FREE
TREASURE COAST EDITION
Gulf
Rods &
Tuna
Reels Reviews
At Night
Fish
Tales From Costa Rica
Skeeter Celebrates
70
th
Anniversary PHOTO COURTESY OF RANDY KING VOLUME 23 • ISSUE 276
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O P P O R T U N I T I E S
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FEBRUARY 2018
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FAMILY LEGENDS
and fish tales
BUILT FOR THAT
210 FSH ® SERIES
Go where no other boat has gone before. With powerful twin TR-1® Yamaha Marine Engines, ample storage and comfortable bow seating, the all-new 210 FSH provides the shallow-water capability to get to those hard-to-reach fishing spots and the versatility to enjoy watersports with your family.
210 FSH®
210 FSH® Deluxe
210 FSH® Sport
YA M A H A B OAT S . C O M
©2018 Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. All rights reserved. Follow instructional materials and obey all laws. Drive responsibly, wearing protective apparel. Always drive within your capabilities, allowing time and distance for maneuvers, and respect others around you. Don’t drink and drive. FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT YAMAHABOATS.COM OR CALL 1.800.88.YAMAHA.
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1/17/18 1:49 PM 12/22/17 9:22 AM
2018 242CC
FISHING FOCUSED FAMILY FRIENDLY “Sailfish Boats are truly versatile. A great fishing boat and a great family boat all in one.”
2018 220CC ® Exclusive Variable Degree Stepped (VDS) Hull for Performance, Safety & Stability ® 10 year Structural Warranty ® SailTech Construction: 100% Composite, Reinforced with Kevlar® & Carbon Fiber ® Lifetime No-Rot Guarantee ® Bow To Stern Intelligent Ergonomic Design with Premium Finishes ® Family Friendly Features for Fun, Comfort and Safety
www.SailfishBoats.com
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THE NEXT GREAT THE NEXT GREAT
HAVALON HAVALON INNOVATION INNOVATION HAS LANDED. HAS LANDED.
QUIK-CHANGE II ™ Interchangeable Fixed Blade™ QUIK-CHANGE Cutlery System II Interchangeable Fixed Blade Cutlery System9” FILLET 7” FILLET 9” FILLET 5” FILLET 7” FILLET 3” SERRATED 5” FILLET 3” SERRATED
Easy Blade Release System Easy Blade Release System
Opens For Easy Cleaning
KN IVES
Opens For Easy Cleaning
KN IVES
COMING SPRING 2018 COMING SPRING 2018 4
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Rugged Canvas Roll Pack Rugged Canvas Roll Pack
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BLEED TRIM
SAFETY
EDITOR IN CHIEF : Ben Martin • camads@coastalanglermagazine.com VICE PRESIDENT : Tracy Patterson • tracy@coastalanglermagazine.com ART DIRECTOR : Rebecca Snowden • graphics@coastalanglermagazine.com EDITORIAL COORDINATOR : Nick Carter • editorial@coastalanglermagazine.com WEBMASTER : Dmitriy Pislyagin • webmaster@coastalanglermagazine.com ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: Corporate Headquarters info@coastalanglermagazine.com • 888-800-9794
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BIG BEND : Mike McNamara • (850) 510-7919 • captmike@coastalanglermagazine.com BREVARD : David String • (321) 684-5888 • dstring@coastalanglermagazine.com DAYTONA/NEW SMYRNA BEACH : Don Meadows • (321) 436-5895 • donm@coastalanglermagazine.com FLORIDA KEYS : Cliff Lumpkin • (305) 849-9093 • cliff@coastalanglermagazine.com FORT LAUDERDALE : Gene Dyer • (954) 680-3900 • gene@coastalanglermagazine.com FORT MYERS : Nadeen Welch • (239) 595-8265 • nwelch@coastalanglermagazine.com GREATER ORLANDO : Phillip & Giselle Wolf • (407) 790-9515 • phillip@coastalanglermagazine.com LAKELAND & SUMTER : Mary Brasher • (352) 598-4219 • maryf@coastalanglermagazine.com NAPLES : Nadeen Welch • (239) 595-8265 • nwelch@coastalanglermagazine.com NC FLORIDA/NATURE COAST : Cary & Lynn Crutchfield • (352) 372-4237 • crutch@coastalanglermagazine.com NE FLORIDA : Danny Patrick • (904) 742-4696 • danny@coastalanglermagazine.com PANAMA CITY/FORGOTTEN COAST : Randy Cnota • (229) 834-7880 • randyc@coastalanglermagazine.com PALM BEACH COUNTY : Barbara Ryan • (561) 373-8040 • barbara@coastalanglermagazine.com SARASOTA : Phil Prevoir • (239) 257-4684 • pprevoir@coastalanglermagazine.com TAMPA BAY : Chuck Atkins • (239) 464-5153 • chuck@coastalanglermagazine.com TREASURE COAST : Misti & Gary Guertin • (772) 285-6850 • treasurecoast@coastalanglermagazine.com
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CHARLOTTE/PIEDMONT : Mark & Haley Alberghini • (704) 651-1934 • mark@theanglermagazine.com
COME JOIN OUR TEAM Dear Reader, “Coastal Angler” and our freshwater component “The Angler” magazines are looking to expand our franchise footprint to include numerous Gulf Coast region markets. Having become the largest outdoor publication on the Eastern Seaboard, we’re now ready to continue our expansion westerly all the way to California and northerly to the Great Lakes and beyond. Our franchise system enables localized editions of the magazine to be managed and developed by our franchisee/co-publishers. Publishing your localized edition of either Coastal Angler Magazine or The Angler Magazine can be exceptionally enriching and financially rewarding. Our ideal candidate may never have been involved in publishing before. They would, however, be passionately involved in the outdoors. Obsessive anglers often make great fishing magazine franchisees.
COLUMBIA/MIDLANDS : John Lux • (803) 807-6885 • jlux@theanglermagazine.com MYRTLE BEACH : Mike Masiero • (732) 674-3019 • mmasiero@coastalanglermagazine.com SW GEORGIA : Bob & Brenda Rice • (706) 614-8231 • bobr@theanglermagazine.com TIDEWATER/OUTER BANKS : John Tiger • (757) 707-9654 • john.tiger@coastalanglermagazine.com
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Your new career is just a phone call or email away.
GULF COAST MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST : Adam Nelson • (228) 627-5903 • anelson@coastalanglermagazine.com
This is a chance to own your own business but not be all on your own. Our training and support systems enable our co-publishers to quickly establish their localized edition of the magazine into a viable local business. If you think you would enjoy a career centered around the outdoors and fishing, you owe it to yourself to check out our franchise opportunities. Our expansion goals have numerous territories now available.
Toby Nelson • (228) 623-1761 • tnelson@coastalanglermagazine.com
Best regards,
NEW ORLEANS : Dr. Dave Dunaway • (225) 400-8156 • nola@coastalanglermagazine.com
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INTERNATIONAL PUERTO RICO/VIRGIN ISLANDS : Ace Bassue • (407) 285-9453 • ace@coastalanglermagazine.com COSTA RICA : Mike Erickson • (561) 262-2242 • mike@coastalanglermagazine.com © 2018. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. Disclaimer: Coastal Angler Magazine / The Angler Magazine will not be held liable for injuries incurred while partaking in activities described herein, or for claims made against products or services provided by advertisers. SAFETY
Ben Martin Editor in Chief info@coastalanglermagazine.com
1-888-800-9794
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By CAM Staff
F
ast and stable, with a needle nose that reminded people of a mosquito buzzing over southern waters, the world’s first bass boat was the 1948 brainchild of Shreveport, Louisiana’s Holmes Thurmond. That first Skeeter boat, made of molded marine plywood, caught on quickly with local anglers. It launched the brand
that today, 70 years later, is still renowned for building innovative boats designed specifically for the needs of recreational anglers. Cary Crutchfield, co-publisher of Coastal Angler Magazine’s North Central Florida edition, owns one of those early Skeeter boats. When he bought his first Skeeter in the 1960s, the company was already leading the way in what became an industry-wide transition to fiberglass. His was a 15-foot model with stick steering up front that was powered by a 35hp outboard. “It’s real easy to fish from, and it’s just a neat 6
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looking boat,” Crutchfield said of those early flat-bottomed Skeeters. “It’s narrow, and the way the sides turn up to the cockpit makes it very stable to move around in.” With today’s bass boats, a 250hp Yamaha seems like a necessity to even compete on the tournament circuits. Back then, a Skeeter with a 35hp was capable of reaching speeds in excess of 30 mph. It was a fishing boat superior to any that came before it. The Super Skeeter arose as the boat for serious anglers fishing the large, newly constructed man-made reservoirs that have since fueled the sport. Crutchfield sold his 15-footer in the 1980s and almost immediately began kicking himself. He missed the narrow profile and shallow draft, along with kind of stability that allows him to stand comfortably and pole into very tight places. It wasn’t long before he ran into another old Skeeter he had to have, this one a 14-footer, originally powered by a 25hp outboard that has since been replaced by a 1950s model 12hp. Even with that old motor, it still gets around pretty quickly, and Crutchfield said it’s still the perfect small fishing boat where he launches on the Suwannee River. With the spirit of innovation that gave rise to that first bass boat and an open ear to the new requirements of early bass tournaments, Skeeter grew and evolved with the sport. The Skeeter Hawk did away with the characteristic pointed bow, which allowed for a smoother ride and a raised casting platform. In the 1970s, after moving into its current plant in Kilgore, Texas, Skeeter rolled the dice and introduced the legendary Wrangler to the bass fishing world. Rated for 150hp with a V-bottom, it was an odd and new style that absolutely dominated the competition in performance. It became the template that led to the high-performance fishing machines that roar
around our reservoirs today. In 2018, Skeeter Performance Fishing Boats is celebrating its 70th year of providing anglers with exceptional fishing boats. With modern technology and computer design capabilities, it has continued to lead the industry with innovations such as the first production composite bass boat, the ZX202, in the mid-1990s. The venerable ZX series, in all its versions, has been a staple in the bass tournament world for more then three decades. But listening to the needs of the fishermen who are its customers, Skeeter branched out to produce deep-v boats for walleye tournament anglers on the big lakes of the north, as well as bay boats for saltwater anglers. Skeeter’s acquisition by Yamaha in 1996 brought new resources to the table and advances followed. In 2001, Skeeter again set a new standard for the industry with its Torque Transfer Transom and Stringer System, which provides lift to the entire keel, while eliminating stress on the on the transom, deck, hull and sides. Through all the advancements, Skeeter boats bear little resemblance to Thurmond’s first bass boat. But the same concept, to design perfect
fishing boats for fishermen, is evident throughout Skeeter’s product line. Whether it’s on southern reservoirs, the big northern lakes or the bays and backwaters of the Gulf of Mexico, Skeeter has a nimble, fast and extremely fishable boat perfect for the kind of fishing you do.
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
1/17/18 5:06 PM
IT’S MORE THAN JUST A BOAT. IT’S A LIFESTYLE.
STANDARD FEATURES INCLUDE: Center console command center Abundant bow & floor storage Lowrance® Elite 9 Ti touch 40 gallon rear livewell/baitwell Deluxe lean post w/vertical rod holders 14 gallon console baitwell New upholstery styling ...and much more!
ENGINEERED TO BE THE ULTIMATE BAY BOAT Ultimate in the way you get to the fish, with a durability that is unsurpassed. Engineering this one was a dream come true. We put everything you need right at your fingertips to provide you with a true fishing machine. For additional information please visit SkeeterBoats.com/SX240.
$42,995* 2O18 SX21O WITH
YAMAHA VF15OXA
ACTUAL SALES PRICE DETERMINED BY DEALER. PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE FREIGHT, DEALER PREP & T.T.L.
NATIONALLY ADVERTISED PRICE BEFORE REBATE
$
43,495
+
MANUFACTURER’S SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE
$
52,060
u
STANDARD FEATURES INCLUDE: White Pro Series 2 Power-Pole® Abundant bow & floor storage Center console command center 25 gallon rear livewell/baitwell Leaning post with vertical rod holders 14 gallon console baitwell ...and much more! 8” setback plate
THE BEST RIDE AT THE BEST VALUE It’s true you really can have it all without spending it all. The SX210 is just the right fit for any situation. Family fun and weekend getaways make this boat a hero. For additional information please visit SkeeterBoats.com/SX210.
UP TO
INSTANT REBATE
*
LIMITED TIME OFFER INSTANT REBATE APPLIED AT TIME OF FINAL SALE BY DEALER.
VALID JANUARY 1-MARCH 31, 2018
LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY Limited Lifetime Structural Warranty 10 Year Limited Transferable Structural Warranty 3 Year Limited Component Warranty
Visit SkeeterBoats.com to locate your nearest Skeeter Dealer. Nationally Advertised Price; actual sales price determined by dealer. Price does not include freight, dealer prep, and T.T.L.. uManufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP). Prices may vary due to supply, location, freight etc. Actual prices are set by the dealer. *Terms and Conditions: Nationally Advertised Price for 2018 SX210 with $1500 Rebate. Consumer benefit for purchasing a new (unused, not previously warranty registered) eligible MY 2018 and prior boat from 1/1/18- 3/31/18 is an instant rebate applied at time of final sale by dealer, at no extra cost to consumer. Actual rebate amount is determined by model selected. NO BENEFIT SUBSTITUTIONS. Promotion is only applicable from authorized participating Skeeter dealers in the U.S.A. and Canada sold to purchasing consumers residing in the U.S.A. and Canada. Promotion is limited to available stock in dealer inventory that is sold, PDI completed, delivered and warranty registered in accordance with Skeeter’s promotion and warranty registration req uirements during applicable dates. No model substitutions, benefit substitutions, extensions or rain checks will be allowed. Not redeemable for cash. Boats sold or provided for commercial, camp, resort, rental, promotional/ demo, government agency, competition, tournament or sponsorship use are not eligible. This promotion cannot be used in conjunction with any other Skeeter offer or discounts. Some exceptions may apply. See authorized, participating Skeeter dealer for complete details. Skeeter reserves the right to change or cancel this promotion at any time. Other restrictions and conditions apply. ©2018 Skeeter Products, Inc. All rights reserved. This document contains many of Skeeter’s valuable trademarks. It may also contain trademarks belonging to other companies. Any references to other companies or their products are for identification purposes only, and are not intended to be an endorsement. Remember to observe all applicable boating laws. Never drink and ride. Dress properly with a USCG approved flotation device and protective gear. +
LOOK FOR US AT THE MIAMI INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW AT BOOTH A112 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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Rods & Reels
G. LOOMIS/SHIMANO CONQUEST
PENN CONFLICT II
PENN redesigned its smooth and durable Conflict reel to bring anglers the Conflict II, the most lightweight PENN reel ever made. It is a superior reel, perfectly suited to inshore applications. True to its origins, the Conflict II features stealthy cosmetics and a smooth and reliable HT-100 carbon fiber drag system. The RR30 Rigid Resin body and rotor are extremely lightweight and durable, and with the redesign, the Conflict II is 20 percent lighter than the first-generation Conflict. Internally, the Conflict II is updated with PENN’s CNC Gear Technology and high quality stainless steel ball bearings, making it the ultimate PENN inshore reel. With the Superline Spool, no backing is needed because of the rubber gasket that keeps superlines from slipping. Other key features include: Slow Oscillation – Leveline System, 7+1 sealed stainless steel ball bearing system and line capacity rings.
