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EDITOR : Nick Carter • editorial@coastalanglermagazine.com WEBMASTER : Dmitriy Pislyagin • webmaster@coastalanglermagazine.com ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: Corporate Headquarters info@coastalanglermagazine.com • 888-800-9794 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 • (407) 960-2340 • donm@coastalanglermagazine.com FLORIDA KEYS : Ed Gocher • (305) 587-9101 • ed@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 Flaitz • (352) 598-4219 • maryf@coastalanglermagazine.com NAPLES : Mike Weber • (414) 531-4172 • mikew@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 OKEECHOBEE : Ken Gabryel • (863) 532-3671 • keng@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
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Catching Winter Cobia In The Keys By John Steinhorst
F
ebruary through April offers some of the most productive fishing of the year in the Florida Keys. An amazing variety of migratory fish species travel to the Keys as cold water temperatures push them south in the Gulf of Mexico and on the east coast. The most convenient place to base a Keys fishing adventure is directly out of Marathon, which comfortably rests in the middle of this tropical island chain. Marathon encompasses a unique collection of islands, creating the ideal boating and family destination with access to both ocean and gulf waters but far enough from the crowded streets of Key West. Capt. Chris Morrison, a 20-year Keys veteran who guides out of Marathon, enjoys hooking excited anglers up with these hungry migrating species, which include record-breaking cobia, king and Spanish mackerel, trophy sailfish and several species of jacks. Versatility is the name of the game, and options are abundant. Most often the best plan is to just decide where you want to fish, from the immense Gulf or blue ocean waters to the many reefs and wrecks surrounding the islands. Then be ready for anything when you get there. There are several techniques that work for each species, and Morrison utilizes a wide variety to keep his 8
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Temple Fork Outfitters’ Gary Loomis Inshore boat, although cobia sometimes swim with bull sharks and rays. Start drifting live shrimp back Series rods bending and his clients smiling. Live bait and jigs are most productive to with light monofilament leader and small hooks, ensure positive results. Pinfish and live shrimp and you are bound to get action from one of are among the easiest to obtain, since most local several species of snapper. If you start getting bit bait shops carry them. Deep jigs, such as butterfly off clean, add a piece of leader wire and you will types, and ¼- to 1-ounce bucktails are essential likely get hooked into a cero or king mackerel. to carry in your arsenal. For catching cobia, If you decide to fish the bay or gulf side of the present the pinfish on ocean-side wrecks and Keys island chain, you might want to anchor reefs as well as Gulf waters from 15 to 100 feet in 10 to 15 feet of water and hang that chum using the same rig for grouper down deep. Limit bag for landing Spanish mackerel. Head out to is one per person with a 33-inch size minimum. deeper Gulf waters and expect more cobia, king On sunny days, Morrison likes to spot cobia mackerel, and goliath and gag grouper. The with his polarized sunglasses from the tower of wintertime fishing action in the Florida Keys will his SeaVee boat above the reef line or in blue be sure to heat up your reel. If you need an expert light-tackle fishing water when a color change edge is present. When you see a cobia on the surface, cast the bait in guide, Capt. Chris Morrison has guided anglers front with no weight and at least 60-pound to more than 100 world records and received monofilament leader. Wire is usually necessary a Lifetime Achievement Award from the on your jigs as king, Spanish, and cero mackerel International Game Fishing Association. Visit are numerous throughout these prime fishing www.captchris.com for more info. grounds. John Steinhorst has contributed to many If you do not have a guide, the reef line on the ocean side from 25 to 40 feet is a good place publications during the last 20 years and can to start. Anchor and hang a chum bag over the be contacted at www.JohnSteinhorst.wix.com/ IslandMedia. side with ground-up frozen baitfish. Chum brings the For more Cobia fishing in the Keys, go to party to the back of your COASTALANGLERSALTWATER.COM
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Captain Fantastic.
How have so many of Marathon’s light-tackle guides achieved super-hero status? Because whether it’s tailers in the shallows, migrating tarpon out front or snook and redfish out back, our professional captains come to the rescue by putting you onto some amazing angling action. fla-keys.com/marathon 1.800.262.7284 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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RodsandReels Product Review AVET REELS SXJ 6/4 RAPTOR Since 1999, Avet Reels has been bringing to the market revolutionary reel designs that set the standard for performance. Their innovative SXJ 6/4 Raptor lever drag casting reel features Avet’s patented dual carbon fiber drag system, which produces twice the drag of the original Avet reels. The powerful system features adjustable strike pre-set and a strike stop button to prevent accidental advancement. The reel’s one-piece frame is precision machined 6061 T-6 marine grade aluminum with stainless steel components and is anodized for superior corrosion resistance. An offset machined handle arm reduces center-line profile and cranking wobble and is capped with a comfortable soft-touch handle knob. The two-speed transmission has a user-friendly shifting mechanism. Avet’s silent dog and gear anti-reverse system and M.C. Cast adjustable magnetic anti-backlash cast control system, both patented, are some of the most innovative and reliable in the industry. The SXJ 6/4 Raptor has nine stainless ball bearings, an alarm clicker and a light, narrow spool designed for optimal jig casting efficiency and less line leveling on the retrieve. It’s proudly made in the U.S.A.
CANYON REELS EX-80 TWO SPEED TROLLING REEL In case you hadn’t heard, Canyon Reels has redesigned its powerful EX-80 Two Speed Trolling Reel to give anglers the edge when pulling spreads for huge fish. The original EX-80 was extensively tested and matched up very well against the giants off the Northeast coast. When the captains made suggestions, Canyon listened, and the result is an even better EX-80, which features multiple upgrades that make it smoother, and easier to use. The EX-80 is a monster reel. It boasts a max drag of 105 pounds at strike and more than 155 pounds at full drag. A pre-set feature allows for accurate drag settings with an easy one-touch shifter. Upgrades include additional harness lugs that provide better balance control, an all new double drag system for drag runs that are even smoother than the original, and an oversized T-bar handle for additional cranking power. Several other improvements have also been made to increase the durability of this already remarkable reel. The end result is an incredibly smooth and user-friendly reel with the power to stop any fish in the ocean.
WWW.AVETREELS.NET
WWW.CANYONREELS.COM
ENIGMA HPT TITANIUM CASTING RODS
JP ROSS BEAVER MEADOW
Enigma Fishing is raising the bar on performance, while lowering the price point. Every aspect of their HPT Titanium Casting Rods were designed with extreme attention to detail. These high-performance tournament level rods are designed with premium, ultra-light Japanese Toray Carbon proprietary blend blanks. The HPT rods were designed and tested with input from professional anglers such as three-time Bassmaster Elite Series Angler of the Year, Aaron Martens. Enigma Fishing has customized and precision balanced each individual HPT rod to be ultra functional, exceptionally beautiful and tailored to exacting actions and specifications demanded by today’s tournament anglers. All rods feature premium American Tackle components, including the multiaward winning MicroWave Line Control System, which increases casting distance and accuracy. The blank-through reel seats offer finger-to-blank contact for unparalleled sensitivity and incredible ergonomics and palmable comfort, while further reducing weight as well. Premium cork grips balance out each rod perfectly! Enigma Fishing’s new HPT series features a sleek black rod blank, cork handles, stylish purple wraps and chrome accents. Delivering technique-specific performance second-to-none, the all-new HPT series raises the bar for all others!
WWW.ENIGMAFISHING.COM
MUD HOLE TURNKEY INSHORE ROD KIT
The JP Ross Beaver Meadow is a fly rod meticulously designed to fish the beaver dams and plunge pools of small trout streams where an 11-inch fish is a trophy. That’s not to say this rod can’t handle an 18-inch brown on big water, but blue lines are where it shines. It is a short, sensitive rod with the feel needed for the gentlest of nibbles but enough power to reach out 50-plus feet with a hopper-dropper rig. The Beaver Meadow is available in a 5’ 2/3-weight, two-piece and a 6’6” 2/3-weight four-piece for fishing small streams with wet flies and dry flies. The 6’6” also has the ability to cast medium weighted streamers. The 7’6” 4-weight four-piece, the 7’9” 3-weight fourPhoto by Draper White piece, and the 8’0” 5-weight four-piece all have the shorter length required for tight quarters but the backbone to land larger fish and cast streamers and multi-fly rigs. JP Ross rods are custom-made by hand in Upstate New York. Each rod is made to order, so the details are exquisite, and components can be customized from the grip and reel seat to the guides and thread color. The Technology used to achieve this awesome balance of sensitivity and power is breakthrough technology, the joining of carbon fiber and fiberglass that JP Ross calls Carbon Silica Hybrid interface. It makes a beautiful casting and wonderfully sensitive rod.
WWW.JPROSSFLYRODS.COM
Mud Hole Custom Tackle is offering amazing value with its inshore fishing rod building kit. This turnkey kit includes everything you need to build your own custom inshore trout and redfish fishing rod. The kit features the extremely popular and versatile SJ842 rod blank. This 7’0” medium-light power rod features a fast action for throwing soft plastics and topwater lures at wary flats fish. Along with the blank, the kit includes a matched guide set, handle kit and everything from the CRB Wrapper, a CRB rod dryer and ProPaste and ProKote Rod Finish along with all the tools needed to build your own custom rod. This is a great set for the avid fisherman who wants to take his or her fishing to the next level. To get started custom building your own high quality rod, visit www.mudhole.com and check out all our Turn Key Kit options or simply Google: Mud Hole Turnkey.
