Coastal Angler Magazine | October 2021 | Greater Orlando Edition by Coastal Angler Magazine

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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.

KEEP IT GENUINE PRECISION PROTECTION

Whether you take your boat out to the lake or the ocean, your 4-stroke outboard needs ECSTAR Suzuki Semi-Synthetic Engine Oil so it can run long and strong. ECSTAR features special additives that protect the engine in harsh salt and fresh water environments, advanced detergents that keep engine parts clean, and viscosity index improvements that help the engine start in cold conditions. No matter where your next boat ride takes you, go confidently with ECSTAR.

RUN LONG. RUN CLEAN. RUN STRONG.

Don’t drink and drive. Always wear a USCG-Approved life jacket and read your owner’s manual. Suzuki, the Suzuki “S” ECSTAR and Suzuki model and product names are Suzuki trademarks or ®. © 2021 Suzuki Marine USA, LLC.

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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.

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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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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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Welcome to Fall - maybe. I was recently spending some time on the river and couldn’t help but notice the water temperature. It was 78 degrees at 7:00 am and quickly reached 84 by noon time. The river is a bit cooler because of the current and deeper depths. This brings me to my main point. Pray for a cooler fall season. It will help our bass fishing get off to a great start. The bait will start to group up again when the weather cools off and the fish will begin to feast and get ready to move a bit shallower. I love to fish a top water bait in the morning time and maybe even get a few bites on a frog. There is nothing more exciting than to watch a bass devour a top water bait. With all the rain we are getting, look for moving water and run offs too. These are great ways to get a few extra bites during your next trip out. Our Seminole Junior Anglers kick the season off in Palatka - North St. Johns / Lake George this week. It will be tough as usual for most teams on the river in September. Our squad this year has four returning teams with a lot of tournament experience and 6 teams that will be new to tournament team fishing. We are very excited about this year and can’t wait to see what new year brings. Thank You sponsors! A special thanks to our Platinum Sponsors: Sun Ray Paving, All Terrain Tractor, Atlas Rehabilitation, Florida Equipment Rental, Airport Jeep Chrysler Dodge, Gary Smallwood Century 21 Realty, Gumbo Wars, B3 Construction, All About You, LLC, and our friends at Coastal Angler Magazine. We could not keep this high school team on the water without the help of these fine organizations and our community partners. Dave DiMauro - Director - Seminole Junior Anglers

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ORLANDO 3

DERBY

The lures like the DOA BFL or Bait Buster and when the toothy critters show up switch to hard baits like the Rapala Skitter walk in natural baitfish colors. Adding a 12-inch piece of #6 wire to your lure or hook will prevent breakoffs. Shorter days and cooler nights, acorns dropping from my live oak trees and the love bug hatch are all signs of fall on the Indian River Lagoon Coast of Florida. Another sure sign of fall on the Lagoon Coast is the waves of baitfish working their way south on their fall migration through the lagoon and along the beach. October serves as beginning of the fall bait run consisting primarily of silver mullet, a tropical species, with some Atlantic menhaden (pogies), bay anchovies (glass minnows) and black mullet mixed in. These tasty little baitfish ring the dinner bell for a large array of hungry predators looking to fatten up for the winter. As the water cools, waves of bait move in pulses heading south, and locating bait concentrations is the key to catching fish. When targeting predator species during the bait run, use mullet imitation

October is a great time of year to target the fish that migrated north in the springtime and now migrate back south (if in fact that’s what’s going on). Mahi, wahoo, blackfin tuna, and sailfish will start to show up. We already started seeing many mahi-mahis hit the fish boards. Nothing huge but a few decent ones for sure. Wahoo eat small dolphin and kings so we should see some hoos around. King fishing starts to heat up again although November is historically the timeframe that the larger schools come in.