WWW.PENNFISHING.COM
ST. CROIX LEGEND TOURNAMENT INSHORE
8
What do you get when you mix proven G. Loomis rod design with Shimano technology? You get Conquest, a line of 12 awesome bass rods, purposebuilt for different conditions and techniques. The new Conquest series includes eight casting rods with G. Loomis’ original “Mag Bass” fast-action tapers and four “Spin/Jig” fast-action spinning rods. With Shimano’s Spiral X and Hi-Power X processes, the blanks are rolled to exact G. Loomis specifications before being handfinished in G. Loomis’ Woodland, Wash. facility. With this partnership, engineers believe they have produced the most technologically advanced rods on the water. They are lightweight and offer anglers a whole new set of performance standards. Some of the benefits anglers will experience are: more accurate casts, increased fighting power, solid leverage for hook sets and reduced rod twist for rod control and durability. The casting rods are fitted with G. Loomis’ “skeleton” reel seats on full-cork contoured grips. The spinning rods feature split grips and Shimano’s CI4 reel seats. Blank-through-handle design on both versions adds sensitivity, as do the Fuji Torzite guides and a durable SIC Titanium tip guide. Whether you’re pitching jigs in thick cover or prospecting open water for smallies, high-performance Conquest rods will help you catch more bass.
WWW.GLOOMIS.COM
PENN INTERNATIONAL VI
Legend Tournament Inshore rods are the blending of the inimitable sensitivity, power and durability of St Croix’s Legend Tournament Bass and Walleye series with components and technology suited for saltwater environments. With good looks and a high-performance feel, the Legend Tournament Inshore was awarded Best Saltwater rod at ICAST 2017. The eye-catching “Belize Blue” blanks are crafted of SCIV graphite using Integrated Poly Curve tooling technology and engineered to eliminate all transitional points, which fosters smooth action, increased strength and sensitivity. They are surprisingly lightweight, yet durable, and are equipped with a Fuji TVS blank touch reel seat on spinning rods and PTS blank-touch reel seat with builtin hoods on casting models. These new Fuji seats are designed to stand-up to the pressure of hard-fighting inshore species. Kigan Master Hand Zero Tangle guides and a Kigan titanium hook keeper provide 100 percent corrosion protection.
After nearly 15 years, the PENN International big game reel will get a makeover. The reel that has become legendary for fulfilling angler dreams offshore has been refined and modernized to once again redefine big game reels. The PENN International VI series features many upgrades including a weight reduction on key sizes, a new silent anti-reverse and a more refined/ adjustable Dura-Drag system. The new series features 28 models in both gold and silver, single speed and two-speed, wide and narrow. Made in the U.S.A. of domestic and imported components at the historic PENN Fishing Tackle Manufacturing Company building in Philadelphia, the International VI will give anglers the edge in chasing that trophy of a lifetime. Key features include: Machined and anodized aluminum body and side plates, stainless steel main and pinion gears, Quick-Shift II two-speed system, sealed DuraDrag system, Versa-Strike Adjustable Strike stop, double-dog ratchet anti-reverse and line capacity rings.
STCROIXRODS.COM
WWW.PENNFISHING.COM
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Product Reviews
TSUNAMI ARMR
MUD HOLE TURN KEY KITS Avid anglers who want to take their fishing to the next level owe it to themselves to check out Mud Hole Custom Tackle’s rod building kits. They include everything needed for anglers to construct their own high-end custom fishing rods. Mud Hole is offering an amazing value on its Inshore Turnkey Kit, which includes all the tools and materials to build a custom inshore rod perfect for trout and redfish. The kit features the extremely popular and versatile MHX SJ842 rod blank. This 7’0” medium-light power rod features a fast action for throwing soft plastics and topwater lures at wary flats fish. Along with the blank, the kit comes with a matched guide set, handle kit and everything from the CRB wrapper, a CRB rod dryer and ProPaste and ProKote Rod Finish and all the tools needed to craft your own custom rod. Visit www.mudhole.com and check out all our Turn Key Kit options or simply Google: Mud Hole Turnkey.
Super smooth and well built, the Tsunami ARMR is lightweight, high-performance spinning reel available in 3000/4000 and 5000/6000 sizes. The Tsunami ARMR has a sleek design and features
high-end components to provide smooth and durable operation for fighting and casting. The lightweight, solid aluminum body combined with hybrid, corrosion resistant carbon infused side plates and rotor and a double anodized ported aluminum spool are what keep this reel feather light in the hand all day long. Seven high-precision, shielded stainless steel ball bearings allow full support to all free-moving parts during the toughest fight or retrieve after retrieve. The look and feel of the Tsunami ARMR reel, enhanced by a light, durable EVA handle knob and braid-ready spool is what separates these high-performance reels from the competition.
WWW.BIMINIBAYOUTFITTERS.COM
WWW.MUDHOLE.COM
SHIMANO SUSTAIN HOOKER ELECTRIC REELS Hooker Electric continues to raise the bar with the fastest, lightest and best looking electric reels on the market, along with second-to-none customer service. The top seller in 2017 was their 80 motor that features level wind and auto stop, mounted on the Shimano Tiagra 80WA. The auto stop feature allows the angler to set the reel to stop winding at any interval, including just before your terminal tackle reaches the rod tip. With both 12- and 24-volt functionality, there is no need for a converter box. Its full variable speed allows line retrieval at up to 500 feet per minute, which makes checking your bait from 1,800 feet a breeze. It also includes bluetooth connectivity, allowing the angler to control the reel through Hooker Electric’s iPhone app, ReelTime. If you’re feeling sporty, the reel can also be used manually, so you can feel the fight. New for 2018, Hooker Electric now offers custom colors in silver, black, blue and even pink. For more information, go to www.hookerelectric.com or give them a call at 954-530-6908.
WWW.HOOKERELECTRIC.COM
T h e Best New Saltwater Reel winner at ICAST 2017, Shimano’s Sustain might just be the best new spinning reel for freshwater or salt. The Sustain series comes in four sizes suitable for everything from finesse baits for bass, to stripers and even small billfish. In all sizes, the reel’s Hagane aluminum body construction gives it a solid feel, and the Shimano Magnumlite low inertia rotor provides sensitive, light rotation and a light start up, which allows anglers to instantly begin the retrieve. Shimano’s Hagane gear has already made waves in the industry for its incredibly smooth operation. The exclusive technology used to engineer the cold forged aluminum drive also makes it extremely strong and durable. The X-Protect feature, which should be of particular interest to saltwater anglers but is relevant in any wet fishing conditions, is a threelipped rubber seal system that offers exceptional water resistance. With Cross Carbon Drag, eight shielded anti-rust ball bearings, and a one-way roller bearing to stop handle backplay, Shimano went in whole hog to produce these award-winning reels. Whether you fish freshwater or salt, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better spinning reel.
FISH.SHIMANO.COM
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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MOTOR UPGRADES ARE AVAILABLE
Marine Wintertime Blowout $209* mon
G2968 Key Largo 160cc
G2661 Key Largo 1800 cc
40 HP Motor
90 HP Motor
WAS $23,849 NOW $15,999
WAS $37,749 NOW $25,999
$194* mon
90 HP Motor
G3149 Caravelle 16EBo 70 HP Motor
WAS $30,746 NOW $19,799
$299* mon thly
thly
G2849 Key Largo 2000
G2646 Key Largo 210LX
WAS $50,787 NOW $35,990
WAS $59,266 NOW $36,990
150 HP Motor
140 HP Motor
WAS $35,833 NOW $23,999
thly
$279* mon
thly
G3068 Caravelle 19EBo
$164* mon
thly
thly
$377* mon
$306* mon
$368* mon
thly
thly
G3010 Key Largo 220BAY
G3054 Razon 238PF
140 HP Motor
200 HP Motor
WAS $61,517 NOW $39,599
WAS $78,605 NOW $49,599
thly
G3081 Razor 247UR 200 HP Motor
WAS $71,288 NOW $48,499
www.factorydirectmarine.com *payments calculated at 180 months for well qualified buyers with 20% down. Please note: Prices do not include freight, dealer make ready, and rigging. Pictures may not reflect actual unit and/or available inventory. Price and payment do not include sales tax or fees. Not responsible for typographical errors.
Ridgeland, SC, 401 Sycamore Drive, 844-280-9753 | Panama City, FL, 8308 Panama City Beach Pkwy, 844-278-2510 Charlotte, NC | 9204 N Lakebrook Road | 980-267-5597 | Rockwood,TN, 2475 Westel Road, 844-271-9582 Hamburg, PA, 20 Industrial Drive , 844-247-1678 | West Coxsackie, NY, 12634 Route 9 West, 844-276-8649
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All trademarks mentioned are owned by, or licensed to, the AkzoNobel group of companies. © AkzoNobel 2017.
$136* mon
For over a century, a league of canned crusaders have been fighting to keep boats safe from barnacles, slime, algae and other aquatic evils that rob your boat of its true performance. With advanced know-how and unique capabilities, each antifouling is tailored to different conditions, and has the power to defeat fouling in all its forms. Micron® Extra leads the charge in all waters. Using its signature dual-protection with boosting Biolux® technology, it provides high-quality, multi-season protection that survives hauling and relaunch without the need for repainting. For super-powered antifouling protection and proven performance, choose Interlux®.
All trademarks mentioned are owned by, or licensed to, the AkzoNobel group of companies. © AkzoNobel 2017.
The hero your boat deserves!
8953/1217
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Drifting For
Nighttime Yellowfin On Gulf Floaters
By Nick Carter
Y
ellowfin tuna are some of the most sought after gamefish in the world. They are the ahi tuna on the menus at restaurants and sushi bars, and in the water they have the speed and power to wear down anglers and break gear. The signature “spiral” that tuna commence in the waning moments of a fight is responsible for untold numbers of broken lines and broken hearts. After battling 30 mph runs for 20 minutes or more, the weary angler, captain and crew face one final test, a team effort to survive the spiral and get the fish on deck. These tense moments, when a big yellowfin turns sideways and begins to circle, using its body’s mass as leverage, are the most critical minutes of the fight. If the line even touches the boat, it will snap, and the circling fish provides many opportunities for this to happen. These moments are the reason Randy King, of Paparda Rey Fishing Charters out of Galveston, Texas, says the main limitation on their catch is the ability of the angler. The captain, Kenneth Doxey, is solid. He has been running their 54-foot Bertram and their 35-foot Cabo for more than a decade. He was the 2016 recipient
of the Houston Big Game Fishing Club’s Jim Peachey Award. The crew is also top-notch, which leaves the angler as the potential weak link. The good news is there will likely be multiple opportunities on one of their overnight trips to deep-water oil platforms off Texas. King said a great trip with six anglers would yield a dozen yellowfin tuna in the 40- to 120-pound range, and that doesn’t include the shots anglers will have at mahi-mahi, wahoo, marlin and blackfin tuna. Out of Galveston, it’s 100 miles or more into the Gulf of Mexico to reach the enormous floating gas and oil structures off the edge of the Continental Shelf. These deep-water facilities, known as “floaters,” create their own food chain, consolidating bait and gamefish from miles around. On a typical 36- or 48-hour trip, don’t plan on sleeping much. The floaters are brightly lit at night, which is when the tuna fishing is best. After identifying fish on the sonar, chumming and drift fishing with 30-pound-class tackle is usually the most productive method for yellowfin. “Sometimes the tuna will start breaching,” said King. “They’ll jump in the air like king mackerel.” It’s for these occasions, when fish are on the surface, that big spinning rigs armed with poppers are
kept on deck. Drifting and pulling poppers while chugging back up-current to start a new drift goes on all night long. At dawn, the bait rods come in, and it’s time to start trolling. The primary daylight targets are marlin, sailfish, wahoo and dolphin. Between night and day, it equates to a whole lot of big fish packed into a weekend at sea. It’s a grand adventure, and a meat trip of epic proportions in the Gulf of Mexico. Check out Paparda Rey at www.offshorebiggame.com. Information on the Houston Big Game Fishing Club can be found at www.hbgfc.com.
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FLORIDA
By Capt. Larry Conley
I
f you’re new to fishing out of the Fort Myers, Fla. area, it can be very technical. It can also be very good. Knowing water depths for a certain fish can help you. Grouper typically reside in the 70- to 120-foot depths, and it changes with the water temps and the time of year. Red snapper will be in depths of 140 feet or more. Lane snapper are great table fare and can be found in 40 to 50 feet or deeper. This year we’ve caught more and bigger lanes than I have seen in eight years. Look for hard bottom areas; learn to use your sonar. If it works as you’re running it helps a lot. Watch your screen continuously as you get past 40 feet of water. I’m not going give out a bunch of numbers, but if you watch the sonar you’re going to find a lot of lane snapper in 45 to 65
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feet of water. As you’re running out, watch for rocky ledges, as they will hold mangrove snapper, gag grouper and white grunts. If I spot a new area as I’m running, I’ll mark it on the GPS and label it “RO.” I’ll know it as a run over. If it looks really good, like a bunch of lanes, I sometimes label it “WOW.” That way I know to look for lanes on a future trip. As I get in 40 feet or so, I’ll watch the radar and sonar more than out in front of the boat, and that’s how I’ve found many new spots. I might not fish them for months out, and I’ll delete the ones that don’t produce. As for bait, squid, threadfin and herring are the best and cheapest. Live shrimp work, but it’s one bite and the shrimp is gone, which adds up. Chum with cut threadfin. Cut them small, as you don’t want to fill the fish up. Just give them a taste to get them interested. A few of the best spots I’ve found are “potholes.” I found them by going slowly from one spot to another, watching the bottom machine. In 74 feet of water, I saw the bottom drop just 2 feet and then come back up after 20 yards to form a pothole. I saw what looked like one fish. One more red grouper was more than I had at the time, so I anchored. It took a few minutes, but the bottom came alive and we caught 15 keeper red grouper! That pothole was one of the best places I ever found. So, I continued looking for places that seemed the same and found about a dozen of these potholes. I keep records of the keepers for each spot on the GPS, and I can’t tell you enough how important those records are. When it gets tough, go to the high-numbered spots. Capt. Larry Conley and Reel-Ality Sportfishing offers inshore, offshore, and deep-sea fishing out of Fort Myers. The Reel-Ality offers various trips as well as tournament charters and is licensed to carry up to 6 passengers. Call 239-980-3880, visit www.reelalitysportfishing.com/ contact.html, and check them out on Facebook.
