Coastal Angler Magazine | March 2025 | Orlando Edition by Coastal Angler Magazine

POMPANO

Smooth Sailing

navigating peace of mind

THE IMPORTANCE OF BOAT INSURANCE

Embarking on the open water is an exhilarating experience, flled with the promise of adventure and relaxation. Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or a weekend cruiser, protecting your vessel with proper insurance is not just a choice—it’s a necessity. Explore the reasons why every boat owner should prioritize boat insurance for a worry-free voyage.

Unpredictable waters

The open water can be unpredictable, with unexpected storms, collisions, or other potential accidents. Boat insurance can give you fnancial protection if there is damage to your vessel, providing coverage for repairs or replacement.

Damage and injury

Accidents on the water can result in damage to other boats, docks, or even injuries to passengers. Boat insurance offers liability coverage, which can pay for damages or injuries you’re liable for while boating, up to specifed limits, and lawsuit costs if you’re sued. This includes damage you cause to another watercraft or if someone on or near your boat is injured and you’re found to be legally responsible.

Theft and vandalism

Unfortunately, boat theft and vandalism are realities that boat owners face. Boat insurance has comprehensive and collision coverage that can protect you against events outside of your control, including theft and vandalism.

Incurred medical payments

Accidents on the water may lead to injuries for you or your passengers. Boat insurance offers a range of optional medical payments coverage limits, helping to cover medical expenses if you are in an accident or someone is hurt on your boat, regardless of fault.

Peace of mind for fnancing

If you fnanced the purchase of your boat, most lenders require insurance coverage to protect their investment. Having boat insurance not only fulflls these requirements but also gives you peace of mind knowing that your fnancial interests are safeguarded.

Navigational fexibility

Some water municipalities and marinas may require proof of insurance for docking or accessing certain areas. Boat insurance allows you the fexibility to explore different destinations without worrying about entry restrictions.

Emergency towing and assistance

Progressive boat insurance can include optional Sign & Glide® On-Water Towing coverage. If your boat is disabled or breaks down on the water, Sign & Glide® pays for on-water towing, jump starts, soft un-groundings, and fuel delivery.

Wreckage removal

If your boat sinks, Progressive boat insurance will cover the cost of removing your boat from the water (if removal is legally required).

Investing in boat insurance is not just about protecting a valuable asset; it’s about safeguarding the memories, experiences, and joy that come with your on-water adventures. Don’t let unforeseen circumstances disrupt your journey—navigate with confdence, knowing that Progressive boat insurance has you covered. Ensure a smooth and worry-free voyage, because when it comes to your boat, peace of mind is the ultimate luxury.

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DESTINATION FISHING

By Ben Martin, Editor in Chief

Fishing is a beloved pastime that transcends borders, drawing anglers to new destinations around the globe. Whether it’s the thrill of chasing trophy !sh, exploring pristine environments, or immersing oneself in local cultures, traveling to !sh o ers a unique and enriching experience. But why do so many anglers feel compelled to venture far from their home waters to cast a line? Here are some key reasons behind this phenomenon.

For many anglers, the chance to catch a once-in-a-lifetime !sh is a driving force behind their travels. Di erent regions are home to speci!c species that can’t be found elsewhere. For example, the tarpon-rich waters of the Florida Keys, the salmon runs in Alaska, or the giant trevally in the Seychelles all serve as magnets for anglers. e challenge of targeting these iconic species and the bragging rights that come with landing them o en justify the journey.

requires anglers to adapt and learn. Di erent locations come with unique !shing techniques, such as y !shing in Montana’s rivers, jigging for tuna in o shore waters, or using traditional handlines in tropical locales. Each trip is an opportunity to

friends and family or encounters with local guides and fellow anglers. ese interactions create lasting memories and a sense of camaraderie that extends beyond borders. In turn, the stories and photos from these adventures become cherished mementos, sparking conversations and inspiring others to pursue their own !shing journeys.

Magazine and its digital magazine Magazine have always tried to bring you news and awareness about exotic !shing destinations around the world. Your trips and adventures are an integral part of our monthly compilation process. Your photos, videos and stories about your !shing trips are always welcomed here.

acquire new skills, re!ne existing ones, and deepen one’s appreciation for the art and science of !shing.

Fishing in new destinations allows anglers to experience a variety of ecosystems, each with its unique beauty and challenges. From tranquil mountain streams and sprawling freshwater lakes to turquoise saltwater ats and deep ocean trenches, the diversity of !shing environments is staggering. is variety not only enhances the adventure but also broadens an angler’s understanding of aquatic habitats and their importance to global biodiversity.

Traveling to new !shing destinations o en

Fishing inherently fosters a deep connection with nature, but traveling ampli!es this experience. Anglers o en !nd themselves in remote, untouched locations where the tranquility and beauty of the natural world are at their peak. is immersion provides a welcome escape from the stresses of daily life and fosters a sense of mindfulness and gratitude.

Fishing trips o en bring people together, whether it’s through shared experiences with

For many anglers, !shing is more than a sport—it’s an adventure. Traveling to new destinations satis! human desire to explore the unknown and conquer its challenges. Whether it’s navigating unfamiliar waters, encountering unpredictable weather, or matching wits with elusive !sh, each trip is a thrilling chapter in an angler’s personal story. e reasons anglers travel to as diverse as the destinations they seek. From the pursuit of trophy catches to the joy of exploring new landscapes, each journey o ers a blend of excitement, education, and enrichment. For those who !sh, the world is not just a playground but a treasure trove of opportunities waiting to be discovered. So, pack your gear, book that trip, and embrace the adventure—the next big catch might be just a plane ride away.

To submit your catch photos, videos or stories, email editorial@coastalanglermagazine.com.

You want new charts?

You got new charts! Explore the ocean with vibrant terrain & depth shading, using all-new TZ MAPS. Don’t just take our word for it. See for yourself. Scan here, and we’ll show you!

Catching an Unexpected Trophy in the Atlantic

What started as a morning of unproductive wahoo trolling north of St. Augustine turned into an unforgettable battle with one of Florida’s most prized catches. Capt. Daniel Levesque and his crew aboard Rare Breed had spent hours searching for wahoo, battling against an uncooperative west wind, when they decided to switch tactics.

“A er passing over endless schools of blue runners and proli!c bottom structure, I pulled into a spot that had previously produced wahoo,” recalls Capt. Daniel. “ e sonar was marking !sh from top to bottom.”

By Brandon Shoaf

As two anglers at the bow dropped sabiki rigs to collect live bait, their lines became hopelessly entangled. While the captain worked to untangle the mess of braided line, angler Mike Lorenz noticed something interesting on the sonar screen. He dropped down an old, paint-worn butter y jig to about 60 feet.

“It got hit by what felt like a train,” Lorenz describes. “ e conventional reel was screaming. At !rst, I thought I had a shark, but it felt di erent.” e mystery !sh made several blistering runs, nearly spooling Lorenz’s reel multiple times. e battle switched between long runs and deep, powerful dives under the boat. “It felt more like !ghting a huge grouper when it was beneath us,” says Lorenz. “I think both the !sh and I were taking breaks between rounds.”

Capt. Daniel maneuvered the boat to help chase down the !sh. A er an

THE PORTABLE MFS

9.9/15/20

These compact yet powerful engines have all the features you would expect to see on larger outboards, such as bettery-less EFI technology, multi-function tiller handle* and a large displacement porviding outstandng power. All while maintaining lightest in its class, quiet opetration and ease of portability.

intense !ght, a massive silver ash appeared near the surface, prompting the captain to shout “AP!” e prize—a massive African pompano—was !nally secured with a well-placed ga shot by Capt. Daniel. e crew gathered for photos, marveling at their spectacular trophy, a testament to both the !sh’s size and the memorable nature of the catch.

