FREE
WEST MICHIGAN EDITION
GEAR Guide Cold
weather Bassin'
VOLUME 23 • ISSUE 274
F R A N C H I S E
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RADAR
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Target AnalyzerTM function, facilitated by Doppler technology, immediately alerts you to targets (displayed in red) that pose a threat to your vessel. Simultaneously track up to 100 moving targets, displaying their speed & course vectors.
RezBoostTM beam sharpening displays higher resolution targets, similar to those from a large open array antenna.
DRS4D-NXT & DRS6A-NXT Doppler Solid State Radar Experience The
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2018 242CC
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THE NEXT GREAT GREAT THE NEXT
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7” FILLET 9” FILLET
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5” FILLET 7” FILLET
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3” SERRATED 5” FILLET
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Easy Blade Release System Easy Blade Release System Easy Blade Release System
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COMING SPRING 2018 COMING SPRING 2018 I I COMING SPRING 2018 4
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EDITOR IN CHIEF : Ben Martin • camads@coastalanglermagazine.com VICE PRESIDENT : Tracy Patterson • tracy@coastalanglermagazine.com ART DIRECTOR : Rebecca Snowden • graphics@coastalanglermagazine.com EDITORIAL COORDINATOR : Nick Carter • editorial@coastalanglermagazine.com WEBMASTER : Dmitriy Pislyagin • webmaster@coastalanglermagazine.com ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: Corporate Headquarters info@coastalanglermagazine.com • 888-800-9794
Anglers Wanted Dear Reader,
FLORIDA
BIG BEND : Mike McNamara • (850) 510-7919 • captmike@coastalanglermagazine.com BREVARD : David String • (321) 684-5888 • dstring@coastalanglermagazine.com DAYTONA/NEW SMYRNA BEACH : Don Meadows • (321) 436-5895 • donm@coastalanglermagazine.com EMERALD COAST/DESTIN/PENSACOLA : Scott Risher • (850) 428-0996 • srisher@coastalanglermagazine.com FLORIDA KEYS : Cliff Lumpkin • (305) 849-9093 • cliff@coastalanglermagazine.com FORT LAUDERDALE : Gene Dyer • (954) 680-3900 • gene@coastalanglermagazine.com FORT MYERS : Nadeen Welch • (239) 595-8265 • nwelch@coastalanglermagazine.com GREATER MIAMI : Scott Deal • (561) 945-6999 • scott@coastalanglermagazine.com Monica Isaza-Deal • (561) 945-8899 • monica@coastalanglermagazine.com GREATER ORLANDO : Phillip & Giselle Wolf • (407) 790-9515 • phillip@coastalanglermagazine.com LAKELAND & SUMTER : Mary Brasher • (352) 598-4219 • maryf@coastalanglermagazine.com NAPLES : Nadeen Welch • (239) 595-8265 • nwelch@coastalanglermagazine.com NC FLORIDA/NATURE COAST : Cary & Lynn Crutchfield • (352) 372-4237 • crutch@coastalanglermagazine.com NE FLORIDA : Danny Patrick • (904) 742-4696 • danny@coastalanglermagazine.com PANAMA CITY/FORGOTTEN COAST : Randy Cnota • (229) 834-7880 • randyc@coastalanglermagazine.com PALM BEACH COUNTY : Barbara Ryan • (561) 373-8040 • barbara@coastalanglermagazine.com SARASOTA : Phil Prevoir • (239) 257-4684 • pprevoir@coastalanglermagazine.com TAMPA BAY : Chuck Atkins • (239) 464-5153 • chuck@coastalanglermagazine.com TREASURE COAST : Misti & Gary Guertin • (772) 285-6850 • treasurecoast@coastalanglermagazine.com flahama@coastalanglermagazine.com
SOUTHEAST
ATLANTA : Bob & Brenda Rice • (706) 614-8231 • bobr@theanglermagazine.com CHARLESTON : Jane A. Redden • (205) 725-9616 • jane@coastalanglermagazine.com Sam Buckareff • (843) 607-8629 • sam@coastalanglermagazine.com CHARLOTTE/PIEDMONT : Mark & Haley Alberghini • (704) 651-1934 • mark@theanglermagazine.com COLUMBIA/MIDLANDS : John Lux • (803) 807-6885 • jlux@theanglermagazine.com MYRTLE BEACH : Mike Masiero • (732) 674-3019 • mmasiero@coastalanglermagazine.com SW GEORGIA : Bob & Brenda Rice • (706) 614-8231 • bobr@theanglermagazine.com TIDEWATER/OUTER BANKS : John Tiger • (757) 707-9654 • john.tiger@coastalanglermagazine.com Laura Seitz • (757) 707-9655 • laura@coastalanglermagazine.com UPSTATE SOUTH CAROLINA : Gregg Thompson • (864) 542-3112 • gregg@theanglermagazine.com WESTERN NC : Debra & Joe Woody • (828) 775-9663 • woody@theanglermagazine.com WILMINGTON/MOREHEAD : Kenny Ritter • (910) 550-9094 • kenny@coastalanglermagazine.com
NORTHEAST BOSTON : George Regan • (617) 488-2842 • boston@coastalanglermagazine.com LONG ISLAND : Lisa & Michael Danforth • (203) 321-7635 • lisad@coastalanglermagazine.com CONNECTICUT/RHODE ISLAND : Lisa & Michael Danforth • (203) 321-7635 lisad@coastalanglermagazine.com
GULF COAST
GALVESTON/MATAGORDA/UPPER COAST : Chanci & David Mowry • (713) 446-7395 • chancim@coastalanglermagazine.com • davidm@coastalanglermagazine.com MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST : Adam Nelson • (228) 627-5903 • anelson@coastalanglermagazine.com Toby Nelson • (228) 623-1761 • tnelson@coastalanglermagazine.com NEW ORLEANS : Dr. Dave Dunaway • (225) 400-8156 • nola@coastalanglermagazine.com
GREAT LAKES WEST MICHIGAN : Phil Belsito • (616) 957-1714 • phil@theanglermagazine.com
INTERNATIONAL PUERTO RICO/VIRGIN ISLANDS : Ace Bassue • (407) 285-9453 • ace@coastalanglermagazine.com COSTA RICA : Mike Erickson • (561) 262-2242 • mike@coastalanglermagazine.com © 2017-2018. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. Disclaimer: Coastal Angler Magazine / The Angler Magazine will not be held liable for injuries incurred while partaking in activities described herein, or for claims made against products or services provided by advertisers.
Coastal Angler Magazine and its freshwater component The Angler Magazine are both part of a unique franchise publishing model developed 10 years ago by duplicating the working elements of the local Coastal Angler Magazine that had been publishing since 1996 in Melbourne, Fla. Today, there are more than 30 franchise locations throughout the Continental U.S., Costa Rica and the U.S. Virgin Islands. We are now one of the largest, most widely read outdoor publications in the country. Guess what? We’re not done yet. Our goal is to have more than 100 franchise editions throughout the U.S. and abroad. We’ve tweaked and refined our systems over the last 10 years, and now we are ready to continue our expansion.
Let’s Grow Again! If you (or someone you know) loves the outdoors and would be comfortable running your own business, please contact us for more information about joining our franchise team. Best regards,
Ben Martin Editor in Chief info@coastalanglermagazine.com
1-888-800-9794
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12/14/17 1:01 PM
MOTOR UPGRADES ARE AVAILABLE
Marine Wintertime Blowout $209* mon
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www.factorydirectmarine.com *payments calculated at 180 months for well qualified buyers with 20% down. Please note: Prices do not include freight, dealer make ready, and rigging. Pictures may not reflect actual unit and/or available inventory. Price and payment do not include sales tax or fees. Not responsible for typographical errors.
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WE BUILD FUN INTO 26 FEET OF PURE EVERY NAUTICSTAR! FISHING JOY SPORT THE ALL NEW 265XTS DECKS
Step up to NauticStar’s biggest bay boat, the all new 265XTS – Xtreme Tournament Series. The carefully designed hull and deck is optimized for performance, functionality and fishability that will give you capabilities never before seen in a bay boat. Inshore or offshore, the STAR Performance hull is designed to minimize draft for skinny fishing and provide a forgiving ride through tight open chops and coastal swells. Check out all the incredible standard and innovative features of the 265XTS on our website.
