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Offshore is ON! O N ! .
May is one of my favorite months for o!shore shing, as the shing seasons coincide with good weather. Being spared from the beginning of hurricane season until next month, right now is the most reliable time to get nice weather days to make the trek to deeper waters.
Mahi season has begun to be more consistent, making the trips o!shore more exciting and worthwhile. When making the long drive to the humps for black n tuna, or the sword sh ledges, it’s always a plus to know that you have opportunities to catch mahi on the way there and back. Staying alert for weedlines, diving birds and oating debris makes the trip seem like less of a chore, and keeps that sherman’s optimism alive for more of the venture, knowing you’re still on the hunt nearly the whole way back to the dock.
With the prevalence of mahi, tuna, queen snapper and sword sh in our deepwater shery, May 1st marks the opening of grouper season here in e Florida Keys, providing additional catching opportunities for both nearshore and o!shore adventures. We also welcome the opening of tile sh this month.
For those with an electric reel setup in their arsenal, this is a great month to get out there and scout for new deep-dropping locations. With snowy grouper and yellowedge grouper found peppered throughout the area, test dropping on new found spots can be a fun addition to mahi shing. As you run aimlessly o!shore looking for
signs of dolphin sh, you may notice you run over a ledge or depth variation. Anything that looks shy a%er about 500’ could be your next honeyhole.
By Capt. Quinlyn Haddon
If this is a new area especially, use a variety of baits on your 5-hook deepdrop rig to ensure your best chances of surveying the location. Squid is always a good choice o!shore, with many species unable to resist its potent aroma, but chunks of sh should be included to entice a grouper bite. With bait sizes matching hook sizes, its a good idea to make your own rigs with di!erent sized hooks if you’re unsure of the species that might be available at a new place. A x larger hooks near the bottom of the rig for grouper baits, and smaller hooks near the top with squid for tile sh.
If o!shore isn’t your thing, there are plenty of grouper on the reef and wrecks nearshore this time of year as well. However, a%er releasing these sandwich providers since their closing January 1st, every local sherman in town will be hitting the wrecks hard for the recaptures now that season is open. Before they face all this pressure from being targeted nearshore, particularly on publicly known wrecks, it’s a good time to put some skin in the nearshore grouper game.
A%er a short closure for the month of April, amberjack has also opened again this month.
ese sh are easy to nd, and add some nice backbreaking action to the grouper hunt.
Whatever your avor of shing is, e Florida Keys has you covered this month. With the anticipated opening of grouper season at the beginning of May, and schools closing for summer break nearing the end, it’s a good idea to get booked for a charter before you arrive on your Keys vacation.
Give us a call at Sweet E’nuf Charters to get tight.
Capt. Quinlyn Haddon guides with Sweet E’Nuf Charters out of Marathon, e Florida Keys. (504) 920-6342. www.captainquinlyn.com; IG: @captainquinlyn
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By Riley Love
PURSUING MONSTERS IN A SEPARATE REALITY...
nly in the dreams of shermen does this occur. A wondrous game sh pursued across ve countries not only awaits but the biggest, baddest, best of them lay for you in a single place.
e Salminus Brasiliensis is certainly not related to salmon, but is of the order Characiformes which includes many species— notably vampire-fanged payara and modern cinema star piranha in South America and tiger sh in Africa. Redundantly named the golden dorado (dorado means “golden” in Spanish), it’s immensely powerful, acrobatic—and magni cently beautiful.
e Rio Uruguay (indigenous Guarani interpretation “bird river”), with the northern border of Argentina and southern of Uruguay, sports a massive hydroelectric dam, the “El Salto Grande.” Stunned eels and bait sh ow through the locks in highly oxygenated water to the waiting predators. Permits are required by the dual operators on the Argentinian and Uruguay sides of the river to sh within 1,000 meters from the dam. Fishing is rigidly structured into slots of three hours quartered per weekdays per group of two or three anglers in two boats in this “Zona.” e Argentinians lost their permits recently and our two cra% had the entire area to ourselves. Downstream, twenty other boats oated outside the zone a kilometer away, prohibited from approaching nearer. My inner voice asked, “How o%en does this happen to me?”
ere are a lot of places to sh for golden dorado in Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay and Brazil. One would note that the world record is a bit cloudy; there is a 70 lb. specimen claimed in 1970 but without a veri cation or a photo. To re ect on the quality of this shery, the current IGFA record is just over 55 lbs. and taken at La Zona. Our group landed numerous sh into the mid-40 lb. range, within 80% of the documented record. In contrast, the renowned, luxurious golden dorado destination, Pira Lodge, gets about one sh over 30 lbs. annually. shermen do well here. Locals target carp-like boga both for live bait and food. Using large topwater poppers, Rapala style diving minnows and handmade jigs, we hit rocky structure and fastmoving torrents. e dorado were exceedingly sensitive to water levels and ow being released from the dam. When it happened and their buttons were pushed, it was double digit trophies in each time slot. Multiple hookups were common.
Fishing teaches us lessons about life. Whether love, war or business, if you want success you need multiple opportunities. Even with shoulder- wrenching, reel-screaming strikes and Hank Aaron grade roundhouse hooksets, over half of what seemed like solid hookups would suddenly vanish from the transaction. It’s very much like trying to land large toothy- jawed payara. e modus operandi of these golden hulks revealed that even extra strong hooks were straightened, sometimes pulled from the lures; 65 lb. braid and wire leaders were broken. But some just “Houdinied” away, still waiting for you to come, instead of only dreaming.
Justi Campa of Fly Fishing Patagonia assisted with our planning. Reach them by emailing jcampa@ y shingpatagonia.com or visit www. y shingpatagonia.com.
Riley Love is a physician and author with homes in Kentucky and Key Largo, Fla. He has penned dozens of articles on international sport shing and a host of screenplays. He is a member of the International Game Fish Association, e Bill sh Foundation and the Outdoor Writers Association of America. Contact him at 270-816-4423, rjhclove@gmail.com or visit his website: rileylove.com.
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ONE MORE CHANCE AT A TROPHY TROUT
By Capt. Michael
If you’re a dedicated trout angler like me, you’re probably eyeing the opportunity to land a personal best speckled trout before the spring spawn.
