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CHARLOTTE/PIEDMONT, NC EDITION

Inside: Paddlesports Review

SUP FISHING TIPS

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Big Fish And Little Plastic Boats By Nick Carter; Photos by Eric McDonald

hese guys stole a chapter out of “The Old Man and the Sea.” While fishing a 2014 kayak tournament in the Bahamas, angler Matt Eckert had an adventure of epic proportions. He hooked into a 500-pound blue marlin while sitting on the deck of a little plastic boat. It dragged him 32 miles over an 11-hour fight. Eckert admits he was unbelievably lucky to get his hands on the leader, making it an official catch before the fish continued having its way with him. “I grabbed the leader with my hand, and it was like a bomb went off next to me. It almost spooled me 10 hours into the fight,” Eckert said. “The only reason I was able to get the leader was he made a big airplane turn and swam right by me.” That’s about as extreme as fishing gets. The kayak trips Eckert and his partner Eric McDonald guide out of Boynton Beach, Fla., might seem tame in comparison. But there aren’t many who would consider catching sailfish from a kayak to be tame. Deep Blue Kayak Fishing offers standard inshore and freshwater trips, but they specialize in taking groups of up to six anglers off the beach in rigged-out peddle-drive Hobie kayaks to chase big pelagics. They don’t use motherships or support boats. Their location on the southeast coast of Florida is one of the only places in the world where their style of fishing is possible. At times, the Gulf Stream swings in as close as 8 miles off the beach and brings with it fishing that would normally require long runs offshore. “When the east wind picks up, it brings everything in,” said McDonald. “It brings in the grass and the baitfish, which brings in the pelagics.” Deep Blue doesn’t force clients on an 8-mile death-peddle out to the Gulf Stream. Less than a half-mile off the beach, the reef tops out at about 45 feet and drops precipitously into 100-foot depths on the backside. Within sight of shore, they drift with the current and slowly peddle-troll live baits from the reef out into 200-foot depths and back. Each kayak pulls a single bait on a kingfish-style rig, and six anglers working together can pull a pretty impressive spread. The fish are impressive, too. “We’re so close to the Gulf Stream, you never know what you’re going to get,” said McDonald. “It seems like everyone wants a billfish, and sailfish are our most common catch. It’s sailfish from October into maybe June. Then the rest of the year it’s big king mackerel.” A smoker king or 65-pound sailfish will take a kayak angler on a

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serious sleigh ride. The typical fight stretches out over 3 or 4 miles of water and lasts anywhere from 45 minutes to two hours. “We usually start out trying to get a sailfish first thing in the morning. Then you’re trolling looking for meat,” McDonald said. “A good day would consist of a sailfish and three or four more meat fish.” Kingfish, blackfin tuna, wahoo, mahi-mahi, grouper, snapper and cobia are some of the species that regularly find a spot in the deck-mounted fish bags. Because of a kayak’s limited range, Deep Blue stays in contact with the local charter fleet to share intel, and word of a good grass line might call for a trek out into 400-foot depths in search of mahi. But what kayaks lack in range they make up for in stealth. McDonald said they are sometimes able to peddle over and through bait balls and schooling fish that an outboard would definitely spook. “We just look like another piece of debris floating out there,” he said. “We get a lot of sea turtles that come check us out, and a lot of times mahi will be right under the boat.” Because of the physical nature of kayak fishing, Deep Blue limits its trips to five hours on the water. Depending on the wind and currents, a five-hour drift can take you 20 miles or more from where you put in. But they won’t make you peddle all the way back to the put-in. With a series of different take-out points, the end of a trip is usually a straight shot back to shore, hopefully in a kayak loaded down with fresh fish. Check out Deep Blue Kayak Fishing Charters at deepbluekayakfishing.com or give them a call at (561) 350-8764.

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Putting In The Time:The Man Behind The Design By Ryan Drygas

evin Hawkins, owner of Kaku Kayaks, is not your typical kayak manufacturer. He’s a fisherman who tests and uses his own product and has made a living doing what he loves. In the quiet beachfront town of Tarpon Springs, Fla. Kaku Kayaks was born out of the idea of “life on the water.” Initially, Hawkins took up kayaking to get into springs, go scalloping, spearfishing and basic exercise. He fell in love with the ease of use, the peace of the water and the idea that you can pick-up and drop-in anywhere and take off to parts unknown. What started as a hobby turned into a passion, and an idea was born. At the time, Hawkins also had an interest in mountain biking, so in 2007 he started an outfitter shop to combine his two favorite outdoor activities. As time went on, Hawkins realized the products

he was selling weren’t holding up to his idea of a true paddle-craft, so he made the decision to stop reselling and focus on inventing. The idea was there, the knowledge was out there, all he had to do was find a way to put it all together. Hawkins spent five years working in other fields and saving money. All the while, he was learning the trade of roto-molding, studying different plastics, shaping, design and everything else he could possibly absorb about creating the perfect paddle-craft. Hawkins slowly made his dream become a reality by piecing together his company one step at a time. Eventually, the time came for Kaku Kayak to step out into the world of kayak angling. In late 2014, Hawkins took a crosscountry trip and tested his paddle-craft in every condition of water you can think of. From Florida to Texas, Hawkins fished rivers, creeks, lakes, inlets, offshore oil rigs and everything else in between. When he posted photos showcasing the Kahuna on social media, he knew he was onto something special. The Kahuna just might be the ultimate fishing SUP, designed, tested and tweaked by a hardcore fisherman. The response flooded in, with comments like: “Where can I get that?” and “That looks like a fisherman’s dream.” Requests for the Kahuna were not in short supply. Hawkins’ dream had become a reality, but he knew his inventing days weren’t over. The success of the Kahuna led to the birth of the Wahoo, a kayak fisherman’s dream. Designed to be simplistic yet fully capable of top-of-the-line rigging, the Wahoo will cut through the water like a downhill train. People from all over the country were noticing the unique design of the paddle-crafts coming out of Kaku Kayak. Still, Hawkins knew he could do more. The blended idea of the Kahuna and Wahoo brought forth one of today’s most sought-after paddle-crafts. The Voodoo is a combination of Kayak and SUP, a design that is a perfect mix of balance, comfort and mobility. We can only imagine what is going to come out of Kaku Kayak in the future! Check out Kaku Kayak at kakukayak.com.

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BOAT REVIEW NuCanoe Frontier 12

The NuCanoe Frontier 12 is an incredible fishing platform. Just spend a few minutes fishing on the Frontier 12, and you’ll be hooked. First thing you’ll notice is that, unlike other kayaks, it has a very clean deck with a lot of open space. There’s not a lot to get in your way, and there’s no limit to how you can set it up and outfit it. Solo or tandem, rigged up or stripped down, paddle, trolling motor or outboard, the options are unlimited. You’ll be blown away by the Frontier 12’s stability. It’s unlike any canoe or kayak you’ve been in before. You feel completely comfortable whether seated or standing. Your movements barely affect how it rides on the water. So, when it comes time to cast and fight a fish, you’re not even thinking about being in a kayak, you’re just locked in to the battle! Adding an outboard to the Frontier 12 is an ideal solution for anglers who want a great fishing experience but don’t want to spend a lot of time paddling. The Honda 2.3hp outboard moves the Frontier 12 at a very nice clip and is surprisingly easy to control. Whether you are going 500 feet or 5 miles, the outboard will get you to where you want to be quickly and comfortably. Then kill the motor, grab your rod, stand up and enjoy your unlimited fishing experience.

Learn more + find your local NuCanoe dealer at www.nucanoe.com | 888.226.6310

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Paddlesports| 1. Log Kayak Rack

Looking for a way to store your kayaks, canoes or paddleboards? You’d be hard-pressed to find a sturdier, more convenient or better-looking solution than a Log Kayak Rack. Individually constructed in the U.S.A. from weather-resistant white cedar, Log Kayak Racks are extremely strong and durable. They’re built to hold heavy loads and provide many years of service. They are available with capacity for two to eight boats, and racks can also be customized to meet your specific needs. Need a place off the ground to store a paddleboat, rowboat or any hand-launched vessel? Give Log Kayak Rack a call. They’ll custom design a rack for you. Well-considered design makes lifting boats in and out of the rack easy. Locking down boats is a cinch with standard cable locks. Racks can be bolted to a dock or anchored to the ground, and there are even Log Kayak Racks designed to hang on the wall. Visit their website to see what Log Kayak Rack has to offer, then give them a call at (715) 543-2006 to discuss the best solution for safely storing your fleet of kayaks, canoes and paddleboards.

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2. 2019 Hobie Mirage Outback

For more than a decade, Hobie’s Mirage Outback has peddled along without any major redesigns. With a kayak this close to perfection, there hasn’t been a need. However, for 2019, Hobie has taken the world’s best-selling pedaldrive kayak and made it even better. The 2019 Mirage Outback is a fishing machine built to handle any trip, from pond prowling to offshore expeditions. An extra-wide deck offers an improved and more stable casting platform and vantage point for sight fishing. The revolutionary Guardian Transducer Shield protects your vision below. The new Vantage CTW seat is roomier and more comfortable. Four molded-in rod holders, multiple deluxe H-Track mounts and numerous high-capacity storage compartments ensure all your gear is at your fingertips. Powered by the MirageDrive 180 with ARC Cranks + Turbo Fins, this vessel is versatile, fast, quiet and nimble. It now features the Kick-Up Rudder system with dual steering.

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3. Kaku Voodoo

Kaku Voodoo The all-new Kaku Voodoo is the ultimate sight-casting paddle craft. This authentic fishing paddle craft has a unique look and performance. It’s part kayak, part paddleboard, with some micro skiff qualities. The Kaku Voodoo is like a personal deck yak. It has incredible stability, while maintaining good paddling efficiency. The performance of this paddle craft is lifted to an even higher level with the included Voodoo Chair, which is unlike anything on the market today. The Voodoo Chair has a beefy aluminum structure, a perfect amount of cushion, and off-the-charts utility, giving the paddler a high and low seating position, leaning chair,

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as well as a standing platform, without having to adjust anything. It’s mounted securely on 30-inch aluminum tracks, allowing for trimming as necessary. Top it all off with great storage and five Micro Powerpole mounts, which allow for multiple or single Powerpoles while also offering motor mounting. Check out the Voodoo’s higher-level capabilities today.

KakuKayak.com

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2. 4. Watershed Goforth Duffel

A dry bag is a necessity when you’re fishing from a kayak, canoe or SUP. Watershed’s Goforth is a darn good one. Step on it, stand on it or stomp around on it, no matter what you do, it won’t leak. The Goforth is a dry bag with mobility and versatility in mind. It features low-profile lash points along with a 2” nylon removable waist belt to make it ideal for on-the-go water enthusiasts. From the incredibly strong Airtight ZipDry closure to the 420 denier Cordura nylon ripstop fabric coated with polyurethane, it’s hard to know what to love most about the Goforth. Ideal for fishing, boating or just messing about on the water, this madein-the-U.S.A. duffel also features rugged carrying handles and multiple compression straps. Plus, it looks great on! Specs: Dimensions Rolled - 9”x16”x7.25” Capacity Rolled - 640 cu in (10.5L) Opening Size - 13” Weight - 1.5 lbs.