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Researchers Embark On $10 Million Gulf Red Snapper Study By CAM Staff
W
ith the ongoing debate over red snapper population estimates in the Gulf of Mexico, researchers from the University of Florida have received a $10 million grant to hopefully settle the dispute and determine what the snapper population actually is. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service and Sea Grant are funding the study, which will be conducted over two years by UF associate professors Robert Ahrens and Will Patterson along with researchers from other institutions from around the Southeast. Currently under a federal recovery plan, the Gulf red snapper fishery has been considered overfished since the 1980s by the federal government. Under the recovery plan, coastal communities and businesses, such as charter boat operations and all the others that benefit from money spent by anglers, have been hurt by extremely limited opportunities to harvest this important recreational and commercial species. All the while, recreational anglers and biologists with Gulf state wildlife agencies have been pointing to flaws in the formal stock assessments. And the structure of the allowed catch has created a rift between recreational and commercial fishermen. Over the vast Gulf of Mexico, it will be one of the largest and most ambitious fish studies ever conducted, and even with $10 million in funding, there are those who doubt the study will achieve its goal of a population estimate with a coefficient variation of 30 percent, according to a UF release. Meeting the requirement would require numerous supplementary samples until the numbers contract into the accept-
Jeff and Payton Oney caught their limit of beautiful Gulf red snapper as well as red and gag grouper and other reef fish while fishing off Anna Maria Island with Capt. Larry McGuire and Show Me The Fish Charters. able range of variance between locations. Researchers will use methods beyond catch data in their study. Remote operated vehicles, camera sleds, acoustics and divers will play a role in producing the estimate. Researchers will also be capturing some fish and taking fin clips to develop genetic tags to be used in future estimates. Along with the snapper study, there is excitement over additional information that can be gathered in a study of this size. The distribution and size of other reef fish, as well as the invasive lionfish are of particular interest.
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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GEAR GUIDE Beach Marine Products Bay Buddy Bait pens by Beach Marine Products are not your average bait cages. Built by engineers and hard-core anglers, every care was taken to design bait pens that are rugged, durable, convenient for the angler, and stress-free for the bait. They feature a sloped-bottom design and industry-changing false bottom, making recapturing your bait easy. Heavy duty aluminum construction with zinc anode assures a durable product. All hardware is stainless steel and doubled up. The pens are powder coated with no sharp edges to injure or red nose baits. Large oversize doors allow access for cast nets and large dip nets. Beach Bait Pens come in many different shapes and sizes. Their smallest pen is the Bay Buddy, which is ideal for holding shrimp, crabs and multiple species of live baitfish. The Bay Buddy is 20 inches wide by 18 inches deep.
beachmarineproducts.com
Kaku Kayak Wahoo 10.5 With the release of their new Wahoo 10.5, Kaku Kayak is building on its reputation of excellent stability and performance with a more compact boat that retains all the features and performance of the larger Wahoo 12.5. The Wahoo 10.5 tracks extremely well for a shorter kayak, is easy to stand in and responds to tight turns easily. It has all the features of its older brother, the Wahoo 12.5, with plenty of gear tracks, a raised aluminum seat and integrated mounting for the Power Pole Micro. It is also rudder ready and comes standard with a great looking deck pad. It is an extremely versatile fishing kayak that offers a stable, roomy platform for standing to cast or sight fish. There is also plenty of storage in the bow hatch, rear tankwell and a rear day hatch.
kakukayak.com
Wilderness Systems Kayak Krate Wilderness Systems has built a reputation for producing some of the finest fishing kayaks available. The fishability of their boats is improved with a unique and useful line of accessories designed to help anglers fish harder and more efficiently. The Wilderness Kayak Krate is the ultimate tankwell storage option. The Kayak Krate sophisticates tankwell storage with superior function and a sleek look that make storing and accessing gear hassle-free. An open main compartment accommodates larger gear and tackle boxes and features removable dividers. Smaller items can be stowed in the secondary lid storage. Functional and durable inside and out, the Kayak Krate is blow-molded, water resistant, is easily lashed down and comes with four rod holders.
wildernesssystems.com
Tsunami Forged 12 Lever Drag Reel Tsunami recently introduced its new FORGED 12 lever drag reel. It’s a larger and more powerful version of the popular FORGED 10, and it’s perfect for jigging, bottom fishing and live baiting. The Tsunami FORGED 12 is built to catch the strongest saltwater game fish. Its powder-forged frame is lightweight and precision machined for braided line tolerances and strength. The hardened high-precision stainless steel 4.3:1 ratio drive and pinion gears are strong, tough, and operate smoothly. The completely disengaged “floating” spool rides freely on two shielded stainless steel ball bearings mounted to a spool shaft, giving the FORGED extreme free-spool and maximum castability. The instant anti-reverse bearing, along with two failsafe backup dogs, ensure strong, sure hooksets with no line loss. That is when the smooth, powerful carbon fiber drag comes into play, giving you all the fighting control you need. Look for Tsunami’s FORGED 12 online and at your favorite sporting goods retailer.
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biminibayoutfitters.com
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
12/14/17 1:01 PM
GEAR GUIDE Vexilar FishPhone Vexilar has launched a game changer in the underwater camera market. The FishPhone takes Vexilar’s proven Fish Scout camera technology and uses an innovative new WiFi transmitting system to send high quality video directly to your smartphone or tablet. FishPhone turns your smart phone or tablet into a fully functional underwater camera monitor by creating its own 100-foot WiFi hotspot that can be shared with friends or kept secure. The FishPhone works anywhere in the world, and you don’t need cell phone coverage to use it. The free software app works with both Android and IOS systems. The FishPhone comes with a unique holder and battery pack system that makes it easy to carry and manage 50 feet of cable. The camera used in the FishPhone system is a Sony Color/ B&W camera that automatically shifts from color to black and white when light conditions are limited.
vexilar.com
Native Eyewear Eddyline Native’s Eddyline model features a wood Trilaminate construction with silver polarized Reflex lenses. These shades are ideal for inshore adventures since they weigh less than an ounce, and their eight-base curvature fits your face perfectly while blocking side light with thicker temple arms. All Native Eyewear lenses are polarized, impact and scratch resistant, include Cushional non-slip nose and temple pads and come with a limited lifetime warranty. Whether you’re hitting the backcountry or going to the inlet, you need a pair of Natives!
Nativeyewear.com
Dexter SOFGRIP Knives Dexter has been famous for their SOFGRIP white-handle knives for years. It’s a handle other companies try to duplicate but can’t match. The handle is soft to the grip, ergonomically perfect in your hand, and the patented textured pattern makes it slip free. The blades are made of DEXSTEEL, a high-carbon, high-alloy stain free steel that is ultra-sharp out of the package, holds its edge and can be easily re-sharpened. Dexter has been manufacturing knives in the U.S.A. for nearly 200 years. They offer proven quality, proven designs and proven reliability. That’s why Dexter is the No. 1 choice for fishermen. The SOFGRIP comes in a large selection of designs and sizes.
dexteroutdoors.com
Phenix Rods RTS Inshore Whether you’re fishing the flats for trout and snook or pulling big reds from the mangroves, Phenix Rods’ new RTS inshore line has the power to deliver. Super light weight and sturdy, RTS rods feature a T-40 carbon fiber blank with Phenix’s own Nanolite resins that produce excellent sensitivity, while retaining the backbone to fight big hard-pulling reds and snook. The RTS series utilizes the new Phenix Essex T-Ring premium carbide guides with Ring Lock to FrameLok technology and premium high density EVA and cork blend grips, with a carbon reel seat. The RTS series, meaning “reds, trout and snook,” promises to be the lightest, most sensitive inshore rod on the market. It offers 5 casting and 5 spinning models to fit your needs.
phenixrods.com COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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8 CIGARS
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YOUR PERSONAL LIFEGUARD...
ALWAYS ON - NEVER INTRUSIVE
FREEDOM WITH SAFETY The MOB+™ is a life-saving device for your boat. It provides greater freedom of movement than a traditional kill switch, and stops the engine should you fall overboard. Connect up to 4 people at the same time.
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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT FELL MARINE MOB+ WIRELESS MAN OVERBOARD SYSTEM
Fell Marine has developed a man overboard system that promises to replace the traditional kill-switch lanyard. The MOB+ Wireless Man OverBoard system is an innovative, ABYC compliant, life-saving safety device for your boat. It provides greater freedom of movement than a traditional kill-switch lanyard, and stops the engine should you fall overboard. But its capabilities extend way beyond that. Up to four xFOB’s can be connected to the xHUB at the same time, with one unit acting as the captain’s stop unit, and the additional three as alarm units for passengers. The system consists of an easy to install xHUB (mounted on or near the boat console) and a wearable xFOB. The two communicate wirelessly with each other and stop the engine when the xFOB is submerged in water or is beyond range of the xHUB. The xFOB can be worn on your wrist, around your neck, or clipped to your PFD using xBAND or xTAG accessories. The waterproof xFOB has more than 300 hours of battery life and is powered by an easy to change standard coin cell battery. The xHUB connects to your boat power (12V-24V) and to your engine-stopping system. The system is intuitive and easy to use, and it is compatible with all major outboard and most sterndrive engines.
