Coastal Angler Magazine | December 2019 | Big bend Edition

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Gifts for Anglers Issue

SURF EXPO

Jan. 8-10 in Orlando PHOTO COURTESY OF DARCIZZLE OFFSHORE VOLUME 24 • ISSUE 297

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

A V A I L A B L E

DECEMBER 2019

W O R L D W I D E

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Boaters and anglers up and down the east coast know there’s an important season between the holidays and spring: Boat Show Season! Timed perfectly to gear-up for some of the best fishing of the year, the National Marine Manufacturers Association’s (NMMA) line-up of premier boating and outdoors shows are the venues where shoppers and dreamers alike can peruse the latest the industry has to offer. From yachts to kayaks and all the accessories, these shows offer hands-on experience with the hottest boats and gear bound for the water in 2020. It’s no secret that shoppers take advantage of the best deals of the year on the floor at NMMA’s annual boat shows.

Here’s the rundown of this years best shows and expositions:

1) Progressive Insurance Atlanta Boat Show

Jan. 16-19, Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta With 600-plus boats, the Southeast’s premier boating event returns for its 58th year to Exhibit Hall C of the Georgia World Congress Center. A boating bonanza, show-goers tour hundreds of boats, and interactive features including virtual reality exhibits, educational seminars on boating, fishing and sailing, a nautical Kids’ Zone, Touch-a-Boat Tour, events with local breweries, DIY workshops, Career Day and more! Entry is just $15 for adults. Kids 12 and younger are free. Tickets are $3 off for active-duty military, retired military, veterans, law enforcement and firefighters. Advance tickets are also $3 off when purchased at www. AtlantaBoatShow.com.

2) Progressive Insurance New York Boat Show

Jan. 22-26, Javits Center, New York City A New York tradition since 1905, the world’s first and longest-running boat show enters its 115th year with a five-day celebration of boating at the Javits Center. Boat hop and shop 350 boats along with the latest boating innovations, technology and gear. Highlights include Kids’ Build-aBoat and The Progressive Boathouse, which features hands-on boating courses for all experience levels. Entry is $16 for adults. Kids 12 and younger are free. Tickets are $3 off for military and first responders. Save $2 by buying advance tickets at 5) Progressive Insurance Atlantic City Boat Show NYBoatShow.com. Feb. 26-March 1, Atlantic City Convention Center, Atlantic City The Progressive Insurance Atlantic City Boat Show brings activities to 3) Progressive New England Boat Show give lifelong boaters and novices an all-access pass to discover why life is Feb. 8-16, Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, Boston For nine days, this nautical extravaganza will showcase more than 700 better with a boat. Serious shoppers benefit from “Super Thursday” and new boats and watercraft, along with a stunning array of must-have ma- find bargains on hundreds of boats as well as gear, technology and acrine accessories. There is something for all ages and boaters at this year’s cessories to go with them. With everything from kayaks to sportfishers, show. Dozens of seminars will cover fishing, sailing and boating. Explore there is a boat for every lifestyle and budget. Admission is $17 for adults. Children 12 and younger are free. Adboating careers at Marine Innovation & Career Day. Hop on “Salt,” the life-size inflatable humpback whale. Boost your boating IQ at the Pro- vance tickets can be purchased at ACBoatShow.com. gressive Insurance Boathouse. Kids can captain their own paddleboat at 6) Progressive World Fishing & Outdoor Exposition the Kid Paddle Pool. Feb. 27-March 1, Rockland Community College, Suffern, N.Y. Entry is $16 for adults. Kids 12 and younger are free. Active military The Northeast’s premier fishing, hunting and travel exposition features receive one free ticket with valid ID. Purchase advance tickets at www. a vast selection of outdoor sports vendors, speakers and events. With newenglandboatshow.com. major manufacturers, trusted brand names and local retailers, show-goers can compare and shop new and hard-to-find outdoors products and 4) Progressive Miami International Boat Show enjoy a variety of educational seminars and attractions. For more inforFeb. 13-17, Miami Marine Stadium Park & Basin, Miami Over President’s Day weekend, the world-renowned Progressive mation, go to sportshows.com/suffern. Miami International Boat Show will host nearly 100,000 visitors from around the globe to shop more than 1,400 boats as well as gear, tech- 7) Progressive Insurance Saltwater Fishing Expo March 13-15, New Jersey Convention & Expo Center, Edison, N.J. nology and accessories from more than 1,000 vendors. From yachts and The one-stop shop for saltwater anglers of all experience levels, catamarans to offshore fishing boats, high-performance boats and family cruisers, visitors will experience one of the largest and most influential the Progressive Insurance Saltwater Fishing Expo returns to Ediboat shows in the world. Sea trials allow serious buyers to take their son, New Jersey, offering a vast selection of vendors, speakers and special events. The three-day event kicks off the region’s saltwadreamboat for a spin. Tickets are $30 per adult; two-day passes (Feb. 14-17) are $55; Premier ter season with deals from more than 200 vendors selling everyDay (Feb. 13) is $45. VIP packages available. Children 12 and younger thing you’ll need to hit the water, from boats to terminal tackle. For more information, go to www.sportshows.com/saltwater. are free. Purchase advance tickets at www.MiamiBoatShow.com.

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ENTER TO WIN! Editor’s Pick Holiday Gifts for Anglers

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A modern, high-performance version of an authentic plow disc cooker, FIREDISC is built to last and designed to be easily taken down for travel and storage. FIREDISC fires up fast, cooks virtually anything, seasons like a cast-iron skillet and cleans up quickly with just water. These portable propane cookers are going to change the way you cook outdoors — you’ll never go back to a traditional grill!

You’ve got a lot riding on your hitch, and the only thing keeping your truck and trailer connected are those relatively small pieces of engineered steel. The hitch matters to your safety and the safety of our roads. That’s why B&W treats the manufacture of your trailer hitch with the respect it deserves. For one, we insist on American-made steel.

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Simms G4 Pro Jacket

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Cut from advanced GORE-TEX Pro Shell three-layer fabrics and kitted with ingenious fishing details, the G4 Pro Jacket is Simms’ highest-performing, most durable jacket. The streamlined design of four front pockets reduces bulk and allows rain to sheet off. A three-point adjustable storm hood and a long rear hem to collar length extend protection from the elements. Nine pockets include hand-warmer pockets as well as a large rear game pocket, accessible through the front. .

