Coastal Angler Magazine | February 2022 | Ft. Lauderdale Area Edition by Coastal Angler Magazine

FORT LAUDERDALE AREA EDITION

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LOCAL CATCH PHOTOS

GRASS FLAT

GATOR TROUT

CURRENT INTEL FROM AREA CAPTAINS PHOTO CREDIT: PAUL MACINNIS IG: @RSOCFISHING

VOLUME 27 • ISSUE 323

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ost folks associate the word “gators” with big scaly reptiles or a college mascot. Mention gators to a cadre of hardcore inshore anglers and you are likely to elicit fond memories of 30-plus-inch silver flanks speckled with black spots and gaping yellow mouths sporting a wicked pair of canine teeth. I’m talking about seatrout, big trophy trout that prompt some of us to wake up at 4 a.m. so we can be on the water throwing topwater plugs at first light. Big trout don’t act like their smaller brethren, and the techniques that hammer schoolies won’t work on bigger fish. Most gator trout are caught on shallow grass flats 1 ½ to 3 feet deep. Look for flats with dense grass mixed with a few sandy potholes that big trout use to ambush prey. The flat should also have a healthy supply of bait like mullet or pinfish, and it should be close to deeper water, so a wary old trout has a short escape route. During the hottest days of summer, big trout retreat to deeper water off the edge of a flat or seek out shade under mangroves or docks. During the coldest nights of winter, gator trout move into deep channels, canals and dredge holes where they can be targeted with sinking plugs and shrimp imitations worked slowly along the bottom. Seatrout see well in low light, unlike their prey items, like mullet. So, big trout feed best during low light. It is best to

By Paul MacInnis

SLING LURES for Grass Flat Gator Trout

fish early mornings, late evenings, on overcast days and at night. It may seem counter intuitive, but more trophy trout are caught on artificials than bait. Big trout are loners. Lures allow you to cover a lot of water, increasing your odds of intercepting bigger fish. About 80 percent of an adult seatrout’s diet is fish. With that in mind, large mullet-imitating lures are a good choice. The classic gator trout lure is a topwater “walk-the-dog” bait like the venerable Zara Spook. Of course, big swimbaits and shallowrunning plugs also work, along with soft plastic shrimp. A seatrout doesn’t grow to trophy size by being stupid. Big trout are wary and will evacuate a flat at the slightest indication of danger. Hull slaps and pressure waves from a drifting boat put wise old trout on high alert. It’s best to ditch the skiff and either wade or fish from a minimally invasive vessel like a kayak. It also helps to make long casts to get your lure in front of a fish before it detects your presence. Catching a true gator seatrout is not easy, and even when you do everything right there is still an element of luck involved. When you finally catch that trophy fish, handle with care and release her gently. A mature female seatrout can release over a million eggs during a spawn. Let her go to release her big-fish DNA into the gene pool.

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The Experts in Custom Rod Building Have Much to Share

ud Hole Custom Tackle is the world’s largest supplier of rod building and tackle crafting goods and instruction. The heart of Mud Hole is its people, who strive for excellence and truly care about what they do. From leadership to customer service, and from product development to the warehouse floor, Mud Hole is comprised of passionate anglers and rod builders who use their own products every day and are eager to bring custom rod building to anglers everywhere. Established in the 1970s as a custom rod shop in New Jersey, and named after the famed Mud Hole trench at the outflow of the Hudson River, Mud Hole has truly humble, “tackle-shop” origins. Things really picked up in 1999, when the headquarters moved to Oviedo, Florida and the Internet made it easier to connect across the globe. Promoting the many benefits of custombuilt fishing equipment, Mud Hole Custom Tackle thrived and brought custom rod building to the masses. As interest in rod building grew and the industry flourished, Mud Hole dedicated itself to providing accessible DIY rod building instruction and resources to anyone who wanted to learn. Today, the Mud Hole YouTube channel hosts almost 500 videos with over 10 million views, and is followed by over 31,000 subscribers. From Rod Building

