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W O R L D W I D E

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NATIONAL 5

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

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CAST 2021 marked a return to normalcy for the fishing industry. In the 64th exhibition of the world’s largest sportfishing trade show, the halls of the Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center bustled with activity July 21-23. As usual, the event kicked off with the ICAST Cup bass tournament at nearby Lake Toho, and the renowned big-bass factory did not disappoint. In a short four-hour tournament, the winning team weighed a tournament-record 25-pound, 7-ounce five-fish limit. But most of the action went on indoors. The annual ICAST New Product Showcase is an event the fishing world eagerly awaits every year. It is the venue where industry heavyweights and innovative newcomers roll out their best new gear for the year to come. This year, 686 new products were entered by 218 companies to compete for Best of Category awards in 30 different categories. From rods, reels and lures to apparel, electronics, gadgets and accessories, the New Product Showcase is gear-head heaven. The Angler Video Mag team was on-hand at ICAST 2021 to cover the show and give you a first-hand look at some of the cool and innovative products that will make you a better angler this year.

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NATIONAL 7

Live Bait Snook on South Florida Beaches

ere on Florida’s East Coast, we have access to some of the most exciting shore-based fishing there is. From spring, through summer and into fall, big snook run the beaches of South Florida, and they can be caught from the sand with lures and even sight fished with flies. I am a lure fisherman, and everyone knows it, but fishing with artificials can be difficult during the doldrums of late summer and fall. The Atlantic Ocean is flatter and big snook become wary. The fish are still here; what are we to do? Here’s a pretty simple technique that will catch snook when the fishing gets tough. The hottest bait this time of year is live croakers. Croakers are catching so many snook right now that the local bait shops here in the Stuart, Fla. area sell out as soon as they get a shipment. With the artificial bite kind of drying up, my friend and occasional fishing buddy, Mike Vars, showed me how to catch big snook on live bait. Mike buys a dozen croakers when he can get them. All you need to keep them alive for a couple days is a round bucket with an aerator. Good baitsized croakers are 5 to 8 inches, anything larger might catch a big snook, but they are harder to fish. Mike uses a 3 or 4 size circle hook and hooks his croakers through the nostrils so they can

8 NATIONAL

SEPTEMBER 2021

By Richard L. Matteson

swim freely. Some anglers prefer to hook them through the tail. Since the tactic involves free-lining, with no weight, casts should be just past the trough on a high tide, which is about 20 feet here. Then open the spool and let that croaker run. On low tide, it might be necessary to wade past the trough and cast farther out. Mike uses a 60-lb. leader and 20-lb. braid on a spinning reel. Before the snook takes the bait, the croaker will often wiggle excitedly—this is a signal you are about to get bit. When the line suddenly starts moving fast, it means a snook has your croaker. Let her have the bait for a few seconds, and then begin reeling steadily so the circle hook lodges in the corner of her mouth. Mike Vars with a nice beach snook Mike averages three or four big female snook caught on live bait. each trip with this method. He has caught several over-slot snook, with the biggest measuring about 40 inches. Florida’s Atlantic Coast. You’re allowed one per day If you want to catch your own bait, use a between 28 and 32 inches. sabiki rig and tip hooks with a small piece of Richard Matteson writes for the Stuart Rod & shrimp. Or fish the trough with light tackle and a Reel Club and he is a long-time contributor small piece of shrimp. to Coastal Angler Magazine. Sept. 1 marks open season for snook on

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The Mullet Run Is On! By CAM Staff

t’s that time of year again when the lowly mullet becomes a primary target of interest for Florida anglers. Over the next few weeks and months, mullet in untold numbers will migrate out of the estuaries and run down the coast to their spawning grounds off South Florida. The mullet run is on, and it has switched on the predatory drive of almost every fish in the ocean. From the beach, or on a jetty, pier, bridge or boat, anglers who encounter fish feeding in huge schools of mullet are in for a treat. These intrepid little pilgrims have made their way south from as far up as the Carolinas, and it’s a good thing they come in numbers, because a whole lot of them get gobbled up along the way. Snook, tarpon, flounder, redfish, sharks, bluefish, jacks, Spanish mackerel,

2 FLORIDA

SEPTEMBER 2021

ladyfish… they all answer the dinner bell when mullet are balled up. To find the fish, you must find the bait. Young finger mullet make an easy meal when large schools of them are pinned against a jetty or are caught out in the open by predators running the beaches. Live or dead mullet are the obvious baits to fish if you’ve got time to throw a net, but don’t get caught cast-netting when there is a frenzy going on. A plug or soft-plastic will also get hammered when the melee is on. Don’t pass up your window of opportunity when the action is hot. Bait might be heavy in an area one day and gone the next. Anglers with boats can run the beaches in search of diving birds and find fish blowing up on top. Seawalls, rocky shorelines and other obstruction to the southward migration can serve as ambush points or corrals where baitfish are pinned in. Any structure that steers schools of mullet into a predictable path can turn into a killing ground. Shore-bound anglers must rely on good intel or just show up and hope to get lucky. Some prefer to pick a place that has been productive in the past and return frequently to catch it when it’s right. Others have a list of likely locations and eat up the road in search of activity. It’s the time of year when your gear should remain rigged and ready in the back of the truck. A good network of fishing buddies is worth its weight in tarpon during the run. Sharing good information on locations and the southward progression of bait is a two-way street. Take care of someone else, and they will likely take care of you. This time of year is a great time to be on the water. Temperatures are beginning to cool, most of the tourists have gone home, and thick waves of baitfish are there to be found, running the coastline with big predators in hot pursuit. For more information, go to coastalanglermag.com.

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PHOTO COURTESY OF KNOCKIN TAIL LURES.

Fall

Transition Pay Attention to Detail By Capt. Michael Okruhlik

s fall approaches, fish patterns change. By understanding the habits of fish, you can target them with confidence. Spring fry have matured in the marsh and are ready to move into open water. Knowing the timing, tides and location of this migration can lead to great action. I recently tried a new area. It’s a place I really hadn’t heard anything about. I planned to target reds, since satellite imagery suggested it should be favorable. This area had a long meandering bayou that emptied into a small lake, which ranged in depth from 1 to 3 feet. I was at the top of a chain of lakes and marsh, so this particular drain would see the first of the baitfish and shrimp exiting their summer home. Targeting the inland-most marshes and bayous early in the season will be the most productive. Follow the bait and schools of fish out as the season advances. Although the reds were there, they were only 12 inches long, and the trout were smaller. They were gorging on shad and shrimp as tide poured out of the bayou into the lake. Once I noticed flounder busting completely out of the water attacking the schools of shad, I quickly changed my retrieve. I had been working my soft-plastic swimbait high in the water column to keep it in the bait balls. When I saw those flounder, I immediately lowered my rod tip and began vigorously twitching my rod down and to the side to make the jig head hit the mud bottom hard. Kicking up clouds of silt attracts flatfish. I started landing flounder immediately with the new retrieve. It was obvious they were aggressive since they were going airborne to feed on shad. This is why I worked the lure hard and fast, unlike a traditional flounder retrieve. I’m not sure how many I caught, released and lost, but it was well into double digits. The most productive color was white or pearl to mimic shad. Since they were attacking schools of bait, I tied on a tandem rig using the same lures. I think the presentation looked more like the schools of baitfish they were targeting. I rigged my second lure so it would look more natural floating above the first jig-head swimbait, which was bouncing on the bottom. This increased my strikes. Paying attention to the details of the location, season and tide, as well as how the fish were feeding all played a huge part in my success. These concepts can be applied in any situation at any time of year. It was not what I expected, but I will take a limit of flounder any day. Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Knockin Tail Lures and Controlled Descent Lures. He owns www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.

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SEPTEMBER 2021

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75+ Youth Participate in Stuart Sailfish Club Jr. Angler Tournament

from Fish Florida, for completing a 10-minute fishing clinic. Two brand new bikes were presented to two lucky winners from the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranch this year. “This is one of our favorite events of the year because it gives the club a chance to invite young kids from the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranch to come out and experience a fun and exciting day of fishing,” said Richard Shoup, President of the Stuart Sailfish Club Foundation. “The support of our many local sponsors in the Stuart area helps us to make this happen every year, and allowing us to share such an etched tradition, keeping the history of the Stuart Sailfish Club alive, is such an honor and I am proud to be a part of such a wonderful organization.

Dave Astras presents the All Around Top Angler award to Kyler Venturo. Kyler also won the Ted Glasrud Perpetual Award. Also pictured is Club President Richard Shoup and Executive Director Caresse Chase. PHOTOS CREDIT: Stuart Sailfish Club.

LOCAL OFFICE

n July 30-31, 2021, the Stuart Sailfish Club Foundation, Inc. held its 43rd annual Jr. Angler Tournament, which organizers said was the most successful yet in the number of participating junior anglers – over 75. Three divisions were available: inshore, offshore and champions. Fishing took place on Sat. July 31 from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Weigh-in was conducted at Sailfish Marina in Stuart, Fla, and one point per pound of qualifying fish was awarded; 50 points awarded for sailfish released on dead bait; and 25 points for sailfish released on live bait. Prizes were awarded for the highest points in each species. All anglers received a backpack filled with swag, as well a tournament shirt and hat. Participants also received a fishing rod and tackle,

SEE JR. ANGLERS....................... PAGE 14

Dave Powell presents brand new bikes to two lucky drawing winners from the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranch.