While most Texas anglers focus on big trout from mid-December to early April, May o!ers a prime window for trophy sh, especially with the full moon on May 12 this year. e warmer weather also makes shing more enjoyable, creating a perfect environment for those seeking action-packed outings.
May sees many anglers shi$ing focus and putting away their waders. However, big speckled trout are still holding onto their eggs, making this an excellent opportunity to catch one before they spawn. e pleasant temperatures in May allow us to use more aggressive lures and speed up our presentations, a welcome change from the slow, careful approach required in
winter. For those who enjoy a faster pace, May is the time to go.
One of my favorite techniques for targeting trophy trout in May is using topwater lures. e explosive strikes on the surface are thrilling, and the warmer waters make sh more eager to strike. But topwater isn’t the only option—slow-sinking and suspending lures also perform well. As a paddletail enthusiast, I recommend experimenting with 3”, 4”, and 5” sizes and adapting to the sh preference. At this time of year, trout are aggressive, so adding rattling sounds to your lures can make a di!erence.
In terms of location, I prefer shing grass %ats in water that is knee- to waist-deep. Flats with small creek drains or depressions are incredibly productive, as these features tend to concentrate sh. Shallow grass areas are ideal, and potholes can increase your chances of nding a big trout. ese areas o!er an excellent opportunity to catch a he$y sh before the season transitions.
However, shing in May can be challenging due to the abundance of small bait sh in the water, like tiny glass minnows. Trout are o$en gorging on these minuscule meals, making it di&cult to grab their attention with larger lures. e key is downsizing your lures to match the size of the bait sh. I’ve found that using the smallest lure you can cast e!ectively is the best approach when you see an abundance of small bait sh. Both hard and so$ lures are e!ective, and colors like white and silver tend to mimic the forage closely.
When shing around bait balls, I recommend positioning your lure on the edge or beneath the school. is strategy attracts sh to a single target, rather than competing with a large mass of bait sh. Slow-sinking lures are ideal, as they give the appearance of wounded prey, which trout nd irresistible.
Tandem rigs are another excellent option for spring shing. By rigging two smaller lures, you can cast farther while still maintaining the proper lure size. A combination of small silver spoons and white bucktails works well when shing around glass minnows. A small %oater diver with a spoon trailer also adds an extra level of action.
In the spring, downsizing your lure presentation can make a signi cant di!erence in your success, potentially leading to the big trout you’ve been waiting for.
Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Knockin Tail Lures®, and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.
Okruhlik
PHOTO COURTESY OF KNOCKIN TAIL LURES®.
Tripletail Fis hing In The Keys
Late spring through summer marks the prime season for tripletail !shing in the Florida Keys. Known for their unique appearance and strong !ght, these !sh are a favorite for anglers looking to challenge their skills. Tripletail are opportunistic feeders, o en lurking around oating structures like buoys, weed lines, or even debris in the water, so learning how to spot them and presenting the right bait are key to a successful catch.
By A. deGruchy
When targeting tripletail, it’s important to have the right gear for the job. A 7’ to 7’6” medium rod with a fast action will provide the strength and responsiveness needed to manage their powerful runs. Pair this with a 3000–4000 size reel. We rely on the PENN Battalion paired with the 3500 PENN Authority as our personal set up. For leaders, a 20 lb. uorocarbon leader is good, along with a 3/0 circle hook. We trust the Mustad UltraPoint hooks for their sharpness and strength. For bait, shrimp or small white bait are both top choices.
Finding tripletail requires enough daylight and minimal clouds for visibility. $ey prefer oating structures such as buoys or patches of oating seaweed, so keep an eye out for these areas while cruising the waters. A key factor in casting is to land as light as possible near the !sh, allowing the bait
naturally with the current. Tripletail are o en slow movers, so be swi and avoid sudden movements that might scare them o%. A light and steady retrieve will give your bait the best chance of getting tight.
Tripletail !shing in the Florida Keys can be incredibly rewarding, especially when you hook into one of these feisty !ghters. $ey also make excellent table fare if you wanted to catch and cook, getting the full sea-totable experience.
Book your adventure now at www.beansport!shing.com as our trips !ll up fast!
Follow deGruchy’s adventures at @bean_sport shing on Instagram and YouTube.
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LASS AND BASS! ALIE ABRELL LANDS A MONSTER IN MARION COUNTY
Florida’s bass !shing scene just got a serious jolt of excitement, thanks to an unforgettable day on the water for angler Alie Abrell. Back in February, in the heart of Marion County, Alie landed what many dream of but few achieve—a jaw-dropping 10-pound largemouth bass that has quickly become the talk of the !shing community.
Fishing with the renowned Trophy Bass Expeditions and under the seasoned eye of Captain Sean Rush, Alie hooked into the massive bass during what turned out to be a picture-perfect outing. As the !ght unfolded, it became clear this was no ordinary catch. When the !sh !nally surfaced, it was con!rmed: Alie had o&cially entered the elite double-digit club—a milestone that every serious bass angler aspires to reach.
$e catch is more than just a personal triumph for Alie—it’s a sign that Florida’s peak bass season is o% to an electrifying start. Known for its trophy-sized bass and scenic waters, Marion County is already delivering on its reputation, and this monster catch sets a high bar for the rest of the season.
“Moments like this are what we live for,” said Captain Rush. “To see an angler connect with a !sh of that caliber—it’s unforgettable.”
As word of the catch spreads, anglers across the Sunshine State are gearing up for what promises to be a record-setting year. With warming waters and peak season just ramping up, it’s a prime time to get out there and chase giants.
Huge kudos to Alie for reeling in the bass of a lifetime—and a big shoutout to Captain Rush for once again guiding an angler to glory. If this epic moment is any indication of what’s to come, Florida’s bass !shing faithful have every reason to be !red up.
So, gear up and cast out—because the big ones are biting!
