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trailered. Fishing from the bank, from a pier or in the surf provides freedom of movement for them to explore. If they lose interest in fishing, they can chase crabs, look in the buckets of neighboring anglers, hunt for shells or wade the shallows.
Catch And Keep Like sports trophies, Children want and take pride in having something to show for their efforts. Allow kids to take part in the process of catching, cleaning and cooking fresh fish for dinner. In the process, they’ll learn how the meat they eat makes it to their plate.
A Few Tips
T
o a father and an angler, there’s nothing sweeter than the phrase, “Daddy, can we go fishing today?” I heard those words the first time three years ago from the open face and high-pitched lilt of a 6-year-old boy. It was the reward for years of careful cultivation. We’ve fished together since he was a toddler. Before, it had always been my idea, a way to drag him outside on a warm afternoon. Those early trips to a small neighborhood pond were frustrating. He wanted to do it himself, so Dad picked through snarled lines while the boy mucked around in the shallows, throwing rocks and scaring fish. At some point, I gave up on catching fish. That pivotal moment freed us both to enjoy time
together. To a 4-year-old, sharing crackers with minnows that dart from beneath a dock is as engaging as a fish on the line. Frogs, turtles and the blue heron that fished the same spawning flats we did were as integral to the experience as fish. Now, as a 9-year-old, that kid stands in the front of the boat, ties his own rigs and pounds the banks with skill. Watching his growth as an angler is immensely rewarding, and keeping it fun was/is the key to feeding his desire.
The Fishing
Fishing is more fun when fish are biting. Pond bream are great for young anglers because techniques are simple and the action is fast. In saltwater, seatrout and whiting provide the same kind of action that keeps their attention. For the first few outings, leave the boat
• Be Patient: Don’t plan on fishing yourself. The adult’s job is to cast and untangle lines, bait hooks, unhook fish and avoid being hooked. • Take Snacks: The most important items in the tackle box are snacks and juice boxes. • Don’t Push It: If your kids would rather throw rocks, let them. • Their Gear: Children love stuff that is theirs. Get a small tackle box for them to carry. Load it with a small pair of pliers and a few inexpensive lures. • Lures: Some kids just want to throw it out and reel it in. Small inline spinners and some jigs are designed to catch anything that swims, and there’s no wrong way to fish them. • Let Them Learn: Nothing is more aggravating than being constantly told what to do. Offer help, but let them learn from their own mistakes.
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By Gary Turner
W
e were trolling along under blue skies when the back right rod started bleeding line. It was a good fish, whatever it was. But just like that, the line snapped and the fish was gone. We were all pumped after the first bite of the day. Off West Palm Beach, Stacy Flemming, Jimmy Dean and I had met the bait man early to get some goggle eyes. We were in search of big fish. Mahi, tuna, sailfish and cobia were all on the list. As we pulled baits, boats began to arrive on the water. There was a Trump boat parade that morning, a Trumptilla, and nearly all of them
came out to fish. It got a little crazy, so we decided to move farther out. That was our lucky move. As soon as we got baits back in the water, a rod started shedding line, not at a furious pace, just leisurely. “He doesn’t even know he’s hooked yet,” said Dean. About that time, line started screaming out of the reel. The fish made a long first run, and as I started to reel down on it, it leapt. It was a nice sailfish! After what seemed like an hour, the fish started to slow. We maneuvered close, and Dean grabbed its bill and unhooked the 4/0 circle hook. He revived the fish and let it swim away.
Dean has a saying, “On the boat, all is calm until it’s chaos.” Oh, how true that is! We were enjoying the sunshine and 100-foot water clarity when we hooked the next fish. Then, all of sudden, we had two. Fleming and Dean grabbed the rods. I scrambled to clear the lines. Dean’s fish came unbuttoned, but Fleming had a leaper on. We soon saw why that sailfish was doing its best to stay in the air. A large bull shark had spotted it. The shark was all over our fish! Regulations say you should leave sailfish in the water, but we had to save this one. As I backed the boat in, Fleming and Dean yanked it in the boat just as the shark made another run at it. Whew, that was exciting! With the shark out of sight, we stood watch as Dean revived and released his fish. After several more, we called it a day. The next day, we didn’t see much activity until afternoon. A large shark passed with cobia in tow, but none took our baits. Then we saw diving birds and fish smashing baitfish on the surface. About a minute later, the back-left rod bent hard. Fleming got a hold of it, and that fish was moving. When we finally saw color, it was a tuna. Fleming reeled as fast as he could, while we watched another big bull shark homing in on the tuna’s trajectory. The shark hit the tuna right above the tail but couldn’t hang on! Injured, the tuna came quickly to the gaff. We had one more hookup from that school of tuna before we decided to drop baits on a wreck to top off the cooler. It was a great couple of days off South Florida. If you’ve got an extra seat on your boat, contact Gary Turner at gary@purgeright.com.
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Instant Savings must be applied against the agreed-upon selling price of the outboard motor and reflected in the bill of sale. There are no model terms provided, are Finance. based onAscreditworthiness. $19.99/month permonths $1,000on financed 60 monthsSuzuki is based on 5.99% APR.Subject Hypothetical figures usedNot in all calculation; actual monthly may Synchrony Retail low as 5.99% APR financing for 60 new andfor unregistered Outboard Motors. to credit approval. buyers willyour qualify. Approval, andpayment any rates anddiffer substitutions, benefit substitutions, rain checks, or extensions. Suzuki reserves the right to change or cancel these promotions at any time without notice or obligation. * Financing offers available through based on provided, financing are terms, credit tier qualification,$19.99/month accessories orper other factors such for as down payment and fees. 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Charleston’s June Fishing Forecast By Captain Mark Phelps oz size work great. These are also great fish to catch on a light fly rod. Clouser minnows and surf candy flies work well. Larger migrating species including sharks, tarpon, Cobia and jacks will also show up this time of the year. Many species of sharks invade the area when the water warms. Use live or cut bait on the bottom for these. I have also caught sharks on a fly rod. The tarpon are always a great game fish and large ones 80-180 lb show up off the beach. Every year there are some large jacks that make their way into the Charleston harbor to eat the bait the harbor provides. If the weather is calm you might even go off the beach and look for cobia or amberjacks. In June, the possibilities are endless--usually the hardest thing to do is to decide which type of fish you want to target on a given day!
J
une is a great month to fish in Charleston. The bite is really good for the local fish and for the many migratory species coming through the area. Our usual suspects--redfish, sea trout, and flounder—will be found back in the creeks and flats in the marsh. These fish can be caught in a number of ways. The early morning top water bite can be very fun. There is a lot of bait in the water this time of year so the redfish will eat a variety of live and cut bait. Mud minnows under a popping cork or finger mullet on the bottom will work great for any of these hungry fish. You may also use a DOA shrimp in glow or gold flake color and do very well for a variety of fish. Slow presentation and drift in the current works great for the lure.
