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NATIONAL 3
THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, GIVE YOURSELF THE GIFT OF
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inter fishing in the Florida Keys can be a double-edged sword. This time of year can be limited by more frequent windy days. However, some of our best fishing occurs very close to land this time of year, and you don’t have to go far to get into the heart of it. Snapper are always a viable option on the reef, and targeting them also provides the opportunity to fill up the livewell with fresh ballyhoo to use for sailfish, which will be showering bait under diving frigates. If you happen to get out there on a sporty day, and the thought of rocking on anchor first thing in the morning makes your stomach turn, wahoo might be a better option. Trolling lures can be productive for targeting wahoo, and reduces the rocking of the boat that causes seasickness. Utilizing deep-diving lures, planers and trolling sinkers, there are countless ways to set up an efficient wahoo spread that can be pulled at varying speeds. Since wahoo like their baits moving quickly, high-speed trolling is a great way to target them while lessening other species as bycatch. Another great option for wahoo fishing is using live bait. This method is more exciting, and uses bait that can be acquired without dropping anchor. With wahoo rigs already set with wire leaders, and extra prerigged leaders on hand, head out to the wrecks to catch fresh bait. When targeting bigger baits like bonita, blue runners and goggle eyes for wahoo, use a heavier rod and reel, with the appropriately overpowered sabiki rig. Accounting for tangles, breakoffs and unwanted mackerel attention, make sure to have more than a few extra sabiki rigs on board. Affix a weight to the sabiki and drop it down to fill the well with blue runners, or troll the sabiki over schools of bonita, hooking them immediately to the wahoo rig and sending them back out. Power drift or bump troll a spread of live baits with some weightless, flatlined on the surface, or even under a kite, and others at varying depths with a breakaway weight or downrigger. Watching a hungry wahoo skyrocket on a surface bait provides all the adrenaline needed to knock any lingering seasickness out of you. Wahoo are excellent table fare, and they are also one of the best fighting fish you can target. Keep in mind that if your line goes slack, they might be swimming toward the boat. It is a wahoo until it’s not a wahoo, so keep reeling until you see the end of your line. Charter fishing in the Florida Keys is busy during the winter, so make sure to book your charter in advance. Sweet E’nuf Charters offers gift certificates for all the Santas out there with fishermen in the family. Capt. Quinlyn Haddon, of Sweet E’nuf Charters, operates out of Marathon, Florida Keys. Check out her website at CaptainQuinlyn.com, her social @captainquinlyn or call (504) 920-6342.
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NATIONAL 5 4/7/22 10:19 AM
SAVOR THE SEASONS in Upcountry South Carolina
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By Nick Carter
old water makes catching fish more difficult, right? Not with crappie, according to allaround outdoorswoman Terrie Huffmaster. She looks forward to deep winter, when she can load the boat with the biggest slabs of the year. Huffmaster is a South Georgia farm girl from Quitman, way down on the Florida border, so she calls crappie speckled perch, or specks for short. “You catch the bigger specks in wintertime,” she said. “I like to go into the deeper water trolling for them.” A great thing about crappie is they’re predictable. In spring they move shallow to spawn, but throughout the rest of the year they are nomads in search of comfortable water temperatures. You’ll always find them near structure or cover, and they are usually schooled up tightly. Huffmaster fishes for specks on Lake
Seminole, a nearly 40,000-acre impoundment that straddles the Georgia/Florida border. It’s a relatively shallow lake, full of stumps, brush and submerged grass. When Huffmaster says “deeper water,” she means the deepest water Seminole has, which is 25 to 30 feet. Trolling delivers both quality and quantity when water temps are in the mid to high 50s. But Huffmaster isn’t looking for a 30-fish limit. She’s hunting 10 or so giant specks in the 15- to 18inch range. She catches a lot of smaller fish in the process, but she throws those back. “When you get on ’em good, it’s crazy how
many you can catch,” she said. This is how she gets on them: Huffmaster has a line she trolls that she’s identified on electronics and with previous success. It’s just outside a channel marker, where there’s a ton of submerged trees, stumps and other brush and debris to hold fish. She pulls jigs over deep water and up over humps and ledges that rise to as little as 5 feet. “You keep that trolling motor on low,” she said, “just enough where your line’s pulling, where you’re barely trolling.” Huffmaster said there’s no need to deploy huge spreads from a bank of rod holders. She fishes just one, maybe two rods at a time. Her favorites are a lightweight Mr. Crappie Slab Shaker combo and a Lew’s 6-foot Ultra Light with a Lazer Light Speed Spin 75 reel. She spools up with 8-to 10-pound braided main line and uses a 4- or 6-pound fluorocarbon leader tied to a 1/16-ounce Crappie Magnet Fin Spin or a Mr. Crappie jig head. Paddletail and curly tail bodies both have their place. Chartreuse/pearl and pumpkin are good colors. She trolls her jigs 10 to 15 feet behind the boat and keeps a loose drag so the hook doesn’t tear out of a crappie’s paper-thin mouth. “Call me old fashioned, but that’s how we do it,” she said. “And we don’t seem to have any problem catching a mess of them… and some big ones. Search up Terrie B Huffmaster on Facebook and terries_dusk_2_dawn_fishing on Instagram.
