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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
Fishing Report & Forecast St. Augustine Offshore
By Capt. Robert Johnson
Full disclaimer, I look at fishing under the context of catching as many species of fish as possible for my clients. We mainly target Mahi, Tuna, and Wahoo and we love catching billfish – Blue Marlin and Sails, but they are more of a seasonal bycatch on a charter boat. If we target Sailfish, the presence of bait would be my main concern. Blue Marlin - my concerned would be water color, current, and temperature.
This is my 45th season as a Captain and operating a charter business, and it keeps getting…interesting.
One memory was when I received a letter from a client that started like this: ‘The Blue Marlin was nice but, we really wanted to catch some Grouper as well’ - Another client said, ‘Hey Cap, everyone has caught a sailfish lets go do some bottom fishing (it was around 9:30); and another when we were on a boiling edge and had about 20 Gaffers in the box and a fat Blue Marlin comes in trying to eat a Mahi we were bringing to the boat, my mate snatched him away and the fish spun around and ate the short rigger. It was the kind of bite we all live for! Caught him in about 30 minutes! ESPN stuff. Later, guy looks up at me and says that was cool –can we go catch some grouper? It’s been interesting to say the least.
Visual Clues:
• Weed lines /current edges. These are obvious but there is a difference between a weed line and a hard current edge. They are not always marked by a temperature change but the best-case scenario is when you have all 3 – weeds, current, and temperature.
• Color change / these are hard to see especially in lower light conditions. They are not always marked by current or temperature.
• Underneath the water/ visual bait like flying fish are great but don’t forget to keep your eye on your bottom machine. Fish are always looking to eat and if you are marking bait, you are in the right spot
Non-Visual clues
• Current/ We mostly fish eddies of the Gulf Stream but some of us go far enough to fish the actual west wall of the stream. This is usually marked by a visual change but not always. We are all guilty of overshooting the fish(normally running through a visual change in the dark headed east)
• If I haven’t seen a visual clue by the time I hit 600-800 ft I will turn my bow to the south to see how much speed I lose. If I lose 3 - 4 knots, chances are what I’m looking for are behind me.
• If I find myself in a sea of beautiful Gulf Stream water, I will turn back to the NW and head back to the structure of the ledge and push north.
• Obviously, the number 1 clue is bites. We don’t always know why fish are present and behave the way they do.
• Being in the charter business I have had clients on occasion ask me to do things that I did not feel would be successful. I specifically remember a trip in August to the Gulf Stream for a group who wanted to catch Wahoo. After 50 or 60 barracuda on the ledge I turned to the east mainly to give my mate a chance to catch up before he mutinied. Well, you know what happened in around 500 ft I caught a Wahoo, small around 15#, but still a Wahoo. I put the boat in a circle and caught another one. 2 hrs. later I had a dozen wahoo all about the same size, 15 - 22# in my fish box. I never marked any bait and did not see anything floating, no color or current change, nothing. There is no reason for them to be there other than to maybe humble me for telling my customer that trolling for Wahoo in August was a waste of time. By the way, I still believe it is, but it wasn’t on that particular day.
Captain Robert Johnson (904)540-2628
Jodielynncharters.com
Jlfishing@bellsouth.net
Fishing Report & Forecast Mayport
By Capt. Kirk Waltz
The month of May should begin to turn the corner for us here on the First Coast. The last few weeks of April brought pretty severe wind and cold temps. This dip effected the arrival of many of our spring predators that typically follow bait schools that will move in for the summer. Look for pogies to show enmasse in the next few weeks on the beaches outside of the St. John’s River jetties at Mayport. These big schools in turn will attract schools of marauding jack cravelle, cobia, bull reds, sharks, and even a few kingfish. Grab a net full of these tasty baits and pitch them right back into the schools for a quick strike. I like to use a fairly stout spinning rod like a 7ft Shimano Talevera spinning rod , Saragosa 6000 and 40-60lb braid on a Carolina rig. You can also slow troll these baits behind the boat just outside of the pods using a
short wire leader king rig for great results. The big question of the month will be cobia and will the manta rays show. If calm seas allow it look for the manta rays to come thru and the cobia to tag along. Pogies are good baits for this as well as jumbo shrimp or squid. All this bait will begin to start our ventures to the party grounds for striking fish. Look for good numbers of kings, sharks, cudas, cobia, bonita, and even a few sailfish. Deplore the pogies on our local reefs and wrecks by slow trolling or drop them on the bottom for a quick strike on red snapper, sea bass, and other wreck fish. Good numbers of these should still be around through May.