A great way to spend the day on the water is to book one of the area’s great guides. Having fished in Charleston for twenty five years, I am extremely knowledgeable and experienced in this area. As owner and operator of Shore Thang Charters, I would love to share my expertise with you on the water. Please email me at ShoreThangCharter@hotmail.com, check out my web page, www. ShoreThangCharters.com, or call 843-475-1274 Captain Mark Phelps | Shore Thang Charters
Variety is a major theme this month because of the large number of species you can catch. Many different types of fish are migrating through our waters. The Spanish mackerel can be found in the Charleston harbor, inlets and jetties. Bluefish and ladyfish will be travelling with the schools of Spanish. Use 30# or 40# fluorocarbon leaders and small baits for these fish. Small Clark spoons size 00 or any small synthetic jigs in the 1/8-1/2 2 CHARLESTON
JUNE 2020
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I
June Fishing Report - Welcome Back!
t’s been a long stretch for all of us so we’re happy to report that the pier is again open for fishing and the fish seem ready to do their part. If our first few days being open are any indication of what is to come, we’re in for a great season! Our first day back we saw multiple slot reds, a 20” flounder, some hungry blue fish, and a few sheepshead. Typically, in June the harbor temperature reaches 80 degrees and we see even more species show up. Expect to see whiting, black Mark with 2 slot redfish larger one @ 17in drum, sea trout, Spanish mackerel and others get in the mix with the reds, flounder, and sheepshead that already showed up. June is one of those months that should be great for fishermen of all experience levels. Hopefully after this period of time where we’ve all been inside, we will get to meet some new fishermen ready to enjoy all that pier fishing has to offer. If you’re just starting out, we want you to get hooked so here are a few things that should help. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to get started. You can get an inexpensive rod and reel combo with 10-20-pound test line and tie on a 2-drop rig or Carolina rig and you’re almost ready to go. This setup is commonly used when pier fishing and the rigs can be purchased in the River Watch Café and Gift Shop on the pier. In order to hold the bottom while fishing you’ll want a 1.5 to 2-ounce weight under most circumstances. One of the biggest mistakes people make around the pier is using hooks that are too big. Keep it simple and stick with a size 1, 2, 1/0, or 2/0 hook. We encourage the use of kahle or circle hooks when possible as these offer a better chance for the safe release of fish that will not be kept. Now you just need some bait and a daily fishing pass from the shop and you’re ready to fish. When it comes to bait there many choices and some work better than others on any given day. Frozen shrimp on a bottom rig is the most common bait and our top seller by far. Who doesn’t like shrimp right? When putting shrimp on the hook you’ll want to cut or break it into small pieces. A fishing buddy once said that elephants eat peanuts and there’s definitely truth to that. Leaving chunks hanging off will entice the pinfish and other baitfish to pick at it and likely stealing your bait without ever taking the hook. If you want live bait, you’ll want to stop off and visit our friends at Haddrell’s Point Tackle and Supply just a couple miles down the road. Many of the regulars have their favorite or “lucky” spots, but we’ve seen fish caught from one end of the pier to the other. If one spot isn’t working after a bit you may want to try a new different one during a different tide. Some species like trout and flounder, are more prevalent the last 2 hours of the outgoing tide and the first 2 hours of the incoming tide. Other species, such as red drum and blue fish, seem to be caught during the higher tides especially in locations around the grass line. The one area to be cautious of until you learn the waters is the very tip of the pier. There’s 350 cubic yards of old bridge debris right off the end of the pier that has claimed many rigs over the years. Once you are comfortable with other spots, we’ll be glad to help you learn that one as well. Normally in June we’d be in full swing with summer long and monthly tournaments. For now, tournaments are on hold as we all learn new ways to operate. Pier hours are likely to shift a little as we’re adjusting to our new business model. Check out Charlestoncountyparks.com for the most up to date information regarding tournaments, events, and hours of operation. Welcome back! . For any additional information about the pier or what’s biting this week feel free to call the River Watch Café & Gift Shop on the pier at 843-762-9946. Chris Pounder, CPRP Manager | Mount Pleasant Pier
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JUNE 2020
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JUNE Report
South Carolina Governors Cup Billfishing Series By Cameron Rhodes
I
t’s strange to have already made it through May without a single tournament in the South Carolina Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series. In addition to schedule modifications announced earlier this spring, the Edisto Invitational Billfish Tournament made the difficult decision to cancel the tournament altogether, citing concerns about public health and event quality given social and economic constraints in the wake of COVID-19. Although we’ll certainly miss the summertime island vibes unique to Edisto’s tournament, the Carolina Billfish Classic, the Bohicket Marina Invitational Billfish Tournament, and the Annual Georgetown Blue Marlin Tournament are scheduled to proceed. Staff and participants are eager and hopeful to get things back to at least some fraction of normalcy so that competitive billfishing can again return to the state of South Carolina. Please be sure to visit g o v c u p . d n r. s c . g o v and the Gov Cup’s social media accounts for the most up-todate information. It’s possible that the status of the Series has again changed since press time. While our personal schedules remain messy and uncertain, the dolphin and billfish seem to be right on time, maybe even a The winning blue marlin at the Bohicket Marina little bit early. The Invitational Billfish Tournament. dolphin fishing in late April and early May turned on quickly, and the marlin bite seemed to pick up immediately following. Although tournaments in the Series aren’t able to award prizes for these catches, it’s still nice to see participants pursuing fish and enjoying time on the water. It’s always exciting and rewarding to come across a billfish, especially one lit up, getting after both teasers, then quickly falling off to eat the pitch bait while shouts from the bridge and organized chaos in the cockpit add to the thrill. There’s no doubt that offshore fishermen work hard for their billfish.
The crowds gathered to see the iced down blue marlin at the Bohicket Marina Invitational Billfish Tournament - credit Cameron J. Rhodes.
While anglers competing in the South Carolina Governor’s Cup Billfishing
Series continually work to identify pockets of pretty, blue water and productive ledges, they also put in tireless efforts to conserve billfish in South Carolina. Some might expect that fishermen are a hindrance to conservation. We have decades of experience proving the contrary. Laundry with a view - credit Cameron J Rhodes & The men and women SC Governor’s Cup. fishing the Series are champions of conservation efforts, encouraging best fishing practices, funding the expansion of artificial reefs, and establishing and following conservation-based guidelines during competitive events. Some of the families fishing the Series today even helped build the very conservation principles that the Series was originally founded to uphold. To emphasize just how dedicated the Gov Cup’s participants have been to the conservation of billfish populations, we wanted to share the following quick facts. • Release Requirements: With the exception of blue marlin, no billfish species eligible for points in a Series event can be landed. That means that any sailfish, white marlin, or spearfish caught during a tournament in the Governor’s Cup must be released. • Release Points: The Series incentivizes the release of blue marlin through its conservative point system. Landed blue marlin earn a point per pound, while released blue marlin automatically accrue 600 points, no matter the size of the fish. Since most billfish landed in South Carolina weigh between 400 and 500 lbs, it’s often more beneficial for a competitor to release the fish when chasing points. • Release Rate: In the early years of the sport, estimates indicate that approximately 90% of billfish caught were landed. Data collected from recent years show that 99% of billfish caught during the Series are released! • Length Requirement: Although the federal minimum size limit for blue marlin is 99 inches, the Series requires that all landed blue marlin measure at least 105 inches. This keeps younger fish in the water, giving them time to reproduce and contribute to future populations. • Wanton Waste Rule: The South Carolina Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series requires that any fish landed, including blue marlin, must be properly iced, handled and prepared for consumption. No fish, no matter how large, goes to waste. Failure to comply with this results in disqualification. Although this makes for additional work for competitors, folks are eager to do it the right way, incentivized by ethics and the chance at a big check! The South Carolina Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series is proud of these ongoing efforts, and grateful to all competitors and sponsors for their continued practice and support of billfish conservation in South Carolina. - Cameron Rhodes, is the social media coordinator and photographer for the South Carolina Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series and is a proud member of Charleston’s billfishing community.
