Coastal Angler Magazine | June 2023 | Treasure Coast Edition

SMOOTH HANDLING

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Trophies Traditions !

or those of us afflicted with the fishing bug, nothing will deter us from returning to the ocean. We’re often planning our next trip before the current one is over. There is no difference between fishing daily, or being deprived for weeks, the fisherman’s mind will never stop nagging to get back out there.

Fishing stories and trophies are a great way to keep the inner fishing-monster soothed in between trips.

Photographs are an easy way to relive moments, and should not be overlooked. It doesn’t take much effort to get out a camera and capture the catch when it hits the deck while its colors are vibrant and the smile is fresh on the angler’s face. Friends don’t let friends take deadfish dock photos without at least a few taken out on the blue.

When it comes to fishing trophies, there is a whole lot more to be taken home than just some good photos.

The standard go-to trophies are wall mount replicas, which can easily be reproduced with some measurements and photos. This provides the opportunity to release the fish and also be able to take it home with you. Gray’s Taxidermy does excellent work with this type of customization, and outfits most charter companies with the

By Capt. Quinlyn Haddon

required paperwork to get you started on this process. Make sure to ask your captain about mounting your catch before you release the fish.

There are still people who work with the tried and true art of fish taxidermy, utilizing the fish itself, but these services are harder to find, and the product doesn’t last forever.

Gyotaku fish rubbings are another way to accredit the true size of a trophy fish. The fish itself is painted and printed on paper. This method does not allow you to release the fish, but if you work quickly, and utilize acrylics, the fillets may still be consumed. This is a fun method to try on your own, but there are artists you can hire for this as well. These trophies work out better when wall space at home is more limited.

Various parts of the fish can be taken and treated, such as bills, tails, skeletal systems and even eyeballs transformed into epoxy shot glasses. These trophies can have some of the best outcomes, but require some involved and stinky DIY processing. There are a variety of techniques for this, and endless creative potential.

Participating in fishing traditions is another great way to boost the excitement of a first catch, and add to the memory. Who knows how these got started, but it is our communal obligation to keep them alive.

I’m sure there are some I have missed, but here

are the ones I know of, and practice.

When you catch your first tuna, it is customary to eat the heart or, at very least, take a bite out of it. It’s not bad with a bit of lime and a chaser. Tastes a bit like what I would imagine tuna-jerky to taste like.

When you catch your first marlin, you earn a celebratory jump in the ocean. Usually, this is done back at the dock for safety reasons. This is the most refreshing dip you’ll ever take.

When you catch your first swordfish, your crew will hollow out the eyeball, as to make a cup out of it, and you then take a drink from it. I highly recommend being quick about this before extra slime leeches out into your drink. Don’t worry, it all tastes like victory.

However deep your commitment to your fishing affliction may be, the best trophy will always be memories of having a good time. Most importantly, don’t forget to enjoy being out there. Your local captains understand that it’s difficult to manage life between fishing trips, and we are here for you. Blue Magic Charters is available for your next fix, out of Marathon, Florida Keys.

Capt. Quinlyn, of Blue Magic Charters, is also a Gyotaku artist and a Gray’s Taxidermy agent. Contact her at (504) 920-6342 and follow her social accounts @CaptainQuinlyn.

Electric AN GREEN DRAKE HATCH

small green drake just as it was annihilated by a frisky brown trout.

I hurried to tie on a Colorado Green Drake and caught a brown on my first cast. My second cast was taken as soon as it hit the water—a nice rainbow. By then, drakes were all over the surface and the trout were feeding without hesitation. One trout went airborne, and I swear it was looking for the next green drake on its way back down.

It was dry-fly heaven fishing my 7.5-foot “Perfectionist” bamboo rod (made by “Preacher Jim” Beasley, of Crossville, Tenn.) and a green drake tied on 5X tippet. But over the ridge came ominous blue-tinged storm clouds. The pyrotechnics began immediately, with lightning pinging down all around me. Seeking safe haven, I dove into a shallow creek bed that emptied into the river. Elk, deer and bear tracks had beaten down the bed and formed foot-high banks. It was muddy but much safer. At first, it was too dangerous to even sit up, so I lay in the mud and watched the hatch, which was still in full swing.

In 25 years fly fishing, I’ve only experienced two bona fide green drake hatches. The second time I witnessed one of these hatches it was spectacular, the stuff of legends.

Green drakes are large mayflies that, under the right conditions, hatch in huge numbers and send trout into feeding frenzies. It happened for me one afternoon at about 8,750 feet of elevation on a Colorado river. The left bank hugged the base of a mountain ridge and the right bank opened onto a flat meadow of grasses and wildflowers. It was hot and windy—a tough day for fishing dry flies, but I’m a stubborn dry-fly bigot. I refused to nymph and hadn’t caught a single fish until the weather changed. Clouds floated over the ridge and the temperature and pressure dropped. A bright-white flash and instantaneous rumble sent me toward the truck, but on the way I spotted a

Eventually, the lightning lessened, and I was able fish. Once, two fish—a rainbow and a brown—came from opposite directions and arrived at my fly at the same time. A violent collision of noses ensued, and both fish quickly retreated. My drake was partially submerged after impact, but a different brown appeared, circled once, and daintily took the fly. He was not happy when I hooked him!

Once, I was surprised when my drake drifted almost back to me without a strike. Just as I was picking up the fly to cast again, an upstream brown came like a freight train. It took the fly on the uptake, went airborne and hit me in the chest. When you get nailed in the chest by a 16-inch brown, it’s gotta be a green drake hatch!

This short story (copyrighted by the author) and many other true-life fly fishing adventures can be found in Michael Fitzsimmons’ book “Adventures of a Dry-Fly Junkie,” available only on Amazon. Contact the author at dry_fly_junkie@hotmail.com.

By Michael Fitzsimmons

PHOTO BY GAIL HAMPSHIRE

PHOTO COURTESY OF MICHAEL FITZSIMMONS

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MITZI SKIFF: Affordable Performance on the Flats

boat. It really is a very nice boat, notwithstanding the price point.”

The Mitzi Skiff 17’ is a stripped-down and customizable version of the 17’ Tournament, which comes with the options Grubbs said most of his fishing customers were asking for. Both boats draft just 7 inches loaded, they pole easily, they pole straight, and they reach speeds into the 40s with a 60 hp engine.

While the 15’ is a one or two-man boat that’s at-home on the flats, the 17’ can fish three people and it’s got better range. The 17’s primary purpose is still as a flats boat, yet it also doubles admirably as bay boat.

“It’s not just a flats boats; it’s a little bit of an open water boat, too,” Grubbs said.

The 17’ features a modified V-hull with an 11-degree deadrise at transom. There’s no hull slap, and rolled gunnels knock down spray for an exceptionally dry ride. They are built for light weight to run shallow, yet they are solid and durable to stand up to long years of heavy use.

Going back to the mid-1990s, Mitzi Skiff has led the industry with no-nonsense flats boats for skinny-water anglers.

In the very beginning, Tom Mitzlaff’s intent was to design the boat he needed to fly fish the flats. He couldn’t find an affordable boat on the market with the shallow draft, clean layout and quiet maneuverability he needed, so he designed and built the original 15-foot Mitzi Skiff.

That boat revolutionized the marketplace. Mitzi Skiff became the brand for skinny-water anglers who value simplicity and functionality. A Mitzi does everything the pricier skiffs do, yet they are affordable enough for any angler to own

and operate.

About 30 years later, Mitzi has expanded to offer 15’, 16’ and 17’ skiffs that all perform the purposes of the original design exceptionally well. Continued innovation has made Mitzi a boat other builders imitate, and they still come at a significantly lower price point than the competition. The 17’ and the 17’ Tournament have become the brand’s hottest sellers.

“The 15’ took the micro-skiff market by storm,” said Brad Grubbs, who owns and manufactures Mitzi Skiffs in North Carolina. “Since then, the brand has sort of evolved toward the 17’, which works just fine as a multi-purpose

From hideaway pushpole holders to flushmount hardware, Mitzi has obviously put some thought into making decks clean and fishable for fly anglers. Large, clean and stable casting decks are something Mitzi has become known for.

“Keep it simple stupid, and if it ain’t broke don’t fix it,” Grubbs quipped. For nearly three decades, Mitzi has built skiffs for anglers more interested in fishing than in spending a lot of money. It’s a philosophy that works.

Mitzi Skiff boats are available exclusively through select dealers. For more on Mitzi Skiffs, go to www.mitziskiffs.com.

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BIG CHANGES COMING FOR SNOOK MANAGEMENT

In a move similar to recent management changes for red sh, e Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is looking at changing the way it manages snook. At its May meeting, FWC proposed creating new management regions for snook to allow better

control over localized di erences in the shery. e proposed rule changes would:

• Establish nine snook management regions.

• Match current Gulf or Atlantic coast regulations within new regions, except for Charlotte Harbor.

- Implement a two- sh vessel limit,

- Include September in the summer season closure.

“ is adaptive, holistic approach to sheries management is the key to conserving our sheries for future generations,” said FWC Chairman Rodney Barreto. “On behalf of the Commission, I want to encourage anglers and anyone interested in the future of snook in Florida to get involved and share your valuable feedback with FWC sta .”

Sta will continue gathering input on the proposed rules ahead of a planned nal rule hearing at the October Commission meeting. Submit public comment on snook regional management by visiting MyFWC.com/ SaltwaterComments.

In other news from the meeting:

• Proposed no- shing zones around three goliath grouper spawning aggregation sites was tabled with no action taken and no plans to resume discussion. e areas that were being considered for 700-foot no- shing zones around wrecks and reefs remain catch-and-release only.

• Management changes were approved for greater amberjack in Atlantic state waters. An April spawning season closure for recreational anglers will be established, the commercial size limit was reduced from 36 to 34 inches, and the import size limit was reduced from 36 to 34 inches statewide. ese changes will go into e ect at a later date.

For more information, go MyFWC.com.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CAPT. PATRICK SMITH, SWAMP

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FLORIDA STAR OFFERS MORE OPPORTUNITIES THAN EVER TO WIN

The 2023 CCA Florida STAR competition presented by Yamaha will o er more opportunities to win than ever before. is 100-day, summer-long competition begins Saturday of Memorial Day weekend and invites CCA members, non-members, anglers and non-anglers to take a shot at winning their share of prizes valued at more than $500,000 including boats, motors, electronics, tackle, scholarships and more. e winning begins even before the competition does with the early registration package providing a complimentary ra e ticket to win a Hewes Red sher, a 25 percent discount from TH Marine and free access to the Red sh Mastery course from Salt Strong.

But it’s not just about anglers winning but the shery too. Not only can participants become winners, they become citizen biologists and citizen garbologists by submitting photos of their catch or garbage collected during the competition in the STAR app. In order to win, participants must take their entry photo on the 2023 CCA FL STAR

O cial Measuring device which can be picked up for free a er May 20 in any West Marine store or one of the many other STAR distribution locations throughout Florida.

e competition has a division for everyone, from the non-angler to the experienced angler. It is comprised of 15 divisions targeting 12 inshore and o shore species plus the Costa Kick Plastic Trash Division presented by Papa’s Pilar, which encourages cleanup of trash from Florida’s coastal waters.

