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F R A N C H I S E

A FISHING KAYAK! PHOTO COURTESY OF KRISTINE FISCHER INSTAGRAM: @MIDWESTFISHERGAL

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FISHING FROM A PADDLEBOARD:

TUPAT’S TIPS By Nick Carter

THINK AHEAD: Unless your board is staked out or tied off, it is going to move. It blows with the wind and drifts with the tide. Even small fish will tow a board during a fight. Tupat constantly considers these factors and comes up with a plan before making a cast. Sometimes, finding wind-shade in the lee of landscape is necessary to fish. Other times, the wind or tide can be used to set up drifts. When you do hook up, you must adapt to the situation. “It’s spur of the moment to decide what you have to do to land the fish.” Tupat said. “You have to use your common sense.” If you’re in open water, it’s possible to play a fish out. The board serves as a secondary drag system in this situation. In shallow water and tight confines, it sometimes makes sense to step off the board and battle a fish on foot. In other situations, it can be necessary to hold the rod in one hand and paddle with the other to find a more advantageous place to land large fish.

F TUPAT.

Check out Tupat’s Hawaiian Poke Sauce at www. tupats.com, his Youtube fishing show Tupat’s Fishing Adventures and his Instagram feeds @therealtupat and @tupatshawaiian.

URTESY O

board that will float your weight. From there: “You’ve got to develop a core balance and become one with the motions of paddling and fishing and how the board reacts to your movements,” said Tupat. He fishes an 11-foot-long, 36-inch-wide, 5-inch-thick Pau Hana Big EZ Angler. He said it’s stable, yet maneuverable, and called it the ultimate fishing board. Rigging is a matter of preference, but generally “less is more on a paddleboard,” said Tupat. A cooler placed on the middle of the board is a seat and fishbox. Aft of that, a milk crate with zip-tied sections of PVC pipe serves as a rod holder and carry-all. Tupat keeps a softsided, rectangular wet/dry bag in front of him on the deck. This is where he keeps tackle, tools and anything he’ll need quick access to. “I’ve tried attachments and all that crap, and all it’s done is get in my way,” he said. “I need it to be as simple as possible to put me in the best position to catch fish.” STEALTH: The ability to sneak up on fish in shallow water is the primary advantage of a paddleboard. A paddle or any other gear banging on the deck alerts fish to your presence. Tupat said knowing where your paddle is and having a secure place to put it quickly is imperative. You should have a plan for your paddle. Tupat sets his on that soft-sided wet/dry bag, where it is secure and will not bang on the deck.

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atrick “Tupat” Eichstaedt has been mucking around in backwater creeks as long as he can remember. He grew up just north of Florida’s famous Mosquito Lagoon, in Bethune Beach, where the Indian River is a labyrinth of saltwater creeks and channels that snake between mangrove islands. Tupat is a surfer, angler and an entrepreneur, and recently life brought him home to Bethune Beach, where his passion for fishing from a standup paddleboard (SUP) re-ignited in a big way. “The things a board allows me to see and do is incomparable to being in a boat,” he said. “It puts me as close to Mother Nature and the fish as I can get. I can get to places you wouldn’t dream of in a boat, and the stealth lets me observe fish at a much deeper level.” Casting from an SUP for big snook, trout and redfish is not, however, something you just pick up and go do well. It’s a melding of sports, and Tupat’s surfing background gifted him with an awareness of how a board handles in the water. Anyone can spend the day SUP fishing and catch some fish. Getting good at it requires time on the water to learn the intricacies of the sport. Here are some tips from Tupat: SETUP: Fishing from an SUP requires confidence in the board and competence on it. Before you hit the water, it’s wise to research and find a stable

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APRIL 2021

NATIONAL 7

IGFA Tweaks Electric Reel Rules W ith the skyrocketing popularity of daytime swordfishing and following on the heels of some spectacularly large swordfish caught in the last few years, the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) has tweaked its rules on electric reels. Effective immediately, anglers will be allowed limited use of power-driven reels and remain eligible for IGFA records. According to an IGFA press release, new language in its rules clarify accepted and nonaccepted uses of electric reels. New rules do not allow for fighting fish with the aid electric reels. Of note is a requirement that power accessories must be removable and may not be attached to a reel during deployment of baits or at any time during fishing, except to retrieve baits all the way to the boat. This function is almost necessary in daytime swordfishing, which requires anglers to commonly drop and retrieve baits deeper, sometimes much deeper than 1,000 feet. The old and new language read as follows: IGFA International Angling Rules: Section E. Reel PREVIOUS RULE: 2. Power-driven reels of any kind are prohibited. This includes motor, hydraulic, or electrically driven reels, and any device that gives the angler an unfair advantage in fighting the fish.