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Focus on Fishing
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Some Remedies For Our Flounder Population - Part 2.
n last April’s article, Part 1, I had discussed issues that have arisen from SCDNR stating that our Flounder populations along our coast have diminished, and they believe the main reason being overfishing by recreational fishermen. My first objective was to bring information to the public that would help them understand some of the real threats that have and could harm or cause our Flounder to seek other locations and other habitats to thrive, and of course, discussing some overfishing situations. I did not discuss or bring up commercial fishing. DNR will have to deal with those issues themselves. Myself, along with the majority of sport fishermen, do not appreciate the finger being pointed at us, especially without all the facts on the table and the situation being misrepresented to the public. Luckily, due to my show “Fishing with Jiggin Jerry” on YouTube, I have developed a huge fan base, which I appreciate and enjoy, and doing so has given me the opportunity to work and fish with a lot of them. This also includes obtaining the opinions of our local fishermen. After discussing the issues involving our Southern Flounder, we have remedies that we believe would help maintain our Flounder population in our state. One of the first things that a number of sport fishermen and myself had discussed were sizes and limits. Flounder used to be 14 inches to keep and a catch limit of 20 per person.
By Jiggin Jerry
I personally have always believed this to be unacceptable. Fourteen inches is too small. In order to feed a couple of people, you would at least have to have 2 Flounder, and even then, the filets are very small, and 20 per person is overkill. They then raised the size limit to 15 inches and dropped the bag limit to 10, which was definitely better, but a lot of us sport fishermen feel that 15 inches is still too small. Most sport fishermen usually keep 1 out of 5 or 10 Flounder, and the Flounder kept is usually between 18 and 20 inches. This is because an 18inch and over fish will feed 2 people easily, and 2 of these fish will feed 4; therefore, a larger size limit will reduce the kill rate due to consumption. The majority of sport fishermen that I have spoken with agreed that we would find it completely acceptable to raise the size limit to at least 18 inches and reduce the bag limit to 5 per person. After all, most of us sport fishermen are practicing this already and would be happy for it to become law. In my previous article, I had also mentioned gigging, and I also stated I have nothing against gigging, but gigging is not sport fishing, and I am sure we have all heard the term, “It’s like shooting fish in a barrel.” That’s exactly right. Experienced individuals gigging off a boat with the proper equipment can clean out a flat overnight. Turn on the lights, spot the Flounder, stab the Flounder and throw it on the boat. Therefore, again, after discussing the issue with numerous sport fishermen, a lot of us believe that DNR could place a moratorium on Flounder gigging for a specific length of time to help habitats that have been over-gigged. After all, if the state decides to ban fishing for Flounder for a specific length of time, you would still have the same outcome when it comes to gigging but everybody loses. With the recommendations mentioned above, they can still at least sport fish for them and have fun doing so. Another remedy to help future research on our local Flounder would be a tag and release program established by DNR and done by qualifying sport fishermen specifically for Southern and Summer Flounder. One of our last remedies would be for DNR to start limiting building and construction permits for new development in our wetlands and waterways that would involve heavy prop wash, dredging and other destructive construction that would damage the habitat. We request that DNR supply proper wildlife and marine studies to the locations that permits have been applied for. We have all seen the outcome of inadequate studies and permits given regardless of what the true devastation would be to the environment. Any individual can look up the history and permits involving Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant. The remedies suggested above would be beneficial for everyone concerned. I believe that we sport fishermen are not asking too much, and we are not looking for miracles or to be misinformed. We are just asking that the proper remedies are taken. After all, it is the sport fishermen, the recreational fishermen of this state, including visitors, that pay for fishing licenses and permits, which pay individuals to do their jobs, and without us, you don’t have one. I support SCDNR completely. They are necessary and are in place to help protect our state wildlife, marine life, in fact, all fisheries, but this also includes protecting the public and our rights. It just needs to be done correctly. - Like I always say, good luck out there and have fun fishing! To
view some fishing adventures, go to my YouTube Channel Fishing With Jiggin Jerry. 8 CHARLESTON
JUNE 2020
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Folly Beach Pier Report June Fishing Forecast By Joey Crawford
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Bonnie with a nice Spanish Mackerel.
une consists of hot weather, mild waves, and cold coolers for all those fish you’re about to catch. On the Folly Beach Pier there are two types of fishing, beginning with the shallow surf. Some of the best drum and sea trout can be caught in less than a few feet of water. Conditions are best in the morning and late afternoons with a moving tide. Just like humans, midday can become too hot for even fish to have an appetite. In addition, keep a lookout for the gullies that form near the pilings. Red and black drum enjoy the smaller fish and crustaceans that thrive in these gullies. As for bait, a live or frozen shrimp on a Carolina rig will do the trick. Move a little further down the pier and you’re in the second type of pier fishing, the mackerel area. You’ll see anglers of all levels, from those with intricate trolley rigs and live bait, to some just simply casting out imitation lures on top water. Sometimes all it takes is a small gotcha plug to pull in a tasty Spanish mackerel, whereas a trolley rig setup with a large reel and heavy line is what’s needed to bring in the much larger king mackerel. For the latest updates and info, please check out CharlestonCountyParks.com. -Joey Crawford | jcrawford@ccprc.com
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Fishy Nurse Adventures they kick away! We’ve had a blast watching several of my friends catch their personal best Bull Reds and trust me it’s just as much fun watching them catch these beautiful fish as it is reeling them in yourself! This month alone I got to watch my friends Cameron, Steve and Marshall all catch personal bests! Patience is key and making sure you check those lines often to make sure your not hat a crazy month it’s been for all of us with Coronavirus and social fishing on credit! So if you’re looking for a fun and bait soaking experience try fishing for Bulls! distancing! It’s a great time and can be I’m sure everyone is sick of hearing about it and sick of the new way extremely rewarding! Stay we have had to live in public! Who wants to wear a mask all the time? Hey safe out there and tight lines! whatever they say keeps us safe we will do so we can keep fishing! Well the water has been a great place to escape these past couple of months. Between offshore and inshore I personally have stayed very busy on the water and have enjoyed it! A lot of people think that the only time you can catch a - Mandy Henderson is a night cardiac nurse in good bull red is during the Fall. Granted they’re not as schooled up in the Spring but they’re still out here. It’s Charleston, on her days off simple, find the structure find the fish! The jetties and other rock structures she loves to fish as often as she can! You can visit her on have been a great place to find them this spring! If you can’t get offshore due to wind and wave heights Bull Red fishing is Instagram @onefishynurse another fun alternative! Just make sure you quickly release them back into the water and please make sure to revive them by making S motions until
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Lowcountry Kayak Fishing Crazy Redfish!
