Coastal Angler Magazine | Volusia County April 2026 Edition

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fve things you should know about boat insurance

Are you ready to embark on your next on-water adventure? Before you set sail, here are fve things to know about boat insurance.

1. Boat insurance isn’t just for accidents

With comprehensive coverage, you’ll also be protected fnancially for theft, vandalism, and unexpected events like storms if you need repairs or replacements due to damage.

Accidents can happen to anyone

When accidents happen, boat insurance offers liability coverage for damages or injuries you cause while boating, up to specifed limits. It can also cover lawsuit costs if you’re sued.

3. Boat insurance can cover medical payments

Boat insurance offers a range of optional medical payments coverage limits, helping to cover medical expenses if you’re in an accident or someone is hurt on your boat, regardless of fault.

4. Most lenders require boat insurance

If you fnanced your boat, you’ll likely need boat insurance since most lenders require boat insurance to protect their investment. Additionally, some marinas or municipalities require proof of insurance for docking.

5. Progressive offers specialized boat coverages

Ever worry about getting stuck on the water?

Progressive’s Sign & Glide® On-Water Towing coverage** can help. It’s an additional coverage that steps in if your boat is disabled or breaks down on the water, paying for on-water towing, jump starts, soft ungroundings, and fuel delivery. Fuel cost isn’t included.

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By A. deGruchy

Mahi season is one of those drop everything and go times of year, and when we begin to slide from spring into summer, you can usually count on schools showing up o!shore. e warmer the water, the better it gets, especially when you nd clean blue water, good current edges, weed lines, oating debris, or any kind of structure holding bait in that 75- to 82-degree range. Fishing with Bean Sport shing in the Florida Keys and other parts of the state, over the past few years we’ve de nitely seen more smaller sh and fewer big cows and bulls, but that doesn’t mean they’re gone. When conditions line up, there’s always a chance a quality mahi-mahi is mixed in with the schoolies.

Mahi love anything moving, so live bait is tough to beat, and when they’re really red up, you can even catch them on y. Tackle-wise, we like running a 6500 size setup because you never know when a better sh shows up. e Penn Slammer IV 6500 paired with a Carnage III rod is a go-to for us, and the Penn Spin sher VII 6500 spinning combo is another solid option. We’ve had great success using the Mustad 7766D 6/0 hook, and for bait we’ll typically sh whitebait or troll Islamorada Flyers depending on the day.

When it comes to the table, blackened or fried mahi is hard to beat, and we only keep what we’re going to eat that day. Even though mahi are one of the fastest-growing sh in the ocean, conservation still matters, and being mindful about what you harvest goes a long way.

Bean Sport shing can run this type of trip, but it’s highly weather dependent o!shore. If you’re looking to book a dedicated o!shore charter in e Keys, I highly recommend LegaSea Charters. Capt. Joey can be reached at legaseacharters.com.

If you’re planning on visiting Islamorada, book at the fabulous ree Waters Resort and reach out to us about a special captain’s discount.

Follow deGruchy’s adventures on Instagram @bean_sport shing and on YouTube @BeanSport shing. To book a charter, visit beansport shing.com.

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SUZUKI MARINE ADDS TWO NEW MODELS TO GROWING STEALTH LINE®

FAMILY OF OUTBOARDS

New 25HP and 9.9HP STEALTH LINE® Motors Debut at 2026 Minneapolis Boat Show

Suzuki Marine USA opened the 2026 Minneapolis Boat Show by unveiling two important new additions to its growing STEALTH LINE® family of outboard motors. These two new models—the Stealth Line 9.9HP and 25HP—bring this popular look to an especially high-volume segment of the overall boating market. They also bring their Stealth Line family to 10 total models ranging from 9.9 to 350HP.

These two newest additions are an ideal power match for wide range of freshwater fishing and hunting boats, combining Suzuki’s proven performance, fuel efficiency and reliability with a distinctive look that matches the popular look of larger Stealth Line outboards. “Our dealers and boat building partners have been asking for kicker motors that provide a bold and cohesive appearance for their vessels, regardless of size,” said Brandon Cerka, VP Sales and Marketing for Suzuki Marine USA. “The 9.9HP outboard is an industry standard kicker choice for aluminum boat builders, particularly for small hunting and walleye boats. And our 25HP is a perfect choice for larger kicker applications that require additional thrust and power. When boaters pair either of these new outboards with our higher-horsepower Stealth Line models on the transom, their boat gets a one-of-a-kind look that stands out from the pack,” added Cerka.

