Safe and Responsible Boating This Summer
By: Captain Martin Goldys Reel Harmony Fishing Charters
Think about your ideal summer day: gathering your family & friends to head out on the boat with a packed cooler and clear blue skies. While that may sound like a dream, that good time doesn’t come without responsibility. To protect ourselves, wildlife, and sustain our fragile ecosystem, safety should always be at the forefront when out on the water. This doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy yourself, but practicing safe and responsible boating will ensure you have that perfect day and allow future generations to enjoy our beautiful surroundings for years to come.
Each action you take can make a difference: launching your vessel safely; having proper equipment onboard; being kind and courteous to other boaters; removing trash from the water and picking up debris near boat ramps and launch sites; showing respect to other fisherman in the area; and most importantly, honoring navigational rules and boating regulatory zones.
If you are new to boating and the coastal lifestyle, it is always a good practice to take an experienced waterman along with you for guidance. A fun day out on the water can become very dangerous in moment’s notice if you are not familiar with everyday occurrences (tides, currents, storms, navigational guides, motor malfunctions, and vessel equipment).
While it remains the captain’s duty as the main operator of the vessel, everyone on board has a shared responsibility to serve as a ‘lookout’ and point out wildlife, other boats, navigational signs, and potential weather threats. Start your day by taking a moment to discuss a plan with all passengers on your vessel before departure, and review basic safety before leaving the boat ramp.
Launching your vessel at a public boat ramp can be a difficult task that could become rather stressful. If you are new to launching and loading a boat, be sure and recruit help. Designate a lookout to guide you up and down the launch ramp while securing lines to your vessel for easier loading/unloading. Also consider visiting the boat ramp for a practice launch during slower times frames when you can take your time and not feel rushed. In short, avoid launching your vessel on weekends at the busier of boat ramps. When possible, try a weekday when the traffic and pressure is lighter.
There are free Florida Boater guides available at most outdoor, boating, bait shops, and sporting goods stores that can provide you with some basic safety information. You can also read up on information provided from both FWC (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and/or the U.S. Coast Guard. Take advantage of all the free resources you can and create a checklist that can be easily reviewed before each outing. Knowing what size or type life jackets, navigational lights, fire extinguishers, ventilation systems, Visual Distress Signals (VDSs), sound producing devices, sound signals, and diver-down warning devices is essential.
If you spot another boat in distress while on your vessel, offer assistance or to call for help. Normally FWC, the U.S. Coast Guard, local Sheriff, or local Tow-Boat agencies are within close proximity to all river situations. When you place a distress call, be prepared to relay your location (Longitude & Latitude coordinates or recognized landmarks) and the reason for your call as this will help to expedite the response to your situation. When on the water, be very observant of your surroundings and respect the space of wildlife and other boaters.
Keep an eye out for wildlife such as birds, manatees, and dolphin pods in an effort to avoid contact or collision. Do your best to provide ample space between you and other fishing vessels. You want to prevent from crossing fishing lines and intruding on the fishing space of others. There is plenty of area and a wide variety of fishing holes in our Central Florida region. Meaning, there is NO reason to crowd other boats and fisherman when out on the water.
Everyone can easily do their part in removing trash and unwanted debris from the water - even while launching your boat, try and pick up any trash you might notice scattered around the parking lot or near the water’s edge this can prevent it from making its way into the water and being consumed by marine life.
Florida law requires anyone who was born after January 1st, 1988, to successfully complete an approved boating safety course and obtain a Boating Safety Education Card issued by the FWC.
You can find boater safety courses being advertised through FWC, the U.S. Coast Guard, Boat ED., or Boat U.S. These courses are designed to ensure you are comfortable and confident behind the wheel of a motorized vessel. Ensuring you understand what to do when encountering other vessels, navigation rules, nighttime navigation, U.S. Aids to Navigation System (ATON), first aid situations, fire safety, and how to operate a VHF Radio are among the basics reviewed in a boater’s safety course.
Otherwise, do your best to stay up to date on new boating laws and policies to ensure the safety of you, your friends, your family, and surrounding boaters. For state boating law information, contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Simply visit the FWC website at www.MyFWC.com or call (850)488-5600.
Together we can ensure everyone’s safety while out on the water. Make this summer a safe one full of great memories! If you are looking for a Family Friendly Fishing Charter experience, look no further that Reel Harmony Fishing Charters. Be sure and check us out on
P.O. Box 290002
Port Orange, Fl. 32129
386-478-3725
www.fishnhuntmag.com
Email: fishandhuntday@gmail.com
Published By:
Desiree’ Harbster
Capt. Shelby Harbster Zona
In Loving Memory of
Roger S. Harbster 12/25/1929 ~ 4/24/2009
Dorothy F. Harbster 3/17/1936-4/18/2018
WRITERS:
Desiree’ Harbster
Capt. Lynda Hawkins
Haley w/ Ponce Inlet Fishing Charter Network
Reel Harmony Fishing Charters Capt. Marty
Front Captions:
• Steve Kendrath and his son Capt. Cody with Vulcan Charters caught this sailfish off Ponce Inlet.
