The Angler Magazine | May 2019 | Greater Atlanta Area

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GREATER ATLANTA AREA EDITION

Inside:

CAMPING Review

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BASS

On Bream Beds

PHOTO COURTESY OF JAKE NOWAK AGE 9 VOLUME 24 • ISSUE 290

F R A N C H I S E

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LIFE ON THE COAST IS BETTER WHEN YOU STAY CENTERED.

190 FSH SERIES

Make the most of the open water with Yamaha’s 190 FSH® Series.

Our all-new 19-foot center console boats have been redesigned from the ground up for more fishing and family fun. A saltwater corrosion resistant driveline protects you from the harshest elements. And with an extra spacious layout and new storage pods to keep all of your gear, the 190 FSH Series will put you in the middle of everything you love about living on the coast. Starting at $29,799.

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n the early 1930s watch manufacturers took a clue from Henry Ford’s favorite quote concerning his automobiles, “You can have any color as long as it is black.” Black dialed watches became the rage especially with pilots and race drivers. Of course, since the black dial went well with a black tuxedo, the adventurer’s black dial watch easily moved from the airplane hangar to dancing at the nightclub.

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Summer Slammers Tips and Tricks For Targeting BIG Dolphin

By Gene Dyer

C

all them dolphin, dorado or mahi mahi, they are one of the most popular pelagic species to target because of their hard fighting nature and acrobatic displays, not to mention they are darn good eating. Inspired by the recent catch of a 72-pound monster bull by the charter boat Lady Pamela out of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., here are some tips and tricks to help you put some slammers in the box.

Without question, the best way to target big dolphin is on the troll. When trolling for dolphin, it’s important to maximize the presentation of your spread.

It’s all about the quality of baits over quantity. We could certainly fish seven lines from our Mako 236, but I prefer to fish five. Keeping baits swimming properly and free of weeds is critical, but even more important is fresh bait. If you can’t get fresh ballyhoo, frozen will work, but be careful which package you select. Look for clear eyes, red tips on the beak and some yellow on the top of the tail.

My five-bait spread consists of two flat lines, two outrigger baits and one in the shotgun position.

Though I’ll adjust my spread during the day, I always start with a chin-weighted naked ballyhoo in one of the corners, just behind the prop wash. I use a flat line release clip to give the bait a better swimming action. In the other corner, we fish a daisy chain consisting of four small jet heads or squid skirts with a 6/0 J hook in the last lure behind a bird. I like to position the bird just behind the naked ballyhoo. On one outrigger, we fish a chugger-type lure in front of a rigged ballyhoo. On the other we fish an Islander-style lure with a rigged ballyhoo. In the shotgun, I like a quarter-ounce black-and-red feather with an orange head. Send it way back behind the rest of the spread.

When trolling, many fish are lost because the boat gets taken out of gear with the excitement of the strike. Chances are that any slammers with an interest in your spread have been hooked before. They’ve gotten away at least once, and any slack in the line is asking for the same result. By staying at trolling speed, your other baits remain enticing to other fish in the school and increase the odds of a multiple hook up. Once the cockpit chaos has subsided, it’s OK to back the throttle off to idle speed, but never stop the boat from moving forward.

Always be on the lookout for birds, and pay attention to what they are doing.

Don’t bother chasing birds that are just flying. Look for birds that are diving or circling. Many times, they will lead you to a promising piece of debris, a well-defined edge or a nice weedline. When the birds do lead you to that magical floating debris or weedline, troll by it several times from different angles. If you don’t get bit, stop the boat on the last pass and let your baits sink for 30 seconds.

Put the boat back and gear and you may be surprised by fish that were lurking deeper in the water column.

One thing I can’t leave out is the importance of having the clickers on your reels in the on position. The obvious reason is to alert you of a strike while your eyes are scanning the horizon for birds, but there is a hidden, more important reason. Most slammers have been hooked before, and I believe they learn from those experiences. Whether they short strike your bait or intentionally try to kill it by ramming it with their broad heads, when you get knocked down and the fish isn’t there, immediately put the reel in free spool for 10 seconds. Nine times out of 10, that hungry slammer will come back to finish the meal.

By Gene Dyer

Gene Dyer is co-publisher of the Fort Lauderdale edition of Coastal Angler Magazine. Contact him at gene@coastalanglermagazine.com.

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FishingNosara Wins Costa Rica Ship Of Fools Tourney

F

or the fifteenth straight year, the Ship of Fools Tournament attracted Costa Rica’s top anglers to Playa Garza. For the second time in three years, the FishingNosara team took home the hardware.

Capt. Alex Moreno on the 32’ mega panga Harvester topped the leaderboard with 1,700 points (11 sailfish releases, one black marlin release and one blue marlin release) during the two-day event.

“Alex is the dude,” exclaimed Capt. Patrick Humphrey, of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. “He has the best eyes I’ve ever seen and fishes as aggressively as we do in south Florida.”

Capt. Humphrey runs trips for Lady Pamela II Sportfishing in Hollywood, Fla. He was joined by wife Jennifer, daughter Amelia, and angling legend Patrick Irwin.

The Ship of Fools Tournament is one of the last true billfish release tournaments in Costa Rica. Each scoring fish must be billed and photographed by hand. With no snatch-leader releases, the difficultly increases tremendously.

On the first day, 11 boats set out from Playa Garza and set up shop

12 miles offshore in 2,100 feet of water. Capt. Alex was first boat to the spot and put three sailfish releases on the board in the opening hours. As the rest of the field lagged, the mega panga hooked up a blue marlin for a two-hour fight.

After the photograph and release, a second marlin entered the spread, this time a big, bad black. Capt. Patrick belted up for the battle and conquered the fish in a two-plus-hour fight that saw eight leader grabs before the successful release.

“I had a trip planned for Hawaii in the winter to cross black marlin off my list,” said Patrick, smiling. “I guess that’s off.”

Their total of 1,000 points is a single-day record for the event, and they scored the ultra-difficult Billfish Grand Slam.

The second day was just like the first, with the Harvester scoring early and often. They snagged seven more sailfish releases, including one just a minute before lines-out.

The Harvester’s haul is an all-time best for this tournament, eclipsing the winning score of 1,200 posted two years ago by FishingNosara teammate the Explorer.

For Capt. Alex, it is the culmination of perseverance through years of adversity in this event. In 2011, as mate on the Wanderer, he recorded 14 sailfish releases during prefishing only to get zero during the event. In 2016, he had the thing won until the camera with all the proof-photos fell overboard late on the second day.

“I’m incredibly proud of what Capt. Alex has done with the Harvester,” beamed Craig Sutton, founder of FishingNosara and architect of the mega panga design. “He pushed himself and his boat to the edge during months before this event. He has honed his instincts and advanced his craft. Capt. Alex has paid the price to reach to top of the mountain.”

The FishingNosara team looks forwarded to challenging the Harvester in the 2020 Ship of Fools Tournament next April and to competing with Alex in the 1st Annual FishingNosara Invitational in early August 2019.

If you and your best anglers are ready to compete, the FishingNosara U.S. office can be reached at (904) 591-2161 USA or fishingnosara.com.

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

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Camping| 1. Outdoor Edge Chowpal

The ChowPal is an innovative new approach to outdoor eating utensils that incorporates multi-tool functionality. This all-in-one utensil set/multi-tool adds a can opener, a bottle opener, a flathead screwdriver and a wrench to the nested fork and folding knife/spoon that lock together but quickly and easily slide apart when you’re ready to chow down.

Crafted of 420J2 steel for increased strength and durability, the twopiece ChowPal set is lightweight and portable at 2.4 oz. and measures 6.5 inches long. The knife/spoon utensil features a locking, single-bevel knife blade that folds flat against the spoon, while the fork features a graduated wrench in 8, 10, 11 and 13mm. The ChowPal includes its own easy-to-find orange nylon carry pouch, so you can bring it with you on any camping, fishing, backpacking or outdoors adventures.

It’s time to upgrade from the standard three-function utensil kit and forget all the extra tools you have to pack. Just bring the practical, durable ChowPal to lighten your load and enhance your outdoor experience.

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2. Mountainsmith Mayhem 45

Mountainsmith has redesigned its Mayhem 45 pack for 2019.

Built with Spectra Fiber, this pack is ultra-durable, ultra-comfortable and ultralight, with maximum strength and abrasion resistance.

Used by military and law enforcement, Spectra Fiber is an ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene known for its light weight, strength and abrasion resistance properties. In the Mayhem 45, this means more efficient pack carry, more mileage, and a lifetime of adventures.

At 45 liters, the Mayhem 45 is designed for one- to three-night backpacking trips, backcountry huts trips and adventure travel. The hybrid top and panel opening offers easy access to the front of the pack, a must-have for tight environments and organized packing. Toss the Mayhem on your back and the hex-ridged EVA backpanel padding allows for omni-directional airflow while the sock-style shoulder strap construction prevents the straps from digging into your body.

The Interfaced Waistbelt system is designed and patterned to flow into the backpanel, allowing for a lightweight but intimate suspension fit and high levels of stability and comfort.

All Mountainsmith products come with the Forged for Life Guarantee, the official Mountainsmith lifetime warranty.

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4.

4. Mountainsmith Vasquez Peak2 3.Sea Eagle SUPCAT10 SeaEagle’s SUPCat 10 is a whole new type of inflatable fishing craft that is extremely versatile.

With two inflatable side pontoons, The SUPCat10 offer a stable platform to stand and fish or paddle from. It can be equipped with either an electric or small gas outboard and reach speeds up to 8 mph.

From the trunk of your car to the water, the SUPCat10 sets up easily in less than 10 minutes. With the Wheels Up/Wheels Down feature, it’s possible to cart your boat and all your gear down to the water, flip the wheels up and paddle or motor away.

Features include: Four Scotty gear mounts, two Scotty rod holders, non-slip EVA foam deck pads, 360-degree swivel seat, built-in fish rulers, multiple D-ring attachment points, removable rear motor mount and four grab handles.

With the Vasquez Peak 2, Mountainsmith has crafted its most advanced backpacking tent to date. It features unmatched durability and interior space and weighs just under 4.5 pounds on trail.

This two-person tent offers added headspace, best-in-class waterproofing, and a stable design without any added weight. The interconnected pole design with the crossover brow pole allows for maximum usable sleeping space and steeper pitched door panels.

The two-door, two-vestibule design comfortably fits two adults with room for gear.

The Vasquez Peak 2 is crafted with a perimeter body panel and silicon treatment as an extra splashguard against harsh rains, while its bathtub floor construction and included footprint add durability and weather performance.

For those looking to go even lighter, leave the tent body at home and the footprint and tent fly can be used as a backcountry shelter that weighs just 3 pounds.

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5. L.L. Bean Camper’s Air Bed

5.

You’ll experience the best night of sleep you’ve ever had outdoors on L.L.Bean’s Camper’s Air Bed. This inflatable mattress features comfortable coil construction for excellent support and a plush, softflocked top fabric that adds comfort and prevents sliding. A raised outer ring provides a stable edge for support, and the 2-in-1 inflation valve allows for minor adjustments so you can achieve just the right firmness.

It’s also durable. Made of thick PVC with welded seams, it stands up to punishment trip after trip and comes with a carry bag that makes it easy to transport wherever you decide to rest your head.

The state-of-the-art rechargeable pump is compact and powerful, inflating the bed in about a minute. It comes with two chargers, one for your car and one for your vehicle, and can be charged up for use at the campsite, where there is no power source.

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Set SetUp UpCamp CampWith WithSeaEagle’s SeaEagle’s SUPCat10 SUPCat10

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hether hether base base camp camp is aisstate a state parkpark RV site RV site in the inEverglades, the Everglades, a tentapad tentwith padawith fire ring a fire beside ring beside a Catskills a Catskills mountain mountain lake lake oror a gravel a gravel barbar bivouac bivouac deep deep in the in Alaskan the Alaskan backcountry, backcountry, there there is no denying is no denying that spending that spending the night theinnight the in the outdoors outdoorsputs puts youyou where where thethe fishfish are.are.

Camping Camping and and fishing fishing go together. go together.

AlongAlong with the with obvious the obvious joys of joys sleeping of sleeping under under the thestars, stars, cooking cooking around around a campfire a campfire andand waking waking up next up next to thetowater, the water, camping camping holds advantages holds advantages for the for angler. the For angler. the For the st backpacker, backpacker, hiking hiking into into a mountain a mountain stream stream reveals reveals trouttrout that that have have seldom seldom seen aseen fly. Adventurous a fly. Adventurous kayakers kayakers might find might findFar moreFar a asmall, small, deserted deserted island island in the in the GulfGulf of Mexico, of Mexico, sleepsleep beneath beneath the palms the palms and wake and wake up in redfish up in redfish heaven.heaven.

With a With small ain-small in- 10’ long, 54” 10 flatable flatable boat boat pulled pulled up up on on thethe sand, sand, there’s there’s no hassle, no hassle, and the andbest the late-morning best late-morning breakfast breakfast is freshisfish fresh cooked fish cooked over coals over coals Far faster Fat and andenjoyed enjoyed with with dirty dirty fingers fingers around around a campfire. a campfire.

Goes 8mph Goe w 4mph with 4m a SeaEagle SeaEagle hashas been been helping helping anglers anglers enjoy enjoy these these typestypes of experiences of experiences since since 1968.1968.

Based Based out of out PortofJefferson, Port Jefferson, N.Y., N.Y.,

they theyare are right right onon Long Long Island Island Sound.

Sound.

TheThe unforgiving unforgiving coastal coastal striped striped bass fisheries bass fisheries of the of Northeast the Northeast are testing are testing grounds,grounds, where wherethey they fine fine tune tune designs designs for for inflatable inflatable boats boats that that are durable, are durable, extremely extremely fishable fishable and getand youget where you you’re whereheaded you’re headed without without the the hassle hassle or or expense expense of conventional of conventional boats. boats.

TheirTheir latestlatest offering, offering, the SUPCat10 the SUPCat10 is like aishybrid like a between hybrid between a stand a stand upuppaddleboard paddleboard andand an an inflatable inflatable one-man one-man pontoon pontoon boat.boat.

This This thingthing is a whole is a whole new type newoftype fishing of fishing vessel that vessel combines that combines the theangling angling advantages advantages of both. of both.

It isItperfectly is perfectly suited suited to load to load up with up awith cooler, a cooler, tackle,tackle, rods, reels rods,and reels small andpack small of pack essen-of essential tialcamping camping gear gear to to head head outout on aonweekend a weekend excursion excursion to some to some remote remote shoreline. shoreline.

One Onehuge huge advantage advantage of the of the SUPCat10 SUPCat10 is portability. is portability.

It can It be canstowed be stowed in a car in trunk a car and trunk inflated and inflated in less than in less 10than min-10 minutes. utes.

AnAn optional optional Wheels Wheels Up/Wheels Up/Wheels Down Down system system allows allows you to you rolltothe rollboat the down boat to down the to water the fully waterloaded. fully loaded.