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WHAT A TRIGGERS THE BITE? PHOTO COURTESY OF KNOCKIN TAIL LURES

By Capt. Michael Okruhlik

ction, color, profile, style, which is more important when fishing artificials inshore? I investigate this question more than the average fisherman does on each trip, because I manufacture lures. To prove my point, how many of you switch tactics or lures when the bite is hot? I do! Years ago, I would not change a thing while the bite was on. If I lost the last soft plastic of a particular color, I would dig through every compartment to find one more identical to what was working. I might even rig it upside-down or sideways to get that last soft plastic to stay on the hook for a few more bites. Designing and fine-tuning lures has driven me to fish differently and explore more frequently, even when the fish are biting. On a recent trip, I was trying a new design, even though I was more confident in one of my original designs for this scenario in these conditions. The bite was strong, I switched between two lures about every three fish just to see if there was a preference. I started with the new design in a green-back, clear-belly color and caught a fish on the first cast! I was feeling confident, since it was a new lure and a new color, but it took dozens of casts to catch a few more fish. I switched to my original design in a pearl color. Once again, fish on the first cast! It didn’t take long to land a few more, and I decided to switch back to the new design, only this time in the same pearl color. My intent was to see if color was what the fish were keying on. Although I caught fish on both lures, the original produced considerably more fish per cast. I kept switching to gain knowledge and validate my findings. Both lures were the same color and 5 inches long with very similar body size. The actions, however, were completely different. One was a paddle tail, while the other was a soft jerk- or twitch-bait style. The fish on this day undoubtedly preferred the erratic side-to-side action of the twitch bait. Although I attempted to work the swimbait more erratically, the paddle tail did not have the quick side-to-side action that triggered the strike. Both lures were rigged on the same weighted swimbait hook, and I used the same rod. In this scenario, the action and lure style were the keys to triggering the bite. Even if you’re catching fish, it is a good idea to change things up from time to time. The day before, in the same area, I caught an equal number of fish on both the abovementioned lures. Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Knockin Tail Lures, Controlled Descent Lures, and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.

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I DO NOT FEEL THE NEED FOR SPEED (SOMETIMES)

fish) on as light tackle as possible. I like to slow it down, and use the correct tackle for the job, while getting baits down in the strike zone. While drifting or trolling, I like to use a jig when I need to get my baits down deeper where the mid-day fish are hanging out. A 4-ounce Squid Decoy Jig is a good option because it drifts and trolls well and can be fished with or without bait. Tipped with cigar minnow or sardine, Tim Barefoot the jig looks like a squid that has caught supper, and everything eats squid. his is a play off the famous line from the movie This is a wahoo bait that can be fished with fluorocarbon instead Top Gun, but it has a clear meaning when it comes to fishing for palegics. Are there times when I want to high-speed troll of wire or cable, simply because almost all wahoo strikes on squid are to locate areas with fish? YES. Are there times when I want to troll 6-7 knots to catch numbers of good fish when they are on or near the surface feeding? YES. With all that said, are there times to slow down and get baits down to where the fish are in the water column? YES, Definitely! intended to cut the back half the These times are typically squid off before consumption. after 10 or 10:30 a.m., when Predatory fish know that they the sun is high in the sky, and can easily eliminate a squid’s on, or around a full moon. The only defenses… tentacles and a first reason is obvious. Fish don’t biting beak. have Maui Jims, so they adjust A stinger hook in the the amount of light they need/ head of a live or frozen cigar want with water depth. This is minnow or sardine will do especially true with wahoo and the work. There is only one tuna. And the full moon thing… major problem with this setup. they stay up all night eating with Don’t let it get too close to the “big light” on. the bottom, or you’ll have a Have you ever noticed how the bite dies down after 10 or 11 in the morning? Have you ever noticed grouper or big snapper bite. I think we just got ’em on a technicality. If the days around a full moon are typically slow? These are not just a you are “trolling for wahoo” and let the bait get too close to the bottom coincidence. Granted, the planner rod (aka “the meat stick”) is the one and catch a grouper, oh well, I wasn’t using circle hooks. Just sayin’. that produces in the middle of the day, and at daylight for that matter, See more from Tim Barefoot at barefootcatsandtackle.com. and around the full moon, but I much prefer to catch these fish (any

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his is a play off the famous line from the movie Top Gun, but it has a clear meaning when it comes to fishing for palegics. Are there times when I want to highspeed troll to locate areas with fish? YES. Are there times when I want to troll 6-7 knots to catch numbers of good fish when they are on or near the surface feeding? YES. With all that said, are there times to slow down and get baits down to where the fish are in the water column? YES, Definitely! These times are typically after 10 or 10:30 a.m., when the sun is high in the sky, and on, or around a full moon. The first reason is obvious. Fish don’t have Maui Jims, so they adjust the amount of light they need/want with water depth. This is especially true with wahoo and tuna. And the full moon thing… they stay up all night eating with the “big light” on.

