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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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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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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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Less

Spooky

Capt. Billy Norris

his past month has without a doubt been a new experience for us all. With the Coronavirus keeping us all socially distanced and quarantined, charters were halted for several weeks. However, that doesn’t mean that like me, everyone hasn’t gotten out to fish on their own! Out of all of the negatives from the current world situation, the one bright spot is the opportunity to spend some extra time fishing with the family. I even got my 8 month old son on his first snook! The State of Florida is now reopening, and we have resumed charter operations. April and May were excellent fishing months. The absence of rental boats, jet skis and other nuisances to fisherman made the local waters a joy to fish. The backwater bite has been excellent! With the arrival of spring and the warmer weather, snook have begun showing up in big schools in the passes and along the beaches. There are plenty of small snook in the 20-28 inch range, but there are larger females mixed in as well. It’s hard to go wrong using pilchards or threadfins to target them, but mullet or artificial can be effective as well. The mangroves have been holding lots of redfish, many of them being overslot fish. Without jet ski tours constantly burning over grassflats and blowing fish out of every mangrove shoreline in bay, the redfish are less spooky and have been eating well. Target redfish using pilchards, pinfish or shrimp. The tarpon are here and in large schools. Usually this time of year, Pale Horse Fishing Charters is running tarpon charters out of Marathon in the Florida Keys, however, due to the Coronavirus we were unable to make that happen this year. Luckily, there are still plenty of tarpon in the area. This past month we have been catching them all up and down the coast. Tarpon are constantly on the move, so finding a school is the key to success. For bait of choice, I use either threadfins or crabs. Permit have also showed in the nearshore waters. We have been catching some beautiful fish, ranging in size from 5-20 pounds. Cobia have also not been uncommon catches this past month. Schools of mangrove snapper have started to come closer to shore, and if you can get them chummed up well behind your boat, catching a limit will make for an excellent dinner during your quarantine! For bigger sport, there are still plenty of large sharks and goliaths around in the area. Fishing is great right now and we are back up and operating! Call to book your trip today (239)285-7710 and be sure to like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram for daily fishing reports and catch photos!

Pale Horse FC @ 239-285-7710 2 NAPLES | JUNE 2020 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM/NAPLES/

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Peacocks

Capt. Roan zumFelde

he summer is here and hopefully Covid goes away. The canals opened up May 4th and the Peacocks were out in force. So as long as things do not get shut down again all the Dade and Broward boat ramps are open. This will probably be the last month or half month of great bass and peacock fishing in the canals until the water gets too high. The Golden Gate is still shut down, but there is good bank fishing on the system and area canals around SWFL. Check out the bridges this month; the fish love to get under them and ambush baits from the shade lines. Let’s talk a little peacock fishing. I get a lot of questions about what I use to catch them. First and foremost, the easiest way is to use live shiners or shrimp under a cork, I’ll get that out of the way first. If using either bait, keep them alive in a good insulated aerated bait bucket, they will last longer. Capt. Bill’s and Serenity has shiners and we have shrimp. For your conventional tackle, I like a 6’6 medium action spinning rod with 20lb braid and a 30lb Fluoro leader. The leader is mostly in case you run into that tarpon or snook that tends to be found in the same location. Baits of choice-anything flashy from makers like Rapala, Heddon, Wyze Guyz or Naples Custom Jigs, also Savage Gear swim baits work well (see picture). For your Fly Tackle I like to throw a 6,

when tempting peacocks, they seem to be more aggressive when it sits for a minute and then a quick short trip, usually fires them up. If you need more info come talk to us at the shop on Danford and pick up some tackle and some tips on where to go catch the PEAS. Come visit Mike and me at Mike’s Bait house and Indian Pass Outfitters on Danford Street, next to Bayview Park in Naples and we can talk fishing. We carry a full line of tackle including: fly fishing needs and both saltwater and freshwater gear, food, drink, and bait. Thanks and good fishing. Roan z If you want to contact Capt. Roan z for a freshwater fishing trip or ask any fishing questions he can be contacted at the Shop 239-775-2248 or cell number 239-269-4426. Check the Web Site www.indianpassoutfitters. com and www.mikesbaithouse. com