What began as a “cursed” day of wahoo !shing transformed into the catch of a lifetime, proving once again that sometimes the best !shing stories come when plans go sideways and anglers remain ready for whatever opportunity presents itself.

Brandon Shoaf is Co-Publisher of Coastal Angler Magazine’s Volusia County edition. Contact him at (386) 260-9600 or volusia@coastalanglermagazine.com.

*Tiller Models Only.

By Brandon Tourigny

FLORIDA’S CHAIN PICKEREL

In the northern parts of our great country, anglers enjoy chasing down enormous pike and elusive musky. We Floridians don’t usually give this toothy family of sh a second thought since the lake monsters of the north are nowhere to be found in our waters. ere is, however, a smaller cousin of northern pike and musky that Florida anglers willing to do a little searching can have the pleasure of shing for: the chain pickerel.

Named for their greenish and dark colorations creating a chainlike pattern, these sh stand out among the pike family. Alongside their smaller relative, the red n pickerel, these are the only pike family members commonly found in Florida.

Chain pickerel are found statewide and most o en inhabit densely vegetated areas of ponds, swamps and rivers. ese predatory sh are solitary hunters that prowl the shallows in search of small minnows and shad. e chain pickerel’s lightning-fast strikes and long snake-like body make for an exhilarating battle on lighter tackle. e best place to start in terms of selecting baits would be to go with small Rapala jerkbaits and crankbaits, topwater plugs and spinnerbaits. To be able to fully appreciate the ght in these feisty predators, a good rod and reel set up would be a medium-light action spinning rod paired with a 2,500 to 3,000 size spinning reel spooled up with 10- to 20-pound braided line. Don’t be surprised, however, if these toothy sh cut you o$ on occasion. eir mouths are full of needle-sharp teeth that can tear through shing line, and your ngers, very easily.

If you are looking to gain some recognition for your chain pickerel, be sure to check out the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s big catch program, which gives wellearned recognition to large sh of a number of species caught in Florida. In terms of chain pickerel, any sh 3 pounds and heavier will qualify for this program. Also, as I always like to remind anglers across Florida, these sh are a native species to our state and deserve our respect when shing for them. Try to return sh unharmed to the water as quickly as possible to ensure your catch can continue to grow and carry on the population so our children a er us can have the chance to catch these magni cent sh.

FWC Applauds Governor’s Recommended Budget for Prioritizing Florida’s Natural Resources

Recommendations include $30 million to Restore Apalachicola’s Oyster Habitat, $10 Million for Shooting Sports Facilities, and $10 million for Artiﬁcial Reefs

Governor Ron DeSantis recently announced his 2025-26 Focus on Fiscal Responsibility Budget recommendations, solidifying Florida’s status as the nation’s leader in sh and wildlife conservation and outdoor recreation.

“Governor DeSantis’ recommendations reinforce his unwavering support to Florida’s sheries, hunting and angling community, public access to shooting sports, and the long-term recovery of the Apalachicola Oyster Habitat,” said FWC Executive Director Roger Young. “ ese investments are in addition to the Governor’s law enforcement pay plan, support of enhanced training capabilities for FWC O cers, and funding to bolster our operations to combat illegal immigration and drug tra cking.”

Florida is home to some of the country’s premier destinations for top-tier shing, hunting, and outdoor recreational opportunities. ese activities draw outdoor enthusiasts to our state and contribute signi cantly to the state’s economy with nearly $15 billion dollars. With more than 34 million acres of public and private land and over 12,000 square miles of water, maintaining our sh and wildlife resources is critical to sustaining a healthy way of life and a robust economy.

• Restoring Apalachicola Bay Oysters:

Historically, nearly 90% of Florida’s and 10% of the nation’s wild oysters came from Apalachicola Bay. is year, the Governor is recommending $30 million in funding to expedite FWC’s e$orts to restore and recover the oyster habitat. is investment is in addition to an additional $10 million investment in the Department of Environmental Protection’s budget to invest in projects that support the Apalachicola Bay Area of Critical State Concern.

• Promoting Floridians’ Access to Public Boat Ramps: As the Boating Capital of the World, Florida’s coastal communities must have enough publicly accessible boat ramps. As such, the budget recommends $9 million to increase public access to maritime facilities while providing another year of %exibility in the Department of Environmental Protection’s Working Waterfronts program.

• Investing in Florida’s Arti cial Reefs: e Focus on Fiscal Responsibility Budget provides $10 million to support additional reefs across Florida’s coastlines.

• Increasing Public Access to Shooting Sports and Wild Game: e Governor’s Budget invests $9.2 million to support the construction of two new shooting sports facilities in Liberty and Polk counties while also calling for a “Second

Amendment Summer” tax holiday on rearms and ammunition. Additionally, the budget provides $9 million to manage FWC’s wildlife management areas.

• Prioritizing Fresh and Saltwater Research and State Management: As recommended by the Governor, FWC is provided additional funds to support FWC’s marine lab in Cedar Key and increased funding to support the management of Red Snapper o$ all of Florida’s coastlines. e budget also prioritizes investments in Florida Bass, Snook, Tripletail, and other Bone sh species.

• Defending Florida’s Everglades from Invasive Species: Governor DeSantis includes more than $3 million to remove pythons from the Everglades utilizing traditional methods and innovative technologies.

• Maintaining Law & Order: e Governor provides $5 million for a dedicated state training facility for waterborne rescues and $4.4 million to codify the FWC’s Special Immigration Law Enforcement Unit.

FWC’s mission is to manage sh and wildlife resources for their long-term well-being and the bene t of the people. To learn more about FWC, visit MyFWC.com.

Maintenance • Complete

Types Serviced

PARTS

Marine Grade Stainless Steel Parts Custom Axles • Accessories Large Parts Inventory For All Trailer Types.

We Have Aluminum Boat, Pontoon, PWC Trailers Available as well as Utility, Equipment, Dump And Enclosed Trailers.

Thursday March 6 – 630 pm., Jolly Gator Fish Camp Bar and Grill will be hosting the Annual Team registration meeting for the 2025 Jolly Gator Bass Tournament Series. This season starts Tuesday March 11th. All rules, entry fees and any changes for the season will be discussed. Join the anglers and staff of Orlando Coastal Angler Magazine who are the tournament officials and weighmasters for all events.

Tuesday March 18, 255pm till dusk, Jolly Gator Bass Tournament Series, every Tuesday evening plus 1 Saturday per month until the Classic in August. Cost is $50 per event, 2 anglers per team. Teams that finish in the Top 13 in points or win an event and fish at least 21 events will qualify for the end of year Classic. Some of the best river anglers in the area fish this Bass Series. Over $30,000.00 was paid out last season! The staff of Orlando Coastal Angler Magazine are the official weighmasters for this fun tournament series, come out and join us for the weekly weigh-ins. All Tuesday events start at 5pm till dusk, Saturday events (1 per month) are safe light till 2pm. Launch ramp at CS Lee Park next to Jolly Gator Fish Camp on SR 46 east of Sanford at St. Johns River Bridge. For questions contact Jim “Squirt” Chaudoin at 407-432-2822 or Phil Wolf Coastal Angler Magazine at 407-790-9515.

Friday Saturday March 14-15

– Strike Zone Melbourne Huge Tent Sale. Friday 9am-7pm, Saturday 9am-4pm. Fishing, Hunting, Boating, Rods, Reels, Apparel, Sunglasses and more! Daily specials – check their FB page for details. Strike Zone Melbourne Only! - 2771 West New Haven Ave. (321) 956-3474.

Thursday March 20 – 630 pm ,16th Annual Shad and Crappie Derby Awards ceremony to be hosted by Celery City Craft at 114 Palmetto Ave., Sanford, 32771. Come join the staff of Orlando Coastal Angler Magazine and congratulate this season’s winners and the great prizes provided by our product sponsors and special thanks to Academy Sports &

Outdoors for their support! Awards for the longest Shad and Crappie for both Youth and Adult divisions. Prizes for the largest fish of the month for both species and special Certificates for those anglers who caught a Crappie that is 15” or longer! This is the longest running, awesome community Derby style tournament in Central Florida, Join Phil and Charlie and come out to see the smiles on the faces of our winning anglers! For a preview of this season’s entries visit coastalanglermag. com/Orlando/shad-crappiederby.