With over 20 years of experience, AO Coolers offers well-constructed, innovative coolers made for all outdoor activities, including boating, fishing, and camping. We’ve now taken our knowledge to make the best 80-quart hard-sided cooler – we are excited to introduce the Everest Series! Built tough to handle the abuse of the great outdoors. Keeps your food, drinks or catch ice cold for days. Rotomolded polyethylene construction, the same process to make whitewater kayaks, ensures excellent impact resistance and long-lasting durability. Now available in three colors: white, deep blue and tan.

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SAILFISH ON THE MOVE

Photo by Craig McMicken

By Gene Dyer

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ailfish are on the move off the coast of southeast Florida. It happens every year as the first cold fronts make their way south and bring cooler temperatures and northerly winds. Highly migratory in nature, these acrobatic pelagics can be caught here year round, but the highest concentrations occur from November through April. Techniques for targeting sailfish vary depending on location. In Stuart, trolling dead ballyhoo with dredges in the spread is the most popular method. Off Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale, kite fishing with live bait on the drift is the go-to technique. In the Florida Keys,

it could be a combination of both or it could be sight fishing with a few live pitch baits ready to throw at a hungry sailfish. Regardless of location, wind and sea conditions change constantly and play a huge role in determining the best fishing technique on any given day. The best sailfish bite happens during tailing conditions. Typically, tailing conditions occur right after a cold front passes, while the western edge of the Gulf Stream is in close proximity to the coast. When the strong north current of the Gulf Stream clashes with strong winds from the opposite direction, it fires sailfish up into a feeding frenzy. In tailing conditions, it is not uncommon for the top sailfish boats in the fleet to catch and release 20 or more sailfish in a day. Not everyone can afford the expensive electric reels and other gear required for kite or dredge fishing, but anyone who owns a boat with outriggers can slow troll or bump troll baits to get tight with arguably the most majestic gamefish in the ocean. You will need four 20- to 30-pound conventional outfits. Since sailfish are capable of swimming at high speeds, you want reels with at least a 5:1 gear ratio and high line capacity. Connect the main line to 6 to 8 feet of 40-pound fluorocarbon leader with a small barrel swivel. Tie an inline circle hook to the business end. Use a 7/0 hook for larger baits such as blue runners or goggle eyes. For smaller baits like pilchards or cigar minnows, use a 5/0 hook. Deploy the two outrigger baits first with one long and one short. Then send out your flat lines from the corners with one short and one long. Once your spread is out, position your boat down-sea and keep it moving forward slowly by putting the boat in and out of gear. Keep an eye on your spread, as sailfish will sometimes show up out of nowhere. Sailfish tend to swim in packs, so it’s a good idea to keep a 20-pound spinning outfit ready to go with a live pitch bait. Once you get your fish to the boat, grab it by the bill and remove the hook. Hold your sailfish alongside the boat while in gear to revive it before release. Gene Dyer is editor and co-publisher of Coastal Angler Magazine/Fort Lauderdale.

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don’t throw much anymore. I don’t throw them except for around the spawn, but it sure does work that time of year! JD: What was your most productive technique this year? Lester: A wacky rig, especially early in the season. It’s always huge for me during and around the spawn. It just gets bites and catches big fish, too. I put fish in the boat using the Mustad Titan X Wacky Neko hook with an X Zone Lures True Center Stick. I fish it on the MHX NEPS 81MXF. That rod was my MVP this season too.

BRANDON LESTER

JD: Speaking of MHX rods, you’re well-known for building your own custom rods on tour. What rods will you build this off-season? Lester: Mud Hole is always making new blanks available, so I plan on building nearly a whole new set this winter. You can build rods efficiently once you do it a few times, and it really doesn’t take much time. For anglers out there looking to have a full complement of rods that are the same brand but won’t break the bank, I highly suggest building MHX rods. They have a starter kit (great Christmas gift) on their website www. MudHole.com, and all the other bass rods a man would need. They have all the kits broken down by style, and if anyone has any questions they can ask me on social media. Instagram is @ brandonlesterfishing and Facebook is @proanglerbrandonlester.

By JD Blackburn JD: How did your Bassmaster Elite Series season go this year? Lester: I finished in sixth place in the Toyota Angler of the Year point standings and also finished sixth in the 2019 Bassmaster Classic. Those were both career-best marks. JD: What one new piece of equipment did you adopt this year that really helped you? Lester: The new C-Map card from Lowrance Electronics. Case in point: on Lake Guntersville this year, I fished structure I had no idea was in existence on that lake. The detail the card has on it is just amazing.

For more Lester visit,

JD: What was the biggest fish you caught this season? Lester: The biggest weighed 7-11, and it came from the St. Johns River in Florida. I used an 8-inch lizard, which is a bait people

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he world’s largest and longest-running watersports and beach/ resort lifestyle show is a best-kept secret for retailers of fishing apparel and accessories. Surf Expo launched its Bluewater category in January 2018 with some of the hottest brands in fishing. Since then, angling has become an integral part of the twice-annual show, which returns to Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center Jan. 8-10. Savvy buyers will find that today’s Surf Expo is a lot more than surf. Featuring internationally influential brands from all facets of watersports, Surf Expo is the show that drives water-lifestyle trends each season. It is geared toward buyers seeking to stock their shelves, which makes it a unique opportunity for retailers to get ahead of the market’s next big thing. Bluewater is where buyers can find all the freshwater and saltwater fishing and marine lifestyle apparel and accessory brands grouped together in one easy-to-shop area of the show floor. Since Bluewater’s inception, more and more marinas, tackle shops and outfitters have discovered that Surf Expo is a very convenient way to shop all their mainstay apparel and accessory brands and then easily browse other products they need such as sunscreens, sunglasses, coolers, T-shirts and PFDs. Tackle dealers who don’t take advantage of the crossover between fishing and the overall watersports lifestyle are missing out on a powerful revenue stream. Surf Expo is the one show where you can see and touch it all… and attendance is free for qualified retailers. “We’ve been attending Surf Expo for many years,” said Aledia Tush, owner of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters, a fishing and boating landmark in Sarasota since 1959. “We’re always looking for new products, T-shirts, sportswear, suntan products, towels, sandals, shoes and sunglasses. Being a Florida retailer, Surf Expo is a show not to be missed!” Brands exhibiting in the Bluewater category include: HUK, AFTCO, 5Fin, Marsh Wear, Fish Hippie, Hooked Soul Fishing Co., Heybo

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Outdoors, Salt Life, Big Ocean Sport, Florida Cracker Trading Co., REEL Happy, Deep Blue Gear, Salty Crew, MANG Gear, Sunday Afternoon, Anglur, Huntworth, Skinny Water Culture, Tormenter Ocean, Costa, Bimini Bay and more. “We’ve been coming to Surf Expo since the beginning, and we were one of the first to be in the Bluewater section—where we’ve found a new home,” said Bill Shedd, president of AFTCO and 5Fin. “There’s a whole lifestyle that’s being developed around saltwater, offshore and big game fishing that’s bled off into inshore fishing and more of an outdoor activity in the broader outdoor world. AFTCO and 5Fin fit into that. Bluewater at Surf Expo is a perfect section to corral up a growing number of brands like AFTCO, 5FIN and Marshwear. The buyers don’t have to walk around looking; we’re in one area.” Surf Expo is a place where it’s easy to get business done. It is a pure, trade-only event, which eliminates the hubbub of open-to-the-public trade shows. It’s also a fun place to be, with a laid-back atmosphere that appeals to those in the watersports industry. The Bluewater Lounge has become a popular hangout for the fishing crowd. Hosted by Hell’s Bay Boatworks, it features happy hours daily and talks with special guests from Captains for Clean Water. Preserving the waters we love has always been an important part of Surf Expo. It is a platform for the watersports industry as a whole to promote clean water, water access, conservation and sustainability. “When people come to the Surf Expo for the first time, they notice the relaxed, cool atmosphere. It’s that lifestyle we all buy into, and there are a lot of down-to-earth beautiful people at a surf show,” said Surf Expo buyer relations manager Steven Fisher. “It’s just a great place to be if you’re in the watersports industry. If you’ve got a shop, come check it out for yourself.” For more information or to register now, buyers should visit www. surfexpo.com.

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Photo: TBA Outdoors

feet; the fish are swimming along the trough looking for baitfish. When there’s bait around the trough (the deep channel where the breakers hit the beach), there are fish. Look for birds. When there are birds diving around the trough, the fish are near. There are several techniques I use to catch fish.

By Richard Matteson

S

urf ’s up! Grab your spincaster and head for the beach. I just moved to Hutchinson Island, one of the barrier islands on Florida’s Treasure Coast, and I’ve had a lot of fun fishing the surf early in the morning and late in the evening. I’ve averaged several snook per trip, with a few jacks, plus bluefish and mackerel. My best hour so far was four snook, a dozen jack, two ladyfish, two bluefish and a mackerel. Now that’s an action packed 60 minutes, and the best thing is you don’t have to cast more than 30

W

TACKLE: I use a spincasting reel with 10-pound braided line and a clear 20-pound fluro or mono leader. Tie 2 feet of leader onto the braid with a double uni knot, and then tie your lure on with a loop knot so it moves more freely. I use a 3/8- or ½-ounce jig with a D.O.A. paddletail either in pearl white or silver sparkle. I like the lighter weight, but it’s harder to cast. Silver spoons and topwaters are my secondary lures. THE SURF: you want some wave action, and rough surf is better than calm, but if it’s too rough the jig doesn’t stay in the strike zone long enough. Always fish into or toward the wind so you keep in contact with the lure. TECHNIQUE: I wear shorts and stand in the shallow wash. You don’t have to get wet. After a wave breaks, fish the backside between waves, jigging gently and keeping some tension on the line. When a wave overtakes the lure, keep in touch with it and let it tumble until the wave crashes on the beach. Then fish the backwash on the beach side of the trough. If you fish perpendicular to the trough, the lure is only in the trough for a few seconds. If you cast parallel to the beach, the lure stays in the trough longer and you have better action. Remember, the fish are feeding in 6 inches of water sometimes and can even strike in the backwash. Keep tension on the fish when you get one on, and lower your rod tip so Spanish, snook and bluefish won’t jump as much. When a fish rides the wave into the shore, you’ll need to reel fast to keep tension or they will flip off. Where to Fish: Any beach access is good, but look for birds and activity. No birds, consider moving to another beach access. I like the St. Lucie beaches in the Herman’s Bay area and the beaches near the inlets. Richard Matteson is staff writer for the Stuart Rod and Reel Club. For information, call 336-414-3440.

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edfish, trout, and redfish, trout…those are the species of the month. Piney, Levy, Dickerson, Oyster Bay & Ochlocknee, east to west you can find hungry reds and trout. This month the fish will be more than happy to get into a tug of war. They are eating topwater plugs like a chrome side/ black back Zara-spook, H2O Softdine mullet pattern or loving a live shrimp or cut bait on the bottom.

A

December Lanark fishing report could just be a repeat of November. I could keep it simple and write, “see November report”. I will try to dig a little deeper, but read last months report, too. As the water cools on the Lanark flats, down size your baits in search of reds and trout. Both reds and trout will hold tight to the shoreline. The best bite is on the warm incoming afternoon tide. The water will be super clear, and that is why you need to down size your baits. I prefer jerkbaits, but some good area fisherman like Mirrodines worked super slow. Also, remember to use a fluorocarbon leader. I prefer 20 lb. test. Going lighter might get more bites, but remember there are big fish in this neighborhood! Lanark in December is a great place to sightcast for big fish! Offshore gag grouper closes this month. It is your last chance to ice some gags for a few months. As I am forecasting gags will be closed until April 2020. Try the almost lost art of trolling Stretch 30’s. They have been deadly for decades! All state waters north of the K tower hold fish. Also there is plenty of rock bottom and reefs south of Dog Island. Check your public reefs and find the hard bottom on your topo maps. Closer lines on the map usually means hard bottom. Go drag some big lipped lures! Two great ways to spend the day fishing from Lanark! Stay warm and safe. Looking forward to new fishing adventures in 2020! Remember to send your fish photos to captmike@coastalanglermagazine.com. Happy Holidays! FORECAST BY: Captain Mike McNamara Publisher of Big Bend Edition Coastal Angler Magazine

Don & Piper Crews doubled up on a couple of upper slot trout.

