Coastal Angler Magazine | Palm Beach / Ft. Lauderdale July 2026 Area Edition

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By Will Schmidt

Nothing quite gets your heart rate up like the sound of drag screaming as a king rips line from the reel. Maybe it’s so exciting because for many, king!sh !shing can be slow, especially when targeting big !sh. e good news is there are some tournament proven techniques that can really help.

Perhaps the most well know tactic to bring kings to you is chumming. ere are several forms. Cutting up chunks of thread!ns and tossing them into the current is certainly a tried-and-true method. is is a great method especially if you are anchored. e challenge here is getting enough bait to keep the ow going. Another option we use in tournament !shing is a constant drip of menhaden oil. Using a bag like an IV bag you can set have a slow drip continually putting scent in the water as you troll. It’s great for covering ground and still helps to bring !sh to you at the same time. Unfortunately, menhaden oil has become a bit pricey.

ese techniques work great, but on tournament days I believe there is so much scent in the water that they become less e$ective. So, now my new go to is to add an extra sensory stimulation in the form of eye candy. Speci!cally, a Fish Razr mylar dredge. Made of re ective strips that look like a school of bait, they shine like an underwater disco ball. Plus are easy to use and reusable so they are cost e$ective. Simply attach them to a kite rod or cleat and toss them over the side. I’ve literally had !sh in my spread within seconds of deploying the dredge.

For baits I do prefer big blue runners, but sometimes they can be hard to come by. A good trick when big baits are sparse is to double up smaller baits, like sardines or thread!ns. I use two hooks wired about 5 inches apart with a stinger o$ the second to create a larger pro!le o$ering. I believe the added ash of multiple baits helps as well.

For tackle I like 20 to 30 pound trolling gear like a Shimano Terez medium action rod with Talica A 16. For years we went very light on our tackle thinking that kings had so mouths and needed to be babied. While they are somewhat more delicate, a big !sh is tough and you still need gear that can do the trick. is setup has a light enough tip and silky smooth drag to help absorb the initial hit but plenty of backbone to battle a hardier smoker king. A mono top shot also helps with that opening blow.

For me the key to king!sh !shing is to combine looking for them while also having them look for me. Adding the dredge to my spread is a real gamechanger.

Will Schmidt is a seasoned tournament angler who has been writing about shing for more than two decades. Follow Will on Instagram @saltynstrong.

IN THE KEYS Lobster Season Lobster Season Lobster Season Lobster SeasonMINI

By A. deGruchy

Every July, the Keys go a little wild for two days. !e spiny lobster sport season, or “mini season,” always hits the last Wednesday and !ursday of the month, so in 2026 that’s July 29 and 30. It’s your two-day jump on the regular season before it opens August 6, and trust me, the water gets packed. Know the rules before you launch and you’ll have a blast instead of a ticket.

First, the boring but unskippable part: paperwork. For 2026, non-residents can only

grab a short-term license in person at a Monroe County Tax Collector o ce, and they’re closed weekends. Gear-wise, keep it simple: tickle stick, net, gloves, and a gauge. No spears, hooks, or traps down here. Measure every bug in the water (carapace bigger than three inches), leave the tail on until you’re back on land, and toss back any female carrying eggs.

person, per day, the whole day. !at’s half what the rest of Florida gets, and don’t try to be sneaky about it. You can’t grab your six, run ‘em to the dock, and head back out for round two. !at’s “doubledipping” which is illegal, and the #nes aren’t fun. Six means six.

If traveling to the Keys for mini lobster season, respect the locals. Remember, the Keys are home to a lot of folks and one of the most fragile reefs anywhere, so a lot of the “be cool” stu$ is also straight-up the law. Give people their space, too.

Heads up on the 300-foot rule during mini season: basically the whole Keys is o$-limits nearshore. You can’t dive or snorkel within 300 feet of anyone’s house, dock, canal or marina. And don’t mix it up with the no-night-diving rule, that’s a separate mini season thing, so plan on daylight only. Fly your dive ag, idle down when you’re within 300 feet of one, and grab a buddy because the water’s a zoo. Don’t touch, stand on, or anchor on the coral, steer clear of no-take zones like John Pennekamp and the Dry Tortugas, and never mess with someone’s trap, that one’s a felony.

Bottom line: carry your license, measure in the water, keep it to six and whole, and dive in daylight. Check MyFWC.com for the full rundown before you head out, and have fun out there.

!e biggie is the bag limit: six lobsters per

Follow all of deGruchy’s adventures at @bean_sport!shing on Instagram and YouTube.

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SECURING THE SHORELINE: WHY EXPERTISE MATTERS IN SEAWALL REPAIR

By SlabFix

Seawalls are the unsung heroes of coastal and waterfront properties. Day in and day out, these structures endure the relentless punishing forces of tides, currents, and storms. Yet, because much of their critical infrastructure remains hidden beneath the water or buried under the soil, seawall deterioration o!en goes unnoticed until disaster strikes. When a seawall begins to fail, the integrity of the entire property is compromised. Resolving this high-stakes issue requires more than just a quick cosmetic patch; it demands specialized engineering, proven techniques, and a team with an unblemished track record. at is precisely where Slab Fix has established itself as the gold standard in the seawall repair industry. e mechanics of seawall failure usually begin from behind the wall. Over time, #uctuating water levels and heavy rains wash away the supporting soil through tiny cracks or failing joints. is

process, known as erosion or void formation, leaves the land behind the wall completely hollowed out. Property owners might $rst notice sinkholes, dipping concrete slabs, or a slight tilting of the seawall cap. Attempting a DIY $x or hiring a general contractor without specialized marine construction experience o!en leads to recurring failures and wasted capital. Seawall restoration is a precise science that requires a deep understanding of hydrostatic pressure, soil mechanics, and advanced material science.

Slab Fix has earned its reputation as an industry leader by mastering this complex science. Instead of relying on disruptive, expensive, and environmentally damaging excavation methods, the company utilizes cutting-edge polyurethane foam injection technology. is innovative process involves drilling small, non-invasive holes into the a ected areas and injecting a high-density,

eco-friendly polymer. e material expands to $ll hidden voids, binds with the existing soil, and creates an impermeable barrier that stops future erosion in its tracks. By stabilizing the soil and sealing the wall from within, Slab Fix restores structural integrity without altering the shoreline’s natural aesthetics.