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5. Salt Marsh Skiffs Savanna

The new Savanna from Salt Marsh Skiffs is a kayak/skiff hybrid that offers a kayak’s ease of use with the capability to handle more diverse conditions and loads. Designed to handle two full size adults, it has a self-bailing cockpit fully loaded. The overall length of 14’ is long enough to accommodate 4 fly rods. The beam is 40” at the waterline, offering great stability that makes it a great fishing platform. The Savanna can be paddled, rowed, poled or powered depending on the need. It can putt around with a lightweight 2.5hp outboard or go long distance at up to 21mph with a 9.9hp engine. Perhaps the most intriguing option is the 3hp electric engine capable of cruising at 3mph with a range of up to 12-miles. For short bursts, the electric can reach speeds close to 6mph. The Savanna is right at home in rougher water and heavy boat traffic with a 14” free board. It can be easily be equipped for a variety of uses with the many accessories available from the kayak fishing world. If you’re ready to move up from a kayak and expand your horizons without the complexity and expense of a full-size skiff, the Savanna deserves a look.

SaltMarshSkiffs.com

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DeFoe Slams Door On Hometown Bassmaster Classic Victory B.A.S.S. photo by Andy Crawford

or decades, it seemed almost impossible for an angler to win the Bassmaster Classic in his home state. Now it’s happened four times in six years. On the final day of the Classic March 17, Tennessee pro Ott DeFoe, of Knoxville, caught five bass that weighed 18 pounds, 14 ounces to win the Super Bowl of Bass Fishing and the $300,000 prize. The event was held on the Tennessee River in Knoxville. DeFoe’s three-day total weight of 49-3

helped him slip past second-place angler Jacob Wheeler at the weighin before a raucous home crowd at the University of Tennessee’s Thompson-Boling Arena. The world-championship bass tournament drew a record attendance of 153,809. “This is a dream come true—a dream I’ve had since I was a 9-yearold kid,” said DeFoe. “When we came over here and did the walkthrough the day before the tournament, I actually imagined hearing my name after the words ‘Bassmaster Classic champion.’ “For it to happen now… I just keep thinking I’m gonna wake up.” DeFoe lives in Knoxville—and since few others in the 52-angler field had much experience on the tournament waters of Fort Loudon and Tellico lakes—he was one of the obvious favorites coming into the event. But things didn’t go smoothly for him all three days. After catching 20 pounds during Friday’s opening round, DeFoe caught five bass that weighed just 10-5 Saturday—and he said that tough day might have been the best thing that could have happened. “If I would have had a good Day 2—if I’d had even 14 or 15 pounds—I might have been totally committed to what I was doing,” DeFoe said. “…But the fact that it just didn’t work for me, that caused me to just scrap it all. I just

went fishing today, and that’s exactly what I needed to do.” DeFoe spent Day 1 far from the shoreline fishing shallow tips of points. His primary bait was a Storm Arashi Vibe lipless crankbait in the “rusty craw” pattern, which he doctored with orange, red and black Sharpies. On the second day, DeFoe switched to shallow boat docks when a strong north wind interfered with his pattern. His bait of choice around the docks—a 3/8-ounce bladed jig— helped him land three of his five keepers on Day 2. He used the bladed jig again Sunday but moved to the outside wall of a marina after a conversation with Keith Poche, a Classic competitor who failed to make the cut for Championship Sunday. On the water Sunday, after boating one of the bass that helped seal the victory, Defoe said he was going to give Poche a big old bear hug.

Bassmaster Classic Top-10 1. Ott Defoe, 49-3, $302,500 2. Jacob Wheeler, 45-3, $52,500 3. Jesse Wiggins, 43-14, $40,000 4. Michael Iaconelli, 42-9, $30,000 5. Mark Daniels Jr., 41-12, $26,250 6. Brandon Lester, 40-5, $22,000 7. Wesley Strader, 39-8, $21,500 8. Edwin Evers, 39-7, $22,250 9. Dean Rojas, 35-6, $20,500 10. Brandon Palaniuk, 34-15, $20,000

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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT Unsinkable Polarized Mirror Sunglasses

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Unsinkable brings a lot more to the table than just being unsinkable. Their premium polarized glasses feature lenses made from a proprietary lens material called Polyamide, which has the optics of glass combined with the lightweight feel of polycarbonate, resulting in crystal-clear vision. New for 2019, Unsinkable’s lineup now offers blue and green mirror polarized lenses, providing another level of sun glare protection. These lenses reflect glare from every possible angle and offer super crisp, saturated, color acuity. A proprietary blue light barrier filters harmful blue light, allowing colors to blast, and a hydrophobic coating protects against salt, sweat and smudges. Other features include anti-scratch coating, 100 percent UV protection, they are BPA free, and boast injected and decentered optics. All Unsinkable glasses are lightweight and impact resistant, and provide 10 percent visual light transmittance (VLT). Blue mirror lenses are available in six wrap sunglass styles, ideal for blocking out glare while searching out signs of baitfish or gamefish. Blue mirrors are best suited for bright sunlight conditions and are an excellent choice for offshore and coastal fishing and boating. Green mirror lenses are available in four wrap sunglass styles, which reflect glare from every possible angle. They are best suited for variable light conditions and an excellent choice for anyone who spends a lot of time fishing or boating inshore waters or freshwater. Unsinkable Polarized Sunglasses will never sink, but in case they do float away, you are covered by Unsinkable’s groundbreaking Lifetime plus Loss warranty. The MSRP on the new Unsinkable premium polarized mirror sunglasses is $159. To checkout their complete lineup of products, go to https://unsinkablepolarized.com/.

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Center sp ie Vaine By Jeram

tand up paddling covers a wide variety of activities. From the casual cruise on a calm lake to adrenaline fueled wave surfing. But I’ve found myself spending more time on my stand up paddleboard (SUP) with a fishing rod. Two good friends, Chris Hollingsworth and Ken Hoeve, opened my eyes to world of SUP fishing. Hearing their stories, seeing the fish they caught and the ear-to-ear smiles are what inspired me. I grew up on a small New England lake, where I spent countless hours fishing. But I never really thought about fishing from an SUP… until speaking with Chris and Ken. Besides hearing the stories and seeing the fun times, the biggest appeal of SUP fishing is its simplicity. All you need is a board, a paddle and a fishing rod. Whether you’re an angler who wants to try fishing from an SUP or a paddler interested in fishing, here are some tips for getting into SUP fishing.

• What’s the right board? These days, manufacturers make fishing-specific boards that make fishing from an SUP easier. They are awesome, but they’re not absolutely necessary for someone just getting started. The most important thing is to find a board you can comfortably paddle without falling in. My general rule is a board over 30 inches wide and longer than 10 feet. It will have the stability to stand and fish, while remaining portable. If you’re concerned about falling in or losing your fishing gear, use a tether to tie it off to your board. Don’t tie gear to your person, it could hinder your ability to swim if you do fall in. • Where and when to go? Like any outdoor activity, and probably more so, weather is crucial. With an SUP, calm days are definitely better. Wind and rough conditions make it challenging, which eliminates the fun factor. Smaller bodies of water are a great place to start, as they are more protected from wind and do not have a lot of boat traffic. For these reasons, I prefer freshwater lakes. But a little experience on a board opens up a whole world of inshore action on saltwater. An SUP is a great, elevated platform to fish from during a calm day along the mangroves or up in the backwaters. • What to bring? For beginners, it’s best to keep it simple. I started SUP fishing 18

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with one spinning rod, pre-rigged with a single tried-and-true lure. It limited my catch, but having just one option allows you to enjoy time on the water without fussing with gear. Again, experience will guide preferences, but starting simple can save a lot of headaches. Of course the safety rules of SUP still apply. You’ll need a paddle leash and a lifejacket. • What to fish for? I really enjoy bass fishing, but some of my most fun days were with my nephews catching perch. Other people seek out trout in rivers and saltwater fish like snook, seatrout and redfish. If it can be caught from a boat, it can be caught from atop an SUP. Head out on the water, take a few casts and see what you think. If it develops into a passion, you might find yourself paddling a board that resembles a fully rigged fishing skiff.

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Apalachicola National Forest features many paddling opportunities. Photo courtesy of Colin Hackney, Visit Florida.

here may not be an area better suited for the paddle sports enthusiast than Franklin County, Fla. The Apalachicola River and its system of tributaries and creeks make the area a paddler’s paradise that offers paddling options for everyone. With more than 80 percent of Franklin County’s 545 square miles publically owned and preserved as wilderness areas, there are literally hundreds of miles of rivers, creeks and coastal shallows to explore by canoe or kayak. From floating pristine rivers by canoe to

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the challenges of a long-distance sea kayak adventure along a remote coastline, Franklin County has it all! The Apalachicola River Paddling Trail System is broken into 11 separate smaller trail sections. Paddlers at all levels of ability will enjoy these canoeing and kayaking trails that are comprised of nearly 100 miles through the swamps of the Apalachicola River. Distances range from short, easy trips to multi-day river trips flowing into open bays of the Gulf of Mexico. These trails not only offer breathtaking scenery and wildlife encounters, but the fishing in these places is amazing! As the river carries you to the bay, you can expect to catch both fresh and saltwater species like bass, bream, speckled trout and the mighty red drum. Tackle selection is easy. A few basic lures is all it takes: spinnerbaits, Texas-rigged worms and a topwater lure, like a Bagley Bang-O-Lure will get the bass bites in the flowing waters of the river. Cast to anything that creates a current break and hold on! As the water turns salty, a gold spoon and jigs tipped with curly tail grubs or a Gulp Shrimp are mainstays for trout and redfish success, but these fish smash topwaters, as well… especially walking baits like a Rapala Skitterwalk. Any one of the local tackle shops will help you gear up with lure types, colors and sizes best suited for the season and conditions. Or you can fill your bucket with the live bait. That’s always a sure bet. Don’t miss the Paddle Jam event and races April 5-7. Come be a part of this annual attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the largest raft of kayakers! Also enjoy other events like the Antique & Classic Boat & Car Show April 20 and the annual Carrabelle Riverfront Festival featuring maritime exhibits, arts and crafts, seafood, live music and a classic car show April 26-27. Bring your kayak or paddleboard and a love for adventure and fun. For more info and a complete list of rentals, charters, supplies and more, visit www.floridasforgottencoast.com.

