Coastal Angler Magazine | Volusia County March 2026 Edition

PREDICTING THE RUN

The Best Infatable Fishing Boats

Best For Lightweight Solo Fishing

The versatility of the FishSUP™1210 is unmatched! Use it bare bones with just the board, a paddle & your !shing gear or deck it out with swivel seat, side pontoons, casting bar, motor and more! Incredibly stable, extra wide, swallow-tail !shing SUP holds up to 500 lbs! The FS1210 takes electric and gas motors up to 3 hp. There’s even an option for a bow trolling motor.

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Best For Lightweight Tandem Fishing

Perfect for !shing rivers, lakes and bays. The STS10 is a lightweight, roomy 1 or 2 person pontoon boat that’s packed with features anglers need & love including 2 built-in !sh rules, 4 built-in rod holders & 2 Scotty® mounts for more rod holders, anchor locks, camera posts or any other Scotty® accessory. Now available with a drop-stitch in atable oor or wooden oorboards.

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Starting At Just $1449

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

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

Choose From 9 Packages

Starting At Just $2999

TRUST BR AND MARINERS

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By Will Schmidt

Tere were birds diving, porpoise rolling and he y yellow n tuna skyrocketing like Fourth of July reworks. Both on the water and in the boat, the energy was palatable. With one angler on the bow ready to cast a top water plug into the fray and me in the stern with ready to deploy live bait, the boat throttled back. !e plug went ying, meanwhile I simply dropped my bait behind the boat and started freelining. Almost instantly the plug was blasted in the air but not connecting. Meanwhile, I tossed a handful of baits o the back of the boat. By now the fray had subsided but the sh were clearly still looking for an easy meal. 50 feet behind me one of the chummers was blasted overhead by a 150 pound yellow n who was skyward bound a er it. Just below I could see my bait franticly swimming as another engulfed it, leading to a great battle before releasing the 100 pound class sh.

While top water shing for tuna is all the rave right now, it really makes sense to deploy multiple tactics to take advantage of these opportunities, as the school o en retreats as the boat nears. Our back up plan is very simple and almost always produces sh. As the boat gets into casting range of the school, we drop live bait o the stern and free line them. We always keep a couple ready to go. !is way, if the school disappears there are other baits ready for those who have been plugging.

For bait google eyes or blue runners, rigging them on a 10/0 circle hook is ideal. Bridling the bait and using a non-slip loop knot presents the most natural movement as the baits ee. Also, tossing a handful of chummers in, as the surface activity disperses, usually brings shing looking to pick up stragglers into the strike zone. Chumming really helps keep the sh around, so make sure you have plenty of bait. When you get hit, give it a ve count real tight and hang on!

I like to use a bit heavier tackle with the live bait, as we o en seem to nd bigger sh. My go to is Shimano Terez BW Roller Striper medium heavy with a Talica 25A. I use 80lb braid to 80lb mono. !is is a great set up that’s fun for sh from 40 to 140 and can handle the occasional really big one. the rod with a better ghting angle. It also helps to keep the line away from the gunnel as a spiraling sh ascends. !is is a great asset for many anglers on these tough sh.

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

Florida’s Spawn Transition: Where the Giants Get Caught

In Florida, we don’t wait on spring the way the rest of the country does. Our bass start thinking about the spawn early, and that in-between window when they’re moving from winter patterns to-ward the beds is one of the most exciting times to be on the water. It’s not full-blown bed fishing yet, and it’s not the deep winter grind either. It’s the transition. And if you hit it right, it’s when the biggest fish in the lake are at their absolute heaviest and most catchable.

During this phase, big females don’t just rush the shallows. They stage first. Think outside grass lines, ditch intersections, shell bars, canal mouths, and hard-bottom spots just off spawning flats. They want easy access to both worlds shallow enough to move up when conditions warm and deep enough to slide back if a cold front rolls through. Instead of randomly covering water, suc-cessful anglers focus on these “inbetween” areas where bass pause before committing.

The fun part about fishing the transition is that these fish are still in feeding mode. They’re fueling up before the hard work of spawning, which means reaction baits can shine. Swimbaits and

TYLER WOOLCOTT

lipless crankbaits are great for covering water along staging edges, especially around submerged vegeta-

tion. If they’re holding tighter to cover, slowing down with a Texas-rigged creature bait or a wacky-rigged stick worm can seal the deal. The key is not getting too shallow too fast; a lot of an-glers run straight to visible bedding areas and skip right past the best fish.

