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fve things you should know about boat insurance

Are you ready to embark on your next on-water adventure? Before you set sail, here are fve things to know about boat insurance.

1. Boat insurance isn’t just for accidents

With comprehensive coverage, you’ll also be protected fnancially for theft, vandalism, and unexpected events like storms if you need repairs or replacements due to damage.

Accidents can happen to anyone

When accidents happen, boat insurance offers liability coverage for damages or injuries you cause while boating, up to specifed limits. It can also cover lawsuit costs if you’re sued.

3. Boat insurance can cover medical payments

Boat insurance offers a range of optional medical payments coverage limits, helping to cover medical expenses if you’re in an accident or someone is hurt on your boat, regardless of fault.

4. Most lenders require boat insurance

If you fnanced your boat, you’ll likely need boat insurance since most lenders require boat insurance to protect their investment. Additionally, some marinas or municipalities require proof of insurance for docking.

5. Progressive offers specialized boat coverages

Ever worry about getting stuck on the water? Progressive’s Sign & Glide® On-Water Towing coverage** can help. It’s an additional coverage that steps in if your boat is disabled or breaks down on the water, paying for on-water towing, jump starts, soft ungroundings, and fuel delivery. Fuel cost isn’t included.

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

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to learn more.

‘MAY’ Your Cup Overfoweth with Gags & Scamps!

You probably noticed my attempt at a little humor with that title—just what we need a!er a long closed season. In my personal view, the closure has been unnecessary, much like the situation with Atlantic red snapper. Many of us are simply trying to catch seabass and grunts for dinner, but we keep getting pushed o our favorite spots where red snapper and gags are abundant. Yet, these species are still considered endangered. I think you know where I stand on this topic, so I won’t dwell on it any further.

As warm water moves in closer to the beach, expect to nd king sh and cobia frequenting the same spots where you’re catching gags when the water temperature rises above 68°F. Always have a pitch rod ready as cobia may swim right up to the boat. However, don’t be surprised if you catch cobia while bottom shing with a decor jig and an appealing bait. In fact, more cobia are o!en caught on the bottom than on the surface when anchored up and targeting grouper.

schools of cigar minnows and sardines on them. You don’t need to look any further when you nd this combination of bait because the sh will be right there. It’s always a good idea to keep one person on the Sabiki jigging up. A live sardine or a live cigar on a decoy has a life expectancy of under ten seconds around any kind of sh. We try to never leave the marina without a couple boxes of frozen cigar minnows and live pin sh. at live pin sh can sometimes be the best selection of all because it’s too large for any of the trash bites.

TIM BAREFOOT

of other species like vermilions, mangroves, grunts and seabass.

In addition to all the other stu on the bottom, it’s always good to keep a light line out for kings, black n, wahoo and dolphin. It’s not a bad idea to keep one under a %oat (so you can keep an eye on it) and another one without a %oat, but you have to be mindful of that bait getting back into props or under the boat tangling other lines.

I’ve always said, “Find the bait, nd the sh.” Go to all your familiar haunts with structure of one kind of another, whether it’s ledges, rock out crops, wrecks, etc. e bonus will be nding

Any kind of little snapper about the size of your hand makes for the ultimate bait. I’m no longer shing for barely-legal gag or scamp. Instead, I’m looking for one good bite at a time. I’ll let that bait soak on the bottom and be patient waiting for the old man to show up. Don’t get me wrong, more sh have been caught on frozen cigar minnows and sardines than all the other baits combined, but a live one is simply irresistible to every grouper and/or snapper out there. Period. Nearly everything on the bottom will take a whack at it, but only the sh with the correct sized mouth can eat that small snapper. Because the creel limits are so low, you’ll easily reach your grouper limit. Once you have, it’s wise to take advantage

If you’re anchoring and not just using the trolling motor, it’s a great idea to %y the kite. Keep a couple baits suspended with little to no leader in the water. Live greenies, cigs or sardines under the kite is the ultimate presentation. You can even get away with %uorocarbon using circle hooks depending on the current. Don’t hesitate to put a bait out with a small amount of weight in front of it to get it down 30 to 50 feet behind the boat. is will get you that large wahoo bite. ere are so many options available this time of year in the warmer water, so be ready to take advantage of all of them once you ll your cooler with one species or another. is is the ideal time to broaden your approach and become skilled in targeting not only di erent types of snapper and grouper, but also pelagics.

MAY you nd calm seas, tight lines and delicious dinners this month!

Learn more from Tim Barefoot at barefootcatsandtackle.com.

