The Angler Video Magazine January 2021 Issue

@CAMTAMagazine

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Banging The Drums OF HOUMA, LA

BIG FISH FOR YOUR BUCKET LIST

PHOTO COURTESY OF FISHING ADVENTURES WITH BRITTNEY FB/IG: @FISHINGADVENTURESWITHBRITTNEY VOLUME 1 • ISSUE 6

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

A V A I L A B L E

W O R L D W I D E

TAKE CONTROL

OPTIMUS ELECTRONIC STEERING SYSTEMS From joystick control to autopilots and digital anchoring systems, Dometic offers a complete array of electronic steering components to make your time on the water more enjoyable. Optimus electronic steering offers effortless control, allowing you to navigate crowded marinas or hold position over your favorite fishing spot.

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JANUARY 2021

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NEVER

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Haddon

By Capt. Quinlyn

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lthough colder weather might have you ready to for a voluntary quarantine, there is a great winter fishery out there waiting to celebrate the New Year with you.

Here on Florida’s Gulf Coast, cool water temperatures have changed habits of many fish species. The same fish that would have skyrocketed on your lure during summer are loafing around looking for easier, slower-moving prey. It is important to adjust the presentation of bait and the speed of lures.

Whether you are targeting sheepshead, trout, snook, redfish, hogfish, flounder or grouper, one of the best investments you can make for January fishing is shrimp. It is reliably obtained this time of year, and all of the sought-after winter species eat it.

Smaller jigheads are a great way to fish shrimp, whether freelined under a dock, under a bobber over deep pockets in channels and flats or up under the mangroves.

Between the weather and harvest closures we’ve experienced due to red tide, anglers will have to work harder to fill coolers this January.

While hogfish are always in season and are easy to catch this month, the quickest meat-hauls right

now are sheepshead and stone crabs.

Stone crab season is open until May 1, and it’s a fun way for recreational fishermen to bop out on the water for a quick grocery trip. Regulations changed this season, so check the latest FWC guidelines. A notable change is the increase of harvestable claw size from 2 3/4 inches to 2 7/8 inches.

Fish are affected by cold, and fishermen also have to adjust. Dressing for being on a boat all day in January can be little tricky. Even getting slightly wet in bone-chilling wind can ruin your day… without the right gear.

The most important investment for winter fishing is a pair of slickers and good boots. You won’t even have to leave your fuzzy wuzzy pajama pants to get out on the water, just tuck them into your socks and pull your slickers and boots over the top.

When I began my fishing career, I found some male captains who refused to hire female deckhands because of the toilet issue. On boats

without a head, it’s a hassle for ladies to utilize a bucket on a busy deck.

I discovered my slickers are the best tool to fix this issue. The Grundéns I purchased in the smallest size available are still quite large on me.

After unsnapping a shoulder strap and dropping the fuzzy pajamas, it is straightforward to use a cup to empty my bladder and get back to work.

As crass as it sounds, it really is a game-changing tip during slicker-season. Alternatively, you can book a charter on a boat with a toilet and keep your cups for mixing drinks.

Fish with Capt. Quin and Reel Lucky Fishing Charters out of St. Petersburg by calling or texting (504) 920-6342. They have boats for offshore, nearshore and inshore which are all equipped with a toilet.

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

JANUARY 2021

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FLY FISHING

By Nick Carter

F

ly fishing for bonefish and permit might have originated on the flats of the Bahamas and the Florida Keys, but these islands hardly hold a monopoly on the style of fishing. In the Indian Ocean, about 1,000 miles off the east coast of Africa, there is an archipelago that claims the highest density of bonefish in the world on one of its outer island groups.

The Alphonse Group is three small islets on the southwestern end of the Seychelles, a nation of 115 islands in gorgeous tropical waters northeast of Madagascar. Within the Alphonse Group, Alphonse Atoll and St. Francois Atoll offer more 10,000 acres of hard, white-sand bonefish flats as well as a lagoon with channels, finger flats and coral heads where fly fishers sight fish in clear water to more than 60 species of fish.

There are characters familiar to Atlantic flats—bonefish and permit—and there are also species exotic to North American fly rodders, like milkfish, colorful triggerfish and seven species of trevally. Instead of tarpon, the Seychelles offer up the giant trevally, which can weigh in excess of 120 pounds. And with a 10-minute boat ride out of Alphonse Island, anglers can access

reef species and big pelagics like sailfish, wahoo, dorado, dogtooth and yellowfin tuna. Either trolling or teasing them up and casting flies to them, these offshore species offer a delightful break from the flats as well as a dinnertime treat on the island.

“The Seychelles has become known as the best giant trevally fishery in the world and has become the benchmark for anglers searching for an outstanding saltwater flats fishing experience,” said Keith Rose-Innes, managing director of Alphonse Fishing Company. “The sheer numbers and variety of fish species has amazed the fly fishing world, with anglers from across the globe queuing up to sample this ultimate fishing playground.”

St. Francois is most well known for its bonefish, with ridiculous numbers of 4- to 6-pound fish and the occasional 8-pounder in the mix.

“On falling tides, it is often the case that huge shoals of bonefish can be targeted when leaving the flats in what has been described as a continuous river of bonefish,” said RoseInnes. “You hunt them on foot and not from a skiff, as the sand flats are hard and white.”

It’s also as close to a sure thing as it gets for anglers seeking the Holy Grail of saltwater fly fishing. Good numbers of IndoPacific permit populate the flats, and RoseInnes said his guides have near-perfected the art of catching them.

Along with natural environs conducive to awesome fishing, a strong conservation ethic ensures an incredible angling experience.

Alphonse Fishing Company tightly controls the amount and type of fishing pressure its waters see, and the fisheries are completely closed a minimum of three months per year.

That’s the fishing side of the conservation effort. Alphonse also protects the unique flora and fauna of the islands, which makes for a sensational overall vacation experience, with comfortable lodging among beautiful tropical forests and beaches.

For more information, visit www.alphonsefishingco.com.

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

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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

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ew for 2021 is the exciting 25foot 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 12inch 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 walk-through 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 industry-first 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

Impressive IGFA 2020

By CAM Staff

R

ecords are made to be broken, and with so many species and line-class records out there for anglers to chase, the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) is constantly updating its records. Here’s a quick look at some of the most impressive IGFA records caught and confirmed in 2020.

RAY YAMAO A big brown trout from Japan might be the most impressive salmonid record from 2020. Angler Ray Yamoa caught the monster 26-lb., 10-oz. brown on Aug. 8, while trolling an Ora Minnow plug on Japan’s Lake Shikotsu.

Averaging 870 feet deep, Shikotsu is a 30-square-mile caldera lake that maintains stable temperatures year-round thanks to volcanic influence. It is most famous among anglers for salmon, but it obviously grows big trout, too.

Yamoa’s giant brown trout set a new 30-lb. line class world record.

JUDY LANGENHOVEN JULIETH CASTRO SANCHEZ How’d you like to haul up something like this on your next bottom-fishing trip? Julieth Castro Sanchez was jigging a Williamson jig out of Esterillos Oeste, Costa Rica when a giant Pacific cubera snapper yanked on her line.

The big snapper weighed in at 70 pounds, 8 ounces, which was good enough for a new Women’s 50-pound line class record. The all-tackle world record, caught off Costa Rica in 1988, weighed 78 pounds, 12 ounces.

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JANUARY 2021

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

Giant African threadfin inhabit waters of the Atlantic coast of Africa and grow quite large.

The IGFA all-tackle world record weighed more than 122 pounds.

Last July, Judy Langenhoven used a McCarthy paddletail and 30-lb. test to land a 93-pound, 11-ounce behemoth from Angola’s Kwanza River. It took her more than an hour to subdue the beast, which set a new Women’s 30-lb. line class record.

World Records EMILY ROSE HANZLIK Hanzlik is a 15-year-old fishing fanatic with 29 IGFA world records to her name.

In 2020, she tallied two records that have already been accepted by IGFA, and her third of the year was still pending at presstime.

Last June was good to Hanzlik. On June 12, she set a new women’s 20-lb. line class record with a 22-lb., 6-oz. grass carp from the canals of West Palm Beach, Fla. Then, on June 23, she set the junior class record for jack crevalle at 32 lbs., 10 oz.

The jack crevalle Hanzlik is holding in this photo is a pending record. If accepted

by IGFA, this 35-lb., 6-oz. jack will be a new women’s 50-lb. line class world record.

Hanzlik caught it fishing from the shore in West Palm Beach.

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

JANUARY 2021

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GRANDERS ABOUND

IN TROPICAL

NORTH QUEENSLAND

T

he waters surrounding Australia are internationally renowned for some of the best sportfishing in the world, and Lizard Island on the Great Barrier Reef provides an exceptional platform from which to be part of the action. The waters off tropical North Queensland, including the iconic Great Barrier Reef, are considered the black marlin capital of the world, with many eager sports fishers flocking to the area annually during the storied marlin season.

There is no better way to truly experience Australian sportfishing than with a visit to Lizard Island.

Lizard Island, located 17 miles off the coast of Tropical North Queensland, is the most northern resort on the reef and is in the heart of the best sportsfishing grounds. The resort boasts unrivalled access to the Great Barrier Reef, so it is no surprise

that fishing is one of Lizard Island’s most popular experiences.

Lizard Island offers fishing charters to both the inner and outer reef on the luxury fishing vessel Fascination III. The inner reef takes only 15 minutes to reach and fish species include mackerel, queenfish, trevally and other pelagic species. For those looking to catch something a little larger, a 50-minute trip to the outer reef should do the trick. Here it is not uncommon to catch mackerel, tuna, trevally, mahi-mahi, sailfish and black marlin at the right time of the year.

