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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.

Don’t let unforeseen circumstances disrupt your voyage. Cruise with confdence thanks to Progressive Boat insurance. Because when it comes to your boat, peace of mind is the ultimate luxury.

Scan to get a quote in as little as 4 minutes.

to learn more.

‘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.

Are You a Dog Walker?

By BeBe Dalton Harrison, Angling Women

One of my most favorite things to do is to fish with a top water lure. Can you walk the dog? If you’ve never tried, this is for you…

Growing up in Mount Pleasant, I fished a lot. My family expected my siblings and me to fish almost every weekend and we went fishing for groceries. We would typically fish using a Carolina rig and live bait. A LOT has changed since those days. Now, I only keep a fish once in a while for dinner and I use a lot of artificial bait. To me, catching a fish on an artificial bait is very exciting because you know you have successfully worked a bait to mimic an actual bait fish found in nature. When I began to add artificials to my arsenal, I wanted to learn all types of artificial baits and this is just one of those types. I will still fish with live bait and have no judgment there, but now I just like to try many different techniques just to see if I can master them. So if you are curious about fishing a top water bait, a.k.a. “walking the dog”, read on!

First of all, timing is “almost” everything. I’m not here to say that you can’t fish a top water during different times of the day, but I am going to tell you what typically works for me. Keep in mind that I want you to adapt what I share for your own fishing style. My favorite times to fish with top water baits are sunrise and sunset. I love fishing early in the morning where I arrive just before sunrise and fish until the bite turns off or about an hour after sunrise. I also enjoy fishing as the sun sinks from the sky and I will fish until I can’t see my lure hit the surface. I typically have better success in the early morning, but I did catch my largest trout on top water one sunset evening in the Charleston Harbor. You’ll also need to check the wind conditions when planning to fish top water. A calm surface is ideal and if it is too windy, the ripples/wave action on the surface is agitated, fish will not be able to see the top water lure as well, so consider that when choosing the best time to fish.

Next, I’ll share my favorite lures. Again, this is what works for me and I encourage you to try different top water lures until you find what you like. My absolute favorite top water lures are the Yozuri in bone and the red and white Top Dog by Heddon . Both of these have worked extremely well for me when catching both trout and redfish. To get the best performance for these baits, I recommend tying them on with a small loop knot. It’s not a necessity, but I do think it helps with your performance. When I first started fishing with top water lures, I used an improved clinch not. It’s a fine knot and does the trick but the loop knot gives the bait more action and the more you can make your bait look like an actual bait fish, the better. I typically fish with braid on my reel that has a fluorocarbon or monofilament leader. If you have braid on and then tie on a heavy top water, you can typically cast a mile! The technique that I will describe works best from a higher vantage point. Begin with a nice long cast from a dock/bank/boat deck. After casting. I will stand with my feet shoulder width apart. I will bring the rod tip down towards my left toe with a little pop and continue to pop it in the same manner and always on the same side as I slowly retrieve the line. As someone who was in the band and studied music for several years, I

always wanted my retrieve and my twitch to be in sync, but in order to fish a top water lure effectively you have to “let go” of that desire to make the rhythm work out. This is sort of like patting your head and rubbing your stomach at the same time! It’s going to take some practice. As you’re learning this, keep casting and retrieving using the downward pop until you get a perfect zigzag motion on the retrieve. When I first began, I thought you would have to move the rod tip from left to right but you don’t! That left toe twitch and retrieve will do everything you need to make a beautiful “walk the dog” pattern. Once you get proficient with this, and once that rhythm gets set in your head of how fast to retrieve while twitching the lure, it will click! Ou will be set and it will be just like riding a bike-you won’t forget it. You can develop your technique more as sometimes you will need a slower retrieve and more deliberate pops, and sometimes you may need a quick retrieve, so you should be able to adjust based on conditions. When it’s cold, you typically need to slow things down, but I’m usually so excited that I fish too fast! And once you feel comfortable and ready to try this, you will wish you had a camera zoomed in on your bait because there is actually nothing better than seeing the push of water from the nose of a fish just behind your top water lure, and then that fish blowing up and smashing it! Now keep in mind that as you learn, you will miss a lot of fish because sometimes they will swipe at it two or three times before attacking it. Some species will hit it if you stop after their swipe and some species want you to just continue on and they will hit it again so practice and see what type of results you get. But the insane attack on a top water lure, whether you catch the fish or not, definitely gets your blood pumping! The adrenaline rush is real! And once you feel good about your skills, you can consider replacing those dangerous treble hooks with in-line hooks to save your fingers and the fish.

