The Angler Video Magazine | December 2021 Edition by Coastal Angler Magazine

@CAMTAMagazine

WINTER FISHING'S BEST BETS

LIGHT TACKLE

BIG FISH

HOLIDAY

GIFTS

FOR ANGLER S

PHOTO CREDIT: CAPT. HUNTER WEAVER IG: @XSPEARAMENTALFISHING VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 5

F R A N C H I S E

DECEMBER 2021

O P P O R T U N I T I E S

A V A I L A B L E

W O R L D W I D E

Contents

VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 5

DECEMBER 2021

Fishing with Family is the Best Gift

Big Fish, Ridiculously Light Tackle

Winter's Best Bets

Product Spotlight: Dometic Seastar Standard Trim Tabs

By Capt. Quinlyn Haddon

By CAM Staff

Pike Through the Ice

34 36

By Chris Beardsley

Wired Bunker Fly

Bald Eagle Steals Shark By CAM Staff

Delayed Harvest on the East Fork of the French Road

Load the Boat with Winter Crappie

Easy Fishing and Fast Limits Out of Marathon

Changes Coming for Gulf of Mexico Regulations By CAM Staff

Casting with Cops in Cocoa Beach

December Surf Fishing Forecast

Analyze and Capitalize on the Situation

By Carlos Hidalgo

By Nick Carter

By TAM Staff

By Nick Carter

By CAM Staff

By Richard Matteson

By Michael Okruhlik

Giant Panama Bluefin

Catching Fish with Old School Jigging Spoons By James K. Pressley

I Love Cats!

American Tackle Sponsors UCF Bass Knights Fishing Team

By CAM Staff

By Ben Martin

By CAM Staff

Meet the Wels Catfish By TAM Staff

888-800-9794 | info@vidmag.com www.VidMag.com EDITOR IN CHIEF : Ben Martin • camads@coastalanglermagazine.com COO : Tracy Patterson • tracy@coastalanglermagazine.com ART DIRECTOR : Laura Kelly • graphics@coastalanglermagazine.com EDITORIAL COORDINATOR : Nick Carter • editorial@coastalanglermagazine.com WEBMASTER : Ryan Clapper • webmaster@coastalanglermagazine.com

The Angler Video Magazine connects fishing and boating enthusiasts with industry news and shared community interests in a unique, industry-first format — a video magazine. Sent to over 3 MILLION licensed anglers, The Angler Video Magazine is provided to its readers for FREE. No subscriptions or payments are required for viewing. Support The Angler Video Magazine's mission to provide FREE content to the recreational fishing and boating communities and industries throughout the world by sharing, subscribing and advertising.

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Columns Rigging & Jigging

Fly Fishing

By Tim Barefoot

By Capt. Conway Bowman

Contest

Fishing with Family is The Best Gift By Capt. Quinlyn Haddon

lot of money is wasted on nonsense knick-knacks in the lead up to Christmas. Last-minute purchases are made with guesswork and good intentions, simply to appease the yearly, obligatory gift-hole beneath a decorated tree. This year, consider skipping the presents that come wrapped in plastic and gift your family with memories instead; take them fishing. Whether you are able to take your family out on your own boat, or hire a charter to do so, this might easily be misconstrued as a selfish gift to the family of an avid fisherman. However, there are lots of selfless components to be considered in a gift like this, especially when children are included. As a female in the fishing industry, it was extremely difficult for me to get back into fishing after I became a mother. I had always prioritized catching fish above anything else,

even at times, above my own personal safety. I was an absolute fishing machine, and I only had one gear: full throttle, get’er done. Once I became a mother, I had duplicated this mindset in the application of keeping my child safe. It was very daunting to even consider taking my baby on the boat and meshing the two parts of who I was. What would happen on a boat with only my partner, my child and me when an epic fish were to hit the line? As I began pioneering the details of my new fisher-mom persona, there were a few things I learned about how to make it work. The biggest aspect of all was support, the support of things and the support of people. Shamelessly over-packing for a fishing trip is completely acceptable for new parents. Having everything you need in a myriad of situations for your baby on a boat will alleviate a ton of stress. Baby swings to hang when on

anchor, beanbags to nest or nap in, dry clothes and a baby carrier to strap the little one right to you are all great things to consider. A big issue for babies on the boat is how brutally hot it can get out there. Toss some jugs of water in the cooler, and bring a pot so your little one can get a cool bath if it starts getting too warm for them, and bring a tarp or umbrella that can be set up for a shady spot. It can be a large undertaking to fish with little ones, but with planning and discretion, it can be done and even be stress-free and enjoyable. Take it slowly, and eventually modify your parental arsenal for the boat. The support from others cannot be overstated here, especially for new mommas onboard with their little ones. Instead of hiring a babysitter to hang back with your child so you and your partner can go fishing, have the sitter watch the child on the boat. Invite some extra

WATCH

VIDEO

friends who are more into the boat ride than the fishing, and have them help with the kids. It can be difficult to scale down the intensity of a fishing trip, but creating a special trip that’s geared toward the children’s experience, or helping a new fisher-mom get her confidence back, is just as rewarding. Besides, the earlier you start your kiddos on the boat, the sooner you will have them matching your skill and intensity, begging for bigger and more hardcore trips. Capt. Quinlyn Haddon fishes with Blue Magic Charters in Marathon, Florida Keys. Check her out at CaptainQuinlyn.com, @captainquinlyn or call (504) 920-6342.

BIG FISH By CAM Staff

RIDICULOUSLY LIGHT TACKLE

e’ve heard of fishing light tackle, but this seems a little ridiculous… ridiculously fun! Capt. Brandon Storin, who fishes out of the legendary Bud N’ Mary’s Marina in Islamorada, Fla. has taken light tackle fishing to the extreme. What started as a lark—toying with ice fishing rods in the Keys—has turned into a full-on quest, in which Storin (a.k.a. Bean) designed his own micro-rod and is using it to catch some impressive fish. “We were bored during covid, and we took out a bunch of those little ice fishing rods,” he said. “We wanted to see if we could maybe catch a tarpon with them.” Viewers of Storin’s Youtube channel, Bean Screen TV, ate it up. It was entertaining, and it spurred Bean to design his own Bean Pole, which he sells on his website beansportfishing.com. “It’s so fun. No matter what, the rod just bends and it won’t break,” Bean said. “As long as you’ve got the right line on it, you can land almost any fish in the ocean with it if you’ve got enough patience and fishing skill. “No matter what you hook, it feels like a monster,” he continued. “You could hook a 12-inch mangrove snapper, and it feels like a monster.” But Bean wasn’t content with mangos. He wants to test the limits of his new rods on true monsters of the deep. Bean Poles are intentionally noodle-stick flexible. He said the key to the design process was “to make them as bendy as possible, so they don’t break.” The reel seats, however, are designed to hold some serious gear. Bean usually fishes a 4,000-size spinning reel with 20-pound braid, but he’s gone as heavy as a 6,000-size reel and 60-pound line when pursuing big tarpon and sharks. He said the rod is capable of holding a 10,000-size spinning reel for folks who might want even heavier tackle. So far, Bean has caught tarpon close to 100 pounds, an 8-foot lemon shark, keeper cobia, giant barracuda, king mackerel, a 30-plus-pound African pompano, blackfin tuna, mahi-mahi, juvenile goliath grouper and more with the Bean Pole. “The next thing we want to do is catch a sailfish,” he said… “and a giant goliath grouper.” In case you were wondering, Bean has normal gear, and he doesn’t force charter clients to fish Bean Poles. He does, however, keep one on board… just in case.

Contact Brandon “Bean” Storin through his website beansportfishing.com, and check out his YouTube channel, Bean Screen TV, to see the Bean Pole in action.

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DECEMBER 2021

THE

2021 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

Gifts Built to Battle Through stormy seas and ebbing tides, fishing reminds us to be grateful for everything, from the epic fights to the big blowups and the trophy hook-ups. This holiday season, celebrate that gratitude with the latest saltwater gear from PENN. You know what you like on deck. Take the guess work out of gifting and help your family find the perfect gear to keep you catching all year long.

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By CAM Staff

PHOTO BY WIDTTF

Winter’s

Best Bets

lot of anglers see winter as a time to take a break from the water. Many species in freshwater and salt become sluggish in frigid water temperatures, and cold air temperatures can have the same effect on humans. Hunters and skiers relish the cold, but anglers tend to hole up and wait for the bounty of spring. This is a mistake. Your standard inshore patterns might all but shut down during the depths of winter, and bass fishing on the reservoir might become a grind, but elsewhere some of the best fishing of the year is taking place for species that either show up or perk up with the cold fronts.

SOUTH FLORIDA SAILFISH Nowhere is that more true than south Florida’s east coast, where sailfish arrive en-masse as they migrate south. The bite in Sailfish Alley, from Fort Pierce down through the Keys, peaks December through February. Anglers can experience banner days with dozens of releases when the bite is on. And the bite is often best when winds from the north kick up swells in the Gulf Stream. Sailfish will be visible on the surface, surfing those swells and feeding actively. But this is a game for big boats and hardcore anglers. Most will wait and catch the action as winds subside with the passage

of a front. Fishing a couple days behind a cold front can yield fantastic results, sometimes within sight of shore where the Gulf Stream swings close to the coast.

WINTER WAHOO Whether it’s in the Bahamas or off north Florida’s east coast, wintertime is wahoo time. Over the next few months, ‘hoos will be on the prowl, with some of the largest fish of the year showing up in high-speed spreads. There’s not much in the fishing world to match the excitement of 60-plus-pound fish moving at 30 knots when it slams a lure headed in the opposite direction at 15 knots. Just picking up the rod that fish is attached to will be a struggle. Blue water Wahoo will be hunting in packs along rocky ledges, color changes temperature breaks and dropoffs. Double-digit days are possible when conditions are right, which will be around the full and new moons when the north wind is not howling.

HOT ACTION ON THE GULF It can get mighty chilly on the Gulf of Mexico this time of year, but in some instances the fish don’t mind. Inshore, the largest seatrout of the year will be caught by anglers with the patience to

PHOTO COURTESY OF BOB RICE

fish slowly and methodically. Offshore, around oil rigs across the northern Gulf, blackfin and yellowfin tuna, cobia, kingfish and grouper will all be biting.

30-plus-pound striper crush a big trout slow trolled behind a planer board. Battling a big striper is a struggle like no other in freshwater.

STRIPED BASS BLITZ

DELAYED HARVEST TROUT

On the Eastern Seaboard, striper fishermen spend the entire year waiting for winter, when schools of 20-pound stripers crash menhaden right up into the surf. Striped bass range from Maine into the Carolinas on their migration, and trucks loaded with long rods and anglers can be seen cruising the coast roads trying to keep up with the action. At places like Oregon Inlet, N.C., charter boats do a brisk wintertime business trolling for these fish while maintaining a lookout for feeding frenzies. Whether it’s from the road or the deck, all eyes will be peeled for the diving birds that are a dead giveaway for blitzing bass.