• WestWind Witches is a tournament proven winner with this mahi caught during the Miss Mahi Tour.
• Noah Stokes with a 12 pound bass fishing Lake Broward.
VOLUSIA COUNTY
By: Desiree’ Harbster and Capt Lynda Hawkins
Get Caught Up with Caught Up Fishing Charters in New Smyrna Beach, Florida
To plan your next fishing trip with Captain Bruno and book the ultimate fishing or boating charter adventure
A Fishing Trip That Lasts a Lifetime
By: Danny Lovane
No one expects to learn a life-long lesson during a fishing trip, especially when you are young. Fishing as a child was always fun and entertaining. My grandfather and I have been fishing together for many years, and we won tournament after tournament. Most people do not realize the hard work that goes into a day trip into the big blue Atlantic Ocean. The time that I realized how much work really went into fishing, I learned a lesson that I would never forget. Even one that I would pass on to my own children as they grow up fishing with my grandfather and me.
My grandfather Alan Crouch and I that spring of 1992.
In late spring of 1992, on a Friday evening, the night before the fishing tournament, my grandfather sat me down and said, “I am going to teach you how to make these rigs and finish rigging the baits.” That had always been something that I wanted to learn to do after watching him for eight years prior to this night. We sat there on his dock, and we rigged baits and made new rigging for hours that night with the sunset in the distance. Overlooking the river in his backyard, he proceeds to tell me that we have an early morning and we needed to get some rest. Of course, as a young child I did not understand why we needed to go to bed so early.
The following morning my grandfather wakes me up at 4 a.m. and says, “boy its time to get going”! Excited, I jump out of bed and hurry down the stairs and out on the dock. By the time I made it to the boat I was freezing. For it to be springtime in Florida, the weather was unusually cool in the early hours of morning. “Wait grandpa” I yelled, “I need a jacket”. At that moment he holds up my jacket that he had already put in the boat. He looked at me like he knew that I was going to ask for that jacket, with a huge smile on his face he say’s “anything else you need?” Now, I started to see how far in advance my grandfather was thinking. I put on my jacket, we told my grandmother we loved her, and we were off.
As we pull away from the dock, we noticed that there was a little bit more wind than had been forecasted from the night before. When the wind gusts are higher, that means that the ocean could be rougher than projected. We stroll down the intercoastal waterway and I’m shivering from the wind blowing in my face. As we were strolling along, we noticed that the river was very calm, even with the wind. I even remember him mentioning how calm it was. We are starting to pull into the inlet’s no wake zone and my grandfather started slowing the boat down to a minimum wake, which is about five miles per hour. Once we slowed down, that made the wind seem to die down for the moment and it felt like it warmed up twenty degrees in no time. It took us fifteen minutes to get through the no wake zone and then we sped back up and through the inlet to the Atlantic Ocean we go.
We hit the exit of the inlet at about 4:30-4:45 that morning and we instantly realized that it was going to be a rough day on the water. My grandfather’s Grady White boat was getting beaten wave after wave. The ocean spray was blowing all over us in the wind, and it was so dark that you could not see anything. We just started out through the inlet and had over an hour ride left to go before we start fishing. I am soaking wet and freezing cold, I look over at him and he is focused on the task at hand. Both hands on the wheel and the throttle is wide open. Fishing a tournament is not cheap, so he was focused on winning. Wave after wave, minute after minute, we keep heading out into the ocean. The site of the hotels behind us faded until you saw nothing but water. I asked him, when are we going to start trolling and he said when we reach 200 feet deep. I kept my eyes on his depth finder, 120,150,160,180, then finally 200 as he slowed the boat down.
Con’t on pgs 8-10
We get the outriggers set out and start setting the bait out that I helped rig the night before. All seven lines are out and in about thirty minutes, I can hear the snap of an outrigger clip release and we have our first fish on the line. My grandfather always let me reel the fish in because he wanted to be the person driving and gaffing the fish. As the fish is running off the line on the reel and the boat rocking me back and forth, I screamed, “I can’t do this”. The fish was fighting hard, and my little arms could not take it. My grandfather looks directly at me and speaks deeply, “YOU DON’T TELL ME YOU CAN’T, REEL THAT FISH IN!” So, in a hurry I start pulling up on the rod and reeling the line in until I get it close to the boat. My grandfather positions me where he can get a clean gaff in, and BAM, one Mahi Mahi in the boat. This day is starting out pretty good.
As the sun starts coming up over the horizon, so does the temperature. Between catching a good sized mahi and the sun, I’m finally starting to warm up. As the sun comes up, you can see all the clouds in the distance. This can be a bad thing if it shifts and comes our way. It was already rough enough I thought, and snap, another outrigger clip releases. The second fish on the hook. I grab the rod from my grandfather and start holding it tightly.
