Issuu

SARASOTA/BRADENTON/VENICE EDITION

FREE

@CAMTAMagazine

GULF STREAM

MAHI

Three Days For Atlantic Snapper PHOTO BY CAPT. BLAKE RIGBY COURTESY OF TRIPLETAIL CHARTERS WWW.TRIPLETAILCHARTERS.COM VOLUME 26 • ISSUE 316

GROUPER

GAME CHANGER

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM

F R A N C H I S E

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

A V A I L A B L E

W O R L D W I D E

JULY 2021

Protect your baby (and their toys) with coverage for fishing gear and personal property too. 1- 8 0 0 -PROG RE S S IVE / PROG RE S S IVE .COM

Progressive Casualty Insurance Co. & affiliates. Additional charge may apply. Prices vary based on how you buy.

Shhhhh. No wake zone.

IN THIS BATTLE, YOU NOW HAVE THE ADVANTAGE OF SHOCK AND AWE.

“Blu wat on t gent ‘wat –w

The next generation of our workhorse spinning reel, the new PENN ® Battle ® III now features our proprietary CNC Gear ™ Technology for ultimate durability, and the proven HT-100 ™ Carbon Fiber Drag System for ultimate control during the fight. Available in nine different sizes, from 1000 to the new 10,000, and in select high speed models, it can handle any situation. The new Battle® III. Fish won’t know what hit them. PENN. LET THE BATTLE BEGIN.

nc.

êêêêê “The quality of their watches is equal to many that can go for ten times the price or more.” — Jeff from McKinney, TX

“Blue face watches are on the discerning gentleman’s ‘watch list’.” – watchtime.com

Stone Cold Fox So good-looking...heads will turn. So unbelievably-priced...jaws will drop.

very once in a while a timepiece comes along that’s so incredibly good looking, masterfully equipped and jaw-droppingly priced, that it stops us stone cold. A watch that can take you seamlessly from the 18th hole to the board room. A watch that blurs the line betweens sports watch and dress watch. We’re talking the Blue Stone Chronograph, and it sits at the top of the discerning gentleman’s watch list. Striking in appearance and fully equipped with features, this is a watch of substance. The Blue Stone merges the durability of steel with the precision of crystal movement that’s accurate to 0.2 seconds a day. Both an analog and digital watch, the Blue Stone keeps time with pinpoint accuracy in two time zones. The watch’s handsome steel blue dial seamlessly blends an analog watch face with a stylish digital display. It’s a stopwatch, calendar, and alarm. Plus, the Blue Stone resists water up to 30 meters, making it up for water adventures. A watch with these features would easily cost you thousands if you shopped big names. But overcharging to justify an inflated brand name makes us blue in the face. Which is why we make superior looking and performing timepieces priced to please. Decades of experience in engineering enables Stauer to put quality on your wrist and keep your money in your pocket.

Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. Experience the Blue Stone Chronograph for 30 days. If you’re not convinced you got excellence for less, send it back for a refund of the item price. Time is running out. Originally priced at $395, the Blue Stone Chronograph was already generating buzz among watch connoisseurs, but with the price slashed to $69, we can’t guarantee this limited-edition timepiece will last. So, call today!

TAKE 83% OFF INSTANTLY!

When you use your OFFER CODE Stauer Blue Stone Chronograph non-offer code price $395† Offer Code Price

$69 + S&P Save $326

You must use the offer code to get our special price.

1-800-333-2045 Your Offer Code: BSW388-01

Please use this code when you order to receive your discount.

Stauer

14101 Southcross Drive W.,

® Ste 155, Dept. BSW388-01

Burnsville, Minnesota 55337

www.stauer.com

Rating of A+

† Special price only for customers using the offer code versus the price on Stauer.com without your offer code.

• Precision movement • Digital and analog timekeeping • LED subdials • Stainless steel crown, caseback & bracelet • Dual time zone feature • Stopwatch • Alarm feature • Calendar: month, day, & date • Water resistant to 3 ATM • Fits wrists 7” to 9”

Stauer… Afford the Extraordinary.®

Fu bo

Navigating the New Normal on the Water

I Help Starts Here.

Priority service for members.

Our Captains are on-scene in an average of 1-hour or less. Inshore, offshore, or destination sport-fishing — our Captains are standing by 24/7. Are you a member? Join today and save 10%. seatow.com/angler 800-4-SEATOW

n the era of the coronavirus, outdoor recreation has become an important survival tool. Last year, the boating industry saw a record number of new boat owners. Both new boaters and seasoned boaters changed their habits to social distance while making the most of their love for the recreational outlet. According to a survey of 3,500 boaters by Sea Tow Services International, this trend is expected to continue into the 2021 summer season. Pandemic-influenced boating behavior: • 52 percent of boaters surveyed anticipate their boating activity to increase this summer compared to last. • 20 percent cite the pandemic as the reason for extending their boating season again in 2021. • 24 percent plan to vacation on/by boat (versus other forms of travel) because of the pandemic. • 35 percent plan to use their boat primarily for cruising near their home. • 16 percent upgraded to a larger boat in 2020 or plan to do so in 2021. • 52 percent plan to use their boat primarily for fishing (65 percent inshore/30 percent offshore/5 percent freshwater). • 30 percent have found it more difficult to find dockage and/or marina space. “Our member survey has typically been a very strong indicator for seasonal recreational boating trends,” said Kristen Frohnhoefer, President of Sea Tow. “Last year, Sea Tow saw a 34 percent increase in requests for on-water assistance in the summer of 2020, and our nationwide network of captains are anticipating another busy season for 2021.” With the sale of a record number of new boats in over a decade and an influx of new boaters, Sea Tow noted that in 2020 owners of new boats were 142 percent more likely to need ungrounding services, 108 percent more likely to need fuel delivered to them and 11.2 percent more likely to need a battery jump. Alternately, new boat owners are 22 percent less likely to need a tow. “These numbers are very interesting,” Frohnhoefer said, “They reflect the fact that new boaters are not yet familiar with things like shifting sandbars and hard to navigate channels, or how to manage their fuel, like their more seasoned counterparts–which is getting them into trouble and causing them to call us for assistance. But likewise, these stats demonstrate what we’ve been saying all along—that when it comes to new boats, on-water assistance typically is needed due to user error, not mechanical failure, as newer boats and engines are more reliable than ever before.” With the number of new boaters recreating on the water, the need for boating education has never been more important. Sixty-nine percent of boaters surveyed are looking for more advice on local navigational assistance, mishap prevention and general boating basics. “2021 is sure to be another banner year for boating,” said Frohnhoefer, “We’ll find out real soon if these trends for recreational boating activity are in fact here to stay.” For more on Sea Tow, visit www.seatow.com.