Suzuki’s STEALTH LINE outboards feature a distinctive matte black finish from top to bottom with matching chrome black accents, for a look that gives

any boat a touch of “luxury sportscar” attitude. As a bonus, the light absorbing properties of this matte black finish eliminate the need for owners of aluminum hunting boats to camouflage or repaint their motors, providing dealers with a ready-made solution for this important part of the market.

Under their distinctive cowls, these Suzuki motors offer features and technology honed over 60 years in the outboard business. For example, both the 25HP and 9.9 Suzuki motors offer advancements like battery-less electronic fuel injection for easy starting and better performance, and Suzuki Lean Burn Control for enhanced efficiency. In fact, Suzuki’s 25HP outboard won an NMMA Innovation Award for bringing a range of breakthrough features to this class of smaller boats.

“This is another example of how Suzuki Marine listens to its business partners and responds quickly to give the market what it wants,” said Cerka. “These motors give us a clear advantage in a very important segment of the overall boating market. More importantly, they give boaters a chance to go Full Stealth Mode with their aluminum fishing and hunting boats.”

SEAN SMITH SRC ADVENTURES

The Central Florida, Atlantic Coast, and Volusia County area has some of the best fishing charter captains in the country. One of those is Captain Sean Smith with SRC Adventures. Capt. Sean is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy. He served as a US Naval Surface Warfare Officer onboard

the USS Philippine Sea, CG-58, and the USS Enterprise, CVN-65, during Operation Allied Force and Operation Enduring Freedom. He has logged thousands of hours on the open ocean and has completed all USCG requirements as a licensed OUPV Captain.

His 40 plus years of knowledge of saltwater fishing is something that he is passionate about sharing with others. He lives everyday to serve God, love his family, and make others around him feel appreciated. He believes that every fishing adventure is an opportunity to be an ambassador for the outdoors, create lifelong friendships, and put the clients on fish. Capt. Sean loves to spend countless hours maintaining his boat, his electronics, and his top-of-the-line gear to provide a world class adventure for his clients.

but be prepared “We get really excited when that drag starts screaming, rods start bending”. We just love fishing and are so blessed to be able to share our excitement and passion.

It does not matter if you are a seasoned tournament fisherman or a first-timer. Captain Sean and his team are fully engaged from start to finish. It is very important to be approachable and courteous to everyone onboard, Sean says “Safety and Professionalism will always be the priority for this Captain and Crew”,

www.srcadventures.com Inshore/Offshore

Captain’s DireCtory

Volusia County’s Premier Fishing Captains

Captain Sean 386-318-1036Smith

SRC Adventures srcadventures.com Nearshore/Offshore

Target Species: Wahoo, Mahi, Tuna, Cobia, Sailfish, Kingfish, Tuna, Amberjack, Pompano, Snapper, Grouper, Triggerfish

386-405-7786

Beast Coast Fishing Charters beastcoastfishingcharters.com

Inshore/Offshore

Target Species: Redfish, Snook, Tarpon, Sheepshead, Snapper, Grouper, Sharks, Cobia, Grouper, Pompano, Mahi, Triggerfish, Tuna, Wahoo, Sailfish

Target species: Cobia, Kingfish, Mahi, Snapper, Grouper, Amberjack, Triggerfish

strippinlipscharters.com

Bottom/Drift Fishing, Trolling, & Inshore Charters

CAPTAIN EVAN SANDERS 407-796-2088

SOL FISHING www.solfishing.com

Inshore, Nearshore, Offshore

Target Species: Redfish, Snook, Trout, Cobia, Tarpon, Snapper, Triggerfish, Mahi, Kingfish, & Wahoo.

Scott Housel 407-314-3355

Sudden Strike Offshore Adventures Suddenstrikeoffshore.com

Nearshore/offshore

Target Species: Redfish, Flounder, Sheephead, Snapper, Grouper, Triggerfish, Cobia,Amberjack, Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, Tuna, Sailfish, Shark, Golden Tilefish CAPTAIN TIM RUSSELL 386-846-1675

Captain Daddy’s Fishing Charters captaindaddysfishing.com

Inshore/Offshore

Target Species: Redfish, Flounder, Snook, Tarpon, Cobia, Grouper, Wahoo, Snapper, Seabass, Kingfish, Mahi, Sailfish CAPTAIN NICK SICILIANO

CAPTAIN DANIEL LEVESQUE 386-295-4581

Rare Breed Charters rarebreedcharters.com

Offshore/ Nearshore

Target Species: Grouper, Red Snapper, Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, Tuna, African Pompano, Alligator, Deer, Hog, Elk, & Wild Turkey