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n the cigar ill do y one setup. ose to have a lity. If ottom in’.

Have you ever noticed how the bite dies down after 10 or 11 in the morning? Have you ever noticed the days around a full moon are typically slow? These are not just a coincidence. Granted, the planner rod (aka “the meat stick”) is the one that produces in the middle of the day, and at daylight for that matter, and around the full moon, but I much prefer to catch these fish (any fish) on as light tackle as possible. I like to slow it down, and use the correct tackle for the job, while getting baits down in the strike zone.

While drifting or trolling, I like to use a jig when I need to get my baits down deeper where the mid-day fish are hanging out. A 4-ounce Squid Decoy Jig is a good option because it drifts and trolls well and can be fished with or without bait. Tipped with cigar minnow or sardine, the jig looks like a squid that has caught supper, and everything eats squid. This is a wahoo bait that can be fished with fluorocarbon instead of wire or cable, simply because almost all wahoo strikes on squid are intended to cut the back half the squid off before consumption. Predatory fish know that they can easily eliminate a squid’s only defenses… tentacles and a biting beak. A stinger hook in the head of a live or frozen cigar minnow or sardine will do the work. There is only one major problem with this setup. Don’t let it get too close to the bottom, or you’ll have a grouper or big snapper bite. I think we just got ’em on a technicality. If you are “trolling for wahoo” and let the bait get too close to the bottom and catch a grouper, oh well, I wasn’t using circle hooks. Just sayin’. See more from Tim Barefoot at barefootcatsandtackle.com.

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an empty pail and hold it vertically on the surface of a pool, pond or tub of water, and you can easily recreate this for yourself. Apply force to the pail, straight downward, until its rim is just under the surface. Water rushes in to fill the pail until it has reached full capacity. If there are objects on the surface or suspended in the water, they will accompany the inrush of water. What you have done is introduced a void into the water. This empty space must be filled if water is to adhere to its own principles. Essentially, a vacuum effect occurs in which both water and the objects it contains are pulled into the void. Fish generate a similar vacuum via the expansion of their mouths, and anything within range of that vacuum will be drawn inside. This form of attack is concentrated in the fish’s head, requiring little or no forward motion of the body. If the fish wants to swallow what it has trapped in its jaws, it will expel the water through its gill slits in a rapid jet. Between a closed mouth and the fish’s gill rakers, solid objects are trapped inside, where they can be directed down the fish’s throat. If the fish should decide it doesn’t want to swallow what it has in its mouth, it will simply open its jaws and let the water float out along with whatever else was inside. It is much like a terrestrial animal opening its mouth and drawing in a big breath of air. Any airborne particulate matter will be taken in with the breath. If something noxious is taken in—smoke, for example—it can be ejected by exhaling or coughing. The difference between fish and terrestrial animals is the comparative enormity of most fish mouths and the great density of water compared to air. While a vacuum may be of little benefit to land animals, it is extremely useful to fish. Most fish, therefore, employ this technique to some degree in their feeding. For the sake of efficiency and the surer capture of prey, predatory fish are likely to use this method in conjunction with a more traditional attack featuring forward motion of the body. When employed together, these techniques allow the fish to draw its prey closer and seize it with the most By John Saporito security. When swallowing prey whole, they will turn it in their mouth so that espite different designs among the many species, there is a it can be taken headfirst—scales, fins and other parts folding tight against the commonality in fish when it comes to the capture of prey, a special body to facilitate an easier passage down the throat. procedure making use of the physical properties of the water they John Saporito is a lifelong fisherman, writer, and student of the seas. live in. Visit him online at johnsaporito.com. When a fish suddenly opens its mouth underwater, a void is created. Take

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Fishing in the Moment

e all have those days where we head out with our hearts full of optimism and a head full of ideas. The perfect plan intact for success only to meet with defeat. We had a plan. It worked before and should work again. All our gear, knowledge, and expertise fine-tuned for the quarry. In fact -- it worked the day before. Why not today? There are no guarantees in fishing. Every single trip is unique. Welcome to the world of the angler.