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NATIONAL 7
Which Would You Change First? By Capt. Michael Okruhlik
C
hange is inevitable. In all aspects of life, change is necessary. This is especially true for anglers. When things are not going right, we immediately think of the next lure to throw. We all embark on our fishing journeys with a plan before hitting the water. We may base it on predicted conditions, time of year, experience, or possibly, but hopefully not, a social media post. Let’s discuss what I would do when plan-A doesn’t produce as envisioned. Imagine we are in the perfect looking spot, conditions are exactly as planned, active bait is visible in the area, the tide is flowing, but nothing is biting. Most of us would make a change, and I think we are all in agreement that our first correction would not be to move with everything looking right. Now, here is where I feel most people will make a mistake. Let’s say we are throwing soft-plastic paddletails. What is the first thing you would change?
PHOTO COURTESY OF KNOCKIN TAIL LURES®.
SIZE OR COLOR:
I bet you said color. Am I right? During my decades of fishing the salty bays and marsh, I’ve found that color is the last thing I should change. If some bass fishermen are reading this article, I am solely basing this theory on saltwater for trout, redfish and flounder. It’s not your fault that you tend to change color first. Let’s face it, color is the first thing someone mentions when they describe the lure they used, and when we walk into the tackle aisle there are significantly more colors than lure choices or sizes. We are bombarded with so many colors. Color must be the key to catching, right? Well, maybe not, most of the time. I’ll use my lure brand for an example. I produce 34 unique colors, but I only produce three different sized paddletails. Having all these color options at our fingertips can be overwhelming, and hearing others focus on the color that landed
the big one has caused fishermen to focus on color first. I have found more success in changing the size of the lure over the color. The fish are typically not feeding on anything that resembles the color we are throwing, but they are feeding on a specific size that we have in our box. Matching the forage size is the better option. If that doesn’t produce a bite, then I will even switch the style of lure before the color in most situations. Ultra-clear water is an exception, and these conditions play by different rules. We can cover that in another article, but until then focus less on color and more on size and action. Take a kid fishing and enjoy the outdoors. Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Knockin Tail Lures®, and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.
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GTECHNIQ:
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an you wax your 17’ to 20’ boat inside and out in 30 minutes or less? I can tell you first-hand that it is possible, but to do it you’ve got to forget about wax and get with the times. Gtechniq’s ceramic coatings are the technologically advanced way to get great results with less time and effort. I tested it on an 11-year-old Key West 1720, and this author will never go back to wax. Wax is old technology. Do you have a rotary phone? Do you use a pager? What about a flip phone? We have new technologies available. Once
you learn of a new spray-on coating that provides three months of shine and UV protection, would you still wax-on/wax-off? With a $20 bottle of Rinse-on Ceramic, you can get shiny results in 30 minutes! First you need to start with a very clean boat. Remove stains and buff out the dull surfaces, then follow with a good scrubbing with bleach in soapy water to remove all previous wax if any is still present. Hook up the spray nozzle in the Gtechniq Rinse-on Ceramic kit to the water hose and screw on a bottle of Rinse-on. The red knob adjusts material flow and it’s recommended to run it wide open. All you do is rinse the boat with water, and then turn on the material flow to apply the ceramic coating. You’ll see a slight sudsy effect letting you know material is being applied. Rinse boat inside and out with material flow open all the way. After the first application, you will want to wipe the boat down with microfiber towels. That’s it! Spray down the cleaned boat and wipe off in 30 minutes or less! Plus, there is an added benefit: you get a thin UV coating on all your hardware, lighting, switches, console gauges and expensive electronics. Wax is now a cuss word to this author. Application is quick and easy, but what about the results? Three months and 10 trips in saltwater later, and you can still feel the coating. What about a slippery deck? Nope. The stippled deck on the Key West is not slippery after application. It is ready for another application, yet the only part of the boat that doesn’t look new and shiny is the area under waterline. Beneath the waterline did stay clean for two months, but now it has slight yellowing. This 11-year-old vessel needs a light buff under the waterline. The coating is still there, and water beads/sheets off, but stains are caught in the tiny pores evidenced by the dull appearance. This stuff is pretty amazing, and this author will never waxon/wax-off again! GTECHNIQ.COM
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FLORIDA 7
Sportsmans Licenses and Park Passes 50 Percent Off!
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ooking for an awesome Christmas gift for your kid? A Lifetime Sportsman License with all the privileges they’ll need to hunt and fish in Florida is the gift that keeps on giving every year. Right now, through Jan. 13, some licenses and state park passes are half-off! Here are the bargains being offered by the state: Gold Sportsman Licenses, which include saltwater fishing, freshwater fishing, hunting privileges and all associated permits are 50 percent off and available at the following rates, plus applicable fees. • Annual Gold Sportsman - $50.75 • Five-year Gold Sportsman - $247.75 • Lifetime Sportsman License - Age 4 or younger - $201.50 - Ages 5–12 - $351.50 - Ages 13 and older - $501.50 Florida State Parks Annual Passes have a 50 percent discount and are available at the following rates: • Family Annual Pass - $60, plus tax • Individual Annual Pass - $30, plus tax All of these rates are a tremendous bargain. Get one for a kid for Christmas, and you’ll be buying them the privilege to not worry about being licensed for the rest of their life. For more information, visit MyFWC.com/license/recreational.
