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NATIONAL 3
THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, GIVE YOURSELF THE GIFT OF
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inter fishing in the Florida Keys can be a double-edged sword. This time of year can be limited by more frequent windy days. However, some of our best fishing occurs very close to land this time of year, and you don’t have to go far to get into the heart of it. Snapper are always a viable option on the reef, and targeting them also provides the opportunity to fill up the livewell with fresh ballyhoo to use for sailfish, which will be showering bait under diving frigates. If you happen to get out there on a sporty day, and the thought of rocking on anchor first thing in the morning makes your stomach turn, wahoo might be a better option. Trolling lures can be productive for targeting wahoo, and reduces the rocking of the boat that causes seasickness. Utilizing deep-diving lures, planers and trolling sinkers, there are countless ways to set up an efficient wahoo spread that can be pulled at varying speeds. Since wahoo like their baits moving quickly, high-speed trolling is a great way to target them while lessening other species as bycatch. Another great option for wahoo fishing is using live bait. This method is more exciting, and uses bait that can be acquired without dropping anchor. With wahoo rigs already set with wire leaders, and extra prerigged leaders on hand, head out to the wrecks to catch fresh bait. When targeting bigger baits like bonita, blue runners and goggle eyes for wahoo, use a heavier rod and reel, with the appropriately overpowered sabiki rig. Accounting for tangles, breakoffs and unwanted mackerel attention, make sure to have more than a few extra sabiki rigs on board. Affix a weight to the sabiki and drop it down to fill the well with blue runners, or troll the sabiki over schools of bonita, hooking them immediately to the wahoo rig and sending them back out. Power drift or bump troll a spread of live baits with some weightless, flatlined on the surface, or even under a kite, and others at varying depths with a breakaway weight or downrigger. Watching a hungry wahoo skyrocket on a surface bait provides all the adrenaline needed to knock any lingering seasickness out of you. Wahoo are excellent table fare, and they are also one of the best fighting fish you can target. Keep in mind that if your line goes slack, they might be swimming toward the boat. It is a wahoo until it’s not a wahoo, so keep reeling until you see the end of your line. Charter fishing in the Florida Keys is busy during the winter, so make sure to book your charter in advance. Sweet E’nuf Charters offers gift certificates for all the Santas out there with fishermen in the family. Capt. Quinlyn Haddon, of Sweet E’nuf Charters, operates out of Marathon, Florida Keys. Check out her website at CaptainQuinlyn.com, her social @captainquinlyn or call (504) 920-6342.
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NATIONAL 5 4/7/22 10:19 AM
SAVOR THE SEASONS in Upcountry South Carolina
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troll up WINTERTIME SLAB CRAPPIE C
By Nick Carter
old water makes catching fish more difficult, right? Not with crappie, according to allaround outdoorswoman Terrie Huffmaster. She looks forward to deep winter, when she can load the boat with the biggest slabs of the year. Huffmaster is a South Georgia farm girl from Quitman, way down on the Florida border, so she calls crappie speckled perch, or specks for short. “You catch the bigger specks in wintertime,” she said. “I like to go into the deeper water trolling for them.” A great thing about crappie is they’re predictable. In spring they move shallow to spawn, but throughout the rest of the year they are nomads in search of comfortable water temperatures. You’ll always find them near structure or cover, and they are usually schooled up tightly. Huffmaster fishes for specks on Lake
Seminole, a nearly 40,000-acre impoundment that straddles the Georgia/Florida border. It’s a relatively shallow lake, full of stumps, brush and submerged grass. When Huffmaster says “deeper water,” she means the deepest water Seminole has, which is 25 to 30 feet. Trolling delivers both quality and quantity when water temps are in the mid to high 50s. But Huffmaster isn’t looking for a 30-fish limit. She’s hunting 10 or so giant specks in the 15- to 18inch range. She catches a lot of smaller fish in the process, but she throws those back. “When you get on ’em good, it’s crazy how
many you can catch,” she said. This is how she gets on them: Huffmaster has a line she trolls that she’s identified on electronics and with previous success. It’s just outside a channel marker, where there’s a ton of submerged trees, stumps and other brush and debris to hold fish. She pulls jigs over deep water and up over humps and ledges that rise to as little as 5 feet. “You keep that trolling motor on low,” she said, “just enough where your line’s pulling, where you’re barely trolling.” Huffmaster said there’s no need to deploy huge spreads from a bank of rod holders. She fishes just one, maybe two rods at a time. Her favorites are a lightweight Mr. Crappie Slab Shaker combo and a Lew’s 6-foot Ultra Light with a Lazer Light Speed Spin 75 reel. She spools up with 8-to 10-pound braided main line and uses a 4- or 6-pound fluorocarbon leader tied to a 1/16-ounce Crappie Magnet Fin Spin or a Mr. Crappie jig head. Paddletail and curly tail bodies both have their place. Chartreuse/pearl and pumpkin are good colors. She trolls her jigs 10 to 15 feet behind the boat and keeps a loose drag so the hook doesn’t tear out of a crappie’s paper-thin mouth. “Call me old fashioned, but that’s how we do it,” she said. “And we don’t seem to have any problem catching a mess of them… and some big ones. Search up Terrie B Huffmaster on Facebook and terries_dusk_2_dawn_fishing on Instagram.
