Coastal Angler Magazine | May 2025 | Greater Orlando Edition by Coastal Angler Magazine

CHASING GOLDEN DORADO

SIXTY YEARS OF INNOVATION

Smooth Sailing

navigating peace of mind

THE IMPORTANCE OF BOAT INSURANCE

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

Unpredictable waters

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

Damage and injury

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

Theft and vandalism

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

Incurred medical payments

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

Peace of mind for fnancing

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

Navigational fexibility

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

Emergency towing and assistance

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

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

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

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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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The Bigger the Adventure, the Bigger the Blade

The perfect knife for your next adventure

No ofense to those nifty little knives that the Swiss pack a kitchen into, but sometimes it takes a big blade to get the job done. Tat was the case three years ago when I found myself in the jungles of Argentina.

I’d heard a tale about lost Inca gold and was on the hunt for clues. Among other things, the Inca were known for their extensive road system that ran at least 25,000 miles along South America’s eastern side. But the clue I was looking for was down a long-abandoned road overtaken by jungle.

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Upon reaching a stone wall hidden by the jungle, I snapped my knife back into its tooled genuine leather sheath and read the markings the Incas had left long ago. It was time to travel north for the next part of my adventure.

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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

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May 31st, 2025 on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes. All proceeds to benefit local first responder and veteran organizations.

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Registrations will be accepted until May 26.

Registrations will be accepted until May 23rd.

This is the time of year when you can find trophy bass, heavyweight sunshine bass, stringers of black crappie and plenty of bedding bluegill and shellcrackers. For those looking for a personal best largemouth, remember these female fish are the breeders for the future – lift them out of the water supporting their belly and hold them out of the water only as long as you can hold your breath. Revive big fish frequently during the photos and release for future fish generations.

Look for schools of live bait getting crushed by striped bass, sunshine bass, and largemouth bass at the mouths of the lakes and the deep river bends at first light or in the late evening. Topwater is the name of the game. Nothing beats that explosive topwater strike - these hungry fish will destroy a Heddon Spook Jr., or you can also try your

favorite saltwater topwater bait. Second best are rattling crank baits –Rattle Traps and their look-alikes. If the bass are finicky, tie on a white 4-5” jerk bait – first try unweighted and use a walk the dog style retrieve just beneath the surface to get you some fish. Carolina rigged lizzards work well if teasing a bass on the bed – lizzards eat eggs and bass will not stand one in their breeding area. March means trophy bass in the St Johns River. Large wild shiners are the best bait if you can find some.

Panfish will readily eat minnows. They love red worms, night crawlers, and crickets. Look for bedding areas in shallow waters. Bluegill and Shellcrackers will take over beds used earlier by bass and crappie, look in those same areas and concentrate efforts where there is a shell bottom near drop-offs, and nearby cover (lily pads). Crappie will be found in the pads during full and new moons, other times try longline trolling or spider rigging the drop-offs along the river where there is nearby fall downs or other structure.

Wind, wind and more wind –here we go March! The bite has been off and then on again for both bass and crappie. Some good catches have been coming for both species around the new and full moon phases. It seems that they bite better 2 to 3 days before the moon phases or for several days following, likely due to spawning. The bass spawn has been a little slower this year due to the warm winter we are having along with the cold fronts that are every 4 to 5 days. March is usually the last month for spawners all throughout the chain of lakes. Get out on the water in between the fronts on the second or third day after it passes for better results.

The bass have been staging in the deeper grass edges, eel grass beds or in the lily pads and mixed vegetation close to the spawning areas. The mouths of canals, both

ends of Dead River, Haynes Creek, 9th Street area, Little Lake Harris have all been good places to check. Lipless crank baits, chatter baits (bladed jigs) and swim baits have all been producing bites. Once you get a bite or two in the same area slow down and work through the same area with a Junebug or Black-blue trick worm or Senko style worm, Texasrigged or wacky style. Check any of the canals in or close to moon phases for the buck bass and big females as they push up into those areas when they are ready to lay their eggs.

The crappie bite has been equally the same, with some days better than others. The recent full-moon phase did have several days when they were up shallow and really biting. Most are coming on Ron’s Zip Jigs, Road-Runners tipped with a minnow or just a plain live minnow when fished in the heavy vegetation and very shallow. Eustis, Little Harris, and Lake Dora have all been producing limits when the bite is on. Take a kid with you when you go and make a memory!

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Spring Boat Cleaning Tips for Boaters

TSpring has sprung, which means it’s time for solid boat cleaning before the summer boating season. Use these tips to get your boat ready for the season. They’ll help you keep it in top-share and ensure smooth, worry-free adventures on the water.

Find a place to work where water run-off can be controlled. It’s typically easier to do a major clean when the boat is on land rather than in the water.

Start by clearing the deck. Sweep away leaves, dirt, and debris, and remove any loose items that can’t be securely stowed like gear, totes, and fishing tackle.

If you opt for store-bought cleaning products, be sure to read all warning labels. Some cleaners remove wax and oxidize metals. Always wear rubber gloves and boots to avoid skin irritation. Using more water, less detergent, and extra elbow grease is the safest approach.

When you’re ready to start, spray the boat with freshwater - work from the bow toward the transom so that dirt and residue flow toward the stern scuppers. Apply your cleaner and scrub with a stiff boat brush, then revisit tighter spots with a handheld brush to tackle stubborn grime and stains. If needed, use a small amount of heavy-duty cleaner.

Non-skid decking is often a trouble spot. The key is to use a stiff-bristle brush or boat broom and scrub in the direction of the channels in the non-skid pattern. Scrubbing along the grooves - not across them - helps the bristles reach deep into the texture. For best results, consider using a cleaner formulated specifically for non-skid surfaces.

After cleaning, be sure to rinse your craft to prevent any remaining cleaning solution from stripping wax or damaging the gel coat. Finish with a quick polish to make the hardware shine.

Now that your boat is clean, take the time to inventory everything you keep on board. Did you use it last season? If not, store it elsewhere. Use this opportunity to reduce weight and clear out clutter before reloading your boat.

It’s also the perfect time to check all systems and complete any necessary maintenance. Inspect the propeller and ensure all safety equipment is in good condition. Keeping your boat clean and well-maintained is key to its longevity, performance, and safety. It also helps you avoid costly repairs and ensures every trip on the water is safe and enjoyable.

MarineTec Systems Get Ready for Boating Season Now

The month of May usually kicks of the Boating Season here in Central Florida. Is your boat ready for this year? The experienced staff at MarineTec Systems in Winter Garden off Tildenville School Road, is ready to help with your boating and outboard needs. Conveniently located near the Turnpike, SR 408 and the SR 429 expressways, just north of SR 50 and just 10 minutes from downtown Orlando. Now also servicing Mercury, Yamaha and Suzuki outboards. Tony Summers and his staff specialize in custom rigging, installation of electronics, marine and boat accessories, re-wiring, sound systems, gauge replacement, installation of shallow water anchors, trolling motors, custom lighting solutions, battery systems and chargers, and now also installing Marine Mat custom flooring and decking for your vessel.

While some marine service centers just add you to the list of customers Tony and his staff are dedicated to making all of their clients feel like their friends. They will go out of their way to let you know what is best for budget needs to get your vessel repaired, up-graded or serviced. MarineTec can also assist you in the purchase of products, trolling motors, electronics, specialty brackets, wiring harnesses, switches, gauges, pumps, chargers and now selling Yamaha Outboards to re-power your existing boats.

Spring time brings the time for annual servicing of your boats and outboards. 100 hour (or annually) and 300 hour services includes changing oil in lower unit or power-heads for four-stroke outboards, greasing or lubing all fittings, changing out all fuel filters, on-board filters, servicing or replacing water pumps, replacing spark-plugs and the list goes on. With the cost of new motors continuing to increase every year it just makes great since to service your motor and vessel’s needs every season to keep cost down. They say BOAT stands for bust out another thousand, so to keep your boating cost low spend some bucks in advance to prevent failure. Give Tony at MarineTec a call at 321-363-6550 to schedule an appointment or to discuss your service needs. Tell him you read about them in Coastal Angler Magazine Orlando for a special discount.