Florida weather adds another layer to the puzzle. A few warm, stable days can push fish forward in a hurry, while a stiff north wind can reposition them just as quickly. The calendar matters less than conditions. Watch water temperature trends, pay attention to wind direction, and look for areas that warm first, especially protected shorelines with darker bottoms. Transition bass adjust daily, some-times hourly, and the anglers who adjust with them are the ones holding up the heavy fish.

For me, this window is one of the most exciting times of the year. You’re not just sight-fishing beds, you’re hunting moving giants that are feeding and positioning with purpose. They’re thick, strong, and aggressive enough to commit. When you connect with one during the spawn transition, it’s not just another bite it’s often the bite that defines the season. And in Florida, that fish can show up on any cast.

Capt. Tyler Woolcott is a professional tournament angler, as well as owner/ operator of Florida Big Fish Adventures, providing bass and saltwater guided fishing trips: www.floridabigfishadventures.com.

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SUZUKI MARINE ADDS TWO NEW MODELS TO GROWING STEALTH LINE®

FAMILY OF OUTBOARDS

New 25HP and 9.9HP STEALTH LINE® Motors Debut at 2026 Minneapolis Boat Show

Suzuki Marine USA opened the 2026 Minneapolis Boat Show by unveiling two important new additions to its growing STEALTH LINE® family of outboard motors. These two new models—the Stealth Line 9.9HP and 25HP—bring this popular look to an especially high-volume segment of the overall boating market. They also bring their Stealth Line family to 10 total models ranging from 9.9 to 350HP.

These two newest additions are an ideal power match for wide range of freshwater fishing and hunting boats, combining Suzuki’s proven performance, fuel efficiency and reliability with a distinctive look that matches the popular look of larger Stealth Line outboards. “Our dealers and boat building partners have been asking for kicker motors that provide a bold and cohesive appearance for their vessels, regardless of size,” said Brandon Cerka, VP Sales and Marketing for Suzuki Marine USA. “The 9.9HP outboard is an industry standard kicker choice for aluminum boat builders, particularly for small hunting and walleye boats. And our 25HP is a perfect choice for larger kicker applications that require additional thrust and power. When boaters pair either of these new outboards with our higher-horsepower Stealth Line models on the transom, their boat gets a one-of-a-kind look that stands out from the pack,” added Cerka.

Suzuki’s STEALTH LINE outboards feature a distinctive matte black finish from top to bottom with matching chrome black accents, for a look that gives

any boat a touch of “luxury sportscar” attitude. As a bonus, the light absorbing properties of this matte black finish eliminate the need for owners of aluminum hunting boats to camouflage or repaint their motors, providing dealers with a ready-made solution for this important part of the market.

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“This is another example of how Suzuki Marine listens to its business partners and responds quickly to give the market what it wants,” said Cerka. “These motors give us a clear advantage in a very important segment of the overall boating market. More importantly, they give boaters a chance to go Full Stealth Mode with their aluminum fishing and hunting boats.”

Evan Sanders SOL FISHING

Capt. Evan Sanders grew up with a fishing rod in his hands and saltwater in his veins. His family and friends always knew where to find him everyday of the week. You guessed it – fishing! Lucky for him, he was born and raised in Florida where there was no shortage of tossing a line in the water.

His passion for fishing started at 5 years of age. Ever since his grandfather took him fishing at Ballest Point in Tampa, FL, Capt. Evan Sanders has made it his mission for others to feel like he did as a kid. Captain and the Kids is part of that endeavor here at Sol Fishing. By day, he teaches students at New Smyrna Beach Middle School as the 8th grade P.E. Coach. Each month he takes out several youth anglers along with an accompanying adult to experience fishing firsthand. For most of these kids, it’s their first-time fishing. They’ll catch anything from redfish to snook while inshore and red snapper while offshore. It’s an experience these youth anglers won’t ever forget.

These past several years have been a whirlwind of excitement for Evan. Sol Fishing took off as a charter business shortly after his son was born. Part of why his charters are so successful is the captain himself and his wealth of experience. Evan spends his time getting to know the people before they go on a charter; what type of charter is best for them and what they hope to catch. He makes it his top priority to ensure his guests end the day with smiles and plenty of fish to go around! That even extends to the apparel side of the business which all go towards Captain & The Kids Youth Angler Program. From

hats, lanyards, and performance shirts to name a few, the quality is next level and is the driving force to allow the youth angler program to be Free of charge.

www.solfishing.com

Inshore, Nearshore, Offshore

Captain’s DireCtory

Inshore, Nearshore, Offshore

Target Species: Redfish, Snook, Trout, Cobia, Tarpon, Snapper, Triggerfish, Mahi, Kingfish, & Wahoo.

