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INSHORE TACTICS

TRANSITION TO SPRING

A FISHING KAYAK!

PHOTO CREDIT: PATRICK “TUPAT” EICHSTAEDTO IG: @THEREALTUPAT / YOUTUBE: TUPAT'S FISHING ADVENTURES

VOLUME 26 • ISSUE 313

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FISHING FROM A PADDLEBOARD:

TUPAT’S TIPS By Nick Carter

THINK AHEAD: Unless your board is staked out or tied off, it is going to move. It blows with the wind and drifts with the tide. Even small fish will tow a board during a fight. Tupat constantly considers these factors and comes up with a plan before making a cast. Sometimes, finding wind-shade in the lee of landscape is necessary to fish. Other times, the wind or tide can be used to set up drifts. When you do hook up, you must adapt to the situation. “It’s spur of the moment to decide what you have to do to land the fish.” Tupat said. “You have to use your common sense.” If you’re in open water, it’s possible to play a fish out. The board serves as a secondary drag system in this situation. In shallow water and tight confines, it sometimes makes sense to step off the board and battle a fish on foot. In other situations, it can be necessary to hold the rod in one hand and paddle with the other to find a more advantageous place to land large fish.

F TUPAT.

Check out Tupat’s Hawaiian Poke Sauce at www. tupats.com, his Youtube fishing show Tupat’s Fishing Adventures and his Instagram feeds @therealtupat and @tupatshawaiian.

URTESY O

board that will float your weight. From there: “You’ve got to develop a core balance and become one with the motions of paddling and fishing and how the board reacts to your movements,” said Tupat. He fishes an 11-foot-long, 36-inch-wide, 5-inch-thick Pau Hana Big EZ Angler. He said it’s stable, yet maneuverable, and called it the ultimate fishing board. Rigging is a matter of preference, but generally “less is more on a paddleboard,” said Tupat. A cooler placed on the middle of the board is a seat and fishbox. Aft of that, a milk crate with zip-tied sections of PVC pipe serves as a rod holder and carry-all. Tupat keeps a softsided, rectangular wet/dry bag in front of him on the deck. This is where he keeps tackle, tools and anything he’ll need quick access to. “I’ve tried attachments and all that crap, and all it’s done is get in my way,” he said. “I need it to be as simple as possible to put me in the best position to catch fish.” STEALTH: The ability to sneak up on fish in shallow water is the primary advantage of a paddleboard. A paddle or any other gear banging on the deck alerts fish to your presence. Tupat said knowing where your paddle is and having a secure place to put it quickly is imperative. You should have a plan for your paddle. Tupat sets his on that soft-sided wet/dry bag, where it is secure and will not bang on the deck.

PHOTOS CO

atrick “Tupat” Eichstaedt has been mucking around in backwater creeks as long as he can remember. He grew up just north of Florida’s famous Mosquito Lagoon, in Bethune Beach, where the Indian River is a labyrinth of saltwater creeks and channels that snake between mangrove islands. Tupat is a surfer, angler and an entrepreneur, and recently life brought him home to Bethune Beach, where his passion for fishing from a standup paddleboard (SUP) re-ignited in a big way. “The things a board allows me to see and do is incomparable to being in a boat,” he said. “It puts me as close to Mother Nature and the fish as I can get. I can get to places you wouldn’t dream of in a boat, and the stealth lets me observe fish at a much deeper level.” Casting from an SUP for big snook, trout and redfish is not, however, something you just pick up and go do well. It’s a melding of sports, and Tupat’s surfing background gifted him with an awareness of how a board handles in the water. Anyone can spend the day SUP fishing and catch some fish. Getting good at it requires time on the water to learn the intricacies of the sport. Here are some tips from Tupat: SETUP: Fishing from an SUP requires confidence in the board and competence on it. Before you hit the water, it’s wise to research and find a stable

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IGFA Tweaks Electric Reel Rules W ith the skyrocketing popularity of daytime swordfishing and following on the heels of some spectacularly large swordfish caught in the last few years, the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) has tweaked its rules on electric reels. Effective immediately, anglers will be allowed limited use of power-driven reels and remain eligible for IGFA records. According to an IGFA press release, new language in its rules clarify accepted and nonaccepted uses of electric reels. New rules do not allow for fighting fish with the aid electric reels. Of note is a requirement that power accessories must be removable and may not be attached to a reel during deployment of baits or at any time during fishing, except to retrieve baits all the way to the boat. This function is almost necessary in daytime swordfishing, which requires anglers to commonly drop and retrieve baits deeper, sometimes much deeper than 1,000 feet. The old and new language read as follows: IGFA International Angling Rules: Section E. Reel PREVIOUS RULE: 2. Power-driven reels of any kind are prohibited. This includes motor, hydraulic, or electrically driven reels, and any device that gives the angler an unfair advantage in fighting the fish.

NEW RULE: 2. Power- driven reels are acceptable under the following situation and configuration. a) Reels that have power accessories (e.g., electric drill attachments, motors or other power accessories specifically designed for a reel) that can be physically removed from the reel may be used strictly for the purpose of retrieving a deployed bait or lure at depth all the way to the boat. b) Power accessories may only be used to retrieve a bait or lure completely to the boat and are not permitted for adjusting the position of a bait or lure in the water column. Once a power accessory is attached to the reel, the bait or lure may no longer be legally used to catch a fish and the bait or lure must be retrieved all the way to the boat for manual redeployment before it may be legally used to hook or catch a fish. Power accessories may not be attached to the reel during the deployment of a bait or lure. c) Power accessories must be physically removed from the reel before the act of hooking and/or fighting a fish. Any fish that strikes a bait or lure being fished with a reel with power accessories still attached—whether or not under electric operation—will not be eligible for record consideration. d) Electric reels that do not have removable electronic components that allow them to be completely manually driven are prohibited.

“Changes to the IGFA’s International Angling Rules are always something we handle with the utmost care,” said IGFA President Jason Schratwieser. “This rule in particular has been a point of contention for years, and we are pleased to announce this new language that we strongly feel adapts IGFA rules to the technology of our time, while not jeopardizing the core principles of IGFA ethics.” For more information, see igfa.org.

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APRIL 2021

NATIONAL 9

2/25/21 12:17 PM

By TAM Staff

LIFE ON THE TRAIL WITH

KRISTINE FISCHER

hose familiar with kayak bass tournaments have likely heard the name Kristine Fischer. She’s a driven angler from Weeping Water, Nebraska, who dropped out of the rat race a few years ago to hit the road and fish kayak tournaments. Since 2017, she’s proven she’s a lot more than just a breath of fresh air in a male-dominated sport. Fischer has amassed a strong resume from top national tournament trails like KBF, Hobie B.O.S. and B.A.S.S. In 81 tournaments, she’s tallied five firstplace victories and fished her way to top-10 finishes 27 times. Along the way, she’s picked up major sponsors like Tincup Whiskey, Hobie Fishing, Z-Man, PLANO, Hobie Eyewear, AFTCO, Omnia, CalCoast Fishing, Dakota Lithium batteries and Torqeedo. These sponsorships allow her to make a living as a professional kayak angler. And while she doesn’t deny her blonde hair and big smile have helped, the 33-year-old said it also drives her to build on her reputation as one of the fiercest competitors on the circuit. Here’s a little Q&A with Kristine Fischer:

Q: What led you to become a professional kayak angler? KF: My biggest fear has always been leading a life that lacked purpose and didn’t allow me to grow as a person. I’ve always craved adventure in some capacity and fully believe in the importance of submersing yourself in the wilderness as often as possible. To me, routines and having everything planned out can become mundane and almost robs us of spontaneity and ability to live in the moment. Being a full-time angler was a natural fit, given my love for fishing and my competitive nature. 10 NATIONAL

APRIL 2021

I mean, the family camping trips etched on your mind are the ones when gale-force winds destroyed the camp and raccoons stole the last bag of marshmallows. Life is what you make of it, whether it is on the road or at the end of a cul-de-sac. It’s all about your disposition.

Q: What’s the lifestyle on the road? KF: The Internet has a funny way of romanticizing road life. In reality, it’s hardly romantic. Replace sunsets wrapped in fuzzy blankets and barefoot nights by the fire with lights strung in the trees and drone shots of the RV rolling down a picturesque Route 66 with flat tires. Living on the road is 10-second cold showers, eating cans of gas-station beef ravioli with your fingers and praying you get to the next gas station before the truck runs out of fuel. It’s wrapping up a tournament in the Carolinas, knowing you’ve got one day to make it to west Texas. It’s utter chaos. Something always seems to go wrong at the most inconvenient time. It’s little sleep, a gas-station diet and pushing yourself to the limits in every capacity. Despite all that, there’s something about the road that lights my soul. I’ve always found the most joy in those moments of chaos. The best memories are made when everything goes south.

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Q: Tell us about being a successful woman in a male-dominated industry. KF: Successful women in fishing are a rarity, and therefore it’s much easier to get noticed. That fact has never sat well with me. I’m the type of person who needs to know I’m absolutely earning opportunities and that they aren’t coming to me simply because I’m a female with a big smile and blonde hair. I wanted to be recognized as a talented angler who is capable of winning any tournament on any given day. I set my sights on that. The sport is inundated with people who pose as anglers to take advantage of the industry. I’ve had to work to overcome negative stereotypes associated with women in the sport. Over the years, it’s gotten easier. The ability to record my tournaments has helped prove that I’m the “real deal.” Q: What are your goals for the 2021 season and into the future? KF: I’m gunning for AOY in the Hobie series, and I want to make “The TEN” for KBF. Future goals: qualifying for the Bassmaster Elites certainly has lingered on my mind. It’s a lofty goal, but I always appreciate a good challenge. Keep up with Kristine Fischer and her life on the tournament trail at her YouTube channel and through Facebook @kristinefischerfishing and Instagram @midwestfishergal.

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he International Rod Building Challenge pits some of the world’s very best custom rod builders and designers against each other in a competition that considers creativity, craftsmanship and functionality. The 2021 Challenge, hosted by American Tackle Company, featured many entries from throughout the United States, Germany, Indonesia, Canada and Portugal. For the competition, rod builders were presented a mystery American Tackle Mark Crouse took first place in the Bushido blank to build their 2021 International Rod Building creation; everything else Challenge for his stunning was left up to the builder custom spinning rod. for creativity, design and craftsmanship. Each builder showcased their version of a highly ornate yet functional fishing rod in hopes of capturing the coveted 2021 title. The entries submitted featured both spinning and casting rod configurations including one spinning/fly convertable design. The judging panel was comprised of 10 noted fishing and rod-building professionals with extensive diversity of experience in rod manufacturing and custom rod building, as well as noted anglers and editors of wellcirculated fishing media. Each judge scored to a list of criteria ranging from design, theme, functionality and craftsmanship in 11 categories. Judges spent hours carefully grading the top-10 rods for the final results. In the end, Mark Crouse was declared the winner, taking first place in one of the tightest races this competition has ever seen. Mark’s entry in the 2021 challenge featured custom-created acrylic grips, a custom fabricated/machined highly polished aluminum reel seat/ handle trim, custom-fabricated extendable rear handle grip and impressive ultra-smooth epoxy finish over finely detailed thread work. His entry was designed into a spinning rod configuration utilizing the titanium version MicroWave Guide Line Control System for better balancing and enhanced performance. Mark is no stranger to winning rod-building competitions. He has been a true craftsman in rod building for many decades. His rod beat out Wade Christensen and Mark Blabaum, who earned second and third in the competition respectively. To view more of the entries, visit www.coastalanglermag.com/rod-build. For more information, go to www.americantackle.us.

