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Fishing Reports Catch Photos News & Events PHOTO COURTESY OF KACIE OLSEN “KNOCKOUTDOORS” VOLUME 23 • ISSUE 283
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BOOST YOUR CATCH w/RezBoostTM Technology
Interested in getting the most out of your own trusted transducer, or not sure you’re ready for the expense of installing a new CHIRP transducer? Furuno has a solution that will get the very best performance from your traditional narrowband transducer. Our RezBoostTM Fish Finders deliver clearer images than ever before, we’re talking up to 8x sharper. Whether it’s NavNet TZtouch2 or the FCV588/FCV628 stand-alone Fish Finders, RezBoostTM will boost your catch!
Get up to 8x sharper resolution, using a standard narrow band transducer, to more clearly define fish targets.
Assess individual fish size and depth based on echo strength for fish from 4 inches to over 6 feet.
Identify the sea floor composition from four types (Rocks/Sand/Gravel/Mud).
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www.FurunoUSA.com
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THE LIGHTEST PENN REEL EVER MADE The Lightest PENN Reel Ever Made. The all new Conflict II matches an extremely light weight design with PENN’s legendary durability. Featuring our RR30 body, CNC Gear Technology and HT-100 Drag system, the Conflict II is the ultimate inshore reel.
PENNFISHING.COM COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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© 2018 PENN is a registered trademark of Pure Fishing, Inc.
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REPOWER FINANCE Six Years of Protection at no extra charge on all new outboards 25 to 350 HP.
Instant Savings of up to $800 on select models. See your dealer for details.
Rates as low as 5.99% on new Suzuki outboards on approved credit.*
For a limited time, get Suzuki Extended Protection, Instant Savings and attractive financing on select Suzuki outboards from 25 to 350 horspower. See your participating Suzuki Marine dealer for details or visit www.suzukimarine.com.
Gimme Six Extended Protection promo is applicable to new Suzuki Outboard Motors from 25 to 350 HP in inventory which are sold and delivered to buyer between 07/01/18 and 09/30/18 in accordance with the promotion by a Participating Authorized Suzuki Marine dealer in the continental US and Alaska to a purchasing customer who resides in the continental US or Alaska. Customer should expect to receive an acknowledgement letter and full copy of contract including terms, conditions and wallet card from Suzuki Extended Protection within 90 days of purchase. If an acknowledgement letter is not received in time period stated, contact Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. – Marine Marketing via email: marinepromo@suz.com. The Gimme Six Promotion is available for pleasure use only, and is not redeemable for cash. Instant Savings apply to qualifying purchases of select Suzuki Outboard Motors made between 07/01/18 and 09/30/18. For list of designated models, see participating Dealer or visit www.suzukimarine.com. Instant Savings must be applied against the agreed-upon selling price of the outboard motor and reflected in the bill of sale. (Suzuki will, in turn, credit Dealer’s parts account.) There are no model substitutions, benefit substitutions, rain checks, or extensions. Suzuki reserves the right to change or cancel these promotions at any time without notice or obligation. * Financing offers available through Synchrony Retail Finance. As low as 5.99% APR financing for 60 months on new and unregistered Suzuki Outboard Motors. Subject to credit approval. Not all buyers will qualify. Approval, and any rates and terms provided, are based on credit worthiness. $19.99/month per $1,000 financed for 60 months is based on 5.99% APR. Hypothetical figures used in calculation; your actual monthly payment may differ based on financing terms, credit tier qualification, accessories or other factors such as down payment and fees. Offer effective on new, unregistered Suzuki Outboard Motors purchased from a participating authorized Suzuki dealer between 07/01/18 and 09/30/18. “Gimme Six”, the Suzuki “S” and model names are Suzuki trademarks or ®. Don’t drink and drive. Always wear a USCG-approved life jacket and read your owner’s manual. © 2018 Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.
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The Rise of Patrick Sebile and his Band of Anglers
By Ben Martin, Editor In Chief
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or those who are familiar with legendary angler and lure inventor Patrick Sebile, it comes as no surprise that he would once again enter the realm of lure and fishing tackle manufacturing and development. A review of his contributions, influence and participation in the world of fishing is a testament to this man’s unmatched devotion and passionate dedication to every element of the sport. A brief review of the Patrick Sebile bona fides: • Holder of nearly 370 records (IGFA, EFSA & FFPM), such as largemouth bass world record by length, but also guided for more than 200 record catches like the All Tackle IGFA tarpon of 286 pounds, 9 ounces. • Top 10 all time biggest fish ever caught. • Voted one of the 10 best anglers in the world several times. • Once voted the world’s best saltwater captain. • Travelled and fished 64 countries to date. • Image/photo on more than 190 magazine covers. • Ranked No. 2 in IGFA’s “most species caught” with 774 different species. • Published in more than 800 magazines, newspapers and journals. • Inventor of more than 200 lures, rods, hooks, reels and various fishing tackle. • Author of seven books. With this extraordinary industry involvement and a lifetime of a passionate love for all aspects of fishing, it seems only natural and appropriate that Mr. Sebile would reunite with the fishing industry under the banner of A Band of Anglers. Welcome back, Patrick. Yes, your new lures are remarkable… as are you.
KEEP IT GENUINE PRECISION PROTECTION Whether you take your boat out to the lake or the ocean, your 4-stroke outboard needs ECSTAR Suzuki Semi-Synthetic Engine Oil so it can run long and strong. ECSTAR features special additives that protect the engine in harsh salt and fresh water environments, advanced detergents that keep engine parts clean, and viscosity index improvements that help the engine start in cold conditions. No matter where your next boat ride takes you, go confidently with ECSTAR.
RUN LONG. RUN CLEAN. RUN STRONG.
Don’t drink and drive. Always wear a USCG-Approved life jacket and read your owner’s manual. Suzuki, the Suzuki “S” ECSTAR and Suzuki model and product names are Suzuki trademarks or ®. © 2018 Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.
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For over a century, a league of canned crusaders have been fighting to keep boats safe from barnacles, slime, algae and other aquatic evils that rob your boat of its true performance. With advanced know-how and unique capabilities, each antifouling is tailored to different conditions, and has the power to defeat fouling in all its forms. Micron® WA is a water-based formula that’s powered with advanced Water Activated Matrix technology to efficiently release active ingredients over time for valiant multi-season protection. Micron® WA is easy to apply and clean up, making it ideal for boaters in all waters and regions. For super-powered antifouling protection and proven performance, choose Interlux®.
The hero your boat deserves!
All trademarks mentioned are owned by, or licensed to, the AkzoNobel group of companies. © AkzoNobel 2018.
interlux.com
9008/0218
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Coastal Angler & The Angler Magazine’s Best Of
I eScope noptix Liv a P in m r a G T 2018 w At ICAS o h S f O t s Wins Be
CAST is the world’s largest fishing trade show. Each year one of the highlights of the show is the New Product Showcase, in which companies roll out their newest and best. Coastal Angler and The Angler were there at Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center in July, sifting through all the offerings of the ICAST New Product Showcase. The following are ICAST winners as well as the new products we feel are some of the most innovative, functional and… frankly impressive, offerings of the year.
ICAST 2018 OVERALL Best OF SHOW AWARD Garmin Panoptix Livescope
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or anglers, sonar technology is the most rapidly advancing and functional tool in the boat when it comes to catching more and better fish. At the Orlando ICAST in July, Garmin blew the lid off the electronics industry with the introduction of its new Panoptix LiveScope. At the world’s largest sportfishing trade show, the most anticipated event each year is the New Product Showcase, in which companies present their latest and greatest in hopes of being named Best of Category. Awards are decided by a vote of media in attendance, and the Panoptix Livescope was not only awarded “Best Electonics,” it was named “Best of Show” out of 974 new products introduced in 2018. “To not only win the ICAST Best Electronics award, but the Best of Show award, too—it’s an honor we’re incredibly proud of,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin vice president of global consumer sales. “Panoptix LiveScope delivers the best of both scanning and live sonar technologies, and there’s nothing out there even close to it. These awards solidify our commitment to giving anglers and mariners the most innovative technology on the water, and they further strengthen our desire to be the top marine electronics brand in the world.” Panoptix LiveScope is a live-scanning sonar that gives anglers higher resolution and easier-to-interpret images of structure, bait and fish swimming below and around the boat than ever before. Garmin’s revolutionary Panoptix all-seeing sonar technology was the first to deliver live sonar images in real-time—forwards, backwards, sideways and below the boat—even while stationary. Now, thanks to the active scanning capabilities of Panoptix LiveScope, anglers can see images and movement so clear and precise that it’s even possible to distinguish between species of fish. “Panoptix changed the electronics game a couple of years ago,” said Jason Christie, Bassmaster Elite Series and Garmin pro. “Now, LiveScope is even taking it to the next level. The cool thing about it is the simplicity of it. What you see is what is there. The only picture that could be better is if you dive into the water with goggles, and I’m not sure that’s really even better.” Like other Garmin Panoptix transducers, LiveScope features two modes in one transducer—LiveScope Down and LiveScope Forward— and can be installed on a trolling motor or the transom. Depending on
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the angler’s fishing preferences and techniques, LiveScope can easily be adjusted to change views. Point the LiveScope transducer down to see directly below the boat or forward to see around the boat. Either view provides incredibly sharp, real-time scanning sonar images up to 200 feet out, even when the boat is stationary. The Panoptix LiveScope system includes a compact GLS 10 sonar black box with an LVS32 transducer and a simple plug-and-play Garmin Marine Network connector for easy installation and integration with a compatible Garmin chartplotter. A trolling motor barrel and shaft mounting kit and a transom mounting kit are also included.
www.GARMIN.com/PANOPTIX Best Tackle Management Lure Lock Lure Locker
A patented gel material paved the way for one of the most innovative tackle management solutions on the market. Lure Lock’s Lure Locker was awarded “Best Tackle Management” at ICAST 2018. Lure Lock’s proprietary ELASTAK GEL securely holds lures and terminal tackle in place. Even with the lid of a Lure Lock case open, you can turn it upside down and shake it and your lures stay in the box. Don’t believe it? Go to the website and watch the videos. The Lure Locker was designed to allow anglers to keep all their Lure Lock cases organized and ready. Constructed with durable ABS plastic, the Lure Locker securely stores up to five Lure Lock cases for ease of transport. It is available in three models, each designed to accept its corresponding Lure Lock case. The Lure Locker is also designed to hang on a wall or pegboard when not in use. The Lure Locker will be available at www.lurelock.com, Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s, Academy, Sportsman’s Warehouse, Scheel’s, Mill’s Fleet Farm, Field & Stream, Tackle Warehouse, Tackle Direct and independent sporting goods dealers. Different Lure Locker models have an MSRP range from $24.99 to $34.99.
