The Angler Video Magazine | November 2021 Edition

@CAMTAMagazine

TAILWATER BROWN TROUT

HIGH SPEED

THE KINGS OF FALL

'HOOS WATCH VIDEO

PHOTO CREDIT: GREG VEY COURTESY OF TYLER BUTLER VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 4

F R A N C H I S E

NOVEMBER 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

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Contents

VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 4

NOVEMBER 2021

Hialeah Angler Catches State Record Peacock

5

Inshore Slam with Baron Knowlton

6

Nymphing for Wild Chattahoochee Browns

12

Tailing the Kingfish Migration

20

Rigging & Running High Speed for Wahoo

24

By CAM Staff

By Patrick “Tupat” Eichstaedt

28

Ugly Fishing Spots Often Produce

32

Red Grouper Smashes Georgia Record

38

The Evolving Art of Daytime Swordfishing

40

Anglers Catch Rare Piebald Cat on the Tennessee River

45

Adjust Tactics When DH Trout Get Tough

46

Catch the Saltwater Striper Run at Virginia Beach By Englis Glover

51

Pro Angler Bradley Roy Hosts Kentucky High School Tourney

56

By Capt. Michael Okruhlik

By Nick Carter

By Tobin Strickland

By CAM Staff

By Capt. Don Combs

Easy Pickin's

40

By CAM Staff

By Capt. Quinlyn Haddon

By Richard Simms

By TAM Staff

By TAM Staff

2

Northeast Florida Fishing: Freshwater to the Gulf Stream

60

By CAM Staff

Fish of a Lifetime in Papua New Guinea

62

Goliath Grouper Recovering By CAM Staff

69

The Perfect Way to Fillet By CAM Staff

74

By Kurt Kiggins

62

888-800-9794 | info@vidmag.com www.VidMag.com EDITOR IN CHIEF : Ben Martin • camads@coastalanglermagazine.com COO : Tracy Patterson • tracy@coastalanglermagazine.com ART DIRECTOR : Laura Kelly • graphics@coastalanglermagazine.com EDITORIAL COORDINATOR : Nick Carter • editorial@coastalanglermagazine.com WEBMASTER : Ryan Clapper • webmaster@coastalanglermagazine.com

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Columns Fly Fishing

16

Rigging & Jigging

26

Tips From a Pro

52

Under the Sea

70

By Capt. Conway Bowman

By Tim Barefoot

By Tyler Woolcott

By Sheri Daye

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NOVEMBER 2021

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

WATCH

VIDEO

Hialeah Angler Catches

State Record Peacock

O

f all the non-native fish species that have established themselves in South Florida’s system of freshwater lakes and canals, peacock bass are the only ones that arrived legally. Butterfly peacock bass are a species anglers are glad to have, and Felipe Prieto, of Hialeah, caught a dandy out of a Broward County lake while fishing live bait after work. His 9.11-pound, 23 5/16-inch catch was recently certified by FWC as a new state record.

Prieto’s big peacock bested a mark that has stood for nearly three decades. The previous state record of 9.08 pounds was caught back in 1993. It is not, however, the largest ever caught in Florida. FWC has record of a 12-pound, 25.5-inch peacock that was not submitted for state record recognition. That fish was not far off the current IGFA all-tackle world record, which weighed 12 pounds, 9 ounces and was

caught from Venezuela’s Chiguao River in January of 2000.

Peacock bass are native to South America, and they were intentionally introduced to Florida. The FWC stocked peacock bass in coastal southeast Florida canals in 1984 to help reduce the number of undesirable exotic fishes, especially spotted tilapia. An awesome new fishery was a side benefit of the stocking.

Limited low-temperature tolerance normally restricts butterfly peacocks to Broward and Miami-Dade counties, but recent mild winters have allowed anglers as far north as Palm Beach County to enjoy catching this species.

“The butterfly peacock bass is colorful, a lightning-fast striker and a hard fighter,” said FWC Commission Chairman Rodney Barreto.

“Anglers from across the country travel here to catch a peacock bass, which only adds to the tremendous economic impact fishing has in

Florida. This unique game fish is just one of the features that makes Florida, truly, the Fishing and Boating Capital of the World.”

To properly certify a new freshwater Florida state record, an FWC biologist must identify the species and an FWC employee must witness its weighing on a certified scale.

Anglers can check the current state records at BigCatchFlorida.com by clicking on “State Record” and should notify the nearest FWC regional office if they believe they have caught a record fish. Anglers are encouraged to be prepared to provide a photograph of the fish on a scale with the weight legible, for expediting the initial verification of the fish species and potential state record status.

Contact information for FWC regional offices can be found at MyFWC.com/Contact by clicking on “Contact Regional Offices.”

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

NOVEMBER 2021

5

INSHORE SLAM WITH BARON KNOWLTON

T

his day the backwaters were insane! We fished for about six hours and was able to score big. Watching Baron slay inshore fishing is an experience within itself. Enjoy the episode!

CUSTOM FISHING RODS MAKE GREAT GIFTS!

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hen searching for that ultimate gift for the angler in your life, a custombuilt fishing rod takes your holiday gift giving to the next level! If you're looking for something really special and you’re tired of the same old offthe-shelf gear that plagues retail centers, then Mud Hole Custom Tackle is where you need to go!

Building custom fishing rods as holiday gifts shows that you care enough to personally pick out the components, colors, and performance characteristics to match that special someone in your life. Whether building your son's or daughter's first custom pan fish rod, creating the ultimate fly rod for your stream-tested granddad, or putting that perfect bass rod under the tree for yourself, custom fishing rods are ideal gifts for every angler on your list.

Mud Hole carries everything you need to build your next fishing rod. From the highest quality rod blanks for any application (salt, fresh, fly, ice, surf), to the grips, rod guides, and reel seats, we have all the components to make your custom rods…custom. And they have all of the tools and supplies you could possibly need. They carry the greatest selection of rod building products in the world. Plus, we ship worldwide!

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There's nothing like catching a fish on a rod you built. And there's nothing like building and giving a custom-built fishing rod this holiday season!

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THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

NOVEMBER 2021

9

THE ADVENTURE CONTINUES ALL SEASON LONG WITH GILLZ AND REEL LIFE

N

ovember in Florida is a special time of the year.

When the rest of the country is hunkering down for the winter, Floridians are enjoying cool and dry weather. Considering Florida is the only place in the continental United States that maintains a subtropical to tropical climate year-round, November is an excellent time to be out on the water battling the latest catch.

November is all about flounder, redfish, trout, and mullet. Some of the best flounder fishing of the year occurs in November. They can be found in bays, nearshore reefs, and wrecks. In addition, trout can be found inshore with a strong presence in the flats. Trout will hit everything from topwater lures to bucktail jigs.

Nothing is more exciting than seeing a gator trout busting out on the grass flats. The GILLZ men’s Tournament Hoodie combines a long sleeve performance fishing shirt and lightweight hooded pullover. Its 360-degree ventilation provides breathability even on the hottest days and an extra layer on the cooler days, perfect for being out on the water in November in Florida. The lack of rain may bring long days of unrelenting sun. We recommend pairing the men’s Trucker Hat and Waterman Mask with the hoodie for optimal all-day protection.

The GILLZ men’s Extreme Bonded Shorts have

all-day comfort using vented back paneling for maximum breathability to complete the look.

Redfish are throughout Florida waters and are commonly found hanging out at docks, bridges, and jetties. Most redfish will be caught using live shrimp, croakers, and pigfish. We recommend fishing for reds using live bait on a Carolina rig on the bottom. Redfish must be between 18 and 27 inches to keep. You can find a lot of bull reds in the passes, deep channels, and around deep-water bridges. Bull reds are fun to catch and release.

If you’re looking for some serious biggame fishing, you will want to head offshore.

If you’re taking your better half with you, keep her warm with the Reel Life women’s Bayfront Sweatshirt with “Tribal Stripes.” Designed with a comfortable fit in mind, the Bayfront Sweatshirt is incredibly soft and perfect for a day offshore.

We recommend pairing the sweatshirt with

the Reel Life women’s South Beach Jogger Pant and Destin 102P Polarized Silver Mirror Lens Sunglasses to complete the look. Offshore, you might want to catch some yellowfin tuna. They venture closer to shore from May to November, and most are seen at the Spur, Steps, and Rigs.

Tuna can be caught during the day trolling ballyhoo, cedar plugs, and bullet head lures. At night, tuna are caught using jigging or chunking.

Set the anchor and start chumming with pieces of northern or Boston mackerel.

Whether you are visiting or a seasoned local angler of the Sunshine State, November in Florida is the best time to be outside. GILLZ and Reel Life are here to celebrate fall in Florida with you.

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MASTERING YOUR GAME ALL SEASON LONG The new GILLZ gear Fall ‘21 collection is everything an angler needs to be successful on the water. The Contender LS shirt is one of our most popular fishing shirts, which features built-in UPF 50+ sun protection and advanced moisture-wicking technology to keep you cool and comfortable all season long.

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WATCH

VIDEO

NYMPHING FOR WILD

Chattahoochee

BROWNS

By Nick Carter

D

rifting between forested banks over bedrock shoals, it’s easy to forget where you are on the Buford Dam tailrace of the Chattahoochee River. This beautiful stretch of water snakes southwest through densely populated suburbs north of Atlanta, yet riverside development is limited. There are long stretches where this river feels like wilderness—where the sounds of the city are replaced by lapping oars and the soft swish of fly rods cutting air.

Chris Scalley, owner of River Through Atlanta guide service, manned the oars.

He rowed and coached and again showed us the bounty of the “Hooch.” The Angler Magazine Atlanta co-publisher Bob Rice and I have fished with Scalley several times before. Our late-September trip was another good one. The river’s wild reproducing brown trout were active in cooling weather patterns, and they punctuated a steady catch of sleek and feisty rainbows.

The Chattahoochee is one of the best tailwater trout fisheries in the Southeast. It is a success story for fisheries management.

Georgia DNR stopped stocking brown trout in the river in 2005 after natural reproduction was discovered. Today, those beautiful butter-bellies still thrive.

It’s a unique situation that has made this 30-mile-long stretch a destination fishery.

The Hooch has produced a string of

state-record browns, including the current nearly 21-pounder.

But before you get geared up for 30-inch trout, realize that while monsters do exist in the river’s deep holes and log jams, they are not frequent catches.

Over several trips with Scalley, it seems a pretty good day consists of numerous rainbows, a handful of browns in the 10- to 12-inch range and a fish or two in the 14- to 16-inch range. Of course, the opportunity for larger fish is always present.

Early in our float, a wading angler hailed us over to show photos of a 20-plus-inch fish he had in his net earlier that day.

It was proof the big girls were eating, and it inspired us to fish our triple-nymph rigs more diligently. After bringing several 8- to 12-inch rainbow trout to hand, I hooked into our first brown, a gorgeous 15-incher that took the big black stonefly anchoring the rig. We went on to catch several more good browns and a bunch

of rainbows. The bows preferred either the small Baetis nymph in the rig or an egg pattern Scalley called a Stormy Daniels.

While fishing three nymphs at once might sound like a recipe for disaster, it’s actually quite simple.

Under Scalley’s coaching, even beginners catch on to the looping lob it takes to cast such a rig.

Once it’s in the water, nymphing with an indicator is a lot like the bobber fishing you did as a kid. You just float down the river and watch for a fish to bite.

