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O P P O R T U N I T I E S
A V A I L A B L E
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W O R L D W I D E
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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
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© 2018 PENN is a registered trademark of Pure Fishing, Inc.
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Solar Shade™ ZERO Long Sleeve Shirt
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CEO / EDITOR IN CHIEF : Ben Martin • camads@coastalanglermagazine.com COO : Tracy Patterson • tracy@coastalanglermagazine.com ART DIRECTOR : Rebecca Snowden • graphics@coastalanglermagazine.com EDITORIAL COORDINATOR : Nick Carter • editorial@coastalanglermagazine.com WEBMASTER : Derrick Oppelt • webmaster@coastalanglermagazine.com ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: Corporate Headquarters info@coastalanglermagazine.com • 888-800-9794
FLORIDA
BIG BEND : Mike McNamara • (850) 510-7919 • captmike@coastalanglermagazine.com BREVARD : Chris Milner • (321) 631-1001 • cmilner@coastalanglermagazine.com FLORIDA KEYS : Cliff Lumpkin • (305) 849-9093 • cliff@coastalanglermagazine.com FORT LAUDERDALE : Gene Dyer • (954) 680-3900 • gene@coastalanglermagazine.com FORT MYERS : Nadeen Welch • (239) 595-8265 • nwelch@coastalanglermagazine.com GREATER ORLANDO : Phillip & Giselle Wolf • (407) 790-9515 • phillip@coastalanglermagazine.com GREATER MIAMI : Gene Dyer • (954) 680-3900 • gene@coastalanglermagazine.com LAKELAND & SUMTER : Mary Brasher • (352) 598-4219 • maryf@coastalanglermagazine.com NAPLES : Nadeen Welch • (239) 595-8265 • nwelch@coastalanglermagazine.com NC FLORIDA/NATURE COAST : Cary & Lynn Crutchfield • (352) 372-4237 • crutch@coastalanglermagazine.com NE FLORIDA : Danny Patrick • (904) 742-4696 • danny@coastalanglermagazine.com PANAMA CITY/FORGOTTEN COAST : Randy Cnota • (229) 834-7880 • randyc@coastalanglermagazine.com PALM BEACH COUNTY : Barbara Ryan • (561) 373-8040 • barbara@coastalanglermagazine.com SARASOTA : Phil Prevoir • (239) 257-4684 • pprevoir@coastalanglermagazine.com TAMPA BAY : Chuck Atkins • (239) 464-5153 • chuck@coastalanglermagazine.com TREASURE COAST : Misti & Gary Guertin • (772) 285-6850 • treasurecoast@coastalanglermagazine.com
flahama@coastalanglermagazine.com
SOUTHEAST
ATLANTA : Bob & Brenda Rice • (706) 614-8231 • bobr@theanglermagazine.com CHARLESTON : Jane A. Redden • (205) 725-9616 • jane@coastalanglermagazine.com
Sam Buckareff • (843) 607-8629 • sam@coastalanglermagazine.com
CHARLOTTE/PIEDMONT : Mark & Haley Alberghini • (704) 651-1934 • mark@theanglermagazine.com COLUMBIA/MIDLANDS : John Lux • (803) 807-6885 • jlux@theanglermagazine.com MYRTLE BEACH : Mike Masiero • (732) 674-3019 • mmasiero@coastalanglermagazine.com SW GEORGIA : Bob & Brenda Rice • (706) 614-8231 • bobr@theanglermagazine.com TIDEWATER/OUTER BANKS : John Tiger • (757) 707-9654 • john.tiger@coastalanglermagazine.com
Laura Tiger • (757) 707-9655 • laura@coastalanglermagazine.com
WESTERN NC : Debra & Joe Woody • (828) 775-9663 • woody@theanglermagazine.com WILMINGTON/MOREHEAD : Charlie Lamm • (252) 205-6472 • clamm@coastalanglermagazine.com
NORTHEAST BOSTON : George Regan • (617) 488-2842 • boston@coastalanglermagazine.com LONG ISLAND : Lisa & Michael Danforth • (203) 321-7635 • lisad@coastalanglermagazine.com CONNECTICUT/RHODE ISLAND : Lisa & Michael Danforth • (203) 321-7635 lisad@coastalanglermagazine.com
GULF COAST MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST : Adam Nelson • (228) 627-5903 • anelson@coastalanglermagazine.com
You guys are everywhere.
A
nglers share some very unique commonalities. One trait that seems standard across the board is that whenever we find ourselves in a new destination, regardless of why we’re there, we always want to find out about “what’s biting.” Normally a quick trip to a local tackle shop gets us up to speed. I often hear from readers that they were in a different state or a different region and found a copy of our magazine at the tackle shop they went into. One such reader recently told me, “I live in Wilmington, North Carolina, and I read your Wilmington edition every month. I was in Mississippi recently on business and I saw a copy of your magazine at a local tackle shop. The next month I was in Key West, Florida and saw a copy of the magazine at a tackle shop there. I just landed in Connecticut today and can’t believe that I just picked up another copy of your magazine at a tackle shop here in Connecticut. You guys are everywhere.” It is true; we are available for free in over 30 market areas, but we’re not everywhere yet. Our franchise publishing model is changing the way American anglers view a local fishing magazine, and we’re looking to further expand our footprint. If you think owning your own business as the publisher of your area’s local fishing magazine is something that would fit your career and lifestyle goals, give us a call for information on potential franchise opportunities in your area. Previous publishing experience is not required. We have a complete training program and ongoing support system that enables our co-publishing partners to quickly establish the magazine as a primary resource for the avid angler nearly everywhere. Best regards,
Toby Nelson • (228) 623-1761 • tnelson@coastalanglermagazine.com
GREAT LAKES WEST MICHIGAN : Phil Belsito • (616) 957-1714 • phil@theanglermagazine.com
INTERNATIONAL PUERTO RICO/VIRGIN ISLANDS : Ace Bassue • (407) 285-9453 • ace@coastalanglermagazine.com COSTA RICA : Mike Erickson • (561) 262-2242 • mike@coastalanglermagazine.com © 2018. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. Disclaimer: Coastal Angler Magazine / The Angler Magazine will not be held liable for injuries incurred while partaking in activities described herein, or for claims made against products or services provided by advertisers.
Ben Martin Editor in Chief info@coastalanglermagazine.com
1-888-800-9794
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WHO CARES ABOUT PUTTING YOUR LURE RIGHT ON TOP OF FISH?
All trademarks mentioned are owned by, or licensed to, the AkzoNobel group of companies. © AkzoNobel 2017.
YOU SHOULD.
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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® Extra leads the charge in all waters. Using its signature dual-protection with boosting Biolux® technology, it provides high-quality, multi-season protection that survives hauling and relaunch without the need for repainting. For super-powered antifouling protection and proven performance, choose Interlux®.
All trademarks mentioned are owned by, or licensed to, the AkzoNobel group of companies. © AkzoNobel 2017.
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Paddlesports Product Review CARIBE TIBURON INFLATABLE SUP You’ll be slithering through the waves with ease and gliding along in true mariner style when you hop on Caribe’s inflatable SUP. Decorated with a shark silhouette and further amplified by a cool camo print, this blue and black paddleboard is always a hit among water-lovers with a penchant for adventure. The Tiburon Inflatable Paddleboard comes with 6 D-Rings on the softpad so you can attach a variety of accessories like a cooler, 2 Kayak Seats, dry bags, etc. it also comes with a D-Ring on the front bottom deck, excellent for anchoring or towing the board. A very wide 34” design provides stability like no other board on the market. It’s ideal for fishing and long rides and has a smooth non-slip softpad that provides grip as well as comfort. Concerned about hooks on board or punctures from oyster beds? No worries! Double deck Tarpaulin layers protect the board from punctures while providing the most rigid inflatable experience out there. All Caribe’s boards come with a 2-year warranty against manufacturing defects.
WWW.CARIBESUP.COM
AIRHEAD SUP BONEFISH 1138 True to its name, the Airhead SUP Bonefish 1138 is a paddleboard specifically designed for fishing. This super-stable fishing SUP has two inflatable sponsons that give anglers the firm platform they need for fighting big fish and navigating rough water. There are four strategically placed mount pads on deck to accommodate four rod racks, Airhead SUP Fishing Racks and Bucket Racks. Two smaller accessory mounts are perfect for small rod holders or other accessories, and two stainless D-ring cooler tie downs round out endless possibilities for equipment customization. A classic teak-look EVA decking provides sure footing. At just 41 pounds, transport of the Bonefish 1138 is easy, and two molded handles fore and aft make carrying it to the water a breeze, even when it’s fully loaded. There is versatility built in with 10 stainless steel D-rings and two stretch tie downs. The Bonefish 1138 comes with a mesh backpack for transport and storage, a Hi Pressure hand pump for quick and easy inflation, a pressure gauge, valve wrench, board strap and repair kit.
WWW.AIRHEADSUP.COM
KAKU WAHOO 10.5 The new Kaku Wahoo 10.5 may be the baddest little ’yak on the water. It is a compact version of the Wahoo 12.5, which has proven itself as a superb fishing kayak. Kaku went and shaved a couple of feet and more than 10 pounds off of the original Wahoo to create a boat that is easier to transport and paddles very well in the tight environs kayak anglers often find themselves in. And while the Wahoo 10.5 gives up size, it does not sacrifice fishability or performance. It has all the features of the Wahoo 12.5. By flattening the rocker and lowering the keel, Kaku has designed a boat that tracks well and is easy to stand on. A sick deck pad rounds out the look of a quick little ’yak that is stable, comfortable and easy to handle.
KAKUKAYAK.COM
MANTA RACKS Whether it’s a mother-ship expedition offshore, a day-cruise to some isolated islands or exploration deep into the mangroves, there are a lot of places paddle-sports enthusiasts want to be that are too distant to access under paddle power. SUPs and kayaks take up a lot of room on the deck of the boat, and Manta Racks has come up with the perfect solution. The Manta Racks system stores your kayaks or SUPs securely to your boat, where they are out of the way, and it utilizes the boat’s rod holders, so there’s no need to drill any new holes for mounting. With a patented 360-degree locking swivel feature, paddleboards, wakeboards, kayaks, kiteboards, water skis and surfboards can be easily stored on the gunnel of the boat without drilling extra holes. All of your boards are out of the way of your passengers, securely fastened to your Manta Racks system. Go farther when you take your boards.
WWW.MANTARACKS.COM
WILDERNESS SYSTEMS RADAR SERIES With its new Radar Series, Wilderness Systems continues to build on its legacy of innovation, performance and quality in fishing kayaks. The Radar Series is Wilderness Systems’ first tri-powered kayak, which means it has paddle, power and pedal capabilities. It features S.M.A.R.T. Hull Technology that combines stability, maneuverability, acceleration, responsiveness and tracking throughout the entire design for ultimate
performance in multiple water environments. In addition to a flat platform for standing and freedom of movement, the Radar boasts state-of-the-art outfitting including expansive SlideTrax rails, a multitude of storage opportunities, and scupper options to deploy the Helix MD motor drive, Helix PD pedal drive and multiple options for electronics, including down-imaging, side-scanning or both. With Helix PD, a built-in steering control system allows for easy navigation that leaves your hands free for fishing. The AirPro Max seat complements the package with optimized positioning for any mode of travel.
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Paddlesports Product Review NUCANOE FLINT NuCanoe made waves when it introduced its new Flint kayak at iCast. Here is a boat jam-packed with features for serious anglers, yet the price tag is way below what you’d expect for such a high-quality kayak. At 11’3”, and less than 70 pounds, The Flint is the perfect boat for exploring creeks, rivers and backwater marshes. It is agile, responding nimbly to the paddle, and it also tracks very well despite its shorter length. Light enough for easy one-man transport, this boat is amazingly stable, and unique scupper hole design provides a firm deck. The Flint cockpit is wide open and fishes like a much larger kayak. There’s plenty of room and stability for standing to fish on an uncluttered deck, and the new Hawg Trough channel keeps your measuring board handy but out of the way. With five gear tracks, handy spaces for tackle boxes and angled flush-mount rod holders, NuCanoe has come up with a simple yet efficient and customizable layout for everything an angler needs. The side handle that doubles as a quick-clip paddle holder is a handy innovation someone should have come up with long ago. Cap it all off with the comfy custom-height Pinnacle seat NuCanoe is known for, and this is a top-notch fishing platform for a reasonable price.
WWW.NUCANOE.COM
PERCEPTION PESCADOR PILOT 12.0 Perception’s pedal-powered Pescador Pilot is a fishing machine that is extremely comfortable and functional for anglers. It excels in flat water and is an excellent kayak for inshore and bay fishing as well as on freshwater lakes and ponds. The Pilot Drive propeller system effortlessly propels the boat, even in reverse, while leaving both hands free. The spacious, sit-on-top design with generous storage and accessory mounts make the kayak easy to customize. Superior stability allows anglers to cast and fight fish while standing. Comfort is absolutely necessary for serious anglers spending long hours on the water. The Pescador Pilot is built for that. A roomy captain’s chair features zonal mesh to promote cooling airflow. On-the-fly seatback adjustment tilts back for relaxed pedaling or forward for sportier pedaling.
With performance, comfort, features, and storage that outdistance its price point, especially for a peddle-driven kayak, the Pescador Pilot is also a great value. This boat is proudly designed, molded and hand assembled in the USA and is backed by a 5-year warranty.
WWW.PERCEPTIONKAYAKS.COM
OLD TOWN PREDATOR PDL Prepare yourself for a totally new fishing experience. Old Town has taken boat control to new heights with forward and reverse via an efficient and easy-to-use propriety pedal-drive system. It gets you to the spot fast, and keeps you on the spot without paddling. With forward, reverse and agile maneuverability, you’ll experience precise boat control while your hands remain free to focus on fishing. The removable pedal drive installs in seconds and tips up instantly for shallowwater docking. The Predator PDL’s specially-designed hull combines the perfect balance of smooth pedal stroke speed and stand-up stability. The Old Town PDL pedals exactly like a bicycle, converting modest pedaling into maximum propulsion. A 10.3:1 gear ratio means that anglers can reach speeds up to 5.5 mph to reach fishing spots fast and efficiently. It also makes trolling through a range of useradjustable speeds easy and effective. The Predator PDL is infinitely customizable with rigging accessories from Cannon, Scotty, YakAttack, RAM and more.
WWW.OLDTOWNCANOE.COM
SEA EAGLE 350FX FISHING EXPLORER For anglers who like to go it alone, Sea Eagle’s 350fx is a terrific choice. The most stable and rugged entry in Sea Eagle’s Explorer Series of inflatable kayaks, it’s a lightweight (51-lbs.) and easily portable one-person fishing machine. Nearly indestructible, the 350fx features a double layer of 1000 Denier reinforced protective layers on the tubes and bottom, a 40-inch fish ruler, plus two spray skirts—each with three rod holders and accessory belts that hold tools, hooks and lures. A fully adjustable foot brace is easily positioned for maximum comfort and more power per stroke while a nifty anchor system quietly locks in advantageous casting positions. Suitable for paddling in waters rated to Class IV, 16 high-capacity self-bailing drain valves make this entry ideal for fishing in moderate whitewater rivers up to Class III. Close the valves to remain high and dry on flat waters, and insert the removable skeg to improve flatwater tracking. Fully inflated in seven minutes, the 350fx fits in a car trunk and handles electric motors up to 34-pound thrust. This inflatable fishing kayak is 11’6” long and has a maximum weight capacity of 575 lbs.
