Coastal Angler Magazine | Greater Orlando May 2026 Edition

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VOLUME 31 • ISSUE 374 MAY 2026 F R A N C H I S E

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‘MAY’ Your Cup Overfloweth with Gags & Scamps!

Y

ou probably noticed my attempt at a little humor with that title—just what we need a!er a long closed season. In my personal view, the closure has been unnecessary, much like the situation with Atlantic red snapper.

Many of us are simply trying to catch seabass and grunts for dinner, but we keep getting pushed off our favorite spots where red snapper and gags are abundant. Yet, these species are still considered endangered. I think you know where I stand on this topic, so I won’t dwell on it any further.

As warm water moves in closer to the beach, expect to find kingfish and cobia frequenting the same spots where you’re catching gags when the water temperature rises above 68°F. Always have a pitch rod ready as cobia may swim right up to the boat. However, don’t be surprised if you catch cobia while bottom fishing with a decor jig and an appealing bait. In fact, more cobia are o!en caught on the bottom than on the surface when anchored up and targeting grouper.

I’ve always said, “Find the bait, find the fish.”

Go to all your familiar haunts with structure of one kind of another, whether it’s ledges, rock out crops, wrecks, etc. The bonus will be finding

4 NATIONAL

MAY 2026

schools of cigar minnows and sardines on them.

You don’t need to look any further when you find this combination of bait because the fish will be right there. It’s always a good idea to keep one person on the Sabiki jigging up. A live sardine or a live cigar on a decoy has a life expectancy of under ten seconds around any kind of fish. We try to never leave the marina without a couple boxes of frozen cigar minnows and live pinfish. That live pinfish can sometimes be the best selection of all because it’s too large for any of the trash bites.

Any kind of little snapper about the size of your hand makes for the ultimate bait. I’m no longer fishing for barely-legal gag or scamp. Instead, I’m looking for one good bite at a time. I’ll let that bait soak on the bottom and be patient waiting for the old man to show up. Don’t get me wrong, more fish have been caught on frozen cigar minnows and sardines than all the other baits combined, but a live one is simply irresistible to every grouper and/or snapper out there. Period. Nearly everything on the bottom will take a whack at it, but only the fish with the correct sized mouth can eat that small snapper. Because the creel limits are so low, you’ll easily reach your grouper limit. Once you have, it’s wise to take advantage

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

TIM BAREFOOT

of other species like vermilions, mangroves, grunts and seabass.

In addition to all the other stuff on the bottom, it’s always good to keep a light line out for kings, blackfin, wahoo and dolphin. It’s not a bad idea to keep one under a %oat (so you can keep an eye on it) and another one without a %oat, but you have to be mindful of that bait getting back into props or under the boat tangling other lines.

If you’re anchoring and not just using the trolling motor, it’s a great idea to %y the kite.

Keep a couple baits suspended with little to no leader in the water. Live greenies, cigs or sardines under the kite is the ultimate presentation. You can even get away with %uorocarbon using circle hooks depending on the current. Don’t hesitate to put a bait out with a small amount of weight in front of it to get it down 30 to 50 feet behind the boat. This will get you that large wahoo bite.

There are so many options available this time of year in the warmer water, so be ready to take advantage of all of them once you fill your cooler with one species or another. This is the ideal time to broaden your approach and become skilled in targeting not only different types of snapper and grouper, but also pelagics.

MAY you find calm seas, tight lines and delicious dinners this month!

Learn more from Tim Barefoot at barefootcatsandtackle.com.

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APRIL 2026

ORLANDO 1

Mud MudHole HoleCharity CharityGolf GolfClassic Classic Mud Hole Charity Golf Classic Returns to Oviedo for 2026 Returnsto toOviedo Oviedofor for2026 2026 Returns

The Mud Hole Charity Golf Classic is back for 2026, building on the success The Mud Hole Charity GolfClassic Classicisisback backfor for2026, 2026,building buildingon onthe thesuccess success The Hole Charity Golf ofof itsMud inaugural event and continuing itsitsmission totosupport youth fishing its inaugural event and continuing mission support youth fishing of itsconservation inaugural event andwithin continuing its mission to support youth fishing and efforts the local community. and conservationefforts effortswithin withinthe thelocal localcommunity. community. and conservation

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Last year’s Twin Oviedo, Last year’stournament, tournament,held heldat TwinRivers RiversGolf GolfClub Clubin Oviedo,brought brought Last year’s tournament, held atatTwin Rivers Golf Club ininOviedo, brought together anglers, rod builders, industry partners, and local together anglers, rod builders, industry partners, and localbusinesses businesses together anglers, rod builders, industry partners, and local businesses forfora aday golf sponsors dayof golfwith withaa apurpose. purpose.Thanks Thanksto tothe thesupport supportof sponsors for a participants, day ofofgolf with purpose.

Thanks to support ofofsponsors and the 2025 event raised ananthe impressive $19,315 for and participants, the 2025 event raised impressive $19,315 for and participants, the a2025 event inraised anFlorida. impressive $19,315 for organizations, making real impact Central organizations, making a real impact in Central Florida. organizations, making a real impact in Central Florida.

The golf—it Theevent eventwas wasmore morethan thanjust justaa around roundof golf—itwas wasaaareflection reflectionof The event was more than just round ofof golf—it was reflection ofof the strong community surrounding Mud Hole Custom Tackle and the strong community surrounding Mud Hole Custom Tackle andthe the the strong community surrounding Mud Hole Custom Tackle and the shared passion for giving back.

Participants enjoyed a scramble-format red shared passion for giving back. Participants enjoyed a scramble-format shared passion for givingopportunities, back. Participants enjoyed abut scramble-format tournament, tournament,networking networkingopportunities, opportunities,and andaa arelaxed relaxedbut butprofessionally professionally tournament, networking and relaxed professionally run event that combined fun with meaningful impact. run event thatcombined combinedfun funwith withmeaningful meaningfulimpact. impact. run event that InIn2026, Twin 2026,the theevent eventreturns returnson onSaturday, Saturday,May May16 16at TwinRivers RiversGolf GolfClub, Club, In 2026, the event returns on Saturday, May atatTwin Rivers Golf Club, with ananeven bigger goal: raising $25,000 to16 support two outstanding with even bigger goal: raising $25,000 to support two outstanding with an even bigger goal: raising $25,000 to support two outstanding organizations—Seminole organizations—SeminoleJunior JuniorAnglers Anglersand andMighty MightyRiver RiverRecovery.

Recovery. organizations—Seminole Junior Anglers and Mighty River Recovery.

Seminole Junior Anglers is dedicated to developing the next SeminoleJunior JuniorAnglers Anglersisisdedicated dedicatedtotodeveloping developingthe thenext nextgeneration generation Seminole generation ofofanglers through mentorship, competitive fishing, and anglers through mentorship, competitive fishing, and outdoor outdoor of anglers through mentorship, competitive fishing, and outdoor education. education.Their Theirprograms programsprovide provideyoung younganglers anglerswith withopportunities opportunitiestoto education.

Their programs provide young anglers with opportunities to learn, grow, and skills and the learn, grow, andbuild buildlifelong lifelong skillsboth bothon on andoff off thewater. water. learn, grow, and build lifelong skills both on and off the water.

Mighty River Mighty RiverRecovery Recoveryfocuses focusesononrestoring restoringand andprotecting protectingthe theSt. St.John’s John’s Mighty River Recovery focuses on restoring and protecting the St. John’s River cleanup initiatives, conservation efforts, community Riverthrough through cleanup initiatives, conservation efforts,and and community River throughTheir cleanup initiatives, conservation efforts, community engagement. work directly totohealthier ecosystems and engagement.

Their work directlycontributes contributes healthierand ecosystems and engagement.

Their work directly contributes better fishing opportunities for better fishing opportunities foreveryone. everyone. to healthier ecosystems and better fishing opportunities for everyone.

The TheMud MudHole HoleCharity CharityGolf GolfClassic Classicoffers offersa aunique uniqueopportunity opportunitytotoget get The Mud whether Hole Charity Golf offers unique opportunity to get involved, you’re ananClassic avid ororajust looking for toto involved, whether you’re avidgolfer golfer just looking foraafun funway way involved, whether you’re an avid golfer or just looking for a fun way to support supporta agreat greatcause. cause.The Theevent eventfeatures featuresanan18-hole 18-holescramble scrambleformat, format, support a great cause.