Saturday March 29 – 11am till 7pm, 13th Annual Pints and Paws Craft Beer Festival, Hosted by Celery City Craft and West End Trading Co. at 202. S. Sanford Ave. 32771, Presented by Hounds Town, all proceeds to be donated to local pet rescue charities. Giant Street Party, lots of family fun, vendors, Food Trucks and live music. For more info visit www. pintsandpaws.com come and join the fun and help an animal out!!

Friday, Saturday, Sunday April 4, 5, 6 – Orlando Boat Show to be hosted at the Orlando Convention Center. Over 500 boats and 27 dealers from the Central Florida area will be there to display their best vessels. Special Boat-show pricing, lots of family activities, kids zone with Twiggy the “Water Skiing Squirrel and new this year the “Fishing Zone” with 40 booths with loads of products from the fishing and boating industry. Seminars on boating and fishing from local area Captains, business owners and local area experts. For more info visit OrlandoBoatShow.com

If you have an event or meeting you would like included in the “What’s Hitting Around Town” column, send your details to: Phil Wolf phillip@ coastalanglermagazine.com. Deadline for inclusion is the 10th of the preceding month.

Seminole Junior Anglers

Hello readers, thanks for checking out the latest with our Seminole Junior Anglers!The more stable and milder weather in early February helped the fishing on Florida waters. The fish seemed to find normalcy and didn’t have to react to the overnight temperature drops like we saw in January.

Of course, as our luck would have it, our tournament for February was in Bainbridge Ga, on Lake Seminole and we did get a little cool weather the night before our first day. Lake Seminole can be a deep water bite almost any time of the year, but this tournament proved to be a definite deep water bite on the stumps and trees. An area called Spring Creek where Florida, Georgia and Alabama lines meet are made up of 2 dammed up rivers, the Flint and the Chattahoochee. The area has flooded timber and averages about 15-20’ in most areas and gets deeper where the original creek bottom is. The structure created by the trees in the water gives us something we don’t see in most Florida lakes and fishes deeper than most Florida lakes also. This habitat also provides insulation from the cold and holds the fish during our tournament.

Nathan Bennett and Brady Biles were top team for SJA for both days weighing in right at 10.5lbs both days and finished in 30th for the weekend out of the standard 120-130 High School teams. We were only a quarter mile away from both Saturday and Sunday big bags but just didn’t get into the big fish like they did. We return to the Harris Chain in March and then back to Lake Seminole in April to take another crack at it.

If you are interested in supporting our teams or fishing with us next year please feel free to reach out to me anytime at seminolejunioranglers@gmail. com. To help support our anglers you can check out the Mud Hole Tackle golf tournament on 4/26/25 At Twin Rivers. A part of the proceeds from the tournament will go to support our anglers and other organizations. Please call or text me if you would like more information or would like to sign up. Troy - 321-303-0650. We couldn’t do it without the parents and our sponsors so please support them if you can. A big thanks to: Coastal Angler Magazine, Mudhole Custom Tackle, Citgo Petroleum, Oakley, Avid Gear, Jeff Bell Real-estate Agent, W.W Gay, Trico Transmissions, CST Fishing Apparel, Mid Florida Carts, Grove Scientific & Engineering, Flynn’s Tree Pros, W.W. Gay Mechanical Contractor, Inc., Hatcher Insurance, Certified Financial Group, SunState Fleetworks, Nolan Capitol Advisors and more. Thanks again for all the support!

March freshwater fishing trips will be rewarded with many different species like largemouth bass, sunshine bass (hybrid stripers), catfish, bluegill, shell cracker, crappie, shad, tilapia and mullet. A good way to tell when the weather changes signal a fishing season: orange blossoms will tell you bluegills are on. Go cat-fishing a day after the rain, and fish the moving water along a dropoff or in a deep river bend. Bass are usually active before and during the rain.

Largemouth bass will be halfway or more into their spawn. Use baits that imitate critters who steal their eggs - salamanders, craw fish, bluegills, and shiners. Try a Rattle Trap type lure in a fan cast pattern to find fish. The bass will be bedding all along the shores of the lakes in

1-3 feet of water. Another great bait in March is a Carolina rigged soft plastic worm or lizard. (Carolina Rig: pin a quarter ounce weight 1518 inches above the worm – so the weight goes thru the grass and the worm is still exposed)

Panfish time is here! Bluegill and shell cracker begin their spawn this month. Find bedding areas and catch fish. Look along the banks of the river not necessarily in the bends. Sandy bottom or shell bottom should produce. Red worms and/or crickets on a #4 hook and a spit shot is all you need.

Crappie and shad are at the end of their spawning run. Best bet for crappie is to jig fish structure in the river. If you’re going to try full moon fishing in the lakes, March may be your last shot. Tilapias are being taken with bows and arrows and gigs along the shores of Lake Jessup in skinny water. Mullets are beginning to show along the seawall in downtown Sanford.

Wind and more wind comes with March! The bite has been off and then on again for both bass and crappies on the chain of lakes. Some good catches have been coming for both species on or around the New and Full moon phases. It seems that they bite better 2 to 3 days before the moon phases or for several days just after. The bass spawn has been a little slower this year due to the non-normal winter we are having along with the blowing cold fronts that are coming every 7 to 10 days. March is usually the last month for spawners all throughout the chain of lakes although the colder than normal weather in early February did slow them up a bit. Get out on the water in between the fronts on the second or third day after it passes for the better results. The bass has been staging in the deeper grass edges, eel grass beds or in the lily pads and mixed vegetation close to the spawning areas. The mouths of canals, both ends of Dead River, Haynes Creek,

9th Street area, Little Lake Harris have all been good places to check. Lipless crank baits, chatter-baits (bladed jigs) and swim baits have all been producing bites. Once you get a bite or two in the same area slow down and work through the same area with a Junebug or Black-blue trick worm or Senko style worm, Texas-rigged or wacky style. Check any of the canals in or close to moon phases for the buck bass and big females as they push up into those areas when they are ready to lay their eggs. There were quite a few big bass over 8 lbs. caught in the recent ‘Big Bass Event’ hosted out of Hickory Point. You should attend the weigh-in one of the days to see how the anglers catch them on the chain.

The crappie bite has been equally the same, with some days better than others. The recent full-moon phase did have them up shallow and really biting. Most are coming on 3/16 oz. mylar jigs, RoadRunners tipped with a minnow or just a plain live minnow when fished in the heavy vegetation and very shallow. Eustis, Little Harris and Lake Dora have all been producing limits when the bite is on. Take a kid with you when you go and make a memory last lasts their lifetime!

Boat Dealers New & Consignment Sales

Boat Dealers New & Consignment

1 - Astor Marine (352) 759-3655 24535 FL-40, Astor, FL 32102 www.astormarine.com

Astor Marine (352) 759-3655

24535 FL-40, Astor FL www.astormarine.com

Sea Tow of Central Florida Lakes (877) 800-1492

6 - Sea Tow of Central Florida Lakes (877) 800-1492 12307 Wedgefield Drive , Grand Island, FL 32735

12307 Wedgefield Dr., Grand Island, FL

AT Trailer (407) 892-1100

CJS Aluminum Inc.