The rocks at Mayport should be on fire this month. Because of the late cold weather the sheepshead fishing should be excellent. We had a extended month of cooler water temps and the Redfish, black drum, blues, Spanish, ringtails, and sea bass will all be on the feed bag around the rocks. Shrimp and fiddlers are good choices as well as a piece of cut blue crab to be effective. Pogies are also great bait around the rocks for bruiser reds and large bluefish this month too! I like a nice 3/8oz jig pitched on the rock edges or soak the baits deep on the edges in 36 ft of water on a stiff rod deploying a Carolina rig or 3-way swivel.
The Mayport basin back to the ICW and little jetties will be good. Look for jacks, sheepshead, trout, black drum, and reds, on the river edges, oyster bars, rock piles, and deep drops. I caught quite a few bull reds on the edges of the river and think they will still be around. Run the beach for pogies and then dash back into the river. Soak them on the river channel edges around the little jetties. The big reds love them!
For more fishing tips listen to the Outdoorshow radio program on 1010am or 92.5fm every Saturday from 7am to 10am. He can be reached at 904.241.7560 or 904.626.1128 or go to www. enterprisefishingcharters.com
Fishing Report & Forecast Sisters Creek
By Capt. Tony Bozzella
May is a great time to fish for just about anything. Most of your Pelagic fish have re-entered the north Florida waters. Spanish mackerel,Jack Crevalle , lady fish, Mangrove snappers and bluefish are here. Flounder bite will also be picking up, and some of the larger Specked sea trout will be on the rise. It’s nice to be able to catch something If the tide isn’t right for the fish you’re after, you have options this month. Often, the first Kingfish is also caught this month. Fishing with my good buddy Robbie Parks on a lure trip in the river starting at 7 AM. We just about caught everything mentioned plus a few trout for dinner and multiple redfish and was back at the dock at 11 o’clock, what a great and fun morning of fishing!! Even if you are targeting certain edible species,
I have not met one angler that does not like stretching a line on something. Spanish mackerel will be around the jetties and if you pull a 00 / Clark spoon with a small trolling weight 30 to 40 inches ahead of the lure. you stand a great chance for multiple hook ups. Flourcarbon will maximize your bite however, you are subject to losing a few lure. It’s also a great time to throw top waters and diving lip plugs for speckled sea trout. I like fishing the last of the incoming clean, cool water around structure and Bait. May you will see much more pogies, Glass, minnows, & mullet in concentration around the north Florida waters. My record show May is a good time to get a big speckled sea trout. Early mornings are a good time for this, especially after the winter months of catching many 13 to 14 inch undersized Trout. There will not be the winter time schools in the backcountry, however, if catching shallow water backcountry redfish is your angling desire, the early morning low tides in the backcountry
will still produce singles and doubles and small groups of redfish this time of year Bait becomes plentiful so the schools are not as large as winter time where grass shrimp, mud minnows, & crab are the diet. TBS jig with a small piece of shrimp around rock piles, structure, and hard bottom where you could pick up a Redfish, can produce tasty mangrove snappers. A great fish for the kids as they are fierce fighters and great table fair with fast and consistent action. Schools of jacks, ladyfish mixed in with some blue fish will also be in our local areas. It’s funny, in my many years as a Capt. , I hear some anglers with negative comments towards what I call “fun fish”, Jack’s ladys, & blues not get the recognition they deserve because they are not the tastiest fish. However, I have never met an angler that did not like getting his line stretched and hearing a little drag!! I’ve had anglers catch ladyfish to 34 inches! This group of fish is very fun because it is great to catch them on lures, bait, or get out there with your fly rod and have fun. However, a more tasty variety of fish is the flounder and the bite will be on the rise. Again, a TBS Jig in the weight class conducive for the depth of water you are fishing paired with a finger, mullet, mudminnow or shrimp can be a deadly combination for these flatties. Moving water in docks and structure can often produce quality fish. As the summer goes on and gets closer to fall, the bite should increase. Get out and fish there’s always something to go for and enjoy!!! Tight lines, Capt.
Hello Coastal Anglers,
Summer’s just about here, and the bite is heating up! Whether you’re chasing kingfish offshore, looking for tarpon, or working the inshore creeks for reds and trout, now’s the time to get after it.