SmallBoatBigFish.com

Inshore/ Nearshore

Ferg’s Guide Service fergsguideservice.com

Inshore/ Offshore

Target Species: Redfish, Snook, Tarpon, Amberjack, Sheepshead, African Pompano, Mangrove Snapper

CAPTAIN MARTY GOLDYS 386-679-0317

Reel Harmony Fishing Charters reelharmonyfishing.com

Inshore/Nearshore

Target Species: Tarpon, Snook, Redfish, Trout, Flounder, Sheepshead, Cobia, Tripletail & Shark

Target Species: Redfish, Snook, Tarpon, Flounder, Mangrove Snapper, Spanish Mackerel, Sea Trout, & Tripletail

PONCE INLET & BACKWATERS FORECAST

April is a totally awesome month for fishing around Ponce Inlet, probably in my top 2 favorite months of the year to fish! Everything is moving around and eating, the water is heating up, promoting activity, and the days are warmer but not that mid to late summer heat that wears you out!

My favorite thing to do in the spring is run the beach for cobia. In recent years this type of fishing has gotten a ton of hype making the success rate go down simply due to the pressure. However if you can sneak out on a weekday with the right conditions you can certainly have a day you will always remember.

To get cobia running the beach you need to have a sharp eye to spot the manta rays they like to travel with , however I’ve caught my fair share

of free swimming fish so having a good pair of polarized sunglasses is absolutely essential. I suggest 60008000 series reels rigged with 40-60 lb braid and 40-50 lb fluorocarbon leader. A friendly tip: tie line to line no swivels! I like using eel looking baits like Hoogy or even the 8” dark colored NLBN paddle tails , however a buck tail 4-6 oz with a twister tail soft plastic is a staple lure for cobia.

A little trick I’ve learned is tipping the hook with a small piece of squid to entice those fish leery of eating the artificial or simply just nosing the bait vs committing. April also means big jacks on the beach, I’ve ran into schools of hundreds of 30 plus pound fish in April , and I’ll tell you what this is some of the most popular fishing customers have encountered. These guys rip drag and fight all the way to the boat. They will eat artificials as well as live bait so keep your eyes open and have some fun if you run into them!

In April after running the beach I always make it a point to stop and scan the inlet as I find big schools of

slot fish hanging on both the north side and the inside of the Ponce jetty . Live shrimp, pinfish, and mullet do the trick usually and if you see fish on your side scan hugging the rocks those are usually snook so lose the weight and free line some live bait and you will be rewarded eventually! It’s warming up so get out there and if you see us on the water say hello! If you want to get out there and see what it’s all about give me a shout to set up a trip!

With A Menu seafood ,

Locally Owned With A Chef Inspired Menu

Locally Owned With A Chef Inspired Menu

Millie’s offers fresh LOCAL seafood, meat and produce.

Millie’s offers fresh LOCAL seafood, meat and produce.

Millie’s south 3218 S. Atlantic Ave, Daytona Beach Shores 386-275-1492

3218 S. Atlantic Avenue

Daytona Beach Shores, FL 32118

3218 S. Atlantic Avenue

Daytona Beach Shores, FL 32118 386-275-1492

Hours:

Millie’s North 330 S. Atlantic Ave, Ormond Beach 386-238-9756

Hours:

Monday 11am-9pm • Tuesday closed

Monday 11am-9pm • Tuesday closed Wednesday - Saturday 11am-9pm Sunday 9am-9pm

Monday: 11am - 9pm tuesday: Closed

Wednesday - Saturday 11am-9pm Sunday 9am-9pm

Wednesday - sat: 11am - 9pm sunday: 8am - 9pm

OFFSHORE FISHING REPORT

Hey there, Captain Sean Smith here with your latest fishing update from SRC Adventures. After that chilly February stretch, things are finally heating up. The inside offshore bite is picking up fast as surface temps climb, and those clean water breaks are starting to stand out again.

We’re seeing some solid Cobia action around the structure in 70–90 feet of water. The bigger ones are hungry and on the move, working their way toward shore. Keep a close eye on your sonar marks, drop some lively bait on a

APRIL 2026 EDITION

long leader, and don’t be afraid to mix up your depths, mid-column might just be the ticket. And remember, the “tax man” is still lurking around. So bring the heavy gear and be ready to muscle your catch to the boat before he takes his cut. For you offshore trollers, those 4- to 5-degree temperature breaks are shaping up beautifully with the return of steady weather and calmer seas. Don’t wait for the deep blue, throw out a full spread and see what happens. This is hands down one of my favorite seasons

to get offshore. The spring transition always brings in more opportunities at different species of fish and some of the most exciting fishing of the year. As I like to say, “You never know until you go.”

