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WRANGLING
THE REEF DONKEY
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PHOTO COURTESY OF CHELSEA MANN FB: @CHELS.ANA.4321 / IG: @CHELS_CHELS28 VOLUME 31 • ISSUE 377
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4 NATIONAL
AUGUST 2026
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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.
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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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cleaning, high quality catch photos, and the opportunity to create lasting memories. Beyond fishing charters, Reel Marty Goldys Harmony also offers Reel Harmony Fishing Charters eco tours and scenic f you’re looking for a five-star, family sunset cruises, giving friendly inshore fishing experience, guests the chance to Captain Marty Goldys of Reel Harmony experience Florida’s Fishing Charters delivers. Originally incredible wildlife from the Chesapeake Bay, Marty turned his and breathtaking lifelong passion for fishing into a career after waterways. Whether relocating to Daytona Beach in 2003. Today, he you’re chasing your guides anglers through the productive waters next trophy fish or of Ponce Inlet, Spruce Creek, and the Halifax simply enjoying a River, targeting redfish, snook, tarpon, trout, relaxing day on the flounder, sheepshead, cobia, tripletail, and water with family many other inshore and nearshore species. and friends, Captain Known for his patience, professionalism, and Marty is dedicated hands-on approach, Captain Marty welcomes to providing an anglers of every skill level, from first-time unforgettable families to seasoned fishermen. Aboard his experience. fully equipped Pathfinder 2200V, guests enjoy top quality equipment, expert instruction, Reel Harmony Fishing Charters welcomes modern electronics, and a safe, organized anglers of all ages and skill levels, the goal is fishing experience designed to maximize simple: catch fish, make memories, and success on the water. Every trip includes fish have fun!
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Captain’s Directory
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Volusia County’s Premier Fishing Captains
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386-405-7786
386-679-0317
Beast Coast Fishing Charters beastcoastfishingcharters.com Inshore/Offshore
Reel Harmony Fishing Charters reelharmonyfishing.com Inshore/Nearshore
Target Species: Redfish, Snook, Tarpon, Sheepshead, Snapper, Grouper, Sharks, Cobia, Grouper, Pompano, Mahi, Triggerfish, Tuna, Wahoo, Sailfish
Target Species: Tarpon, Snook, Redfish, Trout, Flounder, Sheepshead, Cobia, Tripletail & Shark
Captain Sean Smith 386-318-1036 SRC Adventures srcadventures.com Nearshore/Offshore
Target Species: Wahoo, Mahi, Tuna, Cobia, Sailfish, Kingfish, Tuna, Amberjack, Pompano, Snapper, Grouper, Triggerfish
CAPTAIN KEVIN MORAN 224-501-2802 strippinlipscharters.com Target species: Cobia, Kingfish, Mahi, Snapper, Grouper, Amberjack, Triggerfish
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SOL FISHING www.solfishing.com Inshore, Nearshore, Offshore Target Species: Redfish, Snook, Trout, Cobia, Tarpon, Snapper, Triggerfish, Mahi, Kingfish, & Wahoo.
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CA P TA I N TIM R U S S E L L 386-846-1675 Captain Daddy’s Fishing Charters captaindaddysfishing.com Inshore/Offshore Target Species: Redfish, Flounder, Snook, Tarpon, Cobia, Grouper, Wahoo, Snapper, Seabass, Kingfish, Mahi, Sailfish
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CAPTAIN DANIEL LEVESQUE
386-295-4581
Rare Breed Charters www.rarebreedcharters.com Offshore/ Nearshore Target Species: Grouper, Red Snapper, Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, Tuna, African Pompano, Alligator, Deer, Hog, Elk, & Wild Turkey
AUGUST 2026
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5
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A
the mu August mid-Se Florida during Everyo Snook, this ver during even liv will tel and foc to go. W be effec mullet school hooks to ensu targete
AUGUST FISHING REPORT FISHING THE MULLET RUN
A
s a charter captain and avid angler, I’ve found the most exciting time to hit the water to target my favorite saltwater species is during the mullet run. While the mullet run typically takes place from the end of August through November, the absolute peak hits mid-September through October here in central Florida. There’s no question why this happens during my busy season for booking fishing charters. Everyone wants to catch their Personal Best (PB) Snook, Redfish, Tarpon, Jacks and/or shark during this very active season. The best way to target fish during Florida’s mullet run is by using lures and even live bait that imitate mullet. Any avid angler will tell you that fishing the edges of mullet schools, and focusing on areas thick with baitfish is the way to go. While using swimbaits and topwater lures can be effective, there’s nothing like catching some live mullet with my cast net then tossing them into a huge school of busting bait. Be certain you’re using circle hooks when using live mullet as bait. This will help to ensure an easier, faster, and safer hook-up on your targeted species. Pay attention to areas like inlets,