Beyond technical expertise, the true measure of Slab Fix’s success lies in its stellar reputation. e company’s consistently great reviews re#ect a deep commitment to customer satisfaction and operational excellence. Waterfront homeowners and commercial property managers alike routinely praise the team for their transparency, punctuality, and minimal disruption to daily life. Clients frequently note that the crew takes the time to explain the engineering behind the repair, providing peace of mind during what can otherwise be a highly stressful situation. is wealth of positive feedback serves as a testament to their reliability and the long-lasting durability of their work.

Protecting your waterfront investment requires proactive maintenance and the right partners. Choosing an inexperienced contractor can result in catastrophic wall failure, costly property damage, and severe environmental $nes. With Slab Fix, property owners gain access to unparalleled expertise, state-of-the-art repair technologies, and a proven history of success. By addressing the root cause of seawall decay with precision and care, Slab Fix ensures that your shoreline remains secure, beautiful, and resilient for decades to come.

Fishing TRENDING

GUARANTEED LOWEST

OKIDS, POPPING CORKS, AND SPECKLED TROUT

Kids don’t always have the patience to wait on a $sh to bite. ey want to cast, reel, and stay involved. A popping cork gives them something to do while keeping a bait or lure in the strike zone. Every pop creates noise and commotion that imitates feeding $sh, helping trout locate the bait. More importantly, it keeps kids engaged and focused.

When $shing live bait, it’s hard to beat a lively shrimp under a popping cork. Whether you’re $shing shorelines, reefs, or grass beds, the cork attracts trout while keeping the bait at the proper depth. e sound gets their attention, and the shrimp does the rest. It’s a simple setup that consistently catches $sh and builds con$dence in young anglers.

ne of my favorite things about $shing isn’t catching $sh myself—it’s watching a kid catch one. ere’s something special about seeing a young angler’s face light up when a cork disappears, and a speckled trout starts pulling back. Over the years, I’ve introduced a lot of kids to $shing, including my own boys, and one of the easiest ways I’ve found to help them succeed is with a popping cork.

Arti$cial lures work just as well. I o!en prefer them when $shing with kids because I spend less time rebaiting hooks and more time helping them catch $sh. A so! plastic under a popping cork allows kids to cast, pop, and retrieve while covering water e&ciently. It also teaches them how to work a lure without making things overly complicated.

One thing I’ve learned is that tackle designed for adults doesn’t always hold up when kids are involved. Rods get dropped, tackle gets stepped

By Capt. Michael Okruhlik

on, and gear gets bounced around the boat. at’s one reason I’ve moved away from many traditional wire-style corks.

Most anglers have opened a tackle box and found a wire cork bent a!er a day on the water. Once the wire is bent, the cork rarely casts the same. Many wire designs also have several moving parts that can tangle during a cast, especially in the hands of a young angler. Over time, the wire can even nick $shing line, creating weak spots that o!en show up when a good trout is hooked.

Durability is another advantage of hardplastic corks. Unlike foam designs that can crack, chip, loose its color, hard-plastic corks can handle years of abuse in a boat and continue performing like new.

At the end of the day, taking kids $shing should be fun. A durable popping cork paired with live bait or a so! plastic lure keeps things simple, productive, and exciting. e more bites kids get, the more they stay interested, and that’s how future anglers are made.

Take a kid $shing, I will!

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

GETTING SCHOOLED SCALE DOWN FOR SUMMER MAHI!

By Mark Ambert

School sized mahi are the most fun fish in the ocean — nonstop action, wild jumps, and total chaos at the boat. Schoolies can turn an average day offshore into unforgettable mayhem!

The average size for summertime mahi is 20 - 26” with the occasional 28” “net-size” fish in the mix to keep things interesting. When you scale down your gear for these juvenile dolphins the fun factor gets dialed to epic levels. Fast hits, bright colors, and doubles everywhere. And at the end of an exhausting day — a cooler full of the best tasting fish!

The new Piscifun Carbon X III series 3000 sized reel paired with the Carbon R1 rod turned out to be the perfect match for these spirited fish. But don’t let its light weight and small size fool you. With 30lb. of drag pressure the 3000 reel is a beast that means business. And the Carbon R1 rod has plenty of backbone putting pressure on bigger fish. Everyone’s first reaction when using this combo is “whoa— what a joy this is.”

With its unique combination of features like the vastly improved drag system, increased line capacity, and IPX6 waterproofing, the Carbon X reel is more than capable should you hook into one of the larger siblings that sometimes congregate around the edge of the schools. When this happens – hang on and enjoy the ride!

First find the summer weed lines that are holding bait and chances are good you will be paid a visit from school-sized mahi cruising for a meal. These juvenile fish travel in packs and are super aggressive although they can sometimes suffer from the occasional “lockjaw.” Always have a variety of live and fresh-frozen dead baits on hand to entice a strike and use chum to keep them chewing. Leave one hooked up in the water to keep the school at the boat. When sight casting smaller baits like live pilchards or sardines, match the hook size to the offering. 3/0 or 4/0 Owner SSW all-purpose bait hooks are perfect for this and scale your fluoro leader back to 30–40lb. test. If nothing happens within 45 minutes – move on.

I like to start off with a mix of live baits and squid. When a school gets fired up around the boat — the show begins! You can then target them with lures and well-placed casts on your lighter gear. This is where a lightweight combo like the Carbon X and R1 can really allow these pint-sized rockets to show their stuff. The drag system is silky smooth and well suited to the task – even if a larger fish inhales your offering. For lures I use an assortment of traditional hair or rubber skirted jigs, but my new favorite is the Squidtrek from Nomad, Glow color in the 75 size. This lure has killer action and gets eaten on almost every cast. I always change out the rear hooks for something sturdier. And if you hook into a “netter” don’t panic. The new Carbon X 3000 holds 250 yards of 20lb. braid.

On this trip catches included a mixed bag of mahi and tuna. Throw in some perfect weather and it’s one of those days you’re grateful to be out fishing with gear that maximizes the fun factor. Now go out there and let the games begin!

