Coastal Angler Magazine - July / Panama City by Coastal Angler Magazine

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Marlin, Sails & Mahi!

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Fishing Reports Catch Photos News & Events PHOTO COURTESY OF JIMMY NELSON VOLUME 23 â€¢ ISSUE 282

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CEO / EDITOR IN CHIEF : Ben Martin • camads@coastalanglermagazine.com COO : Tracy Patterson • tracy@coastalanglermagazine.com ART DIRECTOR : Rebecca Snowden • graphics@coastalanglermagazine.com EDITORIAL COORDINATOR : Nick Carter • editorial@coastalanglermagazine.com WEBMASTER : webmaster@coastalanglermagazine.com ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: Corporate Headquarters info@coastalanglermagazine.com • 888-800-9794

FLORIDA

BIG BEND : Mike McNamara • (850) 510-7919 • captmike@coastalanglermagazine.com BREVARD : Chris Milner • (321) 631-1001 • cmilner@coastalanglermagazine.com DAYTONA/NEW SMYRNA/DELAND : Amy Chibbaro • (386) 478-3812 • achibbaro@coastalanglermagazine.com Chris Chibbaro • (386) 478-9234 • cchibbaro@coastalanglermagazine.com FLORIDA KEYS : Cliff Lumpkin • (305) 849-9093 • cliff@coastalanglermagazine.com FORT LAUDERDALE : Gene Dyer • (954) 680-3900 • gene@coastalanglermagazine.com FORT MYERS : Nadeen Welch • (239) 595-8265 • nwelch@coastalanglermagazine.com GREATER ORLANDO : Phillip & Giselle Wolf • (407) 790-9515 • phillip@coastalanglermagazine.com GREATER MIAMI : Gene Dyer • (954) 680-3900 • gene@coastalanglermagazine.com LAKELAND & SUMTER : Mary Brasher • (352) 598-4219 • maryf@coastalanglermagazine.com NAPLES : Nadeen Welch • (239) 595-8265 • nwelch@coastalanglermagazine.com NC FLORIDA/NATURE COAST : Cary & Lynn Crutchfield • (352) 372-4237 • crutch@coastalanglermagazine.com NE FLORIDA : Danny Patrick • (904) 742-4696 • danny@coastalanglermagazine.com PANAMA CITY/FORGOTTEN COAST : Randy Cnota • (229) 834-7880 • randyc@coastalanglermagazine.com PALM BEACH COUNTY : Barbara Ryan • (561) 373-8040 • barbara@coastalanglermagazine.com SARASOTA : Phil Prevoir • (239) 257-4684 • pprevoir@coastalanglermagazine.com TAMPA BAY : Chuck Atkins • (239) 464-5153 • chuck@coastalanglermagazine.com TREASURE COAST : Misti & Gary Guertin • (772) 285-6850 • treasurecoast@coastalanglermagazine.com flahama@coastalanglermagazine.com

SOUTHEAST

ATLANTA : Bob & Brenda Rice • (706) 614-8231 • bobr@theanglermagazine.com CHARLESTON : Sam Buckareff • (843) 607-8629 • sam@coastalanglermagazine.com CHARLOTTE/PIEDMONT : Doug Simmons • (704) 361-6189 • simmons@theanglermagazine.com Juli Simmons • (980) 333-7273 • simmons@theanglermagazine.com COLUMBIA/MIDLANDS : John Lux • (803) 807-6885 • jlux@theanglermagazine.com MYRTLE BEACH : Mike Masiero • (732) 674-3019 • mmasiero@coastalanglermagazine.com TIDEWATER/OUTER BANKS : John Tiger • (757) 707-9654 • john.tiger@coastalanglermagazine.com Laura Tiger • (757) 707-9655 • laura@coastalanglermagazine.com WESTERN NC : Debra & Joe Woody • (828) 775-9663 • woody@theanglermagazine.com WILMINGTON/MOREHEAD : Kenny Ritter • (910) 550-9094 • kenny@coastalanglermagazine.com

NORTHEAST BOSTON : George Regan • (617) 488-2842 • boston@coastalanglermagazine.com LONG ISLAND : Lisa & Michael Danforth • (203) 321-7635 • lisad@coastalanglermagazine.com CONNECTICUT/RHODE ISLAND : Lisa & Michael Danforth • (203) 321-7635 lisad@coastalanglermagazine.com

GULF COAST MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST : Adam Nelson • (228) 627-5903 • anelson@coastalanglermagazine.com Toby Nelson • (228) 623-1761 • tnelson@coastalanglermagazine.com ALABAMA/PENSACOLA : Paul Caruso • (239) 980-7738 • paul@coastalanglermagazine.com

GREAT LAKES WEST MICHIGAN : Phil Belsito • (616) 957-1714 • phil@theanglermagazine.com

INTERNATIONAL PUERTO RICO/VIRGIN ISLANDS : Ace Bassue • (407) 285-9453 • ace@coastalanglermagazine.com COSTA RICA : Mike Erickson • (561) 262-2242 • mike@coastalanglermagazine.com © 2018. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. Disclaimer: Coastal Angler Magazine / The Angler Magazine will not be held liable for injuries incurred while partaking in activities described herein, or for claims made against products or services provided by advertisers.

