The Angler Video Magazine | June 2021 Edition

@CAMTAMagazine

JULY 12-17

$375K

KINGFISH TOURNEY WATCH VIDEO

FROGGIN' TACTICS

YUCATAN OFFSHORE PHOTO COURTESY OF ERIC MAREST INSTAGRAM: @FLOREVER_FISHING_TEAM

VOLUME 1 • ISSUE 11

F R A N C H I S E

JUNE 2021

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

A V A I L A B L E

W O R L D W I D E

FOR

By Capt. Quinlyn Haddon

GROUPER

SEASON W

ith the opening of gag grouper this month throughout the Gulf of Mexico, Florida grouper season is basically open across the board. The regulations for grouper vary greatly from state to state and even within specific regions of each state, so make sure to check the latest legal harvest information in the location you plan to fish.

With that out of the way, game-on and good luck; it sure will be nice not to have to vent and release these chubby, spotted, pre-sandwiches.

Grouper fishing can be a challenge in regions that don’t have surface markings, where anglers rely primarily on coordinates of small hard-bottom patches. The numbers that aren’t completely overfished have been acquired by fishermen who’ve spent years cruising the ocean.

Hiring a salty and experienced charter captain is highly recommended for targeting grouper; paying attention to what they tell you is equally as important.

If you choose to go it alone, there are a few things recommended to ensure your best chances of success. As opposed to pelagic fishing, where a school of fish can move through, and it may be better to have lighter leader starting out just to entice a bite, you’ll want to gear-up for grouper.

Losing that first grouper bite can result in shutting down the entire spot. When a large grouper breaks off, especially if it takes the entire rig with the hook and lead with it, that fish will swim back down to its home—where all the other fish are—and sound the danger alarm by grunting.

It’s best to start out with heavy line to avoid this, especially if you don’t have more bottom numbers nearby to bounce around to. Make sure your drags are set tight, your gear is on the heavy side, and that you are paying attention when you first arrive at a spot. Cigars can be lit, beers can be shotgunned and rod-holders may be utilized only after you have been at a spot for the second half, or immediately after losing a

big fish. If you want to catch spotted sandwiches, or just not cripple your anchor-pulling deckhand, this is important information to apply to your trip.

When fishing for grouper, there are many ways to rig for them. Utilizing 60-plus-pound leader, the correct lead for your current and a large circle hook, many different kinds of baits will work. Experiment with squid, shrimp, crab, sardines, live bait and pieces of fresh fish cut a number of different ways. Keep a variety going down, and pay attention to what is getting bites.

Don’t forget that if you lose a big one—and you are on the right tide and are still marking fish—that you might have chased the bite away. This is the time to take your lunch break, light that cigar or move spots entirely.

If you come visit Marathon this grouper season, there are several restaurants that will cook your catch, but none more specialized in preparing this species for the table than Castaway Restaurant. Their Dijonnaise-style grouper, which is a heavy cream reduction sauce loaded with

mushrooms, is top of the line. Remember to ask your crew to cut out the cheeks while they fillet your grouper, especially if you harvested enough of them to add up.

Happy hunting, and good luck out there.

Capt. Quinlyn Haddon guides with Blue Magic Charters, docked at Castaway Restaurant in Marathon, Fla. Contact Blue Magic at (504) 920-6342 and keep up with Quinlyn through her social media @CaptainQuinlyn.

$375K GJKT SLATED FOR JULY 12-17 T

his month’s Angler Video Magazine cover is dedicated to the Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament (GJKT) and all of the die-hard kingfish anglers out there.

The GJKT, from July 12-17, is a weeklong celebration of fishing in one the East Coast’s great fishing communities. With a festival featuring food, exhibitors and all things nautical, along with several different tournaments, including kids’ tournaments and a redfish tournament, the GJKT has grown into a lot more than just a spectacular kingfish tournament.

With the traditional king mackerel tournament season upon us, GJKT is holding one of its richest tournaments ever. Teams will fish July 15-16 out of Jim King Park in Jacksonville, Fla. This year, teams will compete for a first-place prize package valued at more than $160,000. Catch the largest kingfish over two days of fishing, and you could be the proud new owner of a brand new 25T Contender sport fishing boat powered by twin 150hp Yamaha motors. If that’s not the biggest single prize in kingfishing, it has to be close.

Fifty other places and divisions will also be paid out, including Lady and Junior Angler prizes, so anglers can still win big even if they aren’t the lucky angler to catch the largest kingfish. The weigh-ins are a sight for spectators to behold, and the total purse is valued at $375,000.

The GJKT, one of the oldest kingfish tournaments around, is now in its 41st year.

The tournament reached 1,000 entrants before the COVID-19 pandemic hit the United States, and it is now on the way back up.

Jacksonville Marine Charities (JMC), a 501c3 corporation, is the parent organization of the GJKT, and all proceeds from the tournament are used to promote and enhance fishing in Northeast Florida. To date, several hundred thousand dollars have been donated for such projects as reef enhancement, marine science education and boater safety issues, to name a few.

For more information about the GJKT or JMC, visit kingfishtournament.com.

2021 GREATER JACKSONVILLE KINGFISH TOURNAMENT July 12-17, 2021

1st PLACE

GT EARLY ENTRY FEE: $345 UNTIL JUNE 30

CONTENDER 25T, TWIN 150 YAMAHA OUTBOARDS, DIGITAL COMMAND LINK PLUS® CUSTOM T-TOP BY CUSTOM MARINE & MAGIC TILT TRAILER VALUED AT OVER $160,545

MAKE YOUR PLANS NOW! AGGREGATE 1ST PL $12,000 CASH. SPONSORED BY CUSTOM TREE SURGEONS LADY ANGLER DIVISION, SPONSORED BY LOGAN DIVING & SALVAGE JR ANGLER OFFSHORE $10 WITH GT ENTRY. $50 WITHOUT GT

w w w. k i n g f i s h t o u r n a m e n t.com

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

JUNE 2021

5

SALTWATER FLY FISHING

BE HONEST ABOUT YOUR FLY CASTING ABILITIES

W

hen booking a saltwater fly fishing trip with a guide, a mistake some fly fishers make is overstating their casting abilities. This will most likely lead to frustration for both the angler and guide resulting in a very long day on the water.

Here are a couple of tips to make sure this situation is avoided.

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT Yep, the old saying “practice makes perfect” is so true. So, before embarking on a guided fly fishing trip, take the time to practice casting to a comfortable distance.

For example, if you’re targeting redfish, make sure you can cast to a target at 40 feet. Most redfish are hooked at a closer range, however, being able to make the longer 40-foot cast will make the shorter casts of 15 to 30 feet seem much easier. Remember, casting is not only about proper timing and technique but also how confident the angler is at making the cast.

SET YOUR TARGET RANGE Like archery, fly casting is all about executing a cast to a specific spot at certain

6

JUNE 2021

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

distance. The best way to accomplish this is to set up targets in an open space in your backyard or at the park. I find the best targets are small orange soccer cones. These

line, stagger the cones over an area at the appropriate distances. This will force you to make casts in different directions much like you would when encountering gamefish in shallow water.

Cast to each target, starting with the cone closest to you and working up to the farthest cone. The key here is to try to only make one false cast before making the final forward cast to the target. By doing this you are forcing yourself to get the cast to the target as quickly as possible without wasting time on multiple false casts.

Remember, false casts might look pretty, but they don’t catch fish!

ACCURACY Once you are comfortable casting to each target, start to work on placing the fly as close to the target as possible. As I mentioned earlier, the small diameter of the soccer cone forces you to cast the fly to a very small target zone similar to a fish’s feeding zone.

You want to land the fly within a WATCH VIDEO 2-inch by 2-inch window from the target.

Once you are able to hit the target are easily seen, have a small diameter and consistently from each distance with one won’t blow away in the wind. I also prefer false cast, you’re ready to hit the water. the orange cones over the traditional hula hoops because it forces the caster to cast to a So, when booking a saltwater fly fishing smaller target area. trip with a guide, don’t make the mistake 10 FEET TO 40 FEET of overestimating your casting abilities.

Set these cones at the following Follow the above steps and you will become distances: 10, 20, 30 and 40 feet. I suggest a better fly caster, catch more fish and make instead of lining up the cones in a straight your guide very happy.

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

r ra nted for Lif e

SeaCatBoats.com

.

228-206-4042

DEEP SEA FOR MAHI MAHI!

8

JUNE 2021

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

I

n this fishing video, Darcizzle Offshore takes you deep sea fishing out of Boynton Beach, Florida.

The fishing team originally wanted to try deep dropping, but ended up finding a weedline and decided to implement their deep sea trolling techniques.

They catch a skipjack tuna, a bunch of mahi mahi and a couple bonita! (Brian also slices his hand open on a bait knife and it was caught on camera!)

10

JUNE 2021

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

GULF SNAPPER SEASON OPEN FOR 2021 WATCH

PHOTO COUR

A

nglers hoping for a loosening of Gulf of Mexico red snapper regulations following the groundbreaking results of the Great Red Snapper Count (GRSC) might be disappointed. In April, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council approved a slight increase in the annual catch limit for 2021, but it’s nowhere near what some expected after findings from the GRSC indicated there were three times more red snapper in the Gulf than previously estimated.

The GRSC was an extensive, Congressionally funded independent study that showed an abundance of red snapper far higher than the numbers being used to set regulations in the Gulf of Mexico fishery.

According to the American Sportfishing Association, the Gulf Council’s scientific review committee chose not to include GRSC data in its acceptable catch recommendation for 2021. However, the Gulf Council requested the scientific committee revisit catch level recommendations for 2021 and beyond as soon as the final report for the GRSC and additional information can be considered.

VIDEO

. GREG RAPP TESY OF CAPT

The Gulf Council also voted to resolve differences in federal and state data collection estimates, which will reduce the Alabama and Mississippi quotas by approximately 50 percent and 60 percent, respectively. However, this action will not go into effect until January 2023, allowing “status quo” on the state allocations for the 2021 and 2022 seasons. A full stock assessment is expected in 2023.

“While we are relieved that the Gulf Council’s actions will largely keep private recreational fishing regulations stable for 2021, we are not out of the woods yet,” said Kellie Ralston, Southeast Fisheries Policy director for the American Sportfishing Association. “We remain concerned that, by ignoring the GRSC, the SSC set an incredibly conservative ABC limit.

“In addition, the action to calibrate the more precise and timely state surveys with the federal survey puts the future of state management, and all the benefits it has provided for recreational fishing, at risk,” said Ralston.

