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THE IMPORTANCE OF BOAT INSURANCE
Embarking on the open water is an exhilarating experience, flled with the promise of adventure and relaxation. Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or a weekend cruiser, protecting your vessel with proper insurance is not just a choice—it’s a necessity. Explore the reasons why every boat owner should prioritize boat insurance for a worry-free voyage.
Unpredictable waters
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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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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.
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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®.
POLK & SUMTER COUNTY EDITION
Capt. Brad Hardy and Kristie McGinnis are the new co-publisher franchisees of this Polk & Sumter County edition of Coastal Angler Magazine. They have been together for 13 years and live in Lakeland with their two kids.
Capt Brad is a natural born Floridian, who has always loved fishing and he has been a long-time reader of the Lakeland Coastal Angler Mag.
Capt Brad runs Hooked on Hardy Guide Services and he is the owner/ operator of Hardy Screens LLC, which he will continue running alongside the magazine.
Kristie is the founder of MLF, Women’s Outdoor Apparel and GLF, Girls Outdoor Apparel. She supports female angler tournaments and sponsors female anglers. In her free time she is a volunteer coach for girls softball.
Capt Brad & his family are honored to continue bringing this free monthly magazine (in print and online) to you, the marine community.
Send in your monthly catch photos for the brag board to lakeland@coastalanglermagazine.
Be sure to follow Facebook.com/CAMLakeland and say hi when you see them on the water, at events or around town in the Coastal Angler truck! —Tight lines!
TENOROC FISHING FORECAST
JUNE OPPORTUNITIES
Bream/Panfish:
It’s officially Summer, and the Lepomis sunfish action is heating up along with the weather! The bream (bluegill & redear sunfish) spawn is in full swing, so the best chances of finding heavy concentrations of fish will be near overhanging cover, man-made structure (such as piers or docks), submerged timber, fish feeders (at Lakes Pine and Derby), artificial fish attractors (at Lakes A, Cemetery, Derby, Fish Hook, Halfmoon, Pine, and Picnic), and vegetation throughout the day, peaking in early morning and late afternoon. Sunfish are sensitive to lunar cycles so keep an eye on full or new moons for heavy action. Keep your nose up in the air as panfish emit a musky, fish-like odor when on bed. If fishing from a boat, try looking for concentrated panfish between 5 to 10 feet off the shoreline or just behind humps, ledges, and points. The best baits are natural baits (crickets, night crawlers, red wigglers, grass shrimp, grasshoppers, cut hotdogs, and even minnows for bigger individuals) suspended 6-12 inches under a bobber or free lining with a split shot weight. They are too enticing for any fish to pass up. The best artificial lures (rooster-tails, road runners, beetle spins, fluorescent-colored grubs) and flies (poppers, rubber spiders, dragonflies) are go-to tackle for seasoned panfish anglers. Lakes Butterfly, Cemetery, Derby, Halfmoon, Horseshoe, Hydrilla, 10, 2, 3, 4, 5, B, Legs, Picnic, and Pine are good places to target Tenoroc’s bream.
Catfish:
Catfish are still being caught aplenty at Tenoroc FMA, and as temperatures rise this summer so will the catfish bite! Fishing with a piece of chicken liver, cut bait, commercial stink baits, cheese balls, night crawlers, red wigglers, and even cut hotdogs around humps, holes, vegetation, fish feeders, or any moving water will produce the best action. Lakes Coronet, Derby, Halfmoon, Horseshoe, 2, 3, 4, A, B, Legs, Picnic, and Pine are good places to target Tenoroc’s resident catfish species.
Florida Bass:
Florida bass fishing has been positively consistent this summer with most fish being caught in the twilight hours near dusk & dawn. In the heat of the day, target shaded areas that provide ambush cover for bass seeking relief from sunlight. If fishing from a boat, target the deep-water points, humps, dropoffs, and ledges many of these lakes offer by utilizing your depth finder. Bass can also be caught around any vegetation, submerged lumber, man-made structure (such as piers or docks), artificial fish attractors (at Lakes A, Cemetery, Derby, Fish Hook, Halfmoon, Pine, and Picnic), and overhanging cover if fishing from the bank. Be on the lookout for cover located near structure and pay close attention to water temperature as it affects Florida bass metabolism and when they feed. Shad, bream, and golden shiners are a few of the most common prey species found at Tenoroc, so try imitating their colors with artificial lures such as deep diving crankbaits, buzzbaits, topwater lures, heavy spinnerbaits, jerk baits, and frogs. Bass have great eyesight, so wisely choosing the lures color and retrieval at depth can be the difference maker. Fishing with plastic worms, ribbontail worms, single or double-tailed plastic grubs, crawfish, flukes, and lizards slowly can entice a bite. These lures in junebug, red-shad, white, chartreuse, black, blue, green pumpkin, and watermelon colors with red glitter have been successful. Lakes Butterfly, Fish Hook, Halfmoon, Horseshoe, Hydrilla, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, A, B, F, G, Legs, Long, Lost Lake East, Lost Lake West, Picnic, Shop, Waterlou, and Wetland Wandering Trail are good places to target Tenoroc’s Florida bass. Numerous TrophyCatch submissions of bass larger than 8 lbs. were caught and released in 2021/2022 so your trophy still swims at Tenoroc! Check out the TrophyCatch website for details!
Black Crappie/Specks:
Black Crappie (speckled perch) fishing will slow down this summer due to the higher temperatures, forcing fish into cooler depths or deep shaded banks. The bite will still be on at peak feeding times near dusk and dawn. Use depth finders to locate dredge holes, structure, fish attractors, humps, drop-offs, ledges, or submerged timber and continue to fish them until you find the one holding the specks. These fish like to school up, so once you’ve hooked one, you’re most likely on the spot that holds others. You can occasionally find a good crappie bite in or near vegetation, around points with large underwater shelves, or suspending in the deep open water. Drifting live minnows or small shiners in 10 to 20 feet of water or trolling small jigs or spinners at various depths will produce bites. Anglers have noticed specks preferring live baits over artificial, so plan accordingly. Remember that a slow retrieval looks more natural. Lakes Cemetery, Halfmoon, Horseshoe, Hydrilla, 4, 5, B, C, Legs, & Picnic are good places to target Tenoroc’s black crappie.
Check with staff regarding boat launching conditions and lake closures due to habitat restoration activities as well as current fishing reports when you are planning your trip. Tight lines!
Tenoroc Public Use Area
PADDLE POWER
By: Capt. Alex Gorichky
It seems as the old saying “the more things change, the more they stay the same” always finds a way to apply itself to every facet of life. Of course, kayak fishing is not immune to this law of the universe. After almost 2 decades as a boat and kayak fishing guide with a lifetime of fishing by foot, bike, or any manner of vessel I could find before that. You’d think I’ve seen it all, and I have truthfully seen a lot. From those first years of kayaks not knowing where they fit in with fishing. Longer, sleeker, less stable, but paddled great, and the beginning steps of the luxury in stability, compacity (gear/weight) we see across the market today. Paddle giving way to pedal, and the recent electrifying everything with trolling motors becoming ever more common. It’s been fun to watch the ebb and flow of a fledgling sport/recreation activity. Yes, both kayaks and fishing have been around forever, but I am speaking on the last several decades of plastic boats tailor made to go fishing. Though we might not have to fish for life giving food like the earliest brave souls conquering fish from small single person boats. The call to adventure solo or with a few friends remains the same. It is about nature, fresh air, and some finned adversaries that you would love to pic a fight with. As your kayak fishing adventures carry you into this summer remember to hit that water early or late when the waters are coolest for the best action. With the normal summer influx of bait this becomes a great time to break out the topwater plugs and have some fun. Though just about every fish we target in the lagoons will hit a topwater plug. My clients and I will be laser focused on the full and new moon periods in search of the best seatrout fishing you can find. The biggins are just one cast and one bite away!