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

Nobles Marine (352) 787-5792

437 N Palmetto St., Leesburg, FL 1931 N. Hwy 19, Crystal River, FL www.noblesmarine.com

3 - Craig Catamaran (407) 290-8778 4333 Silver Star Rd. #100 Orlando, FL 32808

Craig Catamaran (407) 290-8778

4333 Silver Star Rd. $100 Orlando, FL

4 - Triangle Marine (352) 343-6146 11415 US-441, Tavares, FL 32778 www.trianglemarinecenter.biz

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

30 - Aamco East Orlando (407) 277-3311 6304 E. Colonial Dr. Orlando FL 32807 Full Service Mechanics

Aamco East Orlando (407) 277-3311

6304 E. Colonial Dr., Orlando, FL Full Service Mechanics

25 - Central Florida Marine (407) 647-6262 1021 N Orlando Ave, Maitland, FL 32751 www.centralfloridamarine.com

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

38 - Orlando Boat Sales (407) 253-7111 3165 N John Young Pkwy, Orlando, FL 32804 www.orlandoboatsales.com

Orlando Boat Sales (407) 253-7111

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

24 - Boat Max USA (321) 866-0306 9700 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando FL 32817 www.boatmaxusa.com

Boat Max USA (321) 866-0306

9700 E. Colonial Dr., Orlando, FL www.boatmaxusa.com

46 - Gibson Truck World (407) 321-0660 3455 S. Orlando Dr. Sanford, FL 32773 www.gibsontruckworld.com

Gibson Truck World (407) 321-0660

3455 S. Orlando Dr., Sanford, FL www.gibsontruckworld.com

14 - Boat Tree Marina (407) 322-1610 4370 Carraway Pl, Sanford, FL 32771 www.boattree.com

Boat Tree Marina (407) 322-1610 4370Carraway Pl., Sanford, FL

60 - Next Level Inc.“Florida Marine Customs” (407) 704-5676 • 87 W. Michigan St. Orlando, FL 32806 info@floridamarinecustoms.com

Next Level Inc. “Florida Marine Customs” (407) 704-5676

87 W. Michigan St., Orlando FL info@floridamarinecustoms.com

Boat improvement / Service & Repair Centers / Replacement Parts

36 - All American Marine (407) 855-9988 7024 S Orange Ave, Orlando FL 32809 www.allamericanmarineorlando.com

Boat Improvement / Service & Repair Centers / Replacement Parts

All America Marine (407) 855-9988

35 - All Star Marine (407) 423-9953 28 W Jersey St, Orlando, FL 32806 www.manta.com

7024 S. Orange Ave., Orlando, FL www.allamericanmarineorlando.net

Advanced Marine Services (407) 498-5142

1322 Carolina Ave., St. Cloud, FL advancedmarine.co

29 - Lake Fairview Marina (407) 295-0117 4503 N Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, FL 32804 www. Lakefairviewmarina.com

Lake Fairview Marina (407) 295-0117

32 - Portside Marine (407) 249-1124 2730 Forsyth Rd, Orlando, FL 32792 www.portsideorlando.com

4503 N. Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, FL www.lakefairviewmarina.com

Portside Marina (407) 249-1124

2730 Forsyth Rd., Orlando, FL www.portsidemarina.com

23 - Talon Marine Services (407) 542-7600 439 Aulin Ave, Oviedo, FL 32765 www.talonmarineservices.com

Talon Marine Services (407) 542-7600 439 Aulin Ave., Orlando, FL www.talonmarineservices.com

20 - Team Marine Services (407) 260-8326 1350 28th Street, Orlando FL 32805 www.teammarineservices.com

Team Marine Services (407) 260-8236 1350 28th St., Orlando, FL www.teammarineservices.com

19 - Ahoy Marine (407) 323-8373 511 E 25th St, Sanford, FL 32771 www.superpages.com

Ahoy Marine (407) 323-8373

9 - Instant Insurance Agency (352) 735-5560 25833 State Road 46, Sorrento, FL 32776 www.instantinsuranceagency.com

4820 E. Irlo Brunson Memorial Hwy., St Cloud FL www.attrailercenter.com

Marinetec Systems (321) 363-6550 1061 TidenVille School Rd., Winter Garden FL www.marinetecsystems.com

Bait & Tackle Shops / Outfitters / Apparel

15 - American Tackle Co. (800) 516-1750 2133 Component Loop, Suite 1031, Oveido, 32765 www.americantackle.us

Bait & Tackle Shops / Outfitters / Apparel

5 - Lakeside Bait & Tackle (352) 742-3336 1000 W Burleigh Blvd, Tavares, FL 32778

American Tackle Co. (800) 516-1750 2133 Component Loop, Suite 1031, Oviedo, FL www.americantackle.us

7 - Owens Fishing & Marine (352) 357-3030 935 N Bay St, Eustis, FL 32726

11 - Highbanks Marina & Camp Resort (386) 668-4491

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

488 W Highbanks Rd, DeBary, FL 32713 www.campresort.com

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

14 - Boat Tree Marina (407) 322-1610 4370 Carraway Pl, Sanford, FL 32771 www.boattree.com

Highlands Marina & Camp Resort (336) 668-4491

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

21 - Bitters Bait & Tackle (407) 699-6619 65 N US Hwy 17 92, Longwood, FL 32750 www.bittersbaitandtackle.com

Boat Tree Marina (407) 322-1610 3370 Carraway Pl., Sanford, FL www.boattree.com

43 - Academy Sports + Outdoors East Colonial 11955 E. Colonial Dr Orlando, FL

Bitters Bait & Tackle (407) 699-6619

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

Lee Vista 6640 Eagle Watch Drive Orlando, FL Millenia 3557 Gardens Ridge Way Orlando, FL Lake Mary 3641 Lake Emaa Road Lake Mary FL

Academy Sports & Outdoors

East Colonial 11955 E. Colonial Dr., Orlando Lee Vista 6640 Eagle Watch Dr., Orlando Millenia 3557 Gardens Ridge Way, Orlando Lake Mary 3641 Lake Emma Road, Lake Mary

45 - Wojo’s Bait & Tackle (407) 891-1003 Oak Park Center, 4245 13th St, St Cloud, FL 34769

48 - Mud Hole Custom Tackle, Inc. (407) 447-7637 2133 Componet Loop Suite 1001, Oveido, FL 32765 www.mudhole.com

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

56 - Orlando Outfitters (407) 896-8220 2814 Corrine Dr., Orlando, FL 32803 www.orlandooutfitters.com

Mud Hole Custom Tackle, Inc. (407) 447-7637 2133 Component Loop Suite 1001, Oviedo, FL www.mudhole.com

Orlando Outfitters (407) 896-8220 2814 Corrine Dr., Orlando, FL www.orlandooutfitters.com

Home Improvement Contractors & Service Providers

26 - DWR Plumbing LLC. (407) 293-3717 6344 All American Blvd, Orlando, FL 32810

27 - Orlando Painting Service (407) 896-0839

Captain Troy Perez (321) 607-2033 capt.troyperez@gmail.com Mosquito Lagoon - Indian River - Port Canaveral

65 Harold Ave, suite B, Winter Park, FL 32789 www.orlandopaintingservice.com

28 - Millennium Electric (407) 420-2001 4340 Edgewater Dr, Orlando, FL 32804 www.millennium-electric.com

Improvement Contractors & Service Providers DWR Plumbing LLC. (407) 293-3717 6344 All American Blvd., Orlando, FL

41 - Water Works Pressure Cleaning & Sealing (407) 376-9526

490 Buck Lake Lane, Geneva, FL 32732 www.jmwaterworksinc.com

Orlando Painting Service (407) 896-0839 65 Harold

31 - Pyramid Cabinets (407) 947-8499

451 Fairvilla Road, Orlando, FL 32808 www.codepyramid.com

31 - Pyramid Cabinets (407) 947-8499 451 Fairvilla Road, Orlando, FL 32808 www.codepyramid.com

