PALM BEACH & FORT LAUDERDALE AREA EDITION
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WRANGLING
THE REEF DONKEY
AFTER DARK OFFSHORE ACTION
LOCAL REPORTS & CATCH PHOTOS
PHOTO COURTESY OF CHELSEA MANN FB: @CHELS.ANA.4321 / IG: @CHELS_CHELS28 VOLUME 31 • ISSUE 377
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AUGUST 2026
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4 NATIONAL
AUGUST 2026
tina Georg e
F
ishing for greater amberjack— By CAM Staff a!ectionately known as “reef donkeys” or “AJs”—is one of saltwater angling’s most grueling and rewarding challenges. These hard-fighting predators are famous for their sheer strength, blistering runs, and ability to test both angler and tackle to the absolute limit. Greater amberjack are structure-oriented predators that primarily inhabit o!shore waters. They congregate around deep wrecks, artificial reefs, oil rigs, and steep rocky ledges. Adult amberjacks can exceed 60 pounds, though common catches range from 20 to 40 pounds. Because they are competitive and aggressive, they often hunt in packs, making them highly receptive to fast-paced fishing tactics. Due to the amberjack’s habit of diving straight into sharp structure when hooked, you cannot use light tackle. Anglers typically rely on heavy-action conventional or spinning gear. Use a heavy 6-foot (or shorter) rod paired with a high-capacity reel. The shorter length gives you better leverage to turn the fish’s head away from the reef. Spool up with a minimum of 50 to 80 lb. braided line, connected to a heavy 80- to 100-lb. monofilament or fluorocarbon leader. Whether you are drifting over the deep wrecks of the Gulf of Mexico or fishing o! the Atlantic coast, the two most e!ective methods are live baiting and vertical jigging. Live bait is often the most productive method for targeting the largest amberjacks. Prized baits include blue runners, hardtails, pinfish
EDIT: Chris
TIPS FOR CATCHING GREATER AMBERJACK
PHOTO CR
Taming Reef Donkeys
and cigar minnows. Rig your bait using a heavy circle hook (7/0 to 10/0 depending on the bait size) and drop it down into the lower third of the water column just above the submerged structure. Pro anglers often clip the tail of a lively baitfish so it doesn’t swim away too quickly, making it an easy target. If you prefer an active fishing style, heavy metal jigs (4 to 10 ounces) are incredibly e!ective. Butterfly jigs and traditional diamond jigs mimic the frantic movement of injured baitfish. Drop the lure to the bottom and rapidly reel it upward using a jerking, pumping motion. Amberjacks react intensely to speed and competition, so a fast, erratic retrieve often triggers a violent reaction strike. Hooking an amberjack is only half the battle; bringing it to the surface is the real test! When hooked, the “reef donkey” will immediately bolt straight down toward the safety of the wreck or reef. If they reach the structure, your line will be sliced on sharp metal or rocks. You must apply heavy drag and use a “lift and reel” technique, steadily pumping the rod and winding quickly to force the fish upward. To protect greater amberjack from overfishing, they are strictly regulated. These rules depend entirely on whether you are fishing o! the Gulf Coast or the Atlantic Coast. The Gulf population is heavily managed due to low stock numbers. For 2026, recreational harvest in the Gulf opens for 43 days, running from September 1 through October 14, 2026. Fish must be a minimum of 34” fork length (measured from the tip of the jaw to the center fork of the tail). Anglers are strictly limited to 1 fish per person, per day. Captain and crew on charter boats have a bag limit of zero. The Atlantic coast o!ers longer open windows but a di!erent sizing scale. Harvest is open most of the year but features a mandatory spawning closure from April 1 through April 30.The minimum size drops to 28” fork length. The limit mirrors the Gulf at 1 fish per person, per day. Before heading out, check your state’s licensing requirements and rules for specific reef-fishing gear to improve fish survival rates after release such as non-stainless steel circle hooks, dehooking device and a rigged, readyto-use venting tool or descending device to safely handle fish experiencing barotrauma.
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AUGUST CUBERA FISHING
W
hen the August full moon rolls around in the Florida Keys, it is prime time to target one of the hardest-pulling, meanest !sh on the reef: the Cubera snapper, aka “El Diablo.” These !sh are big, powerful, and known for absolutely wrecking tackle if you are not ready. In Key West, Captain Kody Michael is one of the guys to know when it comes to getting a#er them. His company, Reel Guides, helps connect anglers with solid, trusted captains throughout the Keys, making it easier to !nd the right guide for the trip you want to take. Whether someone is looking for a serious reef trip, a trophy !sh, or simply wants to !sh with a captain who knows the area, Reel Guides helps point anglers in the right direction. Cubera !shing is not your average snapper trip. One of the go-to baits is live lobster, which makes it some of the most expensive bait !shing you can do. But when a giant Cubera eats, it is worth every dollar. Around the full moon, these !sh get !red up, and the bite can be violent. This is not dropping down and hoping for a nibble. This is waiting for a freight train to eat a live lobster and try to take everything with it. •
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MILES, MEMORIES
By Capt. Michael Okruhlik
M
y son and I tried something new this summer—we took a twoweek road trip, !shing our way through Louisiana and both coasts of Florida. We even squeezed in a World Cup game along the way. Louisiana kicked things off with sightcasting red!sh and catching trout on deep structure. It was Ethan’s !rst time seeing !sh before they were caught, and watching him learn the difference between a mullet wake and a cruising red!sh was pretty special. From there, we headed to St. Pete, where the scenery and crystal-clear water were a complete change. We !shed points and channels around the mangrove islands and, between everyone in the boat, landed a Florida Slam—red!sh, trout, #ounder and snook. Ethan’s favorite moment wasn’t even a !sh. A huge nurse shark swam up to inspect the trolling motor while he was !shing from the bow in just a few feet of clear water! Next came three days in the Everglades chasing giant snook. We found them too. Some made it to the boat, plenty didn’t, and every hookup was a battle. $e real challenge was landing them before the sharks found them. Unfortunately, the sharks won at least three times. One thing that stood out at every stop was that all of our !sh were caught on softplastic paddletails. I know many Florida anglers prefer live bait, but don’t overlook arti!cials—they’ll catch plenty of !sh when given the opportunity. Our next stop was the New Smyrna area on Florida’s Atlantic Coast. $is time, my buddy wanted to !sh with live bait. We worked docks, bridges and jetties for some of the biggest snook and red!sh I’ve ever seen. $e !sh de!nitely knew where to hide, and with all that structure, we probably lost as many as we landed. $e !nal stop was kayak !shing, Ethan’s !rst time !shing from his own kayak. When he was younger, we shared a tandem kayak while he learned boat control and how to land !sh from a rocking platform. About an hour into the trip, my buddy Will found some trout and waved us over. Ethan stopped short, made a cast off a grassy point, and I heard, “Dad, I have one.” As I paddled toward him, I could tell by the splash it was a good !sh. $en he yelled, “It’s big!” By the time I reached him, he already had it in the net. $e trout measured 28& inches and weighed 7.5 pounds. I couldn’t have been prouder, and seeing one of our Knockin Tail Lures in her mouth was the icing on the cake. On this trip, Ethan caught his biggest snook, red!sh, and speckled trout. $at’s a !shing trip we’ll never forget. A big thank you to all my friends who helped make this adventure one to remember.