4 NATIONAL

JULY 2021

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

als If y wi loo Th ex bla res Th de fea na Th in wi aro for sp Bu las co she Hu Yo Fe on cra cu 30 ite Li las Bl be

*D list

Ca Pr

•

Bad to the Bone Full tang stainless steel blade with natural bone handle —now ONLY $79!

he very best hunting knives possess a perfect balance of form and function. They’re carefully constructed from fine materials, but also have that little something extra to connect the owner with nature. If you’re on the hunt for a knife that combines impeccable craftsmanship with a sense of wonder, the $79 Huntsman Blade is the trophy you’re looking for. The blade is full tang, meaning it doesn’t stop at the handle but extends to the length of the grip for the ultimate in strength. The blade is made from 420 surgical steel, famed for its sharpness and its resistance to corrosion. The handle is made from genuine natural bone, and features decorative wood spacers and a hand-carved motif of two overlapping feathers— a reminder for you to respect and connect with the natural world. This fusion of substance and style can garner a high price tag out in the marketplace. In fact, we found full tang, stainless steel blades with bone handles in excess of $2,000. Well, that won’t cut it around here. We have mastered the hunt for the best deal, and in turn pass the spoils on to our customers. But we don’t stop there. While supplies last, we’ll include a pair of $99 8x21 power compact binoculars and a genuine leather sheath FREE when you purchase the Huntsman Blade. Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. Feel the knife in your hands, wear it on your hip, inspect the impeccable craftsmanship. If you don’t feel like we cut you a fair deal, send it back within 30 days for a complete refund of the item price. Limited Reserves. A deal like this won’t last long. We have only 1120 Huntsman Blades for this ad only. Don’t let this BONUS! Call today and beauty slip through your fingers. Call today! you’ll also receive this

Huntsman Blade $249*

genuine leather sheath!

EXCLUSIVE

FREE

Stauer® 8x21 Compact Binoculars -a $99 valuewith purchase of Huntsman Blade

What Stauer Clients Are Saying About Our Knives

êêêêê

“This knife is beautiful!” — J., La Crescent, MN

êêêêê

“The feel of this knife is unbelievable...this is an incredibly fine instrument.” — H., Arvada, CO

Offer Code Price Only $79 + S&P Save $170

1-800-333-2045

Your Insider Offer Code: HUK551-01 You must use the insider offer code to get our special price.

Stauer

Rating of A+

14101 Southcross Drive W., Ste 155, Dept. HUK551-01 Burnsville, Minnesota 55337 www.stauer.com

shown *Discount is only for customers who useNot the offer code versus the actual size. listed original Stauer.com price.

California residents please call 1-800-333-2045 regarding Proposition 65 regulations before purchasing this product. • 12" overall length; 6 ¹⁄2" stainless steel full tang blade • Genuine bone handle with brass hand guard & bolsters • Includes genuine leather sheath

Stauer… Afford the Extraordinary.®

Go on a power trip with

Find Your Sweet Spot

Build your own custom, high-resolution Personal Bathymetric Generator (PBG) charts to discover fish-hoarding structure others have missed.

TZT9F

9" Hybrid Touch MFD

TZT12F

12" Hybrid Touch MFD

TZT16F

TZT19F

16" Multi Touch MFD

19" Multi Touch MFD

DFF3D

Multi Beam Sonar* *required for PBG

Discover, map, then fish structure and wrecks in an entirely new way. Create maps with PBG & DFF3D 50-100x faster than the competition

Create shaded relief maps from 10 ft. to 1,000 ft.

A lifetime of map storage on TZtouch3 MFDs

Get the whole story at NavNet.com

Bathymetric mapping up to 3x fishing depth

Draw contour lines where none exist

TIPS TO DIAL IN RIVER-RUN BASS S

By Nick Carter

triped bass don’t stay in the same place long. Huge spring runs up the Atlantic Coast and into freshwater rivers to spawn is natural behavior for stripers. Even fish trapped by dams in inland reservoir systems retain a strong urge to move. Across the east, wherever reservoir striped bass exist, the movement begins as a spring spawning run. Fish push out of the lakes and as far up creeks and rivers as they can go. This spring run is followed by a larger summer migration, when stripers pile into the rivers seeking more comfortable water conditions. Here are a few tips from the pros for dialing in river-run stripers. • Make Shots Count: “Fish good water, and fish it well,” said Bill Stranahan. Stranahan guides with Southeastern Anglers, and the striper run on Tennessee’s Hiwassee River is a summertime staple. Fishing the Hiwassee run is like deer hunting. You’re fishing hard for a few bites from monster fish that get up into the 40-pound range. “Look for good structure, whether its wood, shoals or rock faces,” Stranahan said. “When you’re on that good structure, don’t rush it. You can spook ’em with a bad throw, so take your time and make good shots.” Whether you’re throwing streamers with a fly rod or swimbaits with conventional gear, Stranahan warned against locking into the big bait, big fish theory. “We all know stripers will chase down big 6-, 7-, 8-, 9-inch skipjack and gizzard shad, but don’t forget your smaller baits,” he said. “A lot of their forage base is 4 inches or less. There’s a time and a place for fishing small stuff.” • Fish it All: Rob “Mustache” Smith, of The Fish Hawk in Atlanta, has guided the Chattahoochee River striper run for two decades or more. He knows all the hotspots where there are always fish. He also knows those spots

PHOTO COURTESY OF GARNER REID

get a ton of pressure. Smith said to slow down and fish all the likely structure instead of rushing to areas where you’ve caught fish before. “If you’re on the river, fish everything,” he said. “Those fish are constantly moving, and you’d be surprised at the fish you’re passing when you’re rushing to get to that one little area. Fish it all, and fish it like you expect a fish on every cast.” • Move Some Water: “When they’re in the river, those fish are laid up in ambush,” said Garner Reid, who made his name guiding fly fishers to big Georgia stripers on the Etowah River. “You’re drawing reaction strikes, and what triggers them is a fly that looks like it’s wounded or fleeing.” Reid said it’s easy to get sloppy with the retrieve when you’re blind casting all day. He reminds anglers that it takes an aggressive presentation to move some water, cause a little commotion and trigger a striped bass’s predatory instinct. “Use the current and the swing to enhance your strip,” he said. “Make that fly hunt for you.” Visit Southeastern Anglers at www.southeasternanglers.com. See The Fish Hawk website at thefishhawk.com. Call Garner Reid at (770) 866-0301.

