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BUCKET LIST PHOTO CREDIT: ERIC HUFFMASTER VOLUME 26 â€¢ ISSUE 310

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W O R L D W I D E

GO FROM FISH TO WAKE TO DAD OF THE YEAR IN THE SAME AFTERNOON.

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How to Be Cut Off From Civilization When it’s you against nature, there’s only one tool you need: the stainless steel River Canyon Bowie Knife—now ONLY $49!

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very year in Basel, Switzerland, the world’s best-known luxury watchmakers gather to display their new timepieces. It’s a great event for spotting timepieces that standout–– in performance and in personality. We saw one impossible to ignore: a precision dive watch with an arresting green dial. But we also saw the five-figure price tag and knew we could bring our customers that exact same precision and stand out appeal for a whole lot less. The Stauer Evergreen Diver is that timepiece. Built like a submersible battleship with a stainless steel case, caseback, and band, the Evergreen Diver is water-resistant down to 660 feet or 20 atmospheres, a feat facilitated by a hardened crystal and screw-down crown. Green On Your Wrist AND In Your Pocket. You could pay an awful lot elsewhere for this verdant virtuoso, but the majority of the cost is in the big designer name upcharge. We think those guys are all wet. This is how you own a top-of-the-line dive watch without helping pay for some marketing guy’s yacht.

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This Is the End

The U.S. Silver Dollar Is About to Change...Forever!

ach year, millions of collectors and silver stackers around the word secure freshly struck American Eagle Silver Dollars. Minted in one Troy ounce of 99.9% pure U.S. silver, these legaltender coins are perhaps the most widely collected silver bullion coins in the world... and they’re about to change forever.

Final Release of Original Silver Eagle Design

Since 1986, the design of the “Silver Eagle” has remained unchanged: Adolph A. Weinman’s classic 1916 Walking Liberty design paired with former U.S. Mint Chief Engraver John Mercanti’s stunning eagle reverse. But in mid-2021, the U.S. Mint plans to replace the original reverse. This initial release is the FINAL appearance of the U.S. Silver Eagle’s original design! $27 $26 $25 $24 $23 $22 $21 $20 $19 $18 $17 $16 $15 $14

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Collectors are Already Going Wild for This “Final” Release!

For any popular coin series, two dates tend to rise to the top of demand: the first and the last. This coin represents not just the final issue of perhaps the world’s most popular silver coin, but also its 35th anniversary — an additional draw for collectors, who are already chomping at the bit, ready to secure as many coins as possible. And it’s not just about the special anniversary and “last” that has them excited...

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10:41:29 AM

AN AMBITIOUS 2021

BUCKET LIST

By Gary Turner

his year has not been my best fishing year. I did end up doing a little fishing, just not nearly as much as usual. So, this is the list of fish I want to catch in 2021. Some of these will not be very impressive to some of you, but some of them might seem worthy of adding to your own bucket lists. Here is my list, in no particular order: 1) Swordfish: With my friend Jimmy Dean’s help, I hope to land a swordfish out of the West Palm Beach area. This will not be easy, but hopefully I can get a shot or two. 2) Salmon Shark: This smaller cousin of the great white weighs up to 1,000 pounds and can measure 10 feet long. I plan to fish out of Resurrection Bay, Seward, Alaska. As of right now, I don’t have a captain selected, so kindly e-mail recommendations. 3) Halibut: I’m hunting a halibut heavier than 300 pounds. This will also most likely be out of Seward, Alaska. I have several friends who fish out of Seward for halibut, and it might take several years to find this fish, but every halibut is an adventure. 4) Blue Catfish: I would like to catch a 100-pounder or better. I like the Tennessee River in the Guntersville area for good odds of making this happen. 5) Snakehead: Why? Because I’ve never caught one. The Miami area is where I plan to look for these fish. 6) Oscar: I’d like to catch a very large Oscar. I love these fish, and years ago I used to raise them. The fact that they grow wild and big in south Florida makes me want to catch them, and they are supposedly very tasty. 7) Alligator Gar: This is a trip I have talked about for years and haven’t

f A r s w d m

been able to pull off. A friend and I have talked about fishing for giant alligator gar, so I just have to get out to the Trinity River in Texas to make it happen. 8) Tarpon: I have caught tarpon but never one of great size. Hopefully, on one of my trips to Florida, I will catch the right time and place and make it happen in 2021. 9) Bluefin Tuna: This one might be on the list for a few years, but I’m giving it more and more thought. A friend has been telling me about catching tuna in the Prince Edward Island area. The more we talk, the more I want it. My other choice of locale is North Carolina. 10) Goliath Grouper: I’d like to reel one up and take some awesome pictures before release. Again, this is a Florida trip. I have several friends who want to do this, too, so it should be a great trip. That’s my list for now. If you have time, email me and tell me about your list for 2021. Contact Gary Turner through email at gary@purgeright.com.

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THE TENDENCIES OF

BIG TROUT PHOTO COURTESY OF KNOCKIN TAIL LURES.

By Capt. Michael Okruhlik

ow that we are in the clutch of winter’s grip, let’s talk about how if affects speckled trout and what you need to do to catch them on the coldest of days. Several years ago, I fished a south Texas trip with my brother and brother-inlaw. We planned it with one thing in mind and one thing only: big speckled trout! As luck would have it, the coldest front of the year blew in the day before our three days of fishing began. We had anticipated a wade-fishing event on muddy bottom in waist-deep flats, but with the water temp at 38 degrees when we reached our spot, we had to adjust. The muddy shallows were no longer waist deep as the tide was blown out by stiff north winds. They were also void of visible baitfish. With hands so cold they refused to move without assistance, we decided to grind it out in a deep channel in the vicinity of our original spot. When most would have stayed in the hotel, we decided to give it a try since we had driven hours to get there. We threw slowsinking lures and soft plastics on a jighead. When we decided to call it a day, we had one small red and an 8-pound trout, which made it all worthwhile. Anytime I see a fish of that magnitude, it doesn’t matter what else was caught. On day two, the weather warmed only slightly, but the wind had died down considerably. Rather than make the long run to mostly barren grounds, we decided to fish closer to the ramp in an area with multiple deep dead-end channels in close proximity to each other. In these channels, we bounced soft plastic off the bottom and had a banner day. The three of us easily landed 40 to 50 trout. Most of these fish were solid 2- to 4-pound fish with a few 5- and 6-pounders and one heavier than 7 pounds. The bite was very subtle, and the jig had to be on the bottom. The sun came out in the afternoon, and the water began to warm considerably. The wind also shifted to the south, and the evening temps didn’t drop nearly as low as they had been. The next day we went back to the exact same location and only caught a few trout. The lesson from this trip is the trout don’t want to be in those dead-end channels, but that’s where they need to be during cold snaps. They did not go in to feed; they were there to survive. Once they knew the threat of the freeze was over, they left and went back to the open bay. Although these canals can be a great place to fish when it’s cold, timing is everything. Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Knockin Tail Lures, Controlled Descent Lures, and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.

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JACKPLATE By Bernie Schultz

ydraulic jackplates can vastly improve the performance of your bass or flats boat—both at the top end and in the ability to run shallower. They can even improve the ride. A simple touch of a switch allows the operator to raise or lower the outboard engine while under power, at any speed. Combine that with the engine’s power trim and you’ll realize advantages beyond the obvious.

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When dealing with vast, shallow flats, covering water is required to find fish. Idling with the main engine, rather than using the trolling motor, makes more sense. But without a jackplate, you have to trim the engine up, which squats the stern and bogs the engine down, making maneuvering difficult. It also adds disturbance in situations requiring stealth. With a jackplate, you can raise the engine and adjust the trim to give the boat a flatter attitude. This improves maneuverability and allows increased idle speed with less disturbance. The ability to raise the engine also allows you to plane off in much shallow water. A trick I learned from fishing saltwater flats is to take advantage of the clockwise rotational lift of a spinning prop. By turning the steering wheel all the way to the left, (which puts the leading edge of the skeg facing right, the same direction of the prop’s clockwise rotation) you realize added lift when applying full throttle. This kicks the stern around and throws a small wake, which provides a slight increase in water depth for the prop to bite. With the engine cocked at an angle, bottom contact is minimized. As the hull begins to plane, gradually lower the engine to submerge the water pickup.

Digging Deeper Hydraulic jackplates also enhance performance in deep water. Because they set the engine farther from the transom, it increases the overall length of the boat. This is good, especially in rough conditions. But the biggest advantage is additional leverage. Dropping the jackplate and tucking the engine under greatly improves handling in choppy water. This forces the bow down to create a flatter ride.

Need for Speed Jackplates can also add top-end speed with better handling. By lifting most of the lower unit out of the water, you minimize torque at the wheel and decrease drag. Add a bit of trim and the bow will lift while increasing speed. The trick is finding just the right height and trim to reach ideal RPMs while maintaining sufficient water pressure. Every boat is different, so it may take tweaking. There are a number of quality jackplates, including CMC, SeaStar, Bob’s Machine Shop and T-H Marine. I run a 12-inch Atlas by T-H Marine. Most brands offer a console gauge to monitor engine height, but they won’t tell you if your water pickup is submerged and functioning. For that you’ll need a reliable water pressure gauge. Believe me; you can fry your engine if you jack it so its starved for water. Follow Bernie Schultz on Facebook and through his website at www.bernieschultzfishing.com.

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Covering Water:

Anglers tend to think covering water is reserved for boat anglers who drift or troll, or for anglers casting artificial lures. There is a general failure to recognize the immense potential for covering lots of ground with natural baits, and this doesn’t just apply to freelined live baits, either. Chunk baits, whole dead baitfish, worms and shellfish baits can be manipulated to get the most out of the water you’re fishing; it just takes a few refinements to your approach. Unfortunately, most anglers employ a standard, inefficient procedure when fishing these “passive” bait items, and this serves to limit their success. It consists, simply, of an angler casting the bait out as far as he or she can, letting it sit for a while where it lands, and then retrieving it all the way back only to re-bait and repeat the process. The tactic fails entirely to cover any of the fishable water between where the cast lands and where the angler is positioned. The solution to this is simple: cast a bait out as you normally would, let it sit a few minutes, and then retrieve it 5 or 10 yards to let it sit a few minutes more. Repeat this, allowing the bait to sit for a few minutes at intervals until the bait is at your feet. This staggered retrieve will put your bait in many different positions during a single cast, ensuring you thoroughly cover the area in front of you as opposed to only one point at the end of your cast. Apart from being a devastating search tactic, there is an added benefit for those using rigs with sinkers—you can actually feel the bottom contour as you retrieve. This allows you to identify fish-holding structure such as holes and bars. When your sinker “falls off ” an edge, leave your bait there a moment longer—this might be just the type of deeper, more stable habitat fish By John Saporito crave when the thermometer takes a plunge. Self-anchoring sinkers, such as pyramids or the Hatteras variety, are especially effective at grabbing onto edges and other types of bottom contour. Don’t sell yourself short when fishing natural baits. To find gamefish that are hunkered down during cold spells, you have to bring the bait to them. Ditch the sand spike, employ your bait as an active offering, and put the entire ater temperatures are headed toward their annual valley, and length of a cast to work for you. Do this, and you can keep a bend in your rod that means most of our favorite gamefish will be transitioning no matter what the thermometer is telling you. to their winter patterns. Their metabolisms will slow down and, accordingly, they will become far less active. This makes covering water more John Saporito is a lifelong fisherman and student of the seas. important in winter than during most other times of the year. Visit him online at guerillaangling.com. PHOTO BY RUTH HARTNUP/FLICKR.COM

