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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Repower
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
COASTAL ANGLER TREASURE COAST
Moral Hazard
The Indian River Lagoon and the northern estuaries of Florida seem to be making a comeback. It is truly wonderful to see nascent seagrasses and to finally be able to see the bottom. With some luck oyster spawning will be successful we will avoid harmful algal blooms. Nature’s resilience is remarkable. And that is the point.
We rely on planet earth to provide all our resources and life support. There is no “Planet B.” It is a far better investment to take care of our home than to ignore deterioration and pay the consequences. The wild places provide future security and natural services they don’t need to be overcome or destroyed. We must find ways to be part of the natural order rather than be apart from the natural systems if we are to survive a changing climate. There are numerous popular policies and behaviors that are absolutely damaging to our home and future wellbeing.
There are protections afforded by the Clean Water Act that should not be discarded. They may be impediments to unbridled corporate
profitmaking, but they serve a much higher purpose in protecting the common resources that we all need to survive. For instance, turbidity is a function of suspended particles and materials in the water that prevent light from penetrating to the photosynthesizing plants that are fundamental to life on earth. Deregulated dredging, discharging dirty water, or allowing cruise ships to churn the sediments will kill seagrasses and coral reefs, the base of the food web. Not regulating these practices doesn’t mean the damage isn’t occurring, and it allows damage to the fundamental reason these places are attractive for economic development in the first place. National parks and protected natural areas are important for a great number of reasons, from the provision of natural services to spiritual rejuvenation. They need to have stewards to protect them and provide management. These are not superfluous “bloated” jobs these are vital highly educated and motivated heroes.
There are places here in Florida
that have shockingly high cancer rates. In many ways similar to the Louisiana cancer belt. It doesn’t fix the problem to ignore it, or to give the corporate responsible parties a deregulated pathway to avoid financial accountability. Industry and agriculture don’t have to pollute with impunity to be publicly beneficial or profitable to their investors. Polluters have to contribute to cleaning up the problems that they cause. There are plenty of instances in our state where incentives to develop land or bring economic growth to a limited few have been granted permits to extract resources and damage ecology with almost no accountability. This is an example of inefficient governance rather than good government. There is a moral imperative to taking care of our planet and doing what we can to make our home
accountable. But we must have policy and authority coordinating and supporting our efforts. Planning to occupy Mars while leaving earth in a shambles is a moral hazard. The atmospheric deposition of nitrates into a national preserve each time a launch occurs, and quenching the heat from a launch with millions of gallons of flame-retardant filled water/steam is a moral hazard. The idea of “Drill baby drill” is a moral hazard, and we should be filled with concern for the future of our wild places.
To learn more about Indian RiverKeeper, email IndianRiverKeeperFL@gmail.com or call (772) 341-4953.
By Jim Moir, Indian Riverkeeper Executive Director
FISHING
FORECASTS
SEBASTIAN AREA INSHORE
Capt. Gus Brugger
Pattern Setter Charters (772) 360-6787
www.WelcomeToSebastian.com
Whether you get your satisfaction from putting together and executing a well thought out plan or if you just like to take things as they come, April provides the best opportunity, in my opinion, for anglers to catch the inshore slam. Trout, redfish, snook and tarpon are all readily available to inshore anglers, sometimes within casting distance of a single location. Even if you come up short on the slam, a wide variety of species should provide enough action to put a bend in your rod and a smile on your face.
INDIAN
RIVER LAGOON – April’s list of available lagoon species is the most extensive of the year. Work the mangrove shorelines and docks with D.O.A shrimp, jerkbaits and plugs for snook and redfish. The spoil islands, flats and shoreline points with
Good weather, good fishing and good times can all be had in Sebastian in April.
baitfish activity should hold trout and redfish. Backwater culverts and canals are great places to look for juvenile tarpon and snook of all sizes. Deeper areas adjacent to flats and islands offer ladyfish, jacks, bluefish and some pompano. The techniques used to catch just about all the species can be as simple as live shrimp below a float, bouncing a D.O.A. jerkbait or working a suspending or topwater plug. Wade
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fishing with live shrimp or artificials is also a great way to pursue trout, reds and snook this month.
