The Angler Magazine | April 2023 | Greater Atlanta Edition

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MAHI A Few Facts About Everyone’s Favorite Fish

By CAM Sta

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Rabbit of the Sea: Part of the allure of mahi for anglers is their prevalence. When they are around, there are usually a lot of them around. ey grow quickly and reproduce proli cally, like rabbits. Dolphin sh can grow up to 3 inches in a week and reach sexual maturity in just ve or six months. ey spawn two or three times a year, and each female can release up to a million eggs during each cycle.

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

• Speed: Dolphin sh are estimated to swim up to 50 nautical mph, which allows them to feed on pretty much anything they can t in their mouths. is includes their little brothers and sisters.

• Management: It’s usually bad news for anglers when the federal acronyms pay special attention to a species. However, years of declining catches have led Florida shermen to call for tighter regulations for dolphin sh in the Atlantic. Currently, NOAA and SAFMC are looking at options.

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

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

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

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

MAKE IT A DOUBLE!

Tim Barefoot

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

is the time of year, a double tackle can be deadly in inshore sheries. Spring brings huge schools of small, immature bait rolling up the creeks o the Intracoastal. ey push into the shallow bays and up the rivers trying to nd a place to hide from all the predators. Rigging two identical baits together can be irresistible to predator sh, and at the same it confuses them. I think sh look at this tackle, with baits zigging and zagging, and are forced to decide which one to eat, rather than whether or not to eat.

ere is always the possibility of catching two tackle. It happens a lot.

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

Depending on water clarity, I sh 20- to 30-pound uoro for trout and 8- to 12-pound uoro for shad. is a very ne line between using a uoro light enough to get the bite and heavy enough to withstand the force of two sh yanking against each other on the line. e knot that connects everything together is pretty simple, but it takes a little practice to get it just right. It is a must to moisten the uoro when cinching the knot

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

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

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

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

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

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Catch More Springtime Crappie

By TAM Sta

It’s the time of year when crappie shing can get mighty easy. However, you can always strive to load the cooler with more and bigger sh. Here are a few tips:

• Know Your Prey: Crappie are on the move this time of year. ey might be staged up at prespawn or postspawn depths, or they might be right up on the banks in a foot and a half of water spawning. Knowing their cycles will help you nd them.

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

If you’re not catching the numbers or size you’d like to see in the shallows, get on the trolling motor and use your sonar to nd the creek channels and rst drops o the spawning areas. Find some good brush or search the fronts of docks. You might nd big schools slab crappie. Pitch jigs or minnows to individual brushpiles or slow troll these deeper areas to nd sh.

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

Crappie jigs are the best way to cover water both on

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

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

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

• Network: Make friends with other crappie anglers. ere’s no shortage of available crappie in most lakes. Sharing information with other anglers helps everyone stay on top of the sh. You don’t have to tell anyone where you sunk your Christmas tree in January, but a little give and take doesn’t hurt when you’re talking about stages of the spawn or e ective colors.

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

CHATTOOGA RIVER

ceive plenty of rain to keep water table levels up, as warmer temperatures are on the horizon.

Now with the winter season behind us, warmer, longer daylight days are ahead. Many days of dry fly fishing have blessed the South Carolina waters through March. Excellent cool evenings, and warm days have made early Spring fishing a delight throughout the Chattooga and Chauga rivers. Great rain has also blessed the river valleys, with rain, coming in every four to five days bringing water levels up and then subsiding to wadable levels within a day or two of the storms passing. The hatcheries from both Georgia and South Carolina have been stocking trout throughout the Delayed Harvest and other sections of the rivers with great abundance this Spring. The April outlook, for the weather, looks to have a continued wet/rainy month with about average temperatures in the mid-sixties. This time of year is crucial that we still re-

A “dry-dropper” rig is a favorite of our guides, during their guided trips with clients, this time of year. Excellent numbers of fish are being caught using this technique as this is an easy set up for everyone to use. Simply select a large highly buoyant dry fly, consisting of a highly visible wing (top of the fly), and preferably a foam body. From the hook of this fly, tie on a piece of tippet, of 4X-6X diameter, of eighteen to twenty-four inches. To the end of this tippet will be tied a smaller nymph or emerger of the hatches which are occurring on the rivers at the time of fishing. The dry fly has several purposes in the entire presentation of the flies which are being fished. First, the large dry acts as an “indicator” for strikes from the trout on the trailer/dropper fly. Secondly, and as of possibly more importance, shows if the flies are drifting drag free throughout

our entire drift/presentation of the flies. Having the leader and fly line upstream above the dry fly is crucial for the drift with little to no-fly line on the water. After the cast of the dry-dropper rig, a mend or two of the leader, fly line, and an easy rod lift is necessary to accomplish the dead drift, which is critical. If fish are coming to the surface and refusing to eat the presentation of the fly, try a couple of the following things, downsize the fly by one size, try the next size down of tippet, change color, lastly the position of the cast for a slightly different drift. If the dry flies are not working, try emergers or heavy tandem nymph rigs on the Euro side which will still produce many fish

throughout the day. A day or two following a heavy storm with lower water clarity, heavier flows, and elevated water heights, heavy steamers are a great idea with a weighted leader. The streamer side of things will be a great choice especially with the emergence of many small baitfish out as the waters warm again.

As the weather warms, trees, bushes, and wildflowers are in bloom throughout the river corridors, which brings out many folks. With the added foot traffic, there also seems to be added litter along riversides, and parking areas. Please let’s all remember to “Leave No Trace”, while we enjoy the outdoors.

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

Last month, I met with a good friend, Izet. He is a good fly fisherman. Although we had not seen each other for quite a while, it was like we never skipped a beat. Other than catching up on the family talk, we were back in the groove, fly fishing on the Etowah River and working the fly rod to make any type presentation that might produce a big trout. Something struck me about our conversation. He said he gets the Angler Magazine each month to see what type of casting info he can get in The Casting Corner. That made me feel great. Then he said, it was often rather technical, and it would take a few reads to put it in the memory bank for the next practice or fishing trip. I like to give a tip or trick in each article, and I will in a moment. But first I would like to share the best place to

gather fly casting and fishing information.

Fly Fishers International (FFI) is ‘The’ source for all fly-fishing information. If you want to dig into a fly subject, they have it. Joining is recommended, and they have discounted rates seemingly for everyone but me. If you are going to start fly fishing, try to get a coach or mentor. That will improve your casting more than a fancy new rod. If you are going to join an organization, FFI is a good one.

Okay, here are a few tips for distance casting. First, say to your friends, ‘Hold my beer, watch this.’ Then strip off the amount of line you are going to cast. Stretch the line between your hands to get the coils out. I’m assuming you have cleaned your line (You do clean your line, don’t you?) Then make a

clearing cast. (Let them know it is a warmup cast.) When you strip the line back in, put it in big, hula hoop size coils on the ground out in front of you. That way the line will shoot out from the top of the stack.

Now that you are ready for the

cannon shot, remember to make good loops on the front and back, and be sure to double haul....

If you are not sure how to double haul...Visit the Fly Fishers International website or reach out for a coaching session.