I hope this inspires you to go out and try a top water bait this spring and remember if you have questions about a topic, that means other people have questions, too. Feel free to post on Angling Women, dm us, or email us at anglingwomen@gmail.com. Now go walk that dog!

BeBe

Dalton Harrison Executive Director, Hampton Wildlife Fund Owner, Angling Women

anglingwomen@gmail.com

(803) 269-2470 • www.anglingwomen.com

Conservation-Minded May

by Captain Mike Able, Contributing Writer

The month of May brings many opportunities to the outdoor enthusiast! It’s practically the start of summer, the weather has been more even keel, and the fishing really gets good! If you had a hard time catching fish earlier this spring, don’t worry, it gets so much better!

Inshore fishing gets so much better because the bait, such as menhaden, have shown up and you have little signs of creek shrimp making themselves known. The more consistent weather patterns and now presence of bait is really what make the fishing better. Fishing menhaden, mud minnows, or live shrimp along the grass edge under a popping cork on a high outgoing tide is a sure-fire way to catch fish! BIG Trout love a menhaden in early spring so if you’re looking for that 20 inch plus trout, fish a live menhaden or throw topwater early mornings! Don’t forget to RELEASE OVER 20!!

Capt Mike Able, CCA SC State Board Member

Haddrell’s Point Tackle & Supply • Since 1983

Redfish, will of course, eat the same baits as above. The ideal tide to catch redfish is the last few of the outgoing tide and the first few hours of the incoming. Fishing lower water will concentrate the reds, making them easier to find! A good live bait is always a good method to catching them, but if you like a challenge, I’d encourage you to try soft plastics. My go-to soft plastics include a Z-Man Paddlerz (4 inch) in the Pinfish color paired with a gold 3/16oz Texas Eye jig head. It covers territory with a slow to medium speed retrieve and is rigged weedless so you’re not spending so much time getting unstuck. You will likely catch more fish, simply because you’re spending more time fishing and not re-baiting.

For the offshore sportsmen, this is your month! May is typically known as the month to catch mahi mahi, but it also has more to offer! There are still a few wahoo around, blackfin tuna are still prevalent on the ledge, and the billfish are here in the deeper waters! And don’t forget its grouper season! For most of your pelagic species I’d troll medium size ballyhoo on a variety of lure skirts. I vary my selection by color and also lure head type, meaning some bullets, some chuggers, and some with more weight to it than others. This can give me an idea of what they may hit better that day, and once you dial it in, it can be lights out!

I titled this article specifically to be able to mention the Coastal Conservation Association of South Carolina. It has been an organization that we have been a part of for more than thirty years, and honestly one of the biggest reasons I believe that we have the fishery that we do have! This group of volunteers work alongside many organizations such as DNR to help facilitate new and/or changes in regulations, supply organizations with more tools needed in their workforce, and provide volunteer man hours, all with the goal to enhance our fishery and ecosystem! I would encourage you all to look at their website(ccasouthcarolina.com) and become a member! Even better, you could come to the East Cooper Chapter Banquet May 21 at the Omar Shrine Temple in Mt Pleasant at 6pm! These events are so much fun and truly support a great organization!

843-881-3644(Mt Pleasant) 843-573-3474(West Ashley)

Be a 'Sneaky Wabbit'

by Trey Carden, Contributing Writer

The key with redfish is stealth and paying attention to the tides.

One of the most productive tactics in April If you’ve ever been to a Lowcountry fish fry, there’s a good chance you’ve eaten catfish. With blue, flathead, and channel cats swimming around in Lowcountry ponds, lakes, and rivers, they’re hard to avoid. They might not get the same respect as red drum or largemouth bass, but if you’ve ever had one on the line, you know they’ll put up a fight. If you’ve ever had one at the table, you know they’re hard to beat crispy fried with a little hot sauce.

Drop-offs, river mouths, and spots where multiple creeks collide are all good places to look—especially if you can see the current moving or swirling. You can find plenty of catfish in 10–15 feet of water, sometimes even shallower. Catfish like to hug the bottom and sniff out an easy meal.

