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Inside: Boat & Motor Reviews PHOTO COURTESY OF HUMMINBIRD VOLUME 24 • ISSUE 291
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JUNE 2019
LIFE ON THE COAST IS BETTER WHEN YOU STAY CENTERED.
190 FSH SERIES
Make the most of the open water with Yamaha’s 190 FSH® Series. Our all-new 19-foot center console boats have been redesigned from the ground up for more fishing and family fun. A saltwater corrosion resistant driveline protects you from the harshest elements. And with an extra spacious layout and new storage pods to keep all of your gear, the 190 FSH Series will put you in the middle of everything you love about living on the coast. Starting at $29,799.
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YA M A H A B OAT S . C O M | #RunTheWater ©2019 Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA. All rights reserved. Follow instructional materials and obey all laws. Ride responsibly, wearing protective apparel and USCG-approved personal flotation device. Always drive within your capabilities, allowing time and distance for maneuvering, and respect others around you. Never drink and ride. Shown with optional accessories.
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THE STRONGEST SPINFISHER YET!!! The 6th generation Spinfisher is now stronger and more water resistant than ever. With machined CNC gearing and an IPX5 water resistant rating, the newest Spinfisher is ready for anything.
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Rupp Marine Halyard Line Retainer Excess rigging line can be a mess, and cleats have a tendency to get in the way when not in use. Rupp Marine has come up with a simple yet ingenious way to solve these problems. Their all-new, patent-pending “clamp-on” Halyard Line Retainer is an easy way to store halyard lines while telescoping outriggers are rigged and in the retracted position. Simply clamp a set of these line cleats onto the outrigger pole at the desired distance. Excess rigging line wraps around the pop-up cleats to keep lines neat and orderly. This one-of-a-kind system allows the cleats to be folded out of the way when not in use. Rupp’s Halyard Line Retainer system fits any 1 ½-inch diameter outrigger poles. Sold as a set of four to equip two outrigger poles, they are rugged and durable, with spring-loaded cleats for positive locking and unlocking.
Shop.ruppmarine.com
MHX Push Pole The MHX Push Pole is a game changer for shallow-water anglers. Utilizing a combination of uni-directional and off-axis carbon fibers, MHX has created a push pole that produces the greatest amount of power in each push, while maintaining excellent hoop strength under load. There’s no wasted energy, and it’s feather light for long days on the water. When you’re sneaking up on a single shoreline tailer or positioning the boat for a shot at schooling fish, you’ll appreciate the benefits that state-of-the-art technology brings to this simple tool. The MHX push pole has been widely recognized as the best option on the market due it’s lightweight mobility, incredible durability, and superior value. At just under five pounds, you’ll be able to push all week long without the residual fatigue. Legendary Florida angler, Capt. Keiland Smith said, “In all my years of guiding, I would have to say that I have never found a push pole to be this good. The weight of this pole and the strength of it are amazing… I would have to say I think this the best push pole ever made.” The MHX Push Pole includes a fork, a tip, and a 316 stainless steel replacement point just in case.
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Park trailers of any size with ease! Parkit360’s Electric Trailer Dollies are lightweight and great for mixed terrains, tight corners and up to a 6 percent incline. With weight capacities ranging from 5,000 to 15,000 pounds, these portable powerhouses can handle the most difficult parking challenges. Unlike a driver who relies on mirrors and backup cameras, the user faces the trailer, giving them complete visibility and control while parking. They can see exactly where the trailer is at all times and steer within inches of an obstacle if needed. The dolly’s compact design allows the user to park hitch-end forward as a serious theft deterrent, something that is nearly impossible to do with a vehicle. Powered by a 12V trailer-mounted or dolly-mounted battery, Parkit360’s Force and Transformer dollies are simple to set up and intuitive to use. Just freewheel the dolly to the trailer and attach it with one of the provided hitch balls, or one of their special hitch adapters. Then, it’s simply a matter of using the forward/reverse thumb toggle switch on the handle to steer the trailer into place. Have a tough parking situation? Parkit360’s Electric Trailer Dollies are a great solution!
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Looking for a better way to secure your push pole? SeaSucker has come up with the perfect solution for holding your long and inherently unwieldy push pole when it’s not in your hands . A SeaSucker vacuum mount equipped with a rubber clamp and an adjustable strap is the perfect way to quickly and securely stow gaffs, nets and push poles. The adjustable strap holds objects with diameters ranging from 1 to 1.95 inches, and the 4.5-inch SeaSucker has the strength to hold just about anything you choose to strap down. Each 4.5-inch SeaSucker is pull rated at over 120 lbs, and an orange indicator band begins to appear if the vacuum mount loses some of its suction, letting you know it’s time to re-pump. There’s no licking required to attach SeaSucker products to glass, metal, fiberglass and most non-skid surfaces. The primary requirement is that the surface is non-porous, and SeaSucker will even attach to lightly curved surfaces. Another huge benefit is that SeaSucker can be mounted or moved wherever it’s convenient, with no need to drill holes in your boat.
www.seasucker.com COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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Whatever happened to Sea Cat? By Thatch Maguire
A
bout 20 years ago, I had the opportunity to ride aboard a dual-hull, 21-foot center console called a Sea Cat. Like many others, I’ve been a fan of cats ever since. The ride of a dual-hull vessel, especially in choppy seas, is dramatically different from that of a mono-hull. The stability of a two-hull system creates a cutting effect, as opposed to the bounce associated with the plaining of the mono-hull. Study after study has confirmed this effect affords “cats” substantially better fuel economy as well as a much smoother ride and shallower draft. The “cult” of the dual-hull cat has its origins in Australia, where catamaran-style hulls have long been the choice for Australia’s working fishermen. The consistent chop in their seas requires the stability of a catamaran hull. In the United States, several companies pioneered development of the catamaran-style boats for our waters. In the late 1950s, Ray Leger began producing the Power Cat series on the West Coast and several other companies including Manacat and Ocean Star began producing cats in the East. Years after my ride aboard the Sea Cat, I purchased a 26-foot World Cat. I was told Sea Cat was now World Cat. I visited the North Carolina World Cat factory, where I was told they no longer produced the Sea Cat. Recently, I learned the Sea Cat is still being produced in Greenville, N.C. After a few phone calls, and a little Googling, I found Forrest Munden at Sea Cat Boats. The following interview with Mr. Munden attempts to unravel the mystery of “Whatever happened to Sea Cat?” Q: Mr. Munden, how is it you are today selling a vessel that many thought was no longer on the market? Weren’t you associated with the original Sea Cat I fell in love with? Munden: Yes I was. Sea Cat was originally created by Graham Flanagan in 1992. I was manufacturing Leisure Cat boats with Regal Marine in Orlando, Fla., and Graham was manufacturing Sea Cat boats in Greenville, N.C. The innovations developed on the Sea Cat seemed destined to have substantial influence on the boating industry. The boats were super fuel-efficient and rode smoothly in nearly any conditions.
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Q: Well what happened? Munden: In 1996, I purchased Sea Cat boats and its Greenville manufacturing facility. During my first year with the brand, I designed and developed the World Cat line of catamaran boats. World Cat molds were manufactured by Vectorworks Marine in Titusville, Fla. by my good friend Jeff Gray, CEO of Vectorworks. Once we received the new World Cat molds at the plant in Greenville, we started making the World Cat and stopped making the Sea Cat. That was early in 1997. The Sea Cat molds were stored for another year and a half until my good friend Ken Hall (previous CEO of Proline/Donzi) purchased them. He owned the Florida boat company Sportcraft and wanted to add a catamaran line. He called the Sea Cat boat the Sportcat. Unfortunately, Sportcat and Sportcraft did not survive the 1998 economic downturn. The next I heard of Sea Cat was when a former Sea Cat dealer and two brothers from Columbia, S.C. splashed the 19-foot Sea Cat mold. Then, Jerry Semers purchased that mold from the brothers, who had closed their business. Mr. Semers’ started the new venture in Titusville, Fla., utilizing Vector Works Marine as a home base. He called the boat Sea Cat. After Mr. Semers passed away, the molds and tooling sat vacant for years. In 2017, a good friend and ex-Sea Cat and World Cat dealer invited me into a venture to make a new catamaran with the Sea Cat name. I reached out to Mr. Gray at Vectorworks and proceeded to do the tooling and mold building through their team. The result, introduced in 2019, is the new 260 Sea Cat Hybrid bay boat built by our partner Pete Caldwell, Caldwell Marine Designs. The original Seacat Boat built in 1992 was built again 27 years later at the same Greenville plant. Today’s vessel is capable of power up to twin 300 horsepower. Today’s 26-foot Sea Cat has handling characteristics far superior to the original that you fell in love with. The legend of Sea Cat continues as the most practical, smoothest-riding and fuel-efficient vessels this side of Australia. “The Legend Returns,” Seacatboats.com
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or centuries, a Damascus steel blade was instantly recognizable and commanded immediate respect. Recognizable because the unique and mysterious smelting process left a one-of-a-kind, rippled texture on the steel, and respected because Damascus steel’s sharp edge and resistance to shattering were the stuff of legend. If you carried Damascus steel, you were ahead of the curve. Today, you can own the legend.
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ifty years ago, Bud Craig started formulating a design for a new type of boat. His goal was a craft that corrects the shortcomings of conventional small boats. He felt the experience of small boats was like “sitting in a bathtub.” Most 12- to 20-foot boats have very little freeboard and they are inherently unstable. They tip and take on water in adverse conditions. He wanted to design a boat that doesn’t take on water and is unsinkable. In 1990, Craig Catamaran Corporation launched a revolutionary compact boat with fun and safety as the primary design factors. The CraigCat is one of the safest small boats on the market. Today’s
CraigCat offers a compact, high-performance sport boat with exhilarating performance, superior handling, a comfortable dry ride, and side-by-side seating not found in other small boats. CraigCat’s longevity is a testament to its popularity and the enjoyable experience it provides boaters. “People love the ride,” Craig said. “The CraigCat is very easy to operate, making it great for the beginner boater. The CraigCat also appeals to the seasoned, experienced boater who downsizes to the CraigCat just because they love the performance and function.” The secret to its high-performance is the patented design. The CraigCat is a true catamaran and is the world’s only banking catamaran. It leans into turns like a V-hull yet retains the stability of a pontoon boat. It reaches speeds up to 30 mph in just a few seconds, designed with Automatic Stability Control that translates even erratic commands into a smooth easy ride. It’s a very exciting runabout that is used for sightseeing, fishing, diving and other pursuits. Two full-grown men can walk around on the CraigCat and it remains flat in the water. It drafts 3 inches with the engine up and operates in less than 14 inches of water. It is very easy for divers to get off the boat into the water and easy to get back in the boat because of its stability and no freeboard. The CraigCat is fun, easy to operate, comfortable, extremely portable and economical. Craig Catamaran has just released its 30th Anniversary Edition called the Florida Gulf Stream. It has a South Beach Florida vibe, designed in seafoam green and finished with chrome. Craig said there will be a rush for this good-looking new edition of the CraigCat. Stop by CraigCat’s Orlando Headquarters or give them a call soon. It’s a family owned and operated business that gives personalized customer service. They build and handle their boats with pride. For more on CraigCat, go to www.craigcat.com, call (407) 2908778 | 1-833-CraigCat, or stop by their headquarters at 4333 Silver Star Rd., #100, Orlando, FL 32808.
