Coastal Angler Magazine | February 2026 Lake Okeechobee, Lake Istokpoga Edition by Coastal Angler Magazine

TRUST BR AND MARINERS

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When accidents happen, boat insurance offers liability coverage for damages or injuries you cause while boating, up to specifed limits. It can also cover lawsuit costs if you’re sued.

3. Boat insurance can cover medical payments

Boat insurance offers a range of optional medical payments coverage limits, helping to cover medical expenses if you’re in an accident or someone is hurt on your boat, regardless of fault.

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If you fnanced your boat, you’ll likely need boat insurance since most lenders require boat insurance to protect their investment. Additionally, some marinas or municipalities require proof of insurance for docking.

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Flounder Fishing 101

Do you want to catch more !ounder? You will need to nd an area with current, bait and structure for the !ounder to ambush its prey.

Where are they?

Flounder are very prevalent in creek mouths, jetties, sandy points, oyster bars, docks and any other underwater structures. e !ounder will take advantage of the structures to block the current, saving them energy and bringing bait right to their gluttonous mouths.

Flounder are the perfect ambush predator. ey like to bury in the sand adjacent to structures of some kind facing directly into the current. Your lure presentations always need to come from up current or you will spook them.

What do they eat?

CAPT. MIKE SMITH

and bait sh imitations.

Flounder love to eat unsuspecting shrimp and sh brought to them by the current. e best lures to catch !ounder are scented shrimp

e best colors of lures to use for !ounder are any color as long as it is white. White is by far the best color of lure to catch !ounder. Do other colors work? Yes, if you want to catch fewer !ounders, then use something other than white.

e best lures that I have found for !ounder are Gulp! Shrimp and swimming mullets on a jig head. Start small and go bigger if you notice the bait in the area is large. Having an assortment from 3 to 5 inches will usually be perfect.

A great second choice for a !ounder lure is a white bucktail jig. Add a small piece of shrimp to add odor for best results.

How do you catch a ﬂounder?

Flounder have a very small cone of awareness. ey are very unlikely to notice and

chase a lure that is more than 3 or 4 feet away from them.

ey also have a very small strike zone. ey are very hesitant to rise more than 18 inches o$ of the bottom to eat your lures.

Let’s say you found a beautiful oyster point at the mouth of a creek with plenty of current and bait !owing around it. is scenario is perfect for catching a !ounder.

Cast up current and work the lure on the bottom very slowly in 1 to 3 feet of water. When you think you hooked an oyster, set the hook. Flounder strikes are subtle and o en feel like a hang up.

It is very hard to work your lure too slowly for a !ounder. Old timers will tell you to just drag it on the bottom. I personally like to bounce my lures o$ the bottom being careful to not li it more than 18 inches into the water column.

Pro Tip: Use braided line and !uorocarbon leaders when shing for !ounder. Flouro sinks and helps you present your lures more e$ectively on the bottom. Braid doesn’t stretch and will help you feel a !ounder’s very subtle bites.

If you want to become an o cial !ounder pounder, then follow the tips above and catch more !atties. 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.

Sailfish in The Florida Keys

By Astrid deGruchy

Sailfish are the true showoffs of the Florida Keys. They’re fast, flashy, and love putting on a performance the second you put a bait in the water. One moment everything’s calm and quiet, and the next your reel is screaming while a sailfish is launching itself out of the ocean like it’s trying to win an Olympic medal. It’s the kind of chaos anglers live for.

The Keys are famous for having one of the best sailfish bites anywhere, especially from November through April. Cold fronts push schools of ballyhoo and other bait along the reef, and the sailfish stay right on their heels. Spots like Islamorada, Marathon, Key Largo, and Key West all fire off during the season, with most of the action happening along

that 80 to 200 foot reef edge. Most captains here rely on live-baiting and kite fishing, two methods that make sailfish practically impossible to resist. There’s nothing like watching a kite bait get

smashed on the surface. And on those calm, clear days after a front, you might even get to sight-cast to tailing sailfish cruising right along the top. It doesn’t get much better than that.

Strong conservation efforts keep sailfish thriving in the Keys, so anglers get to keep making these memories year after year. Whether you’ve done it before or if your someone trying it for the first time, hooking a sailfish here is unforgettable. It’s fast, wild, beautiful and classic Florida Keys fishing.

Follow deGruchy’s adventures at @bean_sportfishing on Instagram and on YouTube @BeanSportfishing.

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FWC APPROVES RULE CHANGES FOR GULF LANE SNAPPER

At its November meeting, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved rule changes for lane snapper in Florida’s Gulf state waters to be more consistent with current and pending federal regulations.

Approved modi!cations of lane snapper in Gulf state waters include increasing the commercial and recreational minimum size limit from 8 inches to 10 inches total length, and establishing a 20-!shper-person recreational bag limit. ese changes are intended to reduce the risk of over!shing, mitigate the likelihood of early closures, and increase consistency between Gulf state and federal waters. e new Gulf lane snapper recreational regulations will go into e ect on April 1, 2026.

For the full Commission Meeting Nov 5-6 agenda including links to background reports, go to MyFWC.com/About and click on “ e Commission” and “Commission Meetings.”

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

THE RIVER THAT RAISED US

By Peggy Choquette

The excitement always began the night before, when the river lay dark and waiting and the lights of the old river farmhouse glowed like a promise against the ancient rock of the Canadian Shield. Fishing was never just something our family did. It was who we were. The river ran through our history the way blood runs through veins—quiet, constant, undeniable.