We’d love to have you join us for two upcoming JOSFC meetings this month:
• Thursday, May 1st
• Thursday, May 15th
• Mayport Community Center, right across from the boat ramp.
Visitors are always welcome — whether you’re a seasoned offshore pro or just learning the ropes, come hang out, meet fellow anglers, and enjoy a great night of fishing talk and fellowship. There’s always something new to learn (and usually something good to eat!).
Also, with the busy boating season underway, don’t forget to check your safety gear. Flares,
EPIRBs, radios, life jackets — make sure they’re working, not expired, and that your crew knows how to use them. It only takes a few minutes and could make all the difference when it counts.
Let’s make this a great kickoff to the summer fishing season. Come out, bring a friend, and be part of a great fishing community right here in Jacksonville.
Tight lines, Captain Chris Jacksonville Offshore Sports Fishing Clubs
Fishing Report Pier and Surf
By: Noel Kuhn
It’s hard to believe that last month our surf temperature was in the upper 50 degree range! Then at mid April it shot up to 70 degrees! Man did the fishing turn on! Now this month is shaping up to be the month of the year. Just about every species is now being caught off the piers and from the surf.
I’ll bet that this month someone will bring over the rail the first Kingfish of the year. Until then there are lots of Spanish, Bluefish, Jack Cravelle, and Trout being caught. Also there
have been really nice catches of Whiting and Pompano being caught off the sand bars. The best bait for these two have been fresh clams. To help keep these soft clams on the hook you can use bait thread or cover them with kosher salt for 24-48 hours before you go fishing.
May is the month for getting your string stretched! Bonnethead sharks move in to feast on the Calico crabs. Half of a Blue crab makes for excellent bait. They’ll run 10 to 25lbs with very sharp teeth. Gear up heavy with 100 lb mono leader attached to a 4/0 to 8/0 circle hook. Since their main diet is crabs they make for great table fare.
This will be the best month for Pompano in the surf! They were slow getting here because of the cold water in early April. Now it is game on. My favorite gear and bait is a double dropper rig tipped with 2/0 L197 Eagle Claw hooks. Favorite bait combo is a fresh sand flea on the top hook and fresh clam on the bottom hook. If you find that they are after one or the other bait then switch to just the better bait.
Good luck and tighlines!
Noel Kuhn Surf fishing guide and long distance casting coach. 904-945-0660 www.TheSurfAngler.com
Fishing Report & Forecast St. Augustine Inshore
By Capt. Tommy Derringer
This winter and spring the fishing has been great but summertime is coming. Yeah, it’ll be hot out there, but the fishing will be hot as well! We have some big changes in our fishing patterns coming up over the next couple of months as the water starts to get murky inshore and the beach fishing action really starts to fire off. Redfish and trout will be blasting top-water plugs at first and last light and the cobia, tarpon, and sharks will invade the beaches. You have got to love summertime fishing in Northeast Florida!
Some of the best inshore/backcountry fishing for redfish and trout will occur right at sunrise and again at dusk this time of year. Topwater plugs are one of my go-to lures during those times of day. The Berkley J-Walker series of top-water plugs have been a home run on my boat over the last two summer seasons. The trout and reds will be heavily feeding, and they’ll be more than willing to crash your lure on the surface. Mullet should be invading all the creeks and flats in our area by now and the old adage “match the hatch” couldn’t be truer. I like to use a Berkley J-Walker in a baitfish pattern to perfectly mimic an injured mullet. If you do opt for the walk-the-dog type lure mentioned above be sure to practice making the bait walk side to side. I’ve seen
many fish ignore a top-water if it’s just dragged past them, only to have them smash it the next time the lure is properly “walked” by. Once the sun is higher in the sky you may want to switch to a sub-surface lure or bait. I’ve been having great success using the Saltwater Assassin paddle tails. They look just like a small mullet or minnow and can fished in a bunch of different ways. The tails on the Saltwater Assassin paddle tails produces quite a thump when worked through the water. With murkier water being the norm heading into summer, this can be a huge advantage as the fish will be able to hone in on the lure much easier. Just as the mullet will be invading the inshore areas look for the pogy (menhaden) pods to be all over the beach. The pogies bring in all kind of fishing opportunities this time year. The cobia should be hanging around depending on what the water temps do and the tarpon should start to show as well. Sharks, huge jacks, kingfish, and more will all be pulling up a chair to feed on the bait pods. A great way to fish the pods is to slowly idle around looking for the ones that have some pogies getting thrown around. The biggest mistake I see while fishing the beach is when anglers get too close or charge right up to the bait while the outboard motor is still on. Try using the trolling motor or just drifting within casting range. You’ll see a lot more fish and more importantly catch more too. While you’re out there along the beaches don’t forget to check out the shrimp boats and their by-catch… There’s almost always something BIG lurking around those slicks to play with! Tight Lines!