WWW.SEAEAGLE.COM
FLYCRAFT STEALTH The Flycraft Stealth is one of the most versatile boats in the world. Its unique construction and shape give it the functionality of many boats in one. From motoring on the coast or lakes to rowing rocky streams and mild whitewater, the Flycraft Stealth is your one boat answer. The boat’s lightweight and minimalistic design allow it to be easily carried on a roof or in a truck bed. No roof rack? No problem; this boat deflates and packs down to fit in a trunk or closet. At just 98 pounds, one person can easily transport or load this boat solo. For information, call 801-810-4022.
WWW.FLYCRAFTUSA.COM COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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QUIK-CHANGE II ™ Our Innovative, Interchangeable Fixed Blade Cutlery System 9” FILLET 7” FILLET 5” FILLET 3” SERRATED
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rugged canvas roll pack
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FLY FISHING
Michelle Bowman with a Yucatan baby tarpon from an inflatable SUP.
For more Bowman, go to
CAMFLYFISHING.COM
GAME CHANGER Sea Eagle FishSUP Stand Up Paddleboard
Win th Sea Eagle e FishSUP Pro Moto r Fishing Rig Packa ge! Fu
www.Coa ll details at stalAngle rContest.c om
Fits in a Bag! Paddle or Motor
Incredibly stable, the new inflatable FishSUP FS126 Stand Up Paddleboard is an angler’s dream. Lightweight, packable, portable and ready in moments. The FishSUP fits in any car trunk and inflates in just 7 minutes. Stand, sit, fish, motor, troll, fresh, salt or brackish water...the FishSUP goes everywhere. 800-748-8066 M-F 9-5 EST Dept C2048B 19 N. Columbia St., Suite 1
• 12’6” long x 40” wide for exceptional stability • Motor mount holds up to a 55 lb. thrust electric motor • EVA foam pad for secure stand up footing • 36” Built-in fish ruler • Heavy duty two layer drop stitch construction for a solid, super tough SUP board • Multiple d-rings and elastic cord for gear & accessories
MSRP $1149!
Port Jefferson, NY 11777
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NO 26
The best fishing stories start with you getting away.
F F
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PINE ISLAND SOUND, FL
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CoastalA
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2018 242CC
FISHING FOCUSED FAMILY FRIENDLY “Sailfish Boats are truly versatile. A great fishing boat and a great family boat all in one.”
2018 220CC ® Exclusive Variable Degree Stepped (VDS) Hull for Performance, Safety & Stability ® 10 year Structural Warranty ® SailTech Construction: 100% Composite, Reinforced with Kevlar® & Carbon Fiber ® Lifetime No-Rot Guarantee ® Bow To Stern Intelligent Ergonomic Design with Premium Finishes ® Family Friendly Features for Fun, Comfort and Safety
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Take a
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Register at:
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You could get a discount when you combine your auto and boat policies.
geico.com | 1-800-865-4846 | Local Office Some discounts, coverages, payment plans and features are not available in all states or all GEICO companies. Boat and PWC coverages are underwritten by GEICO Marine Insurance Company. Multi-Policy Discount available to auto insureds that have purchased a boat policy through the GEICO Marine Insurance Company. GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, D.C. 20076; a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. © 2018 GEICO
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Center sp
For a limited time, get Suzuki Extended Protection, Instant Savings and attractive financing on select Suzuki outboards from 25 to 350 horspower. See your participapting Suzuki Marine dealer for details or visit www.suzukimarine.com.
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 outboard on approved credit.*
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 04/01/18 and 06/30/18 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 04/01/18 and 06/30/18. For list of designated models, see participating Dealer or visit www.suzukimarine.com. Customer and participating Dealer must fill out the appropriate form at time of sale. Instant Savings will be applied against the original dealer invoice (Suzuki will credit Dealer 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 04/01/18 and 06/30/18. “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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FLORIDA
Photo by Zach Doleac
T
o an angler, sunglasses are a tool that’s as important to comfort and success as anything else on the boat. And when you purchase an expensive pair of high-performance shades from the tackle or fly shop, you don’t leave the store without an eyewear-retention lanyard to keep them safe while you’re on the water. Only you don’t call this device an “eyewear-retention lanyard.” They are called Croakies, and the reason the brand is
synonymous with the product is because Croakies has been doing right by outdoors enthusiasts for more than 40 years. Croakies was born in the mountains of Jackson, Wyoming more than 40 years ago. A deep connection to the outdoors is what drives the company toward greater product innovation and better, more sustainable production practices. Croakies has consistently raised the bar in creating industry-leading products coupled with unique prints and patterns to turn the ordinary into extraordinary for those hitting the water, the trail, the beach or anywhere in between. Today, Croakies is much more than just a strap to hold your eyewear on, though. The brand is home to a broad collection of industry-leading retention products including eyewear retainers, belts and dog collars and leashes. From their technical, adjustable system to keep your earbuds safe and untangled to guitar straps and lanyards for any use, Croakies creates stylish, durable and functional products for active people. On behalf of all of us at Coastal Angler, thanks Croakies for saving our shades and keeping us dialed in while on the water for the past 40 years. For a complete overview of the 2018 Croakies collection, head over to croakies.com or follow the brand on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter using @Croakies. For more on Croakies, go to
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he 11th Annual Blue Wild Ocean Adventure Expo, an action-packed water sports expo for watersport enthusiasts of all ages, returns to the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center April 14-15. Produced by Sheri Daye, a world-record spearfishing diver, the Blue Wild Ocean Adventure Expo is South Florida’s premier water sports expo. Daye crafted the expo to be both educational and entertaining. Attendees can learn from renowned speakers about the latest techniques, shop cool products and socialize with like-minded ocean lovers. Spanning 65,000 square feet, the indoor event attracts upwards of 5,000 attendees and more than 150 exhibitors specializing in freediving, scuba, spearfishing, paddleboarding, adventure travel and more. The event also features one of the most extensive marine art and underwater photography exhibits in the country. This year, the expo has added a brand new hook-and-line fishing section.
Several educational seminars, taught by world-class experts and celebrity-speakers like TV personality Manny Puig, Gatorboy Chris Gillette, and others, are scheduled throughout the weekend and are open to anyone who wants to attend. In addition, daily interactive workshops hosted by industry experts offer proven techniques and tips including speargun rigging, lionfish preparation and sampling, knot-tying for fishermen, fish filleting demos, yoga sessions and more. The popular Kids Zone will offer free face painting, art classes and crab races. The Blue Wild offers activities for the whole family to enjoy. “What began as a small charity event has evolved over the past 11 years and flourished into an exciting, must-attend event,” said Daye. “For marine art fans, we truly have one of the country’s most impressive collections—from the world-renowned to the local scene, with artists such as Carey Chen, Pascal Lecocq, Michelle Brener and many more.” Returning exhibitors include Austin’s, OMER, Mares, PADI, Chaos Fishing, Florida Freedivers, Papa’s Pilar, Wong Spearguns and many more. The Expo is pleased to welcome several new exhibitors such as Shimano, Custom Rod & Reel, SeaHunter Boats, Laser Tools Co, Reel Addictive Charters, Sporty Girl Apparel and Scubotics. Adding to the excitement, the Expo also has state-of-the-art water toys, kayaks and Contender Boats. The Blue Wild Ocean Adventure Expo is known for its high-energy crowds and fun vibe. The diverse crowd includes visitors, experts and exhibitors from all over the world who flock to Fort Lauderdale for its desirable and central location. Water-lovers can also take advantage of the year-round tropical weather and warm waters. Entry is $20 at the door and includes a free goodie bag (while supplies last) and free entry to the Saturday night After-Party at the Fort Lauderdale Beach Courtyard Marriott. For information, visit www.TheBlueWild.com or check out a video from last year at https://youtu.be/_QvqnHyxmr0.
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pparently there are more dangerous critters than gators to worry about when paddling Florida’s rivers. Last month, reports of a rampaging river otter emerged out of Manatee County, and the culprit appeared to have been targeting kayakers. According to the Bradenton Herald, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission confirmed multiple reports of aggressive otter encounters over two days on a stretch of the Braden River in Manatee County. The first was received Saturday, March 3, when two kayakers reported being bitten by an otter. The next day, Sunday March 4, two more kayakers reported being attacked by an otter. The second day’s encounters occurred about 2 miles from the previous attack. One of the victims, Sue Spector, 77, was interviewed by Fox 13 News after receiving stitches and rabies treatments as a result of the attack. “… I heard someone make a comment that, ‘Oh, there’s an otter!” Spector told Fox 13. “And then all of a sudden he jumped on my kayak and two seconds later he jumped on me.” According to the report, the animal clawed, scratched and bit Spector’s arms, nose and ear. Her kayak flipped and a lifejacket and hat saved Spector from sustaining additional injury as her husband and other kayakers in the group fended the otter off with paddles. FWC posted warning fliers at nearby boat ramps, but the terror might have already ended, as there are reports the otter might also have had a run-in with an alligator.
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TAKE A KID
CORY GURMAN
A
s winter gives way to spring, anglers from all over begin to experience one of the best times of the year to get out fishing. Many of the easiest and unsuspected places to fish can be right out your front door, leading kids of all levels to connect with a wide variety of fish. There is likely good, fishable water within walking or biking distance of where you live. Many golf course ponds and retention ponds produce big bass and good numbers of fish in the 3- to 4-pound range. While most ponds will hold fish, the most productive ones will have structure to protect fish from predators as well as give shade during the day. Overhanging trees, grass and bushes are all things to look for. One of my favorite ways to catch these bass is by hooking a plastic worm through the middle of its body (wacky worm) and letting it flutter weightless to the bottom near the structure. An occasional gentle twitch will attract attention, and bent rods will be sure to follow. Surf fishing, another favorite of mine, is a fun and easy way to catch dinner while enjoying a beautiful view. Fish travel all along the surf in search of a meal, but if you can concentrate your efforts where the bait is congregating, you will greatly improve your odds of hooking up. Birds diving into the surf is a sure sign that bait is in the area. Find diving birds, and you’ve found a great place to set up. Advanced techniques and high-end gear aren’t mandatory for novice anglers to put some good eating fish on the table. A 10-foot rod, a reel sized similar to a 6500 Penn Spinfisher (spooled with 20lb. mono) and a sand spike will be your basic set up. As far as tackle goes, I use a pompano rig or fish finder rig above a sputnik weight, all of which can be found at almost any tackle shop. For bait, shrimp and clams are good all-around choices. When I use
clams, I generally place them in kosher salt beforehand to toughen them up. Whiting, black drum, the occasional redfish and the ever-tasty pompano are some of the fish you can expect to catch this time of year. To be better prepared for your next fishing adventure, I highly encourage you to tap into the wealth and resources found on the Web. Surf fishing Florida (www. surfishingflorida.com) and other local forums are great ways to find where the fish are running. A search on YouTube will further address some of the things I’ve talked about, and with a visual aspect, you will be well on your way to enjoying the great outdoors. Cory Gurman is a freshman at Ponte Vedra High School in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. Besides reveling in the great outdoors, Cory enjoys spending time with his three golden retrievers and rooting for the Atlanta Braves. Follow him on Instagram @fishhunter1119.
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By Capt. Michael Okruhlik • Photo courtesy of Controlled Descent Lures
I
n Texas, we love to wade fish. If you haven’t tried getting out of the boat where you fish, chances are you’re missing out on some of the larger fish that could have been caught. “Why would someone get out of a perfectly good boat, or in this case a kayak?” you ask. Stealth is one reason. Spring typically brings high winds, causing the waves to slap the hull of your craft. The noise we hear above the water is amplified beneath the surface, potentially startling fish, which can be a game changer. I like the quiet approach of the kayak as I enter my targeted wade zone, which is typically 1 to 3 feet deep. If the winds are high, I typically pull the kayak to shore to eliminate the hull slap. This way I avoid spooking any old and wise fish in the area.
Upon arrival at your location and elimination of hull noise, don’t forget to pay attention to your feet. Stumbling and stepping on shells can be just as disruptive to skittish shallow-water fish. Moving slowly and carefully is a must. While fishing shallow, and at times needing to stalk your prey, always keep a watchful eye for signs of feeding or fleeing fish. I prefer this style of fishing because I can cast to targets rather than blind cast open deeper water. Wading gives me the advantage of feeling the bottom structure and contour for changes, aggressive and subtle, both of which can hold fish. A subtle change could be a 6-inch depression or drain off a flat that the fish will use to travel. By wading, you can detect this structure, determine its direction, and focus your cast in that area. It could also be a difference in bottom composition from mud to sand, slight depressions or potholes, change in grass type, bottom color, or shell patches. Once I locate and identify these areas, I will make a mental note of where they are and target them on the walk back to the kayak. During this style of fishing, I typically fish a lighter lure for quieter presentation and entry into the water on my cast. I also prefer a whippier rod that can catapult the lure and give me greater casting distance. You need to make sure you can load your rod for the lure weight you are throwing. Another important tip when using a baitcaster is to us as thin diameter line as you can and to have a full spool. The 29.5-inch trout in the photo was caught while wading using the tactics mentioned. The location can be easy to get to, but tough to get back from. Typically, the winds where I fish pick up later in the day and can make returning around a point from a protected cove treacherous. Always triple check the weather forecast for your area when kayaking, and keep a close eye on the current conditions. Safety first! Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Controlled Descent Lures and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.
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crisp March air was cold enough to have me bundled up tight in layers and a heavy coat. To make things a little more interesting, the previous week of heavy rainfall had the dam wide open, causing swift current and massive waves in high winds. After fishing for half the tournaBy Ryan Kennedy ment day with no success other than a few short fish, I was feeling a little discouraged. have dreamed of certain That’s when things took a turn for the better. As my partner and days that would come I approached a stretch of rocky bank, I reached for a Red Crawdad along for as long as I have Rapala DT-6 crankbait and started slinging casts toward the bank. A been fishing bass tourna- few casts in led us to a small transition area where the size of the rocks ments. Those dreams turn changed. The first cast at this transition started with a bang. into goals, and those goals My St. Croix Mojo Bass Cranking Rod, which is a glass rod, was are attainable with hard work bent heavily. I was in for the first good fight of the day. After what and perseverance. It’s beyond seemed like an eternity, I was holding a 4-pound, 8-ounce Lake Gunamazing to me looking back tersville spotted bass. If you are familiar with the lake, you know a on my most recent tourna- spot of that size is something to appreciate. It’s just 3 ounces shy of the ment to see how God’s plan 4-pound, 11-ounce lake record. came together down to the My demeanor quickly changed for the better. Back on deck, with very rock that I bumped my one cast behind me after landing Spotapotamus, I was laser focused. I crankbait into before catching slung my crankbait as far as I could cast toward a log just past the same the fish I had always dreamed transition area. Within three cranks of the reel, my dream was about about. to become a reality. Moments later, I was holding a 9-pound, 8-ounce The goal that had elud- donkey of a largemouth. ed me thus far in my tournaTo get this straight, let’s go over what just happened. In three casts, ment career was catching an a near-lake-record spotted bass was in the boat, my new personal best absolute giant in a tourna- largemouth bass was in the boat, and 14 pounds of fish were in the ment. Don’t get me wrong, I am always excited to catch a big bass, but livewell. My partner and I ended up with over a 20-pound limit with whenever it happens it always seems to be while fishing for fun on the only four fish and qualified for the 2019 FLW Collegiate National lake or while pond-hopping around my house. This all changed, as I Championship! will forever remember, during the situation I am about to describe. Contact Ryan Kennedy at ryankfishing@gmail.com. Keep up with I was fishing at Lake Guntersville, Alabama, during the second his exploits on YouTube: Ryan Kennedy Fishing, Instagram: @ryankstop of the FLW Collegiate Southeastern Tournament Trail. The fishing and Facebook: Ryan Kennedy Fishing.
