The Angler Video Magazine | August 2023 Edition

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GRADY-WHITE BOATS INTRODUCES INNOVATIVE AND LUXURIOUS 281 COASTAL EXPLORER!

The newest edition to Grady-White Boats’ impressive Coastal Explorer Series, the 281 CE, made its debut at the Miami Boat Show. There, avid anglers got to check out the latest Grady-White innovations that make this boat primed for inshore and offshore fishing. Grady-White hit it out of the park with this unique new boat.

The innovation starts in the cockpit with a portside sport deck that is an electromechanically folding platform with an in-gunnel stowable ladder. An ingenious design at the transom adds to this boat’s versatility, allowing the area to transform from comfortable forward-facing seating, to casting platform, or lounge. Whether you’re riding to the fishing grounds, casting for trout, or spending the day at the sandbar, you have the right setup for the day’s activity. At the bow you’ve got incredible flexibility with a large casting platform that converts to a spacious sun pad with backrests that can be a table too. A lockable console with electric flush marine head and a 10-gallon holding tank adds to the amenities.

Loaded for fishing function, you’ve got two livewells, lots of rod storage, and abundant fish boxes–over 400 quarts! The deluxe lean bar also includes a rigging station, cutting board, and recessed freshwater shower.

From the plush helm seats with flip-up bolsters and footrest, to the full height scratch resistant acrylic windshield integrated into the

T-top, Grady thought of everything. You also get the choice of a single Yamaha 450 or dual 300 engine configuration, both with integrated digital electric steering. Other options include Helm Master EX® full maneuverability with autopilot, trolling motor pre-rigging with a swivel mounting bracket with quick release, a head stabilizer, 36V battery system and a 20-amp battery charger (trolling motor not included) and an outrigger kit.

All built on Grady’s superior SeaV2® hull

with capable wave cutting technology and continuously variable vee design means you get the ultimate ride wherever the fish are biting. But don’t be fooled by its fishability, this boat is equally luxurious, making it as comfortable for long rides to the fishing grounds, as it is for relaxing days at the sandbar with family and friends.

Hawaii Team Wins Million Dollar Purse in Blue Marlin World Cup

Afleet of 152 boats competed around the globe on July 4 in the 2023 edition of the single-day Blue Marlin World Cup. At stake was a record purse of $1.241 million in combined prize money. After a lengthy day of fishing, Apex, a 54foot Donnie Caison custom sportfisher based in Kona, Hawaii, emerged as the winner to earn the winner-take-all jackpot.

Fifteen minutes after lines in the water, local time, Angler Tim Lemman began his 45-minute battle to defeat the 834.5-pound blue marlin. The blue measured 123 inches (lower jaw to fork length), with a girth of 70 inches. Capt. Cyrus Widhalm runs Apex. The winning fish was caught on a locally-made Kraken lure.

The Blue Marlin World Cup is a one-day fishing tournament conducted globally. Blue marlin weighing more than 500 pounds are the only eligible species, and competing teams fish in their respective time zones from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Entries are weighed on certified government scales in their respective locales. The payout is a winner-take-all format. 2023 is the 39th edition of the World Cup.

The Tournament entry fee for the World Cup is $5,000 per team. The optional Big Blue Challenge (BBC) is an additional $8,000. There is a winner for the Tournament and the BBC. If the team with the biggest blue is entered in both categories, they take home all the money. Apex was entered in both. Sixty-eight percent of the fleet was across the board in entries for

Beach, North Carolina, posted an early contender after weighing a 714-pound blue following a fight lasting one hour and 45 minutes. Bluebill (61 Briglia, based in Nags Head, N.C.) was fishing in Bermuda for the World Cup. The angler was Rob High, with Capt. Mike King at the helm. Bermuda had 45 boats competing.

The Eastern Atlantic region was also well represented with nearly 50 boats in Madeira, Cape Verde (23 boats), Senegal and the Canary Islands. The bite was hot, with most boats reporting three to four blues apiece but none met the 500-pound minimum. Teams were also fishing across the Gulf of Mexico, with single contestants from North Carolina’s Outer

Banks and Ocean City, Maryland.

It was a very exciting day of action. Lines went in at 2:30 a.m. EDT in Senegal and Apex was declared the winner at 10:30 p.m. EDT. The fishing overall was hot and there was another record for overall payout. Congratulations to Apex for a trophy fish and for bringing the cup back to Hawaii for the first time since 2018.

The 2024 Blue Marlin World Cup will be held July 4, 2024. Registration on the website for the 2024 Blue Marlin World Cup will be available as of Aug. 1.

For more information or to register, visit: www.bluemarlinworldcup.com.

RODS

FISHING CUSTOM RODS JUST GOT EASIER.

FISHING CUSTOM RODS JUST GOT EASIER.

Any angler that spends enough time on the water becomes hyper-sensitive to the performance they get from their gear. The new Find a Rod Builder section at BatsonEnterprises.com has made it easier than ever to get rods made specifically to fish YOUR way.

Batson has combined the industry’s best line up of rod blanks and components with direct access to our network of professional rod builders that make awesome rods happen. Click this ad to visit us online and see why the best fishing rods start here.

SEAKEEPER RIDE BRINGS MAJOR ATTITUDE TO

MARINE INDUSTRY

When Seakeeper Ride was introduced in August 2022, many wondered how it differed from Seakeeper gyroscopic stabilization systems. Seakeeper, the parent company of Seakeeper Ride has a strong reputation for bringing calmness to a rockin’ and rollin’ sea. But what exactly is Seakeeper Ride and how does it work? Seakeeper Ride is a Vessel Attitude Control System (adapted from the aerospace industry’s Attitude Control Systems) designed to control pitch, roll, and yaw. It can eliminate up to 70% of underway pitch and roll, providing an unparalleled feeling of comfort, control, and confidence. Not to be confused with trim tabs or interceptors which have linear actuators moving solely up and down, the VACS uses a rotary actuator that can move at speeds of 300mm per second to deploy the rotary blade up to one inch. This equates to 100 adjustments made per second to combat wave motions, based on proprietary software and sensors taking 1,000 measurements every second. The incomparable speed counteracts changes to both the running angle and list, immediately. Seakeeper Ride is completely automatic and predicts motion and responds automatically and instantaneously to eliminate them before they’re felt with no manual adjustments needed. The noticeable difference is not only felt by boaters but backed by real results published on the Seakeeper Ride website, based on five main benefits:

1. Pitch and Roll Elimination - Seakeeper Ride eliminates up to 70% of underway pitch and roll motion that often cause uncomfortable pounding or slamming.

2. List/Level Control - Seakeeper Ride never allows vessel list from movement onboard, wind, uneven load while underway, and/or prop torque.

3. Auto Trim - Seakeeper Ride uses a customized Trim Command Curve to automatically adjust the boat to match the optimal running angle at any given speed.

4. Hole Shot Control - Seakeeper Ride is optimized to allow for faster acceleration that gets the boat on plane more quickly which improves fuel economy during the transition to planing. The operator never loses sight of the horizon, increasing safety for all on board.

5. Coordinated Turn - Seakeeper Ride automatically adjusts the heeling angle of your boat during turns for more comfort and better performance.

Originally available as standard equipment on select models from Sportsman Boats, Scout Boats, Chris-Craft Boats, Jupiter Marine, and Dynamic Boats, Seakeeper Ride is now available for aftermarket installations on qualifying boats 19-35 feet through a dealer network.

Visit ride.seakeeper.com for more information or to locate a dealer near you.

By Capt. Judy Helmey

Rigging Live Baits for Flounder

Summer is a great time to target flounder here on the Georgia coast. We have been finding them on flats around structure in areas close to the ocean. You need to be on or near the bottom. Our favorite rigs include Carolina rigged mud minnows or finger mullets, small jigheads with artificial shrimp or grubs and live baits under corks close to the bottom.