B
efore all this Pandemic craziness started, changing how and where we fish, I was on a learning journey chasing Redfish. You see last year I had one of my best years ever fishing for speckled seatrout, I could catch them at will and not just the dinks; I caught dozens of trout over 20 inches long and hundreds throughout last year, but redfish not so much. So I made it my new year’s “fishing” resolution to up my Redfish game this year to match my trout game. January went pretty well for me, I had started to identify typical areas that reds would hang and when in the tide cycle they would be there.
I was going to lose this fish if I could not get to the corner quick. Then the damnedest thing happened, that Red turned over 90 degrees and started coming towards me. I was still good, I had the line tight on him until that darn fish jumped out of the water and head butted a mud bank right in front of me! The moment the Red hit the bank my spoon popped free from its mouth and came zipping past my head, hitting the water behind me! I sat there in disbelief for a good 5 minutes chuckling to myself as I relieved that moment in my mind’s eye. That Red porpoised and struck that bank head-on to throw that lure! Whether it was purposeful or not, it happened right in front of me and was amazing to see. I went on to catch three more out of that school before it was time to get back to my launch before the tide got too low to return, but my entire paddle back to the launch all I could think was “Crazy Redfish!” Tight lines, Social Distance! Mike Kohler LKA Tournament Director
I built on that knowledge with what lures draw the bites in these colder winter months (hint, a Johnson Sprite gold spoon is money!) and which ones did not. By February I had some patterns that were working for me and I was actually starting to catch redfish consistently! Now in my experience Reds when hungry move around, they’ll chase the bait as it moves in and out of the tidal creeks. Out one Saturday in February with the tide falling I came upon a small school reds moving to the back of a creek, I had to nearly get out and drag my kayak over a fallen tree to get back to where these Reds were so I knew unless another kayak angler showed up, I had this school of Reds to myself. The water got supper skinny as I came around a hair-pin turn in the creek and there was a small branch laying across the water, the creek couldn’t have been more than 10 feet wide at that point. As the bow of my yak hit the branch I saw a dozen or so mud plumes and wakes as the reds I was chasing darted off further into the creek, I thought to myself, “Those buggers set an alarm to alert them!” Now I had been back in this creek before and about 15 yards past their trip branch alarm the creek made a 90 degree turn to the left and in the outside edge of the turn was a hole about 3-4 feet deep, that’s where they would be, I was sure of it. I sat just short of that turn for about ten minutes or so just waiting for those Reds to settle down. had already caught and released two reds out of this school earlier, both measuring on the low 20’s but I knew there were bigger ones so I cast up into the outside corner of the turn in the creek and let the lure sink then gave it a twitch twitch… THUMP! My line went tight immediately and started to leave my reel faster than I could pick it up as a Red made a strong run away from me and 12 CHARLESTON
JUNE 2020
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The Offshore Report June Forecast - Grouper Season By Capt. Will Adams
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rouper season is here! The Gag grouper is a species that is widely sought after, and not just in the Southeastern US. Gags are often caught in 120’ to 180’ of water and prefer live bait. As it warms up with summer approaching, you’ll start finding them in 70’ to 100’ depths but to find one over twenty-five pounds is rare. Your tackle plays the biggest role in catching these bottom dwellers. I use 150lb leader with ten to twelve ounce weight. Once you feel your weight hit the bottom, reel up about a foot to allow your bait to linger just off the bottom. While you might not get as many hits, the bigger the bait-the bigger the reward! You have to be more vigilant with grouper, the first ten seconds after you see that rod start bending is going to determine whether or not he ends up in your cooler. Their initial reaction when hooked is to retreat into their rocky homes and do what they can to get loose. If you’re able to get them out of the rocks, you’re almost guaranteed
a catch-just reel in the dead weight. Using Sabiki rigs to catch live bait before getting to the area you’re targeting grouper is widely used and effective. I prefer to catch Menhaden and use them; however, any smaller fish you catch while waiting for that elusive grouper bite works well in my experience. My best piece of advice when you’re dealing with any toothy critters(sharks, Cudas, etc.) is to use 150lb leader so it lessens your chances of loosing your rig-I’ve lost enough to be worth their weight in gold over the years! To recap and give you a more concise list of the tackle I use: 150lb leader - 8oz, 10oz, and 12oz Bank sinkers - 300lb barrel swivel - Mustard 96330(circle hook) If you had luck I’d love to see how it worked out for you, email JCJ1LLC@gmail.com or find me on Facebook. - Capt. Will Adams Write off the Rip Charters 843-270-0909 or email: writeoftheripcharters@gmail.com
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The Southside Fishing Report June Forecast for Kiawah, Seabrook & Edisto Islands
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une Fishing report for : Folly Beach, Kiawah and Edisto Island . The water is warm and the days are getting longer, variety has been the name of the game since all of our summertime seasonal species have arrived back into our local waters. The school of redfish have broken away from their huge schools and are now on the move and in much smaller groups, the bite on the flats have slowed down, but the lower tide deeper water structure bite has heated up. We have switched from shrimp and crabs ( due to the bait stealers) and have been having better luck using cut mullet and menhaden. Popping corks with live bait have been producing well while covering some water looking for fish, and we have mostly been catching trout, but also a good mixed bag of: jacks, spanish mackerel, flounder, and ladyfish. The inshore shark bite has really fired up mostly sharpnose and bonnetheads , but we
are also starting to see some of the larger varieties like: sandbar, lemon, blacktop and spinner sharks, mostly fishing drop offs and inlets with fresh cut bait. The nearshore reef and wrecks have really come alive with a variety of fish all through the water column. The sheephead bite at reef has slowed down, while most other species have picked up. The Cobia bite in early June is at its peak, and we are starting to see the large groups of spadefish on the surface over submerged structure. Surrounding the reef we have been chasing the birds which have been leading us to the schools of busting: tuna, mackerel, and bluefish on the surface for some fun lite tackle action while throwing artificials. Tight lines, remember to take a kid fishing to keep the sport alive for the next generation. Captain John Ward /Affinity Charters www.affinitycharters.com 843-693-2460
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Artificial Intelligence Release Over 20”
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here is something deeply satisfying about catching a sizeable fish, handling it as if it were something valuable, getting some quality pictures, and watching it swim away healthy to spawn or perhaps be caught and released again. If you follow us on social media (@eyestrikefishing), you know that conservation and sustainability in our fisheries are very important to us. My motivation for this stance has always been that I want my grandchildren to enjoy a better fishery than I do. I’ve been to northern Quebec where the fishing is almost untouched by humans and its incredible to be able to experience today what a fishery was like before overfishing. Rather than lecture people on conservation, I try to lead by example in hopes of inspiring others to do likewise. If you’ve lived in Charleston for at least 10 years, you know that our population increase has really put a strain on our roads in the form of traffic jams. This is mirrored on our waterways as can be witnessed on any given weekend with boat landings at over-capacity, sand bars full, and almost every semi-obvious fishing spot being hammered all day long. Pressure on our fisheries is at unprecedented levels and increasing daily. Not just with population growth, but also improvements in
technology such as side-scan sonar as well as an abundance of fishing tutorials and advice on YouTube and social media. However, our capacity for fisheries abundance is at-best fixed, and more likely diminishing with coastal development and pollution. Should we be surprised that numbers of fish such as flounder, red drum, and speckled trout are on the decline? Our catch and creel limits are simply not keeping up with reality. I think everyone’s idea of what a good fishery is relative. For example, I’ve fished in Charleston for 15 years and I’ve noticed a decline. But my business partner Ralph Phillips has fished here for 50 years – and the stories he tells of what it used to be like are almost
