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fve things you should know about boat insurance

Are you ready to embark on your next on-water adventure? Before you set sail, here are fve things to know about boat insurance.

1. Boat insurance isn’t just for accidents

With comprehensive coverage, you’ll also be protected fnancially for theft, vandalism, and unexpected events like storms if you need repairs or replacements due to damage.

Accidents can happen to anyone

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.

4. Most lenders require boat insurance

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.

5. Progressive offers specialized boat coverages

Ever worry about getting stuck on the water? Progressive’s Sign & Glide® On-Water Towing coverage** can help. It’s an additional coverage that steps in if your boat is disabled or breaks down on the water, paying for on-water towing, jump starts, soft ungroundings, and fuel delivery. Fuel cost isn’t included.

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‘MAY’ Your Cup Overfoweth with Gags & Scamps!

You probably noticed my attempt at a little humor with that title—just what we need a!er a long closed season. In my personal view, the closure has been unnecessary, much like the situation with Atlantic red snapper. Many of us are simply trying to catch seabass and grunts for dinner, but we keep getting pushed o our favorite spots where red snapper and gags are abundant. Yet, these species are still considered endangered. I think you know where I stand on this topic, so I won’t dwell on it any further.

As warm water moves in closer to the beach, expect to nd king sh and cobia frequenting the same spots where you’re catching gags when the water temperature rises above 68°F. Always have a pitch rod ready as cobia may swim right up to the boat. However, don’t be surprised if you catch cobia while bottom shing with a decor jig and an appealing bait. In fact, more cobia are o!en caught on the bottom than on the surface when anchored up and targeting grouper.

schools of cigar minnows and sardines on them. You don’t need to look any further when you nd this combination of bait because the sh will be right there. It’s always a good idea to keep one person on the Sabiki jigging up. A live sardine or a live cigar on a decoy has a life expectancy of under ten seconds around any kind of sh. We try to never leave the marina without a couple boxes of frozen cigar minnows and live pin sh. at live pin sh can sometimes be the best selection of all because it’s too large for any of the trash bites.

TIM BAREFOOT

of other species like vermilions, mangroves, grunts and seabass.

In addition to all the other stu on the bottom, it’s always good to keep a light line out for kings, black n, wahoo and dolphin. It’s not a bad idea to keep one under a %oat (so you can keep an eye on it) and another one without a %oat, but you have to be mindful of that bait getting back into props or under the boat tangling other lines.

I’ve always said, “Find the bait, nd the sh.” Go to all your familiar haunts with structure of one kind of another, whether it’s ledges, rock out crops, wrecks, etc. e bonus will be nding

Any kind of little snapper about the size of your hand makes for the ultimate bait. I’m no longer shing for barely-legal gag or scamp. Instead, I’m looking for one good bite at a time. I’ll let that bait soak on the bottom and be patient waiting for the old man to show up. Don’t get me wrong, more sh have been caught on frozen cigar minnows and sardines than all the other baits combined, but a live one is simply irresistible to every grouper and/or snapper out there. Period. Nearly everything on the bottom will take a whack at it, but only the sh with the correct sized mouth can eat that small snapper. Because the creel limits are so low, you’ll easily reach your grouper limit. Once you have, it’s wise to take advantage

If you’re anchoring and not just using the trolling motor, it’s a great idea to %y the kite. Keep a couple baits suspended with little to no leader in the water. Live greenies, cigs or sardines under the kite is the ultimate presentation. You can even get away with %uorocarbon using circle hooks depending on the current. Don’t hesitate to put a bait out with a small amount of weight in front of it to get it down 30 to 50 feet behind the boat. is will get you that large wahoo bite. ere are so many options available this time of year in the warmer water, so be ready to take advantage of all of them once you ll your cooler with one species or another. is is the ideal time to broaden your approach and become skilled in targeting not only di erent types of snapper and grouper, but also pelagics.

MAY you nd calm seas, tight lines and delicious dinners this month!

Learn more from Tim Barefoot at barefootcatsandtackle.com.