WWW.FELLMARINE.COM
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Center sp By Matt Jorn
“I
’ve heard people say ‘A bad day of fishing is better than a good day at work,’” said Master Capt. William Mendoza with his trademark wry smile, “I’m not really sure I know the difference.” Capt. Mendoza is a Costa Rica-based charter captain with 30 years of experience. Since 2009 he has run over 250 trips a year on the Wanderer for the FishingNosara team from his home port on the north Pacific coast, making him the busiest charter captain in all of Central America. This area has become a hot spot for anglers because of the nearby bluewater and virtually non-existent commercial pressure; in fact the Costa Rican government has mandated that all commercial fishing must be done at minimum 60 miles from shore. The main fear of men like Captain Mendoza is: will this fishery last? Many have heard stories of Cabo Blanco, Peru and its famous “Marlin Boulevard”. In the 1950s this area produced the most granders in the world, including a 1,560-lb. black marlin catch that is still the world record. Now Cabo Blanco is a ghost town, due to human conceit and greed.
The argument still rages as to why. Some say it was overfishing of the apex predators like marlin and swordfish by sport-fishermen, while others maintain the government opened up the feeder fish, mostly sardines, for overharvesting. Let’s look at the problem from both ends of the food chain. The Costa Rican government enforces their 60-mile line vigorously and is very strong against unlicensed commercial operations. These efforts maintain a healthy number of feeder fish. At the apex level, the preservation of billfish has been spearheaded by groups like the International Billfish Foundation and the IGFA. Costa Rica has also taken the lead in this effort by prohibiting sportsmen from removing billfish from the water (no hero shots allowed) and by banning the sale of meat from marlin and sailfish. “The advantage of catch-and-release billfishing is mainly economical,” noted Capt. Mendoza. “Essentially, we want to create a market where these apex predators are more valuable swimming in the ocean than they are on the scale at a fish market.” On average, a full day of marlin fishing costs $900 and provides renewable income for the captains and mates. Conversely, the value of the same fish at an unlicensed fish market can be as low as pennies per pound. Charter fishing lies somewhere in between the bottom-line driven world of commercial fishing and the fun-loving experience of recreational fishing. “A good charter trip should be fun, productive and educational, especially for novice anglers,” said Capt. Mendoza. “These trips can bring together multiple generations, as fishing tactics are handed down from grandfather to father, father to son.” Capt. Mendoza knows all about that. This season, his 22-year-old son joined him in the mate position on the Wanderer to continue the family legacy. By operating under common-sense regulations, the fishing in Nosara should stay strong for generations to come “The ocean provides me with a livelihood, and I want to protect her the way she’s protected me. My idea of a perfect day is catch billfish, get a nice photo, set it free, and get the lines back out there again. Clearly that’s not a bad day at work.” concluded Capt. Mendoza.
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By Russ Jones
F
lorida is a tale of two worlds. Southern Florida, a region that begins somewhere between Orlando and Ocala, is vastly different than communities to the north and along the Panhandle. What some call Old Florida, these towns established way before Mickey Mouse took up residence at Disney World in Orlando. Following Mickey came other theme parks, high rise condominium complexes, and Lamborghinis that forever changed the southern part of the Sunshine State, but communities to the north found a way to maintain a semblance of what attracted so many years ago. In a region known as the Forgotten Coast, Apalachicola rests in the middle of the Panhandle on Florida’s northwest coast in southern Franklin County. The greater Apalachicola region is one of the earliest populated areas in Florida, dating back to 1831. The coastal communities of Apalachicola, St. George Island and Eastpoint, the heart of the Forgotten Coast, offer an authentic taste of Florida’s Gulf Coast. Houseboats at River Watch Just a block from the main shopping and dining district of Apalachicola is Houseboats at River Watch on Water Street. Proprietor Karen Hoff offers four floating homes with waterfront views of the Apalachicola River. One is a 500-square-foot home named “Rebels’ Rest” (VRBO – 1029857) that boasts magnificent sunrises and sunsets, a daily parade of fishing boats, and a variety of wildlife that rivaled any National Geographic episode. Karen moved from New Jersey in 2012 as a tourist looking for permanent housing. Attracted to the history of Apalachicola, she purchased the home she was renting and the accompanying marina. Since then she’s added three other floating homes ranging in sizes. “People come visit because they are seeking something low key,” she said. “They like the adventure of it and looking for a place they can watch the river traffic, the wildlife and relax.” Each home features a fully equipped kitchen, cable television, the Internet, comfortable beds, general living space and a deck overlooking the river. Oh, and fishing rods. Because most of the fish you might catch off the deck are likely going to be gafftopsail catfish, you’ll need a guide to find trophy fish and varieties worthy of the dinner table. Fishing Off St. Vincent Born and raised in Apalachicola, Capt. Rudy Gay operates Apalachicola Charters. Years ago, Capt. Rudy’s family members were caretakers for St. Vincent Island, one of four barrier islands close to the mouth of the Apalachicola River. In 1968, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service purchased the island for $2.2 million from Henry and Alfred Loomis. The 9-mile-long island was converted into a National Wildlife Refuge. Gay often guides fisherman off the shores of St. Vincent in his 24’ Kenner searching for redfish, speckled trout, flounder and sheepshead, using shrimp as bait. “There is a natural beauty here. It’s very pristine,” said Gay. “We don’t have trash floating around in the water. There is a lot of good fishing in this area.” Tripletail – Love At First Bite Capt. Jonathan Creamer has fished for tripletail since he was a
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kid. With a bumper crop of this great gamefish in Apalachicola Bay over the last few years, it has come into the spotlight for anglers with fly rods as well as conventional tackle. Aboard Capt. Jonathan’s 24’ Glasstream, we ran an extensive circuit of vertical structure seeking out tripletails where they hold. Capt. Jonathan guides through several lines of crab traps—about 50 in all. The rig we fished was a simple live shrimp under a popping cork. “You need to get the bait as close to the trap as possible without getting snagged,” said Creamer. “Pop the line. That rattles the cork and attracts the tripletail.” Tripletail must be at least 15 inches long to keep. “The tripletail puts the grouper to shame,” said Capt. Jonathan. “It’s been like a highway down here of people trying it out. It’s become very popular lately.” Apalachicola River Cruises Capt. Skip Shiver is a fifth-generation Franklin County resident who grew up on the water. After years in the offshore charter industry, law enforcement and as a Florida Fish and Wildlife officer, Skip launched Apalachicola River Cruises. Capt. Skip leads tours aboard the restored “Miss America,” a Dutch-built beauty straight from the Netherlands. Skip’s love and knowledge for the area and its waters are unmatched. During his tours across the brackish river, Skip points out the importance of the marshes to the ecosystem. “As water comes down it floods our flood planes,” said Shiver. “It picks up the nutrients and sediments that have been waiting for the high waters.” Those nutrients then feed the oyster beds for which Apalachicola is known. Passengers get to see the natural beauty of the Apalachicola River and learn about the area from the vantage point of Skip’s boat. While Apalachicola rests in the Sunshine State’s so-called Forgotten Coast, the quaintness of this piece of Old Florida leaves lasting memories. This southern town with a strong maritime culture is the complete package, leaving visitors longing for more – hook, line, sinker and oyster. For more information, contact the Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center at 850-653-9419 or info@apalachicolabay.org.
12/14/17 2:37 PM
Michigan Hard Water
WEST MICHIGAN REPORTS & EVENTS
INSIDE
Spring Break Planning
Catch Photos Fishing Reports - Rivers & Streams - Hard Water FLORIDA GULF COAST
FISHING CHARTERS & GUIDES
+ PLUS Expert advice from the area's top guides and charter boat captains
+PLUS
Local Fishing Reports Catch Photos Tournaments & Events
Photo courtesy of Outfitters North Head Guide Jeff Hubbard
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hing c t a c s ' o h W fish?
Brian lands a heck of lake run brown while fishing with Capt Greg Knapp of Getting Bit Guide Service. l fresh Sasha with a beautifu r while ve Ri d an Gr the hen from app of out with Capt. Greg Knrvice. Se ide Gu t Bi Getting
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Connor had a nice day Kalamazoo River, landinon the g two nice steelhead.
FISH TALES SPONSORED BY
Morgan with a healthy buc taken while out with Ca Chad of Sport Fish Michigpt. an.
Send your Fish Tale photos to: westmichigan@theanglermagazine.com Don't forget to include your name and the details of your catch.