For more info visit https://license.gooutdoors orida.com/Angler/Home
PHOTO COURTESY
In The Kitchen with Jessica
By: Jessica Hendrie
It’s my favorite time! Time to eat! After long days and nights of fishing, the main thing I always look forward to is getting home to cook and prepare the fish I catch for my family and friends. One of the best things to cook and maybe even the simplest, are fish tacos! These work so well with nearly every type of fish. They way I prepare them varies but I do have one good solid recipe that never fails. That is as follows. First, grab all your supplies. This will include Your fish, tortillas, cilantro, garlic, olive oil, onion, feta cheese, lime, seasonings of choice, mayo, fresh dill, honey, black beans, and rice. First, cook your rice and start by making your sauce. In a bowl, combine your mayo, seasonings, dill, and honey the mix. Place in refrigerator. Next, season your fish and sauté it in your skillet. Once it’s completed, set aside. Chop your cilantro
onions. Heat your black bean, add garlic, seasonings, lime, olive oil and some water and mash to make refried beans. Heat your oil and heat your tortillas for a few minutes then prepare. Add your fish, cilantro, onions and top with cheese and sauce. Plate with your refried beans and rice and there you have it! The best and most easiest fish tacos that anyone can make! How cool is it that we are able to catch our own food and prepare it for our loved ones to eat? My favorite fish to do this with, is of course, mahi mahi. That’s the most basic as well but I promise it’s just as yummy with any fillet. I’ve even made tacos out of snakehead… so it’s all about how you cook it, not the fish. So enjoy this recipe and enjoy fishing and cooking. Summer is close so the mahi mahi will be coming just in time. Happy fishing!
May’s Action
By: Capt. Bart Marx
The cool fronts have slowed and it’s now easier to travel offshore. The annual migration of tarpon usually comes this month. Tarpon in big schools continue to migrate North and go inland in search for food. This is a great time to head offshore to get a mess of snapper, porgies, b-liners and some grouper maybe where the waters are 70ft. to 100ft., about 20 to 30 miles offshore. Some of the artificial reefs are good places to start, and as you are traveling to and from, keep your eyes on the depth finder and mark some spots while you are under way. Looking for depth changes and small ledges. Also look for a Christmas tree of bait and see if they are on a small hard bottom that is worthy of fishing. There a lot of anglers today that have trolling motors that have the anchor setting. These are nice if you like to run and gun. I feel that the motor running keeps the snapper on the bottom. Well I am old school I like to anchor on my good snapper spots and chum the snapper to the surface. This way you can use lighter setups and have some good fun. I bring several frozen baits, this way we can find out what they like today, and bring live shrimp so, when the bite slows start trying out your live bait. Don't start with steak and then try to feed them hamburger! I do like to use chum, but sometimes it does attract sharks. This time of year, put a bonus rig out behind the boat with a little wire and maybe pick up a king mackerel. I have learned the fish you bring to the surface are trying to spit the hook out and as they are doing this they’re purging their tummy and creating a underwater chum slick. This will attract kings and sometimes blackfin tuna. This time of year, you may even attract some dolphin fish. Make sure you check the FWC regulations if you stay in State waters 9 miles, and if you go further you are in federal water and the regulations can be different. This would also be a good month to get an inshore slam, a red fish, snook, and a trout. The reds should be scattered all over from the mangroves to the sand bars and creeks. Trout should be out on the grass flats and just outside the sandbars, and snook are looking to go spawn looking for food to get to their spawning areas. Come along with Capt. Bart and see how we get it done! And always remember singing drags and tight lines make me smile. <*(((((>{
TBoca Grande Tarpon and Beyond
By: Capt. Terry Fisher
he month of May will bring to our area one of the most spectacular displays of fish migration to Southwest Florida, especially in Boca Grande Pass. The ‘Pass’ becomes the focal point to the best Tarpon fishing on planet Earth. Whether a fisherman or not, the natural display of this wild life beauty at its finest, is worth a boat ride to the ‘Pass’ to witness. In May, thousands of these pre-historic fish make their appearance to eat crabs, mate, grow and survive.
This is one of the better opportunities for big game hunters looking for a fish of a lifetime. It is an experience of a lifetime to hook and land a huge tarpon, however, landing a tarpon is different from ‘hooking’ one. Nonetheless, one will have a sense of gratitude once they experience the magnitude of the most fighting fish on the planet, if only for a short period of time. Many anglers try year after year with no success. The reason for failure is that it requires years of experience and knowledge to hook and land a ‘Silver King’ in the Pass. To do so requires one to re-learn to fish a totally new technique with nuances vastly different from all other presentations utilized for other inshore and offshore species. These huge fish are here to spawn and even though huge, have a gentle approach when it comes to eating a presentation. Understanding them makes all the difference in the world to be able to hook one up, let alone, land it.
Nonetheless, the title of this article is just what it means! There are lots of opportunity for those that do not want to fish the Pass, but still want an opportunity to catch a ‘Tarpon of a Lifetime’! These fish will inhabit our estuaries from early April through June. The breeders are migrating for the Florida Straits up the Gulf of America, and will be anywhere from 50 yards off of the beaches of the outer islands of Sanibel, Captiva, North Captiva, Cayo Costa as well as throughout Pine Island Sound and Charlotte Harbor.
In contrast to fishing the intimidating Boca Grande Pass, other great options remain just offshore as well as in Pine Island Sound and Charlotte Harbor. During the northern tarpon migration, there are literally thousands of tarpon pods infiltrating our waters allowing a more relaxing experience utilizing different techniques. Tarpon hunters can avoid the crowded pass of Boca Grande and have an opportu-
nity to enjoy and catch this superior fish species. Guides like myself fish both types of venues on a regular basis so as to accommodate both demanding and less demanding anglers. This being said, everyone can have a chance to catch their ‘Tarpon of a Lifetime’! Simply pick your pleasure and hire a guide with the qualifications to fulfill your requests.
Du ring May, tarpon are not the only dominate species that one may consider targeting. Even though snook season is closed in our area they can still be fished, caught and released. This is the second most sought-after fish to tarpon. They are plentiful and are everywhere. I prefer to free-line live sardines, herring or pinfish using light tackle with circle hooks off the beaches, under docks along the passes of Boca Grande, N. Captiva and Sanibel.