strippinlipscharters.com Bottom/Drift Fishing, Trolling, & Inshore Charters CAPTAIN EVAN SANDERS 407-796-2088 SOL FISHING www.solfishing.com

CAPTAIN NICK SICILIANO

386-405-7786

Beast Coast Fishing Charters beastcoastfishingcharters.com Inshore/ Offshore

Target Species: Redfish, Snook, Tarpon, Sheepshead, Snapper, Grouper, Sharks, Cobia, Grouper, Pompano, Mahi, Triggerfish, Tuna, Wahoo, Sailfish

SRC Adventures srcadventures.com

Nearshore/Offshore

Target Species: Wahoo, Mahi, Tuna, Cobia, Sailfish, Kingfish, Tuna, Amberjack, Pompano, Snapper, Grouper, Triggerfish

CAPTAIN DANIEL LEVESQUE

386-295-4581

Rare Breed Charters rarebreedcharters.com

Offshore/ Nearshore

Target Species: Grouper, Red Snapper, Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, Tuna, African Pompano, Alligator, Deer, Hog, Elk, & Wild Turkey

Ferg’s Guide Service fergsguideservice.com

Inshore/ Offshore

Target Species: Redfish, Snook, Tarpon, Amberjack, Sheepshead, African Pompano, Mangrove Snapper Captain Scott Housel 407-314-3355

Sudden Strike Offshore Adventures

Suddenstrikeoffshore.com

Nearshore/offshore

Target Species: Redfish, Flounder, Sheephead, Snapper, Grouper, Triggerfish, Cobia,Amberjack, Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, Tuna, Sailfish, Shark, Golden Tilefish

Target Species: Redfish, Flounder, Snook, Tarpon, Cobia, Grouper, Wahoo, Snapper, Seabass, Kingfish, Mahi, Sailfish Captain Sean 386-318-1036Smith

CAPTAIN TIM RUSSELL 386-846-1675

Captain Daddy’s Fishing Charters captaindaddysfishing.com

Inshore/Offshore

Target

MARTY GOLDYS 386-679-0317

Reel Harmony Fishing Charters reelharmonyfishing.com Inshore/Nearshore

Target Species: Tarpon, Snook, Redfish, Trout, Flounder, Sheepshead, Cobia, Tripletail & Shark

EDGEWATER BACKCOUNTRY FORECAST

Water temperatures rising starts the spring migration of many inshore and offshore fish along the Atlantic coast. Bait fish such as mullet, sardines, pilchards, glass minnows, game fish being jack crevalle, ladyfish, bluefish, black drum, tarpon, spanish mackerel, and pompano are among the inshore species that swim back north in spring. Schools of jacks, blues, and ladies come through the ICW during early spring making for fast action with these hard fighting, catch and release game fish. Early mornings you can see surface striking activity along the intracoastal or old channel in Edgewater, fish attacking spring run shrimp or glass minnows, cast a shrimp, baitfish, artificial imitation, or fly in the busting fish for a fast hook up, mackerel or trout can also be caught in this surface activity. Look for diving birds or surface strikes, not always visible on top, they can be stacked up deep on channel edges, shoreline drop-offs, points and creek mouths with good current flow.

We will hope for a good spring shrimp run this year, every fish big and small swimming in our inshore waters eats shrimp, so you can’t go wrong using them for bait. Select size hooked through the trimmed tail for a long

cast to sight fished reds and trout in skinny water, regular size shrimp free lined or with a small split shot on the drop offs and in holes for mixed bag action, throw them at surface feeding fish in the channel, on the bottom in black drum spots, and at the Ponce Inlet jetties, small live or peeled frozen for sheepshead on dock and bridge pilings, great for surf fishing with peeled shrimp. Night time dock light fishing will improve this month with rising water temps and shrimp on the move riding the outgoing tide. Lighted docks on both sides of Ponce Inlet, into the ICW at New Smyrna, around the bridges, south into Edgewater and Oak Hill can be very fishy, a flowing tide is a must, with outgoing always a good choice. Closer to the inlet may hold more bluefish and jacks, as you go south seatrout is the main target species. My go to bait is a simple free lined live shrimp or try small size artificials. Fly fishing can be great at the dock lights with a shrimp imitation. Redfish, seatrout, and sheepshead patterns can stay in winter patterns during March as the water is still cool.

Lagoon redfish stay schooled with chilly water and become more scattered after water warms a little, stay shallow, fish the flats, oyster and shell

bars, and sloughs. Fish select size tail hooked live shrimp, live finger mullet, mud minnows, and scented soft plastics. Quality trout in the same places and tactics as for reds, with schools of smaller trout usually in deeper water, try drop offs, holes, and channel edges, light colored swimming tail jigs good lure choice here.