unbelievable in today’s world. We need to listen carefully to folks like Ralph who have witnessed it firsthand. I realize this seems like “Doom and Gloom” but I believe there’s hope to ensure our grandchildren have something to catch in the future. What can we all do, today, to make a difference? We can set our own personal catch and creel limits that are more restrictive than the law allows. I made a personal commitment about 8 years ago that I would observe an upper-slot of 20” for speckled trout. When I would catch one over 20”, I would take a pic and describe on social media and forums that I released it and why. Over time, I have had many people including some I have never met before say they do it too because they read my posts. There are many compelling reasons to release larger fish. Some reasons specific to speckled trout: • Almost all trout over 20” are female • 20” trout are rare; They are approximately 4 years old. If you start with 1000 trout at year 0, its estimated that 8 will remain after 4 years • Egg production increases exponentially with larger trout. A 20” trout releases around 20 million eggs annually • Probably superior genetics allowed a trout to reach 20”. Maybe it was resistance to cold, resistance to disease, or simply that they grew faster – its important to let these fish pass on these genetics through spawning I was discussing my personal upper slot on the Eastern Current podcast (https://youtu.be/uSG6KIrjDv0) recently and Joe Neely from CCA North Carolina was listening. We had some discussions and decided to formalize this concept into what we are calling Release Over 20”. We are proud to say it will be a major initiative for CCA in North Carolina (https://ccanc.org/whatisro20/) and we are hoping that we can even make an impact on a national level. We are not saying to release all fish. We ourselves enjoy a few fish for dinner, but let’s carefully handle and release the big ones. Another obvious benefit of releasing big fish, is more larger fish to catch for recreational anglers. Who wouldn’t want to catch more “gator” trout and doormat flounder? Not all will agree, but if you do, we would love you to follow our Instagram page @releaseover20 and get a sticker to display at eyestrikefishing.com. The stickers are sold at cost. Through our social media we will have some great incentives to participate – for example, we have already given away a free fishing charter to one lucky winner. If we can get enough people to buy in to Release Over 20”, I believe we can make a noticeable difference, not just in Charleston, but around the country. I hope you will join us. I’ll close with a quotation sent by Joe at CCA NC that is appropriate to our initiative: “Ethical behavior is doing the right thing when no one else is watching – even when doing the wrong thing is legal” – Aldo Leopold See you on the water, but not on Saturday!
- David Fladd Partner, Eye Strike Fishing dfladd@eyestrikefishing.com eyestrikefishing.com
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JUNE 2020
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By CAM Staff By CAM Staff
J
ust like their saltwater brethren, “landlocked” striped bass in reservoirs across the country are highly mobile. Even restricted by dams, they retain the instinct to migrate, and this tendency leads to some of the most exciting fishing that exists. When stripers run up rivers and creeks each spring and summer, anglers are likely to encounter very large fish in small waters. The fish come in waves, with an initial spring spawning run followed by a larger influx when summer heat pushes fish in search of thermal refuge. Garner Reid, of Georgia’s Cohutta Fishing Company, has made it his life’s work to target big river-run stripers with a fly rod. Sure, he could catch them sinking cut bait, but it’s more fun to dance streamers around blowdowns in anticipation that a 20-plus-pounder might be waiting in ambush. The furious fights can be compared to those of big redfish, only they occur in a river, where current and cover work against the angler. “If a big striper decides he’s going to wrap your line around a snag, there’s no way you’re going to stop it,” said Reid. “You’ve got to be a little lucky.” Reid’s homewaters are Georgia’s Chattahoochee and Etowah rivers, but striped bass run in every system where they are present.
The Caney Fork, the Hiwassee, the Cumberland, the Saluda, the list of Southeastern rivers with good striper runs is long. Reid has fished a lot of them and said the similarities are a reminder that striped bass are by nature a saltwater species. “The amount of flow coming down the river dictates where you find fish,” he said. “Dam releases are like tides. High water is a large incoming tide. Just like in saltwater, the fish are pushing up as high as they can get.” Striped bass become ambush predators in these “mountain tides.” In high water, they post up in creek mouths and on big blowdowns. When flows are low, they retreat to the depths in oxygen-rich holes below shoals. Their sensitivity to sunlight means they’re most likely to prowl in low light.
Reid said fish in ambush mode are more active. The fishing is faster, and floating or intermediate lines with un-weighted streamers can be worked relatively shallow. When stripers retreat to the depths, it’s sometimes necessary to break out sinking line and weighted streamers for a slow presentation fish can’t resist. With this need for versatility, Reid carries an arsenal of 8- to 10-weight rods rigged with floating, intermediate and full sinking lines. Fly selection is determined by available forage. Popular streamers like Clousers, Deceivers and Half & Halfs fit the bill in sizes and colors to match natural baitfish. On a particular river, that might be a 2-inch threadfin shad or it might be a 9-inch rainbow trout. Reid said bigger fish, which can weigh 20, 30, even 40 pounds, prefer larger baits. Even with a 10-weight fly rod, it’ll take some luck to get a fish like that to the boat. Check out Cohutta Fishing Company at www.cohuttafishingco.com. Follow Garner Reid on Instagram and Facebook.
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
JUNE 2020
NATIONAL 13
ings K Summer
CATCH UP WITH THE
OF
By CAM Staff
Mike Weskalnies caught this kingfish fishing with Show Me The Fish Charters off Anna Maria Island, Fla.
I
PHOTO COURTESY OF CAPT. LARRY MCGUIRE.
t’s that time of year when warming water temperatures in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico have sent king mackerel on their annual migrations. The action is pretty much year-round down in South Florida and the Keys, but their northward progression makes them more and more prevalent now through early fall in Atlantic waters up through the Carolinas and as far west as Texas in the Gulf. Kings prefer a water temperatures from about 68 to 73 degrees, which is extremely specific for any species. This magic temperature window is why they’re moving, and it’s how anglers find them. While anglers in central Florida see the front end of the migration in early spring, kingfishing gets better in north Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina through the summertime. The same is true in the Gulf. Summer is when they start showing up thicker in the northern regions of the Gulf. No matter where on the migration route your fishery is, kingfish will be looking for the same things when they get there. They prowl the open ocean around offshore structure and green plankton-rich waters in the thermal range where they are comfortable. They can be found on ledges, reefs, oil rigs and wrecks because that’s where the baitfish are. In summer, when baitfish move closer to shore, the kings come with them. Spotting kingfish slashing through schools of bait is one of the most exciting spectacles in sport fishing. At speeds in excess of 30 mph, they crash through teeming wads of baitfish, sometimes sending showers of threadfin into the air. Finding feeding kings is a matter of identifying preferable temperature breaks and structure using charts before heading offshore. Once there, electronics become important to scout for underwater activity. If you’re lucky, diving birds will give away bait and surface-feeding kings. Trolling is generally the most effective method to target kings, and although they will hit lures, good live bait is preferred by most tournament guys who are specifically targeting big smoker kings. Blue runners, pogies (menhaden), pilchards, threadfin herring, any bait with some silver flash is good. Switching them out and keeping them lively is important. And when the fishing is slow, it doesn’t hurt to break out a sabiki rig to catch whatever bait is on-site. Idle speed is about right for pulling live baits. It’s important to stagger depth and distance from the boat to cover a wide swath of water. Bumping the boat into neutral and just drifting when the sonar shows good bottom or good bait can also lead to a hook-up. If you’re moving slow enough, a good chum slick might be in order to draw them in.
