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THE IMPORTANCE OF BOAT INSURANCE
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Unpredictable waters
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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
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Navigational fexibility
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FATHER’S DAY: THE PERFECT TIME TO FISH WITH YOUR KIDS
THATCH MAGUIRE, EDITOR AT LARGE
Father’s Day is one of the best opportunities to take your kid !shing.
It’s a celebration of the powerful bond forged when dads pass down the timehonored tradition of !shing, a tradition that stretches back thousands of years. While !shing once put food on the table out of necessity, today it still feeds something deep within us. at ancient connection to the water lives on in every angler, whether they realize it or not.
Inviting your son or daughter to !sh on Father’s Day regardless of their age makes a timeless statement. It bridges distance, mends di erences, and rea rms love in a way few other gestures can. Even if the day ends without a single bite, the act of !shing together creates a bond that words can’t express. It’s not about the catch. It’s about the connection.
ere are countless lessons a father might teach a child, but carving out time to share a quiet day on the water—free from the noise and distractions of modern life is one of the most meaningful. By saying, “Let’s !sh together today,” you’re also saying, “Let me share who I am with you.” And that’s a gi no one forgets.
Don’t have a son or daughter? No problem. Take any kid !shing this Father’s Day. Whether it’s a neighbor, a niece or nephew, or a friend’s child, the impact is the same. You’re passing on something real, something rooted in tradition, and something that could change a young life forever.
KINGFISHING
ON A SHOESTRING BUDGET
By Capt. Steve ompson
Targeting king!sh during their annual migration season o Florida’s east coast is a predictable event that coincides with the annual migration patterns of the Atlantic stock of king!sh. During the summer, anytime from midMay through August, when the water is warm enough for the kings to stick around, we all have a great chance of catching a tournament class king!sh, at almost anyplace we decide to !sh.
King!sh can be caught anywhere from the mouth of an inlet, on out to 200 foot depths, and that means that almost any seaworthy vessel can, and does, go a er these !sh during the “mostly calm” summer days.
Everyone has heard about the GJKT tournament winner that Fred Morrow caught at the tips of the north rocks, or Bob Johnson on his Traveler who won the aggregate, with two nice !sh, also right o the beach. What do these teams have in common? ey won in small boats with very little overhead, with very short runs to their !shing grounds. But they did their homework and had a plan, and went straight to where they were going to !sh. Because let’s face it, the small boater isn’t going to run all over the ocean chasing !sh that have already been caught. And those are not the only examples, this same scenario takes place every year
in tournaments up and down the Atlantic coast.
Another way to !sh on a budget is to not get caught up in the latest and greatest gear. Sure, you need quality equipment, but one can good used reels from friends, who are upgrading, or from yard sales or even at swap meets at your local o shore club.
As far as rods go, if you know what “feel” you like on your rods, you can !nd o name rods at sidewalk tent sales at your local tackle store, that perform as well as a custom rod, for a fraction of the cost!
To avoid buying that expensive bait, become pro!cient with a cast net! Kings get fat and happy on a steady diet of “pogies”, or menhaden found along our beaches. You need a heavy fast sinking net to have all the bait you want for a day’s !shing. No pogies, you say? Don’t worry, many king!sh over the years, have fallen to other baits than just a pogy. A pound of shrimp on tournament day could very well be a day saver. Croakers are great king baits, as well as blue runners and blue!sh. Ribbon!sh can also be used but are best caught a few days before and brined so they are easily trolled. If you like !shing the Party Grounds always have some sabikis on board. ese are small feathers on small hooks on a special rig that will catch fresh sardines and cigar minnows on most of the o shore reefs and wrecks.
Don’t be intimidated when you sign up to !sh any tournament. You have the same chance to catch a tournament winning king!sh as the next guy. And you do not have to drop big bucks to do so. Just do your homework, pre-!sh as much as possible and, come tournament day, have a plan and stick to it…and we’ll see you at the weigh scales!
Capt. Steve ompson is Chairman of Jacksonville Marine Charities / Greater Jacksonville King sh Tournament and a 40-year successful veteran of competitive king sh tournaments all over the Southeast. Contact him at (904) 251-3011 or email: gjkt@king shtournament.com.
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Greenlight to A Deep Dive Without Going in the Red
Every year in Basel, Switzerland, the world’s best-known luxury watchmakers gather to display their new timepieces. It’s a great event for spotting timepieces that standout–– in performance and in personality. We saw one impossible to ignore: a precision dive watch with an arresting green dial. But we also saw the five-figure price tag and knew we could bring our customers that exact same precision and stand out appeal for a whole lot less. The Stauer Evergreen Diver is that timepiece.
Built like a submersible battleship with a stainless steel case, caseback, and band, the Evergreen Diver is water-resistant down to 660 feet or 20 atmospheres, a feat facilitated by a hardened crystal and screw-down crown.