www.lurelock.com
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Best Saltwater Lure Ocean Born Flying Series Ocean Born Lures has come out with two new hardbaits destined to become go-to lures for anglers who love fooling saltwater fish with artificials. What else would you expect from the brainchild of awardwinning tackle designer Patrick Sebile and his company A Band Of Anglers? The Flying Pencill 160 and the Flying Popper 140 were designed to dramatically increase casting distance while also improving action. Each model features design elements that allow them to slice through the air to reach fish other lures can’t. Once they splash down, these lures are incredibly versatile. The Flying Pencill 160 has a common body shape but uncommon castability and action. Side wings enhance aerodynamics and provide lift once in the water. Reduced air friction ribs, which work like dimples
Best SUP Body Glove Mariner Need an SUP designed specifically for fishing? Want one that’s completely portable, allowing you to launch wherever there’s access to water? The Body Glove Mariner is a groundbreaking fishing-specific inflatable standup paddleboard that caters to both casual fishing enthusiasts and hardcore anglers. Designed by paddling champion and recreational fisherman Luke Hopkins, this feature-rich board is the ideal paddling platform for the active angler. From the backwaters to the bays, it will stealthily take you where you need to go, which is where most other anglers can’t go. Once you get there, the Mariner is a perfect fishing platform.
on a golf ball, reduce air resistance and add water turbulence. An angler can pop, spit, walk the dog, surface skip or slow swim below the surface with the Flying Pencill. The Flying Popper 140 is a leap forward in design for the classic narrow-neck popper. It’s perfect for all conditions, including rough water and current. It utilizes the same side wings and ribs as the Flying Pencill for the same performance enhancements during cast and retrieve. It can pop, spit, walk or create a bubble trail, and comes in Floating, Sinking and Super Long Distance models. Both the Flying Pencil and the Flying Popper come in eight fishcatching colors. With extreme castability and nearly unlimited versatility, these two lures are a game-changer for saltwater lures.
www.abandofanglers.com The Mariner is durable, stable, convenient to transport and can be customized to suit your fishing preferences. It features attachment points to add any one of over 70 Railblaza fishing accessories, including rod holders. The Mariner includes an anchor line guide system, cooler tie-downs, permanent, unbreakable fins and a patented multi-purpose handle to hold a water bottle or the included adjustable 3-piece paddle. The Mariner comes with a cell phone dry bag, a pump, an ankle leash and a wheeled backpack.
www.bodyglove.com
Best Affordable Saltwater Rods Enigma Rods With a trio of high-performing and affordable new saltwater rods, Enigma is bringing the performance and durability of its freshwater rods to the salt. With the Flats Master, Jetty Master and Saltwater Performance Series, Enigma has built rods to tangle with everything from inshore trout and snook to monsters hiding in the surf. Flats Master rods retail for just $99.99 and are available in six spinning models designed to tackle snook, redfish and trout with quality design, cutting-edge technology, and top-grade saltwater components. Lightweight and durable, select Flats Master rods feature a gimbal butt. Jetty Master rods are ideal for anglers who fish in extreme
Best Spinning Reel PENN Spinfisher VI The PENN Spinfisher is more than 50 years old and still going strong. The latest version introduced this year, the Spinfisher VI, is more durable, even better sealed from water and features the CNC Gear system to handle the heaviest of loads. It’s available in array of models, one of which is perfectly suited to the fishing you do. Updated with IPX5 sealing, the Spinfisher VI keeps saltwater out of the gearbox and drag system. Whether it gets hit by a wave or rides in the spray all the way home, there’s no need to worry.
Best Fishing Line PowerPro Super8Slick V2 Re-engineered with added abrasion toughness, the new PowerPro Super8Slick V2 braided fishing line combines a new eight-end dense weave fiber construction with proven ‘Enhanced Body Technology’ (EBT) process. The new braid is offered in nine different pound test designations. As with the original Super8Slick braid, the new ‘V2’ version is the smoothest, softest and longest-casting braid in the PowerPro line. Its use of Honeywell Spectra fiber provides a stronger, tougher braid, while the PowerPro EBT process makes the Super8Slick V2 structurally rounder. The process floods propriety resin through the finished braid, resulting
conditions, with big surf and big jigs. This collection of rods leverages the latest in design and technology to provide extraordinary performance not available anywhere else for $149.99. Designed for maximum casting distance and superior fishfighting performance, it is the meeting point of value and functionality. Saltwater Performance Series (SPS) rods are designed for extreme pounding of sand, surf and salt. They provide a pinnacle of performance for an affordable price of $179.99. SPS rods are designed to provide incredible casting distance along with exceptional performance for anglers seeking the best quality rod and the best price point.
www.EnigmaFishing.com
Housed within a fully sealed spool, PENN’s HT-100 drag washers supply the stopping power needed for big saltwater fish. A full metal body and sideplate keep the CNC Gear System in precise alignment under heavy loads. Available in standard, Live Liner, Long Cast and bail-less models, the Spinfisher VI has all the durability and performance anglers have come to expect from PENN, only better.
www.pennfishing.com in a smoother line that reduces backlashes, increases casting distance, makes it easier to tie knots, and offers superior strength to size ratio. Super8Slick V2 is extremely silent as it passes over the rod guides. With multiple color options in nine line tests, from 8-lb. to 80-lb., Super8Slick V2 braid offers superior performance for all anglers, in fresh or salt. It is available in 100, 150- and 300-yards spools and 1500- and 3000-yard bulk filler spools.
www.PowerPro.com
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Best Boat Seat Llebroc Industries Series 2 Helm Chair ICAST had a lot of newcomers as well as industry leaders. Among the leaders is Llebroc Industries. Greg Carman and his team have created the highest quality seats, benches and other boating accessories throughout the marine industry. Anyone who has ever sat in a Llebroc chair can attest to the quality and comfort that goes into every product. Llebroc Series 2 Helm Chairs come with an array of options. Whether you are in a cabin or riding in a center console, your chair will withstand the elements and keep your ride comfortable. Depending on how you drive, you can sit in style or lean in comfort with the Flip Bolster
option. Just raise your seat and lean back into a secure rest. Comfort is not the only benefit Llebroc has to offer. Customize your seats to match your boat with a wide array of color options. Choose the style of stitching, materials, or embroidery for your home away from home. From start to finish Llebroc ensures your seats are specifically tailored to suit your needs. Once you choose Llebroc Industries, you will never look back.
www.llebroc.com
Best Tackle TRANSPORT
Plano’s new A-Series 2.0 fish contained but at your fingertips with oversized, Tackle Bag is as functional as it is molded zippers. The bag also sports a large exterior good looking. mesh pocket. With four 3650 Stowaway boxes, it is the ideal Soft corners and a padded shoulder strap make the bag for a day on the stream or paddling to a secret bag comfortable to carry at your side while wading or fishing location. The boxes act as separate storage hiking. The strap is removable, adding more options devices to hold the basics or hand-picked tackle for for stowing, while the 1.5-inch heavy-duty molded a day on the water. hardware improves ergonomics while dramatically The main compartment is easily accessed improving strength. with an adjustable metal snap closure. The top The Plano A-Series offers complete storage compartment of the bag is expandable, allowing solutions for the serious angler. The A-Series includes extra capacity for raingear, other soft-side tackle classically styled bags in a backpack, duffel, and three bags and a quick shore lunch. Side and front tackle bag options. compartments hold the tools you’ll need when you land a www.planomolding.com
Plano A-Series 2.0 Tackle Bag
Best Lure System
Odin Lure Company Frigg Popper/Fish Smack Odin Lure Company’s novel approach appeals to all of a fish’s senses. They’ve equipped productive lures with a BaitWell that holds a powerful scent attractant called Fish Smack. The Frigg 1.5-oz. Floating Top-Water Popper walks seductively across glassy water to bring home the bacon with the addition of Fish Smack. Inject Fish Smack into the integral BaitWell and ring the dinner bell for your targeted species. You will call in stripers, pike, mahi-mahi and more. Like your favorite BFF, work this in the mornings and evenings, when it’s dead quiet. Built like a brick outhouse with super strong VMC hooks and Wolverine triple wrap snap rings, this lure will handle big trophy fish muscle and speed.
• 5.5” long X 1” thick body. • Cupped face churns a ton of water. • Incredible walking, popping action. • Has an integrated rechargeable BaitWell. • Houses a fish attracting rattle chamber. • Leaves an irresistible Fish Smack scent trail. Odin Lure Company partnered with BioEdge Fishing Products to make Fish Smack attractant. It’s the perfect mixture, designed for the BaitWell on all Odin lures. The grease-like mix slowly releases scent as the lure is retrieved. Fish Smack attracts fish from afar and stimulates them to feed. It also masks undesirable scents like gas and sunscreen.
www.odinlures.com
Best Kids’ Apparel
Local Boy Sharpe Angler Dress Shirt Your little fishing buddy will look as sharp as he is comfortable, whether it’s on the deck of the boat, attending church, school or a weekend play date. Local Boy’s Sharpe Angler Dress Shirt is the go-to youth shirt for fall. This button-down dress shirt is truly fit for any occasion. Crafted from 100 percent lightweight cotton material and featuring a fishing-style vent back, the Sharpe Angler shirt offers breathable, allday comfort that’ll keep Little Locals feeling cool,
while still looking sharp. If it gets warm, Little Locals can roll up their sleeves with the side-button roll-cuffs, providing versatility in style and wear as the seasons change. Accented with the embroidered dog-and-moon logo, the Sharpe Angler Dress Shirt is available in two plaid patterns: Green/Blue/White and Blue/Mango/ White. Sizes start at Youth X-Small (4T) up to Youth X-Large.