14 NATIONAL
JUNE 2020
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A A
couple state record fish arrowed by bowfishermen this spring raise the question: Is there a size threshold where baitfish become gamefish? A striped mullet from Arkansas and a gizzard shad from Missouri were both recently recognized as alternative-method state records. The mullet measured nearly 25 inches in length and weighed 5-pounds, 6-ounces. It was arrowed from an oxbow lake off the Arkansas River a few miles upstream of its confluence with the Mississippi River. The gizzard shad weighed 3 pounds, 9 ounces. It was caught from a private pond in southeastern Missouri. Both fish are species considered to be bait by most anglers, yet both are certainly big enough to put a bend in a rod. Another question some might ask is what in the world a mullet was doing up the Arkansas River some 500 river miles from the Gulf of Mexico. Although they spawn in saltwater, striped mullet migrate into freshwater. According to Jeff Quinn, a biologist with Arkansas Game & Fish, they’ve even been known to navigate through the dams high into the Arkansas and Ouachita rivers.
By Alex McCrickard
lucky angler reeled in an unusual catch on Virginia’s Buggs Island Lake. On Easter Sunday, David Rathburn couldn’t believe the golden fish at the end of his line. Rathburn had already caught 15 crappie that afternoon fishing a Kalin grub on a 1/8-ounce jig head. “I have been fishing Buggs Island Lake for 50 years, and I always target crappie in the spring,” said Rathburn. He said that day the fish were holding PHOTO COURTESY OF DAVID RATHBURN off bridge abutments and were suspended midway in the water column in about 15 feet of water. Soon he came tight to another fish off the abutment. The water was fairly clear, and when the fish got to within 3 feet of the surface he saw the colors. With a gold flash, the most unusual crappie he had ever seen was on the surface in front of him. “What in the world is that?” Rathburn recalled thinking. “I was shocked because I didn’t think it could possibly be a crappie.” Rathburn had caught the fish of a lifetime, a golden crappie. Dan Michaelson, a Virginia fisheries biologist, was surprised about Rathburn’s catch. The fish’s color is the result of a rare genetic mutation. “While this unique golden color isn’t unheard of in crappie, it certainly isn’t common. Consider also that as a fish matures they do everything in their power to avoid being eaten,” said Michaelson. “Often cryptic coloration or camouflage is a fish’s first line of defense against a predator and being a bright, gold color doesn’t lend itself well to a long life.”
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
JUNE 2020
NATIONAL 15
“Fo
Th Ac
“For Me, It’s a Fishing Tool”
The Perfect Social Distancing Activity Just Got E-Zer
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apt. Mickey Brelsford says his Rebel free-fall unit is the perfect fishing tool, providing him a “good, solid anchoring position.” In the past, using a windlass yielded poor retrieval results and left no room for customization, like adding special attachments or splicing rope and chain. “I don’t know how many times I’ve been on boats where [the line is] hanging up, snarling, getting knotted up in the windlass or shredding line,” Brelsford said. A retired policeman, Capt. Brelsford enjoys time fishing near the coast of St. James City, Fla. on his 37-foot “Nostalgic Lady,” a 1981 Hatteras Sportfish that carries 300 feet of 5/8 rope and 20 feet of heavy-duty chain. After adding a pulpit to his vessel, Capt. Brelsford used to pull up all his rope by hand, wasting time and energy on multiple retrieval and deployment attempts as he tried to find the perfect “boat position.” “The easiest way I can explain boat position is if you’re at the baseball game, you’re either playing—which is fishing— or you’re watching the game, which means you’re not,” Brelsford said. Brelsford decided he’d rather be in the
game than on the sidelines, so installing the Rebel EZ-5 became a no-brainer after researching product information and helpful documents on the company website, then calling the drum anchor winch manufacturer’s technical support team for additional pointers. Unlike E-Z Anchor Puller Mfg. Co’s two direct drive series (the Hero and Patriot series), the Rebel drum anchor winch has a clutch and friction plate design that allows the drum to free-spool when the clutch plate is disengaged. To get that “good, solid anchoring position,” press and hold the “raise/power up” side of the button for about five seconds. This will cause the clutch plate to once again rotate, but this time clamping down on the drum and holding the boat at anchor. “Once I deploy my anchor and it goes
into a free-fall, it’s straight down to the bottom as quick as it can go,” Brelsford said. “And then, once I set the anchor I can free-line out as much anchor rode as I need: that’s what I call boat position.” As an added bonus, the Rebel drum anchor winch is compatible with an E-Z Anchor Puller wireless long-range remote, which controls your drum anchor winch from anywhere on the boat. The wireless remotes are available for the Hero and Patriot series, as well. Capt. Brelsford purchased his on the company website, ezanchorpuller.com. “This [unit] here—don’t worry about it—it just rolls right on and keeps on rollin’. That’s what it is: E-Z!” Brelsford concluded.
Photo courtesy of Amber Rose.
A F
lorida fly fisher Kathryn Vallilee caught a massive 21-pound Key West permit on 6-pound tippet March 22. The catch, when approved by IGFA, is expected to crush the existing 21-year-old line-class world record by more than 11 pounds. “The fight for me was so tense because I knew this fish was the one,” Vallilee, who was fishing with Capt. Brandon Cyr, told USA Today’s For The Win Outdoors. “And I think my focus on fighting it was what makes that memory so vivid. When Brandon got the fish in the net, I just felt a wave of relief wash over me.” Vallilee is no stranger to the record books. She co-owns a Key West fly shop with her husband and already holds the 4-pound line class record. With Capt. Cyr, she has been chasing the 6-pound record all year. She and Cyr spotted three large permit as shadows over the white sand flats on March 22. She sight casted to them with a Skok’s Strong Arm Merkin fly, and the fish took. The previous record of 9 pounds, 12 ounces has stood since 1999.
t presstime, the 2020 Blue Marlin World Cup, a high stakes single-day tournament will take place as scheduled on July 4. With no captain’s meeting or awards ceremony, the Blue Marlin World Cup is a fishing tournament with built-in social distancing. Government restrictions might continue in places where the competition has been keen in the past. Travel restrictions might deter some anglers. But there are plenty of home-based spots where anglers can depart, like North Carolina, Ocean City, Virginia Beach, Orange Beach, Biloxi, Galveston, etc. These areas and many more have the potential to produce the winning marlin. All it takes is one big fish to win. The tournament entry fee for the Blue Marlin World Cup is $5,000 per team. The optional Big Blue Challenge (“BBC”) is an $8,000 entry. There is a winner for the tournament and for the BBC. If the tournament winner is also entered in the BBC, they can take home all the money in this winnertake-all format. The Blue Marlin World Cup is a one-day fishing tournament held around the world. Blue marlin weighing more than 500 pounds are the only eligible species and competing teams fish in their respective time zones from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Entries are weighed on certified government scales in their respective locales. Pending any new worldwide developments, the 2020 Blue Marlin World Cup will be held July 4. For more information or to register, visit: www.bluemarlinworldcup.com.