Then theThen the CAT CATWheels Wheels can can be be locked locked intointo the the up position up position out of outthe of way the of way your of fishing. your fishing.

Accessing Accessing the water the is water easy is noeasy matter no matter where whereyou you decide decide to to launch, launch, andand it can it can be accomplished be accomplished in one in trip onewith trip no with running no running back and back forth andtoforth the car. to the On car. the On the water, water, this this little little boat boat is one is one of the of the most most versatile versatile crafts crafts out there. out there.

SinceSince peacepeace and quiet and isquiet a bigisreason a big reason many anglers many anglers choose choose toto fish fish from from SUPs, SUPs, thethe SUPCat10 SUPCat10 is designed is designed to handle to handle just like justan like SUP an under SUP under paddlepaddle power, power, only it’sonly much it’smore much more stable stablethan than most most paddleboards. paddleboards.

However, However, for those for those who who needneed a little a little more more speedspeed and extended and extended range, or range, if theortargeted if the targeted fish fishare are suckers suckers forfor a trolling a trolling spread, spread, thisthis boatboat can be canequipped be equipped with awith 2.3 ahp2.3 Honda hp Honda outboard outboard to motor to along motoratalong 8 mph. at 8 mph.

That’s That’sfaster faster than than anyany electric-motor electric-motor or peddle-drive or peddle-drive kayak. kayak.

The removable The removable motormotor mountmount can be can left be at home left atwhen homeyou when you choose choosetoto operate operate under under paddle paddle power. power.

SeaEagle SeaEaglehashas approached approached getting getting to the to the fish fish in efficient in efficient and innovative and innovative fashion. fashion.

What What about fishablity? about fishablity?

That’s aThat’s aFar moreFar co no-brainer. no-brainer.

This This is ais company a company thatthat has has beenbeen designing designing littlelittle fishing fishing boatsboats for decades, for decades, and they andnailed they down nailedthat down partthat of part of Wheels down Wh the theequation equation years years ago. ago.

With With twotwo sideside pontoons pontoons made made of high-pressure of high-pressure 1000 1000 DenierDenier Reinforced Reinforced Drop Stitch, Drop the Stitch, SUPthe SUPto the water to t Cat10 Cat10has has bombproof bombproof durability durability andand rock-solid rock-solid stability stability inflated inflated to 15to psi.

15With psi. non-slip With non-slip EVA foam EVAdeck foampads, deckyou pads, could you could (who have havea aone-man one-man dance dance party party on the on the deck, deck, so standing so standing to sight to sight fish, cast fish,or cast battle or battle giants giants is not aisproblem. not a problem.

A comfortable, A comfortable,(wheels are 360-degree, 360-degree, locking locking swivel swivel seatseat is there is there to sit toand sit and fish when fish when you’reyou’re readyready for a break. for a break.

The fabric The floor fabricis floor held tight is held by tight by four fourclip-on clip-on bungee bungee straps straps to prevent to prevent unwanted unwanted sprayspray or lost or cell lost phones, cell phones, lures and luresfish. andFor fish. trolling For trolling or to secure or to rods secure rods while whileyou’re you’re cruising cruising to to a new a new location, location, fourfour Scotty Scotty GearGear Mounts Mounts comecome standard standard with every with SUPCat every SUPCat as well as as well two as two Scotty Scottyrod rod holders. holders.

The The mounts mounts cancan alsoalso be used be used for electronics, for electronics, a camera a camera or whatever or whatever else anelse angler an angler might need might onneed the on the water. water.

There There areare eight eight thoughtfully thoughtfully located located D-ring D-ring attachment attachment pointspoints for strapping for strapping down coolers, down coolers, tackle boxes tackleand boxes gear, and gear, and anddual dualfront front and and rear rear carrying carrying handles handles make make loading, loading, launching launching and beaching and beaching easy. All easy. of this All of is held this is together held together by an by an ultralight ultralight aluminum aluminum frame frame thatthat serves serves as the as the bones bones of a of super-strong a super-strong and super-stable and super-stable one-man one-man fishing fishing machine. machine.

With With ananSUPCat10 SUPCat10 onon your your next next fishing fishing andand camping camping trip,trip, you’llyou’ll crawlcrawl out ofout theoftent theintent the in morning the morning gearedgeared up and ready up andtoready to wear wear’em ’em out. out.

This This month, month, Coastal Coastal Angler Angler Magazine Magazine and and SeaEagle SeaEagle are giving are giving a SUPCat10 a SUPCat10 with with a Honda a Honda motor motor to ato lucky a lucky reader. reader.

ToToenter enterthe thecontest contest gotgot to to

Introducing Intrt SUP ever! SUP Wei paddled orpad m fittings forfifittis features infeat al trunk andtrun goe

www.coastalanglermag.com/contest www.coastalanglermag.com/contest ForFor more more information information on SeaEagle’s on SeaEagle’s inflatable inflatable fishingfishing boats, boats, go to www.seaeagle.com. go to www.seaeagle.com.

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ountain t in the g under For the ght find mall iner coals

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Easiest Way To Get To The Fish!

The NEW Sea Eagle® SUPCat10!

Far more stable than any SUP 10’ long, 54” wide

Far faster to motor than any kayak

Goes 8mph with a 3hp gas motor, 4mph with an electric motor

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hat’s a part of e SUPu could ortable, ight by re rods as two on the nd gear, r by an e. With eady to

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Far more convenient to transport Wheels down means only 1 trip to the water from your car (wheels are optional)

SUPCat10 Specs:

• 10’ long x 54” wide • Hull weighs just 42 lbs.

• Wheels hook into the rear crossbar up or down for easy transport • Takes electric motor or up to 3 hp gas engine to go farther and faster than any kayak • Easy set-up/ Easy take-down

Introducing the fastest, lightest, most portable solo fishing SUP ever! Weighing less than 45 lbs., this amazing SUP can be paddled or motored. Equipped with multiple rod-holders and fittings for fishing accessories, this small SUP packs in a lot of features in a little space. Best of all, the SUPCat packs in a car trunk and goes anywhere there is water.

5 packages available.

Honda Motor Package shown with wheels in the up position - up & out of the way for easy fishing, motoring or paddling.

Visit SeaEagle.com or call for info: 1-800-748-8066 M-F, 9-5 19 North Columbia Street, CS059B, Port Jefferson, NY 11777 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

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he worldwide demand for delicious and pricey bluefin tuna is unsustainable. The plunder of spawning accumulations in the Mediterranean drove Atlantic bluefin stocks nearly to collapse, and a similar scenario played out for Pacific bluefin off Japan. Stock assessments show Pacific bluefin tuna populations have fallen to less than 3 percent of their original levels.

More stringent fishing regulations along with the farming of bluefin tuna have helped slow the decline of Pacific bluefin tuna, but the demand remains.

Seeking a sustainable method to supply the world’s hunger for Pacific bluefin, The Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research (FEAR) has awarded a $945,000 grant to Ichthus Unlimited LLC to establish a hatchery in the San Diego Bay area, where they will attempt to cultivate Pacific bluefin eggs and grow them for distribution to tuna farms.

Because of the challenges of hatching and rearing these long-ranging apex predators in captivity, it took Japanese bluefin hatcheries more than three decades to begin successfully completing the breeding cycle without drawing from wild populations. The hope is that Ichthus Unlimited can begin providing juvenile Pacific bluefins to existing tuna farms, which currently stock their pens with wild-caught tuna.

“Today 98 percent of tuna ranching relies on wild-captured fish for the stocking of net pens. This adds to the already massive fishing pressure on wild bluefin tuna populations,” said Alejandro Buentello, president of Ichthus Unlimited. “Hatchery-reared tuna will not only make it possible to stock cages without fishing, but it can also be used as a stock enhancement strategy to empower wild tuna populations to rebound more rapidly. It is a proactive rather than reactive strategy.”

Despite the popularity of Pacific bluefin tuna, few indoor facilities in the world have the expertise needed to raise them from eggs. The team at Ichthus will collaborate with these indoor hatching facilities and leverage their combined knowledge to successfully implement this practice.

As the “holy grail” of aquaculture, bluefin tuna can sell for tens of thousands and occasionally millions of dollars per fish.

It is estimated that bluefin species products generate approximately $2-2.5 billion in value worldwide each year. Increases in tuna production would also create jobs and economic gains, particularly for coastal communities in California and the Gulf of Mexico.

“Bluefin tuna aquaculture represents a major new high-value market for U.S. farmers, but there is much science to be done to produce the fish entirely under farmed conditions,” said Sally Rockey, FFAR executive director. “This research has the potential to not only stabilize the wild population, but also create economic opportunities in farming the delicacy.”

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Beating The Breeze

By Will Schmidt

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hen we landed on Grand Bahama, the sun greeted our wintery white faces, and a 70-degree day with a light breeze warmed us to the core. Unfortunately, by morning, the greeting changed to 25 mph winds, which made conditions less than optimal for fly fishing.

At home, we might have changed to conventional tackle or even skipped the trip all together, but we came here to fly fish for bonefish, and fly fish we would. Rather than get down on the conditions, we made some tactical changes and used the wind the best we could to our advantage.

One benefit of this scenario is the fish tend to be less spooky in shallow water. The noise generated by the wind and the waves allows anglers to get closer without spooking the fish. In fact, glass calm days can be more challenging than some of the breezier ones. Here are a few tips to help out on those blustery days.

• Shortening your leader can make a huge difference in accuracy. Fly line tracks relatively straight through wind, especially if you are double hauling. But that last 10 feet or so can be a real crap shoot when the wind is kicked up over 20 mph. Shortening the leader can really help with accuracy, especially in a crosswind.

• Using a heavier fly has advantages. With wave action, weight helps the fly get down to the bottom faster, and that’s where the fish are feeding. Even in skinny water, where you would normally use just bead chain eyes, don’t be afraid to move up to some lead eyes as the disturbance caused by the wind helps conceal the splash.

• Consider stepping up one rod weight. There is no doubt a heavier rod makes a huge difference in punching through the wind. Sometimes your best bet is to step up to make sure you can get the fly in front of the fish. Another option is to over-line your rod, which is moving up to a line that’s a weight heavier than the rod is rated for. This helps load the rod on the cast, which delivers a more powerful cast.

• The best thing is practice. If you are going to spend good money to go on a trip, you want to give yourself the best chance for success. Most fly fishers only practice casting as far as possible. I don’t worry about that. Windy or not, you rarely need to cast more than 60 feet on the flats. Instead, concern yourself with quick accurate casts. And don’t forget to practice in the wind, not just head-on, but at every angle. A crosswind can move your fly off target, and casting 5 feet behind a fish rarely produces a strike.

In the end, we didn’t let the wind blow our chances for success; we prevailed with some great Bahamas bones.

Will Schmidt is a seasoned tournament angler and has been writing about fishing for more than two decades.

For video on flats fly rod rigs, go to

FISHINGLIFE.CO

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RIGGING & JIGGING

Center sp Tim Barefoot

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hen fishing for many species, and especially wahoo, eliminating the “short strike” makes the fish box look a lot better back at the dock. There are few things more disappointing than checking a bait in the spread and discovering you have been pulling around a ballyhoo cleanly snipped off right behind the hook.

Older and larger fish are not stupid; this “short strike” right behind the hook is not an ac-

175-pound cable, I like to make four wraps on the hook, but try it for yourself and use whatever feels good. Here’s how I do it: • Thread the end of approximately 18 inches through the inside bite of the hook eye, and make a loop about the size of a baseball. Hold the loop between you left thumb and index finger.

• Make four wraps around the hook shank, from the back of the bend going forward.

• Pull the tag end of the cable with pliers until “snug” on

cident. Don’t get me wrong… there have been more wahoo, dolphin and tuna caught on pin-rigged ballyhoo than all the other offerings combined. However, there are days when a nice “clean” naked ballyhoo swimming like a snake with an almost invisible stinger hook is the only trick that works.

There are several brands of seven-strand cable that will work just fine, but for this snelled stinger hook, I use American Fishing Wire 175-pound, brown cable. It’s soft and folds into place nicely. And it’s strong when crimped and snelled. In addition to the stinger hook, I like to snell a short piece onto the front end of the ballyhoo to avoid the total bite off.

Snelling cable is no different than snelling mono or fluoro, but with less wraps. With the

the hook shank, and push the wraps forward toward the eye of the hook before cinching down on the cable.

• Next, make a couple wraps of the cable around one hand and pull hard on the main line and the tag end with pliers at the same time to cinch down tight on the snell.

• The main line end of cable now needs to be cut to the right length and crimped to the proper diameter to fit around the main hook and for the proper length of the ballyhoo.

For a detailed video of this clean and super strong stinger hook and how to apply it, check out the website and click on “Clean (Snelled) Stinger Hook Assembly;” www.barefootcatsandtackle.com.

For video instructions on how to tie this hook, go to:

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SOUTHEAST

By James Bradley

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ight fishing for trout is a fun way to catch them. It can also be an easy way, since what you are seeing is trout actively feeding. The two easiest ways to sight fish are to look for rises and to look for trout visibly feeding on the bottom of the stream.

Without getting overly complicated, there are three main types of rises. These are the sip rise, head-to-tail rise and splashy rise.

These three types are the ones trout use to take a floating insect from the surface, from just underneath the surface and above the surface.

The sip and head-to-tail rises form dimple rings on the surface as long as the current isn’t too strong. Dimple rings are left behind where the trout slightly broke the surface to sip an insect. You might not see the trout at all, but the rings are left as evidence. The headto-tail rise is when the trout breaks the surface with its head first,

and you might see its dorsal fin and then finally the tail. This rise is a little more forceful, and many times will leave a greater disturbance than the sip rise. Lastly, the splashy rise is when the trout completely clears the water and is usually catching an insect that is depositing eggs on the water.

The sip rise means trout are probably surface feeding on mayflies or stoneflies. The head to tail rise means trout are probably feeding on insects in the surface film like a mayfly, ant or grasshopper or maybe a nymph struggling toward the surface. The splashy rise means trout are feeding on insects above the surface, like a caddis laying its eggs.

With a good pair of polarized sunglasses, spotting trout feeding on the bottom of a stream is a matter of watching for a silver flash or possibly tailing. When trout take nymphs off the bottom, they turn sideways to take the insect. The flash you see is the fish feeding.

Tailing is when a trout’s tail protrudes toward the surface. They do this to dig or root the bottom for immature insects, grubs, etc.

Some common mistakes to avoid: Do not cast to the rise. Trout will leave their lie to examine an insect (your fly) and actually float downstream with the insect before the rise. They may examine the insect for the distance of a foot or five feet. After the trout rises, it moves back upstream to its lie. If you cast to the rise, there’s a good chance that trout has already moved upstream and will never see your offering.

Do not cast to a trout displaying a silver side unless you have your fly at the correct depth. That fish is looking down at the bottom.

If your fly isn’t on the bottom, it will never be seen.