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Photo by Nick Carter
C
CA Florida STAR presented by Yamaha has anglers in hot pursuit of valuable blue tags! Since the event’s launch on Memorial Day weekend, anglers have been chasing tagged fish and logging non-tagged species in 17 inshore and offshore divisions for a shot at $500,000 in prizes and scholarships. Winning anglers have their choice, in the signature iHeart Radio Tagged Redfish Division, of prizes including a new GMC Sierra Pickup from Conley Buick GMC, Bradenton or one of several Yamaha-powered boat packages including a Contender 22 Sport, Pathfinder 2200TRS, Hewes Redfisher 16, a 21 Carolina Skiff and a Relentless Aluminum Bay/Flats boat. “It really can happen, and you would get to pick from the prizes available. You just need to be a member and registered for STAR when you go fishing,” said Leiza Fitzgerald, STAR director. Since 2015, almost 100 STAR-tagged redfish have been recaptured. Only six were caught by CCA members registered for STAR. Those six anglers were awarded with either a truck or a boat, motor and trailer package. To date, there have been nearly $900,000 in prizes awarded with $400,000 of that being college scholarships. On average, four tagged redfish are released per coastal county, with Brevard, Citrus and Charlotte counties being destination counties, each with eight tagged fish released in their waters. You might want to plan a fishing weekend in one of those counties. But you better be registered and a CCA member or it will just be another sad fish story. STAR also has some other terrific prizes for catching nontagged redfish, snook, trout, tarpon, grouper, kingfish, dolphin or grouper. Submit a photo of your legal catch in the Open, Ladies, Kayak, Fly or Conservation Divisions. The Costa Kick Plastic Division encourages collection of trash from coastal waters and shoreline. Submit a photo of every full 5 gallon bucket collected and include The Official West Marine 2019 STAR Measuring Device in the photo to earn a shot at $1,500 in cash from Waxhead Sun Defense, Body Glove SUP, Costa sunglasses or a $250 gift certificate from AFTCO or West Marine. The Youth Scholarship Division presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors offers over $100,000 in scholarships. Youth anglers (ages 6-17) can register for free with their current $10 CCA Florida youth membership and are eligible for prizes in both tagged divisions as well as the Youth Scholarship Division and Trash Division. Prizes for the first two youth anglers in the tagged redfish division include a Carolina Skiff, sporting Humminbird electronics, Minn Kota trolling motor and powered with a Yamaha 40 HP motor with trailer, and the first registered youth angler who catches one of 20 tagged dolphin is eligible to win a $10,000 scholarship. As a “catch, photo and release” competition, STAR’s smart phone app promotes proper handling and eliminates the requirement for harvest or transport of fish. Registration is $40 for current CCA Florida members or $75 for non-members, which includes CCA Florida membership. For information, go to www.ccaflstar.com or call (844) 3877827.
CCA Florida STAR is the largest family-friendly saltwater fishing competition in Florida, and it’s unlike traditional fishing tournaments.
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• $500,000 in Prizes & Scholarships • 1st Tagged Dolphin / Mahi Mahi Wins $10,000 Cash • 101 Days of Fishing -$40 entry for current CCA members. -All others add $35 for one year membership. • Prizes for Additional Non-Tagged Species Non Snook, Trout, Redfish, Grouper, Kingfish, Dolphin, Tarpon & Lionfish
• Tagged Redfish Prizes Include Truck & Boat, Motor, Trailer Packages from...
A CCA FLORIDA EVENT
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n March, the second-heaviest largemouth bass ever approved by FWC’s Trophy Catch Program was caught from Orange Lake south of Gainesville. Brian Hammett was punching grass mats when he caught and then released his 15-pound, 13-ounce giant. The TrophyCatch Hall of Fame fish is one more indicator of a rebound for the lake, which was fishing lights-out this spring. After producing a large number of trophy bass in 2010 and 2011, Orange Lake went almost dry in the winter of 2011. Following several years of sustained high water, coupled with FWC staff working with local stakeholders to manage the lake, habitat on Orange Lake is once again very good and the fishery has bounced back. Not only has crappie and panfish fishing been very good, but anglers are catching bass again, including tro-
phy bass like Hammett’s, as well as nine other TrophyCatch bass weighing at least 8 pounds that were approved in the program since January. Six of the 10 TrophyCatch-approved 2019 Orange Lake bass weighed more than 10 pounds. FWC staff worked with stakeholders to write the Orange Lake Habitat Management Plan in 2015-2016 and continue to manage the lake’s habitat according to the plan. Management activities are discussed at public meetings twice a year, and have included vegetation shredding, tussock harvesting and invasive plant control. These management activities not only enhance habitat for fish but also for other species such as wading birds. In addition to habitat enhancement projects, FWC staff also continue to monitor the fish populations through fish sampling, creel surveys (angler interviews) and research projects, such as tagging studies. FWC biologists have collected nine bass on Orange Lake weighing more than 8 pounds in the past two years. The largest bass weighed 13.5 pounds and was collected this spring—the same week Hammett’s Hall of Fame TrophyCatch bass was caught and submitted. The second-largest bass collected by FWC biologists on Orange Lake was collected in March 2017 and weighed 9.75 pounds. That bass was tagged, released and later recaptured by FWC biologists in November 2017, weighing 13 pounds. TrophyCatch is a partnership between the FWC, anglers and fishing industry leaders, such as Bass Pro Shops, that rewards the catch, documentation and release of largemouth bass weighing 8 pounds or heavier in Florida. In order to be eligible for prizes, anglers are required to submit photos or videos showing the entire fish and its weight on a scale to TrophyCatch.com before releasing it back into the water. FWC biologists use TrophyCatch data for bass research, to make informed decisions about the management of Florida bass fisheries and to promote the catch and release of trophy bass. In the past six seasons, TrophyCatch has awarded prizes for the catch and release of more than 8,000 largemouth bass weighing at least 8 pounds. For more information about the TrophyCatch program, email Amber Nabors at Amber.Nabors@MyFWC.com. For more information about the Orange Creek Basin Interagency Working Group or to view the Orange Lake Habitat Management Plan, visit OrangeCreekBasin.wordpress.com.
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THE ALTERNATIVE TO BUYING A NEW BOAT
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By Capt. Billy Black
Dave Terrazas and mate JB Stone with a 60-pound wahoo.
W
e all know that the winter months bring weather that makes it a little bit sporty to cross the Gulf Stream to the Bahamas. I have been fortunate to find weather windows that have allowed me to do multiple fishing trips through March, April and May to Grand Cay and Walker’s Cay. I am always reminded as I see the two islands in the distance how fortunate I feel to return to this spot to fish again. We are always greeted warmly at Rosie’s place when we arrive. It never gets old enjoying the superb cooking of conch, fish, stone crabs and lobster in season at Ron’s Hot Spot or Rosie’s Restaurant. We often shoot pool at Dee’s Place. Fishing is always good, and returning to the dock with numerous species is the highlight of the trip. The excitement continues to build as we watch cranes working at Walker’s Cay Marina getting ready for the opening in 2020. Words cannot express how grateful I am to Carl and Gigi Allen, the new owners of Walker’s Cay. I began to believe that I would never see this magnificent island restored in my lifetime. My dreams have been answered and seeing work on the island lets me know we will be back there soon. We all think that the reopening of Walker’s is good for us from the States, but words cannot describe the symbiotic relationship that Walker’s and Grand Cay have to each other. These two islands are at their best when they are able to work together for the betterment of the Bahamas and the people of Grand Cay. Contact Capt. Billy Black and Duchess Sportfishing at Captbillyblack.com or call (772) 233-1048.
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.
DiscoverMartin.com 6
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John Cabaniss, Mackey Cooper, Dave Terrazas, Dave Orshowitz, and Duchess mate JB Stone (from left) returning to the docks at Grand Cay with dolphin and wahoo.
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FLY FISHING
Basic Casts You’ll Need To Know Learn The Double Haul
Developing a solid double-haul is the foundation of a quick and accurate cast. It is essential for the long casts required by many saltwater species and for cutting through wind. Not only does the double haul help with distance, if executed correctly, it reduces the number of back casts the angler must make. It is well to remember that the more time the fly line is in the air, the less time the fly is on the water. The best way to learn the double haul is to find a grassy area like a park, making certain the park’s area affords you enough room to make the back-cast portion of the double haul. Strip out 40 feet of fly line and make a forward cast, allowing the fly line to lie on the grass in front of you. Next, lower your rod tip to where it is touching the ground in front of you. Then, pick up the fly line and make a back cast, allowing the line lay out behind you. This is the single haul. Next, pull the fly line off the grass behind you with your line hand while the fly rod is moving forward, and with the rod moving forward, pull the line down towards your belt line. As you feel the fly rod load while it bends on the forward cast, release the line from your line hand, allowing the fly line to shoot forward through the guides. This is the second haul of the double haul, an effective cast when long-distance casts are required, but also important for the short, quick accurate cast.
The Quick-Cast for the Short Game
Perhaps most important when fly fishing saltwater is the abundance of great sight-casting opportunities. You never know when or where a fish will appear. Achieving distance is important, but the ability to execute short, quick, accurate casts is a skill you’ll need to be successful. Nothing is more important than a short, quickly executed, casting game. It may seem counterintuitive, but the short cast is one of the most difficult casts to make in fly fishing. A fly rod made for short casting has yet to be built, and the use of a 9-foot rod places you at a disadvantage. You can make the needed adjustment by merely shortening the amount of fly line you have outside the tip of your fly rod. When fly fishing in saltwater, unless I know I’ll be making long casts, I keep roughly 30 feet of fly line stripped into a line management basket (bucket if fishing from a skiff) and 20 feet of line outside the fly rod’s tip-top. The first 15 of the line will easily load the fly rod with minimum false casting. You need to keep the fly between your index finger and thumb of the hand not holding the rod. If a fish is spotted at close range, make your back cast while at the same time releasing the fly from your hand and cast. As with anything, practice makes perfect. So, master these casting techniques and you be on your way to becoming a better angler.
The Back Cast is Important
Much of your success in fly casting is dependent upon the development of a smooth back cast; that is the ability to cast 20 to 30 feet of line quickly behind you whenever demanded. Remember the fly fisherman’s adage that “your forward cast is only as good as your back cast.” A good cast is essential when sight-casting flies to redfish, bonefish, tarpon and permit. If a fish appears behind you, make a forward cast, and with your fly line on the water, simply pick up the line and shoot it behind you. Retain eye contact with the fish’s position. Success is achieved by having the rod tip low on the water and slowly bringing the fly line off the water then recasting. I’ve witnessed far too many fishermen rush to recast, and in doing so, miss their target on the second-cast, resulting in the spooking of the fish. Here’s a rule of thumb: Put the brakes to your back cast.
