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By Capt. Mike Weinhofer hen I arrived in Key West more than 30 years ago, there was a sign on the fence at the airport that said “Sportfishing Capital of the World.” At the time I had no idea how special Key West was as a fishing destination. It isn’t that it’s the best fishery for any one species. The opportunities here are endless. It has a lot to do with Key West’s location and topography. Key West is a tiny island 120 miles out in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Gulf of Mexico on the other. It has shallow waters surrounding it to hold bait and deep water near to shore. It’s a very unique ecosystem. It’s a natural migration point for many species to feed and breed. Shallow flats surround Key West and serve as a breeding ground for bait and shallow-water trophy fish. The tarpon migration is world famous. Whether you want to fly fish or bait fish for tarpon, they are always willing to entertain. The shallow flats are also home to bonefish and permit, the hardest fish in the world to catch on a fly. But while the flats are loaded with fish, it’s not just the shallow water that mesmerizes. The call of bluewater seems to ring in everyone’s ears. Just 5 miles offshore on the Atlantic side lies the shallow-water reef. The reef is home to grouper, snapper and all types of tropical fish as well as myriad baitfish. The reef is also a congregation point for bluewater fish. The small ballyhoo and other baitfish attract larger and larger fish to the shallows. It is not uncommon in the winter months to watch sailfish chase ballyhoo in less than 15 feet of water. Just outside of the reef, the water drops to about 120 feet in 500 yards, and then there is an area called “The Bar.” It’s the old coral reef from when the water table was 40 feet lower. The Bar is about 200 yards wide and holds all kinds of fish. It shadows the reef for about 20 miles to the west. The west end of the bar is a magical place, with east-bound current upwelling on the end, bait feeds on pushed-up nutrients, and where bait congregates fish follow. Now for the offshore bluewater. “Woods Wall” is named after the man that discovered it, the famous Keys fisherman Norman Woods. At
W
make even more structure. So close to shore and holding such a variety of fish, it is a bluewater angler’s dream. Amazingly enough, we have not even touched on the fishing west or the north of Key West yet. To the west lie shallow flats and a string of islands that hold bait, tarpon, permit, sharks and many more species. Then, when you get about 20 miles west of Key West there is an island atoll call the Marquesas. It is a special place. Flats fishers come from all around the world to fish this little island. Many stories have been written about epic battles with tarpon and permit and what a magical place it is at sunrise, when anglers watch shallow-water fisheries come to life. Farther to the west are 10 or so wrecks in less than 15 feet of water. Fishing around these wrecks is like fishing in an aquarium. The water is crystal clear and bait is everywhere. Whether it is barracuda, permit, cobia or sharks, the wrecks are alive with activity. Another magical place 64 miles west of Key West is the Dry Tortugas, a group of small islands surrounded by shallow water and some of the best bottom fishing in the world. The Dry Tortugas is home to Fort Jefferson, a national park and a whole other ecosystem I could spend an entire article describing. To the north of Key West lies the Gulf of Mexico, a shallow basin for the nearshore that drops to about 100 feet in depth at 40 miles. The Gulf is loaded with wrecks that hold all kinds of bottom fish. Grouper, snapper and cobia fishing is a blast, as is the jewfish and shark fishing. Never mind fishing behind the shrimp boats for blackfin tuna, bonitas, cobia and other fish. And there are the radio towers that stand tall out in 80 to 120 feet of water that hold all kinds of bottom fishing opportunities as well as kingfish, amberjacks, sharks and cobia. In short Key West is not the best fishery for any one thing, it has it all. The topography makes it like no place else in the world to fish. Its unique layout allows us to hide from prevailing winds and make even the worst winds fishable. Quite often the hardest decision is which way to turn in the morning, left or right can make all the difference. It is one of the few places you can catch tarpon in the morning, sailfish in the mid day and dolphin or tuna in the afternoon. Everything is just so close, and there are just so many choices it makes each morning a debate. After 30 years, I still enjoy all the hard choices. Capt. Weinhofer runs charters on the Compass Rose. Visit www. KeyWestFloridaFishing.com or call 305-395-3474.
the edge of the continental shelf, the top of the wall is 800 feet deep with a shear drop to deeper than 1,800 feet in a mere 100 yards. The Gulf Stream slams into this shear face and makes rips and upwellings. If that weren’t enough, there are cracks in the wall that extend inshore to 8
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Fight the blues.
If nothing makes you happier than battling a billfish, you’ll find plenty to smile about in Key West. Minutes from shore you can go toe-to-toe with behemoth blue marlin, the greatest gamefish of them all. You can chase after tuna and dolphin, too. Wahoo! fla-keys.com/keywest 1.800.527.8539 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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ON THE COVER Editor’s Note:
Each month, Coastal Angler Magazine and The Angler Magazine staff search our vast coverage area for photos that will grace our covers. With well over a million readers in diverse coastal and inland markets, our magazines strive for broad national appeal as well as local-level intelligence to put anglers on fish. The cover is different depending on which edition you, the reader, are holding. The following is a little information about this month’s covers.
COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE Freeport, Bahamas Yellowfin
FREE
Sushi doesn’t come any fresher than it does Outdoor 32nd Annual on the deck of the Finster when yellowfin Palm Beach Apparel International Edition Boat Show tuna are pushing bait off of Freeport in the Bahamas. This month’s Coastal Angler Magazine cover photo, courtesy of Picture Perfect Charters, is of Capt. Pete Milisci with a nice tuna that has an imminent encounter Local with a fillet knife and some soy sauce. Team Finster is an offshore tournament team based out of Fort Myers, Fla. They fish sailfish tournaments on the east coast of Florida as well as some offshore stuff on the west coast. All that sounds fun, but so does their annual spring tuna outing across the Gulf Stream from Fort Lauderdale. It’s the kind of trip most occasional anglers dream of, and these guys do it pretty much every year when the yellowfin show up. They spend the better part of a week operating out of a condo in Port Lucaya, venturing out just 10 miles from the docks each day to chase birds and catch big tuna. They load coolers with mahi, blackfin and yellowfin tuna, and even the occasional mutton snapper caught from the dock while they are cleaning the day’s catch. What more could an angler ask for? March 23-26
WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS WANTED! The Best American Hooks & Weights For Better #Fishing
Fishing Reports Catch Photos News & Events
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THE ANGLER MAGAZINE Lake Erie, Smallmouth Bass
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Over the last decade or so, Lake Erie, the fourth largest of the Great Lakes, has really taken off Outdoor Apparel as one of the best smallmouth bass fisheries in Edition the world. This has been widely credited to the arrival of the invasive round goby, a bottomdwelling species that has become a staple in Local the diet of bass and other game fish. Biologists have reported impressive growth rates of smallmouth bass in Lake Erie since the gobies took hold there. The long-term impact these invasive fish will have is not completely understood, but for the meantime they are propping up a great fishery. The photo on the cover of this month’s editions of The Angler Magazine is of Kayla Culp, of Ridgeway, Ontario and a chunky bronzeback she caught while drop shotting soft plastics in Lake Erie’s East Basin. She mainly fishes the Canadian side of the lake, where bass season doesn’t begin until early summer. Anglers on the U.S. side of the lake also get to experience fishing through the stages of the spawn, which typically begin with a pre-spawn push to shallower water in April and run into June when the fish retreat back to the depths. The photo was taken by her boyfriend, fishing buddy and all-around lucky dude Matt Sirianni. Fishing Reports Catch Photos News & Events
VOLUME 22 • ISSUE 265
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APPAREL Product Review XTRATUF KRYPTEK ANKLE DECK BOOT Introducing the Kryptek Ankle Deck Boot from XTRATUF, a beloved fishing boot brand popular amongst recreational and commercial fisherman alike. XTRATUF boots are a gear staple of every man, woman and child in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest and beyond, not only for the protective properties that have made them must-have gear for boating, sailing and fishing enthusiasts, but as a fashion and trend statement around the world. This boot is a simple, wearable way to achieve a fashion-forward look in a truly iconic boot with significant brand heritage. New for spring 2017, XTRATUF and Kryptek, camouflage design innovators, are collaborating on a new deck boot collection that combines the technology of the popular XTRATUF Performance Ankle Deck Boot with sleek Kryptek camo designs, including the Yeti and Pontus patterns (MSRP $90). It features a 1mm Neoprene XpressCool bootie that surrounds the whole foot and ankle providing all day comfort. Like all XTRATUF footwear, the Kryptek Ankle Deck Boot is 100 percent waterproof, and it includes a boatload of performance features. • XpressCool lining to keep feet cool in warmer weather • Full-rubber, lightweight silhouettes • Slip-resistant chevron outsole • Pull-on tabs for easy on and off
WWW.XTRATUFBOOTS.COM
L.L. BEAN HYBRID FISHING SHIRT With a unique combination of fabrics, excellent ventilation and built-in sun protection, L.L. Bean’s Hybrid Fishing Shirt delivers unbeatable performance. This shirt is slightly fitted to provide on-thewater functionality while looking good. A relaxed fit through the chest and sleeve as well as stretchy knit upper arms with built-in articulation allow for a full range of motion when casting. A slightly slimmer waist keeps uneccesary fabric out of the way when you’re fishing. The Hybrid Fishing Shirt features a blend of woven and knit nylon and polyester with built-in UPF 50+ sun protection. It’s breathable, and a caped back for ventilation will keep you cool and comfortable during long days on the water. Polygiene treatment prevents the growth of odor causing bacteria to keep you from smelling worse than the fish you catch. L.L. Bean has designed a performance fishing shirt that looks as good as it performs on the water. Trim for attaching zingers and forceps and streamlined pockets for gear complete the package.
WWW.LLBEAN.COM
SCALESKINZ MULTIFUNCTIONAL HEADWEAR Capsmith Inc. is the No. 1 trusted source for fishing and outdoor enthusiasts with more than 32 years of experience in the headwear industry. Scaleskinz Multifunctional Headwear can be worn many different ways, and will attract all the right attention with colorful detail and sun protection. Scaleskinz feature a seamless tubular design that can be worn in 12 different ways, including a cap, scarf, facemask, headband, neck shade or shape it to fit your needs. This exclusive product offers maximum protection against sun, wind and rain. Scaleskinz are the perfect addition to retail stores that cater to fishing enthusiasts. Available designs include Dolphin, Tarpon, Marlin, Redfish and Bass. One Size Fits Most. For wholesale Scaleskinz inquiries, contact Capsmith Inc. at 1-800-228-3889, or buy online at www.ihatehats.com.
REEF CONTOURED CUSHIONED SANDALS
Reef has become the go-to purveyor of sandals that look as good as they feel on your feet. Their new Contoured Cushioned Sandals are so comfortable you might not even take them off to go to bed. These sandals feature molded rubber sponge footbeds, so you really are wearing pillows on the soles of your feet. Synthetic-nubuck-leather uppers are stylish and durable, and they are padded with jersey lining to feel super soft against your skin. Finally, these shoes are outfitted with anatomical arch support to keep you comfortable all day long, through any adventure. What more could you expect from a company that is world-renowned for making high-quality footwear for those who enjoy life on the water. Whether you’re headed offshore or to the tiki bar, Reef’s Contoured Cushioned Sandals will keep your feet looking as good as they feel.
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APPAREL Product Review PELAGIC BATTLE GLOVES Ever look at an old salt’s hands? Fishermen are right up there with mechanics for having the most abused hands out there. Pelagic, a company that designs clothing specifically for protecting anglers from the harsh marine environment, has the perfect solution for protecting your hands while they’re doing battle. Pelagic Battle Gloves give anglers an edge when fighting monsters of the deep. These heavy-duty “Sure Grip” fishing gloves are ideal for fishing heavy mono, braid or wire lines and are Kevlar reinforced for maximum protection from line cuts, blisters, sharp fins and teeth. Made with open fingertips for maximum dexterity and finger maneuverability, they protect your hands while allowing you to do the intricate work of rigging lines and baits and tying knots. These gloves increase angler endurance, yet are versatile enough to use for fish handling, bill grabbing, fish filleting, and many other offshore purposes. With Velcro security and stamped with the Pelagic deluxe logo, Battle Gloves are a must-have for any offshore adventure.
WWW.PELAGICGEAR.COM IN GOGS WE TRUST! The Kluch Signature Gog Tee features a simulated goggle eye portrait complete with $100 bill background and Kluch lettering. Available in a variety of styles, this shirt is built of a 100 percent ringspun cotton fabric for that true comfort fit. When it comes to sport fishing, having the right bait means everything! The “In Gogs We Trust” collection was inspired by those brutal days fishing tournaments and being down a release needing another bite to edge into first. After countless attempts of creating luck, teams turn to their wells in search of the best-looking bait to catapult them onto the podium. When all of a sudden the right short starts acting up and there he is!
BODY GLOVE 3T BAREFOOT WARRIOR
Many watersports require toe dexterity, and that’s where the Body Glove’s 3T Barefoot line of water shoes shines. Whether you’re a top athlete, a beginner, or somewhere in between, 3T Barefoot shoes are the perfect footwear for everything water. It doesn’t matter if it’s Stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking or just swimming off a rocky shore, the 3T Barefoot is up to the task. A patented three-toe design allows for dexterity in the toes that need it. A minimalist, neutral-balance foot bed allows for maximum ground feel while keeping your foot protected. Body Glove’s Integrated Drainage System (IDS) lets water drain out while preventing debris from entering the shoe. It can be worn either in or out of the water. Other features of the 3T Barefoot include adjustable shocklaces, easy slipon design, hybrid use for in or out of the water, zero heel lift, and the drainage system, which cools the foot with air circulation when out of water.