NEW RULE: 2. Power- driven reels are acceptable under the following situation and configuration. a) Reels that have power accessories (e.g., electric drill attachments, motors or other power accessories specifically designed for a reel) that can be physically removed from the reel may be used strictly for the purpose of retrieving a deployed bait or lure at depth all the way to the boat. b) Power accessories may only be used to retrieve a bait or lure completely to the boat and are not permitted for adjusting the position of a bait or lure in the water column. Once a power accessory is attached to the reel, the bait or lure may no longer be legally used to catch a fish and the bait or lure must be retrieved all the way to the boat for manual redeployment before it may be legally used to hook or catch a fish. Power accessories may not be attached to the reel during the deployment of a bait or lure. c) Power accessories must be physically removed from the reel before the act of hooking and/or fighting a fish. Any fish that strikes a bait or lure being fished with a reel with power accessories still attached—whether or not under electric operation—will not be eligible for record consideration. d) Electric reels that do not have removable electronic components that allow them to be completely manually driven are prohibited.

“Changes to the IGFA’s International Angling Rules are always something we handle with the utmost care,” said IGFA President Jason Schratwieser. “This rule in particular has been a point of contention for years, and we are pleased to announce this new language that we strongly feel adapts IGFA rules to the technology of our time, while not jeopardizing the core principles of IGFA ethics.” For more information, see igfa.org.

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APRIL 2021

NATIONAL 9

2/25/21 12:17 PM

By TAM Staff

LIFE ON THE TRAIL WITH

KRISTINE FISCHER

hose familiar with kayak bass tournaments have likely heard the name Kristine Fischer. She’s a driven angler from Weeping Water, Nebraska, who dropped out of the rat race a few years ago to hit the road and fish kayak tournaments. Since 2017, she’s proven she’s a lot more than just a breath of fresh air in a male-dominated sport. Fischer has amassed a strong resume from top national tournament trails like KBF, Hobie B.O.S. and B.A.S.S. In 81 tournaments, she’s tallied five firstplace victories and fished her way to top-10 finishes 27 times. Along the way, she’s picked up major sponsors like Tincup Whiskey, Hobie Fishing, Z-Man, PLANO, Hobie Eyewear, AFTCO, Omnia, CalCoast Fishing, Dakota Lithium batteries and Torqeedo. These sponsorships allow her to make a living as a professional kayak angler. And while she doesn’t deny her blonde hair and big smile have helped, the 33-year-old said it also drives her to build on her reputation as one of the fiercest competitors on the circuit. Here’s a little Q&A with Kristine Fischer:

Q: What led you to become a professional kayak angler? KF: My biggest fear has always been leading a life that lacked purpose and didn’t allow me to grow as a person. I’ve always craved adventure in some capacity and fully believe in the importance of submersing yourself in the wilderness as often as possible. To me, routines and having everything planned out can become mundane and almost robs us of spontaneity and ability to live in the moment. Being a full-time angler was a natural fit, given my love for fishing and my competitive nature. 10 NATIONAL

APRIL 2021

I mean, the family camping trips etched on your mind are the ones when gale-force winds destroyed the camp and raccoons stole the last bag of marshmallows. Life is what you make of it, whether it is on the road or at the end of a cul-de-sac. It’s all about your disposition.