James Bradley is an Orvis-endorsed fly fishing guide in north Georgia’s. Reel Em In Guide Service has permits for guiding in Georgia and North Carolina, offers over 6 miles of private trophy waters, and operates drift boat trips on the Toccoa and Tuckasegee rivers.

Contact them at www.ReelEmInGuideService.com or (706) 2730764.

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MAY 2019 PUBLISHER: Bob Rice

Photo by Kenny Simmons, Frog Hollow Fly Fishing

A Free Publication The Angler Magazine Is Distributed Across The Southeast.

The Angler Magazine Is Published Monthly By B & B Publishers P.O. Box 766 Madison, GA 30650 706-614-8231 www.theanglermagazine.com Reproduction Of Contents In Any Form Is Prohibited Bob Rice, publisher The Angler Magazine Fishing, Boating, Conservation “Find your outdoors here”

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Henry Cowen Dr. Andrew Cox Jimmy Harris Capt. Cefus McRae Chris Scalley Gary Turner Noey Vineyard O'Neill Williams Rene J. Hesse Jimbo Mathley James Bradley David HulseY WAYNE WOOTEN jay striker wayNe moore ryan kennedy dicklesby kim nunery Graphic Design: Kathleen CARREIRO

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ON BEING RICH

Contributed By: Jimmy Harris www.unicoioutfitters.com Unicoi Outfitters, Orvis 2018 Fly Shop of the Year

Our pastor presents a series every year entitled “Be Rich”, and there’s no doubt in my mind some folks who don’t attend church very often come just to find out how to enhance their personal stock portfolio. The catch is, it’s not about the money. It’s about helping others. Giving of ourselves without expecting anything in return.

But we DO get something in return. We get something worth much more than money and material things.

We get the satisfaction of knowing what it feels like to focus on someone else other than ourselves for a while.

It’s amazing what a positive experience it can be.

In the world of fishing and outdoors in general, there are untold numbers of opportunities to volunteer. For instance:

• Kids’ Fishing Rodeos • Trout Unlimited’s Trout Camp • Project Healing Waters • Casting for Recovery • Casting for Hope • Chattahoochee Riverkeeper’s annual Sweep the Hooch • Friends of Georgia State Parks Beyond these few examples, there is almost always some local organization that could use your help to pick up trash from roadsides or river corridors. It doesn’t take much energy to find opportunities, just a willingness to decide we’re going to give back to the resources we so enjoy and that are so important in our own lives. Think about helping in any way you can.

You’ll have a feeling of richness beyond measure. Thanks!

Fly of the Month CDC Mircro Caddis

by Eli Crumley Blackhawk Fly Fishing keepemwet94@gmail.com

Hook: Tiemco 2487 (size) 18/20 Thread: UTC 70 denier (color) Black Body: UTC thread Wings: Cul De Canard (CDC) color: Natural Dun This is an extremely easy tie that catches fish. Tie a few up and throw them in your fly box for your next day out on the water.

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Marvelous May Contributed by David Hulsey

International Federation of Fly Fishers Master Certified Casting Instructor http://www.hulseyflyfishing.com 770-639-4001

The month of May is a great time to try your hand at fly fishing the North Georgia and Western North Carolina Mountains! Bug hatches are some of the most dependable and heaviest of the year in addition to stocked trout by the DNR are wide open. Catching trout on dry flies, nymphs, or streamers are literally just a preference as to which technique to use. Anything will usually work if presented properly.

Fishing for wild fish is as good as it gets all year. Trout have seen and sampled enough insects by this time to know to check out almost anything that floats by. Water flows and temperatures are still good all over the mountains, and the trout are feeling frisky!

This is a great time to get almost anyone who has considered trying fly fishing for the first time “hooked”, so to speak. The strike zones on fish may be feet instead of the inches involved with cold winter nymphing. In other words, you can screw up pretty badly and still catch a trout or two.

The Toccoa River near Blue Ridge, Ga will have good fishing from the tailwater to the upper reaches. Its tributaries like the Noontootla, Rock, and Coopers Creeks will be rocking the dry dropper bite. Tailwater fishing on the Toccoa will remain decent even with the increasing pressure from the

hordes of folks floating and keeping fish from this icy flow.

Escaping the crowds of fair weather fisherfolks involves some shoe leather and a little sweat, and you can enjoy a day on the water and not see another soul. The smaller streams are a welcome oasis in the spring and summer fishing seasons. The private water of Noontootla Creek Farms is amazing at this time of year with massive rainbows and browns gulping down big dry flies bouncing down this high gradient flow.

In far western North Carolina, Fires and Snowbird Creeks are great destinations and worth the drive from anywhere. The lower reaches of these two scenic streams are heavily stocked delayed harvest streams and will blow your mind with the size and number of trout available to the careful sight fisher. Surgical accuracy of fly presentations will reward the fly fisher with some beautiful specimens from these two jewels of the southern Appalachians. The upper reaches are full of brightly colored wild fish that will destroy a dry fly at this time of year.

It really doesn’t matter where and when you go. It just matters that you do it in the month of marvelous May! Give me a call at 770-639-4001 to book your trip of a lifetime.

“The lower reaches of these two scenic streams are heavily stocked delayed harvest streams and will blow your mind with the size and number of trout available to the careful sight fisher.”

What Could Be Better Than Catching The Trout of a Lifetime AND Buying Your Own Mountain Property??

Selling and Listing: Trout Stream Properties, Raw Land and Amazing Homes Gene Rutkowski

Professional Realtor & Sport Fishing Guide

www.cabinsonthestream.com www.flyfishblueridge.com generut@tds.net 706-455-5640

Guided Fly Fishing and Conventional Tackle Trips for Hybrids, Stripers, and Crappie Booking now, novice or experienced anglers. On the water instruction, top of the line fly gear!

Mix it up with light spinning tackle as well for a great combo trip!

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oconee on the fly-May Forecast

The Guide’s Angle

Getting the Best Trip From Your Guide Contributed By Capt. Wayne Moore USCG www.oconeeonthefly.com When you book a trip with a guide, the best way to insure you will have a great trip is to simply tell the guide what you want when you book the trip. A gentleman called me last year and was very specific with his requests. He said he had a group of six anglers for the first day and wanted to be sure that everyone caught fish, and they wanted some for a fish fry. The second day, he wanted to just take his dad out.

His dad wanted to catch largemouth and hybrids on light spinning tackle, and he wanted to catch a largemouth on a fly rod.

So, with this information I knew we would need two boats for the first day. Even in a 22-foot bay boat, I believe six anglers is a crowd. By taking two boats, everyone was more comfortable, safer, and we had a friendly competition between the two boats. I also knew that for the second day I needed to fish a stretch of water where the shad were beginning to spawn, and the water was much clearer.

A few other tips to help you get the most from your trip: • Book the trip several months or up to a year in advance. Timing is key for most types of freshwater fishing. Your guide will be busy during the peak months and moon phases. Booking in advance gives you the best shot at being there at the right time.

• Let your guide know how many are coming, the ages and what

each angler may want.

• Ask about expectations for what you are targeting. If you are fly fishing for stripers and hybrids, three or four fish per angler would be a good day.

• Show up on time.

• Finally, your guide may allow you to have a beer or two on the trip, but don’t come or plan on getting intoxicated. Most guides are not willing to take the risks associated with a drunk angler, and you will enjoy the trip more with a clear head.

Here is what I believe April has coming our way: Hybrids/Stripers – It is time NOW! The shad spawn will likely have happened by May. This means that you will need to be fishing with live shad. You can get away with bass minnows before the shad spawn, but once it happened, you need shad. On mornings when Georgia Power is pushing water up from Sinclair, the topwater bite near the dam is off the charts, and fly fishing is excellent.

Dropping spoons will work well, and for those with the patience for it, umbrella rigs trolled over humps will produce very well.

Crappie – In May, we have put away our pushing rods and are instead, fishing right on top of brush piles. Also, long-lining above submerged timber will work very well.

Final words – May and June offers incredible fishing here on Oconee. I offer combination trips, so you can fly fish and spin fish in the same morning. If you want to go anytime in the next 3 months, call 706-8164281 or e-mail me at wmoore1700 @ outlook.com and lock in your dates.

Tight lines and God Bless.

Getting Kids Hooked on Fishing with “Fly Fishing”

Contributed By: Chris Scalley River Through Atlanta Guide Service Most kids start out fishing with either a cane pole or conventional tackle like the push-button style Zebco or spinning set ups. While this is a great way to get them started (conventional tackle), how do you know they will continue to pursue this healthy hobby the rest of their life in the great outdoors?

Fly fishing may be a great way to take their fishing interests to the next level. Not that fly fishing is any better than all the other types of fishing, but it’s unique in that it is highly visual and requires cadence.

With these techno-savvy kids these days, their minds are under constant stimulation making their attention span even shorter.

With conventional tackle, the technique is a repetitious, almost robotic process. The hardware fisherman is tasked with a deliberate pause in order to engage a button or bale that controls the tension on the line which then requires the sudden burst of energy to cast the rod to deliver the lure or bait to the fish.

With fly fishing, the casting stroke requires a more fluid, continuous motion without disruption, keeping the caster engaged almost constantly throughout the delivery and keeping the young angler’s at-

Lake chatuge

“The best way to insure you will have a great trip is to simply tell the guide what you want when you book the trip..”

Eric Welch Welch’s Guide Service www.welchsguideservice.com 706-455-2323 Water temperature: 62-64 degrees lake level: 1.5 feet below full pool, clarity: clear.

Fishing is getting good. The fish are spawning and some are waiting to spawn. The largemouth are in the backs of pockets trying to spawn.

When fishing for them, we’re keeping the boat out in 40 feet of water and casting a 4.5” swimbait, chatterbait or a spinnerbait trying to catch the cruisers waiting to spawn. Then, we will

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tention. I have taught thousands of people of all ages to fish with both conventional and fly fishing techniques. Fly fishing seems to captivate their soul, making each fish they catch so meaningful.

move in and start looking for bedding fish. If we find a bed, we will cast a 3.5” tube, jig, or a craw.

If you are looking for spotted bass, find slopping, pebble rock banks, points and flats, and throw a Z-Man Ned Rig, craw, 3.5” tube or a Strike King 3.5 Rage Swimmer. Also, you can target around docks or brush with a trick worm and fluke for any fish that has already spawned. This bite should last for a few weeks.

We guide on 8 different lakes, so if you’re looking for some great fishing, give Welch’s Guide Service a call.

We’re your #1 guide service, and we’ve been doing this since 2001. Good luck!

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Casting is one of the most enjoyable aspects of fly-fishing when it’s

MAY Fly Fishing Report

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Contributed By: Henry Cowen www.henrycowenflyfishing.com It took our water temps until the first week of April to hit 60 degrees on Lanier this year. That means that our expected patterns to find the fish are all running about two weeks behind schedule. Patterns will change quickly as the water temps heat up.

May gives anglers an opportunity to catch both striped bass and spotted bass on topwater flies and lures and in big numbers! We just need to hope the water heats up gradually and not go from 60 to 75 degrees in ten days. Then all our patterns start overlapping, and the fishing changes from good to great to poor in a flash. However, if the topwater bite comes and lasts, it is positively the most exciting way to fish to our local game fish.

There are multiple patterns that may exist in the month of May. First and foremost is the early morning and late day topwater bite. Now is the time to grab a nine or ten weight rod rigged with a floating line and one of Charlie Bisharat’s Pole Dancer flies or Flat Fred flies and have at it. A Pole Dancer is a fly angler’s Zara Spook. It walks the dog when retrieved, and striped bass do not just eat it…THEY CRUSH IT! You can also toss other types of poppers, sliders, gurglers and wiggle minnows at these fish, but for me, nothing works better than a Pole Dancer.

If you want to simply catch lots of fish, then toss a Game Changer fly on an intermediate line on the lake’s tapered points. A Game Changer is one of the best flies ever as it mimics many types of baitfish, and when retrieved, looks like a living/breathing shad or herring.

After the sun comes up, you can switch over to a sinking line and start tossing either Coyote flies or baitfish type patterns like a Cowen’s Baitfish or Puglisi type fly off the points. The key to this pattern is to keep moving and fishing the points!

The more points you fish, the more bites you will attract. While low light is the preferred time to fish, do not discount mid-day when it gets a tad windy. Fishing a point off the main

lake river channel can get a topwater eat from any fly that is slowly worked on the surface and makes a seductive V-like wake.

Conventional fisherman can continue to toss Redfins on all the points. Fishing big 7” long Redfins can be very effective on windy days.

On sunny days, use a chrome sided Redfin, and on cloudy days, fish a matt colored Redfin. Fly anglers can use a large slider type fly on a floating line to mimic the action of a Cordell Redfin. A large weightless Bass Assassin can also be a good choice at this time of year.

Finally, keep in mind that the dock light bite is in full swing for stripers and large spotted bass all over the lake. This is easy fishing as game fish seem to get really dumb when fished to on a dock light.

While I prefer a sinking line when fishing these, it is also fun to toss a slow sinking intermediate so that you can actually watch for the bite when your fly passes over the light.

There are lights that might hold twenty to thirty fish on it.

May is a great time to be fishing the ponds of North Georgia. By the middle to the end of the month, carp will be getting targeted on the Chattahoochee River! We will discuss that fishery a tad more in detail during next month’s report. See you on the pond.

Steve Dean with a striper caught on a topwater bait.

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THE CASTING CORNERSpringtime Bass Fishing

Contributed By: Rene J. Hesse Certified Casting InstructorFederation of Fly Fishers & Atlanta Fly Fishing and Camping Meetup Organizer

www.northgeorgiacrappieanglers.com A Family Oriented Fishing Club Sponsors Of: Fall Children’s Fishing Classic Military Hero’s Fishing Classic

It is time to get out the poppin’ bugs and go for bass. Here are a few tips for making the trip out on the water more enjoyable. Bass fishing with a poppin’ bug is probably one of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to fly fish. You can use one fly all day and not have to re-tie. You can use a very basic leader. You don’t need a fancy reel, but a good bass taper line with a fast action rod will help. You can be a minimalist bass fisherman.

We will look at the basics, and then I will have a few ways to keep it interesting. Using a 6-8 wt. rod will deliver a poppin’ bug to the target with ease if you use a bass taper line and a 15-pound, 7-8 ft. leader. The reason for the heavy leader and good line is the wind resistance of the fly and the tendency for it to spin. I have a ton of bass flies, but only use one for topwater, and it is a very simple fly to tie. It will not spin the line like most because it has no legs or wings.

See photo. The line is important because of the taper, and if all you have is a trout line, you can modify it by cutting off the long front taper. But go buy a new line. You deserve it.

Here is the very simple game plan (unless you want to jazz it up, see below). Cast your fly and get a feel for what distance it will pick up and lay down with one or maybe two false casts. Think in terms of working the bank every 4 or 5 feet with cast after cast. This is one of my favorite parts of bass fishing; target practice. Lay the fly tight to cover and start work-

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ing it. Keep your rod tip in the water and strip it in with 3 to 4-inch erratic pops. After 3 to 4-feet, pick it up and lay it in the next slot. Pick out your target before you make that back cast and your accuracy will be much better. That’s it!