Those bites should be frequent over the next few months. Water temperatures remain consistent on the tailwater year-round, and fall and winter offer great fishing for wild browns.

Contact Chris Scalley and River Through Atlanta through their website riverthroughatlanta.com, or call (770) 650-8630.

FLY FISHING 16

CLEARING THE LINE: A FLY FISHERMAN’S MOMENT OF TRUTH

H

ooking a fish on fly gear is sometimes the easiest part of the game; what happens after the fish is hooked is probably more important. Nothing can demonstrate this more than clearing your fly line after a fish has been hooked. This is what I call the “hero-to-zero in three seconds.”

Here is the scenario: you make a 50-foot cast to a school of tuna, a tailing bonefish or a string of tarpon. You begin stripping your fly back toward you, trying to snooker the fish into striking. The fish follows the fly within a few feet of the boat and then strikes. You set the hook, and you’re tight to the fish. The fish makes a lighting-fast run away from the boat. You look down and discover there’s a large pile of fly line at your feet… now what?

Clearing all that fly line from the deck or the stripping basket is now the most critical element in fighting the fish. Fly line tangled up in your feet or wrapped around a cleat on the deck will instantly result in a snapped tippet, and possibly a good line burn on your toes. All the work and patience that brought you to this moment will be a total loss if you can’t get the line cleared and the fish on the reel, and you only have a few seconds to do it.

First, transfer your thinking from the fish to the line. This is easier said than done.

Let the fish run; he’s hooked, and if you keep tension on him he’ll stay hooked.

NOVEMBER 2021

Do not lift your rod tip.

Keep the rod angled at 90 degrees to allow line to slide through the guides.

Do not hold the fly line. This practice will result in a broken tippet.

Focus on clearing the line at your feet, while keeping a light grip on the line with your thumb and index finger. Allow line to run through your fingers until the fly line is tight to the reel.

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

This process may seem to take forever, but it actually takes but a few seconds.

Once the fly line is on the reel, apply positive tension on the fish and begin to fight it.

If, while clearing your line, you notice a knot do not attempt to undo it. Allow the knot to travel through the guides. In most cases, the knot will not hinder the lineclearing process. Deal with the knot after you have landed the fish.

Master the art of clearing the fly-line, and you’ll be considered a greater magician than David Copperfield. It’s the trickiest and most nerve-racking three seconds in the sport.

PHOTO BY NICK CARTER

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C he e r s T r a il . o r g

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.

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

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.

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

NOVEMBER 2021

19

Tailing the

Kingfish Migration P

erhaps more than any other species, king mackerel are temperature driven. Kingfish prefer a temperature range of about 68 to 73 degrees, which is extremely specific, and it keeps them on the move.

That magic temperature window also makes them easier to find. With today’s technology and subscription services providing daily updates on offshore conditions and currents, identifying prime hunting grounds for kings can be a matter of checking your phone or tablet in the morning before you head out.

It’s no surprise that general seasonal migratory patterns take king mackerel to warmer waters as cold fronts of fall arrive. Tagging and genetics studies have shown that Atlantic king mackerel push

By CAM Staff

south to waters off Florida to overwinter.

Their numbers this time of year thin out the farther north you go, yet fall can also be the best time to catch big isolated smokers off the coast of the Carolinas.

Off South Florida, Atlantic kingfish intermingle with Gulf kingfish during the winter months. This winter mixing zone is primarily around the Florida Keys, where the December kingfish bite ramps up along with the action for other species like sailfish and wahoo.

In the Gulf of Mexico, kings spend summer in the northern Gulf, with high densities tracked to waters off the mouth of the Mississippi River. In fall, they push south in two separate groups. Some fish move east and then south along the Florida coast, where anglers intercept

them as they move down the coastline.

The other group of Gulf kings moves west with the arrival of cooler weather. They run down the Texas coast to winter off the south Texas. Some of these fish push farther south into waters off Mexico’s Yucatan.

Regardless of where you fish along these migrations, kingfish are looking for the same conditions. They can be found on ledges, reefs, oil rigs and wrecks, wherever there are baitfish.

They like nearshore and offshore structure and color breaks where plankton-rich waters exist in the temperature range they prefer.

Trolling or drifting are the most effective methods to target kings, and good live bait is the best way to hook up with big ones. Blue runners, pogies (menhaden), pilchards, threadfin herring, any bait with some silver flash is good.

Switching them out and keeping them lively is important.

A heavy chum slick can do wonders for bringing them up near the surface.

Idle speed is about right for pulling baits. Stagger depth and distance from the boat. Bump the throttle into neutral and drift when the sonar shows good bottom or bait.

For more kingfish tips, visit coastalanglermag.com.

KINGFISH RIGS A mainline of 20- to 30-pound monofilament will suffice, but with all the teeth in a king’s mouth, a wire leader is required. Depending on water clarity, go as heavy as the fish will allow, but keep it light enough for your bait to appear natural.

A 24-inch, single-strand wire of 40-pound test is a starting point. Go lighter in clear water or with smaller baits; go heavier in dirty water or if you’re fishing big baits.

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The Pilot PRO: Your Secret Weapon in the Fight Against the Elements

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s every serious saltwater angler knows, maritime weather conditions can change quickly and with little warning — whether you’re fishing along the coastline or are far from shore in a deep-sea fishing vessel.

And being well-prepared for whatever Mother Nature may bring can make for much more comfortable (and longer) days on the water.

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But it’s the jacket’s middle layer that makes it truly stand out from the crowd. Featuring frogg toggs’ exclusive DriPore Gen2 PLUS performance film, the Pilot PRO boasts water-holdout levels exceeding 15,000mm, along with extraordinary breathability at over 20,000 MVTR — both representing ultra-high levels of performance. All said, the Pilot PRO offers levels of comfort and protection that are simply unrivaled at the jacket’s approachable price point.

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To learn more about frogg toggs’ Pilot PRO Jacket, visit froggtoggs.com.

Editor’s Note: This article by the late, great Don Combs was originally published in Coastal Angler Magazine before the legendary captain’s death in 2017. Combs was a lure maker, a renowned angler and a pioneer in the world of wahoo. The tactics he helped create remain relevant for catching big wintertime ’hoos.

H

igh-speed fishing for wahoo is not new. More than 30 years ago, many of us in Florida were pulling lures at speeds of 15 to 18 knots. Back then most of our boats would not run more than about 15 to 20 knots. So it was a matter of, “why not throw over a lure and see what happens?”

Wahoo can be caught year-round on Florida’s Atlantic coast, but the best months for us here are usually January through April. The best fishing will be from about 130 feet to 240 feet. Early falls weather and very cold winters seem to coincide with some of our best fishing seasons.

The moon is also important in wahoo fishing. I like to fish about three days before the full moon and even on the day of the full moon. After that, the dark or no moon is good.

Over the years, the technique for high speed trolling for Wahoo has been refined and is now even more productive. It is important to match your lures and equipment.

You can high-speed troll with anything from a Sea Witch to a Mr. Big by C&H. I use bentbutt 50/80 rods and 50 wide or 80 size reels.

I fill the reels with half mono topped off with 80-pound blue braid line. The braided line will allow the lure and weight to get a little deeper.

I use C&H Mega Jets and Wahoo Whacker XLs as lures. I also use a Billy Bait Mr. Big with

rubber skirts. The best colors are white over blue, black over purple, black over red, pink over yellow and a black, green and purple combination. The lure is rigged with a 6-foot cable leader, which is about 500-pound test. I use two 10/0 Mustad 7732 hooks rigged in-line. Hooked to the lure is a 15-foot mono leader with a ball-bearing swivel to the lure and a fisherman’s loop at the top to receive the snap

swivel from the trolling weight.

I use different sized weights to help separate the lures. Don’t use a weight unless the cable is free floating through the lead. Otherwise you will lose your lure because the wire loops or cable will eventually break due to constant bending.

So it goes like this: a ball-bearing swivel on your 80-pound braid, next is your weight then your shock leader and then comes your lure. I like bent-butt rods on my flat lines and straight butt rods on my riggers.

I use 48-ounce weights on my two flatlines, which will be my two short lines.

These lines will be about 100 feet behind the boat. I use 32- or 24-ounce trolling weights on my rigger lines. These two lines will be about 200 to 250 feet behind my boat.

Every boat has a perfect speed determined by trial and error. What you are looking for on speed is two clear streaks with as little as possible white water. This usually occurs just above a slow plane. After you reach full trolling speed, set your drags so the line just stops coming off the reel.

I like to troll east and west across the ledge or structure on Florida’s east coast. I usually put my lines in the water at 130 feet and work east to about 300 feet. I look for rips with good temperature breaks. Wahoo don’t like water below about 72 degrees. A good rip will go from 72 to 74 in the spring and 80 to 86 in the summer. If you can locate a good rip over the ledge, these are ideal conditions.

Remember, wahoo are schooling fish. If you catch one, keep working the same area.

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE BAIT

Tim Barefoot

A

t some point you have to realize the that were constantly followed truth about what really holds fish in by red and gag grouper. No a certain area and why they show up matter where these schools during certain times of the year. of bait went, the reds and gags went with For example, November is the first “cold” them. Find the bait; find the fish. month of the year, and that signal is felt by the Nowadays, I go to the same areas of “good massive schools of cigar minnows, sardines bottom,” and I look for stacks of beeliners and the inshore baby beeliners (vermillion to fish on. I have written about this before, snapper). They are programed to “ball up” but when you find big stacks of bait, catch for one reason one of the baits or another. The and put it right fish anglers are back down. searching for It increases get the same your odds of signal, and they catching what key in on these you came schools of bait. for. Granted, Gags are now more gags, well established scamps and red on nearshore grouper have ledges for been caught their annual on frozen spawning run, cigar minnows and it is not than all the coincidence other baits these are combined, the same but that was traditional then, and this areas where the is now. Thirty bait stages. years ago, there At one were so many point in my grouper it was On the graph, a stack of bait marks not connected to the bottom indicates beeliners, cigar minnows bottom-fishing a competitive and sardines. Grouper will be under or near a evolution, I atmosphere school of baitfish like this one. fished stacks on the bottom, of bait on without all the slick flat-sand bottom that we referred to little dink snapper and junk bites. That’s why as “trash piles.” These stacks of bait were frozen cigar minnows worked so well. Now, miles away from ledges and wrecks, but they you have to think a little bit and put baits held grouper and big snapper just the same. down that attract the target species, instead These were giant stacks of cigs and sardines of everything down there. A grass grunt or

WATCH

VIDEO

PHOTO CREDIT: ANDREA WHITAKER

pinfish as big as your hand will eliminate all the trash bites and zoom in on the grouper.

Nothing is a better vehicle to the bottom, creates a better “illusion,” and is a cleaner tackle than plugging one of these live or butterflied baits onto a Decoy Jig. If you find a stack of beeliners, you need to put some effort into catching some of these beeliners, butterflying them and sending them right back down. You’ll feel all the “junk bites” down there ripping chunks out of your bait, but that’s OK. Be patient.

When you get the real bite, there will be no question, and it’ll be worth the wait.

Check out Capt. Tim Barefoot at Barefootcatsandtackle.com, where there are videos highlighting his tips, tackle and techniques.