It was another mahi and it looks like he is even bigger than the last one. After about 30 minutes, my arm is tired from holding the rod and trying to reel. My legs are tired from trying to keep my balance and I have the ocean salt all over my body. I yelled out again, “I can’t do it grandpa, my arms hurt.” He turned to me and let me have it again, “YOU DON’T TELL ME YOU CAN’T, JUST REEL IN THAT FISH”. I swallowed my pride and started to reel right past my arms and my legs. Mahi number two in the boat. This one was twice the size of the first. A wonderful start to a fishing tournament day.
For the next few hours, the fishing settled down quite a bit. While we were just trolling around in the ocean my grandfather asked me why I keep saying that I can’t reel them in? Before I even got words out of my mouth, he proceeded to say, “you never say that you can’t because you can do anything that you set your mind to. Always remember, that if you start out with ‘I can’t’, then you never will. You are very capable as you have shown to yourself, so do not ever tell me you can’t again”. “Yes sir” I replied and began thinking about what he was really trying to tell me over the next few hours.
At almost 4 o’clock in the afternoon the ocean really started to get rough. The boat rocked back and forth really bad. The sun went away as the clouds began to move in, and then the rain. I remember to this day how cold that rain felt on my skin. I helped my grandfather put up the rain curtains around the console of the boat. Seconds after we sat down, I saw one of the rods in the holder start to bend and bounce. Then the reel started to scream, and we were catching another fish. Again, my grandfather hands me the rod as I try to gain my balance.
The way the fish was pulling off the line, you could tell it was big. Just holding the rod while the fish was running was hurting my arms. Then here comes the thought of I CAN’T into my head. But this time, I didn’t say it. I remembered what he had told me, so I grit my teeth and began to reel the fish in. I went back and forth with this fish for over an hour. I reel some in and he pulls some back out. By the time I get it to close to the boat, the fish starts jumping and flipping in the water. It’s a sailfish, my very first one. I had never caught a sailfish before. I continued to go back and forth for what seemed like forever, and we finally landed this fish into the boat. My grandfather is so excited and now we have three big fish to weigh in.
It’s getting late and we pull in our lines and outriggers. “Clean up the bait riggings and let’s head to the weigh in”, he says. At this point in the day, I am exhausted. I have been trying to keep my balance all day and it gets extremely tiring. After an intense and rough ride home, we finally make it close to the inlet. I can see the lighthouse in the distance which means we are getting close.
Bait
-Red Worms
-Live Shrimp
-Live Shiners
-Live Minnows
Monday 7am-3pm
Tues-Sat 5am-5pm
baittackleme@gmail.com
-Live Fiddler Crabs (When Ava.)
-Canadian Night Crawlers
Twenty more minutes go by, and we are both excited to be pulling up to the weigh in station. We call the weigh station employees on the radio, “this is Sugar (the name of the boat) we have fish to weigh” my grandfather said. “Go ahead and pull in Sugar”, they announced. As we get close to the dock, I can see my grandmother sitting on the balcony waiting to see what we have caught.
The boat is docked, and my grandfather starts to pull out the fish one by one. One mahi, then two mahi and the crowd watching is cheering at this point. They weigh the mahi and bring them back to the boat and we have a first-place fish!
We are screaming with joy and remembered that we still have the sailfish in the other fish box. My grandpa puts the mahi away and starts to pull out the sailfish and the crowd goes wild. We have the first sailfish at the weigh in so far, which puts us in first place in that category too. We pull off, heading back to the house and keep listening on the radio for the final weigh in totals. As we pulled into the dock at the house, we start cleaning up the boat which takes forever. My grandfather always made sure you got the saltwater off everything important; the boats are not cheap to maintain already, especially when you do not take care of them.
Fish Hook Jewelry and Accessories
After the boat is cleaned the way he wants, we can start taking the fish out of the boxes and taking our pictures with them. I could not hold the sailfish by myself, so he had to help me hold it. My grandmother got a good one of the two of us together. I was just beside myself with excitement to tell my mom and dad about the experience of getting my first sailfish.
Every time I go fishing now, whether it is in the ocean or not, I start thinking about the words my grandpa had said to me that day. Never say you can’t, always try. Just remember if you start off with you can’t, then you never will. You can do anything you set your mind to. I even think about it in my life now as an adult, and I use that saying with my children.
My grandfather and I still go fishing together and I still get great advice from him. It is a great joy to see him fishing with my children and knowing that they will see what a great man he is and always has been. I have the picture hanging on the wall as a reminder of one of the greatest times in my life. I learned a life’s lesson and had fun while doing it, thanks to my grandfather.