R E T S N O M FISH AND
PHOTO COURTESY OF KNOCKIN TAIL LURES®
4 FLORIDA
AUGUST 2026
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IGFA Names Recipients of Inaugural Master Angler Award
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he International Game Fish Association (IGFA), proudly announced Dr. Martin “Marty” Arostegui and Roberta G. Arostegui as the !rst recipients of the IGFA Master Angler Award, the highest distinction available within the newly launched IGFA Master Angler Program. $e IGFA Master Angler Award is reserved for anglers who achieve Gold Tier status in !ve or more of the program’s seven categories, spanning IGFA World Records, Slams, and Trophy Fish Clubs. Marty and Roberta have each met that standard independently, earning the award on the strength of their individual lifetime angling achievement across the full breadth of IGFA angler recognition programs. As a couple, the two are bound by a shared passion for the sport that has driven decades of individual pursuit on the water. “Marty and Roberta Arostegui represent exactly the kind of anglers the Master Angler Program was built to recognize,” said IGFA President Jason Schratwieser. “$ey have not excelled in one corner of this sport; they have excelled across all of it, year after year, for decades. To be able to name them as the !rst recipients of this award, and to do it together, is an amazing event.” Both Marty and Roberta are inducted members of the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame—Marty in 2018, Roberta in 2023—and each has accumulated IGFA World Records, Slams, or Trophy Fish Clubs spanning more than four decades. Marty achieved Gold Tier status across !ve categories: All-Tackle World Records, All-Tackle Length World Records, Line Class World Records, Tippet Class World Records, and Trophy Fish Clubs. Over his career, he has set 438 IGFA World Records and completed nine IGFA Trophy Fish Clubs. Roberta achieved Gold Tier status across !ve categories: All-Tackle Length World Records, Line Class World Records, Tippet Class World Records, Trophy Fish Clubs, and Royal Slams. Over her career, she has set
297 IGFA World Records, completed nine IGFA Trophy Fish Clubs, and nine IGFA Royal Slams. Formal recognition of the Arosteguis as the !rst anglers recognized with the IGFA Master Angler Award recipients will take place at the 43rd IGFA International Auction on January 23, 2027 at the Ritz Carlton, Fort Lauderdale. $e IGFA Master Angler Program, launched in May 2026, introduces a tiered recognition framework spanning seven categories: All-Tackle World Records, Line Class World Records, Tippet Class World Records, All-Tackle Length World Records, Grand Slams, Royal Slams, and Trophy Fish Clubs with Bronze, Silver, and Gold tiers within each. All prior eligible achievements count toward program standing. Additional Master Angler Award recipients will be announced in the coming months as qualifying anglers are con!rmed. For more information about the IGFA Master Angler Program, including full tier requirements and category details, visit: https://igfa.org/igfa-master-angler-program/.
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t was a warm summer afternoon and my wife and I were mingling with the best of them. The occasion was a 1920s-themed party, and everyone was dressed to the nines. Parked on the manse’s circular driveway was a beautiful classic convertible. It was here that I got the idea for our new 1920s Retrograde Watch.
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Summer Bass Patterns By Bait Cave Customs Pro Angler Joey Bloom
A
s summer settles in and water temperatures rise across the country, bass anglers are faced with a changing !shery. $e shallowwater feeding frenzies of spring begin to fade, and largemouth bass transition into more predictable summer patterns. Understanding where bass position during the hottest months and selecting the right presentations can make all the difference between a slow day and a memorable one. I believe one of the biggest mistakes anglers make during the summer is failing to adjust to bass movement. As the water warms, bass become more structure-oriented. $ey’re in search for comfort, oxygen, and easy feeding opportunities. During the summer months, bass often position around offshore ledges, creek channel swings, brush piles, submerged vegetation, docks, and deeper points. Early in the morning and late in the evening, !sh may move shallow to feed, but as the sun climbs higher, many bass seek deeper water or heavy cover to escape the heat. One of my favorite ways to target these summertime bass is with Bait Cave Customs Cave Club #oating worms. $eir buoyant design creates a natural presentation that continues to attract strikes even when !sh become less aggressive. $e drop shot rig is one of the most productive techniques during summer. By rigging a Bait Cave Customs 4” Flat Worm above a weight, anglers can keep the bait suspended just off the bottom where
bass can easily see it. $is presentation excels around deep brush piles, offshore structure, and schools of !sh hiding in grass clumps. $e subtle action of this #oating bait often triggers bites from bass that ignore more aggressive presentations. When targeting deeper structure, I frequently reach for a Carolina rig. A Cave Hog #oating plastic trails behind the weight, gliding naturally above the bottom while covering large amounts of water. $is technique is especially effective on offshore points, shell beds, and channel edges where bass congregate during the heat of summer. For anglers !shing grass lines, docks, or scattered cover, a Texas-rigged remains a staple. $e weedless design allows !shermen to work through heavy cover while the bait’s buoyancy creates a more lifelike posture when paused. Many summertime bites occur when the bait is sitting still, making the #oating action a major advantage. Flipping and pitching heavy cover is another key summer pattern. Bass often bury themselves in thick vegetation, boat docks, and shaded cover to escape direct sunlight. I rely on a Cave Cricket when punching through mats or #ipping isolated targets because the bait maintains an enticing action even after reaching the bottom. Summer bass can get conditioned to seeing the same presentations day after day. $e #oating plastics from Bait Cave Customs give !sh a different look and allow the bait to stay in the strike zone
L longer. $at’s often the difference between getting a bite and getting ignored. By focusing on deeper structure, shaded cover, and offshore feeding areas while utilizing versatile #oating plastics through techniques like drop-shotting, Carolina rigging, Texas rigging, and #ipping, anglers can consistently catch more bass throughout the summer months. When the temperatures rise, understanding bass behavior and matching it with the right presentation is the formula for success. Follow Joey Bloom on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube at Joey Bloom Fishing.
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SUMMERTIME MUTTON
STRATEGIES “R
By Mark Ambert
eel — reel — reel.” The drag on the Shimano 2-speed was screaming in short powerful bursts as the big mutton raced for deeper water and freedom. “Reel faster and don’t let up. There’s a big goliath on his tail.” Thirty long seconds later my trophy sized mutton was safely in the net and on the deck. The target – fishing the fabulous summer snapper run! I recently went out with local guide Zach Danielson and scored some bragging Some braggingrights mutton right in my own backyard sized trophy — Jupiter Inlet. A total of four keepers in mutton in the box! the cooler with two even larger ones lost to goliaths — what a day! Hooking then landing one of these big pre-spawn fish can be a real challenge, especially with the significant increase in predatory species that frequent the inshore reefs. Goliath groupers and various species of sharks have made it difficult to get one of these jumbo-sized trophies to the boat. Be prepared to use stout gear to put maximum pressure on getting these fish quickly to the net. The summertime mutton snapper bite in Jupiter is legendary because it aligns perfectly with their annual spawning season, drawing heavy concentrations of massive, aggressive fish out of the deep water and onto the reefs. However, the summer heat and water clarity mean you must adjust your tactics to handle heavy current, sharper fish eyesight, and rampant shark or grouper activity.