I
By Chris Beardsley
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Engle and Frost Take Tops in BCFA March Tournament
O
n March 3rd, the third installment of the Backcountry Fishing Association (BCFA) tournament had 44 boats check in, and 20 boats fight the wind long enough to weigh in fish at Little Jim Bait and Tackle. No snook were weighed in, but plenty of trout (18) and a few reds (6) were weighed in. Derek Engle and Darren Frost took first-place with a 2.59-pound trout and a 5.49-pound redfish, winning $788, and an additional $440 for the redfish Calcutta. Dustin Bragman and Jason Wrubel pulled a second-place finish with a 3.25-pound trout and a 3.15-pound redfish, taking home $472.80.
Lewis Arnold and Jason Bailey won $200 for the trout Calcutta with a 4.60 -pound trout. Taco Dive is sponsoring the Lady Angler of each tournament, and in addition to the ten-percent First-place team of Derek Engle and Darren Frost. off on tournament days for all BCFA members, they will give a $25 gift PHOTO CREDITS: Backcounty Fishing Association. card to the Lady Angler who brings in the most weight each month. This For complete tournament results or The fourth tournament of the month, the Lady Angler bringing more information, email Zachary in the most weight was Stephanie series takes place on Saturday April Foltz at foltzz@gmail.com, call (772) Compton, who caught a 1.44-pound 7; Captain's meeting on Friday, 882-8721 or visit Backcountry Fishing April 6th. trout. Association on Facebook. The BCFA tournament is a tenmonth circuit which runs from January through October, with a two-day Classic being held in October. This 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. 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 and pay for eighty 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 will be given a Sea Tow is happy to extend it’s service to include tows bye from day one. The remaining eligible teams will compete on from Nothern Bahamas, Green Turtle, West End Marsh an elimination basis the first day, Harbour, Hope Town and Grand Cay to the U.S. where only the top five teams of day one will progress to day two to Whether you need a timely tow or help offshore, compete against the season point Sea Tow Captains are standing buy 24/7. leaders for the grand prize and cash for the top four teams. A Billfish 14Why wait? Join today and get 2 months free! foot boat, motor and trailer combo (That’s a $28 value!) Use discount code: TCT. is the grand prize for the winners. Membership fees are $25 for Join Sea Tow Treasure Coast \ 772-225-3144 the year. To enter the tournaments each month, the fee is $60 per team. Tournament is held the first Saturday of each month. Captain's 800-4-SEATOW meeting is held the Friday prior at seatow.com Little Jim Bait and Tackle.
TOWING FROM
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Top Lady Angler Stephanie Compton.
Backcounty Fishing Association President Zach Foltz and ‘First Lady’ Lorae' Simpson took third-place, bringing to the scale a 1.96-pound trout and a 3.40-pound redfish. They walked away with $315.20.
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… s y a D r e g n o L … r e h t a e W r e Warm e Fshor
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Saltwater Fishing Clinics are for Everyone By Heather Sneed and Amanda Nalley Bob and Shelly Stowe of Jupiter, knew plenty about freshwater fishing from their years living in Michigan, but when it came to saltwater fishing, they weren’t quite sure where to start. That’s when they found out about a local Family Saltwater Fishing Clinic being hosted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). “We had no experience with saltwater fishing,” said Shelly Stowe. “That class was so complete. It was A++. I learned how to set up a pole, how to unhook a fish from the line, how to cast correctly and how to bait a hook. Every single person involved in teaching that class was so friendly, helpful and knowledgeable that if they had it again, we’d take it again.” The FWC hosts fishing clinics for everybody. For years we’ve hosted kids’ and women’s fishing clinics across the state, and in 2017, we added adult saltwater fishing clinics. These free, one-day educational events are for anyone 18 and older, male or female. After all, who doesn’t want to learn how to saltwater fish? Participants learn everything they need to know to fish on their own while conserving Florida's marine resources, from knot tying and fishing tackle to conservation efforts
and marine habitats. Need one-on-one attention? Clinic class sizes are kept small in an effort to implement a structured handson approach. Local professionals also participate, providing local knowledge -- a resource every angler needs. At the end of the day, you’ll also get to try catch-and-release fishing firsthand. Bring your own gear or FWC will provide some for the day. And don’t forget your recreational saltwater fishing license (unless you are exempt that is). “We absolutely loved it,” said Bob Stowe, who went out fishing with his wife the very next day after the clinic. “I’d recommend it to anybody who wants to learn. They did a topnotch job.” So far, the pair have caught and released quite a few catfish and snapper, and even some pompano. Want to find a fishing clinic near you? Visit our MyFWC.com Calendar for upcoming dates and locations. You can also learn more at MyFWC.com/ Education by clicking on “Outdoor Skills.” For women and adult saltwater fishing clinics, you’ll need to register in advance, either on the calendar, or by calling the Division of Marine Fisheries Management Outreach and
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Jennifer Saranzak shows Joyce Specht, a FWC Women's Fishing Clinic attendee, how to tie on a hook. PHOTO CREDIT: Amanda Nalley/FWC.
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Education subsection at 850-4870554 or emailing Heather.Sneed@ MyFWC.com. Already know how to saltwater fish? Help contribute by purchasing fishing equipment, boats, motorboat and small-engine fuel. Funds from these purchases go to the national Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program, which in turn, helps fund these and other Florida fishing education programs. Have a burning question about marine fisheries regulations or fish handling? Send your questions, photos and fishing tales to Saltwater@ MyFWC.com. Make sure your photo meets our photo requirements by visiting MyFWC.com/Fishing and clicking on “Saltwater Fishing” and “Submit a Photograph” under “Get Involved.” Don’t forget to record all of your catches on the iAngler phone app or at SnookFoundation.org. Get rewarded by submitting your catches to our Saltwater Angler Recognition Programs at CatchaFloridaMemory. com.
APRIL FISHING CONDITIONS
Atlantic Closures Spiny Lobster Season closes April 1.
April 1
BEST
Evening
April 21
BEST
Evening
April 2
BEST
Evening
April 22
POOR
Morning
April 3
BEST
Evening
April 23
POOR
Morning
April 4
POOR
Evening
April 24
FAIR
Morning
April 5
POOR
Evening
April 25
FAIR
Morning
April 6
FAIR
Evening
April 26
FAIR
Morning
April 7
FAIR
Evening
April 27
FAIR
Morning
April 8
FAIR
Morning
April 28
FAIR
Morning
April 9
GOOD
Morning
April 29
BEST
Evening
April 10
GOOD
Morning
April 30
BEST
Evening
April 11
BEST
Morning
April 12
BEST
Morning
April 13
POOR
Morning
April 14
POOR
Morning
April 15
POOR
Evening
April 16
POOR
Evening
April 17
POOR
Evening
April 18
POOR
Evening
April 19
POOR
Evening
April 20
BEST
Evening
Treasure CoasT
COASTAL ANGLER PUBLISHERS Gary & Misti Guertin SALES Gary Guertin EDITOR/DIGITAL CONTENT Misti Guertin GRAPHIC DESIGN Laura KeLLy
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’ 2017 Almanac
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jayson arman Capt. Gus Brugger Capt. rocky Carbia Capt. Charlie Conner Capt. scott Fawcett Capt.’s Cole & Zach Hazelief Capt. randy Lang Jeremy Lund Capt. Danny Markowski Capt. Michael Mauri Capt. Giles Murphy Brian nelli Jim Oppenborn Cammie Ward Capt. Joe Ward steve Wood
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fishing forecasts
martin county offshore
Capt. Scott Fawcett
Off the Chain Fishing Charters (772) 285-1055 fishscottyf@bellsouth.net offthechainfishing.com
T
his is what you’ve been waiting for folks! Nice weather, great fishing! April offers pretty much every fish you can think of and definitely one of my favorite months to wet a line. Whether we’re running way offshore trolling for billfish, tuna, and wahoo, dropping for swords, chasing mahi, hitting the reefs for snapper and cobia, or even running the beaches for permit, jacks and snook, April offers great chances at all of it. Live bait is always great to have, especially this month. Whatever type of fishing you’re doing, I definitely recommend putting on a couple R&R Sabiki rigs and taking a look at some of the local bait spots. If you don’t know any, get a Home Port Chart by
we can distinguish between Capt. Bill Shuda at any of male and female so after the local shops. Number getting a couple for dinner, 36 is our area. R&R’s have I like to let females go and more hooks than most of just keep the males. the other rigs, they’re made If the water is clean, with fluorocarbon and baits I also like to cruise the don’t shake off as often. beach this month looking The R&R’s usually get me for permit, cobia, snook fishing 50-percent faster and jacks. Weapons of than when I use most of the choice are light spinners, other brands. D.O.A.’s, shrimp and jig, The spring mahi run live crabs, and a good pair is always a big hit, so let’s of polarized glasses (I use talk about them. Drifting Alicia Legacki with a nice gaffer dolphin she caught Costa 580 glass grey lenses or slow trolling live baits while fishing with Capt. Scott aboard Off The Chain. 90-percent of the time and definitely works well for April is a prime month to see more of these guys. sunrise silver mirror 580 dolphin, but personally, I glass when it’s cloudy or low think trolling or run and PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Scott Fawcett. light). gunning for them is more When you locate a fish or school, effective. Mahi are one of the fastest ballyhoo rigged on J hooks) out. This growing fish and in turn, they are is a great time to get another bite. Also there’s usually no rush. Take your usually extremely aggressive. They make a point to look around to see if time to position the boat properly eat a lot and usually immediately, so if there is a piece of float that they may (wind, shadow, casting distance and you’re not getting bites, move. When have come off of. It doesn’t take much. direction the fish is moving) you can I’m targeting mahi, I troll a little faster Even something as small as a stick or usually fish that school for a long than normal, five to seven knots on a bucket can hold a pile of fish. You time as long as you don’t scare it so an outboard and even faster on an can also toss a couple of chunks, but it’s worth the extra few seconds, plus inboard. I also pull a couple bigger when targeting bigger fish, it’s not it will better your chances of getting baits. Scylla Lures Bubbler (get them really necessary. While fighting the a bite too. April is also a great time to bottom at Fish Heads) has been crushing fish, toss a live bait or two out to see them. I like to fish it in the short rigger if there are any followers. Casting fish. Check out Capt. Rocky’s forecast position with or without a bait. When D.O.A. Bait Busters or RonZ jigs is for some information on that. I’m you hook one, slow down but keep also a great way to get extra bites and sure it will be good. I hope you have a the boat moving. Reel in the bigger fish in the box, but be responsible, great spring and I hope your next trip baits and leave the smaller baits (small dolphin are one of the few fish that is “Off The Chain.”
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martin county inshore nearshore
Capt. Giles Murphy Stuart Angler Bait & Tackle (772) 288–1219 Fishing Charters (772) 475 - 4857 www.stuartangler.com giles@stuartangler.com
A
s the spring rolls in, we’ll hopefully see more bait show up at the Sandpile and Bullshark Barge to use for fishing inshore and offshore. There’s already been a few cobia caught at the Sandpile on two-ounce jigs. April is a great time to start tying for these cobia at the Sandpile before they get pressured by anglers and sharks. It’s also a great time to run up to the boils of the powerplant and throw crabs, baitfish, or big shrimp for cobia and permit. It’s about 12 miles north of
MARTIN COUNTY deep sea
Capt. Rocky Carbia
Safari I Deep Sea Fishing Pirates Cove Resort and Marina 4307 SE Bayview St. Port Salerno Reservations: (772) 334-4411 Safari-1.com
G
enerous amounts of solar love will shine brightly upon the offshore fishing zone of Martin County, during the early spring days of April. The rays of the Florida sun will illuminate a near coastal ocean that will play host to some of the most prized saltwater grocery trophies in the world. Cobia, snapper, mahi, and king mackerel will top this briny hit list and will be found around and atop the renowned reef system, east of our St. Lucie Inlet. The offshore fish hunters of April will delight in engaging in strategies that involve both surface and bottom fishing during open weather windows this month. April can still be a windy month and produce rough sea conditions (as was the case, the last two years), so as always, fishing crews will continue to monitor daily weather reports and extended forecasts to best plan a day`s outing. Cobia will make a strong showing during the golden days of
Sally caught this pretty snook on a Glades Minnow fly in the South Fork. PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Giles Murphy.
the St. Lucie Inlet, but always worth the drive on a calm morning. Early spring is also a great time to bottom fish off the Loran Tower for snapper and grouper. Drifting the Loran ledge and reefs in 70- to 90-feet can be good for finding spots and marking them as you catch fish.
The inshore bite has been everchanging with limited bait and late winter cold fronts. The South Fork finally exploded with snook feeding on minnows along the mangroves. They should be there throughout April before moving out towards the inlet to spawn during the
April and will be found in many dynamic scenarios of the local liquid playing field. Hungry packs of cobia will be attracted to all types of reef structures, both naturally occurring and artificial, and will fall to live and dead baits presented throughout the water column. Live baits are especially effective and will prove to be irresistible to a cobe in the right mood. Besides being found around bottom structures, cobes have a tendency to follow and swim along with larger sea animals, like manta rays and southern stingrays, turtles, and sharks. Casting to a cobia towing behind a larger sea creature is best achieved using three- to four-ounce jigs, tipped with a long ribbon of squid. Bottom fishing for the many species
of the snapper family will continue to be a go to strategy for Treasure Coast meat hunters in April. Large mutton and mangrove snapper will be available in good numbers along the reef line in 70 to 90 feet of water and allow fishermen to test their angling finesse while attempting to capture these fish athletes of the ocean floor. Wrestling a large snapper to the surface can be a full contact and exhilarating moment, made more satisfying as the filets hit the frying pan. With this in mind, pack the cooler with plenty of dead bait, catch some "live-ies" if you can, and have an assortment of jigs standing by. And, don`t forget to pull out some coastal recipes to fully enjoy the salty grocery trophies of April.
Hungry packs of cobia will patrol the water column during the days of April, like this pretty fish caught aboard the Safari 1. PHOTO CREDIT: Safari 1 Deep Sea Fishing.
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summer months. As they move out to the inlet, they like to hang around structure along the way such as the Roosevelt and Ten Cent bridges, dock, and seawalls. We often have windy conditions in the early spring, which makes fishing the flats seem unpleasant. However, using a “drift sock” tied mid-ship, positions the boat to give the bow and stern a perfect angle to cast down-wind while quietly drifting the flats with the wind at your back casting downwind. Choppy conditions on the flats can very often trigger feeding for trout, redfish, and others. The pompano tend to show up on the flats during spring. We mainly use artificials when working the flats such as D.O.A. curly tail jigs, bucktail jigs, clousers, and Borski Sliders. Park at the sandbar at low tide on a calm day and wade north in kneedeep water. We also catch flounder and bonefish when wading the flats while looking for surface action and diving birds. Hang in there. The best months for fishing are coming!