Ponce de Leon Inlet Tides July 2024
Live & Frozen Bait Including Ballyhoo
Live Shrimp 50-$14.99 (per customer)
Reserve your Selects (Shrimp) by calling ahead! Minutes from 3 Bridges and the Dunlawton Bridge Open Mon-Fri 6am-10pm Sat 5am-10pm/Sun 5am-8pm
To calculate Mosquito Lagoon (Oak Hill) tides add 6 hours to Ponce Inlet Tides
Customized
Mosquito Lagoon Banana River
Tomoka River Basin Ponce Inet Area
Redfish-Tarpon-Snook
Black Drum-Sheephead-Trout
Ponce de Leon Inlet Tides August 2024
Live & Frozen Bait Including Ballyhoo
Live Shrimp 50-$14.99 (per customer)
Reserve your Selects (Shrimp) by calling ahead! Minutes from 3 Bridges and the Dunlawton Bridge Open Mon-Fri 6am-10pm Sat 5am-10pm/Sun 5am-8pm
To calculate Mosquito Lagoon (Oak Hill) tides add 6 hours to Ponce Inlet Tides
Reduced!!
$67,000 Fishing Equipment Seperate Transferable Charter Permit & King Mackeral Permit.
C & C PAVERS and More
* Brick Pavers
* Walkways
* Putting Greens
* Sun Pads
* Fire Pits
* Patios
* Driveways
*Artificial Turf
* Pet Friendly
* Pool Decks
* Lounging Areas
* LowVoltage Lighting
Team Weekend Hooker
Team Ocean Grown
Team
No Snacky No Shacky
The Florida Everglades is an extraordinary ecosystem unlike any other in the world! It is home to a variety of rare and unique wildlife including a diversity of native birds, mammals, fish and reptiles. However, some reptiles, like the invasive Burmese python, do not belong in this ecosystem and pose a threat to native wildlife. The Florida Python Challenge™ is an exciting conservation effort which helps protect the rare Everglades habitat and the animals that live there from these invasive, nonnative snakes. To find out more visit: www.flpythonchallenge.org
PUTNAM COUNTY
Small boats provide big adventure! Florida's 8,000 named lakes and 12,000 miles of rivers offer almost unlimited exploration for go-anywhere small crafts.
Canoes, like kayaks, have also been around for thousands of years. Although your first meeting with a canoe may have been with an aluminum craft as a kid at summer camp, most modern offerings are fiberglass or polymer synthetics. This is a good thing—for sneaking up on fish, such craft are much quieter. Sizes usually range from 14’ to 16’+, and your choice should be determined by whether you expect to fish alone or with company. Canoes are heavier than kayaks, and a larger canoe will be a handful to get off and back
Michael Tilton, age 14 caught and released this nice 4 pound bass using shiners. Photo from Renegades on the River.
By: Capt Lynda Hawkins
onto the roof racks on days you go it alone. However, that extra weight compared to kayaks gets you a much wider and more stable craft with significant storage space, even in the smallest sizes. Many canoes incorporate a brace that doubles as a shoulder yoke (carrying brace), helpful for portaging between parking space and launch site.
Accessories to consider include a seat back, especially if you spend long days on the water. Paddle choice is not as critical as with kayaks, and even an economical plastic-and-aluminum job will do for most folks. One possible option in this vessel class is a square stern, which allows the mounting of a small electric or gas outboard. Such a combo is extremely efficient. However, the square-stern canoes tend to be heavy enough to make them two-man (or trailer) craft when it comes to loading and launching. Canoes cost more on average than kayaks, with starting prices close to $400 and average cost running closer to $600 and up.
Johnboats just make our list of craft that can be car-topped and hand-launched. By our 70-pound limit, 12’ will be the maximum size. Ten-footers are also available but will usually be oneman craft due to their smaller weight capacity. Johnboats, in their historical form as wooden punts and skiffs, are also old-timers in the boating world. Modern models are exclusively aluminum. The flat hull makes the most spacious and stable fishing platform available in the “small boat” world. However, it also makes the johnboat strictly a calm-water craft; it doesn’t take choppy water well.
Con’t on pg 35
Restaurant & Bar within walking distance
• Offering 74 RV sites along the St. John’s River
• Boat House with 24 boat slips • Pool & Relax area • Spice Garden • Kids Playground and more......
Governor DeSantis
Highlights Coral Reef Conservation Efforts and Enhancements to the 2024 Lobster Mini-Season and the 2024 Lionfish Challenge
Governor Ron DeSantis highlighted Florida’s investments in coral reef protection and announced enhancements to the 2024 Lionfish Challenge and 2024 Lobster Mini-Season. Through the FY 2024-2025 Focus on Florida’s Future Budget, the Governor invested a historic $57 million for coral reef restoration and coastal protection, bringing the total investment in these efforts in the Governor’s second term to over $114 million.
The Governor also highlighted $5 million in funding to create additional artificial reef habitats through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). This funding
will support the establishment of an innovative framework for installing, overseeing, and preserving artificial reef habitats in the Florida Keys.