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SEPTEMBER 2021

TREASURE COAST 1

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SNOOK SEASON REOPENS SEPTEMBER 1, 2021 REGULATIONS

Snook is managed by two regions in Florida: Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. Regulations apply in state and adjacent federal waters. No commercial harvest or sale of snook is permitted. License Requirements: Snook permit and recreational fishing license. Allowable Gear: Hook and line only. Atlantic (state and adjacent federal waters) Closed Harvest Season

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• There are five different species of snook that inhabit Florida waters: common snook, small-scale fat snook, largescale fat snook, swordspine snook, and tarpon snook. • The most abundant of the five species, the common snook, was once designated as a species of special concern in from Florida. Among other causes, WeldinG & good management and conservation measures have led to removal of this machininG... designation. The common snook will be the focus for the rest of this list. • Snook are also known as robalo, linesiders, and sergeant fish. In the past, ...to hiGhthey were known as "soapfish" when some sections of the "soapy" tasting precision, dynamic skin were left on the fillets due to poor cleaning practices. balancinG Since 1980 • Snook can tolerate a wide range of salinity and may be found in fresh water. However, they are extremely sensitive to temperature and a strong, fast Got a badly moving cold front through an area containing snook may claim many lives damaGed due to the rapid drop in water temperature. propeller? • Long term tagging research has been carried out over the past several years and has proven to be a valuable tool in helping to understand the life history of snook. • Snook are protandric hermaphrodites and change sex from male to female. 3009 S.E. Monroe St. The actual cause of the change is not known, but current research may Stuart, Florida 34997 provide an answer. 3009 S.E. Monroe St. • Snook are known as "ambush feeders" meaning that they'll surprise attack We‚ll fix it their prey as it swims or moves into range. This occurs especially at the Stuart, Florida 34997 up like neW! mouths of inlets where currents play a role while the snook waits in hiding 3009 S.E. Monroe St. behind bridge pilings, rocks, or other submerged structures. Stuart, Florida 34997 • Besides preying on small fish, snook also feed on shrimp, crabs, and Service from Melbourne to West Palm Beach mollusks. • Snook are very popular with recreational anglers due to their strong fighting spirit and mild, delicate flavor.

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he 13th annual Michael Shields Memorial Tournament takes place Sept. 24-25, 2021, in Jensen Beach. Named after longtime Martin County resident Michael Shields, who died at the age of 23 from bone cancer, the event has raised more than $400,000 for non-profits over the years. The tournament follows a catch and release format, with separate categories for snook, tarpon, trout, and redfish and includes guided and unguided divisions. Registration and scoring will be conducted through iAngler. Host sponsor is River Palm Cottages. There are no restrictions on fishing locations, and unguided anglers can fish from a boat, the shore, or anything in between. Lines in for unguided anglers is at 12 noon on Fri., Sept. 24, while guided teams can begin fishing at 5:00 a.m. on Sat., Sept. 25. Guided teams may consist of up to 3 anglers and an assigned guide. The guide is considered the team captain and may fish if the team chooses. Huk Apparel and Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, Bank

of America Corporation are the presenting sponsors. To be eligible for tournament points, fish must be measured and photographed. Photos and details must be uploaded to the Michael Shields Memorial iAngler Tournament Page/App by 3 p.m. on Sept. 25, 2021. A captain’s reception will be held on Fri., Sept. 24, beginning at 7 p.m., at River Palms Cottages and Fish Camp, 2325 NE Indian River Drive, Jensen Beach, and will feature a full bar, dinner, DJ and live and silent auctions. Tournament registration is $65, which includes a bucket and shirt. A Traditional Angler Ticket is $100 and covers fishing registration, a bucket and shirt, and entry to the captain’s reception. Tickets to the reception for non-anglers are $75 per person. Virtual angler registration is $35 allowing anglers to fish from anywhere in the State. All proceeds benefit Project LIFT, a program that reimagines counseling

Anglers in pursuit of trophy tarpon.

for teens by disrupting traditional mental health service delivery systems. Program participants choose from one of 13 skilled trades to learn on site, using industry standard equipment. By getting the teens into a hands-on working environment, trust is built alongside work ethic, and teens gain tools for a healthy, productive future. For more information, or to register as an angler, visit fishforthekids.org, or contact Juliet@projectlift.org.

TREASURE COAST

COASTAL ANGLER PUBLISHERS GARY & MISTI GUERTIN PHOTO CREDIT: Michael Shields Memorial Inshore Open.

Michael Shields Memorial Tournament Set for Sept. 24-25, 2021

SALES GARY GUERTIN EDITOR/DIGITAL CONTENT MISTI GUERTIN GRAPHIC DESIGN LAURA KELLY CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jayson Arman Capt. Gus Brugger Capt. Rocky Carbia Capt. Charlie Conner Michael Conner Capt. Scott Fawcett Capt. Colton Hester Capt. Michael Mauri Capt. Giles Murphy Brian Nelli Jim Oppenborn Capt. Nate Shellen Cammie & Capt. Joe Ward Capt. Terry Wildey Steve Wood

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SEPTEMBER 2021

TREASURE COAST 3

FISHING FORECASTS

MARTIN COUNTY OFFSHORE

Capt. Scott Fawcett Off the Chain Fishing Charters (772) 285-1055 fishscottyf@bellsouth.net offthechainfishing.com

et me be brutally honest about the offshore fishing in September off the Treasure Coast— it’s not one of my favorite months. Gulf Stream waters are near 90-degrees and any mahi or other edible fish that’s still down here is virtually swimming around poached unless it’s on the beach or hangs near the bottom. Stuart has always had its resident population of fish year-round, but recently it has been getting more difficult during the extreme summer months. Lately September has been a good month to get the boat back in shape and ready for the fall season. Check and change out your bilge pumps and safety equipment and maybe even treat your boat to a few upgrades.

Nice gag grouper like this one can be found along the reef this month. Use big baits and heavy lead. PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Scott Fawcett.

If you don’t already have side imaging, I strongly recommend it. I have used a few different units and the Solix from HumminBird has impressed me the most. Crystal clear images, incredible range, and the ability to join multiple products together with its One Boat Network. The sonar, chart plotter, trolling motor and even downriggers are all linked together and easy to use right from your helm or any unit. This gives a huge advantage from catching bait, to targeting cobia, kings and

sails in shallow water. It especially shines when you are looking for snook and tarpon along the beach which is very productive this time of year. Offshore action will be a little slow, but with such an incredible last few months of sailfish action, I’m sure there will be a few fish hanging around but don’t expect big numbers to show back up again for a couple more months now. In the meantime, the king mackerel bite should be pretty good with some quality sized

fish mixed in. Fishing along the beach in the bait schools and shallow reefs has always been productive for them, but lately we’ve been having a number of quality king bites out in 120-to-130 feet of water, so don’t be scared to fish a little deeper too. This also increases your chances to pick up a wahoo this time of year. With the water so warm, downriggers work especially well right now. The Cannon 10TS is a great option. I normally use mine to pull my dredge teasers, but while targeting kings and wahoo in the summer months they work great using them for what they were intended for. A trolling motor would be another great addition if you don’t already have one. Ever since putting my 87-inch Minn Kota Terrova on my 31 Contender, it has opened up the door for so many different styles of fishing that there’s always something to target effectively. From snapper, to snook, to tarpon and even sail fishing, the 112-pound thrust motor is one of the most valuable additions to the boat since I bought it. Whatever your next fishing trip consists of, I hope it’s Off The Chain! Please give me a call to discuss possible charter options. Capt. Scott (772) 285-1055.

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MARTIN COUNTY INSHORE NEARSHORE

Capt. Giles Murphy Stuart Angler Bait & Tackle (772) 288–1219 Fishing Charters (772) 475 - 4857 giles@stuartangler.com www.stuartangler.com

ummer is slowly winding down as we roll into the sweaty month of September. Snook season opens the first of September and keepers can be found traveling back upriver from the inlet as they move from docks to bridges up the St. Lucie River. The deepest areas are best as water temps

MARTIN COUNTY DEEP SEA

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ounter-clockwise spins in the atmosphere will grab the attention of all residents of the Florida peninsula this month as the days of September are infamous for hosting many tropical weather events. Barring any weather systems of this nature, offshore fishing can be business as usual, if and when, favorable weather windows avail themselves. Fishing crews will steer towards the many reef structures east of the St. Lucie Inlet. Reefs and wrecks that form the bottom contour of our fishing zone are the foundation

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are still in the upper 80s. Throughout August, more minnows have been showing up all though the river and along the beaches providing a great opportunity for spin and fly anglers throwing artificials early morning. My favorite minnow flies are Puglisi Ghost Minnows and lures are YoZuri Crystal Minnows. The “mullet run” typically happens throughout September, but all the bait-species have been showing up late this year, so just be on the lookout. Early mornings with calm seas are a great opportunity to find schools of finger mullet along the beach shorelines being ravaged by snook, tarpon, jacks, and sharks. The “early morning” bite is always best because these fish fill up quick eating these 5-to-8-inch mullet,

so we typically fish the mullet run between 5:00 a.m. and 7:30 a.m., and also the sunset, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Fresh dead mullet catch monster snook during the mullet run. Simply cut the tail off and use a 6/0 Gamakatsu Octopus Circle Hook with an egg-weight above a swivel. You’ll catch a big snook or catfish guaranteed. We luckily haven’t seen much Okeechobee runoff this year due to somewhat low rainfall and hopefully no hurricanes. Also, the new CC Plan approved by the Army Corps should greatly reduce these runoffs by 67%, weather permitting. This could help seagrass grow back on the flats bringing with it lots of sea-life that’s been missing for decades such as pinfish, menhaden, trout, and redfish.