NOT JUST FOR LURE ANGLERS

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Serving the Coastal Communities of Palm Beach County

2020 Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade Winners

The 26th Annual Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade and Toy Drive spread cheer to hundreds of thousands of people watching from the parade route and from the comfort of their own homes on December 5th. The parade made its way up the Intracoastal Waterway from North Palm Beach to the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse. Toys were collected along the parade route by a fleet of volunteer boats, many of which carried uniformed Marines. Toys for Tots and Little Smiles are reporting that 5,500 toys were collected the night of the parade. Members of the community also made numerous monetary donations online at PalmBeachBoatParade.com, which will all go towards toy purchases for Toys for Tots and Little Smiles. The stars of the parade were the dozens of decorated vessels and the traveling fireworks display that led them up the Intracoastal. Each year, the parade includes four divisions in which boats are judged: Under 25’, 25’-35’, Over 35’, and Corporate. Each boat was judged on three main factors: lights, enthusiasm, and themed décor. First place in the Under 25’ division went to Too Much Fun, entered by David Wiggins from West Palm Beach. Second place went to Miss B Haven, entered by Jerry Oenbrink from Hobe Sound, and third place went to Teazer Too, entered by Scott Abel from North Palm Beach. In the 25’-35’ division, NAILED IT, entered by The Liscomb Family from North Palm Beach, did precisely that, taking home first place with an incredibly festive display that could be seen for miles. Eagles Nest, entered by The Andries Family, and Yellow Streak, entered by Zachary Ingram from Palm Beach Gardens, were not far behind, finishing second and third, respectively. In the Over 35’ division, Madame Blue, entered by the Nassif Family from Jupiter, finished first place. Osprey, entered by Timothy Toole, and Dig’N Life, entered by Ron Taylor from Loxahatchee, finished out the top three. One of the most fun and competitive divisions in the parade is the Corporate division. Lucky Dog, entered in the Corporate division by Lucky Dog Luxury Yacht Charters, was awarded first place. Checked Out, entered by nonprofit Little Smiles, and FOOD YACHT finished second and third. Best of Parade winner, for the second time, went to Suits Us Too, a 22-foot pontoon boat that went with a tropical theme, and was entered by Dwight Fetterman from North Palm Beach. Their cantina Christmas party had them celebrating up the waterway all night long in search of that island Christmas paradise. Their design included more than a thousand feet of lights and a giant illuminated palm tree. This was Suits Us Too’s sixth Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade appearance. Suits Us Too also took home the Fan Favorite award, hosted on the MIAPBC Facebook page, with an impressive 197 likes. The boat won a total of $1,500 in cash prizes for winning Best of Parade, Fan Favorite, and for being an MIAPBC Boater Member. Scoring during the parade was carried out by a prestigious group of judges. This year’s panel of judges included local Freedom Boat Club owner Dan Lund, Palm Beach County Commissioner Maria Marino, State Representative John Snyder, Sea Land Insurance President Lori Sousa, Jupiter Mayor Todd Wodraska, and former Palm Beach County Commissioner Karen Marcus. The parade was free to enter, and boats competed for over $10,000 in cash and prizes. Stay tuned for additional information about this year’s edition of the Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade. Learn more about the PBHBP at https://www.marinepbc.org/boat-parade.

JANUARY 2021

2020 Leonard Bryant Photography

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM JAN. 2021 PALM BEACH COUNTY INSIDE: Fishing Forecasts • Tide Charts • Coastal Calendar

Fishing with Darcizzle By Darcie Arahill Contributing Writer

BOCA RATON - TIDE CHART Boca Raton, Lake Boca Raton, FL StationId: 8722816 Referenced to Station: GOVERNMENT CUT, MIAMI HARBOR ENTRANCE ( 8723178 ) Time offset in mins (high:23 low: 67) Height offset in feet (high:* 0.97 low: *1.14) Date 1/01 1/02 1/03 1/04 1/05 1/06 1/07 1/08 1/09 1/10 1/11 1/12 1/13 1/14 1/15 1/16 1/17 1/18 1/19 1/20 1/21 1/22 1/23 1/24 1/25 1/26 1/27 1/28 1/29 1/30 1/31

Day Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun

Time 04:26 AM 05:09 AM 05:56 AM 12:24 AM 01:20 AM 02:21 AM 03:26 AM 04:34 AM 05:40 AM 12:17 AM 01:18 AM 02:14 AM 03:07 AM 03:55 AM 04:41 AM 05:24 AM 06:08 AM 12:35 AM 01:24 AM 02:15 AM 03:09 AM 04:06 AM 05:03 AM 05:58 AM 12:15 AM 01:08 AM 01:57 AM 02:44 AM 03:28 AM 04:12 AM 04:57 AM

Hgt -0.05L -0.03L 0.02L 2.26H 2.29H 2.31H 2.35H 2.41H 2.49H -0.09L -0.14L -0.18L -0.19L -0.15L -0.08L 0.02L 0.15L 2.20H 2.17H 2.15H 2.15H 2.16H 2.19H 2.25H 0.18L 0.11L 0.03L -0.04L -0.10L -0.11L -0.09L

2 PALM BEACH COUNTY

Time 10:43 AM 11:23 AM 12:05 PM 06:47 AM 07:42 AM 08:41 AM 09:45 AM 10:51 AM 11:59 AM 06:42 AM 07:40 AM 08:33 AM 09:22 AM 10:08 AM 10:52 AM 11:33 AM 12:12 PM 06:52 AM 07:37 AM 08:25 AM 09:16 AM 10:11 AM 11:08 AM 12:06 PM 06:49 AM 07:37 AM 08:21 AM 09:02 AM 09:43 AM 10:22 AM 11:03 AM

Hgt 2.58H 2.56H 2.53H 0.10L 0.20L 0.30L 0.38L 0.43L 0.44L 2.57H 2.63H 2.67H 2.67H 2.64H 2.58H 2.50H 2.41H 0.28L 0.40L 0.50L 0.58L 0.63L 0.64L 0.61L 2.33H 2.41H 2.49H 2.55H 2.60H 2.61H 2.60H

JAN. 2021

Time 5:09 PM 5:52 PM 6:38 PM 12:51 PM 1:40 PM 2:34 PM 3:33 PM 4:36 PM 5:39 PM 1:04 PM 2:03 PM 2:57 PM 3:47 PM 4:32 PM 5:16 PM 5:58 PM 6:39 PM 12:52 PM 1:34 PM 2:18 PM 3:07 PM 4:00 PM 4:56 PM 5:51 PM 1:02 PM 1:54 PM 2:41 PM 3:25 PM 4:07 PM 4:49 PM 5:32 PM

Hgt 0.29L 0.26L 0.21L 2.48H 2.40H 2.31H 2.23H 2.18H 2.16H 0.40L 0.34L 0.28L 0.24L 0.22L 0.22L 0.23L 0.24L 2.31H 2.21H 2.12H 2.04H 1.98H 1.96H 1.97H 0.55L 0.47L 0.38L 0.29L 0.21L 0.13L 0.07L

Time Hgt 10:46 PM 2.20H 11:33 PM 2.23H 7:27 PM 8:19 PM 9:15 PM 10:14 PM 11:15 PM

0.16L 0.11L 0.05L 0.01L -0.04L

6:41 PM 7:39 PM 8:33 PM 9:25 PM 10:14 PM 11:01 PM 11:48 PM

2.18 H 2.22H 2.25H 2.27H 2.27 H 2.25H 2.23H

7:21 PM 8:03 PM 8:48 PM 9:36 PM 10:27 PM 11:21 PM

0.24L 0.25L 0.25 L 0.25L 0.25L 0.23L

6:43 PM 7:32 PM 8:18 PM 9:03 PM 9:48 PM 10:34 PM 11:22 PM

2.02H 2.08 H 2.15H 2.23 H 2.31H 2.38 H 2.43 H

Happy New Year Anglers! Start off the New Year right and take advantage of the fantastic fishing we are blessed with off Palm Beach County! The sailfish sector aka ‘Sailfish Alley’ of the Gulfstream is at its prime this month. The sailfish bite best when a chilly north wind starts howling, kicking up the seas as it plows head-on into the Gulf Stream and stacking up the bait. A general rule of thumb to remember, the sailfish bite improves the first few days following a cold front. Anglers should look for pods of bait on their depth finder, a clean water edge or a temperature break that will lead you to the fish. A majority of anglers fishing offshore this month will be deploying kites for kite fishing, allowing anglers to have the best bait presentation possible. TIP: You should consider purchasing a drift anchor if you have a center console. A drift anchor will help you stay in the depth you are fishing longer, especially when the winds are howling and pushing your vessel out of the strike zone. Historically, productive areas for sailfish range from the Jupiter ledge, to the waters in front of the Breakers and the Ritz Carlton, down to Boynton’s water tower, the ‘Martini Glass.’ Depth is key when kite fishing; you should target your efforts between 80-250 feet of water for sailfish until you determine the best depth for that day. If the seas are fairly calm this month, try to explore further offshore to find the occasional dolphin or wahoo. While traveling to and from your fishing grounds you should be on the lookout for cobia swimming in the shallows close to the beach. Also, along the beaches; pompano, bluefish and Spanish mackerel will be plentiful. Spanish mackerel put up a hard fight on light tackle and are great table fare, with fish 5-7lbs not uncommon. You can target Spanish mackerels from boat by trolling depths 10-25ft and casting colorful jigs, spoons or swimming plugs along the beach. For land based anglers, the Juno and Lake Worth pier, and rock piles off Boynton Inlet should produce a good bite. For those anglers that love to bottom fish, set up your drifts in depths of 60 to 120 feet near wrecks and reefs. Drift your baits using a triple hook rig with a dead sardine or a chicken rig with a sinker; both should yield muttons, yellowtail, mangrove snapper, and kingfish. Until next time, keep on catchin’! Ask me questions about fishing & see my recent FISHING VIDEOS on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/darcizzleoffshore

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Lit up mahi mahi caught out of Boynton Beach that flipped at the same exact time this picture was taken!

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JAN. 2021

PALM BEACH COUNTY 3

FISHINGFORECASTS

Landon with a solid clown.

SOUTH COUNTY INSHORE & FRESHWATER By Capt. Patrick Smith Contributing Writer

Happy New Year! Hopefully 2021 goes a lot smoother than the last one. No matter what, there is some great fishing going on. In the salt, keep an eye on the wind and take any opportunity you can to get out on the beach. Look for birds diving and fish breaking the surface. A silver spoon or crippled herring are two of my favorite lures for locating fish. Mackerel, bluefish, jacks, and ladyfish are all very cooperative and some days bites come on every cast. Do not hesitate to send a ladyfish out on a heavier rod for a chance at a spinner shark. The freshwater bite can change a lot this time of the year depending on cold fronts. Clown knifefish do not seem to be as affected by temps as much as peacocks. Largemouth bass, sunshine bass, and catfish should continue to chew great as well. Don Humphries landed this monster 6lb 9oz peacock on the flyrod.

