Issuu

FREE

CHARLESTON EDITION

@CAMTAMagazine

GULF STREAM

MAHI

Three Days For Atlantic Snapper PHOTO BY CAPT. BLAKE RIGBY COURTESY OF TRIPLETAIL CHARTERS WWW.TRIPLETAILCHARTERS.COM VOLUME 26 • ISSUE 316

GROUPER

GAME CHANGER

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM

F R A N C H I S E

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

A V A I L A B L E

W O R L D W I D E

JULY 2021

Protect your baby (and their toys) with coverage for fishing gear and personal property too. 1- 8 0 0 -PROG RE S S IVE / PROG RE S S IVE .COM

Progressive Casualty Insurance Co. & affiliates. Additional charge may apply. Prices vary based on how you buy.

Shhhhh. No wake zone.

IN THIS BATTLE, YOU NOW HAVE THE ADVANTAGE OF SHOCK AND AWE.

“Blu wat on t gent ‘wat –w

The next generation of our workhorse spinning reel, the new PENN ® Battle ® III now features our proprietary CNC Gear ™ Technology for ultimate durability, and the proven HT-100 ™ Carbon Fiber Drag System for ultimate control during the fight. Available in nine different sizes, from 1000 to the new 10,000, and in select high speed models, it can handle any situation. The new Battle® III. Fish won’t know what hit them. PENN. LET THE BATTLE BEGIN.

nc.

êêêêê “The quality of their watches is equal to many that can go for ten times the price or more.” — Jeff from McKinney, TX

“Blue face watches are on the discerning gentleman’s ‘watch list’.” – watchtime.com

Stone Cold Fox So good-looking...heads will turn. So unbelievably-priced...jaws will drop.

very once in a while a timepiece comes along that’s so incredibly good looking, masterfully equipped and jaw-droppingly priced, that it stops us stone cold. A watch that can take you seamlessly from the 18th hole to the board room. A watch that blurs the line betweens sports watch and dress watch. We’re talking the Blue Stone Chronograph, and it sits at the top of the discerning gentleman’s watch list. Striking in appearance and fully equipped with features, this is a watch of substance. The Blue Stone merges the durability of steel with the precision of crystal movement that’s accurate to 0.2 seconds a day. Both an analog and digital watch, the Blue Stone keeps time with pinpoint accuracy in two time zones. The watch’s handsome steel blue dial seamlessly blends an analog watch face with a stylish digital display. It’s a stopwatch, calendar, and alarm. Plus, the Blue Stone resists water up to 30 meters, making it up for water adventures. A watch with these features would easily cost you thousands if you shopped big names. But overcharging to justify an inflated brand name makes us blue in the face. Which is why we make superior looking and performing timepieces priced to please. Decades of experience in engineering enables Stauer to put quality on your wrist and keep your money in your pocket.

Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. Experience the Blue Stone 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. Originally priced at $395, the Blue Stone Chronograph was already generating buzz among watch connoisseurs, but with the price slashed to $69, we can’t guarantee this limited-edition timepiece will last. So, call today!

TAKE 83% OFF INSTANTLY!

When you use your OFFER CODE Stauer Blue Stone Chronograph non-offer code price $395† Offer Code Price

$69 + S&P Save $326

You must use the offer code to get our special price.

1-800-333-2045 Your Offer Code: BSW388-01

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

Stauer

14101 Southcross Drive W.,

® Ste 155, Dept. BSW388-01

Burnsville, Minnesota 55337

www.stauer.com

Rating of A+

† Special price only for customers using the offer code versus the price on Stauer.com without your offer code.

• Precision movement • Digital and analog timekeeping • LED subdials • Stainless steel crown, caseback & bracelet • Dual time zone feature • Stopwatch • Alarm feature • Calendar: month, day, & date • Water resistant to 3 ATM • Fits wrists 7” to 9”

Stauer… Afford the Extraordinary.®

Fu bo

Navigating the New Normal on the Water

I Help Starts Here.

Priority service for members.

Our Captains are on-scene in an average of 1-hour or less. Inshore, offshore, or destination sport-fishing — our Captains are standing by 24/7. Are you a member? Join today and save 10%. seatow.com/angler 800-4-SEATOW

n the era of the coronavirus, outdoor recreation has become an important survival tool. Last year, the boating industry saw a record number of new boat owners. Both new boaters and seasoned boaters changed their habits to social distance while making the most of their love for the recreational outlet. According to a survey of 3,500 boaters by Sea Tow Services International, this trend is expected to continue into the 2021 summer season. Pandemic-influenced boating behavior: • 52 percent of boaters surveyed anticipate their boating activity to increase this summer compared to last. • 20 percent cite the pandemic as the reason for extending their boating season again in 2021. • 24 percent plan to vacation on/by boat (versus other forms of travel) because of the pandemic. • 35 percent plan to use their boat primarily for cruising near their home. • 16 percent upgraded to a larger boat in 2020 or plan to do so in 2021. • 52 percent plan to use their boat primarily for fishing (65 percent inshore/30 percent offshore/5 percent freshwater). • 30 percent have found it more difficult to find dockage and/or marina space. “Our member survey has typically been a very strong indicator for seasonal recreational boating trends,” said Kristen Frohnhoefer, President of Sea Tow. “Last year, Sea Tow saw a 34 percent increase in requests for on-water assistance in the summer of 2020, and our nationwide network of captains are anticipating another busy season for 2021.” With the sale of a record number of new boats in over a decade and an influx of new boaters, Sea Tow noted that in 2020 owners of new boats were 142 percent more likely to need ungrounding services, 108 percent more likely to need fuel delivered to them and 11.2 percent more likely to need a battery jump. Alternately, new boat owners are 22 percent less likely to need a tow. “These numbers are very interesting,” Frohnhoefer said, “They reflect the fact that new boaters are not yet familiar with things like shifting sandbars and hard to navigate channels, or how to manage their fuel, like their more seasoned counterparts–which is getting them into trouble and causing them to call us for assistance. But likewise, these stats demonstrate what we’ve been saying all along—that when it comes to new boats, on-water assistance typically is needed due to user error, not mechanical failure, as newer boats and engines are more reliable than ever before.” With the number of new boaters recreating on the water, the need for boating education has never been more important. Sixty-nine percent of boaters surveyed are looking for more advice on local navigational assistance, mishap prevention and general boating basics. “2021 is sure to be another banner year for boating,” said Frohnhoefer, “We’ll find out real soon if these trends for recreational boating activity are in fact here to stay.” For more on Sea Tow, visit www.seatow.com.

4 NATIONAL

JULY 2021

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

als If y wi loo Th ex bla res Th de fea na Th in wi aro for sp Bu las co she Hu Yo Fe on cra cu 30 ite Li las Bl be

*D list

Ca Pr

•

Bad to the Bone Full tang stainless steel blade with natural bone handle —now ONLY $79!

he very best hunting knives possess a perfect balance of form and function. They’re carefully constructed from fine materials, but also have that little something extra to connect the owner with nature. If you’re on the hunt for a knife that combines impeccable craftsmanship with a sense of wonder, the $79 Huntsman Blade is the trophy you’re looking for. The blade is full tang, meaning it doesn’t stop at the handle but extends to the length of the grip for the ultimate in strength. The blade is made from 420 surgical steel, famed for its sharpness and its resistance to corrosion. The handle is made from genuine natural bone, and features decorative wood spacers and a hand-carved motif of two overlapping feathers— a reminder for you to respect and connect with the natural world. This fusion of substance and style can garner a high price tag out in the marketplace. In fact, we found full tang, stainless steel blades with bone handles in excess of $2,000. Well, that won’t cut it around here. We have mastered the hunt for the best deal, and in turn pass the spoils on to our customers. But we don’t stop there. While supplies last, we’ll include a pair of $99 8x21 power compact binoculars and a genuine leather sheath FREE when you purchase the Huntsman Blade. Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. Feel the knife in your hands, wear it on your hip, inspect the impeccable craftsmanship. If you don’t feel like we cut you a fair deal, send it back within 30 days for a complete refund of the item price. Limited Reserves. A deal like this won’t last long. We have only 1120 Huntsman Blades for this ad only. Don’t let this BONUS! Call today and beauty slip through your fingers. Call today! you’ll also receive this

Huntsman Blade $249*

genuine leather sheath!

EXCLUSIVE

FREE

Stauer® 8x21 Compact Binoculars -a $99 valuewith purchase of Huntsman Blade

What Stauer Clients Are Saying About Our Knives

êêêêê

“This knife is beautiful!” — J., La Crescent, MN

êêêêê

“The feel of this knife is unbelievable...this is an incredibly fine instrument.” — H., Arvada, CO

Offer Code Price Only $79 + S&P Save $170

1-800-333-2045

Your Insider Offer Code: HUK551-01 You must use the insider offer code to get our special price.

Stauer

Rating of A+

14101 Southcross Drive W., Ste 155, Dept. HUK551-01 Burnsville, Minnesota 55337 www.stauer.com

shown *Discount is only for customers who useNot the offer code versus the actual size. listed original Stauer.com price.