PHOTO BY JED RECORD

LANDLOCKED STRIPES

DECEMBER 2021

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

Staying with stripers, the landlocked version will be relishing the cooler temperatures in reservoirs wherever they are stocked. By December they should be up shallow, feeding on schools of shad or blueback herring. Wintertime is the best time to have a

For those who prefer a more delicate style of fishing, delayed harvest trout waters are a wintertime staple for fly fishing. These specially regulated fisheries are stocked heavily with trout and are catch-and-release only through the winter. With single-hook, artificial-only regulations and a tendency for the states to stock larger-than-average trout, this creates a fantastic opportunity for fly fishermen in the dead of winter. Maryland, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia are some of the states with excellent delayed harvest programs. See their state wildlife agency websites for information. These are a few ideas to help combat cabin fever. Anglers who don’t already know the joy of fishing during the colder months should step out of their comfort zone this year. There are too many great experiences out there to spend the winter in hibernation.

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THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

DECEMBER 2021

PERFORMANCE IS THE GREATEST GIFT FOR EVERY ANGLER

s with all things in Florida, December and the holiday season have a unique twist that makes it extraordinary. Whether you are surfing with Santa’s in Cocoa Beach or attending Fort Lauderdale’s Winterfest Boat Parade, which has been self-described as the “greatest show on H20” or going to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, you can count on tons of fun throughout the Sunshine State. But, of course, if you need a break from all the trappings shoreside, December fishing in Florida is the best way to spend time outdoors with your friends and family. Either way, GILLZ has you covered. December brings some excellent fishing in the Gulf of Mexico. Cooler weather and calm winds are creating perfect conditions. The best fishing is about 30 miles offshore of Naples. On the east coast, Fort Lauderdale is teeming with life. The top fish to catch are wahoo, sailfish, and mahimahi. These species are in an all-depth range. If you want to catch wahoo, trolling planers with bonita strips will get you bites. For sailfish or a kingfish, present a live goggle-eye via an SFE kite to nail a catch. In the spirit of the season of giving, you will want to make sure every angler of your family is prepared for the cooler weather and seasonal festivities. So, if you are shopping for something for him, the GILLZ Men’s Pro Series Storm Fleece is great to have for those cooler days out on the water. Engineered with air pockets that provide insulation and temperature regulation, the hoodie is soft, warm, lightweight, and has enough performance to handle boat spray or light rain. Its versatility is a gift that keeps on giving. So, whether you celebrate the holidays on land, catching flounder, trout, redfish, and black drum inshore, or are battling sea monsters off the North Wall, the Men’s Pro Series Storm Fleece is a must-have. An excellent gift for her is the Woman’s Coastline Performance 16

DECEMBER 2021

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

Hoodie, which hits the sweet spot for women who crave comfort and style. Additionally, she would be doing her part helping keep seven bottles out of the ocean since the hoodie is made from recycled plastic bottles. Add in a women’s visor, and she is sure to be very happy this holiday season. The woman’s Capri leggings take performance fishing activewear to the next level and truly complete the look. The Capri legging is feature-rich for the ocean-minded active woman. Built from GILLZ’s durable yet lightweight Stretch Flex Fabric, these Capris feature strategically placed vented mesh panels to increase airflow and keep her cool. GILLZ wishes everyone an exciting holiday season full of celebration, great times, and plenty of brag-worthy catches from our families to yours.

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CASTING JIG

Patent

Pending The EXO Jig is a casting jig with a unique durable EXO-skeleton construction that is shatter resistant compared to epoxy and resin jigs. The premium polymer shell provides a natural translucent look with optimal light refraction while adding protection to the lure’s finish. The balanced weight provides for excellent casting, and you can cast this lure from a boat or from shore to reach your target. This casting jig works great on a variety of fish especially bonito, tuna and false albacore (albies). EXO Jigs can be fished right out of the package and have a throughwired construction, heavy duty 65-lb. split rings and 4X VMC Hooks. No need to switch out any hardware before you head out on the water.

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FEATURES:

The EXO Jig has EXO-skeleton con Ultra-durable casting j translucent look resistant compared to refraction wh construct ion light to the lure’s finish

Through-wired constru

FEATURES: Large realistic eyes dr The EXO Jig has a unique durable

EXO-skeleton construction Ultra-durable for a natural cast translucent look and provides optimal resistant compare light refraction while adding protection to the lure’s finish. Patent Pending

For False Albacore, Bo and Striped Bass co Through-wired

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7 Colors Available i Striped Through-wired construction w/ and 4X VMC Hooks Bass 0.75 oz (2.5in) / 1.0 The EXO Jig has a unique durable EXO-skeleton construction for a natural translucent look and provides optimal light refraction while adding protection to the lure’s finish.

Large realistic eyes drive fish crazy

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Through-wired construction w/ 4X VMC Hooks Large realistic fish crazy 7 Colors Available ineyes 3drive sizes: Albacore, Albies,/Tuna, 0.75 oz (2.5in)For /False 1.0 ozBonito, (3in) 1.5 oz (4in) and Striped Bass 7 Colors Available in 3 sizes: 0.75 oz (2.5in) / 1.0 oz (3in) / 1.5 oz (4in)

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Adventures Begin Here From the peace and tranquility of swimming alongside manatees to the rush of adrenaline of hooking an evasive gag grouper in the Gulf, there are many memories waiting for you in Crystal River. Discover all the excitement, fun and lifelong memories we have to offer for your next adventure.

r o t f h e e H m olidays! T n I t s u J

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6.1 oz. 100% ringspun cotton. Sailfish design printed on back, and CAM logo over chest pocket.

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DOMETIC MARINE SEASTAR STANDARD TRIM TABS

nveiled in late September, the new SeaStar Standard Trim Tabs feature an intelligent actuator system and intuitive dial controller that put precision ride control at the fingertips of today’s boaters. The dial controller at the heart of this system provides a level of control and precision not possible with tactile switches. While this controller is intelligent, it couldn’t be simpler for the boater to understand and use. The boater just turns the dial in the direction he wants to level the boat, and the actuators respond quickly and precisely to adjust the ride. There are also single-press Bow Up and Bow Down inputs for manual adjustment, and a Favorite Button that lets boaters easily save a desired tab position. This makes it easy to return to a boat’s “sweet spot” ride position

with the touch of a finger. The system’s Home Button quickly moves tabs to the home position. Further simplifying operation are LEDs that indicate port and starboard tab positions. The dial controller also features Auto Brightness that senses ambient light conditions and adjusts the dial brightness for optimum visibility. Dometic’s all-electric actuators reduce complexity of the system while increasing long-term reliability. For instant response, quieter operation and a better boating experience, these actuators feature a planetary gearbox, high-torque DC motor

Dometic Marine has set a new standard for trim tab performance and ease of use with its new SeaStar Standard Trim Tab system.

and freewheeling Ball Screw mechanism. For reliable performance over the long run, these actuators feature rugged housing with a simple two-piece design to minimize possible water intrusion points. They also feature dual housing seals, a rear seal in a protected bushing area, and a wiper that removes particles from the shaft and protects the rear seal. Heavy-duty 12 gauge 304 stainless steel tabs complete the system. They feature 316 stainless steel marine grade fasteners, heavyduty 14 gauge stainless steel hinges and sturdy ¼-inch-thick hinge pins for added strength.

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INTUITIVE CONTROL

Seastar Standard Trim Tab System The INTUITIVE dial makes its super easy to plane your boat quickly by providing instant feedback and a superior user experience.

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THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

DECEMBER 2021

CUSTOM FISHING RODS MAKE GREAT GIFTS!

hen searching for that ultimate gift for the angler in your life, a custombuilt fishing rod takes your holiday gift giving to the next level! If you’re looking for something really special and you’re tired of the same old offthe-shelf gear that plagues retail centers, then Mud Hole Custom Tackle is where you need to go! Building custom fishing rods as holiday gifts shows that you care enough to personally pick out the components, colors, and performance characteristics to match that special someone in your life. Whether building your son’s or daughter’s first custom pan fish rod, creating the ultimate fly rod for your stream-tested granddad, or putting that perfect bass rod under the tree for yourself, custom fishing rods are ideal gifts for every angler on your list. Mud Hole carries everything you need to build your next fishing rod. From the highest quality rod blanks for any application (salt, fresh, fly, ice, surf), to the grips, rod guides, and reel seats, we have all the components to make your custom rods…custom. And they have all of the tools and supplies you could possibly need. They carry the greatest selection of rod building products in the world. Plus, we ship worldwide! Mud Hole prides themself on sharing the largest collection of quality custom rod building instruction and content available. From DIY rod building videos on their YouTube channel and

social media channels, to their Mud Blog articles, to Mud Hole Live and Mud Hole TV shows, they’re online to help teach beginners and experts alike. And for those that want a more “hands on” learning experience, Mud Hole offers live rod building classes, both in-person and online! So, don’t delay! Shop with Mud Hole Custom Tackle today and give yourself plenty of time to build that ultimate gift and have it under the tree for Christmas. There’s nothing like catching a fish on a rod you built. And there’s nothing like building and giving a custom-built fishing rod this holiday season! To learn more, visit mudhole.com.

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

DECEMBER 2021

Wired Bunker Fly By Carlos Hidalgo

WATCH

enhaden are one of the most important baitfish on the Atlantic coast. Bunker, as menhaden are commonly called, are thin when looked at from the top but very wide from the side. Small bunker, referred to as peanut bunker, are easy to mimic with Flat Wings, Hi-Ties or any number of specialized patterns. Flies that represent big bunker, however, pose challenges. Think of casting a wet mop head, and you’ll get the idea. The other problem is that flies compress when stripped through the water. A fly with a wide profile on the tying vise can end up looking like a strand of spaghetti in the water. Capt. Chris Newsome grew up fishing the lower Chesapeake Bay in Virginia, where bunker make up as much as 80 percent of striped bass diets. As a fly fishing guide, Chris needed to come up with a large bunker fly that was easy to cast and kept its wide profile. The idea of how to accomplish this came to him one night when he was woken up by his crying young daughter. Instead of tying bucktail and saddle hackles directly on the hook, Chris thought to tie the material onto

DECEMBER 2021

VIDEO

small pieces of wire, which would then be tied onto the hook. Since the fly is made up with a relatively small amount of material, it easy to cast. The angle of the wires ensures the fly keeps its wide profile in the water. The fly has been very effective for stripers and can be used for any gamefish that feeds on wideprofile baitfish. Place a piece of wire in the vise and tie a thin bunch of bucktail onto it. Make several of these units. Next, tie several components made up of four saddle hackles surrounded by bucktail onto pieces of wire. Flashabou can be tied onto each component. Begin by tying a thin amount of bucktail topped by four saddle hackles tied flat onto the back of the hook. Move the thread up the shank and tie a wing component (one with hackles) on top of the hook and a belly component (one with just bucktail) on the bottom of the shank. Keep moving the thread up the hook shank and tie at least two more wing and two more belly units. Bend the wire pieces until satisfied with the fly’s profile. Glue each tie-in point, and finish by gluing eyes onto the sides of the fly.