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Florida Keys

SILVER KINGS

By: Capt. Greg Poland

Tarpon season is here, and the migration is in full swing across the Florida Keys and into Everglades National Park. The Silver Kings have settled into their usual haunts, and right now is as good as it gets. Long strings of fish are moving down the oceanside flats through the bridges, channels, and basins, and when conditions line up, the action can be absolutely incredible! This is hands-down my favorite time of year. If I’m not on the water, I’m thinking about being on the water and you should be as well.

If you can’t tell, tarpon still get me fired up. Watching a big fish roll in the current or tracking a laid-up pod on a calm morning never gets old. And when one finally eats, everything changes. The explosion, the jumps, the chaos is why we do it.

This season is extra exciting for me with the addition of my new Bay Boat. It’s been a game changer, quiet, shallow, and versatile enough to move between the bridges, backcountry, and ocean side with ease. It’s opened up even more opportunities to stay on fish and make the most of each trip. If catching a tarpon has been on your list, May and June are prime time. The fish are here in numbers, they’re active, and every tide gives you a real shot at something special. Just be warned, once you hook one, you’re probably going to want to do it again.

I still have a handful of good dates available, and so do a lot of the local guides. If you’re thinking about getting in on it, now’s the time to lock something in.

For those heading out on their own, here are a few quick tips:

Keep It Simple: A solid 20lb spinning setup or light conventional gear will handle most situations just fine. I like a mixture of both and always have a backup.

Dial in Your Leader: I like 40-60lb fluorocarbon, depending on water clarity & the leader is about rod length, paired with a 5/0 or 6/0 circle hook.

Live Bait is King: A fresh mullet under a float is hard to beat this time of year, about as close to a guarantee as it gets, my backup bait is a large piltchard. The guys fishing at night prefer a crab!

Positioning Matters: Set up up-current of rolling fish and let them come to you. Pay attention, stay patient, but stop looking at your phone, you will miss the bite!

Respect the Fishery: Give other boats space, don’t cut someone off, and if a fish is hooked up, let them work. There’s plenty of water and plenty of fish for everyone, & if a guy is hooked up reel your lines in so he can catch that fish. If a shark is tracking your fish just cut it off. There is NO NEED to feed the sharks a tarpon!

— Visit Capt. Greg at 305.393.3327 or email gregpoland@icloud.com | Instagram: gregpoland Facebook: Fishing in the Florida Keys with Capt. Greg Poland

SWIM

ALLIGATOR LIGHT

By: Capt. Angelia Swanson

Every September in the Florida Keys, we host an amazing swimming event. People come from all over the world to swim it. It is billed as “not for the faint of heart” and “one of the most challenging eight open water swims in the world”. Well, I’m always up for a challenge, so a couple of years ago I started to train for this amazing eightmile swim. Once upon a time a colleague told me that I would not be able to finish, and that’s reason enough for me to try! I’m always ready to prove people wrong who doubt me! But I have officially signed up for this epic event this year, and I’m bound and determined to finish it.

I’m a true thalassophile (yes, you can look that word up!) and I have always belonged in the water, so this race seems like the natural thing to do!

This race runs regardless of water conditions, and any good mariner knows that wind, tide, and current will all play huge factors on swim day. The swim is four miles offshore, round the lighthouse, and four miles back. One way will be much harder than the other, and we all pray the easier half is on the way back to shore. We also pray that the jellyfish are not thick in the waters, as the moon jellies can be copious during this time of year.

Every single swimmer in this race is required to have a support kayak. The support kayak serves many purposes during this athletic adventure. They give you a place to take short rests as you hang on to the kayak. They carry water, snacks, and any safety gear you may need. But most importantly they keep eyes on you for the entire race for sheer safety. There are also lots and lots of safety boats located along the race buoys including law enforcement so that if at any time a swimmer is in trouble, they can be quickly pulled from the water. If a swimmer gets separated from their kayak, they can be pulled from the water. And if you don’t hit certain marks by certain times, you are disqualified and pulled from the water. This is an event you must train for! Sure, I can pleasure snorkel for hours, but this is different. Thankfully we have an amazing aquatics center in Key Largo where I will resume water training until I move to open water. This facility has an Olympic sized pool with lanes and only open to adults, so I found training there very pleasurable and the staff is super supportive. So as race day approaches, the butterflies take over my stomach and I smile. I’m a true thalassophile (yes, you can look that word up!) and I have always belonged in the water, so this race seems like the natural thing to do! Plus, to prove to myself and everyone else that I can do it!