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Seasonal Closure Implemented at Western Dry Rocks

n a move widely supported by conservation groups, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved a total fishing closure in a 1-square-mile area at Western Dry Rocks from April through July for the next seven years. Western Dry Rocks is an area of reef and rock about 10 miles southwest of Key West that hosts large spawning aggregations of permit and various snapper and grouper species each year. Its proximity to Key West and the dependable nature of the fishery make it a popular spot for charter captains and private anglers in search of bountiful half-day trips. The intent of the closure is to protect populations of several important recreational species by allowing them to spawn unmolested by anglers. Fisheries managers had been considering a two-month, May-June, annual closure prior to the February FWC meeting, after which the four-month closure was announced. Permit, yellowtail snapper, mutton snapper and gray snapper are all known to aggregate at Western Dry Rocks from April through July. Other species, such as black, Nassau and gag groupers, aggregate at Western Dry Rocks during the cooler months, and they are already protected by seasonal bag limits. These spawning aggregations, along with the

6 FLORIDA

APRIL 2021

swirling currents that sweep past Western Dry Rocks are thought to play a role in the distribution of fish eggs and larvae throughout the Florida Keys and up the Atlantic coast of southern Florida. Bonefish & Tarpon Trust (BTT) has conducted tagging studies, which show permit from throughout the Lower Keys attend the annual aggregation at Western Dry Rocks. BTT is one of the organizations that pushed for the longer closure. They were joined in support of the April through July prohibition by American Sportfishing Association, Coastal Conservation Association, Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, International Game Fish Association, Lower Keys Guides Association, Wild Oceans and Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation. Doubtless there are private anglers and fishing guides who are upset by the move. FWC data shows angler effort absolutely centers on known aggregation areas. It’s worth noting that permit harvest is already closed throughout the Keys from April through July. BTT, however, has studies that show up to 39 percent of permit hooked at Western Dry Rocks were eaten by sharks before they made it to the boat. “Looking at this from a conservation standpoint, staff has done a really good job of

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threading the needle,” said FWC Commissioner Robert Spottswood. “For some, it may be too short of a season and, for others, too long, but this seasonal closure is an investment in continued healthy and robust fisheries in the Keys and south Florida.” Starting April 1, 2021, all fishing is prohibited from April through July in a 1-square-mile area near Western Dry Rocks. The Commission adopted a 7-year sunset provision, which ensures FWC can revisit the closure. This closure area is bounded by:

• • • •

24°26.217’N, 81°57.007’W 24°25.676’N, 81°57.002’W 24°25.686’N, 81°55.489’W 24°26.227’N, 81°55.493’W

Learn more about Western Dry Rocks at MyFWC.com/Marine by clicking on “Recreational Regulations” and “Western Dry Rocks.”

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By Capt. Quinlyn Haddon

Are Back! S

ome of the best eating fish in the ocean are back on the menu, and they’re here to stay throughout the summer. Blackfin tuna have already moved back in on the Gulf Coast in the Tampa area, and they should start becoming a regular visitor on offshore and nearshore trips. We might not have as many blackfin as they do down in the Keys, but what we do have are of the jumbo variety. They produce some respectable-sized steaks. While blackfin aren’t overly common in this area, they are also not impossible to target. You might also find yourself catching them as bycatch while fishing wrecks with live bait. If you happen to hook one up by accident, keep chumming to keep the school on you, and keep sending out lines rigged the same way as the one that was already hit. Do not be afraid to have multiple hookups going at a time. Sometimes the bite will come in hot and leave just as quickly. Catch as many as you can while they are eating. While dropping over hard bottom offshore, always make sure to have at least one flat line set up out the back. Utilizing light mono and a small hook, cast a live bait behind the boat. Greenbacks, cigar minnows, small grunts and pinfish all work well. Occasionally open the bail to send out a little more line, so the bait has an opportunity to swim more naturally, faster, and get further down in the water column. This is especially effective at enticing a bite when the bait is acting nervous. Make sure your drag is set very loose, and don’t do anything fancy until the fish eats the bait and begins pulling drag. If anything, when you’re fishing larger baits, you can open the bail and let the fish really eat before coming tight. You should be burning a chum block, but also make sure to occasionally toss out a few live baits as chummers, especially when one of your flat-line baits seems to be getting nervous. As we move into summer, this exact same method will catch wahoo and sailfish, without you having to change any of your rigs or bait. Alternatively, you might stumble across diving birds above a disturbance on the water. Keep your eyes peeled for the telltale flying football shapes, indicative of tuna. Sometimes it might just be a school

8 FLORIDA

APRIL 2021

of bonita, but often tuna and bonita will run with each other, so don’t get discouraged too quickly. Make sure to have a plan and discuss it with your crew in case you do happen to run over a school while heading offshore. Whether you have a rod with a popper on it for casting, a trolling rod rigged and ready or a rod set up for a pitch bait, make sure everyone else knows what the game plan is so you don’t miss out. Blackfin often surface briefly, and you have to be ready to capitalize on it before they dive back down. Happy hunting, and don’t forget to treat your tuna fillets like steak. Cut them on a clean table and pat the meat dry if necessary, but never rinse it with freshwater. Capt. Quinlyn Haddon fishes out of St. Petersburg, Fla. Call her at 504-920-6342 and check her out on Instagram @CaptainQuinlyn.

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FLORIDA 11

MUD HOLE AND CCA BAG OYSTERS FOR INDIAN RIVER LAGOON

n February, volunteers from Mud Hole Custom Tackle, the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) Florida and several other organizations bagged more than 15,000 pounds of recycled oyster shells to create oyster habitats in the Indian River Lagoon. Mud Hole provided 25 volunteers for the Marine Discovery Center’s Shuck and Share initiative at New Smyrna Beach. “Conserving our ecosystems and fisheries is extremely important to Mud Hole Custom Tackle,” said Scott Gimbert, Mud Hole Vice President and avid angler. “We are excited to work with CCA on a variety of restoration initiatives—and with our headquarters in Oviedo, Florida, this one hits close to home.” Mud Hole supports a number of community programs to protect natural resources and bring angling and rod-building knowledge to youth through the education system. For the Shuck and Share initiative, volunteers from every Mud Hole department jumped in and got dirty assembling 515 oyster gabions from oyster shells donated by Central Florida restaurants. “Having the Mud Hole Team here at the Marine Discovery Center was a huge help,” said Brian Gorski, CCA Florida’s Executive Director. “We have a great partnership and share a devotion to the environment, and today was a great example of how we can all work together to protect our natural resources and our fisheries.” Along with supporting the Shuck and Share program, CCA and Mud Hole partner on a number of other initiatives, including Release the East—an Indian River Lagoon redfish restocking program—and CCA’s annual banquet and silent auction. For more information, visit www.mudhole.com.

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Serving the Coastal Communities of Palm Beach County

Target: Blackﬁn Tuna By Mark Ambert Contributing Writer

It’s that time of the year again here in Florida where the blackfin tuna (BFT) come charging through, making the day for many an angler! These hard fighting “footballs” are extremely strong swimmers and will give the angler the fight of a lifetime. Not only that, they are one of the tastiest fish for the table and can be prepared sashimi or sushi style for the best meal. Here’s an overview on some tried-and-true methods to connect with these mighty speedsters. April and May are the best months to target these fish as they speed their way up the southeast coastline. They will frequently target the deeper side of the ledges and reefs that frequent Florida’s coastline. Most can be found in 140’ to 280’ of water. I like the early morning hours as tuna can be both light and boat shy. During a full moon cycle the bite can turn off quickly as the fish have been feeding most of the night. These fish have a dark top with a bronze stripe and big eyes. They commonly range from 5 to 20 pounds with the occasional 30 pounder blowing up your bait! Live bait is best for bigger tuna. I prefer goggles or goggle eyes. Commonly used for sails, these can be caught or bought locally but can be expensive – they are well worth the effort to have on hand. I like a medium class spinning outfit when targeting tuna with live baits. My personal spinning outfit is a 7’6” custom rod designed specific for live bait fishing, particularly from a center console. This rod has the power to stop most anything that swims or you’re likely to encounter here off the northeast coastline. These custom rods have an extended rear-grip as well as an extended foregrip which facilitates

Larger BFT prefer live bait!

maneuvering big fish around the bow or stern of a boat. I’m collaborating with Coastal Fishing Company on a new series of rods called the Enthusiast Series™ that perfectly meets these requirements – stay tuned. The rod is in pre-production for a late summer release. For a reel I use the Penn Spinfisher VI LL. This reel is spooled with 500 yards of 40lb PowerPro braid then topped off with 250 yards of 30lb Ande Monster Mono. I use a 6’ 50lb fluorocarbon leader tied to a 6/0 or 7/0 VMC circle hook. As an insurance policy against toothy critters, I sometimes use a 6” section of 45lb Surflon nylon coated leader in camo secured with a size 4 crimp to a VMC circle hook and a quality 150lb barrel swivel on the other end. Surflon is a soft coated wire material that doesn’t seem to put off leader shy fish like tuna. PRO TIP - when targeting tuna, don’t be caught by surprise when a bull mahi, sailfish or even a toothy critter like wahoo or kingfish crash your bait. It’s that time of the year so be prepared! You don’t want to lose that fish of a lifetime not having enough line or stopping power, hence the bigger setup detailed here. I recently landed a 400lb blue marlin on a similar outfit which crashed the bait put out for tuna! Florida is notorious for spring surprises. Once on my target area, I set up for the drift. I use a sea anchor to control both speed and direction. I put out three live baits to cover the water column in the following pattern. First bait out long – at least 150 to 200 yards and usually from the bow. You need to go long as tuna can sometimes be boat shy. The bait is rubber banded or hooked thru the upper lip and with no weight. You can use a float if needed to keep the bait closer to the surface as goggles tend to dive for the bottom. Second bait is in the middle and with just enough weight to get down to the level where you are marking fish or bait balls. If no bait or fish are present, I usually drop between 45’ and 65’ down as tuna will get progressively light shy as the day progresses. I use a barrel weight secured above the leader and swivel (see picture). Use a plastic bead to prevent chafing against the knot. You want to have the middle bait always weighted to prevent the baits from seeing each other and swimming together. The third line goes out from the stern and is also unweighted and free swimming. Deploy this one half the distance of the bow bait - say 75 to 100 yards. Keep a close eye on all baits and keep the lines from crossing. Tangled baits don’t catch fish! PRO TIP – I always keep a spin rod deployed next to the parachute / sea anchor with a squid or frozen sardine. Oftentimes a school of mahi will come in to investigate the chute and pick up the bait! Nothing tastes better than fresh caught BFT. Catching these speedsters will quickly become an addiction and now is the time to get on the water and make it happen here in Florida!