Tarpon, cobia, kingfish, bluefish, redfish, snook, sharks, and jack crevalle will all be feasting on the bait off the beaches. Typically, mullet can be found near the shore break or inside the trough. Pogies and glass minnows can school up as deep as 50 feet south of the Port Canaveral buoy line. Some days the bait will hold just outside the shore break use caution and keep your boat a safe distance from the swells. Find bait, find the predators! Also, October and November are notorious for blustery breezes and nasty weather, but they’re also one of the best times of year for angling on the Lagoon coast, so watch the weather, pick your days on the water, and catch some fish.

bunker while king fishing. We had guys catch a stray wahoo and sailfish in 25 feet water off the pier few weeks ago. But now is the time to start rigging your ballyhoo and concentrating on the temperature breaks and weed lines again. Start out in 100 foot or so then go deeper. Don’t pass fish to find fish. Be sure to put out some naked ballyhoo for the sails. And don’t forget the shotgun rig. Wire rigged and sent way out there.

is COMING!

By CAM Staff

October in Central Florida gives anglers a cool experience. Fall arrives with shorter days bringing cooler air and water temperatures which get the fish moving and biting. It also means that the 13th Annual Central Florida Shad and Crappie Derby is coming soon! With the crazy COVID year to date we are hoping to top the largest number of registered anglers. Since fishing is one of the best ways to social distance and stay away from crowds, we expect to have another stellar year. The last three years we have had more than 1,100 anglers register and fish the Derby. Checking in with the local fishing tackle stores, they say that they’ve never been as busy as they are now. Safe light Monday November 1st begins the 13th Annual Shad and Crappie Derby for four months ending Monday February 28th at Sundown. For the die-hard anglers who want to be fishing on Nov. 1st we are having an “Early Registration” meeting at 6:30 pm on Thursday October 28th, to be hosted at Celery City Craft Beer Garden in downtown Sanford, located at 114 Palmetto Ave, Sanford, 32771. This will be an outdoor event and very casual as always! All anglers are required to have the Derby PhotoToken in their pics they submit and to measure fish on the official ruler – grab your photo token and ruler at the early registration or at a sign-up location near you. For the anglers that attended the Awards Event last year, Celery City Craft Beer Garden is the same host location. Central Florida Shad and Crappie Derby is proud to announce Academy Sports + Outdoors will be the Presenting Sponsor! We are excited to have them aboard – Academy Sports + Outdoors will help make this season a huge success, they are a big reason this is a “FREE” community event. We are always looking for product sponsors to award our winning anglers, there is still time to get involved. All of the prizes we give away come from local businesses and fishing industry partners. This year we are shooting for $5000 PLUS in prizes and gift certificates to be awarded to the winners. Last seasons’ winners walked away from the awards event with huge smiles on their faces and more stuff than they could carry to the car in one trip. Tell your friends and family to come and join us because the DERBY IS COMING!

Continue to use live bunker working the regular reefs. Don’t pass up the wrecks. Chances are if there’s piles of bait on it then something’s there. I had a slow day last week and decided to go try a wreck. The water was boiling with small sardines. My first pass through it was doubled up with a fat king and Bonita. Then it was a bonita fire The fall run is generally not as fight. Was a lot of fun for the great as the spring run but it’s anglers! still decent fishing. It seems like many fish are being caught shallow and on slow trolled live 4 ORLANDO 4 ORLANDO

OCTOBER 2021 OCTOBER 2021

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OCTOBER 2021

ORLANDO 5

for the winter. Lots of fish will be in the Kissimmee grass in shallower water.

We are looking forward to the first cold front in October to get the fish stirred up. I’m already seeing big groups of Blue Winged Teal ducks moving in for the winter. The beginning of fall! And goodbye summer heat. Kissimmee Chain of Lakes West Lake Toho is producing good numbers of bass. Fish the edges of the hydrilla, and anywhere you can find a defined edge. Shiners fished right against the hydrilla works best. Other good areas are Goblins cove, the flood gate structures have been open all of September moving water south. Fish the flow - swim baits work well in moving water. The water levels are up 6 ORLANDO

OCTOBER 2021

East Lake Toho - The bass are holding in close to the edges of the reeds early in the morning. Once the sun gets up they move out to open water vegetation. East Lake is a good artificial lake. Plastics such as trick worms, vibe, and skinny dipper are working great. Colors are water melon seed, June bug as your best bet. East Lake has a lot of open water Illinois pond weed. I like flipping it on calm days, a good way to produce big fish. Crappie - fish open water; trolling, or at night with lights are your best bets. Minnow-tipped jigs will catch limits. 13th Annual Shad and Crappie Derby begins November 1!