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hope you all enjoyed Thanksgiving and are looking forward to Christmas! If you haven’t been out there lately you need to! The fishing has been awesome as it usually is this time of year. Bunker pods have been steady and should continue to stay around a little while longer. Work the pods close to shore for giant red drum and other species feeding on them. Use a 50 lb. mono leader with a 1-2 oz. weight and a 7/0 circle hook. You can knocker rig it or fish finder rig it. Take the bunker offshore for some great kingfish action in all the normal areas. This time of year all the commercial guys are out there trying to support their families. Please do not get in their way; it’s Sweet mahi. already hard enough with all the rules and regulations imposed on them/us. (You have no idea how hard they are making it.) When you see them out there doing circles, just give them the space they need to fish. There’s plenty of ocean out there! Mahi fishing has also been picking up. This is the time of year they typically migrate south. It’s not as good as the spring run, but can definitely pay off! Use all the typical dolphin rigs. Ballyhoo and strip baits work just fine, and smaller chuggers are great. Every trip we are catching a few cobia, so keep a jig handy. Hope you all have an awesome holiday and enjoy your families. CAPT. CHRIS CAMERON Fired Up Fishing Charters firedupcharters.com | sharkfishingcocoabeach.com (407) 222-3573
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P
between cold fronts. This is when the weather ORT CANAVERAL: starts to calm and the fishing is usually the A drop in ocean best, so let’s get out there when the winds are temperatures will bring coming out of the west or north and catch a variety of fish species into your next memory. Canaveral Bight this month. Tripletail, bull redfish, bull BANANA RIVER LAGOON: As the winter whiting, bluefish, flounder winds cool the waters of this portion of the and Spanish mackerel can all lagoon, look for trout, black drum, snook and be found along these nearredfish to move into residential canals where shore waters as cold fronts they are protected from the north winds. Live push them south this time shrimp or jigs tipped with shrimp are two of the year. Most of these of the best options for landing each of these fish will strike live shrimp, types of fish. Assassin soft plastic sea shad pilchards and mud minnows ranging from 2- to 4-inches in length are also rigged on a ½-ounce jig great lures to cast near drop-offs, mangrove head or knocker rig. I like to edges and docks within the canals in the specifically target the larger Flounder are just one of the Merritt Island, Cocoa Beach and Satellite reds using chunk baits. I fish species available in the near Beach areas. Between fronts look for black these the same way we do for shore waters this month. drum, redfish, trout and potentially some our shark trips, and it can nice sized pompano on the 2- to 4-foot edges be very effective on the big bulls that come into the bight at this time of the year. along many of the flats in this body of water. The reds Artificial lures like Rapala X-Rap plugs (size 10), or a and trout will usually hit mullet, pinfish and shrimp, ½- to ¾-ounce bucktail jig can often work well when and the pompano and drum will strike targeting the bluefish, Spanish mackerel and jack. If cut clam and sand fleas rigged on a jig large bait pods are present along our coastal waters, head. CAPT. JIM ROSS we often find sharks and bull reds under them and, Fineline Fishing Charters sometimes, an occasional cobia. www.FinelineFishingCharters.com It’s best to book your fishing trip with me on days (321) 636-3728 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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East Coast Tide Charts
DECEMBER Tide Charts brought to you by these businesses 2023 DAY
TIME
HEIGHT
Miami Beach, Government Cut
January 2020
1F
4:31 AM 0.24 L 12TU 1:04 AM -0.14 L 22F 4:38 AM 2.51 H 11:14 AM 2.57 H 7:58 AM 2.72 H 10:25 AM 0.28 L 5:04 PM 0.65 L 1:35 PM 0.34 L 4:45 PM 2.35 H 11:19 PM 2.34 H 7:58 PM 2.47 H 10:47 PM -0.24 L 2SA 5:18 AM 0.4 L 13W 1:48 AM -0.23 L 23SA 5:37 AM 2.56 H Cut (Approximate Times) 11:58 AM Miami, 2.44 HGovernment 8:45 AM 2.77 H 11:20 AM 0.25 L 5:54 PMHeight 0.72 L Time Height 2:20 PM 0.29 5:40 PM Height 2.36 H Time Time L Height Time 3SU 12:07 AM 2.22 H 1:21 AM -0.5 8:46 PM 2.51 H 11:38 PM -0.3 L 1W 12:23 AM 2.0 10F 19Su 3:54 AM 2.2 28Tu 4:17 AM -0.2 6:09 AM 0.3 0.54 L 8:15 14TH L 24SU 6:3010:50 AMAM 2.6 6:19 AM AM 2:35 2.5 AM -0.28 9:41 AM 0.1 2.2 H 12:43 2.33 H 1:51 PM 9:32 12:11 PMPM 0.22 12:46PM PM 2.1 0.0 AM 2.78 4:03 H PM 2.1 4:42 0.0 L 6:49 0.74 L 8:19 PM 3:07 6:32 PMPM2.37 6:54 PM