ODE TO FISHING FATHERS LOCAL FORECASTS & PHOTOS
Remembering Ben Martin
The outdoor and shing community lost a true leader with the passing of Ben Martin, Editor in Chief of Coastal Angler Magazine and !e Angler Magazine
For years, Ben helped shape the voice of one of the most respected outdoor publications in the country. rough his leadership, passion for shing, and dedication to storytelling, he built more than just a magazine— he helped create a community. From o shore anglers and weekend surf shermen to guides, writers, photographers and advertisers, Ben had a way of bringing people together through a shared love of the outdoors.
ose who knew him understood that his passion went far beyond publishing. Ben cared deeply about the shing lifestyle, conservation, and the people behind every story. He believed in supporting local communities, giving outdoor enthusiasts a platform to share their experiences, and keeping shing alive for future generations.
His impact could be felt across every edition, every article, and every relationship he built throughout the industry. He was respected not only as a leader, but as a friend, mentor, and advocate for the outdoor world.
While his passing leaves a tremendous void, Ben’s legacy will continue to live on through the countless lives he touched and the publication he helped grow into a trusted voice for anglers everywhere.
e Coastal Angler and e Angler Magazine family mourns the loss of a remarkable man who dedicated his life to the sport, the industry, and the people he loved.
Rest easy, Ben. You will be deeply missed.
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REINING IN THE
By A. deGruchy
WFISHING IN THE FLORIDA KEYS
the next. Hooking one is not just shing. It is a fullbody workout.
Tarpon are notorious for their ght, and for good reason. As soon as it happens - things get crazy… line screams o the reel, the rod loads up, and then this sh launches into the air like it is trying to shake every bad decision its ever made. I’ve seen this dozens of times and it will seriously never get old.
For summer tarpon shing in the Keys, we NEED dependable gear that can handle heat, salt, and serious drag pressure. !e PENN Slammer IV paired with the PENN Carnage III rods is a strong setup for battling big sh. !e reel has the power and durability needed for long ghts, while the Carnage III rod gives you the backbone to stay connected when a tarpon starts digging deep. Savage Gear Pulse Tail Mullets can be extremely e ective (I’ve witness and can attest to the fact that Tarpon like these). !e right clothing matters too. Summer in the Keys is hot, bright, and salty, so sun protection is not optional. On top of the heat, reeling in a Tarpon will 100% have you sweating, I promise.
Note, Tarpon shing is NOT easy. !ere o%en is A LOT of downtime waiting for that bite. You might wait, cast, miss, jump one, lose one, and then nally connect with the sh you came for. However, that’s what makes it special. Every moment feels earned, every jump gets your heart going, and every release is a something you remember.
hen the summer tarpon run heats up, the Florida Keys become one of the best places to chase the Silver King. !ese sh
are built like silver freight trains. !ey roll through the channels, bridges, ats, and backcountry looking calm one second, then explode into the air
Ready to chase the Silver King in the Florida Keys? Book your tarpon trip at beansport shing.com and for more real-world shing action in the Florida Keys, follow Bean Sport shing on YouTube.
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THE PADDLETAIL ADVANTAGE FOR FLORIDA SNOOK
Snook !shing in Florida gets me hooked every time. ey !ght like crazy, pulling you toward every dock or root they can !nd right a er you set the hook. I’ve tried di erent methods over the years, but so plastic paddletails always pull me back in.
One thing I like about them is how they let you cover a lot of area without looking unnatural. In places like mangrove lines or around docks and passes, they just match what snook eat every day. Like mullet or those small shad, the way it swims seems right. I think that con!dence comes from knowing it mimics the bait so well.
A lot of people !sh them too quickly, ripping the lure back fast. Snook can be aggressive, sure, but I !nd better results when I slow it down. Let the thing hang in the zone longer with a twitch here and there. at steady pull with pauses beats the erratic stu most days. It feels like the !sh just need time to commit.
Current makes a big di erence, too. I always look for moving water if I can. It pushes the bait around and lines up the snook in spots like points or under bridges. ose dock corners turn into traps when the tide picks up. Positioning up current helps; let the lure dri in naturally. Snook handle that %ow easily and strike at stu coming their way.
My setup stays basic most times. Grab a three- to !ve-inch paddletail on a jig head. Lighter ones for shallow spots around mangroves, heavier for deeper passes with more pull. Colors, well, natural ones in clear water, I guess, brighter if it’s murky or dark out. Not sure why, but it seems to matter sometimes.
Early mornings along mangrove banks are my go-to. Cast long parallel
By Capt. Michael Okruhlik
to the shore, hit every little pocket or drain. Strikes o en come right near the edge, so you have to be accurate. Around the docks, I try skipping under as far as possible. Big snook hang in the shade there, especially when it’s warmer.
at thump when they hit, you’d better be set. ey dive for structure right away, trying to wrap your line. Just keep pressure steady, don’t let up. Florida snook spots are top-notch, and paddletails work well in that role. Hard to go wrong with them for inshore stu
Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor and owner of Knockin Tail Lures® — knockintaillures.com.
BIG LURES for Summer Fishing
CAPT. MIKE SMITH
Have you ever had one of those summer days when you catch tons of !sh but they are all small? is happens to the best of us. e best way to !x this dilemma is to use bigger lures. Bigger lures are your best bet for big !sh in the hot summer months.