APRIL 2021

If fish had wings and could fly – meet the blackfin tuna!

VMC 6/0 circle hook to 6” Surflon leader to 6’ 50lb Fluoro leader. Weight is on the mainline above the leader.

A trip around the transom is easily handled with the extended rear grip of the Coastal Fishing Company ES-704.

Mark Ambert – Avid outdoorsman, sportswriter & photographer Coastal Fishing Company www. coastalfishing.com Follow me on Instagram @ marksgonefishing or contact me at marksgonefishing@gmail.com for collaboration

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

FISHINGFORECAST FISHING WITH DARCIZZLE By Darcie Arahill Contributing Writer

Daylight savings time is in full effect this month so be sure to take advantage of the extra sunlight we have in the late afternoons! We should have delightful springtime weather; winds will be blowing out of the E/SE majority of the time. Offshore, when we have an easterly wind blowing, the pelagics will be pushed closer to shore looking for bait stacking up along rips/edges. Trolling artificial and dead bait between 175-300’ will produce dolphin, bonito, blackfin tuna and the occasional wahoo. Bonitos and blackfins show up again in our waters this month. When targeting blackfins, you can troll small feathers and daisy chains. TIP: Be sure to set your spread as far away from your boat as possible. Let the line out until you think it’s far enough and then let the line out some more! Blackfins are spooked easily by the roar of your engine, so fish wisely. Blackfins also feed in lowlight conditions and love small live bait. Try chumming with cut sardines to bring these fish to your boat. A lot of cobia should be caught this month as well, primarily in 90-150’ of water. Cobia are hanging around the wrecks and following the sharks. Throw out a chum bag to bring hungry fish to your boat. Drift back dead sardines on a triple hook rig or a cobia jig. If you do get tight on a fish using this method, reel as fast as possible to keep your catch away from the sharks. When fishing the deep water wrecks, jigging will produce big amberjacks, pompano, bonito, and mutton snapper. The bottom fish also love to eat live bait such as pilchards, threadfins, and goggle eyes.

Slot dock snook on live shrimp.

Inshore, this is the month to catch yourself a big snook! This time of year, snook will start to invade the bridges and inlets and will eat just about anything thrown at them. At night, fish the bridges with Flair Hawk jigs, large swimbaits or topwater lures. The live bait of choice this month will be mullet and croaker if you can find them. Fish the bridges, inlets, and seawalls at first light or at night during the beginning of the outgoing tide or the last of the incoming tide. Tarpon will be showing up around the Palm Beach Inlet and mangrove areas feeding on crabs and bait fish. The best bait for targeting the silver king will be live mullet. Ask me questions about fishing & see my recent FISHING VIDEOS on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/darcizzleoffshore

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APR. 2021

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APR. 2021

PALM BEACH COUNTY 3

BOCA RATON - TIDE CHART

FISHINGFORECAST PALM BEACH IN & OFFSHORE

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 4/01 4/02 4/03 4/04 4/05 4/06 4/07 4/08 4/09 4/10 4/11 4/12 4/13 4/14 4/15 4/16 4/17 4/18 4/19 4/20 4/21 4/22 4/23 4/24 4/25 4/26 4/27 4/28 4/29 4/30

Day 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 Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri

Time 12:44 AM 01:37 AM 02:33 AM 03:32 AM 04:36 AM 05:42 AM 12:25 AM 01:26 AM 02:21 AM 03:10 AM 03:54 AM 04:34 AM 05:11 AM 05:47 AM 12:06 AM 12:43 AM 01:21 AM 02:03 AM 02:51 AM 03:43 AM 04:41 AM 05:40 AM 12:25 AM 01:28 AM 02:28 AM 03:25 AM 04:19 AM 05:11 AM 06:02 AM 12:29 AM

Hgt 2.74H 2.65H 2.53H 2.41H 2.32H 2.27H 0.23L 0.23L 0.22L 0.20L 0.20L 0.22L 0.25L 0.30L 2.45H 2.41H 2.37H 2.33H 2.29H 2.27H 2.27H 2.29H 0.19L 0.14L 0.08L 0.04L 0.03L 0.06L 0.11L 2.76H

Time 07:09 AM 08:02 AM 08:58 AM 09:58 AM 11:00 AM 12:03 PM 06:43 AM 07:36 AM 08:24 AM 09:06 AM 09:45 AM 10:21 AM 10:56 AM 11:31 AM 06:24 AM 07:02 AM 07:42 AM 08:27 AM 09:17 AM 10:10 AM 11:08 AM 12:06 PM 06:38 AM 07:32 AM 08:23 AM 09:13 AM 10:01 AM 10:51 AM 11:41 AM 06:55 AM

Hgt 0.14L 0.26L 0.36L 0.44L 0.47L 0.46L 2.27H 2.29H 2.31H 2.31H 2.30H 2.27H 2.22H 2.17H 0.35L 0.41L 0.46L 0.49L 0.51L 0.50L 0.45L 0.36L 2.33H 2.38H 2.42H 2.44H 2.43H 2.40H 2.34H 0.19L

Time 12:50 PM 1:41 PM 2:37 PM 3:40 PM 4:49 PM 5:59 PM 1:04 PM 1:59 PM 2:48 PM 3:30 PM 4:08 PM 4:44 PM 5:17 PM 5:51 PM 12:06 PM 12:42 PM 1:22 PM 2:06 PM 2:56 PM 3:55 PM 4:59 PM 6:04 PM 1:04 PM 2:00 PM 2:53 PM 3:44 PM 4:33 PM 5:23 PM 6:14 PM 12:33 PM

Hgt 2.35H 2.25H 2.15H 2.08H 2.04H 2.07H 0.40L 0.30L 0.21L 0.13L 0.08L 0.07L 0.07L 0.10L 2.12H 2.07H 2.03H 2.01H 2.00H 2.01H 2.07H 2.18H 0.22L 0.06L -0.10L -0.22L -0.29L -0.30L -0.25L 2.27H

Time 7:24 PM 8:18 PM 9:16 PM 10:17 PM 11:21 PM

Hgt -0.17L -0.07L 0.04L 0.13L 0.20L

7:04 PM 8:00 PM 8:50 PM 9:34 PM 10:15 PM 10:53 PM 11:30 PM

2.14 H 2.24H 2.33H 2.41H 2.46H 2.48 H 2.47H

6:25 PM 7:02 PM 7:43 PM 8:29 PM 9:22 PM 10:20 PM 11:22 PM

0.14L 0.17 L 0.20L 0.22L 0.24L 0.24L 0.22L

7:07 PM 8:05 PM 9:00 PM 9:53 PM 10:45 PM 11:37 PM

2.34H 2.52H 2.68H 2.79H 2.84H 2.83H

7:06 PM

-0.15L

By Capt. Weston Russell Contributing Writer

Last April brought epic dolphin fishing. Fish in the 50lb. class were caught from Miami to Stuart. I’m not sure if we will see that flood of fish this April, but I’m going to be ready. The key to timing is information. If you know an angler in the Keys or Miami, stay connected for a daily fishing report. These guys will see the dolphin migration first. If the south is catching, you better be ready to head out. “But I have to work” you say... I say, “I’m taking a sick day!” April is a hot month for blackfin tuna. The best bites will be early morning or late evening. Trolling is a great method to catch them, but the big ones eat live bait. Need live bait? VHF 68. There will also be a chance for kingfish, cobia, and snapper. If you’re targeting cobia, look for bull sharks. Stud cobia will be riding the backs of sharks this time of year. Pull in a shark and you may get a surprise. Fat muttons will be active this For you inshore anglers, tarpon month. will be at the top of the list. Run the beach to find the schools. Small bait fish work best, sardines or threadfin are my choice. You may stumble across some jack schools too. There will be some big boys lurking along the seashore looking for something to eat. These fish will be in the 30 to 40lb. class, so be ready for a fight. Well, good luck and tight lines my friends! Captain Weston Russell 561-310-2690 www.reelintensefishing.com

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FISHINGFORECAST SOUTH COUNTY INSHORE & FRESHWATER

Laura, Dustin, and Captain Pat with a solid cuda.

By Capt. Patrick Smith Contributing Writer

Unlike this time last year, Palm Beach County and South Florida is open for business. The boat ramps, parks, the water – everything is good to go and there is plenty to take advantage of. We should be seeing all kinds of bait start to trickle in from pilchards and sardines to glass minnows and mullet. To me that means it is time to start hunting snook and big tarpon. I usually will stick to throwing artificials and flies mainly along the beach, but if I can get my hands on some mullet then I will most likely stay inside fishing channels and sea walls. This can be a great time of the year to throw a topwater for the first couple hours of the morning, there is not much better than watching a giant jack or snook absolutely crush a plug as it comes down a sea wall. Some great lures for this are Zara Spooks, Mike got his D.O.A. Bait Busters, and I really like the Hydro fill of tarpon Pencils by Yo-Zuri. fishing. Lake Ida, Lake Osborne, and Lake Clarke will all be producing ridiculous numbers of peacock bass as their first spawn is over and they will be ready to eat. Topwaters in the morning and evening. The Yo-Zuri 3D Prop or small Spook are both great choices. The rest of the day I tend to fish jerk bait and twitch baits around docks and sea walls. Obviously, a live bait such as a shiner or shad will keep you hooked up all day too. Do not be scared to try out some new areas. The Loxahatchee Wildlife Refuge has a couple of nice boat ramps and some great bass fishing with exceptional topwater action this month.

Matt from Long Island with a beast of a jack.