WWW.BODYGLOVE.COM OLUKAI PA‘A SANDALS
WWW.KLUCH.COM A good pair of sandals is as important to life on the water as a boat, maybe more important. The Hawaiian company OluKai knows this well, which is why they make footwear designed specifically for the ocean lifestyle. At the core of OluKai’s philosophy are quality, durability, comfort and craftsmanship, which means their sandals are crafted to perform and last. OluKai’s new PA‘A sandals were designed with on-the-water action in mind. Translated, PA‘A means secure in English, and these flip-flop-style kicks provide secure footing while battling fish from the deck of a boat or while scrambling out on a jetty to cast. They are fully adjustable on both straps with molded D-rings and micro hookand-loop to ensure a snug fit so the sandals won’t fall off your feet. Water resistant synthetic straps and soft, quick-drying jersey knit lining provide comfort in and out of the water. The footbed is crafted of anatomical, compression-molded EVA midsole with a brushed ICEVA drop-in. The outsole features a non-marking, wetgrip sticky rubber base enhanced with rubber pods for durability and maximum water traction. If you’re looking for a sandal that offers all-day comfort and secure footing in any situation, PA‘A sandals are about as good as it gets.
WICKED DRY & COOL PERFORMANCE SHIRTS Hook & Tackle, designers, manufacturers and distributors of authentic performance fishing apparel since 1963, introduces the new Wicked Dry & Cool collection. Designed with a breakthrough Wicked Dry & Cool proprietary fabric that wicks moisture while keeping you cool, the shirts feature radial sleeves for expansive arm movement. The extremely light yet durable fabrication offers UPF 50+ sun protection, quick dryness and odor resistance. Tested and proven to be the coolest shirts in the market, they are now available in four designs from sizes XS-3XL. For more information, contact Stan at srudman@sportailor.com or visit the site.
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Lake Erie’s
Big Brown Bass L
By Nick Carter ake Erie boasts some of the best smallmouth bass fishing in the world. And over the nearly 10,000 square miles of surface area on this massive lake, the Eastern Basin offers some of the best habitat for bronzebacks. The Eastern Basin is the deepest part of the lake and is separated by a ridge that runs north to south from Long Point in Ontario, Canada to Erie, Pennsylvania. Buffalo New York sits on the eastern shore at the mouth of the Niagara River. Anglers visiting Niagara Falls would be foolish not to set aside a day for fishing the irregular near-shore topography that makes the Eastern Basin such a good fishery. Biologists see incredible growth rates from smallmouth in this area, and 5- to 7-pound fish are a regular occurrence. Kayla Culp, a teacher from Ridgeway, Ontario, has spent years patterning smallies on the Canadian side of the lake. In the Canadian waters of Erie, bass season is closed in spring to protect bedding fish. This is not the case for U.S. waters, where anglers take advantage of pre-spawn migrations as early as April. When the fish move up onto sand flats and chunk rock and into the bays and major tributaries in early spring, it is a time for bumping the bottom in 15 to 20 feet of water with spoons, tube jigs or blades. It can be a grind to find fish, but anglers who set up over a school will find plenty of action and potential for giant smallmouth bass. Lakewide, bed fishing is generally frowned upon. When the Canadian season opens in late June, smallmouth are typically feeding aggressively during their post-spawn transition to deeper water. Culp
said early summer is a fun time to fish the lake. Smallies will be on the weed edges, and they are susceptible to run-and-gun tactics or trolling with fast-moving lures like jerkbaits, spinnerbaits and crankbaits. Location is everything when fish are spread out over so much water. Some enjoy drift fishing to find fish. Culp said to trust your fishfinder and cruise, looking for rock-to-sand transitions. This is especially important as fish move deeper. In summer, big smallies will hang around structure or transitions just off the bottom. The depth can go from 10 to 15 feet in early summer out to 30 feet as the water warms. This summer bite is Culp’s favorite of the year. She enjoys drop shotting soft plastics and tubes into schooled-up fish. When it’s on, 30 fish or more from 2 to 5 pounds and larger are a definite possibility. A natural approach is best in Erie’s clear waters. Dark colors like green and brown make up the majority of Culp’s soft-plastic arsenal. This makes sense. It fits the color scheme of the round goby. These little bottom dwellers invaded the lake in the mid 1990s, and smallies developed a taste for them. Biologists have estimated that gobies account for up to 75 percent of an Erie smallmouth’s diet. The goby invasion is widely credited for accelerated growth rates of smallmouth in the lake. For more bass fishing on Lake Erie, go to
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The Freeport Meat Run
Lorem ipsum
An Annual Trip Of A Lifetime By Nick Carter
By CAM Staff - Photos Courtesy of Picture Perfect Charters
F
or some anglers, the fishing trip of a lifetime is an annual event. Team Finster, out of Fort Myers, Fla., fishes top offshore tournaments, but one of the highlights of their fishing year is an annual spring meat trip that coincides with the arrival of big yellowfin tuna in the Bahamas. Team member Pete Milisci, who operates Picture Perfect Charters out of Fort Myers, feels it’s well worth hauling Team Captain Zac Carpenter’s 34’ SeaVee three hours across the peninsula to launch off Florida’s east coast near Fort Lauderdale. Big yellowfin move through in late April and early May, and five guys spend the better part of the week chasing birds and filling fish boxes. The trip starts with provisioning and bait. As charter captains, team members begin saving and freezing leftover bait from charter trips a month in advance because chumming is key. They prefer fishing live bait, so the livewell is loaded with pilchards and threadfins before they leave. Provisions and gear are crammed into every available hold before they set out on what should be a couple hour run in front of twin Mercury Verado 300s across the Gulf Stream to Carpenter’s condo in Port Lucaya, Freeport, Grand Bahama. The crossing always takes longer than it should. It’s difficult for a boatload of anglers to pass up fish along the way. “Last trip, we had all the fish boxes full before we even got there,” Milisci said. “We came upon a whole tree adrift with mahi all over it. They were good mahi, too, all gaffers.” It’s a good thing there’s an ice machine at the condo. Even when cleaning fish at the dock, there is opportunity to put more meat on ice. Milisci said tarpon and big mutton snapper appear to clean up the scraps. Cooked whole and fresh, those snapper are fine eating. The main event begins after checking in with customs and unloading. “The fishing is right out front. It’s within 10 miles,” Milisci said. “You lose sight of land, and you’re in ’em.” Tuna move constantly, and they move fast. Finding fish is a matter of finding birds on the radar. Huge groups of birds are typically found over bonito, so Team Finster is looking for smaller pockets of birds that are a giveaway for tuna. They never pass a frigatebird without checking it.
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When fish are found, the boat is maneuvered in front of the anticipated direction of the school’s travel. The engines drop into neutral and heavy chumming begins with a month’s worth of frozen baitfish. “The fish are on the surface. They’re coming up blasting baits, and the birds are diving on the bait they push up,” Milisci said. “Sometimes you’ll see fins coming up on your bait.” When fishing in a maelstrom of 10- to 15-pound blackfin tuna and yellowfins weighing 30 to well over 100-pounds, it’s important to fish heavy gear. There are also sharks mixed in, and they will leave nothing but a fish head at the first hint of blood in the water. Anglers must crank hard and fast with 60w and 80w Penn Internationals spooled with 200-pound-test mono and 200- to 300-pound leaders. Anglers either reel fish in from the rod holder with bent-butt rods or fight them with a belt. Tuna will eat dead bait, but the team prefers presenting pilchards and threads on a slack line until they run out of live bait. Milisci said the fish are smart enough to let a bait go if they feel the slightest amount of tension on the line, so that slack is important until a fish eats. Then it becomes a grueling race against the sharks. The reward is almost immediate when a fish hits the deck. Wasabi and soy sauce are kept on-hand, and knives go to work while the rod-man catches his breath. For more on Team Finster or to contact Zac Carpenter or Pete Milisci, see finsterfishing.com. To book an inshore trip with Milisci out of Fort Myers, go to www.pictureperfectcharters.com. For highlights from this Tuna catch, go to
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MARCH 2017
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Spawning Phase Will Play A Big Role In Conroe Bassmaster Classic
K
elly Jordon is not a weatherman. He can’t say for sure what the conditions will be when 52 of the world’s best anglers descend on Lake Conroe, an hour outside of Houston, Texas for the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods, March 24-26. But as a Texas native and a 22-year veteran of the Bassmaster Tournament Trail, Jordon knows bass are likely to be in some phase of the spring spawn— and he said the angler who best identifies that phase is likely to be the winner of the event. “If I was going to guess—depending on what the weather does—I’d say we’ll be toward the final quarter of the spawn,” said Jordon. “There will still be some fish on the beds, but there will also be a lot of postspawn fish.” A spawn/postspawn scenario could provide a lot of options, and it could certainly lead to some giant fish being brought to the scales at the Houston Astros’ Minute Maid Park. Jordon said the bluegill will likely be coming up to spawn, and big bass can often be found feeding around bluegill beds. Male bass are also likely to be guarding recently hatched fry, and big females that are hungry from the spawn could be roaming the shallows. Though some bass are likely to still be on the beds, Jordon said he doesn’t expect sight fishing to be a dominant technique. “I don’t think somebody can win on sight fishing alone,” he said. “You’re likely to see several giant fish caught off beds or maybe a key 5-pounder at a time when someone really needs it. But I don’t think it’s something you’ll be able to totally hang your hat on.” As for the type of structure that’s likely to be most popular, Jordon said anglers will have their pick. “The water color will depend on how much rain we get and which part of the river you’re fishing,” he said. “The water way up on the upper end could be a lot more stained than the lower end. But when you get up there, you’ll find plenty of backwater stuff, some side creeks, some marinas, some residential
areas with canals, big gigantic flats—a little bit of everything.” The lower end of the lake could appeal to dock fishing specialists. “The lower half of the lake—if not more than half—is pretty much wall-to-wall boat docks and seawalls,” Jordon said. “Whether you want to fish shallow shoreline cover or deep shoreline Bassmaster Elite Series angler and cover, there’s tons of it Classic competitor Bradley Roy caught available. You can find this giant largemouth during pre-pracseawalls that may have tice on Lake Conroe. 10 feet of water around them. “You’ll find flat banks and deep banks. It’s a really dynamic place—and since we’ll be in the spring spawning season, the person who finds not only where the fish are, but where they’re headed, is going to be the one who’s in the best position to win.” With the phases of the spawn playing a major role and Conroe’s reputation for producing big bass, there’s a good chance there will be some 30-pound sacks brought to weigh-ins. For more on last years Bassmaster Classic, go to
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FLY FISHING
WADE FISHING ESSENTIALS
W
ade fishing is one of the most rewarding ways to target shallow-water fish like bonefish or redfish. However, there is more to wade fishing than just walking on a white sand flat or beach and casting to fish. To make the wade fishing experience more enjoyable, here are a few tips to help you make longer casts, protect your feet, blend into your environment, stay safe and catch more fish! Stripping Basket There is nothing more frustrating than fishing from the beach and having your fly line wrap and tangle around your legs and feet especially after you have made a perfect cast to a school of stripers, a corbina or surf perch. The simplest way to solve this problem is to invest in a stripping basket. Made from a variety of materials and available in many styles, a stripping basket will assist you in managing your line. Removing your concern for loose line will allow you more time to concentrate on improving your casting and distance. A stripping basket is not limited to beach fishing, either. More and more anglers are also accepting the value of the stripping basket on boats. A taller free-standing cousin to the wearable basket allows you to keep your line off the deck and avoid its many potential hang-ups including boat cleats, shoe laces, coolers and the other obstructions on a boat’s deck. Wading Footwear There are hundreds of different types of practical shoes for fishing. Select a shoe with high ankle support, a firm and solid toe and stiff arch support. Since you’ll be wading in a variety of bottom conditions from soft mud, soft sand, hard sand and even reefs or oyster beds, it’s a good idea to get a shoe that has a thick sole to prevent punctures. Blend In Blend into your environment. Match your clothes to your
surroundings. If you are fishing the beach, wear neutral colors like tan, light green or even brown. When fishing the flats, a light blue shirt, and stone-colored shirts or pants are your best choice. Also don’t overlook camouflage outfits when stalking spooky fish in shallow water. There are plenty of camo patterns on today’s market, and aside from looking good, wearing camouflage allows you to blend into the environment. Don’t Get Lost One of the worst fishing nightmares is becoming lost or disoriented on the ocean, on the flats or in a marsh’s maze. A handheld GPS can prevent this terrifying situation. Also, if you find an outstanding area where the fishing is red-hot, you can mark it in your GPS and return to the exact spot whenever you choose. Most GPS units contain moon phase and tidal information, which are keys to successful saltwater fly fishing.
