PALM BEACH COUNTY EDITION
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LOCAL CATCH PHOTOS
GRASS FLAT
GATOR TROUT
CURRENT INTEL FROM AREA CAPTAINS PHOTO CREDIT: PAUL MACINNIS IG: @RSOCFISHING
VOLUME 27 • ISSUE 323
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5 YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY applies to qualifying purchases of Suzuki outboard motors sold and delivered to the retail purchaser, for pleasure (non-commercial) use only, from April 1, 2021 through March 31, 2022. See Suzuki Limited Warranty for additional details. Suzuki, the “S” logo, and Suzuki model and product names are Suzuki Trademarks or ®. Don’t drink and drive. Always wear a USCG-approved life jacket and read your owner’s manual. © 2021 Suzuki Marine USA, LLC. All rights reserved.
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ost folks associate the word “gators” with big scaly reptiles or a college mascot. Mention gators to a cadre of hardcore inshore anglers and you are likely to elicit fond memories of 30-plus-inch silver flanks speckled with black spots and gaping yellow mouths sporting a wicked pair of canine teeth. I’m talking about seatrout, big trophy trout that prompt some of us to wake up at 4 a.m. so we can be on the water throwing topwater plugs at first light. Big trout don’t act like their smaller brethren, and the techniques that hammer schoolies won’t work on bigger fish. Most gator trout are caught on shallow grass flats 1 ½ to 3 feet deep. Look for flats with dense grass mixed with a few sandy potholes that big trout use to ambush prey. The flat should also have a healthy supply of bait like mullet or pinfish, and it should be close to deeper water, so a wary old trout has a short escape route. During the hottest days of summer, big trout retreat to deeper water off the edge of a flat or seek out shade under mangroves or docks. During the coldest nights of winter, gator trout move into deep channels, canals and dredge holes where they can be targeted with sinking plugs and shrimp imitations worked slowly along the bottom. Seatrout see well in low light, unlike their prey items, like mullet. So, big trout feed best during low light. It is best to
By Paul MacInnis
SLING LURES for Grass Flat Gator Trout
fish early mornings, late evenings, on overcast days and at night. It may seem counter intuitive, but more trophy trout are caught on artificials than bait. Big trout are loners. Lures allow you to cover a lot of water, increasing your odds of intercepting bigger fish. About 80 percent of an adult seatrout’s diet is fish. With that in mind, large mullet-imitating lures are a good choice. The classic gator trout lure is a topwater “walk-the-dog” bait like the venerable Zara Spook. Of course, big swimbaits and shallowrunning plugs also work, along with soft plastic shrimp. A seatrout doesn’t grow to trophy size by being stupid. Big trout are wary and will evacuate a flat at the slightest indication of danger. Hull slaps and pressure waves from a drifting boat put wise old trout on high alert. It’s best to ditch the skiff and either wade or fish from a minimally invasive vessel like a kayak. It also helps to make long casts to get your lure in front of a fish before it detects your presence. Catching a true gator seatrout is not easy, and even when you do everything right there is still an element of luck involved. When you finally catch that trophy fish, handle with care and release her gently. A mature female seatrout can release over a million eggs during a spawn. Let her go to release her big-fish DNA into the gene pool.
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The Experts in Custom Rod Building Have Much to Share
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ud Hole Custom Tackle is the world’s largest supplier of rod building and tackle crafting goods and instruction. The heart of Mud Hole is its people, who strive for excellence and truly care about what they do. From leadership to customer service, and from product development to the warehouse floor, Mud Hole is comprised of passionate anglers and rod builders who use their own products every day and are eager to bring custom rod building to anglers everywhere. Established in the 1970s as a custom rod shop in New Jersey, and named after the famed Mud Hole trench at the outflow of the Hudson River, Mud Hole has truly humble, “tackle-shop” origins. Things really picked up in 1999, when the headquarters moved to Oviedo, Florida and the Internet made it easier to connect across the globe. Promoting the many benefits of custombuilt fishing equipment, Mud Hole Custom Tackle thrived and brought custom rod building to the masses. As interest in rod building grew and the industry flourished, Mud Hole dedicated itself to providing accessible DIY rod building instruction and resources to anyone who wanted to learn. Today, the Mud Hole YouTube channel hosts almost 500 videos with over 10 million views, and is followed by over 31,000 subscribers. From Rod Building
101 instructional videos to product reviews to Rod Recipes to Mud Hole TV episodes—where the team builds custom rods and puts them to the test against the most popular target species—Mud Hole provides the highest quality, most entertaining rod building content available. In addition to recorded video content, Mud Hole also hosts a live, streamed rod building show, Mud Hole Live, where hosts and guests share rod building techniques with an interactive, online audience. Who knew that custom rod building would hit the big time! Beyond making quality rod building content easily accessible to DIY audiences, Mud Hole also offers custom rod building classes with professional instructors. The workshops take place in the Mud Hole Education Center in Oviedo, Florida, in local markets across the U.S., and even online, in the comfort of your own home. A variety of topical classes are offered, from beginner workshops to application-specific builds, such as surf, fly, redfish and mahi rods. All classes include every component, supply, and all of the personal interaction needed to build high quality, custom fishing rods. Mud Hole also collaborates with schools and youth organizations like the Boy Scouts of America and 4-H to bring rod building to students through
specialized programs and education curriculum. In its 13 years, the Mud Hole Education program has reached over 30,000 students across 650 institutions in the United States, Canada and Australia. For Mud Hole, it’s not just about selling customers the components, tools and supplies they need with top-notch customer service, it’s also providing all of the instruction and resources to help them build! It’s about supporting and growing the community of rod builders who share a passion for custom rod building. Check out all that Mud Hole Custom Tackle has to offer at mudhole.com.
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THE ALTERNATIVE TO BUYING A NEW BOAT
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WHAT A TRIGGERS THE BITE? PHOTO COURTESY OF KNOCKIN TAIL LURES
By Capt. Michael Okruhlik
ction, color, profile, style, which is more important when fishing artificials inshore? I investigate this question more than the average fisherman does on each trip, because I manufacture lures. To prove my point, how many of you switch tactics or lures when the bite is hot? I do! Years ago, I would not change a thing while the bite was on. If I lost the last soft plastic of a particular color, I would dig through every compartment to find one more identical to what was working. I might even rig it upside-down or sideways to get that last soft plastic to stay on the hook for a few more bites. Designing and fine-tuning lures has driven me to fish differently and explore more frequently, even when the fish are biting. On a recent trip, I was trying a new design, even though I was more confident in one of my original designs for this scenario in these conditions. The bite was strong, I switched between two lures about every three fish just to see if there was a preference. I started with the new design in a green-back, clear-belly color and caught a fish on the first cast! I was feeling confident, since it was a new lure and a new color, but it took dozens of casts to catch a few more fish. I switched to my original design in a pearl color. Once again, fish on the first cast! It didn’t take long to land a few more, and I decided to switch back to the new design, only this time in the same pearl color. My intent was to see if color was what the fish were keying on. Although I caught fish on both lures, the original produced considerably more fish per cast. I kept switching to gain knowledge and validate my findings. Both lures were the same color and 5 inches long with very similar body size. The actions, however, were completely different. One was a paddle tail, while the other was a soft jerk- or twitch-bait style. The fish on this day undoubtedly preferred the erratic side-to-side action of the twitch bait. Although I attempted to work the swimbait more erratically, the paddle tail did not have the quick side-to-side action that triggered the strike. Both lures were rigged on the same weighted swimbait hook, and I used the same rod. In this scenario, the action and lure style were the keys to triggering the bite. Even if you’re catching fish, it is a good idea to change things up from time to time. The day before, in the same area, I caught an equal number of fish on both the abovementioned lures. Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Knockin Tail Lures, Controlled Descent Lures, and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.
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ou won’t win many boat races with the Outfitter ZX from StyleCraft Boats, even with the proprietary fiberglass hulls and their racing design. These hulls move the pontoon boat to plane faster with better fuel efficiency and a smoother ride. This is just one of the features boaters love about StyleCraft Boats. The goal of any pontoon boat owner is fun on the water, another trademark of StyleCraft Boats. Owners of the Outfitter ZX can enjoy freshwater or saltwater outings without worry of boat deterioration. After all, there is no aluminum in these triton hulls and the wood-free 3/4-inch thick deck is made entirely of a composite material. For cruising to catch the breeze in the hair, turn to the Outfitter ZX. Comfortable seating, a tritoon design for the smoothest of rides and amenities like Bluetooth music create a great atmosphere for all, including the youngsters. Ride the water for a while then anchor at a swimming hole and jump in. The fold down ladder makes for a work-free re-entry onto the deck and the Bimini top keeps the sun off sensitive skin. The Suzuki 90 horsepower outboard provides the perfect speed for cruising. With a 150 horsepower Suzuki, the Outfitter ZX will pop the skier on the end of the rope right up. Straight runs, zig zags and arcing circles give skiers or tubers an entertaining ride while jumping wakes. The ski tow bar option transforms the Outfitter ZX from a cruiser to a skiing phenom
without taking up deck space. The new Outfitter ZX fishing version is still in design, but the regular Outfitter ZX can be transformed into a fishing machine with just a couple tweaks. A Humminbird Helix GPS fishfinder is standard on the Outfitter. With fishing chairs on the forward deck area, anglers have ample space to cast and catch. The shallow draft design of the pontoons allows the boat to maneuver in shallower conditions, taking anglers where the fish might be. Add the optional aerated live well, and fish can be kept alive. Stow some lawn chairs, extra ice chest and a grill on board and nose up to a nice sandy beach. It’s picnic time. Add a tent and sleeping bags, and the Outfitter ZX becomes an overnight on-the-beach hotel. The Outfitter ZX tritoon footprint starts at as a trailerable 8 1/2 feet wide and 20 feet long. For more floorspace and increased passenger capacity, there’s also an 8 ½-foot-wide and 24-foot-long deck model, which is also trailerable. Now the fun part starts, completing the layout for individual tastes and desires. Regardless of how you use your Outfitter ZX, you will look great on the water and you and your boat mates will have a whale of a time. Ask your favorite marina to offer the Outfitter ZX for your next rental. StyleCraft Boats are made in the USA in Alachua, Fla., and are available factory direct only. Follow StyleCraft Boats on Facebook and Instagram.