The event features an 18-hole scramble format, making it it accessible making accessibleand andenjoyable enjoyablefor forplayers playersofofallallskill skilllevels. levels. making it accessible and enjoyable for players of all skill levels.

Registration Registrationbegins beginsatat7:00 7:00AM, AM,with witha ashotgun shotgunstart startatat8:30 8:30AM. AM.Players Players Registration begins at 7:00 for AM, with a or shotgun start at 8:30 Players can individually asasa afoursome for $400, with cansign signupup individually for$100 $100or foursome forAM. $400, with can sign upincluding individually for fees, $100 or as balls, aballs, foursome for $400, with registration cart, luncheon registration includinggreen green fees,range range cart,awards awards luncheon registration including green fees, range balls, cart, awards catered byby Mission food, swag, catered MissionBBQ, BBQ, food,event event swag,and anda araffle raffleentry. entry. luncheon catered by Mission BBQ, food, event swag, and a raffle entry.

InInaddition additiontotoplayer playerparticipation, participation, sponsorship sponsorship opportunities opportunities are are In addition tobusinesses player looking participation, sponsorship opportunities are available forforbusinesses exposure supporting available lookingtotogain gain exposurewhile while supportingthe the available for From businesses looking tototo gain exposure while supporting community.

Fromhole holesponsors sponsors premium event partners, therethe are community. premium event partners, there are community.

From hole sponsors to premium event partners, there are multiple ways get involved. multiple ways totoget involved. multiple ways to get involved. theMud MudHole HoleCharity CharityGolf GolfClassic Classicenters entersitsitssecond secondyear, year,the thegoal goal AsAsthe As the Mud Holebring Charity Golf together, Classic enters second year,and themake goal remains simple: bringpeople people together, haveits greattime, time, and make remains simple: have a agreat remains simple: bring people together, have aaaclub, great time, and make lasting impact.

Whether you’re swinging club,supporting supporting a alasting impact.

Whether you’re swinging asas aa asponsor, lastingorimpact.

Whether you’re swinging a ofclub, supporting as a sponsor, orcontributing contributing the raffle, everypart part ofthis thisevent eventhelps helpsdrive drive totothe raffle, every sponsor, or contributing meaningful change. to the raffle, every part of this event helps drive meaningful change. meaningful change.

Spots are limited, andwith withgrowing growinginterest interestfrom fromlast lastyear’s year’ssuccess, success,early early Spots are limited, and Spots are limited, and with growing interest from last ayear’s success, early registration encouraged.

Joinususon onMay May16, 16,enjoy enjoy awonderful wonderful day on registration is isencouraged.

Join day on registration ishelps encouraged.

Join usback on May 16,Central enjoy wonderful day on the links, and helps MudHole Hole give back the CentralaFlorida Florida community! the links, and Mud give totothe community! the links, and helps Mud Hole give back to the Central Florida community!

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APRIL 2026 APRIL 2026

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Look for post spawn largemouth bass lurking in the drop off next to sandy bottom – they are feeding heavily after they come off the beds. Target bass with big swim baits, top water ‘walk the dog’ lures, crankbaits, and rattling crankbaits. Early morning fishing and late evenings will become important toward the end of the month as the water temperature warms up. Best baits: live wild shiners, Rattle Traps (black/chrome), Heddon Spook Jr. (bone color), 4-and-5 inch swim baits in the color you are most confident with.

May signals the panfish spawn – they will be bedding just about anywhere you find shell and or sand bottom in 1-4 feet of water, look where there is not that much flow/current. This is a great fishery for youth anglers

– take a kid fishing! Red worms and crickets will be the bait of choice. Grab your cane pole, and/or ultralight fishing gear and have fun. The best areas will smell ‘fishy’ – the odor will tell you where to set the anchor and catch fish.

take a kid fishing and make a memory take will last a lifetime!

The bass spawn is over and they love fatting up on the panfish before heading to the deeper water for the summertime. The bass will be in deeper water with eel grass, hydrilla clumps or areas with some bottom transitions but not too far away from the spawning pan-fish. Best baits for the bass are swim jigs, bladed jigs and also different varieties of large soft plastics swim-baits. Any natural color like orange-perch, green pumpkin, black-blue, white, or gold is what I would have tied on. The Panfish spawn in areas that the largemouth bass have so it is worth the effort of time to find these areas. Another bait to try is a topwater plugs or frogs both early and late in the day or low light conditions. Walk the dog type baits and poppers can really make for some explosive strikes. Remember to wait a second to feel the fish with a tight line before setting the hook. The bass usually will be moving in and out of these areas several times a day to feed. Once you find the bedding panfish try to find other areas to rotate through and at some point you usually find the bass feeding. Best of luck, you can’t catch them if don’t go, so go get after it and send us your photos!

May brings more stable weather here in Central Florida. Here on The Harris Chain of Lakes and that means that early summertime fishing patterns are starting to get the fish moving here, the recent bite has been good all throughout the chain of lakes.

Bream and bluegill, red-ears, shell crackers are all in their spawning stages around hard bottom shallow areas in 4 ft. of water or less and will be best near full and new moon stages. If you get near them or downwind usually you can smell them (very fishy). Once you begin to get bites fan-cast the area to determine how Before Father’s Day arrives big their spawning area is, move back make sure to visit Academy a little and continue catching them.

Sports + Outdoors for the three Red worms, night crawlers, crickets, new freshwater and inshore small 1/16 oz. beetle spins or small fishing rods by H2OX – Mettle, jigs will work best. The best way is to Factor, and Carbon. Bass, fish the live baits right on the bottom. catfish, redfish, and snook don’t Use a small cork or bobber just for a bite indicator. Once you find these stand a chance with these. areas you will have some excellent opportunities to catch some nice bass in the same areas or nearby. Panfish are great for kids to catch, usually fast action once you find them stacked up, COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

JUNE 2020

LOCATION 1

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APRIL MAY 2026

ORLANDO 5

Catfish will be found in the deeper holes and will bite like crazy a day or two following a heavy rain. They will be looking to fatten up for their spawn and will congregate in the river bends where it’s deep and the water is moving. Best bait: Fresh dead peeled shrimp works great, red worms and nightcrawlers, and small shiners from the bait store too.

Tide Charts Brought To You By: lures with small ballyhoo or strip baits. On bright sunny days go with the yellows pinks bright blues. On darker days go with black red and purple colors.

Cobia season this year wasn’t too bad at all. Instead of a week like last year, they blew by us in the 40 knots this year! We had a few good days then beautiful weather with an empty ocean. We even saw a few hundred rays with nothing on them. Odd. But the good news is that this is also the time frame we start seeing them free swimming out on the reefs. While you’re out there slow trolling for kings, keep an eye out the back of the boat for that cobia trailing you. If your bottom fishing, keep an eye on what follows your fish up to the boat.

Good numbers of dolphin have been caught the last few weeks and should only increase this month.

Start in the 90-120 foot range as many seem to think you have to go to 300 feet right off the get go.

Unless someone is out there telling you to C’mon, start shallow. Start looking for color changes and temp breaks. Also look for weed lines and currents, as that is a good place to start. I like to use smaller islander

Troy Perez 321-607-2033 capt.troyperez@gmail.com

May can be one of the best times of year to fish the Haulover Canal. Big redfish, snook, and seatrout are all active and feeding. When targeting big redfish, I typically use half or whole live blue crabs, as well as live pinfish. A 5/0 circle hook with a 40 lb fluorocarbon leader tied to 30 lb braid works well. Depending on the current, use a ½ to 2 oz sinker with a swivel. When free-lining, cast up-current of the schools of redfish.

One of the most important tools for success here is a side imaging fish finder—it really helps locate schools. You can also anchor up and fish a half or whole crab on the bottom with great results.