Q: What’s the lifestyle on the road? KF: The Internet has a funny way of romanticizing road life. In reality, it’s hardly romantic. Replace sunsets wrapped in fuzzy blankets and barefoot nights by the fire with lights strung in the trees and drone shots of the RV rolling down a picturesque Route 66 with flat tires. Living on the road is 10-second cold showers, eating cans of gas-station beef ravioli with your fingers and praying you get to the next gas station before the truck runs out of fuel. It’s wrapping up a tournament in the Carolinas, knowing you’ve got one day to make it to west Texas. It’s utter chaos. Something always seems to go wrong at the most inconvenient time. It’s little sleep, a gas-station diet and pushing yourself to the limits in every capacity. Despite all that, there’s something about the road that lights my soul. I’ve always found the most joy in those moments of chaos. The best memories are made when everything goes south.

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Q: Tell us about being a successful woman in a male-dominated industry. KF: Successful women in fishing are a rarity, and therefore it’s much easier to get noticed. That fact has never sat well with me. I’m the type of person who needs to know I’m absolutely earning opportunities and that they aren’t coming to me simply because I’m a female with a big smile and blonde hair. I wanted to be recognized as a talented angler who is capable of winning any tournament on any given day. I set my sights on that. The sport is inundated with people who pose as anglers to take advantage of the industry. I’ve had to work to overcome negative stereotypes associated with women in the sport. Over the years, it’s gotten easier. The ability to record my tournaments has helped prove that I’m the “real deal.” Q: What are your goals for the 2021 season and into the future? KF: I’m gunning for AOY in the Hobie series, and I want to make “The TEN” for KBF. Future goals: qualifying for the Bassmaster Elites certainly has lingered on my mind. It’s a lofty goal, but I always appreciate a good challenge. Keep up with Kristine Fischer and her life on the tournament trail at her YouTube channel and through Facebook @kristinefischerfishing and Instagram @midwestfishergal.

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CHARLOTTE/PIEDMONT NC EDITION

In This Issue…. • Remembering Sonny Greene • What’s The New Normal? • Suds on the Water Billy Raines, Publisher TheAnglerMagCLT@gmail.com

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APRIL 2021

CHARLOTTE/PIEDMONT 1

Remembering a Fishing Buddy: Sonny Greene By: Ryan Wilson

2 CHARLOTTE/PIEDMONT

APRIL 2021

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I lost a mentor, fishing buddy, employee and genuine friend two nights ago. Sonny Greene passed suddenly and the wide circle of people who cared about him are in a state of shock. I am emotionally very raw and I apologize that this article is not as polished as it could be. Many readers will have known him personally and will have endured their own period of grief. Even those that hadn’t known him, will have at some point experienced a similar loss and my hope is that this article will not just serve my own catharsis, but will resonate with others. Mainly I want to honor his memory, even if I played just a small-bit side character in my friend’s story. I am unfortunately unequipped to really tell you who Sonny was. I knew him for only a brief few years and mostly in the context of fishing and the fly shop. Our relationship was just one small thread in the tapestry of human connection and impact made over a long and rich life. I can only tell you about the snapshot of a life that I was there to experience. His real story is told through the family that he built and loved, the friends he cherished and the thousands of people he shared a passion for fly fishing with, over a decades long career in the industry. Sonny maintained a love of our sport and a passion for sharing it that never waned. Into his seventies, he kept up a busy schedule as a guide because he got genuinely excited about other people catching fish. Some guides get frustrated with beginners and burned out on having to teach the same basic skills day in and out. This was not the case for Sonny. Sharing his passion for fishing, along with teaching the skills to be successful are what kept getting him up for many cold, early mornings. Although his body was surely tired by long days on the water, he was energized by the drive to provide an unforgettable experience for his clients. Although he was technically my employee at the Shop, Sonny had forgotten more about fly fishing than I will probably ever know. His decades of experience inside the industry and as a guide made him an invaluable resource to our customers and to me as a new business owner. But with all he knew, his advice was always shared without pretense. Whether he was showing how tie a basic knot for the ten thousandth time or mapping out prime fishing spots for a total stranger, Sonny was immensely generous with his time and knowledge. Where others guard their spots, their hot patterns or whatever else they feel might give them an edge, he never viewed fishing or life as a zero-sum game. Life is more fun when everyone is catching. Sonny had 100,000 flies, four of them were dries and they were never used. He swore the difference between a slow day and a great day was just one split shot. He would never leave fish to find fish, except when he did. He claimed to love dogs, even though he was dubiously allergic to them. He hated Tenkara. He might not be proud to admit it, but he recognized that mop flies sure caught a lot of trout. He had a closet full of Winston Rods, but a