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NATIONAL 7
Which Would You Change First? By Capt. Michael Okruhlik
C
hange is inevitable. In all aspects of life, change is necessary. This is especially true for anglers. When things are not going right, we immediately think of the next lure to throw. We all embark on our fishing journeys with a plan before hitting the water. We may base it on predicted conditions, time of year, experience, or possibly, but hopefully not, a social media post. Let’s discuss what I would do when plan-A doesn’t produce as envisioned. Imagine we are in the perfect looking spot, conditions are exactly as planned, active bait is visible in the area, the tide is flowing, but nothing is biting. Most of us would make a change, and I think we are all in agreement that our first correction would not be to move with everything looking right. Now, here is where I feel most people will make a mistake. Let’s say we are throwing soft-plastic paddletails. What is the first thing you would change?
PHOTO COURTESY OF KNOCKIN TAIL LURES®.
SIZE OR COLOR:
I bet you said color. Am I right? During my decades of fishing the salty bays and marsh, I’ve found that color is the last thing I should change. If some bass fishermen are reading this article, I am solely basing this theory on saltwater for trout, redfish and flounder. It’s not your fault that you tend to change color first. Let’s face it, color is the first thing someone mentions when they describe the lure they used, and when we walk into the tackle aisle there are significantly more colors than lure choices or sizes. We are bombarded with so many colors. Color must be the key to catching, right? Well, maybe not, most of the time. I’ll use my lure brand for an example. I produce 34 unique colors, but I only produce three different sized paddletails. Having all these color options at our fingertips can be overwhelming, and hearing others focus on the color that landed
the big one has caused fishermen to focus on color first. I have found more success in changing the size of the lure over the color. The fish are typically not feeding on anything that resembles the color we are throwing, but they are feeding on a specific size that we have in our box. Matching the forage size is the better option. If that doesn’t produce a bite, then I will even switch the style of lure before the color in most situations. Ultra-clear water is an exception, and these conditions play by different rules. We can cover that in another article, but until then focus less on color and more on size and action. Take a kid fishing and enjoy the outdoors. Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Knockin Tail Lures®, and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.
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It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!
