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

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

A Few Tips

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

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

The Fishing

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

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

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By Gary Turner

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

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

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

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BRENDA RIGGS MIKE RIGGS Co-publishers & Editors

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

By Chris McCoy “Getting out here in the outdoors, while suffering from PTSD, gives me an opportunity to get away from everything from the week and focus on the outdoors and some fellowship with fellow anglers. It’s been a blessing. Hook Line and Heroes has given an opportunity to reconnect with things that matter.” – Keith, Iraq War Veteran We are always thrilled to hear that type of feedback from the Veterans we take out on the water! It is a perfect encapsulation of our mission here at Hook Line and Heroes that we have built around since our founding in 2017. The love and compassion we share for our servicemen and women who defend our freedoms is what drives us. We give nominated Veterans with service-connected disabilities the opportunity to spend a day in the beauty of God’s creation and relax while fishing. As we can all agree, the outdoors is a great place to bring peace of mind, calming, reflection, and a chance to put aside the typical day-to-day stresses. The above quote came at the end of a cold and blustery day out on the Wando and Cooper rivers in Charleston, SC this past February. We had the pleasure of taking Keith, an Army Veteran of the Iraq War and first responder, out that day to try and fulfill his desire of landing some Red Fish. Keith persevered through the conditions and as you can see, reeled in some stellar Red Fish, Black Drum, Sheepshead and Trout. Keith was also a professional angler himself at one point, so he was thrilled to land such a variety of fish throughout the day! Our trips are targeted to be a one-on-one experience between a representative of Hook Line and Heroes and the Veteran, should they so choose a family member is always welcome. No matter where the trip is located throughout the Carolinas or Virginia, we always provide a licensed fishing guide as well to ensure the Veteran has the best experience catching fish that day. After each trip, our Veteran walks away with a fishing rod, fishing tackle, Hook Line and Heroes apparel, a Bible and daily devotional book. The fishing guide, equipment, and travel cost are all covered by Hook Line and Heroes. We are a 100% volunteer run organization. Above all, we aim for the Veteran to take away new friendships and love, enabling them to create or renew their passion for fishing as well as their relationship with God. To further cement the connection that Keith gained that day, we were thrilled when he expressed interest in joining our Board of Directors. Since joining this spring he has been a great resource for us and is now the fourth Veteran we have on our Board. Each of whom set the example to follow for our organization, both personally and professionally. For more information about Hook Line and Heroes or to nominate a Veteran for a trip, please visit our website at www.hooklineandheroes.org. Our website also details the many ways you can support us through one time, monthly, or corporate giving donations. As we mentioned, our trips are no cost to the Veteran, so each dollar raised helps bring another one of these trips to life. Lastly, please follow us on Facebook and Instagram @hooklineandhero to keep up with our events, fundraisers and most importantly see highlights from every trip we complete! Everyone has a Veteran they know in their family, their neighborhood, or their workplace and they deserve the best we can provide! COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

J. ANDRE JIM BAUGH MIKE BUSS AARON KELLY CHRIS McCOY GLEN PIZZANELLO II WARREN REESE JOLLY ROGER JOHN TIGER JAKE WORTHINGTON

GRAPHIC DESIGN

JENNY DIAZ

CONTACT INFORMATION For editorial comments, articles, photography, artwork and all other inquiries please contact:

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MIKE RIGGS mriggs@coastalanglermagazine.com

JUNE 2020

TIDEWATER & THE OUTER BANKS 1

CHESAPEAKE BAY BRIDGE TUNNEL By Mike Buss

hope all of you are safe and well and have avoided the Corona Virus. It is causing all sorts of problems including having to stay at home and I have cabin fever because of it.

This month I will discuss one of my favorite areas to fish, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel (CBBT). It is a 22-mile man made structure that is a magnet for all the game fish in this area. It stretches from Virginia Beach to the Eastern shore and it incorporates 2 tunnels and 4 islands, one at each end of the two tunnels and hundreds of pilings supporting the bridge. All this structure is home to bait fish, crabs, clams and the gamefish that feed on them. Fishing the CBBT starts when the water begins to warm to 55/56 degrees F in the spring. This usually occurs in May and results in good fishing for flounder, croaker and speckled trout. The warmer months of June, July, and August offer good fishing for flounder, croaker, speckled trout, bluefish, cobia, spadefish, Spanish Mackerel, and red and black drum. September and October have good fishing for Spanish Mackerel, striped bass, bluefish, and speckled trout. November and December fishing is good for striped bass and bluefish, while January offers striped bass. Obviously, water temperatures and food source and supply may cause variations. My basic tackle for fishing the CBBT consists of 9-foot 8/9 weight balanced outfits using an intermediate or fast sinking line. A reel with an adjustable drag and at least 150 yards of 30-pound test backing and a 4 to 6-foot long 20-pound test leader completes my outfit. I like to use clouser and deceiver minnow patterns in hook sizes 1-2/0 and baitfish colors. If I am targeting big drum or big striped bass, I up my outfit to a 10/11 weight outfit. Everything else stays the same. The tidal flows around the CBBT offer a variety of currents and flows and the best advice Is to get out and fish. There is nothing like experience on the water to improve your knowledge of tidal and current flow around the various CBBT structures. A good logbook is invaluable as conditions repeat themselves every couple of weeks as the tide flows through its normal schedule. If you had good fishing in an area, it will probable repeat itself when the tide is the same. As you would expect, the spots that are traditionally good fishing areas will also hold fish at the CBBT. Corners of the islands produce well as the tidal current forces water onto and around the rocks on the island. There are also coves near the spines of the underwater tunnel that provide holding areas for bait and these produce at times. Any current over the tunnel spines flush bait to waiting gamefish. Eddies develop at the corners of the islands and around the pilings. Watch how the current is flowing and anticipate where the gamefish will be to intercept the bait the current is pushing to them. Current rips form off the islands, pilings and spines and these are all good places to throw a fly. As I mentioned earlier, there is no substitute for experience on the water and if you take good notes, over time you should have developed a notebook of places that can be counted on to produce. Good luck and tight lines