One thing about catfish—they’re not picky. They’ll eat just about anything they can fit in their mouth. You can catch them on artificials (i.e. chatterbaits, sot plastics, spinnerbaits) but truly target catfish, you should stick with “natural” bait. Minnows, worms, chicken livers, shrimp, stink bait, even coolaid soaked chicken are popular catfish baits. Personally, I’m a bream head guy. Catch a few bream, clean them up, cut the heads off, and you’re in business. It’s hard to beat catching your bait and dinner at the same time. Keep in mind—SCDNR doesn’t allow redbreast to be used as bait.

My go-to setup is a medium-heavy spinning rod paired with a 3000-size reel spooled with 30 lb braid. I keep it simple with a Carolina rig: a 1 oz egg sinker, about an 18-inch section of 30 lb (or heavier) fluorocarbon leader, and a 5/0 to 7/0 circle hook.

When it comes to catfish, the old saying “big bait, big fish” usually holds true. Be ready for a solid fight. You may get smaller fish messing with your bait at first—just pecking at it or dragging it around. I’ve missed more fish than I can count by getting impatient and reeling too soon. Don’t rush it. Set your drag tight enough to have some resistance, but not locked down. Let the fish load the rod and let the circle hook do its job. Once that rod starts bending over steady, then ease into reeling. Bigger fish will make long, steady runs, and smaller ones will roll and sometimes even come out of the water once they’re hooked.

If you’re looking for a good way to get kids into fishing, check out the Junior Fishing Rodeo hosted every June by the Sewee Environmental Education Center in Awendaw.

FB: Lowcountry Kayak Anglers

MFISHING FORECAST

Mount Pleasant Pier

by Chris Pounder, Contributing Writer

ay is a great opportunity to try something new and possibly introduce youth family members to the world of Charleston pier fishing. As the water continues to warm up, so does the bite. Many youth fishermen don’t care what they catch. Their excitement is in seeing something come out of the water, over the rail, and flopping on the deck. Some of the happiest moments I’ve witnessed on the pier involve kids catching puffer fish and being mesmerized as the fish puffs itself up. It’s not always about the trophy catches.

To help that youth angler get “hooked” on the sport, a great place to start is with small hooks like a Sabiki rig. You can pick these up at the River Watch Café & Gift Shop on the pier or at your favorite local tackle shop. Sabiki rigs come ready to go so all you have to do is tie them onto your existing fishing line and drop them over the side. Be ready to watch the excitement as the kids get into pinfish, grunts, perch, and puffers that hang around the pilings. Chunks of squid or shrimp work very well with this setup. Whether you’re catching these fish for bait or just for fun, it’s something the whole family can do together.

For anglers looking to target something a little larger, May should have something for everyone. We expect to see schools of mullet return and with bait comes the predators. Anglers should expect the usual mix of red drum, flounder, and sheepshead to continue. Bluefish, Spanish mackerel, and even pompano show up around this time of year as well. It’s time to dust off those reels, clean out that tackle bag, and come give it a shot.

Don’t miss the first Cast-Off Fishing Tournament of the year on May 9. Tournament runs from 6am to 2pm with onsite registration beginning just before 6am. The tournament fee is just $5 plus the daily fishing rate. Prizes will be awarded for the top 3 fish by weight, as well as the aggregate weight of 5 fish, and the top youth catch (for those 12 and under). The first 75 anglers will receive a free T-shirt with tournament entry! Be sure to check out charlestoncountyparks.com for information about tournaments and other happenings in your county parks.

For any additional information about the pier or what’s biting this week feel free to call the River Watch Cafe & Gift Shop on the pier at 843-762-9946

Chris Pounder, CPRP Manager, Mount Pleasant Pier

UPCOMING COASTAL EVENTS

May 6

Angling Women of the Lowcountry Flood Tide Tactics with Capt. Kelsey Dick • Haddrell’s Point West Ashley Call the Shop to Reserve Your Spot 843-573-3474

May 6-9

Charleston Billfish Invitational Seabreeze Marina • 49 Immigration St. • 843-790-4001

May 20-23

58th Annual Georgetown Blue Marlin Tournament Georgetown Landing Marina www.georgetownlandingmarina.com

May 27-30

HMY Lowcountry Cup

Toler’s Cove Marina • Info at: www.hmy.com/yachting/events

June 3

Angling Women of the Lowcountry Rigging Ballyhoo with Anna Dailey • Haddrell’s Mt. Pleasant Call Shop to reserve your spot • 843-881-3644