California residents please call 1-800-333-2045 regarding Proposition 65 regulations before purchasing this product. • 12" overall length; 6 ¹⁄2" stainless steel full tang blade • Genuine bone handle with brass hand guard & bolsters • Includes genuine leather sheath

Stauer… Afford the Extraordinary.®

Go on a power trip with

Find Your Sweet Spot

Build your own custom, high-resolution Personal Bathymetric Generator (PBG) charts to discover fish-hoarding structure others have missed.

TZT9F

9" Hybrid Touch MFD

TZT12F

12" Hybrid Touch MFD

TZT16F

TZT19F

16" Multi Touch MFD

19" Multi Touch MFD

DFF3D

Multi Beam Sonar* *required for PBG

Discover, map, then fish structure and wrecks in an entirely new way. Create maps with PBG & DFF3D 50-100x faster than the competition

Create shaded relief maps from 10 ft. to 1,000 ft.

A lifetime of map storage on TZtouch3 MFDs

Get the whole story at NavNet.com

Bathymetric mapping up to 3x fishing depth

Draw contour lines where none exist

TIPS TO DIAL IN RIVER-RUN BASS S

By Nick Carter

triped bass don’t stay in the same place long. Huge spring runs up the Atlantic Coast and into freshwater rivers to spawn is natural behavior for stripers. Even fish trapped by dams in inland reservoir systems retain a strong urge to move. Across the east, wherever reservoir striped bass exist, the movement begins as a spring spawning run. Fish push out of the lakes and as far up creeks and rivers as they can go. This spring run is followed by a larger summer migration, when stripers pile into the rivers seeking more comfortable water conditions. Here are a few tips from the pros for dialing in river-run stripers. • Make Shots Count: “Fish good water, and fish it well,” said Bill Stranahan. Stranahan guides with Southeastern Anglers, and the striper run on Tennessee’s Hiwassee River is a summertime staple. Fishing the Hiwassee run is like deer hunting. You’re fishing hard for a few bites from monster fish that get up into the 40-pound range. “Look for good structure, whether its wood, shoals or rock faces,” Stranahan said. “When you’re on that good structure, don’t rush it. You can spook ’em with a bad throw, so take your time and make good shots.” Whether you’re throwing streamers with a fly rod or swimbaits with conventional gear, Stranahan warned against locking into the big bait, big fish theory. “We all know stripers will chase down big 6-, 7-, 8-, 9-inch skipjack and gizzard shad, but don’t forget your smaller baits,” he said. “A lot of their forage base is 4 inches or less. There’s a time and a place for fishing small stuff.” • Fish it All: Rob “Mustache” Smith, of The Fish Hawk in Atlanta, has guided the Chattahoochee River striper run for two decades or more. He knows all the hotspots where there are always fish. He also knows those spots

PHOTO COURTESY OF GARNER REID

get a ton of pressure. Smith said to slow down and fish all the likely structure instead of rushing to areas where you’ve caught fish before. “If you’re on the river, fish everything,” he said. “Those fish are constantly moving, and you’d be surprised at the fish you’re passing when you’re rushing to get to that one little area. Fish it all, and fish it like you expect a fish on every cast.” • Move Some Water: “When they’re in the river, those fish are laid up in ambush,” said Garner Reid, who made his name guiding fly fishers to big Georgia stripers on the Etowah River. “You’re drawing reaction strikes, and what triggers them is a fly that looks like it’s wounded or fleeing.” Reid said it’s easy to get sloppy with the retrieve when you’re blind casting all day. He reminds anglers that it takes an aggressive presentation to move some water, cause a little commotion and trigger a striped bass’s predatory instinct. “Use the current and the swing to enhance your strip,” he said. “Make that fly hunt for you.” Visit Southeastern Anglers at www.southeasternanglers.com. See The Fish Hawk website at thefishhawk.com. Call Garner Reid at (770) 866-0301.

MFD

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

JULY 2021

NATIONAL 7

THREE CLUES TO

Mahi Mahi By Capt. Quinlyn Haddon

ahi fishing can be tricky in some places and times of year. They congregate under floating material adrift in the current, leaving them with no fixed address within an area of greatly variable depths. If you are fortunate enough to be able to target dolphinfish along the Gulf Stream this summer, you are in the right place at the right time. You shouldn’t have much trouble filling your cooler and even maxing out on the generous daily bag limit of this species. Head out to target mahi with a full tank of fuel. Assume you will have to run far and wide to find them, but hope to get lucky along the way. Recruit everyone on board to remain on the look out for the three telltale mahi hangouts: weeds, birds and floaters. Weeds can be productive whether they are formed tightly in a line, or even a tight patch. Birds can be a great sign of actively feeding fish at the surface, but they can also just be birds being birds. Learn to read them properly to avoid wasting time. A group of circling birds or diving birds is what you want to look for, and the more the better. Sometimes, a bird that’s on fish will flicker in the sun, reflecting the sunlight in a sporadic pattern as it moves its body to stay on top of something it has spotted under the surface. Circling frigate birds are always a good sign. If you see one even attempt a dive, start trolling immediately. Floaters can be anything floating in the water, from debris to sea turtles. When you find floaters in open water, it doesn’t take long to feel out if it is productive or not. If you happen to see all three of these goldmines come together, with birds diving around debris sucked to a weedline, troll the ever loving shi…mano out of it. When trolling for mahi, you won’t need to run more than four lines. Troll two small lures long, ideally on the outriggers, to draw in smaller dolphin. Troll one medium lure or ballyhoo at mid-length, and one large lure close. Dolphinfish have the mentality of a toddler. When you reel one to the boat, leave the fish in the water, put your rod in the rod holder, and cast out behind the hooked fish. The school should have followed your mahi to the boat, and with their mahi-see, mahi-do mentality, they’ll all want to partake in snack time. Continue hooking mahi and leave them in the water until you run out of available rods to cast. Start by putting one fish in the boat, but don’t take the second out of the water until the first rod has gone back out and hooked another fish. Try switching from live bait to chunk bait to keep them eating. If they don’t slam a bait as soon as it hits the water, try twitching the bait. Even a completely healthy and well-presented live bait sometimes isn’t as enticing as one that’s getting yanked away from them. Mahi will eat nearly anything, especially if you know how to taunt them properly. One of the biggest challenges in catching them is trolling through weeds. Weeds that cling to your lures is a pain to manage on the deck, while constantly clearing lines, and you also miss a lot of opportunities to catch fish. All lures catch weeds, the determining factor is whether they shed those weeds. Deep diving lures that never breach the surface are not your friend in this situation. Lightweight, squid-skirted lures do an excellent job of popping out of the water when bogged down with weeds. Most times, they clear themselves of weeds. Blue Magic Charters makes their own 3D-printed lures designed to troll in weeds. Visit them in Marathon, Fla., and ask us about their DR. BUBBLES lures. Capt. Quinlyn Haddon fishes with Blue Magic Charters in Marathon, Fla. Contact her at (504) 920-6342 and visit CaptainQuinlyn.com.

f A r s w d m

W B b i

N m a g

S T s

L s c

L t

• 2 ct

Flip Flip Hooray! A perfect symbol of fun in the sun for only $79

ere’s a memorable beach moment: You’re basking in the warm sun, toes in the sand, letting the gentle turn of the foam-capped waves lull you into a state of complete relaxation. As your eyes scan the endless horizon of blue on blue, you’re rewarded with a school of dolphins making their way across the sea. There’s no denying their signature shape as they leap from the water. If you don’t see anything else extraordinary the rest of the day, you can take solace knowing you’ve witnessed one of nature’s most playful and intelligent creatures in their natural habitat. Why not re-create that special toes-in-the-sand moment with our Blue Topaz Dolphin Pendant? The beloved sea mammal has been captured mid-jump in sterling silver. And, tucked into its fins is a full two carats of shimmering blue topaz. Nothing captures the shimmering color of the ocean in the midday sun like blue topaz. With its sparkling clear blue color and high refractive index, blue topaz is one of the top-selling blue gemstones. And with our special price, you have quite the catch. Satisfaction guaranteed or your money back. Enjoy the Blue Topaz Dolphin Pendant for 30 days. If it doesn’t pass the test swimmingly, send it back for a full refund of the item price.

A full two carats of shimmering blue topaz set in sterling silver

Limited Reserves. A full two carats of genuine blue topaz set in sterling silver for this price is as rare as a dolphin sighting. We cannot guarantee availability for long. Call today!

Limited to the first 1900 responders to this ad only! To show exquisite details, pendant shown is not exact size. Chain sold separately.

“Enormously popular, significantly intelligent and scientifically sophisticated, dolphins are amidst the most beloved animals among people.” — Dolphins-World

Blue Topaz Dolphin Pendant non-offer code price $395 † Offer Code Price Only $79 + S&P Save $316!

êêêêê

You must use the insider offer code to get our special price.