Mark Ambert, IG @marksgonefishing_™

Equipment Used -- Piscifun https://www.piscifun.com/

KAYAK Fishing Forecast

CAPT. BRIAN NELLI

Inshore

Snook fishing near your favorite inlet should be on your list of fish outings this month. They should continue to be in their spawn mode running the beaches and inlets. Get out early and launch at places like the south side of Jupiter Inlet. Fish the beach south and look for snook traveling in between sandbars and tarpon rolling in the surf. If you want to avoid the heat of the day, fishing dock lights and bridge shadow lines at night are a great way to catch one. Launching at Sawfish Park in Jupiter will allow you to access some good areas.

Offshore

Fishing offshore should produce plenty of bonita, kingfish, tuna, sailfish, and some wahoo in the mix. Slow trolling a live bait like a goggle eye or pilchard will be your best bet. Try trolling 80-250 feet of water looking for weed line or current breaks along reefs and ledges. Vertical jigging should still be hot. Try dropping Catch Fishing jigs in 200-300 feet of water; let it fall to the mid-water column and rip it back to the top.

Freshwater

Clown knifefish and peacock bass should be in their summer patterns. Look to find weed edges near deeper water and freeline live shiners or shad. Try to get them back into the water quick to ensure a good release in the warmer water temps.

Fishing the Palm Beaches Fishing Forecast Darcizzle

Summertime fishing is in full swing here in sunny South Florida! Prevailing southeast winds, typically light in July, and water temps in the high 80’s, will be the norm for the next couple of months. Mahi mahi will be seen in good numbers but expect their size and numbers to dwindle as the summer progresses. Your best bet to catch some delicious mahi will be to run out looking for those weedlines and other debris. July also means a lot of bonita aka false albacore, kingfish, and sharks will be plentiful in our waters. You can find sailfish, kingfish, bonita, sharks, and maybe some mahi anywhere in depths from 80’ to 300’ all along our coast. If it’s one of those typical hot and flat days, try trolling to cover more ground and excite the fish to bite. When you are bottom fishing, try using live bait to eliminate a lot of the “by-catch” aka small snappers, triggers, chubs, etc. The blackfin tuna bite has been excellent the last couple of months, especially on the kite or if you can live chum, with bigger than average fish for this area being caught regularly. Try fishing for tuna in the early morning and before sunset, as they love to feed in low-light conditions.

Please be sure to check out my YouTube Channel “Darcizzle Offshore” for fishing videos every week! www.youtube.com/DarcizzleOffshore with

Inshore and at the inlets, pilchards and sardines should be showing up more. It’s also time for the snook spawn and tarpon windows. Tarpon have been seen and landed at the Palm Beach Inlet and huge snook are being landed at the Jupiter Inlet, especially if you can get your hands on some live croakers. Snook spawn in areas where high current flow will carry their eggs during the new and full moons this time of the year through September. You will find the snook and tarpon congregating at the passes, bridges, and major sloughs with a fast-moving current. These fish like small live baits such as pilchards, shrimp, pinfish, croakers, and live crabs. Remember, snook season is closed and it’s only catch and release. Keep in mind, these fish like conserving their energy. They only eat when eating is ‘easy’- often at night or on strong tide flows. Plan your trip accordingly!

Good luck and safe travels out on the water this month and be sure to shout or say “hello” if you see me fishing…follow your dream!

SOUTH COUNTY INSHORE

& FRESHWATER

Fishing Forecast with

CAPT. PATRICK SMITH

www.swamptosea.com • 561-503-0848

July brings some of the hottest water temperatures of the year to Palm Beach County, but it also offers outstanding opportunities for anglers. The best bet is to fish early, late, or around moving water. Snook fishing should remain excellent throughout the inlets, bridges, seawalls, and beaches as fish continue their summer spawning patterns. Tarpon will still be a major attraction, especially around the inlets during tide changes and along the beaches at first light. Large jack crevalle schools can provide nonstop action around bait pods, while nearshore anglers can expect good numbers of bonito, rainbow runners, kingfish,

ECO TOURISM

with Chris Thalmann

Hey everyone, welcome to the halfway mark of 2026! We’re entering the peak of summer, when thunderstorms regularly interrupt our calm offshore waters and changeup our gentle southeastern breeze.

So far this summer, those breezes have pushed thick waves of sargassum along our coastal waters and oceanfront beaches. It’s not every beach, every day, and often a few miles can make all the difference between a clear beach and a beach overwhelmed by sargassum. But for the second year in a row, it’s gotten pretty thick out there at times.

Although commonly referred to as seaweed, sargassum is actually a free-floating marine algae. Where it moves depends entirely on tides and currents, winds, and waves. If you look at it closely, you’ll see lots of small, round air bladders that help it to float. Staying at the ocean surface is important, because sargassum needs sunlight to survive. It makes its own food via photosynthesis, so without sunlight, sargassum will eventually die and sink to the bottom.

While it lives and floats, sargassum acts as an

oasis for all sorts and sizes of marine animals, protecting them from larger predators who are looking for a tasty snack. But not all predators are huge. Some are quite small, and their prey correspondingly so.

Pick a handful of sargassum from the water and you’ll likely find some of those prey - tiny shrimp and crabs wriggling around in your hand. Baby turtles and small fish love to snack on them. And so do sargassum frogfish.

and the occasional mahi around reefs, wrecks, and floating debris. Sailfish are not a primary summer target, but anglers may still encounter a surprise sail offshore, particularly around bait concentrations and current edges. Live bait remains the key to success and keeping an eye out for diving birds can quickly lead to fast-paced action.

Freshwater fishing throughout Lake Osborne, Lake Clarke, Lake Ida, the E-4 Canal, and the Alligator Alley system remains productive despite the summer heat. While peacock bass populations are limited or absent in many of these waters, anglers can still enjoy excellent fishing for largemouth bass, clown knifefish, sunshine bass, and several species of cichlids including Mayan cichlids, blue tilapia, and spotted tilapia. Early mornings and late evenings offer the best conditions as fish seek cooler water and increased oxygen levels. Live shiners, topwater lures at dawn, and soft plastics worked along canal edges and vegetation can produce consistent action. Summer rains will continue to raise water levels throughout the region, creating new feeding opportunities and keeping both bass and exotic species active throughout July.

Good luck out there and stay hydrated!