Sunday 8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Adults $60; Children $50 APRIL 2018
TREASURE COAST 5
3/18/18 4:12 AM
fishing forecasts
south indian river lagoon
Capt. Charlie Conner
Capt. Charlie’s Fish Tales Charters (772) 284-3852 captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com www.fishtalescharter.com
A
s March blows out of the area, you can still plan on some windy days ahead in April. The transition into the summer pattern is well under way and soon the winds will die down and you can enjoy those calm days of summer once again. Expect the fishing to be especially good this April as water temperatures warm up and spring takes over the area. March was a little warmer this year and the fishing has been good. As the river fills with bait schools, you can bet the fish are hungry and will be feeding heavily. Have fun and enjoy the fishing! Redfish and trout will become more active around the flats. They will be shallow early and gradually move to the edges of the flats as
Fort Pierce Deep Sea
Capt.'s Cole and Zach Hazellief Lady Chris Charters (772) 971-7179 TheLadyChris.com
A
pril is here and we are ready to leave the windy winter behind! Get ready to embrace the crystalclear waters and spectacular fishing weather of spring! Mangrove and gray snappers will be coming into their prime, and they will be big—really big! Especially here in Fort Pierce and we will be catching them in great numbers in April. We recommend fishing in 70 feet of water, rigging up a stiff bottom rod, a 4/0 hook, and 30- to 50-pound mono for best fighting chances. The questions is, can you outsmart a hook shy, dump truck sized snapper? A twitch on the line, rod tip moved, that's when the fun begins. Once hooked up snappers will take off on a hard run. Mangroves and grays live around jagged,
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the sun get higher in the sky. Look to areas like Bear Point, Harbor Branch and Round Island for trout to be feeding on the flats. On a calm morning, break out the top water lures and switch to jerk baits, like a D.O.A. C.A.L. four-inch Arkansas Glow or Watermelon. Shallow running MirrOlures will also entice the trout into biting. Don’t forget to use the Deadly Combo or C.A.L. Airhead for more exciting trout action on the grass flats. There was a lot of redfish activity throughout March and it should make April a fantastic month. Redfish can be found on sandy flats around the docks or try the Moorings and Bear Point for a chance at a nice size red. D.O.A. shrimp or C.A.L. grub tails in root beer or glow colors are great ways to find a redfish along with a trusty gold spoon. Snook season has many anglers out seeking that slot fish this year. The bite has been good around the inlets and will improve on the flats as well. Snook season will close May 31 so you still have time to find that slot fish. We have had good luck with the D.O.A. TerrorEyz on snook this winter. Docks will hold sheepshead, jacks, redfish and many other species. I like either a D.O.A. 2 ¾-inch shrimp or TerrorEyz around docks. Fish them slowly to keep them
John fished with me recently and caught 15 nice sheepshead and a couple pompano to make for a fun adventure!
PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Charlie Conner.
under the dock as long as possible. Drop a live shrimp or pinfish under a dock as well for a great chance at hooking up. There are many great areas to fish so plan on getting some fishing in this month. Bridges will continue to hold sheepshead, jacks, bluefish and some black drum. The big jacks will be invading the river this month. They are not great to eat, but provide a tough battle on light tackle. Ladyfish will be all over the river and keep the kids smiling. The inlet will continue to hold bluefish, jacks and mackerel. While April might be a little windy, it is still a great month to fish the
Indian River. April is the first month that fish can enjoy all the many baitfish schools and they will be feeding heavily on the schools around the flats. The water has already been warming up and you can see the changes in the bite already. Early morning can bring lots of good results this time of year. It was a cooler winter this year and the fish are anxious to enjoy the arrival of the bait schools…and so are we! As always, remember, fishing is not just another hobby, it's an ADVENTURE! Good fishing and be safe.
them up off the reef and safe from structural break offs, be prepared for a bulldogging battle back to the boat. Remember that these fish are smart—too many break offs and the bite will shut down. This is exactly what makes the grey snapper one of our personal favorite fish to target and catch. While fishing the bottom, take advantage of the mahi bite on top. The scent and oils from your bait will act as a natural chum slick attracting the mahi toward the boat. To catch a hungry mahi, keep a pitch rod ready and look for the green and yellow flash. Odds are that the mahi won’t be alone and keeping one hooked in the water will keep the others circling around looking for a second bite. Hooking up to a double bite will test your fishing skill, you must be quick to clear lines as the mahi will run wild around the boat and keep the gaff at hand in case it is the BIG ONE! Trophy catches like these jumbo (7-pounds-plus) mangroves We are looking forward to all will be sought and caught regularly this April. Nice catch Ron. that April has to offer, the showers, PHOTO CREDIT: Lady Chris Charters. magnificent grays and mangroves, mahis, and the fresh mango salsa for dense reefs and wrecks, perfect for line, giving these strong fighters fish tacos in paradise! Tight lines and good vibes! hiding and breaking an angler’s home-field advantage. Once you get
APRIL 2018
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
3/18/18 4:12 AM
st. lucie county inshore
Capt. Joe Ward
Capt. Joe’s River Charters (772) 201-5770 or (772) 461-1335 CWard11605@aol.com captjoeward.com
A
pril should be a good month for the big trout and they will be taking live pilchard, greenies and finger mullet and fished around places like Harbor Branch and Queen's Cove to the north, and Bear Point and the Midway Road area to
the south. For the best results, try free lining the baits, use a 6/0 live bait hook and 24 inches of 20- to 30-pound fluorocarbon. The redfish should also be active around the mangroves to the north and along the docks to the south. Try a live shrimp fished on a ¼-ounce Troll-Rite or a piece of cut bait on a 2/0 live bait hook and a small amount of weight. Twenty-pound fluorocarbon will be fine for the reds. The snook action should be steady around the bridges and in the Fort Pierce Inlet for anglers using a live pinfish or pigfish and a 5/0 live bait hook and 40-pound fluorocarbon and just enough
weight to hold the bottom. The night time snapper bite should be good along the channel edges both to the north and south in the river. The time around the full moon will be your best bet. Try using a small pinfish, a white bait or a medium to large shrimp. Fish the bait on about 24-inches of 20-pound fluorocarbon and a #2 long shank and ½- to 1-ounce of weight. There should be plenty of sheepshead, black drum and sand perch around the area bridges. Use a small live shrimp or a piece of shrimp will work just fine. Use a #6 long shank hook and a 1-ounce weight with a 12- to 15-pound fluorocarbon.
st. lucie county offshore
mahi will make a great dinner! When heading offshore, always have live bait, such as greenies or sardines, if possible, and fresh rigged ballyhoo. If there are no obvious signs of mahi, such as weed mats or rips containing weed lines, start your search beginning to troll in the 75- to 80-foot range and head out towards deeper depths until you can find the mahi (or they find your bait). While trolling, keep in mind if you want to cover more distance and therefore troll at a higher speed, use your rigged ballyhoo (about 5to 8-knots). If you troll live baits, you need to troll at much slower speed (idle forward) and will not cover as much ground. Always keep a live bait rigged on a pitch rod. We leave enough loose line to leave the pitch bait in the live well so it can be grabbed and pitched the instant we see school of mahi (or any other fish such as a cobia under a turtle). While trolling, keep a lookout for weed lines, rips, color changes and floating debris or cover holding live bait. When cover is found, I prefer to switch to live bait and troll at idle speed. Also, feel free to grab the pitch rod and throw the pitch bait in a few different directions.
Capt. Danny Markowski
LottaBull Fishing Charters (772) 370-8329 lottabull4@bellsouth.net lottabullfishingcharters.com
A
This hungry 18-pound mahi was hooked up by DJ in 125 feet of water out of Fort Pierce Inlet. The fish ate a skirted ballyhoo being pulled behind a plastic bird just outside the prop wash. She was by herself and about a mile away from the closest debris. PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Danny Markowski.
pril is here and the spring mahi run begins! This is the time of year when the cooler water temperatures will start receding back to the north and mahi (dolphin fish) will be starting to come through the area from the south. Mahi are always in the water off the Treasure Coast, but with the fish working their way north, there will be even more and bigger fish in the area. There will be a lot of fish caught in the 30- to 40-pound range and some upwards to the 50-pound range. Mahi are a great fish to catch with their spectacular aerial display of jumps and beautiful colors, a few in the fish box will make for a great day. To end a day of catching, the
Tyler Jonkman with his first redfish, which was released. PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Joe Ward.
The type of cover holding live bait can also hold triple tail so keep an eye open for them as well. After getting a mahi boat-side, always leave it in the water for a few seconds to see if there are any followers. If more mahi are around the boat, start using chunk bait or squid to entice them to bite. The bigger mahi usually will only have one or two fish that will follow, but smaller ones can have many. Be aware of the rules, regulations, limits and current lengths prior to fishing. If you run into a large school of mahi, there are usually some smaller mahi that will not be legal length and should be released back to the water as soon as possible. Preferred tackle would be 30-pound set-ups with 30-pound mono. The mono line is best used for trolling to absorb any stretch from a hook-up while the boat is moving. If using ballyhoo, you can use up to 80-pound leader due to faster trolling speeds since it won’t be seen as easily. If you are using live bait, 50-pound mono leader is quite sufficient and less visible. This is a great time to find the bigger mahi, so get out there and hook ’em up!
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TREASURE COAST 7
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is tailored perfectly to anglers of all ages and skill levels. Whether you fish from shore, wading or in a boat you have a good chance of making a memory this time of year.
fishing forecasts
sebastian inshore
Sebastian Inlet – The snook have remained stacked up at the inlet this winter. By day and at night anglers using live shrimp, greenies and croakers have consistently had great catches. Jigs, plugs and D.O.A Shrimp have also taken more than their share of inlet snook lately. Redfish, big jack crevalle, bluefish and Spanish mackerel will also add to the action in and around Sebastian Inlet in April, if you can keep the snook off your hook.
Capt. Gus Brugger
Pattern Setter Charters (772) 589-0008 www.WelcomeToSebastian.com
I
t has been a mild winter here in the Sebastian area and like last year the fishing calendar is likely to be a bit ahead of schedule as far as spring fishing is concerned. April is always a well-rounded month for Sebastian anglers and my personal favorite for achieving the inshore slam of trout, redfish, snook and tarpon. From the upper reaches of the Sebastian River to the Gulf Stream, anglers will have plenty of options and opportunities to stretch their string in the Sebastian Area this month.
Sebastian River – Snook,
tarpon and big bull sharks are available in good numbers in the Sebastian River in April. Whether you prefer to fly cast to rolling tarpon in the jungle like setting of
Ron McCullough of Sebastian had to wrestle this oversized snook up on the rocks of the south side of Sebastian Inlet. PHOTO COURTESY of Capt. Gus Brugger.
the upper south fork, or sit and soak a 12-inch live mullet on a grouper rod off the U.S. 1 bridge, you will probably catch something picture worthy this month. D.O.A. Shrimp and TerrorEyz jigs, MirrOlures and live mullet will catch just about everything you can encounter in the Sebastian River. Throw to rolling tarpon in both forks of the river and work the docks and shoreline cover for snook. Bull sharks can be caught on live and dead baits in the lower river between the railroad and U.S. 1
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bridges, a little patience and a bit of Anything can be feeding along the chum will help. beaches in April. The waters within a couple miles of the beach can boil Indian River Lagoon – with schools of Spanish mackerel. April’s list of available species is Bluefish are schooled up just outside the most extensive of the year. The the breakers. Big tarpon, cobia, king techniques used to catch just about mackerel, bonito and spinner sharks all the species can be as simple as live can be pursued by kayak fishermen shrimp below a float or bouncing a launching from the beach. Jigs and D.O.A. jig or you could probably spoons catch the Spanish and blues, throw nothing but topwater plugs while live baits, plugs and swimand do equally well. This is family baits get the attention of the larger vacation time in Florida and the predators. Tight lines. fishing in the Indian River Lagoon
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sebastian area offshore
Capt. Randy Lang
Sebastian Gypsy Fishing Charters Email: gypsycharters@gmail.com www.sebastianfishingcharter.com
A
pril is a great month for offshore fishing out of Sebastian and the top species is dolphin. Historically, there has been some great dolphin runs in April. In previous years we have seen bunches of quality fish move through our offshore waters this month. The fish don’t seem to be as finicky either this early in the season so finding them is the key. Try the usual tactics of trolling north/south along weed lines anywhere from 120 feet on out. The edge of the Gulf Stream is always a good bet also and usually falls around that 180 feet to 220 feet range. So, don’t wait too long to dust off that trolling gear, you may miss the best bite of the season! Cobia will still be around this month. The bulk of the migrating fish will be moved north but there are always stragglers and resident
fish. Investigate any flotsam in the 50 to 90 feet range for cobia and tripletail. I always carry a medium heavy spinning rod with a cobia lure and a light spinning rod rigged with a small bucktail or bare hook for tripletail. When you run across these fish, there will be no time for rigging, so be prepared. The tripletail will seldom refuse a well-placed piece of shrimp on a #1 hook. Maneuver upwind of the fish and cast the shrimp with no weight to the fish. The light spinner being on hand is key to getting the bait to the fish. This is also the time of year when longer range boats start making their tuna runs. April can be a great month for yellowfin tuna but you must make that 70 to 90 mile run to get there. If you are new to this type of fishing, do your homework before attempting such a trip. Or better yet, seek advice from a seasoned tuna angler. There is much to learn about tactics and additional safety precautions for this type of adventure. Bottom fishing at all depths should be solid this month. Grouper and red snapper are out of season but mangrove snapper, muttons, lanes, sea bass, triggerfish, and cobia will be on the menu. When
Michael and Sony Abrams brought home a couple tasty cobia on this sporty March Day. The “free swimmers” were out in the 80-foot range. This fish attacked a grunt head on a bottom rod as we were winding the last rod up, at the end of the day. PHOTO CREDIT: Sebastian Gypsy Fishing Charters.
the wind is puffing out of the west, consider fishing the shallower reefs off of Vero Beach. There is some nice structure within five miles
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SailfiSh Marina
3565 SE St LuciE BLvd. Stuart, FL 34997
APRIL 2018
TREASURE COAST 9
3/18/18 4:12 AM
er
diving forecast
Steve Wood
Deep Six Watersports - Stuart (772) 288-3999 Stuart (772) 562-2883 Vero Steve.wood@deepsix.com www.deepsixintl.com
P
lenty of changes happening in and around the water in April, including warmer weather, new fishing regulations and the return of sea turtles to local waters. For the past few months, conditions have been a bit of a challenge but as spring gets underway and summer approaches, diving should be heating up! Since there have been just a few opportunities to make it offshore due to March’s huge swell, it’s a good idea for divers to do a little scouting when diving out of Fort Pierce or Stuart. Exploratory dives maybe a good idea to survey conditions when visibility reports are scarce and a short bounce dive straight out of the inlet might indicate which way to head for best conditions. Generally, the further
north you go, the further offshore the Gulf Stream current gets, so this means if visibility is poor, running a few miles south or offshore might yield better conditions. There have been plenty of days where the Loran tower reef off Stuart is top to bottom, but the north end of the Six Mile reef is blacked out. If vis near shore is no good, not all is lost since ‘blue water’ diving is always interesting. Just drive east until the water clears, sometimes in 150- to 300-feet or more, and drift just below the surface at 20- to 30feet. Weed lines are always a good bet for exploring since big pelagics typically hang out here too. Water temps have bottomed out and will start to climb with upper 70s a good bet by the end of the month. Warmer temps also signal turtle nesting season is approaching. Florida coastal waters are home to five different species of marine sea turtles that divers have the opportunity to encounter while underwater. Loggerheads, hawksbill, and green turtles are relatively common whereas leatherback and Kemp’s riddley are very rare. This time of year, mated pairs of loggerheads are frequently seen on the surface and once begun, mating can last for several hours. This leaves them vulnerable to passing
Dustin Veatch welcoming a sea turtle back to our Treasure Coast reefs. PHOTO CREDIT: Steve Wood.
boat traffic. Care should be taken to avoid disturbing breeding activities. All Florida sea turtles are protected by the endangered species act making it against the law to harass or otherwise interfere with their normal behavior. Many consider it a violation to impede their direction of travel underwater. Divers are wise to review
regulations and bag limits before headed offshore since recent changes have gone into effect. Hunters should know lobster season closed on April 1 and grouper and hogfish season continues to be closed through the end of the month. On February 10, mutton snapper minimum size has increased to 18-inches, with reduced bag limits in effect too.
