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navigating peace of mind
THE IMPORTANCE OF BOAT INSURANCE
Embarking on the open water is an exhilarating experience, flled with the promise of adventure and relaxation. Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or a weekend cruiser, protecting your vessel with proper insurance is not just a choice—it’s a necessity. Explore the reasons why every boat owner should prioritize boat insurance for a worry-free voyage.
Unpredictable waters
The open water can be unpredictable, with unexpected storms, collisions, or other potential accidents. Boat insurance can give you fnancial protection if there is damage to your vessel, providing coverage for repairs or replacement.
Damage and injury
Accidents on the water can result in damage to other boats, docks, or even injuries to passengers. Boat insurance offers liability coverage, which can pay for damages or injuries you’re liable for while boating, up to specifed limits, and lawsuit costs if you’re sued. This includes damage you cause to another watercraft or if someone on or near your boat is injured and you’re found to be legally responsible.
Theft and vandalism
Unfortunately, boat theft and vandalism are realities that boat owners face. Boat insurance has comprehensive and collision coverage that can protect you against events outside of your control, including theft and vandalism.
Incurred medical payments
Accidents on the water may lead to injuries for you or your passengers. Boat insurance offers a range of optional medical payments coverage limits, helping to cover medical expenses if you are in an accident or someone is hurt on your boat, regardless of fault.
Peace of mind for fnancing
If you fnanced the purchase of your boat, most lenders require insurance coverage to protect their investment. Having boat insurance not only fulflls these requirements but also gives you peace of mind knowing that your fnancial interests are safeguarded.
Navigational fexibility
Some water municipalities and marinas may require proof of insurance for docking or accessing certain areas. Boat insurance allows you the fexibility to explore different destinations without worrying about entry restrictions.
Emergency towing and assistance
Progressive boat insurance can include optional Sign & Glide® On-Water Towing coverage. If your boat is disabled or breaks down on the water, Sign & Glide® pays for on-water towing, jump starts, soft un-groundings, and fuel delivery.
Wreckage removal
If your boat sinks, Progressive boat insurance will cover the cost of removing your boat from the water (if removal is legally required).
Investing in boat insurance is not just about protecting a valuable asset; it’s about safeguarding the memories, experiences, and joy that come with your on-water adventures. Don’t let unforeseen circumstances disrupt your journey—navigate with confdence, knowing that Progressive boat insurance has you covered. Ensure a smooth and worry-free voyage, because when it comes to your boat, peace of mind is the ultimate luxury.
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In Alpine Helen, GA Freshwater Fun Abounds
Nestled in the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains of North Georgia against a backdrop of forests and river banks, the bustling Bavarian alpine village of Helen o!ers a wealth of shing opportunities for anglers of all skill levels.
By Unicoi Out tters
Trout shing is a highlight in the Helen area, with rainbow, brown, and brook trout abundant in local waters. Anglers can explore various shing experiences:
• High-Elevation Wild Trout: Tackle small creek wild trout in the serene mountain streams.
• Stocked Streams: Fish in streams replenished by the Georgia Wildlife Resources Division, o!ering both catch-and-keep and catch-andrelease options.
• Smithgall Woods State Park: Reserve a spot to pursue trophy trout in this pristine park.
• Private Water Access: Book guided or unguided trips on exclusive sections of the Chattahoochee and Soque Rivers.
#e optimal trout shing seasons are spring (March-May) and fall (October-November), with cooler water temperatures and comfortable
A L PINEHELE N , GEORGIa • A L ELEHENIP N , aIGROEG • BUCKET LIST 2025
air conditions. Winter shing is also rewarding for those prepared for colder conditions.
For bass enthusiasts, the Helen area o!ers diverse shing experiences:
• River Fishing: Target native shoal bass, spotted bass, redbreast sun sh, and bluegill in the Chattahoochee and Chestatee rivers.
• Lake Fishing: Explore lakes like Burton, Seed, Rabun, Chatuge, and Lanier for largemouth bass, spotted bass, and sun sh species.
#e Helen, GA region is also home to three species of native redeye bass: Chattahoochee, Bartram’s, and Coosa bass. #ese colorful and spirited sh are best targeted from April to September. Anglers can pursue these species as part of the Georgia Bass Slam.
And, worth noting, Helen is an excellent destination for family shing adventures:
• Unicoi State Park: O!ers opportunities for
kids to trout sh in Smith Creek, bream sh in the lake, and enjoy activities like hiking to Anna Ruby Falls, zip-lining, kayaking, paddle-boating, and archery.