210 N. Goldenrod Rd., Orlando, FL CF (407) 281-9210 Spacecoast (321) 345-2011 www.cjsaluminum.com

34 - Thomas Lumber Company (407) 841-1250

231 W Gore St, Orlando, FL 32806, www.thomaslumber.com

A&H Storage (407) 678-0507

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

49 - Martin Tree Service, Inc. (407) 359-1119 1215 Bob White Trail, Chuluota, FL 32766 www.martintreeserviceinc.com

Thomas Lumber Company (407) 841-1250

231 W. Gore St., Orlando, FL www.thomaslumber.com

50 - Campbell Renovations Inc. (407) 947-0016 285 Campbell Ranch Run, Geneva, FL 32732 www.campbellrenovationsinc.com

51 - Vapor and Company (407) 878-7397 3621 S. Orlando Dr., Sanford, FL 32773 SR 436 Altamonte Springs East SR 50 Orlando www.vaporandco.com

Martin Tree Service, Inc. (407) 359-1119 1215 Bob White Trail, Chuluota, FL www.martintreeservice.com

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

Areas Best Picks for Restaurants

Vapor and Company (407) 878-7397

47 - Jolly Gator Fish Camp Bar & Grill (407) 349-5554

4650 E State Rd 46, Geneva, FL 32732 www.thejollygator.com

3621 S. orlando Dr., Sanford, FL SR 436, Altamonte Springs, FL East SR 50, Orlando, FL www.vaporandco.com

39 - Fish on Fire (407) 812-6881 7937 Daetwyler Dr, Orlando, FL 32812 www.fishonfireorlando.com

Area Best Picks for Restaurants

Jolly Gator Fish Camp Bar & Grill (407) 349-5554

40 - High Tide Harry’s (407) 273-4422 4645 S Semoran Blvd, Orlando, FL 32822 www.hightideharrys.com

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

Fish on Fire (407) 812-6881 7937Daetwyler Dr., Orlando, FL www.fishonfireorlando.com

33 - Boston’s Fish House (407) 678-2107 Aloma Square Shopping Center, 6860 Aloma Ave, Winter Park, FL 32792 www.bostonsfishhouse.com

High Tide Harry’s (407) 273-4422

17 - St. Johns River Steak & Seafood (407) 878-0980

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

550 N Palmetto Ave, Sanford, FL 32771

37 - The Steer (407) 286-6802 8015 S. Orange Ave., Orlando FL

Boston’s Fish House (407) 678-2107 Aloma Square Shopping Center 6860 Aloma Ave., Winter Park, FL www.bostonsfishhouse.com

22 - Huey Magoo’s (407) 706-6004 www.hueymagoos.com

22 - Huey Magoo’s (407) 706-6004 www.hueymagoos.com 10 Locations – See our ad on Restaurant Page

St. Johns River Steak & Seafood (407) 878-0980

10 Locations – See our ad on Restaurant Page

550 N. Palmetto Ave., Sanford, FL

13 - Camp House Restaurant (407) 915-5401 100 S White Cedar Rd, Sanford, FL 32771 www.camphousebarandgrill.com

13 - Camp House Restaurant (407) 915-5401

100 S White Cedar Rd, Sanford, FL 32771 www.camphousebarandgrill.com

Huey Magoo’s (407) 706-6802 www.hueysmagoos.com

52 - The Deli (407) 332-8800 4360 Carraway Pl, Sanford, FL 32771

10 Locations - See our ad on restaurant page

Camp House Restaurant (407) 915-5401

53 - T J’s Seafood Shack (407) 365-3365

100 S. White Cedar Rd., Sanford, FL www.camphousebarandgrill.com

197 E Mitchell Hammock Rd, Oviedo, FL 32765 12231 E Colonial Dr. #230, Orlando(407) 250-4191 www.tjsseafoodshack.com

The Deli (407) 332-8800 4360 Carraway Pl., Sanford, FL

54 - Oasis On The River (407) 636-6300 4380 Carraway Place, Sanford, FL 32771

56 -

TJ’s Seafood Shack (407) 365-3365

54 - Oasis On The River (407) 636-6300 4380 Carraway Place, Sanford, FL 32771

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

56 - Celery City Craft (407) 915-5541 114 S. Palmetto Ave., Sanford FL 32771 celerycitycraft.com

Sanford Marina (407) 322-2910

531 N. Palmetto Ave., Sanford FL

55 -West End Trading Co. (407) 322-7475 202 Sanford Ave, Sanford, FL 32771 www.drinkatwestend.com

Celery City Craft (407) 915-5541

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

West End Trading Co. (407) 322-7475

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

Community Service Providers Community Service Providers

Sea Tow of Central Florida Lakes (877)800-1492

12307 Wedgefield Drive , Grand Island, FL 32735

Always Looking for Captains

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

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

Lake Fairview Marina

4503 N Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, FL 32804

Phone: (407) 295-0117

www. Lakefairviewmarina.com

Consignment Sales – Outboard Service –Storage – Ship Store – Sailing Classes

Owens Fishing & Marine

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

Triangle Marine 11415 US-441, Tavares, FL 32778

Phone:(352) 343-6146

www.trianglemarinecenter.biz

Bennington Pontoons – TideWater Johnson – Evinrude – Yamaha

Alberto Rodriguez PA House Doctor TELEMEDICINE Se Habla Español

Boat Max USA

9700 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando FL 32817

Phone: (321) 866-0306 www.boatmaxusa.com

Facebook: Amazon Home Health Care

786-280-4899

amazonhhc@gmail.com 227 N. Clyde Av. Kissimmee FL 34741

Pioneer - Glasstream - Aquasport - Stottcraft New Boats Sales - Authorized Yamaha and Suzuki Dealer Parts and Service

Thomas Lumber Company

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

Old Fashion Lumber Yard – Lumber – Trim –Custom Doors – Hardware – Delivery –Customer Service

Campbell Renovations Inc.

285 Campbell Ranch Run, Geneva, FL 32732 Phone:(407) 349-0016 Cell: 407-947-5460 www.campbellrenovationsinc.com

State Certified Contractor CBC 1255779

Residential & Commercial New Construction – Renovations – Kitchens –Bathrooms – Additions – Tenant Build Out

Vapor and Company

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

Electronic Cigarettes and E-Liquid Experts in Smoking Cessation

Orlando Coastal Angler Magazine Approved! Altamonte Springs, Orlando East SR 50

Panfish bite - Crappie are still inside finishing spawning in shallow, making their way out to open water. Fish the pads and reeds that are clean with no hydrilla. Minnow on a gold hook works best in three feet

catching bass in early February and just move out until you see the beds. Polarized glasses are necessary. Open water hydrilla patches are holding good numbers of bass that have already spawned. Bait of choice is live wild shiners for big bass. Artificial baits of choice will be rattle traps chrome and black back, plastic baits in watermelon red color has been hot.

the bedding fish might be there just for a few days and then disappear. A good pair of polarized sunglasses are as important as the fishing rods you use. Spotlight - Crabby Bills restaurant 10% off for Sea Tow members.

Randy DuMars

407-908-8498

1:41 AM 0.6

Lake Okeechobee has been fishing great for both bass and crappies while the bream are heading into the shallows to start their annual spawn that typically lasts through the summer months. This is also a great time to fish for bass throwing lures in/around bluegill beds with swim baits; top water; frogs; swim jigs and worms.

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.

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.

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

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 grasswatermelon 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.

less, you’ll feel rushed. Do I offer a fish cleaning service? Yes, I will clean and bag your catch for a fee. Do I offer any discounts? Yes, I offer Veteran and one-person discounts. Do I work with a local hotel that offers my customers a discount? Yes, my customers can receive a deep discount with a top hotel in Okeechobee.