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choose to make the best of what Mother Nature has created. To make the best of these tough conditions one must look to maximize time on the water and fish in a productive fashion. We can do this by preparing our equipment. TheRivers constant issue we face is cold air and REPORTS water temperatures. we deal with this &How FORECASTS &that Streams limiting factor will determine our success. Looking at equipment first, most tackle designers never dream that someone is going to be using their rods and reels in sub 30 degree air temperatures. A common issue anglers experience is reels and lines freezing, along with ice buildup in guides. So how do we deal with this issue? To prevent freezing issues with reels, before your next winter trip, clean both your reel frame and spool completely. Remove any excess oil or grease from both, as wellBasYany : dirt. J E AF little F Hlubrication U B B Agoes R Da long way with modern reels and any additional lubricantOutfitters will begin to North solidify, Guide causing Service a binding effect between your spool and frame, leading to freezing. Dirt and sand will trap moisture also causing premature freezing of (231) 898-6246 your reel. Upon finishing your angling day, bring your reels inside, remove the spool from the www.outfittersnorth.com reel frame and allow both to completely dry and warm. Another issue this time of the year is ice buildup in guides. There is no good way to stop this, but there are ways to negate it happening teelhead fishing remains good,rapidly. if Try placing fly floatant, cooking spray, or Vaseline on can yourbattle guides the to negate ice we're buildup. Will these stop it completely? No, but they you cold rapid winter will keep you theYou game can longer.find Happiest of Holidays! having so in far. steelhead
Pere Marquette
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throughout the whole Pere Marquette River system. In the winter these fish become lazy in such a way they don't want to work too hard for their food. Because of this, you find these fish in much slower and deeper pools this time of year. For bait, use egg's and nymph’s, try fishing them under a float or strike indicator with a drag free drift. The river can be cold and clear this time of year. I like using a little shot and tall Drennen or Blackbird float for this type of fishing. It will slow your presentation down. Swinging flies can also produce fish this time of year, you will have to slow your swing down. A intermediate line and a little heavier fly will slow your approach down with hopes of coaxing a winter steelhead to take. Flies that work well under the float are more natural fluke and clown eggs along with nymphs this time of year. Try Hex's, Stoneflies and Green Rockworm's this time of year, they all can be really effective. For streamers, brighter colors and more flash works well with hopes of triggering a fish to grab. If interested in some winter fly fishing on the Pere Marquette River I offer full or half days.
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peratures in the evenings and teens during the day. The Pere Marquette River temperature and water level are really starting to drop. We're starting to see shelf ice and anchor ice in some of the middle sections of the river system. As winter progresses look for steelhead fishing to slow down a bit. Instead of an allday bite you will start to get short windows of action throughout the day, usually in the afternoon as water temperatures start to warm. Nymphs will also start to be a key fly to use this time of year. When the water temperatures really start to drop steelhead and resident trout are looking for whatever they can get as far as an easy meal. Hex Nymphs, Stone Flies and small Hares Ear's or Pheasant Tails can start to produce. Eggs will also work well. Try small Clown Eggs and Nukes in more natural colors. For Swinging Flies try more natural colors too, with less flash as the water clears. Sculpins in olive or brown can B Y: C A P T. S E A N M C D O N A L D produce in the winter. Check out my site for some go-to patterns, www.outfittersnorth. com. Remember trout Beads areKatch not fliesMe andCharters are illegal in the Flies Only Water. 510-2072 You can find fish throughout (231) the whole river system. The fish are now starting to www.centurycircle.com use their winter runs and pools. Look for fish in much slower deeper runs with wood structure to hide them. You can find this type of water in any stretch of the Pere Marquette, however because of the weather; access will become more difficult until spring. Play it safe at the boat ramps and while wading the river. Practice catch and release on wild Pere Marquette steelhead. If they don't get to spawn, we don't get to hook any in the future. Good luck and Happy Holidays!
Ludington
FLY of THE MONTH Beaddazzled J Stone
anuary normally opens up a larger playing field for the Ludington area ice fishers. Our drown river mouths like Pere Marquette, Pentwater and Manistee Lakes should be safe enough for foot travel but always bring a spud to check your ice. Perch that live in Lake Michigan and in these lakes are the primary targets, first ice also is the best time and place to catch a trophy northern pike. Perch numbers and size have been good for the open water angler BY PHIL CUSEY that was able to venture to these waters in the first part of December. The good fishing should continue throughout the winter. Try to target his is a great fly for perch the first half of the winter or the deepest part winter of thestone lakes FLY Minnows NAME: "Beadazzled around the edges these deep will Stone" work well and if imitation! Theofrubber leg holes. you a lot ofmovement small perch bigger work tailencounter provides greater HOOK: minnows Tiemco 2457will - Sz.128 better, by sorting thebeads hook.for the in the them water. at Using THREAD: Uni 6/0 Black Blues on tip ups, dead sticks and tip downs will keep the body givesfished a wonderful segmented TAIL: Spoons Round rubber - Small smaller perch Slab Grabber will- Black work well in the profile and the from dubbedbiting. head traps deeper water and enable you to catch them without bait. Many anglers BODY: Spirit River glass bead Iridescent Plum air and hence releases "bubbles" will usefiHali tipped tend to do a lot HEAD: orUVspikes Dubbing-but Peacock when shed. Jigs Be sure and with adjust waxworms of sorting from smaller fish. Pike anglers will target the drop offs and size; smaller for trout and larger underwater points with tip ups and shiners or dead smelt. Those that are for steelhead. the solitude spearing pikeEnjoy will also do wellof as soon as they can get their shacks on the fishing! icewinter as pike are aggressive fueling up for their winter resting period. Good luck on the ice in January and it is looking like we are going to have a nice Phil Cusey isn't guiding, he can be reached at streamertwo@sbcglobal.net. longWhen ice fishing season for a change.
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WEST MICHIGAN 9 West Michigan Waterfront & Hunting Land Realtor
Hunting Muskegon, Pere Marquette, White, and Little Manistee Rivers plus many wonderful lakes
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Rivers & Streams
REPORTS & FORECASTS
Muskegon River
Grand River
B Y: C A P T. J E F F B A C O N
BY: G R E G K N A P P
Michigan Fly Fishing Ventures (616) 560-3195 www.westmichiganflyfishing.com
Getting Bit Guide Service 616-570-2946 www.gettingbitguideservice.com
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he Grand River as long as it stays open during the month of January continues to produce steelhead and a few lake run browns. The fish are usually spread throughout the river system but the easiest access and largest concentrations are usually at 6th Street Dam or if you live further east check out Webber Dam. For the trout species try fishing with plugs, spinners, floats, flies, or bottom bouncing in the slower winter water. Spawn or waxworms on jigs are top producers usually. Check out the tributaries as well, they usually continue to give up fish throughout the winter as long as they do not freeze over.
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ince the Muskegon River doesn't freeze over below Croton Dam in the Newaygo, it's open for fishing all winter long. Fish are there to be caught, it's a matter of determining what you want to fish for and how. Not only are resident brown and rainbow trout still actively feeding throughout January, so are steelhead that either just came into the river from Lake Michigan, or who have been in the river a while and will "winter over". Fly fishing options include floating line and indicator "nymphing" rigs, as well as streamers fished on sinking or sink tip lines and when conditions are right during the winter, even some dry fly fishing as resident brown and rainbow trout come to the surface to feed on #1820 midges! Indicator setups could include 5 and 6 weight fly rods, in 9-11' lengths, with appropriate floating line, leader and tippet down to 5 and 6x (3.5-4.5#). Flies to have on hand include #16 green caddis, hares ear, PT's, sparse Hex's, as well as #16-18 Brassie and Midge patterns. Streamer rods could range from long 7-9 weight, 2 handed rods (11-13') for spey casting sink tips, down to 9-10' long, single handed rods in 6-8 weight, matched with the correct sinking or sink tip line, to cast-retrieve or swing streamers. The streamer bite can be tough once water temperatures drop to the mid 30's, as fish aren't as likely to chase down a streamer in such water.... but it does happen. Subsurface fishing, use a longer rod (9-10', med/light action) lighter bobber, tie on lighter pound test line where you tie a fly on and simply fish nymphs under a bobber, using small split shot weights to get it down. Once again, flies to have on hand include #16 green caddis, hares ear, PT's, sparse Hex's, as well as #16-18 Brassie and Midge patterns. For those looking to tussle with a steelhead using conventional gear, both bait caster and open face spinning reels, matched with proper rods in 10-12' length and floating bait under bobbers in deeper pools and runs, will give you a shot at battling a winter steelhead. River access come winter time can be as much a matter of where can one drive their car to, in order to walk in at common sights such as Croton Dam, Pine St, Thornapple Rd, Henning County Park and Newbridge. Water is cold, safe wading a must for those choosing to do so.... fish with a partner if at all possible and stay close to each other. There is no need to be wading out deep during the winter, fish will occupy much slower water come this time of year and it's often not more than 20-30' off the tip of your rod!
Guided River Fishing www.WestMichiganFishingGuide.com
CAPTAIN JEFF BACON Phone: 616-560-3195 Email: jrbacon@ameritech.net 6 WEST MICHIGAN
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February 1-3 North American Snow Festival around Cadillac, Chili Cook-off, Snowmobile Races, Ice Fishing Tournament, etc.