And earlier this year, Governor DeSantis allocated $9.5 million to Florida’s Coral Reef Restoration and Recovery Initiative.
This year’s investments in coral reefs through the Florida state budget exceed the total investment requested by the Biden administration for coral reef restoration across the entire United States.
“Florida has the best fishing and boating in the world because we have the greatest natural resources,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. "That’s why our state is making record investments in protecting our natural treasures, like our coral reefs. Additionally, I was pleased to announce additional prizes for the annual Lionfish Challenge and an extra day for Floridians to harvest lobster.”
“From lobstering to world-class fishing, the Keys exemplify Florida as the Boating and Fishing Capital of the World," said FWC Executive Director Roger Young. “Through Governor DeSantis’ support of conserving our natural resources, we will continue to promote the removal of invasive species—such as the lionfish—that negatively impact our waters.”
SEMINOLE-ORANGE COUNTY
The Governor also announced that in addition to the 2024 recreational spiny lobster mini-season that will be Wednesday, July 24, and Thursday, July 25, an additional day will be added Sunday, July 14, exclusively for Florida residents. The regular commercial and recreational lobster season will begin on August 6, 2024, and end on March 31, 2025.
Finally, to combat the threat posed by invasive lionfish, Governor DeSantis spotlighted the 2024 Lionfish Challenge that is running through September 2, 2024. This statewide program allows the public to engage in conservation by hunting lionfish to win prizes and contribute to protecting Florida’s natural resources.
Participants can register at FWCReefRangers.com and choose to join either the recreational or commercial category. Since 2014, over one million lionfish have been removed from Florida’s oceans through the Lionfish Challenge. This challenge features a tiered prize system, rewarding divers based on the number of lionfish they harvest.
Participants who reach Tier 1 by harvesting 25 lionfish in the recreational category (or 50 pounds of lionfish in the commercial category) will receive a commemorative 2024 Lionfish Challenge Coin. Traditionally, Tier 1 participants keep one additional spiny lobster per day during the Lobster Mini-Season as a prize. However, the Governor announced that, this year, Tier 1 participants will get to keep two additional lobsters per day.
For more information on the 2024 Lionfish Challenge or the 2024 Lobster Mini-Season, go to www.myfwc.com.
By: Capt Lynda Hawkins
LIONFISH: RED LIONFISH (PTEROIS VOLITANS) AND DEVIL FIREFISH (PTEROIS MILES)
Linda Lake has been a successful Realtor in Central Florida since 1999, winning multiple awards every year and is ranked among the top Realtors in Central Florida. These achievements are a result of Linda's commitment, dedication and experience. Her understanding of the industry and local market area coupled with her exceptional interpersonal skills make her one of the most well respected Realtors in the area. Linda's proven track record in Real Estate coupled with experience brings all the necessary tools together to properly represent her customers in today's ever-changing marketplace.
Cute 2/1 HM on almost an acre, located in the Ocala National Forest. Family room offers a wood burning fireplace and is connected to the kitchen with whitewashed cabinetry. Has a variety of flowering plants and shrubbery w/ a spacious 10x21 front porch. The back door opens onto a 12x19 covered patio area w/ a 2-3 person spa with pavers and landscaping surrounding the area, a great place to unwind after a long day! Has a 17x29 garage, with add’nl storage and/or workshop area! $169,000
Spacious 3/2 SWMH on a half-acre, in need of repairs & TLC. Has a large living room, kitchen with dining area & bar, and laundry closet. Has an attached 8x24 covered front porch & open rear deck, 2 storage buildings in need of repair, covered boat/ UTV parking, RV carport, 1-car carport, & livestock pens. The property is surrounded by undeveloped wooded lots which gives added privacy. Only minutes from the property are ATV trails and access to the Ocklawaha River. Close by is beautiful Lake Kerr, Salt Springs Run, and Lake George. $55,000
Lake Kerr canal lot that overlooks protected wetlands, zoned R4. $28,000
Large 100’x 200’ lot in Sportsmans Haven. $20,000
2 adjacent lots (.24/each) zoned R4 w/ Lake Kerr access. $14,000/each Beautiful 100’x150’ lots zoned R4 w/ storage building. $12,000 Wooded 80’x100’ lot zoned R4 in Hog Valley. $8,000
2/1 SWMH w/ renovations including new kitchen w/ gray cabinets & Formica countertops, bathroom has been updated w/ new shower, vanity, & toilet. Vinyl plank flooring throughout most of home, tile in the primary bedroom w/ 2 new windows & interior door. All new plumbing installed throughout home. New 4’ well in 2022, septic pumped in 2023, & refurbished CH&A unit installed in 2023. Would be an ideal location for the hunter or fisher as it is near Lake George, Lake Kerr, Salt Springs, Silver Glen, and just steps away from the forest. $64,000
Nice 2,614sqft pull-through lot located in the Salt Springs Resort. The resort offers club house, 2 pools, tennis courts, dog park, dock & boat ramp to Little Lake Kerr. Walking distance to restaurants, laundromat, post office, shopping, and the springs. Perfect for weekends or full-time residence. HOA fee is $638 a quarter. Salt Springs is a nice quaint area located in the Ocala National Forest. $52,000
Yellow Bullhead
Size: The yellow bullhead state record is 5.05 pounds, but most catches will average closer to half of a pound. The Big Catch minimum qualifying sizes are 1.5 pounds or 14 inches for adults, and 1.0 lbs or 10 inches for youth (see BigCatchFlorida.com).
Appearance: This species is brownish above, and white to yellow below. The dorsal and pectoral fin spines and barbells make this fish easy to diagnose as a catfish. The tail is usually squared, but may be slightly forked. This fish is often called a “buttercat” due its coloration—though the name can be a cooking suggestion as well! The related but darker brown bullhead also occurs in Florida and is usually much darker, sometimes with distinct black-and-white mottling. The surest way to tell these two apart is to examine the chin (not mouth) barbells: those of the yellow bullhead will be entirely white or yellow, while those of the brown bullhead will range from darkly spotted, to entirely black.
Range & Habitat: While there aren't any locales particularly noted for yellow bullhead fishing, these small catfish occur in most Florida waters, from rivers and canals to lakes and ponds. Fishing bait on the bottom almost anywhere in the state might put a "buttercat" on the end of your line!
Sporting Quality: Spring or summer is a great time to sit back, soak a line, and do some catfishing! The yellow bullhead is a small catfish, but an important component of the catfish angler’s catch in some parts of Florida. Due to its diminutive size, light tackle is recommended. All popular catfish baits will attract this species, with favorites including various commercial catfish preparations, chicken livers, and red wigglers. The yellow bullhead’s preference for the latter often causes it to end up on the lines of bottom-fishing bream anglers. Handle bullheads with care to avoid a painful puncture from the dorsal or pectoral fin spines! This fish, like most other catfishes, can provide excellent table fare. Fish illustration by Duane Raver, Jr.
LAKE COUNTY
Most johnboat users will drop a small electric motor or gas outboard on the transom; just pay attention to the rated horsepower as many smaller johnboats are very limited in what they can handle. If you plan to row, row, row your boat, do yourself a favor and get the oarlocks that clamp right onto the oars. Pop-off swivel seats and an anchor are other accessories to consider. Expect to pay between $450 and $600 for a 10’ to 12’ johnboat and note that the cheaper editions will often be made of lighter gauge aluminum and therefore be easier to carry.
Due to their reduced size, small watercraft are less stable than larger vessels. The FWC recommends always wearing a personal flotation device (PFD) on the water while in any vessel. Obviously, exercise common sense in which areas you access—don’t drop an inflatable into the busiest waters. And always watch for even moderately foul weather—small craft can’t handle it. Also, make sure you’re legally accessing the shoreline where you’re dropping in. Finally, small craft will take you places other anglers can’t go. So be polite to the homeowner not used to seeing someone off the end of their dock. Let them know how you got there if they ask, and tell them how much fun smaller watercraft can be. You might just find a “small boat” convert on your hands!
By: Capt Lynda Hawkins
SALT & FRESHWATER FISHING MAPS
Saltwater East Coast
SW#101 Edgewater Ramp to Turtle mound
SW#102 Turtle Mound to Oak Hill
SW#103 S. Bridge to Eldora Turtle Mound & Government Cut
SW#104 Port Orange Bridge to Ponce Inlet
SW#105 Oak Hill to Haul Over Canal
SW#106 Mosquito Lagoon to Haul Over Canal
SW#107 Ormond to Tomoka Basin
SW#108 New Smyrna Beach Bridges North & South
SW#109 Mosquito Lagoon Merritt Island Refuge to Haul Over Canal
SW#110 Sebastian Inlet North & South Backcountry
SW#111 Port Orange Bridge Mill Creek North to Ormond Beach
SW#112 Palm Bay to Sebastian
SW#113 Merritt Island to Palm Bay
SW#114 Haul Over Canal area Indian River City to Titusville
SW#115 Matanzas Inlet
Saltwater West Coast
WC#401 Suwannee River to the Gulf
WC#402 Cedar Key
WC#403 Crystal River
WC#404 Steinhatchee
$7.00 Per Map Includes S & H & Sales Tax
Freshwater Lakes, Rivers & Streams
FW#201 Lake Dexter to Lake George
FW#202 Lake Beresford to Lake Dexter
FW#203 Lake George
FW#204 Lake George to Jacksonville
FW#205 Lake Crescent
FW#206 Rodman Reservoir & Dam (Backcountry)
FW#207 Lake Beresford to Brevard County Sawgrass Lake
FW#208 Lake Okeechobee
KH#301
How to Shrimp Dip Netting Freelining & Shrimping
By: Roger S. Harbster
Over 40 years of knowledge!
