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

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

A Few Tips

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

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

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

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

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By Gary Turner

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

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

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

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

IS A

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

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JUNE 2020

By Richard Matteson

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

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MAKE YOUR JIGS & BAITS WEEDLESS Tim Barefoot

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

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

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

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

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KINGFISH TOURNEY IS A GO!

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

4 NORTH FLORIDA

JUNE 2020

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

COASTAL ANGLER North Central Florida/Nature Coast

Cary & Lynn Crutchfield ALACHUA, MARION, COLUMBIA, GILCHRIST, BRADFORD, DIXIE, LEVY, CITRUS

une, and 2020 is almost half over. I want to crawl into a hole, and not come out until 2021 is half over, and by then, maybe this nightmare pandemic will be over. I hope you are remembering to be SMART, and do what you know to do to stay safe. Cary and I wear masks when we go out. Wearing a mask is SMART, and SMART is sexy, and also healthy! If you want to come out of this alive, and if you want your loved ones to come out of this alive, why would you not do everything that you can to stay well? “What do you have to lose? It could be a game changer?” (Sound familiar?) You don’t want to be included in those horrible numbers that are increasing daily. I really love seeing the folks in their boats enjoying the river. (Masks not required.) Just remember to keep your distance at gas stations and boat ramps. Enjoy the river; enjoy the Gulf and catch and cook lots of fish! Call our guides. They miss you! Cary is doing a little fishing, working on getting the gator boat ready for hunt season, and also working on our 1990 Buick Reatta, a white two-seater convertible. I baked more cookies today to send to Navy grandson. See page 2 for SHRIMP OVER RICE WITH GARLIC BUTTER CREAM SAUCE, SPINACH AND BACON. This recipe started out as Shrimp and Grits, but Cary doesn’t like grits and I only want grits for breakfast, so I substituted rice, nixed the hot sauce and added the spinach. It is delicious. (You may add the hot sauce back in if you like.) If you scored an alligator hunting permit and need help, call us. If you didn’t score a permit but want to hunt, call us. See page 16. Please remember to thank our advertisers and the folks where you pick up our magazine. We are all doing our best to be here for you. Remember, SMART and safe. Lynn Crutchfield Co-Publisher Coastal Angler Magazine of North Central Florida/ Nature Coast

JUNE 2020 EDITION

Find Your Outdoors Here! North Central Florida Nature Coast Staff SALES

Cary Crutchfield

EDITING & PRODUCTION Lynn Crutchfield

DISTRIBUTION Rosa Crisman

GRAPHIC ARTS & DESIGN Kathleen Stemley

WEB DESIGN Kristi Williams

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Dr. Kevin McCarthy Bruce Butler John Freeze Noel Kuhn Capt. Jason Clark Capt. Dan Clymer Capt. Tommy Derringer Capt. Eric Hasty Capt. Stacy Horak Capt. James Kerr Capt. Brian Smith Capt. Dan Smith

CONTACT INFORMATION

crutch@coastalanglermagazine.com 352-372-4237 www.CoastalAnglerMag.com/NC-Florida

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Tide Charts Local Fishing Forecasts Monthly Recipe

Photo by: Suwannee River Water Management District

SHRIMP OVER RICE, WITH GARLIC BUTTER CREAM SAUCE, SPINACH AND BACON (YUM!) Thank you to The Crab Plant for the beautiful shrimp. Visit their Fresh Seafood Market or enjoy Cooked Seafood to go. You are welcome to sit at their table and view beautiful Kings Bay while you enjoy your delicious, freshly prepared meal, watching manatees, dolphins, pelicans and boats. Or, you can carry it home; your choice. Open Tues-Thurs 10:00-5:30, Fri-Sat 10:00-8:00. 201 NW 5th St. Crystal River 352-795-4700.

n in fr help w social hygie found water help u

Lynn Crutchfield, Co-Publisher Coastal Angler Magazine of North Central Florida

COOKING DIRECTIONS

TIDES • North Central Florida Time Height

2Tu 3W

4Th

6Sa

7Su

4:40 AM 10:54 AM 5:24 PM 11:36 PM 5:35 AM 11:37 AM 6:24 PM 12:45 AM 6:27 AM 12:17 PM 7:19 PM 1:47 AM 7:15 AM 12:57 PM 8:09 PM 2:42 AM 8:00 AM 1:37 PM 8:57 PM 3:33 AM 8:44 AM 2:18 PM 9:42 PM 4:23 AM 9:27 AM 2:59 PM 10:26 PM 5:10 AM 10:10 AM 3:41 PM 11:10 PM

