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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
COASTAL ANGLER
North Central Florida/Nature Coast
Cary & Lynn Crutchfield
ALACHUA, CITRUS, COLUMBIA, DIXIE, GILCHRIST, LEVY, MARION, SUWANNEE
Welcome
May! I love May, the month of my birth, also my grandson Spencer, my maternal grandmother, and my paternal grandmother’s name was Mae. May is the last month of moderate temps, before the South begins to bake in the heat of summer humidity. I love days of no heat/no air, and my open French doors. My beloved Suwannee is moderate right now. We had a minor flood last year. It has been several years since we have had a major flood. May is usually a semi-dry month, so we should be okay, at least until the hurricanes.
See page 2 for this month’s recipe, Grouper with Parmesan Sauce. This dish is great for company because all the prep can be done ahead; you can stick it in the oven as your guests arrive and it is very impressive. (I’m going to try the leftover sauce on chicken.)
Guest writer this month for FLORIDA WATERWAYS, Leslie Strumer, shares her knowledge of clam farming in Cedar Key. Very interesting. See page 3. Mother’s Day is May 11th this year. How about a guided fishing trip for Mom with one of our experienced guides? (I am mother of two, grandmother of three, and as of December 2023, great grandmother of one!) Our guides love to hear from you. Please thank them for taking their time to write our forecasts and share their expertise. Also thank our distribution locations and advertisers. It takes a lot of cooperation to bring you the world’s greatest FREE fishing magazine.
North Central Florida
Nature Coast Staff
SALES
Cary Crutchfield
EDITING & PRODUCTION
Lynn Crutchfield
GRAPHIC ARTS & DESIGN
Kathleen Stemley
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Noel Kuhn
Leslie Sturmer
Capt. Jason Clark
Capt. Katie Jo Davis
Capt. Tommy Derringer
Capt. Andrew Fagan
Capt. Jonathan Hamilton
Capt. Tony Johns
Capt. Dallas King
Capt. Pat McGriff
Capt. Brent Woodward
Lynn Crutchfield Co-Publisher Coastal Angler Magazine of North Central Florida/Nature Coast
Photo by: Suwannee River Water Management District
BAKED GROUPER WITH PARMESAN SAUCE
you to The
or enjoy Cooked
for the
Visit their
to go. You are welcome to sit at their table and view beautiful Kings Bay while you enjoy your delicious, freshly prepared meal, watching manatees, dolphins, pelicans and boats. Or, you can carry it home; your choice. Open Tues-Thurs 10:00-5:30, Fri-Sat 10:00-8:00. 201 NW 5th St. Crystal River 352-795-4700.
COOKING DIRECTIONS
Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil; lightly coat with 1 tablespoon butter.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Mix together Parmesan, 1/3 cup butter, mayonnaise, green onion, lemon juice, dill, salt, black pepper, and hot sauce in a medium bowl until well combined. Set aside.
Lay fillets in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake until fish flakes easily with a fork, 3 to 8 minutes, depending on thickness of fillets.
Gently spread Parmesan mixture over fish; return to the oven and broil until topping is bubbly and lightly browned, about 2 more minutes.
INGREDIENTS
• 1 tablespoon butter, or as needed
• ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/3 cup butter, softened
• ¼ cup mayonnaise
• ¼ cup chopped green onion
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon dried dill weed (Optional)
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 dashes hot pepper sauce (Optional, I optioned not.)
• 6 grouper or cod or flounder or sheepshead fillets
Thank
Crab Plant
grouper.
Fresh Seafood Market
Seafood
Lynn Crutchfield, Co-Publisher Coastal Angler Magazine of North Central Florida
Hard Clam Aquaculture in Cedar Key (Levy County) FLORIDA WATERWAYS
By Leslie Sturmer
Producing hard clams, Mercenaria mercenaria, on state-owned submerged lands, is the largest marine and food-use aquaculture business in Florida. The U.S. Department of Aquaculture estimated that Florida’s shellfish aquaculture sales totaled $16 million in 2018, accounting for approximately 22% of all Florida aquaculture sales (USDA 2019). Hard clams rank number two in Florida in terms of aquaculture production, and Florida ranks number four in the nation in terms of overall molluscan aquaculture in the U.S., due primarily to hard clam production (USDA 2019).