If you want to make it more interesting, try using a sidearm cast with increased power application and skip the fly up under branches.

Try using a spiral lift to start your back cast. That will get the line moving, increase tension, lift the fly off the water and make your back cast a breeze. Still want more of a challenge? Try casting an underslung loop to get the fly under the branches. All of these casts and adjustments are done with only about 30 to 40feet of line out of the rod tip, so line control is rather easy. Stay close to the targets, as bass don’t spook very easily and generally stay close to cover. So get in with them and have the fly hit the structure.

Check out the Fly Fishers International website for more on the different terms and casts. If you want to get a lesson, they have a list of instructors in your area.

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Chattooga River

er

Spring weather has taken hold around the rivers here at Chattooga River Fly Shop. The leaves of the hardwood trees are emerging, wild dogwood trees have bloomed, and mountain laurel and rhododendron flowers make the scenery around the rivers a special place. Let’s not forget that the fishing is great as well, whether you like nymphing, dry flies or streamers.

Fishing on the delayed harvest sections has been outstanding with large fish being caught with dry flies. The early spring hatches have been great. We have been fishing the riffles to the heads of the pools with the most success. Dry fly fishing the slower water areas, when the hatch is happening, has also produced great

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numbers of fish as well. In early morning and late afternoons, long swinging dead-drifts of flashback nymphs and emergers have been the key to success. As the hatches progress with the warmer weather, we look forward to seeing many more Mayflies and Caddis. Please stop by the fly shop and check out the “Hot List” for hatch updates.

Another large emergence is of the oak worms. These fine little creatures are a tasty treat that even the largest of trout cannot pass up as they fall from the trees into the rivers. Casting imitations of these into over-hanging bushes and dead drifting them with a twitching technique will be very beneficial to a large day on the river.

Anywhere you may find these worms dangling from their silk lines from the trees, do not hesitate to stop and watch the worm finally hit the water and see what happens!

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The next process is to work your way into a good vantage point to make your cast to the fish which just ate the natural. Do not worry about a delicate cast. Even splatting the worm on the water will be just as effective, as they do when falling out of the trees from far above.

As the late spring temperatures rise, fishing the shady areas of the rivers will be essential, as the fish will move out of the high sun and warmer temperature waters.

Let’s all remember to “leave no trace”. Packing out with what you

brought in with you is essential, and bringing something back out with you that someone else left behind helps to keep our beautiful streams and rivers how they should be. Keeping them clean now means future generations will still be able to enjoy what we are enjoying now!

Check out our daily posts on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter giving you the daily water conditions on the Chattooga River, and please share your big fish pictures with us!

We hope to see everyone out on the rivers!

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Fishy Vacation Destinations

The What and How’s of the Shad Spawn!

By Capt. Jake Davis

By Capt. Cefus McRae Nuts & Bolts Fishing Series I’m frequently asked “Where’s a good place to go fishing on my next vacation?” That’s a hard question to answer because there are so many great options. I usually answer their question with a question, “Do you want this to be a fishing trip, or do you want to do a little fishing while you’re on vacation?”

A fishing trip vacation means you want to fish every day and don’t place a lot of emphasis on an abundance of non-fishing activities; golf, entertainment, nightlife, etc. If you want to have a nice vacation and do a little fishing while you’re there, then you might prefer a destination that has lots of other amenities to occupy your time off the water. This isn’t to say you can’t fish 100% of the time at an amenity-rich destination, or you can’t find something else to do at a less populated locale, but you get the message.

Here’s a few options you might want to check out that are a little off the beaten path but have enough in the way of amenities to keep the entire family happy.

Carrabelle, Florida - This quaint fishing village is just a few miles east of Apalachicola. There’s great bay fishing for trout and redfish.

Huge schools of Spanish mackerel run the beach along Dog Island.

The offshore Air Force towers are close enough to reach in a relatively small boat and offer awesome trolling and bottom fishing for kings, cobia, grouper, snapper and more.

Moorings Marina has slip space and everything you need, including accommodations.

Hernando Beach, Florida - Another small community on the Gulf Coast, north of Tampa. Miles and miles of pristine flats, dotted with mangrove islands, make homes for tarpon, snook, redfish, spadefish, speckled trout, mangrove snapper, and on and on. This is truly a well-kept secret. You can fish this area with a small boat, but just be sure you have a chartplotter on your boat to show the channels and safe water. WeekiWachee, home of the mermaid show, is just a few minutes away, and there are plenty of

great places to stay and eat in the area.

Clarks Hill Lake, Georgia - On the Georgia/South Carolina border north of Augusta, this 71,000 acre lake is part of the Savannah River chain. It is Georgia’s largest reservoir, and spring/summer fishing can be spectacular for stripers, hybrids, largemouth, crappie and catfish. You can catch mondo stripers and hybrids near the oxygen generation systems in mid-lake area, and catch plenty of crappie for dinner on the brush piles near the shoreline. My suggestion for accommodations is Elijah Clark State Park near Lincolnton, GA. They have both campsites and cabins for rent.

St. Marys, Georgia - If you want to test your skills with a high-flying spinner shark or a 100+ pound tarpon, set your sights on St. Marys, the southern-most city on the Georgia coast. This area is as rich in history as it is in fishing. St. Marys is the gateway to Cumberland Island, with ferry departures every day. The town has several great restaurants, including Lang’s Marina Restaurant. If you don’t own a boat, the folks at the marina can arrange a charter guide to fish the backwaters around Cumberland Island or make the quick run offshore to wrestle with king mackerel, tarpon and spinner sharks.

These are just a few awesome vacation destinations away from all the crowds, congestion and high prices. Because they’re a little lesstravelled, you’ll find the fishing pressure is much lighter. If you’d like some other suggestions on a fishy adventure, check out Wide Open Outfitters on the Nuts & Bolts of Fishing website, and they’ll get you hooked up.

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www.midsouthbassguide.com, msbassguide@comcast.net 615-613-2382

Threadfin shad can be found in most lakes across the Southeast and are the staple diet of all bass.

This high protein food source makes them the perfect forage for hungry bass. The shad spawn can mean the best bass fishing of the spring if you hit the right spots at the right times. Shad spawn when the water temperatures hit the upper sixties to low seventies and during the full moon. In TN, GA and AL this usually means the full moon in April and May. Shad will find varieties of habitat to spawn depending upon the type of lake. These areas may consist of shoreline grass or lily pads, rip rap, wood cover and even boat docks typically in shallow water with deeper water close by. Watch for dark clouds of shad travelling the grass lines or rippling of the water right where the water meets the edge of the hard surfaces such as wood or rocky banks.

One of the best ways to catch bass during the shad spawn is using a 3/8 to 3/4 ounce spinnerbait with silver willow leaf #4 or #5 blades with a white skirt to imitate the shad. Other great lures are topwater baits like Assassinator buzzbaits with a head/hook that set below the water due to its 45 degree bend, Rapala X-Rap Poppers and walking baits such as Sammy’s. A buzzbait worked slowly will often excite the bass in shallow cover, while if you are fishing close to deep water, try a hard bait such as the Rapala XRap Popper. This will draw them from greater depths simply because you can work them slower.

I tend to use a topwater lure just prior to the crack of dawn and again as the spinnerbait bite slows after sun up.

Get your boat in close to the bank and parallel the bank. Try to position your boat behind the shad and keep your movement to a minimum, so not to spook them. See which way they are moving and cast with or across the flow of traffic. Cast your spinnerbait right on the rocks or

against the sea wall in areas void of grass, and when fishing around grass, allow the spinnerbait to tick the grass. When fishing grass ledges, as your lure clears the grass, drop the rod tip and stop your retrieve for a few seconds, than pop the tip once or twice.

Many times bass will relate to the edge of the grass waiting for unsuspecting prey. If you suspect this, use a stick bait similar to a wacky rigged Yamamoto Senko to produce great results. You can’t cast too shallow! Start your retrieve as soon as your bait hits the water and be ready to set the hook immediately. Bass will often hit as soon as the bait hits the water when using either a topwater lure or spinnerbait.

My preferred equipment setup when using a spinnerbait or popper is a 6’9” to 7’0” medium-heavy Duckett Micro PRO, LEW’s 6.4:1 reel spooled with 15 to 17-pound test Vicious Ultimate Co-Poly line. With this setup, your rod has just the right tip action to properly work the lure and still enough backbone to keep the beast hooked up. With buzzbaits, I’ll arm my clients with a 7’0” heavy Duckett White Ice, LEW’s 6.4:1 or 7:1 reel spooled with 50-pound test Vicious braid because we are normally throwing it in or around heavy cover, and you’re going to need the extra power to drag them out!

Capt Jake Davis is a full time, year round professional guide on Lake Guntersville and Tim’s Ford.

Contact him at www.midsouthbassguide.com or (615) 613-2382.

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May is the month that we start to see the notorious mayflies, a fly that all fisherman love to see.

Finding the most recent hatch can result in some fun action and a boat load of fish quickly. The flies generally start to show up midmonth. Just look at any light near the lake and you’ll know if there has been a hatch.

The morning bite is going to be fast and short unless you chase the shade. Topwater is the go-to morning bait. Don’t spend too much time on an area even if you’re catching fish. Run and gun looking for the most active and aggressive fish will be the plan.

Those will most likely be your better quality fish.

As the sun becomes higher in

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the sky, start throwing a C-Rig or shaky head on points. A shaky head around docks on the shady side will be your best approach. As the sun starts to set, revert back to topwater.

The arsenal is very simple this time of the year, although many baits will catch fish. Just approach the hottest part of the day with any bait you have confidence in catching fish in deeper water. Until next month, tight lines and remember to take a child fishing as they are the future of our sport.

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Lake NOTTELY STRIPER By: Shane Goebel Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service & The Angler Magazine Fishing Team www.bigolfish.com 828-361-2021, 1-844-4-ANGLER

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I’m constantly asked, “What is your favorite lake to fish on?” and I always reply with “Lake Nottely,” especially during the month of May. We’ve caught some of our biggest trophy stripers in May. It’s most definitely the best time of year for the monster big‘uns, and as the only professional striper guide out here, this month gets me excited. May brings with it some large numbers of good fish on this awesome North Georgia lake.

Currently Lake Nottely is around 5 feet below full pool. Clarity is mostly clear and slightly stained in the rivers. Water temps have been in the mid to upper 60’s.

The striper bite has been wicked lately! We are starting to catch some good numbers, averaging 15 to 30 stripers a morning. The majority of our stripers have been in the 20 to 40 pound range. In the early part of the month, you’ll still find a lot of these fish in their spring spawning areas in the backs of creeks and up the Nottely River. As the month progresses, they’ll start working their way back to deeper water in the mouths of creeks and off rocky

points all over the lake.

The early morning and late afternoon bite has been the best for catching these beasts. Pulling planer boards and free lines with live herring will be your best technique.

As the sun comes up, it never hurts to throw out a couple of down lines.

Try to pay attention to areas that are holding a lot of baitfish as the stripers will be close by. Also, watch for an awesome topwater bite to fire up. I always like to keep a Red Fin or a Spook at the ready to work the banks as we troll around. Just keep an eye out for busting fish.

May is a fantastic month for catching some big monster stripers on this lake. Give Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service a call and let the area’s #1 rated guide service put you on some of Lake Nottely’s best trophy stripers during the fishing trip of a lifetime. We are Blairsville GA’s only full-time guide service, specializing in striped and hybrid bass. We also serve Lake Hiwassee, Lake Chatuge and Blue Ridge. For all your live bait and tackle needs, check out Hughes General Store in Blairsville, GA. They carry everything you need for a successful day of fishing. So, come fish with the pros for the opportunity to be featured in Angler Magazine. Let us help you get your fish on!

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lake lanier striperS Forecast By: Steve Scott http://TeamLanier.wordpress.com/menu May, our topwater month, is upon us once again. Let’s get out all the toys that we’ve tucked away waiting on the Lanier topwater season. Be it Zara’s, Red Fins, bucktail jigs, flukes or Sammies, let’s get those spinning rods and lures on the boat. Remember to use 10 to 12-pound fluorocarbon leaders.

Other topwater techniques are unweighted freelines and planer boards with a variety of live baits from medium shiners to blueback herring to big gizzard shad and trout. The water temperatures should be in the mid-seventies, so also put out a couple of Mini Macks on the outer planer boards no more than 25 feet from the board. Your speed should be .7 to 1.2 mph for the Minis.

Patterns to try are around shallow reef poles, long points with deep dropoffs and the channel in the bends of the river. The stripers will still be near the top of the water column regardless if they are in shallow or deep water. Keep a spinning rod nearby with a blueback in case your baits are chased. Toss the blueback either in front or just behind

your planer board bait. You may entice that striper into a bite.

If you are seeing marks below and nothing is working, try power reeling the Mini Mack just below the marks to the surface. Be sure to have a couple of shallow downlines with baits as the stripers that are attracted to the Mini Macks may go for the easier bite. As always, have lively bait on the hook not just bait that is alive.

Tip of the month: Be sure to move your lines back and forth in every direction over the marks before moving to another location. Sometimes the stripers will hit the bait if presented from a different direction. See more details at my website: TeamLanier.com.

Steve Scott 404-273-3481.

Water temperature is in the mid-sixties and above. In the last month, we’ve been taking advantage of fishing shallow docks while the fish were staging for spawning. Now, the anticipated change is taking place as we see signs that the spawn is nearing completion and we are headed to the post-spawn. The fish we have been catching on shallow docks have moved to deeper docks, 15 feet and deeper. In the next 3 to 4 weeks, we expect them to move to stand-alone brush piles.

With this change occurring, some may say that the bite has slowed down. This is somewhat true, but the bite is still there if you cover a lot of water. Don’t expect to

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catch the same number of fish in a single spot. The numbers have gone down significantly. The early morning bite is definitely the best part of the day, and the bite lessens significantly by 10:30 or 11:00 on a sunny day. The bite picks up late in the evening around 7:00 and continues until dark, and on certain days, is even better than the morning bite. As the water temp warms up, the fish should begin to move to the brush piles that are now deeper than normal for this time of year.

The water remains moderately stained, so experimenting with various colored jigs is helpful.

Certain color jigs may work better in one pocket over another. It is a good time to be on the water, but there is still some floating debris in the water, so keep an eye out. Wear your life jacket as it can save your life!

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Lanier in May-Aggressive Post-Spawn Spots

Contributed By: Jim “Jimbo” Mathley www.jimboonlanier.com

Lake Lanier is arguably at its very best during the late spring and early summer due to the consistent availability of an aggressive topwater and swimbait bite during this time. This is an excellent opportunity for anglers to catch spotted bass and watch the action as wolf-packs of monster spotted bass chase your topwater plugs! In this month’s installment, you will learn the necessary tackle, equipment, locations and resources to catch topwater fish on Lanier.