MFD

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

JULY 2021

NATIONAL 7

THREE CLUES TO

Mahi Mahi By Capt. Quinlyn Haddon

ahi fishing can be tricky in some places and times of year. They congregate under floating material adrift in the current, leaving them with no fixed address within an area of greatly variable depths. If you are fortunate enough to be able to target dolphinfish along the Gulf Stream this summer, you are in the right place at the right time. You shouldn’t have much trouble filling your cooler and even maxing out on the generous daily bag limit of this species. Head out to target mahi with a full tank of fuel. Assume you will have to run far and wide to find them, but hope to get lucky along the way. Recruit everyone on board to remain on the look out for the three telltale mahi hangouts: weeds, birds and floaters. Weeds can be productive whether they are formed tightly in a line, or even a tight patch. Birds can be a great sign of actively feeding fish at the surface, but they can also just be birds being birds. Learn to read them properly to avoid wasting time. A group of circling birds or diving birds is what you want to look for, and the more the better. Sometimes, a bird that’s on fish will flicker in the sun, reflecting the sunlight in a sporadic pattern as it moves its body to stay on top of something it has spotted under the surface. Circling frigate birds are always a good sign. If you see one even attempt a dive, start trolling immediately. Floaters can be anything floating in the water, from debris to sea turtles. When you find floaters in open water, it doesn’t take long to feel out if it is productive or not. If you happen to see all three of these goldmines come together, with birds diving around debris sucked to a weedline, troll the ever loving shi…mano out of it. When trolling for mahi, you won’t need to run more than four lines. Troll two small lures long, ideally on the outriggers, to draw in smaller dolphin. Troll one medium lure or ballyhoo at mid-length, and one large lure close. Dolphinfish have the mentality of a toddler. When you reel one to the boat, leave the fish in the water, put your rod in the rod holder, and cast out behind the hooked fish. The school should have followed your mahi to the boat, and with their mahi-see, mahi-do mentality, they’ll all want to partake in snack time. Continue hooking mahi and leave them in the water until you run out of available rods to cast. Start by putting one fish in the boat, but don’t take the second out of the water until the first rod has gone back out and hooked another fish. Try switching from live bait to chunk bait to keep them eating. If they don’t slam a bait as soon as it hits the water, try twitching the bait. Even a completely healthy and well-presented live bait sometimes isn’t as enticing as one that’s getting yanked away from them. Mahi will eat nearly anything, especially if you know how to taunt them properly. One of the biggest challenges in catching them is trolling through weeds. Weeds that cling to your lures is a pain to manage on the deck, while constantly clearing lines, and you also miss a lot of opportunities to catch fish. All lures catch weeds, the determining factor is whether they shed those weeds. Deep diving lures that never breach the surface are not your friend in this situation. Lightweight, squid-skirted lures do an excellent job of popping out of the water when bogged down with weeds. Most times, they clear themselves of weeds. Blue Magic Charters makes their own 3D-printed lures designed to troll in weeds. Visit them in Marathon, Fla., and ask us about their DR. BUBBLES lures. Capt. Quinlyn Haddon fishes with Blue Magic Charters in Marathon, Fla. Contact her at (504) 920-6342 and visit CaptainQuinlyn.com.

f A r s w d m

W B b i

N m a g

S T s

L s c

L t

• 2 ct

Flip Flip Hooray! A perfect symbol of fun in the sun for only $79

ere’s a memorable beach moment: You’re basking in the warm sun, toes in the sand, letting the gentle turn of the foam-capped waves lull you into a state of complete relaxation. As your eyes scan the endless horizon of blue on blue, you’re rewarded with a school of dolphins making their way across the sea. There’s no denying their signature shape as they leap from the water. If you don’t see anything else extraordinary the rest of the day, you can take solace knowing you’ve witnessed one of nature’s most playful and intelligent creatures in their natural habitat. Why not re-create that special toes-in-the-sand moment with our Blue Topaz Dolphin Pendant? The beloved sea mammal has been captured mid-jump in sterling silver. And, tucked into its fins is a full two carats of shimmering blue topaz. Nothing captures the shimmering color of the ocean in the midday sun like blue topaz. With its sparkling clear blue color and high refractive index, blue topaz is one of the top-selling blue gemstones. And with our special price, you have quite the catch. Satisfaction guaranteed or your money back. Enjoy the Blue Topaz Dolphin Pendant for 30 days. If it doesn’t pass the test swimmingly, send it back for a full refund of the item price.

A full two carats of shimmering blue topaz set in sterling silver

Limited Reserves. A full two carats of genuine blue topaz set in sterling silver for this price is as rare as a dolphin sighting. We cannot guarantee availability for long. Call today!

Limited to the first 1900 responders to this ad only! To show exquisite details, pendant shown is not exact size. Chain sold separately.

“Enormously popular, significantly intelligent and scientifically sophisticated, dolphins are amidst the most beloved animals among people.” — Dolphins-World

Blue Topaz Dolphin Pendant non-offer code price $395 † Offer Code Price Only $79 + S&P Save $316!

êêêêê

You must use the insider offer code to get our special price.

“This sterling silver dolphin is absolutely beautiful and the blue topaz is like the color of the ocean”

— Vivian, Cabool, MO

† Special price only for customers using the offer code versus the price on Stauer.com without your offer code.

Stauer

1-800-333-2045

Your Insider Offer Code: DPP317-03 Please use this code when you order to receive your discount.

® 14101 Southcross Drive W., Ste 155, Dept. DPP317-03, Burnsville, Minnesota 55337

www.stauer.com

Rating of A+

• 2 ctw blue topaz; ½ ctw Ultimate Diamond Alternative®, DiamondAura® • .925 sterling silver setting • Sterling silver chain sold separately

Stauer… Afford the Extraordinary.®

RHODAN: TOTAL GAME CHANGER FOR GROUPER

Tim Barefoot

here was a time—not too long ago— when only a select few would consistently come home with grouper, and not just “bottom fish.” There were several reasons for this. First and foremost, not everyone wanted to learn and spend the energy it took to learn to anchor. Anchoring accurately is an art form not mastered by all, but when mastered, it is the gateway to consistently catching grouper. Rhodan trolling motors, with their GPS Anchor systems, have made it so anyone can have a shot at catching grouper and not just all the other species down on the bottom. It’s one thing to have a trolling motor with “Spot Lock” that will hold position in a small bay boat, but Rhodan made the tool for serious offshore

boats to sit on the same place without using the anchor. Partner this Rhodan with a couple 36 volt lithium deep-cycle batteries, like Dakota, Ionic or Lithium Pros on a battery switch, and you have the tools it takes to score. Rhodan is just one aspect of what it takes to go grouper fishing, and not just “bottom fishing.” The way I set the dinner table for a grouper on every ledge is to have everyone on the boat sending down whole squid on the first five or six drops. I don’t care what they’re catching during this “chumming exercise,” because chumming is exactly what we’re doing. We’re getting one spot on the bottom chummed up with little pieces of squid swirling around. The smell and sound of an ongoing feeding

frenzy draws in the top of the food chain in no time at all. This is the point when we start to grouper fish. Yes, I’ve caught a lot of grouper on the whole squid, also, but this part of the routine is strictly to get the party started. Once it’s going, we drop live baits that none of the grunts, pinkies or sea bass can fit in their mouths. The smaller fish just hang out looking at these bigger baits and hoping for scraps. This is when grouper see four or five live baits on the bottom attached to Squid or Crab Decoy Jigs. To them, it’s a no-brainer. The sight of a grass grunt, pinfish or sailor’s choice struggling against the weight of the jig is more than a grouper can understand. They are hardwired to eat these fish that eat their eggs. The live bait and Decoy Jig combo gets the bite because a struggling bait is a “gimme.” Also, while you’ve got those grouper lines on the bottom, don’t forget to send a light out near the surface. Bait it with a live or frozen bait to catch pelagics like kingfish, dolphin, wahoo or tuna that happen to be swimming past. What does this all have to do with the Rhodan? Well, Rhodan’s powerful and precise GPS anchoring eliminates drift without all the aggravation and hard work of anchoring. Let Rhodan change your game by allowing you to concentrate on the fish while it keeps the boat in place! See more from Capt. Tim Barefoot, of Barefoot Cats and Tackle, at barefootcatsandtackle.com.