Clam farming is a relatively new seafood industry in the Cedar Key area. A transition to shellfish aquaculture as an alternative employment opportunity for the fishing industry was facilitated through federally funded job retraining programs, conducted during the 1990s, that provided displaced fishermen with alternative employment opportunities in shellfish aquaculture. Through these programs, shellfish aquaculture leases were established off the coast of Levy County, allowing for placement of program graduates onto farm sites.
The industry supports some 180 clam grow-out businesses operating on 482 aquaculture leases, which encompasses about 1,000 acres of stateowned submerged lands in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Cedar Key. The area’s warm Gulf waters and high natural productivity levels, create an excellent environment for growing clams. In less than 30 years, Cedar Key has become a leading producer of cultured clams in the state and nation. Clam farming has brought economic revitalization to the area and has allowed its citizens to continue making a living off the water. In 2016, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Division of Aquaculture, required primary shellfish wholesalers to report annually the number of molluscan shellfish purchased. These reports are aggregated and provide an accurate estimate of annual production. Over a six-year period, clam production increased from 87 million in 2016 to 115 million in 2021, a 31% increase, of
which Cedar Key contributed 9296% (FDACS internal data). Using an average dockside price of $0.12 per littleneck clam, value of sales has increased from $10.4 to $13.8 million over the six years.
There are 34 land-based hatchery and nursery facilities, where small seed (baby clams) are produced and reared to a size that can be planted in bags on the open-water leases. Other spinoff businesses in the area supported by this industry include seamstresses making clam bags, boat builders specializing in clam work skiffs, and manufacturers producing harvesting and processing equipment. Nineteen shellfish wholesalers purchase clams from growers, add value, and distribute to markets throughout the nation. The industry also provides local employment, such as processingplant workers and truck drivers. Local seafood retail and restaurant establishments are supported through sales of clams to customers.
The USDA Census of Aquaculture recently released relevant information, information which is completed every 5 years. For 2023, 111 Florida growers reported $32.044 million in sales of clams, ranking second in the nation, see https://shellfish.ifas.ufl.edu/news/ usda-census-aquaculture-results-2023/
Finally, the industry output, or gross revenue impact to the state’s economy, was estimated to be $38.7 million, of which the Cedar Key area generated $34.8 million. Included here are photos about the growing of clams off Cedar Key. Cedar Key had become established as the dominant production area as growers in other regions of the state faced continued closures due to red tide blooms or impaired waters.
The author of this article and the supplier of the photos, Leslie Sturmer, works in the Shellfish Aquaculture Extension Program of IFAS at the University of Florida and can be reached at "Inst@ufl.edu." The photos here are thanks to UF/IFAS.
Cedar Key clams
Clam boat and clams at Dog Island
Bobby Witt harvesting clams in Cedar Key Cedar Key sign
Pelagic season is here! May marks the beginning of our summer, for when the real fishing begins here on the Nature Coast. Water warming up, and the sharks, cobia, tripletail and tarpon show up and bring a lot of fun with them.
Inshore, the redfish and trout bite remains strong. Drift the grass flats for trout, and fish the outside points with big cutbaits for redfish.
Offshore/nearshore, the mangrove snapper bite has been good in 30 to 50 feet. Live shrimp freelined over the structure has been key. Nearshore, the cobia bite has begun with a few decent fish showing up. A freelined pinfish or catfish over structure will usually get the bite !
Tight lines and good luck out there!!