“This sterling silver dolphin is absolutely beautiful and the blue topaz is like the color of the ocean”

— Vivian, Cabool, MO

† Special price only for customers using the offer code versus the price on Stauer.com without your offer code.

Stauer

1-800-333-2045

Your Insider Offer Code: DPP317-03 Please use this code when you order to receive your discount.

® 14101 Southcross Drive W., Ste 155, Dept. DPP317-03, Burnsville, Minnesota 55337

www.stauer.com

Rating of A+

• 2 ctw blue topaz; ½ ctw Ultimate Diamond Alternative®, DiamondAura® • .925 sterling silver setting • Sterling silver chain sold separately

Stauer… Afford the Extraordinary.®

RHODAN: TOTAL GAME CHANGER FOR GROUPER

Tim Barefoot

here was a time—not too long ago— when only a select few would consistently come home with grouper, and not just “bottom fish.” There were several reasons for this. First and foremost, not everyone wanted to learn and spend the energy it took to learn to anchor. Anchoring accurately is an art form not mastered by all, but when mastered, it is the gateway to consistently catching grouper. Rhodan trolling motors, with their GPS Anchor systems, have made it so anyone can have a shot at catching grouper and not just all the other species down on the bottom. It’s one thing to have a trolling motor with “Spot Lock” that will hold position in a small bay boat, but Rhodan made the tool for serious offshore

boats to sit on the same place without using the anchor. Partner this Rhodan with a couple 36 volt lithium deep-cycle batteries, like Dakota, Ionic or Lithium Pros on a battery switch, and you have the tools it takes to score. Rhodan is just one aspect of what it takes to go grouper fishing, and not just “bottom fishing.” The way I set the dinner table for a grouper on every ledge is to have everyone on the boat sending down whole squid on the first five or six drops. I don’t care what they’re catching during this “chumming exercise,” because chumming is exactly what we’re doing. We’re getting one spot on the bottom chummed up with little pieces of squid swirling around. The smell and sound of an ongoing feeding

frenzy draws in the top of the food chain in no time at all. This is the point when we start to grouper fish. Yes, I’ve caught a lot of grouper on the whole squid, also, but this part of the routine is strictly to get the party started. Once it’s going, we drop live baits that none of the grunts, pinkies or sea bass can fit in their mouths. The smaller fish just hang out looking at these bigger baits and hoping for scraps. This is when grouper see four or five live baits on the bottom attached to Squid or Crab Decoy Jigs. To them, it’s a no-brainer. The sight of a grass grunt, pinfish or sailor’s choice struggling against the weight of the jig is more than a grouper can understand. They are hardwired to eat these fish that eat their eggs. The live bait and Decoy Jig combo gets the bite because a struggling bait is a “gimme.” Also, while you’ve got those grouper lines on the bottom, don’t forget to send a light out near the surface. Bait it with a live or frozen bait to catch pelagics like kingfish, dolphin, wahoo or tuna that happen to be swimming past. What does this all have to do with the Rhodan? Well, Rhodan’s powerful and precise GPS anchoring eliminates drift without all the aggravation and hard work of anchoring. Let Rhodan change your game by allowing you to concentrate on the fish while it keeps the boat in place! See more from Capt. Tim Barefoot, of Barefoot Cats and Tackle, at barefootcatsandtackle.com.

LET US SHOW YOU HOW TO

BUILD YOUR OWN RODS

MUDHOLE.COM/SALT-KIT

10 NATIONAL

JULY 2021

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

GET A FREE CATALOG! MUDHOLE.cOM/CATALOG

in no

rouper on the tine is going, runts, ouths. these

ve live r Crab r. The choice more hards. The e bite

r lines ht out en bait wahoo . th the precise all the g. Let you to e boat

ENTER TO WIN SUNGLASSES IN THE MONTH OF JULY BY VISITING: Coastalanglermag.com/contest

LIVEWELL PUMPS BAIT SENTRY Magnetic Drive Livewell Pump • Extremely Rugged Pump

BAJIO BALES BEACH • BAJIOSUNGLASSES.COM

• Easy Installation • Anti-Airlock Feature Clears Locked Air

PIRANHA Livewell Pump • Removable Cartridge for Easy Cleaning • Anti-Airlock Feature Clears Locked Air

COSTA BLACKFIN PRO • COSTADELMAR.COM

• Dual Port Fitting Allows for Easy Washdown Pump Connections

refoot .com.

SP BU ECIA Y! L

FLYING FISHERMAN DROP BACK • FLYINGFISHERMAN.COM

Hook2-9 Splitshot Fishﬁnder/Chartplotter w/ Navionics+ Charts • Autotuning sonar actively adjusts settings

MAUI JIM ALENUIHAHA • MAUIJIM.COM

• Wider sonar cone provides more than twice the coverage of traditional ﬁshﬁnders • Hook2 navigation features make returning to your favorite spot easy

Defender.com | 800-628-8225 REDFIN POLARIZED HATTERAS • REDFINPOLARIZED.COM

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

JULY 2021

NATIONAL 11

Switch to GEICO and see how easy it could be to save money on boat insurance. Simply visit geico.com/boat to get started.

•A geico.com/boat | 1-800-865-4846 | Local Office

•SUP •ENH •99%

Some discounts, coverages, payment plans, and features are not available in all states, in all GEICO companies, or in all situations. Boat and PWC coverages are underwritten by GEICO. GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, DC 20076; a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. © 2021 GEICO. 21_660726485

*LIF 16 BREVARD

CHARLESTON EDITION

JULY 2021

Coastal Angler Magazine Charleston is a Family Business published by SABJAR Media, LLC. We’re in our 4th year of publishing CAMC We’re based in Summerville, SC. Comments: send us an email to Charleston@coastalanglermagazine. com. Follow and like us on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube & Twitter.

Inside this month.. - Capt. Mark Phelps - Charleston’s Best Fishing Forecast - Chris Pounder - Mt. Pleasant Pier Fishing Report - Jim Duncan - Boating in the Lowcountry - David Fladd - Artificial Intelligence - Mandy Henderson - Fishy Nurse Adventures - Jiggin Jerry - Focus On Fishing - Capt. John Ward - The SouthSide Report - Folly to Edisto Beach - Chris Tweedy - Lowcountry Kayak Fishing - Capt. Will Adams - Trigger Fish - Cameron Rhodes - South Carolina Billfishing & Offshore Report - Chad Pennell - Freshwater Fishing Report Advertising: Call for all the details to reach 25K monthly readers today. 843-607-8629 or send an email: Charleston@coastalanglermagazine.com Send us a letter to: CAM CHARLESTON Edition 717 Old Trolley Rd Ste. 6-154 Summerville, SC 29485 Visit us online: Coastalanglermag.com/Charleston Send your editorial contributions or info about distribution to: Sam@sabjarmedia.com

Sportfisher coming in during the 2019 Edisto Invitational Billfish Tournament, read Cameron Rhodes Great column on page 9. COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

JULY 2021

CHARLESTON 1

Charleston’s July Forecast By Captain Mark Phelps

WHERE THE LOWCOUNTRY

GETS HITCHED.

he inshore fishing forecast for Charleston in July means two things. Hot and Hot. The Charleston area will have hot weather and hot fishing action this month. July can see temperatures well into the 90’s during the mid part of the day but the early morning and late evening can be very nice. The cool thing about inshore fishing in July is the variety of fish available this month. Almost every species we can catch in a calendar year is available in the month of July. The standard inshore slam of redfish, sea trout, and flounder can be caught almost any given day. You will also have the opportunity to find many of the migrating species that inhabit the Charleston area in the summer months. Many schooling species like Spanish mackerel, blues, ladyfish can be found crashing bait in the mornings. There will be some larger species like jacks, tarpon, cobia, and several types of sharks around. If you’re looking to do some bottom fishing for pan fish you can find pompano, whiting, croaker, sheepshead, and spade fish. The hardest thing about July in Charleston is deciding what type of fishing to do. If you get out at daylight a great option is throwing top water bait for trout and red fish. Early in the morning red fish and trout are just looking to get one big meal that will get them through the day. A Zara spook “walk the dog” 2 CHARLESTON

JULY 2021

type of top water bait is hard to beat. Getting an over slot red fish on top water bait is very exciting and better than any cup of coffee. You can also head out in the harbor, inlets, jetties, or just off the beach and look for birds and schools of fish busting on glass minnows. You may find Spanish mackerel jumping out of the water waiting for you to cast a lure or fly in the school. If it’s something bigger you’re looking for, you can look for large jacks in the Charleston harbor while they cruise the surface. However, you may want to try for the occasional “Silver King”- a giant tarpon. There will always be several kinds of sharks in July. Fishing with live bait and some heavy tackle will do the trick. Either way you will find yourself hooked to something that will scream the drag on your reel. 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.