1 Sun 6:39 3.3 6:56 2.9 12:02 -0.4 12:53 -0.2 6:48 6:23

2

3 Tue 8:10 3.2 8:30 3.1 1:46 -0.5 2:15 -0.3 6:46 6:24

4 Wed 8:51 3.1 9:12 3.2 2:31 -0.4 2:50 -0.3 6:45 6:25

5 Thu 9:29 2.9 9:52 3.2 3:13 -0.3 3:24 -0.2 6:44 6:25

6 Fri 10:05 2.7 10:31 3.1 3:55 -0.1 3:58 -0.1 6:43 6:26

7 Sat 10:42 2.5 11:11 3.0 4:40 0.1 4:35 0.0 6:41 6:27

8 Sun 12:20 2.4 6:28 0.3 6:18 0.1 7:40 7:27

9 Mon 12:53 2.9 1:03 2.2 7:20 0.4 7:06 0.2 7:39 7:28

10 Tue 1:41 2.7 1:51 2.1 8:13 0.5 7:59 0.3 7:38 7:29

11 Wed 2:37 2.6 2:50 2.0 9:08 0.6 8:54 0.4 7:37 7:29

12 Thu 3:45 2.6 4:02 2.0 10:06 0.6 9:53 0.3 7:36 7:30

13 Fri 4:51 2.7 5:08 2.1 11:05 0.6 10:54 0.3 7:35 7:30

14 Sat 5:46 2.8 6:02 2.3 11:58 0.5 11:50 0.2 7:34 7:31

15 Sun 6:33 2.9 6:49 2.5 12:44 0.3 7:32 7:32

16 Mon 7:17 3.0 7:34 2.7 12:42 0.0 1:25 0.1 7:31 7:32

17 Tue 8:00 3.1 8:18 3.0 1:31 -0.1 2:03 -0.1 7:30 7:33

18 Wed 8:42 3.2 9:02 3.2 2:18 -0.2 2:40 -0.2 7:29 7:33

19 Thu 9:24 3.1 9:45 3.4 3:04 -0.3 3:17 -0.3 7:28 7:34

20 Fri 10:06 3.1 10:29 3.5 3:50 -0.3 3:56 -0.4 7:27 7:35

21 Sat 10:50 2.9 11:15 3.6 4:38 -0.3 4:38 -0.4 7:25 7:35

22 Sun 11:37 2.8 5:31 -0.1 5:26 -0.3 7:24 7:36

23 Mon 12:06 3.5 12:29 2.6

25

Under NEW Ownership by Cody Moore, Third Generation Fisherman

NSB Outfitters specializes in offshore bait and tackle, as well as inshore, flats, and fly fishing gear, with extensive options in apparel and accessories. New Smyrna Outfitters has the knowledge and experience to guide through whatever type of fishing you’re looking to do.

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 much more. If you are not looking for fishing tackle, that’s ok, NSO also offers the best in apparel, eyewear, drinkware, and more. Some of the quality brands include but aren’t limited to Costa, Bajio, Olukai, Free Fly, Marshwear, Aftco, Anetik, Yeti, Stanley, Hemlock, Salty Crew. New Smyrna Outfitters strives to carry the best brands and offer the best customer service.

223a Canal St. | NewSmyrnaOutfitters.com (386) 402-8853 Mon-Sat 9am-6pm | Sunday

PONCE INLET & BACKWATERS FORECAST

March is usually a really fun month to fish, it’s spring break for most of our visiting customers who have been freezing to the north all winter. I often get a kick out of them dressing like it’s summer while I’m still wearing my hunting gear to stay warm in the morning. We will get a roller coaster of weather with a few cold fronts that will still push through but these fronts usually get the fish fired up! The sheepshead bite usually peaks in my opinion right around the first 2 weeks of March during the later part of their spawn. I’ve caught a few in the 12lb range this time

of year but getting them at 4-6 lbs in March is a good average size. As I’ve mentioned before my favorite baits for these guys are fiddler crabs and sand fleas but I also have gotten some of my biggest sheeps on shrimp! I almost always dead stick a halved blue crab when I’m targeting sheepshead as March will also produce some big black drum around the inlet, so keep that in mind when you’re getting robbed by the convicts with the funny teeth. Another thing I suggest having ready is a

rod with a gotcha plug or a silver weighted spoon ready to roll. The Spanish mackerel will typically show up this time of year along with the blue fish, while I’m not a fan of blue fish I do love catching Spanish mackerel and making my famous smoked fish dip with them. I suggest a small piece of wire 6-8inch long so you can save your lure but you can also beef up to heavier leader like 40# to avoid break offs. The key factors to finding Spanish mackerel is seeing them break the surface and also the birds will typically be above the larger schools. When you find them it turns into some nonstop fun for everyone but as fast as it starts it will stop as these fish move fast so be prepared to capitalize!