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F ishing

Capt. Neil Eisner

the Fronts

Some of my best back country fishing charters have come twelve to twenty four hours before a cold front. As the barometer starts to fall the fish go into a feeding frenzy. The only thing you have to deal with are stronger winds. What you need to do is look for a mangrove wall and see how the tide is moving. It is best if you can find a wall of mangroves where the tide is moving into it or down it, and the wind is pushing the tide the same way. This also holds true for mangrove islands. This will push and hold bait back where the fish are. If youâ€™re not getting hook ups, the water might be moving too fast so look the area over for some slower

moving water. Points of structure, on one side or the other, you will find these spots. You can also find this kind of action after the front moves through. Fish twenty-four hours after the front, the fish will start eating again. Cold Front transition zone from warm air to cold air A cold front is defined as the transition zone where a cold air mass is replacing a warmer air mass. Cold fronts generally move from northwest to southeast. The air behind a cold front is noticeably colder and drier than the air ahead of it. When a cold front passes through, temperatures can drop more than 15 degrees within the first hour. Symbolically, a cold front is represented by a solid line with triangles along the front pointing towards the warmer air and in the direction of movement. On colored weather maps, a cold front is drawn with a solid blue line. Want to learn more, email or call me.

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Heating

Capt. Justin Napior fish to the summer inshore

appy June everyone! Summer fishing is in full swing. The water is warm and the fish are chewing! Tarpon are hanging around the beaches, passes and backwater bays. The bigger snook are out and about in the same areas. If you find yourself hooked up on a jumbo snook, just use caution when handling the bigger fish. These are the breeders, so try to minimize their time out of the water, keep them in the water if possible while you get your camera ready and avoid dragging them onto the beach or laying them on the deck of a boat. I want to switch gears; most people are targeting snook and tarpon through the summer months, but I like to add a third

6 NAPLES | JUNE 2020 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM/NAPLES/

fun. Let’s talk about summer time redfish! I love my snook and tarpon and they will always be my favorite fish to target, but our redfish here in South West Florida are hot right now and will be all the way through fall. Since the closure of redfish in the area, I’ve noticed better numbers of redfish and I’m seeing them in areas they haven’t been in years. This is a good thing for our fishery! Reds can be found fairly easy on most outside points with a simple jig tipped with shrimp, fly or a classic paddle tail like this one from Wyze Guyz tackle. My good buddy Mark Hanrahan caught this beautiful upper slot redfish in a foot of water. Watching these fish cruising around in super shallow, backwater bays feeding on crabs and shrimp, with their faces in the mud and tails out of the water is an absolute rush!! Sight fishing these guys in super shallow water is a difficult task even for a seasoned angler, but when you make that perfect cast and get the bite it feels like the world stops and you forget about everything. It makes me want to go hop on the water just talking about it! I hope everyone has a great month and if you would like to book a adventure with me I have summer dates available. capt.jnapior@gmail.com or call 239-682-7101 www.facebook.com/jnapior67 www.instagram.com/jnapior67_ www.backcountryculture.com

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Joe Sheaffer with a lure that stays in

Steady

’m often asked by friends and fellow anglers how to retrieve certain lures. Through the years I have simplified the type of lures I’m using and their presentation. There are lures and situations when a fast or erratic action will work best, but if I had to describe the way I primarily retrieve most of the lures, it would be “Slow and Steady”. Preferring power fishing, covering water and making long casts, the lures and presentations I prefer fit that style. I have a ton of confidence with a jig and paddletail or swimbait. Making a long cast and a slow steady retrieve allows

the strike zone longer. Basically, after the cast, simply lower the rod tip and start retrieving. Obviously conditions play a role in the presentation. Depending on depth, current, wind and structure choose a jig that will work best in each condition. The weight of the jig is usually the key. In light current, shallower water, hard structure and grass, a lighter jigs work best. Heavy current and deeper water requires a heavier jig. I have found a slow steady retrieve works very well with a spoon and slow retrieve and light twitches work very well with a weedless jerk Shad. I use an occasional plug, like a wake bait or suspending twitch bait and the slower presentation works very well. I recall this story quite often, when I moved down here a few years ago and catching redfish was a challenge. I couldn’t figure it out and was very frustrated. One day, sticking with a jig and paddle tail and a slow retrieve, I caught a couple. Since that day I have great confidence catching redfish, snook, trout and other species. Sure there are times a faster retrieve is more effective, but when it is tough, slow it down and you may be pleasantly surprised. Good luck and keep casting. FACEBOOK.COM/CAMNAPLES/ | JUNE 2020 | NAPLES 7