Green On Your Wrist AND In Your Pocket. You could pay an awful lot elsewhere for this verdant virtuoso, but the majority of the cost is in the big designer name upcharge. We think those guys are all wet. This is how you own a top-of-the-line dive watch without helping pay for some marketing guy’s yacht.
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SPEND LE TIME ON TASKS More Time Fishing
It’s no fsh tale when you run with a John Deere. You can get everything done faster and easier, so you get more time on the water. Plus, our special offers make them the catch of the day.
RECORD 126-DAY GULF RED SNAPPER RECREATIONAL SEASON SET FOR 2025
Arecord-breaking 126-day Gulf red snapper recreational season has been set for 2025, the longest season since Florida assumed management of Gulf red snapper. e expanded season includes additional summer and fall shing days from 2024, o ering anglers more opportunities to sh over major holidays such as Memorial Day, Independence Day, Veterans Day, and anksgiving.
“Florida is the shing capital of the world— with 4 million licensed anglers and generations of families who enjoy our waters. A er setting a record last year, we’re doing it again with the longest Gulf red snapper season in state history, giving Floridians and visitors even more time to
sh on Florida’s waterways, said Governor Ron DeSantis.
“ e Gulf recreational red snapper season is a highly anticipated and celebrated event for anglers nationwide, emphasizing Florida’s exemplary shing resources,” noted Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Executive Director Roger Young. “ is record-long season results from the strong data collected through the State Reef Fish Survey, which Governor DeSantis, the Florida Legislature, and our recreational anglers have consistently supported.”
e 2025 Gulf red snapper season is open to those shing from private recreational vessels or charter vessels. e summer season began over
Memorial Day Weekend, and reopens June 1 through July 31. e fall season will include the following dates:
• September 1 –14
• September 19 – 21
• September 26 – 28
• October 3 –5
• October 10 – 12
• October 17 – 19
• October 24 – 26
• October 31 – November 2
• November 7 – 9, 11 (Veterans Day)
• November 14 – 16,
• November 21 – 23
• November 27–30 ( anksgiving weekend)
• December 5 – 7
• December 12 –14
• December 19 – 21
• December 25 – 28 (Christmas weekend)
Florida’s ability to o er this extended season is made possible by the data-driven management approach of the Florida’s State Reef Fish Survey (SRFS).
In the event of weather-related closures impacting the shing days, Florida will evaluate the option to add additional Gulf red snapper dates later in the year.
Anyone shing for red snapper from a private recreational vessel—in state or federal waters— must be registered as a State Reef Fish Angler (with annual renewal), even if exempt from shing license requirements. Registration is available at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com.
For more on recreational snapper regulations, visit MyFWC.com/Marine.
PHOTO COURTESY OF FIRED UP FISHING CHARTERS
POPPING CORKS & KIDDOS: A JUNE FISHING TRADITION
What are the best parts of June? School’s out, the days are long, and I get to hit the water more o en with my boys. It’s become a tradition in our family: pack the cooler, grab the rods, and head out chasing tails under the summer sun. Our not-so-secret weapon? e always-reliable popping cork.
Now, I won’t try to name every cork on the market (we’d be here till next June), but I’ll share our go-to setup and a few tips to help make your next trip smoother—especially if you’ve got little anglers in tow.
Let’s talk bait. Live shrimp is our MVP, but dead bait and lures get their time to shine too. Lures tend to keep the “bait bandits” away, but if it’s a slow bite, those pesky nibblers become the stars of the show. My kids think a croaker on the line is just as thrilling as a red sh.
We o en dri or anchor near structure when there’s bait ickering around. Dri ing can be tricky with kids who haven’t mastered the long cast or slack control. Two tricks help here. First: the circle hook. It sets itself (less work for little hands) and does minimal damage if you need to release your catch. Plus, in the chaos of a dri ing boat, it’s more forgiving when someone forgets to keep tension on the line.
Second: skip the loop knot for your cork and
hook. Loop knots are excellent—just not here. ey add slack where you don’t need it, and with junior anglers on deck, less slack means fewer tangles and missed sh.
Now to the main event: the cork itself. A er decades of experimenting, I’ve fallen for a newer model—a hard plastic, deep-cup, rattling, popping cork. It’s heavy enough for my boys to cast like champs, even into a headwind. No wires, no wind tangle nightmares, and it ies like a bullet. e built-in rattles add the right commotion to call sh in without scaring them o . And that deep cup? It creates that irresistible slurp-splash sound with almost no e ort. Perfect for young anglers still guring out the rhythm.
One last tip—transport like a pro. Most folks clip the hook low and let the cork bounce up top, opping around and waiting to poke someone. I reverse it: secure the cork down by the reel, wrap the leader around the handle, and clip the hook up high. No ex, no loose hooks, no surprise piercings.
So grab a few snacks, load up the boat, and hit the water. June’s waiting—and the popping cork’s ready to work its magic.
Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Knockin Tail Lures®, and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.
By Capt. Michael Okruhlik
PHOTO COURTESY OF KNOCKIN TAIL LURES®.