Best Summer Lures
1. e best topwater lures are a large walk-the-dog lure like a Zara Super Spook, Rapala Skitter Walk or a MirrOlure Top Dog. ese lures are a great choice in low light and dirty water scenarios.
When !shed in water depths of 4 feet or less, you can expect monster snook, trout and red!sh to crush this lure type.
Pro Tip: Smush the barbs down so you injure yourself and the !sh as little as possible, and always pause the lure retrieve every 8 feet or so for a second or two.
2. My second favorite big topwater/ sub-surface lure for summer !shing is a 5.5-inch jerkbait (%uke). is lure is great for water depths of 4 feet or less but is a much better choice for skipping into structure.
Large snook and red!sh love to tuck
up under mangrove limbs and docks. A 5.5-inch jerkbait is the kryptonite to catch those super !sh lurking in heavy structure. You can rig it weedless or nose hook it with a 1/0 octopus hook or circle hook.
Pro Tip: e best retrieve for this lure type is a twitch-twitch-twitchpause where the lure falls a foot or so before beginning your retrieve again.
3. My third favorite summertime lure is the 4-inch paddletail. is is probably your best lure choice if you are new to !shing because it is easy to master.
Many days the best retrieve is a steady one. Just cast it out and reel it back in. When the !sh are more !nicky, then a twitch-twitch every few feet is a good addition to the retrieval cadence.
e great thing about this lure choice is your complete control of the depth you want to !sh. If you want to get it deeper, just use a bigger jig head. It is a good idea to have 1/8, 1/4, and 3/8 ounce jig heads to cover the water column e ectively.
ere are lots of large forage species around in the summer months so you should increase the size of the lures you are pitching to better “match the hatch.” You just might catch your personal best snook, tarpon, red!sh or speckled trout with those bigger lures.
Go get ’em.
Capt. Mike Smith, owner of Fish Your Ass O Charters, is an inshore shing guide who has been shing the inshore waters, oyster bars and grass ats of Florida for more than 40 years. Reach him at (561) 339-2317, email: contact@ shyourasso .com or visit shyourasso .com.
JACKSONVILLE YOUTH SETS NEW IGFA WORLD RECORD
On October 13, 2025, Emily Di Perna was !shing the St. Johns River in Jacksonville, Florida, when she landed this 20-pound red drum. With this !sh, Emily has set the IGFA Junior Women’s 10-kg (20 lb) Line Class World Record for the species. She was !shing with Capt. Don Dingman when this record drum struck a blue crab.
A er recording the weight on a certi!ed scale, Emily was able to release the !sh safely.
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WHERE TO FIND THE ANGLER MAGAZINE
We print and deliver 5000 copies of The Angler Magazine every month and distribute it to over 200 local business partners. Often, locations change, but here are a few businesses where you can always find a free copy.
AVON PARK
Avon Park Chamber of Commerce
Walmart
Wild Turkey Tavern
Bill Jarrett Auto
Huston Chevrolet
Huston Dodge/Jeep
SEBRING
Sebring Chamber of Commerce
Fish Candy
Food For Thought
Alan Jay Ford
Alan Jay Chevy/GM
Veterans Administration
McKibbons
McPhails Auto
Sebring Toyota YMCA
Walmart
SPRING LAKE/LORIDA
Gator Shack
Spray and Pray
Sebring Resorts
Seven Hotel
LAKE PLACID
Lake Placid Chamber of Commerce
Lake Placid Western Wear
Lake Placid Marine
Lake Placid Historical Society
Bass Addict
The Bait Shop
LAKEPORT
Brighton Seminole Casino and Hotel
Big Water Bait and Tackle
Brighton Trading Post
Lakeport Quik Shop
OKEECHOBEE
Okeechobee Chamber of Commerce
Fast Break Bait and Tackle
Skull Hill Archery
Garrards Bait and Tackle
Lake and Trail USA
Eli’s Western Wear
Walmart
PALMDALE
Gatorama
Fisheating Creek Outpost
KOA Holiday RV Park
CLEWISTON
Clewiston Chamber of Commerce
Jolly Rogers Marina
Roland Martin Marina
Hampton Inn
Walmart
LABELLE
LaBelle Chamber of Commerce
Walmart
LaBelle Ranch Supplies
Red Rooster Restaurant
Bridgestreet Auto Parts
WAUCHULA
Wauchula Chamber of Commerce
Caloosa Outfitters
Thousand Trails
Alan Jay Ford
Alan Jay Jeep/Chrysler
Walmart
ARCADIA
Arcadia Chamber of Commerce
Gator Guns
Arcadia Golf Course
Walmart
Eli’s Western Wear
Capital Pawn
Jennifer M. Bush - Executive Director 863-465-4331
HEADWATERS RESERVOIRS UPDATE
By Captain Valerie Morrell
As we move into the summer months, the bass fishing at Headwaters Reservoir will stabilize. The spawn is over, and what a spring spawn it was! Fishing action was fast and frantic. The fish were willing to please the anglers who booked trips on the lake. A group of one adult and two 12-year-old boys who booked a 6-hour trip with me caught 74 fish between them! Needless to say, they were quite impressed by what Headwaters has to offer.