By: Haley Starbeck www.poncefishnetwork.com
#BoatOfTheMonth
Southwind Charters with Freddie Z Fishing Captain Freddie Zona 386-423-9260
It's always sunny in New Smyrna Beach; an area renowned for its pristine waters, diverse marine life, and vibrant local culture. For this month's special edition boat of the month; we highlight a Captain that has spent the last 30 years earning his spot at the top. We are stoked here at Ponce Fish Network to not only be able to write about this incredible Captain, but also provide our fans with a rare opportunity to see it for themselves live & in person! With a passion for the sea and a dedication to providing unforgettable experiences, Captain Freddie Zona is well respected in our local fishing community and continues to carve out his legacy in his daily grind. Southwind Charters with Freddie Z Fishing is the culmination of decades of hard work, determination and sacrifice- and he is blessed to be able to stand at the helm today with his daughter & fellow Captain, Shelby Harbster Zona.
Captain Freddie's fishing career began the same way many of the local greats here did; on a head-boat or three, mating the eighties away. His early years were spent mastering the intricacies of fishing and mate work, learning all he could about the operations of each vessel he worked on- skills that would later form the backbone of his professional life. Over the first 10 years of his career he dabbled in a wide variety of work; from our local head-boats to private sportfishers, charter fishing to professional tournaments, mate work to relief Captaincy. After years of honing his craft, Freddie decided to channel his expertise and love for the ocean into his own business. Thus, Freddie Z Fishing was born, on a 26' Regulator, a dream at heart, and a baby in tow. What started as a modest venture has grown into one of New Smyrna Beach's most sought-after charter services, known for its exceptional service and unparalleled fishing adventures. After years of running Southwind Charters as both its relief Captain & mate for former owner Captain John Krall, Captain Freddie Zona took over the operation full time just over 10 years ago. Since then he has refined the charter's experience, raised a first mate and future Captain, and made a ton of memories for thousands of anglers along the way.
The Southwind is a 41' Custom Jersey Sportfisherman built in 1985, powered by a single screw 682 Detroit Diesel inboard. Equipped with all of the necessary fishing gear and safety equipment, ensuring a safe, comfortable, and productive journey. Captain Freddie's personable nature and storytelling adds a unique charm to every outing, often leaving guests with not just fish, but stories to go home with that last a lifetime. Southwind Charters offers a variety of services tailored to meet the needs of both novice and seasoned anglers. Whether it’s a half-day fishing trip targeting snapper and mackerel, or a full-day offshore experience chasing mahi-mahi and sailfish, guests are guaranteed a memorable experience. Captain Freddie's goal has always been to put anglers on the fish of a lifetime, but notes that deep water bottom fishing will always remain his favorite due to the how Captain & Angler intensive it is trying to get the fish in the boat.
Over the years, Captain Freddie has cultivated a strong sense of community around Southwind Charters. Regular clients return not just for the exceptional fishing, but for the camaraderie and friendship that the experience has fostered. The vibe is quite different aboard this vessel, one of the aspects that Captain Freddie still appreciates- the reality of him now Captaining the clients he used to mate for back when Captain John Krall was still at the helm, paints the true full circle picture here. Spending 30 years growing and building on the same vessel gives him the chance to grow in other ways too, as evidenced by his truly remarkable daughter who is no stranger to the Southwind Style.
Like Father - Like Daughter
In true testament to the lifestyle, Captain Shelby's first time offshore was at 3 months old, strapped in a car seat anchored to the engine box. Throughout her entire upbringing she was frequently found aboard charters with her father, allowing her to gain a lifetime of experience & knowledge in a short period of time. Having reached adulthood, Shelby has spent more time at the helm which has inspired her to follow in her father's footsteps. These days she tries to attend every charter she can, all while asking a million questions, with the plans to be a relief captain for him one day. Captain Shelby insists her favorite style is King Mackerel fishing, because of the constant action and all the memories she has commercial fishing for them with her dad over the years. Learning to handline kings at a young age is one of her most sentimental memories with her father, and something she still does to this day. Captain Shelby also owns her own fishing lure company, Westwind Witches, whose products are directly inspired from years of helping her dad tie sea witches on the deck of the Southwind.
As Southwind Charters continues to thrive, Captain Freddie Zona shows no signs of slowing down. With a vision of expanding his crew and continuing to offer the same expert level services, he is poised to offer even more exciting adventures to his clients in the years to come. His commitment to innovation, combined with his deep-rooted respect for the sea, ensures that Southwind Charters will remain a cornerstone of New Smyrna Beach’s maritime culture. Now that he can share that goal and future with his daughter, the open sea's the limit.
Keep your eyes peeled on 6/15 for our announcement on our yearly #CharterGiveaway!
Trips aboard Southwind Charters with Freddie Z Fishing include: 4, 6 & 8 HR Offshore Trips and a 10 HR Extended full day trip for the more serious anglers.