trout caught on a Redington was just as caught. He loved to travel and catch trout in exotic places, but the Mitchell River was his home. He swore that any genuine BBQ joint must serve Hush Puppies. If asked about a fly, he would tie up half a dozen, provide step by step tying instructions and the materials to do it. If asked about a fishing spot, he would put together a hand drawn map with detailed notes and recommendations. He knew that fishing should be fun and that life should be lived. I can’t articulate how much I will miss my friend, Sonny. I will miss fishing with him, long drives, planning guide trips, catching up at the Shop and just learning from his experience. Of course, it wasn’t all about fishing. As I became a father, we expanded our conversations to parenthood. He told me about the nights rocking his own baby to sleep many years before; about the moments slipping away before your eyes. He loved his family and was so proud of his kids. He was a loving and dutiful son, still helping take care of his mother. He was an example of how to make a marriage work (it turns out the secret does involve a healthy amount of stream time). To the Shop, he is beyond irreplaceable and I won’t even begin to try. Without exaggeration, there are thousands of people who owe some portion of their fishing journey to Sonny Greene. Death is hard to talk about. It’s probably not something you expected to encounter in the local edition of The Angler. There is no easy way to lose someone that you care about. It will hurt and it’s ok for it to hurt. But that hurt cannot overwhelm the joy we got from being a part of that person’s life. I will remember Sonny every time my waders get wet. I will retell his stories. When I show a trick to a new angler, I’ll mention who taught it to me first. Countless others will do the same. In those small ways, we keep that memory alive and real. On the last day of his life, Sonny got to enjoy a day of fly fishing with his son David and grandson Tyler. I wasn’t there, but I didn’t have to be to know that more than once, the smile of a kid showed on that seventy-year-old face as he appreciated how fortunate he was to be living the life he was living. Sonny cared deeply about conservation and carrying on the fly-fishing tradition. If you are moved to contribute to a cause that he cared about, please consider a donation in any amount to the Rocky River Chapter of Trout Unlimited referencing the Sonny Greene Memorial Conservation & Flyfishing Fund (www.rockyrivertu.org). Ryan Wilson is the Owner and Operator of Madison River Fly Fishing Outfitters in Cornelius, NC. If you’d like help making the most of your time on the water, please contact him at madisonriverflyfishing@ gmail.com or call at (704) 896-3676. Check us out on Facebook: Madison River Fly Fishing Outfitters or on the Web: www. carolinaflyfishing.com

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APRIL 2021

CHARLOTTE/PIEDMONT 3

What's the New Normal? By: Michelle Armstrong

After a short sabbatical, The Angler Magazine is back in the game!

A year ago this month, life as we knew it came to a screeching halt. Literally. I am hopeful we walk away from this with "something".... a new outlook, more compassion, more patience, a stock pile of toilet paper, etc… 2020 was comparable somewhat to a challenging fishing day (year). It wasn't anything like what our thoughts held. It wasn't how we even dreamed. We tried to "fish it" the way we wanted to, the way we always did, but it kicked our asses. We were forced to uncomfortably adapt; To come completely out of our comfort zone. It was terrifying, it was frustrating, exhausting, and even tragic. It left us weary, and humble, though through it all, we persevered, and we learned. We came out different, wounded, but smarter. Because we learned. I don't usually get personal in my articles, but nothing is normal in these times right? I learned so much last year. Not all lessons were welcomed. I learned due to the three month closure of my nail salon that I "could" survive on minimal income. I learned that my job was VERY important, but not THE most important. I learned that, though pretty important, competitive fishing wasn't the most important thing after all. Stop gasping. I know a lot of fellows continued to compete. Key word here is "fellows" (that's a whole other article) but with minimal income, I had to put my passion on the back burner for now. I missed a whole season of national tournaments, AND fishing in general because no income ='s no gas/oil money ='s no fishing... but in that, I learned, and I grew (not just in my hind quarters). I learned that competitive fishing doesn't define who I am. What defines me is WHO I AM, and what I can offer. And that speaks for ALL of us. All that we are, is what we know, and what we can offer. So in that, I offered... My knowledge, and my time. Since I couldn't host my usual Bass Pro Shops seminars, I created (in my driveway) a few YouTube videos going waaaay back to the basics. I "offered" my knowledge of how to tie knots, to basic equipment, and the basics of how to catch fish. And it felt good. I took a police officer fishing. I took a child fishing. I took a veteran fishing. I captained for a high school team, and I guided for a charity. THAT is my worth. And that is your worth. At the end of the day, we close our eyes. What did we do? I won a tournament, I won a title, I won, but what did I REALLY do? I learned, I taught, I gave my knowledge away. I made difference in someone's life that I will never meet. And for that, I am famous, I am known, and I am blessed. Empower yourself in "the new normal"...give knowledge and give power to our future. We truly have no idea what the next years, heck the next minutes, have in store...be someone's reason in what ever way… New "normal" here we come...and we are going to make a difference. And we are going "to go catch fish". 4 CHARLOTTE/PIEDMONT

