The Angler Magazine | January 2020 | Greater Augusta Edition by Coastal Angler Magazine

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Best Bites Seein’ Stripes!

PHOTO COURTESY OF DARCIZZLE OFFSHORE VOLUME 25 • ISSUE 298

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Photo courtesy of Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service, bigolfish.com

hether saltwater or fresh, good striper fishing awaits those hearty enough to brave winter on the water. So layer-up, zip into that parka and go. Some of the biggest fish of the year are feeding right now. On the southern end of their fall migration, striped bass are holed up for the winter off North Carolina. They’ll be chowing down and following schools of bait up and down the coast from Wilmington to the Outer Banks. Many years, Oregon Inlet sets up as the epicenter for the bite, but striped bass can be found in most area inlets. The key is to follow the birds and find bass blowing up on menhaden, glass minnows or eels. The action can sometimes come in close enough that surf casters can catch stripers from the beaches of the Outer Banks, but the best bet is to hire a local captain with recent intel and a fast boat. A little farther south, Wilmington offers another option, as stripers pile into the Cape Fear River, where they hold around structure, drop-offs and creekmouths and can be caught on artificials or even flies. These resident fish are a separate group from the highly migratory fish that winter off the Outer Banks. Cape Fear stripers are catch-and-release only, and must be returned to the water immediately. Keep an eye out for tagged stripers swimming these waters. Finally, on freshwater reservoirs across the Southern states and up through the Mid-Atlantic, fisheries stocked with striped bass produce pretty well for anglers this time of year. While smaller schoolie-sized stripers tend to get tough during the coldest temperatures of the year, the larger fish will still feed. The action won’t be as fast as dropping downlines to massive summertime schools, but the fish that do eat tend to be larger. Tactics will vary depending on the fishery, but when water temperatures stabilize or during a warming trend of a few days, the biggest fish in the lake tend to move up shallow—sometimes very shallow— behind schools of small shad. Find the flickering shad, and you’ll find the stripers. Sometimes you’ll see them plucking bait near the surface. Stealth is imperative in catching them, and a soft plastic such as a Fluke will usually out-produce live baits in such situations. It’s easier to cast and slowly retrieve an artificial. Another popular tactic is to cover a lot of water trolling wide spreads of small live baits or pulling an umbrella rig loaded with swimbaits, or both. When prospecting like this, it’s wise to seek out good information on where the stripers are holding. On many lakes they spend winters down by the dam. On others, you might find them way up in the creeks.

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It’s boat show time! And the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), which produces 18 boat and sportshows across the country, is investing in more experiences and education than ever to meet the desires of attendees and inspire the next generation of the boating workforce. Attendee favorites will return, too, from fishing ponds to Super Thursdays. Here are some 2020 show season highlights. • With a need for skilled workers in the marine industry (more than 31K open jobs), NMMA boat shows are expanding Boating Career Days, offering the chance for students and job seekers to learn more about opportunities in the boating industry, get career advice from marine professionals and check out job openings. Last year the program attracted more than 550 students across eight shows. In 2020, the program is expanding to 14 markets: New York, Baltimore, St. Louis, Kansas City, Nashville, Louisville, Atlanta, New England, Atlantic City, Minneapolis, Northwest, Miami, Norwalk and Tampa. • New for 2020, NMMA is introducing The Discover Boating Experience (DBX), the “Hub for Boaters,” an educational marketplace that provides space to mingle, enjoy expert seminars, explore new products, learn boat care, discover new technologies, learn to navigate a boat show and more. DBX offers a place to relax and have a drink while enjoying a variety of topics, inspirational stories and live music. • The Progressive Boat House features an Occulus Rift Virtual Reality boat race game, the Annapolis School of Seamanship’s expert seminars and a docking pool with a remote-control boat and helm station to master docking skills. • Returning favorites include free fishing for kids and special deals, like $5 tickets after 5 p.m. and Super Thursday, offering deeper discounts, exclusive pricing and incentives. • Ongoing education for boaters and anglers of all skill levels is a hallmark of NMMA boat shows with free daily seminars.

The Progressive Insurance Miami International Boat Show, Presented by West Marine cruises into the docks at Miami Marine Stadium Feb. 13-17. Great deals and hands-on experience with hundreds of boats and the associated gear are the big annual draw. Highlights of the 2020 boat show include:

• Costa Conservation Village will showcase the work of some of Florida’s leading environmental organizations, such as The Nature Conservancy, Captains for Clean Water, and Costa’s Kick Plastic program.

• Presentations on sustainable seafood from esteemed Chef Allen Susser and an opportunity to get a signed copy of his new cookbook, “Green Fig and Lionfish: Sustainable Caribbean Cooking.”

• Junior Captains Program, where kids ages 13-17 can learn to operate a boat with Annapolis School of Seamanship.

• Boat US on-water training with Intro To Boating, Women on the Water and Precision Docking.

• The Progressive Boathouse, offering boating seminars, a remote-control docking pond and an Oculus Rift Virtual Reality boat race game.

• Wining and dining at three full-service, sit down restaurants at

the Show including: Latin Café, V&E Restaurant Group Showcasing menu items from Havana 1957 & La Cerveceria De Barrio and SuViche featuring select menu items from Novecento.

• For more information, visit www.MiamiBoatShow.com.

For more information and the schedule of 2020 NMMA boat shows, visit to www.boatshows.com. 4

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The easiest way to find bait when you’re ready to go fishing is by using the new Baitfinder App, available for free download on both Apple and Android devices. Bait shops are the best possible resource for local information on what’s biting, and on what bait, to ensure you have the right equipment and knowledge before you head out to target a specific species of fish. Everything about Baitfinder is designed for anglers, by anglers, allowing all bait shops in your area to advertise their bait availability in real-time. There’s no more last-minute anxiety about locating bait or driving all over to locate the bait you’re looking for. Anglers can reserve their bait of choice prior to getting to their favorite bait shop to pick it up, and it’s all easily done on the app! Let your friends know of this free app, and encourage all your local bait shops to enroll at: WWW.BAITFINDER.COM

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By Nick Carter

otivating yourself can be tough when daytime temperatures fall into the low 20s and ice forms on the edges of Southern tailwater trout fisheries. Even on these dam-fed systems, where water temperatures remain relatively consistent, trout become difficult when tiny midges are the primary food source. But there’s a phenomenon that occurs on some tailwaters that makes fishing the cold snaps worth sucking ice out of your guides. It’s called a shad kill. When it happens every fish in the river takes part in the feast. Shad kills are caused by extended cold weather. When air temperatures drop into the teens or lower for several days in a row, baitfish in reservoirs that feed our tailwaters suffer from plummeting water

temps. Either stunned and dying or just diving deep to find more comfortable conditions, shad and blueback herring get sucked into dam turbines. What’s washed out into the tailwater is a mix of chopped up, whole dead, and quivering stunned baitfish. “All of a sudden, they get flushed out into the tailrace. It’s like chumming the river in that upper mile or so below the dam,” said Bill Stranahan, who guides with Southeastern Anglers on Tennessee’s Hiwassee River. “Good browns and rainbows will key in on it. The ones you catch are so stuffed they look like they’re about to pop.” Fed by high-mountain winters on Appalachia Lake, the Hiwassee shad kill is a good one. In the Arkansas Ozarks, the White River sees shad kills almost every year. The Cumberland River in Kentucky and Georgia’s Chattahoochee River below Lake Lanier are two other tailwaters where trout put on the feedbag for these events. But shad kills are not like a hatch you can follow by calendar. It takes rapidly cooling water temps to disorient the numbers of baitfish necessary to be noticeable in the tailrace. During the winter’s hardest freeze, intrepid anglers should hit the water near the dam and watch for activity. “You’ll see them floating down the river stunned or dead,” said Stranahan. “Sometimes you’ll see fish coming up to the surface to swipe at them.” White and flashy are the keys to catching fish during a shad kill. White Zonkers or other bunny flies, white Woolly Buggers, anything that looks like a dead or dying baitfish will work. Stranahan said to match the size of the baitfish you see in the water and to experiment with depth and presentation. Sometimes a jerky retrieve is preferred, while other times a dead drift is the ticket. At times trout will feed on the surface, and some days call for a sinking line to get the fly down. Shad kills can be ephemeral or they can last a couple weeks when conditions are perfect. It’s the kind of thing you have to be on the water to encounter, and when it happens it brings out the biggest fish in the river.

Contact Southeastern Anglers through their website at www.southeasternanglers.com.

