The Angler Magazine | October 2021 | Okeechobee Edition by Coastal Angler Magazine

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LOCAL FISHING REPORTS

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STREAMERS FOR

FALL TROPHY

BROWNS

By Jacob Milholland

ctober is a special month in the mountains. Autumn colors and cooler weather signal it’s time to head back to trout water. Hunting a trophy brown trout is what fall is all about. These fish can be caught nymphing a big stonefly or drifting an October caddis, but the old adage, “big bait, big fish,” holds true. Streamer fishing is a surefire way to try and target these old brutes. Streamers are flies that imitate forage such as baitfish, crawfish, sculpin, other trout or even mice. While the common way to fish a streamer is to enact action by “stripping” or pulling the fly line, streamers can be dead drifted, jigged or swung. There is no wrong way to fish streamers, but the goal is to make the fly look like the real thing. Equipment: We fish heavier rods, tippets and leaders, as we are targeting larger fish. The flies are more wind resistant or heavily weighted, and the strikes can be more aggressive. Think 5 to 8 weights and 8 to 20-pound fluorocarbon tippet/leader. A misconception of streamer fishing is that it must be done from a boat on a large river. While a boat is nice for covering ground, wading anglers can adapt these tactics to any size body of water. If you have the option to fish from a boat, multiple rods with different rate-of-fall (ROF) sinking fly lines should be in your arsenal to probe different depths: floating, intermediate (falls at one foot per second), and ROF-6 (falls at six inches per second). Fly Selection: Ask anyone what they throw, and you’ll get a different answer. It’s hard to go wrong with Woolly Bugger variations—like Sparkle Minnows or Bow River Buggers—any Kelly Galloup pattern or Clouser minnows to start out. Pick staple colors that allow you to adjust to conditions: white, black, bold (yellow or chartreuse) and flashy. Big fish drop their guard in nasty weather, and these can result in the best days on the water. Tactics: Brown trout ambush their prey, so look for places adjacent to current where fish can sit without expending too much energy. Covering water is paramount to success with a streamer. Likely holding water can produce results immediately, so don’t spend too much time in one spot. You are hunting the largest fish willing to eat the fly, not trying to force inactive fish to feed. Vary your retrieve; sometimes jigging or dead drifting can be better than a strip, or slower or faster retrieves may get a fish to react. Mental fortitude is just as important as the where and how. You can go hours or even days without seeing a fish follow the fly, but the magic of streamer fishing lies in the take of the fly and the caliber of fish. Jacob Milholland fishes with Cohutta Fishing Company in Blue Ridge, Ga. Check them out at www.cohuttafishingco.com or call (706) 946-3044.

4 NATIONAL

OCTOBER 2021

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By Capt. Quinlyn Haddon

t seems even the most remote waterways are becoming more crowded every year. More boats can lead to some extremely dangerous situations when boaters exhibit a lack of respect for the water, and it’s pretty easy to identify those who should not be allowed to operate a boat. But there are also people who create frustrating situations, particularly while fishing, who might just be unaware of certain etiquette. It is unique to the Southeastern United States to have access to such vastly diverse fisheries within a relatively small area. It is fortunate boat owners can easily travel to a new and different fishery and bring their own vessel with them. However, just as you don’t have to travel far before the fishery changes, the same applies to local fishing etiquette. Some of the unspoken rules will apply no matter where you are, but it is generally a good idea to check in with local knowledge and identify the local vhf channel before launching your boat somewhere new. While nobody owns the water, commercial and charter fishing captains generally operate with respect for each other to make sharing the fishery feasible and pleasant. When pleasure boaters don’t understand or don’t respect local etiquette, it disrupts fishing enough to affect the people who are trying to make a living on the water. As a general rule, try to stay away from other boats as much as possible. If you have to maneuver around or fish near another boat, be respectful of the type of fishing they are doing. If a vessel is anchored, they will generally be fishing off the back of the boat, often running a chum slick, which means you should avoid driving behind them. If a boat is anchored

offshore, in an area that you are unfamiliar with, they are probably fishing coordinates that took them years of hard work to acquire. You should absolutely not anchor near them,

nor should you drive next to them to mark their location. If you are offshore hunting for fish that appear under flocks of diving birds, look for a flock that isn’t currently being worked by another fisherman. These birds are moving around over fish that are traveling, and moving in can cause the boat that got to the birds first to be cut off from the school of fish. The ocean is vast and birds are plentiful, look for birds on your own, not just an easy-to-spot boat under birds. Overcrowded fishing areas, that don’t operate under anchor, follow certain traffic patterns. These patterned drifts or trolls should be observed and followed just like any roadway. The Marathon Humps, for example, should be trolled east to west, and west to east. Fishing oil rigs in the northern Gulf of Mexico can be made extremely difficult by poor etiquette, as locations are limited and can be made even more limited due to weather. Places like this rely heavily on unspoken rules of the road, and respect. These areas are primarily fished in two different ways: live bait and chum drifts. Charter boats take the time to catch live bait before making it out there, which can be time consuming and difficult. If there are fish on the surface, and someone nearby starts a chum drift, this pushes the surface fish down deep, where the fish will no longer be eating the hard-earned live bait. This is horrible etiquette that rewards lazy and ignorant fishermen. If you show up to a rig without live bait and see other boats using it, with fish clearly on the surface, you should probably just troll lures until other people start a chum drift. Learn and respect the local etiquette anywhere you get your boat wet. There’s no reason we can’t all catch fish, be safe and have fun doing it.

Capt. Quinlyn Haddon fishes with Blue Magic Charters in Marathon, Florida Keys. Check her out at CaptainQuinlyn.com, @captainquinlyn or call (504) 920-6342.

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OCTOBER 2021

NATIONAL 7

WHEN TEMPS COOL DOWN, THE GROUPER BITE HEATS UP

’m going to date myself here, but what is about to happen will come as no surprise to me. This is time of year I live for. You see, I’ve been watching this beautiful cycle happen with grouper for almost four decades now. As soon as the mullet run slows, and the vast schools of cigar minnows (cigs) and sardines drift inshore, so do the larger (male) gag grouper. This generally occurs around the middle of October. The scamp bite will be hard and fast during this same time in deeper water. I started my grouper fishing career with heavy electric and hydraulic commercial reels and eventually switched over to Elec-Tra-Mates and Precision Auto Reels, but now I’ve gone full circle to lighter (heavyduty) level-wind reels with braided line and ultra stealth terminal tackle to stay ahead of the mental evolution of grouper and large snapper. You see, back in the day when there were so many grouper, it was a competitive atmosphere on the bottom. The first bait to the bottom used to catch the biggest red snapper or gag, even using monofilament leader, but

Tim Barefoot

sardines are by far the best choice for instant bites, but the problem with them is everything down there gives them a whack. Fishing a bait that eliminates everything but large black sea bass, large snapper and grouper helps weed through the smaller fish to find the big male grouper you’re looking for. Live pinfish, sailors

now it’s just not that way. I haven’t cleaned hundreds of grouper… I’ve cleaned thousands of them before selling them, and I’m always curious about what they were eating. One common denominator in gags and red grouper, but not as many scamp grouper, are the small red crabs that are obviously plentiful on live bottom.

This is what prompted me to experiment with crab jigs. I made my first batch of Crab Decoy Jigs over a decade ago and quickly realized they out-fish any other bottom rig I’ve ever used. I tie them in with red braided line and a short piece of fluorocarbon leader tied in a loop knot. Then I sweeten the pot with a live bait. Bait selection is important. Live cigs and

choice grunts, grass grunts and tomtate grunts all work. I like to fish big stacks of beeliners, and that makes beeliners one of my alltime favorite baits. I fish them live or butterflied on a Crab Decoy Jig. The older, wiser males are growing increasingly tackle shy, so shed all the useless terminal tackle and scale down to “clean” heavyduty tackle that can fool ole big boy into biting. For video with detailed instructions on fishing Tim Barefoot’s rigs and proof that they work, visit his website at barefootcatsandtackle.com.

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ANGLERS SET NEW FLORIDA SALTWATER FISHING RECORDS Scamp

t was a monster summer for three anglers who Record on April 7 while fishing at Santa Rosa each landed a Florida Saltwater All-tackle Beach. Sidney’s 2.8-pound catch beat out the previous record of 2.4 pounds. If you feel like Fishing Record. you’re having déjà vu, don’t worry, you’re not Scamp alone. That previous record of 2.4 pounds was set A new Florida Saltwater Fishing Record for earlier this year by angler Joseph Peckham. scamp was set by Mark John Gibner during a Schoolmaster fishing expedition near John’s Pass Marina in Pinellas County on June 11. His 29.6-pound scamp Anthony Mastitski filled the vacant beat the previous record of 28.38 pounds set by schoolmaster category, which was opened Jan. 1, Braden Douglas Pursell in April 2002. 2019. Mastitski’s 2.07-pound schoolmaster was “I think that for the first 20 feet or so, the caught in Broward County on July 27. fish didn’t know that it was hooked,” said Gibner. Claim Your Record “When it did, it started to dig. At first, as he was Want to claim your own state record? There pulling drag, I had to palm my reel to slow him are currently no records listed for white grunt or down. But after a short back and forth, I finally got blueline tilefish in the all-tackle category. There the upper hand and was able to land him with lots are also numerous fly-fishing tackle categories of enthusiasm from my friends.” with vacant records, giving anglers an opportunity Whiting (Gulf kingfish) to hold the record for these species. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Capt. Sidney Little caught the latest Gulf kingfish (whiting) Florida Saltwater Fishing Commission (FWC) maintains state records in 2 FLORIDA

OCTOBER 2021

fish)

Whiting (Gulf king

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all-tackle and fly fishing categories for 81 species caught in Florida state waters and adjacent federal waters. Saltwater record holders receive a certificate of accomplishment, prize pack, recognition in various publications, and a custom ink fish print to memorialize their catch courtesy of Fish Print Shop. To qualify for a record, the catch must be weighed on land with a certified scale, and photographs must be submitted clearly showing the weight displayed on the scale, the scale’s certification, the rod and reel used to make the catch, the angler with their catch, and various views of the fish for identification purposes. The angler’s signature on a completed application form must be witnessed by a notary. For more information and to view current records, visit CatchaFloridaMemory.com and click “Records,” contact AnglerRecognition@ MyFWC.com or call 850-487-0554.

EIGHT MONTHS OF THE KEY WEST FISHING TOURNEY

look at the results from the eight-month-long Key West Fishing Tournament is a pretty good glimpse at what’s been going on in one of the world’s best fishing destinations over the last year. The 2021 tournament drew 312 participating anglers who entered 753 releases and 262 weighed catches. A South Dakota woman was named the women’s master angler after scoring multiple divisional wins and tournament records in the long-running challenge. Katelynn Wells, of Miller, S.D., took top honors for overall releases with 59, including six dolphin, as well as tallying 14 division-leading catches including a 28-pound amberjack, a 12-pound barracuda on plug and a 17-pound red snapper on 30-pound-test line that set a divisional record. She also scored three “heaviest fish” wins and two fish that set tournament weight records: a 2.8-pound ladyfish on plug and a 4.8-pound seatrout on 12-pound line. Wells fished on Off the Rock with Capt. Brad Nowicki and on Live Action Sportfishing with Capt. Ryan Carter, both of Key West. The men’s master angler was Rob Ripka, of Pulaski, New York. His achievements included catching two division-leading fish on 12-pound line: a 12-pound bonito and a 4-pound yellowtail snapper—as well as a divisionleading 31.6-pound kingfish. Fishing on Bait Stealer with Capt. Dale Bittner, of Key West, he also set a “heaviest fish” record for catching a 6-pound yellowtail on 30-pound line. Ten-year-old Julia Bernstein, of Miami, fishing in the peewee division, eclipsed her competitors to earn the peewee master angler award for achievements including a remarkable 104 releases. Her catches included a 23.8-pound Jack Crevalle on 30-pound line that earned a tournament weight record, a 24.8-pound barracuda on 20-pound line that earned divisional “heaviest fish” honors, four other “heaviest fish” winners and three division leaders. The young Bernstein fished with Bittner on Bait

bl Stealer and also on a private boat. Capt. Bill Wickers III, of the Linda D V, earned overall guide honors in the general division, tallying 14 winners and a division-topping 36 releases including three marlin. Capt. Brice Barr of the Double Down was named top guide in the light general division, guiding his anglers to a divisional best of 66 releases—64 of them sailfish. Capt. Tim Carlile of the Outcast earned the overall guide achievement award in the flats division. He also guided his anglers to the most flats releases with 213, including 86 tarpon. Celebrating the diverse variety of fish found in Florida Keys waters, the Key West Fishing Tournament provides recognition and awards to anglers posting the heaviest catch in each of 33 species and the most releases of fish in seven other species. The 2022 challenge begins Dec. 1, 2021 and continues until July 31, 2022. For a complete list of winners and catches, visit keywestfishingtournament.com.

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USE THE WIND TO FIND FISH

By John Saporito

he wind is a great mover of bait, and a mover of bait is a mover of fish. Among the myriad factors that contribute to gamefish location, wind ranks somewhere near the top. Short-term winds influence the whereabouts of baitfish schools in many ways, which in turn influences the location of the gamefish that feed on them. Fish are highly sensitive to water temperature. Even a change of a degree or two can motivate them to seek out water of a more desired temperature. In the northern hemisphere, a cold northerly wind may lower water temperatures enough to force baitfish to move toward areas of more stable temperature, such as deeper water. Conversely, a southerly wind may raise water temperatures beyond a certain bait species’ comfort range, causing them to seek out areas with cooler water. Many migratory baitfish begin their seasonal journeys based on temperature changes initiated by short-term wind events, such as storms. They respond by relocating to areas that better suit their specific needs. When a localized or short-term wind pattern changes the water temperature, you can bet the baitfish will take notice and act accordingly.

6 FLORIDA

OCTOBER 2021

Baitfish of all sizes are always on the lookout for an easy meal. Just like the predators that hunt them, baitfish prefer to feed with the lowest possible expenditure of energy. Suspension feeders, such as many members of the herring family, look for big blows to stir up detritus, plankton and other small organisms and organic matter that they can eat. The wind also creates surface currents, which push plankton and other miniscule prey items. Any significant wind has the potential to concentrate, stir up, or otherwise move the food baitfish feed on. The wind also has the power to enhance or diminish tidal action. A wind moving in the same direction as a tidal current will accelerate the water’s movement, overpowering and transporting both baitfish and their prey. A wind-against-current scenario may form a natural corral that concentrates and traps baitfish in a temporary location. In bays and other inshore waterways, a strong offshore wind can combine with a low tide to render certain areas uninhabitable to baitfish due shallowness. A strong onshore wind, in conjunction with a high tide, can pile up water in areas that before were dry, allowing baitfish to enter feeding grounds that were previously inaccessible.

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PHOTO BY CAPT. TIM CUTTING.

It’s important to know where there is deep, stable water for baitfish to take shelter in when the temperature suddenly rises or drops. Also look for “dead ends” in the areas you fish, such as coves and points of land, which act as barriers that trap and hold bait when the wind is howling. If you find baitfish, odds are good that the gamefish are nearby. John Saporito is a lifelong fisherman and student of the seas. Visit him online at guerillaangling.com.

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GIANT SWORDFISH IS A CANAVERAL RECORD By CAM Staff

n the early morning hours of Saturday, Sept. 11, three anglers fishing out of Cape Canaveral, Fla., idled the “High Maintenance” into Sunrise Marina towing a swordfish that’s being called a Port Canaveral record. The broadbill bottomed out a set of 500-pound scales after being dead for more than 16 hours, so it’s safe to say it outweighed the unofficial and long-standing port record of 365 pounds. One of the anglers, Steven Sharpe, estimated its weight to be 550 pounds, based on measurements. Records aside, it was a huge fish. Sharpe, his long-time fishing buddy, Jeff Thummel, and George Birkhead, who was on his first swordfish trip, were drifting in 1,500-foot depths about 40 miles out of Port Canaveral. On their first set, they had bite that came unbuttoned. They re-baited with a whole ladyfish and dropped it down to about 1,400 feet. The big fish came tight at about 10:30 a.m. and then rocketed toward the surface. Sharpe said they had no idea of the size of the fish through most of a 5 ½-hour fight.

Their Lindgren-Pitman S2-1200 electric reel and Handler custom rod battled the fish as it surfaced and dove numerous times and dragged the boat 25 miles from where the fish was initially hooked. “About every hour, he’d show,” Sharpe said. “We didn’t realize how big he was until we got him to the boat. “We harpooned it, hauled it in and gaffed it. When we gaffed it, all hell broke loose.” The big fish beat itself against the boat until it finally expired and the crew got a tail rope on it at about 4 p.m. Only then was there a moment for celebration and cigars. They pulled a tape on the fish and got a short length of 101 inches from the fork of the tail to the tip of the lower jaw. Then the hard work began. “There were three people on board, and we couldn’t get that fish in the boat,” Sharpe said. “We tried everything and ended up having to idle it all the way home. We didn’t get to port until about 1 a.m.” They had to wait until 8 a.m. Saturday morning to get the fish up on scales.

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Serving Highlands, Okeechobee, Glades and Hendry Counties

Welcome

to the october issue of the Angler Magazine

Featured in this issue

Pg 2 Turkey Season - Misty Wells Pg 4 Angler Profile - Geoff Balog Pg 6 Building Rods - Louie Echols Pg 9 The Big Mistake Capt. Steve Daniel

Pg 10 Fall Fishing in Okeechobee Capt Mark King

Pg 11 Southwest Florida Report Capt Debbie Hanson

Pg 12 Guide Trip from Hell Pg 14 Lake Okeechobee Report Capt. Angie Douthit

Pg 15 Boca Granda Pass

Capt Dave Stephens

Pg 16 Looking for a Career Chris Norton

Pg 17 Fishing on Weekends Pg 18 The Fall Transition Capt Norman Lee

Pg 20 Feature Story

Anglers for Lake Okeechobee

elcome to the October issue of the Angler Magazine – Okeechobee Edition. At 40 pages, it is the largest local section we’ve ever done, and there’s a good reason for it. We’re proud to include in this issue and provide support to two great organizations, Anglers for Lake Okeechobee (AFLO) and Refuse to Sink. Both groups are featured in this issue and you will be hearing much more about them in Don Norton the months to come. Publisher We’d also like to welcome a couple of new contributing writers. Capt. Norman Lee, a local bass fishing guide who will now be splitting his time between Florida and Tennessee and Misty Wells, Producer and host of “Let’s Take It Outside,” a TV show airing to over 38 million people. With Covid affecting all of our lives, take a moment and read page 23 about the Air Scrubber. It uses the same Active Pure Technology used in the Aerus Pure & Clean that has proven to reduce over 99.9% of the airborne virus that causes COVID-19. I was so impressed, I bought one for my home. Our Angler Profile this month is none other than Geoff Balog, one of the top bass fishermen in Highlands County, and a deep-water specialist! And finally, Don “Red” Norton provides a few laughs with one of his true stories, “Guide Trip from Hell.” Don recently published his first book, Fish Tales, 2004, in Highlands County, Florida, where he shares many of his fishing trips that year on some of our local lakes and Lake Okeechobee.

Pg 25 Refuse to Sink, Inc Pg 28 Lake Josephine Ly Nguyen

Pg 30 How to become

a Professional Angler

staff

Don Norton Natalie Lopez Amy Norton Louie Echols david scott Chris Norton

Publisher Graphics Distribution Sales Sales Technical Director

We want to hear from our readers! Reach out to us with your feedback, fishing adventures, and pictures!

Don Norton (863) 273-4998

Advertising opportunities available!

don@theanglermagazine.com

Let's Take It Outside with Misty Wells

Dust off your Decoys...

Turkey Season is Coming! N

ow that we are wrapping things up for summer fishing season, we are all ready to welcome the Fall and Whitetail and Turkey season. Just like many other species that we hunt, Turkeys can be tough, and you really need to bring your “A Game” to harvest that perfect Tom. Wild Turkey is one of the most plentiful game animals in North America and can be hunted in almost every State. They estimate the countries total Turkey population is about 7.5 million, those totals are made up of five different wild turkey species. Each subspecies looks, sounds, and behaves a little bit differently and if you understand them you will be able to hunt them better. Wild turkeys have a well-developed communication system that they use to avoid danger, call mates, and establish dominance. Turkeys use two main forms of communication, vocal and visual and often use both methods at the same time. An example of both methods is a Tom may gobble while also strutting (the act of spreading its tail fan, dragging its wings, and making his body appear as larger as possible). It’s important to know why a Tom is doing this and that will help you bag your trophy. One thing us hunters need to focus on more are Turkey Calls, what they mean and how they are communicating. Let’s get started with the wide range of sounds Turkey’s make and why it is important to know what they mean before heading out for the hunt. The Yelp is the most heard sound from turkeys from both male and female, it is commonly a locator saying, “I’m over here”. The Purr is another sound you may hear a lot from Turkey’s it usually means they are content. When they are feeding or generally communicating with one another they will often use a Purr, this

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is why a Purr Pot is important to have in your calling collection. Cutting is another important sound they make, it is a series of load and fast clucks with a few Yelps thrown in. When a Hen is fired up and wants attention she may start Cutting, this will usually get a Tom’s attention quick. Let’s not forget the Gobble the sound all Turkey hunters want to hear, this is a clear indication that a Tom is excited and looking to attract a hen. This is also used by a Tom to let the other males in the area know he is there and he is trying to deter them from coming in. My favorite brand of calls is Woodhaven Calls, the owner Mike Penetecost is a genius when it comes to designing them. Mike is an avid Turkey hunter and an expert call designer; he has also teamed up with a few other experts to bring some new items to the line-up. The Black Reactor was designed by 3x Grand National Calling Champion Scott Ellis, the Blue Cutter/Vyper were designed by Grand National & World calling Champion Bill Yargus and Mike designed the Hyper Ninja. Let’s talk Decoy’s, why are Decoys important? Turkeys see in color and have eye sight 3x better than humans, a Decoy can give you a chance to take the focus off the hunter and on the decoy for starters. A

Decoy is also important for a Turkey to associate the call with, if a Turkey comes in from a call and does not see a Decoy he may get confused. You defiantly also want to have a Hen and a Tom decoy, this might help bring in the bird a lot faster. Tom’s want all the Hen’s to themselves so if he see’s a Tom with a Hen he may move in fast to get rid of him then get careless and give you a shot. There are lot of great decoys out there in all price ranges, I like to use Mojo Outdoor decoys they have some great features, and the price is right. For something different and an up close and personal experience, you can use a Mojo Outdoors “Scoot N Shoot” this is an interactive decoy that the hunter hides behind and creeps up to the actual Turkey. Now so far, I have not been successful at this but there are plenty of hunters that have, you must watch the YouTube videos they are awesome. This season I am going to integrate my Mojo “Tail Chaser Max”, I think it might give me an advantage I didn’t have before, it connects on the barrel of your shot gun, I will keep you posted. One last thing I want to remind you of is to get out and shoot, it has been a “hot minute” for me, so I need the practice. I plan to hit the range and practice my skeet shooting so when the ultimate Tom comes, I bag him. Shoot Straight & Tight Lines, see you out in the woods…

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Misty Wells Producer & Host of “Let’s Take It Outside” TV show airing to 38 million on Bally Sports, World Fishing Network, Waypoint TV, Hunt Channel, MOTV, Discover Florida Network & Carbon TV. Bass Pro-Outdoor Pro & Outdoor & Travel Writer. - Owner Legendary Adventures Charter Co-Clearwater, FL. Founder of “A Reel Future” non-profit devoted to teaching the passion of fishing & conservation to foster children, over 3,500 children & counting. www.mistywells.com & www.legendchartersllc.com.

october 2021

OKEECHOBEE 3

The Angler Profile

Geoff Balog

’ve known Geoff Balog for years and although I’ve never fished with him, I’ve fished against him and he is a fierce competitor. Geoff was born and raised in New York, and as a young man, spent time working as a bartender. He often day-dreamed of moving to Florida and fishing for bass. In 1980, he realized that dream moving to Broward County. Once in Florida, Geoff made it a priority to learn how to fish. Often walking from canal to canal, fishing from shore, he eventually got a raft, then a small aluminum boat and eventually a 21’ Triton Bass Boat. Fishing Lake Ida and the Loxahatchee Pool, Geoff honed his skills and eventually moved to Lake Placid, where he lives today with his wife of 35 years, Debby. He has two daughters, Jaime, who lives in California and is into car restoration and McKay, a Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force. Moving to Lake Placid fourteen years ago, he fell in love with two deepwater lakes, Lake June and Lake Placid, and made it his goal to learn how to catch bass on the brush piles and drop-offs. Geoff really enjoys fishing offshore! While many of his peers continue to fish shorelines, and visible vegetation, Geoff decided long ago that he liked to fish in the deeper waters, utilizing drop-shot rigs and smaller jigs. And, he’s become pretty good at it. His two biggest bass were both caught on drop shot rigs, the biggest, a whopping 12.14 on Lake Placid in 2009, and another 12.12 caught on Lake June in 2012. He’ll admit, it’s taken him some time to learn the techniques and skill involved in drop-shotting. Most importantly, he’s learned the patience it requires. Learning the locations of offshore structure also takes time and becomes a priority if you’re going to fish deep water. And it doesn’t hurt to have some good electronics on board. Geoff has a 12” Humminbird on the front deck of his Triton and a 12” Lowrance on the console. Both have down imaging as well as side imaging, which are extremely helpful. Geoff is no stranger to some of the other lakes in Highlands, Polk and Okeechobee counties. If he’s not on Lake Placid or Lake June you’ll find him on Lake Istokpoga, flippin’ and pitchin’ along with the rest of us.

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I asked Geoff what was the funniest thing to ever happen to him on the water, and he had to think about it. “I guess it was a few years ago, I was fishing with a friend of mine on Lake Placid when my lure got caught on a tree branch. When we went in to get it untangled, I discovered it was actually caught on a fishing line. When I pulled on the line, it pulled back. I started pulling the line in and there was a fourpound bass on the end of the line.” Of course, I had to ask, “were you in a tournament?” Geoff laughed and said “no.”

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Building Rods Right Here in the Highlands ...with Warren in the Cabbage Shack

Adrian “Lunker Louie” Echols facebook.com/FishingTheHighlands 863-651-4068

t seems like fishing rod companies are everywhere these days. Every time you turn around there's a new mass produced rod on the market, claiming to be the best things since cane poles. The truth of the matter is that there are a limited number of rod blanks out there for all rod builders to choose from. They range from cheap China made stuff to the American made top-of-the-line blanks. All rod builders have to start there. Don't get me wrong, there are some really good ones out there. Name brands that everyone recognizes. Most also carry a pretty hefty price tag. The difference in all of these is the actual workmanship and the time and effort spent in making a good rod blank into a good fishing rod, one rod at a time. A rod that not only feels good in your hand, is customized to your personal specifications, i.e., your name, your logo, and your thread colors, etc., but above all, will perform after you set the hook on that trophy of a lifetime. They say "the cream always rises to the top" and that's the case when it comes to Powercore Rods. Located right here in Highlands County and an absolute jewel when it comes to real custom rod building. Warren Page, a long time Highlands County resident and owner of Powercore Rods, LLC is well into the process of turning the custom rod building world upside down. He chooses the best blanks, rod butts, reel seats, and guilds that the world wide web has to offer, and from his "Little Rascal" panfish line, to the "L.L. Series" Bass fishing, to the "Backwater Bully" for Snook, Redfish and Tarpon, all the way to the deep water series, for digging out the deepest and toughest of Grouper, Warren builds them all one rod at a time. I recently caught up with Warren and was able to sit down with him long enough to ask him a few questions. You see, if he's not in his shop (affectionately called the "Cabbage Shack") building rods, he's usually out fishing with clients, testing out his latest creations. The "Cabbage Shack" is so named due to the fact that Warren also cooks some of the finest swamp cabbage to be found anywhere (it's a Florida thang). But that's another story. So in the air conditioned comfort of the "Cabbage Shack" in a captain's chair, equipped with roller blade wheels… we begin.

6 OKEECHOBEE

october 2021

Lunker Louie: When did you get into custom rod building?

Lunker Louie: How do people go about ordering a rod?

Warren: I lost all of my fishing gear years ago. I couldn't afford to buy all new rods so I took a class and started building my own around 2014.

Warren: Through www.powercorerods.com, they can direct message me on Instagram @Powercore_Custom_Rods or drop me an email at powercorerodsllc@gmail.com.

Lunker Louie: What problems did you run into at the beginning? Warren: Getting the word out and becoming established. Lunker Louie: What training did you need and where did you receive it? Warren: Youtube videos, Get Bit Outdoors, Classes at American Tackle and a lot of personal experience. Lunker Louie: Do you build rods just for local anglers? Warren: Right now for the State of Florida but I have started to branch out into the southern states. Building some rods for some tournament guys in Alabama.

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Lunker Louie: How long does it take from the time it's ordered until it's finished and out the door? Warren: Normally 2-4 weeks, but because Covid-19 that's now 2-6 weeks. Lunker Louie: Do you build rods for all applications? Warren: Everything inshore, nearshore but not yet for big game such as Tuna and Marlin. Lunker Louie: Do you build only custom rods? Warren: I started out building mainly custom but recently started a series for all types of fishing except big game. Continued on next page

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Lunker Louie: What kind of logos can you put on a rod? Warren: Anything as long as it fits. Lunker Louie: What is your background in fishing?

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Warren: I started pond fishing with my Granddad and eventually started saltwater fishing. Lunker Louie: What would you change if you could go back to the beginning? Warren: I would have started with social media sooner and gotten involved more with outdoor events. Lunker Louie: Where would you like to see Powercore Rods 5 years from now? Warren: I would like to be building for small stores that want their own brand, grown to the point of having several employees, building rods exclusively for anglers in the U.S.A. I plan to have a complete line of girl's apparel, i.e., hats, shirts, backpacks, etc.

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Lunker Louie: What advice would you give to those wanting to build custom rods? Warren: In today's world, have a good social media presence, be prepared to spend lots of money, and plan to work some long hard hours! So if you're looking for a good, well built, custom rod for any application, contact Warren over at Powercore Rods, LLC. You owe it to yourself to see what he has to offer and to see what he can do for you.

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Until next time, Good luck and happy hunting!

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october 2021

OKEECHOBEE 7

8 OKEECHOBEE

october 2021

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

Steve Daniel

The Voice of Okeechobee Fishing Steve Daniel • 239.560.2704 • 863.885.2230

The Big Mistake

he most ask question I get on our radio show HOOKED UP WITH STEVE & DEB is what are the biggest mistakes I witness while guiding novice anglers on Lake Okeechobee. Using braided line for all their lures is by far the biggest mistake anglers make. Although there are many applications for braid there are far more reasons not to use braided lines. The number one reason is moving baits such as crank baits, spinner baits even a chatter bait. When a bass sucks in your fast-moving bait they don’t just swim up to

Most of the best professional anglers when using moving baits use monofilament lines and rods that have a very soft action so when a bass attacks their lure the bass gets the lure. You will still feel the bite using monofilament lines but you will notice after catching the bass the lure was much deeper in their mouth than when you were using a stiff rod and braided lines. I personally like to use a fiberglass rod which has a very soft feel and 15lb. big game line from Berkley for all my moving baits here on the Big O. Remember one thing if you are fishing in your tournament or just having fun out on the big O just missing one bite from a big bass is the difference in winning your tournament or maybe catching the bass of a lifetime and those bass do live here on Lake Okeechobee. That is the reason the pros have many rods out on the deck, every rod and every lure is a tool with a very specific job. There are many applications for using braded lines, frog fishing is the best example but if you are fishing a rattle trap or spinner bait, ditch the braid for the much less expensive mono and you will land more fish. Remember let the fish eat the lure and you will catch more of them. Catch HOOKED UP WITH STEVE & DEB, The Voice of Okeechobee Fishing every weekend 5am to 6am Saturday’s on wokc.com and Sunday’s wafcfm.com . Until next time Go fish’n & stay HOOKED UP!

your lure and grab it, most big bass will be opening up that big mouth sometimes a foot behind your lure. That vacuum they create is what happens when they are eating live natural bait fish. How many times do you feel the bite but you come up empty, anglers will say the bass missed the bait but in reality the use of braided lines was the reason the bass misses the lure. Bass are used to the bait coming to them when they suck in the prey but braided lines have no stretch the angler kept the bass from reaching the bait.

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

october 2021

OKEECHOBEE 9

Captain Mark King’s

Fall Fishing in Okeechobee Report & Forecast Capt. Mark King www.markkingfishing.com 863-677-0983

ctober is finally here and hopefully it will start to cool off a little here in South Florida. It has been a hot summer to say the least. Fishing the last couple months on Okeechobee have been a little slow as it always is this time of the year but with water temperatures in the mid to high eighties who could blame these bass for not wanting to eat. But as the water starts to cool of the bite will defiantly improve a lot and we will be back to catching bass like this lake is famous for. As our water level heads toward the fifteen feet above sea level range the bass will start moving toward the shallow water areas to get ready to spawn and that means there will be plenty of bass to catch. I like to target the outside grass line close to open water this time of the year as this is the first stop for the bass moving in from the open water. The key will be as always to find clean water to fish and of course what vegetation we have left after all the summer spraying. The areas from Cochran’s Pass down to the Clewiston are looking good as is the south end of the lake like it was last year. October will be that transition month as bass move in off the main lake so you may have to try

multiple areas to find fish, but by November it will be game on in most areas. I like to target outside grass lines this time of the year and move back in the areas of heavier vegetation as the fall and winter months are on us, but keeping in mind that you need to find clean water. Wild shiners are the bait of choice for bass but we all like to catch them on artificial lures, my go to baits is a Gambler Ace worm in June bug or black and blue color and swimbaits in more natural baitfish colors. If you have never been to Lake Okeechobee, I suggest at least trying some wild shiners, it can be pretty addicting catching one bass after another. I am looking for this to be a pretty good season from now till the end of May with February and March being our best times to be here fishing. Now is the time to get those trips booked as all the prime-time books up quick. I offer four- and six-hour bass fishing trip and can take up to four persons, I also offer afternoon airboat sight seeing trips on Lake Okeechobee. Till next month good luck, tight lines, and hope to see y’all on the water soon.

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october 2021

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Captain Debbie Hanson’s

Southwest Florida Freshwater Report & Forecast Capt. Debbie Hanson shefishes2.com @shefishes2

ake and canal water temperatures are still up in the mid to high 80’s, contributing to the fact that your best opportunities for catching continue to be either first thing in the morning or around sunset. We’ve had a few rare dry afternoons and calm winds recently. Without those afternoon rains to cool the waters down slightly and a breeze to boost dissolved oxygen levels a bit, getting fish to hit topwater lures or flies can be a challenge. Downsize your presentations and switch over to subsurface in these situations. The peacock bass bite around the new moon on the 6th of September was productive in our Southwest Florida canal systems with an average of 5 to 10 fish in the 14 to 15-inch range coming to the boat on 4-hour trips. For the spinning crowd, shallow-diving crankbaits or soft plastic jerkbaits have been working well. If you prefer chasing peacocks on fly, be sure to have a few Muddler Minnow and Craft Fur Minnow patterns in bright orange and chartreuse shades in your box. Focus your efforts on areas near rip rap, culverts, and bridge pilings. Largemouth bass are hitting junebug or watermelon-colored speed worms inside of grass lines or near isolated cover. Remember to work your soft plastics slow and stay connected to your line so you don’t miss subtle hits given the warm water temperatures. For the fly fishing crowd, it’s important to find clean water, tie on a Woolly Bugger or Clouser Minnow, and use a slower stripping cadence. The key is getting our early because the bite has been slowing way down after 10 AM. October will start to really pick up with guided trips as seasonal residents come back to Southwest Florida after spending summer up North, so get on the books with your favorite guides or captains early.

Debbie Hanson is an award-winning outdoor writer and freshwater fishing guide living in Southwest Florida. Hanson’s written work has appeared in publications such as Salt Water Sportsman Magazine, BoatUS Magazine, and USA Today Hunt & Fish Magazine. To learn more about her work, visit shefishes2.com or follow her on Instagram @shefishes2.

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october 2021

OKEECHOBEE 11

Guide Trip from

Hell By Don “Red” Norton

Where should I start?

s a bass fishing guide for the last 25 or 30 years, I’ve had some strange things happen and some pretty weird clients in my boat over the years, but this particular trip was unforgettable. First of all, I want to assure any potential future clients, and definitely clients from the past that I would never actually use “real” names in a story like this, but rather “made-up” names. So, let me start with what motivated me to write this column. For those of you who read my Wednesday column, I wrote about my collection of B.A.S.S. magazines and in the process, happened to come across one of Don Wirth’s monthly articles covering the antics of Harry and Charlie. Specifically, the April 1996 Harry and Charlie story titled Guide Trips from Hell. My story is different, but in many ways similar to what all fishing guides endure as we attempt to combine our hobby with a moneymaking venture. One of my earliest trips was on Lake Okeechobee with wo brothers. The Williamson’s, were in Orlando for the week with their families and they’d quickly grown tired of Disneyland and the long lines. One of the brothers, Bobby Joe saw my bass fishing guide ad somewhere and had cut it out, saving it for a day like today. We agreed to meet at the Okee-Tantie parking lot around 5:30 the next morning. Leaving my house at 4am with a jug of coffee and a fresh pack of smokes, I made short order of the hour-long drive. I actually prefer to be early on my trips, giving me time to unstrap the boat and make sure everything is ready to go. In the dark, I heard someone yell “Red,” and as I turned around I saw two of the biggest men I think I’ve ever seen walking towards me. Extending his hand, Bobby Joe said “you must be Red! I’m Bobby Joe and this here’s my little brother, Billy Joe,” he boomed in a giant’s voice. He grabbed my hand with what could have easily been a catcher’s mitt and almost lifted me off the ground as he shook my hand. Both brothers were well past 300 pounds, and Bobby Joe stood at least six inches taller than 12 OKEECHOBEE

october 2021

his little brother, who stood an inch or two taller than me. At the time, I was fishing out of an 18’ Skeeter bass boat. My first thought was they were going to sink my boat! I couldn’t remember for sure, but I think the plate on the inside of the gunnel warned not to exceed 575 pounds. We easily exceeded that number without even adding in my skinny little 190 pounds. It wasn’t easy, but we finally got both brothers safely into the boat, but I couldn’t help but groan as I watched the Skeeter sink a few inches with the first brother, and then a few more once they were both in. Bobby Joe, who had to be pushing close to 400 pounds sat squarely in the middle seat, while I put his brother on the front deck, opposite the driver’s seat. As I started up the old Mercury outboard, with the boat tilting to the starboard side, I said a little prayer as I pushed the throttle forward, questioning whether we could even get up on plane. The 150 Mercury tried, and eventually, feeling more like a tugboat, the Skeeter rose up and planed off. No-one breathed easier than me as we headed a short distance to an area I knew well that had produced a couple of lunkers earlier in the week. “Whattya got to eat,” Billy Joe bellowed, as I shut down the motor and moved towards the front of the boat. “There’s some sandwiches and chips in the cooler, but you might want to hold off a couple hours till lunchtime. You can get pretty hungry out here fishing all day,” I said, pretty much to myself. “We’re hungry now,” they both chimed in as they reached for a sandwich and a coke. My wife, bless her soul, has always made sandwiches for my guide trips. Two sandwiches for me, and two each for my clients, along with some chips and cookies. I watched in horror as they each wolfed down three sandwiches, a dozen cookies and a six-pack of cokes. “Those were pretty good sandwiches,” Bobby

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

Joe said, as he wrestled with Billy Joe over the last bag of chips. As I lowered the electric motor into the water, preparing to get the boys fishing, Billy Joe let out a howl as he raised his feet up, off the deck of the boat. “We’re takin’ on water,” he bellowed, as both brothers looked on in horror at the water pouring into the bottom of the boat. I looked down and there was a solid three inches of water where Bobby Joe’s feet used to be. “Damn, I must have forgotten to put the plug in,” I yelled, as I frantically raced to the back of the boat. The bilge pumps were working, but the water was coming in faster than it was going out. It was up to five inches, when I decided to take the boat in shallower where I could get out of the boat and put the plug back in. “We’re gonna die,” Bobby Joe wailed, as he fumbled with the life jacket I’d handed each of them to put on. The jackets were both extralarge, and I’d never had a problem with customers fitting into them before. “I can’t get it zipped up,” Billy Joe cried out in terror, “and I can’t swim!” I didn’t say it, but I thought to myself what you’re probably thinking, “he oughta float!” The water was now almost to the front deck, and both brothers were worried about saving their wallets, and their cash. “Hold em’ up over your heads guys,” I motioned, as I climbed over the side of the boat into 2 feet of water. Circling around to the rear of the Skeeter, I felt for the plug, which normally is attached to the boat with a small chain. It was gone. At this point, the boat was resting uneasily in the sand, as the two brothers fought with lifejackets 3 sizes too small, keeping one hand high in the air with their wallets. “What do we do now, Captain,” the one of the giants asked, as he gave up trying to fasten the life jacket. “Well, it appears the boat plus is gone, so I’m gonna have to stick something up there to keep the water from coming in,” I replied as I shuffled

along the sand to the starboard side of the boat. “How about one of these,” Billy Joe suggested, as he handed me a cheap cigar, wrapped in plastic. “Ya know, that might just work,” I thought as I maneuvered back around to the rear of the boat. The cigar was exactly the right size, and with a little bit of force, slid neatly into the drain hole. As long as the plastic didn’t leak, we were in business. Twenty minutes later, the bilge pumps did their job and most of the water was pumped out. The boat actually came up off the bottom as the wind began to push us closer to a small, sandy land mass surrounded by reeds. Eyeballing the land, Billy Joe asked if I had any toilet paper on board. Carefully stepping out of the boat into the shallow, sandy shoreline, he quickly disappeared into the thicket of vegetation. Within minutes, we heard a blood-curdling scream as Billy Joe, shorts around his ankles and a fully unzipped life vest exposing his hairy, bearlike chest came crashing towards us with a 10foot alligator not far behind. Bobby Joe reached out and grabbed his brothers’ hand and with one solid jerk, pulled him on-board. The gator appeared to be amused, as he stopped to watch, grinning back at us. “I was just doin’ my business when I looked around and this big ole’ gator was coming right up behind me. It literally scared the crap out of

' With all that weight, we didn't exactly set any speed records getting up on plane. '

me,” Billy Joe said as he tried to calm down. As I picked up one of the rods that he’d stepped on, I couldn’t help but notice that it, along with the other three that were laying side by side on the deck, were now broken into two or three pieces. “Looks like our day is about over fellas,” I said as I held up one of the broken rods. “No sweat captain, we were gettin’ hungry anyway,” the giants responded in unison. Cranking up the outboard, I headed for home as I watched the water slowly rise in the bottom of the boat, questioning if we’d make it, as I watched pieces of tobacco floating in the swirling water. We made it back in safely and I was able to get the boat loaded up on the trailer, when Bobby

Joe walked over and handed me a check and announced that they were giving me a $100.00 bonus for the trip. “We didn’t get much fishin’ in, but it was fun anyway,” Bobby Joe said as he extended his catchers mitt. We shook hands and wished each other well as they climbed into their Ford pick-up and drove away. I could only think back on the last few hours and laugh. What a trip it had been. A week later, I got a notice from the back. The check bounced.

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october 2021

OKEECHOBEE 13

Capt. Angie Douthit ’s

Lake Okeechobee Report & Forecast Capt. Angie Douthit 863-228-7263 www.southfloridabassfishing.com

Capt. Angie's SPONSORS

Mercury Marine • Bullet Weights • Gill • Maui Jim • Gene Larew • Mid-South Tackle BnM Poles and Big Bite baits • Mega Strike • Navionics • Real Magic • G-Loomis • Lews • Pradco

ake Okeechobee’s water level has pretty much remained around 14.50 ft and some areas of the lake water are absolutely clear and beautiful with various green vegetation like eel grass and pepper grass which are coming back and thriving. I’m seeing schools of bass chasing pods of minnows/shad in the early morning hours when it’s cooler and also towards the early evening hours as well as after some cooling rain showers. I am anticipating another great bass and crappie upcoming season which typically kicks off and gets into full swing the end of October, beginning of November. The Farmer’s Almanac is predicting that the 2021-2022 upcoming winter will be one of the longest and coldest we’ve seen in years, so now is the time to book your warm weather winter escape to Lake Okeechobee for

some exciting bass and crappie fishing ! The bite right now has been spotty to say the least with bites coming in short burst then the bite dies down as the hot afternoon heat slows everything down especially if little or no wind is present. Lures that have been producing are: texas-rigged worms/senkos with a light or little slip weight added in colors x-mas, junebug;,redbug and black/blue/blue; some hard top water lures like a devils horse, bang a lure, spook and a pop-r in colors white, bream and shad. Other lures are: swim jigs/baits, frogs and flipping/pitching creature-style lures just covering water and focusing on heavier, clumps of vegetation where shade and cover reside. The bream bite is still active both in deeper water areas like the river and canals and certain areas of the lake. Typically

lures to catch bream are: live crickets/small red worms rigged on ultra-light spinning rods/reels tipped with a small bobber, hook and split shot weight if you’re fishing a little deeper or if water current is present. Areas for bass and bream have been between 2nd-4th pole on Observation Shoal, a few parts within the Monkey box area, some areas around Dyess ditch like Worm cove and around the point of Horse Island. A few small areas within Indian Prairie and Tin house. West-side of the pass and a few spots along Kings bar and on around to Hendry creek area. Please use caution while boating/fishing, be kind and courteous to your fellow boaters, we all want to enjoy our time on the water by making it a pleasurable experience.

Time On The Lake Is Never Wasted! VISIT OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA

WWW.VISITOKEECHOBEECOUNTY.COM (863) 763-3959 14 OKEECHOBEE

october 2021

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Captain Dave Stephens

Boca Granda Pass, Charlotte Harbor, and the Flats Report & Forecast Capt. Dave Stephens www.backbayxtremes.com 941-916-5769

all red s/reels it shot water bream vation x area, m cove A few house. Kings Please d and want ng it a

s we move further into storm season things begin to change in our fishery. Lets start off with storm season first. The area that makes me the most nervous about our local weather, is what happens in the Caribbean. Over the years we have been fortunate to dodge a few major storms. We have also caught a few majors that have changed our fishery. This is the time of year when we start to see fish migrating to our area due to weather. Our pelagic fishery can be a very strong fishery. This is often due to changes in current flows. However the greatest change in our fish migrations is water temps. As we move closer into fall, leaving summer behind. Well I guess if you call having air temps of the upper 80's instead of the 90's, I guess we can call that fall. Our fishery has actually been great. I have received numerous phone calls about the red tide. I'm here to tell you that the north end of the harbor has no red tide. Our fishery is very strong,

and has been all summer long. So we’re going to give you some of what we have been doing over the past few weeks. A couple weeks ago me and my buddy from SouthWest Florida Fishing Charters fished a double charter. We had 3 anglers on each of our boats for two days, for six hours. Between the two boats we managed to hook an amazing 20 juvenile tarpon. When I say juvenile, I'm talking about fish that ranged 15-25pounds. We also caught these guys there limit of mangrove snapper. To top it off between the two boats we had no problem putting over 200 hundred snook to the boat. My clients had multiple triple hook

ups on snook. It got to the point we just laughed, and said we’ll take pics on the next triple hook up. The lady fish schools are beginning to get bigger in the harbor. These schools of feeding fish bring in one fish, that everyone is looking for. Yep, it’s the king. When these lady fish go into a feeding frenzy feeding on glass minnows or small bait fish. The king shows up, looking for his share! Well folks when he shows up, I highly recommend having a big rod. Trust me, you are going to need one. On the average these fish are pushing 80-150 pound. I guess it takes a lot to migrate down south. Well folks please keep an eye on the sky, were still not out of the summer storm pattern. If you would like to experience some of South West Florida's finest fishing? Give us a call or send an email. All of our charters are private and customized to fit you and your party's needs.

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october 2021

OKEECHOBEE 15

Looking for a Career in the Marine Industry? By Chris Norton

Welcome to the Chapman School of Seamanship online. Whether you are looking for a new career in the marine industry, expanding your power boating skills or learning to sail for the first time, Chapman School of Seamanship can provide you with world class training.

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Recreation Whether you are a power boater or a sailor, the Chapman School provides recreation training to promote safety and pleasure for you and your guests. You can also qualify for certifications that will assist you with chartering vessels for your own use.

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We are here for you! Please feel free to contact us.

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Crowded boat ramps

The Fine Art of

Fishing on Weekends By Don “Red” Norton

like to think we live in the Bass Fishing Capital of the World, although I’m sure there are other states that might dispute that claim. But one of the biggest reasons I wanted to move to Florida 30 years ago was for fishing. Not just bass fishing, but fishing for bluegills, crappies and even salt-water fishing for snook, reds and sea trout, all year long. After working from the age of 14 to 69, over 55 years, I finally retired a few years ago and for the first time in my life, I can go fishing anytime I want. But, for those 50+ working years, like most everyone else, most of my opportunities to go fishing were limited to weekends. And of course, that was also the same time everyone else was able to go fishing. In an article written many years ago by Wade Bourne, he cited “In the pursuit of bass, there are two types of fishing lines. The first goes on reels and connects lures and, hopefully, fish to the angler. Sometimes, however, this line breaks or frizzes on the reel spool, resulting in disgruntlement for the user. The second type of line produces a different, frequently more severe form of angling frustration. This line usually occurs on Saturday morning at the public boat ramp. It’s daybreak, and you’re one vertebrae in a slow-moving vehicular snake. You try your best to be patient as neophyte boaters’ experiment at backing their rigs into the water.” We’ve all been there! Many of you can probably remember the Saturdays or Sundays you got up before the crack of dawn, grabbed your gear and couldn’t wait to get on the water only to find 25 other fishermen with the same idea ahead of you. Years ago, one of the hottest bass-fishing lakes in Florida was Lake Walkin-Water. This 7500+ acre lake usually had a tournament every Saturday and Sunday throughout the entire year. I fished many of those tournaments, but there were also times when I had a guide trip and like everyone else, not only did we wait in line for what seemed like forever, but after finally getting my boat in the water, parking my truck a half-mile away and having to walk all the way back to the water’s edge, and remembering I left something in the truck. Yep, I’ve been there. I think we can all remember the relief and feeling of satisfaction when we finally got into our boat and headed out to our favorite place to fish, only to find three boats already in our spot! Yep, been there and done that too! Fishing is supposed to be a relaxing sport. A time to relax and become one with nature. Unfortunately, that wasn’t always the case fishing weekends, at least for me. And on many lakes, it’s not just the competition from other bass fishermen, but the yahoo’s that have the whole lake to water-ski and jet ski, but they prefer to come into the calm, shallow, perfect fishing spot you’ve been dreaming about all week. So, what’s the answer? For me and hundreds of other retirees the answer is simple. Fish during the week. Most of our boat ramps are pretty much empty during the week, and at some of the larger ramps, two or even four ramps are available and there’s no line to wait in. There’re also no jet skis!

But for all you youngsters out there, and those of you still working that 9-5 job during the week, here’s a few tips. If you want to beat the crowds, and even the tournament anglers, just get up a little earlier. Most fishermen want to get on the water by first-light. And most bass tournaments use “first-light” as their start time. That means if first light is 7am, you can expect boats to be there as early as 5:30. So, get up earlier and be there at 5am. You’ll be surprised. It will be dark as midnight, but if you show up that early, you’ll probably only run into someone else who figured this out or read this column. Just make sure you’ve got your boat lights, ‘cause you’ll be heading out in complete darkness. The flip side to this strategy is to go late. Sleep in, eat a hearty breakfast! That first bite isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be. I’m sure you can all relate to the many times you got on the water early, only to spend a couple hours without even a strike, and then around lunch-time, you started catching fish. Happens all the time. So, you start late, and fish late. You may lose your best spots on the lake, but if you stay out past two or three o’clock, you’ll probably have the lake all to yourself. Many bass fishermen hate following another boat fishing the same area. While it’s true, they probably got that “reaction” bite, but here’s something many anglers don’t know. Bass rely more than you might think on their hearing. Their eyesight is important, and depending on the water clarity, it makes a difference in their ability to hone in and see the bait, but hearing can pull bass in from 25-50 feet away. Over the years I’ve proved this to myself. Following other bass fishermen as they flipped a long row of reeds or pads, I’ve caught bass that they’ve seemingly “missed.” But in truth, the bass heard their baits in the water and came in search of them, only to find that the baits were gone and the fishermen had moved on. I’ve also seen this happen on guide trips. I’m a fast flipper, meaning that I see a spot, I flip my jig or worm into the spot, pop it a few times, and I’m back out looking for the next spot. Many times, on a guide trip, I’ll have a client stand right behind me and flip into the same areas, and they end up catching the bass. Maybe that’s because they didn’t like my jig or the color of my worm (just being sarcastic), but most likely because the bass heard my bait some distance away, came searching for it, and found my clients bait instead. Didn’t make any difference to the bass, but it made a very happy client. And lastly, one more suggestion. If the lakes crowded and it seems everyone and their brother is fishing in your spots, find some new spots. We’re all creatures of habit. We catch a bass somewhere and you can bet we’re going back to that spot week after week, month after month and year after year. We’ve most likely forgotten that before we caught our first bass in that spot, it was a new spot! Think about that. Public lakes are for everyone, even jet skis and water skiers. But think about a few of these suggestions. Life is stressful and challenging enough. It might make a difference the next time you go fishing on the weekend.

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october 2021

OKEECHOBEE 17

THE FALL TRANSITION,

THINGS STARTING TO

Capt. Norman Lee

k folks, let's talk some fishing. It has been fairly consistent this summer on Lake Chickamauga. For the most part, we’ve been catching typically around 15 Bass each trip but just like fishing in Florida, you’ll run into that one day that the fish go into their summer time lock down. From late June all the way to mid-September, it's all about your electronics, your Rod, Reel and Rig selection and finally your perseverance. Fishing shell beds was one of the keys on catching some of the bigger fish along with a few flats and some brush piles as well with some ledges also playing a key role. The Carolina Rig was the Goto setup using anywhere between ¾ -1.75 oz Flat-out Tungsten Weight depending on the wind and current speed with the Bruiser Bait 10” Curley Tail Worm in either Wat. Red or Green Pumpkin. That rig and bait combo is deadly when fishing it over deep water structure. When I had to resort to the Drop shot, the Bruiser

Bait Drop Shot Worm in Hot Monkey seemed to be the Ticket throwing it on 12lb Floro. The last Rig that seen some action was the Neko using the Bruiser 6” Big Stick. Here’s a tip of the day if you fishing deep and struggling to get bit. You’ll be surprised, it’ll work when nothing else will. What makes a good shell bed? First off, always make sure that your marking bait. Without food you're not going to find bass but there's a few more things to consider. You always want to look for things that are a little different in the structure such as high spots or depressions and steep edges. This will make what's called eddies or under water current breaks which the bass will use as ambush points with the current flow. Now the fish are starting to get in that Fall transition where they start moving in off the ledges. By the first of October the Hydrilla growth is at its peak and then things will really start heating up. Normally around July, you

will start seeing signs of the Hy d r i l l a growth coming back in about 8’. The first of Oct. also will see the first of two Shad spawns. Then boys and girls, break out the Zara Spook and get ready to have some fun. Needless to say, I’m starting to get amped up. Fall time can be some of the best bass fishing that you’ll ever experience.

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1/20/20 11:54 AM

of the back will see ys and ady to to get st bass

4 AM

Fishing Guides Capt. Mark King Reel Dreams Guide Service Lake Okeechobee Fishing: Bass - Live bait and Artificial Lures Airboat Tours 863-677-0983 www.markkingfishing.com Capt. Debbie Hanson Shefishes2 Southwest Florida Fishing: Bass, Peacock Bass - Artificial and Fly Ph: (239) 233-4930 www.Shefishes2.com

10 10

Capt. Dave Stephens Back Bay Extreme Fishing Charlotte Harbor – Punta Gorda Fishing: Snook, Tarpon, Redfish Ph: 941-916-5769 www.backbayextremes.com

Capt. Steve Daniel The Voice of Lake Okeechobee Fishing Okeechobee, FL Fishing: Bass Ph: 239-560-2704 Ph: 863-885-2230 www.OkeechobeeProSteveDaniel.com

Capt. Brian Nelli TC Kayak Fishing Peace River – Port Charlotte Fishing: Snook, Tarpon, Redfish Ph: 772-201-5899 www.TCKayakFishing.com

Capt. Joe Gruny Bass On-Line Headwaters, South and Central Florida Fishing: Bass, Peacock Bass Ph: 561-827-5668 www.bassonline.com/fl/fishing-guides/capt-joe-gruny.com Capt. Corky Neff Corky and Tangies Bass Fishing Tours Fishing: Lake Istokpoga, Lake June, Lake Placid Ph: 606-584-0144 www.corkyandtangiebassfishingtours.com Capt. Don Hatcher Don Hatcher Fishing Fishing: Lake Istokpoga, Lake June, Lake Placid Ph: 863-655-0265 www.donhatcherfishing.com Capt. Remo Beaver & Capt. Mark Beaver Remo and Mark Beaver Fishing Lake June, Lake Placid, Headwaters Lake, Lake Istokpoga Ph: 863-655-0820 www.visitsebring.com/partners/remo-and-markbeaver-fishing Capt. Angie Douthit South Florida Bass Fishing Fishing: Bass, Crappie, Bream, Fingerling Catfish Live-bait and Artificial Lures Ph: 863-228-7263 www.southfloridabassfishing.com CAPT. NORMAN LEE Norman Lee Fishing Guide Service Fishing: Lake Chickamauga,TN / Lake Placid - Lake Istokpoga, FL Cleveland,TN Ph: 863-260-3474(FISH) normanlpm@yahoo.com

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OKEECHOBEE 19

T he T e a m Scott Martin Co-founder

AFLO, Anglers for Lake Okeechobee, is a community fishing group dedicated to protecting Lake Okeechobee, the liquid heart of Florida. Our mission is to slow the flow coming into Lake O so harmful discharges can stop. We also want to look for alternatives to spraying, such as mechanical harvesting.

Professional Angler Scott Martin, son to legendary Roland and Mary Ann Martin, grew up on the waters of Lake Okeechobee where he first learned how to fish. He saw that a voice for Lake O's health and restoration was desperately needed, knowing that it was not only the lifeblood of his family's roots here in Florida, but for many other anglers, business owners and residents in South Florida who depend on it for water supply along with the Florida Everglades.

Protect Lake O

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Ramon Iglesias Co-founder

Suzanne Martin Executive Director

Ramon is a lifelong resident of Clewiston, FL and has been the General Manager at Roland & Mary Ann Martin Marina & Resort since 2007. Growing up in the area, he understands the importance of her health and has become a passionate advocate for Lake O. His dedication to restoring the health of America's second largest freshwater lake is the reason he co-founded Anglers for Lake Okeechobee.

Suzanne was born and raised in Clewiston on the shoreline of Lake Okeechobee. At the age of 13, Suzanne moved to Tallahassee and later graduated from Florida State University with a marketing degree. Suzanne's knowledge and skillset have made her an asset to AFLO's mission to fight for healthy Florida waterways. Suzanne is passionate about protecting and preserving the lake that is as important to South Florida as any other water resource.

" We depend on Lake Okeechobee and want to see the lake cared for, spraying reduced, damaging coastal discharges stopped, and ultimately find a way to all work towards a solution together. " Steve Martin

Learn more about AFLO's mission COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

october 2021

OKEECHOBEE 21

Did you know? On average, 95% of the water flowing into Lake O comes from the North. Submerged vegetation filters Lake O's water and boosts her entire ecology. Lake O prevents discharges from impacting coastal communities like Ft. Myers and Stuart.

It's going to take science and a long-term effort in the halls of Tallahassee and Washington to ensure Lake O becomes a priority! To get involved with AFLO in the #SlowTheFlow efforts, visit www.AnglersForLakeO.org or email us at info@anglersforlakeO.org

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Tournament

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Darrell Jedi Cranor

Austin Springer - Lake Josephine 1st Place - 8.14, 8.12 lbs

24 OKEECHOBEE

october 2021

Rob Hubinek - 2nd Place - 17.9 lbs

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

Ly & Tyler Nguyen - 1st Place

Kevin Klock - Angel Ojeda - 3rd Place

Jack Marshall, Mike Surman - 1st Place

Aaron Congleton & Jared McMillan

Refuse to Sink, Inc. Refuse to Sink, Inc. 1504 Marianela Manor, Lake Placid, FL 33852

Inaugural Memorial Tournament 1504 Marianela Manor,Fishing Lake Placid, FL 33852

efuse to Sink’s Dear inaugural Friend: memorial fishing tournament was held on awareness as viewers learned more about Refuse to Sink’s mission of raising Saturday, September 11th, 2021, and hosted at Roland and MaryAnn awareness for mental health and suicide prevention. Messaging included Martin’s Marina in Clewiston, Florida. Registration was led by the founder’s purpose and shared personal experiences of loss that led to We would likePatti to thank you at for5am taking moment of your to consider this Mrs. Moya-Garcia’s experience of the valuable nonprofit’stime mission which included tournament Director Carmen and began withamany anglers theeffort loss oftoher son awareness JD Moss in 2018 Mrs. Vandhuynslager’s loss of her arriving in advance of the registration window. By theas7am registration communication. This letter comes a part of a greater raise of a and critical husband Highland’s Sheriff ’s Office to Sgt. Max Vandhuynslager in closure 67 boatsand withunderrepresented 2 person teams were issue on Lake Okeechobee’s facing not onlyrim ourcanal local community but alsoCounty one that continues for clear viewing of a presentation of colors presented by the Clewiston 2019 to suicide. The ceremonial 1st fish weighed was caught by 10-year-old plague our nation at large. We are a newly formed nonprofit born from circumstances of our High School Public Service Academy’s Color Guard. The Color Guard’s flag Maci VanDHuynslager surviving daughter of Max Vandhuynslager. mutual of suicide losses of and our included beloved family members. reaching out to family ties and small-town The event wasWe richare with long standing presentation paid tributesurvivorship to the American’s lost on 9/11/2001 community engagement Clewiston is so often known for. Post weigh in prayer and blessings oversupport the day’sofevents by Pastor Jeff Smith of the First health you for our work on behalf of this public crisis in an effortthat to destigmatize raffle, silent auction, and 50/50 winnersand were announced and the inaugural United Methodist Church of Clewiston followed and by the singingincreased of the access mental health illness, educate, provide to services in underserved memorial fishing tournament with the “family reunion feel” came to National Anthem by Shannon Reed of Highland’s County, Florida. rural areas like our Glades and Hendry communities. As angler’s fished Lake O’s beautiful waters, Refuse to Sink’s many successful close. Refuse to Sink shared that the event was a great success for volunteers lead by tournament team coordinator and social media the newly formed nonprofit and its board and members are grateful for the community, volunteers, donors,loss and angler’s that supported the promotor Breezy McMillan worked events throughout theofday Refuse to Sink, Inc. on began as held a healing journey a mother wading through sponsors, unimaginable Refuse to Sink pledges including a catfish fry on dinner served 23, from2018, 11amher to 2pm prepared by event when February son and JD Moss, a young man and withitsamission. bright and infectious smile to return in kind the support the Clewiston Elk’s Lodge, where dinner purchasers could drive through shown by providing advocacy, education, and crisis services to residents lost his long waged, silent battle with mental health conditions. JD left testimony for his loved to collect meals. Other events included an onsite silent auction of items in need in Hendry, Glades, Western Palm Beach County, Okeechobee and theongoing world.T-shirt Among these a message found in JD’s bible, his handwritten prayer Refuse to Sink would like County and Highlands County communities. donated by localones businesses, sales, andwas 50/50 ticket sales. offer battles special thanks to mental Raymondhealth Iglesias General Manager of Roland Prior to the tournament an him additional 9/11 tributeWhile was hosted that God weigh mightinuse to help others. JD facedtoinner with his that MaryAnn Marina, and the McMillan family, the Refuse to Sink with prayer by Pastor Smithabout, and a he beautifully rendition of heand he wasJeff silent was notperformed shy about his faith; made public Martin’s his profession was God Bless America by Shannon Reed. Tournament Master of Ceremony tournament team, the Martin family, all the generous corporate sponsors, baptized Christ.tournament weigh in events and the donors, the many volunteers, friends, family, and the countless others Chris Brill AKA ‘Peanut’ in directed introduction of Refuse to Sink founder and President Abby Moya Garcia who offered prayer and encouragement through the development of this mission. can’t thank you enough. and Vice president Marci Vandhuynslager. engaged the weigh a in17-year On January 26, 2019, Sgt.Peanut Max VanD’Huynslager, lawWe enforcement officer with the crowd with humor, warmth,County and reverence forOffice, the cause of mental Highlands Sheriff’s arrived for ahealth scheduled shift, drove to a remote location in his

Dear Friend:

We would like to thank you for taking a moment of your valuable time to consider this communication. This letter comes as a part of a greater effort to raise awareness of a critical and underrepresented issue facing not only our local community but also one that continues to plague our nation at large. We are a newly formed nonprofit born from circumstances of our mutual survivorship of suicide losses of our beloved family members. We are reaching out to you for support of our work on behalf of this public health crisis in an effort to destigmatize mental health illness, educate, and provide increased access to services in underserved and rural areas like our Glades and Hendry communities. district and ended his life. Max had no prior mental health diagnosis and showed no outward COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM october 2021 OKEECHOBEE 25 signs of crisis in the days leading up to his death. He left behind a spouse of 13 years, an eightRefuse to Sink, Inc. began as amany healing journey of a mother wading through year-old daughter, family members, an extended church family, and many friends and unimaginable loss colleagues. Max’s death sent waves of grief throughout an entire community where he served when on February 23, 2018, her son JD Moss, a young man with a bright and infectious smile faithfully for more than a decade and exemplified the growing crisis of police suicide, which outpaces all line of duty deaths nationwide crisis of stress, lost his long waged, silent battle with annually, mentalhighlighting healthaconditions. JDuntreated left testimony for his loved

riend:

Refuseto to Sink, Refuse Sink,Inc. Inc. 1504 Marianela Manor, Lake Placid, FL 33852

1504 Marianela Manor, Lake Placid, FL 33852

Dear Friend:

Max and JD did not know each e would like to thank you other in life. There is no question that for taking a moment of your the intersection of their lives and stories valuable time to consider this Dear Friend: are tied inextricably to their personal communication. This letter comes as a testimonies of faith, the tragedies of their part of a greater effort to raise awareness deaths and the unique experiences of loss of a critical and underrepresented issue We wouldfacing likenot toonly thank youcommunity for taking thisby their surviving family experienced our local buta moment of your valuable time to consider 1504 Marianela Manor, Lake Placid, FL members, ones and friends. also one that continues to plague our communication. This letter comes as a part of a greater effort to raise awareness of loved a critical Statistics on mental health and nation at large. We are a newly formed and underrepresented issue facing not thatleave continues suicide no room to for doubt of the nonprofit born from circumstances of only our local community but also one critical nature of ournation mutual survivorship suicide plague our at large. of We arelosses a newly formed nonprofit born from circumstances ofthese ourissues nationwide, that leave no community or demographic of our beloved family members. We are mutual survivorship suicide losses of our beloved family members. We areuntouched. reachingSuicide out to is the 10th leading reaching out toof you for support of our cause of death in the United States, work on behalf of this public health crisis you for support of our work on behalf of this public health crisis in an effort to destigmatize claiming more than 48,000 lives in 2018 in an effort to destigmatize mental health Dearaccess Friend:to services in underserved mental health educate, provide increased alone, accordingand to the National Alliance illness, illness, educate, and provide and increased is the for Mental Illness. It is estimated that access to services in underserved and rural areas like our Glades and Hendry communities. 10th leading cause significantlyofimpacted rural areas like our Glades and Hendry We would like to thank you 135 for people takingarea moment your valuable time to co by one suicide death. And an estimated communities. ofcommunication. death in the This letter comes a part of a greater effort to raise aware 285,000 aspeople become suicide Refuse to Sink, Inc. began a healing journey of a mother wading through unimaginable Refuse tojourney Sink, Inc. began as a ashealing loss United States, survivors annually (CDC). of a mother wading through and underrepresented issue facing not only our local community but also on when on February son JD Moss, claiming a young man withthan a bright and infectious smileon suicide are While statistics unimaginable23, loss2018, when her on February plague more our nation at large. We are a atnewly formed nonprofit born from circu startling, Refuse to Sink, we 23, 2018, her son JD Moss, a young man lost his long waged, silent battle with mental health conditions. JD left testimony for his loved understand these impacts in a different with a bright and infectious smile lost mutual survivorship of suicide losses of our beloved family members. We are ones and his thelong world. these was a message found in JD’s bible, his handwritten prayer and highly personal way. We are called to waged, Among silent battle with mental you for support of our workaon behalf of this public health crisis in an effort mission to create change by providing health conditions. JD left testimony for that God his might use him to help others. While JD in faced inner battles with hisresources mental health that 2018 alone education and by reducing loved ones and the world. Among mental health illness, educate, andand provide increased access to services in un the stigma of sufferers so that more might these about, was a message foundnot in JD’s he was silent he was shybible, about his faith; he made public his profession and was rural areas like our Glades and seek Hendry help beforecommunities. reaching the crisis point his handwritten prayer that God might baptized in of no return. We base this understanding useChrist. him to help others. While JD faced inner battles with his mental health that he was silent about, he on a founding principal, that purpose for every life is revealed Sink, Inc. began healing journey to God’s planas anda that purpose for every of lifeaismother revealed wading through u was not shy about his faith; he made public his professionRefuse and was toaccording On January 26, 2019, Sgt. Max VanD’Huynslager, a 17-year law enforcement officer with the to God’s plan and all things work together for good,man for with a bright and baptized in Christ. when on according February 23, 2018, her son JD Moss, a young those who are called according tolocation his purpose.in(Romans 8:28) On January 26, 2019, Sgt. Max VanD’Huynslager, a 17-year shift, Highlands County Sheriff’s Office, arrived for a scheduled drove to a remote his lost his longYour waged, silent battle with mental health conditions. JD left testim donation to Refuse to Sink is tax deductible and law enforcement officer with the Highlands County Sheriff ’s district and ended hisforlife. Max had prior health diagnosis and showed outward anddesignated the world. Among was a message found in JD’s bible, his han exclusively for these otherno nonprofit service providers who Office, arrived a scheduled shift,no drove to a mental remote ones location support mental health access in rural areas like the ones JD and in his in district ended his life. up Maxto hadhis no death. prior mental health signs of crisis theand days leading He left behind a spouse of 13 years, an eightthat God Max might use him to help others. While JD faced inner battles with his lived in, loved and served in. To date, Refuse to Sink has diagnosis and showed no outward year-old daughter, many family members, an extended church family, and many friends and about, he was not shy about his faith; hecrisis made public his profe provided over 70 individualized services which included signs of crisis in the days leading up to his death.he Hewas left silent support and counseling to individuals in our local communities. behind a spouse of 13 years, an eightyearold daughter, many colleagues. Max’s death sent waves of grief throughout an in entire community where he served baptized Christ. family members, an extended church family, and many friends and We believe we are limited only by the generosity of our supporters faithfully colleagues. for moreMax’s thandeath a decade and exemplified the growing of police suicide, which and wecrisis are humbly asking you to stand with us and other survivors sent waves of grief throughout an entire to be the catalyst of change in this mission. community where he served faithfully for more than a decade and On January 26, 2019, Sgt.of Max VanD’Huynslager, outpaces all line of duty deaths annually, highlighting a nationwide crisis untreated stress, a 17-year law enforcement exemplified the growing crisis of police suicide, which outpaces Highlands County Sheriff’s Office, arrived for a scheduled shift, drove to a re injury, and lack of mental health support in public safety professions. all line of duty deaths annually, highlighting a nationwide crisis of untreated stress, injury, and lack of mental health support district in public and ended his life. Max had no prior mental health diagnosis and sho safety professions.

Refuse to Sink, I

uld like to thank you for taking a moment of your valuable time to consider this unication. This letter comes as a part of a greater effort to raise awareness of a critical derrepresented issue facing not only our local community but also one that continues to Suicide our nation at large. We are a newly formed nonprofit born from circumstances of our l survivorship of suicide losses of our beloved family members. We are reaching out to r support of our work on behalf of this public health crisis in an effort to destigmatize l health illness, educate, and provide increased access to services in underserved and reas like our Glades and Hendry communities. 48,000 lives

to Sink, Inc. began as a healing journey of a mother wading through unimaginable loss on February 23, 2018, her son JD Moss, a young man with a bright and infectious smile long waged, silent battle with mental health conditions. JD left testimony for his loved nd the world. Among these was a message found in JD’s bible, his handwritten prayer od might use him to help others. While JD faced inner battles with his mental health that silent about, he was not shy about his faith; he made public his profession and was ed in Christ.

uary 26, 2019, Sgt. Max VanD’Huynslager, a 17-year law enforcement officer with the nds County Sheriff’s Office, arrived for a scheduled shift, drove to aregards remotefrom location his Warm allHeofin us, signs of question crisis in the days leading up to hisofdeath. left behind a spouse of Max and JD did not know each other in life. There is no that the intersection their and ended his life. Max had no prior mental health diagnosis and showed noanoutward year-old daughter,ofmany members, extended church family, and m lives and stories are tied inextricably to their personal testimonies faith,family the tragedies of their f crisis deaths in theand days up to hisofdeath. He colleagues. left by behind a death spouse 13 years, an eight-an entire communit Max’s sentof waves of griefloved throughout the leading unique experiences loss experienced their surviving family members, faithfully for more than a decade and exemplified the growing crisis of polic d daughter, many family members, an extended church family, and many friends and ones and friends. outpaces all line of duty deaths annually, highlighting a nationwide crisis of Moya-Garcia Marci Martinez VanD’Huynslager Traci Bailey Owens ues. Max’s deathAbby sent waves of grief throughout an entire community where he served injury, lack of mental health support in public safety professions. President Viceand President Secretary/Treasurer abbyalexgarcia@gmail.com traci@ahhflorida.com lly for more than a decade and exemplified themjmvan@gmail.com growing crisis of police suicide, which M: 863-233-9973 M: 863-885-4798 M: 863-677-1100 Maxaand JD did not know each in life. There is no question that the ces all line of duty deaths annually, highlighting nationwide crisis ofother untreated stress, lives and stories are tied inextricably to their personal testimonies of faith, th and lack of mental health support in public safety deathsprofessions. and the unique experiences of loss experienced by their surviving fam ones and friends.

nd JD did not know each other in life. There is no question that the intersection of their nd stories are tied inextricably to their personal testimonies of faith, the tragedies of their

We Would Like To Thank All Of Our Sponsors!

Scott and Suzanne Martin Doyle and Connie Turner

Donnie and Barbara Scruggs PARAMOUNT DRYWALL INC. MEMBER F.D.I.C.

Left to Right: - Marci Vandhuynslager - Vice President - Abby Garcia - President - Traci Owens - Secretary/Treasurer

In Remembrance of

The Brave 13

We support our veterans.

Who Lost Their Lives August 26th, 2021 Gone and never forgotten Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Darin T. Hoover 31, of Salt Lake City, Utah

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jared M. Schmitz 20, of St. Charles, Missouri

Marine Corps Sgt. Johanny Rosariopichardo 25, of Lawrence, Massachusetts

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Rylee J. McCollum 20, of Jackson, Wyoming

Marine Corps Sgt. Nicole L. Gee 23, of Sacramento, California

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola 20, of Rancho Cucamonga, California

Marine Corps Cpl. Hunter Lopez 22, of Indio, California

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Kareem M. Nikoui 20, of Norco, California

Marine Corps Cpl. Daegan W. Page 23, of Omaha, Nebraska

Navy Hospitalman Maxton W. Soviak 22, of Berlin Heights, Ohio

Marine Corps Cpl. Humberto A. Sanchez 22, of Logansport, Indiana

Army Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss 23, of Corryton, Tennessee

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. David L. Espinoza 20, of Rio Bravo, Texas

Since 1922

Highlands Bass Anglers

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Lake Josephine Tournament

Austin Springer Lake Josephine - 1st Place 8.14, 8.12 lbs.

Rob Hubinek - 2nd Place 17.9 lbs.

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ctober brings in the transition from summer to fall. We can all hope for cooler days for fishing. With a crammed schedule, my day on the lake was relegated to tournament day for the Highlands Bass Anglers tournament trail. Highlands Bass Anglers is a local fishing club that I have been director for several years now. We fish a trail of lakes from Kissimmee to Okeechobee and most bodies of water large enough in between. None the less, this last month’s tournament was held on Lake Josephine in Sebring. For those unaware of this mid-sized lake, I like to refer to it as a baby Istokpoga. They are similar in that they are shallow water lakes with lily pads as a predominate cover. Actually one feeds into the other following Florida’s watershed. Our club took off from the Oak beach ramp and my plan to start the tournament was to search for a topwater bite or two in search of a nice one. At takeoff I headed from the ramp to the western most area of the lake and began tossing a buzz bait around while my son (Tyler) worked a frog. We covered a heavily lily padded area, that I knew was a little deeper than the surrounding area, pretty thoroughly until the sun was fully risen. No bites. I wasn’t seeing any of the bait spawn action that I had seen the prior week in pre-fishing, so I decided to start running around looking for the fish. For the second stop, I idled up to the mouth of the Sentinel Point canal. Spent the next 30 minutes covering that area with a variety of baits. Still, no bites. As I slowly start to motor out of the area, a fellow competitor tells me that he is finding it tough as well. We jump on plane and head to the Josephine Creek canal. Tyler and I again attempt to find a bass using a wide variety of baits. At this point I’m beginning to think we are in trouble. This is now 3 spots and not even a nibble. My son and I discuss our options and decide it seems the lily pads are not where the fish are. As we looked around the lake, the only other options are the docks that are scattered around the lake. We head over to my favorite stretch of docks and I skip under the first one. Within seconds I feel the bite and set the hook. We land the fish and it measures 14 inches. We make a few more pitches to the dock and move onto the next one. As we work along the next one, I skip under the end of the dock and almost instantaneously a fish grabs my bait. I set the hook and feel the fish around one of the pilings. I keep steady pressure and the fish swims itself out of the issue. We land our second 14inch fish.

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We look at each other and I can tell we both are thinking it’s 9:30 and we have a pattern. We fish another 15 docks only to confirm that wasn’t the case. The rest of the tournament day we spent grinding in the sun looking for shade cover to fish. There was some nice duck weed mixed with pads to the west of the Buttonwood Bay canal that both Tyler and I each missed fish in. We finished the day with 3 fish in the live well from a whopping 6 bites. The third, I caught on a Senko along a grass edge. As 2:00 approached we headed back to the ramp to start getting ready for weigh-in. Both of us thinking that it was a grind and ten pounds could contend the podium. I set up and opened the scales. As teams brought fish to be weighed, the bags seemed steadily getting healthier and healthier. The third team to weigh had 2 fish over 4 pounds in their bag. Then I started to hear the buzz in the crowd of someone having some lake monsters. To my pleasant surprise three fish over 7 pounds are weighed in with two of those being trophy catches. Once again I was blown away with the talent our club has in finding the big bass within the lake. Once the dust settled, we had Kevin Klocko and Angel Ojeda taking third place with 17 pounds, 6 ounces. Rob Hubinek snatched second place with 17 pounds, 9 ounces. Taking the top step was the duo of Bill Springer and Austin Springer with an 18 pound, 10 ounce bag. Their bag was anchored with a pair of bass weighing 8 pounds, 14 ounces and 8 pounds, 12 ounces. Congratulations again to all our winners. Talking to those teams it seems they all were doing something differently. I saw one team fishing out in the middle, one team was catching them shallow on shaded wood. As for the big ones, those are not my tale to tell. You can ask Austin for yourself if you like as he has been working occasionally up at the Performance Marine Bait shop in Lake Placid. If I had to guess, I would say he caught them on one of his custom-made baits. Our club is wrapping up our 2021 season later this month with our 2 day classic in the beginning of November. Follow us on Facebook at HighlandsBassAnglers to see results and for further information on our upcoming season. Come be a part of one of the areas longest running fishing clubs. We don’t bite but all hope that the fish do!

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Paths to Become a Pro Angler

Path 1: Bassmaster

At some point, every youth, high school, and college angler dreams of becoming a professional angler. Anyone can decide to fish in high school and college if he or she is enrolled and has the minimum GPA requirement to be eligible. If you are a high school student and your school does not have a fishing team, read here for some suggestions on how to start one. Competing in high school tournaments will prepare you for college fishing, and it will also help build your resume if you aspire to obtain a fishing scholarship. Competing in college tournaments will help prepare you for competing at the semi-pro, and even the pro level if you choose to do that. There are 3 separate professional bass fishing organizations: Bassmaster, Major League Fishing, and the National Professional Fishing League. Bassmaster (B.A.S.S.) and Major League Fishing (MLF) have different levels of tournaments that offer paths to become a professional angler, The National Professional Fishing League (NPFL) is a new professional tournament trail that launched in March of 2021 that currently has no qualifying trails to compete on the trail. The inaugural season allowed anglers to submit resumes for consideration to compete, and if accepted competitors paid a $30,000 entry fee for six tournaments

The Bassmaster Elite Series has existed since 2006, and it has been the standard for professional fishing tournaments since then. Only 12 anglers from the Bassmaster Opens advance to the Elite Series each year depending on how they are placed in the division standings and overall points standings. The entry fees are $1800 per tournament for boaters, and $475 for co-anglers. While there is no professional level for co-anglers, fishing in the back of the boat can be a great learning experience for an angler who wants to fish professionally in the future but needs to know more about what it’s like. The competition is fierce in the Bassmaster Opens, and one bad day can ruin your chances of making it to the Elite Series for that year. The top boater in an Open event receives $35,000, and also, if he or she were to enter all tournaments in that division, a qualification in the prestigious Bassmaster Classic.

Stepping into Semi-Pro Obviously, semi-pro level events are not inexpensive to enter. Sponsors do play a huge role in paying the pro-level anglers’ expenses, but how do you get to that level? Tournament expenses can be a huge burden along with the tough competition, however high school and college fishing can be a stepping stone to get to the next level. There are two paths to making it to the next level through college fishing: Carhartt Bassmaster College Series and MLF Abu Garcia College Fishing. The Bassmaster College Series gives anglers a chance to compete for a spot in the legendary Bassmaster Classic. The top 3 anglers from the Bassmaster College Series National Championship along with the Team of the Year compete in a head-to-head bracket style competition. The winner advances to the Bassmaster Classic and has his or her entry fees are paid to compete in all of the Bassmaster Opens for the following year. As an alternate route, MLF Abu Garcia College Fishing gives college anglers a chance to qualify for the Toyota Series Championship, with the top boater prize being $235,000, including a Phoenix Boat valued at $35,000, and the top co-angler prize being a Phoenix Boat. Both anglers of the top two teams at the College Fishing National Championship receive qualifications for the Toyota Series Championship as boaters, and both anglers of the third-place team receive qualifications as co-anglers.

The Big Leap: Semi-Pro to Pro There are 3 paths to making it to the professional level as a bass fisherman. It’s not an easy route, but it’s possible. Check out the odds here.

Path 2: Major League Fishing A great way for an angler to work his or her way up the ladder is to start out competing in MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League tournaments. Through this route, an angler can enter a division as a boater or co-angler and fish lakes close to home, qualify for the Regional Championship, qualify for the BFL All-American, then qualify for the Toyota Series Championship. The top boater from the Regional Championship receives $10,000 plus a Phoenix 819 Pro valued at $50,000, and the top co-angler receives a Phoenix 819 Pro. The top six boaters and co-anglers from each Regional Championship advance to the BFL All-American for a chance to win $120,000 for a boater and a Phoenix 819 Pro valued at $50,000 for a co-angler. The top finishing boater and co-angler from each Regional Championship at the BFL AllAmerican qualifies for the Toyota Series Championship for a chance to win $235,000 for a boater and $35,000 for a co-angler. While the Bassmaster Elite Series and Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit (formerly known as FLW Tour) have existed for years, the Bass Pro Tour is finishing up its third season. To qualify for the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit, an angler must place in the top 5 in his or her division standings through the Toyota Series. If an angler is already qualified for the Pro Circuit, they will keep working down the list until the spots are filled. To qualify for the Bass Pro Tour, an angler must place top 10 in the Pro Circuit Angler of the Year standings.

Path 3: National Professional Fishing League (NPFL) As mentioned before, this is a new professional tournament trail that is just finishing up its inaugural season, and there are no qualifications that are needed to compete in this trail, nor are there any advancement opportunities for higher levels through this trail. So how do you enter? Well, it was a first-come first-serve basis when they started accepting applications for 2021 and it costs $30,000 to enter. The first-place prize money is $50,000 per tournament. Applications are closed for the 2022 season, but more information about applying to compete in the 2023 season is to be determined.

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october 2021

OKEECHOBEE 31

Bass Tournament Schedule Lake Istokpoga ■ Saturday, October 2, 2021 Windy Point Boat Ramp 1:00 PM South Florida Bass Club weigh-in, with 20 Anglers Windy Point Boat Ramp 3:00 PM Outcasts Bass Club weigh-in, with 40 Anglers ■ Saturday, October 16, 2021 Istokpoga Park 2:00 PM The Big Show Bass Tournaments weigh-in, with 160 Anglers Trails End Fish Camp 3:15 PM Zephyrhills Bass Club weigh-in, with 30 Anglers ■ Sunday, October 17, 2021 Windy Point Boat Ramp 2:30 PM LEE COUNTY BASS ANGLERS weigh-in, with 50 Anglers ■ Saturday, October 23, 2021 Istokpoga Park 3:00 PM AMERICAN BASS ANGLERS weigh-in, with 30 Anglers ■ Saturday, October 30, 2021 Istokpoga Park 3:00 PM Highlander Tournament Trail weigh-in, with 100 Anglers

32 OKEECHOBEE

october 2021

October 2021 Lake Okeechobee ■ Saturday, October 2, 2021 Roland & Mary Ann Martin's Marina 5:00 PM American Bass Anglers Bass Pro Shops Open Series weigh-in, with 400 Anglers ■ Sunday, October 3, 2021 Roland & Mary Ann Martin's Marina 5:00 PM American Bass Anglers Bass Pro Shops Open Series weigh-in, with 400 Anglers ■ Thursday, October 7, 2021 Clewiston City Park 3:15 PM West Hernando Bass Club weigh-in, with 18 Anglers ■ Friday, October 8, 2021 Clewiston City Park 3:15 PM West Hernando Bass Club weigh-in, with 18 Anglers ■ Saturday, October 9, 2021 Okee-Tantie Campground & Marina 3:00 PM Winter Haven Lunker Lovers weigh-in, with 48 Anglers Roland & Mary Ann Martin's Marina 3:00 PM Roland Martin Marine Center Series weigh-in, with 400 Anglers ■ Saturday, October 9, 2021 Slim's Marina 2:00 PM FLPD Team Bass weigh-in, with 20 Anglers

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Lake Okeechobee

■ Sunday, October 10, 2021 Okee-Tantie Campground & Marina 3:00 PM Winter Haven Lunker Lovers weigh-in, with 48 Anglers

■ Saturday, October 23, 2021 Okee-Tantie Campground & Marina 2:00 PM Cracker Boys Bass Club weigh-in, with 140 Anglers

■ Saturday, October 16, 2021 Harney Pond Canal Boat Ramp 3:00 PM Dixie Country Bass Club weigh-in, with 60 Anglers

Roland & Mary Ann Martin's Marina 3:00 PM Florida BASS Nation weigh-in, with 200 Anglers

Roland & Mary Ann Martin's Marina 3:00 PM BASS BUSTERS weigh-in, with 200 Anglers Roland & Mary Ann Martin's Marina 3:15 PM Old Glory Bass Anglers weigh-in, with 15 Anglers ■ Sunday, October 17, 2021 Roland & Mary Ann Martin's Marina 3:00 PM BASS BUSTERS weigh-in, with 150 Anglers

Roland & Mary Ann Martin's Marina 3:00 PM Hawg Tech weigh-in, with 100 Anglers Scott Driver Park 3:00 PM Toho Marine Fishing weigh-in, with 200 Anglers ■ Sunday, October 24, 2021 Okee-Tantie Campground & Marina 2:00 PM Cracker Boys Bass Club weigh-in, with 140 Anglers Roland & Mary Ann Martin's Marina 3:00 PM Florida BASS Nation weigh-in, with 200 Anglers Scott Driver Park 3:00 PM Toho Marine Fishing weigh-in, with 200 Anglers Tournament directors have until the day before their tournament to schedule or make changes to their tournament exemption. This exemption allows the tournament participants to have an exemption from fish length limits, but not bag limits, while participating in the tournament. All fish are required to be handled as stipulated in the permit, while doing everything possible to ensure a live release. Any dead fish are normally provided to a charity, such as a homeless shelter. More information about black (largemouth) bass fishing tournament exemptions can be found here: https://myfwc.com/license/freshwater/bass-tournament/ Many of the bass tournaments are coordinated through local fishing clubs. Reach out to the group specified for additional information. Weigh-ins are typically open to the public.

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october 2021

OKEECHOBEE 33

Pick Up a Copy of The Angler at 101 Local Supporting Companies Spring Lake

Highlands County Avon Park

America First ......................... 2153 SR 64W Big T Tires................................ 1109 W Main Auto Options.............................. 106 E Main Dutchers Diner........................ 1012 US 27S Huston Dodge Jeep Ram..... 1600 US 27S Turner Furniture...................... 2900 US 27S Wild Turkey Tavern................ 2751 US 27S Florida Tire Terminal............... 2400 US 27 Maryland Fried Chicken.........904 W Main Taylors Food Mart........................ 3 US 27N Hendricks Store.....................202 E Main St Market 27...............2951 US Highway 27N Pure Grit.................... 309 West Main Street Ace Hardware....................415 Main Street NAPA.......................... 126 West Main Street Walmart................................... 1041 US 27N Avon Park Pawn & Gun...........937 W Main Sebring Boom Booms.............................330 US 27N Adams Barber Shop.................... 2848 27S Golf Hammock Restaurant........ 2222 Golf Hammock Dr YMCA.................................. 100 YMCA Lane Caddy Shack Restaurant..3122 Golf View Alan Jay Ford................................ 3201 27S AG Center...................... 4509 George Blvd Watering Hole Restaurant.... 6813 US 27S Flippin Out Salon.. 3605 Sebring Parkway Food for Thought...........................315 27N Chamber of Commerce.............227 US 27 Flash - Games & Toys................311 US27N Glisson Feed Store................... 4525 US 27 Custom Prints................. 1085 Lakeview Dr Walmart................................... 3525 US 27N The Barber Shop...........................241 US27 The Print Shop............... 1086 Lakeview Dr Marty's Barber Shop............. 2340 US27N Captain Hawk Designs............ 6940 US27 Kubota - Ridge Equip............... 6820 US27 Mussellman's Appliances..... 4230 US27N Lake Placid Admirals Cove.............................. 1345 27S Boaters World...........................730 US 27N Henderson's Fish Camp.35 Henderson Rd Lake Placid Feed...................... 417 US 27S Lake Placid Marine......................310 US27 Performance Bait & Tackle.. 1130 US 27N Performance Marine............. 1130 US 27N Smoke Shack....................... 280 E Interlake Holiday Inn Express.....608 S Lakeview Rd Tractor Supply......................... 60 Plaza Ave Anytime Fitness............ 138 Lake Ridge Dr Do it Best Hardware...........190 Plaza Ave 34 OKEECHOBEE

october 2021

Sebring Airport............ 130 Authority Lane Seven Sebring Raceway Hotel...................150 Midway Dr Lorida Trails End........................... 4232 Trails End Freds Bar................................. 4971 US 98 Gator Shack............................ 4651 US 98

Okeechobee County Okeechobee

Chamber of Commerce...........55 S Parrott Lightseys Restaurant..........10435 SR 78W Garrards............................. 4259 S Hwy 441 Fast Break............................1505 Hwy 78W Okeechobee Fishing Headquarters................. 5286 SW16th Ave Center Mass The Gun Range................... 1934 Center St The Gun Shop....................... 2020 S Parrott Skull Hill Archery.................. 1505 S Parrott OK Corral Gun Club.............9449 NE 48 St Tire Kingdom..............................1595 SR70 Eli's Western Wear.................907 NW Park J&S Fish Camp...... 9500 SW Connors Hwy Lakeshore Marine..........2117 Hwy 441 SE Lunker Sports Bar & Grill.......................... 4825 Hwy 441 S Okeechobee Airport..2800 NW 20th Trail Pier II Motel......................2200 Hwy 441SE Quail Creek Plantation..................... 12399 NE 224th St Taylor Creek RV Resort....................2995 US Hwy 441 SE Days Inn..............................2200 US 441 SE

Glades County

Hendry County Clewiston

Jolly Rogers Marina................... 1095 E 27 Roland Martin Marina....................... 910 E Del Monte Ave Roland Martin Tackle Shop.............. 920 E Del Monte Ave Clewiston Lake O RV Park...... 194 CR 720 Clewiston Chamber of Commerce.....................109 Central Ave Clewiston Inn......................108 Royal Plam Kelly Tractor......................801 E Sugarland Sonny's BBQ......... 1030 W Sugarland Hwy Best Western............ 1020 West Sugarland

Lakeport

Labelle

Aruba RV Resort.....1073 Old Lakeport Rd Big Water Bait and Tackle.........................1027 Martin Blvd Lakeport Bait Shop.............. 14296 E SR78 Twin Palms RV Resort..... 15259 East SR78 Duck Pub..................... 1037 Lakeport Plaza Glades RV Resort........ 1682 Indian Hills Dr Joey's Pizza ...................................699 N 27 Mickeys Bait & Tackle................401 US 27

Labelle Ford Service Center....................850 S Bridge St Handy Neighborhood Store.........................................378 Bridge St LaMonarca Barber & Beauty Salon......................... 200 N Main Miller Bait & Tackle.................. 303 Old Country Rd 78 White's Furniture & Appliances....................... 1060 S Main St Labelle Ranch Supplies.....281 S Bridge St Kiwana's Thrift Store.........155 S Bridge St East Coast Marine.............721 N Bridge St

Palmdale Gatorama.............................. 10665 N US27 Fisheating Creek Outpost.......7555 US 27

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LAKE OKEECHOBEE

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Taylor

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Pahokee Marina/Campground - Boat ramp, boat rentals, marina, camping, bank & pier fishing, cabin rentals, water, restrooms, pool Paul Rardin Park Free - Boat ramp, bank fishing, picnic shelters with tables & grills, water, restrooms, scenic viewpoint Slim’s Fish Camp - Guide services, bait & tackle, RV & camping, marina John Stretch Park Free - Boat ramp, bank fishing, picnic shelters with tables & grills, water, restrooms, scenic viewpoint, play area, dump station Clewiston City Park Free - Boat ramps, bank fishing, picnic shelters with tables & grills, scenic viewpoint Alvin Ward Park Free - Boat ramp, bank & pier fishing, picnic shelters with tables & grills, water, restrooms, play area

27/80

The Water Tank West Wall

Industrial Canal

717

Pahokee

to LaBelle

ross Rocky Reef

The Vee Grass Island 720

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13 12

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720

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Old

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LAKE OKEECHOBEE

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to West Palm Beach

441

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atch

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710

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721

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Fisheating Creek

15B

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to Sebring

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441

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L A K E IS TO K P O G A 17

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FEBRUARY 2017

OKEECHOBEE 7

1/16/17 8:54 PM

amp

Highlander Tournament Trail Spooktacular Open Come out to support our local veterans Vietnam Veterans of America Post 1097 October 30, 2021 in Istokpoga Park (safe light to 3pm)

Other Names:

Crappie, papermouths, strawberry bass, speckled bass, speckled perch, white perch, crappie bass, calico bass

rappies are a tasty and fun to catch freshwater game fish who are a part of the sunfish family. Crappies have other names such as speckled bass, calico bass, papermouth, sauc-au-lait, and strawberry bass. They are native to the eastern United States and Canada but can be found almost anywhere in America today. Their range has significantly expanded through stocking. There are two primary types of crappie: white crappie and black crappie. Both species are very similar in habits, size, and shape, with a few minor differences.

Tournament fee $150 (per team) including Big Bass. Example payout based on 50 boats!

1st PlacE - $ 3,000 2nd Place - $ 1 , 500 3rd Place - $ 900 Big Bass - $ 600 For info call (863) 853-0069 Email: Highlandertrail@gmail.com

es COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

october 2021

OKEECHOBEE 37

The Braggin’ Board Submit your pictures to The Angler Magazine don@theanglermagazine.com

Hillary Mar tin

Michael Westcott Matt Thompson & Joe Longoria

Kaden Newberry

- Headwater Nate Kristi

Joryan Selph Matt and Grady Thompson

Send your pictures to us!

You could win $25!

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on an American express gift card We will be picking a photo winner every month. It could be you! Just email your photo along with your name and a little bit of info about the photo.

Email Don at don@theanglermagazine.com

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October 16

November 13

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February 19

December 18 March 19

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contact don

(863) 273-4998 don@theanglermagazine.com 40 OKEECHOBEE

october 2021

contact Joe Kozic, Tournament Director 863-381-5794 or joekozic@gmail.com Find us on FACEBOOK at bigshowbasstournaments

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OCTOBER 2021

HOT SURF FISHING

he weather is starting to cool, and days are shorter. Sunrise is a 7 a.m., and it’s getting dark around 7:15 p.m. At the end of October, daylight savings time will begin. Fishing on the beach has been improving, and October is an excellent beach-fishing month. Snook and tarpon have been cruising near the trough, and my friend Larry recently hooked a tarpon that was so big it straightened out the treble hooks on his Krocodile spoon. Snook are being caught on live bait (greenies or croakers) but are also hitting jigs and crankbaits. In October, you may harvest one snook between 28 and 32 inches, except in the catchand-release areas on Florida’s Gulf Coast. The weeds (sargassum) are much better, and the wind has not been that bad. In general, tides are higher and the trough is deep. Croakers and whiting are hitting small jigs tipped with shrimp, and they can also be caught on small jigs. Cast, let the jig hit bottom, and then jerk it near the top of the water and let it sit. The fish are trying to pick it off the sand. Numbers of small jacks have been reported, with an average size of 2 pounds. I usually use 3/8-ounce DOA chartreuse jig with a 4-inch pearl Shad Tail. I’ve had good luck for jacks, ladyfish and snook when there is bait present. Look for birds, and then walk the shoreline looking for bait. Most of the fishing action is in the trough during high incoming or outgoing tides. The best time to fish is morning and evening. I’ve had more luck this year fishing slower and keeping the lure down near the bottom. On low tide, the fish are not in the trough; look for deeper shorelines. I’ve been fishing the bridges in the Indian River Lagoon and St. Lucie around dusk and at night. There’s some hot night fishing on topwater for snook where overhead lights hit the water. I use Zara Spooks (gold) and Rapala Skitterwalks (trout) and have been getting some great action on preslot snook. If you fish from the bridge, you’ll need a long-handled net. Try fishing around the lights on Jensen Beach Causeway or the 10-cent bridge in Stuart. Crabs are swimming along with the current near the top of the water. Predator fish are looking to the top to grab them. Both bridges are excellent snook spots, and you might just catch a big trout. Richard Matteson is a longtime contributor to Coastal Angler Magazine who writes for Stuart Rod and Reel Club. Contact him at (336) 414-3440.

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OCTOBER 2021

FLORIDA 15

PRESSURE IER

By Ryan Izquierdo

hen I was 12 years old, I moved to Palm Beach County, and I didn’t know anyone. I found a great way to spend my time when I discovered the Juno Beach Pier. From the first moment I walked out on that beachfront pier, my addiction for pier fishing was born. I have become a better fisherman and a better person because of it. What I find most exciting about pier fishing is the diversity it offers. Seasonal changes bring different species to catch and a variety of techniques to catch them. Bait & Lures: Organization is key. There is usually a limit on how many rods you’re allowed to bring on the pier. I bring a light spinning rod to catch bait, a conventional rod for casting live baits on bottom and a long surf rod to cast lures and freeline live baits. I always have Sabiki rigs. Usually you can find pods of pilchards, sardines, cigar minnows or other baitfish at piers. I use a size 3 Sabiki and a 1-ounce weight. Cast into the school and jig slowly. You will have a bucket of live bait in no time. From tarpon and snapper to snook, pretty much every species will eat a live pilchard. I keep a little bit of everything in my tackle bag to match the conditions: leader from 20 to 80 pounds, pyramid and egg weights, swivels and 1/0 to 6/0 J and circle hooks. Mullet Run: The changing of seasons initiates the mullet run. Millions of baitfish push south along Florida’s east coast. It’s not hard to spot or hear. Mullet are being attacked from every direction by hungry tarpon, snook,

16 FLORIDA

OCTOBER 2021

jacks, Spanish and king mackerel, bluefish and sharks. I recommend buying or cast netting mullet on the beach or in the river. Make sure to have a livewell or bucket and bubbler to keep the bait alive. Hook mullet through the lips or under the dorsal fin. Live-line them around the outside edges of bait schools with 60- to 100-pound leader, a 6/0 to 8/0 circle hook, and nothing smaller than a 5000size reel loaded with 30- to 50-pound braid. I recommend a drop net to help land and release your catch safely. Artificial Lures: I love to throw artificial lures at piers. I find the most success when the wind is blowing and the conditions are rough with white wash in the surf. Large 2- to 4-ounce plugs, swimbaits, Flair Hawks, bucktails and topwater plugs are some of my favorites. If I’m throwing lures, I won’t use anything less than 60-pound leader. Throw lures at first light and sundown because it can be tough hooking up in the middle of the day. Try and match the hatch with whatever live bait is around. Throw lures similar in size and color to what’s actually in the water. For more pier fishing tips from Ryan Izquierdo, check out the videos posted on his YouTube channel: Ryan Iz Fishing.

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FLORIDA 17

From Yam just

STONE CRAB HARVEST OPENS OCTOBER 15TH

tone crab season opens Oct. 15 and runs through May 1. Remember that regulations changes were made last year that changed requirements for traps as well as the minimum length for legally harvestable claws. The minimum harvestable claw length is 2 7/8 inches. Trapping is the most efficient method of collecting the legal limit of 1-gallon of stone crab claws per-person, per-day. There is a 2-gallon possession limit per vessel, regardless of how many harvesters are on the boat. Requirements for stone crab traps are also very specific, so be sure to check the current regulations at myfwc.com before dropping them. Legal traps can be purchased at most bait and tackle stores. Recreational harvesters are allowed up to five traps. Although it’s not nearly as easy as pulling traps, diving and snorkeling for stone crabs is more adventurous and a lot of fun. In many areas, you can find spiny lobsters and stone crabs on the same reefs or rock piles. Whether diving or trapping, it is illegal to harvest claws from eggbearing females. Although it is permitted to take both claws if they are of legal length, most people choose to take just one. This leaves the crab with something to feed and defend itself with, which also allows it to re-grow its missing claw more quickly. For more information, go to myfwc.com.

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OCTOBER 2021

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ith students across the country returning to school, Mud Hole Custom Tackle stepped up in its efforts to bring custom fishing rod building and tackle crafting to the youth of America. As the industry’s number one supplier of tools, supplies, components and education content, Mud Hole is uniquely positioned to engage kids and create an educational experience through rod building. “We’ve been working closely with teachers and school organizations throughout the United States for over a decade, teaching students valuable life skills, and in many cases, providing an avenue to earn required academic credits in their science and agriculture programs,” said Brook Oliva, Vice President of Operations at Mud Hole. “Rod building is the core of our business, and we are always excited to bring this craft to kids. Whether they pursue rod building as a pathway to a career in the hunting and fishing industry, or if they simply gain a lifelong passion, Mud Hole is happy to play a small part in their development.” Mud Hole works very closely with educators as well as youth groups and clubs, including Boy Scouts of America and 4-H, to provide discounted pricing for all the equipment and supplies needed to bring rod building and tackle crafting to the classroom. Mud Hole also provides personal online instruction to the teachers, sharing the skills needed to transfer rod building 24 FLORIDA

OCTOBER 2021

expertise to their students. Since its inception over 13 years ago, the Mud Hole Education Program has reached more than 650 institutions and over 30,000 students across America and in Canada and Australia, with hands on activities that promote classroom engagement. “It’s an honor for me to work directly with the teachers who bring this important skill set to students across the country,” said Anthony Youmans, Mud Hole’s Education Program Director. “I lead online rod building workshops each month dedicated to teachers, and I attend state-level teacher conventions throughout the year. We have even set up a Mud Hole Education Program Facebook group as a platform for educators to share their experiences and techniques with each other. It’s an amazing community, and I am so proud to support it.” In 2021, Mud Hole has stepped up efforts to reach new students with new classroom-focused education kits and enhanced price discounts, and adding new online resources to assist teachers through their curriculum— by all with the goal of supporting education. For more information about Mud Hole’s Education Program, contact Anthony Youmans directly at 866-790-7637, ext. 135.