Seatrout are back and here in good numbers and sizes as well. They are also available for harvest. Be sure to always check the FWC Guidelines to comply with the law. Light tackle will give anglers plenty of satisfaction catching lots of these in 4 to 5 feet of water on shrimp under corks over the grass flats.
Spa nish mackerel and pompano may provide optional enjoyment in the passes, just off the beaches as well as in the grass flats while fishing for seatrouts.
Offshore, the waters are warming up and one may find lane snapper and mangrove in 55 or less foot of water over rubble and manmade reefs. However, to get to the bigger snappers and groupers, expect to fish waters with depths of 85-120 feet for keepers. The water will continue to warm and the warmer it gets the deeper one needs to target reef species.
This is Captain Terry Fisher with Fish Face Charters. In addition to my boat, I am also available as ‘Captain for Hire’ on your vessel (by the hour) to teach safety, navigation, fishing techniques and locations to catch fish both inshore or offshore. Check out my website at www.fishfacecharters.com. Email me at fishfacecharters@yahoo. com or call me direct at 239-357-6829 to book a charter on your vessel or mine.
KEEP IT SIMPLE
By: Joe Sheaffer
On a recent fishing trip my friend wanted to know about the way I retrieve my jig and paddle tail. Through the years, I have simplified the type of lures I’m using and their presentation. I primarily use what I call a slow and steady retrieve. I primarily like to power fish, covering water and making longer casts. I have been very successful using a steady retrieve. I have a ton of confidence with a jig and paddle tail or swimbait. Making a long cast and a steady retrieve allows me to cover large areas with a lure that stays in the strike zone longer. Basically, after the cast simply lower the rod tip and start retrieving. Obviously, conditions play a role in the presentation. Depending on depth, current, wind and structure choose a lure that will work best in each condition. The weight of the lure is usually the key. In light current, shallower water, hard structure and grass, lighter jigs work
best. Heavy current and deeper water requires a heavier jig. I have found a slow steady retrieve works very well with a spoon and slow retrieve and light twitches work very well with weedless Jerk Shads. I use an occasional plug like a wake bait or suspending twitch bait and the slower presentation works very well. I recall this story quite often, when I moved down here a few years ago catching redfish was a challenge. I couldn’t figure it out and was very frustrated. One day, sticking with a jig and paddle tail and a slow retrieve, I caught a couple. Since that day I have had great confidence catching redfish, snook, trout and other species. Sure, there are times a faster retrieve is more effective but when it is tough, slow it down and you may be pleasantly surprised. Good luck and keep casting.
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Calusa Blueway
By: Mike Hammond
Matlacha has faced significant challenges during the past few years due to damage from multiple hurricanes, but there is good news for paddlers.
Estero River Outfitters has expanded its reach by opening a second location, Matlacha Outfitters, conveniently located across from the Yucatan Beach Stand. This new spot provides paddlers with direct access to the water on the western side of the small bridge. In addition to kayak and stand-up paddleboard (SUP) rentals, the outfitter also offers a launch site for those bringing their own equipment, availability permitting. Be sure to check in with the staff before using their launch.
For those seeking a free launch site, Sirenia Vista Park in Cape Coral remains an excellent option, with ample parking and a well-maintained floating ADA launch that has impressively withstood multiple hurricanes. Gulf Coast Kayak has been awarded the contract as the designated outfitter for this location, making it a convenient choice for visitors without their own gear or those looking to join a guided tour. However,
paddlers should be mindful of the tides, as the area experiences strong currents due to the narrow passage. For a calmer experience, the nearby mangrove creek, accessible directly across the channel, offers a scenic and serene paddle filled with fish, wading birds and tranquil lakes.
Matlacha Community Park is another viable launch point, free for those without a trailer. While the floating dock at the paddlecraft launch is no longer available, the two small beaches provide easy access to the water. This location is particularly appealing on windy days, as it allows paddlers to adjust their plans accordingly. Additionally, the park offers picnic areas, restrooms and a variety of nearby dining options within walking distance.
While it is bittersweet to witness the changes in Matlacha, it remains a fantastic destination for paddling, wildlife spotting, including dolphins and manatees, and fishing. Despite the challenges, the spirit of adventure and natural beauty of the Great Calusa Blueway endures.
Change of Weather
by: Dan Carns
Now that spring has arrived the weather is going to take a dramatic turn from windy and coolish to OMG hot and flat calm. No one is more affected by the wind than a kayak angler and I for one will trade the wind for the heat.
There are many considerations to take into account as it heats up here in Southwest Florida. Your launch times should come earlier in the day to avoid the midday sun. Fortunately, the fishing can be just spectacular at daybreak so plan accordingly. The intense heat that affects us has the same effect on the fish. You will need to adjust your tactics when targeting snook and especially redfish. Early in the morning you’ll find snook and reds actively feeding on top water plugs in fairly open water but as the sun begins to shine directly down they will move to the shelter of deeper water or the mangrove overhangs. If it’s hot and you send your lures or baits to the edge of that mangrove overhang but don’t quite get in the shade, the fish, especially redfish, will not move out of the shelter that the shade provides. Make sure you’re under the tree overhang! If the tide is down and the fish are unable to hide from the sun they will be holding out in deeper water channels and holes so paddle tails and swim baits need time to get lower in the water column as well as live baits.
Just as important is the personal protection that you need to employ to have an enjoyable day on the water. Long SPF pants and long sleeve shirts are a must unless you’re working on your tan but the sun will fry you in just a couple of hours. Floppy hats and a neck buffs are a must, including really good polarized sun glasses. Do not buy cheap sunglasses as they trick your eyes into believing that they are protected exposing your wide-open pupils to the harmful rays that are not only streaming down from above but also bouncing up off the water. While shoes may not seem necessary they will also shield your skin from the sun but also protect you in the event that you accidentally or intentionally enter the water.
Summer is also bug season here so having bug spray and sunscreen should be part of your setup. Just a couple of hints regarding both. Prior to launch is the best time to apply them as you will be able to wash both off your hands. I have personally seen clients apply one or the other and disregard my advice to clean those chemicals from their hands only to transfer them directly to the lures or baits. That is usually the end of fishing for them as the fish can smell these chemicals in the water. Also, do not over spray these onto you fishing gear.
