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NOVEMBER 2023
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FOR NOVEMBER’S BOUNTY By Capt. Quinlyn Haddon
W
ith cold fronts rolling in and the slow season phasing out, November is a special month off the Keys. Crowds of sailfish begin to move up onto our reef, and a morning spent loading the cooler with yellowtail snapper transitions easily into a trophy fish hunt. Both can be targeted at the same time. Out on the reef, filling the boat with yellowtail takes care of the grocery hunt, and it’s also an opportunity to scoop some fresh ballyhoo. Once the cooler is full, the anchor is pulled and the sailfish hunt begins in the same area. This can lead to epic trips, with dinner and a show, all on a mere half day charter. Sitting on anchor on the reef should give the captain a reasonable assessment for the next steps to take into sailfishing for the remainder of the trip. Often, you will be able to see sailfish breaking the surface around you during the snapper fishing portion of the trip. You may see them either freejumping and putting on a show or pushing up schools of ballyhoo and spraying bait into the air, indicating their presence and appetite. If this obvious display isn’t present right away, there are two viable options to pursue the sailfish.
2 NATIONAL
NOVEMBER 2023
The captain may choose to push out to deeper water and bump troll live bait, or deploy the kite, which can be extremely productive. Alternatively, and easily the more exciting option, is to travel along the reef and look for them. As you cruise the reef looking for a sightcasting opportunity, there are a few indicators to be watchful of. First, it is possible to see the sailfish itself, but this is a little more tricky from deck-level. A sailfish in the water will appear very black and can often look like a trash bag. They can also be spotted free-jumping and cruising the tops of the waves. Looking for the fish directly is actually the least productive way to find them without a tower on the boat to scout from. The best way to find them is running and gunning. Cruising slowly while scouring the surface for bait sprays and diving frigates gives them away almost every time. When the frigates start getting down on the water or large schools of bait are spraying into the air, throttle down because it’s game on. Hauling butt over to
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the action and trying to get your bait out there before the fish eats another ballyhoo is one of the most exciting types of fishing there is. Even if you miss your shot, there’s a great chance you will see the fish. Nothing compares to the adrenaline of this type of hunt. With cooler temperatures pushing in, tourism is more focused on fishing charters. Last minute bookings become more difficult. So, if you’re planning a vacation to the Florida Keys, it is recommended to make a charter reservation beforehand. Happy hunting and Happy Thanksgiving from Sweet E’nuf Charters! Capt. Quinlyn Haddon and Sweet E’nuf Charters fish out of Marathon in the Florida Keys. Contact Capt. Haddon at (504) 920-6342 and follow her social accounts @CaptainQuinlyn.
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EuroNymphing By Nick Carter
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ove it or hate it, Euro nymphing is a style of fly fishing that is growing in popularity because it is so darn effective for catching numbers of trout. Naysayers might gripe about the technique having more in common with cane-pole fishing than fly fishing, but Euro nymphers are too busy netting fish to care. It is a combination of styles employed by European tournament anglers. At the most basic level, it is a simple way to fish nymphs without an indicator. The angler remains in constant loose contact with the fly and leads the drift with the rod. Bite detection is instant, hook sets are quick, and the angler has complete control over the depth and trajectory of the drift. Grant Hawse guides out of Fish Tales Outfitters in Franklin, N.C. He honed his nymphing skills as a member of the U.S. team at the World Youth Fly Fishing Championships in Spain and Slovenia in 2016 and 2017. Here are his tips for getting into Euro nymphing.
THE BASICS
Hawse said he visualizes a 3D grid in a run. He uses a series of short flick casts to drift his nymph over every inch of that grid vertically and horizontally. Depth is controlled by the angle of the rod, making it possible to present the fly on the nose of every fish in a run. Angles, posture and smooth line retrieve are important. Rapt attention to the slightest tick of a bite leads to lightning-fast hook sets. The technique might seem tedious to traditional fly fishers, but if the goal is to catch lots of fish, Euro nymphing has proven itself superior in most situations.
BE A GEAR HEAD
You’ll need new gear to Euro nymph efficiently. Rod: Long, light rods give you reach and sensitivity. Cortland’s Nymph Series rods are 10’ 6” and come in 2- to 4-weight models. THE TECHNIQUE Reel: The reel balances the rig. Hawse said Euro nymphing is an efficient way to cover a reel rated for line one step heavier than the every inch of the water in front of you. With very rod’s rating generally does the trick. Test this by little slack in the system, the angler has complete balancing the rod with two fingers as a fulcrum on the handle. control of the path and depth of the drift.
Line: Hawse suggested spooling up with floating fly line instead of expensive Euro nymphing line. The main line rarely leaves the reel when you’re nymphing, anyway, and if you want to throw dry flies you can switch out the leader. Leader: Here’s a basic leader: 10 feet of 8-lb. mono, 6 feet of 6-lb. mono, 6 feet of 4-lb. mono, 2 feet of 6x sighter, and 4 feet of 6x tippet. Sighter is brightly colored leader material that allows the angler to see where the line is and what it’s doing. Flies: Euro nymph rigs require heavier flies. Fish Tungsten heads or nymphs with lead tied into the body. Contact Fish Tales Outfitters through their website www.fishtaleswnc.com.
