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KINGS DAYTIME SWORDFISH TACTICS

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LOCAL REPORTS PHOTO COURTESY OF MICHELLE DALTON INSTAGRAM: @BOMBCHELLE_FISHING VOLUME 26 • ISSUE 320

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NYMPHING FOR WILD

Chattahoochee

BROWNS

By Nick Carter

rifting between forested banks over bedrock shoals, it’s easy to forget where you are on the Buford Dam tailrace of the Chattahoochee River. This beautiful stretch of water snakes southwest through densely populated suburbs north of Atlanta, yet riverside development is limited. There are long stretches where this river feels like wilderness— where the sounds of the city are replaced by lapping oars and the soft swish of fly rods cutting air. Chris Scalley, owner of River Through Atlanta guide service, manned the

4 NATIONAL

NOVEMBER 2021

oars. He rowed and coached and again showed us the bounty of the “Hooch.” The Angler Magazine Atlanta co-publisher Bob Rice and I have fished with Scalley several times before. Our late-September trip was another good one. The river’s wild reproducing brown trout were active in cooling weather patterns, and they punctuated a steady catch of sleek and feisty rainbows. The Chattahoochee is one of the best tailwater trout fisheries in the Southeast. It is a success story for fisheries management. Georgia DNR stopped stocking brown trout in the river in 2005 after natural reproduction was discovered. Today, those beautiful butter-bellies still thrive. It’s a unique situation that has made this 30-mile-long stretch a destination fishery. The Hooch has produced a string of state-record browns, including the current nearly 21-pounder. But before you get geared up for 30-inch trout, realize that while monsters do exist in the river’s deep holes and log jams, they are not frequent catches. Over several trips with Scalley, it seems a pretty good day consists of numerous rainbows, a handful of browns in the 10- to 12-inch range and a fish or two in the 14- to 16-inch range. Of course, the opportunity for larger fish is always present. Early in our float, a wading angler hailed us over to show photos of a 20-plus-inch fish he had in his net earlier that day. It was proof the big girls were eating, and it inspired us to fish our triplenymph rigs more diligently. After bringing several 8- to 12-inch rainbow trout to hand, I hooked into our first brown, a gorgeous 15-incher that took the big black stonefly anchoring the rig. We went on to catch several more good browns and a bunch of rainbows. The bows preferred either the small Baetis nymph in the rig or an egg pattern Scalley called a Stormy Daniels. While fishing three nymphs at once might sound like a recipe for disaster, it’s actually quite simple. Under Scalley’s coaching, even beginners catch on to the looping lob it takes to cast such a rig. Once it’s in the water, nymphing with an indicator is a lot like the bobber fishing you did as a kid. You just float down the river and watch for a fish to bite. Those bites should be frequent over the next few months. Water temperatures remain consistent on the tailwater year-round, and fall and winter offer great fishing for wild browns. Contact Chris Scalley and River Through Atlanta through their website riverthroughatlanta.com, or call (770) 650-8630.

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MUD HOLE URTESY OF PHOTO CO

Tailing the Kingfish Migration By CAM Staff

PHOTO CO

“K ‘th be lo URTESY O

F ERIC MAR

EST

erhaps more than any other species, king Texas. Some of these fish push farther south mackerel are temperature driven. Kingfish into waters off Mexico’s Yucatan. Regardless of where you fish along prefer a temperature range of about 68 to 73 degrees, which is extremely specific, and it these migrations, kingfish are looking for the same conditions. They can be found on keeps them on the move. That magic temperature window also makes ledges, reefs, oil rigs and wrecks, wherever them easier to find. With today’s technology and there are baitfish. They like nearshore subscription services providing daily updates and offshore structure and color breaks on offshore conditions and currents, identifying where plankton-rich waters exist in the prime hunting grounds for kings can be a matter temperature range they prefer. Trolling or drifting are the most of checking your phone or tablet in the morning effective methods to target kings, and before you head out. It’s no surprise that general seasonal good live bait is the best way to hook migratory patterns take king mackerel to up with big ones. Blue runners, pogies warmer waters as cold fronts of fall arrive. (menhaden), pilchards, threadfin Tagging and genetics studies have shown that herring, any bait with some silver Atlantic king mackerel push south to waters off flash is good. Switching them out and Florida to overwinter. Their numbers this time keeping them lively is important. A of year thin out the farther north you go, yet fall heavy chum slick can do wonders for can also be the best time to catch big isolated bringing them up near the surface. Idle speed is about right for smokers off the coast of the Carolinas. Off South Florida, Atlantic kingfish pulling baits. Stagger depth and intermingle with Gulf kingfish during the winter distance from the boat. Bump the months. This winter mixing zone is primarily throttle into neutral and drift when around the Florida Keys, where the December the sonar shows good bottom or kingfish bite ramps up along with the action for bait. other species like sailfish and wahoo. For more kingfish tips, visit In the Gulf of Mexico, kings spend summer coastalanglermag.com. in the northern Gulf, with high densities tracked to waters off the mouth of the Mississippi River. KINGFISH RIGS In fall, they push south in two separate groups. Some fish move east and then south along the A mainline of 20- to 30-pound monofilament will suffice, but with all the teeth in Florida coast, where anglers intercept them as a king’s mouth, a wire leader is required. Depending on water clarity, go as heavy as the fish will they move down the coastline. allow, but keep it light enough for your bait to appear natural. The other group of Gulf kings moves west A 24-inch, single-strand wire of 40-pound test is a starting point. Go lighter in clear water or with the arrival of cooler weather. They run with smaller baits; go heavier in dirty water or if you’re fishing big baits. down the Texas coast to winter2021 off the south 6 NATIONAL NOVEMBER COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