Keep up with everything race related at: swimalligatorlight.com

It’s all Coming Together

By: Capt. Bruce Andersen

May is one of the most exciting times of year to fish offshore in the Florida Keys. As late spring transitions into early summer, we’re treated to warm water, and an incredible variety of species to target. It’s a time when everything starts to come together, giving anglers the opportunity to experience multiple styles of fishing in a single trip.

One of the biggest changes we see this time of year is a shift in focus toward the Gulf Stream. As summer approaches, we begin heading offshore, putting an emphasis on targeting mahi-mahi. These beautiful, hard fighting fish become the primary target on many of our trips. In a lot of ways, mahi fishing can be more like hunting than fishing. We do spend time trolling, but we also spend a lot of time with the binoculars out, scanning the horizon for signs of life like birds, weed lines, floating debris, or anything that might be holding fish. Every day offshore is an adventure, and you never know what you’re going to find out there. When everything comes together, the action can be incredibly rewarding. We’ve got a lot to look forward to as mahi fishing typically stays strong throughout the summer and into fall.

tions are right and the current is manageable. Mutton snapper are also a great target. Bottom fishing overall can be very consistent, providing steady action and a great way to round out a trip.

Another exciting aspect of fishing in May is the reopening of grouper season on May 1. This is something anglers look forward to all year. With the season open, we can once again target species like black grouper, red grouper, and gag grouper, all of which are excellent on the table and put up a great fight. In addition, deep water grouper such as snowy grouper reopens, along with other deep drop species like tilefish. This gives us the flexibility to mix in deep dropping on our offshore trips, adding even more variety and opportunity to the day.

Closer to the reef, the fishing remains just as productive. Yellowtail snap-

All in all, this month offers some of the best fishing of the year. Whether you’re chasing mahi in the Gulf Stream, dropping deep for grouper and tilefish, or anchoring up on the reef for snapper, there’s no shortage of opportunity. It’s a time of year that truly showcases just how special offshore fishing in the Keys can be.

If you’re looking to experience it for yourself, I’d love to have you join me aboard The Captain Easy out of Islamorada, Florida. It’s a great time to hop on board one of the many professional charter boats throughout the Keys, all working hard to put their clients on fish and show them the best our waters have to offer!

— www.captaineasycharters.com | You can reach Captain Bruce Andersen at Capt. Easy Charters, MM 85, call 305.360.2120 or email at: captbrucekey@comcast.net

Capt. Joel’s FISHIN’

By: Capt. Joel Brandenburg

Catching sailfish in Marathon, Florida Keys is one of the most exciting saltwater fishing experiences in the world. Known as the “Heart of the Florida Keys,” Marathon offers anglers easy access to productive offshore waters, reef edges, and deep channels where sailfish thrive. With the right timing, techniques, and conditions, targeting these fast, acrobatic billfish can turn into a true bucket-list adventure.

Sailfish are found in the waters off Marathon year-round, but the peak season typically runs from November through April when migratory fish push into South Florida to feed. During this time, cooler water temperatures and strong currents concentrate baitfish like ballyhoo and pilchards, drawing in hungry sailfish. Winter cold fronts, in particular, often trigger aggressive feeding behavior, making these periods especially productive for anglers.

One of the biggest advantages of fishing out of Marathon is how quickly you can reach prime sailfish habitat. Just a few miles offshore lies the reef line, where depths range from about 30 to 200 feet, an ideal zone for targeting sailfish. These fish often patrol the edges of reefs and drop-offs, moving in and out throughout the day in search of bait schools. Many successful anglers focus on areas just outside the reef where currents push bait into concentrated zones.