Lake Okeechobee’s water level has pretty much remained around 14.50 ft and the lake water is absolutely clear and beautiful with 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 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

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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, June bug;, 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. The bream bite is still active both in deeper water areas like the river and canals and certain areas of the lake. 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. To book your next fun-filled and productive day fishing Lake Okeechobee call 863-228-7263 to book it, ask questions or get more information on what to bring, where to stay and etc. You can also check out my newly revised website at www.southfloridabassfishing.com. My sponsors include 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 and Pradco Brands.

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bass will readily take topwater baits, rattling crankbaits, artificial frogs, and soft plastic worms and swimbaits. American Shad will show up in December, until then it’s crappie time! November begins the Shad and Crappie Derby! Celery City Craft Beer Garden will host the Derby Kick-off meeting Thursday October 28th starting at 6:30pm. This is the ONLY opportunity to pre-register. All anglers receive the official Derby Photo Token and Derby Ruler. After the kickoff meeting, enter this FREE tournament by visiting one of the Derby sign-up locations. https:// coastalanglermag.com/orlando has all the information. In October, we get the highest water levels in the St. Johns River. Love bugs and the first cold front bring in the Fall season in Florida. The river mullet have migrated north past Central Florida and the black crappie bite has turned on. Largemouth

Catching crappie is easy. Simply tie a small 1/16th or 1/8th ounce jig on 8 lb. test monofilament and tip with a minnow. Drive your boat to the up-wind side of the lake and longline slow troll behind the boat - up to 50 feet back. You’ll be fishing with the wind, trolling around 1.0-1.5 mph. On two of your short rods, tie a ¾ oz. egg sinker 12 inches above the jig. Drop it in the water allowing the sinker to hit the bottom, then reel down until the rod tip touches the water – stop. Put the rod down at the stern on each side – this will catch the big fish of the day. Tip: vary jig tail colors and fishing depths. Hint: all professional crappie anglers tip jigs with minnows.

The Harris Chain of Lakes has been fishing very well for largemouth bass. Anglers have had great success in taking some time to plan prior to trips by using satellite maps and other fishing applications when scheduling trips. You’ll want to start in areas that have both shallow water under 3 feet very close to deeper water say around 10 feet. If you can find some heavy matted hydrilla, fish in the area with senko plastic worms and other types. When fishing soft plastics make sure to vary your retrieve till you start getting bites or catching fish. Subtle differences in retrieve sometimes are the way to go. Fast, slow, add weights – once you find the combination focus on the areas fish are holding. Also, do not be afraid of casting to a fishy looking

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area and just let the bait sit on the bottom for a minute or so (called dead sticking). This tactic has worked surprisingly well. A small square bill crankbait has been a good primary search bait if the area can be fished with baits with treble hooks, where vegetation is deeper or near creek mouths and deeper water, etc. If there is a lot of grass, you can fish with a soft plastic jerk bait. Texas rigged has been another good producer. While you’re out fishing make sure to look for birds and other wildlife. Fish chasing bait around on the surface is worth investigating – match the hatch and throw the bait right where the fish are busting as soon as possible because if they got that bait, their friends will compete for your lure. This is a fun time of year to be fishing, If you’re looking to book your own guided fishing trip please check out our website w w w. c p r b a s s c h a r t e r s . c o m for more information. Book in advance to guarantee that trip of a lifetime. Tight lines, Capt. Mark. OCTOBER 2021

ORLANDO 7

Boat Dealers New & Consignment Sales 1 - Astor Marine (352) 759-3655 24535 FL-40, Astor, FL 32102 www.astormarine.com

18 - Monroe Harbor Marina (407) 322-2910 31 N Palmetto Ave, Sanford, FL 32771 www.moroneharbor.com

42 - Central Florida Airboat Tours (407) 32107534650 E State Rd 46, Geneva, FL 32732 www.centralfloridaairboattours.com