jetties, bridge fenders, and piers, and be ready to cast directly into the mullet schools you discover. Below are some of my favorite techniques when targeting fish during the mullet run: Use a cast net or snag rig to catch live mullet. Consider using lead weights and circle hooks to control the depth of your live mullet bait. Let the bait sit on the bottom and flutter to attract attention from ambush predators. Hook the mullet under the anal fin to allow it to swim
easier to locate prime fishing spots. Chumming with cut mullet can help attract fish to your location. Sunrise and just before sunset can be prime time for mullet run action. Be prepared to adjust your fishing techniques based on the conditions and the behavior of nearby mullet schools. If mullet schools disappear, don’t be afraid to quickly relocate. If you and your party are looking for an actionpacked fishing adventure, look no further than Reel Harmony Fishing Charters as I’ll guarantee you catch some of your biggest and best fish during the peak of the mullet run. Fishing Central Florida during the mullet run for the last twenty years has got me more addicted to fishing than ever before. Let me share my passion for catching trophy fish with you! Call for mullet run charter availability before slots fill up.
naturally away from the casting angler. Hook the mullet through its nostrils to allow it to easily swim in current toward the casting angler. Focus on casting near the edges of the mullet schools, where predatory fish are often found. Use lures that can cover the entire water column, from top to bottom. Look for areas CAPTAIN like inlets, jetties, piers, bridge fenders, and structures MARTY GOLDYS where mullet congregate and fish are ‘Blowing Up’ on REEL HARMONY the surface. Tide changes can help to concentrate fish FISHING CHARTERS and create feeding opportunities, so consider the tides 386-679-0317 you decide to fish.Drones can be used as a valuable www.ReelHarmonyFishing.com tool to seek out large schools of mullet, making it COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
AUGUST 2026
VOLUSIA COUNTY
7
Fishing charters
Daytonas Favorite oFFshore & inshore Fishing experience
Boats availaBle 17ft Flats skiff ( Back country) 25ft Bay Boat (Inshore & Nearshore) 30 ft center console (Offshore)
TODAY’S CATCH INshOre:
snook, redfish, tarpon, trout, Flounder
OFFshOre:
snapper, Grouper, trigger fish, Mahi, Wahoo
call today for rates and availability. capt Jamie thrappas — 386-366-3424 www.yellowdawgfishing.com @yellow_dawg_fishing
8 VOLUSIA COUNTY
AUGUST 2026
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Yellow Dawg Fishing
S
PONCE INLET & BACKWATERS FORECAST
S
Summer is at its hottest come August, it’s another one of those months that I like to get out there early. The weeks with a high tide right at sunrise or shortly there after are by far the best. You can take advantage of the high tide switch to outgoing, this is by far the most productive tide in my opinion. Red fish and snook seem to prefer this tide swing, however some will also feed on the low to incoming switch, just the bite doesn’t seem to last as long. Croakers, pin fish, shrimp, and live mullet will certainly get you a bite. I tend to do better on snook, by freelining
the bait or with a pinch weight. Whereas the redfish will typically eat on the bottom so I’ll use a 3oz weight with a Carolina rig setup for them. I almost always have a pin or a mullet free lined this time of year
as it’s not uncommon to get a nice tarpon hook up while you’re focusing on the reds and snook. When I get to mid tide I like to switch gears and target mangroves and flounder for the cooler. The mangroves will typically be around structures like the jetties, docks, or even the Site 2 close reefs off the
beach like sunflower pier and Flagler ave in NSB . While shrimp work my favorite bait for big mangroves and for flounder is by far medium and small mud minnows. Be careful not to venture too far in August, especially late in the afternoon with the thunderstorms, they will absolutely sneak up on you. If you see us out there say hello and if you’d like to fish with us give me a shout! CAPT. JAMIE THRAPPAS
Yellow Dawg Fishing www.yellowdawgfishing.com (386) 366-3424
