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PHOTO COURTESY OF DUSTIN BEDGOOD AND TRIPS4TRADE VOLUME 25 â€¢ ISSUE 299

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O P P O R T U N I T I E S

A V A I L A B L E

FEBRUARY 2020

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PENN FIERCE III New updates to PENN’s Fierce III reels improve quality and performance while retaining the great value anglers have come to appreciate from these spinning reels. Available in combos with Fierce III rods, the updated line is perfect for anglers looking for solid gear at an affordable price. Fierce III reels were already known for smooth retrieves and solid construction, with Techno Balanced rotors and full metal body and sideplate. The newly updated Fierce III reels and combos and the Fierce III LE combos come with a number of upgrades. Fierce III reels feature an HT-100 carbon fiber drag system upgraded from oiled felt and a 4+1 stainless steel bearing system. Fierce III combo rods receive upgraded PENN Dura-Guides and are available in one or two-piece combos. Fierce III LE combos offer anglers upgraded machined EVA handle knobs and colorful Winn grips for added comfort as well as PENN Dura-Guides and the HT-100 carbon fiber drag system. PENN Fierce III reels and combos are available in sizes ranging from 1000 to 8000.

St. Croix’s new Avid Surf series offers 10 powerful, American–made spinning and casting rods designed for serious surfcasters looking to beach serious fish. Whether heaving heavy baits from the beaches of Cape Hatteras, casting 3-ounce bottle plugs for Montauk stripers or trying to steer a crazed tarpon away from bridge pilings in the Florida Keys, these super-strong, extremely versatile sticks handle any challenge surf fishing presents. Avid Surf rods combine St. Croix’s Integrated Poly Curve mandrel technology with premium, high-modulus SCIII carbon for exceptional strength, smooth power and increased sensitivity. They sport Fuji K-Series KW tangle-free guides with Alconite rings and Corrosion Control frame treatment for superior casting distance and improved corrosion protection. The Fuji DPS Deluxe reel seat with Back Stop lock nut and matte grey hoods ensures a rock-solid connection between rod and reel, while a custom cork tape handle with machined trim pieces provides a sure, comfortable and resilient grip.

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UGLY STIK CARBON SERIES With a new series of carbon rods, Ugly Stik has introduced its lightest, most sensitive and best handling rods to date. A new carbon technology crafted of 100-percent 24-ton graphite allows new Ugly Stiks to be lightweight and 37 percent stronger than other standard graphite rods while still delivering the timetested toughness that is the hallmark of the Ugly Stik brand. “The new Ugly Stik Carbon series handles like no Ugly Stik before it,” said Andrew Wheeler, director of global brands for Ugly Stik. “These rods have the feel and performance of rods that come at a higher cost and don’t have the proven durability of an Ugly Stik. When people get their hands on these rods, they are blown away by their light weight and corresponding sensitivity and balance.” The series includes casting and spinning rods, as well as spinning combos and baitcast combos—both of which include the Abu Garcia Black Max reel.

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ST. CROIX AVID SURF RODS

FEBRUARY 2020

CORTLAND NYMPH SERIES FLY RODS Cortland’s Nymph Series fly rods were specifically designed for modern nymphing techniques. They are built on a super-light graphite blank, which dampens and recovers quickly for exceptional feel. The low-reflective, matte black finish allows for an extremely stealthy approach while providing an additional layer of protection. A downlocking reel seat combined with a composite fighting butt allows for exceptional balance and fast hook sets. Nymph Series fly rods feature oversized, light-wire, single-foot guides for easier passage of fly line, monofilament and knots. All ferrules and guides are coated with highly durable epoxy to resist cracks, flex stress and excessive knots. Other features include alignment dots, sizespecific rod bags and a protective cordura rod tube.