AM 2.4 1:55 PM 0.3 8:35 PM 2.6 26F 2:20 AM 0.5 8:43 AM 2.5 2:33 PM 0.2 9:13 PM 2.7 27Sa 2:57 AM 0.4 9:24 AM 2.6

Do you want to book a trip but never booked with a guide before? Well, here are some typical questions people ask when we discuss their trip. Do I, as the guide, provide all the tackle needed, whether we fish for bass, crappie or bream? The answer is yes, I provide top of the line tackle and gear. Does the customer pay for the live-bait for a bass trip? Yes, the customer is responsible for all live-bait costs. Is it possible to fish for several different species in one trip such as live-bait for bass and then jig for crappies? Yes, it can be done but I have found that through my 20+ years of guiding a full-day of fishing is best, anything

The areas on the lake that have been producing both bass and crappie starting on the North-end are parts of Kings Bar; Buckhead Ridge area; parts of Tin House and Indian Prairie and on down towards Dyess Ditch. On the West-end; parts in the Monkey box; north/west side of Dupree Bar; areas on the Shoal and down to the blue hole area. Lures for bass are worms; swim baits; flipping/ pitching; flukes; spinner baits (windier days); shallow crank baits along grass edges/pockets; and some top water. Staple colors are: Junebug; red shad; white; tilapia and bluegill patterns; green-pumpkin/ purple flake. Give Capt. Angie a call at 863-228-7263. Check out her website for more information at www.southfloridabassfishing.com.

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

To book you’re next fun-filled, productive and educational fishing trip call me at 863-228-7263 or log 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;

South Tackle; Maui Jim; Gill; Bullet Weights; Road Runner; Real Magic; Tru Turn hooks; Mega Strike; Gene Larew; Pradco Brands and BUFF

Tide Charts Brought To You By:

CENTRAL EAST COAST

MARCH 2025

1SA 2:51 AM -0.52 L

9:27 AM 2.6 H

3:13 PM -0.66 L

9:55 PM 2.7 H

2SU 3:39 AM -0.45 L

10:10 AM 2.58 H

4:00 PM -0.69 L

10:45 PM 2.67 H

3M 4:28 AM -0.32 L

10:56 AM 2.49 H

4:50 PM -0.64 L

11:36 PM 2.56 H

4TU 5:19 AM -0.14 L

11:45 AM 2.36 H

5:44 PM -0.52 L

5W 12:31 AM 2.41 H

6:16 AM 0.04 L

12:38 PM 2.21 H

6:44 PM -0.36 L

6TH 1:32 AM 2.24 H

7:19 AM 0.21 L

1:39 PM 2.07 H

7:50 PM -0.21 L

7F 2:40 AM 2.11 H

8:29 AM 0.32 L

2:49 PM 1.98 H

9:01 PM -0.12 L

8SA 3:53 AM 2.06 H

9:40 AM 0.34 L

4:03 PM 1.96 H

10:09 PM -0.09 L

9SU 6:01 AM 2.09 H

11:45 AM 0.28 L

6:12 PM 2.02 H

10M 12:11 AM -0.11 L

6:58 AM 2.16 H

12:42 PM 0.17 L

7:10 PM 2.12 H

11TU 1:04 AM -0.14 L

7:47 AM 2.25 H

1:31 PM 0.05 L

8:00 PM 2.23 H

12W 1:50 AM -0.17 L

8:28 AM 2.31 H

2:13 PM -0.06 L

8:44 PM 2.31 H

13TH 2:32 AM -0.17 L

9:05 AM 2.34 H

2:52 PM -0.15 L

9:23 PM 2.37 H

14F 3:11 AM -0.14 L

9:38 AM 2.34 H

3:28 PM -0.2 L

9:59 PM 2.39 H

15SA 3:47 AM -0.09 L

10:11 AM 2.32 H

4:02 PM -0.22 L

10:34 PM 2.38 H

16SU 4:22 AM -0.01 L

10:43 AM 2.26 H

4:35 PM -0.19 L

11:09 PM 2.33 H

17M 4:55 AM 0.09 L

11:15 AM 2.19 H

5:07 PM -0.13 L

11:44 PM 2.26 H

18TU 5:29 AM 0.2 L

11:47 AM 2.1 H

5:41 PM -0.04 L

19W 12:22 AM 2.16 H

6:03 AM 0.32 L

12:22 PM 2 H

6:17 PM 0.05 L

20TH 1:03 AM 2.05 H

6:41 AM 0.45 L

1:00 PM 1.91 H

7:00 PM 0.14 L

21F 1:50 AM 1.95 H

7:28 AM 0.56 L

1:46 PM 1.83 H

7:53 PM 0.21 L

22SA 2:47 AM 1.88 H

8:29 AM 0.63 L

2:44 PM 1.78 H

8:58 PM 0.24 L

23SU 3:53 AM 1.88 H

9:40 AM 0.62 L

3:56 PM 1.8 H

10:08 PM 0.21 L

24M 5:00 AM 1.95 H

10:48 AM 0.51 L

5:09 PM 1.91 H

11:13 PM 0.1 L

25TU 6:01 AM 2.1 H

11:48 AM 0.3 L

6:16 PM 2.11 H

26W 12:12 AM -0.04 L

6:55 AM 2.27 H

12:40 PM 0.04 L

7:15 PM 2.35 H

27TH 1:05 AM -0.17 L

7:43 AM 2.44 H

1:29 PM -0.22 L

8:08 PM 2.59 H

28F 1:55 AM -0.29 L

8:30 AM 2.59 H

2:16 PM -0.46 L

8:59 PM 2.79 H

29SA 2:43 AM -0.35 L

9:15 AM 2.68 H

3:03 PM -0.64 L

9:48 PM 2.91 H

30SU 3:31 AM -0.35 L

10:00 AM 2.72 H

3:50 PM -0.72 L

10:37 PM 2.94 H

31M 4:20 AM -0.28 L

10:47 AM 2.69 H

4:39 PM -0.7 L

11:27 PM 2.87 H

March Madness is here - bring on the cobia! This is the historic time frame along the central east coast of Florida that the migration of cobia swims by. Although anglers catch them all year long, this is usually the best time. The water is warming back up to the 70-degree mark. Free-swimming cobia are the most fun to target, a few things must come together though. One being sunny skies, you must be able to see into the water a little bit and two, try to get as high as possible.

Hungry cobia are not picky fish nor are they the smartest. The bait of choice is a buck tail with a whole squid hooked on it. This gives a natural look and smell. There are many different types of baits and lures people use. Even the steel (spoons) works well at times when they are debating what to eat swimming near the boat.

Sometimes, live bait matters. Bunker (also called pogies or menhaden shad) and pinfish work great. It’s fun to watch a cobia go nuts trying to eat a live bait. Sometimes there are days that you will see 30 fish and maybe only 2 will eat or get ‘Fired Up’ on a jig. Not many cobias turn down a live fish. Some say they will never turn down a live choice shrimp or their magic swim bait etc. Fishing is just what it says, fishing. The gear of choice is a 7-foot medium action rod with a light tip to allow jigging the lure, and enough backbone to stick the hook. Line is 40lb braid and a 50lb mono leader. When using live bait, try an 8/0 circle hook and hook the live fish through the back of the head. Cast forward and past the fish. For jigs – you cannot reel faster than a baitfish swims. Do not let the jig go down, or the cobia may never come back up.

Don’t forget to register at Sunrise Marina for the month-long Cobia Madness tournament. Good luck!

March is usually a windy month. Red fishing will get better and better in the Indian River and Mosquito Lagoon. The last two months have been phenomenal for sight fishing. We hope in March that the water comes up. Most of the redfish have been in big schools and should remain that way throughout March. When coming up on a big school of fish tie on a 1/8 oz jig head with a Wyze Guyz pearl white paddle tail, live shrimp or Gulp shrimp works well too. You can use Little John’s Mirrolure in a glo color tied to 20# mono leader. Most of the schools are out in the open on the drop off or on the edge of a flat. They cannot cut you off on any debris on the open flat. The seatrout has been good this year. Try fishing for them around schools of baitfish like mullet, on drop offs and sandy holes in the flats. Seatrouts also like dirty water. for trout use weedless jerk baits and if no grass, use a jig head with a

The black drums are still in schools, usually by drop-offs or on edges. I use a piece of shrimp on a 1/8 oz jig head or freeline live shrimp to catch smaller black drum. To catch the larger ones, they are usually at the causeways or bridges, and I use a heavier jig head with a piece of blue crab. Side scan works the best for fishing black drum around structure. Grass has come back in the lagoon which should bring more fish to the area.