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Losing Count On The Clinch River By Nick Carter

very now and then, there are magical days when all the variables align. It can seem almost too easy. The fish just eat what you’re throwing, and it’s glorious. Of course, these days happen more often for those who have a fishery dialed in. And for the rest of us who can’t be on the water daily to learn a river, the next best thing is to go with someone who can. That’s where Capt. Dane Law and Bill Stranahan, of Southeastern Anglers, stepped in during a recent trip on the Clinch River, northwest of Knoxville, Tenn. The Clinch is one of the Southeast’s

premier trout fisheries. It is a 13-mile tailwater fed by cold, oxygenated waters of Norris Dam. Tennessee stocks the river with rainbow and brown trout, and bank anglers line up near stocking points to pitch baits for a seven-fish limit. That’s all well and good, but for anglers in search of more than a fish dinner, the river is great because of all the trout that survive this initial onslaught. There is some natural reproduction in the river, and with a 14- to 20-inch protected length range and an allowance of one keeper fish longer than 20 inches, trout that reach the protected slot are free to grow. And they grow quickly. The Clinch has gained a reputation for being fickle and for requiring delicate presentation of tiny flies. “The Grinch or The Cinch,” is a clichéd phrase Bill related to me while launching his jet-powered G3 on a hot Tuesday morning in June. By mid-afternoon, it was difficult to imagine this river being stingy. Maybe a minute into our first drift, Dane hooked up with a gorgeous rainbow that pushed the upper end of that 20-inch slot. It was an indicator of good things to come. The action remained constant for the next five hours. We must have caught 30 or more trout, including four that measured 18 to 20 inches and a couple presumably larger fish that snapped the 6x tippet required to draw strikes. And it was simple fishing. Dane and Bill showed up armed to the teeth with 5- to 7-weight rods and reels, with everything from floating to 300-grain sinking lines. Their flies ran the gamut from tiny midges to big articulated streamers. On this day, the vast majority of their arsenal saw no action. The only thing we needed was Bill’s initial suggestion: a size 16 bead-head Prince Nymph dropped 5 feet beneath a foam hopper. Several times, Dane or Bill remarked that the river normally doesn’t fish this ridiculously well. But when it all comes together, there is nothing more fun than floating a river and losing count of the fish. Southeastern Anglers is a multi-state fly fishing outfitter. Check out all the trips they offer at www.southeasternanglers.com

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Destination: Fishing!

Using Technology For Rhode Island Stripers By Tom Schlichter

t’s hard to find a place better suited for catching trophy striped bass than the waters surrounding Rhode Island’s Narragansett Bay area. With a mix of rocky bottom, strong currents and tons of forage species in nearby ocean waters, plus miles of mud flats inside the bay, this stretch is loaded with big fish potential. Flippin Out Charters skipper BJ Silvia has mined these waters for more than 30 years. He’s boated hundreds of bass in the 40-pound class, plus five weighing 50 to 54 pounds… and he thinks the fishing here is on the verge of getting better! “The number of stripers coming through the ranks right now is amazing,” he said, “We’ve got plenty of cow bass, plus an unprecedented number of fish ranging from shorts to 20 pounds. If we protect the young year classes over the next few years, the potential is outstanding.”

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The shallow waters of Narragansett Bay receive a solid shot of big stripers each May, the 48-year old revealed. Those fish drop out of the Hudson River and spread across the mud flats, traveling in small wolf packs that most anglers target with random casting. Using the latest technology, however, gives Silvia a big edge. He’s hooked on side-scanning sonar to isolate the bass packs on the flats. “Any fishfinder can spot fish below the boat,” Silvia emphasized, “but my Humminbird Solix 15 scans the surrounding waters with super-clear images that push out several hundred feet. For the sharpest images, I set my system to scan within 100 feet. Once we spot these fish, we target them with big plugs like a Musky Mania Doc or topwater spooks. Last spring, the big bass were more spread out than usual, so my Solix proved a lifesaver. It helped get me on the fish quickly, which resulted in more fishing and less searching around.” Technology counts later in the summer as well, added Silvia. Once the stripers leave the shallows, they hold around bottom humps in ocean depths ranging from 20 to 50 feet during July and August. Here, the striper sharpie targets cows using live eels. He’ll fish one weightless rig, one with a small egg sinker, and a third with more weight based on drift speed. On tough days, he said, the biggest bass often prefer the lightest rigs. Focusing again on his technological edge, Silvia noted the bestknown striper spots see tremendous pressure, so he uses his Humminbird fishfinders (he also has a Solix 12 and Solix 10) to look for isolated pieces that don’t show up on the charts. “I use the auto-chart live feature to record them as way points,” he said. “That way, I’m hitting small spots others miss. These often hold the biggest fish.” Contact Silvia at Flippin Out Charters (Flippinoutcharters.com; 401-529-2267). To go it alone, tie-up or launch from Fort Adams State Park Newport, RI (www.dem.gov; 401-847-2400). For overnight accommodations, The Courtyard by Marriot, Middletown, RI (www. marriot.com; 401-849-8000) is reasonably priced and a five-minute drive from the water.