While there are a variety of fishing experiences and species in the waters surrounding Lizard Island, the real draw is black marlin. Each year from September to December, the celebrated black marlin return to the area. For seven days in October each year, the Black Marlin Classic draws

fishermen from all over the world to try their luck at catching one of these famous giants. For these seven days, Anchor Bay is inundated with eager fishermen seeking to catch a grander—a marlin heavier than 1,000 pounds. It is not uncommon in these waters. All black marlin fishing in the region is “tag and release” based, and limited to a particular area to ensure protection and conservation of this captivating species.

Whether you are interested in a leisurely week of fishing in the beautiful tropical waters off Lizard Island or a serious sportfishing expedition in search of giant black marlin, Lizard Island will not disappoint. Unrivalled access to the iconic Great Barrier Reef, the luxury and seclusion of the resort, and ample opportunities to catch some truly impressive fish make Lizard Island the obvious choice for an Australian fishing adventure.

If this isn’t already on your bucket list, it absolutely should be.

For more information, visit the Ultimate Fishing Australia website ultimatefishing.com.au.

Check out the four-night Lizard Island Fishing package, available at http://ultimatefishing.com. au/australian-fishing-tours/queensland/ lizard-island/. Or contact them via email at info@ultimatefishing.com.au or by phone at +61 (0) 8 8354 2348.

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Insist on Only the Best Cast Net for Grabbing Your Bait America’s #1 Cast Net Choice, Year After Year America’s Best

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VIDEO

AN AMBITIOUS 2021 BUCKET LIST

his year has not been my best fishing year. I did end up doing a little fishing, just not nearly as much as usual. So, this is the list of fish I want to catch in 2021. Some of these will not be very impressive to some of you, but some of them might seem worthy of adding to your own bucket lists. Here is my list, in no particular order: 1) Swordfish: With my friend Jimmy Dean’s help, I hope to land a swordfish out of the West Palm Beach area. This will not be easy, but hopefully I can get a shot or two.

2) Salmon Shark: This smaller cousin of the great white weighs up to 1,000 pounds and can measure 10 feet long. I plan to fish out of Resurrection Bay, Seward, Alaska. As of right now, I don’t have a captain selected, so kindly e-mail recommendations.

3) Halibut: I’m hunting a halibut heavier than 300 pounds. This will also most likely be

By Gary Turner

out of Seward, Alaska. I have several friends who fish out of Seward for halibut, and it might take several years to find this fish, but every halibut is an adventure.

4) Blue Catfish: I would like to catch a 100-pounder or better. I like the Tennessee River in the Guntersville area for good odds of making this happen.

5) Snakehead: Why? Because I’ve never caught one. The Miami area is where I plan to look for these fish.

6) Oscar: I’d like to catch a very large Oscar.

I love these fish, and years ago I used to raise them. The fact that they grow wild and big in south Florida makes me want to catch them, and they are supposedly very tasty.

7) Alligator Gar: This is a trip I have talked about for years and haven’t been able to pull off.

A friend and I have talked about fishing for giant alligator gar, so I just have to get out to

the Trinity River in Texas to make it happen.

8) Tarpon: I have caught tarpon but never one of great size. Hopefully, on one of my trips to Florida, I will catch the right time and place and make it happen in 2021.

9) Bluefin Tuna: This one might be on the list for a few years, but I’m giving it more and more thought. A friend has been telling me about catching tuna in the Prince Edward Island area. The more we talk, the more I want it. My other choice of locale is North Carolina.

10) Goliath Grouper: I’d like to reel one up and take some awesome pictures before release. Again, this is a Florida trip. I have several friends who want to do this, too, so it should be a great trip.

That’s my list for now. If you have time, email me and tell me about your list for 2021.

Contact Gary Turner through email at gary@purgeright.com.

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

JANUARY 2021

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FLY FISHING 14

CASTING FOR REDFISH: BEYOND THE DOUBLE HAUL

Conway Bowman caught this 41.65-pound IGFA fly-caught world record redfish out of Hopedale, La.

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t is well-known that the double haul and the back cast are essential for fly fishing for redfish. Here are three more casts I believe are very important when targeting winter reds with a fly.

FLY REPOSITIONING CAST This cast is wonderful when you need to recast a fly to a redfish that refused it or when you missed your target. It works best when 20 or more feet of line are outside the tip-top. It is essential to the success of this cast to not rush picking the fly line up off the water.

The key is to load for the back cast by beginning with the rod tip close to the water and slowly lifting the line off the water. Then wait to feel the rod load on the back cast. Once you feel the rod load, make a forward cast, allowing the fly to hit the mark. I’ve witnessed far too many fishermen rush to recast, and in doing so, miss their target on the second cast.

THE QUICK-CAST FOR THE SHORT GAME When sight casting, you will need to execute some short, quick accurate casts. The short cast is one of the most difficult casts to make because a fly rod made for short casting has yet to be built.

When red fishing, unless I know I’ll be making long casts, I keep roughly 40 feet of fly line stripped into a line management basket (a bucket if fishing from a skiff) and 20 feet of line outside the fly rod’s tip-top. The first 15 feet of the belly section of the line will easily load the fly rod with minimal false casting. Place the fly between the index finger and thumb of the hand not holding the rod. If a redfish is spotted at close range, make a back cast while at the same time releasing the fly from your hand and cast to the redfish.

MASTER THE CROSS-WIND CAST The wind blows where redfish live. The most difficult winds to JANUARY 2021

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a fly flinger are the cross-wind and the following-wind. Both are guaranteed to give the angler fits.

The best cast for these challenging situations is the Belgian cast, a very quick cast that when executed correctly presents the fly under challenging conditions. The key is to make an extended side-armed back cast, followed by a high extended-arm overhead cast that will provide the angler distance when working in a big wind. A word of caution: The side cast may produce the painful problem of a fly imbedded in the angler if the wind is blowing toward the casting arm.

PUT IT TO THE TEST When targeting winter redfish, the fly angler will be presented with many different casting situations depending on weather conditions. It’s important to understand and execute each of the casting techniques discussed. Once mastered, a trophy redfish is only a cast away!

Heads Of Cold Winter Steelheading In Upstate

By Frank Geremski -The Angler Magazine of Upstate NY publisher

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inter steelhead fishing can be chilling, but once you hook into a 10-pound, lightning-fast bolt of silver, your blood will be boiling. The speed and explosion are what lures steelheaders to expose themselves to harsh Great Lakes winters. And there’s more. On Upstate New York’s Salmon River, there are plenty of beautiful, large, lake-run brown trout mixed in. Plus, today’s lightweight protective clothing provides comfort between strikes.

The Salmon River in Oswego County, N.Y. (www.visitoswegocounty. com) offers consistent steelhead fishing during the late fall, winter and spring. In fact, the river has runs of trout and salmon from Lake Ontario all year long. With many quality tributaries along its length and a hatchery, this high-quality wilderness river once was home to a legendary Atlantic salmon run. Rebounding populations of Atlantics still exist due to restoration projects, but Pacific salmon dominate the scene in late summer and fall. Huge chinook salmon, some heavier than 30 pounds, and coho salmon run up 14 miles of prime spawning and fishing waters each fall. A good number of steelhead (rainbow trout) follow the salmon to feed on the eggs dropped during this legendary fall salmon run. The steelhead feed aggressively during the salmon run, and they remain in this beautiful blue-ribbon river all winter, providing more than six months of explosive action. Winter thaws and early spring rains invite the remaining Lake Ontario steelhead to spawn and join their river-wintering kin. It’s a truly dynamic trophy trout experience.

The Salmon River holds big fish. Tenpound steelhead are commonplace.

Fish in the teens are a definite possibility, and persistent steelheaders get chances every year on specimens in the 20-pound range. When salmon

first enter the Salmon River in September and October, steelhead and lake-run brown trout mix in with pacific salmon making their spawning run. Both trout species feed on salmon eggs, and just when the salmon die off, the brown trout begin to spawn. Their eggs supplement the steelheads’ diet. Large numbers of giant trout and steelhead winter in the river, with additional fish running up from Lake Ontario all winter and early spring.

When they first enter the river, these brightly colored bullets aggressively strike offerings like egg sacks, bright Estaz flies or beads that imitate eggs. Midriver matriculation brings them past the village of

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Pulaski, where t h e r e are about 10 miles of mostly public fishing access to deep holes, runs, rapids and every kind of trout water.

Several high-quality tributaries flow in along the way and provide excellent spawning grounds up to what’s considered the upper section of the river. Natural reproduction does occur, and New York state operates a large hatchery on the upper end of the Salmon River.

Since the Salmon River is a tailwater, this upper section is fishable all winter and never ices up. With egg availability diminishing, the winter steelhead diet evolves to more nymphs and stoneflies.

Fly fishing is effective yet challenging. This section of river is ideal for fighting and landing large fish, with catch and release encouraged. Many trophy steelhead in the teens are photographed for replica mounts, and brown trout in the 5- to 10-pound range are caught regularly, with fish in the teens a possibility.

The Salmon River has a reputation for tight quarters during the peak

of the salmon run. Crowds diminish during winter steelhead season. Weekdays bring even less competition. Two very select permit-only resort properties are located on the two best sections of river offering managed access and exclusive riverside lodging.

On the upper river, The Tailwater Lodge in Altmar, N.Y. has private south-side access to Schoolhouse Pool and the runs and holes above and below. This is the prime wintering spot for a large percentage of steelhead and the best access for ice-free angling.

The Tailwater is an Orvis-endorsed lodge, which includes an on-site fly shop, “The Woodshed.” Zero Limit Adventures Guide Service, also Orvis endorsed, has a collaborative relationship with Tailwater Lodge and provides outstanding guidance to this section and the entire Salmon River. They’ll get you dialed into current river conditions and what the fish are feeding on. The Tailwater Lodge’s opulent accommodations coupled with their location on the river and exclusive access make it the Mecca for Salmon River steelheading. This large section of river provides various speeds of current and holding water with ice-free conditions all winter. Tactics for hooking these giants include fly fishing, spinning, float fishing and center-pin techniques. The Angler Magazine highly recommends booking an experienced licensed guide on your first day to instruct you on equipment, fly or bait selection and technique. Allow Tailwater Lodge (www.tailwaterlodge.com) and Zero Limit Adventures (www.zerolimitadventures.com) ease the entry into this elite pursuit.