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RodsandReels Product Review OKUMA KOMODO SS BAITCAST REELS
The original Komodo 350 size baitcast reel has been the recipient of tremendous accolades. It is considered an extremely tough reel and an excellent value. For 2017, the Komodo family welcomes the Komodo SS, featuring a new 450 size and stainless steel drive system. The Komodo SS is built around a heavy-duty stainless steel main gear, pinion gear, drive shaft and spool shaft to deliver an internal foundation of unrelenting strength and corrosion-resistance. Komodo SS reels use rigid, machined aluminum frame and spool, aluminum side plates, high-output Carbonite drag system capable of a maximum drag output of 30 pounds, and updated 6-pin Velocity Cast Control System. Performance features include six or seven (depending upon size) stainless steel High Performance Bearings, plus roller bearing, for outstanding corrosionresistance. The synchronized level-wind system does not disengage for casting, which allows it to maintain alignment at all times and eliminated drag pressure spikes when using braided lines. Bait clickers are standard on all models. The Komodo SS series includes two sizes, 350 and 450. The 350 size includes a 6.4:1 gear ratio and maximum drag output of 25 pounds. There are four models in the 350 size. The 450-size Komodo is available in a 6.3:1 gear ratio and a hyperfast 7.1:1 ratio. Komodo SS series baitcast reels are covered by the Okuma 3-Year Limited Warranty.
WWW.OKUMAFISHING.COM
UGLY STIK BIGWATER SERIES Ugly Stik has refreshed its iconic Bigwater series with all-new Ugly Tuff saltwater guides and an updated look. Beginning with Ugly Tech construction, the Bigwater series maintains the toughness for which all Ugly Stiks are known. One-piece Ugly Tuff stainless steel guides eliminate insert pop-outs and provide durability and corrosion resistance for those harsh saltwater applications. The Bigwater series retains the traditional Ugly Stik Clear Tip design for more strength at the tip of the rod. Comfortable EVA handles and conventional reel seats give anglers a non-slip, comfortable grip no matter the conditions. The fly, standup, downrigger/dipsy diver, surf, spinning and casting models have also been upgraded to include a standard seven-year limited warranty. Four Bigwater spinning combos and two trolling combos for downrigger applications are also available. The combos feature a graphite spinning reel, available in sizes 50, 60 and 70, and have a durable aluminum spool. The reel featured on the Bigwater downrigger combos is a size 30 line counter round reel with a metal handle and power knob.
PENN SLAMMER III The Penn Slammer III, which won Best of Show in the saltwater reel category at iCast 2016, is the reintroduction of the heavy-duty reel that has become trusted by charter captains around the world. Slammer III reels feature a new IPX6 Sealed System, which keeps water out of the gear box and drag system in heavy spray and sea conditions. An updated Slammer Drag System now utilizes a proprietary Dura-Drag material. With the computer-controlled CNC gear technology system, the precision brass main, pinion and oscillation gears are individually machined for exact tolerances to provide the smoothest operation. Eight models of the Slammer III are available, ranging in size from 3500 to 10500 models. Gear ratios range from 6.2:1 with 37 inches of line retrieve on the smaller reels to 4.2:1 with 43 inches of line retrieve on the largest. Maximum drags start at 30lbs in the smaller models and run to 60lbs on the largest. The oversized reel handle grip gives the angler added control during the fight. The 3500 Slammer III is the smallest of the family weighing 13.9oz while the 10500 weighs 43.1oz.
WWW.PENNFISHING.COM
DANCO BAIT STIK Danco’s Bait Stik is the original rod and reel combo developed specifically for catching bait with a sabiki rig, and it is still the best. The rod in this combo is 7’3” and features two-piece construction with an extra-hard phenolic tip for superior strength and extreme sensitivity. Comfortable EVA grips and a gimbal butt with cover means anglers will be yanking bait from the water with ease. Anyone who has ever tried to store a sabiki rigs knows the frustration of attempting to keep them from becoming a tangled mess. With the Bait Stik, that is not a problem. While not in use, the sabiki rig can be safely and conveniently stored inside the rod, which is a huge plus. The combo comes with either a casting or spinning reel. The spinning reel comes with an anodized aluminum spool, a graphite body and rotor and an oversized eggshaped knob. The casting reel has an aluminum body and side covers, brass gearing and a star drag. Catching bait has never been so easy. When the bait tank is full, rinse everything down with fresh water, store the sabiki rig in the rod and forget about it. Look for the Danco Bait Stik in your tackle store.
WWW.SHAKESPEARE-FISHING.COM
OCEAN 2 RIVER TOURNAMENT COMBO
ZEBCO BIG CAT SERIES Zebco is launching an impressive offering of beefedup rods and reels called “Big Cat” to accommodate serious value-minded anglers who passionately pursue catfish. The spincast reels are built with a titanium nitride plated stainless steel spinnerhead to add durability and reduce friction. Big Cat XT conventional-style reels will likely be the top pick for the most avid trophy hunters from the Mississippi River to Santee Cooper and all waters in between. Two conventional reels will be offered. The Big Cat XT 30 conventional trolling reel will hold 455 yards of 30-pound test. The Big Cat XT 350 round baitcasting reel holds 200 yards of 20-pound test. Worth noting is that a headlamp handy for nighttime catfishing will be free to consumers who purchase rods and reels within the very affordable Big Cat and Big Cat XT series.
WWW.ZEBCO.COM
Ocean 2 River (O2R) Tournament spinning combos are designed to perform to the exacting standards of serious tournament anglers while standing up to the grueling conditions and treatment offered up by hard-core fishermen in the marine environment. The IM-7 fast action graphite rods come with Seaguide Atlas Performance aluminum oxide guides, comfortable cork split grips and a graphite reel seat with a cork inlay and cushioned stainless steel hoods. These rods combine strength with sensitivity and excellent casting power. They are available in medium and medium heavy weights to suit a range of line and lure weights. The reels feature a solid aluminum frame, graphite side covers and rotor and a double anodized aluminum spool to stand up to the saltwater environment. A 5.1:1 gear ratio is suitable for fishing a wide range of lures all day long without wearing out the angler’s wrists and hands. Stainless ball bearings and a comfortable oversized T-knob provide for longer casts, smoother drag runs and comfort while fighting fish. Look for the O2R combo and other fine Danco products in your tackle store.
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ON THE COVER
RHODAN INTRODUCES 72” SHAFT GPS GUIDED TROLLING MOTOR
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 The Florida Keys, Marathon
FREE
BIG BEND EDITION
The February edition of Coastal Angler Magazine features a cover image of Capt. James Platt with a 35-pound cobia he landed onboard a SeaVee boat about 10 miles out from Marathon’s Tarpon Creek Marina on the ocean side of the Florida Keys. The photo was provided by Capt. Chris Morrison of Keys Light Tackle Fishing Charters, who Local was fishing with Platt when they caught a limit of cobia, along with king mackerel, mangrove snapper and grouper. Morrison uses medium-heavy, Gary Loomis-designed Inshore Series rods from Temple Fork Outfitters along with 30-pound test Cortland Master Braid line to handle cobia and many species he targets in winter months. Home to the world-famous Seven Mile Bridge, Marathon is a group of tropical islands perfectly situated in the middle of the Florida Keys island chain. This ideal boating and family destination offers easy access to the Atlantic Ocean, Florida Bay, Everglades and Gulf of Mexico waters for an amazing diversity. Wintertime in the Florida Keys means anglers see large numbers of migratory fish such as cobia, king and Spanish mackerel, wahoo, sailfish and blackfin tuna pushed down from colder northern waters. Marathon is an excellent destination to base your Keys vacation for an unforgettable adventure. See writer John Steinhorst’s article on winter and early spring fishing out of Marathon in this month’s issue. Fishing Reports Catch Photos News & Events
VOLUME 22 • ISSUE 265
COASTALA NGLERMAG .COM
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THE ANGLER MAGAZINE Ice Fishing On Golden Pond, New Hampshire
WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA EDITION
FREE
This month’s cover image for The Angler Magazine was taken by Chuck Fritz on the ice at Squam Lake in Holderness, New Hampshire. Old Timers might remember the 1981 movie “On Golden Pond.” It was filmed on Squam Lake, and the most interesting storyline in the film had to be the cantankerous Local character Norman’s obsession with catching a humongous rainbow trout named Walter. Squam Lake looks a lot different with a layer of ice over it than it does in the movie, which was shot in the summer. The fishing is still good, though. Just ask Tim Moore, the ice fishing guide who was photographed for the cover with a pretty yellow perch he caught through a hole in the ice. The ice fishing season on Squam and nearby Lake Winnipesaukee generally runs from January through March each year, and anglers target giant white perch and lake trout as well as smallmouth bass, crappie, sunfish and yellow perch. If there’s anyone out there who knows where Walter is hiding after all these years, it has to be Tim. See Tim’s story inside this months issue and check out his website at www.timmooreoutdoors.com. Fishing Reports Catch Photos News & Events
VOLUME 22 • ISSUE 264
F R A N C H I S E
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MERCURY MARINE’S VESSELVIEW MOBILE AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD
M
ercury Marine’s VesselView Mobile app is now available for free download on the App Store and Google Play in North America. Available for iOS and Android mobile devices, including smartphones and tablets, the VesselView Mobile app instantly provides users access to their boat’s SmartCraft digital data in the palm of their hand. The product recently won a prestigious IBEX innovation award. The VesselView Mobile module, which is needed to fully utilize the app, is available for purchase at participating Mercury Marine dealers, from the VesselView Mobile app or on www.vesselviewmobile.com. The product is compatible with all Mercury SmartCraftcapable engines built since 2003. One module supports single through quad engine applications. SmartCraft is a fully integrated suite of digital technologies, including marine gauges, sensors, vessel systems and computercontrolled features, giving users a higher level of control over their boat’s propulsion and electrical systems. Now, with Mercury Marine’s VesselView Mobile, users can see SmartCraft engine data right on the screen of their mobile device. The app also includes useful new features such as Fuel Information, Maintenance Reminders, Mapping, Performance Summary, and Fault Code Diagnostics. VesselView Mobile makes preparing for and spending a day on the water easier, safer 14
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and more enjoyable by letting users perform the following functions from their mobile device: • Connect to the SmartCraft data network in your boat from your iOS or Android mobile device via BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy 4.0) • See SmartCraft engine parameters like engine hours, fuel burn, water temperature, battery voltage, RPM, etc. (parameters available are specific to each engine family). • Get fault code diagnostic information so you know and understand if that fault is something to be addressed when you return to the dock, or is more urgent. • Fuel Management provides accurate fuel usage data along with fuel remaining plus indicates time and distance to empty when the user enters fuel added via the app. • Locate your nearest Mercury Marine dealer • Get points of interest information for your body of water, including fuel and restaurant locations, and more • Record a moment on the water for future reference • Access checklists associated with your boating lifestyle • Get maintenance reminders and access historical maintenance information logs. Mercury Marine’s VesselView Mobile app also provides users with a Web-based account that gives them and their preferred dealer app and module will be on display at the 2017 an even deeper connection to their boat. The Miami International Boat Show.
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Core Concepts Make
Ice Fishing Easier By Tim Moore
S
pending hours on a frozen lake isn’t easy. Your body works overtime just to stay warm. Then, add the activity level that often accompanies ice fishing, such as drilling or chiseling holes and chasing tip up flags, and it can be downright exhausting. The degree of difficulty extreme cold temperatures add to fishing is what keeps most people from trying ice fishing. While there is a ton of gear designed to make ice fishing easier, core concepts, such as efficiency and mobility go a long way to make ice fishing easy enough for even the most warm blooded people. When you strengthen your core muscles with exercise, you train the rest of your 16
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muscles to work in harmony, which leads to better balance and stability. The same can be said for ice fishing. Exercising core concepts on a regular basis not only improves technique and lure control, but ice fishing actually becomes easier. The hottest new lures and trending techniques might catch a few fish, but they do little to improve your ability as an angler, especially when everything is frozen. Efficiency is arguably the foundation of any core. A highly efficient ice angler accomplishes more tasks in a shorter amount of time, and therefore catches more fish. Being efficient means eliminating unnecessary steps. Fewer steps means more time fishing, and more time fishing means more fish caught. Every second you spend with your line out of the water is time spent not catching fish. Efficiency begins off the ice. There are many things you can do before you leave your house that will make you more efficient. Start by leaving equipment and lures you won’t need at home. If you’re going fishing for panfish and you have larger rods mixed in with panfish rods, you will have extra gear to deal with on the ice. It doesn’t seem like a big deal until you’re fishing in subzero temperatures and the rods you need get tangled with the rods you don’t need. Rigging multiple rods with different lures before you leave your house will also reduce steps on the ice. Then you can cycle through pre-rigged rods rather than tie new jigs in the cold, wind or snow. Have you ever seen the deck of a tournament bass angler’s boat? They have many rods rigged with different lures so they don’t have to re-tie while they are fishing. The same goes for ice fishing, especially when it’s freezing out. The work you do at home pays off on the ice, but there is more you can do while fishing to make things easier, such as putting gear back in its place when you’re not using it. Then when you want to move you have less equipment to put away. Sometimes we are so
excited to get fishing that we tend to lay gear on the ice when we are done using it rather than put it back where it belongs. By the time we decide to move there is gear all over the place, which makes moving harder. The Godfather of modern ice fishing Dave Genz always says, “If it’s easy you’ll do it.” Focus on ways to make everything easier and you will be more productive. The little things add up. Just as backpackers try to shave ounces off their packs to make hiking easier, successful ice anglers are always trying to shave off unnecessary tasks to make fishing easier. The equipment you use also contributes to your efficiency. A Vexilar sonar flasher removes a lot of the guesswork. Figuring out if there are fish under you and their depth could take hours without a flasher. A sonar flasher is easy to use. It will instantly show you the entire water column including the bottom, your jig, and anything else that shows up under you, such as a fish. All in real time! Clam Outdoors makes a number of items specifically designed to make certain tasks easier on the ice. Prices range from a few dollars into the $1,000 range. The simple lowcost products often make a big difference. The Clam Can allows you to carry bait in your pocket. Not a big thing, but it makes a huge difference when it’s cold. Rod Slicks keep ice rods from getting tangled, and Fish Trap shelters get you out of the cold quickly and allow you to move around easier. The parts all have a sum that equals success. Mobility is another important core element of ice fishing. Mobility allows you to cover more water, which allows you to put your lure in front of more fish. Think of ice fishing the same way you do when open water fishing. We rarely head out onto the water and cast in the same spot over and over again. Ice fishing is no different. Every hole you drill is a cast. Make more casts and you’ll catch more fish. If you make a lot of casts in an area and don’t catch anything, move to another area and repeat. Give yourself a time limit, and don’t stay in the same area if you’re not catching fish. Ice Fishing doesn’t have to be cold and difficult. Core concepts that make ice fishing easier also make it more fun. Establish a routine and it will become second nature. By constantly thinking of ways to strengthen your core, you make ice fishing easier. Before you know it, you will be catching more fish than ever before. And who doesn’t love catching more fish? Tim Moore is a full-time licensed fishing guide in New Hampshire. He owns Tim Moore Outdoors and the New England Ice Fishing Academy. For more information visit www. TimMooreOutdoors.com. For more Tim Moore, go to
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WEST MICHIGAN Michigan Hard Water
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Local Fishing Reports - Rivers - Hard Water Catch Photos
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Expert advice from the areas top guides and charter boat captains Local Fishing Reports Catch Photos Tournaments & Events
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Photo courtesy of Mark Martin's Ice Fishing Vacation School – Houghton Lake
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hing Who's catc fish?
Pastor Larry with a nice public-water gill.
g caught Ed with a surprise kin ss Classic Ba e at St during the Mid on Muskegon Lake.
Steve and Kate double tea on a nice winter steelheadm while out with Capt. Larry Raney on the Big Manistee.
Connor shows off a quality pike caught on a tip-up.
For editorial comments, articles, photography, advertising, and all other inquiries please contact: The Angler Magazine West Michigan (616) 957-1714 • westmichigan@theanglermagazine.com • www.theanglermag.com/westmichigan
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Fish Tales Beth and Chase pull a steelhead double while out with Capt. Greg Knapp.
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f it's not broken, don't fix it...The Copper John has been a proven champion, so there's no need to reinvent the wheel. But this version is a steelhead variation that seems to work well. The CDC legs add a bit of movement, which steelhead have a hard time ignoring. The pair of Biot antennae creates a strong profile in dark, stained water. And its overall larger size is more appropriate for big steel. Fish this in tandem with an egg and get ready to fight!
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Rivers & Streams
Manistee River
REPORTS REPORTS & FORECASTS
& FORECASTS
Rivers & Streams
Manistee River Muskegon River Muskegon River C
older conditions have made their way into the Midwest, with snow accumulations making it look "a lot like winter”. Although water BY: L A R RY R A N E Y levels B Y : C A P T . J E F F B A C OandN temperatures have Y : C Guide A P TService . LARRY RANEY PremierBAngling dropped with the snow and B Y : J E F F B A C O N Michigan Fly Fishing Ventures colder weather patterns, fishing (231)Premier 477-5554Angling Guide Service Michigan Fly Fishing Ventures (616) 560-3195 is still good on the Muskegon (231) 510-5862 www.premieranglingguideservice.com River. The next month or so 616-560-3195 www.westmichiganflyfishing.com www.premieranglingguideservice.com should fish well for both steelwww.westmichiganflyfishing.com head and resident rainbow and brown trout. inter steelheading idwinter finds Michigan anglers faced with two options for fishing Fishing for resident rainbow and watching the anuary brings thoughts during the colder months. Hit the hard water for some ice fishing and brown trout has beenorexceptional this fall and early winter. Aft er the fl oods of last the MuskegonRiver River floats drop is what is on of the first steelhead befind the open water for some winter river fishing.spring, The Muskegon water levels and temperature above average flows and sustained belowDam averagedown temperatures over most ofthe the the agenda for February hasstayed the open water in option! From Croton past Newaygo, ing caught in the New Year summer and as a result, trout had a chance to fatten up…and they did! Th e huge salmon runs from this fall allowed on the Big Manistee River. Muskegon River has ample open water for winter fishing for anglers in here on the Manistee. This trout to pack on more weight in anticipation of the colder monthsand ahead. The fishing has been good pursuit of both resident rainbow brown trout, as well as steelhead that is a time of solitude on the This month will find the thatover are currently in the river system relocating to different parts of the river for the most part. We've aresteelhead wintering in the river. river, sometimes you can go seen a good number of for a better "lies"— places where theyboth can comfortably up light to feedspin and conserve energy. Thanglers e residentcan brown and With fly fishingpost and tackle setups, catch for days not seeing another fish around all winter. It rainbow trout will find their lies given as well day, and continue to strap on drastic the feedbag in preparation for theoften colder fishwinter on any however quick, changes in weather boat or bank angler. It seems slows down a bit here and fluctuations impact of months. Lake run brown come trout arewith nowsignificant in the river system and morein arebarometric sure to follow.pressure. Some haveThe already spawned; like your own private parathere, but that's typical of a change in barometric others will do so in the weeks ahead. dise most of the time. The winter fishing. The fish bite pressure Swinging in winter is Both the fly fisher and light spin angler are catching steelhead using a variety of techniques. streamers weather can be the deciding is good when the weather severe,andascovering the with sinking or sink tip lines, on one and two handed fly rods are getting some fish to more net, but patience factor some days by awatching is stable. Theybutget little the weather forecast and from high water is critical to the swing. Floating line+indicator rigs are good options as well change when fishing pocket watertoor planning fishing day fronts around warm ups, you can make cranky your during cold low pressure or runs that don't require too long of a cast. Deeper water drift fishing, a.k.a. "chuck-n-duck", is best when fishingvisa very itbut happen. Waterlike temperatures in the winter months on the if you to catch versa,Thisosemore drastic long, deep runs and troughs where getting flies down and keeping them down is required. spey casting two Big range from 32deal to 35 with degreesit.on average. As an angler, you steelhead you when colder out. handed rods are doing so with 11-15' long, 8-9 weight rods, with heavy fl oating/Skagit lines and sink tips from 10haveFloat to think a fishing little differentwith this time of the year. With the The most common 15'through long. Fliesthe for swinging are wide open to one’s imagination and river conditions.approaches Big, gaudy streamers in rich centerpin reels and float rods is a common practice for us to river water temperatures so low the fish tend to slow down and and vibrant colors are also getting looks by fish. Use both "chuck-n-duck" and floatingfishing line+indicator rodsof with 7-8 winter months. Fishing floats youLook to fish this time year get lethargic. You should do the sameenables as an angler. for the slower snaggy runs weights, inuse 9-10+' lengths, with 6-10# test line. Egg flies-beads, nymphs, and very smallisminnow patterns are options that steelhead like to live in when the water temps are cold. We a to fish slower water, slow woody runs and pools, slow current seams, and current oating linetorigs and chuck-n-duck. variety of deep baitscut under floats but most a trout beadfor inflnatural with good winter lies seams along banks.our Places the steelhead candays get out done, aseither well asfly floatgear fishing out colorsand ornot spawn insoa hard. couple of different shadesFor arethe ourlight go tackle spin angler, bottom bouncing beads, flies, or bait is getting it with orofmilked the main currents have totied work floating beads, flies, or bait under bobbers. Best setups for bottom bouncing spin gearlight rigs is 9-10' med action rods. to’s. Anglers should not overlook yarn flies, nymphs and a jig and wax spin tackle. Fly We fish these type of spots with floats. Whether it being worms either. Same flies can be used with spin gear as fly gear….bugs bugs, the nymphing fish don't knowinwhat kind of setupofyou're using! fishing options include are indicator slower parts tailouts with a floating line and fly rod, float rod and center pin reels, Steelhead are big trouts that grow up eating bugs while theyAsarewater young temperaturesordrop, fish will look for slower Reduce the sizestripped of your offwhile ering inonslower fishing streamers, eithermoving on thewater. swing or slowly the or gear.systems Fishing a before float of some sort enables to Michigan for the first inspinning our river heading to theyou Lake move. Anglers can fish the same waterwillwith spin tackle, however moving water. Line choices can range from 6-10# test, water color/clarity help light one decide. control the depth and speed of your offering to these fish.adult life in the lake and time. They continue to eat bugs through their floating and nymph or bait under bobbers thebelow best route Locations to seek out for fishing eggs fall steelhead and lakeimitations run brown trout include most all waterisfrom Croton Th e offin erings fly anglers be an egg be they commonly eat are back the for rivers when should they return. Thepattern, nymphs welake getrun thebrown occasional break theCroton weather us with Dam, down to Muskegon,for butthat. a bulkAs of the activity has beenin from Damthat downfinds to Newaygo. As itcaddis trout bead or yarn and a nymph of issome sort. with Hex's,them, but small mayflies because theegg Manistee River loaded 20 to mid 30 air temperatures, many anglers will site, focus their efforts for resident trout, focus onupper the water from Croton Dam, down past the Th ornapple Rd access down to Newaygo. Green Caddis,are Pheasant Tails and Buggers my preferred and stones also abundant. Thesearebugs all work, but I believe is harddrop off considerably on fishingonce the you warmest part of the day, which is in the 11 am to 4 pm time Trout itnumbers get below Newaygo. patterns. Center pin and spinning gearof junkies want to by. for the steelhead to pass an egg somemay sort floating Winter fly fishing for frame. trout with floating line and indicator rigs is producing some rocky mountain caliber fish thinkFebruary about spawn, wigglers or jigs and waxweworms is also the month that starttotoget seeit some of our early spring the tocabin fever the need for some and will be a great option for Should those looking keep lines wetget hereto andyou thereand throughout the winter months."hydroThe next fish entering the rivers so with the winter fish that have been around and done. therapy" comes up, touch base, I'll fill the propane tanks for the heaters, month should fi sh well for both steelhead and resident rainbow and brown trout. Some of the largest trout I’ve seen new ones showing up it can make for some good times. There are plenty No reason to rush out first thing in the morning, sleep in and we'll head out for a half-day on the river. Most of my clients take in years have come to hand over the past few weeks. I will be targeting both during my half day, winter special trips. of winter activities in ee. Michigan advantage of my Winter Special that is a half-day outing that many and and have an extra cup of coff Most daysto thedo biteand is bestsome from cool places to do them Check myiswebsite for more trip detailsbeat www.westmichiganfl shing.com. but in my mind being on one of our river systems chasing steelhead the can often scheduled only ayfifew days out. Most winter trips will be in late morning to early afternoon. Remember think slow and I hope everyone had athe greatCroton holiday season and welcome 2014!Looking forward to some great fishing in coolest winter activity we have. If you would like to get out and enjoy a and Newaygo areas. get out and enjoy one of Michigan's hidden winter activities, day on the Big Manistee us a shout. Tight lines and high fives! 2017 and getting back out with many of my fishing friends! winter steelheading here on thegive Big Manistee.
W
J
M
Guided River Fishing www.WestMichiganFishingGuide.com
CAPTAIN JEFF BACON Phone: 616-560-3195 Email: jrbacon@ameritech.net WEST MICHIGAN WEST4MICHIGAN 8
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FEBRUARY 2017
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JANUARY 2014 1/17/17 7:56 PM
Rivers & Streams
Upper Pere Marquette
REPORTS & FORECASTS
RoguePere RiverMarquette A
Grand River
lthough I no longer live on a farm, I still read the Farmers’ Almanac and put faith in BY: J E F F H U B B A R D their forecasts. This year they seem to be dead on, as they predicted our winter to be a real one with Outfitters North Guide Service colder temperatures and snow that seems to be (231) 898-6246 BY: G R E G K N A P P H U for B Ba while. A R DThese conditions have caused B Y : G L E N R . B L A CBKYW: OJOEDF Fstaying the Rogue River to produce both shelf and anchor www.outfittersnorth.com Getting Bit Guide Service Outfitters Guide Service The Great Lakes Fly Fishing Company North ice and in some sections completely freeze shut. 616-570-2946 (231) River 898-6246 anglers have a couple of choices, the obvi(616) 866-6060 www.gettingbitguideservice.com ous, go ice fishing, (you will never land a fish staywww.troutmoor.net www.outfittersnorth.com appy Holidays to everyone! Winter sure hit early this year, with single digit teming home) or make the best of a tough scenario. I peratures in the evenings and teens during the day. The Pere Marquette River choose to make the best of what Mother Nature e br u ar y temperature and water level are really starting to drop. We're starting to see shelf ice and has created. To make the best of these tough condiis one of my anchor ice in some of the middle sections of the river system. tions one mustmonths look to maximize time on the water and fish in a productive fashion. We can do favorite As winter progresses look for steelhead fishing to slow down a bit. Instead of an allof year. Spring thisthe by preparing our equipment. day bite you will start to get short windows of action throughout the day, usually in the is just around the The constant issue that we face is cold air and water temperatures. How we deal with this corner, andwillthat afternoon as water temperatures start to warm. Nymphs will also start to be a key fly to limiting factor determine our success. Looking at equipment first, most tackle designers means wildthatsilver use this time of year. When the water temperatures really start to drop steelhead and never dream someone is going to be using their rods and reels in sub 30 degree air steelhead be issue anglers experience is reels and lines freezing, along with ice resident trout are looking for whatever they can get as far as an easy meal. Hex Nymphs, temperatures.will A common entering the So Pere Stone Flies and small Hares Ear's or Pheasant Tails can start to produce. Eggs will also buildup in guides. how do we deal with this issue? To prevent freezing issues with reels, before Marquette River. By work well. Try small Clown Eggs and Nukes in more natural colors. For Swinging Flies try your next winter trip, clean both your reel frame and spool completely. Remove any excess oil or now cabin fever has more natural colors too, with less flash as the water clears. Sculpins in olive or brown can grease from both, as well as any dirt. A little lubrication goes a long way with modern reels and set in for all of us produce in the winter. Check out my site for some go-to patterns, www.outfittersnorth. any additional lubricant will begin to solidify, causing a binding eff ect between your spool and here in Michigan. com. Remember trout Beads are not flies and are illegal in the Flies Only Water. frame, leading to freezing. Dirt and sand will trap moisture also causing premature freezing of You can only tie so You can find fish throughout the whole river system. The fish are now starting to your reel.flies, Upon fiwatch nishing your angling day, bring your reels inside, remove the spool from the many use their winter runs and pools. Look for fish in much slower deeper runs with wood reel frame and allow both to completely dry and warm. so many football structure to hide them. You can find this type of water in any stretch of the Pere Marquette, Another this time of the year is ice buildup in guides. There is no good way to stop games and issue movies. however because of thecan weather; access will more difficult untilfish spring. Play it this, butallthere are ways negate itinhappening rapidly.and Try the placing fly floatant, cooking spray, or We're ready for atochange the weather outdoor season. he Grand River go either waybecome in February; it can really safe at the boat ramps and while wading the river. Practice catch and release on wild If the isn't tofrozen, the ice fishing can good. have Vaseline on river your guides negate rapid buildup. Willbethese stop Anglers it completely? No,not but they good, or the water conditions can make it tough. If we have stablePere Marquette If theyon don't to spawn, we don't get to hook any inwell the for future. pressured winter asHappiest much and if the water is up, new spring fish will keep youthe in the game fish longer. of Holidays! weather withsteelhead. open water thegetGrand River, it usually fishes are starting to enter the river. You will find a majority of these fish in slow Good luckItand Happy Holidays! steelhead. is definitely a river that you have to play it by ear when
H
F
T
pools and runs. If they have wood in them or some debris, it will be even better. Nymphing works well this time of year for hooking these steelhead in cold water. Fishing a floating line and indicator rig is a must in your tackle bag this time of year. You need to slow your drift down; steelhead are not too aggressive when the water is cold and clear. Nymphs that will work well for these steelhead in the Pere Marquette are stoneflies, hex's, green caddis, or rockworm patterns. I like fishing a nymph and egg flies on my winter set up. For egg's, I like running clown eggs and smaller nukes, but it all depends on water clarity this time of year. The dirtier the river is, the bigger brighter egg you want to run. With clear, cold water you will want to use more natural color's in smaller sizes. Swinging flies takes a lot of patience this time of year. Enticing a steelhead to take fly on the swing in the winter with its cold water can be quite difficult. I have learned to run a smaller heavier fly to slow your swing down. This will hopefully entice them to take. If you are interested in some steelhead or trout fishing on the Pere Marquette River, contact me at outfittersnorth.com. Don't forget to like us on Facebook!
planning on fishing during the heart of winter. One day it can be clear of ice and the next you have ice flows from one bank to the other. Some of the more popular areas to fish are below the 6th Street dam, and below Webber dam, both of these areas have good shore access and are temporary stopping points for migratory fish. With the higher water we had this fall the upper Grand River above 6th Street has fished better than normal this year. Anglers can take winter fish on the Grand River like any other river on a variety of baits. Float fishing is a popular method to use for steelhead. Try floating eggs, jigs, waxworms, beads, or wigglers for some action. Plug fishing can be a good way to wake up those cold water steelhead when they do not want to bite anything else. Try trolling or back trolling plugs such as Mag Lips, Flat Fish, Kwikfish, Hot n Tots, Wiggle Warts, or Willys Worms. Casting and retrieving spinners, spoons, or crankbaits can work wonders when correctly presented. Work your baits slow and close to the bottom when fishing hardware. Bottom bouncing spawn or wobble glos works well, put just enough weight on so you are barely ticking bottom now and then.
FLY of THE MONTH Beaddazzled Stone
T
BY PHIL CUSEY
Materials
his is a great winter stone fly imitation! The rubber leg tail provides greater movement in the water. Using beads for the body gives a wonderful segmented profile and the dubbed head traps air and hence releases "bubbles" when fished. Be sure and adjust size; smaller for trout and larger for steelhead. Enjoy the solitude of winter fishing!
FLY NAME: "Beadazzled Stone" HOOK: Tiemco 2457 - Sz.12- 8 THREAD: Uni 6/0 Black TAIL: Round rubber - Black - Small BODY: Spirit River glass bead - Iridescent Plum HEAD: UV Dubbing- Peacock
When Phil Cusey isn't guiding, he can be reached at streamertwo@sbcglobal.net. JANUARY 2014 367_WM_16.indd 5
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Rivers & Streams
REPORTS & FORECASTS
Kalamazoo River B Y: C A P T. S TA C Y C H U PA I LO River Hunter Charters (616) 502-4657
W
e have been fishing mainly the bayous on the Grand and some fishing on Muskegon and White Lake. Mill House has been good with anglers catching steady limits almost every day. That is until we hit the first thaw and the river came up to flood the bayous. Bruce's has also been good on the Grand and Snug Harbor in Muskegon. White Lake almost always starts at Wesley's Marina at first ice and then we move west to the deeper flats towards the Lions Den mid-winter. For pike, we are fishing the same areas. With the gills and crappies already there, the pike is not far behind. The best baits have been glow jigs with either wax worms or spikes. Gold has also been catching a lot of fish in the 3mm Tungsten. Pike have been coming on tip-ups with either shiners or suckers. The forecast for February should be that we start heading for deeper water after the shallow water starts to get too cold. When the water gets down into the lower 30's, the fish start to head for deeper water for better oxygen. As long as mother nature stays cold, we can start to hit the deep flats and start to chase some perch and get into some of that walleye fishing also. Get out and experience the great fishing we have here in West Michigan and make sure you know the ice conditions before you hit the lake. Good luck and good fishing.
nting p:
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Inland Lakes
F
REPORTS & FORECASTS
Northwest Area
or the anglers searching for perch and panfish, the thicker ice has perch more accustomed to darker B Y: C A P T. B E N W O L F E days, and the perch seem Sport Fish Michigan to be willing to bite almost all day long. Species like (877) 442-4294 crappies and bluegill will www.sportfishmichigan.com also bite throughout the day, but it seems that the bigger ones are feeding at first light and last light, which is their typical norm. Anglers should keep in mind that what is first light and last light to us is different under a foot or so of snow and ice. There may be as much as close to an hour difference for the sunlight to penetrate through to the bottom in the mornings. Small lead or tungsten jigs tipped with spikes or wax worms work well for all panfish species, and perch love wigglers or minnows presented on a perch rig. Some days, jigs out produce the perch rigs for big jumbos, and other days it’s the other way around. For anglers wanting to fill a limit of jumbo 10+ inch perch, it’s best to have a small variety of offerings to see what the fish want on any particular day. An accurate flasher or a unit like the new Humminbird Ice Helix units will help to decipher what is happening below the ice as fish often inspect a bait before being tempted into biting. Underwater cameras can also be a great tool to not only watch bites visually, but also to inspect the bottom for structure and scan for life below! Walleyes bit very well in January, and are a bit slower to bite now that we are in February. First and last light with a jigging spoon or Rapala jigging rap can be deadly for those fish actively feeding. Fish tend not to move too far this time of year, and a good lake chart like the Lakemaster Lake maps can be critical in finding underwater contours that could hold fish. During the mid-winter lull, often downsizing an offering will pay dividends, turning lookers into biters. A minnow head tipped on the down treble can be the scent needed to tempt finicky fish. A good sonar like the Humminbird Ice Helix or a flasher can help to get more bites as anglers can try to “tease” a fish into biting by raising the bait and then lowering it. Sonars and flashers will give anglers immediate feedback on whether the fish is responding to various techniques. A Dead-stick approach like tip-ups or a dead-stick rod can also be another great approach, where these presentations will allow walleyes and pike to run with the bait. This also allows anglers to try a variety of depths, in search of fish. We at Sport Fish Michigan would like to encourage anglers to get out onto the ice, but to first check ice reports for current conditions. With the varied temperatures, the ice has been in flux for most of January, and despite it being February, no assumptions should be made as to safe ice. Get out, enjoy fantastic fishing, and stay warm, safe, and dry!
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FEBRUARY 2017
PRIMARY FEEDING TIMES February 2017 Phases:
Date
Feb 4 First Quarter
Feb 11 Full Moon
Morning
Feb 18 Last Quarter
Feb 26 New Moon
Evening
(EST)
Minor
Major
Minor
Major
1
9:43AM
3:05AM
10:25PM
3:30PM
2
10:17AM
3:55AM
----
4:20PM
3
11:33PM
4:46AM
10:52AM
5:13PM
4
12:42AM
5:39AM
11:30AM
6:07PM
5
1:51AM
6:35AM
12:14PM
7:03PM
6
2:58AM
7:32AM
1:04PM
8:01PM
7
4:01AM
8:30AM
1:59PM
9:00PM
8
4:59AM
9:29AM
3:01PM
9:58PM
9
5:50AM
10:26AM
4:06PM
----
10
6:35AM
10:54PM
5:13PM
11:21AM
11
7:14AM
11:47PM
6:19PM
12:13PM
12
7:48AM
12:38AM
7:24PM
1:02PM
13
8:20AM
1:26AM
8:27PM
1:49PM
14
8:50AM
2:12AM
9:27PM
2:34PM
15
9:18AM
2:57AM
10:27PM
3:19PM
16
9:47AM
3:41AM
----
4:03PM
17
11:25PM
4:25AM
10:19AM
4:47PM
18
12:22AM
5:09AM
10:52AM
5:32PM
19
1:18AM
5:55AM
11:28AM
6:19PM
20
2:13AM
6:42AM
12:10PM
7:06PM
21
3:05AM
7:30AM
12:56PM
7:55PM
22
3:54AM
8:20AM
1:47PM
8:45PM
23
4:40AM
9:10AM
2:44PM
9:35PM
24
5:21AM
10:01AM
3:44PM
10:26PM
25
6:00AM
10:52AM
4:49PM
----
26
6:37AM
11:17PM
5:55PM
11:42AM
27
7:11AM
12:08AM
7:04PM
12:33PM
28
7:44AM
12:59AM
8:14PM
1:24PM
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eb 26 w Moon
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GREAT RATES, GREAT LOCATION!
THE LOG LODGE
Tustin, Michigan Hey Anglers! This custom built vacation rental is just a few miles from the Pine River and the Manistee River. It’s the perfect cabin for your trout opener or spring steelhead run.
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Learning to Ice Fish BY: TAM S TA F F
Mark Martin’s 2017 Ice fishing vacation school season kicked off at Houghton Lake in January. Mark provides the opportunity for ice fisherman, whether, new, novice, or even seasoned, the opportunity to learn the latest techniques and equipment. A typical class begins with a half day seminar with Mark and his pro staff going over, safety, presentation techniques, equipment, and lures. Then for 3 days each student will fish with Mark and his pro staff to apply what they have learned each day. What makes this such a great learning experience is everyone including the pro staff are willing to share their many years of knowledge at any time on the ice. The only competition is who can learn the most and apply it. After each day on the ice, the staff and students will share their day’s successes and failures, usually more successes than failures. The day I fished, everyone caught multiple species. Mark creates a great learning experience that ensures that you will leave with actionable knowledge to
use on your next ice-fishing trip. If you ever get the chance to take the class, I encourage you to bring a note pad and pen, so you can capture the wealth of knowledge offered. You won’t be disappointed. Of course this would not be possible without the great host, Houghton Lake Visitors Bureau, who rolled out the red carpet for Mark’s school, along with many sponsors, like Lymans on the Lake, H & H Fireworks, The Beachfront Hotel, Bucillie’s Pizza and Zone 18 Bar & Grill. The students were able to successfully implement many techniques they learned to catch some great fish. Student, Gary Churnitsky was awarded Most Improved Fisherman for the school. Voted by Mark and his pro staff. Well done Gary! Mark will have two more schools this ice fishing season, Saginaw Bay, February 5th-8th, and a location and date yet to be determined. If interested, contact Mark by visiting his website www.fishingvacationschool.com
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Gary showing off the walleye he caught while attending Mark Martin's Ice Fishing Vacation School on Houghton Lake.
FEBRUARY 2017
WEST MICHIGAN 11
1/17/17 7:56 PM
HARD Water
REPORTS & FORECASTS
Ludington
Traverse City
B Y: C A P T. S E A N M C D O N A L D
BY: R U S S MA D D I N
Katch Me Charters
(231) 633-6464
(231) 510-2072
www.centurycircle.com
G
I
ce season is well under way, and many of the areas lakes are producing decent catches of panfish. Most of the action is taking place on the outsides of the weed edges in 12-16 feet of water (FOW). Jigs tipped with euro tackle mummy worms, plastics, or spikes all have been producing. Perch action has been up and down on lakes like Little Glen, Skegmog, and Portage although anglers can take some decent fish. Look for the higher barometric pressure days for perch, save the lows for bluegill, and crappie. Simple slip bobber rigs with minnows or willow blade style spoons like Tricky Ricky's tipped with a waxworm or a minnow work great. Tip-ups or tip downs are great tools for fishing shallow perch lakes as well as on large flats. For deeper zones try euro tackle prizm stix or Hali jigs or a simple spreader rig. Some of the next level lakes are hardening up South Lake Leelanau, Long, and the chain of lakes by Ellsworth. These are all great walleye and pike lakes. Used tip-ups as they can increase your range and field of depth. Vary depths off bottom as well as bait choice and overall set up for pike and walleye. Don't run all blue minnows 1' off the bottom in 16 FOW run a gray in 25' 2' off the bottom and a sucker in 12' get my drift especially on larger bodies of water. Up here I usually save the jigging for prime time and in shallower water from 16-30 FOW. Good luck on the ice and always stay on top.
o deep is the name of the game for midwinter bluegills and crappie. We've had ice since midDecember, and oxygen levels in the lake are low. The fish will start to move out of the dying weeds now. Look for the deepest part of the lake and use your electronics to find schools of suspended fish. Keep jigging just above the school of crappie, and they will come up and take your jig and waxworm/spike or plastic tail. For perch, I have seen them leave the deep water and head East toward the river mouths on the full moon in February to start their spawning migration either up the river or in shallower water. This applies to walleye in the area as well. This year the full moon is the 10th of February, and it will be interesting to see if it happens then or during the full moon in March. Good luck on the ice and I’m glad we are having an ice-fishing season this year!
West Michigan Waterfront & Hunting Land Realtor
Hunting Muskegon, Pere Marquette, White, and Little Manistee Rivers plus many wonderful lakes
(231) 510-2072 View my listings at
Sean McDonald
Homewaters.net
West Michigan www.facebook.com/theanglermagazinewestmichigan 12 WEST MICHIGAN
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1/17/17 7:56 PM
Grand Rapids Area BY: C H A S T H O M P S O N MI Ice Guys
(616) 953-0423
www.MIIceGuys.com
W
e finally got some ice on most of the lakes in January, but the fish bite was light. Then it rained, then froze, and rained, and froze. We had first ice on some lakes three times. I have not put away the early ice safety equipment. The throw rope and ice picks are still coming out every trip, and in case you get wet don't forget the dry sweats and slippers. Fortunately most lakes only lost the edges during the rains. The bluegills are slightly suspending over low weed beds. Smaller jigs with live bait seem to be the ticket. We have had great success on real fine small plastics on #16 & #14 jigs. We even got some World Ice Fishing Championship (WIFC) practice in with our palm rods. The crappie seems to be mixing in with the gills. Grubs and spikes have both been producing. I have spoken with anglers who have seen pike on both tip-ups and spear holes that have been of medium size. Crappies are biting and have not been moving around too much. Soon you should find them suspended over some deep holes. Smaller lakes with saddles or basins have been holding medium-size schools. We found it very productive to change holes every couple of fish or if you put a small one back. They seem to be less timid if you don't fish the hole out. Jewel tipped jigs with #14 & #12, garnished with a bright plastic grub during the day have worked well. Use the GPS and a free app on your smartphone to record the spot when you find them. They haven’t been hitting real hard on the bite, but if you can detect them sucking it in by the slack in the line, you will be into a limit in no time. I was able to get the glow jigs with a glow plastic working for the first hour of dark on a couple of trips in January. The addition of a LED light bar on my hopper bucket made it real easy to give them a UV charge on every up. Palm rods have become part of the arsenal on days when the fish are really finicky. There is a real art to learning to hand line and pitch the rod to keep the line from tangling. If you check out YouTube and other online resources you can watch some really talented USA Ice Team anglers handling them with ease. Try out those super small jigs and have some fun getting fish when no one else is catching. Safe ice seems to be prevalent, but always use a walking spud when heading out onto an unfamiliar lake. I recommend keeping a 5-yard comfort zone between you and anyone not in your group out of courtesy; sometimes the quiet is as pleasing as the catch. Please remember to share ice conditions on http://www.miiceguys.com/report-ice and observe limits and rules. Be a Great Michigan Sportsman!
The Lure That Swims Green Ghost
•GLOWS for up to 3 hours! •Perfect for ice fishing •Works with soft baits! • 2 hooks Included •Made in USA
Actual Photo
Scan this code to see the lure in action at www.keweenawtc.com COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THE ANGLERMAG.COM
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A Time to Fish Fast
If there was ever a season to move around often while in search of feeding fish, this is it. BY: MA R K MA RT I N
This is the time of year I like to call “middle season”. No, it is not the middle of ice-fishing season, but the time of transition between early ice and mid-winter. To tell you the truth, it can be a difficult time period to pinpoint just where in any waterway a walleye might be roaming. After all, it's no longer first ice, when fish are congregated in the shallows, as well it's not yet the end, when fish are heading towards their spawning grounds; it's smack-dab right in between the in-between. And so, too the walleyes are in-between their normal early- and mid-season haunts. Thus, if there was ever a time to move around often while in search of feeding fish, this is it. And that's just what I do this time of year because the location of fish tend to be scattered more now than ever In short: I fish; I move; I fish some more; then I move again and so on and so on. And if all works out as planned, there is catching going on in each spot I stop and fish, as well. Know Where to go First Who, me? Just wandering all over the frozen surface of a lake, boring holes any ol' where when I'm ice fishing? Um... No. Not even close. As with every other time I go fishing, I have a plan well before taking that first step onto the ice. On lakes I already know the lay of the underwater land by heart, my pre-thought-out program might be all by memory. On bodies of water I have never or rarely fished before, however, I prepare by looking at a hard copy of a hydrographic (underwater) map beforehand. 14 WEST MICHIGAN
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But in either case, I always have electronics with me at all times, including a GPS and mapping program. Now, it's not like I'm not going to be drilling an overabundance of holes. Instead, just a small number of holes over the right spots. Contrary to today, during my days of youth and before the advent of today's modern electronics, much more of my time during fishing trips was dedicated to creating holes to fish from rather than actually fishing in them. Before GPS and the like, I had to drill, or worse yet, use a spud to chisel out a whole lot of holes just so I could figure out how deep it was underneath me. And that meant pinching on a a plummet (heavy lead “sinker” that clips onto your line or lure), lowering it to bottom, closing my reel's bail and then walk backward with rod in hand until the weight popped up and out of the hole. Then I would measure the amount of line out to figure out the depth under me. Time consuming, to say the least, not to mention I spooked a lot of fish while making so much commotion. Today, on the other hand, with the aid of a Lowrance Hook-5 Ice Machine and an SD card filled with Navionics mapping, I am able to know exactly how deep it is underneath me well before starting up my StrikeMaster power auger and boring a hole. And, man, does this ever allow me more time fishing than preparation these days, especially when hopping hole to hole in search of scattered fish is the way to go. Seeing is Believing Although my goal this time of year is to drill as many holes as I can muster, where I choose to bore them is not as at random as it would seem. Every hole I make I want to make sure is as close to structure as possible. This means I want to be fishing right tight to weeds, wood or rock— especially if these aforementioned structures are adjacent to points with deep water nearby, as these are where bait fish and aquatic insects that predator fish feed on will be most often. If I happen to drill a hole directly over structure, then of course it's going to be easy to see with my Lowrance sonar. But sometimes being along the edge of structure is better than being right on top of it. And how I can tell I am fishing with structure nearby is with a MarCum underwater camera. All it takes is lowering the camera down near bottom and then spinning it around until I see cover. There's an on-screen Relative Direction
Arrow that shows on the 8-inch screen of my MarCum Recon 5 Plus Underwater Viewing System that shows me which way the camera is pointed, and which allows me to know what direction I need to move in case my hole is too far away from cover. This, too, is a time saver and allows me even greater accuracy when pinpointing locations when ice fishing. Heavy Thoughts I tend to use larger, heavier lures, tipped with either live bait or fake, during the fishing trips I am hopping hole to hole. This lets me get my offering down through the water column and into a fish's strike zone faster. And the bigger offering is an easy target for the most aggressive fish in the area to attack before I move on again. Weighty spoons such as a 1/2-ounce or larger Northland Buck-Shot Rattle Spoon or 3/8-ounce Fish-Fry Minnow Spoon are some of my holehopping go-to lures, as is a size-7 or bigger Rapala Jigging Rap. Overall, it is a rare occasion I will lower a lure down without tipping it with either live bait or fake. With either style lure, I always tip their hook with either a lively minnow fresh from my insulated Frabill minnow bucket, or, a 3- to 4-inch Northland Impulse Smelt Minnow. Both live bait and Impulse have the scent walleyes prefer. Tie One On By far the best line I have found for vertical jigging is a superline. It has an ultra-thin diameter and extremely low stretch, which allows my lures their best action, as well superior sensitivity. Generally, I use10-pound test along with a foot-long leader of 8-pound-test fluorocarbon. I connect the leader to the mainline with a tiny ball-bearing swivel, and use a tiny snap for connecting my lure to the leader line. Although I suggest giving any lure an aggressive up-and-down jigging motion so as to grab the attention of fish from afar, I do believe an angler can give too much action if not careful. What works best for me is a quick, aggressive lift of the rod tip, but no more than a foot. I also like to lower the rod tip fast so as to give the lure its best flutter on the fall. And although I frequently fish assertively when jigging, the hit from even the biggest walleye is often so light that it can go unnoticed. Just remember to set the hook on anything that feels abnormal; that is, anything that feels different than the other lift and falls of your lure. Do so and you'll be surprised at how many more fish you hook throughout the day. Hop to It Looking to land more walleyes through the ice this winter? Just move around more during this “middle season” and chances are you will. Drill your holes close to structure, use large, heavy lures tipped with either live bait or fake. And set the hook on anything that feels out of the norm. You'll catch fish. More than likely more than ever before. Mark Martin is a touring walleye tournament angler and instructor with the Ice-Fishing Vacation/ School. Check out his website at markmartins.net for more information about Mark, the school and links to all the products listed in this article.
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Church Tackle Co. WE DIDN’T INVENT THE PLANER BOARD, WE JUST PERFECTED IT!
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This clip may be mini but when it comes to holding power it’s second Hole for drop weights only to it’s big brother, the original Lock-Jaw! Holds mono, super or other applications braids, power pro, lead core or copper lines without damaging the line! The Mini Lock-Jaw fits The Walleye Board, TX-44, TX-22, TX-12 & TX-6 Replaceable planer boards, but we recommend the full size Lock-Jaw for the TX-44. Pad The Mini Lock-Jaw is designed to fit other side planers, drop weights and Locator holes for 1 7/8” Long works for many other applications. attaching 1/2” Wide WE DIDN’T INVENT CLIPS, to side-planers Part# 40620, 2pk Color - yellow Replacement Pads part# 40701 6/pk WE HAVE PERFECTED THEM!
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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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Store devise easily attaches to the Walleye Board, TX-44 & TX-22 side planers. Slide the tow-arm off for storage or change to another tow-arm & clip then slide back on when you’re ready to fish again. Part# 40519 sold 2 per package 1 left & 1 right 2 Special -2 ckle Co. Sodus, M rch Ta I TX Chu hurchtackle.com www.c LEFT
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TOURNAMENT & EVENTS
FEBRUARY NORTH AMERICAN SNOW FESTIVAL CADILLAC February 2nd – 4th, 2017
The festivities are BACK downtown into the newly renovated Cadillac Commons space. Unique winter events: Snow drone racing, Silent Disco, Ferris Wheel & Hot Air Balloon, Family concerts and outdoor movie, fireworks, Winter Market, aerial snow art/community photo & much more.
GETTIN' JIGGY FISHING TOURNAMENT LUDINGTON (Pere Marquette Expeditions) February 18th, 2017
Contact Pere Marquette Expeditions for details (231) 845-7285.
FREE FISHING WEEKEND
February 18 & 19th, 2017 For both days, all fishing licenses will be waived, but fishing regulations still apply. Visit http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/ for more information.
MARCH STEELHEAD CLINIC CADILLAC
List your tournament here! Send your event details to westmichigan@theanglermagazine.com
March 25, 2017
The Carl T. Johnson Hunting and Fishing Center proudly hosts the DNR Outdoor Skills Academy’s Steelhead Clinic. Visit www.michigan.gov/huntfishcenter for more information.
Now Booking Winter Steelhead & Ice Fishing Trips 877-442-4294
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1/17/17 7:57 PM
UNDER THE SEA
r spread SPEARGUN SELECTION
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SHERI DAYE
peargun selection is one of the most hotly debated topics on spearfishing forums. Fortunately, there are many great brands nowadays – such as Wong, AB Biller, Riffe, Hammerhead, Cressi, SEAC, Mares, Rob Allen, Koah, Mako, JBL and more. Over the last century, spearfishing equipment has evolved from very simple muscle-powered slings and polespears, made with wood and rubber bands, to the modern-day spearguns equipped with a trigger mechanism and more exotic materials. Interestingly, slings and polespear are making a comeback—but that’s a topic for another month—so let’s concentrate on how to select a modern-day speargun. If you walk into your local dive shop, you will notice there are two main categories of band-powered spearguns: the American style, usually recognized by the wood stock, and the Eurogun, which has a tubular shaped barrel and a rear handle. The Eurogun originated in Europe where most spearfishing is freedive-only, fairly deep, and for small, easily spooked fish. Hence these spearguns have a low-profile, streamlined design and thinner shafts. If you are diving in similar conditions, the Eurogun style might be for you. On the other hand, if you want a sturdy, durable and easy-to-load gun that will handle bigger fish, you might lean toward the American/wood-style gun. This is also the style used for big powerful tuna guns, because they can be ballasted and accommodate up to six bands. There’s also a hybrid design, which incorporates the best elements of both with wood stock in the back and a carbon fiber tube in the front. Once you’ve chosen between styles, the next question is length. Most Eurogun sizes are 90 to 160 centimeters, and most American guns are between 36 and 65 inches. So, with the conversion from centimeters to inches, they have pretty much the same length range. If you are diving in low visibility or hunting in rocks like they have in California or Rhode Island, you would choose a shorter gun. If you are hunting spooky fish in clear waters like mutton snappers in Florida, you would opt for a longer gun. If you are just getting started and expect to dive in variable visibility, 130 centimeters or 50 inches would be a good medium length for an all-around reef gun.
Sheri Daye hunts with a Wong Hybrid Speargun. Photo by Joe Marino.
Here are some additional tips: 1) Join a local spearfishing club and learn from the more experienced people. Observe what equipment they use and ask for advice. 22) Shop at a dive store that caters to spearfishing. They carry more choices and have experienced personnel to help you choose. These include Austin’s in Miami; Florida Freedivers in Palm Beach; James & Josephs in San Diego, Calif.; Freedive Shop in Sacramento, Calif. and more. 3) Check out the custom-gun builders. There are some high-quality builders who will work with you directly, give you advice, and design it to your specs—such as Wong Spearguns from Hawaii or Sea Sniper from California. Most importantly, you should pick a style that suits you and the conditions you dive in. Chances are you will get hooked and add more spearguns to your arsenal in the future! Follow “Sheri Daye” & “The Blue Wild Ocean Adventure Expo” April 22-23, 2017 – Ft. Lauderdale - Instagram and Facebook.
For more Sheri Daye, go to
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TIPS FROM A PRO
FRESHWATER THE REBIRTH OF 8- TO 10FOOT BASS RODS BRANDON LESTER
E
ver since I can remember, there has been a rule in B.A.S.S. tournaments barring the use of rods longer than 8 feet. To my knowledge, it is because Dee Thomas and other Californians were using 10-foot and longer rods for “flipping” when the technique was first invented. Evidently the powersthat-be back then didn’t like this new way of fishing, so they banned the use of long rods. At the conclusion of 2016, B.A.S.S. decided to change this rule and allow us to use any rod up to 10 feet in length. Bass fishing has evolved
they fight. The extra rod length will help keep the line tight during the fight, giving the fish less opportunity to escape. For the small wooden crankbaits, the longer rod gives control over how deep the bait dives. Hold the rod tip up, and the bait dives shallower. Stick a couple feet of the blank in the water, and it runs deeper. Add longer casting distance and you will be hitting depths never before achieved with some baits. A longer rod will also be beneficial for flipping and pitching. We all know what
tremendously in the past several years, and there is no doubt this rule change will be another big breakthrough. Will long rods become the norm in everyone’s boat? I don’t think so, but I believe these rods will have a time and place in bass fishing. I have been busy building and testing a few of these longer rods with the guys at Mud Hole Custom Tackle. We’ve made encouraging findings. The first long rod I built is a 8’6” medium power spinning rod. I wanted a rod to cast small, wooden crankbaits on light line for more distance. I also wanted this rod to act as a drop shot rod for open-water smallmouth fishing. Although I don’t see myself using this rod all the time for drop shotting, imagine a scenario where you are casting a drop shot in current and need that extra length to control the way the line drifts. Also, anyone who has ever fought a river smallmouth knows how hard
happens when we set the hook on a 12-inch bass with a 7’6” rod, well imagine what will happen when you set the hook on one with a 9-foot flipping stick. We’ll be jerking 3-pounders out of the thickest cover! When that 10-pounder bites, she might not be the one that got away anymore. There might be cases where a long flipping rod is more efficient, as well. The technique of flipping, as it was done originally, by stripping line through the guides and never using the reel, will probably come back to light because we can now use a rod long enough put a bait where it needs to go. I will be building a long flipping stick before the elite series heads to Lake Okeechobee. What better place to try it out than the land of the giants? Keep tabs on 8-foot-plus rod building by visiting www. MudHole.com, and hit me up on Facebook with any questions.