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I DO NOT FEEL THE NEED FOR SPEED (SOMETIMES)
fish) on as light tackle as possible. I like to slow it down, and use the correct tackle for the job, while getting baits down in the strike zone. While drifting or trolling, I like to use a jig when I need to get my baits down deeper where the mid-day fish are hanging out. A 4-ounce Squid Decoy Jig is a good option because it drifts and trolls well and can be fished with or without bait. Tipped with cigar minnow or sardine, Tim Barefoot the jig looks like a squid that has caught supper, and everything eats squid. his is a play off the famous line from the movie This is a wahoo bait that can be fished with fluorocarbon instead Top Gun, but it has a clear meaning when it comes to fishing for palegics. Are there times when I want to high-speed troll of wire or cable, simply because almost all wahoo strikes on squid are to locate areas with fish? YES. Are there times when I want to troll 6-7 knots to catch numbers of good fish when they are on or near the surface feeding? YES. With all that said, are there times to slow down and get baits down to where the fish are in the water column? YES, Definitely! intended to cut the back half the These times are typically squid off before consumption. after 10 or 10:30 a.m., when Predatory fish know that they the sun is high in the sky, and can easily eliminate a squid’s on, or around a full moon. The only defenses… tentacles and a first reason is obvious. Fish don’t biting beak. have Maui Jims, so they adjust A stinger hook in the the amount of light they need/ head of a live or frozen cigar want with water depth. This is minnow or sardine will do especially true with wahoo and the work. There is only one tuna. And the full moon thing… major problem with this setup. they stay up all night eating with Don’t let it get too close to the “big light” on. the bottom, or you’ll have a Have you ever noticed how the bite dies down after 10 or 11 in the morning? Have you ever noticed grouper or big snapper bite. I think we just got ’em on a technicality. If the days around a full moon are typically slow? These are not just a you are “trolling for wahoo” and let the bait get too close to the bottom coincidence. Granted, the planner rod (aka “the meat stick”) is the one and catch a grouper, oh well, I wasn’t using circle hooks. Just sayin’. that produces in the middle of the day, and at daylight for that matter, See more from Tim Barefoot at barefootcatsandtackle.com. and around the full moon, but I much prefer to catch these fish (any
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I DO NOT FEEL THE NEED FOR SPEED (SOMETIMES)
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Tim Barefoot
his is a play off the famous line from the movie Top Gun, but it has a clear meaning when it comes to fishing for palegics. Are there times when I want to highspeed troll to locate areas with fish? YES. Are there times when I want to troll 6-7 knots to catch numbers of good fish when they are on or near the surface feeding? YES. With all that said, are there times to slow down and get baits down to where the fish are in the water column? YES, Definitely! These times are typically after 10 or 10:30 a.m., when the sun is high in the sky, and on, or around a full moon. The first reason is obvious. Fish don’t have Maui Jims, so they adjust the amount of light they need/want with water depth. This is especially true with wahoo and tuna. And the full moon thing… they stay up all night eating with the “big light” on.
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n the cigar ill do y one setup. ose to have a lity. If ottom in’.
Have you ever noticed how the bite dies down after 10 or 11 in the morning? Have you ever noticed the days around a full moon are typically slow? These are not just a coincidence. Granted, the planner rod (aka “the meat stick”) is the one that produces in the middle of the day, and at daylight for that matter, and around the full moon, but I much prefer to catch these fish (any fish) on as light tackle as possible. I like to slow it down, and use the correct tackle for the job, while getting baits down in the strike zone.
While drifting or trolling, I like to use a jig when I need to get my baits down deeper where the mid-day fish are hanging out. A 4-ounce Squid Decoy Jig is a good option because it drifts and trolls well and can be fished with or without bait. Tipped with cigar minnow or sardine, the jig looks like a squid that has caught supper, and everything eats squid. This is a wahoo bait that can be fished with fluorocarbon instead of wire or cable, simply because almost all wahoo strikes on squid are intended to cut the back half the squid off before consumption. Predatory fish know that they can easily eliminate a squid’s only defenses… tentacles and a biting beak. A stinger hook in the head of a live or frozen cigar minnow or sardine will do the work. There is only one major problem with this setup. Don’t let it get too close to the bottom, or you’ll have a grouper or big snapper bite. I think we just got ’em on a technicality. If you are “trolling for wahoo” and let the bait get too close to the bottom and catch a grouper, oh well, I wasn’t using circle hooks. Just sayin’. See more from Tim Barefoot at barefootcatsandtackle.com.
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FLORIDA 9 LOCATION 3
PHOTO BY JAMES MARTINS
an empty pail and hold it vertically on the surface of a pool, pond or tub of water, and you can easily recreate this for yourself. Apply force to the pail, straight downward, until its rim is just under the surface. Water rushes in to fill the pail until it has reached full capacity. If there are objects on the surface or suspended in the water, they will accompany the inrush of water. What you have done is introduced a void into the water. This empty space must be filled if water is to adhere to its own principles. Essentially, a vacuum effect occurs in which both water and the objects it contains are pulled into the void. Fish generate a similar vacuum via the expansion of their mouths, and anything within range of that vacuum will be drawn inside. This form of attack is concentrated in the fish’s head, requiring little or no forward motion of the body. If the fish wants to swallow what it has trapped in its jaws, it will expel the water through its gill slits in a rapid jet. Between a closed mouth and the fish’s gill rakers, solid objects are trapped inside, where they can be directed down the fish’s throat. If the fish should decide it doesn’t want to swallow what it has in its mouth, it will simply open its jaws and let the water float out along with whatever else was inside. It is much like a terrestrial animal opening its mouth and drawing in a big breath of air. Any airborne particulate matter will be taken in with the breath. If something noxious is taken in—smoke, for example—it can be ejected by exhaling or coughing. The difference between fish and terrestrial animals is the comparative enormity of most fish mouths and the great density of water compared to air. While a vacuum may be of little benefit to land animals, it is extremely useful to fish. Most fish, therefore, employ this technique to some degree in their feeding. For the sake of efficiency and the surer capture of prey, predatory fish are likely to use this method in conjunction with a more traditional attack featuring forward motion of the body. When employed together, these techniques allow the fish to draw its prey closer and seize it with the most By John Saporito security. When swallowing prey whole, they will turn it in their mouth so that espite different designs among the many species, there is a it can be taken headfirst—scales, fins and other parts folding tight against the commonality in fish when it comes to the capture of prey, a special body to facilitate an easier passage down the throat. procedure making use of the physical properties of the water they John Saporito is a lifelong fisherman, writer, and student of the seas. live in. Visit him online at johnsaporito.com. When a fish suddenly opens its mouth underwater, a void is created. Take
HOW FISH EAT
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10 FLORIDA
FEBRUARY 2022
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The Silver Sailfish Derby Northern Boundary Bite Produces Derby Victory for Goombay Smash/Remix
The Reel Captivating punching out Palm Beach Inlet after check out.
E
ager anglers charge sailfish season as soon as they can feel it in the air. Preparation for the Silver Sailfish Derby starts well before the week of tournament as crews aim to dial in all the details that could make or break their chance to become a part of the storied 4-line tournament history. The Derby celebrated its 85th year with a sold out 50 boat fleet in early January. It’s apparent this crown jewel of sportfishing off the Palm Beaches not only remains special to area boats in South Florida, but seems to only get better with age. The nostalgic excitement surrounding the event continues to captivate some of the finest anglers, captains and crews. As soon as the 8 am “lines-in” sounds over the VHF radio, baits hit the water and crews embark on their best effort to win the World’s Oldest Sailfish Tournament. The first release in the West Palm Beach Fishing Club’s (WPBFC) 2022 Silver Sailfish Derby came just 3 minutes into the start of the tournament. Team Gator One, a 39’ Yellowfin led by Capt. Ryan McBride, released the sailfish with angler John Moore of Lighthouse Point on the rod. Tangling with these acrobatic pelagics is not an easy task. Sometimes they tailwalk the surface in a fury, slashing their bill side to side as they race toward the boat, challenging the angler to quickly gain back their line. Other times they’ll pull line away and dig down deep unseen for an endurance match. Either way, it’s the angler’s responsibility to keep them on the line until a successful leader touch can be made by the crew. Gator One would continue onto a Third Place Overall finish with a total of 7 releases. That very first sailfish was a sign of good things to come for John Moore, as he would earn the title of Top Angler Overall in the 2022 Derby. Moore caught 5 of their 7 total, the most releases of any individual angler in the tournament this year. This honor is awarded with the Mrs. Henry R. Rea trophy, a magnificent silver sailfish sculpture that dates back to the event’s origin in 1935 and is sponsored by Elizabeth Richebourg Rea of Connecticut. A total of 142 Atlantic sailfish were released over the duration of the two-day tournament and 22 sails were tagged. The first day of fishing would actually be the best bite in some time
CONTinued on page 14 >>
Goombay Smash/Remix tied up at Sailfish Marina on Singer Island after a champagne celebration of the tournament victory.
Goin Raptor's Top Meat Fish Overall PHOTOS BY: Leonard Bryant Photography
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Fishing the Palm Beaches
with Darcizzle
A
s we near the end of Florida’s so called ‘winter’ months, fishing for sailfish is still in the spotlight throughout the month of February. As the month progresses the action should remain steady but will begin to fizzle out in Palm Beach as the sailfish continue their southerly migration. If you haven’t already, try to get out and kite fish for sails after a passing cold front. It’s not uncommon to hook two or more sailfish in a single fishing trip when kite fishing. Besides sailfish, there will also be a variety of pelagic fish visiting our waters that will gladly eat your kite baits. Be on the lookout for kingfish, dolphin, and wahoo swimming in your kite spread. I recommend using a small trace of wire on your leaders, so you increase your chances of catching toothy critters like kingfish and wahoo. Anglers that like to fish from the beach and the waters near shore, the annual migration of spinner sharks should be commencing by the end of the month. These swift, fast growing sharks are exhilarating to catch. Spinner sharks are named for the spinning leaps they make when they rocket out of the water. When spinners are feeding on schools of fish, they will swim vertically through the school while spinning on their axis, erupting from the surface of the water. By boat, target spinner sharks by anchoring ahead of the school and use chum to lure them in. Live bait will work best; try mullet, blue runners, and goggle eyes. When you hook one, they jump quite a bit and the adrenaline rush you feel is like no other! Bottom fishing should produce a good bite a couple days after a passing cold front. The deeper wrecks like the Skycliffe out of Boynton Inlet and the Ande out of Palm Beach Inlet should be holding almaco, amberjacks, and grouper. If you are drift fishing; I suggest starting your drift on the outside of the second reef in 75ft of water and drift in shallow to 40ft (depending on wind conditions of course). I suggest using a long leader at least 15ft long, a 3/0 - 6/0 circle hook based on the size of your bait, with just enough weight to hold bottom. Bottom fishing should yield muttons, kingfish, cobia, Spanish mackerel, bonito, trigger fish, etc. You will catch Please be sure to check out my YouTube Channel yellowtails, muttons, and mangroves closer to “Darcizzle Offshore” for fishing videos every week! the reef itself. Say HELLO if you see me out on www.youtube.com/DarcizzleOffshore the water. Good luck & keep on catching!