LET US SHOW YOU HOW TO

BUILD YOUR OWN RODS

MUDHOLE.COM/SALT-KIT

10 NATIONAL

JULY 2021

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

GET A FREE CATALOG! MUDHOLE.cOM/CATALOG

in no

rouper on the tine is going, runts, ouths. these

ve live r Crab r. The choice more hards. The e bite

r lines ht out en bait wahoo . th the precise all the g. Let you to e boat

ENTER TO WIN SUNGLASSES IN THE MONTH OF JULY BY VISITING: Coastalanglermag.com/contest

LIVEWELL PUMPS BAIT SENTRY Magnetic Drive Livewell Pump • Extremely Rugged Pump

BAJIO BALES BEACH • BAJIOSUNGLASSES.COM

• Easy Installation • Anti-Airlock Feature Clears Locked Air

PIRANHA Livewell Pump • Removable Cartridge for Easy Cleaning • Anti-Airlock Feature Clears Locked Air

COSTA BLACKFIN PRO • COSTADELMAR.COM

• Dual Port Fitting Allows for Easy Washdown Pump Connections

refoot .com.

SP BU ECIA Y! L

FLYING FISHERMAN DROP BACK • FLYINGFISHERMAN.COM

Hook2-9 Splitshot Fishﬁnder/Chartplotter w/ Navionics+ Charts • Autotuning sonar actively adjusts settings

MAUI JIM ALENUIHAHA • MAUIJIM.COM

• Wider sonar cone provides more than twice the coverage of traditional ﬁshﬁnders • Hook2 navigation features make returning to your favorite spot easy

Defender.com | 800-628-8225 REDFIN POLARIZED HATTERAS • REDFINPOLARIZED.COM

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

JULY 2021

NATIONAL 11

Switch to GEICO and see how easy it could be to save money on boat insurance. Simply visit geico.com/boat to get started.

•A geico.com/boat | 1-800-865-4846 | Local Office

•SUP •ENH •99%

Some discounts, coverages, payment plans, and features are not available in all states, in all GEICO companies, or in all situations. Boat and PWC coverages are underwritten by GEICO. GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, DC 20076; a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. © 2021 GEICO. 21_660726485

*LIF 16 BREVARD

THE ALTERNATIVE TO BUYING A NEW BOAT

Suzuki RePower Centers are stationed around the southeast to help with your Suzuki service and repower needs.

Performance Bulletin Available

Lou’s Marine, Inc. Gulf Breeze

57 YEARS OF REPOWER EXPERIENCE!

Custom Marine Service

St. Augustine Marine Center

Panama City

St. Augustine

Mastry Engine Center has received the Suzuki Marine Super Service Award and has been ranked #1 in Suzuki Marine US Sales! Repower packages designed to best fit your needs and not stretch your budget. Financing available.

Oyster City Suzuki

Apalachicola

COMING SOON Volsuia County

On-Site Marine

Mastry Engine Center

Ruskin

Clearwater

Innovation Marine Corp.

Bayfront Yacht Works

Sarasota

Siesta Key

Calusa Certified Marine Cape Coral

Marina One

Deerfield Beach

Twin Screws Marine Service

All Suzuki repowers come with the new Suzuki 5-year factory warranty.

Fort Myers

Atlantic Marine Store Hialeah

Boat Services Group Key West

Request a quote! • suzukirepower.com • 1-800-545-4574

LIFE IS A BEACH S By Richard L. Matteson

The

Weeds G3 Sportsman 1810

argassum is a brown seaweed with berry-like bladders that at times covers the beaches and is washed into the lagoon around the inlets. Recent fishing at the beach has proven difficult because of the large mats of sargassum. Piles of sargassum are dumped on the beach at high tide and those same piles are pulled back into the ocean with the next high tide. The good thing is baitfish like to hang around sargassum—it protects them from predator fish. Sometimes the fishing is better with sargassum in the water. Conventional crocodile silver spoons with treble hooks do not work at all; they get hung up and you drag seaweed in on every cast. All your conventional crankbaits with treble hooks won’t work either. What to do? You simply have to fish lures with single hooks and use weedless spoons. The Johnson 3-inch weedless spoon is a regular bass and redfish lure. If you want to spice it up, use a pork rind or plastic trailer. This is a deadly lure for any saltwater fish. I like gold, but silver works too. Yo-Zuri makes crankbaits with a single hook, and you can also take off the front hook and put a weedless hook on the back of any crankbait. This might affect the action and takes some tinkering, but it keeps you from catching so many weeds. My favorite lure is a DOA 3/16-ounce jig with a 4-inch shad tail. Surprisingly, unless you fish it deep or hit a large mat of seaweeds, the jigs do not get hung up much. I just caught a nice snook in the weeds this week by popping the jig off the bottom. Sure, you’ll get hung up sometimes, but the jigs can be fished near the surface and usually come up clean. Try a topwater. Now is the time for great topwater action. Most of the time you can maneuver your topwater lures around the weed masses. If it’s bad, just take off the front treble hook and replace the back hook with a single hook. You can use a weedless hook, but it’s usually not necessary. You won’t have many weed problems with topwater, anyway. I like Skitter Walks in trout color and gold Zara Spooks. Lots of Sargassum on the beach? No problem. Switch to weedless or single hooks and catch the big ones feeding on the bait in the weeds. Richard L. Matteson Jr., of the Stuart Rod and Reel Club, is a regular contrinutor to Coastal Angler Magazine. Call him at (336) 414-3440.

G3 20 Bay series

G3 Suncatcher V22F

MAKING MEMORIES FOR A LIFETIME!!!