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1/17/18 11:48 AM
By Capt. Ryan Drygas
A
n early morning departure from Key West Harbor puts the motor vessel Reel Time, a 45-foot Sea Hunter, right in the middle of 8- to 10-foot seas. The owner of the boat has been running sea trials for the last few days and has been comfortable running the boat throughout the trip, but has not yet handled seas of this magnitude. The owner made a decision to pass the helm to Paul Myrtetus, a member of the Sea Hunter team, and told him to start heading north. Myrtetus has been a part of several sea trials and is comfortable running
vessels in all types of conditions. After setting his course, Myrtetus began picking up speed and cutting through the swells. Usually, Myrtetus would be standing at the helm with his back resting on the edge of the seat. However, with the design and hydraulic integration of the Llebroc helm chair, he was more than comfortable running the course while remaining seated. In fact, Paul turned around to see the rest of the crew sitting down, as well. Anyone familiar with running in rough seas will tell you it was an unusual sight. Rough seas make for a rough ride, and the lack of a quality seat can cause back injuries quite easily from bottoming out in a chair. The 45foot Sea Hunter was fitted with Llebroc chairs, and the reasoning is quite obvious. Not only was everyone sitting down while running through 8- to 10-foot seas, they were laughing together, joking and enjoying watching wave after wave crashing over the decks and splashing against the window. After four days and 800 miles on the water, the sea trial was complete. Not only was the owner more than satisfied with his new boat, he was also injury free and has another sea story under his belt. Time after time, Llebroc has stood the test and passed with flying colors. Myrtetus is convinced Llebroc is the industry leader in seating and has helped return clients re-outfit their boats to Llebroc chairs. As a former member of the Coast Guard, I can personally recall stories of running in rough seas and bottoming out in helm chairs. The static and dynamic forces that affect the boat and the people inside are tremendous. Not only can they damage your vessel, but they can also have a lasting effect on your body. The equipment with which you outfit your boat determines the performance of your vessel as well as the enjoyment of your voyage. When looking for a comfortable ride, choose comfort, choose durability, choose Llebroc.
SAME SIZE COMPETITOR, SAME DAY, SAME WATER, SAME CONDITIONS......Head-to-Head.....Action Craft will win! *If there is a more stable 17 footer (87" beam that carries forward with shallow draft and easy to pole), then go buy it! *If there is a 17 footer with more finished surfaces on the boat, then go buy it! *If there is a 17 footer with more storage space and livewells, then go buy it! *If there is a 17 footer with a better ride, then go buy it! *If there is a more stable 19 footer (90" beam that carries forward with shallow draft and easy to pole), then go buy it! *If there is a 19 footer with more finished surfaces on the boat, then go buy it! *If there is a 19 footer with more storage space and livewells, then go buy it! *If there is a 19 footer with a better ride, then go buy it! *If there is a more stable 24 footer (102" beam with shallow draft and higher gunwales), then go buy it! *If there is a 24 footer with more freeboard, then go buy it! *If there is a 24 footer with more storage space and livewells, then go buy it! *If there is a 24 footer with a better ride, then go buy it! Action Craft.....if we are not the very best boat in our size range, then buy the other boat. We are so confident we build the best overall boats in each size range, we are willing to tell people to go buy the others if we are not!
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By Randy “C-Note” Cnota f you’ve ever found yourself fishing for largemouths after a bitter cold front has blown into your area, then you might be familiar with how tough northern winds can make it to fill a livewell. All tournament anglers know these fronts wait until the night before the competition to crash the feeding-frenzy of the days prior to an event. There is hope in this situation, and it doesn’t involve finesse presentations. It requires you to break out your heaviest sticks and braid (65 lb. minimum) as well as your stoutest hooks and beefiest weights. It’s time to present your bait where many fear to go… under the floating grass mats. I have an 11 pounder, two 10 pounders and probably over 100 in the 5- to 8-lb. range to my credit using this technique. Mats of grass in the South consist of wide variety of aquatic vegetation. Where I fish most, they consist of hydrilla, a submergent grass that grows to the surface, and hyacinth, a floating vegetation.
I
The hydrilla acts as a base that holds the hyacinth in place. This makes for a bass sanctuary similar to your home in that it has walls and a ceiling. The trick to presenting your bait to these cold fish hiding under the mats is to crash it through their roof (the hyacinth) using a large tungsten steel weight. The exact size is dependent upon the thickness of the mat, but you want a weight that penetrates without too much effort. I usually opt for a 1 ¾-ounce, as the bass will be heading for the deepest recesses of the mat. This is also a place that many anglers fail to target because it can be quite a chore to penetrate and doubly difficult to extract a fish… especially a big fish. This is why we use heavy rods, lines and hooks. The most popular baits to present to these fish are small craw or creature type baits. I find Gambler Chigger Craws or Burner Craws work great, but there’s no shortage of baits to choose from. Color is always a personal preference, but I’ve had the best results using hues of green like watermelon-red and green pumpkin for clear water and dark hues like black/blue or junebug for darker water. As for the technique, simply put, you have to get the bait through the roof and into the bass’ house so he can eat it, but there are too many subtleties to discuss here. Once a bass bites, you have to get him out so again… NO WIMPY TACKLE! If you’ve never punched mats, I suggest you go out with someone with experience. Commit to spending a lot of time punching the mats, and set out with a variety of weights, hooks and lures to experiment and fine tune your technique. And don’t forget the camera; most fish hauled out of these places are picture-worthy. Capt. Randy Cnota is the publisher of the Panama City/Forgotten Coast edition of Coastal Angler Magazine.
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1/17/18 12:13 PM
By Phil Wolf
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ooking for a new tow vehicle or work truck? Look no further than Gibson Truck World in Sanford, Fla. Their inventory is the largest in central Florida, they stock and sell Ford, Chevy, GMC and Dodge. Their on-site service center performs a 135-point inspection on each truck and performs required repairs prior to placing them on the lot for sale. They’ve been in business 23 years selling only trucks. Half their 65 employees have been there more than five years, a third have been there more than 10 years. I’m Phil Wolf, owner of the Orlando
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edition of Coastal Angler Magazine, and I endorse this message. I purchased my first truck from Gibson’s after shopping for a replacement for a 2008 Dodge Mega Cab Pickup. I bought that truck nicely loaded, but it had a Hemi engine that got poor fuel mileage. Between delivering Coastal Angler Magazines to Lake, Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties every month and visiting our weekend retreat in New Smyrna Beach most weekends, I put a lot of miles on my truck. Needing to replace my existing truck with 150,000 miles on it, I started looking for a new one. Wow, the replacement cost was a lot more money than I thought it would be. After pricing a new one at $65,000-plus, I decided to look for a used one with low mileage. I decided to give Gibson Truck World a shot at finding what I needed. It did not take them long. They found a 2011 Dodge Mega Cab for me with under 60,000 miles. This one, a Lariat Edition, had a Cummings Diesel and leather. The sales staff made it easy; they bought my existing truck and gave me a great competitive price on the truck I was purchasing. Leo and James helped move all my stuff including my truck topper and bed-slide into the new truck. That was in 2014. The 2011 Dodge was a good fit, but I drive a lot of miles. Soon the 2011 was over the 100,000-miles mark, not that many for a Cummings Diesel, but enough that I started looking for a newer ride again. Since developing a relationship with Gibson Truck World, and happy with my previous deal, I asked the sales staff to find me another truck. A white Dodge again, so my truck topper would fit and match color. I wanted a diesel at least three years newer than my 2011. In one week, they called with several for me to pick from. My recent purchase of a Dodge Ram 2016 Lariat Cummings Diesel with under 55,000 miles is just what I was looking for at more than $25,000 off the sticker pricing of a new one! If you are looking for a new truck to pull your boat, a work truck or fleet vehicle, then go by and visit the knowledgeable staff at Gibson Truck World in Sanford. They stock hundreds of trucks and specialize in hard to find trucks. Tell Denis, Leo and James that Phil with Orlando Coastal Angler Magazine sent you, so I can get a finder’s fee. Phil Wolf is the publisher of Coastal Angler Magazine’s Orlando edition.
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By Capt. Michael Okruhlik • Photo courtesy of Controlled Descent Lures
I
n early November, my buddy and I set out to fish some shallow flats in our kayaks. The water and air temperatures were near the 80-degree mark in south Texas. The area we had available to us only had a few inches of tidal flow predicted. When saltwater fishing, current is at the top of the list for catching requirements, but when the tide doesn’t provide it, find something that will. I had not fished this area in three years, and since that time hurricane Harvey changed a few things from the vehicle access point to my favorite hole, which isn’t a hole anymore. Needless to say, this was going to be a scouting mission as well as a fishing trip. We made our way to our first stop, which was a large knee- to waist-deep grass flat with a deep channel running down one side that is separated by a few spoil islands. We anchored up at the tip of a spoil island and casted to the channel. Although there was an abundance of bait, we didn’t get a strike. Off to plan B, my old honey hole. Once there, I realized the sweet spot was no longer, but we fished the area thoroughly since bait was present. We managed only a few strikes and a couple small trout. Knowing that the fish were inactive and that the tide was weak, I searched for an area where the wind might help drive a little more water flow to get the fish feeding. We headed back to the vicinity of our first stop, which was a flat the shape of a football field with the wind blowing from one endzone to the other. On the downwind side, there were a few small islands with breaks between them. Due to the wind, these breaks
funneled stronger water movement onto a small shallow flat. This flat didn’t have more bait than the other areas, but it did have water movement, which sparked the bite. We spent several hours in this tiny area catching reds and speckled trout. We used the same lures and presentation as we did earlier in the day. Soft plastic topwater jerk baits in pearl accounted for the more aggressive fish, but they were the smaller ones in this area. All of our larger fish came on slow-sinking paddle shad. Targeting the potholes and letting the lures slowly sink at the edge of the sand-to-grass transition drew the better strikes.
Photo courtesy of Capt. Tim Cutting
When fishing on less than desirable tides, remember to seek out locations that can offer it a push. Funnels and choke points are always a good bet, even if they are subtle. The water depth was the same on both sides and in between the islands, but it gave that little push the fish needed. Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Controlled Descent Lures and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.
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COASTAL ANGLER Treasure Coast edition Co-Publishers Gary and Misti Guertin
Sailfish Tournament Wraps:
What a Difference a Week Makes won the 64th annual Light Tackle Sailfish Tournament hosted by the Stuart Sailfish Club. They edged out the team aboard Sea Hag, led by Capt. Chris Kubik. Both teams finished the tournament with 20 sailfish releases over three days, but Kevin Hawken's catch and release at 2:33 p.m. Sunday was just a little ahead of Sea Hag angler Kevin Miles' catch at 2:58. Alikai also was the top boat of the final day with 11 sailfish releases, ahead of the prior day’s daily winner
Vintage, led by Capt. Hans Kraaz with nine, and day one daily award winner Cowpoke, led by Capt. Mike Brady with seven. The Florida Amateur Sailfish Championship, fished by three boats in its fourth year, was won by Kingsbury, led by Capt. Dewitt Davenport with four sailfish releases. The entire 15-boat fleet, including the amateur division, tallied a total of 86 sailfish releases Sunday and 191
SEE TOURNAMENTS.................. PAGE 26
PHOTO CREDIT: Ed Killer.
I
By Ed Killer for CAM
n fishing, trends can change in a hurry. Especially in tournament sailfishing. The second weekend of December 2017 featured the running of the 64th annual Light Tackle Sailfish Tournament hosted by the Stuart Sailfish Club. Despite a small fleet of 15 boats, which included three boats fishing in the fourth annual Florida Amateur Sailfish Championship, combined for 191 sailfish releases in three days of fishing. It was the 13th best total in the event’s six-plus decades of competition. One week later, the Fish Heads of Stuart Invitational Sailfish Tournament had 12 boats tally up only 77 sailfish releases in three days. It’s ok. These professionals are used to this. Up and down fishing activity is part of the game whether
fishing as a charter boat skipper or as a private boat captain in a tournament. Although it may not show up in the tournament totals from the 2017-2018 sailfish season, many, including Floridian charters Capt. Glenn Cameron, out of Sailfish Marina in Stuart, feel as if it’s been a pretty solid season for catching sailfish.
Light Tackle
There was no better way to wind up the area's longest-running sailfish tournament than with a good oldfashioned shootout. And when the salt spray settled, the difference between the top two teams all came down to the time of the last sailfish released. Alikai, led by Capt Patrick Price of Jensen Beach, and joined by owner Geoff Mayfield of Stuart; his dad, Keith Mayfield; anglers Kevin Hawken and Chris Lazzara; and crew Dave Dalfo and Marshall Busha
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FEBRUARY 2018
TREASURE COAST 1
1/16/18 12:57 AM
Florida Fish and Wildlife
FWC
news updates
Shoreline Fishing License FAQ
administrative fees, but handling fees are additional. • Do I need a Snook Permit if I have a Shoreline license? Yes, if you are not exempt and have a Saltwater Shoreline license you are required to have a Snook Permit to keep a snook in season. For more frequently asked questions pertaining to shoreline license requirements, visit myfwc.com/news/resources/fact-sheets/shoreline-fishing.
