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VOLUME 23 • ISSUE 285
F R A N C H I S E
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THEANGLERMAG.COM O P P O R T U N I T I E S
A V A I L A B L E
NOVEMBER 2018
W O R L D W I D E
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One trophy deserves another.
No fishing competition offers the cash – or cache – of a tournament in The Florida Keys & Key West. Win a trophy here and you’re one step closer to angling fame and fortune. And with offshore and backcountry tournaments every month of the year, and tournamentproven captains to put you on the action, the chances of topping the leaderboard are better than you might think. fla-keys.com/calendar/fishing 1.800.fla.keys 4
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Veteran’s Program Announcing Our New
for
Franchise Ownership!
EDITOR IN CHIEF : Ben Martin • camads@coastalanglermagazine.com COO : Tracy Patterson • tracy@coastalanglermagazine.com ART DIRECTOR : Rebecca Snowden • graphics@coastalanglermagazine.com EDITORIAL COORDINATOR : Nick Carter • editorial@coastalanglermagazine.com WEBMASTER : Nick Barna • webmaster@coastalanglermagazine.comw ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: Corporate Headquarters info@coastalanglermagazine.com • 888-800-9794
FRANCHISE DIRECTORY FLORIDA BIG BEND : Mike McNamara • (850) 510-7919 • captmike@coastalanglermagazine.com BREVARD : Chris Milner • (321) 631-1001 • cmilner@coastalanglermagazine.com DAYTONA/NEW SMYRNA/DELAND : Amy Chibbaro • (386) 478-3812 • achibbaro@coastalanglermagazine.com
Chris Chibbaro • (386) 478-9234 • cchibbaro@coastalanglermagazine.com
FLORIDA KEYS : Cliff Lumpkin • (305) 849-9093 • cliff@coastalanglermagazine.com FORT LAUDERDALE : Gene Dyer • (954) 680-3900 • gene@coastalanglermagazine.com FORT MYERS : Nadeen Welch • (239) 595-8265 • nwelch@coastalanglermagazine.com GREATER ORLANDO : Phillip & Giselle Wolf • (407) 790-9515 • phillip@coastalanglermagazine.com GREATER MIAMI : Gene Dyer • (954) 680-3900 • gene@coastalanglermagazine.com
If you’re a veteran, love the outdoors and have been looking for a way to own your own business, we believe we have the perfect fit for your next professional endeavor. We have franchise locations available thoughout the continental U.S. and Hawaii.
LAKELAND & SUMTER : Mary Brasher • (352) 598-4219 • maryf@coastalanglermagazine.com NAPLES : Nadeen Welch • (239) 595-8265 • nwelch@coastalanglermagazine.com NC FLORIDA/NATURE COAST : Cary & Lynn Crutchfield • (352) 372-4237 • crutch@coastalanglermagazine.com NE FLORIDA : Danny Patrick • (904) 742-4696 • danny@coastalanglermagazine.com PANAMA CITY/DESTIN/FORGOTTEN COAST : Randy Cnota • (229) 834-7880 • randyc@coastalanglermagazine.com PALM BEACH COUNTY : Barbara Ryan • (561) 373-8040 • barbara@coastalanglermagazine.com SARASOTA : Phil Prevoir • (239) 257-4684 • pprevoir@coastalanglermagazine.com TAMPA BAY : Chuck Atkins • (239) 464-5153 • chuck@coastalanglermagazine.com TREASURE COAST : Misti & Gary Guertin • (772) 285-6850 • treasurecoast@coastalanglermagazine.com
Our success with helping veterans to learn to publish their own localized fishing/outdoor magazine leads us to believe that our franchise opportunities are a perfect fit for a wide variety of veteran talents and training.
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SOUTHEAST ATLANTA : Bob & Brenda Rice • (706) 614-8231 • bobr@theanglermagazine.com CHARLESTON : Sam Buckareff • (843) 607-8629 • sam@coastalanglermagazine.com CHARLOTTE/PIEDMONT : Doug Simmons • (704) 361-6189 • simmons@theanglermagazine.com
Juli Simmons • (980) 333-7273 • simmons@theanglermagazine.com
COLUMBIA/MIDLANDS : John Lux • (803) 807-6885 • jlux@theanglermagazine.com MYRTLE BEACH : Mike Masiero • (732) 674-3019 • mmasiero@coastalanglermagazine.com TIDEWATER/OUTER BANKS : Brenda Riggs • (757) 409-7518 • brenda@coastalanglermagazine.com
Now, with our special Veteran’s Program, owning a Coastal Angler or The Angler Magazine franchise has never been easier.
Mike Riggs • (757) 681-5001 • mriggs@coastalanglermagazine.com
WESTERN NC : Debra & Joe Woody • (828) 775-9663 • woody@theanglermagazine.com
NORTHEAST BOSTON : George Regan • (617) 488-2842 • boston@coastalanglermagazine.com LONG ISLAND : Lisa & Michael Danforth • (203) 321-7635 • lisad@coastalanglermagazine.com CONNECTICUT/RHODE ISLAND : Lisa & Michael Danforth • (203) 321-7635
If you love the outdoors and have ever considered owning your own business, you owe it to yourself to check out our Franchise opportunities and our new Veteran’s Program.
lisad@coastalanglermagazine.com
GULF COAST MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST : Adam Nelson • (228) 627-5903 • anelson@coastalanglermagazine.com
Toby Nelson • (228) 623-1761 • tnelson@coastalanglermagazine.com
ALABAMA/PENSACOLA : Paul Caruso • (239) 980-7738 • paul@coastalanglermagazine.com
GREAT LAKES WEST MICHIGAN : Phil Belsito • (616) 957-1714 • phil@theanglermagazine.com
INTERNATIONAL
For more information on our franchise opportunities call
(321)777-2773 or email info@coastalanglermagazine.com
VIRGIN ISLANDS/PUERTO RICO : Ace Bassue • (407) 285-9453 • ace@coastalanglermagazine.com COSTA RICA : Mike Erickson • (561) 262-2242 • mike@coastalanglermagazine.com © 2018. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. Disclaimer: Coastal Angler Magazine / The Angler Magazine will not be held liable for injuries incurred while partaking in activities described herein, or for claims made against products or services provided by advertisers.
Cover photos courtesy of (clockwise from top left) Dan Bailey, Mikey Erickson, Phil Wolf, Rosemary White, Nick Carter and Victoria Watts.
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AUTUMN SALES EVENT JUST IN TIME FOR THE FALL BOAT SHOW SEASON Your Suzuki Marine Dealer has exceptional deals in store for you when you purchase a new Suzuki outboard from 25 to 350 horsepower this fall. Get Suzuki’s 3-Year Limited Warranty plus 3 years of Extended Protection at no extra charge.There are Instant Savings on select models, and Low-Rate Financing is also available.
SIX YEARS OF PROTECTION 3 Years Limited Warranty + 3 Years Extended Protection
Six Years of Protection at no extra charge on all new outboards 25 to 350 HP.
INSTANT SAVINGS Instant Savings of up to $800 on select models. See your dealer for details.
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If you’re in the market to buy, we have the deals! See your participating Suzuki Marine dealer today for all the details or visit www.suzukimarine.com.
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Gimme Six Extended Protection promo is applicable to new Suzuki Outboard Motors from 25 to 350 HP in inventory which are sold and delivered to buyer between 10/01/18 and 12/31/18 in accordance with the promotion by a Participating Authorized Suzuki Marine dealer in the continental US and Alaska to a purchasing customer who resides in the continental US or Alaska. Customer should expect to receive an acknowledgement letter and full copy of contract including terms, conditions and wallet card from Suzuki Extended Protection within 90 days of purchase. If an acknowledgement letter is not received in time period stated, contact Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. – Marine Marketing via email: marinepromo@suz.com. The Gimme Six Promotion is available for pleasure use only, and is not redeemable for cash. Instant Savings apply to qualifying purchases of select Suzuki Outboard Motors made between 10/01/18 and 12/31/18. For list of designated models, see participating Dealer or visit www.suzukimarine.com. Instant Savings must be applied against the agreed-upon selling price of the outboard motor and reflected in the bill of sale. (Suzuki will, in turn, credit Dealer’s parts account.) There are no model substitutions, benefit substitutions, rain checks, or extensions. Suzuki reserves the right to change or cancel these promotions at any time without notice or obligation. * Financing offers available through Synchrony Retail Finance. As low as 5.99% APR financing for 60 months on new and unregistered Suzuki Outboard Motors. Subject to credit approval. Not all buyers will qualify. Approval, and any rates and terms provided, are based on credit worthiness. $19.99/month per $1,000 financed for 60 months is based on 5.99% APR. Hypothetical figures used in calculation; your actual monthly payment may differ based on financing terms, credit tier qualification, accessories or other factors such as down payment and fees. Offer effective on new, unregistered Suzuki Outboard Motors purchased from a participating authorized Suzuki dealer between 10/01/18 and 12/31/18. “Gimme Six”, the Suzuki “S” and model names are Suzuki trademarks or ®. Don’t drink and drive. Always wear a USCG-approved life jacket and read your owner’s manual. © 2018 Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.
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TRES NIÑAS TOURS CENTRAL-PACIFIC
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Travel Destinations Mexico
Mexico Ecuador Trout
Photo by Justin Uga
DESTINATION: El Salto, Mexico FISH: Largemouth Bass PEAK SEASON: September-July THE FISHING: There might be a few lakes out there that produce larger largemouths on occasion, but none are as consistent as Lake El Salto at producing huge catches of quality sized bass with the ever-present potential to catch a true giant. For more than 30 years, El Salto has been one of the world’s best bass fisheries, and it remains right at the top of the bucket list for travelling bass anglers. It is a place where 100-fish days are normal, the average fish weighs 4 to 5 pounds, and 7- to 10-pound fish are a regular occurrence. The best day on El Salto? Well, the lake record bass weighed 18 pounds, 6 ounces. The record for most bass caught in a day stands at 607 fish. El Salto is a 25,000-acre impoundment of the Elota River. It sits in the foothills of the Sierra Madre Mountains in the Mexican state of Sinaloa. A yearround growing season and the introduction of Florida strain largemouth bass in the 1980s helped build this big-bass factory. Abundant tilapia as a forage species as well as varied habitat and lots of sunken timber maintain it. If all this doesn’t pique your interest, it’s worth mentioning that many of the biggest fish caught each year from El Salto are victims of topwater tactics. INFORMATION: www.anglersinn.com
Mongolia
DESTINATION: Khentii Aimag and Khovsgol Aimag, Mongolia FISH: Siberian Taimen PEAK SEASON: June 15-October THE FISHING: Imagine fly fishing a river for trout that can weigh 20 pounds
or more. Now imagine these giant trout surface feed on ducks and rodents instead of insects. Sounds like a fairytale, right? Well it’s not. Fish like this actually exist, but the behaviors of Mongolia’s Siberian taimen are more aptly described as the stuff of nightmares than fairytales. The taimen is the largest, most ferocious salmonid in the world. Tactics for catching them include chugging giant topwater poppers on 9-weight fly rods, and the violence exhibited on a taimen’s take can only be matched by the ensuing fight. Anglers can expect to tangle with good numbers of taimen in the 6- to 15-pound range on a week-long camp-and-float through gorgeous Mongolian canyons. A trophy longer than 40 inches and weighing 25 pounds or more is a definite possibility. But the fishing is only part of what makes a Mongolia so special. The warmth of Mongolian hospitality, the skill of its guides and the beauty of its scenery make for an unforgettable expedition. Taimen fisheries in Mongolia are catch-and-release, fly fishing only with a single barbless hook.
DESTINATION: San Cristobal, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador FISH: Striped Marlin, Blue Marlin, Black Marlin, Wahoo, Yellowfin Tuna PEAK SEASON: January-April THE FISHING: Everyone has heard of the tortoises, diving iguanas and other strange wildlife that made the Galapagos Islands famous. The incredible bluewater fishing is not as well publicized. Deep sea currents carry warm waters and plentiful baitfish past this underwater mountain range about 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador. Blue, black and striped marlin congregate to feed around banks that rise to 300 and 600 feet from more than 2,000 feet of water. It’s some of the best fishing in the Pacific, and it’s only about an hour’s run from the docks at San Cristobal. The striped marlin bite might be the best in the world, with fast action for fish that average 200 pounds and get up into the 350-pound range. Blacks and blues are less frequently encountered than striped marlin, but they are plentiful and big. Fish from 500 to 800 pounds are the norm. Topwater popper fishing for yellowfin tuna is off the chain for fish up to 150 pounds. Big dorado, African pompano and Almaco jacks are bonus fish. And the wahoo fishing is good, as well. INFORMATION: sportfishgalapagos.com
Florida Keys
DESTINATION: Florida Keys, U.S.A. FISH: Tarpon PEAK SEASON: April-June THE FISHING: Although the Florida Keys aren’t as remote as many of the marquee fishing destinations this planet offers, the fishing is second to none. On the southern edge of the continent, where the Gulf Stream carries fecund waters from the Gulf of Mexico through the Florida Straits to the Atlantic, this chain of islands is perfectly situated to create one of the most productive marine environments in the world. Big-game sportfishing and backcountry fly fishing arose from the outstanding and diverse fisheries of The Keys. Year-round, there is excellent fishing inshore, nearshore and offshore. One of the most iconic of these fisheries is for big flats tarpon. There are always tarpon present in the Florida Keys, and nowhere else in the world do they run so thick through clear, shallow waters during their migrations. In ultra-clear water, sight fishing for these beasts from a flats skiff has to be the ultimate shallow-water experience. The size and raw power of tarpon are unmatched among flats species. The aerial displays of fish heavier than 100 pounds are part of what makes fishing in The Keys legendary. INFORMATION: fla-keys.com
INFORMATION: www.fishmongolia.com; 8 NATIONAL I NOVEMBER 2018www.mongoliarivers.com I COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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Franklin County, Florida DESTINATION: Franklin County, Fla. FISH: Tarpon, Redfish, King Mackerel, Wahoo, Jack Crevalle, Amberjack, Gag Grouper, Pompano PEAK SEASON: June-December THE FISHING: Take a step back in time to experience Florida’s Forgotten Coast. Every cast could produce something different in one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world. Last month, Hurricane Michael lashed out on this beautiful slice of the Panhandle, but the fisheries should bounce back as strong as ever. You’ll find offshore species like wahoo, grouper and sailfish, as well as inshore species like pompano, redfish, tarpon, jack crevalle and speckled trout. In early spring, look for cobia and Spanish mackerel nearshore, while inshore you’ll find trout and redfish crushing topwaters. In summer, the king mackerel bite can be non-stop and tarpon are big and plentiful. Several species of snapper and grouper are always on the menu while offshore, blackfin tuna, wahoo, sailfish and more can be had. As we get into fall, big jacks will be tearing up tackle and the delicious flounder will be found as they spawn. False albacore or bonito can warm up a cool day in the blue water, also. From the mouth of the Apalachicola River to Carrabelle, you’ll find some of the hottest action anywhere! Redfish, trout and flounder abound, and you can cast for freshwater species like bass and stripers the same day. INFORMATION: www.floridasforgottencoast.com
Santee Cooper, South Carolina
Russia
Pike Mongolia
DESTINATION: Kona Coast, Big Island, Hawaii FISH: Pacific Blue Marlin PEAK SEASON: April-September THE FISHING: If a giant marlin is on your bucket list, there may be no better place in the world to check it off than on the Kona Coast of Hawaii’s Big Island. On the southeastern end of a 1,500-mile archipelago in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, massive shield volcanoes protect the leeward side of the Big Island from wind and rain, resulting in nearly perpetual calm seas off the Kona Coast. Three miles from land, the bottom drops into 6,000-foot depths while winds and topography create miles-wide cyclonic eddies that funnel nutrient-rich water up into the warm surface layers. These localized patches of biologically productive water attract big pelagics. Within sight of land, there is the opportunity to catch six species of billfish, six species of tuna, ono (wahoo) and mahi-mahi, among others. The main drawing card is blue marlin… big ones. Kona lays claim to more than 80 blues heavier than 1,000 pounds over the years, and that doesn’t include all the granders that were released. More than half of all the granders ever recorded from the Hawaiian Islands were caught off the Kona Coast. INFORMATION: www.gohawaii.com
Photo Courtesy of James Bradley
DESTINATION: Kamchatka, Russia FISH: Rainbow Trout PEAK SEASON: July-September THE FISHING: Some scientists believe the Kamchatka Peninsula is where rainbow trout originated in a web of cold-water rivers on Russia’s eastern coast. With very few roads and little human population to speak of, this roughly 100,000-square-mile slice of land across the Bering Sea from Alaska is as remote as it gets. In fact, the only feasible way to access its hundreds of miles of trout water is by helicopter. Kamchatka is a place that makes even the Alaskan tundra seem overpopulated with humans. It offers a wilderness experience unlike any other, and the fishing isn’t too shabby, either. Trout that eat dry flies, streamers and deer-hair mice skated across the surface average 20 to 22 inches. Each short season, anglers catch 30-inchers that are aggressive and as hot as they come. And while the rainbows are the headliners, there are also several species of Pacific salmon that make annual runs into the peninsula. Huge kundzha, a close relative of Dolly Varden, weigh into the teens. And trophy grayling round out a diverse fishery that’s one of the most unspoiled on the planet. INFORMATION: www.thebestofkamchatka.com
DESTINATION: Santee Cooper Lakes, South Carolina FISH: Striped Bass, Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Shellcracker PEAK SEASON: Year-round THE FISHING: For a world-class freshwater fishery, the Santee Cooper lakes in South Carolina are as accessible as it gets. Interstate I-95 crosses Lake Marion and I-26 flanks the twin-lake system to the south. The lakes are connected by a 7-mile-long diversion canal, which provides another unique fishery. Lake Marion’s 102,400 acres of water are a timber-studded, aquatic vegetation-laden fish factory, while Lake Moultrie’s 59,900 acres have an incredible diversity of underwater cover and structure. This twin-lake system provides unmatched freshwater diversity. Marauding striped bass provide surface-schooling triple-digit catches per boat in peak season. The state record blue catfish was taken in 2017 and topped 113-pounds. Catfish in the 50- to 70-pound class are reasonable targets, and the big-fish population is on an upsurge. The system currently holds the world record channel catfish at 58-pounds. Need more? Crappies are abundant and commonly exceed 2 pounds, with 3-pound-plus fish distinctly possible. The system holds state records for black crappie at 5-pounds, largemouth bass topping 16-pounds and the former world record shellcracker that tipped the scales to 5 pounds, 7 1/2 ounces. Santee Cooper is the living legend of freshwater fishing. COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM I NOVEMBER 2018 I NATIONAL 9 INFORMATION: www.santeecoopercountry.org
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By Mike Erickson
F
ifteen years ago, a friend and I flew into San Jose and took a small plane to Quepos, Costa Rica, where we fished offshore on a 42 express boat called Fishing Frenzy. It was my first fishing trip to Costa Rica, and I didn’t know it at the time, but the over-the-top offshore experience was typical for this tropical Central American paradise. It consisted of plenty of tuna, sailfish and dorado, and the never-ending chase for marlin. The trip had such an impact that it became an annual event. Then, four years ago everything changed. I started some business dealings in Costa Rica, which allowed me to begin splitting time between Costa Rica and my native south Florida. It has been the adventure of a lifetime. I’m not sure I can say what specifically drew me to Costa Rica. I think it’s a little bit of everything. The people, the adventure, the fishing and the beautiful scenery are all truly amazing. The people are always happy and definitely live the national slogan “Pura Vida,” which translates to “The Pure Life.” The diversity and magnificence of the scenery is over the top. Delivering Coastal Angler Magazine throughout the country has exposed me to different and varying locations. Within a four hour drive I can be exposed to the volcanos and hot springs of Arenal, the gorgeous beaches and surfing of Guanacaste, the beautiful and exotic jungles of Golfito and the Osa Peninsula, the quiet beauty and fishing of the Nicoya Peninsula, the world class surfing and fishing of Herradura, Hermosa and Quepos, and even the cooler climates and cultural centers of the Central Valley. The tourism of Costa Rica is truly an adventure. From ziplining through a jungle canopy to four wheeling up a mountain, from white water rafting to rappelling down a waterfall, and even seeing sloths and monkeys in their natural habitats, the adventures are endless. Adventure definitely exists in the fishing of Costa Rica. In 2017 the Herradura Quepos fishery was named the No. 1 billfishing area in the world by the Billfish Report. Offshore fishing easily offers the complete line up of pelagic fish and often includes double-digit catches. This is one of the few countries where catching an offshore billfish grand slam can be accomplished in one day. Last month, Coastal Angler Editor-in-Chief Ben Martin came down and we managed to squeeze in one day of fishing on my 32 Luhrs, Dream II out of Los Suenos. Where else in the world can you catch two blue marlin, two sailfish, and 15 dorado in a day of fishing? The inshore fishing for roosterfish, cubera snapper, snook and even tarpon is also world class. The freshwater fishing offers everything from rainbow bass (guapote) to machaca, and trout to largemouth bass. I have been to many places in the world, and Costa Rica stands out as one of my favorite bucket list destinations. Mike Erickson is co-publisher of Coastal Angler Magazine Costa Rica.