Beautiful jumbo blackfin tuna caught drifting live bait. This fish ate a flat line with a live threadfin herring.
www.USHarbors.com
Boca Raton, Lake Boca Raton, FL - Feb 2022 High
Date
2 PALM BEACH COUNTY
february 2022
Low
AM
ft
PM
ft
AM
ft
PM
ft
Rise
Set
1
Tue
9:25
2.7
9:32
2.4
3:11
-0.2
3:49
0.1
7:03
6:04
2
Wed
10:11
2.7
10:24
2.4
4:01
-0.2
4:35
0.1
7:02
6:05
3
Thu
10:55
2.6
11:13
2.4
4:49
-0.1
5:20
0.1
7:02
6:05
4
Fri
11:36
2.5
5:35
0.0
6:03
0.0
7:01
6:06
5
Sat
12:01
2.4
12:17
2.4
6:20
0.1
6:45
0.1
7:01
6:07
6
Sun
12:49
2.4
12:57
2.3
7:06
0.3
7:27
0.1
7:00
6:08
7
Mon
1:38
2.3
1:40
2.2
7:52
0.4
8:11
0.2
7:00
6:08
8
Tue
2:29
2.3
2:27
2.1
8:41
0.5
8:58
0.2
6:59
6:09
9
Wed
3:24
2.2
3:19
2.0
9:33
0.6
9:48
0.2
6:58
6:10
10
Thu
4:21
2.2
4:16
1.9
10:29
0.7
10:43
0.3
6:58
6:10
11
Fri
5:20
2.2
5:15
1.9
11:27
0.7
11:39
0.3
6:57
6:11
12
Sat
6:16
2.2
6:12
2.0
12:25
0.6
6:56
6:12
13
Sun
7:06
2.3
7:04
2.0
12:35
0.2
1:20
0.5
6:56
6:12
14
Mon
7:52
2.3
7:51
2.1
1:26
0.2
2:08
0.5
6:55
6:13
15
Tue
8:32
2.4
8:35
2.2
2:12
0.1
2:51
0.4
6:54
6:14
16
Wed
9:10
2.4
9:16
2.2
2:55
0.1
3:31
0.3
6:53
6:14
17
Thu
9:45
2.5
9:57
2.3
3:36
0.0
4:09
0.2
6:52
6:15
18
Fri
10:19
2.5
10:38
2.4
4:16
0.0
4:46
0.1
6:52
6:16
19
Sat
10:55
2.5
11:22
2.4
4:57
0.1
5:24
0.1
6:51
6:16
20
Sun
11:33
2.4
5:41
0.1
6:05
0.0
6:50
6:17
21
Mon
12:08
2.5
12:15
2.4
6:28
0.2
6:49
0.0
6:49
6:18
22
Tue
12:58
2.5
1:01
2.3
7:19
0.3
7:39
0.0
6:48
6:18
23
Wed
1:54
2.4
1:54
2.2
8:15
0.4
8:36
0.0
6:47
6:19
24
Thu
2:55
2.4
2:55
2.1
9:18
0.5
9:39
0.1
6:47
6:19
25
Fri
4:04
2.4
4:04
2.1
10:25
0.6
10:47
0.1
6:46
6:20
26
Sat
5:15
2.4
5:18
2.1
11:36
0.5
11:57
0.0
6:45
6:21
27
Sun
6:23
2.4
6:28
2.1
12:45
0.5
6:44
6:21
28
Mon
7:23
2.5
7:31
2.3
1:46
0.3
6:43
6:22
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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Moon
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ROADTRIPFISHING S O U TH CO U N T Y
INSHORE & FRESHWATER Buddy Banana Kibosh
Fishing Forecast by Capt. Patrick Smith
H
By Keith Lozott Contributing Writer spoon or Gotcha is believe your ininshore and but after a recent fishing trip with my buddy Typically,ere I don’t superstitions, Neil, I mayJig, be you a should be able to was find in some mackerel for a small snapper and small snook. Neil believer!!! Thfreshwater e morningfishing started forecast slow; I caught skunk mode,action both inside and outon onathe beach. February. so we decided to try a spoil island where I’ve caught some trout, snook, and a gag grouper prior trip. The fresh water Normally at this time of year, we would To our dismay it was dead as well. Just as we were about to exit stage left, Neil was working a topwater can be a different thisand time of to the year between the be putting gloves, jackets; lure back to on thesweaters, boat when what and appeared to be a large bull shark came up from thestory bottom tried shad spawn on the full moon and coldeverything a Floridian needs to survive a hammer the lure. Unbelievably it totally missed the lure and disappeared. It was impressive to witness such water temperatures; the fish can really 50° winter. a big specimen of a fish take a swipe at the lure. be tough to target. Downsizing your However, this year has proven to be After the “Shark Week” experience, we continued to struggle so I decided to implement bait is a great way to go and I find that warm, and it may continue through the Plan C and move frombased the east side ofisthe Indian River to the west side. I’ve had some we nice pick up a lot of action on very small month. Crustacean fishing still figoing shing to onbe the west side with trout, reds, and snook. We made our way across the river flies and lures. Once the shad spawn and my number one choice whether Greaser hadI alanded solid several jacks stopping at another to beor greeted Austin with a jack attack. the whole water column and canals are it's fiddler crabs, spoil live island crabs, only shrimp, freshwater morning and Neilbucktails. hooked one that . His sure skunk but with jacksof around I fi guredwith fry the fish essentially swim filled tipped They aregot alloff pretty to was still intact peacock fishing. that Unfortunately, thatbeing wasn’t the case. around eating everything and don't get would the jobchange. done, with main targets We used the trolling motor quietly make our way towards the mangroves hoping reallytostruggle to chase down a big bait. sheepshead, black drum, andto pompano. get a glimpse a red, snook, trout, flounder, As we a great time to try something new One additionofthis time of year that I tend or any inshore species willing to bite. It's andI had don't approached the shore, weare noticed another bull shark working the shore and of course to get stuck throwing one lure to target pretty heavily spinner sharks. or bait. You won't tooatmany that cannopeel make a cast find or two him, fish but he had interest in my offering. We kept working the shoreKeep trying a variety until you findhitsomething that works. A Yo-Zuri off line and make crazyforjumps alsoa long cast and almost as soon as the lure and finally it happened Neil!!!butHeare made the Minnow or a Crappie Jig Head can very willing to eat. goodfiway to we getcouldn’t on water, he was on withAa nice sh, but see what it was. He started gainingPin’s ground some pretty big fish, just be sure the spinners since the ocean is and normally getting it closer; enjoying the fight then it happened! The fish came unbuttonedproduce and at this point I was to loosen up that the drag so you don't bend pretty rough this is to walk like dude, what didtime youofdothe in year, a previous life to deserve this??? We made our way toward a dock I know all your the beach with two rods, withthen a I was hooked up with a huge fish. It was holds snook. I made a longone castrigged and right a bighooks. snook; I got her or jig, and theher, other with wire tospoon the boat, revived andrig released herand to fight another day. a heavy gauge circle hook. Throw the spoon Success! I said, “let’s go to lunch and call it a day”. I asked Neil if he was hungry and then he disclosed Capt. Patrick Smith until you catch a bluefish or ladyfish and to me that he ate a banana for breakfast! Neil knows not to bring bananas on the boat (it’s bad luck), but it then swim it back out on the wire rod. You www.swamptosea.com didn’t occur himpretty that the curse Anywhere would remain inLake effect with Lagoon it digesting in his stomach. Myth confirmed or Worth permit should hooktoup quickly. 561-503-0848 are always a hit. was badthrow luck? something He should’ve brought his lucky rabbit foot!!! youitcan flashy whether a Keith Lozott The Fishing Realtor
That's dinner!
Lou caught an awesome clown knifefish in West Palm.