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NATIONAL 7

g n i fish

THE EVOLVING ART OF DAYTIME

d wor

ithin the last decade, swordfishing has steadily evolved from being exclusively a nighttime pursuit into a roundthe-clock affair. The ongoing pioneering of daytime swordfishing techniques leaves room for experimentation to perfect personal preferences within this art. A lot of work goes into going after just a single bite, and many variables are at play fishing in 1,000 to 2,000 feet. Then, factoring in tackle, crew and the inconsistent bite style of these fish, the best way to figure out daytime swordfishing is to go do it. Although you might see little sport in utilizing an electric reel, this type of fishing requires an incredible amount of teamwork. There’s always a job for everyone on the boat. Good communication is essential, not only to land fish, but also just to set the bait correctly. Rigging a bait for swordfish is more satisfying than buying one pre-rigged. It’s a chance to flex your creativity and experiment with different styles and baits. After all, you want more than one bait on-hand during a sword trip. Whether you go with the tried-and-true squid bait or hardier mahi- or bonita-belly strips, the most important factor is whether or not the bait spins. If it spins on the surface, it will spin worse at the bottom, and it must be modified or scrapped. Personally, I like a glow-in-the-dark squid skirt on any bait, not just for added movement and visual enhancement, but the skirt also streamlines the bait and compensates for rigging errors. Once you’ve sewn the bait, slowly troll it behind the boat to check for spinning. If your Franken-bait is straight as an arrow 8 NATIONAL

NOVEMBER 2021

By Capt. Quinlyn Haddon

on the surface, send it on down. Affix breakaway lights along the wind-on leader near the bait. About 100 feet up the leader, use rigging floss to create a loop where the clip for the weight will attach to the main line. The clip is attached to about 30 feet of lighter leader, in the 50-pound range, that is then affixed to a weight. Adjust weight to the current. A reasonable go-to is 10 pounds. Again, ensure you have extra weights on board before investing in a sword trip. The last thing you want is to get revved up over a bite, come up without a weight and have to scavenge a tool box for your heaviest wrenches to toss overboard. There are a few different styles of driving the boat for swordfishing that have proven successful. Regardless of the method you chose, the idea is to keep the weight from free falling and tangling the line. Keep tension on the line while it is going down, take up the slack, and relocate the bottom. Come up off the bottom 100 feet, or so, and continue that process as you drift over varied depths. Keep eyes on the rod tip the entire time, and find the happy medium between not blinking and not losing your mind. Swordfish might swipe the bait before committing to the hook, or they might hammer it. Sometimes they just start swimming to the surface with it. All the different bites look different on the rod tip. You might see the rod bounce with taps, get heavy and not bounce at all, or just completely go slack. Whether the bite is obvious or subtle, setting the hook or knowing when to reel up to check the bait is a matter of experience. Swordfish are counted like tarpon, where the overall bite count is included along with those landed. Don’t even bother fishing for swords if

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you don’t have patience or enough love of fishing to be okay with coming home skunked. It’s all hands on deck boating one of these very aggressive, potentially large fish. If you’re lucky enough to get a swordfish to the boat, you’ll find out very quickly which friends to invite back on the next trip. While the captain remains behind the wheel, ideally someone will be on the rod with another person unclipping the weight and pulling off the breakaway lights as the leader gets to the boat. Once all that gear has been removed, there is the matter of hand-leadering the fish, gaffing it, potential use of tail rope, and heaving that sucker into the boat. There are many ways to go about this, and many ways the fish could react. Swordfish are well known for stamina and can be quite dangerous to green gaff. Be prepared for the fish to get a second wind boatside. This is where communication and teamwork can make or break the experience. Go into a swordfish trip with everything you’ve got, but with the intent to relax and hang out. You might sit there all day without a bite, so bring people you enjoy the company of, and leave the “I’m-so-bored” guy at the dock. He is worse than bananas, anyway. Capt. Quinlyn Haddon fishes with Blue Magic Charters out of Marathon, Fla. Check her out her Instagram @CaptainQuinlyn, her website CaptainQuinlyn.com, or call (504) 920-6342.

