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Inside: Paddlesports Review

SUP FISHING TIPS

Enter To Win KAYAK

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Big Fish And Little Plastic Boats By Nick Carter; Photos by Eric McDonald

hese guys stole a chapter out of “The Old Man and the Sea.” While fishing a 2014 kayak tournament in the Bahamas, angler Matt Eckert had an adventure of epic proportions. He hooked into a 500-pound blue marlin while sitting on the deck of a little plastic boat. It dragged him 32 miles over an 11-hour fight. Eckert admits he was unbelievably lucky to get his hands on the leader, making it an official catch before the fish continued having its way with him. “I grabbed the leader with my hand, and it was like a bomb went off next to me. It almost spooled me 10 hours into the fight,” Eckert said. “The only reason I was able to get the leader was he made a big airplane turn and swam right by me.” That’s about as extreme as fishing gets. The kayak trips Eckert and his partner Eric McDonald guide out of Boynton Beach, Fla., might seem tame in comparison. But there aren’t many who would consider catching sailfish from a kayak to be tame. Deep Blue Kayak Fishing offers standard inshore and freshwater trips, but they specialize in taking groups of up to six anglers off the beach in rigged-out peddle-drive Hobie kayaks to chase big pelagics. They don’t use motherships or support boats. Their location on the southeast coast of Florida is one of the only places in the world where their style of fishing is possible. At times, the Gulf Stream swings in as close as 8 miles off the beach and brings with it fishing that would normally require long runs offshore. “When the east wind picks up, it brings everything in,” said McDonald. “It brings in the grass and the baitfish, which brings in the pelagics.” Deep Blue doesn’t force clients on an 8-mile death-peddle out to the Gulf Stream. Less than a half-mile off the beach, the reef tops out at about 45 feet and drops precipitously into 100-foot depths on the backside. Within sight of shore, they drift with the current and slowly peddle-troll live baits from the reef out into 200-foot depths and back. Each kayak pulls a single bait on a kingfish-style rig, and six anglers working together can pull a pretty impressive spread. The fish are impressive, too. “We’re so close to the Gulf Stream, you never know what you’re going to get,” said McDonald. “It seems like everyone wants a billfish, and sailfish are our most common catch. It’s sailfish from October into maybe June. Then the rest of the year it’s big king mackerel.” A smoker king or 65-pound sailfish will take a kayak angler on a

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serious sleigh ride. The typical fight stretches out over 3 or 4 miles of water and lasts anywhere from 45 minutes to two hours. “We usually start out trying to get a sailfish first thing in the morning. Then you’re trolling looking for meat,” McDonald said. “A good day would consist of a sailfish and three or four more meat fish.” Kingfish, blackfin tuna, wahoo, mahi-mahi, grouper, snapper and cobia are some of the species that regularly find a spot in the deck-mounted fish bags. Because of a kayak’s limited range, Deep Blue stays in contact with the local charter fleet to share intel, and word of a good grass line might call for a trek out into 400-foot depths in search of mahi. But what kayaks lack in range they make up for in stealth. McDonald said they are sometimes able to peddle over and through bait balls and schooling fish that an outboard would definitely spook. “We just look like another piece of debris floating out there,” he said. “We get a lot of sea turtles that come check us out, and a lot of times mahi will be right under the boat.” Because of the physical nature of kayak fishing, Deep Blue limits its trips to five hours on the water. Depending on the wind and currents, a five-hour drift can take you 20 miles or more from where you put in. But they won’t make you peddle all the way back to the put-in. With a series of different take-out points, the end of a trip is usually a straight shot back to shore, hopefully in a kayak loaded down with fresh fish. Check out Deep Blue Kayak Fishing Charters at deepbluekayakfishing.com or give them a call at (561) 350-8764.

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Putting In The Time:The Man Behind The Design By Ryan Drygas

evin Hawkins, owner of Kaku Kayaks, is not your typical kayak manufacturer. He’s a fisherman who tests and uses his own product and has made a living doing what he loves. In the quiet beachfront town of Tarpon Springs, Fla. Kaku Kayaks was born out of the idea of “life on the water.” Initially, Hawkins took up kayaking to get into springs, go scalloping, spearfishing and basic exercise. He fell in love with the ease of use, the peace of the water and the idea that you can pick-up and drop-in anywhere and take off to parts unknown. What started as a hobby turned into a passion, and an idea was born. At the time, Hawkins also had an interest in mountain biking, so in 2007 he started an outfitter shop to combine his two favorite outdoor activities. As time went on, Hawkins realized the products

he was selling weren’t holding up to his idea of a true paddle-craft, so he made the decision to stop reselling and focus on inventing. The idea was there, the knowledge was out there, all he had to do was find a way to put it all together. Hawkins spent five years working in other fields and saving money. All the while, he was learning the trade of roto-molding, studying different plastics, shaping, design and everything else he could possibly absorb about creating the perfect paddle-craft. Hawkins slowly made his dream become a reality by piecing together his company one step at a time. Eventually, the time came for Kaku Kayak to step out into the world of kayak angling. In late 2014, Hawkins took a crosscountry trip and tested his paddle-craft in every condition of water you can think of. From Florida to Texas, Hawkins fished rivers, creeks, lakes, inlets, offshore oil rigs and everything else in between. When he posted photos showcasing the Kahuna on social media, he knew he was onto something special. The Kahuna just might be the ultimate fishing SUP, designed, tested and tweaked by a hardcore fisherman. The response flooded in, with comments like: “Where can I get that?” and “That looks like a fisherman’s dream.” Requests for the Kahuna were not in short supply. Hawkins’ dream had become a reality, but he knew his inventing days weren’t over. The success of the Kahuna led to the birth of the Wahoo, a kayak fisherman’s dream. Designed to be simplistic yet fully capable of top-of-the-line rigging, the Wahoo will cut through the water like a downhill train. People from all over the country were noticing the unique design of the paddle-crafts coming out of Kaku Kayak. Still, Hawkins knew he could do more. The blended idea of the Kahuna and Wahoo brought forth one of today’s most sought-after paddle-crafts. The Voodoo is a combination of Kayak and SUP, a design that is a perfect mix of balance, comfort and mobility. We can only imagine what is going to come out of Kaku Kayak in the future! Check out Kaku Kayak at kakukayak.com.

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BOAT REVIEW NuCanoe Frontier 12

The NuCanoe Frontier 12 is an incredible fishing platform. Just spend a few minutes fishing on the Frontier 12, and you’ll be hooked. First thing you’ll notice is that, unlike other kayaks, it has a very clean deck with a lot of open space. There’s not a lot to get in your way, and there’s no limit to how you can set it up and outfit it. Solo or tandem, rigged up or stripped down, paddle, trolling motor or outboard, the options are unlimited. You’ll be blown away by the Frontier 12’s stability. It’s unlike any canoe or kayak you’ve been in before. You feel completely comfortable whether seated or standing. Your movements barely affect how it rides on the water. So, when it comes time to cast and fight a fish, you’re not even thinking about being in a kayak, you’re just locked in to the battle! Adding an outboard to the Frontier 12 is an ideal solution for anglers who want a great fishing experience but don’t want to spend a lot of time paddling. The Honda 2.3hp outboard moves the Frontier 12 at a very nice clip and is surprisingly easy to control. Whether you are going 500 feet or 5 miles, the outboard will get you to where you want to be quickly and comfortably. Then kill the motor, grab your rod, stand up and enjoy your unlimited fishing experience.

