The Angler Video Magazine | February 2021 Edition

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FINDING

FLOUNDER WATCH VIDEO

2021'S BEST NEW

RODS & REELS PHOTO COURTESY OF CHERLYN ARNOLD INSTAGRAM: @SLAYHERLYN

VOLUME 1 • ISSUE 7

F R A N C H I S E

FEBRUARY 2021

O P P O R T U N I T I E S

A V A I L A B L E

W O R L D W I D E

BILLFISH SEASON BEGINS In Costa Rica F

ebruary is the true beginning of billfish season on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. FishingNosara operates a fleet of charter boats off the country’s northwest coast, and they view this month as the halfway point in a 10-month season from November to August.

Marlin and sailfish are caught all season long, but the numbers are not spectacular late in the calendar year, mostly because of their food source. During the first half of the year, the principal feeder fish is dorado (mahimahi). These fish are a charter captain’s dream.

Big schools of dorado provide a consistent haul of fillets, and they are easy to catch.

Marlin and sailfish eat these green beauties and will consider striking a nearby ballyhoo, but the bite is less aggressive and requires skilled placement on the drop-back. If you are precise enough to force-feed a Marlin 100 yards off the back of the boat with a pitchbait, good for you. However, the fish aren’t going to do you any favors.

Then, in the summer months, the feeder fish change over to yellowfin tuna. These

schools are easy to find because porpoises round them up into baitballs, with visible surface activity and diving birds. These smaller feeder tuna are packed with oxygen-rich blood, which seems to make the pelagics light up with energy.

Like deranged gamblers on a hot streak, they will take a chance on anything near the baitball. It’s not unheard of for a big black marlin to assault a 20-pound yellowfin that is already hooked up.

Next thing you know, the angler is tied up to a 600-pound monster that just swallowed a bellyful of “go juice.”

February is the blending point of this dorado-to-yellowfin transition. Hungry clients are likely to bring home a wide array of fillets. It’s possible to add inshore catches of snapper, grouper and congrio to the dorado and yellowfin gathered offshore.

For the trophy hunter, it seems like sailfish edge out marlin in total number of strikes and releases during February. However, if the yellowfin tuna are blended in with the dorado, it’s time to gear up for battle and be ready for anything.

Florida angler John Shellhorn visited FishingNosara last February. Check out the e-mail John sent (right) after the trip.

For more information, go to fishingnosara.com.

"Final and wan ly back in co u t a great ed to thank y ntry o tr u for My wife ip. a nd h had ne ver ca er friend Ma ugh ry Wandere r, cau t a billfish ght fo includi and, o ur eac ng a n the h d thrille ouble i d and hook-up n two days wi for a l . They ong tim ll be talkin were g e .

I relea about t s hat ed a n and my friend ice 38-pound snapper rooster Jim ca u fish, with C while fishin ght a nice cubera g the apt. C la arlos Althoug on the st two days h last d we only fish Discove ay e rer. days of , our group d a half day o t n f 1 roost ishing came otal for the our to er fo You gu and 1 snapper 13 sails, 6 t ur y u . s have na, and we an exc had an e l len are in credibl awesome tri t operation p! e facilit y offer at their jo Your staff bs, an s world d y

class f ishing!” our - John Shellho rn

FLY FISHING 4

CHOOSING A SALTWATER FLY ROD

C

hoosing the right fly rod is a personal choice. There are so many rods and various rod actions (fast, moderate, tip flex, full flex, slow etc.) that selecting a rod can be very confusing. It’s confusing to me, and I live a breathe this stuff!

ROD LENGTH: 9 FEET OR SHORTER? In most saltwater fly fishing situations the 9-foot rod is standard. It provides enough length to keep a back cast off the water, to pick up fly line off the water to redirect a cast and is the best option for making longer casts.

However, in recent years many companies have developed wonderful fly rods that are much shorter and can cast with the best 9-footers on the market. The new short rods are 7 to 8 feet in length and have a moderate (slow) action. The combination of a shorter rod and slower action make these rods a deadly tool when casting larger flies and poppers at close range.

Fly fishing for redfish, baby tarpon or other fish that hold tight to cover does not require long casts. And when making short cast, the short rod is a more accurate tool.

THE GRIP AND FEEL Find a fly rod that feels good while you’re holding it. The can be the difference between casting the rod well and not. I have picked up some very high-end rods with grips that felt like tree trunks. I believe

FEBRUARY 2021

a grip with a narrower diameter is best because it allows you to feel the rod load much better.

ROD GUIDES The guides on a fly rod are an important part of the overall performance. Many rods today are equipped with flexible snake guides, better known as REC Recoil guides, that are lighter than standard snake guides.

These REC guides allow the rod to flex between the stripping guides footings for

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a more efficient transfer of energy during the cast. These REC guides add to the rod’s casting performance, creating greater line speed. Another added bonus to these REC guides is they will bend and not break if bumped on a boat rail.

ROD ACTION Rod actions vary greatly. It’s kind of comparing apples and oranges. Some anglers prefer a fast action; some prefer a moderate action. There are benefits to both, but for the beginning or intermediate fly angler, a moderate action rod is the best choice. A moderate action rod will cover a wide spectrum of casting situations and is easier to cast and cast efficiently into a stiff wind. These rods also load a fly line using more of the fly rods taper, making it easier for the angler to feel the rod load. You can always purchase a fast action rod down the road as your skills progress.

ROD BALANCE So, now that you have picked out that perfect saltwater stick, ask yourself…

How does it feel in my hand? Is the rod tip heavy? Is the rod butt heavy? Does the rod feel too heavy overall? Too light? These are all question that need to be answered. The best rod is the one that feels well balanced from tip to butt. Balance the rod on your index finger at the top of the full wells grip.

A well-balanced rod will balance evenly on your index finger. This is a fly rod’s sweet spot. It will be the optimum place for the thumb of your casting hand every time you cast.

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CATCH 23 MICHAEL JORDAN’S BOAT WINS BUCCANEER CUP SAILFISH TOURNEY

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ith a five-release first day, Michael Jordan’s boat, Catch 23, held on to win the 58th annual Buccaneer Cup Sailfish Tournament Jan. 20-23. This year’s event featured a fleet of 38 boats and a total of 63 sailfish caught.

It was a big win for Catch 23. The big, beautiful boat has been making national headlines in tournament circuits the last few years, primarily because of the star power Jordan brings to the deck. But now Catch 23 has a big win to hang its hat on. The Buccaneer Cup is one of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious sailfish release tournaments. It was held this year out of Palm Beach and Jupiter, Florida during the traditional heart of the area’s sailfish season.

The name Catch 23 pays homage to the jersey number Jordan wore through six NBA championships with Chicago Bulls. The custom 80-foot Viking is wrapped with the elephant print that first adorned Air Jordan 3 sneakers and now also appears on Jordan’s jet.

Since 2019, Catch 23 has competed in several high-

Catch 23: Michael Jordan’s 80-foot Viking, Catch 23, took top honors in this year’s Buccaneer Cup. PHOTO COURTESY OF HAULOVER INLET.COM

stakes marlin tournaments in mid-Atlantic. It also saw duty in the last two Stuart Sailfish Club Light Tackle Sailfish tournaments, and placed third in 2019.

At this year’s Buccaneer Cup, Capt. Stetson Turney led Catch 23 to five releases on the first day of fishing, Thursday Jan. 21. The action came in spurts. Catch 23 called in its first two releases at 9:11 and 9:31 a.m.

Jordan was on the reel for the first one, and angler Jimmy David cranked in the second. The team hung two more release flags just before 2 p.m., when Danny Young fought a sailfish to the boat at 1:47 p.m. and David got his second at 1:53. At 3:28 p.m., Jordan reeled in the fifth release of the day to earn the boat 1,000 points and a solid Day One lead.

The tournament awards 200 points for each sailfish release using live bait and 300 points for each release caught on dead bait.

Catch 23 did not call in another

By CAM Staff

release until just before noon on the final day of fishing Saturday, Jan. 23. This allowed the eventual second-place boat, De-Bait-Able, to climb into contention. De-Bait-Able, a 60foot Viking, captained by KJ Zeher, called in two releases on the morning of Friday’s Day Two. Both fish were handled by angler Cameron Walsh.

Saturday saw De-Bait-Able make a big push with four releases between 8:27 a.m. and lines out. Anglers Jay Lanigan, Mike Lanigan, Laura Rassel and Tom Walsh battled in their catches to give De-Bait-Able 1,200 points at the end of Day Three.

They were one fish shy of catching Catch 23, which called in releases for anglers

Annibal Moya and Danny Young on the final day of fishing.

For more information on the Buccaneer Cup, visit www.buccaneercup.com.

THE PERFECT GRIP

A

handle is much more than just the part by which you hold the rod. It is the conduit that transmits strikes to your hands and the trusted grip that ensures a hold on the fish of your dreams. But not all handles are created equal, and each material has strengths and weaknesses. Whether buying a factory rod, building your own or having a custom rod built for you, it pays to know which handle style is the best choice for the job. This primer will give you a “grip” on which one is right for you.

EVA FOAM: Foam handles are common across all types of fishing rods. They are inexpensive and durable, making them a go-to option for anglers.

However, foam is neither the most comfortable choice nor the best in terms of grip.

It can become slippery when wet or after handling fish. It also lacks true sensitivity, muffling what is transmitted from hook to hand rather than delivering it directly.

CORK: A fan favorite, cork is as comfortable as it is elegant.

However, it is less durable and more expensive than foam. A lightweight material, cork offers good sensitivity and a solid grip—even when wet.

SPLIT GRIP: A split grip is simply a handle that is partly covered with foam, cork or another material, and partly left bare. The narrow diameter of the naked rod won’t tire out a hand over long periods of use and allows for maximum sensitivity, translating whatever is happening on the end of the line to the hand as efficiently as possible. Lacking coverage of their entire length, split grips are also very lightweight. The gripping potential depends on

BY JOHN SAPORITO

WATCH

VIDEO

the material. The main concern of split grips is durability, as the unprotected portion is damaged more easily than a fully covered handle.

CORK TAPE:

A favorite of surf fishermen, cork tape offers an incredibly reliable grip under all conditions. Its “sandpaper” texture may scare some anglers off, but it is actually quite comfortable.

Cork tape is durable, although it may need replacing after seasons of use—much like the grip on a golf club. It promotes good sensitivity due to the thin and firm nature of the material. It is perhaps the most underutilized handle type of all.

HEAT-SHRINK VINYL:

A cork-tape look-alike, vinyl permits excellent sensitivity, is comfortable, and provides good gripping ability. It is both durable and inexpensive.

Many anglers turn to heatshrink vinyl as an easy replacement for worn handles on well-used rods.

In the end, selecting a handle doesn’t need to be a confusing affair. Evaluate which qualities you seek in a rod, how the rod will be used, and which grip materials are available for the rods that meet your needs. Then, the decision will practically make itself.

Lifelong fisherman and student of predatory fish, visit John Saporito online at guerillaangling.com.

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CONFESSIONS OF A FISHAHOLIC

THE EVOLUTION OF THE FISHING REEL

T

THATCH MCGUIRE

he earliest record of a fishing reel can be traced back to a Chinese painting in the 12th century. In its most basic form, a reel is simply a spool for keeping the line organized, but given man’s ambition to improve everything, the evolution of the reel offers a unique glimpse into how a simple concept can develop into an engineering art form through the pursuit of excellence.

Today’s high-tech reels are truly spectacular advancements.

The next step up from the spool concept was the winch-style reel. This early concept enabled anglers to move from using the reel (spool) as a line storage apparatus to being able to retrieve the line (and hopefully the fish) more efficiently. Winch model reels seem to have come on the scene in the 1800s.

The Industrial Revolution of the 1900s brought on further advancements over the winchtype reel and gave a greater accessibility to the average angler.

The Hardy reel and its Orvis counterpart made substantial advancements in reel function, design and accessibility. With the expiration of the Hardy patent in 1954, the Mitchell Reel, with its halfbale arm, brought on a new era in reel function and accessibility.

The Abu Garcia reel introduction at the 1954 World’s Fair ushered in the future of the

"Angler on a Wintry Lake," painted in 1195 by Ma Yuan, featuring the oldest known depiction of a fishing reel, although the oldest description of a fishing reel in China dates to the 3rd century AD.

modern spinning reel as we know it today. Today’s metallurgy options, gear ratios, drag settings and reel functions can only be described as the fulfillment of the modern angler’s vision for the ultimate reel. For that we pay homage and give great thanks to the likes of Mr. Hardy, Mr. Pflueger, Mr. Loomis and Mr. Mitchell as the founding fathers of the reel industry.

Where does the reel industry go from here? Given that the Digital Revolution is currently dominating advancements in this field, it seems apparent that the reel will continue to evolve. One can only speculate the future.

