Coastal Angler Magazine | February 2026 Tampa Bay Edition

TRUST BR AND MARINERS

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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.”

TAMPA BAY FISHING REPORT

BEATING TO A DIFFERENT DRUM

During the past few years, fishing for black drum has become increasingly popular. Most anglers think of targeting black drum around the pilings of the Howard Frankland or Gandy bridges. Late spring to late fall are excellent times to catch 30 to 50-pound black drum in these areas by simply dropping half a crab to the bottom of the pilings. Heavy rods and conventional reels loaded with 30 to 50-pound test line, rigged with 50 to 60-pound leader and a 6/0 or 7/0 hook, seem to work best when horsing these bruisers to the surface.

However, in February, they’re at their peak spawning season, which lasts through March and winds down in April. At this time, black drum can also be

found near deep channels and oyster beds, where they feed actively. Anglers looking to beat a different drum should check out an area called the Clam Bar that’s just south of Pinellas Point. This long shoal runs northeast to southwest for about 800 yards just before you get to the Dick Misener Bridge. During their spawn, schools of spawning black drum congregate on the east side towards the Bay in about 10 to14 feet of water. It’s truly a sight to Continued on page 6

ST. PETE REPORT

BY: CAPT. ANTHONY CORCELLA

Winter Is Here

With the relatively mild winter, snook have continued to be a goto target. The fish are feeding strongly on moving tides. It’s not uncommon to catch over 30 fish in a day. They are hitting lures, live, and cut bait.

Lures are working well around residential docks and in potholes in the grass flats. Top choices are High Water Lures Get’em Shads on a ¼-ounce jighead or a suspending hard bait like a MirrOlure.

Live greenbacks and handpicked shrimp are working well in the same areas. Bring plenty along to live chum and fire up the snook. If you’re targeting bigger snook, try cut threadfins or ladyfish along the mangrove shorelines.

Using cut bait, we’ve been averaging over 20 snook on our half-day trips. Chumming with small pieces of threadfins will get the bite going.

The big redfish are starting to show up. The big schools haven’t arrived yet, but small pods are on the prowl. Using the same bait and tactics for the snook has been working for reds up to 30 inches.

For gear, try 7’6” rods with 3000-size reels loaded with 15-pound braid. A 36-inch leader of 20 to 25-pound fluorocarbon tied to a 2/0 to 3/0 circle hook will get the job done with cut bait. Try 0/1 to 1/0 hooks if fishing live bait.

The trout bite also remains strong, with limits of 18 to 20-inch fish common. Jigs and live shrimp are best bets.

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Learning on the Fly

By Capt. Wes Tallyn

had the pleasure last year of spending a couple of days observing a juvenile Red-Shouldered Hawk at Audubon Corkscrew Swamp.  I watched on two separate occasions where the adults would fly out of sight for a few minutes, only to return above, screaming and communicating back with the juvenile. After a minute or so of giving out orders, the adults would position a freshly caught snake on a tree limb just below the canopy. The juvenile would then swoop in to “catch” the staged prey.  The first time, the adults brought in a Banded Water Snake, and the second time, a Yellow Rat Snake. Luckily, all of this happened so closely that I was able

— Captain Wes Tallyn was raised in

CAPT. SERGIO’S CORNER

Tampa Bay As I Knew It (Part II)

Growing up in Tampa Bay in the 50’s and 60’s had so much to offer when it came to fishing. When we were not going to Boca Grande on the weekends, we spent a lot of time exploring new spots, and there were plenty to find. In the 50s and 60s, the mindset was to fish offshore, and very little attention was paid to inshore areas. Last month, I covered the upper part of the Bay, and this month, I have some stories about how it was in lower Tampa Bay in the 50’s and 60’s.

Bayside Power Station (Port Sutton Road)

We called it Black Docks, and the winter fishing was terrific. The colder it got, the hotter the bite. In those days, we were allowed to fish from the bank or to run our boat right up to the hot-water runoff. The bank would have elbow-to-elbow fishermen catching pompano, redfish, snook, trout, sharks, sheepsheads, and yes, sometimes a school of catfish would move in and mess up the bite. I can’t remember the year, but I do remember the story of an angler who fell into the water from the bank and drowned. After that, all shore fishing was stopped, and no trespassing signs went up.