THE ALTERNATIVE TO BUYING A NEW BOAT

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Since 2014, Mastry Engine Center, has been building the premiere Suzuki Outboard repower network in Florida. Today, Authorized Mastry Suzuki Outboard Centers have been exceeding expectaions in the Southeast for over two decades. Recently Suzuki Marine requested Mastry Engine Center to expand the network throughout the Northeast. Now boat owners from Maine to Florida can be assured of the best support for their Suzuki outboard repower project. All Authorized Mastry Suzuki RePower Centers provide the best options, information and package pricing for excellent performance in repower.

When you purchase a new Suzuki outboard from an authorized Mastry RePower Center you qualify to become a member of the Mastry Suzuki Owner’s Edge. Owners receive an identifcation card that provides them with important information about their Suzuki outboard motor as well as a passport to additional benefts during ownership. Members enjoy a detailed engine maintenance schedule, Mastry Suzuki RePower Trade Program and special pricing from Mastry Suzuki Partners *Get with the Program!

Suzuki Marine has partnered with Fuel 1 to provide an opportunity for its dealer network to offer certified Sustainable Marine Fuels to its customers right from their facilities. By teaming up with Fuel 1—a national retailer of advanced fuel delivery and portable fueling systems—Suzuki Marine is helping its dealers better serve their communities by meeting an important consumer need, maximizing the performance and reliability of their customer’s boats, and supporting sustainability goals important to Suzuki Marine and the entire recreational boating industry.

Working with Fuel 1 provides Suzuki Marine dealers with important advantages, such as the ability to deploy a fully supported fueling ecosystem with zero capital investment. Fuel 1 will provide free MicroStation Deployment; fully branded portable fueling stations installed at participating dealer locations. In addition to direct fueling solutions, portable distribution systems including 20-gallon exchange pods and tote programs make it easy for customers to fuel their boats with PurFuels’ 93-octane, ethanol-free fuel that has been developed specifically for marine operating conditions.

the industry’s efforts to educate the boating public about these cleaner burning, more sustainable fuels. Now, we are stepping up to the plate to help get this fuel to more boaters, using their trusted Suzuki Marine dealers as the source,” added Cerka.

The program also makes strong business sense for dealers. A revenue sharing model will provide dealers with solid profits and recurring income. Fuel 1 will manage all compliance, liability, inventory, refueling and point-of-sale systems, making it easy for dealers to provide this valuable service to both loyal and new customers. Fuel 1 provides unmatched business and marketing support, including national marketing campaigns to drive customers to the dealership, dealer spotlighting across Fuel 1 Direct and partner platforms, invitations to participate in Fuel 1’s national sponsorships and marine events, and customer aggregation tools to help position dealerships as a preferred destination for premium marine fuel.

“Making sustainable marine fuels more accessible in different areas of the country is a great win for our dealers and customers alike,” said Brandon Cerka, Suzuki Marine Vice President Sales & Marketing. “This partnership is also a major step in Suzuki Marine’s ongoing effort to reduce the environmental footprint of boating. We have long supported

“We have used these fuels exclusively at our Suzuki Marine U.S. Technical Center during engine testing, durability trials, and performance benchmarking. Over years of testing, we have proven that these fuels help Suzuki Marine’s products run at peak performance, efficiency, and durability in real-world conditions. We have every confidence in these fuels and are pleased to be offering them to our customers,” added Cerka.

To learn more about the key benefits of PurFuels sustainable marine fuel, visit www.fuel1direct.com

NICHOLAS SICILIANO

Beast Coast Fishing Charters

Every once in a while, you meet someone whose passion for the water is so undeniable, it practically radiates off them. For anglers up and down the East Coast, Captain Nicholas Siciliano is that guy, he’s built a name for himself as a diehard fisherman and the force behind Beast Coast Fishing Charters, where tight lines and happy clients are the standard.

For Captain Nick, the story began the way many great fishing tales do: a rod, a bike, and a young kid who never wanted to stop catching fish. What started as childhood curiosity quickly evolved into obsession. That early curiosity quickly turned into something more, as he spent his

With A Menu seafood

8am - 9pm

younger years running small boats, learning tides, fish behavior, and the ins and outs of his local waters. He didn’t just want to catch fish, he wanted to understand them. After years of sharpening his skills, logging countless hours on the water,

and building a loyal following of fishing buddies and fellow captains, he launched Beast Coast Fishing Charters. A name that reflects both the rugged coastline he calls home and the aggressive, results - driven style of fishing he’s become known for. Beast Coast Fishing charters is based out of the Northeast’s salt-stained coastline, Captain Nick has made a name for himself by putting clients on fish, trip after trip. “Catching fish is just part of it,” Nick explains. “It’s about building memories. When someone hooks into their personal best or watches their kid land their first fish — that’s what it’s all about for me.”

Ready to make some memories of your own? Book your trip today!

Captain’s DireCtory

Volusia County’s Premier Fishing Captains

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

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

Inshore, Nearshore, Offshore

Target Species: Redfish, Snook,

Cobia, Tarpon, Snapper, Triggerfish, Mahi, Kingfish, & Wahoo.

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

TIM RUSSELL 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

Pole Dancer Fishin’ Charters 386-451-4992

CAPTAIN MARTY GOLDYS 386-679-0317

Reel Harmony Fishing Charters reelharmonyfishing.com

Inshore/Nearshore

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

MAHI-MAHI RECIPES

Mahi with Basil Butter

Servings: 4 | Cook Time: ~10 minutes | Method: Pan-seared Ingredients

For the Basil Butter Sauce

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter

• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

• 1 large garlic clove, minced

• ¼ teaspoon sea salt

• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

• 1½ tablespoons fresh basil leaves (about 12 leaves), stemmed and chopped, plus whole leaves for garnish

For the Mahi

• 1½ pounds wild-caught Mahi fillets, skinless and boneless

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

• 2 lemons, sliced into wedges for serving

Instructions

1. Combine all sauce ingredients in a small saucepan

over low heat, stirring until the butter melts.

2. Cover and keep the sauce on LOW heat while you cook the fish.

3. Heat olive oil in a 12-inch cast-iron or heavybottomed skillet over medium-high heat until you can see ripples in the oil.

4. Add the fish smooth side down. Cook for 3–4 minutes on the first side.

5. Flip and cook another 2–3 minutes, depending on fillet thickness, or until the fish reaches an internal temperature of 145°F on an instant-read thermometer.

6. Plate the fish, drizzle generously with basil butter sauce, and serve with lemon wedges.

Mahi Tacos

Servings: 6 tacos | Cook Time: ~20 minutes | Method: Pan-seared Ingredients For the Mahi

• 1½ pounds Mahi-Mahi fillets

• ¼ cup dry white wine

• 2 tablespoons lime juice

• 1 teaspoon minced garlic

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

For the Tacos

• 12 small corn tortillas, warmed

• 1 lime, quartered

• Romaine or iceberg lettuce, shredded

• Pico de Gallo salsa

• 1 avocado, pitted and cut into thin slices

• Sour cream or crema

Instructions

1. Pat fish dry and place in a nonreactive bowl with the white wine, lime juice, and garlic. Marinate for 10–15 minutes.

2. Remove fish from marinade, pat dry, and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

3. Heat vegetable oil in a large nonstick frying pan over medium-high heat.

4. When oil shimmers, place fish skin-side down in the skillet. Cook until opaque and firm to the touch, about 3 minutes per side.

5. Flake the cooked fish, squeeze one lime wedge over the top, and toss to coat.

6. To assemble each taco, stack 2 corn tortillas on top of each other and fill with fish, shredded lettuce, salsa, a few avocado slices, and a dollop of sour cream.

7. Repeat to make 6 tacos total. Serve immediately with remaining lime wedges.

All recipes feature wild-caught Mahi-Mahi. Internal temperature guidelines: 145°F for pan-seared preparations, 137°F for grilled preparations.

Boats

PONCE INLET & BACKWATERS

May is the beginning of the summer patterns for us . We may get a few fronts in the beginning of the month, which will trigger good bites. We should start to get a dominant high pressure holding over the state. During May I love fishing the jetty, it produces a ton of fish from slot snook to nice size reds, and if you’re hungry there should be plenty of mangrove

snapper to be found. I typically use live mullet for redfish in the spring, I would say that is my most productive bait for redfish, followed by cut mullet, live shrimp, and blue crab. I typically scan the rocks with side scan on outgoing tides and then set up on spot lock about 20 yards in front of the staged fish and drop my bait of choice back to them. I prefer dead sticking rods in the holders when doing this with light drag & just enough weight to hold the bottom, paired with a 4/0 mutsu style offset circle hook . If the fish are finicky , I’ll throw out a cut mullet or halved blue crab to entice a bite. I like dead sticking rods in the holder as holding the rod usually comes with a reaction to set the hook when you get a bite and more times then not the fish is missed.