For more on fishing in Costa Rica, go to
OFFSHOREANGLER.CO COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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Destination Fishing! By Tom Schlichter
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t’s 2 p.m. on a bright, sunny day and I’m pitching pilchards in the shadow of a small bridge not 50 yards from a marina. As my bait turns and swims momentarily into the sunlight, a sudden swirl connects me to a solid slot-sized snook. My line has been in the water for less than a minute. “It can happen fast,” chuckled Capt. George Gozdz, who in 2019 is scheduled to host a new fishing show on The Sportsman Channel called Unfathomed. “There’s quality snook under almost any significant structure around here.” “Around here” would be the Indian River Lagoon (IRL) and St. Lucie River system, an estuarine wonderland on Florida’s southeast coast that stretches 155 miles and dishes up everything from monster snook, gator trout and delicious pompano to king-sized tarpon, jacks and a variety of grouper. The city of Stuart sits dead-center in this expansive maze of fishing heaven, and makes the perfect launch point Capt. George Gozdz shows off a monfor learning these waters. ster St. Lucie River snook. Look for “The diversity in this area is 8- to 10-foot depths with good current something special,” explained Gonear structure to find the big ones, he zdz, “Two systems converge here, said. Photo courtesy of George Gozdz. the St. Lucie River and Indian River, and St. Lucie Inlet provides access for ocean pelagics like sailfish. Inshore, snook is the most popular target on a year-round basis. From December through March, you’ll find the best action up inside the St. Lucie River because the water is warmest there. The stretch from Rt. A1A (aka: 10 Cent Bridge) west into the north or south fork of the St. Lucie River is the prime winter snook area. I throw Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnows and Hydro Poppers in low light conditions and pitch pilchards once the sun gets up in the sky.” Generally speaking, tidal stage doesn’t matter much for these snook, as long as the water is moving. Look for heavy structure near 10-foot depths with good flow and you’ll eventually connect. “Keep in mind this isn’t finesse fishing,” advised Gozdz. “There’s no way to haul a big snook— they can top 40 inches in length—out of heavy structure with light lines. I use 80-lb. test Yo-Zuri Super Braid with an 80- to 100-lb. test Top Knot fluorocarbon leader.” If you are looking to stay overnight in Stuart, Pirate’s Cove Resort and Marina (www.piratescoveresort.com; 772-287-2500) is a great choice with affordable rooms, wet slips and free launching around the corner at the Sandsprit Park. To fish with Gozdz, email: ggozdz@bellsouth.net.
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SOUTHEAST
Photo by Nils Rinaldi/flickr
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here are new size limits in place for inland waters within North Carolina’s Central-Southern Striped Bass Management Area. During the harvest season, which runs until April 30, 2019, the minimum size limit for striped bass is 26 inches and two fish can be kept per day/per angler. Waters covered by this new regulation include: • Tar-Pamlico River and tributaries from Rocky Mount Mill Dam downstream to Norfolk Southern Railroad Bridge at Washington • Neuse River and tributaries from Falls Lake Dam downstream to Pitchkettle Creek • Pungo River upstream of the U.S. 264 bridge at Leechville • All other unlisted inland waters of coastal rivers and tributaries in the Central-Southern Management Area, except Cape Fear River and tributaries Striped bass are stocked annually into the Tar and Neuse rivers
at a rate of 100,000 fish per river. These hatchery fish are raised to an advanced size prior to stocking, usually 6-8 inches. The objectives of these stockings are to supplement wild populations and help bolster natural production, according to Chad Thomas, coastal fisheries supervisor for NCWRC. “Unfortunately, this objective is not being met,” Thomas said. “Formal evaluations conducted since 2010, with the assistance of genetic testing, confirmed that nearly all the striped bass adults collected from spawning grounds of the Tar and Neuse rivers were hatchery fish.” Biologists hope the new 26-inch minimum size limit will give these hatchery fish additional protection to allow them to spawn multiple times prior to harvest. Larger, older striped bass contain significantly more and larger eggs. The idea is to increase egg production on the spawning grounds with the intention of observing recruitment of wild (non-hatchery) fish in these river systems. “While we know this rule is frustrating to many of our anglers who like to keep fish, this is a conservation measure aimed to promote production of wild striped bass in the Tar and Neuse rivers,” Thomas said. “Currently, these river populations are considered fully supported by hatchery fish, which is counter to our management goal of having self-sustaining populations of striped bass in these rivers.” Advances in genetic technologies now allow Commission biologists to calculate the percentage of hatchery fish returning to the Tar and Neuse rivers each spring. During field sampling, a small fin clip is removed from each fish prior to release, and genetic comparisons are then made with all known broodfish parents used during hatchery production. “Genetic testing is absolute and allows us to calculate the percentage of hatchery fish each year,” Thomas said. “We will closely monitor the effectiveness of this new regulation and recommend modifications if management objectives are not being met.” For more information about fishing North Carolina’s inland, public waters, visit ncwildlife.org/fishing.
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t’s official. Lionel Ferguson’s 5-pound, 7-ounce Tennessee black crappie is a new IGFA All Tackle World Record. Ferguson’s historic catch is the heaviest crappie ever recorded by the IGFA and replaces the previous record for black crappie that has stood since 2006. Ferguson caught the record crappie on May 15, 2018 while fishing in Richeison’s Pond in his hometown of Philadelphia, Tenn. After hooking the fish, Ferguson played the crappie on 6-pound-test line for about five minutes after it hit the jig and grub he was casting. Once landed, Ferguson knew he had something special and immediately took steps to have crappie officially weighed-in and registered with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), which awarded Ferguson the state record after a DNA test confirmed the fish as a black crappie. “Setting an IGFA All-Tackle world record for such a popular and highly sought after game fish species like the black crappie is truly an incredible feat,” said IGFA President Nehl Horton while signing Ferguson’s world record certificate. “We congratulate Mr. Ferguson on his incredible accomplishment and are proud to have him as a member of the IGFA.” The IGFA All Tackle World Record for white crappie is 5-pounds, 3-ounces. It was caught in 1957 by Fred Bright at Enid Dam, Miss. To learn more about the IGFA’s world record program, visit https:// igfa.org/.
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BLUE RIDGE
(An abbreviated excerpt from Flyfisher’s Guide to North Carolina & Georgia)
By Nick Carter • NC Forest Service Photo
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he Little River, near Brevard and Hendersonville, N.C., achieves the original purpose of delayed harvest trout waters back when they started popping up all over the Southeast in the 1990s. It provides a cool-weather trout fishery where there otherwise wouldn’t be one. It was one of the later additions to the DH program. The 2,200acre tract the Little River flows through was purchased by the state in 2000, bringing the total acreage of DuPont State Forest up to more 10,400 acres. This state-managed recreational area is heavily visited. Several lakes and the gorgeous Little River waterfalls bring a lot of non-fishing traffic to the park. Just like most DH waters, the river also receives heavy fishing pressure. There are a lot of trout stocked by bucket brigade into a stretch of about a mile and a half between
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Dense Lake and Hooker Falls. For beginners and those who enjoy catching a lot of fish, it is a good option. It’s also a good option because the Little River offers spectacular scenery. Upper Falls, Triple Falls and Hooker Falls draw scads of waterfall watchers and photographers on busy weekends. The plunge pools at their bases are also a good place to practice deep nymphing techniques. The runs just upstream of the falls are off-limits, though. Fishing within 300 feet of the tops of the waterfalls is prohibited. The standard assortment of DH flies should suffice. Egg patterns, flashy streamers and nymphs, and worm patterns are always popular with freshly stocked trout. The catch-and-release season runs Oct. 1 through May 31, this year. After this the river opens to harvest under regular hatchery-supported regulations. Some of the other creeks spread over the Dupont property have water conditions conducive to wild trout year-round. These are mostly small streams with tight conditions and little fish. For the adventurous angler who enjoys exploring small flows, they are an option when the DH gets too crowded. The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission sampled all of the waters of the state forest in 2000 to develop a management plan for the fisheries. Almost 50 percent of the streams on the property hold populations of wild rainbows, browns, brook trout or some combination of the three. There aren’t many who know there are nearly 18 miles of trout water on the park. Pretty little wild rainbows up to 9 inches inhabit most of these creeks. If you find yourself at DuPont and have caught enough fish on the delayed harvest, it might be worthwhile to take a look at Grassy Creek and Jim Branch. There are also several other little streams worth exploring, and some of them contain native brook trout. For GPS coordinates to access points and detailed maps of all the region’s best trout water, check out “Flyfishers Guide to North Carolina & Georgia.” It is available on Amazon or by emailing the author at nsc8957@gmail.com.
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33-year-old state record fell on Sept. 29 when a Kansas angler reeled in a 10-pound, 2-ounce cutthroat trout from Arkansas’ North Fork of the White River (Norfork). Mike Bowers, of Abilene, Kan., caught the 26-inch-long cutthroat with salmon eggs on a river he has fished annually since before the old record was set. The Norfork tailwater is known for good hatchery supported trout fishing. It is fed by cold water from Norfork Dam, which backs up Norfork Lake just south of the Missouri border. The Norfork Tailwater feeds the White River near Mountain Home Arkansas. The previous record, a 9-pound, 9-ounce fish was caught on the White River in 1985. “To be honest, it didn’t fight real hard,” Bowers said. “It was a much older fish, the biologist said, and it was docile. We drifted downstream with it naturally, had the drag out about 70-80 percent, I’d feel the drag and I’d pull it back in.” Bowers’ fish was officially weighed and certified by Arkansas Game and Fish Commission biologists. It was also determined to be a cutthroat raised by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Norfork National Fish Hatchery and stocked in either 2008 or 2011. At some point, state records for all four species of trout (rainbow, brown, cutthroat and brook) have come from the Norfork Tailwater. Arkansas’ current cutthroat trout minimum length limit on the Norfork Tailwater of 24 inches (one fish per day) took effect Jan. 1, and should help protect and grow larger fish.
W
ith hurricane Florence unleashing massive flooding in the Carolinas and Michael pummeling the Gulf Coast, it’s easy to see the destructive forces of high winds and heavy rains on land. What’s less obvious are the effects of these massive storms underwater. They can wreak short-term havoc on some recreational fisheries. And although nature has a way of healing itself, the widespread fish kills documented in the Carolinas are a stark reminder of what hurricanes do beneath the surface. According North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission biologists, plummeting dissolved oxygen levels caused fish kills that went on for weeks in more than 15 rivers across the state. Fish kills were reported in many coastal rivers, but they also stretched far inland as flood waters caused significant drops in dissolved oxygen levels. Fish essentially suffocated, as they were unable to absorb enough oxygen through their gills. Shallow mud flats and estuaries, like the excellent inshore fisheries of the Florida Panhandle, experience a massive influx of cold, fresh rainwater. This reduces salinity and temperature and kills fish. It can also impact the food web. Larger fish might be able to flee from unsuitable conditions, but crabs and other smaller, slower moving marine life are trapped. In the surf and farther offshore, strong currents and large waves that extend well below the surface are destructive to bottom structure like reefs. They also mix the ocean’s layers, which are normally arranged top to bottom by salinity and temperature. Larger marine animals, such as sharks, are known to just swim away on the approach of a large storm. However, with rapid salinity and dissolved oxygen changes, marine life can suffer for months following a large hurricane. Augusta, GA (706) 738-4536
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Capt. Alex, of the Harvester, ran more than 200 charter trips during the last year, so it’d be understandable if he wanted to take some time to recuperate. But Alex is a pure fisherman, so instead of kicking back he loaded up for a trip to Puerto Calero off the coast of Morocco. There he served on the crew of the Lydia and topped the scoreboard with the first marlin release of a tournament. This was a great experience for Capt. Alex to fish on a different boat in a different ocean. It was also great to see our local hero make big waves on the big stage! Back in Costa Rica, Capt. William, of the Wanderer, and Capt. Francisco, of the Explorer, oversaw maintenance of the boats. Keeping a fleet of sportfishing boats running in such a remote environment requires patience and ingenuity, but these legendary captains have both traits in excess. In mid-October, the Nosara area was inundated with historic flooding. The Rio Nosara swelled to 30 feet above its usual level and left many residents stranded. The FishingNosara team sprang into action and used the 23-foot Adventurer to save multiple neighbors from the floods. Videos of this “Tico Navy” in action quickly went viral (check the FishingNosara Facebook and Instagram feed to see for yourself). All credit is due to the crews and staff for their bravery and selflessness. All in all, it’s been an interesting off-season. We can’t wait to get the boats wet in November for another great season of the best sportfishing in Costa Rica!
D
uring the off-season in northern Costa Rica, the FishingNosara team spent the last two months gearing up for the new season. Their five boats were completely disassembled, sanded, repainted and reassembled. After another 800-plus-trip season, the crews earned some much needed R&R. The problem is these guys have a love of fishing so deep in their bones that they will not be kept away from the water. Capt. Carlos, of the Discoverer, finished his maintenance early so he could run trips in September and October, which is almost unheard of in Costa Rica. He got out to the blue water, nabbed an awesome blue marlin release and backed it up with big dorados and big numbers of yellowfin tuna. FishingNosara ran a few dozen trips during the so-called offseason and saw the fishery has reset itself into the winter patterns, which bring more dorado and fewer yellowfins. There are a lot of sailfish and marlin feeding on the mahi-mahi. This pattern typically lasts into late March when the big schools of yellowfin tuna move in from the north. The El Nino blew through two years ago and disrupted this pattern, but we anticipate things will return to normal this season and for the next few years.