All SizeS of GizzArd ShAd AvAilAble for SprinG

THE GUIDE’S ANGLE

SPRING HOOCH HATCHES

Contributed By: Chris Scalley River Through Atlanta

Spring is a special time of year for fly fisherman, as this is the most likely time of year trout can be consistently caught on dry flies. Watching a trout rise to the surface to your carefully presented dry fly is such a cool visual experience. On the Chattahoochee Tailwater your primary hatch will be caddisflies in April and May, but if you venture downstream to the Delayed Harvest stretch below Morgan Falls, there are multiple species of aquatic bugs in the Caddis and Mayfly families. Keep in mind that many factors come into play when this special surface feeding activity takes place. The most important factor is the stage of the lifecycle of that species, which will be the adults, either laying eggs or dying. Laying eggs and dying stages of both species occur on the surface and sometimes subsurface. Caddisfly adult females actually swim through the water column to attach their egg sack to the stream bed so dry flies can work during the egg laying process when she lands or emerges to exit the surfaces tension. Caddisfly adults live for up to 8 weeks along the banks of the river, where they can feed on nectar

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from spring flowers and where adult mayflies live for only 48 hours. The key to targeting dry fly action on the Hooch is to make sure the river is low and clear, so don’t forget to find out when the Army Corps of Engineers is releasing high water the day before and the day of your fishing trip. Also generally speaking “the most pleasant weather part of the day” is best, so in early spring during cooler weather, mid-day can be good and then later in the spring early morning or later evenings can be productive. Because we lack the high densities of biomass found in more classic trout waters, anglers need to log in time on the river during these spring time windows, let the stars align, and who knows you might time it perfectly for some dry fly action this Spring!

BASS ON THE FLY

Contributed by David Hulsey International Federation of Fly FishersMaster Certified Casting Instructor

http://www.hulseyflyfishing.com

770-639-4001

Not only is April prime time for angling for our cold-water trout species, it’s also the beginning of great fly fishing for warm water fish as well! When we have a few consecutive days of seventy -degree weather, the water temperature in our mountain reservoirs and rivers starts to inch up into the low fifties and largemouth and spotted bass move a little closer to the shoreline and the mouths of creeks searching out food sources and preparing to spawn. Bluegill, thread fin shad, blue back herring, crawfish etc. are all on the menu. Anything that’ll fit in a bass’s mouth is fair game and that’s good news for the fly fisher! Flies such as Blane Chocklett’s Game Changer, Bob Clouser’s Clouser Minnow, Hada’s Creek Crawler, and various subsurface flies will catch a bunch of hungry fish. Six and Seven weight fly rods with intermediate sinking lines should get the flies down to an acceptable level for the bass. If you are in big bass country an eight weight might be a better choice for pulling a big mouth out on heavy weeds or tree tops. Sometimes, on cold mornings, slowing your presentation down to a crawl may be necessary to entice a strike. Midday fishing may be best concentrating on structure just deep enough to keep the sun out of their eyes. If you find one bass, there are probably many nearby, so work the water in a fan casting mode. Pay particular attention to the depth that you caught

or got a strike on because that is probably the location of a bunch more fish. Early season strikes aren’t usually very aggressive, a mushy or heavy feeling to the fly line may be all the indication you will get so pay close attention to your retrieve. Strip rates are normally pretty slow during early spring conditions, even stopping for a couple of seconds can entice a slow moving largie to take a bite. The larger the body of water, the more likely a watercraft of some kind will make locating bass a whole lot easier. Small ponds or lakes can be pretty well covered by the bank bound angler, but big lakes and reservoirs require a boat or kayak to get close to the good spots. If you find bass on a shallow point or in the mouth of a secondary cove, fish it out and then look for similar spots. More than likely, you will find hungry fish on spots that share the same features. Take time this spring to give our warm water buddies a fair shot at a few flies you won’t be sorry!

“TWITCH AND SKITTER”

By Jeff Durniak, Unicoi Outfitters

Welcome to Dry Fly Prime Time on southeastern trout streams. Water temperatures are optimal and springtime hatches are in full swing. We usually have a buffet of mayflies and caddisflies filling the evening air, along with the normal swarm of midges and even a few hefty, clumsy stoneflies. It’s a wonderful time to wet a line on bigger trout waters. Check out my column in last April’s Angler Magazine for your dry-dropper advice. And for this year, let’s take your April game to the next level. That means twitch and skitter! Follow along.

My favorite April color is tan, as the most abundant hatches are light Cahills and tan caddis. I’ll set up my evening hatch rig with a Cahill in front on 5X leader and a caddis trailed 18-24 inches off the back on 5X or 6X tippet. Study the bugs to match their size by using a Home Depot paint strainer over your trout net to catch them. Once you’ve got the sizes right, then start your hunt. Look for bugs on or near the water and noses poking up to sip them down. Most importantly, study the bug’s action and “be the bug” for greater success.

Early in April, bugs are often hatching and just drifting with the current. Match their behavior with your best drag-free drift. Often, however, those freshly hatched duns aren’t just floating lazily downstream. Watch them kick their legs and squirm their bodies in efforts to escape the surface film. Then they’ll get a head

start on flight, by skittering across the surface. Later, as adults (spinners) returning to mate and lay eggs, they’ll often dip across the surface, driving trout wild! Now’s the time to add some movement to your flies. When your dead drifts get ignored, try a gentle twitch, let them drift a few feet, and then twitch again. The combo of fly size, profile, color, and MOVEMENT will enhance your score.

Adult caddisflies are the most energetic critters on and over the water. Again, study their behavior and mimic it. In fact, break all the dead drift rules when you see them flying upstream to deposit eggs! Your gold nugget in this month’s column is the “skitter.” Cast downstream, keep your rod tip high, and as soon as your flies land, pull them upstream several feet as they skitter across the surface, just like the real bugs! After a skitter, then drop your rod tip and let it follow those bugs downstream on a 3–6foot dead drift. Then repeat cast, skitter, dead drift. Don’t forget to follow your flies back downstream to ensure that dead drift. Hold on tight, for those strikes will be violent on “escaping” insects. It’s the trout stream version of a largemouth attacking a jitterbug!

When your dead drift gets ignored, try some twitches, and skitters. Have your fly “be the bug” and enhance your April scores! Good luck. For more on the technique, study: https://midcurrent. com/techniques/when-drag-isdesirable/

LOCAL LAKES AND FORECAST

APRIL ON LANIER MEANS SPAWNING SPOTS

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

Fishing during the spawn can provide some interesting opportunities and many different choices. Bass focused on the spawn are often quite finicky and tough to catch at times. Bed fishing is very popular this time of year, especially for tournament anglers, and certainly can provide some outstanding catches. In most instances, I prefer to leave the fish to their reproductive cycle, and often shy away from bed fishing. In this article, I will focus on tips and techniques to catch fish during this often- challenging period that offer an alternative to the bed fishing option.

Optimal Conditions. This year, 2023, we are ahead of historical averages in terms of water temperature. The water level has been near full pool most of the winter and spring. Depending on weather trends for the remainder of March, the spawn in April could occur ahead of schedule. Most of the largemouth in the lake will physically go on the bed at water temperatures of 56-60 degrees. The spotted bass tend to spawn a bit later when the water temperatures reach 62 degrees or above. Typically, the fish spawn in “waves”, rather than all at once. After the first “wave” of fish complete their spawning routine, there will be fish in all stages of the spawn (pre, spawn, and post) for the next 30-45 days, depending on the weather conditions and water temperatures. Further, it is important to understand that many fish that spawn in “waves” as mentioned above, do so during a favorable moon phase, given the noted water temperature requirements are met. The full and new moon phases often prompt fish to move into their bedding routine. Make sure to cross reference the moon calendar with water data to understand when fish will likely begin their spawning rituals.