What It Boils Down To

Capt. Tim Ramsey

The Snook and Redfish Closure and why it bothers me…

n February 19th, 2020, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission extended the catch-and-releaseonly rule for Snook and Red Drum on the West Coast of Florida until May 31, 2021. It bothers me, just like it did when they started the closure in 2019. But not for what you think. Here is what I mean. When the closure went into effect, I thought “great, the fish need a chance to recover.” Then I read the briefing and studied the ruling. The boundary is from the Hernando/Pasco County Line south to Gordon River in Collier County. I wondered why Gordon River? Why not the Collier County/Monroe County line? Why not all the way to Florida Bay? I asked FWC. Here was their response: “Gordon Pass was chosen because Naples was the southern extent of the area affected by the recent red tide events. The Commission made the decision to implement the catch-andrelease only restrictions based on the Fish and Wildlife Research

Institute and Marine Fisheries Management presentation and public feedback.” FWC November 2019 I took that explanation with a grain of salt, wondering if anyone from the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (based in St. Petersburg) and the Marine Fisheries Management (based in Tallahassee) had ever actually been to Naples/Marco Island. “Naples was the southern extent of the area affected by the recent red tide events?” Says who? So, my chest didn’t burn from breathing toxic algae while cruising behind Keewaydin Island in 2018? Those weren’t dead fish people counted during their walks on the Marco Island Beach? The floating things in the water around Cape Romano weren’t dead fish? Won’t this rule make people act the way I expect them to act? Reluctantly, I let it go and went about my normally abnormal life without giving it much thought. Then it happened. There I was, sometime in March or April, launching a boat at the Collier Boulevard Boat ramp. Next to me was a charter 8 NAPLES | JUNE 2020 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM/NAPLES/

msey

captain from Fort Myers pulling his boat out of the water as his two customers looked on from nearby. After parking my vehicle, I walked past the charter boat and gave the three men the customary “you guys do any good?” My mistake. One sunburned customer standing next to the boat with a cooler at his feet gleefully blurted “hell yeah,” reached into the cooler and produced a slot Snook, holding it up like a trophy. A stiff, dead, never-to-breed again trophy. My heart sank. My blood boiled. The unnecessary hair on my back bristled like a wolverine. So many things I wanted to say. They all tried to come out at once. They got stuck. I turned and walked away like a mute. Then it happened. There I was, leaving Calusa Island Marina in Goodland around the same time. A guy I had seen a few times at the marina was over at the fish cleaning table…again. I asked a marina employee about the guy and found out he was from Punta Gorda. Not Lee County this time but Charlotte County, even further away. I casually wandered over to the fish cleaning table and what do I see? The guy cleaning a Snook. I stopped myself from blurting out “you !#!@$*%.” Then I said, “you did pretty well, eh?” as the guy noticed me there with clenched fists. Did he react guardedly or think to defuse the unexpectedly tense situation? No. In a southern accent so deep people in rural Mississippi wouldn’t have understood, he said “yeah, got two nice reds to go with it.” His nonchalance was my undoing. My heart sank. My blood boiled. The unnecessary hair on my back bristled like a wolverine. So many things I wanted to say. They all tried to come out at once. They got stuck. I turned and walked away like a mute. Then it happened. As I was walking away from the fish cleaning table, another guy approaching from the other side noticed the first man’s catch and exclaimed “been a while since I had me a taste uh snook,” in an accent somewhere between Cajun and hillbilly. The first man replied “yeah, got two nice ones yesterday too.” I froze in my tracks. The bag limit is one per day. Outsider taking fish, breaking the rules. What a guy. I might have spent thirty years in the army, but I’m not the law and not a rat, so I just walked away…again. I have no issue with people coming from out of the area to fish (unless you use a jet ski in the back country…different story). I get it, people need to make a living and others need to get out on the water. My problem is people taking fish. It’s even worse for me since I’m always catch-and-release-only. The closure boundary is wrong and the resource is being hit too hard. I know people on a charter want to get the most for their money and take fish home, and lots of people seem to think they must keep fish if they fish at all. But here I am, what some call a “Snook fanatic,” in my home waters watching people not from here take the fish I value above all others as a game fish. I wish I were conflicted about this, but I am not. I can confidently say if I was fishing in someone else’s area, I wouldn’t take a thing. Conservationist? Yes. Ambiguous? No. Selfish? Maybe a little, but who cares? Leave my fish alone. To find out more about the Snook and Red Drum closure, and to see the FWC summary and presentation, go to: https://myfwc. com/about/commission/commission-meetings/february-2020/ FACEBOOK.COM/CAMNAPLES/ | JUNE 2020 | NAPLES 9

