Fall 2013
The Holidays are just around the corner Here’s some great gift ideas for the special angler in your life
What Really Works
Winter Fishing
Passion of a Company
Reaching Out
The Right Place to Fish
Recon for Reds www.KayakFishingClassicS.com
2
What’s Inside
37
42
FEATURES
44
35
DEPARTMENTS
6 Gear Guide 2013
5 Editors Letter
See the best gear in the world. The Holidays are just around the corner.
What I want for Christmas
68 Using Your Resources
42 Throwing Feathers
72 Sponsors
37 Developing a Winner
The Fly Phasmes
44 FL Gill Netting 46 Sarasota 47 Tampa Bay
55 Bob’s Corner Recon for Reds
57 Meet the Champs 2013 National Championship
49 Nature Coast
64 Special Thanks
50 East Coast
65 Great Eats
53 Reaching Out
Our Host Sponsors
3
The #1 selling fishing kayak in the world. See what it’s all about... www.PredatorKayak.com
4
Editors Letter
What I Really Want for Christmas And a Few Other Things The power of social media is incredible and the effects of a concentrated single effort can be far reaching. We Americans have always had a voice in everything that goes on here and now we have something that is paramount at our disposal. I hope that in our busy lives we do not squander this tool and we teach our young citizens the moral responsibility that comes with freedom that so many have given all for. Another thing that I would like is a little more time to spend on the water doing what I like best...kayak fishing. I don’t know who I would ask for that but it’s nice to have a dream… It’s of my own doing and I greatly enjoy all that goes with putting on a kayak fishing tournament series but if any of you see a box of free time on a store shelf, please let me know. I did get a few days to throw some feathers but I broke my favorite fly rod on a giant 47”…. tree branch. It got away too! Picking out a new rod is always fun so I will look forward to that. Our Sponsors and all of us here at the ClassicS wish all of you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Happy Hanukkah. Thank you for a great 2013 Series Year,
Captain Pat Horrigan
5
Gear Guide 2013 Here’s an inside look at some great gear that you or your favorite angler is sure to appreciate... Each year at this time we try to make Christmas shopping easy for our friends and their families. We know how difficult finding that special gift for your special angler can be and we want to make it easy and fun for you to bring smiles to those faces. If you are looking for a gift for under the tree or something that fits in the Christmas stocking you are sure to find it here. Look for the Christmas Palm Tree of the Stocking in each section to help you locate that perfect gift. We thank you for supporting all of our great sponsors throughout the years of Christmas Past and know you will enjoy your special shopping this Holliday Season. We wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to All...Ho Ho Ho
Gear Guide 2013 6
Our sport starts with the kayak of course and Diablo has been hard at work this year. They have delivered a new stand up kayak that is super easy to paddle and is easy on the purse strings. The new Amigo is a blend of SUP and kayak as is their world famous Adios model that started it all. Diablo Paddlesports offers 3 models to choose from beginning with the Chupacabra designed for those very tight backcountry places where the big fish like to hide. No matter the size your angler needs, Diablo has you covered. You can visit your local Diablo dealer or drop in online and take a look...this is one sweet system.
www.DiabloPaddleSports.com
7
Old Town Canoes & Kayaks have been at it for 125 years and just seem to keep getting better. They have a tradition of quality craftsmanship that is well founded in every product that they make. This year Old Town Canoes rocked the kayak fishing world by introducing the all new Predator 13 and Predator MX. The Predator 13 won the ‘Best Boat’ honor in the ICAST Best of Show Competition. That’s huge and the Predator 13 reflects every bit of such high praise indeed. If you are looking for a new kayak for that special angler or for yourself as well, take a look at the all new, award winning Predator 13. You can’t go wrong...it’s Awesome.
www.PredatorKayak.com 8
KC Kayaks K12 is one versatile fishing machine that can take whatever you have to dish out. This lightweight 12’ kayak is not only sharp looking and highly functional, it’s all about fishing. Designed from the needs of the Louisiana Bayou anglers who know what catching huge redfish is all about. It’s simple, agile and clean. It bristles uncomplicated functionality with features that will surprise you like the built in rod rest for fighting monster fish, built in dry storage and fully adjustable seat that flips over on it’s tract to double as a scouting platform. And talk about storage, the K12 has more storage area for all of your gear than most larger kayaks. We were amazed in how great the K12 paddles and handles rough water and wind. Check out the KC K12 at your local dealer today or visit them online. We know they would love to hear from you...
www.KCKayaks.com 9
There’s a lot in a name and when it comes to navigation Magellan says it all. Magellan has been making sure we get where we want to go and back home again… that’s a good feeling. In 2012 Magellan introduced the eXplorist 510 Marine Edition at the ICAST show and captivated the attention of kayak anglers everywhere. The handheld eXplorist 510 marine edition comes with a Navionics chip that contains all of the inland and coastal waters of North America. The nautical charts are fully interactive. In fact you can take a photo, audio record your important information and drop a way point on the chart. Click the way point and your photo and opens and the audio plays back your information. That makes keeping track of your top secret fishing holes easy and simple to find. There is even a automobile mode to get you to your favorite kayak launches. Just tap the suspend mode on the touch screen and the eXplorist 510 will keep on tracking you so you don’t get lost or rundown your batteries. The feature rich device is simple and straight forward to use. Take a look at the Magellan 510 eXplorist Marine Edition at your local dealer and be sure to visit Magellan online. This is a great gift giving idea that is sure to please every angler and get him back home. Magellan...expect the best.
www.MagellanGPS.com 10
Mark Nicholes knows how to catch big snook. He has been catching beauties like this for a long time and he does it on D.O.A. Lures. He should...he owns the company. Mark started D.O.A. out of his passion for fishing and his desire to share with his fellow anglers. Mark we are all glad that you feel that way because your lures have helped top anglers win several major tournaments in the Kayak Fishing ClassicS Tournament Series over the years. What is the one lure that everyone will go to under any condition? The D.O.A. Shrimp and it just keeps fooling fish year after year. If you are a veteran kayak angler or you’re just getting started, take a look at the complete product line of D.O.A. Lures and you will be amazed with what Mark has done over the years. Thanks Mark and keep em coming.
www.DOALURES.com
11
Denali Aqua Gills shirts are truly the new Legend in on the water comfort and protection. Our anglers love to wear Denali brand shirts and so will yours. The fantastic quick drying, breathable fabric is enhanced with the gills that help keep you cool and dry under the most extreme conditions.
Our lady anglers know what performance is all about and how import protection is. The hot tropical sun can just cook you out on the water but they keep cool with their Denali Performance Apparel and look great doing it. Whether they are fishing or stepping out for a relaxed evening of fun with friends. The KFCTS ladies always are looking good.
Give the gift that protects year round and keeps your anglers looking good too. Visit Denali Performance Apparel and take a look at their Artist Collection. You will see works from our friend Steve Whitlock are also available on your choice of Denali shirts for that added touch of cool...
www.DenaliPerformance.com 12
Get the best hook-up with the best saltwater flies. Get your angler and handful of some of the best custom tied flies in the world from a collection of private fly tiers. RiverBum has put together a great bench full of top quality proven patterns that are tied just for them. Top quality hooks, top quality material put together by expert private tiers. You may expect to pay a lot for RiverBum Flies but you won’t. For what you pay for a couple of average flies elsewhere you will get a dozen of top quality flies at RiverBum.com For them it’s not about the money, it’s about you catching fish on their flies. We have been using RiverBum flies for nearly 5 years now and they last and last, even with the harsh and brutal treatment that saltwater fish know how to dish out on a daily basis. When you visit them be sure to poke around and check out their complete line of fly fishing gear as well. A box of new flies is going to make that perfect stocking stuffer that you have been looking for.
www.RiverBum.com 13
Eye protection and seeing through the water are both imperatives for our anglers. We did a lot of studying and research before we determined that Ocean Waves inventive technology really are the world’s best sunglasses. When you put on a pair on OW’s be ready for a shock. You are going to see things that you just don’t see with any other brand of sunglasses. That’s a bold statement and that’s how impressed we are with them. Take the time to read about their 30 layer light filtering technology and then compare them to your shades. Keeping up with the ‘Cool’ is no place when it comes to protecting your eyes, although OW’s are pretty cool anyway. Ocean Waves also takes care of your vision prescriptions with no hassles. Hey stop in and take a look at their new store in the beach front district of Atlantic Beach, Florida the next time you’re on the East Coast. You can also shop and purchase these great stocking stuffers at Ocean Waves online store. Everything you need for your anglers eye protection is there and you can make a fashion statement for yourself while you are there.