Bullfrog Creek Railroad Crossing

There’s a railroad crossing on Bullfrog Creek that I remember well. Before there was a catch limit or size on

redfish, we would sit next to the crossing and load up on 12-inch redfish all morning long using fiddler crabs or shrimp. The last time I stopped by was 10 years ago, and an old lady with her cane pole was fishing at the same spot we used to, and had several undersized redfish on a stringer. I walked the area and saw several large redfish and sheepshead hanging around the piling, so I guess the fishing was still pretty good at the old crossing.

Little Manatee River

We didn’t fish in the area much since it was a long run for us from the old boat ramp on the 22nd Street Causeway next to the Seabreeze restaurant, but when we did, one of our favorite spots was the broken-down bridge area and the mouth of the river. Winter was our most productive time, as in the summer months, we were too busy fishing Boca Grande or the Courtney Campbell Causeway.

Piney Point

In the 40’s through the mid 50’s, there was the Bee-Line ferry that went from Piney Point to Pinellas Point, the original site of O’Neal’s bait shop. It was a 69-mile drive on US Highway 41, which took about 55 minutes, and it saved a long drive if you wanted to go from Pinellas to Manatee County. The Skyway Bridge did not open until 1955, and that was the downfall of the

BY: CAPT. SERGIO ATANES

Bee-Line ferry. This fishing around the docks was fantastic all year round, with some of the biggest snook and redfish for residents. Still, today in the spring, it’s one of the best places for large snook if you can get them out of what remains of the old pylons left from the loading dock of the Bee-Line ferry landing.

Bishop Harbor

There used to be a small boat ramp off the old 41 Hwy Road that took you to the Skyway Bridge, and from that ramp, we could access the fertile grounds of Bishop Harbor in our little boat. Mariposa Key at the entrance to the harbor was a home base for mullet fishermen in the 30’s, and to this day, there still exist some of the remains of their cabin and part of the dock.

I look forward to hearing from my readers about any fishing stories they have from the 50’s and 60’s fishing in Tampa Bay. Thanks to my uncle, who took the time to teach me how to fish and make me the angler I am today.

Good fishing and tight lines.

— Capt. Sergio Atanes is host of Florida West Coast Fishing Report on Facebook and YouTube. He also hosts Fishing Adventures Florida TV show airing on YouTube, Waypoint TV, Carbon TV, Outdoor Action, and Angling TV. Owner of Reelfishy.com Charter business covering the west coast of Florida with over 135 captains on staff. For information contact Capt. Sergio at (813) 973-7132 email: atanes@msn.com.

New Kayak In Stock Now!

Check out the latest kayak from NuCanoe, the Unlimited Max. This iteration takes the popular Unlimited platform to a 13’6” length to max out your usable space and a �shing-focused feature set. Allowing for long days on the water in comfort and little worry about which gear or out�tting �such as electronics and motors) you can bring along on any trip.

be seen. At times, there may be an acre or more of fish swimming along just under the surface. During a calm, sunny day, they really stand out because during the spawn, many of them turn a very bright orange. At first glance, they can be mistaken for redfish.

As these fish move into shallower water during the spawning season, sight fishing becomes a thrilling option. Anglers should use polarized sunglasses to spot the vibrant schools, allowing for precise boat placement to maximize casting and to increase their chances of success. Spawning black drum are so consumed with mating, you can drift right over them or use a trolling motor and drop a bait right under the boat. It can be just that easy!

As for bait, live shrimp will work, but a Berkley Gulp Shrimp in the New Penny color works even better. The best way to fish them is on a 3/8oz jig head while using the same rod and reel combo you would use for cobia or tarpon.

For those interested in increasing their chances, adjusting to changing conditions is crucial. Early mornings or late afternoons often yield the best results, as black drum tend to feed more actively during these times. Monitoring tidal movements can also help pinpoint where schools may congregate, so planning your trip around a strong incoming or outgoing tide can be advantageous.

When it comes to landing these powerful fish, patience and a steady hand are essential. Once hooked, black drum put up a dogged, sometimes lengthy fight, often making strong runs and using their broad bodies to resist being brought to the surface. It’s important to keep steady pressure on the fish and avoid tightening the drag too much, as their tough mouths can sometimes tear free if handled aggressively.

If you’re looking for something a little smaller this time of year, try targeting juvenile black drum. They can be found in many of the same areas where you would seek out sheepshead. Winter low tides force fish into creeks, channels, and canals. All that’s needed here is your standard light tackle combo and some live shrimp or fiddler crabs for bait.

Small black drum resemble sheepshead due to the vertical stripes they display. A keeper-sized black drum must be not less than 14” or more than 24”. The daily bag limit is five per person, and you may possess one over 24”, but I don’t recommend keeping the larger ones. I’ve never eaten black drum, but I’ve had a few clients keep the smaller ones to take home for dinner. Large black drum are known to have a lot of worms. That’s why I don’t recommend keeping any over 24”.