A key with flounder is patience. They do not always hit the bait and run. More often, a flounder will take its time ingesting the bait. So, when you feel a strong thump, give it some time before coming tight and setting the hook. With floating corks, you’ll often notice the cork stopping or just moving a bit unusually rather than going straight down. Again, give it a few seconds then come tight.

Hooking Up the Old Mud Minnow

I’ve been asked what the best way to hook a mud minnow is, and my answer is to hook it whatever way works best. Here are some suggestions

that have worked for me.

When using any sort of live bait, it is important that your hook doesn’t overpower the bait. Your hook should be small enough and light enough to allow the bait to swim. Using too big of a hook is the worst thing you can do. The beauty of live bait is it’s alive, giving you the best chance to catch a feeding fish’s attention.

You can run the hook through their lips or the top of the eye sockets, behind the dorsal fin or in the tail section. All hook placements will work. Through the lips or eye sockets are my first two choices because when the line moves the bait still looks alive.

When hooked behind the dorsal fin, the bait can dive more readily, but when used under a cork this could be a problem. I suggest hooking your bait up behind the dorsal fin when freelining. This allows your bait to move more naturally. When using a cork, I suggest placing the hook under and through the bottom lip up through the top of the head. This lets the bait hang there and wiggle. It won’t do much swimming away.

Some anglers hook baits through the tail. I believe this limits natural movement. This brings to light another fish biting scenario: Does a hungry fish prefer to attack the head or the tail first? From my point of view, it depends on how hungry the fish was in the first place.

Contact

WITH EXTENDED RANGE FOR OPEN WATER

GARMIN® LIVESCOPE™ XR SYSTEM: THE BEST OF THE BEST JUST GOT DEEPER

With an optimized design for deeper water, the new XR transducer has extended range elements so anglers can see up to 500’ in freshwater and 350’ in saltwater. It also includes the Reverse Range feature, allowing them to utilize more of the screen. To see detail closer to the boat, the Compress Range aspect displays a real-time look in sharp detail up close, while still letting the angler keep an eye on their further-away target.

The LiveScope XR displays seven different color palettes to view fish and structure in vivid contrast and clarity. In keeping up with previous

constantly adjust the sonar beams to compensate for boat motion, so even in rough waters, anglers will still see a steady image, even at an extended range.

The XR System delivers three unique vantage points with one mount that can easily be adjusted to fit different fishing techniques and preferences, without needing additional tools. Simply turn the transducer forward for a live look at what’s out in front of the boat, or point it down to see directly beneath the boat, or even turn it sideways with

products, visit Garmin.com/marine, or connect with @garminmarine on social media.

As with most swimming-sandwiches harvested from the cooler waters of great depths, deepwater grouper are some of the better tasting fish in the ocean. The two main species of deep-water grouper we target off the Atlantic coast of the Florida Keys are snowy grouper and yellowedge grouper. They are found in depths of 400 to 1,000 feet.

Yellowedge are open year-round, and they can be a little difficult to find. They congregate in localized areas in depths between 600 and 800 feet. You might find snowies and tilefish where you find yellowedges, but this is not true the other way

around. When you find an area with yellowedge grouper, mark it, save it, and do not over fish it. Keep your harvest light, and this honey-hole will produce for you again in the future.

When making a deep-dropping rig, use larger hooks on the top and bottom of a five-hook rig. Mustad 11/0 circle hooks provide excellent hookup ratios for this kind of fishing. Affix larger baits on these hooks, with the bottom intended for yellowedge, and the top intended for snowy grouper. You can make the rig uniform with this sized hook or pepper in smaller ones in the middle for tilefish.

The nice part about dropping five hooks at a time is you can play with a variety and see what works. The best hook is the one that hooks a fish. With an electric reel in deep water, you should wait for few good movements of the rod tip before engaging the reel. Don’t go full Bassmaster in 800 feet of water; give the circle hook a chance to do what it is made to do.

Bait selection can vary greatly, so use anything and everything. I use chunks of fresh fish, with skin that will stay on the hook longer, for my top and bottom hooks, and squid in the middle. At least one hook should have some greasy, oily, stinky squid for deep dropping. Squid can be refrozen countless times, and the finicky mahi love it too, so always bring a few in your offshore arsenal.

When it comes to catching deep-water species such as grouper, tilefish, barrelfish and rosies, you don’t need to break the bank to get a reliable electric set-up. The lower-priced reels can handle these fish and can be paired with a rod and stacked with line on a budget of $1,000 to $2,000. I don’t recommend buying these used, as everything electronic on the water has a shelf life, and you never know how they were cared for previously.

If you make this investment, care for your new baby as best as you

can. There are basic ways to love your new reel, such as regular freshwater and soap sponge baths, tucking it into bed and singing it lullabies, but there are also some other things you can do to increase longevity. Go easy on the throttle with larger fish, and back down after the initial hookset. When opening the drag lever, wait for the tension to let off when the boat rocks to the top of a wave, then pull back on the spool with your thumb before pulling back the lever.

With mahi-mahi still prevalent in offshore waters, and with snowy grouper still in season, the timing is perfect to practice yellowedge grouper hunting. Don’t forget to have a descending device set up in case you accidentally hook multiple snowy grouper and need to send one home. He

won’t make it back down without a little help.

If you aren’t interested in the trial and error of searching the depths of the vast ocean by yourself, Sweet E’nuf Charters’ two-boat fleet is available to help put you on the grouper. Call to book a deep-dropping trip out of Marathon, Florida Keys.

Contact Capt. Quinlyn Haddon and Sweet E’nuf Charters at (504) 920-6342, through CaptainQuinlyn.com and on social @ captainquinlyn.

Tesoro spinning reels feature a carbonite high-output DFD drag system with Cal’s drag grease that puts out over 55-pounds of fish stopping power. Built with strength and protection in mind, Tesoro features an IPX-7 full-body waterproof design and proprietary ALUMILITE body, side plate and rotor. With an interchangeable screw-in handle system and five models from 8000 to 20000 size, Tesoro spinning reels are sure to complement any big game saltwater arsenal.

TA-140000HA

SHORELINE AT SURF EXPO TO DEBUT SEPT. 7-9

Surf Expo,the premier watersports and coastal lifestyle tradeshow, enhances the buying experience for both watersports and outfitter retailers with the debut of its new Shoreline offering during the Sept. 7-9, 2023 edition.

SHORELINE AT SURF EXPO EVOLVES THE WATERMAN’S LIFESTYLE FROM COASTAL SHORELINE ACTIVITIES INTO CAMPING, HIKING, CLIMBING AND MORE.

Shoreline at Surf Expo will feature products dedicated to technical apparel, equipment and gear any enthusiast needs to transition from a day on the water to stretching out on land.

“From the trails to the lakes and beyond, Shoreline at Surf Expo supports the natural evolution of the waterman’s lifestyle with gear, apparel and accessories that will take consumers from coastal shoreline activities into camping, hiking, climbing and other recreational activities found along rivers and lakes,” said Roy Turner, Emerald SVP and Surf Expo Show Director.

Shoreline is positioned to become the hub for industry-leading retailers and brands focusing on fishing, boating, wakeboarding, technical apparel, outerwear, camping, watersports hardgoods as well as essential gear and accessories.

The newest floor category complements Surf Expo’s extensive product offerings—Surf, Skate, Paddle and Bluewater—by targeting the business associated with outdoor amenities and recreation found in lake towns across the country.

Eric Marvin, founder of Elakai Outdoor, is exhibiting outdoor games within the new

Shoreline category. Some games include cornhole, bocce ball, croquet and more. While this is Marvin’s first year participating at Surf Expo, he knows it will be the right fit for his business.