www.OceanWaves.com 14
The sun isn’t up yet but your angler still needs to be able to see well and we have the best solution in the world for you. Princeton Tec has several lighting solutions for your kayak angler. They specialize in very high tech, low energy lights that will brighten the night so he can see and be seen by others. The Princeton Tec company offers multi light head gear with multiple lights in one neat little and light weight system. Fully adjustable lighting technology to adapt to any need from a broad beam, low brightness to up close intensity and far reaching super bright spot light. All from one little waterproof box that only uses 3 AAA batteries. Hey don’t worry, you won’t be buying batteries all the time like you do with other lights. The amazing little lights yield over 200 hours of lighting form those little batteries. That’s impressive and that’s why we chosen Princeton Tec. Princeton Tec recently released the all new VIZZ light and it is awesome, it’s also waterproof. Click the link below the picture and watch the impressive video that tells all about it. We know you’ll be impressed and want your angler to have the best equipment possible...we do to and we are proud to say that Princeton Tec has been lighting the way for the Kayak Fishing ClassicS for 4 years now and we know how great they are.
www.princetontec.com/vizz
www.PrincetonTec.com 15
Anyone that uses any kind of a tool knows the value of quality craftsmanship. When it comes to tying your own flies, tools are everything and can make the difference between success and not so much. In fact, there are tools and then there are instruments. Our good friends at Dr. Slick are always coming up with new innovations to help us make our tying experience better. When you pick up a Dr. Slick instrument you are immediately impressed with the feel and balance as it should be. After all the good doctor uses surgical tools and knows what quality should be like. That is why he designs all of the tools you find on his website. As a fly angler and fly tier we have been using Dr. Slick precision instruments for over a decade and have never had an issue or a disappointment. We are so impressed with the amazing quality that we invited Dr. Slick to become a sponsor to our series. That was some 5 years ago and all of our angling friends are glad that we did. Take a look at the video about a new must have tool; the KnotTying Nipper. Every fly angler is going to want one of these. Check out all of the great instruments that Dr. Slick offers on their website today for some great gift ideas and fantastic products. http://www.youtube.com/watch?
www.DrSlick.com 16
Protect Your Passion We are proud to say that we have been supported by Plano Tackle Systems for 5 years now and they just keep getting better and better. Their new Guide Series Tackle Bags are quite a catch and your angler is sure to be pleased with one of these under the tree. Plano Guide Series gear is top shelf with industry leading quality and performance. Our anglers have been use the Guide Series Waterproof Boxes all of this time and we have never had a wet cell phone or other important ‘dry items’ get a hint of moisture on them. If you’re a kayak angler, you know how wet we can get and how important keeping everything dry and organized is. Put a Plano Guide Series Tackle Bag in the hands of your favorite angler and have camera ready for that big smile that is sure to follow. This year visit Plano’s website and make your gift giving easy and fun.
www.PlanoMolding.com 17
A year ago our Capt. Pat designed the Kayak Fly Line for contestants in our series. If your angler is a fly angler this is the perfect gift. One back cast and shoot 50-60’ with only 15 feet of line beyond the rod tip is no problem. Visit Jim Teeny Fly Lines catalog online and order yours today.
www.JimTeeny.com 18
When ultra light weight, precision paddling is important turn to Aqua-Bound Paddles. The technology that goes into each Surge Carbon paddle delivers stiff horsepower and low swing weight, virtually eliminating arm fatigue. That’s critical to our tournament anglers who cast all day long each time they are on the water. At only 25.5 oz the two piece adjustable Surge Carbon helps keep arm energy in reserve for a busy day on the water. When it comes to critical centric equipment chose Aqua-Bound Paddles. The First Choice in carbon technology.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
www.AquaBound.com
19
It just seems sometimes like we all need a special place for a fishing rod, a camera or a place to change lures and to keep our pliers and such. Well Scotty has been taking care of life’s little problems for all of us kayak anglers for a long time now. They have introduced a new line of goodies for all of us in 2013 and they are very useful. The new bait table is perfect for so much more than cutting up bait. It also keeps much of what you need in place. The new night navigation light is perfect and the handy camera mount makes filming those special moments easy. Scotty also has an additional camera mount that fits anywhere you like and will accommodate any standard setup. Scotty’s new rail system is awesome and will fit where every you want. This is one of the most convenient accessories there can be on a kayak. These are the kinds of products that every kayak angler wants and needs. Scotty products can be found where ever kayaks are sold or you can visit them online to see all of their great gear.
www.ScottyPaddlesports.com 20
As you can see Bending Branches makes a huge variety of custom and production paddles for any kayak anglers needs. Their hand made, high tech methods are the industry leader in both R&R and new product development. There’s nothing quite like a new paddle and there is nothing like a Bending Branches. Visit them online or call for a special paddle or a list of dealers near you. Shape your fishing future with a Bending Branches Paddle and you will bring smiles to your lucky anglers faces this Holiday Season.
Anglers Choice Award Winner www.BendingBranches.com
21
Visit Steve’s website and see for yourself what all the excitement is about. Steve is one of the most unique artists in the world and we are very proud to have him as one of our art sponsors. Take a look at his amazing work... you’ll want one for yourself as well.
www.SteveWhitlock.com
22
BlackDog Rods make some of the finest kayak fishing specific rods on the planet. The BlackOut Kayak Rod is a fine example of BlackDog’s custom craftsmanship and design. The perfect gift for your angler this year. BlackDog Rods also can make any kind of custom fishing rod that you have in mind such as the Ducks Unlimited rod pictured below or a custom rod with your favorite school and team logo proudly displayed above the grip. BlackDog Rods use only the very finest blanks, guides and cork that your favorite angler will be proud to fish with. Contact BlackDog Rods today and place your order now.
Champion Angler Chuck Statham uses the BlackOut Kayak Rod.
www.facebook.com/BlackDogRods
23
Big Hammer Lures are one of the most successful swimbaits in our series. It’s simple, they catch fish...Champion Angler Chuck Statham knows it and wins big tournaments with the Big Hammer Swimbaits. The fish calling action of their lures is amazing and calls up fish when no other lures seems to work, just try but hang on. Order your angler some of championship Big Hammer lures and he will thank you every time he goes fishing. The huge paddle tail drums the water and the fish just can’t resist the action or the look. Big Hammer SwimBait’s come is a variety of color combinations and sizes that are sure to put more fish in the kayak on tournament day… Big Hammer lures are hand made in the United States from only the highest quality materials. Big Hammer lures are tough and make your fishing dollars go a long, long way. Put the hammer down on trophy fish with Big Hammer lures today
www.SwimBait.com
24
Cumings has been making top quality landing nets since 1927 when Ed Cumings started the company. An angler himself from a long line of anglers knew a thing or two about fishing and he simply was not happy with the nets of the day. Ed redesigned everything about an anglers net and the industry has followed him since. They really started something back then and anglers have been enjoying the benefits of Ed’s vision for generations. The Kayak Angler’s net is designed just for our anglers and it really makes landing that trophy tournament fish a synch. It’s heartbreaking to loose a fish next to the kayak after fooling him and winning the battle. That is why the ClassicS turned to Cumings Nets. We know they are the best and that’s what we want for our anglers.
Give the best, give a Cumings
www.CumingsNets.com
25
There are different ways to look and ExOfficio makes looking good and being comfortable easy. Keeping your cool is important too and ExOffico is expert when it comes to functional, good looking, cool clothing for the active lifestyle. That’s just a few of the benefits that anglers the world over seek and find in all ExOffico clothing. In the tropics it seems like the bugs can always find us and ExOffico has some awesome good bug-repelling clothing that we just can’t live with out. The line also comes in ladies fashions as do all ExOffico products. You know your angler gets hot while fishing and the amazingly cool Air-Strip shirt takes care of all that. Wearing an Air-Strip shirt is like wrapping a cool breeze around you. The specially designed shirt has our anglers in mind and you just can’t have enough of them. ExOffico has been sponsoring the ClassicS for a few years now and we are very happy about that. Keeping cool and comfortable are a must for our anglers and ExOffico knows all about that. Visit ExOffico and take a look at their fantastic collection of men’s and women’s clothing and do a little shopping for yourself too.
www.EXOFFICO.com 26
I can’t tell you off hand how many tournaments have been won on MirrOlure lures this year… Let’s just say it has seen a lot of podiums on the winners stand. MirrOlure has been around a long time and with the ClassicS since we started. That is saying a lot because anglers will not demand a lure that doesn’t get the job done. MirrOlure Lures catch fish! Just right that on the outside of the box and put several under the tree this year, it’ll be the first gift opened. They have a phenomenal selection of lures to choose from and if you’re not sure which to get your angler (or yourself) the 17MR is always good. Just ask kayak fishing guide Otis Coblentz of Hooked Up Kayak Fishing Charters and he’ll tell you all about one of his very favorites. Recently while warming up for a photo shoot, Otis cast into a school of tails and pulled out a 41.5” redfish. Yep, he was using his MirrOlure 17MR. It turned out to be a great day of fishing. In fact it was a MirrOlure Day because every fish caught was on a MirrOlure. Your angler needs some of these lures in his tackle bag so give MirrOlure a visit today Turn On the Bite!