For snook I’ll also pretty much do the same set up, use live mullet but I’ll also mix in pinfish and croaker. Drifting outgoing tides can also be productive however be courteous of those holding their spots and also understand you will certainly get much more snags so be prepared to re rig often . When it comes to catching fish for table fair like mangrove snapper my go bait is shrimp or mud minnows. I look for them on the down scan sitting on top of the scattered rocks on both the south and north side of the rocks and I like using a 2/0 mutsu offset circle for these bait robbing fools.

May is beautiful and one of the last months to fish without dripping sweat from the time you leave the dock so get out there! As always if you see us out there say hello and if you want to get your shot at getting a few fish give me a call!

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 get more and more youth anglers on the water each and every year! Sol Fishing will do everything possible to make every young man or ladies 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 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 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!

Bamba time is here, so get your reels. poles and bait together and come on down to the beach for some surf fishing. Ya, mon! The seasons are changing and spring time is here: thunderstorms, winds and pompano. They arrive when the water temperature gets warm enough where we live, in Wilbur By the Sea. The water temperature is perfect right now, at 64°, so the pompano will stay and feed, and that’s just what they’re doing. Black drum, red drum and sheepshead, and my friend Tommy‘s favorite, whiting, are also in abundance.

This morning I have a charter on the beach in Wilbur By the Sea with some people from Pennsylvania who want to surf fish with me. But, as always, you could make the best plans and the conditions play a big part in how it goes. We came out and there were too many weeds and too much current to fish, so I’ll have to keep the bait fresh on dry ice and see what comes next day.

A few times a year we get infestations of Portuguese man o’ war. A poisonous, blue-purple, jellyfish-like animal that floats in with the wind using a small sail and often wash up on the beach among the weeds. They can grow up to 12 inches long and should be avoided, as their tentacles can extend many meters and cause a severe burning sting on contact. They’re not actually jellyfish but are made up of four organisms called polyps, with a gas-filled body that acts as a sail, moving them with currents and wind, and they’re found in the Indian, Atlantic, and Pacific Oceans. Their tentacles can reach up to 150 feet and contain barbs used to paralyze small fish. If stung, you may get a welt and even shortness of breath, use hot water and rinse off the barbs, and vinegar or ammonia can help; some fishermen even use urine to neutralize the toxin. They can still sting when dead on the beach and typically only appear for a few days each year. Now, getting back to that surf fishing charter, we had to wait two days, but the great conditions rolled in. My people from Pennsylvania showed up at 8 o’clock. No weeds and no current, and by 10 o’clock we had the grand slam: pompano, black drum, sheepshead, and whiting.

To celebrate the catch we put on the reggae beats of the Melodians. Ya, mon! We had a fillet session behind my house. With refreshments. We split up the fillets. And my charter people went on their way and me and my fish are heading to the smoker.

MARCO POMPANO

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

KAYAK REPORT

There’s one particular lure that has been a staple when it comes to bass fishing for the last 70+ years. And unlike other baits that go through their trends and come and go, I believe this is the one lure that consistently catches fish that has been in angler’s tackle boxes since the 50s and potentially even before that, this being the spinnerbait. Spinnerbaits are one of the most versatile baits that you can throw when it comes to bass fishing. They can be thrown in lily pads, stumps, grass, trees, around docks, just about anywhere you can imagine. The wire that the blades are connected to

work as a weed guard and help prevent from getting snagged and stuck on cover. The combination of the skirt and the flashy blades are irresistible to bass.

I’ll throw a spinnerbait in just about any weather conditions and have found them to work either way, but they excel during overcast, windy days without a doubt. Just a few weeks ago I competed in a local kayak fishing tournament where I finished in 2nd and I had a spinnerbait locked in my hand from lines in until lines out. I was using a 3/8 ounce white War Eagle spinnerbait with two willow blades one gold and one silver paired with a Rapala Crush City Mayor as a trailer.

I was fishing out of my Bonafide PWR 129, which in my opinion is the best kayak on the market. The amount of ways you can rig this kayak is endless. I have mine rigged with a Newport 180pro and for that tournament I had my throttle set at 1-2% where I would stand up and slowly cruise down the shoreline. I am able to control my steering while standing up by lightly nudging my foot steering with my shins which allows me to stand and fish while covering water at the same time which really increases my efficiency.

During this tournament I would throw the spinnerbait as shallow as possible and run it right next to the stumps and that’s when they’d hit it. I caught my biggest fish just as the sun was peaking over the trees which went 20.75 inches, roughly 4.5 pounds. I proceeded to fill the rest of my limit with some small keepers until I made my way into a back cove. I caught an 18.5 off of a particular stump that I ended up returning to multiple times throughout the day and ended up catching 3 more over 18 inches off the same stump which landed me at 93.50 inches for my best 5

fish landing me in 2nd place!

I like to throw my spinnerbaits on a 7’2 medium heavy rod paired up with a slow gear ratio reel. I use a Shimano Scorpion with a 6:5:1 gear ratio. That slower gear ratio helps keep a lighter spinnerbait under the surface. Typically I’ll throw them on 15lb fluorocarbon, if I use a heavier spinnerbait like a 1⁄2 ounce or even a 3⁄4 ounce and I end up fishing around heavier cover I’ll bump it up to 17 or even 20lb.

If you’re looking for a quality bait that will help you locate and catch fish, I would highly recommend picking up a spinnerbait and start chucking and winding.

DEVIN HOLBROOK

SOUTHSIDE JETSKI & BOAT RENTAL

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 Closed

EDGEWATER BACKCOUNTRY FORECAST

Summer is knocking at the door, May is the first month with summer fishing patterns. It’s that time again to start serious trips before sunrise, to take advantage of the first light feeding period. More baitfish will be appearing in the ICW, Edgewater Backcountry, and Mosquito Lagoon. The baitfish will include: finger mullet, pigfish, croakers, spots, small menhaden, and pilchards.

Early morning is topwater lure time, use smaller and quieter styles when conditions are calm. Try larger and louder lures on choppy water, walk the dog types or chugger heads. I like Skitter Walk, Super Spook Jr, Chug Bug, and Zara Puppy. You want to work top waters tight to oyster bars, shorelines, shallow back bays, and flats. Fish the top waters early, then switch to sub surface lures after the sun is up a bit, like twitch baits, Mirrodines, spoons, soft plastic jerk baits, and DOA or Gulp shrimp. Finger mullet will again be coming into shallow water, fish them free-lined, tail hooked, around the shallow oysters, flats, and shorelines for redfish and trout. On deeper drop offs fish lip hooked mullet, mud minnows, or live shrimp with split shot or 1⁄4 oz sinker.

Tarpon and Bull Redfish return to the intracoastal waterway, backcountry and

Lagoon waters. Tarpon will show themselves on the surface by rolling and gulping air. As they roll, their dorsal fin and tail break the top of the water, they are notoriously picky so patience is a must, a live shrimp, silver dollar blue crab, live finger mullet, plastic swim baits or lures are good to try. Tarpon is a top challenge for fly fishers, with the sight casting chance at a silver king hookup. Larger Redfish will again be along the ICW channel, watch for surface activity with a lower profile, big boils and surface strikes as they eat drifting blue crabs or baitfish, a free lined whole or half crab, large live shrimp, pinfish, pigfish, croaker, spots. Use heavier tackle for the big Reds and Tarpon for a shorter fight and healthy release. Hold these bigger fish horizontally for a photo not hanging from the lip which can damage these valuable breeder size fish, remember only Tarpon under 40” are legally allowed to be removed from the water so a photo with the fish in the water is needed on bigger fish.

Summer is the best time of year for night time dock light fishing, the lights attract bait fish and shrimp which in turn bring in the trout, jacks, ladyfish, snook, and redfish to name a few, a free lined live shrimp can be the go to bait or match the hatch of which type of bait you are seeing,

try a small size lure, swim bait, jig, twitch bait, or soft plastic shrimp. Anchor just up the tide and cast out from the light, throw your bait up current from the circle of light on the water and allow it to “swim” naturally through the target area. Outgoing tide can be best, but a moving tide in either direction is a must for a good bite.

2.2 7:58 0.5 7:42 0.5 6:36 8:03

9 Sat 2:07 2.8 2:42 2.3 8:44 0.5 8:39 0.5 6:35 8:04

10 Sun 3:02 2.7 3:46 2.4 9:29 0.4 9:39 0.5 6:34 8:05

11 Mon 4:01 2.7 4:46 2.7 10:15 0.2 10:41 0.4 6:34 8:05

12 Tue 4:59 2.7 5:39 3.0 11:03 0.0 11:42 0.2 6:33 8:06

13 Wed 5:52 2.7 6:28 3.3 11:50 -0.1 6:32 8:07 14 Thu 6:43 2.7 7:17 3.6 12:40 0.1 12:38 -0.3 6:32 8:07 15 Fri 7:35 2.8 8:08 3.8 1:36 -0.1 1:26 -0.5 6:31 8:08