Learn more + find your local NuCanoe dealer at www.nucanoe.com | 888.226.6310

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Paddlesports| 1. Log Kayak Rack

Looking for a way to store your kayaks, canoes or paddleboards? You’d be hard-pressed to find a sturdier, more convenient or better-looking solution than a Log Kayak Rack. Individually constructed in the U.S.A. from weather-resistant white cedar, Log Kayak Racks are extremely strong and durable. They’re built to hold heavy loads and provide many years of service. They are available with capacity for two to eight boats, and racks can also be customized to meet your specific needs. Need a place off the ground to store a paddleboat, rowboat or any hand-launched vessel? Give Log Kayak Rack a call. They’ll custom design a rack for you. Well-considered design makes lifting boats in and out of the rack easy. Locking down boats is a cinch with standard cable locks. Racks can be bolted to a dock or anchored to the ground, and there are even Log Kayak Racks designed to hang on the wall. Visit their website to see what Log Kayak Rack has to offer, then give them a call at (715) 543-2006 to discuss the best solution for safely storing your fleet of kayaks, canoes and paddleboards.

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2. 2019 Hobie Mirage Outback

For more than a decade, Hobie’s Mirage Outback has peddled along without any major redesigns. With a kayak this close to perfection, there hasn’t been a need. However, for 2019, Hobie has taken the world’s best-selling pedaldrive kayak and made it even better. The 2019 Mirage Outback is a fishing machine built to handle any trip, from pond prowling to offshore expeditions. An extra-wide deck offers an improved and more stable casting platform and vantage point for sight fishing. The revolutionary Guardian Transducer Shield protects your vision below. The new Vantage CTW seat is roomier and more comfortable. Four molded-in rod holders, multiple deluxe H-Track mounts and numerous high-capacity storage compartments ensure all your gear is at your fingertips. Powered by the MirageDrive 180 with ARC Cranks + Turbo Fins, this vessel is versatile, fast, quiet and nimble. It now features the Kick-Up Rudder system with dual steering.

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3. Kaku Voodoo

Kaku Voodoo The all-new Kaku Voodoo is the ultimate sight-casting paddle craft. This authentic fishing paddle craft has a unique look and performance. It’s part kayak, part paddleboard, with some micro skiff qualities. The Kaku Voodoo is like a personal deck yak. It has incredible stability, while maintaining good paddling efficiency. The performance of this paddle craft is lifted to an even higher level with the included Voodoo Chair, which is unlike anything on the market today. The Voodoo Chair has a beefy aluminum structure, a perfect amount of cushion, and off-the-charts utility, giving the paddler a high and low seating position, leaning chair,

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as well as a standing platform, without having to adjust anything. It’s mounted securely on 30-inch aluminum tracks, allowing for trimming as necessary. Top it all off with great storage and five Micro Powerpole mounts, which allow for multiple or single Powerpoles while also offering motor mounting. Check out the Voodoo’s higher-level capabilities today.

KakuKayak.com

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2. 4. Watershed Goforth Duffel

A dry bag is a necessity when you’re fishing from a kayak, canoe or SUP. Watershed’s Goforth is a darn good one. Step on it, stand on it or stomp around on it, no matter what you do, it won’t leak. The Goforth is a dry bag with mobility and versatility in mind. It features low-profile lash points along with a 2” nylon removable waist belt to make it ideal for on-the-go water enthusiasts. From the incredibly strong Airtight ZipDry closure to the 420 denier Cordura nylon ripstop fabric coated with polyurethane, it’s hard to know what to love most about the Goforth. Ideal for fishing, boating or just messing about on the water, this madein-the-U.S.A. duffel also features rugged carrying handles and multiple compression straps. Plus, it looks great on! Specs: Dimensions Rolled - 9”x16”x7.25” Capacity Rolled - 640 cu in (10.5L) Opening Size - 13” Weight - 1.5 lbs.

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5. Salt Marsh Skiffs Savanna

The new Savanna from Salt Marsh Skiffs is a kayak/skiff hybrid that offers a kayak’s ease of use with the capability to handle more diverse conditions and loads. Designed to handle two full size adults, it has a self-bailing cockpit fully loaded. The overall length of 14’ is long enough to accommodate 4 fly rods. The beam is 40” at the waterline, offering great stability that makes it a great fishing platform. The Savanna can be paddled, rowed, poled or powered depending on the need. It can putt around with a lightweight 2.5hp outboard or go long distance at up to 21mph with a 9.9hp engine. Perhaps the most intriguing option is the 3hp electric engine capable of cruising at 3mph with a range of up to 12-miles. For short bursts, the electric can reach speeds close to 6mph. The Savanna is right at home in rougher water and heavy boat traffic with a 14” free board. It can be easily be equipped for a variety of uses with the many accessories available from the kayak fishing world. If you’re ready to move up from a kayak and expand your horizons without the complexity and expense of a full-size skiff, the Savanna deserves a look.

SaltMarshSkiffs.com

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DeFoe Slams Door On Hometown Bassmaster Classic Victory B.A.S.S. photo by Andy Crawford

or decades, it seemed almost impossible for an angler to win the Bassmaster Classic in his home state. Now it’s happened four times in six years. On the final day of the Classic March 17, Tennessee pro Ott DeFoe, of Knoxville, caught five bass that weighed 18 pounds, 14 ounces to win the Super Bowl of Bass Fishing and the $300,000 prize. The event was held on the Tennessee River in Knoxville. DeFoe’s three-day total weight of 49-3

helped him slip past second-place angler Jacob Wheeler at the weighin before a raucous home crowd at the University of Tennessee’s Thompson-Boling Arena. The world-championship bass tournament drew a record attendance of 153,809. “This is a dream come true—a dream I’ve had since I was a 9-yearold kid,” said DeFoe. “When we came over here and did the walkthrough the day before the tournament, I actually imagined hearing my name after the words ‘Bassmaster Classic champion.’ “For it to happen now… I just keep thinking I’m gonna wake up.” DeFoe lives in Knoxville—and since few others in the 52-angler field had much experience on the tournament waters of Fort Loudon and Tellico lakes—he was one of the obvious favorites coming into the event. But things didn’t go smoothly for him all three days. After catching 20 pounds during Friday’s opening round, DeFoe caught five bass that weighed just 10-5 Saturday—and he said that tough day might have been the best thing that could have happened. “If I would have had a good Day 2—if I’d had even 14 or 15 pounds—I might have been totally committed to what I was doing,” DeFoe said. “…But the fact that it just didn’t work for me, that caused me to just scrap it all. I just

went fishing today, and that’s exactly what I needed to do.” DeFoe spent Day 1 far from the shoreline fishing shallow tips of points. His primary bait was a Storm Arashi Vibe lipless crankbait in the “rusty craw” pattern, which he doctored with orange, red and black Sharpies. On the second day, DeFoe switched to shallow boat docks when a strong north wind interfered with his pattern. His bait of choice around the docks—a 3/8-ounce bladed jig— helped him land three of his five keepers on Day 2. He used the bladed jig again Sunday but moved to the outside wall of a marina after a conversation with Keith Poche, a Classic competitor who failed to make the cut for Championship Sunday. On the water Sunday, after boating one of the bass that helped seal the victory, Defoe said he was going to give Poche a big old bear hug.