Douglaston Salmon Run (DSR) manages more than 2 1/2 miles of exclusive access in the lower end of the Salmon River where steelhead first enter from Lake Ontario. Early steelhead action can be fast and furious. Winter access is dependent on weather conditions, as the middle and lower sections of the Salmon River get slushy or ice over.

DSR (www.douglastonsalmonrun.com) publishes an accurate and honest daily report that functions as a great information source for river conditions and fish movement.

The highly challenging adventure of hooking and battling your first 10-pound-plus Great Lakes steelhead will certainly not be your last.

This divine experience will put you in a league of sportsmen who are the only ones to understand this trophy steelhead quest. It’s a feeling like the adrenaline rush of your first buck or sailfish. This heart-pounding adventure on a beautiful river will provide a memory that can be yours forever.

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The Perfect Couple

PHOT O CO

By Brandon Tourigny

F

or all of us fly tyers, the cost of materials always seems to be a big set back, as it is with many art forms. The more addicted to the art of fly tying one gets, the faster money will seem to fly out of the wallet.

However, for those who consider themselves allaround outdoorsmen, I have a simple solution to help ease the pain of buying fly tying material: go duck hunting!

Why would you go spend crazy amounts of money at fly shops to buy high-quality waterfowl plumage when the great state of Florida is home to millions of ducks and other waterfowl all found on public land. In the Sunshine State, any duck hunter is allotted 6 ducks a day (with certain species restrictions), and when push comes to shove a single medium sized duck such as a wood duck will provide you with a wealth of material to tie from.

As it just so happens, nearly every single species of migratory duck that frequents

North American flyways can be found within our borders, so the colors and feather pattern selection for the avid fly tyer is endless. If you are willing to put in several days of hard hunting this winter, at the end of the season you very well could end up with enough waterfowl plumage to last you an entire year of fly tying. To add icing on the cake, as if harvesting your own fly tying material wasn’t enough motivation, wild duck will provide you with some of the most highquality table fare the Sunshine State has to offer.

For those new to hunting, here are the licenses and permits you will need to hunt ducks in Florida; that way you can avoid an unpleasant encounter with the game warden. If you’ve never bought a hunting permit before, you will

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first need to take the online hunter safety coarse at www.myfwc.com. Once you have completed that, you will then need to purchase a standard Florida hunting license, a Florida waterfowl permit, a migratory bird permit (which is free), and if you intend to hunt public land you will also need a Wildlife Management Area (WMA) permit. The final thing you will need to purchase before you hit the marsh is the annual Federal Duck Stamp, which can also be purchased at www.myfwc. com.

Catching fish on your own handmade flies is one of the most rewarding experiences in our sport, and using feathers that came off of waterfowl you harvested makes the experience even better. Duck season is in full swing now until the end of January, so go get your license, pull out the old 12 gauge, and go hunt!

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Sea Eagle FastCat 12 SeaEagle’s reputation for innovation was built on the thoughtful design of its inflatable boats. Based on Long Island Sound in Port Jefferson, N.Y., the company has been dreaming up excellent little fishing boats since 1968. Their testing grounds are the unforgiving coastal striped bass fisheries of Northeast, so their designs are as durable as they are portable, functional and fishable.Their latest offering, the FastCat 12, is the perfect two-man vessel for anglers seeking a comfortable yet portable and economical way to reach the fishing grounds. The FastCat 12 offers many advantages over conventional boats without the hassle or steep price point.

Durability is one of the primary advantages of well-made inflatables, and the FastCat 12 absolutely delivers in this category. There’s no need to think twice about heading into shallow rocky waters or beaching this boat. With double-layer dropstitch construction and all-around rubbing strakes, that’s what it’s built for. Rigid and tough, it bounces off obstacles that would splinter a fiberglass hull.

Portability is another huge advantage the FastCat 12. You won’t need a garage to store it in or a trailer to haul it. The FastCat 12 folds down small enough to fit in the trunk of a car. When you get there, you don’t even need a boat ramp. This boat can be launched wherever there’s access to the water, and it can be inflated on-sight in a matter of minutes.

The FastCat 12 also excels in performance. Designed for a gas or electric motor up to 6 hp, it reaches surprising speeds of up to 15 mph with the smooth ride cat-hulls are known for. It turns on a dime, and what’s more, it’s got range. A small 3-gallon tank of gas will carry the boat more than 30 miles. It’ll take you where you need to go to find the fish at a fraction of the running cost of a conventional boat.

As for fishability, the FastCat 12 fishes a lot larger than its 12-foot, 10-inch length.

With a 40-inch-wide floor deck covered in EVA foam, the footing is secure, and there’s room to stand and move around. D-rings and Scotty mounts provide attachment points for your anchor systems, rod holders and gear, and there’s even a removable canopy for those days when the sun’s really beating down.

Considering all the advantages of this sweet little fishing boat stacked up against the cost and hassle of a conventional vessel, it’s easy to see why so many anglers are choosing Sea Eagle inflatables.

FOR MORE DETAILS ON THE SEA EAGLE FASTCAT 12, CALL (800) 944-7496 OR VISIT SEAEAGLE.COM.

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LADIES IN THE

DRUM UP ACTION LOUISIANA MARSH WATCH

I

find myself staying in the strangest places when I go on fishing adventures. But as long as it involves fishing, sleeping on a couch or on the ground really doesn’t matter.

On this particular trip, my friends and I found ourselves in a small houseboat on a river in the Louisiana marshes west of New Orleans. It was tiny, there was only one bathroom (picture four girls trying to use one bathroom), and the bed sheets smelled like a man after a long day of fishing. You might be wondering what brought us to such a place, and I will give you two very good reasons: redfish and black drum. Enormous specimens of these two drum species come into the marsh each fall and winter, 20 to 30 pounds to be more specific.

If you plan on making the trip to Louisiana to do some inshore fishing, it is not necessary to stay on a houseboat; however, I highly recommend it. When you wake up each morning, you are on the water ready to fish with your boat tied up next to you.

Of the drum family, redfish seem to be the most popular inshore species. Redfish are always a great fight, especially the big bulls.

But many anglers seem to overlook black

drum, which are sometimes referred to as a “mud donkeys.” It is not an attractive fish, nor is it great for eating; therefore, it is not commonly targeted. This fish does, however, grow the largest of the drum species, and it fights with the same action and power as a bull red. Now that I’ve caught a few, I believe black drum can look very pretty once the Louisiana sun hits those scales just right.

Redfish and black drum are thick in the Louisiana marshes all year, but the season for the monsters runs from September to January, when big fish move from offshore into the marsh following migrating baitfish. When the baitfish show up inshore, the big fish won’t be far behind. For bait you can use live or artificial depending on whether you are trying to sight fish or just toss a line out and wait. On our trip, we used a standard knocker rig, with an egg sinker and a hook, and sank split live blue crabs and shrimp to the bottom and waited.

The fishing is quite simple when you know where the fish are, although a guide is recommended for those unfamiliar with the waters because it’s easy to get lost in the marsh. Keep an eye out for cold fronts. The cold fronts clean up the water and bring the

By Jacki Shea

VIDEO

fish closer to the surface, which makes for perfect sight fishing. The fish also enjoy the cooler inshore water, so they will be more abundant and active.

Check out Jacki’s YouTube channel Jacki Shea Fishing for videos of her fishing adventures.

Her guide for the Louisiana trip was Brittney Novalsky who can be contacted through www.fishingadventureswithbrittney.com.

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

JANUARY 2021

23

Follow host Joe Woody as he takes you on the adventure of a lifetime searching for wild trout along the long forgotten, and sometimes never fished, streams of Appalachia!

The Lost Streams of Appalachia is an Adventure Angling series that will take you to some of the wildest and toughest terrain the mountains of Appalachia has to offer. We will hike, climb and rappel to some of the most remote locations in search of wild trout.

Joe Woody is Co-Publisher of The Angler Magazine WNC with his wife, Debra.

He is a U.S. Army Veteran, an avid woodsman, and a self-proclaimed “adventure angler.”

Twenty-one years ago, Joe and his family moved to Asheville, North Carolina, where he and Debra live, work and play among the Appalachian Mountains.

Over the last two decades, Joe has hiked, rappelled and climbed the mountains of Appalachia, developing his “river legs” and honing his fly fishing skills in those lost streams, searching for undisturbed, wild trout.

Follow Joe as he takes you on a wild, unforgettable adventure on the Lost Streams of Appalachia.

PHOTO COURTESY OF TNT CHARTERS

By CAM Staff

Surrounded By World-Class Fishing

I

t’s no secret the Florida Keys offer some of the best fishing in the world. This 125-mile long archipelago separates the legendary backcountry fisheries of Florida Bay from the storied waters of the Gulf Stream. Whether your passion is sight-fishing the flats or incredible offshore action, you’ll find it off the islands of the Keys.

Unique and prolific fisheries exist here in the mixing grounds between the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. Whether you’re a light-tackle or fly fishing enthusiast looking for a sight-fishing trip of a lifetime, a big-game angler seeking world-class billfish

action, or a meat-hunter hungry to stock the freezer, you’ll find it off any of the islands of the Keys. And while you’re there, you’ll also find a laid-back way of life that allows you to escape the real world for while.

BACKCOUNTRY: Miles of clear-water flats provide the perfect setting for sight fishing. Depending on the season, bonefish, permit, tarpon and others cruise the flats on the Gulf-side curve.

Permit are the ultimate challenge for fly casters and show up in the shallows from late February to mid April. Weighing up to 15 or

20 pounds, they roam in schools. They might be easy to spot, but permit are notorious for refusing flies. Even live bait anglers will only get one cast at these wary creatures.