Location: At the end of April and heading into May, under normal weather conditions, most of the spotted bass on Lake Lanier are finishing the spawn, and will begin aggressively feeding to recover from the spawning process. After a short period of inactivity, the larger female spots will begin their migration from their spawning to key features at the mouths of the major creeks as well as main lake areas, and can be found on or around: long-running points, rocky shoals, and underwater humps/islands throughout the lake. Locating these areas and the man-made cover that is often found on them will be important to your success. Trust your Lowrance HDS units to find these brush piles around the features mentioned above. Focus in the 20-25 foot depth range.

For topwater action, you should utilize either a medium or mediumheavy bait-casting or spin-casting outfit, rigged with 12 to 17-pound Seaguar monofilament line. Monofilament fishing line floats, which makes either monofilament or braided line the best option for presenting topwater baits correctly. As far as choosing a rig for fishing these topwater baits, consider the weight of the bait as your deciding factor. Lighter poppers and smaller walking baits are often better presented on spinning gear, which allows for easier casting of smaller baits. For swimbaits, I like to present the larger, heavier, mechanical-type swimbaits on a heavy action rod that is at least 7 feet long. My big swimbait rod is from G-Loomis and is a beef stick! I appreciate the extra rod strength to cast these big baits and manage the big fish I catch on them. As far as the many other soft and hard swimbait options, you can scale back to a medium-heavy rod if you prefer, but I definitely recommend keeping the length at 7 feet or more.

Lures and Presentation: Let’s examine some of the techniques and lures that can be used to catch these fish in May. Even though we are discussing topwater and swimbait presentations in this article, when the females first come off the bed, they are lethargic, so the use of more subtle techniques such as a fluke or a Picasso Shakedown Head and worm combo can be the ticket. As the post-spawn period progresses, the fish will become much more active and aggressive as eating becomes a major part of their recovery process from the spawn. The fish at times will feed voraciously, and it is at these times that you should focus on fishing fast-moving baits such as the topwater and swimbait presentations we have focused on through the course of this article.

1. Topwater - Nothing beats being able to watch a fish crush your topwater bait! There are many choices of baits here – poppers, walkers, waking baits, etc. The preference of the fish will change day to day, so make sure to experiment daily to identify the mood of the fish as well as their preference in presentation.

Excellent topwater baits for Lake Lanier include: Lucky Craft Sammy, the Heddon Zara Spook, Pop-R, a Storm Chug-Bug, and a 16 ATLANTA

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Cordell Redfin.

All of these lures as well as all the G-Loomis rods and Shimano reels you will need to present them can be purchased at local tackle shops such as Hammond’s Fishing in Cumming, GA. 2. Swimbait Swimbaits offer great versatility as they can, based on the model, be fished at any depth you wish. Once the post-spawn has advanced, this becomes a great bait to throw around points and humps in both creeks and on the main lake.

As far as the mechanical type swimbaits, I am a HUGE fan of the Sweet Herring Swimbait made by Sweet Baits, a local vendor in the Lake Lanier area. In the soft bodied swimbaits, I prefer the ZMan and Keitech Swimbait offerings.

3. SuperSpin from SuperFish When the topwater/swimbait bite is tough, pick up your SuperSpin and go to work. Fish the same areas you would normally present your top-water baits and experiment with different depths of the water column.

Also, work these lures over brush for big spots. Try a fluke, a Zman, or Keitech swimbait as a trailer.

I still have some dates available in June 2019 so call me to book a trip today and reserve your opportunity to come experience some of the best spotted bass topwater action in the country! See you on the water!

For more information or to book your spring trip, contact Jimbo on Lanier!

770-542-7764. Jimbo’s website: www.jimboonlanier.com.

P

Lake SINCLAIR

Lake Sinclair is down 1.5 feet with the temperature in the 60s and the water stained.

Bass fishing is very good. Focus your efforts in major creeks like Rooty Creek and Crooked Creek and fish from the bank out to 4 or 5 feet. Texas rigged plastics continue to be your best option with tubes and crawfish type baits producing the best. Green pumpkin, June bug, blueberry and redbug have been

producing well as color options.

Shallow docks are holding some of the larger fish that have spawned and can be caught on a beaver or creature bait in June bug or other darker color patterns. If the front of the dock has more than five feet of water, don’t waste your time fishing it. Move on to a shallower dock.

The best news of all is that a decent topwater bite has started in the last couple of days on shallow flats. Fish a Pop R or other type chugger bait slowly with long pauses, or try a Zoom Horny Toad over the grass beds moving it as slowly as possible.

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• Boneless breast meat from one wild turkey • 2/3 cup soy sauce • 1 cup brown sugar • 1/4 cup lemon juice • 1/3 cup honey • 1 teaspoon minced garlic • Lawry’s Seasoning Salt • Adolph’s Meat Tenderizer

Slice the breast meat lengthwise to create fillets that are about 1/2 inch thick. Make a marinade by combining the soy sauce, brown sugar, lemon juice, honey and garlic in mixing bowl. Sprinkle the fillets with the seasoning salt and meat tenderizer, then transfer the meat to a zip-seal plastic freezer bag. Pour the marinade into the bag with the turkey and seal. Turn to coat all the pieces of meat, and refrigerate for 24 hours. Remove the fillets from the marinade, drain and grill over a medium-hot fire for approximately 10 minutes per side or until done to taste.

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carters lakE Forecast By: Eric Crowley Lake & Stream Guide Service (706) 669-4973

lakeandstreamguideservice@gmail.com

Water temperature: 70 degrees, lake level: full, clarity 3 feet.

So far, this has been a great spring for both big fish and numbers. Stripers, hybrids, spots and walleye all in impressive sizes have come aboard, and I haven’t seen many skinny fish at all. We are pulling planers and flat lines early in the creeks and around any shallow water structure. As usual, big baits are the first to get put out. Fresh bait is the best bait!

We have been catching some fish on down lines after mid-day in 30

to 50 feet of water. Basic rig for my boat this year has been a long 14 or 17-pound fluorocarbon leader and a 2/0 circle hook. Look for schools of fish starting soon as these fish start to transition to more of a summer pattern.

The night bite is awesome on my boat. We love fishing early mornings with the Hydro Glow lights out. Stripers, walleye and some nice flatheads have been landed before sunrise in the last few weeks. If you have never done this type of fishing before, I highly recommend it.

The spotted bass bite can get ridiculous at times with schools of a dozen or so fish being near a piece of structure. We have had several double digits days of quality green fish simply pitching live baits.

Clarks Hill Striped Bass, Hybrids and Crappie

by Capt Tony Shepherd and Capt Rocky Fulmer Little River Guide Service lrguideservice@gmail.com (706) 210-3474 The current lake level is remaining steady at 327.12 (2.9 ft.) below full pool, and surface temperatures on the south end of the lake are around 65 degrees in AM and rising. The mornings have warmed up nicely. The major food source for our lake (blueback herring) has responded by moving in and out of the shallows. In some locations, the herring spawn is in full swing. On the south end of the reservoir, it is only in the beginning stages.

The stripers and hybrids have been very cooperative and receptive to multiple patterns. Live and cut bait on shallower down rods (12-30 ft.), free lined herring, and flat lines with small weights have produced well in the shallows along with a few fish falling for flukes and chrome artificial offerings. All sections of the lake are holding fish right now, and the seagulls and loons can help point the way to active feeding fish. The Anthony Shoals area on the northern end of the lake is a traditional hybrid spawning area, and according to recent reports, is producing very well.

At the current pace, spring fishing techniques should last well into the month of May this year. When the blueback herring spawn runs its course and the bait returns deep, the predator fish will follow and lead to some ferocious down rod feed-

ing. This typically develops around Memorial Day weekend and lasts throughout the summer. This can be the best time to introduce young anglers to the excitement of fishing without having much downtime for them to get bored.

The crappie fishing has picked up over the past two weeks, and many of the fish have spawned with the last full moon. As soon as the females spawn, they will go into a negative mood and hug the bottom for a few days, while the males will remain close to the nest and protect the fry. The mid-morning and evening periods have been more productive due to the cold nights.

Trolling jigs can still produce good fish, as well as dabbling a cork and jig or minnow in the shallow cover. All crappie will not spawn at the same time. Look for the lower end to still offer pre-spawn slabs in the coming days.

Competitively priced full-day fishing charters for all levels of experience, equipment, bait, tackle and fish cleaning provided.

Fish from the most comfortable, safe and stable boat on the lake.

Little River Guide Service is a three boat operation targeting stripers and hybrid bass on Clarks Hill Lake.

Capt Tony Shepherd and Capt Rocky Fulmer.

(706) 210- 3474

Lake Alatoona Forecast By: Capt. Robert Eidson First Bite Guide Service 770-827-6282 eidson6260@att.net www.firstbiteguideservice.com Linesides fishing is good! The white bass have started their spawn runs up both the Etowah and Little River, and the hybrids and stripers are soon to follow. The river bite should stay decent for a few more weeks. The main lake is also fishing well. The fish are starting from Little River Bridge up to the delta and from the S-Turns to Kellogg Creek. There is also a decent south end bite going on right now from Iron Hill to the bay out from of 3rd Army.

The fish on the main lake are up

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in the water column and are very hard to mark on 2 D sonar. If you have a Lowrance with side scan, you can locate these fish by running your side scan setting on 60 feet on both sides. These has been working great for me on my Lowrance 12 in Touch.

If you don’t have side scan, the best way to find these fish is to put out a spread of planer boards and freelines and pull the banks and open water until you get bit. Planer boards and freelining live shad on the main lake has been our best bite and are accounting for at least 95% of our catch on both Lake Allatoona and Carters Lake. Small to middle size gizzard shad and threadfins have been the ticket.

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4/14/19 2:13 PM

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Lanier Stripers Forecast by: Clay Cunningham www.catchingnotfishing.com 770-630-2673 It’s time for some topwater excitement here on Lake Lanier. Now that the water temperature is climbing on up into the sixties, it is time for the topwater to be more consistent. Spool up a seven-foot medium Fenwick spinning rod with twelvepound Trilene Big Game line and you are ready for action.

Several baits will be needed for casting to the stripers. You will need a wake bait like the Berkley Surge Shad and a walking bait like the Berkley J-Walker. The Berkley J-Walker is a new walking bait by Berkley. Look for the bone color and the chrome black back color and you have the two primary colors in the J-Walker.

Twitch the bait so it zig-zags across the surface. Once you catch one on a walking bait, you will be hooked on topwater stripers for life.

If the fish are wanting a subsurface

lure, the Sebile Magic Swimmer is also a great bait. Cast these baits to points and humps across the lake and be prepared for some explosive action. Many times, they will blow the lure right out of the water.

Live herring on a freeline across these same points and humps will also be a great tactic. Spool up a Penn Fathom II Linecounter 15 series reel with 15-pound Trilene Big Game and a Shakespeare Striper Series rod and you are ready for live bait fishing. Be sure to pick up some Gamakatsu 2/0 Octopus hooks, some Trilene 100% Flourocarbon, and some Spro Power Swivels for your leaders, and you are all set. As the water temperature increases, do not be afraid to add a little weight to the freeline to get down a little deeper. As the water temperature increases, look for the fish to go deeper.

May should be great weather and great fishing. It is a great month to be on the water before the summer heat. See you on the water.

Lake Eufaula

By Capt Sam Williams hawk184@earthlink.net 334-687-6266 Water temperature: low to mid 60’s, lake level: 188.74 msl, clarity: good stain.

The water level is holding steady.

Bass are hitting blade baits, and chatter baits are really hot now. Bass are in the shallows and on the brush piles on the shallower drops. Shaky heads and jigs tipped with creature baits are a good choice.

Crappie are still scattered. Try drifting the creek ledge drops with minnows. Catfish are eating cut bait on jugs. They are also doing great on spinner and chatter baits.

Please go to www.alabamachildrensclassic.org and sign up for our newsletter and download the appli20 ATLANTA

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Jesse Walton & Chris Green from Marietta, GA and Stan Little from Alpharetta, GA fishing Lake Eufaula with Capt Sam Williams. cation and enter our June 1 tournament. Help us reach our goal of 200 teams. Come to the safety meeting and pay honor to the combat warriors who are fishing with us as guests this year. God Bless and good fishing.

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Fishing Topwaters during the Spawn

One of a Kind Reflection

By: Ryan Kennedy YouTube: Ryan Kennedy Fishing Instagram: ryankfishing ryankfishing@gmail.com

Contributed By: Jay Striker www.jaystriker.com There are very few things in an angler’s life that can compare to the heart-stopping explosion of a topwater strike in the springtime.

When it happens, nothing in life seems to matter much. Most times, the reward is a largemouth bass that can add significant weight to your live well. I know, I’ve had it happen to me on many occasions, and it never gets old. Let’s discuss some of the things that I do in the springtime to get big bass to attack my topwater baits with reckless abandon.

One such tactic I use is finding fish that are bedding or in the spawn mode, which means that there is a fish that has fanned out an area so that little bass eggs can be protected from predators as they grow from eggs through the stages of being able to protect themselves.

Some of the biggest bass of the season get captured during the springtime in spawning areas, and many are caught using topwater.

You may be wondering how you find the fish that are spawning.

Good question. Key factors to take note of when targeting spawning bass are protected areas and water temperature. Look at your maps and find protected areas that don’t have current and look like a dead end on the map. If you have ever found a bass bed, you will start to notice that some common characteristics exist. One is protection and the other is warmer water.

Water temperature plays a major role in the timing of when females start to lay their eggs. I like to look for water temperatures in the 60’s before I start thinking of spawning bass. However, when

targeting fish in the spring with topwater baits, especially when the water temperatures start to climb into the 70’s, you will find fish in different modes of the spawning process. Some of the waves of fish may be just arriving at the spawning areas, some will be leaving, and some will have left weeks earlier.

I use topwater poppers, Spooks and Primal Vibe Buzzbaits to cover a lot of water, especially in water less than 5 feet. That’s where you will see a good many of spawning beds. If you see a fish on the bed and not moving, anglers call this the “locked on”. These fish can be caught with a topwater bait by throwing past the spawning bed and moving your bait toward the bed. If the fish has not attacked the bait, then just let it sit above the bed and just barely move your bait.

The fish will usually strike the bait.

However, if he misses the bait, then do a follow-up with your favorite soft plastic, and you will be sure to hook up. I have to leave you with the caveat that you must cover a lot of water and go back into the pockets where your trolling motor is kicking up dirt. Then you will be in the right place and be able to see the beds.

Target those bedding fish with your topwater lures and catch some of the biggest fish a lake has to offer in the springtime. Good luck, and I hope you catch a big one.

I want to thank you all for your continued support by reading the Angler Magazine. Please check in from time to time at www.jaystriker.com or on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter under Jay Striker.

