Great Days Outdoors - June 2024

Soggy Bottom Lodge - World Class Hunting Fishing & Shooting Resort

Marengo County, Alabama, 1,224+/-Acres

• Perfect for a family retreat and commercial hunting, fishing, and event business

• Hunt monster bucks, elk, fallow deer, ducks, quail, pheasant, turkey, and dove

• Fish multiple large, trophy managed lakes

• Network of large, year-round food plots with shooting houses

• Duck ponds with blinds

• Miles of paved or improved internal roads

• 2 custom lodges

• The Soggy Bottom Lodge sleeps up to 18 with 3 expansive bedroom suites, en suite bathrooms, a commercial kitchen, an open dining room, game room, and den, and just outside is an outdoor kitchen and dining area that can seat up to 40

• Shack 33 features 7 guest bedrooms and 39 beds, a private master suite with spa, commercial kitchen, dining area for 40+, and a game room with bar. The massive porch seats 80+ and has a hibachi grill, flat top, a large built-in grill and fryer, and outdoor fireplaces

Sawtooth Farms High Fence Hunting & Recreational Tract w/ Lodge Sumter County, Alabama, 568+/-Acres

This 568+/- acre Sumter County tract is a fantastic private retreat located in the heart of the Blackbelt! A true outdoorsman’s paradise, the property provides year-round recreational opportunities highlighted by spring turkeys, stocked lakes, dove fields, a duck pond, and world-class whitetails! In addition to the outdoor activities, the property also boasts a beautiful, rustic cabin with a large covered porch overlooking one of the lakes, making it the perfect place to unwind. The cabin, built in 2016, features 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, a wood-burning fireplace, and cedar, tile, and granite throughout. The land itself features great diversity, which is ideal for wildlife and includes thinned, mature pine plantation, bottomland hardwood, cedar thickets, Jones Creek frontage, ponds, and large, strategically-placed food plots. The property lacks nothing and includes 10 brand new premium Reneck and Ranch King shooting blinds. Additionally, there is a large barn to keep your tractor, ATVs, and other equipment out of the weather.

BEST BETS FOR JUNE

These are our top targets for hunters and anglers this month!

BY GREAT DAYS OUTDOORS EDITORS

SLIP CORKING FOR BLUEGILL

FOSSILIZED SHARK TEETH

Fun fact, much of lower Alabama was underwater 80 million years ago. Throughout the Blackbelt and Coastal Plains region, evidence of this ancient seabed can be found in archeological sites containing fossilized shark teeth. If you’re looking to beat the heat this summer and take your family on an unforgettable adventure, consider exploring some of these fossil hot spots.

Almost any sandy creek below the Fall Line can turn up marine fossils, but the Sepulga River stands out as an awesome place to fish, float, and scavenge for teeth. The Alabama Scenic River Trail maintains several canoe launch sites along this shallow, rocky river, and explorers are likely to find teeth anywhere there are gravel bottoms or small waterfalls cutting through the clay banks that entrap the water. There are some sections of the river with fun, light rapids when the water is up, and adventurers looking to wet a line in between paddling and scavenging can anticipate bass, panfish, and flathead cats.

Last month we talked with Steve Graziano about how to locate deep water bluegill beds. While May is widely considered to be peak spawn for southeastern bluegill, the bream bite will remain hot all summer long. The trick is finding what depth these ferocious panfish are holding at. Depending on the water level, time of day, and temperature, bluegill can be found in two to twenty feet of water.

Knowing how to rig a good slip-cork rig is an essential skill for pan fishermen (and women!). Keep it simple, but use good-quality tackle. Bluegill aren’t line-shy, so you can use straight 8 lb braid from your reel to your hook. Speaking of hooks, trade the traditional Aberdeen hook and split shot combo for a small (1/8 - 1/32 oz) and sharp jighead. Combined with a high-quality, pencil-style balsa wood cork like the ones made by Thill, this combination will cast like a rocket but quickly sink your bait to the desired depth. If you’re fishing without a depth finder, keep adjusting your bobber stop deeper and deeper until the long, thin float lies sideways, indicating that your jig is resting on bottom. Then, shorten your depth about 2ft. Alternatively, fish about that distance over the top of structure located on your sonar.

THE MOBILE SHIP CHANNEL (TRIPLETAIL AND LING)

Fishing the Mobile Bay Ship Channel in June is a fantastic way to chase after Tripletail and Ling, also known as Cobia. As the waters warm up, these fish become more active, making it the perfect time to head out. Tripletail are tricky—they like to blend in with floating seaweed or debris near buoys and markers. Using light to medium tackle with live shrimp or small fish can really pay off. Plus, if the sun’s out and the water’s clear, you’ve got a great shot at spotting them.

Ling, or Cobia, are a different kind of thrill. These fish are fighters and make for an exciting catch as they’re often on the move in June, heading through the Gulf. You’ll find them near wrecks or reefs, and even around the deeper water oil rigs. Go for heavy gear if you’re targeting Ling and try baiting with live crabs, eels, or pinfish. A bit of chumming could also bring them right to you. Both Tripletail and Ling promise a good challenge and some fun times on the water in Mobile Bay.

PUBLISHED BY:

Great Days Outdoors Media, L.L.C.

PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Joe Baya

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Butch Thierry

MANAGING EDITOR: Nick Williams

GENERAL MANAGER: Samatha Hester

CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Wendy Johannesmann

DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL MARKETING Jarod Bosarge

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Eco Allies: The Vital Partnership between Sportsmen and Conservation Groups

BY NICK WILLIAMS

The National Wild Turkey Federation. Trout Unlimited. Coastal Conservation Association. Boone and Crockett Club. Sportsmen’s Alliance.

Nonprofit organizations like the ones listed bridge the gap between government conservation programs and individual efforts. Membership in conservation organizations lets you harness group energy and finances to achieve larger goals than you’d be capable of as an individual, but they’re often small enough so that you still feel like your individual efforts matter. If you have a conservationist streak, becoming part of a group can also be a great way to incubate that sense of responsibility. While I’ve always felt that we owe it to ourselves and future generations to preserve natural beauty and steward natural resources, nothing has converted feeling into doing like becoming actively involved with like-minded individuals.

Hunters and anglers often self-segregate themselves into subcategories. It’s common for a sportsman to identify as a turkey hunter or a bass angler, for example, and join either the NWTF or BASS. After all, it’s easy to see how these organizations provide direct benefit. But species do not exist in a vacuum, and neither should your philanthropic efforts.

There is a longstanding divide between “conservationists” and “preservationists” that makes some sportsmen hesitant to support nonprofits that aren’t expressly pro-hunting or pro-angling. Not all environmental nonprofits are sportsman-friendly, but the vast majority are, or are at least neutral. And a lot of these organizations do really important work that benefits sportsmen and the game animals that they love so much.

The Longleaf Alliance, for instance, works to support Longleaf Pine restoration and conservation projects throughout the southeast.

Organizations like Waterkeepers Alabama, while not traditional “hook and bullet” nonprofits, still provide vital services to sportsmen, as shown here in a fish consumption advisory map

Longleaf stands, with their sparse or nonexistent midstory and lush ground-level habitat, provide critical habitat for turkeys, quail, and other upland species.

The various Waterkeeper organizations in the state of Alabama serve as crucial watch dogs against pollutants such as coal ash, fertilizer runoff, and stream sedimentation. Whether it’s the Coosa Riverkeeper, Mobile Baykeeper, or the Cahaba Riverkeeper, joining your local Waterkeepers is a great way to protect the quality of your local swimming holes and make sure the fish in your local waterways stay safe to eat.

The National Audubon Society may not be top-of-mind when you think of organizations that benefit waterfowlers, but they do a lot of work to monitor waterfowl populations and restore and protect wetland habitats along the Mississippi and Atlantic flyways that thousands of duck hunters post up on each season.

Speaking of habitat protection, few organizations are as effective at protecting habitat as The Nature Conservancy. In Alabama, TNC protects habitat ranging from riverbottom swamps, to pitcher plant bogs, to mountaintop ranges. They’re also spearheading a project to reconnect the Cahaba River with the Gulf of Mexico, which would benefit a variety of game and nongame fish species.

Ultimately, it pays to think bigger than species-level when you’re choosing a conservation organization to support with your time and money. Good hunting and fishing relies on good habitat, and there are many great organizations working to preserve and protect vital wildlife habitat. Take some time, if you haven’t already, to research conservation groups that support habitat conservation in your local area.

Gulf Red Snapper Season 2024

BY FRANK SARGEANT

Whether you catch red snapper a mile off the beach in a kayak or 50 miles out on a sportfisher, being able to successfully release unwanted or undersize fish is critical to health of the fishery. (AFTCO)

Fishery managers always face a touchy challenge when it comes to setting catch limits and seasons for highly-popular fish like Red Snapper in the Gulf of Mexico.

If they manage too conservatively, they cost charter boaters and waterfront communities millions in lost revenue, and anger a lot of anglers by making the seasons too short when the resource could absorb a lot more harvest. If they manage too liberally, too many adult fish are taken, the fishery fails and again, the anglers, charter boaters and waterfront communities are mad at them, to say nothing of their governmental oversight committees.

As a result, federal fishery managers tend to manage conservatively—it’s always easier to open the spigot than to close it.

In mid-2023, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council increased the allowable Red Snapper harvest just a bit in federal waters, adding about 900,000 pounds to the overall catch. But that poundage is divided among the five Gulf states, resulting in a minimal addition to the fish available to anglers this year outside the 9 nm line that marks federal waters. The quota will remain in place for 2024. Here’s how it breaks down:

State Private Angling ACLs*

“The catch limits set in that 2023 rule will be in effect for 2024, and until it is superseded by another Red Snapper management action,” Daniel Luers of NOAA Fisheries told Great Days Outdoors.

“Currently, no other actions to change Red Snapper catch limits are being worked on by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, so it is likely these catch limits will be in place for a few years,” Luers said.

“Note that this rule only sets the Federal catch limits, and the private recreational portion is divided up to the Gulf states for management,” Luers said. “So we do not have any control over private recreational season dates or lengths in each state. Those are determined by the state. The one thing we will announce prior to the season opening is the duration of the Red Snapper for-hire (charter and headboat) season. Last year, this season closed on August 25th. I don’t have any information yet on when that season will close this year, but we will announce it prior to the season opening date.”

Alabama and Louisiana have already set their state waters’ seasons. See below for details on all five Gulf states.

RED SNAPPER SURVIVAL

An awful lot of Red Snapper get caught each year without getting harvested due to the tight regulations in place throughout the Southeast in both federal and state waters. Some anglers report catching a dozen snapper for every one they take home.

Unfortunately, a lot of those “extra” snapper don’t survive, even though they’re released quickly, because of barotrauma. Basically the pressure change when being cranked up quickly from the depths expands their swim bladder to several times normal size and this pushes their internal organs out their mouth. When the fish is released, it can’t dive back down—it’s as though it’s attached to a balloon. It floats away to be eaten by sharks or dolphins.

If even half of those “extra” released snapper don’t make it after being released, the goals of reef fish management in the Southeast will be very hard to reach. And if scientists perceive numbers of any species are down, the harvest limits will be ratcheted down to cure the problem—nobody wins.

While most reef anglers are aware that properly venting a fish caught deep, letting the expanded gas out of its body cavity, can help it survive, doing it right is critical. And fisheries experts now say that there are better ways of ensuring survival.

A non-profit program called “Return ‘Em Right” aims to greatly increase the number of anglers who understand how to release reef species for best survival rates. Project partners include Florida Sea Grant, University of Florida, Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission, NOAA and a coalition of anglers, industry groups, state agencies, universities, government and non-government organizations committed to maintaining healthy fish stocks and fishing access in the Gulf of Mexico.

Nick Haddad, Sustainable Fisheries Communications Manager of the program, says the Return ‘Em Right mission is “to provide free training in best release practices, and also provide the necessary gear at no cost to the angler.”

So far, the program has had impressive participation. It has trained some 28,000 anglers via a 15-minute online presentation in using venting tools and “descending devices”, weighted assemblies that quickly pull a fish back to bottom before releasing it. The fish quickly recovers and swims off when returned to normal depth in most cases.

Return ‘em Right has also trained some 860 professional fishing captains in the program. Over 1,200 fish have been tagged to allow researchers to study survival, and thousands have now been caught and released.

It only takes 15 minutes to learn the basics via video, and Return ‘Em Right will then supply you with a free kit including a descending device for your use. The program is an opportunity for every reef fishing fan to do their part in preserving the fishery. Learn more at https://returnemright.org/

RED SNAPPER SEASONS, 2024

Some Gulf states have not yet finalized their seasons. Here’s what we know so far:

ALABAMA

Colonel Scott Bannon, director of Alabama’s Marine Resources Division, says the season is shaping up to be similar to last year.

“We will open on Friday May 24th for 4-day weekends. We will be open the whole week of Independence Day since it is on a Thursday. The 2 fish per person and 16” minimum length remains the same. Anglers are required to report Greater Amberjack, Gray Triggerfish and Red Snapper in the SnapperCheck app, and they must have a descending device rigged for use or a venting tool onboard,” says Bannon.

“We should see a slight increase over the 591,185 lbs from 2023 announced sometime in April. We will make an announcement when that comes out,” Bannon said.

“Mississippi and Alabama are conducting a year-long fishing effort survey similar to the type used in Louisiana to help determine fishing effort in our states. We are doing this because we feel the Federal Effort Survey (FES) does a terrible job in our states and it inflates the effort.

“NOAA is on record that information may be inflated by 30% and this information is used in management decisions. So we encourage anglers that receive a phone call or email from our survey group that they take the time to respond. This information has the potential to increase opportunities for anglers.”

With the limit at two per angler per day in most states, lots of beautiful snapper have to be released each season . (AFTCO)

FLORIDA

Florida’s season this year runs from June 1 to July 31, plus an added intermittent fall season.

This year’s fall season dates will be:

September 1-2, 6-8, 13-15, 20-22, 27-29

October 4-6, 11-13, 18-20, 25-27

November 1-3, 8-11, 15-17, 22-24, 28-30

Like Alabama, Florida will have a 2 fish per person limit and a 16” minimum length.

LOUISIANA

The 2024 private recreational Red Snapper season began on Monday, April 15, 2024, in both state and federal waters. The season will run seven days a week with a daily bag limit of four fish per person and a 16-inch total minimum length limit.

The season will remain open until recreational landings approach or reach Louisiana’s annual private recreational allocation of 934,587 pounds.

Anglers must possess valid Louisiana basic and Saltwater Recreational Fishing Licenses as well as a Recreational Offshore Landing Permit (free of charge) to fish for or possess Red Snapper, as well as other offshore species. Anglers on paid charters do not need the permit.

LDWF also encourages anglers to reduce barotrauma while fishing for Red Snapper and other reef fish by using descending devices to return fish to a survivable depth before being released. See the LDWF website at https:// www.wlf.louisiana.gov/page/barotrauma for more information.

MISSISSIPPI

Mississippi’s Red Snapper season has opened on the Friday of Memorial Day weekend for the last six years and likely will do so again this year according to Eric Gigli, Tails n’ Scales & MS Creel Administrator for the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources, but actual dates have not been set yet.

As with previous years, it’s likely a mid-season closure will allow for Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (MDMR) staff to compile landings information and examine the potential for a season extension. The season will be open seven days a week in both state and federal waters.

The season will close if the annual catch target (ACT) for recreational fishermen is projected to be reached at any point after the season opens. One angler per vessel per trip is required to report through the MDMR Tails n’ Scales system on the catch for the boat. Visit www.tailsnscales.org to download the app. For more, visit the DMR online at www.dmr.ms.gov.

TEXAS

A study a few years back indicated some 18 million Red Snapper two years or more off the Texas coast, but the fish are not targeted as much here as they are further north and east in the Gulf.

Texas Director of Marine Fisheries Robin Riechers says there are no expected changes in the Lone Star State’s snapper rules for this year.

In 2023, the federal waters season was June 1 to Sept. 1, limit 2 daily, 16” minimum. In state waters, Texas has much more liberal rules than most due to minimal targeting of Red Snapper inside the 9 NM limit—the season is open year round, the bag limit is 4 and the minimum size is 15”. See details here: https://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/fishing/saltwater-fishing/red-snapper

Removing the bolt and visually aligning your barrel to a 50 yd target is the first step for setting up ones scope .

How to Sight in a Scope for Maximum Point Blank Range

BY DAVID STRICKLAND

A quality scope is an excellent accessory for most modern rifles. However, scope tubes and lenses come in various diameters and require the correct base and ring combination to ensure proper clearance and a solid connection to a gun’s receiver. Choosing the appropriate scope mounting hardware that’s compatible with your rifle can be challenging, but it’s essential for managing recoil and maintaining zero.

Once your scope is mounted correctly and sighted in, it’s time to discover your maximum effective range and the distance you should use for your zero. An individual’s skill level, rifle caliber, scope magnification, bullet choice, and firearm will determine how far they can shoot accurately. The most typical zeroing options for hunting are 100 or 200 yards. However, another sighting option that’s growing in popularity is the Maximum PointBlank Range (MPBR). In this article, we will define and discuss the benefits of MPBR.

WHAT IS MAXIMUM POINT BLANK RANGE?

For hunting purposes, the maximum point-blank range (MPBR) is the distance you can aim without holdover and still hit within the acceptable kill zone of your targeted quarry. If your target is a squirrel head or a prairie dog, your MPBR will differ from taking a lung shot at a moose. For deer, if you align your crosshair for a center lung shot, your bullet will impact within this vital area at any distance between zero and the MPBR for your rifle/bullet combination.

Depending on your rifle’s caliber, weight, and bullet speed, you might be able to shoot out past 300 yards without any holdover.

There are several benefits of using this setup for hunting purposes:

• Increased hit probability- Correctly sighting in at your MPBR will create a wider margin for error in holdover/underestimation and increase your odds of making an ethical shot, especially on moving targets.

• Simplified holdover- With an MPBR zero, you only need to hold over the target at distances beyond the maximum point-blank range and eliminate the need for holding under at closer ranges.

• Faster target acquisition- Eliminating the need to adjust your crosshairs up or down simplifies the aiming process, allowing quicker scope alignment to one’s target.

• Better trajectory compensation- The MPBR zero helps compensate for the bullet’s curved trajectory and takes advantage of the flattest portion of a bullet’s flight path.

MPBR CALCULATOR

Knowing the characteristics of the bullet you choose to shoot is paramount for knowing its short and long-range trajectory. Your bullet’s shape, ballistic coefficient, weight, speed, and barrel length all contribute to its point of impact at various distances. The advertised speed and a small trajectory table are often printed on commercial ammo boxes. These should be reasonably accurate, but shooting your hunting bullets through a chronograph is a better option. Graphs are available to help shooters better visualize their bullet’s path and impact at known distances to help them calculate their MPBR.

Several high-end smart scopes are available that can wirelessly communicate with rangefinders and smartphone apps for data input that automatically compensates for distance, weather conditions, and even the curvature and rotation of our planet. The downsides of these setups are cost and fiddle factor; plus, it goes against the KISS principle and rates extremely high on the nerd scale.

A more straightforward approach is to use a program like shooterscalculator. com, which allows users to input all their critical shooting data into an MPBR calculator. These calculators enable a shooter to take advantage of the flattest portion of their bullet’s trajectory.

Most everyone has their favorite hunting bullet, but you can compare various rounds using a ballistics program and decide if a better option is available. If you know your bullet’s ballistic coefficient, weight, speed, and the diameter of your target, the ballistics calculator will calculate the maximum distance you can aim at the center of your bullseye and hit it.

Knowing the precise distance to the target is still vital when shooting at maximum range, so consider using a rangefinder to remove any guesswork.

The beauty of this system is that you simply aim and shoot without worrying if you need to elevate your scope. It’s an excellent system for young hunters because it helps simplify the aiming process, makes for quicker target acquisition, and results in more consistent success in the field.

HOW TO SIGHT-IN A SCOPE FOR MAXIMUM POINTBLANK RANGE

Once your scope is mounted and you’ve fired a few rounds to verify its accuracy, it’s time to decide on what distance you need to set your zero. Every bullet shot from a scoped barrel travels in a parabolic curve once it leaves the barrel, and knowing the characteristics of its flight path is crucial

With a little practice and patience, many shooters can zero an accurate rifle/scope combination with three bullets, and occasionally, only two are needed

to dialing in the correct zero.

This discussion will primarily focus on broadside shots taken on level ground aimed at an average-sized whitetail buck’s lung/heart area, and we’ll factor in the size of its vital area as an eight-inch circle. Though this is a conservative figure, it’s one that favors an ethical shot.

Using the ballistics calculator at shooterscalculator.com is straightforward. It’s a matter of entering your bullet’s ballistic coefficient, velocity, sight height, and target size (8”). Additionally, you can enter your shooting altitude, temperature, barometric pressure, and relative humidity for greater precision.

Once you hit the “Calculate MPBR” button, it will display the distance you need to set your scope’s zero. The chart reveals critical information about your bullet’s flight and the distance below and above the line of sight. It helps shooters determine the maximum distance they can hit a whitetail’s vitals without adjusting their aim point.

CONCLUSION

Learning how to mount and zero a scope is a fundamental task that all shooters should be familiar with. There are many tried and true methods for sighting in a scope, but if you want to eliminate the guesswork from your shooting, especially when that trophy buck steps out, go to shooterscalculator.com and input your favorite bullet’s data to see if this sighting method might work for you.

You can also use this calculator to estimate a firearm’s felt recoil from various gun/bullet combinations, estimate your bullet’s kinetic energy, and produce charts and graphs that you can use to visualize your bullet’s path out to 1,000 yards.

BY HANK SHAW

Wild Hog BBQ

Prep: 15 mins • Cook: 8 hrs • Brining: 8 hrs • Total: 8 hrs 15 mins

Ingredients

• 1 4 to 8 pound wild hog shoulder, boneless or bone-in

• Salt

• Dry rub of your choice

• Barbecue sauce of your choice

• 1/4 to 1/2 cup bacon fat, lard or butter

Instructions

1. Sprinkle salt all over the pork shoulder, getting it into every crevice. Put the meat in a covered container in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour and up to 3 days. I like a solid 24 hours.

2. Rinse the meat and coat with the dry rub of your choice. If you’re not using a dry rub, either use black pepper or pat the meat dry. Set foil in a tray that will hold the pork shoulder, leaving enough extra foil around the edges so you can wrap the meat later.

3. Get your smoker going. If you have lots of time, set it to 200F. A happy medium is 225F, but don’t go higher than 250F. Set the meat in the tray and put it in the smoker.

4. Flip the pork shoulder every hour so it gets even smoke. Smoke like this for at least 4 hours, and up to eight; I prefer about six hours.

5. Now wrap the meat tightly in the foil and continue to cook until it’s done and is shreddable, anywhere from another hour or two for a young hog or store-bought pig, to another eight hours for an old hog. You can do this in an oven, too.