COASTAL ANGLER
North Central Florida/Nature Coast
Cary & Lynn Crutchfield
ALACHUA, CITRUS, COLUMBIA, DIXIE, GILCHRIST, LEVY, MARION, SUWANNEE
JUNE
Today is a hot humid day in late May.
Not getting a lot of rain this spring, my Suwannee is moderately low. No flooding in our immediate future, but hurricane season starts in a few days. We are invaded by those little black grasshoppers, who grow up to be big grasshoppers, eating my wisteria, amaryllis, and a few other plants. Every evening, I walk around my yard doing the “grasshopper stomp”. Oh well, a small price to pay to live in Paradise!
New advertiser on page 14 The Power Canoe Company, a canoe with outboard. Take a look.
See page 13 for information on a Private Lake Log Cabin Estate for sale in Kentucky.
This month’s recipe, Spinach Salad with Shrimp and Warm Bacon Dressing page 2, earned the “You can make this again!” award from Cary.
Father’s Day is June 15th. How about a guided fishing trip for Dad? Our guides are the best in the business!
Cary Crutchfield
EDITING & PRODUCTION
Lynn Crutchfield
GRAPHIC ARTS & DESIGN
Kathleen Stemley
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Noel Kuhn
Leslie Sturmer
Capt. Jason Clark
Capt. Katie Jo Davis
Capt. Tommy Derringer
Capt. Andrew Fagan
Capt. Tony Johns
Capt. Dallas King
Capt. Pat McGriff
Capt. Brent Woodward
The best thing about summer on Florida’s Nature Coast (Hernando County through Taylor County) is scalloping, AKA “An Easter egg hunt under water”. Scalloping is fun for all ages and scallops are simple to cook and delicious! How about a guided scalloping trip with one of our guides?
Please thank our advertisers and the location where you picked up the world’s greatest FREE fishing magazine.
Lynn Crutchfield Co-Publisher Coastal Angler Magazine of
Photo by: Suwannee River Water Management District
SPINACH SALAD WITH SHRIMP AND WARM BACON DRESSING (SERVES 2)
Thank you to The Crab Plant for the shrimp. Visit their Fresh Seafood Market or enjoy Cooked Seafood to go. You are welcome to sit at their table and view
beautiful Kings Bay while you enjoy your delicious, freshly prepared meal, watching manatees, dolphins, pelicans and boats. Or, you can carry it home; your choice. Open Tues-Thurs 10:00-5:30, FriSat 10:00-8:00. 201 NW 5th St. Crystal River 352-795-4700.
DIRECTIONS
Remove stems from spinach. Wash, drain and pat dry. Place in large bowl and set aside.
COOKING DIRECTIONS
Place eggs in small pot. Cover with water, bring to a boil and cover. Remove from heat and set aside for 15 minutes. Pour off hot water and chill as quickly as possible with cold water and ice. Peal and set aside.
Fry bacon in large skillet till crisp. Remove to a paper towel to drain. Crumble bacon and set aside.
Transfer 3 tablespoons rendered fat to a small saucepan and set over low heat. Add the white parts of the scallions and cook until soft. Whisk in the red wine vinegar, sugar, Dijon mustard and parsley. Set aside.
INGREDIENTS
• One bag fresh Spinach
• 14 to 16 large jumbo Shrimp (shelled and deveined)
• 2 large Eggs
• 4 strips Bacon
• 3 tablespoons Red Wine Vinegar
• 2 teaspoons Sugar (I use Turbinado Cane Sugar.)
• ½ teaspoon Dijon Mustard
• Salt and Pepper
• 2 large White Mushrooms sliced
• 4 Scallions chopped
• Handful of chopped Parsley
• 2 to 4 Campari Tomatoes sliced (or tomatoes of your choice)
Season shrimp with salt and pepper. Heat skillet with remaining bacon fat. Add shrimp and sauté shrimp a couple minutes on each side.
To spinach, add mushrooms, bacon, green parts of scallions, warm dressing, and toss to combine.
Divide the spinach between two plates, and garnish with sliced eggs and tomatoes.
Place hot shrimp over spinach mixture and add a twist of freshly ground black pepper if desired. Serve immediately and ENJOY.
(This dish received a double “You can make this again!” from Cary, my inhouse critic.)
Lynn Crutchfield, Co-Publisher Coastal Angler Magazine of North Central Florida
A U.S. Navy Ship Named after a North Florida River FLORIDA WATERWAYS
By Kevin McCarthy
The owners of most vessels at sea, like ships and boats, take great pride in naming their vessel. The U.S. Navy, for example, has a set of conventions for naming its many ships.
Technically, the Secretary of the Nary, under direction from the President, names the ship under long-established rules. For example, that sailing vessels of the first class, are named after the States of the Union, and second-class vessels are named after American rivers, etc.
Thus, it came to be that officials named a particular oiler in World War II after North Florida’s Aucilla River, an 89-milelong river that flows from Brooks County, Georgia, down through the Big Bend area of Florida, to the Gulf of Mexico. She returned home after the war, having won five battle stars. She was decommissioned in 1970, struck from the list of ships in 1976, and scrapped in 1992. The picture here shows the ship at sea.
The Florida waterway, forms the boundary between Jefferson and Madison counties in the north, and also touches Taylor County in the south. Because no communities are located on the banks of the river, it has escaped the pollution that other waterways experienced.
Historians have determined that the river served as the boundary between various groups of Native Americans like the Apalachee and the Yustaga, and also that Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto may have crossed it in 1539, at what is today called the Natural Bridge. The river was also the site of a Spanish mission, San Miguel. Artifacts in and around the river indicate that humans inhabited the area some 10,000 years ago. Investigations by those in the Aucilla River Prehistory Project have told us much about the early human residents there. Visitors to the Florida Museum of Natural
History at the University of Florida, can see a complete skeleton of an entire mastodon found at the Litle Aucilla River in 1968.
One of the most amazing facts about this river is that archaeologists have discovered mastodon bones from thousands of years ago, as well as artifacts from early human beings from 10,000 years ago. Archaeologists also tell us that giant mammoths roamed the area around the river. Geologists have marveled at the fact that part of the lower river disappears underground, before reappearing further
downstream. And kayakers may be surprised to know that the river actually has some rapids. Near the mouth of the river, one can experience tidal fluctuations from the Gulf, changes that extend about four miles up from the river mouth. One wonders how many sailors who served on the Aucilla asked: “What is the Aucilla and why is our ship named after it?” Now we all know the answers to those questions.
Kevin McCarthy, the author of “North Florida Waterways” (available at amazon.com), can be reached at ceyhankevin@gmail.com.
USS Aucilla
Map of Aucilla River
Pleistocene mastodons
Pleistocene mammoths
By Dr. Kevin M. McCarthy
The emblem of the ship
The peaceful Aucilla
June
is a fabulous month inshore!
Inshore, redfish, trout and drum will be firing on all cylinders. Fish the outer points for reds, trout and drums with live shrimp or pinfish. Also, remember to check the crab buoys for tripletail this time of year; a freelined live shrimp is hard to beat for that!
Nearshore, the cobia bite has remained strong. Anchor up on, or near any structure and chum heavily! Fish live baits like pinfish or small catfish at different depths until you find the pattern. Good luck and tight lines.
CRYSTAL RIVER
Sweet summer is here. The days are longer, the water is warmer, and the fish are biting. A lot changes on the Nature Coast when “the real summer” hits, and June is just a taste of that.
Redfish will be prominent on the creek mouths with hard bottom and strong tide movement, as well as the westerly islands. A strong tide with moving water helps keep these fish cool, as well as triggers them to feed. Cut bait is my go-to for big lazy reds this time of year. A pinfish cut in half, or a big hunk of mullet is my favorite. I carry a large treble snatch hook to snatch mullet throughout the day to keep my bait fresh. Mullet that sits on ice for a few days get a little mushy and the pinfish destroy the bait before the reds find it. I tend to fish slower as the water temps climb. A lot of “soaking” baits instead of a million casts. Find a school of mullet, hard bottom and good tide movement. This method should point you towards success.
Trout will be making one last big spawning push through our area during the big moon in June. The trusty lil John in watermelon red, with a 1/16th to 1/8th ounce jig head worked slowly over 3 to 6 feet of water, will trigger a bite. I try to find splotchy kelp grass with hard bottom mixed in. Long drifts through areas like this will help pinpoint where the majority of trout are lying. If you catch one on a drift, anchor down and give it five to ten minutes in the same spot, as these fish tend to school up. If you have a favorite trout spot, don’t be scared to free line a small pinfish or mud minnow through it. The bigger trout love a big struggling live bait!
Cobia and tarpon will be around, showing face during June, and even into the first week or two of July. Make sure your gear is up to the task, strong main line and heavy leader. Large artificial swim baits or a good lively pinfish can help put these fish in the boat. Cobia will be around your favorite grouper rocks in 20 to 40 feet. A chum bag has always helped me put more cobia in the boat. I’ll even cut a box of frozen threadfin and continually chuck some out there. Watch for big sharks and big turtles as the cobia often ride in on them. Tarpon will be cruising the flats and often times will surprise you. Try to sneak up on them and pitch a lively bait close enough for them to see it, but not
too close, that it spooks them. If you manage to get one boatside, take your time and release with care. Tight lines and God bless
Captain Dallas King
Pirate Flag Charters and Tours
352.601.8460
www.pirateflagcharters.com
www.crystalriverfishingpros.com
KATIE JO’S NATURE COAST ADVENTURES
Summertime is here! Something I always look forward to is BBQ with friends and family while spending Sundays on an island somewhere out in the Gulf! It also means starting a bit earlier to catch the fish before the mid heat of the day! Redfish have pushed almost entirely out of the creeks and heading their way offshore for the summer spawn. Although there are many who stay inshore and are found along the rocky areas of mangrove islands and long bars with oysters, where they look for their next meal. Artificial baits are a great way to keep the catfish at bay, but offer a nice meal, as the fish are warm and ready to eat. Typically, the incoming tide will bring in a little cooler water temp and push the bait towards the area that are holding the fish.
Trout have moved to deeper water areas where there are lots of pinfish and smaller baitfish around. Jigging a shrimp or DOA Glow Jerk bait displays a live bait mimic where a trout can nearly resist it.
Black drum are following the blue crabs into fresher water areas, so the rivers will have the larger schools of them while they hold inside their during the warm months.
Flounder have made their way to the rocky, sandy areas flats and often gulp a mud minnow or shrimp along the bottom.
A large majority of our keeper size mangrove snapper are also found in shallower areas near rock piles and rocky points.
Always remember, as we head into the summer months, we have pop-up showers late in the afternoon. So be sure to get out
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Heyeveryone, it's hard to believe it's already the middle of the year! The month of June generally brings more stable weather. So far this year, the month of May has been unusually wet with cooler temps than in previous years. This will translate into an extended Spring season with water temps in the high 70s.
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The redfish have been hanging out on the outside bars and around the mouth of the creeks. As most of you know, the Suwannee River Estuary has seen some pretty dramatic changes in the last couple of years! So don't be surprised if your old hot spots aren't as hot as they used to be! But don't worry, the fish are still here!
Now is a good time to talk about “search baits”, baits that can be fished quickly so you can cover a lot more water. These baits are primarily “reaction baits” but when you can add scent, that can be a big plus! For redfish, most anglers will think of the gold spoon as their primary search bait. While I don't disagree, there are times that a top water bait will produce more strikes! Then there are the times when the fish aren't really committing to the baits mentioned, and that is when you need a bait that will add the element of scent! For me it's hard to beat the FishBites Fight Club 5-inch Brawler Jerkshad. This bait is heavy enough that it can be fished on a weedless hook with no weight, or on a jig head when fishing deeper water. This bait can be fished quickly, to trigger that reaction bite, but at the same time, when the fish gets close, the scent kicks in to help that fish really eat your bait!
You can use basically the same baits for the speckled trout, just
many times, you will be fishing in deeper water. One of my go-to baits for the speckled trout is a ⅝ silver spoon. This is a bait that you can cast a long way, as well as fishing it from the top of the water column down to the bottom. I also like a ¼ oz jig head paired up with a FishBites Fight Club Lure like the 5-inch Dirty Boxer Curly Tail or the 5-inch Brawler Jerkshad. Depending on conditions, I use all the colors and I even make a couple of custom colors for when the Speckled Trout gets really picky! June is also the month when all the pelagic species will be here. You can find the magnificent tarpon and cobia on the flats waiting to stretch your line and test your equipment! You will also find schools of jacks, mackerel and ladyfish that can be a lot of fun!
Until next time, y'all get out there and enjoy the wild beauty of the Lower Suwannee River and Estuary! Reminder, I am no longer guiding, but I still enjoy fishing and sharing what I know!
CEDAR KEY
Hey anglers! WOW! Just, WOW! This bite is absolutely amazing. We have overslot reds everywhere and trout are plentiful on the flats. I've been doing great so far just using 1 set-up with 2 different bait options.
C&M Custom baits paddletails paired with Four Horsemen Popping Corks for the trout and I've been switching out to shrimp for the reds.
If you want to target reds, a good amount of the bars around the keys have been holding them. They are
biting on both tide swings, but I find the incoming tide to be a little better. I'm giving it 10 minutes per bar, and if I'm not getting bit, I'm moving.
The trout are pretty much in all the flats now. Same thing, both tides are producing nice trout. I find 3 to 4 feet of water seems to be the magic number.
Also, don't forget now is the time for shark fishing (May typically kicks off their spawn.) and mackerel should be all over the nearshore reefs. Don't forget your steel leader though.
Well y'all, until next, month stay safe out there!
KEATON BEACH HORSESHOE BEACH
Hey guys and gals, hope all was well with your May. Fishing has continued to be amazing filled with bigger and bigger fish, and bigger fish showing up.
Redfish have been anywhere I look, just depends on how many and the size, but the warmer it gets, the harder the bite will get. So, we will probably start to throw live bait more and more to counteract the hotter water temps.
This year has been amazing for big trout. Especially for Cedar Key. We usually get our one over 19 every trip. We’ve also had some big black drum show up, they are always fun to break the monotony. They are also willing to always cooperate. Tarpon are in and I’m full swing if you want to get the silver king off your bucket list.
Well y’all, hope to see y’all on the water. Just reach out to us to get on the books. Until next time keep it Reel native!
ReelNativeFishing.com 352-284-5514
Trouthave been on fire, and with a good breeze, a bunch of trout over 19 inches continues to be caught. Assassin's 5 inch have produced trout from 2.5 feet to 10 feet of water for the past few weeks. I see little change in that except. I will be throwing some different colors as the water clarity in the Gulf continues to clear up. Green Moon, Houdini, Northern Minnow, and Croaker Shad will be color choices I will use or try in June. I will still throw Stinky Pink and Pink Ghost if I ply the deeper waters for Black Sea Bass.