The Gulf red snapper season for federally permitted for-hire vessels is June 1-Aug. 2. Each Gulf state sets its own red snapper

season for private recreational angling and charter operations without federal permits. Check state regulations before fishing, as each state has its own gear and reporting requirements.

The daily bag limit is two fish per person, with a 16-inch total length minimum size, Gulf-wide, except in Texas. In Texas state waters, the daily bag limit is four fish per person with a 15-inch minimum size.

The state seasons are as follows.

Florida: June 4-July 28; daily bag limit of 2 per person.

Alabama: Four-day weekends, FridaysMondays, beginning May 28 and continuing until the private angler quota is projected to be met.

Mississippi: Opened Friday, May 28, with an expected mid-season closure on July 5 to compile data and examine the potential for a season extension.

Louisiana: Weekends only (FridaySunday), including Memorial Day, Labor Day and the Fourth of July regardless of the day of the week; Season subject to change.

Texas: Open year-round in state waters until the quota is met.

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

JUNE 2021

11

EXPLORE THE WATER XTREME POWER ASSIST Xtreme Power Assist will bring the smooth, easy control of electric power-assisted steering to a wide range of popular boats, including pontoons, runabouts, RIBS, aluminum fishing boats and center consoles. www.dometic.com

STRAIGHT 210 180 150

ABRASION

120

OVERHAND KNOT

90 60 30 0

FLEXIBILITY

CO 2H

FISHING KNOT

SHOCK BERKLEY PROSPEC CHROME

HO 2 C

Et 2 N

©2021 Pure Fishing, Inc.

NEt 2

LEAD COMPETITOR

CHASED

BY AN 11-FOOT BULL GATOR FISHING IN THE EVERGLADES

14

WATCH

VIDEO

JUNE 2021

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

A

fisherman in Florida had a very close call with an alligator, and he has a video to prove it.

Tommy Lee, 22, was tarpon fishing in the Everglades on a Saturday morning in early May when he came face-toface with a bull alligator he believes was more than 11 feet in length. “I was tarpon fishing at sunrise when an 11 foot plus bull gator stalked me—then chased me. The camera is a GoPro with a wide angle. The gator appeared much larger and closer in person. It got within 10 feet of me. I ran backward and fell as he chased me. Then I confronted him, and he chased me again before retreating back to the water.

Then I retreated back to my truck.”

Outdoor Gear & Recreation Equipment Made in Pisgah Forest, NC Veteran Owned and Operated

OGRE is a research and development company that specializes in the design and fabrication of custom truck and SUV accessories. Our goal is to provide all outdoor enthusiasts, the most practical vehicle accessories so that their overall efficiency is maximized while providing superior protection for outdoor equipment.

All accessories are fabricated to their exact specification of your vehicle in our shop.

16

JUNE 2021

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

Custom Truck and SUV Accessories Fishing & Fly Rod Holders • Gear Storage Dog Boxes • Custom Bike Racks • Custom Truck Bumpers By offering only the highest quality of products, we guarantee you’ll be satisfied with your purchase

828-877-8622 5750 Asheville Hwy, Pisgah Forest, NC 28768 www.ogreoutdoors.com

Protect your baby (and their toys) with coverage for fishing gear and personal property too.

1- 8 0 0 -PROG RE S S IVE / PROG RE S S IVE .COM

Progressive Casualty Insurance Co. & affiliates. Additional charge may apply. Prices vary based on how you buy.

Shhhhh. No wake zone.

IN THE LAND OF THE MAYA

By Nick Carter

C

UN, M

E

O • CA

X

JUNE 2021

LI

IC

BUCSKTET

N

C

18

UN, ME

I C O • CA

N

2021

X

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

t incited excited Spanish chatter from the crew when the fish’s bill slashed the surface. “Marlin blanco?” was the only phrase I could decipher.

I clung to the rod as Tony Tuz and his father Lorenzo cleared lines. “Billfish!

Billfish!” Tony barked so the gringos understood.

Then my 10-year-old son gasped. A 7-foot sailfish went airborne and tail-walked for 20 yards off the stern. It was awesome, exactly what I envisioned while e-mailing Charter Fishing Cancun prior to a recent family vacation. My son and I were the only anglers aboard the 35-foot Bertram Xaviera III. We could have used some help cranking in all those fish.

Cancun, Mexico is a great place to fish.

The resorts overlook the Straits of Yucatan on the northeast tip of the Yucatan Peninsula.

It’s the pinch point between the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, a highway for pelagic species.

In March, we were early for the headliner species. From April through July, summer is peak season for blue and white marlin, sailfish, tuna, wahoo and mahi-mahi—which they call Dorado.

Snapper and grouper species, as well as amberjack and huge barracuda

up on amberjacks up to 40 pounds. We battled big AJs until weary arms begged for mercy and then headed to deeper water and the sailfish. We finished the day with three big barracuda, which are a ton of fun when they’re 4 to 5 feet long.

After all that activity, my son crashed in the shade for the ride back. Seeing him smile in his sleep is something I’ll never forget.

To book an inshore or offshore trip out of Cancun, contact Charter Fishing Cancun at cfishingcancun@gmail.com. Check out their website www.charterfishingcancun.com.

C

LI

UN, M

E

O • CA

BUCSKTET

IC

2021

N

X I C O • CA

N

C

Sure enough, my son took the rod to catch bonito for the bait bucket until big fork-tailed frigate birds started diving all around the boat. The boy could definitely tell the difference when a gorgeous 20-pound blackfin tuna took the bait.

It wasn’t even 8:30 a.m., and we had seen a lot of action. But the captain and crew had more to show us. When the tuna bite died, we stopped over a ledge in 350 feet of water. Lorenzo worked quickly to cut bonito into baits. He sliced away the entire dorsal section and tail of each fish to leave streamlined head-and-belly baits. We jigged them deep, and in short order were tripling

UN, ME

can be caught year-round.

No matter. We just wanted bent rods, and Capt. Jorge Rivas steered us toward open water with baitwell full of small jacks and blue runners. The action began almost as soon as Tony and Lorenzo got lines out.

We pulled a spread with bird teasers, a squid chain, skirted ballyhoo and several flat-lined live baits, which almost immediately brought up a big Dorado that came unbuttoned. Then we drove into birds.

Gulls diving on flying fish were enough to get me excited. Tony was not impressed.

“Bonito,” he said with a shrug. “Sea gulls mean bonito. Frigate birds mean tuna.”

X

Cast Further, Smoother & More Accurately with these The MicroWave Line Control System is scientifically proven to improve fishing rod performance.

BRYAN THRIFT

JOHN CREWS

GREG HACKNEY

CLIFF CROCHET

info@americantackle.us | americantackle.us THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

JUNE 2021

21

TIPS FROM A PRO 22

FROG FISHING FOR HUNGRY POST-SPAWN BASS

W

TYLER WOOLCOTT

hat a fun time of year to fish! In most parts of the country, bass are finishing up with spawning.

This leads to awesome fishing as bass feed up after coming off the beds. You will find very aggressive fry guarders, often times a shad spawn, and also fish roaming the banks feeding on bluegill and other forage.

There are many ways to catch these hungry and aggressive bass, and a hollow-body frog is one of the most fun and effective techniques.

A frog duplicates many different types of baitfish, it can be fished through a wide variety of cover, and it flat out puts big fish in the boat!

There are many different styles, sizes and colors of frogs on the market. When choosing, think about the forage, the type of cover and the size of fish you are targeting.

My favorite frog is a 13 Fishing Trash Panda.

It comes in a walking model and a popping model in a variety of colors.

A fry guarder is a bass guarding a big ball of tiny bass hatchlings. These bass are extremely aggressive and territorial and will chase and eat pretty much any fish that

JUNE 2021

gets near the babies. In this scenario, I go down banks through areas where bass have recently spawned. I stay off the cover and cast a frog through it. I like a

bluegill-colored walking frog in this scenario, which means the lure will have a yellow or orange belly. Bluegill are a common nemesis to the bass and their fry. This color pattern drives bass crazy when they spot it near their babies.

Often, you can find a shad spawn in the

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

low light of early mornings and evenings.

Look for birds lined up along the banks to find spawning shad. The shad often relate to hard cover (rocks and wood), grass lines and slow tapering points. A shad-colored popping frog in a white or silver color is an awesome lure to pick up bass feeding on shad. With the hollow-body frog being so weedless, it can be thrown where many other baits would get hung up. These are the places where shad spawns occur.

A hollow-body frog is an awesome way to cover a lot of water, and it can produce some extremely fun topwater strikes.

Whether you’re targeting late spawners, fry guarders or fish that are on the feed, a frog puts fish in the boat this time of year.

Frog Fishing Gear: Typically, you will be fishing a frog around some type of heavy cover, which calls for some heavy gear.

I like to throw a 13 Fishing 7’4H Omen Black rod paired with a Concept A 8.3 reel spooled with Seaguar 50-pound Smackdown braid. This setup allows you to haul fish out of heavy cover and into the boat!

Tyler Woolcott is a professional tournament angler and guide. Check out his website at www.tylerwoolcottfishing.com.

ENTER TO WIN! A SEA TOW GOLD CARD MEMBERSHIP

Enter The Angler Video Magazine's April Contest!

CLICK HERE

VIDEO PHOTO COURTESY OF KNOCKIN TAIL LURES

WATCH

r e m m u S olitude S

FIND SOME

S

chool is out! This has always been my marker for the official beginning of summer. I know the bays will be filled with everyone getting out to enjoy Mother Nature, so finding solitude is key to catching fish. My family and I will be there too, but if I’m lucky, you won’t see me. Here are some methods to avoid the crowds and catch a lot of fish!

Let’s focus on kayaks and areas only small vessels can access. Small, shallow-draft watercraft help us elude the summer crowds and find our solitude. Pushing farther back into the shallows and marsh areas requires some planning, so let’s start with some satellite scouting on the computer.

The first thing to do is find areas that have tidal movement. One way to determine this via satellite is to zoom in on the openings of bayous and drains. If you notice a deeper hole

24

JUNE 2021

By Capt. Michael Okruhlik at the mouth, this couple of reasons. One, it lets you know it has is a great search bait. I can good current flow, which is what causes simply cast, reel and cover a lot of water. It is a washout in the mouth. If the mouth looks also my preferred soft plastic when fishing shallow or silted in, search for another spot. shallow water, which is what you find in the Once you have identified areas with marsh. Redfish will not hesitate to hit a lure sufficient current, find the structure. I like areas reeled in a straight line with a vibrating tail. with scattered grass, shell, or both. Add in some Adding sound into the mix really grabs their depth changes around bends, and you are set. attention. Like the clicking sound of a fleeing Depending how deep into the marsh you are shrimp, the Knockin Tail Lure, with its built-in going, and if you are new to the area, taking a tail rattle is my lure of choice in this scenario.