Atlantic snook season reopens Feb. 1
• Who is required to have a valid shoreline fishing license with them? Resident saltwater anglers who fish from shore or a structure affixed Snook is managed by two regions in Florida: Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. to shore will need to buy a shoreline fishing license unless they have a Regulations apply in state and adjacent federal waters. No commercial regular saltwater fishing license or are exempt. (The shoreline license is free, harvest or sale of snook is permitted. however, those who obtain the license of the phone pay a convenience fee License Requirements: Snook permit and recreational fishing license. of $3.33 to the vendor who provides the service, and those who obtain the Allowable Gear: Hook and line only. license off the Internet will pay a $2.31 convenience fee.) • If I wade into the water to fish, will I no longer be covered by the Gulf of Mexico, Monroe County, Atlantic (state and adjacent shoreline license? and Everglades National Park federal waters) (state and adjacent federal waters) Anglers who wade into the water are considered to be fishing from shore as long as they can stand on the bottom. Closed Harvest December 15 - January 31; December 1 - end of February; • If I have a regular saltwater fishing license, will I have to get a shoreline Season June 1 - August 31 May 1 - August 31 license too? Size Limit Not less than 28” total length Not less than 28” total length (TL) No. A resident regular fishing license that covers fishing from shore as (TL) or more than 32” TL or more than 32” TL well as from a vessel costs $17 and may be the best option for most anglers Bag Limit 1 per harvester per day 1 per harvester per day unless they feel certain they will fish only from shore. • If I ride in a boat to a fishing spot and then fish from shore, am I still covered by the shoreline license? No. If an angler arrives at the fishing location by boat, he must have a regular saltwater fishing license, regardless of whether he fishes from shore. • Do nonresident anglers qualify for the shoreline license? No. The shoreline fishing license is available to Florida residents only. Nonresident saltwater anglers must purchase a regular nonresident saltwater fishing license at $17 for three days, $30 for seven days or $47 for one year, regardless of whether they fish from shore or a vessel. These prices include
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FEBRUARY FISHING CONDITIONS February 1
GOOD
Evening
February 21
FAIR
Evening
February 2
GOOD
Evening
February 22
FAIR
Evening
February 3
FAIR
Evening
February 23
POOR
Evening
February 4
POOR
Evening
February 24
BEST
Morning
February 5
GOOD
Evening
February 25
BEST
Morning
February 6
GOOD
Evening
February 26
FAIR
Morning
February 7
GOOD
Morning
February 27
FAIR
Morning
February 8
POOR
Morning
February 28
FAIR
Morning
February 9
POOR
Morning
February 10
FAIR
Morning
February 11
FAIR
Morning
February 12
FAIR
Morning
February 13
FAIR
Morning
February 14
FAIR
Morning
February 15
GOOD
Evening
February 16
GOOD
Evening
February 17
GOOD
Evening
February 18
GOOD
Evening
February 19
POOR
Evening
February 20
POOR
Evening
What do the ratings mean? POOR day basically means the fish will either steal all your bait or will not even touch your line. FAIR day means that you catch one or two fish but you will have to work hard to do so. GOOD day means that you will catch enough fish to feel gratified. BEST day means that you will catch something almost every time you cast your line in the water. SOURCE: The Old Farmers’ 2017 Almanac
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FEBRUARY 2018
TREASURE COAST 3
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fishing forecasts
martin county offshore
Capt. Scott Fawcett
Off the Chain Fishing Charters (772) 285-1055 fishscottyf@bellsouth.net offthechainfishing.com
C
oming off of one of the best sailfish seasons we’ve seen in quite a while, fishing in general should continue to be excellent this February. This is the first year in many, that our winter season was mostly made up of the northwest winds like it should be. Cooler waters to our north have pushed down great numbers of sailfish, dolphin, blackfin tuna, king mackerel and everything else that swims you can think of. With the Outer Banks literally being frozen in mid-January and Charleston having record amounts of snow, the recent cold weather has pushed almost all the pelagic fish south of the border. Trolling small ballyhoo on Mustad
circle hooks for baits and mullet or horse ballyhoo dredges as teasers may be my favorite way to target offshore fish this time a year, but we have had a ton of bait schools showing up off our coast again and it’s sometimes difficult to complete with so much, especially as the month comes to an end. Whether you opt to troll or set out with a spread of live baits hung from kites or even bump trolling them out of your riggers, all are great ways to enjoy your day on the water this month. As a rule, our Six Mile and Eight Mile reefs are typically where we focus targeting the pelagic fish, but with conditions how they’ve been, don’t be surprised to see fish moving closer to the beach attracted by the big bait schools. R&R Tackle makes a wonderful Sabiki rig with a few extra hooks on it all tied to fluorocarbon, allowing you to get your bait catching done quicker and move onto your target species sooner. They also offer a great bait net which will keep your baits in much better condition and increasing your amount of bites for the day. It’s always a good idea to use a de-hooker when unhooking your bait and try and drop them right into the livewell so you don’t touch them until putting a hook in them. Traditionally February has always
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The Landt family with Kristen’s 35-pound bull dolphin that swam up to us while bottom fishing aboard Off The Chain.
PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Scott Fawcett.
been the best month for cobia, sight casting to manta rays as they migrate down and up the coast and I’m expecting this year to be the best we’ve seen in about a decade. A RonZ® eel jig is one of the best ways to target them and a good pair of Costa sunglasses go a long way. They just came out with a silver mirror 580 lens which allows the most amount of light in, while still protecting your eyes and creating the largest color differential
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I’ve ever seen which really causes the fish to stand out dramatically. Bottom fishing should start to get good again as the nearshore water cleans up. Check out Capt. Rocky’s Deep Sea Fishing forecast here in the magazine for more information on that. Whatever you decide to do this February, I hope to see you out there and hope your trip trip is Off The Chain.
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FEBRUARY 2018
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martin county inshore nearshore
Kyle caught a keeper snook at the bridge on live shrimp.
Capt. Giles Murphy Stuart Angler Bait & Tackle (772) 288–1219 www.stuartangler.com giles@stuartangler.com
T
he inshore bite can be great during this coldest time of year. The trout and redfish seem to move down to the Stuart and Jensen Beach area to feed on scaled sardines and shrimp. The shoreline between the Marriot and Sailfish Point can have them hiding along the docks and mangroves. Another fun option is wading the Sailfish Flats. Pull out your waders and pack some D.O.A. C.A.L. Curly Tail jigs, bucktail jigs, topwater plugs, or popping cork rigs. Park your boat at the “Sandbar” and wade along
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
T
he days of February will frame an offshore picture of the Florida winter painted in the colors of the many species of snapper caught east of Martin County. Anglers plying the offshore waters of the Treasure Coast this February will still need to watch and pay close attention the cold fronts of the Florida winter. These fronts are offshore weather makers and directly influence the daily sea conditions anglers will contend with in February. East of Stuart, these winter conditions will be firmly in place and as always, will necessitate that captains and their anglers find a suitable userfriendly weather window in which to venture out offshore to fish. And with the advent of the Internet, there are a multitude of virtual near-coastal reference points crews can check on as they try to schedule an offshore trip. Besides tuning in to local television weather reports, there are several go-to online forecasts and real-time reports that can be checked before ever launching or untying the boat, which will ultimately aid in the decision making. A list of these is
PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Giles Murphy.
the flats. There is typically zero boat traffic near the Sailfish Flats during the winter, which draws the fish in. Another fun method when fishing the flats is the “chum bucket”. Using a small plastic bait bucket with a lid, drill quarter-inch holes all over the sides of the bucket. Fill the bucket half-way with sand, gravel, or
anything heavy. Then fill with diced clam meat and/or chum. Place the bucket in two-to-three-foot depth on the flats, sit back, and wait. This is a great method for pompano on the flats. To make it even more fun, bring a ladder (preferably “painters ladder”), and place the ladder 40 feet from the chum bucket. Climb
available on the web version of this report on the Coastal Angler website ( w w w. c o a s t a l a n g l e r m a g . c om / treasure-coast). Once a fishing window opens, cobia and snapper will become the preferred target species of near coastal reef fishermen. Schools of cobia will continue to stream through our reef zones in depths of 50 to 100 feet and will fall to dead and live baits deployed atop reefs, at all depths throughout the water column. Live baits, such as grunts, greenies and sardines, are some of a cobia`s favorite snacks, however a hungry “cobe” will eat just about anything it can fit in its expansive mouth. A 30to 50-pound main line, with terminal tackle that consists of 50- to 80-pound leader, tied to a 5/0-7/0 hook, will get that cobia to the boat. Furthermore, members of the snapper family, which include lane, mangrove (grey),
yellowtail, vermilion, cubera, and mutton, will be on the “most wanted list” for all bottom fishermen this month, especially since the closed season on all groupers will be in full effect. Reef structures in depths from 50 to 90 feet will hold most of these representatives of the snapper category and allow anglers to dial in their snapper catching strategies from offshore of the Loran Tower to the power plant, most notably large mutton snapper and jumbo cubera snapper will continue to post up, east and south of the inlet, on natural and artificial reefs this month, look for the big snappers in 50 to 80 feet of water, and deploy the baits for these bruisers on 40- to 60-foot leaders comprised of 80- to 125-pound test monofilament. Baits that are deployed on edges of the reef contour will yield the best results for success in whacking a jumbo snapper.
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PHOTO CREDIT: Safari 1 Deep Sea Fishing.
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The salty colors of February will be found on large mutton snapper, like this big mutton caught by Marjie Belcher (left) aboard the Safari 1.
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Snook, Trout, Redfish!
Ft. Pierce, FL www.captjoeward.com
up the ladder and watch your chum bucket attract fish. The Spanish mackerel and bluefish can be thick in February for fun with the family. They typically start showing up more inshore near the bridges, channels, and inlet. Some good lures to cast at them are Got-Cha Plugs, Gulfstream Flash Minnows, and spoons. For flyfishing, chartreuse clousers, Gummy Minnows, and topwater poppers work great. Surf casting the beaches with 10-to-12-foot rods is very popular in February through the spring. Pompano is the big target, but we also catch whiting, croakers, and perch. We’ve done best on the beach with incoming tide, especially the last two hours of incoming tide. Snook season opens February 1 and the keepers are caught mostly along the bottom near the bridges or under big boats at dock. The snook lights are very lively this time of year for light tackle fun spin or fly!
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FEBRUARY 2018
TREASURE COAST 5
1/16/18 12:58 AM
fishing forecasts
south indian river lagoon
Capt. Charlie Conner
Capt. Charlie’s Fish Tales Charters (772) 284-3852 captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com www.fishtalescharter.com
W
hile winter is still around the Treasure Coast and weekly cold fronts will continue to bring cool nights and lots of windy days to the area, fishing will still be good out on the water. It has been a tough winter so far with all the rain, winds and cold. Water temperatures can dictate where and how you might fish on any given day this month. January was a much warmer month this year. When the water is cold, fish the deeper cuts and drop offs of the river. Sunny days will bring fish up in shallower waters to feed and the bite can really get hot out on the flats. The trout bite picks up very nicely
Fort Pierce Deep Sea
Capt.'s Cole and Zach Hazellief Lady Chris Charters (772) 971-7179 TheLadyChris.com
W
e have decked the halls, rang in the new year and now we can fall in love with February fishing. As with all the winter months, we must be patient and wait for weather
Caleb started his day off with this 33-inch snook that he caught and released. It was the beginning of a great day of fishing for the guys! PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Charlie Conner.
in February. 2017 proved to be the year of big trout in the Fort Pierce area. I anticipate 2018 will be another big fish year around the area. C.A.L. jerk baits and Deadly Combos are exciting ways to trout fish with artificial lures, while live shrimp on popping corks are the ol’ standard way to trout fish out on the river. Redfish can be found in shallow flats around mangroves and islands. We had a fantastic winter bite in 2017 around the docks and
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LEFT: Fall in with with combo catches like Bob Szladek. Nice pairing catch of cobia and grey snapper. BELOW: John Wheeler has dialed in on the snapper bite. Patience and practice paying off!
openings. The targets of the month are the faithful and various snapper species. We will also see mackerel and cobia as they enjoy a bit of the brisk winter. All winter we have had abundant lane catches and this will continue right through the month. Lane snapper are beautiful and tasty hence the alias “candy snapper”. These snappers may hold a state record of only 6.06-pounds but their out of this world flavor make up for their lack of girth. Celebrate February and make a mountable mutton for your
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mangroves for redfish. On warm sunny days, the reds will sit around the mangroves and soak up the sun. D.O.A. shrimp and C.A.L. jerk baits can find some hungry reds hugging the mangrove lines when fished very slowly. Docks are a great way to find plenty of fish waiting for something tasty to drift under them. Sheepshead will be plentiful around the river and the larger fish will be coming into the river
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FEBRUARY 2018
to breed. They showed up early this year and January has been a great month for them. Live or dead shrimp around bridges, docks and structure can provide lots of action in addition to some great tasting fish. Sand perch and croakers should also be hanging around the inlet and bridges. Pompano around the surf and on the deeper flats of the river can be taken on C.A.L. grub tails, Doc’s Goofy Jigs and shrimp or clams. Bluefish, mackerel and jacks will continue to haunt the baitfish around the jetties and turning basin. Small, shiny lures will keep you busy. There should be some flounder around the back sides of the jetties and on sand flats around the inlet area. February is a transition month on the river. We have enjoyed more normal winter weather and the fish bite has been good for us. Winds will still be blowing and the water will begin to gradually rise in temperature. Fishing your lures slowly will give you more action on the river, since fish tend to be sluggish in the colder water. Have fun this month and get out fishing! Remember, fishing is not just another hobby, it's an ADVENTURE!
Valentine. Mutton snappers are the most skittish of the species and make for a great game of angler versus fish. These fish are not only one of our top three favorite fish to target and catch, but also awesome table fare! February is the month for a trophy catch so get ready to reel! The cobia will be bobbing around the surface with the mackerels darting in and out of the water. Keep a close eye out for the sharks and kings. As if the weather wasn't enough to compete with, we will also have a copious number of predators to tango with. Who's faster the angler or the shark? There will be opportunities to
PHOTO CREDIT: Lady Chris Charters.
make it offshore with choppy but fish-able conditions. Watch the weather reports and make smart decisions when to make your next voyage. Enjoy the favorable days and take advantage of the romantic atmosphere that February provides. Tight lines and good vibes!
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1/16/18 12:58 AM
Ciara F with a 3.11-p sheeps
PHOTO CR
st. lucie county inshore
Capt. Joe Ward
Capt. Joe’s River Charters (772) 201-5770 or (772) 461-1335 CWard11605@aol.com captjoeward.com
L
ooking forward to February and the opening of snook season on the first of the month. The action should be red hot around the Fort Pierce Inlet and the local bridges. I will be using two baits, first is a live bait like a pinfish, pigfish or a greenie and fish them on the bottom using a 30-to-40-pound fluorocarbon leader and a 6/0 live bait hook and just enough weight to hold the bottom. Or, I will try a 1.5-ounce or 2-ounce Flair Hawk, and the color I like is chartreuse and white, but everyone has their favorite color. You will need
Ciara Franqui with a nice 3.11-pound sheepshead.
to fish these jigs on the bottom and slow. Bounce them off the bottom at places like the jetty and/or the wall at the turning basin. If you are fishing at the jetty, a live shrimp on a .25-ounce jig head will work too. Look for a good redfish bite at places like the docks along South Indian River Drive. The top bait to use should be a live shrimp and an ⅛-ounce or ¼-ounce jig head and a 20-pound fluorocarbon leader. The bottom fishing should also be good around the bridges and channel edges for sheepshead, black drum, bluefish and Spanish macks. Try a small weight like a ½-to1-ounce and about 24-inches of fluorocarbon and a #2 long shank hook. Live shrimp, fiddler crabs or frozen shrimp will work just fine. There should be more pompano down in the river for anglers fishing with sand fleas or live shrimp. Fish on the sand bars to the south of the South Bridge and fish on the start of the outgoing tide.
PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Joe Ward.
st. lucie county offshore
Capt. Danny Markowski
LottaBull Fishing Charters (772) 370-8329 lottabull4@bellsouth.net lottabullfishingcharters.com
atches atch of W: John apper ng off!