Florida’s Forgotten Coast

Visit Floridasforgottencoast.com/ca

for complete launch, marina, guide and tackle information

SOUTHEAST

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3/18/19 10:59 AM

BLUE RIDGE

North GA’s Full Service Fly Shop

his time of year, we’re usually writing about hatching insects and the blooming of springtime. With all the rain we’ve had, fly fishing high water seems a better topic. Fishing high water can be very productive, especially if the angler knows what to look for. Understanding hydraulics and likely locations to cast can produce good fish. Here are some tips for fishing high water: • High water is faster and causes insects to lose hold of whatever they’re clinging to. This means there is more food in the water, which makes trout lively. • High water is usually stained. Trout are not as spooky and many times will move into the open to feed. • High water, at times, will cause trout to move to the outer banks of the stream, where they can rest in less-turbulent water. • Use attention-getting flies. Try large streamers in dark colors, articulating patterns, large sculpin patterns, and do not forget about worm patterns like the San Juan or Squirmy Worm. • High water is a good time to fish with a buddy. • High water is also a good time to cinch that wading belt tight. It could help save your life. • Use a wading staff for balance and to check depth. • Bring a heavy 5- or 6-weight. Do not be shy with weight. Use whatever amount is needed to get flies to the bottom. When casting weight, be sure to use more of a lob cast. You don’t want that weight to hit your rod. • Rig your leader with 3x or even 2x tippet. Line is less visible in stained water, and big trout might be on the prowl. • Throw streamers either at or along the bank and strip. At times, throwing across and stripping back on a swing can get the rod almost jerked out of your hand. Cast to breaks caused by logs or large rocks, where trout hold out of the current. • Know when to stop because of unsafe conditions. Reel Em In Guide Service will be at the Blue Ridge Trout Fest in Blue Ridge, Ga. on April 27 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. I’ll be giving a presentation on private water. If you are a first-timer, we have several instructors schooled in the art of teaching fly fishing. If you are new to the area and need a place to go, give us a call. If big water is intimidating or if the Toccoa River DH is too rough for you to wade, we float the Toccoa with drift boats.

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BLUE RIDGE

3/18/19 10:09 AM

new term is being thrown around in the bass fishing world, and it is spreading like wildfire. This term is “hawg wallows.” It describes a concentrated area where a school of mature female largemouths settle to the bottom. Each individual selects a spot to rest and relax while staying in close proximity to all other fish in the same school. While lying almost motionless with tail, anal fins and pectorals moving slightly to maintain balance and stability, silt is gently removed. This action creates a small crater, very similar to a shellcracker bed, only much larger in individual size. It is not unusual to detect 50 or more wallows in an area about the size of a two-car garage, or 300 to 500 square feet, which in turn indicates 50 or more

bass. Yes, 50! This pattern is not a shallow-water anomaly. Actually, it is more likely to be found in deeper water, from 15 to 25 feet, near separated contour lines that identify gradual depth changes. Don’t look for hawg wallows on sharp ledges or rocky outcrops. They will usually be along sloping ravines where there is a soft bottom. I think these schools of bass are prespawn fish biding time for egg development or waiting for conducive water temperatures and weather patterns to migrate up to the spawning grounds. On the other hand, the wallows I found in February last year emptied out only to refill throughout the early summer. Now, let’s get down to the brass tacks on how to detect these hawg wallows and determine which fields of wallows are active versus those that are abandoned. Using side scan only on your Humminbird, adjust to 75 feet on either side with contours showing. Investigate the areas in your lake that match my description of likely locations. Look closely for multiple large indentions near the suggested depth. When spotted, move your curser to hover over the targeted area and zoom in. Mark the spot, especially if a white streak or multiple streaks are detected in or near the selected crater. Then mark a GPS location and toss a buoy marker. Back off to casting distance, put your Minn Kota on spot lock, pull a Big Bite Fighting Frog into the chaos and hold on. Repeat. With the newest side-imaging technology, Humminbird and Minn Kota with the spot-lock feature have changed the face of bass fishing forever. Try it. You’ll like it. During the last weekend of February on Lake Eufaula, a bass tournament was won using this method with a total weight of 34 pounds for the best five and a total of 40 bass caught by two anglers in three hours. With the win assured, these anglers departed to look for more wallows and future success. P.S. In the Deep South, we might just call them “wallers.” Billy Darby is a retired professional guide on Lake Eufaula. He can be reached at imfishing4u@windstream.net or 229-768-2369.

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3/18/19 10:41 AM

Rent This Fisherman’s Dream!

hose who think Gulf red snapper seasons are short should check out the sturgeon season on Cheboygan County, Michigan’s Black Lake. More than 400 registered anglers showed up on the ice Saturday, Feb. 2 for a season that lasted only 78 minutes before the six-fish quota was met. It hardly seems worth it, except to the lucky anglers who managed to bag a sturgeon. It’s one of the few sturgeon harvest opportunities available, and hook-andline fishing as well as spearing the prehistoric fish are allowed. With a heavy Michigan DNR presence on-hand and embedded within ice fishing communities, catches were tracked and anglers were notified of the season’s close by phone and text messages as well as with signal cannons, mortar rounds and fireworks. The first four sturgeon harvested were males ranging from 52 to 60 inches, and 25 to 47 pounds. The final two fish were females ranging from 61 to 72 inches long, and 54 to 80 pounds. Three of the six fish taken had been captured before by Michigan State University and the DNR during spring spawning runs in the Black River. A harvested 56inch male originally was captured in the 2009 spring spawning run. A 60-inch male had been captured and tagged during the 2004, 2010 and 2017 spawning runs. The largest fish, a 72-inch female, had been captured and tagged during the 2003, 2007 and 2012 spawning runs in the Black River.

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INSIDE Catching & Keeping Live Bait The Science Line: The Weather Can Kill our Fish If you are Looking for a Fight, You Better Run Brookies and Band-Aids: Personal Safety on the River Get out of the Bed Meet Frank Parsons Better Bed Fishing Springtime Striper Blitz

April 2019 Forecasts for: Norman, Wylie, High Rock/Badin/Tuckertown

Josh and Kaydence Herman Photo courtesy of Terry Herman

For editorial comments, articles, photography, advertising and all other inquiries please email Simmons@theanglermagazine.com or call Doug or Juli at 980-333-7273 Visit our website at: www.TheAnglerMag.com/Charlotte Like us on Facebook at: The Angler Magazine Charlotte, NC COASTALANGLERMAG.COM â€¢ THE ANGLERMAG.COM

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Forecast for

HIGH ROCK/BADIN/ TUCKERTOWN DAM BY: DARIN BROWN

A HWY. 49 36488 SPORTING GOODS NC 49 Hwy, New London, NC 28127 704-463-7053 Tuckertown Lake 49sports.com

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C A N D O R - $ 5 72 , 000 Farmers Market Rd. 4/10 mile from 73/74. 11 ac pond on property w/huge bass. 14 lb. bass has been documented. Currently organic farming practices w/ tobacco crop being planted for next year. Irrigation sys, plenty of road frontage, Water line in R1127989 place, sewer line is near. MLS# 3445068

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Hwy. 49 Sporting Goods (704) 463-7053 www.49sports.com

pril is a prime month for catching slab crappies. As the water temperature climbs into the high 50’s they will move into shallow water to spawn. Crappies usually spawn in water depths between 18 inches and 4 feet on the Yadkin river Lakes, although in clear water they may spawn deeper. The traditional method of casting small jigs or minnows below a bobber still catches a lot of fish during the spawn. Slow trolling or drift ing multiple crappie poles (spider rigging) out from a potential spawning area is another great way to fi ll the live well. This is the best time of year to catch crappie from the bank. Several public bank fishing areas that seem to consistently produce fish during the spring spawning season are: Stokes Ferry road bridge across Riles Creek and the two bridges on River road (River road runs from Stokes Ferry Road to Bringle Ferry Road) on Tuckertown Lake, Bringle Ferry road bridge area next to the NCWRC boat access area on High Rock Lake, on Badin Lake the Old Whitney Public Access area on Old Whitney Road (off of Hwy. 740). Largemouth bass will be moving into the shallow water to spawn. This usually occurs just as the crappie are finishing there spawn. Just prior to the spawn the fish will be very active and will chase a lot of different lures. Small and medium size crankbaits such as the Strike King KVD 1.5’s and Rapala Shad Raps in size 5 and 7 are great lures during this time. As the fish start to make spawning beds a jerkbait like the Rapala Shadow Rap or the Lucky Craft Pointer can be a great tool. Several new rigs and lures are working well. The new Tokyo Rig uses a swim bait such as the Zoom Fluke or Keitech Swing Impact attached to a 3 1/2” solid wire with a worm weight attached. The rig is held together by a split ring with a swivel attached. The weight ticks along the bottom or other structure and the swimbait stays just off the bottom. River2sea came out with the Whopper Plopper a few years ago and it has become one of the best “go to” top water baits around. This year River2 Sea has introduced the Double Plopper which is basically a floating buzz bait that uses smaller versions of the Whopper Plopper as the blades. Since It floats it can be used like a traditional top water bait or cranked like a buzz bait. Check out the Hwy. 49 Sporting Goods Face Book page for more details on these new baits. Striped Bass will make they’re annual false spawn run on Badin Lake up to Tuckertown Dam this month. Good numbers of striped bass have been reported caught over the winter months and we are expecting a good spring run up behind Tuckertown Dam. The annual run up to Tuckterown Dam always depends on the water clarity. Striper’s do not like muddy water. If the water is clear or only slightly stained the Old Whitney area just down from Tucketeown Dam is a great area to fish. Try drift ing the area with live shad for bait or trolling with bucktail jigs. If the upper end on the lake is muddy due to spring rains the fish may remain in the lower end of the lake. The Palmer mountain area or the Beaver Dam creek area down river usually has clearer water than the upper end of the lake. Remember to check your fire extinguisher and life vests in your boat and replace them if necessary. Give us a call or stop in at Hwy. 49 Sporting Goods for the latest fishing information.

Advertising Sales Team Know someone who loves talking to people, loves anglers and wants to make money. Tell them to join our sales team. contact Juli ~ 980-333-7273 or Simmons@theanglermagazine.com