4534 Durant Ave - North Charleston 843-747-3400

Please email me at: ShoreThangChar ter@hotmail. com, check out my web page: www. ShoreThangCharters.com or call: 843475-1274. - Captain Mark Phelps

Shore Thang Charters

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

CorbinsHitch.com

The Southside July Forecast

Folly Beach, Kiawah to Edisto Islands By Captain John Ward

VETERAN OWNED

ith the arrival of July we are at the mid point of summer , with warm water, calm days, and common afternoon thunder storms. My favorite part of fishing this time of the year isn’t always the quality, but the amount of variety of species to target. After a mild winter and 4 years since the big freeze the spotted sea trout numbers seem to be back in full force, and we are regularly catching decent size trout for our area and 9 so far this year over 26”. High water we have mostly been popping cork fishing around points and submerged oyster beds and doing well with: trout,

ladyfish, blues, Spanish mackerel, bonnetheads, and jacks. Mostly using live bait ( shrimp, mullet, and mud minnows) under a popping corks using an 18-36” leader with a #2 circle hook, water clarity and the amount of rattling the corks have been 2 of largest factors for success. Lower tides we are still working submerged structure with a Carolina rig for: redfish, black drum, flounder and sheepshead.

With all of the bait thieves in our waters we haven’t been using much shrimp or crabs on the bottom, but have mostly been fishing cut mullet, menhaden and minnows to attract more quality fish but with a slower bite. Early morning action on the surface has been really good for : trout, bluefish, ladyfish and Spanish mackerel during the first couple of hours of day light throwing top water lures, producing lots of excitement and explosive strikes. The inshore shark bite has been as good as it gets fishing depth changes, with lots of variety and different sizes of sharks to keep the lines busy when the tide has not been optimal for other types of fishing. Nearshore and reef action has been fun lately with tons of life, we have been chasing the birds working schools of: Spanish mackerel, little tunny, and bluefish throwing small diamond jigs with some fast and furious action. The nearshore reefs have been alive with tons of spadefish, cobia and mackerel on the surface with typical species while bottom fishing. The nearshore cobia action will start to slow down with them moving back offshore, and the spade fishing should be really good until they get too much pressure and will start to become more boat shy and stay subsurface. Get outside and enjoy this beautiful lowcountry weather, and remember to take a kid fishing for the future of our sport. Captain John Ward Affinity Charters www.affinitycharters.com 843-693-2460

We do Dock Building, Dock Repair, Floating Docks, Sea Walls, Ramps/Benches, Replacement Pilings, Re-decking/ Re-leveling, Float Replacement, Railings, Roofs, Electrical, Plumbing, Boat Lifts Free Estimates - Honest Dependable Service

843-312-1797

PalmettoDockBuilders.com

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

JULY 2021

CHARLESTON 3

Mt. Pleasant Pier July Forecast By Chris Pounder

Jack Funk with a 1 lb 13 oz 16inch flounder

s we get into July we get into the time of year where there tends to be more action from fishermen closer to sunrise and sunset to avoid the mid-day heat. The trick to landing the big ones in July without melting is to select early mornings and late afternoons around productive tides. While you can catch fish on any tide, one suggested time is to look for the last hour or two of the outgoing tide thru the first couple hours of the incoming tide. When the tide goes slack and starts to come back in it seems to signal the dinner bell for flounder and trout. The most productive baits are live mud minnows, shrimp, and mullet; however, if you run into a school of pinfish or blues you may have to try different spots to find the species you want. Another popular option is to target closer to the grass line at high tide. When the water comes all the way in, we typically see redfish and other species feeding. The redfish around the pier are a little like garbage disposals in that they eat just about anything. We see them caught on minnows, shrimp, cut bait, as well as chunks of blue crab. If your live bait is getting picked by crabs or blues it may be time to utilize them to your advantage and get even. Fresh blue crab and cut bluefish are known to produce great results when targeting reds. If the blue crab is 5 inches from point to point and is not a female Ronald Murray with a nice trout with eggs its fair game for dinner or bait. Summer months are a great time to have some fun crabbing with the family as well. The best time to give it a try is during lower tides using chicken necks for bait. Crabbing is a perfect summer activity for kids of all ages and is relatively easy for beginners to learn. To try your luck you’ll need an inexpensive drop net, a weight, some chicken necks for bait, and about 30 feet of crab line or rope. If you don’t have any equipment the River Watch Café & Gift Shop on the pier has everything you need for a day of crabbing. Visit Charlestoncountyparks.com or call 843-762-9946 to learn more about what’s going on at the pier this summer. There’s plenty for both the fishermen and non-fishermen in your family as our special events are coming back! Shaggin’ on the Cooper will get things started on July 31, Motown in the Moonlight returns August 28, and our Cast-Off Fishing tournament will return September 11. Hope to see you on the pier 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

4 CHARLESTON

JULY 2021

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

Charleston Offshore Fishing Triggerfish Captain Will Adams

hen people are talking about Triggerfish, they generally mean Grey Triggerfish. Triggers usually inhabit 70’-120’. In 120’ + you can find Queen Triggerfish-very beautiful fish with dark blue stripes on both sides. When I’m targeting Grey Triggerfish I start at about 25 miles and work my way out to 40 miles offshore. They are usually suspended above live bottom and sometimes you can find them above artificial reefs. They compete for the same habitat and food sources as Red Snappers and Gag Groupers so they’re usually the culprit when your bait is stripped clean. Adult Triggers like to stay low while the juveniles drift near the surface. Adult Triggers like to eat crab, sea urchin, shrimp, and sand dollars. I don’t recommend shrimp or sand dollars being the shrimp are stripped clean faster than you can keep up, and well, sand dollars just isn’t something I would try. Triggerfish can be ingenious in the way they feed. You want to change

your approach completely to using 80lb fluorocarbon and small meaty hooks(circle). I usually drop a 6oz if I’m suspending the bait or an 8oz if searching for the adult Triggers. I use small pieces of squid that I brine the day before I plan on using. Remember that it may feel like a small fish when he’s biting, but when you do get him hooked-hold on! They are a fish that love to fight and then twist on the way up. Small hooks are the key-I cannot express that enough! I also use small chunks of blue crab. Remember when hooking the blue crab to make sure you expose the barb back outside the of the bait, it makes it easier to penetrate their armored mouth. Triggerfish are very delicious but can be difficult to clean. Take your time and be careful not to put your fingers near their mouth when taking the hook out. I’ve seen them nip the tip of fingers right off. If you’re ready to try and hunt these elusive but delicious little fish, head up to

Haddrell’s and those boys will set you up with everything you need to get the job done.

Capt Will Adams - Write off the Rip Charters.

843-270-0909 - writeoftheripcharters@gmail.com

LIVE LIFE WITH VERVE!

USE USE CODE CODE “CAM10” “CAM10” FOR FOR 10% 10% OFF! OFF!

VERVE-APPAREL.COM COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

JULY 2021

CHARLESTON 5

Fishy Nurse Adventures

Snapper Fishing J

uly, the summertime heat, its one of my favorite months for fishing! The offshore bottom fishing is cranking up along with the temperatures! As a friendly yearly reminder, you might need to check your fishing license because it could be expiring soon! Back to the bottom! DNR announced that American Red snapper

ARS! My friend Christin managed to find a huge one! I had never seen a red snapper so large! I got on the radio and confirmed that there isn’t a size limit to how big you can keep one… and I’m pretty sure a lot of people laughed at me but when you’re offshore you can’t check the internet! We all managed to pull one in and make it a memorable trip but we will never forget the size of Christins. Makes a great fishing story! I also won’t forget when we were catching bait in the morning I threw the net once and it was so loaded with menhaden that I had to get one of the girls to help me pull that net back into the boat. The boat next to us yelled at Ricky our friend who was driving the boat that he wanted to trade crews and we all just laughed! Hopefully this July ya’ll can come back with a fishing story of your own! Tight lines and catchem up - Mandy. - Mandy Henderson is a night cardiac nurse in

season will be back open for one glorious weekend so Charleston, on her days off she loves to fish as hopefully the weather will cooperate! Last year we had an often as she can! You can visit her on Instagram amazing time and had 4 lady anglers out there going for the @onefishynurse

6 CHARLESTON

JULY 2021

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

JULY 2021

CHARLESTON 7

Freshwater Report Santee Cooper & Lake Moultrie By Chad Pennell

reshwater fishing in the Low Country has been remarkable and we are seeing people travel from all over the country to visit these incredible waterways. Water temperatures on beautiful Santee Cooper Lakes and the Cooper River have been steadily rising and the freshwater fishing is heating up. The Largemouth bass are geared towards post spawn activity, shellcracker and bream are still plentiful, and the catfish will continue to move shallow for their spawn. The constant warming trends will create some fishing opportunities around trees, stumps, and grass. Topwater early and late in the day can produce. Soft plastics such as senkos, wacky worms, and shaky heads will be popular around trees and stumps. Also, many bass will start to get out on deeper brush where they will take big worms, spinnerbaits, and crankbaits. Many shellcracker and bream are still shallow but are beginning to move deeper. Redworms and green worms are catching the majority of the shellcracker, with crickets taking most of the bream. The catfishing should be wide-open, with

8 CHARLESTON

JULY 2021

fish being caught shallow and deep. There are reports of catfish being caught both ways - anchoring or drifting with cut bait. The fish are biting, and we are here to help you have a safe, successful day on the water. Safe fishing and Tight Lines! - Chad Pennell Phantom Outdoors .2673 S. Live Oak Dr. Moncks Corner, SC 29461 www.phantomoutdoors.com For all your fishing and hunting needs. We have tackle, live bait, and apparel to keep you protected from the elements. Phantom Outdoors has proudly implemented the “Phantom Gives Back” program. For every individual sale of Phantom gear, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to Military, Law Enforcement, and Youth Fishing Programs.