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 4/01 4/02 4/03 4/04 4/05 4/06 4/07 4/08 4/09 4/10 4/11 4/12 4/13 4/14 4/15 4/16 4/17 4/18 4/19 4/20 4/21 4/22 4/23 4/24 4/25 4/26 4/27 4/28 4/29 4/30

Day 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 Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri

Time 01:10 AM 02:03 AM 03:02 AM 04:06 AM 05:14 AM 12:38 AM 01:41 AM 02:37 AM 03:25 AM 04:09 AM 04:49 AM 05:26 AM 06:02 AM 06:37 AM 12:24 AM 01:01 AM 01:41 AM 02:26 AM 03:17 AM 04:15 AM 05:17 AM 12:37 AM 01:38 AM 02:33 AM 03:26 AM 04:16 AM 05:05 AM 05:55 AM 12:02 AM 12:53 AM

Hgt 2.97H 2.81H 2.63H 2.48H 2.38H 0.05L 0.06L 0.04L 0.02L 0.01L 0.02L 0.05L 0.11L 0.19L 2.57H 2.47H 2.37H 2.26H 2.19H 2.16H 2.19H 0.27L 0.15L 0.02L -0.11L -0.21L -0.25L -0.23L 3.18H 3.07H

6 PALM BEACH COUNTY

Time 07:55 AM 08:50 AM 09:51 AM 10:59 AM 12:09 PM 06:22 AM 07:22 AM 08:14 AM 08:58 AM 09:37 AM 10:13 AM 10:47 AM 11:20 AM 11:53 AM 07:11 AM 07:46 AM 08:23 AM 09:07 AM 10:02 AM 11:07 AM 12:13 PM 06:18 AM 07:15 AM 08:07 AM 08:56 AM 09:44 AM 10:32 AM 11:21 AM 06:46 AM 07:39 AM

Hgt -0.13L 0.05L 0.23L 0.35L 0.39L 2.36H 2.41H 2.47H 2.52H 2.56H 2.56H 2.54H 2.49H 2.43H 0.29L 0.40L 0.51L 0.61L 0.67L 0.67L 0.56L 2.29H 2.43H 2.59H 2.74H 2.85H 2.92H 2.92H -0.16L -0.03L

APR. 2021

Time 1:19 PM 2:13 PM 3:13 PM 4:19 PM 5:31 PM 1:15 PM 2:13 PM 3:03 PM 3:47 PM 4:27 PM 5:04 PM 5:39 PM 6:13 PM 6:46 PM 12:27 PM 1:03 PM 1:42 PM 2:26 PM 3:20 PM 4:24 PM 5:34 PM 1:13 PM 2:07 PM 2:58 PM 3:46 PM 4:35 PM 5:23 PM 6:13 PM 12:11 PM 1:03 PM

Hgt 2.70H 2.56H 2.41H 2.29H 2.25H 0.34L 0.23L 0.11L -0.00L -0.09L -0.15L -0.16L -0.13L -0.07L 2.34H 2.25H 2.15H 2.07H 2.02H 2.03H 2.12H 0.37L 0.11L -0.17L -0.42L -0.62L -0.72L -0.73L 2.87H 2.76H

Time 8:16 PM 9:15 PM 10:19 PM 11:29 PM

Hgt -0.53L -0.35L -0.16L -0.02L

6:41 PM 7:42 PM 8:35 PM 9:20 PM 10:00 PM 10:37 PM 11:13 PM 11:48 PM

2.29H 2.38H 2.49H 2.58H 2.65H 2.68H 2.68H 2.64H

7:20 PM 7:56 PM 8:36 PM 9:25 PM 10:24 PM 11:31 PM

0.01 L 0.11L 0.20L 0.29L 0.34L 0.34L

6:41 PM 7:42 PM 8:38 PM 9:30 PM 10:21 PM 11:11 PM

2.29H 2.53H 2.78H 3.00 H 3.15H 3.21H

7:05 PM 8:00 PM

-0.64L -0.47L

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

Capt. Patrick Smith www.swamptosea.com • 561-503-0848

ECOTOURISM: The Great Blue Heron By Capt. Chris Thalmann Contributing Writer Sea turtle nesting season started March 1st in Florida. Here in Palm Beach County, early season is all about the leatherbacks. Leatherback sea turtles are by far the largest of the three species of sea turtles that commonly call our beaches home. Averaging about 6 feet long and weighing up to 1500 pounds in Florida, it’s easy to distinguish a leatherback from a loggerhead or green sea turtle just by size. Loggerheads and greens are much smaller, averaging “only” about 3 feet long and 300 pounds. In addition to being larger than any other sea turtle species, leatherbacks look very different too. They’re the only sea turtle that does not have a shell made up of scales or scutes. Instead - and true to their name - leatherbacks have a leathery-looking outer shell with a series of ridges that extend lengthwise. Leatherbacks are usually an inky-blue-black or very dark-grey color, with white, pink, and blue splotches along their bodies. The skin and shells of all species of sea turtles are multicolored and very striking, but no other sea turtle sports this combination of colors. One very special attribute of leatherbacks is that they’re much less affected by cold temperatures than other sea turtles. All turtles are reptiles, which means that they cannot regulate their own body temperature. When cold weather arrives, reptiles will often become lethargic and will move into sunny patches to stay warm during daytime. This is why you’ll see alligators sunning on canal and lake banks, and iguanas soaking up the sun on drawbridge fenders during cool spells. If they don’t warm themselves, they won’t have the energy to move, defend themselves, or eat. Cold water doesn’t seem to be an issue for leatherbacks. It’s thought that their leathery shell and thick fat layers are better insulators than the hard keratin shells of other sea turtles. And their massive size may contribute as well - larger muscles generate more heat inside that huge shell, allowing the turtles to stay warmer than the surrounding waters. That’s a rare and pretty handy skill to have. Especially as a cold-blooded animal whose range includes the Pacific and Atlantic, as far north as Alaska and the Canadian Maritimes, and as deep as 4,000 feet! All the more impressive is that leatherbacks primary food source is jellyfish - not exactly the most nutritious snack in the sea! Adult leatherbacks eat hundreds of pounds of jellyfish each day just to survive. So, while leatherback nests comprise a small fraction of the roughly 40,000 sea turtle nests that were recorded in Palm Beach County in 2019 and 2020, they play a huge role in our ecosystem, helping to keep jellyfish numbers under control here and worldwide. If you’re lucky enough to see one in the wild, enjoy the rare sighting! Then let it continue on as the world’s most unusual sea turtle. Hope to see you on the water! Captain Chris Thalmann Owner | Aqua Adventure Tours, Inc. • aquaadventuretours.com

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

561.721.5249

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

APR. 2021

PALM BEACH COUNTY 7

FISHINGFORECAST

Zach with his first sailfish.

KAYAK FISHING

By Brian Nelli Contributing Writer INSHORE: Our spring glass minnows have showed up in good numbers and expect the spring mullet run to be here soon. The Jupiter area will have some good snook and jack crevalle action. Use large mullet for the big girls and smaller baits like D.O.A. Jerk Baits will pick up the under slot snook and smaller jacks. A great place to launch the kayak is in Jonathan Dickinson State Park. This launch will give you access to the upper part as well as the lower part of the Loxahatchee River. April also brings tripletail into our river system. Look to target crab trap buoys and channel markers with live shrimp to bring in these tasty fish. OFFSHORE: April is one of the best months of the year! Big kingfish will start to make their way up the coast. Tuna and mahi should also be starting to show up in full force. Pilchards and goggle eyes will be your best live bait options for this time of year. Vertical jigging 230-350 feet will also produce blackfin tuna and bonita. There are many public beaches to launch your kayak throughout Palm Beach County. The fishing grounds off our coast are anywhere from 1-3 miles. Look to work the normal 90-200 foot depths while trolling your lures or live bait.

Jeremy with hands full of peacock bass.

FRESHWATER: Peacock bass and clown knifefish will continue to be on the feed. Live shiners will always be the best bet, but grab a few baitfish style lures as well. Fishing grass lines and structure will be the most productive areas.

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

JR.ANGLER My Fishing Adventures

PORT WPB - TIDE CHART

By Christopher Sprague Jr. Angler-Team Tuppens, Contributing Writer Hello Anglers, I hope you all have been catching a lot of fish! I fished the OAPB fishing tournament out of Pompano recently. For this tournament, we were privileged enough to fish in the 41 Solace. This boat is amazing- it is fast, comfortable, and offers an amazing ride. The seas were pretty rough, around 4 feet, and we were flying at the start of the tournament. We were comfortably going a little over 40 miles per hour for a while. Once we got to our spot off Jupiter, we set our baits and hoped for the best. We didn’t get any bites for a long time, but after a few hours we finally got one. We got it to the boat easily and were sad to see that it was a tiny kingfish that didn’t even weigh 10 pounds. We released it in hopes of it growing up to be a 60 pound kingfish and coming back to us one day. We kept on fishing and got a few more small kings and a nice screaming bite but lost it. Around 2:00, an hour before lines out, we got another screaming bite. We knew it was a good one so immediately pulled the lines up and turned right on the fish to chase it. Jason was on the rod and quickly got it into gaffing distance where Billy stuck it first try, like he always does. We were so happy to see the fish come over the boat and new we had a good chance at winning. Throughout the rest of the day, we could not get any more bites, so we went back to weigh in. Our fish ended up weighing in at 36 pounds which was good for first place!

8 PALM BEACH COUNTY

APR. 2021

PORT OF WEST PALM BEACH, FL Station ID: 8722588 Date 4/01 4/02 4/03 4/04 4/05 4/06 4/07 4/08 4/09 4/10 4/11 4/12 4/13 4/14 4/15 4/16 4/17 4/18 4/19 4/20 4/21 4/22 4/23 4/24 4/25 4/26 4/27 4/28 4/29 4/30

Day 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 Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri

Time 05:48 AM 12:33 AM 01:32 AM 02:36 AM 03:45 AM 04:53 AM 05:53 AM 12:19 AM 01:13 AM 01:59 AM 02:40 AM 03:19 AM 03:57 AM 04:34 AM 05:13 AM 05:53 AM 12:23 AM 01:07 AM 01:56 AM 02:51 AM 03:50 AM 04:47 AM 05:41 AM 12:13 AM 01:09 AM 02:02 AM 02:54 AM 03:46 AM 04:39 AM 05:34 AM

Hgt -0.25L 3.21H 3.04H 2.87H 2.74H 2.68H 2.67H 0.00L -0.02L -0.04L -0.03L -0.00L 0.06L 0.14L 0.25L 0.37L 2.66H 2.58H 2.51H 2.48H 2.51H 2.60H 2.71H -0.10L -0.25L -0.36L -0.41L -0.39L -0.30L -0.16L

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

Time 11:50 AM 06:46 AM 07:48 AM 08:54 AM 10:00 AM 11:04 AM 12:03 PM 06:44 AM 07:29 AM 08:08 AM 08:45 AM 09:21 AM 09:57 AM 10:33 AM 11:10 AM 11:48 AM 06:37 AM 07:25 AM 08:17 AM 09:11 AM 10:05 AM 10:59 AM 11:51 AM 06:31 AM 07:20 AM 08:09 AM 08:58 AM 09:49 AM 10:40 AM 11:34 AM

Hgt 2.72H -0.06L 0.11L 0.23L 0.28L 0.25L 0.17L 2.68H 2.68H 2.67H 2.64H 2.59H 2.52H 2.43H 2.32H 2.21H 0.48L 0.57L 0.60L 0.57L 0.46L 0.27L 0.03L 2.83H 2.93H 2.99H 2.99H 2.94H 2.84H 2.71H

Time 5:59 PM 12:44 PM 1:43 PM 2:51 PM 4:04 PM 5:15 PM 6:15 PM 12:53 PM 1:37 PM 2:15 PM 2:51 PM 3:25 PM 3:59 PM 4:34 PM 5:09 PM 5:47 PM 12:28 PM 1:12 PM 2:04 PM 3:04 PM 4:08 PM 5:10 PM 6:07 PM 12:41 PM 1:30 PM 2:18 PM 3:06 PM 3:55 PM 4:46 PM 5:41 PM

Hgt -0.63L 2.54H 2.36H 2.24H 2.22H 2.28H 2.41H 0.07L -0.04L -0.13L -0.18L -0.19L -0.16L -0.10L -0.01L 0.09L 2.11H 2.03H 2.01H 2.05H 2.19H 2.41H 2.70H -0.24L -0.50L -0.71L -0.82L -0.83L -0.74L -0.57L

Time

Hgt

6:56 PM 7:59 PM 9:05 PM 10:13 PM 11:19 PM

-0.45L -0.27L -0.12L -0.03L 0.01L

7:07 PM 7:52 PM 8:33 PM 9:11 PM 9:49 PM 10:26 PM 11:03 PM 11:42 PM

2.55H 2.67 H 2.77H 2.84H 2.87H 2.86H 2.82H 2.75H

6:29 PM 7:18 PM 8:13 PM 9:12 PM 10:13 PM 11:14 PM

0.17L 0.23L 0.25L 0.23L 0.16L 0.04 L

7:01 PM 7:53 PM 8:45 PM 9:37 PM 10:30 PM 11:23 PM

3.00H 3.27H 3.47H 3.58H 3.58H 3.49H

Swab the Deck? Drop It Off.