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TREASURE COAST 11
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COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
3/18/18 4:12 AM
Fly Fishing Corner By Capt. Michael Mauri
Top Water Action:
boom boom!
“B
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390_Treasure_Coast_FINAL.indd 13
to approach slowly. Mornings usually work best but be sure to keep your distance as to not disrupt the school. If I have clients in my boat that are inexperienced casters, I place the boat in front of the the school moving in, let my guy cast out the popper and wait. As soon as the school is moving in close enough I tell him to strip short and hard without any stops. If you fish big streamers instead of poppers cast your fly out, put your rod under your arm and strip with both hands as fast as possible. Either way you choose, try to present your fly on the edge of the school and when they take the fly, strip strike hard! Put a lot of heat on the fish otherwise it will take forever to land him. Use a 10-weight rod with a powerful WF floating line to turn over the big flies and poppers, a 7-to 9-foot 20-pound leader with a 30or 40-pound tippet. The reel should
PHOTO CREDITS: Capt. Michael Mauri.
oom boom like I told you,” is is what my friend Jose says. He is a one of a kind human and a damn serious fisherman. He’s not fly guy yet, but this guy fishes probably more than any other angler in Martin County. April is one of my favorite months here on the Treasure Coast. We have the tarpon migration and fishing for massive schools of big jack crevalle, primarily on poppers near the beach. Jack crevalle, simply a smaller version of a giant trevally (GT), can grow up to 50-pounds here in Florida. Spotting and chasing big schools of up to a few hundred fish is just mind blowing. Sight fishing with big flies and hooking these brutal beasts is just pure hardcore fun. Start fishing just when the sun is high enough to run the beaches with your boat. This allows the best visibility to see the schools and be sure
ABOVE: I found this school of jacks mid-February. Smaller ones up to 8-pounds but still so much fun and the numbers of fish in this school was massive! RIGHT: My choice of flies.
hold 50-pounds. backing and have a strong drag. Flies on 4/0 hooks work perfectly. Enjoy this adrenaline thrilling sight fishing! It brings me back 20 years when I was chasing GT’s in the Indian Ocean. #youngandwildforever
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
Capt. Michael Mauri www.mauriflyfishing.com michael@mauriflyfishing.com (772) 485-3321
APRIL 2018
TREASURE COAST 13 3/6/18 12:39 PM
3/18/18 4:12 AM
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COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
3/18/18 4:12 AM
By Brandon Barton
How to Film Your Catch Like A Pro Capturing an awesome photo of your catch can turn that fisherman’s fishing story into a reality. There are many different ways to get a good picture while fishing on a kayak. I personally use a mid-range DLSR camera (a Canon t4i) with an upgraded lens (18-55mm f2.8) to get those really high quality pictures. Having a dry case/bag is a must when carrying expensive camera equipment on a kayak. There are a lot of high end point and shoot digital cameras that are waterproof out now. Using a point and shoot camera on a camera mount such as the Yakattack Panfish Portrait works awesome for those selfie shots. The newer GoPro Hero cameras also take some great quality pictures and even give you that wide angle shot to make your fish look even bigger! Having a buddy with you on the water really helps to get the perfect fish picture. Good lighting and the right angle can make your picture magazine quality. Pro tip: Always keep an eye on what is going to be in the background of your picture to avoid giving away your honey hole. A good editing program can remove things from the background and fix lighting in the photos.
Capturing video of your epic catch can be tough but after a lot of practice it becomes second nature. There are a lot of action cameras on the market with great quality video but I have been loyal to the trusty GoPro cameras. A GoPro session is
390_Treasure_Coast_FINAL.indd 15
on IT: Brand
CRED PHOTOS
an awesome way to capture the first-person perspective of your catch especially when mounted to the ActionHat by LiveLiveGear. I currently use GoPro Hero 4 and 5 models to film video. I shoot in 1080p at 60 fps for most of my videos and edit all clips in Adobe Premiere. Yakattack offers multiple cameras mounts that can pointed to any angle and mount pretty much anywhere on the kayak. The Yakattack Boom Stick and Dog Bone are just two of my favorite camera mounts. Having a variety of angles and different types of shots in your videos makes them more interesting. First person angles, over the shoulder angles and the front facing angles are the most common. Capturing extra clips to add in between fish fights gives your videos a professional touch. Footage of launching your kayak, paddling, scenery, release shots, and hook up shots will all help make your videos more interesting.
Barton.
With all the technology coming out today there are tons of advanced equipment that you can use to make your videos stand out. Flying a drone to capture aerial footage of your fishing or of the area you are fishing is something everyone loves to see and really makes a nice touch to a fishing video. Kayak angler friendly drones include the DJI Phantom and Mavic Pro and the Gopro Karma. A handheld stabilizer such as the GoPro Karma grip works awesome when filming a buddy who has hooked up! The LumeCube is another new product. It is a waterproof LED light that can be attached next your to GoPro so that you can capture decent video while filming at night. If you want to capture that sweet-looking shot of half underwater and half above water check out the Knekt dome for the GoPros. Always remember to bring extra batteries and memory cards for all cameras to make sure you don’t miss that epic shot! Brandon Barton, a Hobie 2017 Top Gun, is well known for his excellent videos. He is also a star when it comes to photos. To read more of Brandon’s kayaking stories, visit hobie.com/hobie-top-guns/.
3/18/18 4:12 AM
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3/18/18 4:12 AM
WIND, WATER & WAVES By Jeremy Lund
Understanding the
I
“Wind-Window”
n March, we discussed our safety protocols along with basic kite controls. As a quick recap, there are three main safety protocols: (1) let go, (2) activate main release, and (3) activate secondary release. Remember each one is circumstantial to the situation. For control, we discussed steering but also “sheeting”. Sheetingout, means to push the bar out, this will de-power the kite by releasing the trailing edge. Sheeting-in means to pull the bar in, this will add power and control as it pulls the trailing edge of the kite back towards us. We then discussed our first “instructor assisted” launch. Now that the kite is flying we are going to discuss how to and how not to create power with the kite. One of the first things we teach our students is a basic understanding of the wind-window, a spherical shaped area that the kite can fly in, relative to our position. Five articles could be written on this subject alone, but here are the basics. If you were to look straight down wind, you would be looking at the power zone. When the kite passes through this area, it creates its maximum amount of lift/power. It helps to visualize this as being red. If we were to turn and face 90-degrees to the wind, we would be staring at the edge of the wind-window. This is the area that is the least powerful for the kite and the kite will not penetrate any further into the wind than this. Let’s visualize this area as
being green. This green zone extends in a small strip all the way from three o’clock on one side of us to nine o’clock on the other. The edge of the wind window is a complete outline of the wind window, which you can now visualize as being a half sphere. Generally, your instructor will take a fair amount of time teaching you to fly the entire edge of the wind window. That way, they know you can get the kite to where you want it without being dragged or lifted. Once this is mastered, it will be time to learn how to create and manage more and more power. To do this, we will maneuver the kite deeper and deeper into the wind window while sheeting in and out various amounts. This maneuver is called a power stroke. This stroke will resemble a figure-eight pattern as the kite dives and returns to 12 o’clock. At first, we will focus the kite in an area halfway between the power zone and the edge of the window, lets visualize this area as being yellow. As the kite goes deeper into this yellow zone, it accelerates and creates more lift. This is because the kite is now pulling more air across its leading edge. This additional airflow is called apparent wind. It is essentially any wind/ airflow you create in addition to what mother nature has already provided. If you don’t understand lift, it can be very helpful to do some research on how a wing works, because that exactly what a kite is. Once the “power stroke” is
PHOTO CREDITS: Justin Bruns.
mastered, it will be the tool we use to get up and riding on the board. But we must first learn to use the kite and our body alone to get wherever we want in the water. This maneuver is called the body drag, in the guaranteed event we lose our board, body dragging will prove to be useful and necessary. Next month, we’ll take to the water. Please remember this series
is not intended to replace hands on instruction. Never attempt to learn to kiteboard without a certified instructor. Jeremy Lund is lead instructor and owner of New Wave Kiteboarding at Sailfish Marina in Stuart, FL. (561) 633-9362 NewWaveKiteboarding.com
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www.coastalanglermag.com/treasure-coast APRIL 2018
TREASURE COAST 17
3/18/18 4:12 AM
PHOTO CREDIT: Bob Hickerson.
Lionfish trapped in Vero Beach by Team Frapper during product trials.
Lionfish
Invasion Update Bob Hickerson, Team Frapper
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APRIL 2018
hirty-plus years have passed since the first recorded introductions of the lionfish. The biggest takeaway— releases into the environment of non-native species of any kind is never a good idea. Man, have we gotten our butts kicked with this one! Recent DNA research has suggested that this ongoing lionfish invasion was initiated with not just a single event but rather releases of several individuals, in various locations, probably over a period of many years. One thing is for sure, they are not going away any time soon. These guys are extremely adaptive. They can thrive in water temperatures ranging from the low 50s to the 90s; in depths of a few feet to over 1000 feet; inland to waters of very low salinity; able to consume over 100 different prey items; and able to handily defend themselves from any predator willing to give them a go. While a relatively small number of skilled divers peck away at them in depths of 100 feet or less, they continue to thrive and reproduce in the depths beyond. The good news is demand for lionfish meat has steadily increased over the past few years; so much so that supply has not been able to keep up. Local seafood markets, restaurants and grocery stores like Whole Foods and Publix will carry it. More divers have gotten involved. FWC will issue an annual license (SPL), which lets divers sell their lionfish catch to wholesale fish houses. More innovations have allowed safer removals by divers. Lionfish-specific traps are being tested as we speak.
With lionfish populations thriving in depths beyond reach of SCUBA divers, it is important technologies are developed to help us safely remove them and continue to bring them to markets. For the latest news on one such project, visit thefrapper.com. More lionfish tournaments pop up each year. Would you like to hunt in one to compete for prizes or volunteer in a local event? Here on the east coast of Central Florida we will host the Sebastian Lionfish Festival, May 19-20 (sebastianlionfishfest.com), as well as Capt. Don’s Treasure Coast Lionfish Safari, June 9-10 out of Fort Pierce (treasurecoastlionfishsafari. com). This year, we give a big nod to Capt. Don Voss, one of the original Safari committee members who passed away September last year. Local lionfish tournaments, such as those listed above, provide education and fun for the entire family, including entertainment by local musicians, marine related arts and crafts, educational displays by local and state authorities, and the fun of the actual weigh in by the dive teams participating. And, at some, you may even be able to sample freshly prepared lionfish. Additional lionfish activities around Florida can be found at myfwc.com/ fishing/saltwater/recreational/ lionfish/events/ and at reef.org/ lionfish/derbies, and don’t forget to check with your local dive operators too. Some boats offer occasional lionfish hunts to dive spots not often frequented by divers.
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PHOTO CREDIT: Bob Hickerson.
Treasure Coast APRIL Day
Time
1SU 3:37 AM 10:07 AM 3:56 PM 10:35 PM 2M 4:20 AM 10:48 AM 4:38 PM 11:16 PM 3TU 5:03 AM 11:27 AM 5:20 PM 11:58 PM 4W 5:46 AM 12:06 PM 6:03 PM 5TH 12:39 AM 6:30 AM 12:46 PM 6:48 PM 6F 1:23 AM 7:18 AM 1:30 PM 7:38 PM 7SA 2:11 AM 8:11 AM 2:19 PM 8:33 PM 8SU 3:04 AM 9:10 AM 3:16 PM 9:33 PM 9M 4:03 AM 10:11 AM 4:19 PM 10:33 PM 10TU 5:03 AM 11:07 AM 5:22 PM 11:28 PM
height -0.31 2.67 -0.46 2.75 -0.21 2.58 -0.38 2.65 -0.07 2.46 -0.26 2.51 0.09 2.32 -0.1 2.36 0.26 2.17 0.06 2.2 0.41 2.04 0.21 2.07 0.53 1.93 0.33 1.97 0.6 1.86 0.39 1.94 0.59 1.86 0.39 1.98 0.52 1.93 0.33
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
11W 5:59 AM 11:57 AM 6:20 PM 12TH 12:17 AM 6:49 AM 12:42 PM 7:11 PM 13F 1:02 AM 7:34 AM 1:23 PM 7:58 PM 14SA 1:44 AM 8:17 AM 2:03 PM 8:43 PM 15SU 2:26 AM 8:59 AM 2:42 PM 9:27 PM 16M 3:07 AM 9:40 AM 3:23 PM 10:11 PM 17TU 3:50 AM 10:23 AM 4:06 PM 10:57 PM 18W 4:35 AM 11:07 AM 4:52 PM 11:44 PM 19TH 5:22 AM 11:54 AM 5:42 PM 20F 12:35 AM 6:15 AM 12:45 PM 6:37 PM 21SA 1:30 AM 7:14 AM 1:43 PM 7:39 PM
2.06 0.39 2.06 0.24 2.18 0.23 2.23 0.14 2.31 0.06 2.4 0.04 2.42 -0.11 2.56 -0.04 2.5 -0.25 2.68 -0.1 2.56 -0.36 2.76 -0.11 2.57 -0.42 2.78 -0.08 2.55 -0.42 2.74 -0.01 2.5 -0.36 2.66 0.09 2.43 -0.26 2.56 0.18 2.35 -0.14
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
22SU 2:30 AM 8:19 AM 2:47 PM 8:47 PM 23M 3:34 AM 9:27 AM 3:57 PM 9:56 PM 24TU 4:40 AM 10:34 AM 5:07 PM 11:02 PM 25W 5:42 AM 11:34 AM 6:11 PM 26TH 12:01 AM 6:39 AM 12:28 PM 7:09 PM 27F 12:55 AM 7:30 AM 1:18 PM 8:00 PM 28SA 1:44 AM 8:16 AM 2:04 PM 8:47 PM 29SU 2:30 AM 8:59 AM 2:47 PM 9:30 PM 30M 3:14 AM 9:40 AM 3:29 PM 10:11 PM
2.47 0.23 2.29 -0.05 2.41 0.23 2.29 0 2.4 0.14 2.35 0 2.45 0.02 2.46 -0.04 2.51 -0.12 2.59 -0.07 2.57 -0.24 2.69 -0.09 2.6 -0.32 2.75 -0.09 2.6 -0.35 2.75 -0.05 2.56 -0.33 2.71
Sebastian (Inlet)
Vero (Ocean) TIME OFFSET High Tide -55 min Low Tide -35 min HEIGHT OFFSET High Tide 1.45 feet Low Tide 1.36 feet
TIME OFFSET High Tide -31 min Low Tide -18 min HEIGHT OFFSET High Tide 1.14 feet Low Tide 1.50 feet
Jensen Beach (Indian River)
St. Lucie Inlet
Jupiter Inlet
TIME OFFSET High Tide -48 min Low Tide -24 min HEIGHT OFFSET High Tide .93 feet Low Tide 1.0 foot
TIME OFFSET High Tide +2 hrs; 17 min Low Tide +3 hrs; 4 min HEIGHT OFFSET High Tide .48 feet Low Tide .92 feet
TIME OFFSET High Tide +55 Low Tide +1 hr; 42 min HEIGHT OFFSET High Tide 1 foot Low Tide .50 feet
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St. Lucie County Artificial Reef Update: Volunteers Build Modules, Fishery Assessment, and Coastal Partnership Update
Volunteers join forces in March to create 500 oyster reef modules.
Final modules. PHOTO CREDITS: St. Lucie County Artificial Reef Program.
