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trailered. Fishing from the bank, from a pier or in the surf provides freedom of movement for them to explore. If they lose interest in fishing, they can chase crabs, look in the buckets of neighboring anglers, hunt for shells or wade the shallows.

Catch And Keep Like sports trophies, Children want and take pride in having something to show for their efforts. Allow kids to take part in the process of catching, cleaning and cooking fresh fish for dinner. In the process, they’ll learn how the meat they eat makes it to their plate.

A Few Tips

o a father and an angler, there’s nothing sweeter than the phrase, “Daddy, can we go fishing today?” I heard those words the first time three years ago from the open face and high-pitched lilt of a 6-year-old boy. It was the reward for years of careful cultivation. We’ve fished together since he was a toddler. Before, it had always been my idea, a way to drag him outside on a warm afternoon. Those early trips to a small neighborhood pond were frustrating. He wanted to do it himself, so Dad picked through snarled lines while the boy mucked around in the shallows, throwing rocks and scaring fish. At some point, I gave up on catching fish. That pivotal moment freed us both to enjoy time

together. To a 4-year-old, sharing crackers with minnows that dart from beneath a dock is as engaging as a fish on the line. Frogs, turtles and the blue heron that fished the same spawning flats we did were as integral to the experience as fish. Now, as a 9-year-old, that kid stands in the front of the boat, ties his own rigs and pounds the banks with skill. Watching his growth as an angler is immensely rewarding, and keeping it fun was/is the key to feeding his desire.

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Fishing is more fun when fish are biting. Pond bream are great for young anglers because techniques are simple and the action is fast. In saltwater, seatrout and whiting provide the same kind of action that keeps their attention. For the first few outings, leave the boat

• Be Patient: Don’t plan on fishing yourself. The adult’s job is to cast and untangle lines, bait hooks, unhook fish and avoid being hooked. • Take Snacks: The most important items in the tackle box are snacks and juice boxes. • Don’t Push It: If your kids would rather throw rocks, let them. • Their Gear: Children love stuff that is theirs. Get a small tackle box for them to carry. Load it with a small pair of pliers and a few inexpensive lures. • Lures: Some kids just want to throw it out and reel it in. Small inline spinners and some jigs are designed to catch anything that swims, and there’s no wrong way to fish them. • Let Them Learn: Nothing is more aggravating than being constantly told what to do. Offer help, but let them learn from their own mistakes.

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By Gary Turner

e were trolling along under blue skies when the back right rod started bleeding line. It was a good fish, whatever it was. But just like that, the line snapped and the fish was gone. We were all pumped after the first bite of the day. Off West Palm Beach, Stacy Flemming, Jimmy Dean and I had met the bait man early to get some goggle eyes. We were in search of big fish. Mahi, tuna, sailfish and cobia were all on the list. As we pulled baits, boats began to arrive on the water. There was a Trump boat parade that morning, a Trumptilla, and nearly all of them

came out to fish. It got a little crazy, so we decided to move farther out. That was our lucky move. As soon as we got baits back in the water, a rod started shedding line, not at a furious pace, just leisurely. “He doesn’t even know he’s hooked yet,” said Dean. About that time, line started screaming out of the reel. The fish made a long first run, and as I started to reel down on it, it leapt. It was a nice sailfish! After what seemed like an hour, the fish started to slow. We maneuvered close, and Dean grabbed its bill and unhooked the 4/0 circle hook. He revived the fish and let it swim away.

Dean has a saying, “On the boat, all is calm until it’s chaos.” Oh, how true that is! We were enjoying the sunshine and 100-foot water clarity when we hooked the next fish. Then, all of sudden, we had two. Fleming and Dean grabbed the rods. I scrambled to clear the lines. Dean’s fish came unbuttoned, but Fleming had a leaper on. We soon saw why that sailfish was doing its best to stay in the air. A large bull shark had spotted it. The shark was all over our fish! Regulations say you should leave sailfish in the water, but we had to save this one. As I backed the boat in, Fleming and Dean yanked it in the boat just as the shark made another run at it. Whew, that was exciting! With the shark out of sight, we stood watch as Dean revived and released his fish. After several more, we called it a day. The next day, we didn’t see much activity until afternoon. A large shark passed with cobia in tow, but none took our baits. Then we saw diving birds and fish smashing baitfish on the surface. About a minute later, the back-left rod bent hard. Fleming got a hold of it, and that fish was moving. When we finally saw color, it was a tuna. Fleming reeled as fast as he could, while we watched another big bull shark homing in on the tuna’s trajectory. The shark hit the tuna right above the tail but couldn’t hang on! Injured, the tuna came quickly to the gaff. We had one more hookup from that school of tuna before we decided to drop baits on a wreck to top off the cooler. It was a great couple of days off South Florida. If you’ve got an extra seat on your boat, contact Gary Turner at gary@purgeright.com.

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Gimme For Six Promotion is available Gimme Six Extended Protection promotion applies to new Suzuki Outboard Motors from 25 to 350 HP in inventory which are sold and delivered to buyer between 04/01/20 and 06/30/20 in accordance with seefor participating Dealer or visit www.suzukimarine.com. Instant Savings musttobe applied purchases against the price of the outboard motor and reflected in theFor billlist of of sale. There are no model pleasure use only, and is not redeemable for cash. Instant Savings applies qualifying of agreed-upon select Suzuki selling Outboard Motors made between 04/01/20 and 06/30/20. designated models, the promotion by a Participating Authorized Suzuki Marine dealer in the continental US and Alaska to a purchasing customer who resides in the continental US or Alaska. The Gimme Six Promotion is available substitutions, benefitDealer substitutions, rain checks, or extensions. Suzuki reserves right toagainst changethe or agreed-upon cancel these selling promotions any outboard time without or obligation. Financing available through see participating or visit www.suzukimarine.com. Instant Savings must the be applied price at of the motornotice and reflected in the*bill of sale. offers There are no model for pleasure use only, and is not redeemable for cash. Instant Savings applies to qualifying purchases of select Suzuki Outboard Motors made between 04/01/20 and 06/30/20. For list of designated models, Synchrony Retail benefit Finance. As low as 5.99% APR financing for 60 Suzuki monthsreserves on newthe andright unregistered Outboard Motors. Subject credit approval. buyers will qualify. Approval, and any rates and substitutions, substitutions, rain checks, or extensions. to changeSuzuki or cancel these promotions at anytotime without noticeNot or all obligation. * Financing offers available through see participating Dealer or visit www.suzukimarine.com. Instant Savings must be applied against the agreed-upon selling price of the outboard motor and reflected in the bill of sale. There are no model terms provided, are Finance. based onAscreditworthiness. $19.99/month permonths $1,000on financed 60 monthsSuzuki is based on 5.99% APR.Subject Hypothetical figures usedNot in all calculation; actual monthly may Synchrony Retail low as 5.99% APR financing for 60 new andfor unregistered Outboard Motors. to credit approval. buyers willyour qualify. Approval, andpayment any rates anddiffer substitutions, benefit substitutions, rain checks, or extensions. Suzuki reserves the right to change or cancel these promotions at any time without notice or obligation. * Financing offers available through based on provided, financing are terms, credit tier qualification,$19.99/month accessories orper other factors such for as down payment and fees. 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Author Richard Matteson with an early morning beach snook.

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Reel in the memories. Sitting on the most biodiverse estuary in the Northern Hemisphere, Martin County is a fisherman’s paradise. Ocean, lake and river ecosystems are home to more than 800 species of fish, from the ever-popular sailfish and snook to largemouth bass and perch. Forget your gear? Visit one of Martin’s many bait and tackle shops or outdoor retailers. Inshore, offshore, saltwater or fresh, head out for an adventure and reel in the memories.

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JUNE 2020

By Richard Matteson

ishing at the beach has been hot. Big jacks are cruising the shorelines chasing bait, and if you follow the birds, that’s where you’ll find them. Be ready to spend 20 minutes trying to get these jacks to shore. Some of them weigh up to 30 pounds. Also chasing bait are large schools of bluefish and mackerel. When you get to the bait, it’s a fish every cast. The beach weed, sargassum, is starting to move into the shallow shoreline, which makes fishing difficult. My favorite beach lure is a 3/8-ounce D.O.A. jig with a 4-inch plastic D.O.A. Paddle Tail, either pearl white or silver sparkle. It works well in sargassum-filled water. The other main lure used on the beach is a silver spoon, usually with single treble hook. For big fish, use a 2-ounce silver Holographic Crocodile Spoon. For light tackle, use a 1-ounce silver or gold Johnson. I use light tackle and line: a 300-grade spinning reel with 10-pound white braid and a 30-pound fluorocarbon leader. Use a loop knot for the lure, and tie the leader to the braid with a double uni knot (look online for tutorials). I’ve landed several jacks around 20-pounds, but I’ve also been broken off by jacks and snook at the braid. Most beach fishers use 20- to 30-pound braid (40-pound leader) and for tarpon 40- to 50-pound braid with 60-pound leader. I’ve been averaging about 15 to 20 fish every morning, with one to six snook. The snook bite is best from 6:30 to 7 a.m. or in the evening around 7:30 p.m. Incoming tide seems to be best, and the fish roam around the trough near the first cut (closest wave). Fish the back of the waves near the shore for snook. Jigs and live bait work better than spoons. Several slot and over-slot sargassum snook have been caught on the beach. In the lagoon and river, they are stacked up around the bridges and around deeper piers. Inshore snook are being caught on threadfin and greenies as well as jigs and root beer color D.O.A. TerrorEyz. The Indian River Lagoon and St. Lucie River have been slow at times. Fish piers for snook and the bridges for snook and tarpon. According to Jim Harter, the South Fork has been slow, but it will pick up with warmer weather. Reports are given of trout being found in Harbor Branch area, with sporadic catches of trout farther south from Herman’s Bay to Bear Creek. D.O.A. jigs and topwaters are good trout choices. Fortunately, wading and surf-fishing are perfect activities during the coronavirus pandemic. Remember to stay safe. Good luck fishing, and tight lines!!! Contact the Stuart Rod and Reel Club at (336) 414-3440 or visit www.stuartrodandreel.com.

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MAKE YOUR JIGS & BAITS WEEDLESS Tim Barefoot

t’s no secret that fish orient to structure. From shallow mangrove roots to deeper oyster bars, wrecks and ledges, fish hang out where baits are likely to hang up. Fish like a roof over their head. They hang around cover and structure for a number of reasons that include protection and the presence of food. I’ve always said, “If you’re not getting hung up or cut off, you’re not fishing in the right places.” But a lot of structures are off limits for casting due to the fear of losing your jigs or baits. There’s more than one way to skin this cat, and this method is fairly easy to do with a few simple tools, superglue and some 80- to 100-pound fluorocarbon. You can make almost any jighead weedless by drilling a small (.062 or 1/16) hole in the jig at a 45-degree angle. Do not—I repeat—DO NOT hold the jig head in your hand with the drill bit pointed toward your fingers! If the drill bit walks or breaks, it will drill a hole in your fingers much easier than lead. Secure the jig in a vise or hold the jig by the hook with the drill pointed away from your fingers. I prefer Seaguar 80-pound fluoro, which measures .037 in diameter, and the 100-pound, which measures .048. Both of these fit easily into the .062 drilled hole. Use good (non-white) superglue to glue the line into the jighead. One brand that works well is the Gorilla Glue. For a detailed video illustrating these tricks, go to my website and Once you have the fluoro glued in place, trim the line off shorter than the point of the hook. This makes the weed-guard shorter and ensures click on “Snag Resistant Circle Hook Chin Weight” the fluoro cannot be stuck by the point of a sharp hook, which could result in missed hook sets. Check all of Capt. Barefoot’s rigging tips at This modification is not just jigs for soft plastics, as you can make BAREFOOTCATSANDTACKLE.COM standard J hooks and circle hooks weedless for live baits.