Boat Dealers New & Consignment Sales

Boat Dealers New & Consignment

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

Astor Marine (352) 759-3655

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

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

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

12307 Wedgefield Dr., Grand Island, FL

AT Trailer (407) 892-1100

CJS Aluminum Inc.

31 - Pyramid Cabinets (407) 947-8499

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

Nobles Marine (352) 787-5792

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

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

Craig Catamaran (407) 290-8778

4333 Silver Star Rd. $100 Orlando, FL

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

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

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

Aamco East Orlando (407) 277-3311

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

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

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

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

Orlando Boat Sales (407) 253-7111

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

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

Boat Max USA (321) 866-0306

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

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

Gibson Truck World (407) 321-0660

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

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

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

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

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

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

Boat improvement / Service & Repair Centers / Replacement Parts

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

Boat Improvement / Service & Repair Centers / Replacement Parts

All America Marine (407) 855-9988

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

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

Advanced Marine Services (407) 498-5142

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

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

Lake Fairview Marina (407) 295-0117

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

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

Portside Marina (407) 249-1124

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ahoy Marine (407) 323-8373

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

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

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

Bait & Tackle Shops / Outfitters / Apparel

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

Bait & Tackle Shops / Outfitters / Apparel

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Highlands Marina & Camp Resort (336) 668-4491

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

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

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

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

Bitters Bait & Tackle (407) 699-6619

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

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

Academy Sports & Outdoors

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

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

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

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

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

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

Home Improvement Contractors & Service Providers

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

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

27 - Orlando Painting Service (407) 896-0839

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

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

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

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

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

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

Orlando Painting Service (407) 896-0839 65 Harold

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

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

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

34 - Thomas Lumber Company (407) 841-1250

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

A&H Storage (407) 678-0507

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

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

Thomas Lumber Company (407) 841-1250

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

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

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

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

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

Areas Best Picks for Restaurants

Vapor and Company (407) 878-7397

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

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

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

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

Area Best Picks for Restaurants

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

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

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

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

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

High Tide Harry’s (407) 273-4422

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

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

550 N Palmetto Ave, Sanford, FL 32771

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

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

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

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

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

10 Locations – See our ad on Restaurant Page

550 N. Palmetto Ave., Sanford, FL

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

13 - Camp House Restaurant (407) 915-5401

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

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

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

10 Locations - See our ad on restaurant page

Camp House Restaurant (407) 915-5401

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

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

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

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

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

56 -

TJ’s Seafood Shack (407) 365-3365

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

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

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

Sanford Marina (407) 322-2910

531 N. Palmetto Ave., Sanford FL

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

Celery City Craft (407) 915-5541

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

West End Trading Co. (407) 322-7475

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

Community Service Providers Community Service Providers

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

12307 Wedgefield Drive , Grand Island, FL 32735

Always Looking for Captains

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

All American Marine

7024 S Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32809

Phone: (407) 855-9988

www.allamericanmarineorlando.com

Service All Outboard Brands – Stern Drives –Canvas – Interiors – Trailer Repair

Lake Fairview Marina

4503 N Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, FL 32804

Phone: (407) 295-0117

www. Lakefairviewmarina.com

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

Triangle Marine 11415 US-441, Tavares, FL 32778

Phone:(352) 343-6146

www.trianglemarinecenter.biz

Bennington Pontoons – TideWater Johnson – Evinrude – Yamaha

Boat Max USA

9700 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando FL 32817

Owens Fishing & Marine

935 N Bay St, Eustis, FL 32726

Phone: (352) 357-3030

Saltwater Tackle & Bait - Ballyhoo, Freshwater Tackle - Live Bait - Wild Shiners

Costa - Shimano Top Shelf Dealer

Outboard Service & Boat Parts

Hunting & Snorkeling Accessories Bow Fishing

511 E 25th St, Sanford, FL 32771

Phone: (407)

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

Mercury Marine Premier Service Center

Mercury Marine Repower Center

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

Factory Authorized Parts and Service Mariner Parts and Service

Thomas Lumber Company

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

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

Campbell Renovations Inc.

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

State Certified Contractor CBC 1255779

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

Vapor and Company

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

Electronic Cigarettes and E-Liquid Experts in Smoking Cessation

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

Way,

watermelon, and June bug have been working well.