I
n early March, 41 volunteers created another 500 oyster reef modules in less than three hours. Jack and Jill of the Treasure Coast originally called for the bagging day and were joined by other groups, including volunteers from the Treasure Coast High School Key Club, Indian River State
College Science Club, Palm Point Elementary School, and other nonaffiliated volunteers. There are now more than 1,200 oyster reef modules ready for deployment at the Indian Hills Stormwater Treatment Area outfall. Volunteers were joined by Florida Sea Grant Marine Extension Agent
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APRIL 2018
LeRoy Creswell who discussed the importance of oyster reefs on water quality and fish habitat. LeRoy had spawned many oysters while at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute and imparted much of his wisdom to the new oyster volunteers. LeRoy is one of the original members of the St. Lucie County Oyster Reef Restoration Program. The new modules will be deployed at the Indian Hills STA Oyster Reef. Creation of this reef has been sponsored by Indian River Lagoon Council with deployment scheduled for late spring/summer of 2018. There are almost enough modules to create this reef in its entirety, but another bagging session will be held in April if there is interest. All interested groups are welcome to request a bagging day. This work was supported by: • The Indian River State College Science Club, which prepared more than 700 bags for filling. • Indian River Lagoon Solutions, which fabricated additional bagging materials (funnels and tubes) to accommodate the growing number of volunteers. • The Lifestyle Building Group, which donated nine-inch PVC tubing necessary for creating the bagging tubes. In another artificial reef development, the FWC has funded the Fishery Independent Assessment of Fish Communities Inhabiting St. Lucie County Mesophotic Artificial Reefs, which is being conducted by Florida Atlantic University at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute. Data collection on St. Lucie County deepwater artificial reefs has begun and videos from
this study showing a wide number of organisms, including red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus), ocean triggerfish (Canthidermis sufflamen), groupers, tropical fish, sharks, and sea turtles can be seen at http://bit.ly/2ItFF1A. The ability of the St. Lucie County Artificial Reef Program to work with other programs benefits fishing offshore St. Lucie County and other areas of Florida. The Coastal Conservation Association is staging a memorial reef to be deployed offshore Broward County from St. Lucie County’s Harbour Pointe Park. The Martin County Artificial Reef Committee is in talks with St. Lucie County to stage another Kerry Dillon memorial reef offshore Martin County. Kerry Dillon was a tireless worker for both the St. Lucie County and Martin County artificial reef programs and is sorely missed. The Palm Beach County Fishing Foundation is also working cooperatively with the St. Lucie County Artificial Reef Program to develop a new type of reef module known as the reef dart. These modules have the potential for making excellent baitfish reefs offshore St. Lucie County and are being pursued as a relatively inexpensive addition to the St. Lucie County Artificial Reef Program. Deployment of these modules can be seen at http://bit.ly/2IrBYti. If interested in the St. Lucie County Artificial Reef Program or or oyster reefs in St. Lucie County, contact Jim Oppenborn, St. Lucie County Coastal Resources Coordinator at oppenbornj@stlucieco.org or (772) 462-1713.
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TREASURE COAST 21
3/18/18 4:12 AM
The team aboard My 3 Sons won last year's Fishing Frenzy with their 57.8-pound mahi.
April 7th - 8th 2018
Saturday 10 to 6
PHOTO CREDIT: Mitch Kloorfain.
e fre ion iss adm
Sunday 10 to 4
www.FortPierceOysterFest.com
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Veterans Memorial Park 600 N. Indian River Drive, Fort Pierce
22nd Annual
Fishing Frenzy T
Slated for May 11-12
he St. Lucie County Chamber of Commerce will host its 22nd annual Fishing Frenzy and Festival, presented by Geico Treasure Coast, on May 11-12, 2018 at Causeway Cove Marina in Fort Pierce. This offshore dolphin fishing tournament and two-day festival offers fun for the whole family. Cash and prizes in the amount of $16,000 will be awarded, with a $10,000 grand prize for the heaviest dolphin. The festival kick-off and Captain’s Party, takes place Friday, May 11, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Weigh-in takes place on Saturday, May 12, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Food, music, trivia contests, prizes, and a kid zone will keep everyone entertained. Festival admission is free and open to the public.
Vendor and food truck space is available for $100 ($75 for Chamber members) for both days of the festival. Tournament boat entry fee is $250 before May 1 and $275 after May 1. Contact Causeway Cove Marina at (772) 242-3552 for information on trailer parking, dock space, and RV sites for the tournament and festival. The Unified Chamber of St. Lucie County is an organization of business owners working together to help grow their business through advocacy, education and exposure. To register for the tournament or for vendor, food truck or sponsorship information, call the Chamber at (772) 595-9999 or visit www.StLucieChamber.org.
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APRIL 2018
TREASURE COAST 23
3/18/18 4:12 AM
Stand Up PaddleBoards... FPSC Seeking From beginner to expert
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embers of the Fort Pierce Sportfishing Club share and deal with the same concerns as everyone else who wishes to enjoy our waters with friends and families. We all share deep concerns about the runoff of contaminated water, algae blooms, sewage leakage and various other contamination sources that drain into our lagoon and inshore fishing areas. Not to be forgotten is the effect all of this runoff has on near-shore fishing opportunities. Offshore deterioration of our natural reefs and the scourge of invasive species that are thriving on productive fishing grounds further limit fishing success. Dealing with all of these environmental issues is a major concern, and as members of a local club of fishermen we must rely on our government and the accompanying bureaucracy to deal with these issues. There really is not much we can do individually other than continuously monitor and provide input regarding changes going on around us. On the other hand, there are some things we observe locally that we may be able to significantly impact. An example of this is the fairly recent loss of the #10A buoy, which has marked the Carpon Shoal off the northern end of South Hutchinson Island (not far from the Fort Pierce Inlet) since the1950s. Probably because of its location and the natural topography of the shoal, this buoy served for more than sixty years as a consistent and reliable source for harvesting attractive bait fish as anglers headed out for offshore fishing. The removal of the 10A buoy in May 2017 by the U.S. Coast Guard was for economic reasons, and given all of the upgrades in navigation instruments, marking Carpon Shoal with a buoy was deemed no longer necessary to navigation. Since the loss of this resource, there have been numerous attempts to get it reinstalled by contacting the U.S. Coast Guard, but those efforts have gone nowhere and at this point the outlook is not promising. The Fort Pierce Sportfishing Club has discussed pursuing a permit and private funding to purchase and install a buoy to replace this valuable resource. This is certainly a viable possibility. It is no different than installing an artificial reef, only this would be a floating fish haven. We invite your input and support for this effort and invite those interested to attend any regular meeting of the Fort Pierce Sportfishing Club held the third Wednesday of each month at the Ft. Pierce Yacht Club. If you prefer, please share your input via email to FPSC@live.com. For more information on the Fort Pierce Sportfishing Club, visit www.ftpiercesportfishingclub.com online or email FPSC@live.com.
Located in publix plaza (772) 283-9002 878 SW Federal Hwy. www.surfcentralsurfshop.com Stuart, FL 34994 24 TREASURE COAST
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TREASURE COAST 25
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Outdoor Adventures Just for Youth Port St. Lucie Angler’s Free Club Kids Fishing Tournament
T
he Port St. Lucie Angler’s Club, in partnership with the Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens, will hold its annual Kids Fishing Tournament on Saturday, April 7, at Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens, located at 2410 Westmoreland Boulevard, Port St. Lucie. There will be two youth categories, ages 2-11 and 12-16. Trophies for biggest and most fish
caught will be awarded in each age group. Raffle prizes include free fishing trips. Registration is from 8 a.m to 9 a.m. Fishing begins at 9:30 a.m. Bait will be provided. Anglers should bring their own fishing tackle and eye protection (sunglasses will do). Rods and reels will be available to borrow, but supply is limited and available on a first come first serve basis. This is a catch and release tournament. There is no fee to participate. For more information, call Dave Brigida at (772) 834-7599 or Frank Gamber at (443) 9928428.
Hobe Sound Nature Center Events • Hook Kids on Fishing Clinic - The Hobe Sound Nature Center’s popular Hook Kids on Fishing Clinic returns in celebration of Earth Day on Saturday, April 21, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Co-sponsored by Anglers for Conservation, the clinic is open to all kids, 6 to 16, accompanied by a parent. Students will receive fishing rods, tackle and attend mini-sessions to learn fishing basics before fishing along the banks of the Indian River Lagoon. There is no cost to participate, but reservations are required. Call (772) 546-2067.
A pretty bass caught in last year’s tournament.
The popular Hook Kids on Fishing Clinic returns to the Hobe Sound Nature Center on April 21.
• Exploring the Grassflats - The Hobe Sound Nature Center invites kids to “get wet” and celebrate Earth Day on Saturday, April 21, at 12:30 p.m. Youth will catch and release small marine animals that call the estuary home. This adventure is recommended for ages 4 and above, accompanied by a parent. There is no cost to participate, but reservations are required. Please call (772) 546-2067. The Hobe Sound Nature Center is located at 13640 U.S. Highway One, Hobe Sound, FL 33463.
PHOTO CREDIT: Ron Schmidt.
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APRIL 2018
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Treasure Coast Tournaments & Events APRIL 6-15 Stuart Sailfish Club Cape Eleuthera Fishing Tournament Cape Eleuthera Resort & Marina Cape Eleuthera, Eleuthera, Bahamas
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APRIL 7 Port St. Lucie Angler’s Club Kid’s Fishing Tournament Port S. Lucie Botanical Gardens 2410 Westmoreland Blvd., Port St. Lucie
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For more information, call (772) 834-7599
Backcountry Fishing Association April Tournament Little Jim Bait & Tackle 601 North Causeway, Fort Pierce
For more information, call (772) 882-8721
APRIL 7-8 Vero Beach Spring Boat Show Riverside Park 3001 Riverside Park Drive, Vero Beach For more information, call (772) 562-7922
APRIL 14-15 Indian River Marine Flea Market and Fishing Show Indian River County Fairgrounds 7955 58th Avenue, Vero Beach
For more information, call (954) 205-7813
APRIL 21
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APRIL 21 Exploring the Grassflats
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APRIL 2018
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TREASURE COAST 27
3/18/18 4:12 AM
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Ethan Ball with a nice tripletail.
Email your information ality and high-qu rger) (500KB or la @ easurecoast photos to tr e.com. lerMagazin CoastalAng
Shane Kelly with a 10-pound black drum caught in Stuart on a live shrimp. “Another great day under the bridge.” Photo CREDIT: Kevin Kelly.
Photo CREDIT: Adam Ball.
Donald Coughlin with a new personal best, a 2.1-pound crappie. Photo COURTESY of Donald Coughlin.
Check out this size large mangrove snapper Nicholas caught aboard The Lady Chris. Photo CREDIT: Lady Chris Charters.
390_Treasure_Coast_FINAL.indd 28
Cherlyn Arnold caught this trout on the flats in Fort Pierce with a D.O.A. C.A.L.
Another nice cobia caught by junior angler Ryan (right) aboard the Safari 1. Pretty work! .
Photo CREDIT: Lewis Arnold.
Photo CREDIT: Safari 1.
3/18/18 4:13 AM
I
f this photo of a happy kid with a humongous fish doesn’t make you smile, nothing will. Chase Stokes, 11, caught his 33.25-pound, 40inch carp on a nightcrawler while fishing at Otter Creek in Panton, Vermont in April 2017. It is one of the three state records caught by Vermont anglers last year. All of them are species not typically targeted. In May, angler Mike Elwood landed a record redhorse sucker while fishing on the Winooski River in Colchester, Vermont. The sucker, landed on a live worm, weighed 9.9 pounds and measured 29 inches long with an 18-inch girth. The third record for 2017 was a cisco, also known as lake herring. Alan Franchot caught his 2.25-pound state record while trolling on Lake Champlain in September. “We saw some incredible catches in 2017, especially Chase’s carp,” said Shawn Good, fisheries biologist with Vermont Fish & Wildlife. “It was an impressive looking fish, but what’s really exciting to me is that we’re starting to see more Vermont anglers fish outside of the box, as I like to call it, by taking advantage of many of the overlooked fishing opportunities we have in our state.” Good said fishing in Vermont remains excellent for traditional species like bass, trout, salmon and pike, but that anglers should take a look at some of the oddball fish like bowfin, drum, gar, fallfish and suckers that can provide great action as well as trophy potential.
It’s Tarpon Time In The
Florida Keys
By CAM Staff • Photo by Pat Ford
I
t is the heart of the tarpon season in the Florida Keys. With the annual migration in full swing, there should be silver kings everywhere over the next couple of months. The big spring run begins most years in February. It can last deep into the summer when conditions are right. This is when the big fish are most vulnerable. Averaging 80 pounds and sometimes running much larger, tarpon in the keys offer a fishery unlike any other in the world. The west coast of Africa might have the world record 286-pound, 9-ounce tarpon, but nowhere in the world has the opportunities to sight fish tarpon like the Keys. Poling the flats, there is a very real possibility of encountering tarpon up to 200 pounds and heavier in shallow and ultra-clear water. Migrating tarpon will push up into the backcountry in the thousands, skirting the edges of the flats and channels. Staking out or anchoring the boat in an ambush point where the angler is likely to encounter numbers of hungry tarpon is best accomplished through a local guide who stays on top of the movements of these giant fish. One thing you’ll notice is that while some captains might guarantee “shots” at tarpon, none promise you’ll actually bring one boatside. With a fly, enticing a big tarpon to eat is something that takes a lot of skill and a little luck. First-timers are probably better off fishing live bait, and a crab fished under a float in the passes and around bridges where fish are
concentrated can lead to multiple hook-ups in a day’s trip. What follows is a fight that cannot be matched by any fish anywhere. The powerful runs and repeated jumps of a hooked tarpon are what made them so highly prized as a game fish. Even experienced anglers are frequently left broken hearted when the line falls slack. Winning a battle with Megalops is an achievement to be remembered. Winning the battle comes with a heavy dose of responsibility, as well. Tarpon have a life span of 50 years or more. They are slow growing, and it takes them seven to 13 years to reach sexual maturity. This and their value as a game fish make them susceptible to population decline. Every effort should be made to release them with the best chance for their survival. All Florida tarpon must be released, with an exception for anglers who have purchased a state tarpon tag for the purpose of achieving an IGFA world record. Large tarpon should remain in the water at all times, which means unhooking and photographing them should be done quickly, with an effort to keep the head and gills in the water as much as possible. Never attempt to drag a tarpon over the side of the boat. Tarpon will often fight to exhaustion, so reviving them after the fight will greatly increase their chance of survival. Hold them horizontally in the water with their mouth open, moving them forward to push water over their gills. Do this until they are able to swim off on their own.
Fish wide open.