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NOVEMBER 2018 To advertise in the largest free fishing publication in the U.S. with over 1 million monthly readers, call 706-614-8231
PUBLISHER: Bob Rice 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: Nick Carter Henry Cowen Dr. Andrew Cox Jim Farmer 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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NOVEMBER 2018
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10/17/18 4:45 PM
Local Rivers & Fly Fishing Getting Started in Fly Fishing
Chattooga River
Contributed By: Jimmy Harris
www.unicoioutfitters.com Unicoi Outfitters, Helen, Georgia
Are you thinking about getting into fly fishing but are put off by tales of the expense? You’ve heard stories of $1,000.00 fly rods, $600.00 reels and $120.00 fly lines and wondered if folks have lost their mind. IT’S JUST FISHING! So, here’s the lowdown. I own a fly shop and obviously make more profit off an expensive rod than I do off an inexpensive rod. However, we want to put together an outfit that first and foremost will help you enjoy learning to fly fish, regardless of price. Let’s look at each component with an eye toward what you need. Rods: Prices and performance are all over the board. Without mentioning brands, I can tell you there are some cheap rods that you cannot cast, regardless of your skill level. I don’t recommend walking into a shop that does not have staff with a high degree of fly fishing skills. You’ll waste your money and you’ll hate fly fishing. Having said that, one of our best-selling rods is an Eagle Claw fiberglass for around $35, and it’s not just novice anglers purchasing them. They are fun to fish with. For $150 - $250, you can get a rod with a lifetime warranty that can perform better than 98% of the fly anglers out there. Reels: A common theme in any reel discussion is that in the Southeast, it’s just a line holder. Well, that
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is true in a lot of cases, but if you’re targeting larger fish, you need something with a serious drag. By far, most trout fishing in our area does not require a reel with a good drag. A simple spring and pawl reel for $50 or less can more than suffice when you’re starting out. Lines: Yep, top-end fly lines these days are over $100.00. Are they worth it? If you fish a lot, yes. The best lines nowadays will cast better and last up to 10 times longer than even the best fly lines of just a couple of years ago. A Cortland 333 Classic is priced at $39.99 and has caught a lot of trout over the years it’s been in existence (which is more than just about any other fly line). Nou’re ready to fish. If you want a graphite rod with a guarantee, the best entry level outfit we’ve found is the Orvis Encounter. A 9’ 5 weight rod with reel, line, backing as well as a protective tube is priced at $169.00. It doesn’t have the Orvis 25-year guarantee, but they do warranty against defects in the original workmanship, in which case they will replace it. Do you need a $600 to $1700 outfit? No, but you may want one someday. If you do, I hope you’ll give us an opportunity to help you put it together. See you on the river!
What? A helicopter flew over the rivers, and dropped fish in them? Well, yes they did, if you didn’t believe your fishing buddy. Many thanks go out to the Walhalla Fish Hatchery, SCDNR and the US Forestry Department for all their efforts in stocking the rivers around us here at Chattooga River Fly Shop! It is now Delayed Harvest time from November 1st thru May 14th. This means only the use of single hook, artificial lures or flies. What is an artificial lure? A quote, from the SC official state regulation guide, “means manufactured or handmade flies, spinners, plugs, spoons, and reproductions of live animals, which are made completely of natural or colored wood, cork, feathers, hair, rubber, metal, plastic, tinsel, styrofoam, sponge, or string, or any combination of these materials, in imitation of or as substitute for natural bait. Lures or fish eggs enhanced with scents or salts are not artificial lures. Artificially produced organic baits are not an artificial lure”. Hopefully, this helps clear up an uncertainty about what you may or may not use in the Delayed Harvest areas of the rivers. Also, while fishing on these waters, all fish caught must be immediately returned to the water. You may also fish with tandem fly rigs, as long as each fly has only one hook. This is a great time to get out there and be rewarded with catch-
ing some of these very large brook, brown and rainbow trout which the fine folks mentioned above have stocked. Fishing in the Delayed Harvest sections of the rivers will be an absolute delight with the amount of fish concentrated in the Delayed Harvest areas from the helicopter stocking. A wide variety of flies can be used to catch these large fish which we carry here at the Fly Shop. The Delayed Harvest areas for “catch and release” on the rivers are marked with bright yellow signs. Leader and tippet selection is quite simple. Just after these fish have been put into the water, heavier is better. These fish are not shy about heavier leader and tippet size. Only after some time in the water do you have to downsize. If you are not sure what size or length to use, we can help you out with your selection. We hope to see everyone out on the rivers, and we are open Tuesday thru Saturday 7am-5pm and on Sundays 7am-2pm. We have a large assortment of Christmas ideas including gift certificates for guided trips or the Fly Shop, pre-set flies in fly boxes, fly tying materials, rods, reels, waders and boots, local artisans works, and we can ship all items daily. Let us know how we can help you with a guided trip, holiday gift ideas, or information, and be sure to enjoy a great day at the rivers.
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Contributed by David Hulsey International Federation of Fly Fishers Master Certified Casting Instructor http://www.hulseyflyfishing.com 770-639-4001 November is kind of the beginning of the fishing season for fly fishers throughout the South. Finally, cool mornings are the rule and not the exception, and the trout are very happy about that. No matter which direction you drive in North Georgia, you should be able to find fish that are active and very willing to eat a nymph or two if it doesn’t do anything too crazy. The delayed harvest streams in Georgia are rocking right now with great fishing in almost any hole in the creek deep enough to get your knees wet in. The Upper Toccoa River Delayed Harvest at the Sandy Bottoms Canoe Launch is a great place to introduce a new angler to the sport of fly fishing. It doesn’t really matter how you want to fish it, you should be able to catch a few fish if you have enough weight on your flies to get them down. A very wise angler once said “The difference between a great fly fisher and one that’s struggling is sometimes one lowly split shot.” Using enough weight is very important in this section of river simply because it’s big water. Current here is powerful and it can almost float a bead head nymph sometimes. Using fluorocarbon leaders will also get the fly down a little better when it’s one of those days when it’s ripping. Looking for the CFS of the river here to be about 350 or less will aid in fishing and wading safety. The trout will normally be very close to the bottom
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all winter here, so you need to make it easy for them. The Toccoa River tailwater has usually gotten straightened out by now from turnover, and there are some fish left from the summertime raping of the fish populations. A misty, rainy day will find a few Blue Winged Olives hatching or a couple of the normal big three nymphs will catch a few. Pheasant Tail, Prince, and Hare’s Ear Nymphs in about size 14 or 16 will catch any fish in the river if you know how to use them. Streamers will usually hook the larger predatory trout in the river. Once a trout gets over 16 inches or so it really starts to eat a lot more baitfish if it can catch them. Then again, make it easy for them. Both Coopers and Rock Creeks fish decent in the winter for small wild fish in the pools and deeper pockets. Nymph rigs on a short 7 1/2’ leader will aid in probing the holes between the laurel bushes. Noontootla Creek Farms is the place to go to catch a giant rainbow or brown during this time of year. Water levels are up and the fish don’t have much time to inspect your fly before committing. While you’re there, shoot a round of sporting clays or walk our fields behind our world class bird dogs for shots at bobwhite quail or ring-neck pheasant. To book a guide trip here or on the Toccoa, give me a call at 770-639-4001. You’ll be glad you did!
NOVEMBER 2018
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Local Rivers & Fly Fishing November Fly Fishing Report Contributed By: Henry Cowen www.henrycowenflyfishing.com It appears that fall is coming and is only a few days away. Hurricane Michael will come and go and bring a sweeping cold front down that should help us transition from summer to fall. It will affect the striper fishing on lakes throughout the Southeast. Most of the time, we are fishing the south end of the lake until the water cools and turnover is finished. It appears like turnover started earlier than usual and the fish are already starting to move north earlier than in previous years. November is clearly one of the three best months of the year to fly fish on Lake Lanier as well as many of the North GA lakes around the state. It is one of the few months that you can count on to see significant topwater action. This plays right into the hands of a fly rodder as well as the conventional angler. While fishing can never be considered a “surething”, November fly fishing on our area impoundments is as close to a sure-thing as one can get. The only problems you will face during November are the days after the front which can shut the fishery down for a day or two. Last November we had some epic topwater fishing, and I fully expect the same to happen again this year. Giant schools of fish can be found crashing the surface eating young-of-the-year threadfin shad. The big question is where to look? As the water temperature cools down out of the low seventies in October to the mid-sixty degree and under for November, the striped bass start schooling all over the south end of the lake. There might even be fish seen further north, but in previous years your best bet will be on the south end to start. While fish can be seen feeding on the surface at any time of the day, it is a good bet that the first 2-3 hours after first light as well as the last 3 hours before sunset will be your most opportunistic times. Fish may still be feeding on 2-4” long blueback herring, but you can count on the fish gorging on 1-2” long threadfin shad. It is the small 4 ATLANTA
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threadfin shad that have fly anglers excited about November fishing. This is why fly anglers have a specific edge in hooking fish at this time of year. Simply put, they match the hatch better than conventional anglers. A conventional angler will need to fish a small white Fluke, a small Sebile or a spy bait. Or better yet, a casting bubble with a fly will get you a few extra bites. Overcast days will see more epic surface feeding than sunny days. Light winds will also allow the topwater bite to be more relevant. If you are out when the Corp of Engineers is generating water from a dam, you’ll hit the jackpot. Best bet for fly fishers will be to carry two outfits rigged on the boat. First an intermediate line with a small shad fly tied on will work perfectly for surface feeding stripers. You can throw a topwater fly, but you will not get nearly the number of bites as a subsurface fly. An alternative is to attach a Wiggle Minnow to the end of the tippet. If fishing a Wiggle Minnow, it is important to keep a continuous retrieve in motion. Stick the fly rod under your arm and use a hand over hand retrieve for fishing what may be considered the most fun fly to fish ever! For my second rod, I would go with a fast sinking line and a small Somethin’ Else fly attached to the end of it. The Somethin’ Else matches the small threadfin shad perfectly and will get you a few extra bites that other flies will not. My second choice would be a small grey over white Clouser Minnow. Conventional anglers should also rig up a small ¼ ounce buck tail. Another option is to fish a small Crocodile spoon. Matching the hatch is critical to getting bites when these fish are eating little itty bitty baits. If the fish are on herring, then a swimbait is your best choice. A Zara Spook or pencil popper might work just fine too earlier in the month. Keep a pair of binoculars at the helm to help locate the busting fish. By mid-month, we will even see our terns and gulls back on the pond to
help locate fish from a long way off. The fish will eventually migrate to the north end of the lake by month’s end. Burning gas is the ticket to finding fish. If you are fishing, then you aren’t looking. If you’re looking, then you aren’t fishing! That is always the conundrum at this time of year. Try to plan your trips on or
around both the new and full moon as this moon phase makes the topwater bite more epic. See you on the pond! We still have a couple of days left in December but are mainly booking January now. To book a trip, please contact us through our website www.henrycowenflyfishing.com.
Lake Chatuge Hybrids
Report By: Darren Hughes Owner: Hughes General Store & Bait Shop The Angler Magazine Fishing Team & Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service www.bigolfish.com
(706) 745-6569 (828) 361-2021
Fall fishing is wide open out here on this awesome North Georgia lake. The cooler water temperatures have really got these big fish feeding. Currently, Lake Chatuge is 8 feet below full pool. Water temps are in the low 70s, and water clarity is clear throughout the lake. Hybrid fishing has been wicked great. These fish are still schooling in large numbers, and we are catching some big quantities. We typically average about 30 to 50 hybrids a trip. These are some of Lake Chatuge’s hardest-fighting fish, and we’re having a blast wearing them out. The early morning and mid-afternoon bite has been prime. Look for schools of fish along the main channel and off points. Downlining live blueback herring has been the best technique. Fish will be slightly shallower in the early morning hours and will move to deeper water by mid-morning. With the cooling water temps, the topwater bite has picked up considerably. When these fish start busting on bait, it’s always a good idea to have a plug, Spook, or Red Fin at the ready. As the month progresses, these hybrids will work their way back into the creeks and spread out. Time to break out the ol’ planer boards. Fall 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. It’s the best place around for quality live blueback herring. 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 us at Hughes General Store. And whether you’re a seasoned angler or just starting out, give Chatuge a shot for some of the best spotted bass and hybrids in the area. Good luck, and get hooked
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Local Rivers & Fly Fishing Georgia’s Delayed Harvest Fishing Contributed by James Bradley
Orvis Endorsed Fly Fishing Guide www.ReelEmInGuideService.com (706) 273-0764
Our Delayed Harvest (DH) season is here! Nothing is better than heading up to the mountains with some friends and hitting the water. Most of our DH waters are marginal at best, but it serves as a two-way street for many anglers. First, during the cool temperature months like November into May, trout will survive in these streams. On the other hand, from late June until late September, trout will more than likely not survive the warmer water. The cool thing about this is the winwin situation for fall/winter time anglers with catch and release fishing, and those who want to harvest fish before the warmer water periods of summer. It’s the best of both worlds for all anglers who use these types of waters! Georgia’s DH season begins November 1st, and continues through May 14th. The DH sections of these waters are marked with signage. During the DH season, anglers must release all trout immediately, and use and possess only artificial lures with one single hook per lure. This means no nature bait, no scented bait and no treble hooks as used on many spinning lures. See the Georgia Fishing Regulation for complete information about these waters and their rules. Georgia has only five waters listed in their DH program. They are Amicalola Creek, Chattahoochee River, Chattooga River, Smith Creek and the Toccoa River. These waters are stocked heavily with trout and some larger trout are added as well. Just up the road, North Carolina has over 30 streams listed in their DH program. I hope that one day in the near future, Georgia will add some additional streams to their DH program. Early in the DH season, these fish will be in pods after stocking has taken place. It is not unheard of to catch 10 even 20 fish from one large pod. These pods will slowly disappear as the fish move and spread out more. A week or so into the season, you will begin catching
them in feeding lanes and other normal holding areas. A big rain event can help spread these fish out as well. There is no denying that freshly stocked trout will devour about anything, especially bright, flashy colored flies. Any junk flies like San Juan Worms, Squirmy Worms, Mop flies, colored eggs or Y2Ks will suffice for hook ups. Dries can be Stimulators, Caddis, Mayflies, and so on in sizes 1014. Droppers (or nymphs) can be a Hares Ear, Pheasant Tail, Prince, and so on in sizes 14-16. DH fish do not mind chasing streamers or Wooly Buggers in sizes 8-12 that are stripped across current. Remember, these fish early in the season will just about strike at anything. Stockers don’t stay uneducated for too long as anglers begin pounding them. As the season rolls on, it may be necessary to remain more on the traditional smaller natural flies. If you are a first timer wanting to learn to fly fish, hook up with a guide that has been schooled in the art of fly fishing. Always check out a guide’s accolades and fly-fishing schools he has completed which will usually be in his bio. The best way to get time on the water and learn is from those of us who are professional full-time guides. If you are new to the area and do not know where to go, give us a call for info over the phone. If big water is intimidating to you or if the Toccoa River DH section is too rough for you to wade, we float the upper Toccoa with drift boats and rafts. Give us a call and we’ll hook you up! James Bradley is the only Orvis Endorsed Fly Fishing Guide in North Georgia’s Historic High-Country region. Reel Em In Guide Service has been offering their services to fly anglers since 2001. They have permits for guiding in North Georgia and North Carolina, offering over 7 miles of private trophy waters across Georgia, and operate drift boat trips on the Toccoa River in GA and the Tuckasegee River in NC.
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NOVEMBER 2018
ATLANTA 5
10/17/18 4:45 PM
Local Rivers & Fly Fishing Shooting a Cast under a Branch
The Guide's Angle
Contributed By: Chris Scalley River Through Atlanta Guide Service
Contributed By: Rene J. Hesse Certified Casting InstructorFederation of Fly Fishers & Atlanta Fly Fishing and Camping Meetup Organizer
There will be situations when you are fly casting that you need to get the fly under a branch. There are a few ways to do it, and they all require good loop control and timing. The cast I like to use for accuracy and shooting up under a branch goes like this. Start with an amount of line that is short of the target. Say you are going for a 40 foot cast, start with 25 feet of line out of the rod tip. The reason for this is to gain control of your loops and that is easier to do with less line out. Then when you make your lift portion of the cast, make sure to do it in a smooth fashion and use a high trajectory on the back cast. Shape your loops so the fly leg of the line is over the rod leg of the line. We don’t want loops that are out of parallel. Parallel loops lend themselves to the accuracy part of the cast. As you make a false cast or two, narrow the loops face by not dropping the rod tip down below the oncoming line very much. Try to size up the cast in two or three false casts and then make the delivery cast. Here is how you want to do that. When you feel you have the loops on a vertical and parallel plane, make sure the back cast has been traveling in an upward trajectory. By the way, put a little more authority in the back cast, so it will travel at a high rate of speed. As the back cast is extending,
it will be falling due to gravity. As it is falling, wait until the line is almost parallel to the water and start your forward cast. You want both the rod leg of the loop and the fly leg of the loop to be close together and traveling almost parallel to the water. Add a haul to increase the line speed and then shoot the remaining line up under the branch. A lot of folks like to use a side arm cast to make the low angle shot, and I do too. However, when I need accuracy, the above cast is my default. When we use a side arm cast, accuracy is decreased dramatically. The other cast needs to be practiced, and the key things to remember are; start short, almost vertical back cast, size up loop shape, increase your back cast line speed and wait for the line to fall before starting forward. TIP- If you are able, on the final delivery cast, drop your body down to reduce the angle of trajectory to the target. The arm and hand should be sending the rod tip on a straight line, horizontal to the water at the target. Remember to haul to increase the line speed. Take your fly rod and try walking around your house and shooting line up under your car trunk, under branches or set up a target with a saw horse. These are all ways to practice, and that’s what it takes to be good at a cast like this.