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TIDEWATER & THE OUTER BANKS 2

NKS 2

The Flying Fisherman By J. Andre

Big Cat Fever The day after all that wind and rain flooded the river, I loaded the boat and went in search of big kitties. Bait was hard to find and the 3 lb. Green Ditch Pickle, while fun, didn’t help any. Finally, a Yellow Perch and a White Perch saw fit to sacrifice themselves for the cause. The first fish on the cat rods was a ….21-inch Chain Pickerel?? It has been years since we ran into any of these and it was in the creek in back of Munden Point City Park. The cold front must have awakened this nice fish, but the fight would have been better on my ultralight bait rods. A nice Channel Cat came aboard next, around 6 lbs. Where were his cousins? I was attempting to fish 5 rods because I wanted to check out a new 7.5-foot Big Cat Fever Med/Heavy Rod that is new to the boat. The fishing was slow, and I wondered if I should have brought my other BCF rod to broaden the spread and my possibilities. The Blue Kitties were slow to show, but at 1130 the dinner bell went gone off. A 25-pound, 35.5-inch Blue was the first to hit my Ugly Stik Tiger Rod. The Tiger made quick work of this nice fish. Then, I had a wild rip tearing take down that avoided the hook but made off with my Yellow Perch head piece. I countered this by casting the BCF Rod with a White Perch head piece for bait into the same spot. I had no sooner put the BCF Rod in the Cannon Adjustable Rod Holder when the pole bend over. The drag was screaming. This was a 30-pound 40.75-inch Blue Cat that qualified for a VA State Citation. While I was taking pictures of the big Blue, my left waist rod holder with an Ugly Stik Catfish Special got slammed, but then instantly went slack. I finished with the pictures in time to look up and see the previously mentioned pole doubled over and the line slicing through the water at light speed. It then swept up 3 other lines in my spread. It was a mess and it turned out that 2 fish were hooked up on the 4 tangled lines. When the fiasco was sorted out, the first rod had a 10-pound, 30.25” Citation Bowfin on the line. The other rod was hooked up to an 8-pound Blue that became supper. This crazy action of double hook ups and braided leaders occurred 2 more times until I retired that fifth rod. After all this pandemonium in the back of the boat settled down, I decided to call it a day and unrig the rods. When all was put away, my eyes went forward in search of my camera and tripod previously standing on the deck. It was nowhere in sight, but it was obvious where it must be. I rigged up my large weighted treble hook on a rod and went “fishing”. It didn’t take long to reel in my photo gear which may have spent up to an hour in the drink. I hate the thought of losing my ancient digital camera, but the pictures are more important to me. After a few days in a Tupperware container filled with rice, I was relieved to check the SD card and see that the pictures survived! Unfortunately, the same could not be said for the operation of the camera. A new GoPro 7 is now in my camera bag. Get out there and enjoy this hot spring action. Get slimed! COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

JUNE 2020

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OBX By Aaron Kelly

INSHORE

June is one of the least windy months of the year for us on the OBX. This affords us more opportunity to get out there and fish. We can fish old favorite spots or maybe spend a day looking for a few new ones. Tuna and dolphin with be out in the gulf stream waiting for you. Early bird gets the worm for tuna. Probably why I don’t see too many. Blue n white or purple n black sea witch with ballyhoo seem to be standard. If winds line up the grass on a southwest wind look for some good dolphin fishing. Pink, green, blue n white are solid color choices with your ballyhoo. Mix up some different size baits as well. A bigger profile chugged head and medium ballyhoo for a gaffer. Something smaller around 5/0-7/0 hook for the bailer dolphin with a strip of squid. Inshore Spanish,blues,drum ,and cobia will keep us enticed and excited to charge out there every morning! Waters are warming 68-73 inshore and it just seems perfect for us along the beaches! Sound side the trouterbanks has been hot! Speckled trout fishing has been nothing short of wonderful. Mix in a few slot sized reds and you are gonna have a day! Seamullet and trout will be snapping in the wash along the beaches. Early more Spanish and blues as well. So get out there breath some fresh air and come fishing! Check out our local shops they have all the gear and latest knowledge to get you rigged up! Captain Aaron Kelly www.rocksolidfishing.com • 252-441-6575