Wishing everyone a safe, thrilling, and fishfilled spring out on the water.

Captain & The Kids strives to always promote youth anglers both at the local level as well as nationally through our “Youth Angler

Program.” If it was not for passing down techniques, traditions, and the love for the water, it would slowly fade away. It is our mission to always instill conservation and ethical fishing to our youth!

Capt. Evan started the Youth Angler Program after finding out how many kids in the New Smyrna Beach area had never been fishing, never been on a boat, and was born and raised in the area. Since

that day Capt. Evan strives to get more and more youth anglers on the water each and every year! Sol Fishing will do everything possible to make every young man or lady’s fishing dreams come true. It does not matter if the kids want to go offshore or inshore, Sol Fishing will target whichever species they want to catch. Some of the most recent species that the youth anglers have been wanting to target are red snapper, lane snapper, cobia, amberjack, sharks, barracuda, redfish, and snook.

The Youth Angler Program is made possible by all our retailers who stock Sol Fishing’s gear such as our Hats, Decals, and Performance shirts and many more products. Stop by New Smyrna Beach Outfitters Outriggers, Donald’s Bait & Tackle, 38 Live Bait & Tackle, E & J Bait & Tackle Sunglass Cabana, Shades of New Smyrna Beach, Boaters Exchange, and Pedago of NSB to get your Sol Fishing gear to help support the Youth Angler Program! Sol Fishing’s amazing sponsors such as Tidewater Boats, Legacy Marine, Black Oak LED, Penn, Plano, Fenwick, and many more all make this amazing program possible!

Under NEW Ownership by Cody Moore, Third Generation Fisherman

NSB Outfitters specializes in offshore bait and tackle, as well as inshore, flats, and fly fishing gear, with extensive options in apparel and accessories. New Smyrna Outfitters has the knowledge and experience to guide through whatever type of fishing you’re looking to do.

New Smyrna Outfitters specializes in offshore bait and tackle as well as inshore, flats, and fly fishing gear. Along with carrying all of the equipment you need, NSO offers services like rod/ reel repair, line spooling, splicing, rigging, outrigger setup, and much more. If you are not looking for fishing tackle, that’s ok, NSO also offers the best in apparel, eyewear, drinkware, and more. Some of the quality brands include but aren’t limited to Costa, Bajio, Olukai, Free Fly, Marshwear, Aftco, Anetik, Yeti, Stanley, Hemlock, Salty Crew. New Smyrna Outfitters strives to carry the best brands and offer the best customer service.

223a Canal St. | NewSmyrnaOutfitters.com (386) 402-8853 Mon-Sat 9am-6pm | Sunday Closed

EDGEWATER BACKCOUNTRY FORECAST

Spring patterns are in place, water temperature will be rising as we head towards summer, and hoping for a good shrimp run which is a plus for spring catching in Edgewater Backcountry and Mosquito Lagoon. Every fish swimming in coastal waters eats shrimp. To target the different species of fish, choose the types of locations and techniques for each fish. For redfish in the backcountry stick mainly to shallow water flats, shorelines, drop off edges, and oyster bars. For school size seatrout go to deeper drop offs and points. Also with a current break, snook, sheepshead, and snapper hang around structures like docks, bridges, jetties and backwaters drop offs and points. Jack crevalle, bluefish, and ladyfish like open water with bait and a flowing current. On the lagoon’s shallow flats, sight fish schooling redfish and black drum, look for pushing wakes and tailing fish. Larger seatrout also spread over the flats and off the edges. Use as light a leader & weight as possible wherever you are fishing to produce the most bites with a natural presentation. Throw artificials like DOA and Gulp shrimp, or other soft plastics to match the hatch, of course fly fishermen can’t go wrong with shrimp patterns. With an outgoing tide still running at sunrise, fish the ICW and the “old channel”, first thing early

morning. You may see fish striking the surface with flipping shrimp trying to escape. Most likely the fish here will be trout, jacks, ladies, or blues. Fish free lined shrimp, soft plastic, imitation, or fly right into the action. This is the perfect scenario for fun sight fishing by spin fishers & fly casters. It does not last long, after the sun is up a bit, the action will slow on the surface, then time to go deeper with your baits.