S
napper will be the fish to target during the month of February. There are multiple species of snapper and they will be on the hunt for food in the Treasure Coast waters this month. Mutton snapper are one of the most sought after in the snapper family. Muttons can be found near any kind of structure: manmade or natural. Mutton snapper seem to
stay in the sandy areas around the structure and are very skittish fish. It is recommended to use a long fluorocarbon leader no more than 30 pounds. Another snapper species to look for is the mangrove snapper. These fish are also found around structure manmade or natural. The difference between mangrove and mutton snapper is that these fish are caught much closer to the structure. They often hide in cracks and crevices waiting for food. Mangroves are not as skittish as mutton snapper. So you can use a shorter leader between five and ten feet. You will still want to use 30-pound fluorocarbon leader for these fish to withstand their teeth and abrasions from the structure. The lane snapper bite will also be good this month. Lane snappers don’t get as big as mutton snapper or
mangrove snapper, but they can get up to 4.5-pounds. These are a tasty fish with a good fight for their size. They, like the mangrove snapper, will hold tighter to structure. You will catch these while bottom fishing for mangrove and mutton snapper. Mutton and mangrove snapper will take a smaller live sardine or dead baits such as a sardine plug, squid or a chunk of ballyhoo. Even a nice handpicked shrimp will be appetizing to these fish. They can all be found from the beach out to 150 feet and beyond just find some structure and put a bait on the bottom. Each variety of snapper has a different size limit so be sure to know the legal sizes for each fish you catch. Also, be sure to have a venting tool on your boat for any bottom fish that you may catch that is too small or needs to be thrown back.
Daniel with a nice tripletail caught off Fort Pierce Inlet. This fish was caught in 50-feet of water, and it ate a large piece of frozen shrimp that was tossed at it. PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Danny Markowski.
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fishing forecasts
sebastian inshore
Capt. Gus Brugger
Pattern Setter Charters (772) 360-6787 www.WelcomeToSebastian.com
T
he Indian River Lagoon is where consistent action is to be had in February. Gator sized seatrout will react to cold winter weather by moving into areas of protected deep water, such as canals and creeks. Live shrimp, D.O.A Shrimp, 52M MirrOlures and soft plastics fished slowly near the bottom in these areas can account for some incredible big trout action on days that find most anglers in front of the TV. During the warm weather periods between the cold fronts, these same fish will be found in super shallow protected areas. Under these conditions stealth becomes a must, and wading can further swing the odds in an angler’s favor. Live shrimp on a short leader below a small float is a great method to fool shallow water trout, especially
if you have a strong wind or current to help drift the bait into the strike zone. Soft plastics and small shallow running plugs are excellent choices for making the long casts necessary to cover the shallow, mud bottom flats without spooking the wary trout and reds. Redfish, regardless of temperature or water clarity, will be in the shallow backwaters. Mangrove shorelines can be sight fished when the waters are clear. Fly fishing allows for the soft presentation to visible fish that is often more important than the bait or lure, but a small live shrimp, D.O.A. shrimp or a jerkbait are also very effective when sight casting. If waters are murky, you can drift, pole or trolling motor very quietly throwing a weedless gold spoon, fourinch D.O.A. C.A.L. jerkbait or tipped skimmer jig and cover as much area as possible. Blind casting these areas will give anglers a very good chance of scoring on reds, trout and even snook that will lay up along sunny shorelines on occasion.
can lead to some eyeopening results. Use the wind and current to make long casts and natural drifts while wading to get into gator trout and reds that will in most cases spook if approached by a boat. Occasionally, big snook show up on the spoil islands in the early spring and can be an added bonus while wade fishing for trout and reds. Pompano will still be a target of both surf and lagoon anglers in February. Sandfleas and cut clams are the preferred baits of surf fishermen who line up north and south of Sebastian Inlet. Yellow and pink Doc’s Goofy KG Reise holding a nice wintertime trout Jigs are the choice of from a protected backwater. most serious pompano anglers in the lagoon. PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Gus Brugger. Hopping the jigs along Investing in a pair of waders can the bottom behind the inlet and pay great dividends this time of year. around spoil islands is the best way to Wade fishing around spoil islands, target the tasty hard fighting pomps. Put on a jacket and get on the flats edges and sunny shorelines with live shrimp, flies and artificials water in Sebastian this winter
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sebastian area offshore
Capt. Randy Lang
Sebastian Gypsy Fishing Charters Email: gypsycharters@gmail.com www.sebastianfishingcharter.com
I
t is February in Sebastian and there is plenty of good offshore fishing to be done. Bottom fishing will continue to be solid. Grouper and red snapper are out of season but mangrove snapper, muttons, lanes, sea bass, triggerfish, and cobia will be on the menu. When bottom fishing, I like to keep at least one “trigger fish rig” in the water. This consists of a couple #1 hooks suspended off the bottom using dropper loop knots. Use a pinkytoe-sized bait. That will allow the trigger to get the bait and small hook in their tiny mouths. Keeping the bait elevated a few feet will keep the bait away from grunts and increase tasty triggerfish hook-ups. Try using cut grunt and live baits on a bigger hook for other species. Get sneaky for the mangroves using #30 flourocarbon and minimal terminal tackle. Resident cobia will be on the bottom early this month around structure. When you hook one, he’ll run hard and then head for the surface. Remember to back off that drag if it is set tight for grouper. The cobes will charge hard around the boat and will need to be played out unlike other bottom fish. Late February the cobia may start to show themselves. Watch for breaks in the surface temperature. Cobia don’t like water below the mid-sixties, so finding the warmer water this time of year is key. Often the breaks out in 90 feet will warm first early in the year. Spend a little time cruising down a subtle weed line in the 70 to 90 feet area in
the afternoon. The cobia will be warming themselves on the surface. Throw a swim bait or bucktail in front of them and watch them charge. If you are lucky enough to find the manta rays, the cobes will be under them. Watch for mantas breaching in the distance. You can also locate the mantas by seeing the “ink spot” in the water from a great distance on a sunny day. Delicious tripletail will also be in full swing this month. They love this cold weather and will be hanging under any weeds or floating debris. If you see a significant weed line in the 50 to 70 feet range, check it out. You’ll need good sun to see them and calm seas helps. I like to have a light spinning rig on the boat this time of year, rigged with a Cajun Thunder and a #1 hook down 18 inches. Live shrimp is best but frozen stuff or a piece of fresh cut bait works as well. Get upwind and throw past the sighted fish and slowly wind in until you’re close. Pop the cork if necessary. Be patient and don’t get too close with the boat. They will spook easily and get lockjaw or drop out of sight. A well placed, small jig will do the job as well. Kingfish fishing will continue to be solid this month. Keep a live bait or a frozen sardine freelined while bottom fishing. The kings will need a small wire leader. Target them by slow trolling and drifting over the reefs. Keep a couple baits near the surface and a couple baits at mid-depth. A simple rig is a 2-to4-ounce jig head with a live bait or frozen sardine hooked through the lips and add a stinger if you can. Make your own kingfish rigs with 40# sevenstrand wire. Use a figure eight knot to tie on the following to one continuous piece of wire: a swivel; 2-feet of wire; a #2 j-hook; 4-inches of wire; and a #4, 4x-strong treble hook. Add a “duster” in front of the j-hook to half of your rigs for
Suzanne and Derek Emerson, and their two boys sure enjoyed this sweet tasting cobia. Suzanne hooked it while bottom fishing in 80 feet of water using cut grunt. It pulled so hard she handed the rod over to her husband Derek. It rocketed to the surface and charged around the boat for a while until we finally scooped it up. Squid Lips cooked it for them on the way home. “Best fish ever” was the review! PHOTOS CREDIT: Capt. Randy Lang.
extra flash. These rigs are cheap, easy to make, and effective. For Gulf Stream fishing, try drifting live baits around fishy looking areas. When trolling out there, work some subsurface baits into the spread. Downriggers and down planers will greatly increase your chance of hooking a wahoo.
Casting Lessons guided trips
A small lure way back will pick up tasty blackfin tuna as well. Although not considered a top month for dolphin, there will be some good dolphin days for those who find some warmer water. So, don’t sit around waiting for spring. Get out there and catch some fish!
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diving forecast
Steve Wood
Deep Six Watersports - Stuart (772) 288-3999 Stuart (772) 562-2883 Vero Steve.wood@deepsix.com www.deepsixintl.com
F
ebruary may not be the warmest month to go diving, but those who venture out, may be in for a treat. If sea conditions lay down long enough between cold fronts, divers who sneak out local inlets maybe surprised to find plenty of action on area reefs. Hunters are wise to stay alert while spearfishing since cobia and sharks also return to local waters making for exciting encounters during the winter months. When the wind starts blowing, gear maintenance might be a good idea too. Since lobster season remains open through March, divers have plenty of time to bag a delicious meal while exploring area reefs. Lobsters are known to move around during large swells and heavy surf into areas that are typically picked over and reefs
this time of year, but the following tips can be used to make the most of trips offshore. Before heading out, call around to local dive shops or check social media pages like the Deep Six Dive Tribe page on Facebook for first-hand reports. Once on the water, generally the further offshore the better the visibility and since its pretty much straight out the St. Lucie Inlet, a quick bounce dive on the Titan Tug is a great place to start. If vis is good, spend a few minutes on the wreck, then swim the 100 feet east to the reef line and continue the dive with the current. If vis is bad, come up and move south towards the Loran Tower reef or the rubble piles off Hobe Sound to find better visibility closer to the Gulf Stream. Dive charters use VHF channel 78A to communicate conditions and listening up or shamelessly asking for a report could prove valuable too. When fronts swing through and the winds blowing, February is a great time to get tanks, regulators Throwback to 2014 – a good day spearfishing and BCs serviced since turnaround off Fort Pierce, a nice gag and cobia. times are generally quicker this time of year. Additionally, if tanks are due PHOTO Courtesy of Steve Wood. for hydro, or special-order parts are like Peck Lake just south of the St. also make their return in big numbers needed, divers won’t be missing the Lucie Inlet in Stuart or the shallow in February and Valentine’s Day is a stellar conditions of the upcoming spring and summer dive season reef located off Bathtub Beach are great time to start looking for them. good places to look. Cobia should Visibility reports can be scarce waiting for repairs to be complete.
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Carolina Girl Gone Floridian it is hopefully taken by a fish. It sounds complex, right? I recently enjoyed a kite fishing trip in South Florida and my was born on the Outer Banks experience illustrates why I of North Carolina into a family appreciate this style of fishing. that enjoyed surfing and fishing. My husband, who is also My dad was a commercial an avid fisherman, was itching fisherman when I was young, to get out on the water and so I spent a lot of deck time try our luck at catching a few with him pound netting and sailfish during the cold front shrimping. By the age of 13, I we had in early January (yes, I was a deckhand on the local said winter and Florida in the head boat, “Miss Hatteras,” and same sentence). Typically, a cold was fortunate enough to charter Kaisey Watson, a Carolina front in South Florida in the fish with local captains, Buddy girl gone Floridian. winter months results in a good and Chase Hooper. sailfish bite. Eagerly, we booked I first left Hatteras to attend University of North Carolina at Wilmington after a trip on the “Fish On,” a charter boat out of Sailfish high school. I landed a job in Wanchese, North Marina in Palm Beach, which was run by Capt. Carolina with Bayliss Boatworks after college and Andrew Dotterweich and his twin brother, David. We left the dock at 8 a.m. and had a very short run various circumstances led me to South Florida a couple years later. I quickly began to admire the to the fishing grounds. The great thing about fishing state’s diverse fishery and understood why it is often out of Palm Beach Inlet is that the Gulf Stream can come as close as a mile from the beach. Of course, considered the ‘Fishing Capital of the World.’ It wasn’t until I moved to Florida I heard the this is one of my absolute favorite parts about South term kite fishing. This type of fishing involves flying Florida fishing. It’s so close! Within minutes, we had a kite, from which hangs drop lines attached to the kites flying behind the boat and the live baits in baits. The kite is flown out over the surface of the ocean, and the baits swim near the waterline until SEE CAROLINA...................................................PAGE 15
By Kaisey Watson
I
Kaisey hooking up and bringing in a nice bull dolphin.
PHOTOS COURTESY of Kaisey.
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Fly Fishing Corner By Capt. Michael Mauri
Fly Fishing it Up During the Treasure Coast Winter!
G
rowing up in Bavaria, Germany, my level of appreciation for Treasure Coast winters is at an all time high. Living the fly fishing dream 24/7, 365 days a year is just unbelievable. Getting out on the water even in bad weather conditions, catching fish on fly consistently, is just amazing! The combination between the cold weather and dropping water temperatures are adding some different hot spots in the game. Look out for some channels, little creeks and mangrove shorelines to fish your fly. Try different speeds, but usually I prefer to fish slower and deeper in colder water conditions. Keep in mind that you want to fish a half down or half up tide when you
fish in front of mangroves. Brown water, which holds fine sediments, is warming up faster in the sun than clear water. Snook, juvenile tarpon, trout, redfish and jacks all love little bait fish patterns, clousers and shrimp flies. Use your 8 or 9 weight set-up with a floating line and a 20-to-30-pound (juvenile tarpon 40-to-50-pound shock) tippet. If you are looking for hardcore action, grab your 10-weight with a super fast sinking line and 40-to50-pound tippet. Fish size 2/0 and bigger clousers in white/olive, white/ chartreuse, chartreuse/olive or just black in the deep holes along the bridges and channels for big snook. Make sure that you feel bottom while jigging or dragging your fly!
Another happy customer from Germany, Klaus-Peter Marcinczyk, with a nice juvenile tarpon. PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Michael Mauri.