APRIL 2021

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Suds on the Water Questions from Our Lakes By Scott T. Fletcher

As you spend time on our Piedmont area reservoirs and waterbodies, you may start to observe things that you just cannot figure out or explain (other than “Normie,” the mythical Lake Norman beast). One such occurrence is the presence of foam on our reservoirs. State agencies, local water protection agencies (e.g., Mecklenburg County Storm Water Services), and power companies frequently receive reports of “suds” or “foamy areas” along the shoreline or floating in parallel streaks on the water. These areas of foam are typically the result of natural phenomenon and not man-made pollution. The foam most commonly occurs on waters with a high organic content (e.g., Lake Wylie, Lake Wateree, Blewett Falls Lake) and can be caused by the breakdown of aquatic plants in the fall and early winter. When the plants die and decompose, they release oils (aka surfactants) that rise to the lake surface. At the surface, the plant oils alter the surface tension of the water and the ever-present wind and wave action makes foam formation much easier by adding air to the mix. Sometimes this harmless foam can be a few inches in depth or more than a foot deep, with the right conditions. The dirty look or brown color of the foam is caused by the presence of chemical compounds called tannins (think tea) and stirred-up sediment. However, some foam on our waterbodies could be environmental pollution from a point (pipe) or non-point (surface runoff) source. So how can you tell the difference?

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• Natural foam is light and not slippery to the touch. • Natural foam typically has an earthy or fishy smell. The polluting version can have a flowery or perfumed smell. • Try this simple test: Collect a water/foam sample in a jar, shake and agitate the sample. If the foam breaks down, it is natural. If it is a pollutant, the synthetically produced detergents will form more bubbles. To report a foam situation that is not natural, a fish kill, or oil/hazardous material spill on our Piedmont and Charlotte area waterbodies in NC and SC call: • Appropriate NC Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) Regional Office (during office hours): • Mooresville Regional Office--704-663-1699 • Asheville Regional Office--828-296-4500 • Winston-Salem Regional Office--336-776-9800 • After hours and weekends--800-858-0368 • South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) Dispatcher • 800-922-5431 • South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) Dispatcher • 888-481-0125

Scott T. Fletcher is a certified wildlife biologist, conservationist, and outdoor enthusiast

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APRIL 2021

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Yamaha's New 252 FSH Sport and 255 FSH Sport E The Most Capable and Versatile Center Console Boats in Their Class

ew for 2021 is the exciting 25-foot Yamaha 252 FSH Sport and 255 FSH Sport E center console boats that are the most capable and versatile boats in their class. These larger models of Yamaha’s popular FSH Series are designed with the size, power, and fuel range for serious offshore adventures. The 252 FSH Sport features twin, Yamaha 1.8L High Output engines. These normally-aspirated engines are powerful, reliable, and virtually maintenance-free. Acceleration is instant, bow rise is minimal, and more deck space is available for fishing and fun. For buyers who want the most performance available, and the premium features that come with Yamaha's E-Series drive-by-wire features, the 255 FSH Sport E gets twin 1.8L supercharged Yamaha SVHO® marine engines for a combined 500-horsepower. Zero to 30 mph acceleration is a blistering five seconds with a top speed of 55 mph. In addition, the 255 FSH Sport E feature push-button start, dual throttle lever syncing, and more. Both models come with 111-gallon fuel tanks, the highest capacity fuel tanks Yamaha offers in a jet boat. Paired with Yamaha's fuelefficient engines, there is plenty of cruising range for boaters who want to explore beyond the harbor surf break.