GET READY FOR THE FALL BOATING SEASON It’s the most wonderful time of the year There’ll be much offshore fishing And wake surf for swishing When the water is warm and clear It’s the most wonderful time of the year
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By Charlie McCullough
GTECHNIQ:
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an you wax your 17’ to 20’ boat inside and out in 30 minutes or less? I can tell you first-hand that it is possible, but to do it you’ve got to forget about wax and get with the times. Gtechniq’s ceramic coatings are the technologically advanced way to get great results with less time and effort. I tested it on an 11-year-old Key West 1720, and this author will never go back to wax. Wax is old technology. Do you have a rotary phone? Do you use a pager? What about a flip phone? We have new technologies available. Once
you learn of a new spray-on coating that provides three months of shine and UV protection, would you still wax-on/wax-off? With a $20 bottle of Rinse-on Ceramic, you can get shiny results in 30 minutes! First you need to start with a very clean boat. Remove stains and buff out the dull surfaces, then follow with a good scrubbing with bleach in soapy water to remove all previous wax if any is still present. Hook up the spray nozzle in the Gtechniq Rinse-on Ceramic kit to the water hose and screw on a bottle of Rinse-on. The red knob adjusts material flow and it’s recommended to run it wide open. All you do is rinse the boat with water, and then turn on the material flow to apply the ceramic coating. You’ll see a slight sudsy effect letting you know material is being applied. Rinse boat inside and out with material flow open all the way. After the first application, you will want to wipe the boat down with microfiber towels. That’s it! Spray down the cleaned boat and wipe off in 30 minutes or less! Plus, there is an added benefit: you get a thin UV coating on all your hardware, lighting, switches, console gauges and expensive electronics. Wax is now a cuss word to this author. Application is quick and easy, but what about the results? Three months and 10 trips in saltwater later, and you can still feel the coating. What about a slippery deck? Nope. The stippled deck on the Key West is not slippery after application. It is ready for another application, yet the only part of the boat that doesn’t look new and shiny is the area under waterline. Beneath the waterline did stay clean for two months, but now it has slight yellowing. This 11-year-old vessel needs a light buff under the waterline. The coating is still there, and water beads/sheets off, but stains are caught in the tiny pores evidenced by the dull appearance. This stuff is pretty amazing, and this author will never waxon/wax-off again! GTECHNIQ.COM
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FLORIDA 7
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ooking for an awesome Christmas gift for your kid? A Lifetime Sportsman License with all the privileges they’ll need to hunt and fish in Florida is the gift that keeps on giving every year. Right now, through Jan. 13, some licenses and state park passes are half-off! Here are the bargains being offered by the state: Gold Sportsman Licenses, which include saltwater fishing, freshwater fishing, hunting privileges and all associated permits are 50 percent off and available at the following rates, plus applicable fees. • Annual Gold Sportsman - $50.75 • Five-year Gold Sportsman - $247.75 • Lifetime Sportsman License - Age 4 or younger - $201.50 - Ages 5–12 - $351.50 - Ages 13 and older - $501.50 Florida State Parks Annual Passes have a 50 percent discount and are available at the following rates: • Family Annual Pass - $60, plus tax • Individual Annual Pass - $30, plus tax All of these rates are a tremendous bargain. Get one for a kid for Christmas, and you’ll be buying them the privilege to not worry about being licensed for the rest of their life. For more information, visit MyFWC.com/license/recreational.
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appy Holidays and welcome back to our Northern anglers! December’s forecast is to help you get your days of fishing on the chain on track as quickly as possible. Being that many of you are live bait enthusiasts, I’ll start with the live bait. Wild Shiners are going to be a hard find this winter. Expect prices to be 20 to 25 dollars a dozen. Some bait shops will be carrying Chubs and commercially- raised Shiners. Chubs are abundant in the Kissimmee chain and big bass just love them. More bait shops are starting to carry them, so don’t be afraid to ask for them. Small Blue Gills are also an excellent choice for bass bait, as long as you catch them on a rod or cane pole. Slow trolling live bait along the edges of the grass like and lily pads should produce your largest Bass this month. I like to troll live bait 30 to 50 feet off the back of the boat. I prefer using a balloon for a float about 2 to 3 feet above the bait. Keeping the bait on a short leash is important because it makes it a lot more difficult for the One to 2 ½ pound Crappie bait to evade the strike. are not uncommon in these Balloons are preferred over conventional corks two lakes with an occasional or bobbers because a balloon will not tangle three-pounder turning up in the grass or lily pads. every now and then. I prefer a 65-pound test braided line tied to a 5/0 Mustard Ultra-Point circle hook. A 7-foot extra heavy rod with a soft tip works best for me. Minnows should be an easy find this year. Prices will vary from 4 to 6 dollars per quarter pound. Some bait shops offer discounts for purchasing larger amounts of minnows, so don’t be afraid to ask of the price is not posted. Crappie fishing should be better this year, as a colder winter is expected. The best two lakes on the Kissimmee chain for Crappie are Lake Rosalie and Tiger Lake. One to 2 ½ pound Crappie are not uncommon in these two lakes with an occasional three-pounder turning up every now and then. Slip cork rigs with minnows in 12 to 15 feet of water set at a depth of 7 to 10 feet should work best. CAPTAIN DAVE OCHS
Back Water Fishing Adventures T: 863-605-2181
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HARRIS CHAIN OF LAKES FORECAST
L