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3/14/19 5:34 PM

CatchingBy&Captain Keeping Live Bait Craig Price

s a longtime live bait fishermen I was a slow and reluctant convert to trolling artificial’s for stripers. The introduction of hybrids into Lake Norman changed my thinking and I find myself dragging artificial’s almost exclusively during winter. But the approach of spring always brings me back to fishing live bait so now’s a good time for a refresher on how to find, keep, and use local forage to catch quality gamefish. This forage, generically called shad, are what I call “soft” natural baits. They are rich in oil and protein, and their scales and fins are delicate. These features make them high energy/nutrition sources, and easy for gamefish to digest. They make up the bulk of a growing predatory fish’s diet, which makes them ideal attractants for anglers to use. By comparison, panfish such as bream, crappie, and perch are “hard” natural baits. Large predators certainly eat panfish but their thicker skins, fins, and scales don’t make them as easy to digest. Even so, I’ve found that stripers especially like big panfish in the spring, and working one or more into your spread often draws big bites. I’ve also found that large stripers really like spotted bass, but see the admonition below about catching and possessing any species with gamefish designation. I concede that live bait fishing isn’t for everyone. It certainly entails additional effort, and a whole new set of concerns than fishing artificial’s or store-bought minnows. But to help aspiring live bait anglers catch, keep and fish quality live baits, below is a list of do’s and don’ts that will hopefully shorten the learning curve. 1. Catching live bait requires a fair amount of physical exertion. Make sure your ability and stamina health-wise are up to the effort. 2. Observe all necessary safety precautions, especially in cold and windy conditions, including wearing a PFD, and having proper navigation lighting at night. A companion to help with the labor, boat management, and any emergency is recommended. 3. Learn and practice the regulations for catching and possessing live baits, some of which may carry gamefish status. Most gamefish cannot be caught in a cast net, plus creel and size limits must be followed. 4. A quality cast net is essential. They come in many sizes, configurations and costs. Locally, a medium quality net with an 8 ft. diameter, minimum 1 lb./ft. of lead, and a 3/8” mesh is a good place to start. TIP – medium quality and cost because stumps, roots and brush piles eat cast nets, and are almost unavoidable when catching bait in local waters. 5. A specially designed bait tank is critical for keeping bait in a fresh, lively condition for more than a few hours. Necessary features include oval design, gentle circulation with air infusion, plus filtration. TIPS – cool water holds dissolved oxygen better than warm water. Use frozen jugs of ice to cool the tank water if needed, 55-65F is an ideal target range. Add salt (without iodide or other additives) to the bait tank to soften the water, calm the baits, and promote healthy slime coats, all of which prevents infection and stress. 1 – 1.5 lbs. salt per 30 gals. of water is a good starting point. Put the salt into the filter basket, not directly into the bait chamber. Be aware that putting baits into tank water that is more than 10 degrees colder or warmer than the water they come out of is a quick way to stun and probably kill them. 6. Finding shad. The shallow waters, aka mudflats, in the far back reaches of major creeks are prime areas to find threadfin and gizzard shad. Baitfish can often be observed “flipping” on the surface. I find that late afternoon is generally the best time to visit these flats. TIPS – one can learn to use the boat and throws of the net to corral the fish into easier to catch pods and areas. Stealth is important and creeks with any water flow are best. 7. The water depth increases as you leave the flats and you are more likely to encounter herring or alewives in depths to 30 ft. A quality sonar is helpful in finding these schools and a larger net with bigger mesh and more weight on the lead line may be needed. 8. Baits you catch on the mudflats will be “dirtier” than baits found in deeper water. Frequent changes of filter material and tank water are critical to getting baits through the initial stages of capture. I begin water and filter changes within 20-30 mins. of putting baits in the tank. TIP – red noses and dark backs indicate stressed baits. It’s difficult to save baits that reach this condition and it’s best to remove them from the population well before they die. 9. Try to replace at least 1/3 of the water volume each change along with installing fresh filter material and salt. TIP - the most heavily contaminated water will be near the bottom of the bait chamber and in the filter basket. Be sure to siphon or pump out this water plus scales and debris. The period between changes can be increased as the baits get clean, stabilize, and finish purging their body wastes. TIP - use a large shallow tub with clean lake water in it to dump the net into before putting new baits into your bait tank. This minimizes the amount of mud and debris that you will have to filter from the bait tank. 10. Using lights at night to attract and catch bait is widely practiced, and offers some advantages over catching shallow water baits. Night time is cooler and less crowded on the water, plus the baits generally come out of deeper water which means they’re cleaner and easier to manage once in your bait tank. I recommend letting someone with experience show you how to operate safely at night in lieu of learning on your own. The primary goal after catching live baits is to get them into a stable “seasoned” condition, but ultimately you want them to look and swim naturally on the hook in order to attract strikes from top predators. Though the above recommendations are by no means all inclusive, they can serve as a crash course to help you develop your own live bait procedures that result in more Fish On!

Scott Nordland of Charlotte with a pretty Lake Murray Striper caught on a live Herring

Capt. Craig’s Daugher, Chandler Price of Charleston, SC with a Lake Murray Striper caught on a live herring in early March

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If you are Looking for a Fight you Better Run By Matt Stark

f you are a tournament angler, you probably consider bass tournaments a “fight”, of sorts. If so, then running may be a better strategy than standing your ground. I know a few of you are scratching your heads at the thought of what I am about to suggest. After all, nobody goes into a fight with the expectations of winning when their strategy is to run. We have all heard of the flight-or-fight syndrome. It’s ingrained in all animals primal instincts including humans. The flight-orfight syndrome is applied to many aspects of human existence, and it definitely applies to fishing as well. We all know the type of fishermen that can sit on a weedbed or point for eight hours without a sniff, casting the same lure in their tackle box before admitting defeat. Those types of fishermen are fighters. They are stubborn and committed to making the fish bite when and where THEY want to fish. These anglers take the “stand your ground” philosophy to a new level. On the flip side, there are some anglers that can’t sit still. They cycle through different lures throughout the day, and they will burn $100 in gas just to get five bites before they need to return to the ramp for their tournament weigh-in. These fishermen are the runners. They “take flight” if things aren’t perfect, but taking flight and running to a different spot may be the best strategy for consistently catching fish. A great example of this tournament strategy working can be seen in the career of FLW Tour Pro Bryan Thrift. Thrift, who hails from Shelby, NC is known for hitting upwards of 100 spots in a given day. He currently holds the record for the most consecutive 5-fish limits in FLW history, and his winnings have exceeded 2 million dollars to date. Rapid flight doesn’t necessarily mean you are running scared. Seasoned competitive anglers like Thrift don’t run due to fear, however, the root of their methodology is based on the aforementioned fightor-flight syndrome. To understand this, we need to remember that a tournament is only 8 hours long. During the course of the day, bass fishermen try the best they can to catch the heaviest five fish they can. There are certainly times when sitting on one spot can deliver a good payout, but doing so could also produce nothing. This is why many seasoned tournament anglers take “flight” from unproductive water to sample as many other areas as they can- as quickly as they canto establish a pattern or depth the fish are active in. They then target those specific areas throughout the lake in order to get as many bites from quality fish as they can. No other lake is synonymous for this run-and-gun technique than Lake Norman. It is no coincidence that Bryan Thrift has won two major fishing tournaments on Lake Norman and countless other smaller events on that body of water. So why is “taking flight” or “running” a winning pattern? It is important to remember that bass are predatory fish. They want to eat, but sometimes the weather or lake conditions don’t encourage active feeding behavior on all parts of the lake. Notice I said, “all parts of the lake”. On any given day, there are groups of bass feeding somewhere. It just might not be in the area you are fishing. The best anglers in the world know how to find those active fish. They do this by quickly identifying unproductive water and sampling different areas throughout the lake. This gives the angler a much better chance of stumbling upon those active fish. It’s a battle of attrition. Each “spot” provides another opportunity to catch bass, and typically the bigger bass are the first to feed. It’s almost as if there is a hierarchy in bass communities the same way there is in other parts of the animal kingdom. This also plays into the success of this “flight” strategy. So, the next time you are out on the water and are itching for a fight, try running. You may find it’s the winning strategy. SIDEBAR A running and gunning strategy is especially effective in the spring and fall when bass are actively transitioning. It is important for anglers to have an assortment of lure presentations in order to effectively cover water quickly and efficiently in all depths. During the spring and fall, bass tend to be more active. They also tend to be fairly shallow,

TAKE A KID FISHIN’ Send in pictures of you taking a kid fishing for our May Issue. Best picture voted on by our FB followers will win a $100 gift card. 4 CHARLOTTE/PIEDMONT

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allowing anglers to throw moving baits like spinnerbaits, crankbaits and topwater. Tossing a double willowleaf spinnerbaits like a 1/2oz Riot RS1 allows an angler to cover water effectively in all depth ranges because willowleaf spinnerbaits don’t rise as much in the water column as other blade configurations. Willowleaf spinnerbaits also go through vegetation better as well. A squarebill crank bait can also be a very effective search bait when the water temps get into the 50s. Using a squarebill like the Riot Reactor 1.5 around rock and hardcover is a great way to get a reaction strike from a bass waiting to ambush. The Reactor 1.5 was designed to deflect wildly off cover like brush piles and logs commonly found in lakes like Lake Norman, High Rock and others. Even with bass being more active, there are times when slowing down is important too, but one can still fish slowly while still covering water quickly. There is no better tool in a fishermen’s arsenal to do this other than a jig. If conditions are particularly tough, it is hard to beat an ultra-compact flipping jig like the Riot Minima. It is available up to ½ oz and only measures 2” in length, making it one of the smallest flipping jigs on the market. It is un-intimidating and irresistible. To maximize efficiency when using a jig, its best to target high percentage pieces of cover. Generally, you will only need to hop the jig once or twice, and then reel it in and repeat. Active bass usually will grab it shortly after its initial fall. Once you find bass, you can always slow down, but this run and gun pattern is all about covering water. Topwater is another tool for covering water quickly. One of the favorite tools of Brian Thrift and other run-and-gun aficionados is the buzz bait. This is especially true on lakes where spotted bass are present. On spotted bass lakes, a buzz bait is hard to beat. It allows one to cover water quickly and it still performs around vegetation unlike its trembled counterparts. Remember, this is about covering water. If you aren’t getting bit in a given area……run. Matt Stark ~ 848-248-7468 ~ MATT@RIOTBAITS.COM

123 W Broad St * Statesville, NC 28677 * 704.871.1444 1-40 exit 150, S one mile or 1-77 exit 50, W 1 mile approx

Hours: Tues-Fri 11am 7pm

Sat 9am-2pm

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3/14/19 5:34 PM

The Science Line: ThByeJake Weather Can Kill our Fish Bussolini

e are all aware of how the weather affects our fishing habits but that knowledge usually involves temperature, sunlight, rain, snow etc. During the early Spring months there is another weather element that is killing a large number of our prized freshwater fish. That killer is called “barotrauma”. Most freshwater anglers believe that this problem is generally limited to ocean fishing where fish are rapidly brought up from very deep depths. What many of these fish witness is what we have all grown to know as “the bends,” also experienced by divers who come to the surface from deep waters too rapidly. Most freshwater fish have a swim bladder that helps the buoyancy of the fish as it changes depths. In a few species, this bladder is connected directly to their gut which permits those fish to burp out air as they ascend toward the surface. Many other freshwater species have no connection between the two organs and they are very susceptible to the problem. How does this become a weather problem you ask? In this region of the country there are often rapid large temperature changes between winter and spring. When the winter water cools rapidly, the fish all head for the deeper water where it is slightly warmer and they stay there until they are convinced that the water has warmed as spring approaches. During these periods the fish may go as deep a 30 to 50 feet. At those depths, the hydrostatic pressure on the body of the fish caused their swim bladder to compress. If fish at these depths are suddenly pulled rapidly to the surface, the bladder expands to enormous sizes, causing all kinds of problems for the fish. The most noticeable effect of this problem is that if the fish are unhooked and thrown back into the water, they appear to be dead and they cannot swim back down to relieve the problem. They will float on the surface for a few minutes until they die. If the fish can be sent quickly back down below 30 feet within about two minutes, they can naturally re-compress and go on with their normal life. But how can an angler get that fish back down to that depth? That’s the real problem. I have witnessed this problem several times. My first experience was at Santee Cooper Lake where I caught a 20 pound blue catfish in about 50 feet of water. When the fish was taken out of the net, it was obvious

that there was a problem. The swim bladder had expanded and was visible as shown. The Captain was experienced with this problem and had a small piece of garden hose that he inserted into the throat of the fish permitting the air to escape. The fish was returned to the water in fine condition. I have witnessed the problem in Lake Norman several times in recent years with crappie. This species seems very susceptible to this problem. Last week I was fishing with my Grandson. We were not fishing for crappie but in 40 feet of water he caught a nice 13 in. fish shown below. He retrieved the fish as he would retrieve a bass, very quickly. Since this was his first crappie he wanted a photo so we took the time to get this picture. The fish looked very healthy but we were not interested in eating it and it was returned to the lake. The fish made a couple of movements but simply floated on the surface. It had the bends and was not going to survive. We recovered the fish and it was going to make him a fine meal. I have seen this problem several times on Lake Norman and I keep two hypodermic needles on my boat. If a needle is inserted into the fish just behind the pectoral fin, it can often provide an escape path for the trapped air. This process is called “fizzing”. This process can sometime cause other problems with the fish however I feel that if the fish is going to die, why not give it a chance for life. The process has worked for me on other occasions. There are other devices available called descending devices that can send the fish down below 15 feet very quickly. Commercial anglers sometimes have these devices on their boats on the ocean waters but they are rarely available to freshwater anglers. North Carolina anglers should understand that lakes such as Lake Norman have waters as deep as 100 feet. Fish are rarely that deep but they will go to 50 feet if the water temperature and oxygen at that depth is comfortable to them. Bringing a fish up rapidly from that depth can and will cause problems, especially with crappie. Jake Bussolini is a freelance writer who has written several books about freshwater fishing. His books can be seen at www.booksbyjake.com.