GPS is a great idea. Once you get in the marsh, These swimbaits rattle on a steady retrieve and it looks completely different on the way out. Cell can make the difference between just fishing phone service might not always be reliable, and and catching.

I know on my phone the bright sun really makes Be safe, find an out-of-the-way area, and it hard to see the satellite imagery. catch some fish! I know my family and I will be Now let’s get down to the business end and tucked away in the backwaters in June. talk about lures and presentation. I generally like to throw a paddle tail. If I am fishing a new Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Knockin area, I’ll have one rigged weedless on a weighted Tail Lures, Controlled Descent Lures and the swimbait hook. I prefer this style of lure for a owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

THE

BEST PUSH POLE on the PLANET

MUDHOLE.COM/PUSH-POLE 26

JUNE 2021

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

HIT THE ROCK WALL ON SUPER-HIGH TIDES

By Capt. Bryan Barnard

S

pring, flood or high… whatever you call above-average tides, they are typical for the season. Mid spring into early summer, water levels sometimes flood over docks, ramps and bulkheads. Let’s talk about how these bull tides relate to the location of fish.

Sure, when water pushes out of the back lakes and bays it concentrates fish into tighter areas, making them easy targets. But dare I say on super high tides fish might be as easily targeted?

It is often stated that on high tides in spring, fish can scatter and be almost anywhere. This statement is absolutely founded on the good word of people who struggled to find fish in their honey holes or secret spots.

Consider this theory I have found to be almost always certain, the “Playground Theory.” On a playground, kids play on their

favorite pieces of equipment. Some kids go to less-desirable pieces of equipment due to high occupancies on the tire swings or wavy slide.

Then one day a brand-new rock wall is installed.

Almost every child leaves his or her former favorite swing or rope ladder, and this brightly colored truth of heaven’s existence known as a rock wall becomes over-crowded.

My experiences have found this to be a perfect analogy, in most cases, to how redfish, speckled trout, flounder and black drum relate to new areas made available by high tides. Areas such as large shell pads that are typically above water on an average tide hold good numbers of better-sized fish when covered with water. But it doesn’t stop at shell.

Tall grass shorelines make excellent refuge for bait such as crabs, shad, mullet and shrimp.

When tides swell, it drives these tiny critters into the foliage. You can bet the reds will go in after them. Fishing super tight to and actually

WATCH

VIDEO

in flooded grasses will produce a consistent bite. Windward is usually better, but leeward shorelines can have calmer and cleaner water that makes fishing easier. Lastly, look for supershallow grass flats with sand potholes that usually become dry on low tides. These areas often have ultra-clean water, and for some reason—I have yet to figure out—big trout like to patrol these areas for low-hanging fruit.

It seems these fish during the mega tides are attracted to new ambush points that the bait has not figured out. Sure the fish scatter, but they still can be found in high concentrations in these new flooded areas.

So the next time you see a report of big tides, consider that while it can disperse the fish, they will tend to concentrate in areas they haven’t been able access before. During low tides, keep an eye out for structure that will only be covered on ultra-high tides. Often, this is where you’ll find the fish.

Capt. Bryan Barnard owns Fishhide Sportswear. Visit his website at fishhidesportswear.com.

PHOTO COURTESY OF FISHHIDE SPORTSWEAR

Find your

EDGE

Fish Mapping gives you 8 dedicated fishing features plus all SiriusXM Marine weather information directly on your boat’s display, relative to your boat’s location. The service is delivered via satellite and is available offshore well beyond cell range. Add SiriusXM entertainment and you’re all set for an incredible day fishing.

“Navigating around storms, locating the best fishing spots and rocking out on the water… SiriusXM Marine has me covered!”

— Shane Murray, Team Total Vision, 35' Marlago Boater receives complimentary subscription.

OFFER DETAILS: Activate a new monthly subscription to either: (i) SiriusXM Marine Fish Mapping or (ii) SiriusXM Marine Fish Mapping and SiriusXM All Access audio on the same device, and receive your first (1) month free for each activated service (a savings of $99.99 on Fish Mapping and $21.99 on All Access), plus get free device activation (an additional savings of $25). A credit card is required on this offer. Service will automatically renew every month thereafter and, at the beginning of your second month, you will be charged at then-current rates. Fees and taxes apply. You must cancel your subscriptions during your promotional period(s) to avoid future charges. Please see our Customer Agreement at siriusxm.com for complete terms and how to cancel, which includes calling us at 1-800-985-9200. All fees, content and features are subject to change. This offer may be modified, suspended or cancelled at any time. Subscription and hardware sold separately.$100 Rebate from SiriusXM available through Dec 31, 2021 with hardware and subscription purchase, see Rebate Offer Details at siriusxm.com/fishmapping. © 2021 Sirius XM Radio Inc. SiriusXM and all related logos are trademarks of Sirius XM Radio Inc. and its respective subsidiaries. All rights reserved.

MORE FISHING, LESS GUESSING WITH

SIRIUSXM MARINE FISH MAPPING

F

ish Mapping is SiriusXM Marine’s most comprehensive service package.

Leveraging their satellite network, it delivers fishing data and weather services well beyond cellular range. It includes powerful saltwater fishing features plus all of SiriusXM Marine’s weather information to compatible Garmin, Simrad, Lowrance and Furuno multi-function displays.

This service is for saltwater anglers who spend significant time on the water fishing tournaments, taking clients on charter trips or just fishing. Fish Mapping identifies locations with the highest likelihood of finding fish by providing regularly updated, science-based data.

It includes the following features: • Fishing Recommendations: View locations expert oceanographers recommend with ideal conditions for finding specific types of game fish. View recommendations combined with other Fish Mapping features overlaid on the chart of your multi-function display. Updated on Tuesday and Friday mornings.

• Weed Lines: View concentrations of floating algae/plants, which attract baitfish and predatory species. Fish Mapping locates these drifting hot-spots with images updated every 24 hours.

• Sea Surface Height Anomaly: View locations where sea height anomalies show fronts, eddies, upwellings, downwellings and convergence zones. Convergence zones create favorable conditions including nutrient-rich water that attracts baitfish and game fish. Avoid

downwelling areas, which don’t support favorable fishing conditions. Updated every 24 hours.

• Sea Surface Temperature Contours: View contour lines where sea surface temperatures change. Noticeable breaks between cool and warm water attract baitfish. This feature allows you to adjust to the preferred temperature range of target game fish. Updated every 6 hours.

• Sea Surface Temperature Front Strength: View strength of ocean fronts that create distinct boundaries between bodies of water. Steep temperature fronts concentrate nutrients, which attract baitfish and limit fish movement. Strong fronts are good places to find game fish. Locations where temperature and plankton fronts coincide offer even better fishing. Updated every 24 hours.

• 30m Subsurface Sea Temperatures: View water temperature 30 meters below the surface. Adjust to the preferred temperature

range of target game fish to identify areas below the surface where they are likely to be hunting. Updated every 24 hours.

• Plankton Concentration Contours: View areas of plankton concentrations. Plankton feeds baitfish, which attract hungry game fish. Updated every 24 hours.

• Plankton Front Strength: Plankton “fronts” show where murky, nutrient-rich water favorable for baitfish occurs next to clear, predator-preferred water. Strong plankton fronts indicate key areas for game fish feeding activity.

Updated every 24 hours.

Fish Mapping also provides essential weather information such as Radar, Lightning, Marine Zone Forecasts, Wind and Wave information.

Fish mapping service is $99.99 per month.

Subscribers can add SiriusXM entertainment at a discount. The All Access programming package is SiriusXM’s most extensive offering and includes Howard Stern, every NFL, MLB and NBA game, every NASCAR race, plus NHL games, PGA coverage and live college sports, as well as SiriusXM’s wide variety of ad-free music and talk programming and several exclusive channels. All-Access and Select subscribers also get access to SiriusXM programming when they are not on the water, on the SiriusXM app and online at www.siriusxm.com.

Visit siriusxm.com/FishMapping and their Video Library for more information.

SUGARLOAF KEY TARPON, SNOOK, BONEFISH, AND SAWFISH

O

ne of the many islands that makes up the Lower Keys is Sugarloaf Key. With a lot of fishing opportunities!

Fish from both the Atlantic and Gulf are funneled into the long channels between the islands. Sealife thrives in the well-protected bays, flats and mangroves. Strong currents flow through the island chain, bringing rich bounty for fishing enthusiasts.

The end result is a diverse range of gamefish that you can’t find anywhere else in the world.

FLORIDA CONSIDERS LIMITED GOLIATH GROUPER HARVEST

A

t its May meeting, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) listened to a presentation and stakeholder input on Goliath grouper in Florida state waters.

The commission directed staff to continue ongoing efforts that recognize goliath’s role in the ecosystem and promote stock rebuilding while allowing access to goliath through catchand-release, ecotourism and dive viewing opportunities.

They also directed staff to develop a proposed draft rule for consideration by the commission at a future meeting that would

32

JUNE 2021

build on existing access opportunities for goliath by considering a limited, highly regulated harvest.

“We should applaud our successes,” said FWC Chairman Rodney Barreto. “I’m in favor of coming back with a very delineated list of line items for a limited take that wouldn’t disturb the dive industry and would provide additional access to this fishery. Just because we’ve been doing something for 30 years doesn’t mean we need to keep doing it the same way.”

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

“I’m not suggesting we do this at the end of the day, but I am saying we should direct staff today to move forward, continue to gather input on this and see if we can’t come up with a win-win for all stakeholder groups,” said FWC Commissioner Robert Spottswood.

The FWC will continue to monitor the status of the stock using alternative metrics approved by the Commission in 2018.

Learn more about goliath grouper at MyFWC.com/Marine by clicking on “Recreational Regulations” and “Goliath Grouper” under the “Reef Fish” tab.

REALLY BIG SQUID

DELIVERED DIRECTLY TO YOU! EASY TO RIG • CATCH MORE FISH

• HUGE TROLLING SQUID • DEFROST/REFREEZE NO PROBLEM

• EXCLUSIVE SUPPLIER • IMPROVE YOUR CATCH RATIO

PLACE YOUR ORDER TODAY!

bayhillseafood.com (336) 294-0505 DEALER INQUIRIES WELCOME

SUZUKI SPRINGTIME SALES EVENT Seize The Day-And The Deal.