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BOAT REVIEW Mitzi Skiff 17 Tournament
For those of you that use a push pole to navigate the shallow waters and grass flats the Mitzi is one of the easiest to pole as it tracks amazingly straight. The poling platform is made of aluminum tube specially for Mitzi and it places you 34 inches above the deck giving you optimal viewing for sight fishing with friends or clients. Mitzi is a skiff you can pole all day long and not feel like you have worked. Mitzi Skiffs comes in 15’, 16’, 17’ and 17’ tournament versions. These can be outfitted to meet any need that you have from tiller motors in the 15 versions to the fully loaded 17 Tournament Editions.
SPECIFICATIONS LOA: 25’10”
The Mitzi Skiff line of boats started years ago, when Tom Mitzlaff couldn’t find the particular boat he wanted. The idea was simple. It needed to have a clean layout for fly-fishing, a shallow draft, and remain quiet yet still be inexpensive to own and operate. So Tom, being the resourceful person he is, ended up designing his own line of skiffs, and the Mitzi Skiff was born. As the Mitzi Skiff boat company moves into a new era, we are guided by those very same principles. We build all composite, wide shallow water skiffs from 15 to 17 feet for the shallow water enthusiasts that are affordable. We continue to improve and innovate while still Keeping It Simple! When you talk about Mitzi skiffs the thought that comes to mind is the room on the bow; it has more room than other boats similar in size. It’s a great place to put a beginner fly fisherman or a couple with light tackle. Underneath the bow you have the Carolina Flare which cuts through chop and when the chop gets big the flare actually directs the water down which helps to keep you dry and comfortable.
STANDARD EQUIPMENT:
• 3 – Dry Storage areas BEAM: 6’5” • 6 – Fly rod tubes under gunwales – Fits 9.5 Fly Rods FUEL: 120 gallons • Built in fuel tank HULL WEIGHT: 530 lbs • Walk around gunwales • Accon pull-up stainless cleats BUILDER: • Teleflex steering • Foam floatation filled hull bottom Mitzi Skiff Boats • Self draining cockpit into bilge • Aluminum Poling Platform Frame CONTACT: w/non-skid top • Huge front casting deck (252) 235-3461 (A fly fisherman’s dream) • Hull color options & 17 Tournament decals • Baitwell console • Console rod rack
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Center Consoles… Things have changed By Art Hodax
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f you’ve been to a boat show lately, you’ve no doubt been stunned by the array of large center console boats. They’re big, they’re quick and they’re ocean capable. This class of boats represents one of the most innovative areas of boat design. For many, they balance the best in design, power, comfort and range. Today’s selection of larger outboard-powered boats results from a game of industry leapfrog. The interest in larger center consoles drove the development of larger outboards, and more powerful outboards have allowed marine engineers to create even larger center console boats.
At a recent boat show, George Smith from Marine Max in Stuart, Fla. showed off some “open” boats that are easy to maintain, are capable of offshore runs even on less-than-perfect days and have the accommodations and safety features to comfortably cross the Gulf Stream from the Florida coast. Today, there’s no problem finding outboard-powered boats over 40’ with consoles large enough to include a berth, head with shower, galley and air conditioning. Smith talked about how the market for these boats has changed over the past four or five years. One of the driving changes to boat construction has been the use of vacuum-infused fiberglass. In the past, hulls were thick to provide strength and more resin was used than needed. Now, boats are computer engineered using fiberglass as well as high-tech fabrics like Kevlar and carbon fiber to create stronger and lighter hulls. In addition to these high-tech fabrics, new construction techniques allow materials to be vacuum sealed into the mold by adding a layer of plastic film over the cloth during construction. Using vacuum pumps, resin is then drawn through hoses into the cloth, impregnating it while vacuuming excess resin out of the mold. The result is a lighter and stronger construction, which allows for larger more complex hulls and cockpits to be produced. We boarded a new 42’ Boston Whaler Outrage. As an outboard boat, there’s a massive amount of space inside the hull. This boat is designed to handle up to 1, 675 hp spread across up to four engines. This brings us to the issue of outboard evolution. Large outboards are now six- or eight-cylinder, four-stroke powerhouses. These engines commonly benefit from supercharging and from new alloys that allow them to withstand added compression and torque. Among the options are Mercury Marine’s Verado 400 hp inline six-cylinder, the 425 hp Yamaha XTO Offshore V8, or for those who want more, the Seven-Marine 627 hp supercharged and intercooled V8. These engines are reliable, quiet and smooth. These days, center consoles can compete in many ways with larger flybridge boats. Things have changed in the market for open boats.
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FLORIDA
11 4/17/19 7:58 AM
COME OUTSIDE & DISCOVER
Lake Okeechobee OKEECHOBEE AND MARTIN COUNTY, FLORIDA
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By Richard Matteson
T
he hot summer days of fishing are here. It’s time to head to the lagoon and catch some fish. Whether you’re wading, fishing from a boat or from the shore, the warm water means great topwater action. My favorite topwater lures are the Heddon Zara Spook and the Rapala Skitter Walk, as well as various popping/chugging lures. The Spook and Skitter Walk use a walk-the-dog retrieve, where the front of the lure “walks” back and forth, which shakes the rattle inside. I use a twitch-twitch-pause retrieve. In windy conditions, I keep the lure
moving and give it more splash. In calm, clearer water I let the lure sit on the water longer before starting the retrieve. There are a variety of Heddon Spooks. The original size and the Zara Spook Jr. are the ones I use the most. I like the Zara Spook Jr. in gold color. The smaller size is easier for hook-ups on smaller fish. I sometimes change the factory treble hooks with larger, thicker ones. Having a larger tail-end treble hook is better and doesn’t change the action. With all hard-plastic topwaters, many hook-ups don’t result in a landed fish. The fighting fish can use the lure body as leverage to pop a treble hook off. Remember to keep your rod tip low to keep the fish from jumping, which will increase your chances of landing it. I like the smaller 4-inch Skitter Walk in a trout color. I’ve caught many gator trout on this lure. One day in the Vero area, I landed 12 trout over 22 inches on the Skitter Walk. The hardest habit to learn is to wait until you feel the fish before setting the hook. The hook set is not a jerk, like fishing with jig, but rather a sweeping movement. Keep steady pressure on the line and the rod tip down. The popper family of lures includes the famous Jitterbug, which is usually considered a freshwater lure. I use the Rattlin’ Chug Bug and MirrOlure Papa Dog. The “pop” and spray of water will draw fish from far away. There are also soft plastic topwaters for salt water, like DOA’s weedless PT7 lure. Whichever lure you use, tie it on with a loop knot to give the lure more action and less line twist. The lure should be cast so it doesn’t move or wobble when it’s in the air. Long casts are best, and I prefer a steady retrieve. When you get a strike, do not move the lure. Let it sit for a couple seconds then twitch it once and wait before resuming your retrieve. Sometimes a fish will hit three or four times before becoming hooked. Have a great time with topwater lures. The strikes are amazing, and you’ll catch larger fish. Richard Matteson is staff writer for Stuart Rod and Reel Club. Contact him at (336) 414-3440.
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CENTRAL FLORIDA 1
By Chris Beardsley
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here’s no secret weapon or magic to surf fishing, but it’s always a good idea to understand the basics and have a few tips or tricks in your back pocket before you start. This is especially true when heading out on your first surf fishing adventure. My first trip was an experiment in the Gulf of Mexico, and I didn’t really know what to expect. I’d been fishing the Midwest for decades and though that knowledge was certainly helpful, it was much different in the Gulf. Surf rods, pyramid sinkers, sand spikes, mole crabs and shrimp were not the norm on the lakes and rivers where I’d come from. In hindsight, a “Surf Fishing for Dummies” guide would have been nice 20 years ago. A 10-foot Prevail and Penn Slammer III fits right in on the beach. It’s an excellent choice, but for all around use my favorite combination for throwing lures is a 4000 or 5000 series reel on a 7- to 7-foot, 6-inch, medium to medium-heavy rod with 30-pound braid and a fluorocarbon leader. Virtually any quality brand reel can outwrestle most fish in the surf, but for many species, including pompano, trout, drum and flounder, a 4000 Spinfisher coupled with a 7-foot Ugly Stik is ideal. I’ve watched videos of guys who can cast farther than I care to walk, but for most surf fishing your goal is the trough or gut. The gut is the area between the main beach and the first sandbar, and casting distances are relatively short. If you see a second sandbar and gut, drop a bait in that spot too. The best time to fish the trough is early and late. Fish are creatures of comfort and will move into deeper water beyond the sandbar later in the day. This is when a 10- to 11-foot surf rod matched 5000 to 8000 series spinning reel fits the bill perfectly. Reaching out to the deeper water is where the longer, more powerful rods shine, and a 10-foot surf rod with 30to 50-pound braid and 3 or 4 ounces of lead is the tool of choice. Live or fresh shrimp are a mainstay and might look more like what you had for lunch than bait. And that’s good. A charter captain once told me, “If you’ll eat ’em, the fish will too.” If you look hard enough, sand fleas or mole crabs are free for the taking. They’re a pompano treat and can be found just beneath the sand where the waves are rolling in. Don’t forget the terminal tackle. A few 1/0 and 2/0 circle hooks attached to a fluorocarbon leader might give you the edge over the brother-in-law fishing next to you. Rig up a couple different drop sets, Lindy or Carolina rigs with 2- to 4-ounce pyramid sinkers, and you’re ready to fish. Have your sand spike (i.e. rod holder) planted firmly in the sand before you start. This makes it much easier after you’ve made that perfect first cast. These are just a few tips to get you started. A little knowledge goes a long way and a little luck doesn’t hurt either.
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even a light leader and thin braided line is a lot of resistance for these little guys. It’s like putting a heavy leash on a Chihuahua. Conversely, the movement of the artificial version is only influenced by the wind, the water current and the angler’s own actions. The soft plastic shrimp will not have a mind of its own; it’s an extension of the angler. Although the lure is a proven fish catcher right out of the package, I like to replace the stock hook with a sharper, sturdier model. Choose a hook that’s strong enough to handle your biggest possible target without affecting the lure’s action. Lots of fishermen will recommend a loop knot to join the lure to your leader, but I use a small stainless-steel lure clip instead. This allows for freedom of motion without compromising on strength. The loop knot is too much of a liability for my taste. If you like, you can even outfit the lure with a tiny glass rattle, adding to its sound appeal. These lures come in an endless array of colors, which may all produce under the right conditions. Choosing a lure with some degree of translucence is probably a good step toward replicating a natural shrimp. When fishing from above—docks, piers and bridges—it’s a good idea to pick a pattern that is visible to you. That way, you can keep track of exactly where the lure is and what it’s doing. The most important aspect of using any lure is presentation, and the soft plastic shrimp lets you mimic the real thing better than any other shrimp lure on the market. You just have to take the time to observe the movements of a live shrimp. Whether it’s the bait tank at a tackle shop, from atop a lighted bridge or underneath dock lights, a live viewing offers an invaluable learning opportunity. Pay attention to the pace, the timing and the nuances of the shrimp’s behavior. Learn how it moves, and then try to replicate it with your lure. When you’ve gotten it right, the results will speak for themselves.