Tiny but fierce, these frogfish top out at 6-7 inches long. They are masters of disguise, blending perfectly into the sargassum. Unless they’re moving, they’re devilishly hard to spot. They have a built-in fishing rod and lure called an illicium on the top of their heads, which allows them to stay hidden and hunt by ambush. Adding to their physical curiosities, frogfish have fins that are strong enough to allow them

to crawl through thick sargassum patches. They are excellent hunters, but like many smaller creatures, their best defense is to simply hide when they feel threatened. They can even jump out of the water and stay on top of a weed patch to avoid predators from below. And they’re able to stay on top for several minutes before needing to get back into the water to breathe. Next time you’re out on the water and see a weed line, remember there’s much more to these ocean oases than meets the eye. Hope to see you on the water, happy exploring!

PALM BEACH IN & OFFSHORE

Fishing Forecast with

CAPT. WESTON RUSSELL

Capt. Weston Russell • www.reelintensefishing.com •561-310-2690

Welcome to the Coastal Angler Magazine Palm Beach fishing forecast for July. The live bait has arrived, and the ocean should be calm. This combo will draw a lot of anglers to the water. The bite offshore of the Juno Pier will be on fire. It’s not hard to find, just head north out of the Palm Beach Inlet and run the beach until you see a giant structure stretching offshore from the beach. Now, stop! The pier holds a lot of live bait this time of year. When bait fishing, be aware of the boundary markers on the beach. Do not go within 500 feet of the pier unless you don’t care about getting a ticket or sinkers being cast onto your boat. After blacking out the well, head dead east to the drop. The drop is when your bottom machine drops from 120 to 140 fast! This spot is loaded with all kinds of pelagic fish. Smoker kings, blackfin, bonito, dolphin, and wahoo will be just some of the fish hanging around this up-welling of water. When that reel starts to sing, jump on it fast, because Jaws may be in the area. Huge bull sharks will be lurking in this spot too.

For the meat anglers, bottom fishing will be on fire in July. Mutton, yellowtail, vermillion, and mangrove snapper will be the fish of choice. Using a chicken rig will pull up a lot of tails, but if you are looking for that mutton try using a sliding sinker rig with a small hook and a long leader. This should trick even the shyest fish to the bait.

INLET INSHORE

Fishing Forecast

CAPT. CRAIG KORCZYNSKI

Happy July 4th! The Palm Beaches and Jupiter will be offering a plethora of species for anglers to target. Snook, tarpon, sharks, and jacks will all provide explosive action. Snook anglers can target beaches, inlets, and the ICW. The snook will school up in local inlets, along deep channels, and beach fronts. Live bait schools are now prevalent just about everywhere you look. Greenies are the bait of choice for snook, but pinfish and mullet will get the bite as well. D.O.A. lures work great for snook along the beaches, but nothing beats a D.O.A. C.A.L. 3” Shad Tail in bayou tiger or pearl color. Rapala Twitchin’ Mullet baits are also a great choice while fishing the beaches or drop-offs where snook are lurking. The average size of the snook ranges from 5 to 30 pounds. Silver king action will be explosive. The tarpon can be found lurking along the beaches and near deep channels. Tarpon school up, where early morning risers get the best bite. Tarpon on the beach range from 50 to 130 pounds. The silver kings gathering in the inlet and ICW are willing to devour any greenie in their path, but don’t shy away from artificial baits.

Having a slow day offshore, try the inlet for some hard fighting fish.

Hot mornings and rainy afternoons should be the weather pattern for this time of the year, so anglers should get an early start to the day. Please be aware of the weather. If you see dark clouds to the west, pack it up and give yourself plenty of time to get back to the dock.

Just a reminder if you don’t want to bother catching live bait, give your local bait guy a call on channel 68. Also, remember to switch your VHF back to channel 19 so you can keep an ear out for the hot bite. That’s all I have for you right now but remember you can’t catch them from the couch!

D.O.A. Bait Busters and D.O.A. TerrorEyz in root beer or pearl provoke drag screaming action.

The ICW will offer great fishing for big jacks, sharks, bluefish, and even some big tripletail. Docks, seawalls, and mangrove shorelines are great areas to locate fish. Look for bait fish in the area as a tell-tale sign that predator fish are nearby. Live baits and Rapala Skitter Walks or D.O.A. TerrorEyz will get your drag screaming.

Well, that is the July fishing report, hope you all enjoyed. Remember, you can’t catch them from the couch, so get out there and get hooked up. Tight lines!

LIVING ON ISLAND TIME

•

•

•Air-conditioned

•Low

South Florida fishing is absolutely on fire, and the action is only getting better as we move deeper into the summer season. The drift fishing has been red hot lately, with the annual snapper spawn kicking into high gear. Anglers have been enjoying excellent catches and steady action from a variety of snapper species. Mutton snapper have been showing up in impressive numbers, along with plenty of mangrove snapper, lane snapper, and yellowtail snapper. The reefs and wrecks are loaded with fish, making for exciting days on the water and full coolers for those looking to bring home some fresh seafood.

even more excitement with their blistering runs and incredible speed.

The variety of species available right now means there is something for every angler, whether you’re looking to fill the fish box, battle a trophy fish, or simply enjoy a day on the beautiful South Florida waters. Summer fishing is one of the best times of the year, offering calm seas, warm weather, and nonstop opportunities from the reef to the deep blue offshore grounds.

The fishing is fantastic, the bite is strong, and now is the perfect time to get out on the water. Let’s go fishing!

The offshore sportfishing scene has been just as exciting. Big blackfin tuna continue to provide hard-fighting action, while mahi mahi have been showing up in good numbers along weed lines and offshore current edges. Anglers targeting larger game have also been finding success with powerful sharks, including several trophy-sized catches. Amberjacks have been crushing baits around wrecks and structure, and wahoo have added

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IT’S BAY SCALLOP SEASON!

You’d be hard pressed to !nd better Florida family fun than kicking around in the shallows to pick up scallops. Bay scallop seasons open across most of Florida’s west coast this month, so grab your mask, !ns, snorkel and

Daily Bag Limits:

Gulf through NW Taylor County and L evy through Pasco County:

• Per person: 2 gallons of whole bay scallops in shell or 1 pint of meat

• Per vessel: Maximum of 10 gallons of whole bay scallops in shell or 1/2 gallon bay scallop meat (1/2 gallon = 4 pints)

Fenholloway through Suwannee River Zone:

June 15-30:

• Per person: 1 gallon whole bay scallops in shell or one cup shucked

• Per vessel: 5 gallons whole or 2 pints meat

July 1-Labor Day

• Per person: 2 gallons of whole bay scallops in shell or 1 pint of bay scallop meat

• Per vessel: Maximum of 10 gallons of whole bay scallops in shell, or 1/2 gallon meat

NOTE: Vessel limits do not allow an individual to exceed their personal bag limit.