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Wired Bunker Fly HOOK – Tiemco 600SP, size 2/0 to 6/0 THREAD – Danville flat waxed nylon, 210 denier WIRE – Malin Hard Wire, size 1/0 TAIL – bucktail topped by four saddle hackles tied flat WING – four saddle hackles surrounded by bucktail tied onto ½-inch wire pieces BELLY – long, thin bunches of bucktail tied onto ½-inch wire pieces EYES – 3-D prismatic, 3/8” to 3/4” GLUE – Beacon 527 Contact Capt. Chris Newsome at 804-815-4895 or chris@bayflyfishing.com. Check out his website BayFlyFishing.com. Contact Carlos at cah6620@gmail.com if you would like to submit a pattern for consideration in this column or if you would like to order his book, “South Florida’s Peacock Bass.”

, R E H T. AS ER WE D D AA BW SE AT GA N IU HQ TE HD CA UN SI OY NL SN ’ E RO E H T Winter wade fishing requires durable, premium-quality gear that you can count on — every single time.

froggtoggs.com

STAY BONE DRY WITH FROGG TOGGS WADE WEAR

s most fishermen can attest, staying dry is critical when fishing frigid fall and winter waters. Once moisture makes its way into your waders, you’re left with only two options: suffer through it until you can’t feel your toes, or pack it in for the day. Choosing the right wade wear can be just as important as choosing the right tackle. Quality construction from a brand that knows all about keeping you bone dry can instantly change your fishing game.

THE FROGG TOGGS DIFFERENCE Since the company was founded nearly a quarter century ago, frogg toggs’ primary focus has been keeping outdoor enthusiasts dry and comfortable while they pursue their passions. Another enduring part of the company’s mission is to make gear that’s affordable to everyone, from the novice to the seasoned professional. From the beginning, they have made a conscientious choice to produce a product line that performs to the highest level without emptying your wallet. frogg toggs’ wade wear is known for holding water out, keeping comfort in and

helping anglers stay on the water longer. And, like all frogg toggs gear, the entire wader line is designed, built and tested by longtime outdoorsmen. Before they ever see a store shelf, these waders are fully vetted by the fishing fanatics at frogg toggs. After being used and abused in the field and in the water, if a product doesn’t meet and exceed frogg toggs’ high quality standards, it never makes it to market. This continual commitment to advanced technology, proven performance and easy affordability has made frogg toggs a market leader in breathable, affordable wade wear. The company relentlessly seeks to deliver the features and functionality its customers, including trophy-winning professionals, require and demand from their gear. The result: frogg toggs waders enable anglers to stay comfortable and focused on that perfect catch—all while spending longer days in the water. And for the passionate angling enthusiasts who have come to know and love the brand, frogg toggs has become a trusted provider of quality gear for every outdoor pursuit.

Explore frogg toggs’ full fishing waders lineup at www.froggtoggs.com/mens/waders.

DELAYED HARVEST ON THE EAST FORK OF THE FRENCH BROAD

By Nick Carter

(An abbreviated excerpt from “Flyfisher’s Guide to North Carolina & Georgia”)

f it weren’t for the East Fork of the French Broad, it’d be easy to say public access to trout water on private property was a thing of the past. This medium to large flow runs roadside and is hemmed in by private holdings, yet it is one of North Carolina’s most popular delayed harvest streams. It draws anglers from North Carolina and from across the nearby borders with South Carolina and Georgia because it is heavily stocked and offers easy access to easy wading.

DECEMBER 2021

Somehow, someone convinced property owners along East Fork Road southeast of Rosman, N.C. to allow anglers to fish the creek. There are small signs that read “Public Access For Fishing Only” and remind anglers to respect the access landowners have generously provided. Those are signs a lot of us would like to see a lot more of, but slobs tend to ruin such things. The East Fork French Broad is a shining example of what can be achieved with strict management and landowner cooperation.

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This creek, where it runs through a rural setting of valley farms and fields, is typical of a lower elevation trout stream, with long slow runs, big bend pools and extended stretches of shallow riffles. There are also three significant sets of cascading falls with large holes at their bases. Easy access and easy wading in pretty water kept brimming trout does not go unnoticed. On weekdays or in nasty weather, it might be possible to have stretches of the creek to yourself, but count on sharing

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water during the October into June delayed harvest season. The standard colorful and flashy DH flies would suffice to fish this creek with a 4- or 5-weight. But the trout see a lot of flies. This means they sometimes reward anglers who fish something natural, like caddis, quills and other mayflies that come off in spring. And don’t hesitate to try something completely outlandish. There are some larger fish in the creek, and big Western flies sometimes get noticed by trout that aren’t quite sure what

they’re supposed to be eating. There are about 5 miles of water managed as delayed harvest from Glady Fork down to the confluence that forms the French Broad proper. Not all of this is accessible to the public. East Fork Road runs east off of U.S. 178 south of Rosman. East Fork Road crosses the Middle Fork of the French Broad and then the East Fork. Public access begins at this first bridge over the East Fork and continues upstream. There are, however, several posted parcels within this stretch that

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should be avoided. Just get in the vehicle and find another pullout like the one marked by this GPS waypoint: 35.133958, -82.794207. There is plenty of river that is not posted. For GPS coordinates to access points and detailed maps of all North Carolina’s and Georgia’s best trout water, check out “Flyfishers Guide to North Carolina & Georgia.” It is available at fly shops, on Amazon, and signed copies are available from the author by emailing nsc8957@gmail.com.

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DECEMBER 2021

Cherokee County, situated in Western North Carolina encompasses the communities of Murphy, Andrews and Brasstown, where forested mountains seem to touch the sky, lakes sparkle like jewels in the sun and the air is crisp and clean. It is a quiet area located in the south western corner of North Carolina and has come to be known as the “Gateway to the Smoky Mountains.”

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NORTH DAKOTA GAME & FISH PHOTOS BY PAUL BAILEY

BY CHRIS BEARDSLEY

ishing doesn’t have to stop because it gets colder; it just takes slightly different tactics and equipment. When the lakes, streams and rivers in northern states freeze over in winter, the thickness of the ice can often be measured in feet. And if your adult beverages are frozen because you left them in the car, don’t despair; it’s time to put on your big boy pants and dust off the ice fishing gear. Ice fishing is not for the faint of heart and precautions regarding ice thickness and hy p othermi a should always be taken, but it’s also not difficult or reserved only for a few diehards. In fact, ice fishing derbies often attract thousands. Some central Wisconsin lakes resemble stadium parking lots complete with barbecue grills, large tents, canopies and the occasional pick-up game of football or Frisbee toss nearby. Tipups, with their telltale flags dominate the terrain along with the many jig fishermen. Weed edges along breaks, humps or depressions are all great places to set up. Fish will congregate in areas of comfort

or cover, and when you find them the fishing can be terrific. Of course, knowing where these areas are requires having firsthand knowledge before heading out or a topo map or both. Knowledge is king, and previous experience in your favorite summertime spots nearly always pays off.

For large game fish through the ice, such as northern pike, I prefer the very dependable Beaver Dam tip-ups rigged with 50-lb. Dacron, a No. 6 or 8 treble hook and a medium to large shiner. When setting tip-ups, I like a mix of bottom sets but also some that allow the shiner to swim just beneath the ice. A deep channel or weed edge is ideal to start. For large pike, often the larger the bait the larger the fish, but I’ve also found that big fish eat small bait. The largest pike I’ve pulled through the ice

was just shy of 40 inches and well over 20 pounds. It was caught on a 3-inch shiner set a foot beneath the ice along a weed edge adjacent to a deep river channel. This is an ideal set up for big pike that are cruising the shallows. To maximize your time, set multiple tip-ups along a weed edge or drop off. When a fish strikes, be patient. Big pike will often grab the baitfish and make long, screaming runs. When the spindle begins to slow, pull up any slack and set the hook. If it’s a good one, be prepared for more runs, as big pike will pull hard on the Dacron. Pike are great fighters and often hit when other fish won’t. Most lakes in the northern states have huge populations of pike and can make for a memorable day of fishing. As for table fare, pike are not in the same league as perch or their walleye cousins, but properly iced and promptly cleaned, a fresh northern pike produces firm, tasty fillets big enough to feed the whole family.

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Llebroc Builds Better Boat Seats

lebroc Industries began business in 1981 as a medium to high-end seat manufacturing company. During the 80s they evolved into a front-line manufacturer of a diverse group of automotive products for pickups, Suburbans and SUVs. But, in 1997 Llebroc switched primary focus to marine seating. Their first customers were Champion and Skeeter, both manufacturers of bass boats. Since then, the company rapidly expanded their scope of operations to include seating for boats and ships of every size and description.To accomplish this in such a short span of time, they exercised extensive experience in automotive seating, and now, just 24 years later, Llebroc is creating the most innovative concepts and designs in seating for the marine industry. Their Series 1 line, for use in an enclosed helm with limited exposure to the weather, currently features eight models with standard features that include: power coasted 1-inch square tube steel; molded foam seat cushions, armrests and headrests; Modern Allante vinyl upholstery; and a 24-month warranty. The Series 2 line for both indoor and outdoor use currently numbers 14 models with an array of standard features that include all-aluminum construction; UV texture powder coating; UltraLeather material (standard); dual positive lock seat-back adjusters; multi-position arms; Llebroc’s AquaFlex Mitigating System, which provides a level of compact and safety previously unavailable in marine seating; and a three-year warranty. All Llebroc seats offer free shipping in the continental United States. Llebroc also produces all-weather seating (11 models), bass boat seating (7 models), seat accessories and all the necessary hardware required for proper installation and utilization. Simply stated, Llebroc creates the highest quality marine seating that can be found on today’s market. It begins with initial concept drawings and proceeds on through each stage of production. In addition, every effort is enhanced by dedication to superior customer service. Each Helm Chair features rugged durability, extraordinary comfort, functional design, an impressive list of standard features and, perhaps best of all, an affordable price. For information about Llebroc products and services, visit www.llebroc.com or call Toll Free: 800-284-5771 • Fax: 817-831-3623.