No Job too big or too small Residential and Commercial Services including: - Land Clearing and Site Development - Asphalt paving ,milling services, and material by the load. - Concrete - foundations , slabs, driveways, and commercial services - Demolition & Site Cleanup - Fill and Compaction - Bobcat & Excavator services including pond digging
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9
for 5-10 minutes they had color and saw a 43 inch and 35-pound cobia at the end of the line! Capt. Evan landed the cobia in the boat and both boys were ecstatic jumping up and down yelling, “WE GOT aptain & The Kids strives to always A COBIA!” It is moments and memories like this that makes promote youth anglers both at the local level as well as nationally Captain & The Kids so special. The Youth Angler Program through our “Youth Angler Program.” If is made possible by all it was not for passing down techniques, our retailers who stock traditions, and the love for the water, it Sol Fishing’s gear such would slowly fade away. It is our mission as our Hats, Decals, and to always instill conservation and ethical Performance shirts and many fishing to our youth! more products. Stop by New Capt. Evan and his youth anglers of the Smyrna Beach Outfitters, month Mikey Stamps & his best friend Outriggers, Donald’s Bait & Quintin Ray pointed the Tidewater 27 Custom East and headed offshore for some Tackle, Cap’n Lu’s, E & J Bait & Tackle, Legacy Marine, rod bending action! They started out the Boaters Exchange, and Pedago morning bottom fishing 18 miles offshore from Ponce Inlet, Fl targeting lane snapper, of NSB to get your Sol Fishing trigger fish, vermillion snapper, and more. gear to help support the Youth Angler Program! Sol After catching a handful of lane snapper, Fishing’s amazing sponsors the flatline rod bent over and the line started peeling off! Quintin and Mikey both such as Tidewater Boats, Legacy Marine, Black Oak LED, Penn, Plano, dropped the rods that were in their hands Fenwick, and many more all make this and worked as a team to start cranking amazing program possible! on the flatline rod! After fighting the fish
I
’m th th ot crustac weeks found, Peop boats t A nice who fi monst day, no
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CAPT. EVAN SANDERS
Sol Fishing
www.solfishing.com
407-796-2088
to a clo almost eleven a kiss o send in so the the shr sharks way to It’s ge standin with th Take a As for all-tim pompa
10 VOLUSIA COUNTY
AUGUST 2026
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
I
’m really so stoked the permits are back, and I mean the permit fish, the number one fast predator trophy fish. Best eyes in the business, they’re paranoid, they’re elusive, and they only hang out with a few other permits, not a big school. They feed off crab, shrimp, and other crustaceans. They get big, and they’re super hard to catch. In the last few weeks they have arrived in the shallow warm waters, where they’re usually found, mostly going down to the Keys. People from around the world come down to the Florida Keys to charter boats to get permits as trophy fish. So, guess what? I caught one yesterday. A nice 19-inch, fat and wide permit - a really pretty fish. My friends who fish from Wilbur By the Sea to Ponce Inlet have been getting some monster permits. Nicky Hilliard, for example, got two giants just the other day, not a lot. Sometimes two at a time. It’s my first one this year and I had my friend Melanie, who fishes with me all the time, reel it in, which she did perfectly. They only come around for a short time. That’s why we target them right now. I caught mine on sand fleas, my friends caught theirs on crabs and fish gum, so it seems they like to eat different things once they decide to feed. Permits are like pompano. You can keep six a day over eleven inches to the fork - meaning tail. You are allowed to keep two, up to 22 inches, per day, with one exceeding 22 inches. I hate to say it but it seems like the season is coming to a close. I have four poles out right now. I have one keeper pompano, almost thirteen inches to the fork. I’ve thrown back about five that were eleven inches, which I could’ve kept, but they were skinny so I gave them a kiss on the lips and sent them back for another day - or so they could send in their uncle. I’ll gladly catch him. The water is in the mid-80s, so the fish are heading north. to cooler waters. Also, at this time of year the shrimp boats come close in, big boats, and with them, we think, the sharks come in, because all my lines have been bitten off by things that are way too big for me to catch. It’s getting incredibly hot here, so actually the only place to be is standing in the water on the beach, cooling down, waiting for a fish. So, with that in mind, if I were you I would try my hardest to go to the beach. Take a swim, take a surf, take a paddle to enjoy the summer. As for me, it’s time to head home, take a cold shower, put on my old all-time favorite reggae, Master Lieutenant Stitchie, and me and these pompano and permit are heading to the smoker! MARCO POMPANO