A pair of school sized mahi that fell for live freshwater shiners!

The author is a firm believer in being prepared for whatever lies ahead.

Afterward, we reevaluate the day – what could we have done different? Were there adjustments that could have been made that would have led to success. The constant analysis will yield better results for the future, but what could we have done different as the day unfolded. I call it fishing in the moment — what makes for fishing success. Fishing is a state of mind. There is so much more to it than technical aspects. So much more than careful preparation. You absolutely must be able to “fish in the moment.” Case in point. I was fishing July fourth weekend on a return trip back to my old striper grounds in the Northeast and it was a very busy day on the water. There were five kayakers all trolling the same small grid and all using a similar technique. Trolling and casting live eels - a sure fire way to connect with a hungry striper! After four hours all that effort produced zero fish for four of the five anglers. Only one angler went five for eight on jumbos. The rest got skunked. You would have thought there were no fish present at all if the fifth angler hadn’t shown up. That premise couldn’t have been any further from the truth. Today I was that fifth guy and safely released five New England jumbos. There is always that one guy who catches the fish. No matter what the conditions. Even when everyone else goes home empty. So, what makes the difference? We were all using eels — all kayaks — all similar techniques and in the same water. The subtleties of fishing prevailed. Difference’s so minute only the most observant would have noticed.

Blue marlin! While it wasn't the intended target, the author came prepared for the unexpected and landed the fish of a lifetime for most anglers.

Problem solving 101 How to turn a bad day into a success

Fishing is a constant state of mind. It adapts as conditions unfold. Always alert — always observant. You must block out all else and be in the moment. Observe and adjust - make the necessary changes or go home empty handed. I saw one guy fishing in the same spot. The same fifty square feet of water. I instantly knew one thing about him. He had at one point in time caught a fish there! For three hours he never left that fifty-yard square of water. He trolled that grid the exact same way every time. Never varying his speed. Never adjusting his entry or exit points. Never fingering the line to impart additional action to his live bait. The perfect example of not fishing in the moment. I noticed that the other three anglers were all trolling live frisky eels and just off the drop off. Common sense would say a good plan. Only trouble – on that day it wasn’t working. Time to try something else. I always keep my tired or spent bait in the cooler. I quickly switched out my live eel for a dead one and cast in tight to the rocks. Three short retrieves and a twitch – fish on! It’s difficult to pitch a live eel that tight into cover. They will quickly bury their noses into any obstruction found and get you fouled. A dead or dying bait is the perfect choice for working it tight to structure. I keep them for just this purpose. This same tactic will work for almost any live bait cast tight to cover. While eight out of ten days the method using live frisky bait is the ticket, on the other two days – try something different!