“Our products can be used on the beach, by the lake or near the ocean. Exhibiting at Surf Expo is a natural fit for who we are as a business and what the Shoreline category is all about,” said Marvin.

Shoreline will also create a seamless connection with Surf Expo’s Bluewater category, which showcases notable inshore and offshore apparel and accessory products ranging from lifestyle and technical apparel

to footwear, outerwear, sportswear, T-shirts, sunglasses and much more.

“Blending the inshore and offshore worlds under Surf Expo’s one roof exposes buyers and sellers to this growing crossover market within the coastal lifestyle industry,” added Turner.

SHORELINE & BLUEWATER EXHIBITING BRANDS

INCLUDE: Ronix Wake/ Radar Skis, Columbia OCS, MANG, Hest, Bimini Bay Outfitters, Burnside Sierra Pacific Apparel, Elakai, Fahlo, HEST, Kracken Adventure Bikes, Intracoastal Waterway, Kanga Coolers, Lowtides Ocean Product, Line + Cleat, Pirani, Preston 1947 by Ebinger Brothers, Promo & More, Sunski, Sunburn Drink, The Grateful Diver, XTRATUF, Welly Bottle, and ZEP-PRO.

ENTER TO WIN

AN OKUMA SWAG PACK!

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TYLER WOOLCOTT

THROW A WACKY RIG TO GET BIT! TIPS FROM A PRO

Have you ever heard the saying, “going catching, not fishing?”

Well, there’s a technique that will help you do just that. More than any other bait

I can think of, a wacky rig gets bit at any time, under any conditions. If you haven’t heard of a wacky rig, it’s simply a Senko-style bait with a hook through the very center of the worm.

There are a few reasons this bait outperforms many others when it comes to getting bites. First off, it is versatile when it comes to areas where you can throw it. I wacky rig with a weedless hook, which allows me to pretty much put this bait anywhere. Hayabusa makes an awesome hook called the Wacky Fluoro Guard that is completely weedless and helps you fish through cover. What kind of cover? The options are endless. Docks, grass, wood and rocks are some of the places I’ll throw a wacky rig.

I use a spinning rod with a wacky rig, which allows easier casts, especially when skipping the bait under cover most people can’t reach. A wacky rig skips extremely well, and this lets you reach

fish that might never have seen a bait before. The natural falling shimmy action of the Senko drives fish absolutely crazy. It will catch bass when nothing else seems to be working.

For colors, I like green pumpkin or some type of brown when the water is clear. If there’s some stain to the water, I use a darker color like junebug or redbug to help it stand out. In muddy water, the silhouette of a darker bait is what the bass pick up on. Typically, the slower you fish a wacky rig, the better. I throw it or skip it under and around cover and then let it sink for a few seconds. A lot of times, bass will eat it on the initial fall. If not, I give it a few small twitches or a pull of the rod to cover some area. Repeat this process a few times until your bait leaves the strike zone. If there is a fish around, it will bite.

Wacky Rig Gear

A spinning rod is ideal for this technique. I like a shorter rod for more accurate casts and skips. The 13 Fishing Defy 7’1” medium is an awesome rod for a wacky rig, and it’s super affordable. Pair it with your favorite 2000 or 3000 size reel, and spool up with 10-pound Seaguar Smackdown braid. I use a fluorocarbon leader to help keep the line visibility down. A 10- to 15-pound leader works, depending on the type of cover I am targeting. Seaguar Abrazx is an awesome fluorocarbon line that I use for most of my spinning rod leaders.

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

By Gary Turner

CATCH REDFISH IN SOUTH LOUISIANA

On a dark, muggy morning, we eased into Campo’s Marina in Shell Beach, Louisiana. They open at 5 a.m., and it would be getting light at 5:30. We picked up 150 live shrimp for our first day, and every morning began the same way for the rest of the week.

For some of us—Dewayne and Blake Proffit, Darrel and I—this was the first time we had been to Shell Beach in search of giant redfish, massive sheepshead and gator trout. Touted as the “Best Inshore Fishing in the World,” Shell Beach did not disappoint! The redfish fishing was incredible! We hooked some giants, some we never even saw!

We fished spinning gear and 17- to 20-pound line with 2/0 circle hooks baited with either live shrimp or chunks of fresh blue crab. We also used two different techniques. Some of us popped a Cajun Thunder cork with short leader with a weight, then a barrel swivel, then another short leader with the hook. The total length below the cork was 18 to 24 inches. I used a Carolina rig, with the weight on my line, then a barrel swivel and an 18-inch leader terminating in my 2/0 BKK circle hook with a live shrimp.

Now… back to the fish we never saw! We fished some flats right where the tall marsh grass met the canals. The water was usually less than a foot deep. We would cast right next to the grass and wait for fish that were cruising this edge in search of food. Then it was on! Your line would cut a wake as the fish ran for deep water and peeled drag. These fish used any structure or rocks they could find to break off. Even when they ran to deep water, they just kept going. We broke several lines before deciding to pull up anchor and chase the next big one.

That worked well, so we started chasing down lots of big redfish. Blake hooked one with the popping cork that broke him off. Later, we spotted the cork in the shallows and eased up to try to net it. Just as we got to it, the fish took off and was never seen again.

The days were hot, in the low to mid 90s with pop-up thunderstorms every day. One day we even spotted two waterspouts. We did our best to dodge all that, but we did get wet a few times. The last 30 minutes of daylight were always the most productive. We fished rock walls and hooked up several big redfish each evening. Mixed in with the redfish were some giant sheepshead that fell for the same tactics as the reds. Blue crabs are everywhere. You can catch them with a longhandle dip net or rod and reel.

Shell Beach is in St. Bernard Parish on the Gulf Outlet Canal near Lake Borgne, just 30 minutes from New Orleans. We plan on going back next year.

Check out Gary Turner’s YouTube channel @FishingMagicWithGary.

Forty-nine reservoirs stretch across the Tennessee Valley like a string of pearls. And for those who love to fish, those lakes are just as valuable. Whether it’s bass, crappie, walleye, or catfish, whether for sport, food, or just fun, you can find world-class lake fishing only hours away from any spot in the Tennessee Valley. From more than 11,000 miles of shoreline or while floating on more than 700,000 acres of water, residents and visitors will quickly learn why this area is considered one of the best fishing destinations in the U.S. and, some would say, the world.

Find Your Own Fishing Hole

Fishing from the shore can be restful and rewarding—and anyone can do it. All you need is a little intel about how to find a spot where the fish might be biting. Here are a few tips for successful shore fishing from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency:

• Fish are often swimming near the shore in the spring and fall. If you’re fishing from the shore in the heat of summer, do it in the evening or early morning—or even after dark.

• Fish near-unique features such as docks, logs, trees, rocks, or rocky areas; aquatic vegetation; or places where creeks enter the water.

• When fishing in moving water, look at the surface for boils and breaks—this means there is some underwater structure blocking the current, which could be the perfect hiding place for fish.

• Begin fishing (casting) close and parallel to the bank, then work your way outward (fan casting) toward deeper water.

• If you don’t get any bites, try switching baits. If this doesn’t work, move to another hole.

• Wear polarized sunglasses so you’ll be able to see fish as well as submerged objects more clearly. (Your eyes will also be protected from the tackle.)

If you love outdoor sports—boating, hunting, fishing—and the natural world, or if you just like to observe wildlife, build birdhouses, maintain a bird feeder or are just curious about the critters in your backyard, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is here to help enrich your outdoor experience. Visit us at www.tn.gov/twra/

BILL DANCE SIGNATURE LAKES

TO SOLIDIFY TENNESSEE AS THE HEART OF FISHING IN THE SOUTHEAST WATCH VIDEO

Bill Dance Signature Lakes will connect the world’s most-loved angler with some of Tennessee’s most excellent natural resources –its lakes. This program is intended to make Tennessee a bestin-class destination for anglers worldwide.

With the new initiative’s goal to improve and enhance Tennessee lakes, increase visitation and honor Dance’s legacy, Tennessee will invest $15 million in improvements above and below the water at 18 lakes that bear fishing legend Dance’s stamp of approval. Tennesseans will benefit from increased stocking, habitat and fisheries management and improved access for fishing and boating. The collaborative effort between Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Tennessee State Parks and Tennessee Department of Tourist Development seeks to solidify Tennessee as the heart of fishing in the southeast and drive economic activity across the state.

“I’m unbelievably humbled and excited to be involved in such a helpful project that will benefit so many people and our natural resources in my great home state of Tennessee,” said Bill Dance. “You can bet your favorite lure this project will have a ripple effect for a mighty long time, not only giving the weekend fisherman but tournament anglers a wonderful fishery as well, thanks to the great state of Tennessee and my friends at TWRA.”

Bill Dance Signature Lakes touches 39 counties, including 22 at-risk or economically distressed counties, and is an essential step in helping those communities create new

revenue streams through increased visitation. Fishing generates $1.2 billion in economic impact annually and supports 7,480 jobs across the state.

Bill Dance Signature Lakes includes nine large reservoirs with a proven track record for quality fishing for a variety of fish. In partnership with the Tennessee Valley Authority, reservoirs will receive new or upgraded best-in-class ramps to improve public access for both recreational and tournament anglers. Each of the 18 lakes will see such above-water upgrades as courtesy docks, ample parking, additional access points, fishing piers and signage, to name a few. Several smaller lakes, many which are located within Tennessee State Parks, will be managed intensively by TWRA for Bill Dance approved family fishing with regular stocking to ensure the best chance for success.

Projects are slated to begin in 2022 and near completion by the fall of 2024.

For more information, visit www.tnvacation.com.

MAXIMIZE YOUR OUTPUT

With Dometic’s Mega Jackplate

ENGINEERED TO HANDLE THE STRONGEST OUTBOARD ENGINES ON THE MARKET

Today’s engine manufacturers are building engines that are more powerful and heavier than ever before. Dometic’s new Mega Jackplate has been developed to withstand the power of high performance engines and provide boaters with the ability to maximize the output of their engines while offering more flexibility in shallow water. The Mega Jackplate is rated to 600 HP and is an extension of our existing product line. It will be offered in 6”, 8” and 10” setbacks. There will be 2 versions available, a standard bolt pattern designed to fit engines like Yamaha XTO and a wide bolt pattern designed to fit Merc 500/600.

JACKED UP!

The Benefits of Precision Outboard Height Adjustment

Electro-hydraulic jack plates give owners of outboard-powered fishing boats a couple of key performance advantages. For one, installing a jack plate on an outboard boat provides some setback between the motor and the transom. This allows the propeller to operate in less turbulent water, and can help increase performance and reduce cavitation, which occurs when the prop is spinning in aerated water and begins to “break loose.”

The second and perhaps more important advantage is the ability to precisely adjust the height of the motor on the transom with the touch of a button—independent of the outboard’s trim angle. You’re most likely to find jack plates installed on freshwater bass boats, bay boats, hybrid bay/offshore boats, flats skiffs and tunnel hulls. In these applications, adjusting the engine

can help a boat’s “hole shot,” which is when you punch it from standing still to get the boat up onto plane. What you don’t want — especially in shallow water — is for the boat to rise too much in the bow and squat in the rear as it climbs out of “the hole.” Finding just the right motor height to provide the propeller with the ideal combination of grip and slip can push the boat quickly onto plane. This is important, as too much bite will make the boat bog down, and too much slip will cause the propeller to break loose and lose thrust.

Another benefit of electro-hydraulic jack plates is the ability to run a boat in shallower water. This holds true whether you’re on plane jetting across a flat or inching a large center console up onto a shelf to throw a castnet.

Dometic’s newest entry into the jack plate market is its new Mega Plate. This electro-hydraulic system is engineered specifically for today’s breed of large, hi-horsepower outboard motors. In fact, Mega Plate is designed for use with motors ranging from 400HP all the way up to the new V-12 600HP outboard from Mercury. It is offered in 6-inch, 8-inch and 10-inch setbacks to accommodate a range of vessel types and installations. Mega Plate is offered in two versions — a standard bolt pattern for Yamaha XTO and Mercury 450R engines, and a wide bold pattern for Mercury 500 and 600HP motors.

Dometic’s built-in Smartstick Linear Position Sensor and ability to integrate with Dometic Digital Switching technology compatible with all HTML5 capable MFDs give boaters complete control of multiple engine height positions with the touch of a finger.

To learn more about premium quality jack plates from Dometic Marine, visit www.dometic.com

By TAM Staff

CRAPPIE TIPS FOR DEEP SUMMER

Spring is long gone and so are the quick limits of shallow-water crappie. That doesn’t mean you can’t go load the cooler with some slabs for a fish fry; it just means you’ll have to work a little harder. Here are a few tips to help you catch crappie when the weather and water are hot.

Trust the Electronics: Sonar is your best friend when crappie move deep. You might know where good brush and structure are on your lake, but you won’t know where the schools of crappie are until you spot them on the graph. Use side-scan to look under docks and around points, ledges, ditches and creek and river channels. Don’t even bother wetting a line until you’ve located fish with your electronics.

Find the Shade: Crappie don’t like the sun, and deep-water docks or piers can be the mother lode on bright days. Even underwater structure like ledges, humps and creek channels provide shade. Pay attention to the location of the sun, and then start searching the side of a given piece of structure that will provide some shade.

Go Early: There’s no sense baking in the sun for a few fish when you can load the boat in just a few hours before and after daybreak. Boat traffic and water temps are both lower in the morning, which means crappie and the small baitfish they feed on will be most active. In the morning, crappie move shallower up on the

likely to bite when they are actively feeding. Troll the Humps: Offshore humps that top out at 15 feet or deeper will hold crappie this time of year. They’re even better when there’s brush on them. Early and late, or if there is some dam-generated current, the fish will move up to feed on these humps. They suspend off the sides when the sun is high or the water is still. Slowly pull a spread of jigs or small, deep-diving crankbaits or spoons over and around humps where you’ve located fish. Pay close attention to how deep your lures are getting and add weight if you need to get them deeper.

Shoot Docks: Main-lake docks with 15 or

more feet of water under them are comfortable places for crappie to hang out when the water is warm. Shoot lightweight jigs as far under these docks as you can, and let them sink slowly to the bottom before beginning a steady retrieve. If there are fish under a dock, they usually won’t let that jig hit the bottom.

Drown a Minnow: A school of crappie suspended off structure at 15 or 25 feet over a 40-foot bottom can be a frustrating scenario. You see them on your electronics, but they are slow to bite. Try dropping a live minnow down there where you’re marking fish. Then just let it sit. The bites will be light, so pay attention.