16 Sat 8:29 2.8 9:01 4.0 2:30 -0.3 2:16 -0.6 6:31 8:08

17 Sun 9:23 2.8 9:54 4.0 3:22 -0.3 3:07 -0.6 6:30 8:09

18 Mon 10:17 2.8 10:47 4.0 4:15 -0.3 3:59 -0.6 6:30 8:10

19 Tue 11:11 2.7 11:42 3.8 5:10 -0.3 4:55 -0.5 6:29 8:10

20 Wed 12:09 2.7 6:09 -0.2 5:58 -0.3 6:29 8:11 21 Thu 12:38 3.6 1:09 2.7 7:10 -0.1 7:06 -0.1 6:28 8:11

Fishing Charters)

DANIELLA & VERONICA NADAL (Reel Harmony Fishing Charters)

MOD DUNLAP & WARREN WILLIS (Strippin Lips

WES BOOP

ARTIE JOHNSON (Strippin Lips Fishing Charters)

KYLEE SHORT

BLAKE ABBEY

CHRISTINE STAHR

Scan the QR code to submit your photo for a chance to be showcased on our Brag Board! Your submission automatically enters you into our monthly random drawing for a $50 Gift Card!

Along with the gift card, the winner will also get a Gyotaku Fish Printing Kit from Fishin’ Prints!

JESSIE DIAZ

THE OVERLOOKED MONTH FOR TROPHY SPECKLED TROUT MAY:

If you’re a big trout enthusiast like me, you know there’s still time le to chase a personal best—if you haven’t had your ll over the past few months. While most anglers focus on trophy speckled trout from December through early April, May quietly remains one of the most underrated windows of the year. With the full moon in late May, many of those big females will hold eggs all month, giving anglers one last legitimate shot at a heavy trout before the spawn wraps up.

What makes May even better is how enjoyable it is to be on the water. e cold winter grind is behind us, waders can nally come o , and the warmer conditions allow for a more aggressive approach. Unlike winter, when slow presentations dominate, May lets you sh with more con dence and energy. Topwater explosions become a real possibility again, and there are few things more exciting than watching a big trout crush a lure on the surface.

at said, topwaters aren’t the only tool in play. Slow-sinking and suspending baits still produce, and so plastics—especially paddle tails—shine this time of year. With water temperatures rising, trout are more active and willing to chase.

Adding sound, like a subtle tail rattle, can make a noticeable di erence in getting bites from these larger sh. Sizes from 3” to 5” can all be e so don’t hesitate to mix it up until you nd what they want.

Location plays just as important a role as lure selection. I like to focus on grass knee- to waist-deep water, especially those with nearby drains from small lakes or creeks. areas concentrate bait and naturally pull in predators. Subtle features—like potholes, small depressions, or even a one-foot drop-o —can hold sh and shouldn’t be overlooked.

Approach is everything in shallow water. Whether you’re wading or shing from a kayak, stealth matters. Position yourself far enough o your target area to avoid spooking sh, especially in clear conditions. Cover water methodically with a fan-cast approach, working from short casts to longer ones. Starting close allows you to pick o sh in front of you before potentially spooking them with longer casts.

By Capt. Michael Okruhlik

Shallow water may look too skinny to hold quality sh, but time and time again it proves otherwise. e key is reading the conditions,

they want to be. Some days they’ll be scattered across a at, while other times they’ll stack up along a subtle edge or current break.

May is your last real shot at an egg-heavy trophy trout before summer patterns take over. Take advantage of the warmer weather, sh with con dence, and enjoy the experience. And if you can, take a kid shing—they like big trout too.

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

PHOTO COURTESY OF KNOCKIN TAIL LURES®

MDROP IT LIKE IT’S

By A. deGruchy

ay 1st marks one of the most anticipated days in the Florida Keys: the reopening of grouper season. e Florida Keys o ers a variety of grouper species, each with its own habits and appeal. Black grouper are the top prize, known for their size and power, typically found on deeper reefs and wrecks. Red grouper

are more common on patch reefs and ledges and are a great target for steady action. Gag grouper show up more in deeper water and are prized for both their ght and table quality.

