Coastal Angler Magazine | April 2023 | Alabama Gulf Coast Edition

ALABAMA GULF COAST EDITION

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MAHI

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MAHI A Few Facts About Everyone’s Favorite Fish

By CAM Staff

• All the Pretty Colors: Dolphinfish are revered for their gorgeous colors, which change according to their excitement level. They can change colors and even flicker from day-glow green and yellow with blue highlights to lighter blue and metallic silver over the course of a fight. As soon as you pull them out of the water, this brilliance begins to fade. These changing colors are due to cells called chromatophores in their skin. Chromatophores reflect light, contain pigment, and are controlled by central nervous system, which gives mahi their awesome chameleon-like abilities.

• Rabbit of the Sea: Part of the allure of mahi for anglers is their prevalence. When they are around, there are usually a lot of them around.

They grow quickly and reproduce prolifically, like rabbits. Dolphinfish can grow up to 3 inches in a week and reach sexual maturity in just five or six months. They spawn two or three times a year, and each female can release up to a million eggs during each cycle.

• Size Matters: While smaller “peanut” mahi travel and feed in giant schools, larger individuals cruise in smaller packs of two to five fish. The average dolphin only lives two or three years, and they have a lifespan of five to seven years. The IGFA all-tackle world record weighed 87 pounds and was caught off Costa Rice in 1976.

• Speed: Dolphinfish are estimated to swim up to 50 nautical mph, which allows them to feed on pretty much anything they can fit in their mouths.

This includes their little brothers and sisters.

O

n the end of a line or wrapped up in a tortilla, dolphinfish are a worldwide fan favorite. Here are a few facts you might not have known about mahi-mahi:

• What’s in a Name? Mahi-mahi is the Hawaiian term for the fish historically called dolphin or dolphinfish in the mainland United States. In Polynesian “mahi” means “strong,” and “mahi-mahi” translates to very strong. Although most U.S. scientist still refer to the species as dolphinfish, the term mahi has become more

prevalent in recent years, perhaps through foodfish marketing or to avoid confusion with the mammal also called dolphin.

Spanish speakers typically refer to the same fish as “dorado,” which means “golden.” Obviously, this comes from the fish’s color, and dorado is also used widely in the Pacific as well as in English-speaking South Africa.

Dolphinfish are found in all the world’s tropical and subtropical oceans. They go by many names in many languages. They are Shiira in Japanese, goldmakrele in German, lambuka in Arabic… and the list goes on.

• Management: It’s usually bad news for anglers when the federal acronyms pay special attention to a species. However, years of declining catches have led Florida fishermen to call for tighter regulations for dolphinfish in the Atlantic.

Currently, NOAA and SAFMC are looking at options.

Florida boasts some of the best dolphin fishing in the world. The sharp multi-year decline in the fishery is alarming. Last year, while SAFMC mulled potential regulations changes in federal waters, Florida preemptively slashed limits in state waters by half—from 10 fish to five fish per person, with the vessel limit dropping from 60 to 30 fish per day.

SAFMC did not follow suit. With opposition to tighter regulations from North Carolina, where dolphin fishing appears to be getting better, the per-person bag limit in federal waters of the South Atlantic remained at 10 fish per person, while the daily vessel limit was modified from 60 fish to 54 fish. There is a minimum size limit of 20 inches in federal waters off South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. There is no minimum size limit off North Carolina.

Many Florida anglers were stunned by the decision to pretty much allow federal regulations to remain as they were. Changes, however, are likely on the way. NOAA/SAFMC have initiated a “management strategy evaluation” with a stated goal of annually determining dolphinfish supply before allocating harvest equally to different regions and user groups. We might get a look at what that means by 2024.

• Grocery Shopping: Most of the mahi-mahi you find in restaurants or at the grocery store comes from the Pacific. In the South Atlantic, just seven percent of the total catch limit is allocated to commercial fishing.

MAKE IT A DOUBLE!

down tight, as it will cut itself if it’s not wet. Test your knots, pulling hard on them, before use.

I’m going to get sporty this year and make a double-squid tackle for the blackfin tuna. I may get two at once, but that’s a gamble I’m willing to take. Stay in touch to my YouTube channel for video featuring the blackfins. I think the blackfin tackle will be made with 50-pound fluoro.

Regardless of the lure, I use jig heads that make baits walk the dog underwater like a GotCha Plug. I fish the front lure with a jig head, and it zigs and zags with the same cadence of the trailing lure, which has no jig head, just a hook. Often the trailing bait gets the bite.