Capt. Giles has been catching 30-to-70-pound tarpon in the St. Lucie River using live mullet and D.O.A. TerrorEyz Lures. PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Giles Murphy.

associate themselves with these structures. Many species of fish, including snapper and grouper, will be found around the base of these reef sites and can also patrol to the higher profiles along the reef line and “suspend” atop of a particular reef, at mid-level depths in the water column. Live and dead bait strategies will work in tandem as anglers deploy their spreads at different depths. The key component to bait deployment will be to make sure the baits are deployed very near or directly over top of these reef structures. Fishing around structure is the common thread that runs through all types of successful fishing strategies. Vermilion snapper will continue to be found in good numbers this month and will best be caught More “mutton fun,” says Pat Scalzo after using cut bait (especially squid). a day’s fishing aboard the Safari 1. Mangrove, lane, and mutton PHOTO CREDIT: Safari 1. snapper will also avail themselves for saltwater ecosystems and will fish are attracted to the smaller to salty grocery collectors during set the food chain in action as larger fish and creatures that magically the days of September.

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SEPTEMBER 2021

TREASURE COAST 5

FISHING FORECASTS

SOUTH INDIAN RIVER LAGOON

Capt. Charlie Conner Capt. Charlie’s Fish Tales Charters (772) 284-3852 captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com www.fishtalescharter.com

eptember will continue to be warm, but the fishing is always exciting. August was a super-hot month! It’s a great time of year to target tarpon, snook and redfish around the Treasure Coast. Lots of bait has arrived in the area and the predators are chasing it both in the river and on

FORT PIERCE DEEP SEA

the beach. Water temperatures will continue to be warm and have been in the upper 80s lately. It is always best to fish early or late in the day. The fall mullet run begins this month and that will bring exciting action to the area. September is an awesome month to fish the Treasure Coast! Snook season opens again September 1. Live bait, D.O.A. TerrorEyz and assorted other favorites used around jetties, bridges and sea walls can get you hooked up to that slot fish. Make sure you are prepared for the season and check your equipment. It’s always good to Eli found this nice pompano check your license and snook permit, while fishing along the channel too. edges in Fort Pierce. Fish the shallow water early. Look for redfish around docks and PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Charlie Connor. mangroves this month. They like the shade these areas offer, and you can D.O.A. shrimp and C.A.L grub tails. get a nice redfish fishing live bait, The trout bite improved this year, and Kingfish are big and bite hard along the Treasure Coast in September.

you can find some nice fish around Bear Point, Harbor Branch or Round Island flats. Fish top water early and switch to D.O.A. shrimp or C.A.L. jerk baits as the sun warms up. Find the bait schools and you’ll find the action! It's easy to spot the bait this time of year. The fall mullet run is going on strong in September. If you do not find bait around your favorite fishing spot, you will most likely not find many fish there. Move around if you need to find active bait. Fish love this time of year, and they are out there gorging themselves on the bait in anticipation of the coming winter months. Water temperatures will begin to mellow out and will get back to normal. It's a great time of year to be fishing! Remember, fishing is not just another hobby, it's an ADVENTURE! Good fishing and be safe. and high-seas probable. A little wind does helps us keep cool aboard the Shock Leader, and Capt. Cole will keep an eye on weather patterns to find the most favorable fishing adventures. Tight lines and good vibes!

Capt. Cole Hazellief Shock Leader Charters (772) 800-5448 www.shockleadercharters.com

ishing in Fort Pierce has been incredible and as we enter September you will see even more elated anglers! September is ideal for targeting species on bottom, and on top, filling fish boxes to the brim. With the magnificent mullet run in full effect, sailfish, snapper, grouper, mahi, cobia and just about everything else can be caught throughout the month. With so much action all over the water column, it’s hard not to get giddy about heading out to blue waters. Bottom fishing for mangrove and mutton snappers will continue to be hot, and we have been raising some nice sized fish along the Treasure Coast. September is also the right

PHOTOS CREDIT: Shock Leader Charters.

time to claim your ‘snapper slam’ as the gray, mutton, lane, yellowtail and vermillion snappers are at their peak and the reef activity is at a maximum. The hottest months of year bring out the biggest predators, putting the tackle to the test and melting line off the reel by the yard. Kingfish, mahi and cobia will be flipping, dipping and crushing bait on the top, so get ready to reel and keep the gaff close

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at hand. Bull sharks are known to tax a big catch, so keep your hands out of the water when landing a big one! The positive of dealing with these apex predators is that the cobia will be tagging along. Drop the chum bag and cast toward the big shadow, chances are you will be having cobia filet for dinner! September shows potential to get a little gusty with wind increases

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ST. LUCIE COUNTY OFFSHORE

Capt. Colton Hester Sonna Girl Fishing Charters (772) 293-5342 colton@sonnagirlfishing.com www.sonnagirlfishing.com

eptember is here already, and the fish are biting. In the nearshore area there are some nice cobia being caught on live pilchards and greenies anywhere from 40-to-60 feet of water. There are also some kingfish being caught in that depth area as well. When looking for these fish look for bait pods on top of the water and the fish should be around these bait pods feeding on the bait fish. The best place to look for live bait is down the North and South

beach and the 12A buoy area. If you like fishing light tackle, there are also Spanish mackerel and bonito schools right outside the inlet in 20to-40 foot of water. I recommend the use of Gulfstream Lures Flasher jigs and at least a 40-pound fluorocarbon leader or a wire leader. Offshore there has still been mangrove and mutton snapper biting in 80 foot of water. Fresh cut grunts and sardines have been the bait of choice to catch these fish. There has also been a great sailfish bite in 80-to-150 foot of water. Many reports of 3-to-8 sailfish a day have come in as we have been getting 3-to-5 bites from sailfish a trip. The summer sailfish are usually larger fish and a great time to catch. While in the 80-to-150 foot of water area be on the lookout for mahi-mahi as they like to frequent this depth in the late summer months. The deeper

ST. LUCIE COUNTY INSHORE

Capt. Joe Ward Capt. Joe’s River Charters (772) 201-5770 or (772) 461-1335 CWard11605@aol.com

With summer coming to an end, fishing should start improving for inshore anglers. September, as you well know, is the start of snook season and it should be good with plenty of action coming from places like the Fort Pierce Inlet, the local bridges and the grass flats. For the inlet and bridges, try a live pinfish, pigfish or a white bait and fish it on the bottom. It will take a heavy weight in the inlet, 6 to 8 ounces, a 40-pound fluorocarbon leader about 3-feet long and a good 5/0 hook. Around the bridges, use the same set up but use a light weight, 1-to-2 ounces. Try free lining the mentioned baits on the flats and around the docks will

Keegan enjoying his last few days of summer vacation with a nice catch and release snook.

Caleb with a nice mangrove snapper caught aboard Sonna Girl Fishing Charters. PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Colton Hester.

water bottom fish have been biting in 120-200 foot of water on live blue runners. Look for the artificial reef numbers to the south of the Fort Pierce Inlet as target areas for these

grouper and amberjacks. Make sure to be using at least a 10-foot 80-pound leader to land these tackle busting fish. Good luck and tight lines.

shrimp fished on a #6 Kahle hook or under a popping cork. The redfish bite should still be good for anglers fishing around the mangroves on the high tide. Try a piece of ladyfish or a crab on a 2/0 hook with a 20-pound fluorocarbon leader and a small split shot, which should be plenty of weight.

The snapper should still be active along the channel edges both to the north and south in the Intracoastal. Use a live shrimp or a small white bait and a small bottom rig with a #2 hook and ½- to-1 ounce weight with a 15-to-20-pound fluorocarbon leader. Make sure the leader is at least 3-feet long, the longer the better.

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be your best bet. If it is trout you are looking for, try places like Bear Point, Queen's Cove or the flats to the north of Harbor Branch. The tackle is simple, a live

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FISHING FORECASTS

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mullet are found, will draw strikes from a variety of gamefish. Snook will ambush bait around shoreline structure including docks and mangroves, while trout and reds stalk the flats and spoil islands. Topwater and suspending plugs with a finger mullet profile, such as the Super Spook Jr and Catch 2000 Jr. are very productive this time of year. D.O.A. jerk baits and shads will also get you through just about any late summer situation in the central lagoon.