Specializing in meeting rhe needs of the home respiratory and sleep therapy patients.

Folks are still catching good numbers of crappie. In shallow water the crappies are now making their way out to open water. Fish the pads and reeds

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

Another good place to look will be the canals where there is running water. Walk along the banks and look down to find beds on the edges. Keep an eye open, sometimes the bedding fish might be there just for a few days and then disappear. A good pair of polarized sunglasses are as important as the fishing rods you use.

popping bug. I have thoroughly enjoyed hearing the popping bug get hit. Daytime anglers are catching good numbers fishing the shallow bedding areas. Bait of choice is crickets fished under a float.Another good area to fish is canals when the water is flowing, trolling will only trigger more bites. Crappie - Anglers are fishing open water for crappie using jigs tipped with a minnow. Anglers trolling jigs are catching good limits of crappie. The key is to find them suspended in open water.

West Lake Toho - The summer bass bite has been improving with the best times to fish in the early morning and late evening. Summer rains have kept the flood control gates open every few days. The water quality is clear. Goblins Cove is still producing good numbers of bass - fishing with live shiners over hydrilla. Fish the boat runs’entrances at sunrise for good top water action. Every morning at sunrise, bass can be found schooling on shad; anywhere there is flow. It usually lasts 30 minutes after sunrise. Big beetle spins and small M-5 Rapalas work best.

Fishing on Okeechobee has been a mixed bag catching numbers and big bass and other days fishing has been slow needing steadier weather patterns for a consistent bite. The bass and crappie spawn will continue from March through April. Now is the time to plan your next day fishing on Lake Okeechobee. If you’re fishing for bass, successful lures are Senkos rigged weed less; top water lures like a Devils Horse or Pop-R worked slow and rattlefree clear colored Zara Spooks. For the crappie anglers, depending on your style, fishing with live-small minnows while anchored has been producing limits especially in the Harney Pond and Indian Prairie canals as well as the Kissimmee River while fishing at night and during the daylight hours. If you prefer to jig, some colors to consider -

AM 0.4 4:27 PM 2.2 10:24 PM 0.8 21Su 4:28 AM 2.1 10:47 AM 0.5 5:26 PM 2.2 11:20 PM 0.8 22M 5:27 AM 2.1 11:40 AM 0.4 6:22 PM 2.3

12:12 AM 0.8 6:23 AM 2.2 12:30 PM 0.4

7:11 PM 2.4 24W 12:59 AM 0.7 7:13 AM 2.3 1:14 PM 0.3 7:55 PM 2.5 25Th 1:41 AM 0.6 7:59 AM 2.4 1:55 PM 0.3

8:35 PM 2.6

26F 2:20 AM 0.5

8:43 AM 2.5 2:33 PM 0.2 9:13 PM 2.7 27Sa 2:57 AM 0.4 9:24 AM 2.6 3:10 PM 0.2 9:50 PM 2.7

17W 1:03 AM 2.6 7:06 AM 0.1 1:40 PM 2.6 7:33 PM 0.5 18Th 1:49 AM 2.4 7:58 AM 0.2 2:32 PM 2.4 8:28 PM 0.6 19F 2:37 AM 2.3 8:53 AM 0.3 3:27 PM 2.3 9:26 PM 0.8 20Sa 3:30 AM 2.2

white; chartreuse; green; yellow (depending on water clarity) and orange. The jig head color will depend on water clarity, sunlight, and cloud cover. Areas to try range from spots on the Shoal and Monkey Box; Dupree Bar; around Dyess Ditch; Worm Cove to Tin House and some spots around 3rd-4th point and some spots on/around Kings Bar and Grassy. On the East Side, try around Hendry Creek and close to the J&S lock area. Hopefully this information will help you to have a better, more productive day fishing in the lake. To book you’re next fun-filled day on the water call 863-228-7263 or log onto Angie’s website at www.southfloridabassfishing. com where you’ll find updated customer pics; a link to purchase fishing licenses; guide rates, accommodations etc. A big thank you to Captain Angie’s Sponsors: Mercury Marine; Toho Marine; BnM Poles; Real Magic; Mid-South Tackle; Gill; Bullet Weights; G-Loomis; Lews; Navionics; Maui Jim and Mega Strike.