The St. Lucie estuary is the us in saving this unique fishery for most diverse fishery in the entire ourselves, our children, and future United States. Threatened by the generations. Lake Okeechobee discharges, we are in full support of the Now or Capt. Michael Mauri Neverglades Declaration to save (772) 485-3321 our local waters. Please help by www.mauriflyfishing.com visiting bullsugar.org/sign to help michael@mauriflyfishing.com
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CAROLINA GIRL.....FROM PAGE 12 the water. This style of fishing requires constant adjusting and monitoring because the baits move as the kites fluctuate in the wind. An important factor is keeping the baits in the water and ideally near the surface, so the anglers are constantly reeling the baits up or dropping them down. Our morning started off great with a successful sailfish bite, catch and release by my husband. We found the dolphin in the mid-morning hours and I had my turn. With my hand on the reel I felt the fish eat my bait, I dropped the reel into free spool and locked it up a few seconds later. The line popped out of the kite clip as it came tight and I reeled fast to recoup any loose line between me and the fish. I was hooked up to a nice bull dolphin! In the meantime, we managed to hook another dolphin, so we had a double-header and managed to land both. We caught one more dolphin later in the morning, missed a sailfish and then jumped off another. The conditions worsened throughout the day with wind gusts consistently reaching up to 25 knots. The bite slowed in the afternoon and we called it quits around 3 p.m. It wasn’t the epic bite we were hoping for, but we
had a great time and will definitely be fishing with the “Fish On” crew again soon. What I like most about kite fishing is the use of light tackle and the limited downtime in between bites. This style of fishing requires my attention and it’s constantly keeping me involved even when fishing is slow. I also enjoy using the lighter gear because it’s easier for me to handle, but from an angling perspective, it can also be more challenging. I have a few tips for my fellow lady anglers. Kite fishing is oftentimes done in colder weather and requires hours of standing. I suggest investing in “cold weather” Under Armor performance gear for layering on the chiller days. I also recommend wearing comfortable, lightweight and fast-drying running shoes since you are on your feet most of the day. I find the running shoes to be more comfortable than most boat shoes. However, be sure they have white soles, so you don’t mark up the boat deck! Kaisey was born and raised in Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, where she found her passion for the outdoors. She now lives in Stuart, Florida, and enjoys both inshore and offshore fishing in her spare time.
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The Stuart Sailfish Club would like to express sincere gratitude to all the sponsors, donors, volunteers and members for contributing to the success of the 64th Annual Light Tackle Tournament and the Junior Angler Tournament. Your commitment will enable us to continue our mission of providing scholarships to local students, charitable funding for not-for-profits such as Friends In Pink and marine conservation education. Our goal is to provide a great club experience to our members while fulfilling our club mission.
Mr. Joseph Lehner Mr. Charles Martyn III
16
We invite you to visit our website at www.StuartSailfishClub.com TREASUREor COAST 2018 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM THEANGLERMAG.COM call us atFEBRUARY 772-286-9373 to learn more about our•club and how you can become a member.
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WIND, WATER & WAVES By Jeremy Lund Former student Byron Jaffe rips now!
Kiteboarding: O
Getting Started
ver the next few articles I am going to write an instructional series that will cover everything from your first day of kiting all the way up to making your first jump. For those of you who are already avid kiters, I think you will find knowledge and a new understanding of the kiteboarding methodology. For those of you who have not kiteboarded before, please do not use this series to replace proper training. Kiteboarding is a very unique sport and must be learned with a certified instructor. However, this series will give you a taste of what’s involved and help prepare you for your lessons. One of the things most instructors and schools recommend before you start kiting is to purchase and practice with a trainer kite. A trainer kite is a two-to-four square meter traction (power) kite that is intended to teach you about the basic kite control and something called the wind window, we’ll get into this later. While I believe that the trainer kite can be a very useful tool, I do have mixed feelings on the topic. Often people purchase these kites without any knowledge and often build, practice and reinforce bad habits. It can be very difficult to break these habits once you have formed them in your muscle memory. To avoid these bad habits, I recommend taking an introductory kite lesson prior to purchasing a
trainer. This will allow you to see how these trainers actually apply to the sport itself. Additionally, your instructor will be able to offer some advice on what to practice with the trainer kite before your next session. During your first lesson you will likely learn about wind direction and strength. It is often a struggle for those who are new to wind-based sports to determine “true” wind direction and recognize subtle changes in the wind. The kite is very sensitive to wind direction and the wind’s true direction is the basis for all of the theory to follow. Next you will likely learn to set up a kite, but first you will have to learn which size kite is appropriate. During an intro course, you will fly a kite much smaller than what you would normally fly but let’s say you were an avid kiter, how would you choose? There are a lot of factors that we normally consider, but for the purpose of our article, lets simplify it. The lighter the person, the smaller the kite, the less wind, the bigger the kite, the more wind, the smaller the kite. So, we have to factor the rider’s weight, skill level and current wind speed. Most kiters have two-to-three kite sizes to choose from and most kites have a wind range of five-toeight knots and need a minimum of eight-to-ten knots to fly. Setting up a kite is pretty straight
PHOTO CREDIT: Daniel Peter/danielpeter.com.
forward but it deserves a visual tutorial. That said here are the basics. The kite itself will be inflated to about seven-psi or until it is rigid. Then the control bar/lines will be laid out. these lines are typically 20-to-25 meters in length. The lines will be separated, inspected and then attached to the kite using a lark’s head knot (also known as a cow hitch). Most kites use a four-line bar, meaning there are two front lines attached to the leading edge of the kite through a bridle
and two back lines will be attached directly to the trailing edge wing tips. Once the kite is set up, it will be time to cover the safety protocols and launch the kite. Please stay tuned for next month’s article when we go airborne! Jeremy Lund is lead instructor and owner of New Wave Kiteboarding at Sailfish Marina in Stuart, FL. (561) 633-9362 NewWaveKiteboarding.com
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height -0.85 2.76 -0.56 2.64 -0.78 2.72 -0.57 2.59 -0.64 2.62 -0.53 2.49 -0.45 2.46 -0.44 2.34 -0.23 2.28 -0.32 2.17 -0.03 2.1 -0.19 2.02 0.15 1.93 -0.09 1.9 0.27 1.82 -0.03 1.84 0.33 1.76 -0.01 1.84 0.33 1.76 -0.04
L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L
11SU 5:35 AM 11:24 AM 5:38 PM 11:42 PM 12M 6:23 AM 12:10 PM 6:27 PM 13TU 12:25 AM 7:06 AM 12:52 PM 7:12 PM 14W 1:06 AM 7:46 AM 1:31 PM 7:54 PM 15TH 1:44 AM 8:24 AM 2:08 PM 8:34 PM 16F 2:21 AM 9:02 AM 2:43 PM 9:14 PM 17SA 2:57 AM 9:38 AM 3:19 PM 9:54 PM 18SU 3:33 AM 10:15 AM 3:55 PM 10:35 PM 19M 4:12 AM 10:52 AM 4:35 PM 11:18 PM 20TU 4:55 AM 11:32 AM 5:19 PM 21W 12:05 AM 5:43 AM 12:16 PM 6:09 PM
1.9 0.28 1.82 -0.09 1.98 0.2 1.91 -0.16 2.08 0.11 2 -0.23 2.18 0.02 2.09 -0.28 2.26 -0.06 2.16 -0.3 2.3 -0.14 2.21 -0.3 2.31 -0.2 2.23 -0.27 2.28 -0.24 2.23 -0.21 2.23 -0.27 2.21 -0.13 2.17 -0.28 2.17 -0.03 2.1 -0.27
H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L
22TH 12:58 AM 6:39 AM 1:06 PM 7:08 PM 23F 1:59 AM 7:43 AM 2:07 PM 8:14 PM 24SA 3:07 AM 8:52 AM 3:16 PM 9:23 PM 25SU 4:16 AM 10:00 AM 4:28 PM 10:29 PM 26M 5:22 AM 11:04 AM 5:35 PM 11:30 PM 27TU 6:21 AM 12:02 PM 6:36 PM 28W 12:27 AM 7:14 AM 12:56 PM 7:31 PM
2.13 0.08 2.04 -0.25 2.09 0.16 2 -0.26 2.1 0.17 2.01 -0.3 2.17 0.1 2.1 -0.4 2.29 -0.04 2.25 -0.52 2.45 -0.21 2.42 -0.62 2.59 -0.37 2.58
Sebastian (Inlet)
Vero (Ocean) TIME OFFSET High Tide -55 min Low Tide -35 min HEIGHT OFFSET High Tide 1.45 feet Low Tide 1.36 feet
TIME OFFSET High Tide -31 min Low Tide -18 min HEIGHT OFFSET High Tide 1.14 feet Low Tide 1.50 feet
Jensen Beach (Indian River)
St. Lucie Inlet
Jupiter Inlet
TIME OFFSET High Tide -48 min Low Tide -24 min HEIGHT OFFSET High Tide .93 feet Low Tide 1.0 foot
TIME OFFSET High Tide +2 hrs; 17 min Low Tide +3 hrs; 4 min HEIGHT OFFSET High Tide .48 feet Low Tide .92 feet
TIME OFFSET High Tide +55 Low Tide +1 hr; 42 min HEIGHT OFFSET High Tide 1 foot Low Tide .50 feet
H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H
Fort Pierce
TIME OFFSET High Tide -10 min Low Tide -9 min HEIGHT OFFSET High Tide 1.08 feet Low Tide 1.42 feet
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1/16/18 12:58 AM
Brown-headed Nuthatch. PHOTO CREDIT: Tara Tanaka.
4903 SE Dixie Hwy. Stuart, FL 34997 (772) 220-3287 (EATS) www.prawnbroker.com
Re-Introduction of Brown Headed Nuthatches
O
n February 22, 2018 at 6 p.m., Jim Cox from Tall Timbers Research Station in Tallahassee, Florida, will present his plan for re-introducing Brown Headed Nuthatches into Jonathan Dickinson State Park (JDSP). Mr. Cox’s presentation will be held at JDSP’s Kimbell Education Center as an admission free event, sponsored by the Friends of Jonathan Dickinson State Park. Nuthatches excavate cavities in dead pine trees and very likely were lost from the park because of logging in the 1940s and prior. Since the park opened in 1950, South Florida Slash Pine has returned vigorously, and there are now enough dead trees, or “snags”, in the park where nuthatches can create cavities. Brown-headed nuthatches are small, vocal birds which are conspicuously absent in the local area but are not listed by FWC or USFWS as threatened or endangered. Nuthatch populations will be managed in such a way in St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park (SSRPSP) by Jim Cox and park staff that will allow biologists to selectively move groups to JDSP without harming the population from
St. Sebastian over several years (with appropriate permits from FWC and USFWS). The nuthatch reintroduction fulfills the Florida Park Services mission “to provide resource based recreation will preserving, interpreting, and restoring natural and cultural resources.” Re-introducing nuthatches into the park highlights the outstanding natural resources of SSRPSP and JDSP, the commitment to managing for biological diversity by the Florida Park Service and Tall Timbers Research Station, and the positive results that can be achieved when state agencies and the private sector partner to do the right thing for our natural resources for the good of the public. Jonathon Dickinson State Park is located at 16450 S.E. Federal Highway, Hobe Sound, Florida 33455. The Kimbell Center is located four miles from the park’s entrance. Park entry is free for this event. Registration is requested. For more information, contact the Kimbell Center, (561) 745-5551, libby.reinert@dep.state.fl.us.
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1/16/18 12:58 AM
BCFA Kicks Off 2018 Tournament Series Team Hasselbrink/Hoeneke Take 1st
T
he Backcountry Fishing Association kicked off its first 2018 tournament on January 6th. Despite the cold weather, the turnout was great with a fleet of 40 boats participating. New members Kollin Hasselbrink and Cameron Hoeneke took firstplace, weighing in a 3.16-pound trout and a 5-pound redfish, for a total weight of 8.16-pound. The duo took home $718 for their first-place standing. Second-place went to brothers Kyle and Tyler Engelmann. The duo weighed in a 2.25-pound trout and a 5.90-pound redfish, for a total of 8.15-pounds. The Engelmann's second-place standing earned the pair $430.80. They also brought in the biggest redfish, winning an extra $210 for the redfish Calcutta. Troy Wilson and his daughter Taylir Wilson weighed in a 4-pound trout and a 3.69-pound redfish, giving them the third-place win. They took home $287.20 for their total weight of
Backcountry Fishing Association Fort Pierce, FL
7.69-pounds, as well as $240 for the trout Calcutta. The Backcountry Fishing Association annual tournament series is a ten-month circuit, which runs from January through October, with a two-day Classic taking place in October. The artificial lure only tournament gives two-person teams and solo anglers the opportunity to win cash and gain points. Redfish, trout and snook (seasonal) are the qualified species. Anglers attempt to bring one legal fish of each species to the scales for weigh in and live release. Teams must participate in at least
1st place Kollin Hasselbrink and Cameron Hoeneke win $718.00. PHOTO CREDIT: Backcountry Fishing Association.
five tournaments and pay for eight to be eligible to fish the two-day October Classic. The top five eligible teams with the highest accumulated points from the season will be given a bye from day one. The remaining eligible teams, compete on an elimination basis the first day of the Classic, where only the top five teams of day one will progress to day two to compete against the season point leaders for the grand prize and cash for the top four teams. A Billfish 14-foot boat, motor and trailer combo is the grand prize for the winners. Membership fees are $25 for the
year, and the monthly tournament entry fee is $60 per team. Tournaments are held the first Saturday of each month, with the captain's meeting taking place the Friday prior at Little Jim Bait and Tackle on the North Causeway, Fort Pierce. The second tournament of the series takes place on Saturday, February 3 (captain's meeting on Friday, February 2). For tournament results or more information, email Zachary Foltz at foltzz@gmail.com, or call (772) 882-8721 or visit Backcountry Fishing Association on Facebook.
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1/16/18 12:59 AM
Prepare Your Trailer Now for the 2018 Boating Season! By Frank Ferry
L
et’s start from the front: 1) Check your coupler to insure it is working correctly. Lubricate it and be sure all parts move with ease. 2) Go to your winch. The same holds true. Lubricate and be sure your strap is in good condition. A defective strap or cable can injure anyone in the vicinity if it breaks. 3) Make sure your lights are working. Saltwater can and will corrode wiring and stop your lights from lighting. 4) Tires, bearings, and brakes. Remember, any trailer with a carrying capacity of 3,000 pounds or more is required to have working brakes on all wheels. Make sure your bearings
are in good condition—bad bearings can ruin your entire day, weekend or vacation. Have them serviced and have the seals changed by a qualified mechanic at least once a year to avoid problems. Some simple checks and preventative maintenance can help keep a “good day” from turning into a “bad day”. At C&H Trailer. we’re getting ready by stocking up on inventory to better help you get your trailer ready for the upcoming boating season. As always, safe and happy boating from your friends at C&H Trailer. Don’t forget to take advantage of our free 15-point trailer inspection. Come visit us at 3160 SE Gran Parkway in Stuart or give us a call at (772) 2234014.
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FEBRUARY 2018
TREASURE COAST 21
1/16/18 12:59 AM
TREASURE COAST CASTERS RECAPS December Junior Division Tourney Won by Giovanni Crouse
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he most recent TCC Junior Division “from the shore” tournament was held Sunday, December 17. Great weather and a strong fish bite made for a great tournament and an assortment of fish hookups, including puffers, eels, catfish, some good sized Spanish mackerel, and more. First-place was won by Giovanni Crouse, a second-grade student at Fairlawn Elementary. Thomas Parramore, a fourth-grade student at Fairlawn Elementary took second-place. Zack Sines, a fifthgrade student at Northport K-8, took third-place. The largest fish caught on the tournament’s targeted fish list was a one-pound croaker, caught by Thomas Parramore. First, second and third-place anglers won trophies, received “captain” goody bags, and Parramore also received a Fishing Center gift card for the biggest catch. In addition to the fishing fun, anglers enjoyed a Christmas gift
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Thomas Parramore with the largest targeted fish of the tourney, a one-pound croaker. PHOTO CREDIT: Treasure Coast Casters.
drawing post-tournament, with all anglers receiving great fishing items donated by TCC sponsors. The next Junior Division tournament will take place on Sunday, February 11, 2018.