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Goliath Grouper Recovering; Angler Harvest Proposed

4 FLORIDA

NOVEMBER 2021

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By CAM Staff

lorida has moved one step closer to allowing harvest of goliath grouper. In early October, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission approved a draft proposal to allow limited and tightly controlled harvest of the species. Don’t run out and stock up on heavy tackle just yet. A permit to keep a single fish will come with a hefty price tag, and anglers will only be allowed to keep a smaller one. These iconic fish, which grow to more than 800 pounds and 8 feet in length, have been protected from harvest in state and federal waters off Florida since 1990. The harvest proposal is at the beginning of the long road that leads to regulation change. The proposal, with changes, must now be brought back before the commission at a future meeting. If approved again, it would then enter into the public feedback and data gathering stage before a final public hearing in March 2022. Regulations changes would take effect in 2023, at the earliest. Here’s an outline of the limited season the latest draft proposal would create: • Goliath grouper season would run March through May. • A lottery system with a $10 entry fee would issue $500 permits to harvest one fish per person. • Only 200 total permits would be issued. • There would be a slot limit from 20 to 36 inches. • Harvest would not be allowed off Palm Beach County, the Atlantic

• Fi coast of the Keys and Dry Tortugas National Park. • There will be post-harvest requirements. Commissioner Robert Spottswood said limited harvest should help better determine the overall stock of the fish in the next three to five years. “This stock is rebuilding,” Spottswood said. “We’re hearing that it can easily sustain this very small harvest of fish. We’re going to learn something from it. And more importantly, we’re going to give some access that we can give safely and sustainably back to the stakeholders that own the resource.” Goliath grouper were in a bad situation prior to harvest restrictions put in place in 1990. There are numerous factors that make the species susceptible to overfishing. They are a desirable and easy target for anglers because of their size and because they inhabit shallow waters in comparison to other groupers and tend to gather in large numbers in predictable locations. Since the 1990 harvest ban was enacted, goliath abundance has increased, and that positive trend is expected to continue. A limited harvest, managed similarly to the existing alligator program, would provide both data and funding for goliath grouper research, while allowing expanded recreational angler access to the species. The 200 permits issued are not expected to impact the population or its growth. For more information, go to myFWC.com.

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Hialeah Angler Catches State Record Peacock

f all the non-native fish species that have established themselves in South Florida’s system of freshwater lakes and canals, peacock bass are the only ones that arrived legally. Butterfly peacock bass are a species anglers are glad to have, and Felipe Prieto, of Hialeah, caught a dandy out of a Broward County lake while fishing live bait after work. His 9.11-pound, 23 5/16-inch catch was recently certified by FWC as a new state record. Prieto’s big peacock bested a mark that has stood for nearly three decades. The previous state record of 9.08 pounds was caught back in 1993. It is not, however, the largest ever caught in Florida. FWC has record of a 12-pound, 25.5-inch peacock that was not submitted for state record recognition. That fish was not far off the current IGFA all-tackle world record, which weighed 12 pounds, 9 ounces and was caught from Venezuela’s Chiguao River in January of 2000. Peacock bass are native to South America, and they were intentionally introduced to Florida. The FWC stocked peacock bass in coastal southeast Florida canals in 1984 to help reduce the number of undesirable exotic fishes, especially spotted tilapia. An awesome new fishery was a side benefit of the stocking. Limited low-temperature tolerance normally restricts butterfly peacocks to Broward and Miami-Dade counties, but recent mild winters have allowed anglers as far north as Palm Beach County to enjoy catching this species. “The butterfly peacock bass is colorful, a lightning-fast striker and a hard fighter,” said FWC Commission Chairman Rodney Barreto. “Anglers from across the country travel here to catch a peacock bass, which only adds to the tremendous economic impact fishing has in Florida. This unique game fish is just one of the features that makes Florida, truly, the Fishing and Boating Capital of the World.”

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NOVEMBER 2021

To properly certify a new freshwater Florida state record, an FWC biologist must identify the species and an FWC employee must witness its weighing on a certified scale. Anglers can check the current state records at BigCatchFlorida.com by clicking on “State Record” and should notify the nearest FWC regional office if they believe they have caught a record fish. Anglers are encouraged to be prepared to provide a photograph of the fish on a scale with the weight legible, for expediting the initial verification of the fish species and potential state record status. Contact information for FWC regional offices can be found at MyFWC.com/Contact by clicking on “Contact Regional Offices.”