Water temps in the Gulf dropped ten degrees after the 3 to 5 inches (depending on who you ask) of rain last week. I doubt it will have any effect come June, as the trout, which don't spawn in late May, will do so in June. We have caught sharks, catfish, blues, Spanish and just about everything you would expect to see, once the water hits 80 degrees, which it was last week. This trend will continue in June ,so expect some cut-offs from the toothy critters.
Our trout trips have been great as long as we had a breeze to drift us along, however some of these days this past week it was slick for hours. I went in shallow after getting my head beat in and we found 5 keepers for Robert Cross, including a 24 inch trout which made the day for Robert. This trip, we threw live pinfish under Back Bay Thunders for all our fish.
Assassin's 5 invh shads have produced some of our largest trout this spring in Pink Ghost, Stink Pink and Laguna Shrimp. Our Gulf's water continues to clear up and loose
the stain, so we may be throwing more natural color choices from Assassin like Houdini, Watermelon Slice, Watermelon red, Croaker Shad and Pilchard in June. Stay near 4 feet of water til the spawn is over for your best bet in June.
Reds are taking Mike Hakala's AquaDream Spoons in the 1/2 oz. size in Copper and Gold. Just be near the mullet to expect reds.
Meanwhile, Let's Go Fishing! Pat McGriff dba One More Cast guide service for 33 years! www.onemorecast.net onemorecast@gtcom.net cell: 850.838.7541
Robert Cross with a 24-inch sow on May 9th
A nice mess
Ben Barbee of Camilla, Ga with a 4.5 lb. Trout on May 3rd
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ST. AUGUSTINE SURF & PIER
Schools out for the summer! High tail it to the beach! This time of year, the pogy pods start to show up along the beaches. More importantly, some really big fish will also be showing up to give chase to those giant pods of baitfish. Locate the pods from a few hundred yards off the beach out to about 50 feet of water. Look for crashing on the surface, as there will be predatory fish in hot pursuit of the baitfish, pushing them to the surface. Sharks, cobia, bull reds, Spanish, king macs, giant jacks, bluefish, and one of my favorites, the silver king, a.k.a. tarpon, will be crashing the pogy pods in an exciting free-for-all that you have to see to believe. A favorite way to fish the pods is to rig a live pogy on a medium to large circle hook (5/0-10/0). Use about 5 feet of 60 to 80 lb. fluorocarbon leader then add a split shot or two a few feet above the hook. This will keep your pogy slightly under the pod and make for an easy meal for lurking predators. Bring some heavy tackle, because you never know what may lie underneath.
Just like last month inshore, some of the best redfish and trout catches will come at daybreak and at sunset. A top-water plug will be the lure of choice at these times, when worked around mullet schools. If the fish seem to be short striking, try to vary your retrieval rate. Sometimes they like it fast, and sometimes a little slower. If they just don't seem to want to inhale the top-water, switch to a sub-surface lure. One of my new favorites is the Berkley Stick Shad. It will dart just under the surface,
and you can cast it mile! That lure perfectly imitates a wounded mullet or small pogy and will stay just under the surface when worked correctly. It can be just the right look for those fish who seem to be "sniffing" your top-waters. During the heat of the day, switch up your presentation. Again, locate the mullet schools and jig a little deeper with soft plastic Saltwater Assassin paddle tail paired with a 1/8-1/4-ounce Saltwater Assassin jighead. A live mud minnow or shrimp on a jighead will also be a great all-around setup for our summertime fish (trout, jacks, ladyfish, flounder, and reds, just to name a few). These will all be hiding around the schools of mullet and pogys, waiting for one of the baitfish, or better yet your presentation, to get out of line for an easy snack.
With the water turning towards that summer "yoohoo" color, using baits that have some good scent, or “stink” in this case, are a good bet. I like to use Gulp soft plastics or a cut mullet or ladyfish for redfish around oyster bars and in creek holes. These baits give off a strong scent and make it easy for the fish to find them in murky water. Another way to attract fish in murky water is to use a gold spoon, tossed along grass edges and oyster bars during the higher tide stages, is sure to get the attention of a few reds and flounder.
Tight Lines!
Capt. Tommy Derringer www.InshoreAdventures.net
904-377-3734
Summer is finally here, and that means that the surf is loaded with so many species! It is no secret in our warmer (I mean hot months.) the bite is best at daybreak. Sunrise is about 6:30 AM this month. So, by 6:00 AM, you should already be set up and ready to fish. Just like clockwork, the surf bite usually shuts down by 10:00 AM.
If you like to throw artificials, it is go-time. Seatrout, flounder and redfish are all up inside the breakers, feeding on all of the small whiting and pompano. For the seatrout, I have my best success on top-water and suspending baits. The seatrout and redfish will come up into knee deep water early in the morning. For the flounder, I really like a jig head and curly tail, retrieved slowly just off the bottom.