Location. The largemouth in Lake Lanier tend to spawn shallower than do the spotted bass. The largemouth can be found bedding in creek pockets, often in the back of these pockets, in a protected area. They will position themselves next

to a piece of cover such as a blow down tree or stump for security and are often in 3 feet of water or less. The spotted bass can frequently be found in similar areas, often prefer a hard bottom-type area, such as one that a pebble rock/clay flat or sandy pocket can provide. Also, the spots will not necessarily be at the back of a pocket or creek arm, but may be found in any location with the correct bottom composition throughout the creek. And again, the spots will typically spawn deeper than do the largemouth and can generally be found in 6-12 feet of water and deeper. Unlike the largemouth, there is a contingency of the spotted bass that will spawn on the main lake. These fish can be found on or around humps, points, islands, and sandy saddles between islands on the main lake. These females are often some of the biggest fish in the lake. So, if you are looking for a trophy spot in the springtime, your efforts may be better spent on the main lake as opposed to the creeks. The creeks, however, will offer greater numbers of fish and more action than will the main lake in most cases. Spots and largemouth both will stage around and under docks near likely spawning areas. Check those areas thoroughly.

Lures and Presentation. Now that we have explored the location that fish can be found during the spawn, I want to share some of the techniques and lures that can be used to catch these fish. Rather than focusing on specific “bed fishing” techniques, which are multi-faceted and often different with each pair of targeted fish on any given day, I am going to share some proven tactics that can be used to catch fish just before they actually lock down on the beds.

1. Worm/jig – These baits are proven fish catchers year-round, and the spawn is no different. These are great baits to skip and pitch around docks for those staging fish we discussed earlier in this article. Use a 3/16 oz Georgia Blade Jig Head and tip it with a Berkley Hit Worm or Flat Worm. If the fish are ultra-fin-

icky, don’t forget the Carolina Rig to present your soft plastics. This presentation method is often ideal for finicky spawning bass. Drag or drift this rig slowly over secondary points or the ends of spawning flats for some potentially awesome results. Also, when fishing a Georgia Blade Jig Head and worm combo, consider using a lighter jig-head. I often choose a 1/8 oz head or lighter to target these spawning fish. I will often tip this with a 4-inch worm as opposed to a traditional offering of 6 inches or more.

2. Lanier Baits Jerk Shad – A weightless Jerk Shad is a fun and productive bait to fish this time of year. Target the shallows, cover, and docks with this rig. Twitch the bait and then allow it to sink slowly. This presentation will draw strikes from actively feeding and spawning fish as well, and you get to see the strikes!

3. GA Blade Shad Spin - I like to downsize to a 1/4 oz model with a small trailer and work the back 1/3 of creeks with this bait during the pre-spawn and just before the fish go on beds. It offers versatility in presentation and depth, a great combo. A traditional GA Blade

spinnerbait can be a good choice as well.

4. Swimbait – Swimbaits offer great versatility as they can, based on the model, be fished at any depth you wish. This is a great bait with which to catch a monster bass just before they spawn. Often, the females will be just off the spawning area in slightly deeper water, but they are not far from the beds. Throwing a big 6 or 8-inch swimbait and slow rolling in these areas just off of spawning flats or around secondary points and docks can entice bites from very big fish. I recommend the Sweet Herring Swimbait from Sweet Bait options, for this tactic. Keep in mind this approach will not garner you many bites on any given day, but the fish you do catch will likely be monsters! Also, a Lanier Baits Swimmer on a jig head, fished around rocky and clay points as well as in pockets can be a great option for both numbers and big fish, as well. While the spawn can be a challenging time of year to catch fish, focus on the immediate pre-spawn period with the trips and baits noted above for some outstanding results! See you on the water!

Provided By: David Hare Alex City Guide Service 256-401-3089

March has been awesome fishing, and we have been catching a lot of stripers on planer boards already (my favorite way to catch them)!

April is warm, and the fishing is hot on Lake Martin. April, especially mid-April is big fish time for sure. You’ll normally find us planer boarding big baits for huge stripers. I for one can and do put miles and miles on my trolling motor this month. I’ll put bait out at daylight and me and the clients are just laid back with a cup of coffee and waiting on that enormous explosion from the stripers. Nothing is more exciting than seeing a planer board take off with a 20 to 45 lb. striper stripping drag and hoping you’ll get him slowed down before you get spooled off (yes that does happen at times).

April is one of the few months that I’m not concerned about seeing fish on my graph because I’m in such shallow water, unless I was running

LAKE MARTIN

side scan, I wouldn’t ever see it on the screen. We are known here for a lot of major creeks that feed our lake and April is the month that you need to take advantage of these areas. Dust your rods and boards off and get some new line on those reels and get out and enjoy the spring bite you’ll definitely be glad you did . If you’re not familiar with fishing with planer boards then book a learning trip with us, it’s very simple fishing, laid back atmosphere and lots of action.

Until next time “ tight lines “ and stay tuned in for some huge striper photos that will be coming your way over the next few weeks!! And who knows, it might be you in them!!

THE BOATING SEASON IS UPON US

Dr. Andrew Cox

April and the subsequent warm weather months ushers in the boating season on area lakes and waterways. Beginning with this month through the fall months, our waterways are crowded with pleasure boaters and anglers. Boating safety becomes important to reduce or minimize potential boating and other water related accidents and mishaps.

On Georgia waterways during 2021 (latest year in which statistics are available) there were a total of 91 boating related accidents. These included 62 injuries and 17 deaths during the 2021 boating year. Unfortunately, some of these accidents involved the use of alcohol and drugs. Many of these mishaps could have been avoided through knowledge of safe boating procedures or nonuse of alcohol or drugs while operating a vessel.

Do you know what to do in the following boating scenarios?

• How do I operate a boat when I see red and black buoys within the waterway?

• What do I do when I see striped black and white buoys midstream within the waterway?

• What do various flags in the water mean?

• How do I operate my vessel when approaching other on-coming boats?

• Do I slow my boat down when operating my boat adjacent to anchored or stopped boats?

• How close can I operate my vessel near to or within swimming areas?

• What safety equipment is required on my boat? These questions and other boating safety and operation tips and procedures can be answered fairly quickly and easily. A useful reference for Georgia boat operators is the Handbook of Georgia Boating Laws and Responsibilities. This reference is available through the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (www. gadnrle.org). Alabama has a similar publication available through www. outdooralabama.com. These handbooks will answer the above questions, plus some, that you didn’t know to ask.

As a boat operator on the increasingly crowded waterways in Georgia and Alabama, you may want to consider taking a boating safety or boat operator course. These courses are available in live course with an instructor or on-line course instructional formats. These are available to accommodate your schedule and learning needs. Some are free or charge a minimal fee. Some potential boating safety or so-called boating education providers are listed below:

• Georgia Department of Natural Resources. www.gadnrle.org; www.gooutdoorsgeorgia.com; www.georgiawildlife. com. These websites describe online and live boating education programs available within the State of Georgia

• United States Coast Guard Auxiliary. www.uscgaux.info. Lists various boating education programs available through this branch of the U.S. Coast Guard

• United States Power Squadron. www. usps.org. Another source of boating education programs

• Several non-governmental providers of boating safety and education programs are available to include www.boatus.org and boat-ed.com. These sources include on-line boating safety courses.