Realtree Fishing Introduces Pond Wars II Realtree Fishing Introduces Pond Wars II

The Pond Wars bass fishing competition is returning to Realtree 365 in 2023! The event, which was held in March at Live Oak Plantation in Adel, Georgia, paired the world’s best bass anglers with outdoor personalities and influencers in a wild competition of outdoor fun. The show will be airing on Realtree 365 and the Realtree YouTube channel on Monday, July 10th. Pond Wars takes place each spring on managed trophy bass lakes in the South, where competitors are sure to find incredible fishing action. This year’s event was expanded to include a two-day fishing format coupled with surprise, off-the-water challenges like golf and archery. Pond Wars II was hosted by country music star Jon Langston, and included names recognizable to any outdoor fan. Top professional anglers including Dustin Connell, Casey Ashely, Mark Daniels Jr., Mark Rose, Jacob Wheeler, and Justin Atkins were paired with hunting personalities like Seek One’s Lee Ellis and Drew Carroll, Head Hunters TV’s Nate Hosie, Black Cloud’s Dennis Loosier and Billy Campbell, and Realtree’s Michael Pitts. Pitts, who scored zero catches in last year’s event, was paired with Wheeler, who is rated as the top professional angler in the world. Tune in to see if they stood a chance against teams like Justin Atkins and Drew Carroll, who were defending their title after being crowned last year’s Pond Wars champions.

Pond Wars II features six of the nation’s top professional anglers paired with popular hunting personalites.

Rules for Pond Wars competitors are simple: follow all DNR laws and be back to the dock on time. The team with the heaviest five-fish limits, combined after the two fishing periods, is crowned champion. Pond Wars is a serious competition, with lots of laughs thrown in the mix. Production crews capture each catch,

and all the missed opportunities, in real time. All competitors can be seen sporting the latest Realtree Fishing hats and apparel, which is available directly at the all-new Realtree.com (fishing shirts will be 30% off July 14-16!).

Learn more at Realtree.com

2023 ICAST Best of Show award recipients, the team from American Tackle Company shows off their trophy and award-winning G2 Tsuka 2 Complete Carbon Handle—a sleek, nearly weightless custom rod component.

NOVELTIES AND WELLNESS

ExtremeMist The GoMist Drink and Misting Bottle extrememist.com

ICE FISHING

Garmin LiveScope Plus Ice Fishing Bundle LI with ECHOMAP™ UHD2 garmin.com

MOTORIZED BOATING ACCESSORIES

PowerPole Move ZR

power-pole.com

NON-MOTORIZED

BOATING ACCESSORY

BOTE Water Hammock boteboard.com

BOATS AND WATERCRAFT

Old Town Sportsman

BigWater ePDL + 132 oldtownwatercraft. johnsonoutdoors.com

WARM WEATHER TECHNICAL APPAREL FOR WOMEN

AFTCO Mojeaux 1/4 Zip Performance Shirt

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WARM WEATHER TECHNICAL APPAREL FOR MEN

AFTCO Channel Hooded Performance Shirt aftco.com

COLD WEATHER TECHNICAL APPAREL FOR WOMEN

AFTCO Women’s Barricade Rain Suit aftco.com

COLD WEATHER TECHNICAL APPAREL FOR MEN

Blackfish Gear Gale Pullover blackfishgear.com

LIFESTYLE APPAREL FOR WOMEN

Huk Women’s Coverup Dress hukgear.com

LIFESTYLE APPAREL FOR MEN

AFTCO Ocean Bound Hooded Performance Shirt aftco.com

FOOTWEAR

AFTCO Ankle Deck Boots - Black aftco.com

EYEWEAR

Costa King Tide 8, Black 580G Blue Mirror costadelmar.com

SOFT AND HARD COOLERS

Flop Industries Flop Box 10 flopindustries.com

ELECTRONICS

Westin Fishing EscapeCam westin-fishing.com

CUTLERY, HAND PLIERS OR TOOLS

BUBBA Pro Series Smart Fish Scale bubba.com

FISHING ACCESSORY

ENGEL USB Rechargeable Lithium-Ion XL Live Bait Aerator Pump engelcoolers.com

KIDS’ TACKLE

ProFISHiency Next Gen Krazy Combo profishiency.com

TACKLE MANAGEMENT

Boat Outfitters Pontoon Boat Tackle Center boatoutfitters.com

CUSTOM TACKLE AND COMPONENTS

American Tackle Tsuka 2 Complete Carbon Handle americantackle.us

TERMINAL TACKLE

Rapala VMC Swingin’ Ned Rig Jig rapala.com

FISHING LINE

Shimano Mastiff Fluorocarbon fish.shimano.com

FLY FISHING WADERS & WADING BOOTS

Simms G4Z Stockingfoot Wader simmsfishing.com

FLY FISHING TECHNICAL APPAREL AND ACCESSORIES

Renzetti Master M6014 Edition renzetti.com

FLY LINES, LEADERS, TIPPET

BUZBE Colony 8T (THIN) buzbe.com

FLY FISHING PACKS

Simms Flyweight Vest Pack simmsfishing.com

FLY REEL

Cheeky Fishing Cheeky Spray Fly Reel cheekyfishing.com

FLY ROD

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FRESHWATER ROD

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ROD & REEL COMBO

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FRESHWATER HARD LURE

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SALTWATER HARD LURE

L&S Bait Company / MIrrOlure The Duke Dog shopmirrolure.com

FRESHWATER SOFT LURE

Pure Fishing / Berkley PowerBait Nessie berkley-fishing.com

SALTWATER SOFT LURE

Z-Man Mulletron LT (Line Through)

Swimbait

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HIGHLIGHTS, SIGHTINGS AND On The

Capt. Moe Newman shares the latest at the AFTCO Booth

Cal Munkvold shares the latest with Connect-Ease

Capt. Russ Walker shows his Hidden-T Fishing Rod Handle Comfort Gimbal Component

Kevin Landers shares the latest with The American Tackle Company

Peter Busenlener - CEO, President - Fitec International shows off the latest in Cast Nets

Will shares the latest with Bluewing Fishing - Big Game Fishing Tackle and Boat Accessories

Craig Storms shares the latest with Dakota Lithium Batteries

Matthew Aloves shows off Island Optics, a brand new sunglass brand launching soon!

Darcizzle shows off her Revo x Sunglasses

INTERVIEWS FROM ICAST 2023 Show Floor

Eddie Payton talks about some of the latest Mustad products

Steve Scott talks about the latest in Scott Hawaii sandals and flip flops— and 90 years in business!

Dave Brown talks about the latest Okuma products

John Hoge talks about the FishSkiff™16, the three-person Inflatable Fishing Boat from Sea Eagle.

Robert Holmes talks keeping mold and mildew off your marine accessories with the products at Xanigo Marine.

The Angler Video Mag mobile billboard was seen all around Orlando and the Orange County Convention Center during ICAST!

Alex Usry talks about 2023 ICAST Best of Category winner Power-Pole

George Lambert talks about the difference in Relentless Knives

Hunter Johnson talks about the latest in Redfin Polarized Fishing Sunglases

SCALLOP REPORTS POINT TO A PRETTY GOOD SEASON

Bay Scallop season is rolling along on the Gulf Coast of Florida, and reports from different areas are varied. Overall, this season seems poised to be a pretty good one, based on what we were hearing at presstime in mid-July, and there’s still time to go hunt some tasty bivalves. Most zones remain open through Sept. 24, and remember, scalloping conditions can change dramatically based on the weather, tides and water clarity. The only way to know is to go.

Down on the southern end, in Pasco County—where the season was extended from 10 to 37 days this year—we saw reports that were somewhat mediocre, specifically out of the Anclote River. Scallopers reported decent sized scallops, although not as large as last year’s hauls, which featured some monsters. With lots of mid-sized scallops and throwbacks, it took

some hunting to fill a bucket. Pasco has the earliest closure of any of the regions. The season there ends on Aug. 6.

Up the coast at Crystal River, the scene has been chaos, with hundreds of boats jockeying for position over grass that produced some pretty good hunting. One scalloper reported that the season so far has been better than last year, with big scallops in the 8-foot depths. What we’re hearing is the numbers aren’t great, but the quality is excellent, and that it’s taking three or four hours to fill a limit. The Levy, Citrus and Hernando County zone remains open until Sept. 24.