STAR’s signature Tagged Red sh Division o ers seven winners, ve adults and two youth, the choice of a Contender Boats 22 Sport, Path nder Boats 2200 TRS, and STAR would like to welcome back Carolina Ski o ering the 162 JLS. STAR has additional new Tagged Red sh sponsors with Dek Kat Boats o ering a 27 Flatz Kat and Sea Doo

and Can-Am o ering a fun package of a Sea Doo FishPro Trophy and the Can-Am Defender. Each boat will be powered by a Yamaha. Be the rst winning tagged red sh angler for your choice of all these packages as your prize.

Once again in 2023, an ALTA SUPER STAR tagged red sh is swimming Florida waters. If it is recaptured, the winner will receive $50,000 cash! For the rst two youth anglers who win in this division, prizes include a tiller boat powered with a Yamaha outboard, a trailer, a Minn Kota trolling motor and Humminbird electronics.

Each coastal county will have, on average, four tagged red sh for a total of over 160 prizewinning sh. e best opportunity to catch one of this year’s tagged red sh will be in Citrus and Charlotte Counties, STAR’s 2023 Destination Counties, which each have eight tagged red sh in their coastal waters.

For the o shore anglers, the Tigress Outriggers and Gear Tagged Dolphin Division o ers one winner a $10,000 cash prize. e rst STAR registrant and CCA Florida member who catches one of the tagged dolphin will win. Twenty dolphin (Mahi Mahi) will be tagged and released for STAR in the Lower Keys.

STAR is a family-friendly competition, and CCA Florida youth members (ages 6 to 17) can participate for free. Kids are encouraged to submit entries in the Youth Scholarship Division presented by Realtree Fishing for an opportunity to win one of twelve scholarships totaling $100,000. To date, the Florida STAR competition has awarded $800,000 in scholarships to youth from all over the state. Another great component of STAR for youth participants is they can earn 30 minutes of community service for every 5-gallon bucket of trash they pick up from Florida’s coastal waters and submit via the STAR app.

Other divisions include the Power Pole

Conservation Division, Bona de Kayak Division and Ladies Division as well as the Yamaha Guides, which allows guides to participate when they are not on a charter for hire. Since most division winners are determined by a random drawing, it is not about catching the biggest sh; any size sh can win. Remember, every sh you catch between Saturday, Memorial Day weekend and Monday, Labor Day, o ers the CCA member who is registered in STAR the opportunity to win their share of nearly $500,000 in prizes and scholarships. But you can’t win If you are not registered.

Not only is the STAR competition a wonderful way for participants to win amazing prizes, it is a tool to gather catch data, it creates awareness for conservation, our sponsors and CCA Florida. Launched in 2015, the competition has set the bar for other shing tournaments to follow by implementing conservation-friendly alternatives such a catch-photo-release format and a trash division.

Florida STAR focuses on conservation with its technology-based, CPR format and dedicated smartphone app which promotes the proper handling of species and allows participants who are members of CCA and registered in the competition to upload photos of their catch or trash buckets in the STAR competition and be rewarded for their e orts. is eliminates the requirement that some traditional tournaments have to harvest or capture and transport sh to win. CCA Florida also provides access to the data collected from the app to other conservation organizations and universities to help educate the public on the importance of protecting Florida’s marine resources and for use in their studies on conservation, habitat and stock assessments.

For more information and to register, visit http://cca orida.org/event/star/.

BACK TO THE BASICS

Ever since I started shing, the basics have stayed the same. If we all tell the truth, none of us started out catching gags and wahoo. It was probably more like bream, bass, cat sh and shad. Granted, we didn’t sh as many lures back then as we do now, but the basics are still the same. Back then, we shed a lot of the four or ve loop sherman’s knots for soaking baits. I no longer use these.

Now, I tell folks if you know how to make ve connections, you can go anywhere in freshwater or salt and sh for almost anything. ese ve connections are:

1) Loop knot

2) Snell

3) Uni knot (includes uni-to-uni knot)

4) Crimps(cable and uoro)

5) Double tackle loop

Granted, there are other helpful knots like the Piere knot, which is a good wind-on for connecting braid to Floro, but I’ll stick to my guns here and say these ve are the ones I use. ere are three of these I can tie in pitch black dark and have tremendous faith they’ll

never fail.

I can hear it now… “Yeah, you forgot this one and you need to know this one.” OK, but the title of the article is “getting back to basics,” and these ve work for everything I need to do. As soon as any of these

meat and potatoes of the freshwater, inshore and nearshore shing I do. I make connections from braided main lines to smaller uoro leader material with the uni-to-uni. e loop knot works best on most lures. e loop knot gives any lure the freedom it needs to swing or change directions freely.

e snell has a place for freshwater, inshore, nearshore and o shore. is is simply because I feel the snell is a requirement for all circle hooks, in my humble opinion.

e crimps make for ease of heavy-duty connections from uoro leaders to swivels and then to braided main lines. e crimps also make heavy-duty cable connection to stinger hooks and to arti cial lures.

ve starts failing on me, I’ll consider something else, but between now and then, these work for everything from bream to bill sh. e loop knot and uni knot make up the

I’ve got some videos on my website on how to tie and utilize these ve connections. Some of these videos have some age on them, and I have received some request to make new ones with better lighting, backgrounds, etc. I may very well update them in the near future. However, all these videos show the knots in pretty good closeup detail. Stay in touch with my you tube channel and website for these new videos.

See more from Tim Barefoot at Barefootcatsandtackle.com.

Tim Barefoot

TOP CAPTAINS TEAM UP WITH NFL STARS

The Sport shing Championship held its inaugural event, e Catch, in mid-April and it sprinkled teams of top local captains with well-known NFL players for o shore action out of Miami.

NFL players at the event included stars like Justin Herbert (QB, L.A. Chargers), A.J. Brown (WR, Phi. Eagles), Dalvin Cook (RB, Minn. Vikings), DeAndre Hopkins (WR, Ariz. Cardinals), Chris Jones (DE, K.C. Chiefs), Matthew Judon (OLB, N.E. Patriots), Patrick Surtain II (CB, Den. Broncos) and Quinnen Williams (DT, N.Y. Jets).

e football players were split into groups

By Astrid DeGruchy

to sh with renowned captains aboard powerful sport shers and be challenged in ways they may never have experienced before.

e event was broadcasted live from the Fontainebleau in Miami. Spectators were able to tune in and follow the hook-ups in real-time as NFL superstars got tight, reeling in species like black n tuna, sail sh, yellowtail snappers, bonitas, mahi and more.

rough the tournament, the players learned that catching these sh is no simple task, and that it requires a unique set of skills to hook and successfully reel them in. e experience gave

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them a newfound level of respect for anglers and, for many, sparked a newfound interest in shing. e competition was close, but Team Gypsea, led by Capt. Taylor Sanford and supported by fourtime Pro Bowlers Matthew Judon and Dalvin Cook, claimed the championship trophy. e grand prize winnings consisted of a $100,000 donation to the Coast Guard Foundation.

“It was fascinating to watch elite NFL athletes realize how much e ort it takes to reel in saltwater sh,” said Je Stillwell, president of Salt Life. “ eir willingness to learn about techniques and take a genuine interest in doing things correctly shows why they are top-tier athletes. Plus, there is nothing like seeing someone catch a sh for the rst time!”

SFC’s e Catch had various components, including a pro-am tournament with other NFL legends and athletes. e Awards dinner was incredible, featuring a breathtaking drone light show and a Havana-themed atmosphere.

For more, visit sport shingchampionship.com. Follow Astrid Degruchy’s shing adventures on Instagram @catching_astrid.

Dalvin Cook, Matt Judon and Team Gypsea with a black n caught aboard Rayne Check

(L-R) Patrick Surtain II, Quinnen Williams and angler Jaselyn Berthelot show o their catch.

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Inaugural Fort Pierce Kingfish Invitational Shatters Reels in Big Fish, Payouts

By Ed Killer for CAM

The secret has been out for years: If you want to see big kings in Florida waters, fish between Sebastian and Jupiter after the new moon in April. And if you don’t go big, well, you might as well go home.

The inaugural Fort Pierce Kingfish Invitational - a big money tournament tossed together by Mike Minia and Alex Burgess in about two months’ time - saw some whoppers caught and paid out over $344,000 to the event’s top 12 teams - what is believed to be a record payout for a recent kingfish tournament. Entry fee was $5,000 per boat and the event drew a field of 69 teams, an excellent number for a first-year event.

Scores were based on one fish per day and a two fish aggregate. Fort Pierce’s City Marina hosted the weigh-in.

Burgess, who helped organize the event, was part of the West Palm Beach-based top team in the event, along with Jonah Bennett, Jeremy Dooley, Dustin Ertle and Nadia Eljabaly. They’ll soon be fishing aboard a 41-foot Mercury-powered Onslow Bay. Burgess said the first day bite was nuts.

“We fished the area off the Loran Tower in Hobe Sound in about 70-75 feet of water and went through about 80 baits. We had a few nice ones, but the big one hit a blue runner fished on a kite,” Burgess said. The 10-15 mph southeast wind was ideal for kite

fishing, he said.

When they weighed their day one fish it went 50.04 pounds, good enough to stand second going into day two. But the pattern and action changed drastically.

Day two there were few bites and it took until about 12:30 for the big one of the day to bite. It weighed 45.05 pounds and was good enough to narrowly edge out Caught Slippin for a win with less than a half-pound of weight.

Caught Slippin’s Eric Neidorf was on a 37 Contender with triple Mercurys along with boat owner Cody Durham of Glenville, Ga., Wes Stephens, Carl Torreson and Ken Powers. Neidorf, who partners with Burgess in several fishing businesses and owns How Ya Reelin? tackle shop in Fort Lauderdale, was fishing

TOWING FROM

Sea Tow is happy to extend it’s service to include tows from Nothern Bahamas, Green Turtle, West End Marsh

PHOTO CREDIT: Leonard Bryant.

Pro Marine fishing team from Redington Shores caught this 64.52-pound kingfish off Sebastian to take big fish overall in the Inaugural Fort Pierce Kingfish Invitational in April.

1. 95.09 Digger Rich, Alex Burgess, $172,500

2. 94.60, Caught Slippin, Eric Neidor f, $69,000

3. 86,43, Pro Marine, Jim Naset, $20,000 FULL PURSE = $344,000

CONDITIONS

June

June

June

June

June

June 6

June

June

June

June

June 11 POOR Morning

June 12 POOR Morning

June 13 FAIR Morning

June 14 FAIR Morning

June 15 POOR Morning

June 16 POOR Morning

June 17 POOR Morning

June 18 GOOD Evening

June 19 GOOD Evening

June 20 POOR Evening

June 21 POOR Evening

June 22 POOR Evening

June 23 FAIR Evening

June 24 FAIR Evening

June 25 POOR Evening

June 26 POOR Morning

June 27 POOR Morning

June 28 GOOD Morning

June 29 GOOD Morning

June

What do the ratings mean?

FAIR

GOOD

water.

SOURCE: The Old Farmers’ 2023 Almanac

TrophyCatch Research: PROPER BASS HANDLING

In celebration of the 11th Season of TrophyCatch, we are sharing some of what we’ve learned from you, our participants, as well as research and data trends from the 10 completed seasons of catch data. We are calling this our “Season of Research,” and we are pleased to share the following article about proper bass handling.

We know you care about big bass, which means you also care about how you handle big bass. Especially in recent years, concerns have been voiced about how anglers handle bass during catch-and-release fishing. This prompted Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and University of Florida biologists to develop a research project to examine this important issue. The results showed that none of the three tested handling methods caused any permanent damage, and there were no differences among handling types on bass feeding or survival. However, there were differences in how long it took the bass to recover based on how they were held.

• Bass held with the full support of two hands recovered fastest when released, in less than 10 seconds on average.

• Bass held by the jaw with one hand in a tilted, fully horizontal position recovered within 12 seconds on average but required major jaw adjustments in many cases for the fish to return to normal behavior.

• Bass held vertically by the jaw with a grip device recovered slowest, within 33 seconds on average, but with NO major jaw adjustments.

TrophyCatch receives occasional comments about how anglers are pictured holding their catch. We recommend a two-handed horizontal hold because it provides the greatest support of a trophy bass and the fastest recovery. In TrophyCatch, the vertical hold is also acceptable, but we still recommend that an angler minimize the time that a bass is supported by only one hand. We do not recommend a horizontally tilted one-hand hold by the jaw. Tight lines!

~ The TrophyCatch Team

To learn more, the full article can be found at www.trophycatchflorida.com/ bass-handling.aspx.

TrophyCatch participant John Wolford demonstrates excellent fish handling technique.

FWC Approves Rule Changes to Atlantic Greater Amberjack

At its May meeting, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved a rule to modify recreational and commercial regulations for greater amberjack in Atlantic state waters. To provide additional conservation benefits and harvest opportunities to Florida’s anglers in Atlantic state waters, these modifications will:

•Reduce the commercial size limit from 36 to 34 inches fork length,

•Reduce the import size limit statewide from 36 inches to 34 inches fork length,

•Establish a recreational spawning season closure in April (consistent with the current federal commercial closure), and

•Remove outdated commercial language.

A recent stock assessment found the South Atlantic greater amberjack stock is not overfished or undergoing overfishing. Last year, the South

Atlantic Council approved changes for greater amberjack, including increasing quotas and modifying commercial and recreational management changes. Cooperative greater amberjack management between Atlantic state and federal

waters is necessary to provide additional harvest opportunities, conservation benefits, and help ensure the stock remains sustainable for the future.

The greater amberjack regulations in Atlantic state waters will go into effect at a later date once pending federal regulations have been implemented by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce.

For current recreational amberjack regulations, visit MyFWC.com/Marine and click on “Recreational Regulations”, then select “Reef Fish” and “Amberjack”. For current commercial amberjack regulations, visit MyFWC.com/ Marine and click on “Commercial Regulations”, then select “Jacks (Amberjacks)”.

CLOSURES

• SNOOK: June 1 – Aug. 31

Your

PHOTOS CREDIT: MyFWC.com.

Greater amberjack.

MARTIN COUNTY OFFSHORE

Capt. Scott Fawcett

Off the Chain Fishing Charters (772) 285-1055

offthechainfishing.com

fishscottyf@bellsouth.net

Early summer might be the best time of year to fish Stuart. Over the last few years, June has been a very productive month for many different species along Florida’s Treasure Coast. From inshore to offshore, swords, tuna, Bahamas, it’s all good in June.

Start by looking for snook, tarpon and jacks along the beach. Try a Blackfin Carbon E spinning rod with a good reel spooled with 20-pound braid and leader from 30-to-80 pounds depending on what you’re targeting and whether you’re using live bait with a circle hook, a lure or even a fly. Threadfin herring should be located right outside the inlet, along tide lines and small pieces of bottom rubble. Use them along

the beach, in the inlet or offshore. This time of year, bump trolling and kite fishing are very productive with them especially along weed lines, current edges and over reefs.

I strongly recommend a Fish Razr

strip teaser while doing this.

Sails, dolphin, kings, blackfin, and even wahoo are all very possible catches this month while fishing right out front just a few miles out. With a little extra fuel burn, swords,

yellowfin and blue marlin can be targeted this month and the next few.

We just had a new set of rods made by Blackfin. The Off The Chain sailfish circle hook rod is the perfect match for our local species and have a soft enough tip where it doesn’t encourage pulled hooks on sails or other fish that jump and shake, but strong enough backbone to lift a stubborn tuna. Ours are spooled with 15-pound line and we normally use a 40-to-50-pound leader with a 6/0 or 7/0 circle hook.

This June I’m expecting a pretty decent run of mahi to arrive on the front side of this sargassum island headed our way. After doing more research on it, I am a little concerned on what it could potentially do. Let’s cross our fingers that it is somewhat organized and moves up the coast quickly bringing bait and mahi with it without causing too much damage over the reefs or along the coastline.

With June offing so many different varieties of species to catch and how you can target them, it’s no doubt that there will be some great catches this month. Whichever species you choose to target, I hope your next trip is Off The Chain! Please give me a call at (772) 2851055 to book your next fishing adventure.

Jon Hamel and his friends with a nice catch of dolphin and releasing just as many on an afternoon half last month aboard Off The Chain

PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Scott Fawcett.

Capt. Jonathan Earhart

Chaos Fishing Charters

(772) 341 – 2274

www.chaosfishigcharters.com

jon@chaosfishigncharters.com

June is a great month for inshore and nearshore fishing on the Treasure Coast. Inshore snook fishing can be stellar around local inlets and passes. Fishing docks, seawalls, and deep-water mangrove shorelines will also yield plenty of bigger snook, jacks, trout, redfish, and flounder this month. Early morning and late evening fishing with artificial and or live baits will produce the best bites for inshore game fish.

Snook fishing around the St. Lucie inlet is always a great option this month as the snook start to gather

MARTIN COUNTY DEEP SEA

Capt. Rocky Carbia

Safari I Deep Sea Fishing

Pirates Cove Resort and Marina

4307 SE Bayview St. Port Salerno

Reservations: (772) 334-4411

Safari-1.com

The offshore interactive fish film festival will be cinematic poetry for the anglers of June. Salty script writers of fishing strategies will be inclined to angle towards the naturally occurring, coral reef line south of the St. Lucie Inlet in depth of 65 to 85 feet of water. This “Southern Reef Line” and “Loran Tower Ledge”, east of Hobe Sound and Tequesta, are home to a rich and diverse population of saltwater fish that inhabit all depths of the water column, over top and around these reefs. These structures are fish magnets that will attract many pelagics like cobia, king mackerel and mahi, just to name a few. Several species of grouper and snapper will reside among these coral ledges. Trophy mutton snapper (of 20-pounds or better) will patrol this southern reef line like saltwater bosses and fade off the main rises of the reef structure into a thin veil of visibility along the outer edges of the reef’s footprint. Jumbo cubera snapper (that can achieve weights over 100 pounds) will cruise the same reef contours, like toothy snapper assassins, capable of devouring large

around large deep water rock piles to spawn. Fishing larger baits closer to the bottom will get the bites from these larger breeding snook. Quick catch followed by a quick release is essential to ensuring good survival rates on breeding snook populations.

Tarpon fishing around deep water channels and near local inlets with mullet and or crabs will be your best bet early morning or late evening. Mid-day fishing can produce bites, but be prepared to soak a bait a few hours to get the bites.

Nearshore fishing along the beach is a great idea during the month of June. Flat calm seas and clear water make it ideal to run close to the beach looking for schools of jacks, tarpon, snook, and permit. Live crabs, pilchards, and or mullet will work best. Topwater plugs, Hogy lures, Tsunami swimbaits, and Flair Hawks are all great artificial lures to have tied on and ready for a quick opportunity when sight fishing along the beach.

Nearshore wrecks and reefs are

holding snapper, cobia, kingfish, goliath grouper, sharks, and the occasional sailfish. Drifting live baits along the surface and along the bottom can yield a variety of species. Bottom fishing with chicken rigs on cut bait will produce snapper limits

with lots of grunts mixed in. Triple hook rigs with a live sardine throat hooked is also a great way to catch a few large kingfish for the smoker when fishing nearshore reefs and or wrecks. Tight lines!

live and dead bait offerings. Catch and release of Jurassic sized goliath grouper (between 200 and 400 pounds) occur frequently during any bottom fishing excursion in this reef area. Consequently, heavy tackle and sports-minded, fit anglers will be necessary to wrangle these salty beasts to the surface.

Fishing around the southern reef line offers many fishing opportunities and strategy options for local fishing crews. Along with the potential to tie into large representatives of many bottom dwelling fish in this zone, captains and crews will be able to target keeper and medium sized bottom fish using lighter tackle and chicken rigs. Mangrove, lane, and vermilion snapper, trigger fish, porgies, and toro fish (aka glass eyed snapper), are all found in large numbers here and can be caught

using this technique. They will satisfy the fishing appetites of a wide range of anglers, young and old alike.

The fishing theater of June will be filled with a diverse cast of fish

actors, that will await the applause of their audience as they hit fish box ice, along the naturally occurring contour of the southern reef line, east of Martin County.

For Reservations Call (772) 334-4411

Located at Pirates Cove Resort and Marina 4307 SE Bayview St. Port Salerno/Stuart, FL www.Safari-1.com

TRIP TIMES

Monday-Saturday 8:30AM-1:30PM

Adults $70; Children $60

Sunday 8:30AM-3:00PM

Adults $80; Children $70

Ray Carr with a large, beautiful beach jack crevalle caught on a large topwater plug.

PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Jonathan Earhart.

Safari 1 fish flavor the month of June will be snapper!

PHOTOS CREDIT: Safari 1.

This beautiful jumbo mutton snapper found its way to the Safari 1 platform via Bill Payne.

COASTAL ANGLER TREASURE COAST

JUNE

FORECASTS FISHING

ST. LUCIE COUNTY OFFSHORE

Capt. Bo Samuel

Pullin Drag Charters

(772) 971-6661

facebook.com/Pullin-Drag-Charters catainbofishing@gmail.com

Summer fishing is here! June brings significantly better weather with plentiful fish and bait making it one of my favorite months to gather those salty groceries. Good weather equals more time on the water, but winds can still kick up occasionally and afternoon thunderstorms are routine here on the Treasure Coast. Early morning trips and night fishing are “cool” options to make the most of our summertime fishing opportunities.