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CRB ROD BLANKS

TSUNAMI EVICT SPINNING REEL

Harnessing the custom spirit of rod building, while maintaining dependable quality and value, the Custom Rod Builder (CRB) brand develops exciting rod blanks for any level of angler. CRB is proud to expand blank production to offer 12 awesome colors in the Color Series, best-selling materials like fiberglass and E-glass, as well as improved actions and powers across the board. Synonymous with quality, CRB blanks are the premier source of affordable, functional and innovative custom rod building blanks. CRB satisfies your pursuits in performance, style and price. From the extremely popular Color Series blanks to heavy Tuna Poppin’ blanks, all around Value E-Glass blanks, and many more, these exciting blank options provide the ideal custom choices at perfect price points. With the rise of multi-option rod kits, CRB’s trusted blanks and rod components have made serious waves in the world of custom rod building. From the variety of blanks and color choices, to all the guides, reel seats, and grip options, CRB offers an unbeatable array of components ready to build your next fishing rod!

As one of the newer reel companies in the industry, Tsunami is making waves with great gear at a very competitive price. Their new Evict spinning reel, available in sizes 2000, 3000, 4000 and 5000, is unlike any other spinning reel on the market for the price. Smooth and powerful, it’s at home on freshwater or salt. But the Evict is constructed and sealed to stand up to the marine environment. The Evict’s stainless steel main gear and pinion, and sealed stainless main shaft, allow for maximum pressure when battling big fish. A CF3 carbon fiber drag system boasts a serious 20 pounds of drag to haul them up, which makes the Evict ideal for big inshore species and bottom fishing. The aluminum braidready spool means there’s no line slip with braided line. An aluminum body, graphite rotor, comfortable aluminum ball handle and eight sealed stainless ball bearings round out a durable and high-performing piece of equipment. The 3000 and 4000 sizes come with an EVA knob in the box. The 3000 size holds 220yds of 15lb braid.

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TSUNAMI CARBON SHIELD II Whether you’re hunting seatrout, big bull reds or striped bass, Tsunami has you covered with their Carbon Shield II series of rods. Available from 7’ up to 8’ in medium light to extra heavy models, these spinning rods are designed to be featherlight and sensitive with the power to cast long and battle big fish. Lightweight IM7 graphite blanks, featuring D16 nonotech and a unique carbon fiber design evenly disperses force in 16 directions. While they weigh little, these rods are up to whatever you want to do with them, whether its live baiting big snook or working topwater baits for seatrout. They feature quality Fuji K guides and Fazlite inserts, premium cork grips and an anodized aluminum reel seat with stainless steel hoods and custom locking ring.

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OKUMA EPIXOR XT SPINNING REEL Okuma Epixor XT reels—the next generation in a long-standing family of technologically advanced Okuma spinning reels—come loaded with exclusive technologies that anglers will appreciate. These reels offer high-end performance to price-conscious anglers. Lightweight C-40X carbon fiber composite construction provides exceptional feel and anti-corrosive durability. Okuma’s exclusive Tortion Control Armor and a slow oscillation system reduce twisting and ensure proper line lay, which allows smooth casts and fewer line issues. A 1-K woven carbon fiber drag knob has progressive drag setting without adding weight, and Japanese oiled felt drag washers perform smoothly with a big fish on the line. Other advanced features include: Okuma’s Centrifugal Disc Bail; precision machine-cut brass pinion gear; heavyduty solid aluminum bail wire; Rigid aluminum handle arm; comfortable ergo grip; RESII, computer balanced Rotor Equalizing System; Stainless steel bearings; Quick-Set anti-reverse bearing; Cyclonic Flow Rotor technology; and a machined aluminum, 2-tone anodized spool with LCS lip. There isn’t a more technologically advanced reel available anywhere near Okuma’s price point for Epixor XT reels.

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itchin’ tubes exploded in popularity following Denny Brauer’s 1998 Bassmaster Classic victory. A month before the tournament, the legendary shallow-water pitcher/flipper was on a solid summertime jig bite on a shallow flat of North Carolina’s High Rock Lake. When the jig stopped producing during Classic week, he reached for a 3.5-inch tube and discovered the fish wanted something a little different. Brauer won the 1998 Classic pitchin’ tubes. The technique has been a mainstay ever since. Unlimited Seasonal Use Tubes get bites when nothing else will, and there are no seasonal limitations. Brauer’s win came in early August in hot shallow water. I recently caught bass on a Big Bite Bait Tour Flipping Tube from the frigid winter waters of northeastern Oklahoma.