February 17-18 Free Fishing Weekend Carl T Johnson Hunting & Fishing Museum Fishing Tournament, activities all weekend.
For details and event links go to cadillacmichigan.com
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Hard Water
REPORTS & FORECASTS
Northwest Area
Grand Rapids
B Y: C A P T. B E N W O L F E
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e have finally hit the point of no return; the boats are packed away and winterized, the ice fishing gear is prepped and ready for use. We had a fantastic December in the Traverse City area, the weather was very mild for the first half of the month, allowing anglers to take advantage of some great open water fishing opportunities. Now that January is upon us, we will all be switching gears in hopes of fishing our favorite inland lakes for first ice panfish, walleye, perch and northern pike. When venturing onto the ice for the first time of the year, checking for safe ice is very important. Always have a good, sharp spud, frequently spot-checking the thickness and quality of the ice. Properly using a spud can be a key difference maker in safely staying on top of the ice. Lakes that get early snowfall coverage will develop less quality ice than others. Anglers should carefully look for at least 3.5-4.5 inches of clear blue ice before walking out on any body of water. Early ice is exciting, but the utmost caution should always be used when venturing out. First ice can offer the best action of the hard water season. Perch and panfish tend to be very active at this time, remaining in shallower water in pursuit of any food still correlating to weed- and rock-covered flats. It's amazing to see how active the fish are on a graph at this time of the season, compared to mid-February. Small tungsten jigs and light fluorocarbon line will produce positive results. Tipping your jig with wax worms, spikes, and soft plastics is always a sure way to produce a good catch of fish. Steelhead action should remain hot for the month of January. December offered plenty of rain during the first couple of weeks which, in turn, pushed good numbers of fish into area tributaries. River levels seem to be maintaining above average flows with temperatures in the mid to high 30's. Anglers should take advantage of any January day above freezing. Hitting the river for winter steelhead can be cold but very rewarding. In January, 8mm and 10mm trout beads under a float will help anglers cover large areas of water while producing solid results. Anglers wishing to fish bait will have great success with spawn bags in white, peach and pink netting, as the water levels drop and visibility clears, smaller bags seem to work very well. We at Sport Fish Michigan would like to wish everyone a safe and successful January; we hope to see you on the water.
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BY: C H A S T H O M P S O N
Sport Fish Michigan (877) 442-4294 www.sportfishmichigan.com
JANUARY 2018
MI Ice Guys www.MiIceGuys.com (616) 953-0423
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now in December finally cooled down the inland lakes and we got ice. The larger lakes may have less ice formation due to winds keeping waves in motion. Still use caution, not all lakes freeze the same. A spud will test the ice and reveal any thin spots. If you are one of the fortunate few that has made it out, make sure to share your ice report on MiIceGuys.com Remember where you found the weed beds in late fall will still be the oxygen rich locations that provide food sources for the pan fish around Grand Rapids. These not only hold pan fish, but can also attract the predators that are hunting the same gills we do. So, a couple of tip ups on the edges of the beds or just above them Move carefully as you venture out and start jigging the new tackle Santa brought. I plan to target the shallow flats on the protected sides of some of our smaller lakes. Some tight bays and open water off of points and corners may yield the crappie before they go suspended mid-month. Once you find they have moved to open water a flasher is necessary to locate and target the suspended schools. Swinging your transducer side to side can give you clues to the direction a school is moving or the scope of it. Wishing you a safe New Year of fishing and those wonderful meals of fresh caught Michigan bounty, please remember to observe limits and rules. If you get tired of just plain fried fish check out some of the recipes on MiIceGuys.com! Be a great Michigan sportsman and take a kid fishing.
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Unique error-proof design allows anglers to put more fish in the boat! (10 1/4” long, weighs about 3 oz) (7” long, weighs about 1.5 oz) The TX-44 is the first and the only in line planer to pull the large Divers, Lead Core, Water strikes top surface, forcing Wire or Copper Lines and Heavy Weights. The size of the TX-44 makes it harder for Stingray downward. A fish on will An all new type of planer! fish to pull the board under, however it is still easy to retrieve. The Vise Clip comes force the nose upward & Stingray to a T c k h l standard with the TX-44; especially designed for lead core & copper, makes e Co rc the surface. Unpainted or painted . Chu accidental release almost impossible. 2 snaps for each weight included TX-44 is now also available in a Tournament Easy to attach and remove. Size #1 - .7 oz Series which comes with a Lock-Jaw Clip, Great for trolling in congested areas and more effective contour trolling along #40302 #40300 Stainless Steel Rear Pin and E-Z Store for drop offs contour lines, reef edges and weed lines in rivers, lakes or the ocean. black unpainted Effective for all species. Run more lines out the back of the boat by staggering A one-stop shop for planer boards easy tow-arm removal. Part# 60630 Size #2 1.4 oz the Stern Planers. Run any distance from the boat yet maintain desired depth. 7 different styles & ALL MADE IN THE USA
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Tiny Often Takes It
While big lures catch big fish, the fact of the matter is the majority of what fish eat is miniscule. BY: MA R K MA RT I N While big lures catch big fish, the fact of the matter is the majority of what a fish eats, no matter its size and species, is tiny aquatic insects and crustaceans. Even full-size fish like walleye, lake trout, bass and pike, you ask? Oh yea… And this is why fishing with tiny jigs tipped with a tidbit of live bait or scented imitation often works so well. Even more so when the bite is slow. However, there’s a lot that goes in to catching fish with tiny offerings than meets the rod tip. Without the right equipment, a fish landed can turn to broken line and a fish lost in an instant. To boot, if the offering is not rigged right in the first place, fish will turn tail without as much as taking a look. Imagine that The trick to catching fish on minuscule baits is to make your offering not only look like the real thing, but wiggle and waggle like it, as well. Ponder the tiny mayfly larvae, also known as a “wiggler” when you look for them at the bait shop. Their nickname has to do with the neverending action these little critters employ. When wigglers are moving or burrowing into a silted lake bed, they have an action similar to that of one of those wobble-bodied hula dancers often seen on car dashboards, waggling wildly about their body’s midpoint. Unlike dashboard decor, however, even at rest on bottom or grasping onto foliage, their feather-like gills at the back half of their body continuously pulsates as they breathe. In fact, all aquatic insects and crustaceans are constantly stirring, whether bloodworms, water daphnia, freshwater scud (shrimp) and all creatures in-between. And all are eaten by fish. And it’s this always- moving action an angler needs to emulate to a tee, as without it fish aren’t as likely to strike. It’s all because fish can not only see the movement of these creatures, but they feel the motion via their lateral line - the nerve that basically runs from behind their eye down the side through their tail. And this big nerve is how fish zone in on forage in stained and muddy water, as well clear. Going down? The most trouble with getting tiny offerings down and in front of any fish’s face that I am marking on my Lowrance Hook-5 Ice Machine before they swim away is the lack of weight of the average miniature jig. And when tipped with live or fake bait, the added water resistance can
make for an even slower decent. But with modern-day jig and gear, it’s not as difficult to get lightweight baits to fall fast. Take the latest alloy to hit the market tungsten. It’s heavier than the jigs poured of lead, thus it falls faster through the water column. Northland Fishing Tackle’s Hard-Rock Mooska Tungsten Jig, with its tapered body, comes in three diverse weights and eight different glitter/color combinations. And all sport huge lifelike painted eyeballs. When tied to the right line, these jigs fall like a rock before fish scatter from under foot. What’s the right line, you ask? Either an ultra-light line of 1- to 2-pound test for panfish or 4-pound for larger species; however, you need to use line that’s manufactured to stay soft in cold conditions. By far the best monofilament line I have found for ice fishing is Berkley’s Trilene Cold Weather—which has the same flexibility at 32-degrees Fahrenheit as other lines do at 70 degrees. Berkley’s FireLine Micro Ice Fused Crystal with a fluorocarbon leader is another option. Both are formulated to withstand the brutality ice fishing can bring, and all have an extremely-thin diameter, crucial for making small offerings come alive with the lightest jiggle of the rod tip. No matter the lure, all obtain their best action when tied to the lightest pound test you can get away with. For instance, a tiny jig tied to, say, 20-pound test would have very little lifelike movement, as well would not flow to and fro with the water currents below the ice, like live forage would. Those same jigs when tied to ultra-thin line will have the most action. Nipped, not tipped To add the most action to a tiny tear-drop jig, live bait or scented imitation should be nipped onto the hook, not threaded on. This means when I add a wax worm, spike or wiggler fresh from my Frabill Universal Bait Can (yes, perfect for tiny bugs in cold weather, too) or when adding a single Gulp! Fish Fry, Maggot or 1-inch Gulp! Minnow Alive! to a petite jig, all should be just barely nipped through the tip of the body, not impaled. This allows a jointed action to your offering; the pivoting action imitating the minuscule forage fish feed on. Smooth sailing An ultra-light rod that bends efficiently without fearing line breaking under the strain of a large freshly-hooked fish, and a reel that has a smooth-as-silk drag for when a fish makes a run are both a must.
