Coastal Angler Magazine | January 2023 | Treasure Coast Edition

Secrets of a Billionaire Revealed

We’re going to let you in on a secret. Billionaires have billions because they know value is not increased by an in ated price. ey avoid big name markups, and aren’t swayed by ashy advertising. When you look on their wrist you’ll nd a classic timepiece, not a cry for attention–– because they know true value comes from keeping more money in their pocket. We agree with this thinking wholeheartedly. And, so do our two-and-a-half million clients. It’s time you got in on the secret too. e Jet-Setter Chronograph can go up against the best chronographs in the market, deliver more accuracy and style than the “luxury” brands, and all for far, far less. $1,150 is what the Jet-Setter Chronograph would cost you with nothing more than a di erent name on the face.

With over two million timepieces sold (and counting), we know a thing or two about creating watches people love. e Jet-Setter Chronograph gives you what you need to master time and keeps the super uous stu out of the equation. A classic in the looks department and a stainless steel power tool of construction, this is all the watch you need. And, then some. Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. Experience the Jet-Setter Chronograph for 30 days. If you’re not convinced you got excellence for less, send it back for a refund of the item price. Time is running out. Now that the secret’s out, we can’t guarantee this $29 chronograph will stick around long. Don’t overpay to be underwhelmed. Put a precision chronograph on your wrist for just $29 and laugh all the way to the bank. Call today!

SPACE COAST

By Nick Carter

CHASING BAITBALLS

Winter is the best time to sh,” said Capt. Chris Cameron, “the only problem is the weather.”

Capt. Cameron is owner/operator of Fired Up Fishing Charters out of Cocoa Beach, Fla. He said it was tough to nd good weather windows this November and early December, but that o shore shing is primed to re o like a Space Coast rocket whenever conditions stabilize.

Winter on Florida’s Atlantic Coast can be spectacular because of all the migratory species that push down to overwinter in milder temperatures. King sh, cobia, black n tuna, sail sh and others are all hunting the reefs about 18 miles o Port Canaveral. e key to the shery is menhaden.

“ is time of year, you get these huge baitballs,” said Capt. Cameron, “and there are all these sh following the bait around. You nd sh where you nd ‘bunka’ congregating on the reefs.”

Cameron is a transplant from Long Island, New York, and even a er more than two decades living and shing Florida’s east coast, he still refers to menhaden as “bunka,” which is Yankee dialect for bunker, which is what they call pogies up where boats are winterized this time of year.

“On good days, when you can get o shore and the water is clean, we might catch a limit of kings, a couple cobia, a couple black ns and hopefully a sail sh,” Cameron said. Even with 2022’s tightening of cobia regs, that’s a fun and delicious mixed bag to ll the freezer.

At places like Pelican Reef and 8A Reef, where depths range from 75 to 85 feet, Cameron nds the bait and then goes to work slow trolling live baits on double-hook stinger rigs and 20-pound line and tackle. He said he pulls baits at about 1 knot, which allows them to swim along naturally.

“ e thing with slow trolling is you never know what you’re going to get,” said Cameron. “It could be a big king, a sail sh, a cobia or a shark.”

Pitch rods are kept ready in case a cobia shows up on the surface. Cameron said he’s learned from experience not to over-stimulate cruising cobia by throwing multiple lines at once. Usually, clients can convince cobia to bite with a one-two punch. ey keep a squid-tipped bucktail ready for a quick cast. If that doesn’t draw a strike, it allows time to slap a live bait on the second rig, which is a simple 5/0 circle hook.

Shrimp boats are another option Cameron seeks out this time of year. Although chasing them can be a bit of a time gamble, since they are usually 25 miles o shore over 200 feet of water, they can be extremely productive.

“If you see a shrimp boat o in the distance or spot one on the radar, it’s almost always worth a shot,” Cameron said. “When they dump their bycatch in the morning, it pulls everything up.”

Fishing shrimp boats can be short-lived, but

it can also provide fast action for the same species that come o the reef. For this bite, Cameron beefs up to 6500 spinning gear and 50-pound braid and 50-pound mono leaders. He keeps four pitch rods ready, two with bucktails and two with live baits, because the bite can turn into sight shing

in a hurry. Meanwhile, he’ll search with freelined pogies on a knocker rig.

Contact Capt. Chris Cameron and Fired Up Fishing Charters through their website at redupcharters.com.

By CAM Sta

Winter’s cold fronts consolidate wahoo to their preferred temperature ranges across their range. is makes them easier to target than at any other time of year. e following is a short list of very good destinations for wintertime wahoo.

San Salvador, Bahamas: Way out in the Atlantic in the southern Bahamas, the waters o San Salvador hold one of the best wahoo sheries in the world. Peak wahoo season is December through April, when hordes of ’hoos migrate to the area’s warm waters. e island might just be the

best place on the planet for a shot at a triple-digit wahoo, and the right conditions can yield fast action for 50-pounders, as well.

Within a short 10-mile run o the island, a seamount rises to 180 feet from 4,000 feet of water. is hump is a well-known feature, where wahoo congregate to feed on schools of small tuna. e remoteness of San Salvador keeps shing pressure in check, but it also makes this one of those bucketlist trips you plan ahead for.

Galveston, Texas: O shore humps out of Galveston, Texas also lay claim to some of the best wahoo shing in the world, and every winter anglers connect with giants. is shery, however, is reserved for anglers with the gumption to make 100-mile overnight runs to features like East and West Flower Gardens to catch the morning bite.

Windows of good weather and big, fast boats are a requirement to reach the shing grounds at the edge of the Continental shelf, where wahoo pile up with bait sh on steep depth changes of rock structure.

Murrell’s Inlet, South Carolina: O the South Carolina coast, cooling water temperatures con ne wahoo to the warm water at the edge of the Gulf Stream. is makes them much easier to target than when they are spread out in summer.

Depth changes and structure at the edge of the Continental Shelf, combined with warm 70 to 80 degree waters of the Gulf Stream can be found 50 or 60 miles o the coast. ese structures hold bait sh in the temperature range where wahoo are comfortable. Covering lots of water with high-speed spreads trolls up the best wahoo of the year, every year.

Venice, Lousiana: It seems everything o shore of Louisiana is about the oil rigs, and in wintertime the oil rigs are all about wahoo. e key to nding wahoo on the rigs is nding the right temperature range, and the magic number is 60 degrees. Wahoo congregate and feed around the rigs where there is bait and water temperatures of at least 60 degrees.

One of the great things about Venice is there are deep-water rigs relatively close to shore at just 15 or 20 miles, which means it’s possible to nd a good weather window and go. e Louisiana coast also boasts some of the best catch rates for wahoo in the world, and 50- to 60-pound sh are the norm.

The very best hunting knives possess a perfect balance of form and function. They’re carefully constructed from fine materials, but also have that little something extra to connect the owner with nature.

If you’re on the hunt for a knife that combines impeccable craftsmanship with a sense of wonder, the $79 Huntsman Blade is the trophy you’re looking for.

The blade is full tang, meaning it doesn’t stop at the handle but extends to the length of the grip for the ultimate in strength. The blade is made from 420 surgical steel, famed for its sharpness and its resistance to corrosion.

The handle is made from genuine natural bone, and features decorative wood spacers and a hand-carved motif of two overlapping feathers— a reminder for you to respect and connect with the natural world.