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FEBRUARY 2021

11

Catching in The

Keys

By John Steinhorst

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VIDEO

F

ebruary through April offers some of the most productive fishing of the year in the Florida Keys. An amazing variety of migratory fish species travel to the Keys as cold water temperatures push them south in the Gulf of Mexico and on the east coast.

The most convenient place to base a Keys fishing adventure is directly out of Marathon, which comfortably rests in the middle of this tropical island chain. Marathon encompasses a unique collection of islands, creating the ideal boating and family destination with access to both ocean and gulf waters but far enough from the crowded streets of Key West.

Capt. Chris Morrison, a 20-year Keys

veteran who guides out of Marathon, enjoys hooking excited anglers up with these hungry migrating species, which include record-breaking cobia, king and Spanish mackerel, trophy sailfish and several species of jacks.

Versatility is the name of the game, and options are abundant. Most often the best plan is to just decide where you want to fish, from the immense Gulf or blue ocean waters to the many reefs and wrecks surrounding the islands. Then be ready for anything when you get there. There are several techniques that work for each species, and Morrison utilizes a wide variety to keep his Temple Fork Outfitters’ Gary Loomis Inshore Series rods bending and his clients smiling.

Live bait and jigs are most productive to ensure positive results. Pinfish and live shrimp are among the easiest to obtain, since most local bait shops carry them.

Deep jigs, such as butterfly types, and Âźto 1-ounce bucktails are essential to carry in your arsenal. For catching cobia, present the pinfish on ocean-side wrecks and reefs as well as Gulf waters from 15 to 100 feet using the same rig for grouper down deep.

Limit is one per person with a 33-inch size minimum.

On sunny days, Morrison likes to spot cobia with his polarized sunglasses from the tower of his SeaVee boat above the reef line or in blue water when a color change edge is present. When you see a cobia on the surface, cast the bait in front with no weight and at

least 60-pound monofilament leader. Wire is usually necessary on your jigs as king, Spanish, and cero mackerel are numerous throughout these prime fishing grounds.

If you do not have a guide, the reef line on the ocean side from 25 to 40 feet is a good place to start. Anchor and hang a chum bag over the side with ground-up frozen baitfish.

Chum brings the party to the back of your boat, although cobia sometimes swim with bull sharks and rays. Start drifting live shrimp back with light monofilament leader and small hooks, and you are bound to get action from one of several species of snapper. If you start getting bit off clean, add a piece of leader wire and you will likely get hooked into a cero or king mackerel. If you decide to fish the bay or gulf side of the Keys island chain, you might want to anchor in 10 to 15 feet of water and hang that chum bag for landing Spanish mackerel. Head out to deeper Gulf waters and expect more cobia, king mackerel, and goliath and gag grouper.

The wintertime fishing action in the Florida Keys will be sure to heat up your reel.

If you need an expert light-tackle fishing guide, Capt. Chris Morrison has guided anglers to more than 100 world records and received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Game Fishing Association. Visit www.captchris.com for more info.

John Steinhorst has contributed to many publications during the last 20 years and can be contacted at www.JohnSteinhorst.wix.com/IslandMedia.

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FEBRUARY 2021

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THE DIGITIZATION OF FISHING GEAR

By CAM Staff

W

hat is a digital fishing reel? Well, that really depends on who you ask and what type of fishing you do.

In the tackle industry, every company is in constant search of new innovations that set their products apart. Sometimes these innovations are merely gimmicks that fizzle out after a short time on the market.

Sometimes they stick, and this is what pushes the constant evolution of fishing gear toward more productive, efficient and enjoyable time on the water.

In this digital age, it’s no surprise manufacturers are toying with the best ways to utilize computer power in fishing gear. We’re talking about gear, here, not the bank of mapping and fish-finding computers in the dash. Electronics have moved into rods and reels, and there’s no telling where the trend toward digitization will take us as chips become smaller and more powerful.

The obvious benefactors of computers are electric reels, which are already connected to a power source. The high-end units used for commercial longlines, deep-dropping and daytime swordfishing can cost thousands of dollars and are designed to keep tabs on thousands of yards of heavy line. On big, powerful units like those made by Lindgren-Pitman, electronics make possible features like easy push-button operation, dial-controlled variable speed gearing, digital line counting and stop-at-top automatic operation.

Essentially, anglers can fish at thousand-foot depths, maintain control of all that line and fight fish simply by pushing buttons and turning dials.

For anglers who fish deep or fly kites but don’t want to pay for reels that cost as much as a small boat, smaller electric or electric-assist reels like those in Daiwa’s Tanacom series have multiple attractive digital features. LCDdisplay line counters have become pretty much standard, and regardless of manufacturer, most have auto-stop mechanisms to stop line from going out or coming in at pre-set distances from the rod.

But what about inshore and freshwater fishing? Well, computers are coming for you, too.

Logbooks are invaluable, and those who use them become better anglers. But who wants to stop fishing to take notes? Abu Garcia seeks to solve this dilemma digitally. Their Virtual Rod is linked to an app on your phone or Lowrance unit. When you catch a fish, simply press a button and it automatically records your catch with location, weather and water data, and documents it in your digital logbook. It’s got a builtin battery with a 2-year lifespan, no charging required.

Don’t want anything battery operated? The computer chip in Shimano’s Digital Control system charges itself when you cast. It’s equipped on reels like the new Curado DC and is supposed to put an end to baitcaster backlashes. With computer-controlled spool braking, the next generation of anglers won’t need to learn the nuances of thumbing the spool. This reel constantly calculates to provide optimal braking force accurate, long-distance casting without the fear of bird nests.

And those are just some of the digital advancements going on in the industry. In a few years, we might be fishing from flying cars like George and Elroy Jetson.

DEEP WINTER FIND & CATCH

By Capt. Michael Okruhlik

PHOTO COURTESY OF KNOCKIN TAIL LURES

D

GAME PLAN

o all flounder migrate offshore during the winter? I can’t be certain, but I have caught them in every month of the year. Those late-winter catches may have been flounder that never left, or they might be some that returned early. But one thing is for sure, during cold weather is when I have caught my largest flounder.

Let it be known that I am a lure fisherman at heart, but if you want to consistently target the largest flounder this time of year, live and dead bait rule supreme. A large mullet or shad in the 6-inch range is ideal. Any type of fishfinder rig will suffice with the appropriate weight for the depth of water and strength of current you are fishing. You just need enough weight to keep your bait in contact with the bottom, where flounder live.

The method I use for flounder catching is to keep the bait in constant contact with the bottom.

Pointing the rod tip toward the water and utilizing a sweeping motion, I twitch my rod, kicking up mud and sand to create a trail of dust that attracts fish. This way I can cover some water in search of a hungry doormat. Once I feel the first tap from the flounder, I pause. I wait patiently for the second and usually a quick third tap. Then I give it a solid hook-set!

Flounder will hold on to a bait longer than most inshore species, and they don’t always engulf it all at once. I feel they want to injure their meal before swallowing it, which is why it pays to be patient and wait until they’ve got the hook in their mouth before driving the point home.

The best area to target the largest of the species is near structure, specifically bulkheads. Flounder like to bed down next to seawalls, where baitfish have fewer angles of escape. Other structure like rock jetties are also great areas to try.

On an outgoing tide, I target drain openings where high tide flows out of the marshes. These drains can be small, 1 to 2 feet of width is all it takes.

As long as the marsh behind the drain has enough water to hold bait, it’s perfect. Flounder will stage at the opening of a large drain as well, but no drain is too small, and I feel the smaller ones can easily be dismissed and easily missed.

One final note is on tide direction and strength.

During a strong outgoing tide, flounder use the tide as easy transportation to open water and focus more on swimming than feeding. I tend to avoid the strong outgoing tide when targeting migrating flounder.

Be safe, stay warm, and get out there to catch the largest flounder of your life.

Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Knockin Tail Lures, Controlled Descent Lures, and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.

R FLOUNDER

NEW uct d o r p IEWS REV WATCH VIDEO

RO Abu Garcia Ambassadeur 7000 C3

There’s a reason you see so many older model Ambassadeur reels on the water. It’s because they’re bombproof. With design simplicity, high-quality components and precision manufacturing, the venerable Ambassadeur line has stood the test of time in the most demanding environments.

The Ambassadeur 7000 C3 round reel is a big reel, with the cranking power for the heaviest freshwater species as well as most fish in saltwater. It’s a perfect bottom-fishing reel, and it performs very well surfcasting and slinging big poppers and plugs.

Its Carbon Matrix drag system is smooth and consistent across the entire drag range, which maxes out at 20 pounds of pressure. An updated extended bend handle with power knob provides the angler with more fighting power by increasing torque and aligning the cranking hand closer to the reel.

The 7000 C3 also performs when casting and retrieving. With two stainless steel ball bearings, plus one roller bearing, operation is smooth. The four-pin centrifugal brake provides consistent pressure throughout casts for good distance as well as control.

With excellent corrosion resistance and gears machined from solid brass, there’s a good chance you’ll end up passing this reel down to your children.

www.abugarcia.com

Mitchell 300

You won’t find a better spinning reel for the price of a Mitchell 300 series. You might not find a more durable spinning reel at any price.

Mitchell invented the modern spinning reel in 1948, and since then the company has retained a dedicated following of anglers who value solid performance and long-lasting durability. The latest generation of Mitchell 300s holds true to the company’s legacy.

With an eight-bearing system that includes instant anti-reverse, this is a smooth operating reel. The main innovation that sets it apart is a Bail Halo that completely surrounds the rotor and gives the bail-support arm a fully ringed shape, as opposed to the crescent on most reels. This improves line management properties, and it also increases the system’s strength significantly. It will not flex under load, which means it operates smoothly even under the strain of large fish.

On the subject of large fish, Mitchell’s multi-disk drag system is solid. With a maximum 14-pounds of drag pressure, it is smooth and starts easily to avoid those dreaded sticky-drag break-offs.

With solid, yet surprisingly lightweight construction, the Mitchell 300 remains the no-frills workhorse it was designed to be. If you’re ready for a reel you can count on, it’s time to look at a Mitchell.

www.purefishing.com

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Okum

Okuma ha for the perfe that with the SRT Cust tapered full c K-Concept ta Fuji FazLite s The Elite 7-foot to 7-fo

DS&REELS Shimano TwinPower SW

Offshore predators test tackle in ways no other fish can. Re-engineered for 2021, Shimano’s new TwinPower SW spinning reel was designed for strength and durability to dominate powerful offshore species like wahoo, tuna, grouper or snapper.

Shimano’s exclusive Infinity Drive technology delivers increased cranking power under load, giving anglers more control over supersized reef species and pelagics.

The 10,000 and 14,000-series models offer Shimano’s Heatsink Drag system, which dissipates thermal energy away from the reel, reducing any drop in drag force due to heat buildup as well as the potential for line damage.

Shimano’s HAGANE Gear delivers smooth performance and legendary durability, while the HAGANE Body provides extreme rigidity and impact resistance. These reels are built for the long-haul with extreme water and corrosion resistance, and come in sizes 4,000 to 14,000.

fish.shimano.com

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Hardy Narrow Spool Perfect Fly

WATCH VIDEO

Hardy has taken one of the most famous fly reels of all time, the Hardy Perfect, and modernized its functionality while retaining a classic look to fill the needs of discerning fishers of bamboo and fiberglass fly rods.

The Narrow Spool Perfect offers enhanced performance for small-stream trout rods. It is hand-made and beautifully crafted with traditional click-and-pawl drag and an Ivorine reel handle. Its housing is machined from bar stock aluminum, hand-polished and deep anodized for a flawless finish that is resistant to drops and dings. A one-piece naval brass spindle and stainless ball bearings provide effortless performance.

It seems, at least for trout anglers, that Hardy has improved upon the Perfect reel that set the standard for quality and dependability more than 100 years ago. The Narrow Spool Perfect is available only for a limited time.

www.hardyfishing.com

ma SRT Custom Inshore Elite Rods

as been pounding the sand and docks up and down the Florida coastline and gathering ideas and concepts ect family of Florida-specific rods dialed in for snook, redfish and trout fisherman. They accomplished just e new SRT Elite series of rods. tom Inshore Elite Rods are built with a 30-ton carbon inshore rod blank. They feature a premium cork grip design for a classic look and feel, Fuji TVS reel seats for comfort and reliability and Fuji angle free, deep press stainless steel guide frames. Within those guide frames, you will find silky smooth guide inserts designed specifically for both braided and monofilament lines. rods also feature a SeaGuide stainless hook keeper. They are available in lengths of oot 6-inch and actions of Medium Light to Heavy.

www.okumafishing.com

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NEW uct d o r p IEWS REV

RO WATCH VIDEO

Shimano Vanford F

The new Vanford tests the boundaries of technology and engineering found in spinning reels.