LOAD THE BOAT WITH

WINTER CRAPPIE By TAM Staff

ake a look at what guide Tony Adams does during the winter on Alabama’s Lake Eufaula. With all the slab crappie he catches this time of year, it’s worth considering a fish fry for Christmas or New Year’s festivities. Gone are the days when crappie fishing was a springtime-only endeavor. Anglers have figured out how to pattern these swimming fish sandwiches year-round, and Adams has them dialed in on Eufaula. It’s a pattern that probably translates well to many reservoirs across the South. Lake Eufaula is an impoundment of the Chattahoochee River that stretches out to more than 45,000 acres on the southern end of the Alabama/Georgia border. Centered around the town Eufaula, Ala., hard winter is usually short-lived. Instead of being hunkered down in the depths this time of year, Eufaula crappie are still in a fall feed-up mode. “Lake Eufaula doesn’t get as cold as a lot of lakes. They’re chasing shad in the mouths of the creeks or on the flats in 8 to 10 feet of water,” Adams said. “It’s one of the best times of year to catch bigger fish. They’ve pushed up out of the depths to feed and put on fat to take them through the winter into the spawn.” Adams said loading a cooler with fillets

can be pretty easy in these conditions. The fish might be as scattered as crappie get, but they are actively feeding. This makes catching them easy once you find them. Adams has a milk-run of brush piles in different locations and depths. His Humminbird electronics tell him quickly whether or not a location is holding fish. Once fish are located, most of Adam’s clients prefer to fish old school. Jigs catch fish, he said, but most of his anglers prefer fishing minnows the way their grandfathers taught them.

Adams’ War Eagle boat is equipped with three Hi-Tek rod holders in front of each angler’s seat. His 10-foot B’n’M rods are rigged with spinning reels and 6-pound high-visibility line. On the business end, he ties on a No. 2 hook for a lip-hooked minnow and pinches a split-shot about a foot up the line. He Spot-Locks the trolling motor over active brush and lets his anglers go to work tightlining. Sometimes, when it’s windy, he’ll add another split-shot to keep the lines from bowing. “If you fish all three rods at different depths, you can figure out what depth they’re biting at,” Adams said. “Then you can leave all your baits at that depth.” Anglers should watch rod tips, of course, but keeping an eye on that high-vis. line is also important. Sometimes fish swim up after eating, and you’ll only notice that by watching the line. Give Adams a call if you’d rather be heating up oil than a grill on New Year’s Day. Contact Tony Adams through his Facebook page—Gone Fishing With Tony—or by calling him at (334) 695-3003.

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DECEMBER 2021

Upcountry South Carolina

The Best Place to Drop a Fishing Line

ou don’t need a formal invitation to have fun in Upcountry South Carolina: Come kayak in our crystal blue lakes, hike to our rushing waterfalls, dig into our local cuisine, attend our family-oriented events and festivals, and breathe deep our fresh mountain air any time you want to feel refreshed. But when you hold a valid South Carolina fishing license, it feels like an official ticket to enjoy the great outdoors. Fishing is an activity that anglers of any age can enjoy and whole families can do together. Whether sitting on a boat or standing on shore, you can relax into the simple pleasure of holding a rod surrounded by beautiful green mountains and blue water. There’s a jolt of excitement with each pull on your line and you spring into action to reel in your catch. Only minimal equipment is needed and no specific skills are required, so fishing appeals to novices as readily as pros. Fish are biting year round in the lakes, rivers and streams of Upcountry South Carolina, located in the state’s northwestern corner in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountain. Try reeling in a worldclass catch at Devils Fork State Park in Salem, where Lake Jocassee holds state fish records for rainbow trout, brown trout, redeye bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, and yellow perch. Or try your luck in Lake Hartwell, at Lake Hartwell State Park in Fair Play and Sadlers Creek State Park in Anderson, three-time host of the Bassmaster Classic (2008, 2015 and 2018). The Chattooga River, ranked as one of the nation’s best wild and scenic rivers, boasts healthy wild trout populations plus is regularly stocked by Oconee County’s Walhalla State Fish Hatchery. You can fish for brown trout, rainbow trout, redeye

bass, catfish, bluegill, brown brook and bream in the Chattooga River. The Whitewater River above Lower Whitewater Falls is another great option for wild trout fishing. Lake Keowee at KeoweeToxaway State Park in Pickens County swims with largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass as well as crappie, bluegill, yellow perch, catfish, brown trout and rainbow trout. Pick up everything you need to ensure a great angling experience—including advice—at local fly shops or book a guided fishing trip. Sam Jones of Jocassee Charters knows the best locations on Lake Jocassee to hook trophy trout year round. Buster Green’s Guide Service reels in stripers, hybrids and largemouth bass on Lake Hartwell and Lake Keowee. Chattooga River Fly Shop leads catch-and-release fly fishing trips for trout and redeye bass on the Chattooga and Chauga Rivers. Of course you can get out on the water even if you don’t plan to fish. Jocassee Lake Tours offers tours of the 9,000-acre Lake Jocassee and of the Jocassee Gorges, which National Geographic ranks as a “Destination of a Lifetime.” Some of the most amazing spots can only be reached by boat. Several different tours are offered, so you can learn from a naturalist while riding on a pontoon or paddling a kayak through quiet coves and under waterfalls. Some tours boat then hike to remote swimming spots, South Carolina’s highest point, or other surprises. If you prefer to stay on solid ground, some road vehicle tours are available, too. Prefer to captain your own boat? No problem! Several rental companies, including Tri-County Boat Rental, operate on Lake Keowee, Lake Jocassee, Lake Hartwell, and other lakes to make it easy to get out on the water. Whether you prefer

kayaking, canoeing, stand-up paddle boarding, water skiing, or tootling around in a pontoon boat, it’s invigorating to navigate clear water while surrounded by great mountain views. If you’d rather be under the water than on it, go scuba diving in Lake Jocassee—that’s right: You can scuba dive in the mountains! Lake Jocassee is a world-renowned freshwater diving destination that boasts visibility of more than 50 feet at depth on warm clear days. Dive down to see the “wall” created when the side of the mountain was blasted during construction of the dam. You can also swim through a 40-foot wooden sail boat. Lake Jocassee Dive Shop offers lessons if you’re a novice or hope to refine your diving skills. From fishing to boating, hiking to camping, biking to bird watching and more, the Upcountry’s South Carolina State Parks are a great place to come and play. Dip into the swimming hole at Oconee State Park. Hike past mountain streams to the tops of Pinnacle and Table Rock mountains at Table Rock State Park. Explore the 13,000-acre Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area at Caesars Head State Park. Scuba, swim or fish at Devils Fork State Park. Or create your own adventure at any of the Upcountry’s 13 state parks, with enough fun to fill a trip of any length. There’s so much to explore, it’s best to plan to stay awhile. Upcountry South Carolina is packed with a range of comfortable overnight accommodation options. Stay in a rustic mountain cabin, at an upscale bed and breakfast, a lakefront villa, a city hotel in Spartanburg or Greenville, or even a treehouse. Visit UpcountrySC.com to learn more.

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Discover majestic waterfalls, crystal-clear lakes, and spectacular mountain vistas in Upcountry South Carolina.

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Coming to Orlando Jan. 5-7

urf Expo is gearing up for its upcoming in-person trade show to be held Jan. 5-7, 2022 in Orlando, Fla. at the West Hall of the Orange County Convention Center. Surf Expo’s January show has become known as a one-stop shop to preview and get a first-hand look at the latest and greatest apparel and accessories that will lead the industry in 2022. A few of the brands featured in the Bluewater section are AFTCO, HUK, Pure Lure, Reel Life, Jeep by Buck Wear, Fish Hard Gear, Boat Builders Trading, Saltwater Born, Habit Outdoors, Fish Hard Gear, Unsalted Coast and Marsh Wear. Other brands in the show include Salty Crew, Costa, AVID, ANETIK, REEL Skipper, Chums, SMITH Optica, Aqualung, O’Neill and many more. There are quite a few new brands you’ll find in Bluewater making their Surf Expo debut, including Bajio eyewear, Fireside Outdoor, Red Bobber Fishing Gear, Kahuna Wagons, RUMPLE and more. The Bluewater section was designed with the buyer in mind—so they can see all the key inshore and offshore apparel and accessory brands in one location. They’ll find products ranging from lifestyle and technical apparel to footwear, outerwear, sportswear, t-shirts, sunglasses, outdoor apparel and gear and lots more. Steven “Fish” Fisher, Surf Expo’s senior buyer relations manager

DECEMBER 2021

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works directly with buyers from marinas, outfitters, boat dealers and bait and tackle shops. “There’s a definite need for product. People from Florida and across the U.S. as well as the Caribbean, Puerto Rico and all over the globe are registering and excited to come,” he said. “We staged two safe and successful shows in 2021, and we’ll continue to evolve our health and safety plan to keep those practices in place as we head into 2022 shows,” said Roy Turner, Surf Expo show director. “We want our exhibiting brands and retailers to feel confident in returning to our show. Surf Expo will continue to assemble the right mix of brands, new products and events for inspiration and camaraderie that can’t be produced digitally.” Features of the show will include the Bluewater Lounge, plus fashion shows, live seminars, the Surf Expo Industry Party and happy hours. Surf Expo will be announcing its full line up of special events in the coming weeks. Registration is free for qualified buyers. For more information, contact steven.fisher@surfexpo.com. For more information on the upcoming show, visit www.surfexpo.com.

JANUARY 5-7, 2022 ORANGE COUNTY CONVENTION CENTER WEST CONCOURSE ORLANDO, FL

Discover the newest ﬁshing and marine apparel and accessory products for 2022 within Bluewater at Surf Expo

JAW Delivers Innovative and Proven Offshore Trolling Lures

AW Lures, a Miami-based lure maker, has gone nationwide with its line of offshore trolling lures. Designed and proven to put fish in the box, these innovative, yet simple, lures were tested and tuned in waters off the Florida Keys. Since 2014, JAW has been proving itself in “The Fishing Capital of the World.” Now the company is expanding with explosive growth. “Our go-to lures for Dolphin and Blackfin Tuna,” said happy angler Corey Gawlas. “We almost always get two Tuna at a time.” JAW Lures offshore trolling lures are the original and only offshore trolling lures in the world that feature two independent rigged skirts that can catch fish simultaneously and/ or separately. One skirt chasing another gives the appearance of frenzied bait, which naturally triggers the predatory instincts of most all pelagic. JAW Lures rigs each lure individually by hand and constructs them only with Mustad 3407 SS-DT O’Shaughnessy hooks and AWF High-Seas leader material. “JAW Lures should be in everyone’s offshore tackle box,” said Steve Martin of FishRazr. “Adding these high-quality products to your trolling spread will put more fish in the cooler.” Since the company’s expansion in the spring of 2021, anglers from Texas to New England, and over on the Pacific Coast of California are

discovering the hassle-free effectiveness of trolling with JAW Lures. They have proven deadly for Mahi-Mahi, Tuna, Wahoo, Marlin, Sailfish, Kingfish, Mackerel, and more. Try working JAW’s offshore trolling lures into your spread. There’s a pretty good chance they’ll become the most productive lures.