Afishionado, “Adventures in Fishing.”

—Tampa Bay fishing guide Wade Osborne of “Afishionado Guide Services” has been plying the waters of Tampa Bay as a professional full-time captain, since 1997. Capt. Osborne offers inshore fishing charters on light tackle spin, fly or plug. He also offers eco-tours with an emphasis on photography. For more info., visit Afishionado.com or find Afishionado Guide Services on Facebook and Instagram. Email: wade.afishionado@gmail.com | Call/Text 813-286-3474

BY: CAPT. FRANK HUTCHKO

Cold Fronts Bring the Bacon

Nearshore: The nearshore hogfish bite is on fire right now in 50-70 feet! Look for the topside of ledges or hard bottom. The 1/4 oz. – 3 oz. knocker rigs or hogfish jig are doing the trick…shrimp-shrimpshrimp – that’s our bait of choice to catch these great-eating hog snappers! You gotta weed through the gray snappers and gag grouper, but the hogs will come! Get that bait on the bottom…let it sit…line tight and wait for the bite.

The African pompano bite is ready to kick off in 150-225 feet of water – look for them on the wrecks and springs. With red grouper open all year, there’s plenty to catch and stock your freezer!

Capt. Frank Hutchko, owner of SkirtChaser Charters, a 21-year veteran-owned business, specializes in offshore fishing charters running out of Johns Pass/Madeira Beach, FL. Trips range from 4-12 hours and go out from 15-150 miles on their beautiful, fast 36’ Yellowfin. They have won the “Best of Florida” 4 years running and help locals and vacationers make memories that last a lifetime! | For more info, text or call Capt. Frank at 941-786-4620 or CaptainFrank@SkirtChaserCharters.com

More than Power Plants for Wintertime Success

BY: CAPT. GEORGE HASTICK

Many anglers know that power plants in the winter work hard and discharge a lot of warm water. Fish like snook, trout, redfish, and more will seek refuge from the cold and follow these warm-water trails to power plants and nearby waters. There can be some good fishing at various plants, such as the Big Bend Apollo Beach plant, the St Pete Bartow plant, and the Bayside electric plant at Port Sutton.

Sometimes they will attract tarpon and cobia (the Apollo plant favored for these two species), which will linger there until the water starts to warm up, once springtime rolls in.

There are more places that fish will gravitate to during these colder times. They will head up rivers, creeks, residential canals, and areas that are out of the wind. Many rivers will also attract fish to their mouths due to warmer water from spring-fed sources and/or freshwater runoff. Then they will migrate upriver to the docks, bridges, and deeper holes to stay warm. For example, Lithia Springs feeds the Alafia River, Crystal Springs and Ulele Springs feed the Hillsborough River. To the north of Tampa Bay are the Anclote, Chassahowitzka, Weeki Wachee, and Crystal River, to name a few,

which will also stay warmer.

So, the river mouths and creek mouths can really concentrate the fish, especially if it’s a mild winter, not sending them too far up the river. The mouths can hold many food sources for the fish, and on warm days, the shallow flats adjacent to them will warm up faster. The fish will move into warmer water, which will increase their metabolism and make them want to feed—basically, the warm days between cold fronts. Two to three days in a row or more of warm weather, and the feed bags go on.

Let’s not forget the residential canal systems and the backwaters. These areas with their dark bottoms, deeper water, and sometimes less water movement will attract fish. Places like this, close to shallow flats, will work the same way. At night, they will go into these deeper areas to protect themselves from the cold. Also, on the flats, if you find some deep holes, they can be loaded with fish, so wading is an excellent option.

Whether it is rivers, creeks, or canals, look for structures that hold fish, such as docks, bridge pilings, mangroves, and oysters. Many times, during the winter months, the water clarity can be clear, so a stealthy approach is your best bet. I love to throw artificials this time of year, like Saltwater Assassin’s Sea Shad on a 1/8 or 1/4oz jig head in Chicken on a chain. Your other best bet is live shrimp on a 1/0 hook and 20-25lb Seaguar fluorocarbon leader with 10-15lb fins braid. On warm days, scaled sardines will get the snook. Good Luck!

— Capt. George Hastick of “Fish Hunter Fishing Charters” in St. Petersburg, Fl. is the co-host of Florida West Coast Fishing Report and co-hosts Fishing Adventures Florida which is on five streaming channels and You Tube. He has been fishing the waters of the Tampa Bay area for over 40 years and guiding over 20 years.