Check out some of the above sources. Useful information is provided for nonpowerboat operators using Alabama and Georgia waters. Information useful to angling, kayak and canoe enthusiasts is available. You should also be aware of the

licensing and boating operation regulations in effect for both Georgia and Alabama. These regulations can be reviewed through the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Review of the above resources, being observant, and anticipating possible safety hazards while operating a boat can keep you and your boating passengers from being a statistic as described earlier in this article. Hope you have a safe and pleasurable boating season.

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.

Lake Lanier is full of water, mostly clear, and the water temperature is rising above the 60-degree mark. The striper fishing this past month has been quality over quantity. As we move into April, the stripers will spawn over the course of the next few weeks. As a result, the fish will be on the move and eating. The key over the month of April will be points and flats as the stripers pull up into these areas to feed on shad and herring.

Freelines and planer boards will be the key tactics this month. The bait of choice so far has been medium shiners, but it is changing to herring quickly. That being said, some fish are biting on gizzard Shad as well. As a result, be sure to be prepared with a variety of hook sizes and line

sizes tied on different rods. Keep two Shakespeare Striper rods with 15-pound Trilene 100% Flourocarbon and size one Gamakatsu Octopus hooks for the herring. Then at least two rods with 15-pound Trilene 100% Flourocarbon and size 5/0 Gamakatsu Octopus hooks or larger for the gizzard shad and tiny number size 4 for the shiners. If they are “mongo” gizzards maybe add a Gamakatsu Magic Eye Treble stinger hook. Talk to your local bait shop like Hammond’s or Oakwood Bait and Tackle for details on the stinger hook set up. Pull the bank line on the north end of the lake and in the creeks on the south end. Also put out planers boards as well. The Perfect Planer is most popular because it can be used with herring and gizzard Shad.

Toward the end of the month look for the topwater bite to appear as well. This will be the highlight of the year for those who like to cast. Once the topwater bite starts, rig

up a 7-foot medium action rod with twelve pound Trilene Big Game line and be prepared for the stripers to try to take it away from you. Be sure to take a variety of baits like the Berkley Surge Shad, the Sebile Mag-

ic Swimmer, Berkley Canewalker, and the Berkley Highjacker. Every day a different one will be the ticket. The stripers will quickly let you know the right choice. See you on the water,

Forecast by: Clay Cunningham www.catchingnotfishing.com 770-630-2673

Forecast By: Eric Crowley Lake & Stream Guide Service (706) 669-4973 lakeandstreamguideservice@gmail.com

Temp 64, Level -13 ft, Clarity 6 to 8ft

Spring really transforms this lake like no other in the area. Grass starts growing and pulling the bait and small fish into the shallow water. Big fish are cruising the shoreline and grass edges looking for food. This will create lots of fish catching opportunities this month. Walleye will be on the rocky shorelines at night and just off the grass in the daytime. You can find fish in shoreline timber as well as in offshore rock piles, be versatile and cover water. Whatever way you like

CARTERS LAKE

to catch fish can be put to use, from crank baits to crawler harnesses, you can literally throw the box at them this month.

The bass fishing has been great the last few weeks and should really crank up as we get into April. Look for that top water bite in the morning, on the main lake. Zara spooks and Berkley hijackers are a staple bait I keep tied on and ready to launch at any fish breaking the surface or at any school of bait acting nervous. The spoon bite has been good after the sun gets up. Look for fish that have dropped down to that 20 to 30ft range. Nicholas MOJO spoons and 3/4oz Krocodile spoons are my favorite for spring fishing in this clear water.

If you would like to place an ad, please contact us: craig@theanglermagazine.com

By James K. Pressley jameskpressley@gmail.com

Well, we are now into the 3rd month of 2023. So, are there any New Year’s resolutions still going?

I wish you good luck with them! Don’t follow me around for advice on those folks. You are likely to end up on a beach, on a skiff, or chasing a fish around the gulf, all while probably slightly intoxicated.

As the great prophet Jimmy Buffett says:

Take another road to a hiding place

Disappear without a trace

Take another road in another time

On another road in another time

Like a novel from the five and dime

Take another road in another time. Follow the equator, like that old articulator

Sail upon the ocean, just like Mr. Twain

Never look back, this is my plan

Run my pony in the sand

Somewhere, somewhere…

There’s no way around the fact that I am passed middle aged and if you doubt that, I will have to live to be 100 for that to be true anymore… My life is such that it has gone through many changes over the years: the usual ups and downs of business, kids, family life, and the passing of many good friends. I might think on some occasions that I have life figured out, that I might understand what is happening, or that my purpose in life is this or that. Well, the truth is this, through this column, I have discovered a new purpose in my life might just be to catch fish and then write about it. To share this passion

with others.

Sounds funny? Yeah, I thought so too. But we are going to give this a solid try folks. As of February 1st, you can now book fishing trips with me on Lake Sinclair and Lake Oconee. Yep, I know you have all been waiting for this with bated breath and shaking knees. There is that much excitement in the air!

However, this is part of a lifelong dream that honestly, it’s just time to pursue. If you have ever met me, you know family and fishing are what I live for. Seriously, in my life I have spent years on the water, and I look forward to sharing my experiences, my knowledge, and my tactics with any of you who have a desire to go.

I will specialize in Stripers, Hybrids, White Bass, and largemouth on our respective lakes for the time being. We will blur the lines between what is currently being done and what we can only hope to imagine with new products, tactics, and ideas from different lakes, ecosystems, and fishing guides from around the country. From slow pitch jigging (my version of it) for hybrids and stripers to swim baits for white bass! We’ll try it all. My ultimate hope is to later expand down to the big bend of Florida for speckled trout, reds, and tarpon. Fishing is more than a passion for me and my family. It’s our life. It’s how I relate to the world and what I think about most.

So, I look forward to having you on the boat!

A GREAT CRAPPIE DAY

By Capt. Cefus McRae Nuts & Bolts Fishing Series Hartwell, GA

Spring is here. Dogwoods are beginning to bloom. Pollen is everywhere. And here in the southeast, spring can be deceiving. We’ve had some of our biggest snowstorms around the first of April.

Spring also means it’s crappie time. As our area lakes begin to warm up into the upper 50’s and lower 60’s, the spring crappie bite fires up. Water temperature is a key factor for them to begin moving up into the shallow brush piles and structure to spawn. So, it pays to spend a little time on the water doing some scouting.

Pre-Spawn: The few weeks before the actual spawn can sometimes be more productive than the spawning time itself, as both the males and females will put on their feedbags in advance of doing the dance. Pre-spawn starts

around 55 degrees or so. Depending on the lake and the available structure, pre-spawn depths could be 8 to 20 feet. DownScan and SideScan on your Simrad units will be super-valuable because you’ll be able to actually see the crappie schools around structure. Visualize the shallow places along the bank where the spawn might occur, then look in deeper water near those places. Once you locate the school, drop a marker on the spot and either anchor up, or set your trolling motor on anchor about 20 to 30 feet off the mark, and then make a few casts.