If you want to experience true fishing freedom, book a light-tackle charter in The Florida Keys. Our open fish captains are the best in the business. Dolphin, tuna, grouper, marlin, sailfish, cobia, wahoo – the possibilities are endless. Show up, fish, walk away (very likely with a smile and fillets). fla-keys.com 1.800.fla.keys
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3/19/18 11:00 AM
By Richard Matteson
I
recently had great day fishing the Indian River Lagoon, and the good news is the trout are back in some of their old haunts south of Vero and Fort Pierce. In addition to the five trout we got to the boat, I caught a 24-inch snook, two nice bluefish, a dozen jacks and a bunch of ladyfish. It’s been windy, but there’s always places you can fish that are somewhat out of the wind. Remember both the North Fork and South Fork of the St. Lucie offer some protection from wind. They are both hot spots for snook and spring tarpon. Trout: Small trout—with some keeper-size 16- to 20-inch slots— have been caught in South Herman’s Bay on the east side around the piers on Cal Jigs (standard 1/8-oz. jighead with a 4-inch paddletail). They are also being caught south of Jensen Beach Bridge on the west
bank in the Joe’s Point area. Some trout are in the Bear’s Point area and in the Mud Creek, shallow near the mangroves. Snook: Any day now the slot snook should be moving from the deeper water around the inlet and bridges to the shallow water. Look for bait and structure. Piers, sand ledges and mangroves are the places they’ll be. Try the South Fork now; it’s picking up with numbers of snook and reds. Also try the inlet drifting with shrimp or jigs in 10 feet of water. Redfish: Small reds are been caught around the power plant on jigs tipped with shrimp. The piers on the west side are holding reds, jacks and black drum. Catch them on shrimp or jigs with shrimp. Redfish are on or around the flats near bridges. South Fork is reporting numbers in the backs of coves. Bonefish: Some bonefish are being caught around the inlet on shrimp or jigs with shrimp. Jacks and Ladyfish: large schools of both are around the bait on the flats. Mackerel and Pompano: Some pompano and mackerel are still around and will be here until May. Fish for mackerel with jigs, spoons and shrimp around the bridges and inlet. Pompano are scattered along the flats around the Crossroads area. Sheepshead, tripletails and black drums: Good numbers of sheepshead and black drum are being caught with shrimp around piers, bridges and drifting the inlet in 12 inches of water. Some tripletails are being caught under buoy makers in the Fort Pierce/Vero area with shrimp. Finding the fish: Look for bait offshore, and then fish shallow humps away from the shore. Find bridges with bait, piers, seawalls and mangroves. Find the bait and you will catch the fish. With water temps in the 70s, look for snook to be shallow in April. Richard Matteson is the staff writer for the Stuart Rod and Reel Club. See www.stuartrodandreelclub.com.
For more fishing on the Indian River Lagoon, go to
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ummer is just around the corner, and south Florida families will be spending more time on the water. From the bathtub to the open ocean, kids need to feel comfortable and confident about their in-water skills. One of the most important lessons to remember is to use the buddy system. It’s one of the first things we teach young snorkelers during Pura Vida Divers’ Snorkel Summer Camp sessions. Campers know to stay within arm’s reach of their in-water buddy. When duck-diving under the surface, they practice one up, one down. This ensures someone is always alert and paying attention to their swimming partner. At the beach, or when exploring snorkeling spots like the Blue Heron Bridge, show young swimmers where lifeguard stands are located, and point out swim zones that lifeguards patrol. Flags on the beach alert swimmers of the day’s conditions. It’s important that children understand what these flags mean and how conditions affect their experience in the water.
Another important consideration for in-water activities is identification of potentially harmful wildlife. During Pura Vida Divers’ Snorkel Camp, campers are taught to identify many local species. They know how to spot a camouflaged scorpionfish, and which jellyfish to avoid. The knowledge is essential for a great experience in the water, and it also introduces children to a whole new world of animals. Many kids get caught up in the excitement of seeing fish, rays, octopus and other interesting animals. The more confident they feel in their swimming skills, the more they can fully engage in enjoying their adventure. The camp staff has found that the easiest way to introduce kids to snorkeling is to introduce one item at a time. It’s important to choose comfortable-fitting gear, rather than just grabbing a snorkel package off the shelf. Call Pura Vida Divers to set up an appointment for a mask, snorkel and fin fitting, or stop by the shop to chat with staff and learn the basics of choosing the right gear. At Snorkel Summer Camp, we ensure campers are comfortable wearing their masks and looking underwater in shallow, standing water. Once they know how to put on their mask, where the strap should sit and how to use defog, we attach a snorkel and have them breathe first on land and then in water. Once kids are comfortable using their mask and snorkel, it’s time to learn how to swim using fins. Even the most experienced kids can learn to be more efficient. It’s amazing to watch skills and comfort in the water blossom as kids conquer each new technique. This summer, Pura Vida Divers will offer two sessions of Snorkel Summer Camp. We work with kids of all experience levels between the ages of 6 and 10. By the end of the week, even novice snorkelers are swimming alongside their parents during a family snorkeling event at the Blue Heron Bridge. For more information, contact Pura Vida Divers at 561-8408750 or stop by the shop at 2513 Beach Court, Singer Island, 33404.
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ith a new U.S. Customs facility at Witham Field in Stuart, Fla., those travelling from the islands of the Bahamas will have a convenient place to clear customs in Martin County. The Martin County Board of County Commissioners announced a late spring opening of the U.S. Customs Facility at Witham Field, which will process international travelers arriving in Martin County via aircraft and marine vessels, allowing boaters, pilots, residents and visitors to clear Customs without having to travel to Fort Pierce or West Palm Beach. This project is the first intermodal clearance facility of its kind built in Florida. This facility has been welcomed by the marine community not only in Martin County but throughout the State of Florida. With Stuart’s location on the east end of the Cross-Florida Canal/Okeechobee Waterway, boaters returning from the Bahamas will be able to conveniently clear back into the U.S. and continue on their way to Florida’s west coast and the Gulf of Mexico or continue to points north via the Intracoastal Waterway. The Witham Field location is conveniently located within a 10-minute drive of 90 percent of the marinas in Martin County. This facility will greatly enhance Martin County’s tourism efforts, specifically in the recreational boating sector and related marine industries. When complete, the facility will consist of a 3,210-squarefoot concrete block structure with road access for marine trailers, parking lot and a customer-friendly environment. Funding for the project is provided through an 80/20 grant partnership with the Florida Department of Transportation Aviation (Multimodal) Division and the Airport Enterprise Fund. The facility will be operated by U.S. Customs and Boarder Protection. As it is with Witham Field, user fees will cover the cost of operations expenses. The Customs facility at Witham Field is anticipated to open in May. Visit www.martin.fl.us for news and information. Follow Martin County on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MartinCountyBoardofCountyCommissioners/. COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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Bimini Sands Resort And Marina To Host First Timers Flotilla
Bimini Sands Resort and Marina is on South Bimini, a mere 60 miles from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
W
ith the beautiful islands of the Bahamas so close to the south Florida coast, many boaters and fishermen would love to make the crossing, but this adventure can be intimidating for the novice boater. Bimini Sands Resort and Marina, located on South Bimini, will play host to a First Time, Fun, Fish Flotilla. The event is being coordinated by Capt. Chase Camacho. Participants will depart May 2 from a marina in Ft. Lauderdale with a planned return date of May 6. There will be a “How To Cross” seminar at the I.T. Parker Community Center at Harbor Towne Marina in Ft. Lauderdale on April 19. The twohour seminar will cover many of the safety-related issues that are necessary for a safe and fun crossing. The weekend will include a number of family friendly activities and a one-day fishing tournament. Bimini Sands Resort and Marina will provide a discount on accommodations. Minimum boat size for participation is 22 feet. Airline_Ad_CoastalAngler_8-1-14_Layout 1 8/1/14 1:14 PM Page 1 For more information, visit www.bluewaterseries.com click on Flotilla or contact Brad Michael at bradgmichael@gmail.com.
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TIPS FROM A PRO
DON’T FORGET ABOUT SPINNERBAITS BRANDON LESTER
M
any great lures have come and gone in the bass fishing world over the years. Some seem to take the whole industry by storm and then die down once the next best thing comes along. Some prove themselves and become a
Make reel memories.
with dirty water, I like a red Colorado blade for extra visibility and a skirt with a lot of chartreuse. In clear water, I can throw double willowleaf blades for a subtler thump, and I’ll opt for a more
Stuart, located in Martin County, is known as the Sailfish Capital of the World. Sitting on the most biodiverse estuary in the Northern Hemisphere, and the northernmost point of the South Florida Reef, Martin County is home to 100 artificial reef systems and over 800 species of fish. Its climate, waterways and natural environment make it a mecca for fishermen and nautical explorers year-round. An array of unique shops, fine restaurants, great golf courses and quiet beaches make a day ashore fun, too. Inshore, offshore, salt water or fresh, head out for an adventure and reel in the memories.
staple in everyone’s tackle box. There is one lure, though, that doesn’t get the attention it deserves on the tournament scene these days. With all the fancy square-bill crankbaits and bladed jigs, it’s easy to forget about the tried-and-true spinnerbait. Few baits are as good at covering water as the spinnerbait, and this time of the year that is half the battle. Early in the spring, warm days will cause water temperatures to rise. Bass move shallower to look for places to spawn. Water conditions also play a big role in this. More fish move up earlier in dirty water, which warms faster than clear water. When these fish move shallow, they like to get next to a stump, laydown, dock, rock, really anything that holds heat and gives them a place they feel safe. The spinnerbait is my favorite bait for targeting prespawn fish for two reasons. Reason No. 1 is they are virtually weedless. I can throw spinnerbaits in pretty thick cover, and as long as I’m careful it will come right through. It comes through wood especially well. Reason No. 2 is the unlimited options. If I’m faced
natural skirt color. Having all those options is important with the everchanging conditions of spring. When you’re actively searching for fish, keep an open mind. I’ve caught them anywhere from bluff banks to shallow flat pockets and everywhere in between this time of year, so let the fish tell you where you need to be and what you should be throwing. My favorite spinnerbait rod is a 7’2” medium heavy (EPS86MHF) MHX Elite Pro Series rod that I build. It is a great all-purpose blank. It has plenty of tip, so I can make precise casts to targets, and it also has plenty of backbone. I use a 7:3:1 bait-casting reel spooled with 17-lb. Vicious ProElite fluorocarbon. If I could only choose one spinnerbait for the rest of my career, it would be a ½-ounce tandem willowleaf/Colorado combo with one silver and one gold blade and a chartreuse and white skirt. My favorite is made by a new company called Kinkee Baits. It has a combination of wrapped wire down to 18/1000-inch wire, which creates vibration bass have never felt before.
Plan your trip at discovermartin.com
Get more tips from Lester at
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By Heather Sneed and Amanda Nalley
B
ob and Shelly Stowe, of Jupiter, knew plenty about freshwater fishing from their years living in Michigan, but when it came to saltwater fishing, they weren’t quite sure where to start. That’s when they found out about a local Family Saltwater Fishing Clinic being hosted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). “We had no experience with saltwater fishing,” said Shelly. “That class was so complete. It was A++. I learned how to set up a pole, how to unhook a fish from the line, how to cast correctly and how to bait a hook. Every single person involved in teaching that class was so friendly, helpful and knowledgeable that if they had it again, we’d take it again.” For years FWC has hosted kids’ and women’s fishing clinics. In 2017 they added adult saltwater fishing clinics. These free, one-day educational events are for anyone 18 and older, male or female. Participants learn everything they need to know to fish on their own, from knot tying and fishing tackle to conservation efforts and marine habitats. Clinic class sizes are kept small for a hands-on approach. At the end of the day, you’ll also get to try catch-and-release fishing firsthand. Bring your own gear or FWC will provide some for the day. And don’t forget your recreational saltwater fishing license. Visit MyFWC.com Calendar for upcoming dates and locations. For women and adult saltwater fishing clinics, you’ll need to register in advance, either on the calendar, or by calling 850-487-0554 or emailing Heather.Sneed@MyFWC.com.
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ne particular type of architecture that Florida fishermen know is the fishing shack, usually a ramshackle wooden structure that looks to be on its last legs, but which can still provide a lot of comfort. Some of our bodies of water, in fact, have become well-known to boaters as places where the lucky can tie up far from shore, cook a light meal, rest and even seek shelter from a mild storm. For example, Charlotte Harbor and Pine Island Sound in the southwestern part of our state have a number of simple, one-story, wood-frame cabins set on pilings. The temporary home-away-from-home usually has no electricity, no plumbing, no phone, and a distance from shore that precludes cell-phone service. They do, however, often have rain gutters to collect water that the fishermen can use for cooking or even drinking. Florida officials declared the shacks navigational hazards and causers of pollution and actually began to burn some of them down in the mid-1980s, but consultants hired by the fishermen pointed out that the water around the shanties was too shallow for boats to collide with the structures and many fishermen used chemical toilets. As a result, some of the shacks have been placed on the National Register of Historic Places because of their importance in local heritage, and that should preserve them until a powerful hurricane hits them directly. The flimsy-looking structures, usually made of pine or cypress, can nicely withstand the subtropical sun, the wind and rain. Metal gable roofs and board-and-batten siding protect those inside from storms, and screened windows keep out the flies. The shacks have a good air flow with shutters that can be propped open.
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The wooden stilt houses in Biscayne Bay south of Cape Florida have long been famous among fishermen in Miami-Dade County. Standing about 10 feet above shallow water on wooden or reinforced concrete pillars, Stiltsville dates back to the 1920s and 1930s. Some of the structures may have begun as places for alcohol consumption during Prohibition and for gambling, which was legal a mile offshore, and some of them became quite elaborate. When Congress expanded the Biscayne National Park in 1980 to include Stiltsville, the existing shacks were allowed to remain, but hurricanes and natural deterioration have taken their toll. Today only seven of the original structures remain, but the park service has added hurricane strapping to help the remaining shacks withstand strong winds. “No trespassing” signs warn interlopers to stay away, and access to the structures is limited to their owners and friends. Stiltsville has been featured enough in magazine articles that many visitors go to Biscayne Bay to see the remaining shacks. That has provided docents an opportunity to teach many non-residents about the rich maritime history of the area. The above-mentioned are just a few of the different kinds of fishing shacks in our waters, some quite elaborate, some pretty basic, but many with a history and allure that makes them part of our fishing history. Kevin McCarthy, the award-winning author of “South Florida Waterways” (2013 - available at amazon.com for $7), can be reached at ceyhankevin@gmail.com.
For more on Kevin McCarthy, go to
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FISH & FISHING
Trolling Tactics
“L it.”
MARK SOSIN
et me show you something,” Capt. Skip Smith said. “Pick any trolling lure and any color combination and I’ll catch a fish on
Of course, our selection included the most non-appetizing color combination we could find. One lure was streamed on either side a respectable distance astern. Within 10 minutes, Skip had a sailfish chasing the baits and striking one of the lures. What he did is etched in memory. Instead of trolling in a straight line, working shallower and then deeper, changing speed, or doing any of the common trolling tactics, Skip took a different approach. He would make a sharp turn to port and a couple of minutes later he made a sharp turn to starboard. This created slack line on the side of the turn and increased speed for the lure on the outside of the turn. When he switched direction, the lure that had sunk picked up speed and headed back to the surface. Let me tell you that the technique works. Fishing with Capt. Bouncer Smith out of Miami, I learned something else. Inshore waters are burdened with no-wake zones designed to slow down fast-moving boats heading for open water. While most anglers are frustrated by the slow progress in these waters and can’t wait to get through this delay, Bouncer takes a different approach. He has two rods rigged with swimming plugs, and he streams them astern as he enters the no-wake zone. It’s surprising how many fish he catches on those plugs in areas that hardly anyone fishes. Another skipper showed me that after he streamed the standard trolling spread, he put another bait directly astern and close to the boat. It surprised me to see how many fish came up and hit that bait. This seems to work particularly well on tuna. If you fail to raise fish on that short bait, try fishing it long down the middle. That puts it farther astern than the other baits.
Aboard some of the bigger boats with outriggers, captains often troll their long and short baits at specific distances astern. The clips on the outriggers are attached so that when each line is clipped on, it positions the bait or lure at the same spot each time. I prefer to adjust the length of the lines based on sea conditions and results. There are days on the water when shorter distances astern work and other times when the results are better if you troll the baits farther back. As a reminder if you troll natural baits, dead or alive, they should be changed frequently. Too many anglers simply put baits or lures astern and steer a straight course. Successful trolling demands concentration and dedication to details. The key lies in making changes from where you position the offerings to the speed you use and the courses you steer. If you’re not raising fish, keep making changes until you do.