A DOA shrimp or Gulp shrimp under a popping cork will also get action. The sheepshead are showing up in numbers around structure, and will slurp up a shrimp on the bottom using a 1/8 ounce weight sliding above a 2/0 circle hook. As the weather stabilizes colder the fish will move into the rivers and you will be able to fish more protected from the wind and cold. Remember to release our healthy overslot sow trout to keep the population strong. Take a kid fishing and educate them in the outdoors.

Capt. Steve's Fish School

Tiffany Shiver shows off her nice 23" redfish.

1. Trout Regulations are proposed to be changing after the 1st of the year in our New Big Bend Region-the proposed changes areslot size 15"-19", 4 fish limit per person, only 1 overslot trout per boat & Charter Captains and/or crew are no longer allowed to keep a bag limit on a for hire trip 2. Please voice your opinions to FWC at- MYFWC.com/saltwatercomments or call 850-487-0554 FORECAST BY: Captain Steve Hobbs SkeeterBite Fishing Charters Call or text 850-363-0527 splopscapt@gmail.com Check us out on Facebook!

Diane Hatcher from Port St.Lucie, w/ husband Don in the tower are proud of her 19.5" trout caught on live shrimp. 6 BIG BEND | DECEMBER 2019 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THE ANGLERMAG.COM

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e made can it tobe March! Spring fishing must I gaveBay. up ecember an outstanding month to fibe sh here! Apalachee forecasting the weather. So far February must be the warmThe water is getting clear, and the fish are concentrated in smaller est in Yes, history. no telling what thethe weather in store. areas. thereMarch, will be plenty of boats fishing rivers, has but the magic Normally, heavy winds and a few cold fronts make for a tough will be around the creeks. Also, offshore should be awesome! start to north Floridabite spring The trout hasfishing. It might be 80 degrees, but the fish are swimming in water the will hold in the 60’s. Be patient in March been super on the flats and search for the higher west of the lighthouse. I temps for best results. In February the trout haven’t seen great num-pushed into the river for a few days, but not long. Th at means they are still out in sight of the lighthouse. Working bers, but they have been the oyster bars will catch hungry. By Decemberfish. Best bet is an incoming tide. If the water temps climbwill close to 70indegrees, then look for the trout to move on most fish move the fl ats that have deep water close by. Keep an eye on bait moving on shallow. Look for the best to the fl ats this month, or bite close to shore. Workthe return of pinfish. Both are great areas to target in March. the flats adjacent to the ere seems to bewarm, the same redcreeks, and find your ways into theTh creeks. If it stays the trout fi sh pattern every year in the bay. We will stay aggressive. Corks and jigs will catch them. catch redfish. Some days we catch Redfish are fired up this month! Find them with topwater or few, for other it could bewarmtriple bouncing jigs in the creek holes.aLook fishdays to stay shallow a few, but you do have to work ing on an incoming afternoon tide. It is a great time to sight cast for for those jokers. bezone. the same. reds. They will eat jerk baits, bounced withinMarch their will strike The aren’t or schools key is to SLOW down to a crawl,There and see themswarms before they see you.of It redfish running the bay. Just a few is great winter fun, on a warm day. redfish hanging on a warm flat, or If you are fishing the river this month, concentrate on the deep working an oyster bar, or mixing holes for both trout and reds. Live shrimp will work, but slow bounced among mullet guarding jigs work too. Remember, keep the river asome no wake zoneor and the fishrocks. You need to go check those ing will be better for everyone. Anchor up and enjoy a slow incoming spots. Toss them a jig or shrimp and or outgoing bite! they will eat it. If you are lucky, you Offshore should be AWESOME! You just have to find the calm days. find bunch, have one of Gag grouper is open! It closes thiscould month, soaenjoy theand clean water bite. those redfi sh kinda days. Grab some cut mullet and bucket full of live shrimp and take them for March is also awesome an offshore adventure. All public reefs will hold fishanthis month.month to hit the public reefs. Bring shrimp! Th e sheephead should there, We made it through another year. THANK YOU JESUS. be St Marks and shrimp will be needed. Th ere could be some grunts, seabass, and Outfitters will be in full catching/guiding mode in 2020! So get ready! flGift ounder mixed in. Find a calm day and take a ride. You may also fi certificates are available for Christmas! Call/text/email and nd we the fi rst them push of macks. They always hit the reefs on their way will get to Spanish you, ASAP. into the bay. MERRY We are booking trips CHRISTMAS and this month! We are a BLESSED NEW hoping for a warm and YEAR! dry March, so there will FORECAST BY: be plenty of days to fish! Captain Mike McNamara Give me a call/text/email Stmarksoutfittters.com redfish@stmarks to book a day! FORECAST BY: Captain Mike McNamara Stmarksoutfittters.com redfish@stmarksoutfitters.com call/text 850-510-7919

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KEATON BEACH T

rout fishing was scorching until this last cold front and then the keepers went into hiding mostly as water temps went from 83 to 61 degrees in three days, then crept back up to 74 as of this afternoon( 11/11/19) We had four trout over 24 inches long on one trip 10/25 for the Cook/Williams trip and two over 24” long for Slade Williams of Tallahassee, Florida with a fine Robert Cross of Shelman, 24” trout taken 10/26/19 Ga. the day before! Folks, That is fsome more Great trout Then we had a 25 inch trout for current weather trendsfishing! hold SoftÊplasticsÊlikeÊthisÊAssassinÊÒButtÊNakedÓÊ Johnny Jackson of Opp, Alabama, SeaÊShadÊwillÊtakeÊgoodÊtroutÊinÊMarch. we should be wide open with Saturday, in 61 degree water. All of these exceptthis Johnny’s came out. in on live pinfish under Back trout andtrout, reds when issue comes BayOur Thunders and were all caught in water less to than three feet fishing at Keaton has gone From Great Nothing anddeep. back Plug fisherman have to Great as fast as the fronts could go through yet the Best has been had some relief this week spectacular albeit brief feed periods usually lasting an hour maybe as last week’s w-i-n-d two for the entire day on days with high tides late in the afternoon! blew a lot of floating grass March will see a few more fronts pass but the water temps should out. We are promised have come up into the high 60’s or low 70’s by then and that should another hard blow from stabilize the trout once we can hold 70 degrees overnight. theTrout Northeast again this to hit lipped jerkbaits like Bite-A-Bait have been happy week, look forand plug fighterssoBombers, Cordell Redfins once the water temps hit fi shing to vastly improve 65+ degrees in the afternoons. Suspending baits were the rule until by time this issue is ago. MirrOdines, Catch 2000’s and Paul we the got there a week or so out. Gulf water temps Browns were the deal the last of January and the first few days in should continue to drop February, andCho would ideal if they os ebeyour settled in around baits accordingly65 –70 Matt Williams of Dallas, Ga. with a nice red caught degrees byare theon first of and if you 10/25/19 December. Look to fish a warming trend live shrimp under your Cajun or Back Bay Thunder in December, with temps in the as we have already begun to fish them this week. However if the hi 60’s toss lipped water temps drop below 60 degrees; I would expect to be fishing baits, otherwise with MirrOlure’s Catch 2000’s, Catch Jrs. Catch 5’s , MirrOdines, take it down to SoftDines and Paul Brown Devils and Originals. All of these susthem with gravity pending baits will take fish in cooler water when trout just aren’t and use your suswilling tolures. take a live shrimp any longer. pending We have caught a lot of fish on Assassin’s plastic this week includIf the 70’s hold ing trout, reds, Black Sea Bass, flounder, and a 20” grouper who I imagine live pinthought he’d Back get in the act with the black sea bass. Butt Naked, fish under Money, Salty Chicken, Bay Thunders will Pink Ghost, Fried take trout in late Chicken, and Stinky Pink March. patterns have all yielded Reds have eaten RedsÊwillÊeatÊGoldÊandÊCopperÊspoonsÊlikeÊthisÊHEXÊspoonÊinÊcopper great fish these last few Intruder Gold weeks. e Sea Shads, and spoons, suspending baits, and soft plastics and Th I would guess that 5” Shads have been my will continue in March. Reds should be out of the creeks and roambest catchers. ing the flats looking for food by mid-March.

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he Sheep Come Marching The lion and lamb In…Th analogy in terms of March weather is so true here in the Big Bend. If the little voice in your head hints better try it another day with better weather, listen and heed. We've all ignored it in times past and can share horror stories about who was the dumbest amongst us. If there are oldvoices weather and water many in your head, can can limit fishing options, but the options still available can be very . the fishing trip and go see good! a Airboaters relish the cold temperatures and low tides. Why? Beshrink. Nobody should be on cause they possess the best option to catch trout and redfish. Winter a boat with you :) lowBy tides severe thanthis, those summer. Itshould has everything the are timemore you're reading theofsheepshead be in full to do with position of the moon relative to huddle-up the earth intothe northern spawn. In the past decade, the sheepshead make more hemisphere. Somid what? During winter,Th the water drains Reef out soand much sheepshead in to late February. e Steinhatchee the that onlyBoat the deepest holesspots in thetocreeks retain enough harShrimp are popular sheepshead fish andwater meetto lots of bor fish.onThthe e fiweekends. sh are in the proverbial Casting shrimp people Should you bebarrel. planning to go,ago early. or chunk of cut-bait into the deepertopools almost as effective as tossThere are many techniques catchissheepshead. I like to keep ing in a half stick of dynamite. I'm not suggesting using dynamite. things simple. Here are some of my thoughts. Use rod/reel combiA limit of fish can be caught it takes to get Th to ose the lighter barrel. nations you'd typically catchfaster trout than and redfi sh with. Grouper season will end this month. Not that grouper fi shing has weight combos improve your sensitivity. Sensitivity is of utmost been great, thanks in part to the over-abundance of red snapper. importance to catch, not feed sheepshead. Braided line further inHistorically, this is the time when trolling deep running plugs has creases sensitivity and furthermore doesn't catch the current and been very effective. Trolling on blue-bird days has lead to many billow due to the thinner diameter. I use twelve pound test mono great grouper trips. or twenty braid. A short section of heavier leader material is recFor fast action and great eats, sea bass can't be beat. If condiommended. Use thedrift lightest or jig-head to hold tions allow, simply fish. weight Hard bottom areasnecessary are covered with the bottom. Heavy sinkers reduce sensitivity. Long shank hooks are the black fish. Any type of cut-bait will work just fine. Squid tends preferred because of the diffi culty of hook removal. Th e vise like to be better as it is tough, however, if you can get some octopus, it is jaws of To sheepshead to sea dealbass, withtry especially considering prime. select outare thedicy larger bouncing larger jigs the on the hardware in the mouth. Th e long shank is helpful. don't the bottom tipped with a pinch of cut-bait. Jigging can alsoYou produce yourfldigits around the mouth. awant surprise ounder. A jig trailer hook rig makes for faster action and I use a knocker where the egg sinker rides on at theSteinhatchee leader next catch rate. Pre maderig rigs, by yours truly, are available to the hook. across This rigfrom is easier to dislodge on the bottom. Bait&Tackle the boat ramp. Thifehung rigs work very well and Some folks areBait… great stocking stuffonly ers. go with live shrimp which is great. I'll also useWhatever fresh frozen fiddler crabs. Use aclothing thinner wire for youshrimp target,or always wear layered with hook a waterfi ddler crabs so that it won't bust the crab apart. Some folks bait with proof outer shell. If you get wet, you will get cold. Becoming cold is freshonly shucked oysters. can'tbring do that because there is a isbottle of hot not miserable butI can hypothermia which serious. A sauce on my boat. stocking hat is necessary gear. A hat keeps the toes warm. Much body The itlimit for sheepshead heat is lost from the head. Better to retain and send it to your feet.is wisely set at eight perFORECAST angler. ItBY: is also wise to release the eggE.laden Capt. Brian Smith BEND CHARTERS females for theBIG children. LIKE us on Facebook! After sheepshead fishing CaptBrianESmith@gmail.com 877-852-FISH bounce around hard bottom www.BigBendCharters.info nearby to pick-up sea bass with a couple surprise fl ounder. Need a FORECASTChristmas BY: Capt. Brian E. Smith BIG BEND CHARTERS Gift Idea? LIKE us on Facebook! Ditch the video games and CaptBrianESmith@gmail.com 877-852-FISH electronics. Electronics www.BigBendCharters.info break, memories don't. Spend more time making memories. Children grow up too fast!

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e y Fo l k s , I hope y'all had a great Thanksgiving and got to spend some time with friends and family. The weather has been somewhat warm at the time I'm writing this, and the fishing is pretty durn good. The trout are scattered between the rivers and creeks. There are also a few still on the grass flats, the flats that still have grass. One cool new bait I’ve starting using is made by A Band of Angler and it’s called the Dart Spin. I think it’s going to be an awesome wintertime bait, so get you some, and get ready for that thump. Don’t get me wrong, still use our favorite B52 Super Sounder corks with a Saltwater Assassin jig beneath it, and it still puts the meat in the box. The reds have also moved into the creeks and rivers. They can be caught numerous ways from bottom fishing, to top water, even this time of year. Just remember, don't pass up your favorite shoreline after we have a few warm sunny days. The reds will be on the move, looking for some food when the water warms a little, even if it's just a little bit. Well folks, I hope y'all have a Merry Christmas and like I always say, “Get outdoors and enjoy what God made for us.” FORECAST BY: Saltwater Assassin Fishing Charters www.FishCedarkey.com 352-535-5083 Capt. Jimbo Keith

12 BIG BEND | DECEMBER 2019 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THE ANGLERMAG.COM

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Decked for the holiday season during Palm Beach’s By John out Lidington 2018 boat parade. Photo by Andrea Whitaker.

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t’s the holiday season, a time of giving and good cheer, and divers are as ready as any to participate. One source of good cheer is supporting good causes. Humanitarian causes are typically linked to this season, but we can feel good about aiding organizations focused on our diving environment, too. A number of worthy organizations stand ready to put your aid to good use. This year, on the humanitarian front, there’s a special cause for divers to consider. Hurricane Dorian did a number on Grand Bahama and the Abaco Islands. The devastation has dropped out of the news cycle, but their needs will be great well into the future. The Bahamian government maintains a webpage listing relief organizations at www.bahamas.com/relief. While donations are a major component of the relief effort, restoring jobs is also essential. If you want to boost your spirits along with the local economy, try a winter dive vacation to Grand Bahama. Its major dive operations are back up, and flights to Fort Lauderdale and other international airports should have resumed. Restoration of Abaco’s services will lag Grand Bahama’s, but the islands should offer

great adventures for the more self-reliant. Of the many marine-focused organizations, here are several that Florida divers might consider: Probably the best-known diver-oriented nonprofit is Reef Environmental Education Network, based in Key Largo. Check out R.E.E.F.’s website (www.reef.org) but plan on a lengthy visit. Their “quizlets” will hook you if you’re into fish-ID. Coral propagation is an important tool in restoring disease-damaged reefs. The Coral Restoration Foundation (www.coralrestoration.org) has focused primarily on growing elkhorn and staghorn corals to replace stands wiped out in the 1980s. Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium (mote.org/research/program/coral-reef-restoration) is working with brain and boulder corals, with the goal of repairing reefs hit by the new disease outbreaks from Martin County down into the Florida Keys. Are sea turtles your thing? Two long-established local organizations are the Loggerhead Marinelife Center (marinelife.org) and the National Save The Sea Turtle Foundation (savetheseaturtle.org), which now hosts the Florida Hawksbill Project (www.floridahawksbills.com). In addition to collecting nesting and tracking data, Loggerhead operates a turtle hospital. NSSTF funds turtle research projects, including several at Florida Atlantic University. There are more ways to offer support than giving organizations cash. Check off your gift list while supporting your favorite cause. Check out their online stores. Apparel, books, toys—they’re all there. Save the Sea Turtle even offers subscriptions to “Florida Environmental Outreach” for a gift that gives all year. You can spread the holiday cheer close to home, too. Pura Vida Divers is participating again in the Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade and supporting the Toys for Tots donation drive. Every new, unwrapped toy you donate at the shop earns you 20 percent off in-store items and a raffle ticket for Pura Vida’s Holiday Party on Dec. 13. This year, pick a cause and support it. Your holidays will be even happier!

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FLORIDA

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By Will Schmidt

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rowing up, I used corks a lot, usually to know when a bream had taken my little dough ball when I was fishing in my backyard. Later, I used them to keep track of lively white bait or aid in casting shrimp farther. Now days, I use them more as a dinner bell than anything else. I am also using them in much deeper water than you would ever expect, but here you need a little patience.

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If you’ve fished the flats in saltwater, you have probably used a popping cork and a shrimp at some point. Giving your rod a sharp tug to make the cork pop always seemed to liven up the action. Well, the same can be done in deep water to help hungry reds find your meal offering. The really cool thing about this is it works with conventional tackle as well as fly setups. The concept is pretty simple, a popping cork with about 20 inches of mono out of the bottom tied to large swimbait or fly. We use them around large schools of bait that are being worked over by breeding-sized reds. “Pop it hard and wait at least 10 seconds. You know it’s deep here and it will take at least that long for the fish to find it,” said Capt. Gary Dubiel. He should know since he invented the Pop N Fly technique. The key is to make a huge pop with a lot of noise and then pause. The deeper the water, the longer you wait. The fish are in constant movement around enormous schools of bait. When they hear what seems to be another fish feeding, they come running to get their share. But it might take a minute. You want to make sure your bait gets straight down below the cork, as well as giving the fish plenty of time to locate it before popping again. On average, wait 8 to 10 seconds in 14 feet of water, longer if the water is deeper. It is also nice that you don’t need live bait for this technique because it saves time at first light, making it easy to run and gun on large schools of bait. For tackle, a medium weight spinning rod with plenty of 20- or 30-pound braid will do the trick. On the fly, you will want a 10 weight to cast the rig and plenty of backing. Below the cork, your fly or swimbait will slowly sink down looking like a stunned or wounded baitfish that seemingly escaped a vicious attack… aka an easy meal. Pop and be patient, the strikes are basically unremarkable; the cork just disappears. But the fight of these 40-plus-pound beasts on light tackle or a fly rod is much more noteworthy. Will Schmidt is a seasoned tournament angler who has been writing about fishing for two decades. Reach Capt. Dubiel at (252) 249-1520.

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FLORIDA

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VISIT THE

STUART BOAT SHOW JANUARY 10-12

Photo by Cayne Grace

A wide variety of boat brands are represented at the show including the latest models of motor yachts, cruisers, center consoles, speed boats, sport fishing boats and pontoons ranging in size from 12 feet to 90-plus feet in length. Additional exhibitors include the latest in personal watercraft, safety equipment, marine electronics, inboard and outboard engines, financing and insurance companies, nautical clothing and jewelry, fishing gear, accessories and financing and insurance companies. The schedule is full all three days with seminars presented by female angler Darcizzle, captains Chris and Alyse Caldwell, Capt. Paul Sperco, Capt. Planet and Mark Palazzo. It will be lots of fun for the whole family with an expanded food court area with delicious food, and a bar and large screen TVs to round out the show.

WHEN:

Friday, Jan. 10, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 12, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

WHERE:

54-290 NW Dixie Hwy., Stuart, FL - Free shuttle service available from Whitham Field and Wright Blvd./Dixie Hwy. parking lots.

ENTRY:

$14 General Admission, $12 Veterans and $7 Children 12 and under. Tickets available at www.stuartboatshow.com/tickets. Sorry, no pets.

F

ind your dream boat at the largest boat show on the Treasure Coast Jan. 10-12 in Stuart, Fla. In its 46th year, the Stuart Boat For more information on the Stuart Boat Show, visit http://www. Show will feature more than 175 local, national and interna- stuartboatshow.com. Follow the Stuart Boat Show on Facebook, tional exhibitors displaying hundreds of boats in water and on land. YouTube, Instagram and Twitter.

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DECEMBER 2019

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F L O R I D A

FWC has approved several draft rule changes for spotted seatrout. Based on public comment, the Commission also directed staff to continue considering public input and update the proposal as needed prior to bringing this back at a future meeting for final approval.

Approved draft changes include:

• Splitting the Northwest spotted seatrout management zone into two separate zones including the Western Panhandle (Escambia County through most of Gulf County, not including Indian Pass/Indian Lagoon) and the Big Bend (Franklin County, plus Indian Lagoon, through Fred Howard Park Causeway in Pinellas County). • Moving the boundary between the southern management zones to create the newly-renamed South Florida zone (Fred Howard Park Causeway in Pinellas County near the Pasco County line through Broward County) and Central East zone (Palm Beach through Volusia counties). • Reducing bag limits - Western Panhandle: five to three fish - Big Bend: five to four fish - South Florida: four to three fish - Central East: four to two fish - Northeast: six to five fish • Modifying the recreational slot size limit from 15-to-20 inches to 15-to-19 inches total length.

• Allowing one seatrout over 19 inches per vessel (currently, per harvester). • Changing the current daily commercial limits to 50 per harvester and 100 per vessel. • Prohibiting captain and crew from keeping a bag limit on a for-hire trip. • Re-establishing the February recreational closure in the Western Panhandle zone and the November-December recreational closure in the Central East zone. Provide online comments about these draft changes at MyFWC.com/SaltwaterComments.

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DECEMBER 2019

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FLORIDA

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By Paul Tyre

F

rog fishing is one of the most exciting ways to catch the largemouth bass that ambush feed in grass-choked reservoirs of the South. Lake Seminole, on the Florida/Georgia border, is one of the best frog-fishing lakes in the country. If you ever get the chance to visit Seminole, do it. In the meantime, these tips and techniques may help on your local grass mats. My favorite hollow-body frogs are the Spro Bronzeye series. Spro Bronzeye frogs are built

around a Gamakatsu EWG double hook that is very strong and sticky sharp, which is needed for getting big bass out of heavy cover. They come three styles: Bronzeye Frog, Bronzeye POP and Bronzeye Shad. Each has a unique action that works great under different circumstances. The Bronzeye Frog 65 has a pointed nose that can be worked over and through the heaviest cover or in open water. It’s the frog I choose for covering water to find concentrations of bass under grass mats. As the grass starts to die under mats, it creates open pockets and perfect frogging conditions. When fishing a Bronzeye Frog 65, heavy braided line is a must. My choice is Cortland Master Braid for its durability and strength. I also prefer a high speed reel, at least 7:3:1 gear ratio mounted on a 7-foot, 2-inch to 7-foot, 6-inch heavy action rod with a fast tip and a lot of backbone to haul big bass out of cover. Make long casts across a flat and work the frog with a fast hopping action. Expect a blowup! This is a great technique for covering large expanses to find out where fish are holding. When you get a strike, be sure to pause before setting the hook. Also, when a missed strike occurs, reel the bait in as fast as possible and cast back past where the strike occurred. Work the frog slowly with slight twitches to move it side to side but not forward. The bass should key in on the bait and strike again. The Bronzeye Pop 60 has incredible attention-drawing power. Its concave nose allows you to fish slower with a popping of the rod tip. The frog remains in the strike zone longer and generates explosive strikes. Fish this frog around all types of cover from laydowns to docks, to grass lines and holes in grass beds. I prefer a 7-foot to 7-foot, 3-inch heavy action rod with a fast tip and a high-speed reel with 50- to 65-pound braided line, depending on the cover I’m fishing. The Bronzeye Spit Shad 65 has a spitting and gliding action. It can be fished anywhere you would want to throw a hard bait but can’t due to hangups. I fish lily pad fields with this bait. It comes through pads very well and allows faster fishing to cover more water. Contact Paul Tyre, of Lake Seminole Fishing Adventures, at (850) 2647534, e-mail paultyrefishing@yahoo.com and follow him on Instagram @lakeseminilefishingadventures and Facebook @paultyrefishing.

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

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DECEMBER 2019

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FLORIDA

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By CAM Staff

N

ascar driver turned inventor Tim Viens is bringing a revolutionary new boat tool to the industry this December, and Coastal Angler sat down to see just how he made the switch from the track to the docks.

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You can find this innovative new product for purchase at www. boatgadget.com, and make sure you follow them on Facebook and Instagram @boatgadget.

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SUPER COUPON

Customer Rating

SUPER COUPON

HUSKY

72" x 80" MOVING BLANKET

• 5 hour run time @ 50% capacity

$4

COMPARE TO

SUPER COUPON

900 WATT MAX. STARTING 2 CYCLE GAS POWERED GENERATOR

99

ITEM 64110

B

*27725225 * 27725225

Limit 1 coupon per customer per day. Save 20% on any 1 item purchased. *Cannot be used with other discount, coupon or any of the following items or brands: Inside Track Club membership, Extended Service Plan, gift card, open box item, 3 day Parking Lot Sale item, compressors, floor jacks, safes, storage cabinets, chests or carts, trailers, welders, Admiral, Ames, Atlas, Bauer, Central Machinery, Cobra, CoverPro, Daytona, Diamondback, Earthquake, Fischer, Hercules, Icon, Jupiter, Lynxx, Poulan, Predator, Tailgator, Viking, Vulcan, Zurich. Not valid on prior purchases. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 2/3/20.

SUPER COUPON Customer Rating

$ 99 NOW

B. WITH 2" ANVIL Customer Rating

Cannot be used with other discounts or prior purchases. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 2/3/20 while supplies last. Limit 1 FREE GIFT per customer per day.

Customer Rating

26999

13

*27724488 * 27724488

LIMIT 1 - Coupon valid through 2/3/20*

20% OFF

ANY SINGLE ITEM*

ITEM 63878/63991 PERFORMANCE $ 52 64005/69567/60566 MODEL: W2364 TOOL 63601/67227shown

Pre-drilled for two padlocks (locks sold separately)

*27726160 * 27726160

ITEM 64520

WITH ANY PURCHASE

SUPER BRIGHT LED /SMD WORK LIGHT/FLASHLIGHT

ALL IN A SINGLE SUPER POWERFUL LIGHT

Adjustable pressure relief valve equalizes pressure for easy opening

COMPARE TO

FREE

• Super-Strong, Ultra-Lightweight Composite Plastic • Magnetic Base & 360° Swivel Hook for Hands-Free Operation • 3- AAA Batteries (included) • 144 Lumens

Customer Rating

NOW

$

Pick and pull foam insert for impact-absorbing protection

SUPER COUPON

59

9 $299

ITEM 60581 SCHUMACHER $ 77 3418 $ MODEL: SE-1250 60653 shown ELECTRIC

5499

$ ITEM 60363/69730 ITEM 68121/69727 shown CALIFORNIA ONLY

COMPARE TO

HONDA

$

11999

329 99 SAVE $ 230

MODEL: GX200UT2QX2

*27802566 * 27802566

*27803818 * 27803818

*27804066 * 27804066

*27807499 * 27807499

LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 2/3/20*

LIMIT 1 - Coupon valid through 2/3/20*

LIMIT 3 - Coupon valid through 2/3/20*

LIMIT 1 - Coupon valid through 2/3/20*

*Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 2/3/20.

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At Harbor Freight Tools, the “Compare to” price means that the specified comparison, which is an item with the same or similar function, was advertised for sale at or above the “Compare to” price by another national retailer in the U.S. within the past 90 days. Prices advertised by others may vary by location. No other meaning of “Compare to” should be implied. For more information, go to HarborFreight.com or see store associate.

11/4/19 2:14 PM

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Carver covers are on sale now at select retailers! Visit CarverCovers.com COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

I

DECEMBER 2019

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1782-18B Coastal Angler.indd 1

12/19/18 3:50 PM

Secrets of a Billionaire Revealed “Price is what you pay; value is what you get. Whether we’re talking about socks or stocks, I like buying quality merchandise when it is marked down.” — wisdom from the most successful investor of all time

W

e’re going to let you in on a secret. Billionaires have billions because they know value is not increased by an inflated price. They avoid big name markups, and aren’t swayed by flashy advertising. When you look on their wrist you’ll find a classic timepiece, not a cry for attention–– because they know true value comes from keeping more money in their pocket. We agree with this thinking wholeheartedly. And, so do our two-and-a-half million clients. It’s time you got in on the secret too. The Jet-Setter Chronograph can go up against the best chronographs in the market, deliver more accuracy and style than the “luxury” brands, and all for far, far less. $1,150 is what the Jet-Setter Chronograph would cost you with nothing more than a different name on the face. With over two million timepieces sold (and counting), we know a thing or two about creating watches people love. The Jet-Setter Chronograph gives you what you need to master time and keeps the superfluous stuff out of the equation. A classic in the looks department and a stainless steel power tool of construction, this is all the watch you need. And, then some. Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. Experience the Jet-Setter Chronograph for 30 days. If you’re not convinced you got excellence for less, send it back for a refund of the item price. Time is running out. Now CLIENTS LOVE that the secret’s out, we STAUER WATCHES… can’t guarantee this $29 chronograph will stick around long. Don’t overpay to be “The quality of their underwhelmed. Put a precision watches is equal to many chronograph on your wrist for that can go for ten times just $29 and laugh all the way the price or more.” to the bank. Call today! — Jeff from McKinney, TX

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1-800-333-2045

Your Offer Code: JCW208-01

Rating of A+

Please use this code when you order to receive your discount.

“See a man with a functional chronograph watch on his wrist, and it communicates a spirit of precision.” — AskMen.com®

Stauer…Afford the Extraordinary.® • Precision crystal movement • Stainless steel case back & bracelet with deployment buckle • 24 hour military time • Chronograph minute & small second subdials; seconds hand • Water resistant to 3 ATM • Fits wrists 7" to 9"

Stauer

® 14101 Southcross Drive W., Ste 155, Dept. JCW208-01, Burnsville, Minnesota 55337 www.stauer.com † Special price only for customers using the offer code versus the price on Stauer.com without your offer code.