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tually hunt waterfowl on Georgia local or Coosa River private wetlands early in the morning and then head to the Chattahoochee for a half day of trout fishing. This is a busy day, but what a great way to get your “outdoor fix” all in one fell swoop!
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Local Rivers & Fly Fishing oconee on the fly
Fly Selection for Fall Fishing on Lake Oconee By Capt. Wayne Moore USCG www.oconeeonthefly.com At the time of this writing, hurricane Michael is approaching the Florida panhandle and I am praying for the safety of our neighbors in Florida and Alabama. Some predications have the storm coming over Lake Oconee on Thursday. Once this storm passes, the chances are that the temperatures here will finally drop and opportunities for the fly fisherman will be great. Hybrids – Fly selection for hybrids and stripers here can be broken into topwater (or just under the surface) and subsurface. The Todd’s Wiggle Minnow (pictured below) in size 2/0 fished on an 8 floating or intermediate line moves just like a Rapala. The intermediate line will make it run just below the surface and is deadly when there is topwater activity. Henry Cowen’s Somethin Else is incredible fished under the surface on intermediate or even on a sink tip line. I often use this fly as a dropper about 18” under the Wiggle Minnow. One other choice is a Polar Fiber Minnow. This is perfect when
the fish are zoned in on smaller shad. Crappie – The best fly for crappie on Lake Oconee is a black Clouser Minnow. I use a size 2. Note the eyes on this fly. They give it a good sink
rate. I strongly advise to use this fly on no less than an 8-weight rod. A lighter rod might be fine for a 2-pound crappie, but you never know what you will get on this fly. I have caught hybrids, largemouth, carp, and even an 8-pound catfish on this fly. It is particularly effective fished under dock lights at night.
Largemouth Bass – Early in the morning, use a Wiggle Minnow, then when the sun comes up, switch to a small Clouser like Henry Cowen’s Somethin Else fly. When there is significant topwater activity, I use a Charlie Bisharat Pole Dancer. You will need a 9-weight with floating line for this. It moves just like a Zara Spook and the hits are explosive! Final words – Fly fishing will only get better as fall turns into winter. It’s best to be on the water at first light or late in the day. Once the sun comes up, there is nothing wrong with resting the fly rod and breaking out the spinning rods. The nice thing about this time of year is if you are using live bait, bass minnows work just fine. No need to drag out the cast net. The other option, if you know the lake well, is fishing dock lights. I offer night trips for fly fisherman from dusk till 10:00 pm. All I can say about these trips is be ready! We are booking up November and beyond quickly, so call 706-8164281 or e-mail me at wmoore1700 @ outlook.com and request your dates. Remember, we offer fly fishing and conventional tackle trips for the best of both worlds.
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NOVEMBER 2018
ATLANTA 7
10/17/18 4:45 PM
Local Lakes & Forecasts
Fly of the Month
Lake Oconee
Root Beer Midge by Jake Darling Unicoi Outfitters Jake@unicoioutfitters.com
Hook: #18 TMC 100 Bead: 5/64 Tungsten Copper Thread: UTC 70 Brown Underbody: UTC Tinsel, Brown Ribbing: DMC 3371 Embroidery Thread (one strand) A local favorite! An easy pattern to tie, and a proven pattern through the winter months. The Root Beer Midge is my go-to pattern when trout become very picky. This pattern is a killer on tailwaters, but also works well on our clear water freestone streams as well. Add some to the box this winter and watch your catch rate increase!
Lake Oconee is down one foot with the water temperature in the 70’s. Before the storms, the fishing was good. Bass are being caught in shallow water around rocks, docks and blow downs. Use a Strike King spinnerbait in the 3/8 ounce size in white and chartreuse. Using a ¼ ounce chrome and blue or chrome and black Rat-L Trap fished all around the docks and next to sea walls will be a good method for catching fish. Fish this bait on 10-pound test Sufix line using a medium action rod. Fishing a Zoom watermelon candy finesse worm on a drop rig with 8-pound
Trilene line and a 1/0 Gamakatsu offset shank hook with a set about 12 inches above the weight with a worm will also bring a few bites. Hybrid fishing is fair. The best bait to use will be live shad. Fish around the pipeline and the dam area. Most fish are being caught over underwater islands with your bait being down in 15 to 20 foot of water. Crappie fishing is fair to good. Some good size crappies are starting to show up. Fish are being caught in 15 foot of water over brush. The bite is very light so use no more than 6-pound test line and be a line watcher. You may only see your line start to move. Slow trolling in the creek channel up Sugar Creek next to the standing timber will bring a few bites, but they should be good fish
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Local Lakes & Forecasts
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Local Lakes & Forecasts
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Jackson Lake
By Brian Lee leebrian16 @yahoo.com Water temperature: 78-84 degrees, water level: 3 feet below full pool, clarity: stained/muddy. With the recent draw down of the lake, the fishing has had its ups and downs. The crankbait bite has been the most productive in the mornings. You should target hard bottoms and any kind of rock structure. Topwater has been hit or miss as well, but some quality fish are being caught on top. A jig in these same areas later in the day are getting bites that the other baits aren’t triggering. Three rods on the deck is all you need to fill the boat with bass. The shad are stacking up in the back of pockets with big creeks feeding them. Don’t get discouraged if the bite is slow. Just keep covering water and you’ll run across a school wanting to eat. Keep
in mind all variables when you do get a bite and try to duplicate in other parts of the lake. The lake can be dangerous to navigate with the lake level being down, so remember to be safe and cautious, especially if you’re not familiar with the lake. Till next month, tight lines and be safe.
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Local Lakes & Forecasts VOTED
Lanier Stripers
Forecast By: Steve Scott http://TeamLanier.wordpress.com/menu Will fall temperatures ever come to Georgia? October’s uncommon air temperatures remained in the high eighties keeping higher than normal water temperatures into November. Until we get some consistent colder evenings, we will remain using summer patterns for finding and catching stripers. Downlining with live bait such as blueback herring and gizzard shad is still the ticket. Trolling will also be very strong with either lead core 7 colors out or umbrella rigs 120’ behind the boat. The Ben Parker spoon has tapered off unless you can find numbers of stripers below your boat. Freelines would also bring in a few stripers, but be sure they are unweighted allowing the bait to swim to comfortable waters. Some locations to try are LM38 in 30’ or less. I would target Browns Bridge to Hwy 60 from 10am to 3pm for everything
else. Some of my favorite spots are LM55 and Long Hollow Park ramp following the bank contour but staying in 50’ depths. Another location to try is the mouth of Little River in the s-turns just off the river channel. It starts out a little shallow but deepens as it nears a reef marker. As you move northward from Gainesville Marina, I need to mention a few patterns. Look for the Chattahoochie River channel as it nears a point or follows the bank contour. These locations are prime for locating stripers. Even though you are fishing in November, remember your bait care. Since we will be still in the turnover, there will not be any decent quality water to sustain live bait. Check it often. Replace it often. TIP of the month: If you trailer a lot to the lake, be sure to repack those trailer wheel bearings every 6 months. This will pay off in the end as you won’t have to end your fishing trip on the road. See more tips on my website. TeamLanier. com Steve Scott 404-273-3481
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“Look for the Chattahoochie River channel as it nears a point or follows the bank contour. These locations are prime for locating stripers.” COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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Jon Boat Trailers NOVEMBER 2018
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10/17/18 4:45 PM
Local Lakes & Forecasts Lake blue ridge
SEMINOLE
Forecast By: by Paul Tyre paultyrefishing@yahoo.com Water temperature: 81- 85 degrees, clarity: slight stain to clear. The bass fishing on Lake Seminole has been fair. Our temperatures have remained 10 to 12 degrees above average which has kept the water temperature up. With anticipated cooler weather on the way, the bass fishing on Seminole should start heating up. If planning a trip to Lake Seminole in November, there are three baits you must have in your tackle box; a buzzbait, a crankbait and a heavy jig! Let’s start with the buzzbait. I prefer a chartreuse and white Strike King Tour Grade buzzbait. It is 3/8 ounce and casts very well. It has a squeak that triggers explosive strikes from Lake Seminole’s big bass! Use this lure to cover water quickly and fish it around the main lake grass lines where bait is
Marni Strautman from Ocala, FL fishing with Paul Tyre.
present. Next is a square bill crankbait. One of my favorites is a Strike King 1.5 Square Bill. This bait has an incredible hunting action that draws the bass to it by varying its movement as you retrieve it from the edges of the grass lines pretty much anywhere there is bait present. I use a Powell Glass Rod which allows the bass to take the bait deeper and creates better hook sets. I use a 6:3:1 gear ratio reel and 15-pound fluorocarbon line. Last, but not least, is the Strike King Hack Attack Jig in a 1 to 1 1/4 ounce weight in black and blue or green pumpkin tipped with a Strike King Rage Craw fished on 65-pound Cortland’s Master Braid. It is best used by pitching along the deeper grass line edges in 10 to 14 feet of water. This bigger profile bait creates a reaction strike from Lake Seminole monsters by allowing the legs to flutter which resembles a bait they can’t resist. The crappie on Lake Seminole have started bunching up and are being caught out of 10 to 12 feet of water in the Spring Creek arm of the lake. They’re of good size and are being caught on minnows and jigs. We had a great early teal season by the looks of them coming in at Wingate’s Lodge. It looks like we’re going to have an awesome duck season by the numbers being seen on the lake. So far, I’ve seen canvas backs, wood ducks and ringnecks in good numbers. To schedule a fall fishing adventure on beautiful Lake Seminole, give me a call at (850) 2647534 or email me at paultyrefishing@ yahoo.com.
By: Shane Goebel Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service & The Angler Magazine Fishing Team www.bigolfish.com 828-361-2021, 1-844-4-ANGLER Late fall is one of my favorite times of the year on this North Georgia lake. With the cooler water temps, Lake Blue Ridge’s smallmouth bite can get insane! Lake Blue Ridge is just a short drive from Atlanta, which means you’re not far from some excellent smallmouth fishing. Currently, Lake Blue Ridge is 8 feet below full pool. Water temperatures are in the low 70’s. Water clarity is clear in the main lake and in the creeks and rivers. Smallmouth and spotted bass fishing has been excellent. We are still catching substantial amounts of smallmouth and spotted bass, averaging 20 to 30 fish a trip. The majority of our spots and smallmouth are being caught from the dam to all the way back up the Toccoa River. Target these fish off rocky points,
ledges and shallow humps. We are finding larger schools of spots midlake and in 25 to 35 feet of water. Down-lining live blueback herring seems to be the best technique for the larger smallmouth and spots. Look for large schools of smallmouths in the Toccoa River and Star Creek area. Live bait seems to be the key out here lately, but a jigging spoon and shaky head can’t be ruled out this time of year. This time of year, spotted bass start to school up and feed strong, so keep an eye out for the topwater bite, too. When they start busting on the surface, they will hit just about anything you can throw at them. November is a fantastic month for catching some very big fish on this lake. Give Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service a call and let the area’s #1 guide service put you on some of Lake Blue Ridge’s best trophy fish. And for all your live bait and tackle needs, go check out Hughes General Store in Blairsville, GA. They carry everything you need for a successful day of fishing.
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Local Lakes & Forecasts west point
Bass: Good - Hopefully, November finally marks a big improvement in fishing in general. As the days start to get a little shorter and the temps cool, expect a drastic improvement in the bass fishing. As usual, a few largemouth and spots are still being caught on deeper brush piles, ledges and road beds in the main lake area. Try big deep diving crankbaits or Carolina-rigged worms. Also, drop-shotting can be effective in these areas. Best fishing is around brushpiles or other structure in these areas if you can find them. Water generation always improves this bite. Downsizing your baits in these same areas will improve your chances for spotted bass. More fish will move shallow with cooler water temps, and this pattern should improve as the water cools and we move toward fall. Topwater baits such as Rebel Pop R’s, Zara
Spooks and Spro Poppin Frogs will become more effective for shallow fish, especially around grass and weed beds. Try targeting the mouths of feeder creeks north of the 219 Bridge in the Chattahoochee. Also, have a jig handy to pitch into wood cover in these same areas. Spotted bass are still your best bet on the south end of the lake. Spots are being caught by casting Spot Remover heads loaded with Shakey Head worms or just dragging a Carolina-rigged Zoom finesse worm or mini lizard around shoal markers. Also, try a small Texas-rigged worm or a pig-n-jig around blow-down trees. Actively schooling groups of fish will also hit the Flash Mob Jr. rig, a personal favorite in the fall. Linesides: Good - It has been a mostly disappointing summer in general for schooling topwater action on the main lake. I still expect surface schooling on the main lake at some point this fall. These fish can generally be caught on Rooster Tails, topwaters, pop-n-cork rigs
and Storm Swim Shad lures. Start early or stay late for the best results. Expect the down-line bite on live bait to continue to improve as we move toward fall, with the best yet to come in late fall and early winter. Trolling with a crankbait/bucktail combo should also continue to be fairly effective. Try old faithful areas like the railroad trestle hump and the humps out from Amity Park for good results. Crappie: Good - The fish will typically move shallower and hold on mid-depth brush and structure or under docks as the water temps drop into the low 70s or below. Try
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NOV2018 ATL.indd 13
drop-shotting minnows or shooting docks in 5-15 feet of water for the best results. You can really do well if you find one of these schools. Try the cuts and coves in Yellow Jacket Creek and from Highland Marina north to Wolf Creek in the Chattahoochee. Some fish will start to move a little shallower as the water slowly cools, maybe by the end of the month. Minnows fished under a float will usually work on them when you find them. Any blow-down near deep water is a good starting point. Night fishing is still pretty good. Try under the bridges with lights.
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Find Your Georgia Grown Products Here If you’ve ever driven past Stripling’s while the smoker is rolling, you’ve probably smelled it. It’s the glorious aroma of pork ribs cooking to perfection the way it was intended, slow and with plenty of smoke. Stripling’s ribs, either St. Louis style or baby back, are the perfect main course for your next tailgate or really anytime you crave authentic barbecue. Seasoned with Stripling’s Famous Pork Rub, these are not the ribs you get at a barbecue chain, they are competition-quality barbecue and pair well with any of the multitude of sauces available at the store. Stripling’s ribs are pre-packaged and ready to roll out the door, allowing you drop in, grab some grub and be on your way. Or, if you’ve got an event planned that calls for a bunch of good food, call ahead and make a special order. They’ve got all the fixin’s to make a meal out of it. Cole slaw, potato salad, baked beans and fantastic Brunswick stew made in-house round out the perfect barbecue meal. They also have smoked chickens, half or whole, Boston butts and hams if you’re looking for a little variety. So let Stripling’s handle the cooking for
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Local Lakes & Forecasts
Fall Tactics and Tips By Capt. Jake Davis
www.midsouthbassguide.com, msbassguide@comcast.net 615-613-2382
With fall fishing just around the corner, most anglers will make a drastic change in presentation. We will move from slow moving baits to power fishing with fast moving baits and aggressive topwater lures! A few of my favorite presentations are crankbaits, spinnerbaits and topwater lures over the grass that is eroding away from the change in weather. As the grass starts to break up exposing open water, the bass will be looking up for food. When this happens, I’ll start rolling a big spinnerbait or True Bass Swimbait over the grass again. I like to make erratic moves with the rod to attract reaction bites. If you roll the bait just on top of the grass yet under the water, the slightest change in the rod will cause a change in the action of the bait. The result of the movement will cause the swimbait or spinnerbait to pause, drop or flutter, giving the
lure a more natural presentation. For many years, I have fished a dual willow leaf spinnerbait in the fall as it gives you more flash and it flutters down better than a combination of Colorado blades or one of each. You can also rip it out of the grass easier and cause more reaction with dual willow leaf blades. Colorado blades add more vibration, but to me, flash attracts more bites during the fall than any of the other combinations of blades. As the bass move shallow for the fall feeding frenzy and the grass continues to erode, you will find yourself fishing stump fields on flats and creeks. Another advantage of dual willow blades is they bounce off of wood much easier than Colorado blades do. You can also rip the blade over stumps and drop them from one side to another around the stumps. I also like searching with
swimbaits in the fall. They allow you to follow the same philosophy easily, using big swimbaits to find bigger fish and downsizing to find bites. It is also a great presentation to search different depths, as swimbaits are easily counted down to different depths to find fish that will react while suspending. Topwater lures are not created equal, and if you are looking for just bites, it is different than searching for big bites, especially in the fall! As a general rule, big fish require big search baits, and small fish hit on smaller search baits. I also feel strongly that searching for fish in the fall is different than in the summer or even the spring. One of the most versatile baits ever made is the Zara Spook. If you’re looking for tournament size fish, you can search with Super Spook, or if you’re just fishing for bites, you can down size to a Spook Junior with the same presentation. Last, but absolutely not least, are crankbaits such as a Rapala DT 6 or lipless crankbaits such as a XR-50 or 75. One key to crankbaits is working the proper angles and using the grass edges to create a reaction bite. You should not just work the crankbait and achieve the results by lining up
and working your crankbait at a 90 degree angle. I experienced some of the best results when working crankbaits at a 30 to 45 degree angle off the grass edges. There are two reasons for this: first, you should be just ticking the last edge of grass with your crankbait, as this allows you to rip it over the last drop-off at the edge and cause a reaction bite. Second, the 45 degree angle gives the bass an opportunity to follow your bait and this, combined with a long cast, will keep the lure in the strike zone Capt. Jake Davis is a USCG Licensed Professional Fishing Guide on Guntersville Lake, Normandy Lake and Tim’s Ford Lake; to reserve your “Day on the Lake,” visit www. midsouthbassguide.com or call/ email (615) 613-2382 msbassguide@ comcast.net
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Local Lakes & Forecasts
Keep Your Boat Safe From the Storm By Capt. Cefus McRae Nuts & Bolts Fishing Series
The past few months have been crazy and even catastrophic for folks who live on both the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Hurricanes and tropical storms have wreaked havoc from Florida to the Carolinas. If you live far from the beach, you may think the rain and winds that appear as the storm moves inland will be diminishing along the path, and that’s usually true. However, a major storm system can dump several inches of rain in a short period of time, accompanied by winds that can reach 50 miles per hour. If you keep your boat in the water, all that rain and wind could cause considerable damage to your boat, even 200 miles away from the coast. On our rivers and reservoirs in the Southeast, a stiff wind can cause sizeable waves. Imagine someone throwing a 2 or 3 foot wake at your boat for 5 or 6 hours, or even longer. Although your boat might be tied securely to the dock, it’s still rocking and banging against the dock edge. Fenders do a good job, but the constant rubbing against your gelcoat
can leave bad marks or even scour your hull sides. While your boat is rocking, if it gets ‘out of sync’ with the dock, it could potentially get leveraged under the dock rail as the boat goes down and the dock goes up with wave motion. That’s not good. If your boat is on a cable lift, those strong winds could get your boat swinging in the breeze to the point it slams against a piling or support, or compromises the wire connections to the point they give way. Here’s another issue that can have even worse consequences. Let’s say you decide to keep your boat in the water. You secure it so there’s no way it can slam against a dock or come loose from its mooring. Wave motion doesn’t bother it too much, but then comes the 4 or 5 inches of rain in just a few hours. If your boat has a self-bailing cockpit and the scuppers are above the waterline, then you’re probably fine. If you have a boat without scuppers or they are below the waterline, then you have the potential for water to accumulate in the
bilge, fast. Your bilge pump should be connected directly to your battery, versus requiring the ignition to be on, or the battery switch to be engaged. Here’s the problem. That substantial amount of water will cause your bilge pump to run for hours and possibly drain your battery. If the rain continues, you’ll have a boat full of water in no time, and no way for it to be removed. The net result could be your boat swamps, or worse, sinks to the bottom. Even if the boat is still afloat, all your gear will be water-soaked, and electrical connections in the bilge area could wind up corroding. So here is my suggestion. At the first indication of some major weather on the way, pull your boat from the water. Secure it on its trailer, or have your marina put it in dry storage for a few days. If you’re bringing it home, park it in an open area, away
from trees or power lines. If you have a cover for the boat, put that on, and be sure to pull the drain plug. I’ve actually seen deflated trailer tires that resulted from the weight of a boat filled with rain water. The folks on the coast have been doing this for years. They know the drill. So first, take care of your family, then your house, and when that’s done, take care of your boat. It will thank you for it.
