Coastal Angler Magazine | February 2020 | Big Bend, FL Edition

FRE FREE REE E

BIG BEND EDITION

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deep-drop SWORDFISH LEARN TO

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PHOTO COURTESY OF DUSTIN BEDGOOD AND TRIPS4TRADE VOLUME 25 • ISSUE 299

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PENN FIERCE III New updates to PENN’s Fierce III reels improve quality and performance while retaining the great value anglers have come to appreciate from these spinning reels. Available in combos with Fierce III rods, the updated line is perfect for anglers looking for solid gear at an affordable price.

Fierce III reels were already known for smooth retrieves and solid construction, with Techno Balanced rotors and full metal body and sideplate.

The newly updated Fierce III reels and combos and the Fierce III LE combos come with a number of upgrades.

Fierce III reels feature an HT-100 carbon fiber drag system upgraded from oiled felt and a 4+1 stainless steel bearing system.

Fierce III combo rods receive upgraded PENN Dura-Guides and are available in one or two-piece combos. Fierce III LE combos offer anglers upgraded machined EVA handle knobs and colorful Winn grips for added comfort as well as PENN Dura-Guides and the HT-100 carbon fiber drag system.

PENN Fierce III reels and combos are available in sizes ranging from 1000 to 8000.

St. Croix’s new Avid Surf series offers 10 powerful, American–made spinning and casting rods designed for serious surfcasters looking to beach serious fish. Whether heaving heavy baits from the beaches of Cape Hatteras, casting 3-ounce bottle plugs for Montauk stripers or trying to steer a crazed tarpon away from bridge pilings in the Florida Keys, these super-strong, extremely versatile sticks handle any challenge surf fishing presents.

Avid Surf rods combine St. Croix’s Integrated Poly Curve mandrel technology with premium, high-modulus SCIII carbon for exceptional strength, smooth power and increased sensitivity. They sport Fuji K-Series KW tangle-free guides with Alconite rings and Corrosion Control frame treatment for superior casting distance and improved corrosion protection. The Fuji DPS Deluxe reel seat with Back Stop lock nut and matte grey hoods ensures a rock-solid connection between rod and reel, while a custom cork tape handle with machined trim pieces provides a sure, comfortable and resilient grip.

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UGLY STIK CARBON SERIES With a new series of carbon rods, Ugly Stik has introduced its lightest, most sensitive and best handling rods to date.

A new carbon technology crafted of 100-percent 24-ton graphite allows new Ugly Stiks to be lightweight and 37 percent stronger than other standard graphite rods while still delivering the timetested toughness that is the hallmark of the Ugly Stik brand.

“The new Ugly Stik Carbon series handles like no Ugly Stik before it,” said Andrew Wheeler, director of global brands for Ugly Stik. “These rods have the feel and performance of rods that come at a higher cost and don’t have the proven durability of an Ugly Stik.

When people get their hands on these rods, they are blown away by their light weight and corresponding sensitivity and balance.”

The series includes casting and spinning rods, as well as spinning combos and baitcast combos—both of which include the Abu Garcia Black Max reel.

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ST. CROIX AVID SURF RODS

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CORTLAND NYMPH SERIES FLY RODS Cortland’s Nymph Series fly rods were specifically designed for modern nymphing techniques. They are built on a super-light graphite blank, which dampens and recovers quickly for exceptional feel. The low-reflective, matte black finish allows for an extremely stealthy approach while providing an additional layer of protection. A downlocking reel seat combined with a composite fighting butt allows for exceptional balance and fast hook sets.

Nymph Series fly rods feature oversized, light-wire, single-foot guides for easier passage of fly line, monofilament and knots. All ferrules and guides are coated with highly durable epoxy to resist cracks, flex stress and excessive knots. Other features include alignment dots, sizespecific rod bags and a protective cordura rod tube.

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CRB ROD BLANKS

TSUNAMI EVICT SPINNING REEL

Harnessing the custom spirit of rod building, while maintaining dependable quality and value, the Custom Rod Builder (CRB) brand develops exciting rod blanks for any level of angler. CRB is proud to expand blank production to offer 12 awesome colors in the Color Series, best-selling materials like fiberglass and E-glass, as well as improved actions and powers across the board.

Synonymous with quality, CRB blanks are the premier source of affordable, functional and innovative custom rod building blanks. CRB satisfies your pursuits in performance, style and price.

From the extremely popular Color Series blanks to heavy Tuna Poppin’ blanks, all around Value E-Glass blanks, and many more, these exciting blank options provide the ideal custom choices at perfect price points.

With the rise of multi-option rod kits, CRB’s trusted blanks and rod components have made serious waves in the world of custom rod building.

From the variety of blanks and color choices, to all the guides, reel seats, and grip options, CRB offers an unbeatable array of components ready to build your next fishing rod!

As one of the newer reel companies in the industry, Tsunami is making waves with great gear at a very competitive price.

Their new Evict spinning reel, available in sizes 2000, 3000, 4000 and 5000, is unlike any other spinning reel on the market for the price. Smooth and powerful, it’s at home on freshwater or salt. But the Evict is constructed and sealed to stand up to the marine environment.

The Evict’s stainless steel main gear and pinion, and sealed stainless main shaft, allow for maximum pressure when battling big fish. A CF3 carbon fiber drag system boasts a serious 20 pounds of drag to haul them up, which makes the Evict ideal for big inshore species and bottom fishing. The aluminum braidready spool means there’s no line slip with braided line.

An aluminum body, graphite rotor, comfortable aluminum ball handle and eight sealed stainless ball bearings round out a durable and high-performing piece of equipment. The 3000 and 4000 sizes come with an EVA knob in the box. The 3000 size holds 220yds of 15lb braid.

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TSUNAMI CARBON SHIELD II Whether you’re hunting seatrout, big bull reds or striped bass, Tsunami has you covered with their Carbon Shield II series of rods. Available from 7’ up to 8’ in medium light to extra heavy models, these spinning rods are designed to be featherlight and sensitive with the power to cast long and battle big fish.

Lightweight IM7 graphite blanks, featuring D16 nonotech and a unique carbon fiber design evenly disperses force in 16 directions. While they weigh little, these rods are up to whatever you want to do with them, whether its live baiting big snook or working topwater baits for seatrout.

They feature quality Fuji K guides and Fazlite inserts, premium cork grips and an anodized aluminum reel seat with stainless steel hoods and custom locking ring.

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OKUMA EPIXOR XT SPINNING REEL Okuma Epixor XT reels—the next generation in a long-standing family of technologically advanced Okuma spinning reels—come loaded with exclusive technologies that anglers will appreciate. These reels offer high-end performance to price-conscious anglers.

Lightweight C-40X carbon fiber composite construction provides exceptional feel and anti-corrosive durability. Okuma’s exclusive Tortion Control Armor and a slow oscillation system reduce twisting and ensure proper line lay, which allows smooth casts and fewer line issues.

A 1-K woven carbon fiber drag knob has progressive drag setting without adding weight, and Japanese oiled felt drag washers perform smoothly with a big fish on the line.

Other advanced features include: Okuma’s Centrifugal Disc Bail; precision machine-cut brass pinion gear; heavyduty solid aluminum bail wire; Rigid aluminum handle arm; comfortable ergo grip; RESII, computer balanced Rotor Equalizing System; Stainless steel bearings; Quick-Set anti-reverse bearing; Cyclonic Flow Rotor technology; and a machined aluminum, 2-tone anodized spool with LCS lip.

There isn’t a more technologically advanced reel available anywhere near Okuma’s price point for Epixor XT reels.

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By Alan McGuckin/Dynamic Sponsorships

itchin’ tubes exploded in popularity following Denny Brauer’s 1998 Bassmaster Classic victory.

A month before the tournament, the legendary shallow-water pitcher/flipper was on a solid summertime jig bite on a shallow flat of North Carolina’s High Rock Lake. When the jig stopped producing during Classic week, he reached for a 3.5-inch tube and discovered the fish wanted something a little different. Brauer won the 1998 Classic pitchin’ tubes. The technique has been a mainstay ever since.

Unlimited Seasonal Use Tubes get bites when nothing else will, and there are no seasonal limitations. Brauer’s win came in early August in hot shallow water. I recently caught bass on a Big Bite Bait Tour Flipping Tube from the frigid winter waters of northeastern Oklahoma.

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“I think it’s definitely a year-round bait,” said Brauer. “As anglers, we initially got conditioned to think tubes were a spawning-season bait. But shoot, it’s very productive year-round. As much as anything, it’s simply a finesse tool to pitch anytime the conditions call for it.”

Hook Size And Rigging Are Critical I gravitate toward the 3.5-inch tube rigged with a 3/0 Mustad hook.

Following his Classic win on the 3.5-inch tube, Brauer had Strike King design a larger 4.5-inch tube so he could match it with a larger 4/0 Mustad hook he felt would put more fish in the boat.

Pitch the size you’re comfortable with, but be sure to match tube size to hook size. A 3.5-inch tube demands a 3/0 hook. A 4- or 4.5-inch tube marries best to a 4/0 hook.

And DO NOT bury the hook point into the tube. Instead, Texas rig it with the hook point level on the back of the tube. You’ll land more fish, and it will still perform relatively snag-free.

Rattles And Weight Some people love rattles; some people hate them. I stuff a glass rattle inside the body of my tubes most of the time.

Line size and worm-weight size are also personal preferences determined by water clarity and the fall rate bass seem to favor. A lot of anglers use 20-pound test with a ¼-ounce weight. Brauer goes meatier with 3/8- or ½-ounce weight and 25-pound Seaguar fluorocarbon. I’ve caught bass for years with a 1/8-ounce weight and 15-pound old-school Big Game.