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after wrestling it from between the pilings, it turned toward open water. As I felt the battle shift in my favor, the line parted, likely from earlier contact with the pilings. “That can happen when you’re fishing up tight like this,” said our skipper, “but some days you have to dig in to get the big ones. Other times we’ll find them in more open water around oyster bars or in the surf.” Captiva Island, on Florida’s southwest coast, is prime territory for snook, redfish, sea trout, tarpon and a variety of other inshore species. “Our waters produce so well because we have a ton of bait, structure and opportunity here,” said Fischer, proprietor of Tarpon Fischer Charters (http:// www.tarponfischercharters.com). “Pine Island Sound, on the backside of the island, for example, has several passes that allow water and bait to flow in and out. The Peace, Myakka and Caloosahatchee rivers also empty into here. I run a lot of my charters out of South Seas Island Resorts (https://www.southseas. com) at the north end of Captiva, and from there you can be fishing in the sound or the open Gulf in a matter of minutes.” Snook and redfish top 40 inches, tarpon range from chickens to 200 pounds and sea trout are abundant. Those species are resident, noted Fischer, but come December and January, offshore action also kicks in with snapper, sheepshead, grouper, kingfish and cobia, among others. For anglers, these waters call for medium-light spinning tackle. Rig a size 3/0 J-hook or a light jighead on a 2 1/2-foot leader of 30-pound mono to freeline live baits around structure, mangroves or the surf edge. Add a 1/2-ounce splitshot two feet above the hook to get down in deeper water or stronger currents, or add a float two feet above this rig to fish the flats. If you prefer to throw lures, toss a 4-inch paddletail, Rapala Skitter Walk or Zara Spook. Fischer favors a 7 1/2-foot, 8- to 17-pound class Bull Bay rod and Shimano 4000 spinning reels for his inshore fishing. Keep in mind this area occasionally suffers from red tide blooms. “It can be here one week and gone the next.” Fischer said. “If it occurs during your visit, simply head for the cleanest water you can find.”

By Tom Schlichter

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apt. Nick Fischer nodded at a boat dock ahead. “There should be a Launching is available at South Seas Resorts (if you are staying there) or good one under there,” he said. “We had a couple there this morning from the Sanibel Island Public Boat Ramp ($5/hr. parking fee: 239-472-6397; but saw a real solid fish just before we left.” 888 Sextant Dr., Sanibel.) Nearby, the ‘Tween Waters Inn is another good spot It didn’t take long to confirm a nice snook was home. I hooked it and, to spend the night. More info at www.fortMyers-Sanibel.com.

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t’s prime time for wahoo in the sparsely populated southeastern Bahamas, where a fleet of boats shows up each winter specifically to target some of the biggest wahoo in the world. Just off San Salvador and Cat Island, precipitous ledge drops within a 15- or 20-minute boat ride from shore are a magnet for wintering wahoo. The prime wahoo season runs from November to about April, when fish are densely congregated. Triple-digit weights are not uncommon, and the average wahoo will tip the scales between 50 and 60 pounds this time of year. High-speed trolling is the name of the game. Pulling lures at 14 knots and zig-zagging along the ledge over depths from 400 to 600 feet is the kind of fishing that produces world records. Five current IGFA line-class record wahoo came from the waters off San Salvador and Cat Island. Two of those weighed more than 150 pounds. When that reel goes off, screaming from the pull of a big fish moving at 60 mph, it’s important to crank down on the drag and power it to the boat as quickly as possible. Oceanic whitetips are thick in the area, and they’re known to show up and rip a trophy fish to shreds.

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Winter can be brutal, but to the saltwater fly fisherman it can be the greatest time of year to catch some quality fish on the fly. The beaches, flats and bays are practically deserted, the “sunshine” fishermen having retreated to their firesides at the appearance of the first raindrop or snowflake. It’s time for the serious fly flingers to put on thermals, grab a fly rod, and head for the water. Two of my favorite wintertime saltwater fish are the speckled trout (or spotted seatrout) and the redfish, two game fish that thrive in cooler water and make for some great fly rod action even “when the frost is on the pumpkin.” The speckled trout is a coastal fish found on the shallow mud flats and sand flats from North Carolina to Texas. A fish generally traveling in large schools, the “speck” is capable of providing fast action on the fly whether you’re wading or fishing from a skiff, kayak or boat.

A proven way to locate the “speck” is to look for depressions, channels, holes or cuts on or along these areas. Once located, cast into them with a floating or intermediate line, a 9-foot leader and a baitfish pattern. A weedless fly like a Bent Back works well. The key to catching speckled trout in cold water is to retrieve the fly sl-o-o-o-wly using short, jerky strips. The strike is often as light as an aunt’s peck on the cheek, so keep close eye contact with your fly. Another worthy wintertime adversary is the redfish, a fish found in the same areas as the speckled trout. Redfish (red drum), can tip the scales from 5-pounds to a heavyweight of 40 pounds. These members of the croaker family take up residence near breakwaters, pier pilings, channels, estuaries and marshes. They are a great match for the fly rod. Redfish can be finicky eaters and sometimes the fly needs to be placed close to their noses, especially in colder water. An accurate cast is essential in fishing for these rascals. Come prepared with a 9- or 10-weight rod, a floating line (weight forward), a 9-foot leader and a pocket full of crab patterns, as reds favor crustaceans. Don’t hang up your fly gear at the first signs of the winter solstice. Winterize yourself and go fly fishing; it beats sitting in a chair and dreaming of warmer weather.

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By CAM Staff

veryone seems to gets excited about those spring runs, when cobia push north in their migration and can be targeted by sight while cruising the beaches. With the run-and-gun nature of these tactics, it’s arguably the most exciting way to catch them. But it’s not the most efficient. Die-hard cobia fans know that wintertime, before the big move, provides some of the best fishing of the year. Consolidated is a good way to describe cobia populations during the winter. On the Atlantic coast as well as in the Gulf of Mexico, fish have moved southward and offshore in search of comfortable water conditions.

At no other time are cobia populations so dense around the Florida Keys, but they can also be found grouped up on deeper wrecks and reefs along both Florida coasts. In the warmer waters of the Keys, deep jigging the ocean-side reefs with butterfly jigs or 1-ounce bucktails will haul up a mixed bag, which will likely include cobia, and chumming them up to the surface is also tried-and-true tactic. Out on the reef line, anchor up and drop a chum bag of chopped-up frozen baitfish and wait for the action to come to you. Cobia will show up with sharks, as well as various mackerel and snapper species. Whether it’s pinfish or shrimp, present your bait weightless, and you might want to add a wire leader for the toothy critters in the melee. Farther north on both coasts, resident cobia are schooled up and easier to locate than they are at any other time of year. Find a good winter day, with warm sunshine and calm seas, and make the run to offshore wrecks or reefs. The key to this is water temperature, so look for temperature bands with surface temps around 70 degrees, and find some good structure with bait present on the sonar. Again, chumming can bring cobia right up to the surface, which leads to fast action on live baits, but jigging is a tactic that is both fun and effective for targeting fish you actually spot on the screen more than 100 feet down. It’s quicker, cleaner and more efficient than live bait. The key to this technique is finding the magic depth where the cobia are schooled up. Drop a 2- to 6-ounce jig, depending on the current and depth, vertically to the depth you’re marking fish. Experiment with the action until they eat. Some pump a jig up with fast, short jerks, others prefer to swing it up high and let it flutter back down. Both techniques will work, and the jig should be sweetened with either a 7-inch soft-plastic trailer or a natural bait like cuttlefish. Some of the biggest cobia of the year come off wrecks and reefs in winter. So head down to the Keys or make the run offshore and catch them before they scatter with the spring run.

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Editor’s Note: Delayed harvest (DH) trout seasons are in full swing across the Southeast. With catch-and-release regulations, streams will stay full of trout through the cool months, providing anglers excellent action. Here’s a quick look at one of Georgia’s best DH streams. This description of the Toccoa River in the mountains southeast of Blue Ridge, Ga. is an abbreviated excerpt from the book “Flyfisher’s Guide to North Carolina & Georgia.”

By Nick Carter

pstream of Lake Blue Ridge, the Toccoa River is large and wide in comparison to most Georgia trout streams. Even high in the drainage, it offers plenty of room for airing out casts. The main river and several of its tributaries are stocked heavily with mostly rainbow trout. There is some reproduction in the river’s tributaries, so the occasional wild fish and a few brown trout might show up. It is a good fishery because it is full of fish, but it is a better fishery during the cooler months when the water is cold and the trout are more active. The upper Toccoa’s DH stretch is 1.5 miles of water on the lower end of the river’s trout water that has been set aside as catch-and-release, single-hook, artificial only from Nov. 1-May 14 each year. From personal experience, it is one of the best of Georgia’s DH streams. Size is one of the main reasons the Toccoa DH is so good. There are good deep holes as well as some runs and pocket water big enough to be considered deep holes on most other Georgia trout streams. Even with just a mile and a half of water, there is a lot to fish. The Toccoa DH also seems to receive stockings of some larger fish through the DH season. On one January trip with snow on the ground,

a buddy and I got into a pod of rainbows in the 14- to 18-inch range that ate flashy egg patterns and San Juan Worms until we got tired of sucking ice out of our guides. The DH section runs from the Sandy Bottom Canoe Access downstream to Shallowford Bridge, which is generally considered the bottom of the decent trout water. A road and a trail run the length of this stretch of river, so access is good, although high water can make it diﬃcult to wade. As with any stream with easy access, the best-looking, most-visible areas receive most of the pressure, so it can be worthwhile to find areas that require a little walk. Or, you can fish from a float tube, canoe or kayak and hit all of the holes. Bring an anchor or the short float will be over before you’ve had a chance to string your rod up. “Flyfisher’s Guide to North Carolina & Georgia” includes maps, GPS access points and detailed descriptions of the region’s best trout fishing. It is available on Amazon, at fly shops or by contacting the author at nsc8957@gmail.com.