American

Capt. Kevin Aley Snapper. The first is to increase your weight size. On my charters I

bring a conglomerate of weights ranging from 1oz-20oz, this insures that no matter the conditions or depths that I end up fishing, I will be prepared. Another way to combat the tide is to drift fish. Get well up current of your spot; deploy your lines off of the up current side of your boat and let your baits drift through the area that the fish are in. Once you pass the fish, reel up and start over. This is a deadly approach and if you are patient you may find a new area several hundred yards away that you never knew was there. Most tackle used for ARS are traditional “grouper rigs”; a medium to heavy rod, a 2-speed reel with drag capabilities of 30lbs or better lined with 80lb braided line, tied to a 8ft piece of 80lb fluorocarbon with an egg sinker slid on to it, the line is then tied to a 100lb swivel. On the other side of the swivel tie another piece of fluorocarbon ranging from 40-100lbs and between 4-10ft in length, tied to a 5/0-9/0 inline circle hook (Owner SSW 7/0s are my favorite). Many variables come into play when tying your red snapper rigs, such as the type of bait you will be using, water clarity, depth, and the size fish that you think inhabit the area you are fishing. Water depth is a very important factor when it comes to a successful red snapper trip. Do not waste your time looking for red snapper in 100ft of water, you will not catch any. Instead keep running west until you reach 130ft or better. If you get to your spot and you do not see any fish on your depth finder keep idling around the area until you locate them. You will not always see a giant school of fish, but if you see one or two marks, typically in the shape of an elongated “S”, anchor he long awaited American Red Snapper (ARS) season is due to up and fish it. I cannot tell you how many times I have anchored on open June 11th lasting through July 25th for recreational anglers. a small mark, hooked a fish on the first drop, only to have the depth Season for Federally permitted For-Hire Vessels (charter captains, finder turn fire red with fish; it important to remember that ARS are like myself) opens June 1st lasting through August 2nd. Many anglers in the SW Florida area love ARS season and will push themselves and their boats to the extreme in order to land these bright red beauties. With these short windows of opportunity to catch and keep the delicious red snapper, it is important to understand their habits and feeding tendencies. Red snapper are most times ferocious feeders; however, strong tides and full moons can definitely take a toll on your success. The full moon often times slows a snapper bite to an almost complete halt due to the fact that the fish have fed all night and have ceased feeding by the time you reach your fishing spot, which is typically well after the sun has broken the horizon. The best way to catch limits of ARS on a full moon is to fish at night; although it can be unnerving to be miles from shore after the sun goes down, you will be rewarded with bent rods and full boxes by the time you see the sun again. The next problem you will face fishing on a full or even a new moon for that matter is a ripping tide. The biggest problem when fishing a schooling fish and are very inquisitive, when one of their comrades a strong tide is getting your bait to hit the bottom where the fish start to struggle on the end of your line, the whole school will rush are sitting. Most times over to get in on the frenzy. I offer two different ARS charters, a 12hr inexperienced anglers or a 14hr. These long days allow me to run up to 100 miles offshore will anchor their boats in search of giant ARS, Scamp, Black, Red and Gag Groupers as well directly on top of their as an assortment of other reef fish. spots so they can see the I also bring a variety of live, dead, and artificial baits on my charters fish on their sonar, but as including live pilchards, pinfish, spot tailed grunts and mullet. Frozen they drop their weights squid is always in my cooler, as are a couple boxes of frozen sardines. towards the bottom, the The live pilchards are great for finicky ARS, but you won’t usually current will sweep the rig catch any of the grouper species on them. A frozen sardine is a great out of the back of the boat all-around bait that can be used for all of grouper species as well as causing their baits to land ARS. One of my favorite types of artificial baits is a Shimano flat fall well down current of the jig. Used at the right time, these jigs can out fish fish. If you get to your spot live bait 5:1. If you do not have the knowledge, and find that the current gear or boat capable of making the journey is running much harder out into the Gulf in search of the delicious Red than anticipated, there are Snapper, please feel free to contact me for a several things you can do charter. to increase your chances of filling your cooler with Red Captiva Island Charters @ 239-297-6404