Watch The Line You must be vigilant in watching your line where it meets the water after every single pitch or flip. Very seldom do bass just thump a tube. It’s like they’re eating a potato chip rather than chomping a bite of rib eye. Often the line will just stop falling, and you need to set the hook!

Still Charting Hits Lures are like country music artists. Some bust onto the scene, score a couple hits, and soon fade from popularity. Others prove that true talent never goes away.

Pitchin’ tubes are whole lot like George Strait or Reba McEntire. They were mega stars at the time Brauer won the ’98 Classic, and they’re still playing to sell out crowds 20 years later.

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By Nick Carter

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here’s a daytime swordfish bite developing in the northern Gulf of Mexico off Alabama. The fish have always been there, but few anglers have figured out how to catch them when the sun is out.

Dustin Bedgood, aka Capt. Fed, of Orange Beach’s FED UP Charters, has spent several years learning the area’s daytime deep-water fishery. Drawing from successful captains in wellknown deep-drop locations off south Florida and Venice, Louisiana, Capt. Fed adapted techniques to a point where he’s consistent enough to take charter clients to catch swordfish.

The fishery is productive just off the continental shelf about an hour and a half ride from the Alabama coast aboard Capt.

Fed’s 33-foot Freeman. During daylight hours, swordfish hang out past where the bottom drops precipitously from 200 feet into 1,000-foot depths. This is where anglers can expect a typical day of four or five swordfish bites with one fish landed.

The weights average about 120 pounds, with a top-end over 300 pounds. While the fish aren’t as big as in south Florida, a 150-pound sword is more than most anglers want to handcrank from those depths, anyway.

“They’re a very intense fish,” said Capt. Fed. “They can hurt you very easily.”

The keys to the fishery are bottom structure, the right gear and good bait. Capt. Fed fishes in 1,000 to 3,000 feet of water, and always around some type of structure.

“Whether it’s a nipple, a ledge, a canyon or a salt dome, that’s where the swordfish are,” he said. “All it takes is some little feature that changes the currents and attracts bait.”

Good maps of the ocean floor and sophisticated electronics are necessary to find the right type of bottom in several thousand feet of water. On top of high-end sonar, Capt. Fed uses custom J&M Tackle Blackout Sword Rods with lots of backbone but a very soft tip. Swordfish don’t just load up on the rod. They slash at the bait first, and a soft tip is needed to

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notice the bump when there’s so much line out.

“Once you get it set, the rod will develop a rhythm with the waves and the current. You’ve got to watch that rod,” said Capt.

Fed. “If you see it do anything that’s not normal, something has happened. That’s when you start reeling it up or dropping it down. You’ve got to tease them just like any other billfish.”

Capt. Fed fishes Shimano 50W and 80W reels. The drag is set loose because swordfish have soft mouths, and battles can last an hour or more. The reels are loaded with 80-pound braid tied into a 150-foot wind-on leader of 250-pound mono with a Bimini twist. Fed uses a minimum of 5 pounds of weight, and secures Lindgren-Pitman lights to his leader with rubber bands.

Bait is important, and tying it correctly takes practice.

After the initial slash, the jig is up if the hook tears out or the bait doesn’t retain a natural presentation. A 10-inch squid sewn with 70-pound waxed floss around a 10/0 to 12/0 J hook is one of Capt. Fed’s favorite baits.

While an average day might bring one swordfish to the boat, Fed said he’s also seen five-fish days when conditions are perfect. Swords are very sensitive to the moon, and daily feeding times seem to correspond with moonrise and moonset. Capt. Fed plans trips so there’s time to load coolers with grouper and tilefish before switching to swordfish through the prime moon position.

The swordfish bite goes on year-round, but Fed said he’s noticed an April into July peak, which could be attributed to more time on the water during peak tourist season in Orange Beach. And that brings up another reason to fish the Alabama Gulf Coast. There’s plenty to keep the whole family happy while the anglers are out on the water.

Capt. Fed (Dustin Bedgood) can be contacted through his website www.fedupcharters.com, at (251) 377-7135 or by email at fedupcharters@gmail.com

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GET UP TO 700 OFF SELECT OUTBOARDS! $ JANUARY 2, 2020-MARCH 31, 2020, ONLY AT PARTICIPATING DEALERS

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*At participating dealers only. Qualifying retail customers may receive instant savings off the selling price of a Honda powered boat package or Honda Marine engine(s) sold for repower. This promotion is limited to new Honda Marine 40 HP through 250 HP outboard engines, 2014 and newer models, sold and delivered between January 2, 2020 and March 31, 2020 and registered by the Dealer in accordance with American Honda Motor Co., Inc.’s sales registration requirements. Only Honda Marine outboard engines sold for personal use qualify for this promotion. Fleet, commercial & government sales are ineligible. Engines sold under special pricing / promotions including (but not limited to) demo and tournament fisherman engines are also excluded. Honda Marine reserves the right to modify, amend, cancel or revoke, in whole or in part, this promotion at any time without prior notice. © 2020 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. 8 NATIONAL I FEBRUARY 2020 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM THEANGLERMAG.COM Always wear a Ipersonal flotation device while boating and read your•owner’s manual. All Honda outboards meet EPA and CARB emission levels.

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All trademarks mentioned are owned by, or licensed to, the AkzoNobel group of companies. © AkzoNobel 2019.

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The Force ISC Dolly, introduced by Parkit360°, is a compact motorized trailer dolly that allows anyone to move any boat or camper. Available in 5,000 lb. and 10,000 lb. models, it’s a powerful tool that enables easy parking in tight spots without the need for a truck or back-breaking labor.

The dolly is compatible with practically every camping, boat or cargo trailer with optional adapters for spring-loaded and Atwood hitches. It’s battery powered, easily transportable and compact. The dolly body itself weighs approximately 70 pounds, making it easy to disassemble and transport in the trunk of a small car.

The dolly is built to easily handle both smooth and rough surfaces. No matter the terrain, be it grass, packed gravel or asphalt, the dolly provides plenty of traction. For optimal usage and safety, users should avoid operating on more than a 6 percent incline.

Connecting the dolly to a trailer is as intuitive as possible. It can be done through a ball mount, the tongue jack itself or the universal telescopic adaptor.

Once attached, it wheels around easily. The operation works with a simple button in forward and backward movements.

With an intelligent speed controller, users can achieve fast or more precise parking. At the same time, the motor’s ability to start and stop gradually prevents damage to the trailer from sudden stopping, something that makes the Force ISC Dolly stand out above its competition.

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FLORIDA

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By John Saporito

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he tide is one of the main catalysts for feeding activity among both inshore and nearshore gamefish. It is also an immensely complicated topic that often frustrates Florida anglers. This is largely because the state is home to all three types of astronomical tides.

While the east coast features orderly semi-diurnal tides, which consist of two relatively equal high tides and two relatively equal low tides in a 24 hour period, the west coast exhibits a thorny combination of diurnal (one high and one relatively equal low tide daily) and mixed tides (a confounding blend of the former two). Southwest Florida’s mixed tides are particularly baffling.

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The earth’s tides are a pair of enormous waves, roughly 12,000 miles from crest to crest, that cause the seas to rise and fall as the earth rotates beneath them. One wave is created by the gravitational attraction of the moon acting on the earth’s surfaces; the other is caused by centrifugal force as the earth rotates around the lunar axis. The origins of the earth’s tides may not be of this planet, but the enormous differences in tidal activity that can be witnessed in coastal areas are produced mostly by factors here on earth. The unique shape of the continental shelf at various points in the ocean basin—both in Florida and around the globe—contributes to the disparities we encounter, as the tidal waves change course and rhythm in accordance with the hydraulic parameters of the shallow-water shelf.

Like wind-driven waves, the tidal waves interact with each other as they reach the continents and are redirected by the seafloor. Sometimes they reinforce one another, leading to higher high tides and lower low tides. Sometimes they interfere with each other, leading to more moderate tides. A multitude of patterns can result from the interaction of the two tidal waves; these patterns are responsible for the astounding variation in tidal activity that plays out in southwest Florida.

The interaction of the tidal waves is the main driver of the tidal complexities we observe, but there is also an important extraterrestrial factor that plays into the equation: lunar declination. This is a predictable pattern of the changing position of the moon relative to the equator. It has the effect of displacing the tidal waves on the earth’s oceans, one of which is drawn toward the moon’s position while the other directly opposes it. This creates its own tidal complexities, which are at their most dramatic when the moon is farthest from the equator.

Florida’s tides are tough to comprehend, but there are two huge benefits for those willing to take the time to do so. First, it will help you catch more fish. The better you understand tidal patterns, the better you understand the feeding patterns of saltwater predators. Second, understanding the tides will multiply your enjoyment of fishing exponentially. The rewards are well worth the effort, and your fishing results will prove it.

John Saporito is a lifelong fisherman and student of the seas. Visit him online at guerillaangling.com and follow him on Instagram @guerilla_angling.

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By John Lidington

an. 9, 1493: Christopher Columbus writes in his journal that he spotted three mermaids that day. Although noting they “had a human appearance about the face,” he laments they were “not half as beautiful as they are painted.” Today we believe what Columbus saw were manatees, though it’s hard to explain how he transformed animals often described as “yams with flippers” into human females, beautiful or not.

Though Columbus saw his “mermaids” off the Dominican Republic, for Floridians, February remains prime time for manatee encounters.