0.8 3.6 0.6 3.4 1.0 3.8 0.1 3.5 1.2 4.1 -0.3 3.5 1.4 4.3 -0.6 3.5 1.6 4.4 -0.7 3.4 1.7 4.4 -0.7 3.3 1.8 4.3 -0.5 3.2 1.8 4.2 -0.3

HERNANDO BEACH

JUNE 2020

9Tu

Time Height

5:55 AM 10:57 AM 4:27 PM 11:52 PM 10W 6:36 AM 11:46 AM 5:18 PM 11Th 12:33 AM 7:16 AM 12:39 PM 6:14 PM 12F 1:16 AM 7:57 AM 1:38 PM 7:16 PM 13Sa 2:03 AM 8:43 AM 2:46 PM 8:31 PM 14Su 2:56 AM 9:31 AM 3:58 PM 9:55 PM 15M 3:53 AM 10:17 AM 5:01 PM 11:10 PM 16Tu 4:46 AM 10:59 AM 5:56 PM

3.2 1.8 3.9 0.0 3.1 1.8 3.7 0.3 3.1 1.7 3.4 0.6 3.1 1.7 3.2 0.9 3.2 1.5 3.0 1.2 3.3 1.3 2.9 1.3 3.4 1.0 2.9 1.5 3.6 0.7

KINGS BAY

High Tide -20 min Low Tide 58 min

High Tide 2 hrs, 20 min Low Tide 3 hrs, 7 min

CRYSTAL RIVER

WITHLACOOCHEE ENT

High Tide 36 min Low Tide 1 hr, 30 min

High Tide 7 min Low Tide 55 min

CEDAR KEY

Time Height

17W

18Th

19F

20Sa

21Su

22M

23Tu

12:15 AM 5:35 AM 11:37 AM 6:45 PM 1:12 AM 6:21 AM 12:13 PM 7:30 PM 2:02 AM 7:07 AM 12:49 PM 8:11 PM 2:48 AM 7:50 AM 1:26 PM 8:51 PM 3:31 AM 8:32 AM 2:04 PM 9:31 PM 4:14 AM 9:14 AM 2:44 PM 10:11 PM 4:56 AM 9:58 AM 3:27 PM 10:53 PM

3.0 1.6 3.8 0.4 3.1 1.7 3.9 0.1 3.2 1.8 4.0 -0.1 3.2 1.9 4.1 -0.3 3.2 1.9 4.2 -0.3 3.3 1.9 4.2 -0.4 3.3 1.9 4.2 -0.3

Time Height

24W 5:37 AM 10:45 AM 4:15 PM 11:37 PM 25Th 6:17 AM 11:36 AM 5:10 PM 26F 12:22 AM 6:57 AM 12:32 PM 6:11 PM 27Sa 1:10 AM 7:39 AM 1:34 PM 7:20 PM 28Su 2:02 AM 8:25 AM 2:44 PM 8:40 PM 29M 2:58 AM 9:15 AM 3:58 PM 10:09 PM 30Tu 3:58 AM 10:05 AM 5:07 PM 11:31 PM

3.3 1.8 4.2 -0.2 3.3 1.7 4.0 0.0 3.3 1.6 3.8 0.3 3.4 1.4 3.6 0.6 3.5 1.1 3.3 1.0 3.7 0.8 3.2 1.3 3.9 0.4 3.2