April Reminder! Out of Juice? Drop It Off.

Used Batteries

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 • THEANGLERMAG.COM APR. 2021

PALM BEACH COUNTY 9

ENVIRONMENTALANGLER

Say What?! Stupidity and Munyon Island on Lake Worth Lagoon!!! By Keith Lozott Contributing Writer This is a follow up to a previous article I wrote last year, and the story continues to this day and for a long time to follow. I grew up fishing the flats around Munyon Island, it was a time in my life that I cherish. We cut our teeth as young anglers fishing for snook, barracuda, mangrove snapper, jacks, and later in life a few redfish showed up to our surprise. The area is the last pristine grass flat south of Martin County and north of Biscayne Bay in my opinion. I’m sure there are other flats somewhere in between but I haven’t fished them. The premise behind this is that investors bought the land that is now and always has been submerged seabed. The flats are loaded with seagrass of all varieties and are home to numerous species of fish, crabs, shrimp, turtles, and more. Despite the opposition of the neighbors, boaters, anglers, and scientists, they are still pursuing the idea of filling it in and developing it. This type of development is extremely harmful to the ecosystem and not to mention deemed an unsuitable way to develop property. One of the owners without mentioning names seems to own land that is submerged in several places in South Florida and has a propensity to fight the government constantly. Maybe the thought behind this bullying tactic is a ploy to get the government to back down and give due to cost. As a real estate professional for 20+ years, I understand the concept of wanting to develop property and make a profit. This is how Florida came to be what it is today, and we have learned many lessons along the way as a state. Our waterways have suffered serious damage because of development that wasn’t thought through properly. I could list a bunch of examples where poor development caused catastrophic damage to the environment. Lake Okeechobee and the eastwest diversion of water that is supposed to flow south for example. Or the amount of mangroves that have been removed throughout the state and has been a disaster for the health of the waterways, salt-marshes, and flats. What is located on the southeast side of this grass flat that they want to fill in? Mangroves that flood during high tide providing habitat and clean the water that feeds the adjacent grass flats for sensitive marine life that resides there. The question I pose is, have we learned anything from our checkered past or is the fast buck ($$$) more important than what makes this state great? Saltwater fishing is a 9.2 billion dollar industry in Florida (2018-2019 FWC) and impacts our economy more than just another development. If we pave the estuaries, we will kill our economy put simply. People move here for the water, pristine beaches, and the way of life we have. If we get rid of it, you fill in the blanks!!! To be continued… Keith Lozott The Fishing Realtor 10 PALM BEACH COUNTY

APR. 2021

Belle Glade’s annual Black Gold Jubilee is a much anticipated festival born from the 1976 Bi-Centennial celebration, which was sponsored by the City of Belle Glade in commemoration of our great nations’ 200th birthday. The year following that memorable celebration, a group of citizens organized a similar festival hoping to imitate its success; however, the focus of the celebration would shift to the area’s rich soil, nicknamed “Black Gold” for its ability to produce bountiful harvests year after year. In 1978, the first official Black Gold Jubilee kicked off in McDonald Park, next to the old Belle Glade Branch Library, now the Lawrence E. Will Museum. Since that time, the Jubilee has grown to be the best attended festival in the area, drawing residents and visitors from across South Florida. Head out to Torry Island for a full day of fun, food, and entertainment. The variety of food ranges from Cajun to Mexican, and from down home barbecue to seafood. The child friendly atmosphere brings families out for a day of free games and kid’s rides while the adults enjoy local entertainment and music under a covered stage as well as a wide variety of vendor’s wares. In the evening, activities move to the amphitheater stage for musical entertainment from award winning country music singer/songwriter Sara Evans, and NYC-3, who will bring you today’s hits live. Of course this is all followed by the grand finale – a spectacular fireworks display.

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 4/01 4/02 4/03 4/04 4/05 4/06 4/07 4/08 4/09 4/10 4/11 4/12 4/13 4/14 4/15 4/16 4/17 4/18 4/19 4/20 4/21 4/22 4/23 4/24 4/25 4/26 4/27 4/28 4/29 4/30

Day 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 Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri

Time 05:39 AM 12:48 AM 01:47 AM 02:51 AM 03:59 AM 05:07 AM 06:07 AM 12:21 AM 01:09 AM 01:53 AM 02:33 AM 03:10 AM 03:46 AM 04:21 AM 04:55 AM 05:30 AM 12:26 AM 01:11 AM 02:02 AM 03:00 AM 04:02 AM 05:03 AM 06:00 AM 12:17 AM 01:10 AM 02:00 AM 02:49 AM 03:39 AM 04:30 AM 05:23 AM

Hgt -0.17L 2.87H 2.69H 2.52H 2.42H 2.41H 2.45H 0.06L 0.03L 0.01L 0.03L 0.07L 0.14L 0.25L 0.39L 0.53L 2.41H 2.31H 2.23H 2.20H 2.23H 2.33H 2.48H 0.02L -0.15L -0.28L -0.34L -0.31L -0.21L -0.04L

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

Time 12:04 PM 06:34 AM 07:35 AM 08:43 AM 09:53 AM 10:59 AM 11:57 AM 06:59 AM 07:43 AM 08:22 AM 08:58 AM 09:32 AM 10:05 AM 10:38 AM 11:12 AM 11:48 AM 06:07 AM 06:51 AM 07:46 AM 08:51 AM 09:57 AM 10:57 AM 11:51 AM 06:52 AM 07:41 AM 08:29 AM 09:17 AM 10:06 AM 10:56 AM 11:48 AM

Hgt 2.75H 0.07L 0.30L 0.46L 0.51L 0.45L 0.31L 2.52H 2.57H 2.60H 2.61H 2.59H 2.54H 2.47H 2.39H 2.29H 0.68L 0.81L 0.90L 0.89L 0.75L 0.49L 0.15L 2.64H 2.79H 2.90H 2.97H 2.98H 2.92H 2.81H

Time 6:00 PM 12:58 PM 1:58 PM 3:04 PM 4:16 PM 5:26 PM 6:27 PM 12:47 PM 1:31 PM 2:11 PM 2:48 PM 3:23 PM 3:57 PM 4:30 PM 5:04 PM 5:40 PM 12:27 PM 1:11 PM 2:05 PM 3:09 PM 4:19 PM 5:26 PM 6:27 PM 12:42 PM 1:30 PM 2:19 PM 3:07 PM 3:57 PM 4:49 PM 5:44 PM

Hgt -0.70L 2.60H 2.45H 2.34H 2.29H 2.33H 2.43H 0.15L -0.00L -0.12L -0.20L -0.21L -0.18L -0.10L 0.02L 0.14L 2.19H 2.11H 2.06H 2.06H 2.16H 2.34H 2.58H -0.22L -0.56L -0.82L -0.96L -0.97L -0.85L -0.63L

Time

Hgt

6:59 PM 8:03 PM 9:13 PM 10:22 PM 11:25 PM

-0.46L -0.21L -0.03L 0.07L 0.08L

7:20 PM 8:05 PM 8:45 PM 9:22 PM 9:58 PM 10:33 PM 11:09 PM 11:46 PM

2.54H 2.63 H 2.70H 2.73H 2.73H 2.69H 2.62H 2.52 H

6:20 PM 7:09 PM 8:08 PM 9:15 PM 10:21 PM 11:22 PM

0.27L 0.38L 0.46L 0.45L 0.36 L 0.21L

7:23 PM 8:15 PM 9:06 PM 9:56 PM 10:47 PM 11:38 PM

2.83H 3.05H 3.21H 3.27H 3.24H 3.12H

5:30 pm /blackgoldjubilee

DUE TO THE COVID 19 PANDEMIC, FACE MASKS/COVERINGS WILL BE REQUIRED EXCEPT WHEN ACTIVELY EATING OR DRINKING. EVERYONE ENTERING THE EVENT SITE ARE SUBJECT TO TEMPERATURE CHECKS AND ANYONE DISPLAYING SYMPTOMS WILL BE REFUSED ENTRANCE. COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

APR. 2021

PALM BEACH COUNTY 11

FISHINGFORECAST Capt. Craig

Carol with a nice linesider.

JUPITER INLET INSHORE By Craig Korczynski Contributing Writer

Happy spring and Easter! The inshore fishing throughout Palm Beach County offers exciting action, as we receive our spring mullet run along beaches and inshore waters. The snook fishing is fantastic this time of year, targeting docks, sea walls, and mangrove shorelines. Sunrise provides great action with Topwater Rapala Skitter Walk, once the sun rises over head switch to a D.O.A. C.A.L. 3 inch Shad in glow / gold rush belly or D.O.A. 5 inch Swim Bait in Arkansas glow. The sea walls and grass flats are great areas to find snook laid up ambushing bait schools, be sure to stay quiet and look for bait schools or snook crashing baits as signs of life. The tarpon continue to roam our local waters, sunrise and sunset are the best times to target the Chris with a tarpon. D.O.A. Bait Busters in mullet pattern and D.O.A. C.A.L. 4 inch Jerk Baits in green back and barracuda. glow holographic get the silver kings excited. Live baiting for tarpon will get you hooked up too; slow troll baits along mangrove shorelines and drop offs for consistent action. When searching for tarpon look for rolling fish and target deeper holes and channels for best results. The tarpon this time of year typically range in size from 5 to 80 pounds. Anglers looking for steady rod bending action should target the jacks along sea walls and grass flats. The jacks school together, ambushing schools of live bait in their vicinity. Rapala Skitter Walks, X-Raps, and D.O.A. C.A.L. 3 inch Paddle Tails in Sam with a glow and gold rush belly work great for the jacks. redfish caught If artificial lures are not your choice, live mullet, in Jupiter. greenies, and sand perch will also produce action, freeline them with the tide or near any structure. Night fishing is a great option for anglers targeting snook and tarpon. Many anglers prefer live baits and swimming plugs to target dock fish, but fish become very keen to the same baits and patterns anglers use targeting snook and tarpon. Fly fishing is one of the best ways to have double digit numbers of hook ups with these fish. D.O.A. C.A.L. 2 inch Shrimp in glow fantastic on fly rods, small deceivers, and clousers also get anglers hooked up. Quiet presentation is the key to consistent and productive fishing.