This fusion of substance and style can garner a high price tag out in the marketplace. In fact, we found full tang, stainless steel blades with bone handles in excess of $2,000. Well, that won’t cut it around here. We have mastered the hunt for the best deal, and in turn pass the spoils on to our customers.

But we don’t stop there. While supplies last, we’ll include a pair of $99 8x21 power compact binoculars and a genuine leather sheath FREE when you purchase the Huntsman Blade.

Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. Feel the knife in your hands, wear it on your hip, inspect the impeccable craftsmanship. If you don’t feel like we cut you a fair deal, send it back within 30 days for a complete refund of the item price.

Limited Reserves. A deal like this won’t last long. We have only 1120 Huntsman Blades for this ad only. Don’t let this beauty slip through your fingers. Call today!

“This knife is beautiful!” — J., La Crescent, MN 

“The feel of this knife is unbelievable...this is an incredibly fine instrument.” — H., Arvada, CO

GO GROCERY SHOPPING IN JANUARY

With grouper season over, it’s time to switch gears and concentrate on other species. is is the time of year to size down and go for the snappers. Depending on water temps, it’s also a good idea to keep a light line out for any pelagics that swim by.

I love yellowtail and a mangrove snappers, but I really like jolt heads, trigger sh, pinkies, black seabass and hog snapper. I treat bottom shing like I’m going (organic) grocery shopping. First and foremost, I don’t shop on every aisle of the grocery store. I go down the aisles that contain the items I really want. e best groceries come from di erent places on the bottom and from di erent depths.

Farther north up the Atlantic coast there are a lot of beeliners (vermilion snapper) taking the place of yellowtails. In this mix will be trigger sh, which I absolutely love! Beeliners and trigger sh have one thing in common: the largest ones of the school stay higher in the water column. is is why I like to sh a level-wind reel versus a spinning reel with small circle hooks for this style of snapper shing. I start dropping one “strip” of the reel

at a time until I get down to the sh. A “strip” is the distance of raising the rod up with your thumb o the spool, and putting your thumb back on the spool. Simply let your thumb o the spool and let it fall in 10-foot “strips” while raising the rod tip upwards. Count the strips it takes to get down to the bites. Four strips will be approximately 40 feet deep. Note where you feel the rst bite. is will usually be the largest triggers and beeliners in the school. If you stop getting bites or you’re only catching smaller sh, let this same tackle go deeper or all the way to the bottom. is is where you’ll catch the jolt heads, black sea bass, mangroves and hogs.

I use a two-hook “chicken rig” made of 50-pound uoro with small circle hooks and a 3-ounce bank sinker. I bait it with small pieces of squid. A small 2- or 3-ounce jig works with the same tackle as the weight instead of a bank sinker. is is especially e ective on large triggers. Just replace the treble hooks or single

J hooks on the back of the jig with small circle hooks and tip with a small piece of squid.

I could go on and on about this style of shing. e limits are pretty good and the reward comes at the table. It is a good time of year to take youngsters out, because this style of shing produces lots of action, and it’s not heavy-duty grouper shing. Little ones love a trip to the “organic grocery store.”

See more from Tim Barefoot at www.barefootcatsandtackle.com and check out a video explaining this style of shing at https://bit.ly/3YcVzV1.

Tim Barefoot

Suzuki RePower Centers are stationed around the southeast to help with your Suzuki service and repower needs.

GIANTS CATCH HEADWATERS

Wprivileged to guide clients there. We have broken many personal bests, and I get goosebumps every morning I launch the boat because I know the quality of sh.

Headwaters Lake is a 10,000-acre manmade lake in Indian River County adjacent to the well-known Stick Marsh and Farm 13. Prior to ooding the land, the FWC and the St. Johns River Management District created habitat with numerous underwater structures, ooded timber, vegetation and 30-foot-deep pits. ere were already existing ponds and pits on the property that contained resident bass, and nearly a million Florida strain bass were stocked along with bluegill, redear sun sh and crappie. ere are thousands of acres of submerged vegetation, mostly hydrilla, along with acres of cattails, spatterdock pads and hyacinth mats that are super fun to sh.

In central Florida, January and February are primetime, when bass are in full prespawn mode and waves of females move up to the ats to spawn. Air and water temperatures drop considerably a er cold fronts. Severe cold fronts a ect the ckle Florida strain bass, but not for long. Usually two days post front, conditions warm up and sh eat well again. ese weather changes transition bass and bait sh from summer patterns into fall and winter staging areas. ey feed heavily on shad and other forage and stage near the spawning ats.

When full moons and 60-degree water temps coincide, bass move onto the ats. ey spawn in waves. Spawning sh select isolated hydrilla clumps, reeds and the bases of pad stems to fan out beds. Hard sand bottom is key. Use sonar to locate hard bottom or stick your rod tip into the water to feel the bottom. If your rod tip pushes into mud, keep moving until you nd sand and then search for isolated cover.

My other primary focus is staging areas. Staging sh eat well and are plump as they congregate to wait for prime conditions to move up and spawn. New sh constantly come and go using the same areas, so they are extremely productive this time of year.

Ditches and canals on Headwaters are highways that bass and bait sh utilize to stage. e intersections and mouths of these canals are high percentage areas to locate schools of sh. Find a canal with nearby ats as well as pits or deeper water for bass to retreat to, and you will nd sh. ey stage on tapering drop o s, mouths of intersections, deep ditches and on main-lake points to ambush bait. I target staging sh with 6- to 8-inch paddletails, glidebaits, Rat-L-Traps, jerkbaits, chatterbaits, prop baits, Whopper Ploppers, spinnerbaits, stick worms and speed worms.

Contact Capt. Ricky Congero through his website at www.blackcloud shing.com or call him at (407) 693-6153.

Where Experienced Techs are Rewarded and Those Who Want to Learn Have a Place to Start

Technical schools charge tens-of-thousands in tuition. With the Mastry Suzuki RePower TTP (Technician Training Program), you will work with and learn from factory certified technicians and participating in the Suzuki on-line training course all while earning an hourly wage. After completing the Suzuki on-line training course and earning your Suzuki Certification you will be eligible for the Mastry Suzuki RePower Tenured Technicians Bonus Program.

Tenured Certified Technicians Earn $1-GRAND-A-MONTH BONUS

Suzuki RePower Tenured Technicians

After joining a Mastry Suzuki RePower Center as a certified technician, every month you will accrue $1,000 in bonus opportunity. After one full year of service you will be tenured and eligible to receive all 12 months of accrued bonuses, or $12,000.

As a Mastry Suzuki RePower Tenured Technician along with your regular pay, each month you will be eligible for a $1,000 additional bonus.

At every Mastry Suzuki RePower Center, Certified Technicians are held in the highest regard. Join a passionate team of professionals with the common goal of excellence through constant improvement. With 12 locations across Florida there is a Mastry Suzuki RePower Center near you that wants to appreciate you and your abilities.

Mastry Engine Center

Clearwater, Florida 800-545-4574

Twin Screws Marine Fort Myers, Florida 239-330-3387

Innovation Marine Corp. Sarasota, Florida 941-355-7852

Marina One Deerfield Beach, Florida 954-421-2500

Bayfront Yacht Works Sarasota, Florida 941-349-9449

On Site Marine Ruskin, Florida 813-727-5403

Boat Services Group Key West, Florida 305-320-0555

McKenzie Marine St. Augustine, FL 32084 904-770-2488

Lou’s Marine, Inc. Gulf Breeze, Florida 850-932-0701

Atlantic Marine Store Hialeah, Florida 305-826-2202

Custom Marine Service Panama City, FL 850-872-9191

Oyster City Suzuki Apalachicola, Florida 850-653-8030

FLORIDA BANS HARVEST OF SHORTFIN MAKOS

The FWC banned recreational harvest of Atlantic short n mako sharks by setting the recreational bag limit at zero during its Nov. 30-Dec. 1 commission meeting. e previous bag limit for recreational anglers was one mako per angler per day, with a limit of two sharks per boat. In a press release, FWC indicated the rule would make regulations in Florida waters consistent with federal regulations and address over shing of short n makos in support of U.S. and international e orts to manage the species. Commercial harvest of short n mako is already prohibited in state and federal waters.

For more information, visit MyFWC.com.

Designate the Indian River Lagoon and Near Shore Reef System a National Park JANUARY UPDATE

The Holocene is over. That is 11,650 years of climatic ecological and geological stability that has been replaced by the Antropocene epoc. We have been in the age of man since the early 1950s, since human activity on the planet really accelerated. It’s now harder to predict how natural systems react to stress because so many tipping points are being reached so rapidly. Being certain has become nearly impossible. I don’t know for certain how to protect the place I love, but I sense that what we’re doing isn’t working.

XI have fallen in love with the place I live. It’s easy to understand why, I live at the beautiful St. Lucie Estuary on the Indian River Lagoon. Some say it’s no longer the most biodiverse estuary in North America, but what has replaced it? Loss of biological diversity is a global problem and likely one of the most serious issues humanity needs to face. The wealth of the Indian River Lagoon is its diversity, and the treasure of the Treasure Coast is the biodiversity of the Indian River Lagoon.

I recently spent a couple of days on a boat with some experts on the health of the habitat in the Indian River Lagoon. The focus of our conversations were on the plight of the manatee and the loss of seagrass, but as in most good discussions the topics meandered about but inevitably returned to water quality, pollution and

By Jim Moir, Executive Director

habitat health in the Indian River Lagoon. The upshot of these observations is that it’s probably not just one thing but a chronic stressing out of the natural balance that is overwhelming some of the keystone species in the Indian River Lagoon system. Our human infrastructure / support systems, agriculture, resource extraction, urbanization, transportation, drainage systems, waste management and chemical pollution, over the last 70 years have damaged the resiliency and diversity of the ecosystem and we may be seeing a regime shift from a seagrass dominate productivity base to an algal one. One of the clearer understandings is that what the state of Florida is doing to fix the system isn’t enough or clearly directed.

There are definitely some regulatory changes that could help and some technologies that might make some improvement and some land

use policy changes that would make the situation less dire. But I’ve come to conclude that nature does a better job of healing itself if it’s allowed to do so with less human pressure. I propose that the Indian River Lagoon become a Marine Protected Area. I think that the treasure of the Treasure Coast is the biodiversity hot spot that is the Indian River Lagoon System, the geographic circumstance of 10 ecotones interacting in one Lagoon is worth protecting. Biodiversity is not a chamber of commerce marketing slogan it’s key to the ecosystem’s resilience and our survival.

The de-Federalizing of water quality by the state has been a failure and growth pressures are pushing the Indian River Lagoon System to near collapse. An agency needs to step in in order to manage restoration recovery and regulation. I think it’s time to designate the Indian River Lagoon and the near shore reef system a national park.

If you are a business owner and would like to learn more about the benefits of supporting Indian Riverkeeper, email Exec. Director Jim Moir at keeper@theindianriverkeeper.org or call (772) 341-4953. Contact us, as well, if you are interested in volunteering at future events, which we will announce on our Facebook page, “Indian Riverkeeper.”

PHOTO CREDIT: Phillip Sunkel IV/Shutterstock.

Serving outdoors enthusiasts in Indian River, St. Lucie and Martin counties.

news updates

If you plan to boat or fish in the Atlantic Ocean this winter, be on the lookout for North Atlantic right whales that are calving in state and federal waters off Florida, Georgia and South Carolina from November through April. These endangered species are extremely hard to spot and collisions with vessels put passengers and crew at risk and could cause injury or death to right whales. With fewer than 350, right whales are one of the world’s most endangered large whale species.

Follow these boating safety tips during right whale season:

•Go slow, which can give you time to react.

•Post a lookout! Watch for black objects, whitewater and splashes.

• Avoid boating in the dark, when visibility is poor or in rough seas.

•Use the Whale Alert app to see if whales have been sighted in your area.

•Check for signage at your local boat ramp or marina as a reminder of what to look for and how to identify and report right whale sightings.

• If a whale is spotted, slow down, operate at a slow speed or put your engine in neutral if possible. Assess the scene and slowly leave the area while keeping watch. Never pursue

or follow a whale and keep at least 500 yards from the right whales (it’s the law).

•Report whale sightings and collisions immediately to the U.S. Coast Guard on marine VHF Ch. 16 or call 1-877-WHALE-HELP (9425343).

Learn more about what you can do to prevent right whale collisions at MyFWC.com/Research by clicking “Wildlife.”

At its Nov. 30-Dec. 1 Commission meeting, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) proposed a rule to require the possession of a descending device or venting tool that is rigged and ready for use on board a vessel when harvesting or attempting to harvest, including catch and release, reef fish in state waters.

This proposed rule is designed to increase the survival of released reef fish, a top priority management issue in the Gulf and South Atlantic. If approved, this rule would also require the use of a descending device or venting tool if releasing

a fish that is exhibiting signs of barotrauma prior to release. As reef fish are reeled up from depth, they can suffer pressure-related injuries known as barotrauma. These injuries include the stomach protruding out of the mouth, bulging eyes, bloated belly, distended intestines and inability to swim down independently. If not treated correctly, barotrauma can be lethal to reef fish.

Tools including descending devices or venting tools can help released fish recover from the effects of barotrauma. Descending devices are weighted devices capable of

PHOTO CREDIT: MyFWC.

releasing fish at a depth that is sufficient to recompress expanded gas and help fish recover from the effects of barotrauma. Venting tools are sharp, hollow instruments that allow expanded gas to escape from an over-expanded swim bladder.

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.

A final rule hearing for barotrauma mitigation tool requirements will be presented at a future Commission meeting.

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 (includes anglers over 65 years of age) 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.

FISHING CONDITIONS

What do the ratings mean?

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Capt. Gus Brugger

Capt. Rocky Carbia

Capt. Jonathan Earhart

Capt. Scott Fawcett

Capt. Scotty Gold

Ed Killer

Capt. Michael Mauri Jim Moir Brian Nelli

Jim Oppenborn

Capt. Bo Samuel

Capt. Nate Shellen

Capt. Adam White

Capt. Terry Wildey Steve Wood

SOURCE: The Old Farmers’ 2023 Almanac

Happy New Year Treasure Coast!

There’s still hope! Perfect for beachgoers and boat rides this December was extraordinarily calm and warm but with the water still in the mid-70s the fishing was good, but slower than normal.

The water is still cooling off and the body of fish I spoke about last month that was off South Carolina is still making its way down and getting closer by the day. It may be a new year, but the season is not over yet! With the January cold fronts, I expect to see some good fishing take place. There are some flying fish around, but I haven’t seen as much suspended bait as I would like to leading up to now so I think as far as fishing tactics go, focus more around temperature

breaks, color changes, and edges targeting fish as they migrate through, rather than targeting reefs, wrecks and other bottom structure which will definitely still hold fish but probably not big numbers like we have seen in years past as they’re not holding much bait yet.

With fish so scattered we’ve been mostly trolling. Our typical spread consists of four small ballyhoo on the flat lines and long riggers attached to our 15 pound class Blackfin Rods and one medium to large ballyhoo in the short rigger on a 30. A couple teasers, either two dredges or one dredge and one squid chain, always have a couple spare rods with baits clipped on and ready to roll. I like to troll between 4 and 6 1/2 knots depending on conditions and typically focus from 75 to 175 feet.

Make sure you bring plenty of bait this season. From 60 to 260 feet there is no shortage of little tunny this year, fortunately there’s a good number of blackfin tuna and some wahoo mixed in so it’s always a nice surprise when one of those pops up. We’ve also been seeing lots of

barracuda and some kingfish along the reefs so have some wire leader ready if you want to catch them.

The dolphin fishing is definitely slower than we would all like but we’re seeing some quality fish on a consistent basis and expect it to continue to get better as the water continues to cool; but no matter how you cut it it, it’s not what it used to

be. Fortunately between all the other pelagic‘s, a good snapper fishery and great inshore and beach action there’s enough variety off the Treasure Coast to keep you busy over the course of the day.

Now with a second bigger center console, Off The Chain Fishing Charters is able to target your specific species effectively, efficiently and comfortably. We are able to accommodate up to 12 people on our two Contender boats powered by brand new reliable Yamaha F 300s from Lindsay Marine at the best price in Florida. Using custom blackfin rods, Fin Nor, Daiwa and Shimano reels, incredible side imaging and down imaging sonars by Humminbird, Apex and Solix units, and even a SeaKeeperWe can offer you your best shot at checking that fish off your bucket list, hosting a successful family reunion or putting together that outstanding business get together.

Start the new year off right and give us a call to get in on the action. I hope your next fishing trip is Off the Chain!

PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Scott Fawcett.

Capt. Jonathan Earhart

Chaos Fishing Charters

(772) 341 – 2274 www.chaosfishigcharters.com jon@chaosfishigncharters.com

Fishing this month, we can expect to catch more pompano, sheepshead, black drum, flounder, and Spanish mackerel. T & A Wacky Pompano Jigs will work well for pompano along sandy bottom flats in and along the river close to local inlets. Drifting and casting will help cover ground and locate schools of pompano. Then anchoring and fishing pompano rigs with fish bites and or sand fleas will help capitalize bites on these schooling fish.

Expect a few bonefish, jacks, ladyfish, sheepshead, and redfish as bycatch this time of year.

Snook fishing will be okay at best

MARTIN COUNTY DEEP SEA

but if you put in the time and soak bait fish or work artificials close to structure along the bottom you can still produce good size fish this time of year. Colder water will have snook and tarpon a bit lethargic but if you can enter the strike zone chances are good you will get the bites this month.

Tripletail fishing can be excellent if you know where to look for them. Shrimp Walker Hooks by Palm Beach Tackle will work extremely well for this style of fishing. Just remember if you are using these Shrimp Walker hooks you cannot legally harvest most inshore game fish due to the multiple point hook harvest law in conjunction with live or dead bait via FWC laws.

Nearshore fishing has been steady along Peck Lake for Spanish mackerel. Drifting and casting shiny lures will get all the bites you desire. Snapper fishing has been excellent in the 30-foot range using chicken rigs or knocker rigs with small pieces of cut bait.

Bluefish have been bothersome

but they can be a blast to catch when the bite is slow for other species.

Sharks will be cruising the beaches this time of year and can be a blast to catch near the St. Lucie power plant discharges just offshore of Walton Rocks beach. Save a few bluefish for

shark bait, these oily fish make great shark bait this time of year. Spinner sharks are most common and are very acrobatic when hooked. Heavy wire leaders are suggested with a 7/09/0 BKK circle hook.

Tight lines!

The New Year’s silent promise will shine bright in the eyes of January’s offshore anglers, whose happiness will be gauged by a color spectrum of fish, that will magically appear on our doorstep. Like “sleight of hand”, the magic of fish color will be found around naturally occurring coral reefs and the dozens of artificial reef sites east of our St. Lucie Inlet. These bottom structures will become the focal point for offshore game plans and fishing strategies. Like the changes on the pages of the New Year`s calendar, the offshore playing field will display a new profile in the form of wintertime fish that will settle into these salty reef habitats. Schools of Spanish and king mackerel and lane snapper will congregate this month and populate seasonal, preferred reef areas. While most species of fish can be found over a wide area in our local zone, these fish seem to have a predilection to certain spots, like the offshore Peck Lake/ Kingfish Hole, the 140 King Numbers, and the Sand Pile (the Texas Reef), just to name a few.

Local knowledge of the preferred and proven fish haunts will be the primary component to any angler`s chance for success. Anglers can search out for GPS numbers for many of Stuart`s reef locations by logging on to www. martinreefs.com. This website will give one an expansive selection of all of Martin County`s offshore artificial reefs.

The seasonal conditions associated with the Florida winter, will likely be in place in January`s near coastal fishing zone. This month, the expected procession of cold fronts will have patterned the way these fish feed and move through the zone. Given the proper, user-friendly weather window, anglers will be able to ply honey holes in depths from 25

to 180 feet of water, where pelagic and resident fish will frequent, for

feeding and spawning. Live bait, at times, should be available in January; however, anglers should always bring a good selection of dead baits (like Spanish sardines, ballyhoo, and squid) in case live bait is not easily found on a particular fishing day. Spoons and jigs should always be part of good offshore tackle box, so don`t forget to bring a selection of artificial baits or lures, along with whole dead baits. A good selection of frozen baits and jigs will always compliment a live well full of ammo and give offshore angler’s endless options as they dial in their desired fish catching strategy. So, in January, watch the weather, find your fish-friendly window, and keep your offshore strategy options open. With pre-planning and a cooler full of bait, this will lead to happy fishing and a Happy New Year!

Samantha Schmiedl with a 15-pound tripletail caught and released on a Shrimp Walker Hook in conjunction with a large Snook Select Shrimp.

PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Jonathan Earhart.

Edible color in the form of many species of snapper will coat the Safari 1 filet tables of January.

PHOTO CREDIT: Safari 1.

appy New Year to everyone. As the holidays are behind us, so is grouper fishing until May. As we continue to see mangrove

winter presence are lane snappers, large triggerfish and varieties of porgies. These fish can be caught in 50 feet to 100 feet of water using a hook rig with a dropper loop on the bottom with a sinker. Fresh squid strips or cut bait from grunts work the best.

The Miss Fort Pierce will continue to sail daily at 7 a.m., weather permitting, throughout the winter. Unlike some of the other boats, we restrict our passenger count to 28 people, it’s by reservation only and you may choose your assigned seat. Come down and fish with us on the “Treasure Coast’s Queen of the Fleet.” To book your reservations, visit us at www.fortpiercefishing.com

PHOTO CREDIT: Miss Fort Pierce Fishing.