Finding sailfish often begins with locating bait. Schools of ballyhoo are a primary food source, and when they are present, sailfish are rarely far be-

hind. A classic sign to watch for is “showering bait,” where ballyhoo leap from the water as predators attack from below. Birds such as frigates hovering overhead can also signal feeding activity beneath the surface. These visual cues are key indicators that sailfish may be nearby. When it comes to techniques, live bait fishing is the most effective method in Marathon. Anglers commonly use live pilchards or ballyhoo rigged on light tackle, typically around 20-pound line. One of the most popular methods is kite fishing, where live bait is suspended on the surface, mimicking natural movement and attracting aggressive strikes. Drift fishing and slow trolling are also widely used, especially along reef edges and current lines.

Hooking a sailfish is only the beginning of the excitement. Once hooked, these fish are famous for their spectacular aerial displays. Sailfish will often leap repeatedly out of the water and “tail walk” across the surface, testing both angler skill and equipment. Their speed and endurance make them one of the most challenging and rewarding game fish to catch.

Conditions play a major role in sailfish success. Wind direction, current strength, and water clarity all influence where fish will be found on any given day. Experienced captains in Marathon pay close attention to these factors, adjusting their strategies to stay on active fish. Even during peak season, adapting to daily conditions can make the difference between a slow trip and multiple hookups.

It’s also worth noting that sailfish are typically released after being caught. They are highly prized as a sport fish rather than for consumption, and catch-and-release practices help preserve the population for future anglers. Many charter boats in Marathon specialize in this style of fishing, offering anglers the chance to battle these incredible fish while promoting conservation.

In addition to sailfish, anglers fishing offshore in Marathon often encounter other species such as mahi-mahi, tuna, and king mackerel, adding even more excitement to the trip. The diversity of species and the consistent action make Marathon one of the premier sportfishing destinations in the United States.

In conclusion, catching sailfish in Marathon, Florida Keys combines ideal geography, abundant bait, and world-class fishing conditions. Whether you are an experienced angler or a first-timer, the thrill of seeing a sailfish explode on a bait and launch into the air is an unforgettable experience that keeps fishermen returning year after year.

— To book a charter with Captain Joel Brandenburg of Ana Banana fishing Company call 813–267–4401 cell or 305–395–4212 office or visit www.marathonkeyfishingcharters@ gmail.com or come visit with us in person at poncho’s fuel dock located at 1280 Ocean View Ave. Marathon Florida Keys.

TIDE CHART

By: Jessica Hendrie

FISHING&KIDS

Bass fishing holds a special place in my heart. I grew up fishing with my dad and I still do. Now I am passing on bass fishing to my son and it is a wonderful feeling! As much as I love fishing on the ocean, I grew up in an area where lakes and ponds were in your backyard. It was much easier as a kid to cast a line down the road than to get a boat ready! Those are some of my best memories.

Today, my son enjoys catching bass and deciding how he wants to eat them. We have a tradition of fried bass, cheese grits, baked beans, and hush puppies. Having traditions like these that tie fishing into the home is something truly special. Bass fishing for us is a year-round activity.

We live in a hot climate in South Florida that ensures awesome bites! We use all kinds of lures, but something we never use it live bait. My favorite rig to bass fish with is a simple June bug. If you know, you know.

The fun part of bass fishing for me is watching my son test out so many new things and new technologies that I didn’t have as a kid. It comes so natural to him. He cracks me up when he wants to buy a rat lure or even a spider lure… until you guessed it, he proves me wrong and catches a large bass on it! I’ve never seen anything like it. If you haven’t taken your kiddos bass fishing yet, let me be the first to tell you that you will be starting something you cannot stop if you do! And you absolutely won’t regret it! I

If you get a chance to cook it also, try my traditional recipe of that fried bass dinner. Fry the bass to your liking, (I use a fry daddy) cook up some grits and add cheese, butter, and salt and pepper, make your hush puppies per usual, and spice up some baked beans with bacon, ground beef, onions, sausage, BBQ sauce, seasoning, and a little bit of brown sugar. I promise you will be forever changed!

One thing my dad use to always say to me that I hope you can carry with you. “we don’t go fishing, we go catching.” Happy Fishing, everyone!