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revalle jack get a bad rap. Long decried by some U.S. anglers as a trash fish, they are the second largest member of the Curangidae family behind only the highly sought-after giant trevally of the Indo-Pacific. With record weights in the 60-pound range and an aggressive, belligerent attitude, it would seem this fish has the attributes most anglers are looking for. So why is it these colorful, hard-fighting fish are greeted with groans when they surface on the end of the line? Patrick Sebile, of Sebile Innovative Fishing, is a defender of the jack. During his time guiding in the famed waters off Africa, his European clients spent money and travelled specifically to do battle with jacks. While understanding the disappointment a tarpon angler might feel when a jack steals the lure, he praised them as an excellent inshore game fish offering spectacular takes and grueling fights. What’s more, Sebile said jacks are good to eat! “Personally, I like and eat it regularly. I’m not kidding,” he said. “For those who say they like fish that do not taste like fish, I would suggest eating something other than fish! Jack have a true fish flavor.”

Sebile said they are delicious served raw in thin slices coated with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, basil and a sprinkling of finely grated Parmesan. He also likes crevalle jack steaks pan seared or grilled. He warned that jack, like any other fish, dries out when left on the heat just a little too long. He pulls his when the flesh is still pink-to-white in the middle and believes people who have been disappointed by jack probably cooked it to a medium or well-done temperature. “Nobody will be happy with the result,” he said.

“Rare to medium-rare is the ticket with this fish, and I understand this is not OK for everybody. Try it for yourself, following these simple instructions, and you might be pleasantly surprised.” For the sport and for the table, perhaps it’s time U.S. anglers took another look at this plentiful and maligned fish? Patrick Sebile is the founder and lure designer at his namesake tackle company, Sebile Innovative Fishing. Check them out at www.sebile.com.

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NORTH FLORIDA 3

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KINGFISH TOURNEY IS A GO!

s of presstime, the 40th edition of the Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament is still a go for July 13-18, with some modifications in place to address the fallout from COVID-19. A mainstay of northeast Florida summers since the early 1990s, the charity tournament draws a huge field each year because of a format that promotes competition between professionals and amateurs alike with highstakes payouts. The tournament’s Jacksonville Marine Charities Board met on May 11 to decide how to move forward during the health crisis, and anglers will be happy to hear that although some of the social elements of the tournament have been cancelled, the fishing will go on. Here’s a list of modifications released by the tournament’s governing body in May: • General Tournament entry fee rolled back to $295. Refunds will be issued. • General Tournament entry fee increases to $350 will be delayed to July 6. • Prize structure remains the same, dependent upon expected tournament entries. • Kingfish Bash, 40 years of Champions, Past Champion and High Roller tournaments will continue July 13 with social-distancing measures in place. Captains and Awards events will not be held. • Down at the Dock Derby is postponed. • Jr. Angler Dock Derby has been cancelled. • Greater Jacksonville Redfish Tournament has moved to Saturday, July 18. • Kidz Zone on awards day has been cancelled. • Bucket raffles have been cancelled. The board has indicated it will meet again in June to revisit these preliminary alternative decisions and adapt as needed. For updated information, see www.kingfishtournament.com.

4 NORTH FLORIDA

JUNE 2020

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LAKE PANASOFFKEE • BUSHNELL • WILDWOOD • SUMTERVILLE • WEBSTER • THE VILLAGES OXFORD • COLEMAN • MULBERRY • BARTOW • LAKELAND • POLK CITY • AUBURNDALE EAGLE LAKE • WINTER HAVEN • LAKE ALFRED • HAINES CITY • DAVENPORT • LAKE HAMILTON DUNDEE • LAKE WALES • HILLCREST HEIGHTS • FROSTPROOF • FORT MEADE

Owner: CAPT. MARY BRASHER

352-598-4219

MaryF@CoastalAnglerMagazine.Com

If you have a suggestion for a distribution location for Coastal Angler Magazine, please let me know. You can view all 35 magazines in the U.S., including The Bahamas, Costa Rica and Puerto Rico/Virgin Islands at www.CoastalAnglerMagazine.com Please feel free to send me any fishing photos and comments about the magazine-I would love to hear from you!

E dition Highlights & Business Spotlight Page 2-3 Sumter County Map

Page 13 Fly Fishing 101

Page 4 6th Annual Panfish Challenge

Page 14-15 Polk County Map

Page 8 Photo Of The Month

Page 16 Find Us Here

Page 9 Tournament & Events

Polk & Sumter Edition Staff: Sales, Editing & Production- Mary Brasher Graphic Arts & Design - PPP Graphic Design Distribution - Mary & Larry Brasher, Joyce & Capt Dave Ochs Media Mgr - Patrick Powers Contributing Writers - Jim Veal Jr, Capt Dave Ochs, Capt. Scott Taylor, Capt Rick Burns, Chris O’Byrne, Capt Bobby Woodard, Hunter Towery

Facebook -CoastalAnglerMagazineLakelandVicinity • Twitter - @camlakeland • Instagram- camlakeland • Youtube- CAM Sumpter Lakeland Each month I will bring you the latest and best knowledge for you to put to good use. I also invite you to share my passion for this area and if you would like to become a contributing writer contact us. You can read our magazine online anytime or sign up for a free digital subscription. Just visit our website and never miss an issue! CoastalAnglerMag.com. 1 POLK & SUMTER

JUNE 2020

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Best Fishing Days JUNE 1-5 JUNE 21-30

Homosassa Area 1-Capt. Rick Burns 352-201-6111 8975 W. Halls River Rd • Homosassa, FL 34448 www.RealBurns.com Oxford Area 2- Oxford Mower & Repair 352-748-7485 • 352-748-7490 3185 E CR 466 • Oxford FL 34484 Landscaping Repair Service/ Outdoor Power Equipment Store Lake Panasoffkee 3- Pana Vista Lodge 352-793-2061 3417 Co Rd 421• Lake Panasoffkee, FL 33538 www.panavistalodge.com 4- Villages Golf Cart Man LLC 352-674-9400 Office • 813-508-4360 Cell 3028 N. County Rd 470 • Lake Panasoffkee, FL 33538 Tony Colangelo, Jr General Mgr www.VillagesGolfCartMan.com 5- The Inside Out Grill & Catering 352-569-4275 1789 Co Rd 424, Lake Panasoffkee, FL 33538 6- Catfish Johnnys 863-793-2083 2396 N County Rd 470 • Lake Panasoffkee, FL 33538 www.CatfishJohnnyRestaurant.com Bushnell Area 7- Sumter Realty 352-793-3202 239 N Main St • Bushnell FL 33513 Agent Evan Merritt 8- Canada Meds 352-569-1484 512 N Main St • Bushnell, FL 33513-5112 9. Devine Family Jewelry and Pawn 352-444-2058 8271 W C-48 • Bushnell, Fl 33513 10- ParGas 352-793-1982 1452 W C 48, Bushnell, FL 33513 www.pargas.com 11. Papaw’s Country Store 352-793-1080 8271 W C-48 • Bushnell, Fl 33513 Deli, Groceries, Beer, Live Bait, Tackle, LP Gas Follow us on Facebook

he Scenic Sumter Heritage Byway Organization began as a Community Action Group in March 2009 in partnership with the Sumter County Chamber of Commerce with the express purpose of improving the southern entrance to Sumter County, therefore enhancing the visitor experience to the National Cemetary. The Veteran’s Memorial Hwy was designated soon afterwards, and pursuit of a Florida Scenic Hwy designation began. A Corridor Advocacy Group (CAG) began meeting with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District Five Scenic Highways Coordinator in order to pursue the “scenic” classification for a series of roads within Sumter County that encompass the communities of Webster, Bushnell, Sumterville, Lake Panasoffkee, Carlson, Rutland and the surrounding areas. The roads that comprise the 62-mile Byway traverse rural communities, pastoral farmlands, cattle ranches, parklands, lush hardwood hammock, and floodplain forests within the Withlacoochee River Watershed. The corridor highlights the scenic view and rich heritage of Sumter County through byway travel. Attractions along the Byway include the General James Van Fleet Trail State Park, Richloam Wildlife Management Area (WMA), Dade Battlefield Historic State Park, Florida National Cemetary, Lake Panasoffkee, Withlacoochee River and the Half Moon Wildlife Management Area. The Scenic Sumter Heritage Byway Organization is a grass roots organization committed to altering their vision for the byway based on a multi-year work plan. The SSHBO consists of volunteers who are passionate about the heritage, traditions, recreational and scenic resources fo their community. They work with their partners to showcase these resources, educate the community and advocate for community-based decision making that protects and enhances these resources. Find out how to partner, be a sponsor, or donate at www. sumterbyway.com.

Webster Area 12. Scenic Sumter Heritage Byway, Inc. 352-267-8801 P.O. Box 6 Webster Fl, 33597 www.sumterbyway.com/ sumterbyway@gmail.com Sumterville Area 13. Blackjack Sporting Clays 352-569-9469 3372 County Road 526 • Sumterville FL 33585 blackjackclays.com info@blackjackdays.com Dale Walker Owner/Operator

PANA VISTA LODGE FISHING REPORT

We were glad to be fully open in May. The Shellcracker & Bluegill fishing was good and the Bass fishing was on “Fire”. The water level is dropping because of lack of rainfall, but the lake level is still in good shape and the quality is excellent. June should be a good Panfish month and we look for a good turnout for our 6th Annual Panfish Challenge on June 20th on. If anyone needs info on the events either go to the Pana Vista Lodge facebook page and look under events or send an email to panfishchallenge@gmail.com and we will get back to you. We are on full schedule with the event and it may be bigger than ever so “get” the word out !! Submitted By: Jim Veal Jr. Pana Vista Lodge • Lake Panasoffkee, Fl. 352-793-2061

2 POLK & SUMTER

JUNE 2020

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POLK & SUMTER 3

Registration

$25 per boat (pre-registered) $35 per boat (day of) Register today by calling (352)793-2061 or emailing panfishchallenge@gmail.com

Youth are encouraged to participate! For rules, registration forms, and more info, visit the events page on Pana Vista Lodge’s

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A huge thanks to the event sponsors:

4 POLK & SUMTER

JUNE 2020

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JUNE’S JUSTIFIED BEST BET June along our Homosassa Nature Coast area will be a lot like May except for the fact that the tarpon season will be in full swing. And our much anticipated scallop season will officially open July 1st. This early, I have several good dates available if you want to go collect some “white gold” of the Gulf. Jayson Toule with a bullheaded There’s nothing more fun Homosassa Redfish while out with that the whole family, young and old alike, can enjoy than a Capt Rick Burns. “saltwater Easter egg hunt”. This is why I’m mentioning it now, to not procrastinate. Give me a call and we’ll go make it happen. You won’t be disappointed. June traditionally brings a little warmer days and a little higher humidity. The trout will be moved in to the shallow 3’ to 5’ spotty bottom flats following the hordes of baitfish such as pinfish, finger mullet, and glass minnows. Throw your mirrorlure mirrordine’s for subsurface action, and rapala skitterwalks for your topwater strikes. Don’t forsake having a jig rigged under a Cajun-thunder float for some guaranteed hookups. Jigs in white, electric chicken, and new penny will work best at this time. I had several good reds come in the boat last CPR’ed 30” ozello month, and it will be even better for June with Redfish single the warming temps and more more South and Southeast breezes that push the water and bait into handily caught the backcountry islands. by Ms. Brooke Have one rod rigged with a topwater, one with a Bremer with weedless jerkbait, and one with a gold spoon. This proud dad Dusty. will cover all the 3 different water columns and help find a pattern they want. Look for island ambush points, and cuts where moving water runs, and you’ll find the fish. Cobia are in full swing making their migratory trek Northward. When working around a good rock pile or channel marker, have 1 rod out with a frisky pinfish under a cork. Have a 2nd rod out with a pinfish just freelined. And a 3rd rod cocked and ready to cast to a lingering mate with a big rubber eel in black, white, or chartreuse color. Because a lot of times they run in pairs and double hookups are not uncommon. Submitted By: Capt. Rick Burns Real Burns Charters • 352-201-6111 Homosassafishingguide.com • www.reelburns.com

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JUNE 2020

POLK & SUMTER 5

Moderately Sinking Flies Another Option By: Chris O’Byrne We all prefer top water action. And when that doesn’t work, we go get them with sinking flies. But what can we do when those basic tactics don’t attract strikes? For that difficult time, try moderately sinking flies. This bass struck several inches “Moderately sinking” describes a below the surface. class of flies that sink very slowly and to a shallow depth. When you test these flies in your kitchen sink, grab a snack; it will be a long time before they reach the bottom. This slow action provides advantages and solutions. First, it makes angling simpler. The moderate sink gives the angler more time to manage the presentation. I find this helpful for guests in my boat who are new to fly fishing. These flies also overcome the problem of tall vegetation. When an off-the-shelf sinking fly will surely hang up in vegetation, moderate Worn blue jeans. sinking flies shine. They land quietly, orient correctly, then gently move under the surface, tempting fish holding in the vegetation to strike just above this crowded hiding spot. The first fly I put in this category is a classic woolly bugger. Unweighted and beadless, the hackle will keep your fly on the surface until fish get bored watching it. Give it a few gentle strips, and the chenille will absorb water and sink the fly slowly. OB’s unicorn In certain situations, my favorite fly is an old sprog. I like to give guests a rod rigged with one first thing. Battered old foam absorbs more water than new foam, so when you strip in, it sinks then swims some inches below the surface. Like blue jeans, I hold onto sprogs as long as possible For smaller fish, I like a royal coachman. I tie my version of this classic fly with long shank dry fly hooks and a little extra peacock. This fly presents both top water insect and below the surface bait fish imitations in the same cast. Leave it on the water as long as you can stand, then gently strip it in. It will sink below the surface and stay there. Because the fish sometimes key on larger bait fish, I created OB’s Unicorn. I tie this variation on the Clouser Minnow on long shank dry fly hooks, very light eyes and Unicorn colored Craft Fur. Where fully weighted flies demand altered casts and instant presentations, OB’s Unicorn flourish When a popper was with basic loop shapes then allow some time ignored, OB’s unicorn for a newer angler to begin stripping. One worked. memorable fish was caught over menacing hydrilla and just inches from a surface fly that had been ignored on many casts. Create a few of these flies for your box. They’ll give you another option.

6 POLK & SUMTER

JUNE 2020

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CENTRAL FLORIDA REGION FORECAST If you are the type of fisherman that absolutely loves an early Summer morning topwater bite, this is your month. And if by some strange reason you fish and that “rush” does nothing for you, I guess I’m not sure why you are reading this. We’ve been very fortunate down here in Central Florida that the nights have been cooler and we’re still wearing hoodies leaving the Capt Scotty can catch ‘em too ramp each day with temps in the high 50’s to mid 60’s (at least up til Memorial Day). So even with daytime temps in the upper 80’s the lakes didn’t warm up too quick this year. Let’s start out on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes out of Camp Mack. This is Olde World Florida at it’s finest as we launch before sunrise from such a historic old fish camp surrounded by giant oaks, idle out of the original Kissimmee River channel around the island to the canal, and then throttle-up the SHO to make our run to the days first spot. There are two totally different ways to start a morning out here and both can be very successful. One is fishing in open water over scattered shell beds and creek channels and the other is hitting the grass lines, pads, and hydrilla on the flats. In open water I love throwing bigger “walk the dog” type topwaters in either white or gold, and sometimes this bite will last past 0930-1000. Heck, one day a guest wanted to go back to topwater around 1130-1200 even without surface activity and he got some nice quality bites with a high sun, dang near 90 outside, and bluebird skies. Your second approach of getting up in the jungle is all about frogs, Gambler EZ Swimmer, Zoom Horny Toads, etc. If I’m not seeing surface activity I like to keep moving along until pads start crashing or I’m scattering/spooking bait with my bait. Once that happens, keep off the trolling motor and slow down to work an area

thoroughly. A buddy of mine who pitched for the Tigers at 100MPH used to run that d@mn trolling motor on high non-stop and several times I had to hip check him off to slow it down. Don’t be that guy once you find bait. If there’s bait, there’s bass. Here, always keep a handful of time-tested, tried & true staples in your sled: Gambler EZ Swimmers, black & blue senkos, and white or “shiner” colored flukes. In Winter Haven on the South Chain it’s all about Pop-R’s in the morning with flukes and senkos in natural colors to 4”-5” swimbaits and of course a handful of swimjigs - both in natural colors for many of these spring fed lakes. A hint on electronics here, I use them to find the temps, grasslines, and bait. Again, if I find bait I know the bass will be there. Submitted By: Capt. Scotty Taylor TMC Guide Services, llc • 855-354-8433 Scott@TMCGuideService.com • TMCGuideService.com Capt. Scott is the official guide for VisitCentralFlorida.org & Guy Harvey Camp Mack Lodge, Marina & RV Resort

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JUNE 2020

POLK & SUMTER 7

CENTRAL FLORIDA FRESHWATER FLY FISHING REPORT Conditions: Good Surface Temp: 77F Clarity: Slightly Tannic 20-24 inches Guide Tip: The topwater bite has been fairly steady with frog imitators getting the most action. Try starting the day with a slowly retrieved dark popper (olive or black) and search for the active fish. Points of interest include docks and floating hyacinth mats, as these areas provide shade and cover. Chris Towery with a new personal best bass. When the topwater bite slows down expect the larger bass to retreat to around 10ft of water, our graphs have been picking them up around midday. These bass are more difficult to target on the fly rod but they have been responding well to bluegill pattern streamers swam parallel to the shoreline. A short leader and added split shot will help keep the fly in the strike zone. Search for inflows like culvert pipes as fish love these areas when the water is moving. Small worm flies or heavy streamers are the best way to fish these areas. Attractor colors will help your flies stand out as the water in these areas are commonly more stained. Let the water do the work and try to keep tension on your flies, it might take some adjustments to your weight to find the right depth. All species will congregate in these areas as the fresh inflow of well oxygenated water and disoriented food make them good spots. The panfish will be found in shallow water, hanging around lily pads and cattails. Small terrestrials and dragonfly dries have worked well as a surface presentation. Try to make these flies smack on the surface, then slowly retrieve the fly. Small weighted dragonfly nymphs are still a good choice when the bluegill quit hitting topwater flies and move to slightly deeper water. A slow crawl works best giving the fly a chance to sit still. Olive or brown have been the best picks for color. A deep indicator rig with your fly several feet under your indicator has helped with keeping specs and big bluegill on the line. Water Forecast: Lake levels have been dropping, but with the rains will begin to rise. Rivers provide an excellent shelter on those windy or crowded days. At the time of this report: the Peace River is below average and slowly falling (80cfs). Econ River is below average and slowly falling (25cfs). Myakka River is above average levels (33 cfs). Hillsborough is below average and practically a trickle. Withlacoochee is above average levels (150 cfs). Kissimmee River near Frostproof is below average and stable. Submitted by: Hunter Towery Sweetwater Guide Service â€˘ 863-837-7028

8 POLK & SUMTER

JUNE 2020

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Towery 7-7028

KISSIMMEE CHAIN FISHING FORECAST Water levels continue to fall on the Kissimmee Chain. Despite declining water levels Bass fishing remains very good on most of the lakes on the Chain. Bass have remained in the shallow cover even on the smaller lakes. This came as quite the surprise to me. Normally, the Threadfin Shad during periods of low water level move to the deeper grass lines on the larger lakes and the open deeper water on the smaller lakes. Bass fishing gets hard when the Shad are in this pattern. But that didn’t happen this year. The Shad stayed shallow and so did the Bass as 9lb'r caught using the Shad is a main source of food for the Bass. a Senko. To capitalize on this, fish the grass lines or pads in 3’-5’ of water. A white weightless fluke or spinner bait are deadly at this time on any lake on the Chain. For smaller size Bass, fish inside the cover, for larger Trophy size Bass fish the outside edges to 20’ off the cover. Black Crappie are also shallow at this time. Jig a 1/16 oz white maribou jig tipped with a minnow in the cover. Trolling the 6’-7’ flats with a white roadrunner can also be very effective. Jig the pads with cricketts and red worms for big Bluegill and Shellcrackers. Eagles nest, Gobbler’s Ridge and Lemon Point on Lake Kissimmee are your best bets at this time. Submitted By: Capt Dave Ochs Kissimmee Chain Fishing (863) 589-6295 Back Water Fishing Adventures Lake Wales, FL 33898

Your Polk & Sumter Tournament News & Community Events 6/6 Outcast Bass Club Tournament on Lake Reedy out of the Public Ramp. john.catlin2@gmail.com 6/7 Xtreme Bass Series Tournament on Lake Panasoffkee out of Tracy’s Pt. xbsmike@gmail.com 6/13 Misfits Bass Club Tournament on Crooked Lake out of Little Crooked. Call Harry (863)397-6597 or Larry (863)287-2864 6/13 Elite One-Man Tour on the Kissimmee Chain out of Camp Mack. Call Jamie Murphy (352)789-5351 or Charlie Harrelson (407)709-0435 6/14 Lakeland Bassmasters Tournament on Lake Istokpoga out of Hwy 98 Ramp. hoovenfish76@yahoo.com 6/18 Village Club Shoot Orange Course closed 9am-12pm Blue & Black Courses Open to the Public. www.blackjackclays.com 6/20 Bass Assassins of Polk County Tournament on Lake Ariana out of the Public Ramp. Call (863)206-2815 6/26-28 Blackjack Summer Open NSCA Event. Visit www.scoringpro. com for details. Course will still be open to the Public during this event. www.blackjackclays.com.

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JUNE 2020

POLK & SUMTER 9

Bo Ma

SHOP, STAY & PLAY AT YOUR LOCAL BUSINESSES FOR YOUR NEXT BOATING ADVENTURE!