www.MirrOlure.com www.HookedUpKayakFishingCharters.com
27
The artworks of Florida artist Mike Bainter are very beautiful and unique. The unusual techniques that he employees yield esthetic colors and electric motion rarely seen in life. Mike Bainter’s works are highly sought and our anglers collect them since the introduction of FishTail Artworks in our series. We are very proud to have such a distinguished artist as one of our art sponsors and have started a collection of his works ourselves. These are the perfect gift for any angler as Mike Bainter brings the action to life on canvas, commission work is also available, of course. When you gift a Mike Bainter artwork you are giving a gift that all who see it will enjoy. Your special angler will be very proud to display any works of art from FishTail Artworks. You will notice several works by Mike Bainter in this issue, for your enjoyment. To order your selection or request a commission please visit Mike by clicking the link below.
www.shop.FishtailArtworks.com 28
All of us know that an angler just can’t have enough lures. The key is to have the right lures and so often purchasing lures can be hit or miss. We have taken that problem out of the equation for your gift giving this year with Live Target Lures. Live Target is an award winning lure company that makes both fresh and saltwater lures that really work. In fact they are so good that they have won at ICAST 4 years in a row. We were amazed by the results in our testing prior to extending an invitation to become a ClassicS sponsor and we are sure glad that they excepted. Live Target Lures have tremendous life like action that calls fish in and really turns on the action. Strikes on Live Target lures are generally much harder as they create a frenzy and that’s what an angler wants. Live Target lures cast far and land naturally which is also important. When you visit their website take a look at their videos and you will see exactly why we are so excited about Live Target lures. ICAST Winner: Live Target BaitBall
Get your angler a selection of Live Target Lures and get your camera ready...
www.LiveTargetLures.com 29
Comfort on the water is everything. All of us know what happens to our concentration when we are uncomfortable and kayak fishing is no different. Proper seating and support is critical for paddling and casting and Skwoosh has you covered. Skwoosh seats are just plane awesome. We highly recommend the Skwoosh Big Catch with lumbar support for every kayak angler. The features are overwhelming such as the adjustable lumbar support, the high back support with fiberglass stays, super Air-Flo cushion seat padding and tackle trays and bags on the back and side just to wet your apatite. Visit Skwoosh and watch the video interview with professional kayak fishing guide Derick Burgos. Learn why he is so big about Skwoosh. We have been using and recommending Skwoosh for 5 years now and our anglers love the comfort and support the Skwoosh offers. The new Big Catch is the way to go for us and just may be the right seat for your angler too. We know you’ll be pleased with the extra tackle storage that the Big Catch and other models offer such as the High Back Lumbar seat. If you’re looking for proper support and comfort, you just can’t beat a Skwoosh….
www.Skwoosh.com 30
Yo-Zuri lures have stood the test of time...more than 50 years in fact. Their technology has helped create lures that are simply fish catching machines. Take a look at their new Sashimi lures with their ‘wavemotion’ action that turn fish on. The wave-motion action creates vibrations that big predators detect and use to locate fish. It’s a more natural method that duplicates the signals that distressed or scared bait fish put out. The Sashimi lures also us ‘color-change’ technology to further imitate or duplicate what bait fish do when they know a big hungry predator is lurking. The combination of the wave motion vibrations and the color change technologies trigger reaction bites and that’s what your angler wants. Tournament champion Joe Komyati used the Yo-Zuri Sashimi lures in the 10,000 Islands Classic to ace the win and beat some great talent. Joe was amazed and hasn’t looked back since. Yo-Zuri is the lure to use under any condition, be it stained water or crystal clear. Put some Yo-Zuri Lures in the Christmas stocking or under your tree this year for you favorite angler, just visit Yo-Zuri and watch their amazing videos of their lures in action or ask Joe.
31
www.Yo-Zuri.com
When it comes to protection against the harmful rays of the sun, lets not forget our hands. They really take a beating from the sun and the saltwater. A few years ago we came across Mangrove Sungloves and put them to the test. The results were no surprise to us since they are the industry leader in hand protection. Another important feature of the Mangrove Sungloves is their flexibility which is a must for our anglers. They are always tying knots, casting, handling fish and paddling. Mangrove Sungloves are tough too! We put them on and don’t take them off again until the end of our fishing day. They are so lightweight and comfortable that you just forget that you have them on and that’s perfect in our book. You can purchase Mangrove Sungloves everywhere Temple Fork Outfitters products are sold. Mangrove Sungloves make for a perfect gift that your angler will use all year long. Hey they clean up real good too. Just throw them in the washing machine and they come out looking new...Mangrove Sungloves
Sold at fine tackle stores and your TFO Dealers world wide.
32
This should tie up your shopping list so lets not forget a few spools of some new fishing line for your favorite angler. SpiderWire has been making high performance, advanced technology braided line for a long time. SpiderWire introduced the world to modern braid and has lead the industry since. Their new ULTRACAST INSI-BRAID is flat out the best fishing line on the market. We have converted a lot of diehard fans of other lines and it was really pretty easy after they saw the results and used the new line. Our anglers use their 15 lb test ULTRACAST INVISI-BRAID white translucent which is ‘Xtreme LO-VIS’ and crazy strong. Your angler needs a line that will cast a country mile, hold up to rocks and oysters, take on a 40” redfish and come out on top...every time...every day. SpiderWire ULTRACAST INVISI-BRAID is ultra smooth featuring near invisibility, extremely high strength per diameter, amazingly thin and sensitive and comes in a variety of tests and spool sizes. In short it’s everything other lines wish they could be...
www.SpiderWire.com NOTHING GETS AWAY….
33
This is a great gift idea that every kayak angler needs. All of us know the negative effects the sun can have on plastic over an extended time. Even a garage kept kayak should be covered to protect it from dust, exhaust vapors and spills. A kayak cover is the perfect gift and the good people at JLM Design will happily make a custom kayak cover for your boat. JLM Design will custom measure your kayak and fit your cover to exacting needs. Their covers are reinforced in the all of the right places for added life and performance. If you live far away from the JLM shop just send a photo of the kayak, provide some model information and they will find the same boat locally to fit to. Their work is guaranteed so no worries. Order your JLM Design custom kayak cover and protect your kayak investment today.
727-862-0700 34
If you want it, need it, gotta have it...YAKGEAR is the place to get it for your yak. No matter what it is, YAKGEAR has it, will get it or will find it for you...that’s service. And just to make the deal sweeter YAKGEAR only charges 99 Cents for shipping. Yep that’s right! You order a bunch of gear for a gift or for yourself and YAKGEAR will ship it all for only 99 Cents. Now that’s making your gift giving dollars work for you.