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Jake’s Outdoor Adventures

By Jake Worthington

have been the recipient of several rods and reels that people have handed down to me over the years. These are not just rods to me; they are also holders of memories of the people that gave them to me. Recently I was given a rod and reel by the widow of one of the Outer Banks Anglers Club members who passed away. Her husband was Reynolds “Reyn” Smith Jr. who passed away last September. Mrs. Smith said she knew her husband would want me to have it. There is a story behind this rod and reel that began many years back when I was a freshman in high school and I attended the annual Outer Banks Anglers Club Award Banquet. At every banquet there is a rod and reel combo that is raffled and the number is drawn at the end of the evening. My Dad bought me tickets that night and I really wanted to win that rod and reel. However, fate was not with me that night and Mr. Smith was the winner of the rod and reel. Mrs. Smith said she remembered me coming up to her and her husband and me admiring the rod and reel. While I was disappointed I didn’t win it, I was glad someone won it who shared the same passion for fishing as I did. As fate would have it, this would not be the last time I saw this rod and reel. My Dad called me at school in Raleigh and said he had a surprise for me. He told me that he was contacted by Mrs. Mary Smith who was coming down from New Jersey to pack all the things in their condo in Manteo because she was selling it. She told Dad she had something she wanted me to have. He met her at her condo and she gave him the rod and reel along with a nice note for me. Later that week when I arrived home, Dad presented me with the letter from Mrs. Smith and then the rod and reel. I remembered it as soon as I saw it and I was so honored to be entrusted with it. Every time I use that rod and reel, I will have the memory of Mr. Smith and how he loved and enjoyed fishing. As you see, a piece of fishing equipment can be more than just that-- it can be the gateway to a person’s memories. This national situation we have been dealing with over the past few months has altered the way we all live. One thing that has been a constant is that we are experiencing things we have never experienced before. One of the annual events we usually have on the Outer Banks is the Annual Fritz Boyden Youth Fishing Tournament. This year was going to be the 50th anniversary of the tournament but that will have to wait until next year. Let us all hope we can get outside and get back to fishing very soon!

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BOATING: Upgrades on a Budget By John Tiger

o while the news says the current state of the economy is in the dumper due to the pandemic, so you want to go boating but are in no position to buy a new rig? Many are in the same boat. Even if you’re doing ok and you’re healthy, you might tend to be more cautious about your lifestyle, your spending habits, and yes, even your favorite passions…boating and fishing. While the times call for caution to be sure, the current state of the economy can’t ruin everyone’s fun. As this is written, summer is coming up fast, gas prices are really low compared to this time last year, and it would be a shame to let one go by without enjoying it; life’s too short to let the beauty and warmth of the fishing and boating season to go by without getting out on the water.

a new winch and strap, bolt-on retractable stainless tiedowns, or even a pivoting tongue are all inexpensive mods that most boatowners can do with hand tools on a weekend afternoon. Going a bit deeper, for those who have older hulls, retrofitting and restoring are also inexpensive upgrades that can be done with little cash outlay and some elbow grease. Replacing worn and faded carpet, swapping old and decayed seats with new ones, re-fitting the dash with new gauges, or replacing worn-out steering with a new hydraulic system are all great ideas for making an older boat seem newer, at least for a season or two.

GET OUT AND ENJOY

At the very least, even if you don’t plan to work on the boat this season, get out and enjoy it. Investing in the market or real estate isn’t in the cards for many, but a dozen days on the water in the heart of fishing season can be a great investment in “your time” as well as treasured family and buddy time. Time served is an investment that will pay big dividends for your peace of mind, and it will surely take your mind off the everyday “same ‘ol same ‘ol”. Have a great summer, and go boating!

FUN ON A BUDGET

Some are in a good position to buy a new boat this year. Though yours truly isn’t in that space, I applaud those of you who are, and who are stepping up to the plate to order a new rig, full speed ahead. To you I say, thank you for helping to keep our small segment of the market going, helping to keep boatbuilders going, making profits and keeping their employees busy. It’s a win-win all ‘round; you get a brand-new rig to enjoy and the industry keeps moving forward. For those not in the market for a new rig, maybe it’s time for an upgrade. Trading up, even if it’s used, might be just the ticket in your price range. Upgrading to a new engine might be where it’s at for your wallet, or even a good used powerplant that has a little more go for your hull could put a grin on your face this summer. For many, even a new engine or hull is out of the question. Nothing wrong with that; if your rig is performing well and you still want the satisfaction of a few changes and upgrades, there’s plenty to do on a budget that’s enjoyable. Performance upgrades like jack plates, better propellers and gearcase modifications are always worthy investments, and they bring speed and acceleration rewards without breaking the bank. Trailers are always in need of improvements. Upgrading to a set of new LED lights, for example, will not only make the trailer safer and more visible on the road, but the entire conversion can be done in an afternoon for less than a hundred bucks. Adding a spare tire and mount,

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John Tiger has published columns and articles about boating and towing for over 25 years. A recognized expert in high performance boat setup, rigging and driving, outboard repair and trailer towing, John’s boating and racing experience has helped him write popular columns such as Outboard Tech and Seat Time as well as many hundreds of feature stories.