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Local Lakes & Forecasts Lake Lanier in November – Stay Flexible
Contributed By: Jim “Jimbo” Mathley www.jimboonlanier.com Many anglers make the common mistake of underestimating the viability of late fall and winter fishing. While the outside elements are not always favorable, the months of November and December on Lake Lanier can offer anglers some of the best fishing of the year. With the warmer than normal October we have experienced this year, November should be a month of transition on the lake. Ditch fishing is my normal prognostication this time of year, however, this bite may be delayed this year due to the warmer weather we have been experiencing. This year, given the warmer than normal October, the transition of the fish deeper into the creeks and the creek ditches may be delayed. I look for the structure bite on points and humps around the mouths of the major creeks to remain strong into November. Look for good schooling activity in mornings as well as throughout the day in these types of areas. The topwater and swimbait bite should extend into November, which is a good thing! Stay flexible as weather fronts will affect the location and mood of the catchable fish. Don’t forget to look shallow around these points and humps. A spinnerbait on windy days can be incredible this time of year fished shallow on points. Also a big swimbait, like the Sweet Bait Sweet Herring can be an excellent choice for a big catch. As we proceed with this article, I will address more of how to approach once the water gets around 60 degrees, which may or may not happen in November this year. Shallow Ditches: Oftentimes, if you find a shallow ditch (15 feet or less) in a creek, you will find baitfish present in and around this ditch. Bass will show up and feed in these areas, particularly in lowlight conditions, even in the dead of winter. Slow-rolling a SuperSpin or slow cranking a crankbait in these areas at daylight is a great way to take some huge spots throughout the late fall and winter. Present a SPRO jerkbait over these same areas for bites as well. Cast your jerkbait 20 ATLANTA
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long distances over the ditch and work the bait back to the boat with a jerk, jerk, pause retrieve. Include long pauses of up to 10 seconds between jerks. Also, ensure that you jerk the bait on slack line to improve the erratic action of the bait, which will trigger more strikes. The key to this technique is patience. Long pauses can be the key. Deep Ditches: Many of the same definitions and techniques will still apply to deeper ditches, but there are some key differences. When you search for these deeper ditches (2550 feet deep), start by following the shallow ditches out to deeper water. Once you have moved to the deeper part of the ditch, use your Lowrance electronics to look for cover within or around the ditch that may offer an ambush spot for bass. Always remember that bass are predatory and constantly seek an advantage through a point of ambush. Structure changes, such as a ditch, along with ancillary structure/ cover such as brush or standing timber, offer a refuge for baitfish, as well as an ambush position for the bass. If you can find an area with a ditch, standing timber, brush and key feature changes such as an outside channel bend intersected by a road-bed in 40 feet of water or so, you have found the perfect winter haunts of the bait and our greenbacked friends. Good electronics, such as Lowrance HDS units with 3D Structure Scan Technology, are vital to finding these subtle depth changes and cover. Once you find a location like this holding fish, start by dropping a jigging spoon down to the location of the fish. Allow the spoon to sink to the bottom and then reel it two cranks up before beginning your presentation. Jig the spoon with quick, short, upward thrusts of the rod and include pauses in your presentation. Let the fish tell you how they want the bait presented. Another option for these deep fish include a drop-shot rig. Rig a drop-shot with a small worm or minnow imitation and present the bait in the area of the fish. Do not overwork the bait. Often, periods of no movement can trigger strikes.
Steep Rock Banks/Rip Rap: These features consistently hold fish during the late fall and winter months. These “vertical” banks, present both in the creeks as well as the main lake, offer the fish the ability to change depths within the water column without traveling very far. This provides an optimal situation for the fish whose metabolism and activity levels are slowed by the colder water. Begin by using your electronics to graph a likely area in search of bait. When you find the bait, you can rest assured that fish are somewhere in the area. Search for changes in the structure as your starting place. Look for points, pockets, contour changes or transition areas where sand meets rock or clay, for example. Begin your prospecting in these areas with a SPRO jerkbait such as a McStick. Impart the jerk, jerk, pause retrieve mentioned previously, with a focus on long pauses. If the fish are
not active enough to hit the jerkbait, try worms or Chattahoochee jigs worked slowly down the rock bank. Position your boat in deeper water and cast towards the bank. Work the bait slowly and methodically back to the boat, paying particular attention to your lure’s movements. Bites in the late fall and winter are often VERY subtle. Once you detect something unusual in your lure’s action, set the hook. While these areas are not the only possible places to find fish on Lake Lanier in the late fall, they are some very good areas to begin your search. Remember to look for bait and fish in an area before fishing it. Fish where the fish are! Good luck out there and see you on the water! For more information or to book a trip, contact Jimbo on Lanier via email: jim@laniermapped.com or phone: 770-542-7764. Check out Jimbo’s website: www.jimboonlanier. com.
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Local Lakes & Forecasts Delayed Harvest Trout Fishing: Opportunities for the Fall and Winter Dr. Andrew Cox Over the last few years, delayed harvest trout fishing has become an increasingly popular fishing opportunity. Generally, delayed harvest waters exist on streams and rivers that do not support trout during the summer months but are cold enough during the cooler months for trout survival. Georgia has several delayed harvest streams. Anglers can also visit the delayed harvest waters of surrounding states to include North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Some of these streams are within easy driving distance for the enjoyment of Georgia trout anglers. Georgia’s delayed harvest season is November 1 through May 14. Delayed harvest streams are regularly stocked during the fall and winter months with anglers required to use artificial lures or flies with a single hook. All trout caught on these waters must be immediately released. After May 15, these regulations do not apply with anglers allowed to
harvest caught trout. Georgia’s delayed harvest streams include Amicalola Creek in Dawson County, Chattahoochee River in metropolitan Atlanta, Chattooga River in Rabun County, Smith Creek on White County’s Unicoi State Park, and Toccoa River in Fannin County. Each of these streams have different terrain and water characteristics along with excellent access. The angler can refer to http://georgiawildlife.com for additional information and description of delayed harvest waters. http;//www.gofishgeorgia. com provides detailed maps with directions to delayed harvest streams. In addition to delayed harvest streams, anglers interested in catching trout can explore other waterways comprising Georgia’s trout waters. Georgia no longer has a seasonal trout fishing season with all trout waters open to fishing on a yearlong basis. Some of these streams, however, may have special regulations to
include size and bag limits, and lure and bait restrictions. Georgia’s trout streams can provide good trout fishing when waters cool off during the fall and winter months. You can also explore some of the “special regulation” streams that are available in Georgia. These include trophy trout streams with substantial size limits that allow the angler to catch a large trout of a lifetime. Georgia’s fishing regulations will describe all of Georgia’s trout waters via the website listed within this article. Trout anglers are required to purchase a general fishing license as well as a special trout license. Delayed harvest streams in Georgia and surrounding states as well as other trout waters are located in scenic portions of these states. These waters provide angling opportunities with good chances of catching trout during the fall and winter months, particularly during warm weather periods that often occur within the southeastern United States. Delayed harvest streams allow anglers to extend the fishing season. Fishing can be combined with other individual and family activities that occur in nearby towns and cities in North Georgia as well as surrounding states. 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. Dr. Cox financially supports his fishing habits as Professor Emeritus at Troy University, Phenix City, Alabama. He may be contacted at andrewtrout@aol.com.
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Local Lakes & Forecasts 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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November striper fishing on Lake Nottely can be a blast! It’s an amazing month to catch some huge schooling trophy stripers before they spread out in shallower waters. This is the perfect time to hit the lake and experience some extreme striper fishing, and what’s the best way to do that? By booking a trip with Blairsville, GA’s #1 and only fulltime striper guide: Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service. We’ve been striper fishing these mountain lakes a long time and have what it takes to put you on some huge fish. Currently, Lake Nottely is 10 feet below full pool. Water clarity is clear and water temps are in the low 70s. Striper fishing has been decent. We are also starting to catch some bigger fish in the 15 to 20 pound range. The early-morning and evening bites are your best times to see action. We’ve also had some heavy bites in the mid-day hours. With the cooling water temps, continue to target creek mouths and points off the main lake channel but also look for schools to move back into the
creeks. The majority of our fish have been caught from Point 6 to the dam. In the early morning hours, freelines and planer boards have been ok. As soon as the sun peeks through, we are going right back to down lines. The topwater bite has been awesome, so keep a Spook or a Red Fin at the ready to snag surface-busting fish. The fish will start to spread out here soon and move in to the creeks. This will be a perfect time to break out the planer boards and start pulling live bigger baits. November is a fantastic month for catching some big fish 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 fish. We are Blairsville, GA’s only full-time guide service, specializing in striped and hybrid bass. We also serve Lake Hiwassee, Chatuge and Blue Ridge. And for all your live blueback herring 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, and let us help you get your fish on!
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Local Lakes & Forecasts 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 Currently the lake is a little over 4 feet low and morning surface temperature is around 81 degrees. Summer heat kept a grip on the lake a little longer than usual delaying the fall turnover but keeping the downrod herring bite RED HOT. The early morning, pre-dawn bite has progressively moved shallower, and mid-morning finds large schools of cooperative fish suspended in the river channels. Present live herring above the fish that you are marking and hang on. We have experienced morning after morning of great fishing and happy clients and anticipate great fall action. We provide all bait, tackle, equipment, and fish cleaning is included with the charter. We will have multiple boats running all year just waiting on you to
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. climb aboard. Visit our website www.littleriverguideservice.net and give us a call to book your outing.
(706) 210- 3474
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Local Lakes & Forecasts lake lanier crappie Forecast By: Dan Saknini, Lanier Crappie Angler’s Club. www.laniercrappieanglers.net Water temperature is in the high 70’s in the mornings, and with cooler nights, is inching lower. This means better fishing! Today’s fishing was excellent. In addition to that, our club had their tournament recently, and every boat that participated was pleased with their catch. Expect this pattern to improve over the next several weeks. We are not catching the bigger fish yet, but the numbers are there, and the fish are healthy. The fish are relatively deep, the bite is noticeable, and they are becoming aggressive. We are seeing and catching fish on stand-alone brush piles, especially the deeper ones at 25 feet or more. The shallower brush piles are also holding fish, but they are smaller in size. Shooting docks is very good right now. Hair jigs and soft body grubs are working well. Jiffy Jigs, Bobby Garland and Mr. Crappie are also working well. To start the season off on a new track, let’s talk about equipment. An all-time favorite rod is the Berkley Shock, 6’6” medium. To a bass angler, this is a drop-shot rod, but it can be used for shooting docks and is available almost anywhere tackle is sold. Another rod I’m falling in love with is the Wally Marshall Speed Shooter IM8 by Lew’s, medium light.
It is available in 6’6” and 6’0”. The Sharp Shooter 6, by B & M, medium light, 6’0 is another good rod. Personally, I would give the nudge to the Wally Marshall 6’6”. These rods all retail for $39 - $49. They are all excellent choices. If your budget allows or you want to splurge, St. Croix sent me a rod to try out; the AvidX 6’6” AX566 MLF, medium light. These rods retail for $169 - $189. It is a well-balanced rod and feels great in your hand. Will it help you catch more fish? You’ll have to be the judge. When it comes to reels, my favorites are the Shimano 1000 series, priced from $39 and up, depending on the model, or one of Lew’s several reels that are good for crappie fishing. When it comes to line, the two that I would recommend are Mr. Crappie Hi-Vis 4-pound test, or my favorite, Vicious 2-pound test, Hi-Vis Yellow. Line is relatively inexpensive, and I highly advise you to change it often. On another note, last Saturday I had an incident at the Thompson Bridge access boat ramp. Normally, it is a safe ramp, but my car and 2 others were broken into and ransacked. Luckily, I had nothing of value inside other than my easily replaced sunglasses. The Gainesville Police handled it in a very professional manner, including follow-up. However, my recommendation is to not let a thief ruin your day. Don’t leave valuables in your car, including your wallet and your checkbook. Be safe on the water. Wear your life jacket, as it can save your life!
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Local Lakes & Forecasts
Hot Topwater Hybrids Contributed by Wayne Wooten
If you like topwater fishing and don’t mind an early start, Clarks Hill is the place to be. Larry Barnes and I fish out of Bobby Brown Park at the Russell Dam area. We head out just before daybreak and start looking for blow ups at the crack of dawn. The fishing has been awesome using topwater lures such as the Whopper Plopper, popping cork with a fly, Spooks and Magic Swimmers. We have caught as many as 15 each in an hour. I have caught several fish on the Whopper Plopper as soon as it hit the water without turning the handle, and Larry had the same thing happen on a Spook. I have been cranking the Whopper Plopper just fast enough to make the tail spin, and they just pound it over and over till they get hooked. Larry has been walking the dog with the Spook with
the same results. The hybrids have been 2 to 5 pounds with an occasional 10 pound striper in the mix. I had one hybrid that was about 12 inches long hit a 6 inch lure four or five times until it got a mouth full of hooks. There hasn’t been many large (5 pounds and up) hybrids, but there is plenty of them in the 2 to 5 pound range and several stripers 10 pounds and up. We have been fishing until 11:00 AM, and although it had slowed down some, we were catching fish up until we left. If you are looking for an action packed morning, go to Bobby Brown Park and head toward the dam. Start looking for blow ups along the way, and when you see some, stop and ease over to that area and start casting at them.
“We have been fishing until 11:00 AM, and although it had slowed down some, we were catching fish up until we left.”
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Local Lakes & Forecasts lake HARDING
By Steve McCorkle “Colonel” Stevemccorkle61@yahoo.com As I write this article, it looks like the next couple of days will be the first days of fall weather. Before today, the outside temperatures were still in the high 80’s and into the 90’s. This year we had a long hot summer and now it looks like the temperatures may actually drop into the 50’s for lows and 70’s for highs. This should begin to turn on the fishing and more fish will be located in shallower water. We are starting to get more rain, especially with the hurricanes that have impacted the gulf and Atlantic coast. The lake is at full pool and sometimes a little above full. The water still remains mostly
clear but has seen some stain in some areas, especially in some of the creeks and small coves due to runoff. The water temps are still in the mid 70’s, and I expect the temperatures of the lake to decrease as we have the cooler nighttime temperatures. I expect fishing to get better as the temperatures begin to decrease into November. Bass should be able to be caught shallow in coves and in the creeks and can be caught on several baits such as swimbaits, Rat-L Traps, spinnerbaits, and even Texas-rig worms. Hydrilla is still growing in several areas of the lake and in some areas has completely taken over some small coves and backwaters, especially upriver. These places would normally hold fish this time of year, but the hydrilla makes fishing some of the locations nearly
impossible. The crappie bite is starting to pick up, and I expect it to get better as the temperatures decrease. Currently the crappie can be caught in the 10 – 12 foot depths around structure and deeper docks. The best technique is to use live minnows using a slip cork to get the bait into this depth range. I expect the crappie to move into some shallower water as the water temperatures fall into the upper 60’s, and if this happens, then crappie jigs and minnows should be productive. Striped and hybrids can be caught fishing points and ledges,
especially rocky areas. I expect that this will continue, but I also believe these fish will move toward shallow areas following the baitfish as the water temperatures begin to fall into November. Striped bass can be caught using similar baits to largemouth bass such as Rat-L Traps, swimbaits and also on live minnows or shad. Catfish are also still biting and can be caught using chicken livers, hotdogs, stink baits, etc. All other species of fish are also biting well. During this time of year you basically locate the baitfish and you will find the fish. Good luck fishing!