6. Shred the meat with a pair of forks, and mix in the bacon fat. If you find yourself with long, stringy threads of meat, chop it a bit so it works better as a sandwich. Serve with the barbecue sauce of your choice on a bun with cole slaw.

https://honest-food.net Image courtesy of Holly A. Heyser

Fly Fishing Southern Bass

BY MATT LEWIS, PHD

Bass have been revered by anglers long before the glitz and glam offered by today’s bassmaster tournaments. Long before rainbow trout were introduced to the southeast and multiple-geared baitcasters hit the market, there were bass and there was fly fishing.

Bass offer excitement to beginners and experts alike due to their ubiquitous distribution and relentless fight when hooked. While most anglers are familiar with spinning rods and baitcasters, we’re going to focus on the appeal of fly fishing for bass.

I wish I had a dollar for every time someone asked me if there was trout in the creek when they saw me fly fishing. Inevitably the presence of a fly rod has been almost irreversibly linked to the pursuit of salmonids. But fly fishing for bass can be quite productive, and with a few simple tips, it may become your new favorite way to pursue America’s Gamefish.

ESSENTIAL GEAR WHEN FLY FISHING FOR BASS

Fly fishing for bass can be as simple or as complicated as you want to make it. You can use a fly rod set up that costs as little as $100 and a small box of flies in your shirt pocket, or you can spend $3000 on a bamboo rod, with a multitude of options in between.

Fly fishing for bass is something that can be adaptable to just about any situation. Do you have a boat? You can fish deeper water with sinking lines and shad imitations to catch fish in lakes and rivers. Limited to only a non-motorized kayak or canoe? There are plenty of excellent rivers and creeks to float in Alabama that are full of hungry bass. Would you prefer casting from land? Many different lakes, ponds, and streams have options for you to cast from shore. As summer temperatures warm, want a reprieve from the heat by wading in cool waters? Wade fishing for bass is a great way to beat the heat on a hot, Gulf Coast day.

CHOOSING THE BEST FLY FISHING FLIES FOR BASS

Presentation is key for any bass species. Bass are opportunistic feeders, and therefore fly selection takes a back seat to a well-placed and natural presentation. You want your fly to look like real food to the bass, meaning you need to emulate the swimming action of a wounded baitfish, the backwards retreat of a crayfish, or the swimming of a topwater frog or insect. This will involve varying the speed and cadence of stripping the line at different intervals to determine what the fish want on that day. The bass will let you know quickly which one is the right one!

Bass can be caught on both surface and subsurface flies. Poppers are one of the most popular surface flies because they are versatile, easy to use, and highly productive. They can be dead drifted or vigorously popped across the surface to draw attention to the fly. Popper styles range from cup-face versions to those that have a more bullet shape that slide just under the surface when stripped. They can be made from materials that range from cork and foam to deer hair. Regardless of the popper shape or material, just remember, any color works, as long as it’s yellow!

Sub-surface flies that imitate crayfish or baitfish can save the day if the popper bite isn’t happening. Certain times of the year when shad are schooled up, a clouser minnow is hard to beat. The classic wooly bugger is one of the most popular subsurface flies as it can be fished to imitate a leech, crayfish, or a bait fish.

WHAT WEIGHT FLY ROD FOR BASS?

The best fly rods for pursuing bass are going to be six- to eight-weight, medium action rods. These rods will allow you to easily cast the larger, and more wind resistant bass flies while providing enough backbone to fight larger fish. You can get away with using a five-weight for both bass

and bream, but it’s not the best tool for the job and you will be limited in what size flies you can cast. Smaller bass species like redeye bass allow for you to get away with using a three-weight fly rod. Nine-foot lengths are standard for fly rods and will be a solid choice for bass fishing. Smaller rods for redeye bass, such as a 7’6”, will allow you to navigate the smaller streams with ease while still providing enough power to cast.

The reel will primarily be a line holding tool for this type of fishing. An adjustable drag system can be beneficial if you want your rod to double as an inshore saltwater rod. A larger arbor reel is recommended to help retrieve line faster.

Your fly line weight should be matched to your rod weight. Weight-forward-floating line is the standard and would be my fly line if I could choose only one. As you get more into it, you can start buying spare spools for reels to outfit with intermediate and sinking lines that allow you fish deeper in the water column.

Fly fishing leaders can be really complicated, but thankfully for bass they are simple. In most cases a seven- to nine-foot section of eight-pound monofilament is sufficient. You can buy a fancy tapered leader or a furled leader that connects via a loop-to-loop connection to your fly line if you prefer, then the monofilament can be added to the terminal end. Just remember that a total length of seven to nine feet is what you need.

FLY FISHING TECHNIQUES FOR BASS

As spring arrives and water temperatures start to climb, bass become more active as they gear up to spawn. This annual ritual dominates the thoughts of anglers as they dream of hooking into a trophy. What a time to be on the water too. The springtime rebirth is evident in the other flora and fauna as trees regain their green coloration, songbirds call out to find mates, and flowers add a splash of color to nature’s palette. What a backdrop to pursue one of the greatest gamefish.

One of the joys of bass fishing is the obvious and unmistakable strike. Once hooked, they display some impressive aerial acrobatics and aggressive head shakes as they attempt to throw the hook. Although there are some general tactics when pursuing bass, there are specific considerations to the species you are seeking and the time of year you are fishing.

FLY FISHING FOR LARGEMOUTH BASS

As their name implies, these fish have a serious appetite and the mouth to back it up. The largemouth bass is one of the most popular bass species due to its prevalence in rivers, lakes, and farm ponds across the eastern United States. Although they can be found in both streams and rivers, they strongly associate with slower water around structure such as weed beds and submerged logs. Their bodies are a deep green color with a solid black stripe along their side that along with their jaw that extends beyond the eye when closed makes them easily identifiable from other bass species.

Largemouth bass are more likely to feed when visibility is low. As an ambush predator this strategy gives them the advantage over unsuspecting prey. This means that largemouth bass are more likely to be caught in the early morning and evening hours, but they can be caught throughout the day.

Poppers work well for largemouth bass, but subsurface presentations can be equally effective. A bluegill imitation, or some other streamer pattern, will get destroyed under the surface. Comparisons aside, it’s hard to beat the topwater explosion of a largemouth bass on a frog imitation among the lily pads.

FLY FISHING FOR SMALLMOUTH BASS

Smallmouth Bass are one of the most quintessential fly rod targets in the bass world. The brown to bronze coloration of these fish have led to the moniker “bronzebacks” with dark vertical bars that distinguish them from other bass species. Smallmouth love cooler, flowing water but do also exist in some lakes. The Tennessee River system is one of the most well-known spots to chase smallies on the fly.

Look for water that has flow and smallmouth bass will be located near the flow in larger, rocky pools. They cruise these rocky pools and the runs that connect them chasing baitfish and crayfish. Topwater action for smallmouth can be great in May and June, but eventually the streamer and crayfish patterns stripped below the surface produce more and bigger fish.

FLY FISHING FOR SPOTTED BASS

Spotted bass are aggressive fish with a bronze coloration and a black line down their lateral line. They differ from largemouth bass by their mouth not reaching past the eye when shut and the presence of a tooth patch. Spotted bass comprise several species found in the south. The Kentucky spotted bass is native to the Tennessee River system, the Alabama bass in the Mobile River system, and the Choctaw Bass, a smaller and undescribed species of bass in the coastal rivers of south Alabama and the panhandle of Florida. Regardless of taxonomic classification, they behave roughly the same.

Spotted bass are species generalists, meaning that they are at home in a large reservoir as they are in rivers and creeks. Before hydroelectric dams, they were strictly riverine fish. They can be caught on poppers and other surface flies as well as streamers. During periods of shad spawning, a streamer fly will keep you busy for hours.

FLY FISHING FOR REDEYE BASS

Most anglers are familiar with fishing for the big three species of bass: largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and spotted bass. However, we are fortunate to live in a state that also offers unique opportunities to pursue a diverse number of species of bass. The redeye bass is an upland stream specialist that is native above the Fall Line in the streams of the Mobile River Basin. Each river system contains a unique species of redeye bass that is endemic to that particular watershed. That means that a Cahaba bass (ie. – redeye bass from the Cahaba River system) is a totally different species than a redeye bass from the Coosa River system. These species-level differences has become a popular goal for anglers to catch all of them in a calendar year for a redeye bass slam.

Redeye bass are one of the most aggressive bass species, but they are also the smallest. They will eat any and everything, from small mammals to fish to crayfish. Despite their gluttonous demeanor, they were designed for the topwater angler. They seem to be keyed in to eating adult aquatic and terrestrial insects and quickly and voraciously attack anything that lands on the water’s surface. A small popper and a threeweight fly rod will cure what ails you and have you laughing like a little kid again. Also, it doesn’t hurt that they live in some of the south’s most breathtaking waters.

Fly fishing can be intimidating to newcomers, but if any finned pursuit can break down the snooty stigma, it’s bass fishing on the fly. You also don’t need the latest Ranger boat with forward-facing sonar and tons of sponsors and all the other things that has morphed bass fishing into some sort of megapsort. All you need is time, a lot of patience, and some practice.

Built for speed, the newly redesigned Revo® Rocket features a 17% larger machined aluminum main gear to drive the rocketfast 7.6:1 gear ratio, which means more casting and more fishing in every moment on the water.

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Choosing an Automatic Fish Feeder For Your Pond

BY NICK WILLIAMS

When it comes to stocking and managing ponds, Norm Latona is a trusted expert with over 30 years of experience. As owner of Southeastern Pond Management, Norm works with pond owners across Alabama to improve fish health, growth, and catchability. Whether installing new ponds or recommending enhancements to existing waters, Norm understands all aspects of pond ecology and fish behavior.

One popular recommendation from Norm is the use of an automatic fish feeder. By providing supplemental feeds on a regular schedule, pond owners can boost their fish populations while also making fishing more enjoyable for themselves and visitors. In this article, Norm provides his best tips for choosing, installing, and programming an automatic fish feeder to maximize benefits for one’s pond.

CHOOSING A QUALITY AUTOMATIC FISH FEEDER

Norm has been providing pond management services and selling feeders for a long time; over thirty years. In that period of time, he’s acquired experience with almost every automatic fish feeder on the market. While it’s easy to try and “cheap out” on a feeder, Norm warns that “cheap” is rarely cost-effective in the long run.

“The feeders we sell are primarily Texas Hunter products,” Norm explains. “We have installed many, many, many of these units over the years, and the vast majority of them have very few problems. Occasionally, we do have to go out and service these units, of course, but they are very problem-free. Admittedly, they’re not the cheapest option out there. You can go out and buy a cheaper feeder, but you end up paying for it one way or another in the long run. We just don’t sell products like that.”

Norm is a big fan of Texas Hunter feeders because Southeastern Pond Management doesn’t just sell feeders, they install and service them. Quality products don’t just make his customers happy, they make his job easier. Less feeder failure creates less work for his employees!

“We don’t just sell somebody a bunch of feeders in a box,” he explains. “Rarely, you get a repeat customer who calls and explains that he just needs another feeder, and he’ll do the rest himself, but that’s generally just not what we’re in the business to do. What we’re in the business of doing is coming out, assembling the thing, installing it, putting the battery in it, placing it on the pond bank, filling it up with fish feed, programming it to go off this many times a day at these times, and making sure it’s working right. And if the thing quits working or starts giving you trouble, the remedy is pick up the phone and call me, and we’ll go out there and deal with it. The only thing our customers are responsible for is opening the lid up, dumping a bag of fish food in it every once in a while, and shutting the lid back”

AUTOMATIC FISH FEEDER TYPES

Aside from making sure that you’re buying your feeder from a reputable pond management company that sells high-quality products, choosing the type of feeder to install is your most important consideration. The most common types are floating fish feeders and bank mounted, directional feeders.

Floating Fish Feeders

Floating feeders are common in farm ponds, but Norm generally advises against them for recreational ones.

“The advantages to floating feeders are that you can scatter food 360 degrees, and it’s all gonna go in the water,” he explains, Whereas bank mounted feeders typically feed in one direction. But the problem with the

floating stuff is that it’s more stuff to maintain, and you’ve got to have it floating on something. You’ve got to maintain the feeder and whatever apparatus you’re floating it on. And, obviously, you’ve got to get a boat involved to service the feeder, or just to fill it, really. So we tend to stay away from them.”

Directional Fish Feeders

Most of what Norm sells are Texas Hunter directional feeders.

“Texas Hunter makes a good directional feeder, and they offer several different models of it. And really, the different models just correspond to different hopper sizes. So we’ve got one that holds about 100 pounds of feed, and we’ve got one that holds about 300 pounds of feed. But they do a great job of shooting the food out in one direction. Typically we use a floating pellet, but it’ll handle sinking feed as well if folks want to use sinking feed. And you can mount it on a pier, or you can mount it right on the bank. They’ve got adjustable legs so you can change the launch angle, and once you get that thing anchored down it’ll shoot it out into the water from one direction with no trouble.”

WHAT SIZE FISH FEEDER DO I NEED?

Many anglers believe that bigger is always better. That may be true when it comes to boat engines and trophy bass, but Norm says that’s not always the case when choosing your hopper size.

“Bigger is definitely not always better here,” he explains. “We tell folks that the only difference between a 300 pound hopper and a 100 pound hopper is how often you have to feed it, and if it’s not a huge burden for you to fill it, go with the smaller hopper. There are some applications where a large hopper is useful, but generally you just run a bigger risk of, say, the lid not being installed properly, and now you’ve got 300 lbs of rotten fish food instead of 100.”

He continues, “The longer food sits in that hopper, especially in our humid environment, the greater the chance of it clumping up and clogging, or bugs getting to it, or stuff like that. And if you got a five acre lake and you’re feeding five pounds a day, it’s not that much trouble keeping up with it. You literally open the lid and dump food in them. So by far the most popular model that we sell is that 100 pound capacity hopper. It’s a fairly low profile, and doesn’t stick out like a sore thumb. And it’s got plenty of food in it to run for at least a couple of weeks at a time in most ponds.”

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I FEED MY FISH?

“How often should I feed my fish?” is one of the more common questions Norm gets. Ultimately, the exact amount of food you distribute depends on your pond size, stocking density, and management goals, but Norm offers the following advice as a general guideline for most pond owners.

“As far as the frequency of feeding, bluegill in particular get really habitualized on these feeders. All sorts of research has shown that fish will eat more, if you feed them small amounts over a longer period of time, instead of lots of food all at once.”

He continues, “Texas Hunter feeders can be programmed to feed up to twelve times a day. Now, we don’t really do that. But breaking the feeding up into a morning and evening feeding is a great idea. And so we almost always do that. Sometimes we’ll even do it three times a day, although that can present a problem. In the summertime it often just gets too hot to feed unless you have a feeder that happens to be in a shady spot.”

WHAT SHOULD I FEED MY FISH?

Most of the time, pond managers are feeding bluegill, either to produce big and fun-to-catch “slabs” or to indirectly feed trophy bass. To do this, Norm advises a good, high-protein feed.

“We began to use some of the higher protein ratio stuff that’s 48-50% protein; stuff with a real high fish meal content. And boy, you want to talk about growing? You can almost watch the fish grow! I’ve seen some remarkable bluegill over the years, particularly in customers’ ponds that are really diligent about feeding high-protein feed year round. It is not unusual for us to go out and shock the pond for sampling and see 32 or 36 oz bluegill. I’m talking legitimate 2 lb bluegill. It’s really amazing. Quality growth is definitely achievable through the right feeds.”

He specifically suggests Purina AquaMax feed.

“Purina has, in my estimation, the best options when it comes to the high protein stuff. It’s a commercial grade feed. And they make it in several different sizes, but it’s really high in protein. The bluegill will grow right before your eyes on that stuff.”

CONCLUSION

Wrapping it all up, Norm Latona isn’t just throwing around suggestions; his thirty years in the pond business really show when he talks about what works and what doesn’t. He’s big on quality, which is why he sticks with Texas Hunter feeders—they’ve stood the test of time and keep both him and his customers away from unnecessary headaches. The choice between floating and directional feeders? Well, Norm leans towards the practicality and ease of use that come with directional feeders. And it’s not just about selling you the biggest and most expensive feeder; he’s all about what makes sense for your pond and your fish.

Norm’s parting wisdom is pretty straightforward: don’t overdo it. Whether it’s the size of your feeder or how often you’re feeding, more isn’t always better. Keep it simple and consistent, and you’re set for some great fishing. With the right setup and some quality feed, like the Purina AquaMax that Norm

swears by, your pond will be teeming with healthy, hefty fish. It’s this blend of practical advice, proven products, and real-world experience that makes Norm’s guidance stand out.

CAMPER CITY TRUCK ACCESSORIES

Often during the summer, fishing night crawlers around standing timber will catch catfish.

What Are the Best Baits for Catfish

BY JOHN E. PHILLIPS

If you want to get a fight started among catfish anglers, simply announce that one particular catfish bait is better than another. As soon as you declare what you consider to be the best bait, everyone in the room will tell you why they have a secret bait that is more efficient than yours. Some baits for catfish may seem outlandish, including that used by my friend Danny Fields of Oak Grove, Alabama, who baited with parts of a dead possum he found on the side of the road. Another friend of mine, Mike Handley, baited with out-of-date hot dogs when he couldn’t find anything else in his lake refrigerator with which to fish. Both anglers were successful.

The best baits to bag buckets full of no-scales depend on: water temperature, time of year, price, smell and availability of the bait, the catfish’s mood and its favorite available food source. Also baits that work well in the winter may not produce in the summer.

CHARACTERISTICS OF CATFISH

The temperature of the water governs how actively catfish feed, because the enzyme action in a catfish’s stomach doubles with each 8-degree increase in water temperature. The hotter the weather becomes, the more catfish feed.

North American catfish species have barbels (whiskers) on their faces that enable the catfish to find food. Catfish taste through their feelers as well as their entire bodies that have more than 100,000 food sensors on them. A catfish discovers food by fanning the bottom with its barbels and honing in on vibrations – catfish can detect high frequencies at 13,000 cycles per second – and following food scents.

Although catfish feed along the bottom, they also will school-up and swim in mid-water and often just under the surface. All catfish species will eat almost any bait at certain times of the year.

Depending on the subspecies, catfish spawn when the water temperature is 6084 degrees. In areas where both channels and blues live, the channels will spawn first before the blues, which generally spawn in 70-75-degree water. Flatheads require the warmest water for spawning with 80-84 degrees their favored water temperature.

WHERE TO FIND CATFISH

You can pinpoint catfish with your depth finder and by studying topo maps before you fish by looking for long, sloping points, flats, old roadbeds, drop-offs, holes, canals and submerged bridges. Catfish follow seasonal migration patterns, according to water temperatures. With a water temperature of 55 degrees or below, catfish generally will be found in deep holes. In the early spring, catfish move into more-shallow water, which warms-up first. Lakes with rocky banks, riprap, rock slides and exposed layers of underwater shale will have catfish near those sites, since rocks hold heat and warm-up the water around them. Rocky banks facing south and southwest usually warm-up first.

Here are some of the places where catfish like to stay. In:

* Little or no current – Sink chum bags or cans of dog food as well as fish stink baits for channels and blues in dead lakes, beaver ponds and shallow lakes.

* Standing cypress trees in shallow water - Night crawlers will produce channel catfish there.

* Tailraces with running turbines – When mayflies swarm in the spring and cover the water around tailraces, fishing with mayflies will catch blues. Also cut shad, dead shad minnows, live minnows and shad guts will produce primarily blues and channels in tailraces

* Riprap and rocky structure - Flatheads sometimes prefer live bait like small bream where legal, large minnows and/or large, live shad that frequent these places.

TYPES OF CATFISH AND THEIR PREFERRED FOODS

Blue catfish are highly sought after by anglers because these giant fish are ferocious fighters when hooked. Finding the bait the blues are feeding on means that blue catfish probably are in the area, as these fish are never too far away from food. These fish generally are most active at night or in any low-light conditions. Blue cats will strike at both live bait and artificial. The primary prey or forage fish in the fishery is the best bait to use for this fish. The most-effective setup is usually heavy tackle with cut bait, shad, live herring, or peeler crabs. Many anglers use a bait with plenty of stink, such as cut herring, mud shad, or menhaden.

Channel catfish prefer to eat cut pieces of shad or skipjack herring, nightcrawlers, chicken livers, spoiled shrimp and prepared commercial stink or dip baits. Some anglers swear by soaking cheap hotdogs in Kool-Aid and garlic powder and fishing those for the most channel catfish success. Natural baits that channel catfish prefer include minnows, sunfish where legal, shad, chubs, worms and frogs.

Flathead catfish will eat live bluegills, live suckers, live bullheads, live goldfish, live shad, live skipjack and live carp. For the baits to catch the most fish, catch these baits locally.

KINDS OF CATFISH BAITS

Stink and Scent Baits

Catfish are scavengers that will feed on almost anything. Since a catfish’s number-one sensory organ is smell, baits that are rancid often are the most preferred by the fish. Many anglers today still use traditional cheese dough balls they make from strong-smelling cheese and cheap canned biscuits to call catfish.

Other anglers like to fish with strips of bonito, and chicken and beef livers, gizzards and kidneys. Strong-smelling bars of soap baked in the oven and golden raisins that swell up on hooks and ferment also give off strong odors. Homemade soured-food cooked mixtures made up of pineapple and rice, dry dog food sunk in a burlap bag and marshmallows that have been soaked in a strong-smelling liquid all are effective at calling catfish.

One of the problems associated with using scents is how to keep the scent on the bait long enough to catch a catfish. Here’s some tips borrowed from successful anglers.

• Inject the scent into the bait using a hypodermic needle, a tactic especially good for scenting worms, chicken livers and/or freshly-cut shad

• Soak a bait in the scent.

• Smear the scent on the bait. Mix your favorite liquid scent with vasoline, and put the mixture on the bait.

• Mold the scent onto the bait using moldables that some lure companies sell.

• Live Baits

Flathead catfish, like the one pictured here, prefer to live in riprap and rocky structure and sometimes prefer live bait like small bream where legal, large minnows and/or large, live shad that frequent these places .

To learn the very-best bait for where you’re fishing, check the stomachs of the catfish you catch. You may find crawfish, shad or other material in their stomachs, including Louisiana pink worms, catalpa worms, hellgrammites, crickets, roaches, shad, Asiatic clams, tiny frogs, leeches, decaying matter and/or minnows.

ARTIFICIAL LURES

Some anglers catch catfish on artificial lures. Danny Zaidle of Ennis, Texas, took a world’s-record 94-pound flathead catfish on 17-pound-test line on a crawfish-colored Hellbender. Tommy Campbell of Lakeview, Texas, caught a world-record flathead catfish weighing 72 pounds on 10-pound test line and a crappie jig. During Spring Break, 2024, my 13-year-old grandson, Graham, caught a 20 pound channel on a Rage Craw in Louisiana.

One of the most-effective artificial lures is the Yeh Monn Freshwater Catfish Bait from FishBites. The advantages of using this product is the scent is sure to lure fish but is barely perceptible to humans. This selling point helps catfish anglers everywhere, who can now forgo the notoriously lingering odors of traditional catfish baits. Yeh Monn!® is also much easier to use and can be cut into almost any size and shape. Biodegradable and made from all natural ingredients, Ye Monn! is available in 5/8” wide, 13” long ribbons in three scents - crawfish, liver and shad.

Catfish are hard-fighting fish that will squall your drag. But the main reason to catch catfish is their well-deserved reputation as fine table fare.

BY WILL STRICKLAND, Mobile Baykeepers Director

Growing up, we caught more catfish than most anything else. Certainly, we caught our fair share of bluegill, and we chased sport fish, such as largemouth bass, like everyone else. But the catfishing involved a little more leisure strategy-wise.

We would limb line, run trot lines, and fish on the bottom with cheese and dog food. My mom‘s father, Papaw, had a variety of ingenious methods that he used to catch big ones.

The other benefit of catfishing is that they are delicious. When you run a trotline in the morning, and come back that night, you know you’re in for a treat. Fresh, wild-caught catfish that are deep-fried and enjoyed in the summer heat is one of the most enjoyable things an American can ask for.

My Uncle Jack made his own custom fish-frying rig that would self-regulate temperature and allow the grease to drain from the fish and fries before it hit our plates. He used this rig for church fish-fries as well as family fries, of course.

I now have a job where I know too much, and it’s affecting my peace of mind. I have learned through our state’s testing program, that some of our waterways have catfish with too much arsenic in them for my taste.

In 2023 there were 36 advisory listings for channel and/or blue catfish in Alabama. More specifically, there were 11 one-meal/month mercury advisories, 20 two-meal/month advisories, 3 one-meal/month PCB advisories, and two no-restriction listings (Baldwin and Washington County). Baldwin County had the most frequent listing for advisories (5) followed by St. Clair (4).

Our partners upstream, Coosa Riverkeeper, have put in the work to know how anglers feel about these advisories. Less than half of anglers know about fish consumption advisories on the body of water they fish regularly. However, nearly nine out of ten of angler surveyed, said they would heed the advisories if they knew about them.

This isn’t to say they would fish less. On the contrary, states such as South Carolina have great fish consumption advisory programs, with signage available all over the state that clearly shows where the fish are safe to eat. Since initiating the program South Carolina has seen an uptick in fishing that many attribute to more awareness of fishing because of the signage.

Anglers, especially catfishermen, who are out there to catch a meal want to know what is in their fish so that they can make informed decisions for their families. We must make public information public.

Luckily the bodies of water that I grew up eating catfish out of have only a few advisories, and I am very glad to know that.

MONTE BURCH’S DIP BAIT

My friend Monte Burch from Missouri comes from a long line of serious catfishermen and shares this recipe. He says to use 2 gallons of dead shad or minnows, 7 pounds of Limburger cheese and 1 ounce of oil of anise. Put the fish in a 5-gallon bucket, cover it with water, put a lid on the bucket, and bury the bucket in the back yard. Three to four days later, dig the bucket up. Pour off the liquid, shred or melt the Limburger cheese, and mix all with oil of anise. Dump the mixture into pint fruit jars, and put lids on them. Don’t screw the lids down tightly to keep the jars from exploding. Then a week later, thread pieces of plastic worms that have been dipped in the mixture on your hooks.

BY HANK SHAW https://honest-food.net

Catfish Courtbouillon

Prep: 25 mins • Cook: 30 mins • Total: 55 mins

Ingredients SAUCE

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

• 1 small white or yellow onion, minced

• 2 celery stalks, minced

• 1 red bell pepper, minced

• 1 serrano or jalapeno pepper, minced

• 2 Roma or plum tomatoes, seeded and diced

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 teaspoon dried thyme

• 1 tablespoon Cajun or Creole seasoning

• 1/2 cup dry white wine

• 1 1/2 cups chicken or seafood stock FISH

• 5 tablespoons bacon fat or lard

• 1 to 2 pounds skinless fish fillets

• 1/2 cup flour

• 1/2 cup fine cornmeal, a/k/a “fish fry” (Look for Louisiana plain fish fry)

• 1/3 cup minced fresh parsley

• 1/4 cup minced chives or scallions

• 5 to 10 basil leaves, torn up.

• Lemon juice to taste

Instructions

1. Make the sauce. Heat the butter in a large frying pan over medium high heat and saute the onion, celery, red pepper and serrano until soft, about 5 minutes.

2. Add the garlic, tomato, thyme and Cajun seasoning and let this cook another minute or two, then pour in the white wine and bring to a boil. Let this boil down by half, then add the stock and simmer this uncovered for 10 minutes. Turn off the heat, cover the pan and set aside.

3. In another frying pan, heat the bacon fat. Mix the flour and cornmeal. Salt the catfish fillets, then dust them in the flour mixture. Fry the fish over medium-high heat until nicely browned, about 3 to 5 minutes per side.

4. Drain any extra fat, leaving only about a tablespoon. Add the sauce to the pan with the fish, add the chopped herbs and lemon juice to taste. Swirl it all in the pan to mix. To serve, carefully lift a fish fillet with a long spatula, or two spatulas, and set on individual plates. Spoon over some sauce and serve with steamed rice.

Image courtesy of Holly A. Heyser

Treestands are integral to deer hunting game plans .

Choosing the Best Deer Stand for Every Hunting Scenario

BY JOSH HONEYCUTT

As a lifelong deer hunter, I’ve hunted from many deer stands and hunting blinds. I’ve seen the good, the bad, and the ugly of hunting from elevated perches, and hunting from the ground. Don’t choose just any treestand. Analyze the situation, and then choose accordingly. Here’s what you should know.

TRIPOD DEER STANDS (TRIPOD DEER BLINDS)

Tripod deer stands are excellent for numerous scenarios, and stand on three legs with a ladder that ascends to the middle of the platform. Oftentimes, these are limited to gun hunting. With the open design, and 360-degree railing, it’s ideal for those carrying a firearm, but also works for crossbow hunters. Bowhunters can hunt from these, but it’s more beneficial for those packing heat.

Tripod deer stands are especially good for those who want to hunt from elevated positions that don’t have good trees for treestands. Classic examples include old cutovers or young row pines. They’re especially good for snuggling up between two nearby cedar or pine trees. This way, it offers the elevated capability with the added cover from the conifers.

The Millennium Outdoors’ T360 16-FT Revolution Tripod Stand is a great pick if you’re looking for a quality tripod stand. It features a 300-pound capacity, 40-inch-by-16-inch platform, and powder-coated steel. It weighs 155.8 pounds, and has a nice shooting rail, too. If that one doesn’t check the right boxes, the T-100 10-FT Aluminum Tripod might do the trick.

TOWER DEER STANDS (TOWER DEER BLINDS, TOWER BOX STANDS)

Like a tripod stand, a tower deer stand is another great elevated hunting perch. Rather than an open platform with railing and a swiveling seat, tower deer stands are usually enclosed stands or blinds that offer both height and concealment advantages. These are especially popular among gun hunters, but with the right window configurations, can be great for bowhunters, too.

Tower deer stands are ideal for many locations, especially in spots where you want to remain concealed while peering down into taller grasses, vegetation, etc. Oftentimes, these are warmer than hunting from treestands, too. Furthermore, depending on design, these can be good for scent retention and allowing space for multiple hunters at one time.

A good tower deer blind, or tower box blind, can be difficult to come by. The Q-180-00 Buck Hut 180 is a solid pick, though. It’s crafted with heavy-duty, water-resistant, soft-shell material. It includes a 7-ft height for standing shots, six viewing windows for 180-degree field of view, and more. It has a 600-pound snow load rating. It incorporates powder-coated steel, non-slip steps, and two handrails.

LADDER DEER STANDS

Ideally, ladder deer stands can work in numerous settings. They’re one of the most popular treestand types in all of deer hunting. This is true for multiple reasons, including a safer feel during the ascent and descent, comfier seating, handy shooting rails, and more. Ladder deer stands are especially good for spots that might be hunted by multiple people, some of which might not have the balance or strength to hunt from a hang-on stand.

Ladder stands can work just about anywhere a hunter can find a viable tree for placement. Field edges, food plots, tree lines, or even inside the timber, these are excellent spots to place a ladder deer stand. That said, if in short supply, I tend to place these in areas that are more likely to be gun hunted than bow hunted, due to the associated shooting rail.

The L-124-SL Lite 18-FT Single Ladder includes the exclusively patented ComfortMAX contoured tight-sling seat, oval steel construction, adjustable padded shooting rail, accessory hooks, and durable powder-coated finish. Light and easy to set up, this stand is perfect for areas where the stand’s position likely won’t make sense after 3 - 4 seasons, such as cutovers or on short-term leased properties.

Editor’s Note: for the utmost in safety when hanging a ladder stand. Ascend you tree first with either a climbing stand or a set of climbing sticks while

staying attached to the tree the entire time. Lower a rope to your helper on the ground that will aid in pulling your ladderstand into position and securing the stand. Bring a lifeline with you to stretch back down to the ground and you can make sure your first ascent of the ladderstand is a connected one.

TWO-MAN DEER STANDS

A ladder stand with enough seating for two hunters, a two-man deer stand has a wider seat, platform, and shooting rail. This is crafted to provide more spacing for two hunters to sit simultaneously. Permitting it fits into the space, it can be placed anywhere a ladder stand is compatible.

Like the single-man ladder deer stand, this is excellent for virtually all hunting spots where a treestand is ideal. Due to slightly higher pricing, it’s especially good for primary hunting locations that tend to receive more seat time, as hunters are more likely to get their money’s worth that way.

The L-224-SL Lite 18-FT Double Ladder Stand is the ideal buddy stand. It’s made for extended use. Plus, it comes with the patented ComfortMAX contoured tight-sling seat, oval steel construction, and durable powder-coated finish. The L220 18-FT Double Ladder is another great option.

CLIMBING DEER STANDS

Climbing tree stands offer portability, versatility, flexibility, and comfort...as long as the trees in your area permit them. On the huge pine plantations and second growth riverbottoms common throughout the southeast, climbers allow hunters to quickly shimmy up high into almost any tree. Ol’Man was one of the original treestand designs to come out of the southeast, and their Alumalite CTS model is still a perfect choice for hunters who want to get as high as possible in a tall pine tree on a late season rut stakeout.

HANG-ON DEER STANDS

The hang-on deer stand is arguably the most versatile selection on the market. These, paired with a set of sticks, can help hunters get into trees that climbing treestands, and sometimes ladder stands, aren’t compatible with. Place these most anywhere, but hang-on deer stands are great for deep in the timber, or other hard-to-reach places.

These stands are especially good for trees that won’t allow for other stand types, such as climbing stands. Plus, these are tailor-made for the needs of bowhunters. You can often get hang-on stands at lower price points than other options, and therefore be able to afford more of these as you position bow stands throughout the property. Furthermore, consider hang-on treestands for public land hunting.

Alternatively, with quick-connect brackets such as Millenium’s M102 Chain Receiver Mount system, hunters can use one stand to quickly and easily hunt multiple trees. This helps to prevent stand theft, and allows hunters to splurge a bit on their one stand, allowing for more comfortable sits.

The M25 Hang On is a great option for those planning to go with a hangon treestand. It has a 20.5-inch-by-26-inch platform, 20-inch-by-16-inch seat size, 21-inch seat height, 300-pound weight capacity, and weighs 19 pounds. It’s built to be tough and last a long time. The M100U UltraLite is even more comfortable, and lighter weight, but carries a bigger price tag.

GROUND BLINDS FOR DEER HUNTING

Some hunters prefer to remain on the ground while deer hunting. Ground blinds conceal hunters, and can even retain a little heat, making it slightly warmer. These are perhaps just as popular as treestands are for deer hunting.

Of course, hub-style blinds are very portable. Larger hard-sided can be moved, but require more effort. Either way, these are excellent selections for deer hunters to implement on their hunting properties.

The Antler Shak 30-06 Ground Blind is constructed with some of the heaviest-duty material on the hunting blind market. Its soft shell is water-resistant, and offers a 180-degree panoramic view. It has adjustable windows, brushin loops, mesh panels, and more. Don’t like that one? Consider the GB-100 Buck Blind instead.

All things considered, there’s a right deer stand or hunting blind for you. It just requires considering the situation, and selecting a product that best fits the scenario. Do that, and you’re well on your way to being ready for deer season this fall and winter.

Destination Alaska

An Introduction to Fishing the Kenai Peninsula

BY STEVE STRAUSS

Summers in Alaska mean almost 24 hours of daylight . This photo was taken around 2am .

Put the flip-flops and bathing suits away. Pack your waders, thermals, and bear spray. You’re heading 4500 miles north to fish Alaska. Since this is not a spontaneous day trip to the river or the beach, there will be considerably more planning. This series of articles will offer you insight into the bucket list experience of fishing in Alaska.

My expertise is gleaned from over 20 summers of fishing in the fresh and salt waters of Alaska. Although I’m not an accomplished author, I am a somewhat accomplished salmon fisherman.

It is also an advantage that my son-in-law is the proprietor of this magazine. So let’s start with a few basic considerations.

WHERE TO FISH IN ALASKA

Alaska is a huge state; twice the size of Texas with only 700,000 residents. The road system is comically limited but gives you access to a wide plethora of fishing opportunities. For this article, we will explore the easily accessible areas of South Central Alaska within a couple of 100 miles of Anchorage. Most “Chechahcos” (Chinook Jargon for residents of the lower 48) will concentrate their angling in this area as Anchorage is the easiest access point.

From Anchorage, you can pan out in rental cars and RVs to drive to points or fly to the hundreds of fishing lodges throughout the state.

Obviously, most people will fly to Alaska. To give a reference, Alaska is 4 hours earlier than Eastern time. It’s a seven-and-a-half-hour flight from Atlanta if you’re lucky enough to get a direct flight. All flights going west originate in the morning and get to Alaska late afternoon or early evening. No matter how late you get in it will be light outside. On the solstice, June 21, there will be 22 hours of functional light. Dusk is around 12:00a to 12:30a and dawn is around 2:30a to 3:00a. You essentially get two days worth of light every day! Feel like hitting the river at 11 pm? Have at it! Although, remember some rather large critters like to eat fish at that time also.

WHEN IS FISHING SEASON IN ALASKA?

Alaska has four seasons: June, July, August, and Winter. Unless you plan on augering through three feet of ice, plan on fishing the three summer months. Luckily the fishing gods arranged for excellent fishing throughout the whole time frame. In the saltwater, the bottom fishing for Pacific Halibut, Rockfish (Bass), and Ling cod is constant all summer long. But in the fresh, it’s all about timing the Salmon runs.

WHEN IS SALMON FISHING SEASON IN ALASKA?

There are five distinct species of salmon: Chinook (King), Coho (Silver), Sockeye (Red), Pink (Humpy), and Chum (Dog). They are anadromous, which means they spend time in both fresh and saltwater. They begin their life cycle in the freshwater rivers and lakes as smolt. After one to two years in the freshwater, they migrate by the millions into the Pacific Ocean where they grow and return to the exact same rivers one to four years later. It’s a one-way trip as they complete the cycle by spawning and subsequently dying.

In the freshwater rivers, there are numerous runs (periods when the salmon are migrating to spawning grounds) of the different salmon species. The runs overlap each other and occur in numerous rivers as well. The most targeted salmon are the King, Silver, and Sockeye. The Pink and Chum Salmon are not looked at favorably as they deteriorate rapidly when they enter the freshwater.

Unfortunately, the most prized trophy fish, the King, has had its returns so severely diminished over the last decade that the fishing for these magnificent salmon is highly restricted. Conversely, targeting Sockeye has never been better. For whatever reason Sockeye have returned to the rivers in record numbers over the past five to six years. Sockeye are 6 to 12-pound fish that can be best described as bass on steroids. They are abundant in numerous rivers from June to the beginning of August. When the sockeye run starts to

Sockeye Salmon offer awesome angling opportunities in amazingly scenic locations .

wane, the silver run starts and goes until it starts snowing.

HALIBUT FISHING THE KENAI PENINSULA

For the saltwater enthusiast, there are abundant opportunities to target fish all summer long. For these, you will have to charter boats out of the many ports south of Anchorage. The three most common are Seward, Homer, and Whittier. The most targeted fish is the Pacific Halibut. These range from the “chickens” in the 15 to 20-pound range to the “barn doors” in the 100-plus pound range. Also available are cod, ling, and rockfish (bass). You can fish for one or all of the above on combo trips. Limits are generous and the scenery and wildlife sightings are just amazing.

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES ON THE KENAI PENINSULA

It should also be mentioned that the rivers and lakes have resident fish available also. Rainbow Trout and Dolly Varden are abundant all summer long. They are especially aggressive during the salmon runs when the rivers have plenty of salmon roe and decomposing salmon flesh available. These beautiful fish can get to 10 pounds and are for the most part catch and release. Most rivers will allow one of these fish up to 18 inches to be kept per day, but it’s generally take the selfie and return it to the river.

As far as the lakes, of which there are thousands, lake trout and brown trout are abundant and can push 30 pounds. In recent years that has been an increase in Northern Pike which comete with native fish. Anglers are encouraged to target and keep these unwanted predators.

If you are so inclined to dig for your dinner, Razor clams are available during big negative tides. A trip across the Cook Inlet will give you the opportunity to fill a couple of 5 gallon buckets, calming on the peninsula is not as productive. The actual limit is how many clams you want to clean! And finally, if you are fished out, there are quite a few microbreweries on the Kenai Peninsula. Hit your Sockeye limit and your Alaskan Amber limit on the same day! You should probably do it in that order though.

SO, WHERE ARE WE HEADED?

In future articles, I will discuss the when, where, and how of planning an Alaskan trip from a non-Chamber of Commerce point of view. There are so many avenues from five-star lodges to renting a car and packing a tent. And although Alaska is a US state, it’s almost as if you were in a foreign country.

Don’t forget your bear spray or big heavy bullets!

Plentiful Halibut and abundant scenery are common on the Kenai Peninsula .

Ice is not a problem in Alaska, Glacial or snow melt rivers will keep your catch cool until you are ready to process them

Essential Boat Dock Accessories

BY STEPHANIE MALLORY

You want to get the most use out of your boat dock and customizing it to suit your needs can help you accomplish that goal. But, one of the biggest mistakes people make is outfitting their docks with furniture, lighting, utilities and accessories that aren’t durable enough for extended outdoor use. In an attempt to save money, dock owners often buy cheaper items from big box stores that end up disintegrating or tearing up after a storm or after only a couple of seasons of use.

BOAT DOCK DECOR

Josh Tidmore, customer experience manager with KillerDock Inc., says that you can end up wasting a lot of money by buying cheaper, poorly made doc décor and utility items that you have to replace time and again. Instead, it’s best to invest in tough, durable, high-quality items that you can enjoy for years to come.

Based out of Theodore, Alabama, KillerDock is a family owned company dedicated to high-end sport fishing and quality outdoor leisure. It’s best known for its upscale fish cleaning stations.

Vice President of KillerDock Jay Williamson says his father founded KillerDock in 2019 because he needed a quality, long-lasting fish-cleaning table, but couldn’t find one. He wanted a mounted table that actually made cleaning easier and faster, offered more space, and could stand up to the elements and look great doing it. As the owner of a sheet metal fabrication shop, he got creative and built his own custom station.

“He was already in the metal-fabrication business, so he decided to build one for himself. People liked it so much that he knew he had something special,” Williamson said.

Folks took notice immediately, and Williamson and his two sons soon found themselves operating a fast-growing business. Following months of design, prototypes, experiments and innovation, the trio unveiled the inaugural KillerDock fish cleaning station in late 2018.

He says the furniture designs came along not long after.

“We’ve lived on and around the water our entire lives and were tired of taking furniture up from the dock and putting it in the house when the weather looked threatening. Our furniture is strong enough to hold up to all types of weather and environments. One thing that sets apart both our fish cleaning stations and our furniture is that they are all overbuilt. And you don’t have to worry about anything flying or floating away because the furniture and fish-cleaning stations are all designed with mounting points that you can fasten to a dock or seawall if you’d like,” Williamson said.

DOCK FURNITURE

When it comes to boat dock furniture, you want items that are attractive, comfortable and extremely durable and long lasting.

“All of our furniture is built out of marine-grade materials. The aluminum is corrosion-resistant, so it’s not going to rust and rot. We also coat the furniture in corrosion-resistant clear coating for additional protection. In addition, we offer a few items in powder-coated colors. The cushions and umbrella fabric are made of top-of-the-line material for durability and comfort. For example, the outdoor cushions are made with Sunbrella™ covers that are designed to drain moisture as fast as possible. The seating and cabanas come with hardware that you can use to fasten them down to your dock, seawall or deck so storms can’t blow them away,” Williamson said.

Tidmore says it’s really nice to not have to worry about bringing your furniture in, especially if you live an hour or more away, during a storm.

You want to purchase furniture that can ride out a storm, but Tidmore says that the majority of furniture that people purchase for their docks from the big box stores won’t hold up.

“A lot of the stuff you find from big box stores are going to be made out of steel and not powder coated, which means there will always be an access point for corrosion. Rust will find an access point and creep in and spread just like a disease. The paint will start chipping and the material will get weak. That rust will continue to spread overtime so the furniture won’t last over the years,” Tidmore said.

He explains that aluminum doesn’t contain as much carbon for that rust infection to spread.

“There is no carbon in aluminum. Our furniture and fish cleaning stations would be rust resistant even if we didn’t add any type of coating and just put them out there with the aluminum base material as is. Even the furniture that’s not made of steel has problems. Right now, a real popular item is the Adirondack furniture. But in warm weather, it gets really hot to sit on. It’s made of a hard material that’s not comfortable,” Tidmore said.

LIGHTING

The proper boat dock lighting doesn’t only help you enjoy your dock more at night, but it also makes it safer to use. A boat dock with poor lighting can become a hazard once night falls.

Tony Bachan with Underwater Lights USA recommends lighting in layers according to three categories -- ambient, task and accent.

“Each layer can be used by itself, combined with one of the others, or all of them together,” Bachan said.

Ambient lighting is general lighting that provides overall illumination of an area. It allows you to move around safely and perform tasks. On covered boat docks, this can be accomplished with overhead lights, gooseneck lights, flood lights, or string lights.

Docks without any type of structure can use a pole light for overhead lighting or add rail lights or piling cap lights to pilings or posts. Bollard lights can also be used if you don’t have rails or pilings.

“These types of lights will only light the deck. They let you see where you are walking but are not good for performing tasks. Also, avoid lights that let the light shine directly into your eyes. This can cause temporary night blindness and a tripping hazard,” Bachan said.

Task lighting provides extra light for performing tasks, like reading, cooking, or rigging fishing tackle. Most ambient lighting light fixtures can also be used as task lighting. They need to be bright enough to see clearly though. For example, a cleaning table can be placed under a pole light for baiting hooks and cleaning fish. Battery powered lamps can be used as task lighting on tables.

Accent lighting is more decorative than functional. It is used to light interesting features. In the case of a boat dock, that is the water. You can shine a light onto the surface of the water from above. However, this doesn’t let you see what is going on under the surface. For that you need underwater lights. With underwater lights you get to watch fish swim around in the light.