Be grateful for the flat water but be prepared to change tactics and add some personal protection to your routine!
The month of May is probably one of the most diverse months to fish the Charlotte Harbor area, and there are so many options for anglers to target and one day of fishing just won’t be enough to experience all the different opportunities available. Snook will be moving to the outer islands and open bars feeding heavy for the summer spawn, and the areas with good tidal flow will be holding lots of hungry fish. Live bait is always the bait of choice, but artificial will always get you fish also, soft jerk baits rigged weedless are a great choice. Another fish that will be out in good numbers is sea trout, look for this species on the bars and open flats. I like areas with mixed sand and a grassy bottom. It's hard to talk about May and not mention tarpon! The warming waters will have the silver kings moving into the Harbor
Abundant Opportunities
By: Capt. Dave Stephens
in great numbers. The best advice I can give is get an early start to look for rolling fish. Deeper holes, river mouths and around schools of bait are great places to look. Bring the big rods out, I recommend 50-60lb braid with 60-80lb flouro leader. There are also other great species that will be around like spanish mackerel and cobia. So, plan your day or two and have a great time on the water.
If you would like to experience some of Southwest Florida's finest fishing give us a call or send an email. All of our trips are private and customized to fit you and your party's needs.
Ryan, 14, with a nice redfish in Cape Coral.
Jenna Hudik of NFM with her first snook, w/ the help of her husband!
Cameron Gaddy shared this nice bass, one of many!
First time fisherman Micah McDaniel was happy w/ his sheepshead while fishing in the Gulf, out of Naples.
Allie Selvog, 7yo, 35 miles off Sarasota, with Capt. Arthur Schwartz (aka Grandad).
Tabitha Price-Mardis caught this beauty in the Peace River.
Matthew Fritsche showing off this nice largemouth bass.
Taran Eades showing off his monster bass, caught near Ft. Hammer.
Desmond Rodriguez w/ a nice 29” snook out of Long Boat Key.
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
RARE LEATHERBACK SEA TURTLE LAYS EGGS DURING DAYLIGHT ON FLORIDA BEACH
Brevard County, Florida, proudly holds the title of the loggerhead sea turtle capital of our hemisphere. Here, loggerhead nesting occurs so frequently that nests o!en go unmarked on some beaches. From April through the summer months, during nearly any full moon high tide at night, you might witness this natural phenomenon. However, it’s important to keep ashlights o and avoid ash photography to protect these vulnerable creatures.
Daytime nesting is rare for all turtles, making the sight of an endangered leatherback (the world’s largest sea turtle species) even more exceptional.
$is unique event was captured during the evening twilight hours at 6:30 p.m. Monday, April 7, in Satellite Beach, FL. $e Sea Turtle Preservation Society and UCF were on the scene.
Watch the video in this month's Angler Video Mag at vidmag.com and on coastalanglermag.com.
By Ryan Clapper
THE FELLSMERE RESERVOIR: From Farmland To World Class Fishery!
Headwaters Lake (Fellsmere Reservoir) is a 10,000-acre manmade lake located in Indian River County, adjacent to Stick Marsh/Farm 13. In the early 20th century, this area was drained for agriculture. In 2015, the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) purchased the land and began ooding it to aid in ood control and nutrient removal for the Upper St. Johns River Basin. Before ooding, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and SJRWMD collaborated on extensive habitat and %sheries restoration projects to enhance %sh and wildlife habitats and create a premier %shing destination. Between 2011 and 2014, FWC invested $1.35 million in habitat enhancements at Headwaters, including shaping the lakebed with varied elevations such as holes, trenches, drop-o s, humps, and islands.
Following the ooding in 2016, FWC stocked the lake with 1 million Florida bass %ngerlings, 145,000 black crappie, 374,000 redear sun%sh, and 345,000 bluegill to rapidly establish a thriving sport%sh population.
On August 10, 2020, the Headwaters Lake boat ramp opened for the %rst time and the access facility was built in cooperation between the SJRWMD and FWC’s Boating Improvement Fund, which is supported by Sport%sh Restoration Funding. Since the opening of the boat ramp, the FWC has monitored angling e ort, catch, and angler success.
From 2020-2024, Fellsmere has averaged about 160,000+ angling hours annually and a bass catch rate of 1.40 bass per hour (one of the highest in the state). Furthermore, people from all over the country have traveled to %sh Fellsmere for its worldclass %shing opportunities. Fellsmere started generating TrophyCatch submissions of
bass 8 pounds and larger in 2017/2018 and since then has seen over 400 TrophyCatch submissions including two Hall of Fame catches weighing 13+ pounds.
For more information, visit myfwc.com.
Before (top) and after photos of the bottom contour project conducted by FWC at Fellsmere Reservoir/Headwaters Lake.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF FWC.
IT'S TIME TO STOCK UP
By Ben Martin, Editor in Chief
Ikeep asking the question but can’t seem to get a clear answer on why Florida is not dedicating more resources to stocking red!sh and snook into our waters. e technology and infrastructure is there, but no one’s doing anything to bring about a robust restocking program to our state. Why the hell not? I don’t get it. We’re the number one !shing market in the U.S. and tourism fuels a state’s economy. However, according to the !ne folks who issue our !shing limits and restrictions, both species are “so depleted that we need to have severe catch limits and massive closures.”
Come on Florida government, put two plus two together. I think I speak for the majority of the Florida angling community when I say we’re just about disgusted with the ever-evolving limit and closure restrictions that have been coming our way for the past twenty years. It’s like there’s a group of people who just sit around and come up with more ways to infuriate the angling community in the name of conservation and some kind of “sustainability” mantra.
Just raise more !sh, idiots! Raise ’em like crazy. Get jiggy with it. Use my tax dollars the way I want you to use them. Stop spending my tax dollars on massive sta ng of non-anglers in positions of authority when it comes to my rules for !shing. Put enough red!sh and snook in our waters so that any kid can catch one. Yeah, I’m not the smartest person in the world, but I know when something is _______ (you know the rest).