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Easy Pickin’s

BY CAPT. MICHAEL OKRUHLIK

VIDEO

PHOTO COURTESY OF KNOCKIN TAIL LURES

WATCH

F

all fishing can be the easiest and best fishing of the year. For me it is the flounder run, schools of trout and reds under flocks of gulls, and the prelim to giant trophy trout time.

The fall flounder migration is definitely a staple of fall fishing, and I know that it goes on wherever flatfish exist. We do have a closed season for the first time, so be sure to check the regs wherever you plan to fish. Most states have changed flounder regulation in the last couple years.

Not only are flounder easier to find when they travel though the passes in their voyage to their spawning grounds, they also feed aggressively as they follow baitfish out of the bays. When I focus on flounder, I change my presentation dramatically. I like to apply scent to my lures, which gives you a great advantage when it comes to catching flounder.

A tandem rig is a popular method to utilize

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for flounder. Since flounder frequently ambush bait by burying themselves in the sand, I keep my lead lure in contact with the bottom at all times and give the lure a twitch with my rod using a sideways motion. If I am in a boat, I do this with my rod tip down, but while wading my rod moves to my side.

Finding trout and reds smashing shrimp under feeding gulls can really get your heart pumping from the visual excitement. It can also provide non-stop fish on every cast. This is especially true in the fall, when it is more common to find larger trout schooling than in the other three seasons.

When fishing the birds, I use a heavier jighead than I typically do. A ¼- to 3/8-ounce jighead works well. The more skittish the fish and birds, the heavier head I will use. I do this simply to increase my casting distance, so I can reach the schools sooner and stay farther away in an attempt to not break up the schools or

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push them down. Using a durable soft plastic and smashing down the barb of the hook are helpful in maximizing the number of fish you can pull off each school. If you can keep the birds off of it, throwing a topwater might pull out some of the larger fish and add to the fun and visual stimulation of the entire event.

By the end of fall, trophy trout become my main focus, and this continues through midspring. At this time, the water will have cooled considerably, and the majority of bait will have left the bays. Artifical lures will become a more reliable option for catching trophy trout.

Enjoy this cooler weather, and spend some time on the water. This is a great time to introduce young anglers to the sport.

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

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HOOKED ON™ SUZUKI TECHNOLOGY

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THE CHOICE IS YOURS SUZUKI’S SELECTIVE ROTATION TECHNOLOGY Suzuki has achieved what no other outboard manufacturer has done and provided a simple way to setup dual, triple, and even quad engine applications (150HP and up). This cutting-edge Selective Rotation technology provides the ability for the consumer to select regular or counter rotation into a single outboard model. This technology adds ease of use and overall resale value for the life of the motor.

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5 YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY applies to qualifying purchases of Suzuki outboard motors sold and delivered to the retail purchaser, for pleasure (non-commercial) use only, from April 1, 2021 through March 31, 2022. See Suzuki Limited Warranty for additional details. Suzuki, the “S” logo, and Suzuki model and product 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 Marine USA, LLC. All rights reserved.

SUZUKI MARINE USA MAKES SERIOUS WAVES AT IBEX 2021

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uzuki Marine, USA LLC pulled out all the stops at the 2021 IBEX Show in its new hometown of Tampa, Florida. Highlights of the show that ran from September 28 to September 30 at the Tampa Convention Center included earning a Soundings Trade Only Most Innovative Companies Award for 2021 and a press conference at the Suzuki exhibit to introduce new Suzuki Precision Controls 2.0 for 2022, update attendees on Suzuki’s innovative Microplastics Filter system for outboard motors, and celebrate the company’s recent move to Florida with key government officials.

At the show’s traditional opening industry breakfast, keynote speaker Florida Governor Ron DeSantis recognized Suzuki Marine by name for its relocation to the state. He did so in the context of expressing the importance of the State of Florida to America’s marine business, and vice versa.

Later that afternoon, key members of the boating press, boat builders, and other industry representatives gathered in the Suzuki booth to hear from Suzuki Marine Vice President/Sales George “Gus” Blakely. He shared information about new Suzuki Precision Controls 2.0 for 2022 and updated the crowd about Suzuki’s ongoing environmental stewardship efforts, in particular the company’s innovative Microplastics Filter device for use on Suzuki outboards. Suzuki Marine is also working hard to drastically reduce the amount of plastic waste it generates by changing its packaging and shipping materials and working with organizations such as Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful to engage in regular waterway cleanup activities. During the show, Suzuki also sponsored Hydration Stations and recycle bins throughout the exhibit hall to reduce the use of plastic cups and water bottles and

properly dispose of them when finished — demonstrating two simple, yet effective ways companies can make a tangible difference for the environment.

Two very important special guests then took turns to address the crowd. The first was Jim Patronis, Chief Financial Officer for the

State of Florida, who used the opportunity to welcome Suzuki Marine to the state and commend the company for making Tampa its new corporate headquarters. In his comments, he expressed appreciation not only for the business impact Suzuki Marine is making, but also for Suzuki’s ongoing commitment to protecting and enhancing the state’s coastal and marine environments.

Following Patronis’ remarks, Mark McQueen, City Manager of Panama City, took center stage to talk about Suzuki’s recent opening of a Suzuki Marine U.S. Technical Center on a 20-acre waterfront site in Panama City.

He commented that Suzuki Marine saw past the recent hurricane damage the area had

sustained to envision what this unique property could become — a state-of-the-art Technical Center that will help Suzuki work closely with boat builders and dealers to develop the innovative outboard technologies of tomorrow.

Following these remarks, the assembled press, guests, government representatives and their staffs went outside where the Suzuki-powered water taxi L’Attitude Lindsey was waiting to take the group on a scenic tour of Tampa’s downtown waterfront. Not only is this unique vessel powered by twin Suzuki DF140 outboards; it has been testing Suzuki’s microplastics filters since June.

This boat runs about 3,000 hours per year, making it an ideal platform to collect not only micro-plastic pollution around Tampa Bay, but also important test data Suzuki can use to refine and perfect this system in preparation for it’s eventual release to the boating public.

“We had a great IBEX Show and we are looking forward to carrying this momentum into the coming year,” said Blakely. “All of us at Suzuki Marine want to express our gratitude to Jim Patronis and Mark McQueen, for taking time out of their busy schedules to come to the show and help us share with the press and the industry our exciting plans for the future.”

To learn more about Suzuki Marine’s Clean Oceans Project initiatives, or its full line of clean-running 4-stroke outboard motors from 2.5 to 350 horsepower, call (813) 687-7200 or visit www.suzukimarine.com.

Water Taxi L’Atitude Lindsey Tours Downtown Tampa.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CAPT. BRENT JUAREZ

UGLY FISHING SPOTS OFTEN PRODUCE

By Tobin Strickland

W

e all have an idea of what a good fishing spot should look like. Perhaps it’s surrounded by pristine sand dunes and native grasses and has that perfect seagrass bottom? Or maybe it’s a hidden marsh lagoon surrounded by mangroves? We spend so much time running to the prettiest spot and wonder why we don’t catch fish. Maybe it’s time to take a look at the ugly fishing spots?

I’ve found great fishing wherever great fishing occurs, and many times those locales haven’t been pretty. Earlier today, I ran the boat to several isolated bays only to find a school of nice speckled trout right behind the boat ramp. I knew the structure was right, and when I saw good sign of fish presence, I didn’t hesitate to fish close to the ramp. It was less than 50 yards to the entrance to the harbor. In fact, three other fishing boats left the harbor while I steadily caught fish.

We always feel the need to make the run to that “perfect” spot. I did that this past

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Friday and made a 22-mile run. Granted, I knew fish were there—and I caught fish—but I also caught solid fish today less than half a football field from my parked truck.

Here’s the deal: Fish don’t know they aren’t supposed to be somewhere. As long as the location matches what they are looking for, the fish will be there regardless of what the above-surface features look like.

So what makes a good fishing spot for speckled trout, redfish or flounder? First of all, it must be in the right part of the bay system for season. No spot will produce if it’s not where the bait and fish want to be seasonally. Next, it has to have the right structure for the fish you are targeting. If you’re seeking trout, that spot better be trout habitat. It should be the right depth for trout and give them plenty of opportunities to ambush prey from below, whether it’s a main-bay drop-off, the edge of an oyster reef or the edge of a pocket in the grass. The habitat must be a match for the species you

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are going after... period. And similarly to the seasonal requirement, the location has to have forage.

If a fishing spot contains all the above parameters, yet it’s a little less than pristine, that can be a great spot. Take, for example, a big-trout spot I found last fall. I found this location using aerial photography, and it seemed promising. There was deep water nearby, a great oyster reef and a mud bottom.

It was in the upper section of the estuary, so I knew it would fit the bill for late fall and early winter. I did wonder how the boat traffic would be… because it was in the back of the harbor. I caught fish closer to my truck than the actual run distance to the spot was.

Today’s location was similar. Did it matter to me that it wasn’t 22 miles away? Not after that first hookset; No. Tobin created TroutSupport.com - Tech Support for speckled trout and redfish anglers who want to up their game to the next level.

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Upcountry South Carolina

The Best Place to Drop a Fishing Line

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ou don’t need a formal invitation to have fun in Upcountry South Carolina: Come kayak in our crystal blue lakes, hike to our rushing waterfalls, dig into our local cuisine, attend our family-oriented events and festivals, and breathe deep our fresh mountain air any time you want to feel refreshed. But when you hold a valid South Carolina fishing license, it feels like an official ticket to enjoy the great outdoors.

Fishing is an activity that anglers of any age can enjoy and whole families can do together.

Whether sitting on a boat or standing on shore, you can relax into the simple pleasure of holding a rod surrounded by beautiful green mountains and blue water. There’s a jolt of excitement with each pull on your line and you spring into action to reel in your catch. Only minimal equipment is needed and no specific skills are required, so fishing appeals to novices as readily as pros.

Fish are biting year round in the lakes, rivers and streams of Upcountry South Carolina, located in the state’s northwestern corner in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountain. Try reeling in a worldclass catch at Devils Fork State Park in Salem, where Lake Jocassee holds state fish records for rainbow trout, brown trout, redeye bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, and yellow perch. Or try your luck in Lake Hartwell, at Lake Hartwell State Park in Fair Play and Sadlers Creek State Park in Anderson, three-time host of the Bassmaster Classic (2008, 2015 and 2018).

The Chattooga River, ranked as one of the nation’s best wild and scenic rivers, boasts healthy wild trout populations plus is regularly stocked by Oconee County’s Walhalla State Fish Hatchery.

You can fish for brown trout, rainbow trout, redeye

bass, catfish, bluegill, brown brook and bream in the Chattooga River. The Whitewater River above Lower Whitewater Falls is another great option for wild trout fishing. Lake Keowee at KeoweeToxaway State Park in Pickens County swims with largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass as well as crappie, bluegill, yellow perch, catfish, brown trout and rainbow trout.

Pick up everything you need to ensure a great angling experience—including advice—at local fly shops or book a guided fishing trip. Sam Jones of Jocassee Charters knows the best locations on Lake Jocassee to hook trophy trout year round.

Buster Green’s Guide Service reels in stripers, hybrids and largemouth bass on Lake Hartwell and Lake Keowee. Chattooga River Fly Shop leads catch-and-release fly fishing trips for trout and redeye bass on the Chattooga and Chauga Rivers.