The sport of bass fishing has experienced many technological advancements over the decades: from the introduction of the first graph recorders to the evolution of GPS and side-imaging. However, nothing has disrupted the landscape as profoundly as forward-facing sonar (FFS). This technology has shifted the sport from a pursuit of “guessing” to a game of “precision,” fundamentally altering how anglers interact with the underwater world. Historically, bass fishing was a process of trial and error. Anglers relied on intuition, experience, and limited sonar data to identify potential fish-holding structure. They would cast blindly, hoping a fish was present and willing to bite. Forward-facing sonar has flipped that method on its head by providing a real-time, high-definition, directional view of the water column in front of the boat. While FFS was initially an expensive, cutting-edge tool reserved for elite professionals, it has rapidly become a staple for tournament anglers, fishing guides, and increasingly, the everyday hobbyist. Major marine electronics manufacturers, including Garmin, Lowrance, and Humminbird, have invested in their own versions of live imaging. This competition has driven the technology forward at breakneck speeds and created a wider range of options for consumers. Most
new boats come equipped with the technology, or it can be purchased as an add-on option. Additionally, the equipment is readily available to add to your present boat.
When I’m not guiding, I install, repair, and maintain boat electronics. I am an authorized Lowrance factory-trained electronics technician. In addition to these services, I help people understand how their boat electronics work. I can go out on the water with you in your boat or mine and instruct you on how to get the most from the equipment you have, maximizing its potential.
— If you would like to book a trip to Headwaters, I still have dates available for June. Visit my website at morrellfishing.com, scan the QR code, or call me directly at 863-633-7335 for more information on booking a trip or to arrange a trip on your boat or mine to enhance your knowledge of your electronics further.
Custom
Credit
702 N Ridgewood Dr. Sebring, FL 33870
863-658-1686
Summer
Jesse A. Choquette Owner-Operator
Come Outside & Play!
Lake Okeechobee’s water level is still getting lower, but I do see lots of vegetation growing in the shallows. The bluegill have been on the beds since the month of March, so now is a great time to book your next fun day on the water. When the bream are on the beds, big bass are on the prowl for a meal, so keep your bass rods handy, tipped with a frog, swim jig, worm, and topwater. As the Summer months progress, the bream will continue to bed throughout the coming Summer in the shallows and in deeper water along the Kissimmee River edges, ledges, and points.
With that said, it would be a great time to brush up on your crank bait; Carolina rig skill sets working the ledges in the River and the Canals, such as Taylor Creek, which is always a great time to fish, especially when it’s windy. Areas on the lake that have been producing both bream and bass are the Buckhead Ridge area down to about 3rd point; on into Tin house working the outside and just inside grass areas; some spots around Indian Prairie and the point of Horse Island.
If you’re launching from the West side of Harney Pond canal, try around the Monkey box area and spoil islands on the North side; that’s always a good area for big bluegill. Past the Monkey box, running south along the Shoal, there are some areas that are hot right now for bass and bluegill. The Shoal is a good long stretch of grass, so take your time, drift, and work some areas really slow.
If you want to fish the East side, some areas on the outside edge grass line are producing early morning bites, such as Nub n Slough, and down towards the water release, and just past it, going towards J & S. Lots of rock on the East side, so be aware and idle when in doubt.
To book a trip, give me a call at 863-228-7263. Be sure to check out my website, www.southfloridabassfishing.com, for all your booking questions. If you’re in need of a good hotel, I recommend the Hampton Inn on Highway 70 East in Okeechobee. Also on my website, you’ll see updated customer pics with their catches, past fishing reports, and guide trip info. I can accommodate group trips and multi-day trips, and with a start time that’s convenient for you. A big thank you to all my Sponsors for your Support throughout my 21 years guiding here on the big O: Caymas bass boats (Toho Marine); G-Loomis; Lews; BnM Poles; Mid South tackle; Real Magic; Bullet Weights; Gill; Gene Larew and the Mercury brand.
—
Capt. Dave Stephens
June is the Gateway to Summer On Charlotte Harbor
This time of year, our harbor is without a doubt the most productive. We are fortunate to still have some pelagic fish in the harbor. Around the large schools of herring and glass minnows, you will still see good numbers of Spanish mackerel. If you’re lucky enough, you may also catch a glimpse of a cobia. But there are two fish that people look forward to catching the most this time of year. The top being the tarpon. This is the time of year when large schools of tarpon begin to move into the harbor. As post-spawn fish return from offshore, they move into the harbor looking to put some weight back on. The key to locating these guys is getting an early start. Calm waters will give away tarpon rolling on the surface. Baits such as herring or large whitebait will normally get their attention. The second would be snook. This is the time of year when large schools of spawning snook can be located. Areas such as bars with a mixture of sand and grass. Also, the beaches are great places to locate schools of snook. For the most part, these schools will be mostly male fish, but the numbers will be very good. Also, if you’re lucky enough, you may just get a large female to eat.
For the anglers out there who want to take a few fish home for dinner? The mangrove snapper bite has been really picking up. Look for these guys around deeper mangrove points. If the water is clear remember to downsize gear. Until next time, get out and enjoy our beautiful fishery.
— Capt. Dave Stephens 941-916-5769 | www.backbayxtremes.com
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FWC’s 2026 TrophyCatch Program In Full Swing
TrophyCatch Season 14 is still going strong as Florida’s annual spawning season winds down. Multiple double-digit and Hall of Fame bass were submitted in the last quarter, including the lucky catch below. !e latest totals for the TrophyCatch program are::
• 13,349 Lunker Club (8-9.9 lbs.) bass
• 3,372 Trophy Club (10-12.9 lbs.)
• 176 Hall of Fame (13+ lbs.)
• 16,897 Total approved bass submissions to date If you’ve participated in TrophyCatch, your data is included here!