That’s because these are warm-water animals. The current Floridian species moved up from the Caribbean about 12,000 years ago, as the last ice age moved out. These animals may spread out along the gulf coast and up the eastern seaboard as far as Chesapeake Bay in summer. But, due to

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their low metabolism, they can’t tolerate temperatures less than 68 degrees for any length of time. So, as winter approaches, they retreat to southern Florida.

Even Florida can prove too cool for the manatees’ liking. They seek out sources of warmer water to keep their body temperature warm and their immune system functioning properly. Since many of Florida’s large springs maintain a water temperature of about 72 degrees, they offer a natural gathering place.

But manatees have also discovered warm water sources beyond Mother Nature. On both coasts, the cooling-water outfalls of power plants have become major winter attractions for these animals. In Riviera Beach, Florida Power and Light has even created a full eco-education facility, Manatee Lagoon, at their Next Generation Clean Energy Center. While you can’t get in the water with them there, it’s not far from snorkeling areas at Peanut Island and the Blue Heron Bridge. If you’re lucky, you might see a manatee passing by.

The association of manatees with man-made warm water sources is not without concern. The number of manatees is growing—more than doubling over the last 20 years. Power plants have a working life of 35 to 40 years. When a plant shuts down, what will happen to manatees that relied on it for survival? Tracking studies show that manatees return to the same areas they visited with their mothers, even after they are weaned. Will displaced manatees find alternatives quickly enough to survive?

The refugium built by the South Florida Water Management District in the Rookery Bay Aquatic Preserve near Naples may help answer some of these questions. A manatee refugium is a warm-water environment in which manatees can shelter. Twenty manatees used the refugium last winter, and hopes are for more this year.

Ready to make your own mermaid observations this winter?

Contact Pura Vida Divers on Singer Island to schedule a snorkel tour at Blue Heron Bridge or rent an SUP to get on the water and begin your manatee observations. Check out Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s website for the guidelines for boating, diving and snorkeling around manatees. Then go manateeing!

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During this time of year, sheepshead school around structure such as pilings, rocks and oysters. Acting as a refuge, this structure offers protection to smaller fish and other organisms, like crabs and barnacles that sheepshead feed on. True to their name, sheepshead possess a set of teeth that allows them to crunch down on crustaceans that inhabit structure. As many sheepshead fishermen know, these fish are notorious bait-stealers. With this said, there are tips and tricks that’ll put more fish in your boat.

It’s vital to fish with the right gear since these fish feed so close to structure. A Carolina rig is the go-to for sheepshead fishermen.

Using a braided main line is important for getting these fish out of those pilings. The amount of weight used depends on the current, but a 1-ounce egg sinker is a good baseline. Attached to the swivel connecting the mainline should be an 8-inch piece of 30-pound fluorocarbon leader. This, paired with a 1/0 to 3/0 sized circle hook and fiddler crab should get the job done for those ugly bruisers.

Why target these fish you may ask? Aside from their hard fighting ability, sheepshead are some of the best tasting fish that swim, comparable to any flaky white fish. Fried, grilled or blackened, you can’t go wrong when cooking up these delicious fish. Most importantly, enjoy your time on the water with friends and family… and tight lines!

By Cory Gurman

N

ew decade, same fishing opportunities! February acts as a transitional period between winter and spring, especially here in Florida. This provides the right conditions for many fishing opportunities, one of which I’m

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Cory Gurman is a junior at Ponte Vedra High School in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. Besides reveling in the great outdoors, Cory enjoys spending time with his two golden retrievers and rooting for the Atlanta Braves. Follow him on Instagram @ fishhunter1119.

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By Dana Burkhart

n the 10 years since my husband George and I exchanged vows on Smathers Beach in Key West, my love of angling has grown from a distant observance to an activity I truly enjoy.

We live in Georgia and make frequent trips to the Keys. Early in our marriage, George asked me if I’d rather be freezing in a deer stand at 5 a.m. or hanging out on a boat enjoying sun, waves, music, birds and fishing. I am so glad I chose the latter!

Three years ago, George and I joined the Atlanta Saltwater Sportsman’s Club. The camaraderie and financial perks have been wonderful. Just before our anniversary trip to the Keys, George and I discovered fellow club members Brent and Valerie Christoper would be down there conchin’ the same week. Brent and Valerie drove up from Ramrod Key, and we split a charter in Islamorada. It just happened to be New Year’s Eve. I can’t think of a better way to cap off 2019 than with a banner day fishing. We arrived just after sunrise at Robbie’s of Islamorada,

greeted long-time friend Capt. Galon Johnson of GoTime Charters and were underway!

It really is all about the bait, and we were not alone in pursuit of ballyhoo. Our captain zigged when the other 20 charters zagged, and after a couple of beautiful pancake casts, Capt. Galon blacked out the livewell with 300 cigar minnows.

We jogged to a wreck in more than 200 feet of water with the color of morning rising into a temperate day. Chumming live bait proved irresistible to the blackfin tuna, and they hit fast and furious.

At one point, a triple hookup had us dancing over and under each other to avoid tangles. We heard the splendid slap of tuna on deck and were content with six 20-plus-pounders. Capt. Galon bled the tuna immediately, which paid dividends in the taste and texture of our tuna steaks. Sushi and pan searing were on the menu for New Year’s Eve and beyond!

Next, Capt. Galon moved west. While trolling live cigar minnows on a wire treble rig over 120 feet of water, our lines started screaming— this time with king mackerel. The reel-dragging fights were a blast.

We “macked-out” with four over 20 pounds each.

With our pelagic needs met, Capt. Galon cruised south of Alligator to wind down with reef fishing. Each cast of “oatmeal cookie” encrusted cut bait kept the lines tight. Several smaller yellowtails gave way to a 22-inch flag anyone would be proud of.

Fearing the end of our charter, one of us sunk a live bait after last call and reeled up a large grouper—on the last day of open season—to clinch Dec. 31 as one of the best days of the year!

We all enjoyed a meateater’s slam back at Robbie’s, followed by a celebratory hook and cook with live music at Lorelei’s.

For more information on ASWSC, visit www.aswsc.org, info@aswsc.org, and like Atlanta Saltwater Sportsman Club on Facebook.

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he Bahamas National Trust (BNT) recently announced changes to user fees for the 176-square-mile Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park. Beginning Jan. 1, The Bahamas Government’s 12 percent Value Added Tax (VAT) will be added to user fees. The new fee structures are as follows.

Daily Mooring Fee Structure Boats up to 39’11” - $25 Boats 40’ to 49’11”- $35 Photo by Nils Rinaldi Boats 50’ to 59’11’- $45 Boats 60’ to 69’11’- $70 Boats 70’ to 89’11’- $105 Boats 90’ to 119’11’- $135 Boats 120’ to 150’ - $170 Anchorage Fee Structure Boats <90’ - 50 cents per foot, plus 12% VAT Boats >90’ - $1 per foot, plus 12% VAT Dive Fees- $12 per person to be collected by dive tour operator Fees may be paid online at payexumapark.org or via cash or card at the Waderick Wells Office. Other fees are required for kayaking and camping, film crews, research teams and commercial vessels. Contact Bahamas National Trust at (242) 601-7438 or by email at exumapark@bnt.bs. See their website at www.bnt.bs.

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rescent Lake, which feeds the St. Johns River near Palatka, Fla., pumped out some big crappie despite poor weather during the Jan. 4 Crappie USA (CUSA) tournament.

Anglers from eight states filled a field of 23 boats vying for cash, prizes and a berth in the 2020 CUSA Classic, which features a guaranteed payout of $125,000 in cash and prizes.

“Crappie anglers braved wind and rain while fishing the second qualifying event of the year on Crescent Lake,” reported

Darrell Van Vactor, CUSA Operations Manager. “Fishing was very tough with a front moving in during the early afternoon, but as always several teams caught some good crappie.”

The top spot in the Pro Division went to George Parker, of Okeechobee, Fla., and Tim Eberly, of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. They had a total weight of 11.96 pounds that included Second Big Fish at 1.98 pounds. Their bag earned them $1,400, plus $155 for Second Big Fish.

“We used Bobby Garland and Thumper Jigs to fish structure from Dead Lake to the bridge on Dunn’s Creek,” said Eberly. “We fished posts, docks, laydowns, you name it.”

The team caught 30 fish in 8 to 14 feet of water. They did not have a one-pound fish in the boat until after 10:30 when the tide dropped. Working with the tidal flow proved to be an important factor in the bite.

“When the tide was moving strong, the fish quit feeding and hunkered down until a more suitable, lighter current returned,” said Parker.

The runner up spot went to Steve Deason, of Gray, Ga. and Rick Howard, of Warner Robins, Ga. Their bag weighed 9.64 pounds and included a 3.17-pound crappie to take Big Fish honors. They earned $600 for second place and added $370 for Big Fish.

Deason and Howard fished the upper corner of the lake, long lining in 7 to 8 feet of water using Blue Jigs to catch most of their fish. A total of 35 fish made a pretty good day for the Georgia team.

The third spot in the Pro Division went to Robert Harris from Warner Robins, Ga., and Richard Greer, of Kathleen, Ga. Their 8.81-pound bag earned them a check for $400. They added $250 for the Ranger Cup Bonus.

For more information on CUSA, visit www.crappieusa.com and Crappie USA Tournament Trail Facebook Page.

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By Jill Christoferson

W

hile anglers sing the praises of Florida’s summer fishing, seasoned anglers know winter offers great fishing for some of the state’s most sought-after fish species. You’ll spot many anglers, including veteran kayak angler Stephen Stubbs, following spotted seatrout to fresher water, where the fish congregate in large schools.

While this can make seatrout an easy target, this species is also especially vulnerable to fatigue and exposure, so it’s important to use proper gear and fish-handling techniques. This ensures the best chance of survival for released fish.