Capt. Bo Samuel

Pullin Drag Charters (772) 971-6661 facebook.com/Pullin-Drag-Charters catainbofishing@gmail.com

Hello, 2023! With a great new year beginning there will be great new fish to catch! January is a productive time to fish out of our beautiful Fort Pierce Inlet. The cooler waters are attractive to many fish and anglers can catch 10-to-15 different species on any given day. Although December was warmer than normal, January’s cold fronts and cooler water temperatures have the fishing heating up, so now is the time to make that New Year’s resolution a reality. Your trophy fish is just waiting to be caught! The snapper bite has been phenomenal and shows no signs of slowing down. Take advantage of the area reefs at 50-to-100 feet and target lanes, muttons, greys, and vermillion snapper for some serious bottom fishing action. Live bait such as pilchards and pinfish are the top choice for snapper but frozen bait will work, too. Be sure to use enough weight to hold bottom with a long enough leader so the bait is not close to the weight. Chumming can help bring them up off the bottom and

closer to the boat. Muttons will put up a strong fight, as long as 10 to 15 minutes depending on the size, so be prepared and enjoy the battle. Muttons also bite well at night, especially around a full moon. When anchored for bottom fishing, it’s always a good idea to put a flat line out behind the boat on the chance of hooking a kingfish or sail.

Spanish mackerel, and king mackerel are plentiful now and are terrific for smoking and making fish dip. Run along the beaches and look for mackerel jumping to find a hot mackerel spot. You can also count on some solid kingfishing with a slow troll over the closer reefs, especially when the wind is blowing just a little too much to go deep. Personally, I like to use a bigger spoon with a j-hook to target the bigger mackerel which overall gives better fillets than the smaller ones.

Sailfish can be hot this time of year and catching one always ensures a memorable fish story. Trolling live bait or naked ballyhoo around the reefs will give you the best chance at a hook-up. Watch for birds diving and working the water which is a sign of bait and big fish below. Once a sail is caught, keep working the area. Never leave fish to find fish. Sailfish can become tired after a long fight so take time reviving your fish before release to ensure survival.

For those days when the weather keeps you closer to shore, fish the

near-coast reefs and inlet for large sheepshead, triggerfish, and tripletail. Tripletail can be found by crab traps, buoys, channel markers, and weed lines using shrimp or crab as bait. When targeting sheepshead try the 15-to-30 foot reefs and use live shrimp or fiddler crabs with a quarter-ounce weight and fish first thing in the morning as the sun comes up. Catching these sheeps or tripletail

will guarantee some of the tastiest fish dinners you will ever put on the table. Keep an eye out for those good weather windows and then get fishing. Remember fishing rules and regulations can be found at your area tackle shops like a local favorite, Little Jim Bait & Tackle. Wishing everyone a safe, fun, and fishy 2023! Here’s hoping your New Year’s resolution is to keep Pullin Drag!

ST. LUCIE COUNTY INSHORE

St. Lucie Flats Fishing Charters (609) 820-6257 www.stlucieflatsfishing.com

Hard to believe that another year has arrived! Happy New Year! January should provide anglers with lots of exciting action this year. Fishing in deeper water will provide you with better results on most days. Working your lures and baits much slower will also give you a better chance at success. Fish tend to become lethargic in cold water and are slow in moving to strike at lures. Finding water that is a couple degrees warmer than the surrounding area can also give you an edge on finding fish. Water temperatures have been mild so far.

Pompano, sheepshead, drum and Spanish mackerel are all winter fish that arrive here as the water temps drop. It’s an awesome time of year! Fishing channel edges can find

these fish lurking for an easy meal. I like jigs in these places for our best results. Bridges and docks will also be great places to target drum, and sheepshead. Try a D.O.A. shrimp or live bait when fishing these areas. Spanish mackerel will generally come in with the tides and can be found

around the inlet areas. Small shiny lures work best on them. Snook will bite well in the deeper water throughout January as well. Live pinfish, pigfish, or croakers are great winter baits around the bridges and inlet while targeting snook. I like the warmer water of the incoming tide when targeting winter snook.

January is typically a windy month, and it will continue the tradition if recent weather gives you an insight to the coming month. You might enjoy

one or two days a week that is calmer but expect it to be windy most days. Using the right ramps can make your day a little easier in dealing with the weather. There are many ramps around the area that allow you to launch depending on wind direction. The river can be rough some days, but you can still fish most days if you plan your trips carefully. It is a great month to fish despite weather conditions that might not be to your liking.

Capt. Adam White

Nice pair of muttons from a bottom fishing trip.

PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Bo Samuel.

Capt. Gus Brugger Pattern Setter Charters (772) 360-6787 www.WelcomeToSebastian.com

Odds are that east central Florida will have had a cold front or two pass through in the latter half of December and by New Year’s Day the inshore fish will be in their winter patterns. Once water temps in the lagoon are consistently below 65 degrees anglers will need to adjust where and how they fish to keep their rods bent.

SEBASTIAN RIVER – The Sebastian River is a thermal sanctuary for a variety of fish species. Ladyfish, jacks, an occasional gator trout, redfish, snook, bluefish and even a few pompano seek out the deep warm waters of the north fork and lower river on the colder days. Casting jigs and plugs in the deeper waters can yield every cast action with the occasional surprise such as a big snook or a tasty pompano. On warm days, snook, reds and trout lay up in the shallows warming themselves and occasionally taking a properly presented bait or lure. If we have a warm winter, juvenile tarpon will be a viable option in the upper south fork.

INDIAN RIVER LAGOON – The lagoon offers some great options for trout and redfish during colder weather. Residential canals, protected shallow bays, and sunny shorelines are excellent areas to find both trout and reds soaking up the sun’s warmth and sucking up some sluggish baitfish and crustaceans. A good January cold

front should improve the clarity of the waters of the Indian River Lagoon and sight fishing will be a consistent option. A live shrimp is hard to beat this time of year but jigs, plugs and D.O.A. shrimp fished slowly close to the bottom will also produce.

SEBASTIAN INLET – Pompano fishing can peak out in January around the drop-offs and sandbars at the back of Sebastian Inlet where bouncing Goofy jigs is the ticket. A few nice flounder will remain around the inlet throughout the winter. Bluefish, jacks, black drum, sheepshead and Spanish mackerel will keep jetty anglers busy most days.

NEAR SHORE ATLANTIC –Pompano and whiting are the mainstay of surf fishermen along the Treasure Coast in the winter. Sand fleas, cut clams and dead shrimp on three hook dropper rigs are the baits of choice. Boaters looking along the beaches are apt to find blues, mackerel and some pompano on the calmer days. Goofy jigs, spoons, and bucktails worked from the beach or toward the beach from a boat are good ways to search for pompano and blues on calm days.

Tight lines!

Sunny mangrove shorelines are where to look for redfish during the winter months in the Sebastian area.

PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Gus Brugger.

J anuary brings the cold! It also brings some great opportunities for those that bundle up and charge out into the blue.

If your trolling, there’s a good chance to catch that wahoo this month. We usually find them trolling over the larger peaks in 240 feet and 260 feet. It’s a good time to do some high-speed trolling, 12- to 14-knots with artificial wahoo lures on 7 feet of #10 wire. I run 30 feet of 150-pound mono as a shock cord to a 32-ounce torpedo lead. I’ll run two rods. One off each corner back 150 feet and 200 feet on a 50-class rod and reel spooled with 80-pound braid. If you are unfamiliar with this technique you can always YouTube “high speed trolling for wahoo.” It’s deadly for this super charged predator. I’ve had a lot of 15 and 20 fish days using this technique.