Jeff Richter wins TCC January Senior Division tournament
he January monthly inshore tournament for Treasure Coast Caster’s Senior Division occurred on Sunday, January 7. Despite colder and windier conditions than predicted by the “weather man”, and even rain that greeted the anglers, the tournament went on as planned. All tournament anglers caught fish, though some were undersized or not on the tournament targeted species list. First-place angler was Jeff Richter, a student at St. Lucie West K-8. Jeff ’s 2.10-pound sheepshead was also the largest caught fish of the tournament. His brother, Josh, also a student at St. Lucie West K-8, took second-place with a 2.07-pound sheepshead, and Owen Nail, a student at Liberty Baptist Academy, took the third-place slot with a 1.04-pound sheepshead. Interestingly, all three anglers ended the tournament with 20 points. When a tie occurs, the weight of the fish determines the winners and positions. “Many thanks go out to Owen Nail and his dad for rescuing and towing a boat with motor problems,
and to Capt. Joe Ward, who was the guest speaker at the meeting the day before the tournament, and to the boat volunteers – Brett Adams, Jamie Nail and Chad Painter – who helped make the tournament possible,” said tournament organizer Cammie Ward. The next Senior Division tournament takes place on Sunday, February 11, 2018. Treasure Coast Casters offers experiences that educate young anglers on the importance of marine conservation, while maintaining a sustainable and healthy estuary and marine environment. The allvolunteer non-profit offers two fishing tournament divisions, a Junior Division for youth 5-11, and a Senior Division for youth 12-18. There is no cost to join or to fish a tournament. Anglers bring their own bait and fishing gear. For the latest tournament news and updates, follow the Treasure Coast Casters Facebook page.
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1/16/18 12:59 AM
Treasure Coast Fishing Club
T
he Fort Pierce Sportfishing Club, established in 1980 as a family organization, brings anglers together who share a common interest in inshore and offshore sportfishing, conservation, community service and boating. The club is for the experienced angler, the new to the area angler and the never fished angler who is curious about sportfishing. Membership, currently at 80 members, supports conservations efforts and provides a place for local anglers to gather, swap stories, and learn from each other and from its knowledgeable guest speakers, each an expert in their field. Meetings are at 7 p.m. on the third Wednesday of every month, in the Fort Pierce Yacht Club, located at 700 North Indian River Drive, Fort Pierce. A typical agenda includes a 30-minute mixer, followed by brief information from the club’s president and introduction of the guest speaker. Past speakers include local inshore and offshore fishing charter captains, tackle and marine electronics representatives, an annual bait rigging seminar, as well as presenters on boating safety and local water conservation concerns. Membership is not mandatory to attend the monthly meetings; however, annual membership is $60/year per family (spouse/partner and children under 18) or a junior membership (18-25 years of age) is $25. Capt. Paul Sperco shared his insights on surf fishing at the recent January meeting. The next membership meeting will be held Wednesday, February 21.
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TREASURE COAST 23
1/16/18 12:59 AM
St. Lucie County Artificial Reef Update
Harbour Pointe Park stockpiled materials. PHOTO CREDITS: St. Lucie County Artificial Reef Program.
O
ver the last three summer deployment seasons, the St. Lucie County Artificial Reef Program (SLCARP) has deployed 4,000 tons of secondary concrete, 58 limestone special artificial reef modules, the 195-foot Dixie barge, the 65-foot Qualmann Marine barge and the Tug Kathleen. St. Lucie County currently has at least 3,000 tons of secondary concrete stockpiled at its Harbour Pointe Park staging area. This spring, McCulley Marine Services will deploy 1,000 tons of this material on top
of the Dixie barge. The remaining materials consist of concrete bridge piles, reinforced concrete pipe, reinforced concrete bridge slab, and a variety of other concrete materials that will create a diversity of habitats. The diversity of habitats leads to many species inhabiting St. Lucie County artificial reefs. This species richness is reinforced by the wide variety of fishes on the natural reefs and the location of the Treasure Coast as a transition between tropical and temperate fish fauna.
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increased. The reef protrudes into the water column, attracts schooling baitfish like blue runners and adds a pelagic component to the fish fauna inhabiting the reef (i.e. kingfish). The SLCARP is partnering with the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) to deploy a 250ton secondary concrete reef offshore Broward County while deploying as many as 15 limestone special artificial modules offshore St. Lucie County. Five of the 58 modules already deployed offshore St. Lucie County have been memorial modules. These modules are an excellent way to memorialize loved one and also a great way to build habitat for local fish stocks. The modules add another layer of complexity to the SLCARP. The modules are eight feet tall and are deployed over open sand bottom, creating a moderate profile reef/sand bottom ecotone different from larger secondary concrete reefs or vessel reefs. Realizing the economic advantages of an artificial reef program, local businesses and non-governmental organizations have started to become involved. In addition to the barge donation by Vogell Marine and planned partnership with the CCA, the 2016 deployment of artificial reef modules was attended by Last Mango Fishing Charters. The Last Mango is also participating in an FWCsponsored study of St. Lucie County artificial reefs by Florida Atlantic University. Local businesses are also contributing to other aspects of the SLCARP.
In March, the SLCARP will be applying for the 2018 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) artificial reef grant to deploy a 1,500-ton secondary concrete reef at depths of 100 to 110 feet. Artificial reefs in the 100 to 110-foot depth range have been noted to provide habitat for many adult sportfishes such as gag, scamp, and amberjack. In addition, monitoring of artificial reefs in the 90 to 100-foot depth range has detected juveniles from species such as snowy grouper and scamp. It is especially important to show that artificial reefs can provide habitat for larval fish to settle and grow to maturity. It is envisioned that eventually artificial reefs can be used by fisheries managers as another tool to help propagate fish stocks, thereby reducing fishing closed seasons. The SLCARP hopes to deploy For more information on the a 50-foot by 25-foot steel barge St. Lucie County Artificial Reef offered by Vogell Marine as a Program or deploying memorial base for the 1,500-ton secondary artificial reef modules in St. Lucie concrete reef. Adding barges to its County, or if interested in writing a artificial reefs is another technique letter of support for the FWC artificial to increase habitat variability reef grant application, contact to artificial reefs. By deploying Jim Oppenborn, St. Lucie County the barge first and then adding Coastal Resources Coordinator secondary concrete structures to at oppenbornj@stlucieco.org the reef, the profile of the reef is or (772) 462-1713.
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TOURNAMENTS........FROM PAGE 1 overall to give the 64th annual affair its 13th highest sailfish catch total. For Alikai, the win was a first for many on board. "If there was any tournament I wanted to win, it was this one," said Geoff Mayfield, who with dad, Keith, has fished the Light Tackle off and on for the past 20 years. "Growing up here, this tournament has always been special to us." Price, who also notched his first Light Tackle win at the helm, felt much the same way. "I've always wanted to win this tournament ever since I was just a kid sitting on top of the dock boxes at the fuel dock at Sailfish Marina watching the boats come back in," said Price, 39. "I'm pretty excited." The difference in Alikai's day turned out to be a mid-morning move executed by Price. "We started off to the north, fishing with the rest of the fleet and went 1-for-5 in the morning," Price explained. "I just felt the anglers needed a reboot. It was something I learned as a mate fishing these tournaments with V.J. (Bell, of Unbelievable), Scott (Fawcett, of Off the Chain) and Glenn (of Floridian), that when things don't seem to be working out right, pick up your lines and get out of Dodge." Price said they made a move 7 to 8 miles to the south at about 10:30 a.m. They started seeing sailfish right away, and began steadily getting bites. But a flurry of action around 1 p.m. sent Alikai soaring up the leaderboard. "Dave's bait got picked up and I circled, and then we had a quad, and caught it," said Price, speaking of a quadruple-header, or when four sailfish are hooked on all four fishing lines simultaneously. "We set the lines back out and had another one right away." Price said they wound up with about 21 bites on the day and caught 11. He saw several more than didn't bite. Kubik, fishing with Sea Hag owner Charlie Duerr of Pirates Cove, N.C., and anglers Rob DeYoung, Junior Bass, Billy Joyst, Kevin Miles and Kenny Powers, said his team had enough shots to win. "We're disappointed we didn't win," Kubik explained, "but we're thrilled to come here, and to do as well as we did against some of the best sailfishing teams in Florida and the country. Floridian, led by Capt. Glenn Cameron of Stuart, and fished by Patti and Rob Miller of Palm City,
Jimmy Vaughan of Lake Wales and J.J. Davidson, finished third overall. For more information about the Stuart Sailfish Club and its full range of events and activities, go to StuartSailfishClub.com.
Fish Heads Invitational
Consistency. When the fishing is slow, it's important to maintain consistency if the goal is to win a sailfish tournament. That's the advice shared by Capt. Glenn Cameron, one of the Treasure Coast's most decorated skippers, but also the man who led the Floridian fishing team to its second sailfish tournament win of the season. Floridian, with Cameron, and anglers Jennifer Cameron, J.J. Davidson, Matt Driscoll and Josh Chaney, tallied four sailfish releases Sunday and 11 overall in three days to best the fleet of 12 boats. A total of 77 sailfish were caught and released over the weekend as fishing patterns remained beautiful for catching Spanish mackerel, but slow for catching sailfish. Tighten Up, led by Capt. Jason Genthner, won Sunday's daily award by catching the team's fourth fish at 3:20 p.m., about 20 minutes sooner than Floridian's. Cameron said his team's fourth sailfish was actually part of a doubleheader, which if the second had been caught, could have notched their second daily award this weekend. After catching and releasing the first one of the double, the second one's rough-edged bill chafed through the monofilament leader at the hook and was gone before the release could be recorded. Two weeks earlier, Cameron and Floridian won the Pirates Cove Sailfish Classic in similar fashion, with 12 releases over three days. The key was, in Cameron's words, consistency. "With this kind of (slow) fishing, if you have a hiccup, you fall behind," Cameron said. "If you stumble, you fall. Last weekend (during the Light Tackle Tournament) was a lot different. Then, you had enough bites where a team could overcome a deficit in the standings." The sailfish action was much busier on the northerly winds following the cold front. A week later, warm southeasterly winds created opposite conditions. "It's hard when the fishing is like it was, but you have to keep your head in the game," Cameron said. "The bites this weekend and (Sunday), are such you have to put your nose down and just grind it out."
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1/16/18 12:59 AM
PRO DIVISION FIRST-PLACE: ALIKAI. Dave Astras, president of the Stuart Sailfish Club, Keith Mayfield, Kevin Hawken, Patrick Price, Geoff Mayfield, Dave Dalfo, Marshall Busha, Chris Lazzara, and Charlie Conigliaro, 1st Vice President, Stuart Sailfish Club.
Stuart Sailfish Club’s 64th Light Tackle Sailfish Tournament Winners Circle Photos by Leonard Bryant Photography
SECOND-PLACE: SEA HAG. Dave Astras, Kevin Miles, Ben Steel, Chris Kubik, Junior Bass, Charlie Duerr, Charlie Conigliaro.
THIRD-PLACE: FLORIDIAN. Dave Astras, Rob Miller, Patti Miller, Jim Vaughn, Glenn Cameron, Jennifer Cameron, JJ Davidson, Justin Drumand, Matt Driscal, and Charlie Conigliaro.
AMATEUR DIVISION FIRST-PLACE: KINGSBURY. Dave Astras, DeWitt Davenport, Christian Davenport, John Payne, Paul Rumul and Charlie Conigliaro
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD Bonnie Powell, pictured with Stuart Sailfish Club First Vice-President Charlie Conigliaro. Bonnie was awarded the Lifetime Achievement award for her many years of dedication on the Radio Communications for the Light Tackle Tournament.
SECOND-PLACE: TRIPLE NET. Dave Astras, Terry Wiler, Charlie Conigliaro, Willis Milner, Rebecca Wiler, and Harvey Neeley.
THIRD PLACE: TEAM SOVEREIGN. Austin Myszkowski, David Higgins, Darrin Cobb, Dave Astras, Jim Penix, Charlie Conigliaro, and Mike Bell.
TOP FEMALE ANGLER Nancy Hardwick, posing with Stuart Sailfish Club President, Dave Astras.
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TOP MALE ANGLER Junior Bass (center) with Dave Astras (left) and Charlie Conigliario.
FEBRUARY 2018
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BOARD
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Email your information ality and high-qu rger) (500KB or la @ easurecoast photos to tr e.com. lerMagazin CoastalAng
Rob Landis with a 60-inch wahoo, one of five caught, while fishing in the Bahamas. Junior angler Hadden caught this beauty of a mutton snapper aboard the Lady Chris. Photo CREDIT: Lady Chris Charters.
Photo SUPPLIED by Rob.
in the Family l l A
Caught in Vero Beach with a D.O.A. C.A.L. on a cold day, Cherlyn Arnold showing the trout bite is on. Photo CREDIT: Lewis Arnold.
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Eugene Patterson caught these two bass, one 6.5-pounds and the other 6-pounds, four casts apart with an “old school weight”, a 14-inch worm and double hook jig and pig, while fishing in Garcia’s Marsh in Vero Beach. Photo CREDIT: Truman Patterson.
Lyla Arnold with her first flounder.
Lewis Arnold found this redfish warming up on the flats of Fort Pierce.
Photo CREDIT: Cherlyn Arnold.
Photo CREDIT: Cherlyn Arnold.