The tarpon and Jack Crevalle are also in the surf and love to eat whiting and mullet. You cannot beat a jumbo live mullet, free lined into a deep trough. I use 60 lb. mono leader with a 6/0 Eagle Claw trokar hook. You will also get crashed by the super aggressive blacktip sharks. With mono, these battles are short lived, but very exciting also. Just like the tarpon, the blacktips go airborne as soon as you set the hook.
This time of year, there are MILLIONS of bait stealers in the surf. The main three culprits are very small pompano, very small
whiting and calico/spotted crabs. If you are reeling in empty two hook dropper rigs with no bait, then you need to change your tactics. You will need to add some artificial bait to your hooks. My favorite is Fishbites sand flea flavor. This super tough bait will stay on hooks a long time even with hordes of bait stealers attacking it. If you want to soak up some of my almost 50 years of surf fishing knowledge, there are two ways. First is a one-on-one charter, where we will spend four hours on the beach. That will give us enough time to cover all of the important aspects, which will make you a more successful angler. My contact info is below if you want to set it up. Secondly, for the past six years, I have conducted a small group class for Guy Harvey. Each class is limited to ten anglers. This is also four hours long and is held in the St Augustine area. The next three classes are June 29th, July 20th and August 17th. If you are interested in those, they are booked through Guy Harvey at www.outpostacademy. com. One way or the other, I will see you on the beach!
Noel Kuhn 43 years of surf fishing experience, surf fishing guide and long distance casting coach. Founding member of Florida Surf Casters club. 904-945-0660
www.TheSurfAngler.com
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GO DEEP(ER)
Tim Barefoot
I’ve written quite a few articles on the tactics I used to catch grouper on the edge and inside the edge with bait in a decoy jig in the past, but now is a good time to push out a little further to see what’s up in the 350 to 500+ foot depth range. !is type shing may require you to change gears on your thought process and/or tackle, but you may be pleasantly surprised with the results.
First o , you will want to use a spinning rod with backbone and a lighter braided line. I’m not going to suggest any tackle manufacturer for rod, reel or line, but the line in the jig is the most important part of this equation. I know this sounds crazy, but you can get away with braid, a small is 20 pound test connected to a short 6-foot shot of uorocarbon leader, and catch the big boys from the deep. When you sh ledges, wrecks and rock homes, you have to use heavier tackle to coerse the grouper and big snapper out of the structure, but in the deep the sh tend to congregate around bait, and there is very little structure out there for them to get you in. !e bait out there consists primarily of squid—the universal bait for all the seven seas of this planet, period. Squid are present at all depths, from the surface at night to their migration back to the deep by day; just ask any sword sh. Ha!
!is deeper water shing may also require a change in electronics. In order to mark the sh and bait you need to have enough power to send the signal and
get a return. You can run all over creation trying to mark sh or bait in vast areas of water, but having the correct electronics will assist in this greatly. Once you start marking the blue-speckled screen on the bottom, you know you’re in squid. I’ve always said it, but when you nd the bait you found the sh. Once you mark the bait, more than likely, it will be squid and it’ll be time to drop in the correct jig.
I’ve made several videos using the 4 ounce (so plastic) Squid Jig, but I’ve also had a 6 oz. size made. A 10 inch mold cra ed squid, trimmed properly, can be very e ective at times. Fish like a champ on the 6 ounce headed down deep. !e jig stays perfectly horizontal and jumps like the 4 ounce, and everything down there sucks it up. I’ll be publishing videos soon on this.
I’ll close with this: nd the bait and you’ll nd the sh...using the correct electronics. Once you nd the bait/ sh, drop in the correct jig that imitates what they eat on a daily basis and you’ll get the bite. And one more very important note. Pay close attention to the MPAs, which are marine protected areas, and seasons you can sh in them. You need to be well informed of where you are when you nish shing and what you could put in the cooler. You have to play by the rules.
Check out Tim Barefoot’s YouTube channel and website, barefootcatsandtackle.com.
CAST LURES IN A MITZI TOURNAMENT 17
EMPTY TANK?
TIPS FROM A PRO
FISHING A BIG WORM
hile there are many ways to target bass, one method consistently stands out— shing with a big worm.
Worm shing may not be the ashiest technique, but it allows you to present your bait from a distance and work it slowly—ideal for tempting big, cautious females that ignore faster presentations.
One of my go-to techniques is casting a Texas-rigged stick bait. It’s a common tactic, but many anglers waste time casting at dead water. I focus on high-percentage areas, such as isolated patches of grass or lily pads. Even when the sh aren’t visible, they o en hold tight to this type of cover. Similar results can be achieved by targeting wood or rock. Make multiple slow retrieves through these areas for best results.