Built upon a CI4+ body for a lightweight feel and carbon rigidity, the Vanford incorporates a MagnumLite Rotor for up to 48 percent less rotational inertia for quick response in critical situations. The Vanford features Shimano’s cold-forged HAGANE Gear and many of Shimano’s premium technologies for increased performance and years of durability.

Vanford’s SilentDrive and MicroModule Gear II technologies combine to produce a new level of smooth rotational performance while reducing vibration. Vanford also incorporates Long Stroke Spool technology to increase casting distance while producing a smoother line lay on the spool during retrieval.

The Vanford’s water resistance and durability make it as suitable for inshore environments as well as freshwater. From drop-shotting for smallies to stalking the flats, the Vanford has no equal.

fish.shimano.com

Abu Garcia Revo EXD WATCH VIDEO

Abu Garcia made a big splash in the market for low-profile baitcasting reels when they introduced the Revo series back in the mid-2000s. They took the precision engineering the company is known for and packed it into a sleek and smooth reel that performs as well as anything else out there.

Now in the fourth generation of these extremely comfortable and highperforming reels, Abu Garcia has built on almost unanimous praise of the earlier models. The Revo EXD has the high-tech, top-end features that bring smooth operation and dependability to all the Revo reels, and it features the Power Stack Carbon Matrix drag system, which provides 20-pounds of stopping power.

However, the design innovation in the EXD is extreme casting distance.

Eleven high-performance bearings and a duraluminum spool extend casting distance, while backlashes are kept at a minimum. The secret lies in two specially designed HPCR bearings on the spool shaft that ensure effortless spool rotation.

This reel is the perfect tool for covering water, whether you’re slinging jerkbaits on a bass lake or topwaters across a saltwater grass flat. And, the reel comes with a second shallower spool for getting more distance casting lighter baits on lighter line.

www.abugarcia.com

DS&REELS WATCH VIDEO

Penn Battle III

Long recognized for strength, smoothness and durability, PENN Battle spinning reels are revered as reliable workhorses. With upgraded gears and technology, new Battle III spinning reels and combos offer enhanced performance for inshore, offshore and surf fishing, while remaining one of the most accessible reels available.

The Battle III is equipped with PENN’s proprietary CNC Gear Technology, which ensures pinion and drive gears are cut to exact tolerances using premium metals. The PENN HT-100 Carbon Fiber Drag System is smooth under the strain of hard-fighting saltwater fish. With a full-metal body and sideplate, Battle III reels stand up to the harsh marine environment. These features make Battle III extremely durable and high performing across a wide range of applications, at a price point that encourages anglers to get down and dirty with fish.

www.pennfishing.com

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Okuma ITX Spinning Reel

ITX Carbon spinning reels are a lightweight, compact-bodied spinning reels constructed of rigid C-40X long strand carbon fiber, which is 25 percent stronger than standard graphite reels. Lightweight and rigid, the C-40X rotor and its TCA construction make the ITX perfect for your freshwater and light inshore needs.

A multi-disc, carbon-fiber drag system with Okuma’s Hydro Block Gasket keeps water out and your drag running smoothly. The 7HPG +1RB High Performance, grease-packed bearings keep the reel running smoothly along with the precision machine-cut brass pinion gear. And the Quick-Set anti-reverse roller bearing stops the reel on a dime. ITX reels are designed with Okuma’s CFR, Cyclonic Flow Rotor technology, which sweeps water away from the twotoned anodized machined aluminum spool.

The 1,000, 2,500, 3,000 and 4,000 size reels all come standard with 6.0:1 high-speed gearing. One of the key features of the new ITX Carbon reels is the machined aluminum, screw-in handle design, which keeps your handle running tight with no loosening screws.

www.okumafishing.com

Teramar XX SE Spinning/Casting Rods

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Shimano’s new Teramar XX Southeast (SE) series of spinning and casting rods set a new standard in performance with techniquespecific powers, actions and features for fishing the myriad of inshore gamefish in the Southeastern United States.

Teramar XX SE rods incorporate Shimano’s proprietary Spiral X and Hi-Power X technologies to enhance power transmission through the rod blank for increased casting distance and lifting power as well as reduced blank twist during tough battles. Featuring classic cork handles and durable Fuji guides, Shimano engineered the Teramar XX SE series for ultimate performance and long-lasting durability with actions specifically designed for anglers in the Southeast tossing soft plastics for redfish or floating crabs for tarpon.

Simply put, Shimano’s flagship Teramar XX SE rods are built to be the ultimate inshore rod that’s ready for any challenge anglers will throw at it.

fish.shimano.com

d T e o Last n g i s e D Wa

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SeaCatBoats.com

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228-206-4042

FISH & FISHING

ASSUME NOTHING

A

MARK SOSIN

small sign on the corner of my attorney’s desk warns his clients to “Assume Nothing.” That caveat is just as valid on the water as it is in the practice of law. If an angler does not start catching fish within minutes of arriving at a spot, he begins to assume that his quarry must be elsewhere. The assumption, of course, is that he has chosen the right bait or lure and presented it in a natural and appealing manner to a fish that is ready to eat.

A fish’s behavioral patterns, honed over eons, follow very specific guidelines with few deviations. Anything that differs from the norm instinctively alerts a fish that something may be amiss and it thinks of its own safety first. Regardless of size, a predator does not expect to be charged or attacked by its prey no matter how small the prey is in relation to the predator. That’s why a 3-inch fly made of feathers can spook a 100-pound fish. And remember that fish do not feed constantly for a variety of reasons.

Most species use tidal currents, water flow, or the neck of a funnel to their advantage as they search for food. They either hold facing the current, swim against the flow, or work across it.

Whenever you present a bait or lure, it should be upcurrent from where you expect the fish to be so that your offering appears to go with the flow. That tenet even applies when you are casting to a cruising fish. The more natural the presentation, the better the chance of a strike.

Your quarry automatically measures energy tradeoff. The idea is to exploit each situation so they will expend the least amount of energy for the value received. That translates into the fact that they frequently refuse to chase a bait or lure very far before turning away. An ambush feeder merely wants to dart out, grab its prey and return to its lair.

Bottom denizens follow a similar practice. If your offering isn’t close to the sea floor, it’s difficult to get them to swim toward the surface to get it. Successful bottom bouncing starts upcurrent and allows the bait to drag along in the productive zone. Once it sweeps above the quarry, the potential for getting a strike diminishes rapidly.

Water temperature enters the energy tradeoff equation. In cold or even cool water, fish react sluggishly because the water temperature slows down their metabolism. It might even force them out of their usual lair in search of warmer water. In those situations, choose baits or lures that are easy for a fish to catch and slow down the retrieve or the trolling speed. And remember, in cooler water it takes fish longer to digest food so they feed less frequently.

Those who catch fish consistently study and comprehend the basics of feeding strategy. You can be sure that the behavioral patterns of each species are not about to change. That puts the onus on you to modify your tactics until you uncover the combination that works. Before you abandon a spot because you think it doesn’t hold fish, make sure you have explored the full gamut of options.

If you do make any assumptions, convince yourself that a fish is looking at your bait or lure right now. The results might surprise you.

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

FEBRUARY 2021

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DIY TAXIDERMY

Gyotaku USING

By Capt. Quinlyn Haddon

G

yotaku is a Japanese art form that replicates a catch with a print made from the actual fish.

Gyotaku artists can produce a beautiful representation of your catch at a fraction of the cost of traditional taxidermy, and the final product might also compliment your home better than a giant 3D mount. Even better, you can attempt this art for yourself. While providing the satisfaction of catching and memorializing the fish yourself, if you’re quick enough with the process, you can still enjoy eating it.

You will need: • • • •

A fish Acrylic paint and paintbrushes Paper towel Rice paper or cloth

After a long day on the water, the last thing you’ll want to do is start painting a fish. The sooner you get to a print, the better the final product will be. However, it is fine to leave your catch on ice overnight or even freeze it. If you freeze it, make sure it’s as flat as possible and its fins aren’t squished.

Fins damage easily when shoved up against the back of the freezer.

When you’re ready to start, the first step is to dry the fish. Open all the fins and dry out all the crevices. The drier the fish is, the more readily it will receive paint and transfer it back to your canvas.

Next, use rolls of paper towels to prop open and extend the dorsal, pelvic and anal fins and tail. Use bits of paper towel shoved into the gills to give them depth in the final product, as well as propping up the pectoral fin for the same reason.

Consider colors of the fish for your paints as well as for which color paper or cloth you want to use for the background. Then cut a manageable sized piece.

Typically, white or black backgrounds produce the best outcome.

Apply paint directly to the fish while standing above it. Keep in mind that you want to achieve a two-dimensional image. If you paint too far over the top of its head or too far under its belly, your final image will look obese. This is especially important to keep in mind with rounder fish, like tuna. Have fun with all the details, and don’t forget the eyeball and even small amounts of paint on the teeth.

Next, lay the cloth or paper over the painted fish and rub your fingers over it, starting from the center and working to the edges. Be delicate and thorough, touching every ridge on every fin, every contour, every scale and every tooth you painted.

Slowly peel off the paper or cloth, let it dry, and then touch up the details.

Any fish works for this process, but ones with more pronounced scales, like a snapper, produce a much more detailed print.

Capt. Quinlyn Haddon guides with Reel Lucky Fishing Charters out of St. Petersburg, Fla. Contact them at (504) 920-6342.

A 577 lb. swordfish caught by Capt. Bill Collector using Dolphin Electreel's Penn International 130 Series power assisted reel.

Dolphin Electreel

Delivers Serious Power

W

hether you’re daytime swordfishing, deep-dropping or tending kites and downriggers, electric reels have become indispensible to anglers who’d rather spend time fishing than winding in hundreds, sometimes thousands of feet of heavily weighted line.

Dolphin Electreel’s slogan, “The Power Choice For Serious Fishing!” says a lot about what the company stands for. Dolphin has spent the last quarter-century researching and developing highquality motorized fishing reels that meet the stringent requirements for performance and dependability that serious anglers demand.

Dolphin’s Whisenhunt electric motor drives pair with some of the top fishing reels in the industry: Penn International, Penn Senator and Shimano Tiagra. These manual override units are extremely versatile and allow reels

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to function like manual reels, with the incredible stopping power of Shimano and Penn star drag systems.

The durability of Dolphin products is legendary and has created a loyal following of dedicated anglers. Their electric reels are powerful and fast as well as rust and corrosion resistant with rugged steel gear and chain drive.

Dolphin sells motor-driven Penn International reels in 50, 70, 80 and 130 series. They have Penn Senators in 144, 114H, 115, 116 and GTi series. They motorize Shimano Tiagra reels in the 50, 80 and 130 series. They can even take your new or used reels and motorize them.

Regardless of the type reel you fish or the style of fishing you do, Dolphin’s goal is to make happy anglers. Their quality products are backed with a one-year warranty, and they pride themselves on exceptional customer service. All of their manufactured parts are made in the U.S.A. Here’s what one happy fisherman had to say: “I absolutely love your product. I have tried other motorized reels on the market but none compare to your product. Everything from the engineering to the anodizing is perfect. I would never go fishing without one again.” - Don Miller For more information, go to dolphinelectreel.com.

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TIPS FOR DIALING ’EM IN

T

here’s no mistaking it when a monster striped bass blows up on the surface. At a slow troll just after first light, you can almost feel it’s going to happen. Behind a planer board, the stingerhooked gizzard shad begins to struggle. Anticipation goes through the roof as the bait flees for its life.

“When you see that big shad get exploded on, it’s like a bowling ball dropped out of the sky,” said Shane Goebel, of Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service. “The planer board streaks across the water, and it’s on! There’s really nothing else like it.”

Goebel has watched this scene take place hundreds of times while guiding the mountain lakes that straddle the Georgia/ North Carolina border. He knows what it takes to boat striped bass in the 30- to 40-plus-pound range. Here are Goebel’s tips for dialing in the big-fish bite: 1) Fish Trophy Striper Season: Giants are caught yearround, but fate favors the uncomfortable angler. When the water is cold, baitfish and big stripers are forced into the shallows in search of warmer water.

They push out of the main lake and into the backs of creeks and rivers, where big fish are more predictable than when they’ve got the whole lake to roam.

2) Offer Them Everything: By putting out a large spread of different baits, you’re more likely to troll a preferred meal past that big girl’s nose.

Goebel fishes as many baits as the confines of a creek allow. He might run a couple planer boards out each side of the boat, a couple freelines off the stern and a couple of balloon baits way in back. He staggers distance and depth to cover water both horizontally and vertically.

Goebel fishes a mix of baits, too. Big gizzard shad and rainbow trout are big striper baits, but

By Nick Carter

when blueback herring are the predominant forage, he’ll fish all three at the same time. You never know which bait will get hit.