• Lake Burton Trout Hatchery: A short drive from Helen, this hatchery allows visitors to sh for stocked trout at Moccasin Creek State Park, explore wild trout streams upstream, bream sh at the lake shoreline, and hike to Hemlock Falls.
Whether you’re an experienced angler or a beginner, Helen, GA o!ers a diverse range of shing experiences and is a worthy destination to add to your bucket list.
Unicoi Out tters, established in 1994, is the Helen, Ga area’s premier y shop and guide service, providing expert guidance and quality gear to enhance your shing experience. Visit unicoiout tters.com to learn more about available trips, gear, and to book your next shing excursion. To learn more about Helen, GA, visit helenga.org.
MOUNTAIN STRONG
By Ben Martin, Editor in Chief
Chimney Rock Village, North Carolina was decimated by last year’s rare hurricane surge in the Rocky Broad River. Decimated. All ve of the village’s bridges, 30 percent of the small businesses, most of Main Street to Bat Cave, the village’s two campgrounds, over 35 RVs, and over 30 homes were washed away. With only one road in or out of Chimney Rock, no power, no public services and winter coming on, this little mountain village of 125 residents banded together to help each other. #ey immediately rolled up their sleeves and began the process of survival and renewal.
Always one of this writer’s favorite trout streams, Chimney Rock Village and it’s meandering Rocky Broad River was an annual sojourn for me and many anglers throughout the country.
I recently visited Chimney Rock and had the opportunity (privilege) to speak with the town’s mayor, Peter O’Leary, about the village’s reconstruction e!ort and how truly self-reliant these mountain folk are. According to Mr. O’Leary, volunteer groups like Spokes of Hope and the 101st Airborne showed up with much needed supplies and the Chimney Rock community, along with the volunteers, began the process of moving forward; volunteers like Shane Zoccole, Barbara Meliski, Joe from Wyoming, the whole Spokes of Hope crew immediately started pitching in.
#e river has taken a somewhat di!erent route through Chimney Rock. Some say its course now resembles its course from the mid 1800s when residents rst began settling the Hickory Nut Gorge. Today, crews are hard at work everywhere you look, roads are in and the future looks bright for a return to a new form of reality for both the residents as well as visitors. And while the course of the river has morphed, the sh haven’t gone anywhere, and while the riverfront buildings will invariably change, the beauty of the
mountains and the serenity and superior trout shing of the Rocky Broad River, along with the spirit of the residents will likely never be diminished. For that we wholeheartedly embrace the moniker of “Mountain Strong” for everyone involved in this heartfelt e!ort to reclaim and restore this beautiful mountain village.
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during the initial feeding frenzy.
If you have outriggers, trolling 4 lines is pretty straightforward. If your riggers have dual clips, the highest set clip will hold your longer lines. If you only have single clips, use them for longer lines with rigged ballyhoo, and run two chuggers from the gunnels, set closer to the boat.
If you dont have outriggers, you can use shorter rods or bent-butts for short lines near the back of the boat, and run two longer lines from taller trolling rods, set behind them midship, or just keep it simple and run two or three lines. #e most important rule of setting a spread is that lures that dive deeper should be set as shorter lines, running closest to the boat, while lures that skip the surface will be your longest set lines. #is gives you the ability to turn the boat without risking tangles. If your short chuggers are exactly the same, they can be run at identical lengths, otherwise, stagger them appropriately according to their weight and depth they run through the water.
By Capt. Quinlyn Haddon
or new boat owners with a vessel and captain capable of getting o!shore, targeting mahi is a great choice for rst-timers who are wanting to push into the o!shore shery.
Mahi shing doesn’t require any predetermined coordinates, and anyone can head out there and nd them. Depending on your location and time of year, you can start looking for signs of life as shallow as 100’. #is time of year in the Florida Keys, you may have your best luck past 500’.
As you make your way o!shore, your hunt begins immediately. Your head should be on a swivel, scouring near and far for the telltale signs of mahi activity. Current edges, weedlines, debris, baitsprays, and diving birds found within the
desired depths, are all worth checking out.
When you have found one of these potential mahi zones, you will initially troll the area, and then move into casting at the school once you have hooked up to a sh.