PM 0.3 2.3 PM 0.25 10:08LPM -0.4 11:06 2.0 H 1:12 AM -0.6 PM 20M 2.52 4:58 H AM 25M 2.3 29W 0.0 L 4M2Th 12:59 AM 1.9 2.14 11Sa H 2:07 AM 9:35 12:274:55 AMAM-0.33 7:11 AM 2.6 AM -0.27 10:42LAM 0.1 2.1 H 7:04 AM 0.4 0.66 L 9:01 15FAM 3:23 7:1911:25 AMAM2.61 1:30 PM 2.0 2:38 PM -0.1 5:05 PM 2.1 5:21 PM 0.0 L 1:30 PM 2.25 H 10:20 AM 2.75 H 12:59 PM 0.2 7:45 PM 0.3 9:08 PM 2.4 11:05 PM -0.4 11:46 PM 2.0 7:44 PM 0.72 L 3:57 PM 0.23 L 7:21 PM 2.37 H 3F 2:06 AM 1.9 12Su 2:55 AM -0.6 21Tu 5:57 AM 2.3 30Th 5:35 AM 0.1 5TU 1:56 AM 2.1 H 10:27 PM 2.51 H 26TU 1:14 AM -0.33 L 8:05 AM 0.5 9:47 AM 2.6 11:38 AM 0.1 12:02 PM 2.0 8:01 AM 1.9 0.73 L 3:26 16SAPM 4:15 AM -0.2 L 8:046:01 AMPM 2.59 H 2:18 PM -0.2 6:03 PM 2.1 0.0 2:19 2.7 PMAM0.19 8:37 PM PM 0.32.2 H 9:58 PM11:10 2.4 AM 11:58HPM -0.4 31F1:44 12:30 1.9 L 0.65 13M L 3:44 AM 4:51 8:06 PMAM 2.36 4Sa 8:38 3:02 PM AM 1.9 -0.6 PM 22W 0.2 6:50 L AM 2.3 6:17 0.2 H 6W 2:54 AM 0.5 2.12 H 10:34 AM11:22 1:5912:41 AMPM-0.29 9:01 AM 2.6 PM 2.48 12:29HPM 27W 0.0 1.9 L 3:10 PM PM 5:11 -0.3 AM -0.1 6:55 LPM 2.2 0.1 H 8:58 AM 1.9 0.75 L 4:16 17SU 8:476:45 AMPM 2.55 9:27 PM PM 0.2 2.4 PM 23Th2.63 12:48HAM -0.5 1Sa2:28 1:18 AM 0.2 1.8 L 3:10 2.18 H 10:50 PM12:01 PM 5Su 9:28 4:00 PM AM 2.0 7:38 L AM 2.4 7:06 0.3 H 0.55 14Tu L 4:36 AM -0.5 5:49 PM 0.17 8:49 PMAM 2.32 9:56 AM 0.5 2.6 1:17 PM 0.0 1.8 7TH 3:52 AM 2.18 H 11:22 18M AM12:22 AM 2.45 H 28TH 2:421:24 AMPM-0.23 L 4:04 PM 1.9 5:08 PM -0.3 7:42 PM 2.2 7:34 PM 0.1 9:51 AM 0.72 L 6:12 AM 0.04 L 9:28 AM 2.48 H 10:16 PM 0.1 11:44 PM 2.4 24F 1:34 AM -0.5 2Su 2:11 AM 1.8 4:01 PM 2.19 H 12:54 PM 2.55 H 3:11 PM 0.22 L 6M 4:57 AM 2.1 15W 5:31 AM -0.3 8:21 AM 2.4 8:02 AM 0.4 10:13 0.41 L 12:11 PM 6:50 9:30 PMPM 2.26 10:46PM AM 0.4 2.5 PM 0.11 2:02 LPM -0.1 2:15 1.7 H 8F 4:46 2.29 H 6:04 19TUPM 1:24 3:248:29 AMPM-0.15 4:59 AM PM 2.0 -0.3 AM 2.42 8:26 H PM 29F 2.2 0.1 L 10:40 0.66 16Th L 12:42 AM 7:16 L -0.4 3M 10:073:12 AM 11:03 AM PM -0.1 2.3 AM 25Sa0.16 2:17 AM AM 2.41 1.8 H 7Tu 4:50 5:50 PM AM 2.2 -0.2 PM 2.47 9:01 H AM 2.4 9:02 0.4 L 2.23 H 6:30 AM 1:50 3:53 PMAM 0.24 11:34 PM AM 0.3 2.4 PM 0.03 2:44 LPM -0.1 3:13 1.7 H 10:56 0.27 L 1:04 PM 7:53 10:11 PMPM 2.19 5:51 PM -0.3 AM 2.42 9:07 H PM 30SA 2.2 0.0 L 9SA 5:37 AM 2.0 2.41 H 7:04 20WPM 2:30 4:059:27 AMPM-0.04 11:49 PM -0.2 17F 2.3 26Su 2:59 AM -0.4 4Tu 4:15 AM 1.9 11:25 AM 0.58 L 1:43 AM 8:22 AM 0.24 L 10:45 AM 2.32 H 8W 6:40 AM 2.3 7:33 AM 0.0 9:38 AM 2.3 10:02 AM 0.4 5:39 PM 2.28 H 2:48 PM 2.41 H 4:35 PM 0.28 L 12:21 PM 0.2 2:00 PM 2.2 3:25 PM -0.1 4:16 PM 1.8 11:38 PM 0.12 L 8:05 PM 8:54 PM -0.06 L 10:53 PM 2.1 H 6:42 PM 2.1 -0.3 9:47 PM 2.2 10:24 PM -0.1 10SU 2.54 18Sa H 2:48 21THAM 3:35 31SU5W4:465:16 AM 9Th 6:25 12:35AM AM -0.4 2.2 AM 27M 2.45 3:38 H AM -0.3 AM 0.09 2.0 L 12:09 0.49 L 8:37 AM 9:26 11:2210:59 AMAM2.23 7:28 PM AM 2.4 0.1 AM 0.28 10:14LAM 2.3 0.3 H 6:25 PM 0.1 2.35 H 3:00 PM 3:47 5:17 PMPM 0.3 1:06 PM 2.2 PM 2.37 4:04 H PM -0.1 5:18 1.9 L 7:31 PM 2.2 -0.3 PM -0.16 10:26LPM 2.1 11:19 -0.3 H 11M 12:21 AM -0.02 L 9:07 PM 9:52 11:37 PMPM 2.02 7:12 AM 2.64 H Po12:52 nce de n Inlet Ft. Pie rce Inlet, S. Jetty PMLeo0.41 L de -11Hmin ute s Hig h Ti de -31 min ute s 7:12Hig PMh Ti2.41 Lo w Ti de +19 min ute s
Lo w Ti de
Po nce Inlet, Halifax Rive r
Jensen Beach
-18 min utes
PONCE AF BASE INLET HigINLET h Ti de +5 min utePATRICK s Hig h Ti deSEBASTIAN +2 ho urs, 17 min ute s
Lo w Ti de +33 min ute s TIME OFFSET Lo w Ti de +3 TIME ho urs,OFFSET 4 min ute s TIME OFFSET High +5 min / Low +33 min High -64 min / Low -38 min High -48 min / Low -24 min Port Canave ral (Tr i dent PieHEIGHT r) Sewell Pt HEIGHT OFFSET OFFSET HEIGHT OFFSET Pre*1 dictio +1 *.93 ho urs, min*1.0 ute sft High *1.18 Daily ft / Low ft ns High *1.5 ft / Low *1.43Hig ft h Ti deHigh ft /13 Low Lo w Ti de
+2 ho urs, 9 min ute s
PatrCANAVERAL ick Air Force Base Jupite r Inlet, S.Jetty CAPE CANOVA BEACH SEBASTIAN (IRL) Hig h Ti de -1 ho ur, 4 min ute Hig h Ti de -10 min ute s TIME OFFSET TIME OFFSET TIME OFFSET Lo w Ti de -38 min ute s Lo w Ti de -9 min ute s
SEBASTIAN INLET TO EAU GALLIE CAUSEWAY FORECAST
W