Prepping for the Day Determine ahead of time which fish you will keep instead of deciding on the water. This helps you release fish you don’t want to keep quicker.

“My friends and I tend to harvest only slot trout under 19 inches to keep the more productive egg-layers—20 inches and over—in the water to continue the sustainability of this wonderful species,” Stubbs said.

Use barbless circle hooks, as they are 90 percent more likely to hook a fish in the mouth, which reduces internal harm and decreases de-hooking time. Also use the heaviest tackle you can get away with.

Heavier tackle allows for quick landings and fish that are released fresher.

Fish On! Reel in fish as quickly as possible. According to Stubbs, the key to landing a big trout is to manage the drag tension. Horsing a trout into the boat results in tearing of the area where they are hooked. It can also cause you to lose the fish. Work them in as they tire and keep tension on the line. Playing a fish too much can result in an exhausted fish that cannot avoid predators once released.

Landing Fish Use a knotless, rubber-coated net to land medium-to-large trout and wet the measuring board before laying the fish on it. This helps reduce loss of slime and scales. Avoid removing large fish from water.

If you must remove them, support their weight horizontally to prevent damage to internal organs. Wet hands before handling a fish, and never hold a fish by the gill cover or eyes. Gripping devices are effective for controlling fish, especially ones with sharp teeth.

Hook Removal and Release If the fish swallows the hook, cut the line as close to the hook as possible. Attempting to remove the hook can do more harm than good. A dehooking tool allows you to remove hooks safely and quickly without touching the fish.

To release a fish, place it head first into the water and allow it swim away on its own. Revive lethargic fish by moving it forward through the water. Using a fugure-8 motion pushes water over a fish’s gills, allowing it oxygen to revive.

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Sheepshead in the St. Simons area average 2 to 7 pounds and can break the 10-pound mark.

Photo courtesy of Coastal Georgia Inshore Charters.

By Tom Schlichter

F

or inshore anglers who love calm, shallow waters, St. Simons Island is worth investigation. On the Georgia coast between Savannah, Ga. and Jacksonville, Fla., this hot spot is chock full of redfish, speckled seatrout and sheepshead. Check it out on a map, and you’ll instantly see the possibilities, as St. Simons is surrounded by marshlands, flats and drainages from the mainland.

“We have great fishing on a year-round basis, but February and March are especially good for the specks, reds and sheepshead,” said Capt. Tim Cutting, of Coastal Georgia Inshore Charters (912-230-1814; www.fishthegeorgiacoast. com). “Our marshes are extremely rich in nutrients, which is a big draw for the fish. Even better, there’s very little industrial encroachment in this region.”

Indeed, the St. Simons area hosts the second largest coastal marshland in the United States, trailing only the vastness of Louisiana. That means there’s plenty of shallow water to prospect. The area also sports the second-greatest influx of tides on the East Coast after Maine, with an average of about 6-1/2 feet, so there’s lots of current available to push bait around.

“Dropping tides are best for reds and trout during late winter and spring,” advised Cutting. “Push as far back as you can in the small creeks behind Cumberland, Jekyll and St. Simons islands and work the oyster beds. Redfish love to be around those beds because they hold so many baitfish, shrimp and crabs. We use light spinning tackle with 20-pound braided lines, 7 to 7-1/2-foot rods and size 2000 to 4000 reels. Most of the reds run 14 to 32 inches.”

For lures, Cutting throws gold spoons and scented plastics or Berkley Gulp! grubs. Because the waters are so shallow, he’ll also fly-fish, using Deceivers or Clouser Minnows to draw strikes. When the tide is high, he’ll use a trout-pattern Rapala Skitter Walk or a bone-colored Super Spook Jr. as search baits for topwater fun.

While the redfish are in depths from 6 inches to 7 feet, seatrout prefer deeper pockets of 8 to 24 feet. “Find a nice hole, and you can work the entire slope for specks in the 14- to 22-inch range,” noted Cutting. “I’ll jig these areas with a 3-1/2-inch Little Boss Paddletail grub or a 4-inch, chicken-on-a-chain pattern shad. Both lures are from the Bass Assassin saltwater line.”

As for tasty sheepshead, they hold tight to structure in the shallows during February but move to ocean wrecks in 40- to 60-foot depths 3 to 6 miles offshore come March. “They are plentiful, love fiddler crabs, and run up to 10 pounds,” said Cutting.

It makes sense to fish the St. Simons area with a charter skipper on your first few visits. As you gain local knowledge, you’ll find the free McKay Boat Launch (529 Beachview Drive) off the F.J. Torras Causeway is perfectly positioned for fast access to some of the best fishing.

A

22.1-pound big-scale pomfret caught on Dec. 28 off the coast of Maryland is a new state record. It might also be a new world record.

Jeff Rosenkilde, of Monkton, Maryland, was deep-drop swordfishing in the Atlantic Canyons about 75 miles off Ocean City when something picked up the whole squid he was fishing in about 1,000 feet of water.

“The fish started fighting,” the 33-year-old angler said, “At first I thought it was big-eyed tuna, but it had a purple, iridescent color.”

It took 15 to 20 minutes to reel up all that line, but Rosenkilde’s crewmates knew the species and knew it was exceptionally large.

A biologist verified the species as a big-scale pomfret (Taractichthys longipinnis). Its weight was certified by Hunter’s Crab and Seafood Market in Grasonville, Maryland.

The big-scale pomfret is commonly found in the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, but occasionally moves northward. Rosenkilde’s catch could potentially qualify for an alltackle world record by the International Game Fish Association. The current world record is 20.6 pounds. That fish was caught Oct. 17, 2004 off St. Augustine, Fla.

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LANARK F

e b r u a r y, t h e month where most people start getting sick of winter and looking forward to spring fishing. This winter has been very warm for the most part. Will February bring some cooler weather? We will see.

The Big Bend region has some great fishing and this month can be the amazing.

Lanark is surrounded by some great grass flats, dock, Dog Island, the Carrabelle River, and St George Island. All can hold fish through February.

Most of my fishing this month will be done in the 1-3 foot depth.

Look for clean water with mixed bottom. The darker bottom will heat up faster than the sand, but the fish do use the sand holes as ambush spots. Using the trolling motor or push pole, I like to work around oyster bars and down shorelines slowly. We mostly will be throwing small paddle tails, jerk baits or suspending lures. Using a weighted worm hook helps keep the bait from getting snagged in the grass or on oysters. I look for any sign of a target. Wakes, tip of a tail, the flooded grass moving around… anything that gives me a hint there might be a fish.

Another tip is look for the mullet schools. The reds and big trout have been known to follow these schools around picking up the bait that runs from the mullet.

The oyster bars around the Carrabelle River should be holding fish as well. Bouncing jigs or live shrimp should get the bite. I like to target them on the mid-morning incoming tide to catch them sliding up to feed on the water shells and mud. Work your baits slowly, sometimes even letting sit for several seconds before “bouncing” the bait a few times.

Sh i f t i ng you r m i n d to warmer weather, now is the time to book your tarpon dates for summer! There are very few prime days left so if you’ve ever wanted to target the silver king on fly lets make 2020 your year!

FORECAST BY: Captain John Swanson North Florida Inshore 850-326-7706

BOOK YOUR TARPON TRIPS SOON!

PANACEA

F

ebruary is here and the weather has Nancy Anne Teems shows off her bigbeen anywhere from 32 degrees to gest sheepshead to date upstream!

75 degrees. The rivers and creeks should be on fire with reds and trout in every deep spot. Fish slow moving with a gold Aqua Dream spoon, Gold/black back Paul Brown Fat boys or a lightly weighted Saltwater Assassin in the color of your choice and it will create a day to remember. Live shrimp c an a lways b e your back up to turn fish on when things slow down between tidal peaks.

The water temperature determines where you Jack Richardson has a nice river trout in the boat! will find fish. If you can find temps close to 60 degrees that is where you want to be for non-stop action. The spring fed creeks and rivers stay around 72 degrees up river so look for the right-mix to keep the rods bent. Ochlocknee River has been holding sheepshead around the bridge. Fiddler crabs and live shrimp are productive baits. Remember to be aware of the manatees who are also cruising in the warmer waters. If you travel outside near structure or hard bottom the black sea bass should be eating so move offshore and have some fun. Bounce a gulp and reel em up.

Remember take a kid fishing and educate them on the outdoor life style!

FORECAST BY: Captain Steve Hobbs SkeeterBite Fishing Charters Call or text 850-363-0527 splopscapt@gmail.com Check us out on Facebook!

McKensie (Tator) Teems says the reds are in the river.

6 BIG BEND | FEBRUARY 2020 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THE ANGLERMAG.COM

ST. MARKS F

ebruary is the coldest month of the year traditionally, but if we skip winter that would be just fine with me. The earlier we see spring fishing the better. I will assume cold is coming.

January had plenty of trout in the St Marks River. Once those fish are that far up river, they will stay until March. Normally they e made it to March! Spring are fishing be here!

I gave up frommust the public boat landing forecasting the weather. So far February must be the warmup river to the 98 Bridge. The est in history. March, no telling what weather in store. warmthe temps havehas kept them Normally, heavy winds and a few cold fronts make for a tough stretched all the way out tostart the to north Florida spring fishing. It might be 80 degrees, but the fithe sh lighthouse.

Keep fishing are swimming in water the will holdoyster in thebars 60’s. on Be patient in March warm days with and search for the higher temps for less bestwind. results.If you need to hide, In February the trout pushed intostay the up river for aThe few days, river. troutbut bitenot is long. That means they are still out invery sightpredictably of the lighthouse.