Winter Haven

Little Dixie Mart

Papaw's Country

Andy Thornal

Mini Mart Citgo

Store ParGas

Company Caribbean Bay Bait

Lakeland

& Tackle

Adventure Archery

Fields Equipment

Big Fish Bait &

Lake Panasoffkee

Leadfeather Guns

Tackle

Big Cypress Fish

& Archery

Crowder Ace

Camp

Marine Supply

Hardware

Countryside RV

McKibben

Fun Bike Center

Idylwild Fish

Powersport Honda

Hibbett Sports

Camp

Polk Tractor

LineX of Lakeland

Lake Pan RV

Off The Wall

Village

Davenport

Adventures &

Pan Hardware

Polk Outpost 27

Outfitters

Pana Vista Lodge

Way Out West

Old Salt Marine

Spirit Truck Stop

Red Oak RV

Thousand Palms Haines City

Outcast

RV Resort

Hoppy's Marine

Watersports

Tracy Pt. Fish

Phillips Bait &

Camp

Lake Alfred

Tackle

Villages Golf Cart

Ron's Tackle Box

Pinch A Penny

Man, LLC

Russell's Western

Bartow

Lake Wales

Wear

Spurlow's

Bridgemaster

Shoot Straight

Babson Park

Camp Lester

Shooter's

Mini Macs

Gary's Boats

Sky Powersports

Grape Hammock

Stones Bait &

Wildwood

Guy Harvey Camp

Tackle

Chrome Shop

Mack Lodge,

Stretch Outdoors

Cover All Storage

Sub G Pavilio Packag

My RV Storage

Marina & RV Resort

Bushnell

Shooters World

Jennings Fish

American

SPARR

Camp

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Wildwood RV

Lake Haven Bait

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Village

Quality Boats

Schack

Shiners Unlimited

Blueberry Hill RV

Webster

Breezy Oaks Good

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Frostproof

Sam Park

Power Equipment

Bagwell's

Bronson's Camp

Webster Farm

Erwine's Marine

Outlaw at Indian

Supply &

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Bow

Hardware

Devine Jewelry &

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Pawn

Store

Love's Travel Stop

10 POLK & SUMTER

“Show Liberty” Monster Truck

JUNE 2020

FOR HIRE! “Salute to the Troops” Monster Truck at YOUR Special Event. $80 Donation Per Day Appreciated Call Martin (352)250-0534

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Boat/Personal Watercraft/Canoe/Kayak/SUP Dealers Manufacturers/ New & Consignment Sales/Golf Carts Hillman Motors Inc. 2701 Havendale Blvd. NW Winter Haven FL 33881 863-967-4628 • www.hillmanmotors.net M-F 9-7, Sat 9-5 Closed Sunday

Millers Fiberglass Repair 1505 S. Lake Shipp Dr. Winter Haven, FL 33880 863-551-1551 bobby.mfr@gmail.com We Now Have A Certified Marine Technician Offering Service Repair On Outboard Motors. Your ONE STOP-SHOP For All Your Fiberglass Needs! . Family Run & Operated Since 2003 . Our Team is Certified In Gelcoat & Polyflake Repairs. No Job Is Too Big Or Too Small.

Our Family Serving Yours Since 1989 Central Florida’s Official Stingray Boats Dealer Factory Authorized Suzuki Marine Dealer Financing Available Gary’s Boating Center 15520 Hwy 27 • Lake Wales, FL 33859 863-638-0537 • 863-638-0527 Fax www.GarysBoating.com Carolina Skiff Mercury & Yamaha Outboards Bennington Boats Hewitt Boat Lifts & Dock Systems

Central Florida Trolling Motor Sales & Repairs

COME CHECK OUT OUR NEW ROUNDABOUT BOATS!

Marine Supply of Winter Haven 717 6th Street SW • 1491 3rd SW (Sales) Winter Haven, FL 33880 863-293-1156 www.MarineSupplyBoats.com Fully Certified Yamaha, Mercury & Evinrude Technicians. Boat Acc. & Engine Parts - High & Dry Storage - Boat Detailing - Gasoline At Our Docks. Full Line of Yeti Products, Pontoon Rentals

Blackjack Sporting Clays 3372 County Road 526 • Sumtervile, Fl 33585 352-569-9469 • blackjackclays.com Blackjack Sporting Clays is proud to offer incredible amenities to both the public and private groups/events: 38 Stations; 3 Courses, Sub Gauge Course, Five Stand, Trap & Skeet, Cart & Gun Rental, Large Pavilions/Porch, Clubhouse, Merchandise, Paved Cart Paths, Bulk Clay Packages Sweet Ella’s Produce 326 State Road 60 E • Lake Wales Florida 863-223-8775

A unique, family owned indoor produce store which offers a LARGE VARIETY OF LOCAL fresh fruits, vegetables and Amish products. NOW Carrying: Gemma’s Jams!

The Inside Out Grill & Catering 1789 CR 424 Lake Panasoffkee, Fl 33538 Chef Troy & Rachel 352-569-4275

Open 7 Days A Week 11am-7pm Daily Specials!

3780 Hwy 92 East • Lakeland, FL 33801 863-666-2248 • Fax 863-667-0213 cftm3780@yahoo.com www.CentralFloridaTrollingMotor.com Check out our weekly specials on facebook! Factory Warranty Service for Minn-Kota Cannon Downriggers- Motor Guide

Erwine’s Marine 250 S. Scenic Hwy • Frostproof, FL 33843 863-635-4492 www.ErwinesMarine.com Come in to check out our new line of Lowe's Jon Boats

Yamaha - Evinrude - Mercury - MerCruiser Volvo Penta - Avalon - Magic Tilt - Exide Technologies Power-Pole - Teleflex Marine Starcraft Marine - Engel Coolers & Tumblers

Pana Vista Lodge 3417 Co Rd 421 • Lake Panasoffkee, FL 33538 352-793-2061 www.panavistalodge.com Cottages - Rv Camp Ground Hook-Ups - Camping - Boat Sales & Service. JohnsonEvinrude Motors Sales & Service. Boat Rentals Pontoon Rentals - Licenses - Bait - Ice - Gas Ramp

Action Watersports 402 Progress Rd • Auburndale, FL 33823 Ph: 863-967-4148 The brands we offer: Hobie • Jackson • RTM Perception • Feel Free • Wilderness Systems Ocean Kayak • Old Town • Hurricane • Kiwi • Solo Skiff • Evoke • Pau Hana • Amundsen are all leaders in the Kayak, Fishing, and Stand Up Paddle Board industries. Our accessories are sure to make your water experience more fun and safe. Alligators Unlimited Airboat Nature Tours Captain John Wathey 863-696-0313 14400 Reese Dr. • Lake Wales, Fl 33898 airboatnaturetours.com

Our Airboats are the “Real Deal” not 20+ passenger Air-Busses! This guarantees your EVERGLADES AIRBOAT TOUR to be personal and powerful! COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM JUNE 2020 POLK & SUMTER 11

Bait & Tackle Shops/Outfitters/Apparel Stretch Outdoors Discount Outfitters 848 W Daughtery Rd. • Lakeland, FL 33389 863-608-1513

Taylor Made Charters & Guide Service Central Florida & Great Lakes Bass Fishing Capt. Scott Taylor USCG Licensed Captian The Official Guide for VisitCentralFlorida.Org & Guy Harvey Camp Mack Lodge, Marina & RV Resort Scott@TMCGuideService.com 855-354-8433 Bridgemasters 2131 Highway 60 E • Lake Wales, FL 33898 Phone: 863-676-1009 • Fax: 863-679-1638

We Now Carry Googan Baits!

Come In And Check Out Our New Lew’s and Abu Garcia Fishing Reels and Great Selection of Gambler and Bitter’s Baits. We also Carry Fitgzerald Rods and A Variety of Fitzgerald Fishing Products and 13 Fishing Products! Guy Harvey Camp Mack Lodge, Marina & RV Resort 14900 Camp Mack Rd • Lake Wales, Fl 33898

863-696-1108 www.GuyHarveyCampMack.com

www.TheBridgmaster.com

GET 10% OFF ALL PURCHASES OVER $100 EVERY SATURDAY THROUGHOUT MAY!

Always Good Fishing - Airboat Nature Tours RV Camping - Trophy Bass Fishing - Cabin Rentals Liars Motel - Home Sales

Ron’s Tackle Box The Old Angler’s Antique Gallery 380 S. Lake Shore Way • Lake Alfred, FL 33850 863-956-4990 • Fax 863-956-2525 imareellady2@aol.com

Phillips Bait & Tackle 3780 Hwy. 92E • Lakeland, FL 33801 863-666-2248 www.PhillipsTackle.com cftm3780@yahoo.com Live Bait: Cricket - Worms - Minnows - Shiners. Full Line Of Tackle - Tackle Boxes - Rods & Reels

Live Bait & Tackle - Cast Nets - Sportswear Gifts & Decor Mon - Th 6AM - 6PM • Fri & Sat 6AM - 7PM

Stones Bait & Tackle 2049 E Edgewood Drive • Lakeland, Fl 33803 863-940-4898 Instagram: Stones Outhouse Follow us on Facebook & Instagram

Back Water Fishing Adventures Captain Dave Ochs Guide, Professional Angler Lake Wales Fl 33898 Cell: 863-455-6886

A Variety of Freshwater Rods & Reels Avaiable: NEW Abu Garcia Revo X Spinning Rods & Shimano SLX Rods . Large Selection of Strike King, Zoom & Gambler Baits. HUGE Apparel Sale- Save BIG!! Now Available- Stone’s Bulk Senko’s 25Ct/50CT/100CT

Big Fish Bait & Tackle 6908 US Hwy 98 North • Lakeland Fl 33809 863-815-9492 wwww.CentralFloridaAngling.com Bob Woodard-Owner Live Bait- Rod & Reel Repairs

Overdue Adventures FL. “Cracker” Fishing Style Family Fishing, Shore Lunches, Waterside Dining Snorkeling Trips, Scalloping Trips, Egmont Key Day Trips Capt. Daryl Brown First Mate: Joy Brown 518 Main Street • Auburndale, FL 33823 863-559-4480

Scalloping Charter

Fly’Em High Charters

Capt. Rick Burns

Capt. Bobby Woodard www.Captain-Bobby.com 863-224-1418

Reel Burns Charters Homosassafishingguide.com 352-201-6111 12 POLK & SUMTER

Manatee Charter

JUNE 2020

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USCG. Licensed Tarpon, Snook, Grouper Redfish, Trout, Scallop Trips

’s

y of

urs RV entals -

Fly Fishing 101

Introduction to Fly Fishing

 June 6th

Saturday 9:00am-11:00am

• Special Ladies Only Class

 June 9th Tuesday 6:00pm-7:30pm  July 7th Tuesday 6:00pm-7:30pm  July 18th Saturday 9:00am-11:00am  August 8th Saturday 9:00am-11:00am Join us for this fun introduction to fly fishing. You will learn to cast quicker than you think. The art of fly fishing is for everyone (10+). • Free, come join the fun Reserve Now! • All equipment is provided Seats are Limited • Learn to cast, its easy, like riding a bike Register at AndyThornal.com • Learn some fly fishing knots or call (863) 299-9999 • Learn the flies to catch fish

ANDY THORNAL COMPANY 336 Magnolia Ave. SW • Winter Haven, FL 33880 (863) 299-9999 • AndyThornal.com • Mon-Sat • 10am-6pm

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JUNE 2020

#1699

POLK & SUMTER 13

Lakeland Area 1- Big Fish Bait & Tackle 863-815-9492 6908 US Hwy 98 North • Lakeland FL 33809 wwww.CentralFloridaAngling.com

16-Sweetwater Guide Service 863-837-7028 336 Magnolia Ave • Winter Haven, FL 33880

2-Champs Sports Grill 863-647-5900 6645 S. Florida Ave • Lakeland, FL 33813 www.ChampsToGo.com