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
JUNE 2020
NATIONAL 17
CustomBilt Pondtoon
The Pondtoon is the perfect small-water boat for avid river and pond anglers, duck hunters and bow hunters, as well as families with children or grandchildren. All boats are all-welded aluminum construction made and made in the U.S.A. with premium options to meet every angler’s needs. There are several styles to choose from that include: Fishing Series, Hunting Series, Pleasure Series, Farm/Pond Workboats, Search and Rescue and a new Camo boat. There are even wheelchair accessible models Pondtoon boats are factory assembled in three standard sizes with options and additional features that allow you to equip the boat for your fishing and hunting style at a very affordable price. Contact us to “customize” your very own CustomBilt Pondtoon boat. CONTACT CUSTOMBILT PONDTOONS AT (334) 684-2210 AND SEE THEIR WEBSITE AT BOATSANDFISHING.COM.
SPECIFICATIONS CustomBilt Pontoon
LENGTH: 14’ to 16’ BEAM: 5’ to 6’ MAX HP: 9.9 CONSTRUCTION: .090 Marine-Grade Aluminum BUILDER: CustomBilt Pondtoons 820 Hwy 27, South Geneva, AL 36340 18 NATIONAL
JUNE 2020
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GREAT SUN PROTECTION! double power capacity. That means you can connect two of them to work in tandem, delivering their full, combined power. Two lightweight EU2200is can easily start and run an RV air conditioner along with other appliances.
EU2200i Model Snapshot: Because More is More
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amping adventure goes hand-in-hand with fishing fun. These days, even the most remote fish camps are hi-tech, with satellite TVs, microwaves, tablets and blenders ready for the ultimate outdoor experience. Enter the portable generator—the real power behind outdoor enjoyment and no longer just reserved for emergencies.
Super Quiet for Some Super Fun Several years ago, Honda introduced the EU2200i Super Quiet Series inverter generator, as the most versatile and reliable portable generator for work, home or play. Outside enthusiasts took note. The Honda EU2200i replaced the company’s top-selling EU2000i, delivering the same legendary, dependable power—and more of it: 10 percent more (200 watts) at the same price. The Honda EU2200i provides better performance, class-leading fuel efficiency, quiet operation and improved ease of use and maintenance. The Honda EU2200i is the perfect portable power for any trip—letting customers power more with virtually no change in weight or cost. For example, an extra 200 watts could mean the addition of a slow cooker, fan, or computer to what’s already being powered—which adds up to greater value for the ultimate outdoor experience. With a larger engine, easy start-up process and easier maintenance, the Honda EU2200i is a versatile and reliable portable power choice. What’s more, this generator can be paired with another identically sized unit to
Honda designed the EU2200i with enhanced features that deliver customers ease of use, simplified maintenance and durable, dependable operation: • Operating sound level of 53 dB at 1/4 load and 62 dB at rated load. • Maximum AC output of 120 volts (V)/2200 watts (W)/18.3 Amps (A) and rated output of 120V/1800 W/15 A. • Run time of 3.2 to 8.1 hours on a single 0.95-gallon tank, depending on load. • Bigger oil filler opening, longer spout and larger oil drain gutter for easier and cleaner oil changes. • Fuel shutoff valve (“Fuel Off ” position) allows the engine to continue running until the majority of the fuel in the carburetor is consumed and the engine shuts off, which prevents stale fuel issues during storage. • Stamped metal recoil rope insert provides increased durability and reduces potential damage to the generator body. • Increase in the ventilation area of 2.31 square inches reduces cabinet air intake resistance, resulting in improved inverter cooling. The addition of new ducts allows air to move evenly over internal parts while improving air flow for better cooling. • Improved stator/rotor configuration uses the highest quality, most powerful magnets. • Operational contact points are color-coded, guiding the user through starting operation. • Inverter-technology equipped, featuring high-quality power output, a lighter, smaller size, higher fuel efficiency and quiet operation. To learn more about Honda Generators and the Honda EU2200i Super Quiet Series, see hondanews.com, honda.com, powerequipment.honda.com, facebook.com/hondagenerators and youtube.com/honda.
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
JUNE 2020
NATIONAL 19
The Return of a Custom Built Quality Outdoor BBQ Products Since 1989
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DOA 2.75 Shrimp - the totally new design is the best of both worlds – it’s like fishing a jig and a DOA Shrimp. The weighted hook is super sharp and slips seamlessly into the body of the shrimp. Slightly smaller and heavier than the Original, it has a molded in rattle cavity to easily add sound, skips well, sinks fast, and casts like a bullet.
www.doalures.com 20 NATIONAL
JUNE 2020
apt. Tim Barefoot is having trouble concentrating. In the middle of May, he was on rockfish so thick he had to ice his arms in the evenings. Reports from across the Mid-Atlantic indicate huge spawning runs of striped bass up coastal rivers that ramped up in the middle Photo Credit: Tim Barefoot of March. This is very good news considering all the doom and gloom we’ve been hearing about Atlantic striped bass populations lately. Barefoot has first-hand information from the James, Rappahannock, Occoquan and Potomac rivers. “They have all been chock full of fish and bait this year,” he said. “And it’s the nicest class of fish we’ve seen in several years.” The action is incredible for fish in the 3- to 12-pound range, and Barefoot is seeing the occasional 15- to 20-pounder. But he was almost as excited about the baitfish as the stripers. “One of the most encouraging things was to see the way the herring showed up,” he said. “The herring are so thick they brought the loons with them from the ocean. And when the herring are here like that, everything’s feeding and everything’s healthy.” Typically the rockfish will stick around in the rivers until mid-June or later. Until then, Barefoot said there’s no need for live bait. He’s been wearing them out on a Super Fluke rigged on a Barefoot Jumping Jig with the barb mashed down for easy releases. For more information, contact Capt. Tim Barefoot through his website at barefootcatsandtackle.com.