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By Jay Striker

hen I go to the lake this time of year, I grab my three favorite rods. They are my jig rod, my other jig rod, and last but not least… my jig rod. Your chances of catching a big fish increase when throwing jigs in the winter. In January, it’s easy to find water in the magic temperature of 55 degrees or lower. That is an excellent time to be fishing. Conditions can also be very calm, and the lake is just about empty most days. Now, don’t get me wrong. I don’t like being cold and uncomfortable when fishing. I’m looking for air temperatures that will rise

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throughout the day, and instead of rushing to the lake at 4 a.m., I arrive at 8 or 9 a.m., relaxed and ready to fish. Bass are easy to predict this time of year. On frigid days, the fish are not active and are usually sitting on the bottom of the lake. I’ve caught fish with mud on their bellies from being on the bottom. A key factor to consider is how bass react to the sun. When it’s bright and sunny, bass tend to move to areas warmed by the sun. On overcast days, they’ll be bunched up near the bottom, and this is when I catch more jig fish. They are more predictable. Minimal movement is the presentation for this bite. Instead of hopping the jig, use a dragging technique that provides full contact from the bottom of the lake to the end of the rod. There might be only a handful of bites all day, and this technique allows you to feel fish when they pick up the bait. I look for water that is not dirty but has a light stain, as bass use sight to verify prey before striking. Black and blue is my go-to color in January, and I use a big chunk trailer to slow the jig’s fall. Watch your line on the fall, especially around sun-warmed rocks. You might not feel the bite, but if your line jumps, set the hook. I fish structure and cover when it’s cold. When fishing docks, I focus on those near steep drops that fall off into a channel. Steep or vertical banks allow fish to move up and down through the day, and they are especially good if there is a nearby flat. I also look for areas with combinations of structure and cover, such a brush, laydowns, metal-roof docks, rocks and grass, but they must be near steep water. When you get the urge to fish in the winter, go out and enjoy it. Take a handful of jigs and focus on slowing down and dragging the bottom. Look for the right water clarity and the right combination of cover and structure. There won’t be many bites, but you just might catch the fish of a lifetime. Contact tournament angler Jay Striker through his website at www.jaystriker.com. Follow him on social media @jaystriker52.

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By Tonya Wiley, Havenworth Coastal Conservation

awfish are shark-like rays named for their saw-shaped snouts. Smalltooth sawfish were once found in coastal waters from Texas to North Carolina; however, fishing mortality and habitat loss led to dramatic reductions in both their numbers and range. Now they are regularly found only in southwest Florida, especially around Everglades National Park. NOAA Fisheries listed the smalltooth sawfish as “Endangered” under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in 2003. Because of the protections afforded by the ESA, it is illegal to target, harm, harass or handle sawfish in any way. While it is technically illegal to catch a sawfish except with a research permit or in a fishery where incidental take has been authorized, captures do occur while fishing for other species. Mortality from incidental captures in both commercial and recreational fisheries is an ongoing threat to this endangered species. It’s the responsibility of all fishers to follow guidance to quickly and safely release, without harm, all sawfish caught while fishing. Sawfish are powerful animals that can whip their saws very quickly, which can cause serious injury to the angler and the sawfish. The number one rule to remember when releasing a sawfish is to leave it in the water at all times. Because of the ESA protections, it is illegal to possess a sawfish. Removing it from the water is considered possession and is a clear violation of the law. Do not lift a sawfish out of the water onto your boat or a pier, and do not drag it onto shore. Simply cut the line as close to the hook as is safely possible. Never remove the snout, called a rostrum, as sawfish use it for detecting and catching food. In addition to being illegal, removal of the rostrum severely limits the ability of the sawfish to find enough food to survive, and could result in death from starvation. Mishandling and

By Will Schmidt

magine slowly stripping a shrimp fly, with prey in pursuit, when your guide says, “Quick… pick it up before the bonefish gets it.” It seems nonsensical, but it happens more than you think while casting at permit in Ascension Bay, Mexico. Known to many fly fishermen as one of the most permit populated places on earth, the waters of the southern Yucatan hold much more than world class permit.

the purposeful injury or killing of captured sawfish is both illegal and detrimental to the recovery of the population. These guidelines ensure the safety of both the sawfish and the angler. If you catch or see a sawfish, take a quick photograph of it, estimate its size, note your location, and share the details with scientists. The details of your sightings or catches of sawfish help to monitor the population and track the recovery progress. Share your information by calling 844-4-SAWFISH (844-472-9347) or visiting www.SawfishRecovery.org. For more information about sawfish research, conservation, and management in the United States visit www.SawfishRecovery.org.

The journey starts with an easy flight to Cancun. From there, a two-hour van ride to Tulum might still have you wondering how to get away from all the tourists. However, once you board your panga and start the hour ride through the pristine waters of the lagoon system of Ascension Bay, you will realize you are truly on the path less traveled. Once back on land at the Grand Slam Lodge just north of Punta Allen, you’ll be greeted with margaritas and shown to first class accommodations in your beachfront villa. You will also notice there is nothing else around, and you are actually at the end of the road in the middle of nowhere. This fishery is nothing short of amazing. Home to a lobstering community, there is no other commercial fishing. All the recreational fishing is catch and release. These waters hold more permit than anywhere else I know, but be forewarned they are still permit and not easily fooled. Additionally, the number of bonefish here is staggering, and although not typically as large as the fish you’ll encounter in the Bahamas, they average a respectable 3 to 4 pounds in quantities that are astounding. There are also large numbers of tarpon, snook (which the guides seem to get particularly giddy about), jacks and barracudas to keep you busy all day. One of the other unique aspects of fishing here is each boat has two guides, the head guide and a junior guide. The second guide is extremely helpful to the angler as an extra set of eyes as well as for quickly changing outfits for the variety of species encountered and to help manage tangle-prone fly line. If you want to be spoiled, two guides does it. Ascension Bay is one of the greatest fisheries I have experienced. This is a renowned destination for fly fishermen seeking permit and a wonderful intro for anglers new to saltwater fly fishing. To see the quantity and quality of fish here, you would expect to travel much farther and stay in far more rustic accommodations. I recently returned from a trip in the “off season,” which is in reference to the number of tourists not fish. In three days of fishing, I never saw another angler while fishing. It provided us with abundant, pressure-free, happy fish to target. Will Schmidt is an experienced tournament angler who has been writing about fishing for more than two decades. For more information, check out grandslamfishinglodge.com.

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A MEMORABLE CHARTER

hat better time is there than vacation to spend on the water? On a recent family vacation, we took the opportunity to charter an offshore fishing trip. In fact, the offshore charter has become a bit of a tradition each year, and this year’s excursion certainly did not disappoint. Our charter was Killin’ Time Fishing Charters in Pompano Beach, Florida aboard the Texas Wireline, a 53-foot Hatteras, conveniently moored next to the Hillsboro Inlet bridge. We caught the 6:45am bridge, watched the sunrise over the Atlantic, and had lines in the water as soon as we cleared the inlet. Captain Tom Oberrender and his mate for the day, Chris Dorn, were masterful at getting us on the fish and helping create lasting memories. I’ll get right to the point. No sooner had my eleven-year-old son fought and won an epic battle with his first sailfish (50-60 pounds), then my sister and I got hooked up on a double-header of sailfish, which was almost a triple. I guess we’ll just have to save the triple-header for another trip…perhaps this should be a New Year’s resolution. What a sight to see! If you have ever caught or seen a billfish leap from the water or “dance” across the surface as sailfish will do, then you know what a thrill and adrenalin rush it is to battle these magnificent creatures. It’s also an impressive sight to watch a skilled captain and mate create order out of what seems like chaos unfolding in the cockpit and behind the boat as multiple fish strike simultaneously, reels rapidly unwind, and these powerful predators take off and make a run for it! It’s the thrilling moments like these that make all the waiting worthwhile and why we all come back for more. (P.S. Not only did we land three sailfish on this memorable trip, but all three were also safely and successfully released to fight another day.) Happy New Year! Enjoy the great outdoors and see you on the water! — Capt. Tim Sparks

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Lake Report & Forecast CLARKS HILL / THURMOND LAKE STRIPED BASS, HYBRIDS AND CRAPPIE

e hope that all of you had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I know our clients have been happy. The fishing this winter has been some the best in recent years. We are chasing schools of hybrids and stripers in the river arms and dropping herring on down rods to fill the coolers for our clients. The key is to locate the largest concentration of baitfish and the predators will not be far behind. The seagulls and loons can provide a clue as to where to start looking. The early mornings can be a bit

cold, but it typically warms up fast and the bite is not dependent upon predawn setups. We can wait until 8am or so to get the chase going. Enjoy photos of some of our recent catches and if you would like to join us, give me a call. — Capt. Tony Shepherd and Capt. Rocky Fulmer Little River Guide Service / 706-210-3474 littleriverguideservice.net

Competitively priced full-day fishing charters for all levels of experience, equipment, bait, tackle and fish cleaning provided. Fish from the most comfortable, safe and stable boat on the lake. Little River Guide Service is a three boat operation targeting stripers and hybrid bass on Clarks Hill Lake. Capt Tony Shepherd and Capt Rocky Fulmer.