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ith the explosion of kayaks and stand-up paddleboards (SUPs) in fishing, new boats have hit the market combining the best features of both. Some even draw on the benefits of skiffs, including motor power, to become hybrid vessels more like one-man flats boats. This evolution of fishing vessels is good, but sometimes the results bear little resemblance what drew people to the pursuit to begin with. Access to backwaters, portability, stealth and an elevated position are three advantages of SUP fishing. But the reasons most people get into it are cost-savings and simplicity. It’s like bank fishing with much better access. The unique experience is a primary driver for SUP anglers. The following are a few tips to enhance that experience.

14 NAPLES | JUNE 2020 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM/NAPLES/

Play the Tide, Wind and Current: SUPs are lightweight and highfloating by design. This makes them portable, and it also makes them susceptible to the slightest current or wind. By knowing the currents, tides and weather and planning around them, you can save yourself from a grueling paddle at the end of a day. Either start the day with a paddle against the elements and drift fish back to the putin, or use two vehicles to drift from a put-in to a separate take-out. Take an anchor: An anchor or stake-out pole is essential when you want to stop paddling to fish. Staking yourself down with a pole keeps you stationary in shallow water, while an anchor gives the freedom to fish deep water. Even small fish have strength to pull an SUP, so an anchor helps when fighting fish, as well. Rigged Out Cooler: On an SUP, your cooler is much more than an icebox. Mounted to the deck just aft of the middle of the board, it is a seat, a work surface and a great place to mount rod holders. Consider getting a cushion for comfort. Mount vertical rod holders to the cooler. Opt for a cooler top with a tray or cup holders to keep stray tackle from going overboard. Streamline Gear: An uncluttered deck reduces hassle and makes fishing from an SUP much more fun. Take only what you need, which should include no more than a couple rods and reels and a small selection of tackle. Some folks like a strapped-down milk crate or a 5-gallon bucket for holding gear. Others prefer to wear their gear in a tackle pack. You’ll also want pliers and fish grips on a lanyard. A small dry bag is good for your phone, wallet and keys, because everything is going to get wet. Paddle Leash: Tie down anything you mind losing, and this includes your paddle, which you’ll be up the creek without. Many prefer a paddle leash with a waist loop. The other end ties off to the paddle a couple feet below the handle. With the paddle head resting on the board, the handle hangs right off your hip. With a little practice, this setup allows for one-handed maneuvering of the board.

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If you’re not catching them, find spots in deeper water. Spearfishing these depths requires special abilities and are limited to divers with elite ability to hunt effectively. We routinely bring back trophies during these trips, so it is very rewarding to say the least! Concurrently with the ARS opener is gag grouper opener. Larger “gags” will typically be found at the same spots where the ARS are holding. As always, it’s still ‘fishing not catching” and a lot of Rob Mauceli with a deep drop Kitty trial and error can come into Mitchell grouper on a trip with play while hunting for these particular species. The run Capt. Wyatt Barnette. offshore is long, but can be rewarding. It is best to have the proper vessel rigged with radar and gear for the trip since being far offshore can present its own challenges. I recently picked up a Garmin Inreach which will allow me to directly text onshore contacts and track location of the trip. Just an added security blanket in case of an unfortunate event. Offshore Naples will be offering split hook & line trips for ARS throughout the season, so drop me a line and inquire t’s that time of year Bill D’Antuono with some nice red snapper to get on some bucket list fish. As always check my caught last with Offshore Naples. again, red snapper Instagram and website for up-to-date photos madness! The long run offshore means wake up before dawn, call of our latest trips. all your fishing buddies, get offshore, get your red snapper limit and focus on other species. American red snapper, or ARS for Offshore Naples at 239-269-5728 short, can be found on almost any deep-water stretch of structure.