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Easy Pickin’s By Capt. Michael Okruhlik

all fishing can be the easiest and best fishing of the year. For me it is the flounder run, schools of trout and reds under flocks of gulls, and the prelim to giant trophy trout time. The fall flounder migration is definitely a staple of fall fishing, and I know that it goes on wherever flatfish exist. We do have a closed season for the first time, so be sure to check the regs wherever you plan to fish. Most states have changed flounder regulation in the last couple years. Not only are flounder easier to find when they travel though the passes in their voyage to their spawning grounds, they also feed aggressively as they follow baitfish out of the bays. When I focus on flounder, I change my presentation dramatically. I like to apply scent to my lures, which gives you a great advantage when it comes to catching flounder. A tandem rig is a popular method to utilize for flounder. Since flounder frequently ambush bait by burying themselves in the sand, I keep my lead lure in contact with the bottom at all times and give the lure a twitch with my rod using a sideways motion. If I am in a boat, I do this with my rod tip down, but while wading my rod moves to my side. Finding trout and reds smashing shrimp under feeding gulls can really get your heart pumping from the visual excitement. It can also provide nonstop fish on every cast. This is especially true in the fall, when it is more common to find larger trout schooling than in the other three seasons. When fishing the birds, I use a heavier jighead than I typically do. A ¼- to 3/8-ounce jighead works well. The more skittish the fish and birds, the heavier head I will use. I do this simply to increase my casting distance, so I can reach the schools sooner and stay farther away in an attempt to

not break up the schools or push them down. Using a durable soft plastic and smashing down the barb of the hook are helpful in maximizing the number of fish you can pull off each school. If you can keep the birds off of it, throwing a topwater might pull out some of the larger fish and add to the fun and visual stimulation of the entire event. By the end of fall, trophy trout become my main focus, and this continues through mid-spring. At this time, the water will have cooled considerably, and the majority of bait will have left the bays. Artifical lures will become a more reliable option for catching trophy trout. Enjoy this cooler weather, and spend some time on the water. This is a great time to introduce young anglers to the sport. Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Knockin Tail Lures and Controlled Descent Lures, and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.

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Navigating around storms, locating the best fishing spots and rocking out on the water… SiriusXM Marine has me covered! — Shane Murray, Team Total Vision, 35' Marlago Boater receives complimentary subscription.

Trial Offer Details: Activate a new monthly subscription to either: (i) SiriusXM Marine Fish Mapping or (ii) SiriusXM Marine Fish Mapping and the SiriusXM Platinum audio entertainment plan on the same device, and receive your first (1) month free for each activated service (a savings of $99.99 on Fish Mapping and $22.99 on Platinum plan), plus get free device activation (an additional savings of $25). A credit card is required on this offer. Service will automatically renew every month thereafter and, at the beginning of your second month, you will be charged at then-current rates (currently, $99.99/mo. for Fish Mapping and $22.99/mo. for Platinum plan). Fees and taxes apply. You must cancel your subscriptions during your promotional period(s) to avoid future charges. Please see our Customer Agreement at www.siriusxm.com for complete terms and how to cancel, which includes calling us at 1-800-985-9200. All fees, content and features are subject to change.This offer may be modified, suspended or canceled at any time. Subscription and hardware sold separately. Your Platinum subscription plan may be eligible for a multi-radio discounted rate if maintained on the same account as an activate full-price SiriusXM Marine Weather or Fish Mapping subscription package or other qualifying SiriusXM audio subscription. © 2021 Sirius XM Radio Inc. SiriusXM and all related logos are trademarks of Sirius XM Radio Inc. and its respective subsidiaries. All rights reserved.

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f you’ve spent any time on a boat in sharky waters, there’s no doubt the tax man has taken his due from what you thought was going to be fish dinner. Racing sharks to get your catch to the boat is a part of fishing, and it’s a component of our fisheries that NOAA wants to look at a little closer. NOAA Fisheries is considering an exempted fishing permit (EFP) that would authorize the collection of fish with evidence of shark depredation on charter vessels in southeast Florida. The project seeks to collect fish carcasses with evidence of shark depredation and conduct genetic analysis to determine which shark species were responsible for the damage. If the EFP is approved, fish carcasses collected may be outside of the range of minimum size limit, bag limit, or seasonal closure regulations. Information collected would be useful in understanding the impact shark depredation has on the charter fishing fleet in South Florida. Researchers would work with specific captains who fish in federal waters between Sebastian Inlet and Jupiter Inlet, Fla. These charter vessels would continue routine fishing operations, and if a fish is caught that exhibits signs of depredation, the fish would be retained by the researcher, isolated from other catch, and transferred to Florida Atlantic University (FAU), Harbor Branch Laboratory when returned to port. Signs of depredation from landed fish include: fresh teeth marks and active bleeding; partially removed trunk tissue (scales, skin, and muscle); exposed musculature and/or internal organs; and missing fins. The skin and flesh exposed by the bite wound would be swabbed to identify depredating species from trace amounts of DNA left on prey remains. Researchers would retain a maximum of 240 individual fish distributed across the following species complexes during the study: snapper-grouper, dolphin-wahoo, and coastal migratory pelagics. Some samples collected may be under-sized, above the recreational bag limit, or caught during a closed season. Only the captain and crew aboard authorized charter vessels would be permitted to retain species with evidence of shark depredation that may be recreationally harvested out of season, or out of the authorized recreational bag limits or size limits. The EFP would be valid for two years during the course of the study. For more information, see www.fisheries.noaa.gov.