CAPTAIN ALEX GORICHKY Locallines@yahoo.com
HOT DAYS & HOT FISHING
By: Capt. Ashley Beall
June marks the start of the summer fishing season here in the Florida Keys, and there’s no better time to get out on the water. With calm seas, warm weather, and long days of sunshine, conditions are just about perfect, and so is the fishing.
June means hot days and hot fishing!! As summer settles in expect the wind to die down and the fish to fire up both inshore and offshore. Water temperatures are climbing into the 80’s and fish are very active, especially early mornings and late afternoons.
Tarpon are the stars of the show for the month of June. Schools are cruising the beaches, passes and bridges so look for rolling fish and cast live crabs or threadfins in front of the pods.
Snook are moving to the beaches and passes to spawn but can also be caught on mangrove points and shorelines or even on the flats or in the mouths of creeks using artificial lures or free lined pilchards or pinfish. My favorite way with artificial lures is to skip weightless plastic lures like a DOA jerk shad or similar profile under the mangrove limbs or with a Mirrolure 7m18 for some insane topwater explosions. You can also target them on beach troughs with live or artificial lures.
Redfish should school up on the flats and cruise the mangrove shorelines and oyster beds or docks can be productive as well. Redfish feed heavily on pinfish in the summer and will absolutely take a piece of cut
bait on those days when they are being picky. Skipping big shrimp, pinfish or pilchards under the bushes can produce some impressive catches!!
Trout fishing should be good early mornings and late afternoons in lower sunlight. You can catch them on popping corks rigged with a 1/0 hook and a shrimp or live pinfish or greenback. I like about 2 ft of leader personally. You can also catch them free lining any of the Baits mentioned but my favorite way and what I believe to be the most productive is with artificial lures like a 1/8-1/4 oz jig head with a soft plastic jerk shad or paddle tail, topwater lures like a spook, devil horse or Mirrolure 7m18 are lethal for the bigger trout. A lot of times the really big trout will be super shallow in grass. Trout are cannibals and bigger trout will eat anything that resembles a small trout. So baits with black spots are really good Spanish mackerel are very active and can be caught in the shipping channels and around bridges or even in deeper grass flats 6 to 12 feet deep. Use 1/0 Long shank hooks to prevent their sharp teeth from cutting your line. These fish are basically swimming scissors that pull a lot of drag and put up an awesome fight and are especially fun for kids.
During the hotter parts of the day don’t be afraid to use cut bait like ladyfish, threadfins ,mullet or pinfish. Big fish get lazy sometimes and can’t resist it!!
That wraps it up for the June inshore fishing forecast for Tampa Bay. Remember to go out early or later in the day or even at night!! Stay hydrated and protect yourself from the sun. If you and your friends and family want to get on the water for a great day of fishing visit www.onthespotfishingcharters.com or follow me on Instagram @on_ the_spot_fishing_charters or Facebook On The Spot fishing charters Tight lines!!
CENTRAL FLORIDA FORECAST
MAKING MEMORIES for life in Winter Haven
By: Capt. Scott Taylor
Where in Central Florida and this is one of the best times of the year to enjoy our World-Class Bass Fishing. This is a great time to get the kids out for a morning on the lake and still back at the hotel or condo in time to go hit the beaches or theme parks.
In Winter Haven on the South Chain of Lakes it we will be having so much fun catching fish on both artificial and live baits. We fish out of a SKEETER FX21LE with “ram mount” rod holders on the back deck which gives us the ability to troll shiners giving them “swimming lessons” over the deeper grass lines while people who wish to fish artificial baits are able to do so on the front deck.
Our favorite baits this time of year include Pop-Rs, Z-Man 4”Jerk ShadZ (flukes) & PaddlerZ (swim baits), swim jigs, and jerk baits plus you have to throw a crankbait around the grasslines and through the big schools of bait that are all over the lakes. Because we fish the spring fed lakes primarily we use natural color baits in the watermelon reds, pearls, a “good” green pumpkin blue combo, or your favorite, they all work very well.