Paul with a nice largemouth bass.

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JAN. 2021

Capt. Patrick Smith www.swamptosea.com • 561-503-0848 Alabama boys doubled up on snook.

BOYNTON INLET - TIDE CHART Boynton Beach, FL Station ID: 8722706

Referenced to Station: GOVERNMENT CUT, MIAMI HARBOR ENTRANCE (8723178) Time offset in mins (high:65 low: 127) Height offset in feet (high:* 1.06 low: *1.07) Date 1/01 1/02 1/03 1/04 1/05 1/06 1/07 1/08 1/09 1/10 1/11 1/12 1/13 1/14 1/15 1/16 1/17 1/18 1/19 1/20 1/21 1/22 1/23 1/24 1/25 1/26 1/27 1/28 1/29 1/30 1/31

Day Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun

Time 05:21 AM 06:05 AM 12:07 AM 12:59 AM 01:55 AM 02:56 AM 04:01 AM 05:08 AM 12:22 AM 01:20 AM 02:16 AM 03:09 AM 04:00 AM 04:49 AM 05:36 AM 06:23 AM 12:15 AM 01:00 AM 01:47 AM 02:36 AM 03:29 AM 04:26 AM 05:24 AM 12:41 AM 01:29 AM 02:14 AM 02:58 AM 03:40 AM 04:22 AM 05:06 AM 05:50 AM

Hgt -0.27L -0.24L 2.35H 2.34H 2.33H 2.33H 2.36H 2.43H -0.42L -0.54L -0.63L -0.68L -0.68L -0.62L -0.51L -0.36L 2.33H 2.21H 2.09H 1.99H 1.93H 1.90H 1.93H 0.01L -0.09L -0.21L -0.33L -0.44L -0.51L -0.54L -0.50L

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

Time 11:14 AM 11:57 AM 06:52 AM 07:44 AM 08:42 AM 09:45 AM 10:51 AM 11:56 AM 06:12 AM 07:12 AM 08:08 AM 08:59 AM 09:48 AM 10:33 AM 11:17 AM 11:59 AM 07:10 AM 07:57 AM 08:46 AM 09:38 AM 10:33 AM 11:28 AM 12:23 PM 06:21 AM 07:13 AM 08:01 AM 08:46 AM 09:29 AM 10:11 AM 10:52 AM 11:34 AM

Hgt 2.61H 2.58H -0.17L -0.07L 0.05L 0.14L 0.18L 0.17L 2.53H 2.63H 2.72H 2.77H 2.78H 2.74H 2.65H 2.53H -0.17L 0.02L 0.20L 0.34L 0.44L 0.48L 0.46L 2.01H 2.12H 2.25H 2.38H 2.48H 2.56H 2.58H 2.57H

Time 5:52 PM 6:37 PM 12:40 PM 1:27 PM 2:17 PM 3:12 PM 4:12 PM 5:15 PM 12:57 PM 1:54 PM 2:49 PM 3:40 PM 4:30 PM 5:18 PM 6:06 PM 6:53 PM 12:39 PM 1:20 PM 2:01 PM 2:45 PM 3:33 PM 4:27 PM 5:24 PM 1:13 PM 2:00 PM 2:45 PM 3:27 PM 4:09 PM 4:50 PM 5:33 PM 6:18 PM

Hgt 0.15L 0.10L 2.52H 2.45H 2.38H 2.32H 2.29H 2.31H 0.11L 0.03L -0.06L -0.13L -0.17L -0.18L -0.16L -0.11L 2.39H 2.24H 2.09H 1.97H 1.88H 1.83H 1.84H 0.41L 0.32L 0.20L 0.09L -0.04L -0.16L -0.27L -0.35L

Time Hgt 11:20 PM 2.36H 7:25 PM 8:19 PM 9:17 PM 10:19 PM 11:21 PM

0.05L -0.02L -0.09L -0.19L -0.30L

6:18 PM 7:18 PM 8:13 PM 9:06 PM 9:55 PM 10:43 PM 11:29 PM

2.37H 2.45 H 2.52H 2.57 H 2.58H 2.53 H 2.45H

7:39 PM 8:27 PM 9:15 PM 10:06 PM 10:58 PM 11:51 PM

-0.05L 0.01L 0.07L 0.10 L 0.11 L 0.08L

6:20 PM 7:13 PM 8:02 PM 8:49 PM 9:34 PM 10:20 PM 11:06 PM 11:53 PM

1.90H 1.99H 2.10 H 2.21H 2.31H 2.40H 2.45 H 2.47H

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JAN. 2021

PALM BEACH COUNTY 5

It’s Never the Fish -

but the Journey

By Mark Ambert Contributing Writer My humble roots as a lifelong angler began on the banks of a local pond. My earliest memory was of catching my very first fish — the diminutive bluegill. Such an amazingly colorful fish that fought like the dickens for its freedom. I’ll never forget thinking I’d hooked a monster only to pull that defiant but tiny fish from the shadows of a murky lake. I was shocked at the small size and wondered if they ever got any bigger.

A Mayan cichlid - and what a scrapper - my lifelong journey complete.

The fish that started it all. It’s never the size of the fish but the size of the smile!

I thought of the tremendous battle that would ensue wrestling with such a giant! It kept me fishing way past when everyone else wanted to leave — I was determined to catch that fish! It quickly became a passion. I dreamed about it because I had the heart and soul of an angler. I could think of nothing else most days other than getting back to the lake! It was with great reluctance I gave up my quest when I realized that while sunfish were prized for their willingness to eat almost anything, even things twice their size — they would never grow to giant proportion. I shifted my efforts and became a traveling angler as life, work, and responsibilities unfolded. Now years later having finally slowed down to semi-retirement, I’m back to pursuing unique and different fishing encounters. I started in the salt but most recently began fishing the local lakes and ponds in my new home of Jupiter Florida. I was getting back to my roots and the place that started it all. I began fishing the lakes by targeting peacock bass — plenty exotic and a real challenge for me. After catching about a dozen of these spirited fighters I began to understand what made them tick and got them dialed in. I could consistently target and pull one from the lake. Unknown to me, there existed here what could only be described as a giant sunfish — the Mayan cichlid! Just as colorful and full of fight, only many times larger. It was to my surprise one evening when my lure was met with a familiar rap — “peacock” I thought and a nice one at that. Line began pealing from my ultralight reel as the big fish fought for its freedom. I could feel its body go sideways which set my rod tip pulsing and saw the familiar flash of color — big pea for sure! What a surprise I got when I pulled from the lake what could only be described as my giant sunfish! I was shocked at the size and couldn’t wait to get a quick picture and release it back to the lake unharmed. I rushed home to tell my wife I finally caught some sort of giant panfish and looked it up to see what it was. Mayan —what a scrapper! I sat down that evening to reflect on things. I thought about the little fish that started it all and had taken me on a lifetime of adventure. I realized in that moment that in the end it wasn’t the fish that I had been pursuing but rather something much more rewarding. I was pursuing life itself! So many mysteries to unfold but you’ve got to be in it. In the end it’s the journey and not the fish we remember most of all. Mark Ambert – Avid outdoorsman, sportswriter & photographer

“For me, fishing is a passion second to none. It sets the heart racing and soul on fire to be on the water and in the hunt. For those few hours we can forget everything, and life unfolds like no place else. Always live your passion.” Follow me on Instagram @marksgonefishing or contact me at marksgonefishing@gmail.com for collaboration 6 PALM BEACH COUNTY

JAN. 2021

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

ECOTOURISM By Capt. Chris Thalmann Contributing Writer Happy 2021 and welcome to manatee season here in the Palm Beaches! Many of these gentle giants live here year-round in our freshwater, brackish and saltwater environments. They’re usually found in shallow areas and close to shorelines, where there’s plenty of seagrass to eat. During winter, manatees from the Mid-Atlantic and Gulf Coast migrate to the springs and rivers of Central Florida and further south into our area. All are looking for the same thing - warm water! Manatees, like people, are mammals. They’re warm blooded and can regulate their own body temps - up to a point. It turns out that point is about 68F degrees. And just as people can get hypothermia in colder temps - especially when we’re soaking wet - so can manatees. Despite their huge size, manatees really struggle to stay warm in cold water. If hypothermia gets severe and they develop what’s known as cold stress or cold shock, their bodies will prioritize only their most basic functions, like breathing and heart rate. Everything else - eating, drinking, digestion, even immune response - goes on hold. The solution for people with hypothermia is to get them out of the water, dried off and warmed up. Mild cases are easier to fix than severe cases, especially when rescues are involved. But for manatees suffering from hypothermia, almost every case involves a rescue. These animals can weigh more than 1,000 pounds, so getting a sick manatee life-saving care often involves a team of people and some pretty specialized equipment. Thankfully, manatees are pretty attuned to their surroundings, including water temps. As long as they’re physically able to get there, most will seek out warm water all on their own. Locally, our warmest water is found at FPL’s Manatee Lagoon, just south of its Riviera Beach power plant. Located on the ICW, Manatee Lagoon is an eco-education center where people can see and learn all about these marine mammals. It’s by far the easiest place to see manatees locally, and there’s an excellent chance of seeing a mama manatee swim in with her little calf to snuggle-up in the warm water! Unfortunately, the center is still closed due to COVID but you can do a virtual visit through their website, www.visitmanateelagoon.com, and see manatees “live” via their manatee cam. Just like in nature, the manatee cam works best at high tide when the water is clear. If you’d rather look for manatees in nature, you’re in luck! Good spots include the Loxahatchee River north of the JD State Park docks, the Jupiter Lighthouse shoreline, Dubois Park in Jupiter, and in quieter zones anywhere along the ICW and canals. Go slow, keep your distance, and pay special attention to shallow areas close to shore. It won’t take long to find Florida’s official marine mammal. Have a great month and give a wave if you see us on the water! Captain Chris Thalmann Owner | Aqua Adventure Tours, Inc. • aquaadventuretours.com

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JAN. 2021

PALM BEACH COUNTY 7

FISHINGFORECAST

KAYAKFISHING

PALM BEACH IN & OFFSHORE By Capt. Weston Russell Contributing Writer

This winter will bring some hot fishing to our waters. Sailfish, dolphin, wahoo, and kingfish will be the offshore choice. When heading out, take a drive south and let the stream take you north. If you’re just looking for sails, try the 160’ depth off the Dodge Wall. If you’re looking for kings stay around 90’ deep. Live bait will be the key to landing quality fish and can be easily bought from your local bait boat. These guys monitor VHF 68. It’s best to get their number for the next time and give them a call the night before with your order. Kite fishing will be in full affect this month, but flat lining and deep rods will produce too. Don’t forget the wire trace at the end of your leader for the hoo or kings... you never know! For the inshore anglers, the inlet will be a hot spot. Schools of jack and tarpon will be invading the beaches and ICW. This is the time to use your fancy fish finder, mark the Wahoo bite fish before you drop. There in January could be a huge school just full moon. 20 yards to the port side. Along with hard fighting jacks there will be spawning sheepshead on the bottom of the channel. Shrimp is the bait of choice, but clams will get those sheep biting too. Good luck and remember “you can’t catch them from the couch”!