Change your thinking or !nd a new job is what I’m talking about. Your trend over the last twenty years has been nothing short of adversarial, and I’m sick of paying your salaries just to anger our angling community. What !shing contributes to the Florida economy is nothing short of astronomical, but the allocation of resources to support it has been ass backwards for quite a while.
Here’s a good example of the mentality that I think dominates our marine o ces. I was wade !shing recently and as a car drove by on the nearby causeway a person stuck their head out of the window and screamed, “MURDERER!”
Yeah, that who’s been calling the shots for the angling community in Florida for the past twenty years and I, for one, am done with that prevailing mentality in the use of my tax dollars. Agree? Disagree? Fill out the form at protectourwaters.com.
Ben Martin Editor in Chief
Coastal Angler Magazine e Angler Magazine
THE IGFA’S INTRO TO FISHING COURSE: Educating and Inspiring the Next Generation of Ethical Anglers
The International Game Fish Association (IGFA) has long been a global leader in promoting ethical angling practices, game %sh conservation, and angler education. One of its most accessible resources is the Intro to Fishing course, a structured educational program developed by the IGFA to provide a comprehensive introduction to recreational %shing in an online setting. $is engaging and interactive course is accessible to anyone with an internet connection and equips participants with basic skills, fostering a deep appreciation for the sport.
Targeted at youth, families, and beginner anglers, the course covers various aspects of %shing, including:
• The Fish: Understanding what a %sh is and how to identify various game %sh
• The Habitat: Learn where %sh live and di erent aquatic environments
• The Basics: Learning various %shing techniques from basic tackle to casting methods
• The Ethical Angler: Emphasizing responsible %shing practices, catch-and-release techniques, and habitat protection
43 acres (+or-) 1100 feet (+or-) on Suwannee River in Lafayette County at US 27, across river from Branford. Heavily wooded, perfect for residence, camp ground or hunting lodge. Elec. and well.
• The IGFA: Introducing students to the IGFA $e IGFA’s Intro to Fishing course launched in 2019 as a means to o er a comprehensive curriculum covering angling basics and safety, aquatic and marine biology, %sh identi%cation, environmental stewardship and more to audiences around the world. Packed with educational presentations, how-to videos, and interactive quizzes, the course allows anglers to follow along at their own pace. To date, nearly 1,200 students have completed the course, ranging from IGFA smallfry anglers aged up to 10 years old to experienced adult anglers. Most students are from North America, speci%cally from 43 states across the USA, but students from 35 di erent countries on six continents have completed it as well. While most students who have completed the course have caught a %sh before, nearly 15% of students have
43 acres (+or-) 1100 feet (+or-) on Suwannee River in Lafayette County at US 27, across river from Branford. Heavily wooded, perfect for residence, camp ground or hunting lodge. Elec. and well.
Cary A. Crutchfield
Registered Real Estate Broker GRI and CRS Designations
recorded that they have never caught a %sh before taking the course, but it has helped inspire these students to get outside and go %shing.
“Being new to %shing, it sparked my interest to start to %sh the most I can,” said Landon M., an IGFA Junior angler aged 11-16 years old from Hawaii, USA, who %nished the course in 2022.
Many schools from primary to college have utilized IGFA’s Intro to Fishing online resource as part of their course curriculum as well. Evan F., a college student from Kentucky, U.S. back in 2020 when he completed the course, recently had this to say in a post-student survey asking how the Intro to Fishing course has impacted their angling career since taking the course, “I took this class in correspondence with a freshwater %shing class in college. It has helped me have a better understanding and what to do when %shing and given me practices I still use to this day.”
For more information about the course and how to participate, visit igfa.org/learning-modules/.
2025 CCA Star Florida Launches Memorial Day Weekend
The 2025 CCA Florida STAR competition presented by Yamaha continues to be Florida’s the largest family-friendly saltwater %shing competition. Running Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day it boasts prizes & scholarships over $500,000 for anglers of all ages and skill levels.
$is year they’ve added the new Drum Spots “Lots-A-Spots” Division presented by Gulf States Automation. Red%sh with the most spots will win a share of $25,000 in prizes.
STAR’s signature Tagged Red%sh Division presented by TH Marine o ers %ve winners the choice of a Carolina Ski , Sea Born, Spyder Boat or Micro Dra! Ski , all powered by Yamaha. Two youth winners would win Carolina Ski 16-foot tiller boats powered by Yamaha, trailer, Minn Kota trolling motor and Humminbird electronics.
Each Florida coastal counties will have on average 4 green tagged red%sh released in their waters for a total of 167 prize winning tagged red%sh. Citrus and Charlotte Counties are Destination Counties with 8 tagged red%sh in their coastal waters.
$e Tigress Tagged Dolphin Division o ers a $10,000 cash prize for the %rst tagged dolphin landed.
$e Custom Gheenoe Inshore Division presented by Minn Kota and the Engel Coolers O shore Division presented by AFTCO allows 3 catch entries per day of competition and pays out 12 places with $60,000 in prizes in each.
You don’t have to catch a %sh to win a boat! Register before May 24th for one ra&e entry in the Triple Header Boat Ra&e. A Dek Kat 27 Trilogy, Spyder FX19 Vapor and a Carolina Ski 16JLS all powered by Yamaha will be given away on September 4, 2025.
$e Native Watercra! Kayak Division, Realtree Fishing Youth Scholarship Division, Power Pole Conservation Division and Costa Kick Plastic Trash Division o er amazing prizes too! ALL salt water species can be entered and most winners are determined by random drawing. Pick up the STAR Identi%er a!er May 17 at any West Marine store or distribution location.
Registration is $80 which includes CCA Florida membership. Kids ages 6-17 can register for free with current ($10) CCA Florida youth membership.
For more information on STAR, or to register, visit cca star.com
CTim Barefoot
an you say hallelujah? HALLELUJAH!!! $e powers that be say we can %nally catch and retain grouper as the season opens back up May 1. Decades ago, I never thought I would have said “grouper” and “season” in the same sentence, much less enduring this nine- or 10-months out of the year closure we’re experiencing now.