Also expect there to be some nice size dolphin 15- to 25-pound class for those trolling ballyhoo. No schools of them but the ones we see are usually “gaffers.” The dolphin will also be around the peaks in 240 feet to 260 feet as well as wherever the blue water edges up to the green. I typically run my regular dolphin spread, but up my leaders to 80-pound mono. I’ll also run my downrigger about 40-feet to 60-feet with a bullet-headed lure and ballyhoo with number 8 or 9 wire for a wahoo. It’s important to use a hand sharpened double strength-hook. Wahoo have a very hard jawbone and quite often a single strength hook out of the box won’t penetrate. You’ll get a screaming pull then slack line and a straightened hook. A little tip, when that wahoo hits: don’t stop the boat!

January’s also a good time for bottom fishing 85 feet and 90 feet. Should be some good lanes snapper, mutton snapper and I’ve had some awesome mangrove catches.

For those who don’t venture far off, look for kings and Spanish mackerel anywhere from the tide line in front of the inlet to around bait pods and structure out to 60 feet. Keep your eyes sharp for the

cobia as well. We had some good catches in January last year. Best bet, be prepared. I always have one rod rigged with a cobia jig. Another ready to pitch a live bait. I

understand

“Fish On, Gotta Go!”

that not everyone leaves the dock like we do, with 32 rods rigged, but I do believe luck is when preparation meets opportunity.

Capt. Terry Wildey

Charters

PHOTO CREDIT: Big Easy Fishing Charters.

Curtis Strickland and family with a mixed catch of mangrove and lane snappers and a few mahi.

Brian@tckayakfishing.com www.tckayakfishing.com

INSHORE: Pompano, bluefish, jacks and Spanish mackerel become more of the focus in January. I like to target areas near the inlets like the mouth of the Loxahatchee River in Jupiter and Palm Beach Inlet area. The deeper channels and sand flats make them ideal locations for the fish to swim in and out with the tides. Try working the edges of these channels with Goofy jigs, small buck tails and D.O.A. shrimp. This time of year brings cold air and wind which in turn creates wet conditions on the kayak. Having a pair of Frogg Togg waders to keep you dry and warm in the chop.

OFFSHORE: January is considered one of the best months to target

sailfish. As always, winter months are very weather dependent. There are typically only a handful of days during this month that the weather will allow you to get in the ocean without dumping your kayak in the process. Choose your days wisely and be sure to have all safety equipment on board. Look to have a variety of baits; some big and some

small. Pilchards, goggle eyes and runners are at the top of the list. Keep them up on the surface and frisky and you should get a few bites.

FRESHWATER: Peacock bass and clown knifefish bites should be in full swing unless we get super cold weather. Look to target concrete structure for bites from both

species. Live shad or shiners will be at the top of the list for live bait but bring along a few rattle traps for the artificial bite.

Check us out at “Pushin’ Water Kayak Charters” on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube for all the latest adventures my clients and I get into.

See you on the water!

PHOTOS CREDIT: Brian Nelli.

The water level in Lake Okeechobee is very high, the present 16.43foot level is 16 to 24 inches higher than last year. The high-water period seems to have affected the timing of the late fall bass bite that normally occurs in mid to late October and continues throughout the fall and winter seasons. The large trophy-size bass did not show up in daily catches of local guides and other anglers until late November. As we approached the full moon in December the large bass made their presence known, when anglers caught bass to 9.8 pounds along with numerous other fish in the 7 to 8-pound class. Catch rates rose dramatically as the full moon

approached, with 40 to 60 bass per day being caught in addition to the trophy-size bass. Shiners are the bait of choice for the bass that have just moved into the shallow grass lines as they feed heavily on shad and shiner during this prespawn period. Several of the bass caught this past week were very fat and their bellies were swollen with roe, whether they went ahead and completed spawning is anyone’s guess. There are some striper hybrids being caught as well. These fish are excellent table fare, although somewhat difficult to hook due to the size of their mouth, which is very small in relation to a largemouth, making the large wild shiners we use to catch largemouth difficult for them to inhale quickly. Patience is key if you suspect that sunshine is attempting to eat your bait. They have a tricky way of grasping and then swimming toward the open water as they attempt to turn and swallow a shiner.

Speckled perch are being caught lake wide. Anglers who traditionally use minnow are primarily targeting specks in open water areas like the

Kissimmee River or canals such as Indian Prairie, Government Cut, or J&S Canal. Several anglers can be seen well out into the lake in open water, on a line between Taylor Creek and the mouth of the Kissimmee River. Anglers who prefer to jig with tiny artificial jigs are finding specks scattered in the grassy semi-heavy cover areas of the lake. Tin House Cove, Buckhead Ridge, and Kings Bar are good areas that are relatively near the ramp at Okeetantie Park and easily accessible. Jig color selections vary greatly, peanut butter is a popular color, as are the more frequently heard of chartreuse, white, pink, and other combinations of the aforementioned

colors. As with all fishing, confidence in your bait selection is essential; it enables one to be more efficient and exhibit patience if the fish are not responding. There are anglers who will change colors every five minutes if they are not getting responses from the fish while other fishermen stick to the tried-and-true colors and methods knowing that eventually, they will locate fish.

The Big “O” has always had a reputation as a great waterfowl lake. The past several years we have seen increases in the numbers of new hunters venturing deep into the marsh areas to shoot ducks. The north and west side of the lake, with its wide swath of marsh grasses, is a very popular area. Hunters are scattered all around the lake, from Grassy Island where they can launch very near Lock 7, all the way west to the Monkey Box and the Moore Haven marsh areas. Success stories vary, with experience and timing being a factor. Many of the ducks after being shot at several times can be found in the open lake areas mixed in with the thousands of coots and divers that are feeding heavily.

Brad Isaacs, from Orlando, caught this personal best giant last month weighing just over 8 pounds!

PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Nate Shellen.

It’s busy, it’s crazy and it’s cold (meaning below 80) …must be winter season in Florida. I’m not complaining because I know it’s better here than anywhere else for winter fishing! The winter hosts some great fly-fishing opportunities this time of year! The magic words are ‘Spanish Mackerel’ for a lot of folks. Easy to find, easy to catch even for beginners and a ton of fun on a light rod. Sure some days you have to put up with some strange personalities but hey there is enough water and fish out there no matter where we go.

Recommendations: Look for big schools splashing the surface or fish

drift after drift until you hit them. Stay away from other boats and find your own school since there are plenty!

Fishing Spanish mackerel is everything but science. Bring your 6-weight or 8-weight with your floating line (or even better an intermediate or fast sinking line), 6-foot-to-9-foot leader with 25-pound to 40-pound fluorocarbon tippet with a shorthand long 27-pound wire shook tippet. Use flies in white/chartreuse or any baitfish flies you have in size 1/0 -2/0. Strip them fast or if the current is strong enough just hold them in the current until you get the hit. Strip set and

enjoy the fight! Spanish mackerel put up a fun fight and since there is usually a lot of action it’s really great practice for how to fight fish fast and efficiently. Watch out for their teeth and eat them fresh, that’s pretty much all you need to know.

Have fun and a splendid 2023 with lots of fish!

Capt. Michael Mauri www.mauriflyfishing.com michael@mauriflyfishing.com (772) 485-3321

Michael Mauri

PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Michael Mauri.

Nate Portinga with a 24-inch speckled trout caught on an 8-inch live mullet.

PHOTO CREDIT: Christian Portinga.

April Parker caught this 34-inch snook at the Port St. Lucie spillway using NLBN on a Hurricane Redbone rod.

PHOTO CREDIT: Lorenzo Diaz.

Nancy Sandee with her first ever permit caught at Avalon State Park, Fort Pierce.

PHOTO CREDIT: Ron Bowman.

Alan George caught this big red snapper while trolling offshore with Sea Leveler Fishing Charters and using a frozen cigar minnow.

PHOTO SUPPLIED by Alan George.

Carter Anderson’s first bass caught at George LeStrange Preserve’s Lake Zobel using a plastic worm.

PHOTO CREDIT: David Anderson.

Chris Giuffrida and Micah Crady double up with a nice pair of wahoo’s while fishing with the Southern Fortune Fishing team.

PHOTO CREDIT: Southern Fortune Fishing.

THE ABACOS ACKLINS ANDROS BIMINI CAT ISLAND ELEUTHERA THE EXUMAS HARBOUR ISLAND LONG ISLAND SAN SALVADOR

By Emily Rose Hanzlik

Sailfish

IT’S SEASON

inSouthFlorida

their anal n. ese long skinny sh are built for speed and can reach max speeds of about 70 mph.

Atlantic sail sh participate in seasonal migrations along the coast of America. Some sh will stay where they are, but most move northward in spring and south during the winter. is is due to the bait schools following the cold cycles. As soon as it gets hotter up north, they migrate. Once winter sets in, they return to Florida. Sail sh spend most of their time in warm surface waters of the epipelagic zone of the ocean. ey make frequent nearshore forays and congregate where water temperatures are in the 70 to 80 degree range.

ey begin spawning in spring, and this can occur as early as May or all the way into the fall. Like many other pelagic sh, sail sh use a process called external fertilization, or broadcast spawning. Males release sperm and females release eggs into the water current. Each female can produce about 4.5 million eggs. Once the sail sh hatch at around an eighth of an inch, they grow rapidly to about 6 pounds within a month. eir growth slows once they reach about 4 feet in length.

Capt. Charlie Stuve put me on my rst sail sh. He runs Native Guide Fishing Charters out of Jupiter, Fla., and sail sh are a favorite winter target for his clients.

“I suggest live baiting,” said Capt. Charlie. “Goggle eyes are the most popular bait, but other baits work, as well. Kite shing is preferable with goggle eyes, but I also do well slow bump-trolling edges. Live thread n herring, Spanish sardines and pilchards are my favorites while dri ing on a color change.

Now that the cold has set in and will be here for a bit, we once again change focus on what we are catching. Most larger sh tend to slow down during winter months since it takes more energy out of them; however, this is not the case for sail sh. As long as you are brave enough to venture into the rough winter seas, you’ll be sure to get on the bite.

Sail sh are the sleek and slender member of the bill sh family. eir name comes from the extremely large dorsal n that extends over almost their entire back. ey also have long pelvic ns, which stretch almost to

“Depths can vary, so don’t use yesterdays information because conditions constantly change. Sometimes when the bite is slow, I like to bottom sh and y a kite downwind. at way you stay busy with the bottom action and when you least expect it you have a sail sh on your kite.”

e IGFA world record for Atlantic sail sh weighed 142 pounds, 6 ounces and was caught in Lobito Angola in 2014.

Emily Rose Hanzlik holds 56 IGFA world records in various categories. She hails from West Palm Beach, where she has a part time Bow n Guide Service as well as shing classes for Jr. Anglers. Find her on Social Media @emilyhanzlikoutdoors.

Photo courtesy of Capt. Charlie Stuve, @nativeguidejupiter

The FWC approved rules to help conserve Gulf striped bass in Wakulla County’s lower Ochlockonee River at the Nov. 30-Dec. 1 commission meeting.

FWC research has identi ed high rates of recreational harvest of brood sh (breeding sized) Gulf striped bass, and sta proposed rule language to change the harvest length limit. e bag limit of three sh per day for striped bass will remain in e ect. e proposed change to the length limit would change from 18 inches minimum size to no minimum size with only one sh allowed over 24 inches. Gulf striped bass populations are dependent on stock enhancement via hatchery production and protection of these larger-sized striped bass is necessary for the continued survival of the species.

“ is rule change is a positive step for Gulf striped bass, an important sport sh in Florida,” said FWC Commissioner Gary Lester. “We appreciate sta working with stakeholders on these ongoing conservation e orts for the future of this shery.”

Sta held public meetings with local anglers to discuss research and management options for this shery at Lake Talquin in May 2022 and an additional meeting in November to discuss the rule language. Anglers were supportive of using regulation changes as a management tool. Further stakeholder engagement will occur on this rule.

Email Christopher.Paxton@MyFWC.com with questions, or visit the striped bass pro le on MyFWC.com.

Let’s grow with Florida together.

Berkeley County, South Carolina

Berkeley County is a wonderland for outdoor enthusiasts, sports bu s, adventure seekers, and water lovers. From exemplary fishing for striped bass, or a trophy largemouth bass, to our hiking trails and water activities, along with scenic outdoors where you can catch a glimpse of white tail deer and gators, Berkeley County has activities to fit all visitors and families.

Learn more about Berkeley County at: exploreberkeleycounty.com

NEW HOOK DESIGN ALLOWS FISH TO RELEASE THEMSELVES

Researchers have designed and tested a new style of hook that takes catch-and-release to a whole new level. ese “bite-shortened” hooks are intended to allow sh to “release themselves” without being handled by the angler.

Dr. Holden Harris, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Florida’s Nature Coast Biological Station, was the mastermind behind the study. In his write up on Hook Line & Science, a North Carolina Sea Grant blog, he promoted the bene ts of e cient de-hooking and minimal handling of caught sh to considerably improve chances of survival for released sh. e hook he tested is a modi ed jig, which researchers clipped at the point, so that this “bite” portion of the hook—the business end— was reduced in length from 15 mm to 10 mm. e simple modi cation just clipped the barb and vertical length beyond the bend of the hook before it was re-sharpened. Harris tested it against a standard jighead as well as a jighead with the barb led down on 150 spotted seatrout. ey went shing with all three jigheads, reeled in the sh and then allowed the sh to op around boat-side until they either did or did not come unhooked.

“We found promising results for the bite-

HARRIS

shortened modi ed hook, which enabled anglers to land 91 percent of hooked spotted seatrout and then release 87 percent of those sh without direct handling,” Harris wrote. “In comparison, the self-release success rates were 47 percent using barbless hooks and 20 percent using standard, unmodi ed hooks.”

Additionally, Harris found that smaller seatrout were able to “self-release” at higher rates than larger ones.

Coastal Angler contributor and seatrout-on-

arti cials guru Michael Okruhlik has written on his use of barbless hooks when targeting pods of trout crashing bait. He said the ability to quickly and safely release sh without taking them out of the water allows him to get back in the action faster.

Maybe anglers would use a hook designed to let sh come unbuttoned?

For a video of this hook modi cation, see https://youtu.be/VC23oNikyc8

PHOTO BY DR. HOLDEN

Every year in Basel, Switzerland, the world’s best-known luxury watchmakers gather to display their new timepieces. It’s a great event for spotting timepieces that standout–– in performance and in personality. We saw one impossible to ignore: a precision dive watch with an arresting green dial. But we also saw the five-figure price tag and knew we could bring our customers that exact same precision and stand out appeal for a whole lot less. The Stauer Evergreen Diver is that timepiece.

Built like a submersible battleship with a stainless steel case, caseback, and band, the Evergreen Diver is water-resistant down to 660 feet or 20 atmospheres, a feat facilitated by a hardened crystal and screw-down crown.