argemouth bass are feeding heavy on shad, golden shiners and panfish all throughout the Harris Chain of Lakes getting fat and happy for the upcoming spawn. The bass are moving into transition areas close to the mouths of canals and backwater coves with some deeper water nearby. Lilly pad fields have been producing good numbers of bites and are excellent locations to find fish. Best lures December: lipless crankbaits, soft plastic flukes and top water walking baits. Remember to always look around when you are fishing to see if schoolies are busting bait on the surface. Fish the outer edges of the pads especially the smaller isolated groups as the bigger females will still back away to eat a larger meal than the smaller highly aggressive males. When they move into the shallows, they eat just about away meal that comes their way. The hydrilla patches and matts in Big Lake Harris found in deeper water also hold groups of bass. Find the hard edges and fish a chatter-bait or 4-to-5-inch swim bait along these edges making long casts. Let the bait sink to the bottom and reel slowly. The fish will let you know if they want it fast or slow, so adjust the speed frequently until you figure them out. This is a great time of the year to catch a true trophy bass. You may want to float a large wild shiner under a cork boober dragged behind the boat as you fish. The Crappie started to heat up in the last part of November. The bigger females will be heading shallow where the males are prepping for their annual spawn. Kissimmee grass, lily pads and wood structure are the places to find them using brightly colored jigs tipped with a minnow. Varys the depths of your jigs until you start getting bites. When you get a bite there are more around - slow down and catch dinner! Make sure to visit a sign-up location to register for the 15th Annual Shad & Crappie Derby. You never know, you may catch a monster. FREE to enter! Owen’s Fishing in Eustis, Lake Side Bait & Tackle in Tavares and Nobles Marine in Leesburg are all close to the chain – sign up before you go fishing.
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DECEMBER 2023
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R
ocks, oyster bars and hard bottom are all things that can cause you to lose your lower unit. This time of year, with the negative tides and 15-20 knot winds out of the north or east it’s crucial to be able to identify these hazards. Your tide charts do not incorporate wind factors. For instance, if your tide chart says you have 2 feet of water, but the wind has been blowing 20 knots for three days out of the Northeast, you probably only have about a 1/2 ft of water. That makes a huge difference, especially running the creek mouths where the fish have pushed back because of the cold weather. At the same time, you can also find fish on the same rocks that could easily remove your lower unit. Now that I have your attention about the rocks, let’s talk about how you can also use them to your advantage. In low or negative tides fish group together because there’s no water, so they have no choice but to fall off into deeper holes or troughs. You can target Redfish, Sheepshead, and Trout with shrimp using popping corks or jig heads. Nearshore reefs will hold Hogfish, Mangrove Snapper, Mackerel and Gag Grouper. However, Gag Grouper are catch and release until next year. Inshore fishermen, watch your tides and winds and when you come across some rocks the size of tanks, don’t be afraid to fish ‘em! For all fishermen on foot, there are several parks in our area such as Anclote River Park, Anclote Gulf Park, and Fred Howard park to name a few. Always remember, the best thing to do when searching a new area is to go slow or hire an experienced captain to show you around. CAPTAIN BRENNON KIRBY
Call for more information 727-266-7242 4 LAKELAND/SUMTER
DECEMBER 2023
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863-409-0540 CaptainKirby4@gmail.com KirbysKatch.com
C R
CENTRAL FLORIDA REGION FORECAST
W
ell we’ve made it to the end of 2023 and we’d like to wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! As of this writing it’s not even “snow bird season” yet but the license plates – much like the trees up north – have already been changing colors for a long time. The weather predictions for December seem to tend towards a drier, milder month but with the temps riding a rollercoaster between the lower 80’s down to higher 60’s for daytime highs. That can put these bass into a rollercoaster ride of there own depending upon where we are fishing. Starting out on the Kissimmee Chain fishing out of Camp Mack we’ve already seen fish in prespawn stages in mid-November due to a cold front that seemed to put some fish into thoughts of love. I’m not talking about site fishing for beds, I’m talking about fish in staging areas in “deeper” water adjacent to the flats. We’ve already been catching fish that are cleary “ready to go.” Keep in mind, especially this time of year, any spawning fish are the minority of the general population but key areas are any ledges, drops, or old creek channels with shell beds that are near pads, k-grass, or reeds & buggy whips have the potential to hold fish. I’m keeping a Spook or Devil’s Horse, Gambler EZ Swimmer, spinnerbait, and of course a black & blue blue-tip senko on the deck at all times. Over in Winter Haven on the South Chain we’ll be looking for fish moving up into the intermediate grass lines. One of the bonuses of these smaller lakes is that they are easier to fish in higher winds and colder temps because many lakes sit down below the tree lines, houses & hills. Knowing where you can find the grass flats that extend from 8 ft to 1416 ft with deeper water nearby in key. When the fish are “on” you can pretty much throw anything you want from smaller swimbaits, flukes, jerk baits, rattle traps, anything that is natural shad colors since that is what they feed on in these clearer spring fed lakes. What it is tougher you have to slow down and really work an area with a slow rolled swimbait or speed worm on top of the grass. I hope that I was able to help some of you and for those who are newer or just bringing your own boats down we offer custom guide trips to get you acclimated to the area. I can also help with any needs for info on boat repairs, tackle & equipment, as well as “what to do” around our Central Florida.