Minimum Size Limit: None

Legal Gear: Harvest permitted only by hand or by using a landing or dip net

Commercial harvest of Florida bay scallops is prohibited. Recreational harvesters need a Florida saltwater !shing license to harvest bay scallops

unless they are: 1) Exempt from needing a license, or; 2) Have a no-cost shoreline !shing license and are wading from shore to collect scallops (i.e. feet do not leave bottom to swim, snorkel, or SCUBA and harvesters do not use a vessel to reach or return from the harvest location).

Direct transit of legally-harvested bay scallops is allowed through closed areas.

HOW TO SCALLOP:

If you’ve never been scalloping before, don’t worry about learning how. Did you have to learn how to Easter egg hunt? Just get your gear on, jump in the water and look down. You’ll see them. eir light-colored shells stick out against the seagrass. Just grab them with your hand—they don’t bite—and put them in your mesh bag. Keep harvesting until your bag is full (usually a couple of fun hours) then when home, open the shell, take out the scallop, prepare and enjoy the fruits of your fun!

Call: 352-447-1950

CCA Florida STAR Transforms Into Youth-Only Competition

CCA Florida has announced that going forward into the 12th year of competition, the STAR Tournament presented by Yamaha has transformed into a youth competition designed exclusively for anglers ages 6-17. e summer-long event o#ers scholarships, boats, prizes, community service opportunities and a chance to learn valuable conservation practices while enjoying Florida’s saltwater !sheries.

e 2026 competition, open now through Labor Day on September 7, is the largest youth saltwater !shing tournament in Florida. Open to anglers of all skill levels, participants can !sh from shore, docks, seawalls or boats anywhere in the state’s saltwater waters.

Since its launch in 2015, the STAR competition has awarded more than $4 million in prizes, including trucks, boats, motors, trailers, electronics and !shing tackle. More than $1.1 million of that total has been awarded in youth scholarships. For 2026, the youth competition alone will o#er more than $150,000 in prizes and scholarships.

Conservation remains a cornerstone of the STAR program. e competition utilizes a technology-based Catch-Photo-Release (CPR) format that encourages proper !sh handling and conservation-minded angling. Registered CCA members can submit photos of their catches alongside the o$cial STAR identi!er before safely releasing the !sh back into the water. is format allows anglers to compete regardless of !sh size while promoting stewardship of Florida’s marine resources.

e 2026 event will once again award $100,000 in college scholarships through support from the Guy Harvey Foundation, Realtree Fishing, Academy Sports + Outdoors and other partners. Young anglers ages 13-17 can also participate in the Teen Challenge, competing for boat packages from Yamaha, Carolina Ski#, Custom Gheenoe, Minn Kota and Power-Pole. e “Most Fish” division, presented by T-H Marine, will award one youth angler (ages 6-17) a Native Watercra Slayer Max Propel 12.5 kayak.

In addition to !shing categories, STAR o#ers a conservation-focused Trash Division that rewards participants for helping keep Florida’s waterways clean. Anglers can earn both prizes and community service hours through their e#orts.

All saltwater species are eligible for entry, and most winners are selected through random drawings, giving every participant a chance to win regardless of experience or catch size. e competition’s format helps level the playing !eld and encourages more young anglers to get involved.

For a complete list of STAR identi!er distribution locations, competition rules and registration information, visit cca star.com or follow the CCA Florida STAR Facebook page.

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a

–– George Thomas, Noted watchmaker & historian

Greenlight to A Deep Dive Without Going in the Red

Every year in Basel, Switzerland, the world’s best-known luxury watchmakers gather to display their new timepieces. It’s a great event for spotting timepieces that standout–– in performance and in personality. We saw one impossible to ignore: a precision dive watch with an arresting green dial. But we also saw the five-figure price tag and knew we could bring our customers that exact same precision and stand out appeal for a whole lot less. The Stauer Evergreen Diver is that timepiece.

Built like a submersible battleship with a stainless steel case, caseback, and band, the Evergreen Diver is water-resistant down to 660 feet or 20 atmospheres, a feat facilitated by a hardened crystal and screw-down crown.

Green On Your Wrist AND In Your Pocket. You could pay an awful lot elsewhere for this verdant virtuoso, but the majority of the cost is in the big designer name upcharge. We think those guys are all wet. This is how you own a top-of-the-line dive watch without helping pay for some marketing guy’s yacht.

Satisfaction Guaranteed or Your Money Back. Wear the Evergreen Diver for 30 days. If you’re not completely happy, send it back for a full refund of the item price.

Limited Reserve. A watch of this caliber, with a price that won’t drag you under, takes 6 months to create and won’t stick around for long. Call today!

WHERE THE COASTAL & OUTDOOR INDUSTRY COMES TOGETHER

This September, Surf Expo brings the industry back together as the go-to marketplace for coastal, outdoor, and lifestyle retail.

Back at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando from Wednesday through Friday, September 16–18, 2026, the show keeps its 50th anniversary celebration going with three days of product discovery, networking, and real business opportunities. is year, the September show moves to a Wednesday–Friday schedule, giving retailers a more e$cient buying experience. With the Labor Day rush behind them, buyers can focus on what matters: discovering new products, meeting brands, and building assortments for the seasons ahead.

For Retailers: Your Ultimate Sourcing Destination

e shi smart buyers already understand is that consumers don’t shop by category—they shop by how they live. A !shing trip, a beach day, a weekend camping escape, or everyday coastal living all re&ect the same mindset: products need to work together across moments. Surf Expo brings these connected lifestyle categories together in one place, helping you build assortments the way your customers buy.

ousands of quali!ed retail buyers from across the U.S. and beyond attend Surf Expo to source new products, connect with established and emerging brands, and gain insight into the trends shaping the next season. From major volume buyers to independent shop owners, this is the marketplace where retailers discover what will drive sales in the months ahead. From Shoreline Outdoor, Surf and Swim to Resort & Souvenir, Coastal Gi & Decor, and Boutique, Surf Expo spans the full spectrum of coastal and lifestyle retail. Instead of fragmented buying, you’ll discover complementary products side by side—making it easier to cross-merchandise, identify assortment gaps, and build more cohesive, pro!table o#erings.

For Coastal Angler readers, Shoreline Outdoor is where it all comes together. Sitting at the intersection of coastal and outdoor living, this category covers everything your store needs across boating, !shing, paddling, hiking, and camping—products designed to move seamlessly from land to water.

e natural overlap with surf, swim, and coastal lifestyle categories creates opportunities to expand your assortment without losing focus on your core angling customers.

For Brands: This Is Where Growth Happens

If your brand lives in the !shing, boating, outdoor, or coastal lifestyle space, Surf Expo puts you face-to-face with the buyers who matter most. e show &oor is intentionally designed to spark partnerships, connecting you with a focused, quali!ed audience of retailers actively sourcing for the seasons ahead. is crossover audience is your advantage. Buyers walking the Shoreline Outdoor aisles also stock surf, resort, swim, and gi —meaning retailers discover your products you might never reach through traditional channels. For !ve decades, Surf Expo has helped brands break into new markets, both domestically and internationally. If you’re ready to grow, this is the marketplace where it happens.

More Than a Marketplace

Surf Expo is where the industry builds relationships, does business, and discovers what’s next. For 50 years, it has remained a central hub for coastal, outdoor, and lifestyle retail—evolving alongside the way consumers actually shop.

Quali!ed retail buyers register for free before 9/1 at surfexpo.com.

SHARK GUARD BY FISHTEK MARINE SPORT

You’ve seen it happen. A wahoo stripped clean o# the rigger. A quality red!sh reduced to a head and a hook boatside. It’s one of !shing’s most heartbreaking moments—and for too long, anglers have just shrugged and called it part of the game.

SharkGuard is a game changer!

Born in the commercial longline industry—where captains run razor-thin margins and won’t spend a dollar on anything that doesn’t deliver—SharkGuard uses proven electric pulse technology to deter sharks from targeting hooked !sh. When hardened commercial !shermen adopt a product, recreational anglers should take notice.

What makes SharkGuard di#erent is its versatility. Run it inline or slide it down to the !sh mid-!ght using a traveller rig. at kind of real-time adaptability is rare in any tackle category, and it won’t deter your target species either.

e results back it up. Controlled trials in Australia and Florida show dramatic reductions in shark depredation. Whilst Stateside, Captain Nikolas Kunsis tested SharkGuard in what he calls “the shark bite capital of the world” and landed multiple quality snook and red!sh with zero shark follows or damage.

Wherever you !sh, if you’re paying too much tax, SharkGuard belongs in your kit. Start landing !sh again.

Coastal Angler readers can grab SharkGuard on Amazon at an exclusive discount — now just $199 USD (down from $275)—using code COASTAL199 at checkout.

WEDNESDAY

SUMMER TARPON FISHING WITH ARTIFICIALS

CAPT. MIKE SMITH

Are you having trouble catching tarpon this summer? It ain’t easy but you can get them to eat your arti!cial lures if you present them the correct way. Yes, size and pro!le are important too, but the retrieve is the key to catching more tarpon.

e !rst thing that you have to master is the tarpon retrieve. Tarpon are a no-frills species of game !sh as it relates to your lure presentation. ey typically do not like lures with a lot of action. ere are days when they will hit anything that you put in front of them, but those days are few and far between.

A great summertime lure for tarpon is a 5.5 inch jerk bait with a nice long twist-lock hook nicely centered so it tracks perfectly straight and doesn’t wobble on the retrieve. Cast it out a few feet in front of a gulping tarpon and reel it slowly back.

Another great lure for this situation is your favorite 3-inch arti!cial shrimp—as long as it falls slowly through the water column and stays horizontal as it sinks. Present this lure to gulping tarpon by casting a few feet in front of them and let it fall to the bottom. at’s it. Don’t twitch it or move it at all, just let it fall. If they are hungry, they will eat it as it falls. Natural looking shrimp with gold glitter is a good choice.

is no-action tarpon retrieve idea works for &y !shermen too. Present your purple and black tarpon toads or deceivers in front of the tarpon and work it back as slow and steady as you are able.

One of this captain’s favorite tarpon lures is the D.O.A. shallow running Bait Buster. is lure is a mullet imitation that tracks perfectly straight and has very little tail action. Purple works great in low light scenarios and a more natural look works better when it’s sunny and clear. You know the drill. Just cast it in front of the tarpon and reel it back slowly without twitching.

When it gets super hot and the tarpon move to deep water, another D.O.A. lure that works great is the 3/8-oz. regular TerrorEyz. You typically won’t see the tarpon but they are probably facing into the current so cast upcurrent and slowly reel back, keeping the lure near the bottom. is is very e#ective around bridge pilings and deep docks. You will also pick up a lot of really big snook this way too.

Tarpon are about the best inshore game !sh that you can catch. ey are ranked #2 as the best sport !sh on the planet behind the blue marlin. Hopefully this article will help you catch more.

Go get ‘em.

Capt. Mike Smith, owner of Fish Your Ass O Charters, is an inshore !shing guide who has been !shing the waters, oyster bars and grass ats of Florida for more than 40 years. Reach him at (561) 339-2317, email: contact@!shyourasso .com or visit !shyourasso .com.

TRAVELING SIX TEAM REELS

$39,800 AT 12TH ANNUAL SKIPPERS DOLPHIN TOURNAMENT

Skippers Dockside Restaurant hosted the 12th Annual Skippers Dolphin Tournament May 29-31with 53 teams made up of 195 anglers competing for over $96,000 in cash. Anglers were allowed to weigh two !sh on Day 1 and two on Day 2, but it would be the combined weight of three !sh that would determine the winners.

Team Traveling Six—consisting of I’m Bit Charters Capt. Angel Ramon; Boots Brinn and Carlos Eason of Chesapeake, VA; Shane Darnell of Yorkville, IL; and Carl Perry of Chocowinity, NC—got to the winner’s circle weighing in 78.6 pounds of dolphin. e combined weight of their largest three !sh, a 10.9 pounder plus a 16.1 and 51.6 would win $31,840! e 51.6-pound dolphin caught by Shane Darnell also won the team $7,988 for the Largest Fish Award.