By Brian Nelli Contributing Writer

Nate doubled up on healthy peacock bass.

INSHORE: Pompano, bluefish, and Spanish mackerel become more of the focus in January. I like to target areas near inlets like the mouth of the Loxahatchee River in Jupiter and Sailfish Flats in Stuart. The deeper channels and sand flats make ideal locations for the fish to swim in and out with the tides. Try working the edges of these channels with Goofy Jigs, small buck tails and D.O.A. Shrimp. This time of year brings cold air and wind which creates wet conditions on the kayak. Having a pair of Frogg Togg waders to keep you dry and warm in the chop is highly recommended.

OFFSHORE: January is considered one of the best months to target sailfish. As always, winter months are very weather dependent. There are typically only a handful of days during this month that the weather will allow you to get in the ocean without rolling your kayak. Choose your days wisely and be sure to have all safety equipment on board. Sailfish prefer smaller baits like smaller goggle eyes and pilchards. Keeping them up top on the surface and frisky is your best bet. Captain Weston Russell 561-310-2690 www.reelintensefishing.com

PORT WPB - TIDE CHART PORT OF WEST PALM BEACH, FL Station ID: 8722588 Date 1/01 1/02 1/03 1/04 1/05 1/06 1/07 1/08 1/09 1/10 1/11 1/12 1/13 1/14 1/15 1/16 1/17 1/18 1/19 1/20 1/21 1/22 1/23 1/24 1/25 1/26 1/27 1/28 1/29 1/30 1/31

Day Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun

Time 03:06 AM 03:50 AM 04:37 AM 05:30 AM 12:23 AM 01:23 AM 02:28 AM 03:34 AM 04:38 AM 05:37 AM 06:34 AM 12:50 AM 01:42 AM 02:32 AM 03:20 AM 04:08 AM 04:56 AM 05:46 AM 12:27 AM 01:18 AM 02:13 AM 03:11 AM 04:07 AM 04:59 AM 05:47 AM 06:33 AM 12:40 AM 01:23 AM 02:06 AM 02:49 AM 03:34 AM

Hgt -0.32L -0.29L -0.23L -0.13L 2.51H 2.57H 2.66H 2.79H 2.93H 3.06H 3.15H -0.75L -0.76L -0.70L -0.58L -0.40L -0.20L 0.00L 2.21H 2.15H 2.13H 2.16H 2.24H 2.35 2.48H 2.61H -0.44L -0.56L -0.64L -0.67L -0.63L

8 PALM BEACH COUNTY

Time 09:44 AM 10:25 AM 11:08 AM 11:53 AM 06:28 AM 07:30 AM 08:35 AM 09:41 AM 10:46 AM 11:48 AM 12:45 PM 07:27 AM 08:17 AM 09:05 AM 09:50 AM 10:33 AM 11:15 AM 11:56 AM 06:37 AM 07:31 AM 08:26 AM 09:22 AM 10:19 AM 11:12 AM 12:02 PM 12:46 PM 07:16 AM 07:58 AM 08:39 AM 09:20 AM 10:01 AM

Hgt 2.99H 2.94H 2.86H 2.75H -0.03L 0.05L 0.10L 0.09L 0.04L -0.05L -0.15L 3.19H 3.17H 3.08H 2.95H 2.77H 2.58H 2.38H 0.18L 0.31L 0.40L 0.43L 0.41L 0.33L 0.23L 0.10L 2.73H 2.81H 2.87H 2.88H 2.83H

JAN. 2021

Time 3:52 PM 4:34 PM 5:21 PM 6:10 PM 12:43 PM 1:38 PM 2:38 PM 3:42 PM 4:44 PM 5:44 PM 6:40 PM 1:38 PM 2:27 PM 3:13 PM 3:59 PM 4:44 PM 5:29 PM 6:15 PM 12:39 PM 1:26 PM 2:17 PM 3:12 PM 4:07 PM 4:59 PM 5:48 PM 6:35 PM 1:27 PM 2:07 PM 2:46 PM 3:26 PM 4:09 PM

Hgt 0.08L 0.04L -0.03L -0.11L 2.63H 2.51H 2.42H 2.37H 2.37H 2.41H 2.45H -0.23L -0.27L -0.27L -0.24L -0.18L -0.12L -0.06L 2.19H 2.03H 1.91H 1.84H 1.83H 1.88H 1.96H 2.07H -0.03L -0.16L -0.28L -0.38L -0.47L

Time 9:52 PM 10:38 PM 11:28 PM

Hgt 2.41H 2.44H 2.47H

7:04 PM 7:59 PM 8:57 PM 9:56 PM 10:56 PM 11:54 PM

-0.20L -0.30L -0.40L -0.50L -0.60L -0.69L

7:34 PM 8:26 PM 9:16 PM 10:04 PM 10:51 PM 11:38 PM

2.49H 2.51H 2.49H 2.44H 2.36H 2.28 H

7:01 PM 7:48 PM 8:36 PM 9:26 PM 10:16 PM 11:06 PM 11:54 PM

-0.01L 0.01L 0.02 L -0.01L -0.07L -0.17L -0.30L

7:19 PM 8:04 PM 8:48 PM 9:34 PM 10:22 PM

2.19H 2.31H 2.41H 2.51H 2.57 H

FRESHWATER: Peacock bass fishing can be on fire during the winter months, as long as we do not get an extended period of low temps in the 40 degree range. Using shiners and shad are at the top of the list for a good bite, but don’t overlook an artificial lure that mimics those baits as well. Look to target concrete structures and deeper water for the colder months. Yours truly with a pompano on the flats.

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Brian Nelli www.tckayakfishing.com • 772.201.5899 Brian@tckayakfishing.com Check us out Pushin’ Water Kayak Charters on Facebook, Instagram & Youtube

Eric with his first sailfish.

JR.ANGLER My Fishing Adventures

By Christopher Sprague Jr. Angler-Team Tuppens, Contributing Writer Hello Anglers, I hope you all have been on the water as much as possible. I did not do too much this month, but I did get to go freediving with my friend. We were in English class when we checked the weather and saw how nice it was going to be over the weekend. It was going to be around 1 and a half foot waves and high tide was around noon, which is perfect. We met at the Jupiter Inlet an hour before high tide and jumped in. We did not expect the water to be so cold, it was freezing! We just dove around the rocks there and it was super cool. We were swimming and all of a sudden- there is a school of 50 snook just sitting near the bottom, then a huge school of the biggest sheepshead I have ever seen swam up. Then grunts and many other fish followed them. Then we saw a huge, dark silhouette. As we got closer, we saw it was a manatee. My friend then went underwater and blew ring bubbles, and the manatee was very relaxed but super curious and just looked at them for a while. After a The South Florida Science few minutes, we left so we didn’t bother it too Center and Aquarium is heating much. Overall, it was a great day and I highly up the holidays with seasonallyrecommend diving near the Jupiter Inlet. There themed activities, camps and special events through February 2021. Kids are also a few other spots to dive that I would of all ages can enjoy the wide range of seasonal offerings, including making recommend. Just south of the Boynton Inlet are their own snow, rocking out to favorite classics with laser light shows in the some shallow rocks, around 6-8 feet deep that planetarium and experimenting with frigid science demos. are interesting and sometimes there are even On the second Friday of each month, the Science Center is hosting a new lobsters there. Also, just north of the Boynton outdoor event on the five-acre Science Trail called Laser Lights & Bites at the Inlet is a wreck that is a little deeper, around Cox Amphitheatre. The series kicks off with a Winter Wonderland theme. 15-20 feet, it is a great dive site, and you can see Families can sing and dance along to all their favorites with plenty of room to many different fish there. That’s just a few spots socially distance outside and even enjoy a food truck and twilight mini golf that I enjoy. A nice thing about living in South on the Conservation Course. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets to set Florida is that you can go pretty much anywhere up on the amphitheater lawn. and see something amazing underwater. Winter camps are scheduled until February at the Science Center for ages 7-12. From robot races to the science behind Winter Olympic events, there is something for everyone. “Safety is our number one priority at the Science Center,” said Kate Arrizza, President and CEO of the Science Center. “We held summer camp earlier this year without incident, and we are committed to upholding the highest cleanliness standards.” Guests can also experience the blockbuster exhibit, Real Bodies: The Exhibition, which showcases real preserved human bodies, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Visitors can also enjoy the beautiful weather by playing a round of mini golf on the Conservation Course, named one of the Travel Channel’s top 13 mini golf courses in the country.

‘TIS THE SEASON FOR SCIENCE

UPCOMING ONE-DAY SCHOOL BREAK CAMPS: January 18th, 2021: Arctic Adventures (ages 7-12) - A cool front has blown across South Florida, providing us with the perfect opportunity for science! Come chill with our team of winter scientists as we conduct some of the “coolest” science experiments on the planet. $50/non-member & $45/member. February 1st, 2021: Robot Races (ages 7-12) - The robots are coming, the robots are coming! Take back control of these programmable machines by learning the basics of circuits and robotics and restore peace at the Science Center. $60/non-member & $55/member. Camps run from 9:00am-4:00pm. Before/Aftercare (7:30am-5:30pm) is an additional charge of $10 per day.

To see pictures of tournaments and events email 57LDBryant@gmail.com for link

561.721.5249

Camp scholarships are available for Title 1 students. Please call 561832-1988 or visit www. sfsciencecenter.org for more information.

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JAN. 2021

PALM BEACH COUNTY 9

ROAD TRIPFISHING

Thanks to Fishing By Keith Lozott Contributing Writer “Thanks to fishing” I say as the love of the sport has been with me for as long as I can remember. As a kid that grew up with humble beginnings, living with a split household and constantly moving from town to town; it’s a wonder I ended up where I am today. I played a lot of sports; soccer, football, tennis, baseball, surfing, and beach volleyball; but there was always the one constant that stuck with me, and that was fishing. I started off bass fishing as most of us do, riding my bike to nearby ponds with a couple bags of rubber worms, a spinning rod, and some hooks. Looking back at this time of my life I thank my lucky stars that fishing grabbed a hold of me and kept me out of trouble, except for maybe a couple times getting chased off a golf course looking for bass. Where I grew up, I could’ve easily chosen another path that took me places that I may not have come back from. I have really contemplated how I stayed out of trouble and I know fishing was a major part of it. When I see young kids today riding their bikes with rods and reels in tow, I can only think what a great site it is to see! These kids and parents have no idea how positive this is for them as they grow older. Today kids are stuck inside on social media, TikTok, and gaming. I know I sound like some old guy preaching to the choir about the youth of today, but I can’t help looking back at how I grew up. The ability to go outside and soak up some sunlight, get fresh air, feel the wind blowing warm and cool depending on the season was a blessing. We walked through the woods to get to canals and ponds hoping the undiscovered honey hole was waiting for us. Life was great looking back! I didn’t care about money or possessions; as long as my tackle was in good shape, I was good to go! Fast forwarding to today a few months before I turn fifty, I can’t help but think I’m exactly the same now as I was then. When I go fishing, I hope to catch fish, but there is no pressure as I’m just happy to be out there. I think about road trips to the Louisiana Bayou to catch redfish in shallow water, trips to the Everglades to catch just about everything that swims, trips to North Florida, the West Coast of Florida, Victoria Canada, and even those days as a kid fishing on a golf course for bass; but as an adult now are all simply amazing! Thanks, fishing, for taking care of me as a kid and showing me cool places as an adult. I owe you more than you’ll ever know! Keith Lozott The Fishing Realtor

10 PALM BEACH COUNTY

JAN. 2021

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Renew Your Resolve. Drop It Off.