By John Saporito
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ard plastic, soft plastic, jig heads, popping corks, backward-swimming lures, live or frozen, weighted or free-lined— with such variety available to those casting natural and artificial shrimp, it can be tough to know which option is best. However, when it comes to optimal presentation, soft plastic is king. Fitted with a single upright hook and just enough belly ballast to keep it stable in the water, this classic has stood the test of time for good reason. The key is that the angler has complete control over the action John Saporito is a lifelong fisherman and student of the seas. Visit of the lure. In skilled hands, it will out fish the real thing. him online at www.guerillaangling.com. The problem with live shrimp is they never swim naturally because
By Capt. Michael Okruhlik • Photo courtesy of Controlled Descent Lures.
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e are all familiar with the phrase “surf ’s up,” but I get more excited when I hear “surf ’s down!” A flat spring surf is a rare occasion along the coast, but it’s very welcome for those who pursue speckled trout along the sand. May and early-June are my favorite times of year to seek trout in the surf. I focus on the beachfront during these months because the larger trout are more prevalent during this time frame. Trout in the 5- to 8-pound range are not uncommon, while trout under 20 inches are the exception. There are many productive tactics that can land you 4 CENTRAL FLORIDA
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a hefty stringer of these speckled beauties, from live shrimp and finfish to an array of artificial lures. I prefer the latter, and here are some of my favorites. Topwater is the best! There is no beating a topwater eruption as the sun is peeking over the horizon. I use a wide range of plug sizes and let the size of the seas determine what I throw. I like a larger heavier lure when the surf is rough and when it’s flat, a small or large one is effective. Switching out the standard trebles to single circle hooks is a good approach to lessen the chance of injuring yourself. Bouncing around in the surf trying to land a stout surf trout can lead to an accidental hook in you. Singles also save time unhooking, which leads to more time fishing and catching. Slow-sinking hard baits with rattles also make it into my box when heading into the suds. I like to cast these lures out and let them sink for a few seconds. Most of them have a relatively slow sink rate, so I give them a little time to get lower in the water column. A series of fast twitches followed by a pause usually draws their attention. Many solid trout have fallen for the old faithful ¾- or 1-ounce silver spoon. The presentation is as simple as it gets. Cast and reel, that’s it. This inexpensive lure is an attention getter for sure, and it casts like a bullet. I typically start my day before sunrise. During the course of my wade, I will hit all structure from 1 foot deep out to 8 feet deep. I give equal attention to the depth of the guts to the top of the bars. I see a lot of fishermen go straight out to the second or third gut and stay there the entire time. You will miss many opportunities if you choose to do this. The fish are not always in that gut, and at times I only catch them on top of the bar. Start early, broaden your target area, be safe and catch fish! Surf ’s Down! Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Controlled Descent Lures and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com
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By Billy Darby • Photo by Nick Carter
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mpoundments created by damming rivers and creeks all have something in common beginning in about June. Fish head out to the ledges, and it’s this summer pattern that brings anglers to the famous offshore ledges on my home lake, Eufaula, as well as on reservoirs around the region. Spawning is about over, and several game species, especially bass, are searching for food, cover and shade. The sharp ledges where the river and creek banks dropped straight down before the lake was formed are the perfect spot for hide and seek. From the headwaters, where the ledges are the shallowest, down to the dams, where ledges are sometimes too deep to be practical, there is a sweet spot that affords the perfect temperature, oxygen and other environmental necessities to maintain life and comfort. The difference in water temperatures at certain depths, generating schedule, current flow speed, lake level and many other factors determine exactly where this sweet spot is on any different day or hour. Those with the most experience on a given reservoir have a distinct advantage, but information pertaining to these criteria is
available at most U.S. Army Corps headquarters offices as well as from the Tennessee Valley Authority. Whoever controls the dams where you fish has the information you need. For Lake Eufaula, call (866) 772-9542 ext. 244. In most cases an app is available for your favorite lake. Ledges are nothing short of structure, and knowing where to look is a very important factor. Critical features support feeding advantages such as the sharpest of the sharp drop-offs, small ditches that intersect with such sudden drops, a rise in adjacent landscape creating a ski-jump effect, points, curvatures, and the list goes on. Some of these features create an updraft where cooler water is forced upward, and likewise, just the opposite only yards away. In all the mentioned areas, shad and other prey are disrupted by the sudden surge in water flow. Today’s electronics, with highdefinition displays showing us where bait and bass congregate, are a huge advantage to finding the sweet spot on the ledges. But a little old-fashioned map work is also key to putting yourself where the fish are likely to be. As always, know“ledge”—pun intended—is the key to success. Careful study of your lake master maps and identifying target returns can produce unbelievable results, not just in June, but all summer long. Billy Darby is a retired professional guide on Lake Eufaula. He can be reached at imfishing4u@windstream.net or (229) 768-2369.
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June Layout.indd 1
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BREVARD 1
5/17/2019 11:47:59 AM
So What Lures are Best? Rob Ricketts recently asked me what I thought about a new lure called the Dartspin. When I first saw Dartspins at ICAST last year I thought they were a unique concept that might really catch fish. I was fortunate enough to get a few to try out. What do I think of them? The answer may surprise you, but you will have to read on to find out. Ricketts’ question got me thinking about lures and what separates the good from the mediocre from the poor. For me, lures fall in one of the following five categories: 1. This lure is great and will catch fish in lots of different situations. 2. This lure is great but will only catch fish in certain situations. 3. This lure is decent. It will catch fish, but not as good as lures in category 1 and 2. 4. This lure… well, it will catch fish if they are really chewing that day. This is the kind of lure I might play with if I am looking for a challenge. 5. What was the manufacturer thinking we they decided to sell this lure? Get that thing away from my tacklebox. You will find my tackle box filled mostly with category 1’s and 2’s, a few 3’s and maybe a 4.
2 BREVARD
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FISHY RESOLUTIONS What’s a category 1 lure for me. Flukes and swimbaits come to mind. These things catch just about anything with fins and scales, and they work in a lot of different situations. Another lure that is definitely a category 1 for me is the ¼ ounce D.O.A. Shrimp. I’ve been fishing these almost since Mark Nichols first started selling them in 1988 and have caught thousands of fish on them. How about category 2? Walk-the-dog style topwater plugs like the Zara Spook or the Skitter Walk fall in this category. They are in category 2 because fish are not always feeding on the surface, but when they are, these are the lures I want to throw.
my confidence. So what about the Dartspin? I’d rate it a category 3. It is not necessarily worse than my category 1’s and 2’s. In fact, it might even be a better lure, but I haven’t built up the confidence needed to promote it above category 3. By Paul Mckinnis
Now there are plenty of good anglers who will scoff at my list of category 1 and 2 lures. This is part of the beauty of fishing. If you survey ten successful anglers, you will probably get ten different lists of top producing lures. I’d suspect what lands a lure in category 1 or 2 is 50% the lure and 50% confidence. If you catch fish on a particular lure, you use it more. The more you use the lure, the better you get at catching fish on it, and the more your confidence grows. I have a friend who swears a root beer jig with a chartreuse paddle tail on a ¼ ounce jig head is all you need to catch fish in inshore saltwater. I never use a root beer jig with a chartreuse tail. That doesn’t mean it is a bad lure. It’s just that I haven’t caught enough fish on it to build up
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5/17/2019 11:48:04 AM
June Layout.indd 3
5/17/2019 11:48:05 AM
NIRL-SML
When the wife says “let’s go fishing” we go fishing! Kim caught plenty of reds and trout this day tossing Z-Man Diezel Minnowz in the Sexy Mullet color!
4 BREVARD
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JUNE 2019
June is usually the last comfortable month for fishing in this part of the state. Sure, the air and water temperatures are warm in June, though not nearly as warm as they will become from July on. At least our nighttime air temps will drop enough to make the early mornings bearable. June is usually the end of our local shrimp run. This doesn’t mean live shrimp or shrimp imitations are off the menu, just that finfish like mullet, pinfish and pigfish are now the common forage for our predatory species. Water levels tend to be on the high side too, though we saw a huge drop in water levels in early May. Adjust your whereabouts according to the water
levels of the day you’re fishing. If you experience a drop from one day to the next and your fish from the previous day have moved simply look a wee bit deeper than where they were. Unless there was a major wind shift with a big increase in velocity it’s likely your fish are nearby.v With our forage fish increasing in size and quantity on the flats it’s appropriate to increase the size of our lures to roughly the size of the baitfish. Typically four inch Z-Man soft plastics adorn my rods in June, though I start tossing five inch lures too. While I might not have a shrimp imitation on a rod at all times you can bet I’ll have an EZ Shrimpz rigged on a hook and at the ready if needed!
Capt. Mark Wright 321-302-3474 captmarkwright@earthlink.net www.captmarkwright.com
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PORT CANAVERAL
Tarpon, the silver king, are one of the most challenging and physically demanding fish to catch on the planet. These ocean athletes deserve to be crowned King because they bring incredible power, blazing speed, majestic aerial displays, and arm-cramping stamina to the fight when you choose to battle one of them. Tarpon have been around in their current form for millions of years. They truly are power and perfection in one package. If this kind of raw power gets you as excited about fishing as me, then June is your
month to fish the near-shore waters outside of Port Canaveral. Captain Justin Ross and myself usually start out the morning catching baitfish. Once we have enough to fish with, we’ll then search the beaches for “rolling” fish. Rolling or gulping air is a tarpons way of gathering additional oxygen above what the fish’s gills are able to pull out of the water. Their primitive lung absorbs oxygen in the same way that our lungs do. This give the tarpon an incredible work rate and an even more incredible recovery
rate when they perform strenuous work like chasing down fast-moving bait fish that are determined to give the tarpon the slip. Tarpon have a recovery rate that is said to be about 5 to 8-times faster than that of a human. So now you know why they can fight, and fight, and fight some more, and never seem to want to give up. The truth is, tarpon have no quit in them. The only way to beat one is to simply break its will. To do this, you must be prepared to fight harder and longer than they do. Trust me it’s easier said
than done. But If you’re interested in picking a fight with a tarpon, give us a call and we’ll get you out onto the field of battle where you can square off against the Silver king of the ocean. Capt. Jim Ross W-321-636-3728 Book your fishing trip at FinelineFishingCharters.com Catch a Memory Outdoors Radio show host-Live shows Saturday mornings from 7:00 to 9:00 am on 1510 am, 99.9 fm and 100.7 fm
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PORT CANAVERAL OFFSHORE June, here it is already. This is a
great month for me personally because Father’s day, my birthday and my son Cash’s birthday who is celebrating his 10 th birthday, falls within a few days of each other. Just gonna be a great month! Time goes fast! Now as far as fishing is concerned, hopefully, it’s just as good and gets even better than it was for May. We had a great month and the fish started to turn on. The bunker have finally been consistent as we were getting them from the cruise basin all the way to the pier. Just look where the fleet is in the morning and you can’t miss them. Please be courteous, please. We do this for a living and need that bait to make our customers happy, let us get our bait. No need to play bumper boats, that only drives the bait down and makes it harder. From the beach to local reefs. Tarpon, jack crevale, bonita,
spanish mackeral and kingfish have been from the beach 20 feet to about 40 feet. We have been having a lot of fun on light tackle with all these power hitting fish. Use live bunker hooked through the nostrils on 50lb fluorocarbon leader with an 8/0 circle hook. If you start getting cut off a lot then its time to put the wired stinger rigs on for those toothy kings. Keep a jig ready for the cobia for when you see or mark the bait out there, as this is the time of year they start to show up on the bait pods just off the beach. The near shore reefs such as Pelican and 8A have been great for the early morning king bite. Use your stinger rigs and live pogies for the best catch. In the last few weeks there has been wahoo to 45lbs, chunky black fin tuna, mahi and a handful of cobia all caught on king rigs in the same area. From the reefs to offshore has been good as well. There was a solid few days of great catches of mahi and we should still see a
few weeks of it. Many fish have been caught from 140-180 feet and some days past 500 feet, It’s just a day to day thing and up to the winds and weather as usual. The basic ballyhoo rigs and skirts have been the key. There was a lot of wahoo caught recently and should still see many more to come in this month. Bottom fishing has also been decent. I wish I can say the grouper will continue to pick up. Pinfish is a great bait for them as is croakers. Fish the offshore reefs such as 21 and 27 and if you have any of the wrecks that’s a good start too. Don’t forget about the amber jack. They’ve been great, should continue as well and are great eating. Good luck and have a great June from your premier fishing guide charters of Cocoa Beach, Port Canaveral Orlando Florida area. Capt. Chris Cameron firedupcharters.com 407-222-3573
SHRIMP REPORT Melbourne Eau Gallie Bridge is a producing some small action after a 2018 skunk. Got a solid 1 gallon report from S. Brevard which is a huge up swing compared to last year. If your an Oak Hill die hard, the nights are sticky, the skeeters are miserable, the bait and catfish are a nuisance and the shrimp are small.