Second Place team, $e Reel Deal captained by Alex Sal Debogory, caught a combined weight of 45.4 pounds to win $17,630. e team of Marina and James Daniel, Luis Jimenez, Richard Williams and Pat Delvechio weighed in !sh at 20.6, 16.5 and 8.3 pounds. Richard caught the 16.5-pound dolphin to win the Largest Fish Senior Angler winning $1,000.

ird Place team was Conetagious 1 run by Captain Brian Cone with anglers Travis Bennett, Reef Bennett, Andy Cone, Eli Lankford and Kelly Matcena, who caught a total of 42.1 pounds winning $8,420.

Lucy Lima of Ringwood, IL won $2,000 for Largest Fish Lady Angler with the 13.5 pounds aboard Team Fibs. Second Largest Fish Lady Angler prize of $1,000 was won by Abby Crouthers of Wildwood, MO with 12.1 pound dolphin !shing aboard Natural II.

Junior anglers competed for top three places, with Reef Bennett of Tavernier, FL taking !rst place with his 14.6 pound !sh winning $500. Second would go to Lucy Lima of Ringwood, IL winning $250 with a 13.5 pounder, and Andy Cone won $100 with a 8.6 pound dolphin. e largest other species !sh winners each took home King Sail!sh Trophies and $750 each including Prime Time angler Je# Schmidinger from Jacksonville, FL with a 19.9 pound king!sh; Mi Cura angler Vito Penza of Naples, FL caught a 16.4 pound wahoo; and Just Cuz’s angler Joseph ompson of Chicago, IL landed a 20.1 pound tuna.

Skippers Dockside Restaurant highlighted their fabulous seafood for the kick-o# party, which was sponsored by Gus Toy Box. e awards party sponsored by Li Mate, was done up right with slow cooked smoked prime rib, wahoo, pulled pork, mac and cheese, rice and beans, and caesar salad, all followed by desserts.

Don’t miss next years tournament !shing on June 5-6, 2027! For information visit SkippersTournaments.com

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TIPS FROM A PRO

BIGGER BAITS FOR BIG SUMMER BASS

ATYLER WOOLCOTT

s the summer season settles in and water temperatures rise, many anglers automatically downsize their presentations in hopes of getting more bites. While smaller baits can certainly catch !sh, summer can also be one of the best times of year to target trophy bass with larger-pro!le lures. Big bass still need to feed, and they o en prefer a larger meal that provides more energy with less e ort.

One of the biggest reasons larger baits excel during the summer months is the abundance of bigger forage. Bluegill, shad and other bait!sh have had months to grow, giving bass access to larger prey. Matching the size of the available forage can o en help anglers attract the attention of the biggest !sh in the area.

Large worms, oversized swimbaits, big jigs, and magnumsized topwater baits are all excellent options for targeting quality !sh. While these presentations may not generate the same number of bites as smaller o erings, they o en appeal to more mature bass that are willing to commit to a larger meal. Many anglers are surprised by how o en a giant bass will choose the biggest bait in the boat.

Con!dence is key when !shing larger baits. $ere may be longer periods between bites, but anglers should remember that the goal is quality rather than quantity. Staying committed to a bigger presentation can be di cult, especially when other anglers are catching smaller !sh, but patience is o en rewarded with the !sh of a lifetime.

If you’re looking to improve your chances of catching a trophy bass this summer, don’t be afraid to upsize your o erings. Bigger baits won’t guarantee a giant on every trip, but they can help put the odds in your favor. Sometimes one bite is all it takes, and that bite o en comes from the biggest !sh in the lake.

Capt. Tyler Woolcott 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.

RECORD-BREAKING

919.9-LB. BLUE MARLIN WINS OVER $6.5 MILLION IN BIG ROCK TOURNEY

History was made, big checks were paid, and an insane at-the-buzzer leaderboard shakeup took place at the 68th Annual Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament, held June 5–14, 2026 in Morehead City, North Carolina.

Marlin Fever brought the heat to Big Rock Landing on Day 2, bringing a tournament recordbreaking 919.9 lb. blue marlin to the scales, securing the Level V Fabulous Fisherman’s Prize worth $871,250 as the !rst blue marlin of at least 500 pounds weighed in. Eighteen-year-old Connor Daniel served as the designated angler and fought the !sh for roughly two hours. ($e crew later reported the marlin had recently eaten two sail!sh!)

Captained by Cameron Guthrie, the 63’ Jarrett Bay out of Wilson, NC, held the top spot on the leaderboard through Saturday’s !nal weigh-ins, delivering Marlin Fever the championship—and a staggering $6,513,188 payday.

And while Marlin Fever’s historic catch swept

all the blue marlin categories, it was the nail-biting weigh-in that came just before 10 p.m. on the last day of the tournament that topped o a dramatic week and sent spectators on the dock into a frenzy.

A er a grueling 6.5-hour !ght, Haphazard, a 60’ Spencer out of Manteo, NC captained by Joey Belton, delivered a true buzzer-beater. $e team arrived at Big Rock Landing just in time to weigh in one last blue marlin. It was 635.6 pounds—enough to catapult them into third place for heaviest blue marlin, knocking Free Ranger’s 597.4-pounder o the podium at the last minute. What an ending!

Fender Bender !nished in second with its 644.1-pound blue marlin weighed on Day 3, worth $467,962.50. Haphazard’s catch earned the team a $311,975 payday.

In the release division, Double G captured the title with 1,850 points a er releasing four blue and two white marlin, earning $168,937.50.

Doc Fees claimed the dolphin title and $584,500 with a 66.10-pound mahi; Magic Moment

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won the wahoo division with a 53.4-pound catch; and Watertight won the tuna division with a 70.8-pounder.

A total of 278 boats !shed for a piece of the tournament’s record $9,038,225 purse.

For o cial results, payouts, and future dates, visit tournament.thebigrock.com and check them on facebook @bigrocktournament for all the tournament highlights.

July Can Be Hot!

TIM BAREFOOT

The surface water temperature will continue to climb in July, but the water temperature on the bottom will regulate itself to where it needs to be. $is is time of year to catch all the tropicals, starting now until early fall. Of course, the grouper and snapper bite will be o the chain, but this is when you will see all the snapper and grouper show up way north of Florida (as seen in photo). $ey will be available outside of their usual haunts and, of course, an occasional lobster. $is is truly the time of year to catch a giant grouper as well. I cannot emphasize this enough, but this is the time of year to spend an hour or more if necessary to Sabiki live cigar minnows and sardines for the ultimate bites on the bottom, not to mention the light line. Don’t be surprised to catch a giant wahoo on a 5-inch live cigar or sardine…elephants eat peanuts.