Spawn: A good indication the spawn is about to happen is when you stop catching males in deeper water. The males are considerably smaller than the females. The males move up first to ‘build’ the nests, and then wait for an inter-

ested female to stop by and set up house. When you’re catching the big slab females in shallow water, and on structure, it’s a good bet the spawn is in full swing. On the back side of the spawn, the males will hang around to guard the nest until the eggs hatch. And not all the females will be ready to mate at the same time, so you could have some really fishy days for a week or two.

Tactics: Light tackle is the key. Super light line…2-to-4-pound test. Super light jigs…1/16 and 1/32 ounce. You’ve got a plethora of trailer colors to choose from too. I go with the old adage of clear water means light colored plastics, and dingy water equals darker or more vivid colored tails. And, of course the opposite can just as easily be true. Since you’re casting super light jigs, be sure to give the lures time to sink. And if you’re fishing vertical structure, cast just beyond it, so as the jig sinks and the line comes tight, your jig is still on the mark. If you cast directly on top of the structure, the jig may sink ‘away’ from the school; and these fish will not move a long way to chase bait. Live minnows under

a cork work really well also. You can adjust the depth of the minnow with the float to keep it from getting tangled often. Use very light wire hooks, so if you do get hung up…and you will…you can pull the line and the hook will bend to get if free. You can bend it back a dozen or more times before it finally breaks, and you have to re-tie. And by the way, you can catch them with a fly as well. Use a sink tip line and Clouser flies that look like small crappie minnows. It’s hard to beat a bucket of crappie to make a great fish fry. But catch and keep enough for dinner, and leave the rest for another day, or another angler. So, get out there and have a great crappie day!

Forecast By: Shane Goebel

Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service

(828) 361-2021

Lakes Apalachia, Chatuge, Nottely, Blue Ridge and Hiwassee

If you are looking for an explosive biting, line screaming, pole bending, crazy good time fishing, then you must read this! Imagine someone threw a grenade in the water. That’s how these North Georgia and Western North Carolina stripers hit this time of year. It’s absolutely insane when that reel starts screaming, rod doubles over, and you feel like you have a Nascar on the end of the line, lol. Yup! That all means, it’s once again, monster striper time on this wicked fun North Georgia lake located in Blairsville, GA. April and May are two of my favorite months on Lake Nottely. If all this sounds like something down your alley, then it’s time to book that striper trip with Lake Nottely’s #1 striper guide service, Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service. We are one of the south’s premier

LOCAL LAKES AND FORECAST

striper guide services and have what it takes to put you on some trophy stripers!

Currently, Lake Nottely is 8 feet below full pool. Water temperatures have been in the low to mid 50’s. Water clarity is clear in the main lake and just slightly stained in the backs of the creeks and rivers.

Spring is in the air and striper fishing has been super out here lately. We’ve had such an amazing early spring striper run and it’s only going to get better! Most of the stripers we are catching have been in the 12-to-25-pound range, and we have been loading the boat with these monsters. The warmer unusual water temps have had these fish schooled up and aggressively biting. Our boats have had a bunch of 20 plus striper mornings in the past couple of weeks. We have also been wearing them out on light tackle, which is so darn fun! This pattern should continue into the month

of April and increase as the stripers start their pre-spawn. Pulling planer boards with live herring and huge gizzard shad in the backs of creeks and around shallow, sloping banks is going to be the best technique. It’s also a good idea to work the banks by casting a Zara Spook or a Red Fin. As the sun comes up, turn your focus to fishing the mouths of creeks, as the stripers will follow bait to deeper water. With pre-spawn in mind, more and more stripers will start to stage in the mouths of creeks, in April, and start to work their way to the backs. Also, keep an eye on your electronics for schooling stripers, and pay attention to where the bait balls are. I guarantee you, if you find the bait,

the stripers will be close by. April is a fantastic month for catching a lot of trophy stripers on this North Georgia 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 Murphy, NC’s and Blairsville Georgia’s premier full-time guide service, specializing in striped and hybrid bass. We also serve Lakes Hiwassee and Chatuge (in North Carolina), and Lake Blue Ridge in Blue Ridge, GA. So, come fish with the pros for the opportunity to be featured in Angler Magazine and let us help you get your fish on!

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boats. Quality Marine is the ONLY Mercury Repower Center on Lake Lanier. Operating on Lake Lanier since 2015, the Quality Marine team focuses on QUALITY service at competitive prices.

Joseph Martenilli 404-919-4918

Lake Allatoona has produced quite well these past several years and we anticipate this Spring to be stellar. Water levels have had no notably unusual drops or rises from the Etowah and Little River watershed through March. We can expect a full pool of water teeming with most every species that North Georgia has to offer including striped bass, hybrid striped bass, white bass, crappie, spotted bass, largemouth bass, blue cats, channel cats, flathead cats, gar, several species of bream to name a few. Not to mention all the diverse forage fish that help make this fishery one of the finest in the region.

The stripers and hybrids are beginning to stage up nicely and will soon be seen on the surface chasing shiny little silver baitfish. We are confident that standard patterns of down-lining and free-lining fresh threadfin shad, herring and gizzard shad along with trolling umbrella rigs and crank baits will produce both numbers and quality fish, as they had beginning in March.

Our downlining is typically 3/41.5 oz weight with a 4-6’ leader of 8-10lb. floro. Fish are being found lake-wide, but linesides do move around a lot, and greater concentrations may shift from south to mid to north lake often.

Currently, there is a good bite beginning in the Clark Creek/Tanyard Creek areas and decent catches

LAKE ALLATOONA

are being had between there are Stamp Creek. The Spring spawn is upon us!

While some fish are running up the river as early as February, there should still be some activity in the upper Etowah and Little River pools.

A good topwater bite should just be starting and this always provides extra excitement when any species breaks the surface chasing a properly placed topwater lure or freelined bait. This is also the time the bigger fish come into the shallows to play and hunt, day and night. Larger baits may prevail when targeting the larger fish this month, so consider pulling a larger 8”+ shad on a freeline or planer board anytime you are committing to an area, for better success in hooking up with a drag screamer.

The Spotted Bass bite has been fantastic through this winter and these fish are ready to get up on the rocks and start their spawn. They will respond well to many offerings. A white fluke or shad pattern swim bait worked along the bank edges will produce fish. So might your crappie jigs. The good old nightcrawler or bass-sized shiner will get the bite, but this time of year an individual can gain some great confidence in working different artificial baits. The spawn will fatten the females up and we would encourage releasing, healthy egg laden females, during this time. If you simply cannot resist the firm sweet meat these provide, there are a lot of 1-2 pounders that make it easy to enjoy a creel limit, if you are after water-to-table protein.

We do hope this helps a little and that you have a fantastic season of fishing here on Lake Allatoona. We have expanded our humble little fleet and we look forward to the opportunity to have you out on the water with us, for a full-service fishing adventure. While we will be concentrating primarily on chasing stripers and hybrids into April and May, we are happy to get you on the water and show you how we target and catch the crappie, spotted bass

and catfish as well. God Bless and tight lines, friends!