Capt. Tommy Derringer 904-377-3734 • www.InshoreAdventures.net
Fishing Report & Forecast Fernandina / Amelia Island
By Terry D. Lacoss
After cool winter and spring water temperatures, warming water temperatures beginning in early May will attract a variety of saltwater game fish into Amelia Island saltwater fish havens. One of the most sought-after saltwater game fish is the fast-striking king mackerel, which is showcased annually by the “Nassau Sports Fishing Association” king mackerel fishing tournament. May 31st. –June 1st. 2025.
The big event will be held at the Fernandina Harbor Marina where spectators can watch skilled fishing teams bring in their big catches. The event will also showcase a fishing rodeo including a variety of saltwater game fish as well. For more information visit www.nsfafish.net.
Some of the best kingfish action typically comes during an incoming tide at both Amelia Island inlets while slow trolling live menhaden. Live baits are trolled both deep with downriggers, and right on the surface. A light reel drag is normally set allowing hooked kingfish to make their entail speedy run. Kingfish can weigh up to fifty pounds, however it normally takes a forty-pound plus kingfish to win any of Northeast Florida’s popular kingfish tournaments.
Cobia fishing will also highlight Amelia Island fishing action during the month of May at both the beaches, inlets and offshore fish havens. Cobia will typically follow a hooked fish right up to your fishing boat, so have a spare fishing rod and reel already outfitted with a lure, or brightly colored bucktail jig. Cobia are also excellent eating as well and can weigh over 70 pounds and heavier!
Backwater fishing heats up during the month of May where hard fighting redfish will be tailing on spartina flooded marshes during a full moon and flood tide. Some of the best flood tide redfish marshes are located just south of the “Shave Bridge”. Casting a crab pattern fly or plastic, scented jig right where the redfish is tailing is key.
Surf fishing should be excellent along the beaches of Amelia Island for a variety of saltwater species including pompano, whiting, redfish, black drum, bluefish, seatrout and more. Look for the first of the outgoing tide to provide for the best fishing action while fishing with fresh local shrimp on a double hook “Pompano” setup. For
Authorized Key West Dealer
CCA Florida Opposes NE Florida Shrimping Rule Changes
At the request of few inshore commercial shrimpers in Nassau and Duval counties the Fish and Wildlife Commission is considering opening significant portions of the St. Mary’s estuary to shrimp trawling. I suppose the Commission is required to consider any request by commercial and recreational fishers alike but one would expect the commission to consider both the soundness of those requests as well as the historical precedents that created our current rule structure before seriously considering changes.
Most current commissioners and FWC staff are too young to remember the statewide fights to eliminate destructive harvest methods like gill nets, fish traps and inshore otter trawls and roller nets. Back in the 1980’s and 1990’s the Marine Fisheries Commission made some hard choices to eliminate or highly restrict many of these harvest methods. Inshore shrimping was restricted through regulation and in some cases eliminated in the early 90’s. Inshore commercial shrimping
was accurately seen as destructive to the environment (benthic bottom creatures, grasses and oysters) and impactful on fish that spend their early years in these nursery areas. These restrictions also helped reduce user conflicts between shrimpers and the blue crab trappers.
Opening the Pumpkin Hill estuary will benefit no person or marine inhabitant other than the few commercial license holders that have made this request.
The FWC should respect the guidance of its stated mission as well as counselling from the past and reject this request. The Commission has historically ruled in favor of protecting estuaries and nursery areas as well as minimizing user conflicts.
Tell the commissioners to reject this rule change and keep Pumpkin Hill closed to shrimp trawling. This is clearly a lesson we do not need to learn over again.