TARPON MIGRATION, THE SPRING SWEEP

By Caitlyn Gatrell

May is a special time of year in the backcountry of the Everglades. The birds are flying around, wildlife is out, fish are active, the weather is beautiful, and most of all, the tarpon are rolling. While our area is known to have tarpon here year-round, May is a big peak in their season. They are migrating heavily during late spring and can be seen all around in schools rolling and thrashing on bait schools. It’s without a doubt, one of my favorite times of year!

I can attest that sometimes they will bite any time of day, even if its dead current in the middle of the hot day. But typically, they enjoy the early morning hours and especially the evening feeding around sunset when there’s a nice outgoing or incoming flow. As a matter of fact, when we fish for them around sunset we often see many, large ones too, lunging on bait. Sometimes they even fully jump out of the water for them. And not just for bait, we’ve even seen them do this for bugs and mosquitoes too! It’s quite the sight to see.

We’ve had tarpon bite on numerous baits like swimbait lures, large pilchards, etc., but the most productive I’ve seen are lively mullet or topwater lures. Each one gives a different vibe. I like to throw a mullet down if there’s a flowing current and I know it’s a deep underwater cut. Sitting there quietly with a finger on the line, when all of a sudden it gets yanked down and the drag starts to scream is a pretty intense feeling. On the other hand, working a topwater lure around rolling tarpon at a sunset bite, followed by a huge wake and a massive blowup then crazy line tension is also heart-racing. Both methods produce tons of drag screams, line pulling, and acrobatic jumps. Sometimes I can’t really say which I enjoy more!

NoPavement

Areas you can expect to find hungry and feisty tarpon include backwaters, mangrove lines, deep channels, bays, nearshore points, flats, and sometimes even near oyster beds. It’s a good thing the Backcountry has all to over! The opportunities are truly endless during this time of year.

If you’ve been waiting for a chance to get out there and hook up to one of your own, now is the perfect time. It’s great if you have access to a boat, but you don’t need one! They can also be commonly caught off the beach, under bridges, near docks, and more, on land during this time of year. I can say for sure as I’ve caught a few in these areas myself. I recommend having a medium to heavy setup, lively bait, pliers, and honestly, gear to cover up from the mosquitoes! Good luck to all looking to wrangle their personal best tarpon this spring!

KEY WEST SAILFISH TOURNAMENT

World-class teams converged on the sparkling blue waters of Key West and the Lower Keys for a two day shoot out style tournament in March, battling it out for the top of the leaderboard and prize money bringing teams from all over Florida and beyond recently. The Key West Sailfish Tournament is a tournament destination on any avid angler’s calendar, and this year’s event was no exception with 25 boats and 188 Anglers participating and recording over 140 Sailfish releases!

Congratulations to the Winning Team “Roughshot” with prize winnings of $140,000.00!

Top Male Angler went to Jason Maret of the Roughshot crew and the Top Female Angler award went to Rosalie (Roe) Apostoleres of Team Roenick. In the Top Junior Angler category (16 & under) the winner was Kolton Clausen of Team Back N Down.

This tournament also donated $18,000 to its charity Voices for Florida Keys Children, which is an all-volunteer organization, and is dedicated to the

the abandoned, abused and neglected children in Monroe County. For over 35 years our mission has been to help the children under the supervision of the 16th judicial circuit in the Florida Keys. These children, innocent victims, are in the state judicial system through no fault of their own.

Working closely with court-appointed, trained volunteer guardians, Voices assists with the education, health, and social well-being of these children, and their goal is to assure their basic every day needs are met.

Congratulations to all who participated and we look forward to next year’s event!

FloridaKeys

If you have a catch to brag about send your picture and caption to: flkeys@coastalanglermagazine.com

Katie Barker with her 1st Blackfin Tuna off Key West

Mutton snapper, caught aboard the Main One with Capt. Marty Lewis

Blackfin tuna caught at the Main Attraction Charters, with the Harris family.