eptember breathes life back SEBASTIAN INLET – Sebastian into the inshore fishing in the Inlet will be the destination of Sebastian area. The cooler water anglers from near and far with the temps brought about by shorter day lengths, tropical rains and the associated cloud cover expand the feeding times of most inshore species. The arrival of finger mullet schools and the gamefish that follow them down the coast is a welcome change from the summer status quo. Snook are again in season as of the first of September and can be caught anywhere from the beaches to the backwaters. Atlantic Zone rules apply, with one snook overall Not all the snook are at Sebastian Inlet. length between 28 This lunker fell for a jig fished while wading a and 32 inches allowed mangrove shoreline in the Indian River Lagoon. per angler per day. PHOTO COURTESY of Gary Griffin. While snook rightfully garner the limelight in September, Sept. 1 opening of the snook season. they are not the only gamefish The snook will be stacked up in the available to Sebastian anglers. I’ll inlet and some years the oversize reds break down each venue and discuss outnumber the snook. Live croakers, what to expect during this period of pigfish, shrimp and finger mullet will change. all get the attention of predators at the inlet. The tips of the jetties, the SEBASTIAN RIVER – The tarpon channel east of A1A, and the north and snook action in the Sebastian and south shorelines west of A1A River will pick up by leaps and will hold snook. Daytime snook bounds as the schools of finger mullet fishing has historically required live make their way into the estuary. bait for consistent success, but after Live finger mullet, TerrorEyz jigs, dark bucktails, swimbaits and diving as well as suspending and topwater plugs will do the trick. MirrOlures are excellent ways to target tarpon and snook throughout NEAR SHORE ATLANTIC – When the day and night. weather conditions are favorable, the waters within two miles of the beach INDIAN RIVER LAGOON – The between Melbourne and Fort Pierce arrival of the migrating masses of can be explosive in September. three-to-five-inch mullet, fire up the Snook, tarpon, reds, blues, Spanish, fishing in the Indian River Lagoon. cobia, tripletail, sharks, jacks, and Flats that seemed to be lifeless all flounder all follow the migrating summer suddenly produce all day mullet southward. Fish live mullet, topwater action when the mullet large plugs, spoons, shad tailed jigs, show up. This resurgence is more and similar products from the beach pronounced when water levels are or from a boat to take advantage up and water temps are below 80. of some of the best surf/nearshore All types of artificials and live finger fishing of the year. Tight lines! mullet fished wherever pods of

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SEBASTIAN AREA OFFSHORE

Capt. Terry Wildey Big Easy Fishing Charters (772) 538 - 1072 captwildey@bellsouth.net www.bigeasyfishingcharters.com

y September, the tropics usually are heated up and stirring up our water pretty good. Assuming the waters are not too stirred up the fishing should still be good. We should have some decent kingfish around bait pods in the 40-to-50-feet range, as well as the artificial reefs. For those of you who are new to the area that don’t have any spots in your GPS, they are a good place to start. There’s over a dozen of them listed on the internet in our area. These reefs hold bait (thread fins) as well as snapper, kingfish, cobia and barracuda. Always a fun place to take the kids for some rod bending action. The 80- and 90-feet reefs should also produce a few big mangrove snapper providing your geared to crank them past the sharks. Looks like the shark problem is here to stay until our South Atlantic Fisheries Council does something to

ABOVE: Shannon Spradling, Jenna Wildey, Corryn Alonge, Michelle Mick, Tina Yates, and Samantha Petska with some big mangrove snapper, triggerfish and vermillion snapper. RIGHT: Sebastian Brown, 9, with his monster mangrove snapper on the Big Easy. PHOTOS CREDIT: Capt. Terry Wildey.

control the imbalance in our fishery. The water temps should be pushing over 85 degrees so this should make for a picky, almost lethargic bite. Light fluorocarbon leaders and a variety of live baits should help pick up the bite. I like fishing the smaller pieces of bottom when it’s like this. Some of the little two- to- four-feet pieces that only mark a little fuzz on. Spots that most

people wouldn’t waste a drop on. This usually will produce some nice lanes, vermilions, and triggerfish. Pick your days and weather, even if we don’t get the storm, sometimes we still get a big groundswell that will stir things up and shut down the bite. Take advantage of this time to do that boat maintenance that gets overlooked when you spent all July and August on the water. September’s

when I always go through all my safety gear—life jackets, flairs, and fire extinguishers. Do it all at once. This might save a life, or at very least, save you a $250 ticket. As always be courteous to your fellow anglers, you never know when you might need a tow-LOL! Take a kid fishing; he might return the favor when you get old. “Fish On Gotta Go!”

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SEPTEMBER 2021

TREASURE COAST 9

FROM THE SHORE

Jayson Arman That's R-Man Land Based Fishing Services (772) 530-8080 thatsrman4677@gmail.com

eptember will bring finger mullet and everything will be eating them. Big jacks, snook, tarpon and everything in between. From the beaches to the flats of the Indian River Lagoon, mullet will be getting harassed. Using topwater plugs at first light will help you get bites from seatrout, snook, and redfish. When the sun comes out, focus on getting some live bait. Afternoon thunderstorms can increase your odds. If it is calm and clear, getting bites can be tough. Snook season is officially open. Snook must be between 28- and 32-inches with a pinched tail. Take is one fish

per person per day. Check out MyFWC.com for more information. Night-time snook fishing will be hot but more people will be on the water so when you hit the water be rigged and ready. When opportunity knocks you want to be ready. Sometimes your window of productive fishing can be small… but intense. Throwing lures at some of the mullet schools will consist of swim baits such as NLBN, topwater lures such as TopDog, and diving plugs such as X-Rap. These are some of my favorites. On the flats, I find myself using the D.O.A. Shrimp when the mullet are not working. Also, focus on checking the tides before heading out. Wind and tide going the same direction can be prime time. Bass fishing in the evenings can be HOT after the thunderstorms try throwing some bigger line-thru swim baits along the shoreline and hold on! Good luck on your next adventure. Call me (772-5308080) anytime if you want to plan a land-based fishing trip. That's R-Man, over and out.

INSHO

PHOTO CREDIT: Jayson Arman.

FISHING FORECASTS

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the rivers and lagoon.

OFFSHORE: Kingfish and sailfish

will be the most common catches for September. Live bait like goggle eyes and blue runners will work well. Slow troll these baits from 80-to-180 feet using a standard wire kingfish rig or Brian Nelli 6/0 circle hook. There may be a few Pushin’ Water Kayak Charters tuna around if looking to vertical jig. (772) 201-5899 Keep moving to different depths to Brian@tckayakfishing.com find which seems to be holding them. Start in 200 feet and don’t be afraid to www.tckayakfishing.com search to 500 feet. Check us out Pushin’ Water Kayak INSHORE: Snook should start to Charters on Facebook, Instagram and push back into the rivers and lagoon Garett with a this month. Look nice kingfish. to fish bridges along their path as they will use them as stopping points. Topwater plugs, like a Spook, early in the day and then try a D.O.A. TerrorEyz later on. The mullet run should kick off mid-month. Working those PHOTO CREDIT: Brian Nelli. same lures along the edges of the schools should get you YouTube for all the latest adventures a bite. Pods of bait will be on the my clients and I get into. beach as well as getting pushed into See you on the water!

KAYAK FISHING FORECAST

SEPTEMBER FISHING CONDITIONS September 1

BEST

Morning

September 21

September 2

BEST

Morning

September 22

FAIR

Evening

September 3

POOR

Morning

September 23

GOOD

Evening

September 4

POOR

Morning

September 24

FAIR

Evening

September 5

POOR

Morning

September 25

POOR

Evening

September 6

POOR

Evening

September 26

POOR

Evening

September 7

POOR

Evening

September 27

POOR

Evening

September 8

POOR

Evening

September 28

BEST

Morning

September 9

POOR

Evening

September 29

BEST

Morning

September 10

GOOD

Evening

September 30

POOR

Morning

September 11

GOOD

Evening

September 12

POOR

Evening

September 13

POOR

Morning

September 14

FAIR

Morning

September 15

FAIR

Morning

September 16

GOOD

Morning

September 17

BEST

Morning

September 18

BEST

Morning

September 19

BEST

Morning

September 20

FAIR

Evening

FAIR

Evening

What do the ratings mean? POOR day basically means the fish will either steal all your bait or will not even touch your line. FAIR day means that you catch one or two fish but you will have to work hard to do so. GOOD day means that you will catch enough fish to feel gratified. BEST day means that you will catch something almost every time you cast your line in the water. SOURCE: The Old Farmers’ 2021Almanac

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TREASURE COAST 11

FISHING FORECASTS

LAKE OKEECHOBEE

Capt. Nate Shellen Shellen Guide Service Okeechobee Bass Fishing Guides/Charters (863) 357-0892 sjmike7@aol.com OkeechobeeBassFishing.com

e are right in the middle of what the old-timers call the “Dog Days of Summer.” Water temperatures in the shallows of Lake Okeechobee have risen into the mid-to-high 80s to low 90s. The deeper canals, the Kissimmee River, and the moving water sections of the lake are several degrees cooler. To continue to catch bass, it is necessary to either fish the current or in the shade. Bass are like people in that they react to bright sunlight in similar ways like looking for shade. Bass will hold underneath the edges of a steep drop-off or hydrilla wall. A bait presented tight to that wall will often

Andrew Simpson and his buddy Ethan caught these fish and TONS more with OkeechobeeBassFishing.com. There are still lots of big fish to be caught as you can see with these GIANTS! PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Nate Shellen.

draw a reaction strike from the fish. Many areas in the Rim Canal have rocky edges and over the years the wave action has eroded the ground underneath the rocks forming an underwater ledge where bass will hold just out of the sunlight. With the ultra-warm water, the hydrilla fields in the lake have proliferated and are actually

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growing right to the edges of the depth changes in the lake. Even the deepwater canals have hydrilla lines forming along the edges which offer shade for bass. Of course, deep water offers shade too, but our best fishing is still in the shallow water of the main lake. Our morning fishing trips find us on the water just as the sun starts

to rise. Each morning we start with a topwater bait of some sort. A Pop-R, Chug Bug, Tiny Torpedo, or a walking style bait have all worked well at different times. Some days we catch as many as 20 to 25 bass on topwater offerings. Other days we may only catch 5 to 10 fish before the sun gets high and they refuse to rise and hit the bait. In that case, it’s necessary to change to a bait that gets deeper in the water column, many times right on the bottom. Skinny Dippers, Swim Senkos, plastic worms, and flukes are all part of our arsenal. Captain’s Tip: As a rule, always use the lightest weight possible when fishing with plastics. It won’t inhibit the action built into the bait. As the water temperature has increased over the last month, we have found ourselves using heavier weights to get the bait right on the bottom in the face of the fish. We are also finding better success by using a slower presentation. Inch the bait along to keep it in the strike zone for as long as possible. The water level has risen just enough that the outside grass lines are fishable. It requires shutting down the boat well offshore of the spot and idling in to fish, but it is well worth the effort.