TrophyCatch Season 14 launched on October 1st, 2025 and allows anglers until September 30th, 2026 to pursue and land an 8+ lbs. bass. !is unique program unites anglers who document their bass, conservation partners who award prizes and your catch data which helps sheries managers understand where, when and how the
biggest bass are being caught in Florida. It takes all three groups collaborating for this program to be successful.
And for Putnam County anglers, there’s an exciting opportunity to win an awesome shing trip prize package when you submit and have catches approved for TrophyCatch that are from Putnam County!
!e TrophyCatch program is brought to you by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission (FWC), and their conservation partners. !e FWC mission is “Managing sh and wildlife resources for their long-term well-being and the bene t of people.” !ese programs collect valuable data through citizen-science, encourage shing and conservation and bring enjoyment to Florida anglers.
Register for TrophyCatch or view approved angler catches at TrophyCatch.com.
This 12 lbs. 4 oz. Trophy Club bass was caught by David Lang in Putnam County.
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SUMMER SAFETY
By Will Schmidt
There’s been a troubling trend that I’m hearing while out on my boat. The Coast Guard broadcasting an unmanned vessel alert. This potentially deadly scenario seems to be happening now on a regular basis, and a few precautions can take this from a life-or-death situation to an easily survivable event. With the summer boating season soon to be underway, now is a great time to revisit some basic safety protocols. Perhaps the two biggest safety items on a boat are often the most overlooked
and underused pieces of equipment. First, life jackets. Gone are the days of the bulky bright orange life jackets that are uncomfortable and impeding. The new self-inflating styles are both comfortable and unencumbering. These are far more user friendly and yet many resist. The truth is the self-inflating vest or hip pack versions are comfortable and don’t restrict you in any way. Should you fall overboard they can truly be life savers.
The second most underused item is your kill switch. Even though they are mandated on vessels 26 feet or less while on a plane, most people still don’t use them. The biggest complaint with these is that they tether you to the helm. However, as your boats have gotten smarter, so has the kill switch. There are products like the Fell Marine 1st Mate system which wirelessly protect the users. This genius devise uses geo fencing to define your boat’s area and activates the system should the small wearable fob cross the boundary. By allowing movement around the boat untethered there is no excuse at all for not utilizing the kill switch, even while not on plane. Should the captain fall overboard the engine(s) stop and if the system is not reset in a definable amount of time it will send messages for help. This is great for solo fishing where an errant wave can be disastrous. As a bonus it can also be set up as an anti-theft device.
Another lesser used device is your fire extinguisher. One of the most terrifying events that can happen on a boat is fire. If that should occur, every second counts. Having your fire extinguisher close at hand is a must, and finding an out-of-the-way spot to mount this gear is essential. There are many mounts available, and being prepared for this type of emergency is the smart thing to do.
Clearly there are many other required pieces of equipment as well as suggested items. From flares to first aid kits, no one wants to use them, but when they are needed, they are crucial. Before heading out, make sure everyone knows where all these items are stored. Time can be of the essence in an emergency and having the crew waste valuable time searching for safety items could make all the difference in the world.
Will Schmidt is a seasoned tournament angler who has been writing about fishing from more than two decades. Follow Will on Instagram @saltynstrong.
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CRUISE TO THE ULTIMATE ALASKAN FISHING EXCURSION
By Capt. Lukas Brickweg
Ketchikan, Alaska isn’t just another cruise ship port; it’s widely recognized as one of the top shing locations in Alaska—and for good reason. For cruise ship guests looking to experience an authentic Alaska shing in a limited window of time, the quality and diversity of shing found here is unmatched anywhere else on the Inside Cruise Passage.
Why book a shing excursion in Ketchikan? Due to the sheer productivity and diversity of nearby waters, combined with a variety of species types and trip times, this is revered as a must do cruise excursion. It o%ers a chance to
get out of the bustling downtown, reel in massive catches and have your catch shipped home. In addition, these waterways always provide areas for calm, scenic waters abundant with wildlife sightings.
Depending on the season, guests can hook into all ve types of wild paci c salmon, with each o%ering a unique ght and experience. Add to that the opportunity to drop lines for Paci c halibut, and you have a shery that delivers both action and assortment. Ketchikan’s waters are also home to an impressive range of additional species including lingcod, rock sh, and Paci c cod, giving guests a true Alaska shing experience. !is diversity keeps the day exciting, especially for rst-time anglers and families, and ensures there’s always something happening on the rod.
For cruise ship guests on a tight schedule, quality and convenience matter! Ketchikan consistently produces an opportunity to catch trophy sh! !e size and strength of the sh they hook astonishes guests. !is reputation for quality shing is why experienced anglers and rst-timers alike rank Ketchikan as the best shing port on an Alaska cruise.
At Ketchikan’s Finest Fishing Charters, we focus on putting guests in the right place at the right time. Our captains know these waters intimately and adjust techniques based on tides, seasons, and conditions to maximize success. !e result is a shing experience that consistently exceeds expectations, which is re ected in our top rated reviews and repeat guests year a er year.
Another major advantage for cruise ship excursions is the downtown cruise ship harbor location. Being located steps from where cruise ships dock means less time commuting and more time shing. Guests appreciate the simplicity; walk o% the ship, step aboard, and start shing.
If you’re cruising to Alaska and want the best possible shing excursion, Ketchikan delivers unmatched diversity, dependable action, and true trophy potential, combined with convenient harbor access and one of the highestreviewed charter operations in town. Ketchikan’s Finest Fishing Charters o%ers cruise ship guests an authentic Alaska shing experience, rich sheries, wildlife abound and unforgettable moments for the entire family. Step o% your cruise ship and straight into some of the best shing Alaska has to o%er.
To book your Alaskan shing adventure with Ketchikan’s Finest Fishing Charters, visit ketchikan shingtrips.com, call (907) 617-4717 or email ketchikan shingtrips@gmail.com.
Ayoung angler from South Florida recently reached out to the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute’s freshwater sheries team with a truly remarkable catch. While our biologists occasionally encounter very dark gar and other species in the Everglades and throughout South Florida, this sh stood out as something special. It is believed to be a rare melanistic Florida gar.
Melanism is a condition marked by an unusually dark appearance caused by excessive melanin in the skin, scales, fur, or feathers. It is relatively uncommon in wildlife and is not something biologists see very o en, making this catch especially unique.
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You’re getting a lot for your money with this watch. The Explorer is the perfect companion in any locale–– whether you’re exploring coral reefs or investigating the rum options at a beachside bar. With a case, band and crown of stainless steel, this watch is built to last, and its water resistance rating of 20 ATM means it can handle most of your aquatic adventures to a depth of 678 feet. The striking metallic blue face reflects the
deep waters it was designed to explore and it’s sporty screw-down crown can take the pressure in stride.
Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. If you are not completely convinced you got excellence for less, simply return the Explorer Dive Watch within 30 days for a refund of the item price. At Stauer, we never leave our customers high and dry. Limited Edition. Sure you could give your hard-earned money to those other guys, but why would you? We’ve got the thinking man’s timepiece right here. This watch takes six months to engineer and it’s already making waves, so we can’t guarantee it will be around for long. Call today, and experience how good it feels to get true luxury for less.
SPECIES SPOTLIGHT: JAGUAR GUAPOTE
The Jaguar Guapote is a large, non-native freshwater cichlid now established in southeastern Florida’s coastal canal systems, with records as far north as the West Palm Beach area.
It has a robust, semi-elongated body with a large oblique mouth and prominent canine teeth, and is easily recognized by its broken lateral line and striking black-spot and blotch pattern along a pale body — reminiscent of a jaguar’s spots.
!is species is an aggressive predator, feeding mainly on small sh and aquatic insects, but also consuming snails, worms, and other prey.
In Florida, jaguar guapote tolerate poor water quality and warm temperatures, thriving in canals and sluggish waters. !ey spawn on hard surfaces, with both parents guarding eggs and young.
!ough valued by some anglers and considered good to eat, this nonnative predator can impact native sh communities due to its voracious feeding habits.
captains license
Lake Mary/Sanford - Jun 1
Crystal River - Jun 15
Tarpon Springs - Jun 15
New Smyrna Bch - Jul 6
Palm Bay/Melb - Jul 20
Bradenton - Aug 10
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To Reserve a Spot Call: 352-447-1950 Email: info@adamsmarine.com
NO LE HACE TAKES TOP PRIZE AT 6TH ANNUAL CHUB CAY INVITATIONAL
WPalm Bay/Melb - Aug 1
Bradenton - Aug 22
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eather played a big factor in the 6th Annual Chub Cay Invitational Tournament that just concluded in the Bahamas. A strong low pressure system with high winds forced multiple boats to sit out, but the remaining eet didn’t let that damper spirits. By the time the frontal boundary had passed, the sh turned on and No Le Hace, a 57 Spencer led by Capt. Freddy “Potatoes” Vicens and team, had captured rst place. No Le Hace released three sail sh and one blue marlin and all were caught by Denise McMahan, who was also named Top Lady Angler for the event.
On the rst day of shing two blue marlin, one white and four sail sh were tallied. Blues successfully released count for 500 points, whites are 200 and sails score 100.
No Le Hace made its charge on the second day. Invicta, a 44-foot Contender center console run by Michael Buxton, released a blue the rst day, followed by the rst sh of Day Two, a white marlin. !at earned the team second-place honors. Sempre Dura, a 68 Ricky Scarborough with owner Chris Stavola at the helm, locked up third place with a sail sh in the morning and a blue marlin a er lunch.
!e radio and dock was buzzing with Waterline’s (Capt. Jake Gri th/58 Viking) epic ght on light tackle. Rob McCall fought a big yellow n tuna for ve hours, 20 minutes on a Tallica 25 with 40-pound main line, 60-pound leader and a 7/0 circle hook. !e sh ate a ballyhoo on the right long outrigger line and was nally boated at 5:04. !e boat made it back to the scales within the two-hour deadline, with everyone cheering on. When the sh was nally weighed, it registered 140 pounds, easily winning the heaviest meat sh for the Invitational. !at catch also was the largest game sh in Chub Cay Resort’s tournament history. Waterline also weighed a 38-pound dolphin to sweep the game sh categories.
“ !e Invitational is a members-only event following the Chub Cay Classic and Chub Cay Open, which are open to the public,” says Tournament Director Robert “Fly” Navarro. “ !e weather was a factor early, but we still had some outstanding shing overall, including Waterline’s epic catch.”
!e dates for next year’s tournaments are set. !e Chub Cay Classic kicks o% on March 11-13, 2027. !e Cub Cay Open will be held April 1-3, followed by the Chub Cay Invitational on April 15-17, 2027.
For more information about the tournaments, the resort and its amenities, visit www.chubcay.com.