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3/14/19 5:35 PM

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Garrett Whisnant gets a Fish on Lake Hickory while Kayak Fishing.

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TAM Charlotte 2019 04.indd 7

APRIL 2019

CHARLOTTE/PIEDMONT 7

3/14/19 5:35 PM

Brookies and Band-Aids Personal Safety on the River By Ryan Wilson

he wind gust sent the rod sock, still containing half of the rod, flying through the air and into a rapidly moving Helton Creek. Before I could even get the words of caution out, my fishing partner went flying in after it. Although the impressively athletic dive was enough to save the rod, it resulted in a pair of torn waders and a corresponding gash in my friend’s left leg. Fortunately, I possessed the supplies, skills and training to effectively control the bleeding and dress the wound until we could reach higher level care. Outside of The Shop, I serve as a Firefighter/ EMT and I keep a well-stocked medic bag in my vehicle. A good med bag should include bleeding control, splinting tools, basic airway management and a CPR mask, as well as exam gloves. While my buddy’s leap cost a pair of waders, a rescheduled fishing trip and whatever the tab is on a half dozen stitches, we both considered it to be an extremely fortunate outcome. There was no broken bone, no head injury and while the wound was fairly deep, it won’t result in any lasting damage, save a pretty badass scar. We also learned an invaluable lesson in situational awareness and preparedness. Having the skills and supplies on hand in an emergency is an example of good preparation. An example of BAD preparation is relying on Verizon’s mountain cell service because you have no idea where the closest medical facility is. Every angler can share at least one “Close Call” story; a situation that might have been bad, but could have been very bad. Recognizing risks and knowing what to do when something bad does happen is what makes the difference. Many of the same reasons that we love fly fishing present inherent safety challenges. We’re moving through flowing water, on slippery rocks and there’s something about those harder to reach spots that look just extra fishy. Many of us are drawn to the solitude and even when fishing with friends, will lose contact for hours at a time. We’re whipping sharp hooks through the air, stepping over snakes and not drinking enough water. We don’t like to let thoughts about what kind of bad things could happen, intrude on our peaceful fishing experience. While we can’t let fear of that danger deter us from doing what we love, every angler needs to take personal accountability for his or her own safety in the outdoors. The most important first aid tool in your kit needs to be situational awareness. Know what’s going on around you and don’t get hurt in the first place. What’s the weather doing? How stable are those rocks? How far have I hiked in? How deep & swift is this water? Why am I hearing banjos? When my friend dove into the creek, all he saw was that rod drift ing away. By losing his tunnel vision, he might have seen me taking a wider angle downstream, where I could have safely waded in to retrieve it. I advise every angler to carry a basic first aid kit as part of their standard fishing gear. This needs to be kept with you and not left back in the vehicle. It doesn’t have to be bulky, but you should not be anywhere without the ability to control bleeding or rig up a splint. All anglers, all motorists really, should keep a more robust first aid and roadside emergency kit in their vehicle. In addition, to the supplies its imperative to arm oneself with the right skills. Good intentions are not a substitute for training - take a first aid course and get CPR certified. Avoid the mistake that I made and have a plan for when things go wrong. Know where the closest medical care is and how to get there without using your cell phone. One thing that will be going in my

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TAM Charlotte 2019 04.indd 8

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truck are printed directions from the rivers that I guide, to nearby medical facilities. Let someone know where you’re going and when to expect you back. If you have special mobility or health considerations, fish with a partner and be realistic about your limitations. Use a wading staff – everybody, they’re not just for old dudes. Consider where you are and who’s around you. A lone fly fisherman wearing a thousand dollars of gear and oblivious to everything in the world but that rising brown just to the left of the eddy might make a pretty tempting target. Find a personal defense solution that you are comfortable and competent with, but more importantly, maintain some awareness and avoid an altercation altogether. The key difference between a close call and a catastrophe boils down to how you react. How you react boils down to how you prepare. Anglers need to take personal responsibility for their own safety and to be prepared to assist in someone else’s emergency, because help might be far away or difficult to contact. This caution is not meant to scare you and absolutely not intended to deter you from pursuing the outdoors. The benefit that we get from fishing far outweighs the risks involved. There are more than a few old men who are only alive today, because a desire to keep fishing has motivated them to stay healthy. It is imperative however, that we use good sense and are prepared to take care of ourselves and each other in the outdoors. Ryan Wilson is the Owner and Operator of Madison River Fly Fishing Outfitters in Cornelius, NC. If you’d like to hear about our guided trip options, please contact him at madisonriverflyfi shing@gmail. com or call at (704) 896-3676. Check us out on Facebook: Madison River Fly Fishing Outfitters or on the Web: www.carolinaflyfi shing. com

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3/14/19 5:35 PM

BetterByBed Fishing Tyler Rose

pril has always been one of my favorite months of the year to live in North Carolina. The blooming dogwoods are a symbol of growth and regeneration that coincide with spawning largemouth bass. The April afternoons of my childhood were spent rushing home from school to witness this incredible phenomenon and become a part of it. From the neighborhood banks of Lake Hickory, I spent countless hours learning the skills needed for successful bed fishing, skills that have transferred too many different lakes across the state. Sight fishing for bedding bass ultimately requires practice, but these tips can help point you in the right direction. Natural Patterns The age-old phrase “match the hatch” still rings true when fish are locked on beds. Many people pitch white jigs during the spawn to help them see the bait on the bed, but I have personally had much more success on patterns that imitate sunfish. A bass that is locked in on a bed is prone to eat any bait, but a good sunfish pattern helps to fool more nervous and pressured fish. Backup Plan Jigs, creature baits, and drop shots all make for excellent sight fishing baits. No matter what your preference is, make sure you always have at least two different baits ready to pitch to a bed. After repeated casts to a bed, a bass often becomes wary and unresponsive to a

certain pattern. Having a different bait at the ready can provide the contrast needed to induce a strike. Slow And Steady Large bass often spawn at deeper depths than their smaller counterparts, and big female bass are prone to sit out of sight while the males guard the bed. When fishing in an area with a high concentration of spawning bass, it often pays off to fish slow and thorough. By covering the entire area instead of just focusing on fish you can see, you increase your chances of presenting to a larger class of fish that receive less pressure. Respect The Fish Healthy spawns equate to healthy populations of bass. Bass that are caught off of beds should be handled carefully and released in the same area they have been caught in. Sight fishing can teach an angler valuable lessons on fish behavior, but understand that these fish endure a tremendous amount of pressure. In recent years I have found fulfi llment in the challenge of catching bedding bass on a fly rod or teaching my friends that do not normally bass fish how to catch them. In my eyes, April should be a month that fosters the next generation of bass and anglers alike.

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Meet Frank Parsons . . . By Michelle Armstrong Frank Parsons is a man who has always looked out for others. In his college days he was an altruistic young man studying psychology. In 1969 he was called to serve his country by the United States Army. He spent boot camp at Fort Jackson, SC. From there, he trained at Fort Devens, Massachusetts, then went on to Two Rock Ranch in California. Eventually, Frank found himself in Nha Trang, Vietnam. He served with the 313 Radio Research Battalion, as an Army Security Agent. They were a specialized unit that listened to Morse code from the enemy and warned the guys in the field of any impending dangers. The patches that only this unit wore donned an eagle claw grasping a lightning bolt. The units commander sent word that if anyone could type 25 words per minute, they needed a volunteer to be the clerk for the Colonel. No one raised their hand, so Frank, though he wasn’t sure if he could type that fast, volunteered. As it was, Frank was not a fast typer so he was released from the Colonel’s office to the Security Office. He served as a clerk, was a security officer and solved cryptographic messages. He was in charge of all top secret clearance, and processed article 15’s (men trouble, AWOL, etc). Frank left the Army in 1973. During his time in Nha Trang, Frank was exposed to many chemicals including Agent Orange. He, like many others, now lives with the effects of Agent Orange exposure and PTSD. When I asked him for any service photos to go along with this story, he responded that he did not have any. “Those images and events are best left over there”. Once back in the United States, Frank took up where he left off at school and earned his degree in Psychology with an impressive 4.0 GPA. He quickly landed a job at The Rutherford House in Louisiana. This was a facility for incorrigible girls between the ages of 13-17. Frank went on to become a special ed high school teacher. After he met his wife, Doris, in 1977 they started a day care center together. Eventually, Frank left his “altruistic” lifestyle, and went in to real estate and along with Doris managed a marina and tackle store. In 1985, he and Doris decided to open their own tackle shop at Toledo Bend in Louisiana. They thrived for several years. As a result of bigger stores moving in the area, the economy tanked and they were faced with some big decisions. They were going to have to close and relocate. Frank researched the economy in different states. He called different Chambers of Commerce, checked tax statistics and pulled together as many facts as possible. They narrowed their choices down to Florida and NC. Due to the higher crime statistics in Florida, NC won. More specifically, Belmont NC. In 1988, Frank and Doris opened the original Tackle Town. Eventually Tackle Town moved to Denver, NC to be closer to Lake Norman. Frank and Doris have made quite a name for themselves in these parts. This has been how they have earned their living to date. Tackle Town has since moved to their own prop-