After dinner, we spilled barefoot onto the lawn, boys against girls, equal in number and fierce in determination. The grass was soaked with dew, cold enough to steal your breath, the hems of our nightgowns and pajama pants heavy with damp as we raced across the dark. Flashlights danced, laughter echoed, and margarine containers filled with night crawlers and hope. Even then, we felt it—that pull toward the water, that sense of preparing not just for a fishing trip, but for something sacred. Our family had lived and fished on the Lower

French River for generations. The water fed us, shaped us, taught us how to read current and weather and silence. We weren’t just cousins; we were siblings by water and time, bound together by generational memories, shared moments, and beautiful laughter. That closeness became instinct long before we knew what it would one day be asked to carry.

Morning always came too early. Boats were loaded, fathers and uncles at the helms, mothers and aunts guarding the shore-lunch boxes like treasure. We fished hard until hunger pulled us toward a familiar flat rock, its shallow water perfect for swimming, protected by low-bent Georgian Bay pines shaped by decades of wind. There, fish sizzled, laughter carried, and the men

spoke softly of lures and water, as if continuing a conversation older than memory.

The river itself held a kind of holy quiet. The silence brought instant peace, broken only by the haunting, beautiful call of loons—familiar, eternal. This land was rugged and sometimes unforgiving, yet unspoiled and desperately beautiful, and it asked something of you in return: respect, humility, and presence.

As life unfolded, those early lessons stayed with us. Loss came. Hard years came. Parents were buried. Illness arrived without warning. And still, the response was always the same. We showed up. No questions. No explanations. Just the deep, unspoken knowing that this was what we did for one another.

Now, decades later, when we return, those same cousins return us to the river. We fish different spots. Our skills have sharpened. But the moment we step onto the water, it rises up to meet us. Memory washes in. The bond holds. Even now—especially now—it remains instinctive.

Eyes closed. Sun on our faces. Memories flittering on the breeze. And we know, without question, we have come home.

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For Immediate Release

January 1, 2026

Florida Antique Tackle Collectors (F.A.T.C)

Media Contact/Show Host: Jim Berglund 904-303-6503

thetackleshackflorida@yahoo.com

St. Augustine, Fla. — Have you ever wondered about the value of that old tackle box your grandpa left you? Or what about that old rod and reel combo gathering dust in the attic? Or perhaps that vintage outboard in the back of the garage? Well, here’s your chance to find out.

Announcing the 4thAnnual Florida International Antique Tackle Show, hosted by the Florida Antique Tackle Collectors (F.A.T.C.), February 6-7, 2026.

Truly an international event, this show attracts collectors from around the world — all attending to buy, sell and trade vintage fishing tackle.

This unique, exhibition will be held at the Renaissance Hotel & Conference Center, at World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Fla. — America’s Oldest City. There you will see more than 15,000 square feet of vintage fishing tackle displays, including rare lures, reels, rods, creels, and other fishing related memorabilia and ephemera. The public is welcome to attend at a nominal cost of $5 per adult, children under 12 admitted free. Once inside, visitors can either browse or buy from the many show vendors, or receive free appraisals for their old tackle and other fishing

related items. Those interested in selling are welcome to consign their items to our Saturday night auction, where hardcore collectors bid aggressively. Public show times are Friday & Saturday 9am–4pm. For press passes, directions, and additional information, call show host Jim Berglund 904-3036503, or email him at thetackleshackflorida@yahoo.com

The F.A.T.C. is a non-profit organization interested in the preservation of vintage fishing tackle and is fully committed to educating the public on its rarity, collectability and historical significance. To see our mission statement, please visit www.fatc.net.

Creekside Live Bait and Tackle

Creekside Live Bait and Tackle is now open at Neiberts Fish Camp, just off State Route 98, alongside Arbuckle Creek. Located just before the boat ramp road, it’s a quick stop for live bait and last-minute necessities.

The new store will feature a wide range of live bait, including minnows, domestic shiners, redworms, nightcrawlers, and catfish bait, with grass shrimp to be added soon. Crickets will be available in season.

In addition, the store will offer light fishing tackle, soft drinks, and snacks. Souvenirs will also be available. Customers will also be able to book crappie and bluegill trips with Tangie Neff, also known as “Imma Poga Gal”. And for those interested in bass fishing, trips with Capt. Corky Neff can also be scheduled.

Capt. Robin Clegg

Okeechobee REPORT & FORECAST

Let’s Go Crappie’n on Lake Okeechobee

With the January cold comes Crappie’n on Lake Okeechobee.

Fishing with lights at night or jigging with a crappie rig in the reeds and grass at Little Grassy or the Kissimmee River can be very successful this time of the year. Something that has taken off in the last couple of years is trolling the canals and Kissimmee River with underspin jigs (roadrunners). Chartreuse and white, or blue, seem to be the best colors on a four- to six-pound test line, running it out fifteen to twenty yards behind the boat.

Adjusting your speed to determine the crappie’s depth. Mixing up the colors to see what they’re hitting that day is the best way to determine the level the crappie are in. And mixing up the colors to see what they’re hitting that day is the best way to fill your cooler.

I always stop at Garrard Tackle in Okeechobee to learn the most effective way to catch specs. If you’re looking for a guide trip, check out Capt. Danny or Capt. Bob or myself out of Garrard Tackle.

If you’re looking for a more detailed way to catch specs on Okeechobee, subscribe to my YouTube channel. Additionally, individuals are offering a fish-cleaning service. You can get more information at Garrards. So bundle up and get your spec tackle out and hit the water. LETS GO FISHING.