Of course you can get out on the water even if you don’t plan to fish. Jocassee Lake Tours offers tours of the 9,000-acre Lake Jocassee and of the Jocassee Gorges, which National Geographic ranks as a “Destination of a Lifetime.” Some of the most amazing spots can only be reached by boat.

Several different tours are offered, so you can learn from a naturalist while riding on a pontoon or paddling a kayak through quiet coves and under waterfalls. Some tours boat then hike to remote swimming spots, South Carolina’s highest point, or other surprises. If you prefer to stay on solid ground, some road vehicle tours are available, too.

Prefer to captain your own boat? No problem!

Several rental companies, including Tri-County Boat Rental, operate on Lake Keowee, Lake Jocassee, Lake Hartwell, and other lakes to make it easy to get out on the water. Whether you prefer

kayaking, canoeing, stand-up paddle boarding, water skiing, or tootling around in a pontoon boat, it’s invigorating to navigate clear water while surrounded by great mountain views.

If you’d rather be under the water than on it, go scuba diving in Lake Jocassee—that’s right: You can scuba dive in the mountains! Lake Jocassee is a world-renowned freshwater diving destination that boasts visibility of more than 50 feet at depth on warm clear days. Dive down to see the “wall” created when the side of the mountain was blasted during construction of the dam. You can also swim through a 40-foot wooden sail boat. Lake Jocassee Dive Shop offers lessons if you’re a novice or hope to refine your diving skills.

From fishing to boating, hiking to camping, biking to bird watching and more, the Upcountry’s South Carolina State Parks are a great place to come and play. Dip into the swimming hole at Oconee State Park. Hike past mountain streams to the tops of Pinnacle and Table Rock mountains at Table Rock State Park. Explore the 13,000-acre Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area at Caesars Head State Park. Scuba, swim or fish at Devils Fork State Park. Or create your own adventure at any of the Upcountry’s 13 state parks, with enough fun to fill a trip of any length.

There’s so much to explore, it’s best to plan to stay awhile. Upcountry South Carolina is packed with a range of comfortable overnight accommodation options. Stay in a rustic mountain cabin, at an upscale bed and breakfast, a lakefront villa, a city hotel in Spartanburg or Greenville, or even a treehouse.

Visit UpcountrySC.com to learn more.

SAVOR THE SEASONS inUpcountry South Carolina

Discover majestic waterfalls, crystal-clear lakes, and spectacular mountain vistas in Upcountry South Carolina.

SAVOR THE SEASONS inUpcountry South Carolina

Discover majestic waterfalls, crystal-clear lakes, and spectacular mountain vistas in Upcountry South Carolina.

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Llebroc Builds Better Boat Seats

L

lebroc Industries began business in 1981 as a medium to high-end seat manufacturing company. During the 80s they evolved into a front-line manufacturer of a diverse group of automotive products for pickups, Suburbans and SUVs. But, in 1997 Llebroc switched primary focus to marine seating. Their first customers were Champion and Skeeter, both manufacturers of bass boats.

Since then, the company rapidly expanded their scope of operations to include seating for boats and ships of every size and description.To accomplish this in such a short span of time, they exercised extensive experience in automotive seating, and now, just 24 years later, Llebroc is creating the most innovative concepts and designs in seating for the marine industry.

Their Series 1 line, for use in an enclosed helm with limited exposure to the weather, currently features eight models with standard features that include: power coasted 1-inch square tube steel; molded foam seat cushions, armrests and headrests; Modern Allante vinyl upholstery; and a 24-month warranty.

The Series 2 line for both indoor and outdoor use currently numbers 14 models with an array of standard features that include all-aluminum construction; UV texture powder coating; UltraLeather material (standard); dual positive lock seat-back adjusters; multi-position arms; Llebroc’s AquaFlex Mitigating System, which provides a level of compact and safety previously unavailable in marine seating; and a three-year warranty.

All Llebroc seats offer free shipping in the continental United States.

Llebroc also produces all-weather seating (11 models), bass boat seating (7 models), seat accessories and all the necessary hardware required for proper installation and utilization. Simply stated, Llebroc creates the highest quality marine seating that can be found on today’s market. It begins with initial concept drawings and proceeds on through each stage of production. In addition, every effort is enhanced by dedication to superior customer service. Each Helm Chair features rugged durability, extraordinary comfort, functional design, an impressive list of standard features and, perhaps best of all, an affordable price.

For information about Llebroc products and services, visit www.llebroc.com or call Toll Free: 800-284-5771 • Fax: 817-831-3623.

HUGE RED GROUPER SMASHES GEORGIA RECORD

A

49-year-old angler from K i n g s l a n d , Georgia landed a huge red grouper off the Georgia coast on Oct. 4 that crushed the existing state record by nearly seven pounds.

Bruce C. Bartlett Jr.’s 26-pound, 6.4-ounce fish measured 34.5 inches in length. It was certified by Georgia DNR and broke the existing record of 19 pounds, 7 ounces, which was caught by John Wren in 2012.

The IGFA all-tackle world record weighed 42 pounds, 4 ounces. It was caught in 1997 off St. Augustine, Florida.

Bartlett landed the red grouper using a 5-foot, 8-inch Ugly Stik Tiger rod with Shimano Torium reel with 65-pound Power 38

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Pro line using a live cigar minnow as bait. His terminal rig was a fish finder sinker slide with an 8-ounce bank sinker to a 100-pound barrel swivel, following by a 60-pound fluorocarbon leader and 6/0 Eagle Claw circle hook. He was fishing east of Navy Tower R4, about 60 miles off of Cumberland Island, Georgia, aboard his boat Fishslaya Duece Doug Haymans, director of DNR’s Coastal Resources Division, which oversees the state’s Saltwater Gamefish Record Program, said Bartlett’s catch is a credit to the years of experience he has as an angler.

“This achievement recognizes not only the size of the catch, but Mr. Bartlett’s skill as an angler and the sportsmanship displayed in landing a record-setting gamefish,” Haymans said.

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The catch was weighed at M & A Seafood Market on North Lee Street in Kingsland on scales certified by the Georgia Department of Agriculture. The Saltwater Gamefish Records Committee, comprised of DNR marine biologists and staff, approved the new record Friday, Oct. 15.

Bartlett will receive a certificate signed

by Gov. Brian Kemp acknowledging his record catch, and the record will be added to the list published at CoastalGaDNR.org/ SaltwaterRecords. It will also be included in the 2022 Georgia Sport Fishing Regulations guidebook.

For the current list of Georgia saltwater fishing records, as well as information on how to submit a catch, visit CoastalGaDNR.org/SaltwaterRecords.

JAW Delivers Innovative and Proven Offshore Trolling Lures

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AW Lures, a Miami-based lure maker, has gone nationwide with its line of offshore trolling lures. Designed and proven to put fish in the box, these innovative, yet simple, lures were tested and tuned in waters off Miami and the Florida Keys.

Since 2014, JAW has been proving itself in “The Fishing Capital of the World.”

Now the company is expanding with explosive growth driven by consistent delivery of quality, effective lures at an affordable price point. “Offering premium products, staying on course and selecting the right distribution partners is key for our brand. We are very excited to move into new territories during these unprecedented times...” said JAW Lures CEO Holger Kamin.

JAW Lures offshore trolling lures are the original and only offshore trolling lures in the world that feature two independent skirts and two hooks that can catch fish simultaneously and/or separately. One skirt chasing another gives the appearance of frenzied bait, which naturally triggers the predatory instincts of most all pelagic species.

“Our go-to lures for mahi-mahi and blackfin tuna,” said happy angler Corey Cawgas. “We almost always get two tuna at a time.”

But tuna and mahi are just the beginning. JAW lures are designed to troll at any speed in almost any conditions. They have proven deadly for wahoo, marlin, sailfish, kingfish and more.

JAW Lures rigs each lure individually by hand and constructs them with highquality materials. They use only Mustad 3407 SS-DT O’Shaughnessy hooks and AWF High-Seas leader material. Each lure is tuned and comes out of the package ready to rock.

From the weekend warrior looking for quality, pre-rigged lures to the avid offshore guide driven to deliver the best possible experience to their charter clients, JAW Lures delivers superior performance at an affordable price.

“JAW Lures should be in everyone’s offshore tackle box,” said Dean Russell of Next Level Outdoors. “The design is simple, while still being innovative, and all the components are first class. Adding these high-quality products to your trolling spread will put more fish in the cooler.”

Since the company’s expansion in the spring of 2021, anglers from Texas to New England, and over on the Pacific Coast of California are discovering the hassle-free effectiveness of trolling with JAW Lures.“JAW brings top quality materials, creative design at affordable prices.

We are happy to partner with reputable manufacturers to complement our product line,” said Seve Martin of FishRazr.

Try working JAW’s offshore trolling lures into your spread. There’s a good chance they’ll become the most productive lures you pull.

For more information, visit jawlures.com.

g n i sh i f

THE EVOLVING ART OF DAYTIME

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d or w

By Capt. Quinlyn Haddon

ithin the last decade, swordfishing has steadily evolved from being exclusively a nighttime pursuit into a round-the-clock affair. The ongoing pioneering of daytime swordfishing techniques leaves room for experimentation to perfect personal preferences within this art.

A lot of work goes into going after just a single bite, and many variables are at play fishing in 1,000 to 2,000 feet.

Then, factoring in tackle, crew and the inconsistent bite style of these fish, the best way to figure out daytime swordfishing is to go do it.

Although you might see little sport in utilizing an electric reel, this type of fishing requires an incredible amount of teamwork. There’s always a job for everyone on the boat. Good communication is essential, not only to land fish, but also just to set the bait correctly.

Rigging a bait for swordfish is more satisfying than buying one pre-rigged. It’s a chance to flex your creativity and experiment with different styles and baits. After all, you want more than one bait on-hand during a sword trip.

Whether you go with the tried-and-true squid bait or hardier mahi- or bonita-belly strips, the most important factor is whether or not the bait spins. If it spins on the surface, it will spin worse at the bottom, and it must be modified or scrapped.

Personally, I like a glow-in-the-dark squid skirt on any bait, not just for added movement and visual enhancement, but the skirt also streamlines the bait and compensates for rigging errors. Once you’ve sewn the bait, slowly troll it behind the boat to check for spinning.

If your Franken-bait is straight as an arrow on the surface, send it on down. Affix breakaway lights along the wind-on leader near the bait. About 100 feet up the leader, use rigging floss to create a loop where the clip for the weight will attach to the main line. The clip is attached to about 30 feet of lighter leader, in the 50-pound range, that is then affixed to a weight.

Adjust weight to the current. A reasonable go-to is 10

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pounds. Again, ensure you have extra weights on board before investing in a sword trip.

The last thing you want is to get revved up over a bite, come up without a weight and have to scavenge a tool box for your heaviest wrenches to toss overboard.

There are a few different styles of driving the boat for swordfishing that have proven successful. Regardless of the method you chose, the idea is to keep the weight from free falling and tangling the line. Keep tension on the line while it is going down, take up the slack, and relocate the bottom. Come up off the bottom 100 feet, or so, and continue that process as you drift over varied depths.

Keep eyes on the rod tip the entire time, and find the happy medium between not blinking and not losing your mind. Swordfish might swipe the bait before committing to the hook, or they might hammer it. Sometimes they just start swimming to the surface with it. All the different bites look different on the rod tip. You might see the rod bounce with taps, get heavy and not bounce at all, or just completely go slack. Whether the bite is obvious or subtle, setting the hook or knowing when to reel up to check the bait is a matter of experience.