Bottom fishing continues to be a great strategy especially for the “meat hunters” out there. Area reef zones have been on fire with many species of snapper and grouper being reported. Monster muttons are being caught on the reef around 70-90 feet of water using live threadfin herrings or frozen sardines. These big muttons are true saltwater trophies for anglers of all ages.

Grouper live at various levels of the water column so most times you can be successful in just about any depth. Two key factors are fishing around and over structure like ledges, outcroppings, and artificial reefs and using the right bait. I prefer live croakers, pilchards, pinfish, or grunts. If

I can find schools of bait outside the inlet then I’m good to go but if not, I call Dave’s Live Bait. Dave is a great local who operates in the Fort Pierce Inlet and/or Stan Blum boat ramp and his bait are always healthy and lively. You can call him at (772) 519-2104 to place an order...tell him Pullin Drag sent you!

Schools of mahi will be found offshore anywhere from 70-150 feet of water. While mahi are always here, their numbers increase in the summer. I expect to see big dolphin caught this month, along with some prize wahoo and sails. Slow trolling around weed lines, floating debris, schools of bait fish, and under feeding birds will give a superior chance of reeling in some nice fish. These fish will chew just about anything they see from live bait to cut bait to lures. I find that pilchards and threadfins produce some great action on mahi, kings, sails, and blackfins.

Keep an eye out while trolling for sailfish free-jumping to find a school in the area. Nothing beats the excitement of a sailfish capture for any angler on board but remember to safely release from the side of the boat as recommended. Sailfish tire easily and should be revived after a long fight.

The first week of June is National Fishing and Boating Week so jump on board and see for yourself why we live in a fishing paradise. If you visit my home base of Little Jim Bait & Tackle, we can plan your custom charter trip for fishing, family, friends, and fun! I hope you make fishing a part of your summer because dinner’s in the bag when you fish with Pullin Drag!

Matt Samuel with a recent 11-pound mutton caught with Capt. Bo.

ST. LUCIE COUNTY INSHORE

Capt. Adam White

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

www.stlucieflatsfishing.com

Summerhas arrived on the Treasure Coast. Expect hot days ahead! It is a time to get out early or late in the day and avoid the afternoon heat. Winds will be calmer and water temperatures will be in the mid-80s to the 90s most days. June is always one of my favorite months to enjoy fishing in the area.

Look for snook in deeper water like bridges, inlets and sea walls. Live bait or Z-Man swim baits are great ways to fish for snook. Don’t forget that the season is closed, so

ST. LUCIE COUNTY DEEP SEA

Capt. Scotty Gold

Miss Fort Pierce Fishing (772) 766-0191

fortpiercefishing.com

AsJune is upon us, so is prime time for mutton and mangrove snappers. They are eating fiercely to get ready to spawn. They will be found from 30-to-120 feet of water. They will be caught anchored or drifting long leaders 15-to-25 feet of 30-to-50-pound mono line on a 5/0 or 6/0 hook baited with fresh cut plugs or strips.

June is a good month for groupers in 60-to-180 feet of water. Use plenty of weight to get to the bottom. Fish around structure or wrecks. Live bait

handle the fish carefully and get them released quickly. Night fishing will also be one of the best times to snook fish. I have found once you get away from the bridges small profile baits like a Thumper Shrimp or 2.75 D.O.A. work well in dock lights. Look for tarpon along the beaches, inlets and channels. Live and cut bait or D.O.A. TerrorEyz are some of the popular choices for tarpon.

The bait schools should be plentiful in the 30-to-40-foot depths just outside the inlet. Working a Yo-Zuri hydro pencil around those schools is a great way to get into some hard fighting bonito. They are not considered great table fare, but they are one heck of a fighter on light tackle. King mackerel will also hang around those bait pods and can provide a morning full of fun. Slow trolling a live bait on #5 wire is a great way to target kings when we are in the mode to smoke some fish.

will work the best.

We will await notification if there will be a red snapper season in federal waters.

The Miss Fort Pierce will

continue to sail daily and nightly for snapper. Check our website www.fortpiercefishing.com for our schedule and to make reservations. We are also available for private charters.

Good fishing, we look forward to meeting you on board.

PHOTOS CREDIT: Miss Fort Pierce Fishing.

PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Adam White.

John with a surprise redfish that ate a live croaker while snook fishing.

SEBASTIAN INSHORE

Capt. Gus Brugger

Pattern Setter Charters

(772) 360-6787

www.WelcomeToSebastian.com

Hopefullythe windy conditions that limited anglers’ efforts to fish Sebastian Inlet and the ocean this spring will give way to calm stable conditions in early summer. If that occurs, the opportunities for small boat anglers will be expanded to include the near shore Atlantic. Small boat anglers who take advantage of calm days to venture outside the inlet can pursue species that are normally out of their reach, including; king mackerel, bonito, cobia, large migratory tarpon and giant jack crevalle. From the ocean to the backcountry, mornings in June will generally provide great weather conditions to pursue whatever you want to.

NEAR SHORE ATLANTIC – Be sure to have some 6-to-10-inch mullet in

your livewell and some Sabiki rigs in your tackle box when you head outside Sebastian Inlet. Having live bait to slow troll or pitch at large migrating tarpon, smoker kingfish, jack crevalle, cobia, dolphin, and even sailfish is highly recommended when fishing the nearshore waters. Concentrating your efforts around schools of bait, areas of bottom structure, or cruising or feeding schools of fish you encounter will increase your chances of putting a fish weighing in the double or even triple digits on the end of your line.

SEBASTIAN RIVER – The top of the list in the Sebastian River in early summer is tarpon. There are tarpon throughout the Sebastian River, but the larger fish seem to frequent the entire north fork and the lower south fork after the first of June. MirrOllure suspending plugs, D.O.A. TerrorEyz jigs, YoZuri 3D minnows and flies are all good artificials for both snook and tarpon. Live mullet are the best live bait.

SEBASTIAN INLET – Due to the fact that the jetties of Sebastian Inlet have become home to numerous large goliath grouper. I feel that it

is prudent that I discourage anglers from overdoing the catch and release snook fishing this summer. Between the goliaths and the bull sharks, not many of the undersized

and oversized snook let go by fishermen around the north jetty this spring survived to fight another day according to my sources. Try targeting snook west of the A1A bridge where they have a better chance of not being devoured before they make it back to the bottom. Big redfish should be available at the inlet and can be caught on live bait and artificials day and night.

INDIAN RIVER LAGOON –Early morning will provide the best shot at shallow water trout and reds. With open water grass beds still near non-existent, try to find where the bait fish are and there should be some predators nearby. Top-water plugs are a great way to find scattered fish on the flats in the early morning. After the sun is up, a D.O.A. jerkbait or suspending plug may draw more strikes. Snook of all sizes will be laid up tight to docks and mangroves getting out of the sun during the day, pitch a D.O.A. shrimp into the cover on stout tackle and hold on. Tarpon can also be found in the lagoon in June, look for smaller tarpon in the backwaters and larger ones in some of the deeper open water areas.

PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Gus Brugger.

Smoker kings shadow schools of baitfish just off Sebastian’s beaches starting in June.

Capt.

Big

June is finally here, my favorite month of the year for fishing. The good weather gets us more days offshore, combined with more consistent water quality. Warm clean water equals more consistent fishing. Remember though, when the water gets warm and clear, fish get picky.

Last year we only saw a mild thermocline, but we did have a couple of days fishing the beach reefs, although it passed quickly. Other than that, we should have some good kingfish on the 80-to-90 foot reefs, bigger fish will be hitting live bait. Strip baits trolled behind a seawitch and 3 1/2 drone spoon works well also.

For those trolling offshore there should be some schooly dolphin some even into the 80- and 90-foot reefs. They’re always a nice addition to the box. When you’re anchored up and a school swims up, this is when it’s good to have a couple light spinners ready with a #4 or #5 Mustad short shank with a 30-pound fluorocarbon leader. Have some chopped up pieces of squid ready to throw to keep their interest as well as to stick on the hook to capitalize on the opportunity.

Light fluorocarbon leaders and live bait will produce more bites. Fortunately, live bait should be more readily present both inside and outside the inlet. We’ll see good catches of mutton snapper, mangrove snapper and kingfish.

Bottom fishing should be good on the reefs in 80-to-90-foot range. Clear water is going to require light leaders and live bait to entice a bite there as well. As always, the evergrowing shark problem will be something to deal with. If there’s any upside to the abundance of sharks, it’s that they’ve had cobia traveling with them. There’s a thin line between fishing heavy enough line to horse the fish in before the sharks eat them yet light enough to get the fish to bite. I’m hoping some group, individual or fishing club will put together a shark tournament. One tournament of 100 boats would start putting the uneven balance back where it should be. Meat from the shark could be donated to local food banks. Believe me, people that are saying this is a sign of a heathy eco system do not see what’s really happening out there.

As always support your local tackle shops, be courteous to your fellow anglers, one day you might need their help, be nice to your law enforcement including our FWC. They’re just doing their job.

KAYAK FISHING FORECAST

Brian Nelli

Pushin’ Water Kayak Charters (772) 201-5899

Brian@tckayakfishing.com

www.tckayakfishing.com

INSHORE: Snook should be on the mind if you are looking for some good catch and release action this month. In and around Jupiter, Palm Beach and St. Lucie inlets are great places to fish in the kayak. There are multiple launch locations and the inlets are large enough to be safe. Try fishing live pilchards or mullet on the bottom and top. Fishing the spillways when they are open around heavy rains can produce a bunch of snook. June is the beginning of the rainy season and these fish attraction devices should not be over looked. A D.O.A. TerrorEyz is a favorite, but don’t forget to bring a colorful oneto-two once buck tail to throw in the wash.

OFFSHORE: Fishing offshore in June means calm seas and hot sun. Blackfin tuna will become more consistent on the jig. Use 100 gram Catch Fishing vertical jigs in pink and silver to pull up these fish in 200-300 foot of water. Trolling 20ft Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnows are also a great way to pick off a few. The sun will start to heat up the water quick this time of year. Getting out at the crack of daylight is your best bet to get on the bite. Live goggle

eyes and blue runners are always the go to bait for sailfish, mahi, kingfish, wahoo and tuna.

Check us out Pushin’ Water Kayak Charters on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube for all the latest adventures my clients and I get into. See you on the water!

PHOTOS CREDIT: Brian Nelli.

Local angler with a nice kingfish.

Kevin with a nice sail.

Ian with his first blackfin tuna.

FROM THE SHORE

Chris Beachwalker Sharp

(772) 320 8611

beachwalkerfish@gmail.com

June is all about fishing the beach for tarpon and snook. The snook move out to the beaches and make it easy to catch right from shore. But where to go and what to use? Inlets that meet beaches are the number one place to go to start. Snook will stack up at the mouth of inlets and will move with the tide. So, any moving water will hold fish. Remember snook fishing is closed so catch and release only.

What to use? First look at what bait is in the water. If small baits, throw a five-inch paddle tail in black clear or silver flakes. Bigger mullet. I use the Yo-Zuri crystal minnow and have caught many snook on black and silver, but if you like to throw soft rubber baits, then throw big ones.