e’ve had some cool weather in late October and into November, and we should expect more of the same in December. If the weather and water temps stay cool, the pompano, bluefish, mackerel and flounder should all be active in the inlet. Fish artificials for the blues and macs, and for the flounder fish live finger mullet along the channel edges and shorelines around the tide changes. If the weather warms up, December can bring excellent catches of snook, redfish and big black drum in the inlet as well. Live pigfish, pinfish and shrimp will be preferred baits in the inlet for the snook and reds, and the black drum will eat shrimp. Along with those guys, we can have Fun couple of days with James and some tarpon, shark and king Amanda inshore and nearshore. mackerel action along the beaches from Melbourne Beach to Sebastian Inlet if the weather stays warm enough. If the fronts are strong, look for trout, pompano, bluefish, flounder and jacks in the Lagoon from Melbourne down to Sebastian. Fish the spoil islands as well as docks and shorelines with deeper edges that will hold the bait and the gamefish. I like using ¼ ounce jig heads with soft plastic jerk baits or shrimp imitations. Keep the baits deep in the water column and work them slow along the edges for the flounder and trout. Pompano and bluefish will like a little faster action when they ambush their prey. If the winds are up and you still want to get out, hit the creeks from Palm Bay to Sebastian. Crane Creek as well as Turkey Creek and the Sebastian River will hold trout, redfish, flounder, snook and even some tarpon throughout the winter months. We have even run into schools of pompano way back in the Sebastian River when it gets very cold. Live bait is best, but don’t hesitate to work the docks and shorelines with soft plastic baits; you can stay out of the wind and have a great time catching some good fish.
High -66 min / Low -44 min High -53 min / Low -26 min High 92 min / Low 156 min HEIGHT OFFSET HEIGHT OFFSET Sebastian Inlet Br i dge Port Eve rgla de s -HEIGHT Tur ningOFFSET Basin High *1.5 ft Hig / Low *1.42 ft High *1.49 ft / Low *1.5 ft / Low *.5 ft h Ti de -48 min ute s Hig h Ti de High -31*.15 minft ute s Lo w Ti de -24 min ute s
Lo w Ti de
-13 min ute s
CAPT. GLYN AUSTIN
Going Coastal Charters www.goingcoastalcharters.com (321) 863-8085
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Luxury Sportfishing Charter
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inter is here, temperatures are dropping and fishing patterns have changed. So let’s talk about where and when to catch fish. Cooler air temperatures cause our water temperatures to drop. This change in water temperature plays a vital role in our estuary as cold water kills the brown algae that is thriving in our warm lagoons. Remove the brown algae and the water clears up. Additionally, because of the clear water, sunlight is able to penetrate the bottom, which aids in grass growth through photosynthesis. Sea grass and pot holes (sand spots within the grass) provide a place for crustaceans, like shrimp and crabs, to hide from predator fish. It’s during the winter months that our redfish begin to feed primarily on crustaceans, thus making these grass beds a “go to” when looking for feeding fish. As you approach the flats, do so with stealth and focus. Clearer water means these fish can see an approaching angler, so move quietly as to not draw any extra unneeded attention. Be on the lookout for fish in or on the edges of pot holes. These fish are staged to ambush and feed. Tailing redfish can also be found on the flats. These fish are actively looking for and pinning their meal to the bottom. Oh, what a sight to see! Colder air and water temperatures also mean a later start time for anglers. On cold mornings, I’ll begin my fishing charters several hours after sunrise. Making a later start allows the sun to rise higher in the sky and water temperatures to warm up. Even a change of just a few degrees in the water temperature can make all the difference. Remember that shallow water will warm up more quickly than the deep. The same goes with deeper water taking longer to cool off than the shallow. Therefore, as the sun sets and both the air and water temperatures drop, the fish will move out into deeper water. In the morning, as the sun rises and the water warms up on the shallow flats, the fish will move in to warm up. This needs to be taken into consideration when planning out your next fishing trip. Pictured is Kent Ackart, one of my regular clients, fishing with me on the Indian River. He caught several nice speckled sea trout on a D.O.A. C.A.L. Shad Tail rigged weedless with a 3/0 1/8th oz. Owner Twist Lock hook, using a Temple Fork Outfitters 7 ft. Medium Tactical Inshore series spinning rod and Florida Fishing Products Osprey 3000 spinning reel with 15 lb. braid and 20 lb. fluorocarbon leader. Tight lines! CAPT. JONATHAN MOSS
C
B
Bea mo of
Go Castaway Fishing Charters www.gocastaway.com www.thecaptainslogtv.com (407) 760-8593
at Port Canaveral
csuitecharters.com Captain Rick Ely (321) 385-8933 rick@csuitecharters.com 6 BREVARD
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R i En
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D R A O B BRAG Alexis Salcedo nabbed this 41-inch redfish on a live croaker next to the rocks right past the first wave break in the surf during high tide. He said it s his ’ personal best since moving to Florida six years ago.