HOMOSASSA RIVER ENT

HORSESHOE BEACH

SUWANNEE ENT

STEINHATCHEE RIVER ENT

High Tide 4 hr, 30 min Low Tide 5 hr, 41 min High Tide 6 min Low Tide 18 min

2 NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA/NATURE COAST

High Tide 12 min Low Tide 20 min

High Tide 2 min Low Tide 0 min

JUNE 2020

INGREDIENTS

Pulse the garlic in a mini food • 1 to 2 cloves garlic, crushed processor until chopped. Add the and peeled butter, parsley and lemon zest. • 1/2 stick butter at room temp Process until smooth, then scrape • 1/4 cup packed chopped fresh into a small bowl. Set aside. Italian parsley, plus more for Heat a large skillet over garnish medium heat. Add bacon and • 1 lemon, zested and cut into cook until crisp. Remove to paper wedges towels. • Salt & Pepper Add the shrimp to the skillet • Hot sauce (optional, I opted and sprinkle with salt and pepper. out) Cook until no longer pink and • 2 slices chopped bacon remove to plate and keep warm. • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled Add garlic butter to skillet. and deveined Melt and add onion and cook until • 1 small onion finely shopped it begins to soften. Sprinkle with • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour the flour and stir about one minute. • ½ to ¾ cup low-sodium chicken Whisk in ½ cup broth, cream broth (I used homemade) and Worcestershire until smooth. • ¼ cup heavy cream Adjust the heat to a simmer over • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire low heat and cook until thickened sauce and the onion is tender, stirring • 1 bag (9 oz.) spinach frequently. (If it gets too thick, • Hot rice for two thin with a little broth.) Add the spinach and cook for about a minute until spinach is wilted. Add shrimp and toss to heat through, one to two minutes. Season with hot sauce (if using) and salt to taste. Squeeze in juice from one lemon wedge. Spoon the rice into shallow bowls. Top with shrimp and sauce. Garnish with the cooked bacon Serve with lemon wedges. My in-house critic, Cary, said that I could do this again, which means that he really liked it. This recipe was originally to be served over grits, but Cary doesn’t like grits and I only want grits for breakfast, so I substituted rice; next time I will try pasta. I love my mini processor; I hope you have one.

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

becom health more in my moni had to One p blood arm i Gaine the m family son to me to On Florid doing Palatk has a years, one c On South River. along its lon and it And k nearb inexp

FLORIDA WATERWAYS How Waterways Can Calm Us

n this time of pandemic turmoil, including the sickness or loss of friends and family, we need all the help we can find to stay calm, keep our social distancing, and practice good hygiene. I suspect that a lot of us have found in the past, how much our Florida waterways (rivers, lakes, Gulf, ocean) can help us in staying resolute, having safe practices with our friends and families, and looking forward to normalcy. Having had a heart attack several years By Kevin McCarthy ago, I have become much more aware of watching my health, eating well, exercising, and being more aware of my body. For example, in my visits to my family doctor and in monitoring my health at home, I have had to check my blood pressure a lot. One practice I always have when the blood-pressure sleeve tightens on my arm is to think of a lake near my home in Gainesville: Lake Wauburg. Remembering the many fun times on that lake with my family, especially in teaching my younger son to sail there, has consistently helped me to maintain a decent blood pressure. One of my favorite islands in North Florida, Drayton, is a place I stayed while doing a history of the island south of Palatka. Reachable only by boat, the site has a history dating back several thousand years, but maintains a peacefulness where one can find respite from a busy world. One of the great waterways of the Southeast has to be our own Suwannee River. A particular favorite site of mine along the river is Hart Springs, with its long boardwalk along the river and its many attractions for families. And kayaking or tubing down the nearby Ichetucknee River, is a relatively inexpensive way for families to have an

enjoyable day together. Another beautiful river in North Florida is the Ocklawaha, which boaters and fishermen can enjoy. Having spent ten summers as a teenager on an island off New Jersey, I came to appreciate the salubrious effect of the ocean, something I rediscovered on our east coast. Jacksonville Beach, shown here with some seagulls, will be open Drayton Island again when the pandemic ends. I also spent two years living in a desert in the Middle East, in the urban setting of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The parched conditions of the surrounding area have made me appreciate the waterways of Florida, and the beneficial summer rains, even the hurricanes. While we should be careful during and after this pandemic, we can still find lots of places along our North Florida waterways to enjoy the outdoors and hope for normal times to return. Kevin McCarthy, the author of books on the St. Johns River, the Suwannee River, North Florida Waterways, Cedar Key, and Lake City (all available at amazon.com), can be reached at ceyhankevin@gmail.com.

Lake Wauburg

Hart Springs along the Suwannee

n the Children paddling dow Ichetucknee River

Jacksonville Beach

The Ocklawaha River

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e h staying Any this is like to and le Red be som to catc the tim big fish I do, a fightin incom It brin and it reds w VMC are a g from k for sch bottom fishing Sno and w I like a presen provok to alw than 4 water Wh year, I of wat bottom mirror colors Hop get ou fish.