INSTANT

SAVINGS

REPOWER FINANCE

SAVE RIGHT NOW ON

SELECT SUZUKI OUTBOARDS

INSTANT SAVINGS Instant Savings on select models when you buy a new Suzuki Outboard.

See your dealer for details.

REPOWER FINANCE Rates as low as 5.99% on new Suzuki outboards on approved credit.* [60 Months]

Instant Savings applies to qualifying purchases of select Suzuki Outboard Motors made between 04/01/21 and 06/30/21. 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 04/01/21 and 06/30/21. “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.

Suzuki-Powered Hell’s Bay Wins Florida Skiff Challenge

R

acing a small skiff around the entire Florida coast—without sleep and in all kinds of weather—requires endurance, stamina, planning and a dedicated crew. It also requires a tough, dependable and powerful outboard, like Suzuki Marine’s DF70 4-stroke.

The team from Hell’s Bay Boatworks recently won the 2021 Florida Skiff Challenge, covering the grueling 1,300 miles in 44 hours and 4 minutes aboard their 16’ 4” Hell’s Bay Biscayne skiff powered by a Suzuki DF70.

Along the way, they battled cold, wind, waves and weather of all types, along with the exhaustion that comes with running flat out for almost two straight days.

Each team runs a skiff no longer than 18 feet powered by an outboard motor up to 70hp. Boats can only carry 22 gallons of fuel and must plot fuel and food stops along the way. In addition to two boat drivers, each team has a support crew that follows over land. This years’ victorious Hell’s Bay Boatworks team included company owner Chris Peterson and his son J.C. Peterson, who drove and navigated. Al Keller and Dan Hunt, of Hell’s Bay, served as the land-based support crew. Hell’s Bay has now won three of the five annual Florida Skiff Challenge races.

Hell’s Bay recognized the Suzuki DF70’s

in-line 4-cylinder powerhead with 1,503cc displacement as an important advantage.

“The motor ran strong in all kinds of conditions, without missing a beat,” said Chris Peterson.

In addition to ample displacement and power, Hell’s Bay chose the DF70 for its strong 27-amp alternator.

“The Suzuki DF70 provided more charging power than other options,” said Keller. “We were running all night, with lights and a full array of marine electronics for safety. With the Suzuki, we never had to change out batteries during pit stops, which definitely saved us time.”

This race is a battle for bragging rights among skiff builders and also an annual event that highlights Florida’s water issues, spearheaded by manufacturers and the non-profit organization

Captains For Clean Water.

The event draws attention to water issues and promotes ways everyday people can help protect and restore Florida’s water quality. These goals are in harmony with Suzuki Marine’s activities on behalf of the marine environment.

Suzuki recently debuted the world’s first microplastics filtering device designed for use on outboard motors, as part of its global Clean Oceans Project. With this device, boaters become part of the solution to microplastic pollution just by driving their boats.

“Suzuki understands the importance of protecting our waters and coastal environments for future generations,” said George “Gus” Blakely, Vice President of Suzuki Marine USA. “This is why we clean up beaches and innovate things like the new microplastics filter for our engines. With Florida as our new home, we’re especially appreciative of all the efforts of Captains for Clean Water, not just for this annual event, but all year long,” To learn more about Suzuki Marine’s full line of Ultimate Outboard Motors from 2.5 to 350 horsepower, visit www.suzukimarine.com.

Visit Captains for Clean Water at www.captainsforcleanwater.com.

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

JUNE 2021

35

WHAT DOES YOUR CORK SOUND LIKE?

a little deeper. The reasoning behind making a certain type noise with your cork is to imitate the sound of fish busting bait on the surface.

In the case of striped bass and snook, they make a popping sound when they eat a bait on the surface, as opposed to a speckled trout that “slurps” a bait off the surface or a red drum that has a Tim Barefoot mouth on the underside of its head and has to get on top of a bait have started using fixed-position as well as sliding to eat it. corks more and more over the past few years. Recognizing the There is a lot here to unpack regarding the size, shape and how effectiveness of different styles of cork is important for different much weight you’re trying to suspend under the cork—too much situations. Considerations include water depth to cover in this article. The point is, don’t just and temperature, current—or lack of current— stick with the same cork you’ve always fished. and target species.

Just like you change lures or baits when the bite Also, it has become evident that not all corks slows, try experimenting with different cork sizes make the same noise. That can be a turn on—or a and styles. Pay attention to the way your lure or turn off—to fish at different times of the day, and bait is presented as well as how the fish react. especially in different currents and/or depths.

I’ve evolved to fishing a ¾-ounce jig and For example: A couple weekends ago, we had 7-inch Super Fluke under a cork for larger fish, a great morning bite from striped bass using a so a 3-inch cigar float is not an option for this 2-inch oval (chugging) cork. It was one of those size bait. The 3-inch cigar float is perfect for the bite-on-every-cast situations everyone dreams of.

3/8-ounce jig/shrimp combo, and it makes the We noticed the bite slowing down a little as perfect sound for speckled trout and drum in the the sun got higher. A simple switch to a much backwater. quieter pencil-shaped cork brought the bite back I’ll close with this: Check out my videos that to almost every cast again. We were fishing the describe the different size and shape of floats I same lure under the cork; the only change we use and what type sounds they make. Here’s a made was the cork itself. teaser: Have you ever thought of using a popping The more current, and the more broken-up current you have, cork offshore? For more details, check all this out on the website. the more noise you want your cork to make as an attractant. This Find Capt. Tim Barefoot online at barefootcatsandtackle.com. holds true for pretty much every species, but let’s explore the topic

I

36

JUNE 2021

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

Brad Barrett, Owner, GrillGrate

A GRATE CATCH

Fish Will Never Stick On The Grill Again Meet GrillGrates, the number one grill surface. The patented raised rail design is key to juicier food, even heat, perfect sear marks, and HUGE flavor. The sky is the only limit to what you can grill with GrillGrates. Enjoy 10% off sitewide. Promo Code: ANGLER

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

JUNE 2021

37

K

A, USA•

AS

LI

L

BUCSKTET

U K A,

S

A

ALASK

A

A A• AL

2021

Alaska Saltwater Fishing S

•

,

US

The Heavyweight Experience of

A

By Christopher Batin

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

JUNE 2021

39

I

t’s easy to understand why anglers delight in preparing for an Alaska fishing expedition. Some of the thrill is the anticipation, in getting gear and tackle ready, the big reels, 12-ounce and larger jigs, and huge circle hooks that have been honed to hypodermic-grade sharpness. It’s ensuring the cooler is properly marked with your name and address to transport the fillets you’ll be taking home, and most importantly, the arm curls and circuit training you’re doing.

The workouts are necessary, and it’s easy to see why.

Alaska saltwater fishing is not for the weak of arm or back. Halibut get big in Alaska, with fish reaching weights of 400 pounds, and lengths of 9 feet long. Even the 100-pounders you’re most likely to catch can slug it out through 300 feet of pump-and-lift jabs, and rocket back to the bottom to start all over again for round two. There’s no giving up, no taking a breather for more than a few seconds. Once you are engaged, you fight to your limit. Your arm will get numb at times, your hand pulses with fatigue, and your back quivers in spasmodic tension, but the smile frozen on your face says it all.

This is saltwater fishing as good as it gets.

While I enjoy slugging it out with halibut, I also enjoy a dukefest with Alaska’s other saltwater species. Lingcod get to 60-plus pounds, and usually attack the rockfish I’m reeling up. With their sharp rows of teeth and sinister look, these water wolves of the deep are among the tastiest fish to catch, as well as the forage they feed on; the 4- to 20-pound

40

JUNE 2021

rockfish of various species, which are among the best-tasting fish in the north country.

But many anglers will want to jig for the five species of Pacific salmon: kings to 70 pounds, coho salmon to 20, and 4- to 8-pound pink salmon. While they might be the smallest of the Pacific salmon, ocean-bright pinks can max out an 8-weight fly rod. Best of all, oddnumbered years see the return of millions of fish, when creeks and rivers burst at the seams with their numbers. In Valdez alone, as many as 11 million salmon have returned in past years. Anglers delight in catching them along the shoreline near the Solomon Gulch hatchery.

There are many places to use as a base camp to start your excursion. At the end of the Richardson Highway, Tim Bouchard of Valdez Outfitters likes fishing for big halibut on the outer rim of Prince William Sound, where it meets the abysmal Gulf of Alaska and its continental shelf drop-off to 14,000 feet. Worry not, Bouchard fishes hotspots like Montague Island, where the big fish feed in the shallow 60- to 120-foot depths.

For a taste of home-cooking mixed with a professional fishing lodge, Petersburg Sportfishing offers prime fishing on the Inside Passage in the seldom-fished waters near Petersburg. Anglers can opt for boat rentals for do-it-yourself fishing or guided saltwater fishing for salmon, halibut, rockfish and lingcod. This family-run business offers not only fishing, but a variety of adventures and tips on enjoying the many fishing and area glacier attractions, as well as prime bear viewing and some fabulous cutthroat and rainbow trout fishing.

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

Of course, Kodiak Island offers superb deep-sea fishing, bordering the Aleutian trench. Huge halibut migrate from waters bordering these drop-offs and into the shallower food-rich shorelines of Kodiak and Afognak islands. While most fish range from 30 to 100 pounds, fish to 300 pounds and heavier have been caught off Kodiak. Fish this size measure 8 feet in length. Kodiak anglers fish shallow water, from 60 to 180 feet. King salmon fishing is among the best in Alaska saltwater and runs best from April through early mid July. The best thing about fishing Kodiak is short travel time. The best hotspots are often accessed in less than an hour,

K

A, USA•

S

U K A,

ALASK

L

A

A A• AL

BUCSKTET LI

Chris Batin is editor of The Alaska Angler.

For more than 40 years, he has run The Alaska Angler Information Service, which is a one-on-one consultation that helps anglers plan their Alaska fishing adventures.

Discover more at www.AlaskaAngler.com.

AS

•

,

US

S

2021

They also offered guided options in some of the most salmon-rich waters of south-central Alaska. Co-owner Katie Prijatel said guests clean and pack their catch in coolers. Alaska Wilderness Outfitters flies in daily to pick up the fish and drop off more ice. Then the fish is vacuum packed, boxed and frozen for the trip home.

A

which offers more time for fishing.

Also, because of the remote location of the lodge, there is little if any sportfishing competition.