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201578_DOA_1.14_Coastal Angler_Coupon Ad_3.762x5.012.indd 1
1/14/20 8:50 AM
PHOTO CREDIT: George Costa, TCO Outdoors
By Nick Carter
S
ure, 90 percent of a trout’s diet might come from below the surface, but there’s nothing that satisfies like solving the puzzle during a hatch and catching fish on a dry fly. No discussion of hatches is complete without mention of Penns Creek, Pennsylvania. This venerable stream is one of the best dry fly fisheries in the
country, boasting what may be the most famous green drake hatch in the East. From Coburn downstream to Glen Iron, Pennsylvania, there are roughly 20 miles of “Class A Wild Trout Stream,” and much of it is accessible only on foot through central Pennsylvania’s Bald Eagle State Forest. Penns Creek supports an incredible amount of insect life. Guide George Costa, with TCO Outdoors, said things pick up in April when blue-winged olives, Hendricksons and grannoms appear and lead into a riot of bug activity in May. “Sulphurs, March browns, caddis, blue quill, olives, pretty much everything under the sun is hatching,” said Costa. “It can be massive, and all at once.” These insects are a precursor to the main event, which is 10 days in early June when big meaty green drake mayflies conduct their courtship. The hatches move progressively upstream with warming water temperatures, and big size 8 to 10 patterns match the adult stage of this mayfly. Of course, all the other bugs will be on the water at the same time, so it’s wise for anglers to keep options open. Costa said the best pattern during a drake hatch is a size 16 sulphur. Penns Creek brown trout seem to prefer the flavor of the smaller pale yellow sulphur mayflies. Every fish in the river takes part in the annual smorgasbord. Brown trout are the dominant species, a few rainbows show up, and native brook trout enter the flow from tributaries. At Penns Creek, there’s a chance to catch tiger trout, which are a brown trout/brook trout crossbreed. Fish size is good, too. Costa said they average 13 to 16 inches, and there’s potential to encounter fish 20 inches and longer. Adventurous anglers who want to target large fish with dry flies should pack a headlamp. In the final stage of the green drake lifecycle, they molt into big white coffin flies. They lay their eggs and then die en masse, falling to the river in an event known as a spinner fall. Most of the action takes place after dark. The angler listens for fish slurping spinners off the surface and then casts a big size 6 or 8 pattern to the unseen target. The largest fish in the river feed during the spinner fall. For maps, GPS coordinates and tactics for the Southeast’s best trout waters, get a copy of Nick Carter’s book “Flyfisher’s Guide to North Carolina & Georgia.” It’s available on Amazon, and autographed copies are available by emailing the author at nsc8957@gmail.com.
Barefoot
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99 22 59 34
(4737)
ITEM 5889/62281 61637 shown
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* 73298005 * 73298005 LIMIT 4 - Exp. 8/3/20*
3-in-1 Portable 12v LED Magnetic Power Pack with Towing Light Kit Jump Starter
$
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Compare to Dewalt DW1369 $68.14
ITEM 92851
(2173)
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Compare to Snap-on Blue-Point KRBC10TBPES $830
Compare to Radians 980731 $22.08
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30", 5 Drawer Mechanic’s Cart
$
Save 45%
* 73297511 * 73297511 LIMIT 4 - Exp. 8/3/20* ®
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, power stations, 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 8/3/20.
$ 49
.
(798)
*73289161 * 73289161
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72" x 80" Moving Blanket
$ 99
89
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(5596)
$ 49
Compare to Energizer HDB32Eh $15.98
ANY SINGLE ITEM*
WOW!
2
$ 89
Adjustable pressure relief valve equalizes pressure for easy opening
Save $ 155
Compare to RangeMaxx 1312-92 $9.99
20% OFF
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(593)
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Save $ 120 Use Online & In-Store
* 73308207 * 73308207 LIMIT 1 - Exp. 8/3/20*
Save 66% Compare to Porter-Cable PCE360 $59.98 ITEM 65570/61884 62370 shown
$
2799 .
1999
$
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* 73308249 * 73308249 LIMIT 3 - Exp. 8/3/20*
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.
5/8/20 8:02 AM
3 6 0 - D E G R E E AC C E S S TO AN OCE AN OF POSSIBILITIES The engineless design of the FSH Series gives owners a spacious stern area, as well as 360-degree uninterrupted access to the water. With enhanced saltwater corrosion protection and a host of fishing and family-friendly features, Yamaha’s 2020 FSH Series is the best way to experience everything the coast has to offer. YA M A H A B OAT S . C O M
©2020 Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. All rights reserved. Follow instructional materials and obey all laws. Drive responsibly, wearing protective apparel. Always drive within your capabilities, allowing time and distance for maneuvers, and respect others around you. Don’t drink and drive. FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT YAMAHABOATS.COM OR CALL 1.800.88.YAMAHA.
Sacred Stone of the Southwest is on the Brink of Extinction
B.
C
enturies ago, Persians, Tibetans and Mayans considered turquoise a gemstone of the heavens, believing the striking blue stones were sacred pieces of sky. Today, the rarest and most valuable turquoise is found in the American Southwest–– but the future of the blue beauty is unclear. On a recent trip to Tucson, we spoke with fourth generation turquoise traders who explained that less than five percent of turquoise mined worldwide can be set into jewelry and only about twenty mines in the Southwest supply gem-quality turquoise. Once a thriving industry, many Southwest mines have run dry and are now closed. We found a limited supply of C. turquoise from Arizona and snatched it up for our Sedona Turquoise Collection. Inspired by the work of those ancient craftsmen and designed to showcase the exceptional blue stone, each stabilized vibrant cabochon features a unique, one-of-a-kind matrix surrounded in Bali metalwork. You could drop over $1,200 on a turquoise pendant, or you could secure 26 carats of genuine Arizona turquoise for just $99. Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. If you aren’t completely happy with your purchase, send it back within 30 days for a complete refund of the item price. The supply of Arizona turquoise is limited, don’t miss your chance to own the Southwest’s brilliant blue treasure. Call today!
26 carats of genuine Arizona turquoise
ONLY $99
“With depleting mines, turquoise, the most sacred stone to the Navajo, has become increasingly rare.” –– Smithsonian.com
Necklace enlarged to show luxurious color
A.
Jewelry Specifications: • Arizona turquoise • Silver-finished settings
Sedona Turquoise Collection A. Pendant (26 cts) $299 B. 18" Bali Naga woven sterling silver chain C. 1 1/2" Earrings (10 ctw) $299 Complete Set** $747
$99* Save $200 $149 $99* Save $200 $249 Save $498
** Complete set includes pendant, chain and earrings. Call now and mention the offer code to receive your collecion.
1-800-333-2045 Offer Code STC176-01
You must use the offer code to get our special price.
Rating of A+
* Special price only for customers using the offer code versus the price on Stauer.com without your offer code.
Stauer
® 14101 Southcross Drive W., Ste 155, Dept. STC176-01, Burnsville, Minnesota 55337 www.stauer.com
Stau e r … A f f or d the E x tr a o r di n a r y .®
One Life. Live It On The Water.
SM
Drive-On Dry Docking For Boats Up To 50 Feet
Life Can Be Complicated. Docking Shouldn’t Be. • • • • • • • • • •
“Start and Go” Convenience Effortless Spontaneous Trips Simple Drive-On Safely Moored in Seconds Complete Dry Docking Protection Prevents Fouling - Pays For Itself Spacious, Stable Walk-Around Platform Quick Loading, Safe Boarding Access Makes Caring for Craft Easy Maintenance-FREE
800-JET-DOCK
JetDock.com
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
JUNE 2020
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