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November Can Be a Crazy Month By: Eric Henson

razy for both fishing and the nose. Also, there are still some absoweather. However, if you pick lute trophy size reds out there if you and choose your days correctare looking to break your current PB ly, prepare to have an outstanding ‘personal best” Redfish. I promise if day of both fishing and cool crisp you come across a school of a hunair to enjoy. The fish are waiting on dred or more reds all 30-40 inches, the good weather as well, so they can your mouth will drop to the floor and feed generously, put on a few pounds you will be trembling in your boots and prepare ahead when there will with anticipation. be less food available; this can make Last but definitely not the least fishing extremely productive! is Mr. Linesider, aka Snook. As these The first fish I like to target in Ocfish start to head towards the backtober is Juvi Tarpon. No matter their water for warmer water temps, keep size, these fish are going to give you an eye out for what looks like big everything they have and undoubtdark logs on the flats. They will literedly will win! But, since they are ally sit as still as they can until you not cold temperature tolerant, this is get close enough and realize they are pretty much the last month to have GIANT snook! So, if you think you some fun with them, at least with any see one in the distance, just take a type of consistency. Occasionally you cast before getting too close because can catch them, in our area, during once you are close enough to identify the cooler months but they generalthem, they’ve already seen you comly pop up out of nowhere and aren’t ing from a mile away. happily feeding. So, try and get out there and catch them while your Well, timing is everything this month. Be safe and have fun out there chances are still high. on the H20 with a bit of cooler air! Cheers, Eric Then the second species is the Redfish! These fish will still be Casting Kayaks | CastingKayaks.com | 941-504-1349 grouped up looking to destroy any bait or lure that comes across their FACEBOOK.COM/COASTALANGLERMAGAZINESARASOTA/ | NOVEMBER 2021 | SARASOTA / BRADENTON 1

Some of the Best Weather and Bite of the Year By: Capt. Armando Alejo

his is the time of the year where the weather and the bite are some of the best of the year! On a recent charter, we were reunited with a great group of high school friends and seeing them for the first time in more than twenty-five 25 years. On this particular trip, our goal was to fill an ice chest with our targeted species of fish - and that we did. My friend Danny along with his family and I headed out to the Intracoastal Waterways as the weather this day was a little too windy to go offshore. We focused on mangrove snapper first and in very short order we hit our limit with a few other species sprinkled in. I spoke to my group about a goliath in an area that I know roams but just haven’t seem to be able to land him and figured we would go try to locate him today and attempt to get it aboard. We worked for just a few minutes in this area and had a few break off's before we had hooked our goliath out of the woodwork. I was amazed! It

gave a good fight but lost at the hands of a great, young female angler we had aboard. Abigail fought this fish and brought it to the boat where it was photographed and released to go fight another day. As our day was drawing to a close, I figured I would give my group a solid closing to the day with a shot at some redfish and snook. As we approached our last spot of the day on the trolling motor, I was watching some bait busting action in an area close to shore, and we quickly boated more snook, a limit of redfish and a tarpon all in this SAME spot! My client aboard Ernie said, I never thought that this area could hold so many big fish in one spot. The group and I shared some great high school stories along the way, and had, by fish story standards an EPIC fishing trip.

www.A2charters.com | A2charters@outlook.com 305-778-5342

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

Change is in the Air By: Capt. Mike Manis

e’re approaching a winter pattern around the harbor as sporadic northern fronts combine with seasonally low tides. As well as contributing to cooler temperatures, these winds also push water out of the harbor escalating these tides. Typically, I’ll turn my attention to redfish and spotted sea trout. Both species tolerate cold well. As we get away from summer rain, our water clears up, cools down, and salinity increases. Consequently, I’ll start pushing into the backcountry and getting up into some of our many creek systems. As the oxygen and salinity increases, fish will begin moving in as well. As the water cools, a favorite prey species, scaled sardines, move offshore looking for more stable water temperatures. This forces the reds and trout to rely on shrimp and small crustaceans that these creeks provide as well as a refuge from erratic conditions. Therefore, I’ll begin throwing smaller clouser type patterns. I like the way it emulates the motion of a jig and gets down in the water

column where small crustaceans hide. Unlike some patterns, it doesn’t stop moving during the retrieve when the angler is not stripping. A sinking bait is a good representation of fleeing prey. I like creeks that hold deeper edges off points and bends. Fortunately, there are plenty of options. Out of Punta Gorda, the east side south of Ponce Park all the way to Matlacha has more real estate than most of us have time to explore. At the top of the harbor, Hog Island and the Myakka Cutoff provide another expanse of mangrove creeks. Lastly, the west wall incorporates enough of these areas to keep anyone busy all winter. When the wind lays down, pompano provide a change of pace. I like looking outside the bar along the southern end of the west wall and off the hard bottom outside Cape Haze Point. Here, a clouser is perfect and a ¼ ounce Nylure jig is the artificial of choice on a spinning rod. It’s not unusual to find them jumping your boat wake while running outside the bar along the wall. Sheepshead is a good bet. In fact, from shore, it offers one of the best opportunities all year. Docks, piers, and seawalls are all good. The Placida Trestle is very popular. The bait of choice is cut shrimp and fiddler crabs. Until next month, good tides.