aggregates of large “toad” muttons to feed aggressively. Lengthen and Lighten Leaders. Summer sun penetrates deep into coastal waters, making the fish exceptionally line shy. Stretch your leaders out 50 to 75 feet of 50 to 60-pound fluorocarbon and eliminate extraneous hardware near the hook. Upsize Sinker Weights. The strong summer current often pushes hard against inshore Summer mutton targeted around reefs. To keep your long-leader the full moon courtesy of Capt. presentation pinned naturally Zach Danielson. without scoped-out line, use heavy 8 to 20-ounce weights paired with low-drag braided main line. Brine Frozen Baits. While live baits are great, a perfectly prepped dead bait often outperforms. Brine your bait overnight in a 50/50 mix of baking soda and iodized salt to firm up the flesh so it resists picking by small nuisance reef fish before a big mutton can find it. Win the Race Against Predators. Aggressive sharks and grouper patrol deep ledges heavily during the summer, looking to steal hooked snappers. Do not play the fish lazily; drop the rod tip and crank your high-speed conventional reel relentlessly. Handline the leader quickly at the boat. These tips will get you in the game, along with hiring the right guide that has the local knowledge and expertise, to put you on these trophy sized fish. If you don’t know who Zach Danielson is and you’re serious about catching mutton you should get to know this man. Zach can put you on these coveted trophies regardless of which local Florida port you call home so contact him direct and get some!
Summer Pointers for Muttons
Zach Danielson https://www.facebook.com/zach.danielson.1
Plan Trips Around June, July, and August Full Moons. Summertime is spawning season, and the most intense feeding frenzies occur three days before and after the summer full moons. The heavy tidal movement triggers
KAYAK
Fishing Forecast with CAPT. BRIAN NELLI
772-201-5899 • Brian@tckayakfishing.com • tckayakfishing.com
Inshore
Offshore
Fishing offshore should produce some of your favorite pelagics. Bonita, kingfish, tuna, sailfish, and some wahoo should be in the mix. Slow trolling a live bait like a goggle eye or pilchard will be your best bet. Try trolling 80250’ of water looking for weed lines or current breaks along reefs and ledges. Remember to have a rod ready with a vertical jig as well. Some days the live bait bite can get tough and dropping down a Catch Fishing jig can produce some action.
Snook, tarpon, and jacks will be on the list of targets this month. Focus on the inlets and beaches near them for snook as they will be in their spawning mode. Cruising the beach is also a great way to sight-fish for these species. Slow troll a pilchard and have a pitch bait like a DOA Baitbuster ready to throw as you see rolling tarpon or cruising snook. Also, think about avoiding the heat by fishing at night around the shadow lines of bridges and docks.
2026 AUGUST
Mark Ambert, IG @marksgonefishing_™ marksgonefishing25@gmail.com
PALM BEACH AND FORT LAUDERDALE AREAS
Marvin with a nice jack and kingfish.
Mike with a bonita.
Freshwater
Peacock bass and clown knifefish will continue with their summer patterns. Find those deeper weed edges and fish with your live shiner, shad, or favorite artificial lure.
For advertising or other inquiries, call 917.612.8275 or email us at ilene@coastalanglermagazine.com
F i s h i n g the a c h e s e B m l a P
A
ugust will bring light south and southeast winds and calm seas to South Florida. The air temps in the upper 80’s and low-90’s with humidity making it feel like 100-105 degrees and afternoon thunderstorms is what August will surely bring. What does this mean for fishing? Offshore fishing is generally slow in South Florida during the warm summer months, but there is certainly opportunity! I suggest you get out there early before the hot sun sends the fish down deep. Mahi are typically on the small side in August, but if you search for those weed lines and debris up to 20 miles out you can still catch dinner on most days. This is the time for all the small boat owners to take advantage of calm seas and keep running out searching for fish and covering water. Closer to shore, there should be a decent king bite but be sure you target them in the early morning. Using live goggle eyes on a “kingfish rig” or trolling spoons will do the trick to catch kings. Bonita are thick and should remain so through August, they are lots of fun on light tackle, but if you are not a fan of this fish
Fishing Forecast
with Darcizzle
Please be sure to check out my YouTube Channel “Darcizzle Offshore” for fishing videos every week! www.youtube.com/DarcizzleOffshore
simply save them up for bait; chunks and strips— they usually get scarce as soon as you need them! Summer also brings the best wahoo bite, especially around the full moons. We like to troll homemade baits, include a bonita strip under a pink sea witch on a planer rod, a split-tail doublehook rigged mullet (with or without the sea witch), and the always popular ballyhoo under a blue/white or black/red Ilander lure. Don’t forget to do some bottom fishing before you go in, the snapper bite should be good, and you can catch dinner. Inshore and at the inlets it’s snook spawn time! Live baits such as pilchards, greenies, sardines, and croakers will catch snook at the inlets. Be certain to go fishing when the water/ current is moving fast as this gets the bait moving so plan your trip accordingly. Snook fishing is a lot of fun and does not take a lot of gas, money, or time. Of course, next month we will all be looking for the start of the annual mullet run of bait fish, it’s a very exciting time both inshore and along the beach.
SOUTH COUNTY
false albacore, rainbow runners, kingfish, and scattered schools of mahi around floating debris. Sailfish are less common this time of year, but an occasional fish can still surprise anglers fishing live bait along the deeper reef edge. Freshwater fishing remains productive despite the summer CAPT. PATRICK SMITH heat. The Lake Ida, Lake This extra-large sized mahi really www.swamptosea.com • 561-503-0848 Osborne, Lake Clarke, and made our trip special. surrounding canal systems ugust brings some continue producing quality of the hottest largemouth bass, particularly weather of the during low-light periods when year, but it also offers The clown knifefish population topwater frogs, wake baits, and has grown and is one of the outstanding fishing soft plastics shine. Peacock bass coolest exotics in Florida. opportunities for anglers become increasingly scarce in willing to get an early start central Palm Beach County as or fish around afternoon populations continue to decline, thunderstorms. Water but anglers can still enjoy Big snook are a staple temperatures are at their excellent action with clown this time of the year. annual peak, so the best knifefish, several species of Nothing more fun than light tackle tarpon. inshore bite typically occurs around sunrise, cichlids, sunshine bass, gar, bowfin, and panfish. Live moving water, and after evening thunderstorms shiners remain the top choice for trophy bass, while Catching a fish so big that you must cool things down. Snook season remains closed, artificial anglers should focus on shaded seawalls, get in the water with it for your picture but they’re abundant around docks, bridges, culverts, and moving water created by pumps and happens all the time here in the summer. seawalls, and inlets where they can be sight- spillways after heavy rains. August’s afternoon fished and released. Tarpon continue cruising the storms also increase water movement and oxygen beaches, inlets, and the Intracoastal Waterway, levels, often triggering aggressive feeding activity especially during first light and after sunset. immediately before and after the rain. Whether Schools of jacks, ladyfish, and occasional bluefish you’re fishing saltwater or freshwater, getting on the provide steady action throughout the month, water early, staying hydrated, and keeping an eye while mangrove snapper remain active around on the weather will lead to the most productive and bridge pilings, docks, and nearshore structure. enjoyable days throughout the month. Along the beaches and reefs, expect plenty of Good luck out there!