In Prince William Sound, Alaska Wilderness Outfitters offers a floating cabin for do-ityourselfers who know how to catch salmon, halibut, rockfish and lingcod in nearby waters. Each of the four, fully equipped wannigans includes a full kitchen, crab traps boats and motors and directions on where the fishing is best. They’ll transport you to the c a b i n s from Cordova, to one of several bays protected from big-water w e a t h e r.

A

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

JUNE 2021

41

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

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

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

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

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

N

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

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

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

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

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

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

Paired with Yamaha's fuelefficient engines, there is plenty

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Learn more at YamahaBoats.com

WATCH

VIDEO

Senators Propose Forage Fish Protections

I

n late April, two U.S. senators introduced a bill to increase protections for small fish that serve as the food base in aquatic ecosystems.

Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) filed the Forage Fish Conservation Act, which would amend the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to require the role forage fish play in the marine ecosystem be accounted for when federal fisheries managers set catch limits on these small but important fish.

In a joint statement, Blunt and Blumenthal said the legislation would lead to healthier wildlife and help communities economically tied to recreational and commercial fishing.

The legislation has been met with widespread support from the fishing and conservation community. Some of the supporters of the bill include: the American Sportfishing Association, the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, the Center for Sportfishing Policy, the Coastal Conservation Association, the National Marine 44

JUNE 2021

Manufacturers Association, the International Game Fish Association, Boat U.S. and others.

“Forage fish are experiencing unprecedented fishing pressure to help satisfy the world’s growing demand for protein, being used for everything from feeding farmed fish and livestock to fertilizer. However, research shows that forage fish are worth over twice as much in the ecosystem by supporting stocks of more popular food fish and recreational game fish,” said Dr. Guy Harvey, chairman of the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation. “We thank Sens. Blumenthal and Blunt for working on this issue, and we encourage Congress to quickly approve this valuable, science-based legislation.”

Forage fish are the primary food source for almost all of the commercially and recreationally important fish species, as well as seabirds and other marine life. Meanwhile, human demand for these nutrient-rich species continues to increase.

In 2014, the Commission on Saltwater

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

Recreational Fisheries Management, chaired

by Bass Pro Shops Founder and CEO Johnny Morris and Maverick Boat Group Founder Scott Deal, released a report identifying key policy changes to the federal marine fisheries management system to benefit fisheries conservation and public access. One of the six key recommendations of that report was improving management and conservation of forage fish.

However, the Magnuson-Stevens Act is not currently designed to account for the role of forage fish in the marine ecosystem. The Forage Fish Conservation Act would require that the impacts on fish populations and the marine ecosystem be considered before allowing harvest on any currently unmanaged forage species, and that predator needs be accounted for in existing management plans for forage fish.

See www.congress.gov to follow this bill (S.1484) in Congress.

The ultimate fish attractor

CATCH MORE FISH...

GUARANTEED! Now with LED Lights!

Works great to attract Bass, Stripers and Crappie

What Customers Have to Say: “They are AMAZING!! The weedeater blades kill or knock bugs into the water.

It truly turns my dock into an aquarium!”

Visit us on the web to learn more:

bo-jofishlight.com or call:

478-951-1490 THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

JUNE 2021

45

THE PERFECT WAY TO FILLET

By CAM Staff

E

very blade-handy angler has their own techniques and tricks for peeling the perfect fillet off a fish. But anyone who has spent enough time around a cutting board knows the perfect way to fillet is a combination of three crucial elements: technique, tools and practice.

Whether it’s a 15-pound red snapper or a 6-ounce bream, the basics of filleting a fish are the same.

The idea is to remove the meat along the fish’s flanks, while leaving behind the head, bones and guts.

Step 1: Make a vertical cut just behind the fish’s gill plate and pectoral fin. This cut should go all the way down to the bone and extend from back to belly.

Step 2: Run the blade from the first cut all the way down the top of the fish, along the backbone to the tail, making a shallow incision as close to the backbone as you can get it.

Step 3: Using that long cut along the backbone, utilize smooth, light strokes to work the fillet away from the bones moving from the back to the belly. The other hand can be used to peel back the meat as you go. Cut around the ribcage when you arrive at it.

Step 4: With step 3 completed, you should have a beautiful skin-on fillet. To remove the skin, place the fillet on the board skin side down.

Start from the tail and insert the knife through

PHOTO BY JEA

the meat down to the skin, leaving a tab of meat and skin at the tail to hold onto. Turn the knife horizontal and run the blade up the skin to remove the meat.

Step 5: Use tweezers to pick out any pin bones left in the fillet.

The technique seems simple enough, but if you don’t have good, sharp, flexible knives that are sized correctly for the fish on the board, you’re going to make a mess out of your fillets. Havalon has come up with an all-in-one solution for this issue with its Talon system.

With five styles of high-quality blades that all fit on the same handle, switching from a 7-inch blade down to a 5-incher or even down to a 3.5inch utility blade is as easy as pressing a button

N-PIERRE BAZA

RD

with their Quik-Change II blade replacement system. The blades can be resharpened as well as replaced to make sure they are razor sharp when you need them.

Also, with a handle that opens up, clean-up is both thorough and easy with the Havalon Talon system. Rinse your tools down and roll them up in the included canvas kit so they’ll be ready the next time you need them.

And next time should be soon, because practice is the final and most important element in the perfect way to fillet. Go fishing enough, and you’ll be peeling off perfect fillets for the table in no time.

Check out the Havalon Talon System at www.havalon.com.

LIFE IS A BEACH 48

FOLLOW THE BAIT POD

By Richard L. Matteson

I

n June and July, small glass minnows school together and form bait pods here on the Atlantic Coast of Florida. The pods move up and down the beach.

These bait pods are easy to spot by looking for diving birds and feeding fish thrashing the surface. Sometimes the bait pods come near shore and go out, but usually they move parallel to the shore and well within casting range.

What kind of fish can you catch surf casting in these bait pods? In June, tarpon move around the inlets and start cruising the beach looking for bait pods. Large female snook swim along the trough under the bait pods. Schools of large jack bust the surface, and the occasional schools of bluefish and ladyfish are there, along with mackerel that haven’t yet moved north.

Around the trough, smaller table fare like whiting and croaker will be caught with regular 4-inch shad tail jigs or more easily on smaller jigs and spoons. If you let the jig hit the bottom and snap it up quickly, you’ll catch lots of these great-eating panfish.

JUNE 2021

Anatomy of a Bait Pod Most of the time, a bait pod moves north or south. On slack tide, the pod will

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

slow down. I’ve even seen them stop for 30 minutes in one place. Croaker and whiting will be on the bottom under the pod. Or if the pod is shallow, croaker and whiting will be under the first breakers and can be caught in the wash.

Jerk your jig off the bottom, letting it hit for a second each time. Jerk, reel some, let it sit. Usually the tarpon are on the outside of the pod farthest from the beach. For tarpon, cast as far out over the pod as possible and use a slow steady retrieve.

Snook are almost always on the shallow side near the trough and the first breakers. Cast more parallel to shore using a steady lifting and releasing movement with the rod tip. Jack can be anywhere, and I like fishing near the surface with a brisker retrieve when targeting jacks. Also use the brisk retrieve for bluefish, ladyfish and mackerel.

My favorite June lures are a 3/8-ounce chartreuse jig with a 4-inch pearl white shad tail and a shallow running Yo-Zuri crankbait in white.

I also throw a Skitter-Walk (topwater plug) when the water heats up.

Remember, for the best summertime surf action: Follow the bait pod.

Richard Matteson, of Stuart Rod and Reel Club, is an avid angler and a regular contributor to Coastal Angler Magazine.

Contact him at (336) 414-3440.”

WITH COUPON CODE

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

JUNE 2021

49

LIFE'S TOO SHORT TO WEAR CHEAP SUNGLASSES...

We have one of the largest collections of sunglasses in the country.

Save up to 50% on Quality Sunglasses.

Located near Downtown Greenville on Laurens Road

1908 LAURENS RD, GREENVILLE, SC 29607 866-944-9144 (Toll Free) • 864-288-5905

www.fowlerspharmacy.com 50

JUNE 2021

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

VIDEO

FWC PHOTO BY TIM DONOVAN

WATCH

WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT

BALLYHOO?

W

hen it comes to baitfish, ballyhoo are the workhorses of offshore sport fishing. In Florida waters, the Caribbean and all the way up the coast to Massachusetts, ballyhoo are a staple for trolling and cutbait.

Here are a few ballyhoo facts you can break out when the bite slows on your next trip: • Ballyhoo in the dictionary means “extravagant publicity or fuss,” which may be where this funny-looking fish got its name. When threatened, they have a habit of making a commotion by leaping out of the water and skittering across the surface.

• Almost all the ballyhoo used as baitfish worldwide are caught offshore from south Florida. Commercial fishermen use lampara nets that are very effective for scooping up

fish that live near the surface.

• Most commercial fishing is done in fall and winter, when large schools of ballyhoo are found over deep water off the Keys and south Florida. However, private anglers can catch their own bait year-round by castnetting smaller schools that congregate over shallower patch reefs.

• Ballyhoo are in the halfbeak family, and there are several different types of ballyhoo. The one we are most familiar with has an orange tail and an orange tip on the bill. There is another species called a balao, which is caught in deeper water. It has a red tail and a red tip on the bill. These are not the best for durability, usually they are soft and wash out quickly.

• As far as choosing quality ballyhoo for bait, appearance should be a good indicator

as well as sealed bags, clean baits with little blood, bright colors and intact fins and scales.

• Thaw baits in their bag in a bucket of water. Once thawed, take the baits out of the bag and rinse with saltwater and rig.

Lay baits on a bait tray or aluminum foil on top of ice. The worst thing is for the baits to sit in freshwater.

• Most baits, if packed properly, can last a couple years if kept below 0 degrees in a good chest freezer. Kitchen freezers aren’t ideal because of the frost-free feature, which heats up every day to melt any ice on the doors or walls. This heating and cooling will degrade baits quickly.

Visit www.baitmasters.com or call 1-800-NEW-BAIT.

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

JUNE 2021

51

FISH FOOD&FLIES

52

JUNE 2021

PHOTOS BY DAN DECIBEL

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

Flies matched to the bottom color, with lots of movement, are great for bonefish. Drew Chicone’s Coyote Ugly Spawning Shrimp is an excellent fly.

Look for Drew’s patterns and flies from other tiers in Ghost Stories, an upcoming volume documenting the history of the Bahamas bonefishing industry.

F

By Tom Karrow

ly anglers are as attracted to their flies as fish are, and in some cases, more attracted than the fish. I have seen many fly boxes packed full of a wide variety of flies, and I too am guilty of trying new patterns when all too often the old standby is the best choice.