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“I think it’s definitely a year-round bait,” said Brauer. “As anglers, we initially got conditioned to think tubes were a spawning-season bait. But shoot, it’s very productive year-round. As much as anything, it’s simply a finesse tool to pitch anytime the conditions call for it.” Hook Size And Rigging Are Critical I gravitate toward the 3.5-inch tube rigged with a 3/0 Mustad hook. Following his Classic win on the 3.5-inch tube, Brauer had Strike King design a larger 4.5-inch tube so he could match it with a larger 4/0 Mustad hook he felt would put more fish in the boat. Pitch the size you’re comfortable with, but be sure to match tube size to hook size. A 3.5-inch tube demands a 3/0 hook. A 4- or 4.5-inch tube marries best to a 4/0 hook. And DO NOT bury the hook point into the tube. Instead, Texas rig it with the hook point level on the back of the tube. You’ll land more fish, and it will still perform relatively snag-free. Rattles And Weight Some people love rattles; some people hate them. I stuff a glass rattle inside the body of my tubes most of the time. Line size and worm-weight size are also personal preferences determined by water clarity and the fall rate bass seem to favor. A lot of anglers use 20-pound test with a ¼-ounce weight. Brauer goes meatier with 3/8- or ½-ounce weight and 25-pound Seaguar fluorocarbon. I’ve caught bass for years with a 1/8-ounce weight and 15-pound old-school Big Game. Watch The Line You must be vigilant in watching your line where it meets the water after every single pitch or flip. Very seldom do bass just thump a tube. It’s like they’re eating a potato chip rather than chomping a bite of rib eye. Often the line will just stop falling, and you need to set the hook! Still Charting Hits Lures are like country music artists. Some bust onto the scene, score a couple hits, and soon fade from popularity. Others prove that true talent never goes away. Pitchin’ tubes are whole lot like George Strait or Reba McEntire. They were mega stars at the time Brauer won the ’98 Classic, and they’re still playing to sell out crowds 20 years later.

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1/20/20 10:19 AM

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n the early 1930s watch manufacturers took a clue from Henry Ford’s favorite quote concerning his automobiles, “You can have any color as long as it is black.” Black dialed watches became the rage especially with pilots and race drivers. Of course, since the black dial went well with a black tuxedo, the adventurer’s black dial watch easily moved from the airplane hangar to dancing at the nightclub. Now, Stauer brings back the “Noire”, a design based 27 jewels and handon an elegant timepiece built in 1936. Black dialed, assembled parts drive complex automatics from the 1930s have recently hit this classic masterpiece. new heights at auction. One was sold for in excess of $600,000. We thought that you might like to have an affordable version that will be much more accurate than the original. Basic black with a twist. Not only are the dial, hands and face vintage, but we used a 27-jeweled automatic movement. This is the kind of engineering desired by fine watch collectors worldwide. But since we design this classic movement on state of the art computer-controlled Swiss built machines, the accuracy is excellent. Three interior dials display day, month and date. We have priced the luxurious Stauer Noire at a price to keep you in the black… only 3 payments of $33. So slip into the back of your black limousine, savor some rich tasting black coffee and look at your wrist knowing that you have some great times on your hands.

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FEBRUARY 2020

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By Nick Carter

here’s a daytime swordfish bite developing in the northern Gulf of Mexico off Alabama. The fish have always been there, but few anglers have figured out how to catch them when the sun is out. Dustin Bedgood, aka Capt. Fed, of Orange Beach’s FED UP Charters, has spent several years learning the area’s daytime deep-water fishery. Drawing from successful captains in wellknown deep-drop locations off south Florida and Venice, Louisiana, Capt. Fed adapted techniques to a point where he’s consistent enough to take charter clients to catch swordfish. The fishery is productive just off the continental shelf about an hour and a half ride from the Alabama coast aboard Capt. Fed’s 33-foot Freeman. During daylight hours, swordfish hang out past where the bottom drops precipitously from 200 feet into 1,000-foot depths. This is where anglers can expect a typical day of four or five swordfish bites with one fish landed. The weights average about 120 pounds, with a top-end over 300 pounds. While the fish aren’t as big as in south Florida, a 150-pound sword is more than most anglers want to handcrank from those depths, anyway. “They’re a very intense fish,” said Capt. Fed. “They can hurt you very easily.” The keys to the fishery are bottom structure, the right gear and good bait. Capt. Fed fishes in 1,000 to 3,000 feet of water, and always around some type of structure. “Whether it’s a nipple, a ledge, a canyon or a salt dome, that’s where the swordfish are,” he said. “All it takes is some little feature that changes the currents and attracts bait.” Good maps of the ocean floor and sophisticated electronics are necessary to find the right type of bottom in several thousand feet of water. On top of high-end sonar, Capt. Fed uses custom J&M Tackle Blackout Sword Rods with lots of backbone but a very soft tip. Swordfish don’t just load up on the rod. They slash at the bait first, and a soft tip is needed to