3) Stay With the Baitfish: You’re probably sick of hearing this, but…“find the bait, and you’ll find the fish.” Goebel starts cold mornings in the backs of the creeks looking for baitfish. When he sees what he likes, he deploys his spread and works from the shallows out to the creek mouth as the day advances to follow the movement of baitfish and stripers.

On some lakes, diving birds are a dead giveaway. Keep binoculars on the console to scout for gulls. Also, especially on warmer days, don’t be afraid to drop downlines if you mark bait deep in a creek mouth.

4) Keep a Pitch Rod Ready: Goebel keeps lightweight spinning rods rigged and ready with Flukes and

Redfins. Those casting rods come in handy when feeding breaks loose on the surface.

It’s quicker and easier to cast lures to visible fish than it is to steer a trolling spread over them.

And nothing beats fighting a big striper on light tackle.

Check out Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service at bigolfish.com.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF BIG OL’ FISH GUIDING SERVICE

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

FEBRUARY 2021

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HANDCRAFTED IN NORTH AMERICA

®

How St. Croix Crafts the Best Rods on Earth® for Any Angler

S

t. Croix has been handcrafting the Best Rods on Earth in Park Falls, Wisconsin for over 70 years. The company employs nearly 400 people who combine the best raw materials and technologies, transforming them into fishing tools that give anglers the upper hand in any situation.

St. Croix has continually evolved and upgraded its computers, machines and tooling over the years, but it has always been guided and executed by skilled human hands – at least 32 sets of which come in contact with your St. Croix rod before it ever reaches yours.

But there’s more to the story. Best Rods on Earth is more than a marketing slogan; it’s a guiding affirmation that reminds, encourages and empowers every St. Croix employee to be angler driven. Simply stated, an angler’s pride and satisfaction with a St. Croix rod is St. Croix’s pride and satisfaction as a company.

Anglers’ needs are diverse, extending beyond the key metrics of length, power and action. St. Croix has consistently proven it can build any specific rod an angler could want and craft it with exceptional performance characteristics. But the real victory comes when St. Croix delivers such a rod at a price any angler can afford and is willing to pay. They accomplish this, largely, through vertical manufacturing. That means owning or exercising increased control over the elements within the value chain, which consists of all the businesses and individuals that play a part in the manufacturing process. Vertically integrated manufacturing provides significant benefits, including reduced lead times, increased quality, and cost control.

For St. Croix and its anglers, vertical manufacturing means the company doesn’t rely on anyone else’s rod blank designs or manufacturing; it is free to innovate and consistently deliver rods with unique combinations of technologies, materials, performance and value that improve the fishing experience for any angler. Sometimes, these rods are crafted in Park Falls. In other cases, rods that appeal to a wider range of anglers are best delivered by the skilled hands at St. Croix South.

“St. Croix owns and operates a manufacturing

facility nearly identical to our Park Falls, Wisconsin factory in Fresnillo, Mexico,” says St. Croix Director of Operations, Jason Brunner. “The layouts, equipment, technologies, materials and manufacturing processes are the same. The only things that are different are the sets of human hands forming and adding value to the Best Rods on Earth.”

While St. Croix has been making rods at St. Croix South since 2006, the company acquired full ownership of the facility in the spring of last year.

“This is a big deal for St. Croix and our anglers, because we no longer have a middleman,” Brunner says. “We now fully run the operations, which has increased both productivity and quality.”

While Brunner makes frequent trips to St. Croix South, where he meets with staff to discuss manufacturing issues, inventory, production schedules, quality assurance procedures, efficiency improvements and more, he relies heavily on St. Croix South Plant Manager, Jesus Mario Rodriguez, to keep operations running smoothly.

“I lead our team of 204 people to complete production and delivery of the Best Rods on Earth,” says Rodriguez. “Each team member at St. Croix South is keenly aware of the history, mission, and prestige of the brand and takes great pride in crafting these rods for anglers. Everything here is identical to Park Falls, but the building is newer.

That’s about the only difference,” Rodriguez adds.

“It’s a very nice environment. Our team members love coming to work here.”

Ultimately, it’s anglers who win when operational costs are lowered while materials, workmanship and manufacturing processes remain at the same high standard. St. Croix South-built series like Mojo Saltwater and Mojo Freshwater, Bass-X, Triumph Saltwater and Triumph Freshwater, Eyecon, Panfish and Trout speak for themselves,

and enjoy extreme popularity with anglers worldwide.

C O V I D - 1 9 placed stresses on everyone last year.

“Manufacturing is always challenging and complex, and last year’s shutdowns didn’t make things any easier,” says Brunner. “But any dark cloud can have a silver lining. We were shut down for almost 6 weeks, so we took a critical look at how we operate. We reset, then figured out what we could do better with respect to staffing, managing and shipping orders and improving flow… things that are almost impossible to do while you are running. We made small changes that have had big impacts.”

Rodriguez agrees. “We are producing more rods in both locations now than we ever have, without sacrifice to quality,” he says. “Any great company is constantly evolving. Just because something works well – whether that’s a fishing rod or a manufacturing process – doesn’t mean it can’t be improved. COVID-19 gave us the opportunity to make many improvements for the benefit of our anglers.”

For St. Croix and its anglers, “Handcrafted in North America” means employing passionate people to transform the highest quality materials into the Best Rods on Earth, classified as such by virtue of their remarkable performance characteristics, overall quality, and ability to elevate any personal angling experience. Whether it’s a father and son Canadian fly-out, an inshore adventure, catching bluegills in a farm pond, or competing in the Bassmaster Classic, rest assured that your handcrafted St. Croix fishing rods have been conceived and delivered to give you the upper hand while maximizing your satisfaction on the water.

St. Croix’s team members in Park Falls and Fresnillo make certain of it.

NEW ST. CROIX TRIUMPH INSHORE SERIES RODS

D

urable, sensitive and powerful St. Croix Triumph Series rods are made for savvy anglers seeking the best in performance and value. The expansive Triumph family of rods blends technology with value to give anglers the precise tools they need to maintain the upper hand on the water at an exceptional price.

Collectively, Triumph enjoys the distinction of being the world’s best-selling North Americanmade fishing rod series.

New for 2021, St. Croix expands the Triumph Series for coastal angling pursuits with 13 allnew Triumph Inshore spinning and casting rods.

Built from St. Croix’s premium SCII carbon, a standard modulus carbon fiber with a higher strain rate than fibers commonly used by other rod manufacturers, Triumph Inshore is lightweight, durable and sensitive – everything expected of a St. Croix rod.

Triumph Inshore rods wear a distinctive Sea Smoke green finish and feature modernized Sea Guide componentry, starting with XDPS, ECS or TCS reel seats with eco-friendly sandblasted

hoods. All feature Sea Guide Atlas Performance slim aluminum-oxide guides with black frames, premium-grade cork handles, and two beautiful coats of Flex-Coat slow cure finish. All Triumph models come with a 5-year warranty backed

by St. Croix Superstar Service. Angler-friendly retail prices range from $130 to $150.

“In terms of value, nothing touches Triumph Inshore rods,” says Dan Johnston, St. Croix National Sales Manager. “Rod nerds (we in Park Falls included) will immediately appreciate the precision and care in how these rods are designed and built. These handcrafted rods undergo multiple steps of laser alignment, use advanced carbon materials and resins that cost hundreds of dollars per gallon, employ top-quality components and have handles with CNC-lathed urethane shims that enhance sensitivity. The performance-to-price ratio is simply incredible. All Triumph rods fly way under the radar; they simply look and perform well beyond their price.”

St. Croix’s new Triumph Inshore series includes six 7’ and 7’6” fast action spinning

models with medium-light to heavy power, and seven 6’8” and 7’ casting models featuring moderate, moderate-fast, and fast actions with medium-light to medium-heavy power. They are available online right now, and at St. Croix dealers worldwide.

www.stcroixrods.com

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BUBBA BLADES BUILDS THE ULTIMATE FISHING SHEARS!

B

Blades has made a name for itself designing high-quality purpose-built knives and tools for anglers.

Their latest offering has blades, but it’s not a knife, and it might be the handiest tool on the boat. It’s tough to beat a good pair of shears for snipping line, chunking bait or about 1,000 other uses. BUBBA Shears are specifically designed with anglers in mind and come with an array of features that will make them an invaluable piece of equipment for any angler. They come in three sizes to handle any job, on freshwater or salt.

BUBBA SMALL SHEARS The Bubba Small Shears are multi-functional, lightweight and durable angling shears that easily cut monofilament, fluorocarbon or braided line. These small shears are equipped with BUBBA’s iconic, non-slip grip handles, titanium-nitride coated blades and a bottle opener for use after a day on the water.

MSRP: $24.99

BUBBA MEDIUM SHEARS The Bubba Medium Shears are the most versatile shears in the family. The medium shears offer micro-serrated blades to cut monofilament, fluorocarbon or braided line, while also offering a hook-eye cleaner, hook sharpener, de-scaler and a bottle opener.

These shears can also be broken down for easy cleaning or use as a utility knife. Finally, BUBBA Medium Shears are equipped with iconic, non-slip grip handles and titanium-nitride coated blades for ultimate protection against corrosion MSRP: $29.99

BUBBA LARGE SHEARS The Bubba Large Shears are designed to withstand the harshest of conditions. The large shears come with micro-serrated blades to cut monofilament, fluorocarbon or braided line, while also offering a carabineer to clip-on for easy access. The included sheath can be clipped on your shorts or belt. These shears will also breakdown for easy cleaning. The large shears are equipped with iconic, non-slip grip handles and titanium-nitride coated blades for ultimate protection against corrosion.

MSRP: $34.99

Learn more at www.bubba.com

THE BENEFITS OF

BUILDING YOUR OWN RODS

W

hen you build your own fishing rod, you have access to the most modern and technologically proven materials and techniques to assemble the perfect look, feel and performance for you. This results in many benefits, including a stronger rod that has more sensitivity and all at a fraction of the weight.

There is also rod balance, and the role it plays on the fatigue you feel after a long day’s fishing. A light, well-balanced custom rod— created just for you—will do a lot to reduce the strain you feel after a tournament or just weekend on the water.

Many anglers also ask if a custom rod must include fancy wraps and decorations.

When you build it yourself, you’re in control… so build the best fishing rod for you!

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You are only limited by your own imagination.

With that said, there are some amazing products that allow all sorts of colors, decals and wraps.

In fact, many rod builders start out by repairing tip tops and guides, then wind up running a successful rod-building business and even branding rods with their own logo. Whether you’re looking to prioritize performance, value, affordability, or all of the above—you can build it and Mud Hole Custom Tackle can help!

MEET MUD HOLE CUSTOM TACKLE Mud Hole is housed in a 70,000-plus squarefoot facility devoted to rod building, tackle crafting and the outdoor lifestyle. Come wade through the marbled blue-water floors of Mud Hole Custom Tackle to shop authentic fishing villages and see the most exciting products in the industry.

Plan a trip to Oviedo, in Central Florida, to experience Mud Hole’s immersive new showroom. Visitors will walk into an immersive retail space themed with a full rod building workshop, authentic fishing village and even the transom from a large Sportfisher. From floor to ceiling, the showroom is designed to put the most popular tools, equipment and components at your fingertips, as well as new product such as reels, apparel and other accessories.

As the largest supplier of everything from rod blanks and components, to rod building equipment, tools and supplies, Mud Hole looks forward to showcasing an incredible selection to valued customers as well as anglers interested in this rewarding craft.

TAKE A ROD BUILDING CLASS WITH EXPERTS Anglers from all over the world take Mud Hole rod-building classes to learn about

building better fishing rods. From customizing appearance and performance, to fitting the handle assembly to your ideal fishing grip, there is no shortage of benefits that come from building your own custom rods.

Completing the rod building class gives you the knowledge to build your own fishing rods, and it also comes with your first rod, all the essential equipment and a certified rodbuilding diploma.

Plus, Mud Hole Custom Tackle now offers convenient, live virtual rod building classes scheduled at your demand.

Mud Hole also recommends a weekend getaway in Orlando for an in-person rod building class at their amazing Education Center. You can’t beat hands-on instruction and learning the basics from the best in the business. The class is held in a 5,000-squarefoot seminar space built with education in mind. This hightech space is home to rod building classes, as well as additional advanced seminars offered through the year.

After the class, everyone agrees there’s nothing like catching fish on a rod you built with your own two hands!

It really is the best deal. You learn to use all the tools and materials to build custom rods in the two-day class, and best of all... you get to keep it all— including your first custombuilt fishing rod.

Students have the option of building either a 6'6" spinning rod or casting rod from our industry-leading multi-option rod kits, which are included in the price of the class. Get hands-on instruction from experts and build your first custom rod at Mud Hole Custom Tackle.

Sign up today at mudhole.com/classes to find out how sweet it is to catch a fish on a handmade rod you built yourself!

STATE-OF-THE-ART PRODUCTION STUDIOS

Mud Hole is the world’s largest supplier of custom rod-building components, as well as the industry leader in rod-building education.

Subscribe to their YouTube Channel and follow them on social media for all the latest and greatest rod-building content!

They offer the best resources for rod building knowledge, tips, tricks and more. And the best part is it’s free, because Mud Hole supports the same rod building community that supports their business.

Thank you rod builders!

See the latest from Mud Hole Custom Tackle at www.mudhole.com.

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Now available:

LEARN CUSTOM ROD BUILDING ONLINE! It's never been so easy to learn how to build your own fishing rod!

• Get all of the tools & supplies shipped right to your door!

• No travel required • Personalized instruction • Social-distancing friendly

MUDHOLE.COM/VIRTUAL-CLASSES

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GO SLOW AND SMALL

T

Tim Barefoot

his is the time of year when the inshore bite can slow down or get hot as a firecracker, especially for speckled trout.

Right now, bait size can make all the difference between stacking ’em up and getting skunked.

Live baits are really the best bet when things get tough, but for hard-headed anglers—like me— who prefer artificials, it’s important to use smaller profile baits and slow down the retrieve considerably.

As a matter of fact, I know a guy who scales down to crappie-size jigs through the coldest stretches of February and March.

I prefer a smaller version of the same shrimp I always use. I normally throw the 4-inch shrimp on a jig head, but when it gets cold, I like the 3-inch size. There is not a time of the year when fish won’t eat a shrimp; there’s only a few weeks of the year when they won’t eat the 4-inch version.

The reason I normally throw the bigger shrimp is that the old saying, “bigger bait, bigger fish” kind of holds true for seatrout.

But like I said earlier, the biggest trout caught during February and March will eat crappie-sized jigs… so, there goes that theory.

For the most part, though, I like bigger shrimp to eliminate as many of the dink trout bites as possible, but even the dinks will give the biggest shrimp you throw a whack. When you miss a bite, I always say, “don’t worry about it, it’s a dink.” Trout always eat a shrimp from behind, so they can fold the shrimp up and swallow it with the horn going forward. Always. A missed bite usually means the fish didn’t have a mouth large enough to “inhale” your shrimp backwards.

Another key ingredient to getting bites in cold water is the speed of the retrieve. This is a perfect situation to use a sliding cork or a fixed-depth cork. For example: If you’re in water 6 feet deep and you want to slow the bait way down, set the stop at 5 feet and just let the cork stand up and drift the same speed as the current, or if there is no current, just barely slow-take a wind on the reel to keep the bait moving forward. Don’t twitch the bait, just barely move it forward, and always use a shrimp scent like Pro Cure Shrimp.

Videos for this style fishing will soon be available at:

BAREFOOTCATSANDTACKLE.COM

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WATCH

VIDEO

KAYAKING

I

A DAY OF

n offshore kayak fishing, many of the milestones we pursue come in the form of knocking off “bucket list” fish. Sailfish is at the top of that list for a lot of anglers in South Florida. The sailfish is a great achievement, but there is one fish that many either write off as improbable or just a dream. That fish is the wahoo. One of the fastest fish in the ocean, it bounces around in kayak anglers’ heads with the question of could today be the day.

I’ve been a South Florida kayak fishing guide since 2010. Here, where the currents of the Gulf Stream swing so close to coast, it is possible to launch a kayak from the beach in pursuit of offshore species. I have been fortunate to assist clients in catching multiple wahoo over the years. To give an idea of how special this is, my best year for wahoo saw

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just six of these speedy fish landed in 150 offshore kayak trips. Now what do you think the chances are of catching two in one trip?

How about two at the same time? That is where our story begins.

Two days after the December new moon phase, winds were light and the ocean was flat calm. My two clients and I were running live goggle eyes on 60-pound wire stinger rigs tied to 40-pound Yozuri Hybrid Line. We were geared with Shimano Spheros 10k reels paired with Crowder Rods E-Namic 6’6” 15- to 40-pound rods. At dawn, we headed roughly a mile from shore and started slow trolling.

All hell broke loose within the first hour.

It was a double hook-up on sailfish! The fish pulled my two clients in opposite directions.

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After screaming directions and running back and forth to each angler, we managed to secure both fish for a great photo before release. That sailfish double already made it a great day, but there was more to come.

We regrouped and got baits back out in search of another bite. At about 11 a.m., we approached a slight rip line near 150 feet of water. There was very little current and next to no surface action for most of the day, so we slowed down to stick in the rip area. Ten minutes in, I noticed one rod bounce hard and then take off. It was a good high-speed run and then line went slack. I screamed to keep reeling no matter what, as this is typical for a wahoo strike. Sure enough, the fish came tight again for another run to the bottom. As I yelled to one angler, the other

FOR

DOUBLES

By Brian Nelli

client’s rod started bouncing. He reeled down, and there was head thrashing on surface. The fish circled the yak twice, and I gaffed the 29-pound wahoo within minutes.

Once we got that one, I knew by its behavior the first fish was going to be a wahoo, as well. I was excited and shaking.

I’ve been hunting a double wahoo for a decade or more. Ten minutes later, with that first fish safely in-hand, I let out a scream heard round the world, “We did it!

DOUBLE WAHOO!” Brian Nelli operates Pushin’ Water Kayak Charters offering inshore and offshore kayak fishing trips out of South Florida. Contact him at Brian@ tckayakfishing.com and check out his website at www.tckayakfishing.com.

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FEBRUARY 2021

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UNDER THE SEA 40

SPEARGUN SELECTION

S

SHERI DAYE

peargun selection is one of the most hotly debated topics on spearfishing forums.

Fortunately, there are many great brands nowadays – such as Wong, AB Biller, Riffe, Hammerhead, Cressi, SEAC, Mares, Rob Allen, Koah, Mako, JBL and more.

Over the last century, spearfishing equipment has evolved from very simple muscle-powered slings and polespears, made with wood and rubber bands, to the modern-day spearguns equipped with a trigger mechanism and more exotic materials. Interestingly, slings and polespear are making a comeback—but that’s a topic for another month—so let’s concentrate on how to select a modern-day speargun.

If you walk into your local dive shop, you will notice there are two main categories of band-powered spearguns: the American style, usually recognized by the wood stock, and the Eurogun, which has a tubular shaped barrel and a rear handle. The Eurogun originated in Europe where most spearfishing is freedive-only, fairly deep, and for small, easily spooked fish. Hence these spearguns have a low-profile, streamlined design and thinner shafts. If you are diving in similar conditions, the Eurogun style might be for you. On the other hand, if you want a sturdy, durable and easy-to-load gun that will handle bigger fish, you might lean toward the American/wood-style gun. This is also the style used for big powerful tuna guns, because they can be ballasted and accommodate up to six bands. There’s also a hybrid design, which incorporates the best elements of both with wood

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stock in the back and a carbon fiber tube in the front.

Once you’ve chosen between styles, the next question is length.

Most Eurogun sizes are 90 to 160 centimeters, and most American guns are between 36 and 65 inches. So, with the conversion from centimeters to inches, they have pretty much the same length range.

If you are diving in low visibility or hunting in rocks like they have in California or Rhode Island, you would choose a shorter gun. If you are hunting spooky fish in clear waters like mutton snappers in Florida, you would opt for a longer gun. If you are just getting started and expect to dive in variable visibility, 130 centimeters or 50 inches would be a good medium length for an all-around reef gun.

Sheri Daye hunts Here are some additional with a Wong tips: Hybrid Speargun.

1) Join a local spearfishing club and learn from the more experienced people. Observe what equipment they use and ask for advice.

2) Shop at a dive store that caters to spearfishing. They carry more choices and have experienced personnel to help you choose. These include PHOTO BY JOE MARINO. Austin’s in Miami; Florida Freedivers in Palm Beach; James & Josephs in San Diego, Calif.; Freedive Shop in Sacramento, Calif. and more.

3) Check out the custom-gun builders. There are some highquality builders who will work with you directly, give you advice, and design it to your specs—such as Wong Spearguns from Hawaii or Sea Sniper from California.

Most importantly, you should pick a style that suits you and the conditions you dive in. Chances are you will get hooked and add more spearguns to your arsenal in the future!

Sheri Daye is a world-record holder, host of Speargun Hunter, and producer of “The Blue Wild Ocean Adventure Expo” in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Follow her on Facebook and Instagram @sheri.daye.

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Yamaha's New 252 FSH Sport and 255 FSH Sport E The Most Capable and Versatile Center Console Boats in Their Class

N

ew for 2021 is the exciting 25-foot Yamaha 252 FSH Sport and 255 FSH Sport E center console boats that are the most capable and versatile boats in their class.

These larger models of Yamaha’s popular FSH Series are designed with the size, power, and fuel range for serious offshore adventures.

The 252 FSH Sport features twin, Yamaha 1.8L High Output engines. These normally-aspirated engines are powerful, reliable, and virtually maintenance-free. Acceleration is instant, bow rise is minimal, and more deck space is available for fishing and fun.

For buyers who want the most performance available, and the premium features that come with Yamaha's E-Series drive-by-wire features, the 255 FSH Sport E gets twin 1.8L supercharged Yamaha SVHO® marine engines for a combined 500-horsepower.

Zero to 30 mph acceleration is a blistering five seconds with a top speed of 55 mph. In addition, the 255 FSH Sport E feature push-button start, dual throttle lever syncing, and more.

Both models come with 111-gallon fuel tanks, the highest capacity fuel tanks Yamaha offers in a jet boat.

Paired with Yamaha's fuelefficient engines, there is plenty

of cruising range for boaters who want to explore beyond the harbor surf break.

Under the water line is an all-new deep-V hull design that responds immediately to steering input at all speeds and comes on plane instantly.

The bow seating area is wide and long, providing ample space for taller passengers to stretch out. And of course, there is plenty of storage available under the hinged bow seats, stainless steel beverage holders in all the right places, and an expansive anchor and bow ladder locker for easy access.

Moving into the spacious cockpit interior, there is a transparent live well located portside and a large storage pod topped with padded marine mat adjacent on the starboard side.

There is a comfortable bench seat in the front of the center console that lifts up to reveal an extra deep, large storage area that can also serve as a changing room or a head compartment thanks to the curtain enclosure that is standard on all models.

Both models are fitted with finished fiberglass hard tops with LED lighting and integrated audio speakers. Completing the tower are five rocket launcher rod holders mounted to the T-Top frame, and there

are eight additional rod holders located under the port and starboard gunnels.

The helm is thoughtfully designed with a glass windshield, stainless steel sports steering wheel, locking glove box, and 12-inch Simrad® marine electronics.

Also included is Yamaha's Connext® 3.0 helm control system with a 7-inch touchscreen that controls the entertainment and vital system functions of the boat, a mobile phone holder, and USB/AUX ports.

Behind the helm is beam width bench seating, a starboard side live bait well, and a low walkthrough transom for easy access to Yamaha's signature stern lounge area. This is the place to be when hanging out at your favorite cove, and a great open access place to cast from.

Completing the stern area are stainless steel beverage holders, high-quality padded flooring, a stainless-steel tow eye, and a telescopic reboarding ladder. They also feature underwater lights.

From bow to stern, there is nothing cookiecutter about Yamaha's new 25-foot center console boats. From their striking good looks to industryfirst innovations, Yamaha's 252/255 FSH Series models let you do it all on the water, in style and with peace of mind.

Learn more at YamahaBoats.com

GO FROM FISH TO WAKE TO DAD OF THE YEAR IN THE SAME AFTERNOON.

Go from fishing to wakesurfing to conquering the water. The all new 25-foot FSH® Series from Yamaha is perfect for those who want to get the most out of their boating experience. With fishing-friendly features like a GPS Simrad® system and dual livewells, along with a premium layout and the patented Yamaha swim platform, the new 25-foot FSH Series guarantees you’ll be in the center of everything you love about life on the water. #RUNTHEWATER YA M A H A B OAT S . C O M

©2021 Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. All rights reserved. Follow instructional materials and obey all laws. Drive responsibly, wearing protective apparel. Always drive within your capabilities, allowing time and distance for maneuvers, and respect others around you.

Don’t drink and drive. Any references to other companies or their products are for identification purposes only, and are not intended to be an endorsement. FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT YAMAHABOATS.COM OR CALL 1.800.88.YAMAHA.

WATCH

This nice trout was caught in Vero Beach, Fla. on a suspending Stick Shadd 114 using very minimal action and long pauses.

VIDEO

COOL WATER

By Patrick Sebile

Suspenders N

o matter where you are in North America, winter brings cold winds and sore throats to all. And the effect is even more brutal on fish than men. Immersed in the water, in an unstable environment that changes quickly, they have no choice but to exist the best they can where they are.

There’s no option for fish to go on a cruise in the Bahamas to tan their scales in the tropical sun. And the shallowwater inhabitants feel the impact even more than the deep-water ones, given that the skinny depth they live in can drop in temperature sharply. Their behavior can turn sluggish, but they still need to feed. It is therefore crucial to adjust the lure’s action to their temperature-driven mood.

Seatrout and redfish will dive into grass to limit their exposure to colder water, but they will still have an eye on what’s going on, as a prey in their stomach is still necessary to fuel them.

What I like to do is fish slowly, twitching suspending baits once or twice between long pauses. And sometimes these pauses are truly long pauses. I’ve found that’s one thing most people have a hard time doing. Most are unable to pass the two or three second mark without feeling the need to twitch their bait again.

When I’m on a spot that’s worth it, or if I catch a glimpse of a nice fish, I will hold my suspending Stick Shadd still for up to 30 seconds. It might feel like an eternity; it might feel worthless, but some of my best inshore catches came on such long, 15- to 30-second pauses. I keep the rod tip down close to the water, and I don’t rely on feeling a bite. I leave a little slack in my line, no more than 6 or 8 inches, and watch the line very closely. Most of the time the bite is just a tiny tap that is hard to feel but very easy to see on the line. If the line moves just an inch or two, that’s it. Set the hook without delay. You might be surprised at the trophy fish you’ll catch with such minimal action.

Another technique that produces well for me on cold water is simply to cast and retrieve my suspending twitch bait super slowly. I sometimes retrieve it so slowly that it won’t even have any side-to-side action at all. Yep, you read that right. Just the lure moving through the water straight ahead and slowly is the right presentation on some days. In cold water it will often out-produce the typical action-packed movement of this type of bait.

It may seem surprising, but it’s efficient. In both cases, a suspending bait is key, as well as the patience and confidence to resist working it too quickly or erratically.

Patrick Sebile is the owner and lure designer of Sebile Innovative Fishing. www.sebile.com

PARKIT360̊ ELECTRIC TRAILER DOLLIES Lose the Headache and Make Parking Your Trailers Easier Than Ever!

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ave the parking headaches—one-shot your boat into position every time with one of Parkit360's Electric Trailer Dollies. With a wide range of weight capacities available, easily move any ball mounted, fifth wheel or gooseneck trailer up to 15,000 lbs.

Parkit360’s Force ISC™ and Transformer models are compatible with almost every trailer right out of the box thanks to their ballmounted Stablelock technology. Just freewheel the dolly to the trailer, connect it to the hitch, and use the forward/reverse thumb toggle switch on the handle to steer your trailer into place. Unlike a driver that relies on mirrors and backup cameras, the user faces the trailer, giving them complete visibility and control while parking. They can see exactly where the trailer is at all times and steer within inches of an obstacle if needed.

Have a unique trailer hitch on your boat trailer? Try the Telescopic Hitch Adapter for a

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FEBRUARY 2021

non-invasive, alternative connection point that bolts around your existing trailer frame. Built strong and secure to safely move on firm grass, packed gravel, and 4-6% inclines.

With Intelligent Speed Control, get fast or more precise parking in tight spaces. At the same time, the motor starts and stops gradually to prevent damage to the trailer from sudden stopping, something that makes the Force ISC and Transformer Dollies stand out above the competition.

Want a Dolly that’s ready to park, right out of the box? Most models include a 12V U1 Interstate® Battery with all required cables and hardware. With existing features like the Builtin Battery Charger, Electric Brake Controller and a full 2 Year Warranty, Parkit360° has truly made parking simple for every trailer.

Parkit360° has been in business for over 10 years and has shipped more than 13,000 trailer dollies to customers all over the world. Move

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your trailer with ease and get in and out of storage faster than ever!

LEARN MORE AT PARKIT360.CA

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Chasing Big A

few years back, I went north of the Canadian border to fish for bull trout and westslope cutthroat trout with Gordon Silverthorne, who owns the Kootenay Fly Shop in Fernie, British Columbia. This area west of Calgary is littered with good waters. I have taken large groups up to fish the Elk and surrounding rivers with him. It was on these trips that I found myself focused on catching bull trout. Big bulls on a fly became my quest. I had caught many, up to nine in a day, but had yet to break the 27-inch mark.

Bull trout are in the char family with brook trout and Dolly Varden. They range from northern parts of California and Nevada in the south to the Northern Territories of Canada and East to Montana and Alberta. They can grow in excess of 40 inches long and to weights heavier than 30 pounds. They migrate up and down systems based on food sources and into

feeder creeks to spawn. They typically inhabit waters that stay under 59 degrees and are one of the most sensitive of the chars, requiring pristine waters to thrive. They are recognized as endangered in most states and protected in most systems in the provinces. A bull trout of 12 pounds might be 10 years old.

With that big bull trout on my mind, I found myself back in Fernie chasing trout with a few friends. As usual, we had good fishing for beautiful cutthroats, but I was chasing bulls. We spent a few days on the Elk River and caught a few bulls longer than 20 inches, but not in great numbers.

My attention turned to a small pristine river south of Fernie called the Wigwam. In the past I had sent anglers from my groups there, but because of limited daily access, I had not fished it myself. Access is difficult. From the parking area, it’s 800 feet down to the river. It’s a hang-onto-

trees steep. It reminded me of some streams I guided in Alaska, cold and clear enough to see pebbles 20 feet deep. The first hole was full of bull trout. After many casts, I landed one longer than 30 inches. As a group, we caught many cutts that averaged about 16 inches and juvenile bulls of the 19-inch variety.

In conversation, Gordon spoke of the nearby Kootenay River bull trout fishery and about setting up an operation there. The Kootenay is a glacial-fed river formed by runoff and feeder streams primarily out of Kootenay National Park above Cranbrook, Canada. I told him to count me in for an expedition that fall. It didn’t happen because of a landslide in the river’s headwaters that blew the river out for an entire season. It’s tough to fish a fly without visibility. Because of water levels and clarity, the window for fly fishing the Kootenay is about six weeks in fall, if you are lucky.

By Cam Sigler Jr.

Bulls In BC I did, however, get my chance to fish it.

Author Tom Boyd, who is writing a book on all the char species, and I made the 6-hour drive north from my second home in Washington to a tent camp Gordon and big-game outfitter Eric Grinnell had erected on the river. The camp was great, complete with a stove in every tent and a generator for lights. It was located a good distance between put-in points, and we saw only four other boats over three days.

The four of us had a terrific time. We saw a few deer on the river and kept an eye out for grizzly and black bears but saw no evidence of them. I did wake one night to the sound of wolves howling in the distance. Water levels dropped over the three days we fished, and the water cleared even more. The weather was clear and cold.

The fishing is primarily from 16-foot boats with outboard jet pumps. The river is braided

and skinny in places, so the driver must pay attention. It is glacial fed and there are quartermile log jams on the banks. When this river is running 15 feet above the level we fished at, it must be roaring.

This is a 7- to 9-weight show with sink tips.

I have caught many bulls dead drifting a rabbit strip or synthetic-based fly that swims with this method. This trip, stripping seemed to work the best. We were on the tail end of the kokanee salmon spawn. Once spawned out, these landlocked sockeye salmon float downriver, and the bull trout key on the spent fish. So we threw lots of 10-inch flies.

Bull trout are very aggressive and opportunistic. They have to be in these systems.

Bulls can move daily, but once we found them in a section they readily took most flies we threw.

Bull trout, like many trout, like structure. Snags, logs, and big rocks in the river often hold them.

I caught the biggest fish of our trip on the last cast of the last day in a tail out. It topped 29 inches and took a crawfish pattern I tie for smallmouth. We caught a few juvenile bulls in the 19-inch range and a few cutthroat, but our average bull trout was about 23 inches. I saw a few fish that were clearly bigger than our biggest catch. My guess is there are bulls in the Kootenay pushing the 40-inch mark. The largest we heard of on a fly weighed about 30 pounds.

The bull trout fishery in the U.S. and Canada is fragile. I suggest chasing them sooner than later. If you decide to fish the Kootenay next fall, look for the guy holding up the 35-inch fish.

Hopefully that’s me, as I will keep going back.

For information or to set up a trip, contact Gordon Silverthorne at info@kootenayflyshop.com.

HARVEST INCREASES EXPECTED FOR GULF SNAPPER/TRIGGERFISH

G

50

PHOTO BY NICK CARTER

ulf of Mexico anglers have a couple new reasons to be excited as we head into the spring and summer fishing seasons. NOAA is looking at loosening regulations for both Gulf red snapper and gray triggerfish.

That should help fill some coolers for bottom-fishers who’ve found it’s sometimes tough these days to catch anything other than snapper and triggerfish.

New catch level recommendations for red snapper are expected in time for the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council’s April 2021 meeting, which should provide time for adjustments prior to the traditional summer peak in recreational snapper fishing.

This good news is the result of a massive study called “The Great Red Snapper Count,” a $10-million, congressionally funded, independent stock assessment initiated in 2016 and conducted by 21 scientists and 12 institutions across the Gulf.

The Great Red Snapper Count showed red snapper are far more abundant than previously estimated using the Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review stock assessment process that has been used to all but shut down snapper seasons over the last decade.

The Great Red Snapper Count estimates that for 2-year-old-plus red snapper there are 23 million off Texas, 29 million off Louisiana, 10 million off Mississippi and Alabama, and 48 million off Florida. It also showed that

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THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

large fish are comparatively more abundant in the western Gulf than the eastern Gulf.

NOAA’s plan is to integrate the Great Red Snapper Count’s findings into its interim analysis for Gulf red snapper. It is worth noting that even though anglers and researchers are seeing more and larger red snapper, the spawning potential of the population is still below the original target of NOAA’s rebuilding plan.

Adjustments to the state-specific catch limits are being considered to account for the harvest monitoring programs used by each state.

Loosened restrictions on gray triggerfish are being considered following an interim analysis, using video surveys to estimate abundance, that showed the stock size has been increasing, especially in the eastern Gulf, and that catch limits can be increased.

The Gulf Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee recommended increasing the gray triggerfish acceptable biological catch limit to 456,900 pounds whole weight, which allows an increase in the gray triggerfish annual catch limit. Action is expected prior to the end of the 2021 recreational fishing season.

The Council is also considering modifications to the gray triggerfish recreational fixed closed seasons and will consider that action in a separate framework action that will also address changes to the vermilion snapper recreational bag limit.

For over a century, a league of canned crusaders have been fighting to keep boats safe from barnacles, slime, algae and other aquatic evils that rob your boat of its true performance. With advanced know-how and unique capabilities, each antifouling is tailored to different conditions, and has the power to defeat fouling in all its forms.

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10391/01-21

Abaco THE FLATS OF

By Travis Cartwright-Carroll

W

e set out on a small boat shortly after 8 a.m. on a warm Wednesday morning. For my guide, this is just another day of bonefishing in Abaco, Bahamas.

Abaco, one of the 700 islands and cays of The Bahamas, is regarded as one of the world’s premier destinations for bonefishing.

Thousands of anglers descend on the Abacos during the winter months in search of the elusive gray ghost.

The island and its cays are in the northeast Bahamas 91 miles northeast of Nassau, Bahamas, a 20-minute plane ride, and 120 miles from Miami or an hour plane ride. Currently, there are travel restrictions in place because of the pandemic. Negative COVID-19 tests are required for entry to any of the islands of the Bahamas. Hopefully these restrictions will soon ease.

The Abacos are made up of a main island and nearly a dozen cays.

Unlike most other islands in The Bahamas, visitors can take a ferry to many of the various cays. Some rent yachts or other boats and cruise the cays themselves.

My first stop in Abaco was Hope Town, with its scenic beaches and historic candy striped lighthouse. Hope Town was hit hard by Dorian in 2019; however, many of the businesses of the small community have re-opened. Most everyone still moves around by golf cart or bicycle as they always have. The island is quiet yet filled with life.

The architecture features colonial design, a lingering tradition from the Loyalists who settled in the Abacos centuries ago. It’s easy to sit on a hammock under two palm trees.

Hope Town Inn and Marina and Firefly Sunset Resort on Elbow Cay are currently open.

Marsh Harbour, Abaco also has made progress rebuilding. It features its share of resorts, including the Abaco Beach Resort at Boat Harbour Marina—which has opened along with many other smaller rentals and resorts.

Also, currently open are Sand Piper Inn and Abaco Club at Winding Bay south of Marsh Harbour and Green Turtle Club Resort and Marina on Green Turtle Cay in north Abaco.

Out on the flats, the water is still, a perfect mirror reflecting the cloudy sky. It is a gorgeous day to bonefish.

My guide maneuvers through the flats like only a native could. He swerves through tightly packed mangroves at breakneck speeds until we reach the spot. At that moment, he cuts the engine and begins poling the boat.

I sit at the bow, rod in hand with shrimp for bait.

My guide surveys the waters and points out a bonefish at my two-o’clock. I cast my line but miss.

“Throw it out again,” he says.

I cast again and reel it in just enough. Suddenly, a splash on the surface and a tight line tell me the

fish has the bait. We fight for a moment until I reel him to the edge of the boat. My guide grabs him and turns him on his back sending the fish into a catatonic state. There is excitement onboard.

As we surveyed for another catch, I explained that my father is a bonefish guide.

“I love fishing,” I said to him.

“You know if you love fishing once you hook a fish,” my guide replied. “If that doesn’t excite you, nothing will.”

For information on travel to The Bahamas, including updated information on availability and COVID-19 restrictions and protocols, visit www.bahamas.com. or www.myoutislands.com.

HAVALON TALON:

CUTTING EDGE INNOVATION A

By CAM Staff

ny surgeon or taxidermist will tell you the best tool for cutting flesh is a scalpel. And that’s where knife-maker Havalon got its start. Their parent company, Havel’s, is a medical device company that supplies scalpels for surgical use. When the idea arose to bring the same incredibly sharp blades to the outdoors, it gave tools to outdoorsmen that are more precise than any hunting or fillet knife ever invented.

The first Havalon Piranta was a blade modeled after an autopsy scalpel that folded into a sturdy handle. It offered all sorts of outdoorsmen the benefits of an ultra-sharp scalpel blade in the form of a pocketknife.

But the blade itself was not built to handle the rigors of everyday use.

That’s when Havalon began tinkering to find the best combination of sharpness and strength. The resulting innovation has made Havalon one of the top-selling knife companies in the country and the leader in the hunting industry.

“We have always felt—that a sharp blade does not need to be used with

any excessive force,” said Havalon Marketing Director Ryan Cull. “This is still a core belief of our company, but we know there is a segment of consumers that want to have sturdier blades.”

The need for a sturdier blade that retains Havalon-level sharpness launched the Talon project. Designers set out to create a knife handle that accommodates an entire collection of different ultra-sharp blade styles.

With a 3-inch serrated blade, a 3-inch gut hook combo blade and fillet blades of 5, 7 and 9 inches, it is the only knife you’ll ever need at the cutting board or skinning pole.

This all-in-one precision cutting tool was three years in the making.

Designing a handle mechanism to swap out blades quickly and easily was achieved with the ingeniously simple push-button Quik Change II system. Finding the sweet spot between scalpel sharp and durable was the next step, and the blades also needed to be tailored to their particular uses.

Through more tinkering and testing, Havalon landed on AUS-8

steel—the gold standard—which offers the best combination of edge retention and strength. Thickness and shapes of the different blades were custom designed. Fillet knives require flexibility; gut hooks do not. Each blade type was carefully considered and rigorously tested to achieve optimal performance for its intended use. The final result is a single knife kit that outperforms a whole cutlery set of traditional knives.

Extreme sharpness is something Havalon users have come to expect with blades intended for replacement when they lose their edge. Talon blades are different. They are scalpel

sharp, yet they are strong enough to be resharpened.

“So long as users don’t pry on the blades with extreme force or damage them in some other unforeseeable way, they should be able to go years without buying replacements,” said Cull. “The versatility of the blade styles along with the strength and sharpness of the blades make the Talon one of the most innovative products to come out in the industry in years.”

To see all the features of the Talon and all of Havalon’s other scalpel-sharp knives, go to www.havalon.com.

WATCH

By CAM Staff

VIDEO

TACTICS FOR TOUGH

DELAYED HARVEST TROUT

E

ven in the depths of winter, there is trout action to be found on delayed harvest (DH) streams where state agencies stock trout heavily under catch-and-release regulations.

DH stretches offer high densities of trout that grow progressively wilder through winter into spring. And while stocked trout are renowned for their gullibility, they can also be difficult at times. Bill Stranahan, a veteran guide with Southeastern Anglers has a few tricks up his sleeve for catching DH trout.

Bugger Time: “Wooly Buggers are so important this time of year,” Stranahan said.

“You’re looking for that reaction strike. Swing and strip. Keep it moving.”

Olive and black are perennial favorite colors whenever and wherever, and for winter fishing he prefers smaller Buggers in sizes 6 to 10. The primary DH stretches he fishes are Tennessee’s Hiwassee tailrace and the Tellico River, which is a freestone. They are very different fisheries, yet swinging and stripping

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Buggers is pretty much universally productive.

Get Down On It: If catching numbers of fish is the goal, nymphing is normally the best tactic. When the trout are less active— especially when they’re holed up in deeper, slower runs during a cold snap—it might be the only way to catch fish.

The key to catching fish in these conditions is depth. Trout won’t move far to feed when they’re hunkered down, so getting your nymphs down to them is imperative.

Stranahan likes a weighted Pat’s Rubber Legs, or a similar heavy stonefly nymph in sizes 6 to 10. It’s a big buggy-looking mouthful, and it’s also a great anchor fly to fish in tandem with other nymphs. Depending on what the fish want, the Pat’s could be fished below “junk food” like a Squirmy Worm, a mop or egg pattern, or flashy attractor nymphs like a Rainbow Warrior or Lightning Bug. Or, if trout want something more natural, the Pat’s could anchor a small black stonefly nymph, a Hare’s Ear or a Prince.

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Again, depth is the key, so Stranahan likes a good sliding indicator that’s easy to adjust.

Judge the depth of each hole, and try to get your anchor fly to drift just off the bottom.

Headhunting: “Depending on how froggy you feel as an angler on a given day, you can go out running and gunning with big streamers,” Stranahan said.

On a large tailwater or in deep holes on a smaller stream, big streamers have a way of turning the biggest fish. A big Zonker, a Swimmin’ Jimmy, a Zoo Cougar or one of Kelly Galloup’s other articulated patterns make a commotion when fished on sinking line.

You’re trying to get their attention. If you don’t get chased in one hole, switch something up and move until you find what’s working.

Sticking to the plan is important, though.

You’re hunting a few fish large and aggressive enough to eat a raucous fly.

Check out Southeastern Anglers at www.southeasternanglers.com.

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TOURNAMENT WINNING ‘TOP GUN’

SALTWATER TROLLING LURES WAHOO “COWBELLS’’

47

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RING THE COWBELL We’re Serving Up

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nglers who target wahoo know that wahoo have very specific and unique preferences. Yes, it’s true that from time to time, most offshore anglers will invariably attract a wahoo into their spread, but targeting and actually catching wahoo is not happenchance.

Wahoo are some of the fastest swimmers in the ocean. Anglers know these speedy predators prefer attacking faster-moving baits.

Wahoo are also more attracted to baits pulled beneath the surface rather than right at or above the surface.

With more than 50 wahoo tournament wins, Ballyhood Cowbell lures are specifically designed to attract and catch wahoo… Big Wahoo. They come rigged and ready to fish with stainless steel cable leaders. The sheer weight and design of Ballyhood Cowbells allows you to troll them at fast speeds, from 14 to 23 knots depending on the model. These lures troll beneath the surface and put off a bubble trail that drives big wahoo crazy.

Go ahead. Ring the Cowbell. It’s dinner time!

For more information on Ballyhood Big Game Trolling Lures visit Ballyhood.com or call Darrell Primrose at (714) 545-0196.

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

FEBRUARY 2021

59

Loca Virgini

al Angler Annihilates nia Swordfish Record A

daytime deep drop expedition yielded spectacular results for a Virginia angler this past September. It took four months for the Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament to officially announce it, but a 597-pound swordfish caught by Nicholas Kontodiakos on Sept. 25, 2020 absolutely crushed the existing state record.

Kontodiakos, of Norfolk, Va., was drifting in 1,000 feet of water off Virginia Beach when the massive swordfish hit a bait suspended at 800 feet. Caught along the southern edge of Norfolk Canyon, Kontodiako’s fish topped the existing record by more than 130 pounds. The previous record of 466 pounds was caught in August 2019 by Tony Gower Jr., of Virginia Beach.

Kontodiakos and fishing buddy Trey Wallace left Rudee Inlet at 4:30 a.m. aboard the angler’s 2007, 29-foot SeeVee. After arriving at their location, they made several long drifts and had a couple of bites that did not come tight. The lines were set for “one more drift”

before they planned to head in for the day. At 3:30 p.m. the deep “buoy rod,” with a rigged dolphin belly on a blue and white skirt, came tight.

After wrestling the fish for nearly five hours, it was clear it was a large swordfish, and when the fish was finally secured at the transom, they began to relax. But securing the fish to the transom was just round one. Round two consisted of couple hours of inching the fish onto the deck.

Kontodiakos’ passion for swordfish began a decade ago while living on the east coast of Florida. “I had no idea how to go about catching them,” he admitted. After moving to Virginia Beach and realizing there were swordfish 60plus miles off the Virginia coast, he decided he needed a bigger boat. Unfortunately, even with a bigger boat, his lack of success in Florida tagged along to Virginia.

“No one wanted to fish with me because I never came back with any fish,” he said.

Relentlessly perusing information on the

Internet and talking to successful anglers eventually began to payoff, and his success improved in recent years. He said he’s caught a swordfish in every month of the year except January.

It was nearly midnight when the pair pulled inside Rudee Inlet on Sept. 25. A call had already been made to alert the Virginia Beach Fishing Center of the catch, and the boat’s bow was pointed straight to the Fishing Center’s main dock. Representatives from the Fishing Center were dockside to assist, and a small crowd of onlookers had assembled, despite the late hour.

The fish measured 180 inches total length, with a lower jaw fork length of 111 inches. It sported a hefty girth of 69 inches.

Kontodiakos used a custom Joe Leffler 80-pound class rod, teamed with a Shimano Tiagra 50 reel, spooled with 80-pound PowerPro braid and topped off with a 25-foot, 250-pound Moni mono leader with a Mustad 7691, 11/0 hook, attached to the business end.

SURVIVALIST'S CORNER 62

DIY SURVIVAL FISHING GEAR

A

STAN MANLEY

even pill bottles all convert to Hobo Reels without much effort.

There’s no excuse for not catching fish. Almost all bodies of water have fish, crustaceans and an assortment of edible creatures that beat starving. I think knowing how to construct a Hobo Reel is something every parent should teach their kids.

And guess what? They’re actually pretty fun to make and to fish with. They’re also light and compact and fit nicely into any size pack. Make one for yourself and then teach a kid how to make one.

You’ll be one step ahead if TSHTF.

s anglers and outdoor enthusiasts, many of us contemplate survival skills and what constitutes a must-have selection of gear. For me, a small amount of fishing line ranks right up there with a knife as one of those must-have elements of a survival kit.

Yes, it’s true you can make fishing line out of makeshift chordage from various sources, but you’ll eat a lot sooner and a lot more often if you have fishing line in your survival kit. Hooks are pretty easy to make if you can find a soda can. Those pop tops are a cinch to convert to fishing hooks. Wish bones and limb twigs will also make survival-level hooks. Bait is any crawling or flying insect or even something shiny that reflects light. Add a piece of feather to that rig, and you’re a full-fledged lure designer.

My favorite casting device in a survival situation is the Hobo Reel. They can easily be constructed from CLOCKWISE, FROM TOP LEFT: Examples of wooden hobo reels; Bottlecap hooks; Survivalist fishing almost anything tubular. hooks made out of tree twigs; Bone fish hook; Hooks utilizing soda can tabs; Turkey wishbone hook.

Tree limbs, PVC, cans and

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LIFE IS A

A BEACH WINTER

SURF FISHING

FORECAST

By Richard L. Matteson

W

ith beach erosion from the fall hurricanes, some areas of the Treasure Coast have developed a sandbar. To get to the best water, surf casters need to think about getting their baits farther out past the sandbar.

You’ll need to go across the sandbar with longer casts by using heavy spoons or jigs or wade across the trough and fish from the sandbar. On low tide, you absolutely need to fish from the sandbar to get good results.

Surf cast with 3/8-ounce chartreuse jig with a 4-inch plastic bait in pearl white. One- or 2-ounce silver crocodile spoons are another good choice, and you can cast them a mile.

Bait schools have been sporadic recently, so look for birds to locate feeding fish. No birds, no fish.

Schools of jacks, mackerel and bluefish are cruising the beach. They are in the trough early in the morning on medium to high tides. It’s best to fish the trough at around 7 a.m., when the sun rises.

If cold weather has kept you out of the surf or from getting out to the sandbar, consider using neoprene waders.

Waders are also great for fishing the Indian River Lagoon.

There are a lot of jacks in the lagoon right now, with larger ones hanging around the bridges and deeper water.

Pompano are being caught on sand fleas and fish bites on the incoming tide from Fort Pierce Inlet to the St. Lucie Inlet.

Some are nice sized, but the numbers aren’t great. Whiting and croaker are being caught on shrimp, sand fleas and cut bait. I’ve caught some on small jigs and spoons at high tide around the trough.

There are a lot of beach accesses from Fort Pierce Inlet to Bathtub Beach and St. Lucie Inlet. Although Bathtub Beach is closed, the St. Lucie inlet is within walking distance from other beach accesses. Stop and look for bird or bait activity before you decide to fish. Although the feeders are in the trough early in the morning, you’ll need to find baitfish to have success during the day.

I use a medium-action, 7-foot spinning rod and 10- to 20-pound braid. I like white line, for its visibility, and I use a 30- or 40-pound fluorocarbon leader in the winter months.

Make sure you retie your lure after catching a few mackerel, ladyfish or bluefish so you don’t lose the big one because of frayed line.

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PROPSPEED PROTECTS YOUR BOAT’S UNDERWATER ASSETS

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nglers don’t have time to slow down.

We are up before dawn and on the water heading out to our favorite fishing grounds while the rest of the world is just getting their coffee. We put our boats through a lot of use and rely on them to be fast, fuel efficient and reliable. Our fishfinders should work flawlessly.

That means we have to keep everything below the waterline free of algae and barnacles.

This is where antifouling and foul-release coatings come in. While antifouling or bottom paint and foul-release coatings essentially do the same thing – prevent marine growth from colonizing on underwater surfaces – how they do it is very different. Antifouling paints use a biocide as their active ingredient. Foul-release coatings, on the other hand, use physical rather than chemical means to reduce fouling, typically by creating a slippery surface that’s tough for marine organisms to adhere to. These coatings have the added benefit of preserving the integrity of metal surfaces, unlike antifouling paints, which cause copper to leach out of bronze, weakening the material. This difference makes foul-release coatings ideal for propellers, running gear and other underwater metals, and the only option for transducers and underwater lights.

The leader in foul-release coatings is Propspeed. With an ultra-slick topcoat, Propspeed is specially formulated to prevent marine growth from bonding to metal surfaces below the waterline. It is environmentally friendly and proven to increase boat efficiency,

reduce drag and save fuel and maintenance costs.

Transducers are also susceptible to marine growth. Fouling on the face of transducers reduces their sensitivity, bottom-echo returns and positive fish targets. Designed by industryleading engineers and designated by Airmar as a certified transducer coating, Foulfree is the latest addition to the Propspeed product line.

Foulfree forms a super-slippery surface over the transducer that prevents marine growth from attaching to its surface. It offers a long service life – lasting a minimum of 12 months with an even longer life span in cooler climates.

For those who use their boats beyond daylight hours, your underwater lights are just as susceptible to marine fouling as any other underwater surface—maybe more so, as the light and heat they generate can create conditions that are better for marine growth. Trying to remove barnacles can damage delicate lighting

components. Like Propspeed, Lightspeed is an eco-friendly, transparent alternative to conventional antifouling. It offers an easy and affordable way for boat owners to reduce maintenance, protect their investment, and maintain lighting system performance. It has been shown to save three times its retail value in maintenance costs.

Protect your boat’s underwater assets with Propspeed’s line of foul-release coatings. It is an easy and valuable addition to your haul-out routine, saving time, money and increasing overall performance. Propspeed helps you keep your equipment in top shape so you can spend more time on the water going after that catch of a lifetime.

To learn more about the complete line of foul-release products from Propspeed, visit www.propspeed.com.

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VIDEO

PHOTO COURTESY OF BTT

WATCH

The Deal With Western Dry Rocks

A

bout 10 miles southwest of Key West, Western Dry Rocks is an area of reef and rocks known for large spawning aggregations of permit and various snapper and grouper species. Its proximity to Key West as well as the dependable nature of the fishery make it a popular fishing spot, especially for charter captains and private anglers in search of bountiful half-day trips.

Over the past few months, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Resources Commission (FWC) has been mulling a seasonal closure at Western Dry Rocks to allow some of these spawning aggregations to go unmolested by angling pressure. Most recently, FWC held workshops and gathered public input on a proposal to close fishing at a 1-square-mile area at Western Dry Rocks from May through June for the next five years. This time period is the heart of the season when several species congregate to spawn in a relatively small area, which leads to the kind of spectacular fishing that can do damage to overall populations.

Western Dry Rocks is a unique environment where it is thought these aggregations play a role in supporting fish populations throughout the Florida Keys and up into nearshore waters of South Florida. Swirling ocean currents collect fish eggs and larvae and carry them northeast up the coast, where they are deposited. Also, Bonefish & Tarpon Trust (BTT) has conducted tagging studies, which show permit from throughout the Lower Keys travel up to 50 miles to the annual aggregation at Western Dry Rocks.

FWC data shows angler effort absolutely centers around known aggregation areas, which 68

FEBRUARY 2021

makes sense. Numerous Keys fishing guides are understandably unhappy about the prospect of a closure.

Permit, yellowtail snapper, mutton snapper and gray snapper are all known to aggregate at Western Dry Rocks from April through July.

Other species, such as black, Nassau and gag groupers, aggregate at Western Dry Rocks during the cooler months, and they are already protected by seasonal bag limits.

BTT has called out for an even longer, fourmonth closure from April to July at Western Dry Rocks, to encompass the entire spawning season

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

for permit. Permit harvest is already closed throughout the Keys from April through July; however, BTT studies show up to 39 percent of hooked permit at Western Dry Rocks were eaten by sharks before they made it to the boat. “When spawning aggregations are protected, the predictable outcomes are more abundant fish populations with a greater abundance of larger fish in the surrounding area,� reads the BTT press release.

At presstime, FWC was collecting public input prior to taking action on the proposal for a seasonal closure at Western Dry Rocks.

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69

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SUZUKI DF300B OUTBOARD

T

he new DF300B V-6 4-stroke joins Suzuki’s flagship 350hp contra-rotating outboard, and brings a new level of acceleration, performance and efficiency to a whole new class of boats rated for 300hp maximum (or 600/900hp maximum in twin/triple installations).

Suzuki’s proven contra-rotating propeller system provides superior “grip” on the water when boaters hit the throttle, for excellent hole shot and strong acceleration, even when pushing heavy, fully loaded boats.

With the engine’s power distributed over six blades, rather than three, Suzuki is able to reduce the size of the gears and create a sleek, hydrodynamic lower unit that slices through the water with minimum drag. This increased propeller blade surface area and contra-rotating action also deliver exceptional acceleration while providing incredible reverse thrust.

In the Suzuki tradition, this new outboard is packed with innovative technology from the bottom to the top. The DF300B’s robust 4.4-liter displacement engine features a 10.5:1 compression ratio and duel fuel injectors for optimum performance and efficiency using 87 octane fuel.

By using two smaller fuel injectors, Suzuki delivers a precise amount of fuel to the center of the combustion chamber, improving atomization and avoiding off-center combustion, a common cause of engine knock.

Injecting 100% of the fuel into the cylinder at once also keeps the fuel cool, providing additional power.

A dual-louver, direct air intake system on the DF300B helps the engine breath freely for optimum performance while separating out water, spray and moisture for improved reliability. This unique intake system also provides the engine with cooler, denser air for a more powerful combustion cycle.

The DF300B features the offset driveshaft engine layout found on other Suzuki outboards, allowing for an overall compact design, along with two-stage gear reduction (2.29:1) for plenty of low-end torque without sacrificing top-end performance. This compact size, light weight (727 lbs. for 25” shaft) and easy integration with Suzuki Precision Control drive-by-wire throttle and shift controls make the DF300B a clear choice for rigging on a wide variety of boats in single or twin To learn more, visit: www.suzukimarine.com installations — particularly on vessels with second stations.

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FEBRUARY 2021

71

MLF PHOTOS

40-POUND BAG WINS TEXAS TOURNAMENT

S

pring is on the way, but it’s not here yet for most of the country. In case you need a little WATCH inspiration to get out on the water, here’s the story of a Texas angler who hit paydirt with a more than 40-pound sack of fish during a Jan. 2 tournament when lows were in the mid-30s.

Derek Mundy, of Broaddus, Texas weighed in a staggering 40-pound, 10-ounce five-fish limit to win the season opener of the Phoenix Bass Fishing League at Sam Raybun Reservoir. He collected $7,000 for the victory in an event that showcased some heavy bags, but none anywhere near as impressive as Mundy’s. The second-place angler brought 28-6 to the stage, and third place weighed 22-14.

Mundy said he found his fish in practice but didn’t realize just how good his spot was going to be, according to a press release.

“You can’t look on the graph and see 40 pounds, but I knew I could have a good bag if they bit,” Mundy said. “It’s not guaranteed you’re going to roll up to your first spot and catch 30, much less 40.

“I caught the first four on a big crankbait and they busted up a bit,” Mundy said. “Then I pulled out a jig and caught the last one. I caught those

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THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

five, all on the first stop, in about 20 minutes.”

Fishing a Strike King 8XD and a ¾-ounce V&M The Flatline Pacemaker Football Jig, Mundy said he did all of his damage in about 17 feet of water, in the mid-lake region.

After catching five giants, including a 11-pound, 10-ounce largemouth, Mundy said he felt he could relax.

“I took it easy and went to some Plan B stuff to try to get my coangler on fish, but it never worked out—the wind got up pretty bad in the afternoon,” he admitted.

Weighing his fish as soon as he was allowed, Mundy said he was content to wait for the weigh-in to conclude before collecting his check.

“It’s the biggest bag I’ve ever caught,” said Mundy, who makes his living working on oil pipelines. “It felt good. I didn’t realize they were that big until I was checking on them to make sure they were doing alright in the livewell, but even then, I didn’t realize I had 40 pounds.”

Mundy’s 11-pound, 10-ounce largemouth was also good for the day’s Boater Big Bass award of $1,000.

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2’x2’ 9/19/20 73 7:34 AM FEBRUARY 2021

E-Z ANCHORING Applies to Pontoons

D

PART II

ebuting the Hinged Pontoon Anchoring Solution and Retractable Tritoon Anchoring Solution at Pennsylvania’s Lake Youghiogheny, E-Z Anchor Puller president Aaron Knopp and system installer Don Snyder spoke about and demonstrated the ease-of-use of these two permanent solutions. Underneath the crossmembers of a 24-foot Playbouy pontoon, a Hero EX-1 drum anchor winch was paired with the Hinged Solution, while the Retractable Solution was retrofitted to the 24-foot SouthBay tritoon sporting the Hero EX-2. Read on to discover the similarities and differences between these two innovative solutions that anyone can install!

Aesthetics: The difference between the two is a matter of visibility; the Hinged protrudes ever-so-slightly underneath the deck in order to lift and drop the river anchor out of the water, whereas the Retractable remains completely invisible until it slides out from underneath the boat to release anchor, rode and chain in one sweeping motion. While some prefer to see the river or mushroom anchor lifted and held by the Hinged, a waterproof, wifi camera is also available so the operator can watch their Hero EX-1, EX-2 or Patriot EZ-1 deploy the rode from their smartphone.

Mechanics: Each system’s operational differences lie within hollowtube raceways. While the Hinged system has a folding bow roller that lifts when the anchor makes contact, the Retractable system has an internal spring that compresses with deployment and retrieval.

Installation: For the Hinged solution, place the bow roller head so it protrudes slightly from under the deck. Keep trailering in mind, and plot where the best-suited location is in tangent when trafficking your boat to and from the water. The sleeve of the hollow raceway, which is immediately connected to the hinged bow roller’s head, is placed directly

Scan the QR code with your smartphone to watch the full review of the Hinged and Retractable solutions’ performance, installation, drum winch stats and more.

on the edge of the bullnose/front of the decking bracket that secures the square hollow raceway to the vessel’s crossmembers.

For the Retractable, install the raceway 10 to 12 inches from the front of the boat. Both solutions have four drilled holes at the opposite end of the solution (the drum winch end) to allow for further flexibility when mounting to the crossmembers of the boat.

Hardware: Both solution kits come with a universal underside mounting plate with pre-drilled holes for the winch selected. Elongated slots are designed to fit any crossmember, no matter how close or far apart they may be. Additional mounting hardware includes required mounting brackets, hex bolts, lock nuts and flat washers. Both solution raceways have several pre-drilled holes to correctly locate the included mounting tabs and brackets to the crossmembers, and both can be powered by the Hero EX-1, EX-2 or Patriot EZ-1. The drum anchor winch of choice is sold separately.

For more information, refer to ezanchorpuller.com to view the product, read the manual or subscribe to the company YouTube channel to watch the complete review and installation overview video.

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FEBRUARY 2021

75

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888-800-9794 | info@vidmag.com www.VidMag.com The Angler Video Magazine connects fishing and boating enthusiasts with industry news and shared community interests in a unique, industry-first format — a video magazine. Sent to over 780,000 licensed anglers, The Angler Video Magazine is provided to its readers for FREE. No subscriptions or payments are required for viewing.

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