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America’s Boating Club Delivers Boating Education

hen it comes to boating education, nothing beats getting out on the water with an instructor. Whether you are learning about the subtlety of throttle control while docking or decision making based on the rules of the road while underway, having a knowledgeable instructor to guide you is irreplaceable. A good source for on-the-water boater education is United States Power Squadrons – America’s Boating Club. Your local squadron will have a schedule of courses covering topics like boat safety equipment and procedures, basic vessel operation and controls, close quarters maneuvering, operating a boat on plane, docking, anchoring, emergency maneuvers and man overboard recovery, to name a few. To bolster your on-the-water training, America’s Boating Club has released digital assets designed to enhance boating education with the Digital Media Library and America’s Boating Channel. Funded by grants from the United States Coast Guard, United States Power Squadrons – America’s Boating Club’s Digital Media Library houses multiple formats of digital media focused on boating safety and boater education including videos, slideshows, images, animations, audio presentations and instructor’s manuals. Videos have also been made available through a YouTube channel, America’s Boating Channel, to allow users to stream video content online. Videos and animations cover a wide range of topics and are organized into sections like Planning, Departure, Underway and Arrival. Each video goes into more detail tackling subjects like life jackets, vessel inspections, steering basics, anchoring, man overboard, docking, mooring and shoreline landings. “In an ongoing effort to make boater education more accessible, we have turned to digital and online resources to disseminate the latest information,” said Gary Cheney, chief commander, United States Power Squadrons. “The mission of the United States Power Squadrons is to promote safe boating through education. By offering video assets through the Digital Media Library and America’s Boating Channel, we give

individuals access to vital boating information that they can view at home or on the go. It’s all part of making it easier than ever before to become a safer and more knowledgeable boater.” Providing original multimedia content instructors can use to enhance their classroom offerings, the Digital Media Library lets individuals view videos at home to reinforce what is learned in class. Videos provide an introduction to a range of boating topics, essential skills and etiquette. Links to “Learn More” at the end of each video promote further education. New content is added regularly. A new video series currently in production includes four videos on various aspects of life jackets, six on personal watercraft operation and one each on accident reporting, frequently asked questions about navigation rules, visual distress signals and mobile maritime service identities. Videos are also available in both English and Spanish. The Digital Media Library can be accessed at uspsdml.org/videos/. America’s Boating Channel can be found at americasboatingchannel.com/. Knowledge is key to a safe and enjoyable time on the water. United States Power Squadrons – America’s Boating Club, has the materials you need to enhance your education. Find your local squadron at www. americasboatingclub.org and sign up for a class today!

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FISH & FISHING

Hunting Sharks

MARK SOSIN

ost anglers go out of their way to avoid hooking a shark. In their minds, anyone who actually hunts sharks doesn’t know much about fishing and has his priorities mixed up. They reason that these toothy critters don’t put up much of a battle. With sharks of any size and particularly in relatively shallow water, you’re going to have to crank the engine and chase them with the boat. Two of the toughest and most memorable battles I have ever endured involved sharks that pounced on a fish I had almost landed. In the first instance, I was leading a relatively small wahoo to the boat so we could release it. Suddenly, an oversized mako shark ate half of that fish in one bite and inadvertently got itself hooked. We chased that mako forever, and I put every ounce of pressure on it that I could until my arms and shoulders turned numb from the pain. During all that time, we hadn’t even slowed the shark down. Finally, in desperation, I purposely broke the shark off. The second battle took place over Pinas Reef in Panama, where I was getting close to landing a 250-pound black marlin. That’s when some unseen creature devoured the marlin in three bites. It took over an hour before I could bring that shark alongside the boat. It had to weigh at least 1,500 pounds and was half as long as the boat. That, by the way, was the biggest fish I’ve ever caught. Whenever and wherever you fish, keep a rod rigged and ready for sharks. It should have an abrasion leader about 10

feet long and 12 to 18 inches of single-strand wire between the abrasion leader and the hook. A circle hook should be your first choice because its hooking ratio is higher than any other type. And remember that you don’t have to set it. Unless you are only trolling, you want to be able to cast a bait in front of a cruising shark and retrieve it on the surface or close to it. A balao or a strip of natural bait should do the job. Casting to a cruising shark is exciting sport, but in areas that boast plenty of sharks, you can also anchor the boat and chum them with chunks of natural bait. You’ll need a quick release on the anchor, because a hooked shark will take off at considerable speed. Keep in mind that sharks on the flats or in relatively shallow water can be easily spooked, so your cast has to be on target. The bait should ease in front of the shark and appear as if it is getting away. Sharks do not have a bony skeleton like other fishes. They can literally turn their head and bite their tail, and their body is extremely strong. The best policy for any shark and particularly those of size is to keep them in the water and don’t bring them aboard the boat or try to handle them like other fishes. And, every shark has teeth, so be careful. If you’ve never hunted sharks, this is a good time to try. You’re going to be amazed at the battle they put up and how many times you have to follow them with the boat. Catching sharks can be exciting for anglers of any age, but if you take youngsters fishing, they’ll talk about catching it forever. Don’t pass up the opportunity to expand your fishing horizons.

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Center s Sheri Daye

ogfish – it’s an ugly name for a pretty fish. It’s also one of the most delicious species in the world. I know some seafood shops that store hogfish fillets behind the counter and bring it out only for special customers. I’ve had chefs beg me for hogfish once they found out I was into spearfishing. One chef wrote, “Not even for fresh broiled flounder could you pry my cold, dead hands off a hogfish fillet.” Some describe it as the perfect combination of flavor and texture because they are “sweeter than grouper, flakier than mahi, and as rich as scallops.” Their unique flavor is due to their diet of small crabs, shrimp and seashells, which translates into moist, white, tasty meat. Hogfish use their elongated snouts to root around in the sand for food, like a hog. Due to this tendency of searching with nose in the sand, it is very uncommon to catch them by hook and line, although it is possible to bait them with shrimp. Hogfish are sometimes thought of as nature’s gift to spearfishers, especially for beginners, because they are relatively abundant, relatively easy to spear, and such a prized catch. Hogfish can live up to 11 years, and they all start out as females. Upon reaching about 3 years and 14 inches, they transform into males with harem groups of females dominated by a larger male. Juveniles are pale pink and attain a deep dark band spanning from the snout to the first dorsal spine as they mature and turn into males. Maximum size is about 24 pounds. They can be found on rocky bottoms, ledges and reefs throughout the western Atlantic, from North Carolina and Bermuda, south to the Gulf of Mexico and the northern coast of South America. They are very common in Florida and the Bahamas and can be