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DIVING FORECAST

Steve Wood Deep Six Watersports - Stuart (772) 288-3999 Stuart (772) 562-2883 Vero Steve.wood@deepsix.com www.deepsixintl.com

iving in September is heavily dependent on tropical activity in the Atlantic and Caribbean, with dive conditions going one of two ways: (1) great visibility, calm seas and warm waters of summertime or (2) tropical storms/hurricanes and blown out visibility. Lobster hunting is great this month too since females that may have held on to their eggs for mini season have now dropped them and are ready to come home for dinner. Crowds from opening weekend have thinned and reef sites should be restocked and ready. Shore dives off Bryn Mawr Beach or straight out from the concession stand at Jensen Public Beach are great reefs to explore and catch bugs when visibility allows. Water temps

will also reach their peak this month and temps in the mid to upper September should 80s are common. Unfortunately, be a very productive hurricane season reaches its peak month for those in September and divers should pay divers seeking lobster. attention to the forecast for changing Here is a good size weather. Storms far out to sea may bug captured by have minimal effect on land but James Renie recently. these systems can drastically change the landscape beneath the surface. Large swells generated from tropical storms may shift huge amounts of sand or move wrecks into new positions allowing divers to explore fresh territory. After the seas calm down, diving can be really exciting since new reefs maybe uncovered along with grouper, lobster and large whelk and helmet conch shells scattered over the reef. Thanks to the proximity of the Gulf Stream current to our area, many are surprised to learn good visibility usually returns in a week or two once a storm has passed. The Georges Valentine wreck that sits just a few hundred yards offshore of the House of Refuge is a great example of how a dive site may be affected by tropical activity. As sand shifts with each swell, water depths on the wreck maybe as deep as 20 feet or as PHOTO COURTESY of Steve Wood. shallow at 10 feet, depending on the time of year. and big lobster in September and if for some exciting diving when the Divers should count on calm seas a storm passes the area, be prepared water clears.

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SEPTEMBER 2021

TREASURE COAST 13

Fly Fishing Corner By Capt. Michael Mauri

Rick with a nice little blacktip shark holding it by the dorsal fin preparing for the release.

A Slow Day of

TARPON FISHING

aving “Plan A” is always helpful and in fly fishing, it’s even better to have a “Plan B”! Recently I fished my good friends Ron and Rick from Colorado. Ron jumped a giant tarpon last year and was excited to return to finish the job. We were running the beaches all morning but that day the beaches were empty. No bait, no tarpon … nothing! After a reality check and accepting the fact that tarpon wouldn’t happen that day, I told them about a really exciting alternative. Sight fishing for blacktip sharks! This shark species is home to our waters all year, but especially during the summer months with calm ocean days they are a lot of fun to catch. Drifting along the beach and watching these predators cruising right underneath the surface is a

lot of excitement in itself, however, casting a fly to them brings a whole new level of an adrenaline rush. It is like trout fishing in a lake but everything is just bigger. The rods I’m using are 12 weights with heavy 100 pound fly line, leader and wire. These strong lines are giving me the opportunity to leader and land these fish quick and release them strong! The flies I’m using are pushing water on 6/0 - 8/0 hooks and my preferred colors are black, chartreuse and red. Sometimes I put a sailfish popper head in front which makes them ugly to cast but if you get a “take” it will blow your mind! Most blacktip sharks will jump and rip line deep into your backing in no time and they never give up. I’m hooked and I love it, man or mouse - let’s go! Safety Tip: Build an emergency break off part in-between the fly line

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Release: Hold them on their and the leader like a 40-to-60-pound mono, depending on what you can dorsal fin (in some cases move the handle and make sure you have a boat slowly while doing this) until second guy in the boat to help you. they swim away. Use the right dehooker (offshore size) to stay with your hands far Capt. Michael Mauri enough away from his teeth. Keep www.mauriflyfishing.com them in the water and hold them on michael@mauriflyfishing.com their dorsal fin and leader. (772) 485-3321

JR. ANGLERS...................... FROM PAGE 1 My hope is that we continue the tradition and integrity of the club for years to come.” Major sponsors included Ted Glasrud, Shurhold Industries, Creech Technologies, Padden Engineering, Lively Orthodontics, and ReMax of Stuart, Jennifer Lovett. Silent auction items included donations from Yo-Zuri and Pelagic Gear. For complete tournament results, additional details and photos, visit www.stuartsailfishclub.com.

PHOTO CREDIT: Stuart Sailfish Club.

Luke Shallbetter caught and released a sailfish in the Jr. Angler Tournament.

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St. Lucie County Artificial Reef Program:

he Tug Singleton is getting closer to becoming St. Lucie County’s sixth tugboat artificial reef. A grant contract with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to provide funding for this new reef has been approved. A contract with McCulley Marine Resources (MMS) has also been approved. This contract provides funds for MMS to thoroughly clean the Tug Singleton before deploying her in 150-to-160 feet of water. Cleanup will be thorough but must be expedited due to the impending hurricane season which peaks in activity in early September. While keeping the tugboat afloat, MMS has already managed to drain and remove fuel lines, lubricants, and hydraulics. This prevented environmental issues from occurring if the Singleton had sunk. Broken windows were also removed that were dangerous to people working on or touring the vessel. Inspection of the boat by FWC personnel revealed that there are no residues which could cause a sheen during deployment. Nevertheless, MMS insists on steam cleaning the Tug Singleton out of caution. The FWC also requested that all external railings on the

own John Barrell. MCII is also selling Reefball artificial reef modules for placement on the Tug Singleton prior to deployment. These modules were purchased from and delivered by the Reefball Foundation and Reef Innovations at a discounted price and will be attached to every deck on the tug. Researchers at Florida Atlantic University’s Harbor Branch Campus and Florida State University Tug Singleton are interested in studying continues to these modules should they be prepped for recruit deepwater ivory tree deployment. corals (Oculina varicosa). PHOTO CREDIT: St. Lucie County Artificial Reef Program. Small Reefballs are being tugboat be removed to prevent fishing lines from used in hopes of moving the modules to other reefs becoming entangled. MMS still has much work in once corals develop. Other deepwater artificial reefs could host corals attached to these modules; preparing this boat. The Marine Cleanup Initiative (MCII) has the largely impacted Oculina Banks coral reefs also started its campaign to raise awareness of might also be able to accept corals recruited to these the tugboat and raised $1,900 for the deployment modules, pending outcomes of genetic testing. of the Tug Singleton at an event held at Little Jim Bait and Tackle premises. This event spotlighted For more information on the St. Lucie County the St. Lucie County Artificial Reef Program and Artificial Reef Program, contact Jim Oppenborn, highlighted both the Summerlin’s and McCulley’s St. Lucie County Coastal Resources Coordinator, roles in developing artificial reefs offshore St. Lucie at oppenbornj@stlucieco.org or (772) 462-1713. County. Featured at the event was a Summerlin For information on the Marine Cleanup Initiative, Fish Fry and auction by MCII that included a contact Arnie Stirzinger at (772) 207-6775 or surfboad built and donated by the program’s very info.marinecleanup@gmail.com.

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VERCILLO-KIEFER TAKE FIRST IN BFA AUGUST TOURNAMENT

he eighth tournament of the Backcounty Fishing Assocation’s 2021 series took place out of Little Jim Bait and Tackle on Sat, Aug. 7, with 21 boats checking in and 8 boats checking out. A total of 4 trout and 4 redfish were brought to the scale. What a tough day for all. The weather started off like any ordinary day in August, hot and humid, with a few showers rolling in later in the day. Tony Vercillo and TJ Kiefer took first place with a 6.26-pound redfish, which earned them $392. The team also took the redfish Calcutta, earning an additional $180. Husband and wife team, Mike and Shelly Bartus, took home $235 for second place with a 5.14-pound trout, which also earned Shelly Bartus Lady Angler. The couple also took the trout Calcutta, adding another $170 to their winnings. Bill Smiley and Tommy Wagner took third place with a 4.66-pound redfish and walked away with $160. Husband and wife team, Sean and Hannah Tillett took fourth place with a trout that weighed in at

16 TREASURE COAST

Backcountry Fishing Association Fort Pierce, FL 4.19-pounds, which earned the couple tournament points. Brandon Hooper and Patrick Herd took fifth place with a 3.77-pound redfish, which also earned the team tournament points. The Backcountry Fishing Association tournament is a ninemonth circuit which runs from January thru September, with a twoday Classic held in October. The artificial lure only tournament gives two-person teams and solo anglers the opportunity to win cash and gain points. Redfish, trout and snook (seasonal) are the qualified species.