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Learning About BASS

By Don Norton

For many of us, growing up with a fishing rod in one hand and a can of worms in the other was pretty normal. Fishing, whether it was for bluegills or bass was as normal as playing baseball with our friends. Most of us can’t even remember how challenging it was to learn how to cast with a spinning rod.

As we got older, fishing became more specialized, and our learning curve increased proportionately, until, as adults, we were experts on the subject, and rightly so after years of “on-the-water” experience.

But for some, that fishing education continued.

When I was a young man, I had the opportunity to work for E. L. “Buck” Perry, a legend in the fishing industry and often referred to as “The Father of Structure Fishing”.

One of Buck’s most famous quotes was, “KNOWLEDGE… IS THE KEY TO FISHING SUCCESS.”

As a teacher in both the classroom and on the water, he believed there were no experts when it came to fishing, only students.

He spent his life teaching others on the water through seminars and his book Spoonplugging. He also created advanced fishing courses.

Although his methods were incredibly successful, he believed strongly in ongoing education.

There are dozens of well-written books, magazines, TV shows, and YouTube videos where you can learn more and become an even better angler.

If you like to read, here’s a list of twelve books that I would highly recommend.

Your Guide to Lunker Catches –SPOONPLUGGING by Buck Perry

High Percentage Fishing by Josh Alwine

Bob Izumi’s BIG BASS BOOK

The Quest for the World Record Bass by Bart Crabb Tracking Trophies by John Hope

Big Bass Zone by Bill Siemantel & Michael Jones

Sowbelly by Monte Burke Lunker by Bob A. Underwood

The Fish that Changed America by Steve Price

Big Bass Magic by Doug Hannon

Lunker Lore by Josh Alwine

Bass Catching Secrets by Roland Martin

There are many other books written by many different authors that offer ideas and methods that may be new to you, or remind you of things you’d forgotten over the years.

In addition to the books, there is one movie that is a “must-see” for all aspiring anglers. It was made back in the 70s or 80s by Glen Lau, and much of it was filmed underwater in Ocala, Florida. It was initially titled “BIGMOUTH” and available on 8-track and then CD. Now I think you can watch it on YouTube.

It’s a great movie with powerful underwater video of the life cycle of a largemouth bass.

As much as I love to fish, reading and writing about fishing is a close second. If about fishing If you haven’t read my book, Queenie –The Legend of Lake Istokpoga, you might want to check it out on Amazon. It’s a great story about a legendary bass growing up on Lake Istokpoga.

ASK RED

By Don Norton

“How

important is the moon and its phases to Bass Fishing?

Ihave debated this

Come Outside & Play!

lieved it’s an Old Wives’ Tale, told and retold over the years from fathers to their sons and from them to their sons and daughters.

For those who truly believe, a single fishing trip when the solunar tables indicate good fishing, and it turns out to be true, it’s enough to convince them of its merit. However, most anglers forget the times when the solunar tables indicated good fishing, yet they caught nothing.

John Hope, a bass fishing legend who studied bass for years and their behaviors, once wrote on the subject of the moon and its phases, “ fishermen are unknowingly handicapped because they have acquired a zealous belief in what they consider to be gospel-truth facts that are actually nothing more than myths.”

In his book High Percentage Fishing, Josh Alwine, after reviewing the subject and considering gravity, light levels, the positions of the moon, moonrise, moonset, as well as full moon and complete darkness, reached this conclusion.

“In my opinion, the facts and data paint an obvious picture. We’ve shown that gravity, reflected light levels, and moonset and moonrise do not have statistically verifiable impacts on catch rates. The pervasive myth in fishing, to the contrary, is a prime example of an illusory correlation. Fisherman wrongly assigning meaning to moonrise and moonset (especially during full and new moons) when the only truly impactful variable is the lower light levels due to the sunrise and sunset that happen to coincide with these time periods.”

Here’s a sample exchange: Angler, “I don’t care what your statistics say. Last July, around sunset, I noticed the moon was rising, and I immediately sped to my best spot on the lake and threw my best bait! Wouldn’t you know it, I boated a huge bass! Clearly, it was because of the moonrise.”

My Response: “No, you were fishing the best spot on the lake with a proven bait during a low-light period. That’s why you caught the fish. The moon had nothing to do with it!”

I’d love for a connection to be there. A predictable and rhythmic way to increase catch rates? Sign me up! Beyond the fact that it’s just not in the data, I see no mechanism via which fish would be influenced by the moon in a lake. Gravitational pull is too weak. Light levels don’t seem to matter. Are we to assume fish sit there like gators, lurking just beneath the surface, watching for a moon event to signal them to start feeding? What do they do when it’s cloudy? As much as I’d like the moon myth to be true, the data says it’s not.

Experience world-class b ass fishing in the heart of Okeechobee, FL, where every cast is an opportunity for an unforgettable catch.

Okeechobee REPORT & FORECAST Capt. Angie Douthit

Lake O’s water level has been around the 13.5 ft mark, which makes for safe boating a priority, especially if you are unsure where you are as you navigate Okeechobee’s expansive fishery.

Bass and crappie fishing have been consistent in both quality and quantity, with larger bass and limits of crappie. If you haven’t booked your fun time fishing on beautiful Lake Okeechobee, now is a great time to get your trip of a lifetime booked for bass and/or crappie before the spawn season ends.

Bass are being caught in a few major areas on the lake, including Observation Shoal, Dyess Ditch/Horse Island, Indian Prairie/Tin House, Buckhead Ridge, Kings Bar, and a few areas on the East side around Nub N Slough, as well as a few small areas around J & S.