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B
ass anglers use lipless crankbaits in many circumstances and ways. I believe it is not used enough for reds, trout, tarpon and snook. In fact, a lipless crankbait is one of the most effective baits to catch fish in shallow water, and it’s definitively one of those I use often. And I’m not alone. When Louisiana’s famous Team Broussard was at the very top of their tournament career a few years ago, “Cajun” Phil and Capt. Kevin had many wins including the Redfish Cup and Team of the Year titles. The secret weapon they were hiding from media and competitors alike was a Flatt Shadd 50 snagless. That small, compact, lipless crankbait puts out vibrations that travel far through the water, catching the predator’s attention as if it was of a much larger bait. The quick, side-to-side motion also creates a lot of flash, adding visual attraction. When I was the Mepps spinner designer 20 years ago, I worked closely with scientists who had an understanding of the factors that attract predatory fish. The type of vibration and its volume were key. Both with inline spinners and lipless crankbaits, moving a significant amount of water is essential for creating signals that are much larger than many other types of baits. This is why baits with spinning blades and those that emit vibrations commonly catch large fish, even when the lures are small. Often, a predatory fish is first alerted to a potential meal by its lateral line, a natural radar. These small baits fool the fish into thinking it is chasing down much larger and more significant prey. How do you use a lipless crankbait best when you’re on the flats or casting close to the mangroves? If it is deep enough, you can cast and burn it or slow roll it to offer consistent action and cover lots of water as a search bait. This is the main way I use a lipless bait when targeting tarpon or large channel bass (red drum) in main inlets, estuaries and anywhere there is enough depth and preferably some current. But for the true, shallow inshore and backcountry fishing, I use them as I would a soft jerkbait rigged on a jig head. I twitch-twitch-pause and yo-yo it. The great thing with a vibrating bait is every time you pull on the rod, you can feel the bait reacting. Action can be constant when fish are aggressive, but for cold water or finicky fish, don’t hesitate to let the lure pause on the ground for a few seconds here and there. You might be surprised to find the majority of bites happen on the drop, or even when the lure is lying motionless. Fish can be so hungry for it that they swallow it in a snap, resulting more than you can imagine in hook sets deep within the fish’s mouth. If you haven’t thrown a small lipless crankbait around in the shallows, give it a try. You might be pleasantly surprised. Patrick Sebile is the owner and lure designer of Sebile Innovative Fishing (www.sebile.com).
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2/14/17 1:45 PM
NORTHEAST
Mako Shark Takes
Amazing 13,000 Mile Journey
A
male mako shark named Hell’s Bay has broken a record, traveling more than 13,000 miles, equal to over half-way around the planet, in 600 days. It is the longest track ever in the Atlantic Ocean by a mako shark tagged by researchers in Nova Southeastern University’s (NSU) Guy Harvey Research Institute (GHRI). “We’ve had some of our tagged makos take some pretty interesting tracks over the years, but this one swims above the rest,” said Mahmood Shivji, a professor at NSU and the director of GHRI. “Having Hell’s Bay report for as long as he has is fantastic because we’re able to really get a detailed look at mako migration behavior over a good amount of time. He was like the Energizer bunny—he kept going and going and going, and luckily did not get captured like many of our other sharks.” The 600-day track of Hell’s Bay mako can be seen at: nova.edu/ sharktracking (select Project 3). Hell’s Bay was tagged in May 2015 off the coast of Ocean City, Md. In the first year, Hell’s Bay traveled north along the east coast and then returned close to the tagging site. Hell’s Bay spent 2016 hanging around the coast of Maryland and taking jaunts throughout the Atlantic traveling east of Nova Scotia to just south of Bermuda before returning to Ocean City. In 2017, it repeated a similar path closer to the coast. Hell’s Bay showed clear seasonal patterns to its movements, spending the winter and early spring far offshore, and the rest of the year on or close to the continental shelf. The closest relative to the white shark, makos are the cheetahs of the shark species. As the fastest shark species, makos can swim up to 60 mph. The tags are funded by the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation (GHOF), a not-for-profit organization that conducts scientific research and hosts educational programs aimed at conserving the marine environment.
“These satellite tags allow us to follow sharks in near-real time,” said Greg Jacoski, executive director of the GHOF. “Understanding where these animals travel and the habitat that they use is the first step to better conserving the species.” Hell’s Bay was named after Hell’s Bay Boatworks, a boat manufacturer based in Titusville, Fla. The tag was sponsored by Capt. Chris Peterson, who owns Hell’s Bay Boatworks. A new GHRI study has just reported that 22 percent of the makos that have been satellite tagged were caught or killed by commercial or recreation fishermen. Shivji indicated that worldwide, sharks are being killed off in unimaginable numbers – some estimates say between 70100 million sharks per year. Clearly, that is not a sustainable level of removal, since many shark species, including makos, reproduce at low rates. For more information about the GHOF and GHRI, visit www. guyharvey.com. To see Hell’s Bay’s journey as well as other sharks tagged by GHRI researchers, visit nova.edu/sharktracking. For more about tracking Mako Sharks, go to
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Feathering a Baitcaster To Cast Farther By Tobin Strickland • Photo courtesy of Troutsupport.com
T
I think just about every one of us has at some time had an adult fishing mentor, or even a family friend that offered to take us fishing. I know my life wouldn’t be the same without my Dad who started us off fishing; heck I was in diapers holding a Snoopy rod and 303. Later as we got old enough to handle fishing out of the boat, my dad would take us with numerous fishing guides, both inland and inshore saltwater fishing. Even if you don’t have children yourself, you can take part in expanding and growing as an angler by taking a kid fishing just once. Another option is to contact Big Brother/Big Sisters or any orphanage or foster kids and play it forward by getting to know a kid by taking them fishing. You never know, that one act of kindness and generosity could be a life-changing experience, and they may stick with it for their entire lives. I know that my life would be entirely different without having been mentored by several outdoorsmen over my life like my dad, a couple of dad’s friends, Capt. Steve Hillman, Capt. Steve Soule, Capt. Chuck Uzzle and Capt. Ernest Cisneros as well as some others. Here are some pointers to simplify getting a kid started. Have your trip be more about giggling, laughing and telling stories than it is about catching a limit of fish. If the child’s age is less than 8 or if they have not done much fishing at all, then take them to a farm pond, stock tank, creek, canal or even a catfish tank so they will catch some fish. Perch (sunfish) are typically always ready to eat a cricket, corn-nibblet or piece of a hot dog on a small light-wire hook. Keep it simple with the rod and reel choice; you don’t have to run out to BAAD Marine Supply to buy a new rig or anything. A small 4 ½-foot-long, light-action rod with a closed-face reel is a good starting point. Bobbers are fun to watch and take out the guesswork. Sometimes knowing what not to do is also important. This is not the time to take the kid out for a long grind with lures; that’s a good way to make it boring for a kid and have them want a video game. If a kid has been started correctly and he’s bored with farm ponds, then it’s time to get him on the boat looking for numbers of fish. Cherry pick your days and take him during the summer months using live bait for the first couple of times until he’s confident. As he grows, you can start to bring in the lures. Now this is the point to book a trip with a guide and allow them to be your partner in his mentoring process as well.
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he final step to casting farther is learning to “feather” the reel spool. Feathering the reel spool edge or the line on the spool is accomplished by using the thumb to ever so slightly brush the spool edge during the initial one-third of the cast. With the increased power being loaded into the cast now, you have to control the spool speed during at the beginning of the cast until downrange velocity is a little more constant. This takes practice, practice, practice. Start by not fully removing your thumb from the spool during a cast. Instead of fully removing the thumb off the spool at the beginning of the cast, just leave the thumb to barely brush the line or the spool edge as the line leaves the spool. I find feathering is more consistently accomplished on the edge of the spool. As you practice, your touch will be become lighter and more precise. You’ll begin to feel the point where the spool is running smoothly, and at that point in the cast you can completely remove the thumb from the spool and let the reel do all the work. Here on the flats, we’re using the Team Lews Lite and ProG to consistently make very long casts working structure such as potholes and edges of grass and oyster. Many times catching fish at the end of the cast and adding fish that weren’t reachable prior to using these tools. Tobin Strickland (aka TroutSupport.com) is a Lew’s Field Staff member.
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2/14/17 1:20 PM
MARCH 2017
UPSTATE NEW YORK
WEATHER AND FISHING THERE IS USUALLY A SILVER LINING TO SITUATIONS, ESPECIALLY in regards to weather and fishing. Though, the winter has not produced strong and consistent ice, it has done something that I believe will be beneficial to our fishing. The cadence to this winter’s snow and rain coupled with many thaws has improved the flows of our area streams and rivers. With last summer and falls low waters, a cold winter may have caused doom to wintering trout. Instead streams are running nicely, and I have heard of several winter trout anglers having great seasons. Boaters who procrastinated putting away their boats last fall were rewarded with many prime fishing days late in the season with little fishing competition. It’s possible we need to reevaluate when we put-away, then unwrap our boats for the season. In anticipation of an early spring, we are featuring a Spring Brown Trout article to help you start off the season with TIGHT LINES. STEELHEAD FISHING OCCURS ON A RIVER, not in front of a computer screen. This year has brought many varying water levels on the Salmon River during steelhead season. More and more fishermen are choosing to fish only when the fishing conditions are perceived to be perfect. This isn’t
how you become a Steelheader. A true Steelheader can and will find fish to hook in almost all conditions. They are experienced at many water conditions and learn from the river and the fish, not from a blog post. Don’t misunderstand me, it is important to keep posted on conditions, but that is to start the day. The most rewarding fish that I have landed were fish that I had to work for and figure out during difficult conditions. Very often, you will look forward to nasty weather to trim your fishing competion. Taking time to learn new spots and walk the river when conditions are slow will pay you dividends on future trips. The fish are in the river, not in your computer room or smartphone. I guess what I am saying is to get out there and fish when the time is right for you, you will be very surprised by the quality of the fishing when you learn how to fish in different conditions. You will acquire pet tactics for certain conditions and begin to be on your way to being a STEELHEADER.
Using the Automatic Fisherman WHILE LEARNING TO ICE-FISH THIS SEASON, I HAVE BEEN invited by our field experts to learn their set-ups and tactics. Along the way, I stowed 2 Automatic Fisherman in my backpack and have set them up each trip to augment my guides’ spread. They are easy to rig and setup and I have been experiencing good action with them. I like to fish for trout, and they seem to be effective for the species. Recently I have seen an In-Fisherman TV segment where they were being utilized to target brown trout and they are prevalently used in the Midwest. Though I am just learning how to refine my strategies with the Automatic Fisherman, I am very pleased with the product. They remind me of a downrigger on ice, and come with a high-quality ice rod and reel combo. They are easy to learn and use, and have plenty of instructional videos at www. automaticfisherman.com. I plan to add several more Automatics to my arsenal and you should consider them too. They are offering The Angler Magazine readers a 20% discount with code Anglermag.
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NOW ONLINE www.theanglermag.com/upstate-ny For editorial comments, articles, photography, advertising and all other inquires please contact: The Angler Magazine Upstate New York. CALL OR TEXT 518-898-6484 OR EMAIL frankie@theanglermagazine.com OR VISIT www.theanglermag.com/upstate-ny Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/theanglermagazineupstateny
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MARCH 2017
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Breaking Out Of The Angling Box BY ZACK RAYNO, Founder of Great Lakes Steelhead Co. I CAN REMEMBER THE FIRST time I watched a soft plastic bait fished on a jig head work. I was fishing on a winter day with my good friend Stephen Shen. We had thrown our usual offerings, white Trick Em Jigs, a few Trick Em Beads and an assortment of egg sacks. A few fish fell to our typical tricks, but it had been quiet for about 30 minutes. Our “go-to’s” weren’t performing as expected. Steve reached into his pack and pulled out a bare jig head and threaded a Bubblegum Trick Em Plastic worm on to the shank. Although I kept my commentary to myself, my face must have read otherwise. Steve looked up and gave a simple “What?” as he whipped his float into the current. Not 10 seconds later his float submerged and Steve gave a halfhearted yank, assuming this was bottom. Then we saw the boil, as the bottom turned into a furious male steelhead ripping downstream. I don’t think I ever gave Steve that look again when he pulled out a worm on a jig head. Anglers from all fisheries let themselves become trapped in a mental box, dictating what baits and offerings are effective and which aren’t. I am one of the biggest purveyors of using what I know works, especially when being hired on the water. That being said, there is always an appropriate time for experimentation. Here on Lake Ontario’s popular tributary streams, fish see a small variety of baits daily. Finding ways to make your presentation stand out can be crucial to a successful day on the water. After all, how many blue egg sacks can one steelhead stand to look at? Typically, I like to fish my staple baits for the first 10 minutes in a stretch and maybe hook the hot fish or fishes. Once things go quiet for a bit, I usually resort to a bit of experimentation. Recently, Great Lakes Steelhead Co. has released two new products to help anglers break out of the box. Trick Em Worm Jigs and Trick Em Tube Jigs are now available in a variety of colors. Trick Em Worm Jigs are our Trick Em Plastics threaded on to a specially poured, oversized, Mustad 2x Steelhead Jig hook. They are available in 10 colors, in sizes 1/32 oz. (#4 hook) and 1/16 oz. (#2 hook). I fish these exactly as I would fish a marabou jig of the same size, in the same deep pools. Many Lake Ontario anglers fish these plastic worms “wacky” style throughout the season, but this technique can be successful in the winter months and has become a staple of mine.