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NATIONAL 5
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ver wondered what the depth, bottom structure and composition look like off the end of your favorite jetty, bank, beach or fishing pier? Do you fish smaller waters or from a small boat or kayak and bulky, heavy and expensive electronics aren’t an option? Deeper has brought the advantage of sonar to the masses with portable and castable fishfinders that are perfect for whatever type fishing you do, whether it’s from the shore, from a kayak or small boat, or through a hole in the ice. Deeper PRO+ can be used anywhere to show you all the fish-holding structure and cover as well as the fish themselves. Paired with a free smartphone app, this small sonar unit is smaller than a tennis ball, weighs just 3.5 ounces and can be cast out 330 feet to report back sonar readings from two beams (15 and 55 degrees). It’s the ultimate insight into where you should—or should not—be fishing.
6 NATIONAL
NOVEMBER 2023
This extremely versatile little unit has up to six hours of battery life and connects to your smartphone via its own stable Wi-Fi signal, which provides a much stronger connection than Bluetooth. It’s durable, easy to use and comes with a two-year warranty. Deeper PRO+ pairs with the free Fish Deeper app which provides a crisp, clear display and many great features to help you catch more and bigger fish. With GPS, you can reel or troll the Deeper PRO+ around to create accurate depth and structure maps of your favorite fishery, log catches, mark spots and much more. All scans are saved in the cloud at no additional cost, and you can access them from all your devices. For boaters and kayakers, the Deeper Flexible Arm and Smartphone mount for boat/kayak turns your Smartphone into a convenient and stable display to monitor readings. Shore anglers will love
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Hunting On the Fly Gator Trout By Nick Carter
C
atching gator trout heavier than 5 or 6 pounds has more in common with hunting than it does with setting up on a drop and catching schoolie trout hand over fist. Add to that the challenge of hunting them with a fly, and success becomes that much sweeter. Capt. Gus Brugger knows that sweet feeling well. He’s a regular contributor the Treasure Coast edition of Coastal Angler Magazine who has been hounding inshore species with a fly rod for nearly 40 years. He was a full-time inshore guide on Florida’s storied Indian River Lagoon for 23 years and has a lot to share when it comes to catching monster trout on the fly. “It’s got to be all about stealth if you want to get a big seatrout on the fly,” he said. “Whether from a kayak, a boat, or just accessing areas from the bank, I always feel like you’re a lot better off wading.” The primary benefit of wading is stealth, and it also forces you to work areas thoroughly. Outsized trout are notoriously skittish and spook from hull slap, shadows and even fly line on the water. With your feet in the sand, you’re less obtrusive, and while you might not be able to cover water like you would from a boat, you can be meticulous. “Grid out pieces of open water, set up with the wind off your shoulder— so you’re not knocking yourself in the head,” Brugger said. “Cast, take two steps to the side, and then cast again. Wind helps, and a little chop on the water helps keep them from spooking.” Carefully picking apart potholes, ditches and depressions on a flat is the go-to tactic for most of the year, but cooler winter water temps bring exciting opportunities for fly anglers. Winter may be the best time to target giant trout. “In winter, gators act more like snook than trout,” Brugger said. Big trout push into the backwaters in search of deeper holes with more comfortable
8 NATIONAL
NOVEMBER 2023
water temperatures. This could be off a canal dock or in a trough of deep water along a mangrove bank. These comfort zones consolidate fish. While wading isn’t an option in several feet of muck on a canal bottom, a kayak or small skiff can get you in quietly. Brugger and his son have had great winter days at backwater holes in no-motor zones. As for gear, a 7- or 8-weight fly rod gives you the ability to throw big streamers and baitfish patterns. Brugger said they’ll eat a shrimp, but you’re better off throwing big mullet or menhaden imitations. Whether it’s a Clouser, Bendback, Polar Fiber Minnow, or some articulated monstrosity, Brugger fishes flies that are 6 inches and longer. Some days they want flashy white and chartreuse patterns. Other days they want something more natural. A clear intermediate sinking fly line is helpful for stealth and to get flies down into the strike zone. For more tips and tactics, visit coastalanglermag.com.
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FLORIDA 3
THE OFF SEASON IS SO ON!
fall and winter great, but also the fact that there are fewer tourists around. That means when you go fishing in popular areas, you won’t have to fight for the best spots. Plus, lots of resorts and hotels offer off-season rates, so you can save money and get more value for your dollar. A lot of species are in migration patterns during these months, so you can expect a wide variety of fish. Many of the fish that migrate south when ocean temps begin cooling eventually park themselves off the Keys. If you’re trying to go offshore, blackfin tuna and sailfish become more plentiful this time of year. Blackfins are delicious, and sailfish offer a battle you won’t forget when they come up out of the water tailwalking. Various mackerel and snapper species are usually available for the taking around this time, as well, and that’s usually action-packed. In the backcountry, there are jumbo snook, tarpon and permit. These classic backcountry game fish will definitely give you a fight to remember. So, whether you prefer fishing in the backcountry or in open water, you’re guaranteed to have a blast and reel in some great catches. The offseason months are really the best time to visit. The water is calm, there are lots of fish species to catch, the scenery is breathtaking, and you can count on local guides to help you out. Book your trip, take advantage of the offseason rates, and embark on an unforgettable fishing adventure in the stunning Florida Keys!
By Astrid DeGruchy
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f you love fishing, you’ve gotta check out the Florida Keys during the off season. While most people visit from March to June, anglers in the know go during the offseason, from August through December. Not only does the temperature drop comfortably, but the hotels are more affordable and the fishing is amazing. It’s not just the cooler temperatures that makes
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NEW SNOOK MANAGEMENT BEGINS JAN. 1
B
eginning Jan. 1, the way Florida manages its snook fisheries will change dramatically. At its October meeting, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission approved new management regions and regulations for snook in state waters. These regulations will establish nine new snook management regions and establish open seasons as well as bag and slot limits for each region. This will allow FWC staff to monitor snook fisheries in each region independently and annually to adjust regulations regionally, similar to the way redfish are managed. “Through innovative management strategies like this, which allow us to be agile in our response to concerns, we are ensuring that Florida’s future generations of anglers will have access to this iconic fishery,” said FWC Chairman Rodney Barreto. Here’s a breakdown of the regions and regulations for next year: Panhandle, Big Bend, Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay Open Season: March – April, September – November Bag limit: one fish Slot limit: 28-33 inches Charlotte Harbor, Southwest Open Season: March – April, October – November Bag Limit: one fish Slot Limit: 28-33 inches Southeast, Indian River Lagoon, Northeast Open Season: February – May, September – Dec. 14 Bag Limit: one fish Slot Limit: 28-32 inches For more information, including the October 2023 Commission meeting presentation, visit MyFWC.com/Commission.
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1W
2Th
3F
4Sa
Miami, Government Cut
Height
12:23 AM 2.0 6:19 AM 0.3 12:46 PM 2.1 6:54 PM 0.3 1:12 AM 1.9 7:11 AM 0.4 1:30 PM 2.0 7:45 PM 0.3 2:06 AM 1.9 8:05 AM 0.5 2:18 PM 1.9 8:37 PM 0.3 3:02 AM 1.9 9:01 AM 0.5 3:10 PM 1.9 9:27 PM 0.2 4:00 AM 2.0 9:56 AM 0.5 4:04 PM 1.9 10:16 PM 0.1 4:57 AM 2.1 10:46 AM 0.4 4:59 PM 2.0 11:03 PM -0.1 5:50 AM 2.2 11:34 AM 0.3 5:51 PM 2.0 11:49 PM -0.2 6:40 AM 2.3 12:21 PM 0.2 6:42 PM 2.1 12:35 AM -0.4 7:28 AM 2.4 1:06 PM 0.1 7:31 PM 2.2
10F
Time
Height
1:21 AM -0.5 8:15 AM 2.5 1:51 PM 0.0 8:19 PM 2.3 11Sa 2:07 AM -0.6 9:01 AM 2.6 2:38 PM -0.1 9:08 PM 2.4 12Su 2:55 AM -0.6 9:47 AM 2.6 3:26 PM -0.2 9:58 PM 2.4 13M 3:44 AM -0.6 10:34 AM 2.6 4:16 PM -0.3 10:50 PM 2.4 14Tu 4:36 AM -0.5 11:22 AM 2.6 5:08 PM -0.3 11:44 PM 2.4 15W 5:31 AM -0.3 12:11 PM 2.5 6:04 PM -0.3 16Th 12:42 AM 2.3 6:30 AM -0.2 1:04 PM 2.4 7:04 PM -0.3 17F 1:43 AM 2.3 7:33 AM 0.0 2:00 PM 2.2 8:05 PM -0.3 18Sa 2:48 AM 2.2 8:37 AM 0.1 3:00 PM 2.2 9:07 PM -0.3
(Approximate Times)
Time
Height
19Su 3:54 AM 2.2 9:41 AM 0.1 4:03 PM 2.1 10:08 PM -0.4 20M 4:58 AM 2.3 10:42 AM 0.1 5:05 PM 2.1 11:05 PM -0.4 21Tu 5:57 AM 2.3 11:38 AM 0.1 6:03 PM 2.1 11:58 PM -0.4 22W 6:50 AM 2.3 12:29 PM 0.0 6:55 PM 2.2 23Th 12:48 AM -0.5 7:38 AM 2.4 1:17 PM 0.0 7:42 PM 2.2 24F 1:34 AM -0.5 8:21 AM 2.4 2:02 PM -0.1 8:26 PM 2.2 25Sa 2:17 AM -0.4 9:01 AM 2.4 2:44 PM -0.1 9:07 PM 2.2 26Su 2:59 AM -0.4 9:38 AM 2.3 3:25 PM -0.1 9:47 PM 2.2 27M 3:38 AM -0.3 10:14 AM 2.3 4:04 PM -0.1 10:26 PM 2.1
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Sebastian Inlet Br i dge Hig h Ti de -48 min ute s Lo w Ti de -24 min ute s
Port Eve rgla de s - Tur ning Basin Hig h Ti de -31 min ute s Lo w Ti de -13 min ute s
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PORT CANAVERAL OFFSHORE FORECAST
N
ovember is a great time of year for fishing. The offshore really starts to get “Fired Up,” so to speak. Bunker are normally in the basins more consistently—and much easier to get. Remember to use that large heavy sinking net. Call Nick at Fishing and Diving Center in Cape Canaveral; he has great deals on Tim Wade nets. If you still can’t locate or catch them, you may have to resort to that box of frozen cigars, but don’t worry, they work just fine. Just head out to the reefs or ridge and start from there for many species like kings and blackfins or even sails. Typically this time of year we also see a daily clean line (where the water goes from muddy to clear). Fish that clean water side break and you should do just fine. Normally Thanksgiving is that This lady angler had great fun with her gang time frame where catching and