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ello form Crystal River and I hope everyone is doing well, and staying safe. Anyone who knows me, knows that this is my favorite time of the year. I like to run early or fish late; it’s cooler and less traffic on the water ways. Redfish. The summer months can be some of the most productive times to catch some good ones. I’ll spend the time to try to locate schools of big fish. For me, it’s rewarding when I do, and my clients get to experience fighting a big fish. I like to fish the incoming tide in the warmer months. It brings cooler water in from the gulf, and it fires up the fish. While targeting reds with bait, I’ll use pinfish on a VMC 3/0 circle hook. Circle hooks are a great choice; it helps to keep from killing fish. Like always, I look for schools of mullet and good hard bottom. Always work the area you are fishing, and be patient; it pays off. Snook are pretty much everywhere, and we have some good ones here. I like artificial with snook. When presenting the bait, move it fast to provoke a strike, also, it a good idea to always use a heavier leader, no less than 40 lbs. Look for good moving water and deeper cuts. While targeting trout this time year, I generally go deep, 6 to 12 feet of water, looking for good broken bottom. Use a 1/8 oz. jig with a mirrorlure little jon; my favorite colors are glow and bourbon. Hope everyone’s gets a chance to get out on the water and catch some fish. Capt. James Kerr 352-362-6893 Citrusfishingchaters.com

ummer's here forest fishers, so keeping an eye on the weather is our number one priority. High temperatures and pop-up storms are a way of life this time of year. Luckily, cell phone apps help manage sudden changes in weather, which make choosing when and where to fish much easier. With that being said, right now there are more species to target than any other time of year, and all of them feed heavily (on a daily basis). The two most important questions to answer are: What causes them to feed so much during summer, and when do they feed the most? The answer to the first question is simple. Panfish will be spawning over these next few months, and not only are they abundant, delicious, and easy to catch; but they're also the major food source for pretty much everything that swims. From the smallest babies (fry), to the largest dinner plate sized slabs, there's always something lurking in the shadows, ready to attack. However, these predators don't have the tools we do. So it's not as easy for them to get their daily meals. A lot of energy goes into hunting, which is a huge advantage to anglers, because an easy meal is impossible to turn down. So, find yourself a good paddling swim-bait or fluke, and start chucking that thing around every piece of shallow wood/structure you see. Tip: Cast about 20 feet beyond your target area. Slowly swim that lure up to it. Then let it drop, while adding a couple rod twitches as it falls (imitating wounded prey) to get a reaction strike. Honestly, that's the only trick you need to know during these next few months. Of course, if you're looking to up your odds or enjoy a more relaxing day of fishing; get

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yourself a few dozen shiners, or catch some baby bream (bread balls, light line, and tiny hooks). Find a good looking spot (preferably in or near shade), hook for your bait through the mouth or tail area (match the size of hook to your bait size), and use a bobber about a foot or so above. Then, just let that little guy swim around. Sit back, crack a beer or soda, and enjoy the peacefulness, that is, until you see your bobber go down, or an explosion makes your adrenaline skyrocket. Don't forget to reel up almost all of your slack, but leave just enough bow in your line so the fish won't feel you. Then set that hook, like you're trying to rip its face off; because you never know when the next fish, may be the fish of your lifetime! John Freeze Kayak Fishing and Nature Tours TheWaterwayz@gmail.com 352-216-5798

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ey everybody, I truly hope you and your family are doing well. I've had the opportunity to do a lot more fishing this month now that the ramps are open, and I just gotta say, I think the fish missed us. The flats are loaded with trout, mackerel, and even the occasional

6 NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA/NATURE COAST

JUNE 2020

cobia! The redfish are plentiful around bars and banks. Tripletail are floating around in full force and weâ€™re even catching some shallow water grouper! So, if you're up for getting out here, now is the time. On a side note, let's not forget that, the awesome scallop season starts this month, and please be sure to check out the new regulations, as there have been some changes. Well guys and gals until next month, stay safe out there. Capt. Jason Clark In The Slot Fishing www.intheslotfishing.com Capt.jasonclark@gmail.com 352-639-3209 Check out our Title Sponsor for the Powerpole Pro Redfish Series! www.Globaloutdoors.com

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STEINHATCHEE

Welcome back yak fans, by the time you read this, I guess we will have some answers as to reopening our economy. Hopefully, we’re not going to end up culling the herd, but only time will tell! Be safe my friends, I can’t afford to lose any of my readers.

earning from our (pronounced “my”) mistakes: Fishing one of my favorite trout holes, I was anchored in about four feet of water, when I decided it was time to shift over a little, and went to pull in my anchor, which of course was stuck fast. So, in this situation, rule #1, is let out more line and back paddle. About 90% of the time, this will free you up. Well, you guessed it; I made the 10%, but I was not stopped dead in my tracks. “OK”, I thought, “time for Plan B.” Let out more line, grab it and pull it loose from above. Here the story begins: As I got the line snagged, still stuck, I had this little problem. I should explain that since childhood, I have suffered from an affliction of NBA (No Butt At All.) To compensate for this debilitating condition, I have a fancy padded seat, a foam donut and seat cushion. This puts my posterior at ease, but I was about two inches above the normal center of gravity of the boat. So, as I snagged the line, the tide twisted me, and yes, for the first time in five years, I flipped the yak. Of course, being an experienced kayaker, I did not need to have my cell phone in a dry bag, or my keyless entry. As I turned and caught the boat before it completely flipped, I watched

as the assortment of loose stuff was floating away. My cell was buzzing like a razor in my pocket, and as I did inventory, I saw that I was missing two rods from the boat as well as pliers, etc. With over $600.00 worth of gear on the bottom, and my stuff floating away, herein lies the lesson: I immediately snagged the anchor line, took off my vest and retrieved the floaters. The important point here, is if this ever happens to you, drop the anchor or stake immediately. If you drift a couple of yards, your stuff is gone! As it was, I threw the gear back in the boat, took off my shoes and started from the front, and then I let my toes feel around the mucky bottom and walked the boat in a circle, until I hit pay dirt. Once I found the scene of the crime, I resurrected both my new Fenwick rods, and even found my pliers, but the real interesting point of the story, is what I was snagged on. Some idiot had dumped a tire in the middle of the bay, so when I back paddled, my anchor slid around inside and would not come loose. To this person, I wish, like the old song goes, “May the bird of paradise fly up your nose, may an elephant caress you with his toes, etc., etc.” Hey buddy, your village is calling. Their idiot is missing. That’s it for now if you have a fishing report or a good story let me know, meanwhile the cobia hunt continues. See ya on the water Bruce Butler | "Stumbling Gypsy" (352) 428-5347 Bruce@IndianBayOutfitters.com Web: www.IndianBayOutfitters.com

8 NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA/NATURE COAST

JUNE 2020

RELEASE INTO THE RED SNAPPER FIELD OF DREAMS

have no idea why red snapper are so heavily regulated. People, commercial for-hire, and recreational anglers and divers, all around the state, tell the same tale; Red snapper are so abundant, that they are actually prohibiting the catch of groupers and such, out-competing other reef species and unnecessarily being dead, released by fisherfolk, trying their best to do no harm. Then I think, this has been in the hands of the federal government, that could quickly run a combination pot-shop, liquor store, quick loan, whorehouse and tire emporium into bankruptcy, within a year in downtown Las Vegas. Wouldn't a prolonged season, even weekends only, opening of red snapper deliver a ubiquitous economic stimulus—no $1,200.00 wasted monies-- for Florida, “Fishing Capitol of the World.” You don't have to have a PhD in economics or “fishonomics” to figure all the commonsense based benefits. We have a legitimate gold (snapper) mine within reach, and there is a governmental “closed” sign on the door. I'm not just writing about this from a fisherman's standpoint, but for other peripheral businesses from lodging and restaurants, on down to ice venders. Americans have been washed over by a tide of intellectual ignoramuses, thinking they're more aware about the state of affairs from their cubics, than the cockpit of a fishing vessel. Okay, off the soapbox; June opens gag grouper and red snapper to the public. Check regional retardations in your area. Your local regulations may require the red snapper or gag to be caught and verified caught, between 3:12 am and 4:37 am Greenwich time. Red snapper are so plentiful, any bait or technique you have confidence in, will produce. Red and gag grouper are on the bottom, amongst the hoard of snapper with, or above them. Use larger baits, dead or alive, to improve grouper catches. I thought trolling large plugs would cull red snapper from the equation; it proved otherwise, as red snapper are fond of trolling plugs and spoons, whether weighted or behind planers. The trout and red fishing has been successful. The best bait is confidence; the bait or lure you like the best. Sea bass and Florida snapper, aka white grunts, are all over hard live bottom taking any meat, jigs with meat, or any other thing you can think of that delivers a meal. For the love of freedom, get out and

go fishing without a mask. God bless America! Local guides and offshore captains around the state have taken a huge hit, especially during prime spring season. We depend on disposable income of others to earn a living for our families. Why not get out of quarantine to learn lifelong fishing tips from professionals while helping out a fellow American. It has always been better off for all to take care of yourselves, than be dependent on the government! Brian Smith | BIG BEND CHARTERS www.BigBendCharters.com CaptBrian@bellsouth.net 877.852.3474 | 352.210.3050

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JUNE 2020

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e th year. C boat ra kayaks and st again. of our not on snook year fo in our to shap Artific

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ey everybody! Almost halfway through this extremely unusual year. Cedar Key finally reopened the boat ramps, so we could launch our kayaks, launch all our charter boats, and start slinging bait and tackle again. As I write, I just finished one of our great charters, and we landed not one but two, way, over-slot snook. Last year, we had a record year for the amount of snook we had in our area, and this year is starting to shape up to be even better. Artificials that seem to work well,

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have been anything you can retrieve fast, and that is red and white. Live bait that always does well is live mullet, or live medium to large pin fish. There is a ton of different kinds of bait showing up, and I expect our cobia to be here as this hits the stands. I hope everyone is, and have been okay through all this mess, and I hope to see you at the shop or on the water. Take a kid fishing this summer! Capt. Daniel Cedar Key Paddling 352-665-1276 Dan_Gator@yahoo.com

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have said it before and I will say it again, June is my favorite time of the year for fishing! The inshore bite is hot, and June opens the season for gag grouper and red snapper. As you may have found, gags have been biting all last month, but now that the season is open, plan to hunt a little harder for them. As the water warms, gags tend to search out cooler temperatures by running out deeper. As the month progresses, you will find that your normal, closer gag spots may not be what they were last month. The issues with going out deeper, is that now you are fighting off the red snapper to get a gag grouper. I have found that if you pull away from the structure a bit, you will be able to get a bait past the red snapper and give a gag a chance to eat. Trolling a large plug like a Rapala X-Rap Magnum 30 will also give you smooth sailing past the red snapper. My favorite setup for grouper is a fish finding rig with 80-100 fluorocarbon tied to a size 7/0 circle hook and weighted down with a 4 oz. weight. Now, that we have talked about avoiding the red snapper, we will now talk about how to put them in the boat. After you have found your structure, I like to chum heavy with Snapper Up from Aquatic Nutrition. I will also chop up the intended bait and toss that out as well. Typically, I will use a combination of shrimp or frozen herring for bait. When you see the red snapper arrive in your chum slick, freeline a bait into the chum line and let it flow. When your line pulls quickly, trip the bail and hold on tight! I like to use the lightest fluorocarbon I can get away with, 40 to 60 lb. usually works fine, tied to a 5/0 circle hook. A knocker rig sent to the bottom, will also be effective in catching these tasty fish. In addition to the gags and snapper, other large fish like kings and cobia will be on the prey for food. I like to always have a rod in the ready, just in case the opportunity provides itself. Inshore bite will still be hot this month. Look to the outer spoil islands for your reds and trout. The temperatures are going to be hot and you will have to keep an eye out for the afternoon thunder storms. Any of the above baits, chum, or tackle can be found at Captains Cove

Outfitters in Inglis, Fl. Be sure to give me a call if you would like to head offshore for those pesky red snapper. Remember that the boat ramp at the end of HWY 40 in Yankeetown will be closed for construction, so make plans to launch at a different ramp. As always, just have fun; that’s what it is all about! Please reach out to me at capterichasty@gmail.com with any questions you may have. In addition, check out We Be Tailing, live Wednesday night’s at 7:00 for more tips and tricks at the ShastyMcNasty Fishing Facebook page. Capt. Eric Hasty ShastyMcNasty Fishing LLC www.shastymcnastyfishing.com 352-220-3206

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couple big openers for us this month here in Citrus County, with gag grouper and red snapper opening. For the offshore fans, the muchanticipated gag grouper and red snapper season will be sure to excite anglers, looking for a great fight and tasty meal. Having several months of no fishing pressure, your favorite grouper/snapper locations should have plenty on site. Typically, the grouper migrate a ways offshore during the summer months, and a run to the 50 foot range, may be necessary to find steady keeperssized gags. However, it’s always worth a quick stop on the shallower spots to see what’s down there, and a live frisky pin fish will usually let you know in a hurry if there’s a resident grouper nearby. As a bonus too, the mangrove snapper will be holding on the same structures as the grouper, so have some lighter tackle on board to outsmart the snapper. Chumming, brings the “mangos” off

the structure, and a free-lined live shrimp with little weight as possible, will help add a couple extra groceries to the cooler. Another great idea is to have a standby rod rigged with a jig or live pin fish for a summer cobia who may come cruising by. Red fish are one of our shallow water species who show little effect from the heat, and they are a best bet for the inshore anglers during these hot summer months. A good incoming tide and fresh piece of cut mullet, lady fish or live pin fish around a mangrove rocky point, will put the odds in your favor. Always, look for mullet activity along the shoreline to ensure a likely location. The grass patches or spotty bottom areas in the 8 to12 foot range, offer a multitude of species including Spanish mackerel, blue fish, trout, sea bass, flounder, cobia, etc. The majority of the trout schools will be taking comfort in the deeper, cooler water. I prefer MirrOlure Lil’ Johns, D.O.A. cal shad tails and D.O.A. root beer colored holographic shrimp, twitched along the bottom or even dragged on some occasions to present the baits properly. When the fish are located, it’s a good idea to have a throw marker handy, so an easily repeated drift will take the guess work out of where the fish are. This is a really handy tool, and will ensure your catch rates will improve the more you use it. On a final note, keep an eye out for migrating tarpon schools. Always have a stout spinning rod ready with a hogy soft plastic jerk bait or a DOA bait buster, for when the situation presents itself. Capt. Dan Clymer 352.418.2160 www.crystalriver-fishing.com

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few m on the possib feed d low du Inshor plug a and tr top-w Rapala Spook type lu bird”, c the sam the be time o kingfis chowi pogies It’s a g tackle Wh redfish concen or pog guaran or two big sch year. D one of time o it prov flash t down. lot of t slightl little c finger but a c

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ith air temps getting into the mid to upper 90's the next few months, it’s a good idea to get on the water as early, or as late as possible, as the fish will be on the feed during those times, and laying low during the heat of the day. Inshore, toss your favorite top-water plug at first light, for exciting redfish and trout blowups. Some favorite top-water plugs for our area are the Rapala Skitterwalk, Heddon Super Spook Jr., or any “walk the dog” type lure. If you're not an “early bird”, check out the dusk bite, using the same lures. The fishing right off the beach really comes alive this time of year. Huge sharks, tarpon, kingfish, and many more will be chowin’ down on the giant pods of pogies, right behind the breakers. It’s a great time to put your heavier tackle to the test! When looking to catch some redfish, be on the lookout for concentrations of finger mullet, or pogies on the flats. You can be guaranteed that at least a redfish or two will be hanging nearby a big school of baitfish this time of year. During the higher tide stages, one of my favorite lures to toss this time of year is the spinner bait, as it provides a ton of “thump” and flash that the fish can easily hunt down. On the lower tide stages, a lot of the bigger fish will move to slightly deeper water where it’s a little cooler. Live mud minnows or finger mullet will be hard to beat, but a chunked piece of ladyfish or

mullet will also work especially well for the redfish when fishing deeper. A scented soft plastic like a Fishbites lure fished very, very slowly, will also be a good bet. The flounder bite should be good at the St. Augustine and Mantanzas inlets and just about all the regular inshore flatty haunts. Fishing around the slack tides will give you the best chance to get your bait on the bottom where the flounder hide. Small to medium sized finger mullet on a fish finder rig can be deadly. Don’t be afraid to use a good-sized mullet to catch the doormats. Just remember to let the flounder chew on the bait a few moments before setting the hook. One of my favorite fish, the tarpon, should be thick along the beach gorging themselves on the bait (pogy) pods just about now. The best bite will be early morning, and just before, or after the afternoon summer rainstorms. Rig a live pogy on a large 6/0-10/0 circle hook, and fish the outside of the bait pods. Sometimes a little weight to help the pogy get down will help. Depending on water temps, you’ll also find some huge jacks and plenty of sharks around those pods-maybe even a stray cobia as well! Be sure to check out my Daily Fishing Reports online @www.InshoreAdventures.com Capt. Tommy Derringer www.InshoreAdventures.net 904-377-3734

SURF & PIER

his month should still be great for some hot pompano action. The big schools that normally show up in April, actually got here in May. They were also still catching plenty in May, as far south as Melbourne. Given that, we will have plenty of pompano well into this month. This month and next, are my favorites for night fishing. June 5th and July 5th will be prime time for a fullmoon-rising fishing experience. Just in case the wind dies down, do not forget the DEET! Getting sand fleas ahead of time can make a big difference in your success ratio. The red shell beaches are the easiest place to find them. My go-to locations are SPVB, Vilano, Hammock, and Flagler. Just before writing this article, I stopped at the Hammock. Within 10 minutes, I had 200 fleas. Seeing them is the key. There are plenty of Youtube videos on how to catch this great free bait. The whiting bite has been BIG this year, meaning, we are catching big mature fish up to 18 inches, and two pounds. In years past, it has been more about quantity than size. The best bait is fresh river shrimp, or live from the bait store. Just remember, if you are