I would strongly suggest not playing loud music, not stomping around the deck, nor slamming cooler lids because the sail!sh and dolphin will swim up to the boat and check you out. $is is when you need to have a pitch rod ready. It’s never a bad idea to have a large squid on a pitch rod. Nothing in the ocean can refuse a well presented squid on the light line or pitch bait. It’s also not a bad idea to keep a frozen squid 50 to 75 feet deep using a small amount of weight (depending on the current).

kite for the ultimate presentation. If you have the correct weather pattern, I would strongly suggest spending the night o shore and using lights to attract the bait !sh. When you have a livewell chock full of live cigar and sardines and squid for the daylight bite, your success rate dramatically increases. Live squid or a live sardine on the bottom on a decoy jig has a life expectancy of !ve seconds or less. Don’t ask them to bite, demand the bite. Ask and you shall receive, my brothers and sisters. I’m not into all the “!shing,” per se; I’m into the catching...and there is a huge di erence. If you have the correct bait and make the correct presentation, you will get the bite!

Yes, we always carry a couple boxes of frozen cigar minnows and a box of frozen squid, but we always look for live bait, and we will spend some time on a school of bait using the Sabiki.

When the current is not running hard, a 1/4 or 3/8 oz. will get it down to the perfect depth. If the current is running a little bit, a 1/2 to 3/4 oz. might be needed. I would also suggest a live bait under a oat or under the

NOAA RAISES LIMITS ON ATLANTIC BLUEFIN TUNA

NOAA Fisheries recently adjusted the Atlantic blue!n tuna daily retention limits for recreational !shermen. $e adjusted limits took e ect June 1, 2026, and will extend through December 31, 2026, unless NOAA takes additional action later in the year to further adjust the retention limits or close the !shery.

As of June 1, 2026, the retention limits will be:

Highly Migratory Species

Vessel/Permit Type

Private vessels with Highly Migratory Species

Angling permits

Charter boats with Highly Migratory Species

Charter/Headboat permits, when fishing recreationally

Headboats with Highly Migratory Species

Charter/Headboat permits, when fishing recreationally

Limit per Vessel per Day/Trip (lengths in curved fork length)

2 bluefin tuna measuring 27 to <73”, of which only 1 may be a large school/small medium bluefin tuna (47 to <73”)

3 bluefin tuna measuring 27 to <73”, of which only 1 may be a large school/small medium bluefin tuna (47 to <73”)

6 bluefin tuna measuring 27 to <73”, of which only 1 may be a large school/small medium bluefin tuna (47 to <73”)

Note: $e retention limits are per vessel, per day/trip—not per angler. Regardless of the duration of a !shing trip, no more than a single day’s retention limit may be possessed or retained at the end of the trip upon landing. For example, whether a private vessel (!shing under the Angling category retention limit) takes a two-day trip or makes two trips in one day, the day/trip retention limit of 2 blue!n tuna, of which only 1 may be a large school/small medium, applies and may not be exceeded upon landing.

$e !sh are just like us. We prefer to eat breakfast, maybe lunch, and a good dinner. Be there for the daylight bite or the late a ernoon bite. Put some beautiful live bait on the bottom and expect immediate bites on the decoy jig.

One of the most important pieces of advice for !shing in July is to ensure your children are prepared for the weather. A ernoon thunderstorms are common during this month, so it’s essential to dress them appropriately and be ready for sudden squalls. $is preparation is a fundamental part of the !shing experience.

Beyond safety, take the opportunity to teach your children the proper way to care for and release !sh. $ese practices instill a sense of respect for nature and promote responsible !shing. $e lessons learned during these outings will stay with them for a lifetime, making each !shing trip both enjoyable and educational.

Learn more tips and techniques at barefootcatsandtackle.com.

Who is a ected?

$e changes apply to Highly Migratory Species Angling and Highly Migratory Species Charter/Headboat permitted vessels when !shing recreationally. $e daily retention limits are e ective for all areas except for the Gulf of America, where NOAA Fisheries does not allow targeted !shing for blue!n tuna.

Catch reporting

Highly Migratory Species Angling and Highly Migratory Species

Charter/Headboat permitted vessel owners are required to report the catch of all blue!n tuna retained or discarded dead within 24 hours of landing or the end of trip by:

• Accessing the Highly Migratory Species Permit Shop

• Using the Highly Migratory Species Catch Reporting app

• Calling 888-872-8862 (Monday through Friday 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.)

Keep up with all federal shing rules and regulations by visiting https://www. sheries.noaa.gov.

From Campfire to Summit

A premium Damascus blade — at a price that cuts deep

For centuries, Damascus steel has been prized for its strength, beauty and legendary performance. Its distinctive flowing patterns have made it one of the world’s most sought-after blade materials. The problem? Genuine Damascus knives often come with premium price tags. That’s why we created the Stauer Damascus Explorer Knife. Built for adventurers, outdoorsmen and collectors alike, this handsome knife combines rugged utility with timeless craftsmanship. Whether you’re preparing kindling, tackling camp chores or simply admiring its artistry, it’s a blade you’ll be proud to own.

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The first thing you’ll notice is the striking Damascus steel blade. Its signature rippled pattern isn’t just beautiful — it’s the mark of a centuries-old forging tradition. At a full 8 inches long, the blade offers impressive cutting power while maintaining excellent balance and control.

The rich rosewood handle provides a comfortable, secure grip, while the included sheath keeps your knife protected and ready for action. Every detail reflects the kind of quality typically found in knives costing far more.

Thanks to Stauer’s direct-to-you model, we’re able to offer this premium Damascus blade at an exceptional value. But supplies are limited, and once this shipment is gone, we can’t promise another opportunity at this price.

If you’ve been looking for a knife that blends performance, craftsmanship and value, now is the time to act. Damascus Explorer Knife PLUS FREE Binoculars $349* Offer Code Price Only $99 + S&P Save $250 1-800-333-2045

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• Damascus steel blade

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43,000 acres of legendary fishing from trophy bass, to world class sauger. A true Bill Dance Signature Lake.