found in shallow waters, ranging from 10-100 feet. Assuming you are in the right place to find them, here are some spearfishing tips: 1) Bag/size limits ensure a healthy stock and protect it from overfishing, so respect the local laws. 2) Look on reefs and especially on sand edges for bigger hogfish. 3) They are not difficult to spear, so take your time, be selective, and don’t take long shots. 4) They are abundant in the Bahamas. This is a good fish to practice your slinging/polespearing skills. Only take the shot if you are sure you can land it. 5) If you are not seeing any, try Sheri Daye displays a stirring up the bottom and make a world-record hogfish. sand cloud. If there are any in the vicinity, they will come to investigate. 6) Do not take advantage of their nature. Take one for dinner, and respect them for the beautiful experience and the delicious meal. Sheri is a world-record holder, host of Speargun Hunter, and producer of “The Blue Wild Ocean Adventure Expo” in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Follow “Sheri Daye” and “The Blue Wild” on Facebook and Instagram.

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FLORIDA

By Andy Flack, Canvas Designers Inc. ell, all the boats have packed up and headed out from Old Bahama Bay to their homes. What a fantastic tournament. Congratulations to all the winners and everyone who came out and braved what has become the normal weather pattern of the Winner’s Circle Tournament. Winding up its 19th year, Winner’s Circle Charities has surpassed $2 million in funds distributed to worthwhile charities. The charity partnership that started it all—The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, in the name of Brett Weinstein, will never be forgotten. Other leaders in the community have come on board to partner with Mike in his efforts. Rob Thomson of Waterfront Properties and Steve Moynihan of HMY Yachts are now co-hosts of the Winner’s Circle Charities Fishing Tournament with Mike as well. This year’s charity partners were Richard David Kann Melanoma Foundation, Waterfront Ways and Marine Industry Education Foundation. All of them were extremely grateful for the record-breaking year on the fundraising side. The fishing was also phenomenal. The tournament had record-breaking weights in all three categories tuna, dolphin and wahoo. One boat caught a billfish slam—white, blue and a sail. The new Lady Angler category saw Debi Cantor, of Waterfront 1, take the tuna and Lynne Henderson take the dolphin trophies home. On the leaderboard, the winners caught tournament record-breaking fish. The top three boats were: No. 1-MR. LTD, a 70’ Viking, took home Grand Champion honors with a total TDW weight of 237.8 pounds, which included

a 115.2-pound tuna as well as a 99-pound wahoo, both tourney records. No. 2-Honky Tonk, a 42’ Invincible, took second place with a total TDW weight of 117.2 pounds. No. 3-Plum Krazy, a 41’ Bahama, rounded out the top three with a total TDW Weight of 94.1 pounds, which included a 63.3-pound dolphin, another tourney record. The tournament committee and our charities would like to thank all the anglers and sponsors. Without their support and generosity, this tournament and gala would not be possible. Visit www.winnerscirclecharities.org to keep up to date and watch for next year’s events.

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7/18/18 9:31 AM

Get to know the local customs.

By Sean Hascup • Photo by James Ferrera

The beautiful seaside community of Martin County, Florida, is thrilled to welcome the new U.S. Customs Facility to Witham Field. The facility will serve marine and aviation needs, providing efficient, streamlined customs processing alongside the customized aviation services of Atlantic Aviation and Stuart Jet Center. And, of course, just around the corner is the naturally quaint beauty of Southeast Florida’s hidden gem, just begging to be explored.

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lease take a seat. I’m going to prepare you for a freedive. Concentrate on your heart rate, listening carefully to your breathing (you want to hear it), and get your breathing cycles in sync. Start with slow inhales… even slower concentrated exhales. Try filling your belly with your inhales, not your chest, keeping your shoulders low. Relax your neck, legs, arms, back and the rest of your body. Once your breathing feels relaxed and in sync, close your eyes and focus on your breathing. Do four breathing cycles as explained above before slowly opening your eyes. Once you have opened your eyes, keep up the relaxed breathing, it should be easier to have your cycles in sync now. Now I’m going to show you a simple cycle for a longer breath hold. See if you can hold your breath for the rest of the article after you combine what you have focused on from above with the next breathing cycle below; it should feel more natural to you by now. Are You Ready? If you’re not feeling comfortable, don’t worry. That is normal. See how long you can last, but don’t push it. If at any time you start feel uncomfortable or are just ready to breathe, do it! Follow This Cycle: Inhale... Slow Exhale... Inhale... Slow Exhale... Inhale… Slight Hold... Exhale... Inhale... Hold... Read! Slowly roll and break below the ocean’s surface, with wide leg kicks bringing you down to the sea floor. As you descend, you can feel your body compress as the ocean hugs you in. You gently land on the bottom, concealing yourself behind a sea fan. Your wetsuit acts as camouflage, blending in with the surroundings. Grabbing onto rocks, you slowly pull yourself across the bottom next to corals teeming with life. As you approach the ledge, you spot a sleeping sea turtle on the edge of the reef, its arms folded in and its eyes resting. When you get closer, you see how detailed its ornate shell is. You lie in the sand a few feet from your new friend. As you stare in awe, it begins to feel your presence. Opening its eyes slowly, it looks you right in the soul and gives a slight roll, as to say, “Good morning pal, what the heck are you doing here?” Then it slips away from the reef as it carves effortlessly into the sea. You realize the moment is fading, and you must return to the surface. Inhale... Slight Hold... Exhale... Inhale… Slight Hold... Exhale... Inhale... Relax. High fives to your freedive buddy, who was close by watching your dive. What an epic experience! And that was only the first dive of the day! Sean Hascup is a spearfishing and travel guide at Hascup Hunts International. See his advantures online at www.SpearfishingGuides.com, Facebook.com/HascupHuntsInternational and Instagram.com/Blood_Sweat_And_Spears. Email him at HascupHunts@Gmail.com.