releasing a bunch of huge cobia everything really turns like this aboard the Fire Fight with Capt. Joe. on, but in all actuality, this whole month is a “Fire Fight.” The typical stinger wire rigs work just fine with a size 4 treble hook. Again, just go see Nick at the Fishing and Diving Center and he’ll hook you up with whatever you need—along with some great looking fresh cigar minnows. Other species that show up well are mahi and wahoo. There’s no secret here to this kind of fishing. Use your normal ballyhoo rigs and smaller chuggers and find your weed lines, edges or just fish the stream. The fall run can be just as good or better than the spring run. Anything will be better than this year’s spring run honestly! If you’re looking to keep busy if it’s too rough to go out, fish the jetties with some live mullet or live shrimp using a small knocker rig or even a split shot. Fluorocarbon is not a bad idea either. Snook and redfish have been doing well and should continue to “Fire.” Most of all, Happy Thanksgiving and I hope we all have great fishing for the rest of the year. If you need any assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact us or meet us down at Bluepoints Marina for a few bluegills. Good luck! CAPT. CHRIS CAMERON
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PORT CANAVERAL NEARSHORE FORECAST
T
he fall mullet run that started back in September will start winding down this month. The cooler water temps and more frequent cold front passages will have pushed most of the mullet south by now. There are usually still plenty of other baitfish around though. Pilchards and glass minnows will catch the attention of predators near the docks, piers and jetties inside of the Port this month. Spanish mackerel are one of the species that will become much more prevalent as the waters cool off and these smaller baitfish increase in numbers. Bluefish, snook and redfish should remain Nice Spanish mackerel. consistent options for anglers fishing here as well. Overall, the days between cold fronts will be your Flounder are the big news during much of November, but unfortunately the FWC has them closed to harvest best chance to get out and catch some fish. We look at this time, so please make sure you don’t keep them forward to being able to get you out there to have a fun during this closure. Good news is the flounder open time with us here at Fineline Fishing Charters. Let’s go catch your next memory! back up next month and anglers can keep five fish over 14 inches. Tripletail should become more abundant as the ocean waters cool into the mid 70-degree range. These CAPT. JIM ROSS tasty fish are found around the ships’ channel buoys and Fineline Fishing Charters any type of floating debris in the nearshore waters. Live www.FinelineFishingCharters.com shrimp is your best bet when targeting these fish. (321) 636-3728 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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BREVARD 3
DAY
TIME
1W
5:10 AM 11:56 AM 5:41 PM 2TH 12:00 AM 5:59 AM 12:43 PM 6:33 PM 3F 12:48 AM 6:52 AM 1:33 PM 7:30 PM 4SA 1:41 AM 7:51 AM 2:27 PM 8:32 PM 5SU 1:39 AM 7:54 AM 2:23 PM 8:35 PM 6M 2:42 AM 8:55 AM 3:18 PM 9:31 PM 7TU 3:43 AM 9:51 AM 4:10 PM 10:20 PM 8W 4:39 AM 10:40 AM 4:57 PM 11:02 PM 9TH 5:29 AM 11:23 AM 5:40 PM 11:41 PM 10F 6:14 AM 12:04 PM 6:21 PM 11SA 12:17 AM 6:56 AM 12:43 PM 7:02 PM
HEIGHT 0.24 L 3 H 0.75 L 2.74 H 0.43 L 2.81 H 0.9 L 2.58 H 0.62 L 2.64 H 1.02 L 2.44 H 0.78 L 2.51 H 1.07 L 2.35 H 0.88 L 2.44 H 1.05 L 2.33 H 0.92 L 2.43 H 0.96 L 2.37 H 0.9 L 2.47 H 0.83 L 2.46 H 0.86 L 2.52 H 0.69 L 2.59 H 0.79 L 2.59 H 0.54 L 2.73 H 0.72 L 2.65 H 0.4 L 2.85 H 0.66 L 2.7 H
SPACE COAST SURF FISHING FORECAST
Miami Beach, Government Cut 12SU 12:53 AM 7:38 AM 1:20 PM 7:41 PM 13M 1:30 AM 8:19 AM 1:59 PM 8:22 PM 14TU 2:09 AM 9:02 AM 2:38 PM 9:03 PM 15W 2:50 AM 9:47 AM 3:21 PM 9:47 PM 16TH 3:35 AM 10:34 AM 4:07 PM 10:35 PM 17F 4:25 AM 11:25 AM 5:00 PM 11:30 PM 18SA 5:21 AM 12:19 PM 6:01 PM 19SU 12:31 AM 6:25 AM 1:17 PM 7:07 PM 20M 1:38 AM 7:34 AM 2:18 PM 8:15 PM 21TU 2:47 AM 8:43 AM 3:18 PM 9:18 PM
0.28 L 2.94 H 0.61 L 2.72 H 0.19 L 2.99 H 0.59 L 2.73 H 0.13 L 3 H 0.59 L 2.71 H 0.11 L 2.97 H 0.62 L 2.68 H 0.13 L 2.91 H 0.66 L 2.63 H 0.19 L 2.83 H 0.7 L 2.58 H 0.28 L 2.75 H 0.71 L 2.54 H 0.38 L 2.69 H 0.66 L 2.54 H 0.45 L 2.67 H 0.54 L 2.6 H 0.47 L 2.69 H 0.37 L
22W