6 - Sea Tow of Central Florida Lakes

31 - Pyramid Cabinets (407) 947-8499

9 - Instant Insurance Agency (352) 735-5560 25833 State Road 46, Sorrento, FL 32776 www.instantinsuranceagency.com

34 - Thomas Lumber Company (407) 841-1250

51 - A & D Custom Canvas (407) 331-8184 725 Montana St. Orlando 32803

49 - Martin Tree Service, Inc. (407) 359-1119 1215 Bob White Trail, Chuluota, FL 32766 www.martintreeserviceinc.com

(877) 800-1492 12307 Wedgefield Drive , Grand Island, FL 32735

2 - Nobles Marine (352) 787-5792

437 N Palmetto St, Leesburg, FL 34748 or 1931 N. Hwy 19, Crystal River www.noblesmarine.com

3 - Craig Catamaran (407) 290-8778 4333 Silver Star Rd. #100 Orlando, FL 32808

Bait & Tackle Shops / Outfitters / Apparel

4 - Triangle Marine (352) 343-6146

451 Fairvilla Road, Orlando, FL 32808 www.codepyramid.com

231 W Gore St, Orlando, FL 32806, www.thomaslumber.com

15 - American Tackle Co. (800) 516-1750

50 - Campbell Renovations Inc. (407) 947-0016 285 Campbell Ranch Run, Geneva, FL 32732 www.campbellrenovationsinc.com

5 - Lakeside Bait & Tackle (352) 742-3336

1000 W Burleigh Blvd, Tavares, FL 32778

55 - Vapor and Company (407) 878-7397 3621 S. Orlando Dr., Sanford, FL 32773 www.vaporandco.com

1021 N Orlando Ave, Maitland, FL 32751 www.centralfloridamarine.com

7 - Owens Fishing & Marine (352) 357-3030

59 - Celery City Craft (407) 915-5541

38 - Orlando Boat Sales (407) 253-7111

11 - Highbanks Marina & Camp Resort

11415 US-441, Tavares, FL 32778 www.trianglemarinecenter.biz

30 - Aamco East Orlando (407) 277-3311 6304 E. Colonial Dr. Orlando FL 32807 Full Service Mechanics

25 - Central Florida Marine (407) 647-6262

2133 Component Loop, Suite 1031, Oveido, 32765 www.americantackle.us

935 N Bay St, Eustis, FL 32726

3165 N John Young Pkwy, Orlando, FL 32804 www.orlandoboatsales.com

37 - Southeast Marine (407) 851-1965 7576 S Orange Ave, Pine Castle, FL 32809 www.southeastmarinesales.com

(386) 668-4491 488 W Highbanks Rd, DeBary, FL 32713 www.campresort.com

14 - Boat Tree Marina (407) 322-1610 4370 Carraway Pl, Sanford, FL 32771 www.boattree.com

24 - Boat Max USA (321) 866-0306

9700 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando FL 32817 www.boatmaxusa.com 46 - Gibson Truck World (407) 321-0660 3455 S. Orlando Dr. Sanford, FL 32773 www.gibsontruckworld.com 14 - Boat Tree Marina (407) 322-1610 4370 Carraway Pl, Sanford, FL 32771 www.boattree.com

60 - Next Level Inc. “Florida Marine Customs”

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Boat improvement / Service & Repair Centers / Replacement Parts 36 - All American Marine (407) 855-9988 7024 S Orange Ave, Orlando FL 32809 www.allamericanmarineorlando.com

21 - Bitters Bait & Tackle (407) 699-6619 65 N US Hwy 17 92, Longwood, FL 32750 www.bittersbaitandtackle.com

43 - Bithlo Bait & Tackle (321) 355-0591

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10 - Get Hooked Bait & Tackle (407) 704-8755 670 Kissimmee Ave, Ocoee, FL 34761 44 - Big Toho Marina (407) 846-2124 69 Lakeview Dr., Kissimmee, FL 34741

28 W Jersey St, Orlando, FL 32806 www.manta.com

29 - Lake Fairview Marina (407) 295-0117 4503 N Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, FL 32804 www. Lakefairviewmarina.com

54 -West End Trading Co. (407) 322-7475 202 Sanford Ave, Sanford, FL 32771 www.drinkatwestend.com