“Look for lights that are designed to stand up to the elements. In the U.S.

lights must have an Underwriters Laboratories (UL) rating. Look for Wet Rated light fixtures. They can be exposed to rain and splashing water. Also, look for light made from a corrosion resistant metal. Stainless steel, bronze, and anodized aluminum are the best,” Bachan said.

SHADE

Selecting the right shading for your boat dock will depend on your dock’s location, size and construction. If your dock already has a roof, that helps. But you may need some additional shading in areas directly impacted by the sun. A pergola, arbor or gazebo may help. Large weather-proof sunshades and umbrellas are also a good option.

KillerDock’s number of Cabana options in various sizes and configurations provide a good amount of shade for resting after a day in the boat or for simply lounging on the dock. The Cabana is made of marine-grade aluminum and proprietary anti-corrosion clear coating. It features stainless-steel hardware to secure it to the concrete or boat dock and includes removable cushions made of durable Sunbrella upholstery.

UTILITY PIECES

A great boat dock needs more that just shade, seating and lighting. Utility pieces can make or break your experience with your dock. For example, even the most seasoned boat captains can bump in the dock every now and then with their boat. That’s why dock fenders can protect and help increase the longevity of your dock.

Dock ladders are essential for allowing you to climb up easily out of the water or into or out of your boat when the water level is low. Ladders should be made of durable material like marine-grade aluminum that will prevent the from rusting over time.

The supply of utilities and accessories available to help customize your boat dock are endless. Watercraft lifts, winches, utility posts, grab handles and more are available to help you customize your boat dock so you can get the best use from it.

FISH CLEANING STATIONS

When selecting a fish cleaning station, you want a work horse that can handle the rigors of any fish cleaning abuse.

KillerDock’s Upscale fish cleaning station comes with both standard features and available upgrades, so the customer can customize the station for his or her purposes. All KillerDock fish cleaning stations are built from marine-grade aluminum and protected by industrial anti-corrosion clear coating. You can choose from three locations for the plumbing connection.

The Upscale comes in five options and sizes, starting with the smaller Upscale 3 ½ and ending with the largest version, the Upscale 7 ½.

Those who want to step it up even more can choose from one of the five Slam models beginning with the smaller SLAM 4 ½ and increasing in size and features until you have the SLAM 7 1/2.

“We are currently rolling out a more basic fish cleaning station featuring a 41-inch cutting board table top with our style legs that will retail for less than $1000. So now, we have fish cleaning stations for those looking for something more basic to those looking for something more elaborate and everything in between. The purpose and the idea behind KillerDock cleaning stations is that the one you purchase should be the last one you’ll ever need,” Tidmore said.

KillerDock provides a number of different accessories and add-ons that

allow you to upgrade and modify your fish cleaning station to suit your specific needs, such as shade, sinks, drawers, fish hangers and more.

the money spent on turkey permits, which is part of the licensing requirement to hunt turkeys in Florida, goes into that fund.

BOAT DOCK STORAGE

Dock boxes can provide a convenient and attractive way to store your essential items, such as life jackets, fishing gear, water sports gear, water toys and more. Consider dock boxes made of heavy-duty fiberglass or another type of marine-grade material that will withstand Mother Nature while securely protecting and storing your items.

Dock boxes come in a variety of sizes, styles and materials. Consider lockable boxes if you’re boat dock is in an area where theft is a possibility.

“Many hunters and NWTF members are heavily involved in raising funds for the wild turkey and its habitat by participating in NWTF hunting heritage banquets, whereby a portion of those funds raised goes into the cost-share program,” Nicholson said. “Hunters’ purchases of hunting equipment also helps support wildlife conservation through the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program, which brings federal grant funding to state wildlife management agencies such as the FWC.”

There area also a variety of fishing pole holders designed specifically for use on docks. These holders come in a variety of configurations, sizes and materials.

TOOLS

Through this combined effort from the NWTF, FWC, FFS and Florida turkey hunters, the wild turkey population is healthy and flourishing in Florida. And, if you’re a turkey hunter, then you must be getting excited because spring turkey season and the youth turkey hunt weekends are just around the corner.

It’s a good ideal to keep a variety of tools available in case you need to modify or fix your boat dock. Leveling winches, pipe pullers, dock and float handles are just a few you may need. More general tools include hammers, screw drivers, winches, pipe cutters and more. It’s always better to have more tools than you need than come up short when they’re needed the most.

Contact Information

Wild Turkey Cost-Share Program

Florida State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF)

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)

Florida Forest Service (FFS)

Green Swamp Wildlife Management Area (WMA)

Remember that your boat dock is your home base on the water and some of your best memories can be made right there with friends and family while lounging with drinks in the shade or cleaning that big catch after a successful day of fishing. For this reason, make sure you customize your dock to best maximize both the space and the time you spend there, with quality items that will last for years to come.

Gulf Coastal Plain Ecosystem Partnership

Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program

FISHING SHIRT OPTIONS A Comparative Analysis

BY NICK WILLIAMS

In his 1986 cult classic book Trout Bum, author and fishing guru John Gierach expressed his disdain for bulging vests and packs full of frivolous angling gear. Everything a bum like him needed for a day on the water, he insisted, should fit in the pockets of a fishing shirt. Rod aside, of course!

This advice, almost fifty years old, is the first reference I can find of a technical, fishing-specific shirt. Perhaps to Gierach’s dismay, time has not seen a reduction in the amount of frivolous fishing gear circulating on the markets. Many “must have” gadgets are, as they have always been, presented to catch anglers, and not fish.

But technical fishing shirts, like sonar, PVC fly lines, chemically sharpened hooks, and graphite rods, have proven to be more than a splashy advertisement in the annual catalog. They’ve demonstrated staying power in a fickle market. Anglers by the thousands are still wearing pocketed fishing shirts, even if those pockets aren’t being relied on as primary tackle storage. In this article, we sat down with AFTCO Design Director Jillian Hidalgo to find out how anglers can differentiate high-quality fishing shirts from cheap ones.

WHICH FEATURES MAKE THE BEST FISHING SHIRT

It may not look like it when it’s hanging up on the rack, but a fishing shirt is a surprisingly complicated piece of equipment. People like Jillian ask a lot out of a piece of fabric. It has to be light enough to breathe, but also block UV rays from your skin. Making a durable, breathable, stain-resistant, comfortable, and durable shirt is harder than you might think, but it starts with choosing the right fiber.

Fishing Shirt Material

Most fishing shirts are made out of some sort of polyester blend for a variety of reasons, according to Jillian.

“Polyester is really great,” she says, “because it doesn’t necessarily stick to your skin, if the knit is correct. And it wicks moisture off of your body, which in turn helps keep you cooler. When you get soaked in a cotton shirt, you just get sticky, and then you just end up feeling hotter. Right? So while cotton is really good at getting moisture off of your body, and that feels good at first, cotton holds onto that moisture. And that’s not what you want, because that water will heat up and make you feel hotter. So you want to get that off of your body.”

While polyester wicks moisture better than cotton, cotton and other natural fibers tend to feel better on your body, at least until they soak through. Some manufacturers are turning towards bamboo fibers in an attempt to find an ideal middle ground between the comfort of natural fibers and the wicking and quick-drying capabilities of polyester. Bamboo fiber shirts, so the pitch goes, are natural, eco-friendly, soft, comfortable, quick-drying, and moisture-wicking. But according to Jillian, the “eco-friendly” part is a bit of a stretch.

“Bamboo fiber” is typically marketing-speak for rayon, sometimes referred to

as viscose or artificial silk. These end-products do technically use bamboo, but the treatment process to convert the raw materials into the finished product is extremely chemical-intensive.

“It’s an amazing fiber,” says Jillian. “It has a very natural, cooling touch. But production is a very intense process. If you’re just going after the performance, then it’s doing its job. But at AFTCO we have a history of conservation and we do a lot of work to make sure that we’re not greenwashing anything on our end.”

“We want to make sure that we’re doing right by our waterways with the fabric that we use,” she continues. “So take for example our Ocean Bound shirt, it’s made of REPREVE® Our Ocean™ recycled polyester, which is a recycled polyester that is specifically plastic that was headed from waterways into the ocean. So we’ve grabbed up that plastic, and instead of making a huge garbage patch in the middle of the ocean, it’s made into a shirt. And we mix that polyester with Tencel, which is a wood pulp-derived fabric. Adding Tencel gives you that soft, cottony feeling, but it wicks 30-40% better than cotton. So with our Ocean Bound shirt you get that soft, natural feel, but it’s blended with the performance of polyester and a bit of spandex.

What Makes A Fishing Shirt UV Resistant?

You can definitely feel the difference between a cotton shirt and a polyester one on a hot day, but something that I’ve always wondered about is the UPF rating on shirts. “What’s the difference,” I asked Jillian, “between a UV-resistant shirt and all the other shirts on the rack?”

“It’s about how much light gets through the fabric,” she replied. “All fabrics block at least a little light, but if you hold a regular old cotton t-shirt up to the light, or a typical dress shirt, a lot of times you’ll be able to see through it. Compared to a polyester shirt, which lets very little light through.”

So how high of a UPF rating do you need? According to Jillian, UPF 30 is the absolute minimum anglers should look for, with UPF 40 being better for serious anglers. UPF 40-rated garments protect you from 97-98% of the sun’s rays, making them about the equivalent of SPF 30 sunscreens.

Fishing Shirt Breathability And Ventilation

You may notice UPF 50-rated shirts. These garments do provide even more sun protection, but anglers should keep in mind that the more light a garment blocks, the harder it is for it to let air and moisture pass through it. This doesn’t mean that a UPF 50-rated shirt can’t be breathable, just that it requires a little extra engineering.

“You can end up with very sleek fabrics,” Jillian explains, “and to offset that something that AFTCO uses is Air O Mesh. Which is where we manufacture air holes in this dense fabric that allows air to come in, but they’re pinholes and they’re placed in areas where you don’t get as much sun exposure. So you get that UPF 50 rating, but it’s technically a mesh fabric. It can be tricky to achieve that high rating and still get airflow. It’s a fun little thing you have to solve for.”

Hooded fishing shirts provide excellent protection from the sun and elements, thanks to the added coverage of the hood .

Durable Fishing Shirts

Due to the inherent strength of polyester fiber and the tight weave of the garments, technical fishing shirts are surprisingly durable. They feel light duty, but they resist cuts, snags, and abrasion pretty well. Polyester is, in Jillian’s words, “tried and true,” for angling purposes.

In addition to being durable, polyester is also very stain-resistant compared to natural fibers. Some AFTCO shirts improve this stain resistance with the application of a Durable water-repellent (DWR) treatment during manufacturing. DWRs give a garment a level of water resistance but also make it much easier to wipe away fish blood, spilled drinks, and other mishaps. As always, though, there’s a tradeoff. A DWR typically has a small negative effect on a garment’s breathability.

Button-Up Fishing Shirts Vs Hooded Fishing Shirts

Choosing between button-up fishing shirts and hooded fishing shirts comes down to personal preference and the specific needs of an angler, as both styles offer unique benefits and potential drawbacks. Button-up fishing shirts are a classic choice, known for their versatility and ease of wear. These shirts often feature a front button placket that makes them easy to put on and take off. They are typically designed with a collar that can be turned up to protect the neck from the sun, and their structured fit allows for easy layering over t-shirts or under jackets. Many button-up fishing shirts also come with multiple pockets, which are handy for storing small items like bait, hooks, and sunglasses. However, they may not offer as much coverage for the head and neck compared to hooded options.

On the other hand, hooded fishing shirts provide excellent protection from the sun and elements, thanks to the added coverage of the hood. This feature is particularly beneficial for anglers who spend long hours on the water under direct sunlight, as it can help prevent sunburn on the head and

neck. Hooded fishing shirts often come with integrated UV protection and are made from lightweight, breathable materials that wick moisture and keep the wearer cool. However, they might be less versatile than button-up shirts because the hood can get in the way when not needed, and they typically have fewer pockets.

Personally, the author favors collared, button-up fishing shirts as “daily driver” apparel or for quick fishing trips. Many button-up fishing shirts are formal enough for laid-back office environments or weekday dinners at casual restaurants. Button-ups shine when you’re squeezing in quick trips before or after work, or for casual outings.

But if you’re going to be out on the water all day, hooded fishing shirts are tough to beat. The hood is especially important if, like the author, you have an aversion to both sunscreen and goofy-looking wide-brimmed hats. A hood is out of sight and out of mind until you need it, but can save your ears and the back of your neck when the sun is really beating down.

FINAL THOUGHTS ON FISHING SHIRTS

While the fishing gear market has expanded with countless gadgets and gear, the humble fishing shirt has stood the test of time, evolving into a highly technical piece of apparel. Designers like Jillian Hidalgo at AFTCO have gone to great lengths to blend functionality with comfort, ensuring that modern fishing shirts meet the demanding needs of today’s anglers. These shirts are no longer just about storing gear in their pockets; they are about providing protection from the elements, comfort in various conditions, and supporting conservation efforts through sustainable materials. Whether it’s the moisture-wicking capabilities of polyester, the comfort of natural fibers like bamboo and Tencel, or the advanced engineering of UPF ratings and breathability features, it’s clear that a lot of thought and care go into designing these essential pieces of fishing attire.

WHAT SIZE TRACTOR DO

BY JOE BAYA

I NEED?

Choosing the right tractor for your land management needs can feel like a daunting task, especially with the wide array of models and features available in the market today. Whether you’re tending a small plot or managing sprawling acres, the right tractor size can make all the difference in your agricultural operations.

To help you navigate through the complexities of tractor sizes and capabilities, we’ve sought out expert advice from Shannon Moore, the Eastern Regional Sales Manager for LS Tractor. With years of experience in the tractor industry, Shannon offers valuable insights and practical advice to guide you in selecting the perfect tractor that matches your farming needs.

In this article, we’ll explore the different factors you should consider, including the type of tasks you’re planning to accomplish and the terrain of your land, ensuring you make an informed decision. So, let’s dive into the world of tractors with Shannon and find out the answer to the question…”what size tractor do I need?”

UNDERSTANDING TRACTOR SIZES

Tractors are grouped into three general size categories, Shannon explains. From smallest to largest, you have sub-compact tractors, compact tractors, and utility tractors.

“Tractors are grouped into those categories based on a couple of factors,” says Shannon. “How much does it weigh? How big of a footprint does it take up? How much horsepower does it have? How much does it weigh?”

TRACTOR HORSEPOWER RATINGS

“Horsepower, Shannon continues, “is very important to consider, especially depending on which particular attachment you’re going to attach to that tractor. For example, take rotary cutters. If you’re maintaining your property all the time, and you’re never letting anything grow up, then a 25hp subcompact tractor could handle a small 48” rotary cutter; if you’re just maintaining stuff. But if you’re going to be cutting a lot of heavy brush, such as on acreage that hasn’t been maintained in the past, then you’re going to need much more horsepower, because you’re asking that engine to do more. You’re putting it through a lot more stress, and it’s going to take a lot more horsepower to knock down and clean up stuff.”

TRACTOR WEIGHT

“Weight is also a very important feature when you’re trying to determine what tractor you’re wanting to buy. Because most tractors in America are sold with front end loaders. Now, weight is very important when we talk about front end loaders, because the overall weight of a tractor serves as a counterbalance to the weight being lifted by the front-end loader. This means that heavier tractors can typically lift more because they have more mass to offset the load, reducing the risk of tipping.”

“For example, on a subcompact, we can put a grapple on a subcompact tractor, that works great moving brush and stuff like that, but it doesn’t work real well moving heavy logs. So depending on what you’re doing, you’re going to need a heavier tractor to accommodate that task.”

TRACTOR GROUND CLEARANCE

Shannon continues, “Ground clearance is going to give you the ability to work your way into the woods over stumps, downed trees, and other obstacles without having to clear open ground. That way, you don’t have to take out all that debris in there; you can work around it and just leave it.”

CONSIDERATIONS FOR CHOOSING THE RIGHT TRACTOR

Having explored how tractors are sized by horsepower, weight, and ground clearance, you might be wondering how to apply this information to your own needs. It’s important to consider your specific circumstances and the tasks you plan to accomplish with your tractor. To help guide you towards the right size tractor for your farm, garden, or land, let’s delve into some key questions.

WHAT

SIZE

TRACTOR DO

I NEED FOR 10 (OR 100, OR 1,000) ACRES?

At first glance, it seems logical to assume that there would be some correla-

tion between how much acreage you’re managing and how much tractor you need. Small tractors are for small properties, and big ones are for larger ones, right?

According to Shannon, “Nope.”

“To say, you know, ‘I’m trying to maintain 10 acres,’ that is such a variable. What exactly are you going to be doing on that 10 acres? Is it wooded? Are you going to just be mowing, or are you cutting and hauling firewood, planting food plots, grading roads, etc.?As a salesperson, I’ve got to ask more questions to see what that tractor is going to be used for in order to help somebody. How much acreage you have is just one small variable.”

WHAT TRACTOR ACCESSORIES DO YOU NEED?

A tractor by itself isn’t really all that useful. You’ll need to pair various attachments with it in order to turn it into a road grading, plot planting, brush cutting wonder-tool. Every attachment has its use, from blowers, to mowers, to grapples, but according to Shannon some attachments are absolutely essential for recreational property managers.

“Hands-down, the most popular attachment we sell is a front end loader,” he stated confidently, “because it then gives you the ability to add a lot of other attachments, like a grapple, for instance. And then you’re going to need to add one other thing, which is a third function kit. And that third function kid is going to be there to give you the ability, as you’re sitting in the operator seat of that tractor and when you’re messing with your loader controls, you’re going to have the ability to lift that grapple up, open the grapple, close the grapple, and then tilt the grapple back and forth.”

“So, the front end loader is a big deal, and it goes on the front of the tractor, but on the back end you’re going to have the three point lift and draw bar, and that’s going to let you hook up popular accessories like a rotary tiller, rotary cutter…even a box blade. There are numerous items that you can put behind that tractor.”

TRACTOR SIZES

Hopefully, you’re starting to get a feel for what variables you’ll have to consider before purchasing a tractor to make sure you have enough machine for the job. In this section, we’ll take a broad look at subcompact, compact, and utility tractors, and discuss roughly what their capabilities are.

Subcompact Tractors

These bantam-sized tractors are the smallest and least expensive machine we’ll discuss. They typically are powered by 20-25 hp engines, weight about 1,500 lbs, and are capable of handling about 1,000 lbs on a front end loader or three-point lift. Their small footprint means that they excel in tight quarters, and their light weight means that they’re not as likely to tear up the ground. They have low ground clearance, making them less-than-ideal for use in the rough-and-tumble, stump-filled woods, but their low height also means that they can be outfitted with a mid-mount mower.

So who are they for? In the words of a friend of mine, a subcompact tractor, “is the back-saver I wish I’d have bought twenty years ago!” While they’re definitely light-duty machines, they are much more capable than you are at hauling mulch and firewood, mowing acreage, clearing snow from driveways, and moving dirt.

Compact Tractors

“Compact tractors” cover a wider range of size and capabilities than subcompacts. A 25 hp machine might be classified as a compact tractor, but so might a 68 hp model. According to Shannon, a lot of recreational land managers end up with something like LS Tractors MT2 series, which are 30 – 40 hp models capable of handling about 2,500 lbs on the front end loader and about 18,00 lbs on the three-point lift. If you’re handling heavier implements, such as say, no-till drills, Shannon advises stepping up to a MT3, which is on the larger end of the compact spectrum. Compact tractors are generally much more capable than subcompacts at tasks like plot planting, road creation, and more intensive earth moving operation.

Utility Tractors

Utility tractors are the biggest, heaviest, strongest, and most expensive mod-

els represented here. They can do everything compact tractors can, plus some. They can handle two to four tons of weight on the front end loader and three point hitch, and weigh in excess of 7,000 lbs. That’s a lot of tractor for food plot planting!

HOW MUCH DOES A TRACTOR COST?

Once you get a feel for how you’ll be using your tractor, what accessories you need to operate, and what size machine will accommodate that, there’s one more question. Cost. How much will a new tractor cost you? That depends, says Shannon.

“When we look at cost as a whole we’ve got to keep in mind what implements you’ll need and everything that we’re possibly going to add to that tractor. Because that’s going to change the dynamics of that question immensely But when we’re looking at just the tractor, You’re going to start at around the $15,000 mark for a subcompact model, and where LS stands right now on the subcompact tractor; you’re in that $15,000 mark. When you go all the way up to the biggest utility tractor that we make, which is a 68 horsepower, you’re going to be in that $52,000 price point. Again, that’s just the tractor. That cost goes up as you start adding the necessary attachments.”

CAN I FINANCE A TRACTOR AND OTHER FARM EQUIPMENT?

Darren Hammonds, the manager of the Montgomery, Alabama branch of First South Farm Credit, gives us some good advice and direction for those who may be in the market for farm equipment loans.

RATES AND TERMS

One thing that is certain in any situation now when farm equipment loans are being sought- rates are changing on a daily basis. A landowner who is in need of equipment to improve the land whether it’s farm land or hunting land will want to keep a close eye on the current interest rates on loans.

Compact tractors are generally much more capable than subcompacts at tasks like plot planting, road creation, and more intensive earth moving operation .

“I expect rates to go up with the current economic situation,” Hammonds said.

He tells us that at present, farm equipment loans are running in the 5% to 6% range.

“Most farm equipment loans are made for three to seven years, and most loans are made for under five years,” he noted.

USED EQUIPMENT RATES

A very important point for landowners to consider when looking at farm equipment is that used equipment is a red-hot market, and used machines will not be cheap.

“There’s a 25% down payment, but we do have another option called Farm Credit Express,” Hammonds explained. “It is a point of purchase-type program where people can go directly to approved dealers throughout the state and they can buy used or new equipment and get up to 100% financing. Typically the terms would be as we had discussed earlier. That would be anywhere from three to seven years and rates would still be in the mid-fours or lower fives through that program. The great thing about this program is that it’s kind of like when you go to buy a car. You show up at a car dealership, and you walk in and you get approved. That’s how this would work and typically it takes a few minutes for someone to go through that process”

Some folks might want to know about a private party sale- person to person and if First South Farm Credit can work with that situation. Hammond says the answer is yes.

“Yes, we can certainly do that. That would just be dealing with a party that was not part of the Farm Credit Express System, but it would be a direct loan,” he said.

Hammond advises that landowners who need equipment are not limited to

“People are wanting to get pre.def. models (equipment older than emissions control additions) whether they’re using the equipment on their hunting lease or whether they’re using it for full-time farming, but we’re seeing that the used equipment is highly valuable right now,” Hammonds said.

WHAT KIND OF EQUIPMENT CAN BE FINANCED?

“We make loans on equipment for any kind of landowner. As long as the equipment can be considered a piece of ag equipment, we can make a loan on it. And that would include all your tractors, implements and things like that,” Hammonds explained. “Most people would not qualify for a loan on an ATV, but this depends on the use of the machine. It might be different for a full-time farmer who uses the ATV as part of the farm operation.”