SEPTEMBER 2021

Anglers attempt to bring one legal fish of each species to the scales for weigh in and live release. Teams must participate in at least five tournaments to be eligible to fish the Classic which is a two-day event. The top five eligible teams with the highest accumulated points from the season are given a bye from day one. The remaining eligible teams compete on an elimination basis the first day, where only the top five teams of day one progress to day two to compete against the season point leaders for the grand prize and cash for the top four teams. Membership fees are $25 for the year. To enter the tournament each month, the fee is $60 per team. The next tournament is Sat., Sept. 4, with a captain’s meeting on Fri. Sept. 3, at Little Jim Bait and Tackle, 601 North Causeway, Fort Pierce, Fla. For more information, visit the Backcounty Fishing Association on Facebook.

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ABOVE: September BFA winners Tony Vercillo and TJ Kiefer with their 6.26-pound redfish. BELOW: Mike and Shelly Bartus took second place. Shelly also won Lady Angler of the Month.

PHOTO CREDITS: Backcountry Fishing Association.

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TREASURE COAST SEPTEMBER DAY TIME HEIGHT 1W 4:18 AM 10:39 AM 5:17 PM 11:13 PM 2TH 5:21 AM 11:33 AM 6:14 PM 3F 12:05 AM 6:19 AM 12:22 PM 7:05 PM 4SA 12:51 AM 7:13 AM 1:08 PM 7:52 PM 5SU 1:35 AM 8:02 AM 1:51 PM 8:35 PM 6M 2:16 AM 8:48 AM 2:34 PM 9:16 PM 7TU 2:57 AM 9:34 AM 3:17 PM 9:57 PM 8W 3:38 AM 10:19 AM 4:00 PM 10:38 PM 9TH 4:21 AM 11:06 AM 4:46 PM 11:21 PM 10F 5:07 AM 11:55 AM 5:35 PM 11SA 12:06 AM 5:57 AM 12:46 PM 6:27 PM

2.17 0.63 2.3 0.95 2.23 0.56 2.41 0.86 2.34 0.46 2.55 0.73 2.49 0.34 2.69 0.57 2.65 0.24 2.83 0.41 2.81 0.16 2.93 0.25 2.94 0.13 2.99 0.12 3.04 0.15 3 0.04 3.08 0.22 2.97 0.01 3.07 0.34 2.9 0.04 3 0.49

H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L

12SU 12:55 AM 6:52 AM 1:43 PM 7:26 PM 13M 1:51 AM 7:54 AM 2:45 PM 8:32 PM 14TU 2:54 AM 9:02 AM 3:53 PM 9:42 PM 15W 4:04 AM 10:12 AM 5:02 PM 10:50 PM 16TH 5:15 AM 11:17 AM 6:07 PM 11:52 PM 17F 6:21 AM 12:17 PM 7:03 PM 18SA 12:47 AM 7:18 AM 1:10 PM 7:52 PM 19SU 1:36 AM 8:09 AM 1:58 PM 8:36 PM 20M 2:21 AM 8:55 AM 2:42 PM 9:17 PM 21TU 3:03 AM 9:38 AM 3:24 PM 9:54 PM

2.81 0.13 2.9 0.64 2.71 0.23 2.8 0.75 2.64 0.31 2.74 0.8 2.61 0.35 2.75 0.76 2.66 0.33 2.82 0.67 2.77 0.29 2.91 0.54 2.88 0.25 2.99 0.42 2.99 0.24 3.04 0.33 3.05 0.27 3.04 0.27 3.08 0.33 3

H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H

22W 3:42 AM 10:18 AM 4:04 PM 10:30 PM 23TH 4:20 AM 10:56 AM 4:43 PM 11:05 PM 24F 4:58 AM 11:34 AM 5:22 PM 11:40 PM 25SA 5:36 AM 12:13 PM 6:01 PM 26SU 12:17 AM 6:15 AM 12:54 PM 6:43 PM 27M 12:57 AM 6:59 AM 1:41 PM 7:31 PM 28TU 1:43 AM 7:51 AM 2:34 PM 8:29 PM 29W 2:38 AM 8:52 AM 3:34 PM 9:33 PM 30TH 3:41 AM 9:56 AM 4:36 PM 10:35 PM

0.27 3.05 0.43 2.93 0.31 2.99 0.56 2.83 0.39 2.9 0.7 2.72 0.5 2.78 0.84 2.61 0.62 2.66 0.99 2.5 0.75 2.55 1.11 2.41 0.84 2.47 1.19 2.34 0.9 2.44 1.2 2.34 0.88 2.48 1.13

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TREASURE COAST 17

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LOSOM Nears Finalization

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n Aug. 9, the U.S. Army Corps brought into clearer focus what the final Lake Okeechobee Systems Operating Manual (LOSOM) plan will look like. At this writing, stakeholders are wrangling over just how much benefit (and potential harm) they will experience when LOSOM is finalized and put into operation as the Lake Okeechobee dike repair project ends in 2022. For Treasure Coast residents and anglers along the lower Indian River Lagoon, where decades of Lake O discharges have repeatedly impaired the St. Lucie River and the Lagoon from the crossroads at the St. Lucie Inlet north to roughly Ft. Pierce, Lagoon seagrasses have been decimated by sediment-laden freshwater from the Lake, and recovery will only happen when Lake discharges are a thing of the past. The St. Lucie estuary already struggles in wet times due to runoff from the local and tidal basins, not to mention runoff from interior agricultural lands by way of canals that dump into the north fork of the St. Lucie. Plan CC was adopted by the Corps, a plan Indian Riverkeeper supports, but now the final tweaking will determine just how much real benefit the St. Lucie estuary will see. Our long-time position here is zero Lake discharges. It appears this will not be the end result in LOSOM but an approximate 60 to 80 percent reduction is likely. And it is our hope, and that of coastal residents along the Caloosahatchee River, that all Lake O water diverted from the coasts go south to Florida Bay, where fresh water is needed. And we are confident that as addition infrastructure, such as the under-construction reservoir and cleaning marsh in the Everglades Agricultural Area, come online, even more water can be sent south as planned, sparing the coastal estuaries even further. It comes as no surprise that the sugar industry operating in the Everglades Agricultural Area is coming out smelling like a rose. Sugar growers want one thing out of this

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plan that they have always enjoyed— the continuation of "no harm" and only guaranteed irrigation and flood protection when needed. Meanwhile, every drop of Lake O water discharged into the St. Lucie River is harmful. A 2019 University of Florida Water Institute Report noted that the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service had failed to find any evidence of water shortages lowering crop yields in South Florida since the 1980s. At the same time, Florida's east and west coasts have been inundated with toxic discharges from Lake Okeechobee numerous times. So, the so-called "balance and equity" that the Corps seeks for all stakeholders does not apply to Big Sugar. That song remains the same. Indian Riverkeeper will closely follow and apply pressure in the coming months to the Corps to arrive at the best operating plan for the Lake. Visit our Facebook page, Indian Riverkeeper, for updates.

New guidelines now in place for the relief bridges of the Jensen Causeway. Anglers need to comply if they hope to keep this access. PHOTO CREDIT: Michael Conner.

Bridge Battle Won!

We covered our effort to get the Florida Department of Transportation's no-fishing closure for the Jensen Beach Causeway

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RIVERKEEPER.................. FROM PAGE 18 reversed and can now claim victory! After a 90-day trial period during which Indian Riverkeeper, the Snook Nook and local anglers worked to "change the culture" of fishing littering and obstruction foot traffic on the spans. Florida DOT and Martin County Commission agree we were successful, and causeway bridges will remain open. The signage—which prohibits cast netting from the catwalk, and states rod limits and more—will be permanent.

Coastal Cleanup Success Indian Riverkeeper was proud to sponsor and run a cleanup station at the Jensen Beach Causeway in July for the 14th annual Treasure Coast Waterways Cleanup. We had over 80 registered volunteers at our Jensen Causeway station alone out of an "army" of over 1,000 volunteers, and we ended up collecting 256 pounds of trash. One volunteer concentrated on picking up cigarette butts and came in with an astounding 25 pounds of them. Most were in the boat ramp, catwalk, and picnic areas.

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Over 250 pounds of litter was collected in four hours by 80 volunteers on the Jensen Causeway during the Treasure Coast Waterways Cleanup. PHOTO CREDIT: Mike Conner.

How You Can Help

Join as a member, or make a donation through our web site, w w. t h e i n d i an r i v e r ke e p e r. or g . We will be offering membership incentives such as merchandise gifts, as well as the occasional "silent auction" or raffle on our Facebook page, Indian Riverkeeper. If you are a member and have not gotten a newsletter, please contact Mike Conner, Executive Director, at 772-521-1882 or email keeper@ theindianriverkeeper.org.

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SEPTEMBER 2021

TREASURE COAST 21

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MARTIN tons of Peck La

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Sin togeth who h tons o Martin counti from 1 age. “W traditi Price,

MON-FRI 8AM - 6PM SATURDAY 8AM - 5PM

ST. LUC The City Lucie—

INDIAN trash. Th City of S

3.76 TONS OF TRASH

‘Litter-Ally' Deleted During Treasure Coast Waterway Cleanup Week T he Marine Industries Association of the Treasure Coast (MIATC) has announced the results of its 14th annual Treasure Coast Waterway Cleanup. The week-long event, which took place Sat., July 17- 25, 2021, included 24 cleanup locations, engaged 1022 registered volunteers who contributed 1,339 volunteer hours, and removed 3.76 tons of trash from waterways and beaches along 125 miles throughout the Treasure Coast.

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Marcus and Chase Shimmin, Sebastian Main Street Boat Ramp. PHOTO CREDIT: Kim Haigler, City of Sebastian.