100 N.E 23rd Avenue, Gainesville FL 32609 • 352-372-4900 2 FLORIDA

JULY 2021

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

NEW ENGINES IN STOCK Limited Quantities – Hurry

OUR SERVICE DEPT IS OPEN 239.489.0884 STAY SAFE GO BOATING! •Parts •Service •Accessories Buy One Maintenance Kit Get a 2nd Kit ½ Off

15881 Chief Court, Ft. Myers - 239.489.0884 - offshoreperformance.com

First Winner Named in State’s Largest Fishing Competition

n just the second week of this year’s STAR competition, CCA Florida has named the first verified winner in the CCA Florida STAR West Marine Tagged Redfish Division. After catching his tagged redfish, Ken Clarke, of Fort Pierce, selected a prize package from Contender Boats and Yamaha Outboards valued at more than $80,000. It will be awarded to him during the STAR Awards ceremony on Oct. 9 in Crystal River. A CCA Florida STAR registrant and CCA Florida member, Clarke caught the 20-inch redfish while fishing from a dock with live shrimp near St. Lucie Village on June 10. Clarke immediately notified the organization to begin the verification process. “I read the rules and knew I needed to follow them. Only after I submitted my catch through the STAR app, did the real excitement begin to set in,” Clarke said. “I’m still in shock and incredibly fortunate to be the first registered angler to win. I can’t wait to take out my new Contender 2200 Sport with 200HP Yamaha motor on the water.” This year, 160 West Marine Tagged Redfish were released across Florida’s coastal waters on average four per coastal county with Brevard, Charlotte and Citrus counties being Destination Counties with eight tagged fish each. Remaining prizes in the division include a Pathfinder 2200 TRS with Minn Kota trolling motor, Humminbird

electronics and a Spyder FX19 Vapor all powered by Yamaha. Additionally, STAR’s other tagged division, the Tigress Outriggers & Gear Tagged Dolphin Division, will award $10,000 to the first registrant to catch a tagged dolphin. Unlike traditional fishing competitions, CCA Florida STAR presented by Yamaha focuses on conservation and offers $500,000 in prizes and scholarships during the 101-day event. As a “catchphoto-release” competition, STAR’s smart phone app eliminates the requirement for anglers to harvest or capture and transport fish. “Our state’s fisheries are here for everyone’s enjoyment, and CCA Florida understands that smart fishing can help restore, preserve and improve marine habitats and water quality for today and tomorrow,” said CCA Florida STAR Director Leiza Fitzgerald. “Implementing a catchphoto-release competition is just one way to continue fulfilling our organization’s mission and protect our coastal waterways.” STAR is also focused on youth participation, with its Youth Scholarship Division presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors offering more than $100,000 in scholarships. Youth anglers (ages 6-17) can register for free with a current CCA Florida youth membership. Prizes for the first two youth anglers in the West Marine Tagged Redfish Division include a Salt Marsh Skiff 1656 powered

with a Yamaha 40 HP motor and trailer, and the first registered youth angler who catches one of 20 tagged dolphin (mahi mahi) is eligible to win a $10,000 scholarship in the Tigress Outrigger & Gear Tagged Dolphin Division. The STAR competition includes 17 divisions and 12 species, and most winners are determined by random drawing, giving anglers of all ages and skill levels the opportunity to win. Registration is $40 for current CCA Florida members or $75 for non-members.

Because every ﬁsh could be a winner!

CATCH. PHOTO. RELEASE. WIN. MAY 29 TO SEPTEMBER 6 inner First W home to take ER! TEND CON NEW

CCA Florida STAR is the largest family-friendly saltwater ﬁshing competition in Florida, and it’s unlike traditional ﬁshing tournaments.

• $500,000 in Prizes & Scholarships

• West Marine Tagged Redﬁsh Prizes Include Boat, Motor & Trailer Packages • 1st Tagged Tigress Dolphin/Mahi Mahi Wins $10,000 cash • 101 days of ﬁshing $40 entry for current CCA members. All others add $35 for one year membership.

• Prizes for Additional Non-Tagged Non Species Snook, Trout, Redfish, Grouper, Kingfish, Dolphin, Tarpon & Lionfish

CCAFLSTAR.COM A CCA FLORIDA EVENT

4 FLORIDA

JULY 2021

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

Consider A Mastry Suzuki RePower

It Simply Makes Sense

Repowering your boat with Mastry Suzuki outboards gives you an effective

blend of pure power and rugged durability. s

s ss

s s

When Considering A Repower, Consider These Factors: • Mastry Suzuki RePower exclusive Owner’s Edge Program* • Mastry Suzuki RePower Centers are located throughout the southeast • Mastry has over 5-decades of repower experience for proper rigging, controls, propeller matching and in water testing • With Mastry Suzuki RePower owners gain improved performance, less noise and greater reliability • Options that will ﬁt most any budget • Financing available • All Suzuki RePowers come with Suzuki’s latest factory “Gimme backed 6” 6-years 5-year of protection warranty

Get with the Program! s s s

s s

suzukirepower.com

1-800-545-4574

s s

www.NoblesMarine.com Family Owned & Operated for 45 Years

Leesburg 352787-5792 437 N Palmetto St. Leesburg

COAST GUARD APPROVED COURSE & EXAM

www.adamsmarine.com To Reserve a Spot Call: Toll Free 877-447-1950 Email: info@adamsmarine.com

Largest Ship Store in Lake & Sumter Counties Crystal River 352795-1119 1931 NW Hwy 19 Crystal River

The MicroWave Line Control System is scientifically proven to improve fishing rod performance.

Cast Further, Smoother & More Accurately with these

info@americantackle.us | americantackle.us 6 FLORIDA

JULY 2021

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

SEAWALL EROSION CONTROL

Depressions and sinkholes along the wall are signs of seawall erosion.

FAILING SEAWALL? WE CAN HELP! SIGNS OF SEAWALL EROSION 1. Cracks in the seawall vertical panels or seawall cap 2. Depressions in your yard 3. Water bubbling up from the ground 4. Small sinkholes along the wall 5. Leaning or bowing of a seawall

• Free Estimates • Free 2nd Opinions

• Fully Licensed

• Competitive Pricing

• Family Owned

• Environmentally Friendly

• Experienced and Reputable

• Guaranteed Work

• Serving All of Florida

813.377.2462

www.FloridaSeawallSolutions.com

#CBC1255391

VIE W ENT OUR IR INV ENT E O ONL INE RY BBM A S.C T OM

#1 FOR FUN ON THE WATER

YAMAHAWAVERUNNER.COM

BBMS.COM

Kickin’ Bite! By: Capt. Philip Watson

his summer’s bite has been red hot! This time of year, our main focus is on American Red Snapper and the first part of the season has been very successful for us. We are targeting these in 140-190’ depths on a variety of live and cut baits. Remember when fishing these red snapper, the bigger of the fish are on the top of the school. So, when you drop your bait down, reel it up a few cranks up off the bottom. The highlight trip of the month was with my good friend Keaton Hinze from What The Fin Apparel for our yearly trip. The fish I had on my mind was tuna and boy did we find some! The first stop was in 95’ on a piece of hardbottom; while grouper fishing Brad noticed a black fish come and eat a discarded bait. We immediately threw out some flat lines and as soon as the bait hit the water we were hooked on black fin tuna! These fish we churning the water and jumping all the way out for our live chummers. We landed two in the chaos and lost another 3-4 in the mix. Soon after we made a move to some grouper bottom a little deeper and along the way ran into some beautiful whale sharks. These sea creatures were at least 25’ long and hung around the boat for at least an hour.