LOCAL LAKES AND FORECAST

FIVE YEARS GUIDING / APRIL 2023 FORECAST

Contributed By Capt. Wayne Moore USCG www.oconeeonthefly.com

It’s hard to believe that five years ago, I had my first customer here on Lake Oconee. So many other guides have helped me along the way. I can’t name them all here, but without a few, this dream never would have happened:

Doug Nelms (https://bigfishheads.com/) – Doug has helped so many of us. He’s been here on Lake Oconee for over 20 years and rather than discourage more competition from us newbies, he’s always helped. I met him about opening a guide service and he said, “We all have to learn somewhere.” The biggest lesson from Doug…. On occasion you may have a conflict with another angler (your trolling lines crossing his, boat ramp etiquette). He said, always be polite, yield, and don’t respond in anger.

Henry Cowen - (https://www.

henrycowenflyfishing.com) If you listen to O’Neill Williams’ radio show, O’Neill Outside, you will hear O’Neill’s wife, Gail, refer to Henry as “Our beloved Henry.” He is quite simply the nicest guy in the business. He encouraged me, taught me all about freshwater striper fishing, and set an example for me to follow. The biggest lesson from Henry…. Always advise your customers if you think it’s going to be a bad day and let them decide if they want to reschedule.

Jody Stephens (https://crappiedaze.com/) Jody has been guiding on Lake Oconee for over 10 years. He can troll a jig ¼ inch over submerged trees! All the guides here listen to Jody and especially his advice on equipment and rigging. The biggest lesson from Jody… Know the depth your jig is

Guided Fly Fishing and Conventional Tackle

running. Go out and troll different weight jigs and jig combinations and write down how deep they run.

The bottom line here is that we all should help each other be better guides. I am beyond grateful for all the help I have received and hope I can help others in kind!

Forecast for April: Crappie –As of this writing the first week in March, crappie fishing is on fire. By the first week in April, the crappie, most likely will have spawned and trolling over submerged timber will be productive. Look for timber between the bridges at Lick Creek and at the mouth of Sugar Creek. Troll double 1/32 ounce “Litewire Hooks” jig heads which you can get at Sugar Creek Marina. I like a chartreuse, black or pink jig head used with a Tex’s Jigs curly tail jig in June Bug or Fire and Ice color.

Hybrids / Stripers – April is a tremendous month to be fishing for hybrids and stripers on Lake Oconee. Fish early morning and long line bass minnows or threadfin shad behind the boat. Use

planer boards so you can work the bank on one side of the boat while running deeper lines on the opposite side. Trolling Min Macks will produce well too. Always have a popping cork with a Betts Pop N’ Stripe Popper Fly ready to cast when you see rising fish.

Fly Fishing – As we head into April, I expect to see the return of rising Hybrids and Stripers. Historically, all the guide boats would be at the dam but last year the topwater bite was near Riverbend. Use an 8-weight rod but make sure you are using an intermediate line or even sink tip. For flies, Cowen’s Somethin Else is hard to beat but if the fish are below the surface on humps, I use the sink tip line and tie on a white and chartreuse clouser, tied on a #2 hook.

Final Words It is prime time now for hybrid and striper fishing. Please call 404-317-9556 or e-mail me at wmoore1700@outlook.com and lock in your dates well ahead of time to ensure you get the dates you want. Tight Lines, and God Bless.

LOCAL LAKES AND FORECAST

WEST POINT LAKE

Bass: Good. April is usually my favorite month for all types of fishing in general. The weather is usually beautiful and fairly consistent. Bass can be caught on several different patterns. Top water baits such as Pop R’s, Zara Spooks and Buzz Baits can be extremely effective for shallow and aggressive pre-spawn and spawning fish. The back ends of most creeks will usually produce. --The second pattern that works 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 weighed in April by guys who sight fish, targeting fish that are locked on bed. A Yamamoto Senko or Merthiolate Trick worm rigged weightless will do the trick. This can sometimes be an aggravating way to

fish but can pay off in a tournament win. --- Lots of spotted bass spawn in April and are caught by just dragging a Carolina-rigged Zoom finesse worm or mini lizard around sloping gravel banks . This tactic normally works very well for numbers.

Linesides: Excellent. Expect a strong river run from the hybrids and white bass this year until at least mid-April. The hybrids have made a nice come back since the DNR has been stocking them again for the past several years. Many of these fish are mature this year and should guarantee a big run. Try live or cut bait (even chicken livers will work at times!) fished in holes from Grayson’s Landing to Franklin. Spray your bait with a little garlic scent for even more bites. --- Some fish will, as usual, remain down on the main lake as well and can be caught on small crankbaits, topwater, and Storm Swim Shad lures. Try the rip rap around the bridges at daylight -shad spawn should start soon!

Crappie: Good. During April, crappie can be in all stages of the spawning process - pre-spawn, spawn, and post-spawn. Crappie can be easier to catch in slightly stained water especially if you have shallow brush, blowdowns, or chunk rock structure. Try using minnows or jigs under a float. Spawned fish will typically move out and hold on deeper structure for a while to recover. Night fishing should also improve in late April.

Bream: Good - Don’t forget about our bream & 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 April & May. Look for shallow cover in the backs of pockets. Sandy flats & stump beds tend to draw the fish like a magnet. Use live pink worms, crickets, and small spinners for the best results.

Catfish: Good - Lots of channel cats are caught every year by anglers that are targeting linesides. The same live & cut baits (as well as pink worms and liver) that are used on stripers will catch cats especially in the river north of 219. --- To target flatheads, go to a larger bait like a 4-5 inch bream and fish in the same areas. Be sure to increase the size of your rigs, as fish in the 2030-lb. range are common.

lakeandstreamguideservice@gmail.com

Temp 64, Level -13 ft, Clarity 6 to 8ft

Spring really transforms this lake like no other in the area. Grass starts growing and pulling the bait and small fish into the shallow water. Big fish are cruising the shoreline and grass edges looking for food. This will create lots of fish catching opportunities this month. Walleye will be on the rocky shorelines at night and just off the grass in the daytime. You can find fish in shoreline timber as well as in offshore rock piles, be versatile and cover water. Whatever way you

like to catch fish can be put to use, from crank baits to crawler harnesses, you can literally throw the box at them this month.

The bass fishing has been great the last few weeks and should really crank up as we get into April. Look for that top water bite in the morning, on the main lake. Zara spooks and Berkley hijackers are a staple bait I keep tied on and ready to launch at any fish breaking the surface or at any school of bait acting nervous. The spoon bite has been good after the sun gets up. Look for fish that have dropped down to that 20 to 30ft range. Nicholas MOJO spoons and 3/4oz Krocodile spoons are my favorite for spring fishing in this clear water.

Gainesville’s

Forecast By: Eric Crowley

By Capt Sam Williams hawk184@earthlink.net 334-687-6266

Water Level 188.82 msl, Water Temperature 67 degrees Water clarity Stained

The unusually warmer weather is causing the water to warm up faster this year. The bass are subject to stage early to spawn. The majority of the fish are coming in 2 to 6 feet with the warmer conditions. Shallow crank baits and spinner baits worked deeper are getting hits. Where you can find shore grass and cover, frogs are beginning to get some action on sunny days. Ripping a trap out of the edge of the grass is a good strategy. When the trap clears the edge of the cover, let it rest for a minute. A floater here is even better. Soft plastics rigged Texas style in red’s are a good choice. The red shows up better in the dirty water. Chatter baits in the dirty water are always a good stand by. The deeper fish are becoming a little more active as the water is warming up, but they are still a little lethargic and require some finessing. A spoon worked vertically in front of them will entice a strike; be patient and keep working on them. It is the same as throwing a worm at a bedding bass that is stubborn, don’t give up on them, they just require a little patience. Deep crank baits in shad colors and big plastics on a Carolina rig are good, and remember to use red and red toned colors. Methiolate is another good color and they have not seen it lately.