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By CAM Staff

t wasn’t all that long ago that the public of perception anglers evoked images of old men in floppy brown hats. That’s no longer the case. It’s cool to fish these days, and the gear and apparel associated with the sport have seeped into the wider market of coastal life. Likewise, crossover into fishing from surf sports, diving and other recreational pursuits has created a marketplace driven more by the overall saltwater lifestyle than any particular sport. The recognition of this evolution is what led Surf Expo to unveil a new Bluewater inshore and offshore fishing category at its twice-a-year trade shows. “You look at Instagram and see surf brands on guys fishing offshore. There are inshore anglers wearing Rip Curl and Billabong,” said Surf

The show features more than 2,500 booths of apparel and hardgoods and a full line-up of special events, including fashion shows, awards ceremonies, education and demos. Average buyer and exhibitor turnout exceeds 28,600 attendees per show. The main attractions at Surf Expo have always been the hard goods, the powerboats and surfboards, kayaks, kite boards, wakesurf boards and SUPs. Everyone has seen the transition of traditional paddlesports into angling over the last decade. The rapid emergence of fishing kayaks and SUPs has proven to be much more than a flash in the pan. The soft products, the apparel and accessories, go along with the hard goods. Andres said an outfitter could fill the whole store, front to

Expo sales manager Kenneth Andres. “The same is going on with the surfers. Those guys are out there in Pelagic and Fish Hippie. We are the pivot point… you can see all of this crossover at Surf Expo. ” The largest and longest-running board sports and beach/resort lifestyle show on the planet welcomed fishing to the cool kids’ table in January 2018. Their Bluewater debut included 15 fishing exhibitors with some heavy-hitting brands like Salt Life, Heybo Outdoors, Hell’s Bay Boatworks, Hooked Soul, Bimini Bay and Calcutta Outdoors. Feedback from buyers and exhibitors was overwhelmingly positive, and the Bluewater category is growing headed into Surf Expo’s Sept. 6-8 show at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. “We offer the opportunity for buyers to see the latest in trends for hard and soft goods in coastal life,” said Andres. “With our confluence from southern California, the Pacific Northwest, the Caribbean, Central and South America, the Northeast and the Southeast, this is a trend-setting show. “We’re trying to get the word out to retailers. We’re inviting outfitters to come check it out,” Andres continued. “We want fishing and boating retailers and marinas to come to the show and put product that’s going to sell into their stores. And if they’re not ready to buy, they can at least see these trends for themselves.”

back by attending Surf Expo. He said these soft goods are where a lot of the aforementioned crossover is going on. The vacation industry, with the buying power of hotels, resorts and cruise lines, is outfitting shops with the trends they see at Surf Expo. And above it all, Surf Expo is a pure, trade-only event, which eliminates the hubbub and beef-jerky hawkers of open-to-the-public trade shows. Intentionally held during retail down time—the September and January restocking periods for outdoor-sports retailers—it is a marketplace to get business done in a laid-back atmosphere. “When people come to the Surf Expo for the first time, they notice the relaxed, cool atmosphere. It’s that lifestyle we all buy into, and there are a lot of beautiful people at a surf show,” said Andres. “It’s just a great place to be if you’re in the water sports industry. If you’ve got a shop, come check it out for yourself.” The September Surf Expo kicks off with a “BBQ & Bluegrass” demo day sponsored by Costa from noon to 5 p.m. on Sept. 5. Buyers and media are invited to Turkey Lake at Bill Fredrick Park in Orlando to demo boats and products and to eat while listening to live music from the Blue Cypress Bluegrass Band.