Some areas of the lake have lots of eel grass and other vegetation that is taking hold and growing back, and both crappie and bass love those areas. Lures for bass are: senkos, popping frogs, swim jigs/baits, cut tail worms, spinner baits, shallow crank baits, and some top water. Good color patterns for this time of year include Junebug, Redbug, White, Crawdad, Tilapia, and Green-Pumpkin/Gold Flake. For the crappie bite, both drifting/pushing/pulling with live minnows are working in the deeper water areas, such as the canals and the Kissimmee River. Lure colors for crappie jigging are chartreuse, white, orange, pink, and green. Water color/clarity can guide color selection, as well as the jig head color, but I prefer simple black with a chartreuse/white eye. Areas for crappie are essentially the same as for bass. Some crappie are being caught in mixtures of various vegetation clumps.

To book your fun and educational day on the water, call 863-633-0034 or 863-228-7263 for more information about trip details and inclusions. Check out my website, www.southfloridabassfishing.com, for hotel discounts available at the time of booking at a top hotel in Okeechobee, as well as Veteran/One-person discounted trips.

My Sponsors include: Toho Marine; Mercury; Lew’s; Bullet Weights; G-Loomis; Gill; Real Magic; BnM Poles; Mid-South Tackle; Tru-Turn hooks and Road Runner crappie lures.

By Capt. Dave Stephens

Boca Granda Pass, Charlotte Harbor, and the Flats REPORT &

FORECAST

Well, fellow anglers, we are coming into February with great uncertainty. This year, we have had a roller coaster of weather. We have had a way above-normal winter, with warm temperatures. Then Mother Nature throws us some cold fronts that send the water temps much cooler. This can be some of the toughest conditions to fish, for the most part, the fish don’t know where they want to be.

However, sometimes Mother Nature does not give us easy, there are times when we have to change things up and look around. The biggest piece of advice I can offer is to always think outside the box. Don’t be afraid to try something new.

During the warmer days, they want to move up shallow. During the postfront days, they want to move to deeper waters. This can make fishing pretty tough to stay on a bite. I recommend paying attention to your water temperatures. If the water is cooler in the morning, say below 65, the fish will be deeper. So, you should start in deeper water and work your way to shallow waters. If we have been experiencing warmer-than-normal temperatures, say the water is 67 or higher? It’s likely that the fish that moved

into shallow water will still be there.

The hardest part about finding and staying on feeding fish this time of year is following the water temperatures. A solid weather pattern makes things much easier to pattern. However, sometimes Mother Nature does not give us easy, there are times when we have to change things up and look around. The biggest piece of advice I can offer is to always think outside the box. Don’t be afraid to try something new. Keep an eye on the water temps, and Mother Nature will help you to find feeding fish.

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OF CRAPPIES

CAPT. DENNIS CRENSHAW

By Don Norton

Like many of you, I’ve been fishing all my life. Bluegills, crappie, catfish, and bass, as well as everything that swims in the ocean. And I’d like to think I’ve learned a thing or two.

The other night, my buddy Dave Bennington and I went out on a crappie fishing guide trip with Captain Dennis Crenshaw, owner of Lake Placid Freshwater Charter and Guide.

The only thing I love more than catching crappies is eating them, and I knew if anybody could put us on a mess of crappies or speckled perch

(specs), it would be Captain Dennis Crenshaw.

We met him around 5:30 at his house and followed him to the boat ramp. He was already hooked up and ready to go when we arrived. I noticed he had a couple more pontoon boats parked across the street in an empty lot.

I had actually scheduled the trip a week earlier, but a severe cold front swept through, dropping temperatures into the low 30s. I knew it would mess up the fishing, and Dennis confirmed that he’d gone from catching as many as 80 crappies to just a handful after the front came through.

But the weather had warmed up over the last few days, and the nights were still cool in the low 50s, with hardly any wind, so it was a pleasant night on Lake June.

As we motored across the lake, Dennis told us about his career in law

enforcement and how, after he retired, he started his guide service.

As the sun began to set, we had a half dozen rods rigged up, and we were ready to catch some fish. But nothing happened. I was a little surprised.

Although I hadn’t been night-fishing for crappies in the last couple of years, I used to go out quite a bit with Bob Scranton on Lake Lotela. Back then, I’d get anchored up and get my rods in the water, and almost like clockwork, I’d start catching crappies just as the sun started to set.

We’d put one fish in, and two would jump out. It seemed like a good time to call it quits.

But here it was, almost dark, and no bites. Another thirty minutes passed with no action, and I began to wonder whether the effects of the cold front were still at work.

“Don’t you worry, Don, they’re gonna bite. Just give them time,” the captain said with a big smile on his face. He was right.

Five minutes later, he pulled up a whopper of a crappie and held it proudly, saying, “See!”

Over the next couple of hours, it seemed like one of us was either pullin’ one in or missin’ a bite.

About 7:30 or 8, Dennis asked if we were hungry. There’s just something about being out there on the water, in the dark, that seems to make you hungry. Dave and I both said we were, and the next thing we knew, he was handing us buns and condiments while he grilled hot dogs. There wasn’t anything fancy about the hot dogs, but they were so good they reminded me of a long-ago evening at the Browns stadium in Cleveland when I was a kid, and eating my first stadium hot dog. It was even better!

I took my first bite, and of course, at the same time, my rod went down. I didn’t know whether to hand Dennis my hot dog or the rod. He didn’t seem to be too sure either, but he finally grabbed the rod and brought up another fish.