www.YAK-GEAR.com 35
Gear Guide 2013 We hope that our 2013 Gear Guide has helped you and gave you some great gift giving choices and ideas for your holidays this year. We thank you in advance for supporting our many generous sponsors who make this wonderful sport and the Kayak Fishing ClassicS possible. We know that you and your friends enjoy the beautiful outdoors along the Coastal Gulf States and Eastern Seaboard as we ask the you continue to teach out respect and conservation for the beauty that surrounds us all. To all of you from all of us,
We Wish You a Very Merry Christmas &
Happy Hanukkah
36
Developing a Winner Many of us that kayak fish have made certain adjustments to our favorite fishing yak or have customized them in one way or another. It is safe to say that there probably just isn’t a single multi-situational fishing kayak out there that meets everyone’s wishes. Over the years we have seen our sport grow into a highly popular way to fish, supported by various manufacturers. The most important piece of equipment is of course the kayak itself, for without it we have no kayak fishing. The manufacturing arena has heard our voices and have made some great improvements to our boats over recent years, some more so than others. If you look at the modern fishing kayak today you will see a few trends that are becoming common threads throughout the industry however true innovation has always been the prized jewel of any endeavor. At the 2013 ICAST Show where manufacturers show off their new products that all of us want at least one of, we will see the best of the best. To begin with it isn’t for the faint of wal-
By Capt. Pat Horrigan
let as booth space at the show is prime and just getting there with everything in tow is very expensive. Then there is of course the cost of designing a prototype and building it. It is to that point that I wish to share some information with you. The Old Town Canoes & Kayaks Company has been around for over 100 years and is going very strong. A few years ago they wanted to create a true fishing kayak that would give kayak anglers all of the best basic, functional needs of such a boat and then some. That’s where it gets interesting. Old Town formed a team of top designers and pro-staffers to brain storm together in search of creating the perfect fishing yak. Design concepts came in and out; feature ideas were considered and dispatched and so on. Perfection is indeed elusive and capturing it was their quest. As in any design, they began with the hull concept and moved forward. Months and months went by on just the hull design, all be it very important
but time consuming. Test after test until Old Town had what they were going for. Next was the list of features which is always a long list. How do you put everything that every kayak angler wants onto a single boat? You don’t, you give them a foundation to build upon or personalize their kayak. You make it simple and easy to do…brilliant. The all new Predator 13 offers exactly this philosophy and much, much more. There are of course features such as the Hummingbird transducer scupper plus 8 drain scuppers. They even re-invented the scupper plug with a one-way patented Scupper Valve that is really sweet. There are molded paddle rests to lay your blade down to quickly free up your hands. A large bow storage area with a click seal hatch keeps water out and is a simple one hand function to open and close. The recessed tackle storage port and starboard of seating are very convenient for pliers, camera, radio and such. The 2 position, flip seat is more like a chair that you enjoy sitting in. The
37
www.SteveWhitlock.com 38
continued form page 19 center tackle/storage pod located on the Exo-Ridge non slip deck will hold a variety of gear and keep it dry. It also gives you a place to arrange and customize your gear such as paddle leashes, GPS, rod holder and fish finder on its hatch. No screws or drilling holes in your boat for this. The hatch has molded-in receiver plugs to accommodate accessories from companies like Scotty who make a variety of goodies for kayak anglers. Hold on it gets even better. I touched on drilling holes in your boat and most anglers really hate the idea of doing that. Well not only did Old Town give us that nifty place to plug and play our accessories without drilling and screwing into our kayaks, they gave us 6 removable mounting surfaces to permanently affix whatever we want. Go ahead, drill holes in the mounting plates, that’s what they are for. You can replace them if you ever wish to change your configuration as well. How cool is that? I could go on and on but the point here is that Old Town came up with a fantastic all new fishing kayaks that allows you to easily make it into what fits your needs… again, brilliant. There are of course many more features to this amazing kayak but they didn’t stop there. Old Town wanted to be sure that they had this right so the team took several Predator 13 kayaks on an ex-
tended test run. They loaded the Predators with enough fishing gear, camping gear, food and water to last a week and headed out on an adventure that would make most of us envious. The designers and prostaffers paddled, fished, camped and lived out of their Predators for a week just to make sure that they didn’t overlook anything. Hard work if you can get it… Three years later, they were ready and introduced the all new Predator 13 to the world at this year ICAST show and blew everyone away with it. So much so that the Predator won the Best in Show Award in the new boat category, no small achievement in anyone’s book. We fell in love with the new kayak and had to have it for our series. Our testing confirmed to us that this is a very special fishing kayak and we invited Old Town to join us as a sponsor. That was not the end of it however. The Predator has been available on the market now for less than a year and is now the number 1 selling fishing kayak with a 15% market share. That’s huge and they should be very proud of this as it is conformation that what they have done is give the kayak fishing anglers what they want; a very comfortable, smooth, quiet, easy paddling, stand-up fishing kayak that is feature rich and allows anglers to easily personalize it without drilling holes in their new
39
40
Artist Mike Bainter
41
Fly Phasmes
Throwing Feathers By Capt. Pat Horrigan
Fly Phasmes I rarely talk about the anatomy of the flies that we use for inshore, saltwater fly fishing so I thought I might share a thought or two. After all with a fly sponsor like RiverBum Flies, we really do not have to think abut the quality or effectiveness of the flies we use. But lets take a look and consider a few things anyway. A fly which is really a hook phasmes, must do a few jobs that we take for granted. We really shouldn’t because without the proper disguise it is just a hook. An improperly tied fly or a poor pattern won’t fool a fish at all. A phasmes is a bug that looks like something that it is not, like a walking stick bug or a thorn bug. They fool their prey buy looking like their surroundings. A bait fish does the same thing to an extent. If you look at fish in general, they all have some kind of camouflage that works for them. When we develop a fly pattern or just purchase one, we should keep in mind what it is that we are trying to represent. For example a simple crab pattern speaks for itself until you look at all of the different crabs in the ocean. That
being said, we must know what the crabs look like in the area that we are going to fish. A glass minnow hides itself by having a clear or glass body. Bone fish hide by having mirror like scales that reflect their surroundings. They reflect what is in the water and on the surface which make them virtually undetectable. If a hook by itself would catch fish we wouldn’t need to tie feathers onto it. That sounds simple but it makes the point. We must imitate nature in appearance to make the hook a Phasmes so to speak. We all know that just any bait won’t always work. If we borrow from the crank or plug bait industry for a moment we will see that they go to great lengths in creating proper shape, look and action in their baits. It is also known that if a fish sees the same bait over and over and has been caught on it a few times, your chances of fooling it again with the same bait are slim. Fly Phasmes as I like to call it is the art of creating patterns
that work for a given area. If you watch live baits on the flats for an extended time you will see that the same bait fish are not always present in the same general area month after month, year after year. It is perhaps natures’ way of changing it up. If you get into the thinking, it will help you understand nature better and help you in pattern development. It is very rewarding to develop a pattern that works consistently under the conditions that it was designed for. I know some anglers that fish the same place, in the same area, every time they go fishing. They caught a fish or two at some point in their area and now they are stuck there and getting poor results. It is important to learn the behaviors of the species you target and what they feed on while in a given behavioral pattern. Combine that knowledge with the correct pattern and you will get consistent results in catching fish. Without Fly Phasmes you can’t have Fly Fatum and without them both, “you got no fly mojo, mon.”
42
43
FL Gill Netting Halted Written by Brett Fitzgerald | 05 November 2013
In this case, it appears to be a bit different. While a notice of appeal was filed within hours -– essentially stalling Judge Fulford's ruling –- late last week her ruling went into affect until the 1st District Court of Appeals grants an emergency hearing. On Nov 1, a memo was sent to FWC law officers notifying them they must respect Judge Fulford's ruling, to refrain from enforcing gill net laws, until otherwise notified. As a result, Florida's inshore waters faced unregulated netting for six days, until finally the decision was made to allow enforcement until the case is heard.
Mullet in NE Florida netted for roe. While the netting of mullet is not illegal, certain net gear has been. As of today, Florida is NOT enforcing net gear limitations. As many of you may have heard, Leon County Circuit Judge Jackie Fulford ordered to stop enforcement of Florida’s constitutional amendment limiting the use of nets. While challenges to the “net ban” have surfaced in the past (the original amendment dates back to 1994), they are usually appealed without much fanfare.
Reports of large net hauls in the Jacksonville area and along the pan handle spread around the state, as well as news that nets flew off the shelf all over Florida. Aside from the typical valid arguments against entangling nets, I feel doubly duped - here's part of the reason why.
Thinking back a few years when the spotted sea trout population was deemed healthy enough to loosen take limits, commercial fishermen brought their arguments to FWC, asking for a very large increase in their limit. What was once a 75-fish-per day limit would have more than quintupled.
(For Now) As it is, they had their take limit doubled. “It’s OK,” they said. “The gear restrictions make trout fishing impractical anyhow.”
Last week, gear such as this net used illegally in 2009 was not part of the law abiding commercial fisherman's arsenal. Are we ready to allow this again? Well here we are. For 6 days, there were no net gear restrictions. Does this apparent lack of urgency to close the loopholes in net gear restrictions mean we’re going to have increasingly difficult battles over net restrictions in the future? That answer is unknown. But this much is true: in any scenario where one force becomes complacent towards a seemingly inferior or insignificant challenger, bad things can occur. It happens in sports, politics, and basically any situation where one interest no longer feels the need to protect themselves.
44
I offer a few things every recreational angler can do right now, to help ensure a brighter fishing future in Florida. First, visit FWC's website regularly, especially until this blows over. Watch for updates on their front page regarding this issue. Follow CCA Florida, and follow SGF on facebook. Share information you have verified with your peers and encourage them to do the same. Challenge rumors, look past emotion, and inform yourself so you are better prepared to make the best decisions regarding recreational fishing. Second, write to your FWC Commissioners. Thank them for pushing Judge Fulford's order to an appeal and encourage them to take every step within their power to ensure Florida's great inshore fishing doesn't regress to the pitiful state it was in before 1994. Our Governor needs to hear from you as well, and while you're at it, sign this petition. While commercial fishing can have its place, recreational fishing brings more to the economy than commercial fishing. Recreational fishing releases 80% of all fish caught. Recreational fishing contributes directly to conservation funding. Recreational fishing has a direct positive impact on multitudes of people.
the Angler Action Program is your fastest and easiest way to take part in ensuring a brighter fishing future in Florida. Sign up today. Finally, start your Angler Action Program account today. There is no reason not to log your catch. It is a free program, and it is our best leverage as a unified group to ensure these issues do not creep back into Florida’s waters. If you have questions about the AAP, you can email me directly at brett@snookfoundation.org. I promise to answer every email on the issue. This program is recently updated – it is faster, more intuitive, has weather and solunar info, and has already been used for stock assessments by the State of Florida. It is your opportunity to take part in the process – make your recreational fishing trips count in every way possible. Start logging in the AAP today. Sincerely, Brett Fitzgerald Executive Director Snook & Gamefish Foundation brett@snookfoundation.org We wish to thank Brett Fitzgerald for sharing this article with all of us. As many of you may know, Brett is always working to help bring awareness to issues that effect our waters and fishing. He is one of the finest ambassadors of our sport that I know of and all of us are proud to know him. Thank you Brett and please keep up the good fight.
www.SnookFoundation.org www.facebook.com/SnookFoundation
45
Winter Fishing of catches and some large fish.