If you would like to get out there and see what March has to offer give me a shout, we have moved our boats to Ponce Inlet right at the Lighthouse and we have a Hook and Cook deal where you can walk right off the boat and into Hidden Treasure Restaurant and get your fish cooked, it doesn’t get any fresher than that! As always if you see us out there say hello!

OFFSHORE FORECAST MARCH

arch is an outstanding month to get offshore with weather conditions vastly improving moving into the warmer months! When bottom fishing, target fish such as vermillion snapper, lane snapper, mangrove snapper, sea bass, as well as amberjack. All of these species can be located in depths between 70 to 150ft of water. When targeting any of the snapper variety, a great technique is using a fish finder rig and working from the top of the water column down to avoid catching grunts. Bait suggestions would be live pinfish, fresh cut grunts, select shrimp, and frozen sardines. Also, be sure to apply for the FWC “Exempted Fishing Permit” for your chance/ opportunity to harvest red

With

snapper. By doing so, it will help the state of Florida promote the push to extend the South Atlantic red snapper season.

Switching gears to the trolling side, focus in the 20 to 50 mile range and look for depth/ temp changes. You should expect to hook into Kingfish, Blackfin Tuna, Wahoo, and Mahi. While Trolling, using a 6 to 7 rod spread is ideal. Your long riggers should have chuggers fished either naked or with a rigged ballyhoo. Short riggers can have islanders or any weighted streamer focusing on the 2-3 ft below the top of the water. Finally drop back two planer rods with either sea witches or diving plugs. By utilizing a spread like this you will create a great opportunity for a variety of catches!

Before every fishing adventure, always make sure to check all safety gear and let a loved one know where you will be going and what time you will arrive back.

Having a working satellite phone is also a great safety measure!

Keep an eye on weather conditions and always respect mother nature. Always remember, if you can take a kid fishing, take them! It’s the memories that will last a lifetime.

Menu seafood

Millie’s

3218 S. Atlantic Ave,

Millie’s

Hours:

Monday

Monday: 11am - 9pm

tuesday: Closed

Wednesday - sat: 11am - 9pm sunday: 8am - 9pm

Central Florida Favorites Best Boat Dealership & Best Boat Service & Repair 2025 Winner

REEL HEALIN OUTDOORS

Chris Mansfield is the founder and heart behind Reel Healin Outdoors (RHO), a purposedriven outdoor brand and surf fishing guide service rooted along Florida’s Atlantic coast.

What began as a passion for surf fishing has now grown into a movement centered on connection, healing, and community through the outdoors.

Chris is also a United States Army combat veteran, having served in Iraq from 2006–2007. His military experience

shaped his discipline, resilience, and deep understanding of the importance of mental reset, brotherhood, and purpose, are values that now form the foundation of RHO.

With over two decades on the sand, Chris has spent years learning Florida’s ever-changing coastline through reading tides, structure, seasons, and fish behavior. As a guide, his focus

goes beyond putting clients on fish. Every experience is about slowing down, unplugging from the noise, and reconnecting with nature and each other.

Reel Healin Outdoors is built on the philosophy “One Love • No Divide • Just Vibes” and the belief in Nature Assisted Therapy. The idea that time spent outdoors can help people reset, refocus, and heal. RHO isn’t limited to one activity or one path, it’s an open invitation to anyone seeking peace, clarity, and good energy in natural spaces.

Through guided trips, apparel, content creation, and community involvement, Chris and RHO strive to create a welcoming space where all are equal, all are welcome, and the vibes always come first.

One Love • No Divide • Just Vibes

CHRIS MANSFIELD

REEL HEALIN OUTDOORS

Outdoors heal us. Surf fishing + CommUNITY www.reelhealinoutdoors.com

Last week, with perfect conditions on the beach for surf fishing, I had a charter with a guy named Tim from Washington State, a retired pathologist. So, we started to fish and it was on. We spent the whole morning fishing, five hours with only one little bite, and we were skunked. It’s just like that sometimes and this was one of those times, so I told him to come back and fish with me again, since he was staying for a month.

The next week, well, this morning, he showed up. There’s a huge cold front coming in for the week, starting at the end of the day today. It seems to me the fish must’ve known this was about to start, because, man alive! They were hungry.