My choice of beaches are ones that have structure--Walton Rocks Beach, Bathtub Beach, Hobe Sound Beach and House of Refuge stretch of beaches. Go early, before first light or later in the evening beat the heat and you will get numbers and big ones too.

Tarpon fishing has been hot since March. But where to go during summer? First choice is going to be spillways. They love to eat and feed and roll there all day and they’re easy to see —some are small and some are big. Now to get them to eat that is hard but with a little effort you can get them to eat.

First look at the water. Greenies, shrimp, mullet? Try live or use artificial but sometimes you have to get creative. The trick I use is to get a popping cork, tie on about 4 feet of 50 pound leader and tie on a white 5 inch paddle tail or grub, throw it out and let it drift in front of them until they pop and let them take it. Being patient, you’re going to catch more. Along the beaches, look for the at first light then nighttime being best.

Until next time, tight lines everyone!

Head to Deep Six for all your spearfishing needs!

Denton Potter caught this snook on a live mullet.

PHOTO CREDIT: Chris Sharp.

As the summer heat settles in, June brings exciting fishing opportunities on Lake Okeechobee. Anglers can expect favorable conditions and a wide range of species to target. Here’s a comprehensive fishing report for the month of June, including lake levels and recommended lure types.

At the moment, Lake Okeechobee is experiencing stable water levels, hovering around 12 to 14 feet. This consistent level provides ample fishing areas and allows for productive angling throughout the lake. However, it’s important to note that water levels can fluctuate due to rainfall or management decisions, so staying updated is advised. June

is an excellent time to experiment with various lure types to entice different fish species. For largemouth bass, topwater lures such as poppers, buzzbaits, and frogs are highly effective, especially during the early morning and late evening hours. Soft plastic worms, creature baits, and swimbaits also produce great results when fished around vegetation and structure.

For crappie, jigs and live minnows are popular choices. Look for submerged hydrilla, Kissimmee grass,

and use light tackle to target these tasty panfish. Additionally, artificial crappie jigs in vibrant colors like chartreuse or white can be effective in attracting bites. Other species like bluegill and catfish can be targeted using live bait such as worms, crickets, or shiners. Fishing with a bobber or using a bottom rig with a weight is a common technique for these species. June temperatures can soar, so it’s crucial to stay hydrated, wear sunscreen, and take precautions to beat the heat. Early mornings and

late evenings often provide the best fishing conditions, as the fish tend to be more active during these cooler periods. Remember to follow all local fishing regulations and practice catch-and-release whenever possible to preserve the fishery for future generations.

With the promising lake levels and a diverse range of lure options, anglers visiting Lake Okeechobee in June are in for an exciting fishing adventure.

Good luck and tight lines!

Andrew Bates from Utah caught this 10lb. 15oz. giant on a live wild shiner with Capt. Nate Shellen of OkeechobeeBassFishing.com.

PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Nate Shellen.

GET READY TO FALL HOOK, LINE AND SINKER FOR 9TH ANNUAL ARC/KDW TOURNAMENT

Anglers of all ages are invited to fish the ARC’S 9th Annual KDW Offshore Fishing Tournament on Saturday, June 17, 2023, at Pirate’s Cove Resort and Marina in Port Salerno. Fun in the sun and on the water in support of more than 1,000 children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Try your hand at reeling in kingfish, dolphin, wahoo, grouper, and snapper. Whatever floats your boat!

Register by June 3 and team entry fees are $250, and $300 after June 3. You will be lured in with a bucket full of goodies and four tickets to a gourmet BBQ dinner Saturday evening at the awards ceremony. Additional anglers can join in the fun for $50 each and family/friends are welcome to purchase additional awards dinner tickets for $30 each.

If you want to play and stay, event sponsor Pirate’s Cove Resort amd Marina is offering a discounted room rate of $183/poolside or $204/ waterfront per night to registered participants if booked by May 16

(taxes/fees not included). No boat? No problem! Limited fishing spots will be available on Safari 1 Deep Sea Fishing for $125 per angler including rod, reel, bait, tackle, and one dinner ticket for the awards ceremony.

Cash prizes for first, second and third place totaling $8,000 will be awarded to the teams with the heaviest of each species, as well as a cash prize for top Junior Angler, and top Lady Angler. And if that isn’t enough fun, cast a bid for the silent auction items or reel in a raffle ticket for special prizes. Anyone can shop the auction, even online from home.

Events like this are thanks to partners including Boar’s Head, PUBLIX, Frito Lay, JJ Taylor Companies, Inc., Jordan Dynamics, Inc., Colorado Pawn, Breakthru Beverage, Florida Insurance Trust, Flora Fine Foods, Closets by Design, Southern Eagle Distributing, Jensen Beach Plumbing, Kirchman Construction, US Sugar, and H.E. Hill Foundation.

The ARC, (Advocates for the Rights of the Challenged) is a 501(c) (3) non-for-profit organization dedicated to empowering children and adults with I/DD through residential, vocational, educational, behavioral, and other healthcare services. ARC provides support,

assistance and training that enhances the abilities for children and adults with disabilities to thrive each day and achieve their fullest potential.

For more details visit arctreasurecoast.org/events.

2022 first-place kingfish winner, Danial, Babe’s House, My Other Honey PHOTO COURTESY of ARC of the Treasure Coast.

By Capt. Michael Mauri

One Day in Stuart WHERE SHOULD I DIY FISH?

This is a phone call I receive pretty frequently, so I decided to write about it. Occasionally someone calls to book and I’m unavailable and if my back up guide is also unavailable, I give them the following run down so they can have a DIY fishing day.

This time of the year I recommend going and fishing the beaches if the ocean is fairly calm.

I prefer just before high tide, high tide, and beginning of the outgoing tide. Bring your 8- weight rod with an intermediate fly line and enough backing just in case. The flies I like to fish are mostly size 1 - 2/0 Clousers in white/brown, white/green or brown/chartreuse and baitfish flies

in the same size in grey, white/green or black.

It shouldn’t be hard to find fishbaitfish should be easy. While feeding birds is sometimes an indicator you can’t count on that 100%. So many times birds are diving for bait but, since there is so much bait it doesn’t always mean that there are bigger fish on them as well. Typically, you’ll see snook, jacks, ladyfish, mackerels, and the like busting the baitfish. If that happens, good job, you found them!

If there is no baitfish, keep moving and drive to a different beach and so on. If the sun is high enough and you have good vision, you also can just keep walking the beaches

and looking for cruising snook and you will find them mostly along the ledge from the beach where the wave breaks. Look and fish alongside the beach, not necessarily far out. There are very few things more fun than sight fishing the beaches for snook!

If the ocean is too bumpy, stay inshore and fish the inlet areas or the Indian River. Walton Road in Jensen is a nice area where you can wade in the river and sight fish snook in

very shallow water. Fish the docks and the little drop offs. I prefer this area around high tide as well. The only thing to change is your floating line instead of an intermediate line. Good luck and enjoy your day fly fishing in Stuart, Florida. Capt.

Eckhardt from Germany caught this snook sight fishing the inlet area.

PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Michael Mauri.

Marine Businesses File Suit

Over Bridge Closure Schedule

By Ed Killer for CAM

How will the Coast Guard regulate the railroad bridge over the St. Lucie River in Stuart when Brightline begins operating its passenger service between West Palm Beach and Orlando?

That’s the multi-million-dollar question now isn’t it? And it’s setting the stage for a battle between two sides of private businesses on the Treasure Coast.

In one corner is Brightline and the FEC Railway who have requested of the Coast Guard they would like the railroad drawbridge to be in the down position as long as possible, up to 45 minutes each hour. In the opposing corner are marine businesses throughout Martin County and beyond who have told the Coast Guard they need the drawbridge in the open position for 45 minutes of every hour, or else their

businesses will suffer.

It’s a battle royale that has found its way to a federal courtroom. On April 21, 13 marine businesses in Martin County filed suit against the USCG, Army Corps of Engineers and FEC Railway demanding the USCG follow laws already on the books to keep a federal waterway unobstructed. It’s more than the St. Lucie River where the bridge crosses - it’s also MM 7.4 of the Okeechobee Waterway, the only cross state waterway in Florida..

At CAM press time, more plaintiffs are expected to and encouraged to join the lawsuit.

Brightline has said it may begin passenger service as early as this month. The company plans to run 16 train routes each day - 32 trips across the bridge each day, it told the Coast Guard. FEC also runs about 15-18 freight trains a day.

The 13 plaintiffs include:

• Atlantic & Gulf Dredging & Marine

• Indiantown Marine Center

• AC Meridian Marine

• Ferreira Construction Co.

• McCulley Marine Services

• DL Milling Family

• Indiantown Marina

• Willis Custom Yachts

• MarineMax

• Mobro Marine

• B eyel Brothers

• HMY Yacht Sales and

• Simply Yachts

U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, R-Fort Pierce supports the lawsuit and has said Sen. Marco Rubio is on board, too. Mast said at a press conference May 1: “The train company and the Coast Guard are giving the Treasure Coast boater huge middle fingers with this situation.”

“Over a 15-hour window of the day ... they’re closing off the waterway 9½ hours of the day out of 15 hours. Is that equitable to the community whose resource that is?” Mast asked Fagan.

The Coast Guard has not announced its ruling yet on what the actual schedule for the bridge opening will be.

within sight of Digger Rich all day.

“We couldn’t keep a bait in the water that day. We had a couple of 40s and a 49 before we caught what wound up weighing 51.67 pounds,” Neidorf said. That won $10,000 as the day one big fish for the event.

Day two, it was eventual third place finisher Pro Marine of Redington Shores, FL near St. Petersburg that landed a 64.52 pounder caught off Sea World, a spot northeast of Sebastian in 120 feet of water. Jim Nasset said his team aboard his Mercury-powered 39 Yellowfin with Kevin Hannon, Rick Cook and Brian “Bingo” Bandano caught the fish at 8:30 in the momring and idled 43 miles back to the weigh-in site. It lifted the team from 41st place on day one into third overall, plus day two big fish money.

Despite bigger fish on day one, Caught Slippin could only manage a 42.93 on day two and finished runner-up. The event weighed one fish over 60 pounds, 3 fish over 50, 11 over 40 pounds and 26 over 30 pounds. Teams attended from North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and all over Florida.

Minia and Burgess said they hope to draw 100 boats, but will cut off the entries there, when they have the tournament again next year.

Full results available online at fortpiercekingmackerelinvitational.com.

PHOTO CREDIT: City of Stuart, Fla.

Next Tournament Starts 8/1/23

The Southern Fortune Fishing Tournament (SFFT) is a yearlong, saltwater, rod and reel only fishing tournament. Entry fee is $199 per angler. Eighty percent of the proceeds goes to the winners of each of the 30 species categories: gag grouper, black grouper, red grouper, scamp grouper, yellowedge grouper, snowy grouper, Kitty Mitchell grouper, mangrove snapper, mutton snapper, queen snapper, yellow eye snapper, yellowtail snapper, cubera snapper, lane snapper, red snapper, hogfish, vermillion snapper, swordfish, wahoo, kingfish, blackfin tuna, yellowfin tuna, cobia, golden tile, permit, mahi mahi, greater amberjack, Florida pompano, African pompano, and tripletail.