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CATCHIN’& COOKIN’ JOSE WEJEBE’S CHICKEN WITH KALAMATA OLIVES

JIM BAUGH’S RECIPE OF THE MONTH

This is an awesome recipe that Jose donated to our Galley Blog years ago. It was one of his mother’s favorite dishes she made for her family. We make it often and toast to Jose. RIP. Marinade some chicken thighs in a mix of Marsala cooking wine, olive oil and Italian salad dressing for about 2 hours. Then slice potatoes and layer the bottom of a cooking pan, next slice onions and put on top of potatoes. Arrange chicken on top adding only a tiny bit of marinade. Set the rest of the marinade aside and dice about six cloves of garlic and add to the marinade. Next is to slice kalamata olives and barrage on top of chicken thighs. Cook at 385 degrees and in 20 minutes put a spoonful on each Thigh. Enjoy!!

TIME TO FISH ON THE SHORE ! by Jim Baugh reporting from Oyster Farm at Kings Creek, Cape Charles VA Good News! We are fishing again! Things have begun to open up during the middle of May and it is a good thing because the fish are here. The Drum bite is on and we should be filming a Cobia show here the first of next week. For events, accommodations, lodging, restaurant info, for the most recent updates please log on to the Oyster Farm web site www.theoysterfarmatkingscreek.com. Also, good places to check online would be the town of Cape Charles, Kiptopeake State Park, and the Tourism Commission on the Eastern Shore. Our short film “The Milky Way Galaxy Our Home as seen from the Eastern Shore” is continuing to be selected for film festivals across the USA! Most recent is the Sci-Fi Film Festival in Oregon coming up in September 2020. Check out the info on our JBOTV Blogspot. Jim Baugh Outdoors TV has been getting a lot of request from folks wanting to purchase digital prints of some of our Milky Way Stills. So, without further adoo, we have created a gallery on our JBOTV blogspot for selected limited-edition digital prints. Check them out at jimbaughoutdoorsblogspot.com We will continue to post prints as they come available and thank you for your orders. To order one, simply email us at jbotv@outlook.com and we will send the info to ya! Jim Baugh, Jimbaugh.net, Jim Baugh Outdoors TV For more updates on our fishing trips and latest shows check out our blogspot at https://jimbaughoutdoors.blogspot.com or all our new shows at JBOTV - https://www.youtube.com/c/ JimBaughOutdoors

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Fish Tales & Other Exaggerations

By Jolly Roger

he new pride of the fleet, our 18’ Larsen inboard/outboard, was a true joy. One of our friends was a mechanic and installed a freshwater heat exchanger, so no saltwater would corrode the engine. We got better at docking in the slip and compared to the other boats in our fleet, this was like riding in a waterborne Cadillac. Even Mom appreciated the genuine vinyl seats, as the left - side could be folded down into a chaise lounge for sunning and napping. What Mom did not account for was the occasional fish fin brushing across her legs. Wet, slimy and screaming: not the fish, it was Mom making the noise. This was followed by a British - accented diatribe of accusations. The guilty party would officially apologize and offer that it would never happen again, well until the next time excitement overcame control. We used this boat for all the things that we so enjoyed: fishing, clamming, crabbing and occasionally waterskiing. One of the good things about docking at the marina, was a fueling dock. This meant that we could fill up and not have to haul fuel. I do remember that Pop saying that the price was high at $1.10 per gallon. Ah, wouldn’t that be a great price, today. Of course, like other aspects of life, there were unexpected consequences. When the Larsen was moored off the house, a seagull adopted the boat. While we appreciated nature, we didn’t appreciate the white – based effluent that came out of this bird. If the top was not up, it coated the dash and deck. If the top was up, it coated the top. It was amazing the volume that this bird could put out. It seemed that this bird could produce twice its weight in poop. The garvey was always moored there, but this bird was looking for a cooler boat. Pop named the bird, Murgatroyd. I don’t know why, possibly this was profanity in another language. However, it was time to figure out how to outsmart this bird and shooting was not an option. After much pondering using resources available, including beer or a martini, a plan was hatched. Pop bought a fake owl. The owl was mounted to the windscreen and the top was pulled and secured. Haunt some other vessel, you dirty bird! That evening I looked out to the Larsen. There was the owl and Murgatroyd. I swear that Murgatroyd had a wing around his new friend as they watched the sunset, together. So much for the security owl. Maybe they work on sparrows, but this seagull enjoyed his new silent partner. Sure enough, there was the usual chunky white coating on the top. We tried other things, like stringing line over the top, but Murgatroyd still loved the Larsen, as much as we did. It took a few years of throwing buckets of water over the top and brushing, prior to launching. Then one year, no Murgatroyd. I don’t know whether he found a newer model or joined Jonathan Livingston Seagull in an eternal quest. Oddly, I experienced mixed emotions about this. How, as First Mate, I hated cleaning up bird poop and yet I somehow missed seeing him perched on the Larsen, as if he owned it. Funny how something that was a source of aggravation can make you a little sad when it is gone. So many memories, so little time. P.S. As I write this article it is almost mid – May and we are still sheltering at home and practicing social distancing. This has been a strange time. When I listen to the news, I am saddened to hear of the loss of life and the odd challenges of this virus. What I am proud of is the response of our First Responders, medical practitioners and the number of folks that have stepped up to make masks and how, as Americans, we have adapted. I spoke to friends who now have meals, as a family and are spending quality time together. This is a difficult time, but as the generations before us overcame adversity, so will we. I wish you good health and thank you for wearing your mask.