Depending on your boat’s set-up, you can get the job done trolling 2-5 lines. It really isn’t necessary to go overboard with a mahi spread as they have a tendency to tangle lines, and a majority of your catching will be done a$er you have hooked up to a single sh. Once you have hooked up on the troll, you will have to clear all the other lines to prepare for casting at the school. If you have too many lines to clear, you may miss your opportunity for multiple hookups
If you want to run a $h line down the center, you can choose a long line that increases your chances of catching tuna. #is rod should be placed up high on the center of the boat in the rocket launcher and should have a very light lure that skips the surface. Alternatively, you can run it short from the transom, with a lure that dives deeper and increase your chances of catching wahoo.
If you opt for the short $h line, be aware that running anything with treble hooks is not recommended for targeting mahi. Not only do ip like rabid snakes when in the boat, but as they jump and shake when hooked, they can send that lure %ying back at you if they are successful in freeing themselves. Choose a wahoo lure with single hooks if you are running this type of spread.
If you go with a long line as your $h line, be mindful that you will likely catch more weeds this way. #is is a better option in open water while trolling under birds rather than weedlines. It also makes cult to make tighter maneuvers. Always make wide turns, and speed up through them to keep the lines tight and maintaining the lure’s action.
Once you’ve hooked into a mahi, slow the boat but keep it in gear while you clear the other trolling lines. Bring the hooked sh close to the boat, but leave it swimming in the water as it will act like a chumbag to bring his buddies up to casting range. Grab your spinning rods with 50-80# leader and an 8/0 j hook, toss on a live or chunk of bait and cast out behind the hooked sh. Let back, occasionally stopping the line with your nger and giving it a little twitch and then continuing to free-line it back. When you get a bite, give the sh a few seconds to eat awnd then close your bail and reel. Once you have all your rods hooked up with sh, start taking them into the boat one at a time and casting back into the school, holding multiple hooked sh in the water as you start rotating them out.
If you aren’t quite ready to go solo yet, give Sweet E’nuf Charters a call to book a mahi catching trip and we’ll teach you everything you need to know to make the mahi fear you.
Happy hunting!
Capt. Quinlyn Haddon guides with Sweet E’Nuf Charters out of Marathon, e Florida Keys. (504) 920-6342. www.captainquinlyn.com; IG: @captainquinlyn
Quest for a Monster Brown Trout
By Jody Medford
As the old saying goes, third times a charm. It definitely applies to this story.
This made my third trip to New Zealand to try to catch a monster brown trout. My previous trip last year, I caught a twenty pounder. But I wanted one the size that I couldn’t catch in the US. I have previously caught seven twenty+ pounders in lake Michigan. My biggest was 27 lbs.
I became friends with someone who knows everything about how to fish for a big brown trout in New Zealand. He pretty much guaranteed me if I would put the hours in, I could probably get a thirty pounder. He wishes to remain anonymous, so I respect that wish.
I flew over there in late May of this year. He met me at the airport and we headed to fish the canals near Twizel NZ. We started fishing immediately and in a twenty four hour period we fished about twenty hours of that time. I hooked a real big one the first day, and it jumped out of the water three times and broke my line. We were using eight pound line. The next day I hooked into a true monster. My first thirty pound brown trout. What a fight, It lasted about twenty five minutes.
The 3rd day, was the day I caught the biggest brown trout of my life. This fish hit and didn’t move. I just held my rod as it slowly pulled line out. I couldn’t move it, It felt like it was stuck on the bottom. About halfway through the fight, which lasted almost 40 minutes, it came in almost close enough for him to net the fish. Having caught numerous really big brown trout, what he told me as he went out in the water to net the fish, shocked me. He said, you may have a world record. He said, I don’t think it’s going to fit in the net. I wasn’t really nervous till that point, but then I got incredibly nervous.
So after about fifteen more minutes, trying to wear the fish down, it finally came to the bank and he was able to net it. With cell phones rolling, we captured every minute of the fish we could, from the time he netted it until we got it on the bank. We immediately contacted my wife.
We facetimed her, and we all couldn’t believe the size of this fish. What a monster, 39 inches long and the girth was 28 and 1/2 inches. We weighed the fish and it was 39+ pounds.
I was hoping to catch a thirty pound fish on this trip, and I was blown away to catch three. We caught 29 fish in 4 days. I caught another huge brown trout and several male brown trout, one in the twenty plus range. The colors on those male browns were amazing. I also caught a huge rainbow.