Surf Fishing Guide Marcopompano@gmail.com (386) 212-4838 Wilbur by the Sea Facebook @ Marco Pompano
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AUGUST 2026
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12 VOLUSIA COUNTY
AUGUST 2026
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KAYAK BASS FISHING IN FLORIDA THE DOG DAYS OF SUMMER
T
he hottest months of the year in Florida are without a doubt July and August. This time-frame is often referred to as “the dog days of summer”. The months of July and August bring extreme heat, humidity and spotty, heavy thunderstorms. For
these reasons, many anglers either tend to avoid fishing during these months, or if they do, have their day cut short because they are not prepared. What exactly do I mean? A successful fishing trip during “the dog days of summer” starts with preparation before you even
hit the water. Being in a kayak, one doesn’t have the ability to quickly retreat to the ramp if you are fishing large bodies of water such as headwaters. These lakes can be physically exhausting for a kayaker. They are heavy grass lakes that, based on where you fish, require a kayaker to paddle quite a bit just to get to their respective honey holes. You need to pack for the trip appropriately. You need to stay hydrated out there. Pack extra water as well as a good source of electrolytes. I usually bring a few packets of liquid IV and Gatorade. Right before getting out on the water I chug a Gatorade so I’ve already got something in the tank. Stay away from junk food that can make you groggy. Stick to the basics like PB and J or the ever popular “Uncrustables”. Either way, hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Also, have some sunscreen and a good bug spray at your disposal. Now for the fishing part of this article. With the extreme temperatures around noon, largemouth bass will seek refuge in the thickest cover possible. Some lakes in Florida do have deeper water and the bass will retreat there as well. Everyone loves a good morning topwater bite. It is cooler in the morning hours and the bass are more active. But that topwater bite can be an all-day deal if you get some cloud cover. Besides topwater, be prepared to target heavy vegetation, deeper ledges, and shady structures during bite windows at dawn, dusk, or even overnight. Look for the healthiest grass possible and COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
clean water. A lot of areas of the lakes in Florida may have been sprayed and the vegetation is now dead, so the fish will move to these more oxygen rich spots. Top baits to cycle through would be a frog, a Big EZ, chatterbait, swimming worm and creature bait. Top colors would be junebug, black and blue, watermelon red and golden shiner. You can’t go wrong really any time of the year in Florida with these colors. Keep it simple. As mentioned earlier, “the dog days of summer” brings random,spotty, heavy thunderstorms. I can be in one area on the lake in sunny blue skies, but 100 yards away I can see the “wall of rain” where there are heavy winds and a torrential downpour. Be prepared to cut the day short at the first sight of lightning. Being in a kayak with a bunch of fishing rods pointed up in the air is not an ideal situation to be in. Florida storms are unforgiving and abruptly change course, so you can find yourself in a bad spot really fast. Be smart and live to fish another day.
GREG MATAKAETIS @Kalios_Fishing AUGUST 2026
VOLUSIA COUNTY
13
W
Under NEW Ownership by Cody Moore, Third Generation Fisherman
New Smyrna Outfitters specializes in offshore bait and tackle as well as inshore, flats, and fly fishing gear. Along with carrying all of the equipment you need, NSO offers services like rod/ reel repair, line spooling, splicing, rigging, outrigger setup, and NSB Outfitters offshore and tackle, tackle, that’s as well much more. Ifspecializes you are notinlooking forbait fishing ok,as NSO also offers the best in apparel, eyewear, drinkware, and and inshore, flats, and fly fishing gear, with extensive options in apparel more. Some of the quality brands include but aren’t limited to accessories. New Smyrna Outfitters has the knowledge and experience Costa, Bajio, Olukai, Free Fly, Marshwear, Aftco, Anetik, Yeti, to guide Hemlock, through whatever typeNew of fishing looking to do. Stanley, Salty Crew. Smyrnayou’re Outfitters strives to carry the best brands and offer the best customer service.
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14 VOLUSIA COUNTY
AUGUST 2026
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EDGEWATER BACKCOUNTRY FORECAST
W
e are into the hottest month of the year, August! Also known as the dog days of summer, but that shouldn’t stop you from catching fish. The best times are early morning, late afternoon, and night time. Mangrove Snapper have been growing larger all year in our inshore waters, with more of keeper size in the Intracoastal Waterway, Edgewater Backcountry, Mosquito Lagoon and Ponce de Leon Inlet. They are schooling, structure oriented fish, hanging around docks, jetties, underwater rocks, and drop offs in the backwaters. Shrimp is always a good bait for river Mangos, but to target larger fish, go with any type of small live bait fish or cut bait. Minimum size is 10” overall length with a pinched tail and bag limit is 5 per person. In late summer Bull Redfish are preparing for the fall spawn at the Inlet, they can be found in the channels from the inlet, south into the ICW at New Smyrna, the bridges, in Edgewater, and Haulover Canal, you can drift the channels, or anchor, to drift, ride the tide, bait small or half blue crabs also live pinfish, pigfish, croakers, spots or mullet, out going tide can be best with the natural movement of drift crabs a main draw for the fish to be in any particular location. Best to use heavier tackle to shorten the battle on these big fish which are 20 to 35+ lbs. In summer with warm water, lower dissolved oxygen levels and lactic acid buildup can be damaging to the fish during a long fight. Never hold a big fish destined
for release vertically by the jaw with a gripper tool for photos, always hold it horizontal for its best chance of healthy survival and make baby Redfish for our future fishery. Lagoon and backcountry fishing with live pigfish, croakers and shrimp continues to be good in August, free line fished near drop offs, docks, oyster bars, points, flats edges, and island shorelines will catch Seatrout, Redfish, Snook, Snapper, and Jack Crevalle. U want to twitch your rod often, keeping the pig active and off the bottom can be the best technique. For open water rolling Tarpon try live baitfish on the surface or with a small weight down deeper. Shallow water Redfish are a year round target in the
backcountry and lagoon, in summer starting your hunt with top water lures both walk the dog types and soft plastics in early morning, after the sun is an hour or so go subsurface with weedless soft plastics, spoons, or bait as tail hooked shrimp, live finger mullet, mud minnows, or cut bait. Near skinny water mullet schools, look for waking or tailing Reds and Trout, they can be in small schools or single fish. Night time dock and bridge light fishing continues to be a good choice for late summer, by docks and bridges along the ICW, Ponce Inlet , to Ormond Beach. From New Smyrna and Oak Hill to Bethune Beach have lights on at night which attract schools of baitfish, shrimp, trout, snook, and more. Late in the evening through early morning hours can be best with less boat traffic and human activity. The best bait is a free lined live shrimp, no weight or swivels, just a floro leader tied to your line and a hook, also try small size lures, the lights are also great for fly fishing. By the end of the month the early signs of the mullet run will arrive with the very first schools of “scout” migrating mullet coming in from the north, starting the baitfish and inshore game fish migration. First sign of these mullet is around Ponce Inlet as they travel the surf line with some entering inside the inlet area. CAPT. MICHAEL SAVEDOW
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
Edgewater River Guide EdgewaterRiverGuide.com (386) 689-3781
AUGUST 2026
VOLUSIA COUNTY
15