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AREA ANGLER CLUBS The Great Bridge Fisherman’s Association is a family-oriented fishing club located in the Great Bridge area of Chesapeake, Virginia. Our charter is to introduce new anglers to the sport of recreational fishing while promoting the conservation of our resources. The diversity of its membership covers all aspects of recreational fishing from freshwater to saltwater, surf to pier, and inshore to offshore fishing. The club is active in the community, sponsoring various events including Wish a Fish, an Annual Scholarship to high school seniors pursuing higher education and inshore party boat fishing for both our senior and disabled residents. Our Tournament Director also ensures that the membership sponsors and participates in various inter and intra club tournaments throughout the year. Some of our annual activities include a banquet, lead pouring, oyster roast and fishing flea market. Monthly meetings are held the first Monday of the month from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. There is always a guest speaker talking on a wide range of topics and there are plenty of door prizes, raffles and snacks to round off the night. We meet at the Great Bridge Baptist Church located at 640 Battlefield Blvd South, Chesapeake, Virginia across the street from the YMCA. Guests are always welcome. Feel free to contact us with any questions at www. fishgbfa.com.

The Tidewater Anglers Club (TAC) was founded in February of 1941 at a meeting at the Monticello Hotel in Norfolk, Virginia. The objectives of the TAC were the same then as they are today—to promote legislation and fishing practices that effectively provide protection of the environment and our resources. TAC is an organization that influences the customs and practices for the conservation and propagation of fish and kindred creatures. The TAC organization is committed to the promotion of true sportsmanship among all fishermen along with providing entertainment and education for its members. The club has grown into a truly multidisciplined angling organization with almost equal individual and family memberships. Each year there are 11 monthly membership meetings and an Annual Awards Banquet. There are also club activities such as tournaments, family fishing days, a fish fry and other events which allow members to gather for fun and fellowship. The monthly meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at Bayside Presbyterian Church, 1400 Ewell Road, Virginia Beach, VA. (Intersection of Independence Blvd. and Ewell Rd.) Guests are always welcome and we usually serve light refreshments. Monthly meetings always include an educational talk or presentation on some aspect of fishing. Also members submit fishing contest forms and this information is used to select the winners of our annual trophies. The club maintains a record of all fish reported to determine club records. Special events bring everyone together for some fun and relaxation. These include hot dog and chili nights, our annual fish fry and our annual awards banquet for the awarding of the fish trophies. We welcome you to join the Tidewater Anglers Club. We are a group of about 100 members, of various levels of fishing experience, ranging from those of us who have not purchased their first fishing rod or tackle box or own a boat to those of us who have been fishing for over 60 years. For more information, please call Mr. Leslie Parr at 757-593-8853 or go to our website at www.tidewateranglersclub.org. In 2008, a group of men gathered on the Outer Banks with the purpose of organizing a club for fishing and called themselves the Outer Banks Anglers Club (OBXAC). The OBXAC meets the last Monday of every month at the Kern-Pitts Center located behind the Southern Shores Town Hall at 7:00 pm. The meetings are open to anyone, whether they are an experienced fisherman or those who are just starting out. At each meeting, the club has a monthly guest speaker that may be a member, a local fishing captain, biologists, state or local marine agencies, or has a connection with fishermen. Also, members will discuss their fishing trips and share information and sometimes pictures from the trips. Every month, members will submit their exemplary catches for the Fish of the Month contest. During the break, refreshments are served and members and guests can network. After the break, a short business meeting is conducted and ends with a raffle for a $50 gift certificate from TW’s Bait and Tackle, as well as a 50/50 raffle. Check out the club’s webpage http://www.outerbanksanglersclub.com for more information about the club.