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Best Cutlery Outdoor Edge ReelFlex Pak Outdoor Edge’s new ReelFlex Pak is the ultimate fillet knife kit for the serious fisherman. The kit includes three fillet knives, in 6-, 7.5- and 9.5-inch blade lengths so you have the right knife to match your catch. Designed to meet the cutting demands for all fresh and saltwater species, the knives are crafted from German 4116 stainless steel, known for its corrosion resistance and excellent edge retention. The blades are double tempered to provide a consistent flex and taper, ground to eliminate friction and promote an effortless cut while filleting fish. The handles incorporate Jerry Hossom’s iconic design and ergonomics with the safety and function fishermen need. The handles are constructed of blue rubberized TPR to ensure a comfortable, non-slip grip, even when your hands are wet and slimy and also feature a polypropylene core for the
Best Eyewear Unsinkable Polarized Rival Sunglasses
correct amount of rigidity. Everyone hates a dull knife, so Outdoor Edge has included a two-stage knife sharpener to keep your edges razor sharp. Finally, Outdoor Edge designed a durable hard-side carry case to keep you organized on the boat and at the dock. With an MSRP of $64.95, be sure to look for the ReelFlex Pak this fall and holiday season.
www.outdooredge.com
The featured Rival sunglasses are in Raven color with a ColorBlast Grey Lens. These are perfect for spending long days on the water because of their larger fit and full-wrap coverage. The ColorBlast polarized lens technology filters blue light, which makes colors blast. Rivals retail for about $139. For more details on all styles, colors, and technology, visit the Unsinkable Polarized website.
Unsinkable Polarized had a groundbreaking, and perhaps a little crazy, idea. Because they are so confident in their products being the ultimate watersports sunglasses, they offer them with a Lifetime + Loss Warranty. With floating frames, all polarized lenses and that warranty, there should be nothing stopping anyone from getting a pair of Unsinkable Polarized sunglasses. Unsinkable developed a naturally buoyant frame material known as Vaporlite. It floats, it’s 20 percent lighter than what most sunglasses are made of, yet the frames retain the look and feel of ordinary sunglasses. And in the unlikely event that your Unsinkables float away, the ground-breaking Lifetime + Loss Warranty has you completely covered. www.unsinkablepolarized.com
Best Boating Accessory Minn Kota Built-In MEGA Down Imaging For the first time, anglers have the option of a trolling motor with built-in Down Imaging sonar. Minn Kota’s new Built-In MEGA Down Imaging earned “Best Boating Accessory” at ICAST 2018. Anglers can select a Minn Kota Ulterra, Terrova, Ultrex or Fortrex with the Humminbird Down Imaging transducer integrated into the trolling motor. Humminbird’s ultra-clear MEGA Imaging is the first Down Imaging technology to enter the megahertz range with performance nearly three times greater than traditional 455 kHz frequencies. It results in the clearest, sharpest on-screen images ever seen. With Built-In MEGA Down Imaging, the transducer is housed in the indestructible lower motor unit and the wiring runs through the composite shaft providing clean rigging that is protected from wear and tear.
Best Towing Accessory B&W Tow & Stow Adjustable Ball Mount B&W’s Tow & Stow Adjustable Ball Mount is the most innovative product in recent history when it comes to towing. It seems B&W thought of everything when they designed this receiver hitch. Because of that, it’ll be the last one you’ll ever buy. The Tow & Stow is adjustable to the height of your trailer, which is an important safety consideration, and it’s also super convenient for folks who have different trailers. Whether you’re pulling your boat, camper or equipment trailer, the Tow & Stow quickly and easily adjusts to the proper height, making towing less stressful and safer. For the same reasons, multiple ball sizes accommodate your boat, lawn mower or ATV trailer. This one hitch can be locked into your
As part of the OneBoat Network, Minn Kota trolling motors with BuiltIn MEGA Down Imaging feature i-Pilot Link GPS technology. Anglers can operate their trolling motor from the Humminbird unit, the app or the i-Pilot remote to “follow” a contour at a set speed with the press of a button. The new trolling motors are compatible with Humminbird SOLIX, second generation HELIX, and ONIX models and will be available in fall.
www.MinnKotaMotors.com receiver, and you don’t ever have to worry about changing ball mounts. The Tow & Stow also stows behind the bumper when not in use. This will save wear and tear on your shins and garage doors. With steel construction and a two-step ecoat and powdercoat finish, the Tow & Stow is bombproof and 100-percent made in America with stainless steel pins. It is available in multiple drops and shank sizes with two or three ball size combinations. It is also available in black, chrome and Browning colors.
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FLORIDA
Team Murderized with the catch that won last year’s Wahoo Smackdown.
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imini Big Game Club Resort and Marina is pleased to announce dates for this year’s Wahoo Smackdown fishing tournament. Slated to take place Nov. 8-11, this year’s event will feature the same prizes, parties and access to Bimini’s plentiful wahoo that have made this one of the most prestigious and popular fishing tournaments in The Bahamas. Just 50 miles east of south Florida in The Bahamas, Bimini is considered by many to be the “Sport Fishing Capital” of the world. More than 50 record-setting catches have been made in the waters surrounding Bimini Big Game Club, which has long been a favorite destination for anglers, including famed author, Ernest Hemingway. This year’s tournament, which will be led by longtime Bimini Big Game Club dockmaster Captain Robbie Smith, will kick-off Thursday, Nov. 8 with a captain’s meeting and conclude on Nov. 11 with an awards gala. The registration fee is $1,500 per boat (this includes four anglers, tournament shirts and entry to all of the tournament’s social events). Additional anglers (anything more than four) are $250 each. Extra social tickets are $150 each. Total payout is $25,000 based on 25 registered boats. The Registration fee is 100 percent refundable if the tournament is canceled due to weather. A $300 instant credit will be issued to participants who book both hotel and boat slip at Bimini Big Game Club for a minimum of four consecutive nights. The $300 credit can be used against the guests’ total resort bill. Sponsors for this year’s tournament include American Beverage Marketers www.masterofmixes.com as the Title Sponsor, Bahamian Brewery and Beverage (Sands) www.bahamianbrewery. com, artist David Dunleavy www.dunleavyart.com and Tropic Ocean Airways www.flytropic.com. To register, visit www.wahoosmackdown.net. For sponsorship opportunities, contact Beth Watson at BWatson@biggameclubbimini.com or call (954) 467-1231.
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By Capt. Joseph Ierna Jr. • Photo Caption: Boats moored in one of the ECLSP Mooring Fields, which help to protect the seabed of the park.
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he Bahamas National Trust is the only non-governmental organization in the world mandated to manage a country’s entire national park system, which includes 32 national parks that protect over 2.2 million acres of Bahamian biodiversity. The Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park was the first National Park in The Bahamas and was the first to be designated as a “No Take” marine reserve in the wider Caribbean in 1986. Protected by The Bahamas National Trust since 1959, the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park provides a look back at how coral reefs once were and a glimmer of hope for the future. Seen from the surface, the waters of the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park are enchanting, with more shades of blue than Crayola offers. The real magic, however, is under the water where vibrant reefs teem with life. This is the result of almost 60 years of protection as a marine park.
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In 1986, the Bahamas National Trust took the bold step of making the park a no-take marine reserve. The success of the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park for protecting populations of key species and preserving the health of coral reef ecosystems is a testament to the foresight of its founders, who recommended protecting an entire landscape. This includes islands, nearshore habitats, like mangroves and seagrass beds that serve as nursery areas for many species, inshore and offshore reefs, and deep-sea areas. In doing so, they recognized how all of these areas are connected and how effective conservation includes protecting intact ecosystems rather than small pieces. In the 1980s the idea of ecosystem protection was advanced further by making the park a refuge for marine life where any removal of marine life or other resources was prohibited. Active management of users by The Bahamas National Park, including patrols of the park and installation of moorings for visitors to prevent damage from anchoring in sensitive areas has further promoted conservation of the park, resulting in the healthy reefs and marine life that we see today. The Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park is not without its threats, however, illegal poaching remains an issue in some parts of the park. As the wonders of the park attract more visitors, balancing ecosystem protection with visitor use is also a challenge. The case of the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park highlights the ability of a large and well-managed marine park to not just preserve the beauty of an area, but also provide critical protection to marine life to maintain the delicate balance and health of coral reefs and other marine ecosystems. The Bahamas National Trust is a non-governmental, non-profit, membership organization working to protect Bahamian natural resources by building a network of national parks and promoting environmental stewardship. For more information, visit https://bnt.bs/donate/ or contact Lynn Gape: lgape@bnt.bs.
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8/20/18 11:50 AM
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Sheri Daye
ahis, with their dazzling colors, are one of the most beautiful and tasty fish in the sea. They are pelagic and roam the open ocean, spawning year-round in the warm ocean currents. They reach sexual maturity quickly and spawn two to three times per year, releasing up to a million eggs. The good news is they are a fast-growing and abundant species, which makes them an ideal target for conservation-minded hunters. More good news—they are a perfect “starter fish” for anglers who want to give spearfishing a try. Most hook-and-line anglers are already experts at finding them, often looking for seaweed or floating debris. Whether you want to jump in because they are not biting, or you simply want to try something new, bluewater diving can be an exhilarating experience. When jumping on a weedline, you are treated to a beautiful sight of crystal blue water, bright orange Sargasso weed, and cute little jacks and sea creatures who will come by to check you out. It’s even more spectacular when you see the brightly colored mahi show up. They swim at the surface, so you don’t have to be an expert freediver to hunt them. They are not overly wary, if you don’t spook them. I always tell people, “pretend you are a log, and let them come to you.” Here are some tips for landing a mahi: 1. Use the right equipment. Even though you are at the surface, deeper water requires bluewater equipment with surface floatation (in case you spear a big one and it decides to go down). The float will do the work for you. Your local dive shop should be happy to advise you on the right set-up. 2. Use flashers and chum to increase your chances of attract-
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ing them. Dive shops carry readymade flashers that hang from a float, or you can make your own (instructions online). 3. Move in a slow and relaxed way. Mahi are fast swimmers, reaching up to 55 mph, so if you do scare them, you will not catch them. 4. Extend your speargun slowly and take careful aim. If they are close and not moving fast, aim for the head (killshot). If they are far, aim for center mass. 5. As most anglers know, once on a line, mahis are fast, flashy and acrobatic. When speared, they sometimes make figure-eight moves, rather than swimming straight away from you like most other fish. Do not let them circle or make loops around you – just swim away from them and keep tension on the line. 6. Once a mahi is tired and ready to be subdued, hold it by the gills. 7. Once you’ve mastered spearing mahis with a speargun, you can try using a polespear for an added challenge. Sheri is a world-record holder, host of Speargun Hunter, and producer of “The Blue Wild Ocean Adventure Expo” in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Follow “Sheri Daye” and “The Blue Wild” on Facebook and Instagram.