March is always good in the ocean (nearshore) if you can get out there. Look for tripletail on the buoys, free swimming or weed lines. This is also the time of the year when the rays come along the shoreline, Cobia typically follows them. For Cobia, I throw a 1 ½ oz Cobia Buster with a 40# mono leader on 20-30# braid. For tripletail free swimmers, I use a 3/0 hook with 30# mono tied to 1015# braid. For fishing tripletail on the buoys, I use 40# leader with a 3/0 or 4/0 hook tied to 30 # braid with a small split shot.

Miami Beach, Government Cut

Wyze Guyz paddle tail, live shrimp or finger mullet.

IS IT TIME FOR YOUR ANNUAL SERVICE?

As time passes by you will understand that the word BOAT stands for Bust Out Another Thousand! But just as sure as you will try to save a buck by not taking care of your BOAT or properly servicing it on a regular basis will just cost you more in the long run. A few simple maintenance items are needed annually to keep you from spending more money on costly repairs.

Annual service or every 100 running hours which-ever comes first, is as simple as taking your BOAT to a local service shop or repair center that you select. If you are handy with tools most of these can be done at home in your own garage.

1.Change lower unit oil, drain & replace with new per manufacture specs. Hope when you pull the bottom drain plug there is no evidence of water in oil, water will be there as it begins to drain first or oil will be milky in color. If there is evidence of water, take it to the shop for an estimate on required repairs.

2.Pull your propeller, check for fishing line behind prop thrust washer, grease shaft & replace prop, torque properly. If you have a trolling motor do the same to it as well!

3.Lube all grease fittings, Inox #8 grease is a great product for this!

4.Change spark plugs, upon removal of plugs check for wear, moisture or high carbon build-up, which is usually from using cheap oil that doesn’t meet manufacture specs.

5.Check steering cables or fluid if hydraulic, fill & bleed air if required.

6.Remove & replace on-board water/fuel separator filter, be sure to buy one to match existing.

7.Grease and/or re-pack trailer bearings, if you do re-pack your bearings spend the money and replace the rear seals as well!

8.Check out trailer wiring, lighting & repair or replace any not working correctly.

9.Replace your water pump impeller.

Taking the time to service your BOAT as it needs will save a load of money, time and the headaches that come from costly repairs due to putting off required maintenance. The total cost for annual services varies from shop to shop, but the $275.00 to $350.00 most shops charge is a drop in the bucket when compared to re-building a lower unit from water damage or replacing a power head from overheating! Lower unit replacement or repairs for same are at least 2 to 3 times higher than the above mentioned services and a replacement power head or the re-building of an existing can run into the several thousands of dollars. Do yourself a favor at the end of this season, save some of that money for holiday spending!

So if you have not done your 100 hour or annual check –up the doctor says Just Do-It!!!

Transition time for all kayak anglers is upon us and seasons are changing. Spring with its lengthening of days and warming temperatures usher in new life and renewed hope for the days of plenty after the winters’ chill for creatures of the land, lagoon, and sky. March is so synonymous with change that it has a cute phrase coined just for it “in like a lion, out like a lamb”. Windy and volatile weather starts the month and a calming to summer by the end.

For kayakers looking at the beach launch into the near coastal zone who peer endlessly at surf forecasts and rising sea surface temps the time to prepare is now! Summers near coastal kayak fishing season will be in full swing shortly and you will need to be prepared to capitalize on the tarpon, kingfish, and others. The cobia chances couldn’t be better for a kayaker in March. Pick a calm day with water temperature in the 68°-72° range and take your shot. Of course, don’t let your guard down on those inshore sight fishing shots this month. Every spring I certainly look for clean water in hopes to get a few more before summer dirtier water comes. This is one of the most exciting fisheries you can experience where fishing and hunting slam together in a stunning dance. The sheepshead will be finishing their yearly spawn and starting to break from the spawning schools. This will be some of the best chances you have all year and it’s one awesome way to get some fresh fish for the cooler. March checks another box that has me super excited to see what will play out. Spring marks the start of the growing season where once again all eyes (at least mine) will be fixed on the lagoon waters and grass growth. I’m involved in a lot of lagoon work - mangrove restoration, clam restoration, and advocacy. Seeing that work do its intended job is impressive, we can all do our part. However, seeing mother nature and our lagoons fight for all it has is inspiring. The growth we’ve seen recently after the brown algae settled in (2014-15) and took every blade we had gives hope and I’ll take it. So, grow grass grow and we’ll be here cheering you on.

Capt. Alex Gorichky - locallines@yahoo.com

Tucker Winters with Mom and Lulu, his near 4lber put him in 3rd place at the Cabela’s Big Bass Tour on the Harris Chain of Lakes, Congrats.

Deanna Jenkins with a “mono” Sheepshead she caught fishing with Capt. Troy Perez in the IRL.

Jase Atkins all smiles with a huge jack he caught on light spinning tackle.

All smiles catching Cobia aboard “Fire-up Charter”. It’s Cobia time here on the Space Coast.

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MASTERING CONDITIONS

By Capt. Michael Okruhlik

Spring shing brings its own set of challenges and opportunities. As water temperatures rise, targeting inshore species like trout, ounder, and reds requires adapting to their changing behavior. Early spring o en means downsizing lures. As sh feed on tiny bait sh and shrimp, small lures mimic these natural prey more e$ectively. Large trout and reds may already have full stomachs, expelling small bait when caught, signaling the need for a smaller o$ering to match the size of the food they’re consuming.

With the warming water, sh become more aggressive, and it’s time to speed up your retrieval techniques. A er a slower winter, anglers should bring out faster-action rods and smaller versions of topwater and twitch baits. While spring can bring calm days, cool fronts and high-pressure systems still a$ect sh behavior. When this happens, adjusting to the conditions—rather than just relying on the calendar—is key. Opting for colors like white or silver for hard baits can pay o$ during this time.

However, spring also brings sti$ winds and crowds. In South Texas, gusts can reach up to 30 knots, making conditions challenging, especially

for kayakers. It’s crucial to check the forecast and plan for these challenging winds. Additionally, spring break brings an in ux of boaters and kayakers, many of whom may be rusty from the o$season. Defensive driving and boating have become essential, and leaving early is recommended to avoid congestion at ramps and on the roads.

Conditions are still variable when targeting sh in March. %e water can remain chilly despite warmer air temperatures. Cold fronts a$ect sh behavior, making them seek deeper water with more stable temperatures. While some sh may move closer to ats as the day warms, they rarely stray far from deep water. Focus on areas near the outer edges of guts that lead from deeper water to ats, adjusting as the day progresses.

During high-pressure conditions, downsizing lures remains reliable, especially as young forage species become abundant. Natural or translucent

colors work well; slowing the retrieval to keep lures closer to the bottom can increase success. When this approach doesn’t yield results, switching tactics can help. Using noisy lures, such as rattling crankbaits or loud topwaters, can provoke a reaction bite when sh are less willing to chase actively. Experimenting with these extremes—quiet, slow presentations versus noisy, aggressive ones—can help you nd the right approach in high-pressure situations. Spring shing requires patience, adaptability, and a keen eye for weather and water conditions. Whether you’re dealing with shi ing sh patterns or navigating spring break crowds, it’s a great time to get out on the water—and maybe bring a kid along for the adventure.

Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Knockin Tail Lures®, and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.