Bassmaster Classic Top-10 1. Ott Defoe, 49-3, $302,500 2. Jacob Wheeler, 45-3, $52,500 3. Jesse Wiggins, 43-14, $40,000 4. Michael Iaconelli, 42-9, $30,000 5. Mark Daniels Jr., 41-12, $26,250 6. Brandon Lester, 40-5, $22,000 7. Wesley Strader, 39-8, $21,500 8. Edwin Evers, 39-7, $22,250 9. Dean Rojas, 35-6, $20,500 10. Brandon Palaniuk, 34-15, $20,000

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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT Unsinkable Polarized Mirror Sunglasses

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Unsinkable brings a lot more to the table than just being unsinkable. Their premium polarized glasses feature lenses made from a proprietary lens material called Polyamide, which has the optics of glass combined with the lightweight feel of polycarbonate, resulting in crystal-clear vision. New for 2019, Unsinkable’s lineup now offers blue and green mirror polarized lenses, providing another level of sun glare protection. These lenses reflect glare from every possible angle and offer super crisp, saturated, color acuity. A proprietary blue light barrier filters harmful blue light, allowing colors to blast, and a hydrophobic coating protects against salt, sweat and smudges. Other features include anti-scratch coating, 100 percent UV protection, they are BPA free, and boast injected and decentered optics. All Unsinkable glasses are lightweight and impact resistant, and provide 10 percent visual light transmittance (VLT). Blue mirror lenses are available in six wrap sunglass styles, ideal for blocking out glare while searching out signs of baitfish or gamefish. Blue mirrors are best suited for bright sunlight conditions and are an excellent choice for offshore and coastal fishing and boating. Green mirror lenses are available in four wrap sunglass styles, which reflect glare from every possible angle. They are best suited for variable light conditions and an excellent choice for anyone who spends a lot of time fishing or boating inshore waters or freshwater. Unsinkable Polarized Sunglasses will never sink, but in case they do float away, you are covered by Unsinkable’s groundbreaking Lifetime plus Loss warranty. The MSRP on the new Unsinkable premium polarized mirror sunglasses is $159. To checkout their complete lineup of products, go to https://unsinkablepolarized.com/.

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Center sp ie Vaine By Jeram

tand up paddling covers a wide variety of activities. From the casual cruise on a calm lake to adrenaline fueled wave surfing. But I’ve found myself spending more time on my stand up paddleboard (SUP) with a fishing rod. Two good friends, Chris Hollingsworth and Ken Hoeve, opened my eyes to world of SUP fishing. Hearing their stories, seeing the fish they caught and the ear-to-ear smiles are what inspired me. I grew up on a small New England lake, where I spent countless hours fishing. But I never really thought about fishing from an SUP… until speaking with Chris and Ken. Besides hearing the stories and seeing the fun times, the biggest appeal of SUP fishing is its simplicity. All you need is a board, a paddle and a fishing rod. Whether you’re an angler who wants to try fishing from an SUP or a paddler interested in fishing, here are some tips for getting into SUP fishing.

• What’s the right board? These days, manufacturers make fishing-specific boards that make fishing from an SUP easier. They are awesome, but they’re not absolutely necessary for someone just getting started. The most important thing is to find a board you can comfortably paddle without falling in. My general rule is a board over 30 inches wide and longer than 10 feet. It will have the stability to stand and fish, while remaining portable. If you’re concerned about falling in or losing your fishing gear, use a tether to tie it off to your board. Don’t tie gear to your person, it could hinder your ability to swim if you do fall in. • Where and when to go? Like any outdoor activity, and probably more so, weather is crucial. With an SUP, calm days are definitely better. Wind and rough conditions make it challenging, which eliminates the fun factor. Smaller bodies of water are a great place to start, as they are more protected from wind and do not have a lot of boat traffic. For these reasons, I prefer freshwater lakes. But a little experience on a board opens up a whole world of inshore action on saltwater. An SUP is a great, elevated platform to fish from during a calm day along the mangroves or up in the backwaters. • What to bring? For beginners, it’s best to keep it simple. I started SUP fishing 18

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with one spinning rod, pre-rigged with a single tried-and-true lure. It limited my catch, but having just one option allows you to enjoy time on the water without fussing with gear. Again, experience will guide preferences, but starting simple can save a lot of headaches. Of course the safety rules of SUP still apply. You’ll need a paddle leash and a lifejacket. • What to fish for? I really enjoy bass fishing, but some of my most fun days were with my nephews catching perch. Other people seek out trout in rivers and saltwater fish like snook, seatrout and redfish. If it can be caught from a boat, it can be caught from atop an SUP. Head out on the water, take a few casts and see what you think. If it develops into a passion, you might find yourself paddling a board that resembles a fully rigged fishing skiff.

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Apalachicola National Forest features many paddling opportunities. Photo courtesy of Colin Hackney, Visit Florida.

here may not be an area better suited for the paddle sports enthusiast than Franklin County, Fla. The Apalachicola River and its system of tributaries and creeks make the area a paddler’s paradise that offers paddling options for everyone. With more than 80 percent of Franklin County’s 545 square miles publically owned and preserved as wilderness areas, there are literally hundreds of miles of rivers, creeks and coastal shallows to explore by canoe or kayak. From floating pristine rivers by canoe to

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the challenges of a long-distance sea kayak adventure along a remote coastline, Franklin County has it all! The Apalachicola River Paddling Trail System is broken into 11 separate smaller trail sections. Paddlers at all levels of ability will enjoy these canoeing and kayaking trails that are comprised of nearly 100 miles through the swamps of the Apalachicola River. Distances range from short, easy trips to multi-day river trips flowing into open bays of the Gulf of Mexico. These trails not only offer breathtaking scenery and wildlife encounters, but the fishing in these places is amazing! As the river carries you to the bay, you can expect to catch both fresh and saltwater species like bass, bream, speckled trout and the mighty red drum. Tackle selection is easy. A few basic lures is all it takes: spinnerbaits, Texas-rigged worms and a topwater lure, like a Bagley Bang-O-Lure will get the bass bites in the flowing waters of the river. Cast to anything that creates a current break and hold on! As the water turns salty, a gold spoon and jigs tipped with curly tail grubs or a Gulp Shrimp are mainstays for trout and redfish success, but these fish smash topwaters, as well… especially walking baits like a Rapala Skitterwalk. Any one of the local tackle shops will help you gear up with lure types, colors and sizes best suited for the season and conditions. Or you can fill your bucket with the live bait. That’s always a sure bet. Don’t miss the Paddle Jam event and races April 5-7. Come be a part of this annual attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the largest raft of kayakers! Also enjoy other events like the Antique & Classic Boat & Car Show April 20 and the annual Carrabelle Riverfront Festival featuring maritime exhibits, arts and crafts, seafood, live music and a classic car show April 26-27. Bring your kayak or paddleboard and a love for adventure and fun. For more info and a complete list of rentals, charters, supplies and more, visit www.floridasforgottencoast.com.