Ebb Tide Guide Service
Capt. Andrew Fagan | 352.818.8927
Instagram : @capt_redfishdrew
CRYSTAL RIVER
May is finally here, and with that, comes some sustained weather. Fewer high-pressure systems blowing through, ruining a week’s worth of fishing. These warmer weather trends bring in some of the best fishing the Nature Coast has to offer.
Cobia will start to show on the offshore and near shore rocks. I like to use heavy gear with a large bait (pinfish preferred) free lined without any weight, as well as another rod with a pinfish on the bottom. Chum can be your best friend when targeting the man in the brown suit. As long as you can put up with catching some sharks as by-catch, you will surely get the attention of a stout fish.
Tarpon push their way through on their migration pattern as well, normally starting in May. I enjoy throwing artificial lures when targeting the silver king. Make sure your rod, reel and line is up for the job. Big swim baits or eel style baits can fool one into biting. Be careful as they are a spooky fish. Slow down, control your presentation and hold on!
Snook, my all-time favorite, will be holding strong in the creek mouths, oyster bars, and middle to outside islands. With the snook season closing in April, these fish get targeted less and tend to cooperate a little more. Without the pressure of others around, it can be an incredible catch and release day. Big live baits and shiny, fast moving artificials seem to get the job done. Remember to take care of them upon the release!
Trout and redfish will be abundant as well. Lil John’s for the trout, gold spoons and pinfish for the reds. Trout will be moving to
Captain Dallas King Pirate Flag Charters and Tours
352.601.8460
www.pirateflagcharters.com
www.crystalriverfishingpros.com
the grass flats anywhere from 4 to 8 feet. Reds will be posted up on the hard bottom points and oyster bars.
Cary with his latest catch, a nice sized sheephead.
HOMOSASSA
Mayfishing in Homosassa is a good transition month. We should start to see more consistent water temperatures. April, we had a roller coaster of ups and downs with the water temps. One week we were near 80 and then back to the upper 60s the following week. With the shorter nights and maybe lack of front, we should start getting more consistent temps. I will be in the skiff chasing tarpon like I always do in May and June, but here’s are a few things to consider for May.
Look for trout to start moving to the near shore rocks in the 6-to-8foot ranges. I like setting up drifts offshore around hard bottom mixed with grass, throwing jig with the watermelon red flake MirrOLure Little Johns. Around those rock piles, you will find a plethora of fish willing to eat a shrimp rigged on that same jig head, Grunts, mackerel, snapper and blue fish will keep the rods bent. While you’re offshore, keep a lookout for cobia. They should be in this time of the year. Live pin fish on a heavier rod will work well for a cobia swimming at the surface!
Inshore will still be holding
some trout. Look for the yellow bottom areas on the incoming tides. Redfish will be on the outside points. I like using free-lined live pin fish this time of the year. Snook will also eat pin fish as well. For the artificial guys, nose hooked DOA CAL will produce solid snook and trout bites.
For the fly anglers, A good place to fish this month is St. Martin Keys on the last hour of the outgoing tide. Once the water gets low enough, you will find tailing red fish on the middle of the flat up to 100 plus yards from any shoreline. These fish are super spooky, so stealth and patience is key. I like to throw really small shrimp pattern flies. Near shore rock piles will produce great action on the long rods. I like to tie Clouser flies on long shanked J hooks for the rocks. The long-shanked hooks, limit the break offs on mackerel. Use shrimp or a chum block or get them fired up, and then its game on!
Stay safe,
KATIE JO’S NATURE COAST ADVENTURES
Now that the cold fronts are over, we can focus on warmer months and the fishing is heating up. May is one of my favorite months to fish; we have mornings that are still cool but it feels like summer by the end of the day, which makes fishing much more enjoyable. We are not quite sweating yet, so it is comfortable for us as people and also comfortable for the fish. Large schools of black drum are found along deep cuts near oyster bars and rocky islands, and they are such a fun fighting fish.
Capt. Stump
Jonathan
Hamilton
352-403-2073
www.stumpnation.us
My favorite part, is these fish are easy to target and put up a good tenminute battle!