“The crappie bite is starting to pick up, and I expect it to get better as the temperatures decrease.”
FALL IS HERE - IT’S TIME TO GET OUTSIDE & EXPLORE
Let Pinnacle help you get ready for the season.
Call our Lake Oconee office at 706-485-2039 and our Atlanta office at 404-888-1648 or apply online at www.pinnaclecu.org 26 ATLANTA
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Local Lakes & Forecasts
Fall Has It All By: Ryan Kennedy YouTube: Ryan Kennedy Fishing Instagram: ryankfishing ryankfishing@gmail.com
Deer hunting, fall fishing, cooler temperatures, Thanksgiving, and the month before Christmas. Welcome to November folks! Are you more excited about fast-paced fishing and crisp mornings in the deer stand or are you already focused on busting down the doors at your favorite sporting goods store come Black Friday? For me, I couldn’t care less about fighting crowds to save a couple of bucks on something that I probably don’t need anyways. That’s valuable time that I could be resting up for the next morning of casting lures or letting an arrow fly. As a million ideas of what all I want to do in the outdoors this month pop into my head, I can’t help but think that having that train of thought is a bit selfish. Now of course, between me, myself, and I, there are countless things that I desire to do, but I believe that there is no better time to get a child, friend or family
member involved in the outdoors. Wildlife is abundant and active this time of year, and it would be a shame to let such an opportunity pass. Just about everyone can think back to the first great experience they had in the outdoors, and if you’re like me, it was undoubtably LIFE CHANGING. I can’t even imagine my life without having a never-ending love for the great outdoors around me. When I say that my involvement in the outdoors has been a life changing experience, I mean that with every bit of sincerity in the world. Fishing local holes has given me some of the biggest smiles my face has ever experienced. Hunting out of a tree stand with a view of nature from above has given me a place to think through any thought that could ever pop into my head. Hiking up a mountain just to sit on a rock and gaze out into God’s amazing creation and talk to Him humbles me more and more every time. I could go
on and on, but I think I would have to write a book before I was able to even list half of what the great outdoors has to offer. With all of that said about my personal experiences, take someone fishing, hunting, hiking, or ANYTHING in the outdoors to show them an experience that they will never forget. I am beyond thankful to have grown up with family and friends that always gave me opportunities in
the outdoors to find my passion just as they had. It’s not all about going outside and trying to make someone have fun, folks, it’s simply about taking the time to introduce someone to what you had the privilege of being introduced to and the tradition of passing on a love for the outdoors will continue. I wish each and every one of you a wonderful Thanksgiving, and God Bless!
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Local Lakes & Forecasts Fall Bass Fishing Contributed By: Jay Striker www.jaystriker.com Fishing in the fall can be some of the most enjoyable times of the year for catching bass. When I’m heading to the lake in the fall, there are a few things I consider that help me increase my chances of catching fish. The first thing I want to know is what is the water temperature? Next, I try to locate the last bit of grass that is left in the lake, and finally making sure I have the right baits this time of year. Many may wonder why these three things are important. Well, there may not be a cut and clear reason, however, for me and the regions I fish, they usually work well for me and here’s why. Water temperature and where to fish: Water temperature affects the entire biological system in any body of water. When the water temperature drops in the lakes and reservoirs, this becomes a trigger for the bass to start getting ready for the long winter ahead. There is a basic rule of thumb I use in order to catch fish. It is a com-
bination of knowing the water temperature and knowing general bass locations. When the water temperature drops to the mid 80’s, it’s time to look for coves and tributaries, and I only fish just a third way into the pockets. When the water temp hits 70 to 60’s, I focus on the secondary points and channel swings, 60-50’s hit the flats in the back of coves that have a creek running from the back of it, and 50’s to the mid 40’s focus on stump fields, ditches and shallow areas close to some type of deep access route. Grass is your friend in the fall: When fishing in the fall, find any bit of grass left. Bass use grass year round no matter the season. Find grass on deeper points leading into pockets and it will allow you to pick up a few bass. The reason that vegetation is so important to bass is because it is a primary part of their life support. Bass need three things; food, shelter, and oxygen that comes from
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vegetation when it is present. I have seen fish stack up on a patch of the last vegetation near a channel break and loaded the boat pretty quickly. So find some grass in the fall, fish it and hang on. Using the right baits in the fall: There is one simple thing you need to know in the fall when it comes to bass fishing; bass are feeding and feeding a lot. On the deck of my boat I have four main baits tied on at all times; a spinnerbait, deep crankbait, and topwater bait and a jerk bait. Every one of the baits allows me to cover a lot of water, and that is what you need to do in the fall because the fish can at times be hard to find. However, when you do locate the fish, you will most likely be around a lot of them. So use your baits and cover water and know that the fish are in schools and you only need one fish to activate a feeding frenzy. Fall is one of the best times to bass fish. If you keep an eye on the water
temperature, find some vegetation and use some of the right baits, you might just find some of the best fishing of the year. Be sure to follow me on social media; Jay Striker on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and at jaystriker. com.
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Local Lakes & Forecasts Lake MARTIN
Lake chatuge
Eric Welch Welch’s Guide Service www.welchsguideservice. com 706-455-2323 Water temperature: 78 degrees, lake level: 5.5 feet below full pool, clarity: clear. It’s almost here; the greatest time of the year to fish, fall and winter. With the lake dropping and days getting shorter and cooler weather in the forecast, fishing on Lake Chatuge is fixing to bust wide open. Everyone saw, read or heard about what the pros did on the lake in three days, mainly throwing topwater lures. Just wait till the water temp drops another 10 degrees, and it will be the best topwater bite we’ve had in a couple years. The lake is full of blue blacks from 2.5” to 6” and they are staged all over the main body and in the pockets.
If you know how to read your electronics you can find the bait. Topwater baits I’m using are Strike King Sexy Dawg, KVD Splash and Ima Little Stik 135. I’m also following it up with a Sebile Magic Swimmer 125 (custom painted) and Nichols Flutter Spoons in Bobshell shad. Once the bass bust the school of baitfish up, I’m throwing a Rage Swimmer in 2.5 and 3.75 on a 3/16 swimbait head. You can also watch fish on your depth finder and throw a dropshot with a 6” Morning Dawn Roboworm and a Z-Man TRD worm on a 1/16 Ned Rig hook. You can also catch fish on the double Fluke rig. Around docks, it’s hard to beat a shaky head in green pumpkin, and maybe a pb/j jig. Give Welch’s Guide Service a call. We’re your #1 guide service and we’ve been doing it since 2001.
“The lake is full of blue blacks from 2.5” to 6” and they are staged all over the main body and in the pockets.”
Provided By: David Hare Alex City Guide Service 256-401-3089
Local Lakes & F
for November fishing, you want to make sure you have the following tied on; Redfins, buck tail jigs, swimbaits, jigging spoons and my JACKSON LAKE favorite, the well-known Rapala Shad Rap. I will be running live bait trips, but dotopwater not thinkonI won’t been any have kind any of and all of in thewater above 2-8 artificial structure feet. lures Soft plastics will catch fish, butitthe bites in my reach for whatever takes to are times. in Carolina put finicky multipleatstripers the boatrigs . are producing as well. Don’t forget some to startfish purchasing Back rocky and pick them your off Alex Citypoints Guide Service Gift apart. Brush piles are holding fish, Certificates for that special person but you have to be in the deepest or persons in your life. fish. parts of them to produce As Happy Thanksgiving everyone, the water colortoand level and wetowill see youback on the starts subside towater! normal,
Unfortunately, while I’m writing this I’m watching television showing the results of Hurricane Michael. Brian Very sad and By I just wantLee everyone leebrian16 affected that our heartfelt prayers go @yahoo.com out to you! November is known to be the temperature: 80startWater of an awesome fishing season 90 degrees, lake level: 1 foot below here on Lake Martin. I love this full pool, clarity: stained/muddy. timeBass of year. It produces the fishing has been some toughof with nicest weather, and level the stripers are the constant water changing. starting group in them large Althoughtoyou cantogether still catch numbers early in theonday,the the lake bite gets tough the fishing will get better. Get there aftersome mid-morning. Run and gun early and tie on a topwater and have and will be in the throwing creeks alongtopwater, with somespinnerbaits fun. Till next month, tight lines and remember to introduce a kid to and in thecrankbaits. river channel. You The most shouldn’t have productive to search bait has fishing as they are our future for very long before you start marking hugealso had success working “We have balls of baitfish, which brush with jerkbaits off of the main in turn will have a lot of channel.” striperslake close by. When you’re prepping your fishing gear
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Local Lakes & Forecasts Kim’s Kitchen
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Local Lakes & Tournaments Lake SINCLAIR
Lake Sinclair is down 1.5 feet with the water temperature in the 70’s. Bass fishing is a little better as the cool nights move in. There are more fish moving shallow into the coves and creeks. Topwater baits early morning and on low light conditions is fair. Bites could occur most anywhere in shallow water, since fish are scattered from main lake banks to the back of coves, but the majority of action should be inside coves and creeks. Seawalls, docks, lay downs, stumps and grass can all hold fish. The best approach is to move and cast quickly till the best bait and cover are found. Some proven baits are a Pop R, Chug Bug, and buzzbaits. Spinnerbaits could also be good, especially if fish are holding tight to cover. With much
of the lake stained, stay with more noisy baits. After topwater fishing has slowed, crankbaits, soft plastics and jigs should be tried in the same areas. Shad Raps in sizes #5 and #7 work well along the sides of docks. A ¼ ounce Rat-L Trap or Mann’s Baby One Minus should be tried in the back of coves. For soft plastics, try a Senko or Trick worm either weightless or with a small weight and rigged Texas style. A ¼ to 3/8 ounce dark colored jig with a Zoom Chunk trailer can also be a good producer. Work the jig slowly along bottom and in cover. Also try swimming the jig with occasional twitches. In clearer water, look for fish holding along secondary points and flats in the coves and creeks. Depths should be 8 to 15 feet deep. Crankbaits like Rapala DT10 and DT16, Fat Free Shads in size #6 and size #7, and Norman DD22 and DD14 are good choices. Carolina rigs should also be tried.
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Local Lakes & Forecasts carters lakE
Forecast By: Eric Crowley Lake & Stream Guide Service (706) 669-4973
lakeandstreamguideservice@gmail.com
Water temperature: 75 degrees, lake level: full pool +/-6 feet, clarity: 3 to 4 feet. Finally, we are out of the long, drawn-out summer pattern and we are seeing fish on the move. Stripers are feeding on bait balls in 30 to 50 feet of water, and with the cooler water temps, it opens up a few different ways to target them. Early in the day, live bait, either fresh alewife, herring or later this month, trout fished on planer boards with long leaders as well as downlines in the 30 foot range are a good option. As the day progresses, the fish and bait will move down and your baits should follow suit. Look for big schools of shad and herring balled up in the creeks and at the river mouth.
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You might not mark fish right away, but somewhere near that bait ball is a school of striped fish. Wurley Creek, Fisher Creek and the area around the beach are all good areas to check out this month. As far as spots go, our best bite has been targeting deep fish near timber. The bigger fish seem to be in the 40 to 50 foot range and are targeting bait balls. Live shad, A-rigs and jigs have been good options as of late for the green fish. Camp Branch, Woodring and Ridgeway are always my go-to areas in November. As the temps drop and the water gets in lower 70s, look for the spots to move up and start targeting larger baitfish. Walleye are on the move to baitfilled creeks. We had a great run on walleye a few days ago getting multiple fish multiple days in a row fishing live shad on the bottom near submerged timber near the main river channel. Look for more and more to show up this month.
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Local Lakes & Tournaments Cloud Fishing
Contributed By: Noey Vinyard
611 Old Phoenix Road Eatonton, GA
Blue Ridge the Beautiful
Across from the FIre Department Repeating myself is one of my favorite hobbies, and I am downright gifted at it. No dog, good dog, whoa horse, etc., etc. I can probably be heard saying many of these things in my sleep. But when I say that Blue Ridge, Georgia is one of the most beautiful places in the entire world, those words come from a man who has traveled a great deal of this world and seen many of the wondrous things out there to see. I came here just over 10 years ago now, having lived the life of a gypsy for much of my life. I would not leave the North Georgia Mountains for all the money in the world. I’m not a hypocrite as I too enjoy the convenience of some of the services that make our life easier. But when viewed from afar, they leave huge scars on a landscape that Mother Nature has painted to perfection. Many of the things are a sad fact of life as our population builds and expands beyond our control, but there are some things you can do every day to keep this beautiful land clean. Not long ago I went to one of my favorite places on one of the many streams that can be found around these mountains, and what I found was not the beautiful landscape that had been there last time. What I found was an area that some extremely irresponsible people had used and left every shred of evidence possible that they had been there. I wonder if they are proud of that and I ask myself why. Some people are just raised slobs. Others are just ignorant and think that their trash will be picked up after them, but mostly the truth is, I have no idea how someone can leave plastic, Styrofoam and other things that will take Mother Nature generations to dissolve. I don’t know what goes through someone’s mind when they carelessly throw a soda can on the
ground with no intention of picking it up. I only know what shallow people they must be, to not have enough appreciation for the beauty of the outdoors to pick up after themselves. A carelessly thrown cigarette butt, thrown into a river can be mistaken for food by fish that has lived there for years and could someday make the memory of a lifetime for someone with a rod and reel. I didn’t fish that morning. Instead I cleaned up the trash for no other fact that at least in my memory the place will still be pristine. If for some reason it was to be my last time in that area, I did not want to remember it as trashy. As I pulled away in my pickup with a bed full of trash, I hoped that I would see this spot again and that it would be the way that I remembered it. Most of the outdoorsmen I know are good, responsible people who take as much pride in leaving an area clean as they do in their fishing and hunting skills. Like myself, they make it a point to teach their kids how to be responsible outdoorsmen. In the many areas I have traveled to, I have often seen the sign that has the same words on it: Take nothing but pictures, and leave nothing but footprints. I wish that I could take credit for this wise saying. While I do not claim great wisdom, I can on occasion turn a word are two that makes sense. So from the “what it’s worth category of Noey Vineyard”, here are some words that may be on a sign for someone else to read one day: Leave this place like you would want to come back and see it someday. It’s especially around this time of year, when Mother Nature is about to put on an art show of brightly colored fall leaves, that I hope the soon-to-be many visitors will heed these words.
Repeating myself is one of my favorite hobbies, and I am downright gifted at it.
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Local Lakes & Forecasts lake lanier striperS
Lake Alatoona busting topwater, there’s nothing that’s going to beat a white Fluke Jr. The morning bite has been really good, but the afternoon bite may be better, especially if you’re chasing the topwater action. Trolling has been really good lately. We are pulling the Mack Farr 4 arm light rigs loaded with 1/2 ounce bucktails with chartreuse trailers at 3.2 miles per hour at 120 feet behind the boat. Mid-lake has been best during the mid-day. The topwater bite can be great at times. The better bite seems to be at sunup and again at sundown. Some days, these schools will stay up and active for an hour. It kind of reminds me of the bite we had in 2008.
Forecast by: Clay Cunningham www.catchingnotfishing.com 770-630-2673
caught tons of stripers. If you do not want to cast, you can always troll live bait. A freeline, which is basically a line and a Gamakatsu Octopus hook, will be Summer is finally losing its the best tactic most days. Spool up Linesides fishing is good! The grip on Lanier. The stripers have a Penn Squall Linecounter with fishing lately has been off the charts. continued to stay deep longer than fifteen pound Trilene Big Game on Live bait has been good, but the normal. It is overdue for the stripers a Shakespeare Striper rod and you topwater bite has been incredible. to move shallow. They have just been are good to go. On the end of the The spoons along with trolling is waiting on the surface temperature main line, tie a Spro Power Swivel attached to a section of Berkley also working right now. If you’re to cool. in the right place at the right time, Over the next few weeks, you will Trilene 100% Flourocarbon and at you can boat a mix bag of 30 plus see the stripers on the surface. Some the end the Gamakatsu 1/0 Octopus stripers, hybrids, whites, spots and of these schools can be massive. Be hook. The linecounter on the reel is catfish in a very short time. prepared and have some topwater important for striper fishing. PENN Live bait (threadfins) is still lures ready to cast. You cannot have also has a new Fathom Linecounter fishing best on freelines and too many topwater lures. Each day, reel entering the market as well. This downlines, but when they are depending on weather conditions, reel looks to be another great choice OUTDOOR STORE IN THE striper fishermen. Most of the will AREA be the best. Some of the forLARGEST LARGEST OUTDOOR STOREoneINlure THE favorites are the Berkley J-Walker, time live herring will be the best bait. the Berkley Surge Shad, and a Troll points as you search for these “The topwater bite can1151 be great at fish and keep the topwater swimbait LARGEST called Magic schooling 1151 Harris St., Sandersville, G OUTDOOR STORE IN South THE AREA South Harris St., Sandersville, GA the Sebile at the ready. HuntingandFishingCount Swimmer. If a smaller bait profile is baits 478-552-2005 times. The better bite seems toHuntingandFishingCountry.com be at 478-552-2005 This month should be a blast. See needed, try aLARGEST Capt. Mack 1/4 ounce STORE OUTDOOR IN THE AREA youSandersville, out there. white bucktail. 1151 The South bucktail has St., Harris GA sunup and again at sundown.”
Forecast By: Capt. Robert Eidson First Bite Guide Service 770-827-6282 eidson6260@att.net www.firstbiteguideservice.com
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Local Lakes & Forecasts Lake Eufaula
Forecast by: Capt. Wes Carlton Georgia Lake Fishing 770-318-9777 www.georgialakefishing.com
By Capt Sam Williams hawk184@earthlink.net 334-687-6266 Water temperature: mid 70’s, water level: 189.17 msl, clarity: stained to muddy. The cooler water is moving the fish shallow longer as they feed on the bait under pad cover and shore cover. Topwater frogs, blade baits and topwater poppers are doing well. Chatterbaits and lipless crankbaits worked on the edges of the cover will work when the topwater bite slows. Deep trash piles and structure will work with crankbaits and Carolina rigs. Crappie are holding on structure and man-made attractors in 12 to 16 feet. Minnows and jigs are the trick. Catfish are feeding on cut bait and crawlers. Panfish are still eating crickets and red worms. Please visit www.alabamachildrensclassic.org and get your tick-
Lake Burton
Mickey Stokes from Pensacola fishing with Capt Sam Williams ets for the Henry .22 Golden Boy Golden Eagle and the Power Pole to support the Children’s of Alabama, Darby’s Warrior Support and Niemann-Pick Disease Research. God Bless and good fishing!
Water temperature: 71 degrees, lake level: down 2 feet, clarity: clear. Bass: The bite has been decent the last few days. Most of the bass are up shallow now that the water temps have come down. They seem to be feeding longer than normal. Maybe it’s due to having a nine month summer this year, hah! We have had good success with Sebile swimbaits in the back of creeks. This bite has not been an early morning bite. Try focusing on the main lake points early in the morning and then moving into the creeks around the
“Sight fishing for the browns seems to be the ticket lately. These fish are on the move and don’t sit for very long”.
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mid-morning time. We have caught some bigger spots and largemouth on Super Spooks working the brush in the creeks. This pattern should continue for the next few weeks and hold as long as the water temps stay consistent in the 60’s. Trout: The trout bite has picked up over the last week or so. These fish seem to be congregated in and around the mouths of the creeks. We have caught numbers lately but not many over 2-pounds. Sight fishing for the browns seems to be the ticket lately. These fish are on the move and don’t sit for very long. We have caught most of our fish casting Mepps spinners and Blue Fox spinners. This pattern should continue for the next several weeks as the adult brown trout head up the creeks to spawn.
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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!
Keith Ohrstrom and his dad with a Lanier striper caught on his fly rod This bass was caught when it ate a sunfish that was being reeled in by Bryan Watson on a lake in Johns Creek
Tommy Harrell from Douglasville, GA caught this nice bass on Eufaula fishing with Capt Sam Williams
Bill Common caught this catfish on a fly rod at a private lake in Johns Creek
WINNER! Ulysses Ontiveros on his first time striper fishing caught this 14.4 pounder along with 18 others on the Etowah
Byran Alexander with a big crappie from Lake Eufaula
NOV2018 ATL.indd 36
Terry Mahoney from Ellijay caught and released this beautiful rainbow on the Tickanetley, taking 20 minutes to get her in.
10/17/18 4:47 PM
B.A.S.S. photo by Seigo Saito
B
y the time Justin Lucas made it to the stage during the weighin for the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship at Lake Chatuge, Georgia, the drama was all but gone. Lucas entered the event with an eight-point lead in the AOY season standings—and after solid catches during the event, he had stretched that lead to an almost-insurmountable 47 points. His closest competition in the race, Arizona angler Josh Bertrand, decided not to fish because his wife was expected to deliver their second child. It eliminated all the suspense, but that suited Lucas just fine. The California native turned Alabama resident caught five bass
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that weighed only 11 pounds, 14 ounces on the final day at Chatuge. But his three-day weight of 39-0 was more than enough to give him the AOY title. “I wanted this so badly,” Lucas said. “The build-up to this tournament affected every part of my life. I haven’t been sleeping because I would wake up in the middle of the night thinking about my game plan for this week. I’ve told my family and friends just to bear with me for a few more days, and everything would be okay—and now it’s all good.” The gravity of the award hit Lucas and moved him to tears on stage. “You think about the guys who’ve won this title—Gerald Swindle, Kevin VanDam—it’s unbelievable,” he said. “I’m the 23rd guy who’s ever won this in the 50-year history of B.A.S.S., and that’s humbling.” Lucas came into the week knowing if he finished inside the Top 8 he couldn’t lose the AOY title—even if Bertrand won the tournament. His Sunday weight helped lift him into seventh place and capped a dominant finish to his 2018 season. The seventh-place showing marked his fifth straight Top 12 appearance in a Bassmaster Elite Series event, dating back to the regular-season tournament held on the Sabine River in Orange, Texas, in June. Lucas earned one of the most coveted trophies in professional bass fishing and a $100,000 bonus. Besides the AOY title, Lucas qualified for the 2019 Bassmaster Classic—his fourth time to qualify for bass fishing’s biggest event in five years on the Elite Series. The Toyota Bassmaster Rookie of the Year award went to North Carolina pro Jake Whitaker, who finished 15th in the tournament and barely edged Arizona angler Roy Hawk for the title.
To hear a word from Lucas after his win, go to
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10/18/18 9:23 AM
RIGGING & JIGGING
Tim Barefoot
I
f I had to choose one inshore bait over all others, it would definitely be a shrimp. I can’t name a fish that doesn’t eat shrimp. It’s especially effective for trout, drum, snook and tarpon. Here is a technique for rigging a soft-plastic shrimp with a snelled weed guard that makes it easier to fish through mangroves, marsh grass, docks and all the other thick places that hold fish. Tools: Needle nose pliers, 80lb. fluorocarbon line for the weed guard, 20- to 50-lb. fluoro for the leader, a red or brown Sharpie marker to color the antennae/weed guard, a pre-rigged soft-plastic shrimp.
Steps:
• Carefully remove the hook from the pre-rigged soft plastic shrimp. • Cut a 7-inch piece of 80-lb. fluoro. Pinch it at the center with pliers and bend it backward against the natural curvature of the line to create the antennae. • Push both tag ends of the 80-lb. line through the backside of the hook eye. Leave about 1 ¼ inches of the loop that’s created on the backside of the hook shank. • Thread a strand of the 25- to 50-lb. leader material through the backside of the hook eye. This will be your snell. • Using the leader material on the shank side of the hook eye, make a loop about the diameter of a baseball. • Take this loop and snell it to the shank of the hook, which secures the antennae/weed guard. • Trim the tag end of the leader material as well as the closed loop of 80-lb. line against the
hook shank. • Bend the antennae back along the length of the hook, and trim them just past the barb of the hook. • Use the Sharpie marker to color the antennae. This same weed guard can be snelled onto almost any hook for a variety of applications. Substitute heavy-duty hooks to target species like tarpon and large snook. The 80-lb. fluoro is stiff enough to fend obstacles off the hook point and gives the shrimp a realistic appearance. Fluorocarbon is highly preferred for its stiffness, but some monofilament lines like Triplefish and Ande are stiff enough to use for this
purpose. This might appear to be complicated, but it is a very simple way to kill two birds with one stone. By snelling it, you secure the antennae/weed guard to the hook and create a leader at the same time. Check out the video linked below to see the techniques used in this rig. Visit www.barefootcatsandtackle.com.
For Video on Rigging Shrimp Weedless See:
FORTHELO VEOFFISHING.COM
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TIPS FROM A PRO
O
BRANDON LESTER
ver the past five years fishing the Bassmaster Elite Series, I have visited a lot of really cool places. I have been about as far as a man can go north, south, east and west in the United States. Visiting new places is actually one of my favorite parts of fishing professionally. Don’t get me wrong, I miss my family when I have to leave and they don’t get to travel with me, but I do enjoy traveling. I’ve met a lot of great people and seen some really cool sights both on the water and off. Although I haven’t visited anywhere that I completely disliked, I do have a few favorites that I look forward to every year. One of my favorite stops is the St. Lawrence River in Waddington, N.Y. Yes, that’s right, a Tennessee boy just said he loves New York. When most people think of New York, they immediately think of New York City and all the hustle and bustle that goes with it. Upstate New York couldn’t be further from that. Waddington, and really the whole thousand islands region, is very rural, quiet and beautiful. Row crop fields and dairy farms are mostly what you see along the roadside. Aside from the scenery in Wa d d i n g t o n , the fishing is absolutely phenomenal. I finished third in our Elite tournament up there this year and actually caught my biggest smallmouth ever on the final day of the tournament. She weighed 6-8. I also caught my biggest fivefish limit of smallmouth ever that week. It weighed 25-13. This year was my third time being there with the Elite Series and the fishing has gotten better every time we’ve been. The river flows out of Lake Ontario and in a lot of ways it sets up like the Tennessee River where I fish back home. The current there runs a lot more than I am used to, but that just sets those fish up in likely areas a lot longer each day. The smallmouth are growing extremely large because of the presence of gobies. Smallmouth love them, and the X Zone lures Slammer mimics them perfectly. Rig it on a Mustad Titan X Wacky Neko hook and an MHX rod and you’re good to go. You’ll find a lot of people up there don’t even fish for smallmouth but instead chase walleye. That’s one reason the fishing for smallmouth is so good. Give the St. Lawrence a try and I think you will see why it’s one of my favorite places.
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By Will Schmidt • Photo by Kathryn Maroun
elize City doesn’t have a big fancy airport with neon signs everywhere. In fact, the single runway is also the taxiway, and you exit the plane via stairs. This simple airport sets the stage for the rest of the trip, which is easy, laid back and unplugged. Ambergris Caye is situated in the Caribbean Sea just off the coast of this small English-speaking nation sandwiched between Mexico and Guatemala. During a short flight to the caye and a boat ride to El Pescador Resort, you’ll be blown away by the views and the blues and greens of the water. Upon arriving at the lodge, we were greeted by an amazing staff, which refers to itself as family and thinks of you the same way, always addressing you by your first name. After settling in we, met at the dock for a fly-casting session with the guides, which was very helpful even for veteran casters. After dinner, we talked about what
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to expect the next day. It was quickly noted that this is one of the best places for a shot at a slam. The flats hold an abundance of bonefish, tarpon and permit. At daybreak, my father and I boarded the boat and ran south along the coast to just below the Mexican border. Our guide suddenly made a hard left turn and stopped the boat. Just ahead was a giant school of rolling tarpon, and it didn’t take long to hook up. After about 10 minutes I had the 30-pounder boat side. Unfortunately, the commotion of the fight pushed the other fish away. We then headed into a bay where we had world-class shots at permit. There were cruising fish and 20-plus pounders waving their tails at us as they ate breakfast. Unfortunately, as permit often do, they refused our offerings, but the bay was also filled with eager-toeat bonefish and we spent the rest of day catching them. It was the same each day of our trip, with numerous shots at multiple species and plenty of action. We had shots at juvenile to triple-digit tarpon, small to 20-pound permit and bonefish for days, although we did not see any particularly large bones. Admittedly, I have some isolated places to fish on my bucket list. Seemingly, every time I look at what it will take to pull a trip off, I start searching for more feasible options. Belize always rises to the top. There are plenty of reasonable fight options, and it’s only a couple of hours from south Florida. You will also find many competitively priced all-inclusive lodges that are close to the fish and will pamper you after a long day on the water. When you consider the ease of the travel, price and quality of fishing, Belize is definitely bucket list worthy. Will Schmidt is a seasoned tournament angler who has been writing about fishing for two decades.
For more on fishing in Belize, go to
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hen Bob Sundstrom, of Odin Lure Company, created his Oozzie Jig in 2011, he knew right away it was something special. It worked wonders on the New Hampshire coast for cod, haddock and stripers, and he patented his new technology that allows hard baits to disperse a steady stream of fish-attracting scent. Odin Lure Company is the evolution of that design. With its line of topwater poppers and jerkbaits, Odin handcrafts high-quality lures that appeal to all a fish’s senses to draw strikes. From largemouth bass to tuna, anything that will hit a plug will slam Odin’s FRIGG lures. And with the added attraction of a scent trail, FRIGGs are proven on the water to out-catch other lures. “We’ve all had fish follow a lure right to the boat,” Sundstrom said. “You caught that fish’s curiosity through sight and sound, but you haven’t convinced the fish that it’s looking at something to eat.” That’s where the scent system comes into play. For many species, scent is the most important sense utilized in targeting prey. FRIGG
lures use sight, sound and smell to convince even the wariest fish to feed. An empty FRIGG will draw strikes as well as any lure out there, but it’s almost unfair to the fish when injected with a scent product called Fish Smack. Fish Smack was formulated by Bioedge specifically for use with Odin lures. It is a 100 percent natural extract of the oils, enzymes and amino acids from baitfish. It has the viscosity of grease, which makes it uniquely designed for Odin’s “bait chamber.” On retrieve, water pushes through a rubber membrane on the front of the lure and past the Fish Smack in the bait chamber. Scented water exits through laceration points designed to look like gill slits on the lure’s sides. FRIGG lures leave a scented bubble trail that adds an element of realism and triggers strikes. On top of that, the residual baitfish scent in the water acts like chum to attract fish and spur feeding activity. A single injection of Fish Smack will keep the lure “hot” through more than an hour of casts and retrieves. And FRIGGs are remarkably versatile on the retrieve. A concave face gives the seductive wobbling and walking action of a stunned baitfish. When slowed down, the popper’s loud pops, bubbles and gurgles are like ringing the dinner bell. Largemouth, pike, tarpon, redfish, snook, trout, mahi-mahi and tuna are just a few species Odin’s FRIGG poppers and jerkbaits have caught in testing. There are sizes and colors to match whatever fishing you do. Fish Smack also matches the hatch with several different “flavors”— from herring to squid—that appeal to your targeted game fish. All Odin lures are made in the U.S.A. of high quality materials and extra-strong components. Sundstrom hand paints them himself in Odin’s New Hampshire facility, which means he personally oversees the quality of each lure produced. For more information on Odin Lure Company’s revolutionary new lures, see odinlures.com.
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FRESHWATER
By Michael Okruhlik • Photo courtesy of Controlled Descent Lures
A
laska, the last frontier, is truly a remarkable destination that every angler should experience. Believe it or not, river fishing in Alaska can be done easily without a guide. I like to call it a “do-it-yourself destination.” The famous Kenai Peninsula is a place I have traveled to for several amazing fishing trips. The beautiful scenery in this area alone is worth the trip, and the number of close encounters with wild bull moose, bears, elk, bald eagles, etc. were truly amazing. While there, I find myself not wanting to sleep, since the summer days are never ending and the fishing is usually catching! My last trip to the fabled Kenai River was a last-minute journey
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that proved to be one of my most amazing trips to the peninsula. It was mid-July, and I had been watching the salmon counts and monitoring the run charts for a few weeks. This was going to be my first attempt at catching the larger second run of sockeye salmon. Reports told of massive schools in Cook Inlet that were moving toward the river mouth. Predictions of a record season were starting to fill the nets of the commercial fishermen. As they started to near the river mouth in the town of Kenai, estimates of their arrival at my anticipated ambush point in the small town of Soldotna began to filter in. It was now time to break the news to my wife of this last-minute fishing trip from Texas to Alaska. Fortunately, she understands my passion for the sport and was in full support. The facts that sockeye is her favorite fish to eat and that I had a free airline ticket didn’t hurt. Four days later, the salmon and I hit the banks of the Kenai River in downtown Soldotna. Not only was its perfect timing for the arrival of these large acrobatic fighters, Alaska also increased the limit from three salmon per day to six. Jackpot! For some reason, the crowds were also lighter than what I had witnessed on previous trips. I was not complaining. I was fortunate to harvest my limit each day. With easy limits of salmon in the morning, I found time to head to the Russian River for some rainbow trout on the fly. This is where I had a 15-foot encounter with a momma bear and her two cubs. Fortunately, she didn’t feel threatened as the cubs were crossing the river on a fallen tree. She glanced at me, then to her cubs, back at me, and proceeded to follow her cubs across the river. I will never forget the sheer awe of that experience. A visit to Kenai Peninsula would not be complete without a hike to view Exit Glacier and the Harding Icefields. I have made this hike three times, and if I ever return I will definitely do it again. Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Controlled Descent Lures and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.
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here may be no better saltwater fish to take on the fly than the tarpon. Hard fighting, high jumping and beauty make this gamefish the holy grail of saltwater fly fishing. However, targeting tarpon on the fly might seem a little intimidating to some. The thought of making a 60-foot cast in a 15-knot wind and presenting a fly to a fish pushing 100 pounds keeps some anglers from venturing onto the flats. Anyone looking to tangle with a tarpon on the fly should first get their chops down by targeting baby tarpon. There is no better year-round fly fishing destination for baby tarpon than the Yucatan Peninsula. Campeche My first experience with Yucatan baby tarpon was the in the Campeche area. The city of Campeche is a wonderful colonial community nestled along the mangrove-lined coast six hours west of Cancun. The city has spec-
t a r p on t o grow up to 40 pounds. Anglers make casts to large schools of rolling tarpon over shallow eel grass flats early in the morning and late in the afternoon. The town of San Felipe is quaint and offers some of the best local seafood in the Yucatan. Rods, Reels And Tackle The tackle set up for Yucatan tarpon is simple. I carry two rigs. The workhorse is a 9-foot, 8-weight rod matched with a large arbor reel that can hold 200 yards of 20- or 30-pound backing. I fish a saltwater taper floating line. The second set up is a 9-foot, 9-weight rod and reel matched with a 30-foot intermediate sink tip and a shorter leader of 7 to 9 feet. This outfit works great subsurface. Leaders
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tacular views of the ocean, and the town square is highlighted by an amazing cathedral that towers over the city. The fishing is just as spectacular! Within a short panga ride from your hotel, you can cast flies to rolling tarpon on the open-water flats. Tarpon here are accommodating, often hitting poppers or a well-placed subsurface fly. Once hooked, baby tarpon put on a spectacular show, burning fly line off reels and making their trademark jumps.
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Baby tarpon can be spooky, so keep the fly line out of the tarpon’s field of vision, especially in calm conditions. I suggest a 10- to 12foot leader of 20-pound test with a floating line. You’ll also need a short 40-pound bite tippet.
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Case contents and locks not included.
Custo
Limit 1 coupon per customer per day. Save 20% on any 1 item purchased. *Cannot be used with other discount, coupon or any of the following items or brands: Inside Track Club membership, Extended Service Plan, gift card, open box item, 3 day Parking Lot Sale item, compressors, floor jacks, safes, saw mills, storage cabinets, chests or carts, trailers, trencher/backhoe, welders, Admiral, Ames, Bauer, Cobra, CoverPro, Daytona, Diamondback, Earthquake, Fischer, Hercules, Icon, Jupiter, Lynxx, Poulan, Predator, Tailgator, Viking, Vulcan, Zurich. Not valid on prior purchases. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 3/1/19.
SUPER COUPON
12-7/8" W 6-11/16" H
SAVE $69 $ 3999
ITEM 64023 64012 shown
ITEM 69030/69031 shown
Cannot be used with other discounts or prior purchases. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 3/1/19 while supplies last. Limit 1 FREE GIFT per customer per day.
ULTRA-LIGHT, CRUSH PROOF Customer Rating WEATHER-RESISTANT LOCKABLE CASE NOW • 16-15/16" L
$2999
MODEL: 831097
20% OFF
30"
• 12 of • 58 • He str at
*69608469 * 69608469
6
MODEL: L4825HV
SUPER COUPON
MODEL 3800
99
24999
KOMELON $ 98
*69616269 * 69616269
LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
46" MOBILE STORAGE CABINET WITH SOLID WOOD TOP Customer Rating
1" x 25 FT. TAPE MEASURE
ANY SINGLE ITEM*
PRICE $1,999 *69627672 * 69627672
$
ANY PURCHASE
• Thumb Lock • Rubber Wrapped Case
SUPER COUPON
NOW
WITH
SUPER COUPON
COMPARE TO
HUSKY
$ 229 SAVE $79 MODEL: C201H $
99
17499
ITEM 61454/69091/62803/63635/67847 shown
$3 99
COM
KT
5
$ 99
COMPARE TO
VALEO $ 02
11
ITEM
Customer Rating
MODEL: 25521
62434, 62426, 62433, 62432, SAVE 63% ITEM 62429, 64178, 64179, 62428 shown
*69628653 * 69628653
*69631381 * 69631381
*69635732 * 69635732
*69654116 * 69654116
LIMIT 3 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
LIMIT 9 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
Custo
SUPER Battle Tested COUPON 18" WORKING PLATFORM 5000 LB. ELECTRIC WINCH STEP STOOL WITH REMOTE CONTROL AND Customer Rating AUTOMATIC BRAKE Customer Rating
SUPER COUPON
200 LUMENS LED SUPER BRIGHT FLIP LIGHT
20-60 x 60MM SPOTTING SCOPE WITH TRIPOD
• Wireless, tool-free and easy installation
4
Customer Rating
$ 49
Customer Rating
NOW
NOW
SAVE 50%
$2 $
PROMIER
6
MODEL: P-SWITCH-12/48
NOW
$3999
99
COMPARE TO
• 350 lb. capacity
$
COMPARE TO
ITEM 64189 64723/63922 shown
CELESTRON
97
99
MODEL: 14593491
54
99 SAVE $ 59% ITEM 62774
COMPARE TO
GPL
$
5145 SAVE 61%
MODEL: H-21
ITEM 62515/66911 shown
2999
$
COM
28
17999 $
COMPARE TO
WARN
MODE
Voted Best Winches
32639 SAVE $186
MODEL: WAR89040
ITEM 61384/61605/68144 shown
*69674169 * 69674169
*69678045 * 69678045
LIMIT 9 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
LIMIT 7 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
LIMIT 3 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
SUPER COUPON
ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL 14" EAR MUFFS CHAIN SAW Customer Rating NOW
COMPARE TO
HOBART
$
MAGNESIUM FIRE STARTER Customer Rating
99
$2
99 9 3 $ $4999 Customer Rating
SAVE $399 55%
12999 SAVE $90
MODEL: 77054
6
$ 74
COMPARE TO
Customer Rating
TR INDUSTRIAL MODEL: TR88014
ITEM 61610/63122/91214 shown
ITEM 61372/60792/43768 shown
NOW
$
9 4999 $39
SAVE $60
9
ITEM 64498/64497 shown
COMPARE TO
CRAFTSMAN $ 99
99
MODEL: 071-45247
NOW COMPARE TO
COGHLAN'S $ 59
9
MODEL: 7870
$1 49
SAVE 84%
1
$ 99
*69682413 * 69682413
*69684045 * 69684045
*69686212 * 69686212
LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
LIMIT 9 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
LIMIT 9 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
DRIVE 1/4" 3/8" 1/2"
SUPER COUPON
SUPER COUPON
CLICK-TYPE TORQUE WRENCHES
130 PIECE TOOL KIT WITH CASE
ITEM 61277/63881/2696 61276/63880/807 62431/63882/239
COMPARE TO
HUSKY $ 97
MODEL: H2DTWA
SAVE $ 99 88% 19
SUPER COUPON
SUPER COUPON
40 PIECE, 3/8" DRIVE SAE AND METRIC SOCKET SET
2 HP GAS POWERED EARTH AUGER
Customer Rating
• Reversible Item 239 shown
Customer Rating
NOW
E YOUR CHOIC
$9
99
COMPARE TO
HDX
$
66
39
MODEL: H137HOS
SAVE 54%
$29 $
38
ITEM 68998/63248/64080/64263/63091 shown
NOW
99
69
COMPARE TO
KOBALT
$
1997 SAVE 80%
MODEL: 89809
$3 4
$ 99
ITEM 975/47902/61328/63015/62843 shown
*69692214 * *69695492 * *69699359 * 6 9 6 9 2I2 1 NOVEMBER 4 69695492 69699359 NATIONAL 2018 I COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM LIMIT 8 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
CANGL_NAT3-NAT26.indd 24 hft_coastalangler_1118_spread_M-REG152008.indd 2
LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
LIMIT 8 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
99
Cust
ITEM
ITEM 69457/63733/66560 shown
*69681471 * 69681471 Customer Rating
SA 65
PER $
*69671294 * 69671294
AUTO-DARKENING WELDING HELMET WITH BLUE FLAME DESIGN NOW
24
$
$13999
*69669515 * 69669515 SUPER COUPON
84
$1 999
NOW
60" WIT
• 6" diameter x 31" long auger bit included Customer Rating
SAVE $164
COMPARE TO
EARTHQUAKE $ 98
334
MODEL: E43, EA6F
ITEM 63022
NOW
$1 69 $
99
21499
*69701648 * 69701648 LIMIT 3 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
10/18/18 9:49 AM
COM
GRI $
4
MODE
ON
%
F
NY NGLE EM*
SUPER COUPON
SUPER COUPON
30", 4 DRAWER TECH CART
7 FT. 4" x 9 FT. 6" RAPID PUMP® 3 TON STEEL ALL PURPOSE/WEATHER HEAVY DUTY LOW PROFILE RESISTANT TARP FLOOR JACK
• 12,600 cu. in. of storage • 580 lb. capacity • Heavy duty gas struts hold lid open at 90 degrees
NOW
Customer Rating
$
Customer Rating
NOW
99
$1 07 99
159
$
COMPARE TO
SNAP-ON
99
SAVE $691
79995
MODEL: KRBC10TBPC
9
$ 98
COMPARE TO
4
$ 99
BLUE HAWK
ITEM 64096
ITEM 69115/69121/69129/69137/69249/877 shown
MODEL: BG8X10-Y
Customer Rating
$
$4699 7450 SAVE 53%
MODEL: KTI61205
Customer Rating
• 450 in. lbs. of torque • 1.5 amp hour battery • Weighs 3.4 lbs.
$
ITEM 60658/97711 shown
3999
SAVE $34 COMPARE TO
99
MODEL: P1811
4 PIECE, 1" x 15 FT. RATCHETING TIE DOWNS • 400 lb. working load
Customer Rating
NOW
$
$64 $
10 FT. x 17 FT. PORTABLE GARAGE
Customer Rating
$699
99
RYOBI $
SUPER COUPON
SUPER COUPON
NOW
NOW
$1 6999
1199 COMPARE TO
74
99
$
COMPARE TO
ATE TOOLS
ITEM 64754/63531 shown
5488 SAVE 87%
MODEL: 33079
ITEM 63094 63056/63057 63150/61524 shown
$
SHELTER LOGIC
$19999 270 SAVE $100
MODEL: 76377
ITEM 62859/63055/62860 shown
*70454740 * 70454740
*70456551 * 70456551
LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
LIMIT 9 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
LIMIT 3 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
SUPER COUPON
SUPER COUPON
4-1/2" ANGLE GRINDER
SUPER COUPON
18" MACHETE WITH SERRATED BLADE
.50 CAL METAL SNATCH BLOCK AMMO CAN Customer Rating
UPER UPON
• Includes sheath Customer Rating
Customer Rating
NOW
$1 999
NOW
SAVE 65%
NOW
COMPARE TO
PERFORMAX $ 99
$
28
MODEL: 2411-1
$999
14
99
ITEM 69645/95578/60625 shown
99
$12
COMPARE TO
GAME WINNER $ 99
24
MODEL: FSGWHE1030
SAVE 48%
$
$
COMPARE TO
15
99
ITEM 63750/63181 shown
WARN $ 99
NOW
$499 $599
2899
SAVE 52%
41
MODEL: WAR88898
$
COMPARE TO
SOG
ITEM 62435/61673 shown
1869 SAVE 73%
MODEL: 947981
ITEM 62682/69910/60641/62683 shown
*70457789 * 70457789
*70457886 * 70457886
*70458197 * 70458197
*70458661 * 70458661
LIMIT 9 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
LIMIT 7 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
LIMIT 7 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
LIMIT 9 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
SUPER COUPON
SUPER COUPON
ATV/LAWN MOWER LIFT
Customer Rating
• 300 lb. capacity • Weighs 72.5 lbs.
UM TER
$
ating
SUPER COUPON
80 PIECE ROTARY TOOL KIT
Customer Rating
NOW
8999 $74
99
SAVE $67 Customer Rating
SUPER COUPON
2/10/50 AMP, 12 VOLT BATTERY CHARGER/ 12" WIDE MOUTH ENGINE STARTER TOOL BAG
COMPARE TO
MAX LOAD
$
142 08
MODEL: 38028
ITEM 60395/62325/62493/61523 shown
SAVE 50% $5299 COMPARE TO
59
NOW
$2999
SCHUMACHER $ 99 MODEL: SE-1250 ELECTRIC ITEM 60581/60653 shown
SAVE 75%
Tools sold separately.
COMPARE TO $
AWP
1998 $ 99 8
MODEL: 3L-2216
ITEM 38168/62163/62349/61467 shown
NOW
99
$4
SAVE 73%
NOW
Customer Rating
COMPARE TO
$699
26
9
$ 35 PROFESSIONAL WOODWORKER MODEL: 51832
$ 99
ITEM 69451/68986/63235/63292/97626 shown
*70462654 * 70462654
*70462904 * 70462904
*70463421 * 70463421
*70463587 * 70463587
LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
LIMIT 8 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
LIMIT 8 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
SUPER COUPON
SUPER COUPON
60" HARDWOOD WORKBENCH Customer Rating WITH 4 DRAWERS
long d ating
4
6499 SAVE 69%
MODEL: 426920
*70453466 * 70453466
Customer Rating
99
COMPARE TO $
MIBRO
$1 999
*69721420 * 69721420
shown
9
$7999
ITEM 64264/64266/64879/64883 64881/61282/62326/61253 shown
SUPER COUPON
6 TON HEAVY DUTY STEEL 20 VOLT LITHIUM CORDLESS JACK STANDS 1/2" COMPACT DRILL/DRIVER KIT
2432,
99
NOW
LIMIT 6 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
SUPER COUPON
ITEM 38847/69596/62393/61197 shown
W
MODEL: T830018Z
97
NOW
99
*69720196 * 69720196
K TOOL
RED GER
14999 SAVE $70
$
LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
COMPARE TO
OUPON
TEQ $
*69710418 * 69710418
$34
199
• Weighs 73 lbs. COMPARE TO
LIMIT 9 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
99
9
• 5400 lb. capacity
20"
*69709049 * 69709049
NOW
W
3/8" x 14 FT., GRADE 43 TOWING CHAIN
LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
UPON
es
SAVE 70%
Side tray sold separately.
Customer Rating
*69703248 * 69703248
. *Cannot ds: Inside m, 3 day cabinets, er, Cobra, , Jupiter, on prior gh 3/1/19.
ing
$2
Customer Rating
SUPER COUPON
18" x 12" 1750 PSI ELECTRIC MOVER'S DOLLY PRESSURE WASHER
Customer Rating
• 1000 lb. capacity
COMPARE TO
GRIZZLY $
425
MODEL: H7723
Tools sold separately.
SAVE $295
$
15999
ITEM 63395/93454/69054/62603 shown
• 1.3 GPM • Adjustable spray nozzle
RECIPROCATING SAW WITH ROTATING HANDLE
NOW
NOW
$12999
SUPER COUPON
SUPER COUPON
COMPARE TO
BUFFALO TOOLS $ 65
17
MODEL: HDFDOLLY
$
1099
SAVE 54%
NOW
99
$7
ITEM 63098/60497/61899 63095/63096/63097/93888 shown
Customer Rating
$7999 $
99
99 Customer Rating
COMPARE TO
44 SAVE $94 BRIGGS & $ STRATTON MODEL: 20600 ITEM 63255/63254 shown
174
COMPARE TO
PORTER-CABLE $ 98
59
MODEL: PCE360
NOW
Blade sold separately.
SAVE 66%
ITEM 65570/61884/62370 shown
$1 999 $
2799
*70464930 * 70464930
*70465235 * 70465235
*70466108 * 70466108
*70466416 * 70466416
LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
LIMIT 9 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
LIMIT 7 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
At Harbor Freight Tools, the “Compare to” price means that the specified comparison, which is an item with the same or similar function, was 900 Stores Nationwide • HarborFreight.com COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM I national NOVEMBER 2018 I NATIONAL advertised for sale at or above the “Compare to” price by another retailer in the U.S. within the past 90 days. Prices advertised 25 by others
*Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 3/1/19.
CANGL_NAT3-NAT26.indd 25
may vary by location. No other meaning of “Compare to” should be implied. For more information, go to HarborFreight.com or see store associate.
10/18/18 10/2/18 9:49 1:54 AM PM
26
NATIONAL
I
CANGL_NAT3-NAT26.indd 26
NOVEMBER 2018
I
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
10/18/18 9:49 AM
WHO CARES ABOUT LIVE SCANNING SONAR? ANYONE WHO FISHES.
PANOPTIX™ LIVESCOPE SYSTEM LIVE, REAL-TIME
2 MODES IN
SEE AROUND YOUR BOAT
RANGE UP
SCANNING SONAR 1 TRANSDUCER SEE BELOW YOUR BOAT TO 200’
WORKS EVEN WHEN
AHRS STABILIZES
BOAT IS STATIONARY SONAR VIEW
EASY TO INSTALL
INTEGRATES SEAMLESSLY
© 2018 Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries.
COMMON CVRS_1118.indd 3 18-MCJT11128 Panoptix LiveScope Full-page Near Shore Ad-8.125x10.875-CoastalAngler.indd 1
10/18/18 AM 10/10/18 10:50 2:01 PM
THE PLANET’S
CLEANEST OUTBOARD *
It’s never been this much of a rush to make the right choice. The new Evinrude® E-TEC® G2® gives you power plus responsibility. Run the cleanest combustion outboard on the planet, period. Not just clean, but lean, with up to 15% better fuel efficiency**. No competitor takes you further on a tank of fuel. That’s more adventures to the gallon, more fish in the boat, more dollars in your wallet. The planet friendly E-TEC G2. No outboard engine runs cleaner.
©2018 Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP). All rights reserved. ®, TM and the BRP logo are trademarks of BRP or its affiliates. * Emissions claim based on reported certified emissions of Evinrude E-TEC G2 250 H.O., Yamaha 250 SHO® and Mercury OptiMax® 250 Pro XS™. Actual emissions dependent on engine model. ** Fuel economy claim based on BRP-conducted ICOMIA testing of Evinrude E-TEC G2 250 H.O., Yamaha 250 SHO® and Mercury OptiMax® 250 HP in a test tank to determine ICOMIA average cycle. Actual fuel economy dependent on engine model.
COMMON CVRS_1118.indd 4
10/18/18 10:50 AM