navigating peace of mind
THE IMPORTANCE OF BOAT INSURANCE
Embarking on the open water is an exhilarating experience, flled with the promise of adventure and relaxation. Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or a weekend cruiser, protecting your vessel with proper insurance is not just a choice—it’s a necessity. Explore the reasons why every boat owner should prioritize boat insurance for a worry-free voyage.
Unpredictable waters
The open water can be unpredictable, with unexpected storms, collisions, or other potential accidents. Boat insurance can give you fnancial protection if there is damage to your vessel, providing coverage for repairs or replacement.
Damage and injury
Accidents on the water can result in damage to other boats, docks, or even injuries to passengers. Boat insurance offers liability coverage, which can pay for damages or injuries you’re liable for while boating, up to specifed limits, and lawsuit costs if you’re sued. This includes damage you cause to another watercraft or if someone on or near your boat is injured and you’re found to be legally responsible.
Theft and vandalism
Unfortunately, boat theft and vandalism are realities that boat owners face. Boat insurance has comprehensive and collision coverage that can protect you against events outside of your control, including theft and vandalism.
Incurred medical payments
Accidents on the water may lead to injuries for you or your passengers. Boat insurance offers a range of optional medical payments coverage limits, helping to cover medical expenses if you are in an accident or someone is hurt on your boat, regardless of fault.
Peace of mind for fnancing
If you fnanced the purchase of your boat, most lenders require insurance coverage to protect their investment. Having boat insurance not only fulflls these requirements but also gives you peace of mind knowing that your fnancial interests are safeguarded.
Navigational fexibility
Some water municipalities and marinas may require proof of insurance for docking or accessing certain areas. Boat insurance allows you the fexibility to explore different destinations without worrying about entry restrictions.
Emergency towing and assistance
Progressive boat insurance can include optional Sign & Glide® On-Water Towing coverage. If your boat is disabled or breaks down on the water, Sign & Glide® pays for on-water towing, jump starts, soft un-groundings, and fuel delivery.
Wreckage removal
If your boat sinks, Progressive boat insurance will cover the cost of removing your boat from the water (if removal is legally required).
Investing in boat insurance is not just about protecting a valuable asset; it’s about safeguarding the memories, experiences, and joy that come with your on-water adventures. Don’t let unforeseen circumstances disrupt your journey—navigate with confdence, knowing that Progressive boat insurance has you covered. Ensure a smooth and worry-free voyage, because when it comes to your boat, peace of mind is the ultimate luxury.
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THE TIME HAS COME TO RAMP UP AMERICA’S FISH STOCKING PROGRAM
By Ben Martin, Editor in Chief
The non-pro!t Protect Our Waters reports that, “Fish stocking has been a vital tool for maintaining healthy !sh populations in America’s lakes, rivers, and reservoirs. However, in recent years, most of our waterways have su ered from declining !sh stocks due to habitat destruction, over!shing, pollution, and climate change. If we’re going to combat these challenges, we’re going to need to ramp up our !sh stocking e orts to ensure the sustainability of recreational !shing, and food security.”
Fishing is one of America’s most popular outdoor activities, with millions of anglers heading to the water each year. e recreational !shing industry contributes over $125 billion to the economy annually and supports nearly a million jobs. Unfortunately, declining !sh populations threaten our industry, leading to fewer opportunities for anglers and reduced economic bene!ts for communities that rely on !shing tourism.
but also sustains the businesses like as bait shops, tackle manufacturers, and guide services that depend on a thriving !shery. Additionally, if we’re going to
can lead to an imbalance in the food chain. Stocking e orts can help restore native species in waters where they have declined, preventing the dominance of invasive species that may outcompete them.
While recreational !shing is the primary focus of most stocking programs, increased stocking can also support food security. Stocked !sh provide a renewable source of protein for both commercial !sheries and subsistence anglers.
Enhanced !sh stocking e orts can help mitigate the negative impacts that we’re seeing by introducing hybrid climate-resilient strains of !sh, e technology is there, we just have to use it. Without proactive stocking and conservation e of our favorite species of dramatic declines in the coming decades.
By increasing !sh stocking e orts, states could easily replenish popular game !sh species like red!sh, $ounder bass, trout, walleye, and crappie, ensuring that anglers have plenty of !sh to catch. is not only keeps !shing enthusiasts engaged
encourage a younger generation of anglers to be passionate about this wonderful pastime, they’ve gotta be able to catch !sh.
Many ecosystems are under constant pressure from habitat degradation, invasive species, and pollution. In some cases, native !sh populations struggle to maintain healthy numbers, which
America’s !sh stocking programs could and should play a critical role in maintaining healthy !sh populations, supporting the economy, preserving ecosystems, and enhancing food security. With increasing environmental and economic pressures threatening it’s time for a signi!cant investment in stocking e orts. By expanding hatcheries, improving stocking strategies, and integrating habitat conservation e orts, America can ensure that its waters remain abundant with !sh for generations to come.
Protect Our Waters is an angler-sponsored, nonpro!t organization with it’s primary focus on the sustainability and enhancement of recreational !shing. Learn more at ProtectOurWaters.com.
Smooth Sailing
There are many reasons why the beautiful, deep-water queen snapper has made its way to the top of many anglers’ bucket lists. Not only is this !sh unique and stunning in appearance, but the quality of !llets it produces tops the scale of other snappers.
Most !sh that are harvested from the deeper, cooler waters, as with queen snapper, tend to yield higher quality table-fare. With the thick white meat on these !sh, that can grow over twenty pounds, targeting this species is a foodie’s delight.
Queen snapper can be found from 400 to 1,600 feet of water, spawning year round, with schools constantly on the move. Although they can be targeted over ledges and deep-sea coral beds within these depths, it’s not common to catch one as bycatch while not speci!cally intending to target them. As with most !sh with a penchant for these depths, research is scarce, with !shermen providing the majority of information on their observed behavior. at being said, targeting this species will be more productive with an experienced guide, rather than going it alone and winging it.
If you are a part of the DIY deep-dropping explorers club, and looking to add queen snapper to your hunt, you’re probably going to want to make a few di erent rigs for them.
An electric reel setup is recommended for this type of !shing. Not only due to the depths you are trying to reach, but you may only get short
By Capt. Quinlyn Haddon
dri%s over where you need to be before its time to reset.
e standard drop LEDs and lights should be used the same as with other deep-drop methods. Utilizing a heavy mono!lament leader line of approximately 300 pounds, a x your !ve drop lines at varying distances from each other. You may !nd you get bites higher up in the water column on certain days, making an extremely long leader more productive in !nding the !sh, especially on a !rst dri%. e drop lines should be decorated with your choice of glowing fandangles, whether it be glow wraps, rubber squids or the simple glow beads. Circle hooks ranging from 7/0 to 10/0 are e ective, and if you choose to put a variety of sizes on a single rig, the larger hooks should be at the bottom of the line.
this type of !shing is new to you, pepper in a few chunks of skin-on bonita in your presentation.