Come visit the Virginia Beach Anglers Club. We meet thefirst Thursday of each month at 7:30pm at the Foundry United Methodist Church located at 2801 Virginia Beach Blvd. in Virginia Beach. For more information go to virginiabeachanglersclub.org - Check out our monthly newsletter TIGHT LINES there or email vbanglersclub@gmail.com COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

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OFF THE DOCK LIGHTS AND INTO THE DARK By Run the Marsh VA - Glen Pizzanello II & Warren Reese

ishing at night usually means bait fishing or casting into dock lights, while these tactics obviously produce, fishing dark banks with jigs can be a surprisingly effective way to catch fish. Many anglers are weary of dark creek mouths and banks simply because they cannot see. However, the nights that have been the most productive for us have been from using the same daytime tactics such as targeting structure, creek mouths, mud flats, and sandy points. These areas are good because of their ability to hold bait and to provide a suitable environment for predatory fish. One major difference when using artificials at night is the speed and style of retrieve. When using jig heads and soft plastics, it is important to use baits that provide a lot of action and sufficient weight to make solid contact with the bottom. Typically, when fishing sandy points or mud flats, it is beneficial for the angler to keep a lowered rod tip and twitch the bait in a way that keeps it as close to the bottom as possible. It is important to make sure that you make long casts and work the bait slow by moving it in small increments. When fishing oyster beds it is important to use the hard oysters to your advantage by making a beacon of sound to help fish find your lure. Clicking the lure on the oysters with small sharp flicks of the rod tip followed by a three to five second pause is an efficient way to create commotion while maintaining a slow retrieve. Another successful tactic when fishing oyster beds or gravel bottoms is to fish weedless swim baits and drag them straight through the oysters and gravel with long, slow sweeps of the rod. Fishing spots that you are very familiar with is a great way to increase your confidence while night fishing. Not only are you familiar with the structure and contours of the river bottom, but also with the baitfish and prey that are in the area as well. During late April and May in the Elizabeth River, the cinder worm hatch creates a large influx of bait on flats and in shallow creeks. These wood boring worms are active at night and provide easy protein for all predators in the river but seem to be a favorite amongst striper and red drum. From mid-winter until the hottest part of summer, red drum form large schools; during the cinder worm hatch, it can be easy to find these schools piled into shallow areas around structure gorging on the soft worms. There are also several other species of important forage that hatch or spawn at night, including shad, oftentimes happening right in our favorite creeks to fish. Always remember to start with what you know when fishing away from well-lit areas at night. Make long casts, work your bait slow, maintain good contact with the bottom, and fish confidently. Relying mostly on feel and faith can help tune up even the most seasoned angler and open up a new realm of experience. Although the evening is typically regarded as the best time to fish, the hours after can provide steady and exciting fishing for those willing to step into the dark. For more insight into fishing Virginia’s intracoastal waterways, follow us on Facebook and Instagram @run_the_marsh_va or send us an email @runthemarshva@gmail.com. For more insight into fishing Virginia’s intracoastal waterways, follow us on Instagram and Facebook @run_the_marsh_va.

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By CAM Staff By CAM Staff

ust like their saltwater brethren, “landlocked” striped bass in reservoirs across the country are highly mobile. Even restricted by dams, they retain the instinct to migrate, and this tendency leads to some of the most exciting fishing that exists. When stripers run up rivers and creeks each spring and summer, anglers are likely to encounter very large fish in small waters. The fish come in waves, with an initial spring spawning run followed by a larger influx when summer heat pushes fish in search of thermal refuge. Garner Reid, of Georgia’s Cohutta Fishing Company, has made it his life’s work to target big river-run stripers with a fly rod. Sure, he could catch them sinking cut bait, but it’s more fun to dance streamers around blowdowns in anticipation that a 20-plus-pounder might be waiting in ambush. The furious fights can be compared to those of big redfish, only they occur in a river, where current and cover work against the angler. “If a big striper decides he’s going to wrap your line around a snag, there’s no way you’re going to stop it,” said Reid. “You’ve got to be a little lucky.” Reid’s homewaters are Georgia’s Chattahoochee and Etowah rivers, but striped bass run in every system where they are present.

The Caney Fork, the Hiwassee, the Cumberland, the Saluda, the list of Southeastern rivers with good striper runs is long. Reid has fished a lot of them and said the similarities are a reminder that striped bass are by nature a saltwater species. “The amount of flow coming down the river dictates where you find fish,” he said. “Dam releases are like tides. High water is a large incoming tide. Just like in saltwater, the fish are pushing up as high as they can get.” Striped bass become ambush predators in these “mountain tides.” In high water, they post up in creek mouths and on big blowdowns. When flows are low, they retreat to the depths in oxygen-rich holes below shoals. Their sensitivity to sunlight means they’re most likely to prowl in low light.