For more information, visit jawlures.com.

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There’s nothing like the freedom of being on the water, but protecting your boat – and choosing the best product to protect it with – can be a drag. With Micron® Extra SPC, the choice is easy. Its unique Self Polishing Copolymer technology constantly protects against fouling, even when your boat is docked, offering unrivaled, multi-season protection in all waters. Typically reserved for super yachts, this technology is now available for boats coast to coast and for all types of users. Choose Micron® Extra SPC to enjoy your time on the water, wherever you go! Relentless performance for every boat, everywhere, every time

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EASY FISHING AND FAST LIMITS

OUT OF

By Nick Carter

ish are everywhere in the Florida Keys. From big pelagics on offshore humps to vast backcountry flats teeming with tarpon and permit, the options are so varied that decision-making can be difficult. Throw in wrecks, reefs, bridges and ledges, and one boat just isn’t enough to do it all. If you wanted to experience all the fishing the Keys have to offer, you’d need several different types of vessels.

Joel Brandenburg, of Ana Banana Fishing Company, understands this. Based in Marathon, he’s pulled together a fleet of boats and the captains to fish it all. With five boats ranging from a 53-foot Hatteras to a 24-foot Hanson, they are equipped to chase big game at the famous Marathon Humps and beyond, and also to fish skinny backwater flats and everything in between. The options are enough to make a visiting

angler’s head spin, but Joel will be your guide. Putting clients on fish runs in his blood. When his son Jojo Brandenburg earned a master captains license about five years ago, it extended the family business into its third generation. They’ve had a “no-fish, no-pay” policy for more than 20 years, and in all that time they’ve only had to honor it three times. Joel certainly dialed up a good option when I contacted him on short notice this

fall. I was looking for a quick half-day while on family vacation in Islamorada. With the winds up on the Atlantic, he suggested a backcountry trip. We’d trade the excitement of blackfin tuna, mahi mahi and sailfish for fast snapper action. That was just fine with my 10-year-old son and me. Back home, the boy is a bream slayer. “It’s like crappie fishing on steroids,” Joel said as he lowered a chum bag off the stern. We had run 13 miles over skinny water into Florida Bay to anchor off a small wooded island called East Bahia Honda. The boat bobbed at the edge of a deep channel that cuts through the flat like a green vein. The action began immediately. On light tackle,

we pitched baits and hauled in mangrove snappers as quickly as we could turn to get another pilchard or ballyhoo chunk from first-mate Eddie Traylor. With a five-fish limit per person, we threw back a bunch of fish and filled the cooler with a quick limit of the chunkiest mangos. Then we bumped around a while, waiting for the tide to turn and throwing Cuda Tubes to wood

structure. Casting and working a lure for the visual thrill of a barracuda streaking from cover is a lot of fun. It was tough to put the rods down when Joel suggested we go check out the bridge. On the way in, we got a good look at an endangered hawksbill sea turtle. Anchored near Fred—the storied Australian pine tree that grows from the roadbed of the Old Seven Mile Bridge—we chummed and pitched pilchards into the tide that rushed between pilings. Joel knew we’d get into some yellowtail snapper, and he was hoping for some yellow jacks and maybe a big shark. “Best as I can tell, yellow jacks started showing up around here about 12 to 15 years ago,” Joel said. “I’m happy to have them. They fight like jack crevalle and taste like tuna.” Yellow jacks average 5 pounds around the bridges, but they reach weights in the 15- to 20-pound range, Joel said. We didn’t boat any yellow jacks, but a big jack crevalle ran the boy around the rails twice, and a nice mutton snapper went into the box along with some keeper yellowtails. When the bite slowed, Joel took us to the docks at Castaway Watefront Restaurant in Marathon with a lot more than a fish supper. They’ll cook your catch any way you want, and it was the perfect end to a day on the water. If you’re looking for a winter get-away, it’s hard to beat winter fishing in the Keys. Joel said they’re targeting sailfish and blackfin tuna and high-speed trolling for wahoo right now. Snapper, grouper and other species are biting on the wrecks, reefs, ledges, bridges and flats. The cobia will show up on the Gulf side in January and February. Contact Ana Banana Fishing Company through their website at anabananafishing.com.

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GREAT STREAMS—AND SPIRITS—AWAIT IN

HENDERSONVILLE, NC

f you’re an angler who enjoys following up a day on mountain trout streams with a refreshing craft beverage or two, cast your attention to the Blue Ridge mountain town of Hendersonville. This North Carolina town, about 22 miles south of Asheville, offers miles of stocked trout waters, as well as the popular Hendersonville Cheers! Trail. The two resources make it possible to spend the day catching three types of trout – rainbow, brown and brook – while spending an evening exploring three types of craft beverages – beer, wine and hard cider. First, the fishing part. North Mills River is the prime trout stream in the Hendersonville area. The river’s 4-mile section of delayed harvest waters receives an annual infusion of 11,000 trout from N.C. Wildlife. Spring is a great time to fly fish the delayed harvest waters of North Mills River because no trout have been harvested since Sept. 30. Another hot spot for trout fishing is just across the Henderson County line toward Brevard. The Davidson River offers miles of public trout waters that receive annual stockings of 16,500 fish. Other lesser-known fishing spots near Hendersonville include three streams on the eastern side of Henderson County, about 20 to 30 minutes from downtown. Rocky Broad River has a 1.2-mile stretch of hatchery support waters, while Cane Creek, near the Fletcher community, has 1.5mile stretch of hatchery supported waters.

For those who really want a unique experience, Little River in DuPont State Recreational Forest provides a scenic setting for trout fishing. Delayed harvest waters flow through undisturbed mountains and over several notable waterfalls. Those waterfalls were immortalized on Hollywood’s silver screen in The Last of the Mohicans, as well as the backdrop for the exploits of Katniss Everdeen in the original Hunger Games movie. When the fishing is done, the Cheers! Trail awaits. The trail is one of North Carolina’s best, featuring 16 craft producers offering a variety of

experiences. Beer fans love Sierra Nevada’s tasting room, which is one of the largest on the East Coast and features an expansive patio and outdoor amphitheater, while Bold Rock Hard Cider has emerged as a national leader in the hard cider industry and regularly hosts live music (indoors and outdoors), along with cidery tours and a food truck. Several craft producers on the trail create small-batch beverages prized for their quality and originality. Three breweries – Southern Appalachian, Triskelion and Guidon – are within a few blocks of each other in the Depot District, while Sanctuary Brewing Co. is only a few blocks away on Main Street. Three wineries produce highquality wines from European varietals. The newest – Point Lookout Vineyards – is located atop a 3,000-foot mountain with panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards is on farmland that’s been in the family for more than nine generations. And two miles from Saint Paul, Burntshirt Vineyards offers tastings in its renovated farmhouse overlooking rolling hills of vines. For complete Hendersonville information and lodging details, call 800-828-4244 or visit www.VisitHendersonvilleNC.org.

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DECEMBER 2021

CHANGES COMING FOR

WATCH

VIDEO

GULF OF MEXICO REGULATIONS council decided to increase the minimum size limit to 36-inches fork length, reduce the daily possession limit to one fish per person, and create a two-fish vessel limit for both commercial and recreational sectors. These changes must be agreed upon by the South Atlantic Council before they are submitted to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce for approval and implementation. Red Grouper: The Council took final action to increase the red grouper overfishing limit, acceptable biological catch, annual catch limits and annual catch targets. This recommendation, if implemented by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, would set the stage for a loosening in regulations for red grouper. King Mackerel: A recent update stock assessment determined king mackerel is not overfished or experiencing overfishing. However, the spawning stock biomass was found to be below the level necessary to achieve maximum sustainable yield. The Gulf Council chose to retain the 24inch minimum size limit for king mackerel. The South Atlantic Council, which jointly manages the mackerel fishery, opted for a 22-inch fork length minimum size limit. The councils will

have to reach agreement. Greater Amberjack: Greater amberjack is both overfished and experiencing overfishing. Catch-limit reductions are likely to come soon. Gag Grouper: Gag is both overfished and experiencing overfishing. A recent assessment indicated that a lack of males might be having an effect on the productivity of the stock. The council indicated it is not in favor of total closure. Catch-limit reductions are being considered. Vermilion Snapper: Increased vermilion snapper catch limits are being considered. A recent stock assessment determined that vermilion snapper is neither overfished or experiencing overfishing. After hearing public comment, which cautioned against increasing catch limits dramatically, the council recommended staff include alternatives with smaller increases than were recommended. The council selected a preferred alternative that would increase the vermilion snapper overfishing limit, acceptable biological catch, and annual catch. The Council will solicit public comment before taking final action. For more information, visit gulfcouncil.org.

FWC PHOTO

he Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council is considering changes that might affect regulations for recreational anglers in the Gulf of Mexico. The council is the regional authority charged with managing fisheries in federal waters of the Gulf, and it met Oct. 25-28 in Orange Beach, Alabama. The following is a summary of actions from that meeting. Cobia: The Gulf Group cobia stock is managed jointly with the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council and includes both the Gulf Zone and Florida East Coast Zone. A recent stock assessment showed Gulf Group cobia are not overfished but are experiencing overfishing. The Gulf Council chose to reduce Gulf Group Cobia stock overfishing limit, acceptable biological catch, and annual catch limits with an increasing yield stream for the years 2021-2023. The bottom line for anglers is: the council chose to retain the 36-inch fork length minimum size limit for cobia, reduce the daily possession limit to one fish per person and create a two-fish vessel limit for both commercial and recreational sectors in the Gulf Zone. In the Florida East Coast Zone, the

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THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

DECEMBER 2021

By Englis Glover

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THINKING ABOUT QUITTING BOATING?

erhaps your vessel needs a major repair. Maybe you sold your house and are moving away from the seashore. Maybe you are too busy to sell your boat, or you tried and found a lot of people didn’t have the resources to buy it, much less to move it. There are a lot of reasons people have for getting rid of an older boat, working or not. We want to let you know that you can trust Boat Angel Outreach Center. We here at Coastal Angler have seen them help thousands get rid of their unwanted boats and receive generous IRS1098 tax receipts for doing so. Did you know older, larger working boats can be donated for their fair market value? Did you know Boat Angel will walk you through the whole process, and most of the time even a boat that has been unused on your dock or in your backyard will be gone in less than 15 days? I’ve known the people at Boat Angel Outreach for more than a decade, and I can personally vouch that this charity is both caring and focused on helping kids. 100 percent of their funding is from the sale of donated boats. They currently fund projects on four continents and ceaselessly work to make this world a better place, especially for children. They have a courteous and diligent staff. They are experienced

in solving logistical problems and multi-state title issues, all while achieving their goals of getting the donated vessels moved away quickly. So, if you’ve got a vessel that’s no longer working, or you have decided to move on from boating, I strongly recommend you give this great organization a call or contact them through their website. When your donation is completed, just forward your receipt to your tax preparer. Who knows how much money your donation will put back in your pocket? We all know that an unused or nonworking boat is a drain on anyone’s finances. Fuel, maintenance bills, registration, insurance and slip fees are year-round expenses. Maybe it is finally time to move on. A friend of mine once asked, “What is better than being a boat owner?” “I don’t know, what?” I said. “A friend with a boat,” he replied, smiling. We all have friends with boats. Why not put the money saved into their gas tank and take a small fishing trip? Boat Angel Outreach Center; www.boatangel.org; EIN 42-1619552; 800-700-2628.

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THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

DECEMBER 2021

CROCODILE BAY The Ultimate Fishing Experience C

rocodile Bay boasts the largest professional sport fishing fleet in Central America with in-house captains and mates able to cater to all skill levels. At the helm stands Diego Camacho, Director of Fishing and expert fisherman. Anglers will enjoy offshore, inshore, as well as the now all-new kayak and shore fishing excursions. Each is uniquely challenging and equally rewarding. The fleet of 24 and 25-foot center consoles Boston Whalers and 33 and 35-foot tower Strike are easily accessed from the 800-foot private pier. Crocodile Bay offers world-class catch and release bill fishing in the Pacific Ocean. Enjoy going after sailfish, striped, blue and black marlin, dorado, tuna and wahoo. And when fishing in Costa Rica’s Golfo Dulce (Sweet Gulf) you will find roosterfish, cubera snapper, jack trevalle, bluefin trevally, sierra mackerel, tripletail, and grouper to be excellent throughout the year. Are you ready to strap in and reel in a yellowfin tuna that can reach up to 300 lbs? Do you think you have what it takes to beat the Roosterfish resort record at 106 lbs? So what are you waiting for? Visit Crocodile Bay for an adventure of a lifetime and experience the incredible transformation to Crocodile Bay Marina and Botánika Osa Peninsula, Curio Collection by Hilton. Botánika will provide unparalleled services and amenities, including the clubhouse, a lagoon-shaped pool, several restaurants and bars, a fully equipped state-of-the-art fitness center, and nature trails right on property. With the Pacific Ocean in the front yard, and Corcovado National Park in the backyard, guests can participate in a wide array of land and water based ecoadventures. With the adjacent Crocodile Bay Marina, Botánika guests will continue to enjoy marine adventures, such as worldclass sport fishing, whale and dolphin watching, and snorkeling. Just as Crocodile Bay Resort, Botánika is destined to become a world-class vacation destination and a new Costa Rican legacy.

CASTING WITH COPS IN COCOA BEACH WATCH

VIDEO

he inaugural Casting with Cops in Cocoa Beach took place on Saturday, Nov. 13, at the Cocoa Beach Aquatic Center Pavilion in beautiful Cocoa Beach, Florida. This was a free event for all kids ages 5 to 15. Kids were provided free fishing rods with small tackle boxes from a grant through the sales of the Fish Florida license plates. “We had a great turnout for our First Annual Casting With Cops. Over 110 kids signed up,” said Detective Joe Smith of the Cocoa Beach Police Department. With a primary goal of creating responsible marine resource stewards by teaching children about Florida’s marine ecosystems, the kids participated in learning stations to learn about knot tying, tackle rigging and selection, casting, types of fish, fish habits, regulations, and other helpful tips to get them ready to go fishing. After the learning stations, they went to the dock or shoreline and fished. Casting With Cops was staffed by officers from the Cocoa Beach Police Department, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, U.S. Coast Guard personnel, Coastal Angler Magazine employees and volunteers. Sponsors for the event included Fish Florida, Kiwanis Club of Cocoa Beach, Coastal Angler Magazine, Shut Up & Fish, Sea & Ski Suncare, Cocoa Beach Professional Firefighters, Blue Marlin Real Estate and Handler Fish Supply. For more information on this event, reach out to Sgt. Jacki Hughes at the Cocoa Beach Police Department at jhughes@cityofcocoabeach.com.

By Richard Matteson

WATCH

VIDEO

December Surf Fishing Forecast T he beach is coming alive with the cooler weather, and the seasonal fish, which include Spanish mackerel, bluefish and pompano, are showing up in numbers here on Florida’s Treasure Coast. There have been some spectacular fishing days with 20-plus mackerel and numbers of jacks, some heavier than 15 pounds. The pompano are here, and although most are small, some keeper-size have been caught in the surf and from the bridges in the Indian River Lagoon. Birds and schools of fish have been following large pods of bait swimming just outside the trough. One reason for the increased activity are higher king tides, which eliminate issues with sandbars left from previous hurricanes. The tides are a couple feet higher than they were this summer. One- and 2-ounce Crocodile Spoons

DECEMBER 2021

in silver and gold with a single hook are producing great results. I usually use a 3/8-ounce D.O.A. jig in chartreuse color with a 4-inch pearl Shad Tail. Even if the mackerel aren’t schooling at the moment, there are still lots of jacks and ladyfish around the trough. I use 10- to 20-pound white braid with a 40-pound fluorocarbon leader. I like short leaders of 14 inches or shorter, which keeps the double uni-knot connecting the braid to leader from the first eyelet on the rod. I always use a 6 ½- or 7-foot rod with some backbone to land larger fish like tarpon and snook. The standard surf reel is a spinning reel with enough braid (100 yards over mono backing) to land bigger fish. If you are fishing in the Treasure Coast area, now is the time to take your boat out the St. Lucie Inlet and go about a mile south to the Peck’s Lake area known as Kingfish Hole

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to catch schooling Spanish mackerel. Use a thick leader of 80-pound fluorocarbon or a wire leader, and expect non-stop mackerel action. Use small spoons or jigs, and move them fast near the top of the water. Look for boats following the schools to locate the best fishing. Snook are still hitting in the surf on jigs and live bait with the best action near high tide. The best snook fishing is morning and evening. Remember to fish around the trough; casting out way past the trough is wasted time when fishing for snook. As always, look for birds to find the bait, and the fish will be there. The surf is rough and the tides are high. Time to go fishing. Richard Matteson is a long-time contributor to Coastal Angler Magazine and staff writer for the Stuart Rod and Reel Club.

PHOTO BY AARON ADAMS

LIFE IS A BEACH

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

DECEMBER 2021

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

VIDEO

PHOTO COURTESY OF KNOCKIN TAIL LURES.

WATCH

ANALYZE&CAPITALIZE I

O N T H E S I T U AT I O N

witnessed a scenario a few weeks ago that when analyzed might help us all catch more fish. I was fishing a familiar cove, drifting my kayak across grass flats mixed in with sand potholes. This area typically holds clear water, and on low-wind days such as this, it should have been exceptionally clear. The farther I drifted across the area, the more I noticed dinginess in the water. This area of the cove had a small island perpendicular with the shoreline and a 15-yard gap in between. I saw small mullet pushing up on the edge of the island. At that point, I decided to anchor my kayak and work the area thoroughly with my rattling soft-plastic paddletail. This area was 1 to 2 feet deep and mostly carpeted with grass with just a few sand potholes. To keep from fouling my jig on the grass, I was burning the lure just under the surface. I unexpectedly hooked up with a nice redfish

By Capt. Michael Okruhlik

that came out of the water to inhale my copper and silver soft plastic! Due to the redfish mouth being on the bottom of their head, they put on a nice show while attacking a lure on or near the surface. I caught a dozen or so reds in this area using the same retrieve, and about half of them came out of the water or created a whitewater attack to strike. I was also able to sight cast to a few that swam through in groups of two or three. As the bite started to taper, I noticed the water had begun to clear up. This led me analyze the situation a little more. This area is not known for a lot of tidal movement, and typically you can’t see the water move, as was the case on this day. However, the tide was incoming, which created the silty water, and this slight movement was also pushing the small mullet

against the island. Once the water cleared, I realized the tide had slowed or stopped, and as that happened the mullet began to scatter through the cove. I still managed to pick up a few more reds and some trout, but not until I started to drift other areas of the cove. Hindsight is 20/20, and I didn’t put all the pieces together until the end, but it was a great lesson I will use in the future. Even though I could not see the movement of the water, the dirty water was a clear sign of the incoming tide. The bait was reacting to the rising water, and that’s the reason the fish were feeding in that area. I hope this story helps you out in the future. I will remember what I learned that day and apply it. Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Knockin Tail Lures, Controlled Descent Lures and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

DECEMBER 2021

GIANT Panama Bluefin

his is the first video from my fishing trip to Panama. We stayed at the Panafishing lodge in Pedasi, Panama which caters to jigging and popping enthusiasts. We spent six days jigging, popping and using artificial lures for many species such as cubera snapper, bluefin trevally, yellowfin tuna, broomtail grouper , jack crevalle, pargo, roosterfish and other pelagic fish species. The tuna Coast of Panama has a wide variety of fish species and it’s one of the only places in the world where you can catch cubera snapper on poppers. I made some yellowfin tuna sushi hand rolls at the very end.

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A TIME AND PLACE FOR EVERYTHING

Tim Barefoot

here is no comparison to anchoring versus drifting for grouper fishing. Catching grouper and big snapper consistently requires you to set up in one location. But there is a time and place for everything. Bear with me… For grouper and big snapper fishing, you have to anchor or use a long-shank, GPS trolling motor—like a Rhodan—to keep your boat in place. I have talked about this in previous articles. You need to “set the table” for the gags, reds and scamps. While anchored with 4 or 5 anglers onboard, we send down several rounds of whole squid, regardless of what comes up. Whole squid dropped on Decoy Jigs create a chum slick on the bottom directly below the boat. After three or four rounds of these “freebie” squid offerings, we send down the live baits on Decoy Jigs. This is more than grouper and big snapper can mentally digest. They see a live bait caught by a crab or squid. It’s a Happy Meal to them. To do this effectively, your boat must remain in a fixed position. There are now a few brands of powerful, long-shank, GPSequipped electric trolling motors on the market that allow offshore anglers the same benefits enjoyed for years by inshore and freshwater anglers. These machines allow you to anchor “virtually” or set a heading, among other things. They are an absolute game-changer. I use a Rhodan, so that’s what I’ll call it. Using the Rhodan alone is my preferred method. It will keep you in one spot, and it’s so much easier than anchoring in deep water. It is accurate, fast, effortless and time efficient. If the water is too deep or the current is running too hard, we will sometimes drift with the Rhodan. From barely in gear up to full speed, we use the trolling motor to slow the drift. This creates a good situation in which to drop baits for bottom fish while flying a kite out of the back of the boat. The Rhodan keeps the bow pointed into the wind or current, allowing you to deploy kites with live baits while also bottom fishing. It’s possible to fish for pelegics like wahoo and dolphin while catching bottom fish at the same time. The kite will work the Rhodan hard and reduce battery