The SFFT takes place across eight states: Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. There are 33 weigh-in locations from Corpus Christi, Texas along the Gulf Coast down to the Florida Keys and back up the East Coast, with the furthest northeastern weigh-in location in Outer Banks, North Carolina.

Announces Year Two: 2023-2024

The SFFT uses an application platform on both Android and iPhone for video submission of each catch: Video One is to be taken immediately following the catch, stating details, and showing a 360 view of the fish as well as a clear measurement. Video Two is to be taken at one of the 33 participating weigh-in locations within 96 hours of the catch using the SFFT certified weight/ measurement tools and then the fish is gutted to show no additional weight. Clear and detailed rules of these video submissions can be found at southernfortunefishing.com

Download the Southern Fortune Fishing App on Android or iPhone to follow along with the SFFT. Sign up is active now on the website southernfortunefishing.com.

Sponsors include: Eden’s Marine, Mercury, Complete Cooling and A/C, Jeremiah Baron & Company, Schlitt Brothers Painting, DS Air Conditioning, The American Patriot, Imperial Printing, Bluewater Sportfishing Boats, Southern Plumbing and Captain Pip’s Marina.

Wrapping Up The 2022-2023 Southern Fortune Fishing Tournament

The 30 species winners for the current tournament are to be announced in August 2023

following the tournament’s end on July 31, 2023.

Eighty percent (80%) of the proceeds will go to each species winner. The remaining 20% of the proceeds are being distributed to a selected group of non-profit programs: Florida Sport Fishing Association, TCBA, Florida Fishing Academy, Our Florida Reefs, The IKE Foundation, InWater Research Group, Florida Oceanographic Society, The Environmental Studies Center, Mission Fishin, Coastal Conservation Association, Florida Keys Fishing Guides ASsociation, City of Stuart, Sea Tow Foundation, Fish & Wildlife Association and Fish With A Hero.

A tournament raffle also takes place for all registered anglers. The results for the 2022-2023 tournament raffle are as follows:

•3rd place, announced on 12/20/22: Angler Dustin Guyon landed a Shimano Talica12 reel.

•2nd place, announced on 2/3/2023: Angler Brent May reeled in a 210 Yeti Cooler.

•1st place, announced on 4/20/2023: Angler Marty Drabek celebrated winning $5,000 in cash.

For more information contact Julie Billings, julie@southernfortunefishing.com and on social media: Instagram, FaceBook and YouTube - Southern Fortune Fishing.

NEW REGULATIONS FOR ATLANTIC KING AND SPANISH MACKEREL EFFECTIVE JUNE 8

Recreational fisherman allowed to keep “cut-off” fish; king mackerel bag limit increases off of Florida east coast.

NOAA Fisheries recently announced the final rule for Amendment 34 to the Fishery Management Plan for Coastal Migratory Pelagics (mackerels). Beginning June 8, 2023, the amendment will:

• Increase the acceptable biological catch, annual catch limits, annual optimum yield, and recreational annual catch targets for Atlantic King Mackerel;

• Increase the recreational bag limit for Atlantic King Mackerel in federal waters off the east coast of Florida from 2 to 3 fish per person; and

• Allow the recreational sector to keep cut-off (damaged) Atlantic King Mackerel and Atlantic Spanish Mackerel caught under the recreational bag limit that comply with the minimum size limits.

See the complete Fishery Bulletin issued from NOAA Fisheries for additional details, including catch levels, sector and regional allocations, commercial seasonal quotas, and an FAQ regarding the regulatory changes. (https://content. govdelivery.com/accounts/USNOAAFISHERIES/ bulletins/3597f71)

Making Sense of Mackerel Mackerel management is a bit complicated. The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council and the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council regulate King and Spanish Mackerel through the joint Coastal Migratory Pelagics Fishery Management Plan. Two migratory groups, Gulf and Atlantic, are recognized for each species and regulated separately.

The area of the Gulf migratory group extends from the southern border of Texas through the Gulf to the Miami-Dade/Monroe county border on the east coast of Florida (encompassing the Keys). The area for the Atlantic migratory group extends from the Miami-Dade/Monroe County border on the east coast of Florida to the intersection of NY, NJ, and CT. Additional information is available from NOAA Fisheries at: Making Sense of Mackerel.

Mackerel Maps and More

Detailed maps are available for the King Mackerel Migratory Group Zones and for the Spanish Mackerel Migratory Group Zones. Get the latest regulations from the Council’s website at: https://safmc.net/regulations/ or by downloading the Fish Rules mobile apps.

SOUTH ATLANTIC FISHERY MANAGEMENT COUNCIL

FWC Suspends Discussions On Goliath Grouper Spawning Aggregation Site Protections

At its May meeting, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) suspended proposed rulemaking discussions on goliath grouper spawning aggregation site protections with no plans to resume. The areas that were under discussion are open to catch-andrelease fishing only. Harvest from these sites is prohibited.

For the full May 10-11 agenda and links to background reports, go to MyFWC.com/Commission and select “Commission Meetings.” Those who cannot attend can follow coverage at Twitter.com/MyFWC (@MyFWC) and sign up for news updates at MyFWC.com. Check the Florida Channel for possible live video coverage at TheFloridaChannel. org.

Goliath grouper harvest is prohibited without a permit. Visit MyFWC.com and see Goliath Harvest Program for more information on the limited, highly regulated harvest opportunity, as well as goliath grouper catching and releasing regulations.

PHOTO CREDIT: FWC.

SAWFISH

By Tonya Wiley, Havenworth Coastal Conservation

T

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here’s a new way to show off your love of endangered sawfishes and support their conservation! These beautiful handmade sawfish earrings are only $20 per pair (+$3 shipping). And thanks to the incredible generosity of Country Fried Crafts, $6 from each pair sold goes to the Sawfish Conservation Society!To order email melissa.giresi@gmail. com. Choose mahogany or poplar wood, and gold or silver hardware.

Country Fried Crafts, based in Key West, Florida, is a woman-owned small business creating custom designed wooden jewelry. Proceeds will go to support the Sawfish Conservation Society’s (SCS) mission to connect the world to advance global sawfish education, research and conservation.

sawfishconservationsociety.org to learn more about SCS and other ways you can get involved to help save sawfishes from extinction.

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Chris Giuffrida (@fishslayer1385) and the Southern Fortune Fishing Crew caught their 2-man limit in 2-hours in mid-April and called it a day.

PHOTO COURTESY of Chris.

Leonard Fox finally got his 50-pound mahi, his personal best!

PHOTO CREDIT: Leonard Fox.

Brenton Como with a jack crevalle caught on mullet cut bait at the Jensen Causeway.

PHOTO CREDIT: Rob Como.

Brody Finn, 14, caught this nice grouper at the Jensen Causeway.

PHOTO CREDIT: Lisa Finn.

Kylie Senecal caught a 33.4-pound kingfish in the Treasure Coast Salvation Army inaugural fishing tournament. She won junior angler and overall big fish.

PHOTO CREDIT: Jane Phillabuam.

Alan George with his personal best snook, 26-inches, caught on a live threadfin shad at the Jensen Causeway.

PHOTO CREDIT: Christina George.

Let’s grow with Florida together.

Confessions of a Fishaholic, by Thatch Maguire, is a hilarious and irreverent look at one man’s quest to catch fish in spite of life’s annoying interferences. You’ll travel with this awkward adventurer as he risks home and health to pursue his passion for fishing...regardless of the consequences. Anglers of all expertise levels will immediately identify with why his addiction is incurable. This book defines the blurred line between passion and obsession.

20 Sacks Weighed Heavier than 30 Pounds at One Tourney

Catch a 30-pound ve- sh sack of bass, and you’re pretty much a lock to win whatever tournament you’re shing, right?

Imagine that glorious moment when you’ve been culling 5-pounders and pull into the docks to unload your livewell. With a grin on your face, you haul that huge bag of sh up to the scales…only to nd out your 30-pound sack barely put you in the top 20! at was the reality at a May 6 Roland Martin Marine Center Bass Series event on Lake Okeechobee. e shing was so good that anglers weighed 20 ve-bass limits that were heavier than 30 pounds. It took 36.82 pounds to win. We’re not sure who keeps track of such things, but that’s more 30-pound sacks in one tournament than we’ve ever heard of.

A father-son team of Preston and 11-year-old Tavyn Heisler won the 177-team tournament and a $6,500 big check.

“It was an amazing day,” Preston told a RMMCBS reporter a er the tournament. “I’m still shaking and I couldn’t ask for anything better.”

Tavyn said he was the net man early in the tournament, but he caught his own 8-pounder late in the day. His favorite lure was a black and blue charterbait.

To read a full report on the event, visit: rolandmartinmarinecenterseries.com.

Maguire’s frst work is a compelling, fast read. His style is like a mix of Hemingway with a sardonic blend of Hunter S. Thompson. I couldn’t put it down...

Ben Martin

Editor in Chief Coastal Angler Magazine

FLORIDA SNAPPER SEASONS ANNOUNCED

Florida’s red snapper season will be 70 days long in 2023 and include both summer and fall dates. In early May, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced what he called the longest combined season since the state took control of red snapper management. e summer season will be 46 days, followed by a 24-day falls snapper season.

“Florida is the Fishing Capital of the World, and the Gulf red snapper season brings anglers from across the country to enjoy our waters,” said Gov. DeSantis. “It is a generational tradition for so many who call Florida home. I am happy that 2023 will be by far the longest combined season since the state assumed management of red snapper.”

e 46-day summer season will begin on June 16 and run through July 31. e 24-day fall season will include all weekends in October and November, Friday–Sunday.

If you plan to sh for red snapper in state or federal waters from a private recreational vessel, even if you are exempt from shing license requirements, you must sign up as a State Reef Fish Angler (annual renewal required). For more information, see GoOutdoorsFlorida.com.

UPGRADE YOUR CART

BONEFISH SPAWNING AGGREGATION DISCOVERED OFF THE KEYS

For all science knows about our sheries, there is plenty le to discover. Bone sh & Tarpon Trust scientists recently located a bone sh prespawning aggregation (PSA) in the Florida Keys. e discovery is the rst of its kind in Florida waters and the culmination of a years-long search that utilized acoustic telemetry and the historical knowledge of veteran shing guides.

“ is is a major discovery for the Florida Keys shery,” said BTT President and CEO Jim McDu e. “BTT has previously identi ed PSAs in several other countries, but Florida sites remained elusive—until now. By locating this PSA, our scientists will be able to learn more about where and how bone sh spawn in the Florida Keys, which is information critical to the sustained recovery of the population.”