Lake Alfred Area 17-Ron’s Tackle Box,LLC 863-956-4990 380 S. Lake Shore Way • Lake Alfred, FL 33850 www.ronstacklebox.com

3- LineX Of Lakeland 863-581-9173 3000 State Road 37 S. • Mulberry, FL 33860 www.linexoflakeland.com

Haines City Area 18- Hoppy’s Marine 863-439-7616 31499 Highway 27 • Haines City, FL 33844 www.HoppysMarine.com

4-Phillips Bait & Tackle 863-666-2248 3780 US-92 • Lakeland, FL 33801 www.CentralFloridaTrollingMotor.com 5-Stone’s Bait & Tackle 863-940-4898 2049 E Edgewood Drive • Lakeland, FL 33803 6- Stretch Outdoors Discount Outfitters 863-608-1513 848 W Daughtery Road • Lakeland, FL 33389 Auburndale Area 7- Action Watersports 863-967-4148 402 Progress Rd • Auburndale, FL 33823 www.ActionWatersports.net

Bartow Area 19- Spurlows 863-635-0240 1264 N Broadway Ave • Bartow, FL 33830 SpurlowsOutdoorOutfitters.com Lake Wales Area 20. Sweet Ella’s Produce 863-223-8775 326 FL-60, Lake Wales, FL 33853 21- Bridgemasters 863-676-1009 2131 FL-60 • Lake Wales, FL 33898 www.Bridge-Masters.com

8-Overdue Adventures 863-559-4480 Auburndale, FL 33823

22- Capt Dave Och’s Backwater Fishing Adventure 863-589-6295 Lake Wales, Fl 33538

Winter Haven Area 9. Caribbean Bait & Tackle 863-292-9755 1004 N Lake Howard Dr, Winter Haven, FL 33880

23- Gary’s Boating Center 863-638-0537 15520 Highway 27 • Lake Wales, FL 33859 www.GarysBoating.com

10-Capt. Scott Taylor 855-354-8433 Official Guide for VisitCentralFlorida.org & Camp Mack’s River Resort Scott@TMCGuideService.com

24-Guy Harvey Camp Mack Lodge, Marina & RV Resort 863-696-1108 14900 Camp Mack Rd • Lake Wales, FL 33898 www.GuyHarveyCampMack.com

11-Hillman Motors Inc. 863-967-4628 2701 Havendale Blvd. NW • Winter Haven FL 33881 www.hillmanmotors.net 12- Marine Supply of Winter Haven 863-297-7003 1700 3rd St SW • Winter Haven, FL 33880 www.MarineSupplyBoats.com 13- Millers Fiberglass 863-551-1551 1505 Lake Shipp Dr, Winter Haven, FL 33880 www.facebook.com/Millers-Fiberglass-Repair-157407427716301

Frostproof Area 25- Erwine’s Marine 863-635-4492 250 S. Scenic Hwy • Frostproof, FL 33843 www.ErwinesMarine.com Placida Area 26-Fly Em High Charters 863-224-1418 Capt Bobby Woodard 6499 Gasparilla Rd • Placida, FL 33946 www.Captain-Bobby.com

14- Polk Tractor 863-967-0651 3450 Havendale Blvd NW • Winter Haven, FL 33881 www.PolkTractorco.com 15-RKY Seafood 863-294-2300 175 Ave A NW • Winter Haven, FL 33880

CHARLOTTE HARBOR FISHING FORECAST The past month has been incredible fishing. I’ve been strictly tarpon fishing and we’ve had great results which I’ll get to shortly. Reports from colleagues say that the inshore scene has been just as hot as the tarpon fishing has been. Anything you want to catch inshore is available right now. Snook are transitioning towards the beaches and passes for their annual spawn. Redfish are on the shallow flats, oyster bars and docks. Trout are also biting well in the 3’6’ range on grass flats and sand potholes. As Angler Ron always live scaled sardines aka white bait is the Rimmer. bait of choice for me and most of the charter fleet. As you’re idling onto and off the shallower flats this time of year keep and eye out behind you for pompano skipping in your wake. If you see them, circle back around and drift, or use your trolling motor through the zone while throwing a live shrimp on a jig head, a small soft paddle tail or a buck tail jig. There has also 14 POLK & SUMTER

JUNE 2020

been a good amount of cobia on the middle bay channel markers. I prefer using a live pinfish or a soft plastic imitation eel like a Hogy. Now getting back to tarpon, the bite has ben great. The only obstacle has been the constant onslaught of high winds. With that said we’ve caught multiple tarpon on every trip so far this season. The primary bait of choice has been small live blue and pass crabs. We’ve caught tarpon both by deep dropping baits and drifting in the passes and by casting baits in the shallower waters of the bays and flats. I predict tarpon fishing to continue to be good throughout June and into late Summer if tropical weather systems stay away. Now is the time to contact me if you’ve been considering a tarpon fishing charter.

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Capt. Bobby Woodard www.Captain-Bobby.com • 863-224-1418

Support Your Local Polk County Businesses!

ers. I y. only that . The We’ve asses ats. I and s the arter.

odard -1418

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JUNE 2020

POLK & SUMTER 15

You Can Find Us Here

Brewlands Bar & Grill Broadway Food & Gas Bubbaques Paid Supporters of the Magazine Bull Bay Tackle Company Hoppy’s Marine Auburndale Central Fl Trolling Pilot Action Watersports Champs Sports Grill Quick Mart Auburndale Library Ridgewood Lake Golf Club Ciao Bella Best Western Inn & Suites Crowder Ace Hardware Walmart Hamptons Clubhouse Curtis Design Hungry Howies Extended Stay America Lake Alfred Marathon Fish City Grill Gary’s Oyster Bar & Grill Pizza Connection Fun Bike Center Harvest Meat Market Pro Nails Gino’s Barber Ron’s Tackle Box Sal’s Pizza The Lake Alfred Chamber of Grill Smith The Twisted Crab Hampton Inn Commerce Townsend Motors Inc. Harley Davidson Traders Pawn Harvey’s Lake Wales Walmart Hibbett Sports All Star Grill Winn Dixie Honey Baked Ham Co Alligator’s Unlimited Hooters Brandi’s Barber & Beauty Winter Haven Huntington Hills Golf & Bridgemaster AAMCO Transmission Country Club Camp Lester Andy Thornals Jenkins Nissan Cherry Pocket Restaurant Ard’s Awning, Inc. Jin Jin Chinese Crazy Fish Bar & Grill B&W Exhaust Pro Just Move Caribbean Bay Bait/Tackle/ Dyer Chevy King’s Wok Florida’s Natural Visitor Rest. LaQuinta Inn Center Cypresswood Golf Club Larry Jackson Library Gary’s Boats Dairy Queen Laundry Grape Hammock Fields Equip. LineX of Lakeland Guy Harvey Camp Mack Hampton Inn Lodge, Marina & RV Resort MoJo’s Restaurant Harry’s Old Place New Moon Japanese Rest Harvest Meat Market Hillman Motors Off The Wall Adventures & Jay Bee’s Rest Howard Johnson Hotel Outfitters Jennings Fish Camp Jeep Old Salt Marine Leadfeather Guns & Archery Juniors Fish Market Outcast Watersports Lake Haven Bait Marine Supply Overdue Adventures Lake Market McKibben Powersport Phillips Bait & Tackle Lake Wales Country Club Honda Pinch A Penny Liars Lair Saloon Miller’s Fiberglass Repair Red Top Pit Stop McKibben Powersports Mobil Gas 1200 3rd St SW Regal Automotive Honda Old Man Franks Russell’s Western Wear Oakley Trucking Oyster Bar Sandpiper Golf Club Paddleboard Winter Haven O’Reilly Auto Parts Shoot Straight Pizzanos Pizza Polk Tractor Shooter’s Quality Boats RKY Seafood Market Sky Powersports San Diego’s Mexican Grill & RidgeMirror Stones Bait & Tackle Rural King Sports Bar Stretch Outdoors Shiner’s Unlimited Schacks BBQ Tint Masters State Park Scores Family Sports Cafe Topatio’s Mexicano Rest. Sunoco Somewhere Sports Bar & Tropical Smoothie Cafe Sweet Ella’s Produce Grill Tubes’n’Hoses of Lakeland The Port Rest Tanner’s Lakeside Uncle Nick’s Vinny’s Smoke-n-Grill The Little New Orleans Walmart 98N Weikert Ford Kitchen & Oyster Bar Walmart S. Fl. Ave The Twisted Prop Wedgewood Golf Club Frostproof Walmart Winners Circle Anchor Down XYZ Liquor Bagwell’s Davenport Chamber of Commerce Davenport’s Ale House Highlands Dicks Sporting Goods Posner Crowder Ace Hardware Bamboo Wok US 98 Erwines Marine Center Gator’s Dockside Frostproof Mobile Village Grand China Buffet Indian Estates Mannino’s Pizza Bushnell Korky Kountry Store Polk Outpost 27 American Adventure RV Posner Park Chrysler/Jeep/ Little Dixie Mart Anglers Tackle Shack Mini Mart Citgo Dodge Beef O Brady’s Ramada Blueberry Hill RV Lakeland Rickert Properties Breezy Oaks Good Sam Park 716 Burgers & Brew Way Out West Adventure Archery Lakeland Bronson’s Camp Outlaw at Indian Bow Ariana Barber Shop Haines City Bushnell Medical Clinic Baymont Chamber of Commerce Bushnell Pharmacy Big Fish Bait & Tackle China Park 16 POLK & SUMTER

JUNE 2020

Byrd Insurance Agency Canada Meds of Sumter County Devine Jewelry & Pawn Love’s Travel Stop Papaw’s Country Store ParGas Premier Medical Associates Red Oak RV Sumter County Realty The Wood Shed Tractor Supply Twin Oaks Pizzeria Walmart Panasoffkee AA Discount Beverage Big Cypress Fish Camp Catfish Johnny’s Countryside RV Harbor Lites Restaurant Idylwild Fish Camp Kal’s Food Lake Pan’s Produce Lake Panasoffkee Realty Lake Panasoffkee RV Village Mo’s Rest. CR Pan Hardware Pana Vista Lodge Shell Spirit Truck Stop Sumter Co. Chamber of Com. The Dam Pub The Inside Out Grill Thousand Palms RV Resort Tom & Jerry’s Swamp Boat Tours Tracy Pt Fish Camp Villages Golf Cart Man, LLC Connorville Bait & Tackle Spurlow’s

Bartow

Babson Park Crooked Bass MiniMacs Wildwood A Cut Above Polish Shop Chrome Shop Crevalle Boats Cover All Storage Dani’s Sports Bar & Grill Gator World Hungry Howies My RV Storage Old Salt Marine Salty Boats SPARR SpyderMX T/A Truck Stop Traditions Antique Mall Wildwood Antique Mall Wildwood RV Village The Villages Barbershop Beef O’ Brady’s

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SouthernTrace Plaza Dickey’s BBQ Pit (Traverse Trail) China Wok (Traverse Trail) Custom Apparel & Gifts Dental Care Grand Traverse Plaza Hampton Inn Lighthouse Seafood Shell Softballs R Game Streetrod Productions The Villages Fishing Club Walmart Winn Dixie (Burnsed Blvd) Oxford Oxford Mower & Repair River Ranch Westgate River Ranch Webster City Hall Country Village Power Equipment Dough J’s Scenic Sumter Heritage Byway, Inc The Webster Westside Flea Market Webster Farm Supply & Hardware Dundee

Chilton Signs Dundee Hardware & Feed Sumterville

Blackjack Sporting Clays

G3 Sportsman 1810

G3 20 Bay series

G3 Suncatcher V22F

MAKING MEMORIES FOR A LIFETIME!!!