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To see pictures of tournaments and events email 57LDBryant@gmail.com for link
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Boynton Beach, FL - Feb 2022 High
Date
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
Low
AM
ft
PM
ft
AM
ft
PM
ft
Rise
Set
1
Tue
9:47
2.8
10:00
2.7
4:02
-0.8
4:31
-0.4
7:02
6:05
2
Wed
10:33
2.8
10:49
2.7
4:52
-0.8
5:21
-0.5
7:02
6:06
3
Thu
11:17
2.7
11:37
2.6
5:41
-0.7
6:09
-0.5
7:01
6:06
4
Fri
12:00
2.6
6:29
-0.5
6:56
-0.4
7:01
6:07
5
Sat
12:25
2.5
12:42
2.4
7:17
-0.3
7:44
-0.3
7:00
6:08
6
Sun
1:12
2.3
1:24
2.2
8:06
-0.1
8:32
-0.2
7:00
6:09
7
Mon
2:00
2.2
2:08
2.1
8:57
0.2
9:23
-0.1
6:59
6:09
8
Tue
2:51
2.0
2:54
1.9
9:51
0.3
10:17
0.0
6:58
6:10
9
Wed
3:47
1.9
3:47
1.8
10:49
0.4
11:13
0.1
6:58
6:11
10
Thu
4:47
1.9
4:46
1.8
11:47
0.5
6:57
6:11
11
Fri
5:48
1.9
5:47
1.8
12:10
0.1
12:43
0.5
6:56
6:12
12
Sat
6:44
1.9
6:44
1.9
1:03
0.0
1:35
0.4
6:56
6:13
13
Sun
7:33
2.1
7:35
2.0
1:52
-0.1
2:22
0.3
6:55
6:13
14
Mon
8:17
2.2
8:21
2.1
2:36
-0.2
3:04
0.2
6:54
6:14
15
Tue
8:58
2.3
9:04
2.2
3:17
-0.2
3:43
0.1
6:54
6:15
16
Wed
9:36
2.4
9:46
2.3
3:55
-0.3
4:20
-0.1
6:53
6:15
17
Thu
10:14
2.5
10:27
2.4
4:33
-0.3
4:57
-0.2
6:52
6:16
18
Fri
10:51
2.5
11:09
2.4
5:11
-0.3
5:33
-0.3
6:51
6:16
19
Sat
11:28
2.4
11:52
2.4
5:51
-0.3
6:12
-0.3
6:51
6:17
20
Sun
12:06
2.4
6:32
-0.2
6:54
-0.4
6:50
6:18
21
Mon
12:38
2.4
12:47
2.3
7:18
-0.1
7:42
-0.4
6:49
6:18
22
Tue
1:28
2.3
1:33
2.2
8:10
0.0
8:36
-0.3
6:48
6:19
23
Wed
2:25
2.3
2:28
2.1
9:09
0.2
9:38
-0.3
6:47
6:19
24
Thu
3:30
2.2
3:34
2.1
10:17
0.3
10:48
-0.3
6:46
6:20
25
Fri
4:42
2.2
4:47
2.1
11:28
0.3
11:58
-0.3
6:45
6:21
26
Sat
5:52
2.3
6:01
2.2
12:36
0.2
6:44
6:21
27
Sun
6:56
2.4
7:06
2.4
1:04
-0.4
1:38
0.0
6:44
6:22
28
Mon
7:52
2.6
8:04
2.5
2:03
-0.5
2:34
-0.1
6:43
6:22
Moon
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february 2022
Palm beach county 5
Fishing in the Moment
W
e all have those days where we head out with our hearts full of optimism and a head full of ideas. The perfect plan intact for success only to meet with defeat. We had a plan. It worked before and should work again. All our gear, knowledge, and expertise fine-tuned for the quarry. In fact -- it worked the day before. Why not today? There are no guarantees in fishing. Every single trip is unique. Welcome to the world of the angler.
Afterward, we reevaluate the day – what could we have done different? Were there adjustments that could have been made that would have led to success. The constant analysis will yield better results for the future, but what could we have done different as the day unfolded. I call it fishing in the moment — what makes for fishing success. Fishing is a state of mind. There is so much more to it than technical aspects. So much more than careful preparation. You absolutely must be able to “fish in the moment.” Case in point. I was fishing July fourth weekend on a return trip back to my old striper grounds in the Northeast and it was a very busy day on the water. There were five kayakers all trolling the same small grid and all using a similar technique. Trolling and casting live eels - a sure fire way to connect with a hungry striper! After four hours all that effort produced zero fish for four of the five anglers. Only one angler went five for eight on jumbos. The rest got skunked.
The author is a firm believer in being prepared for whatever lies ahead.
Blue marlin! While it wasn't the intended target, the author came prepared for the unexpected and landed the fish of a lifetime for most anglers.
You would have thought there were no fish present at all if the fifth angler hadn’t shown up. That premise couldn’t have been any further from the truth. Today I was that fifth guy and safely released five New England jumbos. There is always that one guy who catches the fish. No matter what the conditions. Even when everyone else goes home empty. So, what makes the difference? We were all using eels — all kayaks — all similar techniques and in the same water. The subtleties of fishing prevailed. Difference’s so minute only the most observant would have noticed.
Problem solving 101 How to turn a bad day into a success
Fishing is a constant state of mind. It adapts as conditions unfold. Always alert — always observant. You must block out all else and be in the moment. Observe and adjust - make the necessary changes or go home empty handed. I saw one guy fishing in the same spot. The same fifty square feet of water. I instantly knew one thing about him. He had at one point in time caught a fish there! For three hours he never left that fifty-yard square of water. He trolled that grid the exact same way every time. Never varying his speed. Never adjusting his entry or exit points. Never fingering the line to impart additional action to his live bait. The perfect example of not fishing in the moment. I noticed that the other three anglers were all trolling live frisky eels and just off the drop off. Common sense would say a good plan. Only trouble – on that day it wasn’t working. Time to try something else. I always keep my tired or spent bait in the cooler. I quickly switched out my live eel for a dead one and cast in tight to the rocks. Three short retrieves and a twitch – fish on! It’s difficult to pitch a live eel that tight into cover. They will quickly bury their noses into any obstruction found and get you fouled. A dead or dying bait is the perfect choice for working it tight to structure. I keep them for just this purpose. This same tactic will work for almost any live bait cast tight to cover. While eight out of ten days the method using live frisky bait is the ticket, on the other two days – try something different!
CONTinued on page 14 >>
t
Recycle your devices that contain mercury.
To recycle or dispose of your marine hazards, 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.
KAYAK FISHING
Fishing Forecast by Capt. Brian Nelli
Inshore February is a good time to target a lot of different species. Expect pompano, jacks, and sheepsheads around deeper cuts. Snook, reds, flounder, and trout should be present along the mangroves and structure. Rocks, jetties, and bridge pilings are great places to look for the tasty sheepshead. Live shrimp or even better fiddler crabs will bring in a few. During this time the water is a lot colder than most of the year. When fishing the flats around mangroves, hit the water a little later in the day and target sand holes and areas with dark mud. These spots will warm quicker than surrounding areas and should be holding fish. Remember snook season opens February 1st. Joe with a good seatrout.
Offshore The cobia will start to move into the beaches following around rays, sharks, and turtles. I like to have a D.O.A. Swimming Mullet ready to pitch to them when spotted. Sailfish, small kings, wahoo, and dolphin will also still be the mix during this month. Look for these 4 species to be found from 90 to 120 feet of water chasing live bait like goggle eyes, blue runners, and ballyhoo.
Chris with a big sailfish.
Freshwater
Jim with a nice clown knifefish.
The bite for peacock bass, largemouth bass, and clown knifefish has been strong and should continue with the warm winter weather. Live shiners and or shad are your best bets. All 3 of these fish will be looking to be close to structure and deeper water when the water temps get colder. Find the right depth and you will find the fish. Check us out Pushin’ Water Kayak Charters on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for all the latest adventures my clients and I get into. See you on the water!
ROAD fishing
Eye Opener Hmm
Capt. Brian Nelli Pushin’ Water Kayak Charters 772-201-5899 www.tckayakfishing.com Brian@tckayakfishing.com
by Keith Lozott
I
’ve been an active real estate agent/broker going on 25 years this year and was licensed in 1997. I’ve been fishing for 45 or 46 years, ever since the first time a fishing rod was placed in my hands as a kid. Time sure does fly by when you’re having fun! From a real estate perspective, I feel like I’ve seen almost everything up until the other day. Some clients and I were having a conversation about buying a home in Florida when they asked me a question that I think about all the time, but never has it really hit me the way it did this time around. The question was, “What area of Florida do you like the best and where would you move if you were moving, and why?” I replied with some different scenarios as if I was a golfer, boater, angler, shopper, or traveler, trying to figure out what they like to do and apply the answer correctly to their needs. This is when it hit me like a ton of bricks! I told them I was a diehard angler and boater and just can’t get enough of it. I immediately started thinking about the state of the water in Florida as it currently stands and to be completely honest, it made me cringe internally. Let’s think about Florida’s waterways. The Indian River is devoid of seagrass in most areas with what’s left hanging on by a string. The West Coast has major red tide issues from Naples all the way to north of Tampa Bay, with last year being the worst in decades. The Everglades has severe saltwater intrusion due to the much-needed freshwater being diverted to the east and west coast of Florida, further damaging those estuaries as previously mentioned. The Panhandle has issues with pollution from all the rivers that flow into the bays from northern states amongst other things. 8 PALM BEACH COUNTY
february 2022
This is just a quick synopsis of what has been happening to our coastline for decades. What’s so crazy, is that the waterways to the “uneducated” appear to be pristine, which is why more and more people are moving to our great state than ever before. With the amount of people relocating to our coasts buying waterfront properties, golf course homes, condos, apartments, boats, and personal watercraft, now is the time to educate these newcomers, not to mention a lot of our current residents on being proper stewards of the environment. I will end this piece on a positive stating that number of entities making noise on Capitol Hill on conservation, pollution, development, and more is really taking off. I take my hat off to these men and women who have devoted their time and efforts on making a difference to protect our waterways. If you’re new to the state and want some information on buying and being responsible with your new home and the impact you have on our water, feel free to reach out anytime! Keith Lozott
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
The Fishing Realtor
PALM BEACH
unior Angler
IN & OFFSHORE
Fishing Forecast by Capt. Weston Russell
Team by Christopher Sprague
W
elcome to the February Coastal Angler Magazine fishing forecast for the waters off Palm Beach, Singer Island, and Juno Beach. Finally, the cooler air has pushed the fish down the coast and the fishing has picked up. Offshore anglers, you’re going to find sailfish and dolphin on the surface, but it's the bottom that will be on fire! Huge muttons and monster porgies will be lurking deep looking for something to eat. Also, vermillion snapper will be in the mix. On the days with a big swell, you will find them on the first reef, then the kings will start to show up. When you’re bottom fishing make Somerville with her first sure to have a flat line out. Fish on! sailfish release. The inshore bite along the beach will be productive with cobia, jumbo jacks, and Spanish macks all heading south and ready to bite the hook. Don't be afraid to cruise along the beach sight fishing. Only stop when you see something good to fish on. It still has been slow on the Capt. Weston Russell live bait front. If you need live bait, best to Reelintensefishing.com contact the bait boys on VHF 68. They will 561-310-2690 save you a lot of time and frustration - trust me. Good luck and tight lines! www.USHarbors.com
Palm Beach, FL - Feb 2022 High
Date
H
ello anglers! This month has provided some cool breezes and some good fish. Over Christmas break, my father and I were bored and heard of some good fishing around. We wanted some dinner and decided to go and look for some dolphin. We had heard of many people catching monsters right off Boynton Inlet in waters around 140 to 200 feet deep. It is normally rare to catch dolphin in this shallow water, however with the recent temperature changes, they tend to come a little closer to shore. We gathered some gear, ballyhoo, and split tail mullet that were rigged on sea witches and headed out. Boynton Inlet was a little choppy with waves around 4 to 6 feet. To make things worse, we were running out on dead low tide with the water being around 2 feet in certain areas. It was a relief once we got out of the inlet. We ran out a mile and set up some trolling lines, however after multiple hours of no bites, we decided to change it up. We turned on our Garmin Open Array Radar and decided to look for birds and weed lines. While we were running around, we stumbled on an old pallet that had barnacles and triple tails all over it. We thought we were going to hit gold and threw out some pilchards, and after a few minutes, we could see streaks of green in the water and fish on! We soon discovered these dolphins were too small, so we decided to troll along the weed line for bigger ones. After a few minutes we saw a big dolphin jump behind the boat. I grabbed the rod and immediately began reeling, and after a few minutes we had him within a gaffable distance. Finally, with the bull dolphin in the boat, we got some pictures and immediately looked for some more. We tried, but with no luck, so we called it a day. We were so blessed to find this fish and get some good dinners out of it!