For more Sheri Daye, go to
CAMSPEARFISHING.COM
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Infinity 822MLT Marine coaxial 450W peak 8” titanium speaker.
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State of the Art Marina Opening Soon on South Hutchinson Island!
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OWNER’S EDGE ADVANTAGE SUZUKI REPOWER THE ALTERNATIVE TO BUYING A NEW BOAT With the Mastry RePower Centers Owner’s Edge the benefits extend long past just buying a motor. When you purchase a new Suzuki outboard from an authorized Marstry RePower Center you qualify to become a member of the Mastry Suzuki Owner’s Edge. You receive an identification card that provides you with important information about your Suzuki outboard motor as well as a passport to additional benefits during ownership. Members enjoy the following benefits and there will be more to come: · • Detailed Engine Maintenance Schedule - Owner’s Edge members receive a detailed Suzuki factory engine maintenance schedule that spans the life of your motor which includes outlines of the special member pricing. • Suzuki Repower Trade Allowance Program - A trade allowance program that provides members a trade allowance based on age and hours of your Suzuki outboard. • Special Pricing - Including special pricing on Reverso Pumps Automatic Flushing System.
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Access weather and fishing data via satellite up to 200 miles from the contiguous U.S. shoreline.
SiriusXM Marine Weather overlays directly on your chartplotter while fishing coastal or offshore waters and provides two vital services for anglers. First, and most importantly, it helps you detect, monitor and avoid bad weather without needing a cell signal. Storms can build quickly at sea, and the numerous, selectable overlay options within the SiriusXM menu let you tailor the display to your desired level to increase your comfort and situational awareness aboard. Secondly, SiriusXM overlays graphic displays of sea surface temperature contours to help you locate where bait fish might be stacked up, giving you a definitive edge when trying to find the bite. With key information needed to find the locations in which fish are most likely to appear, anglers can save time and fuel while fishing.
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FLY FISHING
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his is a good question. An answer, however, is not a simple matter, as there are some specific characteristics to be considered. Baitfish If you are using a fly that imitates the movements of a baitfish, it is recommended that where and when possible, you observe the behavior patterns of actual baitfish. How fast are they swimming? Are they swimming in schools or small groups when being chased by game fish? Are they stunned by game fish before being eaten as they are sinking, or in fishing lingo, “on the fall?” Most injured baitfish swim in a frenzied motion, so quick and short strips is the best retrieval method. In conditions where the baitfish are lazily swimming about, try a slower, longer strip to get your adversary’s attention. Keep in mind that baitfish always swim into the current. When fishing from a drifting boat, cast your fly up-current, let it sink and drift in the current until the fly swings at the boat’s stern into its wake. At the end of the drift, allow the fly to gyrate, lifelike, in the current for a few seconds before beginning stripping. This technique often results in a strike, so hang on! Crab or Shrimp If your intent upon attempting to imitate a crab or shrimp, make short, small strips giving the fly the look of a scurrying crab or shrimp. This move usually gets a fish’s attention. Upon spotting the game fish eyeing the fly and beginning his approach, stop the fly, allowing it to sit mo-
tionless. Then move it again in short spurts. This move often results in a hookup. Fish that follow the fly but don’t eat it? A very frustrating incident when saltwater fly fishing is when a fish follows the fly but refuses to strike. Many saltwater gamefish, slashing and contorting, will closely tail a fly right to the rod’s tip without taking the fly. It’s a very frustrating experience that often leads to the angler scratching his head and feeling totally hopeless. There is, however, an easy way to get a picky fish to take the fly. I call it “sweeping the fly.” When a fish has followed the fly to within a few feet of your rod tip (usually you’ll have 5 to 10 feet of line outside the rod tip), lower your rod tip and make a sweeping motion as if you were going to make a side-armed back cast. Don’t pull the fly out of the water, but keep it moving. On the sweep, the fly will move smoothly through the water, doing a great impersonation of a fidgety baitfish attempting to escape a predator. This move enjoys a high percentage of success. The trick is to exercise control over your emotions and not pull the fly from the fish’s mouth when it strikes. The hook set is always very close to you, so be prepared to allow the fish to run. That means being able to manage the fly line as it shoots through the guides.
For more Bowman, go to
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TAMPA BAY FISHING REPORT BY: CAPT. WOODY GORE
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ike other parts of south Florida, Tampa Bay fishing struggles when water temps top out in the nineties. However, one good thing is the fish are still biting. If you’re a die-hard angler and able to withstand the heat, try fishing the stronger tides and currents. So far, we’ve been catching a few fish by freelining greenbacks, threadfins, small pinfish, sardines, and shrimp in the deeper cooler water. If it’s some real early morning excitement you’re after, try tossing artificial topwaters around a broken bottom grass flat. Snook are looking for comfortable water. So, as water temperatures rise, expect to find them in deeper passes, washes, around deepwater docks and deep holes close to structure. Around Tampa Bay, greenbacks are the bait of choice. Night snook fishing usually proves
successful around docks and bridges. Redfish seem to be on a hit-or-miss schedule this year. Start watching for schooling reds on grass flats with sandy potholes or along mangrove shorelines. The bait of choice is live or cut greenbacks, threadfin herring or pinfish. On the other hand, it’s hard for them to resist anything stinky on the bottom. So, toss out a piece of cut mullet, crab, threadfin or ladyfish and put the rod in the rod holder. Remember, using dead bait requires something most anglers never carry in their tackle box, and that’s patience. Sea Trout action is showing up on the deepwater flats on strong tide days. They’re eating free-lined shrimp, pinfish, and greenbacks. You might try fishing along deeper flats with good moving water. We’re catching the larger fish as they cruise early morning grass flats looking for an easy meal. Cobia seem to be fairly plentiful around the bay this summer. They usually show up on the backs of large rays or manatees, or just cruising open water. They are particularly attracted to structure, especially when it’s holding bait. Cobia also tend to pop up at the most inconvenient time. Always keep a heavier rod rigged and ready. Tarpon at the Skyway, Gandy and Howard
Franklin bridges should still produce in the light lines--especially early mornings or nighttime. A few should still be spotted cruising the deep drops of any grass flat holding bait. Mackerel, bluefish and snapper action are still strong with giant mackerel and blues chasing any shiny artificial lure or spoon and always taking live sardines or threadfin hearing. Just look for pods of threadfins. Tie on your favorite lure or net some live bait, put out a chum bag and hold onto your rod and reel. Tie on some 60-pound Seaguar fluorocarbon leader with a Daiichi #2 or #3 long shank hook. Free-line the baits in the current with a #3 split-shot weight on the leader. “Give Me a Call & Let’s Go Fishing” Captain Woody Gore is the area’s top outdoor fishing guide. Guiding and fishing the Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Tarpon Springs, Bradenton, and Sarasota areas for over fifty years; he offers world class fishing adventures and a lifetime of memories. Single or multi-boat charters are available. WWW.CAPTAINWOODYGORE.COM wgore@ix.netcom.com 813-477-3814
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SEPTEMBER STARTS THE TRANSITION BY: CAPT. MIKE ANDERSON
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s we step into September, water temps start to slowly cool down. This we badly need, as the fish start to transition into their early fall and winter haunts. You can actually spend a whole day on the water without suffering from heat exhaustion. For me, it doesn’t get any better than working docks and deep-water mangrove shorelines with artificial baits and putting together nice stringers of fish. This is normally the month when we can start to do that again. Soft plastic paddle tails like the Marsh Minnow from Mirro-Lure and the paddle tails from Strike King lures, will both get the job done this time of year. Snook will start their push toward the rivers and deep-water canals, feeding on almost anything along the way. This is one of my favorite times of the year to catch that 40-inch snook-of-a lifetime. As they push toward their winter haunts, they feed heavily in anticipation of winter cold fronts and depleting food supplies. The redfish, which have been tough to find all year, hopefully show up and feed heavily on the
flats this fall as the summer bait hatch finally grows up. We usually start to see new schools on the flats this month. Big gator trout return to shallower waters to feed and the flounder bite picks up significantly on areas of hard bottom. Towards the end of the month, we may start to see some kingfish off the beaches. The gag grouper will start to push in shallower and feed more aggressively in the cooler waters. September will still be a little warm on the front end, but normally by the end of the month, things will be in full fall swing. Take advantage of the changing conditions and pay close attention to transitional areas, as this can be an incredible month on Florida’s west coast! Catch Capt. Michael Anderson every Saturday morning for Reel Animals Saturday on 970WFLA from 6:00am to 8:00am and Sunday mornings on AM620 for the TA Mahoney Co. Reel Animals Radio Show from 7am to 9am or to book a trip call 1-866-Gamefish. Check local listings for Reel Animals TV.
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RECIPE OF THE MONTH SALMON IN ALUMINUM FOIL BY: MICHELLE ATKINS Ingredients: • 4 to 6-ounces salmon • 3 tablespoons olive oil • Juice of 1 whole lemon • 1 teaspoon Sazon Tropical Seasoning. • 2 sheets of aluminum foil about a foot long
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Directions:
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his recipe is very simple, healthy and easy to clean up. Once you have done this, you can do it with any fish and decide what you want to put on it. You can use Sazon, rosemary, dill, Old Bay or whatever you wish. I used Sazon Tropical seasoning. The only ingredients I consistently use are olive oil and lemon. You can change to orange juice or lime juice.
• Lay 2 sheets of foil down, one on top of the other. Place fish on the top piece of foil, add olive oil and lemon. • Put on your favorite seasoning and wrap fish with the top foil to hold juices in. • Wrap second piece of foil to secure everything. • Cook in the oven (not preheated) at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. • If filets are thick, cook 20 minutes in a preheated oven. Enjoy!