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LAKELAND/SUMTER 5
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OKEECHOBEE FORECAST
L
ake O fishing for both bass and crappie has been exceptional providing great eating crappie to take home and catch and release big bass. Fishing for bass has been productive using artificial lures and live bait, depending on what the customer prefers and what’s biting best at the time of the trip. If you are bass fishing, areas to try are Cochran’s pass against the hard wall and inside the pass against both hard lines. Other areas along the shoal can be Whidden’s Pass and a few other spots as you work your way south; a few areas in the Monkey box and Dupree Bar for both bass and specks, Dyess ditch and a few areas as you head north towards worm cove and on up to Indian Prairie have been good fishing as well. Lures for bass: worms; chatter and swim baits; flipping creature-style baits; top water and spinner baits. If you’re fishing around the west-side stop by Big Water Bait and Tackle for all your tackle and boating Other areas to try are Tin House, needs. Buckhead Ridge going west down Due to high water levels over this past to about 3rd point has some summer has left a lot of these areas with very activity as well as some parts of little vegetation just Kings Bar and Grassy. reeds and small islands, so don’t be surprised that when you turn the corner as you’re heading to your fav spot and see nothing but open water. Other areas to try are Tin House, Buckhead Ridge going west down to about 3rd point has some activity as well as some parts of Kings Bar and Grassy. The crappie bite is strong both open water minnow fishing and jig fishing in the shallows. Areas to try for crappie are close to the bass areas mentioned above and fishing the Kissimmee River and Government cut has been pretty good. To book a trip for bass or crappie call 863228-7263, also visit the website for up-to-date info and bookings www.southfloridabassfishing.com. Capt. Angie provide top of the line equipment and runs a new Caymas boat. Sponsors: Toho Marine, St. Cloud; Mercury Marine; BnM Poles; Mid-South Tackle; Real Magic; Gill Marine Wear; Bullet Weights; Rapala; Gene Larew; Pradco Brands; Lews; G-Loomis; Navionics and Tru-Turn hooks.
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LAKELAND/SUMTER 7
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D
ental December, that’s right. It’s sheepshead time. Our favorite black and white stripped fish that only a mother could love. Dental Hygiene is not their strong suit. How do we catch those bait thieving fish? Sheepshead have a solid bone structure due to diet and their teeth are perfectly adapted to crush mollusks and crustaceans. Let’s go over environment first. Structure!!! Rocks, docks and blocks. Look for oysters attached to structure. You will see sheepshead swimming around pylons, concrete walls and rocks. Crawling around are smaller crustaceans. Fiddler crabs and other small species. A lot of newer anglers get frustrated when they look over the side of a bridge and see a huge sheepshead but the fish won’t touch their juicy shrimp. Here is what I say, imagine people at a buffet and someone walks in carrying a pizza, they won’t stop eating at the buffet for a single slice of pizza. The sheepshead are crushing oysters and barnacles and eating crabs so introducing shrimp is not always going to work. As I always say “match the hatch.” Gear 2-3500 series reel is plenty efficient on a 6-6 to 7 foot rod 25lb braid and 20lb fluorocarbon leader. A Mustad 2/0 demon perfect circle or a 1/4 oz Mission Fishin jig head is my go to when targeting sheepshead. Rock piles with shrimp in deepwater 8-10 feet can really do the trick. Remember, sheepshead are also called convict fish due to their ability to steal bait without ever touching the hook. For newer anglers I recommend just putting the rod in a holder and let the fish hook themselves. Trust me you’ll save yourself some frustration. The more time you spend targeting these fish the better you will get. Watch those water temps, the cooler it gets the more active sheepshead become. Good luck and put in the time!!!!!