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

South Carolina Billfishing & Offshore Report By Cameron Rhodes

hen staff with the South Carolina Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series first get word that a blue marlin has been landed and is heading for weigh-in, a flood of excitement and emotions tends to ripple through the room. There’s much to do to prepare for the fish’s arrival and the phone starts ringing off the hook with questions from media and eager spectators. That was certainly the case over Memorial Day Weekend when news spread that the Sportin’ Life, owned by Graham Eubank and captained by Mike Glaesner, had landed a Blue Marlin

on the first day of fishing in the 53rd Annual Georgetown Blue Marlin Tournament. Georgetown residents and visitors gathered at the marina to see the fish and celebrate with the crew. It’s not every day that you see such

an impressive catch hit the docks in South Carolina. And when a fish of that size and mystique is eventually hoisted up and weighed, it’s not uncommon to see mouths agape. Now while the Sportin Life’s fish weighing in at 445.3 lbs was no record-breaking monster, she certainly was large enough to meet the Gov Cup’s strict rules for landing a blue marlin. The Series’ size limit is significantly higher than the

federal size limit for the species, a conservation measure established to keep smaller fish in the water. A couple hours after the crowds left and the sun began to dip below the horizon, staff with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources began to take samples from the heavily iced fish, evaluating sex and gut contents. Here’s what they learned:

•

Given the size of the fish, it was no surprise that she was female. She had recently spawned. She had multiple small fish in her stomach that looked like bullet mackerel and frigate mackerel.

• •

Staff were also able to extract otoliths (ear bones) from the blue marlin. Otoliths have rings just like those seen in a tree, so they can be used to help age fish. These particular otoliths will later be read using a microscope to estimate the age of the fish. It’s certainly encouraging to know that blue marlin landed during the Series contribute to scientific research and management of billfish along the Atlantic coast of the United States. As per the Gov Cup’s rules, any landed fish must be processed for consumption. Shortly after staff collected scientific data, the Sportin’ Life’s crew and others gathered around to help clean the fish. Much of this meat will be smoked and served as dip. Although they didn’t win the tournament, the Sportin’ Life won $156,750 since they were the only team of the 65 boat fleet to land

a blue marlin. Released blue marlin count for 600 points in the tournament, while landed blue marlin are awarded a point per pound. As a result, it’s typically more advantageous to release fish when chasing points. This year, a tournament record number of 46 blue marlin were released over the course of two fishing days. The Inappropriate, owned by Frank Holtham and captained by Andy Crews, took the overall tournament win with 4 blue marlin releases. The team walked away with $135,960 courtesy of a triple header blue marlin hook up on their

second day of fishing. The Reel Hook Up took second place with three blue marlin releases and the Bench Mark finished in third place with two blue marlin releases. You can find details on meat fish, lady angler, and youth angler awards by visiting the summary on the Gov Cup’s website: govcup. dnr.sc.gov. Check in here next month for a summary of results from the Carolina Billfish Classic (June 23-26, 2021). Also, as you’re reading this, we’ll be preparing for the final leg of the Series, the Edisto Invitational Billfish Tournament to be held July 21-24, 2021. We hope to see you on the docks! Until next time, tight lines! – Cameron - Over the last several years, Cameron Rhodes has served as the official photographer and social media manager for the South Carolina Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series. Utilizing her Bachelor’s degrees in Marine Science and Biology from the University of Miami, Cameron also works in federal fisheries management as an outreach and communication specialist. While she is very proud of all of this work, Cameron is not the expert here, but will instead be sharing news and information from those who know these waters best. *All Photo’s for this article unless noted are courtesy of Cameron Rhodes/SC Governor’s Cup

LIVE LIFE WITH VERVE VERVE-APPAREL.COM

SCAN USE CODE “CAM10” FOR 10% OFF COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

JULY 2021

CHARLESTON 9

SPORTSMAN OPEN 322

WE’VE GOT YOUR NEXT BIG CATCH! Cast your line and reel it in! The Sportsman Open 322 will be your best catch of the summer. This all-inclusive center console is wrapped up in a 32-foot package, featuring the perfect design for offshore fishing and cruising with the family. Take one for a spin today with an in-water test drive!

J U LY 2 0 2 1 T I D E C H A R T

CHARLESTON HARBOR RIVER ENTRANCE

HANCKELMARINE.COM (843) 556-2550 2445 SAVANNAH HIGHWAY CHARLESTON, SC 29414

10 CHARLESTON

JULY 2021

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

Focus

On Fishing

Catching Big Summer Sheepshead By Jiggin’ Jerry

ishing for Sheepshead has become very popular with inshore anglers. These fish have a reputation for being stealthy, sneaky and hard to catch. Most anglers that have experience in catching Sheepshead have realized that most of the time they have caught their largest Sheepshead during our winter months. I have mentioned this in past articles, explaining that it becomes easier to target large Sheepshead during our winter months because a lot of their competition, like Pin Fish, Sea Bass, Puffer Fish, Spade Fish, etc., move out to deeper water during the winter. The large Sheepshead stay behind and feed primarily on Barnacles, Oysters and Mussels, and this is why it becomes easier to target large Sheepshead during the winter. But, fishing for Sheepshead can be year round in the Lowcountry. A commonly asked question by anglers is can you catch big Sheepshead in the summer? The answer is yes. One could say, sure, anyone can get lucky. But, there is more to it than that. You do not have to rely on just luck to catch a large Sheepshead in the summer. It just takes a little more know how. The first step is to find a location where Sheepshead are congregating. Some of the best places to look are around bridge pilings, jetties and structure that have plenty of crustaceans on them for Sheepshead to feed. The water does not have to

be deep. Some locations will only have around five feet of water during the high tide. This will not affect the Sheepshead’s ability to feed and leave with the outgoing tide. So, let’s say you have found a location where you have observed a group of Sheepshead feeding in a specific location. The other thing you would need to look for is water clarity. You want to make sure that you can see the Sheepshead. This helps because you will be targeting the largest Sheepshead in the group. This is referred to as sight fishing. This is when you can see the fish you are targeting and you are throwing bait in a location to attract that specific fish. The technique is not easy, but it is fun, and if everything comes together, it can be quite rewarding. So, what kind of gear should an angler use to sight fish for large Sheepshead? It depends on the angler. Some anglers like heavier gear using drop shot rigs or Carolina rigs with a heavy weight set up with one or two Fiddler Crabs or other crustaceans on the hooks. They either drop them to the bottom by the structure or they drop them to the bottom and then bring them up a few feet against the structure and wait for a bite, watching while the Sheepshead are feeding. Others like myself prefer a lighter action with a lighter line, using a small jig head like a stand up jig head, putting one Fiddler Crab on the hook, observing the Sheepshead, looking for the largest one in the pack, waiting and anticipating his approach and the location he is about to feed. With a soft flick of the rod, you flip the jig head with the Fiddler Crab into the water, slowly sinking along the structure, then stopping it cold as you watch the large fish approach. You suddenly hold your breath as you look closely and slowly wiggle your bait, catching the attention of that nearby Sheepshead. The Sheepshead moves in, looks at the crab closely, then turns sideways, showing his brilliant black and white stripes as

the sun reflects off of his scales, then you notice as he stealthily moves in and vacuums up the bait. You’re patient. You don’t just set the hook immediately. You lean into the fish, lowering your rod, allowing him to back up and start to swim away. The large Sheepshead is not even aware that he has just grabbed your jig head and the light fishing line is coming out of his mouth. He starts to slowly move away, you tighten up the line, and in an instant, set the hook. The fight is on! Your drag is set just right. The Sheepshead goes into a frantic pull and starts to take line. You rear back and gain a few feet on him as you reel back down, he struggles to take off again. You slowly raise your rod and gain on him some more, trying to keep the large Sheepshead away from the structure and debris that could sever your thin line, and before you know

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

it, the big fish tires, and you are able to bring him to the top of the water as he lays on his side. The answer to your question—can you catch large Sheepshead in the summer—again is yes! This is the way I would do it because this is the way I have done it and enjoyed every moment of every fish and every fight. They all don’t end up in a win but either does racing cars, but it’s still fun doing it. So, if you get a chance this summer, grab the tackle you’re interested in using and go out and sight fish for some big summer Sheepshead. After all, if you don’t try, you’ll never know if you can catch big Sheepshead in the summer. 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.