Working unpredictable. the barsall will catch sh. and Bestthen bet isno anone incoming tide.Best If the Oneoyster day they seem tofieat, is hungry. betwater is to temps climb close to 70 degrees, then look for the trout to move on go and hope you find the hungry day. theIfflats that have deep water close by.

Keep an eye on bait moving on the weather allows find a creek. to the fl ats this month, or the return of pinfi sh.

Both are great areas to The trout in the creeks seem to stay target in March. hungry. The days before the passing There seems to be the same redcold fronts seem to be best. Slow fi sh pattern every year in the bay. We bounced jigs will catch fish. catch There are plenty of reds in the redfish. Some days we catch few, other days it could be triple rivers, but the crystal clear and ausua few, ally warm flats are holding fish. Best but you do have to work for those bet is to find a friendly shoreline on jokers. March will be the same.

There an incoming tide. Work the edge aren’t swarms or schools of and look for fish holding. Longredfish cast running the bay. Just a few redfish down the shorelines will catch fish. hanging on a warm flat, or an oyster bar, or mixing Paddletail jigs or gold spoonsworking will among some mullet or guarding catch fish. rocks.

You need to go check those Also keep an eye on the shallow spots.

Toss them a jig or shrimp and flats. The warm weather has kept the they will eat it.

If you are lucky, you reds hanging out a bit longer. If it gets could fi nd a bunch, and one of cold, they will run to deepwater and the creeks. If warmhave continues those redfi sh kinda days. they will hold on the flats. A slow drift on the right flat good be magic. is also awesome month Offshore there should be plentyMarch of sea bass onanthe rock piles four to hit the public reefs.

Bring shrimp!

Th e sheephead should be miles and out. Bring a cooler full of live shrimp and catch a few flthere, ounand shrimp will be needed.

There der and sheepies while you are outcould there.be some grunts, seabass, and flounder mixed in. Find a calm day and take a ride.The You Guide may alsoShop find the first push of Spanish macks. They always hitistheinreefs on their way full motion. into the bay.

February is our slowWe are booking trips est month of the year, this month! We are but it won’t be long hoping for a warm and before spring fishdry March, so there will ing is here! Call/text/ be plenty of days to fish! email to book your Give me a call/text/email days!! to book a day!

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FORECAST BY: Captain Mike McNamara Stmarksoutfittters.com redfish@stmarksoutfitters.com call/text 850-510-7919

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Contact Capt. Mike at

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ST. MARKS RIVER ENTRANCE TIDES MARCH 2019 ST. MARKS RIVER ENTRANCE TIDES –– FEBRUARY 2020

Fisherman’s Rest High Tide -14min Low Tide -2min

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Rock Islands High Tide -3min Low Tide +4min

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Shell Point, Walker Creek High Tide -3min Low Tide -3min

Bald Point, Ochlockonee Bay High Tide +33min Low Tide +19min

STEINHATCHEE RIVER • DEADMAN’S BAY TIDES – FEBRUARY 2020

Withlacoochee River High Tide +7min Low Tide +55min

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KEATON BEACH

I T

HOURS:

Monday - Friday 9 am to 5 pm Saturday 10 am to 4 pm+ Sunday 12 noon to 4 pm+

f current weather trends hold SoftÊplasticsÊlikeÊthisÊAssassinÊÒButtÊNakedÓÊ SeaÊShadÊwillÊtakeÊgoodÊtroutÊinÊMarch. be bunch wideofopen within 2019 Onewe lastshould look at a nice trout caught before this new rule... thanks CCA! trout and reds when this issue comes out.

Our at Keaton has From Greatas towater Nothing and keep back routfishing continue to bite, sogone far, in January temps to Great as fast as the60 fronts could gotrout through yet thetopwater, Best has been skipping around degrees and are taking hard spectacular albeit brief feed periods lasting maybe Jerkbaits such as Bite-A-Bait fighters,usually Cordell Redfian ns hour and Ripplin two for day on daysrigged with high tides late in the ernoon!

Redfi nsthe andentire Assassin plastic up un-weighted onaft a 5/0 offset March willL&S’s see a few more fronts pass but water temps worm hook.

Paul Brown Devils andthe SoftDines are should taking have come into the high low 70’s by then that should trout as wellupespecially when60’s theorwater temps drop and down below 60 stabilize the once we can holdto 70be degrees degrees.

2.5 –trout 3 feet of water seems the keyovernight. to happiness.

Troutfor have been happy to hit jerkbaits Bite-A-Bait Look these trends to hold inlipped February if waterlike temps will hold fighters and Redfins once waterbetemps hit up aboveBombers, 60 degrees.

TheCordell open flats were as hotthe as could over the 65+ three degrees in the afternoons.

Suspending baitsdoesn’t were the rule folks until last weeks (today is January 13) but this mean we gotcatching there a week socreeks ago. MirrOdines, 2000’s and Paul aren’t fish inorthe after the hardCatch cold snaps.

Browns wereatthe deal the last ofout January the firstGulf few and daysthe in Our trout Keaton were still there and in the open February, bite seemed to be the best on the last two hours of the rising tide osrste hour yourof the flop. A decent breeze has been a necessary andCho the fi baits accordingly component to a successful trip as well, as our waters were “too clear” and yousince are we on have been without any substantial rain in the last mostifdays afew warming weeks. trend with temps thescarce out on the flats of late; but are most likely Reds haveinbeen hi 60’screeks toss lipped in the and wanting a live shrimp or a synthetic bait. baits, otherwise February can be a tough month early and rebound nicely the last take down to on the water temps and choose a three or four week. it Keep an eye them with gravity day warming trend to enjoy Keaton Beach in February. and use your suspending “Heylures. folks, Captain Mike McNamara and I will be presentIf 70’s Annual hold South Georgia Saltwater seminar series in ing the 2nd I imagine live pinThomasville, Ga. on Saturday, March 7th , Best Western 133 fish under Back Liberty Street.

Hope you will attend and learn more about trout Bay unders andTh red fishingwill in the Gulf. Many topics covered, including “Sight take trout in late fishing Shallow water and Drift fishing the Open Gulf “ Captain’s March.

Bags, Door Prizes and More! See our ad on page 4 in this issue for Reds have eaten”. RedsÊwillÊeatÊGoldÊandÊCopperÊspoonsÊlikeÊthisÊHEXÊspoonÊinÊcopper complete details.

Intruder Gold spoons, suspending baits, and soft plastics and I would guess that will continue in March. Reds should be out of the creeks and roamGo Fishing! ing the flats lookingMeanwhile, for food by Let's mid-March.

www.GulfSpecimen.org 222 Clark Drive Panacea, FL 32346

(850) 984-5297 10 BIG BEND BEND | FEBRUARY COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM ANGLERMAG.COM | MARCH 2019 10 BIG 2020 | |COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THE

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Meanwhile, Let's Go Fishing!

T

STEINHATCHEE

he Sheep Come Marching The lion and lamb In…Th analogy in terms of March weather is so true here in the Big Bend. If the little voice in your head hints better try it another day with better weather, listen and heed.

We've all ignored it in times past and can share horror stories about who was the dumbestneed amongst us. If there to be pushed to fisharein cold weather. Folks, mainly guys, many in your fromvoices the way northhead, havecan regaled me about the fun of ice fishing.

Th denominator thee common fishing trip and go seewas a adult-style drinking in a tricked-out mobile shing shack.

No,beI on can watch the ballgame from my cozy shrink. fiNobody should home, complete a boat with you :)with a kitchen.

My feettime haveyou're gottenreading cold many when fishing in thebeFlorida By the this,times the sheepshead should in full winter. likedecade, it. Socksthe andsheepshead rubber boots are the remedy, well spawn. IIndidn't the past huddle-up to makeasmore as, head gear,ingloves, clothes covered with someReef typeand of washeepshead mid tolayered late February.

The Steinhatchee the terproof outerare shell.

Nonetheless, there is a skin ice meet on thelots boat Shrimp Boat popular spots toifsheepshead fishofand of of the morning, I'm hard Should pressed.you Then I've fitoshed in horrible people on the weekends. beagain planning go, go early. conditions simply I'm obsessed fishing. Anyway, There are manybecause techniques to catch with sheepshead.

I like to keep keep your feet warm. things simple. Here are some of my thoughts. Use rod/reel combiIn theyou'd winter, catching trout in the Steinhatchee river has lighter a long nations typically catch trout and redfish with.

Those history.

Th e lore of 'axe handle' trout as fast as you could reel them weight combos improve your sensitivity. Sensitivity is of utmost in are standard stories from old timers.

I love to listen and wish importance to catch, not feed sheepshead. Braided line further in-I was there. creases sensitivity and furthermore doesn't catch the current and Th axe to handle days are long gone. the trout come in billowe due the thinner diameter.

I useYet, twelve pounddotest mono the river during cold spells.

On weekends, boaters cluster near the or twenty braid. A short section of heavier leader material is recmouth of the Use riverthe catching plenty of trout.

Most ofnecessary the trout to arehold unommended. lightest weight or jig-head der-sized, mishandled and die of disease after release because their the bottom. Heavy sinkers reduce sensitivity. Long shank hooks are protective slim layer has been scrubbed off. preferred because of the difficulty of hook removal. The vise like It is fun to catch a bunch of fish. However, knowing future keepjaws of sheepshead are dicy to deal with especially considering the ers, perhaps axe handles, are being removed from the population the hardware the in mouth.

The long shank catching is helpful.under-sized You don't leaves a bitter in taste my mouth.