WATCH

VIDEO life, so keep this in mind. A traditional anchor allows you to fly a kite with baits out for wahoo, while also bottom fishing without taxing the Rhodan to keep the boat in a fixed position. This combo, however, can only be used with a light wind. If the wind or current are up, a slow drift with the Rhodan is the best way to drop baits while tending the kite and float baits. Like I said, there is a time and condition for one or all of the combos, but I’m sometimes oldschool, and you just can’t beat an anchor for grouper fishing when the water depth and current speed are right. For more information and instructional videos, go to barefootcatsandtackle.com. THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

DECEMBER 2021

HAVALON TALON:

By CAM Staff

CUTTING EDGE INNOVATION

ny surgeon or taxidermist will tell you the best tool for cutting flesh is a scalpel. And that’s where knife-maker Havalon got its start. Their parent company, Havel’s, is a medical device company that supplies scalpels for surgical use. When the idea arose to bring the same incredibly sharp blades to the outdoors, it gave tools to outdoorsmen that are more precise than any hunting or fillet knife ever invented. The first Havalon Piranta was a blade modeled after an autopsy scalpel that folded into a sturdy handle. It offered all sorts of outdoorsmen the benefits of an ultra-sharp scalpel blade in the form of a pocketknife. But the blade itself was not built to handle the rigors of everyday use. That’s when Havalon began tinkering to find the best combination of sharpness and strength. The resulting innovation has made Havalon one of the top-selling knife companies in the country and the leader in the hunting industry. “We have always felt—that a sharp blade does not need to be used with any excessive force,” said Havalon Marketing Director Ryan Cull. “This is still a core belief of our company, but we know there is a segment of consumers that want to have sturdier blades.” The need for a sturdier blade that retains Havalon-level sharpness launched the Talon project. Designers set out to create a knife handle that accommodates an entire collection of different ultra-sharp blade styles. With a 3-inch serrated

blade, a 3-inch gut hook combo blade and fillet blades of 5, 7 and 9 inches, it is the only knife you’ll ever need at the cutting board or skinning pole. This all-in-one precision cutting tool was three years in the making. Designing a handle mechanism to swap out blades quickly and easily was achieved with the ingeniously simple push-button Quik Change II system. Finding the sweet spot between scalpel sharp and durable was the next step, and the blades also needed to be tailored to their particular uses. Through more tinkering and testing, Havalon landed on AUS-8 steel—the gold standard—which offers the best combination of edge retention and strength. Thickness and shapes of the different blades were custom designed. Fillet knives require flexibility; gut hooks do not. Each blade type was carefully considered and rigorously tested to achieve optimal performance for its intended use. The final result is a single knife kit that outperforms a whole cutlery set of traditional knives. Extreme sharpness is something Havalon users have come to expect with blades intended for replacement when they lose their edge. Talon

blades are different. They are scalpel sharp, yet they are strong enough to be resharpened. “So long as users don’t pry on the blades with extreme force or damage them in some other unforeseeable way, they should be able to go years without buying replacements,” said Cull. “The versatility of the blade styles along with the strength and sharpness of the blades make the Talon one of the most innovative products to come out in the industry in years.” To see all the features of the Talon and all of Havalon’s other scalpel-sharp knives, visit www.havalon.com.

Catching Fish with Old-School Jigging Spoons By James K. Pressley

ere’s a question for you to ponder: Do bass stop biting a technique, or do we just stop fishing it because it isn’t cool anymore? I’ve had this conversation with several dedicated and good fishermen lately. It seems that, like most things, we choose the popular and whatever a YouTube celebrity tells us to fish. We should not allow our fleeting attention spans to hide the fact that these traditional and sometimes old-school techniques still produce fish. Matter of fact, in certain times and places

they not only produce fish, they dominate. Here’s a productive technique you might have forgotten about. Some young guys might not even know about it. Now, I’m not claiming to have rediscovered spooning for winter bass or that it’s disappeared completely. In fact, I still see people fishing these baits, but not often. Recently I got together with a guide who I am fortunate to call a friend. Jimmy Holmes, of Fish On Guide service, guides on Georgia’s Lake Oconee and Lake Lanier. Now, my wife and I talk to Jimmy and his wife often about things

like gardening and canning what we grow. They’re great people and have provided us a lot of advice and help. Jimmy and I were chatting one evening at his house, and we got to talking about jigging spoons. It was a technique I had been trying to learn but was just unable to find a lot of info about. Well, Jimmy offered to teach me, and a plan was hatched. Jimmy and I met up one fall morning and launched his boat near the dam on Lake Oconee. To say it was foggy is an understatement. You couldn’t see the beginning of the dock, much

less the end of it. After carefully making our way out, we started fishing deep water around the dam and along the east bank of the lake. Over the course of the morning, we boated a couple of good largemouths, a good striper and some hybrids. Here’s what I learned: GEAR Rods: Rod isn’t all that important, but you want a 6’6” to 7’ rod in medium to medium-heavy action with a soft tip. You want give to the tip. Line: You really want mono or fluorocarbon line. Mono is perfectly fine here, and somewhere between 10- to 14-lb. test is good. Braid is too stiff and has no give in it. You need stretch if a big fish hits. Reel: This is where Jimmy got me. He uses line-counter reels, low-profile Okuma line counters to be specific. It’s an affordable reel with a good drag system, and you can pinpoint where you place the spoon. Spoons: Jimmy primarily fishes two types, Capt. Mack’s Super Spoon in ¾ oz. and a War Eagle Jiggin’ Spoon in 7/8 oz. I like both of those as well as Berry’s Flex-It Spoon, which comes in tiny sizes for when they are hitting tiny shad. I also like the Bomber Slab Spoon and the Live Target Flutter Shad Spoon. Color doesn’t matter as much as size and shape; however, keep in mind that dingy water calls for a gold spoon, while clear water calls for more natural silvers and baitfish colors. Swivels: Spoons need good swivels. This keeps your line from getting twisted, which can be a huge pain and also leads to break-offs. BOAT GEAR A trolling motor with spot lock or some

such feature is going to save you and make this a much easier to fish technique. You can pay much more attention to your line and lure when you aren’t battling a trolling motor to stay on top of fish. A basic entry-level fishfinder will get you on fish these days. Just make sure you know how to use it, what to look for… and pay attention. FISHING STYLE For our purposes, we are going to focus on only one fishing style for a spoon. When fish are deep and schooled up, a vertical presentation is best, and all you have to do is jig it up and down. You can cast and power reel these spoons. However, most of the time where I fish the best technique is to drop these spoons to the bottom or the desired depth where fish are marked on electronics. Then you just raise them in short movements. That’s an important part. Don’t move these spoons 4

feet. Just watch your rod tip, and on a tight line raise the spoon a few inches to maybe a foot and drop it back down on a tight line. If you spot fish up off the bottom feeding, this is where the depth counter comes in very handy. Just reel up to the depth and go back to jigging. Make sure you are above the fish though. Most fish orienting like this are not going to feed down. They are going to feed up. So be above them. If you don’t see any fish on the electronics, don’t panic. Make sure you are fishing a location where you have seen and caught fish before. Then just drop that spoon to the bottom and bounce it. This will cause commotion and stir up mud like a struggling baitfish. Bass, hybrids and stripers all sometimes lie on the bottom and just wait. This commotion will get their attention, and even if you don’t see them on the electronics, you can catch them. TIMING Traditionally jigging spoons is a deadof-summer or dead-of-winter technique, but really you can catch fish all year on this. I spoke to a tournament fisherman in Upstate South Carolina the other day who loves to jig a spoon during the herring spawn. Bottom line is, this will work on fish year-round if you try it.

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

DECEMBER 2021

I LOVE CATS!

BEN MARTIN

hat’s right. I never thought I would hear me say it, but there it is, “I love cats.” It only takes one ride on a dual-hull vessel to convince anyone the ride is superior to that of a V-hull. If you’ve chosen your dual-hull vessel correctly, you’ll quickly recognize there’s no requirement to endure the constant up and down slamming endured in a V-hull. Most engineers and propulsion designers will tell you there’s something inherently unstable about a single V-shaped hull with engines mounted in the rear. But when you add a second V-shaped hull to the equation, the entire center of gravity changes. Your vessel no longer has the need to plane. Now, your rear-mounted engines push the boat effortlessly. The vessel no longer requires the bounce to move it forward over the water’s surface. The balanced float of two hulls also creates additional benefits. Shallow draft is a big one. Most cats draft less than 2 feet. Our Sea Cat drafts an incredible 14 inches. Now you’ve got an inshore vessel and

an offshore vessel all in one. That’s a feat that’s very hard to achieve with a mono-hull. There’s another great benefit to dual-hull vessels: Fuel Economy. Remember the displacement thing? The design that eliminates a need for the boat to ride on plane? Well, when your vessel can maintain a balanced float on top of the water, your engines no longer have to fight to bounce your vessel forward. They simply don’t have to work as hard, and it is therefore unquestionably true that two-hull vessels are unrivaled in fuel economy in the marine space. Now, mono-hull designs have dominated the U.S. market since the 1960s. It’s what we are trained to think boats should be. But innovation has a way of changing things. Before you stubbornly say you hate cats, I challenge you to take a test ride on one. I suspect that you’ll become a cat lover, too. There might be some rugged individuals out there who really like that constant pounding and the need to burn a lot of fuel. I suppose there are also some people who simply enjoy maintaining two boats, one for inshore and one for off shore. I salute you rugged individuals to whom money means nothing and eight hours of pounding up and down on a vessel is no big deal. But when we go fishing, let’s go on my cat and spare the pounding… I’ll buy the gas.

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American Tackle Sponsors UCF Bass Knights Fishing Team WATCH

VIDEO

ward-winning US-based fishing rod component maker American Tackle Company has added the UCF Bass Knights Fishing team to its ever-growing roster of athletes. The UCF Bass Knights was established in 2006 by a few students who loved to compete in the world of tournament bass fishing. These collegiate fishermen compete within the MLF, Bass Nation College series, and a host of other prominent series. “We are proud to sponsor UCF Bass Knights and plan on continuing that support for many years,” said American Tackle Marketing Manager Kevin Landers. Landers continued, “With as much as college fishing has grown, it was an easy decision. After talking to its President, Jackson Gill, we saw the opportunity to help our local college and also these young adults discover how amazing the fishing industry is. Many have expressed an interest in joining this industry after school, so having them as sponsored athletes will help them see how the trade works. We look forward to seeing these young men do great things and allowing us to be part of their journey.” With nearly four decades servicing the tackle industry, American Tackle is still leading the way with innovations and improvements that every angler will appreciate. Being avid anglers and rod builders themselves, they take pride in offering the ultimate in diversity, durability and performance.