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

FISHINGFORECAST JUNO BEACH PIER

Photo Courtesy of the Juno Beach Pier.

By Lauren Eissey, Loggerhead Marinelife Center Contributing Writer

South Florida is known as one of the best spots to fish in April, especially with warmer temperatures gracing the southern hemisphere. Coming this spring, average temperatures will fluctuate between 79.3°F (26.3°C) and 73.8°F (23.2°C). Anglers can expect to enjoy warmer days with light showers throughout the month. Bluefish, found throughout tropical and subtropical waters, will soon be spotted at the Juno Beach Pier (JBP). Anglers looking to catch bluefish should use bait and lures. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) notes that wild-caught bluefish are a smart seafood choice as they are sustainably managed and responsibly harvested under U.S. regulations. Other fish that can be caught at the pier using bait and lures are blue runners and crevalle jacks. When feeding, schools of crevalle jacks corner a pod of baitfish at the surface as these fish mainly feed on small fish. Anglers can identify adult blue runners, both inshore and offshore, by their light-olive to bluish-green color back and silver-gray golden belly. Commonly found near the pier, pompano, are best caught using bait and jigs. Pier experts recommend catching pompano with sand fleas and shrimp. Whereas pier goers can use lures and jigs to catch Spanish mackerel. Anglers can catch up to 15 Spanish mackerel per day per harvest. Atlantic croakers, the smallest of the drum family, are often spotted at the pier during spring months. Expert anglers advise catching these fish with whiting and sand perch as bait. South Florida locals endorse lightly breading and pan-frying the fish. During sea turtle nesting season in Palm Beach County, FL, the Juno Beach Pier adjusts its angling and spectator hours to accommodate nesting and hatching sea turtles. From March 1 through October 31, the pier opens a half hour before sunrise and closes at sunset each day. The pier encourages anglers and spectators to turn to Loggerhead Marinelife Center (LMC) and FWC for best practices regarding sea turtle safety. As part of LMC’s Responsible Pier Initiative, the Juno Beach Pier practices sustainable fishing and recycling. The JBP encourages anglers and spectators to dispose of used monofilament lines in the designated recycling containers and report any accidentally hooked sea turtles. LMC 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 per angler (without gear); $35 per angler with rental gear included. Cost does not include bait. 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 12 PALM BEACH COUNTY

APR. 2021

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PALM BEACH COUNTY 13

FISHINGFORECAST

Rick, Carson, and Preston Stout know how to catch big bass! 9lbs 9oz, 8lbs 3oz, and 8lbs 10oz respectively!

LAKE OKEECHOBEE

By Capt. Nate Shellen Contributing Writer Warm days and nights are a lead-up to great fishing on Lake Okeechobee, as stable weather patterns usher in some of the better catching of the year. Speck (crappie) anglers are having a banner year on Okeechobee. It has been quite a few years since so many large specks have been found in the grassy areas that form the littoral zone of the lake. Kissimmee grass is found surrounding the outside edges of the lake on the north end of the lake and is a prime spot to target and find large, speckled perch when they move in shallow water to spawn. When Kissimmee grass and other native grasses can be found adjacent to one another fishing can go to catching very quickly. Anglers targeting the fish are using small jigs on very thin lines. With the advent of superlines and braid anglers are finding that the tiny diameter and the incredible strength of the line are perfect for fishing in the heavy cover areas of Lake Okeechobee. A large speck can offer quite a challenge when hooked in heavy cover, pulling them through weeds and other cover is challenging due to the very fragile composition of their lips, which can rip or tear easily, freeing a hook and the fish to fight another day. Many times, I have seen the large smile on an angler’s face change to a look of horror as a large speck falls back into the water just as it is about to come over the side of the boat. Bass anglers are finding some days catching large numbers of bass to be tougher this year than it has been in quite some time. The artificially high water levels maintained by the Corps of Engineers are allowing the bass to access the deepest part of the marsh areas where anglers can no longer penetrate due to extreme weed growth. The bite can be a hit or miss affair, one day the fish will be stacked up in an area and eating a spinnerbait or chatter bait and the next day the area will seem devoid of fish. The tried and true Senko in a black and blue color or a watermelon/red color or a fluke in white or watermelon red will always produce fish, it is just a little slower presentation than most people can stand. Working through an area thoroughly before moving on is much more productive to run and gun-style fishing on Okeechobee. Guided shiner trips are producing 25 to 40 fish per morning with big bass in the mix almost daily. Look for the best bass fishing for numbers and big bass around five to seven days prior to and after a full or new moon phase. Capt. Nate Shellen Shellen Guide Service Okeechobee Bass Fishing Guides/Charters (863) 357-0892 • sjmike7@aol.com• OkeechobeeBassFishing.com

ON THE RANGE By Chuck Papp, Contributing Writer Well after the ammo issue comes the next great question; is there going to be some sort of gun legislation this year with the new Biden administration? The answer is simple, maybe. Ever since Bill Clinton, every Democratic administration has tried, without success, to pass new sweeping gun control. That is why the new administration is going to have a tough time. I’m not saying something may not happen, but it might not be as drastic as many think. The one main reason is that the Dem’s want to keep their control. After the last major gun reform, they lost their majority. The bill that was passed was known as the Brady Bill which limited the amount of features that certain weapons could have and limited the magazine capacity of a lot of firearms to only 10 rounds. This was a sunset bill, so after 10 years it expired. President Bush did not sign it back into law, and a big reason was that the FBI said that it did nothing for gun control and it did nothing to curb gun violence. The Biden administration is hinting that they want it back after all the mass shootings which have happened. If something along the lines of the Brady Bill comes back the real issue will be that the prices will surge overnight and never drop back down. A rifle which now costs $1500 will double and triple its value overnight. As soon as you tell people they can’t have something they want it, and they will want it bad. They always mention better background checks, however, there already are background check systems in place in every state. The problem here is when someone does not pass their background check, the ATF along with local law enforcement agencies, never follow up to investigate and see why that individual was attempting a purchase anyhow. Times have also changed, there are more than a few elected Democratic officials who do come from areas that have a large gun culture in their districts. So, it is going to make it even harder in that aspect to get a majority vote along party lines. Right now, we are in a wait and see position. They have been somewhat quiet in their approach on this topic so only time will tell. It is going to be a tough road ahead for them. My best advice is stay vigilant on the topic and if you are looking for a firearm that may be affected in any new legislation, you might want to obtain it sooner rather than later because getting one at an affordable price might be difficult, and the availability may not be there either. 14 PALM BEACH COUNTY

APR. 2021

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D R A O B G A R B Kevin Woods ak a “One Man O ne Rod” with a nice black drum at the Lantana Bridge.

Connor, age 7, caught this fish from Lake Ida with shiners bought at Sandy Hook Bait Shop.

Ray Base caught this 25 in. redfish south of the Boynton Beach Inlet at morning high tide and rough sur f using 1.5oz Krocodile Spoon.

A beautiful big jack caught from the surf by Pete Moccia.

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-beac h COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM APR. 2021 PALM BEACH COUNTY 15

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Author Sarah Walls practices donning and doffing deco bottles near the ocean floor.

about diving: the exploration of the unknown. Not only by diving deeper, but by delving further into my abilities, I could face novel challenges again, master new skills and refine old ones I’d become complacent with. During my first confined-water session, I felt like a brand-new student: awkward, buoyant and overwhelmed by all the procedures to remember. We spent hours throughout the course running through drills until I no longer felt like a newborn diver, but proficient in my new abilities. I’d optimized my reaction time in emergency situations, like controlling a free-flowing regulator; perfected procedures of staging and donning deco bottles; and fine-tuned my buoyancy until my depth at decompression stops fluctuated by no more than a foot and a half. Tec diving isn’t for everyone. However, many of my hesitations to try technical diving were overcome by taking other courses. Before my tec course, I completed PADI Deep and Nitrox specialties. These prepared me for increased pressure and effects of narcosis at deeper depths and taught me about diving with higher oxygen contents. I also completed Sidemount and Self-Reliant courses that taught me how to dive with multiple tanks and regulators and explained the importance of redundancy and self-sufficiency, which both play a huge role in tec diving. Tec diving is obstacle-ridden and humbling, but can reignite a fading passion. It can leave you with a sense of accomplishment and a refined set of diving skills. It grants access to depths beyond recreational limits, where lesser-known shipwrecks and deep reefs lie, waiting to be explored. There will always be risks, but with proper training and preparation, you might also find the answer to your own question.

Why Try Technical Diving?

he first time I read about technical diving, I thought I’d never try it. I combed through a tec-diving manual and found claims stating that even if everything is done correctly, there is still considerable risk for accidents and death. These claims stuck to my mind like crusted barnacles. Who would try technical diving if it is so inherently dangerous? Fast forward a year and four months, and I found myself as the answer to my own question. I sat in a classroom with my manual and equipment splayed across a desk, ready for my Tec 40 course to start. I wondered what happened over the last 16 months to change my mind. I’d been working as a scuba instructor and increased my number of dives from just over 100 to well over 1,000. Diving became part of my everyday life. Breathing compressed air through a regulator became as normal as taking a breath on the surface. I was still madly in love with diving, but submerging had become second nature and no longer felt like an exciting challenge. Tec diving made me a student again. It reminded me of something I love

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LIFE IS A BEACH

3/8-ounce chartreuse jig with a 4-inch pearl white D.O.A. Shad Tail. Run the jig hook through the paddletail’s head and out through its belly where D.O.A. is printed. The idea is to rig the soft plastic as straight as you can. This allows longer casts because the lure won’t twist in the air. The two most important factors to consider in catching snook from the beach are time of day and location. Snook prefer to feed at night. On the By Richard L. Matteson beach, baitfish run the trough during the low-light periods at dawn and dusk. So, the best time to snook fish is 10 minutes before daybreak and the last 90 minutes before dark. This is when snook feed in the carved out area behind the closest breakers. Remember, snook are less than 20 yards offshore when they’re feeding in the trough. Casting out as far as you can means only the last part of your retrieve will be in the snook zone. Either make many short casts or cast almost parallel to the surf line. This keeps your bait in the strike zone most of the time. Snook will scoot under the breakers from the trough and grab your jig in 6 inches of wash. No water is too shallow for them, and from the back of the trough to the wash is where the snook point of attack is. When a snook hits, be prepared. They are extremely fast and strong, so expect them to pull out 15 or 20 feet of line. If you use 10-pound braid, like I do, make sure your drag is set loose or they’ll break you off on the initial run. The three main ways you lose snook are with a break-off on the first run, when their gill plates and rough mouths weaken the line, and when they jump and throw the hook. Start with the drag loose; you can tighten it during the fight. Use a 30- or 40-pound fluorocarbon leader, and keep your rod tip low during the fight. This discourages jumping. When you’re ready to beach your fish, wait for an incoming wave and walk the fish through the wash so it’s beached when the wave goes out. In Atlantic waters, anglers may keep one snook a day between 28 and 32 inches until the season closes June 1-Aug. 31. In Gulf of Mexico waters, the slot limit is 28 to 33 inches and the season is closed May 1-Aug. 31. armer days are here again, along with the time change, which Snook fishing is catch-and-release only in all Florida waters from the Hernando/Pasco county line through Gordon Pass in Collier County. allows more time for fishing! Snook are cruising the beaches and moving into the Richard Matteson writes for Stuart Rod and Reel Club. shallows of the Indian River Lagoon. My goal is to catch a snook a day—I Call him at (336) 414-3440. don’t always do it – but it’s my goal as a surf caster. My favorite lure is a