Paul Jones & his wife Cass hold the record for the most shrimping trips to Brevard..
The winter shrimping is officially over in Volusia and North Brevard Counties. Your best chance to catch a few more stragglers would be in Titusville chasing a South or West wind. However, a good East wind might get you a few if they are still hanging around. All eyes turn towards 8 BREVARD
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S. Brevard and the delicious Causeways that are producing hit or miss triple digit large-jumbo shrimp. The most popular place is Mather’s Bridge. Another popular place is SR. 192 in Melbourne. The word on the streets is the
This is the 2nd year in a row a manatee has been killed trapped in a green polypropylene box net bag. It was retrieved at the New Smyrna Beach South Causeway. In 2015, the State amendment was enforced that took our mono-filament netting from our box nets. We were permitted to use alternative materials that are not considered gill netting which is the reason the law changed our gear. Warm water shrimping in Oak Hill and Edgewater sport a large population of Manatees. Our winter water temperatures have not been not been cold enough to drive them out of the area. If your going to shrimp Oak Hill
and Edgewater in June, please consider NOT using a box net. The West Coast of Florida shrimp run is turning up, and the #1 hot spot by Tampa Bay at Fort DeSoto The sizes are impressive this early in the season. The average counts have been 50+ to triple digits. Most Central Floridians who love to shrimp are preparing for the opening of the scalloping season June 15th for Steinhatchee and Keaton areas, and July 1st for Crystal River and Homosassa. Scalloping requires a snorkel, boat dive flag, and net bag to put them in as you collect them in shallow water. A saltwater license is all that is required. For up to the minute what is going on in the crustacean genre, join our FaceBook group, “Florida Shrimping Academy – Tips & Tricks”.
Capt. Lee Noga Academy of Shrimping www.leenoga.com
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5/17/2019 11:48:22 AM
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2019
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SEBASTIAN INLET TO EAU GALLIE
June is one of my favorite months to fish the beaches from Melbourne to Sebastian and Sebastian inlet for Snook, Tarpon, Redfish and False Albacore. Warmer temps and summer weather patterns bring more bait along the beaches and the False Albacore, Tarpon, Snook Redfish and Jacks should be plentiful. I like to fish the bait pods using live greenies or pilchards and Rapala X Rap 14s. I like to fish the XRaps for the fish staying close to the surface and live bait for fish that are staying deep. Snook will be in the trough close to the beaches hanging on the bait pods as well but I will size down my bait to the Xrap 10 or Twitchin Mullet if the waves are calm. Nearshore reefs close to Sebastian Inlet will a good place to fish for Mutton, yellowtail and Mangrove Snapper as well as big Spanish and King Mackerel. Live greenies are best baits but live shrimp will work well also. The inshore bite for Snook, Trout and Redfish will be an early morning and late eveing bite along the mangrove shorelines and the Spoil islands. Topwater action should be solid early morning and as the sun comes up, switch to suspending baits or live baits. Live pinfish, pilchards and pigfish are the baits of choice to entice the fish early. The tarpon will move into the Indian River lagoon from Sebastian to Melbourne and can be found around bait pods in the ICW as well as deeper areas that hold bait. Early morning and late evening are the best times to target the Tarpon with live baits. The creeks from Melbourne to
Sebastian will be a good place for anglers looking to target Snook, Tarpon, Jacks and sharks this month. Live baits will be key but you can also fish deeper running baits fishermen targeting Snook and Tarpon can find success using live finger mullet on a 5/0 to 7/0 VMC Circle hook rigged with 30-50lb leader depending on the size of the Tarpon.
Capt. Glyn Austin www.captainglynaustin.com 321-863-8085 Capt. Glyn Austin is a lifelong Brevard County Resident and full time inshore/nearshore fishing guide. Glyn runs a 23’ Shoalwater tunnel boat which is comfortable for up to 4 anglers and will let us get shallower than most flats boats for inshore fishing and offers a smooth dry ride when fishing the Inlet and nearshore waters of Brevard County. COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THE ANGLERMAG.COM
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KAYAK REPORT
It’s pretty common knowledge at this point that the Space Coast is a great place to tackle Large Tarpon from a beach launched kayak in the summer months. Unlike other areas in the state we have relatively shallow waters for miles from the surf zone eliminating some species from potential catches. For us the 80150lb tarpon that migrate just off or coast when conditions dictate get the all the kayak crowd attention, and rightfully so. The shallow and relatively bait filled coast off Brevard is tailor made for
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tarpon to feast on their way north for the summer and we get plenty of opportunities, but another King who also doesn’t mind the shallows make its move to our near-coastal waters as summer sets in. The King Mackerel (kingfish) becomes a target that should not be overlooked by those hitting the coastal waters this summer, and that is especially true for the kayak bound anglers. Bait fish prevalence will be a large piece of this puzzle just as will it come into play with the summer tarpons. Slow trolling live baits
found in the areas your fishing or even “imported” is a time tested method to hook a kingfish, and the modern fishing kayaks we all use excel in this fashion of fishing. The standard live bait stinger rig is simple and should be readily at any quality tackle shop; also a quick internet search will have you swimming in instructional videos on how to tie it. Literally any live bait will work though I prefer Pogie, Treadfin, and large mullet in that order. With any hope our pogie(Atlantic Menhaden) pods will appear and give us that easy bait along with holding the predators better. Areas of Bait and activity are your typical productive spots as we do not have much for reefs close in to focus on. Color changes can also pay well. Kingfish are no slouch in the fight department and many of the ones you find in the coastal areas are of the larger variety at 20lb and bigger. I like to run conventional setups in the 20lb class, but you can get this job done with a quality spinning outfit in the 6500 class or larger. Some of the best places to launch
for this action are Playalinda, Indialantic, Satellite, and Cocoa Beach. Most of those areas with exception of the later (CB) should have minimal boat traffic and plentiful bait opportunities. The Port area can be tempting and certainly fishy at times, however the boat traffic can and will be very heavy on the calmer days that are needed for us to be comfortable in kayaks. May/June is what I consider the start of our beach launch kayak season on the Space Coast for several reasons. The seas settle and calm days outnumber rough ones unless a tropical system is in the work; also the prevalence of bait and predators as the water temperatures raise giving us a healthy chance at some great fishing.
Capt. Alex Gorichky LocalLinesCharters.com Space Coast fishing guide Kayaks By bo team paddler Contact Capt. Alex @ 321-480-3255
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5/17/2019 11:48:37 AM
East Coast Tide Charts Tide Charts brought to you by these businesses
June 2019 Time
1Sa
2Su
3M
4Tu
5W
6Th
7F
8Sa
9Su
Miami, Government Cut
Height
1:22 AM 0.2 7:45 AM 2.2 1:36 PM -0.2 8:24 PM 2.5 2:05 AM 0.2 8:30 AM 2.3 2:18 PM -0.3 9:10 PM 2.6 2:48 AM 0.1 9:15 AM 2.4 3:01 PM -0.4 9:56 PM 2.7 3:32 AM 0.1 10:01 AM 2.4 3:46 PM -0.4 10:43 PM 2.7 4:18 AM 0.0 10:49 AM 2.4 4:34 PM -0.4 11:31 PM 2.7 5:08 AM 0.0 11:39 AM 2.4 5:26 PM -0.4 12:21 AM 2.6 6:01 AM 0.0 12:33 PM 2.4 6:21 PM -0.3 1:13 AM 2.6 6:59 AM 0.0 1:31 PM 2.4 7:22 PM -0.2 2:07 AM 2.5 8:01 AM 0.0 2:33 PM 2.3 8:26 PM -0.1
10M
11Tu
12W
13Th
14F
15Sa
16Su
17M
18Tu
Time
Height
3:04 AM 2.4 9:04 AM -0.1 3:38 PM 2.3 9:31 PM 0.0 4:03 AM 2.4 10:05 AM -0.1 4:44 PM 2.4 10:34 PM 0.1 5:02 AM 2.4 11:03 AM -0.2 5:47 PM 2.5 11:33 PM 0.1 6:00 AM 2.4 11:58 AM -0.3 6:45 PM 2.5 12:28 AM 0.1 6:54 AM 2.4 12:49 PM -0.4 7:39 PM 2.6 1:20 AM 0.0 7:46 AM 2.4 1:38 PM -0.4 8:28 PM 2.6 2:08 AM 0.0 8:33 AM 2.4 2:24 PM -0.4 9:14 PM 2.6 2:54 AM 0.0 9:19 AM 2.4 3:09 PM -0.4 9:57 PM 2.6 3:39 AM 0.1 10:02 AM 2.3 3:53 PM -0.3 10:39 PM 2.5
Po nce de Leo n Inlet Hig h Ti de -11 m in ute s Lo w Ti de +19 m in ute s
(Approximate Times)
19W
20Th
21F
22Sa
23Su
24M
25Tu
26W
27Th
Time
Height
4:22 AM 0.1 10:44 AM 2.3 4:36 PM -0.2 11:19 PM 2.4 5:06 AM 0.2 11:25 AM 2.2 5:18 PM -0.1 11:59 PM 2.3 5:49 AM 0.3 12:07 PM 2.1 6:01 PM 0.1 12:38 AM 2.2 6:34 AM 0.3 12:51 PM 2.0 6:46 PM 0.2 1:19 AM 2.2 7:21 AM 0.3 1:37 PM 2.0 7:33 PM 0.3 2:02 AM 2.1 8:09 AM 0.3 2:27 PM 1.9 8:24 PM 0.4 2:47 AM 2.0 8:59 AM 0.3 3:21 PM 1.9 9:18 PM 0.4 3:35 AM 2.0 9:49 AM 0.3 4:17 PM 2.0 10:13 PM 0.5 4:27 AM 2.0 10:39 AM 0.2 5:15 PM 2.1 11:06 PM 0.4
28F
Time
Height
5:21 AM 2.0 11:27 AM 0.0 6:11 PM 2.2 11:57 PM 0.4 29Sa 6:15 AM 2.1 12:15 PM -0.1 7:05 PM 2.3 30Su 12:46 AM 0.3 7:08 AM 2.2 1:03 PM -0.3 7:56 PM 2.5 1M 1:35 AM 0.2 8:00 AM 2.3 1:51 PM -0.4 8:46 PM 2.6 2Tu 2:23 AM 0.1 8:51 AM 2.4 2:40 PM -0.5 9:36 PM 2.7 3W 3:12 AM 0.0 9:42 AM 2.5 3:29 PM -0.6 10:24 PM 2.8 4Th 4:01 AM -0.1 10:34 AM 2.5 4:20 PM -0.5 11:13 PM 2.8 5F 4:53 AM -0.2 11:27 AM 2.6 5:13 PM -0.5
Ft. Pie rce Inlet, S. Jetty Hig h Ti de -31 m in ute s Lo w Ti de -18 m in utes
Po nce Inlet, Halifax Rive r Hig h Ti de +5 m in ute s Lo w Ti de +33 m in ute s
Jensen Beach Hig h Ti de +2 ho u r s, 17 m in ute s Lo w Ti de +3 ho u r s, 4 m in ute s
Po rt Canave ral (Tr i dent Pie r) Daily Pre dictio ns
Sewell Pt Hig h Ti de Lo w Ti de
Patr ick Air Fo rce Ba se Hig h Ti de -1 ho u r, 4 m in ute Lo w Ti de -38 m in ute s
Ju pite r Inlet, S.Jetty Hig h Ti de -10 m in ute s Lo w Ti de -9 m in ute s
Seba stian Inlet Br i dg e Hig h Ti de -48 m in ute s Lo w Ti de -24 m in ute s
Po rt Eve rgla de s - Tu r n in g Ba sin Hig h Ti de -31 m in ute s Lo w Ti de -13 m in ute s
+1 ho u r s, 13 m in ute s +2 ho u r s, 9 m in ute s
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PRO TIPS
Pictured is Jarret, who joined me on a recent inshore fly fishing trip for redfish on fly in the Mosquito Lagoon.