We set up four rods with fleas and crab knuckles and live blue crab. He showed up with some great big clams from Washington State. He used most of them to make chowder and kept some for bait for this outing. But the sand fleas were the ticket. After casting out, we waited about five minutes and chomp-chomp, the rod started putting on some Motown moves and was doing the Shinga-ling.

I start to coach him: grab the rod, don’t horse it at all, just talk to it, nice and casual like. The way I like to do it is to dance backwards a little. Keep the tension on, and he was up for the task. I played around with his drag and before too long this 26 inch, in-the-slot red fish came onto the beach. Ya, mon!

We set up again and it was time to Bamba. Two rods went off. I took one and he took the other. I reeled in a really nice pompano. He picked up on what to do immediately and pulled in a big whiting. After a while, Tim packed up and left with his fish all nice and bled and cleaned, but it wasn’t over. I set it up again. Four rods with just fleas this time, and like I said, the cold front was just starting and the fish were just biting. After about an hour of hauling one after another onto the beach, I had my limit. Six nice big scout pompano. I’m still on the beach and the wind is picking up and the temperature is dropping tremendously, so I’m packing up, heading home, putting on the sounds of Third World (the band, in honor of Steven ‘Cat’ Coore), and me and all these fish are heading to the smoker.

MARCO POMPANO

Surf Fishing Guide

Marcopompano@gmail.com

(386)212-4838

Wilbur by the Sea

Facebook @ Marco Pompano

Captain & The Kids strives to always promote youth anglers both at the local level as well as nationally through our “Youth Angler Program.” If it was not for passing down techniques, traditions, and the love for the water, it would slowly fade away. It is our mission to always instill conservation and ethical fishing to our youth!

Capt. Evan started the Youth Angler Program after finding out how many kids in the New Smyrna Beach area had never been fishing, never been on a boat, and was born and raised in the area. Since that day Capt. Evan strives to getting more andmore youth anglers on the water each and every year! Sol Fishing will do everything possible to make every young man or lady’s fishing dreams come true. It does not matter if the kids want to go offshore or inshore, Sol Fishing will target whichever species they want to catch. Some of the most recent species that the youth

KAYAK REPORT

When winter loosens its grip and spring begins to settle in, anticipation builds for bass and anglers alike. As water temperatures climb into the high 50s and low 60s, fish push shallow and settle along the banks to spawn. That seasonal movement sets the stage for one of the most exhilarating moments in fishing. Few thrills compare to quietly approaching the shoreline and locking eyes on a bass guarding its bed. It becomes a test of patience and strategy, a true game of cat and mouse that plays perfectly to the strengths of a stealthy fishing kayak. I built my Native Titan 13.5 with a custom casting deck, quiet motor, and Power Pole Micro to gain elevation for spotting fish, slip in silently, and anchor without disturbance. While the kayak provides an advantage, success still comes down to preparation. For sight fishing, a few essentials make all the difference.

anglers have been wanting to target are red snapper, lane snapper, cobia, amberjack, sharks, barracuda, redfish, and snook.

The Youth Angler Program is made possible by all our retailers who stock Sol Fishing’s gear such as our Hats, Decals, and Performance shirts and many more products.

Stop by New Smyrna Beach Outfitters

Outriggers, Donald’s Bait & Tackle, 38 Live Bait & Tackle, E & J Bait & Tackle Sunglass Cabana, Shades of New Smyrna Beach, Boaters Exchange, and Pedago of NSB to

Quality polarized sunglasses are at the top of the list. I prefer an amber lens with a green mirror to cut glare and maximize visibility in changing light. Positioning is just as critical. I keep the sun at my back and stay far enough away to avoid casting a shadow toward the fish.

The Power Pole Micro lets me hold position quickly and quietly, but the real battle begins with the first flip. My setup includes a custom Garage Rods 7’6” flipping stick, a Shimano SLX in an 8.2 to 1 gear ratio, and 17-pound P-Line fluorocarbon. The key for stealth in shallow water and part of what helped me earn a 12th-place finish at the Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series presented by Native Watercraft. Lure choice is endless, from bubblegum stick baits to tiny white craws, drop shots to jigs. I usually begin with a Gambler Fat Ace in Christmas blue tail and adjust as needed. Don’t get discouraged if the bite doesn’t come immediately.

get your Sol Fishing gear to help support the Youth Angler Program! Sol Fishing’s amazing sponsors such as Tidewater Boats, Legacy Marine, Black Oak LED, Penn, Plano, Fenwick, and many more all make this amazing program possible!

Sometimes it takes several changes to trigger a reaction. Once you engage the fish, technique varies from angler to angler. Some prefer to hop the bait while others subtly shake it, but my go to method is tapping the butt of the rod with my off hand. That slight tap sends controlled vibrations down the rod and line, allowing the bait to quiver naturally in place without pulling it off the bed. From there, everything builds toward the hookset, the final move in this cat and mouse game. A bass may lift the bait and drop it, or it may grab it and take off. Patience is critical. Wait until you feel the fish swim off the bed, then drive the hook home with confidence

I hope these tips help you make the most of the spawning season and put you in position when the next big bass locks onto a bed.

NEW SPOTTED SEATROUT REGS TAKE EFFECT APRIL 1

At its February meeting, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved new management regions and regulations for spotted seatrout shing in the State of Florida. e rule changes establish nine management regions for spotted seatrout as well as regional regulations for recreational and commercial shing.

ese new regulations will go into e ect on April 1, 2026:

OPEN/CLOSED SEASONS

Recreational

» Panhandle: Open March 1–Jan. 31; Closed February.

» Big Band, Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay, Charlotte Harbor, Southwest, Southeast, Northeast: Open year-round.

» Indian River Lagoon: Open Jan.1–Oct. 31; Closed Nov. 1-Dec. 31.

Commercial

» Panhandle, Big Bend, Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay, Charlotte Harbor, Southwest, Southeast: Open Jun. 1–Oct. 31; Closed Nov. 1–May 31.

» Indian River Lagoon: Open May 1–Sept. 30; Closed Oct. 1-Apr. 30.

» Northeast: Open June 1–Nov. 30; closed Dec. 1–May 31

BAG LIMITS

Recreational

» Big Band: Five (5) sh per person.

» Panhandle, Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay, Charlotte Harbor, Southwest, Southeast, Northeast: Four (3) sh per person.

» Indian River Lagoon: Two (2) sh per person.

Commercial

» 50 sh (1 SPL);100 (≥2 SPLs) in all regions.

SLOT LIMITS

» Recreational - 15-19 inches

» Commercial - 15-24 inches

OVERSLOT ALLOWANCE

Recreational

» All Regions: None. is regional management strategy has been implemented for some of Florida’s most popular inshore species, including red sh and snook, and now spotted seatrout. ese regions and regulations are part of the FWC’s holistic management is approach takes a more holistic view of the shery by evaluating multiple metrics, including shing, stakeholder experiences and environmental factors, at a smaller regional scale. It improves our understanding of regional di erences in environmental conditions and stakeholder experiences and provides greater exibility to address localized concerns.

» Panhandle, Big Bend, Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay, Charlotte Harbor, Southwest, Southeast: One (1) sh over-slot allowed per vessel or per person if shing from shore

» Indian River Lagoon, Northeast: None

Commercial

For the full FWC commission meeting agenda and links to background reports, go to myfwc.com/about/commission/commissionmeetings/. For current spotted seatrout annual reviews, visit MyFWC.com/Marine and click on “Recreational Regulations” and “Spotted Seatrout.” ese documents provide a summary of the management metrics in each new management region.

SPEND LE TIME ON TASKS More Time Fishing

It’s no fsh tale when you run with a John Deere. You can get everything done faster and easier, so you get more time on the water. Plus, our special offers make them the catch of the day.

PREDICTING THE RUN

By Capt. Jim Ross

s a charter captain, as well as a regular contributor to the Brevard County, Florida edition of Coastal Angler Magazine, every year there are certain events that happen that I try to predict in advance so that clients and readers can catch more !sh. However, there are many times that even we so called “professionals” don’t get it exactly right. Obviously, my crystal ball isn’t 100 percent correct all of the time...maybe it needs a tune up. LOL!

ings like the giant black drum schooling up, spring cobia run, June tarpon run, fall mullet run, and winter pompano run aren’t things you can pin down to a certain day of the month, but most of the time we can at least predict the month. Hopefully, I can achieve at least a 90 percent e ciency rating a er doing this report for the past 25 years.

I was just telling my clients one day last week, a er catching a bunch of small trout and a couple of lady!sh, that the big uglies were probably going to show up in a few weeks and if they had a chance to come back out with me then that they may have a shot at catching some much larger !sh than the ones we had landed that morning. Just !ve minutes a er saying this I spotted something unusual about 500 yards up the at. It was exactly what I had just been talking about- a 300 !sh school of 30 to 50-pound black drum.

e !sh in this big school were happy-tailing and waking as they pushed their way down the at. We eased up to them, cast our shrimp in their direction, and as you !gured, the battles were on. All three anglers were hooked up to huge drum that had absolutely no respect for them. Drags screamed, rods doubled over, and dozens of yards of line dumped o their reels. Grunts and groans were heard between laughter and smiles as they worked to tire these beasts. e boat deck looked like a country bar dance oor as anglers shu ed and two-stepped under and over each other in an e ort not to lose their prized catches.