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

JUNE 2020

targeting whiting, downsize your hooks and your bait. I get three baits, which include the head, out of each shrimp. Trim the horn off so it makes it easier for the whiting to gobble up. On hook size I prefer a 1/0 or a #1. June is prime time for the best eating shark around. Bonnetheads, between 10 and 25 pounds, show up this month in search of calico/ spotted crabs who live in the surf. These frisky guys are a blast on surf gear. The bait is simple-- one half of a medium sized blue crab. Take off the legs, pop off the shell, and cut the body in half. The terminal tackle needs to be beefy. I use a fish finder rig tied out of 100 lb. mono filament. Circle hook size between 5/0 and 7/0 gets the job done. In June, I have always had my best luck the first three hours of daylight. So, go get some great bait, and get out there and get your string stretched. See you on the beach! Noel Kuhn 43 years of surf fishing experience, surf fishing guide and long distance casting coach. Founding member of Florida Surf Casters club. 904-945-0660 www.TheSurfAngler.com

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JUNE 2020

tores are opening, and hair salons, restaurants, etc. A couple months of solitude has me going completely crazy. I never realized how much I enjoyed socializing. I miss my friends and our favorite quaint little meeting spots. Normally, we would meet and catch up on our hectic lives, laugh, tell some stories, and then go back to the hustle and bustle. Those few hours once a month or so were so therapeutic. I miss the little things like shaking someone's hand, or a big ol hug from someone I haven't seen in a while. My first instinct is to hug, shake hands, pat on the back, high five, but these last few months, I haven't been able to do any of that. I really miss it. If not for the serenity of the water, I would have lost my mind completely. I do see tons of positive things coming from this quarantine, and social distancing. I’ve seen so many families riding bikes together, enjoying picnics, boating, and fishing. I’ve seen, through social media, tons of positive posts, and people video chatting daily with their families. I’ve seen a community pull together more than ever to help small business. People who normally wouldn't get restaurant takeout,

are doing so for support. It’s been a challenge, to say the least, but take a look around at all the positive that has come from this trying time. We will bounce back, better than ever, and we will also not be so quick to take certain normal activities for granted. Hang in there, hopefully this will be a distant memory very soon. The weather is warming up nicely and fishing has been incredible. Get out there and enjoy the freedom on the water. Social distancing is easy on a boat! Captain Stacy Horak Cell 352-553-3604 Facebook: CaptainStacy Horak Instagram: captain_ stacyhorakfishing Website: www. fishingwithcaptainstacy.com

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

PHOTO CREDIT: LUKAS BRICKWEG

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

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

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By John Saporito

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

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

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

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

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

DEL BROWN PERMIT TOURNAMENT:

July 18-21, Key West

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

STOCK ISLAND MARINA VILLAGE KEY WEST MARLIN TOURNAMENT:

July 22-25, Key West

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

By Michael Okruhlik

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

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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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NATIONAL 13

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CATCH UP WITH THE

By CAM Staff

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

PHOTO COURTESY OF CAPT. LARRY MCGUIRE.

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

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

By Alex McCrickard

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

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

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.

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

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.

SPECIFICATIONS CustomBilt Pontoon

LENGTH: 14’ to 16’ BEAM: 5’ to 6’ MAX HP: 9.9 CONSTRUCTION: .090 Marine-Grade Aluminum BUILDER: CustomBilt Pondtoons 820 Hwy 27, South Geneva, AL 36340 18 NATIONAL

JUNE 2020

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

EU2200i Model Snapshot: Because More is More

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

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

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

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

JUNE 2020

NATIONAL 19

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

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

www.doalures.com 20 NATIONAL

JUNE 2020

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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201578_DOA_1.14_Coastal Angler_Coupon Ad_3.762x5.012.indd 1

1/14/20 8:50 AM

PHOTO CREDIT: George Costa, TCO Outdoors

By Nick Carter

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

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

Barefoot

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JUNE 2020

NATIONAL 21

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

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Sacred Stone of the Southwest is on the Brink of Extinction

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

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JUNE 2020

LOCATION 1