I’m not going into a lengthy explanation in writing about how to make this tackle, but will show an up-close detailed video that explains this simple knot and rigging completely.

Tim Barefoot

A

“double tackle” is what I call rigging two lures on the same main line. In certain situations, this appearance of a school of fleeing baitfish or shrimp is irresistible to predators, and I’ve got a clean and simple way to rig a double tackle.

This the time of year, a double tackle can be deadly in inshore fisheries.

Spring brings huge schools of small, immature bait rolling up the creeks off the Intracoastal. They push into the shallow bays and up the rivers trying to find a place to hide from all the predators. Rigging two identical baits together can be irresistible to predator fish, and at the same it confuses them. I think fish look at this tackle, with baits zigging and zagging, and are forced to decide which one to eat, rather than whether or not to eat.

There is always the possibility of catching two fish at a time using this tackle. It happens a lot.

Speckled trout, striped bass and American shad are a few likely candidates for this tackle. Spring trout sometimes key on juvenile shrimp, and this tackle is a dead-ringer for the job. American and hickory shad are complete idiots for this tackle, as they stage in tight schools and you often catch doubles. For the speckled trout, I like a 3-inch DOA Shrimp. For shad, I prefer small soft-plastic worms.

Depending on water clarity, I fish 20- to 30-pound fluoro for trout and 8- to 12-pound fluoro for shad. There is a very fine line between using a fluoro light enough to get the bite and heavy enough to withstand the force of two fish yanking against each other on the line. The knot that connects everything together is pretty simple, but it takes a little practice to get it just right.

It is a must to moisten the fluoro when cinching the knot

To see video instructions on rigging Tim Barefoot’s double tackle, go to https://youtu.be/FsdUGwyM9c4.

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Catch More Springtime Crappie I

By TAM Staff

t’s the time of year when crappie fishing can get mighty easy. However, you can always strive to load the cooler with more and bigger fish. Here are a few tips: • Know Your Prey: Crappie are on the move this time of year. They might be staged up at prespawn or postspawn depths, or they might be right up on the banks in a foot and a half of water spawning. Knowing their cycles will help you find them.

Before and after they spawn, crappie hold on brush and structure just outside of their spawning areas. They move up into the shallows to spawn in waves, and this can go on for a month or more. So, while some fish are easy targets when they’re spawning or guarding fry on super-shallow brush, there are other, possibly larger, fish feeding a little deeper.

If you’re not catching the numbers or size you’d like to see in the shallows, get on the trolling motor and use your sonar to find the creek channels and first drops off the spawning areas. Find some good brush or search the fronts of docks.

You might find big schools slab crappie. Pitch jigs or minnows to individual brushpiles or slow troll these deeper areas to find fish.

• Ditch the Bobber: A minnow under a bobber is a traditional and effective crappie rig. It is not, however the most efficient way to catch them in most situations. During the spawn, male crappie are the ones that stay shallow and guard the nests. They are aggressive, and they are not necessarily feeding when they attack. These fish are particularly susceptible to gaudy, brightly colored jigs.

Crappie jigs are the best way to cover water both on

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APRIL 2023

spawning banks and on deeper brush. Even when they’re feeding heavily, crappie on brush won’t chase their prey more than a few feet. A jig allows you to make numerous casts and thoroughly cover the water horizontally and vertically in the time it would take to hook and soak a single minnow under a bobber.

Move quickly until you find the fish. Then you can slow down and catch them all. If you still want to support the local live bait store, go ahead and buy some minnows and thread them through the lips on a crappie jig.

• Scent: You might not need it all the time to catch fish, but scent helps crappie find your lure and convinces them to eat. It doesn’t hurt to tip your jig with a minnow, and artificial attractants like PowerBait Crappie Nibbles or JJ’s Magic can sometimes make them bite when they’ve got lockjaw.

• Network: Make friends with other crappie anglers. There’s no shortage of available crappie in most lakes.

Sharing information with other anglers helps everyone stay on top of the fish.

You don’t have to tell anyone where you sunk your Christmas tree in January, but a little give and take doesn’t hurt when you’re talking about stages of the spawn or effective colors.

For more crappie fishing, visit www.coastalanglermag.com.