I have seen many flies that look very good but don’t catch many fish. I have seen the worst looking flies produce the most fish. In fact, I often find flies that have been used, abused and reduced to all but garbage frequently work the best. It may be they are permeated with fish scents, or that I have confidence in them.

Whatever the case is, they work well.

There are a wide variety of flies available for anglers, and selecting from the array can be complicated. There are different colors, sizes and materials. There are weighted flies and unweighted flies. So, what are the best flies?

The simple answer is: it depends.

I don’t feel a wide variety of different fly patterns is necessary. I do believe one should have different sizes, colors and weights of productive patterns. Whether it is a Crazy Charlie, a Gotcha, Clouser or Simram, an angler needs an assortment to choose from for at least one of these styles. I would rather have a fly box full of only one type of fly, as long as I have different sizes, colors and weights of that fly. Depending on the location, size, color and weight will vary. For much of the Bahamas, where the bonefish are large, larger flies in sizes 4, 2 or even larger, will suffice. You always want

some weighted flies for deeper water or high tides. I tie a Gotcha with different sizes of lead eyes and different sizes of bead chain as well as plastic eyes to suit any condition I encounter.

It is important to remember, when you don’t have a certain fly, you will surely need that fly… It’s kinda like Murphy’s Law. Over the course of my travels throughout the Bahamas and in the many interviews I have conducted of Bahamian professional bonefish guides, I have learned much about flies and

fly selection. On one of my first trips to the Bahamas, I stayed at the North Riding Point Club on Grand Bahama, where I interviewed their head guide Stanley Glinton. Stanley is a great guy and has being a guide for more than 40 years. When I asked him about fly selection, he shared a little about how he selects a fly saying, “The food the fish feed on imitates the bottom. The crab in the grass, look more like greenish, with stripes...the crab on the sand bar look more like beige. So, when you go on the flats, you try to match what you think the feed is on that particular bottom...if it’s beige, or dark green...you try to match the fly like that.”

The old adage that a guide knows best is absolutely true. These are individuals who are on the water day in and day out. They are constantly testing flies, observing, investigating and putting their knowledge to work, and most importantly they know what has been working.

When it comes to fly selection, I always ask the guide’s opinion. If a guide suggests a change, I change my fly without hesitation. People who listen to their guide usually catch more fish.

A final consideration when selecting flies should be in the materials the fly is made from.

Some materials have a tendency to move very well in the water, making them more attractive to fish. I prefer natural materials when I tie flies, and my favorite is rabbit hair. It is durable, comes in a wide variety of colors, is easy to use, and has great movement in the water.

For more information about m Karrow’s research throughout the Bahamas, visit http:// tomkarrow.wixsite.com/bahamas-guide-tek.

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

JUNE 2021

53

STRIKEHOLD MARINE OFFERS MILITARYGRADE PROTECTION

R

ecreational boaters require their vessel to be safe and operational.

Whether you’re fishing, waterskiing or sightseeing—offshore, along the coast, or in a bay, lake, or river— uncontrolled corrosion can dramatically increase downtime and maintenance costs, particularly in saltwater. In the worst-case scenario, corrosion can lead to the breakdown that forces an emergency repair or rescue.

“Saltwater corrosion will eat holes in outboard motors and raw-water cooling systems, cause leaks in powerheads and manifolds, and kill batteries,” said Capt. Dave Stewart a recreational boater and fishing/tour boat captain.

“When towboats bring recreational boats in, usually the battery terminal is corroded, causing power loss.”

StrikeHold Marine is a high-performance, anti-corrosion lubricant/ penetrant developed for U.S. military use in the most extreme conditions.

It is now available to stop and prevent saltwater rust and corrosion on all metal, recreational boat parts.

Used by the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Marine Corps, its synthetic-based additives completely penetrate into metal parts, displace

54

JUNE 2021

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

moisture and form a bond that repels saltwater and other contaminants.

To learn more, visit: www.strikehold.com

WHEN YOU can feel it in your hands, you see it in your mind, and the angler within you goes to work.

The more you feel, the better you fish. The Fenwick HMG® Inshore series is designed to provide ultimate sensitivity to fish the inlets, bays, channels, and estuaries with even greater precision and skill. fenw ick f ishing.c om

©2021 Pure Fishing, Inc.

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

JUNE 2021

55

PARKIT360̊ ELECTRIC TRAILER DOLLIES THE ULTIMATE TRAILER PARKING SOLUTION

S

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

LEARN MORE AT PARKIT360.CA

Visit Cherokee County

One can never get lost here visitcherokeecountync.com

IGFA Approves New World Records

T

he International Game Hampl is no stranger Fish Association to the record books. He (IGFA) maintains the has amassed 19 IGFA world’s most extensive Billfish Grand Slams, list of record fish. With more than any other numerous categories angler. He has racked and line-class divisions up more than 25 IGFA for species in freshwater World Records. He and and salt, IGFA keeps track of his family have set a dozen or awesome catches made by anglers all over more mullet snapper records for different the world. line classes and categories.

Here are a couple of the most Methner’s Speckled Peacock impressive new world records approved Gerusa Reis Methner was fishing

by IGFA this spring.

Brazil’s Uneuixi River when this big Hampl’s Mullet Snapper speckled peacock slammed her lure. After Fishing in Golfo de Chiriqui, Panama, a five-minute fight, she was able to get Christian Hampl, of Costa Rica, caught proper measurements and release the fish this 25-pound, 4-ounce mullet snapper, safely. At 90 centimeters (just shy of 3 feet which was approved as the new IGFA long), it was big enough to tie the IGFA Men’s 50-pound Line Class World Record. All-Tackle Length Record for the species.

A few weeks later, he retired his own new The All Tackle World Record for record when he caught another larger speckled peacock weighed 29 pounds, 1 mullet snapper, which weighed 25 pounds, ounce. It was caught by Andrea Zaccherini 11 ounces. The All Tackle World Record at Santa Isabel Do Rio Negro, Amazonas, for the species weighed 45 pounds, 12 Brazil in 2010. ounces. It was caught off Cerralvo Island, For more world records, visit igfa.org.

Mexico by Rolla Cornell in 2007.

WATCH

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

VIDEO

JUNE 2021

59

GREAT STREAMS—AND SPIRITS—AWAIT IN

HENDERSONVILLE, NC

I

f you’re an angler who enjoys following up a day on mountain trout streams with a refreshing craft beverage or two, cast your attention to the Blue Ridge mountain town of Hendersonville.

This North Carolina town, about 22 miles south of Asheville, offers miles of stocked trout waters, as well as the popular Hendersonville Cheers! Trail. The two resources make it possible to spend the day catching three types of trout – rainbow, brown and brook – while spending an evening exploring three types of craft beverages – beer, wine and hard cider.

First, the fishing part. North Mills River is the prime trout stream in the Hendersonville area. The river’s 4-mile section of delayed harvest waters receives an annual infusion of 11,000 trout from N.C. Wildlife. Spring is a great time to fly fish the delayed harvest waters of North Mills River because no trout have been harvested since Sept. 30.

Another hot spot for trout fishing is just across the Henderson County line toward Brevard. The Davidson River offers miles of public trout waters that receive annual stockings of 16,500 fish.

Other lesser-known fishing spots near Hendersonville include three streams on the eastern side of Henderson County, about 20 to 30 minutes from downtown. Rocky Broad River has a 1.2-mile stretch of hatchery support waters, while Cane Creek, near the Fletcher community, has 1.5mile stretch of hatchery supported waters.

60

JUNE 2021

For those who really want a unique experience, Little River in DuPont State Recreational Forest provides a scenic setting for trout fishing. Delayed harvest waters flow through undisturbed mountains and over several notable waterfalls. Those waterfalls were immortalized on Hollywood’s silver screen in The Last of the Mohicans, as well as the backdrop for the exploits of Katniss Everdeen in the original Hunger Games movie.

When the fishing is done, the Cheers! Trail awaits. The trail is one of North Carolina’s best, featuring 16 craft producers offering a variety of

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

experiences. Beer fans love Sierra Nevada’s tasting room, which is one of the largest on the East Coast and features an expansive patio and outdoor amphitheater, while Bold Rock Hard Cider has emerged as a national leader in the hard cider industry and regularly hosts live music (indoors and outdoors), along with cidery tours and a food truck.

Several craft producers on the trail create small-batch beverages prized for their quality and originality. Three breweries – Southern Appalachian, Triskelion and Guidon – are within a few blocks of each other in the Depot District, while Sanctuary Brewing Co. is only a few blocks away on Main Street.

Three wineries produce highquality wines from European varietals. The newest – Point Lookout Vineyards – is located atop a 3,000-foot mountain with panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards is on farmland that’s been in the family for more than nine generations.

And two miles from Saint Paul, Burntshirt Vineyards offers tastings in its renovated farmhouse overlooking rolling hills of vines.

For complete Hendersonville information and lodging details, call 800-828-4244 or visit www.VisitHendersonvilleNC.org.

Order Your Passport Today!

800.828.4244 Ch e e r s T r ai l.or g

Trout Fishing North Carolina’s Oconaluftee River

By Nick Carter

N

62

orth Carolina’s Oconaluftee of them and began a slow approach, River has a multiple personality gently moving into casting range to avoid disorder. Its headwaters fall from spooking fish in glass-slick water. I was an elevation of more than 5,000 feet via a stripping line to cast when my buddy, little creek called Beech Flats Prong high who was still spotting from above, began in the Great Smoky Mountains National pointing and making strange muffled Park. Beech Flats gains flow from multiple sounds. I didn’t find out until later that I tributaries and becomes the Oconaluftee had kicked up a very large brown trout, in a more than 8-mile run through the which moved to the head of the pool and national park. then disappeared. It had scattered the With the influx of Bradley Fork at smaller fish in the process.

Smokemont Campground, the “Luftee” It taught me that it pays off to be is one of the larger flows in the GSMNP. patient and watch the water before Above Bradley Fork, the river is small and making a move in the Oconaluftee. U.S. steep and home to small and beautiful 441 is hard on its banks, making for wild trout. Below Bradley Fork, it is one of extremely easy roadside access, yet big the most easily accessible and overlooked fish live there. They are smart due to the opportunities in the park. fishing pressure they receive, which is Downstream of Smokemont, a buddy pretty limited considering how easy it is and I once stood on the elevated bank and to get there. watched a pod of a half dozen 10- to 12The ’Luftee flies under the radar for a inch rainbows in a flat blue pool feeding couple reasons. A lot of anglers drive right calmly on caddis. That was enough to up the river in search of more secluded JUNE 2021 ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE get us excited.