After the whale sharks we decided to check out a spring for some catch and release action. We were met by some angry barracuda and some fun fighting amberjacks! The amberjacks chummed up to the top which made for some amazing top water action and the barracudas just couldn’t resist the ‘cuda tubes. The bite is going right now so make sure you take some time off to enjoy the beautiful Gulf of Mexico!

Just Kickin Back Charters | justfishfl.com | 941-226-1100

FACEBOOK.COM/COASTALANGLERMAGAZINESARASOTA/ | JULY 2021 | SARASOTA / BRADENTON 1

Summertime is Definitely Here By: Eric Henson

uring the summer when things start to heat up, people seem to think the fishing starts to slow down. That is primarily due to when and where they are fishing. Of course, if you are fishing in the middle of the day, with not much tidal movement, and on a muddy bottom, most fish are going to be a bit sluggish. But, if you pick the right tide, the time of day, baits, and the right area, it can be quite the opposite! Here are some things I do to have great success during the hottest time of the year. Number one would be starting at the crack of dawn. I like to be putting in a half hour to an hour before the sun rises depending on how far I have to go to fish. At this time of morning the water is so quiet and serene! When the moon is still glaring and the stars still shining I like to listen for bait getting busted. Even when I hear the mullet starting to wake as they break the surface. I like to start pitching top-water baits like the new YoZuri Inshore 3D Pencil or Popper in their direction. Nothing like when you can just barely see and hear your bait scooting across the surface when… BOOM!!! The explosion erupts, lines screaming off of your reel, and for those few seconds of wondering what is on the end of your line is priceless!

Second would be the last half hour to hour before sunset to about a half hour after sunset. Most fishermen call this the “Golden Hour” This hour with the sky being this incredible gold color can be one of the most productive hours of the day! At this time, I generally throw softplastics like Monster 3X Paddle -X or X-SWIM! And in the last minutes of light I will mix in some top-water action as well. Last but definitely not least would be fishing at night. Rather it is fishing the flats during a full moon or targeting dock lights with good water movement, this can be extremely productive! Also, way less people on the water so it can be very quiet and peaceful as well. Be sure to ALWAYS have proper 360 degrees lighting on your kayak so that you do not get run over by a boater not being able to see you. Summertime can most certainly be an outstanding time to fish if you play your cards right. As always, be sure to respect your fellow angler and leave the water better than when you left them. Tight Knots and Tight Lines to all!

Casting Kayaks | CastingKayaks.com | 941-504-1349

By: Ca

2 SARASOTA / BRADENTON | JULY 2021 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM/SARASOTA/

The Gulf’s Lucky Buggers!

By: Capt. Chad Carney

very last Wed & Thurs in July, (28 & 29 this year), Sportsman Lobster Season opens & SE FL and the Florida Keys go crazy! AKA “Lobstermania!!” Then it closes for 7 days until Regular Lobster Season opens Aug 6 - Mar 31. The 4th of July is way calmer than this 2 day jam of too many divers and boats into these narrow coastlines! The difference between SE FL & SW FL spearos/buggers: The former concentrate on bugs, and if they spear at all they’re overloaded with every bit of lobster & spearing gear. Usually they boat their limit of bugs by drifting in current on the extensive reefs, then maybe get their 1 barely legal hogfish. (Technical spearos & serious freedivers are the exception.) The latter are serious spearos and they rarely drag bulky bug gear - bags, nets, tickle sticks or snares, which are counterproductive while swimming long broken ledges, rubble fields, potholes and wrecks. Usually they fill heavy fish stringers of grouper, snapper and big hogs, but often find no bugs. But just sometimes a fish leads them to 1 or 2 bugs on a good hole. I call it being a “Lucky Bugger!” Bugs in the Gulf are big and old after migrating up from the Yucatan and Dry Tortugas. You never see a “Short”, but keep a gauge

and check for eggs. I’ve never seen hatchlings up here. The Goliath grouper population is huge now in the Gulf, since 1990 protection, and they

suck ’em right out of holes. Bugging Tips: Poking a big speargun in a hole behind a beast, makes a great back up blocker. Or take a freeshaft out and tickle them with the butt, to a good side - down current helps because silt is bad in low current. A mounted/removeable UK mini Q40 light is great! Poly-coat Dyneema or Kevlar gloves make good 2-handed grabs, especially on big slow bugs. Grab the two secure antennae bases, (“knuckles”). A bug will kick & kick unless you let him hold something, like a gauge console or a bug bag. If you snare a beast grab it fast, as snares can snap. My blue bag has a big velcro snap shut mouth & bottom zipper to dump in coolers. It rolls up narrow to relieve drag if not used. Of course, go to myfwc.com for all the regulations. I won my “Bug-Zilla” mount in a Gulf spearfish tourney, it weighed 8.5#, and carapace is 7.5” long! LOA BZ is still 34” after losing antenna tips at dive shows. (Caught a 10# soon after I got BZ.) Hope you’re a “Lucky Bugger!” Capt. Chad

chad.carney@yahoo.com https://www.facebook.com/floridaskindiver/ https://www.deeperblue.com/beginners-guide-spearfishing/ 727-423-7775

FACEBOOK.COM/COASTALANGLERMAGAZINESARASOTA/ | JULY 2021 | SARASOTA / BRADENTON 3

Tonya Wiley (right) and Adam Brame (the NOAA Fisheries U.S. sawfish recovery coordinator) with the first sawfish tagged in Tampa Bay, a newborn located in Redington Shores in April 2021. All research activities were performed under the authority and guidelines of NMFS ESA permit #21857. Credit Tonya Wiley.

SAWFISH NEWS by Tonya Wiley, Havenworth Coastal Conservation

Local Scientist Seeks Your Help with Endangered Sawfish Research

onya Wiley, President of Havenworth Coastal Conservation in Palmetto, has been studying the endangered Smalltooth Sawfish for over twenty years. For decades, her research was focused in the Ten Thousand Islands and Everglades National Park because reports of sawfish north of Charlotte Harbor were rare. But now Tonya is leading a research project to locate and tag sawfish in the Tampa Bay area, gather information on sawfish catches and sightings, collect small samples from sawfish rostra (saws) in public and private collections for genetic analysis, and educate the public about sawfish in this area. Thanks to several people who reported sightings on the beach this spring in Pinellas County, Tonya was able to catch, tag, and release the first two sawfish in the Tampa Bay area. One of the best ways for Tonya, and other members of the Smalltooth Sawfish Recovery Implementation Team (www.SawfishRecovery.org), to track the effectiveness of ongoing management and conservation efforts is to collect information about interactions with endangered sawfish. Details of public sightings and captures of sawfish can substantially increase what is known about the species, allowing scientists to make management and policy decisions that are reflective of the realities in the water and target their field research efforts. Because of their countless hours on and in the water, Tonya is seeking to partner with the local angling and diving community to collect information about sawfish in the Tampa Bay area. For anglers to safely and legally release any sawfish accidentally caught: • Release sawfish immediately • Leave the sawfish, especially the gills, in the water at all times • Never lift a sawfish from the water or drag it ashore • Do not use gaffs or ropes to secure any captured sawfish • Cut the line as close to the hook as safely possible

For divers to safely and legally enjoy encounters with sawfish: • Keep your distance • Avoid disturbing sawfish • Never chase, feed, or touch them

Please share the information

about your sawfish encounters by visiting, www.SawfishRecovery.org, calling 1-844-4SAWFISH, emailing sawfish@myfwc.com, or submitting the details through the FWC Reporter app. Your encounter report could lead Tonya Wiley with an Tonya to tag the next endangered Smalltooth Sawfish in Tampa Bay! endangered smalltooth sawfish.