INSHORE & FRESHWATER
Fishing Forecast with
A
2 PALM BEACH & FORT LAUDERDALE AREAS
AUGUST 2026
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
Success! I said, “let’s go to lunch and call it a day”. I asked Neil if he was hungry and then he disclosed to ate me athat he atefora banana forNeil breakfast! knows to bring boat (it’sbut baditluck), but it to me that he banana breakfast! knowsNeil not to bringnot bananas onbananas the boaton (it’sthe bad luck), occur thatwould the curse would remain in iteffdigesting ect with itindigesting in hisMyth stomach. Myth or confirmed or didn’t occurdidn’t to him thatto thehim curse remain in eff ect with his stomach. confirmed was itHe bad luck? Hebrought should’ve his lucky rabbit foot!!! was it bad luck? should’ve hisbrought lucky rabbit foot!!! Keith Fishing Realtor Keith Lozott The Lozott FishingThe Realtor
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AUGUST 2026
PALM BEACH & FORT LAUDERDALE AREAS 3
PALM BEACH
IN & OFFSHORE Fishing Forecast with CAPT. WESTON RUSSELL
Capt. Weston Russell • www.reelintensefishing.com •561-310-2690
W
elcome back to the Coastal Angler Magazine fishing report for the month of August. Expect hot mornings and fun fishing. The bonita bite will still be strong. Feeding on these bone heads will be 50lb. plus wahoo. How do I catch a 50 plus you ask? Well, I suggest catching a live bullet or even a 10lb. bonita bump Kids love to catch mahi trolled on a 50 plus class reel. You will also aka dolphin. need some wire leader. Do some jumper hooks, a stinger in the nose, a stinger in the back of the shoulder, and one in the tail. Believe me when I say these 50-to100-pound wahoo are here. They’re only eating live bonita so take the time to set up this rig and you may catch a Florida record. For the guys that like to head 10 miles or more out, there will be some decent dolphin fishing, where structure is the key. Anything that’s holding baitfish will be your best bet. These dolphin may be on the smaller side, so scale down. Have
JUPITER INLET INSHORE Fishing Forecast with CAPT. CRAIG KORCZYNSKI
PhlatsInshoreFishing.com • (561) 644-4371 • Visit us on Facebook & Instagram
A
School of Fish crew with a tarpon.
ugust has arrived! This month brings the heat and stellar rod bending action. The kids are back to school, the water has less traffic and pressure, all making for great fishing. Snook fanatics, these linesiders, are abundant along beaches, passes, docks, sea walls, and mangrove shorelines. Working these areas with live bait, Rapala X-Raps, and DOA 3“ Shad Tails, gets the strike. Snook can be sight-fished at times making for spectacular hookups as anglers witness
the strikes. Tarpon, a.k.a. the silver king, are an angler’s favorite as they always put on a show. These acrobatic fish are willing to take live baits free lined with the tide or a DOA TerrorEyz worked in their vicinity. Tarpon offer great drag screaming runs bringing smiles and excitement to anglers engaged in battle. Tarpon can be found roaming beach shorelines, deep passes, sea walls, and mangrove shorelines. Anglers looking for a good variety of species to target the local waters, our area offers snappers, jacks, mackerel, drum, bluefish, and plenty of sharks. Sharks are always a favorite for anglers as they put up a great fight, and people are fascinated with these toothy creatures. Well, that is the forecast for August fishing, hope you all enjoyed. Remember, you can’t catch them from the couch, so get out there and get hooked up. Tight lines! 4 PALM BEACH & FORT LAUDERDALE AREAS
AUGUST 2026
a Daiwa spinner combo with a popper ready to be casted at all times. Good luck! For the reef guys, there’s great fishing off Juno. The yellowtail bite will be good in August and using cut sardines will work the best. Looking to catch a sweet mutton snapper, they will be biting too. The knocker rig is always best for muttons, but if you want to catch the larger ones, use a 20 ft. leader, as they are shy and smart. Let’s now talk about sword fishing. August is still a great month with calm seas in the mornings, but it could pick up and get a little wild in the afternoon, so keep a good eye out for weather. One of the best additions to sword fishing is a Starlink mini. We have one on our boat with the battery pack, it keeps you in touch with the weather apps and with our families. Just imagine, FaceTime with your family while the swordfish is still flopping on the deck, WOW! Well, that’s what I got for this month, and remember, you can’t catch them from the couch! Always puts a smile on a kid’s face.
www.USHarbors.com
Boynton Beach, Lake Worth, FL - Aug 2026 High
Date
Low
AM
ft
PM
ft
AM
ft
PM
ft
Rise
Set
Sat
12:02
2.6
12:18
2.5
6:45
0.2
6:59
0.1
6:45
8:07
2
Sun
12:38
2.6
1:01
2.6
7:22
0.1
7:40
0.2
6:45
8:07
3
Mon
1:15
2.6
1:46
2.6
8:03
0.0
8:24
0.3
6:46
8:06
4
Tue
1:54
2.5
2:35
2.5
8:49
0.0
9:15
0.4
6:46
8:05
5
Wed
2:39
2.5
3:30
2.5
9:42
0.0
10:13
0.5
6:47
8:04
6
Thu
3:30
2.4
4:33
2.5
10:43
0.0
11:18
0.6
6:47
8:04
7
Fri
4:32
2.4
5:42
2.5
11:49
0.0
6:48
8:03
8
Sat
5:43
2.4
6:51
2.6
12:27
0.6
12:57
-0.1
6:48
8:02
9
Sun
6:54
2.5
7:55
2.7
1:33
0.5
2:01
-0.2
6:49
8:01
10
Mon
8:01
2.7
8:52
2.9
2:35
0.4
3:01
-0.3
6:49
8:01
11
Tue
9:01
2.8
9:43
3.0
3:33
0.2
3:57
-0.3
6:50
8:00
12
Wed
9:57
3.0
10:31
3.1
4:26
0.0
4:49
-0.3
6:50
7:59
13
Thu
10:48
3.1
11:16
3.1
5:17
-0.1
5:39
-0.3
6:51
7:58
14
Fri
11:37
3.1
11:59
3.1
6:05
-0.2
6:27
-0.2
6:51
7:57
15
Sat
12:24
3.0
6:52
-0.2
7:14
0.0
6:52
7:56
16
Sun
12:41
3.0
1:10
2.9
7:38
-0.1
8:01
0.2
6:52
7:56
17
Mon
1:22
2.8
1:56
2.8
8:24
0.0
8:48
0.4
6:53
7:55
18
Tue
2:04
2.6
2:43
2.6
9:11
0.2
9:38
0.6
6:53
7:54
19
Wed
2:47
2.5
3:33
2.5
10:02
0.3
10:31
0.8
6:54
7:53
20
Thu
3:34
2.3
4:28
2.3
10:57
0.5
11:29
0.9
6:54
7:52
21
Fri
4:28
2.2
5:28
2.3
11:55
0.5
6:55
7:51
22
Sat
5:27
2.2
6:30
2.3
12:29
1.0
12:54
0.6
6:55
7:50
23
Sun
6:29
2.2
7:26
2.4
1:27
1.0
1:48
0.5
6:56
7:49
24
Mon
7:27
2.3
8:15
2.5
2:19
0.9
2:36
0.5
6:56
7:48
25
Tue
8:19
2.5
8:58
2.7
3:05
0.8
3:20
0.4
6:56
7:47
26
Wed
9:06
2.6
9:38
2.8
3:47
0.6
4:01
0.3
6:57
7:46
27
Thu
9:49
2.7
10:16
2.9
4:25
0.5
4:39