“The older tractors are bringing in a lot more money than what they have been bringing. So you just have to weigh your different options and see what fits you and your finances. And the important thing to remember about First South is that we can do either one. We can do the new models or the used equipment. It doesn’t matter either way. We will try to format a program around your needs,” he concluded.

WHERE ARE LS TRACTORS MADE?

“Our tractors are manufactured in South Korea,” says Shannon, “and we have three distribution centers in the United States currently.. We’re located in North Carolina, Texas, and California. So our tractors come into those centers, and from there we add things like tires and loaders, but as a whole most assembly is done in South Korea.”

FINAL THOUGHTS

As we wrap up our discussion on finding the perfect tractor size, it’s clear that the choice isn’t just about horsepower or features. It’s really about understanding your specific needs and the demands of your land. The right tractor—from a nimble subcompact that’s perfect for small gardens to a powerful utility model designed for heavy farm work—can make your

MT2-Tractor-Cab

LS Tractors MT2 series compact tractor .

property management tasks much easier and more efficient.

It’s important to remember that the best tractor for you will depend on the tasks at hand. Whether you’re clearing brush, planting food plots, or managing a large farm, each job might require different tractor capabilities and attachments. Shannon Moore has highlighted the importance of considering these factors carefully to avoid overspending or underutilizing your tractor.

So, take your time to consider what you really need before making a purchase. Think about the tasks you’ll be tackling throughout the year, and choose a tractor that won’t just do the job, but will make the job easier. This approach will help you make a smart investment that pays off in productivity and enjoyment on your land.

Proper piling installation and reinforcement techniques play a crucial role in ensuring the dock’s stability (Photo courtesy of Art Marine)

Dock Construction Points to Consider

BY JOE BAYA

Anytime I’m faced with a big job that I’m unacquainted with, I often get “paralysis by analysis”. Building a dock is one of these jobs. From permitting and regulations to design and structural integrity, dock construction can seem like a daunting task, especially if you’re unfamiliar with where to begin. On Episode 205 of Northwest Florida Fishing Report, I recently interviewed seasoned dock builder Ryan Vess, partner at Art Marine, to discuss this topic in detail. Give it a listen if you are looking for all of the nuances. In this article, we’ll break down the essential points to consider before starting dock construction.

UNDERSTANDING THE MAP IS INTEGRAL TO DOCK DESIGN

Before diving into dock construction, it’s crucial to assess your property. Every property is unique, and some factors are different for each property that can dictate what you are allowed to construct.

One of those factors is the mean high water line (MHWL), which some people refer to as their waterfront distance. NOAA defines this as the line on a chart or map that represents the intersection of the land with the water surface at the elevation of mean high water. Where this comes into play is with dock setbacks. In most coastal areas, a MHWL of less than 65 feet does not require any setback limitations, whereas a MHWL of greater than 65’ does. This crucial bit of information can drastically affect how you can design your dock.

Another key point to understand is your riparian lines. Many waterfront landowners assume that their riparian lines extend into the water in the same direction as their upland boundaries. This is not always the case. Disregarding riparian lines and the MHWL distance is a great way to end up in a dispute with your neighbors or run afoul with the regulating authorities. Different regions may have varying regulations, so it’s essential to understand local requirements.

BUDGETING WHEN BUILDING A DOCK

Budgeting for dock construction can be challenging, considering the numerous factors involved. Costs can vary widely on materials and labor, and it’s easy to forget the costs of additional features like boat lifts, electrical, plumbing, and roofing over boats. I believe that the best way to approach budgeting is to design your dream build and find out what that costs, and then if that is outside of your budget, work with your builder to learn how you can bring the cost down. Maybe you don’t need the entire dock built right now? Planning the construction in phases can space out the costs and allow you to get what you want over time instead of having to go cheap.

MATERIAL SELECTION

Choosing the right materials is often a compromise between cost and durability. Treated pine decking, for example, will be less expensive on the front end compared to composite decking. Marine pressure-treated pilings won’t last as long as composite pilings, but that comes with a cost, and you may be able to meet in the middle by using a piling wrap that will mitigate wood pests. Galvanized hardware will be less expensive than stainless hardware, but it will also corrode and need to be replaced sooner. Each material comes with its pros and cons, impacting both cost and maintenance requirements. Ultimately your choice of materials will be unique for your

budget and goals.

DOCK BUILDING STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY

Structural integrity is paramount, especially in areas prone to storms and harsh weather conditions. To be able to withstand potential challenges, such as hurricane-force winds and waves, your boat dock needs to be “overbuilt”. “When I go and look at a dock, I’m looking at how strong I can build it. So when a bad storm comes through, I don’t get embarrassed,” says Ryan Vess. There are several key areas to pay close attention to.

BOAT DOCK PILINGS

Proper piling installation and reinforcement techniques play a crucial role in ensuring the dock’s stability. Ryan had this to say about piling installation, “The big deal with pilings is getting them down deep. For every dock that I build, I water jet at least 10’ depth and then I drop a big 300-pound hammer on it to drive it to completion. Then I build it with triple bolts in each piling.”

BOAT HOUSES

Many boat dock builders want a boat house to shelter their watercraft from rain and UV rays. “You always ride around and you see sagging boathouses, one of the pilings will be low, they got a boat lift in there and the center’s low because the boat center of gravity was set wrong.” Ryan said. “When we get to the building and the strength, I build a triple 2X12 band around my boat houses, and all you’re required to do is pretty much a double 2×12. I use ten-inch butt pilings, most people will use nine-inch because they’re easier to handle and they’re cheaper. I set my pilings roughly seven and a half feet on center. You can make your dock last longer, you just add five extra boards or four extra pilings and it’s gonna make it through a big storm a lot better than a dock built with less.”

BOAT DOCK ROOFING

We’ve written about roof building to withstand hurricanes before, the summary is this: While asphalt shingles provide a low-cost option for builders, the Gulf Coast’s frequent damaging winds make them an inferior choice for roofing material that will likely cost you more in the long run. In addition to the type of metal roofing, you must take into account the design of your roof when building. Jason Norton, president of Baker Metal Works and Supply, a major Gulf Coast supplier of quality metal roofing from Dixie Building Supply, had this to say when asked about fortifying roofs here on the Gulf Coast, “Many factors go into calculating if a specific metal roofing product will work. Roof slope, wind exposure category, and design wind speed for the actual house location must be considered. The first thing that someone seeking fortification should do is get with a local engineer/architect to see if the product you are interested in fits all the criteria for your specific location.”

FINAL THOUGHTS BEFORE YOU BEGIN

Building a dock requires careful planning and consideration of various factors, from property assessment to material selection and construction techniques. If you’re planning to use a builder, make sure to educate yourself on what is required of you in addition to what the “best practices” are in the construction of each element so that you not only get the value you are looking for from your build but can enjoy your boat dock for years to come.

HUNTING

How I Made 11% Of My Property Value Selling Natural Capital

BY JOE BAYA

In many landscapes of the United States, landowners navigate a delicate balance between preserving ecosystem integrity and reaping economic rewards. In my experience, with this interplay between ecology and economy, the finances most often tip the scales in their direction at the expense of the ecosystems. Understanding this, many organizations both private and public are putting their financial resources up for grabs to landowners who are willing to manage their lands for the public benefits that conservation practices provide. One company has stepped forward to help you learn how to make money off your land and make getting started with that process easier than ever before.

WHAT IS NATURAL CAPITAL?

According to Wikipedia, natural capital is defined as “the world’s stock of natural resources, which includes geology, soils, air, water and all living organisms. Some natural capital assets provide people with free goods and services, often called ecosystem services. Natural capital is a concept central to the economic assessment of ecosystem services valuation, which revolves around the idea that non-human life produces goods and services that are essential to life. Thus, natural capital is essential to the sustainability of the economy.”

HOW TO MAKE MONEY OFF YOUR LAND WITH NATURAL CAPITAL

Zack Parisa is a product of the beautiful and diverse landscapes of North Alabama. A registered Forester, Zack first saw an opportunity to help landowners receive income through the various Forestry land management assistance programs that are available. Taking this a step further, Zack founded the Natural Capital Exchange to combine the various public and private land management assistance programs available to landowners into one platform. The goal? Make it easier for landowners of all sizes to determine their eligibility for these programs, apply for them, and ultimately receive funding to complete these practices on their properties. NCX.com emerged from this desire. As a user, I can attest that this growing platform makes the previously arduous process incredibly easy.

WHERE DOES THE MONEY COME FROM?

The funding for these natural capital programs comes from the governments, non-profits, and businesses that all have committed to environmental sustainability. Heck, even Taylor Swift is offsetting her private jet’s carbon footprint. What this means for landowners is there is a growing economy that is allowing landowners to earn income that doesn’t necessarily require them to extract any of the natural resources from their property.

HOW CAN I MAKE MONEY WITH MY LAND?

How you can make money with your land is dependent on many factors. At the time of this writing, NCX.com has 80+ programs that pay landowners for the following practices and more:

• Tree Planting

• Renewable Energy (Solar Development)

• Harvesting Timber (Timber Stand improvements)

• Not Harvesting Timber (Carbon Credits)

• Recreation (Fishing, Hunting, Camping, Ranch and Farm Tours)

• Water Quality Improvements

• Biodiversity (longleaf pine restoration, wildlife habitat, soil quality)

• Wildfire Risk Mitigation (Thinning, Firebreaks)

• Regenerative Agriculture (Silvopasture, regenerative grazing)

So no matter what you are doing on your property, whether that is farming,

ranching, recreation, or just preservation, there is a program you are eligible for, and it can mean big bucks.

HOW I MADE MONEY WITH MY LAND

I recently received funding from the USDA’s Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to help me install firebreaks, conduct controlled burns, remove invasive plant species, and plant and reduce competition for my longleaf pines. This funding was provided to not only enhance the gopher tortoise habitat in my area, but also mitigate the wildfire risk and prevent the spread of invasives, which out-compete native plants. Programs like EQIP are available through NCX.com’s platform, and the result for me was an income equal to about 11% of what I paid for my property! This money helps me to decide to steward my land in a way that balances what the ecology of the property warrants and not just what is best for my bottom line. And that is just the tip of the iceberg. There are many more programs that I have not applied for.

STACKING INCOME SOURCES ON THE SAME PIECE OF LAND

Growing up, I always enjoyed listening to my godfather tell me about the farm he grew up on in South Alabama in the late 1930s through the 1950s. One of the stories I admired the most was learning about how well-diversified good farmers in that era were. They didn’t just make their money from one or two row crops, they derived value from their land from a variety of sources of livestock and agriculture, and much of that value didn’t come in the form of cash but in the quality of life they were able to lead. You didn’t need a ton of cash when your land produced the vast majority of what you needed!

In today’s world, it seems all too often landowners make their money from one revenue stream. When one market (such as timber, crops, or livestock) is down, the whole farm’s income is down. One of the beautiful things about the growing natural capital economy is that it can provide income to landowners from a diverse range of sources on the same acre. Just the same way a summer row crop farmer might allow winter grazing to increase the revenue per acre, you can stack some programs on the same acre. Nothing is stopping you from receiving income from both a public and private source (think carbon credits and tree planting income on a stand of pines) but you will need to make sure that is allowed. The Natural Capital Exchange already has that figured out for you.

HOW TO GET STARTED MAKING MONEY FROM YOUR NATURAL CAPITAL

The first step in receiving income for Natural Capital improvement projects on your land is to determine all of the programs available to you. If you try to do this program by program, prepare for a long process that is very time-consuming. The other option is to sign up at NCX.com. It’s completely free, and NCX does not share your personal data or contact information with anyone unless you want to be contacted by one of the programs you are eligible for. All you have to do is head over to NCX.com and submit a land map and some very basic ownership information. Based on the land you submit, you can immediately see all of the programs you are eligible for, if those programs can be stacked, all of the contract and earnings details, and request to be contacted right there from the platform. After you’ve made contact, NCX offers a team of people who will help you review the offers you get from program partners.

The natural capital economy is up for grabs, all you have to do is extend a hand to capture your piece of the pie.

The Best Crappie Lakes You Need to Fish

BY JOHN E. PHILLIPS

A slab crappie like this may be caught in the prespawn, but after the spawn, the crappie don’t die, they don’t quit eating, and you can catch them and cook them .

Great Days Outdoors has talked with avid crappie anglers across the Southeast to learn which lakes should be chosen to be named the 10-top southeastern lakes for crappie fishing, and the best ways to fish them.

MISSISSIPPI CRAPPIE LAKES

When talking about crappie lakes, one fact quickly surfaces. Mississippi has a lot of them. Every lake tries to lay claim to being “The Crappie Capital of the World.” And to be fair, there are a lot of really, really good crappie lakes scattered across the southeast. But Mississippi seems particularly crappie-rich. Lakes like Enid, Grenada, and Sardis don’t just hold lots of crappie, they hold lots of big crappie. The largest White Crappie ever caught came out of Enid, and weighed 5 lbs, 2oz. Stringers of three pounders are not uncommon.

With this in mind, it’s no surprise that almost half of the lakes mentioned in this article are in Mississippi. But residents in other states throughout the state will find some of their favorite lakes represented as well.

With that said, let’s dive into it!

“THE

BIG FOUR” - ENID, GRENADA, SARDIS, AND ARKABUTLA

Aaron Barton of Oxford, Miss, guides on and crappie fishes Enid, Grenada and Sardis lakes in northern Mississippi. He reports that these lakes are so good for crappie due to a combination of three things: a long growing season, which can produce bigger crappie faster; the variable nature of many of the different water depths that have good shad populations in each; and the 1- to 4 inch shad that tend to hang out in these lakes longer than some other lakes.

“For instance, if you go to a lake with a 9-inch slot limit, it will hold numbers of 8-3/4 inch crappie,” Barton says. “If you fish a lake with a 10-inch slot limit, there will be a ton of 9-3/4-inch crappie in it. So, the quality of fishing is often determined by the age class of crappie that can be taken out of a lake and the sizes of the ones thrown back.”

Barton reports that you can catch a 3-4-pound crappie in each of these lakes. But since the crappie aren’t full of roe in May-July, the crappie will tend to be smaller than those caught in early spring. Most people will say that to catch a 3-4 pound crappie from May– July that you need to fish Grenada. “I think that one of the reasons for that is the lack of boat access at Grenada in the winter months.”

Barton explains that he and his clients catch crappie in late spring – early summer by either pulling crankbaits like Bandit 200s and Bandit 300s in pink, black and chartreuse-and-white at 12-20 feet deep by putting weighted line in front of the boat or by power trolling 1/4-ounce and 1/2-ounce Beetle Spins.

“I also like to push crankbaits, minnows and/or 1/8-, 1/4- and/or 1/16-ounce jigs tipped or not tipped with minnows. I’ll also fish a combination of those three baits.”

Barton says his favorite tactic for May– July is to push crankbaits, rather than long lining behind a boat. “I’ll fish crankbaits with eight rods off the back of my boat with 150 feet of line out on each and set my trolling motor on about 1.7 miles per hour. Then I’ll troll over the river channels. This technique is an action-filled yet relaxing way to fish and catch numbers of crappie.”

Your crappie-fishing success at these three lakes will be dependent on avoiding a windy day if you’re LiveScoping, a real-time scanning sonar technology from Garmin. This easy-to-interpret live-scanning sonar images will display clearly defined structures, your lure as you retrieve it and even enough detail to distinguish between different species of fish.

If you’re fishing minnows, according to Barton, there’s no bad minnow weather. Pay attention, and make sure you’re safe because bad storms can blow-up quickly. A 10 mph wind from one direction can produce 5-6 foot white caps, if the wind’s blowing directly down the lake.

Barton also mentions that, “Some folks like to night fish during hot weather at these lakes for both crappie and white bass. Sardis Lake is close to my home, so I guess I fish there more.”

In the 1990s, Enid produced some world-record white crappie. But Barton mentions that Enid feels like it’s fish-crowded. “You’ll catch numbers of 11 to 12-1/2 inch crappie from May- July at Enid that are close to the legal 12inch limit. However, you can pinch the barbs down on your crankbait to fish deeper and often catch larger crappie.

At Enid, you also can tweak the location, the depth of your bait and how fast you’re trolling to catch catfish. “We’ll catch one catfish for every four crappie we take at Enid when fishing open water, May- July. These catfish will weigh from 4-20 pounds each during this time of the year.”

According to Barton, although numerous anglers have named Arkabutla Lake as a top crappie lake, “Arkabutla Lake has been closed for the most part for emergency repairs, at least temporarily. Today Enid is the only lake with a northern and a southern buffer to keep the folks who are driving up from Jackson, MS, or New Orleans, LA, from fishing there, since they’ll have to pass Ross Barnett and Grenada to reach Enid. People coming from Missouri, Illinois and Memphis, TN, must drive by Sardis before reaching Enid.”

ROSS BARNETT RESERVOIR, MISSISSIPPI

Brad Chappell of Glen Allan, Miss., enjoys fishing Bandit 300s in the popsicle, monkey milk, Sardis gold and purple colors at Ross Barnett, casting to the crappie with jigs and using K9 braided line in various colors.

“I like to alternate the line colors I’m fishing when trolling for crappie. I mainly locate these crappie with down-imaging sonar. I’ve been fishing this lake for so long that I have most of the productive ledges marked on my depth finder as waypoints. I try to pull my bait directly over stumps sitting on ledges in 12-18 foot deep water, since the crappie will be suspended over their tops. In May – July, we expect to catch 40-60 crappie in a day, depending on how many anglers are in the boat.”

Chappell says depending on who’s in the boat with him, some people like to use sonar and some people prefer to cast to the crappie. “I use my Garmin LiveScope, Model 126 SV, 7-1/2-foot B ‘n’ M series casting poles and 6-pound test high-vis yellow K9 fluorocarbon line to be able to see the line as I cast it out. Also I can spot a twitch on my line, even with a light bite. Typically I’ll use two, 1/8-ounce jig heads about 12-inches apart on the same line, tying one to the bottom of the line, and the second one about 12 inches above it. I like to fish two jigs because I believe a crappie can spot two jigs better than if only one jig falls. Also I can see two jigs falling on my screen easier.”

Chappell names May– July as months most people aren’t thinking about crappie fishing, but those are his favorite months to fish Ross Barnett, mainly due to the consistent weather. “Therefore the crappie will be holding in consistent patterns. Wherever you find them in May, you’ll generally locate them in those same places in July. After the crappie get over the spawn, they’re hungry, and they want to feed and add body weight, making the crappie aggressive at this time of the year.”

Chappell’s favorite jigs are Bobby Garland baits, especially the 1-1/4-inch Itty Bit Slab Hunter that’s deadly on crappie in June and July. The head sizes are from 1/16-ounce to as small as a 1/48-ounce heads. “I just have to determine how fast the crappie wants the jigs to come past them for the fish to take them. I’ve found that when fishing very-small baits, if you put those jigs right in the crappie’s faces, the crappie can’t resist them.

“My favorite jig is a 1/16-ounce, and on the bottom of the line, I’ll put a 1/32-ounce jig. I want my bottom jig to be lighter than the top jig. The back jig has total freedom to move, after the front jig stops moving. The heavier jig will take most of the momentum of the line being pulled, and the lighter jig behind it will dance around . Most of the crappie will be caught on that back bait.

“I like the jig head, a Crappie Pro Overbite, also from Bobby Garland, in 1/16- 1/32-ounce. I prefer small heads because when a crappie bites it, the

Most anglers roll their crappie poles up and put them under their porches after the crappie spawn, however, you can find and catch numbers of nicesized crappie May – July in these top southeastern crappie lakes .

fish will inhale it. I like the Mud Dauber, Grenada Gold, Fried Shad, Blue Ice, Blue Chrome and Junebug Chartreuse colors for heads. My favorite structure to fish at Ross Barnett is stumps on ledges or manmade brush piles. Crappie like brush piles that lay flat on the bottom instead of sticking-up from the bottom, especially as long as that brush is near a ledge.”

Chappell Plans to catch 10-15-inch crappie from May– July in 12-foot-deep water, usually 30 crappie on a slow day and 60 crappie on a great day with two people in the boat. “Generally crappie will be holding in the same spots from May until the fall at Ross Barnett. I’ve probably got more than 200 waypoints I can go to and fish to catch crappie.

“You can locate structure in Ross Barnett fairly easy with live sonar. I enjoy using a contour map to pinpoint crappie holding right on the ledges. Once you locate them, they’ll be there until fall.

On one particular brush pile last year at Ross Barnett, I caught about 3,000 crappie off of it in the summertime. That spot would reload with crappie every day.”

THE BEST CRAPPIE LAKES OUTSIDE OF MISSISSIPPI

My longtime friend, Whitey Outlaw of St. Matthews, South Carolina, has fished crappie tournaments for 40 years, including these lakes also named to the top-crappie fishing list – Alabama’s Weiss Lake, Lake Marion in South Carolina, Reelfoot Lake in Tennessee, Lake Oconee in Georgia and Lake Okeechobee in Florida. He explains that if a thermocline has set-up in some of these lakes, then seldom will the thermocline be deeper than 18 feet.

“My son, Matthew, guides crappie fishermen on Santee Cooper Lake, Lake Marion and Lake Moultrie,” Outlaw says. “Summer months are the best times to catch crappie in the Southeast, because we know pretty much where the crappie will be out on the river ledges, and on stumps and manmade brush we’ve put out in 12-18 feet of water.

“At this time of year, we mostly cast 1/16-ounce jigs at these lakes. I like a 1-inch skirt in brown-and-chartreuse. My favorite jig is a 1/16-ounce jig with white-and-chartreuse or chartreuse-and-yellow. I’ll also fish some brown jigs like pumpkinseed or orange and yellow. However, when the crappie are feeding in their summertime pattern, you can catch them on almost anything. Generally they’ll be holding in 16-foot-deep water, with black crappie 4-5 feet above the brush and white crappie in the brush.”

LAKE MARION, SOUTH CAROLINA

Outlaw says to look for brushpiles and underwater structure that you or someone else has put out on this 110,000+ acre lake, located in the central section of South Carolina. “We’ve found that putting-out oak brush in this lake pays the most crappie dividends. Also look for natural stumps along the edges of the river channels in 12-18 feet of water.

“You can catch crappie by casting 1/16-ounce jigs and/or vertical jigging. In the summertime, I’ll fish white-and-chartreuse jigs or orange-and-yellow jigs here. I like a pink-headed jig too. I’ll LiveScope or use a single pole for the best results. I’ve also found vertical jig fishing on manmade structure is profitable.”

The Best Crappie Lakes You Need to Fish

WEISS LAKE, AL

“This Alabama lake pays crappie dividends when you spider rig over the creek channels from May-July. Weiss contains numbers of stumps to fish that will be productive for crappie and also are easy to locate. I use double-rigged minnows to spider rig with a 1/2-ounce lead and fish from 12-18 feet deep. I’ll be LiveScoping the stumps or pushing jigs over the stumps and using minnows as trailers. I’ll fish a 1/16-ounce white or chartreuse jig head with a No. 4 hook almost anywhere at Weiss and be successful.”