4 SARASOTA / BRADENTON | JULY 2021 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM/SARASOTA/

Credit Dana Bethea

FACEBOOK.COM/COASTALANGLERMAGAZINESARASOTA/ | JULY 2021 | SARASOTA / BRADENTON 5

Caught in the Rain! By: Capt. Dave Stephens

ell what seemed to be one of the driest springs leading into summer that I can remember, might be coming to an end. The past few days I’ve found myself fishing in the rain midday here out in the Gulf. I have to admit, day one I didn’t have any rain gear on the boat. However, that mistake was not made a second time, mainly because my wife has been married to a guide for 20+ years. I’m sure a lot of people think that a high concentration of salt is a good thing for our local fishery, well it is not. A lot of our fish require salt with freshwater mixed. Not only do some of our top game fish require this, it’s very important for our estuary. Over the past few years we have seen a decline in our natural sea grass beds due to the higher influx of fresh water. During the wet season, too much rain can wash out, and even kill our natural grass beds. However, the same can be said for the rivers that feed into our harbor. I grew up fishing the Peace River and have noticed the loss of reed grass on that river. This is mainly due to the higher salinity levels pushing up the river. These reed covered shorelines are natural habitat for juvenile mullet and crustaceans. Where you have a food source the predators will surely follow. Hopefully with the oncoming rainy season the balance of our estuary will get back to normal. Probably the biggest effect this has on our fishery is the spawn,

on the top of that list would be snook. This is the time of year when these fish are spawning, and snook require a certain level of salinity for their eggs to hatch. I know the higher salt levels sound like a great thing for that to happen, but it could also be a bad thing. If we get too much rain in a short period of time while a spawn is taking place, those eggs could be washed out. I know it’s said that all snook return to the beach to spawn. This is a myth, these fish will spawn in areas with the proper bottom, tidal flow and salt content. The one thing that could hurt a great spawn would be a false sense of security. What I mean by this is, a spawn happening then we get an overwhelming amount of rain. We have dealt with red tide in the past and are on the brink of a major come back for our greatest sportfish. I know, I got off topic about what’s biting and forecasting what will be biting in the next few weeks. I just felt like I should share some knowledge about one of my personal favorite fish to target while on charters. If you would like to see why I’m so passionate about this fish call and book a charter with us, I’m sure I can make you love the fish as much as I do.

6 SARASOTA / BRADENTON | JULY 2021 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM/SARASOTA/

Back Bay Xtremes |Backbayextremes.com 941-916-5769

s.com -5769

Complete Trailer Repair

• Parts & Installation • Aluminum Welding & Fabrication 2425 Manatee Ave East - Bradenton, FL

941-746-6369

M-F: 8am-5pm Sat: 8am-12pm Sun: Closed

www.aandatrailerhitchcenter.com

Since 1965

FACEBOOK.COM/COASTALANGLERMAGAZINESARASOTA/ | JULY 2021 | SARASOTA / BRADENTON 7

THE STANDARD IN

Saltwater Fishing!

Let The Battle Begin!

(941)-795-8442

5409 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, FL 34209

8 SARASOTA / BRADENTON | JULY 2021 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM/SARASOTA/

Snapper Bite in July By: Capt. Bart Marx

ello fellow anglers! Its July in Southwest Florida and the snapper bite should be in full feeding mode. The American Red Snapper is one of the most targeted species in our area. This year we get two months to harvest two per day per angler. That can be some expensive fillets to run out to one hundred feet plus of water. Just to harvest two of these great eating fish. When I go I try to plan on stopping at some good bottom to get some mangroves or some lane snappers too. And if I have time I like to chum up some yellow tail snapper and pick up a few of them if possible. And on some good hard bottom find a keeper gag grouper. If you do make one of these runs be prepared to troll for a fresh bonito they make great cut bait for the snapper. And they are great fun too. And if you don’t have a boat to make those long runs there should be plenty of sharks and tarpon along the beaches to find something to put some heavier tackle to the test. And the goliath population keeps increasing they put up a good fight if your back is young enough to take that kind of abuse too. And this month the snook should be migrating to their final spots to spawn. They can be found from forty to fifty feed

deep around structure / artificial reefs. Also, they stack up along the beaches usually close to some bait balls. Inshore close to points where there is moving water and a little bit deeper cut. Go and cast the net and get some white baits so you can chum them up and put a hook in one and catch one the big girls. Check to make sure the FWC regulations in your area as they have been making changes all summer, to determine if you are in an area that you can harvest one. If you would like to come along with me on my boat for a fishing charter give me a call, or if you would prefer to take out your own boat, I can go with you on yours so you could learn how to fish in Southwest Florida if you are new to the area, just give me a call or e-mail captbart@alphaomegacharters.com or phone is much quicker 941-9796517. If you have friends coming to visit from the north and like to fish for summer break. I also have gift certificates for birthday or whatever type of a gift. So always remember singing drags and tight lines make me smile. <*(((((>{

Alpha Omega Charters | alphaomegacharters.com captbart@alphaomegacharters.com | 941-979-6517

DREAMS

REALITY

DISCOVER THE BOSTON WHALER OF YOUR DREAMS Every Boston Whaler is designed for ultimate load-and-go readiness. With their combination of reliable power, durable construction, and easy cleaning, Boston Whaler takes on rough saltwater with ease while providing family-friendly comforts. From ultimate fishing machine to a beautiful, dry cruise to dinner, Boston Whaler has something to suit your boating needs.