Areas Best Picks for Restaurants 47 - Jolly Gator Fish Camp Bar & Grill (407) 349-5554 4650 E State Rd 46, Geneva, FL 32732 www.thejollygator.com

39 - Fish on Fire (407) 812-6881

7937 Daetwyler Dr, Orlando, FL 32812 www.fishonfireorlando.com

40 - High Tide Harry’s (407) 273-4422

4645 S Semoran Blvd, Orlando, FL 32822 www.hightideharrys.com

45 - Wojo’s Bait & Tackle (407) 891-1003 Oak Park Center, 4245 13th St, St Cloud, FL 34769

33 - Boston’s Fish House (407) 678-2107 Aloma Square Shopping Center, 6860 Aloma Ave, Winter Park, FL 32792 www.bostonsfishhouse.com

48 - Mud Hole Custom Tackle, Inc.

17 - St. Johns River Steak & Seafood

56 - Orlando Outfitters (407) 896-8220

37 - The Steer (407) 286-6802 8015 S. Orange Ave., Orlando FL

(407) 447-7637 2133 Componet Loop Suite 1001, Oveido, FL 32765 www.mudhole.com 2814 Corrine Dr., Orlando, FL 32803 www.orlandooutfitters.com

35 - All Star Marine (407) 423-9953

114 S. Palmetto Ave., Sanford FL 32771 celerycitycraft.com

Home Improvement Contractors & Service Providers

(407) 878-0980 550 N Palmetto Ave, Sanford, FL 32771

22 - Huey Magoo’s (407) 706-6004

www.hueymagoos.com 10 Locations – See our ad on Restaurant Page

26 - DWR Plumbing LLC. (407) 293-3717

6344 All American Blvd, Orlando, FL 32810

13 - Camp House Restaurant (407) 915-5401 100 S White Cedar Rd, Sanford, FL 32771 www.camphousebarandgrill.com

32 - Portside Marine (407) 249-1124 2730 Forsyth Rd, Orlando, FL 32792 www.portsideorlando.com

27 - Orlando Painting Service (407) 896-0839 65 Harold Ave, suite B, Winter Park, FL 32789

52 - The Deli (407) 332-8800 4360 Carraway Pl, Sanford, FL 32771

23 - Talon Marine Services (407) 542-7600

28 - Millennium Electric (407) 420-2001

www.orlandopaintingservice.com

53 - T J’s Seafood Shack (407) 365-3365

439 Aulin Ave, Oviedo, FL 32765 www.talonmarineservices.com

4340 Edgewater Dr, Orlando, FL 32804 www.millennium-electric.com

197 E Mitchell Hammock Rd, Oviedo, FL 32765 12231 E Colonial Dr. #230, Orlando(407) 250-4191 www.tjsseafoodshack.com

20 - Team Marine Services (407) 260-8326 1350 28th Street, Orlando FL 32805 www.teammarineservices.com

41 - Water Works Pressure Cleaning & Sealing

54 - Oasis On The River (407) 636-6300

19 - Ahoy Marine (407) 323-8373 511 E 25th St, Sanford, FL 32771 www.superpages.com 8 ORLANDO

OCTOBER 2021

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OCTOBER 2021

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9700 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando FL 32817 Phone: (321) 866-0306 www.boatmaxusa.com

231 W Gore St, Orlando, FL 32806, Phone: (407) 841-1250 www.thomaslumber.com

285 Campbell Ranch Run, Geneva, FL 32732 Phone:(407) 349-0016 Cell: 407-947-5460 www.campbellrenovationsinc.com

3621 S. Orlando Dr. Sanford FL 32773 Phone:(407) 878-7397 www.vaporandco.com Electronic Cigarettes and E-Liquid Experts in Smoking Cessation Orlando Coastal Angler Magazine Approved! Altamonte Springs Location Too