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The Fun Starts Here.

4738 Washington Road | Evans, Ga 30809 | 706-922-0930 www.PlatinumMarine.com

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Lake Report & Forecast LAKE OCONEE The birds have arrived – January means long lining for hybrids and stripers

ooking back at last December and January we had a strong bite here on Oconee for hybrids and stripers and that is the typical pattern here. We had a monsoon last December, but not so this year. At the time of this writing, the gulls are on the lake all the way up to Sugar Creek. As the old saying goes, find the birds, find the fish! Hybrids / Stripers – So, every guide on Oconee knows I’d rather catch one nice hybrid on a fly rod than 10 using any other method (although I am happy to have customers using any method!). Many times, the fish are not on top and when that’s the case, this time of year, I long line a large bass minnow behind the boat. But wait, more about fly fishing and topwater on spinning tackle first…. look for the birds. When you see them approach carefully as to not spook the fish or tick off the other anglers. Then if you are fly fishing, USE SINK TIP! It casts much better than any other line in the winter. Drop a Henry Cowen’s “Somethin else” fly in where the birds

Guided Fly Fishing and Conventional Tackle Trips for Hybrids, Stripers, and Crappie Booking now, novice or experienced anglers. On the water instruction, top of the line fly gear! Mix it up with light spinning tackle as well for a great combo trip!

CaptainWayne Wayne Moore (706)-816-4281 Captain Moore --Oconee Oconee/On OnThe TheFly,Fly,IncInc (706)-816-4281 www.oconeeonthefly.com wmoore1700@outlook.com www.oconeeonthefly.com / wmoore1700@outlook.com 4 GREATER AUGUSTA & CSRA

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are, strip five short strips and let it drop for 20 to 30 seconds. Repeat all the way back to the boat. I have included some pictures of hybrids taken last December when I had the pleasure of taking the guys from The Angler Magazine out. That day flies out-fished live bait! For spin fisherman use a Sassy shad, two inches, on a DOA jig head (get them at Sugar Creek Marina). The key is long casts and stealth. As we move on into January and the water temperatures drop, I switch to long lining. It’s a simple set up. I use 12-pound test, a swivel (to keep the line from twisting), a #4 sinker above the swivel, a 10-pound fluorocarbon leader about two to three feet long, and a #4 hook. I just troll about seven-tenths mph near the dam and up Richland Creek. You will see lots of boats so always maintain a polite distance and be considerate of other anglers. Crappie – Right now, the crappie are making their way up the lake. You will see boats above Highway 44. By January, many guides will switch over to pushing out of the front of the boat for a slower presentation. The fish will be above I-20 and larger fish will be in shallow flats because the afternoon sun warms these areas up first. Final words – This time of year guides are usually booked well in advance. If you are planning on doing January or February fishing, call now. It’s not too early to book March trips. E-mail me at wmoore1700 @outlook.com or call 404-3179556 and lock in your dates. P.S. Please wear a life jacket, take a dry sack of warm clothes, and use extra caution this time of year; a fall overboard could be fatal. Tight Lines, and God bless.

— Oconee on the Fly / Wayne Moore USCG Licensed Captain

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Lake Report & Forecast LAKE RUSSELL

LAKE HARTWELL

ater temperature – Upper 50s Water level - 5 feet below full pool Fishing is good on Lake Hartwell. It got tough with the turnover. Now the water quality is good and fish are feeding. Most fish have moved up the lake and into the major creeks and up the rivers. Most If the water goes below 48 degrees, fish are preferring small most game fish do not eat much thread fin shad to large as their metabolism slows. herring. They will key in on smaller shad as the water cools. I used to say that hybrids and stripers slowdown in January, but after the last two mild winters, the fish have kept feeding all winter. If the water goes below 48 degrees, most game fish do not eat much as their metabolism slows. Who knows what this winter will bring. If we have a warm winter, fish will feed all winter. If the water gets cold, the best option is crappie. They will feed no matter how cold the water gets. They taste better from cold water. I like to work a 1/32-ounce jig and a soft plastic very slowly under shade. Bridges and docks 15 to 30 feet will hold schools of crappie in January. It helps to have some brush. Side scan shows the schools clearly. Pick your days in January with nice weather. Wear a life jacket as the water will cause hypothermia in seconds.

will be the first to admit that fishing in the middle of winter is not for everybody. This simply means there are more fish to be had by those few anglers willing to put on warm clothes and get out on the water. Some very impressive catches can be made during this time. Often, the largest individual specimens of a species are taken in cold temperatures. On Lake Russell we will be spending most of our time in deep water around schools of bait. Often, but not always, there will be loons and seagulls in the area. Expect to encounter bass, perch, and stripers in these places. They can best be caught on medium minnows or jigging spoons. Also, have an A-rig ready to cast at surface feeding fish. It may not be a “a day in the sun” wearing short sleeves. But at the end of the day when you look back on all the fish you caught, I hope you will think it was worth it. — Wendell Wilson Wilson’s Guide Service / 706-283-3336

LAKE SINCLAIR

ater temperature – 60s Lake level - down 1.6 feet Clarity – stained — Preston Harden / Bucktail Guide Service Bass fi shing is good. There are fish shallow. Keep a Zoom Super 706-255-5622 / bucktailguideservice.net Fluke in pearl ready in case any fish school up. A spinning reel and some Sufix braid can help make the super long casts to get to the fish. Top water baits continue to produce, including some of the large bass. Most any top water bait could produce, but a Chatter Bait is probably the most consistent right now. A good strategy is to have two baits tied on, one a half ounce size and the other a half ounce. Alternate between the two until a couple strikes occur with the same size. Black or other dark colors can be good in low light conditions, with chartreuse or white being good otherwise. Most quality bites are coming from near the mouth of coves to halfway back in coves. Blow downs, brush, stumps, and shallow dock posts have been the best targets for the last few days. Spinner baits have also fooled a lot of fish lately from the same Bait Full Service Deli cover. If Chatter Baits and spinner baits don’t produce, try jigs and soft Boat Ramp plastics around the same wood cover. A 3/8-ounce jig in black blue Non-Ehanol Gas with a Zoom Fat Albert Twin Tail works well as a swim bait. The same Picnic Tables Snacks jig with a Zoom Pro Chunk works well when slowly working the bait through the cover. 611 TWIN BRIDGES RD. — Ken Sturdivant / southernfishing.com EATONTON, GA 478-968-0713

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Lake Report & Forecast CLARKS HILL / THURMOND LAKE CATFISH

anuary can be up and down for big blue catfish because of the different cold fronts moving through. One day the bite might be on fire and the next it might be hard to catch anything at all. Baitfish will typically stack up in large schools in gullies, creeks, and river channels. Anchoring on the ledges that drop off into these areas and fan casting baits from the top of the ledge to the bottom of the gully or channel is typically the best approach. Give each spot plenty of time because the catfish will be traveling in small groups through these areas. There are often long periods of time with no action and then a group will come through and you’ll catch a few. Cut gizzard shad and herring are the best options for bait. — Chris Simpson / Fightin’ Da Blues Catfish Guide Service 864-992-2352 / fightindablues.com

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Travel Destinations

THE WEST IS CALLING S

ummer of 2018 was a life changing summer for me and two close ourselves. We headed for the Teton River as it was a mere five minutes from friends. This would mark our first voyage into the vast and beautiful our house. As we began to look for the telltale signs of holding trout, the expanse of the western United States. Bozeman Montana was the river began to boil with rising fish. I don’t mean a few fish rising regularly or base camp for Nick, Brandon and me and it is hard to put into words how aggressively, I mean as far as you could see fish covering almost every inch of incredible the trip was. Well, I managed to write a lengthy blog about water. Who couldn’t catch a fish with all these aggressive feeding fish? This the trip so maybe not that hard to find words, but you get the point. guy that’s who. The next morning, we arrived at the famed Henry’s Fork and Immediately upon arriving home that July our wheels began spinning on I was immediately struck by how much this place did not look like a “trout how we could recreate this experience. The initial consensus was to go back river.” It was huge and flat and seemed almost still. As soon as I stepped into to Montana but as time went on and I began to ask around I started to hear the river, I realized how wrong I was. The current was swift and smooth. The whispers of this mysterious place. A place lack of rocks and structure were replaced that was somehow more rugged and with an abundance of aquatic vegetation beautiful than Montana. A place where creating an insect buffet for the resident Falls Creek was much more what I am cutthroat abound, and the list of other fish. The flat water and nonstop flow of food used to seeing when trout fishing, but the possible species forced your lips to curl into means these fish know what a real insect an uncontrollable smile. The place was Victor current was incredibly strong, and the rocks looks like and get to stare at your drift and Idaho and we quickly booked our flights and pick apart your every mistake. Spoiler alert, were all small perfectly round ankle breakers I got skunked again! I swallowed my pride began planning for summer of 2019. The Teton Valley is honestly a part of the and began to rethink my life choices as we waiting to claim their next victim. country I am not very familiar with. While made our way to Falls Creek. I needed a win. many of the rivers are legendary with the Falls Creek was much more what I am used Henry’s Fork and South Fork and Teton rivers, the area itself was a mystery to to seeing when trout fishing, but the current was incredibly strong, and the me. Immediately upon arriving in Victor the immense majesty of the Teton rocks were all small perfectly round ankle breakers waiting to claim their next mountains takes your breath away. The snowcapped peaks are rugged and victim. I am not the most confident wader, so I found a safe spot and posted dwarf the clouds and quickly brought into perspective the challenge that up. After many drifts I finally felt the familiar tug of a fooled fish. I have never lay before us. We try to do our trips as DIY as possible. For one it’s much been so happy to land a tiny little rainbow trout in my life! Dusk was setting more rewarding but two, and most importantly, it makes a trip like this in rapidly and we headed home counting each small victory to restore our more affordable. Upon arriving at our rented house, we got out the Google pride. Idaho was kicking our butts! machine and began to plan our conquests. Day one would start with the Wednesday was the one day of the trip we had booked guides for a float Henry’s Fork followed by Falls Creek in the afternoon. But we had made trip on the South Fork of the Snake River. World Cast Anglers in Victor it to town late in the afternoon and with sunlight still left, we couldn’t help Idaho provided two drift boats for the four of us and two amazing guides. We 8 GREATER AUGUSTA & CSRA

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were set to float the canyon section of the South Fork and along with many beautiful seem inadequate and weak. I had finally done it. I finally caught fish stories, the beauty and wildlife contained in this stretch of river alone had fish and felt like I knew what I was doing. It didn’t hurt that my best day of our juices flowing. I tempered my expectations seeing as I had been chewed unguided fishing was our last day of the trip. I went home walking on air and up and spit out by Idaho so far, but I couldn’t help but be hopeful. A fly angler the days of torture and failure faded away. is a perpetual optimist. We launched the boats and within five minutes I had When you do any DIY trip there are many pros and cons. Sure it’s a beautiful 16-inch rainbow come up and slam my small ant. Before the next rewarding when successful and saves you a ton of money, but in case you thirty minutes passed, I had landed multiple breathtaking cutthroat and even skipped everything else and only read this last paragraph, it’s hard! It takes landed a couple browns. I had pulled off the South Fork slam! Throw in a a lot of work and planning and money to travel across the country, and full-grown moose sipping water along the river bank and more eagles than when you are relying on your own skills and intuition, sometimes you fail. I can count, and we ended the day with quite possibly the best day of trout You need to go into any DIY trip completely aware of the fact that you fishing any of us ever experienced. The balance of the universe was restored, could come home empty handed. Not that guided trips guarantee success, and we all slept well that night. but it definitely increases your odds. On the flip Thursday was back to DIY and we had side, when you pay your dues and get your butt ...the feeling of accomplishment that planned to explore a different section of the kicked and fail miserably, your only option is comes with that cannot be found Teton River and then head to another creek to dust yourself off and keep going. You have to to try a different area a little farther out from wake up every day with a short memory, forget without the struggles that precede it. our home base. I really believe the fish on the previous failures and go for it. Sure, having a the Teton only rose to get a good look at me day like I did on Flat Creek would be incredible as they laughed. I have never in my life seen more rising fish that were in any circumstance, but I worked my butt off for those fish and the feeling completely and totally uninterested in anything I had to offer. The creek of accomplishment that comes with that cannot be found without the was a beautiful small creek that was only accessible by sliding down an struggles that precede it. I’m not saying not to fish with guides, some of almost vertical hill covered with rocks and sage brush and I’m sure more my best fishing experiences have been with guides and what you can learn rattle snakes than I care to know. We managed a few fish but after busting from a day of guided fishing is unmatched. But don’t fear the unknown. my leg on a rock, the perfect size to land my entire body weight on my Don’t fear the challenge. Sometimes it’s ok to fail. Sometimes the only way shin (and I have a lot of body weight), and having to make my way back you can truly enjoy the triumphs, is to have been through the failures. up the almost vertical hill, it still felt like a loss. We grabbed dinner at an amazing little diner in Ashton, Idaho and watched as a storm rolled — Adam DuCharme / Rivers and Glen Trading Co in foiling our plans to try for an evening hatch. To say I wasn’t a little www.riversandglen.com relieved would be a lie. Friday dawned and began our last day in Idaho. I had resigned myself to the reality of heading home with only one successful day under my belt. I truly was ok with that and went into the day for the first time that week feeling relaxed and like I had nothing to prove. We went by World Cast Anglers early that morning to get their input on possible destinations. A plan Family Owned & Operated began to form to cross the Tetons into Wyoming and fish Flat Creek. It had only opened to anglers August 1st, which just happened to be the day before. Throughout the CSRA in GA & SC We knew this meant the possibility of crowds but that was worth the risk at this point. We headed off through the valley and into the single most amazing drive I have ever been a part of. Coming over the Tetons and beginning to descend into Jackson Wyoming can only be described as spiritual. Flat Creek most definitely lives up to its name. From the road you don’t even see a creek, just a huge field of tall grass. The tall grass hides a tiny gem that is a mere six or seven feet wide and snakes and turns Travel the road with confidence. CSRA Camperland through the field like it’s lost and wandering. I quickly found a spot far from any crowds that just looked promising. A small shallow riffle the width of is your local choice and a proud member of the the creek ran into a deep channel that followed the opposite bank for at least Route 66 RV Dealer Network. We offer mobile service twenty feet. I tied on a Chubby with a small split case below it and began to within a 60-mile radius. Insurance quotes available. make my first drift. If you can’t tell where this is going, it worked! The next hour or so was filled with countless cutthroat anywhere from fourteen to sixteen inches. I was healed! Every time I was sure I had caught the last fish 3844 Washington Road, Martinez, GA and this hole couldn’t possibly hold more, I hooked up with another. I even (706) 863-6294 managed to land a twenty-inch cutthroat on a dry fly that makes the word

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Local Rivers & Fly Fishing CHATOOGA RIVER

e hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season and are ready to do some winter fishing. Cooler temperatures through December have pushed water temperatures down to the low 40s. Enjoy that extra cup of coffee on the morning drive into the mountains and spend a few minutes with us and we will convince you that it is definitely a good day to be on the water while the temperatures for the day stay in the low 40s. Wearing an extra wicking base layer, a beanie, and a pair of gloves for the day will make for an enjoyable experience. Please remember that wearing cotton clothing will keep body moisture close to you and in return result in a cold day, so leave the blue jeans for the drive home on your way to dinner. Enjoying a 50-60-degree day in January is not uncommon here, and some dry fly fishing may be on the menu. Usually these days are “gin clear” water. Adding a little extra length to the leader by adding some 5x or 6x tippet to slide through the eyes of these small little dry flies will do just the trick. For the days where the temperatures do not exceed the 50-degree range, there is no top water activity, so nymph fishing will be your main attraction. Remembering that the warmest part of the river is at the bottom at this time of year, delivering a cast upstream, mending the line and a “dead-drift” will be essential to catching fish. Concentrating casts in the

deep runs along the seam lines will be critical. In these areas, running heavy point flies, with small trailing nymphs will be a great choice. If no success at first, do not give up, simply do one of two things. Adding a piece of split shot or two to the tandem fly rig will help get the flies deeper in the water column or changing the point fly to a heavier one will get these flies down to where the fish are holding. Another avenue of keeping a little warmer on the cooler days is streamer fishing. A few casts, retrievals, and marching along the river will keep the blood moving in the body. We have been having great success of late throwing streams, and this trend will continue throughout the winter months. In colder water temperatures slow down the retrieval rate and fish lower in the water column. Fishing on days after big winter rains the use of sink tips will aid in keeping streamers lower in the river. No need for purchasing full sink lines, we have a wide array of sink tip leaders, in different sink rates, which easily attach/detach to your floating fly line. As we start a new year, resolutions always seem to be broken, although we keep one each and every year. Each year we try to pick up more litter from the river corridors and remind everyone about “leave no trace.” This year we hope that everyone visiting the river sheds, along your home waters, or wherever your travels take you, will pick up a little more than we walked in with, so generations to come may enjoy our beautiful outdoors. Happy New Year from all of us at Chattooga River Fly Shop. — Chattooga River Fly Shop / chattoogariverflyshop@yahoo.com 6832-A Highlands Hwy. Mountain Rest, SC 29664 / 864-638-2806