Now, I admit I like to crank the drag down on a reel so that no line come out unless I back-reel. Ho w e v e r, if you are not used to backreeling, a reel with a smooth drag will allow large fish to run when they want, which lessons the chance of losing them. Overall, an ultra-light ice-fishing rod fixed with a reel that has a drag that flows smoothly— like the ABU Garcia ABU Garcia Orra S spinning reels I use, can handle most any fish that swims under the frozen surface of a lake. Little is a lot When jigging little lures, I find very a modest action is the best you can give your offering. Because an aquatic insect’s movements can be measured in millimeters rather than inches, you should be presenting your offering the same way. Just vibrating the tip of your ice rod will add more than enough action to your jig. And strikes are often very light, sometimes nearly undetectable when emulating this action. Time and again, a bite may only be telegraphed by nothing more than your rod tip stopping moving while you’re wiggling it. No matter what, set the hook anytime something looks or feels out of the ordinary. Tip, jiggle, set Looking to land a lot of fish this ice-fishing season, especially during those days the bite is slow? Just tie on a tiny jig, nip it with live or fake bait and send it down to the same depth you are marking fish on your sonar. Just give your lure a little jiggle to allow your offering the same action as the forage, and set the hook at the slightest sign of a hit. You’ll be surprised at the size and species of fish you catch throughout the winter months. Mark Martin is a touring walleye tournament professional, as well an instructor with the IceFishing Vacation/School. Check out his website at markmartins.net for more information.
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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT OLD TOWN PREDATOR PDL Prepare yourself for a totally new fishing experience. Old Town has taken boat control to new heights with forward and reverse via an efficient and easy-to-use propriety pedal-drive system. It’s the most advanced pedal-powered fishing machine of its kind. It gets you to the spot fast and keeps you on the spot without paddling. With forward, reverse and agile maneuverability, you’ll experience precise boat control while your hands remain free to fish. The removable pedal drive installs in seconds and tips up instantly for shallow water docking. The Predator PDL’s specially designed hull combines the perfect balance of smooth pedal stroke speed and stand-up stability. One of the key differences between the Old Town Predator PDL and other pedal-driven kayaks is the Old Town PDL pedals exactly like a bicycle, converting modest pedaling into maximum propulsion. A 10.3:1 gear ratio means that anglers can reach speeds up to 5.5 mph to reach fishing spots fast and efficiently. It also makes trolling through a range of user-adjustable speeds easy and effective. The Predator PDL is infinitely customizable with rigging accessories from Cannon, Scotty, YakAttack, RAM and more. Predator PDL specifications Length: 13’ 2” Width: 36” Weight: 117 lbs. (Pedal Drive: 21 lbs.) Carrying Capacity: 500 lbs MSRP: $2,799.99 Visit www.oldtowncanoe.com to find a dealer near you.
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he International Game Fish Association (IGFA) Fishing Hall of Fame Class of 2017 was honored on Sat., Oct. 28, in a ceremony held at the new IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mo. The 2017 inductees include Rick Clunn, Larry Dahlberg, Peter Fithian, Mike Levitt, and Dr. Eric Prince. These anglers join 116 fishing greats in the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame. Rick Clunn is a four-time Bassmaster Classic winner and is a member of the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame. When he’s not fishing, Clunn shares his love of the sport with children across America. He was recognized for his endless enthusiasm for bass fishing, his unmatched four decades of winning B.A.S.S. events and his amazing bass fishing prowess. Larry Dahlberg has fished for more than 50 years in 80 countries and is the host of The Hunt for Big Fish. He created the unique Dahlberg Diver fly and is responsible for many other fishing innovations. He’s received the Henshall Award by the Federation of Fly Fishers, is
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a member of the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame and was the recipient of the 1999 IGFA Conservation Award. Dahlberg is recognized for his lifetime of fishing innovations, his award-winning television career and his conservation efforts. Peter Fithian is best known as the founder of the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament (HIBT), the “Grandfather” of all billfish fishing tournaments. The HIBT is one of the longest running tournaments of all time and the birthplace of countless innovations in angling tactics, tournament management and billfish conservation. Fithian also founded the Pacific Ocean Research Foundation (PORF) to learn more about Pacific blue marlin, and was instrumental in the foundation of the Japan Game Fish Association (JGFA). Fithian is recognized by the IGFA for his lifelong commitment to improve tournament sport fishing and for his efforts in conservation. Mike Levitt developed a passion for light tackle in the 1960s, which led him to the IGFA. He has held 16 world records, including light tackle records for black and white marlin. A former Chairman of the IGFA, Levitt spearheaded efforts to build the IGFA Headquarters in Dania Beach, Fla. Levitt led the design and financing of a succession of custom sport fishing boats, which helped to develop the prototype for boats widely used today. The IGFA recognizes Levitt for his angling achievements, charitable acts and innovations in sport fishing. Dr. Eric Prince is considered one of the world’s top fisheries scientists, and is an angler, researcher and proponent for the sport of fishing. He’s had a 35-year career as a billfish biologist with the National Marine Fisheries Service. Dr. Prince has been a driving force in the Adopt a Billfish satellite tagging program and a leading researcher and proponent of the use of circle hooks. He’s served conservation through his research and helping to create The Billfish Foundation, which earned him the IGFA Conservation Award in 2016. Prince is recognized by the IGFA for his research on important recreational species to ensure sustainable management.
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FLY FISHING
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inter is a very important time for the southern California saltwater fly fisherman. This time of year means transition, and with this transition comes the seasonal migration of Pacific bonito to the nearshore waters off southern California. Although SoCal has a yearround population of bonito, many of the fish who take up residence here from early fall and through winter are the larger pelagic bonito that trek to our coast from southern waters. These fish can range in size between 5 to 15 pounds and are probably the hardest fighting fish readily available to fly fishermen off the southern
can be put in the path of the moving fish. The fly tackle best suited for bonito fishing includes 9-foot, 6- to 10-weight rods matched with a good directdrive saltwater fly reel with a minimum of 120 yards of 20to 30-lb. Dacron backing. In terms of fly lines, a shooting head with a built-in running line in weights of 175 to 350 grains will work best. Tippets should be 8 to 12 pounds, and abrasion-resistant fluorocarbon works wonders on leader-shy fish. As for flies, Clousers, Deceivers, Crazy Charlies and any anchovy pattern in sizes
California coast. These fish are found both inshore and offshore, however, most of the offshore bonito are in 30 fathoms (150 feet) or less. When fishing for openwater bonito, the angler’s best approach is to look for birds and schools working along current or temperature breaks. Once these areas are found, look for bonito chasing anchovies or sardines near the surface. Bonito can be very shy, so cutting the engine and sidling up on the fish is very important. Once the boat is in position, a 40- to 80-foot cast placed to the outside edge of the schooling fish is best. The angler should make sure the fish are moving either toward the skiff or in a crossing direction so the cast
8 through 2 will do the trick. Color is an important factor, so match the fly color to the color of the bait being taken. Green/ white and blue/white are great choices, however, chartreuse/ white is always a great attractor color. Fighting a bonito once it is hooked is an exciting and sometimes exhausting experience for the fly angler. Because the bonito is built like a mini rocket, it will make some amazing runs and will usually take line well into the angler’s backing. It’s worth a trip to southern California where fly anglers can take part in the famous bonito run.
For Tackle Box Essentials from Bowman, go to
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HAVALON REDESIGNS
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n their profession, surgeons require the most accurate and precise cutting tools. Professional taxidermists figured out long ago that a scalpel is the best tool for carefully cutting through all kinds of fish and animal hides. Now sportsmen can enjoy the same level of precision in knives designed to be taken into the field or out on the water. Havalon has revolutionized the market for sportsmen’s knives with surgical-edge technology redesigned for use by hunters and anglers. And they know their business. Havalon’s parent company, Havel, provided surgical cutlery to doctors and hospitals long before they brought them to the outdoors market. What Havalon dreamed up was a line of high quality folding and now fixed-blade knives that feature replaceable surgical-quality cutting edges. Whether gutting and skinning game or filleting fish, sportsmen can now enjoy the advantages of a scalpel edge in the field. And the easily replaceable blades not only ensure the knife will be scalpel sharp and ready for use without any sharpening, it opens up the opportunity for one knife to serve many purposes by switching out the style of the blade. Need a fine-bladed fillet knife that doubles as a limb saw and game-skinner, Havalon has you covered with products like the Havalon Hydra Kit, which includes 17 blades in seven different styles to fill all your needs with one tool. The latest innovation from Havalon, which every angler should have in the arsenal is the Havalon Talon. Set to hit the market this spring, the Talon is the first high-quality, surgically sharp, longest lasting replaceable fixed blade knife system. The Talon provides a firm, safe grip on heavier, stronger, larger sized
versions of the company’s already proven fillet blades, as well as a few new ones. It is the most versatile and sharpest “in-the-wild” quick-change cutlery set there is. A military-grade polymer handle has many functional features, from a Easy-Clean opening chamber to a super easy, strong and safe Quik-Change II Thumb Release Blade System. Within a water resistant roll-up pack, the Talon Fishing Pack includes the Talon handle, a serrated blade, two 5-inch fillet blades and a 7-inch fillet blade. A separately sold 9-inch fillet blade is also available. Professional captains, guides and outfitters have already discovered the benefits of using surgical-grade cutlery in the field and on the water, making Havalon a staple in the market for serious outdoorsmen. Which leaves the question: Why wouldn’t you want the most precise, accurate and versatile cutting tools in your pack or on the deck? Check out all the innovative tools Havalon has to offer at www.havalon.com.
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UNDER THE SEA 18
King of Sling – Art Pinder
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n the spearfishing community, there is one man everyone agrees deserves the title of “legend.” That is Art Pinder. Art was born in Miami in 1929, the fourth of five children. He looked up to his father and older brothers and wanted to follow in their footsteps. His father was an outdoorsman and worked his way up to captain of the Miami Beach lifeguards. Naturally, the children grew up around the water, and they learned to hunt at a very young age with homemade equipment. Their slings were different from modern spearguns, and consisted of a free-flying shaft inserted into a cylindrical wooden “shooter.” Similar to a slingshot, the shaft was powered by pulling a band back and letting go. This primitive form is making a comeback, and is the only allowable method of spearfishing in the Bahamas. The Pinder brothers dove and speared at a time when the ocean was considered mysterious and dangerous. The brothers dominated and won every tournament. Meanwhile, Art worked as a lifeguard and crewed for big-game fishermen such as Walter Clay, Bob Stewart and Tommy Gifford. He later served in the U.S. Coast Guard, stationed at the Carysfort Reef Lighthouse. In the water, Art accomplished feats that might never be duplicated. He slinged a 7-foot sailfish, a 135-pound cubera snapper and a 584-pound Goliath grouper. Outside of spearfishing, he was credited with saving many lives, including a challenging rescue of 23 people whose boat had capsized in rough waters. As Art became known for his spearfishing achievements, opportunities arose. He appeared in magazine and TV ads for liquor companies even though he didn’t drink. He graced the cover of Sports Illustrated in 1955 and was featured in a three-part series. His most uncomfortable assignment was modeling Jantzen bathing suits. They paid more in one day than he got in a whole month of lifeguarding, so he put up with the embarrassment. He did
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several shoots with Frank Gifford (NFL MVP), Bob Cousy (NBA MVP) and Ken Venturi (golfer). Art wondered why they picked him alongside these sports giants, though he did believe spearfishing combined the best of many sports. It required strength and coordination, involved body contact with 300-pound fish, had danger and excitement—all set against a backdrop of unimaginable beauty. In later life, Art became a pilot, a professional captain and a business owner, and he never stopped Above: Even later in spearfishing. I had life, Art Pinder could the honor of diving capture fish like a with him in his 20-year-old. Photo by sunset years, when Chad Carney. he could still capture Left: Art Pinder fish like a 20-yearappeared on the cover old. Art passed away of Sports Illustrated in 2014 at the age of in 1955. 84 and is survived by his loving wife, Alice. Rest in peace, Art. Sheri is a world-record holder, host of Speargun Hunter, and producer of “The Blue Wild Ocean Adventure Expo” in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Follow “Sheri Daye” and “The Blue Wild” on Facebook and Instagram.
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ome people don’t go fishing when it’s cold. That’s a huge mistake. Some of my most memorable days on the water have come this time of the year. If you outfit yourself properly, it will increase your winter fishing success astronomically. The Proper Gear First, dress properly. Layers are important, but don’t bulk up so much that it affects your mobility. I start with thermals, both the shirt and pants. My next layer is jeans and a thick hooded sweatshirt. I sometimes add a fleece jacket and then put on an outer-layer suit. You want a suit that blocks the wind and is waterproof. There are a lot of good Gore-Tex suits on the market. Headgear is also important. A fleece beanie and a neck gaiter make all the difference. A good pair of thick socks, boots and a pair of gloves, and you will be good to go. Last winter, a friend and I went fishing when it was 12 degrees. We caught 19 smallmouth. It was
cold, but we were dressed properly and had the lake to ourselves. Use Proper Equipment Fishing tackle needs to be finetuned for winter. First, I use Winn grips on all the rods I build. Most gloves have a sticky grip material on the palms. When that material meets the Winn material, it gives you unbelievable grip on your rod; it does the same for bare hands. Winn also has a new product called Winn Reel Sleeves. They are made of the same great grip material and slide over the handles of your reel. When it comes to finicky fish in the winter, you can’t afford for your hand to slip off the reel for a split second. I will have Reel Sleeves on every reel I own for the 2018 season. Check out all the Winn products and custom rod building materials at www.mudhole.com. Winter is a great time to learn how to build your own rods for 2018.
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Words Of Wisdom MARK SOSIN
D
id you ever wonder how leading charter captains produce consistent catches on a daily basis in heavily fished waters. I asked a long-time friend of mine who chartered for years out of a center console, and I think you’ll find his answer of interest. By the way, his methods can be adapted to any segment of coastline and a wide variety of species. Success centers on three primary approaches. You must constantly cover the maximum amount of water with your baits. They must be fished in a totally natural manner. And, baits must be kept in the productive zone or proper depth as long as possible. One way of doing this is to fish two or three baits from a kite or two kites. By using small weights in a corner of each kite, you can keep them spread so that they do not tangle in the air. For the starboard kite, the weight goes in the upper right hand corner and just the opposite for the port kite. Assuming the seas are moderate, start by positioning upwind from the spot you want to fish. By working the engines between neutral and reverse, you can back into the wind when necessary to keep the boat at a predetermined depth. This allows the baits to hang directly below the kites and look natural. Currents will push the boat over new areas. While the kites are flying, this skipper streams a couple of flat lines 50 to 125 feet from the boat. Finally, he works two more lines, one at a depth of 50 feet and the second at a depth of 75 or 80 feet. Rougher seas dictate the use of sea anchors and they also make sense when maintaining a specific depth is not paramount. A single sea anchor tied off midships will keep the boat broadside to the wind or current. One off the bow and a second off the stern is an even better setup. At times, this captain will drag a frozen block of chum in a mesh bag in front of one or two of the baits. All this is a lot of work, but you are covering close to 100 yards of water from
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a depth of 100 feet to the surface, and this approach can produce strikes when many anglers go fishless. Weekenders often wonder why professional skippers succeed day after day, even with boats all around them. Some observers simply suggest that regulars know the spots. That’s partially true, but there is much more to the total package. It takes continuous effort to tend all those rods, monitor conditions, and handle the boat all at the same time. You can certainly get by with less, but in the tradeoff, you can expect fewer fish. Whether you decide to follow this method, modify this skipper’s approaches to your needs, or you decide you really don’t want to work that hard, you can’t overlook the obvious. Aggressive anglers catch more fish consistently, even when Lady Luck isn’t sitting on their shoulders.
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hft_coa
SUPER COUPON
800+ Stores Nationwide • HarborFreight.com
Battle Tested
SUPER COUPON
RAPID PUMP® 3 TON LOW PROFILE HEAVY DUTY STEEL FLOOR JACK
20"
$4999 NOW
HUSKY
14998 SAVE $9799 $69
$7999
MODEL: HD00120
ITEM 61253/62326/61282 shown
$
7999
COMPARE TO SUPERWINCH
• 9 LED • Compact, Lightweight Customer Rating
$
17999 SAVE $130
Voted Best Winches
LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 5/1/18*
SUPER COUPON
• 6200 cu. in. of storage • 580 lb. capacity • Weighs 97 lbs.
SUPER COUPON
A
3 GALLON, 100 PSI OIL-FREE AIR COMPRESSORS A. HOT DOG
B
ITEM 69269/97080 shown
B. PANCAKE
Customer Rating
NOW
$
$9999 $14999
SAVE $79
179
MODEL: HOUC3304B10
ITEM 61634/61952/64096/95659 shown
*52007869 * 52007869
ITEM 60637/61615 95275 shown
• Air delivery: 0.6 CFM @ 90 PSI, 1 CFM @ 40 PSI
56
9862
99
$9
ITEM 63100
SAVE $ 99 OPTRONICS MODEL: TL21RK 70% 18 *52061518 * 52061518 $
COMPARE TO
3359
NOW
99
$99
NOW
SAVE $12999 $106 *52063784 * 52063784
205
COMPARE TO $
DEWALT
SAVE $80
17999
MODEL: DCD780C2
ITEM 63381
900 MAX. STARTING/ 700 RUNNING WATTS 2 HP (63 CC) 2 CYCLE GAS GENERATOR
$599
8
19
MODEL: 77280
ITEM 69505/62418/66537 shown
*52080215 * 52080215 LIMIT 8 - Coupon valid through 5/1/18*
11992
SAVE ALL POWER MODEL: APG3004A $29 $10999 *52080229 * 52080229 COMPARE TO
$
$399
NOW
5
14
*52066058 * 52066058
DRIVE 1/4"
ITEM 2696/61277/63881
3/8"
807/61276/63880
1/2"
62431/239/63882
HUSKY
$
Customer Rating
$9
8497
$2999
99
19
LIMIT 6 - Coupon valid through 5/1/18*
COMPARE TO
HDX
$
6997
MODEL: H137HOS
LIMIT 7 - Coupon valid through 5/1/18*
SAVE 57%
$
3869
ITEM 64263/63248/64080/68998/63091 shown
*52124877 * 52124877 LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 5/1/18*
7" VARIABLE SPEED POLISHER/SANDER
AIRLESS PAINT SPRAYER KIT Customer Rating
NOW
NOW
$2999 COMPARE TO
GENESIS
$
7717
MODEL: GSP1711
SAVE 61%
$
ITEM 69474/62861/60626 shown
3999
*52084001 * 52084001
$1 6999 COMPARE TO $
GRACO
299
MODEL: 262800
ITEM 62915/60600 shown
SAVE $129 $
21499
*52103634 * 52103634 LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 5/1/18*
SUPER COUPON
SUPER COUPON
600 LB. HEAVY DUTY TRAILER DOLLY
JUMP STARTER AND POWER PACK Customer Rating
Customer Rating
NOW
COMPARE TO
SCHUMACHER ELECTRIC
$
12999
MODEL: SL1
99
SAVE $60 $
$69 79
*52124980 * 52124980
SAVE 46%
NOW
$
COMPARE TO
99 ITEM 62749
BUFFALO TOOLS
7512
MODEL: BTTRDOLLY
ITEM 37510/60533/69898 shown
$3999 $5999
*52125543 * 52125543 LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 5/1/18*
LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 5/1/18*
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
*Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 5/1/18.
CANGL_NAT3-NAT26.indd hft_coastalangler_0118_M-REG130503.indd 25 1
SUPER COUPON
SUPER COUPON Customer Rating
NOW
YOUR CHOICE
SAVE $ 99 88% MODEL: H2DTWA *52115986 * 52115986
COMPARE TO
LIFETIME WARRANTY
Item 239 shown
Customer Rating
*52079731 * 52079731
LIMIT 3 - Coupon valid through 5/1/18*
130 PIECE TOOL KIT WITH CASE
LIFETIME WARRANTY
57
ITEM 62434, 62426, 62433, 62432, 62429, 62428 shown
MODEL: 5075800
$1999 $2999
ITEM 62515 66911 shown COMPARE TO $ 55 SAVE 65% GPL MODEL: H-21
$ 99
MECHANIX $ 99
SUPER COUPON
TORQUE WRENCHES
STEP STOOL/ WORKING PLATFORM
Customer Rating
NOW
SAVE 73%
LIMIT 3 - Coupon valid through 5/1/18*
SUPER COUPON
• Accuracy within ±4%
$89
19999
• 350 lb. capacity
99
ITEM 63024/63025 shown
$
SUPER COUPON
Customer Rating
NOW
NOW
SAVE 70% $ 99
9 $1299
LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 5/1/18*
SUPER COUPON
Customer Rating
BLUE HAWK $ 99
NOW
*52047236 * 52047236
LIMIT 6 - Coupon valid through 5/1/18*
Customer Rating COMPARE TO
299
$ SAVE KOBALT MODEL: SM3055LW $169 ITEM 61969/61970/69684 shown COMPARE TO
*52027843 * 52027843
SUPER COUPON
72" x 80" MOVING BLANKET
12" SLIDING COMPOUND DOUBLE-BEVEL MITER SAW
Customer Rating
LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 5/1/18*
SUPER COUPON
SUPER COUPON Customer Rating
$9999 $10999
COMPARE TO
99 COMPARE TO $ SHELTER LOGIC MODEL: 23522
LIMIT 8 - Coupon valid through 5/1/18*
SUPER COUPON
LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 5/1/18*
Customer Rating
ITEM 63054 62858 shown
*51987415 * 51987415
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, safes, saw mills, storage cabinets, chests or carts, trailers, trenchers, welders, Admiral, Ames, Bauer, Cobra, CoverPro, Daytona, Earthquake, Fischer, Hercules, Icon, Jupiter, Lynxx, Poulan, Predator, Tailgator, Viking, Vulcan, Zurich. Not valid on prior purchases. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 5/1/18.
• Laser guide
10 FT. x 20 FT. PORTABLE CAR CANOPY MECHANIC'S GLOVES
NOW
ANY SINGLE ITEM
Blade sold separately.
SUPER COUPON
12 VOLT MAGNETIC TOWING LIGHT KIT
20% OFF
• 576 in. lbs. of torque • 2.5 amp hour battery • Weighs 3.6 lbs.
LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 5/1/18*
SUPER COUPON
Customer Rating
99
DEWALT
20 VOLT LITHIUM CORDLESS 1/2" COMPACT DRILL/DRIVER KIT
$39
MODEL: PCFP02003
LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 5/1/18*
BEATS
99
SAVE $ PORTER-CABLE 59% *52024805 * 52024805 $
COMPARE TO
*51989034 * 51989034
YOUR CHOICE
Customer Rating
MODEL: BRS9LED-B
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 5/1/18. Limit one FREE GIFT coupon per customer per day.
*52005090 * 52005090
26", 4 DRAWER TOOL CART
RAYOVAC
ITEM 69111 63599/62522/62573 63875/63884/63886 63888/69052 shown
2
$ 99
COMPARE TO
MODEL: 1125220
LIMIT 3 - Coupon valid through 5/1/18*
ANY PURCHASE
3-1/2" SUPER BRIGHT ALUMINUM FLASHLIGHT
ITEM 61840/61297/63476/61258 shown
*51990436 * 51990436
HUSKY
WITH
• Weighs 14.3 lbs. • 11-1/8" L x 4-1/2" H
NOW
COMPARE TO
COMPARE TO
SUPER COUPON
2500 LB. ELECTRIC WINCH WITH WIRELESS REMOTE CONTROL
• Weighs 73 lbs. Customer Rating $
FREE
M-REG130503_CoastalAnglerMagazine
SUPER COUPON
I
JANUARY 2018
I
NATIONAL
25
At Harbor Freight Tools, the “Compare to” price means that the specified comparison, which is an item with the same or similar function, was advertised for sale at or above the “Compare to” price by another national retailer in the U.S. within the past 90 days. Prices advertised by others may vary by location. No other meaning of “Compare to” should be implied. For more information, go to HarborFreight.com or see store associate.
12/14/17 12/4/17 1:02 3:16PM PM
SUZUKI MAKES IT EASY AS
1-2-3
1. Six Years of Protection at no extra charge on all new outboards 25 to 350 HP.
2. SEL
These are limited time offers. See your participating Suzuki Marine dealer for all the details or visit www.suzukimarine.com.
N SO S NG ARD AVI TBO T S I OU TANUZUK INSECT S
Instant Savings of up to $800 on select models. See your dealer for details.
3. Rates as low as 5.99% on new Suzuki outboards (OAC).*
REPOWER FINANCE
Gimme Six Extended Protection promo is applicable to new Suzuki Outboard Motors from 25 to 350 HP in inventory which are sold and delivered to buyer between 01/01/18 and 03/31/18 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. Instant Savings apply to qualifying purchases of select Suzuki Outboard Motors made between 01/01/18 and 03/31/18. For list of designated models, see participating Dealer or visit www.suzukimarine.com. Customer and participating Dealer must fill out the appropriate form at time of sale. Instant Savings will be applied against the original dealer invoice (Suzuki will credit Dealer parts account). 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 01/01/18 and 03/31/18. “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. © 2018 Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.
26
NATIONAL
I
CANGL_NAT3-NAT26.indd 26 SZ_Q1Promo_1PG_WIP.indd 1
JANUARY 2018
I
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
12/14/17 1:02 PM 12/8/17 2:46 PM
COMMON CVRS_1217.indd 3
12/12/17 3:34 PM
Where do you want to be? Don’t take the same old journey. Be somewhere genuine. Be somewhere amazing. Be changed.
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COMMON CVRS_1217.indd 4
12/12/17 3:34 PM