Winds have been Northeast 10 to 15 miles an hour with temperatures in the lower to mid 80 degrees with clear to partly cloudy skies. With cold fronts beginning their winter march from the north, the best times for fishing will be three days before and three days after each front. Inshore Fishing: King Fish and Spanish Mackerel been being caught on cut bait, live baits and a few artificial lures. In the bay and on the flats, the redfish, trout and flounder bite have been strong with a few smaller snook thrown in the mix. When fishing for the redfish look for your schools of mullet and sandy potholes on the flats. Also fishing the mangrove shorelines the last part of the incoming tides and the first part of the outgoing tides have produced good numbers
In the earlymorning hours top water lures have been producing catches the best. Using lures like the MirrOlure Top Dog, Heddon Zara Spook Jr. in bone or nickel, Live Target Saltwater Series lures and the Skitter Walk in black and silver, fishing the sandy potholes on the flats have been good. In later morning hours switch to subsurface lures such as the MirrOdine 17 MR in redfish pattern or dark olive green back, Yo-Zuri Sashimi series lures, also using jerk baits such as the DOA 418 Mellon back four-inch Jerk Shad and the Big Hammer Swim Baits on a 16th ounce jig head or a weighted weedless hook are working well. November, December and January are usually good fishing in Sarasota. Fishing the upper part of flats during the afternoon hours in the deeper edges in the early hours is productive. Fishing the cooler winter water temperatures you should slow your bait down will give for best results. The fish slow way down in the
Sarasota By Otis Coblentz winter due to the colder waters, so you have to creep your lures past them to trigger a strike. Look for schools a mullet and throw right into the schools for the best chance of catching redfish. Reds will follow or mix with mullet to take advantage of getting an easy meal. Mullet will stir up small bait fish, crabs and shrimp in the hunt for their meals. As the schools of mullet start to thin out look for redfish to be sitting in sandy potholes along with trout and flounder. Currently the Snook have been cruising on the flats but have not been laying in the potholes or on the mangrove shoreline edges. Normal winter weather patterns are developing on schedule so learn to fish the around the fronts and you will catch fish throughout the winter.
Book a winter charter today with Champion kayak angler Otis Coblentz and enjoy some great winter fishing.
Lessons & Gift Certificates Available
www.HookedUpKayakFishingCharters.com
46
Winter Fishing
Tampa Bay By Michael Julian
With the fall taking its grip on the Tampa Bay area it’s time to adapt to the change in weather along with the effect it will have on the inshore bite. In the last couple of months many paddleboard and kayak anglers were able to get into schools of redfish in the upper and over slot class from Fort Desoto to upper Tampa Bay. These fish were very willing to take many offerings from the tried and true gold spoon to top water plugs and soft plastics. Though at this point, for the most part, most of these larger fish have pushed offshore to breed. Yes, sometimes you don’t realize how good something is until it’s gone. But as the saying goes when one door closes another opens, and this could not be truer in regards to Tampa Bay fishing.
long. These fish are going to be moving a lot slower in the coming months and that goes for their prey as well. So when you are thinking about your retrieve speed it should be just that, slow. Some go to baits this winter are going to be weed less soft plastics, such as the Z MAN Paddlerz in Pearl, Bad Shad and their new pattern for this fall, Pinfish. Try rigging these baits on a weighted weed less hook and focus on keeping your retrieves as slow as possible. The benefit of these weed less hooks will be that you can imitate a hiding bait fish in the grass. Then, by slowly lifting your rod tip when you feel the grass, the bait will give the impression of a small fish diving into the grass. This whole process should be done very slowly, but the strikes from these powerful redfish will be hard and abrupt. Some other lures to try for these sluggish redfish will be C.A.L. Paddle Tails from DOA in
bright attractive patterns including Electric Chicken, Glow, and Chartreuse.
www.HookSUPFishing.com
47
Though the large schools of breeder redfish have pushed offshore, there will still be plenty of slot fish to target all winter
The oyster bars along Weedon Island and Fort Desoto will also hold plenty of Redfish. When fishing the oyster bars you can use the weed less rig but can also opt for a C.A.L. jig head. When using the jig head, work your bait with a twitch motion allowing it to just touch the bottom then raise your rod tip abruptly. This will keep you out of the oysters and draw some much desired attention from that wary Redfish. Not to be neglected this fall and winter will be the abundance of large Sea Trout on the flats. Look for these hungry trout to be right on the edges of the white sand pockets bordering the turtle grass. When fishing for trout, remember that “white is gold”. A large area of sand bordering grass can hold lots of fish, and unless you
Winter Fishing
Tampa Bay By Michael Julian take on large Snook, Tarpon and even Cobia. Almost anything will work in these areas but not much beats live bait such as pinfish and if possible, whitebait. Just make sure that you read all posted signs because these areas generally restrict anglers from getting within 50 yards of the shoreline.
were to paddle across the sand pocket and disturb them, they are not likely to move. These fish are ambush predators to the highest degree and this will keep them perfectly still and tight to these edges. Target these fish in water depth ranging from 2-6 feet with good movement. In the shallow water area try using top water plugs such as the Super Spook Jr. from Heddon, Skitter Walk from Rapala, or the Top Dog from Mirrolure. All of these plugs are very productive in luring out aggressive trout from their hiding spots. The trick with these top water pugs is casting distance. With a fast action rod and braided line in the 10 to 15 lb. class look for bottom resembling Swiss cheese. Make your cast so that the retrieve will come across as many sand edges as possible. This will highly increase your chances of a large trout blowing you up, and allow you to fan your casts toward the most productive areas. Soft plastics are also a great way to stir up lazy trout and the same technique should be used as with top water, with the sand edges being your main focus.
Fishing the creek mouths will also be very productive this winter. Focus on areas where water will be spilling into deep holes out of these “feeding streams”. This will be warmer water that has been heated by the day’s sun, and on outgoing to low tides. This water will carry with it small baitfish right to the hungry mouths of game fish such as Snook, Redfish and residential Tarpon. In places like this there is no better presentation than a Mirrodine pulled into the current. The water flowing past the lure along with a twitch every few cranks will create an action that will be hard to pass up by these feeding predators. Another great fall/winter feature of Tampa Bay is the abundance of power plants that are accessible to paddle craft fishermen. Power plants can bring surrounding water temperatures up considerably because of the hot water that is discharged from the outflow, causing many species of baitfish to congregate in the area. These oasis type fisheries are known to draw in significant amounts of marine life and it is not uncommon to
This summer (and so far this fall) has proved to be incredible for inshore fishing in the Tampa Bay area, and will hopefully set us up for a stellar winter. With these fish beginning to settle into their cool water feeding patterns, be ready to adjust with the weather just as they do so you can stay on top of the game and on top of the fish.
Book a winter charter today with Champion SUP angler Michael Julian and enjoy some great winter fishing.
Lessons & Gift Certificates Available
www.HookSUPFishing.com
48
Winter Fishing
Nature Coast By Kyle Staton they're feeling the urge to fatten up for winter before they huddle up in the springs. It's tricky to target these fish. If you catch them on the right day, they will gladly take a top water or suspending twitch bait. The Trout seem to be spread out from the deeper flats to the shallows. In the morning before the sun gets high enough to sight fish, I like to throw top waters over pot holes for these fish. To watch a trout come completely out of the water as it explodes on your lure is an exciting experience. Remember if you catch a monster trout release it to fight another day. Those gator trout are our breeder fish. It's better for the fishery to release the big ones and to keep the slot fish for the dinner table. Be safe and take a friend fishing.
The weather is getting colder and the fishing is heating up! My name is Captain Kyle Staton and I primarily sight fish for Red Drum. September proved to be slow fishing up here in the Homosassa area. The Redfish were few and far between. October brought a few more fish and now in November I am spotting big Red Drum everywhere. When I tell you big, I mean that I have been catching some of the fattest Reds I've ever caught. These fat fish are ranging from 26 to 32 inches. My thoughts on this matter are that when these fish disappeared in September into the deeper water to bread, they ate like crazy and came back with full bellies. No matter how it happened these fish are big, healthy, happy and, as always, strong. I’ve also been catching a lot of small 12” to 15” fish which is the result of last year’s spawn. Most of these fish I’m seeing are singles or in pairs with the occasional school of 6 to 7 fish. I almost always throw a 1/8th or 1/16th ounce gold spoon when sight fishing for
reds. However when it comes to choosing a lure, I think color and size are the most important features. Remember to match your lure color to the clarity of the water. Dark color lures are best for dirty water and light color lures are more geared towards cleaner water. This time of year brings the big Sheep Head Snapper and Black Drum into the shallows. Both of these fish are my favorite eating fish that our back country has to offer. They can be caught using live or dead shrimp, although they prefer a small Fiddler Crab or a small Blue Crab for those bigger Black Drum. Look for the Sheepies on shallow oyster bars. Black Drum like to hang on the edge of these same oyster bars where the water drops off a foot or so.