NATIONAL

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FEBRUARY 2020

notice the bump when there’s so much line out. “Once you get it set, the rod will develop a rhythm with the waves and the current. You’ve got to watch that rod,” said Capt. Fed. “If you see it do anything that’s not normal, something has happened. That’s when you start reeling it up or dropping it down. You’ve got to tease them just like any other billfish.” Capt. Fed fishes Shimano 50W and 80W reels. The drag is set loose because swordfish have soft mouths, and battles can last an hour or more. The reels are loaded with 80-pound braid tied into a 150-foot wind-on leader of 250-pound mono with a Bimini twist. Fed uses a minimum of 5 pounds of weight, and secures Lindgren-Pitman lights to his leader with rubber bands. Bait is important, and tying it correctly takes practice. After the initial slash, the jig is up if the hook tears out or the bait doesn’t retain a natural presentation. A 10-inch squid sewn with 70-pound waxed floss around a 10/0 to 12/0 J hook is one of Capt. Fed’s favorite baits. While an average day might bring one swordfish to the boat, Fed said he’s also seen five-fish days when conditions are perfect. Swords are very sensitive to the moon, and daily feeding times seem to correspond with moonrise and moonset. Capt. Fed plans trips so there’s time to load coolers with grouper and tilefish before switching to swordfish through the prime moon position. The swordfish bite goes on year-round, but Fed said he’s noticed an April into July peak, which could be attributed to more time on the water during peak tourist season in Orange Beach. And that brings up another reason to fish the Alabama Gulf Coast. There’s plenty to keep the whole family happy while the anglers are out on the water. Capt. Fed (Dustin Bedgood) can be contacted through his website www.fedupcharters.com, at (251) 377-7135 or by email at fedupcharters@gmail.com

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GET UP TO 700 OFF SELECT OUTBOARDS! $ JANUARY 2, 2020-MARCH 31, 2020, ONLY AT PARTICIPATING DEALERS

*At participating dealers only. Qualifying retail customers may receive instant savings off the selling price of a Honda powered boat package or Honda Marine engine(s) sold for repower. This promotion is limited to new Honda Marine 40 HP through 250 HP outboard engines, 2014 and newer models, sold and delivered between January 2, 2020 and March 31, 2020 and registered by the Dealer in accordance with American Honda Motor Co., Inc.’s sales registration requirements. Only Honda Marine outboard engines sold for personal use qualify for this promotion. Fleet, commercial & government sales are ineligible. Engines sold under special pricing / promotions including (but not limited to) demo and tournament fisherman engines are also excluded. Honda Marine reserves the right to modify, amend, cancel or revoke, in whole or in part, this promotion at any time without prior notice. © 2020 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. 8 NATIONAL I FEBRUARY 2020 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM THEANGLERMAG.COM Always wear a Ipersonal flotation device while boating and read your•owner’s manual. All Honda outboards meet EPA and CARB emission levels.

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The Force ISC Dolly, introduced by Parkit360°, is a compact motorized trailer dolly that allows anyone to move any boat or camper. Available in 5,000 lb. and 10,000 lb. models, it’s a powerful tool that enables easy parking in tight spots without the need for a truck or back-breaking labor. The dolly is compatible with practically every camping, boat or cargo trailer with optional adapters for spring-loaded and Atwood hitches. It’s battery powered, easily transportable and compact. The dolly body itself weighs approximately 70 pounds, making it easy to disassemble and transport in the trunk of a small car. The dolly is built to easily handle both smooth and rough surfaces. No matter the terrain, be it grass, packed gravel or asphalt, the dolly provides plenty of traction. For optimal usage and safety, users should avoid operating on more than a 6 percent incline. Connecting the dolly to a trailer is as intuitive as possible. It can be done through a ball mount, the tongue jack itself or the universal telescopic adaptor. Once attached, it wheels around easily. The operation works with a simple button in forward and backward movements. With an intelligent speed controller, users can achieve fast or more precise parking. At the same time, the motor’s ability to start and stop gradually prevents damage to the trailer from sudden stopping, something that makes the Force ISC Dolly stand out above its competition.

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FLORIDA

By John Saporito

he tide is one of the main catalysts for feeding activity among both inshore and nearshore gamefish. It is also an immensely complicated topic that often frustrates Florida anglers. This is largely because the state is home to all three types of astronomical tides. While the east coast features orderly semi-diurnal tides, which consist of two relatively equal high tides and two relatively equal low tides in a 24 hour period, the west coast exhibits a thorny combination of diurnal (one high and one relatively equal low tide daily) and mixed tides (a confounding blend of the former two). Southwest Florida’s mixed tides are particularly baffling.

FLORIDA

FEBRUARY 2020

The earth’s tides are a pair of enormous waves, roughly 12,000 miles from crest to crest, that cause the seas to rise and fall as the earth rotates beneath them. One wave is created by the gravitational attraction of the moon acting on the earth’s surfaces; the other is caused by centrifugal force as the earth rotates around the lunar axis. The origins of the earth’s tides may not be of this planet, but the enormous differences in tidal activity that can be witnessed in coastal areas are produced mostly by factors here on earth. The unique shape of the continental shelf at various points in the ocean basin—both in Florida and around the globe—contributes to the disparities we encounter, as the tidal waves change course and rhythm in accordance with the hydraulic parameters of the shallow-water shelf. Like wind-driven waves, the tidal waves interact with each other as they reach the continents and are redirected by the seafloor. Sometimes they reinforce one another, leading to higher high tides and lower low tides. Sometimes they interfere with each other, leading to more moderate tides. A multitude of patterns can result from the interaction of the two tidal waves; these patterns are responsible for the astounding variation in tidal activity that plays out in southwest Florida. The interaction of the tidal waves is the main driver of the tidal complexities we observe, but there is also an important extraterrestrial factor that plays into the equation: lunar declination. This is a predictable pattern of the changing position of the moon relative to the equator. It has the effect of displacing the tidal waves on the earth’s oceans, one of which is drawn toward the moon’s position while the other directly opposes it. This creates its own tidal complexities, which are at their most dramatic when the moon is farthest from the equator. Florida’s tides are tough to comprehend, but there are two huge benefits for those willing to take the time to do so. First, it will help you catch more fish. The better you understand tidal patterns, the better you understand the feeding patterns of saltwater predators. Second, understanding the tides will multiply your enjoyment of fishing exponentially. The rewards are well worth the effort, and your fishing results will prove it. John Saporito is a lifelong fisherman and student of the seas. Visit him online at guerillaangling.com and follow him on Instagram @guerilla_angling.

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FLORIDA

Photo by Wayne MacWilliams

By John Lidington

an. 9, 1493: Christopher Columbus writes in his journal that he spotted three mermaids that day. Although noting they “had a human appearance about the face,” he laments they were “not half as beautiful as they are painted.” Today we believe what Columbus saw were manatees, though it’s hard to explain how he transformed animals often described as “yams with flippers” into human females, beautiful or not. Though Columbus saw his “mermaids” off the Dominican Republic, for Floridians, February remains prime time for manatee encounters. That’s because these are warm-water animals. The current Floridian species moved up from the Caribbean about 12,000 years ago, as the last ice age moved out. These animals may spread out along the gulf coast and up the eastern seaboard as far as Chesapeake Bay in summer. But, due to

FLORIDA

FEBRUARY 2020

their low metabolism, they can’t tolerate temperatures less than 68 degrees for any length of time. So, as winter approaches, they retreat to southern Florida. Even Florida can prove too cool for the manatees’ liking. They seek out sources of warmer water to keep their body temperature warm and their immune system functioning properly. Since many of Florida’s large springs maintain a water temperature of about 72 degrees, they offer a natural gathering place. But manatees have also discovered warm water sources beyond Mother Nature. On both coasts, the cooling-water outfalls of power plants have become major winter attractions for these animals. In Riviera Beach, Florida Power and Light has even created a full eco-education facility, Manatee Lagoon, at their Next Generation Clean Energy Center. While you can’t get in the water with them there, it’s not far from snorkeling areas at Peanut Island and the Blue Heron Bridge. If you’re lucky, you might see a manatee passing by. The association of manatees with man-made warm water sources is not without concern. The number of manatees is growing—more than doubling over the last 20 years. Power plants have a working life of 35 to 40 years. When a plant shuts down, what will happen to manatees that relied on it for survival? Tracking studies show that manatees return to the same areas they visited with their mothers, even after they are weaned. Will displaced manatees find alternatives quickly enough to survive? The refugium built by the South Florida Water Management District in the Rookery Bay Aquatic Preserve near Naples may help answer some of these questions. A manatee refugium is a warm-water environment in which manatees can shelter. Twenty manatees used the refugium last winter, and hopes are for more this year. Ready to make your own mermaid observations this winter? Contact Pura Vida Divers on Singer Island to schedule a snorkel tour at Blue Heron Bridge or rent an SUP to get on the water and begin your manatee observations. Check out Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s website for the guidelines for boating, diving and snorkeling around manatees. Then go manateeing!

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3011 N. Indian River Dr., Ft. Pierce, FL 34946 www.indianriverlagoonwaterfrontcottages.com Reservations and Information: (772) 349-2206 Nightly • Weekly • Monthly • Seasonal Rates Available going to dive deeper into. During this time of year, sheepshead school around structure such as pilings, rocks and oysters. Acting as a refuge, this structure offers protection to smaller fish and other organisms, like crabs and barnacles that sheepshead feed on. True to their name, sheepshead possess a set of teeth that allows them to crunch down on crustaceans that inhabit structure. As many sheepshead fishermen know, these fish are notorious bait-stealers. With this said, there are tips and tricks that’ll put more fish in your boat. It’s vital to fish with the right gear since these fish feed so close to structure. A Carolina rig is the go-to for sheepshead fishermen. Using a braided main line is important for getting these fish out of those pilings. The amount of weight used depends on the current, but a 1-ounce egg sinker is a good baseline. Attached to the swivel connecting the mainline should be an 8-inch piece of 30-pound fluorocarbon leader. This, paired with a 1/0 to 3/0 sized circle hook and fiddler crab should get the job done for those ugly bruisers. Why target these fish you may ask? Aside from their hard fighting ability, sheepshead are some of the best tasting fish that swim, comparable to any flaky white fish. Fried, grilled or blackened, you can’t go wrong when cooking up these delicious fish. Most importantly, enjoy your time on the water with friends and family… and tight lines! By Cory Gurman

ew decade, same fishing opportunities! February acts as a transitional period between winter and spring, especially here in Florida. This provides the right conditions for many fishing opportunities, one of which I’m

FLORIDA

FEBRUARY 2020

Cory Gurman is a junior at Ponte Vedra High School in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. Besides reveling in the great outdoors, Cory enjoys spending time with his two golden retrievers and rooting for the Atlanta Braves. Follow him on Instagram @ fishhunter1119.

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FEBRUARY 2020

FLORIDA

By Dana Burkhart

n the 10 years since my husband George and I exchanged vows on Smathers Beach in Key West, my love of angling has grown from a distant observance to an activity I truly enjoy. We live in Georgia and make frequent trips to the Keys. Early in our marriage, George asked me if I’d rather be freezing in a deer stand at 5 a.m. or hanging out on a boat enjoying sun, waves, music, birds and fishing. I am so glad I chose the latter! Three years ago, George and I joined the Atlanta Saltwater Sportsman’s Club. The camaraderie and financial perks have been wonderful. Just before our anniversary trip to the Keys, George and I discovered fellow club members Brent and Valerie Christoper would be down there conchin’ the same week. Brent and Valerie drove up from Ramrod Key, and we split a charter in Islamorada. It just happened to be New Year’s Eve. I can’t think of a better way to cap off 2019 than with a banner day fishing. We arrived just after sunrise at Robbie’s of Islamorada,

greeted long-time friend Capt. Galon Johnson of GoTime Charters and were underway! It really is all about the bait, and we were not alone in pursuit of ballyhoo. Our captain zigged when the other 20 charters zagged, and after a couple of beautiful pancake casts, Capt. Galon blacked out the livewell with 300 cigar minnows. We jogged to a wreck in more than 200 feet of water with the color of morning rising into a temperate day. Chumming live bait proved irresistible to the blackfin tuna, and they hit fast and furious. At one point, a triple hookup had us dancing over and under each other to avoid tangles. We heard the splendid slap of tuna on deck and were content with six 20-plus-pounders. Capt. Galon bled the tuna immediately, which paid dividends in the taste and texture of our tuna steaks. Sushi and pan searing were on the menu for New Year’s Eve and beyond! Next, Capt. Galon moved west. While trolling live cigar minnows on a wire treble rig over 120 feet of water, our lines started screaming— this time with king mackerel. The reel-dragging fights were a blast. We “macked-out” with four over 20 pounds each. With our pelagic needs met, Capt. Galon cruised south of Alligator to wind down with reef fishing. Each cast of “oatmeal cookie” encrusted cut bait kept the lines tight. Several smaller yellowtails gave way to a 22-inch flag anyone would be proud of. Fearing the end of our charter, one of us sunk a live bait after last call and reeled up a large grouper—on the last day of open season—to clinch Dec. 31 as one of the best days of the year! We all enjoyed a meateater’s slam back at Robbie’s, followed by a celebratory hook and cook with live music at Lorelei’s. For more information on ASWSC, visit www.aswsc.org, info@aswsc.org, and like Atlanta Saltwater Sportsman Club on Facebook.

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he Bahamas National Trust (BNT) recently announced changes to user fees for the 176-square-mile Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park. Beginning Jan. 1, The Bahamas Government’s 12 percent Value Added Tax (VAT) will be added to user fees. The new fee structures are as follows. Daily Mooring Fee Structure Boats up to 39’11” - $25 Boats 40’ to 49’11”- $35 Photo by Nils Rinaldi Boats 50’ to 59’11’- $45 Boats 60’ to 69’11’- $70 Boats 70’ to 89’11’- $105 Boats 90’ to 119’11’- $135 Boats 120’ to 150’ - $170 Anchorage Fee Structure Boats <90’ - 50 cents per foot, plus 12% VAT Boats >90’ - $1 per foot, plus 12% VAT Dive Fees- $12 per person to be collected by dive tour operator Fees may be paid online at payexumapark.org or via cash or card at the Waderick Wells Office. Other fees are required for kayaking and camping, film crews, research teams and commercial vessels. Contact Bahamas National Trust at (242) 601-7438 or by email at exumapark@bnt.bs. See their website at www.bnt.bs.

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rescent Lake, which feeds the St. Johns River near Palatka, Fla., pumped out some big crappie despite poor weather during the Jan. 4 Crappie USA (CUSA) tournament. Anglers from eight states filled a field of 23 boats vying for cash, prizes and a berth in the 2020 CUSA Classic, which features a guaranteed payout of $125,000 in cash and prizes. “Crappie anglers braved wind and rain while fishing the second qualifying event of the year on Crescent Lake,” reported

Darrell Van Vactor, CUSA Operations Manager. “Fishing was very tough with a front moving in during the early afternoon, but as always several teams caught some good crappie.” The top spot in the Pro Division went to George Parker, of Okeechobee, Fla., and Tim Eberly, of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. They had a total weight of 11.96 pounds that included Second Big Fish at 1.98 pounds. Their bag earned them $1,400, plus $155 for Second Big Fish. “We used Bobby Garland and Thumper Jigs to fish structure from Dead Lake to the bridge on Dunn’s Creek,” said Eberly. “We fished posts, docks, laydowns, you name it.” The team caught 30 fish in 8 to 14 feet of water. They did not have a one-pound fish in the boat until after 10:30 when the tide dropped. Working with the tidal flow proved to be an important factor in the bite. “When the tide was moving strong, the fish quit feeding and hunkered down until a more suitable, lighter current returned,” said Parker. The runner up spot went to Steve Deason, of Gray, Ga. and Rick Howard, of Warner Robins, Ga. Their bag weighed 9.64 pounds and included a 3.17-pound crappie to take Big Fish honors. They earned $600 for second place and added $370 for Big Fish. Deason and Howard fished the upper corner of the lake, long lining in 7 to 8 feet of water using Blue Jigs to catch most of their fish. A total of 35 fish made a pretty good day for the Georgia team. The third spot in the Pro Division went to Robert Harris from Warner Robins, Ga., and Richard Greer, of Kathleen, Ga. Their 8.81-pound bag earned them a check for $400. They added $250 for the Ranger Cup Bonus. For more information on CUSA, visit www.crappieusa.com and Crappie USA Tournament Trail Facebook Page.

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FEBRUARY 2020

NORTH FLORIDA 1

By Jill Christoferson

hile anglers sing the praises of Florida’s summer fishing, seasoned anglers know winter offers great fishing for some of the state’s most sought-after fish species. You’ll spot many anglers, including veteran kayak angler Stephen Stubbs, following spotted seatrout to fresher water, where the fish congregate in large schools. While this can make seatrout an easy target, this species is also especially vulnerable to fatigue and exposure, so it’s important to use proper gear and fish-handling techniques. This ensures the best chance of survival for released fish. Prepping for the Day Determine ahead of time which fish you will keep instead of deciding on the water. This helps you release fish you don’t want to keep quicker. “My friends and I tend to harvest only slot trout under 19 inches to keep the more productive egg-layers—20 inches and over—in the water to continue the sustainability of this wonderful species,” Stubbs said. Use barbless circle hooks, as they are 90 percent more likely to hook a fish in the mouth, which reduces internal harm and decreases de-hooking time. Also use the heaviest tackle you can get away with. Heavier tackle allows for quick landings and fish that are released fresher. Fish On! Reel in fish as quickly as possible. According to Stubbs, the key to landing a big trout is to manage the drag tension. Horsing a trout into the boat results in tearing of the area where they are hooked. It can also cause you to lose the fish. Work them in as they tire and keep tension on the line. Playing a fish too much can result in an exhausted fish that cannot avoid predators once released. Landing Fish Use a knotless, rubber-coated net to land medium-to-large trout and wet the measuring board before laying the fish on it. This helps reduce loss of slime and scales. Avoid removing large fish from water. If you must remove them, support their weight horizontally to prevent damage to internal organs. Wet hands before handling a fish, and never hold a fish by the gill cover or eyes. Gripping devices are effective for controlling fish, especially ones with sharp teeth. Hook Removal and Release If the fish swallows the hook, cut the line as close to the hook as possible. Attempting to remove the hook can do more harm than good. A dehooking tool allows you to remove hooks safely and quickly without touching the fish. To release a fish, place it head first into the water and allow it swim away on its own. Revive lethargic fish by moving it forward through the water. Using a fugure-8 motion pushes water over a fish’s gills, allowing it oxygen to revive.

2 NORTH FLORIDA

FEBRAURY 2020

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NORTH FLORIDA 4

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Panama City, FL - Feb 2020 High

Date

Low

Rise

Set

Sat

3:15

0.6

6:08

0.0

6:32

5:20

Sun

3:38

0.7

3:35

-0.2

6:31

5:21

Mon

4:26

0.9

3:52

-0.4

6:30

5:22

Tue

5:25

1.0

4:20

-0.6

6:30

5:23

Wed

6:24

1.1

4:56

-0.7

6:29

5:23

Thu

7:22

1.2

5:37

-0.8

6:28

5:24

Fri

8:19

1.3

6:21

-0.9

6:28

5:25

Sat

9:19

1.3

7:05

-0.9

6:27

5:26

Sun

10:20

1.2

7:46

-0.8

6:26

5:27

Mon

11:23

1.0

8:19

-0.6

6:25

5:28

Tue

8:34

-0.4

6:25