Florida’s Forgotten Coast

Visit Floridasforgottencoast.com/ca

for complete launch, marina, guide and tackle information

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Welcome to the first issue of the just re-launched Coastal Angler Magazine-Wilmington! We really hope you enjoy the changes we’ve made so far and will continue to make. The first thing you may have noticed is a change in the name from Wilmington/Morehead City to Wilmington/Cape Fear. Seeing as Morehead City/Cape Lookout and Wilmington/Cape Fear are two completely different fisheries, we felt that splitting up the areas and switching to a more locally focused edition would better serve the anglers of the southeastern part of NC. Instead of covering more areas, we will have more information from a smaller area as we’re striving to be the go-to source of recreational fishing information in the Cape Fear region. Another change is we’ve added tide charts for more southeastern locations and updates from the Carolina Beach and Lockwood inlet associations to keep you up to date with what’s going on with shallow inlet dredging, funding, etc. In addition, we’re getting information from and about the area fishing clubs. If you are a member of a club that is not in this issue, feel free to contact us. We’re also adding a “Bragging Board” page for readers’ fish pictures, so take some pics when you’re on the water and send them in, we’ll try to get yours into a future issue. Soon, we’ll have our Facebook page ready and you can post photos and videos there as well. The magazine can also be viewed online at: www.coastalanglermag.com/e-magazine/wilmington If you have any questions, suggestions, complaints, want to contribute an article, would like to have the magazines distributed to your place of business for your customers to pick up or need information on advertising in upcoming issues, please contact me. Good luck on the water, hope you enjoy the new Coastal Angler Magazine-Wilmington/Cape Fear Edition! Mark Beaudry, Jr Co-Publisher markb@coastalanglermagazine.com

Carlton Brown, Graphics & Design carlton@islandprinter.com

Welcome the Got-Em-On Fishing Club! We are coming up on a new and exciting season. We started out with the Chowder Cook-Off and it was a huge success! A big thank you to all the participants and all that could make it out. Congratulations to all the winners and a huge thanks to Larry Denning and Bright Leaf Hot Dogs for the hot dog donation. The next couple events are our annual Azalea Festival Social on Saturday, April 6 at Snow’s Cut Park and the Disabled Sportsman Fishing Tournament in May on the Kure Beach Fishing Pier. We will have more details on both soon. We discussed the Annual Ann Martin Road Warriors trip and if you are interested, please contact me as we are trying to finalize rooms and boat slips. I just want everyone to know that I truly enjoy this club and the members and am honored to serve as President this year. We are a great group and I am proud to call you friends. Thanks to all the board members, as it takes a team to make it all happen. Please remember that a lot goes into running this club and we always welcome and need volunteers. Feel free to contact me anytime. Thanks! Sincerely, Chili Davis, President (910) 470-6970

We are a group of local anglers that love to fish and talk about fishing. We hold a monthly dinner meeting at Inlet Watch Yacht Club at 7 PM every third Tuesday of the month. We usually have a guest speaker talking about some type of fishing at every meeting and we try to mix things up (inshore/offshore/kayak), so there is something for everyone. There is a tremendous amount of knowledge floating around at every meeting, so if you have questions someone there can help or point you to someone who can help. If there is a specific topic anyone would like covered at one of the meetings please message me and let me know what it is and I will try to set it up for one of the future meetings. Looking forward to seeing everyone! If you need more information or have questions please email us at capefearanglers@mail.com or barryturano@gmail.com

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APRIL 2019

WILMINGTON - CAPE FEAR

Kayak Fishing When spring rolls round in my shop, I get the same question: “What do I need to start kayak fishing? Then, when I point out all the kinds of kayaks there are to fish out of, my customers get overwhelmed. In this article, I’ll try to work through the questions we ask our customers to get them in the best kayak for their needs. There are some questions to think about if you are in the market for a fishing kayak. The first question is about size. What length are you looking for? The sweet spot in length on a kayak is 12ft. At this length, you are getting a kayak that wants to track straight when you paddle and has plenty of room in the tank well for storing tackle. The kayak style you are looking for is classified as a sit-ontop kayak. This type of kayak self-bails and provides more mobility for an optimal fishing experience. If you chose a longer kayak, you will get a faster paddling kayak. Do you think you are going to stand from the kayak? Standing up and fishing from a kayak is a huge advantage. You really do see more fish standing and I’d say my favorite inshore fishing kayak (that does not self-bail) is the Native Watercraft Ultimate FX. It is a canoe-kayak hybrid that is just amazing on the water and a fishing machine. Not to say there are not a lot of great sit-on-top kayaks you can stand in like the Wilderness Systems Radar or a Native Manta Ray XT. Ok so you feeling like you have a handle on what to look for in a fishing kayak. Well, now let’s talk foot driven fishing kayaks. Yes, just like riding a floating bike. Now, I do a ton of fishing out of my pedal kayaks hands free and you can cover a lot of water. For me, all mine are Native Watercraft and they were the first with reverse.

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APRIL 2019

Lets now talk about outfitting your kayak. As kayak fishing has grown in popularity, they have also become easier to rig. Most name brand kayaks on the market today are covered with track to install rod holders, paddle holders and yes even fish finders. Most of our customers, once they have made their choice, go simple at first with two or three rod holders, an anchor trolley and a cleat. They fish it for a while and decide what else they want on the kayak down the line. At the end of the day you need to have an idea of what kind of fishing you want to do, where you want to go and then let someone at your local shop instruct you on the kayak that will be the right choice for you. I know in my shop I don’t sell a kayak I could not fish out of in any situation here in Southeastern North Carolina. Remember its Spring! Get out and enjoy some kayak fishing. Always remember to wear your life jacket while you’re on the water. Chris Tryon Hook, Line & Paddle Canoe & Kayak Outfitters- Wilmington (910) 792-6945 hooklineandpaddle.com

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Spear Fishing Spearfishing in March and April is a tough deal for anyone but the hardcore. Inshore divers this time of year have been looking for stone crab claws, taking advantage of the clear water around the inlets. A 5mm wetsuit with two piece and hood is necessary. The water was still in the 50’s around the inlets in March, but the clear water and a warm wetsuit make it fundamental and fun. You need a good flashlight and strong gloves in case a crab gets frisky.

week of March. Keep an eye on the water temperatures and the eddies of GS water, as when those move in to the shallows, that’s where the action is and the water is clear enough to dive. Water was reported in the high 60’s in mid March.

At the Frying Pan Tower area, some hogfish are already making their rounds. Brandon West of Wilmington, NC speared a nice female hogfish around 12-14 lbs the first

Offshore, blue water hunting is most exciting this time of year. Big sharks are the norm, but if you can brave the tax collectors, the action is hot. Jake Brzozowski of Morrisville, NC landed a 91 lb Amberjack diving offshore. Cameron Kirkconnell of Jensen Beach, FL landed an 65 lb wahoo. A couple days of exceptional calm weather will maximize chances of success once the fish are located. Alex Wazlak of Virginia Beach, VA speared a nice wahoo over 70 lbs with the crew from Mercury Pro Team/Maverick America Spearfishing in February. The wahoo spearfishing is probably still good, but no one has been out due to the rough offshore weather. When it’s hot, you can see sailfish in between the schools of wahoo. The gear is crucial, not to lose these amazing blue water fish. We recommend a 3-5 band, fully capable, blue water speargun with a range of 20’ or more, a blue water dive float for buoyancy and fish retention, and a bungee float line. Being rigged up with the proper gear will maximize your chances of landing a torpedo, when and if luck allows for one to swim into range. Keeping a dive buddy nearby for shark control is also helpful. Clear waters, Mark Laboccetta Maverica America Spearfishing- Wilmington (910) 679-4513 www.maverick-america.com

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APRIL 2019

WILMINGTON - CAPE FEAR

Wrightsville Beach

Johnnie Mercers Pier

North Carolina spring is anything but predictable, that is about the same for spring fishing around these parts as well. So far, we’ve had a pretty good winter temperature wise; I think we’ll be a “little” ahead of spring temps and fishing but only by a little. Fishing wise, here is what I look to target during April around Wrightsville Beach area waters.

Spring is here and the water temperature is rising. With this warmer weather, you can start catching a wide variety of fish off the pier: small bluefish and chopper blues, whiting (aka: Virginia mullet), cobia, flounder, black and red drum, croakers, pompano, puffers, stripped sea mullet, speckled and grey trout with some Spanish and king mackerel mixed in. Plugging is good for the blues, flounder, pompano and trout. The blues, red drum, trout, and flounder all respond well to live bait such as mullet, cigar minnows, pinfish, shad, shrimp and menhaden.

Towards early to mid April, bonito and false albacore show up just offshore of Wrightsville. Trolling Clark spoons and small deep driver lures can be the key to success some days for the bonito and false albacore. When using the Clark spoons, I would recommend the pink flash spoon in sizes #00, #0 and #1; the pink flash series has really helped me put more fish in the boat. A bird rig on top with a Clark spoon about five to six feet behind it, or Blue water Candy Spanish daisy chain (blue, silver, pink), have worked very well for me on top too. Look for birds working or marking bait on you fish finder is the way to find the feeding fish. When the fish are not on top, I’ve caught some nice blues and a few bonito by casting a spoon out and letting it sink down before reeling it in. Another fish that really starts to show up around the inlets of southeast North Carolina is the good’ole bluefish and during April you can catch some bigger blues too. These blues will hit Berkley Gulp 7” jerkshads in colors pearl and pearl/chart pepper; hard baits like big poppers or MirrOlure TopDog’s will also get these choppers to bite. Don’t forget the steel leaders for these fish or they will get a free lure from you every time! Single strand wire in sizes #2 or #3 will keep your lures on the end of your line. I catch blues in the one to fifteen pound range during April.

Just a note when fishing for Flounder around the pier…f ish with a pause: wait for the bait to hit the bottom, count to three, then start working it. Flounder respond well to this method. Be sure to follow us on Facebook: Johnnie Mercers Pier Fishing Friends, our website: johnniemercersfishingpier.com and Instagram: Johnnie Mercers Fishing Pier for up to the minute fishing reports, photos, and info. Grab you rods and we’ll see you at Johnnie Mercers Fishing Pier!

There are two fish that a lot of anglers overlook in April: red and black drum. What I love about these fish is you can catch them in good numbers this time of year and they’re great to eat! On top of all that, they can be pretty easy to catch. I make my own Carolina rigs with 30 lb fluorocarbon leader and a Eagle Claw L42 #1 hook; 1/4oz to ½ on egg sinker. I prefer as fresh as I can get shrimp for red and black drum fishing. Fish these rigs around docks, oyster rocks and inlets. Tackle run down: PENN Battle II & SpinFisher VI series 2500 & 3000 sizes. Rods: Penn Allegiance II rods 7’ medium Line Spiderwire Ultra-cast in ten and fifteen pound. Berkley Pro Spec fluorocarbon leader material for all my leaders. Thanks for reading, good spring fishing & weather to you! Capt. Jot Owens Fortune Hunter Too Charters- Wrightsville Beach (910) 233-4139 WILMINGTON - CAPE FEAR

APRIL 2019

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New Hanover County Offshore Forecast April outlook from near the beach to the break. Our excellent spring fishing will be getting underway in April. Each year is slightly different based on water temperatures along the coast. The fish we will be targeting all have a happy water temp range they desire. Watching water temps is critical and knowing what various fish like is a must. You can get water temp SST info from a variety of systems. We also have, in Onslow Bay, a series of weather buoys that record the water temp at that location. The fish weather app has these listed. It’s easy to get current water temp at 5 miles off Wrightsville Beach, 25 miles off Wrightsville Beach and 8 miles southwest of Frying Pan Tower. Nearshore, look for the Atlantic bonito to arrive in April. These hard fighting and great eating fish will be following bait schools out to 10 mile range with the 3 to 8 mile range being the best, they like 5668 degree water. Trolling Clark spoons or casting various jigs both work great Going further offshore, look for a great run of spring king mackerel. These spring fish are not the huge smokers, but in the 6-15 pound range, they like 65-84 degree water. Look for them around live bottom from 14-30 miles out as water hits the mid to upper 60’s. The 23 mile rock area and ledges just offshore are great places to seek the kings. Also, the coral live bottom south and offshore of AR386 towards Frying Pan shoals. Of course, around Frying Pan tower is a good area just a little further offshore. Slow-trolling frozen cigar minnows is a fun way to get your limit. These smaller kings are very good eating. A fun trip this time of year is to troll in this area get your limit of kings, then do some bottom fishing on the live bottom and ledges. Grouper is closed until May 1, but big black sea bass and various snapper are great fish to bring home before grouper opens up. Going to the break, seek a water temperature shot for sure, to see where the gulfstream is moving and what water temp is holding starting in the 140’ range. We had a great winter wahoo season. The wahoo will be on the inshore edge of the break around the rock piles in 140-180’ water. Wahoo like 68-80 degree water, we had great winter bite around 70 degree water. Other fish that can be cruising the break are mahi (70-82 degrees), blackfin tuna (66-82 degrees) and sailfish (70-85 degrees). If we get an edge of the gulfstream to come near the break, we could see some yellowfin tuna in 72-82 degrees. Trolling pin rigged ballyhoo with a sea witch is hard to beat at the stream. Wahoo are around, so run wire rigs to prevent bite offs. April is great month from near the beach to the break. Good fishing! Russ and Charlie with limit Capt. Rod Bierstedt OnMyWay Charters- Wilmington 910-352-2719 www.onmywaycharters.com

of kings and a bluefish caught slow trolling between AR 386 and WR4 on live bottom ledges.

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APRIL 2019

WILMINGTON - CAPE FEAR

Carolina Beach Hello everyone. Spring is almost here, so wash out the boat, dust off the reels and get ready for some fishing. This upcoming April we will be catching whiting (sea mullet) in the mouth of the Cape Fear River. The best bait is fresh local shrimp, cut bait, or Fish Bites in various flavors. Use a double hook rig with 2 to 3 oz of weight and wait for the bite. The best tide is falling, but plenty of fish are caught on the rising tide as well. Just anchor out of the shipping channel in 15 to 30 feet of water and enjoy the day catching these tasty fish . There are also some black drum, red drum and speckled trout hanging out around the oyster beds and docks in the lower Cape Fear. Fresh shrimp on a light Carolina rig will fool the red and black drum. Live shrimp on float rigs, or shrimp lures fished slowly, will land you a few trout.