Trick Em Tube Jigs are a Lake Michigan tributary technique that has been utilized very little here on Lake Ontario’s waters. These jigs are poured on the same Mustad 2x Steelhead Jig hook, but in a modified shape. They are approximately 1/16 oz. on a #4 hook and are available in 12 different colors. Tube jigs can be fished a number of different ways, from using a soft plastic tube skirt, to adding a bait. My preferred method is to add a few waxworms and fish, again, very similar to any marabou jig. Anglers also find success by fishing 2.5” Trick Em Plastics or small egg sacks to the shank of the jig. That winter day with Steve turned out to be a bit of a revelation in our fishing, leading to many on the water experiments. Although most were deemed unsuccessful, a few new techniques were added to our angling arsenal. The “go-to” baits I carry with me streamside will always be just that, but there’s always time to take a few drifts with an unknown. As the saying goes, you’ll never know until you try.
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MARCH 2017
UPSTATE NEW YORK 3
Small Boaters Advantage BY FRANK GEREMSKI, PUBLISHER I CAN’T THINK OF ANOTHER SCENARIO THAT LAYMAN ANGLERS with boats 20’ and below have a distinct advantage over professional charter and tourney fishermen than Spring brown trout fishing in the Great Lakes. Dynamics are stacked in the favor of smaller boats and it occurs right now in March and April. Early season brown trout on Lake Ontario can offer fun and simple fishing in shallow water that often reward small boaters with world class catches of browns. We will give you easy, inexpensive rigging advise and gear essentials, answering the what, how, when, where and why questions through our experience. Mentioned will be reliable products that we have used to catch fish, scouting out best values to provide our readers direct options to rig their boat with 2-8 brown trout rigs and planer boards for a budget of $250$950. Two essential options to get you started are planer boards. Both smaller in-line boards and bigger mast systems are equally effective, and useful. Using planers is an art that is reasonably easy to master and is a very inexpensive way to rig for Great Lakes trout and salmon. What makes it a great value is these same boards can be utilized for all the species we fish for later in the season. Planer boards are deadly for trophy walleyes, pike, muskie, and recently many crappie fishermen have been crushing big crappie and pan fish with in-line boards. We will discuss salmon and steelhead applications in the 2nd part of this article in the April issue of The Angler Magazine, and planer tactics will be a recurring subject. Ultimately you can equip your craft with both, and keep the cost at a realistic amount or start off slowly and collect your gear in piece-meal. Fish307.com offers an outstanding value on
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FISH307 Double Planer Boards for $49.99, getting 2 for less than $100 will enable you to fish up to 8 brown trout rigs from a dual-mast line. The www.Fish307.com website features all the mast systems and releases you need to get started or bolster your current set-up. Simply mount a mast post on a high centered flat spot in the front of your boat and you are ready to fish (catch). Then buy 2-8 in-line planer boards, Off Shore Tackle has 2 sizes that are durable, the OR-12 or the OR-37. The
Stacking three or more OR12 Side Planers per side of the boat is no problem thanks to the standard factory rigging that makes it easy to release the board while keeping the board pinned in position on the line. Visit www.offshoretackle.com for more information and to subscribe to Offshore Release newsletter.
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– Trophy Spring Browns!! UPSTATE NY ANGLER MAGAZINE
Part 1, continued in April issue
www.offshoretackle.com offers great information on best utilizing inline boards. Now you are set-up for all kinds of planer board options. You can mix and match these components based on preference, number of fishermen on your craft and budget. Many experienced Great Lakes fishermen use both and we are among them. The next thing you need is some sturdy, strongly installed and strategically placed rod holders. You can choose individual rod holders or a system of holders. You should install at least two based on your boat and intentions. I prefer the strength and reliability of Tite-Lok rodholders www.titelok.com . If your intention is to completely rig your boat for this and other trolling and fishing applications, install as many holders on your boat that is practical between individual holders TiteLok 5710 and racks Tite-Lok Triple Deck Mount 5760. For mast systems, a Trickle Deck Mount on the rear side gunnel of each side are ideal. My 18 ft Alumacraft Trophy that I rigged for trolling is equipped with 20 rod holders counting the holders on my downriggers. This may seem excessive, but is extremely practical in use and keeps all my rigs geared and ready, away from the fish catching action and harm. With a smaller craft, the very minimum is 2 rods being flatlined 60-150 ft. behind your boat placed in easy to reach rod holders. Simply attach an in-line board if you want to get in closer to stream plumes and away from your craft, creating a very stealthy offering. Whether you are using mast boards or in-line, I will offer 3 trolled rigs to that shore/stream plume side, creating a realistic, attractive spread. Next equipment to procure is your rods, reels and line. Riversider rods, www.challengerlures.com, makes 2 excellent and inexpensive rods
suited for this set-up. The Riversider Planer Board Rod 7 ft. ML retails @ $29.99 or The Riversider Brown Trout 9 ft. ML retails at $59.99, both are outstanding values. Having sets of rods that are the same length make this set-up more uniform and more effective. Pairing these rods with line-counter reels make a terrific planer board combo. Okuma and Dawai both offer several models, accurately knowing how much line is being trolled is essential, so collecting line counter reels should commence. Line strength is important, but keeping lines in the 6-12 lb. test will provide the correct strength, what is most important is line visibility. These waters can be very clear and when fishing in shallow water brown trout
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Caught aboard Irish Knots. www.irishknotsfishing.com CONTINUED ON PAGE 6
MARCH 2017
UPSTATE NEW YORK 5
Small Boaters Advantage are very line shy, that’s why fluorocarbon line or at least leaders are highly recommended. Now I tie on a medium sized Torpedo barrel swivel with a 5-ft. leader of 8 lb. fluorocarbon and a Torpedo www. torpedodivers.com cross lock snap, this will minimize line twist and make lure change easy. LURES!! Early in the season, small stick bait plugs swung in and around shallow plumes avoid hanging bottom when fished in water less than 5 ft. Challenger Lures www.challengerlures.com design smaller lower profile baits perfect for this tactic. The Challenger Micro floating, TS Minnow, or Challenger Jr. are available in dozens of exciting, relevant color patterns. They have great action and troll well at many speeds. I like to have at least 4 or more of each model in my favorite colors. I prefer black/silver, but will utilize other patterns like trout patterns, fire-tigers, perch, goby colors and others. I will try brighter colors since rainbows and salmon are also present or greens to find a preference also. Have a decent selection and we suggest you change up till you have developed a pattern of success. Starting the day with at least half my spread being black/silver is my staple, you will develop your own likings. I pre-rig 6-12 rods with preferred baits and have them in their holders at the boat launch or dock, ready to fish. For early season browns, I will usually run 3 baits off each side of my boat with mast planer boards, 120 ft. of line out on each rod/reel combo before attaching your release to the mast line. Separate each line by 10-15 feet to minimalize tangle. Bay Rat Lures has a new model out this year designed for shallow water trolling, the S3 augments Bay Rat’s Short Shallow and Long Shallow that come in dozens of hand-painted colors, many fishermen like Bay Rat Lures due to their likeness to a goby. Starting in early March, plumes of water created by run-off
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continued from page 5
streams, rivers, power plants, bay and harbor entrances, have warmer temperatures and more colored waters than the main lake. These locations often coincide with boat launches and marinas. Start your trolling close to or right after leaving your launch site, and troll the shoreline towards any trib or influx of water that has created plumes of all varying sizes. Continuously monitor your temp gages. Subtle temp increases are magnets for early season bait and hungry trout. The offcolor water will be several degrees warmer, and provides cover for trout that are waiting to ambush baitfish. Often in March, trout will arrive to these shoreline spots several weeks or a month before large schools of baitfish, making your offerings highly attractive to aggressive feeding browns. Especially early in the season, getting into super close to the shoreline where small streams that only may have a football field sized plume are in less than 10 ft of water. Swinging your offering in an out of these off-colored then clear waters with your planer boards create a perfect presentation that is often rewarded with feeding trout and often double and triple-headers. Especially in early spring, my planer presented plugs may be only in 5 ft. of water or less, that’s why I use the smaller lures that will less likely snag bottom. Quick growing browns from 2-10 lbs can be a day long bonanza when conditions are found. Rainbows, steelhead, coho, lakers and chinooks mix in, especially as the season matures. Optimally, a consistent mudline may form along a shoreline with frequent small streams and run-offs adding to the waters mix. Doubling back over hot spots are recommended when feasible, since these browns often feed in packs. Capt. Chris Yard of Irish Knots Charters is among the first boats that I have shared fishing waters with near Port Ontario early in the
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season. Booking an early season trip with www.Irishknotsfishing.com may be a great way to learn tactics for your boat or to enjoy this early season world-class fishery with a familiar professional. During March and April, many of the larger boats are still under cover or in storage, and when they do hit these waters, simply can’t fish as close as smaller crafts. These are the dynamic reasons why small boaters have this great advantage. Especially, a solid and rigged 16-20 ft trailer able boat designed for this type of fishing and water. Choosing a port to fish is equally as important. Allowing the weather forecast to dictate where you go in sensible. On our portion of Lake Ontario choosing between Sodus, Little Sodus, Oswego, Mexico/Port Ontario, Sandy Pond and Henderson Harbor offer us endless options for trophy browns. Since I prefer to fish with the wind with planer boards, I align myself at the best launch/port for that wind direction and speed. If the seas are forecast or become too difficult, simply troll with-in a harbor or go to a smaller inland lake, I go to The Finger Lakes where the same tactics will score with similar results. These planer tactics work for any water or species, so your options are limitless. Having a trailer able sized boat will give you the flexibility and options to fish the best waters for that days forecast. The seasons are getting longer, so investing in this early shallow water planer equipment can add months to your boat fishing, and give you this effective option all year. We will discuss how to continue through the spring season in the 2nd part of this article next month in The Angler Magazine. For early spring browns, stay in close and focus on those plumes and position your spread in and out of these feeding zones, and you WILL be rewarded with many lunker Spring brown trout!
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MARCH 2017
UPSTATE NEW YORK 7
TIPS FOR NYMPHING SUCCESS BY JERROD VILA, Multi-species Fanatic LET’S LOOK AT THE 90/10 RULE, which basically states that 90% of a trout’s diet is sub-surface while only 10% is eaten from the surface of the stream. Cut and dry, to consistently put fish in the net, you need to be fishing where they feed most the time. I almost always fish a double nymph rig, with the larger or heavier of the two flies on top and the dropper fly tied via a length of tippet, directly into the bend of the upper fly’s hook. The length of tippet between these two flies will vary depending on the average depth of water I will be encountering. For most larger rivers like the AuSable in upstate New York I tend to tie the dropper on with about 18-20” of fluorocarbon tippet. For small “single lane” streams I decrease that length to somewhere around 10 inches to a foot or so. As for flies, my go to combo is a large black K stone, say size 8 or 10 on top with a 14 or 16 beadhead flashback pheasant tail dropper. This is one combination of flies that have consistently taken trout year after year for me. Both of these flies are a very generic pattern and will work most of the time. Obviously the combinations of flies are endless and will vary from region to region. A good rule of thumb is to always run the heavier fly on top whether it be a big stone or a tungsten beadhead nymph, etc. The size of your dropper will vary as well depending on what the fish are keying in on. It’s also a wise choice to carry an assortment of different sizes of the same fly and to also carry different configurations too, beadhead, non-beadhead, flashback…. etc. However, for certain times of the year there may be better choices. Early spring I like dropping a Hendrickson nymph and as the summer begins to wind down an Isonychia or slate drake nymph is killer. The combinations are endless it’s really just trial and error. Let the trout tell you what they want.