Live Where Others Vacation!
Sam Tranquilino Lic. Real Estate Agent
Hanna Group, LPT Realty • 144 E. Indiana Ave. DeLand, FL 32724 C: (386) 337-0416 O: (386) 873-7095 • E: SamTranquilino@HannaGroupExperts.com W: SamTranquilino.lpthomesearch.com • O.W: Hannagrouprealty.com • Volusia County native • Licensed real estate agent since 2017 • Dedicated to exceeding client expectations • Strong communication and personalized service
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Ponce De Leon Inlet South, FL - Aug 2026 High
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PM
ft
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ft
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ft
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Set
Sat
11:01
2.6
11:13
3.0
4:45
0.1
4:43
0.2
6:44
8:15
2
Sun
11:42
2.7
11:50
2.9
5:21
0.1
5:32
0.3
6:45
8:14
3
Mon
12:25
2.9
6:00
0.0
6:29
0.4
6:45
8:13
4
Tue
12:32
2.8
1:13
3.0
6:45
0.0
7:30
0.4
6:46
8:13
5
Wed
1:18
2.6
2:08
3.1
7:34
-0.1
8:32
0.4
6:46
8:12
6
Thu
2:13
2.5
3:11
3.3
8:27
-0.1
9:34
0.4
6:47
8:11
7
Fri
3:18
2.4
4:20
3.4
9:23
-0.2
10:40
0.4
6:48
8:10
8
Sat
4:31
2.4
5:25
3.6
10:25
-0.2
11:44
0.3
6:48
8:10
9
Sun
5:38
2.5
6:25
3.7
11:29
-0.3
6:49
8:09
10
Mon
6:38
2.7
7:20
3.8
12:44
0.2
12:31
-0.4
6:49
8:08
11
Tue
7:36
2.9
8:14
3.8
1:40
0.1
1:31
-0.4
6:50
8:07
12
Wed
8:32
3.1
9:05
3.8
2:31
0.0
2:27
-0.4
6:50
8:06
13
Thu
9:26
3.2
9:53
3.7
3:18
-0.1
3:21
-0.3
6:51
8:05
14
Fri
10:17
3.3
10:38
3.5
4:02
-0.2
4:12
-0.2
6:51
8:04
15
Sat
11:06
3.4
11:21
3.3
4:44
-0.1
5:04
0.1
6:52
8:03
16
Sun
11:54
3.4
5:27
0.0
5:59
0.3
6:53
8:02
17
Mon
12:05
3.0
12:42
3.3
6:12
0.1
6:56
0.5
6:53
8:01
18
Tue
12:49
2.8
1:31
3.2
6:59
0.2
7:52
0.6
6:54
8:00
19
Wed
1:35
2.6
2:21
3.2
7:46
0.3
8:45
0.7
6:54
7:59
20
Thu
2:25
2.5
3:17
3.1
8:33
0.4
9:39
0.8
6:55
7:58
21
Fri
3:23
2.4
4:16
3.1
9:22
0.5
10:34
0.9
6:55
7:57
22
Sat
4:24
2.4
5:12
3.2
10:14
0.5
11:28
0.8
6:56
7:56
23
Sun
5:21
2.4
6:02
3.3
11:08
0.5
6:56
7:55
24
Mon
6:12
2.5
6:48
3.4
12:19
0.8
12:00
0.4
6:57
7:54
25
Tue
6:59
2.7
7:31
3.5
1:06
0.7
12:49
0.4
6:57
7:53
26
Wed
7:45
2.8
8:13
3.5
1:48
0.6
1:35
0.3
6:58
7:52
27
Thu
8:30
2.9
8:54
3.5
2:26
0.5
2:19
0.3
6:58
7:51
28
Fri
9:13
3.1
9:32
3.5
3:01
0.4
3:01
0.3
6:59
7:50
29
Sat
9:54
3.2
10:09
3.4
3:34
0.3
3:44
0.4
7:00
7:49
30
Sun
10:34
3.4
10:47
3.3
4:07
0.3
4:28
0.4
7:00
7:47
31
Mon
11:15
3.5
11:28
3.2
4:43
0.3
5:17
0.5
7:01
7:46
16 VOLUSIA COUNTY
AUGUST 2026
Moon
www.USHarbors.com
Ormond Beach, Halifax River, FL - Aug 2026
Low
AM
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• Skilled negotiator for buyers and sellers • Committed to helping clients achieve their real estate goals • Motto: “Always Available!”
High
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ft
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2:21
0.7
2:41
0.6
9:33
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9:39
0.2
6:44
8:16
2
Sun
2:58
0.7
3:22
0.6
10:10
0.1
10:23
0.2
6:45
8:15
3
Mon
3:37
0.7
4:04
0.7
10:50
0.1
11:12
0.3
6:45
8:14
4
Tue
4:18
0.6
4:50
0.7
11:34
0.1
6:46
8:14
5
Wed
5:05
0.6
5:42
0.7
12:09
0.4
12:25
0.1
6:47
8:13
6
Thu
5:59
0.6
6:43
0.7
1:12
0.4
1:23
0.1
6:47
8:12
7
Fri
7:01
0.6
7:50
0.7
2:19
0.4
2:25
0.0
6:48
8:11
8
Sat
8:10
0.6
8:59
0.7
3:24
0.4
3:28
0.0
6:48
8:10
9
Sun
9:21
0.6
10:06
0.8
4:28
0.3
4:32
-0.1
6:49
8:10
10
Mon
10:28
0.6
11:08
0.8
5:30
0.2
5:34
-0.1
6:49
8:09
11
Tue
11:29
0.7
6:28
0.1
6:35
-0.2
6:50
8:08
12
Wed
12:03
0.8
12:26
0.7
7:21
-0.1
7:30
-0.2
6:51
8:07
13
Thu
12:55
0.8
1:20
0.7
8:10
-0.1
8:23
-0.2
6:51
8:06
14
Fri
1:45
0.8
2:12
0.7
8:56
-0.1
9:14
-0.1
6:52
8:05
15
Sat
2:32
0.8
3:01
0.7
9:40
-0.1
10:04
0.0
6:52
8:04
16
Sun
3:17
0.7
3:48
0.7
10:24
0.0
10:54
0.2
6:53
8:03
17
Mon
4:00
0.7
4:33
0.7
11:07
0.1
11:46
0.4
6:53
8:02
18
Tue
4:42
0.7
5:18
0.7
11:52
0.2
6:54
8:01
19
Wed
5:25
0.6
6:05
0.7
12:40