It was definitely the fishing trip of a lifetime. I told him, out of all my fishing trips, this one was the most amazing. New Zealand is a beautiful country, and as long as I live I will never forget my fishing trip in 2025.
Country artist Jody Medford has had 4 National singles in country music, and two #1 songs on the European Country Charts. He has been fishing since the age of seven, and singing most of his life. He has caught several bass over 10 pounds 2 rainbow trout, over 26 pounds. And three brown trout, over 30 pounds. He was honored to have Bill Dance in one of his music videos. The song is called, (I’d rather be fishing). He’s had over 2 million streams on Spotify, for his song Moonshine. Which also has millions of views on TikTok, and over three thousand people have made their own video to the song on TikTok.
CAPTAIN JIM DURHAM FISHING
KY / TN FISHING REPORT
Provided by Captain Jim Durham, owner of StriperFun Guide Service, Tennessee and Kentucky Walleye, Bass, Crappie and Muskie Charters, Superbaittanks.com, Captain Jim Lures and Marine Electronics and much more……
DATE OF REPORT: July 2025 – Greetings to my readers! I hope that the world finds you and your family doing well!
STRIPER FUN GUIDE SERVICE ON THE LAUREL DAM TRACE
The Laurel River Dam Trace is located in the Daniel Boone National Forest. We fish for stripers in the “cold” trace waters that flow out of the Laurel Lake Dam for a mile then into the Cumberland River! This area is located only 25 minutes from Corbin KY, 20 minutes north of Jellico TN and only 55 minutes south of Lexington KY. We run 3 boats there. Limits are caught frequently, with some 30 to 40 fish days as well (catch and release is allowed)! Prime season is July and August!
STRIPER FUN GUIDE SERVICE ON THE CUMBERLAND RIVER
Captain Jim’s StriperFun Guide Service Cumberland River Adventures fishes in the Cumberland River for several reasons:
• First, the stripers are much larger in the Cumberland River system than other freshwater arears. There is an average of over 15
stripers caught annually in excess of 50 pounds and 40-pound fish are not uncommon. The smallest fish we generally catch daily is over 3 feet long! These fish mostly eat high protein rainbow trout, large gizzard shad and skipjack and also fight the current all day, making them much heavier and stronger than “lake” fish.
• TN allows the use of rainbow trout as bait and we catch large gizzard shad in the allowed creeks and use them in the KY waters. We use 1 to 3 pound bait.
When a big river striper comes after a large bait, the bait will be tail dancing all over the surface trying to get a way. Sometimes the “dance” will last half a minute (as you watch the big predator circling the prey!) until the striper finally gets the big bait then its “Kabam”! The rod gets yanked down and the reel is screaming! We also catch huge fish casting Captain Jim Special (see our website store) Striper Magic “glide” baits and my mini umbrella rigs! This fishing is not for the faint of heart however! These big fish hit like freight trains, making long powerful runs in the constantly flowing waters of the river! We use large rods, heavy duty reels, 50-pound test line and titanium hooks!
JULY, AUGUST, SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER ARE GREAT MONTHS TO FISH!
It is great to be alive and be a “free” American! I look forward to seeing all of you this year on the water. Always remember to stop and shake the hand of a person in uniform or wearing garb that shows they are a veteran! Their service is why you speak English, can vote and can enjoy the freedoms you do! Until next time, blue skies and tight lines!
With full State licensing and insurance, all Captain Jim’s Guide Service guides (19 guides on 18 waterways) can take you on a safe, fun and unforgettable fishing adventure! Check out all of our fishing services as well as our exclusive “online” store at www.striperfun.com or call 931-403-2501 to make reservations today.
Nature’s Prize
By Buddy Bumpus
I stood beside a babbling brook, And thought of all the years it took, To compose this Nature masterpiece, Where all does fit so perfectly.
Bright green moss, Downed timber tossed, Waterfall splashing, Gurgling and crashing–Nature’s symphony, God’s Grand Opus!
Rushing water gives release, Bubbling forth tranquilities, Setting all my soul at east.
For heron lies
Nature’s coveted prize, There for those who use their eyes, And hear beyond what they do see, In search for Peace–Through Serenity.
Crappie Club Fish Fry
By Perry Hensley and Bob Ramsey
The Chattanooga Crappie Club Fish Fry was held on Saturday, June 7, 2025. A big time was had by all in attendance...lots of laughter, jokes, ribbin’ & fish tales told. Mouth waterin’ deep fried crappie with all the fixins was an angler’s delight...oh, the nanner puddin’ was scrumptious too.
Hats off to Tabatha & Bobby Ramsey and Mike Johnston for their hard work making the event an overwhelming success! Special thanks to Tommy Johnston for assisting with the arrangements
Have a fun and safe summer. See everyone at the CCC September tournament!
Fishing with Children over the Summer
By Andrew A. Cox
The Summer months are now here along with the advent of the summer school vacation time period. For many children, they have time on their hands and are looking for activities to keep themselves busy. Fishing could be a good activity for them to engage during the summer months. Many families also schedule their family vacations during these months. Incorporating fishing into family vacation outings can encourage a child’s interest in angling.
When taking a child or young person fishing, they are not going to approach the same as an adult. Their attention span is much shorter, and children will likely require fish action to maintain their interest.
Consider the following points when taking young people fishing:
• Use fishing equipment appropriate for the child’s skill level and size. They may require starting out with spincast reels and shorter rods, then later graduating to open face spinning reels
• Target fish that are easy to catch in order to maintain the child’s interest. Seek a mixed bag of fish species to include panfish, catfish, and bass if fishing warm waters.
• Look for hatchery supported trout waters if fishing in cold water settings. These hatchery supported fish may be easier to catch than wild trout.
• Shorten the fishing day; do not expect to spend the entire day from sun-up to sundown fishing with a child. Short time periods are in order to maintain interest. Take frequent breaks from fishing, maybe interspersing fishing with another outdoor activity.
• Be prepared with drinks and snacks for use over the course of the fishing day
• Be prepared to take frequent bathroom breaks
• Plan to go fishing only when the weather is good. Children will most likely not enjoy being outdoors when it is overly hot, cold, or raining.
• Plan to use a variety of baits to include both artificial and live baits. Be prepared to tie knots, rig tackle, and bait hooks. You may also be required to make some casts for the child if they are unfamiliar with the equipment
• Do not expect the young person to cast perfectly. Prepare for line tangles and hooking up on shoreline and underwater obstructions. Try to pick open fishing locations that do not have a lot of trees, rocks, or weeds to minimize tangles.
• Expose young people to conservation and protecting the fishing locale. Do not litter and discard used fishing line, bait holders, drink and
Continued, see FISHING WITH CHILDREN Page 10
SMOKY MOUNTAINS NORTH CAROLINA/ SOUTH CAROLINA/GEORGIA
Marine Fisheries to Implement Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact
MOREHEAD CITY – Starting July 1, the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries will implement requirements of the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact Act (“Act”) for marine and estuarine fisheries violations, as directed by the N.C. General Assembly. The Act provides reciprocal recognition of license suspensions with participating states.
Proposed rules were adopted by the N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission in March 2025 and approved by the Rules Review Commission in May 2025. The rules will apply to marine and estuarine fisheries violations committed in North Carolina or any other participating state starting July 1, 2025.
In its definition of “wildlife,” the Act includes all species of animals the Commission and the Division protect and regulate. The Act provides enhanced flexibility for fair and impartial treatment of non-residents with wildlife resources violations, including fishing violations. The adoption of these rules allows the Division to hold wildlife violators accountable and treat them the same, regardless of their state residency.
Text of the rules can be found in the June 1, 2025, Supplement to the 2020 N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission Rulebook at https://deq.nc.gov/ DMF-Rules.
WITH CHILDREN continued from page 8
snack containers in trash receptacles or take it back home with you to be discarded properly. Take a small trash bag with you to collect your trash as well as some that may have been left behind by others. Make it a better place than you found it. Show and tell children about the other wildlife that they may see while fishing
• Be patient and flexible; the fishing experience is supposed to be fun. The child if inexperienced with fishing is going to make mistakes
• If you catch a fish, consider handing off the rod and reel to the youngster allowing him or her to fight and land the fish.
• If going on multiple trips with a child, visit different waters and target a variety of fish species. The child may develop an interest in a particular body of water.
• Be safe. Watch the child carefully and use life preservers if necessary
Exposing young people to fishing can become a lifelong interest. The future of angling and the waters that we fish today will require future generations to show an interest and protect them. You may find that you have a new fishing partner.
Dr. Andrew Cox is a contributing writer to outdoor publications and newspapers. He is a member of the Georgia Outdoor Writer’s Association. He has been fishing the waters of Georgia, Alabama, and north Florida for over forty years.
FISHING
Full of You Know What
By James Mc Manus
So the summer is in full swing; that doesn’t spell really great news for fishermen and fisherwomen. If you love getting out of bed at 3 or 4am you’ll love summer fishing. If you love to sweat out all those tasty desserts you’ve been eating, you’ll love summer fishing. Like biting flies, sunburn, mosquitos and dehydration? You gonna love what’s up. The icing on the cake are the wake boats, tubers and jet skis. Without totally bumming you out, this month will be better than next.
Having laid the foundation for a hideous time, there are some positives. It’s been a long late spring and when the spots finished procreating they basically disappeared for weeks. I don’t remember a year when they absolutely jumped in the boat and 4 to 5 days later they were gone. By July they should be suspended offshore and if you can troll it’s feast time. If you still beat the banks, good luck, though. There will be some you can find deep off points, but most are well away from the bank. We do best trolling small crank baits across points mid lake. It takes down riggers, but many fish are taken out in the middle on shallow running plugs on planer boards.
If you are young and full of you know what and vinegar, then night fishing will get you through the next couple of months. Personally I have aged out of that show, but hey, it was super fun while it lasted. Just be careful all the way home. Once I made it almost home, relaxed and fell asleep about a quarter mile from the house. Clipping a mailbox will wake you up mighty quick.
Well the fish still have to eat. You just have to get on their schedule at their cafeteria. Be safe, have patience with novices, there will be lots of them. Thank the Lord for our beautiful waters and let me know if you want to try a trolling trip.
Later,
Capt. James
Capt. James McManus owns 153 Charters. Give him a call for a great day on the water at (828) 421-8125
Salty Fun
By Ronnie Parris
Hey folks I hope you’re doing great. I just got back from some welldeserved time away with my beautiful wife. I know we usually concentrate on fresh water fishing but sometimes you just need a change of pace. If this is something you think you might enjoy The Sea Hag Marina’s got you covered.
Located in Steinhattchee Florida, this company is located right on the Gulf, which makes it an excellent fishing destination. The marina offers comfortable fishing boats as well as places to dock your own boat. Fantastic boat cleaning stations, a well-stocked store with everything you need, plus
We o er both full and half day trips with the most competitive rates available. All tackle and supplies you will need while you are on your trip is covered by our listed price.
clothing and other essentials. They also offer great lodging right there at the marina location; we actually walked from our house to our rental boat every day. At end of the day the dock staff has your boat gassed up ready for the next day. If you need any information you can go online a contact them or call me I’d be glad to help you any way I can. I’ve fished here several years, so if you need some places to hit first or lure information just hit me up I’ll be glad to help you out.
This trip started out with us catching a sea trout on our first cast. I usually have better luck with jerk baits, but on this trip the tried and true Berkley Gulp Shrimp, in the new penny color, was hard to beat. On the Gulp we caught sea bass, sea trout, lady fish and catfish, as well as many other species.
The sea bass and sea trout were what we were focusing on, but I always have a couple big rods I fish cut bait or whole bait fish on for cobia and sharks. These rods didn’t disappoint. We caught over 20 sharks, as well as a couple blue fish, a sea bass and a sea trout. Nothing more exciting than to have those big rods bend double and the drags singing from the run of a huge fish.
Water depth is always key, but this trip was crazy. You really had to be in between 6 and 7.5 ft of water to be in the zone. Tides were good and with the weather being great, it was just an awesome trip with my girl. If I can give you any tips just call me at +18287369471. Safe fishing and, as always, take a kid fishing.
Ronnie Parris is owner and head guide of Smoky Mountain Outdoors UnlimitedFontana Lake Fishing Guides, headquartered in Bryson City, NC, 488-9711.
The Transition
By Scott Norton
Now that we are seeing more activity on the water with recreational boaters and tournaments, it’s time to find different ways to catch pressured bass. I have noticed a huge difference in bass behavior just after each tournament. Bass get used to seeing the same baits offered to them after the spawn once people catch on to a bite.
I always like to buy baits that are different from the average crowd. The JDM or Japanese Domestic market has baits designed for pressured bass. They are pricy, but nothing is worse than investing in a trip without good results. You can always go the route of handmade baits, which are designed and tested for peak performance in quality and action. If you can’t go either of these routes, you can use baits that were used years ago, which people forgot about, but are still good for the budget minded angler.