Punta Gorda Fly Charters | puntagordaflycharters.com 941-628-7895

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

Time to Target Triple Tail By: Capt. Bart Marx

ime to head out into the Gulf and target some tripletail. In our area there are commercial fishermen that target stone crab claws. And they litter the nearshore waters with traps. Yes, this is a good thing as the buoys on these traps are where tripletail like to hang out. They nose up to the rope under the buoy and it truly looks like a wad of grass stuck on the line or they look like a plastic shopping bag tangled on the line, just under the buoy. Yea this is very productive for them to harvest any little fish that will come to hide around the buoy too. When I worked at the fish market many years ago one of the stone crab guys would bring tripletail in with his crab claws an after a few discussions he shared he would dip them up with a net. I was not much of an offshore guy in my twenties, but as I learned later you can use a fishing pole. When you see what you think is a fish, go past the buoy, slow down and make a U-turn. Approach the buoy slowly and position the in-casting distance to the buoy. Usually you can use a red fish set up to do this, with 20lb. braid and a clear leader about the same length as your rod 20lb. test. I may use live shrimp on a 1/0 VMC circle hook with a 1/4-ounce egg weight. Gulp new penny 3" or 4" will work on this rig too and DOA's work very well tied on the clear leader with no weight. As I pull up and

cast past the buoy I’ll reel the bait up to the line and stop the retrieve and let the bait sink and watch the fish they will roll off the buoy and attack the bait. When this happens DO NOT set the hook! Yes, this sounds crazy but most of the time if you set the hook they avoid it. If I wait to feel weight on the line I’ll then jack it up. This is when I need to keep the fish from going around the trap line. The trap line gets rough from them lifting them with the wench and it may cut your line, not a happy camper then. They put up a great fight and are good table fare too. The other thing while I may be running the trap line look for kingfish busting up the bait balls or spanish mackerel. If the waters are cool enough the gag grouper will migrate to the shallow waters where it is easy to troll for them. Yes, troll for grouper it works, using a deep diving lure like an` X-Rap 25/30. Or even a stretch 30 will work. I use a 3/0 Penn with 30lb. Suffix Braid on a med to heavy 7' rod. with a rod length 30lb. leader with a 2ft. 50lb. leader. It may take some trial and error to figure out the length and speed best but I usually travel about 5knots when I troll with around 100 to 150 feet of line in about 50 feet. Troll around artificial reefs and natural hard bottom for best results.

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

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

to the t sink buoy ns DO zy but avoid l then he fish p line h the happy nd are hile I ngfish kerel. ouper re it is uper it X-Rap use a a rod al and about 0 feet. ults.

Wake em Up By: Joe Sheaffer

he excitement of a crushing top water bite from one of the many inshore predators can really be the highlight of a fishing day. This time of year, the fish are shallow and eager to bite an artificial presentation. Many anglers prefer a top water plug because of the excitement factor and it can be very productive. As the sun comes up or the wind picks up that bite can slow down. Usually we still have plenty of time left in our day and coming up with a complementary lure or presentation can make a good day into a great day. Waking lures and techniques can be very effective and, in many cases, provide similar excitement as a top water plug. Many lure companies have created waking plugs that are very easy to cast and use in shallow water. The shallow water presentation that cruises just under the surface pushing water can entice violent strikes from Snook, Reds and other shallow

predators. The one drawback with plugs like top water lures and wake baits would be the grass factor. Floating grass can definitely negatively affect the action and can be frustrating. When the grass is a problem, a productive substitute is a jig and paddle tail. Waking this bait works very well and definitely is a great change up. After making your cast simply hold your rod tip high, reeling the lure fast enough to cause the waking action. The advantage of this presentation, the lure isn’t fouled up by the floating grass like the plugs. Adjusting the weight of the jig, the size of paddle on the paddle tail and the speed of the retrieve, may be needed to get the wake just right. One other advantage with a jig, the fish will definitely have a tougher time throwing the hook during the fight. When the top water bite slows down, casting a wake bait in the shallows can be an exciting way to keep the day going. Enjoy your days on the water and keep casting!