Presentation. It is everything. Repeat this until you turn blue in the face. You could have the hottest flies tied on… present them in a way that doesn’t appear natural, and I promise you will catch nothing. While fishing this style with these types of flies, you want them moving exactly at the speed of the current with zero drag. Drag on a dry fly is very apparent, however drag on something under the surface which you cannot see is more difficult to decipher. Forget about long casts. If possible, try and keep your whole fly line off the water always. You will achieve much better drifts, be able to tell much better when you get a take and also spook less fish. Even the most proficient casters will not benefit from making long casts using this style of nymphing. Get in the water and sneak, yes sneak, out to the run or pocket you expect to be holding a hungry trout. Even if you can easily reach it with a mildly long cast, don’t. Don’t be lazy! Carefully wade to within 2 rod lengths or so of the suspected lie. Wading this close will enable you to be in direct contact with your flies with no fly line touching the water, which will enable you to fish it with a drag free presentation. Think it over. Look at the current coming into and going through the run and how it acts and where it goes. Think about how and where you should make your cast to get your flies to be coming through the trout’s strike zone drag free and have them at the proper depth when they are going through that spot. This may mean casting well above the pocket and letting your offering flow into your target zone on natural current downstream a decent ways. 9 out of 10 times you will get a take on the very first drift, so don’t waste that drift through a run by getting over anxious and casting too soon before you have properly set yourself up to make an accurate drag free cast. Although most nymphing utilizes some form of an indicator for strike detection, I have greatly increased my catch ratio by not using the traditional method. I would almost call it a modified Czech Nymphing technique. The largest advantage I feel of not using an indicator is that you, as the fisherman are not limited to what depth you set your
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Tying Great Winter Nymphs By Charlie Warfield indicator at initially. There are adjustable indicators, but most are not going to adjust the indicator for every single pocket or hole they come to as they work a stream. Any fly fisherman can pick up this technique in no time at all, basically you are using the direct connection to your flies to feel strikes and intently watching the leader to water junction or the very end of your fly line in deeper situations to do anything out of the normal flow of current. If you feel or see ANYTHING odd or different just set the hook. There is nothing to lose… except the trout that inhaled your fly and spit it out and you never set the hook because you were unsure if that was a take or not. My point is, just set the hook on any twitch, any tap, any hesitation of the line. No long tapered leaders are necessary here because the casts are very short and to the point. If you set yourself up properly and close enough to the run where the trout are lying false casts are almost completely unnecessary as well. I personally tie about 6 feet of 5x fluorocarbon tippet directly to the end loop in the fly line. Tie on your stone or whatever large fly to the end of this section. Tie another length of the same tippet material using a clinch knot directly to the bend of the upper fly’s hook. Tie on your dropper and the rig is now complete. I almost always use tiny loop knots to attach the flies as I feel this results in an even lesser amount of drag. For very deep pools or runs with a an extra swift current feel free to add a B or BB Size shot to get it down to where the fish are holding. Is this style pretty? Nope. Does it catch loads of fish? Absolutely.
I LOVE FISHING NYMPHS, especially in the winter WHEN the fish are moving slow and waiting for a meal to present itself. The number 1 nymph for eastern streams is the stone fly because they have a long life cycle (some are 3-4 years) that is primarily in the water and they are active all year long. Stone flies come in all sorts of colors and sizes from smaller golden stone flies to large back ones. The stone fly attaches its self to rocks on the bottom and needs oxygen rich water to survive. So fast runs are prime habitat. They are not great swimmers but instead move around by crawling from rock to rock. Sometimes they can be dislodged by fast water or get carried downstream when they are crawling from place to place, and this is when the opportunistic trout grabs a healthy snack. The main distinguishing feature of a stone fly is its large long legs. For great long legs I like to use the Whiting 4B Hen hackle it is a great supple material with lots of movement in the water. 1: Here is a simple stone fly pattern that catches fish! Hook Saber 7380 size 10 1 Body UV2 Dubbing Golden Stone/Chocolate Brown/Tan Tail Black goose Biot Hackle Whiting 4B hen cape
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2: Another great fly to have ready when winter nymphing is the Black Zebra Midge. Midges generally Midges emerge from the muddy bottom to live the aquatic portion of their life (pupa) in slow runs before emerging as adult flies. This is a simple fly to tie and most affective in sizes 16-24 Hook Saber 7051 Brass Bead Body black 8/0 thread Ribbing gold brassie wire 3: And finally we will cover the May Flies with the Hot Spot PTN (Pheasant Tail Nymph). This is a great fly year round and is an affective easy tie. This fly can be tied in a variety of colors from cream to black but brown/natural is the most common and a great color in general. Here is a link to a Pheasant Tail nymph tutorial https://youtu.be/Vq6I7PTFmpk Hook Saber 7031 size 10-18 Bead 3/32-1/8 (also affective without bead) Body Pheasant tail fiber Brass Ribbing wire Orange UV2 dubbing
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UPSTATE NEW YORK 9
Experience four seasons of fishing with over 200 lakes, streams and rivers in one of the world’s premier fresh water fisheries
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Northern Pike Challenge – Tupper Lake TRADITION IS AN INTEGRAL ELEMENT TO A SUCCESSFUL winter time event. Comradery with others, particularly those with the same interest create culture in a community. The Tupper Lake Northern Challenge is a perfect example of a municipal public engaging with an event and becoming part of the community’s culture. This year’s Northern Challenge attracted a record 1358 anglers. WOW!! That is a lot of sportsmen, but Tupper Lake accommodated everyone, and a grand time was had by all. Tupper Lake sits as a true junction to all parts of the ADKs. Literally 60 minutes in any direction will put you on as many lakes, rivers, trails to ponds, streams and great fishing that the most avid outdoorsmen couldn’t visit in 20 lifetimes. Tupper Lake itself has a trophy population of pike, walleye, lake trout, bass and a wide variety of fishing options. The Northern Challenge exclusively pays out for Northern Pike on Tupper Lake connected Simon Pond. This year’s largest fish was 10.45 lbs. for this special event will all sorts of cash and prizes won by entrants from many parts of the state and Vermont. The lunker pool paid out over $5000 and 2 entrants won ATVs. With 50-50 raffles and all sorts of prizes that totaled over $33,000 with entrants from as far as Kentucky and Colorado. Now that is a community event that has truly created sustained winter tourism revolving around fishing. The Angler Magazine team was very impressed with the hospitality of the derby coordinators and especially Neil and Linda of Mountain Market www.facebook.com/Mountain-Market-Redemption.com, they were available all weekend (early hours) and had bait brought out directly on the spot to make it convenient for the participants. Hospitality like that truly makes Tupper Lake the crossroads of the Adirondacks.
For a Free St. Lawrence County Anglers Guide call: 877-228-7810 & For fishing info. visit FISHCAP.Net
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MARCH 2017
UPSTATE NEW YORK 11
SARATOGA LAKE REPORT BY JOE GRECO OF JUSTY-JOE CHARTERS, newyorkfishing.com SARATOGA LAKE – WARM SPELLS AND RAIN HAVE OPENED shorelines in many areas and open water has taken over Fish Creek and much of the Norther portion of the lake. There has been reports of around six inches of good ice remaining off Brown’s beach and Fitch Road access points. The fish have still been cooperating however, and eager anglers have still been reporting steady numbers of pan fish. The walleye bite has remained consistent as well and with the ice production at a standstill there seems to be no sign of things slowing down. How long this will last remain to be seen. Perch are being caught in 10-20 feet of water on tip-ups with cup bait or fathead minnows. Small jigs tipped with spikes, small spoons and jigging Rapalas have all been producing fish in a variety of colors. Try gold, perch, clown and glow patterns under the cover of darkness. This time of year, if fish get fussy, try downsizing to smaller presentations. At times, there’s nothing like a plain-old jig with a minnow and remember to add a small size 12 or 14 stinger hook to seal the deal. I like Northland Tackle’s fireball jigs, as they have a secondary eyelet behind the jig head. You can easily attach a small stinger rig to this without having the extra line running to your main eyelet. Do not overwork your bait this time of year, it’s amazing how sometimes just
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MARCH 2017
the absence of movement will trigger the strike. Blue gill and crappie fisherman will want to head to the skinny water and start thinking pre-spawn. Fish will move in during the evening and will be found in the six to ten foot of water range feeding to fatten up for the upcoming spawn. The bite is still hot on small jigs tipped with grubs or small finesse plastics. Key in on areas with standing vegetation adjacent to known spawning grounds. With the technology we now have available to us finding underwater structure is easier than ever before. Check out Humminbird’s new Helix-ice line of sonar units designed specifically for the ice angler. These units are equipped with big screens, easy navigation and numerous screen color schemes. I love the graph style sonar, which we would typically use for open water fishing on our boats. What this does is give you a wicked depiction of underlying structure such as weed growth, rocks and sand which can be frustrating to see on many classic flasher style units. But if you prefer a flasher-style sonar screen, you have that option with this unit as well. The Great Sacandaga – The “dead sea” as they call it is near and dear to my heart. Any avid angler who fishes the GSL will tell you it certainly is not the dead sea, but you will have to pay your dues when learning to fish this magnificent body of water. Walleye are the primary target species in the GSL which are quite bountiful and limits are not uncommon. A surprise “football” trout, occasional jumbo perch and the chance at a pike of a lifetime make this lake a great place to ice fish in my opinion. There isn’t many guys begging to give information away and you’re going to have to put the time in to consistently to put fish on the ice. The walleye ice bite is usually very early out there. When I fish the GSL I’m out early enough to be fully set up while still dark. Set tip-ups close to bottom using small shiners or hunt bait in the 15-20 feet of water range. Pay close attention to quick breaking contour lines and changes in bottom composition that can be found and recorded during open water season. Pink and white are really hot colors in here and small jigging Rapala-style baits are tough to beat. Many fish are also caught on my trusty dead stick rod which is equipped with a jig and minnow under a pre-set slip float that I place just up off the bottom. I think of this place as a walleye playground with countless sand to rock transitions, steep inside turns adjacent to big shallow flats and main lake rock piles just waiting to be fished. The giant nomadic Northern Pike are few and far between, yet every year numerous fish in the 20-plus pound range are caught. These pike are often much shallower and avid pike anglers will wait days and often weeks for that one flag that might yield the beast they have been after. Try big baits such as large shiners or suckers, and experiment with both live and dead presentations. Although I personally don’t target pike in the GSL, the guys I know who are successful are usually in the 5 to 10 feet of water range. Again, there are spots that regularly produce these fish but you will have to put the time in to find them. Other local hot spots – There is still plenty of ice on Brant lake, Cossayuna lake, Round lake, Ballston, Lake lonely and many other smaller lakes and ponds. The pike fishing on Lake lonely and Cossayuna can offer anglers with some consistent action at pike running thirty to thirty-eight inches. Try weedy drop-offs in the 5 to 10-foot range using large shiners and suckers. Key in on weedy flats and bays that have small feeder creeks running into them which will concentrate baitfish and oxygen. The pan fish bite can be excellent in both areas in the weedy bays using small plastics and teardrop jigs tipped with spikes in the 5 to 8-foot range. For young anglers the north end of Ballston lake is hard to beat. The small bluegills and perch are plentiful off the outlet road access point and can be found in 5 to 7 feet of water just about anywhere you drill holes. It’s not too late to hit the hard water. Although we have had a tough run, spring is not yet here and there being still many opportunities available to the savvy ice angler. Only fish areas where the ice thickness is consistent and there have been good reports from other anglers. Use extreme caution guys and gals, no fish is worth taking your last swim. Don’t go out alone and never without the appropriate safety gear. Thanks for reading and set those hooks!
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MICKEY’S ONEIDA LAKE REPORT THE RIGHTEOUS ANGLER, OR YOU CAN LEAD A FISHERMAN to water, but you can’t make him think. When it comes to moral equivalency among anglers, one should ask, is it the fisherman who throws artificial lures made from metal or plastic in order to gain substance, less righteous compared to the angler that requires lures fashioned from the ruminants of live or dead animals, IE: worms, trout flies, yes trout flies or minnows in order to lure fish solely on the basis of sport. In some countries like the Netherlands, the catch and release ethic is considered inhumane, tantamount to torture. The angler is required by law to dispense his catch in a humane manor or risk being subject to fine or imprisonment. Is it better to release a fish so it may be caught again another day? According to Lee Wulff it is. Make no mistake, like hunting, fishing is a blood sport. Being subject to the angling culture as long as I have, fifty plus years, has given rise to cynicism, familiarity breeds contempt and all of that; especially when confronted by the “double standard” encouraged and nourished by the class distinctions among what should be the fraternal brotherhood of anglers. As a fly fishing guide and former president of the Central New York Fly Fishers, FFF I resent the portrayal of fly fisherman as snobs, as much as I despise the idea of bait anglers being characterized as despicable. OK, maybe a little friendly rivalry. Football players show no sign of discontent for the sport of basketball. Golf enthusiasts are not offended by baseball. One could say the ball is their common bond just like
the hook is the common bond between the Bass angler and the Carp fisherman or the fly fisherman and the deep sea angler. There are numerous instances of elitism within the fishing community, fortunately these isolated examples do not represent the entire angling population. Its fishing, plain and simple, no matter how you slice it and dice it. Anglers of all genre share in the most fundamental motive, that is to “catch a fish”. It’s mans basic instinct to hunt and provide, whether we eat the fish or not; we live by rod, line and hook. There should be no moral dilemmas when it comes to angling. For all practical purposes there are only two types of anglers, ethical and non-ethical; those who respect the resource and play by the rules and those who refuse to. For some reason, petty rivalry is a stage some anglers have to go through. Witness, A.J. McClane of Standard Fishing Encyclopedia fame and his more tolerant and inclusive approach to the pursuit of angling, one that mirrors the philosophy of what Thoreau embellished when he stated “most men spend all their life’s fishing without realizing it’s not fish there after”. It’s unfortunate that Oneida Lake Ice anglers are being challenged by a difficult season. Mid-February presented some opportunity along the Eastern portion of the lake. Sylvan Beach and Lewis Pt provided anglers with perch and walleye. How long this will last is up to Mother Nature. We could end up with January weather in March?