June 17-20

Carolina Billfish Classic

Charleston Marina • 20 Patriots Point Rd. 843-568-5230 • fishhbcbc.com

June 24-28

Redd Reef Offshore Open

Expanded Format. Same Great Cause • reddreefoffshoreopen.com

Submit your upcoming events or tournament Info to: brooks@coastalanglermagazine.com

MFolly Beach Pier

by Jacob Cynar, Contributing Writer

ay is here and at the Folly Beach Fishing Pier that means hot dogs, summer traffic, and the start of the fishing season. With water temperatures in the mid-70s, most of or regular fish have moved back in near the pier. Black Drum, Spotted Sea Trout, and Red Drums can be caught along the pier pilings with a simple drop rig or Carolina Rig set up. The go-to bait for most fish will be shrimp, mullet, and squid. If you want to try and catch a finnicky sheepshead, I recommend using some sort of crustacean such as sand fleas or fiddler crabs. Picking out the right bait is only part of the puzzle. Another important piece is picking the right spot.

The Folly Beach Fishing Pier has plenty of locations for you to set up. However, some spots are better than others and part of it depends on what you are fishing for. If you are looking to target our inshore fish, I recommend setting up at the closer to where the waves are crashing. You’ll want to cast your rig along the pilings where the current has dug out and created pockets. If you’re at the Folly Beach Fishing Pier for multiple days, look at the beach during low tide. Make note of any gullies or pools that the tide has created near the pier. This will be prime real estate for a fish that is looking to avoid predators and take a break from the ocean current.

If you are looking to try something different check out the tackle and gear at the Folly Beach Fishing Pier Giftshop. I just recently brought in some new artificial lures, rigs, and refreshed our fishing rod selection. As always, we are still selling frozen shrimp, squid, and mullet and also have rods for rent. May also kicks off the Cast Off Tournament Series here at the Folly Beach Fishing Pier. Our tournament dates are: May 16th, June 20th, September 12th, and October 3rd. Come out and test your skills against other anglers for great prize packages and bragging rights! Feel free to email me any cool catches for a chance to be featured on our Fresh Catch Board inside the Folly Beach Fishing Pier Giftshop. I look forward to seeing y’all out at the pier!

Jacob Cynar, Operations Manager II Folly Beach Fishing Pier

101 E Arctic Ave, Folly Beach, SC, 29439 • 843-762-9516 • Jacob.Cynar@ccprc.com

PIER MAY 9 • JUNE 6 SEPTEMBER 19 • OCTOBER 17 FOLLY BEACH PIER MAY 16 • JUNE 20 SEPTEMBER 12 • OCTOBER 3

MBeaufort Bites

by Capt. Kevin Mears, Contributing Writer

ay delivers steady inshore action across the Lowcountry waterways! With strong tidal movement and warming water, it’s time to get your gear on for consistent bites and active fish, because when the water warms it triggers high activity for species such as redfish, trout, and flounder.

In May the hunt is on for reds in the shallow flats and creeks, where they spread out from winter schools, feeding on fiddler crabs in the high-water flats and along grass lines on rising and falling tides. At this time of the year they’re found cruising the shallows in good numbers, with many slot and over-slot fish caught around oyster beds and grassy points. Live bait like mud minnows and shrimp are producing well, but artificial lures like paddle tails and jerk baits are also doing the job— especially when sight fishing on clear, calm mornings.

And the action will be steady for speckled trout around creek mouths and drop-offs, with the best bites coming on soft plastics under popping corks. The early topwater bite is starting to heat up too—great news for light tackle anglers. Flounder are making more frequent appearances along sandy transitions and structure, and they’re hitting slow presentations near the bottom.

The month of May also marks the arrival of cobia in the Port Royal Sound and coastal rivers, with 30-60+ lb fish moving in to spawn. Other species active this month include shark, which increase in the surf and nearshore, and bluefish and Jack crevalle biting as well. And fiddler crabs are in high demand for sheepshead around structures so stock up and prepare for this phase of the calendar.

The best times to be out are the early morning hours and late evening because of the warmer temperatures. And remember that seasonal changes significantly influence the availability of various fish species, so preparation is key to ensure the likelihood of successful and enjoyable fishing experiences all spring long. Capt. Kevin Mears

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*