Flounder are moving to the outside along sandy bottom and often at a bycatch when trout fishing. The trout are found in 5 to 8 feet of water near rock piles and along the grassy flats. Red drum have moved to the outside points and islands, as the water temperatures begin to increase, as they prepare to move offshore for the summer spawn.
The triple tail and cobia migration is in full swing in May, so keep an eye out when fishing, as these fish typically hang near weed lines and buoys, as well as around structure in the water.
A quick side note: scalloping begins July 1 - September 24 and now is a the time to book a family outing on the water.
Captain Katie Jo Davis
KD OUTDOORS FiSHING CHARTERS
772-882-8932
www.fishcrystalriverflorida.com
BAIT & TACKLE
This39 West Hwy 40 Inglis, FL
352-447-5610
www.CaptainsCoveOutfitters.com
DW&D BAIT HOUSE
12831 Whiddon Ave Cedar Key, FL 352-543-6109 352-222-9383
44 TACKLE CO.
1522 US 41 North Inverness, FL 34453 352.726.6100 www.44Tackle.com
OCKLAWAHA BAIT & TACKLE 13600 East CR 25 Ocklawaha, FL 32179 352-816-5853
BUBSIE’S BAIT & TACKLE 7 1st Ave Se Steinhatchee, FL 32359 352-275-7666
has been another crazy spring season with unusual weather patterns and extra windy conditions! In my area, we used to consider the first part of May to be the beginning of the summer fishing season. For the last few years, we have seen a definite shift and now it's later in the month, maybe even into June. The good news is that when the winds have laid down a little bit, the trout and sheepshead fishing has been HOT!
You will find the speckled trout on the outside bars, reefs and flats. With the hurricanes we have had, it's hard to find good grass in the areas going North towards Horseshoe Beach. You can still find areas on the inshore reefs with oysters that have some “rock grass” that should be holding fish. Best baits have been the FishBites, Butt Kicker Paddle Tail and Fight'n Shrimp in the Haymaker, White Knuckle and Hammer Fist colors, fished either under a popping cork with ⅛ oz. FFC Lures jig head, jigged along the bottom using a ¼ oz. jig head.
The redfishing had been pretty good up closer to the river, but with recent rains and with a rising river, a lot of them have moved away from the river. But there are always a few of what we refer to as resident reds, they will have the deep dark red and bronze colors they get from the tannins in the waters of the Lower Suwannee River. These tannins come from decaying vegetation in the swamps of the headwaters and tributaries that make up the Suwannee River.
Best bait for the redfish? When the fish are scattered, I prefer to use a search bait like a ⅝ or ¾ ounce gold spoon. You can cover a lot of water with this bait, and you can present it in many ways, from slow
rolling and bumping along the bottom to ripping it close to the surface! It catches fish!
So far the annual spring spawning run of sheepshead has been pretty good, when the wind lays down enough to venture out there. You can target them on the offshore artificial reefs and rock piles. Best baits are shrimp and fiddler crabs.
The month of May is looking like it could be the best month of the year so far. The winds of April should lay down, allowing more options for a day of fun and adventure on the Lower Suwannee River Estuary!
Because of health issues, I am no longer able to do guided fishing trips. I miss all the clients I had and friends I made over the years. I am still able to go fishing and I have a group of fishing friends I can always get updates from.
Due to the hurricanes, ALL of the “Channels” for the Suwannee River are “OPERATE WITH CAUTION” as many/most of the channel markers are missing! Until next time be safe and Catchemup!
Captain Tony Johns | 352-221-2510
www.lowersuwanneriverfishing.com
Instagram: captaintonyjohns
Facebook: Lower Suwannee River Fishing Adventures
CEDAR KEY
Hy anglers! Wanna catch some sand and spotted trout? We'll now’s the time! The spawn is firing off right now and the big girls are here to eat.