Get more tips from Lester at
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FRESHWATER BOSSMAN TECHNICAL POLING SKIFFS
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Surprising Winter is the Best Planting Time
I am often asked when is the best time to plant fruiting plants. My answer is usually the same; the best time is 20 years ago or today. The second best time to plant is during the winter months. Plants are dormant, and can be easily shipped and planted with no stress on the plant because there is not a lot of maintenance once the plant or tree has been planted. Simply dig a good hole, water thoroughly
at planting, and take the rest of the winter off. Even though there are no signs of growth above ground, the root systems will have time to get adjusted to their new location and begin to initiate new root growth. There are plenty of advantages of growing your own edibles. First of all, you know what has been done over the course of the growing season from a chemical stand point. Second, the fruit just taste
better coming out of your home orchard versus buying fruit from the grocers that have little to no flavors. Thirdly, it is good for your soul and you will feel more connected to the environment and nature. Whether it is an apple tree, muscadine vine or a blueberry bush; now is the time to plant. Let’s Grow Together. Greg Ison, Ison’s Nursery and Vineyards, 800733-0324, www.isons.com
“ I had the chance to test the new Bossman TailSpotter and I must say I was very impressed. I’ve run a lot of boats in my career and this boat is as good if not better than anything I’ve driven.” Capt. Mike Hakala, Aqua Dream Lures
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ackle geeks have climbed high rungs of reel optimization for decades. Their basic game remains the same today: super-tune fishing reels by adding premium components and applying best cleaning and maintenance practices. But better materials and technology have elevated expectations of what fishing reels can be made to do. Russ Lane, who has earned six appearances in the Bassmaster Classic, took his habitual tackle tinkering to high-tech heights several seasons back. Lane today replaces standard reel parts with premium components that extend reel life and enable spools to spin at dazzling RPMs. What’s the fisherman’s takeaway after these reel transformations? The clearest advantages are longer casting distances, better control, heightened casting accuracy, and improved feel and sensitivity. Some premium reel components—strikingly colorful multi-textured reel knobs and anodized star drags and cast control caps, for example—can practically turn reels into showpieces, too. “Fishermen can’t believe what custom components can add to a reel’s capability,” said Noah Arroyo, owner of Off the Hook Reels. “And some fishermen are just as attracted to the unique colors and finishes you can bring to a reel and the rich look of premium parts.” Consider replacing standard reel parts with these upgrades: • Ceramic bearings – Ceramic bearings or ceramic hybrid bearings (the latter feature ceramic balls in a stainless steel or plastic cage) can elevate reel performance dramatically. Ceramic bearings can range up to 60 percent lighter than stainless steel bearings. They generate less heat and lower vibration levels, too, reducing friction as the spool revolves. Spool RPMs may climb dramatically, extending casting distance and improving accuracy by reducing the effort required to execute a cast. They also possess five times the life expectancy of stainless steel bearings. The one downside is that they produce a very audible hum, a turn-off to some anglers. HawgTech promotes its ABEC-7 hybrid bearings in nylon cages as allowing “a more free spinning bearing that also runs quieter.” • Carbon Fiber Reel Handles – Lightweight carbon fiber reel arms are
the most common reel upgrade. The difference in weight and sensitivity from conventional reel handles is discernible. They also give a sleek, skeletal look to the reel. • Winn Reel Knobs – Reel knobs made from Winn’s patented WinnDry polymer deliver the same all-weather “tacky” feel and security that Winn grips bring to fishing rods. “The Winn knobs available from HawgTech are so good, your grip never slips even when hands are wet or coated with fish slime,” said Arroyo. Two of Lew’s Best of Show awards at ICAST 2016 featured fishing reels with Winn reel knobs. HawgTech offers these knobs in several bold colors. • Anodized Aluminum Star Drags, Cast Control Caps – Colorful anodized aluminum can give a reel an “auto show” glow. You can go with matching or complementary color options for star drag controls, cast control caps and related parts. Maintenance steps: Of course, flashy parts alone won’t optimize reel performance. Make sure the internal workings of your reel are flawlessly cleaned and lubricated, too. “You have to optimize everything when you super-tune. Polish and clean ends and shafts and pinion gears,” said Arroyo. “When you do and then add your ceramic bearings and premium parts, you really end up with a great piece of machinery.”
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TAUTEN LINEWELDER Sick of having to learn and tie complex knots? The Tauten LineWelder creates a weld that is actually stronger than any knot. The device creates a “sleeve” of thermoplastic polymer around both ends of a looped line, holding the loop in place without bending or weakening the line. Knots weaken the line, and most lines’ strengths are rated with a knot, so using a Tauten LineWelder in place of tying a knot lets you get a connection that’s stronger than the advertised strength of most lines! The process is quick, easy, consistent and doesn’t require you to tie complicated knots. It’s perfect for new fishermen or veteran anglers who don’t want to bother with finicky knot tying. Just loop the line in the device, pull it taut and push the button to create a weld. This device can help fishermen who don’t want to tie complicated knots by removing the need entirely and allowing anglers to focus on the sport they love. The LineWelder works best on 10- to 12-pound-test monofilament nylon and fluorocarbon lines and 10- to 50-pound-test braided lines. Using an experimental technique, it can even join braided lines with monofilament nylon or fluorocarbon leaders to eliminate the need for a swivel. Accessories to weld a wider variety of lines are currently in development and will be available in the future. Visit tauten.com for more information and to see videos of the LineWelder in action. The Tauten customer service staff is always eager to answer any questions, so don’t hesitate to contact them.
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UR-Cut
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UR-Cut features the same legendary DEXSTEEL, super-sharp edge, and just-right flexibility that you are used to with Dexter... 1.Dip handle in boiling water for 2 minutes. 2. Dip in cold water for 1 second. 3. Grip and form handle for 10 seconds. 4. Put back in cold water for 10 seconds and your done.
DEXTER UR-CUT FILLET KNIFE Dexter UR-Cut Fillet knives are the only fillet knives that allow you to custom mold the handle to your hand. UR-Cut provides the ultimate in comfort and control and is virtually non-slip in your hand. It’s simple and takes only minutes to customize UR-Cut to fit your hand. First, grip the handle and determine your grip position, paying attention to your thumb position. Dip and completely submerge the handle in boiling water for 2 minutes. Make sure the pot is deep enough so the handle does not contact the bottom or the sides of the pot. Then dip in cold water for 1 second, grip, squeeze, and hold the handle for 10 seconds. Dip back in cold water for 10 seconds and let cool. You now have a custom fillet knife, molded to fit your hand. Just like other Dexter knives, UR-Cut features the same legendary DEXTSTEEL blade, with super-sharp edges that are easy to re-sharpen and have just-right flexibility. UR-Cut fillet knives are made in the U.S.A. and are available in 6”, 7” and 8” lengths. Available at your local and online retailer. For more information and to view all Dexter fishing knives visit dexteroutdoors.com.
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THE ONLY LURE WITH THE PATENTED
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FISH & FISHING
A DIFFERENT APPROACH MARK SOSIN
A
small sign on the corner of my attorney’s desk warns his clients to “Assume Nothing.” That caveat is just as valid on the water as it is in the practice of law. If an angler does not start catching fish within minutes of arriving at a spot, he begins to assume that his quarry must be elsewhere. The assumption, of course, is that he has chosen the right bait or lure and presented it in a natural and appealing manner to a fish that is ready to eat. A fish’s behavioral patterns, honed over eons, follow very specific guidelines with few deviations. Anything that differs from the norm instinctively alerts a fish that something may be amiss and it thinks of its own safety first. Regardless of size, a predator does not expect to be charged or attacked by its prey no matter how small the prey is in relation to the predator. That’s why a 3-inch fly made of feathers can spook a 100-pound fish. And remember that fish do not feed constantly for a variety of reasons. Most species use tidal currents, water flow, or the neck of a funnel to their advantage as they search for food. They either hold facing the current, swim against the flow, or work across it. Whenever you present a bait or lure, it should be upcurrent from where you expect the fish to be so that your offering appears to go with the flow. That tenet even applies when you are casting to a cruising fish. The more natural the presentation, the better the chance of a strike. Your quarry automatically measures energy tradeoff. The idea is to exploit each situation so they will expend the least amount of energy for the value received. That translates into the fact that they frequently refuse to chase a bait or lure very far before turning away. An ambush feeder merely wants to dart out, grab its prey and return to its lair. Bottom denizens follow a similar practice. If your offering isn’t close to the sea floor, it’s difficult to get them to swim toward the surface to get it. Successful bottom bouncing starts upcurrent and allows the bait to drag along in the productive zone. Once it sweeps above the quarry, the potential for getting a strike diminishes rapidly. Water temperature enters the energy tradeoff equation. In cold or even cool water, fish react sluggishly because the water temperature slows down their metabolism. It might even force them out of their usual lair in search of warmer water. In those situations, choose baits or lures that are easy for a fish to catch and slow down the retrieve or the trolling speed. And remember, in cooler water it takes fish longer to digest food so they feed less frequently. Those who catch fish consistently study and comprehend the basics of feeding strategy. You can be sure that the behavioral patterns of each species are not about to change. That puts the onus on you to modify your tactics until you uncover the combination that works. Before you abandon a spot because you think it doesn’t hold fish, make sure you have explored the full gamut of options. If you do make any assumptions, convince yourself that a fish is looking at your bait or lure right now. The results might surprise you.
For More Mark Sosin Visit
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49
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8999 comp at
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379
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comp at
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