Low
AM
ft
PM
ft
AM
ft
PM
ft
Rise
Set
9:00
2.9
9:13
2.8
2:35
-0.8
3:04
-0.4
7:03
6:03
1
Tue
2
Wed
9:46
2.9
10:02
2.8
3:25
-0.8
3:54
-0.5
7:03
6:04
3
Thu
10:30
2.8
10:50
2.7
4:14
-0.7
4:42
-0.5
7:02
6:05
4
Fri
11:13
2.7
11:38
2.6
5:02
-0.5
5:29
-0.4
7:02
6:05
5
Sat
11:55
2.5
5:50
-0.3
6:17
-0.3
7:01
6:06
6
Sun
12:25
2.4
12:37
2.3
6:39
-0.1
7:05
-0.2
7:01
6:07
7
Mon
1:13
2.2
1:21
2.1
7:30
0.2
7:56
-0.1
7:00
6:08
8
Tue
2:04
2.1
2:07
2.0
8:24
0.3
8:50
0.0
6:59
6:08
9
Wed
3:00
2.0
3:00
1.9
9:22
0.4
9:46
0.1
6:59
6:09
10
Thu
4:00
1.9
3:59
1.8
10:20
0.5
10:43
0.1
6:58
6:10
11
Fri
5:01
1.9
5:00
1.8
11:16
0.5
11:36
0.0
6:57
6:10
12
Sat
5:57
2.0
5:57
1.9
12:08
0.4
6:57
6:11
13
Sun
6:46
2.1
6:48
2.0
12:25
-0.1
12:55
0.3
6:56
6:12
14
Mon
7:30
2.3
7:34
2.2
1:09
-0.2
1:37
0.2
6:55
6:13
15
Tue
8:11
2.4
8:17
2.3
1:50
-0.2
2:16
0.1
6:54
6:13
16
Wed
8:49
2.5
8:59
2.4
2:28
-0.3
2:53
-0.1
6:54
6:14
17
Thu
9:27
2.5
9:40
2.5
3:06
-0.3
3:30
-0.2
6:53
6:15
18
Fri
10:04
2.6
10:22
2.5
3:44
-0.3
4:06
-0.3
6:52
6:15
19
Sat
10:41
2.5
11:05
2.5
4:24
-0.3
4:45
-0.3
6:51
6:16
20
Sun
11:19
2.5
11:51
2.5
5:05
-0.2
5:27
-0.4
6:50
6:16
21
Mon
12:00
2.4
5:51
-0.1
6:15
-0.4
6:49
6:17
22
Tue
12:41
2.4
12:46
2.3
6:43
0.0
7:09
-0.3
6:48
6:18
23
Wed
1:38
2.4
1:41
2.2
7:42
0.2
8:11
-0.3
6:48
6:18
24
Thu
2:43
2.3
2:47
2.1
8:50
0.3
9:21
-0.3
6:47
6:19
25
Fri
3:55
2.3
4:00
2.2
10:01
0.3
10:31
-0.3
6:46
6:20
26
Sat
5:05
2.4
5:14
2.3
11:09
0.2
11:37
-0.4
6:45
6:20
27
Sun
6:09
2.5
6:19
2.4
12:11
0.0
6:44
6:21
28
Mon
7:05
2.7
7:17
2.6
1:07
-0.1
6:43
6:21
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
12:36
-0.5
february 2022
Moon
Palm beach county 9
JUPITER inlet inshore Fishing Forecast by Capt. Craig Korcynski
F
ebruary offers great fishing and variable winds for anglers. Cool fronts dictate conditions at times, but that does not stop the fish from biting. Anglers can expect great fishing for a plethora of species. Snook are the favorite target for anglers, this means target deeper holes, bridges, channels, and sea walls. The snook will be holding near the bottom and tight on structure, high noon sunny days look for snook laying up on sand bars basking in the sun. The snook will strike live bait or D.O.A. C.A.L. 3” Shad Tail in mole’. The tarpon fishing in the back canals and bays Snook always bring out smiles. offer great action with the fly rod and artificial lures. Keep an eye out for rolling fish on the surface and work the area thoroughly. Deeper passes hold bigger fish up to 60 pounds. Anglers using live baits will have plenty of action but artificial lures like a D.O.A. shrimp 3” and D.O.A. TerrorEyz in pearl / green back provoke strikes from the silver king. The ICW will be teaming with life as anglers can target jacks, snook, tarpon, drum, sheepshead, and pompano. Seawalls and docks are great areas for jacks and snook during the day and at night. Live shrimp, mullet, and D.O.A. C.A.L. 3” Shad Tail will produce many strikes. Top water Rapala Skitter Walk in early morning and late in the afternoon provide explosive action for top water fanatics. Jigs and live shrimp are the best baits for sheepshead and pompano Capt. Craig Korczynski along channel edges. PhlatsInshoreFishing.com Well, that is the fishing report for the Palm Beach and 561-644-4371 Jupiter area. I hope you all enjoyed, get out there and get Visit us on Facebook and Instagram hooked up. Tight Lines!
Mike with a juvenile tarpon.
Seth with a backcountry tarpon. www.USHarbors.com
Jupiter Inlet, south jetty, FL - Feb 2022
Novice & Experienced Anglers Of All Ages Welcome
All Bait, Rods and Tackle Included! No License Required!
SAILING DAILY AT 7AM Located at Causeway Cove Marina, 601 Seaway Dr., Fort Pierce
For Reservations, Call (772) 766-0191 or Visit: FortPierceFishing.com
Need a Marine Surveyor?
Bluejacket Marine Surveyors, LLC • Pre-Purchase • Insurance • Condition / Valuation • Oil Analysis
Call Today for a FREE Quote!
772-521-2541 bluejacketsurveys@yahoo.com
www.bluejacketsurveys.com 10 PALM BEACH COUNTY
february 2022
High
Date
Low
AM
ft
PM
ft
AM
ft
PM
ft
Rise
Set
8:32
2.8
8:45
2.7
1:46
-1.1
2:15
-0.5
7:04
6:03
1
Tue
2
Wed
9:18
2.8
9:34
2.7
2:36
-1.0
3:05
-0.6
7:03
6:04
3
Thu
10:02
2.8
10:22
2.6
3:25
-0.9
3:53
-0.6
7:03
6:04
4
Fri
10:45
2.6
11:10
2.5
4:13
-0.6
4:40
-0.6
7:02
6:05
5
Sat
11:27
2.5
11:57
2.4
5:01
-0.4
5:28
-0.5
7:02
6:06
6
Sun
12:09
2.3
5:50
-0.1
6:16
-0.3
7:01
6:07
7
Mon
12:45
2.2
12:53
2.1
6:41
0.2
7:07
-0.1
7:00
6:07
8
Tue
1:36
2.1
1:39
1.9
7:35
0.4
8:01
0.0
7:00
6:08
9
Wed
2:32
1.9
2:32
1.8
8:33
0.6
8:57
0.1
6:59
6:09
10
Thu
3:32
1.9
3:31
1.8
9:31
0.6
9:54
0.1
6:58
6:10
11
Fri
4:33
1.9
4:32
1.8
10:27
0.6
10:47
0.0
6:58
6:10
12
Sat
5:29
2.0
5:29
1.9
11:19
0.5
11:36
-0.1
6:57
6:11
13
Sun
6:18
2.1
6:20
2.0
12:06
0.4
6:56
6:12
14
Mon
7:02
2.2
7:06
2.1
12:20
-0.2
12:48
0.3
6:55
6:12
15
Tue
7:43
2.4
7:49
2.2
1:01
-0.3
1:27
0.1
6:55
6:13
16
Wed
8:21
2.4
8:31
2.3
1:39
-0.4
2:04
-0.1
6:54
6:14
17
Thu
8:59
2.5
9:12
2.4
2:17
-0.5
2:41
-0.2
6:53
6:14
18
Fri
9:36
2.5
9:54
2.5
2:55
-0.5
3:17
-0.4
6:52
6:15
19
Sat
10:13
2.5
10:37
2.5
3:35
-0.4
3:56
-0.5
6:51
6:16
20
Sun
10:51
2.4
11:23
2.4
4:16
-0.3
4:38
-0.5
6:51
6:16
21
Mon
11:32
2.3
5:02
-0.1
5:26
-0.5
6:50
6:17
22
Tue
12:13
2.4
12:18
2.2
5:54
0.1
6:20
-0.5
6:49
6:18
23
Wed
1:10
2.3
1:13
2.2
6:53
0.2
7:22
-0.4
6:48
6:18
24
Thu
2:15
2.3
2:19
2.1
8:01
0.4
8:32
-0.4
6:47
6:19
25
Fri
3:27
2.2
3:32
2.1
9:12
0.4
9:42
-0.4
6:46
6:20
26
Sat
4:37
2.3
4:46
2.2
10:20
0.3
10:48
-0.5
6:45
6:20
27
Sun
5:41
2.5
5:51
2.4
11:22
0.1
11:47
-0.7
6:44
6:21
28
Mon
6:37
2.6
6:49
2.6
12:18
-0.2
6:43
6:21
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
Moon
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february 2022
Palm beach county 11
LAKE okeechobee
D
espite a very high-water level, which is a threat to the entire lake ecosystem, the Big “O” is still churning out large catches of bass daily. Highwater periods are tolerable around Lake Okeechobee, but only briefly. When the water is allowed to stay at a higher than the normal level for extended periods of time, it puts the native vegetation, primarily Kissimmee Grass, at great peril. Kissimmee grass made a tremendous comeback during the extremely low water periods that occurred 10 or 12 years ago but is gradually disappearing in many spots around the outer band of the lake due to high water. Were the water allowed to travel south as it is meant to, it would not be a problem. But since the Army Corps of Engineers deems it necessary for the overage of water in the lake to be released into the Caloosahatchee River, the level of the lake can’t be lowered efficiently enough to allow the lake and its vegetation to prosper and continue to grow. A simple spillway in the south end would solve the problem for both coasts and the health of the premiere bass fishery in the U.S. Those anglers using wild shiners are catching big numbers of bass, as are some of the more proficient artificial bait anglers. The number of trophy-sized fish in the 7- to 10-pound range being caught is much higher for live bait anglers using wild shiners and is on par with the last 4 to 5 years. Warm stable weather has allowed the water temperatures to stay in the 60s to low 70s, which has kept the fish feeding daily. There have been a few days when the bite has been slower but overall, it has been a very productive winter up to this date.