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Thursday October 7th – 6pm till 10pm, 34th Annual Orlando CCA Banquet and Auction, Hosted at Harriett’s Orlando Ballet Center, Open bar all evening, Dinner, silent auction, raffles and “Live Auction” to follow dinner. Visit www. ccaflorida.org/chapter/ orlando or contact Mandy Tuckus at mtuckus@ ccaflorida.org Saturday October 9th – Noon till 6pm, 10th Annual “Gumbo Wars”, Join the staff of Orlando Coastal Angler Magazine and friends for this great event. Hosted at Fish on Fire Restaurant, 7937 Daetwyler Dr., Orlando. 20 plus cooking teams will be there to compete for this years’ prize for the “Best Gumbo”. Cost is $10 for all the Gumbo you can eat! Lots of family fun, vendors, raffle items and special “Live Auction” for guided fishing trips, vacation stays, fishing accessories, artwork, jewelry and lots of other goodies. Gates open at noon and Gumbo tasting from 2pm till 5pm. Awards to follow, PLUS live music from Gypsy Elise all day long. Proceeds from this event go to local youth fishing organizations, college scholarships, and water conservation efforts. For more info visit Gumbowars.com.

Thursday October 28th – 6:30 pm, Celery City Craft in Sanford located at 114 Palmetto Ave. will be our host for early registration for the 13th Annual Central Florida Shad and Crappie Derby. Join the staff of Orlando Coastal Angler Magazine for your only chance to pre-register in our annual event. Come enjoy a craft beer and get signed up so you can be ready to catch them when the Derby starts on November 1st over $5,000 in prizes for our monthly winners and the Grand Champs for Youth and Adult Divisions. This online CPR tournament is FREE to enter, just visit a sign-up location near you. Join Phil and Charlie with Orlando Coastal Angler Magazine for a fun evening of exchanging stories and lies about your fish catches this year!

Monday November 1st – Safe Light, the 13th Annual Shad and Crappie Derby begins! Join the 1200 plus anglers who register and fish this “FREE to ENTER” catch-photo-release tournament. Divisions for both Youth and Adult anglers. 8 Big fish of the Month prizes for shad and crappie plus grand prizes for the longest fish in both divisions. Fish as much as you want from November first through February 28th, 2022. $5,000 in prizes to be Thursday October 14 - awarded and lots of family 5pm to 8pm, “Alive After fun to be had! 5” in Sanford - The staff of Orlando Coastal Angler If you have an event or Magazine would like you meeting you would like to join us for an evening of included in the “What’s fun in downtown Sanford. Hitting Around Town” This event is the second column, send your details Thursday of each month to: Phil Wolf phillip@ downtown. Block Party on coastalanglermagazine. First Street! Don’t miss the com. Deadline for inclusion chance for a fun night on is the 10th of the preceding the town. month.

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East Coast Tide Charts Tide Charts brought to you by these businesses

October 2021 Time

2Sa

3Su

5Tu

7Th

9Sa

Miami, Government Cut

Height

4:47 AM 10:55 AM 5:35 PM 11:29 PM 5:48 AM 11:48 AM 6:28 PM 12:17 AM 6:44 AM 12:37 PM 7:15 PM 1:02 AM 7:35 AM 1:23 PM 7:59 PM 1:44 AM 8:23 AM 2:08 PM 8:42 PM 2:27 AM 9:10 AM 2:53 PM 9:26 PM 3:11 AM 9:57 AM 3:39 PM 10:10 PM 3:57 AM 10:46 AM 4:26 PM 10:56 PM 4:45 AM 11:36 AM 5:16 PM 11:45 PM

2.4 0.8 2.6 1.0 2.6 0.7 2.7 0.8 2.7 0.6 2.9 0.6 2.9 0.4 3.0 0.4 3.1 0.3 3.1 0.2 3.3 0.3 3.2 0.0 3.4 0.3 3.2 0.0 3.4 0.4 3.2 0.0 3.3 0.5 3.1

10Su

11M

12Tu

13W

14Th

15F

16Sa

17Su

18M

Time

Height

5:37 AM 12:29 PM 6:11 PM 12:38 AM 6:34 AM 1:27 PM 7:12 PM 1:38 AM 7:39 AM 2:30 PM 8:20 PM 2:44 AM 8:50 AM 3:38 PM 9:32 PM 3:56 AM 10:00 AM 4:45 PM 10:39 PM 5:06 AM 11:05 AM 5:46 PM 11:38 PM 6:09 AM 12:03 PM 6:40 PM 12:30 AM 7:04 AM 12:53 PM 7:27 PM 1:15 AM 7:52 AM 1:38 PM 8:08 PM