Over the course of the 2022-2023 bone sh spawning season, which spans from October to April, BTT Florida Keys Initiative Manager Dr. Ross Boucek and his team tracked 67 sh and logged more than 94,000 detections. Many of these detections were in the area where BTT research during the 2021-2022 season and reports from shing guides indicated a likely PSA. Fourteen bone sh detected at the suspected PSA site had been tagged at distant ats, including two sh tagged 55 miles away.

e newly discovered PSA is comprised of approximately 2,000 to 5,000 sh and located three to four miles o shore along a reef. Previously documented PSAs in the Bahamas and Belize are located in nearshore waters.

At the site, BTT scientists also observed bone sh gulping air at the surface. Previous research shows that bone sh engage in this behavior before spawning to ll their swim bladders. At night, the sh dive hundreds of feet and rapidly ascend to the surface. e sudden change in pressure during the ascent makes their swim bladders expand, enabling the bone sh to release eggs and sperm. A er fertilization, hatched larvae dri in ocean currents before settling in shallow sand- or mud-bottom bays, where they develop into juvenile bone sh.

“As a Keys shing guide for 53 years, with a science background, I took bone sh for granted—they were what I shed for every day,” said Capt. Rick Ruo , member of the BTT Board of Directors. “I thought that I knew all about the resource, until the population crashed. I discovered neither I, nor anyone else, knew where or how bone sh spawned—a major gap in our knowledge. BTT has come up with the amazing science to determine the dynamics of bone sh spawning. It has been a great lesson to me that we have located this missing piece of the puzzle. To have a healthy population and management goals, you have to understand all aspects of your resource. I am so proud to be part of the BTT science e ort that has unraveled these bone sh mysteries and will witness their rebound.”

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THE KREH KNOT: BEST LOOP KNOT FOR LURES

Re-Discover Old Florida Waterfront Charm

The

Loop knots leave a small loop of line rather than a knot snug against the hook eye. ey are important to have in your repertoire for shing arti cials because that loop allows a little more movement when you’re working lures like jigs, topwaters and plugs.

e Kreh knot, developed by legendary y sherman Le y Kreh, was originally intended to be used for streamers and bait sh ies. It is also a great choice for conventional anglers throwing any lure that needs a touch of freedom to strut its stu Also known as the non-slip loop knot, it is strong and easy to tie, and it works well with both mono lament and uorocarbon lines.

With the Kreh knot, you give up a bit of strength in comparison to snug Palomar or uni knots, but you’re trading it for lifelike lure action. e

venerable Rapala knot is another great loop knot that might be a little stronger than the Kreh. However, the Kreh is a tad easier to tie, making it our go-to loop knot for lures in freshwater or salt.

For more shing tips and tricks, visit usangler.com.

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ANOTHER GIANT BASS

Timothy Crowley was shing Kenansville Lake with Capt. Morris Campbell on March 23 when he caught this 13.10-pound lunker.

Orange Lake keeps pumping out giant largemouth bass. e latest leader in Florida’s TrophyCatch program is a 14-pound, 1-ounce monster from Orange Lake. Chad Dorland caught the sh on April 23 to claim the top spot in FWC’s big-bass recognition program.

Dorland’s sh is the third 13-plus-pounder to come from the 12,550acre Alachua County lake since February. On Feb. 3, Luke Matthews caught a 13-pound, 8-ounce bass at Orange Lake. Anthony Holland caught a 13-pound, 3-ounce beast at Orange Lake on Feb. 25.

Fish weighing more than 13 pounds are awarded Hall of Fame status in the TrophyCatch program. Five Hall of Fame sh have been caught since TrophyCatch season 11 began on Oct. 1, 2022. ree of the ve were caught at Orange Lake, which has also seen 13 other bass weighing more than 10 pounds submitted to the program in that same time period. ose statistics don’t even include all the other lunkers anglers have likely caught and not entered into the program. It’s safe to say Orange Lake is a big-bass factory at the moment.

e other two 13-plus-pound TrophyCatch entries this year were both caught in March. On March 4, Russell Bauknight caught a 13-pound, 8-ounce hawg at Holden’s Pond, which is just up the road from Orange Lake in the same sprawling system of shallow, vegetation- lled waters southeast of Gainesville. On March 23, Timothy Crowley caught a 13-pound, 10-ounce sh that gave him the top spot in TrophyCatch before Dorland caught his 14-pounder. Crowley’s sh came from Kenansville Reservoir down in Indian River County.

For more information, visit www.trophycatch orida.com.

Hand closes Aug. 6, allowing harvest to begin during the weekend in advance of the Fourth of July holiday.

“Extending the season will increase the economic bene ts from this popular recreational shery to local communities in the region,” said Jessica McCawley, Division of Marine Fisheries Management Director. We will continue these e orts by exploring long-term season options for future years via the formal rulemaking process.”

Between 2017 and 2020, FWC took a pilot approach to establish regionally speci c bay scallop regulations while also maintaining the sustainability of local scallop populations. As part of this e ort, the allowable harvest area for scallops was extended to include Pasco County waters starting in 2018. e Pasco Zone for bay scallop management includes all Florida waters south of the Pasco-Hernando county line and north of the Anclote Key Lighthouse, approximately 0.37 miles south of the Pasco-Pinellas county line.

e daily bag limit in this area is 2 gallons of whole bay scallops in the shell or 1 pint of shucked bay scallop meat per person, with no more than a total of 10 gallons of whole bay scallops in the shell or 1/2 gallon (4 pints) shucked bay scallop meat per vessel.

For more information, go to MyFWC.com.

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OKUMA CAVALLA OFFSHORE REELS

For anglers looking to conquer the toughest offshore conditions, Okuma’s Cavalla 2-Speed Lever Drag reels are the ultimate weapon of choice. Over the past decade, Okuma has cemented its position as a leader in the saltwater market, starting with the groundbreaking Makaira line of reels. Today, the Cavalla 2-Speed Lever Drag is yet another example of Okuma’s unwavering commitment to providing top-tier, reliable products for saltwater anglers.

With its compact, machined aluminum frame and side plates, the Cavalla is a reel that can withstand the toughest conditions Mother Nature can throw at it. The rigid one-piece frame ensures stability and durability, while the cold-forged, type-II anodized machined aluminum spool adds to the reel’s sleek, rugged design. Whether you’re targeting monster grouper, sailfish, giant snapper or other offshore saltwater species, the Cavalla is the reel you want in your offshore arsenal.

The Cavalla reels feature a battle-proven carbonite drag system with Cal’s drag grease that can put out an impressive 24 to 34 pounds of drag at full. The 17.4 grade stainless steel main and pinion gear, along with the CRC coating process, make this reel virtually corrosion resistant. With four corrosion-resistant stainless-steel bearings and a silent retrieve system, the Cavalla operates

smoothly and efficiently, ensuring that you never miss a catch.

Okuma’s Cavalla

2-speed reels feature a 6.4:1 and 3.8:1 gear ratio on the 5 size reels and a 4.7:1 and 2.1:1 gear ratio on the 12 size, allowing for versatile performance across a range of fishing styles. The 5 and 12 size reels come in both left- and right-hand retrieve and feature an on/off bait clicker. The reel’s compact size and comfortable Ergo Grip handle knob and anodized aluminum handle arm make it easy to handle and use for extended periods of time.

So, why should you choose the Cavalla lever drag reel for your next offshore fishing trip? Here are five reasons:

• Durable Construction: The Cavalla’s machined aluminum frame and side plates, along with its corrosion-resistant components, ensure that this reel can handle the toughest offshore conditions with ease.

• Versatile Performance: With its 2-speed capabilities and variable gear ratios, the Cavalla is a reel that can adapt to a range of fishing styles and conditions.

• Smooth Operation: Thanks to its silent

the Cavalla operates smoothly and efficiently, ensuring that you never miss a catch.

• Strong Drag System: The Cavalla’s carbonite drag system with Cal’s drag grease can put out up to 34 pounds of drag, making it a reel that can handle the biggest and toughest fish in the ocean.

• Comfortable Handling: With its compact size and Ergo Grip handle knob and anodized aluminum handle arm, the Cavalla is a reel that you can use comfortably for extended periods of time, even during the toughest offshore fishing trips.

The Okuma Cavalla 2-Speed Lever Drag reel is an all-around, top-of-the-line reel that every saltwater angler should have in their arsenal.

For distributors and retailers, Okuma Fishing Tackle Corporation will be available to meet at ICAST 2023 in Orlando, Fla. July 11-13 at Exhibit Hall Booths 1202 and 1308.

FISH THE GREATER JACKSONVILLE KINGFISH TOURNAMENT

JULY 17-22

GrandPrizeValuedat$160K!

It’s Kingfish Time! The 43rd annual 121 Financial Credit Union Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament is slated for July 17-22, 2023. For five days, with four tournaments and $400,000 in prizes, the “Grandaddy of all Kingfish Tournaments” will keep the docks buzzing with fun events for everyone from die-hard anglers to casual spectators.

The cornerstone of this historic and thriving event is the general tournament, which launches Friday, July 21 with a boat package valued at $160,000 going to the team that lands the largest kingfish. The grand prize is a sweet 25-T Contender with twin 150hp Yamahas, a custom T-top by Custom Marine and an Ameritrail trailer. The tournament pays through 20 places for largest fish and aggregate, as well as a Lady Angler division that pays to 10 places, totaling nearly $250,000 in cash and prizes.

All the boats and the fish coming into the docks at Jim King Park and Boat Ramp at Sisters Creek Park in Jacksonville creates a festival atmosphere. Traditionally, the tournament draws thousands of spectators who enjoy cold beverages, hot food and vendors at the Liar’s Tent. Awards Day on Saturday, July 22 is all about celebration, with Kids Zone activities, drawings and a fishing seminar, followed by eye-popping fireworks in partnership with the City of Jacksonville.

Also for the kids, there is a Junior Angler Offshore Tournament on Wednesday, July 19, as well as a Junior Angler Dock Tournament. The grand prize in the Junior Angler Offshore Tournament is an Ohana 14’ skiff with a 25hp Yamaha and trailer, and this tournament pays through 25 places.

popular Redfish Tournament fishes on Saturday, July 22, with weigh-ins at 2 p.m. during the Awards Day activities.

Through its history, the Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament has been all about putting on a great tournament and helping to provide access to marine resources and promoting education, preservation and research in partnership with its junior anglers and Jacksonville University’s Marine Biology Department. Jacksonville Marine Charities is the operating arm of the event, and it supports non-profits throughout the state. Recently, Child Cancer Fund, the Down Syndrome Association and the Child Guidance Center have benefitted from the organization, which also supports other local charity fishing events like The Premier Trout, Flounder Pounder, Wounded Heroes on the Water and others.

For complete details, go to https://kingfishtournament.com/.