Fishing Forecast by Capt. Nate Shellen
Anglers unfamiliar with shiner fishing are sometimes convinced that using live bait other than live wild golden shiners is effective. It is true that pit shiners or domestic shiners will catch fish, but nowhere near as successfully as wild shiners. If you are going to spend your time and money shiner fishing, make sure that your shiners are wild shiners. They have an innate sense of fear when around bass, which triggers reactionary strikes from fish like nothing you have seen before, whereas domestic or pit shiners do not possess that fear factor and are not nearly as hearty or lively. Live wild shiners can be purchased from numerous places around the north end of the lake for $20 to $22 per dozen. You can purchase them on the South end of Lake O at Okeechobee Fishing Headquarters. The hot spots around the lake currently are many. The outside edges of grassy island are producing bass on senkos and chatter baits. Tin House Cove is holding fish both inside the grass line and on the outside edges and a topwater bait worked slowly around the cover edges will draw strikes early. Horse Island is holding fish in and around the trails that cut through the Kissimmee Grass making it a productive area to fish when the wind is too strong to fish the outside edge. The Buckhead Ridge area is holding loads of bass in the thick cover areas, eelgrass and hydrilla abound in this area. Look for spots where several kinds of native cover merge often–it will create a bass hot spot. During this time of year, a black 10-inch worm or a black/blue senko worked slowly through the cover will get you all the bites you can stand, patience and determination are key.
on the range
T
Tip 1. Be up front and truthful. If you are just looking, that's fine, but tell us that. Know how much you want to spend. Everyone has a budget. Let us know what it is. Don’t say "oh just let me see something", then we show you something that costs $1,100 and you almost pass out and say, "I can't afford that, I was thinking in the $300 to $400 neighborhood". Tip 2. Do some research. If you are a first-time buyer, take a lesson first. Have an idea of what you are doing and what you want. There can be 200 different handguns in display cases, just like there can be 200 cars on a lot. You have an idea of what you want when you go car shopping, do the same when you walk into a gun shop. This will save everyone some time.
12 PALM BEACH COUNTY
february 2022
Capt. Nate Shellen Shellen Guide Service (863) 357-0892 sjmike7@aol.com www.OkeechobeeBassFishing.com
by Chuck Papp
his is going to help a few folks out there. Some of us like to read reviews people leave online about their gun buying experiences. There are good ones and bad ones. Remember, there are always three sides to every story. I have been in this business for almost 25 years, and I believe that your experience has a lot to do with how you interact with the employee of the shop. Here are some tips for the first-time gun buyer, or the seasoned buyer.
The famous denied box on the ATF form 4473.
Chris Thibodeau and his girlfriend Amy came down for some fun, sun, and fishing! Both ended up catching their biggest bass with Okeechobeebassfishing.com and FellsmereResevoirBassFishing.com.
Tip 3. If you ask for "our" help after we spend an hour with you, don't say "well my friend told me to buy this, or my son who is a cop said this
is what I want"; if that's the case, then buy it. Evidently, they know more than us. Tip 4. Good guns aren't cheap and cheap guns aren't good. Tip 5. Don't bring 5 of your friends to help you if you are the only one buying. One is fine if you need "support", the other 4 will just confuse everyone including us. Tip 6. Know your background and if you can even pass a background check. Don't act surprised when we tell you that you didn't pass. Tip 7. The "Discount Dan". If we can discount the price we will, if we can't then we can't. Not all retailers buy firearms at the same cost. Big box stores order tractor trailers full of one item so they may offer a better price on that item then the small shop. You will probably be dealing with an unexperienced 18-year-old kid as well. Same for online, yes it may be cheaper, but you will be missing out on the knowledge and experience from a salesperson in a good shop. These are just some of the "tips" that I can pass onto you when you go into a gun shop to make a purchase or look around. Just because you read a negative or one star review about a business does not mean that what they are saying was the truth.
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
ECO ToURISM
M
anatees are one of Florida’s most recognizable animals and are common throughout much of the state. But that hasn’t always been the case - manatee protections in Florida date back as far as the 1890s and were initially centered around hunting. There’s no solid evidence about Florida’s manatee population in the early 1900s. But it’s clear their population decreased dramatically as our peoplepopulation exploded. By the mid-1960s it was obvious manatees were in deep trouble, with only a few hundred known to exist in the wild. They were added to the endangered species list in 1967 and are still protected under US and Florida law. Since 1967, manatee protection has evolved to include complicated boating restrictions along waterways that manatees frequent. Some are seasonal, others are year-round. And although manatees were down-listed to threatened in 2017, many of those manatee zones are still in place. The down-listing was controversial, and it remains so today. Population surveys showed more than 7,500 manatees in Florida in 2017. And although numbers have recovered dramatically since their low point 50+ years ago, many people feel regulators were premature to change manatees’ endangered status.
Marking its sixth anniversary since opening in 2016, Manatee Lagoon – An FPL Eco-Discovery Center® is hosting its sixth annual ManateeFest.
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Manatee Lagoon hosts first-ever hybrid ManateeFest celebration with free family fun, in-person and online
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They may well be proven correct. Florida manatee deaths skyrocketed in 2021, especially along the east coast of the state. Boat strikes have historically been a major cause of manatee deaths here in Florida, including Palm Beach County. But what’s driving manatee deaths now isn’t boat strikes - it’s starvation. Manatees eat mainly seagrass, which has very few calories. They need to eat a LOT - adults will eat 100+ pounds per day just to maintain their shapely curves! But they can only eat what’s available. Researchers say large portions of the Indian River Lagoon have lost 90% of its seagrass in recent years. The reasons are complex and not entirely understood, but poor water quality over many years is thought to be a major factor. 20 years ago, I went with good friends to fish some seagrass meadows around Stuart and on up to Titusville. 10 years ago, we went back, and things looked pretty sparse. In 2020, the once lush meadows were gone. Mother Nature is resilient but even she can only take so much. The State of Florida has just started an emergency pilot program to help feed starving manatees in the central Indian River Lagoon. It’s a small-scale test and time will tell if it’s successful - let’s hope so. Time will also tell if it will need to be introduced elsewhere in the state - let’s hope not. Manatees are resourceful survivors who have been around for millions of years. Endangered, threatened, or whatever label you want to use, they’re going to continue to need our help to survive. If you see a manatee that doesn’t look right - injured, lethargic, super skinny, or worse - please take a minute to call FWC’s Wildlife Chris Thalmann - Owner Hotline at 888-404-3922. Aqua Adventure Tours, Inc. Thanks, and hope to see you on 561-635-6899 the water!
ManateeFest Celebration
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by Chris Thalmann
M
anateeFest 2022 will celebrate the iconic marine mammals, whose primary food source, seagrass, has been compromised due to algal blooms in various waterways. Experts and family-friendly programs will be presented throughout the day educating visitors on the importance of protecting manatees and what we can all do to help. For the first time ever, ManateeFest will be a hybrid event, where visitors can be inspired by beloved sea cows, explore the wonders of Lake Worth Lagoon, and learn about environmental conservation either live in-person or virtually online. The free, family-friendly event will offer a large variety of activities, including conservationthemed vendors, environmental booths and live music. In-person attendees will enjoy a KidsFunZone featuring a beach cleanup and Recycling Relay Race, a Conservation Pledge station, photo opportunities with Mia the Manatee and special friends, marine life face painting, educational Coastal Chats, arts and craft vendors, environmental exhibitors and much more. The fun doesn’t stop there – in addition to an interactive photo booth and a downloadable coloring sheet, online ManateeFest guests will have the unique opportunity to virtually visit local small businesses by clicking through a virtual storefront from 8 a.m. on Saturday, March 26 through midnight on Sunday, March 27. They will also have a chance to win prizes by playing an online trivia game. COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
WHEN:
Saturday, March 26, 2022 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
WHERE:
Online at www.VisitManateeLagoon.com/ ManateeFest In-person at Manatee Lagoon – An FPL Eco Discovery Center® 6000 N. Flagler Drive, West Palm Beach, FL 33407 february 2022
Palm beach county 13
CONTinued from SAILFISH DERBY >> off the Palm Beaches. The all-too-familiar warm winters don’t always make for productive days offshore, but temperatures dropped into the low 60’s that morning. This was a pleasant sign for what was to come. The crisp morning saw surprising north west wind, originally forecasted to be dead west. Still, helium balloons on the kites were paired with lighter leaders for lackadaisical sailfish feeding in the calm seas. Capt. Luke Davis and the 42’ Freeman, Off Course, posted an impressive 7 releases Day 1 to win Top Daily Boat. Similar to their competitive colleagues on Gator One, the Off Course posted just one more fish on Day 2. They would finish Second Place Overall with 8 total releases. The Derby’s hallmark is its great ties to early billfish conservation and participants continue to support this strong conservation ethic to ensure their fishery stays healthy for many years to come. Off Course also took the time to tag 6 of their sailfish, finishing as the Top Tag Team as well. The 2nd and final day of the Derby would produce 24 less fish than the previous day, as the fleet recorded 59 sails. The docks of Sailfish Marina on Singer Island were calm that morning. A west wind again alluded to slick seas for tournament boats. The Gratiot Beach, a 60’ Hatteras, recorded 5 releases Day 1. This strong start had the crew headed into the final day with high hopes. These expectations would quickly be met with an interesting start as they encountered engine troubles right at the start of fishing Day 2. With a slow drift they still deployed baits and hooked a double on the flat lines. Successfully landing one of those put Gratiot Beach in position to finish Fourth Place Overall in the tournament. The Goombay Smash/Remix, a quad outboard 42’ Invincible, pushed to the edge of the northern boundary in their high-powered vessel after checking out of Palm Beach Inlet each morning. They picked their spot and stuck to it both days. Capt. Nick Carullo bested the fleet Day 2 with 5 releases to claim Top Daily Boat. The crew’s tournament accolades would not stop there. They left no room for mistakes and their focus was sharp, making the most of each shot as the bites trickled in. Not only did they stick with their fishing spot, but they came to play with their usual crew. Consistency really was key when it came down to where they fished and
who they fished with this year. Adding to their 5 releases from Day 1, the Goombay Smash/Remix totaled 10 releases atop the 50 boat fleet. The crew (Capt. Nick Carullo, Nicholas Vidal, JC Cleare, Jorge Corzo, Alex De Izaguirre, Matt Martinez, Paul Bruno, and Jason Spiewak) claimed their spot in the sailfishing history books as the winners of the 85th annual Silver Sailfish Derby. Capt. John Gambino and the Floridita took Top Small Boat honors with 2 releases aboard their 33.6’ Grady White center console. The heaviest meat fish was really impressive in the 2022 Derby. When you spend time on the water, and have baits ready to deploy, there’s a chance you might come across something special. Angler Connor Barry aboard the 39’ Contender, Goin’ Raptor, fed a fish close to the boat. It was a 49.62 pound cobia that that placed as the Top Meat Fish. The Top Lady Angler trophy is sponsored by the Hampp Family of New Jersey in memory of Rose Hampp, who won the honor in the 1957 Derby along with many other awards throughout her accomplished angling career. Rebecca Patterson of Malvern, PA was awarded the trophy releasing 4 sailfish aboard the 68’ Michael Rybovich the Lady Rebecca. This award is always highly coveted. Many of these lady anglers have proven they’re just as skilled tangling with sailfish on 20 pound test line as any other crew member who might grab the rod. Not to be outdone by Rebecca, another lady angler made waves in the 2022 Derby. Thirteen-year-old, Myla Alligood, was named Top Junior Angler. She released 2 sailfish aboard the 76’ Viking, Just Chillin. The WPBFC puts a strong emphasis on engaging the next generation of anglers and keeping kids excited about fishing. The award was extra special this year because Myla’s father Matt was captaining the boat. The Silver Sailfish Derby, is produced by the West Palm Beach Fishing Club and continues to be the organization’s marquee event. The WPBFC is proud to host this tournament that represents an important part of its region’s unique identity. Tom ‘Buzz’ Bzura Managing Director West Palm Beach Fishing Club
CONTinued from fishing the moment >>
Fishing in the moment. Occasionally, do the exact opposite of what experience has taught you. Fish will surprise you. Three of the five fish caught that day were caught doing the opposite of commonsense rules that I had learned and applied in this very same area. It yielded a beautiful result!