Grouper shing is all about positioning and strength. ese sh live in holes, ledges, and wrecks, and when they bite, they immediately try

to return to structure. Success depends on getting your bait down quickly and pulling hard the second you feel a strike. ere is no waiting. You either win the rst few seconds or lose the sh. Tackle matters. A heavy-duty setup using PENN conventional reels paired with strong rods gives you the drag and li ing power needed to keep sh out of the rocks. On the terminal side, circle hooks are the standard for reef shing, improving hook placement and supporting conservation. Pair these with heavy leader and enough weight to stay pinned to the bottom. Live bait like pin sh or grunts is ideal. Bigger baits o en mean bigger grouper, especially when targeting black grouper o shore.

It is also important to understand that grouper are a slow-growing species. Many take years to reach legal size, and they are particularly vulnerable during spawning periods. at is why strict regulations, seasons, and gear requirements exist. Responsible anglers follow the rules, handle sh carefully, and use tools like descending devices when releasing sh from deeper water.

Here in the Keys, your approach can vary based on conditions. O shore trips o er a shot at larger sh in deeper water, while patch reef shing can provide more consistent action and shorter runs. Both are productive, and the best option o en depends on weather and current conditions. Show up prepared, sh hard, and respect the resource so it stays strong for years to come.

For more real-world shing action in the Florida Keys, follow Bean Sport shing on YouTube

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Lipless Crankbait vs. the Chatterbait:

HowMatchingtheHatchandtheRightRodDrivesBassFishingSuccess

Lipless vibrating lures have long been staples in bass !shing, but few create more debate—or more bites—than the lipless crankbait (rattle trap) and the chatterbait. While both rely on vibration to trigger reaction strikes, their e ectiveness depends heavily on forage, seasonal timing, and even the rod and reel used to !sh them.

A lipless crankbait is a hard-bodied bait designed for speed and sound. Its tight vibration and internal rattles allow bass to locate it from long distances, making it ideal when !sh are actively feeding on bait!sh like shad. ese baits excel in open water or over submerged grass, where anglers can burn them, yo-yo them, or rip them free to trigger reaction strikes. For rattle traps, rod selection plays a major role in landing !sh. A 7’ to 7’3” mediumheavy rod with a moderate or moderate-fast action is ideal. e slightly so er tip allows bass to fully load the rod before the hooks engage, reducing the chances of pulling treble hooks free during surging !ghts. e longer length also helps make long casts, which is critical when covering water or targeting schooling !sh. You typically want to throw the trap on a faster gear ratio reel like a 7.1 or 7.3. e faster gear ratio helps pick up the line on long cast when you get a bite and need to catch up with the !sh.

A chatterbait, or bladed jig, produces a wider, thumping vibration and a more natural pro!le when paired with a so plastic trailer. is lure shines around shallow grass, docks, and wood, especially in stained water where bass rely more on vibration than sight. Chatterbaits o en mimic bluegill or bream, making them deadly around spawning areas and shallow cover. Because chatterbaits use a single heavy hook, anglers bene!t from a slightly di erent rod setup. A 7’ to 7’4” medium-heavy rod with a fast action provides the backbone needed to drive the hook home while still o ering enough tip to keep !sh pinned. is setup also allows anglers to control !sh quickly when pulling them out of thick cover.

Beyond lure, reel, and rod choice, matching the hatch remains one of the most important elements of success. Bass o en focus on a speci!c

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By NPFL Pro Angler Joey Bloom

forage, and lures that match the size, color, and movement of that prey get bit more consistently. Chrome or white rattle traps imitate %eeing shad in open water, while green pumpkin or bluegillpattern chatterbaits blend perfectly into shallow cover scenarios. To maximize these techniques, anglers must learn to follow the bait throughout the season. In late winter and early spring, bait move toward warming %ats, making rattle traps excellent search tools.

A er the spawn, bluegill become a primary food source, and chatterbaits excel around shallow cover and spawning grounds. In summer, bait o en shi s to deeper grass lines or o shore structure, where slow-rolled chatterbaits can shine. Come fall, shad migrate into the backs of creeks, and rattle traps once again dominate as bass feed aggressively ahead of winter.

By pairing the right vibrating lure with proper reel and rod length and action—and matching it to seasonal forage—anglers can signi!cantly increase e ciency and landing percentage. In bass !shing, success o en comes down to details, and choosing the right reel and rod can be just as important as choosing the right bait.

Follow all of Joey Bloom’s shing and fun on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube at Joey Bloom Fishing.

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MPRO FISHING TECHNIQUES TOP 3 PRO TIPS to Catch More Fish

CAPT. MIKE SMITH

any anglers haphazardly run around searching for !sh. ey see a !shy looking point and anchor up and start casting. Hours later they give up and go home empty handed.

at !shy looking point probably does have !sh on it some of the time, but not all the time.