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erty located at 4705 Cousin Ln, Maiden, NC. Boots Beasley, a regular Tackle Town customer, and fellow veteran invited Frank to to fish a tournament with Operation NorthState. Operation NorthState (ONS), is an organization that offers wounded and disabled veterans a chance to compete in fishing tournaments free of charge. ONS provide everything one would need. Host boaters from all over volunteer their time and knowledge to take these men and women fishing. But it so much more than that. Frank decided to fish the Lake Norman event in 2016. Since he and Doris are in the fishing industry, tournaments were not new to Frank. He wasn’t sure what to expect from Operation NorthState. However, he was very surprised. “It’s truly an authentic tournament” He was really excited about the camaraderie with fellow veterans. “It’s a time when you can truly relax, and laugh, and share the brotherhood” At the end of each tournament, the host boaters and Veterans reconvene at a local church for a wonderful meal. Trophies are handed out to the top fisherman. Frank was “blown away” with all of the food that was provided for them as well that every veteran received a goody bag of prizes. “There were over 60 veterans attending and they ALL got a bag of prizes!” Frank took advantage of the Lake Norman tournament again the next year. His host boater turned out to be a regular customer, Anthony Lutz. They managed a very good showing that day! Operation NorthState also incorporates Saltwater fishing into the tournaments they offer. They plan at least one event per year at the coast. They have had as many as 150 veterans show up for these events. Last year, Doris and Frank planned to go to the Oak Island, NC tournament but the hurricane had other plans for the and the tournament was postponed. Frank and Doris had already made arrangements for the store to be closed that week so they headed on down anyway. They had a blast catching sea trout and flounder. Though they were disappointed that ONS needed to postpone, had it not been for the plan to go with ONS they would have never taken this trip. Frank looks forward to fishing more with Operation NorthState in the future. Frank is so grateful to all of the volunteers and host boaters that help make these tournaments available to veterans like himself. He tries to get the word out by placing fliers at Tackle Town and telling customers about ONS. He hopes word will travel so other veterans can share the experience.

www.OperationNorthState.com

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3/14/19 5:35 PM

GetByOut of the Bed Michelle Armstrong

One of my favorite times of the, never ending fishing season, is Spring. I love the warmer weather, the blooming trees, the daffodils, all of the beautiful lakefront scenery. But what I love the most is THE SPAWN!!!. Though it’s a somewhat controversial tactic, I love it! I usually write about sight fishing for bedding bass during the spring spawn but I thought I’d change it up a little. After all, there is “more than one way to skin a cat” or “catch a Bass”. Some people get a little chapped when talking about sight fishing for bedding bass. They tend to think it’s “not right.” My point of view on fishing during the spawn is that even if you are NOT sight fishing for spawning fish, you are STILL catching spawning fish whether you like it or not. So for the purpose of not talking about sight fishing in the the spring, we’re going to “skin the cat” a different way. During the spring months the water is still usually in the sub 60s but still warmer than it has been. It’s the Bass’ cue to start looking for shallow hard rocky bottoms, dock poles, stump fields, etc...to start laying their eggs. They want close cover and access to deeper water so they can go out to eat but get back in a hurry to protect their beds. Ideal places to start fishing are coves close to a channel, secondary points, stump fields and rip rap walls. I usually start midway in a cove and dissect my way back to the shallows. If I find a secondary point, I’ll fish all sides of the point as well as on top, especially at first light. My ideal

places are stump fields and rip rap. Both of these hold heat and fish tend to stack up there, especially with our unpredictable cold fronts in the spring. If I had only one bait in my arsenal during the spring it would have to be a crankbait. Particularly a Stump Jumper by Brian’s Crankbaits. Depending on water color and baitfish I typically go between Crystal Craw or Natural Shad. Basically you are just using this as a “search bait”. You are intercepting fish both moving in, and moving out of their spawning areas. It’s insane when used on rocky points, rip rap, and stumps. It’s not accidentally called the Stump Jumper. Since Bass tend to bed next to stumps, it crucial that you make your lure literally hit the stumps. These lures are designed to deflect off the stumps and other wood most often producing a strike from a Bass. The same applies with rip rap and rocky bottoms. You want this bait to hit the rock to entice a reaction bite. It’s also a great bait to simply “search” with. I like a slow steady retrieve unless the fish tell me something different. I rig this on a 6.10, medium, Powell Inferno crankbait rod. I find that this rod gives me all the versatility I need for casting in all of the situations discussed. This time of year it’s all about interception. If you’re not going to sight fish, then you can catch a boat load of fish intercepting them on the way to their beds. Now go catch a fish!

Springtime Striper Blitz By Capt. Chris Foster

s the waters begin to warm in the months of April and May the fishing only gets better and better on our Piedmont lakes. As the bait begins its annual move to the shallower waters, Anglers will want to turn to using stick baits such as a Heddon Zera Spook or a Bomber BaDonk-A-Donk or a popping style artificial like the Rebel Pop-R. We prefer to use these in an array of colors that implement white, glow, or chartreuse; and have found that the best time to utilize these are in the early hours or late evening of the day. An IRT Series 400 reel spooled with 12lb test monofi lament on a 7’ medium weight, fast action rod will allow for you to be able to work these style baits properly with ease. With a stick bait you will want to apply the “walk the dog” retrieve and with a topwater Pop-R I have always found that the Stripers will often explode on the bait when retrieved with a “twitch-twitch-rest” style. Fish these lures over schools of bait that are on the surface just as the fog is lift ing from the water in the early morning, watch for the Terns to give you a good starting place as often they will be your eyes in the sky that find the baitfish first! As the sun begins to come up and the surface temperature warms most of the time the baitfish will begin to go deeper in the water column, but the fish are still there feeding you simply have to adjust your spread and technique to target them. Keeping with the same set-up as used with the aforementioned lures, simply switch out your artificial baits with a spread of Bucktails and jigs to be trolled. A spread of ¼ oz and 1/2oz jig heads with a 4” Gulp mullet in chartreuse mixed with a horsehead jig that has a blade attached for extra flash equipped with a bass worm being slow trolled will have the rods bent in no time! When trolling for Striper in the Spring months it is always good if possible, to run a line down to just above the schools of bait you are marking using a Downrigger; many times you will catch most of the days fish off of this downrigger rod. If fishing artificial lures isn’t your forte then the Spring fishing season offers the ability to use live bait with all of the Shad moving into shallower waters. Using a cast net, we prefer the Betts line of nets due to their superior quality and ease of use, watch the Terns in the morning and follow them to the baitfish. After getting your livewell water established, fi ll up the tank with several dozen Shad and you are ready to go fishing! A simple Carolina rig tied with a small 1oz sinker in-line to a swivel with a 18” leader and a hook will get the job done. Put out several rods with this rig tied on around the boat with a live Shad that has been pierced through the nose at differing depths. Slowly drift your ‘school’ of bait around the other schools of bait that are suspended over drop-offs and near structure in order to find the school of feeding Stripers. In no time you will be catching some really nice Stripers! Photo of Capt. Butch Foster of Yeah Right Charters with a nice Striper from High Rock Lake, caught on a Bucktail hand tied by himself COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THE ANGLERMAG.COM

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Forecast for

LAKE WYLIE

LAKE NORMAN

BY: JERRY NEELEY

BY: CAPT. BOB CURAN

Carolina’s Fishing Guide Service (704) 678-1043 www.carolinasfishing.com

arch has come and gone, now comes the best month of the year for fishing. There’s not too much trial and error now that the fish are on the beds. What’s the best bait for bedding bass? I like a floating worm, swim bait or a Sinko. They will strike other baits too. If you see a bass on the bed chances are that she has already seen you and that makes it hard to catch that bass. What I try to do, is check over a likely area and make a long cast to that area in hopes of landing a bedding bass. Some places are better than others for the bedding bass. Also there will be buck bass in the area roaming the banks. They are usually easy to catch. One thing of caution, do not fish right behind another bass fisherman during the spawn. That fisherman might not catch a bass, but I guarantee you he has put the fish in that area on notice. Bass don’t get big by being stupid. They will be very cautious about striking a bait. They’re on the bank. How many times have you ever heard that statement in April from a crappie fisherman? Well, The crappie are spawning and shallow in the very back of coves. I have a few places that hold spawning fish. I have pulled up with customers in a cove and caught the limit right off a tree or shallow brush pile. My favorite thing to do is cast a 1/32 hair jig right over the tree or brush pile and slowly wind it back to the boat. You will feel that tap tap on your line and a slight jerk on the rod will hook him up. Another way to catch a mess of crappie is to use a cork and jig. Just put a small cork up about 12-14 inches above the jig on four pound test line and pop it across the water in coves. They will sink the cork. You can still troll in April for crappie. April is also a great month to flat line troll in the creeks. I love doing this because it seems to catch larger fish. You can cover a lot of water in a short period of time. Tight lining produces too! As you can see there are a lot of ways to catch crappie in April. Catfishing is great in April. Some of the largest catfish are caught in this month trolling in the creeks. They do not spawn in April, but a little later in the year. They will be near white perch and feeding on them. Of coarse they are eating other fish too! I hope you have a good fishing season. Slow down and fish. I guarantee you will catch more fish. Keep a diary! You will be glad you did. Take a kid fishing!

Fishin’ Lake Norman (704) 402-0770 www.fishinlkn.com

ishing on Lake Norman during April & May allows you to experience pre-spawn, spawn, and post-spawn for bass, crappie, and white perch. The water temperature in April ranges from 5868 degrees and in May from 68-78 degrees. Once water temps reach mid to upper 50’s bass will be in close to banks in less than 10 feet of water. As the temps rise and stay above 60 degrees bass will begin to stay on their beds. Crappie generally follow similar patterns as the bass and will spawn once water temps reach and stay above 60 degrees. Bass can be caught as they move in near banks with crank baits, jerk baits, swim baits, and spinner baits. Also, live bait works great too. I catch shad and alewives at night in about 10-15 feet of water back in coves and use these on a 1/0 Aberdeen hook or circle hook on a Carolina rig (with small split shot) around docks with 15+ feet of water and catch lots of bass. I also use small 4-5 inch white perch for bait and catch some nice bass. Bass are very aggressive during the pre & post spawn time frames and cannot resist live alewives free-lining around docks or any other structure. Crappie will move into creek mouths in late March as water temps reach 50-55 degrees and hold in 15-25 feet of water and stage around points, piers, brush. During this waiting time try slow trolling with crappie jigs in creek mouths to locate the fish. As water temps rise to upper 50’s crappie will move into shallower depths and begin their spawn as temps reach and stay at 60+ degrees (usually in April). Crappie can be had using jigs with variety of colors tipped with small minnows or on bottom type rigs with minnows. Docks, brush piles, drop-offs are all good spots to locate and catch crappie. May will see more rising water temps to a range of 70-78 degrees and most fish will be off their beds and hungry. Topwater action picks up in early AM hours for bass and crappie are off beds but still in/around coves to feed. During May and into June bass, crappie, and perch will be back in coves feeding on recently hatched fry and fingerlings. Spring is a great time to be out on Lake Norman so grab some fishing rods, your tackle boxes and bags, and go wet some lines and enjoy your time!