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ALABAMA GULF COAST 1

Tactics for Spawning Trout

BY NATHAN RICH

SOUTHERN SALT

YOU CAN ALSO VISIT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL, WHERE WE HAVE SEVERAL VIDEOS GOING IN DEPTH ABOUT THESE RIGS AND SETUPS

and Deer Island. Stay away from areas that contain a muddy bottom or that are cluttered with drift wood, debris and even rocks and oyster beds.

I

t is time to put away the bibs and long johns, and trade them for shorts and flip-flops. Spring is finally here! The water temps are rising and the trout are moving. It is time to leave the muddy creeks and rivers, and head to the sand flats! With the warming of the water temps, comes the migration of Speckled Trout. These Speckled Trout headed deep into the creeks and rivers in search of warmth and now that the water temps have risen to a comfortable level the trout are on the move looking for good areas to spawn. With that being said, there are certain areas and tactics that you can utilize to maximize your success this spring!

Where to Look There are 3 key elements that Speckled Trout look for when searching for an area to spawn. These elements are heavy salt content, sandy bottom, and a clean area. In other words, you really want to be targeting these Speckled Trout on large sand flats such as those that surround Horn Island

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The Right Approach For the artificial anglers, lures with a slow presentation are the way to go.

There are a few killer options available that are sure to get the job done! My personal favorite is the Southern Salt Bait Co. Hoodwink. This is a 5” fluke style bait that I like to rig on a ¼ oz. Southern Salt Screwball jig head and it is DEADLY!! Another great option is a Mirrodine 17MR. The Mirrodine 17MR is a suspending twitch bait that is amazing at mimicking small baitfish and can be worked with long pauses between twitching, which is deadly at getting a reaction strike!

For more tips, trips, and tutorials for everything inshore fishing be sure to check out our Youtube channel “Southern Salt Kayak Fishing”. Until next time, remember to always keep safety in mind, be courteous to your fellow anglers and keep conservation at the forefront!

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ALABAMA GULF COAST 3

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ALABAMA GULF COAST 7

Fishing The Shad Spawn

By Garrett Wade

A

s the water continues to warm and the bass spawn winds down it’s fast approaching one of my favorite times to fish. The Shad spawn can be some of the most exciting fishing of the year. But you better get up early because it starts at daylight and is usually over by the time the sun breaks the tree line.

Shad start spawning in mid to late April in Mississippi and Alabama. They spawn along riprap, shoreline grass and docks. One of the best ways to locate a shad spawn is to look for birds. They will be in groups along the bank waiting for an easy meal.

Best baits for targeting bass during the shad spawn are spinnerbaits, chatterbaits and swim jigs. My go to is going to be a white Z-Man’s SlingBladeZ spinnerbait with double willow leaf blades. A close second is the Z-Man Jackhammer. I’ll throw it in either a Clearwater shad or dirty white and pair it with a small swimbait for a trailer or the new Southern Salt Hoodwink. With either of these baits it’s important not to fish too fast. You need to fish them slow enough to make contact with the grass and many of the bites will come when it gets caught up and jerked free. Another fun way to target these fish is with a white popping frog. Working the frog quickly with small short jerks resemble shad flickering on top of the water and can draw some incredible blow ups. So next time you’re out on the water keep an eye out for signs of a shad spawn for some fast paced action.

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ALABAMA GULF COAST 9

INGREDIENTS

ALABAMA

1 stick unsalted butter, softened not melted

KITCHEN DELIGHTS

2 cloves garlic, minced

BY SEAN VARONE

1/8 tsp white pepper

CHARGRILLED OYSTERS

O

ld wives’ tales caution against eating oysters from month’s lacking the letter R. Watery shellfish or even a nasty case of food poisoning could befall one who doesn’t heed this warning. Of course these tales are from times before refrigeration and awesome ice chests, so Gulf Coast residents can feel safe eating oysters year round. Isle Dauphine oysters are great farmed oysters from the Alabama coast. They’re available in Rouse’s seafood section. Pick up a pint or two and make some chargrilled oysters! This appetizer is impressive, fun, and easy to prepare. Just make sure to try one before you bring the tray to your guests!

1/4 tsp Cajun seasoning or rub 2 tbsp chopped parsley 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for topping Splash of lemon juice Pinch of salt Few cracks of black pepper Ceramic shells or oyster dishes for grilling 1 pint Gulf oysters or a dozen shucked, save the shells if you don’t have oyster dishes

HERE’S WHAT YOU DO 1.