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Local Rivers & Fly Fishing UPPER SAVANNAH RIVER

LAKE BURTON

eather: Low/High 39/63 degrees, clear, winds 6-10 mph Water temperature: 54 degrees Water clarity: 75% clear / Current: 2-5 mph Lure Selection: Hand Tied Number One Tackle Jig with Ike Lures Trailer, Rapala Shadow Rap Carbon Color, Rapala Shad Rap Number 7 Perch Color It’s cold out and let’s face it, not all of us have the motivation after a long work week to jump out of a warm cozy bed to brave the elements of winter for a fish catch or two. Winter fishing in the South can be one of the best times of the year to catch not only large numbers of fish but also some of the best quality fish you may catch all year. Use this article as motivation for any wintertime angling excuses we may come up with. This trip started off right at sunrise at our normal boat launch in North Augusta, with Colin from Ike Lures. We remembered the net this time but that comes into play later. Typically, I like to start near the rapids and fish down from there, but this morning we decided to start at the first grass mat on the Carolina side of the river. This is located directly across from the Riverwalk about ten yards up from the train trestle. Here we started with our jerk bait and shad rap. We followed the grass line trying to keep the boat a bit deeper around eight to twelve feet but still staying a cast length from the grass. After a short time, Colin set the hook and boated a very nice smallmouth bass on the jerk bait, and directly after that I landed a decent largemouth on the shad rap. This pattern continued the length of the grass mat. It is very important in these cold months to try and fish the banks that the sun shines on first thing in the morning. On these banks the water tends to warm faster and the fish become more active earlier in the day. We picked up eight fish in a two-hundred-yard area using the moving baits to cover a lot of water and looked for reaction bites from hungry bass sunning in the warming grass. Still on the Carolina side of the river, once the grass mats run out, the river drops off and the banks become steeper and filled with brush. This happens when aging trees lose branches that fall into the water and create natural brush piles that are great for flipping jigs. Colin had recently poured some new craw imitation soft plastics that are great for jig trailers. This particular color was a rusty brown top and a more translucent orange bottom with black flake. I rigged this on a brown craw colored mop jig. While nearing the mouth of Horse Creek, I flipped up to a low hanging tree, let the bait reach the bottom and slowly worked the jig back to the boat. I felt some brush mid-way back to the boat, at this point I really slowed the retrieve and tried to imagine the brush below creeping it up and down branches. As I pulled up a branch, I felt what I was searching for. I can only describe this as a gong sound that you feel travel up the line into your hand. The line jumped and I reeled up the slack and set the hook. I was filled with excitement as the drag began to pull. “Get the net,” I said to Colin. He grabbed the net and I fought the fish to tire it out. We landed a beautiful five-and-a-half-pound river largemouth. Use these techniques to drag yourself out of bed on these cold winter mornings. As always if you have any questions, feel free to stop by Number One Tackle 100 Cherokee Dr. North Augusta S.C. 29841. — Dustin Moore / Number One Tackle Manager GREATER AUGUSTA & CSRA

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ater Temperature: 50 degrees Water level: down 7 feet Water clarity: clear Bass - The bass bite has been on fire the last week or so. We have been catching a lot of fish on topwater plugs. Lucky Craft Sammys have been working best. We have been reeling these with an extremely fast action and we have caught some toads (spotted bass in the five-pound range). Look for this bite to transition into a deeper crankbait or spoon bite over the next few weeks as we head into mid-January. Look for most of the spots to be on a 30 to 50-foot bottom. They will come up sporadically during the day to feed on the surfacing blueback herring. Trout - The brown trout have been biting decently lately. We have been catching a lot of smaller fish trolling Ugly Ducklings in the 18 to 29-foot depths. The bigger fish seem to still be holding in the creeks over a 10 to 15-foot bottom. Look for these fish to fire up in January. They will show themselves throughout the day feeding on the small herring fry this time of year. Try matching the hatch with small spinner-type baits (Rooster Tails or Blue Fox). These fish like a speedy bait and will react to a quick retrieve. The brown trout bite gets better and better throughout January and February! Good Luck! — Wes Carlton / Georgia Lake Fishing 770-318-9777 / georgialakefishing.com

Fishing Event Calendar Peach State Crappie Club .......................................................................... Jan 11 (Peach State Crappie Club! on Facebook) Lake Sinclair GA Early Bird High School Tournament ............................................. Jan 25 Clarks Hill Lake, Wildwood Park Ramp CHC Winter Individual Tournament .....................................................Feb 01 (chcfishing.com) Clarks Hill Lake, Wildwood Park Ramp GA Slab Masters Tournament Trail .......................................................Feb 29 (Jamie Moore 478-230-7703) Lake Oconee Big Bass Tour (Georgia Big Bass Classic) .....................................Mar 06-08 Bass Pro Shops / Cabela’s (bigbasstour.com) Clarks Hill Lake Peach State Crappie Club ......................................................................... Mar 07 (Peach State Crappie Club! on Facebook) Clarks Hill Lake GA Slab Masters Tournament Trail ...................................................... Mar 14 (Jamie Moore 478-230-7703) Clarks Hill Lake Peach State Crappie Club ......................................................................... Mar 18 (Peach State Crappie Club! on Facebook) Lake Oconee CHC Top Six Tournament ....................................................................Mar 20-21 (chcfishing.com) Clarks Hill Lake, Wildwood Park Ramp

JANUARY 2020

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Ingredients • 1 1/2 pounds thick sliced bacon • 2 (12 ounce) bottles barbecue sauce, your choice.

Directions: Place chunks of venison into a shallow baking dish and pour in enough apple cider to cover them. Cover, and refrigerate for two hours. Remove and pat dry. Discard apple cider and return venison to the dish. Pour barbeque sauce over the chunks, cover, and refrigerate for two to three more hours. Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat. Charcoal is best, but if you must, use gas. Remove meat from the refrigerator and let stand for 30 minutes or until no longer chilled. Wrap each chunk of venison in a slice of bacon and secure with toothpicks. Brush the grill grate with olive oil when hot and place venison pieces on the grill so they do not touch. The bacon will kick up some flames, so be ready. Grill, turning occasionally, until the bacon becomes slightly burnt, 15 to 20 minutes. The slower, the better. Dig in and prepare to want more!

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Conservation

NEW EFFORTS TO PRESERVE THE SAVANNAH RIVER’S BLACKWATER JEWEL

benezer Creek is a 13-mile blackwater creek approximately 20 miles north of Savannah, Georgia, and part of the Savannah River system. It is a place of rich natural beauty and American history, dating back to the birth of the state of Georgia and our country. It is home to impressive ecological history as well: some of the old-growth bald cypress trees in the creek are estimated to be over 1,000 years old. It’s also home to an array of emblematic swamp wildlife like wading birds, owls, alligators and amphibians. Ebenezer has been called “Georgia’s best example of a blackwater stream ecosystem.” The creek’s distinctive “blackwater,” some say the color of sweet tea, is caused by the tannins in decaying organic matter on the swamp bottom. It is recognized by the National Park Service as a National Natural Landmark, and in 1981, the Georgia General Assembly named Ebenezer Creek a state Scenic River—one of only three Georgia rivers to hold that distinction. While it marks Ebenezer as a unique site worthy of admiration and preservation, the state designation holds no significant regulatory weight for increasing protection for the fragile waterway. That’s why SRK works to protect Ebenezer Creek from a variety of threats. Some of the organization’s successful efforts include permit negotiations that spurred Effingham County to update its wastewater system; working with the community to prevent pollution from a spray field; identifying landowners harvesting cypress trees out of the swamps illegally; and recent pushback against a turpentine plant on the creek. In 2018, the company applied to pipe wastewater to the Springfield sewage treatment facility. Residents and visitors feared the effects of chemical pollution on Ebenezer and tributaries. Thanks to public opposition and City Council’s leadership, the permit was denied, and Ebenezer Creek was saved for now.

Until now, the fight for Ebenezer has been a piecemeal approach, but it is time to change that. SRK is collaborating with community members, partner groups, and elected officials to create a holistic plan for safeguarding the ecology and ...above all, they must pass on their love water quality of for this special waterway to newcomers Ebenezer Creek. We recognize and younger generations that the greatest way to save the creek is to get permanent protections in place. To do that, the community must support ongoing preservation and restoration efforts, and above all, they must pass on their love for this special waterway to newcomers and younger generations. To get involved with these efforts, follow Savannah Riverkeeper on social media, visit our website, or contact Outreach Coordinator Dave Mewborn, dave@savannahriverkeeper.org. And plan to attend the Roast on the River in Savannah on January 18, 2020! Tickets available at www.savannahriverkeeper.org — Elena Richards Communications Director Savannah River Keeper

SAVANNAH RIVERKEEPER’S 10TH ANNUAL

Current efforts to protect and restore Ebenezer have three main goals: Increase Engagement- SRK guided a positive shift in community concern, awareness, and participation in activities on Ebenezer Creek. We want to continue to fuel relationships with the local communities, neighbors, and businesses through the promotion of ecotourism to the area, forming a network of advocates for its future. We believe that using our waterways for sustainable, environmentally friendly business benefits everyone. Bringing tangible value to the natural resource can contribute to the local economy and lead to better stewardship of wild places. Reduce Pollution- We aim to reduce the human impact to this creek to only foot and boat traffic, and through monitoring, help identify potential pollution risks coming from the area within the first year of testing. Community groups and other conservation stakeholders will be encouraged to lead and participate in trash cleanups and water monitoring initiatives with SRK. Support Conservation- Through engagement with local community groups, coastal and state partnerships, increased water quality monitoring, and cleanup efforts we hope to promote conservation and protections for the future of Ebenezer Creek. Protections such as a National Wild and Scenic River designation, a greenway from the town of Springfield, GA along the entire run of Ebenezer Creek are just a few ways we are looking to protect the creek for future generations.

RIVER

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How to… NEW YEAR … NEW BOAT

ow that the holidays are over, it’s time to start seriously investigating your on-thewater transportation for 2020. Regardless of whether you plan to buy a new boat, a used boat, or spruce up your existing boat, you should thoroughly examine the pro’s and con’s of the path you choose. Boats, just like automobiles, come in literally hundreds of styles, sizes and quality levels. There are budget-oriented models, and there are models that feature luxury accoutrements and super high-tech construction methods. And, to be perfectly clear, a budget-oriented boat doesn’t necessarily mean poor construction or inferior components; and similarly, a top-tier boat can also experience some issues over the years. There’s an old saying… “The best two days of boat ownership are the day you buy the boat and the day you sell the boat.” That doesn’t have to be true. Every day you spend on the water should be fun for you and your family. The way to get the most from your new or used boat is to be armed with knowledge before you commit to a purchase.

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The boat buying journey should be a fun one. With so many manufacturer and model choices today, you want to make the correct decision. So, before you pull out your checkbook, here’s a couple things to consider… 1. Do your best to buy the boat that’s right for you. Really contemplate how you’ll be using the boat. Unfortunately, I see a lot of new boat owners who are aggravated because they purchased an underpowered boat. The price was right, and they thought they would only be using it for slow sunset cruises. Then the kids come along and wanted to ski or go tubing, but the outboard wasn’t strong enough to do the job. It’s critical to examine everything you expect from your boat. You may want to increase the horsepower to the maximum shown on the boat’s capacity plate. 2. When you’ve narrowed down the brand and style, try to locate that same model as a used boat for sale, and around four or five years old. See how well it’s held up over the years. Look at the wiring in the console, the hatch hinges, the gel coat in places where there are sharp bends or curves, do the hatches feel ‘spongy’. Essentially, what you’re looking for is just how well the boat has held up over the years. Does it look like a great boat that’s four or five years old, or does it look 20 years old? This research will help you understand what you can expect from your new boat, and also how well it will stand up to the rigors of a harsh marine environment. If you’re buying a used boat, I strongly suggest engaging the services of a certified Marine Surveyor to provide an unbiased report on the condition of the boat and motor. It’s a couple hundred dollars and it could very well keep you from buying a ‘problem’. If you’ve buying new, then the best place to explore all your options is at a NMMA boat show, like the upcoming Progressive Atlanta Boat Show at the Georgia World Congress Center, January 16-19, 2020. You can compare models, prices, options and get some of the best deals of the year all under one roof. Buck the Wonder Dog and I will be there every day conducting seminars at the Fishing Center, so come by and say hi. When it’s time to make the decision for a new boat, there’s a lot to consider. And frankly, there’s so much more than can be contained in a short article. Shopping for a boat can appear to be overwhelming, and it doesn’t have to be. We have a downloadable document to get you started on the right track. Just download our Boat Buyer’s Guide from NutsAndBoltsFishing.com or visit DiscoverBoating.com to find a wealth of boat buying tips. So, do your homework. Ask questions. Talk to owners of the boats you have on your short list. Spend some time with the dealer, and their mechanics. But most of all, have fun with your boat buying experience. Tight lines and calm seas. — Capt. Cefus McRae Nuts & Bolts of Fishing Series

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WINTER IS HERE - IT’S TIME TO GET OUTSIDE & EXPLORE

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sh honors with Coleman earned big ﬁ ks Hill Lake ar this 6.1-pounder - Cl

Coleman and J nice catch - ason with a Clarks Hill L ake

Jay with a 3lb bass caught by handlining in a private pond - Burke County

ck Landon shot this 10-point bu oto Ph with his dad, Jason courtesy of Bill Wheeler of Gone Fishin’ Guide Service

Greg and Ashle yw nice Lake Rus ith some sell bass

16 GREATER AUGUSTA & CSRA

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Send us your catch photos with details of Who, Where & What to Tim@TheAnglerMagazine.com

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orey Kitzmann, of Davenport, Iowa, knows what it’s like to catch a freshwater monster. The 57 ¼-inch muskellunge he caught back in August was recently certified as a new Minnesota catch-and-release state record. The nearly 5-foot-long muskie measured 25 ½ inches in girth and had an estimated weight of 47 pounds. Kitzmann was fishing alone at Lake Vermilion, a more than 40,000-acre Canadian Shield lake west of Lake Superior. He was working a bucktail on 80-pound line when the toothy critter ate. “When I set the hook, I knew immediately that I had a nice fish on,” he said. “It wasn’t until the fish made its way to the side of the boat that I realized I had a true giant.” But getting the fish to the boat wasn’t the end of the fight. Kitzmann was able to net the fish solo, but he had to wave down a nearby boater to help haul it out of the water for photos before a successful release. Minnesota’s certified-weight state record for Muskie is 54 pounds. That 56-inch fish was caught way back in 1957 at Lake Winnibigoshish. The IGFA all-tackle world record for muskie has stood since 1949. It weighed 67 pounds, 8 ounces and was caught from Lake Court Oreilles in Wisconsin.

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By John Lidington t’s January—named for Janus, the two-faced god who looked forward and backward at the same time. It’s also New Year’s resolution time. That’s when we look at what we should have done, to figure out what we ought to do. Doing this, I’ve come up with a long list of shortcomings that could stand some attention in 2020. But resolutions don’t have to focus on negatives. Accentuating the positives is equally important. One such positive event was a special snorkeling session at the Blue Heron Bridge. The 6-year-old granddaughter of some friends was coming to visit, and they wanted to introduce her to snorkeling. They heard the Blue Heron Bridge was a great site, but had never been. Knowing it’s a spot I frequently dive, they asked if I would guide them. I agreed, and we chose a day with an early afternoon high tide so

the weather would be at its warmest. Of course, the bridge delivered its usual magic—magic that was amplified and transformed by a 6-yearold’s reactions to experiencing it for the first time. We swam the full length of the snorkel trail—saw the sunken boat, the shark statues, the rock piles and the artificial reef castings. I pointed out critters left and right to a very excited audience. When we reached the end, she insisted on retracing our path back to the beginning. She wanted to see everything again! As we wrapped up, it hit me that even though I had not seen a single frogfish, octopus or nudibranch, I was psyched. I realized that I’ve come to treat the standard cast of fishy characters—angelfish, barracuda, porkfish, grunts, parrotfish, porgies and so much more—as background noise while I search for “rarities.” Familiarity had bred complacency. It took the contagious enthusiasm of a 6-year-old to knock me out of my rut. That was a special afternoon. I’d like to think I helped start someone on a lifetime of appreciation for the marine environment. But it was important for me, too. I felt good that, through a small investment of time and effort, I could make someone happy. I also welcome a renewed enthusiasm for what I had begun to treat as commonplace. So what’s my New Year’s resolution? Well, I have three grandchildren, spaced a bit more than a year apart, with a fourth on the way. I resolve to offer all of them a good introduction to snorkeling. Obviously, that’s a multi-year resolution. It will let Grandpa interact with them in a way that will keep them excited and my outlook fresh. If I’m really lucky, they will transition to PADI’s Junior Open Water SCUBA Diver program as they turn 10, opening up even more years of fun for us. If you’ve got someone to take under your wing (or fin), get out in the water with them! There’s no shortage of easy snorkeling sites in Florida, and Pura Vida Divers will show you where to go. The rewards are great for all involved. Give Pura Vida Divers a call at (561) 840-8750 or make an online reservation through their website at www.puravidadivers.com.

a few inches wider, a few #10 self-tapping stainless screws, some indoor/outdoor carpet and a pool noodle.