As outdoorsmen, we get to experience a world filled with one of a kind moments all around us. Whether it’s a bass busting on a school of shad or a whitetail strolling through the woods, we are the only ones on this Earth that get to experience that given moment. It’s the reason that fishing isn’t about the catch and hunting isn’t about the harvest. Each activity in the outdoors is a gift that keeps giving.

With a love for bass fishing, I don’t get to enjoy the saltwater experience as much as I’d like to. When I do get to go saltwater fishing, it is usually just for a few days before it’s back to work and daily life. I just recently returned from a trip to Destin, Florida where I was able to get a little saltwater fishing time in.

It occurred to me while on the beach that fishing in the ocean had similar one of a kind experiences with one key difference. As I walked on the beach to the water’s edge, I was about to experience something that would truly blow my mind. My toes touched the water as my heels were still nestled in the sand. At that very moment I was as much on the edge of the world as I could be. It was something I had never given much thought to until my

“With a love for bass fishing, I don’t get to enjoy the saltwater experience as much as I’d like to.”

Lake Burton Forecast by: Capt. Wes Carlton Georgia Lake Fishing 770-318-9777 www.georgialakefishing.com

Water temperature: 68 degrees, lake level: full pool, clarity: clear.

Bass: The bite has been unbelievable! These fish are eating anything from a plastic worm to a topwater plug.

We have had good success back in the pockets throwing frogs in the mornings and afternoons for the largemouth. The spotted bass bite has been strong with a few bigger fish showing up on long points mid-morning and middle of the day. These fish are inhaling jerk baits.

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mind started thinking of maps and globes that I had laid my eyes on over the years as I stared at the edge of each continent.

In that simple moment I found myself reflecting on another one of a kind moments that I have been blessed to experience in nature as I added another one to the list. Something that is so miniscule from a quick glance can become such an overwhelming moment with a little bit of reflection. I say all this simply as an encouragement to slow down and look around while you are in the outdoors. In that very moment, if you don’t take it all in, then no one ever will.

I am so grateful to have been brought up in a way that encouraged me to enjoy the outdoors for all its worth. It brings me great joy to see young kids out enjoying fishing and hunting because I know that they are gaining a passion that will last a lifetime and beyond as they pass it on one day to the next generation.

To wrap it all up, let the outdoors be your mirror. You’ll be able to reflect on experiences that are happening for the first time and that will never happen the same way again. Until next time, tight lines and God Bless!

Trout: The brown trout bite has been consistent lately. We have been trolling crawler harnesses slowly mid-way back in the creeks. Look for a 30 to 40 foot bottom and try staying close to the baitfish schools.

Walleye: The walleye bite has been a little slow the last few days and hopefully will rebound with the lower water flows ahead. Look for these fish on a 25 to 35 foot bottom holding close to structure. We have had a little success dropping 3/8 ounce standup jigs tipped with shiners. This bite should continue to get better over the next few weeks as we near the end of May. Good luck!

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You SHOULD OF BEEN HERE YESTERDAY

SEMINOLE Forecast By:

by Paul Tyre paultyrefishing@yahoo.com

Strike King Sexy Dawg, I cover the areas again where I’ve already had success with the buzzbait, and due to the Sexy Dawg’s incredible walking action and unique sound pulling the bass to it, I’ve had a lot of success with this technique.

The bream and shellcracker have been bedding, and we’ve had some incredible family trips catching their limits.

Follow us on Instagram @ seminolebassfishing and like us on Facebook @ paul tyre fishing!

For a Lake Seminole Fishing Adventure contact me at (850)2647534 or email paultyrefishing@ yahoo.com.

The bass fishing on Lake Seminole has been incredible with numerous customers catching their personal best. Historically, Lake Seminole has been known for its extraordinary topwater bites. The bass explode out of the water after frogs and buzzbbaits. If you’re planning a trip to Lake Seminole in May, make sure you have plenty of topwater lures in your tackle box. Some of my favorites are the Strike King KVD Sexy Frog in the leopard color, the Strike King Pro-Model Buzzbait in chartreuse and white and the Strike King Sexy Dawg in bone.

When fishing the Strike King KVD Sexy Frog, use a heavy-action rod and a fast gear-ratio reel with 65-pound test Cortland Master Braid. You’ll need this combination to fish over and through the vegetation and to pull those giant bass out of the heavy cover.

When fishing the Strike King Pro-Model Buzzbait, I use a 7 foot medium-heavy rod and a fast gear-ratio reel with 30-pound Cortland Master Braid. I find that this combination works well for locating productive areas efficiently.

When fishing the Quinn Petty with his personal best and Paul Tyre.

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By Gary Turner

How many times have you office for certification. When they heard that? No matter what the lifted it out of the tank, Alan could circumstances, it means you prob- see how much smaller the belly ably missed something BIG! Good was. It still weighed in as the new friends and fishing buddies Stacy record at 23 pounds 14 ounces.

Fleming, Darrin Patterson and I They put it back in the tank and had been waiting a month to go headed to the river to release it. Afcrappie fishing with Alan Short ter releasing it, they examined the on the Coosa River. Alan always rest of the purge. There was a large catches some big crappie in the black bird, a j hook, and the skull spring, so we booked a trip with and half of a small animal most him to be there then. As luck has likely a muskrat. That fish had been it, rain had the river and creeks all gorging on anything it could get in its mouth. swollen way over regular levels.

So the afternoon before we are When we arrived the next aftersupposed to meet Alan to fish, he noon to fish, the Coosa River was texts me and says you won’t believe roaring, and Alan told Stacy and this, my wife just caught the Cona- Darrin “You should have been here sauga River record blue cat! So I’m yesterday!” We set out in search of thinking that you are supposed to big crappie, but the weather had save the record fish for us tomor- changed and the winds shifted. We row, lol. He relayed how it hap- did find lots of white bass and wore them out, but the crappie were not pened.

The Conasauga is normally a in the biting mood. We had a great fairly shallow river with little fish- time until it got dark. Alan is a able water by boat, but since the great guide and stays pretty booked rivers were all over their banks, up, so check with him about bookthey could get in and headed up ing a trip in the future. Call him at the middle of the river. The rod 770-608-8812. casted to the middle of the river Next article maybe I will tell slammed down hard and was pull- you about filling up my new 95XL ing drag. Four times it took the line Xtreme Livewell with fish. Till next back out trying to get away by run- time, be safe out there as you never know when someone on your boat ning for trees.

The river record was currently might fall in. Last week it was me.

11 pounds and this monster was a Please don’t ask. If you have an lot bigger than that. Its belly was empty seat on your boat that needs huge from gorging. The big cats filling, shoot me an email and maycome up the smaller rivers and be I will come fishing with you! creeks when the water is high to If you want more information gorge on all the washed in food. about fishing, you can reach me at Right after landing the monster gary@purgeright.com. Check out fish, they also landed a 14-pounder my Hub pages at GoneFishinClub. that would also have broken the re- hubpages.com. Please remember, if cord. They put the monster in the you are not going to eat it, don’t kill livewell and headed home to get it it. in a bigger tank to wait for Monday morning.

At home in the 100 gallon tank with plenty of oxygen, the giant cat did what catfish always do after you catch them. It started purging. The first thing out was a bunch of black feathers.

There was more purge, but they left it alone until they could get it to the Armuchee Natasha Short with the record catfish.

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Lake Chatuge Hybrids and Spotted Bass Forecast By: Darren Hughes Hughes General Store & Bait Shop & Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service www.bigolfish.com (706) 745-6569 The hybrid bass bite is in full swing. These Lake Chatuge monsters are right in the midst of their spring spawn. Currently, they are feeding pretty aggressively on bait in the backs of creeks and in shallow areas around the mouths of creeks. The far south end and far upper ends of the lake have been pretty decent. We are seeing most of our fish in the 6 to 25 foot range. Your early morning and late evening bites will be the best.

Pulling planer boards and freelines with live blueback herring and shad will be your best technique.

Towards the end of this month, we’ll start to see these hard-fighting fish school up in the mouths of creeks and off points around the lake. When these hybrids school up, it can most make for an unforgettable fishing trip. We typically average 30 to 60 hybrids in a morning and sometimes in less than 2 hours. These fish will range in sizes from 6-15 pounds and fight like no other. Also, look for an awesome topwater bite to get fired up soon. I usually keep a Red Fin or

a Spook at the ready.

The spotted bass bite has also been excellent. Fish should be coming up off their beds and are super hungry. They will be schooling up off shallow points and humps throughout the lake. Recently, we have been boating 25 to 30 fish a trip. A lot of these spots have been averaging 4 to 6 pounds. Focus on shallow areas around creeks and off points and humps. Down-lining live bluebacks has worked the best. Also, watch for a strong topwater bite to start. When these schooling spots start busting on the surface, they’ll hit almost anything you can throw.

May fishing on Lake Chatuge is always exciting. Remember, live bait on this lake can be the difference between a successful day of fishing and a horrid one. For all of your bait and tackle needs, come visit us at Hughes General Store in Blairsville, GA. We also carry ethanol-free gas and have some of the best hot, made-from-scratch biscuits in North GA. For guided fishing trips on Lakes Chatuge, Hiwassee, or Nottely, or questions about the bait shop, call me, Darren Hughes or Shane Goebel at Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service. Good luck, and get hooked!

Indentions Indentations

By Billy Darby Fishing indentions in a weed line, shoreline, moss, pads or visible wood structure is a no-brainer and comes quiet natural for almost any shoreline angler. But why do these indentions occur? What causes weeds, grass and other shoreline structure to bald in density or totally vacate certain little slots or spots or heavily concentrate in an area in close proximity?

These questions can be answered by examining the bottom composition. This composition can be affected by mud, sand, rocks, pebbles, decaying matter, fish or animal migrating routes such as gator activity, carp feeding on certain sprigs and roots, or various degrees of spawning by almost any species of fish. The composition is also affected by bass holding in attack mode under the pads or in the grass, bream and shellcrackers feeding on the hard or shell covered bottom, and many different species spawning in this select area. Under certain conditions, this is a fish holding mecca.

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Indentations is a different word according to my dictionary, but acquainted with indentions. Indentations would be associated with contours and depressions that create this entire relationship from the very beginning. Waves and current transfer sediments to lower soil, creating mud, therefore keeping the harder terrain clean where vegetation is difficult to seed.

These mentioned indentations can be followed to contours, where if studied closely, will show the migration routes to deeper water where all of the feeding or spawning activity begins and ends in the shallows.

But wait! What happens during a rapid decrease in water level? All species mentioned retreat to lower ground, and the migration route can be followed to where it all begins. By studying your Lake Master maps, you can pinpoint these contours and target the holding patterns where your quarry awaits another opportunity to visit the mecca. And yes, they are hungry.

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May’s Fishing Opportunities Dr. Andrew Cox

58 Gallon insulated, molded BAIT TANK or LIVE WELL Small 24” x 24” footprint

Built in oxygen bottle holder.

Attwood cartridge pump filtration system.

Flow-Rite aerator with pump-out valve

Learn more and check out the videos at

topwatertackle.net

15544 Hwy, 515, Ellijay

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LOC_MAY_ATL_2019.indd 24

May is a transition month.

During this month, we usually experience the last days of moderate temperatures before the hot dog days of summer. This month, anglers can find cooler temperatures that may be more characteristic of April as well as some hot days more often found during June or even July. Generally, May’s temperatures and weather patterns are more stable than those found during March and April with their cold snaps impacting water temperatures and fish activity.

Over the course of this month, water temperatures are steadily rising as weather frontal systems moving through the area are less frequent and intense than earlier months. Though temperatures during May can be hot at times, anglers can still enjoy time on the water. You can enjoy many hours on the water without profusely sweating or having a heat stroke.

Most freshwater fish species are still active during this month. Bass are moving into deeper waters but some can still be found in shallow to moderate depth waters. Panfish and catfish can still be readily located. Crappie will be in deeper water but may be actively caught during nighttime hours. For those anglers enjoying trout fishing, this cold water fishery in Georgia as well as other southern states continues to be an active fishery.

A variety of baits and artificial lure techniques will continue to be effective over the course of this month. My favorite plastic baits such as worms, tubes, various creature baits as well as jigs come into their own for catching bass and panfish. Traditional lures imitating a waterway’s forage base continue to catch fish. At times over the course of the fishing day, spinnerbaits, in-line spinners, and buzzbaits will catch bass. These techniques can be effective on area

lakes, rivers, and streams.

For some, May marks the beginning of the summer vacation time period as the school year ends during this month for many students. This month is a good time to enjoy family based outdoor activities with the moderate temperatures and stabilizing weather and water conditions. Family activities such as camping, outdoor cookouts, hiking and walking, boating and other water sports can be interspersed with family fishing events. Many of our region’s fishing locales have camping, and day use areas that can be enjoyed by children and adult family members.

Get out and enjoy the warmer temperatures found during the month of May. Make sure to enjoy the ample and varied angling opportunities available in our region.

This will be the last month to enjoy the outdoors before the onslaught of truly hot weather making us retreat to hours relaxing under air conditioning.

Author’s Note: Dr. Andrew Cox is a contributing writer to outdoor publications and newspapers. His writing interests specialize in angling and travel, human interest, and general fishing technique oriented topics. 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. He has also fished the waters of most states within the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia, and several Caribbean islands. He enjoys fresh and saltwater fishing for bass, bream, crappie, trout, redfish, and speckled trout using fly, baitcasting, and spinning equipment. Dr. Cox financially supports his fishing habits as Professor Emeritus at Troy University, Phenix City, Alabama. He may be contacted at andrewtrout@aol.com.

“This month is a good time to enjoy family based outdoor activities with the moderate temperatures and stabilizing weather and water conditions.”

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west point Water temperatures are mostly in the 70s and low 80s. The lake is mostly clear and right around full pool level of 635. Please be sure to visit my website at www.

LakeWestPointFishing.com for more info.

Bass: Good - Largemouth are being caught on several different patterns. Topwater baits such as Pop R’s, Zara Spooks and buzzbaits can be extremely effective for shallow and aggressive fish, especially around bream beds.

The second pattern that works really well is to look for spawning shad. Try fishing rip-rap around bridges with spinnerbaits, small crankbaits, and Zoom Superflukes.

Additionally, some big tournament sacks of largemouth are still being weighed in by guys who sight fish, targeting fish that are locked on bed.

This can be an aggravating way to

fish, but can pay off in a tournament win.

Lots of spotted bass are caught by casting Spot Remover heads loaded with Shaky Tail worms or just dragging a Carolina-rigged Zoom finesse worm or mini lizard around sloping gravel banks. These tactics normally work very well for numbers.

Linesides: Excellent - Spawned out hybrids and stripers show back up down lake in May. Expect the downline bite on live bait to be awesome!

Some fish are starting surface schooling on the main lake and can be caught on small crankbaits, topwaters, pop-n-cork rigs and Storm Swim Shad lures.

Crappie: Fair - Spawned out fish will typically move out and hold on deeper brush and structure or under docks for a while to recover.