Jim Karas, Fish House Art Center, retrieves bicycle from Manatee Pocket. PHOTO CREDIT: Valerie Lindh.

effort continues to be a rewarding experience for our volunteers, and we are extremely fortunate for the community support we garner. We returned to our anticipated volunteer force exceeding 1,000-plus, however the trash haul was significantly lower than anticipated. Prior to the pandemic, we had a 4-year trend averaging 5.5 tons per cleanup,” explains Price. “In 2020, when forced to be a ‘self-reporting’ only event and participation was 597, which easily explains 3.43 tons. I expected we would be back to the 5 tons range, and I’m pleased and surprised by a total of 3.76 tons. It’s premature to know if this trend will continue into the future, but we are hopeful.” The Marine Industries Association (MIATC) will host the 15th annual Treasure Coast Waterway Cleanup week Sat., July 16-24, 2022, with the main live event on Sat., July 23, 2022.

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Since 2008, MIATC has brought together more than 12,260 volunteers, who have removed more than 95.26 tons of trash from the waterways of Martin, St. Lucie, and Indian River counties. Participants have ranged from 18 months to 90-plus years of age. Complete results, and photos, as “We were pleased to re-open our well a list of sponsors and supporters traditional sites this year,” said April of this year’s event, may be viewed Price, the event’s coordinator. “This at TCWaterwayCleanup.com.

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2021 Waterway Cleanup Breakdown Per County MARTIN COUNTY: 419 volunteers contributed 813 volunteer hours to remove .96 tons of trash. This included The City of Stuart - 72 people removed .18 tons, and the Peck Lake Reef Dive - 109 people removed .30 tons from reefs and spoil islands. ST. LUCIE COUNTY: 443 volunteers removed 2.22 tons of trash. This included The City of Fort Pierce—180 people removed .37 tons. And The City of Port St. Lucie—46 volunteers removed .37 tons. INDIAN RIVER COUNTY: 160 volunteers contributed to the removal of .58 tons of trash. This included The City of Vero Beach, 42 people removed .16 tons and The City of Sebastian, 75 volunteers combined to remove .23 tons.

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To advertise or for more information, call us at (772) 214-9347 or email treasurecoast@coastalanglermagazine.com

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SEPTEMBER 2021

TREASURE COAST 23

Share Yooutor Brag Phere! H

Beginners luck for Peppy Massini who lucked into this 17-pound golden tilefish on his first time deep dropping.

Email your information ality and high-qu rger) (500KB or la @ easurecoast photos to tr e.com. lerMagazin CoastalAng

Frank Orio with a 12-pound mangrove snapper caught out of the Fort Pierce inlet aboard Savage Pursuit with Capt. Brian Godwin. PHOTO COURTESY of Frank Orio.

Gary Volts with an 80-poundplus amberjack caught out of the St. Lucie Inlet while deep dropping.

PHOTO CREDIT: Abigail Pickney.

PHOTO COURTESY of Gary Voltz.

Lobster mini season in Cudjoe Key. Bobby Zelano, from the Treasure Coast, sharing a Florida summer tradition with Bimminee, 4 months, who Bob reported held strong through the first day of mini season in the Keys.

Publisher's daughter Heather with a wahoo caught during the West Palm Beach Fishing Club Full Moon Wahoo Tournament fishing on Team WhooDat.

PHOTO CREDIT: Robert Zelano.

PHOTO CREDIT: Ryan Buel.

Jules Durbin, 13, of Palm City, caught this bonito on a fly rod while fishing off Jupiter with his dad. PHOTO CREDIT: Mike Durbin.

downsize ky fish to shot. My th a hook

them is a Thin 4.5’ gemouth, a little bit orm on a Tungsten

imitator. find fish allmouth Hayabusa as well. nicky fish, ors to the ite colors ng dawn. pkin and

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The Perfect Vacation Getaway for Fishing, Boating & Outdoor Enthusiasts A drop shot is an awesome way to get bites when it gets tough. With the bait suspended off the bottom above your weight, it gives fish a different presentation than the normal Texas rig. Pitch it around hard cover like wood and rock, drag it through grass or throw it around dropoffs or deep spots. I always have a drop shot rigged this time of year, and it puts fish in the boat.

Drop Shot Gear A drop shot is a finesse approach. I use a 13 Fishing Omen Black 7’1” medium fast action rod paired with a 2500 size spinning reel. Spool this combo with Seaguar 10-lb. Smackdown braid leading to an 8- to 12-lb. Abrazx fluorocarbon leader depending on the cover and water clarity you are dealing with.

TIPS FROM A PRO

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DROP SHOT WHEN THE BITE IS TOUGH

TYLER WOOLCOTT

he end of summer is here, and the fishing is a little tough. From fishing pressure through the summer to warm water temps, this time of year can be a grind at times. Fish tend to get a little lock-jawed, and this can be really frustrating. When this scenario presents itself, I pull out a spinning rod, downsize my line and bait, and slow down my presentation to get finicky fish to eat. One of my favorite techniques this time of year is a drop shot. My drop shot rig consists of a weight tied to the end of the line with a hook and soft plastic tied in about 12 to 18 inches above the weight. There are two styles of baits I like to drop shot. One of them is a finesse-style worm like the 13 Fishing Rabbit Ear Joy Stick Ultra Thin 4.5’ worm. I like a worm on my drop shot when I’m targeting largemouth, especially in Southern states. These fish are usually feeding on a little bit larger forage, and the finesse worm is a perfect fit. Rig this worm on a 1/0 Hayabusa FPP Straight hook with a 1/4or 3/8-oz. WOO Tungsten weight for the perfect presentation. The other soft plastic I like on a drop shot is a small baitfish imitator. The 13 Fishing Vertigo Minnow gets a ton of bites. When you find fish chasing small baitfish or you’re up north where there are smallmouth bass, this style of soft plastic gets the job done. Rig it on a Hayabusa DSR132 #1 hook with a ¼ or 3/8-oz. WOO Tungsten weight, as well.

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I like to keep things simple when it comes to colors. With finicky fish, you want your bait to look as natural as possible. I match colors to the forage in the lake. When throwing the finesse worm, my favorite colors are the green pumpkins and even pinkish colors like a morning dawn. With the baitfish, I stick to white and pearl or your green pumpkin and brown. A drop shot is an awesome way to get bites when it gets tough. With the bait suspended off the bottom above your weight, it gives fish a different presentation than the normal Texas rig. Pitch it around hard cover like wood and rock, drag it through grass or throw it around dropoffs or deep spots. I always have a drop shot rigged this time of year, and it puts fish in the boat.

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MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR TRIP Tim Barefoot

T H E

P E R F E C T

I take a 5-lb. box of squid on every trip offshore for a number of reasons, but this is one of the main reasons. Using a small 1/0 circle hook, double tackle and a 2- or 3-oz. bank sinker, you can harvest grouper bait and dinners deluxe. I count the strips it takes to get to the fish. This is also where multi-colored line can come into play. Drop your bait down to the same color where they were hitting, and then start a very slow descent. These fish like to eat bait as it falls. When you feel the tap or the bait just stops falling, click the reel into gear and let the circle hook do its work. When you get them working upward in the water column, keep them going. If you stop catching them, you’ll see the top of the mark start working it’s way back closer to the bottom. The top of the school is typically where the larger fish will be, especially the triggerfish. Triggers are hard to catch on the grouper jigs, but smaller circle hooks are deadly on these crafty bait stealers. I always anchor to grouper/bottom fish. This style of teasing beeliners and triggers up toward the surface only works from a stationary boat, not drifting. Check out videos on rigging and using doublecircle-hook tackle at barefootcatsandtackle.com.

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es, everyone wants to catch a grouper, or three, but you should be prepared—tackle-wise—to come home with “the groceries.” One way to accomplish this is to keep a beeliner/triggerfish rig ready on a rod and to have someone willing to use it when you get on the right mark. Not all big stacks of bait on the recorder are beeliners and triggerfish, but get accustomed to it and you’ll have a pretty good idea of what you’re looking at. The bigger species of the reef complex tend hang out under a big stack of bait, like cigar minnows, sardines, beeliners, etc. But the truth of the matter is, what you might be looking for is near the top of the stack. For example, the larger beeliners might sometimes be the first taps you get on your jig as it drops toward the bottom. When I’m grouper fishing, I fish a revolving spool reel rather than a spinning reel for several reasons. The main reason is so I can feel the bait as it drops. If you feel the bait on the jig getting tapped on the way down, understand that you’re in beeliners, triggers and/or American reds. At that point, it’s up to you to capitalize or just continue to grouper fish for grouper only. If you choose to do it, you can load up on some pretty tasty groceries by sizing down your tackle. I take a 5-lb. box of squid on every trip offshore for a number of reasons, but this is one of the main reasons. Using a small 1/0 circle hook, double tackle and a 2- or 3-oz. bank sinker, you can harvest grouper bait and dinners deluxe. I count the strips it takes to get to the fish. This is also where multi-colored line can come into play. Drop your bait down to the same color where they were hitting, and then start a very slow descent. These fish like to eat bait as it falls. When you feel the tap or the bait just stops falling, click the reel into gear and let the circle hook do its work. When you get them working upward in the water column, keep them going. If you stop catching them, you’ll see the top of the mark start working it’s way back closer to the bottom. The top of the school is typically where the larger fish will be, especially the triggerfish. Triggers are hard to catch on the grouper jigs, but smaller circle hooks are deadly on these crafty bait stealers. I always anchor to grouper/bottom fish. This style of teasing beeliners and triggers up toward the surface only works from a stationary boat, not drifting. Check out videos on rigging and using doublecircle-hook tackle at barefootcatsandtackle.com. COASTALANGLERMAG.COM COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COMSEPTEMBER JUNE 2020 2021

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he recreational harvest of greater amberjack and gray triggerfish opened in Gulf of Mexico state and federal waters in August. Greater amberjack is scheduled to remain open through Oct. 31 in Gulf state and federal waters. Gray triggerfish is scheduled to remain open through Dec. 31 in Gulf state and federal waters, but an early quota closure is possible for either species. The bag limit for amberjack is one per person, per day, with a minimum length of 34 inches fork length. The bag limit for triggerfish is one per person, per day, with a minimum length of 15 inches fork length. If you plan to fish for amberjack or gray triggerfish anywhere in Florida state or federal waters from a private recreational vessel, you must sign up as a State Reef Fish Angler (annual renewal is required). To learn more, visit MyFWC.com/SRFS. Sign up today at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com.

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“A

iyeeeeee, yeeee, yeeee, yeee!” The shout sounded Cajun, or perhaps like the intro to a mariachi tune. Either way, it amplified the chaos on deck. Three rods were bent. Two anglers scrambled to uncross lines screaming off reels. A third angler dove to wrap an arm around the 10-year-old who held a death grip on rod number three. It was a tossup as to whether the kid would lose the rod or be yanked overboard into a very active chum slick. The whole scene unraveled when a 10-foot tiger shark rose to the surface. It smashed the boy’s cobia straight through the surface, blowing up close enough to drench us, maybe 15 feet off the stern. There was stunned silence, then... “Ayeeee, yeeee, yeeee, yeeee!” our captain hollered. “I love chaos!” Man, what a trip. It was a lot more than my two brothers and I expected upon reconnecting with a childhood friend in Bluffton, South Carolina. Our captain, Keene Reese, is a successful real estate agent with Ussery Group, Charter One Realty in the Lowcountry. He is also a very fishy dude. In mid-June, he invited us—along with my 10-year-old son— on a 20-mile ride offshore, where cobia were thick on a well-known wreck. With a beautiful chum slick snaking off the stern of Reese’s 25’ Regulator “Copacetic,” it didn’t take 10 minutes for “brownies” to start showing on the surface. There was no need for down-lines that day. All the action was on top, visible and simple. Pitch a live menhaden on a freeline, and a cobia would take it before you reached the rod holder. Over the course of a few hours, we boated well over a dozen cobia,

although the action came in such crazy spurts that no one could keep count. The thing is, we only landed four fish longer than the 36-inch minimum. That’s good news, according to Mel Bell, the director of Fisheries Management with South Carolina DNR. For decades, South Carolina was famous for its inshore cobia runs. May is the peak of a spawning run that once saw scads of cobia pushing into Port Royal Sound, Calibogue Sound, St. Helena Sound and the Broad River. Bell said boats lined up to target big eggbearing females before they could reproduce. The fishery collapsed. “We were in a bad place in 2016,” Bell said. “The numbers were scary. Even the anglers were telling us we had to do something.” While overall Atlantic cobia stocks are in good shape, according to the latest assessment, Bell said sound-spawners in South Carolina are a distinct “sub-population.” The Southern Cobia Management Zone was formed in 2016 to protect these inshore-spawning fish. The zone stretches from Jeremy Inlet on Edisto Island, S.C. south to the Georgia border. It extends three miles offshore, and within this zone there is a one fish per person, three per boat daily limit—except in May, when cobia harvest is closed. The limit in federal waters is one per person, six per boat. The minimum length is 36 inches, which brings us back to all the short fish. Bell said South Carolina DNR isn’t ready to release hard data. However, he’s heard fishermen reporting lots of smaller fish, which are likely the age classes protected since 2016. If anecdotes translate into survey data, it would mean the restrictions are working. Bell said next year might be time to take a close look and see just how well cobia are returning to the sounds. PHOTO BY GILBERT CARTER

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ave the parking headaches—oneshot your boat into position every time with one of Parkit360’s Electric Trailer Dollies. The Force and Transformer models are compatible with almost every trailer thanks to ball-mounted Stablelock technology. Just connect to the hitch and steer your trailer into place. With weight capacities ranging from 5,000 to 15,000 pounds, these portable powerhouses handle the most difficult parking challenges with ease. The user faces the trailer, allowing complete visibility and control while parking. Park in ways that are impossible with a truck, with the flexibility to move around the trailer to check its position. The dolly’s compact design also allows the user to park hitch-end forward as a theft deterrent. All models include Intelligent Speed Control to move through open areas quickly and more precisely in tight spaces. Have a unique trailer hitch? Easily move any ball-mounted, fifth-wheel or gooseneck trailer with standard adapters, or try the Telescopic Hitch Adapter. It’s a non-invasive, alternative connection point that bolts around your existing trailer frame. Built strong and secure to safely move on firm grass, packed gravel, and 4- to 6-percent inclines. Move your trailer with ease, and get PARKIT360.CA in and out of storage faster than ever!

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SEPTEMBER 2021

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THREE WAYS TO TARGET

BIG CATS

f you like the feel of really big fish on the end of a line, catfish are a good option. There are several different types, but trophy hunters set their sights on blue and flathead catfish. Both species grow large and can weigh in excess of 100 pounds. For bait, catfish have been caught on just about everything you can think of. But generally, big flatheads are predators and like whole, live, hand-sized bream. Blues like large cut bait like bream, skipjack or carp. Once you’ve got your bait, here are some ideas for how to fish it. Fish a Fan: My favorite technique is to anchor up in a good spot near rocky bottom or structure such as a ledge, river channel or creek bed. I have 14 Driftmaster 255 H Pro Duo rod holders, which I use to put out a fan of baits on Penn Fathom reels and medium to heavy rods. These are spooled with 80-pound PowerPro braid. The terminal end is a weight slide on the main line then a swivel and a 3- to 5-foot leader, with a Gamakatsu 8/0 circle hook on the end. These are the rigs I use to fish Cabela’s King Kat tournaments. They are heavy duty because you never know when a 100-pound monster will show up. Back-Trolling: On big rivers, back-trolling can be very effective. Use your trolling motor in reverse to slow

the boat’s drift in the current and present baits to catfish holding on the bottom. Bottom bouncing is Bill Dance’s preferred method on the Mississippi River. It’s also very popular on the Tennessee River. It allows you to keep your bait about a foot off the bottom and bounce it to fish facing upstream. Tie a three-way swivel to a mainline of 40- to 80-lb. braid. On the bottom eye of the swivel, tie in 12 inches of 20-lb. mono drop line and attach a bank sinker. The drop line should be lighter than your main line so you can save the rest of the rig when your sinker gets caught. On the third eye, use a 2- to 3-foot piece of the same line as your main line and attach a 6/0 to 12/0 circle hook, depending on the size of your bait. Drift Fishing: Drift fishing is very popular on big lakes like Santee Cooper in South Carolina. On windy days, set all your rods on one side of the boat with weights that will slide along the bottom. Pencil, Lindy and slinky sinkers all work well for this. If the wind pushes the boat too fast, deploy driftsocks to slow the boat. If you don’t have driftsocks, 5-gallon buckets work in a pinch. Gary Turner is a long-time contributor to The Angler and Coastal Angler Magazine. Contact him at gary@purgeright.com.

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nsetta Boatworks has always aimed to “continuously challenge the standards of an average catamaran” by setting the bar high for performance, stability and safety. Insetta’s IFC system (Internal Foil Catamaran) not only increases cruising speed and handling and stability, it also provides the boat with better acceleration and better fuel efficiency by 20 to 40 percent, meaning “20 to 40 percent farther cruise range.” Last spring, their commitment to being “the best-performing center console sportfish boat in its class by way of the hull design, cruise speed and best miles per gallon” expanded to the anchoring system on the new 35’ Internal Foil Catamaran. They installed an E-Z Anchor Puller Patriot EZ-3 drum anchor winch. The Georgia-based, fiberglass original equipment manufacturer excitedly announced in an April 23 Facebook post that they were “extremely impressed with the performance and reliability” of the installation, posting the maiden voyage of their demo boat on social media as well as writing about it on their official blog. “We kept it simple on Hull #2 with the Patriot by E-Z Anchor Puller Mfg. Co. and have really enjoyed using it,” they wrote. In another Facebook post from July, they wrote: “[It] takes up [approximately] 3 cubic feet and holds 560’ of chain, rope and dyneema.” Utilizing the Patriot series, Insetta’s boats are equipped with a complete 316 stainless steel unit, much like their commitment to use this corrosionresistant, marine-grade metal wherever applicable during the construction of their own vessels. Insetta has instilled a standard of transparency in their day-to-day processes as well, encouraging factory visits and taking a sales-

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About the Patriot Series The Patriot series is the perfect shallow coastal saltwater anchoring solution for center consoles and sportfishing boats. With three sizes, the Patriot spools rope capacities from 1/2” nylon down to 1/4” dyneema. Completely 316 stainless steel components make the Patriot the ultimate saltwater anchoring solution. Engineered to evenly spool anchor rope, these units deploy and retrieve at an average 100-feet-per-minute. Call 1.800.800.1640 or visit ezanchorpuller.com for more information.

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