Under the water line is an all-new deep-V hull design that responds immediately to steering input at all speeds and comes on plane instantly. The bow seating area is wide and long, providing ample space for taller passengers to stretch out. And of course, there is plenty of storage available under the hinged bow seats, stainless steel beverage holders in all the right places, and an expansive anchor and bow ladder locker for easy access. Moving into the spacious cockpit interior, there is a transparent live well located portside and a large storage pod topped with padded marine mat adjacent on the starboard side. There is a comfortable bench seat in the front of the center console that lifts up to reveal an extra deep, large storage area that can also serve as a changing room or a head compartment thanks to the curtain enclosure that is standard on all models. Both models are fitted with finished fiberglass hard tops with LED lighting and integrated audio speakers. Completing the tower are five rocket launcher rod holders mounted to the T-Top frame, and there are eight additional rod holders located under the port and starboard gunnels.

The helm is thoughtfully designed with a glass windshield, stainless steel sports steering wheel, locking glove box, and 12-inch Simrad® marine electronics. Also included is Yamaha's Connext® 3.0 helm control system with a 7-inch touchscreen that controls the entertainment and vital system functions of the boat, a mobile phone holder, and USB/AUX ports. Behind the helm is beam width bench seating, a starboard side live bait well, and a low walkthrough transom for easy access to Yamaha's signature stern lounge area. This is the place to be when hanging out at your favorite cove, and a great open access place to cast from. Completing the stern area are stainless steel beverage holders, high-quality padded flooring, a stainless-steel tow eye, and a telescopic reboarding ladder. They also feature underwater lights. From bow to stern, there is nothing cookiecutter about Yamaha's new 25-foot center console boats. From their striking good looks to industry-first innovations, Yamaha's 252/255 FSH Series models let you do it all on the water, in style and with peace of mind. Learn more at YamahaBoats.com

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GILL FISHING OVERTON SHIRT

hen the heat of summer arrives, Gill Fishing’s Overton shirt will keep you dry, cool and clean thanks to its lightweight, breathable fabric treated with Gill’s exclusive XPEL water and stain resistance technology. New for Spring 2021, the Overton is capable of repelling water, blood, and other filth you may encounter while fishing. Gill loaded the Overton with smart fishing features, including dual chest pockets, concealed, snag-proof press stud fasteners, a micro-fiber panel to wipe sunglasses, a self-fabric strip to hang sunglasses or a small tool, and roll-up sleeves with a retainer loop and button. Gill has been trusted on the water for more than 40 years, and they’ve delivered yet another dependable piece for hardcore anglers. The Overton’s stylish design makes its just as capable off the water, providing anglers a shirt they can wear anywhere. It’s available in two colors, white and blue check, and sizes XS through 4XL. www.gillfishing.com COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

APRIL 2021

NATIONAL 15

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EZ ANCHOR: Must-Have Solution for Fiberglass Boat Builders is the Charter Captain’s Best-Kept Secret

s charter captains, the time-consuming task of dropping and retrieving anchors not only becomes tedious, it cuts into valuable manpower, time and profits. Capt. Phillip Ridge, a Florida native, couldn’t settle for a typical windlass to anchor his fleet. “I have had [an E-Z Anchor Puller] unit on the bow of three different boats,” the founder of Blue Runner Charters said. “I was one of the very first captains in the area to install them... [they are] the best by far.” Charter fishermen across the United States have depended on the speed of E-Z Anchor Puller’s drum anchor winch for more than 30 years. Now, the value of owning an E-Z Anchor Puller for commercial fishing is recognized as the windlass upgrade customers want on their boats straight from the factory. Among the first fiberglass boat builders to embrace these true, freefall winches for center consoles is SeaVee, which had already been a familiar, customer-driven installer of the Classic series. Shurhold CEO Barry Berhoff, who personally installed the Rebel EZ-4 on his 40’ SeaVee, gave praise to the quality of the “strong, marinegrade piece of equipment” in a Youtube testimonial. Following in SeaVee’s footsteps, Georgia boat builder Carolina Skiff began factory-installing the Rebel EZ-4 on their Sea Chaser 35’ HFC Center Console after a company representative praised the brand from personal experience. “It works so great on our 35, I decided I needed to have one on my own personal boat.” Ed Johnston, Manufacturing Representative for Carolina Skiff, said of his E-Z Anchor Puller drum anchor winch. Sea Pro Boats recently debuted the 320 Deep-V series at the Miami