Coastal Angler and The Angler Magazine, Suzuki Marine and Sea Eagle have come together to offer readers a shot at this Sea Eagle FishSkiff 16 paired with a Suzuki DF4 outboard that’ll take you wherever the fish are. The FishSkiff 16 is an inflatable fishing boat that is lightweight, sturdy, stable and extremely packable. It rolls up small enough to fit in the trunk of a car and quickly inflates into a fishing machine. Powered by Suzuki’s four-stroke DF4A, you’ll have to hold on to your hat as you scream over the flats. Designed for efficiency and performance and portability, the DF4A provides all the speed and acceleration you can handle. It’s lightweight and can be attached or removed with ease.

Images for illustration purposes only and prize may vary from what is shown. Contest runs May 1st through July 31st 2023. Winner till be announced on Facebook July 31st.

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SWIM JIGS AND SPAWNING BLUEGILLS TIPS FROM A PRO

This is the time of year when bass gorge themselves on bluegill. One of the best ways to catch bluegilleaters is with a swim jig.

The swim jig is a versatile bait. It can be used in different colors and actions that drive bass crazy. All the variety can make jig shopping a bit overwhelming. There are thousands of color options, countless styles, different hooks and line-tie variations. When I’m looking for the perfect swim jig, I keep a few things in mind. I only throw two different color combinations, bluegill duplicators— the greens, browns and oranges—and a black and blue. You want a jig with a slender head style with a vertical line tie that will come through the cover you’re fishing. I also like a jig with a stout hook. Throwing a swim jig around heavy cover calls for heavy line, and you don’t want your hook to bend out or break when you hook into a big one.

Selection of jig trailers can also be overwhelming. Guess what? I only throw two different styles of trailers. I usually put a swimbait-style trailer with a boot tail on the back, but occasionally I’ll use a craw trailer with two kicker legs. At the end of the day, you just want something back there kicking

and giving your jig some action, and these two styles are my go-to. I match the color of the trailers to the color of the jig.

The cover to target with a swim jig can be endless. They are great in vegetation as well as around docks, wood, rocky banks and for covering water over expansive flats with wood and grass. You can cover a lot of water with this bait, and typically covering more water leads to more bites. You should throw it anywhere bass are chasing bluegills or where bass are actively feeding. I always keep one tied on and ready.

A retrieve I find myself using a lot is a yo-yo retrieve. Point the rod tip high and vary the retrieval speed by either cranking fast and slow or moving the rod tip. This gives the bait some erratic movements and drives them crazy. I also use a steady retrieve. Depending on the part of the water column you are trying to target, you can reel the bait fast and keep it up high—even on the surface—or slow it down and creep it deeper, maybe to keep it around some submerged cover.

Swim Jig Gear

Fishing cover requires heavier equipment. I fish a heavy action rod with a length between a 7’3” and 7’6”. The 13 Fishing Defy Black 7’5H is a super affordable rod and is awesome for the job. Pair the rod up with a fast reel like the 13 Fishing Concept A 7:5 spooled up with 50-pound Seaguar Smackdown braid, and you are ready to put some fish in the boat.

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

TYLER WOOLCOTT

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MASSIVE BLUEFIN

In early May, a 600-plus-pound bluefin tuna was brought to the docks at Alabama’s Orange Beach Marina. It was not a world or state record, but it was a giant fish and a first for Capt. Johnny Greene who has been a charter captain for the last 33 years.

According to the story written by David Rainer for the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR), Greene and his crew aboard the Intimidator were hosting a group of anglers from Georgia on a three-day trip deep into the Gulf of Mexico. Greene said he has encountered big bluefins before in the April and May timeframe, when they arrive in the Gulf to spawn, but he’s never managed to put one in the boat or even “slow one down.”

“Last year we hooked one about noon and fought that fish four or five hours. We had 10 people on that charter, and they ended up changing the rod between anglers probably 20 or 25 times,” he told ADCNR. “We ended up breaking a rod after fighting him that long. We were so close, so that one was really a heartbreaker.”

This recent trip did not end in heartbreak. After hooking the fish, the Intimidator chased it for about 2 miles before getting to within 100

feet of the leader. Then the fish dove deep. They managed to stop the dive with a Shimano 50-wide and a stand-up harness, and after battling it for about four hours they could tell the fish had died. They began the laborious process of winching it up on 80-pound-test mono.

“When you have to pull a 600-pound animal up, it’s not the easiest thing to do,” he told ADCNR. “It requires communication between the angler, everybody in the cockpit and the wheelhouse. It’s basically a momentum game. You’ve got to get the fish coming up, and you have to keep him coming. If you take a break, the fish is going to start sinking again. It’s tricky.”

The celebration began when they finally brought the giant fish to the surface and tethered it with a tail rope. They used a come-along to hoist it into the boat.

Knowing their fish was not a record, the crew went ahead and gutted it and iced it down to preserve the meat during the ride home. It weighed 579 pounds gutted, with an estimated total weight of 625 pounds. The Alabama state record, caught in 2006, weighed 829 pounds.

To read David Rainer’s entire account of the catch, go to www.outdooralabama.com.

PHOTO COURTESY OF INTIMIDATOR

By Capt. Michael Okruhlik

believe the popping cork found its beginnings in the 1930s, and it’s still a mainstay in most saltwater anglers’ tackle boxes. Many versions have been introduced along the way and undoubtedly more will come. One thing is for certain, if they didn’t work, they would not have lasted for nearly a century. In Texas, a popping cork typically finds itself dragging a live shrimp, but there are other options. What makes the popping cork stand out is the cupped top, which creates a popping sound and splashes water forward when twitched. It simulates a fish feeding on the surface.

I was once no different than the masses tossing live shrimp under a cork, but in the early 2000s— when I had already turned my focus to exclusively lure fishing—I found another place for the simple but effective popping cork.

At that time, our famous Baffin Bay was plagued with brown tide, an algae bloom that turns the water, well, brown. The water had nearly zero visibility, which made fishing soft plastics difficult at best. Looking back, I wish I had already invented my Knockin Tail Lures with the built in tail rattle, but better late than never. At the time, I started using lures under a cork instead of live shrimp. I realized a noticeable increase in the number of fish I was able to catch. Depending on the circumstances, I would use a jighead, a weighted weedless hook or an unweighted hook about 24 inches under my cork. Although I heard

a lot of grief from my buddies who would not touch a popping cork, it worked and I continued to out fish them on most trips. I stayed with this technique in Baffin until the brown tide cleared.

A lure under a cork is also a great way to introduce kids to lure fishing. Paddletails, twitch baits and artificial shrimp all work well with this strategy. The method takes a lot of the hand coordination out of the picture for children and lets them realize that you don’t need live bait to catch fish.

Another of the many options this cork gives the angler is a way to effectively fish jetties. At times, trout will suspend 8 to 10 feet deep off the rocks. In this situation, the popping cork’s sound creating ability is still important, but it needs to be modified. Casting a cork with 10 feet of leader to get your lure down to the fish creates a challenge. This is where the slip cork method comes into play. With a slip cork, you can cast a 2- or 3-foot leader or less, but the cork will have a rubber stop that allows your bait to sink to the desired depth where the bite is. Look up slip cork for more on this method.

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

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

PHOTO COURTESY OF KNOCKIN TAIL LURES®

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FAT COLORADO LAKER OUTWEIGHS WORLD RECORD

If this potbellied 73.29-pound lake trout isn’t a new world record, it should be.

Scott Enloe and his son Hunter were fishing an undisclosed Colorado lake in early May when Scott hooked into the 47-inch-long monster on a 6-inch tube jig and 10-pound test. According to Free Range American, it took 13 tense minutes to fight the huge laker boat-side, and both men had to haul it over the side because their net was too small to land the fish.

The fish was full of eggs and had an incredible girth of 37 inches. After some photos and measurements, they released it to go lay those eggs and spread the genetics for obesity.

The IGFA all-tackle world record for lake trout weighed 72 pounds, even. It was caught in 1995 by Lloyd Bull at Great Bear Lake in Canada. With the strict procedures required by IGFA for record consideration, it is unlikely Enloe’s fish will break the all-tackle world record, but there is a chance the organization will consider it for a world length record.

The current Colorado state record weighed 50.35 pounds. It was caught by Donald Walker in 2007. We’re not sure about Colorado’s record submission requirements, but most states require a weight taken on certified scales.

Regardless, it is the fish of a lifetime for Enloe, and if it doesn’t qualify for a record… it should.

To read the full report from Free Range American, go to https:// freerangeamerican.us/world-record-lake-trout-enloe/

NORTH CAROLINIAN SMASHES U.S. SURF CASTING RECORD

There’s no doubt these guys can get it out past the breakers. The Carolina Surf Casters Association gets together four times a year to hold distance-casting competitions. In an April contest, North Carolina’s Ryan Lambert set a record for the longest fishing cast in U.S. history. He launched a massive 889-foot, 4-inch cast.

Lambert is a frequent competitor in the sport of surf casting, known in Europe as long distance casting of sea weights, in which participants gather on a large marked field with surf fishing tackle to see who can cast different sizes of large sinkers (3.5 to 8 ounces) the farthest.

Though the sport originated in the U.S., reportedly as far back as the 1890s, it has become more popular in Europe and South America in recent decades. Only three surf casting clubs exist in the U.S. today. They are SurfCast USA (SCUSA), based in Maryland, Surf Fishing & Casting Club International (SFCCI), on Texas’ Gulf Coast, and Carolina Surf Casters Association (CSCA), in eastern North Carolina.

Lambert is the vice president/secretary of the CSCA – a more than 10-year-old organization with members from North Carolina, South Carolina, Delaware, Virginia, Maryland and Texas. The club organizes four competitions per year in spring and fall. These events are open to surf casters of all skill levels.

Lambert, a sales representative for a large agricultural supplier, lives in Angier, N.C., with his wife Blair and their two daughters. He’s an experienced saltwater fisherman who, like most competitive casters, originally developed long-distance casting skills to improve catch rate from piers and the beach. He learned those skills under the tutelage of fellow North Carolinian and long-time U.S. surf casting champion Tommy Farmer.

Tapping into his athleticism from playing baseball for N.C. State University, Lambert is able to generate huge power using a pendulum cast. This highly specialized technique involves swinging the sinker into an orbit around the tip of a long 12- to 14-foot surf rod, and at a precise moment, rotating the body and rod through a large arc, ending with a powerful punch-pull motion with the right and left arms.

“It’s great that one of our own from North Carolina—someone from our club, no less—was able to set this new benchmark,” said Matt Tuers, president of the CSCA. “One of the main objectives of this organization is to grow a community where U.S. casters can develop and start taking back the international records. Casters like Ryan are in a position to do that, as well as inspire the next batch of elite American competitors.”

The current world record longest cast is held by “Big Danny” Moeskops of Belgium with a 940 foot cast made in the early 2000s. The previous U.S. record was held by Will Nash of Texas, with 873 feet.

Check out CSCA at carolinasurfcasters.org.

Popular on the tournament field, but rarely seen on U.S. beaches, the pendulum cast is Ryan Lambert’s preferred casting style for launching heavy sinkers long distances.

PHOTO COURTESY OF HUNTER ENLOE

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