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UPSTATE NEW YORK 13
Great Upstate Boat Show WHILE GROWING UP, GOING TO SPORT AND BOAT SHOWS with my parents was so exciting. It created dreams for spring time fishing spots, getting excited when my dad bought new gear or consider a new boat. We bought a 20 ft center console at a boat show when I was 14, then I bought my 18 ft. Alumacraft 14 years later at a boat show. I know firsthand that a show is the best place to buy a fishing boat. It is the perfect time to get rigged up with fishing toys and continue that energy right into the season. The Great Upstate Boat Show can provide our readers with that experience at the perfect time of year. March 31-April 2 at The Adirondack Sports Complex in Queensbury right off exit 18 of I-87. What could be a better weekend to buy a boat than the opening weekend of trout season, traditionally the beginning of the boating season! I never thought of the time that the organizers of such an event needed to put forth to pull off such a coordinated effort and planning to move a flotilla of fishing catching and pleasure boating craft into a Sports Complex. Fortunately this summer I was invited by Bernie from EZ Marine to go to a ENYMTA meeting, the organization that manages all aspects of the show. The Angler Magazine has joined and participated on most of their meetings. They are a great bunch of guys and gals who meet monthly to attempt to make this event as well thought out and fun for everyone involved. They came up with several fun giveaways, and chances for interested boaters would truly appreciate. Promotions and special pricing will be available for over 175 new boats from 60 top brands. This will be the best place in Upstate NY to shop for boats and compare many options, rig it, and have it ready to fish. WE WILL SEE YOU THERE!!
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Trout Unlimited Fly Fishing Courses BY RICH REDMAN WE ARE GETTING CLOSER TO SPRING EVERY DAY! THE DAYS are getting longer; the weather, so far has been to our favor. Springs warming waters will bring life back to the rivers. Soon bugs will fill the air and fly lines will be cast and lines unfurled to deliver a fly to a feeding trout. I can’t wait to get back on the river, rod in hand and digging on life. If you are interested in learning the basics about fly fishing, tying flies, knots and fly casting, the Lake Champlain Chapter of Trout Unlimited is holding 3 days of fly tying lessons, and an evening of fly casting. All of the classes are FREE and everyone is welcome to join us. You will learn how to tie some basic flies used in fly fishing to that catch trout and salmon. Refreshments will be available. 3 days of fly tying instruction will be held at: The Conservation Building in the Clinton County Fairgrounds. Wednesday March 8th, 2017 6pm to 9pm, Wednesday March 15th, 2017 6pm to 9pm, Wednesday March 22nd, 2017 6pm to 9pm Trout Unlimited will host a fly casting seminar, along with the Women’s Fly fishing reunion at the Plattsburgh State University field house. This one evening fly casting course will be held: Friday April 21st, 2017 6:30pm to 9:30pm The Plattsburgh State College Field House gym is located on Rugar Street in Plattsburgh New York. For more information or to sign up for the classes, please call 518546-3378 or e-mail me at rangeric@nycap.rr.com. “Tie One On” March 25th Genesee Grande Hotel Syracuse, NY, 9am-4:30pm $10 Donation, $5 active TU members. Under 16 Free. Go to Iriquois Chapter Trout Unlimited Facebook for details.
16 UPSTATE NEW YORK
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ASMFC To Loosen
Striped Bass Regs
T
here may be good news for striped bass anglers on the East Coast, as the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) is considering loosening restrictions for recreational and commercial harvest of the popular gamefish coastwide. According to the Associated Press, potential changes are being driven in large part because of economic hardships experienced in the Chesapeake Bay fishery. In 2015, regulations were tightened automatically based on a stock assessment that indicated the species was being overfished. Now, an updated 2016 assessment of the stock shows that overfishing is not occurring, and data shows a strong presence of the 2011 yearclass, which is anticipated to join the coastal spawning population. An ASMFC release indicated a draft of the new regulations should be presented for board review in May.
Maryland Conducts
Pre-Season Trout Stockings
T
he Maryland Department of Natural Resources began stocking trout in waters across the state in January ahead of the 2017 fishing season. About 338,000 brown, golden and rainbow trout were released. “The trout stocking program raises several hundred thousand trout at our hatcheries, which are stocked for anglers of all ages and skill levels,” said Maryland Fishing and Boating Services director David Blazer. “Our team provides anglers with diverse trout fishing experiences, from the solitude of a mountain stream to an outing at your locally stocked pond with family and friends.” Most trout are grown at the department’s hatcheries, the Albert Powell Hatchery in Washington County and the Bear Creek Hatchery in Garrett County. Additionally, the department partnered with the private Mettiki Hatchery to rear trout for Garrett County. The stocking program is funded by the sale of non-tidal fishing licenses, trout stamps and Federal Sport Fish Restoration Program funds. A list of stocked locations is available at bait and tackle shops, department service centers and online. The department also provides weekly updates at 800-688-3467. The exact location and timing for stocking is dependent on ground conditions, stream flow and weather.
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New Jersey Rallies Against Crippling Fluke Regulations
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epartment of Environmental Protection Commissioner Bob Martin recently joined federal and state lawmakers, leaders of the state’s recreational and commercial fishing industries, anglers, and people whose livelihoods rely on fishing to rally in opposition to proposed drastic recreational harvest reductions for summer flounder, saying the changes would devastate the state’s fishing industry and have far-reaching economic impacts on shore tourism. The rally follows votes last month by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) and the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC) that would likely result in an increase in the size of individual summer flounder anglers can keep, as well as a decrease in number of fish that may be kept each day, and a reduction in season length. One of the options under consideration could reduce New Jersey’s recreational harvest limit for summer flounder by as much as nearly 50 percent. Summer flounder is one of the most popular game fish in the state among recreational anglers and is very important to commercial fishing operations. “Such a draconian reduction in the recreational harvest limit would be tantamount to a moratorium on one of the most popular fish sought after by recreational anglers in New Jersey, making it nearly impossible for them to keep any of the flounder they catch,” Commissioner Martin said during the rally at the Fishermen’s Supply Company in Point Pleasant Beach. “This will cripple marinas, charter boat operators, and owners of bait-and-tackle shops, and would have severe consequences on the hotels, restaurants, and other tourism-related businesses that support anglers and their families.” Commissioner Martin insists that sound science must drive decisions to balance protection of the summer flounder resource and the needs of the recreational and commercial fishing industries, which generate about $2.5 billion annually in economic benefits for the state. He wants 2016 size limits, catch limits and season lengths be kept in effect for 2017 pending a more thorough review of scientific data. Other options the ASFMC is considering range from reductions of 28 percent to 41 percent. Any reduction for 2017 would be on top of a 27 percent reduction New Jersey has had to implement after successfully fighting off a proposed 59 percent reduction in 2015. “For too long summer flounder fishery management has been driven by knee-jerk reactions that lack scientific foundation and have profound impacts on the lives of many people,” Commissioner Martin said. “Many families plan their summer vacations around the summer flounder
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season,” said Commissioner Martin. “Coming to the Jersey shore to fish for fluke is a time-honored tradition that would be placed at great risk if anglers and their families felt that there would be no point in making the trip.” Among the federal and state lawmakers joining Commissioner Martin were U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, whose district includes the northern coastal portion of the state, and Monmouth County Assemblyman Dave Rible. These lawmakers have also taken strong actions to oppose the measure. Fishing advocacy groups that have been actively opposing the measure include the New Jersey Outdoor Alliance, the Recreational Fishing Alliance, the New Jersey Coast Anglers Association, the New Jersey Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, United Boatmen and the Save the Summer Flounder Fishery Fund. Commissioner Martin plans to testify against the proposed quota changes during the ASMFC meetings scheduled Jan 30 through Feb. 2. ASMFC is poised to formally adopt one of five general management approach options that could range from coast-wide harvest reductions to more localized regional reductions. After these meetings, the Commission will instruct the states on how to achieve the reduction targets. Fishery managers use a combination of individual fish length, daily catch limits, and season length adjustments to achieve harvest reduction targets, or quotas. Commissioner Martin said that past management of quotas for recreational and commercial fishing industries have been much too capricious, varying widely from year to year and leading to great uncertainty in both industries, as well as competitive disadvantages to New Jersey. Commissioner Martin recently submitted comments to the ASMFC formally opposing the changes. In the long term, New Jersey strongly recommends that members of ASMFC work in coordination with the federal government to create a new paradigm regarding the management of this species,” Commissioner Martin wrote in his comments. “If the purpose of ASMFC is to protect the flounder stock while also providing equitable harvest limits for the recreational and commercial fishing industry, then annual quota shifts that are not based on the most recent science and modeling are of questionable value. Recreational fishing in New Jersey alone directly creates some 20,000 jobs and contributes $1.5 billion to the state’s economy, with commercial fishing generating another billion dollars in economic benefits. Commissioner Martin stressed that a more thorough scientific analysis of summer flounder, also known as fluke, should include a peer-reviewed assessment of data gathered by a variety of sources, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Marine Recreational Information Program, a detailed survey of anglers. Commissioner Martin offered the state’s resources to help develop a new benchmark assessment. The summer flounder season in New Jersey typically runs from May through September, concurrent with the peak tourism season. Current New Jersey regulations allow recreational anglers fishing in most parts of the state to keep summer flounder that are at least 18 inches long, at a maximum of five fish per day. In Delaware Bay, anglers may take up to four summer flounder per day that meet a minimum 17-inch length requirement. The DEP is particularly concerned about any regulatory changes that would increase the minimum length of fish caught in New Jersey because few fish would meet the larger size limit. Summer flounder in New Jersey tend to be smaller than in states to the north due to the species’ biological needs and migration patterns. Moreover, coast-wide more than 90 percent of summer flounder that are greater than 18 inches in length are females, meaning an increase in size limits would encourage higher harvests of reproductive fish, which is counterproductive to sound fishery management.
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
2/14/17 1:20 PM
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UNDER THE SEA
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by blending into the reef, and some just want SHERI DAYE to look cool. Ladies, if you’re looking for he popularity of spearfishing in the “skins” for the summer U.S. has grown significantly, and it in attractive patterns, has spawned product innovation and improvements—not only with spearguns, check out Slipins. You might not blend into but with associated dive apparel. Believe it the reef, but you will look amazing! 2) Gloves: There are more sizes, or not, how you dress can play an important thicknesses and features now. I’ve been part of the hunt. Here are some examples: 1) Wetsuits: It’s important for a hunter to diving in water so cold that I lost feeling be comfortable in the water. If you are cold in my hands and couldn’t feel the trigger. and shivering, if your suit is rubbing the I should have sprung for a thicker pair of back of your legs, if it feels too tight in the gloves when I traveled to California. With the popularity of polespearing, chest—you will not perform as effectively. In this regard, new wetsuits with open-cell there’s a need for gloves that make it easy to technology and newer materials have been hold a loaded polespear, so the grip is made a godsend. They are softer, stretchier and of nitrile or latex while the rest of the gloves thinner, yet they keep you warmer than the (back of hand and wrists) are a dynema/ old materials. A good wetsuit should feel Kevlar composition. The all-Kevlar gloves like a second skin and should not let water are useful for handling fish or lobsters. It’s in anywhere. The following brands are not uncommon to get cut by gill rakers when available at your local dive shop: Yazbeck, dispatching bigger fish. Wearing solid gloves will give you confidence when handling fish. Mares, Riffe, Omer, Cressi and more. Most spearfishing wetsuit brands now Check out Neritic and Akona, among others. 3) Booties: With the advent of long fins have both a men’s and women’s cut, resulting in a better fit. The new stretchy materials for spearfishing, it’s become more important are forgiving enough to fit most bodies. for the fin-pocket/bootie combination to Still not happy with the fit? No worries; form a good fit. An ill-fitting fin will greatly there are several affordable custom wetsuit reduce efficiency in the water. As with gloves, manufacturers who will tailor one to your there’s a greater variety of choices, and it’s important to try them on with the foot measurements. Try Oceanos or Elios. Another recent development is the pocket you plan to wear. Next time you go spearfishing, make wide variety of camouflage patterns. Some hunters believe it allows them to be stealthier sure you are dressed for success!
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TIPS FROM A PRO
FRESHWATER THE THINGS WE WEAR
O
BRANDON LESTER
utdoor apparel isn’t as much fun to talk about as how to catch big bass, but it’s important for those of us who spend a lot of time on a boat. I’m not sponsored by any clothing companies or anything like that, but I do know what I like. Let’s start with hoodies. You just can’t beat a quality hoodie for chilly mornings and running down the lake. Most of my sponsors have sent me a hoodie or two, but I have to say my all-time favorite one is from Raymarine. There’s something about the texture of the hoodie. It’s manufactured by
cover up from the sun as well. They keep me cool and really make a difference in how much energy I have after a long day on the water. I also like MHX’s lightweight hat as well as a trucker hat I have from Phoenix Boats. A rain suit is key for me too. Mud Hole was nice enough to send me one from Gill that really works well. They make good stuff. Raymarine sent one made by Stormr, and it is my favorite for cold weather. Mercury provided me one from Simms that is really nice, and it has held
Sport-Tek and is just extremely comfortable. It looks good too. For those cold mornings, I really like to have on a beanie, too. I have accumulated several from Mercury, and I really like theirs. Mercury’s are good quality and don’t shrink. I’ve had others that got loose and feel like they were going to fly off. Everything has to be tight when running at 70-plus mph. Buff USA makes good beanies, as well, and several other cold weather products I like. Most of us think of Buff for sun protection, but they perform in the cold too. Speaking of sun protection, I will indeed have a UV Buff around my neck 95 percent of the time. I also wear their gloves, and honestly it feels a little strange to not fish with gloves on anymore. As younger anglers, we’ve heard stories and seen pictures of sun-damaged skin. Most of us heed the warnings. I wear MHX sun shirts to
up very well. You can never have too many rain suits. You never know when you’ll need a backup for either yourself or someone fishing with you. To complete the look and feel, I like to wear lightweight, comfortable fishing shorts from Mercury. You see a ton of anglers wearing the Mercury shorts, so it was obviously a brilliant marketing move for them to send them to us. It just feels like “game day” when I have them on. Did I mention all this stuff is wrinkle free. Even our jerseys are wrinkle-free. I usually stay in hotels, and I’m thankful to be able to pull my gear out of the suitcase or out of a boat compartment and have it look good. Valley Fashions does a good job with our jerseys. That’s enough about clothing. Next month we will get back to fishing. If you ever have any topics you would like me to cover, hit me up on Facebook or Instagram.