Capt. Dennis had a certain way of setting the hook and reeling in the fish that Dave seemed to have a hard time getting used to. Dave spent his entire life fishing for everything that swims, and like most anglers, he’s used to setting the hook hard.

But as Dennis explained, Crappie have very weak mouths (in fact, they’re often referred to as “papermouths”), so you can’t set up as hard as you do on a bass, cause you’ll pull the hook out. By the end of the night, after teasing Dave about the fish he lost, Dennis said with a smile, “We’d have had another 15 crappies if you’d have listened to me.” By 10 pm, the cooler that I thought would be plenty big enough was overflowing with crappies. We’d put one fish in, and two would jump out. It seemed like a good time to call it quits.

I think I can speak for my buddy Dave when I say we both had a really good time. It’s funny, I was a bass fishing guide for almost 30 years, and I’ve fished with artificial baits as well as live baits, my whole life, but it was the first time that someone else baited my hook! It was kind of nice.

So, if you’d like to catch a mess of crappies, you might want to call the King. He’s available for day or night trips. You’ll be glad you did. — Lake Placid Freshwater Charter and Guide. 863-441-2784

FISHING: Much More than a Hobby

By Stephen Rampersand

Some of the best moments with my boys don’t come with a schedule, a screen, or a lot of noise. They come when we’re standing at the edge of the water, rods in hand, feet planted in the dirt, on a pier, or in a boat, simply waiting.

Fishing has always been a way of slowing everything down for me. It’s a way to connect with nature, to understand the water and its inhabitants through observation and presence rather than force. Out there, time moves differently. There’ no rush and no constant pull from a phone buzzing in your pocket with the next text, email, or call. Just the water, the breeze, and the quiet focus that settles in when you’re doing something simple and real. I believe kids need that. Maybe now more than ever.

We’re raising children in a world full of video games, social media, and screens everywhere. Technology isn’t the enemy, but constant connection can pull kids away from something essential. Fresh air. Open space. The freedom to think, move, and just be kids without pressure or comparison.

Nature does something to a child that nothing else can. It grounds them. Feet to the earth. Lungs full of clean air. There’s a calm that settles in when they’re outside, almost like they’re being reminded of who they were created to be.

On a recent trip to Lake Seminole, bass fishing with my two boys and a good friend, Captain Paul Tyre, I saw this play out in a way that truly stuck with me.

At some point, without even realizing it, I stepped back. I stopped giving instructions. I stopped fixing things. I just watched.

They were casting to the bank almost in unison, one cast after another, talking quietly between themselves. When one of them hooked into a bass, there was no panic and no yelling for Dad. His brother was already there, offering help, grabbing the net, encouraging him to keep the line tight. They fumbled a little. They laughed. They figured it out. And together, they landed that fish.

I didn’t say a word. I didn’t need to. At that moment, I saw confidence growing. I saw teamwork. I saw patience and trust. I saw two boys learning how to rely on each other and on the lessons they had already been given.

You don’t get that in front of a screen. Fishing teaches things that are hard to explain but easy to see. Patience in a world that wants everything instantly. Respect for something bigger than ourselves. The understanding that not every cast brings a reward, but the effort still matters.

There’s also something quietly spiritual about it. A dear friend of mine, John “Johnny Flyrod” Bishop, once said, “The sound of the rippling water is His voice, the breeze on my face is His breath, and a fish the color of the rainbow is His gift. There I feel peace, total peace.” That captures it perfectly.

Being outside reminds us that we’re part of something greater. Creation has a rhythm, and when kids spend time in it, they start to move to that rhythm too. They become more grounded, more present, more at peace.

Letting kids play outside, disconnected from the societal noise, gives them space to grow in ways that can’t be measured by grades, stats, or screen-time limits. They learn responsibility. They learn resilience. They learn that good things take time.

As a father, watching my boys out there on their own was a reminder to me as well. Our job isn’t to control every moment. It’s to teach, to guide, and then to trust. Sometimes the best thing we can do is step back and let them show us who they’re becoming.

Taking our kids outside isn’t about nostalgia or tradition. It’s about their health and wellness. It’s about helping them build a real connection to the world around them. One that grounds them. One that steadies them.

Feet to the earth. Lines in the water. Lessons learned without a single word spoken. Those are the moments that matter most.

Presents its 4th Annual

February 6-8, 2026

At the Renaissance Hotel & Conference Center — World Golf Village

February 6-8, 2026

St. Augustine, Florida

At the Renaissance Hotel & Conference Center — World Golf Village

St. Augustine, Florida

A premier destination for old world art, architecture, golf, fishing & beachside watersports!

Bring your old tackle for Free Appraisals

Open to the public on Friday & Saturday 9am to 4pm

Admission for Adults $5, Children under 12 admitted free!

See thousands of vintage lures, rods, reels and other fine fishing collectibles, many having true historical significance. If you have any fishing related items you would like appraised, bring them along. There is no charge. You can even sell those items by consigning them to our Saturday night auction, where many hardcore collectors bid aggressively.

For additional information on the show or to join the FATC, go to www.FATC.net

Or contact show hosts Jim Berglund 904-303-6503 thetackleshackflorida@yahoo.com

Open to the public on Friday & Saturday 9am to 4pm

Admission for Adults $5, Children under 12 admitted free!

For additional information on the show or to join the FATC, go to www.FATC.net

Or contact show hosts Jim Berglund 904-303-6503 thetackleshackflorida@yahoo.com

Gentle Water Take Me Home

By Peggy Choquette

In the summer of 2023, a simple visit to family in French River became a quiet stirring in my soul—a call back to the waters that raised me. When a generous cousin offered to take my husband, my sister, and me down the Bad River, the invitation felt less like a plan and more like destiny. At dawn we slipped from the marina, and the river welcomed us in its familiar embrace. The waterway curled through memories I had tucked away like pressed flowers between chapters of my life. Cedars hovered over the shoreline like old storytellers, their branches brushing the river’s skin and stirring echoes of summers past. As we neared the mouth of Georgian Bay, the iconic pines came into view—those wind-bent, time-weathered Georgian Bay sentinels shaped by decades of westward winds. Their silhouettes bowed gently toward the water, whispering, We remember you.

... it was a homecoming stitched from river wind, memory, and grace. On those gentle waters, I found the pieces of myself shaped by wilderness ...

The Jameson Rapids met us with their wild, familiar voice. The excitement rippled through the boat, palpable and familiar. My sister covered her eyes until I whispered in her ear, “Open them… you don’t know how many more times life will bring you here.”

We never intended to stop at the island. This was meant to be a drifting pilgrimage through the landmarks of our youth—the old family farm, the rapids, the former camp—before heading out to fish the Pancake Islands. But then a stranger stepped out from the dock and offered the softest, truest gesture: Come ashore.

Stepping onto the island felt like slipping back into a dream held in the

cradle of pine and rock. I saw my sister step-dancing for the guides at the end of their long days, and I was clever enough to pass the hat, gathering spare change from their pockets as they laughed and unwound. I felt the sun-warmed boards of the dock beneath our bare bellies as we leaned over the water with handmade rods, catching fish over and over again, keeping them in a kiddie pool only to release them at dusk. Mom’s attempts at taming our unruly curls with brightly colored plastic barrettes. Sisters giggling with excitement, waiting for the ring of the dinner bell.

And then came the memory that pressed deepest against my heart: my baby brother, just an infant during those last summers, held snug against my chest as I carried him around the island like he belonged solely to me. His small weight, his soft warmth, the way his tiny fingers curled into my shirt— those moments shimmered back to life, fragile and luminous, as if the island itself had been keeping them safe for me.

Inside the old dining hall—the last original building still standing—time folded in on itself. Resting on a table lay a brochure from the 1950s: King’s Bad River Lodge. And there was my father, Real Perreault, smiling from its faded pages. To find him remembered here, decades after his passing, held by strangers who had no idea the gift they were giving, nearly brought me to my knees.

That day was more than a visit; it was a homecoming stitched from river wind, memory, and grace. On those gentle waters, I found the pieces of myself shaped by wilderness, family, and love. I felt my father carried in the breeze, my sister in laughter, my brother in the warmth of that long-ago embrace.

It was a blessing. A heartfelt gift I will cherish for the rest of my life.

HIGHS LOWS& ON LAKE 'O'

By Don Norton

For years, underwater vegetation in Lake Okeechobee has been disappearing, but now it’s making a comeback!

Last December, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers started a “recovery” schedule for Lake Okeechobee, with the goal of getting the lake below 12 feet

for 90 days or below 11.5 feet for 60 days. !e lower lake level is needed for sunlight to reach the lake bottom and new submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) to sprout.

Lake Okeechobee level was 12.08 on April 13, 2025, which was 2.82 feet lower than a year ago. By April 15th, the lake fell below 12 feet above sea level.

At the June 5 meeting of the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) Governing Board, scientists were hopeful the lake low would stay below 12 feet for the full 90-day target. If the water rises faster than the plants can grow, new plants could be damaged or lost.

!en, by June 22, 2025, the o cial Lake Okeechobee elevation was 10.99 feet.

Last year, on the same day, the lake was at 13.37 feet. And the year before that? A whopping 14.33! Even the historical average for that time of year (1965-2007) was 13.24 feet. !at meant we were sitting about 2.25 feet below average.

What did that mean for you, the angler? Well, lower water levels can concentrate the sh, making them easier to nd…sometimes. But even more importantly, you have to be extra careful navigating those shallower areas.

I don’t normally sh Lake Okeechobee, but thanks to Capt. Robin Clegg and his late summer YouTube videos, I ventured down to the “Big O” a couple of times and had a great time catching bass.

Launching at C. Scott Driver Park, I took Capt. Clegg’s advice and made the short trip to King’s Bar, and for the next couple of hours, caught bass a er bass on a wide variety of lures. !e key was to be there at rst light!

!e water was still pretty low, but as long as you shed the outside reeds, there was plenty of water (and bass).

Capt. Clegg, by the way, works out of Garrard’s Bait and Tackle, located at 4375 US Highway 441 in Okeechobee, just a couple of miles from the boat ramps.

As I write this article in mid-January, the water level is back up to 13.3’ thanks to all the rain we’ve received, the new plants are doing well—and the shing is still excellent!

Don Norton is Co-Publisher of Coastal Angler Magazine’s Okeechobee edition. Contact him at (863) 273-4998 or don@theanglermagazine.com.

Valued at over $90,000 MSRP, only 2500 tickets left.

By Capt. Michael Okruhlik

water bites

February might not get the hype of spring break or summer tides, but pro cient coastal anglers know a secret: some of the best shing of the year happens when the crowds are gone, the water is cold, and the sh are predictable.

Winter has settled in by February. Water temperatures hover in the upper 40s to low 50s, especially a er a strong north wind. !at cold pushes bait and game sh into tighter zones, turning miles of water into a handful of high-percentage spots. If you can nd warmth, you can nd sh.