Contact us to schedule an appointment with your Authorized Boston Whaler Dealer. Two convenient locations to serve you. MarineMax Venice: (888) 538-4052 | MarineMax Cape Haze: (888) 714-7324 | marinemax.com

FACEBOOK.COM/COASTALANGLERMAGAZINESARASOTA/ | JULY 2021 | SARASOTA / BRADENTON 9

VEN-84008 BW Coastal Angler Ad-7.6325x5.0125.indd 3

3/27/19 8:11 AM

Running and Gunning By: Capt. Tim Ramsey

ishing in the 10K has been fantastic! This year it seems my favorite fish, the Snook, has come back strong after some rather slim years. Problem is, everybody knows it. While containing my rage at people I see cleaning slot fish at the dock, I often take the opportunity to mix it up a bit. No, not in the pugilistic sense, but rather, just go catch something else. That’s when I go “running and gunning.” Preparation for such an event is easy. Three rods. One with a plain silver lure I love called a “MirrOdine.” The second with a bucktail jig, and the third with a Cajun Thunder cork rig. Keep a few shrimp with you. On a glass calm day when the heat in the backcountry is too much or the tide is too high, I cruise the area from Cape Romano to Pavilion Key. Quite often I’ll stop, go on the trolling motor, and run the crab buoys for tripletail. Lots of fun. You learn a lot about reading the water, fish behavior, and your casting accuracy. Forgive me if I don’t share any secrets here. An added bonus is the chance to snicker at the people with big, multi-engine offshore boats trying to fish the traps while spending ten times as much on their boats and having to keep their engines running all day. I do the same when these people get the big boats stuck in the backcountry. Why did you buy the wrong boat? I digress. Sometimes I think running and gunning is cheating, but I don’t care. Cruise along, look for jumping fish, schools of rays, oddly discolored or disturbed water, birds hovering or diving, and the odd fin sticking out that doesn’t belong to a dolphin. Stop, ease closer, cast to

the other side of the target and reel. Too easy. Don’t run right up close and stop. Don’t circle. Don’t run by the people tarpon fishing or the guides out with a charter and throw a wake at them. Sure, sometimes they do it to you, especially in the backcountry, but we can all do our part for fishing etiquette. I think I harp on that, but again, I digress. You can get an amazing display of the wide diversity of species when running and gunning. I’ve pulled up on schools of redfish, black drum, jacks, tarpon, bluefish, and Spanish mackerel. I’ve discovered trout, tripletail, and pompano areas I didn’t know, caught cobia and reds following behind schools of rays, played with blacktip and bonnethead sharks, happened on permit, and found my good friend, the Snook. Of course, we revive and release everything. Well, except for maybe some bluefish and Spanish mackerel. Ignore the naysayers, bluefish stew is as good as anything you can eat. Maybe better. Just be careful operating your boat and pick up any trash you see floating around. The wildlife will thank you for it. See you out there.

Friends of the Pelicans

ven if you take precautionary steps to avoid it, sometimes you might hook a bird by accident. That’s when it’s important to remember—don’t cut the line and let the bird fly away with it attached. This will lead to entanglement, resulting in death of that bird and possibly others as well. Instead, follow these simple steps to unhook the bird: Reel. Remove. Release. 1. Wear safety glasses and enlist a partner for help. 2. Reel the bird in slowly and lift it from the water using a hoop net. Even a large pelican weighs only 4-8 pounds 3. Grasp the bird by the head just behind the eyes and fold the wings against the body. For pelicans, hold the beak, keeping the mouth slightly open so it can breathe. Cover the bird’s head with a cloth to keep it calm. 4. Never pull the hook out but carefully push the end through the skin, cut off the barb and back the hook out using pliers or clippers. If the bird is entangled, remove all line. 5. Release the bird (if healthy) by placing it on the ground near the water and allowing it to take off. 6. If the bird has swallowed the hook or is severely injured, contact a local wildlife rehabilitator from the list at MyFWC.com/unhook.

How else can you help a seabird or wading bird? 1. Don’t feed the birds, which teaches them to approach where they are more likely to be hooked. 2. Dispose of filleted bones where birds can’t get them—in a trash can with lid or at home. Bones of a filleted fish will become lodged in or tear throats, stomachs and intestines leading to the death of that bird . 3. Cover bait buckets and take unused bait home. 4. Dispose of fishing line in a monofilament recycling bin or cut into small pieces and place in the trash. 5. Don’t leave your line unattended. 6. Cast carefully to avoid hooking a bird in flight or being snared on trees, bridge pilings etc. 7. Help others learn what to do when they accidentally hook a bird. It’s pretty easy, once you know how. 8. Sponsored by Friends of the Pelicans, Inc. More detailed information can be found at facebook.com/ friendsofthepelicans. — Photos by Carol Cassels

10 SARASOTA / BRADENTON | JULY 2021 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM/SARASOTA/

HOLD YOUR BOAT TIGHTLY TO YOUR DOCK WITH ONLY TWO LINES No Spring Lines, Cross Ties, OutPilings or inflated Fenders Needed

It is the easiest, quickest, most effective docking system on the market!

n that,

when drum, trout, ds folthead ok. Of some w is as rating ildlife

Autonomously rides up and down with changes in water level and maintenance free! SUMMER SPECIAL CALL NOW E SAVINGS TO RESERV

Mention this Ad and get

$200 OFF

A Complete Docking Syste m

Got Jigs By: Joe Sheaffer

he more I fish the more I’m asked by friends and other anglers, “What is your favorite lure?” Like most anglers I have a plethora of lures, top water plugs, diving plugs, spoons, all types of plastic lures and live bait rigs. I use many of these lures occasionally throughout the year. However, without any hesitation the answer I always give is a jig of some type. A plain old jighead would be my favorite because it can be paired up with many different options. A grub, swimbait, jerk shad, shrimp and so many types of creature baits to name a few. Other types of jigs, Bucktails, Swimjigs, Jig and Pig, Diamond jigs and Casting jigs are examples of very productive presentations. Using a jig sounds somewhat Neanderthal but honestly this lead on a hook lure, can be very versatile. Using your imagination can put so many different twists on presentations that can be very productive. Starting with the weight of the jig, color, shape and don’t forget the add ons. A jig and

paddle tail probably accounts for more fish being caught than any other presentation. Simply changing the weight of the jig and the color of the paddle tail as conditions dictate can make a decent day of fishing a great day of fishing. Sure, most people will jig the lure off the bottom or use a slow retrieve and these presentations are very productive. Other presentations like, quick jerks, waking the lure on the surface and dead sticking off the bottom can be very effective. A bucktail in the surf, a swim jig on the flats, a casting jig offshore, all have a place in this fishing game. I am a firm believer that you can never have too many jigs. There is never a time that at least one fishing rod on my boat has some type of jig tied on. Sure, there is a time for other types of fishing lures but I would highly recommend having a jig in your arsenal. Using these awesome lures will definitely help anglers catch more fish. Keep casting and good luck!

FACEBOOK.COM/COASTALANGLERMAGAZINESARASOTA/ | JULY 2021 | SARASOTA / BRADENTON 11

5409 Manatee Ave E Bradenton, FL 34209 941-795-8442

CORTEZ

July/2021 • 27°28’N 82°41’W

www.USHarbors.com

Cortez, FL - Jul 2021

High

Date

3113 1st Street, Bradenton, FL 34208 941-746-6020

PORT MANATEE

July/2021 • 27°38’N 82°34’W

www.USHarbors.com

Port Manatee, FL - Jul 2021

Low

High

Date

Rise

Set

Thu