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Down Range Charters T: 863-812-7896 www.downrangecharters.com
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urf Expo, the premier watersports and coastal lifestyle tradeshow, returns to the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando on Jan. 10-12, 2024, in the West Concourse with a broad selection of brands and a full event line up. Over 700 exhibiting companies are expected to participate in the January show, including over 60 new exhibiting brands. “Surf Expo continues to be the ‘go-to marketplace’ for buyers and brands to connect in person, discover new products and trends, and conduct business,” said Roy Turner, Emerald SVP and Surf Expo Show Director. “Our January show allows retailers to preview all the new styles and new introductions ranging from top surf brands, hardgoods, apparel, footwear, swimwear, boutique fashions and accessories, value-priced resort items, fishing and marine products, souvenirs, and coastal gifts.” The show has also expanded its footprint with watersports and coastal retailers with its new Shoreline offering. This new floor area compliments neighboring product categories on the show floor – Surf, Skate, Paddle and Bluewater — by targeting business associated with recreation found along rivers and lakes. Shoreline will feature products related to day camping, portable power, inflatables, overland, wakeboard, SUP, and performance related clothing and footwear. “From the trails to the lakes and beyond, Shoreline at Surf Expo supports the natural evolution of the waterman’s lifestyle with gear, apparel and accessories that will take them from coastal shoreline activities into camping, hiking, climbing and other recreational activities found along the rivers and lakes,” said Turner. A wide range of exhibitors have signed up for the January 2024 show that cater to the outdoor and fishing industries such as: Howler Bros., HUK, The Duck Co., Xtratuff, Keen, Guy Harvey, AFTCO, Fahalo, Columbia Sportswear, Teva, BAJIO Sunglasses, Chums, Dark Seas, Salty Crew, Fish Hippie, Mang and many more. Surf Expo is also the market to find the next new. More than 60 new exhibiting brands have signed on including Finaddicts, Handy Beach Goods, Neso, Paddlesmash, Sun Drunk, American Hatmakers, Fate, K’Lani, Livin Hooked Headwear, ORB, Our Own Candle Company, Tres Bien, ShuBug, Patsy Kane, Great Coast – Woodcraft, Jodi Melissa, Little Miss Zoe, Conscious Step, Jack & Sage Co, Hardcore Apparel, Dip LLC, and more. Surf Expo January will feature a full schedule of events including industry networking events, daily fashion shows, happy hours and learning labs. Special onsite events will include The East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame 2024 Induction Ceremony and the annual Florida Shape Off surfboard shaping competition.
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ANGLERS GET TWO MONTHS FOR GULF AJ
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t will be another short season for amberjack in the Gulf of Mexico next year. The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council decided in late October to modify both the recreational season and commercial trip limits for greater amberjack. The result for recreational anglers is a two-month fall season, which is expected to close a few days early based on projections. The council chose to modify the recreational season so it opens on Sept. 1 and remains open through Oct. 31, unless the annual catch target is projected to be met earlier. The projected date for reaching that annual catch target is Oct. 26. The council also chose to reduce the commercial trip limit to seven fish, which is equivalent to about 210 pounds gutted weight. This framework action will be transmitted to the Secretary of Commerce for approval and implementation as soon as practicable. In anticipation that this rule may not be implemented before the beginning of the 2024 commercial fishing season, the Council requested that NOAA Fisheries implement an emergency rule to reduce the commercial trip limit to seven fish at the start of the year. Since Amendment 54 reduced catch limits by about 83 percent, and the 2023 commercial annual catch limit was exceeded, a payback provision will reduce the 2024 commercial annual catch target to 56,661 pounds whole weight. Under the current 1,000-pound trip limit, the commercial fishing season is expected to be incredibly short. For more information, go to https://gulfcouncil.org/.