Get more tips from Lester at
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FISH & FISHING
PRIORITIES
A
MARK SOSIN
nglers tend to reverse priorities. Instead of focusing on fishing an artificial effectively, they worry more about choosing some magical fly or lure guaranteed to produce a spectacular catch simply by being in the water. Success seldom happens that way. If you have confidence in your choice and believe it will work, it probably will, provided your presentation and retrieve are effective. The best bait in the box will bomb unless it looks realistic and natural to your quarry. Fishing an artificial is a mental game. It’s easy to be distracted and simply cast and retrieve without any purpose or thought behind each presentation. Every cast should be made to correctly cover a specific segment of water and effectively put an offering in front of a fish. Simple things can make a difference. Here are a couple of examples. I watched an angler cast a swimming plug with a lip into the shallows, crank the reel handle four to six times so the plug dove downward along the dropoff, pause for a moment until the plug began to rise, and then continue the retrieve. If you stood next to him and simply retrieved the plug without pausing so it could rise, you couldn’t buy a strike. Another time, a friend who had been a guide was fishing with me. He kept getting strikes on his lure, while I became more frustrated with every cast, and we were using the same artificial. I watched his every move and tried to duplicate it to no avail. Finally, I asked him what he was doing that was different than my retrieve. As he worked his lure, he kept vibrating his hand. It was too subtle to see. Vibrating his wrist caused his lure to flash underwater just like a real baitfish. That made all the difference. Finding a school of breaking fish on the surface stirs the soul and telegraphs the imminent success to every fiber in your body. The key is to keep the boat away from the school while moving up ahead of it. Casts should be made in front of the school when possible or
at least close to it so that the retrieve follows the basic path of the school. Assuming the school is moving north, you want your retrieve to cover the northeast or northwest quadrant. It should move in the general direction of the main body of fish. Not very often will a school member chase a lure going in a direction opposite that of the main body of fish. Retrieving an artificial must make it appear to the fish that it is trying to escape. If the predator senses that the lure is moving toward it, you can bet it will spook. Every cast should be carefully calculated to make the lure look realistic. If a fish fails to strike, vary the retrieve. And, in cooler water, don’t overlook a slower retrieve. Those anglers who set the standards fishing artificial baits make every cast count. Follow their lead and you should begin to catch more and more fish on artificial lures.
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TACKLE CORNER:
GETTING A FRESH HANDLE ON SPINNING RODS By Mike Pehanich
T
he topic of spinning tackle can be a lightning rod among fishermen. Opinions on it vary greatly across the angling spectrum. Some rely on spinning tackle and, literally, can’t fish without it. Some hate it and can hardly broach discussion of this “down-side” style of fishing without a snide aside (“a birdsnest waiting to happen”) or epithet challenging the user’s manhood (“fairy wand”). In recent years, effective finesse techniques in the bass world have taken the fire out of the debate, and a sober “it’sjust-a-tool” mentality has cleared a place for spinning in the arsenals of most serious anglers. Design Disadvantage Outside the realm of partisan debate, however, spinning tackle has remained open to at least one legitimate complaint. The design of most spinning rods compels the fishermen to grip the rod across the reel seat and straddle the reel stem, leaving the angler’s hand little or no grip security and comfort. The design leads to particular disadvantage when fighting big fish or fishing in adverse weather conditions, from snowstorms and freezing cold to tropical humidity and lightning bolts. Fortunately, solutions have come to the fore. Here are three options to answer the spinning rod conundrum. Hooded Reel Seat With Polymer Grip: Hooded reel seats,
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such as those in Fuji’s VSS series, are designed for a grip shaped to extend over the reel seat. The design provides palm support—grip comfort and security at the palm interface—even with fingers straddling the spinning reel stem. Fuji, through its exclusive American distributor Anglers Resource, introduced a proprietary set of Winn grips (WVSS1615, WVS17), tailored to fit precisely with two of its newest and most popular spinning reel seats and its Perfect Fit Trim. This combination of grip and reel seat adds ergonomic benefit and puts more of the hand into contact with the non-slip Winn grip polymer. Aero Comfort Finish Reel Seat: American Tackle offers a spinning reel seat with a topside extension that delivers palm support. Like hooded reel seats, the design provides ergonomic benefit by supporting the palm, but it is a hood-like portion of the reel seat rather than grip material that reaches up to meet the palm. The “comfort finish” reduces the degree of hand slippage. Mummy wrap: West Coast saltwater anglers were the first to overwrap spinning rod handles with Winn Superior Rod Wrap, a “skin” of patented Winn polymer, known for its tackiness in adverse weather conditions. The tape-like material is backed with a forgiving adhesive that wraps easily around rod handles. The “mummy wrap” approach adds a continuous wrap from rod butt to foregrip with the reel already in place. The mummy wrap straddles the reel stem over both ends of the reel foot. Palm and fingers have complete contact with the non-slip polymer covering the entire handle. Check out the spinning rods in your arsenal, and see if one of these solutions can add comfort and effectiveness to your fishing. Rod wraps are simple solutions. Check with a custom rod builder or rod repairmen about retrofitting spinning rods with a new grip or reel seat.
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
2/14/17 1:46 PM
EAGLE MARINE TRIO ROD HOLDER Eagle Marine’s new Trio Rod Holder conveniently stores three rods while only utilizing one rod holder in your boat’s gunnel. This setup is ideal for kite fishing or anytime when multiple rods will be used. All aluminum construction is bright dipped anodized to ensure many years of protection from the harsh marine environment. Custom soft PVC Liners help create a secure fit into the tapered rod holders that feature a welded cross pin. The Trio Rod Holder fits standard gunnel-mount rod holders. It features three 8 ½-inch tapered and flared rod holders with custom fitted white PVC liners. These rod holders are ideal for kite fishing or any time an angler needs to add more rods to a spread. For more information on this and all of Eagle Marine’s fine products, see www.eagleproducts.us/ eagle-marine/.
WWW.EAGLEPRODUCTS.US/EAGLE-MARINE
Since 1990
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THE PENTA FIVE 8-1/2” Tapered & Flared Rod Holders
• Excellent for Grouping Rods in Tight Spaces • Designed to fit all standard - Gunnel Mount Rod Holders - Tower Mount Rod Holders - Leaning Post Rod Holders
• Plier Holder • 2 Drink Holders • 6 Hook Holders • 2 Recessed Tray • Stainless Steel Hardware • Marine Grade, UV Stable HDPE Material
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COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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PALM CITY Y 872 N. Federal Hwy., Lantana, FL 33462 www.pcylantana.com (772) 220–3000
TWIN 300 HP
300 HP WHITE Fly By Wire
BLACK or WHITE Fly By Wire
TWIN 250 HP BLACK Fly By Wire
w
250 HP
2
BLACK Fly By Wire
W
GUARANTEED 5.99% LOWEST PRICE! AS LOW AS *
*5.99% Financing W.A.C. - All Prices are plus applicable sales tax. Limited quantities at these prices. Installation includes Suzuki Rig Kit, SS prop & labor. **On Select Models
175 HP
175 HP
BLACK Fly By Wire
32
NATIONAL
NAT_0317.indd 32
WHITE
MARCH 2017
TWIN 150 HP BLACK Fly By Wire
150 HP
1
BLACK or WHITE Fly By Wire
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
2/14/17 1:46 PM
Y YACHTS
612 SW Federal Hwy., Stuart, FL 34994 www.palmcityyachts.com (772) 220-3000
225 HP
WHITE or BLACK
TWIN 200 HP
TWIN 175 HP
200 HP WHITE
WHITE
UP TO
WHITE
**
Call Today
For Details & availability
150 HP WHITE
140 HP WHITE
115 HP WHITE
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
NAT_0317.indd 33
90 HP WHITE
MARCH 2017
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COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
2/14/17 1:46 PM
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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35
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UNDER $300...The Doctor’s Choice For ADVANCED HEARING AID TECHNOLOGY How can a hearing aid that costs less than $300 be every bit as good as one that sells
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NATIONAL
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“I have had this aid two days and all I can say is WOW!” --Terrsa H., Grove, NJ
BE ONE WITH THE FISH An Aqua-Vu HD underwater camera is the quickest way to find big bass. Unlike pixels and mysterious sonar signals, an Aqua-Vu reveals a live, crystal clear image of the underwater world. See largemouths buried in vegetation and brush, smallmouths hidden beside boulders, suspended spots and everything else beneath your boat.
DISCOVER THE TRUE UNDERWATER WORLD, IN REAL TIME AND FULL COLOR HD. > XD Camera with ultraclear 720p resolution > Waterproof & Sunlight Viewable 7-inch LCD > Anti-Spook IR Underwater Lights > 100-feet HD Cable, Charger & Custom Storage Bag www.aquavu.com
UNDERWATER VIEWING SYSTEMS
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
2/14/17 1:46 PM
Nothing gets you closer to the fish than your small craft. And nothing anchors you better than a Power-Pole Micro anchor made just for your vessel. Add the Micro Battery Pak and you’re ready to go wherever adventure takes you.
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
NAT_0317.indd 37
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NATIONAL
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RHODAN INTRODUCES 72� SHAFT GPS GUIDED TROLLING MOTOR
New Longer Shaft for High Bow Boats Excellent for Offshore Fishing Same Superior GPS Technology
Feds Close Atlantic
Cobia Harvest Megan Willard with a stud cobia caught offshore of Hilton Head Island, S.C.
R
ecreational anglers are again feeling the sting of federal regulations. NOAA Fisheries announced in late January that cobia harvest in federal waters of the Atlantic from Georgia through New York will be closed for the remainder of 2017. As recreational anglers continue to scream of arbitrary data being used to set catch limits and estimate annual landings, NOAA says the recreational landings of Atlantic migratory group cobia exceeded 1.3 million pounds, more than double the annual allowable catch for 2016. These numbers came despite a closure in federal waters for nearly half of 2016, which was spurred when catch data from 2015 indicated an even larger recreational catch of 1.55 million pounds. Federal waters begin outside of three miles in the Atlantic, and a large majority of the recreational cobia catch occurs within state waters when these brown bombers migrate to shore and northward in the warming waters of spring and summer. NOAA has predicted the annual catch limit will again be exceeded in 2017, as state marine fisheries managers refuse to fall into line with strict federal regulations. NOAA has said the federal closure will be reevaluated if state regulations change in 2017. This federal closure does not apply to cobia on the Atlantic coast of Florida, which are part of the Gulf of Mexico migratory group. It also does not change regulations for commercial anglers, who will still be allowed two cobia per day.
4X More Accurate 36% More Efficient Outstanding Customer Support
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www.gpsanchor.com 38
NATIONAL
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888-434-7726
Enclosures
Rod Holders
Casting Platform
E-Box
Accessory Mounts
Lights
Storage Bag
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
2/14/17 1:46 PM
SAVE 64%
SUPER COUPON
7 FT. 4" x 9 FT. 6" ALL PURPOSE WEATHER RESISTANT TARP
ITEM 69249/69115/69137 69129/69121/877 shown
SUPER COUPON
$2
99
4
comp at $8.48 $ 99
LIMIT 6 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 7/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
SUPER COUPON
SAVE 68%
1500 WATT DUAL TEMPERATURE HEAT GUN (572°/1112°) SUPER COUPON
ITEM 62340/62546 63104/96289 shown Customer Rating
$
$899
12
SUPER COUPON
20% OFF
# 1 SELLING
RAPID PUMP® 1.5 TON ALUMINUM RACING JACK
Customer Rating
ITEM 69252/68053 62160/62496/62516 60569 shown
• 3-1/2 Pumps Lifts Most Vehicles • Weighs 34 lbs.
SAVE $70
SUPER COUPON
ANY SINGLE ITEM
$5 999 79
Limit 1 coupon per customer per day. Save 20% on any 1 item purchased. *Cannot be used with other discount, coupon or any of the following items or brands: Inside Track Club membership, Extended Service Plan, gift card, open box item, 3 day Parking Lot Sale item, compressors, floor jacks, saw mills, storage cabinets, chests or carts, trailers, trenchers, welders, Admiral, Bauer, CoverPro, Daytona, Earthquake, Hercules, Jupiter, Lynxx, Poulan, Predator, StormCat, Tailgator, Viking, Vulcan. Not valid on prior purchases. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 7/1/17.