0.1 3.2 0.6 3.0 0.2 3.1 0.8 2.9 0.4 2.9 0.9 2.8 0.5 2.9 0.9 2.7 0.6 2.9 0.8 2.8 0.6 2.9 0.7 2.9 0.5 2.9 0.6 3.0 0.5 3.0 0.5 3.1 0.5 3.0

Po nce de Leo n Inlet Hig h Ti de -11 m in ute s Lo w Ti de +19 m in ute s

(Approximate Times)

19Tu

20W

21Th

22F

23Sa

24Su

25M

26Tu

27W

Time

Height

1:57 AM 8:34 AM 2:20 PM 8:46 PM 2:35 AM 9:13 AM 2:59 PM 9:22 PM 3:12 AM 9:51 AM 3:36 PM 9:57 PM 3:48 AM 10:27 AM 4:13 PM 10:31 PM 4:23 AM 11:04 AM 4:49 PM 11:06 PM 4:59 AM 11:42 AM 5:25 PM 11:43 PM 5:36 AM 12:22 PM 6:05 PM 12:24 AM 6:17 AM 1:08 PM 6:50 PM 1:10 AM 7:05 AM 1:58 PM 7:46 PM

0.4 3.1 0.5 3.0 0.3 3.1 0.6 3.0 0.3 3.1 0.6 2.9 0.4 3.0 0.7 2.8 0.4 2.9 0.8 2.7 0.5 2.8 0.9 2.6 0.6 2.7 1.0 2.5 0.7 2.6 1.1 2.4 0.8 2.5 1.2

Time

Height

28Th 2:04 AM 2.4 8:04 AM 0.9 2:55 PM 2.5 8:50 PM 1.2 29F 3:07 AM 2.4 9:10 AM 0.9 3:54 PM 2.5 9:53 PM 1.1 30Sa 4:13 AM 2.4 10:14 AM 0.8 4:52 PM 2.6 10:50 PM 0.9 31Su 5:16 AM 2.6 11:12 AM 0.7 5:45 PM 2.7 11:40 PM 0.6 1M 6:14 AM 2.8 12:04 PM 0.6 6:35 PM 2.9 2Tu 12:28 AM 0.4 7:08 AM 3.0 12:54 PM 0.5 7:23 PM 3.0 3W 1:14 AM 0.1 7:58 AM 3.2 1:42 PM 0.4 8:10 PM 3.1 4Th 2:00 AM -0.1 8:48 AM 3.4 2:30 PM 0.3 8:57 PM 3.1 5F 2:47 AM -0.2 9:37 AM 3.4 3:18 PM 0.3 9:45 PM 3.2

Ft. Pie rce Inlet, S. Jetty Hig h Ti de -31 m in ute s Lo w Ti de -18 m in utes

Po nce Inlet, Halifax Rive r Hig h Ti de +5 m in ute s Lo w Ti de +33 m in ute s

Jensen Beach Hig h Ti de +2 ho u r s, 17 m in ute s Lo w Ti de +3 ho u r s, 4 m in ute s

Po rt Canave ral (Tr i dent Pie r) Daily Pre dictio ns

Sewell Pt Hig h Ti de Lo w Ti de

Patr ick Air Fo rce Base Hig h Ti de -1 ho u r, 4 m in ute Lo w Ti de -38 m in ute s

Ju pite r Inlet, S.Jetty Hig h Ti de -10 m in ute s Lo w Ti de -9 m in ute s

Sebastian Inlet Br i dg e Hig h Ti de -48 m in ute s Lo w Ti de -24 m in ute s

Po rt Eve rgla de s - Tu r n in g Basin Hig h Ti de -31 m in ute s Lo w Ti de -13 m in ute s