Night fishing should also improve in May. Bream: Good - Don’t forget about our bream and shellcracker. Finding an active bed can take a little effort, but when you do, you can have a

ball! Bedding usually takes place on the full moon cycles in May. Look for shallow cover in the backs of pockets. Sandy flats and stump beds tend to draw the fish like a magnet.

Use live pink worms, crickets and small jigs for the best results.

Catfish: Good - Lots of channel cats are being caught by the few anglers that target them. Live and cut

“Lots of spotted bass are caught by casting Spot Remover heads loaded with Shaky Tail worms or just dragging a Carolina-rigged Zoom finesse worm or mini lizard around sloping gravel banks.”

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baits (and worms of course) fished on the bottom will catch cats all over the lake, as long as fairly deep water is nearby. Jug fishing is also fun and productive. To target flatheads, go to a larger bait like a 4-5 inch bream or large shiner and fish the same areas.

Be sure to increase the size of your rigs as fish in the 20 to 30-pound range are fairly common.

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Medal of Honor

by O’Neill Williams

Fox reorganized the company and directed the fire of his men as they hurled grenades against the enemy and drove the hostile forces into retreat. Wounded again in the final assault, Capt. Fox refused medical attention, established a defensive posture, and supervised the preparation of casualties for medical evacuation. His indomitable courage, inspiring initiative, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger inspired his marines to such aggressive action that they overcame all enemy resistance and destroyed a large bunker complex. Capt. Fox’s heroic actions reflect great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps and upholds the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. Wesley Fox died in November, 2017.

DOSS, DESMOND T., Rank: Private First-Class U.S. Army, Company: Medical Detachment, Division: 307th Infantry, 77th Infantry Division Born: Lynchburg, Va., Departed: Yes, Entered Service At: Lynchburg, Va., G.O. Number: 97, Date of Issue: 11/01/1945, Accredited To: Place /Date: Near Urasoe Mura, Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, 29 April-21 May 1945.

Citation: He was a company aid man when the 1st Battalion assaulted a jagged escarpment 400 feet high. As the troops gained the summit, a heavy concentration of artillery, mortar and machinegun fire crashed into them, inflicting approximately 75 casualties and driving the others back. Pfc. Doss refused to seek cover and remained in the fire-swept area with the many stricken, carrying them 1 by 1 to the edge of the escarpment and there lowering them on a rope-supported litter down the face of a cliff to friendly hands. It is reported that he lowered 75 soldiers, one at a time, to safety. On 2 May, he exposed himself to heavy rifle and mortar fire in rescuing a wounded man 200 yards forward of the lines on the same escarpment; and 2 days later he treated 4 men who had been cut down while assaulting a strongly defended cave, advancing through a shower of grenades to within 8 yards of enemy forces in a cave’s mouth, where he dressed his comrades’ wounds before making 4 separate trips under fire to evacuate them to safety.

On 5 May, he unhesitatingly braved enemy shelling and small arms fire to assist an artillery officer. He ap-

It’s 1991 and Whitney Houston performed the Star Spangled Banner at the Super Bowl half time show. She was later to become a movie star and was world famous. OK, good for her and for the audiences she entertained. At age 48, she drowned in the bath tub of her suite at a Beverly Hills Hotel. In her system was found cocaine, Xanax, cannabis and other voluntarily consumed chemicals.

Sorry to see her go. That is not the story here. The story is how and why did we choose to begin the Medal of Honor Tribute as a live read on our radio show?

After Whitney Houston’s death, the state of New Jersey ordered that the flags be brought to halfstaff. Now hold on a moment. “In my opinion”, this is for true heroes; firefighters, police, EMT’s, doctors, nurses, soldiers and others who have demonstrated self-sacrifice and risk-taking with many losing their lives. While Whitney Houston was a terrific entertainer, what did she do that made her a hero and then, considering how she died, should her life be honored in such a manner? I don’t think so.

My biological father, Donald O’Neill Williams, was in training as a fighter pilot destined for service in WWII. While sitting in his plane waiting for the signal for takeoff, another plane with engine trouble crashed into him. He died instantly. I was six weeks old. My mother remarried when I was three to H. O. Nash who was a veteran of 25 missions over Japan as a radio operator on a B-29. These two men were heroes. One made the ultimate sacrifice, and the other put his life on the line to protect our American way of life and freedom.

So, O’Neill got mad and began looking up the activities of true heroes. The most obvious hero is a recipient of the Medal of Honor. We chose those. The result was the live read of the activity of a Medal of Honor recipient on our radio show. Gail and I have an audience of over 1,000,000 outdoorsmen on Saturday mornings. These are de-

scriptions of true heroes, and yet, no one knows their names. If you are in our audience on a Saturday morning at 5:40AM, you will hear our Medal of Honor Tribute.

Whitney Houston drowned in a bathtub taking drugs and the flags were at half-staff in her honor. She was not a hero. Yet the names of true heroes are mostly unknown.

What a shame.

Here are a couple of examples of true heroism directly from the Medal of Honor Website. You can go there via oneilloutside.com. You didn’t know them before but now you do.

FOX, WESLEY L.: Rank: 1st Lieutenant U.S. Marine Corps, Company: Company A, 1st Battalion, Division: 9th Marines, 3d Marine Division Born: 30 September 1931, Herndon, Va., Departed: Yes (11/24/2017), Entered Service At: Leesburg, Va., Date of Issue: 03/02/1971, Accredited To: Leesburg, VA, Place / Date: Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam, 22 February 1969 Citation: For conspicuous gallantry at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as commanding officer of Company A, in action against the enemy in the northern A Shau Valley. Capt. Fox’s company came under intense fire from a large well concealed enemy force. Capt. Fox maneuvered to a position from which he could assess the situation and confer with his platoon leaders.

As they departed to execute the plan he had devised, the enemy attacked and Capt. Fox was wounded along with all of the other members of the command group, except the executive officer. Capt. Fox continued to direct the activity of his company.

Advancing through heavy enemy fire, he personally neutralized 1 enemy position and calmly ordered an assault against the hostile emplacements. He then moved through the hazardous area coordinating aircraft support with the activities of his men. When his executive officer was mortally wounded, Capt.

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plied bandages, moved his patient to a spot that offered protection from small arms fire and, while artillery and mortar shells fell close by, painstakingly administered plasma.

On 21 May, in a night attack on high ground near Shuri, he remained in exposed territory while the rest of his company took cover, fearlessly risking the chance that he would be mistaken for an infiltrating Japanese and giving aid to the injured until he was himself seriously wounded in the legs by the explosion of a grenade. Rather than call another aid man from cover, he cared for his own injuries and waited 5 hours before litter bearers reached him and started carrying him to cover. The trio was caught in an enemy tank attack and Pfc. Doss, seeing a more critically wounded man nearby, crawled off the litter and directed the bearers to give their first attention to the other man. Awaiting the litter bearers’ return, he was again struck, this time suffering a compound fracture of his left arm. With magnificent fortitude he bound a rifle stock to his shattered arm as a splint and then crawled 300 yards over rough terrain to the aid station.

Through his outstanding bravery and unflinching determination in the face of desperately dangerous conditions, Pfc. Doss saved the lives of many soldiers. His name became a symbol throughout the 77th Infantry Division for outstanding gallantry far above and beyond the call of duty. Desmond Doss died in March, 2006.

For more descriptions of true heroes, visit the Medal of Honor website.

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Wall of Fame

Win A Free Angler Magazine Cap! A Angler Magazine cap will be given away each month for the best reader submitted photo!

Incredible Huk with a big Lanier striper

This year’s first 30 inch brown trout was caught

by Paul Messer fly fishing with Reel Em In Guide Service. He’s a little camera shy!

Stan Little from Alpharetta with a nice spring largemouth caught on Lake Eufaula

WINNER!

Berkley Starr with a big Lanier crappie

Max Delmonte caught this big brown at Noontootla Creek Farms fishing with Jake Darling, Unicoi Outfitters Jessie Walton from Marietta with an 18.5 lb Eufaula catfish caught on a chatter bait while fishing with Capt Sam Williams

Ethan Usry with his daughter Carolina caught this 5.5 pound bass on Jackson Lake Debby Frazier with the North Ga Crappie Anglers with a big slab from Lake Lanier

Jeff Hamm caught this huge 10 pounder on Stony Creek Lake in Thomasville, GA

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Bruce Maguire caught this beautiful rainbow fishing at Noontootla Creek Farms with Unicoi Outfitters guide Ron Thomas

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r spread

Pure Shot Outdoors team members, from left, Isaac Avery, Laramy Barber and Hunter Graham show off their winning catch totaling 600.3 pounds. The U.S. Open Bowfishing Championship founder, John Paul Morris, holds the championship belt above the team.

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ainy April weather couldn’t keep 118 bowfishing teams from 23 states from competing in The U.S. Open Bowfishing Championship at Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World in Bossier City, Louisiana.

More than 58,000 pounds of rough fish, or 29 tons, were removed from eight area lakes and the Red River.

The first place team, Pure Shot Outdoors, harvested 600.3 pounds and received $25,000 in cash, with each member receiving an AMS Bow.

The Texas team consisted of Isaac Avery, of Longview, Laramy Barber, of Sabine and Hunter Graham, of Henderson.

“My teammates and I have fished this tournament for three years and have always strived to be at the top. Last Saturday we were able to put the big stringer of fish together for the win. Hard work and determination from all the team put us in the right spot at the right time.

Thanks to Bass Pro Shops for hosting a tournament of this magnitude and allowing us to compete in something all bowfisherman love to do,” said Avery.

The U.S. Open Bowfishing Championship is the largest event of its kind in the fast-growing sport of bowfishing. This year’s event featured the largest competition and biggest prizes in the tournament’s seven-year history. The championship purse included more than $100,000 worth of prizes and giveaways.

A four-man team representing Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma won the Big Buffalo and Biggest Overall categories in addition to taking eighth place in the tournament. Team Obscure Adventures’ big fish weighed 73.3 pounds, and they scored an overall weight of 365.8 pounds. Their total cash payout was $9,530.

The No Limit team from Center, Texas took fourth place in the tournament and won the Biggest Common Carp category with a 51.6-pound carp out of Toledo Bend. Their total weight of 402.2 pounds netted the four-man team $6,610.

Team PossumCods, another four-man team from Texas, scored the Biggest Grass Carp category with a winning weight of 58.3 pounds and claimed the $3,200 cash prize.

Besides being a fun weekend for participants and families, the bowfishing event provides lasting environmental benefits for area lakes.

Bowfishing, combining elements of fishing with archery to harvest rough fish species, is one of the fastest growing sports in the outdoor industry. Unlike traditional game fishing, bowfishing uses specialized bows to target species including carp, buffalo and gar that plague lakes, rivers and streams around the country. Removing these undesirable species improves habitat conditions for native game fish.

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By Capt. Scott Fisher

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ne of the most anticipated times of the year has arrived in southwest Florida: tarpon season!

Guides from around the state and anglers from all over the world come down to partake in the abundant tarpon fishery on Florida’s southern Gulf coast.

The tarpon show up here each year to feed and spawn. Northwest of Fort Myers, Fla., Charlotte Harbor is particularly good for bait due to seemingly endless mangrove shorelines and extensive grass flats fed by two large rivers, the Peace and Myakka. With its large harbor and the deep Boca Grande Pass, Charlotte Harbor is also a good refuge when the tarpon spawn. It is not uncommon for tens of thousands of tarpon to migrate to the area starting in April.

They’ll stick around even after they finish their spawn in early July, and then they’ll have just one thing on their minds. That is to feed!

You’ve got to gear up to do battle with a silver king potentially weighing up to 200 pounds. A heavy spinning rod should be plenty, and you might even be able to get away with a medium-heavy depending on the area you fish. Couple this with a size 6000-plus spinning reel, something with around 30-pounds of max drag, spooled with 65-pound braided line. This is a fair-sized combo that allows you to fight the fish but still get it to the boat without overly exhausting it. A 50-pound fluorocarbon leader with a 7/0 circle hook will allow a clean hookset and enough strength and abrasion resistance to land the fish of a lifetime.

Where you target these fish will usually dictate the baits you use. In the Charlotte Harbor area, I catch these fish using a dead mullet on the bottom up the Peace River or a half dollar-size blue crab off the beach. It all depends on bait in the area and the area being fished. Other baits anglers may choose are pinfish, shrimp and ladyfish or artificials. All of these methods work when applied

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in the right situation.

During the tides around the new and full moons, we experience what we call “Hill tides” or a “crab flush.” These are the most exciting times to tarpon fish. Millions of small crabs are flushed out of Boca Grande Pass, which sends the tarpon into a feeding frenzy.

The thousands of fish that congregate in the narrow pass take every opportunity to eat passing crabs. Matching the hatch provides much success, which means I’ll be using live crabs and drifting them as naturally as possible in the current.

Going back to tackle, you want a setup that allows you to land fish without causing them to be overworked or too exhausted. That’s because predators like bull sharks show up to take advantage of the congregated tarpon and the large amount of bait flushing through the pass. Injured or tired tarpon make an easy meal for a hungry 12-foot bull shark!

When you land one of these majestic tarpon, idle out of the pass and into shallower water to properly revive the fish before release.

This will give it the best chance of survival so that we can ensure a healthy population for years to come.

With tarpon season here, if you do not have suitable equipment, I suggest hiring a local guide to take you on what will truly be a trip of a lifetime.

For more on tarpon fishing, look for upcoming seminars by following my Facebook page @ Facebook.com/Hookedoncharters or Instagram.com/hookedoncharters Capt. Scott Fisher is owner/operator of Hooked On Charters and operates out of Boca Grande Fla. Contact him at 941-258-5654 or www.hookedoncharters.com.

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“I was pretty surprised to learn the fish I snagged would now be the new state record,” Rehmeier said. “It’s not the coolest state-record fish, but I’ll take it!”

And we’re not sure about this, but it seems likely Rehmeier’s record gizzard shad may be the first gizzard in history to ever hang over someone’s mantel. After realizing he had a state record, Rehmeier decided to have the fish mounted.

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slamorada in the Florida Keys has some of the finest and most consistent year-round swordfishing anywhere in the world. As captains out of Cape Coral, Fla., Bill Lussier and I contacted Capt. Nick Stanczyk, of Bud N’ Mary’s Marina in Islamorada, to take a casual trip and learn about daytime swordfishing.

With a beautiful sunrise and a light breeze, we cruised in the Freeman 37’ “Broad Minded” toward the Gulf Stream. Upon arrival, the seas had risen to 5- to 6-feet about three to five seconds apart. Capt. Nick carefully chose his location before he and mate, Konnor Ross, laid out the first line in about 1,600 feet of water. Now, daytime swordfishing is challenging since 10-pound weights and more than 3,000 feet of line are sometimes necessary to reach proper depths while accounting for current and drift speed.

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FLY FISHING

By Capt. Debbie Lussier

Capt. Nick very carefully positioned the boat, and once he was happy with the position and drift of the first line, he sent out a second line with a buoy.