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100 N.E 23rd Avenue, Gainesville FL 32609 • 352-372-4900

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By CAM Staff

or a lot of surf anglers, summertime is pompano time. Schools of these tasty little critters frequent the beaches from Texas to Virginia and beyond. Their presence is highly dependent on water temperatures, so the runs are seasonal and vary according to the beaches you fish. But for much of their range across the Gulf Coast and up the Atlantic, they are a summertime staple for meat-seeking surfcasters. The thing about pompano is, while the bite can be intense when an angler encounters a school, it can end as quickly as it began. They are either there, or they are not, so it’s a good tactic to sit back with baits in the water during a moving tide and catch whatever happens to be cruising the trough. If pompano show up, they may descend like a swarm of locusts, scouring the sandy bottom and making themselves easy pickings for anglers with a cooler to fill. Tactics are pretty simple. The classic pompano rig is effective for pompano and pretty much anything else that feeds in the surf. It’s nothing more than a dropper rig with two or three 1/0 or 2/0 circle hooks rigged with hook lines off the main line. These hook lines are often adorned with brightly colored beads and tiny floats to draw attention. The main line is anchored at the bottom with a 1- to 3-ounce pyramid sinker, which should be matched to conditions to keep the rig from walking in with the surf. Too lazy to rig your own? Pre-tied pompano rigs are widely available for purchase at tackle shops. And because visiting a local tackle shop is about much more than gear, you should pick their brains for current local intel while you’re there. Live sand fleas, or mole crabs, are the kings of pompano bait. Run the

PHOTO CREDIT: LUKAS BRICKWEG

hook up through the underside of the crab until the point of the hook is barely exposed on the top of the shell. You can catch sand fleas at low tide, and the bait hunt is a great way to get kids involved. As each wave recedes, sand fleas give themselves away by leaving a V shape in the sand as they rebury themselves. Hunters must hustle to dig them out with a specially made rake, small bucket or sand shovel before the next wave rolls in. The next best bait is small pieces of peeled fresh or frozen shrimp if sand fleas prove difficult to find. If all else fails, scented soft baits like FishBites are a durable and effective fall back. If you happen upon a hungry school, artificials can actually be preferable because ravenous bait thieves will force you to check and refresh natural baits often. It’s a good idea to start with different baits on each hook, since you’ll be fishing multiple hooks on each rod. This is a great way to find the preference of fish on a given day.

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ocial distancing is something a certain whale shark has been practicing for many years. “Rio Lady,” a mature, 26-foot whale shark tagged in 2018, has been tracked by research scientists for nearly 20 months, making it the longest, high-resolution position track for this globally endangered species. But it’s not the first time she was tagged by researchers. She was first tagged in August 2007 in the Gulf of Mexico near Isla Mujeres, Mexico, where whale sharks annually aggregate to feed. Based on her ample girth, researchers suspected she was pregnant. At that time, a pop-up satellite tag was used, and as the name implies, the tag “popped up” about five months later and nearly 5,000 miles away in the southern Atlantic Ocean between the African continent and Brazil. This led to her nickname Rio Lady. She wasn’t seen again until the summer of 2011. “After the original tag came off, she kind of just went dark,” said Mahmood Shivji, Ph.D., a professor in Nova Southeastern University’s (NSU) Halmos College of Natural Sciences and Oceanography. “Talk about social distancing – she kept her distance for nearly four years. What’s also interesting is that Rio Lady’s new track is strikingly different from her travel path after she was first tagged in 2007. Her recent 20-month journey shows she travelled through the national waters of at least five countries in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico, making you wonder where else she explored in the years she wasn’t tracked.” After she was first tagged, her long trek while pregnant made this whale shark a media celebrity. “Rio Lady immediately became a superstar for her species,” said Mote Laboratory’s Robert Hueter, Ph.D., lead scientist of the research in 2007. “She gave us a major clue about where whale sharks may be giving birth to their young, in offshore waters of the open ocean far from their nearshore feeding grounds.” Rio Lady ditched her social distancing in 2011, reappearing annually at the Mexico aggregation from 2011 to 2018. Then, in August 2018, Ch’ooj Ajauil AC’s Executive Director Rafael de la Parra, working on a project with NSU’s Guy Harvey Research Institute scientists, tagged her in almost the exact location where she was originally tagged. This time, researchers affixed a higher resolution Smart Position and Temperature (SPOT) satellite tag. Since her second tagging, Rio Lady’s journey has been remarkable. She has traveled more than 9,621 miles in more than 600 days, which includes long forays into the Caribbean, the Gulf of Mexico and a brief stop near the Florida Panhandle. In 2020, she was tracked until Feb. 15, when she “social distanced” herself for two months before resurfacing in the Gulf. Researchers have learned that while whale sharks mostly travel solo, there are times they gather. While Rio Lady is still practicing her usual social distancing, scientists are able to keep tabs on her in order to learn more about this amazing species. The trek of Rio Lady and other tagged sharks can be viewed at nova.edu/sharktracking.

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By John Saporito

ensory perception in the sea is much different than it is on land. Although senses like vision, hearing and smell all function beneath the water’s surface, the transition between mediums influences how organs receive stimulus input. Still, just like on land, sensory systems are all tools in the arsenal of predatory creatures that live underwater. A gamefish may use any and all of these systems at a given time to achieve its purpose, but different species rely more heavily on certain senses than they do on others. Many species rely on a less familiar but equally formidable system designed to capitalize on the peculiar nature of water itself. The extremely high density and correspondingly

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low compressibility of water, rather than hinder the sensory perception of gamefish, has allowed for the development of mechanisms that can better exploit these qualities. In addition to the five senses familiar to us—hearing, sight, smell, taste and touch—fish have a sixth sense: they can feel sound. This ability, made possible by a network of sensory organs known as the lateral line, enables fish to find and determine the source of a commotion as it is transmitted through the water. Often visible as a single horizontal stripe on each side of a fish’s body, lateral lines are fluid-filled canals that contain an intricate system of mechanoreceptors. The lateral line system detects vibrations, pressure

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changes, and movement in the surrounding water. Sounds that originate from afar are likely to be collected by the fish’s inner ear, which can be thought of as the more prototypical of the hearing systems. Sounds that are sourced near the fish, however, can be perceived by the lateral line with incredible accuracy. Lateral lines are akin to a second set of eyes; a fish can passively and continuously stay informed of all activity in its vicinity, allowing it to sense danger and locate prey without seeing it. The lateral line is especially adept at locating and distinguishing low-frequency sounds—sounds that might go unnoticed by normal auditory receptors. These include some notably faint marine disturbances, such as those generated by the pulsation of another fish’s tail. The specialized nerves of the lateral line are tuned to ignore aquatic vibrations caused by the host fish’s own movements, forwarding only signals of interest to its brain to be analyzed and eliminating confusion during times of heightened exertion, as when hunting or evading larger predators. Lateral lines are present to some extent in all fish, although the degree of sensitivity varies among species. Some of the most sought-after gamefish boast strikingly advanced lateral lines. Many species, largely due to this adaptation, are inclined to feed more voraciously at night. To them, the darkness is an asset, not a handicap. And, because a shrewd hunter must always remain vigilant, this sensory arrangement helps keep gamefish safe as they face the pitfalls of life underwater. John Saporito is a lifelong fisherman and student of the seas. Visit him online at www.guerillaangling.com.

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lackwater diving—diving at night where the bottom is far out of sight, hundreds of feet below—has now come into its own. Images of bizarre creatures glowing against jet-black backgrounds seem to be everywhere. One that was taken in Palm Beach waters was even recently selected as a National Geographic Photo of the Day. This avalanche of enticing images promises divers a whole new world beyond their everyday SCUBA experiences. It’s important to recognize that this truly is a whole new world. Few will take that first plunge into dark, bottomless waters without a bit of trepidation. That hesitation typically vanishes within a couple minutes of immersion in this world of fascinating creatures. The thrill of the hunt quickly banishes the fear of the unknown. But blackwater divers must also deal with an important hazard that’s much less obvious—a lack of visual reference points. You are freely drifting in dark, featureless space. The visual clues that help alert you to changes in buoyancy and depth are absent. It’s not unusual for a diver focused on a tiny critter floating in the black to unknowingly drift up or down over significant distances. Since these dives are in relatively shallow water, where depth changes have major effects on buoyancy, things can quickly get out of hand. One way to address this problem is to introduce an artificial frame of reference. To that end, Pura Vida Divers, which has been running blackwater charters for over five years, has created a drift rig that I think of as the Christmas tree. It is a well-lit free-floating buoy that extends down forty feet into the water with 10-foot intervals clearly marked. Divers new to the blackwater environment can hang out in its vicinity for ready reference as they hone their buoyancy control skills. A side benefit is that its lights attract a number of interesting creatures. Of course, when you’re several miles offshore in hundreds of feet of water, it’s also comforting to know the whereabouts of the dive boat. Over the years, Pura Vida has experimented with underwater lighting. They’ve settled on strong blue lights under their boats for long-distance underwater visibility. In an emergency, they can put those lights into flashing mode as a recall signal for divers in the water. Shana Phelan and Andrea Whitaker, of Pura Vida Divers, have created a PADI Blackwater Diving specialty course to facilitate the entry of divers into this specialty. “We thought it the perfect subject for a distinctive specialty,” said Shana. “Our intent was to let divers try this unique style of diving under the supervision of an instructor and allow them to come away with a PADI distinctive specialty certification that they could apply towards a Master SCUBA Diver rating, or just acquire as part of their continuing diver education.” The course consists of a lecture and two dives (which can be completed on a standard blackwater charter). The classroom component covers dive etiquette and procedures specific to blackwater diving, along with an introduction to identifying and documenting nocturnal marine life. On the first dive, divers master blackwater skills. The second gives them time to seek the fascinating creatures they’ve seen in all those pictures. Ready to enter this new world? Check out Pura Vida Divers’ blackwater page, https://www.puravidadivers.com/black-water-drift-dives, then give them a call at (561)-840-8750.

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ith an eye toward the world getting back to normal, here are a couple good Florida Keys fishing tournaments to look forward to next month.

DEL BROWN PERMIT TOURNAMENT:

July 18-21, Key West

Anglers fly fish on the flats in a challenge that honors the late angling pioneer Del Brown, who caught and released more than 500 Photo courtesy of Del Brown Permit Tournament permit off the Keys. Professionals and guides are allowed to compete as well. For information, visit delbrownpermittournament.com or email lorenrea@icloud.com.

STOCK ISLAND MARINA VILLAGE KEY WEST MARLIN TOURNAMENT:

July 22-25, Key West

Anglers ply the waters once fished by novelist Ernest Hemingway, vying for $50,000 in guaranteed cash prizes. Held in conjunction with Key Westâ€™s annual Hemingway Days festival, the event awards $25,000 to the first-place team. Teams can enter one fun fish (dolphin, tuna, wahoo or released sailfish) per day to add to their point total. For information, visit keywestmarlin.com.