Tim Barefoot

ot an aluminum jonboat that makes a lot of noise with hull slap? The Silencer eliminates this hull slap noise and allows you to get closer to the fish. With a few basic hand tools and materials, you can have a jonboat that is as quiet as a V-hull fiberglass boat. Internal insulation reduces the noise of hull slap, but The Silencer eliminates the chop that causes this hull-slap noise all together. Sure, you will have to drill a few holes in your bow, but this simple homemade gadget allows you to get closer to wary fish. Fish hear your noise way beyond casting distance. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been frustrated by watching trophy fish swim right past the boat in shallow water. These fish have lockjaw. They’ve heard the boat, and they’re trying to get away instead of smashing that topwater lure. Noise absolutely matters! Fish are not stupid to the sounds of trolling motors and hull slap. There is nothing I can do about trolling motor noise, but when you need to get closer to fish upwind, the Silencer allows you to get within casting range without the noise from hull slap. I created this method due to my own frustration at watching fish spook before they were in casting range. From ponds to the Intracoastal Waterway and the sounds, aluminum boats offer advantages for fishermen. But their built-in disadvantage is they are noisy. The materials for The Silencer are simple. Everything you’ll need for this project can be purchased at the local hardware store or flooring supply store. All you need is .125-inch (1/8 inch) x ¾ wide aluminum (or stainless) bar stock cut to the width of your bow or

STEP 1: Sew a loop of the carpet around the pool noodle (as shown in photo). The carpet should be as wide as your bow and slightly longer than the height of your bow off the surface of the water. STEP 2: Screw the aluminum bar stock and the non-pool-noodle end of the carpet to the bow rail. Drill (.187) 3/16-inch (clearance) holes in the aluminum bar stock, and match the self-tapping holes in the bow of your boat to match. Use an impact driver or drill to “seat” the self-tapping screws into the bow rail, through the clearance holes in the bar stock and the indoor/outdoor carpet. STEP 3: You’re done. Toss the pool noodle end of The Silencer off the bow. Chop is absorbed by the carpet and pool noodle, leaving an eddy of still water between The Silencer and your hull. For a detailed video of how to DIY, visit

BAREFOOTCATSANDTACKLE.COM click on: “The Silencer.”

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By Michael Okruhlik • Capt. Michael Okruhlik Photo courtesy of Controlled Descent Lures.

or those who enjoy targeting speckled trout of larger proportions, we know they are not easy to come by. The majority of trophy trout hunting is done in cooler water temps and below normal feeding patterns. Utilizing solunar tables for feeding times can improve your hookup ratio and help you get the edge on gator trout. When I was a child, I would look at the calendar on the wall and see how many fish were on the day I had a trip planned. Multi-fish days built the excitement and anticipation while zero

fish still left me wanting to go, but lessened my expectations. During my younger years, I also found no consistent correlation between my success and the number of fish on the calendar and soon felt no reason to review it. I felt it was more of a folktale than a tool. As I matured into a somewhat better angler, and started spending more time saltwater fishing, I once again started to study the solunar tables along with the tides. To be clear, these tables are not a magic act, nor do they place fish where they are not, but I am a believer that if you are on fish, they will be more aggressive during the feeding times specified in the tables. Many people misinterpret the major as the better bite. This is not necessarily the case. The major vs. the minor is the length of time the bite will last. The major is typically two hours long while the minor is about an hour and a half. Both can share the same intensity of the feeding period. I plan each trip around the bite times. Naturally, I fish more than the two hours of the major bite, but I place myself in what I feel is the prime area during the bite. One rule that I stick to is to fish during the feed times rather than travel from one spot to another. On a recent trip, I wasn’t having any luck and considered moving locations. I checked the time and realized the bite was approaching. I decided to not move during the bite and continued to fish the once non-productive area to realize an aggressive feed during the specified time slot. I find this approach especially true when hunting gator trout. They do not feed that often and are difficult to catch, therefore utilizing the solunar can give you the edge for catching these larger specks. As I stated previously, these solunar tables do not guarantee you will catch fish. However, if you have the correct conditions of tide, wind, water clarity, temps, bait and most of all FISH, giving it your best during the feeding times greatly increases your odds of catching fish, and gator trout. Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Controlled Descent Lures and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.

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urf Expo is coming to Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center Jan. 8-10. It is an enormous one-stop shop, where retailers can stock up for the upcoming season. The expo’s Bluewater category is designed specifically for retailers of fishing gear, apparel and accessories. Here is a list of Bluewater vendors at January’s Surf Expo: Smithfly, Monster Cooler, Fish Hard Gear, CEECOACH, Big Ocean Sport, Apparel by Home Run, Kanga Coolers, Float Pak, Mang Gear, Fish Hippie, Ugo Wear, Reel Happy, Hooked Soul Fishing Company, 5Fin, AFTCO, Marsh Wear Clothing, Heybo Outdoors, HUK, Tormentor Fishing Products, Jeep by Buck Wear, Bimini Bay Outfitters, Salt Life, Pure Lure Reel Fishing Gear.

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ll of us have enjoyed those rare days when fish would ingest virtually any lure or bait tossed in the water. Those experiences are certainly the exception, because fish are selective about their diets and seldom vary extensively in their choice of foods. Only when they cannot find enough of their standard fare will they range in their choice. Let me share a few examples: It was a beautiful day on the offshore grounds with a strong current that should hold fish. As the hours passed, our frustration increased. We couldn’t even raise a fish. Finally, the captain told us to reel in the lines. It seemed obvious he was going to try another spot, but that wasn’t his intention. Instead of moving, he took the trolling lures off the rods and rigged them with a single hook. One of the outfits had a sinker so it would go deeper. Then he turned the boat broadside to the current and cut the engine. We were now being pushed by the natural flow of water. A live baitfish was put on each hook and then streamed off the starboard side of the boat. He chopped up dead bait and threw a handful overboard as chum every couple of minutes. It didn’t take long before the big guys hit the live bait, and it suddenly became a banner day because the skipper did something different. More than 50 years ago, the late Joe Brooks told me no

one to his knowledge had caught an Allison (yellowfin) tuna on a fly, and he was sure I could do it. Joe set up a trip for me to Bermuda, where yellowfins responded to chum. I had fished chum slicks with a fly with my father since I was a young boy, and we simply cast in the slick and retrieved the fly. I can’t remember ever having a problem with that method. We were anchored on the edge of a bank in Bermuda, with the current taking chum off the edge into deep water. Tuna were devouring chum, and I was sure it would only take a cast or two to hookup. To say I was wrong was an understatement. The tuna ignored the fly as I retrieved it. They swam around it and kept eating chum. Finally, in desperation, I dropped the fly into some chum that lingered on the surface and did not move it. To this day, I can see that tuna inhaling the fly. It weighed 53 pounds and 6 ounces. The point to remember is that if the more common method isn’t working, try a modification. A friend and I were both fishing the same plug. He kept getting strikes, while nothing touched my offering. Finally, he showed me how he periodically vibrated his wrist. It made the lure flash, and that’s all it took. In a similar situation, another friend and I were using diving plugs. He kept hooking fish while I couldn’t buy strike. While I followed a standard retrieve, he would pause for an instant periodically. That allowed the plug to float upward before diving again. Simple, isn’t it? Before you claim there are no fish where you are fishing, try a few variations to standard practice. You might be surprised with the results.

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heepshead are some of the tastiest fish in the ocean. They are abundant throughout the Gulf and up the Atlantic coast, usually holding tight to structure like piers, pilings, seawalls, jetties and wrecks. Sheepshead are easy to find, but difficult to hook. They have hard mouths and teeth designed to crush the shells of barnacles, shrimp and mollusks. They’ll crush bait, and the hook, without an angler even knowing they were there. That’s why a dropshot rig is a good tool to have. The standard Carolina or fishfinder rigs are effective, but the added sensitivity of a dropshot, where everything is in line, lets you know the fish is there before it gets away. You’ll get two taps. Set the hook on the first one, because the second tap means the fish is gone. Fishing a dropshot rig is simple. Drop it to the bottom and reel up any slack. With a sensitive rod, the smallest peck is transmitted to the angler’s hand. Here’s how to tie it: • Use a double uni-knot to secure 6 feet of 15- to 20-lb. fluorocarbon leader to a 10- or 15-lb. braided mainline. • Use enough weight to stay in contact with the bottom, and tie it into the end of the leader. • Choose your depth, typically about 2 feet up the leader, and use a Palomar knot to tie in the hook so it rides point-up. Use a sharp J hook (#1-4) depending on the size of the bait, whether it’s a fiddler crab, sand flea, pieces of clam, or shrimp.

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