When we are fishing out of Camp Mack Lodge, Marina & RV Resort on Lake Kissimmee and the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes we’re all about that morning bite. There is nothing better than idling out of the old river channel at Mack to the canal and hitting the throttle running the river while the sun is still just rising behind the trees, then sitting down to idle and sneak up on our first fish. No matter how many times I make that run and those turns off the points, I always expect to see Chief Osceola sitting on a stump as we pass by….
A word of caution is to check the water levels as they have been down several feet the past few months. I know we have the summer rains which should bring the lakes ups but if the state opens the locks it’ll just dump the water out. Out here we normally start the day with a couple of options. I love having a “bigger” 5”-7” topwater plug in gold for when the bass are busting shiners. When they are feeding off of a shad spawn then I prefer a smaller white bait, but that’s just me. We’ll always have Z-Man chatter baits (I’m an EVO junky) and SlingBladeZ spinnerbaits in white & gold, the fail-safe StreakZ 5” fluke and the trusty Gambler EZ Swimmer.
Out here, I will always have a black & blue senko, NEVER leave home without one when fishing on this chain. The frog bite will be rolling for those that want to fish up in the jungle.
CAPT. SCOTT TAYLOR
855-FL-GUIDE (855-354-8433) or Scott@TMCGuideService.com
Official Guide for Camp Mack on the Kissimmee Chain and has been running the guide services there for 8 years. He also has been the Official Guide for VisitCentralFlorida.org, the Polk County Tourism & Sports Marketing Board for 10 years running
BACKWATER FISHING ADVENTURES
By: Capt. Dave Ochs
Expect low water levels at least through the month of July. This is significant if you don’t know the Kissimmee chain. I suggest you take someone with you that does. Unexpected brush piles are a real safety hazard. Many of the brush piles during periods of low water level are only a foot or two below the surface of the water.
The same thing could be said for sand bars as well. Hitting either of these hazards will ruin your day and end up costing you a lot of money. Also, it’s a great idea to stay out of any back water canal or creek that isn’t familiar to you. You could end up being stuck or unable to turn the boat around leaving you stranded. This also will ruin your day and could also end up costing you a bundle.
Last but not least make sure that you ask around which boat ramps are safe to launch your boat from. You can easily get stuck or seriously damage your if you’re not careful.
Having said that please be careful and take my warnings seriously. Expect the bass fishing to improve as far as catching numbers of bass in cover in the shallows between sunup and 10:00 AM and again between 6:00 PM and Dark. Large bass in general will head for the deep water after 10:00 AM and won’t return until the evening to feed.
Top water hard baits are still a solid bet in the morning and evening. Rebel Pop R’s and prop baits work well during this time period. Soft plastics use the Zoom U vibe speed worm with 1/16 with rattle weight or weightless senko still works best. However, some days the buzz saw really chews you up and the only thing you can do is change your baits or change the manner in which you present them to the bass. Don’t be afraid of trying new techniques and tactics on your next fishing trip.
The Kissimmee River still has plenty of water in it and is still pretty good fishing for bass on the pad lines. I don’t see that pattern changing for the summer.
Crappie fishing is still good in the early AM by 10:00 and the bite is over, after dark is better fishing. Most of the time the crappie is suspended at a depth of 7 to 10 feet. Slip cork rigs with a minnow or grass shrimp are working well.
Blue gills and catfish can easily be caught along the pad lines in the Kissimmee River using red worms.
CAPTAIN DAVE OCHS
Back Water Fishing Adventures T: 863-605-2181
Let’s Brag About It! Polk County Catches
Dalton Hanger Winter Haven Chain
Steven & Benjamin Knapek Winter Haven Chain
Ryan Brown & Kate Austin Winter Haven Chain
Kyle Brewer & Kirsten Collins Winter Haven Chain
Marlo Kennedy Alleva Polk County native – guiding SUP’n It Reel Adventures out of Tampa Bay.
Ashley Beall & Jake Hageman Winter Haven Chain
Josh Adams Winter Haven Chain
Throw Yourself a Bone
The 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 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 extends to the length of the grip for the ultimate in strength. The blade is made from 420 surgical steel, famed for its sharpness and its resistance to corrosion.
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.
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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:
