CHASING GOLDEN DORADO
SIXTY YEARS OF INNOVATION
Smooth Sailing
navigating peace of mind
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Offshore is ON! O N ! .
May is one of my favorite months for o!shore shing, as the shing seasons coincide with good weather. Being spared from the beginning of hurricane season until next month, right now is the most reliable time to get nice weather days to make the trek to deeper waters.
Mahi season has begun to be more consistent, making the trips o!shore more exciting and worthwhile. When making the long drive to the humps for black n tuna, or the sword sh ledges, it’s always a plus to know that you have opportunities to catch mahi on the way there and back. Staying alert for weedlines, diving birds and oating debris makes the trip seem like less of a chore, and keeps that sherman’s optimism alive for more of the venture, knowing you’re still on the hunt nearly the whole way back to the dock.
With the prevalence of mahi, tuna, queen snapper and sword sh in our deepwater shery, May 1st marks the opening of grouper season here in e Florida Keys, providing additional catching opportunities for both nearshore and o!shore adventures. We also welcome the opening of tile sh this month.
For those with an electric reel setup in their arsenal, this is a great month to get out there and scout for new deep-dropping locations. With snowy grouper and yellowedge grouper found peppered throughout the area, test dropping on new found spots can be a fun addition to mahi shing. As you run aimlessly o!shore looking for
signs of dolphin sh, you may notice you run over a ledge or depth variation. Anything that looks shy a%er about 500’ could be your next honeyhole.
By Capt. Quinlyn Haddon
If this is a new area especially, use a variety of baits on your 5-hook deepdrop rig to ensure your best chances of surveying the location. Squid is always a good choice o!shore, with many species unable to resist its potent aroma, but chunks of sh should be included to entice a grouper bite. With bait sizes matching hook sizes, its a good idea to make your own rigs with di!erent sized hooks if you’re unsure of the species that might be available at a new place. A x larger hooks near the bottom of the rig for grouper baits, and smaller hooks near the top with squid for tile sh.
If o!shore isn’t your thing, there are plenty of grouper on the reef and wrecks nearshore this time of year as well. However, a%er releasing these sandwich providers since their closing January 1st, every local sherman in town will be hitting the wrecks hard for the recaptures now that season is open. Before they face all this pressure from being targeted nearshore, particularly on publicly known wrecks, it’s a good time to put some skin in the nearshore grouper game.
A%er a short closure for the month of April, amberjack has also opened again this month.
ese sh are easy to nd, and add some nice backbreaking action to the grouper hunt.
Whatever your avor of shing is, e Florida Keys has you covered this month. With the anticipated opening of grouper season at the beginning of May, and schools closing for summer break nearing the end, it’s a good idea to get booked for a charter before you arrive on your Keys vacation.
Give us a call at Sweet E’nuf Charters to get tight.
Capt. Quinlyn Haddon guides with Sweet E’Nuf Charters out of Marathon, e Florida Keys. (504) 920-6342. www.captainquinlyn.com; IG: @captainquinlyn
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The Bigger the Adventure, the Bigger the Blade
The perfect knife for your next adventure
No ofense to those nifty little knives that the Swiss pack a kitchen into, but sometimes it takes a big blade to get the job done. Tat was the case three years ago when I found myself in the jungles of Argentina.
I’d heard a tale about lost Inca gold and was on the hunt for clues. Among other things, the Inca were known for their extensive road system that ran at least 25,000 miles along South America’s eastern side. But the clue I was looking for was down a long-abandoned road overtaken by jungle.
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That’s when my Pathfinder Blade came to the rescue. Constructed of high-quality 420 surgical stainless steel and with a total length of 16 inches, this full-tang knife made quick work of the jungle brush. And with its rugged handle of genuine, natural white bone that’s been hand-carved and torched with an iconic design, I didn’t lose my grip. Rounded off by brass spacers, handguards, a brown pakkawood handle, and hand engravings on the blade’s spine, this baby is all you could ever handle in jungle brush.
Upon reaching a stone wall hidden by the jungle, I snapped my knife back into its tooled genuine leather sheath and read the markings the Incas had left long ago. It was time to travel north for the next part of my adventure.
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By Riley Love
PURSUING MONSTERS IN A SEPARATE REALITY...
nly in the dreams of shermen does this occur. A wondrous game sh pursued across ve countries not only awaits but the biggest, baddest, best of them lay for you in a single place.
e Salminus Brasiliensis is certainly not related to salmon, but is of the order Characiformes which includes many species— notably vampire-fanged payara and modern cinema star piranha in South America and tiger sh in Africa. Redundantly named the golden dorado (dorado means “golden” in Spanish), it’s immensely powerful, acrobatic—and magni cently beautiful.
e Rio Uruguay (indigenous Guarani interpretation “bird river”), with the northern border of Argentina and southern of Uruguay, sports a massive hydroelectric dam, the “El Salto Grande.” Stunned eels and bait sh ow through the locks in highly oxygenated water to the waiting predators. Permits are required by the dual operators on the Argentinian and Uruguay sides of the river to sh within 1,000 meters from the dam. Fishing is rigidly structured into slots of three hours quartered per weekdays per group of two or three anglers in two boats in this “Zona.” e Argentinians lost their permits recently and our two cra% had the entire area to ourselves. Downstream, twenty other boats oated outside the zone a kilometer away, prohibited from approaching nearer. My inner voice asked, “How o%en does this happen to me?”
ere are a lot of places to sh for golden dorado in Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay and Brazil. One would note that the world record is a bit cloudy; there is a 70 lb. specimen claimed in 1970 but without a veri cation or a photo. To re ect on the quality of this shery, the current IGFA record is just over 55 lbs. and taken at La Zona. Our group landed numerous sh into the mid-40 lb. range, within 80% of the documented record. In contrast, the renowned, luxurious golden dorado destination, Pira Lodge, gets about one sh over 30 lbs. annually. shermen do well here. Locals target carp-like boga both for live bait and food. Using large topwater poppers, Rapala style diving minnows and handmade jigs, we hit rocky structure and fastmoving torrents. e dorado were exceedingly sensitive to water levels and ow being released from the dam. When it happened and their buttons were pushed, it was double digit trophies in each time slot. Multiple hookups were common.
Fishing teaches us lessons about life. Whether love, war or business, if you want success you need multiple opportunities. Even with shoulder- wrenching, reel-screaming strikes and Hank Aaron grade roundhouse hooksets, over half of what seemed like solid hookups would suddenly vanish from the transaction. It’s very much like trying to land large toothy- jawed payara. e modus operandi of these golden hulks revealed that even extra strong hooks were straightened, sometimes pulled from the lures; 65 lb. braid and wire leaders were broken. But some just “Houdinied” away, still waiting for you to come, instead of only dreaming.
Justi Campa of Fly Fishing Patagonia assisted with our planning. Reach them by emailing jcampa@ y shingpatagonia.com or visit www. y shingpatagonia.com.
Riley Love is a physician and author with homes in Kentucky and Key Largo, Fla. He has penned dozens of articles on international sport shing and a host of screenplays. He is a member of the International Game Fish Association, e Bill sh Foundation and the Outdoor Writers Association of America. Contact him at 270-816-4423, rjhclove@gmail.com or visit his website: rileylove.com.
Trivia
1️.Which hard-fighting species starts migrating north along the NC coast in May and is often caught near buoys, wrecks, and temperature breaks?
A) Cobia
B) King Mackerel
C) Amberjack
D) Blackfin Tuna
2. What factor most influences the arrival of Cobia along the North Carolina coast in May?
A) Moon phase
B) Water temperature and baitfish migration
C) Wind direction
D) Tides and salinity levels
3️. During May, what type of structure do flounder begin moving toward as they transition from inshore to offshore waters?
A) Deep river channels
B) Shallow sandbars
C) Nearshore wrecks and reefs
D) Estuaries and grass flats
4️. Which of these baits is considered one of the best for targeting large speckled trout in North Carolina waters during May?
A) Cut squid
B) Large topwater plugs
C) Small gold spoons
D) Chicken liver
5️. In May, offshore anglers often look for what key indicator that Mahi-Mahi are nearby?
A) Oyster beds
B) Floating debris and weed lines
C) Rocky bottom structure
D) Sand dollar beds
SOUTHPORT FISHING REPORT
IIn May we will see our beaches come to life as water temps continue to rise. Multiple species will move in to feed on the abundance of glass minnows and Menhaden. Small Mullet are reportedly being seen back in the creeks. With this, the Bluefish, along with Spanish mackerel and King mackerel, will continue to migrate into the shallower waters chasing those glass minnows and Menhaden. Clark spoons on #1 & #2 planers will produce good bite numbers. The Atlantic Bonito will still be around but not as much of an abundance as we see in April. Live bait such as Pogies and Pinfish can produce some amazing slow troll bites with the larger Spanish and the kings. Bluefish will be suspect to eating spoons and gotcha plugs along with Spanish candy jigs by casting into the schooling baits on our near shore reefs. Also, the month of May will kick off the offshore bite with the larger gaffer sized Mahi with some Blackfin tuna and Wahoo in the mix. May is a big kick off to our ocean bite from the beach to the break so be prepared for those pretty days that will allow us to pursue these fast hard running fish that are also amazing table fair.
Fair seas & tight lines
Southport, NC - May 2025
MENTION YOU SAW THE AD IN COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE!
PRESS RELEASE
North Carolina Marine Fisheries Regulations Threaten Financial Liveliehood of N. C. and S. C. Charter Captains and Fishing Guides. Contact Laurie Thomas Vassltvtoo@gmail.om Sunset Beach, N. C.
Two charter fishing captains, one from Shallotte, North Carolina, and one from Little River, S. C., expressed their disgust with the over-regulation of recreational fishing in North Carolina.
“The over-regulation of fishing in North Carolina is damaging our fishing populations in South Carolina,” said Scotty Lambert, a charter captain and owner of Little River Fishing Fleet.
“Anglers from all over North Carolina are overcrowding us in South Carolina because they are prohibited from catching trout, flounder, and have restrictive daily limits of 3 fish per day, on Blue Fish, in North Carolina” he added.
Josh Reynolds, of Maverick Charters, in Shallotte, N. C., said he doubts the accuracy and legitimacy of the North Carolina data used to prohibit fishing in North Carolina.
“I fish just about 365 days a year,” he said. “I see an abundance of sea trout, flounder and Blue
Fish every day. The over-regulation is killing me financially,” he added.
“I have had to target Sheepshead in order to stay alive financially, and the over-regulation in the other species is causing a decline of the Sheepshead population because that is the only fish anglers can keep,” he added.
Both charter captains were exhibiting their businesses at Daves Outpost, in Sunset Beach, N.C. , in the fifth annual South Brunswick celebration of recreational fishing.”
Greg Bloom and Fletcher Frink, the executives of Daves Outpost, expressed their concern about the negative economic effects the over-regulation of fishing in North Carolina is having on the charter fishing business.
“We hold our event to promote the local recreational fishing industry in Southern Brunswick County,” said Frink. “We are trying to do whatever we can to help the charter captains survive, by hosting this event,” he added.
Over 50 small businesses exhibited at the event, held on April 6, 2025. One of the small businesses at the event was Griffin Canady, the owner of Watermans Choice, an oyster farming operation, located AT Topsail Beach, N. C.
“I worked for 6 years with state environmental agencies before I started my oyster farm,” Canady said. “I know first hand the beneficial effects our oyster farm has on the local marine environment, and can see the habitat improving to vibrant areas from the dead zones before we started farming area,” he said.
The event drew about 1000 visitors.
“I love North Carolina, and love the people who fish with me,” said Reynolds. “I cannot understand why the State Government is intent on harming my business with over-regulation” he added.
About Little River Fishing Fleet. We have 4 boats and full crews to do both inshore and offshore fishing. We accommodate whatever type of fishing our anglers desire. https:// cptscottysfishingcharters.com
About Maverick Charters. We fish intercoastal creeks and target trophy Sheepshead. 910 477 3222.
About Daves Outpost. We are a full service one-stop shop for all your fishing needs. We have our own shrimp boat and feature live shrimp and minnows on a daily basis.
https://davesoutpost.com/store-info. 910 579 2016.
WRIGHTSVILLE
Wrightsville Beach, NC - May 2025
www.USHarbors.com Cape Lookout Bight, NC - Apr 2025
1 Thu
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4 Sun 2:01 4.2 2:24 3.5 8:34 0.5 8:38 0.5 6:16 7:59
0.5 11:31 0.5 6:41 7:34
3.4 6:45 4.2 12:12 0.5 12:18 0.3 6:12 8:03
9 Wed 5:47 3.8 6:09 3.8 11:54 0.5 6:40 7:34
10 Sat 6:57 3.4 7:27 4.4 12:56 0.4 12:55 0.2 6:11 8:03
10 Thu 6:28 3.7 6:47 4.0 12:19 0.4 12:32 0.4 6:38 7:35
Sun
11 Fri 7:04 3.7 7:20 4.2 1:04 0.4 1:07 0.4 6:37 7:36
12 Sat 7:37 3.7 7:52 4.3 1:44 0.3 1:40 0.4 6:36 7:37
13
14 Wed 9:38 3.2 10:08 4.3 3:44 0.3 3:31 0.3 6:08 8:06
14 Mon 8:39 3.5 8:56 4.4 2:54 0.3 2:43 0.4 6:33 7:38
15
16 Fri 11:05 3.1 11:36 4.1 5:02 0.4 4:46 0.5 6:06 8:08
18 Sun 12:24 4.0 12:47 3.1 6:33 0.5 6:20 0.7 6:05 8:09
19 Mon 1:12 4.0 1:39 3.3 7:29 0.5 7:29 0.8 6:04 8:10
20 Sun 12:45 3.9 1:08 3.0 7:12 1.0 7:06 0.9 6:26 7:43
20 Tue 2:01 4.0 2:32 3.5 8:28 0.4 8:43 0.7 6:04 8:11
21 Mon 1:39 3.8 2:08 3.2 8:17 0.9 8:23 0.8 6:25 7:44
21 Wed 2:52 4.0 3:28 3.8 9:23 0.2 9:51 0.5 6:03 8:12
22 Tue 2:40 3.8 3:14 3.5 9:17 0.7 9:35 0.6 6:23 7:45 23
22 Thu 3:48 3.9 4:28 4.1 10:16 -0.1 10:54 0.3 6:03 8:12
23 Fri 4:49 3.9 5:29 4.6 11:06 -0.3 11:52 0.0 6:02 8:13
24 Thu 4:41 3.9 5:11 4.4 10:51 0.1 11:27 0.1 6:21 7:46
24 Sat 5:50 3.9 6:26 5.0 11:56 -0.5 6:02 8:14
25 Fri 5:35 4.0 6:04 4.9 11:36 -0.1 6:20 7:47
25 Sun 6:47 3.9 7:20 5.3 12:50 -0.2 12:47 -0.6 6:01 8:14
26 Sat 6:27 4.1 6:54 5.3 12:24 -0.2 12:25 -0.3 6:19 7:48
26 Mon 7:41 3.8 8:13 5.4 1:47 -0.3 1:39 -0.6 6:01 8:15
27 Sun 7:16 4.1 7:43 5.5 1:20 -0.3 1:17 -0.4 6:18 7:49
27 Tue 8:35 3.8 9:07 5.4 2:44 -0.4 2:33 -0.6 6:00 8:16
28 Mon 8:03 4.1 8:31 5.5 2:14 -0.4 2:07 -0.5 6:17 7:49
28 Wed 9:29 3.7 10:01 5.3 3:38 -0.4 3:26 -0.5 6:00 8:16
29 Tue 8:51 4.0 9:20 5.3 3:04 -0.3 2:57 -0.4 6:16 7:50
29 Thu 10:24 3.7 10:56 5.0 4:28 -0.3 4:18 -0.3 5:59 8:17
30 Wed 9:42 3.8 10:16 5.0 3:55 -0.2 3:47 -0.2 6:15 7:51
30 Fri 11:20 3.6 11:51 4.7 5:18 -0.1 5:09 -0.1 5:59 8:18
31 Sat 12:16 3.6 6:09 0.2 6:03 0.2 5:59 8:18
Well, it’s May and we can legally harvest a few grouper. I just got back from a recon trip to get a good gauge on where the fish are.
Based on my humble opinion, it doesn’t matter where you are as much as it matters about the structure/bait marks and tactics used. There were fish everywhere we stopped.
The deep water will have the ultimate, drifting, jigging and light lining opportunities this month
Fishing vertical while light lining a (live or frozen) wahoo bait could turn into an unbelievable trip within just a few hours.
Spot lock technology has upped the game for us all. Period. It even makes me a fairly decent grouper fisherman. In decades gone by, I have relied on the ability to anchor accurately on good bottom, this is an art. Wind and current can play into this wildly while spot lock technology positions you according to GPS numbers instead of wind and current. Game changer. Now all you have to do is present baits on the bottom, in an anchored position, while fishing light line behind and UNDER the boat for all the Pelagics.
You really should assign one person in the crew to be responsible for the light line and the mid column bait.
Designate crew members for specific jobs….
*Have a bottom “team” to keep proven grouper catching tackle and tactics on the bottom using spot lock and/or anchoring.
*Have a designated light line/mid column bait angler just for this one task. Note, this angler can fish on the bottom when conditions are perfect, but it takes real effort to fish the bottom and keep the light line baits fishing properly. This is why it’s important to assign one person this task but they often say “screw it, I’m going to the bottom, I want some of what you’re doing”.
This combination works. The box will have quality fish in it, and grins will be had by all. Take live pinfish from the marina, frozen cigar minnows/ sardines, jigged bait, it really doesn’t matter, the gags scamps and snappers are EVERYWHERE!
We caught quality fish on every stop.
All the best fishing,
NO WAKE
O7:00am -6:00PM
perating a vessel on the water is invigorating. The freedom it gives, no lanes, no traffic lights and almost no limits on where you can go. If you want to toss your anchor and take a dip, hit the sandbar, or find a fishing hole and try your luck, it’s your prerogative and it’s what being a boater is all about. As you navigate to your spot, be mindful that your wake is an extension of your vessel. No wake zones exist in certain areas to keep vessel traffic to a minimal speed, and NO WAKE means just that, no wake. Most small pleasure crafts will make a larger wake at half throttle than being up on plane. Slowing to half throttle with your engine trimmed up and your bow in the air will create a wake that pro wakeboarders would love to ski on. The energy created by that wake can cause severe damage to nearby docked vessels and vessels anchored close together. Remember, just because your vessel is clear doesn’t mean your wake is, and you are responsible for the damage.
There are also instances where no official “NO WAKE ZONE” signs exists but common sense should apply. When you see other boaters anchored together, or a boat moored up at a dock on the waterway. Also, watch for towing vessels, especially when they have a tow at the hip, slow down and give them plenty of room. You’ll have a new appreciation for mindful boaters when they don’t rock your vessel against the dock. It’s not intentional, it’s unfamiliarity, and the best cure for unfamiliarity is education.
Happy boating.
CAPT. MIKE HOLLOWAY
Sneads Ferry
TOPSAIL FISHING FORECAST
Surf and Pier, May is here the fishing starts to heat up. Watch for good catches of Sea Mullet, Croakers, Bluefish, Spanish Mackerel, Flounder and Black Drum.
Inshore Fishing, you will see Speckled Trout and Redfish moving into deeper waters. Look for Black Drum and Sheepshead around the bridges. Flounder will start moving into shallower water.
Near Shore out to 30 miles. Atlantic Bonito may still be around usually in the 35-to-45-foot range until the water gets to about 65°. Bluefish and Spanish mackerel will start to be in numbers usually in 10 feet to 35 feet.
Amberjack and Cobia can be found around near shore reefs and other structures. King Mackerel will be starting to show around the 40 to 70 foot mark, look for 65-degree water temperatures.
Around the end of May, we can expect to see Dolphin showing up from 100 foot of water to the stream. Look for temperature breaks, grass lines and other floating debris which can hold large numbers of slingers
Good Luck !
CAPTAIN ERIS JONES
Recipes
Recipes Mushroom, Shrimp and Grits with Bacon
Preparation
Florida Mushroom, Shrimp and Grits
Ingredients:
Ingredients:
1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveine
1 cup mushrooms, sliced 1/3 cup green pepper, chopped
3-4 slices bacon
1 small onion, finely minced
1 large garlic clove, minced
3 celery sticks,
chopped fine
1 sprig fresh thyme
1 bay leaf
1 cup half-and-half
1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons olive oil
Dash hot sauce
1 tablespoon parsley, chopped
1 cup grits (your favorite)
with
Bacon
Prepare grits according to package directions, then set aside and keep warm. Fry bacon until crisp, then remove from pan and set aside. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon of fat in the pan and add olive oil to bacon fat; heat over medium-high heat. Add onion, garlic, celery, green pepper, thyme, bay leaf and mushrooms and saute until soft. Add shrimp and cook until pink and cooked through. Stir in half-and-half, bacon, cayenne pepper, hot sauce and lemon juice. Simmer until heated through. Remove bay leaf when ready to serve.
1 pound medium Florida shrimp, peeled and deveine
1 cup Florida mushrooms, sliced
1/3 cup Florida green pepper, chopped fine
3-4 slices bacon
1 small onion, finely minced
1 large garlic clove, minced
3 celery sticks, chopped fine
1 sprig fresh thyme
1 bay leaf
1 cup half-and-half
1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
2 olivetablespoons oil
Dash hot sauce
1 tablespoon parsley, chopped
1 cup grits (your favorite)
Preparation
Prepare grits according to package directions, then set aside and keep warm. Fry bacon until crisp, then remove from pan and set aside. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon of fat in the pan and add olive oil to bacon fat; heat over medium-high heat. Add onion, garlic, celery, green pepper, thyme, bay leaf and mushrooms and saute until soft. Add shrimp and cook until pink and cooked through. Stir in half-and-half, bacon, cayenne pepper, hot sauce and lemon juice. Simmer until heated through. Remove bay leaf when ready to serve.
May is truly a magical time of the year. The cold fronts are over, the temperature and winds have finally found a stable pattern and the Redfish are active and hungry! One of my favorite ways to catch Redfish is with topwater plugs and May is the month we start throwing them sun up to sun down. Now we all know a red drum will hit a topwater plug year-round, but they can be quite a bit fickler on surface lures when the water is below 60 degrees. May is the month it all breaks loose! While all topwater plugs will catch Redfish, there are a few tricks that may help along the way, we’ll start with selecting a plug.
If I had to pick 3 topwater plugs to own they would be as follows,
MirrOlure She Pup
The MirrOlure She Pup is a high frequency smaller profile bait. A higher frequency simply means this is a loud plug. The She Pup is also more buoyant than a lot of plugs on the market, which means it sits higher on the water. When fishing windblown chop, a louder more buoyant plug is just what the Dr. ordered. The plug will get some of the nastiest wakes and strikes from redfish several feet away in slick calm water and guaranteed to draw the reds in with a chop on the surface.
MirrOlure Top Dog Jr
This plug should be a staple in any inshore angler’s tackle box, it has been a staple in mine for over 20 years now. The Top Dog Jr is a smaller version of the Top Dog and is a low frequency plug. There’s just something the Redfish love about that low-end bass.
MirrOlure Top Dog
The Top Dog is full size plug and it’s the only plug that will do when you need to make a cast 3 miles long. The Top Dog is a low frequency bait and is an excellent choice when you need to make super long casts to a school, or the fish seem to be zoned in on large baits.
Honorable mentions, Zara Spook Jr, Rapala Skitter Walk, Badonk A Donk and MirrOlure She Dog
YOPP BROTHERS MARINE & TACKLE
THE ANCHOR GIFT SHOP
We are a small town business that has been serving Sneads Ferry since 1993. ****Now Featuring Savannah Boats****
Now that we have selected our plug, let’s talk about getting it ready to see battle. The very first thing we’re going to do is get rid of the factory hooks. The factory hooks are going to end in heartbreak if you leave them on. I change my hooks out with VMC 4x strong size #2 in black nickel. I have used several brands on the market and had success with all the hooks. Just buy the strongest hook that brand offers. I use 20# or 25# Fluorocarbon leader on my topwater plugs and a very short one, about 10 inches. My personal favorite fluoro is Suffix. There is no advantage to using fluoro on a topwater plug, mono will work just fine, it’s a simplicity thing for me. I use fluoro leader for everything else and don’t need to carry a spooI of something else on board. I like to keep things simple as possible and as light as possible. I use the very first fishing knot you ever learned as a child to tie the plug, an improved clinch knot. I’m keeping it simple. I attach my leader to my main line which is 12# Fins Windtamer using an Albright Knot. This is a fast simple knot and can be tied in seconds. Pair all of this with a 7’ M or a 7ML Rod and a 2500 Series spinning reel and you are ready to torture Redfish all summer long. Be safe out there, take your time and please be respectful to other anglers and boaters on the water.
Cameron Lay hooked this 7-pound,28-inch specked trout near Sneads Ferry.
Don Paradis landed this 38-inch redfish at the Little River Inlet.
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2 Fri 5:02 3.8 5:22 2.7 11:29 0.2 11:25 0.0 6:13 7:54
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4 Sun 7:01 3.4 7:30 2.7 12:31 0.2 1:28
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CRYSTAL COAST
We’ve had an unusually cold winter here, but it’s finally warming up. Water temps have hit 60 degrees, as they usually do this time of year, and it’s still climbing. The nearshore fishing will continue to heat up in April, and by May it should be in full swing. May will present excellent opportunities to target Red drum, Bluefish, Atlantic Bonito, and Spanish mackerel. My favorite areas to target reds will be the backwaters, especially oyster beds lingering near marsh areas. Atlantic Bonito and Spanish will be just off the beach.
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9 Wed 5:47 3.8 6:09 3.8 11:54 0.5 6:40 7:34
10 Thu 6:28 3.7 6:47
12 Sat 7:37 3.7 7:52
12 Mon 1:10 3.4 1:21 2.5 7:37 0.4
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8:51 3.0 9:37 3.4 2:53 0.3 3:13 0.0 5:57 8:09
23 Fri 9:51 3.0 10:35 3.8 3:57 0.2 4:04 -0.2 5:56 8:10
24 Sat 10:48 2.9 11:29 4.0 4:57 0.1 4:54 -0.3 5:56 8:11
25 Sun 11:41 2.9 5:54 0.0 5:45 -0.4 5:55 8:11
26 Mon 12:20 4.2 12:32 2.9
With our south facing coast, any North wind should provide comfortable conditions to get into the ocean, even on smaller vessels. Look for birds, busting fish, and nearshore reefs. Speckled trout is closed, but there will be plenty of Grey trout (weakfish) both inside and outside of the inlet. 1-2oz metal jigs work great for the Grey trout and Bonito. If they’re being picky with the jigs, live bait such as finger mullet or small menhaden work great. As for the Spanish, trolling Clark spoons and mackerel trees on #1 planers is a tried and true method. When the Spanish are feeding at the surface, smaller 5/8 or 3/4 oz jigs with a fast retrieve will be effective and extremely fun.
Good luck and tight lines!
30 Wed 9:42 3.8 10:16 5.0 3:55 -0.2 3:47 -0.2 6:15 7:51 www.USHarbors.com Morehead City Harbor (Harbor Channel), NCMay 2025
Featured in Marlin Magazine's top 15 highest-paying tournaments.
GROUPER SEASON BACK OPEN...FOR NOW
A!er breaking shermen’s hearts by releasing trophy grouper throughout the closed season, May is nally here, opening grouper season for anglers on the Atlantic Coast. I, for one, am thrilled to be able to add these tasty critters to the icebox yet again.
e red grouper is one of the most popular bottom sh found along the southeastern coast of the United States, particularly in the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. It’s rm, white esh and rich avor make it a favorite for the majority of o%shore anglers. Easily recognizable by its reddish-brown coloration, the red grouper features scattered white blotches and a stocky body that suits its role as an ambush predator in rocky reef environments. Pulling one up from the depts that they exist in is the price you’ll pay to put this meat on your table because they’re also able to aggressively resist your will and challenge your strength. I like targeting them using live or cut bait. Once hooked, they tend to dive back into structure, which makes landing them a rewardingly brutal experience.
THATCH MAGUIRE, EDITOR AT LARGE
those who regularly bottom sh the overabundance seems to be more of a problem than the reduced stock assessments that NOAA has promoted.
e National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has attempted to monitor stock assessments of red grouper, although many cite awed data in their forecasts. e catch limits and season closures that they’ve implemented have substantially reduced the angling communities’ opportunities to catch this highly sought a!er sh. For
FISHING IS BETTER IN A C-HAWK
I could be wrong, but it seems as if NOAA has become antirecreation-fishing oriented. eir policies and choice of data has created a distrust among many (most all) anglers these days. While ASA and numerous other angler organization have attempted to impact NOAA’s trend toward “Don’t Catch,” much remains to be done to correct the adversarial relationship between the American angler and this once highly respected organization. My small home town once had an animal control o cer that hated and abused stray dogs. Once the community brought this to the attention of local government o ce the problem got solved relatively quickly. ey red him. No more problem. Has it come time to re the management team of NOAA?
Disclaimer: e views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the writer and do not necessarily re ect the views or positions of Coastal Angler Magazine or any entities they represent.
TACTICS FOR CHASING CHANNEL CATS
By Paul MacInnis
Catching channel cat sh can be a lot of fun and super rewarding—these guys ght hard! And the nice thing about cat shing is you don’t need fancy baits or tackle. If you want to target bullheads and smaller pan-sized cat sh you can use baits you gather right out of the river like grass shrimp and mussels. You can also use earth worms or small chunks of hotdog. Fish these baits on a 1/0 Aberdeen hook and add just enough split shot to your line to hold bottom.
But I prefer to target bigger channel cat sh, the bigger the better, using peeled shrimp for bait. You don’t need fresh shrimp, a bag of frozen shrimp from your local bait shop works ne. I also like to use cut bait as it holds up well to the bait stealers. Cut mullet or chunks from just about any sh work.
I use a standard sh nder rig. Run the line through a one-quarter to one ounce egg sinker, choosing just enough weight to hold bottom. Tie the line to a swivel and add about one to two feet of twenty pound test mono lament to the other end of the swivel. To the end of this leader I tie a 4/0 Team Cat sh TC84Z circle hook.
Baitcasting gear used for bass shing and 2000 to 3000 sized spinning tackle works ne for channel cats. You can get by with inexpensive mono lament, but I prefer a good quality 10-pound test braid like Platypus Platinum Plus. Braid won’t bow out as much as mono lament due to wind or current so it gives you a straighter connection between rod tip and bait. is kind of tackle can get sporty if a 10-pound-plus cat sh takes your bait, but sporty is exactly what I am looking for!
Popular wisdom says you should sh your baits in the deeper bends and holes. I shed that way for years and caught plenty of one to ve pound cat sh, but bigger sh eluded me. Many rivers (even lakes) are loaded with little coves and basins. I’ve learned if there is three feet or more of water in these basins there’s a decent chance there will be some nice cat sh there. I’ll park my kayak at the edge of the opening and cast a bait towards the center of the mouth of the cove, trying to place my bait in the slack water but close, within 10 feet or so, of the current. If I am feeling ambitious I’ll toss a second bait towards the back of the cove. Most of the time the biggest cat sh go for the bait close to the cove mouth...but that isn’t always the case. I like to let the circle hook do all the work so I’ll leave the rods in the rod holders until a sh puts a good bend in the rod and maybe even takes drag. Keep your ears open for loud splashes as channel cats will o!en thrash at the surface right a!er feeling the hook. Also watch your line. Cat sh don’t always take the bait going away from you. If your line goes slack or your bait changes position reel up tight and see if there is a sh on the line. Finally, if you start catching a lot of bow n you might want to move elsewhere (unless you like catching bow n) because I nd cat sh and bow n seldom share the same locations.
Channel cat sh can be aggressive predators and many a bass angler has been surprised when a big cat grabs their bass lure. Most of the time I wouldn’t advise tossing lures as an e cient way of targeting cat sh, but some years there is an exception that happens in spring into early summer. Winter and spring are typically dry season and water levels drop. Fish congregate in what deeper holes are le! and become aggressive due to high competition for food. is is one time when you can readily catch cat sh on lures and even ies. I like small plastic worms and other so! plastic baits bumped slowly along the bottom. Keep in mind cat sh are primarily scent feeders so dousing your lure with a decent sh scent helps.
During low water you’ll occasionally run across a real treat, a sandy bottom pool where you can spot cat sh and sight cast to them. I highly recommend a quality pair of polarized sunglasses with an amber tint and mirror coating to help you tell cat sh from gar and tilapia.
I suggest you give shing for channel cats a try, especially on those days when “game sh” don’t cooperate. Be patient, stay persistent, and enjoy the process!
FROM A PRO COVERING WATER WITH A BLADED JIG
When you rst drop your boat in the water, o!entimes it can be extremely overwhelming on where to sh and what to throw. One bait I have found in particular seems to catch bass at every lake I go to. is bait is a bladed jig, better known as a chatterbait. e bladed jig is a extremely versatile bait, meaning you can throw it around so many di%erent types of cover and sh it at many varying depths. It allows you to cover a vast amount of water and locate bass that would usually take days to nd with other baits.