Reid said fish in ambush mode are more active. The fishing is faster, and floating or intermediate lines with un-weighted streamers can be worked relatively shallow. When stripers retreat to the depths, it’s sometimes necessary to break out sinking line and weighted streamers for a slow presentation fish can’t resist. With this need for versatility, Reid carries an arsenal of 8- to 10-weight rods rigged with floating, intermediate and full sinking lines. Fly selection is determined by available forage. Popular streamers like Clousers, Deceivers and Half & Halfs fit the bill in sizes and colors to match natural baitfish. On a particular river, that might be a 2-inch threadfin shad or it might be a 9-inch rainbow trout. Reid said bigger fish, which can weigh 20, 30, even 40 pounds, prefer larger baits. Even with a 10-weight fly rod, it’ll take some luck to get a fish like that to the boat. Check out Cohutta Fishing Company at www.cohuttafishingco.com. Follow Garner Reid on Instagram and Facebook.

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

JUNE 2020

NATIONAL 13

ings K Summer

CATCH UP WITH THE

By CAM Staff

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

PHOTO COURTESY OF CAPT. LARRY MCGUIRE.

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

14 NATIONAL

JUNE 2020

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A A

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

By Alex McCrickard

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

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

JUNE 2020

NATIONAL 15

“Fo

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apt. Mickey Brelsford says his Rebel free-fall unit is the perfect fishing tool, providing him a “good, solid anchoring position.” In the past, using a windlass yielded poor retrieval results and left no room for customization, like adding special attachments or splicing rope and chain. “I don’t know how many times I’ve been on boats where [the line is] hanging up, snarling, getting knotted up in the windlass or shredding line,” Brelsford said. A retired policeman, Capt. Brelsford enjoys time fishing near the coast of St. James City, Fla. on his 37-foot “Nostalgic Lady,” a 1981 Hatteras Sportfish that carries 300 feet of 5/8 rope and 20 feet of heavy-duty chain. After adding a pulpit to his vessel, Capt. Brelsford used to pull up all his rope by hand, wasting time and energy on multiple retrieval and deployment attempts as he tried to find the perfect “boat position.” “The easiest way I can explain boat position is if you’re at the baseball game, you’re either playing—which is fishing— or you’re watching the game, which means you’re not,” Brelsford said. Brelsford decided he’d rather be in the

game than on the sidelines, so installing the Rebel EZ-5 became a no-brainer after researching product information and helpful documents on the company website, then calling the drum anchor winch manufacturer’s technical support team for additional pointers. Unlike E-Z Anchor Puller Mfg. Co’s two direct drive series (the Hero and Patriot series), the Rebel drum anchor winch has a clutch and friction plate design that allows the drum to free-spool when the clutch plate is disengaged. To get that “good, solid anchoring position,” press and hold the “raise/power up” side of the button for about five seconds. This will cause the clutch plate to once again rotate, but this time clamping down on the drum and holding the boat at anchor. “Once I deploy my anchor and it goes

into a free-fall, it’s straight down to the bottom as quick as it can go,” Brelsford said. “And then, once I set the anchor I can free-line out as much anchor rode as I need: that’s what I call boat position.” As an added bonus, the Rebel drum anchor winch is compatible with an E-Z Anchor Puller wireless long-range remote, which controls your drum anchor winch from anywhere on the boat. The wireless remotes are available for the Hero and Patriot series, as well. Capt. Brelsford purchased his on the company website, ezanchorpuller.com. “This [unit] here—don’t worry about it—it just rolls right on and keeps on rollin’. That’s what it is: E-Z!” Brelsford concluded.

Photo courtesy of Amber Rose.

A F

lorida fly fisher Kathryn Vallilee caught a massive 21-pound Key West permit on 6-pound tippet March 22. The catch, when approved by IGFA, is expected to crush the existing 21-year-old line-class world record by more than 11 pounds. “The fight for me was so tense because I knew this fish was the one,” Vallilee, who was fishing with Capt. Brandon Cyr, told USA Today’s For The Win Outdoors. “And I think my focus on fighting it was what makes that memory so vivid. When Brandon got the fish in the net, I just felt a wave of relief wash over me.” Vallilee is no stranger to the record books. She co-owns a Key West fly shop with her husband and already holds the 4-pound line class record. With Capt. Cyr, she has been chasing the 6-pound record all year. She and Cyr spotted three large permit as shadows over the white sand flats on March 22. She sight casted to them with a Skok’s Strong Arm Merkin fly, and the fish took. The previous record of 9 pounds, 12 ounces has stood since 1999.

t presstime, the 2020 Blue Marlin World Cup, a high stakes single-day tournament will take place as scheduled on July 4. With no captain’s meeting or awards ceremony, the Blue Marlin World Cup is a fishing tournament with built-in social distancing. Government restrictions might continue in places where the competition has been keen in the past. Travel restrictions might deter some anglers. But there are plenty of home-based spots where anglers can depart, like North Carolina, Ocean City, Virginia Beach, Orange Beach, Biloxi, Galveston, etc. These areas and many more have the potential to produce the winning marlin. All it takes is one big fish to win. The tournament entry fee for the Blue Marlin World Cup is $5,000 per team. The optional Big Blue Challenge (“BBC”) is an $8,000 entry. There is a winner for the tournament and for the BBC. If the tournament winner is also entered in the BBC, they can take home all the money in this winnertake-all format. The Blue Marlin World Cup is a one-day fishing tournament held around the world. Blue marlin weighing more than 500 pounds are the only eligible species and competing teams fish in their respective time zones from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Entries are weighed on certified government scales in their respective locales. Pending any new worldwide developments, the 2020 Blue Marlin World Cup will be held July 4. For more information or to register, visit: www.bluemarlinworldcup.com.