JULY 2021

CHARLESTON 11

Lowcountry Kayak Fishing ____________________________________________________________

The Search for Hard Bottoms And Tan Lines

he heat of summer is here and with it comes a likely shift to early morning or late day fishing. Redfish go deeper, the creeks are full of mullet that you could swear are redfish, and sometimes that middle of the day sun makes you not want to be outside. While the action may slow for some of our year-round inshore targets, other opportunities present themselves as you slow down the fishing and try to capitalize on the windows we have to drop the hammer on some fish. That late morning into early afternoon period, particularly on a falling to low tide cycle, gives anglers a great shot at fishing for some fun catches as well as scouting around a bit to extend your fishing areas! In Bulls Bay, I spend the summer exploring new creeks on the falling tide to identify spots I want to target on future trips. Why low tide? It helps me find the areas along the Bay, ICW, and Cape Romain that I think are likely areas to hold fish at some point in the tide cycle and for me, find where fish and bait are likely to be at some point in the tide cycle. The ultimate key for me is finding hard bottoms. sand, docks, hard grasslines, undercut banks, and live or dead oysters are beacons to target fish as well as what they feed. Finding and marking these areas, especially ones adjacent to other places fish will orient throughout the tide is a great way to narrow your search. Think like a fish and ask yourself if you’d be comfortable at a particular spot relative to your ability to eat at the same time you won’t risk being eaten yourself. Consider the proximity to escape routes like a dock structure, deeper water, or access to get up a creek or into the marsh where dolphins can’t go. Many fish will go deep (like 20ft plus) in the summer to find cooler water, rising late and early to feed in comfort and safety. These spots are likely to help you figure out where to look and when. Examine each area up close and from a distance, get the micro and macro view of each potential area and learn to think one step up or down the food chain as well as incorporating what you already know about the fish you’re

12 CHARLESTON

JULY 2021

wanting to catch. While I’m out scouting, I’m also looking for signs of life. Flounder tracks that show their presence in the area means it’s a comfortable place for them to be at some point in the tide. Fun, catchable sharks will show their fins along the areas you’ll be scouting and make for a fun time sight casting with medium tackle. Big red and black drum can be pulled from deeper holes sometimes adjacent to shell at the intersections of side creeks and the main waterway. When you’re out there, especially midsummer, remember to stay hydrated, keep that sunscreen handy, and wear long pants/sleeves! So take your time, explore a little and slow down in the heat as you learn to immerse yourself in the watery world around us. If you want some help on scouting or putting your game plan in action, let me take you out and show you around Bulls Bay and Cape Romain this summer. Hope you catch em up!

Chasing Summer Bowfin

The months of July and August can find the midday bite on the saltwater fish a grueling experience. Those lucky enough to be initiated in the art of fishing for bowfin (mudfish/ dogfish) locally know there is one fish that will fight all summer, with size and in numbers! Our region is well known as a world-class bowfin

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

fishery, with big fish (30+ inches) fighting hard even mid-day and catches numbering 20 or more fish in just a few hours. The growing popularity of this has lead to a several local tournaments and events that celebrate catching these cypress trout. May through August finds the Muddy Masters events on Saturdays at Dawhoo Lake (open to boats as well as bank fishing), Lowcountry Kayak Anglers has the Jurassic Classic on August 7 at Wee Tee WMA and Dawhoo Lake, and this year my charter is sponsoring the first ever BOWFIN KAYAK NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP in partnership with Yak ‘Bassin tournaments. Come on out and compete for fame, glory, and a good paycheck at any of these events. Hit me up if you need any help or have any questions! Thanks for reading and tight lines, Chris Tweedy, Owner/Operator Topwater Kayak Charters

____

Duncan’s Boats is your local Tidewater and Trophy Boats dealer. Come by to see center consoles in inventory or custom order your boat today.

SCAN ME

Family Owned Serving the Lowcountry Since 1970!

843-744-2628 | 4350 Bridge View Dr | North Charleston, SC | www.Duncansboats.com

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

JULY 2021

CHARLESTON 13

Boating in the Lowcountry ____________________________________________________________

There Are Supply Issues...

ike so many other products, if you are waiting for your new boat to arrive, you are not alone. If you’ve been shopping for a new or used boat, you know that there is very limited inventory. And, if you do want to special order a new boat, you are likely looking at six months and up to a year or more for certain models. Furthermore, if waiting is not hard enough, pricing for most boat manufacturers will rise 10% or more for the 2022 model year which begins now for many boat builders. What is driving this unprecedented phenomenon? It all started with the pandemic. Early in 2020, most boat and engine manufacturers worried that we would enter an economic downturn. That, coupled with social distancing, drove manufacturers to severely cut production. Meanwhile, looking for something to do outside with no cruise ships and airlines, families decided to buy a boat. Throughout the spring, summer and fall of 2020, dealers continued to sell boats faster than they were coming in. The manufacturers did finally start to get back to full production to support this massive growth. But other things came up to make it even worse from a supply

By Jim Duncan

the Suez Canal, bringing global goods transportation to a crawl. This created a severe ripple effect on the delivery of imported engines and parts. The global shortage of computer chips has also contributed. If you do have a boat on order, be patient. Know that the manufacturer and your local dealer are doing everything they can to get your new boat to you. Furthermore, the boat builders have a difficult time projecting when boats will complete because they can’t get good information from their suppliers. Too often, we’ve had to make the phone call that another boat is delayed in production. And, if you are contemplating getting a new boat next year, you should talk to your dealer now. You point of view. Now, many manufacturers are producing boats far below their normal capacity due to severe won’t be able to find many boats on the lot, but with a little patience, you can get the boat special ordered just supply issues. During the Charleston Boat Show in January 2021, the way you want it and you won’t miss out next summer. many dealers didn’t even have enough boats to fill their booth and many of those were pre-sold. At the show, Jim Duncan all dealers pre-sold record numbers of incoming boats. Then, just after the show, a major freeze in Texas slowed Duncan’s Boats production of fiberglass resin and many other plastic 4350 Bridge View Dr, North Charleston, SC components. Not too much time later, a massive cargo ship blocked (843) 744-2628

HALF OFF FIRST MONTHS RENT!! JUST MENTION THIS AD!! BEST LOCATION IN MT PLEASANT!

Boat & RV Parking • Normal and Temperature Controlled Storage Units 5x10's to 20x20's • Covered & Surface Parking for Boats, Trailers, Automobiles & RV’s • Fenced & Gated Facility with Camera Surveillance, Keypad Entry • Located Near East Cooper Hospital. Intersection of 526 & Hwy. 17 • Easy Access to Remley’s Point, Shem Creek & IOP Boat Landings • Month-to-Month Rentals Available

Johns Island | North Charleston | Mount Pleasant Mini Storage

843-884-0747 • www.mtpleasantministorage.com 14 CHARLESTON

JULY 2021

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

______

rtation on the global ed. Know ler are boat to difficult because ppliers. all that

w boat w. You with a ed just ummer.

Artificial Intelligence Fishing from Tupperware - David Fladd

ears ago I owned property on a tidal creek at Edisto. My boys were little then, and I would put my youngest son Ian on the back of our sit-on-top kayak facing backwards while I slowly paddled down the creek trolling two rods rigged with jigheads and paddletail grubs. Ian would watch the rod tip intently, and when it started to bounce, he would reel the trout in. We had many memorable and fun sessions fishing our creek this way. In the Fall, this creek was very productive and catching a few for a delicious “creek to table” lunch or dinner was almost guaranteed. In fact, my son named a portion of the creek Snaggletooth Stretch after the two prominent teeth on a speckled trout. Although the property is long gone and the boys are now adults, I was reminded of those days after I recently purchased a lightly used Hobie Compass kayak. On my maiden voyage as I left the landing it made me notice again how different kayak fishing is from boat fishing. There are many benefits to kayak fishing. A relatively high-end fishing kayak will run you between $2,000 and $3,000 depending on how you outfit it. All things considered, it’s a lot less expensive than buying a boat which can easily run you 10 to 20 times that much. The larger the boat, the more complicated and expensive everything is (from personal experience). It sure is nice to throw a kayak on the bed of the truck, a few rods, and the basics and off you go. No fuel, maintenance, or much of anything to worry about. Kayak fishing has been among the fastest growing segments of the market and the technology and innovation is better than ever. Pedal drives are not new but are better and more efficient. They eliminate paddling and allow both hands free for casting. The latest fishing kayaks are super comfortable, efficient, and stable. You might think that you will be at a disadvantage since you can’t cover as much range as you can with a boat, and to an extent you will be correct. My response to this is a story. Once I was in my bay boat fishing a stretch of the Wando River where I have several spots I like to try at different stages of the tide. I noticed my friend and tournament kayak angler Dave Jaskiewicz fishing across the river.

After what seemed like a short time I looked up and he was nowhere in sight. Eventually, I identified a small dot about a mile downriver as Dave and I remember being blown away with how incredibly efficient pedal drive kayaks are. There are a few competitors in the pedal drive arena. Some are basically like bicycle pedals that turn a propellor. The most unique is the Hobie Mirage drive which is nothing short of an engineering marvel. Instead of a propellor it utilizes fins kind of like a seal or penguin. It’s hard to describe but it’s amazing how fast it is. After observing entries in our Release Over 20 Initiative for the past year, I have noticed that most trophy trout are caught by two categories of anglers: kayakers and waders. Both angling methods are essentially silent but for line coming off a reel and the splash of a lure hitting the water. You see, a mature sow trout is not going to be outwitted easily. If you have spent much time flats fishing, you will know that you stand a much better chance of landing a trophy if the fish doesn’t know you’re there. Depending on how calm and quiet it is, it does not take much to accidentally reveal your presence to a fish. For example, simply shutting a hatch is enough to alert a fish. Contrast this with a scenario that may seem familiar: An angler approaches a spot onplane in a bay boat. He backs off the throttle a hundred yards from the desired spot and

shuts down the motor. The motor is heard underwater from a long distance, and the boat coming off plane throws a large wave that no doubt washes the shore of the desired spot. Next, a trolling motor is lowered with a clank, and its relatively silent but spinning prop is enabled to move the boat closer to casting range. Add in conversation, shutting hatches, etc., and it is no wonder that less big trout are caught by motorboaters. I think about this a lot as I am doing the exact same thing myself in my boat. To minimize the noise and disturbance, I try to come off plane well before my intended spot and approach it slowly under trolling motor power or drifting. But it is still not anything close to as stealthy as a kayak. You may have noticed that if you get back in the creeks or marsh and simply sit quietly and wait, that things will start to happen. A redfish tail might pop up in the flooded grass, a speckled trout may strike the surface throwing a shrimp in the air, or an osprey may dive down and pluck a flounder from the shallows. I have even seen an otter emerge from the water dragging a redfish up the bank for a meal. You notice a lot more of these things when kayak fishing than you do in a boat. To me, that is the best part. It’s as if you are one with nature. I’m looking forward to getting back into kayak fishing and am planning to join the Lowcountry Kayak Anglers – one of our areas most successful and vibrant fishing clubs and maybe get in on some of their many angler meetups and tournaments. Maybe this Fall I’ll even try to revisit Snaggletooth Stretch to see if its still as good as it used to be. And, no, I won’t tell you where it is! David Fladd Partner, Eye Strike Fishing dfladd@eyestrikefishing.com eyestrikefishing.com

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

JULY 2021

CHARLESTON 15

843-556-2550

2445 Savannah Hwy Charleston, SC HanckelMarine.com

Charleston Dr Blackburn from Louisville Kentucky visiting Kiawah Island with a double up with blacktip and sandbar sharks - Affinity Charters

Andy Z. shows off the 31” redfish he caught with Topwater Kayak Charters

Tara shows off her first (of many) redfish she caught on her vacation with Topwater Kayak Charters!

Roger Morrow & Ed Seeger landed a couple of nice Seatrout while fishing the Charleston Area with Capt. Matt LaTorre of Lowcountry Angling Co.

We Keep You ON THE ROAD Quality Boat Trailers Repairs, and Parts Sales

Beck Rogers with a nice cobia caught with Affinity Charters

(843) 801-2507 4740 Franchise St North Charleston, SC 29418

Like us for 10% off parts!

Charleston Trailer manufactures high-quality aluminum boat trailers right here in Charleston! CharlestonTrailer.com • CharlestonTrailer@gmail.com

We offer a full-service shop to repair and maintain your trailer and a comprehensive parts department should you choose to do the work yourself. 16 CHARLESTON

JULY 2021

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

BOATHOUSE BOATHOUSE Discount Marine Supplies

Marine Supplies

Jacksonville West

Locations Same Low Prices

Jacksonville Beach

Locations Same Low Price

OEM Marine Parts

Melbourne

Certified Service Department

Authorized Marine EngineAuthorized & Parts Dealer OEM

Marine Engine & Parts Dealer

Trailer Parts

Trailer Sales

BoathouseDiscountMarine.com

• AUTOMOTIVE • COMMERCIAL • RESIDENTIAL

CTX NANO-CERAMIC TINT

Three Locations To Serve •SUPERIOR HEAT REJECTION •ENHANCED STYLE Melbourne Jacksonville Beach 557 N. Harbor City Blvd 8587 Beach Blvd •99% UV PROTECTION Melbourne, FL 32935

(321) 254-2535

Jacksonville, FL 32216

(904) 564-9669

You Jacksonville

5615 Blanding Blvd. Jacksonville, FL 32244

(904) 778-7775

BoathouseDiscountMarine.com

*LIFETIME WARRANTY 16 BREVARD

JANUARY 2019

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THE ANGLERMAG.COM

Waterfront Charm

The Perfect Vacation Getaway for Fishing, Boating & Outdoor Enthusiasts

R E S E RV E YOUR ST A FOR 28 D Y AYS OR LONG E & RECEIV R E 50% OFF

Nestled on six lush tropical acres of pristine waterfront directly on the Indian River Lagoon, take a step back in time to experience the very best of Old Florida charm with modern conveniences and services to make your stay truly memorable and unforgettable. • FULLY FURNISHED 3 ROOM COTTAGES WITH FULLY EQUIPPED KITCHENS • • • • • • •

Kingfish Lodge includes a wide screen TV and bar for small gatherings Sailfish House features a wide covered wrap-around porch for larger groups Boat Trailer Parking on site w/ Water and Power 250 Foot Dock w/ Covered Area FREE Ice / FREE Guest Dockage TRAVEL Cable TV, Hi-Speed Internet Cover Your Vacation 2 miles to the Ft. Pierce Inlet with Travel Insurance 12 miles to the Gulf Stream Laundry, BBQ Grilles and FREE use of our Kayaks P R O T E C T I O N

NIGHTLY • WEEKLY • MONTHLY • SEASONAL RATES

3011 N. Indian River Dr., Ft. Pierce, FL 34946

www.indianriverlagoonwaterfrontcottages.com

Reservations and Information: (772) 349-2206

YOUR HEALTH AND SAFETY ARE OUR UTMOST CONCERN COVID-19 CDC GUIDELINES ARE IN FULL EFFECT

All accommodations are completely cleaned and sanitized prior to guest arrival 14 NATIONAL

JULY 2021

TIPS FROM A PRO

Re-Discover Old Florida

COVERING WATER WITH A BLADED JIG

TYLER WOOLCOTT

s you approach a new lake or even one you have been to a thousand times, it’s always a good idea to throw a confidence bait you know will get bites. The bladed jig, aka chatterbait, is my confidence bait. It is extremely versatile and can be thrown around any type of cover. It allows you to cover a vast amount of water and locate bass that might take days to find with other tactics. The market is flooded with different brands, sizes and colors of the bladed jig. I have experimented and found the Z-Man Jackhammer is the best performing bladed jig out there. In a variety of colors and sizes, they run perfectly out of the package every time. To me, it’s worth the expensive price tag. Let’s talk about matching the chatterbait to natural forage. Depending on the time of year and what kind of bait the bass are feeding on, there is a color to match the hatch. If shad is the prevalent forage, I stick to a white or a baitfish-color like pearl and silver with a silver blade. If its bluegill, you can get by with a green pumpkin or anything with some yellow and orange mixed in with a darker blade color. Sometimes water color can play a factor in color choice, as well. If the water is very dirty, use a color that will stick out so fish can see it coming by. Something like a white and chartreuse with a white blade, for baitfish imitation, or even a bright orange with a black blade, for crawfish imitation, can do the trick. Sizes and weights are important, as well. Ranging from ¼ oz. up to 1.25 oz., the depth you are fishing should decide what you tie on. I typically start with a 3/8- or a ½-oz. jig, which allows me to cover water depths from 1 to 10 feet, depending on the retrieve. If I find some deeper cover, I will go a little heavier. Attaching a trailer enhances the allure of a bladed jig. I try and match the color of the trailer to the color of the skirt. The type of trailer can be more complicated. When fish are aggressive, I use a swimbait-style trailer with a boot tail like the 13 Fishing Pleasure shad. When they want something more subtle, I use a twin-tail trailer like the 13 Fishing The Jerk. When throwing a bladed jig, it’s important to have the correct gear. I use a 13 Fishing Omen Black Chatt-R-Crank rod paired with a 13 Fishing Concept A 6:8:1 reel. I spool up with 17-lb. Seaguar Abrazx line. This set up is perfect for the job! All across the country, I rely on a chatterbait any time of year to put fish in the boat. Next time you hit the lake, tie on a chatterbait to cover some water. Tyler Woolcott is a professional tournament angler and guide. Check out his website at www.tylerwoolcottfishing.com.

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

Simply the Best in the Business

UNLIMITED TOWING MEMBERSHIP *

$90/$165

TowBoatU.S. has the best price around with the most boats in the most locations. When you need professional, experienced captains, look no further than the Red Boats of TowBoatU.S.

FOR A YEAR OF WORRY-FREE BOATING

800-395-2628 • BoatUS.com/Towing *One year Freshwater/Saltwater Towing Membership pricing. Details of services provided can be found online at BoatUS.com/Agree. TowBoatU.S. is not a rescue service. In an emergency situation, you must contact the Coast Guard or a government agency immediately.