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Sacred Stone of the Southwest is on the Brink of Extinction
C
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.
26 carats of genuine Arizona turquoise B.
ONLY $99
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 turquoise from Arizona and purchased it 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. C.
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.
A.
The supply of Arizona turquoise is limited, don’t miss your chance to own the Southwest’s brilliant blue treasure. Call today! Jewelry Specifications: • Arizona turquoise • Silver-finished settings
Sedona Turquoise Collection A. Pendant (26 cts) $299 * $99 +s&p Save $200 B. 18" Bali Naga woven sterling silver chain $149 +s&p C. 1 1/2” Earrings (10 ctw) $299 * $99 +s&p Save $200 Complete Set** $747 * $249 +s&p Save $498 **Complete set includes pendant, chain and earrings. Call now and mention the offer code to receive your collection.
1-800-333-2045 Offer Code STC851-09
Rating of A+
You must use the offer code to get our special price. *Special price only for customers using the offer code versus the price on Stauer.com without your offer code.
Stauer
® 14101 Southcross Drive W., Ste 155, Dept. STC851-09, Burnsville, Minnesota 55337 www.stauer.com
Necklace enlarged to show luxurious color
Stauer… Afford t he Ext rao r d i n ar y.®
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
DECEMBER 2023
NATIONAL 13
We’ve Found the Most Beautiful Endangered Species Theirs sold at auction for $226,000. Ours is JUST $29! Curious? Read on!
T
o art nouveau jewelers at the turn of the last century, nothing was more beautiful than the dragonfly. In the dragonfly’s long body and outstretched wings, jewelers found the perfect setting for valuable stones. These jewelers’ dragonfly designs have become timeless statements of style; a dragonfly pendant designed by French jeweler René Lalique recently sold at auction for $226,000. Inspired by his stunning artistry, we’ve crafted our Dragonfly Nouvelle Collection, an elegant jewelry set for JUST $29!
Buy pend earrings Fant, get REE!
$29
True artisanship in Austrian crystal and yellow gold. This necklace and earring set features gorgeous multicolored enamel paired with Austrian crystals and a yellow gold finish. Ask any jeweler and they’ll tell you it takes true artisanship to properly blend the blues and purples found in this enamel. While art nouveau dragonflies are hard to come by, we’re helping to repopulate their numbers with this artfully stylized depiction of some of nature’s smallest wonders!
A NEARLY VALUE FOR JUST $29! Buy the pendant, get the earrings FREE. If Stauer were a normal company, we’d sell the necklace and earrings for $199 each, but because we engage the world’s best artisans and cut out the middlemen to sell directly to you, we’re offering the necklace for JUST $29! Even better: If you buy within the next few days, we’ll throw in the earrings for FREE! That’s a nearly $400 value for JUST $29! Act fast! The first time we ran this jewelry in our catalog, it sold out in a matter of days. Get this collection now before this offer goes extinct! Jewelry Specifications: • Enamel with Austrian crystal. Yellow gold finish • Pendant: 1 ½" W x 1 ¼" H. Chain: 18" + 2", lobster clasp. Earrings: 1 ¼" L, french wire Dragonfly Nouvelle Collection A. Necklace $199 $29* + S&P Save $170 B. Earrings $199 FREE with purchase of Dragonfly Nouvelle Necklace *Special price only for customers using the offer code.
1-800-333-2045
FREE! A $199 value!
Your Insider Offer Code: DFC208-01 Stauer, 14101 Southcross Drive W., Ste 155, Dept. DFC208-01, Burnsville, MN 55337 www.stauer.com
AFFORD THE EXTRAORDINARY
14 NATIONAL
DECEMBER 2023
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
CLEANS EVERYTHING.
PERIOD.
Clean, Waxes & Protects Glass, Lexan, Isinglass, Metal, Gelcoat, Fiberglass, Paint, Plastic & Rubber
Remove & Prevents Oxidation, Scuff Marks, Bird & Spider Poop, Fish Blood, Rust, Water & Exhaust Stains
Restores Gelcoat, Fiberglass, Metal, Plastic Windows & Rubber
USE CODE BOAT10 FOR 10% 0FF
www.koenigpolish.com • 1-877-843-9929 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
DECEMBER 2023
NATIONAL 15
Over 2 carats of Verdant Peridot in precious .925 sterling silver
ONLY $39
Save $260!