We recently took a recon trip to the edge to catch African pompano, but caught everything but African. $e barracudas and sharks are in numbers never seen before (by myself and a LOT of my friends), along with the American red snapper (ARS) and gag grouper. For anyone doubting the American red snapper and/or gag grouper numbers, please speak up now...or please come %shing with me!
We decided to leave the shark- and barracuda-infested deep water to catch some legal dinner %sh like grunts and seabass. We came inside a good ways and stopped on a pretty piece of bottom and it was nothing but gag, scamps and ARS bites. BAM! BAM! BAM!
Rolled back in another 10 miles knowing we were going to catch some seabass and grunts…and got nothing but gag and ARS bites. A!er that, we decided to go another eight miles inside speci%cally for sea bass, %nding traditional sea bass numbers. Fishing around in that general area, we ran out of all frozen cigar minnows and cut Spanish mackerel chunks before we could catch a good limit of sea bass.
I said all that to say this: %sh the pretty bottom marks of bait and structure using the correct tactics and you will have a heavy box of good %sh at the end of the day.
All the best %shing...
For more info, check out Tim Barefoot’s YouTube channel and website, barefootcatsandtackle.com.
GROUPER SEASON BACK OPEN...FOR NOW
A!er breaking shermen’s hearts by releasing trophy grouper throughout the closed season, May is nally here, opening grouper season for anglers on the Atlantic Coast. I, for one, am thrilled to be able to add these tasty critters to the icebox yet again.
e red grouper is one of the most popular bottom sh found along the southeastern coast of the United States, particularly in the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. It’s rm, white esh and rich avor make it a favorite for the majority of o%shore anglers. Easily recognizable by its reddish-brown coloration, the red grouper features scattered white blotches and a stocky body that suits its role as an ambush predator in rocky reef environments. Pulling one up from the depts that they exist in is the price you’ll pay to put this meat on your table because they’re also able to aggressively resist your will and challenge your strength. I like targeting them using live or cut bait. Once hooked, they tend to dive back into structure, which makes landing them a rewardingly brutal experience.
THATCH MAGUIRE, EDITOR AT LARGE
those who regularly bottom sh the overabundance seems to be more of a problem than the reduced stock assessments that NOAA has promoted.
e National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has attempted to monitor stock assessments of red grouper, although many cite awed data in their forecasts. e catch limits and season closures that they’ve implemented have substantially reduced the angling communities’ opportunities to catch this highly sought a!er sh. For
FISHING IS BETTER IN A C-HAWK
I could be wrong, but it seems as if NOAA has become antirecreation-fishing oriented. eir policies and choice of data has created a distrust among many (most all) anglers these days. While ASA and numerous other angler organization have attempted to impact NOAA’s trend toward “Don’t Catch,” much remains to be done to correct the adversarial relationship between the American angler and this once highly respected organization. My small home town once had an animal control o cer that hated and abused stray dogs. Once the community brought this to the attention of local government o ce the problem got solved relatively quickly. ey red him. No more problem. Has it come time to re the management team of NOAA?
Disclaimer: e views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the writer and do not necessarily re ect the views or positions of Coastal Angler Magazine or any entities they represent.
TACTICS FOR CHASING CHANNEL CATS
By Paul MacInnis
Catching channel cat sh can be a lot of fun and super rewarding—these guys ght hard! And the nice thing about cat shing is you don’t need fancy baits or tackle. If you want to target bullheads and smaller pan-sized cat sh you can use baits you gather right out of the river like grass shrimp and mussels. You can also use earth worms or small chunks of hotdog. Fish these baits on a 1/0 Aberdeen hook and add just enough split shot to your line to hold bottom.
But I prefer to target bigger channel cat sh, the bigger the better, using peeled shrimp for bait. You don’t need fresh shrimp, a bag of frozen shrimp from your local bait shop works ne. I also like to use cut bait as it holds up well to the bait stealers. Cut mullet or chunks from just about any sh work.
I use a standard sh nder rig. Run the line through a one-quarter to one ounce egg sinker, choosing just enough weight to hold bottom. Tie the line to a swivel and add about one to two feet of twenty pound test mono lament to the other end of the swivel. To the end of this leader I tie a 4/0 Team Cat sh TC84Z circle hook.
Baitcasting gear used for bass shing and 2000 to 3000 sized spinning tackle works ne for channel cats. You can get by with inexpensive mono lament, but I prefer a good quality 10-pound test braid like Platypus Platinum Plus. Braid won’t bow out as much as mono lament due to wind or current so it gives you a straighter connection between rod tip and bait. is kind of tackle can get sporty if a 10-pound-plus cat sh takes your bait, but sporty is exactly what I am looking for!
Popular wisdom says you should sh your baits in the deeper bends and holes. I shed that way for years and caught plenty of one to ve pound cat sh, but bigger sh eluded me. Many rivers (even lakes) are loaded with little coves and basins. I’ve learned if there is three feet or more of water in these basins there’s a decent chance there will be some nice cat sh there. I’ll park my kayak at the edge of the opening and cast a bait towards the center of the mouth of the cove, trying to place my bait in the slack water but close, within 10 feet or so, of the current. If I am feeling ambitious I’ll toss a second bait towards the back of the cove. Most of the time the biggest cat sh go for the bait close to the cove mouth...but that isn’t always the case. I like to let the circle hook do all the work so I’ll leave the rods in the rod holders until a sh puts a good bend in the rod and maybe even takes drag. Keep your ears open for loud splashes as channel cats will o!en thrash at the surface right a!er feeling the hook. Also watch your line. Cat sh don’t always take the bait going away from you. If your line goes slack or your bait changes position reel up tight and see if there is a sh on the line. Finally, if you start catching a lot of bow n you might want to move elsewhere (unless you like catching bow n) because I nd cat sh and bow n seldom share the same locations.
Channel cat sh can be aggressive predators and many a bass angler has been surprised when a big cat grabs their bass lure. Most of the time I wouldn’t advise tossing lures as an e cient way of targeting cat sh, but some years there is an exception that happens in spring into early summer. Winter and spring are typically dry season and water levels drop. Fish congregate in what deeper holes are le! and become aggressive due to high competition for food. is is one time when you can readily catch cat sh on lures and even ies. I like small plastic worms and other so! plastic baits bumped slowly along the bottom. Keep in mind cat sh are primarily scent feeders so dousing your lure with a decent sh scent helps.