ABOVE: American Tackle Marketing Manager Kevin Landers shakes UCF Bass Fishing Team President Jackson Gill’s hand after sponsorship signing. BELOW: Joesph Miller talks to the team about quality control.

Learn more at www.americantackle.us.

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

DECEMBER 2021

FLY FISHING

SOUTHERN CALI’S FAMOUS BONITO RUN

he fall and early winter mark a very important time for the southern California saltwater fly fisherman. This time of year means transition, and with this transition comes the seasonal migration of Pacific bonito to the nearshore waters off southern California. Although SoCal has a year-round population of bonito, many of the fish who take up residence here in the early fall and winter are the larger pelagic bonito that trek to our coast from southern waters. These fish can range in size between 5 to 15 pounds and are probably the hardest fighting fish readily available to fly fishermen off the southern California coast. These fish are found both inshore and offshore, however, most of the offshore bonito are in 30 fathoms (150 feet) or less. When fishing for open-water bonito, the angler’s best approach is to look for birds and schools working along current or temperature breaks. Once these areas are found, look for bonito chasing anchovies or sardines near the surface. Bonito can be very shy, so cutting the

engine and sidling up on the fish is very important. Once the boat is in position, a 40- to 80-foot cast placed to the outside edge of the schooling fish is best. The angler should make sure the fish are moving either toward the skiff or in a crossing direction so the cast can be put in the path of the moving fish. The fly tackle best suited for bonito fishing includes 9-foot, 6- to 10-weight rods matched with a good direct-drive saltwater fly reel with a minimum of 120 yards of 20- to 30-lb. Dacron backing. In terms of fly lines, a shooting head with a built-in running line in weights of 175 to 350 grains will work best. Tippets should be 8 to 12 pounds, and abrasionresistant fluorocarbon works wonders on leader-shy fish. As for flies, Clousers, Deceivers, Crazy Charlies and any anchovy pattern in sizes 8 through 2 will do the trick. Color is an important factor, so match the fly color to the color of the bait being taken. Green/ white and blue/white are great choices, however, chartreuse/ white is always a great attractor color. Fighting a bonito once it is hooked is an exciting and sometimes exhausting experience for the fly angler. Because the bonito is built like a mini rocket, it will make some amazing runs and will usually take line well into the angler’s backing. As summer fades and the days get shorter, it’s worth a trip to southern California where fly anglers can take part in the famous bonito run.

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don't stop reeLing Alex Kendrick reel salty www.reelsaltydestin.com

The Wahoo bite has already been crazy this season and is only going to get better. Trolling lures 10-15 knots is ideal starting around the 90’ mark. Keep an eye out for weed lines and large patches of grass, you never know what’s below them. Whenever I see grass patches I like to stop and sight fish for Mahi, Tuna, Wahoo, and Triple tail. For Mahi I like to keep a light pitch rod with 20# fluorocarbon and 2/0 Owner circle hook. Live bait works really well on the larger bulls and cut squid works better on the smaller chicken dolphins. If lures are your thing I prefer Yozuri Crystal Minnows and honestly color doesn’t matter. Pitch around the weed lines or patches and look deeper down for the bigger Mahi. As for Tuna with all the chumming going on, I like to send down a vertical jig on 60#-80# test at least 100’ below the boat. Working your jig through the water column is a good way to fire up any kind of fish that may be lurking around in the shadows. If you have a large diamond jig I’d put some heavy wire in front of it for a chance at a wahoo. Triple Tail are amazing fish on light tackle and I recommend 15#-20# fluorocarbon and #2 Owner hook. Live shrimp work really well along with small cuts of squid. If bottom fishing is your go to joy Vermillion snappers, Groupers, and Rock salmon is my target. For Vermillion snappers I like using a 2-3 hook chicken rig mixed with cut squid and Boston mackerel. Let your weight sit right on the bottom and wait for those 2-3 light bites. Rock salmon and Groupers like to hide out in the rocks and caves, so a slip lead is what I like to use. Heavier leader line for Groupers and larger baits close to the bottom. Feel the bite and start cranking. The first 20’-30’ are the most important so DON’T STOP reeling. When it comes to offshore fishing don’t give up. There’s a lot of trial and error. Figure out what works best for you and as always keep your lines out and keep them tight.

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DECEMBER 2021

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THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

september 2021

pensacola 3

SPORTEX ITALIA PHOTO.

This big Wels was caught from Italy’s Po River in 2015 by Italian angler Dino Ferrari. It measured 8.8 feet long and weighed more than 265 pounds.

WATCH

VIDEO

Europe’s Freshwater Monster

MEET THE WELS CATFISH I

n late October, news of a giant wels catfish caught from Spain’s Ebro River made the rounds on the Internet. The fish, caught by British angler Mark Steward-Brown, weighed 234 pounds, according to Field & Stream. It was a monster fish, but it fell well short of the record for wels catfish. Although they are rare, it seems fish heavier than 200 pounds are caught every year in European fisheries. Fish heavier than 100 pounds are commonplace. Wels have a long time to grow during a lifespan of 50 years or more. The IGFA alltackle world record was caught from Italy’s Po River in 2010. It measured longer than 9 feet in length and weighed 297 pounds. Fish like that are a good reason for hardcore catfish anglers to look into a European vacation. In U.S. waters, an angler might spend a lifetime pursuing a blue catfish

heavier than 100 pounds. According to Field & Stream, Steward-Brown caught four fish heavier than 100 pounds during his first day fishing in Spain. Spain’s Ebro River, especially at Mequinenza Reservoir in the northeastern corner of the country, is renowned for good numbers of big fish. In northern Italy, the Po River and its delta on the Adriatic Sea, produced the world record as well as some other huge fish over the years. In France, the Rhone River and several of its tributaries have earned a reputation for big catfish. A Google search will reveal guide services and “holiday packages” offered for all of these destination fisheries and more. From an angler’s perspective, Wels are interesting species for more than just their massive size. Like all catfish, they are bottom feeders. They like stinky bait, and are

By TAM Staff

often caught on pre-made bait-pellet rigs. However, they are also voracious predators with giant mouths. Many anglers prefer to pursue them with large, loud lures. Wels have poor eyesight, so vibration and noise are important. Their natural diet is made up mostly of earthworms, mollusks, insects and fish. As they grow larger, they begin feeding on anything they can fit in their mouths. Frogs, mice, rats and aquatic birds are all prey items. In southwestern France, an isolated population of Wels has learned to ambush pigeons on land, like orcas attack seals on the beach. That should be the cue for some innovative fly tyer to twist up an ultra-realistic pigeon fly. For more information, visit www.coastalanglermag.com.

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

DECEMBER 2021

SUZUKI MARINE USA MAKES SERIOUS WAVES AT IBEX 2021

uzuki Marine, USA LLC pulled out all the stops at the 2021 IBEX Show in its new hometown of Tampa, Florida. Highlights of the show that ran from September 28 to September 30 at the Tampa Convention Center included earning a Soundings Trade Only Most Innovative Companies Award for 2021 and a press conference at the Suzuki exhibit to introduce new Suzuki Precision Controls 2.0 for 2022, update attendees on Suzuki’s innovative Microplastics Filter system for outboard motors, and celebrate the company’s recent move to Florida with key government officials. At the show’s traditional opening industry breakfast, keynote speaker Florida Governor Ron DeSantis recognized Suzuki Marine by name for its relocation to the state. He did so in the context of expressing the importance of the State of Florida to America’s marine business, and vice versa. Later that afternoon, key members of the boating press, boat builders, and other industry representatives gathered in the Suzuki booth to hear from Suzuki Marine Vice President/Sales George “Gus” Blakely. He shared information about new Suzuki Precision Controls 2.0 for 2022 and updated the crowd about Suzuki’s ongoing environmental stewardship efforts, in particular the company’s innovative Microplastics Filter device for use on Suzuki outboards. Suzuki Marine is also working hard to drastically reduce the amount of plastic waste it generates by changing its packaging and shipping materials and working with organizations such as Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful to engage in regular waterway cleanup activities. During the show, Suzuki also sponsored Hydration Stations and recycle bins throughout the exhibit hall to reduce the use of plastic cups and water bottles and

properly dispose of them when finished — demonstrating two simple, yet effective ways companies can make a tangible difference for the environment. Two very important special guests then took turns to address the crowd. The first was Jim Patronis, Chief Financial Officer for the

State of Florida, who used the opportunity to welcome Suzuki Marine to the state and commend the company for making Tampa its new corporate headquarters. In his comments, he expressed appreciation not only for the business impact Suzuki Marine is making, but also for Suzuki’s ongoing commitment to protecting and enhancing the state’s coastal and marine environments. Following Patronis’ remarks, Mark McQueen, City Manager of Panama City, took center stage to talk about Suzuki’s recent opening of a Suzuki Marine U.S. Technical Center on a 20-acre waterfront site in Panama City. He commented that Suzuki Marine saw past the recent hurricane damage the area had

sustained to envision what this unique property could become — a state-of-the-art Technical Center that will help Suzuki work closely with boat builders and dealers to develop the innovative outboard technologies of tomorrow. Following these remarks, the assembled press, guests, government representatives and their staffs went outside where the Suzuki-powered water taxi L’Attitude Lindsey was waiting to take the group on a scenic tour of Tampa’s downtown waterfront. Not only is this unique vessel powered by twin Suzuki DF140 outboards; it has been testing Suzuki’s microplastics filters since June. This boat runs about 3,000 hours per year, making it an ideal platform to collect not only micro-plastic pollution around Tampa Bay, but also important test data Suzuki can use to refine and perfect this system in preparation for it’s eventual release to the boating public. “We had a great IBEX Show and we are looking forward to carrying this momentum into the coming year,” said Blakely. “All of us at Suzuki Marine want to express our gratitude to Jim Patronis and Mark McQueen, for taking time out of their busy schedules to come to the show and help us share with the press and the industry our exciting plans for the future.” To learn more about Suzuki Marine’s Clean Oceans Project initiatives, or its full line of clean-running 4-stroke outboard motors from 2.5 to 350 horsepower, call (813) 687-7200 or visit www.suzukimarine.com.

Water Taxi L’Atitude Lindsey Tours Downtown Tampa.

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SUZUKI’S SELECTIVE ROTATION

YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY

5 YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY applies to qualifying purchases of Suzuki outboard motors sold and delivered to the retail purchaser, for pleasure (non-commercial) use only, from April 1, 2021 through March 31, 2022. See Suzuki Limited Warranty for additional details. Suzuki, the “S” logo, and Suzuki model and product names are Suzuki Trademarks or ®. Don’t drink and drive. Always wear a USCG-approved life jacket and read your owner’s manual. © 2021 Suzuki Marine USA, LLC. All rights reserved.

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