CONTinued on page 2 >>

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a lot of noise or creates a lot of flash. Even if I’m fishing live bait, I will still have a rod rigged with an South Florida’s Premier One-Stop artificial to see if I can get a bite or Metal Fabrication and Powder Coat Facility. ovember is my favorite month spark some interest. Use the time for all things outdoors related. soaking a live bait to cast different Occasionally, do the exact opposite of what experience has taught you. In particular, Fall fishing is hard lures and get to know how to best will surprise you. Three of the five fish caught that day were caught fish them. to beat. November is Fish the month the opposite of commonsense rules that I had learned and applied in We have been catching peacock where South Florida doing conditions bassarea. in extremely numbers.result! create fall patterns. Thethis watervery coolssame It yieldedlarge a beautiful down, making the largemouth My four hour trips have been bass more active, but not too cool averaging more than 40 fish! There to shut them down. The peacock are plenty of places to fish for these bass fishing has been the best peacock bass and there’s lots of that I have seen in years and good information on the internet to is the mother ofdirection invention and the same applies to fishing. So aNecessity lot oflead noise creates a tolot you inor the right findof continues to produce big numbers, times, we ifare forced our comfort zone or point of reference them. Pretty muchoutside anylive freshwater especially in the urban many canals. TheEven flash. I’m fishing bait, I lakeembrace south of West Palm Beach has good things can happen. I was and the path forward fish aren’t quite as picky thiswhen early we willhave still both have a rodandrigged with an largemouth bass in the season, so youreminded can of thispeacock recently while looking for fresh live bait for an afternoon’s artificial I can get a bite or shop was out so I checked the it. see With aiflittle bit of time looking confidence to throw just about any into outing of peacock bass fishing. The tackle on google satelliteUse mapsthe and time the artificial bait. Jerk baits, topwater spark some interest. ovember is my favorite month frozen bait section and found some pilchards. I know they’re primarily used plugs and bucktail jigs are my top tips and tricks I share each month, soaking abut live bait to cast different for all things outdoors related. in salt water, mahi love them not? I caught my largest peacock of can really pick up so onwhy these three for chasing peacock and you fishing trends. I’m the also a big lures and get to that know best prior three weeks triphow on ato dead pilchard and they lit them up! So In particular, Falllargemouth fishing bass. is hard you have kidsbait andand wantlive to get fan of South Florida’s exotics, such much for salt vsIf freshwater vs frozen. I took this lesson with me fish them. beat. November is the month 212 SWto5TH STREET as snakeheads on topwater and them into fishing, this is the time to the salt next time I went mahi fishing and couldn’t find live pilchards. I peacock where BEACH South Florida conditions of the been year to catching make it happen. The clown knife fish on crankbaits. We have POMPANO took two in dozen freshwater shiners. Guess weather and thelarge bite don’t get any what – when pitching to schoolies Lately, I have found myself bass extremely numbers. create fall patterns. The water cools they stayed alive enough for the better.just Picklong up some live bait frommahi to eat them! Lesson learned. some new areas. MyWhen four hour trips have been down, making fishing the in largemouth yourthis local tackle shop and doing so, I like to use search baitsused I’ve since same technique fortake snook in the salt, pitching freshwater averaging more than 40 fish! There bass more active, tobut too cool the opportunity. see not if a new area is productive or advantage shiners to hungry fish.of not. When choosing a search bait, places to fish for these how you interpret the signs. to shut them down. The peacock are Do plenty not fall of prey to experience mandating it’s a good idea to pick something CAPT.and JOHNNY STABILE bass there’s lots of Beach Inlet when a school of bass fishing has that been the best Wepeacock weretofishing a busy Saturday out of Palm is somewhat light and easy South Florida Fishing Charters cast in numerous minimal good information on440-5200 thefish internet to that I have seen yearstimes andwith skipjack tuna appeared. The were busting everywhere and the boats (954) effort.big I want somethingaround that makes me pursued and began casting franticly to the fast-moving lead youquickly in thesflfishingcharters.com right direction to find continues to produce numbers,

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ovember is m for all things In particular, Fal 954-960-5461 to beat. Novemb www.secnf.com where South Fl fallThesepattern I sat for a moment andany watched. Somethingcreate was different – what? them. Pretty much freshwater especially in the urban canals. Thefish. fish were not moving in an organized fashion chasing their quarry. They ZE IN fish aren’t quite as picky this early lake south of West Palm Beach has were busting the water in every direction. Frantically trying to clear the making in the season, so you can have both peacock and largemouth bass down, powderScoating surface – they were not the hunters this day. They were being hunted! I in it. reached With a little bit of time looking confidence to throw just about anyquickly into the live-well for a twelve-inch blue runner. I always onone google and the outfit artificial bait. Jerk baits, topwaterkeep fabrication bass more jumbosatellite bait and maps a sturdy standup on board for just this active, tips and tricks I share each month, plugs and bucktail jigs are my topoccasion -- when a large predator arrives on the scene looking to feed. Five ng and rolling you can really up on rod these three for chasing peacock andminutes into the driftpick our stand-up doubled and the reelthem began toover,shut do scream — big fish on! When after an hours long battle that dragged us trends. largemouth bass. I’m also a bigto fishing ting she finally camewant broadside, If you have kids and to getI was happy to release a still very fan of South Florida’s exotics, suchmiles offshore, has 212 SW 5TH STREET healthy and ticked off estimated four hundred-pound Florida fishing blue marlin! them into fishing, this is the time bass as snakeheads on topwater and hining Was this luck or being prepared to make the unforeseen adjustments that year to make it happen. The POMPANO BEACH clown knife fish on crankbaits. leadoftothe success? I have see g and the bite don’t get any that Lately, I have found myself weather Before heading out I always have an alternate plan and associated gear Picktarget up some live baitnot from in some new areas. Whenforbetter. 954-960-5461 fishing when your species is just cooperating. Being able to make your local tackle shop a and take doing so, I like to use search baitsquick continues to prod adjustments and having “plan-b” can often save an otherwise nonadvantage of the opportunity. to see if a new area is productive orproductive day and sometimes lead to the catch of a lifetime. w.secnf.com Come CheCk out you will go home empty-in the u not. When choosing a search bait, If you cannot make adjustments, most times especially Guaranteed. Fishing in real life rarely meets expected results. Very it’s a good idea to pick somethinghanded.CAPT. JOHNNY STABILE goes your way. 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NOVEMBER 2021