With the spring run of bait fish, this includes glass minnows, pilchards, and mullet. You want to keep an open mind and try different baits and lures. With spring warming water temperatures, dock light fishing will be getting good again. A free lined shrimp drifting right through the circle of light is the go to bait, but small size soft plastics, and a shrimp fly for you flyfishers, outgoing tide can be best with shrimp movement on the falling. However the incoming tide can also produce a good flow. Expect seatrout, snook, jacks, blues, ladyfish, or a surprise catch.

The Ponce Inlet jetties can be very fishy in the spring, flounder are one of the main attractions on the New Smyrna side. The flat fish have been deep offshore during winter, spawning on the bottom of the ocean, and they return to inshore waters with many stopping to feed at the jetty

rocks. Fish as close to the rocks as possible, best baits are lip hooked small size live finger mullet and mud minnows, with live shrimp and jigs second choice. Black drum, redfish, sheepshead, mangrove snapper, pompano, and whiting are also possible catches on shrimp around the rocks. Jack crevalle, blues, and spanish mackerel can be great fun on Gotcha Lures workingSa fast off the jetty during times of clear ocean water.

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2.8 2:14 2.2 8:31 0.7 8:16 0.5 7:03 7:46

10 Fri 2:53 2.8 3:20 2.2 9:24 0.7 9:15 0.5 7:02 7:47 11 Sat 3:58 2.8 4:28 2.3 10:17 0.6 10:15 0.5 7:01 7:47

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Central Florida Favorites Best Boat Dealership & Best Boat Service & Repair 2025 Winner

So, the Pompano season has arrived. I just got back from Islamirada, the giant nautical flea market, where they have everything you can imagine for fishing, boating, sailing anything to do with the ocean. I was able to pick up some really good Penn reels, which I’m using today.

I’m sitting here, all excited, getting my bait together with the people in the morning. We’re totally motivated. I have fleas and crab knuckles. For three weeks, no Pompano. At least, I wasn’t catching any. I got out to the beach early right before sunrise and set up. I put in my first surf fishing rod and I’m setting up my second one as the first one goes off with a beautiful bend. I pull in a nice 17-inch scout pompano. I always get these when they start to run, but things aren’t over yet.

A few of my friends came down to join me on the beach, set up on both sides of me, leaving me plenty of room. Since they are my friends, they started to catch also. Just one or two the first few days, then for a few days nothing again, so I’m out here this morning and it’s on!

I’m here with my friend Louis who’s been talking to me for two years about coming down and fishing with me while he’s here. It’s today! Ya, mon! We’ll see if I can get some. The tide is coming into mid-tide, my favorite time to fish because there’s plenty of water underneath. We’re throwing out to a trough about 80 yards out, and every time I cast I get a bite.

They are here. The water is 66°, perfect for the pompano. They’re gonna stick around for a while. Blue-green ocean, so peaceful, yet when the rods bend everything changes. Right now I have my limit of six. It’s the first time in months. Also, the whiting bite is on. I just went and picked up some Hickory hardwood and some charcoal for the smoker. I smoke these pompano whole, then pick the meat clean.

I put them on the smoker for about four hours. The trick is to not open the smoker. Just let them do it. The fish are made of total water so they’re really hard to mess up. All my friends are waiting for the smoked fish dip to be finished, and we pass it around plenty. I’ve been told it’s pretty fine. We eat them with crackers and jalapeños, and, of course, wash ‘em down

We went from one to two fish a day, all the way up to six. We’re out here today starting to catch again, so this is an early start to the season and today’s fish and I are heading to the

MARCO POMPANO Surf Fishing Guide

KAYAK REPORT

Ever since I started fishing, I’ve been drawn to inshore waters. There’s something about tailing redfish on a low tide—backs and copper tails breaking the surface as they root through shallow grass— that keeps me coming back. Add the sudden explosion of a snook under mangroves or the sight of tarpon rolling in the distance, staging in areas that don’t see much pressure, and you have a fishery that constantly fuels my obsession.

For me, the real thrill isn’t just catching fish. It’s finding them. It’s exploring new water, studying tides, reading wind direction, and locating those overlooked stretches where fish feel comfortable. Kayaks have become my favorite way to do exactly that.

For waters like this, my kayak of choice is the NuCanoe Unlimited 10. At 10 feet, it’s compact enough to maneuver through tight creeks and shallow backwaters, and light enough to launch almost anywhere. Yet despite its smaller footprint, it offers tremendous stability. That stability allows me to stand, sight-cast, and make precise presentations confidently.