If you're want your digits around the mouth. trout, trout, like many other fish, gather by year-class so the likeliI use knockerarig where egg sinker ridesfor onyour the leader next hood of acatching keeper is the unrealistic.

It best success to to the hook.

Th is rig is easier to dislodge if hung on the bottom. move off to try another location, perhaps a larger hard bait.

Bait…

Some with live shrimp which is great.

I'll also Th e best bet folks is seaonly bassgoand Florida snapper (grunt) fishing in use fresh frozen shrimp or fi ddler crabs.

Use a thinner wire hook 20-45' over hard bottom. Sea bass are in full rut. Any type of rigfor or fiddlerwill crabs it won't bust the crab Somedrift folksfibait with meat do so thethat trick.

For catching largerapart. sea bass, sh using fresh shucked oysters.

I can't do that because there is a bottle of hot a relatively large jig as the sinker with a lighter dropper jig above. sauce on my boat.

Sometimes a tip of bait will improve the bite. When other sea bass Thespot. limit for Florida sheepshead is follow the hooked sea bass up, mark the Large snapper set fiatneeight per angler. It is are the extra fish. Also, large sand wisely perch are eating. also wise to releaseFebruary the egg laden is a Booking females for the children. tough month in Sheepshead After sheepshead fistrong shing terms of for March! bounce aroundweather hard variabilibottom $600, up to nearby to pick-up sea bassconsult with a ty. Always 6 people couple surprise flthe ounder. latest marine forecast before going out, especially inFORECAST smaller vessels.

Consider not BY: Capt.

Brian E. Smith BIG BEND CHARTERS only the days prediction but, equally important, the night and followus on Facebook! ing day forecast. Remember, it is just a fish that's notLIKE worth your life.

CaptBrianESmith@gmail.com

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FORECAST BY: 877-852-FISH Capt. Brian E. Smith www.BigBendCharters.info BIG BEND CHARTERS LIKE us on Facebook!

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FWC NEW SPECKLED TROUT REGS FOR THE BIG BEND Regulations starting Feb. 1, 2020

Management Zones starting Feb. 1, 2020 Regulations extend into federal waters.

Big Bend: Remaining portion of Gulf County plus Indian Lagoon, and Franklin County through Fred Howard Park Causeway in Pinellas County near the Pasco County line Size limit statewide starting Feb. 1, 2020: More than 15" and less than 19" total length (may possess one over 19 inches per vessel included in bag limit) Regional daily bag limits and seasons starting Feb. 1, 2020: Big Bend: 5 per harvester, open year-round. Zero captain and crew bag limit when on a for-hire trip (starting Feb. 1, 2020) Allowable Gear: Hook and line; cast net.

G u l f r e d s n ap p e r : T h e

Commission listened to a staff update on the 2019 recreational Gulf red snapper harvest season, approved proposed draft season dates for the 2020 season (June 11-July 24), and considered a draft proposal to that would extend FWC rules for harvest of red snapper by private recreational anglers into Gulf federal waters.

Red Snapper Catch Card

The State of Florida is conducting a study to better estimate the numbers of red snapper that are harvested (kept) and the condition of red snapper that are released by recreational anglers.

This information is needed to determine the health of the red snapper stock in the Gulf of Mexico and the South Atlantic to evaluate the effectiveness of current fishing regulations.

Please help by filling out the requested data in the online form at the bottom of this page after any fishing trip you take during which red snapper were harvested or released, then simply click submit!

If you prefer, you can choose to print a catch card to take with you the next time you go fishing. Complete the printed catch card while fishing and then simply drop the catch card in the mail with necessary postage.

If you catch a tagged fish, call 1-800-367-4461.

12 BIG BEND | FEBRUARY 2020 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THE ANGLERMAG.COM

By Nick Carter

H A

By Michael Okruhlik Photo courtesy of My Coast Outdoors

lot of anglers dream of catching trophy trout, but successfully catching them doesn’t repeatedly happen by accident. Sure, everyone has the chance, but to land them consistently takes a certain thought process. Here are three keys to improve your repeated success of landing trout over 27 inches during the cooler months.

Timing Most anglers go fishing when they have time, such as on the weekends, or when the weather is nice. If catching trophy trout is your ultimate goal, you need to fish when they feed. Following the solunar table feeding times is a great guide in determining when to fish. Place yourself in the optimum location during the major or minor feed times and stay focused 30 minutes before and after the listed times. Keeping your lure in the water during these times versus traveling from one spot to another will greatly increase your odds of catching fish.

Slow-Sinking Lures As we all know, fish are cold blooded and their movements and feeding slow as the water temperature slumps. Slowing your retrieve and lure fluctuation is crucial to entice trophy trout to strike. Tying on a slow-sinking lure is also key. Some will argue the size of the lure needs to be larger, but I don’t feel that is always true. Having a lure that can hover over structure, just off the bottom, or slowly sink down the edge of a pothole is key. This presents an easier meal and allows fish time to react.

Get In With Them Getting in there with them is the step many anglers have an issue with, and in my opinion, it is the single most important aspect that separates trophy trout fishermen from the average angler. Wade fishing is the key ingredient to consistently catching trophy trout on artificial lures.

Stealth is important when attempting to capture any wild animal, and fish are no different. The more mature the game, the more savvy the angler needs to become. Not only does wading give you this ability over fishing from a boat, it also allows you to silently slow your movements and cover an area thoroughly from different angles.

Having your feet planted in the mud lowers your profile and also lets you determine exactly what the bottom is composed of. On the colder days, you will find fish partially buried in the mud, which is evident when you land them with muddy bellies. Knowing where bottom structure is will aid you in fishing the productive areas.

Wading also helps identify subtle depth contours, which can be an ambush points or a paths in and out of the area, both of which are ideal areas to target trophy trout.

Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Controlled Descent Lures and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.

eavy rains and high water are to be expected over the next few months. It keeps our streams and rivers healthy. But it’s too bad all that precipitation occurs when trout are pulling out of the winter doldrums.

When the river is blown out, it’s blown out. There’s no sense in fishing chocolate milk or putting yourself in a dangerous situation.

But a little high water doesn’t have to put an end to your fishing.

With a little adjustment, fly anglers do quite well when rivers up and a dingy. The change in water conditions can even make large trout less wary.

Ride The Wave Sometimes something special happens with the onset of a heavy rain shower on a free-flowing stream. The same is true when turbines start generating on a tailwater. Increasing flows stir up all sorts of morsels for trout to eat, rain knocks bugs out of the trees, and it puts fish in the mood to feed.

This phenomenon is fleeting. As waters rise, fish take advantage of the newly arrived bounty, but the situation either stabilizes or flows become unfishable pretty quickly. Typically this bite goes on for a window of less than an hour, depending on the conditions.

However, if you find yourself at the right place, at the right time, you could be in for a stellar 20 minutes of streamer fishing.

Seek Out The Slack Even in low flows, trout conserve energy by hanging where there’s some sort of current break. When the river is rolling, this behavior is amplified. High water pushes fish up near the banks or into shallow riffles where there is less current. Fish also congregate in eddies, where washed in bugs and baitfish make for easy pickings.

Weight Down And Gear Up Adjustments are needed to take advantage of these conditions.

High water is no time to fuss with delicate dry flies. Grab your heavy stick and a box of big nymphs and streamers. With visibility beneath the surface diminished, you can afford to beef up to heavier leaders and tippet. Rig up longer than usual with heavy flies and/or some split shot to get down where the fish are.

You can also get away with fishing larger flies in dirty water. A larger profile helps fish find your fly. Also—and especially with big browns—trout looking for something meaty to make it worthwhile.

Next time the bottom drops out when you’re on the water, hang around instead of hightailing it to the truck. You might as well fish since you’ll be wet by the time you get to the vehicle, anyway. By the same token, don’t let a little high water deter you from going to the river. Sure, you might get skunked, but you might also hang into a hook-jawed bruiser.

Nick Carter is the author of “Flyfisher’s Guide To North Carolina & Georgia,” which is available on Amazon. Signed copies are available by emailing the author at nsc8957@gmail.com.

W

hen Briarwood Christian School’s Grayson Morris and Tucker Smith went wire-to-wire to bring home the 2019 Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster High School National Championship, they became the first high school team to repeat as national champions.

From a private school in Birmingham, the duo is now set to add another first to their resume when they become the first high school anglers to fish alongside the pros at the iconic Bassmaster Classic in March.

As 53 of the world’s best anglers takeoff to compete on Day 2 of the Bassmaster Classic, they will be led onto the storied waters of Alabama’s Lake Guntersville by Morris and Smith. The high school team will be aboard a specially wrapped boat that Academy Sports + Outdoors has provided for their use during Classic week.

“I’m speechless and so thankful,” said Smith. “It is amazing that we’ll be the first high school team in the Classic, and I know we wouldn’t be in this position without the support of our families and coaches.”

As the realization set in, the duo immediately began planning how

A

slot limit for recreationally-caught striped bass went into effect Jan. 1 in North Carolina ocean waters.

Fishermen are allowed to possess one striped bass per person per day that is at least 28 inches and less than 35 inches total length (fishermen may not keep a 35-inch fish).

The slot limit is required by the recently adopted changes to the Atlantic Striped Bass Interstate Fishery Management Plan. It is designed to end overfishing and bring fishing mortality to the target level in 2020 by reducing total coastwide striped bass removals by 18 percent. The latest coastwide stock assessment determined that ocean migratory Atlantic striped bass are overfished and overfishing is occurring.

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s action also requires a coastwide commercial quota reduction of 18 percent.

The recreational regulations for striped bass in internal coastal waters remain unchanged.