0.3
6:57
7:45
28
Fri
10:31
2.9
10:53
2.9
5:01
0.4
5:17
0.2
6:58
7:44
29
Sat
11:13
2.9
11:30
2.9
5:37
0.2
5:55
0.2
6:58
7:43
30
Sun
11:55
3.0
6:14
0.1
6:35
0.3
6:59
7:42
31
Mon
12:07
2.9
6:53
0.1
7:17
0.4
6:59
7:41
1
12:38
3.0
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ECO TOURISM with Chris Thalmann
Aqua Adventure Tours, Inc. • 561-635-6899 • www.aquaadventuretours.com
H
ey everyone, welcome to August and the dog days of summer! We normally have another month or two before we’ll start to see any trends toward cooler temps, and I’ll be surprised if this year proves any different. Thankfully here in South Florida, we’ve been spared the intense heat that others have experienced this summer. August means great snorkeling and diving conditions in South Florida, with flat-calm seas and great visibility, even inshore. And there’s been no shortage this year of long weed lines and sargassum patches to troll and cast for bites on pretty much any day. August also includes National Oyster Day, celebrated on August 5th. It’s a curious time to celebrate oysters because the rule has long been to only eat oysters - especially raw oysters - during months that contained an “r”. September thru April were thought to be okay, but May through August were to be avoided, especially in warmer areas, like the Chesapeake Bay and the Gulf. Why? Well, oysters spawn during warm summer months, and spawn harvesting can cause local populations to quickly collapse. Summer oystering in warmer areas was also avoided for food safety reasons. Warm water tends to have
higher bacteria counts, and wild oysters often contain much more bacteria in summer than in winter. While this still holds true, the reality is that refrigeration and handling of raw seafood is much more reliable and regulated these days, making food borne illnesses relatively rare. And many of the oysters consumed today are farmed for market, allowing monitoring for bacteria levels yearround. In addition, many farmed oysters don’t spawn, so they remain a plump and sweet treat all year long. Here in South Florida, we have the same species as in the Gulf, Chesapeake Bay, and New England, the Eastern Oyster (Crassostrea virginica). I don’t know anyone who harvests and eats our local oysters, and I personally wouldn’t. Our waters are too warm all year for me to feel safe doing so. But that doesn’t mean our local oysters are without value. Quite the contrary. Adult oysters can filter up to 50 gallons of water per day while they eat algae and remove sediment,
phosphorous, nitrogen, heavy metals, and other pollutants from the water. Multiply 50 gallons by millions or billions of oysters and you have a pretty dang effective method of filtering a lot of pollutants from our local waterways. So much so, that Palm Beach County Environmental Resource Management, FDEP, The Nature Conservancy, and a host of other agencies and advocacy groups are actively researching where best and how best to reintroduce oysters into our local waterways. It’s an ongoing process, and a surprisingly complicated one. Keep an eye out for oysters and remember to toast their presence locally on August 5th. Hope to see you on the water!
www.USHarbors.com
Palm Beach, FL - Aug 2026 High
Date 1
Sat
www.USHarbors.com
Pompano Beach (Hillsboro Inlet), FL - Aug 2026 Low
High
Date
AM
ft
PM
ft
AM
ft
PM
ft
Rise
Set
Moon
11:31
2.6
11:51
2.7
5:18
0.2
5:32
0.1
6:45
8:07
1
Low
AM
ft
PM
ft
AM
ft
PM
ft
Rise
Set
Sat
10:50
2.7
11:10
2.8
4:38
0.2
4:52
0.1
6:46
8:07
11:33
2.7
11:47
2.7
5:15
0.1
5:33
0.2
6:46
8:06
12:18
2.7
5:56
0.1
6:17
0.3
6:47
8:06
2
Sun
12:14
2.7
5:55
0.1
6:13
0.2
6:45
8:07
2
Sun
3
Mon
12:28
2.7
12:59
2.7
6:36
0.0
6:57
0.3
6:46
8:06
3
Mon
4
Tue
1:07
2.6
1:48
2.6
7:22
0.0
7:48
0.4
6:46
8:05
4
Tue
12:26
2.7
1:07
2.7
6:42
0.0
7:08
0.5
6:47
8:05
5
Wed
1:52
2.5
2:43
2.6
8:15
0.0
8:46
0.5
6:47
8:05
5
Wed
1:11
2.6
2:02
2.7
7:35
0.0
8:06
0.6
6:48
8:04
6
Thu
2:43
2.5
3:46
2.6
9:16
0.0
9:51
0.6
6:47
8:04
6
Thu
2:02
2.5
3:05
2.6
8:36
0.0
9:11
0.7
6:48
8:03
7
Fri
3:45
2.5
4:55
2.6
10:22
0.0
11:00
0.6
6:48
8:03
7
Fri
3:04
2.5
4:14
2.7
9:42
0.0
10:20
0.7
6:49
8:03
8
Sat
4:56
2.5
6:04
2.7
11:30
-0.1
6:48
8:02
8
Sat
4:15
2.6
5:23
2.7
10:50
-0.1
11:26
0.6
6:49
8:02
9
Sun
6:07
2.6
7:08
2.8
12:06
0.5
12:34
-0.2
6:49
8:02
9
Sun
5:26
2.7
6:27
2.9
11:54
-0.2
6:49
8:01
10
Mon
7:14
2.8
8:05
3.0
1:08
0.4
1:34
-0.3
6:49
8:01
10
Mon
6:33
2.8
7:24
3.1
12:28
0.4
12:54
-0.3
6:50
8:00
11
Tue
8:14
3.0
8:56
3.1
2:06
0.2
2:30
-0.3
6:50
8:00
11
Tue
7:33
3.0
8:15
3.2
1:26
0.2
1:50
-0.4
6:50
8:00
12
Wed
9:10
3.1
9:44
3.2
2:59
0.0
3:22
-0.3
6:50
7:59
12
Wed
8:29
3.1
9:03
3.3
2:19
0.0
2:42
-0.4
6:51
7:59
13
Thu
10:01
3.2
10:29
3.2
3:50
-0.1
4:12
-0.3
6:51
7:58
13
Thu
9:20
3.2
9:48
3.3
3:10
-0.1
3:32
-0.3
6:51
7:58
14
Fri
10:50
3.2
11:12
3.2
4:38
-0.2
5:00
-0.2
6:51
7:58
14
Fri
10:09
3.3
10:31
3.2
3:58
-0.2
4:20
-0.2
6:52
7:57
15
Sat
11:37
3.1
11:54
3.1
5:25
-0.2
5:47
0.0
6:52
7:57
15
Sat
10:56
3.2
11:13
3.1
4:45
-0.2
5:07
0.0
6:52
7:56
16
Sun
12:23
3.0
6:11
-0.1
6:34
0.2
6:52
7:56
16
Sun
11:42
3.1
11:54
3.0
5:31
-0.1
5:54
0.2
6:53
7:55
17
Mon
12:35
2.9
1:09
2.9
6:57
0.0
7:21
0.4
6:53
7:55
17
Mon
12:28
2.9
6:17
0.0
6:41
0.5
6:53
7:54
18
Tue
1:17
2.7
1:56
2.7
7:44
0.2
8:11
0.6
6:53
7:54
18
Tue
12:36
2.8
1:15
2.8
7:04
0.2
7:31
0.7
6:54
7:54
19
Wed
2:00
2.6
2:46
2.5
8:35
0.3
9:04
0.8
6:54
7:53
19
Wed
1:19
2.6
2:05
2.6
7:55
0.4
8:24
0.9
6:54
7:53
20
Thu
2:47
2.4
3:41
2.4
9:30
0.5
10:02
0.9
6:54
7:52
20
Thu
2:06
2.5
3:00
2.5
8:50
0.5
9:22
1.0
6:55
7:52
21
Fri
3:41
2.3
4:41
2.4
10:28
0.5
11:02
1.0
6:54
7:51
21
Fri
3:00
2.4
4:00
2.4
9:48
0.6
10:22
1.1
6:55
7:51
22
Sat
4:40
2.3
5:43
2.4
11:27
0.6
6:55
7:50
22
Sat
3:59
2.3
5:02
2.4
10:47
0.6
11:20
1.1
6:56
7:50
23
Sun
5:42
2.3
6:39
2.5
12:00
1.0
12:21
0.5
6:55
7:49
23
Sun
5:01
2.4
5:58
2.5
11:41
0.6
6:56
7:49
24
Mon
6:40
2.4
7:28
2.6
12:52
0.9
1:09
0.5
6:56
7:48
24
Mon
5:59
2.5
6:47
2.7
12:12
1.0
12:29
0.5
6:56
7:48
25
Tue
7:32
2.6
8:11
2.8
1:38
0.8
1:53
0.4
6:56
7:47
25
Tue
6:51
2.6
7:30
2.8
12:58
0.9
1:13
0.4
6:57
7:47
26
Wed
8:19
2.7
8:51
2.9
2:20
0.6
2:34
0.3
6:57
7:46
26
Wed
7:38
2.7
8:10
2.9
1:40
0.7
1:54