Beautiful per mit for this more-than-h app of Cocoa Bea y client ch Fishing Char Surf ters.
this nice Erik P. landed ck drum bla 20-inch-plus with a while jigging at the pompano jig auseway. Melbourne C
Michele 39.5-inch Roth hooked th is swee snook recently aboard Bryan Jr.’s t in Sebast ian Inlet. boat
SEND US YOUR CATCH PHOTOS! aught , 38lb. redfish c se h nc -i 48 is h h r and Clo Ryan Papa wit with Capt. Xavie rt Canaveral. n o o ag L o it u q s in Mo ters out of Po ar h C g in h is F s Encounter
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8 BREVARD
DECEMBER 2023
ecember marks the initial phase of wintertime surf fishing on the Space Coast. The dog days of summer morphed through the fall season to transition into winter weather patterns. Cooling water temperatures bring with it an entire new cast of species perusing local area beaches from Cocoa Beach south to Sebastian Inlet—pompano, whiting, bluefish, black drum and ladyfish, to name a few. Surf fishing Cocoa Beach during December marks the peak season months to pursue pompano. Crisp breezes sweep over the cool sand. Nostalgic smells indicate the weather is laying the foundation for what we know are prime pompano fishing days. Remembering record catches in ideal conditions has everyone searching for their first big pompano catch of the season. For these reasons, there will be plenty of surf fishing anglers out in numbers looking to strike it big! The keys to successfully catching pompano while surf fishing in Brevard County consist of the pillars of surf fishing: water temperatures, water clarity and beach contours. First and foremost, the water temperature. Ideally, when the ocean water drops below 75 degrees is when we start to see a real push. Pompano running south from north Florida will stage in the area as long as the food is present. This migration is entirely driven by water temperatures and that’s one reason it’s vulnerable to deviation year in and year out. Secondarily, the water clarity influences which beaches and how far from the shore migratory pompano roam. Because of this, it’s worth doing your due diligence. Find areas that hold the emerald green waters along with the tropical blue shades. Pompano particularly feed by sight, so these areas will provide the highest probability of success. Look for varied wind patterns to clean—or dirty—the waters. Traditionally, northern winds clean the water up and offshore winds dirty the water due, in part, to the region-wide “sand renourishment.” With the continued dumping of dirt and clay on the regional beaches, there’s no end in sight to the negative effects we continue to experience. State and local agencies have made it an annual priority to import and dump this muck on the shores. In turn, crustaceans like sandfleas have disappeared and the reefs are being suffocated. Currently the dumping looks to begin right in the height of our initial pompano run through January and into March. This will affect not only the water clarity, but also the contours of each beach as the new dirt is shifted around with each wave. Pompano targeting tactics vary slightly, but largely remain consistent throughout the state. Pompano rigs with multicolored floats and beads make up the majority of what experienced surf fisherman employ. Furthermore, the top baits for pompano fishing the surf are Fishbites, sandfleas, fresh clams and peeled shrimp. Work the pompano rigs in a varied pattern, meaning cast some far out past the sandbar as well as working the inner troughs. Covering all the bases helps to focus on where the fish are feeding primarily. Along with the craze of the infamous pompano run, don’t overlook delicious table fare species. Bycatch of pompano fishing can result in great catches of whiting, black drum, Spanish mackerel and even permit. Knowing this leaves each tug of the line with a pleasant surprise of what might be at the other end, so be sure to educate yourself on all the regulations and know before you go which species can be retained and legal limit sizes. ’Tis the season for great conditions to hit the beach and catch up the premium species! CAPT. LUKAS BRICKWEG
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COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
ANGLERS GET TWO MONTHS FOR GULF AJ
I
t will be another short season for amberjack in the Gulf of Mexico next year. The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council decided in late October to modify both the recreational season and commercial trip limits for greater amberjack. The result for recreational anglers is a two-month fall season, which is expected to close a few days early based on projections. The council chose to modify the recreational season so it opens on Sept. 1 and remains open through Oct. 31, unless the annual catch target is projected to be met earlier. The projected date for reaching that annual catch target is Oct. 26. The council also chose to reduce the commercial trip limit to seven fish, which is equivalent to about 210 pounds gutted weight. This framework action will be transmitted to the Secretary of Commerce for approval and implementation as soon as practicable. In anticipation that this rule may not be implemented before the beginning of the 2024 commercial fishing season, the Council requested that NOAA Fisheries implement an emergency rule to reduce the commercial trip limit to seven fish at the start of the year. Since Amendment 54 reduced catch limits by about 83 percent, and the 2023 commercial annual catch limit was exceeded, a payback provision will reduce the 2024 commercial annual catch target to 56,661 pounds whole weight. Under the current 1,000-pound trip limit, the commercial fishing season is expected to be incredibly short. For more information, go to https://gulfcouncil.org/.
GREAT FISHING!
WHERE THE SUWANNEE & STEINHATCHEE RIVERS MEET THE GULF OF MEXICO
YOU CAN ALWAYS FIND A BOAT RAMP
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SPECIALIZING IN RESTORATION OF AGED, SUNBURNT, OR FADED LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAYS.
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COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
DECEMBER 2023
NATIONAL 9
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Shop here for the holidays TONS OF GIFTS FOR BOAT OWNERS! GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE!
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DEEPER PRO+ FISH FINDER AND FLEX ARM 2.0 THE EASIEST-EVER SONAR SYSTEM FOR KAYAK ANGLERS
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T Custom Spliced Dock Lines & Anchor Rodes
10 NATIONAL
DECEMBER 2023
ransform any small boat, kayak or float tube into a high-spec sonar system within minutes using the Deeper gear combo. The Deeper PRO+ is a wireless fish finder, roughly the size of a tennis ball, connecting to your phone via its own Wi-Fi signal, scanning down to 260 ft. With a reliable 6-hour battery, built-in GPS, and two beam scanning frequencies, it delivers accurate, trustworthy readings. Waterproof and capable of handling temperatures as low as -4°F, it’s a versatile fishfinder suitable for various fishing types. For kayak fishing, it seamlessly pairs with the Deeper Flex Arm 2.0. Crafted from high-strength materials, the Flex Arm with G-clamp suits a wide range of vessels, offering easy installation and mounting without the need for drilling or tools. Use Deeper to map out waters, understand bottom structures, water temperature and depth, and locate fish holding spots faster. Enjoy a successful day on the water with Deeper. BUYDEEPER.COM
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
LOOKING FOR THE
PERFECT GIFT?
A custom rod building kit makes a great gift for the Holidays!
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Suzuki’s DF2.5: Small in size but big in features. Weiging just 30 pounds, the portable and versatile DF 2.5HP outboard motor is the lightest Suzuki 4-stroke motor ever built. This smooth, quiet engine is water-cooled for increased dependability, features a digital CDI, and its anti corrosion system ensures the aluminum propeller stays durable in marine conditions.
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Happy Holidays FROM
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DECEMBER 2023
NATIONAL 11
scotthawaii.com FAMILY RUN IN HAWAII FOR 90 YEARS
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DECEMBER 2023
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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Sacred Stone of the Southwest is on the Brink of Extinction
C
enturies ago, Persians, Tibetans and Mayans considered turquoise a gemstone of the heavens, believing the striking blue stones were sacred pieces of sky. Today, the rarest and most valuable turquoise is found in the American Southwest–– but the future of the blue beauty is unclear.
26 carats of genuine Arizona turquoise B.
ONLY $99
On a recent trip to Tucson, we spoke with fourth generation turquoise traders who explained that less than five percent of turquoise mined worldwide can be set into jewelry and only about twenty mines in the Southwest supply gem-quality turquoise. Once a thriving industry, many Southwest mines have run dry and are now closed. We found a limited supply of turquoise from Arizona and purchased it for our Sedona Turquoise Collection. Inspired by the work of those ancient craftsmen and designed to showcase the exceptional blue stone, each stabilized vibrant cabochon features a unique, one-of-a-kind matrix surrounded in Bali metalwork. You could drop over $1,200 on a turquoise pendant, or you could secure 26 carats of genuine Arizona turquoise for just $99. C.
Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. If you aren’t completely happy with your purchase, send it back within 30 days for a complete refund of the item price.
A.
The supply of Arizona turquoise is limited, don’t miss your chance to own the Southwest’s brilliant blue treasure. Call today! Jewelry Specifications: • Arizona turquoise • Silver-finished settings
Sedona Turquoise Collection A. Pendant (26 cts) $299 * $99 +s&p Save $200 B. 18" Bali Naga woven sterling silver chain $149 +s&p C. 1 1/2” Earrings (10 ctw) $299 * $99 +s&p Save $200 Complete Set** $747 * $249 +s&p Save $498 **Complete set includes pendant, chain and earrings. Call now and mention the offer code to receive your collection.
1-800-333-2045 Offer Code STC851-09
Rating of A+
You must use the offer code to get our special price. *Special price only for customers using the offer code versus the price on Stauer.com without your offer code.
Stauer
® 14101 Southcross Drive W., Ste 155, Dept. STC851-09, Burnsville, Minnesota 55337 www.stauer.com
Necklace enlarged to show luxurious color
Stauer… Afford t he Ext rao r d i n ar y.®
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
DECEMBER 2023
NATIONAL 13
We’ve Found the Most Beautiful Endangered Species Theirs sold at auction for $226,000. Ours is JUST $29! Curious? Read on!
T
o art nouveau jewelers at the turn of the last century, nothing was more beautiful than the dragonfly. In the dragonfly’s long body and outstretched wings, jewelers found the perfect setting for valuable stones. These jewelers’ dragonfly designs have become timeless statements of style; a dragonfly pendant designed by French jeweler René Lalique recently sold at auction for $226,000. Inspired by his stunning artistry, we’ve crafted our Dragonfly Nouvelle Collection, an elegant jewelry set for JUST $29!
Buy pend earrings Fant, get REE!
$29
True artisanship in Austrian crystal and yellow gold. This necklace and earring set features gorgeous multicolored enamel paired with Austrian crystals and a yellow gold finish. Ask any jeweler and they’ll tell you it takes true artisanship to properly blend the blues and purples found in this enamel. While art nouveau dragonflies are hard to come by, we’re helping to repopulate their numbers with this artfully stylized depiction of some of nature’s smallest wonders!