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Summer Heat

ummer will officially be upon us by the end of the month, but South Florida seems to have missed that memo. Oppressive humidity and extreme UV indexes have already left us grasping for our favorite rambler, seeking to suck the last drop of icy cool relief from its insulated core. Is it really worth all the suffering? YOU BET YOUR BOTTOM DOLLAR IT IS! Though I may be on my 3rd set of lips for the week, the fishing has been just as hot! So, suck it up buttercup, it’s time to get bent. Schools of pilchard are still a dime a dozen off the beaches. A livewell full of these frisky baits is a great way to start your day. Use the magic of Boca Coast chum to get them grouped up, then serve them a 12ft pancake. Threadfins have also been easy pickings just outside the passes. Drift the color divide of the outgoing tide with a good chum effort and work the slick with a Sabiki rig. The beaches have been producing excellent snook fishing during the early morning hours. Run down the coastline and look for shore birds grouped up waiting for an easy meal. A quiet approach with your trolling motor; make a long cast with one of those lively baits, landing it just outside the birds reach. This tactic has been producing a well-mixed bag of trout, snook, and redfish. As the sun gets higher, if the water is clear, sight fishing has been extremely productive out front, producing some huge snook along the beaches. Trade in the sunblock for bug spray and hit the night scene. Tarpon and big snook have been chewing on the outgoing tide in the passes. Weeks opposing the new and full moon have been most productive. Live crabs, mullet, and ladyfish rigged on circle hooks have been my top producers. Snook spawn MaySeptember; please exercise extreme care when handling them, especially the large females. Allow them extra time to “revive" boat-side. After the fight is over, let them “suck on your thumb” gently moving the head side to side till they let go. Never pull the fish backwards. Next, support them from the tail and belly lightly till they swim away of their own power. If you must remove the fish from the water, always support the fish with 2 wet hands. (One on the lower jaw the other near the anal fin). Be a responsible angler and we can all enjoy a better fishery. The rains have brought out the mosquitos in full force so plan accordingly. Wear a buff! They offer as much protection from bugs as they do the sun. Repel’s plant-based lemon eucalyptus is my go-to bug spray. It also has a menthol cooling effect that brings relief from the oppressive humidity. If the winds are light a Thermocell is a true lifesaver, there is a YouTube mod that will show you how to make the butane cartridge refillable saving you some extra coin. Mosquitos carry all kinds of health concerns, so please do your best to protect yourself from them. Till next Month, Stay Salty!

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Snook

Capt. Rodney Raffield

i Coastal Anglers, Capt. Rodney here with more fish stories from the beautiful Everglades National Park. Summer time is big snook time here in the Chokoloskee Bay area and if this last month has been any indication, it is going to be a stellar summer. As most of the regular readers know, I specialize in fishing with artificial lures especially soft plastics and also especially for big snook. Even though we fish for other species, such as reds and seatrout, the awesome snook is what gets my blood flowing this time of year! As we continue to warm up the snook will work out of the backcountry and onto the oyster reefs surrounding the Chokoloskee Bay and this is my favorite time to target really BIG snook. My favorite method is cranking big soft plastics across the tops of oyster reefs on the high tide stages. Lures I have the most faith in for myself and my clients are Zman and Mr. Wiffelure in pearl and chartreuse colors. Remember Big Snook on artificial is my specialty, so come learn how to pursue trophy fish with artificial lures from a true 6th generation native guide. Till next time my friends, Snook On!