$
comp at
SUPER COUPON
SUPER COUPON
60", 4 DRAWER HARDWOOD WORKBENCH Customer Rating
SUPER COUPON
ITEM 93454/69054 63395/62603 shown
SAVE $265
12 VOLT, 10/2/50 AMP BATTERY CHARGER/ ENGINE STARTER
Tools sold separately.
Customer Rating
$12999 $15999 $395
comp at 99 $198.45
3-IN-1 PORTABLE POWER PACK WITH JUMP STARTER
comp at
LIMIT 5 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 7/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
SAVE 36%
ITEM 38391/62376/62306 shown
SAVE 38% $
SAE
SUPER COUPON
$699 9
METRIC
YOUR CHOICE
$5
99
8
$ 99
SAVE SUPER COUPON 66%
$1499 $1799
comp at
$14.97
LIMIT 7 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 7/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
NATIONAL
Customer Rating
MARCH 2017
comp at
8 Functions: Sanding, Remove Grout, Cut Metal, Cut Flooring, Cut Plastic, Plunge Cut, Scrape Concrete, Scrape Flooring
$44.99
SAVE 83% $
comp at
SAVE $83
SUPER COUPON
Customer Rating
$
$1 1999
14999
SUPER COUPON
SUPER COUPON
ITEM 61196 62392/69597 38846 shown
SAVE 48%
SUPER COUPON $
$17
99
2199
comp at
$34.99
LIMIT 6 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior
presented. Valid through 7/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
presented. Valid through 7/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
1500 LB. CAPACITY DUAL WHEEL SWING-BACK BOAT SAVE 37% TRAILER JACK
Customer Rating
SA 85
comp at
$203.73
LIMIT 4 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 7/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
Customer Rating
ITEM 6922 6922
ITEM 62443 68751 shown
LIMIT 6 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 7/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
3 TON HEAVY DUTY STEEL JACK STANDS
LIMIT 800-423 purchas Offer g present
SUPER COUPON
45 WATT SOLAR PANEL 10 PIECE KIT
$999
1999 $59.98
$98.62
LIMIT 5 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 7/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
SUPER COUPON
LIMIT 5 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior
NAT_0317.indd 40
5999 comp at
29 PIECE TITANIUM NITRIDE COATED ITEM 62281/61637 shown HIGH SPEED STEEL DRILL BIT SET
purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be
hft_coastalangler_0317_spread_M-REG100630.indd 2-3
$
comp at
SUPER COUPON
SUPER COUPON ITEM 62279/62302/62866 68861 shown
MULTIFUNCTION POWER TOOL
$3999
99
Customer Rating
$10.99
LIMIT 7 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 7/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
ITEM 69043/63282/42304 shown ITEM 42305/69044/63171
SAVE 59%
YOUR CHOICE
49 $2999 $69.99 $
LIMIT 4 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 7/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
$ 99 comp at
comp at
9 PIECE FULLY POLISHED SAVE 59% COMBINATION WRENCH SETS
40
ITEM 61740/63109 63152/4077 shown
5999 $64.99 SUPER COUPON
Customer Rating
12 VOLT, 250 PSI PORTABLE INFLATOR
99
LIMIT 4 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 7/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
SAVE 57%
SUPER COUPON
SUPER COUPON
SUPER COUPON
$39
B. PANCAKE
B SUPER COUPON
Cu
ITEM 95275 shown 60637/61615
Customer Rating
$5999
SUPER COUPON
A. HOT DOG
ITEM 69269/97080 shown
A
69265/62344
LIMIT 5 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 7/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
3 GALLON, 100 PSI OILLESS AIR COMPRESSORS
ITEM 60581/60653 shown
SUPER COUPON
79
SUPER COUPON
Customer Rating
SAVE RETRACTABLE AIR HOSE REEL $138 WITH 3/8" x 50 FT. HOSE ITEM 93897 shown
$
S
99
$129.99
LIMIT 5 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 7/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
comp at 99 $28.83
LIMIT 6 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 7/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
Customer Rating
SUPER COUPON
JACKS IN AMERICA
LIMIT 800-423 purchase Offer g presente
SAV 65
ITEM 69779 67500 shown
$2999 99 7 $2 $44.99
SUPER COUPON
LIMIT 800-423 purchas Offer g presente
comp at
LIMIT 3 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 7/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
2/14/17 1:46 PM
75
OG
own
WITH
ITEM 63599/69052 shown 69111/62522/62573
SUPER COUPON
$
14999
comp at
$9999
$205.99
Customer Rating
12" SLIDING COMPOUND DOUBLE-BEVEL MITER SAW Customer Rating WITH LASER GUIDE
2000 WATT CONTINUOUS/ 4000 WATT PEAK POWER INVERTER
Customer Rating
ITEM 60432 69662 shown
ITEM 63091/63248 68998 shown
SUPER COUPON
$2999 SAVE $ $76
900 PEAK/700 RUNNING WATTS, 2 HP (63CC) 2 CYCLE GAS GENERATOR EPA/CARB
19999
$339
LIMIT 5 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 7/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
SAVE $95
SUPER COUPON
$11999 $16999 $215.41 comp at
LIMIT 3 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 7/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
SUPER COUPON
ITEM 46807/68975 69221/62123/63017 BAR 69222 shown
12" RATCHET CLAMP/SPREADER
WIRELESS SECURITY ALERT SYSTEM
3
t
$
$299
comp at
ITEM 93068 shown 69590/61910/62447 Customer Rating
SAVE 68%
SUPER COUPON
$ 99
1499 SUPER COUPON 99 comp at
$20.76
$31.46
LIMIT 6 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 7/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
SUPER COUPON
SAVE $60
MAGNETIC TRAILER ALIGNMENT KIT Customer Rating
9
$ 99
comp at
$19.99
ITEM 69778
SUPER COUPON
$6
$
LIMIT 8 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 7/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
NAT_0317.indd 41
•
• No Gas Required
120 AMP FLUX WIRE WELDER
ITEM 61849/62719 Customer Rating 68887 shown
SUPER COUPON
99
750+ Stores Nationwide
$9
LIMIT 9 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 7/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
SUPER COUPON
SAVE 65%
comp at
LIMIT 4 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 7/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
ITEM 63024 63025 shown
SUPER COUPON
$8999 $10999
99
comp at 99 $149.99
$8999
LIMIT 4 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 7/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
SAVE NOW
LIMIT 5 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 7/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
SUPER COUPON
3
SAVE 85%
3799 $106.34
SUPER COUPON
18 VOLT CORDLESS 3/8" DRILL/DRIVER WITH KEYLESS CHUCK SUPER COUPON
comp at
wn
ing rior ipt. be day.
SUPER COUPON
130 PIECE TOOL KIT WITH CASE
ITEM 69651 62868/62873 68239 shown
$13499
$
comp at
9
$ 99 $19.97
LIMIT 5 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 7/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
SUPER COUPON
SUPER COUPON
Blade sold separately.
• 1000 lb. capacity
LIMIT 1 - Cannot be used with other discount, coupon or prior purchase. Coupon good at our stores, HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Offer good while supplies last. Shipping & Handling charges may apply if not picked up in-store. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 7/1/17. Limit one FREE GIFT coupon per customer per day.
SAVE $204
ON
ON
$7
99
VALUE
SUPER COUPON
ITEM 61969/61970 69684 shown
62
ing rior ipt. be day.
SAVE $106
SAVE 59%
SUPER COUPON
Customer Rating
E
3
ITEM 60497/93888 shown 61899/62399/63095/63096 63098/63097
4
SUPER COUPON
E %
N
MOVER'S DOLLY
Customer Rating
$ 97
LIMIT 4 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 7/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
15
9
ANY PURCHASE
SUPER COUPON
3-1/2" SUPER BRIGHT NINE LED ALUMINUM FLASHLIGHT
KE
L T
10 FT. x 20 FT. PORTABLE CAR CANOPY
ITEM 63054/60728/69034/62858 shown
own
alling prior ceipt. be day.
FREE
SUPER COUPON ™
inal day.
SS RS
SUPER COUPON
SUPER COUPON
80 PIECE ROTARY TOOL KIT ITEM 97626 shown 68986/69451 63235/63292
$1699
Customer Rating
Includes one 18V NiCd battery and charger.
SAVE $ 65%
1999 $49 comp at
LIMIT 4 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 7/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
ITEM 69924 shown 62403/62862 Customer Rating
SUPER COUPON
6" VARIABLE SPEED DUAL ACTION POLISHER SAVE $95
SUPER COUPON comp at SAVE $ 99 71% $24.15
9
$
LIMIT 7 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 7/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
SUPER COUPON
PORTABLE FISH FINDER ITEM 62675/94511 SAVE Customer Rating 46%
$
SUPER COUPON
$699
MULTI-USE TRANSFER PUMP
ITEM 62961/63144/61364 63591/66418 shown
SAVE 59%
$65
At Harbor Freight Tools, the “comp at” price means that the same item or a similar functioning item was advertised for sale at or above the "comp at" price by another retailer in the U.S. within the past 180 days. Prices advertised by others may vary by location. No other meaning of "comp at" should be implied. For more information, go to HarborFreight.com or see store associate.
HarborFreight.com • 800-423-2567 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
$149.99
SUPER COUPON
SUPER COUPON
LIMIT 3 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 7/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
comp at
LIMIT 5 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 7/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
3999 $3499
comp at
6999
$5499
Customer Rating
SUPER COUPON
6
$499
$ 99 comp at $12.39
LIMIT 7 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior from original purchase with original receipt. last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 7/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
purchases after2017 30 days MARCH Offer good while supplies
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2/14/17 1:46 PM 2/13/17 10:14 AM
THIS YEAR, MAKE THE MOST OF EVERY DAY ON THE WATER
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE MATCHED BY EXCEPTIONAL VALUE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THESE SPECIAL BOAT SHOW OFFERS FROM SUZUKI MARINE
REPOWER FINANCE
Six Years of Protection at no extra charge on all new outboards 25 to 300 HP.
Cash Rebates on select models. See your dealer for details.
Rates as low as 5.99% on new outboards (OAC).*
Offers end March 31, 2017. See your participating Suzuki Marine dealer for details or visit www.suzukimarine.com.
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Gimme Six Extended Protection promo is applicable to new Suzuki Outboard Motors from 25 to 300 HP in inventory which are sold and delivered to buyer between 01/01/17 and 3/31/17 in accordance with the promotion by a Participating Authorized Suzuki Marine dealer in the continental US and Alaska to a purchasing customer who resides in the continental US or Alaska. Customer should expect to receive an acknowledgement letter and full copy of contract including terms, conditions and wallet card from Suzuki Extended Protection within 90 days of purchase. If an acknowledgement letter is not received in time period stated, contact Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. – Marine Marketing via email: marinepromo@suz.com. The Gimme Six Promotion is available for pleasure use only, and is not redeemable for cash. Cash Rebates apply to qualifying purchases of select Suzuki Outboard Motors made between 01/01/17 and 3/31/17. For list of designated models, see participating Dealer or visit www.suzukimarine.com. Customer and participating Dealer must fill out the appropriate rebate form at time of sale. Customer will have the choice to either apply the cash rebate against the original dealer invoice (Suzuki will credit Dealer parts account) or have a check sent directly to the customer. There are no model substitutions, benefit substitutions, rain checks, or extensions. Suzuki reserves the right to change or cancel these promotions at any time without notice or obligation. * Financing offers available through Synchrony Retail Finance. As low as 5.99% APR financing for 60 months on new and unregistered Suzuki Outboard Motors. Subject to credit approval. Not all buyers will qualify. Approval, and any rates and terms provided, are based on credit worthiness. $19.99/month per $1,000 financed for 60 months is based on 5.99% APR. Hypothetical figures used in calculation; your actual monthly payment may differ based on financing terms, credit tier qualification, accessories or other factors such as down payment and fees. Offer effective on new, unregistered Suzuki Outboard Motors purchased from a participating authorized Suzuki dealer between 01/01/17 and 3/31/17.“Gimme Six”, the Suzuki “S” and model names are Suzuki trademarks or ®. Don’t drink and drive. Always wear a USCG-approved life jacket and read your owner’s manual. © 2017 Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.
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MARCH 2017
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
2/14/17 1:46 PM
12/4/16 1:46 PM
SPIDERWIRE® STEALTH™
EXTREMELY STRONG EXTREMELY CASTABLE
GO THE DISTANCE WITH STEALTH SMOOTH 8 CARRIER TIGHT-WEAVE BRAID WITH A SUPER SMOOTH, SUPER THIN COATING FOR QUIET AND EFFORTLESS CASTING
SPIDERWIRE.COM COMMON CVRS_0317.indd 3
2/13/17 11:38 AM
WHATEVER THE SEA THROWS AT YOU, STAND YOUR GROUND. BUILT FOR ALASKA, FIT FOR EVERYONE XTRATUF boots have been proven and tested in the unforgiving Alaskan seas. Now, that same toughness is available in the XTRATUF Performance Deck Boot. With a non-marking, slip-resistant Chevron outsole, these 100% waterproof boots are as tough as the elements.
Kryptek Pontus Kryptek Yeti
www.xtratuf.com © 2017 Honeywell International Inc.
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INTRODUCING THE NEW KRYPTEK ANKLE DECK BOOT
2/13/17 11:38 AM