REELFOOT LAKE, TENNESSEE

Outlaw recommends you stay in the lower Blue basin, and fish the big stumps in 8-12 feet of water at this Tennessee Lake. “You can Livescope the stumps, vertical jig them (I prefer a tube jig in white-and-chartreuse) or spider rig over them. I recommend you use minnows, due to there being numbers of white crappie in Reelfoot. I’ll fish double minnows and push them around the stumps. If I’m using my LiveScope, I’ll fish a tube jig in white-and-chartreuse with a 1/16-ounce jig head.”

LAKE OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA

Outlaw suggests you fish the drop-offs, ledges, stumps, treetops and underwater grasslines in the Kissimmee River for crappie. Spider rig with double-rigged minnows with 1/2-ounce leads, or Livescope these areas. I like to fish the river with double-rigged minnows 12-18 feet deep, rather than the lake because the water there is somewhat deeper. Spider rigging will be your most-productive tactic. Troll along the edges of the grasslines slowly for success too. I’ll be fishing natural and manmade structure.”

LAKE OCONEE, GEORGIA

According to Outlaw, this lake is a tight-lining, spider-rigging lake or a LiveScoping lake. “Stay in 14-18 feet of water, and look for structure. If you’re LiveScoping, use a 1/16-ounce jig with a pink head and a white-and-chartreuse skirt. If not, push double-rigged minnows.”

More and more crappie fishermen have learned they don’t have to pull fillets from their freezers from May– July to enjoy a delicious crappie dinner. They can have delicious, freshly-caught crappie if they know where to find the fish.

If you want to have a fish fry, you can pull fillets from your freezer, but even more delicious are the deepwater late spring and early summer crappie you catch on these top southeastern crappie lakes .

The Best Crappie Lakes You Need to Fish

ChanterellesThe Complete Guide to

BY BECCA MAHONEY

I feel slightly hesitant to title this article “The Complete Guide.” because there’s not enough paper or white out for me to even come close to telling you everything there is to know about chanterelles. After you find the first ones, you’ll likely want confirmation just to make sure you don’t die eating something you shouldn’t eat. Then you’ll find another variety or the exact same one but in a different place, with slightly different coloring or shapes. You’ll want to reach out once again to confirm that, but in the back of your mind you’ll know. You know how you know something just by sight? It’s something you can identify from 2 acres away in the dusk of the evening, like the way your spouse or child walks when they are coming in from school or work? That’s how Chanterelles are after you’ve picked them a few times. Only you don’t have to give birth to or spend 37 years with them to know them from a distance. So here I am trying to put that into words. I’m gonna forget something and I’ll likely add more than is needed because I’m long winded like that. But here goes…

WHAT ARE CHANTERELLES?

Chanterelle is a term used to describe a large number of terrestrial mushrooms from the order Cantharellus. They are mycorrhizal, meaning they grow and fruit in relationship to certain plants. In this case, certain trees. While they are most often found near hardwoods, some varieties can be found near pines, and some just aren’t real picky about their tree.They are considered to be prize edibles and fortunately grow with great vigor here in

Alabama if the weather cooperates. Another plus is they are very easy to identify!

HOW TO IDENTIFY CHANTERELLES

There are so many different kinds of Chanterelles that I won’t have enough space here to write about each one but you can certainly look up most of the described varieties. There are also an amazing number of undescribed Chanterelles. You can still eat these nameless ones once you learn how to identify them. I’ll name a few to get you started. All of these begin with the word Cantharellus that will henceforth be symbolized by the capital letter “C.”

Let’s start with these really fleshy ones; C. cibarius, C.lateritius, and C. lewisii to name a few. Then we have the more delicate ones; C. minor, C. cinnabarinus and C. texenis. These will range in color from white to light beige, tan, brownish or various shades of yellow, peach, orange and red. They are small to medium sized mushrooms that may appear to have gills but sometimes may be smooth. They can be lighter colored or the same color on the underside. They fruit from the ground for the most part, but I have occasionally found small C. ignicolor and Craterellus species growing from well rotted wood that’s lying on the ground. Craterellus is another set from the Cantharellus group. I hope you’ll take the time to look them up too.

Craterellus fallax is a dark colored, hard to find, paper thin species that is well worth the hunt. Craterellus tubaeformis is another that often makes its appearance in the early fall around my place. The overall appearance of Chanterelles can be vase shaped, funnel shaped, convex or flat. They can have a wavy or ruffled appearance in older specimens. When you touch the upper surface of these mushrooms it’s always dry and kinda smooth, unless it has rained, of course! Those gills that you thought you saw are actually folds or ridges. These folds can resemble gills that run down the stem (stipe) or they may appear like veins, forking and crossing over the flesh in a manner known as anastomoses. The underside can also be quite smooth if you find C. lateritius. They’ve been described by many as having a fruity smell. I have never smelled that. The flesh tastes mild and I’ve heard it described as slightly peppery, though I’ve never tasted that myself. The spore print can be white to pale yellow, according to the variety you have. If you want to learn more about how to get a spore print, check out @Alabama Mushroom Society on Facebook or go to alabamamushroomsociety.org

I’m including as many photos as I can from my personal collection. I highly recommend looking at these names for better images as mine have been made with my phone.

I’m pretty sure someone out there is wondering about the easy part. After you find something that you think is a Chanterelle, here’s a test you can apply that checks all the boxes for identifying these.

1. Does it tear like string cheese? (Grasp at the cap and tear downward)

3. Does it have false or forked gills?

3. Is the flesh white? (This may not always apply to those very thin, small species but is an important feature when distinguishing from Omphalotus which is a toxic (not deadly!) look alike.

4. Toxic look-alikes- Omphalotus illudens, also known as the jack-o-lantern here in the eastern United States. It is a large orange mushroom with very obvious gills, orange flesh and a creamy white spore print that grows from wood or buried roots often in large clumps. The odor has been described as strong but pleasant by some and the taste is mild. At least 3 of these features rule out Chanterelles, which have no gills, white flesh (except in the most delicate varieties) and grow terrestrially. Possibly 4 if you add growing in large clusters. Chanterelles may cluster in small groups of 2 or 4, but never in large clusters. Omphalotus (sub) illudens is toxic but should not be deadly to a healthy adult. The gastrointestinal distress caused by consumption is pretty severe though, and could send some packing to the emergency room.

The next toxic look-alike is Hygrophoropsis aurantica often called the False Chanterelle. They are either under-reported or just not often found in the Gulf States. But they are here. You’ll find these growing from heavy debris on, near, or even under decaying hardwoods or confers. Generally a fall fungus, they range in color from nearly white to almost red. The center of the cap is usually darker than the outer areas. They are covered in short fibers or hairs that can be worn away by weather. The cap is quite fragile in comparison to Chanterelles. They have deep gills that can mimic the cap color ranging from pale to yellow, orangish or deep red. Like the cap they also are quite soft and easily damaged. The stem is usually off centered and the same or similar in color to the center part of the cap. The spore print is white. The smell and taste is mild. The things that stand out on these as not being Chanterelles are the fact that they have gills, being so fragile, they grow from wood, and if you do find them on the ground it’s usually near rotting wood.

CHANTERELLE FORAGING TECHNIQUES

When the summer starts to warm the soil and you start sweating a little just watering the flower beds at 8 o’clock in the morning, say about 75F, you can start looking for Chanterelle pins. Pinning is a reference to when mushrooms start topping the ground and you can see the “heads” if you look really hard. Here in central Alabama that’s early May. Come August if the weather permits you’ll need helpers to tote your poke sack and will be leaving them on your neighbor’s porches like you would your excess summer squash. Just ring the bell and run before they can say no!

You’ll need a basket or other receptacle that allows air flow. No plastic if

at all possible and that applies to any mushroom. You’ll need a knife and a soft brush. I like using a small unused 1” paintbrush like you’d paint trim with. Chanterelles may be dry to touch but they are dirt magnets. If you don’t get that dirt off before adding to your basket you’ll find your meal ruined by grit. You may cut the mushroom before picking it or pick and then trim the base that has dirt on it, taking care to hold it in such a way as to not let all that soil shake onto you mushroom. Use your brush at this point if needed to remove any soil and leaves from it before adding it to your basket. Chanterelles bruise easily for such a sturdy feeling fungus. Try to take it easy on them and don’t over pack your poke. They’re still edible bruised but it will cut down on the shelf life. From the forest you should take them home and transfer them to a roomy paper bag if you intend to store them. If they are a bit buggy I put them in soda flats (shallow cardboard box your canned drinks come in) and let them sit out for a little while, many critters will vacate the mushrooms while they’re resting.

THE BEST TIME TO HARVEST CHANTERELLE MUSHROOMS

That will depend on where you live. As I write, it is April 1st. My friends in central Florida are finding pins now. South Alabama will likely be picking young ones in April; here in Tallassee it’ll be mid May, North Alabama by the end of May. Rain notwithstanding and late frosts permitting, we can harvest members of the Cantharellus family from April to October.

WHERE DO CHANTERELLES GROW?

Look under the drip lines on hardwoods. Look in mixed forest. Look in your yard, in the forest, in your neighbor’s yard, or the graveyard. You can find them in the park too. But wherever you find them, be aware that mushrooms are a product of their environment just like you and I. Perhaps even a bit more so. Given their short fruiting cycle and small stature they may absorb more toxins than, say, an acorn that has a tree to filter for it. If they are in areas where people spray pesticides or herbicides you shouldn’t consume them. If they are near a busy road, toxins from petroleum products are problematic, not to mention it would likely not taste very good. You can still gather some to learn from. Pick a few, find out what they look, feel and smell like. Please remember that it is illegal to harvest mushrooms from state parks in Alabama. Be aware of your location and follow guidelines for that place.

I find those smaller, more delicate ones near small streams or even wet weather washes. They follow the flow of the watery wash like little red and yellow flowers. Often showing up as the fleshier versions start slowing down and producing sporadically.

Wherever you find them, they’ll come back every year like a long lost friend as long as you don’t remove those trees that they have a symbiotic relationship with. The land behind my home was clear cut 2 years ago. I cannot even begin to guess how many Chanterelles have been harvested from back there. Even though the roots remain and a few sporadic trees have started sprouting from the old stumps, not one terrestrial mushroom has shown its presence. Not even a lowly Russula. The Hydnum mushrooms that used to come up across the road from those trees in the bamboo stands have failed to return as well.

HOW TO COOK CHANTERELLES

First and foremost, cook all mushrooms well unless it is one of those few that are listed safe to be eaten raw. Chanterelles love to be cooked any way you can think of. You can’t even ruin them by boiling them in copious amounts of water because once you brown them up they’re still gonna have a nice flavor. Smoked, pickled, roasted, grilled, pan fried in garlic butter or deep fried like chicken or fish, you shouldn’t be disappointed. Roasted is likely my favorite but my husband loves them chicken fried, with ranch dressing of course!

I’ve decided to share my stroganoff recipe because it’s rather simple and doesn’t require a lot of mushrooms or meat. You can sub beef or lamb for the venison or just leave meat out and add extra mushrooms. Chanterelles can be substituted with store bought or other mild flavored meaty mushrooms, Hydnum mushrooms, known as hedgehogs, are another meaty wild one you can find here.

You can learn more about mushrooms by joining me or one of our 4 other foray leaders from the Alabama Mushroom Society on our monthly forays. Look for us on Facebook or @alabamamushroomsociety.org

Recipe by Becca Mahoney

Venison and Chanterelle Stroganoff

Ingredients

• 1/3 lb thin sliced venison sliced across the grain

• ¾ cup chopped yellow onion

• 1 tsp finely minced garlic

• ¼ lb Chanterelle mushrooms – if they’re bite sized leave them whole for the best texture , cut larger ones to bite sized

• 2 tablespoons butter

• 2 tablespoons oil

• 2 tablespoons flour

• 1 tsp Dijon mustard

• 1/3 cup dry white wine

• 2/3 cup beef stock

• 1 small bay leaf

• ½ cup sour cream

• ½ teaspoon paprika

• ½ teaspoon salt

• Black pepper to taste

• 4 oz wide egg noodles

• Salt for pasta water

• Chopped parsley for garnish

Instructions

Put water and salt on to boil for pasta. Heat butter on medium heat in a large preferably cast iron skillet. Add venison pieces a few at a time to brown. Not too many at once, you don’t want it to boil. As they brown, remove to a plate, no worries if they’re not quite done as they will cook more in a bit.

When all the venison has been browned, add the onions with a sprinkle of salt. When the onions have started to turn translucent add the garlic. Cook and stir for a scant minute not allowing the garlic to brown then add mushrooms. Continue to cook and stir until mushrooms have started to brown. Stir in the last tablespoons of butter and oil, add the flour. Cook and stir for a couple of minutes taking care not to scorch the flour. Remove from heat. Check on the pasta water, if it’s ready, add the pasta and stir until it returns to a boil and cook till tender following directions on packet. Drain and cover to keep warm, rinse in hot water if need to loosen a few minutes before serving. Put skillet back on the eye and stir in the sour cream, once it’s blended, whisk in the wine and stock or broth with the paprika and black pepper. Reduce heat and simmer until this begins to thicken then add the venison back to the skillet and cook until heated through. Serve spooned over pasta and top with parsley.

Crispy Fish Skin Chips

These require a little time to make, but are worth the effort. Once the skins are fully dehydrated, they can be frozen indefinitely before thawing and frying.

Prep: 45 mins • Cook: 4 mins • Drying Time: 3 hrs • Total: 3 hrs 49 mins

Equipment

• 1 Dehydrator (or you can use your oven)

Ingredients

• 1 pound fish skins (see above)

• Oil for frying

• Salt

Instructions

1. Make sure the skins are fully scaled. Pick off any stray scales. Cut the skins into large pieces.

2. Bring a medium pot of water to a boil and add a few tablespoons of salt. Bring the water back to a boil after adding the skins and boil them for at least 1 minute, and up to 5 minutes for thick skins like sturgeon or shark. Most fish only need a minute or so.

3. Remove the skins from the boiling water and lay them, meat side up, on a cutting board. Carefully, using a butter knife, scrape away all the meat and fat from the underside of the skin. This is a gentle process. You might rip the skin a few times, and that’s OK. When each skin is clean, lay it on a dehydrator rack.

4. Dehydrate the skins fully. You can do this at a range of temperatures. I go for about 140°F, but you can go higher or lower. You could also use your oven set on low, especially if it is a convection oven.

5. When the skins are completely dry, so they snap when bent, you can fry them now or store the skin for a couple days in the fridge; you can also freeze them. Fry at 360°F one or two at a time. They will puff up instantaneously. Fry until the bubbles stop, about 30 seconds.

6. The moment they come out of the fryer, dust with salt and whatever other seasoning you like. I love using Mexican Tajin.

If you’ve ever heard of pork rinds, known in Mexican cuisine as chicharrones, you know. I mean, really. Crispy, light as air, dusted with salt and whatever other flavors you have in mind. Well, these are fish skin chips, essentially the same thing. Properly made, they are so addictive they really ought to be illegal.

Fish skin chips really are every bit as good. They are light, crispy, spicy, and have an oh-so-slight briny thing going on. You know it’s fish, but it is not fishy in a bad way.

I’d vaguely heard of fish skin chips before, but never really quite knew how to make them. Then I cooked in a big Sacramento food festival called “Have an Offal Day” — yes, we all cooked nasty bits — and at this event Sacramento’s greatest sushi chef, Billy Ngo of Kru, made sturgeon skin chicharrones; there are sturgeon farms around our area, so we use sturgeon a lot here.

Billy told me how to make the chicharrones, and I was immediately obsessed. I made them for a fundraising dinner for the California Food Literacy Center and they were a hit. But then it occurred to me: Sturgeon has a thick, largely scaleless skin, and besides, not many people have access to it.

So I began working on other fish skins to see if it would work.

It does. Oh yes, folks. It does.

I am happy to report that I’ve now made fish skin chips from the skins of a huge variety of fish, from sturgeon to seabass, tripletail to porgies to walleyes. Having done this, I am pretty sure you can make fish skin chips from any skin you can slice off a fillet, meaning that ultra-thin skin like that on a mackerel might not work.

Let me walk you through the process.

Start by scaling your fish if they have scales; sturgeon, eels and sharks don’t, so you are good to go there. Scale when the fish is whole, by the way. It’s a pain to scale fish once you’ve filleted them.

Remove the skin from the meat of the fillet. You will notice that you still have some meat and fat attached to the skin. That needs to go. You also need to tenderize the skins of thickskinned fish, like sturgeon, sharks and fish like salmon and triggerfish. You do this by boiling in salty water; the salt helps

season the skins.

Here’s what I’ve found with certain skins:

• Sturgeon and leopard shark: Boil for about 3 to 5 minutes.

• Salmon I’d boil for 1 or 2 minutes, but you can scrape the skin even without cooking.

• Most bass-like fish, i.e., walleyes, rockfish, bass and perch you will only need to boil for a minute or two. They are tender already.

Now you need to carefully remove all the meat and fat from the skins. Gently lift the skins out of the boiling water and lay them meat side up on a cutting board. Now, using a butter knife, carefully lift and remove all the meat and fat. This is fairly tricky, and if you have oven-mitt hands you will tear the skin. Take your time until you get the hang of it.

Once you have all the meat removed, you need to dry the skins. I do this in a dehydrator at 120°F until the skin dries, which isn’t too long — about 2 to 4 hours depending on the species of fish. I’ve also greased a baking sheet and laid the skins down (meat side up) and dried them in an oven set to 170°F. You will need to flip the skins at least once if you do this option.

When the skins are dried you can save them in the freezer indefinitely.

Frying fish skin chips is easy. Heat about 1 inch of high smokepoint oil — I prefer rice bran or grapeseed oil, but canola or other vegetable oil works, too — to between 350°F and 360°F. Get your seasonings nearby, as you will have only seconds to season before the skins’ surface dries. Salt is a must, but I’ve used herbes de Provence, smoked paprika and even lemon pepper.

Drop a couple skins into the hot oil and watch the magic: They will puff up immediately in an amazingly miraculous way. They will be ready in less than a minute. Watch for the sizzling to die down dramatically. Move them to paper towels with a slotted spoon and season immediately. Once fried, fish skin chips will stay crispy for a few hours, depending on the humidity.

All I can say if you are on the fence about fish skin chips is try them. You will never look at the skin on fish in the same way again. Trust me.

NEW & Cool gear

BY NICK WILLIAMS

Prime NXT Youth Bow

Men’s and Women’s Barrier Mosquito Protection Shirt

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Prime Archery by G5 Outdoors is proud to introduce the Prime NXT. A compound bow specifically built for youth shooters that can be closely compared with Mom and Dad’s setup. The NXT features Prime’s Center Grip riser design which results in a bow that’s simple to aim, even for the most inexperienced shooters. It’s constructed with aluminum limb pockets, has a machined aluminum riser, and doesn’t utilize any plastic in the areas where it counts. It’s a bow that will be durable and is designed for youth shooters to grow alongside with.The bow makes it extremely easy to adjust draw weight and draw length without the use of a bow press, as youth shooters hit their growth spurt. Prime’s EZ Grip training tool is included with every NXT and a complete bow package is an option for those interested. The complete NXT package includes a G5 Meta peep sight, 4-pin tool-less sight with light, whisker biscuit-style rest, and a G5 Head-Loc quiver.

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Stealth Outdoors Beast Gear Plaid Hooded Jacket

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KastKIng iReel One IFC Smart Fishing Reel

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After Successful Turkey Season, Looking Forward to Snapper Fishing

BY CHRIS BLANKENSHIP Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Conservation & Natural Resources

Now that Alabama has finished another successful spring turkey season, it’s time to reflect on the season and plan to make sure hunters who live in or visit our great state will continue to enjoy chasing the Eastern wild turkey.

The 2024 Alabama Governor’s One-Shot Turkey Hunt was definitely one of those successes this spring with Governor Kay Ivey presiding over the event. The hunt, which is held every two years, brings people together from across the nation to see what Alabamians regularly brag about – our outdoors opportunities and Southern hospitality. Not only did the hunters and landowners have a great time, but many times the relationships developed with our people in our beautiful landscapes will create a desire to live and do business in Alabama. At this year’s One-Shot, we had more sponsor and hunters and raised more money than we ever have.

Conservation Commissioner Chris Blankenship, right, teamed up with Russell Bozeman to bag this beautiful Alabama gobbler with an 11-inch beard

The money raised at the hunt will go to scholarships for our universities, our Hunters Helping the Hungry program, youth dove and duck hunting, Becoming An Outdoors-Woman, our mentored hunting programs and all the things we do to promote hunting and fishing and getting people outdoors in the state.

I know I had a successful turkey season. I managed to outwit a nice gobbler the week after the One-Shot hunt.

To ensure our state continues to enjoy a healthy wild turkey population, it will take work outside the season dates to keep predators from raiding turkey nests and from taking poults. Trapping coyotes, raccoons and feral swine can make a significant difference on whether a hen can successfully rear a brood.

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) is working diligently with the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI), the

Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM), the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Wildlife Services Division, and the Soil and Water Conservation Committee to come up with practical solutions on how to control feral hogs.

As of right now, trapping the whole sounder (family group) is about the only effective method at population control, and it requires significant effort, including pre-baiting the traps. You also need to try to ensure the whole sounder is in the trap before you drop the door.

ADCNR’s Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) Division offers technical assistance and guidance for landowners with feral hog programs. Landowners can receive cost-share assistance for equipment to deal with feral swine through the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Environmental Quality Incentive Program. Visit www.nrcs. usda.gov/feral-swine-eradication-and-control-pilot-program for more information.

Another method of control that adds a hunting opportunity is Alabama residents can purchase a $15 license ($51 for non-residents) to hunt feral hogs and coyotes at night. The season to hunt those animals at night begins at 12:00 a.m. on the day after the last day of gun deer season in that zone. The season ends 30 minutes prior to sunrise on the opening day of archery deer season in that zone. There is no bag limit, but you must have a valid annual resident or nonresident nighttime feral swine and coyote hunting license.

Feral hogs cause more than $1.5 billion in damages to property, crops, timber, livestock, native wildlife, ecosystems and cultural and historic resources nationally each year, according to the USDA. Damage from feral hogs in Alabama is estimated at $50 million annually.

Last fall, the Forever Wild Land Trust Board of Trustees, which I chair, voted to spend up to $1 million on feral hog removal efforts on Forever Wild properties.

Of course, when it comes to late May and June, Alabama’s iconic saltwater species, the red snapper, always gets priority on the schedule for those who live on or visit our beautiful Alabama Gulf Coast.

Earlier this spring, ADCNR’s Marine Resources Division (MRD) announced that Alabama state waters and federal waters will open to private and state-licensed charter vessel anglers for red snapper harvest on May 24, 2024, the Friday before Memorial Day. The season will consist of four-day weekends, Friday through Monday, and continue until the private angler quota is projected to be met. We know that a great many people take vacation the week of July 4th, so the entire week (July 1-5) will be open for red snapper fishing.

Those season dates only apply to anglers fishing from shore, private recreational vessels and state-licensed Alabama commercial party boats that do not hold federal for-hire fishing permits. NOAA Fisheries governs the season for anglers fishing from federally permitted for-hire vessels (charter boats), and those season dates hadn’t been announced in time for this column. In years past, the charter boat season has typically opened on June 1.

The Alabama private angler quota is set by NOAA Fisheries, and the 2023 quota was 591,185 pounds. ADCNR has petitioned the federal agency to adjust the calibration of the catch limits, which will hopefully increase Alabama’s catch limit for 2024. The daily bag limit is two red snapper per person, per day with a minimum size limit of 16 inches total length.

Having grown up on the Alabama Gulf Coast, I am excited to get back out and catch some big red snapper with family and friends in Alabama’s Artificial Reef Zones again this summer.

Be sure to remember to use Snapper Check to report your red snapper catches. Snapper Check allows us to monitor shore, private vessel and state charter angler landings during the season. We will continue to provide weekly updates throughout the season at www.outdooralabama. com.

Also remember that all vessels fishing for reef fish in federal waters are required to have a venting tool or descending device rigged and ready to use.

Speaking of the beautiful Alabama Gulf Coast, plenty of improvements are finished or underway at Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores and Meaher State Park on the Battleship Parkway at the head of Mobile Bay.

The Romar Beach access area has reopened with a new bathhouse, 40 additional parking spots and a shower on the boardwalk out to the beach.

At Gulf State Park Pavilion, the pavilion is receiving a complete facelift, while the restroom areas are being redone and the bridal room is being updated.

For those planning vacations, the new cabins on Lake Shelby offer visitors the opportunity to rent 32 cabins and cottages on the lake and four woodside cottages. The project included rebuilding 17 original cabins destroyed during Hurricane Sally and adding three additional cabins. The cabins can be booked online at www.eaglecottagesatgsp. com.

The new cabins are genuinely top-notch vacation locations with two bedrooms, two baths and a bunk room for children with a TV for entertainment. Also new is a laundry room with a washer and dryer underneath each cabin.

At Meaher, $7.5 million has been designated for campground expansion, new cabins and an administration building.

As I said at the Governor’s One-Shot Turkey Hunt, Alabama is such a beautiful place. It is awesome for us to be able to share that with our residents and visitors.

Governor Ivey continues to support our efforts because she knows what the great outdoors means to the people who live here. But she also wants to showcase our state so people can move here, work, raise a family and enjoy Alabama’s abundant outdoors recreational opportunities.

Alabama’s Striped Bass Stocking Program

Striped Bass are a target for many anglers, but few know the hows and whys of their management .

BY CHARLES “CHUCK” SYKES Director of the Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF)

Striped Bass are a popular game fish that are native to several major river systems in Alabama. The strain of Striped Bass native to the rivers that flow into the Gulf of Mexico is the Gulf Coast Striped Bass or more simply Gulf Striped Bass. These fish are genetically different from those native to the Atlantic Coast.

Unlike Largemouth Bass, the existence of Striped Bass in most of Alabama is dependent on stocking. Construction of large hydroelectric dams on the mainstem rivers of the Mobile Basin in the early and mid-1900s interrupted the continuous river flows that are required for Striped Bass to make their annual spring spawning runs and for their eggs to hatch.

By the early 1970s, researchers at state and federal fish hatcheries in the southeast developed new techniques that made it possible to produce large numbers of Striped Bass fingerlings. This made it practical to stock this species in large manmade reservoirs, which not only conserved this species, but provided enhanced recreational angling opportunities. By the early 1980s, Alabama’s production of hatchery reared Striped Bass fingerlings was a priority in Perry County at the Marion State Fish Hatchery.

During this period, fisheries biologists recognized the genetic distinctiveness of the species. Beginning in 1983, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries

Division (WFF) began annual stockings of native Gulf Striped Bass fingerlings. In 1987, the state fisheries agencies of Georgia, Florida, and Alabama along with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service entered into a cooperative agreement to conserve and restore populations of the native Gulf Striped Bass within the region.

Lewis Smith Lake, in north central Alabama, was selected to preserve native Gulf Striped Bass stocks and remains a vital source of hatchery brood fish for the cooperative restoration effort. Each year in late March and early April, personnel from WFF collect Striped Bass brood fish from Lewis Smith Lake. Once captured, each fish is individually evaluated for hatchery use. Sex, size, and overall health are assessed, and fish deemed suitable for spawning are immediately taken to the Marion State Fish Hatchery.

At Marion, the brood fish are weighed, tagged, and evaluated to determine their condition. Prime females are injected with a hormone to stimulate the final development of their eggs. Hatchery staff continually monitor each female and check to see when she’s ready to release her eggs. Normally, within 48 hours after injection, the eggs are fully matured. When the time is right, several males are used to fertilize the eggs. Using multiple males ensures increased genetic diversity in the offspring. Sperm from the males and a small amount of water are gently and thoroughly mixed with the eggs using a turkey feather to complete the fertilization process. A twenty-pound female Striped Bass can produce over 1 million eggs.

Fertilized eggs are carefully measured into hatching jars. Each jar can handle about 75,000 eggs. Water flowing through the jars keeps the eggs suspended and simulates the natural flow and turbulence of a flowing river. Eggs are greenish in color when they are first placed in the hatching jars and gradually darken in color as they near time to hatch. The incubation time of the eggs takes approximately 48 hours. Just prior to hatching, the jars are moved into raised troughs.

The tiny Striped Bass fry (baby fish) swim to the surface of the jar and then flow out and over into the trough. Each trough can accommodate up to 300,000 fry. This is an important stage in the survival of the newly hatched fry. When first hatched, these tiny fish rely on an egg yolk for nutrition. This yolk will sustain the fry for up to six days. After that time, the fish must learn to eat or they will perish. Also at this stage, the individual fry must ingest a small gulp of air from the water’s surface. This bubble of air is critical for the initial inflation of the swim bladder.

While in the trough, the fry are introduced to their first real food. These young fish require zooplankton, which are nearly microscopic crustaceans. To meet their dietary requirements while in the trough, brine shrimp larvae, small crustaceans, cultured at the hatchery are substituted for naturally occurring zooplankton.

The fry remain in troughs for 7 to 10 days and are fed continuously to maximize their growth. After this period, they are moved outside to specially prepared earthen ponds where they will continue to feed and grow. These ponds must provide enough food to sustain the fry for the next 30 days. To assure enough food is available, each pond is fertilized to promote and sustain a phytoplankton (microscopic algae) bloom, which supports increased levels of zooplankton. This food source is critical for the continued growth and survival of the young fish.

After a month of remaining in the hatchery ponds, the young fish have reached a size where they can find natural food and avoid predation. At this time, each pond is slowly drained, and the fingerlings are

taken to a hatchery building. The fish are then weighed, counted, and sorted, before being transported to predetermined release sites on several public water bodies in Alabama. During 2023, around 650,000 fingerling Striped Bass were stocked into Alabama’s lakes and rivers at the rate of 1 to 5 fingerlings per acre. Hatchery staff are already preparing to replicate these stocking numbers again this year.

The WFF Fisheries section works extremely hard to manage our state water bodies and provide opportunities for anglers to enjoy a wide range of species. Through your purchase of a fishing license, they can continue to build and maintain public boat ramps and provide well managed state-wide fishing. So, buy your license and hit the water!

AL & NW Florida Saltwater Fishing Forecast

BY TANNER DEAS

June is here and summer is upon us. School is now out for the year and people will be out in droves on our local beaches and waterways. As the temperature heats up so does the fishing. With water temperatures reaching the 80s many fish will find themselves hanging out in the surf. This increase in temperature significantly pushes migratory species to move (ex. Tripletail, Cobia and other Pelagic species), and also means that one of the most popular times of the year is here… Red Snapper season. Let’s discuss all the fish movements that will be going on throughout the month and what conditions anglers should look for to have a day on the water as well as what species of fish to chase after to have the most successful day possible.

INSHORE:

The month of June can offer some really fun and really versatile Inshore Fishing in our area. Fish are spread out and can be targeted in many different locations while still targeting the same species but

one environment in particular stands out to me this time of year, the beach. Anglers can use public areas to access miles of beach that offers access to Speckled Trout, Redfish, Flounder, Bluefish, Spanish Mackerel, Whiting, Pompano, Black Drum, Jack Crevalle and various Shark species can be found cruising up and down Alabama and Florida beaches feeding on bait fish like Menhaden, Mullet, Croaker, Pinfish, Pilchard and Threadfin Herring, even crustaceans like Ghost Shrimp, Sand Fleas and other beach parasites/invertebrates are on the menu. Speckled Trout, Flounder and Redfish can be targeted in the same holes, drains, bars and slopes along the beach that anglers would fish for Pompano and Whiting by throwing lures and live baits. Other areas to consider when dialing in these fish in the hot summer are in the deep water on the gas rigs and heavy structures in Mobile Bay as well as CCA Reef structures and shipwrecks or even wade fishing small islands throughout Mobile Bay and out in front on the Gulf Beach can make for some amazing summertime trips. When throwing

Photos by Tanner Deas

live baits for these Speckled Trout and other game fish in these scenarios, free lining a live croaker or live mullet seems to be absolute candy this time of year. Carolina rigs are good alternatives when switching up your rigging and you may find that your Speckled Trout session will turn into a Flounder Pounding by putting live baits on bottom. Good artificial lure options are the local favorite, Slick Lure, as well as Coastal Brew Baits Dart, Mirrolure MR17 MR18 MR27 MR28, Paul Brown Corky, Fishbites Fight Club Series Brawler, Mirrolure Lil John, and Rapala Twitchin Mullet.

Also along the beaches, migrating tarpon will begin to show up in growing numbers throughout the month. Heavy gear will be required when targeting these beachfront fish as well as the right presentation of lure/live bait option. Large Swimbaits like Z-Man Fishing Products Mag SwimZ, NLBN baits (No Live Bait Needed) or the Hogy Protail are popular angling favorites when targeting these fish with artificial lures. Good live baits are Scaled Sardines, Cigar Minnows, Crazy Fish and various species of baits that can be found on the beachfront. Another method to consider when Inshore fishing this month is set rig fishing in the surf. When the weather doesn’t line up just right or the family just wants to have a beach day, in these summer months especially, that doesn’t have to be the end of the world for your fishing day. With so many species frequenting the front beach there’s endless opportunity mentioned above and the Whiting and Pompano will continue to be fired up til those water temps get into the upper eighties. Once this happens, dawn and dusk will begin to be some of the better windows of the day to start targeting feeding fish as that midday heat can put a real stop on the bite and take a toll on the body day in and day out. Whiting and Pompano can be targeted with small pieces of dead shrimp paired with Fishbites on Surf rods and set rigs. Be sure to check out locally owned company Frisky Fins and their online store for all surf fishing needs from hand tied Pompano and Whiting rigs to Sputnik weights and Shark rigs they’ve got you covered.

NEARSHORE:

Just beyond inshore waters both King Mackerel and Spanish Mackerel should be in high numbers. These Mackerel species are known to be explosive swimmers with hard bursts of speed that provide some drag burning fun and some delicious smoked fish dip or fish tacos when harvested properly. These toothy critters will be found in open water on schools of bait or tidelines as well as associate themselves with structure like shipwrecks, reefs, and gas/ oil platforms. Mackerel can be caught by trolling spoons, diving plugs, cigar minnows and live baits, be sure to up to some light-medium light wire leader to avoid losing these toothy critters and some expensive baits. When harvesting both Spanish Mackerel and King Mackerel (I prefer doing this to all fish) a proper bleeding out by cutting the gills will significantly increase the keepability of the fish and ensure that you get a good, close to bloodless, filet. Schools of bull reds can be spotted when trolling around and running the beaches for these Mackerel and having some casting gear on hand can make for some fun hook ups with those bruisers. M-MH setup with a size 5000 spinning reel is proper and will help shorten the fight time and ensure a healthy release after a photo with these pretty, breeding class Redfish. These reds usually aren’t very picky and will eat anything from large poppers to big XL sized swimbaits down to 3-5” soft plastics.

A popular favorite to throw are the Eye Strike Fishing DieZel Eye 2oz jigheads paired with Z-Man Fishing Products 7” Jerk ShadZ or DieZel Minnow. Another species to keep in mind when going nearshore fishing are Cobia. These fish can be seen migrating the beaches, hiding under channel markers, associated with the oil/gas rigs or hiding under the shade of ships waiting for port. The same large swimbaits being thrown at Tarpon or Bull Redfish can be thrown at these Cobia as well as bucktails and curly tail baits like Fishbites Fight Club Series 6” Grub. Good live bait options are hardtails, live croakers, menhaden, white trout, crazy fish, hardhead catfish, eels, and blue crabs. These fish can be caught on live bait by freelining or fishing on bottom, sometimes having a suspended rig halfway through the water column is the presentation they’re looking for, be sure to have multiple riggings and setups when targeting these fish as well as a proper gaff or strong XL net to get these delicious fish in the boat. Similar to Mackerel, Cobia significantly benefit from a proper bleed. Try it out and see if this will make for an even better meal or frozen fish the next time you catch one.

FISHING FORECAST

days around but can be some of the most fun had in our short little lifetimes. The month of June means Red Snapper and Red Snapper means recreational fisherman’s bonanza. This is the most popular time of year for people to go fishing and in our local area there’s no fish more sought after than the Red Snapper. With tight limits (16” minimum size, 2 fish per angler) Red Snapper are one of the most abundant fish species in our area, it’s almost impossible to go offshore bottom fishing without catching one of these jokers. However, our fishery only has such high numbers because it is one of the best Red Snapper fisheries in the whole entire world. These endangered fish love the conditions and environment provided by Alabama’s Gulf Coast and we’re blessed to have one of the most abundant fisheries for these truly delicious fish. Red Snapper can be caught associated to heavy structure like the gas and oil rigs, shipwrecks, reefs and chicken coops as well as on flats and deepwater natural bottom. Red Snapper can be targeted with jigs, dead cut bait like squid, menhaden or cut bonito and large live baits like menhaden, scaled sardine, pinfish, croaker, etc. Heavy setups on larger sized spinning reels or open faced conventional reels can get the job done but be ready to put some heat on these fish to get them out of the heavy structure and past the sharks in a timely manner. Whenever releasing these fish be sure to use a descending device or vent tool, there’s no need to allow these beautiful fish to float and die essentially becoming shark bait due to an angler’s laziness. Other offshore options will be Grouper, Swordfish and blue water species like Marlin, Sailfish and Wahoo.

Grouper can be taken by edging out a little bit deeper than most Snapper locations and can be targeted over natural bottom in 200+ ft. Live baits, dead baits and jigs are the way to go when targeting Grouper species. Heavy gear with lots of drag will be required to ensure these fish don’t take you back down into their holes. Blue water species can be taken by dragging plugs and teasers and then hitting them with the ol bait and switch. These fish can be found around the FADs, gas/oil structures and in open water around mounds of bait. Be sure to check out Hilton’s Realtime Navigator to ensure current knowledge on bluewater conditions and keep your finger on the pulse with real time information to ensure the best possibility for your trip.

OFFSHORE:

Offshore fishing in the summertime heat makes out to be some of the hottest

Pier & Shore Fishing Outlook

This

A good gaff man is key to getting a king mackerel on the deck of a beach pier .

month also begins the period when we begin seeing large schools of tarpon migrating from east to west

just outside the surf zone

BY DAVID THORNTON

June is considered by most folks along the Emerald Coast to be the beginning of summer, even though the solstice doesn’t occur until the 20th . Which is coincident with the full moon (June 21st) that usually triggers a good deal of spawning activity for fish of all sizes. Meanwhile, NEAP tide periods occur around the 1st, 14th, and the 28th.. That means tidal currents will be minimal, often leading to an overall lack of feeding activity by fishes. At these times it is best to look for spots that focus the wind or any available currents as the most likely locations to catch fish. These minor feeding periods usually only last for a short time though, because the localized events spurring them change in less than a couple of hours. The general lack of synoptic circumstances that would ordinarily drive fish to feed for longer periods are simply not present.

PIER-SPECTIVES

Bait fish like scad, (cigar minnows), sardines, and herring (LYs) continue to shoal around the Gulf beach piers this month for protection, to feed, and to procreate. All this activity draws a cornucopia of predatory fish eager to make a meal of all the small fish distracted by other pursuits. When clear waters abound, these piers offer ideal platforms to observe and catch bluefish, blue runner, bonita (Little tunny), cobia, flounder, jack crevelle, ladyfish, mackerel (king and Spanish), redfish, spadefish, plus many more.

By June Pensacola Beach Pier is expected to be fully repaired and operational. Though anglers in Alabama will have to wait until near the end of summer for the Gulf State Park Pier in Gulf Shores to reopen. Work

Photos by David Thornton

there is proceeding according to schedule, which Park officials say could conclude around Labor Day, the target date. Meanwhile the beach piers in Florida may continue to experience above average angling pressure.

Gulf water temperatures climb steadily through the low to middle 80s in June. Ideal for a wide variety of pelagic fish species like mackerel which cruise close to the piers looking for an easy meal. The majority of pier anglers are now targeting mackerel, with most of those casting small artificial lures for Spanish. Some days though, conditions favor king mackerel abundance, and whenever kings are prevalent smaller predators like Spanish mackerel are often nearly absent. Savvy pier fishers come prepared for both species, another reason they carry several pre-rigged rods on a cart to favor which ever species may be running that day. That way an angler can simply exchange rods with minimal loss of fishing time, as things can get quite hectic at times when a school of mackerel presses close to the pier. It is quite a sight to watch when “on a good day” multiple kings or other large game fish are hooked up simultaneously from the end of the pier. Anglers have little choice but to follow a large, fast running fish like a king mackerel. So proper pier etiquette gives free roam to the angler hooked up to move up or down the rail. This also keeps other anglers (still fishing) from casting over the line to a hooked fish, risking a tangle or break off. Most anglers realize mutual cooperation is advantageous to all. Also, to step back, move rods, and let the angler with a running fish pass by allows them to keep fishing too. And the next time it might be them who is hooked up and hoping the courtesy is returned. Then there is the all important but often overlooked gaff man (or men) who stop fishing and follow the fisherman with a big fish to drop the gaff on a rope and stick the subdued fish to haul it up onto the pier. They too are hoping the good deed will be returned to them when they are the angler hooked up to a good fish!

Late June also begins the period to start seeing large schools of tarpon migrating from east to west just outside the surf zone. Many Panhandle pier anglers eagerly await this time of year when tarpon egress past these piers, often within casting distance. Offering shore-bound anglers a world-class fishing experiences for a minimal admission price.

While historically most tarpon were hooked incidentally from the piers while targeting king mackerel, nowadays a large number of tarpon are intentionally targeted by a growing contingent of anglers using heavy class spinning gear more in tune with cobia fishing. 8 to 10 foot heavy or extra heavy class spinning rods, sporting large reels capable of holding 300 to 500 yards of 40 to 80 pound braided line are commonly used to combat tarpon. They mostly cast weighted jigheads with over-sized 6 to 9 inch soft plastic paddle-tail swim baits, resembling the spawning herring (LYs) that are schooling around the piers. The cruising tarpon consider such an offering an easy meal, but once they slurp it in the fun and battle begins. Tarpon are renown for their repeated, spectacular head-shaking jumps from the water. But these sassy pre-spawn specimens often weigh in well over a 100 pounds, but are capable of long runs, and possess hours of fighting endurance.

Since almost all tarpon are intended for catch and release, the heavy tackle is employed to minimize the time spent subduing these majestic leaping leviathans. Most tarpon that stay on the line are intentionally “popped off” by anglers at pier side after tiring them. This is considered a sort of long distance “counting coup”, since it is neither legal nor desirable for the health of the tarpon to be removed from the water, especially after a long sustained fight required to do so.

ON THE BEACH

Pompano are still available to surf anglers this month, but in nowhere near the numbers we saw a few months ago. By June, the surfzone is dominated mostly by other jack species, mainly ladyfish (skipjack)

and blue runner (hardtails). These typically out compete pompano and whiting to the baits on set rigs, and even to small jigs or other lures intended for pompano. Any pompano schools are usually just a few fish, and singles are much more common. That is the main reason fishing with jigs is more effective this time of year. Then anglers can cover more area looking for the scattered pompano, unless circumstances create a sustained feeding zone for them. Even then, the by-catch of ladyfish, or other jacks is often prohibitive, especially when using natural bait.

Farther west along Alabama and Mississippi Gulf beaches speckled trout often dominate the suds in June. They also group into large breeding aggregations in beach troughs 3 to 4 feet deep, or more. This makes wade fishing and surf casting lures for trout a viable pursuit through much of the month, whenever the surf is calm and the water fairly clear.

The trout will strike a variety of lures, but anglers tend to choose their handful of favorites to carry along so they can travel lightly. Topwater lures can be effective at first light, or last light, or even at night around the full moon phase. Once the sun is up, trout tend to slip deeper into the water column, but they may still be caught on sinking twitch baits like the MirrOdine MR18 or other hard or soft suspending baits. At times they may stage on the bottom but still can be caught on ¼ ounce leadhead jigs with 3 or 4 inch soft plastic “grub” bodies.

Besides June often being considered the beginning of summer, many land-based Gulf Coast anglers also consider it one of the best months for fishing. This month usually offers mild and stable weather, with a huge variety of angling options and venues for the shore-bound fishermen to seek out as they enjoy their great days outdoors!

REGIONAL FRESHWATER

Fishing Outlook

BY ED MASHBURN

Reliable soft plastic worms will work on bass everywhere in June

Photos by Ed Mashburn

Summer is here on the Gulf coast, and anglers can find great fishing just about any place in the region. Many species are past the spawn season and are now feeding up to recover from the hard work or producing next year’s crop of young fish. Most days in June are quite pleasant for anglers to get on the water, so this is prime time for some great days outdoors on the water.

FLORIDA WATERS

APALACHICOLA RIVER SYSTEM

It’s getting hot now, and anglers can expect to meet a wide range of freshwater species in the rivers and lakes of coastal Florida.

Tony Poloronis of Outcasters Bait and Tackle in Apalachicola said that down toward the mouth of the river, anglers should not be surprised if several kinds of saltwater game fish show up on any fishing trip. Reds, specks, and flounder are commonly found in the same waters that bass and bream inhabit.

In June, anglers on the Apalachicola system should be able to find some great bream fishing for both bluegills and big shell crackers. These fish will still be bedding, and places on the main river and the smaller streams will work. Look for lily pads, and the bream on beds will be nearby.

Anglers who fish the fingers of the river where it meets the bay will have good luck on bass in June. Soft plastics, crank baits, and spinner baits, especially Snagless Sallies, worked around reed beds will find plenty of bass in June.

For some serious hard pulling, anglers might want to run up the river to the point where the Pinhook River enters the Apalachicola. Both hybrid bass and the big saltwater stripers often hold here, and they can get very big. Live shrimp and flashy artificial lures will attract the attention of the big striped bass.

LAKE TALQUIN

In June, anglers can do very well on catfish using cut bait and stink bait in the creeks and ledges of the main lake, according to Jeff DuBree of Whippoorwill Lodge on Lake Talquin.

Bream anglers will find lots of bedding bream in shallow water all over the lake, and throwing a dark colored Beetlespin is a good way to find the hungry bream. For best luck, fish the full moon.

Bass at Lake Talquin will be moving from shallow spawning waters to deeper points and ledges in the main lake. Depending on how hot the weather gets, there can be a very good early and late top water bite.

As the month goes along, DuBree tells us that anglers fishing at night can have very good results for bass around lighted boat docks using lipless crank baits.

Crappie anglers do well fishing at night using lights attached to their boats and letting bait congregate below the lights.

LAKE SEMINOLE

“It’s going to be good in deep water in June on soft plastics, and early and late throwing top water frogs. Fish over hydrilla, lily pads, anything you can throw over will hold fish,” says veteran guide Jody Wells.

Bass at Seminole in June will average four pounds, with both larger and smaller fish.

The bream will be on the beds in June and all through the summer. Crappie, known as speckled perch at Seminole, will be very good all through the summer. June anglers can use live minnows or other minnow-look artificials to catch plenty of crappie.

Anglers can find some good hybrid and striper fishing in June, but visiting anglers need to be aware that certain areas of the lake are marked and set off limits for fishing because these are spring areas where the big stripers congregate for water temperature protection. Hefty fines will occur for anglers trying to catch stripers out of these areas.

ALABAMA WATERS

LAKE GUNTERSVILLE

The bass should be on shell beds in June. There will be a good top water bite along the grassline. Anglers can use jigs, crank baits, and swim baits on these shell bed bass,” Captain Jake Davis said.

Spinnerbaits will be good early in the morning on Guntersville as well.

A very good bite for anglers on Guntersville in June will be shellcracker bream. They’ll be spawning in two to four feet of water. These extra-large bream will respond well to worms fished close to the bottom.

White bass, stripers and hybrids will be busting on shad in open water in June. Anglers can throw shad-look top water plugs to attract these hard-pullers.

Davis said, “The whole lake should be really good in June- there’s no bad spots to look for fish.

LAKE WEISS

The cool spring weather will be leaving us, but the summer bite will just be getting started. “After a great springtime top water bite, bass will still be found in shallow water. The first wave of bass, both largemouths and spots, will be moving off the shorelines and out into deeper water. Weiss is known for open water bass fishing. Anglers should use their electronics to locate old house foundations and other hard material structures in deeper open water,” said long-time guide Lee Pitts

For crappie fishing, anglers will want to work docks. There will still be few late spawners holding under docks, and anglers will have good luck shooting docks with jigs. Crappie will be breaking up from their spawning schools and going into a less concentrated pattern. The big crappie are still there, but they’re not found in big schools now.

LAKE EUFAULA

“Look for bass in and around cover. Hydrilla patches will be very good. After winter, the water is back up to full pool level, and the grass is holding bait. Look for grass and you’ll find the bass,” Captain Sam Williams told us.

Anglers can find fish on early morning top water lures and then use shallow running jerk baits. Frogs and buzz baits will be good in June.

The Eufaula crappie will be on ledges in June around brush piles. The crappie don’t leave the brush.

Trolling for crappie in open water around the deep brush piles can be very good for big crappie in June.

Catfish will be red-hot in June. Williams said, “I like jug fishing using cut bait for big catfish in June.”

Anglers need to be aware that in June in case of stormy, heavy-rainfall weather, the south end of the lake clears faster because of its sandy bottom, but the whole lake should be quite good.

Captain Sam said, “Shellcracker bream will be bedding, so get some pink worms, and find the big shell cracker bream. You’ll stop fishing when you’re too tired to pull them off the hooks.”

MILLER’S FERRY

Joe Dunn of Dunn’s Sports in Thomasville, told us that in the month of June, water movement is crucial for fishing success on the lake. The water is going to be clearing up from spring heavy flows, and when the dam is pulling water and making current in the lake, anglers can do some real good.

Dunn said, ”Bass anglers will want to work major creeks and out in the main lake in June. Crankbaits, Carolina rig soft plastics, and shaky head worms will work well. There will be a good top water bite early in the mornings around grass and on the points. Look for green trees down in the water on the main lake- bass will always be around these.”

For crappie, angler will want to look out in the main lake in deeper water. Most anglers troll for crappie using jigs, Road-runners and other weighted jig type lures tipped with live minnows in June. Jigs can be a bit larger in June than were used in early spring.

Bream anglers should have great luck on Miller’s Ferry in June. They’ll be bedding, and they will be eating the huge willow fly hatches that will start in June.

In fact, anglers won’t go far wrong on Miller’s Ferry in June by using bream pattern crank baits when the willow flies start their hatches.

The big bass love to eat the bream that are too busy eating willow flies to pay attention to the big bass coming up below them.

WILSON LAKE

“I like big chunks of cut skipjack or shad. Worms, chicken livers and even shrimp will work well for smaller catfish,” advises Captain Brian Barton.

Barton added,” My most memorable fishing trip was in early June about ten years ago. I pulled to the wall of Wilson Dam, and the catfish were schooling on the surface along the dam feeding on newly hatched shad minnows. We filled a 120 quart cooler with cats and were home by 9:00. That was a day that every cat angler dreams of.”

There will be lots of white bass, stripers and hybrids gathering below the dams when water is being pulled through, and anglers can use live shad or large minnows in the live water below the dams to have a ball catching these hard-pullers.

Smallmouth bass will be holding along steep rocky shores and along the sheer rock bluffs. Soft plastics in crawfish patterns can be deadly on these north Alabama brown bass.

Panfish anglers who work any of the major feeder creeks which empty into Wilson and Pickwick can fill up an ice chest in short order by working worms and crickets close to the bottom where the bream will be holding on their beds.

SIPSEY FORK

Brandon Jackson of Riverside Fly shop told us, “We’re going to see more hoppers by then. and when they’re flying around, hopper flies are really good. Also, beetle flies are good, even the big Japanese beetles will be eaten by the trout.”

Another good point of planning trout fishing trip to the Sipsey in June is that by then, the generation schedule of pumping water through

Big bass- lots of attention .

the dam will have usually settled down and will be in the normal pattern. This means that during the week, water will be running hard in the afternoons, but water won’t be pumped hard on the weekends.

Spinning gear anglers should be able to catch all of the trout they want in June by using small single-hook Roostertails in small sizes as well as Trout Magnet lures in 1/16 oz sizes.

MOBILE DELTA

The water should be down to normal levels, and that means all of the rivers will be tidal-influenced in June. The tide affects the river waters far up on the Alabama River and all of the other rivers which feed into the Delta according to Captain Wayne Miller. Miller advises bass anglers to look at the main rivers since the lakes off the rivers will be getting quite shallow with the lower water levels in June.

Most bass tournaments on the Delta are won by anglers fishing the middle and upper areas of the Delta, and the lower Delta is just not as productive now.

In June, anglers can expect a good early morning top water bite on big Spooks and big buzzbaits. As the day moves on, heavy spinnerbaits worked deep on wood cover in the main rivers will be best. Big soft plastic and crank baits worked near wood cover will be good, too.

Bass anglers need to find deep treetops and work the entire sunken tree structure carefully. These “tops” will require lots of casts to cover correctly to find the fish.

Joe Dunn Dunn’s Sports 334-636-0850 33356 Hwy 43, Thomasville, AL

Captain Sam Williams Hawks Guide Service 334-687-0400

Brandon Jackson/ Randy Jackson Riverside Fly Shop 17027 Hwy 69N Jasper, AL 256-287-9582 Riversideflyshop.com

Captain Lee Pitts 256-390-4145 www.leepittsoutdoors.com

Captain Brian Barton 256-412-0960 brianbartonoutdoors.com

Captain Jake Davis Mid-South Bass Guide Service 615-613-2382 msbassguide@comcast.net

Jeff DuBree Whippoorwill Sportsman’s Lodge Lake Talquin 850-875-2605 fishtalquin@gmail.com

Jody Wells 850-209-2420

Tony Poloronis Outcasters Bait and Tackle 631 Hwy 98, Apalachicola, Florida 850-653-4665

MOON TIMES

5:22 PM 6:04 PM 6:44 PM 7:23 PM 8:02 PM 8:43 PM 9:26 PM

PM

PM

12:00 AM 12:59 AM 2:00 AM 2:59 AM 3:55 AM 4:47 AM 5:36 AM 6:18 AM 7:12 AM 8:01 AM 2:46 PM 3:53 PM 5:03 PM 6:13 PM 7:24 PM 8:31 PM 9:31 PM 10:22 PM 11:05 PM 11:41 PM --:-12:11 AM 12:38 AM 1:03 AM 1:27 AM 1:51 AM 2:17 AM 2:46 AM 3:21 AM 4:02 AM 4:51 AM 5:50 AM 6:55 AM 8:05 AM 9:16 AM 10:25 AM 11:33 AM 12:38

AM 7:43 AM 8:22 AM 9:04 AM 9:49 AM 10:38 AM 11:32 AM 12:30 PM 1:30 PM 2:30 PM 3:27 PM 4:21 PM 5:12 PM 6:01 PM 6:48 PM 7:36

Fort Morgan

03:40 PM / 0.88 06:21 AM / 0.99 05:51 AM / 1.23 01:51 AM / 0.59 07:08 PM / 0.61 07:05 PM / 0.32 07:40 PM / 0.08 08:25 PM

Mobile River

11:26 AM / 1.13 09:56 AM / 1.38

03:23 AM / 0.74 08:40 PM / 0.77 08:37 PM / 0.40 09:12 PM / 0.10 09:57 PM / -0.10 10:48 PM / -0.20 11:45 PM / -0.23 12:43 AM / -0.23 01:34 AM / -0.18

AM / -0.10

AM / 0.03

AM / 0.21

AM / 0.41

AM / 0.61

AM / 0.75

AM / 1.44 08:58 AM / 1.64 09:31

/

PM / 2.08 04:16 PM / 1.83 04:59 PM / 1.49 09:58 AM / 1.03 05:26 PM / 1.10 08:07 AM / 1.23 07:37 AM / 1.54

PM / 0.67 08:42 PM / 0.46 08:48 PM / 0.26 09:18 PM / 0.09 09:58 PM / -0.05 10:45 PM / -0.17 11:35 PM / -0.27 12:25 AM / -0.34 01:11 AM / -0.35 01:50 AM / -0.26 02:19 AM / -0.06 02:25 AM / 0.24 01:52 AM / 0.56 12:43 PM / 1.00 12:54 AM / 0.79 08:02 PM / 0.69 08:04 PM / 0.35

FLORIDA TIDE CHARTS

Pensacola Bay

Destin East Pass

S Su M T W Th F S Su M T W Th F S Su M T W Th F S Su M T W Th F S Su

08:40 AM / 0.45

07:59 AM / 0.59

08:00 AM / 0.74

08:25 AM / 0.85

09:04 AM / 0.92

09:53 AM / 0.94

10:46 AM / 0.94

11:39 AM / 0.92

12:27 PM / 0.88

01:07 PM / 0.82

01:35 PM / 0.73

01:46 PM / 0.62 12:43 PM / 0.49 09:10 AM / 0.46

07:57 AM / 0.51

07:30 AM / 0.60

07:29 AM / 0.68

07:46 AM / 0.75

08:18 AM / 0.81

09:02 AM / 0.87

09:53 AM / 0.92

10:46 AM / 0.96

11:36 AM / 0.98

12:24 PM / 0.96

01:08 PM / 0.88

01:52 PM / 0.74

02:36 PM / 0.56

08:31 AM / 0.39

03:48 PM / 0.35

06:44 AM / 0.49

06:26 AM / 0.64

01:24 AM / 0.14

04:38 PM / 0.13

05:31 PM / 0.00

06:22 PM / -0.09 07:18 PM / -0.15

08:21 PM / -0.18 09:28 PM / -0.18 10:34 PM / -0.18 11:30 PM / -0.17 12:11 AM / -0.14 12:35 AM / -0.10 12:45 AM / -0.05 12:39 AM / 0.01 12:13 AM / 0.08 11:12 PM / 0.12 06:50 PM / 0.12 05:43 PM / 0.04 06:01 PM / -0.02 06:39 PM / -0.07 07:30 PM / -0.11 08:31 PM / -0.14 09:32 PM / -0.18 10:26 PM / -0.20 11:11 PM / -0.21 11:47 PM / -0.19 12:13 AM / -0.13 12:26 AM / -0.03 12:13 AM / 0.08 02:03 PM / 0.23 11:01 PM / 0.16 03:53 PM / 0.10 04:46 PM / -0.01

Navarre Beach

07:24 AM / 1.12

07:01 AM / 1.34

06:36 AM / 1.58

06:50 AM / 1.77

07:25 AM / 1.88

08:08 AM / 1.91

08:54 AM / 1.87 09:42 AM / 1.80

10:30 AM / 1.70 11:16 AM / 1.59

11:58 AM /1.45 12:35 PM / 1.29

01:05 PM / 1.10

01:08 PM / 0.89

06:35 AM / 0.99

05:47 AM / 1.18

05:51 AM / 1.35

06:12 AM / 1.50

06:42 AM / 1.62

07:18 AM / 1.72

07:58 AM / 1.80 08:42 AM / 1.87 09:27 AM / 1.90 10:12 AM / 1.88 10:54 AM / 1.77 11:30 AM / 1.58 11:54 AM / 1.30

06:09 AM / 0.95 11:43 AM / 0.97 05:38 AM / 1.17

05:25 AM / 1.42

04:54 PM / 0.63

05:08 PM / 0.26

05:45 PM / -0.08 06:31 PM / -0.33

07:22 PM / -0.49 08:14 PM / -0.56 09:07 PM / -0.55 09:57 PM / -0.47 10:41 PM / -0.34 11:13 PM / -0.16 11:20 PM / 0.05 11:02 PM / 0.26 10:46 PM / 0.44 10:17 PM / 0.58 06:24 PM / 0.59 04:42 PM / 0.39 04:39 PM / 0.17 05:08 PM / -0.03 05:47 PM / -0.20

PM / -0.33

PM / -0.42 08:18 PM / -0.45 09:09 PM / -0.41 09:54 PM / -0.29 10:27 PM / -0.08 10:07 PM / 0.19

12:16 AM / -0.24 12:43 AM / -0.02 12:53 AM / 0.22 12:32 AM / 0.46 10:55 PM / 0.62 06:39 PM / 0.49 06:08 PM / 0.19

PM / -0.09 06:55 PM / -0.33 07:32 PM / -0.51

Pascagoula

08:47 AM / 1.04

07:11 AM / 1.31

07:28 AM / 1.62

12:47 AM / 0.61 05:07 PM / 0.41 05:36 PM / 0.03 06:16 PM / -0.26 07:02 PM / -0.45 07:51 PM / -0.53 08:41 PM / -0.52 09:34 PM / -0.44 10:32 PM / -0.33 11:25 PM / -0.20

PM / -0.63

PM / -0.40 12:23 AM / -0.07 12:19 AM / 0.31 10:31 PM / 0.61 05:08 PM / 0.32 05:28 PM / -0.15

AM / 1.39

AM / 1.59

AM / 1.76

AM / 1.90

AM / 2.00

AM / 2.07

AM / 2.06 11:49 AM / 1.98 12:44 PM / 1.80 01:36 PM / 1.52 02:17 PM / 1.17 07:49 AM / 0.92 07:01 AM / 1.11 05:30 AM / 1.42

12:03 AM / -0.05 12:24 AM / 0.13 11:59 PM / 0.32 11:54 PM / 0.48 11:58 AM / 0.78 11:59 PM / 0.64 06:24 PM / 0.56 04:54 PM / 0.30 05:19 PM / 0.06

05:51 PM / -0.14

06:30 PM / -0.29 07:18 PM / -0.40 08:10 PM / -0.47 09:02 PM / -0.49 09:56 PM / -0.45 10:47 PM / -0.33 11:22 PM / -0.13 11:23 PM / 0.14 11:16 PM / 0.41 10:56 PM / 0.64 05:33 PM / 0.31 05:16 PM / -0.03

KID'S CORNER TROPHY ROOM

Samuel Fraser has his hands full with this big Speckled Trout! Kennedy, 5 at the time she snagged this tiger bass

Chase Gray with a nice Sheepshead

Grant Graham with his pre spawn spotted bass

Elijah Rettagliata 12, and Ethan Rettagliata 13

Shep Gray With a pair of nice Specks!

Gweneth and Whiting Traylor have mixed emotions about their sheepshead.

June Fishing Tip

BY THE EDITORS

It can be quite frustrating to lose a toothy fish species due to it gnawing through your terminal line. Freshwater anglers on the Gulf Coast are usually spared this experience, although every once in a while a bowfin, gar, or pickerel will make off with a bass bait. But once you start fishing saltwater, teeth become the norm.

At first glance, the solution to the problem is obvious. Buy steel leader material. But steel leaders can create just as many problems as they solve. They’re a pain to use, for starters, often requiring special tools to crimp connections. Steel leaders are also more visible than fluorocarbon leaders, and less flexible. This makes for a less natural presentation. Sure, you’re not getting bitten off…but what about all of the fish who never took your bait because it looked “off?”

According to Capt. Mark Hotze with 30A Light Tackle, you could be missing a lot of action if you’re fishing a steel leader.

“I don’t know that I’d call it a ‘trip saver’ but fishing my flatlines with fluorocarbon leader instead of steel has definitely netted me some ‘icing on the cake’ fish,” he said on an episode of the Northwest Florida Fishing Report. “Usually, when we’re fishing for kings, I’ll throw a stinger off of the back wall and see what happens.

On a recent trip, I threw one out with fluoro for whatever reason, and once I switched we started catching more on that line.”

He continues, “I’d rather lose a hook from a king, or wahoo, or a shark, and break off, than not get that bite at all. If that happens, you can always retie with a steel leader, and the chances are good that once they’ve taken one bait, they’ll take another. But if there are blackfin or big, beautiful mahi out there…man, you’ll be glad you had fluorocarbon on.”

If you’re not convinced to put down the wire just yet, keep in mind that today’s premium fluorocarbon leaders, like AFTCO’s Saiko pro leader material, are tougher than they’ve ever been. They’re obviously not as cut-resistant as steel, but they can survive a pretty substantial nick and still land a fish. Still skeptical? At least consider downsizing your steel’s length and diameter. The odds are good that your increased hookups will balance any breakoffs.

CAPTAIN MARK HOTZE 30ALightTackle@gmail.com Tel: 804-363-7340

Camping in My Early Years

BY JIM MIZE

When I was younger, all the boys aspired to manhood and the path to get there ran through a tent. Developing camping skills, the bravado to go without adults, and the wherewithal not to set fire to the woods were foundational requirements. Along the way, we learned a lot more.

We started with backyard trips in the summer. Usually a friend or two would come over and our diets during the night would have kept the Surgeon General awake. Someone brought a stack of comic books, we all had flashlights that weighed at least four pounds, and we learned the important skill of how to function the next day without sleep.

On one of these early trips, my neighbor brought his dog, supposedly to keep us safe from wild animals. This dog looked more like one of the wild animals. It weighed at least ninety pounds and stood tall enough you would think it came with a saddle. It was also an overly-friendly mutt who wanted to get inside the tent.

Now, our tent was nothing more than a canvas tarp thrown over a rope between two trees. We pegged down the corners and pulled the canvas tight. With three youngsters inside it was cramped; add a ninety-pound dog and it was like being one of the Vienna sausages in a can with the biggest one constantly wiggling.

Finally, the mutt’s owner decided it could guard us from outside and he tied him to a tree. Well, not just any tree but the one we also tied our tent rope to. That was significant.

After a couple hours of whining, the mutt got preoccupied and our concentration settled on comic books and talk of baseball. We didn’t notice the vibration in the tent rope until too late.

Mutt apparently had decided that if he couldn’t join us, then we should join him. So, after hours of gnawing on our tent rope he managed to cut the line that held up our tent and the whole thing collapsed on us like throwing a net over trapped turkeys. After crawling out and assessing the situation, we all just went home.

Camping gear back then was primitive and cheap on a kid’s budget. As you might gather from our use of a tarp, we scrounged most of it from basements and attics.

Once on a visit to the Army Surplus store, I came across a down sleeping bag. Realizing how useful this would be, I negotiated an advance on future allowance and bought it.

This bag had been designed for cold weather use. It had a lining

that was slick as silk and the down held in body heat better than any bag I had ever owned. There was just one catch; the feathers managed to work through the seams.

A few loose feathers would have been no big deal, but a lot of loose feathers was a different matter. Throw in the fact that the bag made a person sweat on a summer night and you had the makings of an embarrassing situation for a youngster. Every morning, I emerged with white feathers stuck all over and most resembled a domestic duck.

Of course, the guys I camped with took it all in stride by teasing me without mercy. I responded that they were merely jealous of my high-quality camping gear

The other lesson we learned from camping was how to cope with the wild animals we encountered. Besides Mutt, who stayed home on future trips, we had the occasional opportunity to meet creatures up close. One I still remember vividly.

I think I had been watching westerns back then, where the cowboys would always inspect their bunks for rattlesnakes before climbing in. We didn’t have many rattlesnakes around, at least that I had seen, but I felt it was a good idea to check. When I folded back the top of my sleeping bag, I came face to face with the largest brown, fuzzy spider I had ever seen.

Now, when you’re a kid and there’s a giant spider in your sleeping bag, your first thought is, “I wish I had a gun.” Forget that your sleeping bag would have a hole in it the size of a baseball. Not having a gun, I turned to look for a shoe or something preferably with a long handle to beat the spider to a pulp.

Finally, I found a camp shovel, but when I turned back the spider was gone. Up until then, seeing a spider seemed like the most frightening thing I could imagine. That’s when I realized that not seeing a spider was even scarier.

What ensued was a multi-kid search party going through every article inside the tent looking for a spider the size of a puppy. Once, we uncovered a black sock someone had taken off and we all screamed and jumped, eventually beating the sock to lint.

As you might guess, we never found the spider. Calm finally settled on our tent, with the exception of those times when duck feathers in my sleeping bag tickled my legs.

Still, those were formative years when we learned independence, the ability to function with sleep deprivation, and the wisdom to tie large dogs outside the reach of tent ropes.

To this day, I wonder what happened to that spider.

JIM MIZE still relies upon those skills he learned camping as a youngster You can purchase Jim’s new book, The Jon Boat Years, at https://uscpress.com/The-Jon-Boat-Years or buy autographed copies at www . acreektricklesthroughit .com .

INTRODUCING A 74 HP ADDITION TO OUR

MT 7 SERIES

THE DIRTIER THE JOB, THE MORE IT SHINES

To reengineer the MT7, we dug down to the roots of what makes an LS Tractor worth owning. Field-proven utility. The result is a smaller footprint tractor you can trust to work as hard as you do. With a new 74-hp power plant that’s 8.5% times more efficient and doesn’t require DEF (diesel exhaust fluid), and a PTO system that simplifies switching implements, the MT7 is built for less downtime. And more up in the cabin time.

Start Blue. Stay Blue.