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On The Water With
Kaku By Capt. Ryan Drygas
T
arpon Springs, a small town on the west coast of Florida an hour north of St. Petersburg, is a best-kept secret for redfish and snook. It sits within a web of waterways connecting the Gulf of Mexico to rivers, lakes, ponds, marshes and eventually Tampa Bay. This vast system offers excellent inshore opportunities, and it’s a ton of fun to explore under paddle power. I know a local who grew up there and knows the water like the back of his hand. Kevin Hawkins, owner of Kaku Kayaks, invited me out on the water to try his newest SUP, the Voodoo. Kevin lives, eats and breathes fishing. When he’s not fishing from one of his kayaks or SUPs, he’s thinking about ways to design these boats so they’re better to fish from. The Voodoo is a hybrid that melds the best qualities of an SUP, a kayak and a micro-skiff. We launched from his local ramp on a Saturday afternoon a cou-
ple hours before sunset. I don’t have the words to describe the picturesque setting that spread out before me. Mangroves, oyster beds and hidden shoals were in abundance. We paddled to the tip of a mangrove island where a smaller canal led to docks, sandbars and windbreaks. We had to cross the main channel to get there, and there was a 1- to 2-foot chop with the boating traffic and winds. The Voodoo was stable and fast, tracking straight as it cut through the channel. I was surprised the chop didn’t offer more of a challenge, but the hull design of the Voodoo is flawless. It also features a chair, which—without adjustment—offers two seated positions and can be used as a poling platform. The boat paddles well from a seated or standing position, and the ability to make powerful strokes with a low center of gravity came in handy during the crossing. As we rounded the tip of the island, we found wind-shade in a pocket. We poled down to cast right under the mangroves and docks. The Voodoo’s stern has five molded-in Power Pole mounts that allow for dual or single Power Pole Micros. And from a stability standpoint, the boat might as well be the deck of a skiff. Kevin hooked into a 25-inch redfish and fought it with ease from the open deck. As we paddled through the backside of the mangrove islands, we cast to oyster beds and under docks. The final spot Kevin had planned was a back corner of an area with a long sea wall and sand flats. Kevin wanted to hit it right at sunset, when the redfish bite is best. We could see reds tailing over the shoals as the tide went out. If you are looking for a perfect fishing machine, look no further than Kaku. These boats are a fisherman’s Cadillac. Kevin’s obsession with crafting a superior fishing vessel is evident in the sleek, stable versatility of his boats. For more on Kaku Kayak, visit kakukayak.com.
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By Tom Schlichter
Y
ou couldn’t tell by looking in the tannic-stained water, but Capt. Gary Dubiel was convinced redfish were holding just a few feet from the bank. “Toss your line up tight and see what happens,” he instructed. My cork popper landed with a splat and the trailing DOA shrimp settled toward the bottom. I waited a second, gave a “pop” and watched the cork slide under with an 8-pound red in full protest. “They’ll smack that setup every time,” smiled the skipper. It’s no secret that the coastal waters of North Carolina teem with redfish and stripers, but many visiting anglers focus their efforts solely on inlet and ocean waters. For truly amazing topwater action, the bays, creeks and river systems are also well worth exploring. “There’s amazing variety on the inside here,” said Dubiel, of Spec Fever Guide Service (www.specfever.com), who specializes in putting light-tackle and fly-fishing fans right in the mix. Dubiel especially enjoys working the Neuse River area because it hosts stripers and seatrout year-round, plus redfish from spring though mid-October. “These stripers are estuarine and don’t run to the ocean,” he explained. “They typically measure up to 32 inches, which makes them perfect for light gear and fly rods. Even better, they mix in with the specks and slot-sized redfish. We often catch all three on the same trip.” The striper action really heats up in late April when the bass return from spawning farther upriver to offer outstanding surface action from Oriental to New Bern, N.C. Much of the fun takes place in knee-deep depths here in the river’s mouth at Pamlico Sound, and that makes for a ton of topwater thrills. Interestingly, the Neuse River—America’s widest at 6 miles across the mouth— doesn’t have a lunar rise and fall in tides. Rather than look for current, Dubiel works around structure while using a trolling motor to quietly get in and out of
potential hot spots. He likes casting at old wood when possible, often using a Bob’s Banger Capt. Gary Dubiel of Spec popper. “Because the fish often Fever Guide Service works hang in the shallows here, you can call them from a considerthe long wand for shallow able distance if you make a litwater Neuse River stripers, reds tle noise,” he said. “This is also and specks. Photo by Felicia a great lure for covering a lot of Scocozza. water. Some of our wood fields are pretty expansive.” Push up into the Neuse River tributaries above and below New Bern and you’ll also find largemouth bass, crappie and perch. The creeks stay warmer than the river in the winter months, so there are times in late winter and early spring when you might catch any of these along with a striper, redfish or speckled trout as well. “It certainly makes for an interesting mixed bag,” quipped Dubiel. Just an hour drive from Moorhead City, N.C., the Neuse River is easily accessible from Oriental, New Bern or the ICW. For accommodations, consider Bridgepoint Marina (www.bridgepointe.com) in New Bern. It’s within 500 yards of public launching at both Lawson Creek Landing and Union Park Point. For more info on the New Bern area, visit www.visitnewbern.com.
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United States Power Squadrons–America’s
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ho doesn’t have a smile on their face when they’re spending time on the water? You can’t help yourself. Boating is the definition of getting away from it all. And getting away from it all is always more fun with friends. This is where the United States Power Squadrons–America’s Boating Club comes in. Enjoying your time on the water with family and friends starts with being safe and responsible while having fun. That’s what makes America’s Boating Club different than most boating organizations. For over a hundred years, the organization’s focus has been on providing unsurpassed boating safety education. But the organization’s leadership and members are passionate about a membership that doesn’t end on Sunday and doesn’t care if the calendar says it’s winter. It’s about being together and building a community through a variety of events like parties, meetings and even just getting together for no reason at all. Driven by this passion, United States Power Squadrons–America’s Boating Club, the country’s largest nonprofit boating organization, just launched its new logo. This is the first of several planned updates in the organization’s new brand image and identity. Changes to the organization’s website, social media platforms and collateral are expected in the coming weeks.
“We are United States Power Squadrons but we are also America’s Boating Club,” said Gary Cheney, chief commander, United States Power Squadrons. “This is not just a name change, it describes what we do. We go boating and have fun doing it. Our squadrons are social clubs as well as providers of high quality boating education— allowing members to enjoy the sport and camaraderie of boating and any number of activities that keep us together. Togetherness is what this lifestyle is all about. We joined the organization for the boating education, but we stayed for the friends.” Offering classes For Boaters, By Boaters in boat handling, navigation, boat maintenance, weather and related subjects, United States Power Squadrons— America’s Boating Club serves as a virtual “yacht club” with boating and social activities for all types of recreational boaters. With over 27,000 members organized into 356 local clubs across the country, America’s Boating Club is comprised of families who contribute to their communities by promoting safe boating through education. Members are vital to strengthening the communities they live in and know it’s important to live their values by giving back through public service and volunteer opportunities. Members provide courtesy vessel safety checks, help the NOAA’s National Ocean Service keep nautical charts accurate and organize beach cleanups. “Our commitment is to continue learning, teaching, laughing and helping our fellow members enjoy boating,” continued Cheney. “Whether you’re passionate about cruising, racing, making new friends, volunteering in your community or learning from experienced boaters, your local squadron has the resources you need to engage your passions and, perhaps, instill some new ones.” In February of 2017, the United States Power Squadrons announced its America’s Boating Club co-brand to its squadrons, following an almost yearlong renaming exercise. To learn more about United States Power Squadrons–America’s Boating Club, visit www.americasboatingclub.org.
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FRESHWATER Jordan Lee Wins Back-To-Back
Bassmaster Classics Bassmaster photos by Andy Crawford
I
n sixth place headed into the final day of the Bassmaster Classic on March 18 at lake Hartwell, S.C., Alabama’s Jordan Lee was in striking distance to do what only two anglers have ever done—win the Super Bowl of bass fishing twice in a row. And he did it. With a final day surge that took him to the scales with 16 pounds, 5 ounces, Lee tallied a three-day total of 47-1 to edge out California pro Brent Ehrler by a single pound. With his Classic win last year at Lake Conroe, Texas, Lee joins Rick Clunn and Kevin VanDam as the only three anglers in the history of the sport to win back-to-back classics. With the $300,000 purse, Lee pushed his career earnings with B.A.S.S past the million-dollar mark.
“It was just a perfect week for me,” Lee told Bassmaster. “I caught fish on five different baits and a lot of different techniques.” Boat docks were the ticket to Lee’s success. Following poor practice rounds, he could not nail down a strong pattern. From Day 1, Lee reverted to his comfort zone and his strength. “I just wanted to cover as much water as I could to give myself the best chance of putting a bait in front of a fish,” he told Bassmaster. “On this lake, I knew boat docks were going to play because they always do—and that’s what I like to do.” Live on Day 1, video showed Lee pumping his fists over a chunky largemouth he finessed out from under a dock with black floats. Black floats tend to warm the water around them, and the fish were staging up prior to the spawn. A strong sack of 18-10 on Day 1 must have buoyed Lee’s confidence in the dock pattern. Despite catching nothing but smaller spotted bass and just 12-2 on Day 2, Lee was still solidly in the top 25 to make the cut to fish Championship Sunday. Lee found his magic pocket on Day 3. Fishing a Strike King Rage Swimmer, a Strike King Ocho and a Strike King Shimmy Stick, he stuck to that one little pocket and pulled fish from beneath almost every dock. Green pumpkin was his primary color. Jason Christie, of Oklahoma, who led through the first two days of competition, dropped back to third place after the final day with a three-day total of 45-15. Ehrler’s 46-1 earned him second place. Alabama pro Mark Daniels Jr. caught the Berkley Big Bass of the tournament, a 6-pound, 11-ounce largemouth that won him $2,500. Reporting by Bassmaster’s Bryan Brasher.
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UNDER THE SEA
Tricks of the Trade
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ike land hunters or rod-and-reel fishermen, spearos also study and perfect some tricks of the trade. Spearos immerse themselves into the fishes’ environment, so the first skill to master is to look like you belong there. Beginners tend to exhibit aggressive behavior, chasing and spooking fish. If fish scatter when you get near, study how calmly an experienced diver moves in the water. Until you achieve a non-threatening aura, all other tips and tricks will be useless. After achieving smooth diving technique, here are some techniques to get near fish. 1) Aspetto (Italian for “wait”)—It starts from the surface with a smooth duck-dive into the water while removing the snorkel. You descend with soft kicks until you begin to free-fall as you scan the bottom. By turning your fin blades, you maneuver to the right spot, perhaps where the reef meets sand. You lie motionless on the bottom until curious fish come to check you out. Moving only your eyes, you pick out the prey, move your gun slowly, and make a well-placed shot. A good spearo will make this technique look easy, but it is not. This is especially effective with evasive fish that become curious when you do not move, such as mutton snappers in Florida, stripers in the northeast, and bigeye emperors in Hawaii. 2) Agguato (Italian for “ambush”)–This is a dynamic stalking technique to get closer to prey without being noticed. The diver navigates the bottom using the environment to get closer to the prey. The diver must consider current, visibility and available bottom structure while moving from one object to another, blending into shadows or hiding behind reef formations. If your body can be hidden while closing the gap, the fish will remain unaware of your presence.
3) Flashers/ Sheri Daye practices “aspetto” technique. chum—Especially Photo by Joe Marino effective for hunting pelagics such as jacks, tunas, dolphin and wahoo. Multiple mirrors dangle below a float, and the flashes of light in the water imitate the reflective glare from a school of baitfish. The fish come in to investigate. Chum can be used in combination with a flasher to bring them even closer and keep them interested. In addition to these techniques, serious spearos are likely to train in a pool, use meditation techniques, and do cardio exercises to increase their breath hold capacity. Many take freediving classes to increase bottom time and safety. While there is no certification required to do it, classes should be a pre-requisite, as freediving is a sport that can lead to “blackout” and death if not practiced correctly. Spearfishing is a beautiful, selective way to catch fish, but it is also physically and mentally demanding. Above all, be safe and happy hunting! 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.
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hen Jesus Chavarria was a small boy nearly 60 years ago, he remembers a giant silver fish with huge scales brought to the dock at his home in the small Pacific river port of Sierpe, Costa Rica. No one had any idea what it was. He went on to captain offshore sport fishing boats all over the west coast of Costa Rica for the next 35 years and retired a few years ago to taking guests fishing the backwaters of the Sierpe River. His specialty is snook but now and then he began to catch tarpon. Tarpon are not indigenous to the Pacific Ocean, but over the years anglers began to encounter a tarpon now and then. The thought is that over more than a century since it was constructed, the Panama Canal has provided passage for tarpon, which now reside in the Pacific. Tarpon capture has been recorded as far south as Colombia and as far north as El Salvador. Saul Porras’ capture of a tarpon that weighed barely 3 pounds at a creek mouth in southern Costa Rica changed the whole thought process. Chances that a fish that small swam through the canal and that far are slim. Are tarpon now breeding in the Pacific? FECOP, the sport fishing advocacy and conservation group in Costa Rica, agreed to sponsor a project to find out more about tarpon in the Pacific. They contacted Didiher Chacon, who had worked on a Costa Rican Caribbean tarpon project almost three decades ago in Barra del Colorado for Dr. Roy Crabtree, of Florida. He agreed to work on the science part of the project. “The Sierpe Wetlands are perfect habitat for juvenile tarpon,” explained Chacon. “That very well may account for the increase in numbers of tarpon caught there in the last few years.” Most of the river tarpon are small, less than 30 pounds, but fish as large as 100 pounds have also been taken. Phase 1 of the project will concentrate in southern Costa Rica. A DNA comparison will be done between Pacific-caught tarpon and tarpon taken from different parts of the Caribbean side of the country. They will also study what the Pacific tarpon have been feeding on. Today this can be done with a small tissue sample without sacrificing the fish. All Pacific caught tarpon will also be tagged. Chacon noted that there is a possibility over time for tarpon to change the ecology of the rivers. It is not yet known what they are feeding on or how they will affect native fish. The Pacific-side tarpon are now showing with enough frequency to make it worth finding out. Tropical storm Nate delayed the project when the massive amounts of rain that fell not only caused major landslides but also completely flushed everything out of most of the country’s rivers. Find out more about Pacific tarpon and other FECOP projects on sport fishing conservation at www.fishcostarica.org.
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N
ot long ago, people didn’t know there were great white sharks off the coast of South Carolina. Now, thanks to the obsessive pursuit of them by Outcast Sport Fishing Charter Capt. Chip Michalove, everyone knows they’re out there, and in numbers during the winter months. Michalove seems to have figured it out, and he’s not sharing his secrets for fear of hurting the species he spent more than a decade trying to pattern. The captain has caught nearly 30 of these apex predators over the last three years. His most recent catch has made national news after a post about him catching a 16-foot-long, 3,000-pound white shark went viral from his Facebook page. Journalist Mandy Matney wrote in Hilton Head Island’s Island Packet about Michalove’s giant fish. She reported that with a two-man skeleton crew, Michalove had to radio to another fishing boat for backup to bring the giant fish boatside where it could be tagged and released. Michalove tags great whites for the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy in Chatham, Mass., according to the Island Packet report. They are working to study the movements of the sharks in the Atlantic, and through technique Michalove does everything he can to put minimal stress on the animals.
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