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

By: Capt. George Hastick

Bass Assassin’s line of Saltwater Assassin lures are my go-to soft plastics for myself and my fishing charters. There are three main body styles that I use: Sea Shad, Lit’l P&V, and their shrimp cocktail. Between these three styles in my St. Petersburg, Florida area, they can pretty much catch about everything. They are very durable and offer almost any color you need for your area and fishing style. The color selection they have is vast, but lately I have been having great success with Chicken on a Chain, electric chicken, opening night w/ limetreuse tail, white, and the new flamingo flash. When it comes to shrimp, the papa smurph color is very unique because it has a shrimp color but also has a unique blue hue that shows up especially in the tail when the sun hits it as you move it through the water, which is very enticing to fish. The Sea Shad has a great paddle tail action, while the Lit’l P&V has a great darting and sinking movement for reaction strikes. On top of that, they are also scented to get more strikes. I like to put them on a 1/8-1/4 oz JA jighead, but they also have a great selection of styles and a variety of weights. This is a great familyowned and operated company in the USA, so check them out, you will not regret it.

As fishermen, many of us abide by a handful of traditions, superstitions, and passed-down lore to guarantee a great day at sea. Over the holidays, a few of my captains and I got into the topic, discussing the different superstitions we follow, their origins, and our thoughts on a few others that may help our readers with their bites.

Let’s start with the sayings I would leave at the dock: “tip one for the homies” seems like a waste of good beer to me; “toss a coin to pay homage to King Neptune” not a chance… if you own a boat, you’re going to need

every penny you’ve got; “women don’t belong on boats” only if you enjoy sleeping on the couch; and, one of my personal favorites, “turn off the music, you’re scaring the fish.” Sure, let’s sit in silence while the fish scoff at our bait.  Now, as for a tradition rooted in pirate lore, I’m fully behind “no bananas on a boat.” Why? Well, one version of the saying originated after pirates sailing the Caribbean realized massive spiders would almost always accompany the yellow fruit…and I’ll be damned to see a spider on my boat- we don’t mix well.  Over the years, I have sifted through and learned from these sayings, coming to my own conclusions that would help my business achieve what I have dreamed.  Two stood above the rest, and here is how they influenced our trips at 2 Shea. I love music, always have. I enjoy belting out a tune even though my kids will quickly tell me the real artist doesn’t need any help. Despite this, growing up it was never common for the fishing boats I worked on to play music. In fact, some of the boats didn’t even have a stereo. I was always told “music would scare the fish,” and I guess it kind of made sense.  It didn’t matter if we were 20 miles offshore or 20 miles deep in the Ten Thousand Islands; that was Continued on page 24

... adding a clause to the rule penned the “No Bananas Dance”, requiring all people who brought bananas on our fishing trips to shake their money maker in order to ward off the bad juju. It was hilarious.

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Sea W orthy

RECIPES

DOWN LOW SHRIMP

This is an easy to make foil packet packed with shrimp, sausage, corn, potatoes, zucchini and squash. It’s a full meal with zero clean-up!

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined

• 4 links of brat sausage, thinly sliced

• 2 ears of corn, each cut crosswise into 4 pieces

• 1 pound of baby red potatoes, halved

• 1 zucchini sliced thin

• 1 yellow squash sliced thin

• 2 cloves garlic smashed

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 4 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning

• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves

Preheat oven to 350. Cut four sheets of foil, about 12-inches long. Divide shrimp, sausage, corn, potatoes, zucchini and squash into 4 equal portions, then add to the center of each foil in a single layer.

Fold up all 4 sides of each foil packet. Add olive oil, Old Bay seasoning, salt and pepper, to taste; gently toss to combine. Fold the sides of the foil over the shrimp, covering completely and sealing the packets closed.

Place foil packets in the oven and cook until just cooked through, about 30 to 45 minutes. Serve immediately, garnished with parsley, if desired.

Ahoy Mates!

It’s The Tampa Bay Boat

Show

Chart your course the Florida State Fairgrounds on March 6, 7, 8.

Enjoy walking around millions of dollars of inventory on hand from Tampa Bay’s leading boat dealers. The Tampa Bay Boat Show is a grand event showcasing area boat dealers/manufacturers, the latest in boating and fishing supplies.

Tampa Bay’s Largest Boating Sales Event!

The Tampa Bay Boat show offers a great way to see and compare all available makes and models in one location. Pontoons, Cruisers, Center Consoles, Jet Skis, exhibits and more. Plus, you don’t want to miss the Florida Fishing School Seminars Series each day. Take part in a series of presentations by the area’s top fishing guides and local experts…great tips, secrets, and fun! Learn how to catch the big one!

There is something for Boaters of all ages waiting for you. After you have found your dreamboat explore the many exhibits of the clothing, sunglasses, boating and docking accessories and so much more.

The event is open to the public, and admission is free so bring the family and make a day of it. You could be on the water before the weekend is over.

HOURS: Friday – Sunday 10am-5pm FREE ADMISSION

Florida State Fairgrounds 4800 US-301, Tampa, FL 33610

St. Pete Grand Prix IT ALL STARTS HERE!

The 22nd annual Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, set for February 27-March 1, transforms the spectacular downtown waterfront into a three-day celebration of racing, food, and entertainment. By blending major motorsports disciplines into one marquee weekend, the Grand Prix is a “must do” event and offers fans more variety, more action, and even more reasons to be part of this St. Pete tradition

It all starts here for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, the 16th time as the series’ season-opening event. More than two dozen of the world’s most elite drivers will take on the 1.8-mile, 14-turn street course, pushing their Indy cars to the limit during 180 miles of competition in Sunday’s main event, which goes green shortly after noon. Alex Palou, the defending winner and four-time INDYCAR Champion, will return to the “Sunshine City” to defend his title.

“We’re thrilled to once again welcome fans to beautiful downtown St. Petersburg for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES season opener,” said Kim Green, co-owner, chairman and CEO of Green Savoree St. Petersburg, LLC, organizers of the Grand Prix. “Each year this event brings incredible energy

to the city, and we’re excited to deliver another unforgettable race weekend including for the first-time ever NASCAR Trucks racing on a street course!”

History will be made when the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series races on a street course for the first time on Saturday, Feb. 28th just after the noon hour. There’s no better place for it to happen than the downtown St. Pete streets with NASCAR drivers racing these colorful trucks fender-tofender and side-by-side. The series will also be on course for practice and qualifying sessions beginning on Friday, Feb. 27th.

The world will see St. Pete’s spectacular waterfront track winding through downtown, past yachts and the eye-catching Dali Museum. Live national broadcasts of Sunday’s NTT INDYCAR SERIES race and also Saturday’s NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series feature will air on FOX.

INDY NXT by Firestone returns with the next generation of open-wheel talent, while USF2000 showcases more rising stars climbing the racing ladder to INDYCAR. Sports car fans will also get their fix with the competitive, doorto-door battles of the Mazda MX-5 Cup. Every session brings a new style of racing, making the weekend one of the most dynamic and entertaining in motorsports.

Two community activities return on Thursday, Feb. 26 in St. Pete’s North Straub Park just north of the race site to kick off the festivities. INDYCAR Party in the Park, a free event featuring race cars on display and drivers signing autographs, and the annual 5K Run & Walk, with all proceeds from entries benefiting the Police Athletic League of St. Petersburg, happen in the late afternoon. Visit gpstpete.com for tickets and also the “Plan Your Visit” fan information.

Interested in becoming a volunteer at the grand prix? Visit gpstpete.com/ volunteer to apply.

NEW PORT RICHEY REPORT

BY: CAPT. BILL RUTHERFORD

Flip-Flop Winter and Red-Hot Trout

Boy oh boy, has this been a funky “winter season” for the Gulf Coast. One day the water temp is 76, and you have to put sunscreen on, and the next it’s 56, and you’re all layered up. On the plus side, we haven’t had to be layered up hardly at all this season because the cold fronts have been spaced so far apart that it hasn’t stayed cold for long, and neither have the water temps.

The bite that has remained the most consistent this season has been the trout for sure. On the lower tides, they have been stacked up in channels or creek mouths from Hudson to Anclote and will eat most any swimbait or jig you throw their way. On the low-low tides, I like to get my boat as skinny as it can get on a grass flat and cast swimbaits or spoons into the potholes to look for bigger trout and reds that may be sitting in there ready to ambush. The shoreline from the Anclote River to just north of the Anclote power plant works really well for this tactic, as there are plenty of holes to choose from. Once the tide comes in a little higher, the trout will spread out across the flat, making for easy drift fishing on the flat with a bait that can cover some area.