ACCESS TO THE UNPRESSURED

One of the greatest advantages of fishing inshore waters with a kayak is access. Many shallow backwaters, protected zones, and non-motorized areas are naturally quieter. Less traffic means less disturbance, and often, more natural fish behavior. When fish aren’t constantly pressured by noise and prop wash, they act differently. Redfish tail more freely. Snook hold tighter to the structure without being skittish. Tarpon stage in calmer pockets. A kayak allows you to slip into these environments quietly and efficiently, often reaching places others simply pass by.

NAVIGATING THE SKINNY WATER

Inshore fisheries are full of tight spaces— mangrove tunnels, shallow creeks, winding backwaters, and oyster-lined shorelines. These areas demand maneuverability and stealth. With a kayak, you can glide through inches of water, pivot quickly in narrow cuts, and position yourself precisely along structure. You’re not limited by draft or concerned about damaging equipment in shallow zones. Instead, you’re free to follow bait movement, explore hidden coves, and investigate areas that might otherwise go untouched. That freedom opens doors to some unforgettable days.

THE POWER OF SLOWING DOWN

Kayak fishing naturally forces you to slow down. And in my experience, slowing down is one of the most powerful tools an angler can have. I often step out of my kayak when conditions allow. I’ll anchor near a sandbar, walk the flat, and take a moment to observe. It’s not just about casting. It’s about watching bait flicker along the shoreline, noticing subtle current changes around structure, seeing how wind direction pushes surface movement. When you pause and absorb your surroundings, you start connecting patterns. You notice where mullet are nervous. You see shrimp skipping across the surface. You feel how the bottom transitions from sand to grass. Those details matter. And sometimes the best lessons happen when you’re not actively fishing.

QUIET WATER, CLOSE CONNECTION: THE ADVANTAGE

OF INSHORE KAYAK FISHING

A CLOSER CONNECTION TO NATURE

Kayak fishing places you at water level. You hear every splash, every subtle swirl. You feel the tide shift beneath you. Birds working bait become immediate clues, not distant observations. There’s an intimacy to it. You’re not just traveling across the water—you’re part of it. That connection builds confidence and understanding over time. It pushes you to learn more about seasonal movements, feeding windows, and habitat preferences. You begin to see inshore water not just as a fishable space, but as a living system.

THE ADVENTURE OF EXPLORATION

Inshore kayak fishing feeds the desire to explore. Every new creek bend could hold staging tarpon.

Every isolated mangrove pocket could hide a trophy snook. Every grass flat could light up with redfish pushing bait against the shoreline. The challenge of finding these overlooked areas—and figuring out how to approach them—keeps things fresh. It’s a constant mental exercise of problem-solving and adaptation. For me, that sense of discovery is what makes the journey worthwhile. The kayak isn’t just transportation. It’s a tool that allows me to reach deeper into the fishery, to move quietly, to observe more, and to learn continuously.

Inshore waters reward patience, awareness, and curiosity. A kayak amplifies all three. And sometimes, the greatest advantage isn’t just access to fish—it’s access to understanding the water in a way that changes you as an angler.

CAPT. JOEL HOWARD (JH Inshore Fishing)

COOPER GILL (Coastline Charters)

MAVERICK ANDERSEN

REBECCA MERSON

Scan the QR code to submit your photo for a chance to be showcased on our Brag Board! Your submission automatically enters you into our monthly random drawing for a $50 Gift Card!

Along with the gift card, the winner will also get a Gyotaku Fish Printing Kit from Fishin’ Prints!

TANNER, ALEX, & TIM (Birds & Boards Fishing)

TONY TIHONI

BILLY KANE FAMILY

Topwater Lures for Big Spring Snook and Trout

CAPT. MIKE SMITH

Are you tired of catching tons of 13 inch speckled trout and 16 inch snook?

It’s time for you to switch to a big top water lure to catch big springtime sh. A walk-the-dog type of lure is an excellent choice. I like Zara Super Spooks, Mirrolure Top Dogs and Rapala Skitterwalks the best. Make sure to choose a lure that is at least four inches long. Hungry springtime sh are ready to eat a big meal as the water temperatures rise.

A larger lure has many advantages over smaller baits. e larger pro le and length creates more vibrations to attract monster sh from long distances. A larger lure allows you to cover more water because you can make longer casts. A larger lure also discourages most of the smaller sh from biting. You will catch fewer sh but they will be of much better quality.

e best topwater lure colors for speckled trout and snook are silver and white. Choose lures with silver or white sides

Pro Tip #1: Do yourself and the sh a favor and smush down the barbs on your treble hooks. You won’t lose any sh as long as you keep the line tight. e hooks will also come out of the sh and your hand much more easily.

and bellies. e back color doesn’t really matter because the sh will hit from under and behind the lures. e best retrieves for a walk-the-dog lure includes a pause every ten feet or so. Quite o en you will get a vicious reaction bite right a er the pause.