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SOUTH SHORE TAMPA BAY BY: CAPT. JOEL BRANDENBURG
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ven though snook is out of season during the summertime, we still target them. We fish for snook for the sport. The thrill of catching a snook is unforgettable for most anglers. For anglers that have never caught a snook, it’s hard to describe in words, but I’ll try to describe it. The snook strikes like a jack, initially runs like a kingfish, jumps like a tarpon, digs like a cobia and has the stamina of a snapper. When you boat a snook, you’ll not only notice the beauty of one of God’s finest creations, but you’ll also notice that a snook was built for speed and power. If you want to fight a fish that does it all, hang into a snook and you’ll be hooked for life. Snook are in season for several weeks during spring and again in the fall. On the west coast of Florida, you can keep one per person, per day with a slot measuring 28 to 33 inches from the tip of the bottom lip to the tip of the pinched tail down the lateral line of the fish. Several marine biologists agree that a slot-sized snook is one out of a thousand and an over-slot snook is one out of ten thousand. During the summer, you can target big snook because females gather in one school and the males stay nearby in a separate school. Most snook are born male and stay male for an average of seven years. Once a snook reaches the 26-inch range, they turn into a female and begin spawning in the summer. If you hook a snook over 26 inches, keep fishing that hole because there’s likely going to be other female snook to strike. The reason for the small 5-inch slot range is so a snook can reproduce for at least two summers before she’s harvested. A snook that exceeds 33 inches is a thoroughbred. This fish is more likely to breed offspring that will have thoroughbred genetics and likely to grow over slot. Over-slot snook make more eggs and healthier eggs. Snook are a tropical fish--very sensitive and susceptible to extreme weather conditions. One example is, during the heat of summer when red tide rolls in, snook are one of the first fish to go belly up. Another example is the record freeze of 2009. We didn’t have the lowest temperature on record, but we did have the most consecutive days in a row of below 32 degrees freezing. Over a million snook were either floating dead or permanently paralyzed and eventually faced death by starvation or being eaten by a predator. Fertilizer run-off, chemical and oil spills also effect the snook population. Because snook are such a majestic fish, I’m proud of the attention our law enforcement, scientists and fellow anglers give snook to assure their long-term existence. For a charter with Captain Joel of Ana Banana Fishing Company call 813267-4401 or visit www.anabananafishing.com or Find him at Village Marina at Little Harbor under the big yellow Ana Banana sign. For information on Ana Banana Kids Fishing Camp visit www.anabananakidsfishingcamp.com COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2018 | TAMPA 5
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REDFISH IS GOING TO BE A HOT BITE ON HOT DAYS BY: CAPT. ANTHONY CORCELLA
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ummertime reds will feed all day long, as long as the tide is moving. The best bet is the high tide and fishing tight to the mangroves with cut baits. Cut threadfin, ladyfish and pinfish all are top choices. Freeline the bait with a small splitshot or barrel lead, 1/4 oz or less. Don’t be afraid to go big on the bait. These are bruiser reds we’re talking about with many upper 30-inch class fish around. Chumming with smaller cut baits will draw the fish out of the mangroves and spark the bite. On the lower tides, look for pot holes on deeper grass flats and chum and fish with live
white bait. Pinfish under a cork work well, too. Drifting a flat is a great way to find these holes and spot the redfish. Early mornings and late afternoons are a great time to try topwaters for these fish. Nothing beats a bone colored Zara Spook thrown in the same areas as above. Don’t forget the greatest search lure ever made--the Johnson Silver Minnow gold spoon. Work it along the grassy edge along the banks, open grass flats and through the potholes. The redfish can’t say no. Tackle for these fish is a 7-foot 6-inch fast action rod and a 2500-4000 size spinning reel loaded with 10 to 17-pound braid. Use 15 to 30-pound fluorocarbon leader tied to a 3/0 hook for cut bait and a 25-pound leader for lure fishing is standard. Top areas for finding the fish are any grass flat from Fort Desoto, in the lower bay, to Rocky Point in upper Tampa Bay. Fishing from a boat is king in the heat as you can bring a cooler of cold beverages and stay hydrated. Wading works early or late in the day. It can get hot in the middle of the day. Always bring water, however you fish. As of now, the red tide is staying south of
us. Keep your fingers crossed. We took part in an exciting charity event recently called Fishkids. Fishkids is sponsored by great companies like FPN broadcasting, Angler Armory and FPN Outdoors. Let me tell you, this was such a great event for the kids. We’ve seen so many smiles on these kid’s faces. So, if you get a chance, please check out these wonderful companies. They do so much for the community. With that being said, from the Pocket Change family, we thank you for having us and we look forward to being there all the time. Now it’s time to take these tips and get out there and fish! What makes our charter service unique is that we cater to disabled veterans and wheel chair bound clients! Our boat is able to accommodate wheelchairs and is ADA compliant. IF YOU’RE A DISABLED VETERAN YOUR TRIP IS FREE!!! This is our way we give back to our veterans. Capt. Anthony Corcella Pocket Change Inshore Fishing Charter 727-432-6446 www.fishtampacharters.com Check us out on Facebook
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TIME TO DOCK N ROCK WITH BIG REDS BY: CAPT. SERGIO ATANES
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eptember is my changeup month. I start getting away from the normal mackerel, trout and shark fishing and start concentrating on large redfish. With luck, the weather starts to turn just enough to make fishing fun again and the sun more bearable. I do a complete changeup from my normal fishing with live bait and start using cut fresh threadfin sardines. I look for these hard-fighting fish not on the flats, but around docks, bridges or deep cuts along oyster beds. It’s been a long hot summer and they are lazy fish looking for cooler, deeper water. If you look closely at a redfish, his eyes are up high and his mouth is down, clearly telling you he is a bottom feeder. This is the reason so many redfish are lost on top water plugs or using live baits. They lose sight of their prey just before the strike. First of all, start by finding docks with moving water. I prefer the start of an outgoing tide around the docks in the upper Tampa Bay area. Second, position your boat within casting distance of the shaded area of the dock. Third, start chumming with small pieces of cut threadfin sardines. I am now ready to fish using a 2/0 Kahle circle hook. With clients that do not have much fishing experience, I use J hooks, as their normal tendency is to pull to set the hook. However, for clients that have experience fishing for reds, I use Kahle circle hooks. I like 30-pound test fluorocarbon leader about 30 inches long, tied to 15-pound braided line using a surgeon’s knot. There are a few knots you can use, but for simplicity, surgeon’s work best for me. Since I am fishing anywhere from 3 to 8-feet of water and have some current, I attach a 1/8 to ¼ ounce split shot sinker to keep the cut bait on the bottom. I find that not all docks hold fish.
Some docks are better than others, but you will have to learn that on your own. One thing about dock fishing is that the larger fish tend to hang around the deepest point on the dock, or around any structure around the dock. In the winter months, we have cold fronts pass through with the high-pressure system sitting on top of us, which gives us extremely low tides. That is the best time to look at the docks in your area--when the tides are low and clear water exposes rocks and old pilings. I found some docks with furniture under them or rocks and other debris that was dumped when the house was being built, years earlier. Make a note about what you found and where the rocks are for the spring and fall fishing. The big reds are waiting in the shade, so give them a try. As a bonus, we have caught many over slot snook and some nice flounder using this method. Captain Sergio Atanes is a native resident of Tampa and has been fishing the water of Tampa Bay and Boca Grande for over 45 years. He is the owner and operator of S & I Charters which is one of the largest charter booking services in the West Coast of Florida with 55 professional captains on staff. Capt. Sergio Atanes can be reached at (813) 973-7132 or www.reelfishy.com
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2018 | TAMPA 9
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FLATS TO NEARSHORE REPORT BY: CAPT. GARY BURCH
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uly and August were outstanding months to be fishing. With any luck, we should have a very active continuation of fishing and catching into September. Water and air temps will still be on the warm side (around 90 degrees) and will not taper off until we turn the corner in October. The good news is, bait fish are concentrated throughout Clearwater Bay and St Joseph Sound. This will keep the fish coming back for more. Always take a couple of dozen live shrimp from Barracuda Bob’s Bait and Tackle on the Dunedin causeway, because redfish and tout will jump all over fresh shrimp. I’ll be targeting the same top species that have been on fire all summer--snook, redfish, trout and mackerel. Snook catches will remain good in the passes
and along the beaches as long as we have excellent weather. Clean moving water after the tide change will be your best chance. For bait, large sardines, medium pin fish and grunts will do the job. Later September, look for these fish to start moving inside the bays to the spoil islands and mangrove shore lines. The redfish are scattered throughout the bay on skinny water flats and around large oyster beds. They will not be in large numbers yet, but small groups can be found. Use the high tide to search the shallows up next to the mangrove shorelines. Have some cut-up baits in a chum bat ready. If you come up on a few redfish, shut down everything and sling out the chum. Most of the time, this should hold some of those fish from swimming off. Trout will still be in their summer haunts-inside the passes and grass flats throughout September. Finding old yellow mouth is not difficult, but locating the 20+ inch fish may take some looking. I will be exploring the 3 to 5-foot deep flats that have good moving water and using both white bait and live shrimp. Start your fishing on the up side of the grass flat. That’s the side the moving water is hitting first. The trout will be ambushing their food as it approaches the flat. Look for the mackerel at the top of the tide throughout the inside bays. Anchor up and start chumming. Both sardines and shrimp will work
fine. Soon, the toothy critters will show up and bring a lot of drag-screaming action. Some of these fish have been quite big this year. We are still at the end of summer and our fall temperatures are way off. Whichever species you target, go at it and catch ’em up. Capt. Gary Burch owns and operates All Catch Charters and specializes in live baits and artificials. He guides inshore, flats and backcountry from Clearwater to Tarpon Springs. To reach Capt. Gary for a charter, please call 727 458-6335 or visit his website: www.allcatchcharters.com
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8/19/2018 4:01:45 PM
FRESHWATER FISHING REPORT
LAKE ALFRED, AUBURNDALE, WINTER HAVEN AREAS BY: RON SCHELFO
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ven in this hot rainy weather, bass fishing has been doing very well. Our RTB Thursday night tournaments are seeing many bass in the 6 to 9-pound range. The enclosed photo shows BIG BASS winner, Fuzzy Flores, displaying a 9.25-pound beauty landed at a recent tournament held August 2nd on Lake Hartridge in Winter Haven. Fuzzy shared a little secret. He was using one of his old favorites--Red’s High Floater 8-inch worm in fire & ice color. If you think you’d like to try them, Ron’s Tackle Box has a good supply of that brand available in many colors. Here in Lake Alfred, our lakes are offering some premium fishing, as a result of the favorable running water environment, created by the abundance of rain. We’re getting great reports on bass, shell cracker, blue gill and catfish coming primarily from Lakes Rochelle, Haines, and Alfred. If you’re after bass, we recommend using lipless crank baits. Fish Head Spinner Baits are also very good with that underspin blade. When fishing gills or crackers, your best baits are always live crickets and red worms. Regarding fishing in the Auburndale area, our best reports are coming in from Lakes Ariana and
Juliana. Great bass fishing with weights in the 3 to 6-pound range and limits are reported. When fishing Auburndale lakes, you may want to try using a Bomber Fat “A” in baby bass color, or Booyah Lipless Crank Bait in royalty color. Heading over to the Winter Haven Chain of Lakes, you’ll find first-class fishing in any of the lakes. Best fishing conditions are found at the mouth of the canals and areas with fast running water. We’re getting good reports on bass fishing using swim baits. Bass Assassin Boss Shiners are a recommended choice. We’re also receiving reports from the chain of good limits and size on shell crackers and blue gills. The 20th season of Ron’s Tackle Box Weekly Bass Tournaments is in full swing! Weekly registration is $30.00 per boat (1 or 2-man) and the tournaments run from 6:00 PM to 9:30 PM each Thursday through the end of October. Prizes are awarded for BIG BASS and 1st, 2nd, 3rd Place categories. The location each week is not revealed until Thursday mornings and is announced in “The Ledger” and on our FaceBook page. Of course, you may always call Ron at (863) 956-4990 for tournament information and fishing reports. Our tournaments are all-around great fun. Come out and join us!
Fishing Team
Ron Schelfo, Owner RON’S TACKLE BOX, LLC 380 S. Lake Shore Way Lake Alfred, FL 33850 (863) 956-4990 www.ronstacklebox.com “Catch” my Weekly Fishing Report every Saturday (6-8 AM) on 970 WFLA Check us out on Facebook and like our page.
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14 TAMPA | SEPTEMBER 2018 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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TALES FROM THE TUPPERWARE NAVY BY: BRUCE BUTLER
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elcome back yak fans. Well, here we are in September and hopefully by the time you read this, it will have stopped raining. I don’t think I can remember a time in the last 30 years where it rained for this many days straight. The waters have been like dark tea. That makes the reds turn into bright orange pumpkins. Fishing the dark water brings on a few challenges. The visibility is very low, which means the fish can’t see very far. Also, we have been experiencing some rather high tides. That means they have a lot of places to go hide. Never fear, I’ll share with you how to find them! While Little John’s, Gulps, etc. have been working, I found that putting something out there they can smell (such as cut pin fish or cut ladyfish) gets a scent into the water and helps produce a better and more consistent bite. Shrimp are working as well, but they seem to be most effective at the lower end of the tide. Fish the cuts and potholes where the reds and snook seem to congregate on the lower end. As usual, the window just before the low to the first hour of the incoming tide has been productive. I did notice the most consistent bite was on the last of the outgoing to the low tide and slows down as the tide turned and started to come in. This is a little different than it had been, as the first of the incoming tide had been more active on past trips. The last trip out, we hit the water in the morning on a high tide. I have to tell you, it was a little slow as well as hot, but hey, at least it wasn’t raining for the first time in two weeks. I was thankful just to be on the water. The bite stayed slow until the tide finally started to drop low enough to bring the fish back out of the marshes. The more it dropped, the better the bite. As always, it helps to know your terrain. Fishing the potholes, cuts,
and creek mouths are where you can find the fish at the lower end of the tide. Fishing in the back cuts north of Pine Island, we sat for about an hour and were picking up reds, snook, and sheepshead on almost every cast. We probably should’ve moved, because that hole was holding mostly just under slot reds, but hey, we were having fun. I mean, they can’t all be monster breeders. The snook were hitting both on bait and lures. I was using my trusty Zara Spook Junior (medium size in bone). One fish must’ve blown the lure 15 feet into the air and came nearly a foot out of the water itself. You gotta love that stuff. What I don’t love is trying to figure out where all our trout went. I’ve hardly seen any trout this year. Of course, here I am with visions of a double or even a triple inshore slam--except I can’t find a trout. This has been the same report up and down this coast. No matter which local fishermen or guide I’ve talked to, nobody seems to be able to find trout. If you get lucky, please let me know. I’d love to hear a good trout report from somebody! Well, that’s it for this month. I’ll close as I started, with a prayer for fishable weather and some decent tides. You give me those and I’ll find the fish. Bruce Butler of Indian Bay Outfitters is Hernando County’s premier kayak fishing guide with full and half-day charters available. Kayaks, tackle and gear provided. Just bring your lucky hat and a good attitude and be ready to see some pristine shoreline and great fishing. Bruce Butler “Stumbling Gypsy” (352) 428-5347 Bruce@IndianBayOutfitters.com www.IndianBayOutfitters.com
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GRIP IT AND RIP IT, BOW SEASON IS HERE BY: MISTY WELLS
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t is time to get serious as Bow season approaches. There are quite a few things you need to wrap up so you are ready. Number one, get all your hunting gear together. Check and test everything to be sure it is all functional and replaced. Broadheads are something that I recommend that you replace. After taking shots, they can become dull--you need everything sharp
for that kill shot. Take out all your gear and check it. Make sure you are replacing lost items and used items. If your scent control is old, get some new stuff as it begins to lose potency over time. Replace your Thermacell fuel and pads—you’re going to need them. A few things folks forget are an extra release, calls and rattlers, allen wrench, string wax, range finder; and, do not forget your safety harness. The best way to be sure you have it all together is a test run. Pack your bow, tree climber or stand, all your hunting gear and head out somewhere to get set up. Location is key. Now, I hope you have been able to go out during preseason and locate some key places for bow hunting. Not everyone can, so here are a few tips to help. The Deer start to move
when the sun is coming up, so make sure your placement is right. Estimate where the sun will rise and how it will affect your cover. Deer signs are important. You need to hunt where there is deer. Start by looking for scrapes, rubs, scat and tracks leading to and from bedding areas. Food and water can be a real asset to your hunt. Using food plots is great, but if you don’t have one look for natural food sources that the Deer will be feeding on. Water is essential to human and animal alike. If there is some type of water source close by, that will be a real asset. Cover is key for the hunter and Deer. You must be able to move, stand and draw your bow to get a shot. If a Doe feels safe in that area, she will attract Bucks. Pay attention to the prevailing winds. You always want to be downwind from where you think the Deer will emerge. You can’t shoot what you can’t see. Visibility must be good. Try and set up in an area where you can get the biggest field of range possible to increase your chances. During my scouting for great hunting locations, I visited New Mexico and found Acoma Big Game Hunts--the home of the 400 Club. These hunts take place at the Pueblo of the Acoma. A tribe that is believed to be one of the oldest in history was established in the 12th century or before. It is the oldest continually inhabited community in the United States.
Rich in tradition and built on top of a 360-foot mesa, it is known internationally for its trophy Elk. They have some of the largest freeranging Bull Elk found anywhere, scoring in the 400 SCI class--the largest so far was a 462 SCI. They offer Primitive Weapon, Archery, Muzzle loader and Rifle hunts starting in August through early December. You can also hunt Bear and Mountain Lion. All these hunts are fair chase and free range. Just as it would be centuries ago when only Native Americans hunted these lands. Hunting New Mexico is on my bucket list and if you want a real hunting experience, New Mexico needs to be on yours as well. New Mexico offers mild winter weather, historic sites and enchanted lands along with Whitetail and Elk trophies. I have discovered why they call New Mexico the Land of Enchantment-you need to as well. No matter where you go to bow hunt this year, prepare, practice and use your safety equipment--then Grip it and Rip it. Misty Wells is the host of “Let’s Take It Outside” TV show & National Radio show, Outdoor Pro –Writer & Adventure Guide for the Outdoors. Founder of “A Reel Future” a nonprofit organization devoted to sharing knowledge & passion of fishing and the great outdoors to foster kids Statewide. Show info or be a guest go to www.mistywells.com
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16 TAMPA | SEPTEMBER 2018 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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HERNANDO COUNTY SCALLOP FEVER
BY: CAPT. JOEL GANT
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callop fever is still in full swing. From Hernando Beach to Crystal River, look in the 4 to 8-foot water. If you don’t have any ideas where to go, just look for the congregation of boats. With just a mask, snorkel and fins, scalloping is a great family fun day on the water. Also, remember to put up a diver down flag and bring it down when you move the boat--it’s the law. The regulations for scalloping are two gallons whole bay scallops in shell, or one pint of bay scallop meat per person. Maximum of 10 gallons of whole bay scallops in shell, or 1/2-gallon bay scallop meat per vessel. As for our Nature Coast fishing, between the very hot weather and rain storms, the fishing is
still great. Gag grouper are still in season right now until Dec 31. The gag bite has been good in our area in the 25 to 40-foot range. Try bottom dropping with a live pinfish, pigfish; or, use frozen threadfin, sardines or squid. These baits have been producing the best results. Remember, the new regulations on slot size have changed to 24 inches for the gag groupers and 21 inches for red grouper. The trout, snook and redfish bite is still going strong. It’s best to go early or late in the day, when the temperature is a little cooler. Best baits in the mornings are either top water lures like the Spook or subsurface lures like the Mirrodines or Rapala Twitch baits. Redfish will eat live baits or cut baits like mullet or pinfish. Early in the day, look in the 1 to 3-foot areas around any structure like grass, rocks or oyster beds. Trout can still be caught in 6 to 10-foot grass areas on a ¼ oz jig with a three-inch Gulp shrimp. Try drifting these areas bouncing the bait on the bottom. Doing this can also produce fish like ladyfish, sea bass, mackerel, bluefish, grouper and a lot of other species to keep the day productive and fun. There are still some cobia around, so keep a stout rod ready with a live pinfish or frozen sardine. Cobia usually aren’t too picky and are ready to eat just about anything you work in front of them. Sharks are plentiful all summer, from Atlantic sharp nose, bull, nurse, tiger and even
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hammerheads. The best tactics for them are to start a good chum slick (a lot of times I will keep old fish carcass to use as chum). Once started, deploy live or dead bait on a 5/0 to 9/0 hook with a steel leader to at least a 60-pound line. You will catch a lot of 3 to 5-foot sharks. We’ve been getting some up to 8 or 10 feet. As always, with any shark, use caution when bringing them to the boat. It’s best to cut the leader as close to the shark as you can and it will work its way out within a few days. As always, check the regulation on sharks. I’m always looking for reports and pictures. You can email me or stop by my website and become a “FISHHEAD.” Get out there on the water and make some memories with friends and family! Capt. Joel Gant operates Fishdaddy Charters out of Hernando Beach, he knows the local waters like the back of his hand, and works both inshore and offshore trips. Check him out on face book or you can reach him at (352) 279-1615. Visit his website, www.fishdaddycharter.com