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3/14/19 5:35 PM

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n March 11, striped bass harvest closed in many North Carolina waters. Management measures were implemented for the Central Southern Management Area, which encompasses all internal waters from just south of Oregon Inlet to the South Carolina line. Waters impacted include, but are not limited to, the Pamlico and Core sounds and the Tar, Pamlico, Pungo, Bay, Neuse and White Oak rivers and their tributaries. In those areas, harvest of striped bass is closed, but recreational catch and release of striped bass is still allowed in the coastal fishing waters. Recreational fishermen are encouraged to use non-offset circle hooks and to limit handling of released fish. The recreational season remains open in joint fishing waters managed cooperatively between the N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission and the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission until April 30 with an 18-inch minimum size limit, no possession of fish between 22 inches and 27 inches total length and a two-fish per person, per day bag limit. A recreational no-possession limit, essentially a year-round recreational season closure for striped bass will take effect in coastal fishing waters managed by the N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission. The closure does not impact striped bass fishing in the Atlantic Ocean, Albemarle Sound Management Area, Roanoke River Management Area, and inland waters under the sole jurisdiction of the N.C. Wildlife Resource Commission. The new management measures are meant to be temporary restrictions to protect naturally spawned year classes of striped bass. Research has shown that striped bass in the Central Southern Management Area are not a self-sustaining population and that fishermen are mainly catching hatchery-raised fish; however, data suggest there have been two recent naturally spawned year classes.

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3/18/19 10:09 AM

igger is better, right? Maybe, but when it comes to spring bluegills I like to go small. Everyone knows the ubiquitous bluegill or bream. A member of the sunfish family, the bluegill can be found in lakes, ponds and streams from the Rockies to Florida and is arguably one of the most popular, best known and most commonly caught freshwater fish. They are, however, the quintessential bait stealers and are often the cause of frustration, sometimes thrown back because they’re “just bluegills.” It took me a while to realize that the diminutive bluegill can be a bruiser and is hard to beat beer battered with a plate of fries. Going small is of course relative. Bluegills are small to begin with, and to put it into perspective, winter and early spring fishing calls for jigs as small as 1/64 of an ounce. Fast-forward to spring and comparatively large jigs of 1/32- to 1/16 of an ounce become the norm. Orange, yellow, white, chartreuse and purple Teardrop jigs, and

red Rat Finky and yellow or black ball jigs rule the day. Tipping the jigs with a wax worm, several red spikes or some other meaty offering is irresistible, especially when vertically jigged. The tiny baits are virtually weightless and casting, though not impossible, does create challenges. Vertical jigging keeps the jig and bait combo on the spot and in the strike zone far longer than drifting baits beneath a float. I’ve used crankbaits, spinnersbaits and bucktails larger than most bluegills I’ve caught, but big bull ’gills longer than 10 inches are pound-for-pound one of the strongest fighting fish that swims. They are great fun on very light tackle. A 4-foot, 6-inch to 5-foot ultra-light spooled with 4-pound mono is about perfect for catching the little brutes. If you plan to cast, the ultra-light is great, but a light action 6-foot, 6-inch crappie rod can provide a bit more distance. In early Spring, during prespawn when water temps push over 50 degrees, big bulls will begin moving out of their winter areas and start gravitating toward mid-depth structure. These areas include weed edges, rock piles or submerged timber; anything that provides protection will be sought out. Muddy bottoms and sunken brushpiles can be prime areas. Locating structure can be tricky, but when fishing muddy lakes look for slight changes in depth including depressions only inches deeper than the surrounding area. These “bowls” are big bull hotspots. A jig tipped with waxworms, spikes or grasshoppers work well here, but a 1-inch chunk of nightcrawler or leaf worm is better. If available, hellgrammites—sometimes locally called “wigglers”—will outshine any other offering. They’re typically more expensive, but you will not be disappointed. Be prepared, however, because largemouth bass love them too and will certainly test your light tackle. Vertical jigging is a great technique. Dangling a tempting morsel over a rock pile, suspended weeds, sunken brush or muddy bottom can mean the difference between fishing and catching. Sometimes bigger is better, but for these feisty little Frisbees, smaller is often your best bet.

he N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission closed approximately 1,000 miles of Hatchery Supported Trout Waters to fishing onehalf hour after sunset on Feb. 28 to prepare for opening day, which is April 6. During the closure, commission personnel stocked all Hatchery Supported Trout Waters in preparation for opening day. Staff stocks Hatchery Supported Trout Waters, which are marked by green-andwhite signs, at frequent intervals in the spring and early summer every year. This year, commission personnel will stock approximately 930,000 trout—96 percent of which average 10 inches in length, with the other 4 percent exceeding 14 inches in length. While fishing on Hatchery Supported Trout Waters, anglers can harvest a maximum of seven trout per day, with no minimum size limit or bait restriction. Hatchery Supported Trout Waters are open from 7 a.m. on the first Saturday in April until one-half hour after sunset on the last day of February the following year. For more information on trout fishing in North Carolina, visit the Commission’s trout fishing page, or call the Inland Fisheries Division, (919) 707-0220.

BLUE RIDGE

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OAA has announced recreational red snapper seasons for the South Atlantic, which includes fisheries off Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. The recreational sector will open for harvest on the following days: • July 12-14 (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) • July 19-20 (Friday and Satur-

day) During this limited open season, the recreational bag limit is one red snapper per person, per day for private and charter vessels. The captain and crew on for-hire vessels will be allowed to retain the recreational bag limit. There is no size limit. The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council identified the following best practices to reduce release mortality and further protect the population as it rebuilds: • Avoid areas likely to have red snapper if you already caught your limit. • When red snapper are out of season, avoid areas where they are common. • Use single-hook rigs to reduce the potential for catching multiple red snapper on a single drop. • Use non-offset circle hooks while fishing in areas where red snapper are common. • Use a dehooking device to remove the hook. Keep fish in the water if you plan to release them or return them to the water as quickly as possible. • Use descending devices when releasing fish with signs of barotrauma.

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Tim Barefoot

here are several ways to make this double tackle, but one simple knot makes a wonderful, heavy-duty presentation. Some folks refer to this as a “high/low rig,” and you can call it anything you want, but for the sake of this article I’ll just call it a “double tackle.” To start with, consider the fish you are targeting and choose the correct size fluorocarbon for the leader. You can tie this knot in almost any size fluoro up to 80- or 100-pound. A rig like this is extremely effective on quite a few species and gets a lot of “reaction strikes” due to the multiple offerings presented and the erratic action of the baits. Using a heavier jig on the bottom keeps the lighter jig, streamer fly or unweighted soft plastic in place. It’s less likely to foul and makes the action more erratic, which draws the instinct strikes. The darting action resembles a scared or confused baitfish, which is irresistible to predatory fish, and the trailing bait is an easy target. These are the baitfish they have been programmed to eat since birth. It makes perfect sense, as they exert less energy to catch disoriented baitfish than those swimming perfectly in open water. There are two primary considerations when choosing the poundage of the fluoro leader material, water clarity and quarry. After choosing the correct size jigs and fluoro, it’s time to determine the lengths of the two legs of the rig. I start with about a 4- or 5-foot length of leader and make a 10- to 12-inch diameter loop in the center of the leader. This is typical for smaller inshore or freshwater fish, but can be made larger and longer for larger fish and jigs for a variety of offshore fish. Next, make eight turns with one of the tag ends through the 1-foot diameter loop. Find the center wrap of the tag end and separate it large enough to pass the 1-foot diameter loop back through (as shown in the photo).

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3/18/19 11:18 AM

Shot Placement Sheri Daye

hen you watch experienced spearos, you will notice they are relaxed in the water, they don’t take long shots, and they make it look easy. You will also notice they have a high percentage of kill shots. That is because they are disciplined and practice good shot placement. Perfect shot placement means you achieve a kill shot, also called “stoning the fish.” In other words, the fish is instantly put to sleep, lifeless as a stone. There’s a multitude of reasons to strive for this shot. For one, a kill shot is the most efficient and humane way to dispatch a fish. With a head shot, the fillets will be in better shape, with no holes, blood marks, or chance of bacteria entering the meat (from a gut shot). Also, the fish does not have a chance to struggle and bend your shaft, or worse yet, to get off the shaft. There are added safety benefits to stoning a fish. You will avoid ringing the dinner bell for sharks attracted to a struggling fish. Also, a live fish has the potential of tangling on the bottom or around you, so a dead fish makes for a much quicker and safer extraction. Finally, if you quietly put the fish to sleep, you won’t spook other fish in the surrounding area, giving you and your buddy a chance at more fish. To stone a fish, the shaft needs to hit the brain or spine. The ideal shot is a quartering shot from above and behind, hitting the spot where the lateral line meets the brain. This sweet spot is at the top of the gills and behind the eyes. Of course, the closer you can get to the fish, the higher the likelihood of proper shot placement.

Here’s more tips for achieving kill shots while spearfishing: 1. Refine your diving/stalking technique so you can get closer to fish without spooking them. 2. Don’t rush the shot, take your time and try to get a more accurate shot.

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3. Buy a good quality speargun and make sure your shafts/floppers are in good shape (not bent). 4. Practice hitting an underwater target, such as a weighted foam fish or net. Try shooting from different distances so you know your range versus accuracy. Don’t take “iffy” shots. 5. Take the time to study fish anatomy and examine them at the Sheri Daye fillet table. shows what good shot There are excepplacement tions to the rule. For on cubera example, when taking snapper looks a long shot on a spooky fish with a narrow like. body, such as a wahoo, you might want to aim for “center mass.” Otherwise, take the time to learn one of the most fundamental rules of spearfishing—that is, good shot placement! Sheri is a world-record holder, host of Speargun Hunter, and producer of “The Blue Wild Ocean Adventure Expo” in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Follow “Sheri Daye” and “The Blue Wild” on Facebook and Instagram.

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3/7/19 1:35 PM

3/18/19 11:19 AM

TIPS FROM A PRO

EXPERIENCE THE

TIPS FROM A PRO

FRESHWATER Why Do Hooked Fish Get Off?

BRANDON LESTER

ass get away for two basic reasons: the hook coming out of their mouth and line failure. If you can keep those from happening, you’ll land the fish. Sounds simple right? Well, it is and it isn’t. To keep these from happening, you’ve got to have the right combination of hook, line and rod… and then you must use them all properly. Let’s start with the hookset. If the hook isn’t properly buried into the fish’s jaw, it is obviously easier for it to come out. The hookset is predominately a factor of the right hook paired with the right fishing rod. You generally want to use the biggest, sturdiest hook and the heaviest power (basically its stiffness) rod the particular technique and lure will allow. And you’ve got to learn to set the hook as hard as your equipment will allow you. Watch the hooksets of pro anglers on the Bassmaster television show. We do not mess around. The hookset is powerful and fast. The biggest challenge with matching hook and rod power is learning how big you can go with your equipment and still present the bait properly. You’ll get more bites using smaller hooks and lighter line, so you can’t always use the heaviest equipment. Pay close attention to the bait and lure weights that rods are rated for. I

build all my rods with blanks and supplies from Mud Hole Custom Tackle (www.MudHole.com). All of their blanks come with that information included. Winn Grips are a must on all my rods, as they ensure a proper grip on the rod for that big hookset. A good quality hook is one that penetrates a fish’s mouth and stays there until you get your hands on the fish. The sharper the hook, the better it penetrates into the fish’s mouth. Once there, the hook has to be strong enough to not “flex” or open up. A flexing hook takes pressure off the bass and allows him to pull off during the fight. A lot of baits come with cheap hooks that will flex even on the first fish. Lesser-quality hooks will often become dull very quickly, too. Not all hooks are made the same. Mustad is the world’s No. 1 hook seller, and it’s No. 1 for a reason. Fortunately for us bass anglers, years ago Denny Brauer and Kevin VanDam got together with Mustad’s engineers and designers to create the basic hooks needed specifically for bass. Mustad hasn’t stopped improving the line of hooks either. The Big Bite worm hook is a hook I helped them develop. In many countries, they don’t use a separate term for “fish hook.” They simply call it a “Mustad.” In a future article, we’ll discuss fighting the fish and the importance of choosing the right fishing line. Until then, go fishing and work on that hookset!