By Michael Okruhlik

he popping cork has a long history of catching saltwater fish when paired with live bait. Shrimp has to be the most popular bait to rig behind a cork. It might come as a surprise to some that tossing a soft plastic or spoon under a cork can be just as productive. And under certain conditions, they can even give you an edge. The popping cork has evolved since I started throwing them as a kid, and design innovations have definitely made them a better tool for catching trout and reds. But the concept is still the same. The cork makes noise and commotion to attract fish to your bait. Some have concave tops to create a slurping sound similar to a trout feeding on the surface, while others emit rattling or clicking sounds of varying degrees to attract the attention of fish. Some have also added springs to increase sound by generating force more than just the weight of the lure to slam the cork back in place. Cork construction has also changed from inline devices to self-contained units on which the cork generates a louder click sliding on a steel wire. Of all the changes, I feel the most beneficial innovation is weight placement and design to increase ease and distance of casting. Popping corks are effective paired with soft plastics under several conditions. If someone new to lure fishing has not perfected presentation, a cork can be a great option. When fishing soft plastics under a cork, they can be rigged several ways depending on conditions, water depth, current and aggressiveness of the fish. Using jigheads of varying weights is probably the most common tweak. A weedless weighted hook is a great option if you are fishing over structure, especially while drifting over grass flats and in areas of floating grass. I also like to fish them on an unweighted or a very lightly weighted weedless hook. When light weighted, I like the weight placed at the back of the hook for a more natural sink presentation. I prefer this light weedless hook in two specific scenarios. In very clear water where fish can see the lure, I feel a natural fall is going to get more strikes. Also, in totally opposite conditions of very dirty water, I feel the slower sink allows fish to find the lure before it falls to the bottom of its reach and no longer has any action. Nearly 15 years ago, I spent most of my fishing days in Baffin Bay in South Texas. At that time, Baffin Bay was inundated with brown tide and lure fishing had become very difficult. Not wanting to use live bait, I used a rattling cork on a wire with soft plastics dangling beneath. Most of my buddies gave me a hard time for tossing a cork, but I was the one catching the fish! Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Knockin Tail Lures, Controlled Descent Lures, and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.

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By CAM Staff By CAM Staff

ust like their saltwater brethren, “landlocked” striped bass in reservoirs across the country are highly mobile. Even restricted by dams, they retain the instinct to migrate, and this tendency leads to some of the most exciting fishing that exists. When stripers run up rivers and creeks each spring and summer, anglers are likely to encounter very large fish in small waters. The fish come in waves, with an initial spring spawning run followed by a larger influx when summer heat pushes fish in search of thermal refuge. Garner Reid, of Georgia’s Cohutta Fishing Company, has made it his life’s work to target big river-run stripers with a fly rod. Sure, he could catch them sinking cut bait, but it’s more fun to dance streamers around blowdowns in anticipation that a 20-plus-pounder might be waiting in ambush. The furious fights can be compared to those of big redfish, only they occur in a river, where current and cover work against the angler. “If a big striper decides he’s going to wrap your line around a snag, there’s no way you’re going to stop it,” said Reid. “You’ve got to be a little lucky.” Reid’s homewaters are Georgia’s Chattahoochee and Etowah rivers, but striped bass run in every system where they are present.

The Caney Fork, the Hiwassee, the Cumberland, the Saluda, the list of Southeastern rivers with good striper runs is long. Reid has fished a lot of them and said the similarities are a reminder that striped bass are by nature a saltwater species. “The amount of flow coming down the river dictates where you find fish,” he said. “Dam releases are like tides. High water is a large incoming tide. Just like in saltwater, the fish are pushing up as high as they can get.” Striped bass become ambush predators in these “mountain tides.” In high water, they post up in creek mouths and on big blowdowns. When flows are low, they retreat to the depths in oxygen-rich holes below shoals. Their sensitivity to sunlight means they’re most likely to prowl in low light.

Reid said fish in ambush mode are more active. The fishing is faster, and floating or intermediate lines with un-weighted streamers can be worked relatively shallow. When stripers retreat to the depths, it’s sometimes necessary to break out sinking line and weighted streamers for a slow presentation fish can’t resist. With this need for versatility, Reid carries an arsenal of 8- to 10-weight rods rigged with floating, intermediate and full sinking lines. Fly selection is determined by available forage. Popular streamers like Clousers, Deceivers and Half & Halfs fit the bill in sizes and colors to match natural baitfish. On a particular river, that might be a 2-inch threadfin shad or it might be a 9-inch rainbow trout. Reid said bigger fish, which can weigh 20, 30, even 40 pounds, prefer larger baits. Even with a 10-weight fly rod, it’ll take some luck to get a fish like that to the boat. Check out Cohutta Fishing Company at www.cohuttafishingco.com. Follow Garner Reid on Instagram and Facebook.

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ings K Summer

CATCH UP WITH THE

By CAM Staff

Mike Weskalnies caught this kingfish fishing with Show Me The Fish Charters off Anna Maria Island, Fla.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CAPT. LARRY MCGUIRE.

t’s that time of year when warming water temperatures in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico have sent king mackerel on their annual migrations. The action is pretty much year-round down in South Florida and the Keys, but their northward progression makes them more and more prevalent now through early fall in Atlantic waters up through the Carolinas and as far west as Texas in the Gulf. Kings prefer a water temperatures from about 68 to 73 degrees, which is extremely specific for any species. This magic temperature window is why they’re moving, and it’s how anglers find them. While anglers in central Florida see the front end of the migration in early spring, kingfishing gets better in north Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina through the summertime. The same is true in the Gulf. Summer is when they start showing up thicker in the northern regions of the Gulf. No matter where on the migration route your fishery is, kingfish will be looking for the same things when they get there. They prowl the open ocean around offshore structure and green plankton-rich waters in the thermal range where they are comfortable. They can be found on ledges, reefs, oil rigs and wrecks because that’s where the baitfish are. In summer, when baitfish move closer to shore, the kings come with them. Spotting kingfish slashing through schools of bait is one of the most exciting spectacles in sport fishing. At speeds in excess of 30 mph, they crash through teeming wads of baitfish, sometimes sending showers of threadfin into the air. Finding feeding kings is a matter of identifying preferable temperature breaks and structure using charts before heading offshore. Once there, electronics become important to scout for underwater activity. If you’re lucky, diving birds will give away bait and surface-feeding kings. Trolling is generally the most effective method to target kings, and although they will hit lures, good live bait is preferred by most tournament guys who are specifically targeting big smoker kings. Blue runners, pogies (menhaden), pilchards, threadfin herring, any bait with some silver flash is good. Switching them out and keeping them lively is important. And when the fishing is slow, it doesn’t hurt to break out a sabiki rig to catch whatever bait is on-site. Idle speed is about right for pulling live baits. It’s important to stagger depth and distance from the boat to cover a wide swath of water. Bumping the boat into neutral and just drifting when the sonar shows good bottom or good bait can also lead to a hook-up. If you’re moving slow enough, a good chum slick might be in order to draw them in.

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couple state record fish arrowed by bowfishermen this spring raise the question: Is there a size threshold where baitfish become gamefish? A striped mullet from Arkansas and a gizzard shad from Missouri were both recently recognized as alternative-method state records. The mullet measured nearly 25 inches in length and weighed 5-pounds, 6-ounces. It was arrowed from an oxbow lake off the Arkansas River a few miles upstream of its confluence with the Mississippi River. The gizzard shad weighed 3 pounds, 9 ounces. It was caught from a private pond in southeastern Missouri. Both fish are species considered to be bait by most anglers, yet both are certainly big enough to put a bend in a rod. Another question some might ask is what in the world a mullet was doing up the Arkansas River some 500 river miles from the Gulf of Mexico. Although they spawn in saltwater, striped mullet migrate into freshwater. According to Jeff Quinn, a biologist with Arkansas Game & Fish, they’ve even been known to navigate through the dams high into the Arkansas and Ouachita rivers.

By Alex McCrickard

lucky angler reeled in an unusual catch on Virginia’s Buggs Island Lake. On Easter Sunday, David Rathburn couldn’t believe the golden fish at the end of his line. Rathburn had already caught 15 crappie that afternoon fishing a Kalin grub on a 1/8-ounce jig head. “I have been fishing Buggs Island Lake for 50 years, and I always target crappie in the spring,” said Rathburn. He said that day the fish were holding PHOTO COURTESY OF DAVID RATHBURN off bridge abutments and were suspended midway in the water column in about 15 feet of water. Soon he came tight to another fish off the abutment. The water was fairly clear, and when the fish got to within 3 feet of the surface he saw the colors. With a gold flash, the most unusual crappie he had ever seen was on the surface in front of him. “What in the world is that?” Rathburn recalled thinking. “I was shocked because I didn’t think it could possibly be a crappie.” Rathburn had caught the fish of a lifetime, a golden crappie. Dan Michaelson, a Virginia fisheries biologist, was surprised about Rathburn’s catch. The fish’s color is the result of a rare genetic mutation. “While this unique golden color isn’t unheard of in crappie, it certainly isn’t common. Consider also that as a fish matures they do everything in their power to avoid being eaten,” said Michaelson. “Often cryptic coloration or camouflage is a fish’s first line of defense against a predator and being a bright, gold color doesn’t lend itself well to a long life.”

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apt. Mickey Brelsford says his Rebel free-fall unit is the perfect fishing tool, providing him a “good, solid anchoring position.” In the past, using a windlass yielded poor retrieval results and left no room for customization, like adding special attachments or splicing rope and chain. “I don’t know how many times I’ve been on boats where [the line is] hanging up, snarling, getting knotted up in the windlass or shredding line,” Brelsford said. A retired policeman, Capt. Brelsford enjoys time fishing near the coast of St. James City, Fla. on his 37-foot “Nostalgic Lady,” a 1981 Hatteras Sportfish that carries 300 feet of 5/8 rope and 20 feet of heavy-duty chain. After adding a pulpit to his vessel, Capt. Brelsford used to pull up all his rope by hand, wasting time and energy on multiple retrieval and deployment attempts as he tried to find the perfect “boat position.” “The easiest way I can explain boat position is if you’re at the baseball game, you’re either playing—which is fishing— or you’re watching the game, which means you’re not,” Brelsford said. Brelsford decided he’d rather be in the

game than on the sidelines, so installing the Rebel EZ-5 became a no-brainer after researching product information and helpful documents on the company website, then calling the drum anchor winch manufacturer’s technical support team for additional pointers. Unlike E-Z Anchor Puller Mfg. Co’s two direct drive series (the Hero and Patriot series), the Rebel drum anchor winch has a clutch and friction plate design that allows the drum to free-spool when the clutch plate is disengaged. To get that “good, solid anchoring position,” press and hold the “raise/power up” side of the button for about five seconds. This will cause the clutch plate to once again rotate, but this time clamping down on the drum and holding the boat at anchor. “Once I deploy my anchor and it goes

into a free-fall, it’s straight down to the bottom as quick as it can go,” Brelsford said. “And then, once I set the anchor I can free-line out as much anchor rode as I need: that’s what I call boat position.” As an added bonus, the Rebel drum anchor winch is compatible with an E-Z Anchor Puller wireless long-range remote, which controls your drum anchor winch from anywhere on the boat. The wireless remotes are available for the Hero and Patriot series, as well. Capt. Brelsford purchased his on the company website, ezanchorpuller.com. “This [unit] here—don’t worry about it—it just rolls right on and keeps on rollin’. That’s what it is: E-Z!” Brelsford concluded.

Photo courtesy of Amber Rose.