Mix everything except the oysters into the softened butter. Make sure ingredients are evenly distributed throughout and taste for flavor. You may need more lemon juice or salt or even Cajun seasoning. This is a compound butter, so you can also form the

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mixture into a stick using Saran Wrap. It would be great on steaks or any grilled vegetables, but we’re using it on fresh oysters.

2.

Place an oyster into each shell. You can double up if they’re smaller oysters.

3.

Place on 450 degree grill and cook covered for 2 mins.

4.

Add a generous dollop of the butter mixture to each sizzling oyster and grill, covered, for a couple more minutes.

5.

Finish with more grated Parmesan while the oysters are still on the grill.

6.

Place oysters in their “shells” atop a platter covered in rock salt and serve hot. The hotter the better! Don’t wait on these to cool

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ALABAMA GULF COAST 11

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FISHIN’

APRIL

FORECAST BY CAPT DAN KOLENICH 251-422-3474

G

ood bye winter. Water temps are in the 70’s and it looks like we are beginning the migration patterns.

There is plenty of saltwater headed for the causeway it’s just a little muddy and cool right now. Green trout are on fire in the delta. Hildebrant snagless sally is my favorite with a pork frog.On the coast, Spanish Mackerel will be starting to move this month. Pompano have been around for a month or so now. Keep an eye out for Cobia and King Mackerel to follow. Bull Reds are around the passes if you’re looking for a fight.Inshore, the shoals and grass flats along Dauphin Island, Shell Bank Reef, and the rigs inside the bay are a good bet for Specs. Reds will be cruising the shore line and oyster bars.Live shrimp or a croaker on a slip cork or free lined is the way to go. If you prefer artificial baits, a Mirrolure Glad Shad in deeper water, Catch Jr. or 2000 in water less than four feet, and soft plastics on jig heads in any depth are productive. Don’t forget top water plugs for some explosive action on warmer days and look for water temps in the 70’s. My favorites are High Tide jig heads and plastics in natural shrimp, white/chartreuse, chartreuse/red, root beer/chartreuse, and don’t forget electric chicken colors.

As April moves on, the saltwater will be heading for the causeway.

Depending on our rainfall in late March and April, look at places like Zundel’s, Gray Cane Reef, Pt. Clear, Battles Wharf, Middle Bay Lighthouse, and Gilliard Island, early in the month. As the salt water moves north follow it. With a little luck, we will be fishing on the causeway in late May this year instead of June.

12 ALABAMA GULF COAST

APRIL 2023

AVAILABLE @ SEA 2 SWAMP OUTFITTERS & NELSON’S OUTDOORS www.USHarbors.com

Mobile State Docks, AL - Apr 2023 High

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COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

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Fort Morgan, AL - Apr 2023 High

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3/1/22 11:11 AM

3/1/22 11:11 AM

3/1/22 11:11 AM

DISTRACTED DRIVING HAPPENS ON THE WATER TOO? 3/1/22 11:11 AM

In my opinion, technology has advanced faster than humans can comprehend and assimilate into boating operations. With the overabundance of data bombarding our brain, boaters are becoming complacent and over reliant on technology to resolve what our brain should be doing. It’s also causing us to lose our instinct to have a questioning attitude. Too much 3/1/22 11:11 AM technology is the entering argument for complacency, which directly contributes to the development of three major deficiencies that can each lead to increased incidents at sea. The first is one is called “sensory overload”.

Sensory overload occurs when our3/1/22 brains have too many instruments dis11:11 AM playing too much information that may or may not be pertinent to the primary task at hand, keeping your vessel and its passengers safe. The second pitfall is losing situational awareness. Situational awareness is the ability to “keep the big picture” by staying cognizant of what is happening all 11:11 AM situational awareness for just a brief few seconds, and around us. 3/1/22 Losing engaging in something as simple as answering your cell phone, will lead to distracted boating which can be the difference between life and death.

And finally, the deficiency that plagues both recreational and commercial boaters alike, the inability to make a decision using our brain first (mental gymnastics) before consulting with technology for its solution. Without mental gymnastics we become nothing more than malicious compliers, blindly obeying everything technology tells us to do regardless if it’s leading us down the wrong rabbit hole. In summary, don’t allow yourself to fall victim to the pitfalls of sensory overload, loss of situational awareness or becoming a malicious complier by obeying everything technology tells you to do. Always remember, machines may reflect much of the science of navigation but only a competent human can practice the art of navigation.