Green On Your Wrist AND In Your Pocket. You could pay an awful lot elsewhere for this verdant virtuoso, but the majority of the cost is in the big designer name upcharge. We think those guys are all wet. This is how you own a top-of-the-line dive watch without helping pay for some marketing guy’s yacht.

Satisfaction Guaranteed or Your Money Back. Wear the Evergreen Diver for 30 days. If you’re not completely happy, send it back for

Amonster gold sh aptly named “Carrot” has been making the rounds on social media recently a er the sh was caught from a trophy carp lake in Champagne, France. UK angler Andy Hackett caught the nearly 70-pound bright orange sh from Bluewater Lakes, a heavily managed, privately owned pay-to-play shery that boasts of carp weighing heavier than 90 pounds.

Carrot seems to be somewhat of pet, but not the type you’d keep in a sh bowl. She is a crossbreed between leather carp and koi, and was stocked in the lake 15 years ago to give anglers an interesting sh to pursue.

“I always knew e Carrot was in there but never thought I would catch it,” said Hackett. It took him 25 minutes to reel in pot-bellied carp, which o cially weighed an astounding 67.4 pounds.

Carp caught at Bluewater Lakes are handled very carefully with a strict catch-and-release policy.

For more record sh, visit coastalanglermag.com.

TIPS FROM A PRO

THROW A LIPLESS CRANKBAIT FOR WINTER BASS

TYLER WOOLCOTT

Some cold but very fun shing days are ahead, and a Trapstyle bait is my absolute favorite way to sh this time of year. Typically sh group up in winter, and whether that be bait sh or bass, there are opportunities that make lipless crankbaits absolutely deadly!

rowing a lipless crank around areas where sh are chasing bait or where they are grouped up has caught lots of bass and some big ones. Even casting this bait as a search bait can work wonders. ere are so many options for lipless cranks that it can get confusing. I’ve experimented plenty, so I hope this article helps.

Traps range from ¼ oz. up to 1 oz. in weight, and every size can be used di erently. I pick sizes depending on the depth I’m shing or the depth of the structure, and I also consider the natural bait that is prevalent in the area. If you’re shing shallow or around tiny bait sh, a ¼-oz. size will be the best bet. A ½-oz. is usually my goto. It’s great for the mid-range depths of 5 to 10 feet, and it imitates a range of bait sh sizes.

A ¾-oz. is a bit bigger, and I don’t throw it as much, but it certainly has its place in 10 to 20-foot depths.

Remember, you can always vary your retrieve to get these baits higher or lower in the water column.

Color is another key factor. Ninety percent of the time, I sh a bait sh color. Whether it’s a shad, shiner or bluegill pattern, natural colors always work for me. I also throw orange or red a lot in winter. ese colors imitate craw sh, and they work where craw sh are prevalent. Match your bait color to the forage in the lake.

e last factor for lipless baits is sound related. ey come in silent, multi-rattle or single-knocker versions. I go silent for very clear water and heavily pressured sh, when appearing natural is important. e multi-rattle baits make a lot of noise, and the commotion draws strikes. My go-to, though, is the one-knocker style. is sound is unique and a little deeper pitched. I feel like sh, over the years, have become accustomed to the loud versions. I nd the single-knocker gets a few more bites in most situations.

With treble hooks, rod selection is important. You just reel into the sh when you get a bite, and this means your rod needs a solid backbone to drive those hooks and also a good amount of tip for keeping sh on during the ght. My go-to rod is a 13 Fishing Omen Black 7’4 Medium Heavy Moderate. e 13 Fishing Concept A 7:5:1 is a perfect reel for this application. I sh 15- to 20-lb. Seaguar Invizx line, depending on the structure I’m shing.

I hope these Trap tips help you put a few more sh in your boat this winter!

Tyler Woolcott is a professional tournament angler and guide. Check out his website at www.tylerwoolcott shing.com.

RECORD LONGFIN TUNA LANDED OFF NEW JERSEY

ANew Jersey angler eked out a new state record for albacore (long n) tuna in October when he boated a 78-pound, 2.4-ounce long n that bested the previous 1984 record by 3.4 ounces.

Matthew Florio, of Brick, N.J., is a commercial scalloper and he was shing with the rest of his scalloping crew aboard the Luna Sea at the east elbow of Hudson Canyon, the largest known underwater canyon o the east coast of the U.S. ey were at least 75 miles o shore and chunking for yellow n tuna, which is a technique that involves cutting up a bunch of butter sh and throwing them overboard before following up with hooked chunks of butter sh. e crew was already having a good day with yellow ns when Matthew hooked into his big albacore. He battled it in with a Kevin Bogan 30 Stand Up rod and a Penn 30 reel loaded with 60-pound mono lament. e sh measured 48 and 3/8 inches long and had a girth of 37 inches. e previous record was a 77-pound, 15-ounce long n caught in 1984 by Dr. S. Scannapiego in Spencer Canyon.

For more record sh, see coastalanglermag.com.

DO BIG LURES = BIG FISH?

By Capt. Michael Okruhlik

Now that Jack Frost has bay temperatures thoroughly chilled, only diehard lure chuckers will be found stalking the ats. Most of us have one thing in mind this time of year, catching a trophy trout. Here is how I approach my quest for that dirty 30-incher.

When water temperature stabilizes in the COLD range, all the migratory forage ees for warmer pastures. e bays are le with larger mullet as the primary food source for prized speckled trout. is is the time of year that I pull out my larger lures. is could be a longer length, a wider pro le, or both. is doesn’t have to be a 12-inch lure that is no fun to cast all day, but I do upsize from my typical 3- and 4-inch lures that I use most of the year. We have all seen a 25-inch trout with a 15-inch mullet in its belly, so they will eat something huge, but giant baits aren’t as fun to sh.

My con dence lures this time of the year are typically a 4-inch wide-pro le slow-sinking lure or a 5-inch bulky body paddletail. Since plastisol is buoyant, the bulky lure will have a slower sink rate, which I prefer under most conditions. e

slower sink allows for dual bene ts this time of year. Logically, the slower sink rate matches the slower mood of a cold sh. Also, I spend a lot of time targeting sh over shallow grass in knee-deep water. A slower sink rate keeps my lure in the strike zone longer before it disappears into the grass.

weedless hook. Depending on the conditions, I might go weightless or with a 1/16- or 1/8-ounce jighead. e weedless version keeps me out of the grass, it lessens the opportunity for my cold, less-dexterous hands to be impaled by a hook, and most of all, it does less damage to the trophy sh that I am targeting.

Areas I target will be near deeper water, have so er bottom, have visible forage, structure and hopefully be lowertra c areas. While planning trips, I take into consideration moon phase, current conditions and recent conditions when determining where to sh.

I have never caught a trophy trout by accident. I don’t know if that is lucky or unlucky, but every trout I have landed over 27 inches was on a day when I set out speci cally targeting larger sh. Case in point, if you want to catch trophy trout consistently, you must make the e ort to target them, sh where they live and be attentive to details. I know numerous anglers have caught large trout with no e ort, but most don’t catch two.

The Return of a

I t my 5-inch rattling paddletail with a

Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Knockin Tail Lures®, and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.

PHOTO COURTESY OF KNOCKIN TAIL LURES®.

SAVOR THE SEASONS in Upcountry South Carolina

Every season is the best season to explore the many treasures in the Upcountry.