Our goal is to educate the public and politicians on the importance of keeping North Carolinaâ€™s shallow draft inlets dredged for safe navigation. Please plan to join us for our membership meetings the first Tuesday of the month at the American Legion Post 129 in Carolina Beach. Our monthly meetings, open to members & guests are called to order promptly at 6:30 PM, but we typically arrive around 6:00 PM to socialize, network and enjoy a meal prepared by Capt Fred Holland or the Post. Meetings normally adjourn around 7:30 PM. We will have reports on inlet conditions, upcoming dredging events, reports from officers as well as guest speakers with information related to keeping our inlet open and safe for navigation. Thank you for your support and we look forward to seeing you at an upcoming meeting. Visit us online at www.CarolinaBeachInletAssociation.org

Just off the beach, we will start seeing bluefish and the first Spanish mackerel of the year. I look for the water temp to be in the 65 degree range before cruising down the beach looking for these fish around the wrecks and rocks. Trolling Clark spoons or casting Jigfish spoons works the best. Always approach schools of fish slowly and respect fellow anglers when sharing a school of feeding fish. If you run over the fish or go to fast, the fish will stop feeding and disappear. Remember to have fun and enjoy the day.

Capt. Robert Schoonmaker Carolina Explorer Charters - Carolina Beach (910) 264-1807 www.carolinaexplorer.com WILMINGTON - CAPE FEAR

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Southport/Oak Island Nearshore and Backwater fishing in the Cape Fear region during the month of April can be some of the most rewarding fishing of the entire year; with the baitfish beginning to move back into the shallower waters, the pelagics and sportfish really begin to start to move and feed again. During the winter months the speckled trout have been mostly lethargic and holding in the creek channels in the blackwater but now that the water temperatures have begun to rise they will begin to search out the small mullet minnows that are beginning to inhabit our waters once again. The red drum and a few flounder will also follow these minnows, yet the baitfish are for the most part not yet big enough to catch in a cast net for Anglers to use as bait and artificial bait selections will be the bait of choice. A Bett’s Halo Shad tipped with Pro-Cure scent fished in a “twitch” pattern will often entice the bite from any of these hungry predators! For many anglers some of the best table fare in the area are the whiting, aka Virginia mullet, that inhabit our waters this time of year. In the Cape Fear River channel between Bald Head Island and Caswell Beach one can find large schools of whiting along the drop offs and current breaks. Simply anchor your boat alongside these areas and fish a small 2-hook bottom rig with pieces of cut shrimp on a small hook and a 3oz pyramid sinker to have a lot of catching action! Make sure to take the shell off the shrimp as many anglers will leave the shell on in hopes of keeping the shrimp piece on the hook longer; in turn, this will keep the whiting from biting as much as they would if the shell was removed. This is also a great time of year to remember to take a kid fishing. If you can find the whiting bite turned on the action is fast and furious and will have any kid excited to come back fishing for more! Nearshore reefs are still exhibiting slow action for most species of fish in our area this time of year; however, there is one species if you ever try it for the sport of the fight or table fare that will really make any Fisherman excited with the anticipation of its arrival. The spiny dogfish shark normally shows up this time of year if great numbers to bring anglers tons of action and will make a great day on the water. Any type of gear will work once these sharks have showed their presence on our nearshore structures from cut bait on a bottom rig, to jigs, to bucktails. They are not picky in their selection and they put up a great fight on the line, as well as they exhibit superb quality white meat filets that are delectable with Old Bay seasoning on the grill or dipped in House of Autry Seafood breader and placed in the frying pan. Make sure to take caution and be weary of the spines on their backs as they are quick to pierce skin and these sharks know how to use them, but the reward is worth the risk if you handle them properly. The fishing in our area will only get better as the spring months progress; nonetheless, if cabin fever has you “aching” to get on the water and go fishing there are plenty of hungry fish simply waiting for you to toss a bait to them so they can have the opportunity to put up a fight on the other end of your line! We hope to see you on the water soon! Captains Chris & Butch Foster Yeah Right Charters- Southport (910) 845-2004 www.yeahrightcharters.com WILMINGTON - CAPE FEAR

APRIL 2019

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Brunswick County Offhore Forecast

Well, spring is coming soon and that means time to get ready for the fishing season. Time to go through your gear, clean and repair any rods and reels, and of course buy a few new ones. The water is starting to get warmer and that means many of the fish that left the area for the winter will start coming back. Offshore, black sea bass are biting well and will eat just about anything you drop down in front of them. Many bass are still closer to the beach now and will move out deeper as the water starts to warm. Grouper are still closed until May 1, but there are still plenty of snappers and triggerfish to fill up the cooler until then. Farther out, king mackerel will be starting their journey towards the beaches and can usually be found in the 25-35 mile range. Dead cigar minnows will work fine, trolled on a naked or skirted wire rig. I also throw in a Big Nic Mac-a-Hoo head with a dead cigar minnow as well. This is an easy rig to use, as well as being locally made, and makes the bait swim perfectly even for the novice angler. Spring at the break, means mahi to me. Itâ€™ll be time to start switching over from wire rigs and using some mono leaders. You will still have some wahoo out there, but by switching over you should increase your mahi and blackfin tuna catch. So dust off your reels, clean up the boat and get ready to start fishing again, summer will be just around the corner. Capt. Ryan Jordan Fugitive Fishing Charters- Oak Island (919) 616-4873 www.fugitivecharters.com COASTALANGLERMAG.COM â€˘ THE ANGLERMAG.COM

APRIL 2019

WILMINGTON - CAPE FEAR

Ocean Isle / Holden Beach The spring forecast here in southern Brunswick County looks awesome. With the warm winter and below average rainfall, the water temps were ranging in the mid to upper 50’s in late March. We had no winter fish kill and our creeks are overflowing with menhaden and tiny shrimp. Trout fishing will continue to be great, using artificial swim baits in pink and white/chartreuse. Gulp and Vudo shrimp under a popping cork are also working well. We’re already landing 15 inch plus keeper flounder. Overlooked species that come in during April are the Virginia mullet aka: whiting. Caught around the inlets on a double drop rig on pieces of fresh shrimp, best fishing usually on the rising tide. Also over looked are the sheephead. Many bait stores are carrying live fiddler crabs now. The bite has already fired off. Little River jetty rocks and bridge areas produce good numbers. Black and red drum are around the oyster beds on fresh cut shrimp. As the water warms into the 60’s, these will be looking to feed heavily on about anything. Live mud minnows are also a great bait for the redfish, fished on a Carolina rig, They too are available at most bait stores. Happy fishing!

The last dredging of Lockwood Inlet was in late February. The Merit sidecaster dredge worked for a few days and the Murden hopper dredge completed the project. The dredging event lasted around 16 days. I toured the Murden dredge and they stated that the red buoy side of the channel was the deeper side. Our coastal shallow draft inlets are ever changing and it’s very important that local communities stay active and involved to keep them open and navigable. For more information about us or the inlet, follow us online at: www.LockwoodInlet.org. All the Best, Capt. Cane Faircloth Creative Director, Lockwood Inlet Association (910) 367-2998

Capt. Jeff Williamson, Get Busy Fishing Charters- Shallotte (910) 367-0647 www.facebook.com/getbusyfishing

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APRIL 2019

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BRAGGING BOARD Ashley Thompson with a 24” speckled trout caught on live bait.

Billy “Ice Cream Man” Manger with a nice winter sheepshead.

Derek Giradot with a 32” bluefish.