Jacob Truitt with a nice double header, both caught on Yo-Zuri 3D minnows.

South Florida Fishing Charters (954) 440-5200 sflfishingcharters.com Mark Ambert / Author

Avid outdoorsman, sportswriter, and photographer. Follow me on Instagram @marksgonefishing or contact me at marksgonefishing25@gmail.com Gear Used: Coastal Fishing Company https://www.coastalfishing.com/

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Kayak Fishing Forecast with

Capt. brian nelli

772-201-5899 • Brian@tckayakfishing.com • tckayakfishing.com

Jim with a nice clown knifefish.

Inshore February is a good time to target a lot of different species. Expect pompano, jacks, and sheepsheads around deeper cuts. Snook, reds, flounder, and trout should be present along the mangroves and structure. Rocks, jetties, and bridge pilings are great places to look for the tasty sheepshead. Live shrimp or even better fiddler crabs will bring in a few. During this time the water is a lot colder than most of the year. When fishing the flats around mangroves, hit the water a little later in the day and target sand holes and areas with dark mud. These spots will warm quicker than surrounding areas and should be holding fish. Remember snook season opens February 1st.

Offshore

Chris with a big sailfish.

The cobia will start to move into the beaches following around rays, sharks, and turtles. I like to have a D.O.A. Swimming Mullet ready to pitch to them when spotted. Sailfish, small kings, wahoo, and dolphin will also still be the mix during this month. Look for these 4 species to be found from 90 to 120 feet of water chasing live bait like goggle eyes, blue runners, and ballyhoo.

Freshwater The bite for peacock bass, largemouth bass, and clown Joe with a good seatrout. knifefish has been strong and should continue with the warm winter weather. Live shiners and or shad are your best bets. All 3 of these fish will be looking to be close to structure and deeper water when the water temps get colder. Find the right depth and you will find the fish. Check us out Pushin’ Water Kayak Charters on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for all the latest adventures my clients and I get into. See you on the water!

sportfishing

F o r e c a s t with Capt. Rod Roydhouse

New Lattitude Sportfishing • (954) 707-2147 • www.NewLattitude.com

e are having an awesome sailfish season in Fort Lauderdale this year. They are snapping! Cooler temperatures this month are getting the sailfish active and hunting, all over the reef and edge of the Gulfstream. The blue water gets pushed in pretty close this time of year and generally forms a nice current edge where the green water meets the blue. The blue water side of this current edge is a great area to set up for kite fishing. Live goggle eyes, threadfin, mullet, and tinker mackerel are all great live baits to use while kite fishing. They stay lively for a long time on the kite, and they put off great vibrations/fish-indistress signals. When that sailfish comes up on your kite bait and sticks that hairdo up, it’s the most exciting few seconds in sportfishing. Tuna, dolphin, and wahoo are all biting well just outside the reef this month. Trolling is a great way to cover a lot of ground, looking for

4 FORT LAUDERDALE AREA

february 2022

some fish. I like to troll between 120250’ of water, up and down the coast, until I figure out what depths the fish are biting best at on that day. Fish a double hooked swimming ballyhoo on a deep line and you’ll have a good shot at big wahoo. A lot of big wahoos get caught this time of year. Bluefish also sometimes migrate northward up our coastline this month. Following right with them are big game sharks like hammerhead and mako, feeding on them at will. This is the beginning of our big shark fishing season which will last through to the end of May. There’s a great variety and a lot of action fishing in South Florida this month. Tight lines and good fishing!