Saltwater fly fishing, in my opinion, is one of the most exciting experiences for an angler. Hello, and welcome to this month’s issue of Pro Tip. My name is Capt. Jonathan Moss of Go Castaway Fishing Charters and I am thrilled to have you on board! Presenting a fly made of feathers and fur to a fish and watching it’s natural instinct kick in as it eats, is the pinnacle of fly fishing. That is the thrill, experience,
and adrenaline rush that all fly fishers seek. And what does it all have in common? Casting fly line. Fly line can be frustrating. It seems to find any and everything to snag. Trolling motors, cleats, casting platform brackets, shoes, whatever it is, fly line will wrap its self around it. These are all things anglers can work on and pay attention to but one easy and commonly overlooked aspect of fly line is it’s cleanliness. Clean fly will always cast smoother and farther as there is less dirt and grime attached which causes friction while casting. Cleaning fly line is very simple and in this article I want to offer a very easy and cheap solution to cleaning fly line.
Step 1: Strip the fly line from the reel and soak for 15 minutes in a bucket with warm water and dish soap. Step 2: Rinse the line in the sink and let soak for 15 minutes in a bucket with just warm water. You can reuse the first bucket, just be sure to rinse the soap out well. Step 3: Dry and wipe the line by pulling the line through a paper towel or micro fiber towel. Be sure to apply tension while pulling the line to dry and wipe as
much extra grime residue off the line. Step 4: Reel the now clean line back on to the spool. It is during this step that if desired, a fly line dressing and cleaning pad may be used. Dressing and cleaning pads do make a difference but are not required.
To get the started you will need the following: 1. Bucket/container with warm water. 2. Mild dish soap. 3. Paper towels or a clean micro fiber rag. 4. Fly line dressing and cleaning pad (Extra step that is worth the expense)
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Capt. Jonathan Moss Go Castaway Fishing Charters www.gocastaway.com 407-760-8593
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2019
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SURF FISHING Cocoa Beach to Melbourne Beach Surf Anglers are reporting great catches. Big whiting, sheepshead, black drum, ladyfish and Sharks are close in and feeding on the bait schools. Shrimp, clams and Fishbites are the baits currently producing all along the 72 mile Brevard County Coast. With the arrival of the summer months the surf angler will have to start sharing the beach. Schools will be out and families/visitors will be using the beaches daily to swim, sun, play, or just stroll where we are fishing. Below are some of my summer time survival tactics for the recreational and avid surf angler. “June surf fishing tactics” One: Fish the small beaches they have less traffic; not the large public ones with restrooms and picnic pavilions. Two: Go fishing before the sun is up and be prepared to leave the beach on or before 10 am.
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Three: Shrimp, fishbites and clams are my go to baits during the summer months. Four: Watch out for others while casting and/or retrieving your tackle. Five: Don’t get to close to the posted life guard areas. This is where the visitors and families go first. Six: Keep your eyes open to who and what is around you. If you feel cramped it’s time to move. Seven: Finally, I suggest that you can fish the early evenings from 6 to 9 pm. You will find the beaches less congested and cooler at that time of the day. So if you can adjust your fishing trips to evening hours, summer on the Brevard County Coast can be your time of the year. John Detmer Owner/Operation of J&H Surf Fishing the Space Coast 321-777-5554 or email jandhsurffishing1@att.net www.jandhsurffishing.com
5/17/2019 11:48:52 AM
RIGGING & JIGGING
Fish Where Fish Live Tim Barefoot
W
hatever you fish for, be it fresh or saltwater, you know where you should be fishing. But sometimes it can be frightening to cast into the heart of a snag or brushpile where the fish are, knowing you might lose whatever you have tied on. Here’s a simple way to avoid getting hung up. With the following snag-resistant rig, you can present a bait to the fish
where they live instead of trying to lure them out of their hiding place. I’m not saying this tackle is immune to mazes of mangrove roots or treetops, but it greatly reduces the chances of getting hung up. Protect the hook point with a fluorocarbon weed guard, and you can fish more effectively in thick cover. This method works with J hooks, circle hooks and some lures. I’ve been using this technique to make a weedless soft-plastic shrimp, and there are countless other applications. One of my favorite and most effective ways to use this is with a single hook, no weight and a live bait in shallow water. It also works well on a circle hook chin weight under a sliding cork over really rough bottom. Sometimes you have to go in the cover or drift just above it to get the bite. Most gamefish attack from be-
low, so a bait on a sliding cork is the ultimate target while staying out of snags. Here are the steps to snelling a weed guard onto the shank of the hook. I like the stiffness of Seagar 80-pound fluoro for weed guards. Depending on your application, other lines might work fine also. Make sure to choose a hook with an eye that will accept two pieces of the weed guard and the leader you are snelling. 1) Cut about 6 inches of 80-pound fluoro and bend it backward against the curve of the spool. This will mold the shape of your weed guard. 2) Insert both tag ends through the backside of the hook eye, leaving an inch of the doubled 80-pound fluoro on the shank of the hook. 3) Pass a leader line down through the eye of the hook and the center of the tag ends of the 80-pound fluoro. Pull out about 6 or 8 inches. 4) Holding the weed guard securely on the hook shank, make a 5- or 6-loop snell over the 80-pound fluoro, going forward toward the eye of the hook. DO NOT pull down hard on it right away. 5) Keeping the 80-pound fluoro straight on the hook shank, gently roll into place and push forward BEFORE pulling down hard to “cinch” the snell. 6) After everything is pulled up tight, trim the 80-pound fluoro off just behind the barb of the hook. Also, trim the doubled 80-pound fluoro close behind the snell. For a video tutorial on tying this rig, visit my website www. barefootcatsandtackle.com and watch the videos “Snag Resistant Circle Hook Chin Weight” or “Making The Weedless Shrimp.”
For video instructions on how to tye this rig, see:
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C-Hawk 23 Center Console
Length: 22’4” Beam: 8’ Draft: 12” Weight: 2430 lb. Cockpit Depth: 22”
Fwd—20” Aft
Fuel Capacity: 66 Gal C-Hawk’s philosophy is to keep it simple. Many of the company’s models are workboats, built to withstand conditions harsher than most recreational boats will ever experience. Yet the design of all their boats— recreational and commercial—is enhanced by proven construction methods and craftsmanship that produce a battleship-tough vessel. The goal of each employee is to provide a quality product and many years of boating pleasure. The C-Hawk 23 Center Console’s good looks hide the toughness of a battle-ready fishing machine. With a 14-degree deadrise hull, it shows off C-Hawk’s capabilities with a smooth ride in rough waters. This versatile boat is designed to be equally at home in bays, inlets and flats as well as offshore. It’s got an expansive casting platform and plenty of room to move around, while the large console offers a ton of storage space. The electronics box, switch panel and instrument panel give you all the control you need. Add a T-Top and you’ve got a boat that’ll protect you from the elements, as well. The flat washboard appeals to commercial fisherman, and with a long list of optional accessories it makes for an exceptional recreational fishing boat, as well. Add a leaning post with cushion, grab bar and rod holders. C-Hawk can even build one with a larger 95-gallon fuel tank and raw water wash down to enhance your fishing experience.
B
uffalo aren’t typically thought of as a game fish species. While they are a favorite for bowfishing, many conventional anglers might not even know they exist. Hugh Newman, of Broken Bow, Oklahoma, would likely tell you these slow-moving bottom-feeders are well worth pursuing. He caught the new 66-pound, 3-ounce state record smallmouth buffalo in May, and the fight on 8-pound-test must have been exhilarating. Newman’s tactics might not be the go-to if you choose to target buffalo. They are suckerfish and feed mostly on small bottom-dwelling critters and algae. Typically anglers fishing for buffalo use nightcrawlers, dough baits or cut bait. Newman caught his on a swimbait, while fishing southeast Oklahoma’s Broken Bow Lake. The huge buffalo crushed the existing record of 44 pounds, 2 ounces, which has stood since 2007. IGFA’s All-Tackle World Record for smallmouth buffalo is 82 pounds, 3 ounces. That fish was caught from Athens Lake, Texas in 1993.