Speckled trout are the headline act this time of year. Big trout in particular prefer slow, easy meals in cold water, which is why February is prime time for trophy hunters. Deep guts, channels and drop-o s near shallow ats are key. Trout slide shallow during the a ernoon when the sun warms mud or dark grass, then fall back into deeper water when temperatures drop.

Slow presentations rule. So plastics on light jig heads, suspending twitch baits, and so jerk shads worked slowly can trigger reaction strikes. Make sure you know the gear ratio of your reel. You may think you are moving slowly, but if the reel is taking up a lot of line, you may be o target. Cold-water trout won’t chase far, but they will inhale an easy meal.

Red sh remain a dependable target throughout February. While they may not school as aggressively as in the fall, reds still prowl shorelines, back lakes, and marsh drains—especially on sunny days. Look for black mud bottoms that warm faster and concentrate bait.

Sight-casting opportunities can be outstanding on calm, clear days. Reds cruising skinny water are o en willing biters, even in cold conditions. Gold spoons, paddletails, and weedless so plastics shine here, particularly when worked steadily along shorelines.

February shing success is less about the tide chart and more about the thermometer. Midday is prime time. Early mornings can be brutally slow a er a cold night, but a few hours of sunshine can ip the switch fast. Pay attention to warming trends—two or three stable days can dramatically improve the bite.

Wind plays a major role this month as well. Strong north winds drain water out of bays and expose structure, which can help you locate sh holding in remaining deeper pockets. On calmer days, expect clearer water and more nicky sh.

February rewards patience, observation and con dence. It’s not about covering water—it’s about shing smart, shing slow, and being ready when that unmistakable thump signals a wintertime strike worth remembering.

As I write this article in January, it is near 80 degrees. With that said, if February feels like an early spring, follow your spring shing guidelines. !e sh don’t have a calendar.

Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Knockin Tail Lures,® and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.

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ATLANTIC SNOOK SEASON

OPENS FEB. 1

The recreational harvest of snook in the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Northeast, Indian River Lagoon and Southeast management regions will open February 1 and remains open through May 31. During snook season, anglers may keep one snook per person per day that is not less than 28 or more than 32 inches in total length, which is measured from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed while the sh is lying on its side. Other regulations include:

• No commercial harvest or sale of snook is permitted

• Must remain in whole condition until landed ashore

• When on a for-hire trip, captain and crew may not retain a bag limit

• Allowable Gear: Hook and line only

• License Requirements: Snook permit and recreational shing license !e harvest of snook in all of Florida’s Gulf of Mexico state waters, including Everglades National Park and all of Monroe County, remains closed until March 1. Anglers may catch and release snook during the closed season, but the FWC encourages anglers to handle and release these sh carefully to help ensure their survival upon release. Proper handling methods can help ensure the species’ abundance for anglers today and generations to come. To learn more about sh handling, visit https://myfwc.com/ shing/saltwater/ outreach/ sh-handling/.

For more information, visit myfwc.com/ shing/saltwater/recreational/snook/.

Hooking Giants In Ketchikan, Alaska BUCKET

By Capt. Lukas Brickweg

If you’ve ever dreamed about catching halibut and cod in the wilderness of Alaska - rod bent, line screaming, and majestic wildlife abound – now is the time to turn that dream into reality. Every season in Ketchikan, Alaska, May marks the kicko! to world-class halibut and Paci c cod shing, and we are ready to put you on the sh of a lifetime.

May Is Extraordinary!

May is a special month in Southeast Alaska. e long daylight hours return, the ocean comes alive, and the early-season halibut move onto nearshore waters to feed. Halibut gather on the underwater ledges, humps, and sandy $ats, areas that we know like the backs of our hands, ranging from 200-400 feet.

At the same time, hungry Paci c cod patrol the same bottom structure, adding an action-packed bonus to every trip. “Alaska cod shing chaos” is the best way to describe

this seasonal bite. ere are no limits on retaining Paci c cod, allowing anglers to bring home huge hauls of cod and halibut. is means you can o en pull up a mixed bag of halibut, cod, and rock sh - making for one of the most productive and delicious shing experiences anywhere in the world.

Reeling up cod and halibut until your arms give out is a good way to summarize Alaska bottom shing in May.

May trips tend to ll quickly because the reputation for aggressive sh and minimum shing pressure. is combination equates to an anglers dream scenario. Whether you’re $ying in for our three to four day allinclusive lodging/ shing packages or on a cruise, it’s best to start planning and booking early. Ketchikan provides convenient $ights, accommodating guests from all over the US. Our all-inclusive packages provide airport transfer, lodging, meals, shing and sh processing.

The Bottom Line ere’s shing, and then there’s Alaska shing. And when it comes to halibut and

cod, May in Ketchikan is as good as it gets. So give us a call to book your spot, and come experience the thrill of hooking giants where every trip is a story worth telling.

Book your "Bucket List" trip to Alaska with Capt. Lukas Brickweg, of Ketchikan’s Finest Fishing Charters, at ketchikan shingtrips.com, call (907) 617-4717 or email ketchikan shingtrips@gmail.com.

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BRAVING THE COLD FOR BIG WINTER STRIPERS

By CAM Sta

Whether in saltwater or freshwater, excellent striper shing awaits anglers hearty enough to brave winter conditions. So layer up, zip into that parka, and go—some of the biggest sh of the year are feeding right now.

At the southern end of their fall migration, striped bass spend the winter o! the coast of North Carolina. ey follow schools of bait up and down the shoreline from Wilmington to the Outer Banks, feeding heavily along the way. In many years, Oregon Inlet becomes the epicenter of the action, though stripers can be found in most inlets throughout the region.

e key is to follow the birds, which o en reveal bass blowing up on menhaden, glass minnows, or eels. At times the action pushes close enough to shore that surfcasters can hook stripers right from the beaches of the Outer Banks. More o en, however, the best approach is hiring a local captain armed with recent intel and a fast boat.

Farther south, Wilmington provides another winter opportunity as striped bass stack up in the Cape Fear River. ese sh hold near structure, dropo!s, and creek mouths, and can be caught on arti cials—or even on $ies. is resident population is separate from the highly migratory sh wintering o! the Outer Banks. Cape Fear stripers are strictly catch-and-release and must be returned to the water immediately, so keep an eye out for tagged sh.

Meanwhile, freshwater reservoirs across the Southern states and into the Mid-Atlantic also produce solid winter striper shing. While smaller, schoolie-sized sh can become sluggish during the coldest periods, larger stripers continue to feed. e pace may not match summertime downline action over massive schools, but the sh that do bite are o en bigger.

Tactics vary by shery, but when water temperatures stabilize—or during a multi-day warming trend—the largest sh in the lake o en push shallow, sometimes surprisingly so, as they shadow schools of small shad. Find the $ickering bait, and you’ll nd the stripers. You may even see them picking o! prey near the surface. Stealth is critical in these situations, and so plastics like Flukes frequently outproduce live bait. ey’re easier to cast and allow for a slow, controlled retrieve.

Another e!ective approach is covering water by trolling wide spreads of small live baits, pulling umbrella rigs loaded with swimbaits, or combining both methods. When shing this way, good local information is invaluable. On some lakes, stripers spend the winter near the dam; on others, they push far up into the creeks.

Winter may test an angler’s resolve, but for those willing to endure the cold, striper shing can be at its best. From coastal inlets and rivers to inland reservoirs, striped bass remain active and accessible, o en with less pressure and a better chance at trophy-sized sh. Success comes down to preparation, paying attention to bait and bird activity, and adapting tactics to changing conditions. Bundle up, do your homework, and embrace the season—the reward could be the biggest striper of your year.

OVER 100 ANGLERS TO COMPETE IN 2026 BASSMASTER ELITE SERIES

Coming o! the heels of a record-breaking 2025 season that awarded 11 century belts, saw four- rst time champions (two of which were members of the 2025 rookie class) and garnered over 183 million social media impressions, B.A.S.S. has announced the 101-angler eld for an exciting 2026 Elite Series season.

is year, anglers will be put to the test with the use of forward-facing sonar only being allowed at ve of the nine regular-season Elite events. Anglers will be competing for a $100,000 rst-place prize at each stop of the season, while also accumulating valuable Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year points in hopes of making it to the 2027 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour.

“Each season, the Bassmaster Elite Series showcases the very best in professional bass shing, and 2026 will be no exception,” said B.A.S.S. Elite Series Tournament Director Lisa Talmadge. “We’re excited to welcome 101 incredibly talented anglers who represent the heart of this sport—a mix of proven champions, rising stars and hungry newcomers all ready to compete on some of the most iconic sheries in the country. It’s going to be an unforgettable season for our anglers and fans alike.”

With the exception of one angler, every 2025 Elite Series angler who quali ed is returning next year. e list of anglers includes 2025 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic champion Easton Fothergill of Grand Rapids, Minn., who won the most coveted trophy in bass shing during his freshman season on the Elites. Two-time Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year Chris Johnston will also join the ranks of returning anglers alongside Dakota Lithium Bassmaster Rookie of the Year Tucker Smith, who took home his rst blue trophy at the 2025 Bassmaster Elite at Lake Fork with a 127-pound, 8-ounce winning weight that also earned him a century belt.

Ten anglers from the Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Quali ers will also be joining the 2026 Elite roster, including 20-year-old Alabama phenom Fisher Anaya who claimed the 2025 Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Quali ers Angler of the Year title. Wisconsin’s Nick Trim clinched an Elite Series spot for himself alongside his big win at the 2025 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Championship at Upper Mississippi River presented by Lowrance. e 2026 Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series kicks o! on Alabama’s Lake Guntersville February 5. From there the tournament trail will wind through six states as anglers battle for cash prizes and attempt to qualify for the 2027 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour.

Each tournament will begin with the full eld of anglers on Days 1 and 2 before the eld is cut to the Top 50 on Semi nal Saturday. Only the Top 10 anglers will sh the nal day of the event, with a $100,000 rstplace prize and a blue trophy on the line. For the complete roster, and to keep up with all the action from the 2026 Elite Series season visit Bassmaster.com.

February Cold Water Offshore: Wahoo

This is the time of year to nd the wall of warmer water and get the wahoo bite going. All of the water nearshore is cold and where the 68- plusdegree water meets that cold water can be an excellent spot for targeting wahoo. is is a great time of year to target wahoo during the rst hour or two of your trip using high speed trolling. You can cover a lot of ground high speed trolling, which speci cally targets wahoo. Once the sun has been up for a few hours your chances at a wahoo bite diminish unless it’s an overcast or rainy day. Wahoo regulate the amount of sun they take in by going deeper as the sun rises, so midmorning is a good time to change tactics.

Slow dri s, kite shing and jigging the column with live baits is a great mid-morning tactic and the bigger the bait the better. ere’s no telling what you’ll raise during these colder days shing the temperature change. Never count out deep dropping near these temperature change areas either. Fishing the entire water column from the surface to the bottom turns a cold day into a cooler full of sh and some awesome dinners.

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