For snook and seatrout, I use live shrimp, finger mullet, and croakers on a 3/0 J-hook with a 30–40 lb fluorocarbon leader tied to 10–30 lb braid. Artificial lures like white paddle tails work great when skipped under mangroves and along canal edges, especially when there’s moving current. Fishing the 6 ORLANDO

MAY APRIL 2026 2026

Kingfish will continue to do well this month too. Best bait is going to be the bunker. If not use frozen Cigar minnows. Use a good net. Now that the water is warming up, live bait is much more consistent. Some days you may have to ride far south to get it and some days its right there in the port but at least it’s around. Beach fishing is really starting to heat up as well. We’ve already seen some nice buoy line kings and tarpon. If the baits around chances are there will be larger fish feeding. I like to start with 60# mono till I start getting cut off then I switch to #4 wire.

Shark fishing has been on fire as well. I know many say I don’t want to deal with sharks or you can’t eat them. You are completely wrong.

On light tackle they are so much fun and blacktips are great to eat.

Ever wonder why many restaurants are out of the shark kabobs? And I assure you, there’s no shark shortage. Just take what you will eat! No waste. We need there to be plenty of sharks and every other species for our future kids.

flats is also excellent this time of year, especially for seatrout in the mornings. The Redfish bite has been strong all year and should continue as long as the grass holds.

As the grass gets thicker, focus on pitching into sand holes using paddle tails or gold spoons with a 20 lb leader tied to 6–10 lb braid.

A live shrimp with no weight in the sand holes is also very effective.

For black drum, use live shrimp or a piece of shrimp on a jig head and let it sit on the bottom.

Out in the ocean, tripletail are not as common as earlier in the year, but there are still good opportunities around buoys and free swimmers, especially with a strong southeast wind.

You should start seeing tarpon showing up along the beaches in late May and into June. When the pogies (bait schools) arrive, the tarpon won’t be far behind. Sharks and jacks will also be active along the beaches.

Tip of the Month: Get out early and fish the morning hours. On sunny days, sight fishing can be excellent.

401 Commerce Way, Unit #101, Longwood, FL 32750 www.respitecmedical.com • 407-834-2266 and 1-800-945-6685

Specializing in meeting the needs of the home respiratory and sleep therapy patients.

CENTRAL EAST COAST MAY 2026 DAY

TIME

HEIGHT

1F

2:46 AM 0.17 L 9:05 AM 2.35 H 2:57 PM -0.18 L 9:39 PM 2.55 H 2SA 3:23 AM 0.21 L 9:41 AM 2.31 H 3:34 PM -0.14 L 10:16 PM 2.5 H 3SU 4:00 AM 0.27 L 10:17 AM 2.27 H 4:10 PM -0.07 L 10:53 PM 2.43 H 4M 4:36 AM 0.34 L 10:53 AM 2.2 H 4:46 PM 0.01 L 11:31 PM 2.34 H 5TU 5:13 AM 0.43 L 11:31 AM 2.13 H 5:24 PM 0.11 L 6W 12:11 AM 2.25 H 5:52 AM 0.51 L 12:11 PM 2.05 H 6:04 PM 0.21 L 7TH 12:53 AM 2.16 H 6:35 AM 0.57 L 12:56 PM 1.97 H 6:49 PM 0.3 L 8F 1:39 AM 2.1 H 7:26 AM 0.6 L 1:47 PM 1.93 H 7:41 PM 0.37 L 9SA 2:29 AM 2.06 H 8:23 AM 0.57 L 2:45 PM 1.92 H 8:42 PM 0.42 L 10SU 3:21 AM 2.05 H 9:22 AM 0.48 L 3:48 PM 1.98 H 9:45 PM 0.41 L

Miami Beach, Government Cut 11M

4:16 AM 2.08 H 10:19 AM 0.32 L 4:52 PM 2.11 H 10:45 PM 0.36 L 12TU 5:11 AM 2.15 H 11:12 AM 0.11 L 5:53 PM 2.29 H 11:42 PM 0.27 L 13W 6:05 AM 2.24 H 12:03 PM -0.11 L 6:50 PM 2.48 H 14TH 12:35 AM 0.17 L 6:58 AM 2.35 H 12:53 PM -0.32 L 7:43 PM 2.66 H 15F 1:26 AM 0.07 L 7:49 AM 2.46 H 1:42 PM -0.49 L 8:36 PM 2.8 H 16SA 2:16 AM -0.01 L 8:40 AM 2.55 H 2:33 PM -0.61 L 9:27 PM 2.88 H 17SU 3:06 AM -0.04 L 9:32 AM 2.61 H 3:24 PM -0.64 L 10:19 PM 2.89 H 18M 3:57 AM -0.04 L 10:25 AM 2.63 H 4:17 PM -0.6 L 11:11 PM 2.84 H 19TU 4:51 AM -0.01 L 11:19 AM 2.59 H 5:13 PM -0.49 L 20W 12:04 AM 2.75 H 5:48 AM 0.04 L 12:15 PM 2.52 H 6:11 PM -0.33 L 21TH 12:58 AM 2.64 H 6:48 AM 0.09 L 1:14 PM 2.43 H 7:12 PM -0.15 L

22F

1:54 AM 2.51 H 7:51 AM 0.12 L 2:17 PM 2.34 H 8:16 PM 0.02 L 23SA 2:51 AM 2.4 H 8:54 AM 0.11 L 3:21 PM 2.28 H 9:20 PM 0.15 L 24SU 3:48 AM 2.31 H 9:55 AM 0.07 L 4:26 PM 2.26 H 10:21 PM 0.24 L 25M 4:44 AM 2.24 H 10:50 AM 0.02 L 5:27 PM 2.28 H 11:18 PM 0.29 L 26TU 5:38 AM 2.2 H 11:40 AM -0.03 L 6:22 PM 2.31 H 27W 12:09 AM 0.31 L 6:27 AM 2.18 H 12:26 PM -0.08 L 7:11 PM 2.35 H 28TH 12:55 AM 0.31 L 7:12 AM 2.17 H 1:09 PM -0.1 L 7:55 PM 2.38 H 29F 1:38 AM 0.31 L 7:54 AM 2.17 H 1:50 PM -0.12 L 8:35 PM 2.39 H 30SA 2:19 AM 0.31 L 8:35 AM 2.17 H 2:29 PM -0.12 L 9:14 PM 2.39 H 31SU 2:58 AM 0.31 L 9:14 AM 2.17 H 3:08 PM -0.1 L 9:53 PM 2.37 H

PONCE INLET (Halifax River)

PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE

SEBASTIAN INLET BRIDGE

TIME OFFSET High +5 min / Low +33 min HEIGHT OFFSET High *1.18 ft / Low *1 ft

TIME OFFSET High -64 min / Low -38 min HEIGHT OFFSET High *1.5 ft / Low *1.43 ft

TIME OFFSET High -48 min / Low -24 min HEIGHT OFFSET High *.93 ft / Low *1.0 ft

CAPE CANAVERAL

CANOVA BEACH

SEBASTIAN (IRL)

TIME OFFSET High -66 min / Low -44 min HEIGHT OFFSET High *1.5 ft / Low *1.42 ft

TIME OFFSET High -53 min / Low -26 min HEIGHT OFFSET High *1.49 ft / Low *1.5 ft

TIME OFFSET High 92 min / Low 156 min HEIGHT OFFSET High *.15 ft / Low *.5 ft

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

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APRIL MAY 2026

ORLANDO 7

Boat Dealers New & Consignment

12307 Wedgefield Dr., Grand Island, FL

Astor Marine (352) 759-3655

1 24535 FL-40, Astor FL

AT Trailer (407) 892-1100

www.astormarine.com

Nobles Marine (352) 787-5792 437 N Palmetto St., Leesburg, FL

2 1931 N. Hwy 19, Crystal River, FL

4

Craig Catamaran (407) 290-8778 4333 Silver Star Rd. $100 Orlando, FL

Triangle Marine (352) 343-6146 11415 US-441, Tavares, FL www.trianglemarinecenter.biz

Central Florida Marine (407) 647-6262 25 1021 N. Orlando Ave., Maitland, FL www.centralfloridamarine.com Orlando Boat Sales (407) 253-7111

38 3165 B. John Young Pkwy., Orlando, FL www.orlandoboatsales.com

www.gibsontruckworld.com

Boat Tree Marina (407) 322-1610

14 4370Carraway Pl., Sanford, FL

Next Level Inc. “Florida Marine Customs”

704-5676 60 (407) 87 W. Michigan St., Orlando FL

Boat Improvement / Service & Repair Centers / Replacement Parts All America Marine (407) 855-9988 36 7024 S. Orange Ave., Orlando, FL www.allamericanmarineorlando.net

Advanced Marine Services

498-5142 35 (407) 1322 Carolina Ave., St. Cloud, FL advancedmarine.co

Fairview Marina (407) 295-0117 29 Lake 4503 N. Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, FL www.lakefairviewmarina.com

Portside Marina (407) 249-1124

32 2730 Forsyth Rd., Orlando, FL

Talon Marine Services (407) 542-7600 439

23 Aulin Ave., Orlando, FL

7 Owens Fishing & Marine (352) 357-3030 935 N. Bay St., Eustis, FL

Highlands Marina & Camp Resort (336) 668-4491

11 488 W. Highbanks Rd., DeBary, FL www.campresort.com

Bitters Bait & Tackle (407) 699-6619

21 65 N. US Hwy 17-92, Longwood, FL www.bittersbaitandtackle.com

Academy Sports & Outdoors

East Colonial 11955 E. Colonial Dr., Orlando

Vista 6640 Eagle Watch Dr., Orlando 43 Lee Millenia 3557 Gardens Ridge Way, Orlando

Lake Mary 3641 Lake Emma Road, Lake Mary

CF (407) 281-9210 Spacecoast (321) 345-2011 www.cjsaluminum.com

A&H Storage (407) 678-0507

31 2500 N. Forsyth Rd., Orlando, FL www.AHStorage.co

RoMac Building Supply

841-1250 34 (407) 231 W. Gore St., Orlando, FL www.romacfl.com

Martin Tree Service, Inc. (407) 359-1119

39 1215 Bob White Trail, Chuluota, FL www.martintreeservice.com

Campbell Renovations Inc.

Home Improvement Contractors & Service Providers

DWR Plumbing LLC. (407) 293-3717

26 6344 All American Blvd., Orlando, FL

27 65 Harold Ave., Suite B, Winter Park, FL www.orlandopaintingservice.com

Team Marine Services (407) 260-8236

28 4340 Edgewater Dr., Orlando, FL www.millennium-electric.com

Water Works Pressure Cleaning & Sealing

(407) 376-9526 41 490 Buck Lake Lane, Geneva, FL www.jmwaterworksinc.com

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2 2 441

441 6

Lake Lake Harris Harris

947-0015 50 (407) 285 Campbell Ranch Run, Geneva, FL www.campbellrenovationsinc.com

Vapor and Company (407) 878-7397 3621 S. orlando Dr., Sanford, FL 51 SR 436, Altamonte Springs, FL East SR 50, Orlando, FL www.vaporandco.com

Area Best Picks for Restaurants Jolly Gator Fish Camp Bar & Grill (689) 263-3232

47 4650 S. State Rd. 46, Geneva, FL www.thejollygator.com

Fish on Fire (407) 812-6881

39 7937Daetwyler Dr., Orlando, FL www.fishonfireorlando.com

High Tide Harry’s (407) 273-4422

40 4645 S. Semoran Blvd., Orlando, FL www.hightideharrys.com

Boston’s Fish House (407) 678-2107 Aloma Square Shopping Center 33 6860 Aloma Ave., Winter Park, FL www.bostonsfishhouse.com Mud Hole Custom Tackle, Inc. (407) 447-7637 48 2133 Component Loop Suite 1001, Oviedo, FL St. Johns River Steak & Seafood www.mudhole.com 17 (407) 878-0980 550 N. Palmetto Ave., Sanford, FL Orlando Outfitters (407) 896-8220 56 2814 Corrine Dr., Orlando, FL Huey Magoo’s (407) 706-6802 www.orlandooutfitters.com 22 www.hueysmagoos.com 10 Locations - See our ad on restaurant page Captain Troy Perez (321) 607-2033 99 capt.troyperez@gmail.com Camp House Restaurant (407) 915-5401 Mosquito Lagoon - Indian River - Port Canaveral 13 100 S. White Cedar Rd., Sanford, FL www.camphousebarandgrill.com

Millennium Electric (407) 420-2001

www.talonmarineservices.com

APRIL 2026 APRIL 2026

Lakeside Bait & Tackle (352) 742-3336 5 1000 W. Burleigh Blvd., Taveres, FL

Orlando Painting Service (407) 896-0839

www.portsidemarina.com

8 ORLANDO 8 ORLANDO

Adventures in Florida (407) 924-3375

15 The Original Central Florida Guided Kayak Tour

CJS Aluminum Inc.

100 210 N. Goldenrod Rd., Orlando, FL

Wojo’s Bait & Tackle (407) 891-1003 45 Oak Park Center, 4245 13th St., St. Cloud, FL

info@floridamarinecustoms.com

www.superpages.com

Bait & Tackle Shops / Outfitters / Apparel

www.boattree.com

Gibson Truck World (407) 321-0660

Ahoy Marine (407) 323-8373

www.marinetecsystems.com

14 3370 Carraway Pl., Sanford, FL

46 3455 S. Orlando Dr., Sanford, FL

19 311 E. 25th St., Sanford, FL

Marinetec Systems (321) 363-6550

Boat Tree Marina (407) 322-1610

Boat Max USA (321) 866-0306 24 9700 E. Colonial Dr., Orlando, FL www.boatmaxusa.com

www.teammarineservices.com

www.attrailercenter.com

Company Since 1995 www.adventuresinflorida.com

Aamco East Orlando (407) 277-3311 30 6304 E. Colonial Dr., Orlando, FL Full Service Mechanics

20 1350 28th St., Orlando, FL

9 4820 E. Irlo Brunson Memorial Hwy., St Cloud FL 61 1061 TidenVille School Rd., Winter Garden FL

www.noblesmarine.com

3

Sea Tow of Central Florida Lakes

6 (877) 800-1492

The Deli (407) 332-8800 52 4360 Carraway Pl., Sanford, FL TJ’s Seafood Shack (407) 365-3365

53 197 E. Mitchell Hammock Rd., Oviedo, FL 12231 E. Colonial Dr. #230, Orlando, FL www.tjsseafoodshack.com

Marina (407) 322-2910 54 Sanford 531 N. Palmetto Ave., Sanford FL Celery City Craft (407) 915-5541

56 114 Palmetto Ave., Sanford, FL www.celerycitycraft.com

West End Trading Co. (407) 322-7475

55 202 Sanford Ave., Sanford, FL www.drinkatwestend.com

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We Support Our Community Businesses!!

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429

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Community Service Providers Triangle Marine

Sea Tow of Central Florida Lakes

11415 US-441, Tavares, FL 32778 Phone:(352) 343-6146 www.trianglemarinecenter.biz

(877) 800-1492 12307 Wedgefield Drive , Grand Island, FL 32735

Always Looking for Captains

Bennington Pontoons – TideWater Johnson – Evinrude – Yamaha

Lake, Orange, Western Volusia, Seminole, Osceola, Western Brevard, Eastern Sumter, Eastern Polk

Ahoy Marine Boat Max USA

All American Marine

7024 S Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32809 Phone: (407) 855-9988 www.allamericanmarineorlando.com Service All Outboard Brands – Stern Drives – Canvas – Interiors – Trailer Repair

www.allamericanmarineorlando.net

AHOY MARINE INC.

4503 N Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, FL 32804 Phone: (407) 295-0117 www. Lakefairviewmarina.com Consignment Sales – Outboard Service – Storage – Ship Store – Sailing Classes

Fashion Lumber• Yard – Lumber – Trim •Old Lumber • Drywall Insulation • Trusses Custom Doors – Hardware •–Doors • Windows • Roofing –• Delivery Siding – Customer and More Service

Nobles Marine

Campbell Renovations Inc. Adventures in Florida

285www.adventuresinflorida.com Campbell Ranch Run, Geneva, FL 32732 (407) 924-3375 The Original349-0016 Central Florida Kayak Tour Phone:(407) Cell:Guided 407-947-5460 Company Since 1995 www.campbellrenovationsinc.com

Vapor and Company

Owens Fishing & Marine

3621 S. Orlando Dr. Sanford FL 32773 Phone:(407) 878-7397 www.vaporandco.com

935 N Bay St, Eustis, FL 32726 Phone: (352) 357-3030 Saltwater Tackle & Bait - Ballyhoo, Freshwater Tackle - Live Bait - Wild Shiners Costa - Shimano Top Shelf Dealer Outboard Service & Boat Parts Hunting & Snorkeling Accessories Bow Fishing

St. Johns River Steak & Seafood

550 N Palmetto Ave, Sanford, FL 32771 Phone: (407) 878-0980 On Water Location – Special Events – Full Bar – Steaks – Fresh Seafoodel

APRIL 2026 AUGUST 2022

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Econ Outfitters

State Certified Contractor CBC 1255779 www.econoutfitters.com (407) 924-3375 Providing & Kayak/Canoe Rentals Residential Commercial Newon the Econlockhatchee River Construction – Renovations – Kitchens – FREE Shuttle Service!

Bathrooms – Additions – Tenant Build Out

Mako – Tracker – Nitro – Tahoe - Mercury Regency - Sun Tracker

10 10 ORLANDO ORLANDO

Mercury Premier Service Center Pioneer -Marine Glasstream - Aquasport - Stottcraft Mercury Marine Center New Boats Sales -Repower Authorized Yamaha and Factory Authorized and Service Suzuki Dealer Parts Parts and Service Mariner Parts and Service

231 W Gore St, Orlando, FL 32806, Phone: (407) 841-1250 www.romacfl.com www.thomaslumber.com Phone: (407) 841-1250

437 N Palmetto St, Leesburg, FL 34748 or 1931 N. Hwy 19, Crystal River Phone: (352) 787-5792 www.noblesmarine.com

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9700 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando FL 32817 511 E 25th St,866-0306 Sanford, FL 32771 Phone: (321) Phone: (407) 323-8373 www.boatmaxusa.com

ThomasBuilding Lumber Company RoMac Supply

Lake Fairview Marina

ww

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Altamonte Springs, Orlando East SR 50

7Su

8M

9Tu

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capt.troyperez@gmail.com Orlando Painting Service

65 Harold Ave, suite B, Winter Park, FL 32789 capttroyfl Phone: 407) 896-0839 capt.troyperez www.orlandopaintingservice.com

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Commercial – Residential Custom Homes – Re-Paint Specialist – Pressure Washing

Po

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s 401 Commerce Way, Unit 101, Longwood FL 32750 www.respitecmedical.com • 407-834-2266 and 1-800-945-6685 Specializing in meeting rhe needs of the home respiratory and sleep therapy patients.

East Coast Tide Charts Tide Charts brought to you by these businesses

7

August 2022

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ut

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m

s–

Time

1M

2Tu

3W

4Th

5F

6Sa

7Su

8M

9Tu

Miami, Government Cut

Height

5:15 AM 0.2 11:50 AM 2.3 5:28 PM 0.2 12:10 AM 2.4 5:54 AM 0.2 12:33 PM 2.3 6:10 PM 0.3 12:48 AM 2.3 6:36 AM 0.2 1:19 PM 2.3 6:58 PM 0.4 1:29 AM 2.3 7:25 AM 0.1 2:11 PM 2.3 7:52 PM 0.5 2:15 AM 2.3 8:21 AM 0.1 3:10 PM 2.3 8:54 PM 0.5 3:11 AM 2.2 9:23 AM 0.0 4:15 PM 2.4 10:00 PM 0.5 4:15 AM 2.3 10:28 AM 0.0 5:23 PM 2.4 11:06 PM 0.5 5:25 AM 2.3 11:32 AM -0.1 6:29 PM 2.6 12:08 AM 0.4 6:33 AM 2.5 12:33 PM -0.3 7:29 PM 2.7

10W

11Th

12F

3Sa

Time

Height

1:07 AM 0.2 7:36 AM 2.6 1:31 PM -0.4 8:24 PM 2.8 2:02 AM 0.1 8:34 AM 2.8 2:26 PM -0.4 9:15 PM 2.9 2:55 AM 0.0 9:28 AM 2.9 3:18 PM -0.4 10:03 PM 3.0 3:47 AM -0.1 10:20 AM 2.9 4:09 PM -0.3 10:49 PM 3.0 4:37 AM -0.2 11:11 AM 2.9 5:00 PM -0.2 11:34 PM 2.9 5:26 AM -0.1 12:00 PM 2.8 5:50 PM 0.0 12:18 AM 2.8 6:15 AM -0.1 12:50 PM 2.7 6:40 PM 0.2 1:03 AM 2.6 7:06 AM 0.1 1:40 PM 2.6 7:33 PM 0.5 1:49 AM 2.4 7:58 AM 0.2 2:32 PM 2.4 8:28 PM 0.6

(Approximate Times)

19F

20Sa

21Su

22M

Time

Height

2:37 AM 8:53 AM 3:27 PM 9:26 PM 3:30 AM 9:50 AM 4:27 PM 10:24 PM 4:28 AM 10:47 AM 5:26 PM 11:20 PM 5:27 AM 11:40 AM 6:22 PM 12:12 AM 6:23 AM 12:30 PM 7:11 PM 12:59 AM 7:13 AM 1:14 PM 7:55 PM 1:41 AM 7:59 AM 1:55 PM 8:35 PM 2:20 AM 8:43 AM 2:33 PM 9:13 PM 2:57 AM 9:24 AM 3:10 PM 9:50 PM

2.3 0.3 2.3 0.8 2.2 0.4 2.2 0.8 2.1 0.5 2.2 0.8 2.1 0.4 2.3 0.8 2.2 0.4 2.4 0.7 2.3 0.3 2.5 0.6 2.4 0.3 2.6 0.5 2.5 0.2 2.7 0.4 2.6 0.2 2.7

Time

Height

28Su 3:32 AM 10:04 AM 3:47 PM 10:26 PM 29M 4:07 AM 10:45 AM 4:24 PM 11:02 PM 30Tu 4:44 AM 11:26 AM 5:03 PM 11:39 PM 31W 5:23 AM 12:10 PM 5:46 PM 1Th 12:18 AM 6:07 AM 12:57 PM 6:34 PM 2F 1:01 AM 6:57 AM 1:50 PM 7:30 PM 3Sa 1:52 AM 7:57 AM 2:52 PM 8:34 PM 4Su 2:54 AM 9:04 AM 4:00 PM 9:44 PM 5M 4:04 AM 10:15 AM 5:10 PM 10:53 PM

0.4 2.7 0.2 2.7 0.3 2.7 0.3 2.7 0.2 2.7 0.4 2.7 0.2 2.7 0.5 2.6 0.2 2.7 0.6 2.5 0.2 2.6 0.7 2.5 0.3 2.6 0.8 2.5 0.3 2.6 0.8 2.5 0.3 2.6 0.7

West Lake Toho - The summer bass bite has been improving with the best times to fish in the early morning and late evening.

Summer rains have kept the flood control gates open every few days. The water quality is clear.

Goblins Cove is still producing good numbers of bass - fishing with live shiners over hydrilla.

Fish the boat runs’ entrances at sunrise for good top water action.

Every morning at sunrise, bass can be found schooling on shad; anywhere there is flow. It usually lasts 30 minutes after sunrise.

Big beetle spins and small M-5 Rapalas work best.

Bluegill - I have been trying a new tactic this summer. A good way to beat the heat. I have been fishing at nighttime in the canals using a fly rod, throwing popping bugs up against the bank. On a good moon phase, the bluegill will crush the

popping bug. I have thoroughly enjoyed hearing the popping bug get hit. Daytime anglers are catching good numbers fishing the shallow bedding areas. Bait of choice is crickets fished under a float. Another good area to fish is canals when the water is flowing, trolling will only trigger more bites.

Crappie - Anglers are fishing open water for crappie using jigs tipped with a minnow. Anglers trolling jigs are catching good limits of crappie. The key is to find them suspended in open water.