Moving up to Steinhatchee, the reports are very good. When they can get some clear water between rains, scallopers are reporting fast limits of good-sized scallops out of Steinhatchee. Go now if you want to get in on the action in

the Fenholloway-Suwannee River zone. Harvest closes on Labor Day, Sept. 4.

The scallops are there, but you have to work for them is what we’re hearing from the Big Bend around St. Marks. The scallops are scattered, but if you put in the time you can collect limits of good ones. They were also pretty shallow, which is nice, with some limits being reported from 4- to 5-foot depths. The Franklin to NW Taylor County zone remains open until Sept. 24.

The season doesn’t open until Aug. 16 in Port St. Joe, so there’s nothing to report yet. But a late season trip to Gulf County can be a good idea because the scallops haven’t yet been picked over.

You don’t know unless you go.

Happy hunting!

For seasons and regulations, go to MyFWC.com.

THE EARLY BIRD GETS THE FISH

When the low for the month is 82 degrees and the highs average 100, we have to make some modifications to our lifestyles… and so do the fish. Let’s cover a few opportunities to take advantage of as we try to entice a bite this summer.

In the past I have written about some night fishing techniques, but I realize that is not for everyone. However, optimizing your time on the water when the temperatures are at their coolest is imperative.

Water and air temps should be at their coolest just before dawn, and that is prime time to be chunking and winding. I like to be casting at least 30 minutes before the rising sun. I recommend locating an area that will have ample tidal flow.

This obviously encourages the fish to feed, and it also helps keep the temperature lower. Pair the moving tide with some structure like shells or deeper water adjacent to a shallow flat, and you should be in business. The area obviously needs to be holding bait, also.

Topwater lures are always fun and a popular choice before and at sunrise in August. Once that bite slows, it’s time to bounce the bottom with some plastics. I try to not specify jighead weight if I am not covering a specific location because it depends on tide, depth and a score of other variables. I would position myself to cast toward the shallows and bring my lure down the drop off. This is a good method to locate fish and cover different depths. Fish could be shallow early and fall off the edge as the sun rises. I also like to vary my retrieve speed, and don’t be afraid to work your lure very slowly ticking

By Capt. Michael Okruhlik

the bottom structure. Fish in warm water can become lethargic just as they do in cold water. Another time to hit the water is after a summer rain. Take advantage of these showers, which cool the water temps. These periods can be short-lived depending on the extent and duration of the rain event. Heavy lighting tends to slow the bite after the storm moves on, so I am not a big fan of fishing after a lightning storm.

I hope these tips can help you catch a few more fish this summer and stay out of the heat. Another benefit of fishing early and heading home is you have the rest of the day to do other things. Wear your sun block, stay hydrated, and have a fun summer on the water!

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

Photo Courtesy: fishandhuntwv.com & WV Tourism

Touted as one of the best smallmouth fisheries in the east, the New River offers over 50 miles of fishable waters in the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. The myriad river access points allow you to wet a line for smallmouth bass, walleye, muskie, and more. Local guide services float these water providing access to sections of the river that are not accessible by land. With plenty of hiking and biking trails, ziplines, paddleboarding tours, whitewater rafting trips and more, there are outdoor opportunities for the whole family.

CATCH LATE SUMMER TRIPLETAIL SOAKING IN THE SUN

By Emily Hanzlik

In late summer, the humidity is crazy and the heat wants to take you down. The fishing can slow down during this time; however, chilling in the sun is a lifestyle for some fish species.

The tripletail is one of the strangest fish in the ocean. Tripletail are usually dark brown with some lighter shades mixed around, and they can sometimes be yellow, depending on their area. These fish don’t have a typical body structure. Instead, they have a flat almond-shaped body and get their name from the appearance of having three tails, which is an adaptation of enlarged lobes on the posterior fins. They usually don’t grow any larger than 15 pounds and typically range from 20-30 inches. For their size, they put up a heck of a fight.

Many tagging studies have been done on tripletail to track their migrations, however science has yet to figure it all out. The idea is they move north to south, then back up the coast going no further than Georgia. In the Gulf, they make it as far as Texas. The timing of their movements appears to be random, but it probably depends on currents, since they don’t free swim much.

Sometime during the summer months, tripletail will float offshore to breed. Like most, they broadcast spawn, with females producing anywhere from 4 to 8 million eggs. They can spawn every three to five days.

When these fish aren’t offshore spawning, they typically hang near lots of structure. You might spot them floating near crab buoys, mangroves, floating leaves and poles in the water. Tripletail are known for mimicking and blending in with their surroundings. This makes it especially difficult while fishing to spot these creatures. However, it gives them amazing benefit, since their prey is also hiding in these places. Tripletail usually prey on shrimp, fish and small crabs.

There are many different ways to target tripletail. Since they aren’t big swimmers, you’ll normally find them floating around with seaweed or next to buoys. You can pitch baits, like live shrimp, to target them. Usually, you’ll want to use a small live bait hook without a weight to get a natural drift in front of them. If live bait isn’t your style, you can also use

small jigs or swimbaits to grab their attention. Another great way is fly fishing. Here, you’ll want a fly that mimics a small shrimp or baitfish. When targeting them, make sure to find which end is their face. Then try to drift your offering in front of their nose.

The current IGFA all-tackle world record is

42 pounds. It was caught in South Africa in 1989.

Emily Rose Hanzlik holds 62 IGFA world records in various categories. She hails from West Palm Beach, where she has a part time Bowfin Guide Service as well as fishing classes for Jr. Anglers. Find her on social media @emilyhanzlikoutdoors.

Let’s grow with Florida together.

WORLD RECORD SNAKEHEAD CAUGHT

Imagine how many native fish this 21-pound invasive northern snakehead has gobbled over its lifetime. Angler Damien Cook removed this monster predator from Maryland waters on July 5, and in doing so set a new state record for the species. The fish also outweighs the current IGFA all-tackle world record of 19 pounds, 5 ounces, which was caught from Potomac Creek, Virginia in 2018.

Cook was fishing a Dorchester County river with a custom bladed jig on 30-pound-test braid when the

36-inch-long snakehead bit.

“Honestly I thought it was just your average 30-inch snakehead when I first hooked the fish,” Cook said. “It pulled hard, but I had the advantage of it being close, and I got it in the net pretty quickly.”

Cook’s catch beat out the previous state record of 19.9 pounds, which was set by Andrew Fox in 2018. Fox arrowed his big

snakehead while bowfishing.

The northern snakehead is an invasive species now common throughout Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay tidal waters. Snakeheads have become popular for sportfishing in Maryland because they fight hard and strike traditional artificial lures that are often used for largemouth bass. Dorchester County’s tidal river system is among the state’s hotspots for snakeheads.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources encourages anglers to kill any snakeheads they catch and reminds anglers that it is illegal to transport live snakeheads.

For more information, check out dnr.maryland.gov/.

FIND THE BAIT, FIND THE FISH

Tim Barefoot

August is a pre-transition month, when we’re at the end of summer, and just before the true transition months of September and October. The fishing can be hot as a firecracker if you pay attention to the bait. This is a pre-staging month for the bait and the bottom fish, as well. Huge schools of cigar minnows and sardines will start their annual migration toward inshore waters for spawning, waiting for the fall and winter.

When offshore bottom fishing, I’m looking for large stacks of beeliners as well as cigs and sardines. This is where you find the fish. Period. Many years ago when I was commercial fishing, we would stay for days at a time looking for grouper and snapper. We concentrated on the bait as much as the structure. If you found these two together (bait on a ledge), so much the better, but we often found fish on slick, flat, sand bottom on stacks of bait. We’d anchor on these big stacks of bait and go to work. If the bait school moved, so did the fish… and so did we! We’d fly the anchor and move around until we found them again. It was just like magic, with instant bites on the bottom. This is the reason I keep saying, find the bait, find the fish. It doesn’t matter where these big stacks of bait go, the fish will follow.

With late summer water temperatures, pelagics like the tunas, wahoo and dolphin are scattered all over the nearshore waters due to the hot water. The water temperatures on the beach will be close to the water temps in the Gulf Stream by now, and the fish will follow bait wherever it goes. In August and September, some unsuspecting king mackerel fisherman always catches a stud wahoo trolling live bait on some nearshore stack of bait. I remember wrestling a yellowfin for more than an hour on

lightweight king mackerel tackle just 10 miles off the beach. We were bottom fishing and had a live cigar minnow out on the light line. Eventually, I lost the fight due to a swivel that couldn’t take it anymore. Ha! Neither could I.

Keep a good eye on the recorder and any surface activity around structure. You know the areas that hold the big schools of cigs and sardines. Keep going back to these places now and into September. This is where you’ll find what you’re looking for.

I’ve always been a bait freak. Now that I’ve seen more than just a few cycles of what happens through the seasons, I’m better able to see the big picture. Bait moves around for specific reasons during different seasons. Whatever you are fishing for requires food to keep them in a place. So… find the bait, find the fish.

For more from Capt. Tim Barefoot, check out Barefootcatsandtackle.com.

WATCH VIDEO

Some nice scamps caught off a big stack of beeliners.

Hanapa‘a - Mahi

Hanapa‘a - Ahi

Hanapa‘a - Marlin

Fish flags inspired by Sun Dot Marine Flags.

@fishflags

Experience

Watauga River

Home of world class fishing on the beautiful Watauga Lake, rugged Doe River and designated trophy trout stream, Watauga River

Watauga Lake

Doe River

PLAN YOUR TRIP AT TOURCARTERCOUNTY.COM

Tennessee’s Mountain Playground

Tennessee Angler Breaks His Own State Record

After a grueling 15-minute battle while fishing solo, angler Micka Burkhart successfully netted and boated a 122-pound blue catfish from Tennessee’s Cumberland River on June 28. The fish is a pending state record that should top the 118.7-pound record mark, which Burkhart set himself at Barkley Reservoir last September.

The whole fight can be viewed on a video posted to Burkhart’s YouTube channel, with the action climaxing as

Burkhardt breathlessly pleads with the fish and promises to release it if he can just get it in the net.

Burkhart’s monster blue officially weighed 122.3 pounds and measured 57.5 inches long, with a 42.25-inch girth. It ate a white bass head fished on 40-pound-test line. After transporting the fish in a large livewell on his trailered boat to get official measurements, Burkhart returned to the Cumberland River and successfully released it back to

the Stewart County stretch in northwest Tennessee near the Kentucky and Missouri borders.

In a Facebook post, Burkhart reported that he also caught 69- and 72-pound blue cats on the same day. That’s a mighty fine day of fishing.

The IGFA all-tackle world record blue catfish weighed 143 pounds, even. It was caught from Kerr Lake, Virginia by Richard Nicholas Anderson in June of 2011.

ON THE NANTAHALA RIVER

By Nick Carter

If you’ve heard of western North Carolina’s Nantahala River, it’s likely because of the whitewater rafting or the spectacular delayed harvest trout fishery, which stays full of fish between October and June each year. Relatively few people know there is also a world-class tailwater fishery running through Nantahala Gorge. It offers a good mix of wild and hatchery-reared trout, with the shot at brown trout as long as your leg.

Because access to the best stretches of water is difficult, and because wading the river is nearly impossible during almost constant high water from power generation during the warmer months, this fishery has flown under the radar for as long as it has existed. It is, after all, primarily a playground for whitewater paddlers.

But what if you could combine the two… whitewater rafting and fishing?

That’s exactly what you’ll experience on a guided trip with Ken Kastorff, of Endless River Adventures. As one of the few guide services permitted to take clients fishing on the river, they’ve got an inflatable drift boat that handles the whitewater as well as it fishes. And catching trout while careening through fast waters in a rocky gorge is about as much fun as anyone should be allowed to have. Just know you’ll have to wear a life vest and sign a waiver to do it.

Actually, it’s not as dangerous as it sounds. Ken’s got as much time on the sticks as anyone. With him rowing, it’s the angler’s duty to concentrate on the water, flipping short casts with a fly rod into each eddy and pocket as the raft bounces down the river. In long, likely eddies along the bank, Ken will haul back on the oars, fighting the current to allow for multiple drifts of a heavy nymph rig. Or, if they’re eating meat that particular day, one might wear out a shoulder chunking a double-streamer rig for one of the huge brown trout the river produces.

Ken’s got a photo of an enormous Nantahala brown he said might have been the state record if they hadn’t released the fish. That’s saying something. The N.C. record brown trout weighed 24 pounds, 10 ounces. It was caught from the Nantahala tailrace back in 1998.

The only thing missing from a float trip on the lower Nantahala is seclusion. Every few minutes, flotillas of whitewater paddlers float past. You have to watch your casts to avoid catching a paddler, but the fish don’t mind boats at all. If they were spooked by boat traffic, they would starve to death.

Usually there’s at least one guy in each raft who looks like he’d rather be fishing. This is the guy who inevitably asks if you’re catching any. You could tell the truth, that you’d lost count of the number of healthy rainbows and browns brought to the net. But when approached with the same question dozens of time over the course of a day, sometimes something a little more witty is in order.

You’ll have to see for yourself the variety of responses Ken has to answer that question.

Endless River Adventures can be contacted through their website at www.endlessriveradventures.com.

ou don’t need an invitation to have fun in Upcountry South Carolina: Come kayak crys-tal blue lakes, hike to rushing waterfalls, dig into local cuisine, attend family oriented events and breathe fresh mountain air. But when you hold a South Carolina fishing license, it feels like an official ticket to enjoy the great outdoors.

Fish bite year-round in the lakes, rivers and streams of Upcountry South Carolina, which is located in the state’s northwest corner in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Devils Fork State Park in Salem is a great place to access Lake Jocassee, which holds state records for rainbow trout, brown trout, redeye bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass and yellow perch. Or try your luck at Lake Hartwell, at Lake Hartwell State Park in Fair Play and Sadlers Creek State Park in Anderson, three-time host of the Bassmaster Classic.

The Chattooga River boasts healthy wild trout populations and is also regularly stocked by Oconee County’s Walhalla State Fish Hatchery. The Whitewater River above Lower White-water Falls is another great option for wild trout. Lake Keowee, at Keowee-Toxaway State Park in Pickens County, swims with largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, crappie, bluegill, yel-low perch, catfish, brown and rainbow trout.

Pick up everything you need—including advice— at local fly shops or book a guided fish-ing trip. Sam Jones, of Jocassee Charters, puts anglers on trophy trout. Buster Green’s Guide Ser-vice reels in stripers, hybrids and bass on Hartwell and Keowee. Chattooga

THE BEST PLACE TO DROP A FISHING LINE

River Fly Shop leads fly fishing trips on the Chattooga and Chauga rivers.

Even if you don’t fish, you can still get on the water. Jocassee Lake Tours offers tours of the lake and of Jocassee Gorges, which National Geographic called a “destination of a Lifetime.” Some amazing spots can only be reached by boat. Several tours are offered, so you can learn from a naturalist while riding on a pontoon or paddle a kayak through coves and under waterfalls.

Prefer to captain your own boat? There are several rental companies, including TriCounty Boat Rental, on Keowee, Jocassee, Hartwell and other lakes.

If you’d rather be under the water, Jocassee is a world-renowned freshwater diving desti-nation that boasts visibility of more than 50 feet at depth. Lake Jocassee Dive Shop offers lessons and guided trips to see “The Wall,” where a section of mountain was blasted to build the dam, or a 40-foot swimthrough wooden sailboat.

From fishing to boating, hiking to camping, biking to bird watching and more, the Up-country’s state parks are a great place to play. Dip into the swimming hole at Oconee State Park. Hike to the tops of Pinnacle and Table Rock mountains at Table Rock State Park. Explore the 13,000-acre Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area at Caesars Head State Park. Or create your own adventure at any of the Upcountry’s 13 state parks.

SUZUKI MARINE COMPLETES 940-MILE ECOFUEL RUN TO THE CAPITOL

In promotion of new sustainable and environmentally friendly fuels, a 26-foot center console powered by twin Suzuki DF140s recently made a 940-mile run from Suzuki’s home state of Florida to the nation’s capitol.

The 26-foot Sea Pro, fueled exclusively by new EcoGen90 sustainable marine fuel from VP Racing, arrived in Washington DC in time to be showcased at the 2023 American Boating Congress, where it will demonstrate the viability of new fuels. This is an ongoing initiative of the National Marine Manufacturer’s Association (NMMA).

“We undertook this voyage in support of NMMA’s initiative to educate and inform the industry, policy makers and the boating public about alternative marine fuels,” said George “Gus” Blakely, Suzuki Marine Executive Vice President Sales & Service. “There are roughly 12 million gasoline powered boats across America today, so these new fuels offer a real opportunity for boaters and the boating industry to make an impact and lessen our environmental footprint. Not only are these fuels formulated with renewable content, but they also produce substantially fewer emissions and even provide boaters with enhanced performance and reliability.”

Piloted by Suzuki Marine endurance test captains, the bold graphics on the Sea Pro 259 made it a floating billboard to promote sustainable fuel. Through a wide range of conditions, the fuel and Suzuki DF140 outboards performed flawlessly with instant starting, strong acceleration across the powerband and great top-end speed. Fuel efficiency was also excellent. The boat burned just a tick under 2 mpg.

The twin DF140s were also equipped with Suzuki’s now-standard Micro Plastic Collecting Device. These devices, which are integrated into the outboards’ cooling systems, were cleaned throughout the journey, and micro plastic pollution was sent to Suzuki in Japan for testing.

Suzuki is a leading manufacturer of 4-stroke outboard motors ranging from the ultra-portable 2.5 horsepower to the flagship DF350 V-6 with contra-rotating dual propellers. Over the years, Suzuki outboards have won nine Innovation Awards from the National Marine Manufacturer’s Association (NMMA) for motors as small as 25 horsepower, demonstrating Suzuki’s commitment to making the best technology available to the widest possible audience. Through its CLEAN OCEAN PROJECT, regional cleanup and habitat restoration efforts around the world, and company-wide plastic waste reduction efforts, Suzuki has demonstrated a commitment to protecting coastal and marine habitat at home and around the world.

To learn more about Suzuki Marine's CLEAN OCEAN PROJECT, or Suzuki Marine’s industry leading line-up of outboard motors from 2.5 to 350 horsepower, contact Suzuki Marine USA headquarters at (813) 687-7200 or visit www.suzukimarine.com.

Summer Salmon Runs Going Strong

By Capt. Lukas Brickweg

Alaska has the best salmon fishing in the world, and this year has not disappointed out of Ketchikan, with amazing summer runs of king and silver salmon. The catches continue to come in huge numbers with some big fish. Only in Alaska can one experience the thrill of this amazing fishery in an unforgettable setting. Mountains, humpback whales, eagles and seals are just a sampling of what anglers see during a day of fishing.

Ketchikan is known as the Salmon Capital of the World. This season, June and July rolled through at a blistering pace. Limits of massive king salmon ran into local waters to delight visitors. This iconic salmon species grows the largest and fights the hardest of the five wild Pacific salmon. Ketchikan fishing charters caught massive kings by trolling lures and rigged herring. Implementing down riggers to keep the salmon fishing rigs at optimal depths produced regular hook-ups.

King salmon generally steal the spotlight from the other species. For example, silver salmon and pink salmon both arrive slightly later then the kings. They show up in even larger numbers than the kings, and although they are smaller in size, they fight ferociously and are delicious table fare.

This season, the silver salmon arrived earlier than in years past. Silver salmon limits are higher than king salmon limits, which makes silvers a great target to load the fish

the limit is six on silver salmon. It’s also not uncommon to double and triple up on silver salmon when you troll into a school of feeding fish. They fight hard, and it makes for highoctane fishing when the bite is happening

for both silver salmon and king salmon.

Typically, our Ketchikan fishing charters pursue both salmon and halibut on a combination trip. We fish the tides to target

each species with the highest probability. Fishing the tide change for salmon produces the best results. After limiting out on salmon species, we switch gears to halibut fishing.

Halibut fishing in Alaska consists of dropping down to the deep depths of 200 to 400 feet. June, July and August are peak months for salmon and halibut. Jigging for halibut with glow-inthe-dark squids and chunks of herring or pink salmon produce the best halibut catches. We often target fish in the 20- to 40-pound range for the best eating quality. We do sometimes catch “barn door” halibut in similar waters. This has been compared to hauling up a fighting slab of plywood.

If you’re looking for a thrill of a lifetime, come to Ketchikan, Alaska during the summer months and book a salmon and halibut fishing combination charter. You’ll likely bring or ship home enough highquality fillets to fill the freezer.

For more information, go to www.ketchikanfishingtrips.com or call (907) 617-4717.

2023

AKIHCTEK ,N ASKALA • BUCKET LIST

KETCHIKA N, ALASKA

SNELLING A HOOK

Snelling a hook is an age-old way of attaching it to your line. It is a technique that pre-dates the invention of hook eyes, when hooks only had flattened tops and snelling the hook was required to create a good connection to the line.

Thanks to hook eyes, this is no longer necessary, but a snell knot remains one of the best connections out there for simple line-to-hook connections. The knot’s ability to orient the point of the hook in the right direction for octopus and circle hooks makes it a go-to knot for live and cut bait fishing. You’ll get more solid hook sets when you snell circle hooks.

A snell knot is quick and easy to tie and it provides a strong connection. The only real disadvantage is the knot is on the shank of the hook, where it is vulnerable to the teeth of toothy critters. It’s probably not the best choice if you’re fishing for muskie or barracuda.

For more information, visit usangler.com.

COOLERS

, the leader in high-performance soft-sided coolers, is hitting the water this year with new, upgraded fishing products. Our fishing team partners told us what they needed, and we listened!

Products are in stock and ready to ship; The Fishing Cooler Backpack, 2, 4 & 6ft Fish bags, Fillet bags, Boat fenders, EVA Traction pads, Inflatable Docks, ISUPs, and of course, our high-performance coolers specifically designed for use on boats, guaranteed not to leak, and to keep ice cold for up to 24 hours.

Thirty years ago, AO was launched to provide active, hard-core people with quality products at a reasonable price. We started selling our soft-sided coolers to the hard-core, go-fast boaters and fishermen in Lake Havasu. We aimed to keep ice in our coolers for up to 24 hours in 120-degree Havasu heat. That goal was accomplished 30 years ago, and we’re still at it.

We know our customers; they fish and boat in the summer and ride the dunes or trails in the winter. AO products give those high-octane souls greater freedom to embark on and enjoy what’s important to them.

Make sure that your gear does not hold you back from doing what you love. AO products are built to handle whatever offshore adventure is coming next.

AO is flexibly rugged, seriously fun, and honestly real!

We’re looking for active, adventurous folks that demand quality and performance from their gear. Share your adventure and send us your fish story or photo.