Mahi (Dolphin)
1st. Savannah Smiles 21.9 lbs.
2nd. Lucky Strike 17.5 lbs.
3rd. Chumstain 15.4 lbs.
4th. Let Em Eat 14.9 lbs.
Wahoo
1st. Invested 74.1 lbs.
2nd. Lucky Strike 14.8 lbs.
Kingfish
1st. U-Know 44.7 lbs.
2nd. Go Fish 24.1 lbs.
3rd. Out Of Site 22.3 lbs.
4th. Invested 18.9 lbs.
Tuna
1st. Ultimate Marine 18.3 lbs.
2nd. Ocean Grown 10.6 lbs.
Kingfish 1st. Place Team U-Know 44.7 lbs.
Place Team
Mahi (Dolphin)
1st. Place Team Savannah Smiles 21.9 lbs.
Tuna 1st. Place Team Ultimate Marine 18.3 lbs.
Wahoo 1st. Place Team Invested 74.1 lbs.
Mahi (Dolphin) 2nd.
Lucky Strike 17.5 lbs.
A record breaking total purse payout of $228,696 was reached in the 2024 Mahi Championship!!
Mention this ad and receive $100 off Hog, Deer & Turkey Hunts!
DEER HUNTING SEASON
August 15th-January 1st
3 DAY HUNTS $1,295
5 DAY HUNTS $1,995 Meals & Lodging Included with all pricing!
We have the longest deer season in the US August 15th-January 1st, with weapon of choice for the entire season. The velvet hunts last through Labor Day weekend and the rut is throughout the months of October and November. We hunt seven days a week and allow two bucks per day, only with one small (under 12" wide) per hunter, per season.
We have open areas where first timers can take a buck, Long Managed Trophy Areas where bucks must be a minimum of 15" outside spread. Then we have our special Big Trophy Area, where the bucks have been on strict management for only mature bucks for the past 13 seasons, the bucks there have to be 16" outside spread of 110 Boone and Crockett Score. That area will be for very serious Trophy Hunters only.
Spring Turkey Season March 20th-May 5th
3 Days $1,395 Meals & Lodging Included with all pricing!
Turkey Season opens on March 20th each year and runs through May 5th. We have 5,500 of prime turkey woods with a mixture of river bottoms, pine ridges and lots of food plots planted with chuffas, the turkey’s favorite. Our seasoned guides are very familiar with our properties and are very personable and experienced. While on your turkey hunt , if you would like to sit for a wild hog in the afternoon, you are allowed to take one hog during the three day hunt for no extra charge. We have lots of them and some really big ones.
Wild Hog Hunts Year Round
3 Days $1,095
We can hunt hogs year round and some of our most productive hunts this past year took place in May, June and July. We have plenty of land now with hogs to be able to hunt large groups, up to 10. We can even accommodate bow groups that large. Hogs are very smart animals, don’t come thinking they are just dumb farm animals. This is a fun hunt for all who just do not want to quit hunting after their deer season closes.
The finest deer, hog, and turkey hunting in the low-country of South Carolina!
LAKE COUNTY
By Captain Lynda Hawkins
LAKESIDE BAIT & TACKLE 352-7423336, According to Lori the bluegill and shellcracker are on fire using redworms, grass shrimp and crickets. Bass are being caught on domestic shiners around docks. 5 or 6 different customers are still catching crappie in Lake Griffin using minnows in shallow water. Very unusual but good to hear.
BASS N GAL GUIDE SERVICE 352-2670062 Bass are being caught on the Harris chain using a chrome blue or chrome green Ratt-L-Trap, a June Bug plastic worm or a small shallow running crank bait. Fishing the shell beds this time of year is productive; using a small red or purple worm. A slow falling sinking weightless worm or a chrome blue or green Rat-LTrap reeled in as fast as possible, are both working quite well.
Auction Items Needed!! Call 386-478-3725 to Donate!
BROOKER BAIT & TACKLE 352-460-0695 Gordon tells us the Vern Kemp benefit tournament recently held took 25 pounds for Colby Cagle who took 1st place. A 10 pound lunker was weighed and released. Several weights were in the teens. Shellcracker and bluegills are being caught.
BASS CAPITAL
By Captain Lynda Hawkins
According to Don at BASS WORLD LODGE 386-467-2267 Mark and TJ are still catching bass. Customers from Valdosta caught over 40 bream and bluegill on a recent trip. Some nice catfish and stripers were caught up around the power line and the Croaker Hole. Bass are biting well. It’s the time of the year for catfish to turn on.
GEORGETOWN MARINA & LODGE 386-467-2002 Nolan tells us they are catching some nice bream and bluegill using crickets and worms. Best places are back in the canals around falling trees. Bass are biting also.
DUNNELLON
By Captain Lynda
ANGLER’S FAMILY RESORT 352-489-2397 Stan reports bass are being caught using domestic shiners.