If you happen upon your queen snapper territory and !nd yourself in conditions without much current, you can also attempt to catch them with a heavy slow pitch jig. As long as you have light braid and a heavy jig to get to the bottom, and the energy and tenacity to retrieve it again, this is a productive method in extremely light current.
Once you start catching !sh, you may !nd they are consistently eating the bottom hook or the top hook, you can then play around with switching your rig to a longer or shorter leader.
e ideal go-to bait for queens is squid, but since this is a so%er bait, its easier to miss the bite. If
FISHING IS BETTER IN
Queen snapper can be found deep in the gulf, and in the Atlantic from North Carolina to Brazil. While they have hot spots in the Bahamas and deep within the Gulf, e Atlantic waters of e Florida Keys o ers the best opportunity to target these within the United States and with the most minimal travel time. With mahi season around the corner in the Florida Keys, this is a great time to start heading o shore for queen snapper, as it provides a chance to target mahi to and from the deep-drop spots. Give me a call to get out there!
Capt. Quinlyn Haddon guides with Sweet E’Nuf Charters out of Marathon, e Florida Keys. (504) 920-6342. www.captainquinlyn.com; IG: @captainquinlyn
MUD HOLE CUSTOM TACKLE ALL-IN-ONE ROD BUILDING KITS
For anyone looking to build the best rod you’ll ever !sh, All-In-One Rod Building Kits from Mud Hole Custom Tackle are the ideal starting point. All-In-One kits take all the guesswork out of building a !shing rod, making it easy and enjoyable. Whether casting, spinning, y, or even ice, Mud Hole has everything you need for the perfect performance !shing rod and to start a lifetime of custom building.
Mud Hole’s All-In-One Rod Building Kits make it simple. Each kit includes everything you need—rod blank, guides, reel seat, grips, thread, and even the tools and supplies for assembly. With everything already preselected and packaged together, beginners don’t have to worry about picking out matching components and determining which supplies and tools are needed—all the work has been done by their professional builders.
Plus, Mud Hole provides all of the instruction required to build your !rst !shing rod. Kits include an easy-to-follow instruction book, and Mud Hole is the world’s largest source of free online rod building education material and content. ere’s nothing like catching a !sh on a rod you built. And All-In-One Rod Building Kits from Mud Hole Custom Tackle are the perfect way to get started in this time-honored cra$.
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The weather is warming, and the winterchallenged !shermen are pulling their boats out of storage. is undoubtedly will lead to more tra#c on the water. With the added tra#c and high southern winds, this is a perfect time for me to avoid both by swapping the kayak for the boat for a few weeks and going deep into the marsh.
Springs’ rising tides will $ood new water over the once-dry marsh, encouraging more !sh to explore the new terrain in a quest for a good meal. Little do they know, I will be waiting there with my trustworthy rattling paddle tail.
Red!sh will be my primary target since I spent the winter targeting trophy trout. As always, bait will be the key to a successful outing. Since the size of the bait will be small, I like to have two characteristics in my lure. ey are small, roughly 3”, and have a clear sparkling color. is helps produce in most situations because the bait is tiny, maybe smaller than my lure. at is why I like the transparent re$ective colors; they disguise the lure’s size, making it appear smaller.
I like to work irregular shorelines since they have more areas for the bait to hide. I also feel it slows the reds down. When they have a straight shore, they tend to cover more water rather than hang around, allowing you more opportunities. If the water is o -color, I like to add a popping
cork rather than changing color. Known for their e ectiveness when using live shrimp, popping corks also improve the performance of so plastics. Depending on the situation and preference, these can be used on a jig head, weedless weighted hook, or with just a hook. When choosing a popping cork, I like a deep cup, which is hard to !nd on most corks in today’s market, but there are a few. Most manufacturers went away from the actual reason for the name, popping. e original, and a few out there today, still have the deep concave top, which produces the slurping sound and splash mimicking a !sh feeding on the surface. I !nd that sound is what attracts the !sh more than a clack. I’ll dedicate an entire article to cork !shing and the many ways to use them soon. While targeting reds, use a stout hook on your jig head. A hook you can $ex with your !nger is better suited for trout than reds. is is not where you want to skimp on quality. Not only do the hooks need to stand up to the hookset into the thick skin of a red, but they also need to hold up to the torque of removing the hook from the their jaw. I see many hooks get destroyed at this point. ank you for reading my words and don’t forget to take a kid !shing! e time is right.
By Capt. Michael Okruhlik
Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Knockin Tail Lures®, and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.
PHOTO COURTESY OF KNOCKIN TAIL LURES®.
The Benefts of Having a Bait Pen for Spring Fishing
Spring !shing is one of the most exciting times of the year. As water temperatures rise, !sh become more active, making live bait one of the best ways to trigger bites. A bait pen—a oating or submerged enclosure for keeping bait!sh alive— can be a game-changer for any angler.
One major advantage of a bait pen is ensuring a steady supply of live bait. Instead of relying on bait shops or spending time catching bait before each trip, you can stockpile bait in advance. #is allows you to head straight to your !shing spot with fresh, lively bait ready to go.
A bait pen also saves time and money. Buying live bait regularly can be expensive, especially during peak !shing season when demand is high. Catching fresh bait every time you !sh also takes up valuable time. By storing bait in a pen, you reduce costs and eliminate the hassle of searching for bait before every outing.
Healthy bait is crucial for successful !shing, and a bait pen helps keep bait!sh strong and active. With proper water ow and oxygen levels, bait stays in peak condition for days or even weeks. #is means your bait will swim naturally and attract more strikes compared to weak or dying bait!sh.
Another key bene!t is exibility. Spring weather can be unpredictable, with sudden changes in wind and tide conditions. If a !shing trip gets postponed, a bait pen allows you to keep your bait alive until conditions improve. Instead of scrambling for fresh bait when the opportunity arises,
you’ll be ready to go at a moment’s notice.
Using a bait pen is also more sustainable. Instead of constantly netting fresh bait and impacting local !sh populations, you can responsibly store what you need and reduce unnecessary waste. #is helps preserve bait!sh stocks while still giving you an e$ective !shing strategy.
For tournament anglers and !shing guides, a bait pen is an essential tool. Having premium live bait ready before a trip provides a competitive edge and enhances client experiences. Instead of spending time chasing bait, anglers can focus on putting more !sh in the boat.
A bait pen is a simple but invaluable tool for any serious angler. It ensures you always have quality live bait on hand, saves time and money, and provides exibility for unpredictable !shing conditions. Whether you !sh recreationally or professionally, investing in a bait pen will make your trips more e cient and successful.
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For more information on future contests, visit
We’ve all heard it, and most of us have said it at one time or another, but on March 3rd, 2025 George Poemer of Robbinsville, NC, received his Coastal Angler Magazine contest prize: a brand new Suzuki Marine DF2.5 Portable Outboard Motor! Now, at least one of us out there can never say, “ I never win anything,” again. Congratulations to George for being chosen the winner, and a special shout out to our friends at Suzuki for making this really cool contest possible. www.coastalanglermag.com
Photo: Capt. Tommy Derringer
Fishing Report & Forecast Mayport
By Capt. Kirk Waltz
The
conditions at the end of March made a turn for the better as the cold water we had experienced began to warm up. Look for Redfish to move in the shallows feeding at the lower tides in small to large schools. Sight fishing can be a blast and the small wakes they make are a dead give away as to the location of the pods. Shrimp, mud minnows, and even quarter pieces of blue crab are great baits on jigs or small Cajun thunder floats.The creeks north of the St. John’s River from Cabbage to the south and Garden to the north are great spots to look. The speckled trout should be biting well this month and typically can be caught with artificials like small top water plugs or Gulp jerk baits in new penny or white. I prefer the high outgoing clear tides for active action. A float rig is ideal to help you locate trout.
The big stones will be a great bet as sheepshead, trout, reds, drum , ringtails, and black drum begin to pile into this artificial reef to feed. Small jigs with shrimp, fiddlers, cut crab, and minnows work great. I also deploy float rigs, deep drop 3 way swivel rigs, and the old Carolina rigs work very well. The huge black drum should show in big numbers just remember to release these big leviathans as they are the breeding stock and aren’t very good table fare. Try to remember that these fish have had a hard winter and will be in tight schools so if you stop and don’t get a bite move! A few bounces from spot to spot will many times pay off.
This is a transition month for us and the reward can be great if you pay close attention to the conditions. Water temp, water quality, and bait. This month you might see triple tail on the rip, Spanish mackerel, perhaps cobia but it will not happen if you don’t spend time looking.
The offshore scene will improve too. Snapper, sea bass, ringtails, beeliners, cobia, triggers, and a few more species will move and feed in close this month. The party grounds and all the local hard bottom spots will hold good numbers of fish. Be sure to check the regs for what you can keep. Remember you can’t catch anything from the couch so go!!
For more fishing tips listen to the Outdoorshow radio program on 1010am or 92.5fm every Saturday from 7am to 10am. He can be reached at 904.241.7560 or 904.626.1128 or go to www. enterprisefishingcharters.com
Fishing Report & Forecast St. Augustine Offshore
By Capt. Robert Johnson
Mahi Madness
March madness means basketball playoffs – just kidding – it means April is coming and marks the beginning of the Mahi run!
Mahi, Dorado or more commonly called Dolphin are a favorite of NE FL anglers. I call them Mahi so customers don’t mistakenly think we are targeting Flipper - lol. The best fishing typically is around the full moon. Fortunately for anglers, Mahi aren’t picky. When you find them, they are more than willing to eat.
Mahi prefer water temps from 74 degrees and above. Temperature
changes, current breaks, and weed lines are prime habitat for Mahi. If you find any two or more of the above conditions, it’s game on!
Mahi take a variety of baits, but I’ve found less is best. It’s hard to beat a medium Ballyhoo rigged naked - no skirt. When a fish comes into the spread, allow him to take the bait in free spool, it ensures a solid hookup. If sea conditions are choppy, a sea witch skirt or small headed lure will help keep your baits in the water.
There will be other species available as well. Blackfin Tuna, Sailfish, and Wahoo will be in the mix. For Wahoo, we pull one line down deep on a planner. To limit bite offs, we pull this bait on #9 wire. My favorite rig is a Blue and White Islander rigged with a large ballyhoo.
On the bottom there will be plenty of Triggerfish, Vermillion, and Mutton Snapper. Vermilions and Triggers will take a variety of cut bait. Muttons are a little finickier and require a longer leader. I prefer a Sardine on 80# monofilament leader at least 12 ft in length using just enough lead to get your bait to the bottom.
Whatever you choose to target, April is a great month to go fishing. Temperatures are mild and seas are getting calmer. It’s a great time to go to the Gulfstream.
Call me - Let’s Go Fishing!
Jodielynncharters.com
Jlfishing@bellsouth.net
Fishing Report & Forecast Sisters Creek
By Capt. Tony Bozzella
caster and having the lure land in the back of your target so your lure passes through the whole Strike Zone. In other words, don’t throw your lure or Bait in the middle of a school of fish, it has a tendency to blow them out!!
April is a great time to hunt for a Big Trout. My logs over the years have shown decent catches of big trout. Remember to let those big ones go so they can spawn and keep the population going strong. As Bait returns into the North Florida area, many Pelagic fish will be following them as the water warms, Jack Crevalle, ladyfish, Trout, bluefish & Spanish Mackerel will be lurking in the bait. Pogies, mullet and other bait fish will all be in the mix. I found through my guiding career, surface baits ( top waters) & lipped divers are very successful lures at this time. They imitate the bait that most fish are eating. As far as colors go, which I get asked often by anglers, if the water is clear, I try to use a natural color and if the water is stained or dirty, and I know there is fish to be caught in the area I’ve chosen then I sometimes will use white or chartreuse. I find being an accurate
Authorized Key West Dealer
I like to fish the last couple hours of the incoming tide when I am lure fishing. I like cool clean water coming in, and if there is any structures that has a rip of current or a point getting divided by Current, these are places I am looking to throw up Current and bring my lure back with the Current as Bait would naturally swim. Float rigs, and jigs work very well also. I like lures, you can cover lots of water & hit many spots to maximize your catch. As water warms, you will hear me say this many times, try to fish, low light conditions like morning or evening. This will be much more important later into the summer & hot months. If you get out and the tide is low early in the morning, this is still a good month to get in the back country if the conditions are correct and try to get a backing or tailing Redfish.
I use the tide to determine what I should fish for. Example, if we have a high tide at eight in the morning, I am not gonna try to sight fish reds on the flats, that just would not work out well. Get out & plan your trip!
OCEAN OUTBOARD MARINE
Fishing Report & Forecast St. Augustine Inshore
By Capt. Tommy Derringer
Icanfeel it now… a warm spring breeze with trout and redfish busting bait all around the boat! This past winter was tough, weather-wise, with colder than normal temperatures and much more rain than we are accustomed to in Florida. Hopefully, this spring will bring some great weather as usual and an even better bite! Redfish, trout, and flounder will be chasing schools of mullet. Cobia and tripletail will be swimming along the beaches…. I can’t wait!
The redfish bite will be going off over the next couple of months. There should be a ton of baitfish in the inshore and backcountry areas right now. This time of year, as the old saying goes, you find the bait… you find the fish. Look for large concentrations of mullet, and if it’s early in the morning, toss your favorite top-water plug around them. If it’s a little later in the day, go subsurface, and switch to a soft plastic like a Saltwater Assassin paddle tail on a jighead. Redfish will be lurking close by or underneath the bait pods looking to fatten up, so hit the bait schools hard and get ready to hold on.