0.3
6:57
7:46
27
Thu
9:02
2.8
9:29
3.0
2:58
0.5
3:12
0.3
6:57
7:45
27
Thu
8:21
2.9
8:48
3.0
2:18
0.6
2:32
0.3
6:58
7:45
28
Fri
9:44
3.0
10:06
3.0
3:34
0.4
3:50
0.2
6:58
7:44
28
Fri
9:03
3.0
9:25
3.1
2:54
0.4
3:10
0.3
6:58
7:44
29
Sat
10:26
3.1
10:43
3.0
4:10
0.2
4:28
0.2
6:58
7:43
29
Sat
9:45
3.1
10:02
3.1
3:30
0.3
3:48
0.3
6:59
7:43
30
Sun
11:08
3.1
11:20
3.0
4:47
0.1
5:08
0.3
6:59
7:42
30
Sun
10:27
3.2
10:39
3.1
4:07
0.2
4:28
0.3
6:59
7:42
31
Mon
11:51
3.1
5:26
0.1
5:50
0.4
6:59
7:41
31
Mon
11:10
3.2
11:18
3.0
4:46
0.1
5:10
0.5
6:59
7:41
6 PALM BEACH & FORT LAUDERDALE AREAS
AUGUST 2026
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Boats and vessels are accepted at the landfill for a fee after all fuels, flares, batteries and other hazardous materials are removed by the owner or hauler. Removing under-floor fuel tanks, when possible, is recommended. Boats will be inspected by SWA staff prior to disposal.
Palm Beach County Residential Disposal Only. Learn More: 561-697-2700, option 3.
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AUGUST 2026
PALM BEACH & FORT LAUDERDALE AREAS 7
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AUGUST 2026
ishing has been heating up offshore, and the action has been excellent across the board. Our drift fishing charters are seeing a strong push of snapper moving onto the reefs, with mangrove snapper leading the way as they gather for their annual summer spawn. This is one of the best times of the year to target these hard-fighting, greateating fish, and anglers have been putting together impressive catches. Along with the mangroves, we’re catching plenty of porgies, grunts, groupers, and a variety of other reef species. King mackerel have also been making regular appearances, providing exciting runs and adding even more variety to the day’s catch. Offshore, our sportfishing charters continue to produce outstanding action. Blackfin tuna have been keeping anglers busy, while mahi-mahi are showing up in good numbers around floating debris and weed lines. Big barracuda are providing explosive strikes, and kingfish have been feeding aggressively. We’ve also been battling some impressive sharks that are testing both tackle and anglers, while powerful amberjacks continue to put smiles on everyone’s faces with their incredible strength. With so many species actively feeding, every trip offers the chance to catch something different and create lasting memories on the water. Water conditions have been favorable, bait has been plentiful, and the fishing should only continue to improve as we move deeper into the summer season. Whether you’re looking to fill the cooler with delicious reef fish or chase fast-paced offshore pelagics, now is an excellent time to get out on the water. Book your trip today and come experience some of the best fishing South Florida has to offer. Let’s go fishing!
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ote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium is continuing to advance its fisheries enhancement efforts in 2026 through a series of juvenile snook releases taking place throughout the summer across strategic estuarine habitats in Southwest Florida. This year, Mote scientists will release approximately 22,000 juvenile snook as part of Mote’s long-standing, researchdriven marine stock enhancement program. “These releases reflect the continued growth and refinement of Mote’s fisheries enhancement capabilities,” said Dr. Ryan Schloesser, Manager of Mote’s Fisheries Ecology & Enhancement Program. “Our focus remains on producing healthy fish, releasing them strategically, and collecting the scientific data needed to better understand how stock enhancement can support resilient wild populations.” Release locations are strategically selected based on environmental conditions and habitat characteristics that provide favorable environmental conditions and complex structure essential for juvenile snook survival and growth. Examples of favorable release habitats include tidal creeks, mangrovelined shorelines, and sheltered coves that provide abundant food resources, protection, and complex habitat structure. Mote’s stock enhancement program is guided by research objectives that examine post-release survival, movement patterns, habitat use, and the overall contribution of stocked fish to wild populations. Findings from these studies help inform adaptive release strategies, including optimal release timing, fish size, site selection, rearing conditions, and release methods. Prior to release, the fish undergo comprehensive health assessments to ensure they are wellsuited for release. Snook remain one of Florida’s most sought-after recreational sportfish and contribute significantly to Florida’s coastal economy. However, the species remains vulnerable to environmental stressors, including severe cold events, habitat degradation, and harmful algal blooms. These advancements in genetic tagging and long-term monitoring provide valuable tools for evaluating the success of enhancement efforts and understanding the role hatchery-reared fish play in supporting wild populations. In addition to ongoing enhancement efforts, Mote is expanding its response capacity throughout neighboring coastal regions. Following significant coldstun-related fish mortality observed across portions of Southwest Florida during recent winter events, Mote scientists are increasing their presence and strengthening partnerships in adjacent counties and waterways. Expanding this regional reach will help researchers better understand how to respond when environmental stressors affect fish populations across a broader geographic area and improve preparedness for future cold events or red tide blooms that impact snook. Mote aims to develop a more comprehensive understanding of how adaptive management strategies can help fish populations respond to extreme environmental conditions. This expanded effort will enhance Mote’s ability to rapidly assess impacts, coordinate response activities, and inform future fisheries management and recovery strategies throughout the region.
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Fleur de Lis Wins 2026 Florida Panhandle Billfish Series
I
n a tight contest, Fleur de Lis came out on top to win the 3rd annual Florida Panhandle Bill!sh Series. #e Hatteras 63 GT, based in nearby Orange Beach, Alabama, !shed all three events of the Emerald Coast series, developed to highlight the big-game !shing opportunities off Florida’s Panhandle. #e competition includes three prestigious tournaments which started with the 55th Annual Pensacola International Bill!sh Tournament; the 24th Annual Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic (ECBC) at Sandestin was the second leg, and the series concluded with the 4th Annual Bay Point Bill!sh Open in Panama City Beach. Fleur de Lis released a blue marlin in Pensacola, followed by a slam in the ECBC (blue and white marlin, plus sail!sh). #e series trophy was secured with another blue, two whites and one sail!sh released in the Bay Point Open. Contestants earn extra points for slams (three or more bill!sh species released during the event) and for competing in all three tournaments. Owned by Jim Painter, Fleur de Lis team members included Conner Pellerin, Nate Dennis, Matt Cosci, Payton Berry, Grey Smith and Parker Smith, with Capt. Jacob Provo and mates Landen Tindal, Griffen Slaughter, Nick Knoep$ein and Burke Day. “Due to the unique scoring system for the Series, Fleur de Lis was able to maximize points
and achieve the win,” says FPBS Executive Director Bert Merritt. “#ey had the right !sh at the right time and put in the extra effort to !sh all three events. Promoting all three tournaments and encouraging participation is the main goal of the series and that difference put Fleur de Lis over the top.” #e team won a perpetual custom trophy, a $10,000 cash award and Miller Lite Beer for a year for its efforts. It Just Takes Time owner Nick Pratt and his family team were a close second overall. #e boat skipped the Pensacola International but tallied seven blue marlin, three whites and one sail!sh at the ECBC, good for second-place release team overall. #e next week at the Bay Point Open, the team took top release honors by scoring six blue marlin, two whites and sails apiece. Capt. Myles Colley runs the 74 Viking, also based in Orange Beach. Briar Patch was third overall in the series standings. #e team won the Bay Point Open with a weighed 582.5-pound blue marlin (angler Brantley Adams) and also recorded three blue marlin and one white releases to augment three blues released during the ECBC. #e Destin-based 74 Viking is run by Capt. Corey Hurst. To learn more about the Florida Panhandle Billfish Series, visit www.fishfpbs.com.
FWC LAUNCHES RED SNAPPER www.VisitDixie.com TAGGING STUDY IN PENSACOLA BAY Where the
A
nglers !shing for red snapper in Pensacola Bay are asked to be on the lookout for dart-tagged !sh. FWC biologists have initiated a pilot study to observe movement patterns for red snapper that are captured within Pensacola Bay. Biologists are interested in determining if these !sh remain inshore or are actively migrating between inshore and nearshore habitats. Fish have been tagged with an external dart tag as well as an acoustic transmitter surgically implanted into the red snapper’s abdomen. Acoustic transmitters are a small, sound-emitting device that acts like an underwater beacon, transmitting unique acoustic signals for up to six years. Acoustic receivers (or listening stations) have been placed underwater throughout the bay and near the pass to track movements of tagged !sh. If you catch a !sh with a dart tag: • Take a photo of the !sh and a closeup&photo of the tag so the unique tag&number can be read. • Return the !sh to the water. • Call 850-564-2430 or 800-367-4461& to report the tag number, where you&caught the !sh (e.g. inside the bay or&offshore), and receive instructions on&how to submit your photos. If you choose to harvest the !sh, please call the number on the tag to return the acoustic transmitter to the biologists.&
Suwannee &
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Scallop Season
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COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
AUGUST 2026
FLORIDA 15
PRO FISHING TECHNIQUES
Sheepshead Fishing 101
S
heepshead are one of those !sh that seem like they are everywhere in Florida. #at is because they actually are everywhere in Florida. You can catch them 30 miles offshore in the Gulf of Mexico when they are spawning. You can catch them in the grass $ats; around mangrove roots; around oyster bars; around dock and bridge pilings; off the beach; around inlets and seawalls; and even in freshwater rivers that empty into saltwater. Sheepsheads were the !sh that got me hooked on saltwater !shing when I was 5 years old. My father would take me to the mangrove mud $ats to catch !ddler crabs. Once we had a bucket of crabs we would use our cane poles to catch a stringer full of sheepshead around the mangrove roots and oyster clumps. #e point of this story is that anyone can catch a sheepshead, even a 5-year old. PRO TIP: #eir favorite food is a !ddler crab, but !ddlers are not readily available to most people. Get some if you can. If you don’t hace access to !ddlers, the easiest way to catch sheepshead is to target them wherever they are with a #2 sized J hook and a small piece of shrimp. You will want to use an extremely light 8 to 10 pound $uorocarbon leader because they have excellent vision and can be spooky. Why do we use such a small hook for a big sheepshead? #e reason to use such a small hook is because they are the best bait stealers
never feel them stealing your bait. I like to reel the line in very slowly to make them commit to a more aggressive bite. Make sure to set the hook hard. CAPT. MIKE SMITH Why do we like to catch sheepshead? in the sea. #ey use their We like to catch sheepshead because they are human-like teeth to nip little excellent !ghters and have a very light and nonbites of your bait until only !shy tasting meat. a bare hook is left. A small hook will increase A sheepshead is very difficult to clean your hook up ratio. because they are extremely bony. But it is worth You also have to keep a tight line or you will the extra work because of their delicious meat. #ey are an excellent candidate to !llet and release into the grease. Where is the best place to find sheepshead? #e best place to look for sheepshead is dock and bridge pilings. #ey are always around those pilings using their super hard teeth to crush barnacles, oysters and mussels that are living on the pilings. All in all, sheepshead are a fun !sh for the whole family to catch. You only need some frozen shrimp and a cane pole to have a blast and !ll a stringer full of delicious !sh. Florida allows a generous 8 !sh per person limit at the time of this article. Make sure to check your regulations in your area to stay out of trouble. Go get ‘em. Capt. Mike Smith, owner of Fish Your Ass Off Charters, is an inshore fishing guide who has been fishing the inshore waters, oyster bars and grass flats of Florida for more than 40 years. Reach him at (561) 339-2317, email: contact fishyourassoff.com or visit fishyourassoff.com.