I prefer a larger 6” stick bait in dark colors like black and blue tip. For weights, 1/16 or 1/8 oz keeps the presentation subtle and natural. I recommend 17–20 lb uorocarbon, which o ers strength without sacri cing stealth—braid can be too intrusive here.
To cover more water and locate active sh, I switch to a big speed worm. While it’s a popular technique in Florida, where I predominantly sh, it works well across the country. !e bait’s vibration drives bass crazy, making it an excellent search tool. Once I nd sh with this method, I slow down and ne-tune my approach with other techniques. For stained water, I like darker colors like junebug; for clearer water, I use green pumpkin with ake. Weight ranges from 1/8 to 1/4 oz depending on depth and wind. Fluorocarbon in the 15–17 lb range is ideal here too.
Another e ective presentation is the wacky rig. It’s a more subtle approach and shines in pressured waters. Like with the Texas rig, I cast this bait weightless to isolated cover. I use lighter line and a spinning setup—typically 10–15 lb leader—adjusting based on cover density. In dirty water, I stick to dark colors; in clearer water, I go with more natural tones.
Flipping a worm is another technique I use, especially when there’s a lot of heavy cover. While not as stealthy, ipping allows you to place the bait precisely where other rigs can’t reach. I use large Senko-style baits, braided line, and heavier weights (3/8 to 3/4 oz) to penetrate thick vegetation. It’s perfect for pads, long banks, and heavy wood or grass. !e key is to sh slowly and thoroughly, putting your bait where others haven’t.
Rod and reel setups vary slightly depending on the technique. For most casting and ipping styles, I like a longer rod—around 7’6”— with medium-heavy to heavy action. !e 13 Fishing Omen Series has a few ideal models. I pair these with a high-speed baitcasting reel like the Concept A 7.5:1, which helps pull sh out of thick cover quickly.
For the wacky rig, I downsize to a 7’3” medium-heavy spinning rod. It o ers enough backbone to move sh but also provides the sensitivity and exibility needed when using lighter line. A spinning reel with a smooth drag is crucial. I recommend the 13 Fishing Axum, which o ers the control and power necessary for nesse shing around cover.
!ese worm shing techniques consistently produce. Whether you’re casting to isolated cover, ipping into thick vegetation, or working a speed worm through open water, there’s a big bass out there waiting to bite. I’m excited to put these methods to work—and hope they help you land some giants too.
Tyler Woolcott is a professional tournament angler and guide. Check out his website at www.tylerwoolcott shing.com.
WHY BUY NEW WHEN YOU CAN RENEW?!?
STATE RECORD FISH TITLE BROKEN THREE TIMES THIS YEAR!
For the third time in less than a year, Georgia has a new freshwater !sh state record spotted sun!sh!
Josh Forsythe of Homerville, GA (Clinch County) landed the newest record catch of 0 lb, 13 oz on May 5 from the Suwannee River. is almost 9-inch catch beats the previous state record tie of 0 lb, 12 oz, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division (WRD).
“My 5-year-old daughter and I were !shing for bream on one of my favorite rivers, the Suwannee, when I caught this spotted sun!sh,” said Forsythe. “I have been !shing this river for more than 15 years and it is one of my favorite places to !sh for good-sized bream, especially spotted sun!sh. I recommend waiting until river levels are below 4-foot and using top water bugs to catch giants, but a beetle spin or even a cricket or a worm on a cork will work.”
Spotted sun!sh are found in the Ocmulgee, Oconee, Altamaha, Ogeechee, Ochlockonee, Suwannee, St. Mary’s, Satilla and Savannah River basins. When angling for them, WRD recommends using worms, crickets, small spinners, ies and popping bugs.
“Maybe hearing about that state record tie for spotted sun!sh !red up some folks to land a new record – and we love to see it,” says Scott Robinson, WRD Chief of Fisheries. “Are you the next state record holder? Georgia has the best variety of angling opportunities across the state so Let’s Go Fish Georgia!”
NC CERTIFIES NEW VERMILION SNAPPER RECORD
North Carolina‘s Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries recently established a new state record for Vermilion Snapper (Rhomboplites aurorubens).
Colby Shaw of Newport caught the 7-pound, 4-ounce sh o Morehead City on April 18, 2025. !e previous state record was 6-pounds, 9-ounces landed out of Ocean Isle in 2009.
Shaw was shing in his own vessel, o shore south of Beaufort Inlet when the sh struck his cut bait. Shaw made quick work of reeling in his state record sh, landing it using his Shimano rod and reel with 65-pound braid.
Shaw’s sh measured 23.5-inches fork
to the fork in the tail) and had a 17-inch
sheries sta at the Morehead City Headquarters
!e
Division of Marine Fisheries.
Bill Dance Signature Lakes O er Impactful Improvements to Tennessee’s Fishing Waters
By David Haggard & Heather Lose
Representatives from Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, and Tennessee State Parks celebrate the ribbon cutting of the Bill Dance Signature Lakes project at the Bassmaster Classic in Knoxville on March 25, along with the project’s namesake. Photo Courtesy of the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development:
