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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

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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.

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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.

May Bass Fishing Outlook Around Houston

COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE EDITORIAL STAFF

May is one of the most anticipated months of the year for bass anglers across the Houston area—and for good reason. It’s a time when opportunity and aggression intersect, offering anglers a legitimate shot at both numbers and trophy-class fish. If April is about transition, May is about payoff.

By the time May rolls in, the majority of largemouth bass have moved through the spawn and are settling into a post-spawn feeding pattern. While a few late spawners can still be found, most fish—especially the larger females— are done with the rigors of reproduction and are focused on replenishing energy. That shift creates a window where bass are not only more predictable, but often more aggressive than at any other time of the year.

Across popular fisheries like Lake Houston, Lake Conroe, and Lake Livingston, anglers will find fish in a state of transition. Early in the month, bass tend to linger around shallow spawning areas—think cypress trees, flooded brush, and shoreline vegetation. These zones still hold fish recovering from the spawn, and they’re prime targets during low-light periods.

As the month progresses and water temperatures climb, bass begin to slide toward more defined structure. Secondary points, creek

channel edges, and grass lines become key holding areas. It’s not a full summer pattern just yet, but the migration has begun. Successful anglers will adjust accordingly, starting shallow early and gradually working their way out as the sun gets higher.

One of the biggest advantages in May is the early morning bite, which can be nothing short of explosive. Topwater fishing reaches a seasonal peak this time of year. Buzzbaits, frogs, and poppers all produce, especially around shallow cover and along grass edges. The window may be short, but it’s often intense, producing some of the most exciting strikes of the year.

Equally important, and often overlooked, is the shad spawn. This brief but critical feeding opportunity typically occurs at first light and can concentrate bass along riprap, grass lines, and hard structure near the bank. When baitfish are active and flickering on the surface, bass won’t be far behind. Reaction baits like spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, and squarebill crankbaits are ideal for capitalizing on this fast-paced bite.

As the day wears on, the bite can become more methodical. Midday fish tend to reposition, seeking shade, thicker cover, or slightly deeper water. This is when anglers should slow things down. Texas-rigged worms, soft stickbaits, and

jigs become effective tools for picking apart docks, laydowns, and submerged structure. Patience and precision often replace speed and reaction during these hours.

Water clarity also plays a role in the Houstonarea approach. Many local lakes, particularly Lake Houston, tend to carry a stain or outright murk. In these conditions, vibration and visibility are critical. Lures with strong thump or bright color profiles—like chartreuse and white—help fish locate baits more easily.

By late May, another shift begins to take shape. As temperatures push higher and summer looms, bass start committing more consistently to deeper structure. Ledges, humps, and offshore brush piles in the 10- to 20-foot range begin holding better fish, especially during the heat of the day. While the early morning shallow bite can still produce, the midday pattern increasingly favors anglers willing to fish deeper.

The beauty of May is its versatility. It’s a month where you can catch bass on topwater at sunrise, burn a spinnerbait through shallow cover midmorning, and then drag a worm offshore by afternoon—all in the same trip. Few times of year offer that kind of range.

For Houston-area anglers, the message is simple: stay flexible, pay attention to bait activity, and let the fish tell you how far along they are in their transition. May doesn’t require overcomplication—it rewards those who adapt.

And if you time it right, it might just deliver your best bass of the year.

Never Rule Out Wade Fishing In May

CAPT. DAVID C DILLMAN

Fishing out of Eagle Point Marina 409-632-0924

galvestonbaycharterfishing.com

There are places in time etched in your memory. Some may be related to travels, family or relationships. Those of us who enjoy the outdoors have one or more experiences etched in our mind.

I had a gentleman call and book a fishing trip in May. A couple days before the trip we talked, and he said, "we'd like to wade." He knew it wasn't my style of fishing due to my customer base. I laughed and told him, "I haven't waded in almost 20 years". The day before the trip, I called him and said, "bring your wading gear." It was just him and his friend for the day. I still had an old wade belt and stringer, minus useable waders, so wet wading it was for me on this day. Before leaving the house, I looked into my collection of MirrOlures, picking one to use that day, and off I went to Eagle Point Fishing Camp.

Departing from Eagle Point that morning they asked, "where are we going?" I replied, "where the good Lord takes us." We were going to a legendary place in East Galveston Bay. A place in time where during the month of May is known for producing speckled trout. A place that I have

not waded in so many years! As we rounded the corner towards Fat Rat Pass, the water turned trout green! With no other boat in sight, we idled towards the shoreline where a small patch of shell extends into the water around waist deep. The

bait fish were flipping all around. We were at the right place at the right time!

My two customers bailed out of the boat before I was even ready. I instructed them to head West and stop and fish once they felt the shell under their feet. They were armed with topwaters and Corkies. There was no babysitting these two guys. I fumbled around donning my pants, boots, and wade belt, then tying on that MirrOlure. I was going to live and die by that lure on this day. They were catching them as I waded up to the spot. Once I figured out the bite, that 40-year-old lure still worked and caught fish.

On my way back home that afternoon, I called Mike Williams, who has now passed. He was the first person to introduce me to the MirrOlure as a young man. He designed many of the color patterns for the maker of MirrOlure. I gave him the model number stamped on the bottom of this bait. He said, "that lure is from the mid 70's and is legendary.” When I got to the house, I cut the lure off the line, and it went back into the original box. I haven't thrown it since that day.

Memories in life are often never repeated, hence why they are memories. On this particular day, in a legendary place, on a legendary lure, on what could be my last wade, because I Haven't waded since that day, it will be forever etched in my mind.

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3 Sun 10:35 1.8 11:49 -0.2 6:35 7:56

4 Mon 12:00 1.8 6:34 7:57

5 Tue 1:08 1.8 12:26 -0.1 6:33 7:58

6 Wed 2:06 1.8 1:10 0.0 6:32 7:58

7 Thu 2:53 1.7 2:00 0.1 6:31 7:59

10 Sun 3:11 1.4 5:02 0.5 6:29 8:01

12 Tue 1:19 1.2 1:27 1.3 7:02 0.8 8:09 0.5 6:28 8:02

13 Wed 2:57 1.3 1:20 1.4 8:03 1.1 8:32 0.1 6:27 8:03

14 Thu 4:23 1.5 1:18 1.5 9:11 1.3 9:04 -0.2 6:27 8:03

15 Fri 5:45 1.7 1:08 1.6 10:39 1.6 9:42 -0.6 6:26 8:04

16 Sat 7:17 1.8 10:25 -0.7 6:26 8:04

17 Sun 9:36 1.9 11:13 -0.8 6:25 8:05

18 Mon 11:36 1.9 6:24 8:06

19 Tue 12:53 1.9 12:06 -0.7 6:24 8:06

20 Wed 1:46 1.8 1:05 -0.5 6:23 8:07

21 Thu 2:17 1.7 2:12 -0.3 6:23 8:08

22 Fri 2:22 1.5 3:25 0.0 6:23 8:08

23 Sat 2:06 1.3 4:43 0.2 7:04 1.0 6:22 8:09

24 Sun 1:37 1.2 5:59 0.5 7:30 0.7 6:22 8:09

25 Mon 1:11 1.2 1:14 1.2 7:06 0.7 7:58 0.3

29 Fri 7:26 1.6 9:40 -0.5 6:20 8:12 30

2 Sat 5:55 2.3 10:09 -0.1 6:36 7:56

3 Sun 6:38 2.3 10:44 -0.1 6:35 7:56

7 Thu 10:07 2.2 12:58 0.1 6:32 7:59

8 Fri 10:57 2.1 1:56 0.2 6:31 7:59

13 Wed 1:59 1.9 12:57 1.6 7:41 1.1 7:23 0.2 6:28 8:03

14 Thu 3:00 2.2 1:07 1.5 9:01 1.3 7:57 -0.2 6:27 8:03

15 Fri 3:57 2.5 1:10 1.5 10:36 1.5 8:38 -0.5 6:26 8:04

16 Sat 4:52 2.7 9:23 -0.7 6:26 8:04

17 Sun 5:49 2.8 10:14 -0.9 6:25 8:05

18 Mon 6:47 2.8 11:09 -0.8 6:25 8:06

19 Tue 7:47 2.8 6:24 8:06

20 Wed 8:47 2.6 12:08 -0.7 6:24 8:07

21 Thu 9:45 2.4 1:13 -0.4 6:23 8:07

22 Fri 10:35 2.2 8:20 1.4 2:23 -0.1 5:36 1.3 6:23 8:08

28 Thu 3:56 2.2 8:15 -0.2 6:21 8:11

29 Fri 4:39 2.3 8:43 -0.3 6:20 8:12 30 Sat 5:16 2.3 9:13 -0.3 6:20 8:13 31 Sun 5:53 2.3 9:46 -0.3 6:20 8:13 www.USHarbors.com

Clear Lake, Galveston Bay, TX - May 2026

The Overlooked Month for Trophy Speckled Trout

BY CAPT. MICHAEL OKRUHLIK MyCoastOutdoors@yahoo.com www.MyCoastOutdoors.com

If you’re a big trout enthusiast like me, you know there’s still time left to chase a personal best—if you haven’t had your fill 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. The cold winter grind is behind us, waders can finally come off, and the warmer conditions allow for a more aggressive approach. Unlike winter, when slow presentations dominate, May lets you fish with more confidence 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.

That said, topwaters aren’t the only tool in play. Slow-sinking and suspending baits still produce, and soft 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 difference in getting bites from these larger fish. Sizes from 3” to 5” can all be effective,

so don’t hesitate to mix it up until you find what they want.

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

Approach is everything in shallow water. Whether you’re wading or fishing from a kayak, stealth matters. Position yourself far enough off your target area to avoid spooking fish, 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 off fish in front of you before potentially spooking them with longer casts.

Shallow water may look too skinny to hold quality fish, but time and time again it proves otherwise. The key is reading the conditions, moving deliberately, and letting the fish tell you where they want to be. Some days they’ll be scattered across a flat, 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, fish with confidence, and enjoy the experience. And if you can, take a kid fishing—they like big trout too.

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

Photo courtesy of Knockin Tail Lures®.

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A Tribute to a Man and his Son

CAPT PAUL MARCACCIO

T.P. & W. & USCG License

Marcaccio Fishing Academy

captpaul@gofishgalveston.com

www.gofishgalveston.com

In life, only a hand full of people, including your parents, can forevermore have a lasting effect on your natural ability.

There was one who had a profound effect along with his son. That person was Bob Stephenson Sr. and Junior, as I knew him. Bob Jr. had a passion for the outdoors that his father gave him from the time his was just a little tot.

Bob Sr. and his lovely wife Dottie have a wonderful family and shared everything about the outdoors with their sons and daughters.

The first I remember Bob Sr. was he doing the commercials for Friday Night Wrestling for Paul Bausch. Then later Bob Sr. was the weatherman for CBS, channel 11 here in Houston.

I'm not sure of the time frame next, but Johnny Valentino of Eagle Point tells me that his dad and Bob Sr. were close friends. Somehow, either Bubba or Johnny's dad convinced Bob Sr. to do a fishing report on the radio for the Outdoor Farm Show.

Bam. Thus was born the re-nown show called The Bob Stephenson OUTDOORRRRRR Show. Sometime around 1968. You'll do not hold me to all these dates and time.

The rest is history. Bob Sr. made a lasting effect on this guide and angler. The show played to a

listening audience daily from 4am to 5am and on the weekends from 4-7am. Except Monday, when Bob Sr. would take a little time off, like maybe the barbers did as well. The format to this angler was simple. Tell it like it is. No exceptions. Wind direction, tide movement and general location of where you caught your fish. Bob Sr. expected no less than the truth. Lots of time, he would try to close the gap to where I was catching. All in good fun. Bob Sr. loved the outdoors like our Lord intented. He always had a smile, a look and a touch for everyone he came in contact with. His outdoor show was on the air for well over 30 years, heard on the AM radio side of 740,950 and finally settled down to the 610 spot where it played till our Lord called him home. This man knew more than about fishing and hunting than any I could remember in ten lifetimes. Forgive me while I dry my eyes a little.

His passion to help one and all was unique. From the advertising Boat Dealers, Professional Hunting and Fishing Guides, and especially the men and women that would call in to his show, He treated us all with the same passion and conviction for telling the truth above all else. He later tutored his son Bob Jr. to help so he could spend more time with his lovely wife Dottie and other members of his family.

Bob Jr. and I became very close friends during the 80's. His passion mirrored his dad for the outdoors. Bob Jr. fished some of the fresh water tournament trails in the southwest.

At some point, Bob Sr. asked Junior to continue the family tradition. Bob Jr. took over for his dad, so dad could spend quality time with his family and friends. Bobby was a great friend, who knew the importance of family and how to get the most out of all of us, when it came to hunting and fishing reports. There were times, he could push my buttons. Man, and He was awesome.

Bob Jr. maintained the airways all during the 80's, 90's and the 2000's.

Everyone that came in contact with Bob Jr. loved and admired him as a person and a family man. His lovely wife Melba and daughters, Dana and Shelly are true grit to this writer. They all continue to live life to the fullest.

Bob Jr. lived life the way you should. To the fullest. One day at a time. He was a man's man like his dad, Bob Sr.

Bobby passed away in 2002. I will truly miss them both.

The show lives on in their memory. Capt Mickey Eastman and Benny Hatton are now the hosts daily. Tune in @ AM 610 Thurs-Sundays @ 4am. Great guys to listen to about the outdoors.

I can still here them sometimes, while I drive toward the coast to go fishing. Bobby laughing out loud about someone's funny story and the show always closed with Bob Sr. famous line. Folks, HAVE FUN OUTDOORS!

God truly blessed these two great men. Dottie, Melba, Dana and Shelly. Thank you for sharing your father and husbands.

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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Best For Lightweight Fish Ski! for 1, 2 or 3 Anglers

This “low-rider” gives you access to the water to reel in and release !sh easily. With a new patented outside, in atable, rigid keel the FSK16 glides through the water at speeds up to 21 mph to get you to the !sh fast! Perfect for 1-3 anglers and room for plenty of gear.

Choose From 9 Packages

Starting At Just $2999

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

Throw Yourself a Bone

The very best hunting knives possess a perfect balance of form and function. They’re carefully constructed from fine materials, but also have that little something extra to connect the owner with nature. If you’re on the hunt for a knife that combines impeccable craftsmanship with a sense of wonder, the $79 Huntsman Blade is the trophy you’re looking for.

The blade is full tang, meaning it doesn’t stop at the handle but extends to the length of the grip for the ultimate in strength. The blade is made from 420 surgical steel, famed for its sharpness and its resistance to corrosion.

EXCLUSIVE FREE

The handle is made from genuine natural bone, and features decorative wood spacers and a hand-carved motif of two overlapping feathers— a reminder for you to respect and connect with the natural world.

This fusion of substance and style can garner a high price tag out in the marketplace. In fact, we found full tang, stainless steel blades with bone handles in excess of $2,000. Well, that won’t cut it around here. We have mastered the hunt for the best deal, and in turn pass the spoils on to our customers.

But we don’t stop there. While supplies last, we’ll include a pair of $99 Stauer power pocket binoculars and a genuine leather sheath FREE when you purchase the Huntsman Blade.

Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. Feel the knife in your hands, wear it on your hip, inspect the impeccable craftsmanship. If you don’t feel like we cut you a fair deal, send it back within 30 days for a complete refund of the item price.

Limited Reserves. A deal like this won’t last long. We have only 1120 Huntsman Blades for this ad only. Don’t let this beauty slip through your fingers. Call today!

Huntsman Blade $249*