Pro Tip #2: e best leader material for walk-the-dog lures is mono lament. Mono lament line oats versus uorocarbon line that will sink and negatively a ect your topwater lure’s action. A short heavy leader, 12 to 15 inches is a great choice. Long leaders will o en negatively a ect your lure presentation. Many shermen believe that you can’t use topwater lures in the middle of the day. But they are wrong. You can use a topwater lure all day and catch huge speckled trout and snook. Topwater lures do work the best in low light scenarios. It can be sunrise or sunset but cloudy or stormy days are also great times to use big topwater lures. If you nd a school of mullet, cast your topwater lure just outside of the school. You want to make it easy for the snook and trout to distinguish your lure from the rest of the school.

Spring is a great time to catch huge snook and speckled trout with big topwater lures. ese sh need to fatten up again a er fasting through much of the winter. ey would rather eat one large calorie meal than have to chase a bunch of small sh around for the same caloric input.

Capt. Mike Smith, owner of Fish Your Ass O Charters, is an inshore shing guide who has been shing the inshore waters, oyster bars and grass ats of Florida for more than 40 years. Reach him at (561) 339-2317, email: contact@ shyourasso .com or visit shyourasso .com.

= approximately 8”

(10) year

L O S CLUB

First

APRIL ON THE FLATS: WHEN SPRING HITS ITS STRIDE

If March is the warmup, April is go time.

By Capt. Michael Okruhlik

Longer days, greener water, and steady warming trends ip the inshore switch from “transition” to “feed.” e bait is thicker, the tides feel stronger, and the sh are no longer just staging — they’re hunting. April is when things start getting fun in a hurry. e key word this month is movement. By April, speckled trout are pushing onto reefs, sandbars, and grass edges with more consistency. Red sh are cruising shorelines, ooded grass, and marsh drains with purpose. Flounder settle into ambush points along drop-o s and current seams. Water temperature swings aren’t as drastic as early spring, but bait movement tied to tides becomes critical. Instead of asking where the warmest water is, start asking: Where is the cleanest moving water? Where is bait being pushed? Where is current creating ambush points? Points, drains, and wind-blown shorelines shine in April. If water is moving and bait is present, predators won’t be far away.

Unlike the slower mid-a ernoon bites of late winter, April o en rewards early risers. at rst light window can be electric — especially on calm mornings with bait dimpling the surface. is is when topwaters re-enter the rotation in a serious way. ere’s nothing subtle about an April blowup. But don’t force it. If sh are swiping and missing, switch to a so plastic or suspending bait and clean up the followers.

April sh are more aggressive, but they’re still opportunistic. Paddle tails, shrimp imitations, and swimbaits all shine, especially when worked with a con dent, steady retrieve. Water clarity should dictate your approach. In cleaner water natural colors and subtle action are key. In stained water, vibration and contrast matter more. If sh are chasing, cover water. If they’re following but not committing, slow down and add pauses. Let the sh tell you what they want.

April breezes can stack bait against shorelines and points. Wind creates feeding lanes. Instead of hiding from it, position yourself to use it. Dri with it. Fish into it. Work the edges it creates. Wind plus tide plus bait equals opportunity.

Next trip, challenge yourself by starting on a wind-blown shoreline and working it thoroughly. en move to a protected drain and compare activity. Pay attention. Which has more bait? Which has more strikes? Fishing in April is less about luck and more about reading conditions in real time.

April feels alive. e marsh hums. Birds dive. Mullet scatter. e sun carries warmth instead of warning. It’s the month where con dence returns, patterns stabilize, and sh feed longer and harder. Somewhere between the rst cast and the last dri , you’ll remember why spring inshore shing is hard to beat. e water’s warming and the sh are moving. Are you taking a kid shing?

Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor and owner of Knockin Tail Lures® — https://knockintaillures.com.

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Hello Spring!