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

JUNE 2020

NATIONAL 17

CustomBilt Pondtoon

The Pondtoon is the perfect small-water boat for avid river and pond anglers, duck hunters and bow hunters, as well as families with children or grandchildren. All boats are all-welded aluminum construction made and made in the U.S.A. with premium options to meet every angler’s needs. There are several styles to choose from that include: Fishing Series, Hunting Series, Pleasure Series, Farm/Pond Workboats, Search and Rescue and a new Camo boat. There are even wheelchair accessible models Pondtoon boats are factory assembled in three standard sizes with options and additional features that allow you to equip the boat for your fishing and hunting style at a very affordable price. Contact us to “customize” your very own CustomBilt Pondtoon boat. CONTACT CUSTOMBILT PONDTOONS AT (334) 684-2210 AND SEE THEIR WEBSITE AT BOATSANDFISHING.COM.

SPECIFICATIONS CustomBilt Pontoon

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

JUNE 2020

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

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

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

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

JUNE 2020

NATIONAL 19

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

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

www.doalures.com 20 NATIONAL

JUNE 2020

apt. Tim Barefoot is having trouble concentrating. In the middle of May, he was on rockfish so thick he had to ice his arms in the evenings. Reports from across the Mid-Atlantic indicate huge spawning runs of striped bass up coastal rivers that ramped up in the middle Photo Credit: Tim Barefoot of March. This is very good news considering all the doom and gloom we’ve been hearing about Atlantic striped bass populations lately. Barefoot has first-hand information from the James, Rappahannock, Occoquan and Potomac rivers. “They have all been chock full of fish and bait this year,” he said. “And it’s the nicest class of fish we’ve seen in several years.” The action is incredible for fish in the 3- to 12-pound range, and Barefoot is seeing the occasional 15- to 20-pounder. But he was almost as excited about the baitfish as the stripers. “One of the most encouraging things was to see the way the herring showed up,” he said. “The herring are so thick they brought the loons with them from the ocean. And when the herring are here like that, everything’s feeding and everything’s healthy.” Typically the rockfish will stick around in the rivers until mid-June or later. Until then, Barefoot said there’s no need for live bait. He’s been wearing them out on a Super Fluke rigged on a Barefoot Jumping Jig with the barb mashed down for easy releases. For more information, contact Capt. Tim Barefoot through his website at barefootcatsandtackle.com.

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

1/14/20 8:50 AM

PHOTO CREDIT: George Costa, TCO Outdoors

By Nick Carter

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

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

Barefoot

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

JUNE 2020

NATIONAL 21

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* 73297511 * 73297511 LIMIT 4 - Exp. 8/3/20* ®

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

$ 49

(798)

*73289161 * 73289161

(295)

72" x 80" Moving Blanket

$ 99

Use Online & In-Store

Customer Rating

(5596)

$ 49

Compare to Energizer HDB32Eh $15.98

ANY SINGLE ITEM*

WOW!

$ 89

Adjustable pressure relief valve equalizes pressure for easy opening

Save $ 155

Compare to RangeMaxx 1312-92 $9.99

20% OFF

Customer Rating

(593)

SUPER COUPON

Save $ 120 Use Online & In-Store

* 73308207 * 73308207 LIMIT 1 - Exp. 8/3/20*

Save 66% Compare to Porter-Cable PCE360 $59.98 ITEM 65570/61884 62370 shown

2799 .

1999

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* 73308249 * 73308249 LIMIT 3 - Exp. 8/3/20*

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

5/8/20 8:02 AM

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

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

Sacred Stone of the Southwest is on the Brink of Extinction

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

26 carats of genuine Arizona turquoise

ONLY $99

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

Necklace enlarged to show luxurious color

Jewelry Specifications: • Arizona turquoise • Silver-finished settings

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

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

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

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

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

Rating of A+

* Special price only for customers using the offer code versus the price on Stauer.com without your offer code.

Stauer

® 14101 Southcross Drive W., Ste 155, Dept. STC176-01, Burnsville, Minnesota 55337 www.stauer.com

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

One Life. Live It On The Water.

Drive-On Dry Docking For Boats Up To 50 Feet

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

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

800-JET-DOCK

JetDock.com

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

JUNE 2020

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