Bluegill - I have been trying a new tactic this summer. A good way to beat the heat.I have been fishing at nighttime in the canals using a fly rod, throwing popping bugs up against the bank. On a good moon phase, the bluegill will crush the

East Lake Toho - Bass fishing on East Lake has been good using artificial baits early morning. The best place to fish will be at the edges of the cattails. Then move to open water as the morning progresses. Most anglers are flipping open water pepper grass matts with good success. Fish the deeper edges of the grasswatermelon seed, Junebug, and red colors work best.

Panfish - Fish open water shell beds with red wigglers. If you are looking to fill the cooler for dinner, the open water shell beds are hard to beat.

August can be challenging but fun! Challenging due to hot temperatures, possible afternoon thunderstorms and lower water levels. Now is a good time to brush up on your deeper water angling skills whether its fishingin the Kissimmee River or the Canal system. Bass like the deeper, cooler water temperaturestie on those deep diving crank baits. Along with crank baits, a CarolinaRig (c-rig) or a texas-rigged big worm will produce some quality bass.

WE KNOW ROOFTOPS

bass trips which are typical for this time of year. The month of September is when to start thinking of booking your bass fishing trip, as the females start to feed up while they make their way into the shallows for the early spawn time. It’s also the time to book your fall crappie trip too. Good fishing areas: parts of the shoal; Dupree Bar; Dyess ditch and Horse Island and Indian Prairie. Tin house has been solid throughout the season for crappie, bass and bream, work your way up towards 3rd and 2nd point where you’ll find some bass feeding on the bedding bream. A few areas on Kings Bar have been good and the water looks perfect.

In the early morning hours have a hard top water lure tied on like a bang-a-lure or devils horse and aim at the edges working the lure out about 20-25 ft as you go along the rock-bottom in the River and Canals. If you’re fishing the lake, some areas of the lake are showing signs of algae which is normal this

What’s biting now?I’ve been taking bream trips; fingerling catfish and

To book you’re next fun-filled, productive and educational fishing trip call me at 863-228-7263 or log onto my website to check out the customers and their catches; hotel recommendations; guide rates and etc. Capt Angie’s sponsors are: Caymas boats and Toho Marine; Lews; G-Loomis; BnM Poles; MidSouth Tackle; Maui Jim; Gill; Bullet

Brands and BUFF

Weights; Road Runner; Real Magic; Tru Turn hooks; Mega Strike; Gene Larew; Pradco

Tide Charts Brought To You By:

401 Commerce Way, Unit #101, Longwood, FL 32750 www.respitecmedical.com • 407-834-2266 and 1-800-945-6685

CENTRAL EAST COAST

MAY 2025

1TH 12:02 AM 2.76 H

5:46 AM 0.09 L

12:11 PM 2.51 H

6:09 PM -0.3 L

2F 12:57 AM 2.59 H

6:45 AM 0.22 L

1:08 PM 2.37 H

7:10 PM -0.1 L

3SA 1:54 AM 2.42 H

7:48 AM 0.33 L

2:09 PM 2.23 H

8:14 PM 0.09 L

4SU 2:53 AM 2.29 H

8:54 AM 0.37 L

3:14 PM 2.14 H

9:20 PM 0.22 L

5M 3:54 AM 2.2 H

9:58 AM 0.36 L

4:20 PM 2.1 H

10:23 PM 0.3 L

6TU 4:52 AM 2.16 H

10:55 AM 0.29 L

5:23 PM 2.13 H

11:19 PM 0.34 L

7W 5:44 AM 2.15 H

11:44 AM 0.2 L

6:18 PM 2.2 H

8TH 12:09 AM 0.34 L

6:30 AM 2.16 H

12:28 PM 0.11 L

7:05 PM 2.28 H

9F 12:54 AM 0.33 L

7:12 AM 2.18 H

1:09 PM 0.03 L

7:47 PM 2.36 H

10SA 1:35 AM 0.31 L

7:51 AM 2.21 H

1:46 PM -0.03 L

8:26 PM 2.42 H

11SU 2:13 AM 0.3 L

8:28 AM 2.22 H

2:22 PM -0.06 L

9:04 PM 2.45 H

12M 2:50 AM 0.29 L

9:05 AM 2.23 H

2:57 PM -0.08 L

9:41 PM 2.46 H

13TU 3:25 AM 0.31 L

9:42 AM 2.21 H

3:32 PM -0.07 L

10:19 PM 2.44 H

14W 4:00 AM 0.34 L

10:20 AM 2.18 H

4:08 PM -0.04 L

10:59 PM 2.4 H

15TH 4:36 AM 0.39 L

10:58 AM 2.14 H

4:44 PM 0 L

11:39 PM 2.34 H

16F 5:14 AM 0.43 L

11:38 AM 2.09 H

5:24 PM 0.04 L

17SA 12:22 AM 2.28 H

5:56 AM 0.47 L

12:22 PM 2.05 H

6:09 PM 0.1 L

18SU 1:07 AM 2.23 H

6:45 AM 0.47 L

1:12 PM 2.02 H

7:02 PM 0.17 L

19M 1:56 AM 2.19 H

7:41 AM 0.43 L

2:10 PM 2.04 H

8:02 PM 0.22 L

20TU 2:48 AM 2.18 H

8:42 AM 0.32 L

3:13 PM 2.1 H

9:07 PM 0.25 L

21W 3:43 AM 2.2 H

9:44 AM 0.16 L

4:20 PM 2.21 H

10:12 PM 0.23 L

22TH 4:40 AM 2.24 H

10:42 AM -0.04 L

5:25 PM 2.37 H

11:14 PM 0.17 L

23F 5:37 AM 2.32 H

11:38 AM -0.26 L

6:26 PM 2.55 H

24SA 12:12 AM 0.1 L

6:34 AM 2.41 H

12:32 PM -0.45 L

7:24 PM 2.71 H

25SU 1:06 AM 0.02 L

7:29 AM 2.5 H

1:25 PM -0.59 L

8:19 PM 2.82 H

26M 1:59 AM -0.04 L

8:24 AM 2.57 H

2:18 PM -0.66 L

9:12 PM 2.88 H

27TU 2:51 AM -0.07 L

9:17 AM 2.61 H

3:10 PM -0.66 L

10:03 PM 2.86 H

28W 3:43 AM -0.05 L

10:09 AM 2.6 H

4:03 PM -0.59 L

10:55 PM 2.79 H

29TH 4:36 AM -0.01 L

11:02 AM 2.55 H

4:57 PM -0.45 L

11:46 PM 2.69 H

30F 5:31 AM 0.06 L

11:56 AM 2.45 H

5:52 PM -0.28 L

31SA 12:37 AM 2.55 H

6:27 AM 0.14 L

12:50 PM 2.33 H

6:49 PM -0.09 L

SEBASTIAN (IRL)

March is normally a windy month but if the past two months are any indication, red fishing will get better in the Indian River and Mosquito Lagoon. The last 2 months have been phenomenal for sight fishing schools of redfish. Most of the redfish have been in big schools and should remain that way throughout March. When coming up on a big school of fish this guide prefers 1/8 oz jig heads with a Wyze Guyz pearl white or glo paddle tails, live shrimp or Gulp shrimp works well. Little John’s Mirrolure in a glo color tied to 20# mono leader tied to 6-10 lb. braid will get bites. Most of the schools are out in the open on the drop off or edge of a flat. The black drum will be schooled up usually by drop-offs or on edges. Use a piece of shrimp on a 1/8 oz jig head or freeline live shrimp to catch smaller black drum. To catch the larger ones, they are usually at the causeways or bridges -use a heavier jig head with a piece of blue crab. Side scan works great

that is directly associated with spawning and those moons will have potential to put you on some great action. However, if you find yourself in the midst of the act of spawning you might not be able to buy a hit with everything in your wallet. The black drum that we have all over our lagoons and beaches will be hard to beat as a primary target, though the trout will garner some needed attention as the month comes to an end. Schools of the drum will be moving along the flats, drop-offs and bridges and make for such a fun target. When in the shallows there relaxed deminer and poor eyesight combine with their coloring to give you a very noticeable sight fishing target. In the deeper waters around bridge structures the challenge is a bit higher. Of course, technology like side scan sonar helps find the large schools, but you can still do well by just soaking some nice baits on the bottom around the piling sets. Drums are not the pickiest of eaters when found, but they are particular about the grub they seek. They are almost exclusively crustacean eaters. So, baits like shrimp and crab get the look from these hard fighters. Many times, you can actually hear the drumming of the larger schools of big fish from the surface around bridges.

for fishing black drum.

March is always good in the ocean (near shore) if you can get out there. Look for tripletails on the buoys, free swimming or hanging under weed lines. This is also the time of the year when the rays come along the shoreline, look for the Cobia to follow them. For Cobia, throw a 1 ½ oz Cobia Buster with 40# mono leader on 20-30# braid. If they are finicky, you can try menhadens or croakers on a 4/0 hook. For the tripletail, if free swimming or on weed lines, use a 3/0 hook with 30# mono tied to 1015# braid so you are sight casting to these fish. For fishing tripletail on the buoys, use 40# leader with a 3/0 or 4/0 hook tied to 30 # braid with a small split shot. You might also have a chance to catch a Cobia around the buoys.

Troy’s tip of the month - Regularly check wheel bearings on your boat trailer. It is one of the most important things to keep up with.

Miami Beach, Government Cut

Spring is coming fast to east central Florida. The inhabitants of the water and land take notice. Many of the birds and other wildlife will introduce this year’s young to the bright new world. The mighty osprey is a great example of a cornerstone species and apex predator with the ability to thrive. You can sometimes see a new nest pop up on a natural or not so natural perch high above the water’s edge. Just like the more land-based animals, several of our most famed finned friends have the next generation in mind. Two notable gamefish of the area will be first in line to do their springtime business. Both black drum (early spring) and seatrout (later spring into summer) will look to those full and new moon nights to congregate in their respective locations to spawn by expelling eggs and milt into the water column where they mix and become fertile. Those moon events are key to all fish and their spawning activity and can have a large effect on the fishing. The schooling activity that is directly associated with spawning and those moons will have potential to put you on some great action. However, if you find yourself in the midst of the act of spawning you might not be able to buy a hit with everything in your wallet. The black drum that we have all over our lagoons and beaches will be hard to beat as a primary target, though the trout will garner some needed attention as the month comes to an end. Schools of the drum will be moving along the flats, dropoffs and bridges and make for such a fun target. When in the shallows there relaxed deminer and poor eyesight combine with their coloring to give you a very noticeable sight fishing target. In the deeper waters around bridge structures the challenge is a bit higher. Of course, technology like side scan sonar helps find the large schools, but you can still do well by just soaking some nice baits on the bottom around the piling sets. Drums are not the pickiest of eaters when found, but they are particular about the grub they seek. They are almost exclusively crustacean eaters. So, baits like shrimp and crab get the look from these hard fighters. Many times, you can actually hear the drumming of the larger schools of big fish from the surface around bridges.

Photo credit: Captain Alex

Tuesday May 6, 13, 20, 27 - 5pm till dusk, Jolly Gator Bass Tournament Series, every Tuesday evening plus 1 Saturday per month until the Classic in August. Cost is $50 per event, 2 anglers per team. Teams that finish in the Top 13 in points or win an event and fish at least 20 events will qualify for the end of year Classic. Some of the best river anglers in the area fish this Bass Series. The staff of Orlando Coastal Angler Magazine is the official weighmasters for this fun tournament series, come out and join us for the weekly weigh-ins. All Tuesday events start at 5pm till dusk, Saturday events (1 per month) are safe-light till 2pm. Launch ramp at CS Lee Park next to Jolly Gator Fish Camp on SR 46 east of Sanford at St. Johns River Bridge. For questions or more info contact Jim “Squirt” Chaudoin at 407432-2822 or Phil Wolf from Coastal Angler Magazine at 407-790-9515

Saturday May 10- Safe Daylight till 3pm, 11th Annual Osceola Anglers Fundraiser Bass Tournament. Hosted at Joe Overstreet Park and boat ramp in Osceola. $10,000 to Win! $2,000 for “Big Bass” of the Day. $225 per 2 angler team. FREE Steak dinner included plus swag bags, lots of raffle prizes. visit www. osceolanglers.com to register. Come help support this great youth anglers club.

Sunday May 11- “Mother’s Day” take time out of your busy lives and celebrate the day with your mother and your wife and mother of your kids. Mom’s always take care of everything and it is the special day once a year to show them how much they mean to you and how much you care about having them in our lives. The best way is to just spend quality time with them on their special day. You only have one Mom, when they are gone from our good earth keep them close to your heart!

Saturday May 17- Safe light until 2pm. Jolly Gator Bass Tournament Saturday Series, every Tuesday evening plus 1 Saturday per month until the Classic in August. Cost is, to register team, $50 per event, 2 anglers per team. Saturday events (1 per month) are safelight till 2pm. Launch ramp at CS Lee Park next to Jolly

Gator Fish Camp on SR 46 east of Sanford at St. Johns River Bridge. For questions or more info contact Jim “Squirt” Chaudoin at 407-432-2822 or Phil Wolf from Coastal Angler Magazine at 407-790-9515

Saturday May 31 - “Help our Heroes” Bass Tournament safe-light until 3pm, to be hosted at Camp Mack located in Lake Wales on Lake Kissimmee Chain of lakes. $200 entry fee, registration closes on Friday May 23rd, no registration accepted on day of the event. $10,000 to win based on 150 boats, BBQ dinner included at weigh-in. To register visit www.tohomarine. com click on tournament tab or call them 407-892-3200, cash only at the dealership! Loads of great raffle items as well. Come join us for this wonderful fundraiser and help us break the 150 boats goal, all proceeds go to several local veteran charities and wounded warrior projects!

Saturday May 31- 10 am to 2pm, Mud Hole Custom Tackle Grand Reopening of their upgraded showroom located at 2133 Component Loop in Oviedo, 32765. Join us for a day packed with excitement, including exclusive giveaways, free food, music, and a chance to talk with representatives of the biggest brands in fishing— perfect for anglers and families alike. Browse our reimagined retail space showcasing premium fishing gear, from reels and rods to tackle and apparel. Meet top vendors from the fishing industry, on hand with special offers and product insights. This FREE event is a chance to connect with Central Florida’s fishing community and celebrate Mud Hole’s next chapter—don’t miss out!

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

Bubba Myers with a St. Johns River “Giant” 10.16 lbs., current “Big Bass” of the season and largest ever caught in the past 11 seasons.

Owner of Scenko Stix, Alex Terescenko with some “Big O” Giants that total over 30 lbs.

Gunner Wolf with a “Monster Tilapia” that is over 22” and 12 lbs., he caught while fishing for Crappie. Congrats.

Anthony Courtney and Sean Cunningham winners of the Jolly Gator Bass Series April 8th event with 21.26 lbs., Congrats!

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.

Whether you’re ﬁshing in a kayak, canoe, or small boat, the ePropulsion eLite 500W redeﬁnes your on-water experience with innovative features and commitment to sustainability. Designed to be the most compact and lightweight electric outboard in its class, it is an easy-to-use alternative to small internal combustion engines for enthusiasts worldwide. Max 5.6 miles at half throttle and 3.5 miles at full throttle.

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

Switzerland is synonymous with expensive, big-name luxury watches like Rolex®, Piaget® and Patek Philippe® that sell for thousands, but the Stauer Swiss Tactical Watch delivers Swiss precision for a fraction of the cost. Inspired by military timepieces like the American A-11, it combines rugged performance, simplicity, and legendary craftsmanship — built for action, not display cases.

Precision Takes Time

Swiss excellence demands patience. Each Stauer Swiss Tactical takes nearly nine months to complete, and this is a limited edition of 4,900. Crafted by master watchmakers, some of whom have worked with the other prestigious brands, this is your chance to own a rare, precision-engineered tactical watch without the inflated luxury price tag.

Why Pay for a Name?

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Watch Speci cations:

• Made in Switzerland with precision Swiss Ronda 515 movement. Stainless steel caseback. Brown leather band

• 44 mm diameter case. Date window at 3 o’clock

• Water-resistant to 3 ATM. Fits wrists up to 8 ¼”

Stauer Swiss Tactical Watch

$399 $59* + S & P Save $340

*Special price only for

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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