Find your nearest drop-off at SWA.org/HCRC **Boats and vessels are accepted at the landfill for a fee after all fuels, flares, batteries and other hazardous materials are removed by the owner or hauler. Removing under-floor fuel tanks, when possible, is recommended. Boats will be inspected by SWA staff prior to disposal.

PBC Residential Disposal Only. For commercial disposal, call 561-687-1100. COASTALANGLERMAG.COM â€¢ THEANGLERMAG.COM JAN. 2021

PALM BEACH COUNTY 11

FLORIDA BUCKETMOUTH By Mark Ambert Contributing Writer

The morning dawned bright and clear with a cool breeze putting a ripple on the water. The perfect weather for getting outdoors and why we love the Florida winter! I just recently located here and being new to an area can be both challenging and rewarding. Having traveled extensively I have developed a passion for targeting new areas to fish. I decided to combine two of my favorite activities — a spirited bike ride with a fishing rod in tow! What better place to start than a local bike trail and water park? I would get some exercise and relaxing time casting for bass in the numerous ponds and lakes along the way. When I fish a new location, I bring three lures to cover the water column — top water, suspending and deep. I like to commit to one lure and stick with it for the duration and use the others only if needed. It’s my way of really focusing in on my surroundings and bringing my offering to life. Today I had decided on my trusty 4” Zoom Horny Toad in bullfrog olive. Big bass love to eat them and will attack without hesitation — even in lakes where I’ve seen no evidence of frogs! I chose the frog because it can be fished slow – perfect for a cool fall morning. I had it rigged weedless which allows me to cover grass beds and drop-offs. Whenever possible – I like to target places that offer at least two types of structure. I targeted an area where I could cast tight to the shoreline and swim my lure slowly over the dropoff to deep water. My target area also included a small outcropping that jutted out into the lake. When deciding on the “where” I also like to factor in wind direction and fish the side of the lake or pond where wind will push and stack up the bait. I soon found the right spot and began to fish. A sure-fire technique for effectively covering shoreline starts with a cast left or right and tight to shore. Then cast the hands of a clock varying retrieve and depth as conditions unfold. Once all hands of the clock are complete take one step to the right or left and begin again working your way down the shoreline. When approaching the shore — take very light steps and only go as far as you need to cast. Fish will oftentimes hang tight to the bank and hit right at your feet!

Big old gal safely released to live and fight another day.

Target the local ponds - you never know what you’ll find!

Pro tip – Always carry a good pair of polarized sunglasses as much of this type of fishing is site oriented. I use Cocoons Clip-ons in a Bronze / Green Mirror finish which penetrates the tannin color of the local lakes perfectly. I always hate when you get a good strike on the first cast – I never feel prepared and always need a few casts to build a connection to the lure and my surroundings. As luck would have it, I got a good strike on my first cast from what felt like a decent bass and missed. I took a deep breath and settled back into the flow. I studied the area as I continued a very slow retrieve along the drop off and turned my head back to the lure just in time to see a massive profile of a bass rising from the deep. Its mouth opened and I had to do everything in my power to keep from yanking the frog out of reach! Everything seemed to move in slow motion. That big bucket of a mouth opened and began to inhale my offering. I stopped my retrieve and watched as my frog disappeared in that huge hole. I let the line come tight as the big bass turned to swim away with its meal. It was then I realized just how big this fish was and that it might possibly be a personal best. Once the fish felt the hook – game on! The drag on my Penn Battle II 2000 spinning reel began to scream as line peeled of the spool. I tried to angle the rod tip back down towards the water to prevent a jump but too late. She rose up and out of the water – big tail working frantically to get that massive head clear. Her angry head shake could be felt all the way up the rod to the handle. It’d been a while since this big old gal had felt the sting of a hook! Everything held and she turned to make another run. More of my twenty-pound Power Pro braid peeled off the reel and I was shocked to see this after her first blistering run. Once she stopped her forward assault, I quickly glanced around at my surroundings and began to plan a landing strategy. There was an area to my right where I could hop in the water and lip her without having to risk dragging her up the bank. After the second run was finished, she tired and I slowly eased her towards the shallows. Once I had her firmly in my grip, I breathed a sigh of relief. She was definitely my biggest largemouth and a trophy by any standard. After taking a few pictures I quickly got her back in the water and spent a few minutes making sure she was ok. I was so happy to release a fish of a lifetime and my first true Florida bucketmouth bass! 12 PALM BEACH COUNTY

JAN. 2021

Mark Ambert – Avid outdoorsman, sportswriter & photographer

Follow me on Instagram @marksgonefishing or contact me at marksgonefishing@gmail.com for collaboration

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FISHINGFORECASTS Capt. Craig

Drew with a snook release.

JUPITER INLET INSHORE By Craig Korczynski Contributing Writer

Happy New Year! Last year was a wild one, this year may your days be filled with rod bending action and fun filled days on the water with friends and family. January is a fun month to target snook as they bask in the shallows and near dock pilings during mid-day. Top water Rapala Skitter Walks and D.O.A. C.A.L. 3” Shad Tail are great baits to present to snook. Live baits will entice the snook to strike near sea walls and channel edges. The bigger snook can be found around bridges or deep holes ranging from 5 to 20 feet. When fishing for snook be sure to use your depth finder, looking for any structure or a ledge where snook might be holding. D.O.A. TerrorEyz and D.O.A. C.A.L. 3” Shad Tail in stark naked and pearl colors work great along with live baits dropped to the bottom. Tarpon fishing turns on in the back country. Tarpon from 5 to 40 pounds can be targeted using D.O.A. TerrorEyz and live bait. Fly fishing for tarpon is great this time of year as well. The grass flats are full of life this month. Fishing the flats is fun for the whole family, due to the wide variety of species that can be caught. A buck tail jig tipped with shrimp is an excellent bait of choice for most anglers in this area, but nothing beats a popping cork with a D.O.A. Shrimp; it catches everything. When fishing the grass flats, look for any bait in the area and work the water column from depths of 2 to 7 feet. The pompano, jacks, ladyfish, trout, and sheepshead are just a few of the species anglers will encounter while jigging. Once you find the fish, try and mark that spot and work it hard, doing this will keep your rods bent all day long. Well that is the fishing report for the Palm Beach and Jupiter area, hope you all enjoyed. Just remember you can’t catch them from the couch, fishing is all about the experience. Tight Lines! Carson with a triple tail.

Captain Craig Korczynski 561-644-4371 • phlatsinshorefishing.com Facebook, Instagram, Twitter & YouTube

JUNO BEACHPIER By Lauren Eissey, Loggerhead Marinelife Center Contributing Writer Reel in some 2021 fun with catch-andrelease fishing in beautiful South Florida! We invite you to kick off the new year at the Juno Beach Pier. As fish migrate to warmer waters during the winter season, the pier proves bountiful for anglers. From now through March, catch bluefish using lures and cut bait. Spanish mackerel can be caught with jigs and shiny lures, while pompano prefer jigs and bait in the form of sand fleas! Jacks and blue runners are similar in that they both enjoy bait such as shrimp, as well as lures. Finally, croakers, whiting, and spots can be lured in with all types of bait, ranging from worms to squids and small crabs. For daily fishing and weather reports, call the pier house before your visit. As part of Loggerhead Marinelife Center’s Responsible Pier Initiative, the Juno Beach Pier practices sustainable fishing and recycling. The pier encourages anglers and spectators to dispose of used monofilament lines in the designated recycling containers and report any accidentally hooked sea turtles. Loggerhead Marinelife Center offers private fishing lessons for adults and children (ages 8 and older). One-hour lessons are offered daily and scheduled based on availability. Cost: $25/angler (with own gear); $35/angler with rental gear. Bait not included. Email reservations@marinelife.org to register. The full-service Pier House features a snack bar as well as a variety of fishing tackle, including rental poles and bait. Randy Yent, Pier Coordinator Juno Beach Pier (561) 627-8280 x140 Facebook.com/junobeachpier • Instagram & Twitter:@junobeachpier

Jake with a common snook.

JUPITER INLET - TIDE CHART Jupiter Inlet, South Jetty, FL Station ID: 8722495 Referenced to Station: GOVERNMENT CUT, MIAMI HARBOR ENTRANCE ( 8723178 ) Time offset in mins (high:-10 low: -9) Height offset in feet (high:* 1.08 low: *1.42) Date 1/01 1/02 1/03 1/04 1/05 1/06 1/07 1/08 1/09 1/10 1/11 1/12 1/13 1/14 1/15 1/16 1/17 1/18 1/19 1/20 1/21 1/22 1/23 1/24 1/25 1/26 1/27 1/28 1/29 1/30 1/31

Day Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun

Time 03:05 AM 03:49 AM 04:36 AM 05:28 AM 12:40 AM 01:41 AM 02:46 AM 03:53 AM 04:57 AM 05:57 AM 12:00 AM 12:53 AM 01:44 AM 02:33 AM 03:20 AM 04:07 AM 04:54 AM 05:41 AM 12:32 AM 01:21 AM 02:14 AM 03:11 AM 04:09 AM 05:06 AM 05:58 AM 06:46 AM 12:42 AM 01:24 AM 02:06 AM 02:50 AM 03:34 AM

Hgt -0.36L -0.32L -0.22L -0.09L 2.37H 2.38H 2.41H 2.48H 2.58H 2.68H -0.83L -0.90L -0.90L -0.82L -0.68L -0.47L -0.23L 0.02L 2.13H 2.03H 1.96H 1.94H 1.97H 2.05H 2.16H 2.29H -0.44L -0.58L -0.68L -0.71L -0.67L

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Time 09:59 AM 10:42 AM 11:25 AM 12:12 PM 06:26 AM 07:29 AM 08:35 AM 09:40 AM 10:41 AM 11:38 AM 06:53 AM 07:44 AM 08:33 AM 09:18 AM 10:02 AM 10:44 AM 11:24 AM 12:05 PM 06:30 AM 07:22 AM 08:17 AM 09:12 AM 10:07 AM 10:57 AM 11:44 AM 12:29 PM 07:31 AM 08:14 AM 08:56 AM 09:37 AM 10:19 AM

Hgt 2.66H 2.62H 2.56H 2.50H 0.06L 0.18L 0.24L 0.23L 0.15L 0.04L 2.77H 2.82H 2.83H 2.79H 2.70H 2.58H 2.43H 2.28H 0.26L 0.45L 0.58L 0.64L 0.62L 0.54L 0.42L 0.27L 2.42H 2.53H 2.60H 2.63H 2.62H