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

Shallow Minded Activities By: Mike Lahn

ello Southwest Florida, I am very excited to be the newest contributor to Coastal Angler Magazine. I moved to SWFL in 2009 from South Jersey. I’m a little bit of an out of the box thinker when it comes to November water activities. This month really kicks off the fall/winter “Negative Tides” and for anyone living or visiting southwest Florida this is a real treat because during spring and summer our water is generally anywhere from 2’ to 3’ deep along the mangroves, but now we will have these negative tides running for November until approximately March depending on the arrival of rainy season. Here’s a great opportunity to walk around in clear shallow water and see the many wonders that inhabit our local waters. First, you’ll have to open a Tide Chart for November 2021 and look for morning Negative tide numbers. These look totally different than normal tidal numbers. They will display a subtraction sign in front of the lowest tidal prediction. Here’s an example of one of these upcoming events. On Saturday Nov 20th, 2021 @10:09 am the tidal number indicator is -0.3 for Matlacha pass on the chart for the morning negative tide. During these times anyone with wading shoes can take a walk on the shallow water flats, or along the mangroves generally between 6” to 1’ of water depth depending on the area you chose, remember the tide will come back in so don’t go too far.

Here’s what you’ll need, a pair of wading shoes about $12-$25 locally, a small dip net about $9.00 available at any local tackle store, and a sifting crate with holes in it, I found my plastic sifting crate at my local Dollar Store. Drag your net through the grass areas, dumping its contents into your sifting box and try to identify all the species. Here’s a few locations that have “FREE “access to the extreme shallow water conditions. Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park Birding Trail and San Carlos Bay Beach on the left just before the Sanibel Bridge. The savvy members of your group should be able to spot crabs, starfish, small rays, local fish, and birds like Roseate Spoonbills, Herons, and Egrets feeding in the extreme shallow conditions. I use the sifting box for viewing small invertebrates then safely release them back into the water. Keep your camera handy, you never know what might show up. I’ve seen Dolphins corralling fish in these shallow water conditions and tail flip a mullet for a tasty breakfast, it’s quite a site to see. If you’re into fishing this is one of the best times to walk and stalk Redfish, Snook, and Speckled Seatrout in the super shallow water conditions. In closing be a little adventurous while you are entertaining your guests, they’ll be rewarded with memories that last a lifetime. Until next time, Tight Lines Screaming Drag!

finzupswfl@gmail.com | Instagram: finzupswfl (Mike Lahn)

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The Fish Bite is On By: Capt. Philip Watson

inally, some cooler temperatures are starting to show up and the fish are chewing! This is the month where gag grouper really show up strong. We can typically catch a few all year long but after the first couple of cold fronts they get into a pre-spawn aggregate. If and when you find these fish piled up they will be chewing hard and I like to target these fish on ledges anywhere from 35’ to 90’. These ledges will also hold your mangrove snapper, hogfish, and porgys. I typically like to use bigger baits such as Grunts, Pigfish, and large Pinfish. You will want to beef up that leader to 60-80lb test. Once these fish bite you better be ready to get them up. The big ones can defiantly be heart breakers. Our highlighted trip this month was with the Williams crew. The five of us headed out for a quick 6-hour reef session. On the way, I found a nice little piece of bottom full to the top of Lanes snapper so we spent 30 quick minutes putting about 20 on the ice. We pulled anchor

and scooted over to some near by ledges and started free lining for yellowtail snapper. In short order we put 10 nice Flags in the bucket when a huge cobia pops his head up. I blasted a bait out to him and he went for it immediately but bone headed me shanked it! Oh no… We got back on the free lines and continued with the yellowtails and had Mr. Cobia follow one back to the boat. I launched a pinfish at him and this time connected. After a long battle we boated a beautiful 60lb fish. Soon after we pulled anchor and hit a ship wreck on the way in and ended with a nice 46” barracuda that slammed a Cuda Tube. Awesome day!

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

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

Nice trout caught on a recent trip!

Diving The Dry Tortugas

By: Capt. Chad Carney

n the summer of 1982, I discovered the Dry Tortugas teaming with big fish, abundant beautiful corals and crystal-clear water. On a 65’ dive charter boat, it was 106 nautical miles from Marco Island to Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas National Park. We spent most of our days on the Tortugas Bank, west of Loggerhead Key Lighthouse & outside of the National Park. Today much of the Bank & Riley’s Hump are inside the Tortugas Ecological Reserves north and south, so no fishing is allowed. These regulations have been good for fish counts as the Tortugas is a breeding ground beginning in the Florida Gulf Stream. Many species go with the flow, just west of Key West and into the Gulf of Mexico. There are also fewer charter dive boats working these waters today. Over the years, I’ve lost count of my Tortugas trips, but they were a big factor for my move to the Isles of Capri, just half a mile north of Marco Island. Another reason is Southwest has way less population and way more area in diveable depths, than all of South and Central Florida. The Everglades from Marco Island to Lower Matecumbe Key in the

Keys is 88 nautical miles and has virtually zero population. Northwest of the Tortugas are great deep wrecks like the Rhein, Araby Maid, U 2513 and Hermes and Southeast the Tortugas are 25 nautical miles of big fish reef drop-offs, below Rebeca Shoals to the Tail End Light. On these drops I’ve shot 50 to 65lb black groupers and have seen 2 100 lbers! Northeast of the Tortugas are moderate depth wrecks, all on the way home, like the Oiler, Baja CA, and Spot Pack, where I shot my first Cubera Snapper, 57lb with a 20lb black too! The Air Force Relay Towers W, L, & S are still 53 nautical miles minimum from home, and known for African pompano, permit, AJs and mangrove snappers, shooting in the top half of the depth. Google the Dry Tortugas National Park for more info. https://www.nps.gov/drto/index.htm Capt. Chad