Other ways to catch pressured fish will be fishing at night. These bass will eventually become nocturnal due to the traffic in the day time. They will feel more comfortable feeding at night when all activities go silent. It is always good to go on a full moon so you can see without the help of lights. Going during a new moon is great as well, but you will need lighting for those trips. The topwater bites happen the entire time instead of tapering off due to the sun hitting the water. I also believe the frequency of catching bigger fish is better at night because large fish are smart so they bite at night.
Another approach will be to fish on a kayak. You can fish water that boats are not allowed to fish. You have that silent, stealthy means of sneaking up on bass with a kayak that you just do not have with a boat.
These lakes are usually smaller in size, so you can travel from one end to another as well. Just out of curiosity ,I fished out of a kayak on a public lake during all the traffic and had great results. The bass were not used to being snuck up on like that, so that’s another possibility. The more you learn, the more you find out how to put the odds in your favor. Be creative and have fun this season.
Scott Norton is a Western North Carolina native. Born in Asheville, N.C., he is a long-time hunter, angler and weekend warrior.
StowAway
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FIND THE BAIT, FIND THE FISH
July and August will be the hottest months of the year. !e wahoo and yellow nn will be everywhere and nowhere they should be. For example, you could go up and down the edge of the break and not nd a wahoo or a yellow n anywhere, but the guy slow trolling a menhaden for king mackerel 10 miles o# the beach catches a 100-pound wahoo or the guy 30 miles o# the beach light lining a pin sh while bottom shing catches a 50-pound yellow n. None of it makes any sense this time of the year, except one thing... nd the bait, nd the sh. !e same thing applies to bottom shing. !is is the time of year to search for big stacks of bee liners, cigar minnows, and sardines. Keep an eye on the recorder when you’re running to wherever you’re going, and if you see a big stack of bait on the surface, take a minute to check it out. If that stack of bait happens to be near pretty bottom, there’s a good chance it’s a good place to sh. !is is the time of year when it is especially productive to jig live cigars and sardines and put them back out.
whatever you want to, but stay focused on the bottom. Always keep a pitch rod handy with a live cigar, mina or sardine on a small circle hook and $ourocarbon. You never know when a sail sh will swim by the boat. When it does happen, remain calm do not go screaming and running around the deck because, chances are, you will spook the sh and not get another shot presenting a bait to it. If you’re very quiet, chances are a sail sh will come right back to the boat and you’ll get a shot at hand-feeding him a cig or sardine. And just like that...you’re hooked up!
It’s always a good idea to keep one person dedicated to the Sabiki. When you have big marks on the bottom or see schools of bait on the surface, just know that every one of those minnows caught on the Sabiki turns into a bite, either on the light line or on the bottom.
Of course, I have to say all of this to promote bottom shing because I do not believe in trolling. For all the sh you’re trying to catch trolling, you can hook on the light line while bottom shing. Not only that, sh are a lot more fun to catch on light tackle from an anchored-up boat rather than with trolling gear. Do I like to catch kings and dolphin on the light line? Yes. Are they my favorite sh to eat? No! Yes, they are edible, but I prefer to eat sh from the bottom. So, keep a light line out to catch and release
Needless to say, a live cig or sardine has a life expectancy on my Decoy Jig of under 10 seconds and everything eats one on the light line.
So, go to all your normal places in July and August that traditionally hold the bait, and you will most likely nd the sh. Live bait is always the best, but don’t ever leave the hill without a box or two of frozen cigar minnows. More sh have been caught on frozen cigs and sardines, than all the other baits combined. It’s never a bad idea to take live pin sh from the marina as well; the beauty live pin sh is that not everybody down there can put it in their mouth which eliminates a bunch of trash bites.
Yes, you will have to deal with catching and releasing all the “endangered” American red snappers and gag grouper, but that’s just what you’re gonna have to do until we can get this straightened out. Learn how to handle these sh properly for a successful release and come home with some good dinners.
Check out more from Tim Barefoot at barefootcatsandtackle.com.
CAST LURES IN A MITZI TOURNAMENT 17
Tim Barefoot
In general, the trend in boating these days is bigger is better. Right? Engine horsepower is getting higher and higher, and boats are being built able to accommodate two, four, even six engines. But what about the other end of the spectrum—anglers and cruisers that are looking for the ultimate in portable propulsion? Whether you are looking for a boost for your kayak or a reliable motor for your in$atable shing boat or tender, the perfect engine should be lightweight, easy to take on and o#, easy to use and provide the range and speed for almost any conditions. It should be selfcontained, so you don’t have to deal with lugging around a fuel tank, or even have to purchase and safely store gasoline on your boat.
Electric propulsion is the way to go, but no one has really gotten the
converters, the eLite can be fully charged in around four hours. For added capability and convenience, the engine includes a USB-C output that allows users to charge and power other electrical devices. At just under three-feet in length and weighing 14.7-pounds including the built-in battery, the eLite stores easily and the one-click quick-release bracket allows for installation and removal in a matter of seconds. For exceptional portability, the tiller handle converts to a perfectly balanced carry handle. With multiple trim and tilt angles, adjustable steering resistance and sha length, and a shallow-water mode, the eLite is completely customizable. Its Smart Battery Monitoring System e%ciently optimizes performance, carefully regulating battery level, temperature, and remaining state-of-charge all displayed on an ultra-simple interface, leading to extended range, a more energy-e%cient operation and longer battery life. Built to last, it is IP67 waterproof, and is constructed of aviationgrade aluminum alloy for lighter weight and greater durability. In addition, the anti-ground auto kick-up feature protects the motor from accidental damage. Available for under $1,000, it is also the most a#ordable electric outboard in its class.
!ere’s no time like today to upgrade to the electric outboard of the future. !e ePropulsion eLite is in stock and ready to take you quietly and sustainably to your next adventure.
A PRO THROWING BIG BAITS FOR BIG BASS
TYLER WOOLCOTT
Most of the time the saying is true, bigger bait equals a bigger sh! Although elephants eat peanuts, a big bait pro le is something sh can’t resist no matter if you are shing the open ocean or the Great Lakes. I have spent a lot of time over the last few years throwing baits bigger than my old “comfort zone” sizes for bass and it is pretty special what gets curious to come look or bite them.
!ere are many di#erent types of swimbaits out on the market, but I’ll break them down into two for this article to keep it simple. You have the hard, gliding-style treble hook swimbaits, or you have so body swimbaits that is more of a steady slow reel and most of the time more weedless. !ey both have an awesome time and place to get thrown and will both attract some very big sh.
Depending on where you are in the country and the size of the forage in your lake, a normal meal for a bass is usually much bigger than you think. A 6- to 8-inch bluegill is something a two or three pound bass would have no issues at all with swallowing and eating it whole. A 10+ pounder, on the other hand, could eat bait sh such as gizzard shad up to 14 inches, which I have personally seen. Trying to exactly duplicate the larger bait sh that are in your lake in a natural presentation is the absolute best way to draw attention from sh to your arti cial lure.
Most of the time when I am throwing a gliding-style hard swimbait, my rst choice is always going to be a shad imitation. A majority of the
places I sh are full of shad and this seems to be a favorite food source for bass when available to them. Another major large food source for big bass that a lot of people forget about are crappie. I have personally witnessed some absolute giant bass in multiple lakes that feed primarily on crappie. When throwing so swimbaits my go-to imitation is typically a bluegill. Usually when I’m throwing a so swimbait I’m wanting to either creep it through grass or along the bottom, which calls for a more weedless rig. Both places bluegill typically live and the bass that feed on them aren’t usually too far away. !ere are many di#erent brands of swimbaits out there, hard and so . When rst starting out I would stick to some of the a#ordable baits that have good reviews by users and are proven to work until you build up your con dence, then start working your way up to bigger and more customized things.
When throwing bigger lures like swimbaits you typically want bigger equipment to throw them. 13 Fishing makes an awesome, very a#ordable 8-foot rod in their Defy series that can handle most swimbaits I throw. Pair this up with a 300 sized reel like the 13 Fishing Concept A3 and some 20-25 lb. Su x Advanced Fluorocarbon and you are ready to go battle with some big sh!
It’s hard to t all the info needed to explain this technique in this article, but I hope it sparks your interest to get out there and throw a big bait. !e best way to learn is to get on the water and give it a try for yourself! I tried it once and now it is one of the coolest and most fun ways I target big bass all year long.
Don’t be afraid to reach out via my website or social media platforms with any questions you may have!
Good luck out there and tight lines!
Tyler Woolcott is a professional tournament angler and guide. Check out his website at www.tylerwoolcott shing.com.
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