May Redfishing
Going into April and May, the redfishing is still outstanding. I’ve noticed a bit of a change from schools being on the open flats to getting slightly more pushed back into creeks and estuaries. They are feeding on finger mullet and small minnows. The water temp is nearing 80 degrees inshore on our warmer days, which has really woken up the reds that are shallow. We’ve been doing very well finding fish blowing up on the mud banks and oyster bars on a low tide and casting 3” DOA paddle tails at them. The average redfish being pulled out right now is 20-27” long which is right in that slot range. The schools are becoming a little less dense with most having about 10 to 20 fish opposed
to the winter schools of almost 100 redfish. Although schools are smaller, they are definitely more aggressive and willing to eat what you offer them.
We will start seeing higher than normal high tides here soon, usually beginning in May. These flood tides offer great fishing at the peak of the tide. You can expect to find redfish way up on the grass flats that are very willing to eat whatever you put in front of them. This is a great way to get into sight fishing for redfish. These tides allow you to get your bigger boats that have a deeper draft up in the creeks as well. Just don’t forget to follow the tide out or you’ll wind up stuck for a long time. The top water bite is also starting to get better with these water temps quickly rising. Fish will stage up on grass points and current breaks when the water is high. A walking bait like a Spook is very effective in luring those fish out to feed, while a little weedless fly can be even better as it lands super soft, avoiding spooking any nearby fish.
The lethargic frozen fish days are over and we have lots of great fishing to look forward to in the coming month. Hope everyone gets on them!
Call me to book your inshore redfish trip 904-805-3949 Carson@historiccoastoutfitters.com
-Carson Kent
Goodbye old friend...
It is with a saddened heart , NE Florida lost a legend recently . A great fisherman, friend and fishing advocate March 14, 2025, when Charles (Charlie) Hamaker passed away at 90 years of age .
Charlie was past chairman of the Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament and also served on the board of Jacksonville Marine Charities for many years. With his guidance and leadership, the tournament grew to one of the largest fishing tournaments on the east coast. He was also a past president of the Jacksonville Offshore Sports Fishing Club. Served on their board of directors and was chairman of Various committees.
To all that knew Charlie and to those who didn’t he was quite a pioneer . His many accomplishments include acquiring and placing a permanent club house for the JOSFC at Mayport and securing a permanent site for the Kingfish Tournament at Jim King Park on Sisters Creek.
Charlie served on several committees and advisory boards of both the Federal and State Fisheries commissions, and was instrumental in the deployment of local wrecks and artificial reefs. Charlie wasn’t the biggest guy , but was tough as nails . He was a copper top underwater diver on the oil rigs in the Gulf and tested some of the first experimental SCUBA gear designed by Jacques Cousteau in the Florida Keys . He was also a member of the Jacksonville outboard club , The Captains Club , The American Legion , and was a United States Marine and loved his country . Charlie was a licensed Capt. , a Pilot , an exuberant Author and writer ,songwriter and Guitar player .
Charlie was never one to be in the spotlight or seek attention for his many accomplishments but loved to have a beer with his buddies and tell a great story and boy did he have some good ones . Behind every good Captain is a great woman and his wife Marilyn of 65 years fit the bill in every aspect . Charlie will be deeply missed by all that had the pleasure of knowing him. This isn’t a goodbye its till I see you again my friend . Tight lines and Calm seas .
RIP
-Grover & Scott Starratt
Nassau Sport Fishing Association
The Nassau Sport Fishing Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to develop and promote saltwater fishing in the Nassau County area while adhering to state, federal and local regulations, to encourage compliance with rules of water safety by club members and the general public, and to promote youth related community activities. It is Kingfish Tournament season and NSFA kicks off the season this year with our SKA sanctioned tournament. This year we will be leading off the Div V series on May 31. Traditionally NSFA has hosted this tournament at the end of the season, in August. We know you have many choices of tournaments to fish. Hopefully the change of date will reduce the conflicts with other tournaments and provide an opportunity to get an early lead on your SKA points. In addition to the date change, this year the eastern boundary has also been changed from 3 nautical miles to 12 nautical miles. 1st place will take home $10,000 guaranteed. Have a lady angler or youth angler on board and be eligible for additional awards , making this a truely family friendly tournament.
As always, you can also register for the Rodeo tournament. This year we have added additional species and anglers can take home multiple prizes if you weigh in multiple species. The 6 species that will be awarded prizes are Sea Trout, Redfish, Sheepshead, Sea Bass, Cobia and Flounder.
If you are planning to travel to our tournament, please consider staying with one of our preferred hotels and be eligible for additional Traveler Awards.