Tarpon arrive on the flats about the time permit head for deeper water. On a northward migration, tarpon weighing upwards of 100 pounds look out of place in waist-deep water.

No other flats species can match tarpon when it comes to size and power.

Bonefish hunt the flats from spring to early fall. They are renowned for speed, and with a well-placed cast, a 5- or 6-pounder will bleed a reel of line.

Those three species make up a flats slam in the Keys. Time it right, and you can get shots at all three in the same day.

THE REEF LINE: There’s a line of reefs that runs the length of Atlantic side of the Keys. With the nearby Gulf Stream, this reef is a gathering place. From resident groupers and snappers to big pelagics that sweep through with the seasons, there’s always an exciting bite going on.

Sailfish are found year-round, and in winter they can be spotted spraying ballyhoo under birds. It’s about as visual and exciting as fishing gets.

But sailfish aren’t the only game in town.

Wahoo, blackfin tuna, mahi-mahi, kingfish, cobia and white marlin hunt the color breaks and weed-lines. A short 7- to 11-mile ride from the docks, it’s a target-rich environment to troll live baits.

For more information on the Florida Keys and all the islands have to offer, go to fla-keys.com.

Long lines. No waiting.

When the entire Florida Keys was designated a National Marine Sanctuary, it wasn’t just to protect 2,900 square nautical miles of marine life, coral barrier reefs and crystal waters. It preserved a way of life like no place else on earth. So what are you waiting for? Come on down and escape the real world for a while. fla-keys.com 1.800.fla.keys For the latest protocols on health & safety in The Florida Keys, please visit our website.

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Controlled by an all-new rechargeable Wireless Remote, the Transformer 15K now includes Intelligent Speed Control (ISC™), a mainstay feature on the Force ISC 5K and 10K dollies. Switch between high and low speed anytime, anywhere at the press of a button! With a gradual start and stop to every movement, get your trailer into position without putting strain on your hitch or cargo.

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

TO LEARN MORE, VISIT PARKIT360.CA THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

JANUARY 2021

29

THE GRAY

GHOST IN EXUMA

I

t’s 6:30 a.m., and my photographer and I are following a black Ford F-150 from Georgetown to Rolle Town in Exuma, Bahamas. The sun is slowly making its journey upwards, and the landscape seems to be glowing because of it.

We make our way to a little dock below a hill, park our rental car and board the boat. Off we go dashing across the still water in the dim early morning. The sun and its bright orange rays are barely above the horizon.

Exuma is an interesting place to bonefish.

Known more for the swimming pigs and its dozens of beautiful cays, the island has become a popular hub for tourists in search of authentic Bahamian island life. Boasting top resorts like Sandals Emerald Bay, February Point and Grand Isles, Exuma is not short on gorgeous properties overlooking its turquoise and electric blue waters.

My guide, Reno Rolle, explains that Exuma has never been known as the fishing capital of The Bahamas; that title is held by Andros, Eleuthera, Bimini or Abaco. But Rolle said his clientele includes people from Germany, Paris, the Unites States and lately, Canada.

And Rolle, who has been fishing for 20 years, does everything he can to make his clients 30

JANUARY 2021

lifelong patrons.

“I’ve got a guy from Germany who has been fishing with me for six years,” he said. “For one, I feel that as long as people get comfortable fishing with you as a guide they continue to building that relationship and it becomes naturally like that’s your friend. When we look at bonefishing, sometimes it just draws the outer world into these islands.”

There are eight full-time professional bonefish guides on Exuma.

Exuma is centrally located in the island chain of The Bahamas. A 35-minute flight from New Providence, Exuma is also an hour from Miami. Flights include Air Canada, American Eagle and Delta Airlines.

The Tropic of Cancer runs through a beach in Exuma, aptly named the Tropic of Cancer Beach. There is lots to do on the island. The swimming pigs tour, a journey through most of northern Exuma, takes guests from Barraterre on Great Exuma to Compass Cay in the north.

Four C’s Adventures is a recommended guide service that can accommodate large groups.

Visitors not only get to meet the pigs on pig beach, they get to explore Thunderball Grotto, an underwater cavern filled with marine life,

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

which served as a pivotal scene in the 1965 James Bond film Thunderball. Within a few miles of that is a sunken drug plane. Then there is a beach filled with endangered iguanas, a property once owned by actor Nicholas Cage and of course Compass Cay and its equally famous nurse sharks.

These are experiences that can only be found on Exuma.

Thousands of sailors anchor in Georgetown each year during the summer season, many are on their way south in an epic exploration of the Caribbean. Exuma’s harbors are well protected and exciting.

Chat N Chill, a restaurant and bar found on Stocking Island, overlooks that harbor. On a dull day, you’ll find about 20 people on the island feeding stingrays and eating fresh tropical conch salad and enjoying a Kalik – beer of The Bahamas.

Rolle, my guide, grew up on Exuma. The son of a taxi driver, Rolle began instructing me in the ways of the fly rod during our trip.

“It’s the only way to bonefish,” he told me.

While we circled around the back of Rolle Town searching for the gray ghost in the marshes, I learned just how complex using the fly rod can be. Rolle caught one bonefish that day, I caught zilch. Needless to say, I did not master the fly rod.

As we returned from our trip, the tide became increasingly low and suddenly several sandbars appeared above the water’s surface. Exuma is truly one of the most exciting and unpredictable islands in the Bahamian archipelago.

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

JANUARY 2021

31

SAFE FISH HANDLING TIPS

By Dustin Stanberry

WATCH

W

ith the sport of fishing growing and more anglers on the water, there seems to be more information available. All of this information, paired with the quick access to it using smart phones and social media avenues, can make us a lot more productive on the water. Becoming a better angler is great, but it could all be in vain unless we do our best to protect the resources we so greatly love. Knowing how to safely handle and release fish is just as important as being able to catch fish. Below are a few tips that will help any angler become a better steward of the water.

TIP 1: Minimize the time taken to fight the fish. There are scenarios that require lighter line or tippet. More often than not, this leads to fish being broken off, but if not, this can be the cause of undue stress on the fish. In general, the lighter the line or tippet, the longer it takes to land the fish. Just like humans, fish build up lactic acid during a fight. If not revived properly, this can lead to an injured or dead fish. Using the heaviest pound test possible for your particular situation can minimize the time it takes to land a fish and can have a huge impact on the health of the fish when released TIP 2: Always handle fish with a wet hand.

Virtually all species of fish are covered with a protective mucus membrane. This membrane does quite a few things for the fish. It allows the fish to move through the water with less drag, but more importantly, it protects the fish from diseases, fungi and parasites. Handling a fish with a dry hand removes this protective barrier, and the fish becomes highly susceptible to waterborne diseases and parasites. Wetting your hands before 32

JANUARY 2021

handling the fish will help prevent the removal of the membrane. With this in mind, a net with a rubber bag can be a great tool for the job.

Using a net to cradle fish while removing the hook will greatly reduce the possibility of injury to the fish. We will still need to use wet hands to handle the fish, but minimizing contact can be crucial.

TIP 3: Properly reviving the fish before it is released is the next step in safely handling fish.

Regardless of species, all fish need to be revived until able to swim away under their own power.

The best way to do this is to place the fish in the water facing into the current and firmly, but not squeezing, hold the fish by the base of the tail until it can swim away on its own. Letting go after a good kick of the tail under the assumption that the fish is ready can lead to the demise of the fish. If the water is cold, you need to be ready to keep your hands submerged until the fish is ready. I wear wool gloves most of the winter when fishing. I take the gloves off to handle the fish and replace them once the fish is released.

This is also the reason I like a jacket with good water-tight cuffs.

TIP 4: Correctly holding fish, especially large fish, can be especially important. Never squeeze a fish. If the fish seems unruly, try turning the fish upside down. This will disrupt their equilibrium and give you a moment to handle the fish without struggle. When it comes to handling trout, you never want to “lip” the fish. This practice may be acceptable for bass, but even bass can be injured this way. Cradling trout and other fish with two hands is the best method. A great way to hold fish is one hand firmly gripping the base of the tail and the other hand supporting the fish from

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

VIDEO

underneath toward the head. Be sure to keep your fingers out of the gills. Handling a fish by the gills can cause serious injury and will usually lead to a delayed mortality.

TIP 5: Hold the fish close to the water.

This way, if the fish struggles, it will only fall a minimal distance. Dropping a fish even a short distance to the water can cause serious injury and possibly death. Keeping the fish in the water until the moment of the photo is also critical. It is a good idea to walk through the operation of a camera with the other anglers in your party. This way, if there is any question about how to operate the device, it is taken care of beforehand.

TIP 6: Know when to leave the hook embedded. At some point every angler will be faced with this decision: do I cut the line or try to remove the hook? Generally, if you are asking this question, the line should be cut. If the hook is embedded too deep or around the gill area, it’s generally best to cut the line. In most cases, fish have a greater chance of survival expelling the hook on their own as opposed to the angler digging around and trying to remove it.

TIP 7: De-barb your hooks. There are benefits to de-barbing fish hooks. One of the most important is it’s easier to remove from the fish. Yes, if we de-barb the hook, it is easier for the fish to throw the hook. It requires more line management and skill to keep the fish connected.

Another benefit to de-barbing is that in the event you foul hook yourself or another angler, it is easier to remove.

These are just a few tips to handling fish safely.

Hopefully you find them helpful and I can assure you that the fish will appreciate your knowledge.

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

JANUARY 2021

33

RING THE COWBELL We’re Serving Up

WAHOO

A

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.

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JANUARY 2021

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www.BALLYHOOD.com THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

JANUARY 2021

35

FISHING & DIVING

The Maldives

By Capt. Terry Fisher

I

t had been 20 years since I had boarded a based property with toilets, lavatory and shower live-a-board to fish and dive. My friend, facilities to satisfy the most demanding guests.

This voyage, Dive with the Owners Week, Capt. Wayne Hasson, president of Aggressor and Dancer Fleets, invited me to accompany provided me the benefit of being surrounded him to the Maldives for a world-class fishing by a number of crew, divers and fishermen, and diving expedition. Over the years, Wayne representing more than 10 different countries.

The Maldives is a nation of islands. It is also and I have fished and dived many exotic locations, including waters of the Caribbean, the “Honeymoon Capital” of Europe and parts Mediterranean, Pacific and Atlantic. This was of Asia. Temperatures range from 77 to 86. There are 26 atolls with 1,190 islands. One island boasts my first visit to the Indian Ocean.

A three-leg flight from Miami through a rainforest. Only 209 of the islands are inhabited New York and Dubai landed us in Male, the with a total population of only 400,000.

Tourism is the leading industry, followed small, bustling capital of the Maldives. Upon arrival, Wayne and I quickly cleared customs by fishing. The Maldivian government is and were assisted by a friendly and helpful famous for it’s eco-friendly approach and crew of the mother ship. We were transported serious application to fish conservation. The aboard a ‘Dhoni’ (dinghy) by water, to lush government’s prohibition of net and long-line accommodations aboard the Maldives fishing for commercial purposes has sustained Aggressor. This live-a-board vessel boasts a full- the abundance of fisheries. Commercial service galley, huge salon, 10 guest state rooms fishermen use line and pole, preventing by-catch and decks for relaxing, sunbathing, dining of species other than their main target, which under the stars or just getting away for some is tuna. Sport fishing, therefore, has thrived. private time. This luxury yacht offered all of Among the game fish found are giant trevally, 36 comforts JANUARY 2021 THE ANGLER landVIDEO MAGAZINE barracuda, wahoo, dorado, yellowfin tuna, the and amenities of a five-star,

sailfish and marlin. Bonefish and permit inhabit the flats.

There are many charter fishing operations in the Maldives. I had numerous opportunities to be transported to beautiful sand beaches in the middle of the Indian Ocean to fish for bonefish, giant trevally, jack crevalle and other species.

While sailing to new dive sites, we used a ‘Dohni’ to troll and catch tuna, sailfish, wahoo and dorado. At night aboard the Maldives Aggressor, we bottom fished for grouper and snapper.

Trolling, spinning, fly-fishing gear, including lures and fly presentations are basically the same as we use in the states. Diving various locations and seeing up close the numerous species that I would fish for was an added and educational bonus. Perfect water clarity offered a vast array of marine life at every dive destination.

For information on this trip of a lifetime, visit www.maldivesfishing.com or www.aggressorfleet.com. Contact Capt.

Terry Fisher of Cape Coral, Florida’s Fish Face Charters at fishfacecharters@yahoo.com.

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

JANUARY 2021

37

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GO DEEP FOR WINTER CONVICTS PHOTO COURTESY OF DARCY HILL

By CAM Staff

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uring winter, there’s a fish we can usually count on to provide consistent action and high-quality fillets for the table. Even when a cold snap shuts inshore fisheries down, bait-stealing Sheepshead will still be chewing shells with their hook-crushing chompers. They are almost always game once you find them, and cold, calm days can bring some of the best fishing of the year for both numbers and size of these black-barred convicts.

Year-round, sheepshead can be caught wherever structure makes

a home for barnacles. Bridge pilings, piers, jetties, wrecks, sea walls, oyster beds, any type of structure will suffice as long as it’s been in the water long enough to develop growth.

This time of year can be the best time to target larger breeding-size sheepshead. When inshore waters cool, it sparks an offshore migration.

Ahead of the early spring spawn, convicts in the 5- to 10-pound range congregate on deeper structure in 30 to 60 feet of water. This can make for easy pickings… if you can figure out how to get a hook-set.

Those black-and-white prison stripes aren’t the only reason sheepshead are called convicts. They are thieves and will chew through a boatload of bait if you don’t pay attention and get a feel for that light, nibbling bite. Even in 15 feet of water, it takes practice to time the hook set. The challenge is amplified when you’ve got 40 or 50 feet of line out.

A vertical presentation and staying in touch with the bait are absolutely critical when targeting deeper winter sheepshead. You want to drop baits straight down, as close to structure as possible.

The limited stretch of braid paired with a short fluorocarbon leader of a foot or less helps with detecting the bite. Abrasion resistance around all that structure is also important. Using 20-pound-test for mainline and leader is usually enough to muscle a hard-fighting sheepshead out of structure.

A simple fishfinder rig with just enough weight to keep your presentation vertical in the current is a tried-and-true rig. The lighter the weight, the easier it is to feel the bite. Find the sweet spot where your bait stays put.

A small short-shank bait hook works well. Take a variety of baits and see what works. Fiddler crabs are the all-time sheepshead favorite, and convicts also crunch up live or dead shrimp, crab parts and clam or oyster meat. Drop that bait straight to the bottom, lift it up a few inches and then wait with a tight line. If you’re not getting nibbles within 15 minutes or so, it’s time to move.

If you do feel light pecks or even a little added resistance on the line, set the hook immediately with a short, sharp upward jerk. Then haul the fish as quickly to the net as you can. Sheepshead are known for snapping lines on structure as well as with their teeth.

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

JANUARY 2021

39

FISH & FISHING 40

A DIFFERENT APPROACH

I

MARK SOSIN

t’s commonplace today, but more than a half-century ago few anglers even thought about it. The late Dr. Webster Robinson wanted to catch either a sailfish or striped marlin on a fly rod while casting from a boat that was out of gear so that the fly was not being trolled. Working with his skipper, Capt. Lefty Reagan, these angling legends fathered the concept of teasing a fish.

They reasoned that if they could raise a billfish on a hookless bait, capture its total attention by keeping the tasty morsel just out of reach, work the fish within casting range and substitute a different offering at the last minute, the mission would be successful. I knew both men well and listened intently as Web Robinson described the process to me in detail. He even gave me a copy of the fly he used.

Teasing ranks as an extremely effective technique for countless species in a variety of situations. Working on sailfish or marlin on the offshore grounds is just one phase. Sometimes known as baitand-switch, it’s nothing more than using a live bait, dead bait or a certain artificial to excite a fish enough so it will eat the lure or bait you want it to devour on the tackle of your choice.

Very light tackle enthusiasts often tease their quarry into striking so that the line doesn’t break on the initial contact. I’ve teased countless species from sharks, albacore and tuna to striped bass, redfish, barracuda, amberjack, snook and many more.

Let me share a couple examples to show you how effective teasing can be. Using a spinning outfit, I rigged a plastic worm exactly the same way as I would for largemouth bass. Pacific sailfish normally don’t include plastic worms as part of their diet.

We teased one with a bonito belly and, once the boat was out of gear, I cast the worm. My partner yanked the teaser out of the

JANUARY 2021

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

water and the fish inhaled a plastic worm faster than you can read this.

I met a man who showed me beautiful flies for offshore species.

When I told him I could catch a sailfish on a cigar just as easily as with one of his flies, he laughed at me. We were shooting a television show in Panama, and late in the day Capt. Karl Anderson asked if I had a cigar. He rigged it with a leader and hook, attached it to a flyrod and waited for a sailfish to show in the trolled teasers. We stopped the boat, Karl yanked the teaser away from the fish, and I cast the cigar. Within seconds, the sailfish crashed the cigar, went airborne, and all you could see was tobacco showering through the air. As Karl put it, that’s no longer theory.

Teasing fish opens a broad new dimension to the sport. As an angler, it allows you to hook fish on all types of tackle using any bait or lure you choose including cigars and plastic worms. Try it and you’ll become hooked on the technique just as I am.

The

Tendencies

By Capt. Michael Okruhlik

WATCH

VIDEO

of

PHOTO COURTESY OF KNOCKIN TAIL LURES.

BIG TROUT N

ow that we are in the clutch of winter’s grip, let’s talk about how if affects speckled trout and what you need to do to catch them on the coldest of days.

Several years ago, I fished a south Texas trip with my brother and brother-in-law. We planned it with one thing in mind and one thing only: big speckled trout! As luck would have it, the coldest front of the year blew in the day before our three days of fishing began. We had anticipated a wade-fishing event on muddy bottom in waist-deep flats, but with the water temp at 38 degrees when we reached our spot, we had to adjust.

The muddy shallows were no longer waist deep as the tide was blown out by stiff north winds. They were also void of visible baitfish.

With hands so cold they refused to move without assistance, we decided to grind it out in a deep channel in the vicinity of our

original spot. When most would have stayed in the hotel, we decided to give it a try since we had driven hours to get there. We threw slowsinking lures and soft plastics on a jighead.

When we decided to call it a day, we had one small red and an 8-pound trout, which made it all worthwhile. Anytime I see a fish of that magnitude, it doesn’t matter what else was caught.

On day two, the weather warmed only slightly, but the wind had died down considerably. Rather than make the long run to mostly barren grounds, we decided to fish closer to the ramp in an area with multiple deep dead-end channels in close proximity to each other. In these channels, we bounced soft plastic off the bottom and had a banner day.

The three of us easily landed 40 to 50 trout.

Most of these fish were solid 2- to 4-pound fish with a few 5- and 6-pounders and one heavier

than 7 pounds. The bite was very subtle, and the jig had to be on the bottom.

The sun came out in the afternoon, and the water began to warm considerably. The wind also shifted to the south, and the evening temps didn’t drop nearly as low as they had been.

The next day we went back to the exact same location and only caught a few trout.

The lesson from this trip is the trout don’t want to be in those dead-end channels, but that’s where they need to be during cold snaps.

They did not go in to feed; they were there to survive. Once they knew the threat of the freeze was over, they left and went back to the open bay. Although these canals can be a great place to fish when it’s cold, timing is everything.

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

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

JANUARY 2021

41

GO FLY A KITE!

A

Tim Barefoot

s I’ve written before, we’ve all experienced the slowdown that happens around 10 a.m. You might have seen my column last month, in which I covered slowing it all down and sending baits deeper during the middle of the day.

Like I said, wahoo don’t have Maui Jims… so they use water depth to get the right amount of light they want and constantly look up to see the silhouette of any given bait. This is exactly why all the dark colors work best, and only the planer rod is the one producing bites during the middle of the day.

Again, who says you have to go 6 knots, and/or have to use a ballyhoo? Slow it down. Fly a kite with artificials, and use big natural baits on the downrigger to get results. A big beautiful squid on the downrigger on a Barefoot Cats and Tackle Chin Weight and a spread of artificial squid and/or flying fish on the kite, along with the outriggers loaded up with natural squid is a beautiful spread.

With one squid at 50 feet and one at 75 or 100 feet, you are putting a completely irresistible bait at the depth of the fish. The squid on the downrigger will be the “hot” rod on a consistent basis. It’s a complete no brainer… this is the food they eat… at the correct depth.

I’m not saying the surface bite does not work during the middle of the day. There have been many beauties caught on a ballyhoo during the middle of the day. All I’m saying is, I’ve fished many times when the bite died right around 10 a.m., and only the planer rod got bites.

The kite adds a completely new dimension to the spread, and it also adds reality to the spread. When squid and flying fish get pinned against the surface and they’re scared, they jump! The kite picks the baits out of the water and makes it look like they are jumping. This is a good reason to keep at least one red squid in the spread. When squid get scared, they turn red. A red squid coming out of the water

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THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

is another “no brainer.”

Pancake trolling weights for the downrigger are the way to go.

They are slimmer, have less resistance and have less “blowback” with more speed. A stout release tension is best for this application. As a matter of fact, the tension should be tight enough to “set the hook” and allow the slack to come tight after the strike. The stinger hook will hook the fish 90 percent of the time with a squid, as the fish almost always eat the back half of the squid to disable the squid’s beak. This is the only thing on a squid that could injure a fish.

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N

estled in the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina, Jackson County is home to the Western North Carolina Fly Fishing Trail and its centerpiece, the Tuckasegee River, which dissects the county as it flows north to Fontana Lake. The “Tuck,” as it is known to the locals, is a beautiful tailwater trout fishery used for the 2011 USA Fly Fishing Championships, in which the Gold Medal was won by Team USA member Logan Egan.

The most popular time to fish the Tuck is during the delayed harvest (DH) fishing season from Oct. 1 to the first Friday in June each year. During this time frame, the Tuck is a catchand-release fishery with artificial-lure, single-hook restrictions. This stretch of specially regulated water runs about 5.5 miles outside the small towns of Dillsboro, Sylva and Cullowhee. The boundaries of the DH are marked by signage on the banks.

These regulations appeal to fly fishers and spin fishers alike. You will not only see anglers stripping streamers, drifting nymphs, and casting dries, but you will see a fair number of spinner fishermen taking good numbers of brook, rainbow and brown trout.

Jackson County receives an annual stocking of 92,800 trout, the most in the state of North Carolina. In October and November 2016, the Tuck DH section was stocked with 19,600 trout. Rainbow and brook trout made up about 80 percent of this number, and the other 20 percent were brown trout. Normally, trout reach 12 inches in length before making it into the Tuck, but anglers should expect to see, and potentially land, some trophy-sized trout on any drift or presentation.

Many anglers wade the river, and drift boats are also popular. Stream flow is controlled by Duke Energy, which posts three days of release schedules on their website, www.duke-energy. com under the Nantahala link. Duke Energy has also provided boat ramps on Old Cullowhee Road and North River Road that many drifters use while floating the Tuck. South River Road is a popular area for anglers and guides due to the number of pull-offs that parallel the river and make accessing the river easy. Access to the Tuckasegee is great compared to some other rivers in the area, but there is some posted private property. Be sure to avoid it.

The Tuck is also part of the North Carolina Mountain Heritage Trout Waters program, which allows anglers to fish with a special three-day license that costs only $5. Many anglers opt to purchase a regular fishing license with a trout stamp since the fee is fair and it gives access to almost all the state’s trout waters. A non-resident can purchase a 10-day fishing license and trout stamp for $33 or an annual fishing license and trout stamp for $51.

The Tuck DH runs very close to

downtown Sylva, yet its beauty catches most first-time anglers off guard.

In fall, the red, yellow and orange leaves dancing on the trees highlight the contours of the surrounding mountains. A bald eagle might closely judge your fishing skills, watching for its opportunity to show you how it’s done.

Winter brings cleansing and the occasional snowfall, in which many local anglers find solitude chasing trout on tiny midges. Winter fishing pressure is minimal, which makes it a great time to land a large trout if you’re willing to test your mental toughness wading in cold water.

Spring comes to life with budding trees and insects hatching, signaling the coming summer. Anglers spend late evenings on the Tuck sight casting to rising trout honed in on larger dry flies and emerger patterns. Spring evenings can be very peaceful, since most anglers have broken down their rods by 6 p.m. and are headed to the local brewery or one of the many unique restaurants or food trailers in downtown Sylva or Dillsboro. There is a list of local restaurants and breweries at www. mountainlovers.com, or just ask local fly shop employees for their recommendation.

In 2016, the North Carolina General Assembly proclaimed Jackson County the Official Trout Capital of North Carolina. Jackson County is home to 4,600 miles of trout streams with a good mixture of hatchery supported streams and wild streams.

Check out www.NCTroutcapital.com for more information.

Jackson County was also the first to have an officially designated Fly Fishing Trail, which highlights 15 different streams and rivers for any angler to test their skills. Many have taken the challenge of catching and releasing trout or smallmouth bass in each location. There is a map that gives detailed information about each stream, directions, and the type of fish anglers can expect to catch.

More information is available at www. flyfishingtrail.com.

If you are looking for a fishery with plenty of trout and the opportunity to catch a 25-incher, the Tuck is for you. It is relatively close to Atlanta, Knoxville, Charleston and Charlotte. The Tuck is just an hour west of Asheville, N.C., and it is at the base of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Blue Ridge Parkway. This makes for a nice and easy weekend retreat, or it can be a popular destination for longer stays due to accessibility and other local attractions. Come and experience North Carolina trout fishing at its best!

Shannon Messer guides with Tuckaseegee Fly Shop. Check them out at www.tuckflyshop.com.

North Carolina’s Tuckasegee River:

A SOUTHERN GEM

By Shannon Messer

WATCH

VIDEO

SIT-AND-WAIT

REDFISH

By Nick Carter

VIDEO PHOTO COURTESY OF CAPT. TIM CUTTING

WATCH

R

edfish are solidly in their winter patterns.

Capt. Josh Boyles said it’s possible to put up huge numbers when reds bunch up in big schools this time of year. The secret is to get close enough to cast to them.

Boyles guides in the marshes around Bluffton, South Carolina. His tactics for targeting schools of redfish that number into the hundreds involves stealth on a low tide. With the large tidal fluctuations of the Lowcountry, the fishery is unique, but not so unique that similar patterns don’t exist wherever redfish roam.

Finding the schools is the key if you’re going to have any luck at all.

“You might go for miles along the grass and creeks and not see a living thing,” Boyles said. “Then you’ll pull into a cove and see 200 redfish.”

This is a low-tide game. As opposed to summertime flood-tide sight fishing for tailing

reds in the grass, you’re searching the mud flats when the water drains out of the marsh. The water is very clear this time of year, so it’s not hard to spot fish once you encounter them. In 8 to 12 inches of water, the schools sometimes cause a visible surface disturbance, and you can also see their belly flashes as they slowly cruise the shallows to feed.

This time of year, when the massive schools of menhaden and mullet have headed south, dolphins feed heavily on redfish. This puts the reds on high alert and also pushes them very shallow to feed where dolphins can’t get to them.

Getting close enough to catch skittish redfish can be tricky and requires long casts, stealth and a shallow draft. It is not a situation where you can follow them around in the boat. It’s sometimes better to get out of the boat and wade.

“You can see them doing laps. They’ll go from a grass point to an oyster bed and then

another oyster bed,” Boyles said. “They’re doing a circuit, and if you can set up where you can intercept that lap and put a cast in front of them, you can catch a few before they realize there’s something fishy going on and move off to that next oyster bed.”

This tactic requires patience, as it’s tough to hang tight when there’s a school of feeding fish visible 100 yards away. It might take 15 minutes for the school to make its next pass, but they will come back if you didn’t spook them too badly.

Use the downtime to reposition the boat or check your tackle.

Boyles said sitting and waiting can lead to an hour or two of extremely intense fishing before the tide returns.

Josh Boyles guides local and international fishing experiences. Contact him at joshboylesfishing@gmail.com.

W

COVERING WATER: NOT JUST FOR LURE ANGLERS

PHOTO BY RUTH HARTNUP/FLICKR.COM

Repeat this, allowing the bait to ater temperatures are sit for a few minutes at intervals headed toward their until the bait is at your feet. This annual valley, and staggered retrieve will put your that means most of our favorite bait in many different positions gamefish will be transitioning during a single cast, ensuring you to their winter patterns. Their thoroughly cover the area in front metabolisms will slow down and, of you as opposed to only one accordingly, they will become far point at the end of your cast. less active. This makes covering Apart from being a water more important in winter devastating search tactic, there than during most other times of is an added benefit for those the year. using rigs with sinkers—you can Anglers tend to think actually feel the bottom contour covering water is reserved for as you retrieve. This allows you boat anglers who drift or troll, to identify fish-holding structure or for anglers casting artificial such as holes and bars. When lures. There is a general failure to your sinker “falls off ” an edge, recognize the immense potential leave your bait there a moment for covering lots of ground with longer—this might be just the natural baits, and this doesn’t just type of deeper, more stable habitat apply to freelined live baits, either. fish crave when the thermometer Chunk baits, whole dead baitfish, takes a plunge. Self-anchoring worms and shellfish baits can be sinkers, such as pyramids or the manipulated to get the most out Hatteras variety, are especially of the water you’re fishing; it just effective at grabbing onto edges takes a few refinements to your and other types of bottom approach. contour.

Unfortunately, most anglers Don’t sell yourself short when employ a standard, inefficient

By John Saporito fishing natural baits. To find procedure when fishing these gamefish that are hunkered down “passive” bait items, and this during cold spells, you have to serves to limit their success. It bring the bait to them. Ditch the consists, simply, of an angler sand spike, employ your bait as an casting the bait out as far as he or active offering, and put the entire she can, letting it sit for a while where it lands, and then retrieving it all the way back only to re-bait and repeat length of a cast to work for you. Do this, and you can keep a bend in your rod the process. The tactic fails entirely to cover any of the fishable water between no matter what the thermometer is telling you. where the cast lands and where the angler is positioned.

John Saporito is a lifelong fisherman and student of the seas.

The solution to this is simple: cast a bait out as you normally would, let it sit Visit him online at guerillaangling.com. a few minutes, and then retrieve it 5 or 10 yards to let it sit a few minutes more.

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

JANUARY 2021

47

SUZUKI DEVELOPS WORLD’S FIRST MICRO-PLASTICS COLLECTING SYSTEM FOR OUTBOARD MOTORS

Innovative Device Removes Micro-Plastics, Other Pollutants From Engine Cooling Water Before Returning to Ocean

S

uzuki has developed the world’s first microplastics collecting system designed to be installed on outboard motors. The device is designed for easy installation under the cowling of selected Suzuki outboard models 40 HP and up. It works by filtering water after it has passed through the engine’s cooling system and before it is returned to the ocean. Because of its innovative design, the system does not impact the driving performance or cooling efficiency of the engine.

This system has been tested extensively aboard Suzuki-powered boats in Japan, and has proven to be highly effective. Research has been expanded abroad and further improvements will be made based on these findings. The filtering system has already demonstrated its ability to collect a wide variety of micro-particle pollution, including urethane, nylon and wood chips, among other materials.

Marine biologists and the scientific community have long recognized the dangers these microscopic bits of pollution—known collectively as micro-plastics—pose to fish, marine mammals and other aquatic life. It is worsening problem that doesn’t recognize national borders and is negatively impacting oceans around the planet. Combating this problem will require a cooperative effort by industry, the scientific community and outdoor enthusiasts around the world. Suzuki sees this new technology developed for its outboard motors as a positive first step in such a collaborative effort.

The unveiling of this device coincides with the launch of Suzuki’s Clean Ocean Project—a

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JANUARY 2021

new, broad based initiative focused on reducing plastic waste and its harmful effects on the marine environment. As part of this effort, Suzuki is now reducing the use of plastics in the packaging materials of its outboard motors and parts— changes that should reduce plastic waste from business activities by approximately 2.3 tons annually.

Suzuki micro-plastics collecting device installed on motor.

Suzuki has a long-standing tradition of working to protect the aquatic environment. The company has long been conducting voluntary cleanup activities in seas, rivers, lakes and ponds where outboards are being used. The first such activity was initiated in 2010 in Hamamatsu, Japan, and subsequently held globally as Suzuki’s Clean Up The World campaign from 2011 to

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

present. To date, more than 8,000 people from 26 countries have participated in a variety of cleanup and habitat restoration projects around the world.

These efforts will continue and strengthen in the future with new programs like the Clean Ocean Project.

This new filtering technology, together with Suzuki’s ongoing efforts to raise awareness and participation among outboard users, dealers, boat builders, business partners and other industry stakeholders, is part of an ongoing campaign to benefit the environment.

“We are excited about taking this significant step, where our motors can actually be part of a solution for a critical environmental issue,” said Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. President Max Yamamoto. “We have long recognized that Suzuki customers are avid fishermen and boaters who care about the environment. This is something we can do together to protect our oceans, lakes and rivers so that future generations can enjoy them,” added Mr. Yamamoto.

This new device is scheduled to be available as an optional accessory beginning in 2021, with plans to make it standard equipment in the future.

To learn more about this new micro-plastics collecting device for Suzuki outboard motors or the company’s complete line of clean-running 4-stroke outboards from 2.5 to 350 horsepower, visit www.suzukimarine.com or call (714) 996-7040.

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Gimme Six Extended Protection promotion applies to new Suzuki Outboard Motors from 25 to 350 HP in inventory which are sold and delivered to buyer between 01/01/21 and 03/31/21 in accordance with the promotion by a Participating Authorized Suzuki Marine dealer in the continental US and Alaska to a purchasing customer who resides in the continental US or Alaska. The Gimme Six Promotion is available for pleasure use only, and is not redeemable for cash. Instant Savings applies to qualifying purchases of select Suzuki Outboard Motors made between 01/01/21 and 03/31/21. For list of designated models, see participating Dealer or visit www.suzukimarine.com. Instant Savings must be applied against the agreed-upon selling price of the outboard motor and reflected in the bill of sale. There are no model substitutions, benefit substitutions, rain checks, or extensions. Suzuki reserves the right to change or cancel these promotions at any time without notice or obligation. * Financing offers available through Synchrony Retail Finance. As low as 5.99% APR financing for 60 months on new and unregistered Suzuki Outboard Motors. Subject to credit approval. Not all buyers will qualify. Approval, and any rates and terms provided, are based on creditworthiness. $19.99/month per $1,000 financed for 60 months is based on 5.99% APR. Hypothetical figures used in calculation; your actual monthly payment may differ based on financing terms, credit tier qualification, accessories or other factors such as down payment and fees. Offer effective on new, unregistered Suzuki Outboard Motors purchased from a participating authorized Suzuki dealer between 01/01/21 and 03/31/21. “Gimme Six”, the Suzuki “S” and model names are Suzuki trademarks or ®. Don’t drink and drive. Always wear a USCG-approved life jacket and read your owner’s manual. © 2021 Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.

VIDEO

PHOTO COURTESY OF IGFA

WATCH

BREAKING RECORDS On Russia’s Tugur River

H

By CAM Staff

ow’s this for a bucket-list fish?

There is a potential new all-tackle world length record for Siberian taimen.

According to the International Game Fish Association’s Facebook page, Maxim Mamaev caught this 156-centimeter (more than 61-inch) fish while fly fishing Russia’s Tugur River. If approved, it will best the previous record by 16 centimeters (about 6 inches).

Siberian taimen are the largest, most ferocious species of salmonid on the planet.

Growing to weights in excess of 100 pounds, they look and behave like giant trout and feed on fish, ducks and small mammals like muskrats. Their home waters are the rivers of northeast Asia, where they can live up to 50 years.

Over the last few decades, the rise of taimen as a spectacular gamefish is a good thing.

They have been fished and dammed almost to 50

JANUARY 2021

extinction across much of their native range.

There are just a few large and remote drainages left where they thrive in Mongolia and Russia, and their appeal as a sportfish, especially for fly anglers, has helped develop strict regulations to protect them.

The Tugur River is home to the largest Siberian taimen in the world. Isolated in Russia’s Far East, it feeds the Sea of Okhotsk and runs through an 80,000-acre nature reserve that protects many species of fish, including the Pacific salmon that pile into the river in late summer to spawn.

It doesn’t hurt that much of the drainage is accessible to anglers only by helicopter, but the salmon run definitely contributes to the unparalleled growth of Tugur taimen. The nutrient transfer from saltwater to fresh during a large salmon run is well documented. Everything

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

feeds on salmon and their eggs, and large taimen are capable of gorging on whole adult salmon.

The current world record Siberian taimen by weight was caught on a fly by taimen researcher Matt Sloat on the Tugur. That fish, caught in 2018, weighed 101 pounds. There are multiple un-certified Tugur taimen reported to weigh into the 150-pound range. According to National Geographic, the largest Siberian taimen ever caught weighed 231 pounds and stretched a tape to 83 inches.

It is rare, however, for anglers to encounter taimen of such enormous size. With such long lives, they grow slowly, and the larger individuals are old and wise. Most taimen caught on the fly weigh less than 20 pounds.

But you can keep those 100-pounders in the back of your mind when you’re packing up your 9-weight rod for a trip to Siberia.

UNEXPECTED VISITORS

By Jake Sprague

OFF THE JERSEY COAST

A

stuttering buzz from the stern brought Ken to his feet. He cranked in a Spanish mackerel to get things started. It was followed by a bluefish, and then Adam got a second Spanish.

Here off New Jersey, this trolling bite was what we had hoped for. Things were good. With patience restored, we got reoriented and trolling. I was tying

on a green crocodile spoon when one of the reels started screaming. Ken let the fish run a long time before he tightened the drag and started gaining.

When he first saw the fish, his face lit up. He kept saying, “It’s a king!” in a high, tight voice I’d never heard before. Off New Jersey, a king mackerel might be once-in-a-lifetime. As Ken brought the beast boat-side, Adam swung and missed with the

gaff, then hit it square in the head with a second shot. Ken took his fish and stood there grinning while Adam and I muttered,“yeah, great job.”

We trolled another hour. While Ken grinned at the horizon, Adam focused on the depth sounder to hide his jealousy. I was jealous, too, so I stared at my rod, blinking one eye at a time.

The jealousy ebbed once we got on plane headed home. We’d all caught dinner. I’d made peace with my lone bluefish when Adam hollered, “Woah!” He slammed the boat into neutral.

“That was a cobia! I thought it was a shark, but it was a cobia!” Adam was excited, talking fast. I didn’t see anything. Neither did Ken. Adam swung the boat around, retracing his wake.

“There! Throw something! Cast!” he shouted.

My eyes focused in on a lumbering goldenbrown cobia. The fish swam closer to investigate.

Ken cast. The fish didn’t see his lure and kept swimming… toward me. Just feet away, I plunked an epoxy jig in the water. I saw the wide mouth open and inhale my lure. I froze. The huge fish, old and ragged and covered in scars, was looking me in the eye. I was hypnotized.

With Adam and Ken yelling, I snapped out of it and set the hook. It felt like a brick wall on a medium-heavy spinning rod. I cranked twice and my rod bent double. Too much drag. I moved to loosen the drag and saw the cavernous mouth open and the head shake. The fish was still looking at me as if to say, “not today.”

The rod slacked. I heard the jig whiz past my ear. My jaw dropped as I watched the fossil swim away.

The boat was quiet for a minute, and then they started busting my chops. That went on for the whole ride in. By the time we hit the inlet, I was able force a laugh. Looking back, maybe I’m glad I lost it. A fish that old deserves to swim. From now on, though, I’m keeping my drag nice and light.

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

JANUARY 2021

51

E-Z Anchoring Applies to

Pontoons, Too! A

s the first convenient and long-lasting “hidden” anchoring solution to deliver high-end performance and quality materials at an affordable cost, the Retractable Pontoon/Tritoon Anchoring Solution seamlessly blends with the design and functionality of your boat while you control everything at the helm. Pontoon and tritoon owners have struggled with generic anchoring solutions for years: the lack of a rope locker limits the boater’s storage capacities, plus above-deck solutions currently on the market tend to be plastic, bulky tripping hazards with protruding bow rollers that get in the way of the boating experience. These options have little-to-no integration at the pontoon’s helm controls either, making them more of a manual tripping hazard than a helpful piece of equipment.

E-Z Anchor Puller’s patent-pending, one-of-a-kind Retractable Pontoon/Tritoon Anchoring Solution solves all of these issues! A simpleto-install bow roller is provided with a universal underside mounting plate that allows boaters to completely attach their chosen E-Z Anchor Puller drum anchor winch beneath the deck without compromising the aesthetics of their pontoon. Creating a truly invisible anchoring experience won’t leave customers blindsided, though: a completely submersible, wifi video camera makes it possible to watch your pontoon solution at-work while you control it from the comfort of the helm.

The retractable bow roller design is a unique, self-launching system that allows the anchor to easily fall when the rope and chain is loosened without the fear of being “hung up” or balanced on the roller. Both anchoring solutions are specifically designed to retrofit any pontoon and tritoon brand or size and are manufactured to be operated by the Hero EX-1, Hero EX-2 or Patriot EZ-1 drum anchor winch.

The EX-1, EX-2 or EZ-1 drum anchor winch can easily be installed by mounting it directly to the underbelly of the plywood floor with the included aluminum backing plate. After successfully mounting the drum anchor

winch, install the square aluminum tube raceway which provides a convenient pathway for the rope and chain to travel between bow roller and drum anchor winch. These hollow raceways are attached perpendicularly to the C or Z aluminum channel cross members located below deck, allowing customers to either detach the retractable-style bow roller or hoist the hinged-style bow roller above deck when their pontoon is being transported from trailer to waterfront!

Scan the QR code to see our anchoring solution in action!

LEARN MORE AT WWW.EZANCHORPULLER.COM/RUM

PHOTO BY ROBERTO MARTINEZ MONTON

By CAM Staff

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ith the time-eating bustle of the holidays behind us, anglers will again have some free time to hit the water. Depending on what coastline you fish from, deep winter can be difficult. Here’s a list of target species that can serve to hold you through to spring.

REDFISH: From the Texas to Florida in the Gulf of Mexico and up the east coast into the Carolinas, there is no better inshore sport fish than the red drum. Across most of their range, winter offers some of the best sightfishing action for these bruisers. Clear winter water often reveals actively feeding reds on shallow mud flats warmed by the sun.

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SHEEPSHEAD: If the mission is to bring home food for the table, the convict fish is a good option. Sheepshead make a move offshore to spawn in late winter or early spring, and they will congregate around jetties and nearshore reefs. It can take some practice to get used to setting the hook with their odd nibbling bite.

But once you get the hang of it, it shouldn’t be too difficult to fill a cooler with these delicious fish using crabs or shrimp as bait.

STRIPED BASS: As they move south along the Atlantic Coast with falling water temperatures, stripers become prime targets for anglers in Virginia and the Carolinas.

Nothing fights harder than a big striper, and

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their proclivity for schooling around bait can make for extremely exciting action fishing live baits, swimbaits, bucktail jigs and flies.

BONEFISH: It’s a great time of year to seek out the warmer climates of the Bahamas and the Florida Keys to pursue the gray ghosts of the flats. With burning runs and the excitement of sighting and casting to these skittish fish, they are a dream for fly-rodders on the flats. Late fall and winter just happens to be one of the best times to find them cruising the shallows.

BARRACUDA: While we’re speaking of the flats, we might as well throw in the toothy barracuda, which can be a ton of fun during the late winter months when clear water makes them highly visible as they hunt the flats and shallow reefs.

SEATROUT: Believe it or not, some of the best trout fishing of the year occurs in the cold waters of winter, as long as those waters aren’t too cold. Find a warming trend of several days, and you’ll likely find the trout schooled up tightly around structure. Look to the creek channels and mouths, and oyster bars with deep water nearby. Winter may be the best time of year to hook up with a big gator trout.

SNAPPER: During the winter months, the snapper species generally work their way in from the deep waters where they spend the rest of the year. Combined with less fishing pressure, this can leave the nearshore wrecks and reefs littered with the various snapper species. Right now can be some of the best bottom fishing of the year for folks with smaller boats and limited range.

By Richard L. Matteson Jr., Stuart Rod & Reel Club

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signs of bait and fish activity. Look for birds on the water or over the water. Use search lures like C.A.L. jigs that can be cast and retrieved quickly and cover a lot of water area. Use heavier jigs in windy conditions. Move quickly without making noise. Vary the speed of retrieve. Fast retrieves in the top of the water column catch ladyfish, jacks and snook, but you might miss trout, redfish and flounder. When you find fish, slow down and fish WINDS AND TIDE When you wade the Indian River Lagoon the area carefully.

(IRL), you need to know the tide and the wind. AREAS TO WADE THE You don’t want to fish during a slack tide, and you SOUTH INDIAN RIVER LAGOON might not want to fish if it’s too windy. You might The South Indian River area I fish stretches want to fish out of the wind or with the wind at from Vero Beach to Stuart. your back. The tide determines if you fish shallow The Bridges: Fort Pierce has two bridges. The or deep as well as where the fish are. north bridge has a boat ramp on the east side from which you can wade, and there’s an area FINDING FISH As you enter the water, start looking for across the bridge from Little Jim’s on either side ading puts you in the water with the fish. You are now part of their element, and this gives you an advantage over a noisy boat with a motor or trolling motor and anglers bumping around on it. As a wader you can silently fish under piers and under mangrove branches where boats can’t go or even approach without spooking the fish.

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of the second boat ramp. The south Fort Pierce bridge has an area on the east side that stretches to the inlet. South of the bridge on the west side is a fishing area. In Stuart, the north bridge (Jensen Causeway) can be waded on either side and the same is true of the south Stuart bridge (Earnest Lyons). There are two bridges on the St. Lucie River, but they are hard to access for waders.

The Shoreline: My favorite wading areas are Walton Road (Port St. Lucie), Walton Scrub, Midway (Ft. Pierce), and Wilcox Road (Vero Beach). On the east side there’s Herman’s Bay (PSL) and Bear Point (Ft. Pierce).

BE RESPECTFUL Remember the pier owners have the access rights to their piers and don’t want waders parking along the pier areas without permission because it blocks their view of the lagoon. Happy wading!

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JANUARY 2021

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main body. Where there are no springs, look to sun-warmed rock or metal structure. Muddy are also known to warm more WATCH VIDEO shallows quickly in the sun.

2) Play the Weather: The smaller the volume of water, the more easily influenced it is by weather patterns. On a small lake, water temperatures can increase dramatically with a single day of warmer-than-normal weather. The bite can go from non-existent to wide-open in an afternoon. String together a three-day warming trend, and your pond might exhibit spring-like feeding patterns.

3) Find the Fish: On small waters there are

By CAM Staff limited areas where bass can go to find comfort.

Rather than spreading out in search of forage, bass group up in areas where they are comfortable. If you don’t find fish on sun-warmed rip-rap, look to the steep drop-offs at pond dams or creek channels. They might be down there stacked up in 10 feet of water.

4) Match the Hatch: Bass are not as aggressive when they are cold, which means you have to go with a more natural approach. Bugs and frogs aren’t on the menu this time of year, so baitfish imitations like jerkbaits and crankbaits are your best bet. Reel them down to depth and fish with slow twitches. If crawfish are active year-round where you fish, a jig year. Whether casting from the bank or a jonboat, is absolutely a good option. here are a few tips to take with you.

5) Cover Water: Covering water is relative.

1) Find Warmer Water: Carry a This time of year, you’ll want to slow it down. Yet thermometer. Water temps just a couple degrees you still need to encounter fish to catch them. warmer than surrounding water will consolidate One of the great things about small waters is you baitfish and bass. In spring-fed lakes or ponds, can fish a lot, or all, of a small lake or pond in an underground spring will provide relatively a single afternoon. Fan cast and work your baits stable temperatures year-round. During winter, slowly enough to be effective, but keep moving flows from a spring are likely warmer than the until you find that area where fish are piled up.

Catching Cold-Water Bass In Small Lakes I t’s the time of year when big-water bass anglers bundle up in their bibs and parkas and slug it out through bitter reservoir winds to drag jigs on the bottom. For some of us, finding joy in such misery seems masochistic.

Why brave the cold winds of big water when countless sheltered ponds and small lakes are there to provide winter bass fisheries that’ll scratch the itch? Small waters often fish very well this time of

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