East Lake Toho - Bass fishing on East Lake has been good using artificial baits early morning. The best place to fish will be at the edges of the cattails. Then move to open water as the morning progresses. Most anglers are flipping open water pepper grass matts with good success. Fish the deeper edges of the grass watermelon seed, Junebug, and red colors work best.

Panfish - Fish open water shell beds with red wigglers. If you are looking to fill the cooler for dinner, the open water shell beds are hard to beat.

GET HOOKED ON BETTER BANKING 14Su

15M

16Tu

17W

18Th

23Tu

24W

25Th

26F

27Sa

Fishing Lake Okeechobee in August can be challenging but fun!

Challenging due to hot temperatures, possible afternoon thunderstorms and lower water levels. Now is a good time to brush up on your deeper water angling skills whether its fishing in the Kissimmee River or the Canal system. Bass like the deeper, cooler water temperatures tie on those deep diving crank baits.

Along with crank baits, a CarolinaRig (c-rig) or a texas-rigged big worm will produce some quality bass.

bass trips which are typical for this time of year. The month of September is when to start thinking of booking your bass fishing trip, as the females start to feed up while they make their way into the shallows for the early spawn time.

It’s also the time to book your fall crappie trip too. Good fishing areas: parts of the shoal; Dupree Bar; Dyess ditch and Horse Island and Indian Prairie. Tin house has been solid throughout the season for crappie, bass and bream, work your way up towards 3rd and 2nd point where you’ll find some bass feeding on the bedding bream. A few areas on Kings Bar have been good and the water looks perfect.

Mainstreet Community Bank has proudly served Central Florida since 2003. Local Personal service. Financial solutions Po nce de Leo n Inlet Ft. Pie rcedecisions.

Inlet, S. Jetty To book you’re next fun-filled, Hig h Ti de -11 m in ute s Hig h Ti de -31 m in ute s productive and educational fishing Lo w Ti de +19 m in ute s Lo w Ti de -18 m in utes trip call me at 863-228-7263 or log built for all of life’s adventures.

Po nce Inlet, Halifax Rive r Hig h Ti de +5 m in ute s Lo w Ti de +33 m in ute s

Jensen Beach Hig h Ti de +2 ho u r s, 17 m in ute s Lo w Ti de +3 ho u r s, 4 m in ute s

Po rt Canave ral (Tr i dent Pie r) Daily Pre dictio ns

Sewell Pt Hig h Ti de Lo w Ti de

Patr ick Air Fo rce Base Hig h Ti de -1 ho u r, 4 m in ute Lo w Ti de -38 m in ute s

Ju pite r Inlet, S.Jetty Hig h Ti de -10 m in ute s Lo w Ti de -9 m in ute s

Sebastian Inlet Br i dg e Hig h Ti de -48 m in ute s Lo w Ti de -24 m in ute s

Po rt Eve rgla de s - Tu r n ing Basin Hig h Ti de -31 m in ute s Lo w Ti de -13 m in ute s

+1 ho u r s, 13 m in ute s

In the early morning hours have a hard top water lure tied on like a bang-a-lure or devils horse and aim at the edges working the lure out about 20-25 ft as you go along the rock-bottom in the River and Canals. If you’re fishing the lake, some areas of the lake are showing signs of algae which is normal this time of year.

onto my website to check out the customers and their catches; hotel recommendations; guide rates and etc. Capt Angie’s sponsors are: Caymas boats and Toho Marine; Lews; G-Loomis; BnM Poles; MidSouth Tackle; Maui Jim; Gill; Bullet Weights; Road Runner; Real Magic; Tru Turn hooks; Mega Strike; Gene Larew; Pradco Brands and BUFF USA.

+2 ho u r s, 9 m in ute s Commercial Lending | Business Banking | Checking & Savings | And More!

BankonMainstreet.com

NMLS#402783

What’s biting now? I’ve been taking All loans subject credit approval. bream trips; fingerling catfish toand

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APRIL 2026 AUGUST 2022

ORLANDO ORLANDO 11 11

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o’s Fa d n

Summer is creeping up fast. The water tables are steadily dropping down to low pool for the summer rains and up-coming hurricane season. Most of the hydrilla is topped out at the surface and the edges are well defined. The bass are moving to the current and staging at the canal openings. At first light, fish open water for Bass for the first hour. They are feeding on the schools of shad. Bait of choice are Rattle Traps, chrome blue back, shad colors are best.

Alot of the Bass are heading out to the open water hydrilla patches, brush-piles and will stay there all summer. Look for the smaller clumps or isolated patches close or near the main grass beds. The bait of choice in open water vegetation are soft plastic baits, Zoom Speed Worm, Zara Spooks, Flukes are the hot baits this month and large swim baits. Colors are June Jug, Watermelon Seed, Black and Blue.

Once you get a bite slow down a make several casts in the same 12 ORLANDO

MAY APRIL 2026 2026

Crappie are out in the open water.

Be sure to fish the open water around the fish attractors. Troll at various depts until you get a bite.

Use jigs with various colors, tipped with a minnow. The bluegills and all the panfish have moved up into shallow water to compete for spawning areas. This is the best time to locate the spawning areas; the males are really aggressive and are starting to fan the beds and will be easy to see. The Shell Cracker will also be mixed in the same area.

They are finishing up their spawn and will be in a little deeper water.

Both panfish prefer the same type of spawning area but will move out deeper to spawn due to the warming water temps. This is one of my favorite times of year to catch them on the fly rod with a popping bug.

Another good bait use is a Beetle Spin with any color. If you are a live bait fisherman, red-worms, grass shrimp or Crickets under a float is the Best Bet! They will be stacked up once you find them, sometimes there will be hundreds of them in small area! This is the best time to take a kid fishing as the action can be non-stop! Be safe with the afternoon rains popping up.

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area or line of cast.

The month of May is a great weather month to fish for your PB big bass and an exciting time to catch bluegill. If you’re looking to book a fun time on the water especially if you have kids book a bream trip, the non-stop action of bobbing fishing with light spinning tackle will keep the kids engaged and you’ll go home with plenty of fish for the whole family to enjoy.

June can also be a great time to fish deeper water areas for big bass and June is a good time to brush up on your deep diving crank bait skills as well as Carolina-rigs, bass fishing in deep water such as the River’s edges, drop-offs and ledges can produce some huge bites and if it’s top water action you prefer, start your day early in the morning working the River or Canal edges with a walking bait such as a zara spook or slow working Devils horse or Bang O Lure. As the morning progresses try a mid-running crank bait targeting the fish holding near the

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drop-offs or if the fish don’t seem to be chasing much pick up a big worm, covering the water a little slower to get the bites. As the lake level keeps coming down, you’ll have more fishing activity in the River and Canals so please use common courtesy, we all want to have fun and enjoy our time on the water, especially there are kiddos aboard. Lure color choices are: white; bream and cichlid pattern (crank baits); june bug; red shad (red bug); watermelon/ red and green pumpkin. Whether you’re wanting to brush up on a certain skill set such as deep diving cranks or slow working big worms or even perfecting your top water skills, now is a great time to book your early morning fishing trip (especially during the week) before the temps get too hot and avoiding typical afternoon rain/thunderstorms. When fishing with me, I encourage asking questions so that you can apply new techniques/knowledge for fishing your “home body of water”. For more “trip” info check out my website: www. southfloridabassfishing.com or call me 863-228-7263. I hope this report helps you to have a better, more productive day on the water !

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APRIL MAY 2026

ORLANDO 13

Seminole Junior Anglers

The seventh tournament of the Seminole Junior Anglers 2025-2026 season took place on Lake Okeechobee in Clewiston on March 28th and 29th.

The weekend had some very rainy and windy conditions. The first day of the tournament was full of some aggressive wind gusts with occasional showers. The second day of the tournament was actually cancelled due to the increasing wind speeds and the threatening showers. The low lake levels made for challenging and unfamiliar conditions. Even with those challenges, teamwork and persistence paid off with multiple Top 10 finishes on Saturday for the South Trail! For the Sunday Spring Trail, it has been rescheduled for April 17th on the Harris Chain. Once again, SJA did very well and competed at a high level in those conditions. Congratulations to our top finishers!