For more information, contact N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries biologist Charlton Godwin at charlton.godwin@ncdenr.gov.

to make the most of this rare opportunity.

“To be honest, my first thought is how I’m going to catch fish on Guntersville,” said Morris. “I never thought I’d be fishing the Classic this spring, but now I want to make sure I learn from the pros while we have the chance.”

After fishing Day 2, Morris and Smith will head 75 miles from Lake Guntersville to Birmingham, where their five-fish bag will be weighed to the cheers of thousands at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex.

While the bright lights and big stage of the Classic will be new to the pair, Smith and Morris have already enjoyed a taste of the limelight.

The duo appeared as part of a series called Winning Edges—a show produced by high school students to present educational and inspirational video content.

And fellow high school anglers can certainly gain inspiration from this talented team.

The pair enjoy a long list of accolades off the water in recognition of their dedication to conservation and community service projects.

Morris and Smith have worked extensively on managing a private lake in their home state. While Smith has volunteered for years with the Kampfire for the King events benefiting the King’s Ranch and Hannah Home, Morris has done mission work in Haiti, Nicaragua and Guatemala. Smith was one of just 12 young anglers named to the 2019 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster High School All-American Fishing Team while Morris earned Honorable Mention.

The 2020 Bassmaster Classic will be the culmination of 50 years of top-tier tournament bass fishing, and attendees can expect a range of exciting events, coveted giveaways and celebrity appearances during the tournament, which runs March 6-8. Daily launches will take place at Civitan Park in Guntersville, with daily weigh-ins and the annual Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo held in Birmingham at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex.

For more information, visit bassmaster.com.

T

his should come as no surprise to anglers, but a new study has determined that fishery management, when done well, works to keep fisheries sustainable.

The study, according to Seafood Source, compiled data from 30 countries around the world and determined that intense fisheries management has led to healthy or improving fish populations. The researchers published their results in a study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in January.

Only about half the world’s fish populations are monitored scientifically.

These monitored and managed populations are generally healthy and growing, while fish populations in regions with weaker fishery management and little monitoring are harvested at rates that are three times higher. This poor management also affects abundance levels, which are half that of intensively managed populations.

The study database, which has been in development for the last decade, includes data on about 880 fish populations from around the world, including Europe, North America, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and South America, representing almost half the world’s catch.

The data showed that fishing pressure rose and biomass declined for decades until 1995, when fishing pressured started to fall. By 2005, biomass was ticking up again, and by 2016, the average biomass of assessed fish populations was higher than levels needed to produce maximum sustainable yield.

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rom Feb. 8 through March 29, offshore anglers in northeast Florida have the opportunity to compete in a unique tournament that has been billed as the largest wahoo tournament in the world.

By allowing anglers to select three fishing days from a 50-day time frame, The Northeast Florida Wahoo Shootout, presented by Yellowfin, levels the playing field for boats of all sizes to compete. Since bad weather days can be avoided, everyone can get in on the world-class wahoo fishing available off north Florida’s Atlantic coast.

Winners are determined by the heaviest three fish aggregate, and all fish must be weighed at Strike Zone Fishing in Jacksonville or Melbourne. First place takes home a prize package worth $85,000 and includes a 21’ Yellowfin Bay Boat, 200 hp Yamaha 4 stroke and AmeraTrail trailer. Second place is awarded a Kubota Sidekick valued at $15,000. Third through 10th places win cash. General entry is $600.

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

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The Science of Sport Fishing.

Fish Mapping™ is the newest, most comprehensive service package from SiriusXM Marine. Delivering regularly updated, science-based data via satellite to compatible Garmin multi-function displays, this service is available well beyond cellular range to help locate the right conditions to fish faster – saving time and fuel. Fish Mapping also includes all the weather information in SiriusXM's Marine Offshore package as a chart overlay on your display.

It’s great for offshore anglers fishing in tournaments, taking clients on charter trips or just fishing for fun.

Fishing features include recommended locations for specific game fish, Weed Lines, Sea Surface Temperatures and Front Strength, Sub Surface Sea Temperatures, Sea Surface Height Variance, and Plankton Concentration data.

H E R E I S W H AT T H E P R O S S AY A B O U T S I R I U S X M M A R I N E F I S H M A P P I N G ™

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Recent catches down in Key West prove that if you’re in the zone you’re catching fish!

Thanks for such an innovative update and product.”

— Captain Ryan Farner FV Rum Punch (44' Contender)⁠ Tampa Bay, Florida

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MORE FISHING. LESS GUESSING.™

See recommended spots to fish – marked directly on your boat’s display.

The Fish Mapping service includes 8 dedicated fishing features plus all of SiriusXM Marine’s weather features and is available offshore well beyond cell range. Add SiriusXM Radio and you're all set for an incredible day of fishing.

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A credit card is required on this offer. You must cancel during your free month to avoid being charged. At the beginning of your second month service will automatically renew thereafter every month and you will be charged at then-current rates. Fees and taxes apply. Please see our Customer Agreement at siriusxm.com for complete terms and how to cancel, which includes calling us at 1-800-985-9200. All fees, content, and features are subject to change.

This offer may not be combined with any other trial offers and may be modified or terminated at any time. Subscription and hardware sold separately. $100 Rebate from SiriusXM available through Dec 31, 2020, limited-time $150 Rebate from Garmin available Jan 20th - March 31st with hardware and subscription purchase, see Rebate Offer Details at siriusxm.com/fishmapping. Photo by Cody Spinadel. © 2020 Sirius XM Radio Inc. SiriusXM, Automatic, Pandora and all related logos are trademarks of Sirius XM Radio Inc. and its respective subsidiaries. All other marks and logos are the property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.

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By Gene Dyer

I

n South Florida, we are lucky to have access to many fishing options. From the urban canal and lake systems to the Gulf Stream just off our beach, there are plenty of opportunities to get a kid hooked on fishing. Not only can fishing put smiles on young faces, but our sport can teach patience, everyday life lessons and positively influence impressionable minds. Fishing also provides an avenue for young children to develop hand-eye coordination, motor skills, confidence and self-esteem they will carry with them for life.

Most importantly, fishing is a great way to have fun and make lasting memories with children.

When introducing your child to fishing, it’s important to remember they have short attention spans. You won’t want their first trip to be a full day of offshore trolling. Instead, take them to a spot where they will almost certainly catch a fish in the first few minutes.

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Urban canals and lakes are a great place to start. They are loaded with small fish like bluegill, bream, small bass and cichlids. Local saltwater canals can be accessed from seawalls and will produce pinfish, grunts and small snappers.

You can find everything you need at your local tackle shop. Rig a small push-button outfit with a small hook and bring some live worms for freshwater or frozen shrimp for saltwater. Use a bobber so they can get a visual of when they are getting a bite. Once they catch a fish, let them know they did a great job. Positive reinforcement is key. After a few successful outings, your child will be asking when the next trip is.

Once your child starts showing a real interest in fishing, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Talk with the folks at your tackle shop or ask a local guide for pointers. Among adults, fishing spots and techniques can be closely guarded, but throw a kid in the mix and those walls come crashing down. There are also plenty of online resources to learn about fish identification, knot tying and techniques.

Now that your little fisherman has learned the basics of fishing, it’s a good time to begin teaching responsibility. Talk to them about size and bag limits. Show them how to handle fish correctly and explain proper catch-and-release techniques. Teach them about the environment and how they impact it. If you see discarded fishing line or garbage, pick it up, throw it away and tell them why. Conservation is essential to the future of our sport, and it’s up to the adults to pass on those principles.

There are reasons we call it fishing and not catching. Sometimes fish don’t bite. Sometimes the fish gets away. Use these opportunities to talk about patience and persistence. Life doesn’t always go the way we would like, and fishing is no different. Fishing develops character traits that will help kids when they become adults.

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

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he Spring Orlando Boat Show is coming to the Orange County Convention Center March 27-29. Central Florida’s premier boat show will fill the convention center’s North Hall A with more than 500 boats for boaters and anglers to peruse, along with tons of other activities for the whole family.

Vendors will find new customers for all kinds of products at the show.

The area’s best dealers will fill the show floor with all types of boats, especially those suited to Florida waters. Whether you’re an offshore, inshore or freshwater angler, or if you’re just someone who wants to get out on the water, this show is the perfect place to get a look at everything out there so you can find the boat that suits your needs.

And if you’re into fishing, this spring’s show will debut the Fishing Zone, with 40 booths where retailers will offer great deals on all types of fishing gear, from rods and reels to tackle, lures and clothing.

The seminar line-up is also very fishing oriented. Expert anglers and captains like Pete Cammarano, Jim Ross and Tony Summers will share knowledge on the best places to go and how to catch fish with hourly seminars about local waters including the Indian River and central Florida lakes. Capt. Kerry Kline, who knows Florida’s waters like the back of his

hand, will give seminars on the best places to launch your boat for an unforgettable day on the water.

Other highlights of the Spring Orlando Boat Show include the Kids’ Live Trout Pond, where kids under 12 can actually catch real trout; the Virtual Saltwater Fishing Simulator, which offers the hands-on experience of fighting and landing big saltwater gamefish; a nationally renowned caricaturist; face painting; and crowd favorite Twiggy the water skiing squirrel.

Adult tickets are $9 at the door and $7 with the Early Bird Discount, which is available online at the Orlando Boat Show website starting Feb. 1. Kids 12 and younger are free.

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

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FISH & FISHING

MARK SOSIN

I

keep asking myself why I didn’t think of it. It makes sense. Basic chumming ranks as one of the most effective ways to locate and attract fish, particularly over reefs and wrecks. Successful chumming demands more attention to detail than simply hanging a frozen block of bait over the side or tossing tidbits in the water. Here are a few suggestions from skippers who do it every day.