NOAA ESTABLISHES LONGEST ATLANTIC RED SNAPPER SEASON IN DECADES
Anglers across the South Atlantic will enjoy a signi cantly longer red snapper season in 2026, thanks to a new management strategy approved by NOAA Fisheries. rough an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP), individual states are taking the lead on data collection and management, resulting in a dramatic increase in shing days compared to previous federal seasons. Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina will have more than two months (62 days) for recreational Atlantic red snapper shing, while Florida will have 39 days split into several windows.
Florida’s Extended 39-Day Opportunity
Florida recreational anglers will see the most substantial change, with a season split into summer and fall windows. is expansion aims to reduce regulatory discards— sh that are caught and released but do not survive—by allowing more sh to be kept.
• Summer Window: May 22 – June 20
• Fall Window: October 2–4, 9–11, and 16–18
• Regulations: e daily bag limit is one sh per person. Notably, there is no minimum size limit for Florida under this permit, a move designed to further reduce discard mortality.
Georgia and the Carolinas
North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia are also participating in the pilot program, o ering a continuous two-month season for their residents.
• Season Dates: July 1 – August 31, 2026
• Regulations: e bag limit remains one sh per person. Size limits vary by state: South Carolina maintains a 20-inch minimum, while Georgia and North Carolina have no minimum size for this speci c season.
Mandatory Reporting Requirements e success of this pilot program hinges
on accurate data. For the 2026 Atlantic red snapper season, mandatory reporting is a core requirement.
• Florida: Recreational anglers must have a valid saltwater shing license and a (free) State Reef Fish Angler designation. All red snapper landings must be reported via the FWC EFP Reporting app or website - https://app.myfwc.com/crossdoi/ redsnapperreporting/. While passengers may keep their limit on for-hire trips, captains and crew members are prohibited from retaining red snapper on charter or headboat trips.
• Georgia and the Carolinas: Private recreational anglers must use the VESL app or website (https://blue ndata.com/projects/ red-snapper-with-yamaha) to record their red snapper harvest and discard information to participate in the 2026 red snapper season. For-hire operations who qualify must have a current federal permit and record their harvest and discard information through their appropriate reporting program. is shi toward state-led management re ects a growing e ort to balance the health of the red snapper stock with the needs of the recreational shing community. By gathering more precise catch data through these state programs, o&cials hope to create more sustainable and predictable seasons in the years to come.
Red snapper are highly sought a er by anglers because they’re one of the best-tasting sh in the ocean. ese aggressive sh tend to concentrate around reefs, wrecks, and other deep-water structures, which makes for some fun and fast-paced catching when you can nd them.
2026 GULF RED SNAPPER SEASON
e 2026 Gulf red snapper recreational shing season features a record-breaking 140day harvest period in Florida state and federal waters. e season spans both summer and fall periods, extending all the way into January, with exact limits and dates varying depending on your location and shing permit.
Florida Private Recreational Gulf Season
Florida anglers enjoy the longest season in state history with a 140-day allowance. Bag limit is 2 sh per person, per day, and you must sign up for a no-cost State Reef Fish Survey.
• Summer Season: Open daily from May 22 through July 31.
• Fall Season: Open daily from September 1 through October 4.
• Weekend Openings: Select weekends continue through the rest of the year:
» ree-day weekends in October (Oct. 9-11, 16-18, 23-25, 30-Nov. 1)
» Two-day weekends in November (Nov. 7-8, 14-15, 21-22)
» anksgiving weekend (Nov. 26-29)
» Two-day weekends in December (Dec. 5-6, 12-13, 19-20).
» Christmas weekend (Dec. 25-27) and New Year’s (Jan. 1-4).
Federal For-Hire Gulf Season
For federally-permitted charter/for-hire vessels, the federal waters season in the Gulf of America runs for 147 days and is open June 1 through October 26. Limit of 2 sh per person, per day.
Other Gulf States Regulations and dates vary outside of Florida:
• Louisiana: e season opened on May 1 for private anglers and for-hire charters (state waters), open 7 days a week until quotas are met. e bag limit is 4 sh.
• Alabama: e season opened on May 22, running 7 days a week until the quota is reached.
• Texas: State waters are open year-round.
Always check with your state’s shing and wildlife agency for the most up-to-date rules and regulations.
TA FISHING FATHERS’ CATCH A FISHING FATHERS’ CATCH
the sh bite, and sometimes they don’t. Learning to accept both outcomes gracefully is a lesson many adults still struggle to master.
ey also teach resilience. Every angler loses sh. Hooks snag. Weather changes. Boats break down. Yet shermen keep going. Children who grow up shing learn early that frustration is temporary and persistence o en pays o
By Chatwick G. Peterson III
here’s something timeless about a father teaching a child to sh. Long before the rst cast is made or the rst sh is landed, something deeper is already taking place on the shoreline, in the boat, or along the quiet bend of a creek. Fishing becomes more than a hobby—it becomes a bridge between generations.
For many fathers, shing is one of the rst ways they learn to teach patience, con dence, and respect for the outdoors. It starts with simple things: showing a child how to hold a rod, how to bait a hook, or why you move quietly near the water. ose lessons may seem small in the moment, but they o en become memories that last a lifetime.
A child rarely remembers every sh they catch. What they remember is who was standing beside them. ey remember early mornings wrapped in hoodies while the world was still waking up. ey remember snacks in the tackle box, tangled lines that somehow got xed, and the excitement in their father’s voice when a bobber nally disappeared beneath the surface. ey remember the encouragement a er losing a sh and the celebration a er catching even the smallest bluegill.