Highschool 10th place - Grant Pergler and Kyler Utzman, 15.74 lbs 11th place - Landyn Myers and Cam Ball, 15.42 lbs 16th place - Gavid Gazdak and Gavin Gold, 14.31 7th place Big Bass - Gavin Gazdak and Gavin Gold, 6.31lbs Juniors 3rd place - Brycen Moriarty, 14.57 lbs 9th place - Luke Jacob and Tanner Blevins, 7.84 lbs 1st place Big Bass - Brycen Moriarty, 5.50 lbs We had several other teams close behind those leaders for a combined strong South Trail performance. Thank you to Daniel Tillis and Florida BASS Nation for organizing another great event.

The next tournament will be at Lake Harris in Leesburg on April 17th, 18th and 19th, where we are looking forward to having more teams move up in the ranks.We will keep you updated throughout the season as to where we are fishing and how our teams are doing. As always feel free to reach out if you want to fish with us.

We couldn’t do it without our sponsors, so we want to give a big thanks to: Coastal Angler Magazine Orlando, Mudhole Custom Tackle, Southeast Shell, Oakley, Avid Gear, CST Fishing Apparel, Mid Florida Carts, Plan Hull Consulting, Grove Scientific & Engineering, Total Enviro Services, Acme Environmental Services, Progressive Plumbing, Precision Fire, HGA Construction, H.J. High Construction, Brockman Site Development, Batia Construction, Scorpio Construction, Outdoor Construction, Tri-County Screen, Dick Joyce Well Drilling, Jacob’s Land Solutions, The Other Side Landscape, All Seasons Pools, Dreamscape Pools, Pauls Pool Service, Bait and Tackle Me, Guardian Equipment, Sunstate Fleetworks and more!

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ORLANDO 15

Gunner Wolf with a pair of “Biggines” he caught fishing Jolly Gator Bass Series Saturday event!

Jeff Hewitt with a nice snapper he caught down in the Keys!!

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THE OVERLOOKED MONTH FOR TROPHY SPECKLED TROUT

f you’re a big trout enthusiast like me, you know there’s still time left to chase a personal best—if you haven’t had your fill over the past few months. While most anglers focus on trophy speckled trout from December through early April, May quietly remains one of the most underrated windows of the year. With the full moon in late May, many of those big females will hold eggs all month, giving anglers one last legitimate shot at a heavy trout before the spawn wraps up.

What makes May even better is how enjoyable it is to be on the water. The cold winter grind is behind us, waders can finally come off, and the warmer conditions allow for a more aggressive approach. Unlike winter, when slow presentations dominate, May lets you fish with more confidence and energy. Topwater explosions become a real possibility again, and there are few things more exciting than watching a big trout crush a lure on the surface.

That said, topwaters aren’t the only tool in play.

Slow-sinking and suspending baits still produce, and soft plastics—especially paddle tails—shine this time of year. With water temperatures rising, trout are more active and willing to chase.

By Capt. Michael Okruhlik

Adding sound, like a subtle tail rattle, can make a noticeable difference in getting bites from these larger fish. Sizes from 3” to 5” can all be effective, so don’t hesitate to mix it up until you find what they want.

Location plays just as important a role as lure selection. I like to focus on grass flats in knee- to waist-deep water, especially those with nearby drains from small lakes or creeks. These areas concentrate bait and naturally pull in predators. Subtle features—like potholes, small depressions, or even a one-foot drop-off—can hold fish and shouldn’t be overlooked.

Approach is everything in shallow water.

Whether you’re wading or fishing from a kayak, stealth matters. Position yourself far enough off your target area to avoid spooking fish, especially in clear conditions. Cover water methodically with a fan-cast approach, working from short casts to longer ones. Starting close allows you to pick off fish in front of you before potentially spooking them with longer casts.

Shallow water may look too skinny to hold quality fish, but time and time again it proves otherwise. The key is reading the conditions,

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moving deliberately, and letting the fish tell you where they want to be. Some days they’ll be scattered across a flat, while other times they’ll stack up along a subtle edge or current break.

May is your last real shot at an egg-heavy trophy trout before summer patterns take over.

Take advantage of the warmer weather, fish with confidence, and enjoy the experience. And if you can, take a kid fishing—they like big trout too.

Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor and owner of Knockin Tail Lures® — knockintaillures.com.

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to return to structure. Success depends on getting your bait down quickly and pulling hard the second you feel a strike. There is no waiting. You either win the first few seconds or lose the fish.

Tackle matters. A heavy-duty setup using PENN conventional reels paired with strong rods gives you the drag and lifting power needed to keep fish out of the rocks. On the terminal side, circle hooks are the standard for reef fishing, improving hook placement and supporting conservation. Pair these with heavy leader and enough weight to stay pinned to the bottom.

Live bait like pinfish or grunts is ideal. Bigger baits often mean bigger grouper, especially when targeting black grouper offshore.

It is also important to understand that grouper are a slow-growing species. Many take years to reach legal size, and they are particularly vulnerable during spawning periods. That is why strict regulations, seasons, and gear requirements exist. Responsible anglers follow the rules, handle fish carefully, and use tools like descending devices when releasing fish from deeper water.

Here in the Keys, your approach can vary based on conditions. Offshore trips offer a shot at larger fish in deeper water, while patch reef fishing can provide more consistent action and shorter runs. Both are productive, and the best ay 1st marks one of the most anticipated are more common on patch reefs and ledges and option often depends on weather and current days in the Florida Keys: the reopening are a great target for steady action. Gag grouper conditions. Show up prepared, fish hard, and of grouper season. The Florida Keys show up more in deeper water and are prized for respect the resource so it stays strong for years offers a variety of grouper species, each with its both their fight and table quality. to come.

Grouper fishing is all about positioning and own habits and appeal. Black grouper are the top prize, known for their size and power, typically strength. These fish live in holes, ledges, and For more real-world fishing action in the Florida Keys, follow Bean Sportfishing on YouTube. found on deeper reefs and wrecks. Red grouper wrecks, and when they bite, they immediately try

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Lipless Crankbait vs. the Chatterbait: How Matching the Hatch and the Right Rod Drives Bass Fishing Success

L

ipless vibrating lures have long been staples in bass !shing, but few create more debate—or more bites—than the lipless crankbait (rattle trap) and the chatterbait. While both rely on vibration to trigger reaction strikes, their effectiveness depends heavily on forage, seasonal timing, and even the rod and reel used to !sh them.

A lipless crankbait is a hard-bodied bait designed for speed and sound.

Its tight vibration and internal rattles allow bass to locate it from long distances, making it ideal when !sh are actively feeding on bait!sh like shad.

These baits excel in open water or over submerged grass, where anglers can burn them, yo-yo them, or rip them free to trigger reaction strikes. For rattle traps, rod selection plays a major role in landing !sh. A 7’ to 7’3” mediumheavy rod with a moderate or moderate-fast action is ideal. The slightly softer tip allows bass to fully load the rod before the hooks engage, reducing the chances of pulling treble hooks free during surging !ghts. The longer length also helps make long casts, which is critical when covering water or targeting schooling !sh. You typically want to throw the trap on a faster gear ratio reel like a 7.1 or 7.3. The faster gear ratio helps pick up the line on long cast when you get a bite and need to catch up with the !sh.

A chatterbait, or bladed jig, produces a wider, thumping vibration and a more natural pro!le when paired with a soft plastic trailer. This lure shines around shallow grass, docks, and wood, especially in stained water where bass rely more on vibration than sight. Chatterbaits often mimic bluegill or bream, making them deadly around spawning areas and shallow cover. Because chatterbaits use a single heavy hook, anglers bene!t from a slightly different rod setup. A 7’ to 7’4” medium-heavy rod with a fast action provides the backbone needed to drive the hook home while still offering enough tip to keep !sh pinned. This setup also allows anglers to control !sh quickly when pulling them out of thick cover.

Beyond lure, reel, and rod choice, matching the hatch remains one of the most important elements of success. Bass often focus on a speci!c

By NPFL Pro Angler Joey Bloom forage, and lures that match the size, color, and movement of that prey get bit more consistently. Chrome or white rattle traps imitate %eeing shad in open water, while green pumpkin or bluegillpattern chatterbaits blend perfectly into shallow cover scenarios. To maximize these techniques, anglers must learn to follow the bait throughout the season.