A F

lorida fly fisher Kathryn Vallilee caught a massive 21-pound Key West permit on 6-pound tippet March 22. The catch, when approved by IGFA, is expected to crush the existing 21-year-old line-class world record by more than 11 pounds. “The fight for me was so tense because I knew this fish was the one,” Vallilee, who was fishing with Capt. Brandon Cyr, told USA Today’s For The Win Outdoors. “And I think my focus on fighting it was what makes that memory so vivid. When Brandon got the fish in the net, I just felt a wave of relief wash over me.” Vallilee is no stranger to the record books. She co-owns a Key West fly shop with her husband and already holds the 4-pound line class record. With Capt. Cyr, she has been chasing the 6-pound record all year. She and Cyr spotted three large permit as shadows over the white sand flats on March 22. She sight casted to them with a Skok’s Strong Arm Merkin fly, and the fish took. The previous record of 9 pounds, 12 ounces has stood since 1999.

t presstime, the 2020 Blue Marlin World Cup, a high stakes single-day tournament will take place as scheduled on July 4. With no captain’s meeting or awards ceremony, the Blue Marlin World Cup is a fishing tournament with built-in social distancing. Government restrictions might continue in places where the competition has been keen in the past. Travel restrictions might deter some anglers. But there are plenty of home-based spots where anglers can depart, like North Carolina, Ocean City, Virginia Beach, Orange Beach, Biloxi, Galveston, etc. These areas and many more have the potential to produce the winning marlin. All it takes is one big fish to win. The tournament entry fee for the Blue Marlin World Cup is $5,000 per team. The optional Big Blue Challenge (“BBC”) is an $8,000 entry. There is a winner for the tournament and for the BBC. If the tournament winner is also entered in the BBC, they can take home all the money in this winnertake-all format. The Blue Marlin World Cup is a one-day fishing tournament held around the world. Blue marlin weighing more than 500 pounds are the only eligible species and competing teams fish in their respective time zones from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Entries are weighed on certified government scales in their respective locales. Pending any new worldwide developments, the 2020 Blue Marlin World Cup will be held July 4. For more information or to register, visit: www.bluemarlinworldcup.com.

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NATIONAL 17

CustomBilt Pondtoon

The Pondtoon is the perfect small-water boat for avid river and pond anglers, duck hunters and bow hunters, as well as families with children or grandchildren. All boats are all-welded aluminum construction made and made in the U.S.A. with premium options to meet every angler’s needs. There are several styles to choose from that include: Fishing Series, Hunting Series, Pleasure Series, Farm/Pond Workboats, Search and Rescue and a new Camo boat. There are even wheelchair accessible models Pondtoon boats are factory assembled in three standard sizes with options and additional features that allow you to equip the boat for your fishing and hunting style at a very affordable price. Contact us to “customize” your very own CustomBilt Pondtoon boat. CONTACT CUSTOMBILT PONDTOONS AT (334) 684-2210 AND SEE THEIR WEBSITE AT BOATSANDFISHING.COM.

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GREAT SUN PROTECTION! double power capacity. That means you can connect two of them to work in tandem, delivering their full, combined power. Two lightweight EU2200is can easily start and run an RV air conditioner along with other appliances.

EU2200i Model Snapshot: Because More is More

amping adventure goes hand-in-hand with fishing fun. These days, even the most remote fish camps are hi-tech, with satellite TVs, microwaves, tablets and blenders ready for the ultimate outdoor experience. Enter the portable generator—the real power behind outdoor enjoyment and no longer just reserved for emergencies.

Super Quiet for Some Super Fun Several years ago, Honda introduced the EU2200i Super Quiet Series inverter generator, as the most versatile and reliable portable generator for work, home or play. Outside enthusiasts took note. The Honda EU2200i replaced the company’s top-selling EU2000i, delivering the same legendary, dependable power—and more of it: 10 percent more (200 watts) at the same price. The Honda EU2200i provides better performance, class-leading fuel efficiency, quiet operation and improved ease of use and maintenance. The Honda EU2200i is the perfect portable power for any trip—letting customers power more with virtually no change in weight or cost. For example, an extra 200 watts could mean the addition of a slow cooker, fan, or computer to what’s already being powered—which adds up to greater value for the ultimate outdoor experience. With a larger engine, easy start-up process and easier maintenance, the Honda EU2200i is a versatile and reliable portable power choice. What’s more, this generator can be paired with another identically sized unit to

Honda designed the EU2200i with enhanced features that deliver customers ease of use, simplified maintenance and durable, dependable operation: • Operating sound level of 53 dB at 1/4 load and 62 dB at rated load. • Maximum AC output of 120 volts (V)/2200 watts (W)/18.3 Amps (A) and rated output of 120V/1800 W/15 A. • Run time of 3.2 to 8.1 hours on a single 0.95-gallon tank, depending on load. • Bigger oil filler opening, longer spout and larger oil drain gutter for easier and cleaner oil changes. • Fuel shutoff valve (“Fuel Off ” position) allows the engine to continue running until the majority of the fuel in the carburetor is consumed and the engine shuts off, which prevents stale fuel issues during storage. • Stamped metal recoil rope insert provides increased durability and reduces potential damage to the generator body. • Increase in the ventilation area of 2.31 square inches reduces cabinet air intake resistance, resulting in improved inverter cooling. The addition of new ducts allows air to move evenly over internal parts while improving air flow for better cooling. • Improved stator/rotor configuration uses the highest quality, most powerful magnets. • Operational contact points are color-coded, guiding the user through starting operation. • Inverter-technology equipped, featuring high-quality power output, a lighter, smaller size, higher fuel efficiency and quiet operation. To learn more about Honda Generators and the Honda EU2200i Super Quiet Series, see hondanews.com, honda.com, powerequipment.honda.com, facebook.com/hondagenerators and youtube.com/honda.

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The Return of a Custom Built Quality Outdoor BBQ Products Since 1989

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DOA 2.75 Shrimp - the totally new design is the best of both worlds – it’s like fishing a jig and a DOA Shrimp. The weighted hook is super sharp and slips seamlessly into the body of the shrimp. Slightly smaller and heavier than the Original, it has a molded in rattle cavity to easily add sound, skips well, sinks fast, and casts like a bullet.

www.doalures.com 20 NATIONAL

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apt. Tim Barefoot is having trouble concentrating. In the middle of May, he was on rockfish so thick he had to ice his arms in the evenings. Reports from across the Mid-Atlantic indicate huge spawning runs of striped bass up coastal rivers that ramped up in the middle Photo Credit: Tim Barefoot of March. This is very good news considering all the doom and gloom we’ve been hearing about Atlantic striped bass populations lately. Barefoot has first-hand information from the James, Rappahannock, Occoquan and Potomac rivers. “They have all been chock full of fish and bait this year,” he said. “And it’s the nicest class of fish we’ve seen in several years.” The action is incredible for fish in the 3- to 12-pound range, and Barefoot is seeing the occasional 15- to 20-pounder. But he was almost as excited about the baitfish as the stripers. “One of the most encouraging things was to see the way the herring showed up,” he said. “The herring are so thick they brought the loons with them from the ocean. And when the herring are here like that, everything’s feeding and everything’s healthy.” Typically the rockfish will stick around in the rivers until mid-June or later. Until then, Barefoot said there’s no need for live bait. He’s been wearing them out on a Super Fluke rigged on a Barefoot Jumping Jig with the barb mashed down for easy releases. For more information, contact Capt. Tim Barefoot through his website at barefootcatsandtackle.com.

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1/14/20 8:50 AM

PHOTO CREDIT: George Costa, TCO Outdoors

By Nick Carter

ure, 90 percent of a trout’s diet might come from below the surface, but there’s nothing that satisfies like solving the puzzle during a hatch and catching fish on a dry fly. No discussion of hatches is complete without mention of Penns Creek, Pennsylvania. This venerable stream is one of the best dry fly fisheries in the

country, boasting what may be the most famous green drake hatch in the East. From Coburn downstream to Glen Iron, Pennsylvania, there are roughly 20 miles of “Class A Wild Trout Stream,” and much of it is accessible only on foot through central Pennsylvania’s Bald Eagle State Forest. Penns Creek supports an incredible amount of insect life. Guide George Costa, with TCO Outdoors, said things pick up in April when blue-winged olives, Hendricksons and grannoms appear and lead into a riot of bug activity in May. “Sulphurs, March browns, caddis, blue quill, olives, pretty much everything under the sun is hatching,” said Costa. “It can be massive, and all at once.” These insects are a precursor to the main event, which is 10 days in early June when big meaty green drake mayflies conduct their courtship. The hatches move progressively upstream with warming water temperatures, and big size 8 to 10 patterns match the adult stage of this mayfly. Of course, all the other bugs will be on the water at the same time, so it’s wise for anglers to keep options open. Costa said the best pattern during a drake hatch is a size 16 sulphur. Penns Creek brown trout seem to prefer the flavor of the smaller pale yellow sulphur mayflies. Every fish in the river takes part in the annual smorgasbord. Brown trout are the dominant species, a few rainbows show up, and native brook trout enter the flow from tributaries. At Penns Creek, there’s a chance to catch tiger trout, which are a brown trout/brook trout crossbreed. Fish size is good, too. Costa said they average 13 to 16 inches, and there’s potential to encounter fish 20 inches and longer. Adventurous anglers who want to target large fish with dry flies should pack a headlamp. In the final stage of the green drake lifecycle, they molt into big white coffin flies. They lay their eggs and then die en masse, falling to the river in an event known as a spinner fall. Most of the action takes place after dark. The angler listens for fish slurping spinners off the surface and then casts a big size 6 or 8 pattern to the unseen target. The largest fish in the river feed during the spinner fall. For maps, GPS coordinates and tactics for the Southeast’s best trout waters, get a copy of Nick Carter’s book “Flyfisher’s Guide to North Carolina & Georgia.” It’s available on Amazon, and autographed copies are available by emailing the author at nsc8957@gmail.com.

Barefoot

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3 6 0 - D E G R E E AC C E S S TO AN OCE AN OF POSSIBILITIES The engineless design of the FSH Series gives owners a spacious stern area, as well as 360-degree uninterrupted access to the water. With enhanced saltwater corrosion protection and a host of fishing and family-friendly features, Yamaha’s 2020 FSH Series is the best way to experience everything the coast has to offer. YA M A H A B OAT S . C O M

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Sacred Stone of the Southwest is on the Brink of Extinction

enturies ago, Persians, Tibetans and Mayans considered turquoise a gemstone of the heavens, believing the striking blue stones were sacred pieces of sky. Today, the rarest and most valuable turquoise is found in the American Southwest–– but the future of the blue beauty is unclear. On a recent trip to Tucson, we spoke with fourth generation turquoise traders who explained that less than five percent of turquoise mined worldwide can be set into jewelry and only about twenty mines in the Southwest supply gem-quality turquoise. Once a thriving industry, many Southwest mines have run dry and are now closed. We found a limited supply of C. turquoise from Arizona and snatched it up for our Sedona Turquoise Collection. Inspired by the work of those ancient craftsmen and designed to showcase the exceptional blue stone, each stabilized vibrant cabochon features a unique, one-of-a-kind matrix surrounded in Bali metalwork. You could drop over $1,200 on a turquoise pendant, or you could secure 26 carats of genuine Arizona turquoise for just $99. Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. If you aren’t completely happy with your purchase, send it back within 30 days for a complete refund of the item price. The supply of Arizona turquoise is limited, don’t miss your chance to own the Southwest’s brilliant blue treasure. Call today!

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