Crappie are coming shallower now and are hitting white jigs on the drop as they fall. Watch your line for the twitch and set the hook. Down south, where you can find docks, the crappie are under them. You can shoot a jig under the dock and get some hits. You must crank back fast before the bait sinks and

LOCAL LAKES AND FORECAST

LAKE EUFAULA

gets hung up. Some of the night fishermen are seeing success under the causeways and bridges, as the bright lights are the trick.

Pan fish are still holding near the banks where you find blow downs and grass cover. Crickets are still my choice bait, fresh or frozen.

Catfish are doing well on jugs with cut bait. The smell of the bait carries further in the dingy water. Bottom fishermen are using crawlers on the drops in the creeks, out of the wind.

The Alabama Classic Bass Tournament will now be known as the Lee King Memorial Alabama Classic Bass Tournament, Inc. The King family has allowed us to go back to using Lee’s name. We have never stopped supporting research to find a cure for this terminal childhood disease. Because of the support of our fishing community over the past 23 years, the research Doctors are on the brink of possibly finding the cure. There is a new cell replacement experiment in the works that could possibly be the answer to curing this horrible disease and spare other parents of the pain and suffering the parents go through. Please consider coming back and fishing our September 16, 2023, tournament. Let’s make this our record year and break our best year of 189 teams. Thank you for your support and making this progress in research a reality. Go to www.alclassic.com and sign up for our newsletter. We are working on getting the site updated and ready for registration.

Remember to pray for all our folks in uniform who protect us and their families. Pray for each other. Take your youngsters out on the water or to the banks and make memories as you enjoy God’s great outdoors.

God Bless & Good Fishn’

Forecast By:Will Harkins- Getfishingguide.com Williamharkins11@gmail.com

Lake Nottely: Lake Level _8 ft_ below full pool. Temp: 61-65 degrees Clarity: Clear, slight stain up river. Bass fishing in April is what dreams are made of. April is the hottest month of the year for largemouth and spots. With t he warmer weather and rising lake levels, these fish move up into the shallows to spawn. An angler can catch a true giant or 5 when you hit the right day. This time of year, there are two predominant approaches to fishing for the giants. One is slinging a big bait all day. Something like an Arashi Glide Bait or a 5-7 inch swimbait will always be on the deck of my boat. Fishing flat, shallow spawning pockets and corners will be rewarding. I focus on less than 10 feet of water. Usually, I look for pea gravel banks or pieces of shoreline cover within spanning pockets, such as a laydown. Pockets and creeks that open up towards the south will also warm up faster than those northward. The south side will receive more sun for a longer period of time, causing

LAKE NOTTELY

these fish to move up shallow in these areas, first. When focusing on numbers, the tried-and-true wacky rig senko will always get bitten. A lot of times this month, you may see bass cruising the banks or set up on a bed. The wacky rig mimics a bluegill, which cannot be passed up by a hungry bass. One important note is that if you get a bite on a cast, make note of where you were bit and make repeated casts there. Many times, the bass picks the bait up and moves it off their bed before you can catch it. April is also the month when the topwater really kicks off. Anything you can cover water with, like a buzzbait, is beneficial for your stringer. It is very important this time of year to practice catch and release so the fish can spawn and leave fish for years to come! #Godsgotthis

LOCAL LAKES AND FORECAST

LAKE ALLATOONA STRIPER

Forecast By: Capt. Robert Eidson First Bite Guide Service

770-827-6282 eidson6260@att.net

www.firstbiteguideservice.com

Temp 60 degrees , Stained - Line -sides GOOD!!! We have been doing well on both the north end and south end of the lake this week. It’s been a mix bag of hybrids, stripers and white bass but we will take it especially for March. The better bite has been on small gizzards and thread fins fished on free lines and planner board on both ends of the lake. Both ends are holding decent numbers. The south end of the lake seems to be better for hybrids. While the north end of the lake seems to be fishing better for stripers and white bass. I look for most of the fish to migrate north in the next few days and start staging for their annual spawn run. Spring is almost here and it’s time to get

back to fishing. Dust off the tackle, charge the batteries and grab a kid and head to the lake. Or give us a call at 770 827-6282 and book your spring outing. The bite has started.

LAKE SEMINOLE

Forecast By: Paul Tyrelakeseminolefishingadventures2gmail. com

Bass fishing on Lake Seminole has been excellent through the month of March. April should be excellent also!

The spinnerbait and topwater bite are awesome in April. When planning your trip to Lake Seminole, be sure to bring a variety of spinnerbaits, buzzbaits and walking baits in your tackle box.

The crappie fishing on Lake Seminole has also been excellent this spring and in April the crappie will begin to move to deeper water. We have had great success using a Panfishing Assassin 2” Curly Shad in any shad color rigged on a 1/16oz crappie jighead made by Bassassin. For an exciting Lake Seminole Fishing Adventure, email us @lakeseminolefishingadventures@gmail. com or follow us on Instagram and Facebook @capt.paultyrefishing! Give me a call at 850-264-7534 to check availability!

LAKE ALTOONA CRAPPIE

Contributed by Tim Dangar

Get ready, it’s about to happen! Time to stock up on your favorite crappie jigs. Allatoona is about to produce the much-anticipated spring crappie bite. My twin grandsons, Chase and Tyler, and myself were able to get in a couple of hours on the lake, Monday March 6th, and we found some nice fish. The fish are still about 12 to 15 feet deep, but the location indicates they are wanting to move into shallower water. Two things need to happen for it to get right. The lake needs to come up 5 or 6 feet to be at the normal water level for this time of year and the nights need to hold onto 50 or above temps for water temperature to hold at around 60. One thing to remember is when fish move into shallow water to spawn, regardless of lake level, they will do it. Our honey holes may or may not be fish-able, but the fish are still going to be in two or three feet of water.

We released all the fish we caught that day after looking at them and observing their fat, egg filled stomachs. I predict it will be up and down for a couple more weeks looking at long range weather forecast but get out there when you get a chance. Be careful on Allatoona this time of year due to floating debris. Good luck and as always, stay calm and fish on!