This is my favorite time of year to hunt down some “gator” trout and last month I saw some huge ones laid up in the shallow stuff. Most of the bigger trout come under lower light conditions. Early morning and then again right before dark seem to be the best times to target them.
Big trout eat big baits, so I like to use a large top-water or sub-surface plug to call them in. If live bait is your thing, a good-sized mullet or big shrimp under a cork will also be a good bet. Just about any deep water with some structure and current will hold big trout this time year. If you can find a deep hole in a creek or flat and there’s an oyster bar in there as well, you’ve got the perfect recipe for trout. Also, don’t overlook docks, pilings, and even residential canals.
This time of year, the beach fishing starts to come to life. Cobia will start their annual migration (Or may have already started). When the water gets to be about 68-70 degrees, it’s go time. The cobia will shadow the manta rays, which makes for some really exciting sight fishing. Just remember to be cordial out there, as there is always a bunch of boats chasing them. Approach the rays with as much stealth as possible, and if someone else is casting to fish on a ray, don’t come in on them. There’s plenty around for everyone to get a shot. Right around the same time the cobia start to show, the tripletail will start showing up as well. Any kind of debris, from a weed line to a crab trap buoy, will hold the tripletail. A live shrimp can’t be beat, but I also like to toss a Saltwater Assassin paddle tail at the three-finned fish.
Depending on water temperatures our tarpon may start to show later this month along the beaches. If the pogy pods are here, you can bet the tarpon aren’t far behind. It’s also worth a peek behind the shrimp boats as the tarpon, sharks, bonita, and just about anything else that swims will be closely following, looking for a free snack.
Capt. Tommy Derringer 904-377-3734 •
April Redfish report
The Spring season is here! I always consider this a very fun time to be on the water. The redfish have been schooled up shallow all winter and will continue to stay this way until the water temperature nears 70 degrees, where they will start splitting off into slightly smaller groups. We are also in the midst of the black drum migration. During late winter and early spring, big schools of giant black drum travel north from south Florida all the way past the Carolinas. These fish are mostly feeding on crabs as they work their way up and are a great way to get on huge fish without even leaving the inlet. Sheepshead are also in full swing as they spawn in inlets and nearshore waters.
My favorite way to target redfish year round is by sight casting at them. The best way to go about that right now is by going on days with the least wind and most sun. Our nights are still relatively cold and the warmth from the sun helps them to get active and start feeding. I prefer the lower half of the tide when the mud banks begin to show because this pulls the redfish out of the grass flats and into areas with easier access. During the late outgoing tide, bait from the creeks and estuaries gets flushed out and many different species of fish; redfish, trout, and flounder will stage up shallow and feed on the outflow of fish and shrimp. A lure I’ll always have tied on and ready to cast is a ⅛ ounce jighead with a natural tan or brown three inch DOA paddletail. Matching the hatch is one of the most important tips I’ve learned in fishing, and natural colored paddletails can imitate anything from a mud minnow or finger mullet all the way to a shrimp.
When I’m cruising up creeks or mudbanks I’m always paying attention to nature, not my electronics. Just like offshore, birds are a great tool for finding fish. It’s no secret birds and redfish work together. It’s almost rare for me to find a feeding school of redfish that doesn’t have one or two egrets following closely picking off injured bait. Don’t get too fixated on a school of fish if they aren’t actively feeding or reacting to your
bait. Sometimes schools in higher traffic area could be spooked from a nearby boat or dolphins. It’s oftentimes worth leaving spooked fish to go find a school that hasn’t been bothered that will be more willing to eat what you are offering. When you near a school of fish, you want to be as quiet as possible. Keep your trolling motor on a low power setting as you work your way to the fish. More often than not, I’ll either power pole myself in place and let the fish work their way to me, or I’ll go just up current and then do a slow drift by them, with my boat and trolling motor not running.
I really do enjoy fishing the Spring season. Temperatures outside are still bearable and the fishing is great. Be sure you take a look at your favorite wind app before you head out as this tends to be a windier time of the year. There’s plenty of opportunities to catch many different species of fish up shallow right now so get out and get on it! Good luck!
-Carson Kent Call me to book your inshore redfish trip 904-805-3949 Carson@historiccoastoutfitters.com
Fishing Report Pier and Surf
By: Noel Kuhn
It is on! If you like to catch Pompano and Whiting it is go time! No more making road trips down south for me this year. These next two months are prime time because our waters have warmed back up. The Pomps are following their favorite temperature range of 65-75. When it warms above that they will head out to enjoy a cool summer up in North Carolina.
For four decades, I only used the double dropper rig with 2/0 circle hooks. Now all I use is the Fishing Mortician rig. The big advantage is that if something happens to one of your droppers, like a shark, you can simply add a new dropper. With a conventional double dropper, you are stuck with a one hook rig. Big shout out to my friend Paul Anderson aka The Fishing Mortician for perfecting this rig. There are several videos showing you how to tie this rig. You can also order them from www. thesinkerguy.com.
When it comes to the right bait you cannot go wrong with matching the hatch. Your choices are Sand Fleas, Ghost Crabs, Calico Crabs, clams, fresh shrimp and Ghost Shrimp. When it comes to Fishbites, my fav has always been Sand Flea. I never go to the beach without some. My favorite hook is the Eagle Claw L192 in 1/0 or 2/0.
Where to place the bait? If you have more than one rod, always throw one short. My first six pound Pompano came from an accidental short cast because two of my other rods were getting slammed. I quickly pitched into thigh deep water on Crescent Beach. As I was cranking in the other two Pomps I heard the short casted rod drag’s screaming. Big fish swim close when they are after a meal!
So, get out and get you some of these delicious silver nuggets aka Pompano. If you see the new Lunar Rover on the beach stop and say hello. Tight lines.
Spring is here, and we have an exciting April meeting planned for you! Mark your calendars for April 3rd and 17th , as we dive into hands-on fishing skills and expert advice.
Knot Tying & Net Throwing Classes
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced angler, perfecting your knot-tying techniques and learning the art of net throwing will take your fishing game to the next level. Our hands-on demonstrations will provide practical skills you can apply on the water.
Captain Carson Kent – How to Catch Tarpon
We’re excited to welcome Captain Carson Kent from Historic Coast Outfitters who will share expert strategies for catching Tarpon. From bait selection to prime locations, you’ll gain valuable insights into landing one of the most prized game fish in our waters.
JOSFC April Club Member Tournaments:
Offshore Tournament: Unlimited trolling
Inshore Tournament: Shrimponly challenge
Come early, grab a seat, and enjoy a fun and informative evening with fellow anglers. We look forward to seeing you there!!
Captain Chris -JOSFC.
Fishing Report & Forecast Fernandina / Amelia Island
By Terry D. Lacoss
Black drum weighing to almost one hundred pounds will be spawning just off from the beaches of Amelia Island and nearby bays and rivers. Robert Haddock runs the annual “Amelia Island Black Drum Rodeo” where it normally takes a seventy-pound or larger black drum to win!
Fishing dead on the bottom with a half, or whole blue crab is key during the middle and all the way up to a flood tide. Heavy gear is a must with fifty-pound class boat rod and reel filled with fifty-pound braided fishing line. An egg weight is attached to the main line with the size running from four to ten ounces depending on the depth of water and current. Next a fifty-pound barrel swivel is attached to the main line, followed with a 6/0 kahle hook. Often the bite of a
massive black drum is light as they pick up the bait and crush it with their huge molars, then spit your hook back into the ocean without notice!
Saltwater fishermen will also be targeting red drum as well along the beaches, inlets and backwaters of Amelia Island. One of the best locations includes the river side of the St. Mary’s inlet during all the out-going tide. Once again, fishing dead on the bottom with blue crab, or ultra fresh shrimp is key. Jetty fishermen can also expect to catch sheepshead, puppy drum, whiting, seatrout and more.
Backwater fishing should be excellent for seatrout while drifting alive shrimp under a “Popping” cork during the last of flooding tide. Target the deep sides of boat docks and large oyster bars where deep waters hold spotted seatrout weighing to six pounds. Casting a 52-M Mirror Lure is also a deadly seatrout fishing tactic during the month of April.
Beach fishing is excellent during the month of April while fishing the falling tide with fresh shrimp, or sand fleas sifted from the surf. Expect to catch whiting, pompano, blue fish, seatrout and redfish.
Further up northeast Florida tidal rivers where the water becomes brackish, fishermen will be targeting largemouth bass weighing to ten-pounds. Casting a spinner with a dark colored plastic minnow tail is key!
For fishing and sailing charters visit
Fishing Report & Forecast North River / Ponte Vedra
By Dominic Anderson
Spring fishing in the North River is about to pop off! Hang in there if your fishing is slow because this time of the year days tend to be tough with days bouncing back and forth temperature wise with one day super nice while other days will have gale force winds. Those flounder will have a run as those baitfish start to show back up. The pogies and mullet will start to cruise around the ICW (intercoastal water way) and get those fish going. While they aren’t the best to eat, the blue fish will show up just about everywhere ready to eat anything and everything and they can be quite fun to catch and pull a line. You can find yourself getting into schools of black drum and redfish way up in the creeks. We’ve had a few trips that we’ve got on double digit quantities of reds and black drums deep in the creeks focusing on outgoing tides and oyster bars as of recent. You can find those trout on the ICW banks and they are not afraid of nasty weather. In fact some of my best trout days have been on the nastiest days. Catch those flounder coming in the inlet, save some
for the rest of us and be ready for the run because it will come and then you’ll have to hunt for them around the structure and in the creek holes. The flounder love a finger mullet and even a pogie on the bottom so get the dust off the cast nets! Our go to is a Carolina rig, weight according to where you’re fishing with about a 6 inch leader and a kahle hook depending on size due to bait size. We use all seaworx products as they are high quality and manufactured right here in North East Florida. Those big uglies (black drum) will start to be caught in the deep holes up north and at the bridges and jetty on chucks of blue crab. They fight tenaciously and make for an epic picture, while that 14-20 inch range is a perfect table fair, much bigger than that we like to toss back! The Sheepshead are still around and can be caught in size and numbers if you find them stacked up. When you find these fish give them a fiddler crab or a sand flea with a small hook or jig. If you can acquire chum (Crushed oysters, mussels or baracles) it will help you out tremendously as they will get zoned in on that chum and you can drop your bait right on top of the fish. You’ll thank me later if you get that chum! The redfish are in the backs of creeks and on the flats, you’ll want to get skinny and find the school because spring break for the reds is now. They can be caught catching some sun on your favorite flat with a ¼ ounce jig head or a float rig drifting a mud minnow or a shrimp. It’s that time, see you and crew out there in the ditch or on the pond. Let’s go fishing! .
TIDE CHART - APRIL
17 Thu 05:55 AM 0.61 L 12:01 PM 3.91 H 05:37 PM 0.84 L 18 Fri 12:15 AM 4.80 H 06:40 AM 0.81 L 12:42 PM 3.86 H 06:23 PM 0.97 L 19 Sat 01:02 AM 4.73 H 07:30 AM 0.94 L 01:29 PM 3.87 H 07:19 PM 1.03 L
20 Sun 01:54 AM 4.68 H 08:24 AM 0.95 L 02:22 PM 3.96 H 08:22 PM 0.99 L
21 Mon 02:53 AM 4.67 H 09:19 AM 0.82 L 03:22 PM 4.14 H 09:29 PM 0.83 L
22 Tue 03:55 AM 4.70 H 10:14 AM 0.56 L 04:25 PM 4.45 H 10:33 PM 0.56 L
23 Wed 04:56 AM 4.78 H 11:07 AM 0.19 L 05:25 PM 4.86 H 11:35 PM 0.19 L
24 Thu 05:54 AM 4.89 H 11:58 AM -0.23 L 06:20 PM 5.33 H 25 Fri 12:34 AM -0.23 L 06:48 AM 4.98 H 12:48 PM -0.62 L 07:12 PM 5.76 H 26 Sat 01:28 AM -0.62 L 07:40 AM 5.04 H 01:36 PM -0.93 L 08:02 PM 6.10 H 27 Sun 02:21 AM -0.92 L 08:32 AM 5.04 H 02:25 PM -1.10 L 08:52 PM 6.28 H 28 Mon 03:11 AM -1.05 L 09:23 AM 4.97 H 03:13 PM -1.11 L 09:43 PM 6.29 H 29 Tue 04:02 AM -0.99 L 10:15 AM 4.86 H 04:03 PM -0.94 L 10:35 PM 6.15 H
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK
Suncoast Boat Show
Partners Again with Mote Marine Lab to Raise Funds April 25-27
internationally and domestically in the destinations where they host each show.
In Sarasota, Informa’s U.S. Boat Show division partners with Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium in a fundraising e#ort and opportunity to put leading-edge ocean conservation science into action today. Donations to Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium can be made with ticket purchases for the Suncoast Boat Show.
Tickets for this year’s Suncoast Boat Show must be purchased in advance via the website https://www.suncoastboatshow.com/en/home.html Tickets are $20 and children ages 15 and under are free. Veterans and active-duty military show proof of military service for a free ticket. !e show opens on Friday, April 25 at 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., continuing Saturday, April 26 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sunday, April 27, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Marina Jack, #2 Marina Plaza, Sarasota, Florida.
April 25-27, 2025 and presents an extraordinary selection of sport power boats and motor yachts in water and on land along Sarasota’s luxurious
e Suncoast Boat Show is hosted by the U.S. Boat Show division of Informa Markets, the exhibitions organizer that owns and operates the world’s leading international boat and yacht events. Integral to a corporate culture of sustainability, Informa U.S. Boat Shows has donated thousands of dollars to support multiple initiatives advocating for environmental preservation,
Established in 1955 by Dr. Eugenie Clark, Mote Marine Laboratory is a nonpro t organization working to protect and conserve marine resources. With over
On Saturday and Sunday, well known Sportsman Channel host Captain gives each participant a free rod and reel. Captain Dingman is an expert angler other parents how important it is to spend quality time with their own kids. suncoastboatshow.com. Follow as details are updated on facebook.com/ SuncoastBoatShow; Twitter and Instagram: @suncoastboatshow.
APRIL 25-27
By atch Maguire
&CatchRelease THE VIRTUES OF
Fishing has long been a cherished pastime for millions around the world, o#ering a unique blend of relaxation, excitement, and connection to nature. However, with increasing pressure on aquatic ecosystems, ethical anglers are turning to catch and release shing as a means to enjoy the sport while safeguarding sh populations for future generations. !is practice, when done correctly, provides ecological, educational, and recreational bene ts that extend well beyond the individual angler.
One of the most signi cant advantages of catch and release shing is its role in conserving sh populations. Many popular sh species face threats from over shing, habitat loss, and climate change. By releasing sh back into their natural habitats, anglers help maintain healthy population levels, ensuring that future generations can continue to enjoy the sport.
To maximize the survival rate of released sh, it is essential to handle them properly. Techniques such as using barbless hooks, minimizing handling
time, and avoiding contact with the sh’s gills or slime coat are critical. Tools like rubberized landing nets and sh-friendly dehooking devices further reduce stress and injury, allowing the sh to recover and thrive.
Fish play integral roles in aquatic ecosystems, o$en serving as both predators and prey. Removing too many individuals from a population can disrupt these delicate balances, leading to cascading e#ects throughout the ecosystem. Catch and release shing helps mitigate this risk by allowing sh to return to their environment and continue ful lling their ecological roles. Healthy sh populations contribute to water quality, biodiversity, and the overall stability of aquatic habitats.
Catch and release shing also promotes a deeper sense of ethical responsibility and stewardship among anglers. It encourages a shi$ from viewing shing as purely extractive to appreciating it as an opportunity to engage with nature in a more sustainable way. !is perspective aligns with the principles of conservation-minded organizations, inspiring individuals to advocate for clean water, habitat restoration, and responsible shing practices.
Beyond the ecological bene ts, catch and release shing enriches the overall experience for anglers. Knowing that their actions contribute to conservation can provide a sense of ful llment and purpose. Additionally, the challenge of landing a sh, observing its beauty, and releasing it unharmed adds a layer of skill and respect to the sport. Many anglers report that the act of releasing a sh is as rewarding as catching it, if not more so.
Catch and release shing serves as a powerful teaching tool for younger generations. By involving children and new anglers in this practice, seasoned anglers can instill values of conservation and respect for nature. !ese lessons foster a lifelong appreciation for the environment and encourage responsible outdoor recreation.
In an era where human activities increasingly impact natural ecosystems, catch and release shing stands out as a practice that balances enjoyment with responsibility. By embracing this approach, anglers contribute to the preservation of sh populations, the stability of aquatic ecosystems, and the cultivation of ethical outdoor traditions. Whether shing for sport or relaxation, choosing to release your catch ensures that the thrill of the ght, the joy of connection, and the beauty of nature remain accessible for generations to come.
May 9th & 10th, 2025
Online Registration: MothersDayDolphinTournament.com
Captain’s Meeting
Liechty Marine
Friday May 9th - 6pm to 7pm
Lines In: Saturday, May 10 - 7:30am
Lines Out: Saturday, May 10 - 3:30pm
Weigh-In
Curly’s Co ee
Saturday, May 10th - 3:30pm to 6pm
Awards Banquet
Marathon Yacht Club
Saturday, May 10th - 7pm
Sunday Honor
Reeling in Change:CELEBRATING WOMEN ON THE WATER
By A. deGruchy
with lessons about life, responsibility, and the pure joy of shing, as well as expecting the unexpected. Fast forward to today, and I nd myself shing alongside my husband, a charter captain in the Florida Keys.
Fishing here isn’t just a pastime; it’s a way of life. From pulling in powerful Snook to chasing Sail sh on the edge of the reef, every trip o#ers new adventures. My husband and I share a love for shing, and I’ve learned so much about professionalism from watching him do his thing. Whether guiding seasoned anglers or teaching rst-timers, his patience, expertise, and enthusiasm shine. It’s a reminder that professionalism isn’t just about skill, it’s about how you treat people and create unforgettable experiences.
It’s been amazing to see more women embracing shing, from young girls joining family trips to seasoned anglers outpacing the boys on the boat. Even more inspiring is the rise of female captains and mates, rewriting the narrative and proving that grit, determination, and passion know no gender.
Fishing has always been about more than just the catch, it’s about family, adventure, and forging connections, both with the people you’re with and the water itself. Watching women claim their space on the water, competing and winning in major tournaments, and stepping into categories once dominated by men is a powerful reminder of how far we’ve come. Women are now sharing the joy of shing with their partners, landing incredible catches together, and showing that this sport is for everyone. !e waves we’re making are just getting started, and it’s inspiring to see skill and love for the ocean take center stage.
Fishing has long been a tradition passed down through generations, o$en painted as a male-dominated pursuit.
But like the tides, things are changing. Women are stepping aboard boats, rigging lines, and reeling in trophies, proving that the waters are open to everyone. As someone who grew up with a shing rod in hand, I’ve seen this transformation rsthand, and it’s inspiring.
My journey into shing began thanks to my dad. He was the one who introduced me to shing. !ose early days were lled
So here’s to the women who sh, lead, and inspire. May your lines be tight, your horizons wide, and your stories endless.
Whether you’re a seasoned angler or a rst-time sher, let’s create memories together. Book your trip now at www.beansport shing.com and experience the thrill for yourself!
Be sure to follow Astrid’s adventures on Instagram, @catching_astrid and @bean_sport shing.
By
THE FUTURE OF AUTONOMOUS BOATING
intheRecreationalBoatingandFishingIndustry
The recreational shing industry is on the brink of a technological revolution, with autonomous boating emerging as a transformative force. While self-driving cars have dominated headlines, the development of autonomous boats is quietly reshaping how anglers approach their favorite pastime. !ese advancements promise to enhance safety, e ciency, and accessibility, potentially changing the way people experience shing forever.
One of the most signi cant bene ts of autonomous boating in recreational shing is the ability to optimize navigation. Advanced GPS and AI-driven systems can analyze weather patterns, water conditions, and sh activity to chart the best possible routes. Instead of relying solely on experience or guesswork, anglers could have boats that take them to the most promising shing spots with precision. !is technology reduces the time spent searching for sh and maximizes the chances of a successful outing.
captains license
Bradenton - May 12
Clearwater - Jun 2
Tampa/Brandon - Jun 16
Crystal River - July 7 Palm Bay - July 7
Crystal River - May 10-12
Bradenton - May 24-26
Palm Bay - July 19 – 21
Safety is another critical aspect that autonomous boats could improve. Many shing accidents occur due to human error, whether it’s navigating unfamiliar waters, dealing with sudden weather changes, or simply losing focus. With AI-driven controls, boats could automatically adjust speed, avoid obstacles, and even return to shore if conditions become too dangerous. !is level of automation provides an added layer of security, especially for solo anglers who might face emergencies without immediate help.
Accessibility is another area where autonomous boats could make a profound impact. For many, operating a traditional shing boat requires skill, physical e#ort, and extensive knowledge. !ose with limited mobility or minimal boating experience o$en face challenges when trying to enjoy shing on the water. Autonomous technology could allow more people to participate by simplifying the boating experience. With user-friendly controls or even remote operation via a smartphone app, individuals of all backgrounds and abilities could enjoy shing without the steep learning curve associated with traditional boating.
!e integration of smart shing technology into autonomous boats could further enhance the angling experience. Innovations like underwater imaging, automated bait deployment, and real-time sh tracking are already making their way into modern shing gear. When combined with an autonomous vessel, these tools could provide an unprecedented level of e ciency. Imagine a boat that not only takes you to the ideal shing location but also adjusts its position based on sh movement, current ow, and water depth. Such advancements could make shing more productive and enjoyable than ever before.
Despite the promising future of autonomous boating in recreational shing, challenges remain. !e cost of developing and maintaining this technology is still high, potentially limiting accessibility for the average angler. Regulatory concerns also pose hurdles, as governments and maritime authorities must determine how autonomous boats t within existing laws. Additionally, traditionalists in the shing community may resist the shi$ toward automation, arguing that it takes away the skill and personal connection that make shing special.
As technology continues to evolve, autonomous boats will likely become more sophisticated, a#ordable, and widely accepted. Just as GPS revolutionized navigation and sh nders improved catch rates, AI-driven boats have the potential to rede ne the recreational shing experience. While the transition may take time, the possibilities are endless, and the future of autonomous boating in shing looks
e Boat Geek
National Pediatric Cancer Foundation
“Fishing
Funds the Cure” Tournaments Raise Awareness
and Funds for Crucial Research
The National Pediatric Cancer Foundation (NPCF) created “Fishing Funds the Cure” to raise awareness and funds for crucial research. Each year, they unite corporate partners, passionate anglers, and dedicated supporters for Fishing Funds the Cure Tournaments through an activity that everyone loves. ese exciting inshore and freshwater shing tournaments are held in beautiful locations like St. Pete Beach and Sarasota, Florida, San Juan, Puerto Rico, and more. Each event, thoughtfully designed to engage supporters, features a kick-o celebration, angler swag bags, an awards dinner and a silent auction, all dedicated to making a meaningful impact.
NPCF organizes these events to blend the universal love for shing with an important cause. eir mission is to conduct research leading to less toxic and more therapeutic treatments for children with cancer, and are committed to making a di erence in a system that o$en neglects our children. Despite their bright futures, only 4% of government funding for cancer research supports pediatric initiatives, highlighting the urgent need for advocacy.
NPCF has made remarkable progress and is recognized as the nation’s leading solution, delivering rapid, innovative, and e%cient science
through a collaborative network of 40 hospitals. Operating independently of pharmaceutical and government funding, with eight institutions noted in the “Top 20” by US News, they have invested over $40 million in translational studies and clinical trials. NPCF currently have 30 studies and 11 active trials:
• A new drug compound – which could be the 11th drug utilized to treat children
• Blood bio-marker study – which could be a prevention indicator for relapse patients
• A rare disease trial addressing “rhabdomyosarcoma”
• Multiple combined immunotherapy trials to include a potential vaccine
• NPCF has also authorized the “ rst-ever” education toolkit – provided to pediatric cancer families
• ey are also developing treatment guidelines for relapse patients
If shing is your passion, NPCF invites you to channel that enthusiasm toward a worthy cause. Join them at one of their tournaments, organize your own fundraising event, or take on their “43 Challenge” to honor the 43 children diagnosed
with cancer every day. You can easily start by using NPCF’s online fundraising tool, challenging 43 friends to sh, and encouraging them to donate $43.
e National Pediatric Cancer Foundation is proud to be a top-rated charity, with 89% of every dollar donated directly supporting research. To learn more, visit NationalPCF.org.
THE SABIKI: MVP OF THE TACKLE BOX
The month of April is when the real change comes around. For a number of reasons, April can be a game changer. Just for starters, we have made it out of the month of March and the “Gales of March.” !e temperatures will rise, the daylight hours will be longer, and the urge to spawn will get stronger for a lot of species.
!e pelagics will be on the march up the coast headed north, and I have taken a much di erent approach to shing in general, but especially for the pelagics. Sure, we may troll for a short period in the morning to mark some bait and/or productive bottom holding sh like African pompano, big snapper and grouper, but trolling will quickly stop and dri$ing and/ or %ying the kite will begin as the sun rises in the sky. As the title of the article suggests, we have either stopped on the way out or will start to work with the Sabiki right away.
!is is the key: when you have the live bait, you get the bites. Don’t hesitate to bring bait from the dock like pin sh, menhaden, etc. to use as light-line kite bait or bottom bait. Sometimes it’s just easier to pull up beside the bait barge and exchange some green for sardines, cigar minnows, goggle eyes, etc., so you can just get on with getting to where
Tim Barefoot
you’re going and start shing right o the bat. When you nd a good mark of bait, and hopefully bottom structure, the stage is set. Put the kite %oats, tackle or freelines out and start sending the jigs to the mid or lower water
column, and even to the bottom. Of course, I like a natural looking squid jig you can cast to breaking sh that’s heavy enough to sh in the mid to lower water column or a few hundred feet deep when needed on the bottom. the
entire time you were harvesting sh on the jig pay attention to the free line or %oat baits and keep some chum going if possible. !is is a great way to bring the sh to you. !ey will de nitely come to the chum.
As always, I would pay attention to the amount of noise you make. Don’t let cooler lids slam down or hard objects hit the deck; this will send a soundwave hundreds of yards away from the boat telling the sh something isn’t right. If you’re dri$ing quietly with a chum slick out and beautiful live baits, you have a recipe for success!
!is is a great time of year to catch that African pompano of a lifetime in 150- to 250foot range as they are ready to break up into smaller schools for spawning. Again, I like a squid-type jig because it is the primary food source for the African pompano. It is the bulk of their diet according to the experts. And it’s not just African pompano; everything out there, without exception, eats a squid. !is is a great way to catch big snappers as well. Pull up to where the marks are, make a dri$ and repeat as o$en as needed. A trolling motor upfront can slow the dri$ nicely, keeping your boat forward in the wind with the kite bait or %oat, and baits behind the boat very manageable.
And be sure to keep an eye on the recorder to know where to keep the jig in front of sh.
For more info on the squid jig and dri ing, check out Tim Barefoot’s YouTube channel and website, barefootcatsandtackle.com.
1920s Style for a 1920s Price
It was a warm summer afternoon and my wife and I were mingling with the best of them. The occasion was a 1920s-themed party, and everyone was dressed to the nines. Parked on the manse’s circular driveway was a beautiful classic convertible. It was here that I got the idea for our new 1920s Retrograde Watch.
Never ones to miss an opportunity, we carefully steadied our glasses of bubbly and climbed into the car’s long front seat. Among the many opulent features on display was a series of dashboard dials that accentuated the car’s lavish aura. One of those dials inspired our 1920s Retrograde Watch, a genuinely unique timepiece that marries timeless style with modern technology.
With its remarkable retrograde hour and minute indicators, sunburst guilloche face and precision movement, this design is truly one of a kind. What does retrograde mean? Instead of displaying the hands rotating on an axis like most watches, the hands sweep in a semicircle, then return to their starting point and begin all over again.
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By Don Norton
FISHING THE BLUEGILL CAPITAL OF THE WORLD
Most anglers think of Lake Okeechobee, Florida, and many other great shing lakes as a destination for largemouth bass. And they truly are. But for those in the know, “Lake O” boasts some of the greatest bluegill shing you’ll nd anywhere in the country.
!is is the time of the year—April and May—that bluegill anglers look forward to all year long. !is is when the feisty, hard- ghting pan sh begin their annual spawn. !eir popularity is unmatched with young and experienced anglers looking to test their light line and tackle.
While bluegill is a single species (Lepomis macrochirus), it is sometimes categorized into three subspecies: the northern bluegill, the coppernose
bluegill, and the southwestern bluegill.
To add to the confusion, redear sun sh and bluegills, both belonging to the sun sh family, are easily confused, but can be distinguished by the red or orange coloration around the redear’s operculum (gill %ap), while bluegills have a dark blue to black operculum. Redear sun sh typically grow larger than bluegills, but are o$en caught in the same area, as are coppernose bluegill.
Bluegills are so plentiful that many anglers come to Lake Okeechobee every year just for them and go home with coolers full of their tasty lets. !e daily limit is $y pan sh per angler, and that’s not a hard number to reach when the season is in full swing.
Bluegills can be caught year-round, but when they come into the shallows to spawn, they become a much easier target. Many anglers will test their skills with a %yrod and small popper, while others will use live bait, light line, and tackle—and even bamboo cane poles!
On average, bluegill typically range from six to eight inches in length, although some can grow up to 10 to 15 inches. Nine inches is considered a decent keeper in the “Big O.”
To rig for bluegill, use a small hook (size 8-10) with a light line, a small split shot a few inches above the hook, and a bobber set to suspend your bait near the bottom; commonly used live baits include small worms, waxworms, or crickets, and you can also try small jigs or tiny so$ plastic baits depending on the situation and water depth.
When it comes to the time of day that produces the best bluegill shing, many anglers recommend early evening. As the sun begins to set, waters tend to calm down and %ying insects quickly become a big part of the menu.
But during the spawn, bluegills can be caught all day long.
Finding the beds is relatively easy. Just look in shallow water, 5-foot deep or less for small circular divots in the sandy bottom. !ese “beds” will o$en be close together and will sometimes number in the hundreds.
!e world record bluegill—a sh weighing 4 pounds, 12 ounces— was caught in 1950 in Ketona Lake, Alabama with a cane pole and common worms.
Don Norton is Co-Publisher of Coastal Angler Magazine’s Okeechobee edition. Contact him at (863) 273-4998 or don@theanglermagazine.com.
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OTIPS FROM A PRO FROG FISHING FOR SPRINGTIME GIANTS
TYLER WOOLCOTT
ne of my all time favorite times of year to fish with one of the most fun ways to catch a bass. The spawn and post spawn feed is here for most of us in the south and it won’t be long for many others in the other parts of the country. There is a plethora of ways to catch these bass, but my all time favorite for getting bit and drawing in a big one is a hollow body popping frog.
A popping frog can be used as an incredible search bait, duplicating many different baitfish depending on where you throw it and what color you tie on. There are many different options out there, but I try to duplicate the baitfish forage in the particular lake I am fishing on. Sometimes I will stick to a frog that may imitate a bluegill, and sometimes I throw a color that would imitate a shad. Finding a frog that pops well, has good colors, and a big hook is a few things that need to check the boxes for me. The Gambler popping frog is good and so is the Spro.
When I throw a frog as a search bait, I like to work it faster than most. Cover as much water as possible until you put a pattern together on what exactly the fish are focusing on. That’s the magic of a frog; you can literally throw it around everything! Docks, lay downs, grass and down banks are just a few of the targets I would look for. Once you locate a group of fish or find that right area that they are using you can slow down and pick them off a little slower. I have noticed sometimes there isn’t a “too fast” while working a popping frog.
A couple things that I look for this time of year are areas with active fish spawning, fry guarding bass, and also fish roaming the banks feeding on bluegill. This is something that is very predictable and an awesome way to catch big ones when you get around it. Typically, if you know of a few areas that the fish had previously spawned, these patterns will be occurring in the same areas. I throw a bluegill pattern popping frog because the bluegill will typically be a fish that chase their fry and a fish that drives them crazy this time of year.
Another pattern that you might want to keep your eyes out for is a shad spawn. This usually occurs in the mornings and in the evenings and can be a way to catch a bunch of fish in a hurry. We typically look for birds feeding on banks while running down the lake; you find the birds, you find the bait! A white popping frog or a baitfish color is typically my choice in this situation as a lot of times these fish are so keyed in on the baitfish that you’ll want to match the hatch.
A popping frog can work all year long, but this time of year I think it excels the greatest. It’s an incredible search bait that really drives these fish crazy, and who doesn’t like catching fish on a topwater with heavy line and a heavy rod? Grab a popping frog and go catch some big bass! Frog Fishing Gear: Typically when throwing a popping frog you will be around some heavy cover and need to have some big hooks to get through the fish’s mouth. This calls for a heavy rod, some big line and a fast-geared reel. I like to throw a 13 Fishing 7’4H Myth rod paired with a Concept A 8.3 reel spooled up with Sufix 832 50 lb. braid. This setup will allow you to get the fish out of the heavy cover and into the boat.
Tyler Woolcott is a professional tournament angler and guide. Check out his website at www.tylerwoolcottfishing.com.
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