JAN. 2021

Time 3:36 PM 4:21 PM 5:09 PM 6:03 PM 1:02 PM 1:57 PM 2:57 PM 4:00 PM 5:03 PM 6:03 PM 12:33 PM 1:24 PM 2:14 PM 3:02 PM 3:50 PM 4:37 PM 5:23 PM 6:11 PM 12:46 PM 1:30 PM 2:18 PM 3:12 PM 4:09 PM 5:05 PM 5:58 PM 6:47 PM 1:11 PM 1:53 PM 2:34 PM 3:17 PM 4:02 PM

Hgt 0.20L 0.13L 0.06L -0.02L 2.42H 2.37H 2.34H 2.35H 2.41H 2.49H -0.08L -0.17L -0.23L -0.24L -0.21L -0.15L -0.07L 0.01L 2.13H 2.01H 1.92H 1.87H 1.87H 1.93H 2.02H 2.14H 0.11L -0.05L -0.21L -0.36L -0.47L

Time 10:05 PM 10:52 PM 11:44 PM

Hgt 2.41H 2.40H 2.38H

7:01 PM 8:03 PM 9:05 PM 10:06 PM 11:04 PM

-0.12L -0.25L -0.40L -0.56L -0.71L

6:58 PM 7:51 PM 8:40 PM 9:28 PM 10:14 PM 11:00 PM 11:45 PM

2.57H 2.62H 2.63H 2.58H 2.49H 2.38H 2.25H

6:59 PM 7:50 PM 8:42 PM 9:35 PM 10:25 PM 11:13 PM 11:58 PM

0.09L 0.14L 0.14L 0.10L 0.01L -0.12L -0.28L

7:34 PM 8:19 PM 9:05 PM 9:51 PM 10:38 PM

2.25H 2.36H 2.44H 2.49H 2.51

PALM BEACH COUNTY 13

LAKEOKEECHOBEE By Capt. Nate Shellen Contributing Writer

Buddies from Minnesota came with Danny Appelgren to catch some Okeechobee giants and that they did.

The water level in Lake Okeechobee is very high, the present 16.06 ft level is over 3 feet higher than last year. The highwater period seems to have affected the timing of the late fall bass bite that normally occurs in mid to late October and continues throughout the fall and winter seasons. The large trophy size bass did not show up in daily catches of local guides and other anglers until late November. As we approached the full moon in December the large bass made their presence known, when anglers caught bass to 9.8-pounds along with numerous other fish in the 7 to 8 pound class. Catch rates rose dramatically as the full moon approached, with 40 to 60 bass per day being caught in addition to the trophy size bass. Shiners are the bait of choice for the bass that have just moved into the shallow grass lines as they feed heavily on shad and shiner during this pre-spawn period. Several of the bass caught this past week were very fat and their bellies were swollen with roe, whether they went ahead and completed spawning is anyone’s guess. The fish will continue to spawn throughout the Fall and into the Spring around the Full and New Moons as long as water temps are optimal. Speckled perch are being caught lake wide. Anglers who traditionally use minnow are primarily targeting specks in open water areas like the Kissimmee River or canals such as Indian Prairie, Government Cut or J&S canal. Several anglers can be seen well out into the lake in open water, on a line between Taylor Creek and the mouth of the Kissimmee River. Anglers who prefer to jig with tiny artificial jigs are finding specks scattered in the grassy semi-heavy cover areas of the lake. Tin House Cove, Buckhead Ridge and Kings Bar are good areas that are relatively near the ramp at Okeetantie park and easily accessible. Jig color selections vary greatly, peanut butter is a popular color, as are the more frequently heard of, chartreuse, white, pink, and other combinations of the aforementioned colors. As with all fishing, confidence in your bait selection is essential; it enables one to be more efficient and exhibit patience if the fish are not responding. There are anglers who will change colors every five minutes if they are not getting responses from the fish while other fishermen stick to the tried and true colors and methods knowing that eventually they will locate fish. The Big “O” has always had a reputation as a great waterfowl lake. The past several years we have seen increases in the numbers of new hunters venturing deep into the marsh areas to shoot ducks. The north and west side of the lake, with its wide abundance of marsh grasses, is a very popular area. Hunters are scattered all around the lake, from Grassy Island where they can launch near Lock 7, all the way west to the Monkey Box and the Moore Haven marsh areas. Success stories vary, with experience and timing being a factor. The weather has been beautiful, get outside and enjoy the great outdoors and we will see you there! Capt. Nate Shellen Shellen Guide Service • Okeechobee Bass Fishing Guides/Charters (863) 357-0892 • sjmike7@aol.com• OkeechobeeBassFishing.com

Palm Beach County

Coastal Angler Magazine's

Top Radio Picks Radio & Internet Fishing Shows

Contributing Writers Mark Ambert Darcie Arahill Lauren Eissey Capt. Craig Korczynski Keith Lozott Brian Nelli Chuck Papp Capt. Weston Russell Capt. Nate Shellen Capt. Patrick Smith Christopher Sprague Capt. Chris Thalmann

The Schulz Bros. on ESPN 106.3 FM

Graphic Artist/Production Digital Content Coordinator Jenny Diaz Publisher/Advertising Ilene Wallace

917-612-8275

Palm Beaches Gold Coast Fishing Report with Captain Danny Barrow Saturdays 7-8am ESPN Radio 106.3FM Fishing Headquarters Live Radio Show with Pete & Tommy Schulz Saturdays 8-9am ESPN Radio 106.3FM

Ilene@CoastalAnglerMagazine.com 14 PALM BEACH COUNTY

JAN. 2021

ON THE RANGE By Chuck Papp, Contributing Writer In January, big game seasons come to an end. It has already ended in most of the northern states, but in the south, January tends to be the last month. Georgia closes within the first two weeks, and Alabama is not far behind. With these late seasons you still have an opportunity to get out there. There are a few late seasons for archery and muzzleloaders as well. Right after these dates close, we still have a few weeks, and in some cases a few months of small game season left. Getting out and chasing some rabbits or squirrels in the treetops is not a bad way to spend an afternoon or a Saturday. Right around the corner will be the spring start of turkey season. For some it is the one they look forward to the most. Turkey season offers a challenge that deer season lacks. You are constantly on the move trying to find them. Here in Florida, we will see some of the best weather in the next 5 months. No humidity and no more hurricanes, so even grabbing your 22 rifle or pistol and hitting an outdoor range should be tops on the list. You can also get that shotgun and hit one of the local sporting clay ranges. Just because the game seasons are over for the year doesn’t mean you need to sit inside and wait until the fall

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D R A O B G A R B Mike landed th is wahoo at no on in 600â€™ just the dirty water outside trolling skirted ballyhoo.

Jackson from Palm Bea ch County took a trip to Marco Island and hooked this nice bonnethead shark.

Peter Moccia caught this beautiful permit from the surf in Delray Beach. Zane Wahnon-Penso cau ght this awesome largemouth bass out in the Everglades.

y landed this Sammi and Jerem ellington. peacock bass in W

Bragging is good! Send us your catch photos with details: Who, When, Where, With What, etc. Ilene@CoastalAnglerMagazine.com Get social & tag us in your photos @ facebook.com/CoastalAnglerPalmBeach on Facebook. or submit photos for the bragboard on our website @ www.coastalanglermag.com/palm-beach COASTALANGLERMAG.COM â€˘ THEANGLERMAG.COM

JAN. 2021

PALM BEACH COUNTY 15

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ith 11 sailfish releases, Capt. Brian Cone, aboard his charter boat Contagious, led anglers to the winner’s circle at the 57th Annual Islamorada Sailfish Tournament Dec. 4-6. While COVID-19 restrictions were in place at the Whale Harbor kick-off, the sailfish didn’t practice social distancing on the water. Over three days of fishing, 90 sailfish were released out of 103 hookups. More than $90,000 was paid to winners, and Contagious, with anglers Mark Mitchell and Kenneth Padgett, from Charleston, N.C., Travis Bennett and Andy Cone, from Tavernier, Fla., and Greg Tolpin from Key Largo, Fla., took home $42,390 and sailfish sculptures sponsored by Caribee Boat Sales and Yamaha Outboards. The first Keys cold front of the season greeted 98 anglers fishing on 21 boats. At the end of day one, 32 sailfish were released. Cloud Nine led with five fish. Day two started early for Tackle Center, as Capt. Charlie Scoble called in a triple-header at 8:42 a.m. Tackle Center released two of its fish quickly, but the third fish was not so easy. The fleet released 11 other sails before Donny Lange released the third fish of Tackle Center’s triple-header at 10:12 a.m. At the end of the day, Tackle Center led with eight releases, followed by Contagious with six and Cloud Nine with five. The final day of fishing was calm and cloudy. Contagious picked at the sails all day to release five more. Contagious angler Travis Bennett released five of their 11 total to win the Bill Hirni Highpoint Angler award and a Sammy Milazzo painting. Andy Cone, 10, took first in the junior division with three releases. Tackle Center anglers Donny and Brad Lange along with Jeffery Dickman and Fritz Zeher, all from Tavernier Fla., took home Tackle Center of Islamorada-sponsored second-place trophies with a total of nine releases. With Capt. Justin Baker at the helm, the Yellow Tale edged out Cloud Nine by one fish on the final day. Anglers Clarke and Phil Harlow, Patrick Nutt, Nick Caito, Ken Stiles and Eric Turnoff, all from Ft. Lauderdale, along with Islamorada’s Jimi “The Worm” Fickling, released seven sails for third place. Debbie David, of Hollywood, Fla., fishing aboard Capt. Paul Ross’s Relentless, released three sailfish for Top Lady Angler. Also aboard Relentless, second- and third-place Junior Angler awards went to Laurel David with two releases and Christopher David with one. The Challenger took home most tagged fish team awards with four tagged sailfish. The largest tuna, a 24-pounder, was caught by Mike Slocum, of Philadelphia, Penn., fishing aboard the Last Dance. Mike also weighed in the largest Dolphin at 9.8 pounds. The Largest Mackerel Award went to Michael Varney, from Tavernier Fla., with a 26.6-pound Kingfish. The Islamorada Sailfish Tournament is the first leg of the Florida Keys Gold Cup Sailfish Championship. The next leg of the series is the Islamorada Fishing Club’s Captains Cup Sailfish Tournament on Jan. 20. Champions will be crowned during the Cheeca Lodge and Spa Presidential Sailfish Tournament Jan. 23-24. For more information, visit www.islamoradasailfishtournament.com.