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

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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

8 SARASOTA / BRADENTON | NOVEMBER 2021 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM/SARASOTA/ VEN-84008 BW Coastal Angler Ad-7.6325x5.0125.indd 3

3/27/19 8:11 AM

A, and black miles it, AJs

:11 AM

Well it’s Finally November By: Capt. Travis Freeman

t is officially fall fishing season here in the Everglades and for me the fishing is better than EVER this time of year! I’m going to spill a little bit of inside information to all of you. As a 4th generation Everglades City native aka Gladesmen, owner and captain of Steadyfishingcharters. So enough is enough let me get down to business! I have been catching a variety of different fish all over the 10,000 islands and near shores along the Gulf Coast. Everything from snook, redfish, sea trout, cobia, triple tail, mackerel, goliath grouper, permit and many others that live and feed in the Gulf of Mexico or along the 10,000 islands Everglades City area. I like to use live shrimp and live white bait such as figure mullet or threads. Anything from 4 to 6 inches seems to work great for us. Stick that live white bait on a #4 J hook with a 1/2oz sinker on 40lb floral carbon leader just above the hook and you will not be disappointed. As for the shrimp, you can always fish it the same way to get it on the bottom or I like to use about 3ft of 40lb floral carbon leader with a popping cork rigged to a #4 J hook with a 1/4oz weight just above the hook to keep your bait pulled down and fishing correctly. Another tip. We have been catching a ton of fish on artificial. Casting rocks, deep points, structure and trees. Using a live target 3-inch pilchard or a 4-inch jerk bait brown and white in color. I

know you will reel in some monsters using artificial baits in and long the rivers. Anything that connects to the Gulf of Mexico and in places all along the 10,000 islands area where the water moves in and out with the changing of the tides from the Gulf. Local bridges are great to fish from with these artificial lures and jerk baits and let’s not forget we are talking about the Everglades aka 10,000 islands and nothing is more therapeutic then cruising through the Everglades watching the beautiful sunrise as the wind is blowing through your hair… on your way to catch a fish of a lifetime so you can cross that off of your bucket list! Until next time God bless.

Steadyfishingcharters.com | Steadyfishing@yahoo.com 239-285-2971

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

Highly Efficient Speed Jigging Technique By: Diogo Yamada

nlike slow pitch jigging, where the jig is worked with cadenced and slow movements and the target fish are usually bottom fish like groupers, halibut and bass, High Speed Jigging is a very effective fishing technique that works very well with pelagic fish, half-column waters such as amberjacks, yellowtails and tuna of all types and sizes. The impact of the fish in the hooks as the jig is accelerated from the bottom of the ocean is simply addictive and the line shots are cinematic. Thus, we found that under different conditions, one technique can be more efficient than another and Speed Jigging shows a lot of results when fish are attacking healthy prey lost from their schools. Speed jigging uses heavy equipment and large reels and can therefore be considered an activity that requires a high level of physical conditioning, but on the other hand, it can show surprising results and catch monstrous fish. For Speed Jigging we use shorter rods, usually between 5'2 and 6'0, which helps a lot in reducing leverage to work heavier jigs. Spinning Reels are generally used but the use of Conventional Reels

has also been popular and these should have a slower reel speed. PG models are the most suitable. PE (polyethylene) lines or better known here as braid lines are fundamental for speed jigging. Smaller diameter=less resistance making work less strenuous. As we are working hard jigs every detail can make a big difference in a day of speed jigging. Good quality leaders and connections must also be considered. Target fish are larger in this modality. The use of reinforced Assist hooks is essential, as the strikes are very hard and aggressive. Regarding Jigs, we have some weight distribution variations to be observed. You can choose between rear balance, purer and more traditional jigging, and center balance, a little more technical and with more elaborate movements ranging from acceleration and sliding. The speed jigging and slow pitch jigging techniques have different proposals and complete the technical arsenal of the sport fisherman, both being extremely fun and efficient. Get ready, speed jigging could be your new passion! Visit us for a more detailed orientation.

The Fisherman`s Hut | www.thefishermanshut.com

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

Located in Punta Gorda Marina 25096 E. Marion Ave | Punta Gorda, Fl 33950

941-655-7110

2017 350 VERADOS

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

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CORTEZ

November/2021 • 27°28’N 82°41’W

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Cortez, FL - Nov 2021

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3113 1st Street, Bradenton, FL 34208 941.746.6020

PORT MANATEE

November/2021 • 27°38’N 82°34’W

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Port Manatee, FL - Nov 2021

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