For more on Lester visit,

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35 PM

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3/18/19 11:19 AM 1/14/19 3:48 PM

MARK SOSIN There is a lesson to be learned. Shortly before he vaulted to stardom on the largemouth bass tournament trail countless years ago, Rick Clunn discovered that he spent so much time searching for magical techniques and secret lures that he almost lost sight of the basics. When he paused to reflect, he realized there were no curealls or panaceas that applied to any type of fishing. The answer centered on a more simplified approach. It suddenly became apparent that almost all bass tournaments were won by somebody who used a spinnerbait, plastic worm or a crankbait. It didn’t matter where the contest was held, who fished it and won, or what time of year it happened to be. Armed with that valuable bit of information, Rick decided to change his own fishing style and substitute simplicity for the complex techniques he clung to in the past. It occurred to him that if he learned to fish these basic lures with equal skill, he should be able to catch fish anywhere. Some of us have a tendency to insist on making fishing much more complicated than it actually is. If fish were that hard to catch, few of us would ever be successful. Impatience and lack of confidence force many anglers to search frantically for solutions that just don’t exist. These fishermen would do better if they learned one or two techniques thoroughly.

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Certainly, there will be times when their basic method does not produce, but over the long run they will catch more fish. My late father never heard of Rick Clunn, nor did he ever fish competitively for anything. Over many years, he fished for countless species in freshwater and salt, always limiting his approach to a few basic lures or some simple bait. When he finally retired and moved to Florida, his lure of choice was a small, yellow bucktail which he could fish better than anyone I ever met. His tackle box became the two side pockets on his jacket. A handful of bucktails were in his right-hand pocket and some leader material in his left pocket. There’s one other facet to Dad’s thinking worth following. He always insisted that the law of averages held the key to success. Those who insist on specializing on a particular species of fish or seek one of an extra large size are missing out on a lot of fun. All you have to do is keep casting and catching. The law of averages will eventually produce trophy fish for you as well as species that seem important. If you’ve been seeking a way to catch more fish on every outing, try this simplified approach that worked for Rick Clunn and my father. Many of the leading anglers of our time depend on it, and it just might turn the trick for you.

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3/18/19 11:19 AM

By Capt. Michael Okruhlik Photo courtesy of Controlled Descent Lures

ave you ever wondered why your buddy fishing next to you is catching more fish when you are both using the same lure? Chances are it has to do with the way he’s retrieving his lure that entices fish to strike. What is the first thing you do when the fish are not biting? Most people immediately change lures. If that doesn’t work, the next step is usually to move locations, only to work the lure the same way when it clearly was not producing. You must try working a lure several different ways before ruling it out as ineffective. Here is an example. One chilly morning I was throwing a Controlled Descent Jerk Shad set to sink very slowly. It had a rattle in it. Since the water was in the mid 50s, I concentrated on an area that was 3 or 4 feet deep with a soft silty bottom. I started out keeping my lure near the bottom and working my rod parallel to the water. The lure was basically suspending 6- to 18-inches off the bottom with a side-to-side motion. This is a proven technique in similar situations; however, I didn’t get a strike. After some time covering the area with that technique, I changed my retrieve and worked the same area with the same lure. I started to twitch my lure slowly to the surface, almost as if it was climbing stairs, but very slowly. Since this lure had an extremely slow sink rate, it would almost suspend when paused after

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“climbing a few steps.” Once the lure reached the surface, I would let it slowly sink back to the bottom and repeat. I started to catch solid trout up to 6 pounds when the lure would almost reach the surface. Later that day, I fished a different spot with similar conditions. I was working the lure the same way that had produced earlier, and I was getting some very light bites once the lure would reach the bottom. The fish would pick up the lure and swim off, or at times they would swim toward me and I never really felt the strike. I landed a couple but missed and lost many more. Since they were definitely on the bottom and not really aggressive toward the slow-moving lure, I changed it up. Since I had a rattle, I started vigorously shaking my rod tip to make the lure rattle and twitch on the bottom without a lot of forward motion. This was most likely stirring up some silt, as well. This erratic action enticed the trout into a more instinctive strike. I began getting very aggressive strikes and landed every fish that hit. I never changed lure color, style or weight all day. Had I simply switched lures like most people do and worked them the same way as I started, I might not have caught anything. Try changing your retrieve before tying another knot. Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Controlled Descent Lures and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.

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illions of people collect the American Eagle Silver Dollar. In fact, it’s been the country’s most popular Silver Dollar for over thirty years. So when a new mintage of Silver Dollars is released, many of those same people are already standing in line, ready to secure the freshest silver coins straight from the United States Mint. Today, you can count yourself among the world’s top collectors by getting ahead of millions of Silver Dollar buyers and securing freshly struck Brilliant Uncirculated 2019 American Eagle Silver Dollars.

America’s Brand New Silver Dollar This is a strictly limited release of one of the most beautiful silver coins in the world. Today you have the opportunity to secure these massive, hefty one full Troy ounce U.S. Silver Dollars in Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) condition. The 100-year-old design features a walking Lady Liberty draped in a U.S. flag on one side and a majestic U.S. Eagle and shield on the other.

The Most Affordable Precious Metal— GOVERNMENT GUARANTEED Silver is by far the most affordable of all precious metals — and each full Troy ounce American Eagle Silver Dollar is government-guaranteed for its 99.9% purity, authenticity, and legal-tender status.

A Coin Flip You Can’t Afford to Lose Why are we releasing the most popular Silver Dollar in America for a remarkably affordable price? We’re doing it to introduce you to what hundreds of thousands of smart collectors and satisfied customers have known since 1984 — GovMint.com is the best source for coins worldwide.

Timing is Everything Our advice? Keep this stunning offer to yourself. Once word gets out that 2019 Silver Dollars are finally available, especially at such a great price, you’ll be facing far more competition for those very first 2019 Silver Dollars. But by calling today, you can secure yours ahead of the rush.

Call Now And Beat the Crowd! The American Eagle Silver Dollar is one of the best selling and most widely collected silver coins in the world. Don’t miss out — call now and secure your very own American Eagle Silver Dollars ahead of the crowd. Plus, the more you buy, the more you save!

2019 American Eagle Silver Dollar BU 1-4 Coins - $19.95 each + s/h 5-9 Coins - $19.55 each + s/h 10-19 Coins - $19.50 each + FREE SHIPPING 20+ Coins - $19.45 each + FREE SHIPPING

FREE SHIPPING on 8 or More! Limited time only. Product total over $149 before taxes (if any). Standard domestic shipping only. Not valid on previous purchases.

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1-888-835-8675 Offer Code AES326-02 Please mention this code when you call.

GovMint.com • 14101 Southcross Dr. W., Suite 175, Dept. AES326-02 • Burnsville, MN 55337 GovMint.com® is a retail distributor of coin and currency issues and is not affiliated with the U.S. government. The collectible coin market is unregulated, highly speculative and involves risk. GovMint.com reserves the right to decline to consummate any sale, within its discretion, including due to pricing errors. Prices, facts, figures and populations deemed accurate as of the date of publication but may change significantly over time. All purchases are expressly conditioned upon your acceptance of GovMint.com’s Terms and Conditions (www.govmint.com/terms-conditions or call 1-800-721-0320); to decline, return your purchase pursuant to GovMint.com’s Return Policy. © 2019 GovMint.com. All rights reserved.

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SUP COU

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— Jeff from McKinney, TX

PRE 2

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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.

ITEM 645 68053/621

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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

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Custome

NOW

$4 COMPARE

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MODEL: 3000

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

1-800-333-2045 Your Offer Code: BSW355-01

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

Stauer

14101 Southcross Drive W.,

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Burnsville, Minnesota 55337

www.stauer.com

Rating of A+

$59

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• 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” 32

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CANGL_NAT3-NAT32.indd 33 hft_coastalangler_0419_M-REG163326.indd 1

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3/18/19 3/1/1911:19 3:10AM PM

Start the new boating season off right with the Ultimate 4-Stroke Outboard from Suzuki. Buy during our Spring Sales Event and get Suzuki’s 3-Year Limited Warranty plus 3 years of Extended Protection at no extra charge.There are Instant Savings on select models, and Low-Rate Financing is also available. See your participating Suzuki Marine dealer for all the details.

3 Years Limited Warranty + 3 Years Extended Protection

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INST

ANT SAVIN GS SAV

SELECE RIGHT N T SUZ UKI O OW ON UTBO ARDS

REPOWER FINANCE

Instant Savings on select models when you buy during this promotion. See your dealer for details.

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

To learn more, visit www.suzukimarine.com. Gimme Six Extended Protection promo is applicable to new Suzuki Outboard Motors from 25 to 350 HP in inventory which are sold and delivered to buyer between 04/01/19 and 06/30/19 in accordance with the promotion by a Participating Authorized Suzuki Marine dealer in the continental US and Alaska to a purchasing customer who resides in the continental US or Alaska. Customer should expect to receive an acknowledgement letter and full copy of contract including terms, conditions and wallet card from Suzuki Extended Protection within 90 days of purchase. If an acknowledgement letter is not received in time period stated, contact Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. – Marine Marketing via email: marinepromo@suz.com. The Gimme Six Promotion is available for pleasure use only, and is not redeemable for cash. Instant Savings apply to qualifying purchases of select Suzuki Outboard Motors made between 04/01/19 and 06/30/19. For list of designated models, see participating Dealer or visit www.suzukimarine.com. Instant Savings must be applied against the agreed-upon selling price of the outboard motor and reflected in the bill of sale. (Suzuki will, in turn, credit Dealer’s parts account.) There are no model substitutions, benefit substitutions, rain checks, or extensions. Suzuki reserves the right to change or cancel these promotions at any time without notice or obligation. * Financing offers available through Synchrony Retail Finance. As low as 5.99% APR financing for 60 months on new and unregistered Suzuki Outboard Motors. Subject to credit approval. Not all buyers will qualify. Approval, and any rates and terms provided, are based on credit worthiness. $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 04/01/19 and 06/30/19. “Gimme Six”, 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. © 2019 Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.

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3/18/19 11:19 AM

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1782-18B Coastal Angler.indd 1 COMMON CVRS_0419.indd 3

For: Coastal Angler

12/19/18 3:50 PM 3/18/19 9:38 AM

NEW FROM THE ALL NEW

Introducing the newest member of the NauticStar family: the 32 XS Offshore. This outstanding saltwater

NAUTICSTAR

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IT’SXS CRAZY 32 COOL! OFFSHORE

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