3:55 AM 2.71 H 9:47 AM 0.45 L 4:16 PM 2.73 H 10:16 PM 0.17 L 23TH 4:57 AM 2.85 H 10:45 AM 0.4 L 5:11 PM 2.77 H 11:08 PM 0 L 24F 5:54 AM 2.98 H 11:39 AM 0.35 L 6:03 PM 2.81 H 11:58 PM -0.13 L 25SA 6:46 AM 3.06 H 12:29 PM 0.31 L 6:52 PM 2.83 H 26SU 12:45 AM -0.2 L 7:34 AM 3.09 H 1:16 PM 0.3 L 7:38 PM 2.82 H 27M 1:31 AM -0.2 L 8:20 AM 3.06 H 2:01 PM 0.33 L 8:23 PM 2.77 H 28TU 2:16 AM -0.15 L 9:04 AM 2.98 H 2:46 PM 0.39 L 9:07 PM 2.69 H 29W 3:01 AM -0.05 L 9:48 AM 2.85 H 3:31 PM 0.47 L 9:50 PM 2.59 H 30TH 3:45 AM 0.09 L 10:31 AM 2.71 H 4:16 PM 0.56 L 10:34 PM 2.46 H
PONCE INLET
PATRICK AF BASE
SEBASTIAN INLET
TIME OFFSET High +5 min / Low +33 min HEIGHT OFFSET High *1.18 ft / Low *1 ft
TIME OFFSET High -64 min / Low -38 min HEIGHT OFFSET High *1.5 ft / Low *1.43 ft
TIME OFFSET High -48 min / Low -24 min HEIGHT OFFSET High *.93 ft / Low *1.0 ft
CAPE CANAVERAL
CANOVA BEACH
SEBASTIAN (IRL)
TIME OFFSET High -66 min / Low -44 min HEIGHT OFFSET High *1.5 ft / Low *1.42 ft
TIME OFFSET High -53 min / Low -26 min HEIGHT OFFSET High *1.49 ft / Low *1.5 ft
TIME OFFSET High 92 min / Low 156 min HEIGHT OFFSET High *.15 ft / Low *.5 ft
S
pace Coast fishing looks to deliver mixed results for surf fishing anglers in November. With a plethora of species on tap it’s no wonder; there’s no telling what each day may hold. Everything from jack crevalle, ladyfish, bluefish, pompano, catfish, black drum, margates, tarpon and sharks can be expected. It’s the water clarity that holds the key for what probability any given species bites. Look for water conditions that hold green and blue shades for best results. This, in turn, increases the chances for sight feeding fish like ladyfish, bluefish, pompano and jack crevalle. But the windows may be short lived with each shift in the wind direction combined with sea conditions. We’ve also begun to see seaweed inundate certain beaches which makes the challenges of sustaining prime soaking time for target species. Targeting tactics for the above mentioned fish vary considerably. For the most universal approach to acquire a wide range of species the standard pompano rig remains the go-to surf fishing rig. Pompano rigs baited with Fishbites combined with peeled shrimp, sand fleas and clam strips have provided steady action. Everything from pompano, jack crevalle, bluefish, ladyfish and black drum can be expected catches when employing this beach fishing setup. Surf fishing anglers targeting big game species such as tarpon, snook and sharks require an entirely different approach. Big baits rigged live or dead will entice these predatory species to bite. Fish finder rigs or knocker rigs with a 4/0-7/0 circle hook and worked in the first or second trough will provide best results. In addition, I always recommend casting a swim bait or plug while the bigger live or dead baits soak. Doing so ensures your covering all the bases. Looking forward to the following weeks, we see changes on the horizon and is the time of year when one can expect larger numbers of surf fisherman all in pursuit of the prized pompano. Cooling temperatures will cause the waters to shift from summer/early fall conditions to winter surf fisheries, meaning the much anticipated winter pompano run as well as schools of bluefish and whiting will start to appear. Keep your eye on the ocean temperatures as each cold front will shift the fishery. CAPT. LUKAS BRICKWEG
Cocoa Beach Surf Fishing Charters cocoabeachsurffishingcharters.com (321) 205-4672
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SEBASTIAN INLET TO EAU GALLIE CAUSEWAY FORECAST
T
he mullet run usually starts to wind down as we move into November depending on the amount of bait Birthday and when it got going, tarpon which was a little early for Lucas! this year. If the weather stays nice, the fronts aren’t too frequent and the bait stays around, the inlet and beach fishing will be fantastic. If the cold fronts come early, the inlet fishing will be fantastic, but we won’t be able to get off the beach for the tarpon and sharks. The strong cold fronts will bring big swells, but the tarpon and sharks will move into Sebastian Inlet on the outgoing tides looking for a meal. Depending on the frequency of the fronts and how cold it gets, there should be a lot of finger mullet in the lagoon as well as the creeks from Sebastian River to Turkey and Crane Creeks and the Eau Gallie River by Ballard Park. With the bait inside the lagoon and the lower water temps, the inshore fishing should be good throughout
November as long as the rains aren’t too bad and the water clears up. There will be plenty of trout, slot-sized redfish, snook and some flounder in the mangroves and along the spoil islands. Look for bait pods and fish the areas with a lot of bait with soft
Ocean with a big tarpon caught off the beach.
plastics or finger mullet. The bite in Sebastian Inlet was good in October and should continue throughout November, with snook and redfish on both the incoming tide inside the inlet along the shorelines and the outgoing tide at the tip of the jetty. Throw in some jacks as well on the outgoing tide. Look for the shrimp to start moving through the inlet later in November. If the winds stay light, the snook, reds and black drum should start stacking up in the inlet and feed on them flushing out with the tide. There will also be some big trout caught in the inlet with the colder temps. November is also the time anglers start catching the big flounder in the inlet west of the bridge, from the catwalks and in the lagoon. Live bait anglers looking for big flounder in the inlet will have the best success with live finger mullet and mud minnows soaked on the bottom using a fish finder rig with a 12-18” leader. I prefer to jig ½ ounce or ¾ ounce jigs with Storm 360 GT paddletails or 4” jerkbaits on the bottom using either Pro-Cure or strips of mullet or pinfish as an attractant. The larger flounder are usually caught on live bait, but more fish are caught on artificial baits. CAPT. GLYN AUSTIN
Going Coastal Charters www.goingcoastalcharters.com (321) 863-8085
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PR
I
TIPS
am actually a little embarrassed with myself and the topic of this month’s Pro Tip. My goal is to always educate anglers on best fishing tactics and practices as well as provide tips to avoid fishing related disasters. Normally I practice what I preach, but here we are with this month’s tip which came from a hard lesson I had to learn firsthand. After a recent charter, like any normal day, I trailered my boat and began securing it for my ride home. It was then that I noticed my boat sitting uneven on my trailer. A quick look underneath made it very clear what the problem was—and I was in a pickle. You see, the brackets that attach my trailer bunks to my trailer had broken. The rust that had developed from years of being used in the saltwater had finally given way. Now, I will say that after every trip, without fail, I not only flush my motor in freshwater but also dunk my trailer in freshwater as well as rinse the trailer at the carwash. I’ve done this for years and, as a result, I’d become complacent about checking the brackets. I’ve written about the “Five P’s” before (Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance) and this was one of those situations that I could have prevented, but failed. These little steel “L” brackets are a vital part of boat trailers, and I am willing to bet that most people don’t think twice about them; I know I didn’t. Despite the position I was in, I was pretty lucky. Only two of the three brackets broke. This caused the bunk to roll towards the middle of the trailer
to over when I have too. You may also consider switching from steel to aluminum brackets, but if you plan to stick with the steel, give it a good coat of rustoleum paint to deter rust from developing. Additionally, make sure you carry a tool kit and ratchet straps with you and whatever else you deem important to have. I know that if I didn’t have any tools with me, I wouldn’t have been able to fix my trailer well enough to get me home safely and without damaging my boat. Lastly, it might be a good idea to keep a couple extra brackets with you as well. I now have an extra set. Even when following the “Five P’s” things do happen, and it is better to be prepared! Tight lines...
and lay vertically instead of horizontally, so when I pulled my boat out of the water, the boat was resting on the bunks and the hull was not being damaged by the trailer. So how do we prevent this from happening again? I’m pretty big on maintaining my tools and checking my hubs, lug nuts and trailer lights. Now I will make it a priority to periodically check the CAPT. JONATHAN MOSS brackets that support my bunks. Check to see if Go Castaway Fishing Charters you have a lot of rust or if the metal is getting thin. www.gocastaway.com If it looks bad or close to failure, swap them out! www.thecaptainslogtv.com I would much rather fix something when I plan (407) 760-8593
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ONE BIG FISH! 80-Pound ’Hoo Wins Summer-Long Series
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ne big fish won this summer’s West Palm Beach Fishing Club’s Full Moon Wahoo Series. A single monster 79.8-pound ’hoo caught in July gave Mike Ferrara and team Terry II the heaviest aggregate weight across the three-event series. Although several teams edged closer with weights piling up thanks to several fish caught over the three dates, none were able to catch up with Terry II’s huge fish. The Full Moon Wahoo Series is a cool tournament, with single-day events held on Saturdays near the full moons of summer. This year’s dates were July 29, Aug. 26 and Sept. 30. Wahoo are the only target species, and only club members can register teams. Cash is awarded to the top boats for each fishing day. The Overall Series Champion with the heaviest overall aggregate weight is crowned after the final event. Entering the final moon on Sept. 30, Team Yellowfin and Team Whisky Business were chasing Terry II. Both teams came in with solid 40-pluspounders from previous events, and they both weighed fish on the final moon. Yellowfin’s second fish of the series weighed 23 pounds, which brought their aggregate to 66.4 pounds, good enough for a second-place series finish. Whisky Business’ fish weighed 16.8 pounds and brought them to a third-place series finish with a 59.2-pound aggregate. More than 80 boats fished at least one moon of the series. Check out the West Palm Beach Fishing Club at westpalmbeachfishingclub.org.
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SHEEPSHEAD
By Emily Hanzlik
Carry Anglers Through the Cold Months
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uring these colder months, many people focus on the end of the mullet run or the bluefish that are starting to move in. However, there are other options. One of my favorites is sheepshead. This flakey white-meat fish should be a staple in your winter diet. Sheepshead are sometimes called convicts because of the black and white bars they wear like a jumpsuit. This contrasting coloration helps when sight fishing for them because you can see those bright stripes hugging closely to the structure. Sheepshead typically weigh 3 to 5 pounds, but outsized specimens grow into double digits. The larger the fish, the longer its spines: be careful of the dorsal fin when handling sheepshead. They will tense up and flare their spines trying to escape. Sheepshead inhabit almost all coastal Atlantic waters, from Nova Scotia to Brazil and throughout the Gulf of Mexico. Sheepshead tolerate a wide range of salinity, and spend most of the year inshore and even inland in more brackish water. They love structure because that’s where the crustaceans they feed on live. You’ll find them on docks, bridges, jetties, seawalls, and in the absence of man-made structure, you’ll find them on rock or hard bottom. Sheepshead move out into deeper nearshore waters to spawn in late winter to early spring but return quickly. Sheepsheads are molluscivores meaning they only
eat crustaceans. Things such as oysters, mussels, barnacles, crabs and shrimp make up their diet. To crush all that shell, they have human-like teeth and thick back molars, enabling them to crush their prey. During the crushing process, they push water through their gills and leave their mouth slightly open to eject shell pieces, leaving only the meat for them to consume. Their odd feeding behavior makes them tricky to catch with a hook and line. They love fiddler crabs, and you can find live fiddlers at a bait shop or along rock piles. You can also pick oysters off pilings and crack them open to use the meat as bait. Some anglers use a rake or hammer to scrape barnacles off pilings to chum the water. As for artificials, crappie jigs or flathead jigs are good options. With a fly rod, you can use white Clouser Minnows or shrimp flies. Fish bridges, inlets and piers, and get as close to the pilings or structure as possible. Since they crush their prey and spit out the rest, you’ll want to use small but strong J hooks, and set the hook as soon as they inhale the bait. Relatively heavy line is necessary to avoid being frayed off in all that structure. I wouldn’t use anything lighter than 12-pound-test. The IGFA all-tackle world record for sheepshead is an enormous 21-pound, 4-ounce fish caught in New Orleans by Wayne Desselle in 1982.
Emily Rose Hanzlik holds 62 IGFA world records in various categories. She hails from West Palm Beach, where she has a part time Bowfin Guide Service as well as fishing classes for Jr. Anglers. Find her on social media @emilyhanzlikoutdoors.
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FLY FISHING FOR BASS
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ly fishing for bass can be extremely productive and really fun. Growing up fishing for saltwater and freshwater species, I was introduced to fly fishing by some friends and got extremely hooked. While presenting a fly to fish can sometimes be tricky, a fly is a much more natural looking presentation to a fish than an artificial lure is, and I have seen fish eat flies much better than normal lures many times. There are times when a fly rod just isn’t an option. Having fly line everywhere and stretching the line 50 or 100 feet behind you and whipping it forward probably isn’t best if you are fishing a bass tournament. But if you are fun fishing a lake by boat or fishing a pond or stream or river by foot, fly fishing can be a rewarding experience. Like I said before, a small natural-looking fly, whether it be a baitfish or a topwater fly, can produce more bites than normal lures in some circumstances. I realized how productive fly fishing for bass can be while fishing ponds around my house when I was younger. These ponds got hammered by people throwing lures with
I’m sure you could take a deep dive into all the different gear and fly selections for different scenarios, but I keep it simple. White and silver baitfish patterns work wonders when you strip TYLER WOOLCOTT the line with small movements to make them swim like a fleeing baitfish. Topwater poppers conventional bass gear, and are extremely fun because you get to watch the fishing could be pretty them come up and eat it. Fish it with the same tough. It really impressed me when I fished them with a fly rod because I action as a conventional popper. I can’t exactly teach you how to fly fish in this article; YouTube is a great place for that. My hope is this will spark someone’s interest. Coming from someone who has done pretty much every kind of fishing, fly fishing is something every angler should try. Targeting bass and similar-sized species calls for a 6- to 8-weight fly rod. You can fish sinking lines to get down deep, but I prefer a regular floating line to fish for bass that are feeding shallow. I like premade tapered leaders in the 10- to 12-pound range. Feel free to contact me on social media with any questions or do some research online. I hope this caught more fish than I did with conventional convinces someone to go out there to target gear. I assume the bass grew wary of seeing big bass with a fly rod. It’s really fun! worms and crankbaits. A tiny baitfish fly or a Tyler Woolcott is a professional tournament tasty-looking, easy-to-eat topwater with natural angler and guide. Check out his website at movement got these fish more excited to eat www.tylerwoolcottfishing.com. than I had ever seen.
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n late September, NOAA Fisheries announced early closure dates for gag grouper in federal waters of the South Atlantic as well as the Gulf of Mexico. These closures came tight on the heels of a revelation that the data NOAA uses to manage these and other fisheries could be severely flawed. In the Gulf of Mexico, recreational harvest of gags was closed on Oct. 19. It called an early end to a season that had already been shortened on the front end. The normal season runs from June 1 through Nov. 10. However, this past spring, NOAA announced an interim measure to delay opening of gag grouper harvest to Sept. 1. Initially, three months of gag harvest were taken from recreational anglers, and now—with the early closure—the season was effectively cut from 162 days to just 48 days. In the South Atlantic, in federal waters off North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida, NOAA called an early end to gag grouper harvest on Oct. 23. The recreational season was scheduled to run from May through December. This move shaved 69 days off the regular 215-day season at a time when charter captains rely on grouper to keep clients on the water. In both instances, NOAA said its projections of recreational catch and effort data indicate the recreational annual catch limits would be reached by the early closure dates, which is their justification for shutting down the fisheries. In an explanation that seems contradictory to reason, a NOAA statement blamed high harvest of Gulf gags on the already shortened season. “Preliminary reports indicate high catch rates of gag this year, in part because of changes in the start from June 1 to September 1,” the statement reads. If that doesn’t seem to make sense, neither do NOAA’s data collection surveys that are used to determine angler effort. In a pilot study conducted by NOAA itself, the surveys, which are mailed to licensed saltwater anglers, were found to be confusing and led to “illogical responses” and “reporting errors.” The study showed that the resulting angler effort data was overestimated by 30 to 40 percent. Angler effort is a factor used to determine total harvest, which means NOAA’s harvest data is likely significantly flawed. Perhaps more concerning than that is the idea that harvest data is used in stock assessments. Estimated populations of our favorite sport and table fish are also likely inflated. For the third time in the last 13 years, significant flaws have been revealed in NOAA data collection, and this is the data being used to manage our fisheries and the industries that rely on them. For more information, see coastalanglermag.com.
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GROUPER CLOSURE CATCHES ANGLERS OFF GUARD
A
Tim Barefoot
t what point do we say enough is enough? I’d say THE TIME IS NOW! NOAA has shut down our gag grouper fisheries based on inaccurate data, and coastal communities are hurting because of it. The recent grouper closures—in the South Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico— caught everyone by surprise. There was very little notice given to anglers, whether they be recreational, charter or commercial. Incomplete—at best—and more than likely completely erroneous data was used to shut down the livelihoods of fishermen at a crucial point in the year. The fall grouper bite is always the best. Many commercial anglers make a good portion of their annual income in fall and winter. Charter captains book trips specifically targeting grouper this time of year. This closure also adversely affects the entire coastal economy. There is an entire industry based around fall and winter bottom fishing, and this is a substantial financial hit for the South Atlantic and Gulf coasts. As a former commercial fisherman, I know this also screams of mental and physical stress. Anglers are forced to fish more and rougher days just to get some days in before the season closes. When the news of these October closures spread,
I got calls from upset charter and commercial captains. For brevity, I’ll share just a couple comments I heard from North Carolina captains. “I’m a 61-year-old man, and I’m out here humping it hard as I can to get these last few
days in before it all shuts down,” said commercial Capt. Joe Hifko. “This is gonna hurt… both in my wallet and in my shoulders. The data is completely skewed, and based off those numbers are huge extrapolations. This is what they are basing their decisions on?” Capt. Riley Adkins is feeling the sting of charter cancellations. “My primary income in fall and early winter is based around taking clients within 30 miles of
the beach to specifically target gag grouper. This puts us captains in a bind because we are already booked out to Dec. 31, which historically was the closing of our gag season,” said Capt. Adkins. “We are having to cancel charters due to the short-noticed announcement of our gag season closing. “My clients feel like it is a waste of their time and money to book a charter because we can’t keep gag grouper, and the seabass population is in decline due to the rise of the American red snapper, which you can’t harvest either,” he continued. “This closure is detrimental to captains who rely heavily on the gag quota to keep their heads above water in winter.” The last time we had a fisheries issue of this magnitude settled, it literally took an act of Congress. The Gulf red snapper debacle showed us you can’t trust a federal bureaucracy that uses obsolete—and frankly, lazy— methods to collect data. The technology exists, and we should be hiring talented researchers from our universities to go out and collect accurate data to be used in decision making. It’s time for the recreational anglers, commercial anglers, equipment manufacturers, and the seafood industry to get together and say enough is enough. I know it’s a tall order, but we are stronger united. As soon as you finish this article, call your senators and congressional representatives to make sure they know how you feel on this issue.
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To see more from Tim Barefoot, go to barefootcatsandtackle.com. NOVEMBER 2023
NATIONAL 13
I
SOLUNAR TIME!
’ve studied the solunar fishing timetables since I was a child. In the early years, these were the black, white, or striped fish images on my grandparents’ calendars and have evolved into more advanced illustrations depicting the moon phase, tide, time of day, and their effects. Some tables provide a simple one- to four-star rating of predicted fishing success. One day I was a believer, and the next I was a skeptic. I’ve played this tug of war over the years, and as I have become a more seasoned angler, I lean more toward the validity of these calculations in predicting the aggressiveness of fish and their desire to feed. Removing luck, which never hurts, it still boils down to angler skill, knowledge of the area and techniques for targeting desired species. However, over the years I have noticed better bites correlating with solunar feed times. I try not to move from one location to another during peak solunar feeding times. I’ll put myself in what I perceive to be the best spot in a general area during that time and hold tight. I save the running and exploring for non-bite windows, which make up a majority of the day. Each solunar feed cycle has a peak that is typically two hours or less, and there are usually two per day. On a recent trip with my two boys, we missed the first bite of the day due to other responsibilities. We launched the boat around 9 a.m., and the next bite was not until 1:30 p.m. We wanted to try some
By Capt. Michael Okruhlik
new spots, so we explored those first, and laid down some tracks for future reference. The fish were not active. As the morning moved on, I tried areas that had been holding nice fish recently. Once again, everything looked right, but we couldn’t get the bite. The boys were getting agitated and ready to leave, and I bought myself as much time as I could, while still trying to find the bite and waiting for the next feeding time. I headed toward the ramp to give them a cool breeze and to try a location with much deeper water, just hoping to find some activity. Unfortunately, the current was too strong in this area. I frantically studied the chart in an area about a half mile away so we could make one last move because the next solunar feed time was only minutes away. I chose our final location based on satellite imagery and little tribal knowledge, and we were off. I anchored the boat so my boys could cast downwind and fish the edge where grass met a large sandy area. They caught redfish and averaged one every six minutes for 70 minutes of the afternoon solunar feeding cycle. They doubled up twice! Take a kid fishing and tune into the solunar time!
PHOTO COURTESY OF KNOCKIN TAIL LURES®
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Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Knockin Tail Lures®, and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.
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