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february 2022

FORT LAUDERDALE AREA 5

on the range Freshwater with chuck papp

Fishing Forecast with

his is going to help a few folks out there. Some of us like to read reviews people leave online about their gun buying experiences. There are good ones and bad ones. Remember, there are always three sides to every story. I have been in this business for almost 25 years, and I believe that your experience has a lot to do with how you interact with the employee of the shop. Here are some tips for the first-time gun buyer, or the seasoned buyer.

Tip 1. Be up front and truthful. If you are just looking, that's fine, but tell us that. Know how much you want to spend. Everyone has a budget. Let us know what it is. Don’t say "oh just let me see something", then we show you something that costs $1,100 and you almost pass out and say, "I can't afford that, I was thinking in the $300 to $400 neighborhood". Tip 2. Do some research. If you are a first-time buyer, take a lesson first. Have an idea of what you are doing and what you want. There can be 200 different handguns in display cases, just like there can be 200 cars on a lot. You have an idea of what you want when you go car shopping, do the same when you walk into a gun shop. This will save everyone some time. Tip 3. If you ask for "our" help after we spend an hour with you, don't say "well my friend told me to buy this, or my son who is a cop said this is what I want"; if that's the case, then buy it. Evidently, they know more than us. Tip 4. Good guns aren't cheap and

6 FORT LAUDERDALE AREA

Capt. Johnny Stabile

South Florida Fishing Charters • (954) 440-5200 • sflfishingcharters.com

Gary Turner from Georgia down for some peacock action!

The famous denied box on the ATF form 4473.

cheap guns aren't good. Tip 5. Don't bring 5 of your friends to help you if you are the only one buying. One is fine if you need "support", the other 4 will just confuse everyone including us. Tip 6. Know your background and if you can even pass a background check. Don't act surprised when we tell you that you didn't pass. Tip 7. The "Discount Dan". If we can discount the price we will, if we can't then we can't. Not all retailers buy firearms at the same cost. Big box stores order tractor trailers full of one item so they may offer a better price on that item then the small shop. You will probably be dealing with an unexperienced 18-year-old kid as well. Same for online, yes it may be cheaper, but you will be missing out on the knowledge and experience from a salesperson in a good shop. These are just some of the "tips" that I can pass onto you when you go into a gun shop to make a purchase or look around. Just because you read a negative or one star review about a business does not mean that what they are saying was the truth.

february 2022

ope everyone’s New Year is off to a great start. Mine started with Covid and an eye infection, but I’m better now and the fishing has been fantastic! Pre-frontal fishing proves to be the ticket when looking for the banger big number days, but oddly enough, the day of the front has been producing good numbers of peacock bass and healthy numbers of largemouth bass. Peacock bass prefer live bait this time of the year when they tend to go deeper in search of that warmer water. I have found fishing a buck tail jig bouncing off the bottom works well also. We have even been getting them on micro slow pitch jigs when fishing deeper water from a boat. The Lake Ida chain of lakes has some of the healthiest population of largemouth bass east of the Everglades, lots of smaller fish that have meat on their bones. These fish are all chunky and we have had several days where we have seen north of 60 bass in under 4 hours, not including peacock bass! The almighty clown knifefish bite has slowed down a little, but when targeting them it’s important to really soak those baits. Snakeheads are chewing right now, my top choice bait for them are topwater frogs and 4” weedless swim baits. Moving out west to the Glades, if you are looking for a good top water bite that is where you will find it. I have found using prop-baits and walk the dog baits work extremely well, even in cold conditions. My favorite method for the Glades fish is getting them on the fly. Fly fishing is great because you can throw a smaller profile bait which can entice a bite over a bigger bait. If you don’t fly fish and aren’t getting the bites you’re looking for, a Marabou Crappie Jig will work in lieu of a fly.

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