PHOTO COURTESY OF KNOCKIN TAIL LURES®.

SPRING SHAD: IT’S MARCH MADNESS

I’ve been incredibly blessed to !sh with some of the best anglers on the planet, guiding me through my journey. To complete that journey, I always keep a couple of rods in my truck, ready to !sh farm ponds, lakes, and rivers during my travels as a Boat Li US salesman. It brings me back to my roots.

Last month marked my 64th birthday, and I !nd myself enjoying the simple !shing of my youth more and more. Don’t get me wrong—I still love a gag grouper or wahoo bite like Peter loved our Lord—but I also love catching whatever is in season. March can be a slow month for nearshore and o shore !shing, making it the perfect time to switch focus to hickory and white (American) shad in our rivers.

Tim Barefoot

their birth. eir migration mirrors that of Paci!c salmon, using an innate

learning their seasons over the years. Hickory shad arrive !rst—smaller but plentiful—making them perfect for introducing kids to !shing with non-stop action. When the larger white shad show up, it’s game on. ese !sh pull hard in the cold water, !ghting until the moment you unhook them.

I strongly recommend mashing down the barbs on your hooks to make dehooking easier. Let’s be honest—most anglers aren’t eating shad, so reducing injury before release just makes sense. Also, always wear eye protection when !shing for these powerful !sh. A jig popping free near the boat can come ying back at the angler, as my son learned the hard way in a recent trip to the James River.

ese !sh are truly amazing. ey leave the coastal rivers of the eastern U.S., migrate to Nova Scotia, take a hard right into deep waters, then journey back south to spawn in the rivers of

GPS to !nd their way home. ey travel in vast schools, surviving intense predation, just to return to their spawning grounds.

Knowing this, I position myself to take full advantage of this mass migration. I !sh for shad in Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina,

FISHING IS BETTER IN

White shad will be in rivers all the way down to Florida this month, so if you’re looking for a fun !ght on light tackle, now is the time. Check out my YouTube channel for the tackle and techniques I use to catch these childhood favorites. And, as always, take plenty of videos of your kids—they’ll cherish those memories later in life.

For more from Tim Barefoot, visit barefootcatsandtackle.com and check out his YouTube channel.

May 9th & 10th, 2025

Online Registration: MothersDayDolphinTournament.com

Captain’s Meeting

Liechty Marine

Friday May 9th - 6pm to 7pm

Lines In: Saturday, May 10 - 7:30am

Lines Out: Saturday, May 10 - 3:30pm

Weigh-In

Curly’s Co ee

Saturday, May 10th - 3:30pm to 6pm

Awards Banquet

Marathon Yacht Club

Saturday, May 10th - 7pm

Sunday Honor

A PRO FISHING A BIG WORM FOR SPAWNING BASS

From February through April, bass ood the shallows to spawn, creating an exciting opportunity for anglers to catch monster !sh. While various techniques can be e ective, !shing with a big worm consistently tempts big, wary females. is method has proven successful nationwide, not just in the South.

Fishing a worm may not be the most thrilling technique, but it allows for a slow, precise presentation—ideal for enticing cautious bass. e key is patience and targeting highpercentage areas where these !sh are likely holding.

One e ective technique is casting a Texasrigged stick bait. Many anglers waste time on unproductive water, but focusing on isolated cover—small patches of grass, pads, wood, or rock structures—maximizes success. A 6” worm in darker colors like black-and-blue works well, paired with a 1/16 oz or 1/8 oz weight for a natural presentation. Given the thick cover, 17-20 lb uorocarbon is ideal for strength and stealth.

Another productive method is retrieving a big speed worm. is subtle, vibrating motion excites bass and helps locate !sh before slowing down for precision tactics. In stained water, darker shades like June bug work best, while

TYLER WOOLCOTT

green pumpkin with ake is ideal for clear water. A 1/8 oz to 1/4 oz weight with 15-17 lb uorocarbon balances presentation and control.

e wacky rig is highly e ective in shallow water, particularly for pressured bass. is weightless presentation targets isolated cover, making it a deadly !nesse option. A 10-15 lb uorocarbon leader on a spinning setup provides the necessary balance of stealth and strength. As with other worm techniques, darker colors suit stained water, while natural tones excel in clear conditions.

Flipping a worm is less stealthy but allows precise bait placement in thick cover, such as pad !elds, wood, or dense grass. is method is excellent for working through cover quickly while thoroughly breaking down key sections. Using large Senko-style baits and braided line ensures maximum strength. Weight selection varies from 3/8 oz to 3/4 oz, depending on cover density. Slowing down and targeting overlooked spots can set you apart from other anglers.

Rod and reel choices remain fairly consistent across these techniques. For casting and ipping, a 7’6” medium-heavy to heavy action rod, such as the 13 Fishing Omen Series, paired with a high-speed baitcasting reel like the Concept

A 7:5:1, ensures control and power. For wacky rigs, a 7’3” medium-heavy spinning rod with a quality reel like the 13 Fishing Axum provides sensitivity and strength.

ese big worm techniques have helped me land giants during the spawn, and I hope they do the same for you. Whether !shing Florida’s grass beds or rocky northern structures, these methods are time-tested and e ective. Get out there this spring and hook into some monster bass!

Tyler Woolcott is a professional tournament angler and guide. Check out his website at www.tylerwoolcott shing.com.

A Legend in Every Blade

The Legacy of the Damascus Steel Spiral Dirk Dagger

In the misty Scottish Highlands, where mountains meet shimmering lochs, the dirk dagger has been a symbol of heritage and honor for centuries. Originating in the medieval battles and clan rivalries, these daggers were not just weapons but treasured heirlooms passed through generations.

One stormy night, a young warrior named Ewan was called to the forge by his grandfather, Duncan, a revered blacksmith. “Ewan,” he began, “our clan’s strength lies not only in our courage but in the blades we wield. Tonight, you will learn the art of crafting a dirk that will carry our legacy forward.”

Ewan selected premium Damascus steel, layering it over 242 times to create a blade with intricate, swirling patterns reminiscent of ancient Highland rivers. Each fold whispered stories of battles won and lost, of honor and sacriﬁce. He crafted a classic spear point blade with a ¾ tang for enhanced strength and balance, ensuring it stood the test of time and combat.

The handle was crafted from solid Micarta, a material as resilient as the Scottish spirit. Adorned with stainless steel and brass ﬁle work, the spacers and guard shimmered like northern stars. The rounded pommel provided perfect balance and a textured grip, making it feel like an extension of Ewan’s hand.

As dawn broke, Ewan held the completed dirk in his hands. Measuring 12 inches overall, with a 7-inch blade, it was more than a weapon; it was a tribute to his ancestors and a beacon of his clan’s legacy.

Ewan’s dirk became legendary, said to cut through the strongest armor, with patterns holding the essence of the Highlands. Today, the Damascus Spiral Dirk Knife stands as a pinnacle of craftsmanship, a modern marvel carrying the spirit of ancient Scottish warriors. It is a legacy reborn, ready to be part of your collection, where every inch tells a story of dedication, tradition, and excellence.

Embrace the legend. Hold the history. Own the Damascus Spiral Dirk Knife today for just $99 plus S&H when using special offer code CA5MDK at checkout. This offer is limited to the ﬁrst 1,200 orders so be sharp and call up today!

Speciﬁcations:

Overall Length: 12”

Blade Length: 7”

Blade Material: Premium Damascus steel, layered over 242 times Tang: ¾ tang for enhanced performance

Handle Material: Solid Micarta with stainless steel and brass ﬁle, worked spacers and guard Pommel: Rounded for balance and ergonomic grip

Damascus Spiral Dirk Dagger Knife

Was - $249

Now Only - $99 (plus S&H)

Use o er code: CA5MDK

*California residents please call 1-800 733 8463 regarding Proposition 65 regulations before purchasing this product.

Genuine Leather Sheath