Popp Craft Boats

Level: 5’.9” Below Full pool. Temp: 51-53 degrees. , Clarity: Clear Bass: Guide Eric Welch reports: “Fishing has been good. The lake has come up some, along with the water temps, which have got the spotted bass on the move. I’ve been catching fish on rocky banks, points, and offshore structure. This time of year, it’s hard to beat a ned rig, along with a 3.5” swimbait. It’s also a good time to throw a jerkbait and A-rig, for the fish that have moved up and are hungry. I also like to throw a Strike King 1.5 square bill crankbait around the back of pockets and toward the mouth. What I’ve been doing mostly is using my forward-facing sonar to find fish. I keep it set at 75’ looking in front of the boat and when I mark fish, I cast into them and stop my

LAKE CHATUGE

bait right on them. Also, on offshore brush, If you scan around and don’t see any fish there is no reason to waste time, go on to the next spot. If we don’t get hit hard by a blackberry winter, we should start seeing our 1st stage of fish wanting to spawn on the 1st of April, start targeting pebble rocky bank lines and areas where fish spawn every year. They will start moving up in these areas on warm sunny days. Good Lucky

Collin Bertram caught this nice brown trout while fishing the Soque River with Unicoi Outfitters guide Jake Darling

Michael Faircloth with a 2.13lbs and a 2.09lbs slabs from Lake Eufaula AL

Wade Moore with a nice bass!.

Padgett from Fairfield Plantation with a big Tennessee River Cat Angler Magazine Distribution Specialist Rich Gillespie with his first fish of 2023

THE ULTIMATE MIXED BAG in the Salmon Capital of the World

By Capt. Lukas Brickweg

The wondrous world of summer shing in Alaska draws anglers from around the world who ock to these rich waters annually. Ketchikan, Alaska, nestled in the heart of the sprawling temperate rainforest known as Tongass National Forest boasts the title of “Salmon Capital of the World,” and for good reason.

But salmon are not all visitors can expect to catch in this world-renowned shery. As an experienced captain who runs daily charters out of Ketchikan during the season, I still nd myself surprised by the productivity of these waters. Along with ve species of salmon, we also land big halibut, giant lingcod, paci c cod and rock sh in our daily catch limits. e shing is superb, and so is the wildlife watching. Hit the water with us, and I will gladly hand over the binoculars when marauding pods of orcas show up on the surface or when magni cent humpback whales breach. We share these waters with eagles, sea lions and so much more. It makes a perfect shing getaway for the entire family.

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

wildlife that make Ketchikan a bucket-list destination.

Who doesn’t dream of giant halibut or monstrous king salmon on these scenic waters? Peak season runs from midJune through September, with the absolute best shing during the months of July and August. is occurs when we have an overlapping run of king salmon, silver salmon and pink salmon. All the while, big halibut will have moved in from deep water to feed on the abundance of food present. For these reasons, one can expect to catch all species with potential record catches of halibut, salmon, lingcod and rock sh hitting the docks by day’s end.

Here’s what you might expect on a good fullday charter. We start out bottom shing for halibut in 150 to 400 feet of water until we get a limit. Using deep-water jigging rods, you’ll be tasked with reeling in hard- ghting halibut from the depths. en we switch gears to trolling with electric downriggers, running four rods for all ve species of wild Paci c salmon. Whether or not we hit our limit of salmon, we usually end the day jigging with light tackle for giant lingcod and pelagic rock sh to top o the day’s catch. Why settle for one species

when you can sh for them all?

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

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

FEDS SLASH ALABAMA RED SNAPPER QUOTA

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

e cuts are the result of a complicated formula used by NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to assess red snapper stocks. Federal regulators and environmental groups are pointing to 2022’s reduced red snapper landings as evidence of a depleted shery. In 2020, recreational anglers o Alabama caught 1.1 million pounds of red snapper. In 2022, that gure dropped to less than 500,000 pounds.

AL.com reported that Sean Powers, a leading researcher in the 2020 Great American Red Snapper Count, said the limited landings in 2022 were caused by reduced angler e ort because of high gas prices and poor weather. “ e number of days people went out was half and we caught half of the quota,” Powers told Al.com. “ at’s straight forward. I don’t think it re ects on the health of the stock.”

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

“Red snapper shing is a huge part of Alabama’s Gulf Coast economy, which is why I’ll continue pushing back against the Department of Commerce’s disastrous proposal to decrease limits for red snapper anglers based on inaccurate data,” said U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R/Ala.) to Al.com.

Frustration is again mounting over federal management of the red snapper shery in the Gulf of Mexico. is time, the uproar is coming from the Alabama coast, where NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) slashed the state’s 2023 recreational quota by more than 50 percent.

Alabama’s quota this year is 558,200 pounds, down from 1.1 million pounds in 2022. e Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council meets in April, and there is a possibility Alabama’s quota could increase slightly.

See www.al.com to read an excellent article on the issue by John Sharp.

WALK THE DOG FOR SPRINGTIME BASS

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

Where I live in Florida, the bass have already nished with their spawn. ey are roaming and chasing food to replenish themselves a er a few hard weeks up in the shallows. One of my favorite ways to catch these sh is by covering water with a walk-the-dog style topwater. Not only is it just the coolest bite ever, but it is also a bait that can mimic a ton of di erent food options. is should be used to cover water at a fast pace. Once you locate groups of sh, slow down with something else. row topwater around anything the treble hooks won’t get hung up on, and remember to stay near areas where sh just nished spawning.

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

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

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

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

Details of services provided can be found online at BoatUS.com/Agree. TowBoatU.S. is not a rescue service. In an emergency situation, you must contact the Coast Guard or a government agency immediately.

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

TYLER WOOLCOTT

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fishing Amenities for Anglers

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

• Storage for eight rods under the gunwales

• Storage for six rods on the side of the console

• Aerated 26-gal stern livewell

• Simrad® multi-function display

• Jet Wash® washdown system

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

Learn more at YamahaBoats.com

222 FSH Sport E

Doing Your Homework

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

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

I spend a lot of time on the road, and I like listening to shing podcasts. Some of these give general information, and some are weekly reports covering current conditions and activity. ese can be great to stay in tune with what is happening and to learn from new points of view on approaching certain situations. ey might also cover new products I want to try.

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

By Capt. Michael Okruhlik

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

e weather is warm, don’t forget to take a kid shing!

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

PHOTO COURTESY OF KNOCKIN TAIL LURES®

How To Rock a Walking Stick

An essential part of a gentleman’s wardrobe

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

carats

Today, walking sticks still represent status and prosperity –– a way to show off your deep pockets without being too flashy. In that vein, we present the Santa Fe Walking Stick. Made of eucalyptus wood painted a glossy black with an antiqued silverfinished sculpted handle, what gives this piece of finery a distinctive edge is an 18-carat turquoise inlay that’s been enhanced to bring out its best blues. Don’t be bashful about your affluence. See why the Santa Fe Walking Stick is the embodiment of sophisticated elegance for the modern gentleman.

Don’t delay: Our must-have Santa Fe Walking Stick was one of our best-selling items this past year. Because of this, we can only offer 723 walking sticks at this price with this ad! See why Stauer is becoming one of America’s fastest-growing sellers of walking sticks today!

Praise for Stauer Walking Sticks

“I recommend it without reservation and commend Stauer for offering quality at a fair price.” — Steven, Arlington, VA

“Dignified, well crafted and an extremely comfortable fit in your hand. Just MAGNIFICENT! Makes me feel years younger!”

— Chas, Placida, FL

Speci cations:

• 18 carats of enhanced turquoise. Antiqued silver-finished and sculpted brass handle. Eucalyptus wood. Rubber tip

• Supports up to 250 pounds

Santa Fe Walking Stick

36" Santa Fe Walking Stick $159 $79* + S&P Save $80

40" Santa Fe Walking Stick $179 $89* + S&P Save $90

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