SEBASTIAN RIVER
– Snook and tarpon of all sizes are available in good numbers in the Sebastian River in April. D.O.A. shrimp, Terror-Eyz jigs, MirrOLures and live mullet will catch just about everything you will encounter in the Sebastian River. Cast
small plugs, jigs and flies to rolling tarpon in both forks of the river and work the docks and shoreline cover with Jerkbaits and D.O.A. shrimp for snook. Bull sharks can be caught on live and dead baits fished on the bottom or below a float in the lower river between the railroad and U.S. 1 bridges.
SEBASTIAN INLET
– April’s warmer temperatures will make snook fishing the focus of Sebastian inlet anglers. Redfish and big jack crevalle will also be available. Live croakers, pigfish, pinfish, pilchards and shrimp will all catch fish during the day. After dark, jigs and plugs are equally effective.
NEARSHORE ATLANTIC
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Pompano and whiting are the main focus of surf fishermen in the spring. Sand fleas and cut clams are the baits of choice for pompano and whiting, but a pink Goofy jig can be deadly when the surf is calm. The waters from the beach out a couple of miles can boil with schools of Spanish mackerel and jumbo-sized jack crevalle. When the weather is calm, a boat ride down the beach can really pay off, keep your eyes open and have some stout spinning tackle on board for double digit Jacks, the occasional cobia and an early school of migrating tarpon.
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PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Gus Brugger.
SEBASTIAN AREA OFFSHORE
Capt. Terry Wildey
Big Easy Fishing Charters (772) 538 - 1072 www.bigeasyfishingcharters.com captwildey@bellsouth.net
It’s dolphin time again off Sebastian Inlet. If you haven’t prepared yet you need to get busy! Dolphin will be traveling north up the Gulf Stream on their spring migration. They’ll be on a constant feeding journey up the coast. There’s a misconception that all the dolphin are out in the Gulf Stream. Although we do find them on the edge of the stream, where the cooler coastal water goes from mid 70s to 80 or even higher, I find they are not always out wandering the mid-Atlantic. Look for them on the western edge of the stream where there’s that combination of a temperature change of a degree or two, color change, combined with sargasso weed with bait underneath it. This edge that’s usually caused by two different speeds of current usually running north and south will eventually produce fish. Your eyes quite often will be
your best way to find fish. Constant scanning of the water for anything floating, and the sky for birds will all point you towards a bite.
Ballyhoo rigged with a #7 or #8 Mustad hooks, on 60# to 80# mono leader works fine. If you like, even
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PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Terry Wildey.
MARTIN COUNTY OFFSHORE
Capt. Scott Fawcett
Off the Chain Fishing Charters (772) 285-1055 offthechainfishing.com fishscottyf@bellsouth.net
Every year I find myself looking more and more forward to April. It might just be my personal opinion, but calmer waters, better fishing, and longer days is a trifecta hard to beat in my book. Sailfish, blackfin tuna, dolphin, wahoo, kings and little tunny stage in the waters along our migratory highway paralleling the six- and 8-mile reef systems making the Treasure Coast home for the next eight months.
This time of year, for all around productiveness it’s going to be hard to beat live bait, although trolling for target specific species (wahoo, mahi and backfin) can be beneficial at times. But for your best bet at a little of everything and consistent action, dangling threadfin herrings, goggle eyes, sardines, and blue runners from Tigress kites is the way to go this time of year.
Look for a color change, a little
on and drift to the north in a depth between 75 and 200 feet of water. I’d say the perfect set up for around here would be Blackfin Rods OTC circle hook rod 6’3 -6’6 for 15-25 lb. test with Shimano BFC reels. I do use a little stiffer rod with braid for the down bait. Cobia, mutton snapper and amberjacks are also likely encounters if you decide to drop a bait down while moving along the reef.
When you do get bit on a downrod there’s no time to waste though, speed is the name of the game to get these fish up. The shark depredation problem continues to exist, taxing most everything being brought to the surface and deterring many people from even trying these mid water and bottom fishing techniques because they know how bad it is inshore.
April is a great time to target swordfish out in the deep or take advantage of the calmer weather making a Bahamas trip if you can. Yellowfin tuna, big dolphin, wahoo, and both blue and white marlin make great showings in the early spring months over there as do incredible numbers of big mutton snapper. If I was only going to choose one month out of the year to fish, April might be it. Whichever style of fishing you decide to do this spring,I hope your next trip is Off The Chain! Please give me a call if you have any
PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Scott Fawcett.
Sailfish, among other species, stage in the waters along our migratory highway paralleling the six- and eight-mile reef systems for the next eight months.
Capt. Jonathan Earhart
Chaos Fishing Charters (772) 341 – 2274
www.chaosfishingcharters.com
jon@chaosfishingcharters.com
Spring fishing is finally in full effect here on the Treasure Coast! Bait fishing in the Indian River has been very productive this week for larger snook and jack crevalle’s. We are getting a few trout, redfish, and the occasional bluefish mixed in as well. White baits, mullet, and croakers have been working great this week for steady action both inshore and nearshore. Shrimp fishing has been hit or miss for black drum, sheepshead, snapper, flounder, and pompano. Bottom fishing with
MARTIN COUNTY DEEP SEA
Capt. Rocky Carbia
Safari I Deep Sea Fishing
Pirates Cove Resort and Marina 4307 SE Bayview St. Port Salerno
Reservations: (772) 334-4411 www.safari1deepseafishing.com
GoldenApril rays of Florida sunshine will illuminate a near coastal ocean that will play host to some of the most prized saltwater grocery trophies in the world. Cobia, snapper, mahi, and king mackerel will top this briny hit list and will be found around and atop the renowned reef system, east of our St. Lucie Inlet. The offshore fish hunters of April will delight in engaging in strategies that involve both surface and bottom fishing during open, user-friendly, weather windows this month. April can still be a windy month that produces rough sea conditions, so anglers (as always) will need to continue to monitor daily offshore forecasts.
Cobia typically make a strong showing during the golden days of April and will be found in many dynamic scenarios of the local, liquid playing field. Hungry packs of cobia will be attracted to all types of reef structures, both naturally occurring and artificial, and will fall to live and dead baits presented throughout the water column. Live baits are especially effective and will prove to be irresistible to a cobe in
shrimp will produce the most bites. If you like live lining a shrimp, I suggest using a shrimp walker hook with a medium/large size shrimp for wary snook, redfish, and sea trout this time of year. Larger sea trout are common this month if you know where to look and are stealthy with your approach. Nearshore fishing has been great for large jacks, cobia, permit, kingfish, sharks, snapper, and goliath grouper. Big schools of jacks commonly migrate down the beaches this month so be prepared with an 8000size Quantum Strive combo and a large Rapala topwater for instant hookups! Spanish mackerel fishing is pretty much over but it never hurts to check nearshore reefs on clear calm days even as late as April. Shiny mackerel jigs with a fast retrieve will get the bites if the mackerel are still around. Expect some good bluefish action this month on nearshore reefs as well. Again, cast anything shiny at the blues, retrieve your lure quickly
Iavarone with a top slot snook caught fishing the mangroves with a Shrimpwalker hook with 40 lb. fluorocarbon leader and a
and hold on! Snapper fishing has been great for muttons, lanes, and grey snapper on nearshore reefs. Reel them in very quickly otherwise they will quickly become goliath grouper bait. Goliaths have been a real nuisance over the past few years and are quite common as we approach the late spring/summer
goliath grouper spawn on the Treasure Coast. They are a blast to catch but be sure to have very heavy tackle if you plan to get one boatside for a picture. It’s a must to use 400 lb. test leaders and 16/0 3x strong hooks if you want to catch a 300-to 500 lb. goliath grouper. Tight lines!
the right mood. Besides being found around bottom structures, cobes tend to follow and swim along with larger sea animals, like manta rays and southern stingrays, turtles, and sharks.
Casting to a cobia towing behind a larger sea creature is best achieved using three- to four-ounce jigs, tipped with a long ribbon of squid. Bottom fishing for the many species of the snapper family will continue to be a go-to strategy for Treasure Coast meat hunters in April. Large mutton and mangrove snapper will be available in good numbers along the reef line in 70 to 90 feet of water and allow fishermen to test their angling finesse while attempting to capture these fish athletes of
the ocean floor. Wrestling a large snapper to the surface can be a full contact and exhilarating moment, made more satisfying as the filets hit the frying pan.
With this in mind, pack the
cooler with plenty of dead bait, catch some “live-ies” if you can, and have an assortment of jigs standing by. And don`t forget to pull out some local coastal recipes to fully enjoy the salty grocery trophies of April.
PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Jonathan Earhart.
John
small split shot.
Cobia will be in the crosshairs of all offshore angles of April, like this pretty cobia caught aboard the Safari 1.
PHOTO CREDIT: Safari 1.
catainbofishing@gmail.com
Areaanglers will tell you spring is in the air AND in the water! With most of the windy days behind us, our springtime fishing should include great weather, great water quality, and great bait fish. April action around the Treasure Coast typically includes some highly prized trophy fish like mahi, cobia, snapper, king mackerel, and sails. Get on board to celebrate spring with a fishing trip on our beautiful waters.
At the top of the fish list is the colorful, acrobatic mahi-mahi, also called dolphin fish or dorado. These popular game fish will be making their way north up the Gulf Stream on their annual springtime migration. While we generally can always find some mahi off the coast, the bigger
ST. LUCIE COUNTY INSHORE
Capt. Adam White
St. Lucie Flats Fishing Charters
(609) 820-6257
www.stlucieflatsfishing.com
like that, April has arrived, and we are on our way to the heat of the summer. April is a great transition month along the Treasure Coast. Weather patterns get quite a bit more forgiving; the days start to get a little longer, and the fishing
Mike and Jim having double the fun with two keeper snook!
trophy ones will be pushing through now and that’s when mahi anglers get their trolling gear ready and head offshore for the hunt. We look for sargassum weed lines, diving birds, floating debris, and color changes to begin our troll at about 5 knots in 80-to-150 feet of water. Best results are with naked or skirted ballyhoo but be sure to keep them free from weeds, so they swim properly. Since mahi are schooling fish, if you hook one, look for more and be prepared
starts to get a bit more predictable. We have had quite a few fronts this winter that have had the water temps constantly spiking both directions. We have managed to stay on a good bite for the most part, but it has been a challenge.
The snook fishing is great all through this April and May. The inlet, bridges, or flats provide plenty of opportunities to catch snook. Whether you use live bait or lures, there is always somewhere to target the Treasure Coast’s most soughtafter game fish. In shallow water, I am always looking for bait or wading birds in the areas I am fishing. Other
for non-stop action. I like to leave one on the line in the water to try to keep the school close by. I also recommend chumming live and cut bait to bring the school closer to the boat and increase chances of hookups. These agile, fast swimming fish hit all the fun: serious pulling drag, incredible aerial jumps, brilliant Easter-like colors, and absolutely delicious taste. Snook season opened in February and is still on fire with frequent keepers being reported drifting the
key indicators that you’re in a good area are crabs (crab pots), stingrays, and even sharks. Anytime I am snook fishing with artificial I have a Reaction Innovations Skinny Dipper and some type of topwater (Yo-Zuri, Rapala, MirrOlure) tied on. Both of those are good search baits and you can eliminate a lot of water quickly.
On the calmer days, getting out on the beach is a great way to spend the morning. There are plenty of options to target on any given day. Within reason, if you name it, there is a shot at targeting them off the Treasure Coast throughout April. Snook, sheepshead, snapper, big jacks, sharks, pompano, and more will all provide opportunities through this month. Weather, water clarity, and swell are all key factors in a successful nearshore trip. There are several resources to use so you’re not surprised about the conditions on any given morning. Buoy 41114, several cams for the Fort Pierce inlet, Jensen Beach webcam, Jensen weather buoy, are all things to check the morning of and the day before you’re headed out on the beach.
Moving back inshore the bridges and channel edges are productive throughout all of April. Snapper, sheepshead, and drum are all great table fare and can be found along
Fort Pierce Inlet. The over-slots are plentiful, and those big ones are impressive for their size and strong fight. Pilchards, pinfish, croakers, and select shrimp are baits of choice for use around docks and other structures with fast moving current but be aware that snook are expert at finding structure to break your line. The wiley snook must be in the slot of 28 inches to 32 inches to be considered a keeper. Always practice safe catch-and-release techniques for those out-of-slot and they’ll be around to challenge you another day.
For Earth Day on April 22 keep all paper and plastics like food wrappers, water bottles, straws, disposable cups, and fishing line out of our amazing ocean and waterways. Our exceptional local bait and tackle shops like DeBrooks Fishing Corner can help with all your tackle needs plus your current copy of the Coastal Angler. This is definitely a great time to take advantage of the warmer, calmer days so come see for yourself just how amazing our local waters are with your own custom charter trip. I’m based out of the historic Little Jim Bait & Tackle where they even cook your catch after a successful fishin mission! It’s hard not to brag when the ocean is the “office” and we keep Pullin Drag!
both bridges any day of the month. Live shrimp, sandfleas, fiddlers, rigged on a Carolina rig or a jig head are great baits to coerce these fish into the cooler.
The next two months are my favorite time of the year. The days are still relatively cool, the winds are a bit more forgiving, and the fishing is great.
PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Bo Samuel.
Max with a nice snook caught on a live croaker.
PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Adam White.
ST. LUCIE COUNTY DEEP SEA
Capt. Scotty Gold
Miss Fort Pierce Fishing (772) 766-0191 www.fortpiercefishing.com
The winter has been nothing short of “windy.” We haven’t had many breaks to fish regularly thus far, we’re hoping April doesn’t disappoint us and gives us some nice weather.
On the rough spots of the reefs the lane snapper have made their presence, but what’s mostly impressive is the amount of trigger fish and the size that we’ve seen thus far. This year, continue to fish with your two-hook chicken rig, fresh grunt strips that are squared on your high sharp peaks along the line anywhere from 50 feet to 120 feet of water.
We’re starting to see more mangrove snapper in the 2-to-5-pound range starting to make their preseason school up on some of the rough bottom. Traditionally I like to fish
with a longer leader, but because of our shark problem along the reefs, I’m recommending a 10- or 12-foot leader of 30- or 40-pound test fluorocarbon on a 5-O hook with a live finger bait, a grunt plug or a sardine.
The mutton snappers are starting to move around and eat a little bit as well. Once again traditionally, we like a 20- or 30-foot leader, but we’ve been fishing closer to 10-to-15-foot leaders and adjusting the way we fish to try and beat the sharks. Look for smooth and less rough bottom adjacent to the
reefs and use fresh cut bait, sardines, live finger baits, or our preference, grunt plugs. For either species, when you get the bite and have the fish hooked, it is important to fish with a higher speed reel and don’t pump, just reel so you can get the fish pass the sharks.
The water has been cool on the bottom for the majority of the winter. Hopefully with less wind and warmer temperatures, the bottom will start to warm up and make things happen even faster.
As always, we will continue our seven-day all-day fishing trip, sailing by 7 a.m. Reservations are always required, as all our trips are sold as a “limited load,” not taking more than 28 people-never any crowding in the spring season. This is also a great time to take your corporate group, social groups or families aboard. We are available for private charters day and night for fishing and evening cruises. For more information or reservations, go to www. fortpiercefishing.com. We look forward to seeing you on board!
a small lure in front helps draw attention to your baits. I usually troll this spread of four to five baits at 5 to 6 knots. Sometimes I’ll pull some small artificials like bullet head or popper lures if I’m trying to cover ground looking for fish, because I can pull them at 7 and 8 knots without worrying about my ballyhoo washing out. I always have a down rigger running 50 feet to 60 feet down with a ballyhoo behind a bullet-headed lure. I’ll rig this on a #7 wire for the toothy wahoo and kingfish. The down line will also produce some nice dolphin midday when the surface bite slows down. I’m always prepared to deep drop to the bottom in 160 feet and as deep as 280 feet if the trolling slow and the fish are marking. Until the dolphin show up don’t pass up the bottom fishing bite in 85 feet and 90 feet. Should be a good mangrove snapper and triggerfish bite, along with some kingfish and a few cobia. I’ll see you out there on the blue water edge.
PHOTO CREDIT: Miss Fort Pierce Fishing.
The Miss Fort Pierce fishing crew looks forward to seeing you on board!
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.
Retrograde watches by the big brands can set you back thousands; one recent offering from a big French fashion house is selling for more than $150,000! But because we’ve designed the 1920s Retrograde Watch in-house, we can offer it to you for just $99!
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By Don Norton
FISHING THE BLUEGILL CAPITAL OF THE WORLD
Most anglers think of Lake Okeechobee, Florida, and many other great shing lakes as a destination for largemouth bass. And they truly are. But for those in the know, “Lake O” boasts some of the greatest bluegill shing you’ll nd anywhere in the country.
!is is the time of the year—April and May—that bluegill anglers look forward to all year long. !is is when the feisty, hard- ghting pan sh begin their annual spawn. !eir popularity is unmatched with young and experienced anglers looking to test their light line and tackle.
While bluegill is a single species (Lepomis macrochirus), it is sometimes categorized into three subspecies: the northern bluegill, the coppernose
bluegill, and the southwestern bluegill.
To add to the confusion, redear sun sh and bluegills, both belonging to the sun sh family, are easily confused, but can be distinguished by the red or orange coloration around the redear’s operculum (gill %ap), while bluegills have a dark blue to black operculum. Redear sun sh typically grow larger than bluegills, but are o$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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