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

OCTOBER 2021

+1 ho u r s, 13 m in ute s +2 ho u r s, 9 m in ute s

ORLANDO 11

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Every October is special on Central Florida’s east and west coasts, mostly because we live in an amazing place but also, we finally get a little break from the heat and humidity. Even though our winter weather and cold days are still a bit far off it is nice to feel that little bit of reprieve. We won’t be the only residents that take notice of the difference in the season. All the fish we spend our days in pursuit of will start to transition in expectation of the pending cold and scarcity of prey. Their diet changes along with daily habits. Some of our more temperate temperature loving fish won’t be affected as much due to the mild winters we have in Central Florida so many of them will carry on as nothing is changing. For our more tropical species the luxury of relaxation as waters cool is not afforded. Both Snook and Tarpon fall squarely in this category with an inability to handle cold water temperatures for any long period of time. This ensures that these fish will have to find a way to make it when our weather turns to the cold side. Snook on the east coast will typically not migrate to the southern part of our lagoons or destinations far beyond in search of warmer suitable winter waters like the tarpon often do. They will hunker down in a more localized fashion by finding backwaters, deeper areas, and even the power plant that will moderate water temps when the time comes. In the backwater pockets and still canals protection from north winds and their mud bottoms help hold heat from the sun keeping the water warmer by several degrees as the night settles in. The power plant is no doubt an oasis any snook would be fortunate to find for its warm water outflow and prevalent food. Port Canaveral will also play host to scores of wintering snook as the deep water and proximity to the ocean will keep the comfort level high over those cooler months. The snook that enjoyed their summer on the beach and the lagoons will all use this month and next as the transition time to ensure survival. Most will be more than willing to feed with reckless abandonment as the urge to pack on pounds supersedes their typically shy behavior. With the last decade of mild winters our snook population has exploded and without a hard cold winter that trend should hold strong.

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Scarlett O’Hare with a Slot Snook caught at Blind Pass Sanibel/Captiva Bass Event on Lake Austin & LoLo at the recent Extreme the Day at 8.72 lbs of s Bas Big ding Toho 24 lbs. plus inclu

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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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king harks. ng or n the Make ell or keep

gh the al fin. d the chools eader, k, and 500030- to mmend d and . I love res at uccess ng and ounce of my

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OCTOBER 2021

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.

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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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Wear it today for only

$29

n the history of timepieces, few moments are more important than the creation of the world’s first Piezo timepiece. First released to the public in 1969, the watch turned the entire industry on its head, ushering in a new era of timekeeping. It’s this legacy that we’re honoring with the Timemaster Watch, available only through Stauer at a price only we can offer. Prior to Piezo watches, gravity-driven Swiss watches were the standard bearer of precision timekeeping. But all that changed when the first commercially available Piezo watch came onto the market. The result of ten years of research and development by some of the world’s top engineers, they discovered that when you squeeze a certain type of crystal, it generates a tiny electric current. And, if you pass electricity through the crystal, it vibrates at a precise frequency–exactly 32,768 times each second. When it came on the market, the Piezo watch was the most dependable timepiece available, accurate to 0.2 seconds per day. Today, it’s still considered a spectacular advance in electrical engineering. “[Piezo timepieces]...it would shake the Swiss watch industry to its very foundations.” —Foundation For Economic Education With the Timemaster we’ve set one of the world’s most important mechanical advances inside a decidedly masculine case. A handsome prodigy in rich leather and gold-finished stainless steel. The simplicity of the watch’s case belies an ornately detailed dial, which reflects the prestige of this timepiece. Call today to secure your own marvel of timekeeping history. Because we work directly with our own craftsman we’re able to offer the Timemaster at a fraction of the price that many Piezo watches cost. But a watch like this doesn’t come along every day. Call today before time runs out and they’re gone. Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. Spend some time with this engineering masterpiece for one month. If you’re not convinced you got excellence for less, simply send it back within 30 days for a refund of the item price. But we’re betting this timekeeping pioneer is a keeper.

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Timemaster Piezo Watch $299*

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• Precision Piezo electric movement • Stainless steel caseback and crown • Cotswold® mineral crystal • Crocodile embossed leather strap fits wrists 6 ½"–8 ½" • Date window display • Water resistant to 3 ATM