TIM BAREFOOT

It’s o!cial…say hello to spring. Anglers can now look forward to targeting a wide variety of species, including black n tuna, wahoo, African pompano, and many other sought-a er sh. With these species actively feeding during their migration north, the opportunities for successful catches are abundant. Whether you prefer trolling, dri ing, or bottom shing, the spring months bring a wealth of options to ll your cooler with quality sh.

e troll bite will probably die as soon as the sun gets up around the nine or ten o’clock timeframe. is is when you need to change tactics. Stop trolling. Put the trolling motor over and start making strategic dri s with the light line out while bottom shing. I would also suggest putting a couple baits out under the kite, as this is the most e ective presentation with very little to no leader in the water. Have at least one person dedicated to the kite baits, if you’re shing a kite. is is one of the best times of the year to spend the night, especially here in North Carolina, as the night bite could be crazy good. Put the bright lights out and you will draw the squid, cigar minnows, sardines, and all the predators to you like moths to a porch light. If you have the ability to spend the night, April could be the month you see the ultimate results. Everything including ying sh are very susceptible to a Sibiki rig. Fill the live well with live baits and start shing on the daylight bite. Fish are like us; they like to eat breakfast and dinner, so be there early and late.

Be sure to keep an eye on the recorder while on the dri for the mid water marks. In addition to shing for the snappers, have rods at the ready for sh that show on the recorder way o the bottom. ese may very well be the African pompano, so have a rod ready with a jig that you can re down and erratically jig upwards 25 to 50 feet o the bottom and then let ascend back to the bottom. Repeat over and over as this will get bites! It’s not just African pompano that frequent these deeper waters. During the middle of the day, wahoo can be found surprisingly deep, and tuna also inhabit these depths. It only takes a few wahoo, black n or pompano to make a great box of sh to take home. is is also a good time to target the smaller snapper with smaller baits on “chicken rigs” with small circle hooks. When you’re on a good bite (using small circle hooks) I would strongly recommend feeling the bite, winding tight to it and stopping. is is when another snapper will jump on the second bait. You will load up quickly with delicious groceries when you’re catching two at a time.

Bring the heat… It’s on!

Learn more tips and techniques at barefootcatsandtackle.com and on Barefoot’s YouTube channel: @timbarefoot5698.

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CRAPPIEFISHINGONKENTUCKYLAKE

By Julie Graham- ExploreTRV

Spring

As the last bite of winter gives way to the gentle stirrings of spring, Kentucky Lake comes alive. Located along the western edge of the Bluegrass State, this sprawling body of water—technically a reservoir—has long been a mecca for anglers, especially those in search of springtime crappie.

Kentucky Lake stretches a remarkable 184 miles from the Tennessee state line to the northernmost point at the Kentucky Dam making it the largest reservoir in the state and one of the largest in the U.S. e lake was formed in 1944 with the completion of the Kentucky Dam, a key project by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). Today, the lake covers over 160,000 acres, with an average depth of 8-10 feet, though some areas reach even deeper. Its shoreline stretches over 2,000 miles, o ering countless coves, islands, and inlets that make it a paradise for anglers. Fishing enthusiasts quickly discovered the lake’s potential as a world-class destination for crappie, bass, and cat sh, earning it a reputation that has only grown over the decades. Feeding Kentucky Lake are several major tributaries (Blood River, Jonathan Creek, Big Sandy River) that become shing hotspots in early spring, especially where submerged timber

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and man-made structures provide cover. Every seasoned angler in this region knows spring is crappie season. As water temperatures creep into the low 60s, crappie begin their migration from deep winter haunts to shallow spawning grounds— brush piles, stumps, and submerged structures along the shoreline. Preferred bait and techniques vary by angler, but some classics stand the test of time. Live minnows, o en rigged under a slip oat, are a go-to for many, especially during the pre-spawn. Jig shing is equally e ective, with popular choices like 1/16 or 1/32 oz. so plastics in chartreuse, white, and monkey milk colors. When the bite gets tough, tipping jigs with a small minnow or switching to hand-tied hair jigs can coax hesitant sh. Long-line trolling and spider rigging also dominate certain sections of the lake, especially in the deeper channels near creek mouths.

Mornings on the lake feel almost sacred this time of year. Fishermen, some in sleek bass boats, others in aluminum ski s passed down through generations, fan out across coves and creek arms, quietly working the banks. e goal is the same: feel the tap of a crappie on the line, set the hook, and haul in what many call the “gold of the lake.” For many, the draw of spring crappie shing isn’t just the thrill of the bite. It’s also the chance to connect with the natural rhythm of the season while sitting in a quiet cove as the dogwoods bloom, passing along stories, rods, and values to the next generation. At its core, Kentucky Lake is more than a reservoir. It’s a living, breathing legacy—a place where history, sport, and stewardship come together on every cast.

For more information on shing licenses and regulations, visit the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources website - fw.ky.gov - or the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency website - www.tn.gov/twra.html.

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