When both species of trout are spawning, it's the perfect time for
fish fries and fun in the sun. During the spawn, the big girls come into the flats to eat all they can while growing their eggs. You can bet if your baits there looking delicious, they will for sure take a swing at it.
You can have a lot of fun with popping corks, top water, jerk baits, and so many more lure selections this time of year. As long as there's moving water, they will be chewing this time of year!
So come on out at high or low tide and enjoy this awesome spawn bite!
Until next month, stay safe out there.
KEATON BEACH HORSESHOE BEACH
Hello guys and gals; hope all is well. April had some amazing fishing. I suspect May to continue a good trend. Maybe we can get some of these windy days behind us once and for all.
Redfish are starting to warm up with the water temp. May is one of my favorite months for redfish, especially if you like throwing top water. My topwater of choice is a white Rapala Skitterwalk sw11 or the Mirrorlures top dog in a mullet color.
Also, don’t forget about trout with your top water bait. Go ahead and get those explosions before the floating grass gets here. Now for trout, sometimes I will tone it down with a pink Skitterwalk or the Top Dog Jr.
Well guys we can catch them however you’d like artificial, live bait or dead bait.
TheUntil next time keep it Reel Native!
ReelNativeFishing.com
352-284-5514
flats fishing at Keaton Beach has really taken off as predicted, with water temps reaching 75 degrees this past week, while this last cool front dipped it back to 67. (Today is April 12.) That won't last long, with the weeks ahead in a hurry to warm on up and stay in the 70s in early May. Bait fish have finally migrated up from Tampa and we are seeing glass minnows, ballyhoo and pilchards on the flats. Expect all of our common pelagics to show up over the next two weeks.
Topwater has been productive for reds and big trout, with lipped jerkbaits taking their fair share as well. I look for May to hold the best plug fishing this year, especially if we can hold off water temperatures in the 80s, and thus keep the floating grass to a minimum. MirrOLure's Top Pups, Top Dog Juniors and She Pups or She Dogs will be my choices of stickbaits in May.
Trout will continue to come from 1.5 to 2.5 feet of water, but many will have moved on out to 3 to 4 feet, and searching for their spawning grounds by mid-May. Soft plastics like Assassin's 5 inch and Sea Shads will continue shine in May. I will be throwing Pink Ghost, Stinky Pink, Laguna Shrimp and Violet Moon, just to mention a few patterns. I like the Assassin 1/8 oz. Chartreuse Flash jigheads, when we are bouncing a jig early in the season. If I combine an Oval Cajun Thunder, I
use the spring lock 1/16 oz. size.
TIP: When you fish a Cajun and jig-n-grub combo, use the lightest jig you can find and allow plenty of pause between pops to allow the jig to fall and stop. Speckled trout are careful, cautious predators and will hit your jig on the fall or the pause, after it quits falling.
Reds have shown up in force with many over-slots caught, mixed in with the slot-sized fish. Gold Aqua Dream weedless spoons, as well as Intruder weedless spoons in copper and gold, will take a lion's share of reds in May.
We have already seen Spanish Mackerel and a couple of reports of short cobia, were also called in this past week.
Meanwhile, Let's Go Fishing! Pat McGriff dba One More Cast guide service for 33 years! www.onemorecast.net onemorecast@gtcom.net cell: 850.838.7541
Rick Prietz of Marianna, with a nice trout.
A nice limit caught in April.
ST. AUGUSTINE SURF & PIER
This winter and spring the fishing has been great, but summer 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 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 produce 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 who 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 a lot more fish. 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 www.InshoreAdventures.net
904-377-3734
It’shard 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. We are catching just about every species 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, we are catching lots of Spanish, bluefish, Jack Cravelle, and trout. 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 to 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 25 lbs., 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. May 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
43 years of surf fishing experience, surf fishing guide and long distance casting coach. Founding member of Florida Surf Casters club. 904-945-0660
www.TheSurfAngler.com
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.
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