As you approach a new lake or even one you have been to a thousand times, it’s always a good idea to throw a con dence bait that you know will get bites. e chatter-bait is mine. I’ve found that no matter the cover, grass, trees, docks, riprap, etc., it gets bit. With the blade on the front vibrating so erratically, it allows this bait to come through cover extremely well and creates a reaction strike no other bait can.
their home. Depending on the time of year and what kind of bait the bass are feeding on where you are shing, there is a color made to match the hatch. If shad is the prevalent forage, I like to stick to a white or a bait sh color like a pearl and silver with a silver colored blade. If it’s bluegill, you can get by with a green pumpkin or anything with some yellow and orange mixed in with a darker blade color. Sometimes water color can play a factor in color choice as well. If the water is very dirty, you will have to use a color that will stick out so that they can see it pass by. Something like a white and chartreuse with a white blade (for bait sh imitation) or even a bright orange with a black blade (for craw sh imitation) can do the trick.
TYLER WOOLCOTT
Buying a bladed jig and tying it directly on your rod usually isn’t too e%ective without putting a trailer on the back of it. I like to try and match the color of the trailer to the color of the skirt on your chatterbait of choice to get the most natural look for the sh. e type of trailer can be a bit more complicated. I use either a swimbait style trailer with a boot tail or a apping style trailer like a craw pattern. e boot tail stands out when sh are very aggressive and aren’t scared of the more aggressive action the boot tail causes behind the bait. e appy trailer is better for highly-pressured sh that want a little more of a subtle approach who might not like the amount of action a swimbait trailer has.
A chatterbait is a very dominant bait all across the country and I rely on this bait at all times of the year to help me put sh in the boat. Next time you hit the lake, give the chatter-baitt a try and cover some water!
Let’s talk about matching the chatterbait to the bait forage. By matching the color of the bladed jig to the forage in the lake, a bass can’t resist it as a nice snack when you reel it through
Sizes and weights of your bladed jig are extremely important. With sizes ranging from 1/4 oz. all the way to 1.25 oz., the depth you are shing will decide what you tie on. I typically start with a 3/8 oz. or a 1/2 oz. which will allow you to cover water depths from 1 to 10 feet depending on your retrieve. If I nd some deeper cover that i want to get down to and sh, I will go a little heavier to a 3/4 oz.
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BLADED JIG GEAR: When throwing a bladed jig its important to have the correct gear. I use a 13 Fishing Myth Rod 7’5 MH-mod paired with a 13 Fishing Concept A 7:5:1 reel. I spool this up with 17 lb. Su x Advance Fluorocarbon line making this the perfect combo for the job.
Tyler Woolcott is a professional tournament angler and guide. Check out his website at www.tylerwoolcott shing.com.
— Gene H.
Tactical Meets Practical
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TEXAS ANGLER LANDS RECORD 884-POUND BLUEFIN TUNA
APort Arthur, TX angler and his friends recently achieved an extraordinary feat— reeling in an enormous 884-pound blue n tuna.
On April 10, David Esslinger and his friends were shing in the Gulf when the massive sh struck his line with incredible force. He had no idea he was about to embark on the most intense battle of his shing career. ankfully, Esslinger had an eager crew by his side, ready to assist in landing this remarkable sh.
“Let me break down the day and the events for you. First o%, for those who have never landed a sh the size of a car, this is no small feat. No one accomplishes this alone,” Esslinger posted on Facebook.
e group set out early Friday morning. By 9 a.m., a!er a couple of hours of shing, they started noticing signs of a school of tuna breaking the surface of the calm waters. Suddenly, the right rigger snapped down with a forceful bite, signaling the start of Esslinger’s showdown against his monstrous tuna.
Esslinger recalls, “Big tuna started breaking the surface and our team’s spirits began to li! at’s when it happened—the right rigger came down hard. e sh ran about ten seconds and spit the 12/0 mustad hook and the bait. As my heart sank,
I came up on the drag and gave her 10 cranks. As soon as I engaged the clicker again the giant sh piled on again. at’s when the rst 3/4 spool run at 35 pounds of drag started.”
Realizing what was at stake, his team quickly got into position for the ensuing battle, clearing lines and the deck.
“I had to crank it up to 45 pounds of drag on the Tiagra to slow her down. She responded with a rush to the surface. Carson was at the helm with Brad, TC, Je%, and Colby, coordinating everything e ciently from cockpit to helm. We managed to get the sh up to the surface in just over an hour,” stated Esslinger.
A!er an exhausting ve-hour battle of strength and endurance, Esslinger and his crew nally brought the massive blue n alongside the boat. With shaking body and inoperable hands, Esslinger made his way to the side of the boat and screamed with utter shock, “What a giant blue n! We did it!”
is impressive catch is seen as a trophy sh among anglers, celebrated for its enormous size and high-quality meat. And it was indeed enormous. Weighing in at 884 pounds, this blue n tuna has set a new state record for the largest tuna caught in Texas, surpassing the previous record of 876 pounds established by Troy Lancaster in 2021.
WHY BUY NEW WHEN YOU CAN RENEW?!?
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