14 FLORIDA

JANUARY 2021

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lorida certainly has its share of rare and endangered animals—panthers, Key deer, seaside sparrows, caracaras and crocodiles, to name a few. But topping that list in popularity is the manatee—Florida’s answer to Australia’s koala bear. Somehow, these 10-foot, 1,000-pound, pudgy animals with leathery, whiskery skin come across as warm and cuddly. Don’t get me wrong; I’m not mocking them. I know, just looking at them, that given the chance, I’d want to pet them or scratch them behind the ears… if they had ears. Of course, touching manatees is prohibited by federal law, but I can dream. I’m not sure how something without ears can be cute, but they are! Yes, swimming with manatees has long been on my bucket list. It has stayed unchecked—not for lack of desire, but because it’s too easy. Crystal River, manatee capital of the world, is only a few hours drive away. Bucket list items should require meeting some real challenges, not just hopping in

16 FLORIDA

JANUARY 2021

PHOTO BY ANDREA WHITAKER

By John Lidington

the car with snorkel gear. This year I’m going to do it. With covid introducing a lot of uncertainty into international travel, now is the time to pursue adventures locally. Swimming with manatees has moved to the top of the queue, and Pura Vida Divers’ 2021 Manatee Trip will give me the perfect opportunity to check it off. Having run these trips for years, they have the logistics for the weekend down. This year’s trip will run Jan. 22-24, right in the middle of manatee season. Manatees are sensitive to cold, and can’t tolerate prolonged water temperatures below 68 degrees. So, in the winter months they congregate in the 72-degree water flowing from the springs feeding the Crystal River. The Plantation at Crystal River is the base of operations. This very comfortable, waterfront resort on Kings Bay offers direct access to the Kings Bay Manatee Refuge, where the federal government allows “passive observation” of manatees. It’s right where the action is. The trip runs manatee encounters on two mornings. After Friday checkin, everyone wakes early on Saturday, grabs a hot breakfast, then heads to the waiting boats. With proper winter conditions, several hundred manatees often gather in the refuge. Law forbids harassing them, so they’ll have to come to me. While manatees are shy animals, some can be quite curious. I’m keeping my fingers crossed. Saturday continues with a light lunch, then an afternoon snorkel/SCUBA trip down the Rainbow River. (Obviously, a Palm Beach County shop can’t run a trip without at least one drift dive.) Saturday evening, many participants opt for the group dinner, where they can get together and recount the day’s adventures. Sunday is a reprise of Saturday morning—early wake-up, hot breakfast and off to more manatee encounters. Returning to the Plantation, it’s time to check out and make a big, bold check mark on my bucket list. On the drive home, I might even figure out why ugly can be so lovable. Join Pura Vida Divers’ 2021 Manatee Trip by calling 561-840-8750 or e-mailing travel@puravidadivers.com.

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FLORIDA 17

NEVER V

Haddon By Capt. Quinlyn

lthough colder weather might have you ready to for a voluntary quarantine, there is a great winter fishery out there waiting to celebrate the New Year with you. Here on Florida’s Gulf Coast, cool water temperatures have changed habits of many fish species. The same fish that would have skyrocketed on your lure during summer are loafing around looking for easier, slower-moving prey. It is important to adjust the presentation of bait and the speed of lures. Whether you are targeting sheepshead, trout, snook, redfish, hogfish, flounder or grouper, one of the best investments you can make for January fishing is shrimp. It is reliably obtained this time of year, and all of the sought-after winter species eat it. Smaller jigheads are a great way to fish shrimp, whether freelined under a dock, under a bobber over deep pockets in channels and flats or up under the mangroves. Between the weather and harvest closures we’ve experienced due to red tide, anglers will have to work harder to fill coolers this January. While hogfish are always in season and are easy to catch this month, the quickest meat-hauls right

18 FLORIDA

JANUARY 2021

now are sheepshead and stone crabs. Stone crab season is open until May 1, and it’s a fun way for recreational fishermen to bop out on the water for a quick grocery trip. Regulations changed this season, so check the latest FWC guidelines. A notable change is the increase of harvestable claw size from 2 3/4 inches to 2 7/8 inches. Fish are affected by cold, and fishermen also have to adjust. Dressing for being on a boat all day in January can be little tricky. Even getting slightly wet in bone-chilling wind can ruin your day… without the right gear. The most important investment for winter fishing is a pair of slickers and good boots. You won’t even have to leave your fuzzy wuzzy pajama pants to get out on the water, just tuck them into your socks and pull your slickers and boots over the top. When I began my fishing career, I found some male captains who refused to hire female deckhands because of the toilet issue. On boats

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without a head, it’s a hassle for ladies to utilize a bucket on a busy deck. I discovered my slickers are the best tool to fix this issue. The Grundéns I purchased in the smallest size available are still quite large on me. After unsnapping a shoulder strap and dropping the fuzzy pajamas, it is straightforward to use a cup to empty my bladder and get back to work. As crass as it sounds, it really is a game-changing tip during slicker-season. Alternatively, you can book a charter on a boat with a toilet and keep your cups for mixing drinks. Fish with Capt. Quin and Reel Lucky Fishing Charters out of St. Petersburg by calling or texting (504) 920-6342. They have boats for offshore, nearshore and inshore which are all equipped with a toilet.

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FLORIDA 19

TO BUILD A ROD By Chris Beardsley

he story To Build a Fire by Jack London is a tale of pain, suffering and ultimately death. Fortunately, none of those things apply when building a custom rod. Ok, maybe a little pain and suffering, but certainly not death. Building a custom rod was something I’d considered but kept putting it off. Reason being, I already have great rods. Nothing particularly expensive, they’re just great rods with plenty of power, great casting and good sensitivity. They’ve held up to the saltwater over the years, and I’m firmly in the if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it camp. My wife was the one who put an end to my procrastination by giving me a rod building kit for Christmas. It was very exciting for sure, but now what? Where does one start? Decisions had to be made regarding blank length and material, type of handle and guides, etc. It can be a bit overwhelming, but nothing insurmountable. Function and form were at the top of my decision list, so I decided to build a rod similar to one of my favorite saltwater spinning rods. I chose an 8-foot, moderate-fast, light saltwater blank to accompany a Penn Spinfisher 4500. I primarily fish the surf and often visit bays and estuaries looking for big reds, trout, black drum and the like. It wouldn’t replace my much larger surf rods, but it would need to cast a variety of baits a good distance and handle virtually anything within casting distance from the beach. A critical step in rod building is identifying the spine of the blank and determining guide placement. Neither is difficult, but they do need to be done with care and precision. Take your time and get it right. The handle and reel seat are a bit different and can be adjusted to fit your fishing style perfectly. I chose a split grip, and it fits comfortably in my hand while the butt rests exactly where it should on my forearm. There are differing opinions on rod balance in relation to seat placement. Mock it up and test it. The beauty of building a custom rod is if you don’t like it, you can change it. In the end, it really comes down to what suits you best. When selecting guides, a reel seat and handle, be sure they fit your blank. There are too many options to list here, but your blank specifications will help determine handle and reel size. The number of guides needed and the appropriate spacing are typically provided by the manufacturer. But since it’s custom, you might need to adjust accordingly. The great thing about building a custom rod is just that, it’s fully customizable. In the end, the rod you build will reflect your personality. With any luck, it will be something that you’ll be proud to own and use for a very long time. And unlike the character in Jack London’s story, you should still be alive when it’s all over.

20 FLORIDA

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FLORIDA 21

SNOOK SEASONAL CLOSURES IN EFFECT

statewide closure to recreational harvest of snook is in effect for state and federal waters of the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. Anglers may continue to catch and release snook during the closed season. Gulf-side recreational harvest of snook, including Monroe County and Everglades National PHOTO COURTESY OF CAPT. QUINLYN HADDON Park, will re-open March 1. There is an exception for those waters heavily impacted by red tide—state waters from the Hernando/ Pasco county line through Gordon Pass in Collier County (includes Tampa Bay and Hillsborough County)— where catch-and-release-only regulations will continue through May 31. Snook also has a regular season closure in the Gulf that runs May 1 through Aug. 31. On the east coast of Florida in state and federal waters including Lake Okeechobee and the Kissimmee River, recreational harvest of snook reopens Feb. 1. Season closures are designed to help protect snook during vulnerable times such as cold weather. For more information, visit MyFWC.com/Marine and click on “Recreational Regulations” and “Snook.” Improve data and report your catch on the Angler Action Foundation iAngler app at AnglerActionFoundation.com.

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recent study from researchers at North Carolina State University reports that for several species of fish, the likelihood of individual fish being re-caught after release is higher than scientists anticipated. The findings are worth consideration for fisheries managers, who use catch data to assess fishery health. The study examined decades of Atlantic tagging data for black sea bass, gray triggerfish, red grouper and Warsaw grouper. “Fisheries researchers who work in tagging programs have long noticed that certain fish seem to get caught repeatedly, and we set out to determine the implications of this phenomenon,” said study co-author Jeff Buckel, a professor of applied ecology at N.C. State. For sea bass and both types of grouper, survival was found to be considerably higher after the second, third and fourth release. “Think of it this way,” said Brendan Runde, first author of the study and a Ph.D. student at N.C. State. “Let’s say you tagged 1,000 fish and recaptured 100 of them for a first time. After re-releasing those 100 fish, you would only expect to recapture 10 of them a second time. But that’s not what we’re seeing. We’re seeing much higher numbers of fish getting recaptured after the second time.” One theory is that individuals robust enough to survive their first capture were more likely to survive subsequent catch-and-release events. Since catch rates inform fishery management, the number of unique fish released is important for accurate assessment of populations. On the bright side, the study suggests release mortality might be lower than previously thought.

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PHOTO COURTESY OF CAPT. TIM CUTTING

SIT-AND-WAIT

REDFISH By Nick Carter

edfish are solidly in their winter patterns. Capt. Josh Boyles said it’s possible to put up huge numbers when reds bunch up in big schools this time of year. The secret is to get close enough to cast to them. Boyles guides in the marshes around Bluffton, South Carolina. His tactics for targeting schools of redfish that number into the hundreds involves stealth on a low tide. With the large tidal fluctuations of the Lowcountry, the fishery is unique, but not so unique that similar patterns don’t exist wherever redfish roam. Finding the schools is the key if you’re going to have any luck at all. “You might go for miles along the grass and creeks and not see a living thing,” Boyles said. “Then you’ll pull into a cove and see 200 redfish.” This is a low-tide game. As opposed to summertime flood-tide sight fishing for tailing reds in the grass, you’re searching the mud flats when the water drains out of the marsh. The water is very clear this time of year, so it’s not hard to spot fish once you encounter them. In 8 to 12 inches of water, the schools sometimes cause a visible surface disturbance, and you can also see their belly flashes as they slowly cruise the shallows to feed. This time of year, when the massive schools of menhaden and mullet have headed south, dolphins feed heavily on redfish. This puts the reds on high alert and also pushes them very shallow to feed where dolphins can’t get to them. Getting close enough to catch skittish redfish can be tricky and requires long casts, stealth and a shallow draft. It is not a situation where you can follow them around in the boat. It’s sometimes better to get out of the boat and wade. “You can see them doing laps. They’ll go from a grass point to an oyster bed and then another oyster bed,” Boyles said. “They’re doing a circuit, and if you can set up where you can intercept that lap and put a cast in front of them, you can catch a few before they realize there’s something fishy going on and move off to that next oyster bed.” This tactic requires patience, as it’s tough to hang tight when there’s a school of feeding fish visible 100 yards away. It might take 15 minutes for the school to make its next pass, but they will come back if you didn’t spook them too badly. Use the downtime to reposition the boat or check your tackle. Boyles said sitting and waiting can lead to an hour or two of extremely intense fishing before the tide returns. Josh Boyles guides local and international fishing experiences. Contact him at joshboylesfishing@gmail.com.

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GO FLY A KITE!

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s I’ve written before, we’ve all experienced the slowdown that happens around 10 a.m. You might have seen my column last month, in which I covered slowing it all down and sending baits deeper during the middle of the day. Like I said, wahoo don’t have Maui Jims… so they use water depth to get the right amount of light they want and constantly look up to see the silhouette of any given bait. This is exactly why all the dark colors work best, and only the planer rod is the one producing bites during the middle of the day. Again, who says you have to go 6 knots, and/or have to use a ballyhoo? Slow it down. Fly a kite with artificials, and use big natural baits on the downrigger to get results. A big beautiful squid on the downrigger on a Barefoot Cats and Tackle Chin Weight and a spread of artificial squid and/or flying fish on the kite, along with the outriggers loaded up with natural squid is a beautiful spread. With one squid at 50 feet and one at 75 or 100 feet, you are putting a completely irresistible bait at the depth of the fish. The squid on the downrigger will be the “hot” rod on a consistent basis. It’s a complete no brainer… this is the food they eat… at the correct depth. I’m not saying the surface bite does not work during the middle of the day. There have been many beauties caught on a ballyhoo during the middle of the day. All I’m saying is, I’ve fished many times when the bite died right around 10 a.m., and only the planer rod got bites. The kite adds a completely new dimension to the spread, and it also adds reality to the spread. When squid and flying fish get pinned against the surface and they’re scared, they jump! The kite picks the baits out of the water and makes it look like they are jumping. This is a good reason

GO DEEP FOR WINTER CONVICTS PHOTO COURTESY OF DARCY HILL

By CAM Staff

uring winter, there’s a fish we can usually count on to provide consistent action and high-quality fillets for the table. Even when a cold snap shuts inshore fisheries down, bait-stealing Sheepshead will still be chewing shells with their hook-crushing chompers. They are almost always game once you find them, and cold, calm days can bring

to keep at least one red squid in the spread. When squid get scared, they turn red. A red squid coming out of the water is another “no brainer.” Pancake trolling weights for the downrigger are the way to go. They are slimmer, have less resistance and have less “blowback” with more speed. A stout release tension is best for this application. As a matter of fact, the tension should be tight enough to “set the hook” and allow the slack to come tight after the strike. The stinger hook will hook the fish 90 percent of the time with a squid, as the fish almost always eat the back half of the squid to disable the squid’s beak. This is the only thing on a squid that could injure a fish.

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some of the best fishing of the year for both numbers and size of these black-barred convicts. Year-round, sheepshead can be caught wherever structure makes a home for barnacles. Bridge pilings, piers, jetties, wrecks, sea walls, oyster beds, any type of structure will suffice as long as it’s been in the water long enough to develop growth. This time of year can be the best time to target larger breeding-size sheepshead. When inshore waters cool, it sparks an offshore migration. Ahead of the early spring spawn, convicts in the 5- to 10-pound range congregate on deeper structure in 30 to 60 feet of water. This can make for easy pickings… if you can figure out how to get a hook-set. Those black-and-white prison stripes aren’t the only reason sheepshead are called convicts. They are thieves and will chew through a boatload of bait if you don’t pay attention and get a feel for that light, nibbling bite. Even in 15 feet of water, it takes practice to time the hook set. The challenge is amplified when you’ve got 40 or 50 feet of line out. A vertical presentation and staying in touch with the bait are absolutely critical when targeting deeper winter sheepshead. You want to drop baits straight down, as close to structure as possible. The limited stretch of braid paired with a short fluorocarbon leader of a foot or less helps with detecting the bite. Abrasion resistance around all that structure is also important. Using 20-pound-test for mainline and leader is usually enough to muscle a hard-fighting sheepshead out of structure. A simple fishfinder rig with just enough weight to keep your presentation vertical in the current is a tried-and-true rig. The lighter the weight, the easier it is to feel the bite. Find the sweet spot where your bait stays put. A small short-shank bait hook works well. Take a variety of baits and see what works. Fiddler crabs are the all-time sheepshead favorite, and convicts also crunch up live or dead shrimp, crab parts and clam or oyster meat. Drop that bait straight to the bottom, lift it up a few inches and then wait with a tight line. If you’re not getting nibbles within 15 minutes or so, it’s time to move. If you do feel light pecks or even a little added resistance on the line, set the hook immediately with a short, sharp upward jerk. Then haul the fish as quickly to the net as you can. Sheepshead are known for snapping lines on structure as well as with their teeth.

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stuttering buzz from the stern brought Ken to his feet. He cranked in a Spanish mackerel to get things started. It was followed by a bluefish, and then Adam got a second Spanish. Here off New Jersey, this trolling bite was what we had hoped for. Things were good. With patience restored, we got reoriented and trolling. I was tying on a green crocodile spoon when one of the reels started screaming. Ken let the fish run a long time before he tightened the drag and started gaining. When he first saw the fish, his face lit up. He kept saying, “It’s a king!” in a high, tight voice I’d never heard before. Off New Jersey, a king mackerel might be once-in-a-lifetime. As Ken brought the beast boat-side, Adam swung and missed with the gaff, then hit it square in the head with a second shot. Ken took his fish and stood there grinning while Adam and I muttered, “yeah, great job.” We trolled another hour. While Ken grinned at the horizon, Adam focused on the depth sounder to hide his jealousy. I was jealous, too, so I stared at my rod, blinking one eye at a time. The jealousy ebbed once we got on plane headed home. We’d all caught dinner. I’d made peace with my lone bluefish when Adam hollered, “Woah!” He slammed the boat into neutral. “That was a cobia! I thought it was a shark, but it was a cobia!” Adam was excited, talking fast. I didn’t see anything. Neither did Ken. Adam swung the boat around, retracing his wake. “There! Throw something! Cast!” he shouted. My eyes focused in on a lumbering golden-brown cobia. The fish swam closer to investigate. Ken cast. The fish didn’t see his lure and kept swimming… toward me. Just feet away, I plunked an epoxy jig in the water. I saw the wide mouth open and inhale my lure. I froze. The huge fish, old and ragged and covered in scars, was looking me in the eye. I was hypnotized. With Adam and Ken yelling, I snapped out of it and set the hook. It felt like a brick wall on a medium-heavy spinning rod. I cranked twice and my rod bent double. Too much drag. I moved to loosen the drag and saw the cavernous mouth open and the head shake. The fish was still looking at me as if to say, “not today.” The rod slacked. I heard the jig whiz past my ear. My jaw dropped as I watched the fossil swim away. The boat was quiet for a minute, and then they started busting my chops. That went on for the whole ride in. By the time we hit the inlet, I was able force a laugh. Looking back, maybe I’m glad I lost it. A fish that old deserves to swim. From now on, though, I’m keeping my drag nice and light.

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ow’s this for a bucket-list fish? There is a potential new all-tackle world length record for Siberian taimen. According to the International Game Fish Association’s Facebook page, Maxim Mamaev caught this 156-centimeter (more than 61inch) fish while fly fishing Russia’s Tugur River. If approved, it will best the previous record by 16 centimeters (about 6 inches). Siberian taimen are the largest, most ferocious species of salmonid on the planet. Growing to weights in excess of 100 pounds, they look and behave like giant trout and feed on fish, ducks and small mammals like muskrats. Their home waters are the rivers of northeast Asia, where they can live up to 50 years. Over the last few decades, the rise of taimen as a spectacular gamefish is a good thing. They have been fished and dammed almost to extinction across much of their native range. There are just a few large and remote drainages left where they thrive in Mongolia and Russia, and their appeal as a sportfish, especially for fly anglers, has helped develop strict regulations to protect them. The Tugur River is home to the largest Siberian taimen in the world. Isolated in Russia’s Far East, it feeds the Sea of Okhotsk and runs through an 80,000-acre nature reserve that protects many species of fish, including the

PHOTO COURTESY OF IGFA

Pacific salmon that pile into the river in late summer to spawn. It doesn’t hurt that much of the drainage is accessible to anglers only by helicopter, but the salmon run definitely contributes to the unparalleled growth of Tugur taimen. The nutrient transfer from saltwater to fresh during a large salmon run is well documented. Everything feeds on salmon and their eggs, and large taimen are capable of gorging on whole adult salmon. The current world record Siberian taimen by weight was caught on a fly by taimen researcher Matt Sloat on the Tugur. That fish, caught in 2018, weighed 101 pounds. There are multiple un-certified Tugur taimen reported to weigh into the 150-pound range. According to National Geographic, the largest Siberian taimen ever caught weighed 231 pounds and stretched a tape to 83 inches. It is rare, however, for anglers to encounter taimen of such enormous size. With such long lives, they grow slowly, and the larger individuals are old and wise. Most taimen caught on the fly weigh less than 20 pounds. But you can keep those 100-pounders in the back of your mind when you’re packing up your 9-weight rod for a trip to Siberia.

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Catching Cold-Water Bass In Small Lakes By CAM Staff

t’s the time of year when big-water bass anglers bundle up in their bibs and parkas and slug it out through bitter reservoir winds to drag jigs on the bottom. For some of us, finding joy in such misery seems masochistic. Why brave the cold winds of big water when countless sheltered ponds and small lakes are there to provide winter bass fisheries that’ll scratch the itch? Small waters often fish very well this time of year. Whether casting from the bank or a jonboat, here are a few tips to take with you. 1) Find Warmer Water: Carry a thermometer. Water temps just a couple degrees warmer than surrounding water will consolidate baitfish and bass. In spring-fed lakes or ponds, an underground spring will provide relatively stable temperatures year-round. During winter, flows from a spring are likely warmer than the main body. Where there are no springs, look to sun-warmed rock or metal structure. Muddy shallows are also known to warm more quickly in the sun. 2) Play the Weather: The smaller the volume of water, the more easily influenced it is by weather patterns. On a small lake, water temperatures can increase dramatically with a single day of warmer-than-normal weather. The bite can go from non-existent to wide-open in an afternoon. String together a threeday warming trend, and your pond might exhibit spring-like feeding patterns. 3) Find the Fish: On small waters there are limited areas where bass can go to find comfort. Rather than spreading out in search of forage, bass group up in areas where they are comfortable. If you don’t find fish on sun-warmed rip-rap, look to the steep drop-offs at pond dams or creek channels. They might be down there stacked up in 10 feet of water. 4) Match the Hatch: Bass are not as aggressive when they are cold, which means you have to go with a more natural approach. Bugs and frogs aren’t on the menu this time of year, so baitfish imitations like jerkbaits and crankbaits are your best bet. Reel them down to depth and fish with slow twitches. If crawfish are active year-round where you fish, a jig is absolutely a good option. 5) Cover Water: Covering water is relative. This time of year, you’ll want to slow it down. Yet you still need to encounter fish to catch them. One of the great things about small waters is you can fish a lot, or all, of a small lake or pond in a single afternoon. Fan cast and work your baits slowly enough to be effective, but keep moving until you find that area where fish are piled up.

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