolcottfishing.com.

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YAMAHA 22 FT FSH LINE: FISH AND PLAY IN VERSATILE LUXURY

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amaha’s product line of 22 FT FSH boats has made quite the splash since hitting the water in August of 2022. Building upon the success of Yamaha’s versatile 21-foot center console line that it replaced, there are three separate 22-foot FSH® models that come with Yamaha’s best center console technology and features.

“Specifically, the new models are 9 inches longer, with gunwales 2 inches higher at the helm and 4 inches higher at the bow than the previous 21-foot line,” said Jon Sutter, Yamaha Boats Product Planning Manager. “And the gunwales are thinner too, which adds to the roominess when passing by the center console.”

This series begins with the value-minded 220 FSH Sport powered by twin 1L TR-1 HO (High Output) engines. Moving up the line is the featurerich 222 FSH Sport, and the premium 222 FSH Sport E being the pinnacle of the series.

Offering sleek lines, agile handling, and superb performance, the new Yamaha 220 and 222 Series center console boats are big, with twin Yamaha marine engines generating up to 360 horsepower. Both 222 FSH models feature added performance delivered by twin 1.8L HO motors. All three models come with a fabric or fiberglass-molded T-Top with four “rocket launcher” rod holders.

The new 22-foot platform continues Yamaha’s trend toward contemporary design with its deep cockpit and great freeboard, enabling a spacious interior and large bow and cockpit areas.

The center console is nicely finished with plenty of room for Yamaha’s Connext® 5-inch touchscreen that controls the boat’s entertainment and vital system functions, a glass windshield, stainless steel steering wheel, a locking glove box, and a 9-inch Simrad® marine electronics system. And for the first time on a Yamaha center console boat, all three models get a wirelesscharging phone mount.

There’s nothing better than hanging out at a favorite cove listening to a great summer playlist. Yamaha has you covered here with its a Hertz® premium sound system that comes standard on the 222 FSH Sport E. This marine sound system comes with a Hertz® head unit, four deck speakers, and two speakers in the color-matched hardtop.

All three 22’ FSH models come standard with mounts for optional swimup seats. At anchor, two removable seats can be attached to the stern. These seats sit just below the water’s surface, providing comfortable in-water seating facing the transom of the boat. And since the reboarding ladder is located between both seat positions, egress onto the swim platform is a breeze.

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Doing Your Homework

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By Capt. Michael Okruhlik

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at, sleep, fish, repeat. Although I would love to live this life, it is just not possible… yet. I recently saw a cartoon that listed things I like to do in my spare time. Go fishing, buy fishing tackle, research fishing and talk about fishing. This rang true to me since this sport consumes my thoughts as it does many of yours. Here are a few things that I do when I am not fishing that help me when I do have the opportunity to go. With the high winds of spring upon us, we all might have a little more dock time than water time.

I’m fascinated with weather. Not only do I look at the current conditions and forecast where I am, but I also look at it in areas where I travel to fish. This does a couple of things for me. First, it allows me to see possible great weather opportunities when I might be able to plan ahead and sneak away. It also keeps me from going on a day when the weather might be great, but the previous several days featured winds blowing strong from an unfavorable direction. For example, here on the Texas coast, southwest is a detrimental direction for high winds. It muddies most bays on our coast. The previous days’ wind velocity and direction are good to know and determine where I head when I launch the boat.

I spend a lot of time on the road, and I like listening to fishing podcasts.

Some of these give general information, and some are weekly reports covering current conditions and activity. These can be great to stay in tune with what is happening and to learn from new points of view on approaching certain situations. They might also cover new products I want to try.

Different social media platforms also keep you in tune. Find reputable anglers or guides in your area or an area you plan to go. Some frequently post how-to or what’s been working for them. They might also talk about how to approach a certain area. If you like to travel to new areas, which I do, knowing how to approach an area can be key. In my local waters, we might approach a spot one way, but if I go to another state they may do the opposite. Knowing the local game plan can save the day.

Last but not least, I look at satellite imagery very often. One tip is to change the view and the year the image was taken for areas you fish. These images can be dramatically different than the current images, and they might offer a much-improved view of bottom structure to point you to a spot you’ll want to try next time you are on the water.

The weather is warm, don’t forget to take a kid fishing!

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How To Rock a Walking Stick

An essential part of a gentleman’s wardrobe

I

n the 17th century, the walking stick overtook the sword as an essential part of a gentleman’s wardrobe. Though it was primarily used as a decorative accessory, it could also function as a weapon if necessary. For men of the era, these walking sticks were a statement piece, and a way to communicate their wealth and refinement.

18 carats

of enhanced turquoise inlay Today, walking sticks still represent status and prosperity –– a way to show off your deep pockets without being too flashy. In that vein, we present the Santa Fe Walking Stick. Made of eucalyptus wood painted a glossy black with an antiqued silverfinished sculpted handle, what gives this piece of finery a distinctive edge is an 18-carat turquoise inlay that’s been enhanced to bring out its best blues. Don’t be bashful about your affluence.

See why the Santa Fe Walking Stick is the embodiment of sophisticated elegance for the modern gentleman.

Sta

Imposs uer ible Startin Price g At ®

79

Specifications: • 18 carats of enhanced turquoise. Antiqued silver-finished and sculpted brass handle. Eucalyptus wood. Rubber tip • Supports up to 250 pounds Santa Fe Walking Stick 36" Santa Fe Walking Stick $159 $79* + S&P Save $80 40" Santa Fe Walking Stick $179 $89* + S&P Save $90 *Special price only for customers using the offer code.

1-800-333-2045

Your Insider Offer Code: FWS135-01

Don’t delay: Our must-have Santa Fe Walking Stick was one of our best-selling items this past year. Because of this, we can only offer 723 walking sticks at this price with this ad! See why Stauer is becoming one of America’s fastest-growing sellers of walking sticks today!

Praise for Stauer Walking Sticks



“I recommend it without reservation and commend Stauer for offering quality at a fair price.”

— Steven, Arlington, VA



“Dignified, well crafted and an extremely comfortable fit in your hand. Just MAGNIFICENT! Makes me feel years younger!”

— Chas, Placida, FL

Stauer, 14101 Southcross Drive W., Ste 155, Dept. FWS135-01, Burnsville, MN 55337 www.stauer.com

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AFFORD THE EXTRAORDINARY

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