Captain Jack R. Sanzalone is a 30-year submarine veteran and licensed USCG Master Captain and Assessor with 41 years of experience. He’s the owner of The Captain School Orange Beach Alabama. You can contact Captain Jack at: jack@boattutors.com or by visiting his website at www. boattutors.com COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

APRIL 2023

ALABAMA GULF COAST 15

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16 ALABAMA GULF COAST

APRIL 2023

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THE ULTIMATE MIXED BAG in the Salmon Capital of the World

By Capt. Lukas Brickweg

T

he wondrous world of summer fishing in Alaska draws anglers from around the world who flock to these rich waters annually.

Ketchikan, Alaska, nestled in the heart of the sprawling temperate rainforest known as Tongass National Forest boasts the title of “Salmon Capital of the World,” and for good reason.

But salmon are not all visitors can expect to catch in this world-renowned fishery. As an experienced captain who runs daily charters out of Ketchikan during the season, I still find myself surprised by the productivity of these waters.

Along with five species of salmon, we also land big halibut, giant lingcod, pacific cod and rockfish in our daily catch limits. The fishing is superb, and so is the wildlife watching. Hit the water with us, and I will gladly hand over the binoculars when marauding pods of orcas show up on the surface or when magnificent humpback whales breach.

We share these waters with eagles, sea lions and so much more. It makes a perfect fishing getaway for the entire family.

The awe-inspiring beauty that surrounds Ketchikan is something that must be witnessed to understand. From the rugged terrain of old growth forest in Tongass down to the vibrantly rich waters, each day surprises visitors with landscapes and

wildlife that make Ketchikan a bucket-list destination.

Who doesn’t dream of giant halibut or monstrous king salmon on these scenic waters?

Peak season runs from midJune through September, with the absolute best fishing during the months of July and August. This occurs when we have an overlapping run of king salmon, silver salmon and pink salmon. All the while, big halibut will have moved in from deep water to feed on the abundance of food present. For these reasons, one can expect to catch all species with potential record catches of halibut, salmon, lingcod and rockfish hitting the docks by day’s end.

Here’s what you might expect on a good fullday charter. We start out bottom fishing for halibut in 150 to 400 feet of water until we get a limit. Using deep-water jigging rods, you’ll be tasked with reeling in hard-fighting halibut from the depths.

Then we switch gears to trolling with electric downriggers, running four rods for all five species of wild Pacific salmon. Whether or not we hit our limit of salmon, we usually end the day jigging with light tackle for giant lingcod and pelagic rockfish to top off the day’s catch. Why settle for one species

when you can fish for them all?

A processing service will fillet, vacuum seal and box up your catch to be shipped home overnight or taken on your flight as a checked bag. Ketchikan is easily accessible with convenient commercial flights, just two-hours out of Seattle, and lodging accommodations are available for groups of all sizes.

Book your dream trip to Alaska with Capt. Lukas Brickweg, of Ketchikan’s Finest Fishing Charters, at www.ketchikanfishingtrips.com, call (907) 6174717 or email at ketchikanfishingtrips@gmail.com.

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

APRIL 2023

NATIONAL 9

FEDS SLASH ALABAMA RED SNAPPER QUOTA

ADCNR PHOTO

This federally imposed catch limit is the latest point of contention in a two-decade-long power struggle between the Gulf states and the federal bureaucracy over management of one of the region’s most iconic and economically important fisheries. Recreational red snapper fishing brings millions of tourism dollars to the Gulf Coast each summer. In Alabama, officials say the quota cut will bring an early end to the season.

The cuts are the result of a complicated formula used by NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to assess red snapper stocks.

Federal regulators and environmental groups are pointing to 2022’s reduced red snapper landings as evidence of a depleted fishery. In 2020, recreational anglers off Alabama caught 1.1 million pounds of red snapper. In 2022, that figure dropped to less than 500,000 pounds.

AL.com reported that Sean Powers, a leading researcher in the 2020 Great American Red Snapper Count, said the limited landings in 2022 were caused by reduced angler effort because of high gas prices and poor weather.

“The number of days people went out was half and we caught half of the quota,” Powers told Al.com. “That’s straight forward. I don’t think it reflects on the health of the stock.”