During low water you’ll occasionally run across a real treat, a sandy bottom pool where you can spot cat sh and sight cast to them. I highly recommend a quality pair of polarized sunglasses with an amber tint and mirror coating to help you tell cat sh from gar and tilapia.
I suggest you give shing for channel cats a try, especially on those days when “game sh” don’t cooperate. Be patient, stay persistent, and enjoy the process!
FROM A PRO COVERING WATER WITH A BLADED JIG
When you rst drop your boat in the water, o!entimes it can be extremely overwhelming on where to sh and what to throw. One bait I have found in particular seems to catch bass at every lake I go to. is bait is a bladed jig, better known as a chatterbait. e bladed jig is a extremely versatile bait, meaning you can throw it around so many di%erent types of cover and sh it at many varying depths. It allows you to cover a vast amount of water and locate bass that would usually take days to nd with other baits.
As you approach a new lake or even one you have been to a thousand times, it’s always a good idea to throw a con dence bait that you know will get bites. e chatter-bait is mine. I’ve found that no matter the cover, grass, trees, docks, riprap, etc., it gets bit. With the blade on the front vibrating so erratically, it allows this bait to come through cover extremely well and creates a reaction strike no other bait can.
their home. Depending on the time of year and what kind of bait the bass are feeding on where you are shing, there is a color made to match the hatch. If shad is the prevalent forage, I like to stick to a white or a bait sh color like a pearl and silver with a silver colored blade. If it’s bluegill, you can get by with a green pumpkin or anything with some yellow and orange mixed in with a darker blade color. Sometimes water color can play a factor in color choice as well. If the water is very dirty, you will have to use a color that will stick out so that they can see it pass by. Something like a white and chartreuse with a white blade (for bait sh imitation) or even a bright orange with a black blade (for craw sh imitation) can do the trick.
TYLER WOOLCOTT
Buying a bladed jig and tying it directly on your rod usually isn’t too e%ective without putting a trailer on the back of it. I like to try and match the color of the trailer to the color of the skirt on your chatterbait of choice to get the most natural look for the sh. e type of trailer can be a bit more complicated. I use either a swimbait style trailer with a boot tail or a apping style trailer like a craw pattern. e boot tail stands out when sh are very aggressive and aren’t scared of the more aggressive action the boot tail causes behind the bait. e appy trailer is better for highly-pressured sh that want a little more of a subtle approach who might not like the amount of action a swimbait trailer has.
A chatterbait is a very dominant bait all across the country and I rely on this bait at all times of the year to help me put sh in the boat. Next time you hit the lake, give the chatter-baitt a try and cover some water!
Let’s talk about matching the chatterbait to the bait forage. By matching the color of the bladed jig to the forage in the lake, a bass can’t resist it as a nice snack when you reel it through
Sizes and weights of your bladed jig are extremely important. With sizes ranging from 1/4 oz. all the way to 1.25 oz., the depth you are shing will decide what you tie on. I typically start with a 3/8 oz. or a 1/2 oz. which will allow you to cover water depths from 1 to 10 feet depending on your retrieve. If I nd some deeper cover that i want to get down to and sh, I will go a little heavier to a 3/4 oz.
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BLADED JIG GEAR: When throwing a bladed jig its important to have the correct gear. I use a 13 Fishing Myth Rod 7’5 MH-mod paired with a 13 Fishing Concept A 7:5:1 reel. I spool this up with 17 lb. Su x Advance Fluorocarbon line making this the perfect combo for the job.
Tyler Woolcott is a professional tournament angler and guide. Check out his website at www.tylerwoolcott shing.com.
— Gene H.
Tactical Meets Practical
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TEXAS ANGLER LANDS RECORD 884-POUND BLUEFIN TUNA
APort Arthur, TX angler and his friends recently achieved an extraordinary feat— reeling in an enormous 884-pound blue n tuna.
On April 10, David Esslinger and his friends were shing in the Gulf when the massive sh struck his line with incredible force. He had no idea he was about to embark on the most intense battle of his shing career. ankfully, Esslinger had an eager crew by his side, ready to assist in landing this remarkable sh.
“Let me break down the day and the events for you. First o%, for those who have never landed a sh the size of a car, this is no small feat. No one accomplishes this alone,” Esslinger posted on Facebook.
e group set out early Friday morning. By 9 a.m., a!er a couple of hours of shing, they started noticing signs of a school of tuna breaking the surface of the calm waters. Suddenly, the right rigger snapped down with a forceful bite, signaling the start of Esslinger’s showdown against his monstrous tuna.
Esslinger recalls, “Big tuna started breaking the surface and our team’s spirits began to li! at’s when it happened—the right rigger came down hard. e sh ran about ten seconds and spit the 12/0 mustad hook and the bait. As my heart sank,
I came up on the drag and gave her 10 cranks. As soon as I engaged the clicker again the giant sh piled on again. at’s when the rst 3/4 spool run at 35 pounds of drag started.”
Realizing what was at stake, his team quickly got into position for the ensuing battle, clearing lines and the deck.
“I had to crank it up to 45 pounds of drag on the Tiagra to slow her down. She responded with a rush to the surface. Carson was at the helm with Brad, TC, Je%, and Colby, coordinating everything e ciently from cockpit to helm. We managed to get the sh up to the surface in just over an hour,” stated Esslinger.
A!er an exhausting ve-hour battle of strength and endurance, Esslinger and his crew nally brought the massive blue n alongside the boat. With shaking body and inoperable hands, Esslinger made his way to the side of the boat and screamed with utter shock, “What a giant blue n! We did it!”
is impressive catch is seen as a trophy sh among anglers, celebrated for its enormous size and high-quality meat. And it was indeed enormous. Weighing in at 884 pounds, this blue n tuna has set a new state record for the largest tuna caught in Texas, surpassing the previous record of 876 pounds established by Troy Lancaster in 2021.
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