Capt. Raffield at 239-695-4626

18 NAPLES | JUNE 2020 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM/NAPLES/

In the Wake

une. My favorite time of year! Seasonal residents have gone back up north, the water is warm, and we’ll actually have some discretionary time to play. This June, however, will be special because of an unbelievable act of generosity and kindness from a family that I have known for over 50 years. When I was a kid, we grew up running around the beaches and woods of Naples and Collier County. And – yes, Naples did have woods back then. One special place where you could enjoy both was Keewaydin Island. Accessible only by boat, we could camp in the pine trees – right on the beach. In my memories, it was like the scene in White Squall when the crew was running around on un-inhabited islands seldom visited by Mankind. Now, taking the grandkids out there camping and fishing, I’m sure it seems like that to them as well. They’re as far from civilization as they’ll likely ever get. Stars are brighter, night is darker, and the campfire is a magical thing!

Our family used to go to Keewaydin with the Dean family back in the 60’s. Dr. Edwin Dean, Sr. was a colleague of Dad’s, and their four kids were very close in age to my brothers and myself. Mary Lou Dean was a good friend of Mom’s, and they were both huge community supporters and advocates. Back then, everybody knew everybody. We were the “wild boys” – catching, cooking, and eating our own fish and crabs, running around until you couldn’t run around anymore, and enjoying the sound of the wind in the trees as our Moms sat us down for a picnic lunch. We had numerous outings on a piece of property that Dr. Dean had purchased on the island, that went from the intracoastal waterway to the Gulf. I guess all of us feel as though we never left the island – we just don’t get out there as much as we’d like. I’m sure there will be some of you reading this article that might feel the same way. Last month, after many discussions with the Dean Family, they agreed to gift that piece of Paradise to the Marine Industries

Capt. Jim Kalvin

Association of Collier County Foundation. The goal being to manage that vacant parcel in perpetuity to preserve access for the youth of Collier County and afford recreational and environmental stewardship opportunities for generations to come. The MIACC Foundation is humbled and excited to bring this project forward and expand our Kid’s Fishing programs, as well as work with other charitable non-profit groups to provide a peek into the magical world of our 10,000 Islands. As the ink dries on the formal paperwork, we have established an “Island Committee” that will be mapping out short-term, intermediate, and long-range plans to provide proper amenities for safe and proper use of the parcel. For those interested, there will be opportunities to participate as supporters of this Project. For many of the current and former members of the Marine Industries Association of Collier County, this will be something that we can leave behind to preserve a part of how we remember the earlier years of Naples. It is a true “Legacy” initiative that will get kids out of their “virtual” world and let them see what is out there past the lights of the City streets and the computer screen. If you are interested in finding out more about this Project, please feel free to contact me at the number or e-mail address below. Donations to the MIACC Foundation are tax deductible and am endowment fund is being created to make sure this initiative will stand the test of time. In closing, only in Naples will you find the generosity displayed by the Dean Family in making this a reality! I’ve always said that Naples is still a “small town” – you just have to know where to look! Captain Jim Kalvin is a Florida Native, a Licensed USCG 100 Ton Master, and a local Marine Contractor. He can be reached at 239-280-6054, at james.kalvin61@gmail.com , or through kcmcfl.com.

Capt. Jim Kalvin @ 239-280-6054 FACEBOOK.COM/CAMNAPLES/ | JUNE 2020 | NAPLES 19

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Brag Board The Best Angler Photos From Southwest Florida!

Capt. Rodney Raffield’s clients are thrilled with the backcountry snook!

Capt. Matt Fueyo’s mom got in a good workout on Mother’s Day!

Jeff Wheeler caught this beautiful 32” speckled trout in Matlacha Pass.

Adam Culpepper proves a little prework fishing can make your day! Nathan Cochran (R) reeled in this 75lb tarpon from the shore of a Sanibel beach using an artificial swimbait. Brother Dylan (L) assisted w/ pic for a quick safe release.

George Peters reeled in this 22” largemouth from a local Bonita Springs pond, on 6” power bait.

George caught this nice wahoo 100 miles out in the gulf.

Nice trout on the flats of Pine Island Sound with Fish Face Charters.

A happy client with a fat grouper, while out with Capt. Philip Watson.