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DRAG: SET IT AND FORGET IT

By Will Schmidt

cringe every time I see it, whether it’s a seasoned pro or newbie. A fish makes a blistering run; the angler reaches down to tighten the drag only to part ways with the fish due to too much pressure. There are a variety of reasons why tightening the drag during a fight is a bad idea. First, as the diameter of the spool gets smaller with less line, the drag already actually increases. The spool is spinning at the same rate, but less line is coming off. Physics, who knew? Also, the drag of the line itself in the water adds more strain—the more line, the more pressure. Finally, even if the line doesn’t break, the chances of pulling or straightening the hook increases with the additional load. Worst of all, losing a fish due to applying too much pressure is one of the easiest things to avoid. Set your drag and forget it. Old-school tactics still hold true today when it comes to setting a drag. Set it to 20 to 30 percent of line test strength. For example, if you’re using 10-pound test, you want your drag to be set between 2 and 3 pounds, 4 to 6 pounds for 20-pound test. To do this, you need a scale and a friend to hold it. An inexpensive spring scale will do the trick. Attach the line to the scale and pull against it. When the drag starts slipping, read the scale and that’s your drag setting. There’s some debate as to whether you should pull straight or with a bend in the rod. I use a bend, and it has never failed me. I generally set my drags at 25 percent of the test strength of the line, but there are certain situations that call for going higher and lower. If you are grouper fishing or chasing big snook near structure, you need to be able to turn the fish by applying maximum pressure. In this case, setting your drag more toward 30 percent of the test strength would be advisable. Because this rule was devised before the advent of braid, the type of line should also be

considered. The stretch of mono gives you a bit of forgiveness at the strike and during jumps. When setting the drag for braid, lighter or closer to 20 or 25 percent would be sensible. Many seasoned anglers, myself included, will add extra pressure to turn a wayward fish by thumbing or palming the spool. This can be useful, but it takes practice to get that touch, and all who do it will at some point apply too much pressure. Sometimes it’s a case of turn the fish or lose it, so your only option is to apply more pressure. However, in general, your best bet is to set it and forget it. Will Schmidt is a seasoned tournament angler who has been writing about fishing for more than two decades.

Gulf Cobia Study Underway

exas researchers are conducting some pretty cool research with Gulf of Mexico cobia in order to better understand the migratory patterns of this highly mobile species. Each spring and fall, you’ll see tower-bearing cobia boats cruising Gulf Coast beaches sight fishing for cobia as they migrate along the coast from Texas to the west coast of Florida and back again. Research has shown that brownies over-winter off the coast of Mississippi and Alabama as well as off South Florida, where there is mixing of Gulf and Atlantic cobia stocks. Researchers with the Center for Sportfish Science and Conservation are tagging Texas cobia with pop-up satellite archival transmitting tags (PSATs) to better understand the species. Many Texas anglers have reported declining cobia landings in recent years. Texas Parks & Wildlife Department and federal agencies have funded additional assessments of Texas’ cobia populations. Areas of interest are post-release survival, habitat use patterns and seasonal movements. Evaluating whether or not cobia stocks mix between U.S. and Mexican waters is of particular interest. It could have Gulf-wide management implications if the stock overlap between the U.S. Gulf and Mexican waters is high. To learn more about the program, and how to claim your reward if you catch a tagged one, check out this video: https://bit.ly/LoneStarLing.

10 NATIONAL

OCTOBER 2021

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INSPECT AND MAINTAIN YOUR BOAT’S HYDRAULIC STEERING E

By the Experts at Dometic Marine

xperienced boaters know regular inspection, preventative maintenance and fixing small problems before they become large ones are keys to trouble-free time on the water. Many boaters, however, tend to overlook hydraulic steering systems. This isn’t surprising, given these systems’ reliability and durability. Owners of outboardpowered boats expect smooth, easy steering control and rarely think about steering-system components until they wear out or need repair. According to Brian Dudra, vice president/ general manager for Dometic Marine, boaters can ensure trouble-free steering and extend the life of components through simple inspections and maintenance. “While each of our hydraulic systems are designed for the harsh marine environment, like any critical control system, it requires periodic checks and maintenance,” Dudra explained. “As per your owner’s manual and product labels, hydraulic steering systems should be inspected prior to every use for fluid level, steering response, leaks or worn/ binding components.” In addition, most systems require a small amount of maintenance from a qualified dealer every six months. Here’s how to inspect and care for your hydraulic steering system. Check the Helm: Starting with the steering helm, make sure the steering cylinder and helm hydraulic hose connections are tight. Dudra recommends greasing the helm shaft when installing the steering wheel to facilitate easier future removal. Check hydraulic fluid level inside the helm by unscrewing the fill plug and looking inside. The level should be 1/8- to ¼-inch below the lowest thread in the fill port. If lower than this, fill the helm to the proper level, but avoid over-filling. Check steering response when turning the wheel. It should respond within a quarter turn. If not, the system might need fluid or there might be air in the system, which requires purging. For tilt-and-lock steering helms, make sure the plastic covers are secured. Inspect Hoses & Fittings: When inspecting hoses, run your hand down them to feel for cuts, chafing or cracks. If you discover wear, have a qualified service shop replace suspect hoses. Also, ensure hose fittings are tight. Feel for hydraulic fluid leaks or weeps by running a finger around the fitting. If you find a leak, tighten the fitting. If that fails, have a qualified service shop address the issue.

Check Steering Cylinder & Glands:

Most outboard-powered boats use front-mounted hydraulic steering cylinders. The cylinder should be periodically inspected with focus on the cylinder hose connections and glands on each end of the cylinder to ensure there are no leaks. 12 NATIONAL

OCTOBER 2021

Inspect the glands, which contain seals, on the ends of the steering cylinder by running your finger around the edges. If you discover fluid weeping, it’s time to replace the gland with authentic SeaStar parts. Check the steering cylinder’s shaft and support rod. Inspect the cylinder shaft for salt buildup, corrosion and nicks that might damage the cylinder. Major damage might require replacement of the entire cylinder. Apply a thin film of grease to the visible portions of the support rod. Remove and inspect the rod annually. The support rod and outboard tilt tube must be cleaned of old grease and debris prior to re-applying quality marine grease before re-installing.

Fix Leaks: If the hose fittings are weeping fluid, the hoses might require replacement. The same applies to the glands. SeaStar offers a gland replacement kit and O-ring seals for the bleeders and other fittings. If you follow the provided instructions carefully, fixing leaks is relatively easy for competent DIY boaters. You can also turn the job over to a qualified marine shop. To ensure the steering is secure and tight, check all assembly nuts for proper tightness,

including the adjusting nut on the starboard side of the support rod. Purge Air: Air in the hydraulic steering system causes sloppy unresponsive steering and noisy operation. It can make your boat unsafe. Air finds its way into the hydraulic system through leaks or when replacing key components. It must be purged through a process called “bleeding.” Your owner’s manual explains bleeding. If you lack confidence, tools or manpower to do it yourself, ask a qualified marine shop to handle this.

Check for Water Intrusion. Make sure water hasn’t entered the system. Water can cause damage and internal corrosion. “This is a subjective examination, but can be performed by taking a syringe and sampling the fluid in the helm reservoir,” Dudra advised. “If the fluid looks like ‘chocolate milk,’ then the fluid is likely contaminated with water.” If this occurs, the entire system must be inspected for leaks. Once these are fixed, the system should be flushed with clean oil to remove any contaminated oil. To learn more about marine steering and components from the industry leader, visit www.dometic.com.

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Together. Carrying what matters most. 14 NATIONAL

OCTOBER 2021

By Rex Hannon

itting in the Cancun International Airport, I couldn’t help but reflect on the past 15 days on Mexico’s beautiful Caribbean coast. In August, I traveled to the little fishing village Xcalak to compete in the Silver Scales International Fly Fishing Tournament. Xcalak is a quaint little village very near the border of Belize in southern Quintana Roo. It doesn’t make it on most tourist lists. In fact, a large 9:54 AM percentage of Mexican citizens have probably never heard of the place. If it wasn’t for Xcalak’s world-class flats fishery, even fewer would know of it. The Silver Scales International Fly Fishing Tournament is an annual gathering of some of the finest saltwater fly fishers on the planet. The tournament focuses on the “grand slam” of permit, bonefish and tarpon. Combine that with a snook, and you have the “super slam.” Points are assigned for each fish, and there’s an added bonus for anglers who catch a slam. The grand slam is all three species in a 24-hour period, or in this case the day’s allotted fishing hours. Xcalak is an amazing fishery. If your bucket list includes the pursuit of this elusive challenge, there is no better place on the planet. Sighting schools of bonefish is commonplace, but the real prize is the abundance of “black-tailed devils” known as permit. Just because there are great numbers of these highly sought after game fish, they are by no mean easy. It’s much more fishing than catching. Fifteen teams and 30 total anglers fished three days in 2021, and the results were impressive. There were seven grand slams caught and two super slams. Total catch included 27 bonefish, three snook, 13 tarpon and 22 permit. Like I stated earlier, the Silver Scales draws some very talented anglers from around the globe. Brothers Javier and Mauricio Osorio, of Escamas Plateadas dedicated months to ensure the gathering was a success. The success our team “Fly Fish Costa Maya” is due to the passion and dedication of my friend Will Robins and the hard work and intimate knowledge of our guide Moises Cordova. The tournament is a grueling three days of hot sun, little sleep and nothing short of physical torture. It was one of the best times of my life. Preparation, hard work and endurance paid off in a respectable fourth-place finish. But, our success in fishing the tournament was nowhere near the highlight of this trip. Just knowing there are special places and people like this warms the heart and makes you want to return. I was anxious to board the plane for home and see my beautiful wife, but— with God’s blessing—I know I’ll return to this place soon.

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FISH A LIPLESS CRANK

TYLER WOOLCOTT

he weather is cooling, and bass are feeding heavily before the spawn. This time of year, baitfish is prevalent in waters across the country, and there is one lure that puts fish in the boat just about everywhere. This bait is a lipless crankbait. A lipless crank can play a huge role in getting baitfish-feeding bass to bite. I use it all over the country. Sometimes it’s as easy as casting it out and retrieving it steadily. But sometimes it’s a bit more complicated. Inside the lure, there are rattles. Sizes vary from ¼-ounce up to an ounce, and it is best to match the size of baitfish bass are feeding on. There are different types of rattles inside different lures. Two I like are a multi-rattle and a one-knock. Multi-rattles make a lot of noise. I throw this style when fish are very active and feeding heavily. The noise draws their attention from real baitfish and gets them to react and eat your bait. I like the one-knocker version and its slower, deeper-pitch knock when fish are feeding on baitfish, but not very actively. Fish tend to scatter out when they aren’t actively feeding, and that deeper pitch can sometimes trigger them to bite. There are many ways to retrieve a lipless crankbait. A steady retrieve can sometimes be the trick, especially if you see bass

feeding. But my absolute favorite way to fish a lipless crank is to yo-yo it. This is a varied retrieve with the reel handle, with an occasional pull and pause with the rod to let the bait flutter up and fall back down. This technique is deadly. When you pull the bait up fast, it makes a loud rattle. Then, when you let it flutter down, it looks like an injured baitfish, and bass can’t resist it. In the fall, bass also feed on crayfish in some parts of the country. A lipless crank can be a massive player in this scenario. When crayfish flee, their tails smack against their bodies and make a clacking noise similar to a rattle. When deciding colors, I match the color of the lure to the color of the baitfish present. 13 Fishing makes an awesome lure called the Magic Man that comes in both multirattle and one-knocker versions. When matching baitfish, I use chromes, whites and sometimes chartreuse. When mimicking crayfish, I use reds and oranges.

Trap Fishing Gear I’ve done a ton of experimenting with setups for lipless cranks, and I’ve got it down to a science. When dealing with treble hooks, you want a rod with a decent amount of backbone and a bit of bend to let the fish get the hooks. I use a 13 Fishing Omen Black 7’4MH Moderate action rod. I pair this with a 7:1 Concept A 13 Fishing reel spooled with 15-pound Seaguar Abrazx line. Tyler Woolcott is a professional tournament angler and guide. Check out his website at www.tylerwoolcottfishing.com.

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

OCTOBER 2021

NATIONAL 15

PHOTO COURTESY OF KNOCKIN TAIL LURES

TIPS FOR CATCH-AND-RELEASE FLOUNDER

A MONSTER CANADIAN STURGEON

hite Sturgeon can live longer than 100 years, so it’s likely this monster fish has been swimming between the northern Pacific and British Columbia’s Fraser River for the better part of a century. According to the Vancouver Sun, it took a group of Canadian anglers about 25 minutes to land this huge sturgeon in August. It stretched the tape to 11-feet, 6-inches and had a girth of 55 inches. An estimate based on those measurements puts the weight of the fish near 900 pounds. That would make it a Canadian provincial record for the species, according to the Sun. The anglers were fishing the Fraser River east of Vancouver. National Hockey League great Pete Peeters and his buddy Jake Driedger took turns on the rod. White sturgeon are widely protected, which makes them a difficult species in terms of records. In British Columbia, catch-and-release fishing for sturgeon is allowed, but fish longer than 5 feet must remain in the water before release. These protections as well their size makes it nearly impossible to get a certified weight on angler catches. The IGFA all-tackle world record white sturgeon was caught in 1983 and weighed just 468 pounds. There have been several reported but uncertified catches heavier than 1,000 pounds, including a 12-foot, 4-incher caught in 2012 from the Fraser River. It was estimated at 1,100 pounds. However, it’s likely the all-tackle record is permanent because it’s no longer possible to weigh white sturgeon. For more on fishing opportunities in British Columbia, see www.gofishbc.com.

16 NATIONAL

OCTOBER 2021

By Capt. Michael Okruhlik

s the weather changes, so do the fishing patterns. This year, along with the seasonal changes, we also have some regulation changes to keep in mind. Here in Texas and also in Florida there are new closed seasons for flounder in 2021. From Nov. 1-Dec. 14, Texas flounder will be catch and release only. In Florida, the recreational season will be closed Oct. 15-Nov. 30. These closures are part of regulations-tightening trend for Gulf and Atlantic states after a federal study showed southern flounder numbers at historically low levels. I’m happy to report we’re still catching flounder, but be sure to check for updates to your state’s seasons and bag limits before applying the following tips. I enjoy the precise approach to successfully and consistently catch flounder. Although I won’t be able to harvest any during the closed period, I’ll still land some saddle blankets for photos before release. I’ll also modify my tactics to improve my hook-up ratio, which will also increase the odds of flounder survival during this spawning season. While targeting flounder, I generally pause after I feel the initial strike. I do this for a few reasons. Flounder hold their prey in locked jaws for a period of time in order to kill the bait and reposition it before swallowing. I don’t get as many hook-ups when setting the hook on the first thump of a flounder strike. In preparation for the closed season, I’ve practiced downsizing lures. A shorter and smaller profile significantly increased my first-strike hookup ratio. A lure that has proven very effective is the new 3.25-inch Knockin Tail Lure. It has a small profile, which allows for a wider gap between the plastic and the hook tip. With the boney jaw of a flounder, ample hook exposure increases penetration. This lure also has a built-in tail rattle and a ton of action. When targeting flounder, I start each day with a new jighead, and I might even replace it during the day depending on the bottom structure in the area. A sharp hook is crucial to consistently piercing a flounder’s jaw, which is where most of the hooks will be if you’re not waiting for the second or third bite, which is what I do if I plan to retain my catch. I also recommend a jighead with a strong solid hook with little to no flex. My final tip for targeting flounder is to use bright colors. Any color can work, but I catch more flounder on bright patterns. Some of my favorites are, white/limetruese, chartreuse with glitter and a bright green/bright red combo. I hope these tips give you the edge during this year’s flounder runs. Don’t forget to take a kid fishing. Flounder can be an easy target for young anglers, even on lures. Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Knockin Tail Lures, Controlled Descent Lures and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.

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