The buoy had drifted about 100 yards from the boat when Capt.

Nick said simply, “The buoy!” Then… “It’s big!”

Immediately, we reeled in the first line to get it out of the way. Bill jumped on the buoy line and began to reel… and reel… and reel some more. Five and a half hours later, we got our first glimpse of the fish when it jumped about a quarter mile behind the boat. We could see it was big, but we didn’t realize how big because it was so far away.

Two hours later, we got a better look at the monster. Each time Bill got the leader to the reel, the broadbill saw the boat and ripped off line Bill had fought so hard to gain.

Capt. Nick busied himself keeping the line from touching the boat and keeping the fish from running under the boat. If at any point the line had touched the boat, it would have parted, and the fish would be gone. It felt like we were on a whirl ride at the carnival. We circled with the fish, and then in a flash it would streak away. Capt. Nick would turn the boat to cruise beside the fish until it dove toward the bottom.

More than eight hours into the battle, Bill brought the giant fish boatside. It was still very blue in color and fresh. The fight would have continued, except the fish made the fatal mistake of swimming within range of Konner and his harpoon.

Konner deftly stuck the fish in the backbone. After two darts and three gaffs, Capt. Nick was able to get a tail rope on this Jurassic fish, and the fight was over. It took a block and tackle and lots of brute strength to load the swordfish in the boat.

Back at the docks, it weighed 757.8 pounds and measured 111 inches from the lower jaw to the fork of the tail. The bill was 40 inches long, even though part of it had previously broken off.

To learn more about Capt. Nick Stanczyk, out of Bud N’ Mary’s Marina in Islamorada, Florida, go to daytimeswordfish.com.

FLY FISHING

Learn To Read A Fish Finder Or GPS

I

f you’re a boat owner and you fly fish, at some point you’ll have to read a fishfinder/ global positioning system or GPS unit. The fishfinder/GPS unit is a key component to success when fishing in saltwater and on large freshwater reservoirs. Whether pinpointing schools of baitfish, locating structure points, reading water temperatures or getting you safely back to your launching site, this unit’s importance to the angler cannot be overstated.

There are even portable models that allow for mounting on kayaks. Today’s fishing tackle stores and mail-order or online catalogs

optimum water temperatures.

stock numerous units from which you can choose, all units share similar features, the most important are the following:

ly, advances in weather predicting through the internet and handheld electronic devices, allow the angler to access any number of weather-predicting tools for upto-the-minute weather data.

In many cases not exercising good sense can lead to a tragic ending. If you notice a potential storm on the horizon, run for shelter if you are fishing a beach or flat. If you are on the ocean, aim your bow toward safe harbor.

Once the storm has passed, return to your fly fishing. A note of caution: Mother Nature is an unforgiving old woman, so always heed her warning signs. Be safe, not sorry.

Today’s technology is responsible for the development of customer-friendly, easy-to-use electronics. Some units have more than proved their worth to the serious saltwater angler, not only finding fish but keeping anglers safe out on the water.

What To Look For In A Fishfinder 1) GPS for navigation: A GPS is not only a tool to get you to and from fishing areas but also your lifeline if bad conditions occur on the water. A GPS will get you back to the dock if you experience low visibility from fog or heavy rain.

2) Plotter: The plotter is a great tool to use when navigating to an area as well as getting back to a good fishing area.

3) Bathymetry mapping (locating underwater structure): The best way to locate drop-offs and underwater structure such as wrecks and artificial reefs.

4) Sonar: Critical for locating baitfish and game fish.

5) Water temperature: For finding temperature breaks and

When The Weather Goes South!

Changing weather patterns are an expected and accepted component of saltwater fly fishing. Weather conditions change quickly and unpredictably. An unthreatening blue-sky day, with little warning, can be replaced by scudding, ominous black clouds producing lightning, torrential rains and quite often off-thechart winds. This is an uncontrollable circumstance faced by those of us who saltwater fly fish. Lucki-

For more Bowman, go to

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atch any group of fishermen and one or two always stand out from the others in terms of getting more strikes and catching more fish. If you monitor their approach and their movements, it’s difficult to detect anything different from other anglers, but you can bet it’s there. I call this “The Touch,” and it covers every phase of the sport from hooking a fish to landing it.

Two anglers standing side by side are fishing the same artificial lures. One man enjoys several strikes and hooks a couple of fish while his partner can’t buy a strike. The only difference in their retrieves is that the successful angler is vibrating his wrist while he retrieves the plug. That causes the lure to flash under water, and that’s the touch that produces a positive result.

In a similar situation fishing topwater plugs, it turns out the angler getting the strikes retrieves the lure like everyone else, but he pauses for an instant during the retrieve, which allows the plug to rise slightly.

The same touch is just as important with natural baits (dead or alive) as it is with artificials. How and where you present a bait makes a significant difference.

Baits should be changed frequently whether they are live or dead. Fish face into the current or they swim against it. Positioning a boat to take advantage of the local current is vital, and you also need to consider spring tides and neap tides as well as the daily rise and fall. Even when you are trolling, the key is to work in and out to change water depth and work both sides of a current. Keep in mind that water depth is a prime factor in determining where fish will be. Locating the right depth and area is

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part of the touch.

W h e n you rig, you want the lightest and shortest leader that makes sense. Every hook must be sharpened to perfection. Eliminate as much hardware as you can.

If a sinker is necessary, opt for the smallest one that will do the job. A bait that bounces along the bottom is much more effective than one anchored to a single spot.

If your rods are custom built or can be modified, shorten the butt. That allows you to reduce the fatigue on your arms when battling an oversized denizen. When a fish takes a bait or lure, don’t swing the rod as if it were a baseball bat. Point the tip directly at the spot where the line enters the water and let the fish start to move off.

Then, just lock the pre-set drag and the fish will hook itself.

One critical aspect of battling a strong fish centers on the use of side pressure.

Most anglers keep the rod in a vertical position when fighting a fish, pumping upwards to draw the fish closer and regain line. When the fish gets a reasonable distance away, the use of side pressure is much more effective. The key lies in holding the rod waist high and parallel to the water. If the fish is swimming to the right, you want to try to force it to turn and swim to the left. Each time it turns, it gets closer to the boat or to shore.

The Touch covers all aspects of fishing. It is composed of countless little things that give the angler a decided advantage when put together. Once you begin to master it, you can bet you will get more strikes and catch more fish.

For more from Mark Sosin, visit

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Sheri Daye

hatever your sport or hobby, you probably owe a debt of gratitude to those who helped you get started. Mentors are especially important when it comes to hunting, because they teach you how to be stewards of the land or ocean.

I was fortunate to find great mentors in the spearfishing club that I joined early on. They were generous with their advice, and the lessons stay with me to this day.

Here are a few examples, some of which can be applied to other areas of life: 1) One of my earliest memories was of Bruce letting me take the shot on my first grouper. After shooting, the fish holed up in some rocks, as groupers tend to do. In my excitement, I rushed to extract it, exhausting myself and risking a tear-off by pulling on the shaft too hard. Bruce motioned for me to calm down, assess the situation, let the grouper tire, and then gently pull it out. His advice worked like a charm. In other words, there’s no need to rush—time is on your side.

2) When diving for lobsters with my friend Dave, a professional lobsterman, he laughed at my first attempts. He advised that before starting to extract the lobster with the net and tickle stick, “get your butt out of the air!” In other words, get better situated by letting the air out of your BC and planting your knees in the sand. He said, “Keep in mind that lobsters are like cattle. You can prod them where you want them to go, so take your time and herd them into the net.”

Again, I needed to take my time and use my head.

3) When I started to freedive deeper and go for bigger fish, I had the privilege of diving with Chad, a top diver. I absorbed a lot just by watching. He had smooth, calm technique when stalking and strong, purposeful maneuvers when subduing. I learned how to avoid loops in the line, how to handle sharks, the best shot placement. I most appreciate the fact that he never treated me like a girl, and he didn’t

take over if I was fighting a big fish. A good mentor lets you experience struggles and triumphs, praises you when you do well, and gives advice when needed.

There comes a time in a hunter’s life when you’ve been through the stages, and your satisfaction comes more from the total hunting experience—being outdoors, enjoying friends, seeing the beauty of nature, and passing on what you’ve learned. Remember to thank your mentors and consider paying them back by taking someone new under your wing.

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

Sheri Daye with mentors Dave Earp and Chad Palan.

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Let someone know where you’re going and when you expect to return. It’s good advice that’ll ensure someone looks for you if you don’t come home from your next outdoor adventure. But in many instances, when rescuers go out searching for a missing person, they’re scouring the woods or waters for a dead body. Time means everything in an emergency situation.

If you get into trouble miles from shore or deep in the backcountry, you need help immediately, not hours or days later when someone notices you’re missing. That’s why carrying a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) is a very good idea. It’s an investment in your safety that you’ll hopefully never need to use.

ACR Electronics recently launched its Next-Gen ResQLink View PLB, which is their first unit with a digital display. Using survivor feedback from users who have actually activated their beacons in lifethreatening situations, ACR tweaked the design of their worldwide best-selling PLBs to make them more user-friendly and functional.

Coastal Angler Magazine recently got its hands on one of these life-saving little gadgets, and although we were tempted, we restrained from pressing the Activation Button that would immediately alert and deploy U.S. Coast Guard rescue personnel to our offices. ACR ResQLink PLBs have a proven track record.

Operating on multiple satellite systems with exceptional power and reliability, users can expect their beacon to be located within five minutes of activation, within 350 feet, 95 percent of the time. Just holding the device provides peace of mind that if something were to happen, help would be on the way.

Although we couldn’t call in the cavalry, we were able to experience the unobtrusive footprint of this indispensible piece of gear. About 5 inches long and weighing just 5 ounces, it easily slides into a pocket.

It’s clips snuggly onto a backpack or life jacket, and it was out of the way on the water. In fact, we forgot it was there when the fish started biting.

The simplicity of use was also very apparent.

Pushing the test button prompts the display to tell you the PLB is in working order, and activating the beacon is as simple flicking the antenna out, which uncovers a bright red activation button. Even suffering from injury, hypothermia or being tossed by waves, a person in distress could activate the PLB with just one hand. It’s worth noting that ACR has added an infra-red strobe light to go along with an ultra-bright strobe to assist rescue crews using night vision goggles.

The digital display screen? When activated, it displays all the beacon’s operational activities, including GPS coordinates, operating instructions, usage tips, transmission bursts and battery power. It let’s you know it’s working and that assistance will arrive soon.

With military durability and worldwide coverage with no subscription, the ResQLink View and the ResQLink 400—which has everything but the display screen—are reasonably priced for technology that could save your life. There’s no reason not to have one on you next time you’re deep in the woods or out on the water.

For more information, go to www.acrartex.com.

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Why Bass Get Away

BO-JO

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TIPS FROM A PRO

FRESHWATER BRANDON LESTER

W

hen a fish gets off, it’s many times due to a poor hookset. However, even a fish that’s hooked solidly can shake free. Slack in the line is the main reason for hooks coming out of a fish’s mouth. Slack can come from several factors. Let’s look at three basic scenarios.

• The fish swimming directly at you very quickly • The fish getting the line wrapped in cover • The fish jumping Sometimes a fish will make a hard run at the boat. Often this results in slack line and the hook coming out. A high-speed reel and quick recognition of the situation are key to keeping slack out of the line. A longer rod will help keep a tight line and pressure on the bass. Depending on your surroundings, you can also keep the line tight by walking backwards.

In addition to the potential for line breakage, fish getting into cover can cause slack in the line. Once a fish turns its head with the line tight against cover, there’s potential for slack to form.

Keep heavy pressure on the fish when it buries up in cover, and get it out into open water as quickly as possible. That’s another plus to a powerful hookset; it gets that fish moving in the right direction.

Losing a fish when it jumps and throws the bait can really break your heart.

Your best bet is to do everything possible to keep a bass from jumping in the first place. Sticking the rod tip down in the water will often keep a bass from jumping.

Turning the fish quickly in the opposite direction as he begins to warm up for a leap will also keep its head down and eliminate a jump.

Probably the most obvious way for fish to get off is for your line to break. Line breaks either because it gets damaged or it will break at the knot. Breaking at the knot is very discouraging. One tip to reduce this occurrence is to wet the line when cinching down the knot, especially with fluorocarbon. You also need to be proficient at several different knots. There are apps online that explain knots for each situation. The Palomar knot is the strongest knot and is useful for a wide variety of situations.

The pound test line you use has to be paired with the proper power rod and the proper sized hook. Use the line weight rating on your rod’s specifications as a starting point. A stout 5/0 Mustad Grip Pin 3X Max flipping hook needs line that is at least 20 pound test or greater. Lighter line is going to be better for smaller hooks, fished on medium-power rods. My brand of rods, MHX, has the suggested line sizes on the blanks when you purchase at www. mudhole.com.

Quality line you can trust is also important. Vicious No Fade Braid (www.GetVicious.com) is a line I highly recommend. It’s not going to break, and it’s also going to keep its dark green color over multiple fishing seasons.

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n April, on the same stage where Bassmaster Elite Series pros were weighing in during the Lake Hartwell tournament, 2019 Bass Fishing Hall of Fame inductee Davy Hite was surprised by the South Carolina Senate with a resolution honoring his career.

Rep. Jay West, acting on behalf of the resolution’s sponsors, Sen. Michael Gambrell and Sen. Floyd Nicholson, made clear that Hite was being honored not just for his angling exploits, which include the 1999 Bassmaster Classic title, the 1998 Forrest Wood Cup, and the 1997 and 2002 Bassmaster Angler of the Year awards. He certainly cited those achievements, but added that his prior career in the National Guard and subsequent career as a broadcaster and his role as a steward of our natural resources also justified this recognition.

Hite attended his first Bassmaster Classic as a spectator in 1996 and had a dream “just to maybe qualify for one.” Instead, he visited the Classic stage 14 times during a career that earned him nearly $2 million in B.A.S.S. winnings alone.

“When you get to fish for a living, and now get to talk about fishing for a living, it’s a great thing,” Hite said onstage.

He will be formally added to the rolls of the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame at its annual induction dinner at Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife Museum and Aquarium in Springfield, Mo., on Sept. 19.

For information, go to www.BassFishingHOF.com or contact BFHOF executive director Barbara Bowman at bfhof.barbara@gmail.com.

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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT Old Town Discovery 119 Solo Sportsman

For 2019, Old Town has unveiled an innovative new solo canoe, the Discovery 119 Solo Sportsman. Combining the best of both worlds, this hybrid canoe, packed with fishing and hunting-specific features, offers the simplicity and utility of a classic solo canoe with the agility and sleek handling of a kayak. The super stable design and lightweight body presents the perfect easy-to-transport watercraft for a day of fishing or hunting.

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1782-18B Coastal Angler.indd 1 COMMON CVRS_0419.indd 3

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12/19/18 3:50 PM 3/18/19 9:38 AM

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COMMON CVRS_0419.indd 4

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