Fishing fathers teach far more than technique. ey teach patience in a world that moves too fast. Fishing forces children to slow down, observe, and appreciate the moment. ere are no instant rewards on the water. Sometimes
WHY BUY NEW WHEN YOU CAN RENEW?!?
Perhaps most importantly, fathers who sh with their children create space for conversation. Some of the best talks happen when there’s no pressure to talk at all. Sitting side by side in a boat or along a bank has a way of opening doors. Kids ask questions. Fathers share stories. Life slows down enough for real connection to happen naturally.
In today’s world, where screens compete for nearly every waking moment, teaching a child to sh may be more important than ever. Fishing pulls kids outdoors and reconnects them with nature. ey learn where food comes from, how ecosystems work, and why conservation matters. ey begin to understand that lakes, rivers, and oceans are not just places for recreation, but resources that deserve protection.
A father teaching a child to release a sh carefully may also be teaching stewardship without ever using the word.
Not every shing father is perfect. Some are patient teachers while others struggle to untangle knots without frustration. Some own expensive boats while others sh from muddy banks with secondhand rods. But none of that truly matters to a child. What matters is presence. Time is the real gi
Years later, long a er tackle boxes rust and rods are replaced, many sons and daughters discover that shing was never really about the sh at all. It was about learning who their father was. It was about shared silence, laughter, stories, and traditions passed down one cast at a time.
And eventually, something remarkable happens: the child grows up and begins teaching another child how to sh. e knot may be tied di erently. e tackle may change. e old family hotspots may even disappear. But the tradition continues. One generation passes something meaningful to the next—not just a skill, but a way of life.
Fishing fathers help shape patient, observant, and connected children. ey teach kids to appreciate nature, value time, and understand that some of life’s greatest moments happen far away from crowds and noti cations.
In the end, the greatest catch a father ever makes may not be the sh on the line, but the bond built beside the water.
Summertime Fishing Patterns
TIM BAREFOOT
June will begin the widespread warm water, instead of just pockets like in spring. Starting now you can catch tuna, wahoo and dolphin anywhere in that 70+ degree water. From now through October, I would put an emphasis on securing big, hardy live baits for the light line. If nothing else, jig up some small snappers wherever you are bottom shing and keep one underneath a oat or under the kite, along with one without a oat that can get some depth. Of course, I like to nd bait to sh around, not just bait on the surface. Don’t hesitate to get these light line baits deeper in the water column. at 75- to 100-foot depth is notorious for wahoo, as well as yellow n tuna during the middle of the day when the sun is high.
I would suggest spending some time posted up on top of a big stack of bait and dedicating at least one person to jigging up dozens of live cigs and sardines. is is the ultimate bait for either the light line or on the bottom. If you put a lot of cigar minnows or sardines on the decoy jig, its life expectancy is under ve seconds on the bottom, but just getting it to the bottom sometimes can be a challenge. We never leave the dock without a couple boxes of frozen cigar minnows and live pin sh this time of year, but nothing, in my humble opinion, is any better than a live cigar or sardine on the jig.
later.
e summer solstice will be June 20—the longest day of the year. It will be daylight right a er 5 a.m. and sh are just like us. ey like to eat breakfast and dinner, so go early. Be there for the daylight bite or stay late and, if you feel froggy, spend the night. ere is nothing like that night bite under the lights. It is a “National Geographic moment” at night under the lights. You see everything. Be sure to dip up some squid for the daylight bite or put them back down at night. Squid will de nitely come to the lights and are easy to catch, but beware—they will bite you and spew very black ink. is is a great time of year to take the kids. You could have big, high-pressure cells that will keep the seas at for days and they will be amazed to see all the life under the lights at night. But dress your kids properly and teach him how to harvest sh and take care of the sh you want to release. Take plenty of videos because they will never want to forget these trips.
Calm seas and tight lines, Ben Martin. We’ll sh together again someday...
Visit barefootcatsandtackle.com for more tips and techniques.
Live cigar minnow... ve seconds
GOING DEEP WITH COPPER STATE TACKLE PRO JOEY BLOOM
When the water starts warming and o shore schools of bass begin grouping up on ledges, hard spots, and deep structure, few techniques can trigger giant bites like a deep-diving crankbait. For Joey Bloom, deep cranking is one of the best ways to locate aggressive sh and force reaction strikes from bass that might ignore slower presentations.
“Deep cranking is all about triggering sh,” Bloom explained. “You’re covering water fast, crashing the bait into structure or bottom, and forcing those big bass to react.”
One reason the technique is so productive is the amount of water it covers. Deep-diving crankbaits allow anglers to e&ciently sh o shore structure in the 10- to 25-foot range while maintaining constant bottom contact. Bass o en position around underwater points, shell beds, creek channel bends, submerged roadbeds, rock piles, and ledges where bait sh collect. By making long casts and grinding a crankbait through those highpercentage areas, anglers can quickly locate active schools.
According to Bloom, some of the best locations to target are hardbottom transitions where so bottom changes to hard, rock changes to clay or gravel, o shore humps near creek channels, and isolated structure that sits away from heavy shing pressure.
“Anytime you nd current, bait, and hard structure together, you’ve got the ingredients for giant bass,” Bloom said. “ e biggest thing is making repeated casts from di erent angles until you contact the sweet spot.”
A deep crankbait becomes even more e ective when it continuously de ects o cover. e sudden change in direction mimics injured bait sh and o en causes bass to strike out of instinct. Many anglers believe those violent reaction bites are what separates deep cranking from nesse shing.
Having the proper gear is critical for shing oversized crankbaits all day. Bloom prefers a longer rod in the 7-foot-6 to 7-foot-9 range with a moderate action. e so er parabolic bend helps absorb the surge of big bass while keeping treble hooks pinned during long ghts. Longer rods also increase casting distance, which helps the bait reach maximum depth and stay in the strike zone longer.
When it comes to reels, Bloom relies on slower gear ratios in the 5:1 or 6:3:1 range. Deep-diving crankbaits create tremendous resistance in the water, and lower gear ratio reels provide the torque needed to grind those baits e&ciently without exhausting the angler.
Pairing that setup with 10- to 12-pound uorocarbon line helps maximize diving depth while maintaining sensitivity. Bloom believes the combination of the right rod, reel, and line can be the di erence between occasionally catching sh and consistently landing giant o shore bass.
“When that crankbait starts digging and bouncing o the bottom, you know it’s any moment that a giant bass is going to eat it,” Bloom said. “ at next cast could be the biggest bass of your life.”
You can !nd all your tackle needs at Copper State Tackle and use BLOOM10 for your checkout discount!
www.copperstatetackle.com
SUZUKI MARINE PARTNERS WITH FUEL 1, PAVING THE WAY TO MAKING ETHANOL-FREE MARINE FUEL AVAILABLE THROUGH SUZUKI MARINE DEALERS
Suzuki Marine has partnered with Fuel 1 to provide an opportunity for its dealer network to o er certi ed Sustainable Marine Fuels to its customers right from their facilities. By teaming up with Fuel 1 — a national retailer of advanced fuel delivery and portable fueling systems — Suzuki Marine is helping its dealers better serve their communities by meeting an important consumer need, maximizing the performance and reliability of their customer’s boats, and supporting sustainability goals important to Suzuki Marine and the entire recreational boating industry.
Working with Fuel 1 provides Suzuki Marine dealers with important advantages, such as the ability to deploy a fully supported fueling ecosystem with zero capital investment. Fuel 1 will provide free Micro-Station Deployment; fully branded portable fueling stations installed at participating dealer locations. In addition to direct fueling solutions, portable distribution systems including 20-gallon exchange pods and tote programs make it easy for customers to fuel their boats with PurFuels’ 93-octane, ethanol-free fuel that has been developed speci cally for marine operating conditions.
“Making sustainable marine fuels more accessible in di erent areas of the country is a great win for our dealers and customers alike,” said Brandon Cerka, Suzuki Marine Vice President Sales & Marketing. “ is partnership is also a major step in Suzuki Marine’s ongoing e ort to reduce the environmental footprint of boating. We have long supported the industry’s e orts to educate the boating public about these cleaner burning, more sustainable fuels. Now, we are stepping up to the plate to help get this fuel to more boaters, using their trusted Suzuki Marine dealers as the source,” added Cerka.
e program also makes strong business sense for dealers. A revenue sharing model will provide dealers with solid pro ts and recurring income. Fuel 1 will manage all compliance, liability, inventory, refueling and pointof-sale systems, making it easy for dealers to provide this valuable service to both loyal and new customers. Fuel 1 provides unmatched business and marketing support, including national marketing campaigns to drive customers to the dealership, dealer spotlighting across Fuel 1 Direct and partner platforms, invitations to participate in Fuel 1’s national sponsorships and marine events, and customer aggregation tools to help position dealerships as a preferred destination for premium marine fuel.
“We have used these fuels exclusively at our Suzuki Marine U.S. Technical Center during engine testing, durability trials, and performance benchmarking. Over years of testing, we have proven that these fuels help Suzuki Marine’s products run at peak performance, e&ciency, and durability in real-world conditions. We have every con dence in these fuels and are pleased to be o ering them to our customers,” added Cerka.
To learn more about the key bene!ts of PurFuels sustainable marine fuel, visit www.fuel1direct.com
Here’s a memorable beach moment: You’re basking in the warm sun, toes in the sand, letting the gentle turn of the foam-capped waves lull you into a state of complete relaxation. As your eyes scan the endless horizon of blue on blue, you’re rewarded with the site of a school of dolphins making their way across the sea. There’s no denying their signature shape as they leap from the water. If you don’t see anything else extraordinary the rest of the day, you can take solace knowing you’ve witnessed some of nature’s most playful and intelligent creatures in their natural habitat.
Why not recreate that special toes-in-the-sand moment with our DiamondAura® Dolphin Pendant? The beloved sea mammal has been captured mid-jump in a rhodium-finished setting. And tucked into its fins are a full two carats of shimmering blue DiamondAura.
Nothing captures the shimmering color of the ocean in the midday sun like blue DiamondAura. With its sparkling clear blue color and high refractive index, DiamondAura is one of our top sellers. And with our special price, you have quite the catch. Satisfaction guaranteed or your money back. Enjoy the DiamondAura Dolphin Pendant for 30 days. If it doesn’t pass the test swimmingly, send it back for a full refund of the item price.
Limited Reserves. A full 2 2/5 total carats of DiamondAura in a rhodium finished setting for this price is as rare as a dolphin sighting. We cannot guarantee availability for long. Call today!
Limited to the first 1900