What did they do wrong? ey forgot that !sh move around based on water temperatures, food resources, currents, water quality and the presence of larger predators. In my experience, 80% of the !sh will be in 20% of the area based on those conditions.

Here are the three most important pro tips to help you catch more !sh.

1. Find Feeding Fish. My !shing charters always start by scanning mangrove shorelines, grass %ats, and spoil islands for feeding !sh. Obviously, this is the easiest way to !gure out where the !sh are.

If you can !nd baits being crushed by predatory !sh, then start casting there. Even if you only !nd nervous bait, that’s still a great spot to start casting.

2. Find Food Resources. When the !sh are not actively feeding your next best bet is !nding bait. Sometimes the bait is obvious and you can start casting along the edges of the schools.

If you can’t actually see any bait then let the birds tell you where it is and what size it is. Birds always know where the food is. When you see diving pelicans or a great blue heron perched on a mangrove branch you know there is bait there.

e various bird species will tell you what lures to cast. When you see small wading birds like snowy egrets, little blue herons, green herons and tri-colored herons, then you know to cast something small. is really helps because you can grab your three-inch paddle tail or 2.75 inch shrimp and know that you are !shing with the right size lure. ose smaller herons usually target baits that are three inches or smaller.

When you see great white egrets, great blue herons and brown pelicans it gets a little harder to !gure out the size of the baits to use. You know there is food there but those birds will eat anything from a two-inch minnow up to an eight-inch mullet.

is is when you need an assortment of di erent sizes and pro!les of lures. I usually have a three-inch paddle tail, an arti!cial shrimp and a four to !ve and half inch jerkbait (%uke) rigged on my rods. Start casting until you !gure out what the !sh want on that day.

3. Find Moving Water. e next important factor is moving water. All of the predatory inshore species that you want to catch like a little bit of current.

ey will typically be facing into the current waiting for some unsuspecting food resource to %ow past their ambush point.

Your strongest currents are going to occur during the full moon and the new moon. Coincidentally, the best !shing occurs around these two moon phases.

Go get ‘em!

Capt. Mike Smith, owner of Fish Your Ass O Charters, is an inshore shing guide who has been shing the inshore waters, oyster bars and grass ats of Florida for more than 40 years. Reach him at (561) 3392317, email: contact@ shyourasso .com or visit shyourasso .com.

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Every spring, it feels like the bank bite will last forever. Fish are shallow, visible, and predictable cruising, spawning, and guarding fry. It’s the time of year when con!dence is high and decisions feel easy. But like everything in !shing, that window doesn’t stay open long. Before most anglers realize it, the !sh that were once easy to !nd have simply vanished.

at disappearance marks the beginning of what seasoned anglers know as the o shore shi . As water temperatures climb and the spawn wraps up, bass begin pulling away from the bank and setting up on o shore structure. Ledges, shell beds, brush piles, and subtle depth changes start to hold more !sh than the shoreline ever could. It’s not an overnight move, but it happens quickly enough that many !shermen get le behind, still casting to water that’s no longer alive.

One of the biggest mistakes anglers make during this transition is assuming the !sh have stopped biting. In reality, they’ve just relocated. Instead of being scattered along miles of bank, bass begin grouping up in smaller, more de!ned areas. e challenge

TYLER WOOLCOTT

FROM A PRO THE OFFSHORE SHIFT: WHEN BASS LEAVE THE BANK FOR GOOD

shi s from covering water visually to understanding what lies beneath the surface. It becomes less about instinct and more about intention reading depth, structure, and subtle changes that aren’t visible at a glance.

Making the adjustment isn’t always easy, especially for anglers who are comfortable !shing shallow. It requires slowing down, trusting your electronics, and committing to areas that might not show immediate signs of life. But once you connect with your !rst o shore group, everything changes. What felt like a tough day can turn into a %urry of action in just a few casts, o en with better quality !sh than what the bank was o ering.

e o shore shi is more than just a seasonal pattern—it’s a turning point. It separates those who react to changing conditions from those who anticipate them. As summer approaches, the anglers who embrace the move away from the bank will !nd themselves ahead of the curve, dialing in on schools of bass that are no longer pressured by the crowds. And while the shoreline may feel empty, the real action is just a little deeper.

is a professional tournament angler, as well as owner/operator of Florida Big Fish Adventures, providing bass and saltwater guided shing trips: www. oridabig shadventures.com.

Capt. Tyler Woolcott

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