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he 20th anniversary of the Mike Schmidt Winner’s Circle Tournament at Old Bahama Bay, West End, Bahamas kicked off April 25. The weather and the competition did not disappoint. There were 27 teams on hand and the fishing was fantastic. The WC Tournament has a Tuna, Dolphin and Wahoo format, with aggregate highest weight being crowned the grand champion. The only hitch is, in order to win you must catch all three species. Only seven boats caught all three species, and the eventual grand champ did not bring in the third fish species until late Saturday on the last day. The winner was MR LTD, a 72 Viking out of Stuart, with a total weight of 171.9 pounds. Second place went to Team Noble, on Reel Captivating a 62 Viking out of Sailfish Marina, with a total weight of 126.9 pounds. Third place went to Team Good Call, a 41 Bahama, out of Palm Beach with a total weight of 120.9 pounds. The biggest overall fish was 113.8-pound tuna. The largest wahoo weighed 40.1 pounds. Both big fish were caught by Team MR LTD. The largest dolphin, a 62.2-pounder was caught by Team Cookie Monster, an 82 Viking out of Jupiter. The Top Ladies fish went to Susan Noble in the tuna category, Shari Noble in the dolphin category and Hannah Grey in the wahoo category. The biggest winners of the 2019 Mike Schmidt Winner’s Circle Tournament were the three great charities supported by the event. They are the Richard David Kahn Melanoma Foundation, Waterfront Ways Charity and the Marine Industry Education Foundation. The tournament committee would like to thank all the anglers and generous sponsors for making the 20th anniversary a smashing success. For more information, go to winnerscirclecharities.org.
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CA_HMY_CNTRLFL5_19 submission.qxp_Layout 1 5/13/19 10:38 AM Page 1
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A
t its May FWC Photo meeting near Tallahassee, FWC approved early season closures for recreationally caught greater amberjack and gray triggerfish in Gulf state waters. The greater amberjack and gray triggerfish recreational closures are consistent with recent federal actions. Greater amberjack closed May 3 to recreational harvest in Gulf state waters and will remain closed in both Gulf state and federal waters through July 31, reopening for the fall Aug. 1 through Oct. 31 season. Gray triggerfish closed to recreational harvest May 11 in Gulf state and federal waters and will remain closed until the federal season reopens. For more on these changes, visit MyFWC.com/Commission and click on “Commission Meetings,” followed by the May 1-2, Tallahassee “Agenda” link.
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*Plus Tax, Tag, Freight, & Prep. Pre Owned *Plus Tax and Tag.
By Capt. Terry Fisher
B
oca Grande Pass on the southwest coast of Florida is home to one of nature’s most spectacular displays. During “The World’s Biggest Tarpon Migration,” Boca Grande Pass offers the best tarpon fishing in the world. Each spring, thousands of these prehistoric fish make their appearance to mate, replenish, grow, and survive their species. It’s the Promised Land for big game hunters looking for the Holy Grail. It is an experience of a lifetime to hook and to land a huge tarpon. Over the years, I have observed only a handful of captains satisfying clients with a fish of a lifetime on a consistent basis. Only about 5 percent (probably less) of all boats fishing the pass experience hooking and catching a tarpon. I decided to hire the most successful guide willing to teach me a technique that works on a consistent basis. I have followed successful guides, and among them chose Capt. Dave Markett of Odessa, Fla. He has had the most hook-ups and catches on a consistent basis of any guide while working the pass. Capt. Dave has been a professional guide for 48 years, and that includes 28 years of fishing Boca Grande Pass. Last month, I met Capt. Dave at the Placida Boat Ramp. Accompanying us was Nadeen Welch, of Coastal Angler Magazine’s Southwest Florida region. Capt. Dave explained the history of tarpon as well as Airline_Ad_CoastalAngler_8-1-14_Layout 1 8/1/14 1:14 PMand Page 1 the development and re-developments of tackle techniques utilized
to catch these monsters. We arrived in the pass at daybreak and were surrounded by tarpon rolling on the surface. Capt. Dave believes the smaller rolling tarpon, from 100 to 125 pounds, are males vying for favor of the larger, 175- to 300-plus-pound) females foraging along the bottom of the pass. Those bigger fish showed up on his sonar. Capt. Dave was quick to point out any and all flaws during and throughout each and every drop into the schools. Any movement of the rod tip during a presentation will cause a school of tarpon to flush like baitfish when spooked. Any wrong presentation will not get a bite. If a presentation is not finessed or natural looking, all bets are off. Nadeen and I hooked and fought six tarpon with an estimated range from 175 to 225 pounds. However, we missed at least a dozen other opportunities to hook and land one. This time of year, there are other techniques utilized to catch tarpon in the waters of southwest Florida, including along beaches and in back areas. Many captains, including myself, are successful in those arenas. However, if one wants to catch huge tarpon in Boca Grande Pass, contact Capt. Dave Markett at (813) 455-3056 or email him at dmarket@aol. com. His website is: captdavemarkett.com. Capt. Terry Fisher owns and operates Fish Face Charters. Contact him at (239) 357-6829, e-mail fishfacecharters@yahoo.com, and check out his website: www.fishfacecharters.com.
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Costa Rica’s
Transition To Summer
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By FishingNosara
orthwest Costa Rica’s fishery undergoes an annual change in May. The dorado give way to yellowfin tuna, and it’s a great sign to see these giant yella’ fellas sweep through the area. It’s proof that the white-hot summer bite has begun! Schools of yellowfin come down from the north and are corralled by giant manchas (or pods) of porpoises, which gives the crews of FishingNosara some of the most action-packed trips of the year. The 32-foot Wanderer and Discoverer led the way this month with lots of sailfish releases backed up by some big yellowfin tuna. The marlin bite slowed down after an exceptional Ship of Fools tournament in April, but they are back now. At the end of April, we had
a sweet blue marlin on the Discoverer. The Explorer and Adventurer kept the pressure on the inshore fishery with lots of great catches. These smaller pangas (27-foot and 23-foot, respectively) also scored several sailfish releases, proof you don’t need a big boat to catch big fish in Costa Rica. Legendary North Carolina angler Dan Johnson was fishing hard during the Ship of Fools tournament, and he stuck around for a week after. On the May 9, he scored two nice sailfish on the Explorer. He also had blue marlins in the spread, but they wouldn’t bite. Later he nabbed two grouper and other bottom fish. Feeling adventurous and on a whim, Ms. Elaine Hepburn chartered the Harvester for a five hour trip on March 30. She had never fished before, but with Captain Alex’s help she was catching like an old pro in no time. It’s always a real treat to introduce new anglers to sport fishing, especially when the fish cooperate. On April 14, our friend Leo Folse made his pilgrimage to the mega panga Harvester. Mr. Folse is a serious panga enthusiast that has been following the story of the Harvester since we first acquired the raw hull. He was so impressed with our build and the performance of the 32-foot hull that he purchased two Eduardono hulls for himself. This was his first time to enjoy the Harvester in action, and Leo performed brilliantly with several sailfish releases and a big dorado for the dinner table. It’s great to deliver the goods for this fun-loving Florida angler. Most recently, Mr. Jason Stote joined the Harvester and tipped the scales with potentially the biggest yellowfin tuna of the season, which is pictured here. This monster was followed up by several other big yella’ fellas, which on many other days would be the big fish in the box. Clearly this group will eat well! If you have been reading this report and waiting for the right time to visit, stop reading and call FishingNosara ASAP so we can get you down this summer. Call (904) 591-2161 so we can secure your housing and boats.
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TIPS FROM A PRO Our Driving Force Is Audio More than 25 million vehicles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN premium audio systems and connected technologies, covering 35% of the world’s cars. If you want that same performance in your boat, Infinity by Harman Kappa is your answer. Detail, exquisite build quality, and beauty on the water. Infinity means endless….we like to think of it as a boating journey that you don’t want to end, a destination on the water for your heart, soul, and mind.
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Above. INF8135M marine titanium 8” three way speaker with built in perimeter RGB ring and center mount RGB lighting. 500 watts. Also available in 6 ½” coaxial and 10” passive subwoofer.
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TIPS FROM A PRO
Finding And Fishing Summer Ledges BRANDON LESTER
I
grew up fishing lakes known for large schools of bass that spend the summer months offshore. When we get into the summer and the water temperature starts hitting 80 degrees, it is a safe bet that fish are going to be on offshore structure like ledges, humps and dropoffs. I start looking on main lake areas, on the lower half of the lake, where most of the good summer ledges are. Using the mapping on my Lowrance electronics, I search for places that top out from 12 to 20 feet and drop down to anywhere from 50-60 feet. Bass will start heading out there when the water gets to 70 degrees, but when it hits 80 they will definitely be out there. They spawn with a water temperature of 62 to 64 degrees, so as the water warms after the spawn they will start heading that way. Some fish stay shallow all year. The ones that move out will definitely be schooled up on the ledges as the temperatures approach 80 degrees. The biggest deal is finding the depth range of the fish. When they first arrive on offshore structure, they like 12 to 17 feet. The longer they’re there, the deeper they’ll move. It could take a week or a month, but they’ll drop down into 18 to 25 feet and
maybe even as deep as 30 feet. To find the depth range of the fish, I will graph and look for the bait and then the fish. Usually I can see the bass on my Raymarine units, but I will often fish around a big school of bait in case the bass are hiding right under the thick bait. If I don’t see bait or bass, I won’t make a cast. Electronics are too good these days to fish places just because there were fish there at some point in the past. I always start with a moving bait, such as a deepdiving crankbait, to see if I can get the fish fired up. The biggest ones in the school will bite a crankbait. I like a Strike King 6XD and 8XD fished on a MHX CB907 cranking rod that I built myself with supplies from Mud Hole. I always put new Mustad hooks on the baits. I prefer #2 KVD Triple Grip trebles. I use 10- to 12-pound Vicious fluorocarbon for the 6XD and 15- to 17-pound on the 8XD. I like a slower 5:4:1 gear ratio reel to help crankbaits dive to their deepest depths. When those fish start grouping up out on the ledges, you can really have a lot of fun. Hundred-fish days are possible, and I get excited just thinking about it. When that water temp gets close to 80, it is time to get out deep and get healthy in a hurry come tournament day.
For more on Lester visit,
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FISH & FISHING 20
Know Your Quarry MARK SOSIN
A
nglers are frequently guilty of what scientists call anthropomorphism. It’s nothing more serious than giving fish and animals human characteristics. We expect them to behave and react much as we would. Fish are basically creatures of habit. No matter where in the world you catch a specific species, its behavior patterns are similar right down to the battle it wages once it is hooked. All of us have a tendency to overcomplicate fishing and fishing techniques. Our quarry focuses on nothing more than feeding, escaping predation and hanging around long enough to spawn and continue the species. An understanding of these goals and the methods employed to reach them results in more meaningful catches. Those who consistently score well are keen observers of what takes place on the water. Rather than trying to force a fish to accept what they are offering, successful anglers change approaches continuously until they discover what will entice the fish to inhale a bait or lure. It’s a system that works. Simply by looking at the shape of a fish and its tail, you should have a basic concept of the territory it will occupy and its feeding behavior. Bottom species are tailored to live around some form of structure. They are typically slab-sided with broad, full tails that enable them to weave in and out of rocks, reefs and wrecks. Two or three sweeps of their tail drive them forward quickly to gulp an escaping meal, but they won’t follow a potential meal for any distance. The fastest species such as the tunas and marlins have forked tails. These are open-water or pelagic fish shaped to move through the seas easily in a relentless search for food. Fish such as flounder or halibut are destined for a life on the bottom lying in wait for their prey to come to them. Elongated creatures typified by the barracuda charge their prey from ambush with lightning speed or ease along in the water column and strike with a suddenness that defies the human eye. There is always a tradeoff. The faster swimmers tend to lack maneuverability. A grouper can spin on a proverbial dime, while striped bass and bluefish can turn in a tight circle. And, if you look at
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a fish’s mouth, it will give you insight into its feeding habits. The underslung mouth of a bonefish is termed inferior and indicates that bonefish root on the bottom. Redfish have a hard nose and similar mouth with eyes set high on the head. They are built to cover the bottom in areas of low visibility. The protruding lower jaw of the tarpon tells us it is built to strike on the same plane or upward. Understanding how each species feeds is critical in effectively presenting a bait or a lure. That’s why the knowledgeable and observant angler gains an effective edge in catching fish. He remains alert to everything around him and tailors his techniques to the species he seeks. If there are secrets or panaceas for fishing, most of us have never heard them. Consistent catches reflect a total understanding of fish behavior. There are no shortcuts to success.