International Boat Show in 2020 with the Rebel EZ-4 as the factoryinstallation. The Rebel series appeals to boat owners and boat builders who need a versatile, no-jam solution that can hold ½” nylon rope or ¼” dyneema. What further sets Rebel anchor winches apart from the competition is its true, free-fall capabilities. Unlike other anchoring solutions, which manufacture “free-fall” mechanisms for emergency use only, E-Z Anchor Puller units are created to free-fall for regular, everyday use. Activating free-fall is simple. Press the “down” button for a quick 2-second push, the drum winch disengages the clutch plate and releases it to free-spool as fast as gravity allows. To quickly and neatly retract the line back onto the spool, press the “power up” side. Other notable fiberglass boat brands with E-Z Anchor Puller installations include Albemarle, Insetta Boatworks and Southport, with a plethora of customer and E-Z Anchor Puller authorized installers fitting Patriot EZ-3 and Rebel EZ-4 and EZ-5 units below deck.

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DEXTER BRAKERITE AND DISC BRAKES

exter’s BrakeRite electronic/hydraulic actuator features rapid response for improved braking distance, an electronic proportional pressure valve for consistent braking, dual fill caps for easy maintenance, and is compatible with most in-cab electronic brake controllers. BrakeRite offers two models to easily match your disc or drum brake application. The BrakeRite Plug & Play model simplifies field installation by offering a plug-in wiring harness; whereas, the standard BrakeRite EHB model has a hard-wire configuration. Both models feature a large reservoir designed for single, tandem and triple axle applications. Dexter knows corrosion resistance is important on all types of marine trailers in freshwater and saltwater environments. Dexter disc brakes are designed using brass fittings, stainless steel guide bolts and sleeves, and stainless steel pistons. Rotors are offered in GAL-DEX premium marine coating and stainless steel. When combined with Dexter’s Eliminator axles with removable spindles or Dexter’s Versa~Flex adjustable arm axles, they provide a proven record of performance and reliability, superior braking, in-cab control and www.dexteraxle.com corrosion resistance.

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n Feb. 28, veteran Georgia trout guide Joe DiPietro caught a 32-inchlong brown trout that weighed 18 pounds, 2.4 ounces. It absolutely crushed the 9-year-old Toccoa River record of 12-pounds, 3.4 ounces. The fish was a long time coming. DiPietro has guided and fished this Blue Ridge, Ga. tailrace for more than two decades. He’s seen and caught monsters, but nothing close to the beast that picked up one of his own Pat’s Rubber Leg’s variations during a guides’ day off with his fishing buddy Colby White. The fish was not a stranger. Georgia WRD staff have reported a huge brown in the area that feasts on catchable-sized trout as they are stocked in the river. DiPietro, however, was not specifically targeting the fish. If he had been, he would have geared up. He was fishing a 10-foot, 5-weight rod. The size 6 stonefly anchoring his two-nymph rig was secured with 2-pound-test tippet. After the first couple runs, DiPietro knew light line was going to be an issue. White pulled anchor on the driftboat and rowed like a madman to keep up with the fish, which carried them several holes upstream. “It’s the biggest trout I’ve ever seen in my life,” DiPietro said. “Colby fell in trying to net him. I just threw Colby the net and told him to go get that fish. He lost a shoe, flooded his waders and went up to his neck in 42-degree water. I mean… the line was wrapped around his head. It really is amazing the tippet held.” For more on trout fishing Georgia’s Toccoa River, visit www.blueridgetroutfishing.com.

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