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AUGUST 2018

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By Randy Cnota

esidents of Eastpoint, Fla., in Franklin County, suffered a devastating loss in the early morning hours of Sunday, June 23. More than 30 homes were destroyed when a prescribed burn raged out of control and ravaged this small town. The widespread fire moved rapidly, giving residents mere moments to escape with their lives. An estimated 200 people are now displaced as a result of this tragedy. Many lost all that they owned. It’s a hard life in Eastpoint. Most residents are seafood workers who perform the grueling task of tilling the bays for oysters. The bay system, which has for so many years produced the world’s best

oysters and allowed this community to thrive, has been plagued with disasters. Over recent years, floods, the oil spill and water-control disputes have overwhelmed this small town, making the hard living on the sea even harder. Many had to choose between paying for insurance and putting food on the table, which has made the impact of this fire all the worse. The people of this and neighboring communities have come together to help as best they can, but even this resilient bunch have been dealt a blow that seems insurmountable. Day by day, however, they go on about the business of helping each other clean-up, rebuild and get back to work. These folks are some of the toughest, kindest and hardest-working people you’ll ever meet. Perhaps there’s a reason for the many tests they’ve faced, but for now it’s plainly obvious that Eastpoint could use some help. Whether you’re an oyster-eating angler like me who appreciates what small towns like this offer our society, or if you’re just moved by the human impact of this event, your help would be greatly appreciated by so many. The Franklin Co. Sheriff ’s Office is spearheading relief efforts to assist with housing, clothing, food and even boats so these folks can get to work. The campaign has gained momentum, and we ask that you help keep it going. If you’d like to contribute, go to their Gofundme site or mail your contribution to the Franklin County Sheriff ’s Office 270 SR 65 Eastpoint, FL 32328 made payable to FCSO charity fund. For more information, contact Ginger Coulter at (850) 670-8500. Randy “C-Note” Cnota is co-publisher of the Panama City/ Forgotten Coast edition of Coastal Angler Magazine and owner of C-note Charters in Panama City, Fla. Check him out at cnotcharters.com. To donate towards the gofundme.com account, go to

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AUGUST 2018

FLORIDA

7/18/18 9:32 AM

By CAM Staff

ny surgeon or taxidermist will tell you the best tool for cutting flesh is a scalpel. And that’s where knife-maker Havalon got its start. Their parent company, Havel’s, is a medical device company that supplies scalpels for surgical use. When the idea arose to bring the same incredibly sharp blades to the outdoors, it gave tools to outdoorsmen that are more precise than any hunting or fillet knife ever invented. The first Havalon Piranta was a blade modeled after an autopsy scalpel that folded into a sturdy handle. It offered all sorts of outdoorsmen the benefits of an ultra-sharp scalpel blade in the form of a pocketknife. But the blade itself was not built to handle the rigors of everyday use. That’s when Havalon began tinkering to find the best combination of sharpness and strength. The resulting innovation has made Havalon one of the top-selling knife companies in the country and the leader in the hunting industry. “We have always felt—that a sharp blade does not need to be

used with any excessive force,” said Havalon Marketing Director Ryan Cull. “This is still a core belief of our company, but we know there is a segment of consumers that want to have sturdier blades.” The need for a sturdier blade that retains Havalon-level sharpness launched the Talon project. Designers set out to create a knife handle that accommodates an entire collection of different ultra-sharp blade styles. With a 3-inch serrated blade, a 3-inch gut hook combo blade and fillet blades of 5, 7 and 9 inches, it is the only knife you’ll ever need at the cutting board or skinning pole. This all-in-one precision cutting tool was three years in the making. Designing a handle mechanism to swap out blades quickly and easily was achieved with the ingeniously simple push-button Quik Change II system. Finding the sweet spot between scalpel sharp and durable was the next step, and the blades also needed to be tailored to their particular uses. Through more tinkering and testing, Havalon landed on AUS-8 steel—the gold standard—which offers the best combination of edge retention and strength. Thickness and shapes of the different blades were custom designed. Fillet knives require flexibility; gut hooks do not. Each blade type was carefully considered and rigorously tested to achieve optimal performance for its intended use. The final result is a single knife kit that outperforms a whole cutlery set of traditional knives. Extreme sharpness is something Havalon users have come to expect with blades intended for replacement when they lose their edge. Talon blades are different. They are scalpel sharp, yet they are strong enough to be resharpened. “So long as users don’t pry on the blades with extreme force or damage them in some other unforeseeable way, they should be able to go years without buying replacements,” said Cull. “The versatility of the blade styles along with the strength and sharpness of the blades make the Talon one of the most innovative products to come out in the industry in years.” To see all the features of the Talon and all of Havalon’s other scalpel-sharp knives, go to www.havalon.com.

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By Chris Beardsley

love fishing the Gulf of Mexico, and I spend most of my time there throwing bait into the surf or bays looking for redfish, pompano and trout. I’ve caught more than my share of those species, and I’ve also caught buckets of whiting, black drum, sheepshead, ladyfish, sharks and even a couple spadefish, to name a few. I’m confident in my tackle and techniques, but one fish has always alluded me: the flounder. Oh sure, they’re everywhere, I’m told. Just hook a piece of squid, clam or shrimp on a hook and you’ll get one. Really? With such uncomplicated instructions, I must be doing something wrong. Granted, I don’t usually target them, but since I’m typically catching many other species that share the same diet, why