A NEARLY VALUE FOR JUST $29! Buy the pendant, get the earrings FREE. If Stauer were a normal company, we’d sell the necklace and earrings for $199 each, but because we engage the world’s best artisans and cut out the middlemen to sell directly to you, we’re offering the necklace for JUST $29! Even better: If you buy within the next few days, we’ll throw in the earrings for FREE! That’s a nearly $400 value for JUST $29! Act fast! The first time we ran this jewelry in our catalog, it sold out in a matter of days. Get this collection now before this offer goes extinct! Jewelry Specifications: • Enamel with Austrian crystal. Yellow gold finish • Pendant: 1 ½" W x 1 ¼" H. Chain: 18" + 2", lobster clasp. Earrings: 1 ¼" L, french wire Dragonfly Nouvelle Collection A. Necklace $199 $29* + S&P Save $170 B. Earrings $199 FREE with purchase of Dragonfly Nouvelle Necklace *Special price only for customers using the offer code.
1-800-333-2045
FREE! A $199 value!
Your Insider Offer Code: DFC208-01 Stauer, 14101 Southcross Drive W., Ste 155, Dept. DFC208-01, Burnsville, MN 55337 www.stauer.com
AFFORD THE EXTRAORDINARY
14 NATIONAL
DECEMBER 2023
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
CLEANS EVERYTHING.
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Restores Gelcoat, Fiberglass, Metal, Plastic Windows & Rubber
USE CODE BOAT10 FOR 10% 0FF
www.koenigpolish.com • 1-877-843-9929 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
DECEMBER 2023
NATIONAL 15
Over 2 carats of Verdant Peridot in precious .925 sterling silver
ONLY $39
Save $260!
“Known as ‘the Evening Emerald’ because its sparkling green hue looks brilliant any time of day.” — The American Gem Society (AGS)
Ooh and Ahh Without the Ouch Spoil her (and your wallet) with sparkling Verdant Peridot for just $39
G
oing over the top on jewelry doesn’t have to mean going overboard on the cost. We’re in the business of oohs and ahhs without the ouch, which is why we can bring you an effervescent verdant peridot ring for a price that simply can’t be beat. Its vivid and unique color makes verdant peridot unlike any other green gemstone. If you are looking to mark a milestone or make any occasion special, the Verdant Peridot Ring is all you need.
This elegant ring features 2 1/3 carats of captivating verdant peridotA. in three perfectly-faceted cushion cut gemstones. And, the .925 sterling silver setting is finished in tarnish-resistant rhodium for added durability and superior shine.
“Found in lava, meteorites, and deep in the earth’s mantle, yellow-green peridot is the extreme gem” — Gemological Institute of America’s Gem Encyclopedia
PRAISE FOR STAUER PERIDOT JEWELRY You could easily “...absolutely beautiful. The picture spend $400 on a sterling silver ring set does not do it justice. It is a real with peridot stones. stunner.” – S. C., Berkeley, CA But, with Stauer in your corner, the sky’s the limit for affording the extraordinary. Priced at just $39, you can treat her to the Verdant Peridot Ring set in .925 sterling silver and save your money and your love life all at the same time.
Satisfaction guaranteed or your money back. Indulge in the Verdant Peridot Ring for 30 days. If you aren’t perfectly happy, send it back for a full refund of the item price. Limited Reserves. Don’t let this gorgeous ring slip through your fingers. Call today! Verdant Peridot Ring ( 1/2 ctw) $299† $39 +S&P Save $260 You must use the insider offer code to get our special price.
1-800-333-2045
Your Insider Offer Code: TPR283-02 Please use this code when you order to receive your discount. † Special price only for customers using the offer code versus the price on Stauer.com without your offer code.
Stauer
®
14101 Southcross Drive W., Ste 155, Dept. TPR283-02, Burnsville, Minnesota 55337 www.stauer.com
Rating of A+
• 2 1/3 ctw Verdant Peridot • White zircon accents • Rhodium-finished .925 sterling silver setting • Whole sizes 5-10
Stauer… Afford the Extraordinary.®
16 NATIONAL
DECEMBER 2023
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
ABALONE HUMMINGBIRD PENDANT & EARRINGS COLLECTION Graceful Hummingbird Design Solid 925 Sterling Silver Abalone Mother of Pearl
Matching Abalone Hummingbird Earrings
Complimentary 22” Chain 1.57” Length
Natural Abalone Shell
TAKE FLIGHT WITH THIS DAZZLING DELIGHT The hummingbird is a traditional symbol of love and beauty. Suspended in mid-flight, with a rainbow of iridescence in wave-like patterns, outstanding shimmering Abalone decorates her body and wing. Each unique, one-of-a-kind piece of Abalone shell has been molded into a sterling silver pendant. Traditionally, Abalone shell is believed to induce feelings of calm, compassion and love. It has a tranquil, warm and gentle cosmic vibration. Spiritually uplifting, Abalone is said to soothe the nerves, encourage serenity and bestow a feeling of inner peace. Originally priced at $249, this stunning piece of jewelry can be yours today for a special offer price of just $79 with promo code: CA3DHB
Original Price Without Code $249 - With Promo Code Now Only $79 Abalone Hummingbird Pendant $79 plus S&H Abalone Hummingbird Earrings $79 plus S&H Abalone Hummingbird Complete Collection Now Only $149 (EXTRA SAVING)
ORDER NOW TOLL FREE 24/7 ON: 1-800 733 8463 AND QUOTE PROMO CODE: CA3DHB Or order online at: timepiecesusa.com/ca3dhb and enter promo: CA3DHB PAY BY CHECK: Timepieces International Inc. 10701 NW 140th Street, Suite 1, Hialeah Gardens, FL 33018