Jaxon with a nice Nurse Shark

Meghan Cluney caught this Porkfish off Key West

THE OVERLOOKED MONTH FOR TROPHY SPECKLED TROUT MAY:

If you’re a big trout enthusiast like me, you know there’s still time le to chase a personal best—if you haven’t had your ll over the past few months. While most anglers focus on trophy speckled trout from December through early April, May quietly remains one of the most underrated windows of the year. With the full moon in late May, many of those big females will hold eggs all month, giving anglers one last legitimate shot at a heavy trout before the spawn wraps up.

What makes May even better is how enjoyable it is to be on the water. e cold winter grind is behind us, waders can nally come o , and the warmer conditions allow for a more aggressive approach. Unlike winter, when slow presentations dominate, May lets you sh with more con dence and energy. Topwater explosions become a real possibility again, and there are few things more exciting than watching a big trout crush a lure on the surface.

at said, topwaters aren’t the only tool in play. Slow-sinking and suspending baits still produce, and so plastics—especially paddle tails—shine this time of year. With water temperatures rising, trout are more active and willing to chase.

Adding sound, like a subtle tail rattle, can make a noticeable di erence in getting bites from these larger sh. Sizes from 3” to 5” can all be e so don’t hesitate to mix it up until you nd what they want.

Location plays just as important a role as lure selection. I like to focus on grass knee- to waist-deep water, especially those with nearby drains from small lakes or creeks. areas concentrate bait and naturally pull in predators. Subtle features—like potholes, small depressions, or even a one-foot drop-o —can hold sh and shouldn’t be overlooked.

Approach is everything in shallow water. Whether you’re wading or shing from a kayak, stealth matters. Position yourself far enough o your target area to avoid spooking sh, especially in clear conditions. Cover water methodically with a fan-cast approach, working from short casts to longer ones. Starting close allows you to pick o sh in front of you before potentially spooking them with longer casts.

By Capt. Michael Okruhlik

Shallow water may look too skinny to hold quality sh, but time and time again it proves otherwise. e key is reading the conditions,

they want to be. Some days they’ll be scattered across a at, while other times they’ll stack up along a subtle edge or current break.

May is your last real shot at an egg-heavy trophy trout before summer patterns take over. Take advantage of the warmer weather, sh with con dence, and enjoy the experience. And if you can, take a kid shing—they like big trout too.

Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor and owner of Knockin Tail Lures® — knockintaillures.com.

PHOTO COURTESY OF KNOCKIN TAIL LURES®

MDROP IT LIKE IT’S

By A. deGruchy

ay 1st marks one of the most anticipated days in the Florida Keys: the reopening of grouper season. e Florida Keys o ers a variety of grouper species, each with its own habits and appeal. Black grouper are the top prize, known for their size and power, typically found on deeper reefs and wrecks. Red grouper

are more common on patch reefs and ledges and are a great target for steady action. Gag grouper show up more in deeper water and are prized for both their ght and table quality.

Grouper shing is all about positioning and strength. ese sh live in holes, ledges, and wrecks, and when they bite, they immediately try

to return to structure. Success depends on getting your bait down quickly and pulling hard the second you feel a strike. ere is no waiting. You either win the rst few seconds or lose the sh. Tackle matters. A heavy-duty setup using PENN conventional reels paired with strong rods gives you the drag and li ing power needed to keep sh out of the rocks. On the terminal side, circle hooks are the standard for reef shing, improving hook placement and supporting conservation. Pair these with heavy leader and enough weight to stay pinned to the bottom. Live bait like pin sh or grunts is ideal. Bigger baits o en mean bigger grouper, especially when targeting black grouper o shore.

It is also important to understand that grouper are a slow-growing species. Many take years to reach legal size, and they are particularly vulnerable during spawning periods. at is why strict regulations, seasons, and gear requirements exist. Responsible anglers follow the rules, handle sh carefully, and use tools like descending devices when releasing sh from deeper water.

Here in the Keys, your approach can vary based on conditions. O shore trips o er a shot at larger sh in deeper water, while patch reef shing can provide more consistent action and shorter runs. Both are productive, and the best option o en depends on weather and current conditions. Show up prepared, sh hard, and respect the resource so it stays strong for years to come.

For more real-world shing action in the Florida Keys, follow Bean Sport shing on YouTube

www.adamsmarine.com To Reserve a Spot Call: 352-447-1950 Email: info@adamsmarine.com

SPEND LE TIME ON TASKS More Time Fishing

It’s no fsh tale when you run with a John Deere. You can get everything done faster and easier, so you get more time on the water. Plus, our special offers make them the catch of the day.

Lipless Crankbait vs. the Chatterbait:

HowMatchingtheHatchandtheRightRodDrivesBassFishingSuccess

Lipless vibrating lures have long been staples in bass !shing, but few create more debate—or more bites—than the lipless crankbait (rattle trap) and the chatterbait. While both rely on vibration to trigger reaction strikes, their e ectiveness depends heavily on forage, seasonal timing, and even the rod and reel used to !sh them.

A lipless crankbait is a hard-bodied bait designed for speed and sound. Its tight vibration and internal rattles allow bass to locate it from long distances, making it ideal when !sh are actively feeding on bait!sh like shad. ese baits excel in open water or over submerged grass, where anglers can burn them, yo-yo them, or rip them free to trigger reaction strikes. For rattle traps, rod selection plays a major role in landing !sh. A 7’ to 7’3” mediumheavy rod with a moderate or moderate-fast action is ideal. e slightly so er tip allows bass to fully load the rod before the hooks engage, reducing the chances of pulling treble hooks free during surging !ghts. e longer length also helps make long casts, which is critical when covering water or targeting schooling !sh. You typically want to throw the trap on a faster gear ratio reel like a 7.1 or 7.3. e faster gear ratio helps pick up the line on long cast when you get a bite and need to catch up with the !sh.

A chatterbait, or bladed jig, produces a wider, thumping vibration and a more natural pro!le when paired with a so plastic trailer. is lure shines around shallow grass, docks, and wood, especially in stained water where bass rely more on vibration than sight. Chatterbaits o en mimic bluegill or bream, making them deadly around spawning areas and shallow cover. Because chatterbaits use a single heavy hook, anglers bene!t from a slightly di erent rod setup. A 7’ to 7’4” medium-heavy rod with a fast action provides the backbone needed to drive the hook home while still o ering enough tip to keep !sh pinned. is setup also allows anglers to control !sh quickly when pulling them out of thick cover.

Beyond lure, reel, and rod choice, matching the hatch remains one of the most important elements of success. Bass o en focus on a speci!c

WHY BUY NEW WHEN YOU

By NPFL Pro Angler Joey Bloom

forage, and lures that match the size, color, and movement of that prey get bit more consistently. Chrome or white rattle traps imitate %eeing shad in open water, while green pumpkin or bluegillpattern chatterbaits blend perfectly into shallow cover scenarios. To maximize these techniques, anglers must learn to follow the bait throughout the season. In late winter and early spring, bait move toward warming %ats, making rattle traps excellent search tools.

A er the spawn, bluegill become a primary food source, and chatterbaits excel around shallow cover and spawning grounds. In summer, bait o en shi s to deeper grass lines or o shore structure, where slow-rolled chatterbaits can shine. Come fall, shad migrate into the backs of creeks, and rattle traps once again dominate as bass feed aggressively ahead of winter.

By pairing the right vibrating lure with proper reel and rod length and action—and matching it to seasonal forage—anglers can signi!cantly increase e ciency and landing percentage. In bass !shing, success o en comes down to details, and choosing the right reel and rod can be just as important as choosing the right bait.

Follow all of Joey Bloom’s shing and fun on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube at Joey Bloom Fishing.

COME JOIN

MPRO FISHING TECHNIQUES TOP 3 PRO TIPS to Catch More Fish

CAPT. MIKE SMITH

any anglers haphazardly run around searching for !sh. ey see a !shy looking point and anchor up and start casting. Hours later they give up and go home empty handed.

at !shy looking point probably does have !sh on it some of the time, but not all the time.

What did they do wrong? ey forgot that !sh move around based on water temperatures, food resources, currents, water quality and the presence of larger predators. In my experience, 80% of the !sh will be in 20% of the area based on those conditions.