Early registration is open on our website at https://nsfarodeo.com. In person registration begins at 3:00pm on May 30 and Captains meeting starts at 7:00pm. All registrants must come by the registration desk by 8:00pm to pick up your boat numbers and captain’s swag bag. While you are there, browse our silent Auction items, as well as purchase Tournament Tee Shirts and raffle tickets.
Go online to review all the rules and print a copy to have on board.
And remember, proceeds of the tournament go to fund the NSFA Scholarships awarded to Nassau County deserving high school seniors to continue their scholastic endeavors.
NSFA has also reestablished our goal to provide the public with fishing educational opportunities. In March, NSFA hosted a fishing seminar with noted fisherman and educator Noel Kuhn. Noel is a Guy Harvey endorsed surf fishing guide, long distance casting coach, and proven tournament winner, in addition to his many other qualifications. If you were not able to attend the seminar, NSFA now has a YouTube channel where you can catch up on what you may have missed or if you want to refresh what you heard. Our channel can be found at https://www. youtube.com/@NassauSportFishing. Don’t forget to Like and Subscribe.
NSFA meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month at Kraft Athletic Club on Amelia Island. Join us on 28 May for our monthly social gathering. If interested in joining, please visit our website at NSFAFISH.NET or stop by one of our meetings.
As always, Stay Safe, and we will see you on the water!
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Fishing Report & Forecast North River / Ponte Vedra
By Dominic Anderson
MAY, the fish be with you! Fish are typically happy this month. Previous years of an excellent bite have made a statement that May could be one of the better fishing months of the year here in Northeast Florida. Redfish of all sizes are chewing on the docks, in the creeks, at the bridges and the jetties. Flounder are starting to stage up in numbers, where you find one typically there’s a few more around. Dare, I speak of the silver king AKA the tarpon because yes the tarpon are starting to roll and show themselves again. Early May you should still be able to find some whiting and pompano on your favorite sandy banks or bars. Although it isn’t a very sought after target the sharks will begin to steal your bait just as bad as the catfish this time of year. Mangrove snapper will start to pop up towards the end of May as that water temperature continues to rise. If you make your way off the beach Kingfish, and cobia should be here as well. Don’t forget the bug spray or cast nets at the house this time of the year they can often be something you’ll want on the boat.
Redfish can be caught with just about anything this time of the year. It’s my favorite time to break out my favorite paddle tails! Reds are moving around more and more as the water temperature continues to rise. Any bait fish in that three to five inch range is perfect whether it be a big mudminnow, mullet or a pogie these fish are hunting. They won’t be quite that thick yet but you will start to see the schools of bait more and more now. Always look for bait getting crushed on in the creeks, usually a sign of fish. If it’s a hotter day try a hole or deep water as those big black drums and reds will be hanging out waiting for a piece of smelly cut bait or crab. Like I’ve said before, I’m convinced that the best way to catch flounder is a finger mullet on the end of a Carolina rig with about a six inch leader. Don’t be shy using those slightly larger baitfish,
flounder will surprise you. They have quite the appetite and an even larger mouth. On charters we hunt these flat fish in the creek pockets in spots you wouldn’t think to throw whether it be corners, structure or any sort of area where you would think bait could be ambushed or congregated. That slow roll drag on the bottom or just off the bottom is what you want whether it be live or artificial bait, they both produce this time of the year. Kingfish and cobia should begin to pull up on the nearshore wrecks, get them now while the sharks aren’t as bad. If you make your way out the inlet don’t hesitate to stop by the jetty on the way out, oftentimes it will have some sort of fish this time of the year whether it be trout, reds, flounder, sheephead, tarpon and just about any other inshore fish. It can get good, real good on both ends of the tide. Tarpon will show up too, they always follow the bait! We always have a local tarpon or two around but more tarpon activity this month and should only get better. If you’re wanting to hook to one of these big fish, you’ll want to find where they’re feeding and chum, lots of chum to get them zoned in and free line whatever you see them eating, they can be very moody fish. Sometimes they’ll eat and sometimes they won’t. Only one way to find out, Let’s go fishing!
Capt. Dominic (904)-962-6184
Instagram:staugustine_fishing www.fishardy.com
TIDE CHART - May
DAYS A WEEK
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.
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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.
WHY BUY NEW WHEN YOU CAN RENEW?!?
By CAM Sta
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