The Russ family (L to R) Nolan, Tiffanie, and Clint, all with red drum caught in the intracoastal waterway on live bait. COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THE ANGLERMAG.COM

APRIL 2019

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APRIL 2019

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APRIL 2019

NATIONAL

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Tim Barefoot

here are several ways to make this double tackle, but one simple knot makes a wonderful, heavy-duty presentation. Some folks refer to this as a “high/low rig,” and you can call it anything you want, but for the sake of this article I’ll just call it a “double tackle.” To start with, consider the fish you are targeting and choose the correct size fluorocarbon for the leader. You can tie this knot in almost any size fluoro up to 80- or 100-pound. A rig like this is extremely effective on quite a few species and gets a lot of “reaction strikes” due to the multiple offerings presented and the erratic action of the baits. Using a heavier jig on the bottom keeps the lighter jig, streamer fly or unweighted soft plastic in place. It’s less likely to foul and makes the action more erratic, which draws the instinct strikes. The darting action resembles a scared or confused baitfish, which is irresistible to predatory fish, and the trailing bait is an easy target. These are the baitfish they have been programmed to eat since birth. It makes perfect sense, as they exert less energy to catch disoriented baitfish than those swimming perfectly in open water. There are two primary considerations when choosing the poundage of the fluoro leader material, water clarity and quarry. After choosing the correct size jigs and fluoro, it’s time to determine the lengths of the two legs of the rig. I start with about a 4- or 5-foot length of leader and make a 10- to 12-inch diameter loop in the center of the leader. This is typical for smaller inshore or freshwater fish, but can be made larger and longer for larger fish and jigs for a variety of offshore fish. Next, make eight turns with one of the tag ends through the 1-foot diameter loop. Find the center wrap of the tag end and separate it large enough to pass the 1-foot diameter loop back through (as shown in the photo).

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At this point, hook the 1-foot diameter loop onto something that allows you to pull all three legs of the tackle together with equal pressure and lubricant (saliva). Now, pull the two tag ends HARD as well as the loop to secure the knot down tight. Clip one of the two sides of the loop (shown in photo) and this makes the second leg of the “double tackle.” This might sound complicated, but it’s actually quite simple. For a detailed video, visit the website and the watch the video named “Double Tackle” Check out Tim’s website at www.barefootcatsandtackle.com.

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NATIONAL

3/18/19 11:18 AM

Shot Placement Sheri Daye

hen you watch experienced spearos, you will notice they are relaxed in the water, they don’t take long shots, and they make it look easy. You will also notice they have a high percentage of kill shots. That is because they are disciplined and practice good shot placement. Perfect shot placement means you achieve a kill shot, also called “stoning the fish.” In other words, the fish is instantly put to sleep, lifeless as a stone. There’s a multitude of reasons to strive for this shot. For one, a kill shot is the most efficient and humane way to dispatch a fish. With a head shot, the fillets will be in better shape, with no holes, blood marks, or chance of bacteria entering the meat (from a gut shot). Also, the fish does not have a chance to struggle and bend your shaft, or worse yet, to get off the shaft. There are added safety benefits to stoning a fish. You will avoid ringing the dinner bell for sharks attracted to a struggling fish. Also, a live fish has the potential of tangling on the bottom or around you, so a dead fish makes for a much quicker and safer extraction. Finally, if you quietly put the fish to sleep, you won’t spook other fish in the surrounding area, giving you and your buddy a chance at more fish. To stone a fish, the shaft needs to hit the brain or spine. The ideal shot is a quartering shot from above and behind, hitting the spot where the lateral line meets the brain. This sweet spot is at the top of the gills and behind the eyes. Of course, the closer you can get to the fish, the higher the likelihood of proper shot placement.

Here’s more tips for achieving kill shots while spearfishing: 1. Refine your diving/stalking technique so you can get closer to fish without spooking them. 2. Don’t rush the shot, take your time and try to get a more accurate shot.

NATIONAL

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3. Buy a good quality speargun and make sure your shafts/floppers are in good shape (not bent). 4. Practice hitting an underwater target, such as a weighted foam fish or net. Try shooting from different distances so you know your range versus accuracy. Don’t take “iffy” shots. 5. Take the time to study fish anatomy and examine them at the Sheri Daye fillet table. shows what good shot There are excepplacement tions to the rule. For on cubera example, when taking snapper looks a long shot on a spooky fish with a narrow like. body, such as a wahoo, you might want to aim for “center mass.” Otherwise, take the time to learn one of the most fundamental rules of spearfishing—that is, good shot placement! Sheri is a world-record holder, host of Speargun Hunter, and producer of “The Blue Wild Ocean Adventure Expo” in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Follow “Sheri Daye” and “The Blue Wild” on Facebook and Instagram.

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3/7/19 1:35 PM

3/18/19 11:19 AM

TIPS FROM A PRO

EXPERIENCE THE

TIPS FROM A PRO

FRESHWATER Why Do Hooked Fish Get Off?

BRANDON LESTER

ass get away for two basic reasons: the hook coming out of their mouth and line failure. If you can keep those from happening, you’ll land the fish. Sounds simple right? Well, it is and it isn’t. To keep these from happening, you’ve got to have the right combination of hook, line and rod… and then you must use them all properly. Let’s start with the hookset. If the hook isn’t properly buried into the fish’s jaw, it is obviously easier for it to come out. The hookset is predominately a factor of the right hook paired with the right fishing rod. You generally want to use the biggest, sturdiest hook and the heaviest power (basically its stiffness) rod the particular technique and lure will allow. And you’ve got to learn to set the hook as hard as your equipment will allow you. Watch the hooksets of pro anglers on the Bassmaster television show. We do not mess around. The hookset is powerful and fast. The biggest challenge with matching hook and rod power is learning how big you can go with your equipment and still present the bait properly. You’ll get more bites using smaller hooks and lighter line, so you can’t always use the heaviest equipment. Pay close attention to the bait and lure weights that rods are rated for. I

build all my rods with blanks and supplies from Mud Hole Custom Tackle (www.MudHole.com). All of their blanks come with that information included. Winn Grips are a must on all my rods, as they ensure a proper grip on the rod for that big hookset. A good quality hook is one that penetrates a fish’s mouth and stays there until you get your hands on the fish. The sharper the hook, the better it penetrates into the fish’s mouth. Once there, the hook has to be strong enough to not “flex” or open up. A flexing hook takes pressure off the bass and allows him to pull off during the fight. A lot of baits come with cheap hooks that will flex even on the first fish. Lesser-quality hooks will often become dull very quickly, too. Not all hooks are made the same. Mustad is the world’s No. 1 hook seller, and it’s No. 1 for a reason. Fortunately for us bass anglers, years ago Denny Brauer and Kevin VanDam got together with Mustad’s engineers and designers to create the basic hooks needed specifically for bass. Mustad hasn’t stopped improving the line of hooks either. The Big Bite worm hook is a hook I helped them develop. In many countries, they don’t use a separate term for “fish hook.” They simply call it a “Mustad.” In a future article, we’ll discuss fighting the fish and the importance of choosing the right fishing line. Until then, go fishing and work on that hookset!

For more on Lester visit,

FISHINGMAGAZINE.FISHING

35 PM

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NATIONAL

3/18/19 11:19 AM

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CANGL_NAT3-NAT32.indd 28 HondaMarine_CostalAngler_700Off_8.125x10.875.indd 1

3/18/19 11:19 AM 1/14/19 3:48 PM

MARK SOSIN There is a lesson to be learned. Shortly before he vaulted to stardom on the largemouth bass tournament trail countless years ago, Rick Clunn discovered that he spent so much time searching for magical techniques and secret lures that he almost lost sight of the basics. When he paused to reflect, he realized there were no curealls or panaceas that applied to any type of fishing. The answer centered on a more simplified approach. It suddenly became apparent that almost all bass tournaments were won by somebody who used a spinnerbait, plastic worm or a crankbait. It didn’t matter where the contest was held, who fished it and won, or what time of year it happened to be. Armed with that valuable bit of information, Rick decided to change his own fishing style and substitute simplicity for the complex techniques he clung to in the past. It occurred to him that if he learned to fish these basic lures with equal skill, he should be able to catch fish anywhere. Some of us have a tendency to insist on making fishing much more complicated than it actually is. If fish were that hard to catch, few of us would ever be successful. Impatience and lack of confidence force many anglers to search frantically for solutions that just don’t exist. These fishermen would do better if they learned one or two techniques thoroughly.