Snook have been roaming around their usual hunting grounds and seem pretty hungry this time of year. Maybe
Book a winter charter today with Champion kayak angler Kyle Staton and enjoy some great winter fishing.
Lessons & Gift Certificates Available
www.ShallowSightings.com
49
Winter Fishing
East Coast
Winter weather patterns can often make kayak fishing a challenge. These patters can also provide some of the best opportunities in catching trophy redfish, seatrout, snook, flounder and black drum that you will experience all year. The days normally bring a cold front every 5-6 days. The day of the front usually brings rain followed by a day of breezy conditions. In between the fronts are calmer and clear which sends the fish into feeding frenzy. So would you rather be sitting at home watching fishing shows on a cold day or out catching world-class fish? By making a few adjustments and paying attention to detail, you may find wintertime to be your favorite time to fish. HABITATS: The principle habitats in and around the Sebastian area are the miles of mangroves that overhang along the shoreline, shallow sea grass flats and the inlet itself. The food source for our bigger game fish starts to concentrate along and under mangrove lines, along structure such as rocks and piers and on the grass flats. They hold creatures that feed off of the barnacles and algae that cover the branches, off of the grass, rocks and pylons. Young fish, shrimp and crabs and other crustaceans then feed off of those creatures providing a food source for larger game fish. In addition, they provide cover to hide as they try to avoid being eaten. Under mangroves in deeper cuts; redfish, trout, flounder and the occasional snook will lie in waiting for small baitfish to come to them. I have
even come across schools of black drum under mangroves. On the flats, you can find reds, trout and black drum looking for their winter foods, shrimp, crabs, and worms. Creeks and rivers are mostly located on the west side of the Indian River Lagoon. These warmer areas will hold snook and tarpon. With the warmer waters, the habitat offers a melting pot of different foods for different species. The diversity of the Indian and Banana River and Mosquito Lagoon flats offers you the chance to target a diverse amount of species. TIMES and LOCATIONS: The best places to fish are based on the water temperatures. If you cannot stand the lower air temperatures in the morning, relax and have some coffee and then head out. Most of the time, the fish do not get active until the sun has been up an hour or
so. Concentrate on locations where the sun starts cooking the water first thing or just on the outside of the shadow created by the mangroves. Fish drop offs where trout and reds sun themselves right on the edge. With the rapidly rising water temperatures on the grass flats, reds and trout will be found sunning themselves in sand holes. The temperatures can fluctuate 15 - 20 degrees through the day. I usually find that the best time to find fish hitting the flats is around high noon. Some deeper channels between islands, culverts and little back bay areas also are great areas to try first thing in the morning or later in the day when the sun begins to go down. The channels will hold warmer water due to depth. This is where you may find a school of smaller black drum hovering just under the mangroves and sheepshead. Culverts and bays will be warmer because the bottom will be
50
Winter Fishing
dark and will hold warmth longer thru night and heat up quicker during the day. Snook can be found in these areas along with trout and redfish. On the flats, cast through the pot holes. Many times the larger holes hold a few reds and multiple trout. This is the time of year you will find schooling trout just sitting there in deeper holes laying in wait for their next meal. I have experience seeing hundreds of trout on a sand flat that is only a few hundred yards wide. Within those trout, you will find reds or even Sheepshead hiding. Flounder can be found in the sand flats where there is a flow of water while
East Coast
laying in wait for their next meal as well. I have experience non-stop action in these areas. Tide does not influence when I choose to fish in the winter unless I am focusing on pompano on the adjacent flats of the Sebastian inlet or if I find black drum in the nearby channels. My experience has shown that pompano seem to run along the drop offs, around islands and on the flats when there is a lot of food being pushed with the tide and they seem to leave or shut down at slack tide. Black drum start striking more often during an incoming tide in the later part of the day. My experience is that
they wait for the food source to come to them. I have never encountered a tailing black drum in the southern area, only in the NIRL, Banana River or Mosquito Lagoon. BASIC TACKLE AND EQUIPMENT: Basic tackle that I use for reds and trout includes a spinning rod and reel holding about 150-200 yards of 10 lb. test braided line in yellow or moss. Depending on the species of fish I am looking to target, I like to use between 12 – 20lb fluorocarbon leader. Winter is the time to go small with all your gear including your lures. You
51
Winter Fishing
East Coast
want to present your offerings without spooking the fish in any way. Since the water clarity is crystal, they will see your every move and every presentation if you are not as stealth as possible. Redfish and trout will strike a variety of surface and subsurface lures, and there are thousands of lures manufactured that target these species and it can get a bit confusing so I will tell you what I find to work for me. The Spook Jr. by Heddon has brought me more strikes than any other surface lure. I like the trout, bone and the black and gold. Also, I have recently started using High Rollers which are a plug made out of wood with a prop at the tail. This seems to land quieter and the retrieve is more controllable than the Spook Jr.. I can use any combination of retrieve techniques but I start out with a slow retrieve and speed it up if I am not getting any reaction strikes. Another lure type I love using are 12 Fathom plastic baits that are rigged weedless on an Edje Joe 3/0 to 4/0 hook. There are many styles and colors to choose from but my favorites for winter at SlamR, Buzz Tails, and the Fat Sam Mullet. The colors I usually prefer for Buzz Tails and Fat Sam Mullet in the winter are Baby Shrimp, Shimmer Gold, Clear Gold, GoldDLuxe, and New Penny. For the SlamR; Glow Shrimp, and Clear Gold Glitter. The Edje Joe hooks come in different gap sizes, weights and are dipped so you have different colors. The tip has a worm screw for attaching into the front of the bait and then the hook itself is inserted farther back with the point left inside the bait, making it weedless. The other option I use is a Joe Jig with the same options
except it is a jighead. The action one gets when putting this combination together is based on your speed of retrieval, of course. TECHNIQUE: The only difference between my summer and winter technique is speed of retrieval. Its all about practicing 4 things. Patience, accuracy, stealth, and slowness. Even if you don’t see your target fish you should always practice “P.A.S.S.”. Patience: It is always the toughest thing to do. It goes like this….You see your target fish, you heart starts pounding. You try to get as close as you can, as fast as you can, only to spook the fish. So, one must learn to be patient and observe. Stealth is our biggest advantage. We need to do everything we can to minimize or eliminate noise. Long accurate casts deliver a better hookup ratio. Ideally, your cast will land and the fish will never suspect that a human
delivered it. Practice accuracy, then practice distance. I love my Native Watercraft Ultimate kayak and my Bull Bay 7'6" rod to help accomplish this. I can get into VERY skinny water and I can cast a mile to help with distance and being stealth. Search casting: Early mornings when the angle of the sun is not helping you see into the water, I use a small top water to seek out my prey. Cast and retrieve SLOWLY to start. If you think you are going slow, go slower. In the summer, I must cast over 1000 times. In the winter, it’s reduced to ¼ of that. If you get a strike and no hookup, cast to the same spot you originally cast to and work your lure though again. The colder water makes them lethargic. They will likely circle around after the lure drops and sit right back down in the same sand hole. Chances are good that you will get a strike and hopefully hook up. When you do, remember what speed you were retrieving and repeat.
52
Winter Fishing I like carrying 2 rods. The second is rigged with a soft plastic so I can work the bottom. If the fish doesn’t hit the first rod rigged with a topwater, I will cast my other lure and drag it SUPER slow on the bottom almost at a snails pace. Make your offering easy for them to eat and your success will improve. Slowly crawling your bait across the bottom or through the grass with a steady retrieve can often be more effective than attempting to give it too much life. Sharply actions with your lure can spook shallow water fish and send them racing off the flat. Sight fishing technique: Trophy Trout: When the water temperatures dip in to the 50’s and 60’s, the larger trout will invade the shallow sand holes seeking warmth from the daytime sun. Sight fishing for big trout is one of the most challenging adventures but it can be done. Trophy sized trout in shallow water are some of the most wary fish on the flats and must be approached with extreme stealth and you must cast from a distance. Trout are ambush feeders and are almost always lying motionless near the grass edge or in a sand hole on a sand flat. Their camouflage backs make them difficult to spot from a distance, even to the trained eye but on a sand flat, if you can get some height by standing, you can spot them easier. They look like long black dashes. If you see big trout on the move, it has probably taken notice of your presence and will rarely eat. However, I have seen them settle down to the next sand hole and after using PASS, I was able to hook up on several occasions.
East Coast
Trophy Redfish and Snook: Unfortunately the areas around Sebastian Inlet flats do not hold the big trophy reds the Northern Indian River Lagoon and Mosquito Lagoon hold. I am speaking of the ones weighing more than 30 or 40 lbs. You will find them within the inlet itself and along the outsides of the jetties ready to inhale their next meal. The pods of bait fish hanging around the edges and moving through the inlet are keeping them there. However, slot sized reds will act pretty much the same as the trout except they will also be moving along the sand drop offs, sunning in sand holes and under mangroves. Rarely do I find them showing off their tails. Usually only a tiny portion of their tails will give them away. Again, I practice using PASS. In the NIRL and ML,
watch what direction the tail is pointing. That is the direction the fish will be moving as it is feeding. Cast in front of him using the same technique above and let the fish come to the bait. Again, let the bait fall to the bottom in front of the fish. Good luck and get out there and have fun, stay warm and watch the weather reports! Fish on!