Outside the box Necessity is the mother of invention and the same applies to fishing. So many times, we are forced outside our comfort zone or point of reference and when we embrace the path forward good things can happen. I was reminded of this recently while looking for fresh live bait for an afternoon’s outing of peacock bass fishing. The tackle shop was out so I checked the frozen bait section and found some pilchards. I know they’re primarily used in salt water, but mahi love them so why not? I caught my largest peacock of the prior three weeks that trip on a dead pilchard and they lit them up! So much for salt vs freshwater bait and live vs frozen. I took this lesson with me to the salt next time I went mahi fishing and couldn’t find live pilchards. I took two dozen freshwater shiners. Guess what – when pitching to schoolies they stayed alive just long enough for the mahi to eat them! Lesson learned. I’ve since used this same technique for snook in the salt, pitching freshwater shiners to hungry fish. Do not fall prey to experience mandating how you interpret the signs. We were fishing a busy Saturday out of Palm Beach Inlet when a school of skipjack tuna appeared. The fish were busting everywhere and the boats around me quickly pursued and began casting franticly to the fast-moving fish. I sat for a moment and watched. Something was different – what? These fish were not moving in an organized fashion chasing their quarry. They were busting the water in every direction. Frantically trying to clear the surface – they were not the hunters this day. They were being hunted! 14 PALM BEACH COUNTY
february 2022
A pair of school sized mahi that fell for live freshwater shiners!
I quickly reached into the livewell for a twelve-inch blue runner. I always keep one jumbo bait and a sturdy standup outfit on board for just this occasion -- when a large predator arrives on the scene looking to feed. Five minutes into the drift our stand-up rod doubled over, and the reel began to scream — big fish on! When after an hours long battle that dragged us miles offshore, she finally came broadside, I was happy to release a still very healthy and ticked off estimated four hundred-pound Florida blue marlin! Was this luck or being prepared to make the unforeseen adjustments that
lead to success? Before heading out I always have an alternate plan and associated gear for when your target species is just not cooperating. Being able to make quick adjustments and having a “plan-b” can often save an otherwise nonproductive day and sometimes lead to the catch of a lifetime. If you cannot make adjustments, most times you will go home emptyhanded. Guaranteed. Fishing in real life rarely meets expected results. Very rarely do you have that one day where everything goes your way. You must make adjustments and learn to fish in the moment. Mark Ambert / Author Avid outdoorsman, sportswriter, and photographer. Follow me on Instagram @marksgonefishing or contact me at marksgonefishing25@gmail.com Gear Used: Coastal Fishing Company https://www.coastalfishing.com/
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h c a e B Palm B O A G A R R D B Victoria Beller with
a beautiful yellow jac
k in Key West.
in this awesome Zavier Montes reeled ngo. redfish in Flami
Mason Beller and a big permit caught in Key West.
Get social & tag us in your photos! @ facebook.com/ CoastalAnglerPalmBeach
Jax with a goliath grouper on a trip to Chokoloskee.
Bragging is good! Send us your catch photos with details: Who, When, Where, With What, etc. to Ilene@CoastalAnglerMagazine.com
8 year old Kiani from Boynton Beach caught this delicious mahi.
Get the latest news and updates!
@ coastalanglermagpalmbeach
carp landed this big grass Felipe Sparber, (14) ad at Lake Wellington. bre on a small piece of Emily Hanzlik with
inch snook on 15lb. mono Kerry Mayko of Lantana caught this 42 Boynton Beach Inlet. the of north just et with a live mull
Get social & tag us in your photos! @ facebook.com/ CoastalAnglerPalmBeach
a beautiful sailfish!
Anthony & Dominic on Lak e Wellington with some nice bass.
Bragging is good! Send us your catch photos with details: Who, When, Where, With What, etc. to Ilene@CoastalAnglerMagazine.com
Get the latest news and updates!
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By Capt. Quinlyn Haddon
Fishing the bay side may not even be a second choice this month, with the abundance of cobia, snapper, mackerel and the other usual suspects that frequent our shallow-water wrecks. However, if the weather allows, fishing the Atlantic side is advisable. Snapper and amberjack are a viable option, while being near an excellent pelagic fishery. Wahoo and king mackerel will be cruising the reef, along with sailfish, tuna and the occasional mahi. Mahi may be few and far between in February, but they will likely be much larger than summer schoolies. On the reef, incredible tailing conditions occur this time of year, which pushes migrating species to the surface. Once in a lifetime sightings can be had, but the most notable species affected by this anomaly is sailfish. On days like these, we target sailfish by cruising waves along the reef and looking for fish swimming on the surface. Sailfish appear black in the water, and on sunny days you can see them several waves ahead, leaving ample time to set up a pitch bait for sight casting. In the beginning of winter, when sailfish season begins on the reef, ballyhoo are extremely abundant, and the challenge is to get the fish to choose your bait out of the rest. This time of year, when bait is more scarce, your bug-eyed, red-nosed bait might actually have a chance at coming across as appealing to these hungry travelers. Tailing conditions in Marathon are caused by an east wind that opposes the current of the Gulf Stream. Migrating fish are traveling against the current, and heavy wind creates waves that push in the direction they are going. By swimming on the surface, to the point where their tails even breach, they use the force of the wind to surf the waves. It gives them a little break. It is a breathtaking experience to see these fish with such clarity, as if they are in a rolling aquarium. For obvious reasons, this type of fishing requires some heart to brave the he coldest month of the year may shut off a lot of fisheries around waves, and possibly some Dramamine. If you are prone to seasickness, take the country, but the Florida Keys thrive throughout the month of Dramamine the night before. This allows time for it to get into your system February. and eliminates the uncomfortable drowsiness that occurs from taking it the While the Keys are not immune to seasonal cold fronts, the temperatures morning of your trip. remain significantly higher than the rest of the country and provide the Capt. Quinlyn Haddon, of Blue Magic Charters, can be reached at versatility of being able to duck onto the bay side if waters on the Atlantic (504) 920-6342. Check out her social media: @captainquinlyn. side get too sporty.
SIGHT FISHING
Sailfish
IN TAILING CONDITIONS
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FLORIDA 15
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TYLER WOOLCOTT
I
n the South, bass are making their transition to prepare for the spawn. This time of year can present an awesome opportunity, with large groups of fish ready to feed before they head to the shallows to do their business. One of the best ways to catch bass is to locate a large group of feeding fish with electronics and put them in the boat. This time of year is my favorite time to do it. Bass group up, stage on certain things in a little bit deeper water near spawning areas and feed heavily. This scenario presents some very fun fishing days! The first thing you need is a fish finding unit with side-scan capabilities and a little bit of patience. Finding the perfect spot sometimes isn’t easy, but when you do find it, it can be extremely rewarding. The first step is to identify a general area in a lake where bass will eventually go to spawn. After that, you want to look for a transition area with structure that bass will stage on and feed before they
JUNE 20202022 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM FEBRUARY COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
move up to spawn. For most of the country, a transition area can be anything from deeper water with structure, points, or even deep banks leading near the spawning grounds. Here in Florida, we look for submerged grass clumps or edges, brushpiles, and even shell bars in a bit deeper water near spawning areas. This habitat provides bass with an ambush point to feed heavily and an easy route to spawning grounds when they are ready. Side scan is very helpful in for finding these things, as you can see the bottom 150 feet or more on each side of your boat at idle speeds. This allows you to cover a ton of water and eliminate a lot of the guesswork. With some trial and error, you can actually see fish with this technology as well! I know this technology is expensive and takes some time to learn and understand. However, if you can get your hands on it and learn how to us it, your understanding of where these fish move, live, and feed will grow exponentially. The best way to learn is to get out on the water and find that special area for yourself. Content and video on the Internet helps if you get stuck in a technological bind or aren’t quite sure what you are seeing on your screen. You can always reach out to me on social media with questions. I’d love to help in any way I can. Tyler Woolcott is a professional tournament angler and guide. Check out his website at www.tylerwoolcottfishing.com.