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Certainly, there will be times when their basic method does not produce, but over the long run they will catch more fish. My late father never heard of Rick Clunn, nor did he ever fish competitively for anything. Over many years, he fished for countless species in freshwater and salt, always limiting his approach to a few basic lures or some simple bait. When he finally retired and moved to Florida, his lure of choice was a small, yellow bucktail which he could fish better than anyone I ever met. His tackle box became the two side pockets on his jacket. A handful of bucktails were in his right-hand pocket and some leader material in his left pocket. There’s one other facet to Dad’s thinking worth following. He always insisted that the law of averages held the key to success. Those who insist on specializing on a particular species of fish or seek one of an extra large size are missing out on a lot of fun. All you have to do is keep casting and catching. The law of averages will eventually produce trophy fish for you as well as species that seem important. If you’ve been seeking a way to catch more fish on every outing, try this simplified approach that worked for Rick Clunn and my father. Many of the leading anglers of our time depend on it, and it just might turn the trick for you.

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www.COASTALANGLERMAG.COM COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

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3/18/19 11:19 AM

By Capt. Michael Okruhlik Photo courtesy of Controlled Descent Lures

ave you ever wondered why your buddy fishing next to you is catching more fish when you are both using the same lure? Chances are it has to do with the way he’s retrieving his lure that entices fish to strike. What is the first thing you do when the fish are not biting? Most people immediately change lures. If that doesn’t work, the next step is usually to move locations, only to work the lure the same way when it clearly was not producing. You must try working a lure several different ways before ruling it out as ineffective. Here is an example. One chilly morning I was throwing a Controlled Descent Jerk Shad set to sink very slowly. It had a rattle in it. Since the water was in the mid 50s, I concentrated on an area that was 3 or 4 feet deep with a soft silty bottom. I started out keeping my lure near the bottom and working my rod parallel to the water. The lure was basically suspending 6- to 18-inches off the bottom with a side-to-side motion. This is a proven technique in similar situations; however, I didn’t get a strike. After some time covering the area with that technique, I changed my retrieve and worked the same area with the same lure. I started to twitch my lure slowly to the surface, almost as if it was climbing stairs, but very slowly. Since this lure had an extremely slow sink rate, it would almost suspend when paused after

NATIONAL

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“climbing a few steps.” Once the lure reached the surface, I would let it slowly sink back to the bottom and repeat. I started to catch solid trout up to 6 pounds when the lure would almost reach the surface. Later that day, I fished a different spot with similar conditions. I was working the lure the same way that had produced earlier, and I was getting some very light bites once the lure would reach the bottom. The fish would pick up the lure and swim off, or at times they would swim toward me and I never really felt the strike. I landed a couple but missed and lost many more. Since they were definitely on the bottom and not really aggressive toward the slow-moving lure, I changed it up. Since I had a rattle, I started vigorously shaking my rod tip to make the lure rattle and twitch on the bottom without a lot of forward motion. This was most likely stirring up some silt, as well. This erratic action enticed the trout into a more instinctive strike. I began getting very aggressive strikes and landed every fish that hit. I never changed lure color, style or weight all day. Had I simply switched lures like most people do and worked them the same way as I started, I might not have caught anything. Try changing your retrieve before tying another knot. Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Controlled Descent Lures and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.

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ITEM 68862/63190/62896 shown

1000 LB. CAPACITY MOTORCYCLE LIFT

COMPARE TO

REESE $ 99

MODEL: 74410

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$1 7 $

2599

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COMPARE TO $

MIBRO

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ITEM 60658/97711 shown

LIMIT 3 - Coupon valid through 8/3/19*

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Case contents and locks not included.

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3999

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ITEM 95386 67501/69667/68740 shown

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ITEM 64545/64552/64832/64980 68053/62160/62496/62516/60569 shown

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ITEM 60497/61899/63095/63096/63097/63098 shown

• 350 lb. capacity

NOW

18" WORKING PLATFORM ULTRA-LIGHT, CRUSH PROOF STEP STOOL WEATHER-RESISTANT Customer Rating LOCKABLE CASE NOW • 14-7/8" L

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$ COMPARE TO

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ITEM 56238 64722 shown

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ITEM 69904/68892 shown

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ITEM 62281/61637 shown

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At Harbor Freight Tools, the “Compare to” price means that the specified comparison, which is an item with the same or similar function, was COASTALANGLERMAG.COM THEANGLERMAG.COM I APRIL 33 advertised for•sale at or above the “Compare to” price by another national retailer in 2019 the U.S. withinItheNATIONAL past 90 days. Prices advertised by others

*Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 8/3/19.

CANGL_NAT3-NAT32.indd 33 hft_coastalangler_0419_M-REG163326.indd 1

may vary by location. No other meaning of “Compare to” should be implied. For more information, go to HarborFreight.com or see store associate.

3/18/19 3/1/1911:19 3:10AM PM

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.

3 Years Limited Warranty + 3 Years Extended Protection

Six Years of Protection at no extra charge on all new outboards 25 to 350 HP.

INST

ANT SAVIN GS SAV

SELECE RIGHT N T SUZ UKI O OW ON UTBO ARDS

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.

NATIONAL

CANGL_NAT3-NAT32.indd 34

APRIL 2019

SZ_Q2 Promo_1PG_WIP.indd 1

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

3/18/19 11:19 AM

3/15/19 2:26 PM

1782-18B Coastal Angler.indd 1 COMMON CVRS_0419.indd 3

For: Coastal Angler

12/19/18 3:50 PM 3/18/19 9:38 AM

NEW FROM THE ALL NEW

Introducing the newest member of the NauticStar family: the 32 XS Offshore. This outstanding saltwater

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IT’SXS CRAZY 32 COOL! OFFSHORE

With its 10’ 6” beam, the 32 XS Offshore offers a [a] spacious and comfortable bow that features a large forward lounge seat and plush wrap-around seating. The head console has a fully lined interior with a stainless steel sink, SeaDek® floor and electricSEE flush porcelain toilet. [b] IT It has a large helm station to allow for dual 12-inch (standard) or 16-inch AT THE MIAMI INTL (optional) multifunction displays. [c] The leaning post features ergoBOAT SHOW nomically correct Llebrock® double billfish seats with flip-up bolsters BOOTH A237 and pivot arms. [d] It has a sink, tackle storage, and a slide-out, 35 Qt. YETI® cooler or optional refrigerator. The D-channel, integrated T-top can be fitted with a variety of options such as a retractable shade, and folddown cockpit television. Aft, the jump seats flip-up for a roomy fishing deck with [e] port and starboard 8.8 cu.ft. in-floor fish boxes and large port side dive door.

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COMMON CVRS_0419.indd 4

3/18/19 9:38 AM