It’s worth noting that the Great American Red Snapper Count is the study that showed there were more than three times as many red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico than the figures NMFS was previously using to set quotas. For years, fisheries managers and politicians from all the Gulf states have been speaking out against NOAA’s “flawed science,” and the Snapper Count seemed to prove their argument. Since the study, NOAA has come up with a new system it says melds the Snapper Count with federal and state surveys. There is plenty of skepticism over NOAA’s “calibration.”

“Red snapper fishing is a huge part of Alabama’s Gulf Coast economy, which is why I’ll continue pushing back against the Department of Commerce’s disastrous proposal to decrease limits for red snapper anglers based on inaccurate data,” said U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R/Ala.) to Al.com. rustration is again mounting over federal management of the red Alabama’s quota this year is 558,200 pounds, down from 1.1 million snapper fishery in the Gulf of Mexico. This time, the uproar is coming pounds in 2022. The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council meets from the Alabama coast, where NOAA (National Oceanic and in April, and there is a possibility Alabama’s quota could increase slightly.

Atmospheric Administration) slashed the state’s 2023 recreational quota by See www.al.com to read an excellent article on the issue by John Sharp. more than 50 percent.

TIPS FROM A PRO

F

10 NATIONAL

APRIL 2023

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WALK THE DOG FOR SPRINGTIME BASS

T

TYLER WOOLCOTT

he months of covering water with your favorite topwater are upon us, and what a wonderful time it is! In some parts of the country, bass are already done spawning. While in others, the move to the shallows has only just begun. No matter the circumstances of your fish, they are on the feed and will certainly bite your lure if the right situation presents itself.

Where I live in Florida, the bass have already finished with their spawn. They are roaming and chasing food to replenish themselves after a few hard weeks up in the shallows. One of my favorite ways to catch these fish is by covering water with a walk-the-dog style topwater. Not only is it just the coolest bite ever, but it is also a bait that can mimic a ton of different food options. This should be used to cover water at a fast pace. Once you locate groups of fish, slow down with something else.

Throw topwater around anything the treble hooks won’t get hung up on, and remember to stay near areas where fish just finished spawning.

In many other parts of the country, bass might currently be up in the shallows spawning. This is another awesome time to throw a walking topwater. Use it to find fish spawning, and then slow down and pick up a few more fish with a slower bait, if needed. The target options are endless. Grass flats, shallow banks, wood, points, anywhere bass might be spawning is the perfect place to throw a walking bait.

Up North, fish might be in the very early stages of prespawn or even still have ice over their heads. Whatever the case may be, fish will bite a walking bait when the time is right… or when the water is in a liquid form. I have been very successful, especially on smallmouths, throwing a spook-style bait around spawning flats and points for very aggressive fish that are preparing to spawn. Some of the greatest fishing memories

I have from those parts of the country are from the prespawn. Throw it over rocks or grass points where bass chase bait as they feed up ahead of the spawn. Walk it over open water or down the bank; they will bite it.

Topwater rod and reel setups can be fairly simple. I like a shorter rod, which makes it easier to walk the dog, with a moderate action, so you don’t rip the hooks out of the fish. The 13 Fishing 7’3” Medium Defy is an affordable rod with the perfect action. I pair this up with a 7:5:1 Concept A2 spooled with 40-pound Seaguar Smackdown braid for long casts and minimal stretch. The 13 Fishing Power Slide is an awesome topwater for these situations, and I always stick to natural baitfish colors. Grab one of these, get out on your favorite body of water and have some fun!

Tyler Woolcott is a professional tournament angler and guide.

Check out his website at www.tylerwoolcottfishing.com.

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YAMAHA 22 FT FSH LINE: FISH AND PLAY IN VERSATILE LUXURY

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amaha’s product line of 22 FT FSH boats has made quite the splash since hitting the water in August of 2022. Building upon the success of Yamaha’s versatile 21-foot center console line that it replaced, there are three separate 22-foot FSH® models that come with Yamaha’s best center console technology and features.

“Specifically, the new models are 9 inches longer, with gunwales 2 inches higher at the helm and 4 inches higher at the bow than the previous 21-foot line,” said Jon Sutter, Yamaha Boats Product Planning Manager. “And the gunwales are thinner too, which adds to the roominess when passing by the center console.”

This series begins with the value-minded 220 FSH Sport powered by twin 1L TR-1 HO (High Output) engines. Moving up the line is the featurerich 222 FSH Sport, and the premium 222 FSH Sport E being the pinnacle of the series.

Offering sleek lines, agile handling, and superb performance, the new Yamaha 220 and 222 Series center console boats are big, with twin Yamaha marine engines generating up to 360 horsepower. Both 222 FSH models feature added performance delivered by twin 1.8L HO motors. All three models come with a fabric or fiberglass-molded T-Top with four “rocket launcher” rod holders.

The new 22-foot platform continues Yamaha’s trend toward contemporary design with its deep cockpit and great freeboard, enabling a spacious interior and large bow and cockpit areas.

The center console is nicely finished with plenty of room for Yamaha’s Connext® 5-inch touchscreen that controls the boat’s entertainment and vital system functions, a glass windshield, stainless steel steering wheel, a locking glove box, and a 9-inch Simrad® marine electronics system. And for the first time on a Yamaha center console boat, all three models get a wirelesscharging phone mount.

There’s nothing better than hanging out at a favorite cove listening to a great summer playlist. Yamaha has you covered here with its a Hertz® premium sound system that comes standard on the 222 FSH Sport E. This marine sound system comes with a Hertz® head unit, four deck speakers, and two speakers in the color-matched hardtop.

All three 22’ FSH models come standard with mounts for optional swimup seats. At anchor, two removable seats can be attached to the stern. These seats sit just below the water’s surface, providing comfortable in-water seating facing the transom of the boat. And since the reboarding ladder is located between both seat positions, egress onto the swim platform is a breeze.

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Fishing Amenities for Anglers Understanding that fishing is the heart and soul of this product line, anglers around the globe have the below features to look forward to when purchasing a Yamaha 22FT FSH series boat:

• • • • •

Storage for eight rods under the gunwales Storage for six rods on the side of the console Aerated 26-gal stern livewell Simrad® multi-function display Jet Wash® washdown system

Ultimately, Yamaha’s 22’ FSH models have set the standard in versatile luxury, while continuing to keep the end consumer in mind with its plethora of convenient amenities. Whether you’re enjoying its premium sound system or relaxing with the award-winning swim up stern seating, your days on the water can only be enhanced with Yamaha.

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Doing Your Homework

E

By Capt. Michael Okruhlik

PHOTO COURTESY OF KNOCKIN TAIL LURES®

at, sleep, fish, repeat. Although I would love to live this life, it is just not possible… yet. I recently saw a cartoon that listed things I like to do in my spare time. Go fishing, buy fishing tackle, research fishing and talk about fishing. This rang true to me since this sport consumes my thoughts as it does many of yours. Here are a few things that I do when I am not fishing that help me when I do have the opportunity to go. With the high winds of spring upon us, we all might have a little more dock time than water time.

I’m fascinated with weather. Not only do I look at the current conditions and forecast where I am, but I also look at it in areas where I travel to fish. This does a couple of things for me. First, it allows me to see possible great weather opportunities when I might be able to plan ahead and sneak away. It also keeps me from going on a day when the weather might be great, but the previous several days featured winds blowing strong from an unfavorable direction. For example, here on the Texas coast, southwest is a detrimental direction for high winds. It muddies most bays on our coast. The previous days’ wind velocity and direction are good to know and determine where I head when I launch the boat.

I spend a lot of time on the road, and I like listening to fishing podcasts.

Some of these give general information, and some are weekly reports covering current conditions and activity. These can be great to stay in tune with what is happening and to learn from new points of view on approaching certain situations. They might also cover new products I want to try.

Different social media platforms also keep you in tune. Find reputable anglers or guides in your area or an area you plan to go. Some frequently post how-to or what’s been working for them. They might also talk about how to approach a certain area. If you like to travel to new areas, which I do, knowing how to approach an area can be key. In my local waters, we might approach a spot one way, but if I go to another state they may do the opposite. Knowing the local game plan can save the day.

Last but not least, I look at satellite imagery very often. One tip is to change the view and the year the image was taken for areas you fish. These images can be dramatically different than the current images, and they might offer a much-improved view of bottom structure to point you to a spot you’ll want to try next time you are on the water.

The weather is warm, don’t forget to take a kid fishing!

The Return of a

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

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How To Rock a Walking Stick

An essential part of a gentleman’s wardrobe

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n the 17th century, the walking stick overtook the sword as an essential part of a gentleman’s wardrobe. Though it was primarily used as a decorative accessory, it could also function as a weapon if necessary. For men of the era, these walking sticks were a statement piece, and a way to communicate their wealth and refinement.

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