not a flounder? The odds just seemed too incredible not stumble upon one or two! That changed this year. Soaking a piece of shrimp on a pompano rig (i.e. drop rig), the fish that had alluded me for all these years was finally hauled from the surf and directly into my cooler. It was a joyous event including fireworks and a tickertape parade—all imagined, of course, but you get the idea. With my newfound skill and desire to catch another, fresh bait was rigged and put out to soak. After a whole minute of not getting a bite, I grabbed another rod and tied on a red ¼-ounce standup jig head with a 3-inch white paddletail. My rod of choice was a 7 ½-foot, medium-action with 30-pound braid and a 2-foot, 15-pound-test fluorocarbon leader. At first blush, that combination might seem a bit heavy, and others might opt for lighter gear. I’ve found that the thinner diameter and thread-like nature of the braid makes casting light baits a breeze, and the fluoro virtually disappears beneath the waves. My first few casts produced nothing, and then I remembered an article I’d read years ago about retrieval techniques when fishing flounder. It suggested that if you think you’re retrieving too slow, go even slower and don’t set the hook right away but instead wait just a touch before doing so. This is the same technique used for catching walleyes in the north, and, just like walleye fishing, I decided to add an occasional hop to my retrieve. As it turned out, the drop rig with shrimp was a fluke (pun intended). On the other hand, a red or chartreuse jig head coupled with a Berkley white or a Bass Assassin Chicken on a Chain swimbait was no joke. The white body and red jig head punched the ticket for the flatties, whereas trout loved the Chicken on a Chain and chartreuse combination; including a nice gator trout measuring right at 24 inches. Presentation was critical, and targeting these tasty flatfish finally paid off. The slow drag and hop retrieve made all the difference, and though I haven’t crowned myself the Flounder King yet, a t-shirt might be in the works.

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NORTH FLORIDA 1

7/18/18 10:04 AM

FWC Photo

he Florida Lionfish Challenge had removed more 6,500 lionfish from Florida waters as of early July. The program, which rewards lionfish harvesters with prizes for killing these destructive invasive fish, had registered 525 lionfish hunters for 2018 and awarded prizes like cash, coolers, spearfishing gear and GoPro cameras. Qualified participants who submit 25 lionfish, for recreational anglers, or 25 pounds of lionfish, for commercial, are entered into drawings for prizes including: 4-foot JBL pole spear, Dive Rite surface marker tube, Lionator pole spear prize pack, Enriched Air Diver Class from Narked Scuba, and Color-Dive Lenses from Customatic Optics. They also received an allowance to take an extra spiny lobster during the July 25-26 mini-season. Tagged lionfish were a new component to the program this year and included cash prizes up to $5,000. Lionfish were tagged at 50 public artificial reefs across the state between the depths of 80-120 feet, and as of early July 47 of them had been removed, 42 from the Gulf and five from the Atlantic. Learn more about the Florida Lionfish Challenge at MyFWC.com/ Lionfish.

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he International Game Fish Association (IGFA) recently announced the winner of their 2017-2018 Great Marlin Race. The competition was won by a blue marlin that swam more than 5,000 nautical miles after being satellite tagged during the Bermuda Triple Crown Billfish Championship on July 21, 2017. The winning billfish swam an estimated 5,089 nautical miles from Bermuda to about 600 nm northeast of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. It is the longest distance ever recorded by an IGMR-tagged blue marlin in Bermuda. “Congratulations to tag sponsor Mike Verzaleno whose generosity allowed us to track the incredible journey of the winning billfish,” said IGFA President Nehl Horton. “Strong support from recreational anglers is the key to the success of this innovative, citizen-science conservation initiative.” The Great Marlin Race is a partnership between IGFA and Stanford University that pairs recreational anglers with cutting-edge science to learn more about the biology of marlin and how they utilize the open ocean. The goal of the program is to deploy 50 pop-up archival tags in marlin at billfish tournaments around the world each year. Since 2011, more than 350 satellite tags have been placed on billfish during IGMR tagging events. In the 2017-2018 race season, 58 tags were deployed on 31 blue marlin, 18 black marlin and nine striped marlin in seven countries. Marlin tagged in Bermuda during the 2015, 2016 and 2017 Triple Crown Billfish Championship tournaments swam a total of 16,464 nm. The winning fish accounts for 16 percent of this distance.

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By Michael Okruhlik • Photo courtesy of Controlled Descent Lures.

s you and I are looking for comfort during the summer heat, so are the fish. Deeper water and stronger currents are two ingredients that can help locate seatrout during the dog days of summer. Let’s cover a few types of areas and methods that will help increase your catch. Deep water of shipping lanes can be extremely productive this time of the year. Some of these channels can be up to 50 feet deep. The spoil islands neighboring these deep-water trenches will be much cooler and offer some comfort for speckled trout and its prey.

In Texas, I fish areas with this structure in both the upper and lower coast, but I approach them a little differently. These tactics work where I fish, and trout are looking for the same things wherever they live: comfortable water conditions and a food source. Seek out similar conditions where you fish, and you are likely to find trout. In Galveston Bay, when fishing the Houston Ship Channel, I fish from a boat. I like to target oyster reefs and spoil islands near the ship channel. Trout will hold in water depths of a few feet down to about 15 feet over the reefs. Looking for slicks in these areas is a good way to pinpoint the location of the trout. Most of the time, these fish will be biting near or on the bottom. When targeting the deeper shell, be prepared to have a wide range of jighead sizes up to ¾-ounce depending on the strength of the current. Also, be prepared to lose a few to the shell. In most instances, if you are not touching the shell with your lure you will not catch the fish, so don’t be afraid to lose a jig or two. While fishing channels with large tanker traffic, always be aware of your surroundings. These tankers can create massive waves that only a surfer would love. If you’re not diligent and attentive, these walls of rolling whitewater could easily swamp or capsize your craft. On the lower Texas coast, I prefer to wade fish the shallow grass-covered spoils and flats adjacent to the Intracoastal Waterway. Here you can get by with much lighter tackle and even weightless rigs. Searching for slicks is still a good way to locate trout along this deeper stretch of cooler water. I like to find spoils with breaks or guts in them, as the fish will congregate around these depressions. Another tip is to focus on areas of broken grass rather than solid grass flats. Whichever method you choose, remember the deeper water keeps the temps more desirable and the ship traffic creates an artificial current which can be a plus when the tides are not swift enough. Enjoy your time on the water, be safe, and take a kid fishing! Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Controlled Descent Lures and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.