In late winter and early spring, bait!sh move toward warming %ats, making rattle traps excellent search tools.

After the spawn, bluegill become a primary food source, and chatterbaits excel around shallow cover and spawning grounds. In summer, bait often shifts to deeper grass lines or offshore structure, where slow-rolled chatterbaits can shine. Come fall, shad migrate into the backs of creeks, and rattle traps once again dominate as bass feed aggressively ahead of winter.

By pairing the right vibrating lure with proper reel and rod length and action—and matching it to seasonal forage—anglers can signi!cantly increase efficiency and landing percentage. In bass !shing, success often comes down to details, and choosing the right reel and rod can be just as important as choosing the right bait.

Follow all of Joey Bloom’s fishing and fun on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube at Joey Bloom Fishing.

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PRO FISHING TECHNIQUES

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TOP 3 PRO TIPS

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M

CAPT. MIKE SMITH

any anglers haphazardly run around searching for !sh. They see a !shy looking point and anchor up and start casting. Hours later they give up and go home empty handed.

That !shy looking point probably does have !sh on it some of the time, but not all the time.

What did they do wrong? They forgot that !sh move around based on water temperatures, food resources, currents, water quality and the presence of larger predators. In my experience, 80% of the !sh will be in 20% of the area based on those conditions.

Here are the three most important pro tips to help you catch more !sh.

1. Find Feeding Fish. My !shing charters always start by scanning mangrove shorelines, grass %ats, and spoil islands for feeding !sh. Obviously, this is the easiest way to !gure out where the !sh are.

If you can !nd baits being crushed by predatory !sh, then start casting there. Even if you only !nd nervous bait, that’s still a great spot to start casting.

2. Find Food Resources. When the !sh are not actively feeding your next best bet is !nding bait. Sometimes the bait is obvious and you can start casting along the edges of the schools.

If you can’t actually see any bait then let the birds tell you where it is and what size it is. Birds always know where the food is. When you see diving pelicans or a great blue heron perched on a mangrove branch you know there is bait there.

The various bird species will tell you what lures to cast. When you see small wading birds like snowy egrets, little blue herons, green herons and tri-colored herons, then you know to cast something small.

This really helps because you can grab your three-inch paddle tail or 2.75 inch shrimp and know that you are !shing with the right size lure. Those smaller herons usually target baits that are three inches or smaller.

When you see great white egrets, great blue herons and brown pelicans it gets a little harder to !gure out the size of the baits to use.

You know there is food there but those birds will eat anything from a two-inch minnow up to an eight-inch mullet.

This is when you need an assortment of different sizes and pro!les of lures. I usually have a three-inch paddle tail, an arti!cial shrimp and a four to !ve and half inch jerkbait (%uke) rigged on my rods. Start casting until you !gure out what the !sh want on that day.

3. Find Moving Water. The next important factor is moving water. All of the predatory inshore species that you want to catch like a little bit of current.

They will typically be facing into the current waiting for some unsuspecting food resource to %ow past their ambush point.

Your strongest currents are going to occur during the full moon and the new moon. Coincidentally, the best !shing occurs around these two moon phases.

Go get ‘em!

Capt. Mike Smith, owner of Fish Your Ass Off Charters, is an inshore fishing guide who has been fishing the inshore waters, oyster bars and grass flats of Florida for more than 40 years. Reach him at (561) 3392317, email: contact@fishyourassoff.com or visit fishyourassoff.com.

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THE OFFSHORE SHIFT: WHEN BASS LEAVE THE BANK FOR GOOD

TYLER WOOLCOTT

E

very spring, it feels like the bank bite will last forever. Fish are shallow, visible, and predictable cruising, spawning, and guarding fry. It’s the time of year when con!dence is high and decisions feel easy. But like everything in !shing, that window doesn’t stay open long. Before most anglers realize it, the !sh that were once easy to !nd have simply vanished.

That disappearance marks the beginning of what seasoned anglers know as the offshore shift. As water temperatures climb and the spawn wraps up, bass begin pulling away from the bank and setting up on offshore structure.

Ledges, shell beds, brush piles, and subtle depth changes start to hold more !sh than the shoreline ever could. It’s not an overnight move, but it happens quickly enough that many !shermen get left behind, still casting to water that’s no longer alive.

One of the biggest mistakes anglers make during this transition is assuming the !sh have stopped biting. In reality, they’ve just relocated. Instead of being scattered along miles of bank, bass begin grouping up in smaller, more de!ned areas. The challenge

shifts from covering water visually to understanding what lies beneath the surface. It becomes less about instinct and more about intention reading depth, structure, and subtle changes that aren’t visible at a glance.

Making the adjustment isn’t always easy, especially for anglers who are comfortable !shing shallow. It requires slowing down, trusting your electronics, and committing to areas that might not show immediate signs of life. But once you connect with your !rst offshore group, everything changes. What felt like a tough day can turn into a %urry of action in just a few casts, often with better quality !sh than what the bank was offering.

The offshore shift is more than just a seasonal pattern—it’s a turning point.

It separates those who react to changing conditions from those who anticipate them.

As summer approaches, the anglers who embrace the move away from the bank will !nd themselves ahead of the curve, dialing in on schools of bass that are no longer pressured by the crowds. And while the shoreline may feel empty, the real action is just a little deeper.

Capt. Tyler Woolcott is a professional tournament angler, as well as owner/operator of Florida Big Fish Adventures, providing bass and saltwater guided fishing trips: www.floridabigfishadventures.com.

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T

he very best hunting knives possess a perfect balance of form and function. They’re carefully constructed from fine materials, but also have that little something extra to connect the owner with nature.

If you’re on the hunt for a knife that combines impeccable craftsmanship EXCLUSIVE with a sense of wonder, the $79 Huntsman Blade is the trophy you’re looking for.

The blade is full tang, meaning it doesn’t stop at the handle but Stauer® Pocket extends to the length of the grip for the ultimate in strength. The Binoculars blade is made from 420 surgical steel, famed for its sharpness and its -a $99 valueresistance to corrosion. with purchase of Huntsman Blade The handle is made from genuine natural bone, and features decorative wood spacers and a hand-carved motif of two overlapping feathers— a reminder for you to respect and connect with the natural world.

This fusion of substance and style can garner a high price tag out in the marketplace. In fact, we found full tang, stainless steel blades with bone handles in excess of $2,000. Well, that won’t cut it around here. We have mastered the hunt for the best deal, and in turn pass the spoils on to our customers.

But we don’t stop there. While supplies last, we’ll include a pair of What Stauer Clients $99 Stauer power pocket binoculars Are Saying About and a genuine leather sheath FREE Our Knives when you purchase the Huntsman Blade.  Your satisfaction is 100% “This knife is beautiful!” guaranteed. Feel the knife in your — J., La Crescent, MN hands, wear it on your hip, inspect the impeccable craftsmanship. If you  don’t feel like we cut you a fair deal, “The feel of this knife send it back within 30 days for a is unbelievable...this complete refund of the item price. is an incredibly fine Limited Reserves. A deal like this instrument.” won’t last long. We have only 1120 — H., Arvada, CO Huntsman Blades for this ad only.

BONUS! Call today and Don’t let this beauty slip through your you’ll also receive this fingers. Call today! genuine leather sheath!

FREE

Huntsman Blade $249*

Offer Code Price Only $79 + S&P Save $170

1-800-333-2045 Your Insider Offer Code: HBK321-03 You must use the insider offer code to get our special price.

Stauer

®

Rating of A+

14091 Southcross Drive W., Dept. HBK321-03 Burnsville, Minnesota 55337 www.stauer.com

*Discount is only for customers who use the offer code versus the listed original Stauer.com price.

California residents please call 1-800-333-2045 regarding Proposition 65 regulations before purchasing this product.

• 12” overall length; 6 ¹⁄2” stainless steel full tang blade • Genuine bone handle with brass hand guard & bolsters • Includes genuine leather sheath

Stauer… Afford the Extraordinary.®

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