Here are the three most important pro tips to help you catch more !sh.

1. Find Feeding Fish. My !shing charters always start by scanning mangrove shorelines, grass %ats, and spoil islands for feeding !sh. Obviously, this is the easiest way to !gure out where the !sh are.

If you can !nd baits being crushed by predatory !sh, then start casting there. Even if you only !nd nervous bait, that’s still a great spot to start casting.

2. Find Food Resources. When the !sh are not actively feeding your next best bet is !nding bait. Sometimes the bait is obvious and you can start casting along the edges of the schools.

If you can’t actually see any bait then let the birds tell you where it is and what size it is. Birds always know where the food is. When you see diving pelicans or a great blue heron perched on a mangrove branch you know there is bait there.

e various bird species will tell you what lures to cast. When you see small wading birds like snowy egrets, little blue herons, green herons and tri-colored herons, then you know to cast something small. is really helps because you can grab your three-inch paddle tail or 2.75 inch shrimp and know that you are !shing with the right size lure. ose smaller herons usually target baits that are three inches or smaller.

When you see great white egrets, great blue herons and brown pelicans it gets a little harder to !gure out the size of the baits to use. You know there is food there but those birds will eat anything from a two-inch minnow up to an eight-inch mullet.

is is when you need an assortment of di erent sizes and pro!les of lures. I usually have a three-inch paddle tail, an arti!cial shrimp and a four to !ve and half inch jerkbait (%uke) rigged on my rods. Start casting until you !gure out what the !sh want on that day.

3. Find Moving Water. e next important factor is moving water. All of the predatory inshore species that you want to catch like a little bit of current.

ey will typically be facing into the current waiting for some unsuspecting food resource to %ow past their ambush point.

Your strongest currents are going to occur during the full moon and the new moon. Coincidentally, the best !shing occurs around these two moon phases.

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) 3392317, email: contact@ shyourasso .com or visit shyourasso .com.

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Every spring, it feels like the bank bite will last forever. Fish are shallow, visible, and predictable cruising, spawning, and guarding fry. It’s the time of year when con!dence is high and decisions feel easy. But like everything in !shing, that window doesn’t stay open long. Before most anglers realize it, the !sh that were once easy to !nd have simply vanished.

at disappearance marks the beginning of what seasoned anglers know as the o shore shi . As water temperatures climb and the spawn wraps up, bass begin pulling away from the bank and setting up on o shore structure. Ledges, shell beds, brush piles, and subtle depth changes start to hold more !sh than the shoreline ever could. It’s not an overnight move, but it happens quickly enough that many !shermen get le behind, still casting to water that’s no longer alive.

One of the biggest mistakes anglers make during this transition is assuming the !sh have stopped biting. In reality, they’ve just relocated. Instead of being scattered along miles of bank, bass begin grouping up in smaller, more de!ned areas. e challenge

TYLER WOOLCOTT

FROM A PRO THE OFFSHORE SHIFT: WHEN BASS LEAVE THE BANK FOR GOOD

shi s from covering water visually to understanding what lies beneath the surface. It becomes less about instinct and more about intention reading depth, structure, and subtle changes that aren’t visible at a glance.

Making the adjustment isn’t always easy, especially for anglers who are comfortable !shing shallow. It requires slowing down, trusting your electronics, and committing to areas that might not show immediate signs of life. But once you connect with your !rst o shore group, everything changes. What felt like a tough day can turn into a %urry of action in just a few casts, o en with better quality !sh than what the bank was o ering.

e o shore shi is more than just a seasonal pattern—it’s a turning point. It separates those who react to changing conditions from those who anticipate them. As summer approaches, the anglers who embrace the move away from the bank will !nd themselves ahead of the curve, dialing in on schools of bass that are no longer pressured by the crowds. And while the shoreline may feel empty, the real action is just a little deeper.

is a professional tournament angler, as well as owner/operator of Florida Big Fish Adventures, providing bass and saltwater guided shing trips: www. oridabig shadventures.com.

Capt. Tyler Woolcott

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