Swordfish are counted like tarpon, where the overall bite count is included along with those landed. Don’t even bother fishing for swords if you don’t have patience or enough love of fishing to be okay with coming home skunked.

It’s all hands on deck boating one of these very aggressive, potentially large fish. If you’re lucky enough to get a swordfish to the boat, you’ll find out very quickly which friends to invite back on the next trip. While the captain remains behind the wheel, ideally someone will be on the rod with another person unclipping the weight and pulling off the breakaway lights as the leader gets to the boat. Once all that gear has been removed, there is the matter of hand-leadering the fish, gaffing it, potential use of tail rope, and heaving that sucker into the boat.

There are many ways to go about this, and many ways the fish could react. Swordfish are well known for stamina and can be quite dangerous to green gaff. Be prepared for the fish to get a second wind boatside. This is where communication and teamwork can make or break the experience.

Go into a swordfish trip with everything you’ve got, but with the intent to relax and hang out. You might sit there all day without a bite, so bring people you enjoy the company of, and leave the “I’m-so-bored” guy at the dock. He is worse than bananas, anyway.

Capt. Quinlyn Haddon fishes with Blue Magic Charters out of Marathon, Fla. Check her out her Instagram @CaptainQuinlyn, her website CaptainQuinlyn.com, or call (504) 920-6342.

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VIDEO

PHOTO BY CAPT. JOE JELLISON

WATCH

Rocco Mansueto (center) with his fishing partners, Jay Effner (left) and Phillip Mansueto (right).

Anglers Catch Rare Piebald Cat on the Tennessee River C olor mutations occur in a variety of wildlife species—albino whitetail deer, black (melanistic) coyotes and yes, piebald catfish.

To witness, and especially catch, one of those unique creatures, however, is rare. Yet it happened recently for Rocco Mansueto on the Tennessee River.

Mansueto was fishing in late September with Capt. Joe Jellison, a guide working with Scenic City Fishing Charters in Chattanooga, Tenn. Capt. Jellison also produces the popular YouTube Channel, Chatt Cats Fishing.

Capt. Jellison routinely fishes on the Tennessee River near Chattanooga. His clients had already enjoyed a successful day, including a 27-pound blue caught by Rocco’s brother, Phillip, when Rocco hooked up again on a respectable catfish.

When they fought the fish close enough to

the boat to see it, Capt. Jellison, who has boated thousands of catfish, said he was awestruck.

“Piebald catfish are quite rare. There’s onein-a-million chance of getting one,” said Capt.

Jellison. “They are actually blue catfish with a genetic mutation. I told Rocco many (or most) fishermen will fish their whole life and not catch a piebald catfish.”

Piebaldism is the absence of melaninforming cells (melanocytes) in certain areas of the skin. It is different from albinism, where all cells lack the ability to produce pigment altogether. Hence, piebald creatures do not have the pink eye characteristic of albinos.

The piebald gene is often hereditary.

Another Scenic City Fishing guide, Capt. Sam Simons, caught a similar fish in 2019. While it appeared to be a totally white albino, it did not have the characteristic pink eye, hence was probably a piebald as well.

By Richard Simms

At the time of the catch, Capt. Jellison was drifting chicken breast as bait in the Tennessee River current, what Scenic City guides refer to as their “light tackle technique.” They use standard spinning gear and relatively light line (10-pound mono or 20-pound braid), which allows the bait to drift more naturally.

Even though they use light tackle, the technique sometimes produces big catfish—up to 50 and 60 pounds. However, trophy-sized catfish are not as rare, or as cherished, as a once-in-a-lifetime piebald.

Mansueto released his rare piebald catfish back into the river in hopes someone else might someday have the same experience he did.

Richard Simms is an outdoor journalist and owner/guide at Scenic City Fishing Charters in Chattanooga, Tenn. Check them out at www.sceniccityfishing.com.

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NOVEMBER 2021

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T

m B Th a o e i a b f s

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VIDEO

ADJUST TACTICS

w s o a s F b

WHEN DH TROUT GET TOUGH

D

elayed harvest trout seasons have begun across the Southeast, offering anglers some of the most consistent action of the year in numerous streams and rivers across the region.

These streams and rivers are jam-packed with trout stocked specifically for the DH. They are regulated catch-and-release, single-hook, artificial-lures-only during the season, which means they stay in the river, where they should be easy picking for anglers armed with the flies hatchery trout are fools for. Typically, bright and garish is the ticket for newly released trout.

Egg patterns, mop flies, flashy streamers and nymphs, it’s the junk food that draws their eye.

But what happens when all those fish come down with a case of lockjaw?

It happens. DH waters have a higher-thannormal density of fish, which lures in high densities of anglers. Once these trout have been in the water for a couple weekends, there’s a good chance they’ve fallen for—or have at least seen—every fly from the DH bin at the local fly shop. On top of that, trout learn pretty quickly 46

NOVEMBER 2021

By TAM Staff what the real food sources are in a stream and will begin to take on more natural feeding habits.

When it gets tough on a DH stream, it’s time to rethink your game plan. There are a lot of fish in the water. If you’re not catching them, you’re doing something wrong.

The easiest change to make is depth. Most of a trout’s consumption is done underwater, and many times a fish will not move more than a few feet to pick off a morsel that drifts by in the current. Before you switch out your nymph or streamer, try adjusting your depth with the indicator or by adding weight. Generally, deeper is better if you don’t see them feeding near the surface, and a double-nymph rig with the bottom fly barely ticking the stream floor will cover the lowest couple of feet in the water column.

If adjusting your depth doesn’t work, it’s time to change flies. When trout begin to adapt

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to their new surroundings, they figure out what they should and should not eat. Between stockings or late in the DH season, ditching the gaudy stuff can be a good move. Flip over some rocks and figure out what the natural food sources are. It will clue you in to what the fish are eating so you’re doing more than just hoping for a reaction strike. Presentation also plays a huge role when fish wise-up. If your fly isn’t drifting naturally in the current, it does not look like food to a trout.

Location change is another tactic that can lead to success when a DH gets tough.

Many times stocked trout will pod-up rather than spreading out and can be stacked like cordwood in a deep hole. Find this spot, and you’ll be catching and releasing while your buddy strikes out fishing the same flies you are. Conversely, water that looks less fishy is often overlooked on heavily pressured streams.

Taking the time to prospect the skinny water between deep holes can sometimes pay off with a few fish when they just aren’t biting where they should be.

1

T

Connecting Woodfin to the French Broad River

he he Greenway Greenway && Blueway Blueway project project isis an an ambitious ambitious $18.1 $18.1 million millioneffort effortto toconstruct constructfive five miles milesofofgreenway greenway along along the the French French Broad Broad River River and and Beaverdam Beaverdam Creek.

Creek.

The project will provide The project will provide new new river river access accesssites sitesand andwill willfund funddevelopment development ofofthe thenew newSilver-Line Silver-LinePark Parkas aswell wellas as expansion of existing Riverside expansion of existing RiversidePark, Park, inin Woodfin.

Woodfin. An An exciting exciting and and much much anticipated feature of the project anticipated feature of the projectwill will be bethe thecreation creationofofthe thein-stream in-streamWave Wave feature featurefor forwhitewater whitewater paddling paddling and and surfing surfingenthusiasts. enthusiasts.

The The planned planned greenway greenway trails trails will willconnect connect toto the the larger larger greenway greenway system system being being developed developed in in the the City City ofofAsheville Asheville and and beyond, beyond, promising promising aanetwork networkofofmore more than than 25 25 miles miles of of safe safe urban urban paths paths centering centering on on the the French French Broad Broad River.

River. The The project project isis being designed and built by the being designed and built by theTown Town

of of Woodfin, Woodfin, with with Buncombe Buncombe County County Recreation Recreation Services Services supporting supporting the the effort effort with with design design and and construction construction of of the the greenway greenway elements elements of of the the project. project.

The The new new Silver-Line Silver-Line Park will be built on a be built on a 4.5-acre 4.5-acre site donated to the Town of to the Town of Woodfin Woodfin in 2012 by Silver-Line Plastics

by Silver-Line Plastics and the

Silver family. The The Park Park will will provide provide Silver family. aa wide variety of opportunities wide variety of opportunities including access to to the the river river for for including access recreational purposes, aa children’s children’s recreational purposes, playground, and a connection connection with with the Craggy Mountain Rail Rail Line.

Line.

Planned amenities include include aa trailertrailerready boat ramp for river river access, access, generous parking, picnic picnic areas, areas,

stream bank bank restoration, restoration, aa children’s children stream playground, and walking trails.

Th playground, and walking trails. The existing commercial commercial building building may ma existing be converted converted into into public public restrooms, restrooms be an outfitter outfitter that that will will provide provide bicycle bicycl an and watercraft watercraftrentals, rentals,and andpossibly possiblya and small museum museum dedicated dedicated toto railroad railroa small history in in the the region. region. The The greenway greenwa history trail will willrun runthrough throughthe thesite siteasaswell. well trail

The Town of Woodfin is expanding recreational facilities along the French Broad River for the benefit of its citizens and the larger community. This “Greenway & Blueway” connects two riverfront parks by paved greenway and features river and stream access at multiple locations along the 5-mile corridor.

16 GREAT GREATSMOKY SMOKYMOUNTAINS MOUNTAINS&& THE THE UPSTATE UPSTATE 16

Woodfin Town Hall 90 Elk Mountain Rd, Woodfin, NC 28804 Office Hours 8am to 5pm Monday through Friday

JULY 2021 2021 JULY

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47

SHOULD YOU BUY A TRAILER DOLLY FOR MOVING YOUR BOAT? M

oving your boat trailer can be a pain.

Literally. You’ve likely experienced pain and fatigue after pulling your boat up your driveway, maneuvering it into the garage, or trying to get it into your yard. Has your back hurts afterwards, even from moving it a shorter distance on hard, level ground?

Dragging a 1000+ lbs boat on top of a trailer (that weighs another few hundred pounds) puts a lot of strain on your muscles. Strain that your body is not meant to handle.

And if you have a boat so big and heavy that you’d need the Hulk to help you push it, then you’re probably familiar with the struggle of trying to carefully maneuver the trailer with a vehicle only to find that you can’t get it to go quite where you want it.

This is why many boaters opt to purchase trailer dollies.

A BOAT TRAILER DOLLY CAN LIGHTEN YOUR LOAD

There are several different types of trailer dollies, but they all function in the same basic way by lifting the tongue of the trailer and providing a handle, or another method of steering.

A trailer dolly gives you a ball mount that attaches to the hitch, placing the tongue weight onto better wheels with good tires (usually two wheels, rather than one). These provide much better grip. And they aren’t prone to wearing flat on one side, the way the plastic wheels do.

But better tires aren’t the only advantage.

When it comes to hand-pulled trailer dollies, the long handle creates a lever, lessening the amount of force required to move your boat.

This maximizes efficiency by allowing you to use less effort to move your boat over the same distances.

TRAILER DOLLIES SIMPLIFY STEERING

Have you ever been frustrated in your attempts to back your boat into a garage or narrow laneway while a spotter shouts directions at you? (Or tried to do it without the spotter and ended up hitting something?) Certain parking jobs require a lot of precision – precision that a vehicle just can’t give you.

The handle setup on a dolly allows you to have a lot more control when it comes to

steering. You can make more micro adjustments with a dolly than you can with a motorized vehicle. Plus, it helps you to see the situation more clearly, instead of through mirrors and car windows.

If you park your boat in a garage or another small space that is awkward for a vehicle to access, then a trailer dolly can help you move in and out of that spot much more easily. They also let you park your boat in spaces that vehicles could simply never access, providing anti-theft protection.

ELECTRIC DOLLIES REQUIRE EVEN LESS EFFORT

An electric dolly is more of an investment, but many people find it a worthwhile purchase because of how easy it is to use.

Those who move their boat frequently and over longer distances, who own multiple trailers, or who suffer from chronic pain, might select an electric trailer dolly instead of a manual dolly.

Unlike hand-pulled dollies, electric trailer dollies require no force on the part of the individual. All you have to do to move your boat

with an electric dolly is switch on the motor to get the wheels moving, and steer. Some larger models even offer a remote control, so you can walk around and assess your parking job as you steer.

SELECTING THE RIGHT BOAT TRAILER DOLLY

When deciding on which trailer dolly is right for moving your boat, make sure you know the total weight of your boat and trailer, as well as the tongue weight. Dollies are all made with different capacities, so you need make sure that the one you buy can carry the load safely.

You will also want to consider the hitch attachment options to make sure it is compatible.

For a more in-depth understanding of your trailer dolly needs and options, be sure to check out Parkit360's how-to guide on deciding which trailer dolly is right for you.

And once you know what requirements to look for, it all comes down to personal preference.

LEARN MORE AT PARKIT360.CA

By Englis Glover

BASS • BLUEGILL • CRAPPIE • PERCH • STRIPER • SAUGER • TROUT • WALLEYE

Fishing

(800) 762-4701 • (931) 762-4700

www.sliderfishing.com

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Fall 2021

20% OFF Expires 12/31/21

CATCH THE

By Englis Glover

SALTWATER STRIPER RUN

I

've really been fortunate to travel and fish in some incredible fisheries throughout the southeast. From Islamorada in the Florida Keys to Lake Jocassee in upstate South Carolina, the memories are just incredible. One of my favorites was a “do-it-yourself ” trip to Virginia Beach.

A couple good friends joined us to target large saltwater stripers in the winter fishery that has become so popular along the coast from Virginia into the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

While I was bringing two of the best striper guides in South Carolina with me, Andy and Stevie Pack, we still put a good bit of research into this trip. One of the greatest resources we found was contacting Virginia Beach Fishing Center at Rudee Inlet. The staff gave us daily reports both on the phone and via a very active website that was updated daily. We prepared with baits and rods suggested by the staff at the marina as well as a couple of friends that had made this trip before. The marina also offered us storage for our boat while we were up there.

Virginia Beach reminds me a lot of Myrtle Beach, S.C., but I think it is substantially smaller. It seems to be very clean. We contacted the chamber of commerce prior to going

WATCH to get some ideas on where to stay, and the staff there was very knowledgeable and set us up with an oceanfront room at the Best Western Waterfront at a very affordable price. We could actually see the boats fishing the areas where we had been told all the fish were being caught.

In choosing our time to go, we paid attention to the historical reports as well as how the charter boats were doing out of the marina.

We got the itch on the weekend of Presidents’ Day. While it was a crowded time at the ramps, it was nothing compared to the fall spot season back home at Murrells Inlet, S.C. We were very close to the large public landing located out on the peninsula and had the boat in the water and were only minutes from the ocean.

One thing I think we did not prepare for as well as we should have was the cold wind up there. We were greeted in the ocean on our first day by sub-freezing temps and winds in the high teens. It made for a cold trip up the beach to the area just outside of Chesapeake Bay. This is where the fish had been the days prior, and it is also the only area that we could legally target stripers. The state and federal fisheries are very strict on the boundaries for targeting these fish, and I strongly urge you to check out the regulations on the website offered by the Virginia Wildlife and Fisheries Department.

Remember also to always stay within the 3-mile boundary that limits boats to fishing outside of the line of demarcation off the beach. The Coast Guard and the Fisheries Department regulate

PHOTO COURTESY OF BIG OL’ FISH GUIDING SERVICE

AT VIRGINIA BEACH

VIDEO

and watch for this.

We caught the three biggest stripers that any of us had ever caught, with a 44-inch fish topping the list. Simple trolling techniques were the choice for our boat. If you are not interested in taking your own boat, there are all kinds of trips available on lots of charter boats.

But remember, the limit is taken and the boats return to the marina. So if you do an eight-hour trip and catch your limit in two hours, the boats will return to the marina to pick up the next trip. They do this so they are not overfishing this already struggling fishery, and they will tell you all of this when you book the trip. Pay attention to the website and be ready to go at a couple days notice. All the tackle you will need is available at the marina, and the hot colors are always changing. Please refer to the attached contacts if you are looking to plan an incredible trip to a wonderful fishing destination located within an easy drive of anyone in the Southeast.

You have two months to plan as the fishing gets best around late December and early January. I hope you take advantage of this incredible fishery.

Virginia Beach Fishing Center: www.virginiafishing.com Virginia Beach Chamber of Commerce: www.visitvirginiabeach.com Virginia Dept. Of Game and Wildlife: www.dgif.virginia.gov

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TIPS FROM A PRO 52

FLIPPING HEAVY GRASS FOR FALL BASS

down a time or two until I get a bite or two in an area. Once you know there are fish around, slow down, make very precise flips and work the bait up and down multiple times with each cast.

I flip and pitch with a craw-style bait. If the water has a good stain, black and blue colors are a must. If you’re working with cleaner TYLER WOOLCOTT water, green pumpkin or brown variations usually do the trick. When ith fall upon us, it’s time to bring out the you are dealing with pressured fish or fishing in colder conditions, big sticks and heavy braid. One of my favorite techniques downsize and flip a creature bait like the 13 Fishing Lunch Bug. to target bass is flipping and punching grass, and fall is When the weather is stable and you are around aggressive fish, flip a a great time to do it. Fish seek heavy cover and vegetation to feed full-sized creature bait like the 13 Fishing Invader. up on forage and get warmth under Flipping/ Punching Gear matted grass. This presents the It is important to use the correct opportunity to place your bait right equipment to get your bait into the in front of them. grass and then winch fish out. I like Flipping and pitching grass can a 13 Fishing 7’9” Heavy Fast Envy be hard to learn, but once you get Black rod paired up with a Concept A the hang of it, it can be one of the 8:3:1 reel. The long heavy-action rod most exhilarating ways to catch a gives you power to get a hook into bass. I live in Florida, where grass is fish and then get them out of grass. always prevalent. It has taught me a Pairing that rod with a fast-gearfew things about how fish position ratio reel allows you to make lots of in fall, and I’ve been able to use this flips and to pick up line quickly. knowledge all over the country.

Heavy braided line is imperative.

Seek out either a clean edge or I like 65-pound Seaguar Smackdown patches of grass that are isolated braid in grey. I use a Woo! Tungsten away from expansive areas of grass. weight between 1 and 2 ounces, These areas concentrate fish in depending on the thickness of the targetable places and give you the grass. Hook size varies depending highest probability of getting your on the size bait. I use between a 3/0 bait in front of a hungry bass. and a 5/0 Hayabusa FPP Straight HD When flipping, cover as much hook. water as possible until you run into a group of fish. Fish tend to group Tyler Woolcott is a professional up in the fall, and this is also true tournament angler and guide. with fish in the grass. I like to flip Check out his website at fast, only pumping the bait up and www.tylerwoolcottfishing.com.

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NOVEMBER 2021

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Recreation, culture and history abound in the Western North Carolina county of Madison.

Madison County is located 15 miles north of Asheville on the North Carolina/Tennessee border in the Smoky Mountains of Appalachia. There are many attractions in our 452 square mile area, of which 73 percent is forest.

Nearly one fourth is public land managed by the US Forest Service.

Tourism Development Authority

Madison County Visitors Center 56 South Main, Mars Hill, NC 28754 • (828) 680-9031

www.visitmadisoncounty.com

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Cherokee County, situated in Western North Carolina encompasses the communities of Murphy, Andrews and Brasstown, where forested mountains seem to touch the sky, lakes sparkle like jewels in the sun and the air is crisp and clean. It is a quiet area located in the south western corner of North Carolina and has come to be known as the “Gateway to the Smoky Mountains.”

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Visit Cherokee County

One can never get lost here visitcherokeecountync.com

PRO ANGLER BRADLEY ROY HOSTS MASSIVE KENTUCKY HIGH SCHOOL TOURNEY

H

igh school bass tournaments have come a long way in the last decade. A recent Kentucky event hosted by professional angler Bradley Roy drew more than 170 teams of anglers to compete for almost $740,000 in potential scholarships.

The 2021 Bradley Roy High School Open presented by Covercraft was likely one of the most challenging installments of the tournament’s nine-year history. On Oct. 9, 139 high school teams and 34 junior teams (6-8th grade) competed on Lake Cumberland, an enormous impoundment of the Cumberland River in southern Kentucky. The top five teams from that event then fished the following day on Cedar Creek Lake in Stanford, Kentucky.

The tournament is an officially sanctioned high school event by the Kentucky Bass Nation. Two spots in the 2022 Bassmaster High School National Championship were awarded to Saturday’s top finishers: Jaydon Coggins and Chloe Hollon, of Southwestern High School in Somerset, Kentucky, and Ridge Rutledge and Ryan Sponcil of East Jessamine High School in Nicholasville, Kentucky.

Saturday’s winning team included the first female angler to finish in the top five of the Bradley Roy High School Open, Southwestern’s Chloe Hollon.

The winners weighed a bag of five fish totaling 9.45 pounds. The runners-up weighed in a bag of three fish for 9.05, which included the big fish of the event, a 4.16-pound largemouth.

Third place went to Brayson Claunch and Cameron Owens of Boyle County High School, with 6.24 pounds. Alex Wells and Braedon Stringer, from the Lake Cumberland HS Bass Club took fourth with 5.4 pounds. Fifth place was won by Hunter Shelton and Jordan Hampton, of Trigg County, 5.11 pounds.

Following the weigh-in, Roy gathered the top five teams and immediately cut off any information gathering from other teams about any surrounding lakes or Lake Cumberland. He then prepared all teams

for a fish-off on Sunday at a mystery lake, which was disclosed early Sunday morning.

The five remaining teams were housed at the Riverside Inn and geared up for a Major League Fishing Cup-style tournament the next day. The Bass Pro Tour angler convened the group in the parking lot at 4:30 on THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

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Sunday morning and informed the group that the final day would again be fished on Cedar Creek Lake in Stanford, Kentucky.

“I picked Cedar Creek again this year as our mystery lake because it’s unexpected that we would return two years in a row,” said Roy. “We had only one top five team returning from last year, and I believe they were even surprised.”

The convoy made their way 77 miles up to Cedar Creek and prepared for “lines in” at 8:15 EDT. Each team was assigned boat officials trained by Roy and were provided two sets of MLFsupplied scales. Teams were given thirty minutes to ride around on the 950-acre lake.

Roy streamed commentary on his social media pages as he covered the action. The teams fished two 2.5-hour sessions, with a 30-minute break in between.

The conditions on Cedar Creek were sunny and unseasonably warm, creating an even greater challenge for the young anglers. Roy commented on his live stream that due to the tough conditions and fish seemingly still being in a summertime pattern, one big bass could catapult a new team into the lead in the late going. Despite catches in the final minutes from the Lake Cumberland and Boyle County teams, Trigg County’s lead was insurmountable. Trigg County clinched victory with a final weight of 5 pounds 4 ounces.

After confirming scores from all teams, Roy interviewed winners Jordan Hampton and Hunter Shelton. Roy asked Hampton if he thought they would be able to pull it off; he responded by saying, “Honestly, not with three fish. We didn’t think we would. But when we caught our first ones with a jig and then a Carolina rig, that’s what we’re used to back home, and we were going to fish it.”

He went on to say that they planned to fish their strengths win or lose, Shelton agreed.

Following the event, Trigg County’s boat captain, Gary Houha, was very complimentary of the young anglers. Houha said, “I can’t say enough about them; both of these guys work very hard and have excellent support groups. They raised all of the money to allow them to fish various state and national tournaments, including this one.”

He added that a big motivation for fishing this event for the third time was the opportunity to earn scholarships and fish at the college level.

Both team members from the top two teams were offered four-year, $10,000 scholarships to attend Campbellsville University by head coach Pete Hedgepath. Kentucky Christian and Drury University also offered four-year scholarships to teams in the top five. In all, the potential scholarships were close to $740,000.

Significant general scholarships for all teams were made possible by Covercraft, Farmers National Bank, First Southern National Bank, A Few Good Men Fishing Tournament, LCR Contracting, City of Jamestown, and Angler’s Outpost and Marine.

Additional prizes from sponsors of the event and Bradley Roy included: Ark Fishing, Bass

For full tournament results, visit www.kybassnation.org.

For more information on Bradley Roy, visit www.BradleyRoy.com.

For more information on Covercraft, visit www.Covercraft.com.

Pro Shops, Railblaza, Solar Bat, Prym1, The Cain Pole, Land Big Fish, Seaguar, D&L Tackle, and Grundens.

“I am very happy we were able to make this event a success again for the ninth year. It is a huge highlight of my year to be able to showcase the talent Kentucky has on the high school level. One of the best things we’re able to do year after year is to reward our top anglers with college scholarships. I am very thankful to have relationships with colleges and sponsors that are invested in these young people as anglers but, more importantly, as students. I hope to see these anglers take advantage of the opportunities that they’ve earned and for this event to be as impactful as it is memorable,” said Roy. Covercraft contributed to the scholarship fund and provided event decals for all anglers, coaches, volunteers, and family members.

“We are so proud to be the title sponsor for this event again this year. This event gives high school anglers an experience similar to what the pros have on the Bass Pro Tour, as well as earning awesome scholarships for their future. Covercraft not only gave the top finishers products we hope they enjoy but also contributed to the college scholarships that were given out. We proudly support high school fishing and this great event,” said Jeff Jegelewicz, Director of Marketing at Covercraft.

“We were thrilled to be able to host the Bradley Roy High School fishing tournament again and allow our local Bass Fishing team and other students around Kentucky to compete for scholarships,” said Nick Shearer, Russell County Chamber of Commerce, and the Mayor of Jamestown.

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Northeast Florida Fishing from Freshwater to the Gulf Stream

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WATCH

s the “Fishing Capital of the World,” Florida has a whole lot to offer anglers, and the northeastern corner of the state, around Jacksonville, is a hotbed for almost any type fishing you’d like to do.

From freshwater bass and bluegill to big-game sportfishing in the Gulf Stream, this one area boasts a whole lot of diverse and consistent fishing opportunities.

Starting with the big-ticket item, the Gulf Stream is a pretty good boat ride out of St. Augustine, but the rewards are great. It’s one of the few areas in Florida where anglers regularly target blue marlin. This happens during the summer months, and during the fall sailfishing can be very good. Of course you’ve also got your other pelagics that frequent the same areas. Where the Gulf Stream interacts with the edge of the continental shelf, dolphin, tuna, wahoo and kings are regular catches at different times of the year.

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Several of the aforementioned species can also be caught closer to shore on natural bottoms and wrecks. Excellent fishing in the area is accessible for anglers who might not have access to big sportfishing yachts capable of running way offshore. And a good guide can put you right on top of good fishing for wahoo, kingfish, sailfish and tuna, as well as outstanding snapper and grouper opportunities.

Even closer in and accessible even to small boats are nearshore rockpiles and ledges, where the area’s famous kingfish tournaments are often won. Jack crevalle, tarpon, cobia and spanish mackerel are also frequently caught nearshore. Get some charts and go find them yourself, or better yet, hire a guide to show you the ropes.

If you really want to do it alone, the pier and jetty fishing along the coast of northeast Florida is excellent for redfish, trout,

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sheepshead, croakers, bluefish, tarpon, sharks and pretty much anything that swims the Atlantic. By the same token, surf fishing as well as inshore fishing in the marshes and the St. Johns River are very good. Flounder, seatrout, drum and redfish come in good numbers and size. Because of this, the Jacksonville area is home to a strong community of kayak anglers.

Take one more step inshore, and you’re in brackish or freshwater. Northeast Florida has some very good bass fishing and pan fishing.

Whether it’s on the St. Johns, one of the regions reservoirs or other rivers, year-round mild water temperatures and abundant forage lead to good numbers and excellent growth rates for both largemouth bass and bream.

No matter how you like to fish or what you want to fish for, chances are you’ll find it in northeast Florida.

For more information, visit coastalanglermag.com.

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FISH OF A LIFETIME 2021

By Kurt Kiggins

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BUCSKTET

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This gorgeous humphead wrasse was caught and released from shore

by Kurt Kiggins.

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In Papua New Guinea

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PHOTO COURTESY OF KURT KIGGINS.

W

hen it comes to fishing the South Pacific, there’s a whole lot out there about Australia.

What you don’t hear a lot about is the Pacific Ring of Fire, where volcanic activity has thrown up a string of islands and underwater topography that makes for spectacular opportunities to catch fish, and lots of them, including species many in the Western Hemisphere have never even heard of.

I have traveled to Papua New Guinea (PNG), a country that makes up the eastern half of the island of New Guinea to the north of Australia. On a November trip, the main target was giant trevally, a strong and ferocious member of the jack family found in the IndoPacific. It was awesome, but unfortunately upon returning on our second trip, we found giant trevally were out of season. That didn’t stop us from encountering loads upon loads of

monster dogtooth tuna, and an unbelievable number of fish were caught.

Surprisingly, I found myself experiencing some of the most insane land-based action I have ever witnessed, although this was due to putting hours of effort into perfecting the techniques. This time around, I felt pressure because I had convinced my best mate to tag along, promising him the money would be well spent and he would never be able to forget

this time on the golden sand and in the deep clear seas.

With Luke “Rock” Wrysta as a guide, I had no doubt our plan to meet with the anglers from all over the world (Japan, America and England) would go off without a hitch. We first landed in Cairns, Australia, before making the hop north to Port Moresby, the capital city of PNG, to spend the night before traveling to the tiny island of Missima. Rock and I were the only two to get on board the tiny aircraft to fly to the small islands and really enjoy the last luxuries we would be enjoying for a few weeks.

I guess the rest of the boys mistakenly expected there to be refrigeration and flushing toilets.

When the eight of us arrived at our first camp, Rock divided us among the four dugout boats we would fish from.

The next morning, after a hearty breakfast of beans and island fruit, the local in with the colors of the boat drivers were in sunrise. no hurry to get on the The first few casts water, unlike myself. of the popper saw When the boats were inquiries from bluefin ready to go, I was the trevally, red bass and a first to claim a vessel reef shark. Continuing for Tom and myself to gently pull the popper for the adventure. To be toward myself, I began honest with you, I don’t U to drift off into a hungereven remember what fish we U A even caught in those first few N E W G induced daze. That’s when a deathly sucking noise pulled me back days, and my brand-new camera fell victim to the beautiful waters of the remote into reality. I watched an amazing dorsal fin take off with my lure for the cover of the coral islands.

On the fourth morning, I woke up restless cove. Unaware of what kind of fish could make and decided to try my luck from the shore. As such a fuss, I loosened the drag on my reel. I did I observed my mates from the encampment not want to lose this creature due to the hooks stumble out of their sleeping bags and stagger bending out. When the fish realized what was toward the local-made breakfast bar, I snuck happening, it began to fight for its life, weaving off with my casting rod, and a 122 mm (about in and out of the sharp coral bommies 5 inches) popper. Trekking off toward the (reef heads). My reel screamed as the sunrise, the emptiness in my stomach filled beast ripped 100-pound braid off my with that unmistakable feeling of anticipation. Shimano Stella 18000.

I coaxed in what turned out to I found a promising-looking pinnacle that protruded from the island into the clear, warm be a humphead wrasse by running water. Tying the popper on the leader, I took from bommie to bommie, a moment to admire the magnificence. The stumbling on the jagged coral vast cobalt ocean seemed to melt off and mix in bare feet. The coral cuts

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that were left didn’t seem to affect my euphoria as I wrapped my arms around the fish’s back, supporting its belly, before it started to swim off again. My heart sank. I lightly grabbed the leader one last time, remembering to be so careful because of the hooks and the 2/0 split rings. I made the rash decision to drop my $2,000-plus setup into the salty water so I could grab the fish, which meant a lot more than money to me.

The humphead wrasse is a gorgeous fish that can weigh into the hundreds of pounds.

It is also an endangered species, so there was nothing else for me to do with the fish but sit, wait and care for it. There was no question about it, I had to get a photo with this insanely beautiful fish, but there was no one with me to take the photo. I continually pushed water into the fish’s gills, hoping someone would come to find me. I was already late for the boat, and the timing was impeccable as Tom and Rock came out of the thick forest.

After swimming the fish for several minutes, it began to kick its colored tail, and I could feel the incredible power of the fish.

It swam off into the deep blue ocean, possibly never to be caught or seen by another human’s eyes.

CROCODILE BAY The Ultimate Fishing Experience C

rocodile Bay boasts the largest professional sport fishing fleet in Central America with in-house captains and mates able to cater to all skill levels. At the helm stands Diego Camacho, Director of Fishing and expert fisherman. Anglers will enjoy offshore, inshore, as well as the now all-new kayak and shore fishing excursions. Each is uniquely challenging and equally rewarding. The fleet of 24 and 25-foot center consoles Boston Whalers and 33 and 35-foot tower Strike are easily accessed from the 800-foot private pier.

Crocodile Bay offers world-class catch and release bill fishing in the Pacific Ocean. Enjoy going after sailfish, striped, blue and black marlin, dorado, tuna and wahoo. And when fishing in Costa Rica’s Golfo Dulce (Sweet Gulf) you will find roosterfish, cubera snapper, jack trevalle, bluefin trevally, sierra mackerel, tripletail, and grouper to be excellent throughout the year. Are you ready to strap in and reel in a yellowfin tuna that can reach up to 300 lbs? Do you think you have what it takes to beat the Roosterfish resort record at 106 lbs?

So what are you waiting for? Visit Crocodile Bay for an adventure of a lifetime and experience the incredible transformation to Crocodile Bay Marina and Botánika Osa Peninsula, Curio Collection by Hilton. Botánika will provide unparalleled services and amenities, including the clubhouse, a lagoon-shaped pool, several restaurants and bars, a fully equipped state-of-the-art fitness center, and nature trails right on property. With the Pacific Ocean in the front yard, and Corcovado National Park in the backyard, guests can participate in a wide array of land and water based ecoadventures. With the adjacent Crocodile Bay Marina, Botánika guests will continue to enjoy marine adventures, such as worldclass sport fishing, whale and dolphin watching, and snorkeling.

Just as Crocodile Bay Resort, Botánika is destined to become a world-class vacation destination and a new Costa Rican legacy.

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NOVEMBER 2021

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Mono-Hull Vs. “Cat” Dual-Hull Performance T

By Thatch Maguire

he debate over which hull design is preferable (mono-hull vs. dual-hull) has been battered around for decades. Most cat-hull owners are very familiar with mono-hulls. My suspicion is that many mono-hull enthusiasts may not necessarily be familiar with the attributes of a dual-hull vessel.

Forrest Munden and Charlie Henderson are very familiar with dual-hulls. They’re the people behind Sea Cat, one of the smoothestrunning, most fuel efficient and versatile boats on the water. This boat thrives in a 3- to 5-foot chop. Sea Cat owners share the experience of often being the only boats on the water during choppy bad weather days.

Dual-hull boats, and Sea Cat in particular, do not pound… ever!

Remove pounding from your boating experience, and you’ll see how much more enjoyable your time on the water becomes. You’ll also be out there running comfortably when conditions are too rough for most boats.

Before you allow your position on the monohull vs. dual hull debate to be etched in stone, I strongly recommend you take a ride, preferably on a rough day, in the legendary Sea Cat. I predict you’ll be instantly convinced of its benefits.

The thing most first-time Sea Cat passengers do is to hold on to a railing and brace for a pounding that never occurs. You can see it in the tense position of their feet, legs and arms as they hold on to the rail.

It’s a fairly standard mono-hull position. They are accustomed to the pounding. They’re prepared for it, anticipating it... but on the Sea Cat it never occurs. Never.

It’s actually pretty funny to see the look on a Sea Cat passenger’s face when they finally realize there’s no need to brace. That’s also when a smile spreads across their face. They’ve settled the debate.

don't stop reeLing Alex Kendrick reel salty www.reelsaltydestin.com

The Wahoo bite has already been crazy this season and is only going to get better. Trolling lures 10-15 knots is ideal starting around the 90’ mark. Keep an eye out for weed lines and large patches of grass, you never know what’s below them. Whenever I see grass patches I like to stop and sight fish for Mahi, Tuna, Wahoo, and Triple tail.

For Mahi I like to keep a light pitch rod with 20# fluorocarbon and 2/0 Owner circle hook. Live bait works really well on the larger bulls and cut squid works better on the smaller chicken dolphins. If lures are your thing I prefer Yozuri Crystal Minnows and honestly color doesn’t matter. Pitch around the weed lines or patches and look deeper down for the bigger Mahi. As for Tuna with all the chumming going on, I like to send down a vertical jig on 60#-80# test at least 100’ below the boat. Working your jig through the water column is a good way to fire up any kind of fish that may be lurking around in the shadows. If you have a large diamond jig I’d put some heavy wire in front of it for a chance at a wahoo. Triple Tail are amazing fish on light tackle and I recommend 15#-20# fluorocarbon and #2 Owner hook. Live shrimp work really well along with small cuts of squid.

If bottom fishing is your go to joy Vermillion snappers, Groupers, and Rock salmon is my target. For Vermillion snappers I like using a 2-3 hook chicken rig mixed with cut squid and Boston mackerel. Let your weight sit right on the bottom and wait for those 2-3 light bites. Rock salmon and Groupers like to hide out in the rocks and caves, so a slip lead is what I like to use. Heavier leader line for Groupers and larger baits close to the bottom. Feel the bite and start cranking. The first 20’-30’ are the most important so DON’T STOP reeling.

When it comes to offshore fishing don’t give up. There’s a lot of trial and error. Figure out what works best for you and as always keep your lines out and keep them tight.

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VIDEO

GOLIATH GROUPER RECOVERING F

Angler Harvest Proposed

lorida has moved one step closer to allowing harvest of goliath grouper.

In early October, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission approved a draft proposal to allow limited and tightly controlled harvest of the species.

Don’t run out and stock up on heavy tackle just yet. A permit to keep a single fish will come with a hefty price tag, and anglers will only be allowed to keep a smaller one.

These iconic fish, which grow to more than 800 pounds and 8 feet in length, have been protected from harvest in state and federal waters off Florida since 1990. The harvest proposal is at the beginning of the long road that leads to regulation change. The proposal, with changes, must now be brought back before the commission at a future meeting. If approved again, it would then enter into the public feedback and data gathering stage before a final public hearing in March 2022. Regulations changes would take effect in 2023, at the earliest.

Here’s an outline of the limited season the latest draft proposal would create: • Goliath grouper season would run March through May. • A lottery system with a $10 entry fee would issue $500 permits to harvest one fish per person.

• Only 200 total permits would be issued.

• There would be a slot limit from 20 to 36 inches.

• Harvest would not be allowed off Palm Beach County, the Atlantic coast of the Keys and Dry Tortugas National Park.

• There will be post-harvest requirements.

Commissioner Robert Spottswood said limited harvest should help better determine the overall stock of the fish in the next three to five years.

“This stock is rebuilding,” Spottswood said.

“We’re hearing that it can easily sustain this very small harvest of fish. We’re going to learn something from it. And more importantly, we’re

going to give some access that we can give safely and sustainably back to the stakeholders that own the resource.”

Goliath grouper were in a bad situation prior to harvest restrictions put in place in 1990. There are numerous factors that make the species susceptible to overfishing. They are a desirable and easy target for anglers because of their size and because they inhabit shallow waters in comparison to other groupers and tend to gather in large numbers in predictable locations.

Since the 1990 harvest ban was enacted, goliath abundance has increased, and that positive trend is expected to continue. A limited harvest, managed similarly to the existing alligator program, would provide both data and funding for goliath grouper research, while allowing expanded recreational angler access to the species. The 200 permits issued are not expected to impact the population or its growth.

For more information, go to myFWC.com.

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

NOVEMBER 2021

69

UNDER THE SEA 70

SPEARFISHING FOR TUNAS

Allen, Gannet, and more. Retailers include SpearfishingWorld.com, SpearAmerica.com and many local dive shops.

SHERI DAYE Here are some quick tips to make sure your travel is fun, safe and productive: ore than a few spearos have is what you will need to 1. Go with a mentor or guide the first few spearing a tuna on their bucket take in terms of equipment. list. Some are surprised to hear Instead of the standard speargun with a reel, times. Safe diving requires that you look out me say that spearing a tuna is actually pretty you will use a specially designed bluewater for one another, especially when bluewater easy. It’s the before and after activities that are tuna gun. This will most likely be 60 to 70 hunting.

2. Choose a reputable charter that more challenging, along with the planning. inches long, the diameter of the shaft will be specializes in tuna spearfishing, as Due to safety considerations, this requires an experienced captain it’s not the first species one should Sheri with 179-lb who can give you good “drops.” aspire to. A more likely progression tuna from Puerto 3. Use a Sportube to pack your would start with reef hunting for Vallarta, Mexico. spearguns and use the wetsuits for hogfish and red groupers, then padding. Tell TSA you have “fishing on to mutton snappers and black equipment” rather than using the groupers, and then perhaps some word “speargun.” bluewater action with mahi and 4. Make sure all body parts are wahoos. clear of the line when shooting a In addition to experience, going tuna. Tunas will frequently sound after yellowfin tuna will likely and have a strong initial run. require you to travel, and it will also 5. After cinching up the line require special rigging to withstand through a clip on the float, use a the increased speed and size of this second speargun for the kill shot. awesome prey. These two factors Do not handle a “hot tuna” with are key. Traveling to the right place PHOTO BY TERRY MAAS your hands. will increase your chances of seeing Don’t be disappointed if it takes a few them, and having the right equipment will thicker, and it will have four to five bands ensure a successful capture. (versus 1 to 2). It will have a slip tip and trips to land your first tuna. It may take some Currently, the most active places to spear cable (versus flopper and mono) for a more effort, but in the end, it’s worth it. It’s hard to yellowfin tuna include Louisiana, Mexico, sure hold on a strong fish. It will also have think of a fish that is more beautiful to look Costa Rica and Panama. In more recent a break-away setup instead of a reel so that at or more delicious to eat. times, spearos have been landing bluefin the rig (and fish) are attached to your float Sheri Daye is a world-record holder, host of tuna off the coast of California. The best way instead of your gun.

Speargun Hunter and producer of The Blue Wild to find out which places are productive is There are several good companies that Ocean Adventure Expo in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. through word-of-mouth and social media. make this specialized equipment, such as Follow “Sheri Daye” and “The Blue Wild” on Facebook and Instagram.

After selecting the right destination, here Wong Spearguns, Riffe, Omer, Sporasub, Rob

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NOVEMBER 2021

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

KEEP IT GENUINE PRECISION PROTECTION

Whether you take your boat out to the lake or the ocean, your 4-stroke outboard needs ECSTAR Suzuki Semi-Synthetic Engine Oil so it can run long and strong.

ECSTAR features special additives that protect the engine in harsh salt and fresh water environments, advanced detergents that keep engine parts clean, and viscosity index improvements that help the engine start in cold conditions.

No matter where your next boat ride takes you, go confidently with ECSTAR.

RUN LONG. RUN CLEAN. RUN STRONG.

Don’t drink and drive. Always wear a USCG-Approved life jacket and read your owner’s manual. Suzuki, the Suzuki “S” ECSTAR and Suzuki model and product names are Suzuki trademarks or ®. © 2021 Suzuki Marine USA, LLC.

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Travel Protocols Relaxed for Bahamas Inter-Island Travel

ffective Immediately, the requirement for a travel health visa for inter-island travel within The Bahamas has been removed.

Other important updates include: • Vaccinated persons travelling inter-island from New Providence and Grand Bahama will now only be required to produce a negative result of a rapid antigen test of the type approved by the Ministry of Health, and if nonvaccinated, travelers are required to produce a negative result of the RT-PCR test at the point of embarkation to the operator of the airline or vessel on which they are travelling.

• For persons travelling inter-island from any other islands of The Bahamas, only a negative result of an antigen test of the type approved by the Ministry of Health is required.

• The requirement for secondary testing for inter-island travelers is now removed.

Curfew times have also been relaxed to 11:59 p.m. to 5 a.m. on New Providence and Paradise Island, Grand Bahama, Exuma mainland, Abaco mainland, Bimini and North and South Eleuthera, including Harbour Island.

For entry into the U.S., beginning Nov. 1, 2021, all adult foreign nationals traveling to the United States will be required to be

fully vaccinated, with limited exceptions.

Additionally, unvaccinated U.S. citizens and Legal Permanent Residents who return to the United States will be required to provide proof of a negative test result taken within one day prior to their departure.

For more information on US requirements, visit https://bs.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information.

For full Bahamas Covid Protocols & Requirements for Boaters, visit www.bahamasmarinas.com/ procedures-and-protocols. More information on Bahamas travel and entry protocols can be found at https://www.bahamas.com/tourism-reopening.

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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.

PHOTO BY JEA

Start from the tail and insert the knife through 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 3.5-inch utility blade

N-PIERRE BAZA

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is as easy as pressing a button with their QuikChange 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.

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