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

JULY 2021

NATIONAL 15

GO GET ‘EM!

BALLYHOOD TOP GUN LURES WAHOO TOURNAMENT PACK

23 FEET OF FISHING FUN! ” “KILLER! DEAL

ALL RIGGED 2 - 32 OZ “COWBELLS” & READY 2 - 14 OZ “EXPRESS” 2 - MONSTER ACTON “PAYBACK” JETS W/ FREE CARRY CASE & FREE SHIPPING

Regular Price $499 - NOW $299!

GET IT HERE: ballyhood.com/super-wahoo-tournament-pak/

WWW.CHAWKBOATS.NET

16 NATIONAL

JULY 2021

E E SHI PP

FREE SHIP PING FR

252-235-2461

CALL FOR YOUR NEAREST DEALER

BALLYHOOD

S H IP PIN

(714) 545-0196 • BALLYHOOD.COM

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

FEDS ALLOW THREE DAYS FOR ATLANTIC RED SNAPPER

Tybee Matte Black Sky Blue

PHOTO COURTESY OF LARRY MCGUIRE/SHOW ME THE FISH CHARTERS

t hardly seems worth the boat ride to catch one red snapper per person, but if you happen to be out bottom fishing in federal waters of the Atlantic and catch one, there are three days this year when you’re allowed to keep it. NOAA Fisheries Service, the federal entity tasked with setting seasons and limits, announced in early June that it will allow recreational harvest of red snapper on July 9, 10 and 11, 2021 in federal waters of the Atlantic (3-200 miles) off the coast of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. This year’s season is a day shorter than last year’s because anglers exceeded the total allowable catch last summer. The bag limit is one per person, per day, with no minimum size limit. Anglers are required to use dehooking tools to minimize damage when unhooking snapper and grouper species. A descending device is also required to be onboard and readily available for use. Hook requirements north of 28º North Latitude, which is a line roughly between Vero Beach and Cape Canaveral, Fla. are for non-offset, nonstainless steel circle hooks. South of that line, anglers may use any style hook, as long as they are not made of stainless steel. The season for the commercial sector opens July 12 and will remain open until Jan. 1, or until the annual catch limit is met. That occurred in about a month and a half last summer. For more information, see www.fisheries.noaa.gov.

BIG ICE TRAYS

- Makes six 4” cubes - 10 lbs. of Ice per Tray - Last twice as long! - No more plastic bags - Save money by easily reusing

Hatteras Matte Black Sky Blue

Jekyll Matte Black Sky Blue

MAKE YOUR OWN ICE!

bigice.com

Amelia Matte Black Sky Blue

RedFinPolarized.com

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

JULY 2021

NATIONAL 17

the

BO-JO

fISHLIGHT

�e �ltimate Fish �ttractor�

FREE Shipping!

Angler/Coastal Angler special oﬀer! Hook a 19% discount! Enter coupon: CA19

Watc h our 1-Minute V ideo by scanning the barcode or...

visit Bo-JoF ishlight.com ... or call 478-951-1490

“If you or someone you know has a pond, lake or boat-dock, get a BO-JO FISHLIGHT! The best fish attractor I’ve ever seen!” - Fish Fishburne

18 NATIONAL

JULY 2021

STRIPES ARE BLITZING OFF MASSACHUSETTS

ack Murphy, of Lucky Jacks Fishing, said the season for striped bass started with a bang and is progressing well off the coast of New England. “There have been and will be larger striped bass on pogie schools in Buzzards Bay,” he said. “The similar schools of striped bass will soon be harassing offshore pogie schools, and the resident striped bass will be moving into their nearshore haunts chasing mackerel and smashing lobsters.” The offshore bite is where many of the monster 40-plus-pound stripers are caught each year. In low-light conditions, pods of big fish harass big schools of pogie found 5 to 10 miles offshore of Massachusetts, both north and south of Cape Cod. If you want to get in on the action, you need to make plans now. Check out Lucky Jacks Fishing at www.luckyjacksfishing.com.

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

THE

AMERICAN

TRACTOR

www.EFE1963.com

G o to An ch or Pu lle ri st he W ay or Be lo w ,E -Z D ec k Ab ov e Above-deck on the 3025 GFX or below-deck inside the rope locker of the 35’ Sea Chaser HFC, the Rebel drum anchor winch is included as the standard or optional upgrade feature on these and other 2021 models. The compact design and 316 stainless steel components ensure E-Z Anchor Puller drum anchor winches can be retrofitted into tight spaces and perform in harsh, saltwater environments.

E-Z ANCHOR PULLER MFG. CO. America’s Anchor Winch Since 1990 Call 1.800.800.1640 | ezanchorpuller.com E-Z Anchor Puller’s drum anchor winches are complete 316 stainless steel with patented motors. This jam-free, hands-free solution neatly stores any diameter rope and chain right on the spool - no more tying off to a cleat!

Y EARS ANNIVERSARY

PHOTO COURTESY OF ROSEMARY J. WHITE

TARPON NOW CATCH-AND-RELEASE IN NORTH CAROLINA

ffective immediately, tarpon fishing in North Carolina state waters is now catch-and-release only. The new regulation was implemented after an appeal from North Carolina pier operators failed during the legislative review process. North Carolina now joins Florida as Atlantic states with no-keep regulations for the highly migratory species. Florida sells a permit that allows anglers seeking a state or world record to keep one tarpon for that purpose. South Carolina has a limit of one tarpon per person per day with a 77-inch minimum length limit. Georgia allows angler to keep one tarpon per day with a 68-inch minimum length limit. “Protecting this magnificent fish while it spends time in our North Carolina waters is a great move by the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries Commission Board,” said Capt. Jot Owens, who is a guide and BTT Conservation Captain. “Thank you to everyone who supported this amendment and a special thanks to the commission board members who voted in favor of this ruling.” For more on North Carolina marine fisheries, visit http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf/home.

S RY

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

JULY 2021

NATIONAL 21

1-800-228-3889

WWW.CAPSMITH.COM SALES@CAPSMITH.COM

WE ARE LOCATED IN CENTRAL FLORIDA!

SEE OUR FULL LINE OF

•FISHING CAPS • FISHING SLEEVES • FISHING MASKS • FISHING FLAGS

STOP BY BOOTH #2144

HEADWEAR DISTRIBUTION

FOR YOUR

ALSO FEATURING

FREE

OFFICIALLY LICENSED

The Return of a

FISHING CAP

CAMOUFLAGE PATTERNS

Custom Built Quality Outdoor BBQ Products Since 1989

Pig Cookers, Patio Grills, Smokers, Customized BBQ Trailers

For More Info 1-252-236-4464 www.BQGRILLS.com 6043 Hwy 301N, Elm City, NC 22 NATIONAL

JULY 2021

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

24 NATIONAL

JULY 2021

P360-COAS-FP-JAN-2021-OUTLINED.indd 1

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

1/12/2021 12:00:28 PM

Sizzling Hot Deals From Suzuki’s Summer Sales Event Suzuki’s Summer Sales Event is finally here! It’s time to get to your local Suzuki Marine Dealer for a sizzling hot deal on the Ultimate Outboard Motor. You can get Low-Rate Financing on the all new DF140BG with Drive by Wire Technology, or our Flagship DF350. Get all the details at your participating Suzuki Marine Dealer.

REPOWER FINANCE

YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY

5 YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY†

REPOWER FINANCE Rates as low as 5.99% on new Suzuki outboards on approved credit.* [60 Months]

*REPOWER FINANCE is available through Synchrony Retail Finance, as low as 5.99% APR financing for 60 months on new, unregistered Suzuki outboard motors, subject to credit approval. Not all buyers will qualify. Approval, and any rates and terms provided, are based on creditworthiness. $19.99/month per $1,000 financed for 60 months is based on 5.99% APR Hypothetical figures used in calculation; your actual monthly payment may differ based on financing terms, credit tier qualification, accessories, or other factors such as down payment and fees. Offer effective on new, unregistered Suzuki outboard motors purchased from a participating authorized Suzuki dealer between from July 1, 2021 through September 1, 2021. †5 YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY applies to qualifying purchases of Suzuki outboard motors sold and delivered to the retail purchaser, for pleasure (non-commercial) use only, from April 1, 2021 through March 31, 2022. See Suzuki Limited Warranty for additional details. The Suzuki “S” and model names are Suzuki trademarks or ®. Don’t drink and drive. Always wear a USCG-approved life jacket and read your owner’s manual. © 2021 Suzuki Marine, USA, LLC.

SAVOR THE SEASONS in Upcountry South Carolina

Every season is the best season to explore the many treasures in the Upcountry.

A N D E R S O N  C H E RO K E E  G R E E N V I L L E  O C O N E E  P I C K E N S  S PA R TA N BU R G

Perfectly Seasoned

FishUpcountrySC.com 864-233-2690