Book a winter charter today with Champion kayak angler Dee Kaminski and enjoy some great winter fishing.
Lessons & Gift Certificates Available
For both trout and reds, it is imperative your cast lands well beyond the fish and quietly. Dropping it within several feet of them will make them spook. When I spot a fish lying in a sand hole or on the move, I cast past the hole and slowly bring my bait, almost crawling, in front of his face and let it drop. I also try not to have the line land on their backs. When you see a tailing red, be patient and
www.ReelKayakFishing.com
53
Reaching Out & What it Takes
By Capt. Pat Horrigan
Recently I was chatting with my friend Steve Bendzak of ExOffico who had also sent me some interesting photos of his trip to Kenya. It made me curious as to what he was up to and it came as little surprise that he was personally helping victims of a war torn nation and had his company resources involved. This got me to thinking about all of the much needed, helpful things that ExOffico does around the world and what it must take to support their philanthropic efforts…so I looked into it. In Kenya, the company assists ExOfficio partner World Concern to provide a chance for a life beyond war. Transform-
ExOfficio also partners with Rivers of Recover, an organization that creates lifetime experiences for disabled Veterans and their families. They also support
with students to teach them about the importance of discovery and the natural world around us through wilderness exploration. All of this of course takes money, personal involvement and commitment. Medical Teams International sends volunteer teams around the world to provide disaster relief, surgeries and general medical care to impoverished people. ExOfficio supports their efforts by outfitting their medical
teams and staff as well as donating product for fundraising events to support MTI efforts.
54
Photo by Bryan Hansel
ing lives of the world’s poorest people into a meaningful, hope filled, productive life takes great effort and resources. The refugees there are working on environmental improvement projects, agriculture and housing projects to rebuild shattered lives. The refugees from Darfur & Sudan were forced out of their home lands by monstrous rebel groups, behavior that is difficult to get my mind around. Never the less, Steve is right in there doing what he can to help. It must have been humbling to witness these friendly people working together to rebuild.
the Wilderness Classroom Organization who reaches around the world to work
All of this adds up to a lot of work by a lot of fantastic people worldwide and ExOfficio is happy to be in position to help support the efforts of these fine organizations. So you may be asking yourself why I am bringing all of this to your attention. I am not trying to further support a sponsor of ours… not at all. We do plenty of marketing of all of our sponsors. I bring this to your attention because of what it is that Steve and ExOfficio are quietly doing. Financial involvement is of course a must, but
personal involvement and personal sacrifice is unheralded. As if almost working in the background of anonymity, saying little and doing much. Why did Steve go halfway around the world to help total strangers? Why does his company support so many needed organizations? Because it’s the right thing to do. There is much to be done and yesterday was the only easy day…
Recon for Reds
I really love kayak fishing. Being closer to the water, becoming more intimate with your prey and the quiet solitude are just a few reasons why I prefer a kayak over a boat. But there are still redeeming qualities offered by a power boat that enhances the kayak fishing experience and can assist while prefishing for tournaments. I will frequently hitch a ride with friends to reconnoiter possible kayak fishing spots or see if the fish are at some of my favorites. Recently I fished with Dave Johnstone and Alan Reddick on Alan’s Hewes Tailfisher around Pine Island. I haven’t owned a boat in several years, but if I
Bob’s Corner
did, it would be this boat. It is capable of operating in very skinny water and is very comfortable to fish from. I was planning to fish with my kayak later in the week for an upcoming tournament and the plan was to see where the fish were in relation to the nearest kayak launch. We launched from Matlacha Park and headed north to the Burnt Store bar. Burnt Store Bar refers to a long, shallow sandy flat running the East side of Charlotte Harbor. The area has long been known for producing many varieties of large fish from redfish to tarpon. The bar runs from just south the mouth of the
By Bob Bramblet
Peace River south to Matlacha Pass, about 15 miles. There are many kayak launch points from Cape Coral to Punta Gorda that offer access to the bar. We arrived in minutes and began fishing bait schools running along the shallows. Almost immediately we boated several trout ranging from 15” to over 20”. After a half hour we headed to the next spot. A few miles away, but just minutes by boat is the kismet launch area. This launch is at the end of a road in Cape Coral and after a long paddle through twisting mangrove creeks, empties into Matlacha Pass. It’s usually a good area for redfish but can be very disappointing
55
Bob’s Corner By Bob Bramblet head back, stopping at one more spot on the way in. Indian Fields is a vast area on the west side of Matlacha Pass that encompasses several flats areas and small mangrove islands. A few years ago, fishing buddy Jim VanPelt and I had a secret launch here that allowed us to reach the flats, and tailing redfish in minutes. That has been closed off and now it’s a several mile paddle to reach the area we like to fish. Alan eased the boat onto the flats and we began fishing. We worked the shallows and the deeper pockets and came up with a couple of trout. Eventually it was time to call it a day.
if the fish aren’t there after the trek. We worked the mangrove shoreline and open flats with gold paddletails and came up empty. Just before moving on, Alan scored a nice snook just shy of the slot. We continued our journey and made the long run to Pineland.
anglers, there was no life on the flats. Even the ever present trout holding up in the sandy potholes were not eating. Farther out toward Cat Key, we finally had redfish turning and following our paddletails, but no takers. We decided to
On the way in I reflected on the success of the trip. We didn’t catch a lot of fish, but I felt we accomplished quite a bit. I would have had to spend a day at each of these launches to cover them as thoroughly as we did, and we covered them all in one day. This allowed me to make the decision of which launch to use with confidence. That is no small thing because on tournament day, you only get one shot.
Pineland is a small community on Pine Island. It’s the home of the historic Tarpon Lodge and the Pineland Marina. It’s a little north of the middle of the island and usually is a world-class red fishery. The area is vast and kayakers can go north, west and south of the launch and find fish. We started on the north flats and could easily see redfish cruising the mangrove shoreline. Alan picked off a small red, but for the most part they were not fooled by our lures. We made our way south and crossed a flats area where I have caught very many large redfish. Aside from a few kayak
56
National Championship Classic
National Championship Classic 2013 Results The Mosquito Lagoon natives were drumming on Friday night before the Kayak Fishing ClassicS National Championship Classic scheduled for November 16th. Several anglers loaded up their yaks and headed out onto the Mosquito Lagoon for some local redfish action. The anglers paddled over to the Haulover Canal where huge reds seem to congregate and Friday night was no exception. The moon was full and the reds were drumming so loud that you could hear
that special beat drumming up through the water. Now that’s some serious drumming. Joe Komyati caught a huge redfish then his partner Michael Julian did the same. Pepi Vidal then followed and the bite was on fire.
only 20 qualified for the Invitational National Championship Classic. These anglers are the best of the best and are from all over the region. And why not with what all is up for grabs to the winners.
The weather had been questionable for the National Championship Classic with a cold front, windy conditions and some rain. The high pressure zone got pushed around the weather was perfect for tournament day. The bite should be good and it was.
This year’s format was a little different; the top four anglers each won a kayak and the remaining top ten shared in $10,000.00 in sponsor gear prizes. First and second place each won the all new Predator 13 kayak by Old Town and third and fourth place each won a KC Kayaks K12 Kayak. The 6th through 10th winners took turns selecting one sponsor gear item at a time then the remaining
Of the hundreds of anglers that fished in the saltwater tournament series this year,
57
contestants joined in to share all of the gear so everyone received a very nice prize package. Here’s how the winners scored in this year’s 4 redfish national championship;
Chuck Statham won 1st place and scored a total of 114.6” with 4 redfish caught on paddle tail soft plastics. Chuck scored 28”, 28.5”, 29” & 29.1” fish for his total. Congratulations Chuck for an unbelievable year that you have had. Chuck also won the National Angler of the Year Award, the Gulf Series division and the divisional angler of the year to rack up some impressive numbers. Chuck selected the Old Town Predator 13 in Camo color.
some series year and we congratulate him for all of his success. Joe won an Old Town all new Predator 13 in yellow color which Joe can’t wait to get into the water.
Joe Komyati won 2nd place with a 4 redfish and a total score of 101.2” caught on Yo-Zuri Lures and soft plastics. Joe scored 23.9”, 24”, 25.2”and 28.1” fish for his total. Joe also had an awe-
William Lusk captured 4th place with catches measuring 24.1”, 25.8”, 21.7” and 22.9” for a total of 94.5” of redfish and an all white KC Kayaks K12. William has had a very good year against some very good competition and we congratulate him for this win. William lost a 40” red which slipped his jaw grip-
Michael Julian nailed down 3rd place with catches of 23.1”, 28.7”, 23.5” and 24.5” redfish, all on soft plastics. That totals 99.8” of redfish and it was good enough for 3rd place and a new KC Kayaks K12. Michael had a fantastic series year and we congratulate him.