We ended up extending the trip from a 3/4 day to a full day outing because each !sh took 15 to 25-minutes to land.

e moral of the story? Don’t ever count on !sh to be there and don’t ever think that it’s not quite the right time to catch them. e bottom line is just go !shing every chance you get. at is the only way that you can be sure to catch your next memory.

Capt. Jim Ross is owner/operator of Fineline Fishing Charters on Florida’s Space Coast and host of “Catch a Memory Outdoors” live radio show and podcast. www. neline shingcharters.com • www.catchamemoryoutdoors.com

COME JOIN

PRO FISHING TECHNIQUES

Top 3 Mistakes

So many anglers have a “go-to” color lure that they swear by. What they do not understand is that the color of your lure barely makes the top three most important factors for catching tons of !sh.

Mistake #1 - e number one mistake anglers make is ignoring the importance of the size and pro!le of the lures they use. When snook, tarpon, red!sh, speckled trout or ounder are feeding, they o en become laser focused on that particular forage species. In other words, if they are feeding on a 6-inch mullet your 3-inch paddletail or shrimp lure will probably be ignored.

PRO TIP: Have a few of your rods rigged up with various sizes and pro!les of lures on them. I like to have a 3-inch paddletail, an arti!cial shrimp and a 4- to 5.5-inch jerk bait ( uke) rigged up when I can’t determine what bait is around. Try all three sizes and pro!les of lures until you !gure out what the !sh in the area are feeding upon.

Mistake #2 - e number two mistake most anglers make is thinking one retrieve style works best for all of the !sh all of the time. ere are so many di erent factors to consider when retrieving your lures. Here are a few to consider:

• Is the water cold or hot? Fish are cold blooded and move more slowly in cold water. is means that you have to slow down your retrieve when the water is cold. Conversely, you want to move your lure faster when the water is hot.

• What species are you targeting? Di erent !sh species like di erent retrieves. For instance, the best retrieve for a red!sh is slowly bouncing your lure o of the bottom. A tarpon likes a low and steady retrieve. A ounder likes a very slow bounce/dragging retrieve no higher than 12 inches from the bottom. A speckled trout likes a vertical jig and will usually hit the lure as it falls through the water column. Snook like a fast and erratic retrieve most of the time.

• Is the water clear or murky? Low light, cloudy skies and murky water scenarios makes it harder to get a !sh’s attention. Use a retrieve or lure that creates vibrations and ashes in the water. You also want to fan cast the area keeping your lure placement close together because they are less apt to seek out your lure. When it is sunny and the water is clear it is easier to get the !sh’s attention. You can make your casts further apart and make the !sh come to your lure.

Mistake #3 - e third biggest mistake is thinking !sh care about lure colors. A saltwater tackle box with white lures and something dark like root beer or purple is all that you need to catch any !sh. PERIOD. e bottom line is that if you want to catch more !sh, switch up your sizes and pro!les and vary your retrieves for di erent species and conditions. I GUARANTEE that you will catch more !sh.

Capt. Mike Smith is owner of Fish Your Ass O Charters.Reach him at (561) 339-2317, contact@ shyourasso .com or shyourasso .com.

“It’s a beautiful knife with a great blade and a sure grip” — William B. Wilmington, NC

My friend Sergio is a mixed martial arts fighter. His shoulders are broad. His muscles have muscles. He’s not the kind of person you want to be on the wrong side of.

This manly man has a saying about being tough: You should either know how to fight or look like you do.

The message is simple enough. People spoiling for a fight usually don’t pick the biggest guy in the bar. If you look like someone who shouldn’t be messed with, you likely won’t be. With our Blue Bone Bowie Knife on your hip, that’s exactly the message you’ll send.

As beautiful as it is functional, this knife is 10" overall and features a high-quality 420 surgical stainless steel blade with a serrated spine. The handle is constructed of genuine natural bone with redwood spacers. On the handle you’ll find design work that’s carved by hand, a testament to its craftsmanship.

This knife is stick tang, meaning it won’t wimp out when you need it. This knife also features brass hand guards and brass spacers with file work, so you won’t lose your grip. For easy carrying, it comes with a genuine tooled leather sheath. CALL NOW! If you’re one of the rst 700 587 callers for this ad, we’ll throw in a pair of Stauer HD Pocket Binoculars — a $99 value — ABSOLUTELY FREE!

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Blue Bone Bowie Knife

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