While we’re trout fishing, we are keeping a watchful eye for pompano and cobia. It’s typical to find the pomps on the days where the water is a tick colder, and usually we can grab a few where the flat drops off into deeper water. The east side of the Anclote sandbar is a great place for this. Throwing goofy jigs or paddletails will work for everything, but a shrimp imitation such as a Z-Man Prawnstar shrimp works great too and is usually an easier presentation for the random cobia or tripletail you may come across on your drift. Make sure to keep the gear as light as possible! Nothing bigger than 15lb fluoro with this crazy clear water we have in the winter.

— Captain Bill is a Florida native who grew up fishing the Gulf Coast. Being a proud Army Vet himself, he founded a

CHAPTERS MEET-UP

Saturday, February 21, 2026 • 10am – 2pm Egypt Shriners Event Center • 5017 E Washington St • Tampa, FL 33619

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Whether you’re a seasoned angler, a weekend warrior, or brand new to fishing, this event is built for you.

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SALT STRONG’S SKILL BUILDING ZONE

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WHERE FISHING MEETS FELLOWSHIP

All Florida Salt Strong Chapters Meet Up February 21, 2026

This February, Florida’s inshore fishing community comes together for one unforgettable day at the All Florida Salt Strong Chapters Meet Up—a high-energy celebration of fishing, family, skill-building, and conservation.

Hosted by Salt Strong Fishing Club Chapters from across the state in partnership with Salt Strong Alliance, this event is open to the public and designed for anglers of every experience level—from first-time rod holders to seasoned captains.

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This isn’t a trade show or a sit-and-listen seminar—it’s a fully interactive fishing experience.

CONSERVATION YOU CAN SEE & TOUCH

Salt Strong Alliance and its partners will host interactive conservation education stations showcasing real-world solutions like oyster gardens, seagrass restoration, and habitat enhancement. It’s a rare opportunity to see how anglers are actively improving water quality and fisheries across Florida.

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Whether you come to sharpen your fishing skills, introduce your kids to the sport, meet top captains, or support conservation, the All Florida Salt Strong Chapters Meet Up delivers a full-day experience unlike anything else in Florida’s fishing scene. Fishing. Fellowship. Family. Conservation. Register today at www.SaltStrongAlliance.com

the rule, and we were sticking to it. So, when I started my charter business, I saw no reason to change what had gotten me to that point.  While I took some liberties to play music for my clients to and from our spots, I never played it once we got our rods in the water.  Up until the one, fateful trip. The bite was terrible, probably due to the trip’s close timing to the new moon (never a good time to fish).  The water had more of a resemblance to chocolate milk than the deep blue, and I had exhausted all the small talk possible. After our third failed spot, I decided we needed something to break the dragging silence, so I turned on the stereo and cranked the tunes up. Soon enough, the bite turned, and what had felt like a funeral became a party.  We caught fish the rest of the day. Once we reached the dock, the gentleman who booked the trip told me it was a genius move to turn up the music to get the fish biting. The songs were great. Why wouldn’t the fish want to come up to the boat and listen right along with us? From that day on, music was not only played while we fish, but it became how we fished.  The music helps us determine when it’s time to check our baits, move to a new spot (“three more songs”), and keep up the vibes and the bite.

Now, onto the banana adage. The “no banana” rule started when I was a kid, fishing with my best friend, AKA Uncle Dominic. We were having a grand old time in the Florida Keys when Dominic saw a No Bananas sticker on a passing boat. From that moment on, we made that a rule in our fishing

expeditions and even expanded upon it, adding a clause to the rule penned the “No Bananas Dance”, requiring all people who brought bananas on our fishing trips to shake their money maker in order to ward off the bad juju. It was hilarious. I saw no reason not to continue this amusing tradition on our charters to give us the best chance of catching fish while enjoying a good laugh.  Unfortunately, one day, one of our performers took a spill while dropping it low…that was the end of that era for 2 Shea Charters (though legend has it Uncle Dominic still enforces the rule on his boat, so if you are thinking of bringing a banana in his sight, get your Truffle Shuffle ready to go!).

All this goes to say, traditions help bring captains together and give us peace of mind that our trips will go well. Though it is always okay to break away from them, whether it be by educating the fish on The Billboard Top 100 Hits or letting your kids bring peanut butter banana sandwiches on the boat. As for me and my trips, one tradition is guaranteed: we are going to have a great time whether the fish cooperate or not.

— Capt. TJ Shea. Owner/Operator 2 Shea Fishing and Diving Charters. TJ has been exploring above and below the Gulf of Mexico since he was 8 years old. Contact us at 813-385-2169 and at info@fishanddivetampa.com

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.

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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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