I THE dropped in downstream destinations. And, the Oconaluftee within

the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians’ Qualla Boundary draws attention away from the Oconaluftee on the national park. The river takes on its next personality when it is joined by Raven Fork and enters Cherokee lands.

By this point it is a big river. Cherokee maintains some of the highest fish densities in the east through extremely heavy stockings of rainbow, brook and brown trout. The fishing pressure can be enormous. Still, fishing can be good, and it’s a great place to introduce a youngster to trout fishing.

This is an abbreviated excerpt from Flyfisher’s Guide To North Carolina & Georgia, 218 pages of extensively researched information on the area’s best trout fishing. It includes more than 40 full-color maps, driving directions, GPS coordinates to access points and tips and tactics. It is available on Amazon, and signed copies are available by contacting the author at nsc8957@gmail.com.

Eastern America’s Highest Town

B

eech Mountain is the highest town in Eastern America and an ideal vacation spot in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains.

Our elevation (5,506 feet) sets us apart 12 months a year. A visit to the Town of Beech Mountain offers exciting outdoor recreation and mile-high relaxation.

In summer, adventure seekers flock to the Emerald Outback at Beech Mountain, a trail park which features more than eight miles of gorgeous trails near the top of the mountain. Hiking, mountain biking and trail running are prevalent in the Emerald Outback, as well as on several other miles of in-town trails maintained by the parks & recreation department.

Downhill mountain biking trails, complete with lift service, are available during the warmer months at Beech Mountain Resort. Those trails range from beginner to advanced. The most challenging trails at the resort have twice hosted USA Cycling’s Mountain Bike Gravity National Championships.

Families and seniors also covet summer vacations on Beech – hiking to waterfalls, enjoying 100-mile mountain vistas, visiting the animal habitat at nearby Grandfather Mountain and taking in a round of mini-golf in mild temperatures that average in the low to mid 70s.

Fly anglers enjoy finding hidden trout streams across the mountain, while recreational fishing is available at Buckeye Lake and Coffey Lake, both of which are stocked annually.

The Mountain Heritage Trout Water (MHTW) program is all about convenience. It allows North Carolina residents and non-residents to fish in MHTW streams simply by purchasing a three-day license for just $5.

Anglers who already have a statewide fishing license do not need the special

MHTW three-day license.

Trout Fishing Buckeye Creek is a hatchery-supported stream (open first Saturday in April through last day of February) that flows out of Buckeye Lake, with nearby parking available at the town’s Buckeye Recreation Center.

Buckeye Creek has some nice pools and riffles as it flows out of Buckeye Lake, and further downstream are several good fishing areas below a waterfall. It is stocked annually with brown, rainbow and brook trout.

Pond Creek is designated catch-and-release single hook artificial lures only by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission. Parking for Pond Creek is available off Lakeledge Road at Lake Coffey. Pond Creek has a longer stretch of available water than Buckeye Creek. It is inhabited by native brook trout.

Other options on Beech Mountain are Lake Coffey and Buckeye Lake, two small lakes stocked annually by the Wildlife Resources Commission.

Lake Coffey is designated as delayed harvest trout waters, while Buckeye Lake is designated hatchery supported. Both receive a large annual infusion of brown, rainbow and brook trout. Anglers need a regular North Carolina inland license to fish in those lakes.

Beech Mountain Guided Fishing presented by Beech Parks and Recreation. Get in the back country of Beech Mountain’s streams and secrete fishing holes. Learn to read water, bait selection, fly casting and how to approach mountain fishing. Call 828-387-3003 for more info and RSVP.

Trout Anglers Have Multiple Options on Beech Mountain...

Buckeye Recreation Center A fabulous indoor facility for residents and visitors with a full-size gymnasium, indoor tennis court, pickleball courts, meeting areas, fitness area with state-of-the-art equipment, kid’s playroom, living room area, and indoor walking track.

(828) 387-3003 beechrecreation.recdesk.com

Beech Mountain Resort The premier winter ski resort in North Carolina, providing skiers and snowboarders with upscale amenities, superb terrain, and learning center. In summer, the slopes convert to downhill mountain biking trails, making it the highest lift-serviced mountain bike park east of the Rockies.

828-387-2011 beechmountainresort.com

Beech Mountain Club A private club offering activities and facilities for visitors to enjoy year-round. Most lodging rentals include use of the Club and entitle visitors to amenities such as the 18-hole mountaintop golf course stretching 6,099 yards with a spectacular view of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

828-387-4208 beechmtn.club

Beech Mountain Visitors Center 403-A Beech Mountain Parkway Beech Mountain, NC 28604 (828) 387-9283 • (800) 468-5506

WATCH

VIDEO

MOUSE:

IT’S WHAT’S FOR DINNER

E

veryone knows summer is a great time to catch trout on a fly. But for those looking to take fly fishing for trout to a whole new level, consider mousing. Mousing refers to fishing for trout with large topwater patterns meant to mimic small rodents. It is a tactic best utilized at night, when nocturnal rodents forage.

The basic premise is that large trout have adapted their diet to eat mostly meat, be it smaller fish, rodents, frogs or even small birds. These fish are the top of the food chain in the waters where they reside, and they can be extremely hard to catch. They mostly hunt at night, and use the cover of darkness to stay safe from predators. Fishing at night has its challenges, and it has its rewards.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when mousing.

1. Be quiet. Sometimes it is hard to remember that fish can hear, too. Vibration 66

JUNE 2021

By Charlie Warfield from even our footsteps can spook these giants. So stealth is the name of the game; walk carefully and quietly and maybe the splash of your fly on the water will be followed by the eruption of water that is an eat from a big nocturnal fish. Keep light to a minimum and use a red/green light so the fish will not be spooked and your eyes will not be shocked by the light.

2. Be aware. When fishing at night, it is critical to know the stream you are fishing.

It can be dangerous to be on the banks of a river in the dark, so always move slowly, not only will this help your stealth factor but it will keep you safer. As your senses adjust to the darkness, you can tune in with your surroundings, and you might be amazed at the things you hear and even see with just the

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

light of the moon.

3. Be ready. Big fish eat big food. This applies to fishing streamers during the day or fishing mice in the dark. Have a good selection of large flies that swim on or just below the surface. When mousing, you can also use large subsurface streamers that push a lot of water. Fish can’t see very well in the dark, so they rely on sound and vibration when hunting at night. Large wind-resistant flies are hard to cast when you can see what is going on, much more so when you can’t see your hand in front of your face. Use clearlensed glasses to protect your eyes.

4. Be calm. It is easy to get excited and pull the fly out of the fish’s mouth when setting the hook, so wait a couple of seconds after you hear the splash. Give the fly a small twitch and wait until you feel the fish, then set the hook and get ready for the night of your life!

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

www.castnets.com | sales@castnets.com | 1-800-332-6387 ext. 116 | 68

JUNE 2021

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

VIDEO

PHOTOS COURTESY BASS TACKLE MASTER

WATCH

Angler Lands World Record Shellcracker W

hen sunfish get this big, are they still considered panfish?

On Tuesday, May 4, Thomas Farchione, of Wisconsin, caught this 6.3-pound redear sunfish at Lake Havasu on the Arizona/California border. The fish, which measured 17 inches in length, with a 20-inch girth, is a potential world record if accepted by the International Game Fish Association.

The existing IGFA All-Tackle World Record was caught in Feb. 2014 by Hector Brito. It weighed 5-pounds, 12.8 ounces (5.8 pounds). Brito’s fish was also caught from Lake Havasu.

Wait… it gets better. Before Brito caught his fish, the world record for redear was 5 pounds, 8 ounces. Can you guess where it was caught? You got it. In May of 2011 Robert Lawler landed a 5-pound, 8-ounce record redear at Lake Havasu to set the mark at the time.

Obviously, this 19,300-acre impoundment of the Colorado River has earned its reputation as the best place in the world to catch enormous redear sunfish, which are also known as shellcrackers because they feed on snails, mussels and other mollusks using teeth in their throat to crush the shells. According to USA Today, invasive quagga mussels were discovered in Havasu in 2007. The fast-spreading mussels have provided an abundant food source to grow the largest shellcrackers in the world.

Farchione caught his monster redear drop-shotting a nightcrawler in 25 feet of water.

For more information, see www.azgfd.com.

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

JUNE 2021

69

Ballyhood Builds Better Custom

BIG GAME LURES B

allyhood International has been producing custom big game trolling lures since 1992. Darrell Primrose, former owner/operator of the Finisterra Tortuga sport fishing fleet in Cabo San Lucas, brings years of experience and first-hand knowledge to the design and manufacturing process of Ballyhood lures.

Specializing in big-game trolling lures for tuna, marlin, shark and wahoo, Ballyhood’s custom lures are sold manufacturer direct, although you’ll also find their lures at some of the better offshore outfitters.

The list of tournament wins with Ballyhood lures is expansive. The high trolling speed available with the majority of Ballyhood lures gives an angler a real advantage. Covering more ground and enticing bigger fish is the reason these lures are sought out and preferred by experienced Tournament Anglers.

Check out these bonafides: • 47 Tournament Wins • 32-oz. Banchee (cowbell) – 27 Tournament Wins • Wahoo Express – 14 Tournament Wins • Wahoo Payback – 2 Tournament Wins – Puerto Rico • 1st place — Red Rum Shoot Out – Cabo San Lucas, Mexico • 1st place — Fish Heads Tournament – Panama City, Panama

Ballyhood Hi-speed Wahoo Lures are designed to troll fast and below the surface to attract really big fish. All lures come professionally “tournament rigged.” If you’re an offshore angler and haven’t tried a Ballyhood Lure, you owe it to yourself to see first-hand how these lures give an advantage to your trolling efforts.

If your results are like everyone else’s, you’ll be trolling faster and catching bigger!

Learn more at www.ballyhood.com.

TOURNAMENT WINNING ‘TOP GUN’

SALTWATER TROLLING LURES WAHOO “COWBELLS’’

47

TOURNAMENT

WINS

$79.95 ea. or 3-Pack for $199

TUNA ‘P’NUT

3” FEATHERS W/ CONCAVE HEAD LOOKS LIKE AN ANCHOVIE BOUNCHING ACROSS THE WATER SCHOOLIES - ALBACORE

DEEP DROP LIGHT RIG

BANCHEE A-SALT WEAPON

SWORDS - TUNA - GROUPER DOUBLE LIGHTS - DOUBLE HOOKS TWIST LIGHTS ON/OFF ADD YOUR WEIGHT AND GO!