Position is everything, whether you are anchoring near underwater structure or drifting a reefline. To be effective, the chum must reach the fish. If it falls short or drifts too far above them, it becomes an exercise in futility. It’s not unusual to watch professional captains anchor and reanchor four or five times before they put the first tidbits of chum in the water.

The key factor centers on calculating the lie of the boat in relation to the target and the force of the current. The flow of water has to carry the chum to the target at the precise depth to reach the fish. If you choose to chum while drifting, position the boat so that the wind and current will take it over the spots where you expect the fish to be. If the boat is being pushed too fast to raise the fish close enough to the stern to catch them, try using a sea anchor to slow the drift.

Airline_Ad_CoastalAngler_8-1-14_Layout 1 8/1/14 1:14 PM Page 1 In case you’re curious, here’s the approach that I should

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have figured out. A handful of captains tie a heavy weight on the end of some stout line and then tie a few bags of chum at various depths on the line. This system gets bottom fish feeding and they start following the chum shallower and shallower until they are on the surface.

You can also do this with one or two bags of chum. Lower the first bag to the bottom with the second bag a few feet above it. After a couple of minutes, raise the line about 5 or 6 feet, wait a couple of minutes and do the same thing until the chum is on the surface.

Chumming effectively demands a rhythm. No matter how busy you are or when you’re slugging it out with a fish, you have to keep the chum slick going. Before the last piece of chum drifts out of sight, there has to be more chum moving away from the boat. If you use too much chum, the fish will hold well astern of the boat. It’s a tradeoff that you learn with practice.

For those who fish a fly in a chum slick, you might do better casting the fly in the middle of the chum and then letting it drift without retrieving it. That’s something I discovered by observation when I caught the first yellowfin tuna known to be taken on fly.

When I was a young boy, my father chummed striped bass, bluefish and weakfish very effectively. That’s how I caught my first saltwater fish. It’s just as effective today as it was then.

For more from Mark Sosin, visit

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Reel in the memories.

Sitting on the most biodiverse estuary in the Northern Hemisphere, Martin County is a fisherman’s paradise. Ocean, lake and river ecosystems are home to more than 800 species of fish, from the ever-popular sailfish and snook to largemouth bass and perch. Forget your gear? Visit one of Martin’s many bait and tackle shops or outdoor retailers. Inshore, offshore, saltwater or fresh, head out for an adventure and reel in the memories.

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reels, apparel and other fishing/sporting goods and accessories.

As the largest supplier of everything from fishing rod blanks and components to rod building equipment, tools and supplies, Mud Hole looks forward to showcasing an incredible selection to their valued customers as well as anglers interested in this rewarding craft. Plus, they are dramatically increasing their inventory of apparel, gear and travel accessories to truly satisfy any outdoorsman.

Advanced Fulfillment Center The new fulfillments center occupies 35,000 square-feet, which more than doubles the company’s storage capacity, giving the operations team space to maximize inventory levels, develop more new products and increase product offerings across the board. Mud Hole has invested in an automated conveyor system to modernize fulfillment capabilities by integrating over 1,000 feet of conveyor and providing warehouse associates the means to fill your orders faster, more efficiently and with more accuracy.

M

ud Hole Custom Tackle, the world’s leading supplier of everything rod building, marks 2020 with the grand opening of its new 70,000+ square-foot facility devoted to rod building, tackle crafting and the outdoor lifestyle. They invite you to come wade through the marbled blue water floors of Mud Hole Custom Tackle to shop authentic fishing villages and see the most exciting products in the industry.

Plan a trip to Oviedo, in sunny Central Florida, to experience Mud Hole’s immersive new showroom and more!

Stunning Modern Showroom Visitors will walk into a fully immersive retail space themed with a full rod building workshop, authentic fishing village and even the transom from a large sportfisher. From floor to ceiling, the showroom is designed to put the most popular tools, equipment and components at your fingertips. It will also feature some new product additions such as

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Rod Building Education Center The 5,000 square-foot seminar space is built with education in mind and will be home to local rod building classes as well as advanced seminars offered throughout the year. This space will also be available to rent for fishing clubs, meetings or banquets.

State-of-the-Art Production Studios The guys down in the Mud Hole basement are moving on up, too, with professional film and still photography studios. It will provide the marketing team assets to continue hosting and improving the production of live streams, instructional videos and more product resources. This means exciting new content for your laptops, mobile devices and on mudhole.com.

Thank You Customers!

2020 is a BIG year for Mud Hole Custom Tackle, and none of it would be possible without their valued customers. Mudhole is proud to be your No. 1 source for rod building and tackle crafting goods. They are grateful for the opportunity to provide even better service, selection and delivery.

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

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ictured here, Team Blitzsea, out of Pompano Beach, Fla., took top team honors in Wahoo Smackdown IX. The tournament was hosted by Bimini Big Game Club Resort and Marina in November, and saw more than 70 competing anglers land more than 1,500 pounds of fish. Over two days, 108 fish were caught, the largest weighing over 52.7 pounds.

Team Blitzsea caught 16 fish, with their largest six weighing a total of 251.4 pounds. They took home $8,200 in cash as well as Top Lady Angler, which went to Lisa aboard Blitzsea.

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in SECONDS! Americagofishing® .com/chips

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MHX may very well have produced the best push pole ever to navigate the shallows.

With 100 carbon construction, this 21-foot push pole is a combination of unidirectional and off-axis carbon fibers, which gives you an excellent power to strength ratio.

Weighing in at under 4 pounds, anglers and guides can pole all day on the flats without the fatigue that comes from a fiberglass push pole.

Assembly is very easy. The pole comes in three sections along with the fork, tip and replaceable 316 stainless spike. With easy shipping, replacement parts and ferrule repair kits available, this could be the best $399 you spend on your boat this year.

“In all my years of guiding, I would have to say that I’ve never found a push pole to be this good,” said Capt. Keiland Smith. “The weight of this pole and the strength of it are amazing. I would have to say, I think this is the best push pole ever made.” www.mudhole.com

E

arly next month, the Bassmaster Classic will return to its Alabama roots with the 50th anniversary of “The Super Bowl of Bass Fishing” on Lake Guntersville.

The 2020 Bassmaster Classic, with title B.A.S.S. photo by Andy Crawford sponsors Academy Sports+Outdoors and presenting sponsor Huk, will be based in Birmingham, Ala. from March 6-8. Daily weigh-ins and the Classic Outdoors Expo will be held in the downtown Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex. Competitors will fish Lake Guntersville out of Guntersville, Ala. With a purse of $1 million for a 53-angler field and $300,000 going to the winner, the Classic is the biggest stage in tournament bass fishing, with life-changing implications for the winner. Lake Guntersville, a 68,000-acre Tennessee River impoundment, is a fitting location for the event’s golden anniversary. This historic largemouth fishery is the second most visited lake in B.A.S.S. history, behind only Sam Rayburn Reservoir in Texas.

Expect Birmingham to be bustling the weekend of March 6-8. Last year’s Bassmaster Classic in Knoxville, Tenn. drew 153,000 fans to experience activities surrounding the tournament.

The Classic will be covered live and streamed on Bassmaster.com, ESPN3 and the ESPN App, and five hours of original programming will be aired on ESPN2 and the Pursuit Channel following the event.

For more information, go to www.bassmaster.com.go to www.bahamas.com.

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Proper fly reel drag settings are essential when saltwater fly fishing. When you’re hooked into a powerful and hard-fighting fish, the proper setting can spell the difference between landing or losing the fish.

Unlike conventional or spinning reels, where the drag is usually preset and not adjusted during the fight, the fly reel drag can be manipulated by applying pressure to the reel with the palm of the hand or fingers, a tried-and-true method that gives the angler more control over the amount of pressure (more or less) needed throughout the fight.

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IGFA This question has a few correct answers. First, if you’re fishing IGFA tippet requirements in search of a record fish, tippets can be very light. I like to set the drag less than the tippet rating by using digital scale. For example, if I’m fishing 8-pound-test tippet I would set my drag to 4 or 5 pounds of pressure by attaching the tippet to the scale and pulling the line off the fly reel until I achieved my desired drag setting. That 5-pound setting gives me a 3-pound cushion when fighting a fish.

Non-IGFA If I’m not using IGFA tippets, which is the case most of the time, I’ll set my drag to the tippet rating. Remember, it is very difficult to break a tippet even with a max-out drag setting unless you’re using very light tippets. When targeting large saltwater gamefish, I use 20to 30-pound-test tippets. The max drag I can put on my heaviest saltwater reels is 18 pounds of pressure. So, breaking one of these tippets due to pressure alone is almost impossible even with the reels pegged to the maximum.

Palming The Reel Take your fly reel and tighten the drag so there is only light tension on the reel as you pull the line off with your free hand. Then tighten the drag until you feel resistance.

Begin fishing using the light drag pressure. Once you have a fish on and the fight has begun, apply needed pressure by palming your reel. Apply the pressure carefully, as a sudden change in pressure can cause your tippet to break.

Don’t be surprised if in applying this method the first few times you make mistakes, often losing a fish because of applying too much pressure or too little. Reel palming, like nymph fishing, is instinctive.

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ooker Electric continues driving innovation in the fishing industry. Their top-of-the-line baitwell system is tops for keeping your bait fresh and lively. This system includes Hooker’s patented high-flow baitwell pumps and streamlined design that includes full variable flow that allows anglers to decide how much flow is needed depending on the species of bait they are keeping in the livewell.

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