58
per when lifting it out of the net and onto the measuring board. That may have changed a few things but that’s fishing. Pepi Vidal earned 5th place with 4 redfish measuring 25.2”, 21.5”, 20.9” and 20.9” and selected the new Magellan eXplorist GPS for his grand prize. Pepi is also the winner of the East Series division and the east Angler of the Year. Congratulations Pepi, it’s been a huge year for you on and off the water. 6th place-Rodney Nelson = 77.7” 7th place- Wade Hollowell = 74.6” 8th place- Jean McElroy = 62.5” 9th place- Joshua Harris = 57.9” 10th place- Otis Coblentz = 57.4” Largest redfish scored in tournament went to Otis Coblentz with a 31.5” red caught on a Big Hammer swimbaits. Congratulations Otis. We wish to thank all of our sponsors, awards host Dixie Crossroads Seafood Restaurant and of course all of the anglers who fished in our tournaments this year. We are looking forward to next year which will mark our 5th year of bringing you the ClassicS. The Winter Issue of KFC Tournament Trail Magazine will be published about the same
time you read this article and you can take a look at it on our website at www.KayakFishingClassicS.com The winter issue is special as it contains the Shoppers Gear Guide to help our friends select those special kayak angler gifts. Thanks again and have a wonderful Christmas and Holiday Season.
59
60
61
62
63
A Special Thank You
All of us at the Kayak Fishing ClassicS wish to thank Pepi Vidal for his assistance and hard work in bringing the ClassicS to the Space Coast in 2013. He helped guide us in unfamiliar waters and to make new friends. We wish you and your family all of the best in 2014.
May the winds of life always be at your back Capt. Pat
64
Some Great Places to Eat We would like to introduce you to some of our Tournament Host Sponsors from around Florida That were so gracious to us and our tournament contestants throughout the series year. When you are out and about Florida please stop in a visit them...the food is always good.
Whiskey Joe’s Bar & Grill is a long time favorite of the ClassicS and our contestants. The Tampa Bay eatery features very good food, excellent service, a very cool atmosphere, a real Tiki Bar on WJ’s private beach. It’s great family fun and you can drive your boat right up onto their beach. Whiskey Joe’s has wood burning fire pits on the beach to warm you on a chilly day and a raised band stand with live talent performing some very hip music. If you are driving across the Courtney Campbell Causeway pull into WJ’s and let the valet park your car for you. Open the doors to the very beach-classy ambiance and enjoy the wonderful restaurant overlooking beautiful Tampa Bay.
Host of Old Tampa Bay Classic
The Dixie Crossroads Seafood Restaurant really is World Famous. It’s no wonder with the way they do things. The seafood is fresh and delicious every day and prepared to perfection every time. There is plenty of parking at this highly popular eatery in Titusville and once you eat there you will understand why.
Host of Mosquito Lagoon Classic & the National Championship Classic
Host of the Fort DeSoto Classic
The World Famous Dixie Crossroads play host to the ClassicS twice in 2013. The Mosquito Lagoon Classic and our National Championship Classic just would not have been the same without the friendly atmosphere you will find here. We know you will enjoy a visit here.
Billy’s Stone Crab Restaurant is a steak and seafood lovers paradise. This fantastic eatery overlooks southern Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico situated in Tierra Verde near Fort DeSoto for you campers and nature lovers. The beach-relaxed atmosphere is very comfortable and easy going so bring your friends and family to this great iconic eatery. Service is always the best and very friendly. You can also motor your boat up to Billy’s docks on the backside of the restaurant. Say while you are their be sure to take their boat tour of the area. Yep, it’s that beautiful and it’s all for your enjoyment. See you at Billy’s real soon.
65
Tournament Hosts If you’re a nature lover and enjoy camping then Kars Park along the Banana River in the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is a must stop for you. We held our Banana River Classic there and it was fantastic. The wildlife is abundant and always amazing to go along with your fishing or wildlife tours. The campground is spotless and modern with accommodations for tents to RV’s with modern showers and restrooms. We know you will enjoy your stay at Kars Park as much as we did. The migrating bird population is overwhelming and inspiring which makes for great photography and painting. See you there and happy camping.
Kars Park Banana River Classic
The Everglades Seafood Depot in Everglades City is a must visit. The seafood is phenomena and fresh daily. Local commercial fishermen supply the eatery with yummy South Florida fish and shells. You will love their cooking like we do and the view is beautiful overlooking the waterway. The Florida Everglades is home of some of the most beautiful and exotic wildlife in the world. It is also home of real South Florida everglades home cooking so stop in and visit the Everglades Seafood Depot on your next trip to the Florida Everglades. You’ll be glade you did.
Everglades Seafood Depot Host of the 10,000 Islands Classic
Host of the Round Island Classic
Cobb’s Landing hosted our Round Island Classic and we were very impressed with this very esthetic waterfront restaurant. The food will amaze you as much as the atmosphere and friendly service. There is a lot of history here so be sure to ask about it. The eatery is perfect for large wedding parties or corporate meetings in their private dinning rooms overlooking the Indian River Lagoon. After a great meal and you feel like kicking up your heels a bit head down the boardwalk to Original Tiki Bar for some tropical beverages, live music and more fun. You can drive up and park or motor up to Fort Pierce Marina and tie-off your boat. Both places are fun and exciting and the food is Soooo good. See you there soon...
66
Tournament Hosts
Host of the Pine Island Classic
Another favorite location of ours is the famous Tarpon Lodge in Pineland located on Pine Island, Florida. The old lodge is absolutely wonderful with its rustic yet refined elegance creating an unusual atmosphere found only in South Florida. The food is of course fantastic to go along with the great service and the lodging is a treat to the heart and eyes. The old world charming lodge overlooks the Gulf of Mexico and the famous fishing grounds of the lodge. This is a great get-away locale to just unwind or to do some world class fishing. The service is second to none and the scenery is amazing. Launch your boat and tie-off at the docks right out in front of the lodge. The Long Point Café’ is a very nice little restaurant serving some very good food with equally good service. The family restaurant hosted our Sebastian Classic and we were delighted to discover it. The family owned eatery is one of the best restaurants around and enjoys the comfort of a relaxed atmosphere. The tackle store next to the Long Point Café’ is also owned by the same family and has everything that you will need for your next fishing trip to the area. Stop in and visit the good folks there and enjoy some great home cooking that you are sure to like.
Long Point Café’ Host of the Sebastian Classic Pecks Old Port Cove Seafood Restaurant is strictly top shelf. The restaurant is well known for it’s local fresh caught seafood and blue crabs. Fresh caught shrimp, grouper and more are on the menu and prepared to perfection with old family recipes. The fun rustic atmosphere and affordable prices just ad to the enjoyment of this water front eatery located in Ozello, Florida. It is one of our favorite locations to fish and eat. Just ask any of our anglers and you will hear the same thing, over and over again. You just can’t beat the Pecks Old Port Cove Seafood Restaurant...it’s that good and you should try it next time you are in the area.
Host of the Ozello Classic Cracker Jacks Seafood Tiki is a great place to have some fun and enjoy a good meal. Our anglers love this place too. Cracker Jacks is located on the famous Indian River in Titusville and you owe it to yourself to make it a stop when in the area. The service and ambiance are fun and relaxing and the food is tasty too. The out door Tiki is fun and friendly with lively keepers and patrons. We know you will enjoy your visit here as much as we do. The fishing in the area is very good and the restaurant will of course cook your catch for you. See you there soon.
Cracker Jacks Tiki Host of the Indian River Classic
67
Using Your Resources
www.YakAngler.com We have found that the YakAngler is a very good information resource for many of your kayak fishing needs. You may find it strange to see another online magazine and forum advertised in our magazine. Our thoughts on that are simple. If you find something good‌ Share it! Promote Kayak Fishing, it’s a great sport.
Photo Florida Fishing Adventure
68
Using Your Resources
www.KayakFishingMagazine.net The Kayak Fishing Magazine is really a kayak fishing information entity. They provide insights into kayak manufacturing, fishing gear, monthly stories and much more. Visit KFM and you will see just how great of a resource they are.
24� Fluke Caught by Chris Parson
69
Using Your Resources Become a part of the action with the Florida Sportsman Magazine and forum. The highly informative magazine has been supporting the Kayak Fishing ClassicS efforts for over 4 years now and we are proud to be associated with them. Here you will get the latest info on anything fishing so you can’t go wrong. Check them out from the link below and we are sure you will want to add them to your favorites.
www.FloridaSportsman.com
70
Using Your Resources Another favorite of ours is Kayak Angler Magazine. It’s flat out awesome and full of great information from kayak touring, camping, waterwater, canoeing to kayak fishing and more. An electronic subscription to Kayak Angler would be a great gift!
www.RapidMedia.com
71
OUR WONDERFUL SPONSORS
72