32 OZ - NO WEIGHT REQUIRED! TROLLS 6-10 OR UP TO 20 KNOTS WAHOO CHAMPIONSHIP FAVORITE!

‘’SNAGGER’’ DOLPHIN LURES

14

TOURNAMENT

WINS

6-Pack Special $69.00 w/ FREE Case

ALBACORE ALLSTAR

4-1/2” HEX HEAD FEATHER OR DOUBLE VINTL SKIRTS

“SNAGGER DAISY CHAIN”

DOUBLE VINYL SKIRTS OR FEATHERS TROLL AS IS OR ADD STRIP BAIT

CREATE YOUR OWN BAIR SCHOOL! CENTERLINE DEEP OR OUTRIGGERS

SOFT IRON “SQUID DOGS” CAST - JIG - BOUNCE - DRAFT “EVERYTHING EATS

4” or 6” CEDAR FEATHERS

CROSS BETWEEN COMMON BAITFISH AND HIGHLY DESIRED SQUID.

ALL LURES RIGGED & READY TO GO!

EE SHIPP

I

NG

(714) 545-0196

FREE SHIP PING FR

H Y O L O L D A B

FR

E

E

G

WAHOO “WACKO”

6 OZ. -O-10 KNOTS • 300# S.S. CABLE HOOK W/SPINNER BLADE ATTRACTOR!

SHIPPIN

www.BALLYHOOD.com THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

JUNE 2021

71

SAVE YOUR BACK WITH A TOUCH OF A SWITCH! ELECTRIC HYDRAULIC

TILT & TRIM WHY NOT BUY THE BEST?

You won’t believe it is the same boat when you experience more prop clearance, more speed, better boat handling and lower fuel consumption while using this #1 selling aftermarket tilt & trim.

CMC Marine, Inc., 3920 S. 13th St., Duncan, OK

cmcmarineproducts.com

CALL FOR YOUR NEAREST DEALER

Your center console fishing boat deserves the best T-Top and Fishmaster has you covered. The curvaceous design of the Pro Series T-Top complements the sleek lines of today’s boats.

72

FITS CONSOLES 24” - 50” WIDE

PATENTED TWICE FOLDING DESIGN

EASY DIY INSTALLATION

PREMIUM SUNBRELLA® CANVAS COVER

JUNE 2021

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

Rated for 130 h.p. & smaller motors

800.654.3697

W

SHERI DAYE

hile visiting a friend of mine about 20 years ago, I noticed a book on his coffee table. It was called “Bluewater Hunting and Freediving” by Terry Maas, and it had the photo of a diver holding a bluefin tuna on the cover. I already enjoyed hunting on scuba for groupers and snappers in my backyard, but the thought of spearing a tuna intrigued me to no end… and the thought of freediving caught my attention.

I had a hard time finding like-minded friends to dive with at first, as freediving was not a mainstream activity at the time. After researching a bit, I found a freediving school called Performance Freediving International and signed up for a course. I also found a freedive spearfishing club, which consisted of about 10 guys and no women. To this day, I give the same advice to anyone who wants to learn: “Take a class from a freedive agency, and join a local club so you can make friends and perhaps find a mentor.”

Before the class, I had never tried to hold my breath while holding still in a pool— called static apnea. I was predicting that I

PHOTO BY JOE MARINO

UNDER THE SEA

FREEDIVING: TRY IT!

would be a one-minute diver, but after some instruction I held my breath for four minutes.

Most importantly, I learned how to avoid a “blackout” and how to rescue a blacked-out diver. We were taught the importance of the buddy system and one-up/one-down diving.

While these classes will at least double your breath-hold time, learning the safety aspects is even more important.

Two decades later, I can look back and say that learning to freedive opened a whole new underwater world for me. Now that I’m an oldster in the sport, I marvel at the growth

rate, the number of agencies offering classes, the number of clubs in the area, and the large number of people that are in those clubs.

It’s wonderful to see so many young people enjoying the sport.

Lest I give the impression that freediving is a young people’s activity or something that super-athletes do, let me debunk that myth. I have met overweight smokers that were very good at it, and I’ve been diving with 80 year olds who were still enjoying it. Freediving is for anyone who is willing to give it a try.

Whether it’s to spearfish, experience the ocean in a different way, or simply find your inner-self at the bottom of the ocean, it’s an activity that anyone can enjoy.

It’s a natural, satisfying and spiritual experience to hold one’s breath and become one with the ocean. If you have the slightest interest, do not be intimidated; it’s actually very easy. Just give it a try… you might like it!

P.S. Terry Maas came out with an updated digital version of the book, and I am honored that he featured my world-record yellowfin tuna. You never know what will happen when you try new things!

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

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

JUNE 2021

73

E-Z ANCHOR PULLER MFG. CO. DEBUTS NEW PRODUCTS IN 2021 New Offers Include Pre-Spooled Rope Kits, Bowsprits and a Break-Away Anchor Design

A

fter 30-plus years of specializing in the windlass-replacement anchoring solution, E-Z Anchor Puller debuts its branded anchoring products engineered to suit each drum anchor winch.

Widely used anchoring accessories such as hawse pipes, bowsprits, guide rollers and more have been added to the catalog, manufactured specifically to accommodate the Hero, Patriot and Rebel drum anchor winches.

“To offer improved level winding of the rode onto the drum, we now have 4-inch wide flat rollers that let the rode wander back and forth to create a better spooling onto the drum,” said company President Aaron Knopp. “The 4-inch wide flat rollers allow more travel to ensure the rope is not centered onto the drum.”

“We knew our catalog needed to include inventory totally unique to our drum anchor winch dimensions,” said Sara Hitchins, Office & Trade Show Manager. “The standard anchoring accessories you see on the market now cater to the traditional windlass, for example, narrower guides on the roller, however, narrower guide rollers mean pile-up in the middle of the winch.”

Hitchins said the company’s expanded

74

JUNE 2021

inventory will enhance boaters’ experiences on the water, as well as improve the buying process for customers who prefer a “one-stop-shop” experience over researching and selecting other brand accessories.

“For a while, we’ve identified ourselves as the drum anchor winch experts, but really, having dealt with various consultations and unique boating experiences over the years, we’ve really become boat anchoring experts along the way,” Hitchins said.

Two other notable products, the Shear Magic galvanized plow anchor and the pontoon anchoring solution are also on sale. The 15-, 22- and 35-pound anchors were designed with a shear pin designed to break, so boaters no longer have to worry about cutting away their anchor rope and anchor when they get caught in coral reefs or other obstructions on the seabed. With the pontoon anchoring solution, an under-deck mounted configuration utilizes the structural integrity of the pontoon and is powered by the drum anchor winch. To further

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

compliment the catalog, the company will begin offering spools of anchor rope in July, 2021, further eliminating guesswork and wait time for customers. Vice President Christy Funk said the pre-cut nylon and dyneema will be shipped the same day as the customer’s anchor winch.

“We’ve offered consultations on winch size and appropriate rope configurations based on boating needs for years,” said Funk, “so it’s exciting to be able to provide them with what they need right off the bat, when they need it, rather than ordering the winch first, then ordering the rope and having to wait for that.”

E-Z Anchor Puller will attend the in-person ICAST boat show, July 20 at Booth 3817 as well as the 30th anniversary IBEX show in late September, Booth 3-2130. The “Trade Only” Tampa-based event caters to marine industry professionals and is “dedicated to advancing the business of boating.”

For information, go to www.ezanchorpuller.com.

G o to An ch or Pu lle ri st he W ay or Be lo w ,E -Z D ec k Ab ov e Above-deck on the 3025 GFX or below-deck inside the rope locker of the 35’ Sea Chaser HFC, the Rebel drum anchor winch is included as the standard or optional upgrade feature on these and other 2021 models. The compact design and 316 stainless steel components ensure E-Z Anchor Puller drum anchor winches can be retrofitted into tight spaces and perform in harsh, saltwater environments.

E-Z ANCHOR PULLER MFG. CO. America’s Anchor Winch Since 1990 Call 1.800.800.1640 | ezanchorpuller.com E-Z Anchor Puller’s drum anchor winches are complete 316 stainless steel with patented motors. This jam-free, hands-free solution neatly stores any diameter rope and chain right on the spool - no more tying off to a cleat!

30

Y EARS ANNIVERSARY

Own Your Own

FRANCHISE • Best Consumer Value!

• Home Based Business with Low Overhead • Complete Training with Ongoing Support • Years of Experience with Proven Results • Turnkey Systems

• Low Startup Costs

• Exclusive Territories

We’re Working Right

Now! MISTI & GARY GUERTIN Treasure Coast Co-Publishers

Love the outdoors? Enjoy meeting new people? Self-motivated?

If you are passionate about the outdoors and want to enjoy the freedom and benefits of owning your own business, come join our team of successful franchisees by publishing a Coastal Angler / The Angler Magazine in your area!

Be a part of the largest outdoor publication in the U.S. Become our next Coastal Angler/The Angler Magazine Franchise.

With a combined national readership of over a million per month and distribution to over 11,000 businesses in four regions, Coastal Angler Magazine and The Angler Magazine are the preferred resources for anglers and outdoor enthusiasts. Our brand is well known throughout the fishing world, and our free monthly magazines are recognized as well-designed, thoughtful publications that provide newsworthy and entertaining information pertinent to the marine and fishing industries.

Be in Business For Yourself...But Not By Yourself. An exceptionally rewarding and fulfilling business opportunity, as a co-publisher of your area’s Coastal Angler or The Angler Magazine, you’ll enjoy the benefits of controlling your own time and future. Our proven franchise publishing system enables individuals with no prior publishing experience to publish a credible and profitable localized version of our award winning magazine. We provide complete training and on-going support to ensure your success.

COME JOIN OUR TEAM!

For more information visit:

www.franchise.coastalanglermag.com 888-800-9794 • info@coastalanglermagazine.com

888-800-9794 | info@vidmag.com www.VidMag.com The Angler Video Magazine connects fishing and boating enthusiasts with industry news and shared community interests in a unique, industry-first format — a video magazine. Sent to over 1,463,735 licensed anglers, The Angler Video Magazine is provided to its readers for FREE. No subscriptions or payments are required for viewing.

Support The Angler Video Magazine's mission to provide FREE content to the recreational fishing and boating communities and industries throughout the world by sharing, subscribing and advertising.

SHARE • SUBSCRIBE • ADVERTISE