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eah, I’ve tried that before.” If we had a dollar for every time we heard that phrase at ICAST or during the countless phone calls we’ve !elded, we’d be wealthy. But here’s the thing—in the nicest possible way— unless you’re one of our carefully selected pool of testers or based at a couple of research stations or universities, no, you actually haven’t tried SharkGuard. What makes SharkGuard different from anything you’ve tried before? Our patented electronic pulse technology works by targeting sharks’ highly sensitive electroreceptors—the ampullae of Lorenzini. #ese specialized organs allow sharks to detect electrical !elds in the water, and our precisely calibrated pulses create a deterrent effect that keeps them away without harming the sharks or affecting your target !sh. #is isn’t guesswork or wishful thinking. It’s science-backed innovation that’s been re!ned through rigorous testing and real-world application. #e results back it up. But, honestly, the proof isn’t in our marketing materials or our test results—it’s in your cooler at the end of the day. It’s in the smile on your client’s face when they land the !sh they’ve been !ghting for. It’s in !nally bringing home the catch you worked so hard for, instead of watching it disappear into a shark’s mouth. Whether you’re a frustrated angler tired of paying the dreaded “shark tax”—losing your hard-earned catch to opportunistic sharks—or a charter captain who wants to guarantee your clients actually land their !sh, SharkGuard is the solution you’ve been waiting for. Coastal Angler readers can grab SharkGuard on Amazon at an exclusive discount—now just $199 USD (down from $275)— using code COASTAL199 at checkout.
Learn more about SharkGuard at FishtekMarineSport.com
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AUGUST 2026
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STAY ON TOP By Britt Stoudenmire
FOR SUMMERTIME
RIVER SMALLIES
T
he late-summer months are an overlooked window to catch big smallmouth bass that have been lazily lying in the middle of the river a!er a long spawning season. The insect hatches and emergences that occur throughout the day including mayflies, damsel flies and my favorite, the cicada, spur feeding frenzies and create an excellent opportunity to throw topwater lures and flies. One of my favorite lures to target topwater smallies during this period
is the Pop-R. I make long casts with a 6-foot to 6-foot, 6-inch G.Loomis medium-action rod with a Shimano Stradic 2500 C4+ reel spooled with 20/6 Power Pro braided line. On entry into the water, I let the bait dead dri! for about five seconds before working it erratically back to the boat. I target current seams, eddies, corner pockets and any type of structure or current break in the middle of fast water. It is important to continue working the bait with the same cadence, even if a fish is crashing behind it. Once you feel the rod load, reel into the fish and swing the rod back. Once hooked up, keep the rod—and fish—down in the water. Many big fish are lost while trying to pull the fish up to get a look at it. Another one of my favorite topwater presentations is the buzzbait. I will target the same areas as above using a slightly stouter medium-heavy setup to drive the hook home. The key to the buzzbait is to get the bait up on the surface as soon as it hits the water. I favor a straight, steady retrieve, reeling just fast enough to keep the bait on the surface. When a fish eats it, allow him to load the rod before setting into him with a hard hook set. I favor longer sha!ed buzzbaits for better hook-ups, as I don’t use trailer hooks because of the damage they can do to smallies. If you have a blow up on your buzzbait and do not touch him with the hook, a quick follow up with a so! plastic will o!en garner an immediate bite from the same fish. If you like to fly fish, summer’s slower, less-busy water o!en presents the perfect scenario to fly fish for big smallmouth. My favorite presentation for smallies on the fly is dead-dri!ing cicada bugs. Big smallies are addicted to these “dog days” dying cicada bugs and the easy meal they present, and we sight cast to these fish that o!en eclipse 20” or more. This technique has produced some of my clients’ and my personal best fly-rod fish. When dead dri!ing cicada bugs aren’t working, several other presentations can produce explosive strikes. Any popper in the size 4 to 6 range can attract smallies. When they strike, remember to strip up the slack line and into them before raising the rod tip hard to drive home the hook. If fish aren’t responding to the popper, another option is a slider-style fly. When stripped, the fly will dive slightly beneath the surface giving a darting and diving action. The Sneaky Pete is a good example, and this type of presentation can be deadly. Britt Stoudenmire owns and operates New River Outdoor Co. who guides on the New River in Southwest Virginia. www.newriveroutdoorco.com.
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AUGUST 2026
NATIONAL 5
Working the Night Shift TIM BAREFOOT
I
RHINO SPINNING COMBO WINS ICAST 2026 BEST OF SHOW
I
n an industry increasingly dominated by high-tech fish finders, forwardfacing sonar, and motorized watercra!, the biggest story of ICAST 2026 came down to a refreshing return to roots. Rather Outdoors and its iconic Zebco brand shocked the fishing world at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., by winning the overall Best of Show award for the newly engineered Rhino 30 6’6’’ 2-piece Medium Spinning Combo. The victory marks a monumental comeback for the legacy Rhino name, a brand built entirely on bulletproof reliability for the everyday angler. “Zebco has been the first chapter in so many people’s fishing stories, and the Rhino relaunch is helping make sure that first experience is one that lasts,” said Chris Littau, Vice President of Zebco, following the historic win. Before capturing the industry’s ultimate prize, the Rhino setup first secured its foothold by winning the competitive Rod & Reel Combo category in the ICAST 2026 New Product Showcase, where industry heavyweights and innovative newcomers competed for 39 different Best of Category awards, selected by credentialed buyers and media who voted during the trade show.
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remember the dog days of August as almost unbearable for myself and clients during the daylight hours. Some days on commercial trips we would put the fan on us and rest during the heat of the day and fish in the late a!ernoon and at night for a number of fish, including snappers and mackerel. The yellowfin and wahoo bite could sometimes be a pleasant surprise while king mackerel fishing under the lights. The first wahoo I ever caught from an anchored up boat was at night. It literally swam right to the boat and I was able to almost hand feed him. That was a game-changing experience for me. This is where I learned how to catch live squid in numbers under the lights with a long-handled dip net and on the Sabiki. Cigar minnows and sardines would gather in huge swarms under the lights and, therefore, it would attract all the predators, not to mention the bite on the bottom and in the mid depth of the water column. The full moon of August is traditionally the best beeliner fishing of the year. A lot of the snappers spawn during the full moon of July and August; the mackerel too. A lot of the snappers and triggers are not on the bottom, but will suspend in the water column, so I would recommend a level wind reel when fishing the water column to locate the depth of the largest snappers. Descend your baits, slowly letting your thumb off the spool to release more line, one rod-length strip at a time. I like to use a double tackle with small pieces of squid and small circle hooks for this style of fishing. When you feel the first bite, click the reel in gear and barely come tight to it...sometimes you’ll have two at a time. This is the perfect time to put a small snapper on the bottom, a snapper Packed out... 2-4 lb. beeliners during large enough to eliminate first half of the night on the full moon. all the trash bites and attract only the largest grouper. The largest gag I ever caught was in August (at night) on a small pink snapper. Gutted it weighed 51 pounds and we estimated that it was probably 54 pounds. August has a lot of opportunities. We just have to change tactics to take advantage of it, and the night shi! is a great way to avoid the searing daytime temperatures and fill the box with organic groceries. This is also a good time to keep at least one person on the Sabiki, catching cigar minnows and sardines for future trips. Considering the cost of a five-pound box of frozen cigars, it makes it worthwhile to jig up 15 or 20 pounds of cigs, sardines, squid and/or tinker macs. Keep them all in the live well until you’re ready to leave in the morning and chill the remainder of the livewell all at one time for the ride home. Fish through the night and during the first couple of hours of daylight on the productive bottom and come home with a box full of fish! This is how to get the most out of an August trip. Load the box with plenty of ice when you get home, go inside, take a good nap and get up in the a!ernoon to clean and freeze the catch. Learn more from Tim Barefoot at barefootcatsandtackle.com and on his YouTube channel: @timbarefoot5698.
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