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ST. PETE REPORT END OF SUMMER REDFISH
BY: CAPT. CHRISTOPHER TAYLOR
F
ishing is at its prime in Tampa Bay. Redfish are the species to target now as they are making their presence in large schools. Focus on targeting redfish along mangroves during high tide, and grass flats on the outgoing tides. Submerged oyster bars and docks make for great fishing as well. If you know of a few tricks and techniques, you have a good chance at catching one of these hard fighting fish. Palm sized pinfish on a 1/4 once jighead, hooked from underneath the tail, or cut pinfish freelined will definitely do the job right. Scaled sardines also work well. I recommend catching enough to use for bait as well as a few extra to throw as chum. You will be able to find these baitfish
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at the channel markers and shallow to deep transition areas nearest boat channels. I use a 10-foot cast net to gather my bait. I can usually catch enough bait for a trip in one or two casts. These fish are looking for an easy meal right now. When it comes to tides, incoming or outgoing is fine as long as the water is moving. If you see mullet jumping-good. If you see birds flying around picking off baitfish-even better. The more activity in the water, the better the chances of you putting a fish into your cooler--or releasing a trophy. There is no doubt that redfish is king when it comes to muscle and long runs on the flats. Beauty and strength give the red drum its value as a highly sought-after sportfish--not to mention the way they taste dipped in butter and blackened with peppers. When in search of these awesome bronze colored fish, it helps to bring a friend along. At least that’s what seems to work for most of my clients. Captain Christopher Taylor Florida Reels Fishing Charters www.floridareelsfishingcharters.com (813) 220-6135
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PASCO COUNTY BY: CAPT. BOBBY CARROLL
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et’s face it, we are all talking about having the cooler weather come back. Until then, we have to continue to battle the extreme heat. Redfish seem to have loaded back up with the mullet schools on the open flat at the lower tides. Try and target the depressions, because the redfish will be under the schools of mullet waiting for that easy meal to swim by. This time of year, I like to use pinfish over greenbacks, because the pinfish seem to last longer in the 90+ degree water temps. As far as artificial goes, scale down your baits. Redfish become very picky in the summer months; so, when you’re trying to pick your favorite plastic to throw, make sure it’s small and matches the colors of a pinfish or mullet. Rig it on an 1/8oz weedless jighead or a 4/0 owner twist and lock. Snook have started to leave the beaches in our area and have begun to migrate back to their fall homes. With the snook finishing up breeding, there’s only one thing for them to do--EAT! They will feed on anything and everything this time of year. It’s your best opportunity to throw big topwater through the moving current and let the show begin! I like using the higher pitch over the lower pitch rattles, in a topwater, for snook. Cast it across the current and work it in a fast pace. It should only take a couple of casts to know if they are in that area or not. As Fall approaches, the water will cool and the fishing will only get better. We have to beat the heat until then. To book a charter with Captain Bobby Carroll and the Florida Fishing Experience please call (727) 271-3257
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or the 26th year, Florida Sportsman Magazine will host the Florida Sportsman Expo at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, October 6th-7th, 2018. Attendees of the Florida Sportsman Expo will find an array of both new exhibitors, fishing and hunting seminar speakers and other new, exciting features on the show floor, including a new Conservation seminar stage, live music on the show floor featuring craft beer from local Silverking Brewing and a new Fly Tying Throwdown Competition. Seven seminar stages will run continuous seminars by local guides and experts on inshore and offshore fishing, hunting, fly fishing, kayak fishing and fishing afoot from the beach, bridges and piers. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will also host their Kids Fishing Derby outside on the fairground’s stocked lakes, and inside the kids will win prizes for participating in the FWC’s “Fish ID” contest. The first 450 kids in the Expo will get a free Zebco tackle pack! Fly fishers will enjoy the Fly Fishing seminar stage, featuring local guides from the Tampa area, and get fly tying and fishing tips at the Suncoast Flyfishers and Tampa Bay Fly Fishing Club booth. New this year, the Expo will host the first Fly Tying Throwdown, a fly tying tournament on Saturday where you
can pit your tying skills against others for an exciting grand prize. T a m p a ’ s Arrowhead Archery and Prime Bow will host our hunting stage and the Expo’s 2nd annual Iron Buck Archery Tournament. There will be three divisions with cash and prizes for the winners. For hunters, new vendors are on hand to show hunting bows and archery accessories, game calls, gator hunting gear, hunting scents, outfitters and more. Saturday morning the Big & Wild Outdoors show will broadcast live from the show floor. The popular “Riggin’ it Right Academy” will be back for anglers to receive hands-on tips and instruction on rigging natural, live baits, lures and knot-tying. Attendees can learn techniques on throwing a cast net at the Barracuda Cast Net Pit. Returning again this year is an array of boat models featured in this year’s Florida Sportsman Expo Best Boat Magazine and TV show. Tickets at the Florida State Fairgrounds box office are $8 for adults (cash only, ATM Available). Kids 12 and under get in free with an adult. Active Military and First Responders will receive a 50% discount on admission with ID. Show hours: Saturday 9 am to 5 pm and Sunday 10 am to 4 pm. For $1.00 off admission and more details visit www. FloridaSportsman.com/Expo.
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By Capt. Tom Bailas
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ach June my family and I take a break from our Venice, Fla. charter operation and head to the Florida Keys to do some fun-fishing. This year we fished from Tavernier and caught mahi, tuna and a big beautiful sailfish. We hosted some special guests on the boat this year. It was a family chosen by the Catch-A-Dream Foundation (catchadream. org). Gavin, who is 11, his little sister, mother and father came to fish with us for three days, accompanied by a Catch-A-Dream volunteer host named Adam. Catch-A-Dream Foundation provides children with life-threatening illnesses the opportunity to go on a hunting or fishing adventure of a lifetime with all expenses paid. Everyone had high hopes of Gavin catching his first mahi. As we cut through Tavernier Creek, I could see several thunder-
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storms building offshore. We would have limited time to catch some fish and get back safely. I saw an opening in the sky and headed that way. We ran about 12 miles, and I started seeing bird action and three huge patches of weeds. My wife, Trisha, steered the boat as I put out the spread of lures and fresh ballyhoo. We immediately hooked a 12-pound bull mahi, and in short order Gavin had accomplished the first goal of the trip. But the day was not over. Things were getting ready to get very exciting. As we reeled in a small fish on our second pass, it started to rain. Out of nowhere Gavin yelled, “Look at the that BIG fish in the water!” It was a huge bull mahi, maybe 60 pounds. I grabbed a spinning rod and tossed a bait to it, but it just swam off. After seeing that fish, we had to try another pass. As I was letting it out a ballyhoo line, it came tight. The head of a big mahi pushed water toward the bait. Five seconds later, we had a huge fish on! Gavin grabbed the rod, and after a few jumps we had the cow mahi boat-side. I gaffed the fish, but it flew off and into the water. Everyone aboard went dead silent. Then my wife said, “Tom, it’s going to be OK,” before praying, “Oh please God let this fish come back to us.” It did! Gavin battled the jumping fish back to the boat. This time I got it over the rail. It measured 65 inches long. I have never seen anyone catch a cow mahi that long. There is not a doubt in my mind that God was in control and gave Gavin the strength to catch this fish of a lifetime! It was an experience of a lifetime for all of us. Gavin is a wonderful child, full of life despite his illness. Catch-A-Dream Foundation is an amazing organization that provides these deserving kids and their families a trip of a lifetime. Capt. Tom and Trisha Bailas run TNT Fishing Charters out of Venice, Fla. Check them out at www.tntfishingcharters.com and on Facebook @tntfishingchartersvenice.
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By Danny Goode, Elusive Bait Co.
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n an early afternoon in mid-June, my wife and I had dropped our son at swim lessons in Jensen Beach when I realized how close we were to the causeway. Of course, I made her stop so I could fish. Conditions were perfect. In the middle of an outgoing tide, the water was a little milky and churned up. A small school of glass minnows showered the surface, and pelicans dove on finger mullet schooling through the span of the bridge. Prior to leaving the house, I had just tied up a 1-ounce white-and-blue flair hawk jig and was really anticipating putting it to use. If you’ve ever caught a snook on a flair hawk, you know the feeling when they thump the jig. That happened on my third cast, and as I set the hook the fish did not hesitate to run straight under the catwalk with about 20 yards of line. About to lose her on a piling, I cupped the spool hard and managed to turn her head. I got a few cranks on her and began a battle like I’ve never experienced. The pure power is absolutely amazing. After what seemed an eternity, I brought the fish to the top. I handed the rod to my wife so I could hop the railing to balance on a piling cap no wider than 8 inches. Careful not to fall in or injure the fish, I brought it over the railing for a few photos before release. It was the fish of a lifetime.
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TIPS FROM A PRO 22
MY ALL-TIME FAVORITE BAIT
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f you want to be a successful bass angler, you have to learn to fish a jig. I don’t know anybody, anywhere, who’s a successful bass angler, who doesn’t know how to fish a jig well. It is so versatile, and it catches quality fish. Personally, I love a good jig bite, so it’s also one of the most fun ways to fish. There’s not another lure on the market that has been tweaked and built to fish different types of cover and structure like a jig, and that’s part of its appeal. Jigs come in so many different shapes and sizes that the possibilities are endless. Changing out the jig’s trailer can make all the difference in the world, too. If you are just starting to get serious about jig fishing, an “Arkie”-style jig would be best to learn with. A 3/8- to ½-ounce size, really the first kind of bass jig head that ever came out, is where to begin. I use it for flipping, as it works well around wood, rock, gravel, ledges, and you can even swim it. You basically fish it like a soft plastic worm. Cast it out and let it go all the to the bottom on a slack line. Pull it off the bottom a few inches and then crawl it along. Most of the time when you’re casting or flipping, you’re imitating a crawfish, so think about a one of those walking around on the bottom. He’s not going to be jumping around a lot. If something chases him, he might scurry along quickly, but they usually move fairly slowly. Fishing a jig does take the right gear. I fish 20-lb. Vicious fluorocarbon with an improved clinch knot, a good high-speed reel and an NEPS 90HF rod from MHX. It is a 7’6” heavy-action rod with a fast tip. That rod is absolutely perfect for jig fishing. You can make accurate presentations with this fast-action tip, and the heavy power gives you the backbone to pull fish out of
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the cover. There are tons of jigs with this style. The best ones always have a good Mustad hook. Keep the colors simple; green pumpkin and orange in clear water and black and blue in dirty water. Jigs are weedless and made to be fished in heavy cover. Give them a try, and you’ll soon see why everyone who bass fishes likes a jig.
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ike most southern ports, Charleston, S.C. offers plenty of inshore angling opportunities. You’ll find redfish in the bays, seatrout in the channels, plus flounder, cobia and spadefish on local wrecks. “Those are all fun,” said Darcy Hill (#fishcharleston), but if you want to hook something with a real sense of Southern hospitality, the inshore sheepshead fishery is tough to beat. From Isle of Palms to Folly Island, and right on up into the confluence of the Ashley and Cooper rivers surrounding the city, you’ll find these battle-ready fish hugging structure.” An abundance of sheepshead doesn’t mean they’re pushovers. Quite the contrary, Hill pointed out, “Sheepshead can be challenging to catch. You have to poke into all the nooks and crannies amongst structure points, and keep moving until you get on them.” For bank fishermen, Hill recommended public access points like the Folly beach, Isle of Palms or Mount Pleasant piers. Boaters should tie-up to pilings, docks or other structure (where legal) and fish each piece thoroughly. Sometimes, she said, moving your bait just 5 or 6 inches to one side or the other makes a ton of difference. “We generally use fiddler crabs or oysters for bait,” explained the 32-year old Folly Island resident. Bury the hook in your offering and hide the point. To get the bite started, chum with crushed oysters or barnacles. Fiddlers work best from May through February while oysters rule in cooler months. Get your line tight to structure, then lift it up slightly and drop it down slowly. Most bites come on the drop. The end of the ebb and start of the flood usually see the best scores.” Setting up for sheepshead, Hill uses a Carolina-rig with a size 1 Owner Mosquito hook, a ¾-ounce egg sinker and a 1-foot length of 30-pound test mono leader. She’ll team this with a fast-tip rod and KaskKing 3,000 series Kodiak spinning reel filled with 40-pound test KastKing Super Power or KastPro braided line. “I like the abrasion resistance of these lines,” she noted, “and that Kodiak reel just gets the job done. Last week it out-muscled a 15-pound spadefish.” Keep in mind, Hill added, that sheepshead can be light biters, so watch for line twitches in addition to feeling for strikes. Set the hook hard because these fish have a big set of teeth and tough lips. Pull straight up, not to the side. Keep your rod high and walk the fish away from the nastiest tangles as you reel up. Charleston’s inshore sheepshead average 3 pounds but can push into double-digits. Two years ago, Hill took fellow KastKing pro staffer Christin Kruger on her first sheepshead foray. “She caught a 10-pounder!” laughed Hill. Now she’s a sheepshead fan for life.” October is prime time for Charleston’s sheepshead. Boaters can launch at Shem Creek (free) (www.ccprc.com/3301/Boat-Landings) in Mount Pleasant, or at Isle of Palms Marina (www.iopmarina.com; $15 weekdays/$20 weekends). For overnight accommodations, consider Shem Creek Inn (www.shemcreekinn.com) in Mount Pleasant or Sea Side Inn (www.seasideinniop.com) on Isle of Palms.
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T
he action peaked at the end of August here in northern Costa Rica, with multiple sailfish releases and daily shots at marlin battles. Frank Bellizio, Bob Sherley and Chet Jasak had the trip of a lifetime with sweet sailfish and mighty marlin releases. Once they got home we received this: “I returned last week from my trip to Nosara,” wrote Frank Bellizio, of Tampa, Fla. “It was great to finally get to go fish with your team in Costa Rica. I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed the trip and will recommend Fishing Nosara to everyone. “Bob has ALS and his mobility and strength are not the best. Both Capt. William and Capt. Francisco really accommodated us so that we were able to help our friend land both a sailfish and marlin. “Bob was a diver and commercial fisherman in his earlier years. We are all 71 or older, and he said this was probably his last chance to catch a sailfish or marlin. Capt. William on the Wanderer and Capt. Francisco on the Explorer made it happen. “If Capt. Francisco wanted to, he could have ended our day earlier, but he hung in and we got the sailfish late in the day. Capt. William had to work the Wanderer over and over to keep the marlin in position so Bob and I could get it landed. These men and their crew (Johnny and Elias) are much more than just employees, they have heart, and you are blessed to have them on your staff.” Kathleen Clarke of Ottawa, Ontario came to us as a novice angler, but after her trip on the Discoverer she is a full-fledged big-time bluewater angler. “Just wanted to let you know that we had an incredibly amazing time on our fishing trip,” Kathleen wrote in an email. “I don’t think that it could have been any better. Capt. Carlos and Mate Kevin were stellar. I would highly recommend that crew to anyone. “Kevin kept the boat very clean and tidy and made sure we all had everything we needed. Lunch was excellent, also, as was the fruit. We caught a mix of mahi-mahi and sailfish, also saw porpoises and turtles.” Most recently we received this one: “Just wanted to say an enthusiastic thank you for the incredible trip we had thanks to your team,” wrote Jeff Broom, of Jacksonville, Fla. “In three days we got three marlin, two blues and a massive black, three sailfish, a huge dorado, and a good deal more tuna and mahi. “Thanks to Capt. Alex and his hard working deckhand Wilson, I was able to cross marlin off my bucket list of fish to catch. It was definitely a dream for me, and I know I speak for all the guys in our group that it was definitely the fishing trip of a lifetime! “You could tell how passionate Alex was about fishing. His favorite thing to say after we brought in a catch was, ‘Let’s get another one!’”
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By Ken Kastorff • Photo by Pia Waugh/flickr.com
W
hen the Spanish conquistadors came to Ecuador, they were in search of gold. The Incas found most of their gold in the headwaters of the Amazon. I recently found gold in the Ecuadorian Amazon… golden dorado. I’ve spent 25 years on the rivers of Ecuador leading kayak and fishing trips. Three years ago, I decided to find golden dorado. Most dorado fishing occurs in Bolivia or northern Argentina. It just didn’t make sense to me that Ecuador, with such similar topography didn’t also have golden dorado. As a fly fishing guide, one of the most fun and sometimes challenging aspects of the job is finding new fishing opportunities. It isn’t unusual for my friend and co-guide, Bob Gernandt, and I to float some stretch of river we’ve never seen to develop a new fishing destination. Doing this in another country can be a bit more complicated, especially when you are heading into one of the biggest jungles in the world. Having a lodge in the cloud forest of the Amazon has allowed me to tap into local knowledge. It also helps to have a partner in-country who knows the lay of the land and can speak the language. Last February, my partner Angel and I spent a month tracking down dorado leads. Angel visited one community after another with photos of golden dorados. The first breakthrough was learning that indigenous communities call the fish by its Ketchua name, Gualo. That led us to a handful of possible rivers to check. We were dependent on local river transportation. The indigenous communities have used dugout canoes for centuries to transport people and goods in the roadless jungle. These canoes are 12-meter-long boats carved out of a tree trunk. We were able to check out three different sections of rivers using these narrow and incredibly tippy canoes. The advantage is these boats can negotiate whitewater while being pushed upstream by a 40-horse outboard. They are almost impossible to stand in, so they are not the best platform to cast an 8-weight fly rod from. We eventually transported a raft and fishing frame upstream in order to float a section of river. It didn’t take long to catch several Ecuadorian golden dorado as well as another species of fish call sabalo. Sabalo fry are the favorite food for dorado, so they are likely found together. If the sabalo survive the dorado, they grow into great sport fish. Their shape is similar to a largemouth bass, but they are much more aggressive and hard fighting. The golden dorado prefer rapids and fast water at the washout of rapids, while sabalo like smooth fast water between rapids. It presents an ideal situation for fishing because there’s no down time! Once you catch a golden dorado, you are hooked for life. These are some of the hardest hitting, hardest fighting, highest jumping fish in the world. I can’t wait to hook into more gold. Ken can be contacted at Endless River Adventures, 800-2247238, endrivadv@cs.com, www.endlessriveradventures.com. COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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N
ick Ratliff, 21, of Elizabethtown, Ky., a senior at Campbellsville University, will be fishing the big show when the Bassmaster Classic launches on the Tennessee River at Knoxville in March. He’s also riding around in a fully rigged Toyota Tundra that’s pulling a Nitro Z20 bass boat, and he’s holding a check for $7,500 for tournament entry fees. It’s all thanks to some last-minute heroics that helped him win the 2018 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Classic Bracket. Ratliff fought down to the final minutes of the third day in an oh-soclose bracket against a scrappy West Virginia University junior, Nolan Minor of Charlottesville, Va. The anglers wrapped up the day with the two biggest bags of the tournament; Ratliff with 13 pounds, 8 ounces and Minor with 13-4. Ratliff, who is majoring in business administration with an emphasis in marketing, plugged along consistently, throwing a weightless wackyrigged stickworm and keeping his faith. “I had the feeling I was behind,” he said. “I kept my head down, and I knew if the Lord meant it to be, then it would be.” With just 30 minutes left in fishing time, Ratliff picked up three more fish that allowed him to cull up to his winning 13-8. Ratliff was emotional and stunned as family and friends hugged and congratulated him. “It hasn’t sunk in yet,” he said of the win and the Classic berth. “It was so close. I thought I’d lost. I really did.” For more information, visit Bassmaster.com/college.
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