Photos submitted Courtesy of Coastal Angler Readers and Contributing Writers

Submit pics to: camswfl@gmail.com or text to 239.595.8265 FACEBOOK.COM/CAMNAPLES/ | JUNE 2020 | NAPLES 21

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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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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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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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JUNE 2020

NATIONAL 13

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.

14 NATIONAL

JUNE 2020

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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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JUNE 2020

NATIONAL 15

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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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JUNE 2020

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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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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NATIONAL 19

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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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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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NATIONAL 21

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2699 .

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ITEM 62523

479

130 Piece Tool Kit with Case

2999

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* 73303937 * LIMIT 3 - Exp. 8/3/20* 73303937

49999

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hft_coastalangler_0620_M-REG171030.indd 1

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16999

19999

6 AMP Variable Speed Reciprocating Saw Blade sold separately.

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3999

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1,000+ Stores Nationwide • HarborFreight.com

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9999

32999 .

2000w Super Quiet 10 ft. x 17 ft. Portable Garage Inverter Generator

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27999

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Rapid Pump® 3 Ton Steel Heavy Duty Low Profile Floor Jack

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1000 lb. Capacity Swing-Back Bolt-On Trailer Jack

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1899

$ 99

10 Gun Electronic Security Safe

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1099

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99 22 59 34

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3-in-1 Portable 12v LED Magnetic Power Pack with Towing Light Kit Jump Starter

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30", 5 Drawer Mechanic’s Cart

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Limit 1 coupon per customer per day. Save 20% on any 1 item purchased. *Cannot be used with other discount, coupon or any of the following items or brands: Inside Track Club membership, Extended Service Plan, gift card, open box item, 3 day Parking Lot Sale item, compressors, floor jacks, power stations, safes, storage cabinets, chests or carts, trailers, welders, Admiral, Ames, Atlas, Bauer, Central Machinery, Cobra, CoverPro, Daytona, Diamondback, Earthquake, Fischer, Hercules, Icon, Jupiter, Lynxx, Poulan, Predator, Tailgator, Viking, Vulcan, Zurich. Not valid on prior purchases. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 8/3/20.

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2799 .

1999

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At Harbor Freight Tools, the “Compare to” price means that the specified comparison, which is an item with the same or similar function, was advertised for sale at or above the “Compare to” price by another national retailer in the U.S. within the past 90 days. Prices advertised by others may vary by location. No other meaning of “Compare to” should be implied. For more information, go to HarborFreight.com or see store associate.

5/8/20 8:02 AM

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

©2020 Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. All rights reserved. Follow instructional materials and obey all laws. Drive responsibly, wearing protective apparel. Always drive within your capabilities, allowing time and distance for maneuvers, and respect others around you. Don’t drink and drive. FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT YAMAHABOATS.COM OR CALL 1.800.88.YAMAHA.

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!

26 carats of genuine Arizona turquoise

ONLY $99

“With depleting mines, turquoise, the most sacred stone to the Navajo, has become increasingly rare.” –– Smithsonian.com

Necklace enlarged to show luxurious color

Jewelry Specifications: • Arizona turquoise • Silver-finished settings

Sedona Turquoise Collection A. Pendant (26 cts) $299 B. 18" Bali Naga woven sterling silver chain C. 1 1/2" Earrings (10 ctw) $299 Complete Set** $747

$99* Save $200 $149 $99* Save $200 $249 Save $498

** Complete set includes pendant, chain and earrings. Call now and mention the offer code to receive your collecion.

1-800-333-2045 Offer Code STC176-01

You must use the offer code to get our special price.

Rating of A+

* 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. STC176-01, Burnsville, Minnesota 55337 www.stauer.com

Stau e r … A f f or d the E x tr a o r di n a r y .®

One Life. Live It On The Water.

Drive-On Dry Docking For Boats Up To 50 Feet

Life Can Be Complicated. Docking Shouldn’t Be. • • • • • • • • • •

“Start and Go” Convenience Effortless Spontaneous Trips Simple Drive-On Safely Moored in Seconds Complete Dry Docking Protection Prevents Fouling - Pays For Itself Spacious, Stable Walk-Around Platform Quick Loading, Safe Boarding Access Makes Caring for Craft Easy Maintenance-FREE

800-JET-DOCK

JetDock.com

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

JUNE 2020

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