1/16/18 12:59 AM
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Progressive Miami International Boat Show Drops Anchor Feb. 15-19
G
et ready to experience the five biggest days in boating, when the 2018 Progressive Insurance Miami International Boat Show fills up the Miami Marine Park & Stadium with newest and best in boating Feb. 15-19. New Sail and VIP areas will enhance this year’s show, which will be held over President’s Day weekend. Now in its 77th year, the event is expected to draw an estimated 100,000 boating enthusiasts. This year, sail will join power in one location, creating the ultimate destination for boat lovers from around the globe. The Progressive Insurance Strictly Sail Miami moves to Miami Marine Stadium, where boaters and sailors alike will have the opportunity to browse, board and buy more than 1,400 boats in-water and on-land on Virginia Key. From sport fishing boats and high performance boats to personal watercraft and wake sport boats, family cruisers, sailboats and luxury yachts, there is something for every lifestyle and budget. The latest marine technology and fishing accessories will also be on display, making the Miami Boat Show a can’t miss winter destination for those with a taste for life on the water. “Miami’s favorite Boat Show is back, bringing the best in boating and accessories from around the globe,” said Larry Berryman, manager for the 2018 show. “We have all new boats—including worldwide model debuts, more yachts and larger boats than ever before, and every leading boat brand and major engine manufacturer on site. There truly is something for every lifestyle and budget. ” Compare and try before you buy! If
you’re looking to get out on the water, the Miami Boat Show will offer sea trials, where interested shoppers can take the boat of their dreams for a spin in Miami’s open waters. This year, more boat exhibitors will participate, giving boat buyers a chance to testdrive a number of options to find the perfect fit. In addition, following last year’s popular sold-out on-water boating skills workshops, the show will offer its Discover Boating Hands-On Skills Training with more daily power boating and sailing courses. Space is limited; advance registration is recommended. “Center console and sport fishing boats are the bread and butter of our show,” said Berryman. “Buyers will be able to go for a ride on the water and then browse thousands of marine products and accessories featuring the latest innovations and cutting-edge technologies, as well as an entire tent dedicated to fishing.” Attendees seeking the VIP treatment will have access to the new, all-inclusive VIP experience, which includes one-day entry to the show and all its features, as well as complimentary food, drink and entertainment within an exclusive luxury VIP deck offering unparalleled views of Miami and the show. Travel to the show by land or sea! With the streamlining of the show’s venues into one location also comes the streamlining of transportation options. The Miami Boat Show will offer seamless transportation to and from Miami Marine Stadium Park & Basin by water taxi and shuttle bus, and include more convenient parking options on Virginia Key. www.miamiboatshow.com
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Experience the Best in Boating and Sailing from Around the Globe. More than 1,400 boats—in water and on land • Over 1,100 exhibitors New boat models and product debuts • Demo docks • Marine electronics pavilion NEW for 2018! ONE location for power and sail. We’re welcoming Sail to Miami Marine Stadium—with nearly 100 sailboats and catamarans, plus sailing gear, and rigging, sail travel and charter services and education.
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By Capt. James Marko
M
y day started like any other, another early morning shark charter. My clients, two Canadian men on vacation, had no idea about what they were about to encounter. If you aren’t familiar with the migration patterns in Boca Grande, on Florida’s west coast near Fort Myers, sharks follow the yearly tarpon migration starting in mid-spring. The day began with us running roughly 3 miles offshore toward a trough that has been known to hold sharks. I did some rigging and got our baits in the water. Shark fishing is often a waiting game, and so our wait began. It didn’t last long. Within five minutes the Okuma 8000 Series was screaming from the rod holder, with no end in sight. The adrenaline started pumping, and I immediately started pulling up the anchor and prepared for a serious fight with a serious fish. With the boat in position, we started the chase. Airline_Ad_CoastalAngler_8-1-14_Layout 8/1/14I 1:14 PM motor, Page 1 and the fight When we finally caught up to the1shark, cut the
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was on. The next two hours were full of reeling, swear words and sweat. We were dragged over 3 miles of ocean. With my clients at the point of exhaustion, it seemed that the shark was ready to give in, but not without one last run. Finally, we saw gray on the surface. With the shark next to the boat, I recognized it was a spinner shark. I immediately noted that this shark was huge for its species. Spinners are known to be jumpers, but this shark never breached the surface because of its size. My mind went right to the IGFA record. Thankfully, I had enough cell signal to Google the current record, even after the shark dragged us further offshore. The record was 205 pounds. I knew this shark was bigger than that. I made some quick phone calls and realized I would most likely have to kill the fish to get the record. I am usually a catch and release fisherman, so I was against brining the fish in, as were my clients. It took three of us to bring the fish into the boat to get a photo for bragging rights. I primarily deal with the Goliath grouper species, doing research for Florida Fish and Wildlife. This fish was comparable to the 300-pound Goliaths I catch regularly. After a few pictures and measurements, she became green again. She helped herself into the water and swam right off. We estimated the fish to be in the 260- to 270-pound range with a length of plus-8 feet. I loved seeing my client’s faces and reactions throughout the whole fight. All and all, it was just another day at the office. Capt. Marko specializes in Goliath grouper fishing and fishes waters from Sanibel through Boca Grande. Follow his daily catches on Instagram @captjamesmarko and Facebook. See www.goliathfishing.com for trip and contact information.
For more fishing with Capt. Marko, go to
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Make reel memories.
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Telling Good Fish Stories By Matt Jorn
Laura Price of Lexington, N.C. and a nice Dorado caught with the FishingNosara Explorer on Dec. 5, 2017.
“W
hat did you catch today?” It is a question asked at every marina, boat ramp and backyard dock in the world every day of the fishing calendar. This is your chance to hold up your catch, your fillet bag or your digital camera. It is a chance to reveal (or conceal) details regarding where and how you snared your prey. It is also the chance to spin a wonderful tale of the leviathan that you fought for hours, had right next to the boat, and locked eyes with only to have it spit the hook/break the leader/get caught on the props/ pull you overboard… we’ve all been there! Even the master angler and author Ernest Hemingway’s beloved “The Old Man and the Sea” is a fish tale, featuring the angler we all wish we were losing the fish we all wish we could catch.
The craft of embellishing your catch is a time-honored tradition; however as the curator of the FishingNosara Costa Rica Fishing Report, I take umbrage with the 21st century version of the fish story. For the last seven years, I have documented every one of the 2,000plus trips run by the Nosara, Costa Rica based fishing team. Each report is meticulously checked for accuracy, including the angler’s names, trip date, fish caught, and (most importantly) photographs of the catches. I also encourage my clients to offer their own stories from the fishing experience. In December 2017, we hosted Laura and Michael Price. Here’s what Laura wrote: “My husband and I went out today on the Explorer. We had an AMAZING time!!! We ended the day with six mahi mahi caught with one mahi mahi, one tuna and one marlin getting away. Phenomenal crew! We loved every minute of it!” Here is another example, this time from angler Kevin Bahr: “We went with Capt. William and his mate Johnny. They were very professional and ready to ensure we had a successful outing on May 12. The weather was pretty sketchy, but we were able to locate the fish and ended up with a freezer full of ahi and mahi mahi. We cut our day short due to the weather, but our crew was willing to stay out longer if we wanted to. Despite the weather, it was a great day!” Everyone knows that the Internet is a place where the line between fact and fiction is often blurry; from politics, to sports, to fishing—it is not always easy to separate the truth, from an opinion, from a sales pitch. For instance, a quick glance at a competing Central American fishing charter’s report looks like this: Dec 27, 3 sailfish, 6 mahi-mahi, 1 marlin. Dec 28, 7 sailfish, 2 marlin. Dec 29, 5 mahi-mahi, 3 yellowfin tuna, 1 sailfish. Who is this helping? Why no details, no photos? Is this for search engines, the illiterate, or the lazy? I put it to all anglers in the 21st century posting online: Tell me a good fish story or log-off.
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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT INTERLUX MICRON EXTRA ANTI-FOULING PAINT Anglers across the country will be glad to hear that Micron Extra—the classleading antifouling that delivers consistent, multiseason protection against all forms of fouling—is back in stock, thanks to the renewed manufacturing of one of its raw ingredients. Providing boaters with the signature proven performance of the Interlux Micron range, Micron Extra uses Biolux technology to achieve complete protection against shell, weed and slime fouling in all waters fresh and salt. By combining the slime-blocking capabilities of Biolux with a controlled solubility copolymer that releases active ingredients steadily over time, Micron Extra achieves long-lasting, full-spectrum defense against fouling organisms. This copolymer matrix gradually wears away like a layer of soap as the boat moves through water, via a steady polishing process. The result is a continuous, regulated delivery of biocides from each freshly exposed layer, ensuring consistent, long-lasting performance and maximum efficiency. Micron Extra retains full antifouling effectiveness when hauled, and can be relaunched without repainting. Stop by your local shipstore or boatyard and ask for Micron Extra, available in both quarts and gallons, and in all popular colors.
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The Stand-Up Paddleboard Designed Especially For Anglers • 12’6” x 40” x 6” provides incredible stability • Heavy duty 2 layer drop stitch construction • Motormount for up to 55lb thrust motor • 15 D-Rings for gear & leash • Paddle standing or sitting • Packs down to 45” x 15” x 10” For a FREE Catalog 800-944-7496 M-F 9-5 EST Dept CS028B 19 N Columbia St, Ste 1, Port Jefferson, NY 11777
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By CAM Staff • Photo Courtesy of Sea Eagle Boats Last spring we introduced you to Sea Eagle’s FishSUP FS126, an inflatable stand-up paddleboard with which we were initially quite impressed. A year later, we’re fully convinced this super-stable, lightweight fishing machine is worth the praise. “I’m thrilled with its performance,” said Coastal Angler’s Tom Schlichter. “I’ve fished it from Long Island, N.Y. to the Florida Keys in everything from mangroves to bulrushes and boulder fields, and it’s come through unscathed.” At 12’6”x40” the FishSUP FS126 is both spacious and tough enough to work hardened shorelines. Heavy duty .90 drop stitch material covers the top, bottom and sides for superior protection against punctures and a 90”x18” thick camo EVA pad adds additional buffering while providing a non-slip foot bed. An integral 36-inch ruler makes fish measurement a snap. It fits in a trunk for easy transport, fully inflates in under 10 minutes, and has smartly positioned D-rings to secure a host of standard and optional fishing accessories including a swivel seat with Scotty rod holders, battery, 34-lb thrust electric motor, and forward mesh storage box with tube-style rod holders. “I love the stability, toughness and versatility of this platform,” said Schlichter. “You can stand, sit or kneel while casting, fish in freshwater or saltwater, and even add an optional Watersnake Venom 34 electric trolling motor.” Prices range from $799 for a basic start-up kit to $1,149 for a Pro Motor and Fishing Rig package. FOR MORE INFO,
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eginning Feb. 1, crappie anglers will have the chance to win part of $172,000 in cash prizes being awarded in the 2018 Weiss Lake Crappie Rodeo in Alabama. More than 1,000 pink-tagged crappie were released into the reservoir on the Alabama/Georgia border. Each of those fish has been sponsored by a local merchant or individual, and tags carry cash prizes ranging from $50 to $10,000. The rodeo, being conducted by the Weiss Lake Improvement Association, will run Feb. 1 through April 15. A highlight new to this year’s event is the One Day Crappie Champion Tournament, which will be held March 31. Guaranteed payout for first place is $2,500, and Big Fish will award $1,000 in this 100-percent payback event. There will be a free fish fry at the weigh-ins. For more information, visit www.weisslakeimprovementassociation.org.
8/12/17 6:12 PM
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GET A GRIP • Safer • Easier • Better
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Don’t settle for imitations!
The Fish Grip is a fish landing device that was developed by avid anglers. The goal was to find a safer way to land a fish — safer for the fish AND the angler.
The Fish Grip will help you land fish!
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COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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EXPERIENCE THE
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UNDER THE SEA
Speargun Basics
L
ike enthusiasts of any sport, if you stay with spearfishing long enough, you become intimately familiar with every detail of your equipment. Here’s an overview of what a newbie might want to know before buying that first speargun. Most spearguns are powered by bands, normally between one and three bands. There are two main types. The American style is recognized by the wood stock and is durable, sturdy and easy to load. The Eurogun style has a tubular shaped barrel, rear handle, and a thinner shaft well suited for freediving and smaller fish. In either case, spearguns are equipped with a trigger mechanism. The back end of the shaft engages into the trigger mechanism. Once the bands are loaded, the trigger is pulled and the shaft flies out due to the pulling load of the bands. You do not want to overload a gun by putting more bands than what it’s designed for as it could make the gun inaccurate or unsafe. Most spearguns now include a reel. This is especially needed if freediving and/or spearing larger fish, so the gun is not yanked out of your hands. If spearing a very large fish such as a tuna, which could spool your line in a matter of seconds, a line and float are required so the diver can pull it in from the surface. Shafts come in different lengths and diameters to match the gun, and spearos look for the perfect shaft—one that will not bend, not rust, fly straight in the water, and with a barb that will hold the fish securely. It’s wise to always carry a spare shaft or two on the boat, in case a shaft gets bent or lost. Like shafts, the bands are also replaced periodically, and it’s a good idea to carry spares in case one breaks. When bands get old, they start to get crack lines, or the wishbones can begin to fray, so it’s best to replace them before one snaps. There’s a wider variety of speargun brands than ever on the
market. These include: Wong, AB Biller, Riffe, Hammerhead, Cressi, SEAC, Mares, Rob Allen, Koah, Mako, JBL and more. If you want help selecting your first gun, see if you can find a mentor to help you select one that matches local conditions. Dive shops that specialize in spearfishing can also help. These include Austin’s in Miami, Fla.; Freedivers in Palm Beach, Fla.; James & Josephs in San Diego, Cali.; Freedive Shop in Sacramento, Cali.; and others. There are also Sheri Daye descends with a Wong speargun. custom gun builders who will work with you directly, give you advice, and design a gun to your specs—such as Wong Spearguns from Hawaii or Sea Sniper from California. Good luck and happy hunting! Sheri is a world-record holder, host of Speargun Hunter, and producer of “The Blue Wild Ocean Adventure Expo” in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Follow “Sheri Daye” and “The Blue Wild” on Facebook and Instagram.
For more Sheri Daye, go to
CAMSPEARFISHING.COM
The Professional Choice For 200 Years SOFGRIP Knives SG132N-10 10” Sportfishing Knife SG133-8 8” Fillet Knife
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dexteroutdoors.com COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT OUTDOOR EDGE REEL-FLEX
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ITEM
119 FT. LB Over the last 30 years, Outdoor Edge has become known as a leading knife brand among hunters and other outdoor enthusiasts. So, what took them so long to enter the fishing world? They were looking for the perfect combination of edge retention, blade flex and handle ergonomics – which they clearly accomplished with their new Reel-Flex fillet knives. Outdoor Edge’s new Reel-Flex knives are crafted from German 4116 stainless steel that is known for its corrosion resistance and excellent edge retention. The blades provide a consistent medium flex during use and are taper ground to eliminate friction and promote an effortless cut. Available in 6-inch, 7.5-inch and 9.5-inch blade lengths, the Reel-Flex series was designed for all fresh and saltwater species. The handles incorporate Jerry Hossom’s iconic tactical design and ergonomics with the safety and function fishermen need.
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At Harbor Freight Tools, the “Compare to” price means that the specified comparison, which is an item with the same or similar function, was advertised for sale at or above the “Compare to” price by another national retailer in the U.S. within the past 90 days. Prices advertised by others may vary by location. No other meaning of “Compare to” should be implied. For more information, go to HarborFreight.com or see store associate.
1/17/18 1/3/18 5:07 2:12 PM
SUZUKI MAKES IT EASY AS
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