For more from Mark Sosin, visit
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Model 1720 Gen III is the latest addition to Action Craft Boats’ successful lineup of flats fishing boats. The new 1720 focuses on the ergonomics of the anglers. The addition of a small bait well in the bow casting platform alleviates the need to move to the stern to rebait while fishing. This small bait well is large enough to hold two dozen shrimp or other small bait and then be replenished from the main bait well. It keeps anglers in the game while cruising mangroves and prevents missed opportunities. To achieve this, the design team moved the redesigned fuel tank from beneath the bow casting platform to under the deck in the stringers. This opened space for the bait well and also provides additional storage space in the large hold in the casting platform. Action Craft has also designed a one-person leaning post and raised helm console to provide a more comfortable helm position. The fold-down bench seat that Action Craft is famous for is now more comfortable and spacious than ever, giving the new 1720 unmatched comfort for the captain and passengers. “The worst part of any flats boat has been the lack of comfort for the helm, especially for tall anglers,” said Steve Washington VP of sales and marketing. “While the small consoles are efficient, they are very uncomfortable to use for longer runs. Looking behind the boat while sitting down is also very difficult to do at speed. Being able to stand at the leaning post allows you to be comfortable and have great visibility.” The 1720 remains easy to trim and run. With the same shallow draft as before, this Gen III 1720 is ready for any inshore fishing and long runs in choppy water. Available in fiberglass and Kevlar hybrid, each boat is made to order. The leaning post and raised helm console can be ordered for all Action Craft’s flats boats, 17’ and above. For taller anglers, the leaning post can be ordered specifically to your height requirements.
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Length: 17’2” Beam: 87” Draft: 7-8” depending on load Weight: 910, fiberglass Fuel Capacity: 28 Gal Maximum Hp: 140 Deadrise: 17 degrees at transom
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or 2019, the daily bag limit is two gallons of whole bay scallops in-shell or one pint of scallop meat per person. With a maximum vessel limit of 10 gallons whole or one-half gallon of meat. Direct transit of legally harvested bay scallops through closed areas is allowed. Bay scallops may only be harvested in state waters from the following zones: St. Joseph Bay and Gulf County: Aug. 16Sept. 15. Franklin County through northwestern Taylor County: July 1-Sept. 24. This region includes all state waters from the westernmost point of St. Vincent Island in Franklin County to Rock Island near the mouth of the Fenholloway River in Taylor County. The remaining portion of Taylor County and all of Dixie County: June 15-Sept. 10. This region includes all state waters east of Rock Island near the mouth of the Fenholloway River in Taylor County and north of Alligator Pass daybeacon #4 near the mouth of the Suwannee River in Levy County. Levy, Citrus and Hernando counties: July 1-Sept. 24. This region includes all state waters south of Alligator Pass daybeacon #4 near the mouth of the Suwannee River in Levy County and north of the Hernando – Pasco county line. Pasco County: July 19-28. This region includes all state waters south of the Hernando – Pasco county line and north of the Anclote Key Lighthouse in northern Pinellas County, and includes all waters of the Anclote River.
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Llebroc SX Helm Chair Earns Prestgious Award By ??????? • Photo courtesy of ????????
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KEEP IT GENUINE PRECISION PROTECTION
Whether you take your boat out to the lake or the ocean, your 4-stroke outboard needs ECSTAR Suzuki Semi-Synthetic Engine Oil so it can run long and strong. ECSTAR features special additives that protect the engine in harsh salt and fresh water environments, advanced detergents that keep engine parts clean, and viscosity index improvements that help the engine start in cold conditions. No matter where your next boat ride takes you, go confidently with ECSTAR.
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ECS-NewHorizHalf.indd 1
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Evinrude Gives Boaters the Confidence to Pursue THEIR LIFE ON THE WATER
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ith this month’s Spring Into Savings sales event, Evinrude has made a tremendous offer on the cleanest, most powerful outboards in the world. The innovation and performance of the E-TEC engines gives boaters confidence in any situation. From the small but powerful 15 H.O. all the way up to the white-knuckle-inducing 300 HP E-TEC G2, Evinrude’s daringly inventive outboards outperform everything else in the market. What else could you expect from the original inventor and continuous re-inventor of the outboard engine? Evinrude refused to compromise and drift along with the rest of the industry. With the innovative fuel-delivery technology in their direct injection system, they developed two-strokes that burn more efficiently. The result is a two-stroke that is quieter, cleaner, more fuel efficient and more powerful than comparable four-strokes. Evinrude outperforms the competition and they are not shy about it. The E-TEC G2 is a powerful engine designed to muscle through big water and take you offshore quickly and efficiently. With up to 30 percent more torque, its throttle response is unmatched. It’ll put you on plane quicker with the power to pin you to your seat. And all that muscle in the E-TEC G2 is cleaner and leaner thanks to Evinrude’s Engine Management Module, which brings computer-controlled precision to fuel injection. By delivering exactly the amount of fuel needed to the engine, the system provides amazing fuel efficiency to go along with instant throttle response and smooth quiet performance. It has up to 15 percent better fuel efficiency, which will keep dollars in your wallet and extend your range. It’s also the planet’s cleanest outboard. With unbelievably low hydrocarbon emissions, no out-
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0 0 0 , 2 $ P H 0 0 3 – . O . H 0 20 0 0 0 , 1 $ P H 0 0 2 – . O . H 0 15 0 0 5 $ P H 115 HP–150 $300 . O . H 0 9 – P H 40
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BOAT REVIEW SPECIFICATIONS CustomBilt Pondtoons Length: 14’ to 16’ Beam: 5’ to 6’ Max HP: 9.9 The Pondtoon is the perfect small-water boat for the avid river and pond angler, duck and bow hunter, as well as the family with children or grandchildren. It’s easy on, easy off, so it is the perfect boat for the elderly. All boats are allwelded aluminum construction made in the U.S.A. with premium options to meet every angler’s needs in boating. There are several styles to choose from that include: Fishing Series, Hunting Series, Pleasure Series, Farm/Pond Workboats, Search and Rescue and our new Camo boat. There are even wheelchair-accessible models. Our Pondtoon boats are factory assembled in three standard sizes with options and additional features that allow you to equip the boat for your fishing and hunting style at a very affordable price. Contact us at 334-684-2210 or pondtoons@gmail.com with any questions to help you “customize” your very own CustomBilt Pondtoon boat.
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eff Bonawitz, of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, had already caught several 30 pounders from the Susquehanna River on April 6 and was running low on bait. He selected the biggest bluegill from the bait tank, and the fish that ate it turned out to be a 50-pound, 7-ounce new state record flathead catfish. “I could tell it was big. It kept hanging down deep and when it finally came up to the top, we thought it might be a mermaid,” joked Bonawitz. “I’ve fished the Susquehanna for years, and I’ve never caught anything quite like it.” It took 25 minutes to land the fish on an 8-foot, medium-action spinning rod loaded with 25-pound-test mono. Bonawitz kept the fish alive in an aerated container at his home until the following day. On April 7, the fish was officially weighed, setting a new state record for the species. The previous record, caught in 2006, weighed 48-pound, 6-ounces. There are several organizations that claim larger fish as the world record, but IGFA recognizes a 123-pound flathead caught from Elk City Reservoir in Kansas as the All-Tackle World Record. Upon weighing the fish, Bonawitz with assistance from his nephew, Dylan, 8, released the catfish back to the Susquehanna River. “It was such an amazing fish,” said Bonawitz. “I thought the best thing to do was put it back so that maybe the next guy could catch it. I have a feeling this record may not last very long.”
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hft_coastalangler_0619_M-REG163328.indd 1
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Start the new boating season off right with the Ultimate 4-Stroke Outboard from Suzuki. Buy during our Spring Sales Event and get Suzuki’s 3-Year Limited Warranty plus 3 years of Extended Protection at no extra charge.There are Instant Savings on select models, and Low-Rate Financing is also available. See your participating Suzuki Marine dealer for all the details.
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REPOWER FINANCE
Instant Savings on select models when you buy during this promotion. See your dealer for details.
Rates as low as 5.99% on new Suzuki outboards on approved credit.* [60 Months]
To learn more, visit www.suzukimarine.com. Gimme Six Extended Protection promo is applicable to new Suzuki Outboard Motors from 25 to 350 HP in inventory which are sold and delivered to buyer between 04/01/19 and 06/30/19 in accordance with the promotion by a Participating Authorized Suzuki Marine dealer in the continental US and Alaska to a purchasing customer who resides in the continental US or Alaska. Customer should expect to receive an acknowledgement letter and full copy of contract including terms, conditions and wallet card from Suzuki Extended Protection within 90 days of purchase. If an acknowledgement letter is not received in time period stated, contact Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. – Marine Marketing via email: marinepromo@suz.com. The Gimme Six Promotion is available for pleasure use only, and is not redeemable for cash. Instant Savings apply to qualifying purchases of select Suzuki Outboard Motors made between 04/01/19 and 06/30/19. For list of designated models, see participating Dealer or visit www.suzukimarine.com. Instant Savings must be applied against the agreed-upon selling price of the outboard motor and reflected in the bill of sale. (Suzuki will, in turn, credit Dealer’s parts account.) There are no model substitutions, benefit substitutions, rain checks, or extensions. Suzuki reserves the right to change or cancel these promotions at any time without notice or obligation. * Financing offers available through Synchrony Retail Finance. As low as 5.99% APR financing for 60 months on new and unregistered Suzuki Outboard Motors. Subject to credit approval. Not all buyers will qualify. Approval, and any rates and terms provided, are based on credit worthiness. $19.99/month per $1,000 financed for 60 months is based on 5.99% APR. Hypothetical figures used in calculation; your actual monthly payment may differ based on financing terms, credit tier qualification, accessories or other factors such as down payment and fees. Offer effective on new, unregistered Suzuki Outboard Motors purchased from a participating authorized Suzuki dealer between 04/01/19 and 06/30/19. “Gimme Six”, the Suzuki “S” and model names are Suzuki trademarks or ®. Don’t drink and drive. Always wear a USCG-approved life jacket and read your owner’s manual. © 2019 Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.
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Access our Dealer Locator and find an authorized dealer near you today. optimusportal.com/locator-ss
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SeaWays is the autopilot upgrade to the Optimus 360 system, and is included FREE with SeaStation.
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