0.5
12:40
0.4
6:54
8:00
20
Thu
6:12
0.6
6:55
0.7
1:37
0.6
1:30
0.4
6:55
7:59
21
Fri
7:03
0.6
7:49
0.7
2:32
0.7
2:22
0.5
6:56
7:58
22
Sat
7:57
0.6
8:43
0.7
3:24
0.7
3:13
0.5
6:56
7:57
23
Sun
8:52
0.6
9:37
0.7
4:15
0.6
4:04
0.5
6:57
7:56
24
Mon
9:46
0.6
10:26
0.7
5:04
0.6
4:55
0.4
6:57
7:55
25
Tue
10:37
0.6
11:12
0.7
5:50
0.5
5:45
0.4
6:58
7:54
26
Wed
11:24
0.6
11:54
0.7
6:33
0.4
6:31
0.3
6:58
7:53
27
Thu
12:08
0.7
7:12
0.3
7:15
0.2
6:59
7:52
28
Fri
12:34
0.7
12:50
0.7
7:49
0.2
7:57
0.2
6:59
7:50
29
Sat
1:13
0.7
1:31
0.7
8:25
0.2
8:39
0.2
7:00
7:49
30
Sun
1:52
0.7
2:13
0.7
9:02
0.1
9:22
0.2
7:00
7:48
31
Mon
2:33
0.7
2:57
0.7
9:41
0.1
10:07
0.3
7:01
7:47
1
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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.&
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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.
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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.
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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GRANT SIMPSON & FAMILY FLORIDA TREASURE COAST CO-PUBLISHERS
How to Be Cut Off From Civilization When it’s you against nature, there’s only one tool you need: the stainless steel River Canyon Bowie Knife—now ONLY $49!
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ou are a man of the wilderness. The only plan you have is to walk up that mountain until you feel like stopping. You tell your friends that it’s nothing personal, but this weekend belongs to you. You’ve come prepared with your River Canyon Bowie Knife sheathed at your side. This hand-forged, unique knife comes shaving sharp with a perfectly fitted hand-tooled sheath. The broad stainless steel blade shines in harmony with the stunning striped horn, wood and bone handle. When you feel the heft of the knife in your hand, you know that you’re ready for whatever nature throws at you. This knife boasts a full tang blade, meaning the blade doesn’t stop at the handle, it runs the full length of the knife. According to Gear Patrol, a full tang blade is key, saying “A full tang lends structural strength to the knife, allowing for better leverage ...think one long steel beam versus two.” With our limited edition River Canyon Bowie Knife you’re getting the best in 21st-century construction with a classic look inspired by legendary American pioneers. What you won’t get is the trumped up price tag. We know a thing or two about the hunt–– like how to seek out and capture an BONUS! Call today and you’ll outstanding, collector’s-quality knife that also receive this genuine leather sheath! won’t cut into your bank account. This quintessential knife can be yours to use What customers are saying out in the field or to display as the art piece it truly is. But about Stauer knives... don’t wait. A knife of this caliber typically cost hundreds. Priced at an amazing $49, we can’t guarantee this knife will “First off, the shipping stick around for long. So call today! was fast and the quality is Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. Feel the knife in your beyond what I paid for the hands, wear it on your hip, inspect the craftsmanship. If you don’t feel like we cut you a fair deal, send it back within 30 knife. Overall I am a satisfied days for a complete refund of the sale price. But we believe that customer!” once you wrap your fingers around the River Canyon’s handle, — D., Houston, Texas you’ll be ready to carve your own niche into the wild frontier.
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Rating of A+
• Full tang 4 ¼" stainless steel blade, 9" overall length • Genuine horn, wood and bone handle • Polished brass guard and spacers • Includes leather sheath
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