“Known as ‘the Evening Emerald’ because its sparkling green hue looks brilliant any time of day.” — The American Gem Society (AGS)
Ooh and Ahh Without the Ouch Spoil her (and your wallet) with sparkling Verdant Peridot for just $39
G
oing over the top on jewelry doesn’t have to mean going overboard on the cost. We’re in the business of oohs and ahhs without the ouch, which is why we can bring you an effervescent verdant peridot ring for a price that simply can’t be beat. Its vivid and unique color makes verdant peridot unlike any other green gemstone. If you are looking to mark a milestone or make any occasion special, the Verdant Peridot Ring is all you need.
This elegant ring features 2 1/3 carats of captivating verdant peridotA. in three perfectly-faceted cushion cut gemstones. And, the .925 sterling silver setting is finished in tarnish-resistant rhodium for added durability and superior shine.
“Found in lava, meteorites, and deep in the earth’s mantle, yellow-green peridot is the extreme gem” — Gemological Institute of America’s Gem Encyclopedia
PRAISE FOR STAUER PERIDOT JEWELRY You could easily “...absolutely beautiful. The picture spend $400 on a sterling silver ring set does not do it justice. It is a real with peridot stones. stunner.” – S. C., Berkeley, CA But, with Stauer in your corner, the sky’s the limit for affording the extraordinary. Priced at just $39, you can treat her to the Verdant Peridot Ring set in .925 sterling silver and save your money and your love life all at the same time.
Satisfaction guaranteed or your money back. Indulge in the Verdant Peridot Ring for 30 days. If you aren’t perfectly happy, send it back for a full refund of the item price. Limited Reserves. Don’t let this gorgeous ring slip through your fingers. Call today! Verdant Peridot Ring ( 1/2 ctw) $299† $39 +S&P Save $260 You must use the insider offer code to get our special price.
1-800-333-2045
Your Insider Offer Code: TPR283-02 Please use this code when you order to receive your discount. † Special price only for customers using the offer code versus the price on Stauer.com without your offer code.
Stauer
®
14101 Southcross Drive W., Ste 155, Dept. TPR283-02, Burnsville, Minnesota 55337 www.stauer.com
Rating of A+
• 2 1/3 ctw Verdant Peridot • White zircon accents • Rhodium-finished .925 sterling silver setting • Whole sizes 5-10
Stauer… Afford the Extraordinary.®
16 NATIONAL
DECEMBER 2023
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
ABALONE HUMMINGBIRD PENDANT & EARRINGS COLLECTION Graceful Hummingbird Design Solid 925 Sterling Silver Abalone Mother of Pearl
Matching Abalone Hummingbird Earrings
Complimentary 22” Chain 1.57” Length
Natural Abalone Shell
TAKE FLIGHT WITH THIS DAZZLING DELIGHT The hummingbird is a traditional symbol of love and beauty. Suspended in mid-flight, with a rainbow of iridescence in wave-like patterns, outstanding shimmering Abalone decorates her body and wing. Each unique, one-of-a-kind piece of Abalone shell has been molded into a sterling silver pendant. Traditionally, Abalone shell is believed to induce feelings of calm, compassion and love. It has a tranquil, warm and gentle cosmic vibration. Spiritually uplifting, Abalone is said to soothe the nerves, encourage serenity and bestow a feeling of inner peace. Originally priced at $249, this stunning piece of jewelry can be yours today for a special offer price of just $79 with promo code: CA3DHB
Original Price Without Code $249 - With Promo Code Now Only $79 Abalone Hummingbird Pendant $79 plus S&H Abalone Hummingbird Earrings $79 plus S&H Abalone Hummingbird Complete Collection Now Only $149 (EXTRA SAVING)
ORDER NOW TOLL FREE 24/7 ON: 1-800 733 8463 AND QUOTE PROMO CODE: CA3DHB Or order online at: timepiecesusa.com/ca3dhb and enter promo: CA3DHB PAY BY CHECK: Timepieces International Inc. 10701 NW 140th Street, Suite 1, Hialeah Gardens, FL 33018