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ave an opinion on shore-based shark fishing? Now is the time to share. FWC is gathering public input on shore-based shark fishing with workshops that will help determine future management of the fishery. Workshops start at 6 p.m. local time: • Aug. 6: Panama City, Gulf Coast State College, Photo courtesy of Chris Beardsley The Russell C. Holley and Herbert P. Holley Language and Literature Building, Sarzin Lecture Hall, 5230 W. U.S. Highway 98. • Aug. 7: Pensacola, Sanders Beach-Corinne Jones Resource Center – Parks & Recreation Department, 913 S. I St. • Aug. 20: South Daytona, Piggotte Community Center, Reception Hall Room, 504 Big Tree Road. • Aug. 21: Jacksonville, Jacksonville University, J. Henry Gooding Building – Swisher Auditorium, 2800 University Blvd. N. • Aug. 27: Melbourne Beach, Melbourne Beach Community Center, 509 Ocean Ave. • Aug. 28: West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County, Department of Planning, Zoning & Building – The Vista Center, 2300 N. Jog Road. • Aug. 29: Miami, Miami City Hall – Commission Main Chambers, 3500 Pan American Drive. • Aug. 30: Key Colony Beach, City Hall, 600 W. Ocean Drive. Comments may also be submitted online at MyFWC.com/SaltwaterComments. Additional details and updates to these meetings will be posted at MyFWC.com/Fishing (click on “Saltwater Fishing,” “Rulemaking” and “Workshops.”)

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Water Flushing System Comes standard with a convenient built-in freshwater flush system that simplifies routine engine flushing.

Variable Idling System Trolling speed (revolution) can be adjusted in four levels from 650rpm to 950rpm (100rpm each) using a key-switch.

TOCS

If you’ve ever considered buying a new 4-Stroke Outboard, NOW is the time!

(Tohatsu Onboard Communication System) A plug-and-play communication system

“ECO” “Sporty”

Lightest Weight in 4st 40/50hp Class Outstanding Fuel Economy Ultra Low Emission

All Sleek Cowling Design

Tohatsu 50 HP 4-Stroke

Fully Installed 5 Year Warranty Financing Available

$5,750 Plus Tax

Holley Outdoors 17353 Main St. North, Blountstown, FL

850-674-7718

No matter the species of fish you’re after, we can help you gear up for a successful trip.

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“Lightweight”

Pan am

a Ye 2 3 a City For Over

• live & Frozen Bait • huge selection of Quality • Rods, Reels, lures & tackle • complete line of apparel

Come Visit Our Courteous, Professional, Local Experts For The Best Service

howelltacklesupply.net 3100 w. highway 98 panama city, Fl 32401

like us on facebook! @howelltackle 2 panama city / forgotten coast

394_Panama_City_FINAL.indd 2

AUGUST 2018

Hello Anglers! August is here and it is bringing the heat! It’s time to get up super early for that morning bite. I plan and rig the evening prior and set my alarm for 3:30 AM. My goal is to reach that first fishing destination by the time the sun rises. Bay: I like to work top-water plugs in the shallows at sunrise and sunset. My preferred areas are the roads less traveled, so to speak. I target areas that are laden with sea grass, but provide nearby deeper water and/or pot holes and bayou mouths. Trout and redfish move onto the shallow flats to feed during the hot months, then retreat to more stable water temperatures. I work the shallows early and late in the day. At mid-day I am dropping live baits around deeper structures. The big redfish, drum, and mangrove snappers will be chewing. You can’t beat shrimp and crabs on a slip sinker once the sun gets up. offshore: The structures will be holding various snappers, grouper, amberjack, trigger fish and a few others. I like to rig several Caitlyn Smith with a nice cobia rods differently and on the Adrenaline boat. vary my baits to broaden my chances at catching different species. Again, I encourage rigging the evening prior to your trip. You will be thankful when you get out there and have several go-to rods already rigged up. Keep a couple grouper rigs with 60-100 pound leaders and a few snapper rigs with 30- to 60-pound leaders. Have a couple of chicken rigs for vermilion, mangrove, lane snappers and trigger fish and a stinger rigged with a treble hook for that king on the surface. I’d also have a couple of jigs tied up just in case the mahi show up, and one jig designated for cobia on a big spinning rod with an 80-100 pound leader. Trolling in between bottom destinations is a good idea right now. King and Spanish mackerel, mahi, blackfin tuna and several others are likely to hammer a trolled cigar minnow or diving plug. I vary my speeds, locations, and depths until I get action. This morning I didn’t have to vary anything. Big kings smashed our cigar duster rigs right outside of the pass! Surf: Sharks are everywhere! Throw a spoon or a gotcha plug and try to catch a bonito ,blue runner, or a lady fish for fresh cut bait. Next, send it out there on a big surf rod with a pyramid lead and don’t forget the wire leader near the hook. Pompano, redfish, whiting, and a few others will also be cruising the beaches so keep some jigs, shrimp, and sand fleas handy. Good luck folks, thanks for reading and fish on! Capt. Jason Shingler Adrenaline On H20 Panama City, FL (850) 348-2282

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

7/17/18 1:54 PM

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Panama City Tides - Aug/2018 30°9'N 85°40'W

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