Snook

IN THE SURF

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Final Sail Returns To Miami April 7-11

he Final leg of the Quest For The Crest Sailfish Series returns to the docks of Miami Beach Marina April 7-11. The third leg of the series was cancelled last year due to the pandemic, so this year’s finale will award coveted burgundy jackets to two teams. A kick off party will be held at the Doubletree by Hilton Grand Hotel, Biscayne Bay on Wednesday, April 7 from 7-10 p.m. Competition days will be Friday and Saturday, April 9-10. The awards ceremony will be held Saturday night from 7-11 p.m. The Quest For The Crest Series was halted last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and no winner was crowned, which ups the ante for Final Sail 2021, as there will be two jackets on the line. The 2020 Quest For The Crest winner will be determined by combining the scores from last year’s series with team’s points from Final Sail this year. Bar South is looking to win their second burgundy jacket. The team won their first jacket in 2015 with 97 points. They are poised to claim their second jacket with a 6 point lead over Jichi in the 2020 series with Shell Yeah just 8 points behind in third place.

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2021 Sailfish Series Leaders 1. Native Son - 52 points 2. Showtime - 51 points 3. Team HMY - 46 points 4. Fish On - 46 points The bite was red hot for Captain Art Sapp and his crew on Native Son during February’s Sailfish Challenge. A last minute double sent them over the top and secured their first place finish in the Quest’s second leg with a total of 13 sails and a hefty paycheck for $255,340. Native Son has their eyes on their first burgundy jacket and certainly won’t go down without a fight. Not far behind them are three standout teams from Operation Sailfish, Showtime, Team HMY and Fish On. Showtime is looking to win their second jacket. They won in 2019, while Team HMY and Fish On are in contention for their first ever burgundy jacket. In addition to the sailfish accolades, there are two major meatfish titles up for grabs at Final Sail. The Quest Sailfish Series offers a meatfish title to the top overall meatfish team in the series. Team Blue Moon/Chop it Up holds a strong lead from the 2020 series and there are a number of boats in close contention for the 2021 title. Similar to the jacket, the meatfish points scored at the upcoming Final Sail event will count towards the 2020 series as well as the 2021 series. For more on Quest for The Crest and Final Sail, check out www.bluewatermovements.com or www.finalsail.com. 18 FLORIDA

APRIL 2021

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Monster Gulf Warsaw Caught On Film By CAM Staff

n January, a group of anglers filming for the online show BlacktipH Fishing launched on a chilly day from the west coast of Florida on a 3-year-old mission to land a giant warsaw grouper on camera. After a four-hour run out of Fort Myers, it took just five minutes on the initial drop for them to hook into a 300-pounder. Hand-cranking that fish from deeper than 400 feet of water was a grueling feat of fishing and an epic culmination to their quest. It was a third deep-water attempt for BlacktipH host Joshua Jorgenson and Capt. Jason Boyll. Like goliath grouper, warsaw grouper grow huge. The all-tackle world record warsaw weighed more than 436 pounds. Unlike goliaths, which frequent nearshore structure, large warsaws prefer extreme depths. Deep-water structure and a peak bite in winter combine to make truly huge warsaw grouper difficult to catch. During their first warsaw trip in 2019, the crew didn’t get a bite during a full day of fishing 100 miles out of Sarasota, Fla. They dropped in depths below 1,000 feet to spring holes on the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico. In January of 2020, Jorgenson and Boyll tried again. This time they left the docks at 2 a.m. to travel 150 nautical miles offshore. “After hours of fishing, we finally got a bite,” Jorgenson wrote. “The fish was hooked, and I started cranking the handle. I brought the fish up around 150

feet from the bottom. Jason and I both thought it was a smaller fish. Then, all of a sudden, this fish got angry and started peeling the line off the reel. It was literally unstoppable! Seconds later, this massive fish swam into some bottom structure and snapped the line.” Losing that fish haunted Jorgenson until this year, on Jan. 22, when he, Boyll and Gord Daniher took Daniher’s 42-foot boat 140 miles off Fort Myers to a structure known as Pulley Ridge. Pulley Ridge is a 60-mile-long reef system well known to Gulf anglers. They dropped banded rudderfish as bait in water deeper than 400 feet. “Within five minutes of fishing, Jason got a bite on his reel,” Jorgenson wrote. “He started reeling and the line got very tight! A giant warsaw had taken the bait! Jason started cranking as hard as possible to prevent the monster from breaking us off on the bottom. After an incredibly intense 10-minute battle, Jason managed to bring the fish 150 feet off the bottom before being completely exhausted!” At that point, Jorgenson took the reel and cranked the fish to the surface. The total fight time lasted 15 to 20 minutes, and the whole crew was needed to bring the fish into the boat. Back at the docks, it took a tractor to COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

pull the fish out of the boat and weigh it. The scale read 294 pounds. The fish’s live weight was likely heavier than 300 pounds. The grouper was 7 feet long. Check out BlacktipH at blacktiph.com. APRIL 2021

FLORIDA 19

FWC SEEKS INPUT ON SNOOK, REDFISH, TROUT

he Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is gathering public input on the future management of snook, redfish and spotted seatrout in the area of southwest Florida where they are currently catchand-release only. Beginning in August 2018, FWC made a series of temporary regulation changes to help conserve snook, redfish and spotted seatrout that were negatively impacted by a prolonged red tide that occurred in late 2017 through early 2019. Ultimately, these popular inshore species were made catch-and-release only in all waters from Pasco County through Gordon Pass in Collier County through May 31, 2021. Long-term monitoring data indicate snook, redfish and spotted seatrout were resilient and did not experience long-term negative effects from the 2017-2019 red tide. However, anglers and charter captains have expressed concerns that these fisheries had declined prior to red tide and that the red tide affected habitat that is essential to these species. FWC staff will continue gathering public input both online at MyFWC. com/SaltwaterComments and through public workshops, which will be scheduled in the future. To learn more about future workshops, visit MyFWC. com/Marine and click on “Rulemaking” and “Upcoming Public Workshops.” FWC will revisit this topic at the May 12-13 meeting. Additionally, staff will provide updates to commissioners after stock assessments for snook and redfish throughout Florida are complete later in 2021. These stock assessments, along with stakeholder input, will help staff and the commission evaluate whether any long-term management changes are needed. Learn more about regulations for these species by visiting MyFWC.com/Marine and clicking on “Recreational Regulations.”

20 FLORIDA

APRIL 2021

BAHAMAS CUSTOMS GOES ELECTRONIC

ith a new online system for customs declarations, boaters entering The Bahamas can expect a more streamlined process for clearing Customs at the various ports of entry to The Bahamas. The Bahamas Customs & Excise Department recently launched its electronic submission portal for cruising permit applications on the Click2Clear platform. The Cruising Permit Module is expected to dramatically improve the Customs processing time for boaters. Boaters can now complete and submit declaration forms and make payment in advance of arrival. “This is all a part of our digital transformation agenda. It addresses a longstanding pain point for boaters who have been clamoring for a fully digital process. It also minimizes the opportunity for revenue leakage,” said Minister Kwasi Thompson, Minister of State for Finance. To supplement the work being done by the Customs Department, the Ministry of Finance is also working with other government agencies, including the Port Department and Fisheries, along with private sector service providers to develop additional payment and licensing solutions. These will similarly cover fees associated with the boating and fishing industry, including yacht charter fees. The delivery of other payment and licensing solutions by authorized digital solution providers in the private sector is soon to be announced. To get started, register with The Bahamas Customs & Excise Department at www.bahamascustoms.gov.bs and see videos on the process on Youtube.

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beaches and less tourist traffic than Playa Del Carmen or Cancun to the north. The resort island Cozumel sits in the Caribbean Sea to the east, but Xpu Ha is quieter. There are a few hotels and restaurants in the area, but nowhere near the bustle of the Yucatan’s larger cities. I enjoy fly fishing the clear shallows of the Mayan Riviera and had never encountered another angler in prior visits to Xpu Ha. Just imagine our surprise when, on our first full day there, as we were making the morning walk to our chosen location, there in the distance was the unmistakable silhouette of a person with a fly rod. We had to meet him. After some introductions, Alex informed us this was his first visit to the area. He was from Dublin, Ireland and was stranded in Paradise because of the pandemic. I invited Alex to join us. We were headed to a reef known to hold triggerfish and an occasional permit. He jumped at the offer. Alex said his goal for this trip was to check permit off his bucket list. It’s a species he’d been chasing for several years. Over the next few hours, we waded and Alex had several opportunities at tailing triggers on the shallow reef. He got a few follows that day, but no hook-ups. He managed to cross triggerfish off his list the following morning. When Jordan had to return to the states, Alex and I made plans to fish farther south at Sian Ka’an. South of Tulum, Sian Ka’an is a large nature preserve of coastal wetlands and inland jungle. Our goal was to target By Rex Hannon bonefish, with high hopes for an elusive permit. The winds were relentless and the partly cloudy skies made spotting fish a challenge. An hour into our stalk, at 50 yards, we saw the tell-tale shadow of a good fish. Alex said it looked like a nice bone. I said, “No, permit!” Alex’s first cast fell short. No a big deal. It was better than a long cast that would have spooked the fish. After reloading and taking a few breaths, Alex’s next cast was a quartering shot, 2 feet ahead and 5 feet past the fish. Perfect! Alex stripped twice. The permit noticed the fly, but began to turn away. I knew we were still in the game and told Alex to stop. When the fish turned back to the fly, I said, “strip!” But it was too late… the permit had pounced, n January, my buddy, Jordan May, and I were fishing the Mayan Riviera and with a perfect strip-set the game was on! Within 10 minutes of keeping constant pressure, “Alex the Irishman” Coast near Xpu Ha, Mexico. It’s a beautiful and productive location I fought his first permit to the net. It’s a fish both of us will remember the visit as often as possible. Xpu Ha is one of those best-kept secrets on the Yucatan, with gorgeous rest of our lives.

22 FLORIDA

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hile tarpon are a year-round target for anglers in the Florida Keys, there is no better time than right now if a big silver king is on your bucket list. A typical tarpon season in the Keys ramps up in March and continues into the summer most years. The best months are April and May, at the peak of the spring migration, when large fish are both prevalent and vulnerable to the tactics of anglers. This time of year, catches average in the 80-pound range and anglers encounter fish 200 pounds and larger. There’s nowhere in the world that offers a better opportunity to sight fish clear-water flats for giant tarpon. In their thousands, migrating tarpon push into the backcountry, skirting the edges of flats and channels. Year after year, they follow predictable travel routes, which makes fishing for them a lot like deer hunting. If you know where they’re likely to be, you can stake the boat in ambush and wait for them to roll through. A local guide who stays on top of the movements is worth his weight in gold when it comes to encountering giant tarpon. Notice we said “encountering giant tarpon,” not “catching giant tarpon.” Getting shots at these giant fish is highly likely, convincing them to eat and then fighting them to the boat is not. With a fly, enticing a big tarpon takes skill and luck. First-timers are better off fishing live bait. A crab fished under a float in the passes and around bridges can lead to multiple hookups in a day. Fish funnel through the passes and are consolidated in bridge channels, where they are likely to bump into your bait. What follows are powerful runs and repeated jumps. The slightest mistake on the part of the angler will result in a thrown hook or broken line. Even experienced anglers are left with a slack line more often than not. Anglers who win the battle are responsible for reviving and releasing an animal that could be up to 50 years old. Tarpon grow slowly. It takes them seven to 13 years to reach sexual maturity. It is imperative for the future of the fishery to give each fish caught the highest possibility of survival. All Florida tarpon longer than 40 inches must be released, with an exception for anglers holding a state tarpon tag for the purpose of achieving a state or world record. Large tarpon should remain in the water at all times, which means unhooking and photographing them quickly, with an effort to keep the head and gills in the water as much as possible. Tarpon will often fight to exhaustion, so reviving them greatly increases their chance of survival. Hold them horizontally in the water with their mouth open, moving them forward to push water over their gills. Do this until they swim off on their own. For more information, go to myfwc.com.

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Yamaha's New 252 FSH Sport and 255 FSH Sport E The Most Capable and Versatile Center Console Boats in Their Class

ew for 2021 is the exciting 25-foot Yamaha 252 FSH Sport and 255 FSH Sport E center console boats that are the most capable and versatile boats in their class. These larger models of Yamaha’s popular FSH Series are designed with the size, power, and fuel range for serious offshore adventures. The 252 FSH Sport features twin, Yamaha 1.8L High Output engines. These normally-aspirated engines are powerful, reliable, and virtually maintenance-free. Acceleration is instant, bow rise is minimal, and more deck space is available for fishing and fun. For buyers who want the most performance available, and the premium features that come with Yamaha's E-Series drive-by-wire features, the 255 FSH Sport E gets twin 1.8L supercharged Yamaha SVHO® marine engines for a combined 500-horsepower. Zero to 30 mph acceleration is a blistering five seconds with a top speed of 55 mph. In addition, the 255 FSH Sport E feature push-button start, dual throttle lever syncing, and more. Both models come with 111-gallon fuel tanks, the highest capacity fuel tanks Yamaha offers in a jet boat. Paired with Yamaha's fuelefficient engines, there is plenty of cruising range for boaters who want to explore beyond the harbor surf break.

Under the water line is an all-new deep-V hull design that responds immediately to steering input at all speeds and comes on plane instantly. The bow seating area is wide and long, providing ample space for taller passengers to stretch out. And of course, there is plenty of storage available under the hinged bow seats, stainless steel beverage holders in all the right places, and an expansive anchor and bow ladder locker for easy access. Moving into the spacious cockpit interior, there is a transparent live well located portside and a large storage pod topped with padded marine mat adjacent on the starboard side. There is a comfortable bench seat in the front of the center console that lifts up to reveal an extra deep, large storage area that can also serve as a changing room or a head compartment thanks to the curtain enclosure that is standard on all models. Both models are fitted with finished fiberglass hard tops with LED lighting and integrated audio speakers. Completing the tower are five rocket launcher rod holders mounted to the T-Top frame, and there are eight additional rod holders located under the port and starboard gunnels.

The helm is thoughtfully designed with a glass windshield, stainless steel sports steering wheel, locking glove box, and 12-inch Simrad® marine electronics. Also included is Yamaha's Connext® 3.0 helm control system with a 7-inch touchscreen that controls the entertainment and vital system functions of the boat, a mobile phone holder, and USB/AUX ports. Behind the helm is beam width bench seating, a starboard side live bait well, and a low walkthrough transom for easy access to Yamaha's signature stern lounge area. This is the place to be when hanging out at your favorite cove, and a great open access place to cast from. Completing the stern area are stainless steel beverage holders, high-quality padded flooring, a stainless-steel tow eye, and a telescopic reboarding ladder. They also feature underwater lights. From bow to stern, there is nothing cookiecutter about Yamaha's new 25-foot center console boats. From their striking good looks to industry-first innovations, Yamaha's 252/255 FSH Series models let you do it all on the water, in style and with peace of mind. Learn more at YamahaBoats.com

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GILL FISHING OVERTON SHIRT

hen the heat of summer arrives, Gill Fishing’s Overton shirt will keep you dry, cool and clean thanks to its lightweight, breathable fabric treated with Gill’s exclusive XPEL water and stain resistance technology. New for Spring 2021, the Overton is capable of repelling water, blood, and other filth you may encounter while fishing. Gill loaded the Overton with smart fishing features, including dual chest pockets, concealed, snag-proof press stud fasteners, a micro-fiber panel to wipe sunglasses, a self-fabric strip to hang sunglasses or a small tool, and roll-up sleeves with a retainer loop and button. Gill has been trusted on the water for more than 40 years, and they’ve delivered yet another dependable piece for hardcore anglers. The Overton’s stylish design makes its just as capable off the water, providing anglers a shirt they can wear anywhere. It’s available in two colors, white and blue check, and sizes XS through 4XL. www.gillfishing.com COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

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EZ ANCHOR: Must-Have Solution for Fiberglass Boat Builders is the Charter Captain’s Best-Kept Secret

s charter captains, the time-consuming task of dropping and retrieving anchors not only becomes tedious, it cuts into valuable manpower, time and profits. Capt. Phillip Ridge, a Florida native, couldn’t settle for a typical windlass to anchor his fleet. “I have had [an E-Z Anchor Puller] unit on the bow of three different boats,” the founder of Blue Runner Charters said. “I was one of the very first captains in the area to install them... [they are] the best by far.” Charter fishermen across the United States have depended on the speed of E-Z Anchor Puller’s drum anchor winch for more than 30 years. Now, the value of owning an E-Z Anchor Puller for commercial fishing is recognized as the windlass upgrade customers want on their boats straight from the factory. Among the first fiberglass boat builders to embrace these true, freefall winches for center consoles is SeaVee, which had already been a familiar, customer-driven installer of the Classic series. Shurhold CEO Barry Berhoff, who personally installed the Rebel EZ-4 on his 40’ SeaVee, gave praise to the quality of the “strong, marinegrade piece of equipment” in a Youtube testimonial. Following in SeaVee’s footsteps, Georgia boat builder Carolina Skiff began factory-installing the Rebel EZ-4 on their Sea Chaser 35’ HFC Center Console after a company representative praised the brand from personal experience. “It works so great on our 35, I decided I needed to have one on my own personal boat.” Ed Johnston, Manufacturing Representative for Carolina Skiff, said of his E-Z Anchor Puller drum anchor winch. Sea Pro Boats recently debuted the 320 Deep-V series at the Miami

International Boat Show in 2020 with the Rebel EZ-4 as the factoryinstallation. The Rebel series appeals to boat owners and boat builders who need a versatile, no-jam solution that can hold ½” nylon rope or ¼” dyneema. What further sets Rebel anchor winches apart from the competition is its true, free-fall capabilities. Unlike other anchoring solutions, which manufacture “free-fall” mechanisms for emergency use only, E-Z Anchor Puller units are created to free-fall for regular, everyday use. Activating free-fall is simple. Press the “down” button for a quick 2-second push, the drum winch disengages the clutch plate and releases it to free-spool as fast as gravity allows. To quickly and neatly retract the line back onto the spool, press the “power up” side. Other notable fiberglass boat brands with E-Z Anchor Puller installations include Albemarle, Insetta Boatworks and Southport, with a plethora of customer and E-Z Anchor Puller authorized installers fitting Patriot EZ-3 and Rebel EZ-4 and EZ-5 units below deck.

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DEXTER BRAKERITE AND DISC BRAKES

exter’s BrakeRite electronic/hydraulic actuator features rapid response for improved braking distance, an electronic proportional pressure valve for consistent braking, dual fill caps for easy maintenance, and is compatible with most in-cab electronic brake controllers. BrakeRite offers two models to easily match your disc or drum brake application. The BrakeRite Plug & Play model simplifies field installation by offering a plug-in wiring harness; whereas, the standard BrakeRite EHB model has a hard-wire configuration. Both models feature a large reservoir designed for single, tandem and triple axle applications. Dexter knows corrosion resistance is important on all types of marine trailers in freshwater and saltwater environments. Dexter disc brakes are designed using brass fittings, stainless steel guide bolts and sleeves, and stainless steel pistons. Rotors are offered in GAL-DEX premium marine coating and stainless steel. When combined with Dexter’s Eliminator axles with removable spindles or Dexter’s Versa~Flex adjustable arm axles, they provide a proven record of performance and reliability, superior braking, in-cab control and www.dexteraxle.com corrosion resistance.

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n Feb. 28, veteran Georgia trout guide Joe DiPietro caught a 32-inchlong brown trout that weighed 18 pounds, 2.4 ounces. It absolutely crushed the 9-year-old Toccoa River record of 12-pounds, 3.4 ounces. The fish was a long time coming. DiPietro has guided and fished this Blue Ridge, Ga. tailrace for more than two decades. He’s seen and caught monsters, but nothing close to the beast that picked up one of his own Pat’s Rubber Leg’s variations during a guides’ day off with his fishing buddy Colby White. The fish was not a stranger. Georgia WRD staff have reported a huge brown in the area that feasts on catchable-sized trout as they are stocked in the river. DiPietro, however, was not specifically targeting the fish. If he had been, he would have geared up. He was fishing a 10-foot, 5-weight rod. The size 6 stonefly anchoring his two-nymph rig was secured with 2-pound-test tippet. After the first couple runs, DiPietro knew light line was going to be an issue. White pulled anchor on the driftboat and rowed like a madman to keep up with the fish, which carried them several holes upstream. “It’s the biggest trout I’ve ever seen in my life,” DiPietro said. “Colby fell in trying to net him. I just threw Colby the net and told him to go get that fish. He lost a shoe, flooded his waders and went up to his neck in 42-degree water. I mean… the line was wrapped around his head. It really is amazing the tippet held.” For more on trout fishing Georgia’s Toccoa River, visit www.blueridgetroutfishing.com.

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