TIPS FROM A PRO
TIPS FROM A PRO
UTILIZING ELECTRONICS TO FIND GROUPS OF PRE-SPAWN BASS
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UTILIZING ELECTRONICS TO FIND GROUPS OF PRE-SPAWN BASS
SEAWALL EROSION CONTROL I TYLER WOOLCOTT
n the South, bass are making their transition to prepare for the spawn. This time of year can present an awesome opportunity, with large groups of fish ready to feed before they head to the shallows to do their business. One of the best ways to catch bass is to locate a large group of feeding fish with electronics and put them in the boat. This time of year is my favorite time to do it. Bass group up, stage on certain things in a little bit deeper water near spawning areas and feed heavily. This scenario presents some very fun fishing days! The first thing you need is a fish finding unit with side-scan capabilities and a little bit of patience. Finding the perfect spot sometimes isn’t easy, but when you do find it, it can be extremely rewarding. SAFE FOR THE The first step is to identify a general area in a lake where bass ENVIRONMENT will eventually go to spawn. After that, you want to look for a transition area with structure that bass will stage on and feed before Our Polyurethane they move up to spawn. For most Fills voids of the country, a transition area can Seals cracks Strengthens soilsbe anything from deeper water with structure, points, or even deep banks leading near the spawning grounds. Here in Florida, we look for submerged grass clumps or edges, brushpiles, and even shell bars in a bit deeper water near spawning areas. This habitat Free Estimates Competitive Pricing provides bass with anofambush Free 2nd Opinions Serving All Floridapoint to feed heavily and an easy route to spawning grounds when they are ready. Side scan is very helpful in for finding these things, as you can see the bottom 150 feet or more on each side of your boat at idle speeds. This allows you to cover a ton of water and eliminate a lot of the guesswork. With some trial and error, you can actually see fish with this technology as well! I know this technology is expensive and takes some time to learn and understand. However, if you can get your hands on it and learn how to us it, your understanding of where these fish move, live, and feed will grow exponentially. The best way to learn is to get out on the water and find that special area for yourself. Content and video on the Internet helps if you get stuck in a technological bind or aren’t quite sure what you are seeing on your screen. You can always reach out to me on social media with questions. I’d love to help in any way I can.
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By Richard Matteson
Cool Water, Hot Surf Fishing
F
ebruary is one of the coolest months for surf fishing, and it’s one of the best for cool-water fish. Mackerel, jack, bluefish and ladyfish are coolwater fish that are very active this month. February is also one of the best months for table fare like large pompano, whiting and croaker. The schooling predator fish mentioned above are active chasing bait in the morning around daybreak and in the evening. They are shallow in the morning around the first breakers and running the trough, a deep cut along the shoreline under the closest breakers. Any shiny, fast-moving lure will produce strikes. I prefer small crocodile-style spoons (1-ounce) in the morning, a shallow-running crankbait, if there are no weeds, or small jigs (4-inch pearl white with a 3/8-ounce chartreuse jig head). Schooling mackerel and bluefish will cut your line, so use a heavy 40-pound mono or fluoro leader tied onto braid. Whether it’s early morning or not, you need to find bait to be successful. Look for birds feeding. On any beach, there will usually be some schools of bait. They might be 100 yards away or a half a mile. Walk the beach and look for dark spots in the water and small splashes on top. Although birds will be feeding on large schools of bait, they may not see smaller schools. Make long search casts past the bait and use a fast, steady retrieve to pull the lure through the bait. The action can be fast and furious as long as you are around bait and feeding fish. All the cool-water predator fish will take live bait and cut bait. Greenies and live shrimp work as well as cut ladyfish and frozen shrimp. If it gets cold, try beach fishing with waders. Numbers of pompano have been reported along many of the beach accesses in the Treasure Coast area, including Bathtub Beach and Middle Cove up to the Ft. Pierce Inlet. February is one of the best months for large 3- to 5-pound pompano. Pompano beach fishing is an art in itself and requires longer fishing rods as well as triple rigs baited with sand fleas or FishBites (red or pink). One of the easiest ways to catch pompano is to fish the lagoon bridges (Jensen Beach Causeway/Stuart Bridge if you are in Martin county) with pompano jigs (pink) on moving tides. The whiting bite has been very good this winter with small pieces of frozen shrimp. Cast just past the shoreline breakers. When fishing live or cut bait on the beach, make sure you reel in pompano or whiting fast or your fish might be shark bait. The best table-fare beaches have deeper water. The best times are when high tide is moving in or out. The weeds have been much better on the beach and the water is clear. Richard Matteson is a long-time contributor to Coastal Angler Magazine who reports from the Stuart Rod and Reel Club. Contact him at (336) 414-3440.
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CATCH SMALLMOUTHS IN THE MOUNTAINS OF NORTH CAROLINA
H
By Capt. James McManus
ere in the western North Carolina mountains, we get a lot of visitors. Snowbirds are what we call people who come here from up north to enjoy our milder climate. One snowbird most fishermen cherish is the smallmouth bass. We are at the southern end of their natural range, and almost all of our watersheds contain some. Smallies have characteristics that endear them to anglers. They are aggressive, eat year-round, grow to respectable size and when hooked spend as much time out of the water as in.
You can find these beauties in most of our sizeable rivers. River fish seem to be more active in summer. I think it’s linked to terrestrial food items being more available. Floating area rivers like the Tuckasegee, Little Tennessee, Hiwassee and French Broad will keep you in fish regardless of your preferred method. For fly guys, any minnow or crawdad imitation will draw strikes, and in warmer weather nymphs and hoppers get their attention. Poppers and sliders can be lots of fun, just remember river smallies tend to be smaller than their lake buds. I spend more time chasing lake fish. There is less competition from other anglers, and average size is much better. Winter and early spring are the best seasons, in my opinion, only because the females are chock-full of eggs. It is when we catch our largest fish of the year. Many methods produce, and I throw a lot of jigs and jerkbaits. Lake fish have a variety of forage, so anything resembling threadfin shad, blueback herring or crawdads fits their menu. Dropshot, Shaky head and wacky-rigged worms all catch fish. Average depth for smallies year-round is 45 feet, or so. However, our clear mountain lakes allow them to identify prey up on the surface. Don’t shy from throwing topwater just because you mark fish deep. Especially when they are feeding up pre- and postspawn, you’ll find smallmouths on rock or gravel, where they love to eat little lobsters. They also suspend in open water to chase shad, but this is more of a warm-water behavior. On Lake Fontana, my home lake, we troll a good bit, and it’s not unusual to find them suspended at 45 feet over 200 feet of water. I should note that while we still have good smallmouth fishing, invasive spotted bass have forced their way into smallie enclaves. For this reason, we never kill a smallmouth. If you like to eat fish, take all the spotted bass you want; they are better eating anyway. Smallies and spots use the same spawning areas and hybridize. While not good genetically, it produces a fish that has that hybrid vigor, hence the name “meanmouth.” Markings and coloration make the smallmouth one of the prettiest of all fish. We should try hard to preserve them so our kids have the thrill of fighting one of the gamest fish around. Captain James McManus owns 153 charters out of Sylva, N.C. Call him at (828) 421-8125. James fishing McManus/Instagram.
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RUN LONG. RUN CLEAN. RUN STRONG.
Don’t drink and drive. Always wear a USCG-Approved life jacket and read your owner’s manual. Suzuki, the Suzuki “S” ECSTAR and Suzuki model and product names are Suzuki trademarks or ®. © 2021 Suzuki Marine USA, LLC.
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C-HAWK & MITZI SKIFF: DEPENDABLE SIMPLICITY
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here’s a certain type of boater who values simplicity and functionality over flashiness. Most anglers fall into this category. A simple boat comes with less hassle, allowing you to spend more time on the water. Two brands that fit right into this niche for dependability and easy boating are C-Hawk and Mitzi Skiff. Across the product lines for both boats, a no-nonsense reputation has developed a considerable following among people who would rather fish than look at their boats. No trailer queens here! “We build a keep-it-simple-stupid boat. If you want something you can soft scrub at the end of the day and put it away, you’re my guy,” said Brad Grubbs, the owner and manufacturer of C-Hawk and Mitzi Skiff. “We set out to make boats that are affordable to operate and affordable to own, and the philosophy has worked.” C-Hawk, which has been around since the mid-1970s, offers lines of 16’ to 29’ center consoles and 22’ to 29’ sport cabins that were originallyw developed for commercial applications. C-Hawks remain widely used commercially, and many recreational boaters also see the value in a vessel
H that’s built to take a beating. “Really, we just took a commercial-duty boat and put a little lipstick on it,” Grubbs said. “The boat is as tough as it ever was. It’s been the same boat for nearly 50 years.” Mitzi Skiffs were designed for a specific purpose, yet the same philosophy applies. When the first Mitzi was designed in the mid-1990s, the concept was simple. There was nothing on the market with the shallow draft, clean layout and quiet maneuverability needed for fly fishing the flats. Those ideas propel the company today. Almost 30 years later, Mitzi’s line of 15’, 16’ and 17’ skiffs achieve those purposes exceptionally well, and they are inexpensive to own and operate. With the original design and continuing innovation, Mitzi Skiffs are flats boats other boat builders imitate. C-Hawk and Mitzi Skiff boats are available exclusively through select dealers. Contact your local dealer to find out how they can be rigged out to fit your style of fishing.
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For more on Mitzi Skiffs, go to www.mitziskiffs.com. For more on C-Hawk, go to chawkboats.net.
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WHEN FISHING SHALLOWS, YOU NEED A REEL WITH A REPUTATION THAT RUNS DEEP.
Packed with more fish stopping features than ever before, the PENN ® Slammer ® IV takes a tradition of excellence to a whole new level. An 8+1 sealed stainless steel bearing system with Hydrophobic Line Roller Bearing makes the reel as smooth as it is tough. The Slammer IV drag system was upgraded to provide wider range. And the reel body and spool are now even more perfectly sealed. Just like the fate of the fish. PENN. LET THE BATTLE BEGIN.
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