CHASING GOLDEN DORADO
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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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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
SUZUKI MARINE CELEBRATES
60 YEARS OF INNOVATION
In 1965, Suzuki Marine launched its first outboard motor, a one cylinder, two-stroke portable known as the D55, generating 4.0kW (or approximately 5.5 horsepower). While this first Suzuki outboard was relatively small and basic, its significance to the recreational boating industry cannot be overstated.
Suzuki won its first Innovation Award in 1987 for its DT200 Exante “talking outboard.” Suzuki introduced its DF60 and DF70 fuelinjected 4-stroke outboards, winning the NMMA Innovation Award at the 1997 IMTEC Show for these outboards’ advanced technologies and new features. In 2003, Suzuki unveiled its DF250 V6, the industry’s first 250 horsepower 4-stroke outboard. This motor also won an NMMA Innovation Award at the Miami International Boat Show.
Suzuki broke new ground in 4-stroke power again in 2006 with the launch of its DF300, the industry’s first 300 horsepower V6 4-stroke and the first outboard to feature electronic remote control. This motor was also honored with an NMMA Innovation Award.
In 2017, Suzuki launched its flagship DF350A—the first 350 horsepower 4-stroke outboard and the first outboard of any size to feature the benefits and efficiency of contrarotating dual propellers in forward and reverse. This breakthrough motor also won the NMMA Innovation Award.
Suzuki revolutionized the boating industry
in 2022 with a Micro Plastic Collecting Device that allows the motor’s cooling system to collect micro plastic pollution as the boat is driven through the water. This system was made standard on all new DF115 and DF140 outboards around the world, allowing boaters to be part of the solution to the challenge of micro plastics in our oceans and waterways.
At the Miami International Boat Show in 2024, Suzuki “stole the show” by unveiling its Stealth Line outboards. Named a 2024 Top Product by Boating Industry Magazine, Suzuki’s Stealth Line combines legendary Suzuki power and performance with a stunning all matteblack finish and matching chrome black
graphics for a look that turns heads. The Stealth Line was an instant hit with boaters across the U.S., and Suzuki acted quickly to expand the Stealth lineup to offer eight popular models for a wide range of boats.
Who knows what the next 60 years will bring? One thing is sure, Suzuki Marine will continue to innovate and break new ground when it comes to giving all boaters the performance, efficiency, and reliability they deserve.
To learn more about Suzuki Marine, visit your local authorized Suzuki Marine dealer, call Suzuki Marine USA headquarters at (813) 687-7200 or visit www.suzukimarine.com.
Meet the Captain Capt. Scott Housel
CWelcome to Sudden Strike Offshore Adventures with Captain Scott Housel (USCG 100 Ton Master Captain). Captain Housel has been fishing and scuba diving the waters off Ponce Inlet since 1989. His experience in scuba diving has provided him with a unique perspective on fish behavior, observing how they feed and digest, as well as how they orient themselves to both structure and currents. These insights have translated into great success when applied to fishing. Captain Housel began fishing at the age of 5 with his father and grandfather, developing a lifelong passion for the water. He enjoys sharing that passion with families of all ages, welcoming beginners who have never been out on the water as well as advanced anglers seeking to target specific fish. Book a trip with Sudden Strike Offshore Adventures and create lasting memories.
CAPT. SCOTT HOUSEL
Sudden Strike Offshore Adventures 407-314-3355
SuddenStrikeOffshore.com
Sudden Strike Offshore Adventures Suddenstrikeoffshore.com Nearshore/offshore
Target Species: Redfish, Flounder, Sheephead, Snapper, Grouper, Triggerfish, Cobia,Amberjack, Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, Tuna, Sailfish, Shark, Golden Tilefish
SRC Adventures srcadventures.com Nearshore/Offshore
Target Species: Wahoo, Mahi, Tuna, Cobia, Sailfish, Kingfish, Tuna, Amberjack, Pompano, Snapper, Grouper, Triggerfish
CAPTAIN NICK SICILIANO
386-405-7786
Beast Coast Fishing Charters beastcoastfishingcharters.com Inshore/ Offshore
Target Species: Redfish, Snook, Tarpon, Sheepshead, Snapper, Grouper, Sharks, Cobia, Grouper, Pompano, Mahi, Triggerfish, Tuna, Wahoo, Sailfish
CAPTAIN MARTY GOLDYS 386-679-0317
Reel Harmony Fishing Charters reelharmonyfishing.com Inshore/Nearshore
Target Species: Tarpon, Snook, Redfish, Trout, Flounder, Sheepshead, Cobia, Tripletail & Shark
Ferg’s Guide Service fergsguideservice.com
Inshore/ Offshore
Target Species: Redfish, Snook, Tarpon, Amberjack, Sheepshead, African Pompano, Mangrove Snapper
CAPTAIN TIM RUSSELL
386-846-1675
Captain Daddy’s Fishing Charters captaindaddysfishing.com
Inshore/Offshore
Target Species: Redfish, Flounder, Snook, Tarpon, Cobia, Grouper, Wahoo, Snapper, Seabass, Kingfish, Mahi, Sailfish
CAPTAIN DANIEL LEVESQUE 386-295-4581
Rare Breed Charters rarebreedcharters.com
Offshore/ Nearshore
Target Species: Grouper, Red Snapper, Tuna, Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, Tuna, African Pompano, Alligator, Deer, Hog, Elk, & Wild Turkey
CAPTAIN MARSHALL WALLOT
386-214-9595
New Legacy Fishing Charters newlegacyfishing.com Inshore/Nearshore
Target Species: Redfish, Snook, Trout, Flounder, Black Drum, Tarpon, Sheepshead, Tripletail, Snapper, & Weakfish
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B oat ing & Fi s hing A pp a rel | P a ddleb oa rd s Ta ckle & Supplie s | Grill & BB Q E quipmen t Celebrate our grand opening with us May 8th - Ribbon Cutting @4pm May 10th - Grand Opening 10am-8pm Food~Drinks~prizes bbq demo and fish seminars May 10th 10am - 8pm Granada Plaza~ Ormond Beach
CAPTAINKIDS
Captain & The Kids strives to always promote youth anglers both at the local level as well as nationally through our “Youth Angler Program.” If it was not for passing down techniques, traditions, and the love for the water, it would slowly fade away. It is our mission to always instill conservation and ethical fishing to our youth!
Capt. Evan started the Youth Angler Program after finding out how many kids in the New Smyrna Beach area had never been fishing, never been on a boat, and was born and raised in the area. Since that day Capt. Evan strives to getting more and more youth anglers on the water each and every year! Sol Fishing will do everything possible to make every young man or ladies fishing dreams come true. It does not matter if the kids want to go offshore or inshore, Sol Fishing will target whichever species they want to catch. Some of the most recent species that the youth anglers have been wanting to target are red snapper, lane snapper, cobia, amberjack, sharks, barracuda, redfish, and snook.
The Youth Angler Program is made possible by all our retailers who stock Sol Fishing’s gear such as our Hats, Decals, and Performance shirts and many more products. Stop by New Smyrna Beach Outfitters Outriggers, Donald’s Bait & Tackle, 38 Live Bait & amp; Tackle, E & J Bait & Tackle Sunglass Cabana, Shades of New Smyrna Beach, Boaters Exchange, and Pedego of NSB to get your Sol Fishing gear to help support the Youth Angler Program! Sol Fishing’s amazing sponsors such as Tidewater Boats, Legacy Marine, Black Oak LED, Penn, Plano, Fenwick, and many more all make this amazing program possible!
PONCE INLET & BACKWATERS FORECAST
May is usually an excellent month for fishing and for weather!! The low-pressure systems stop pushing in from the north and the water really heats up. I’ll spend a decent amount of time focused on redfish and snook at the inlet on tide switches.
Live shrimp, pinfish, mullet, and other baitfish will produce your target species. I’ll also start venturing out behind the shrimp boats and beaches chasing tarpon. They usually are the most active with feeding first thing in the morning and again just before sunset. Throwing live baits like mullet or pogies into rolling fish always helps get a bite, but you can also use large 8-12” swim baits to entice a hookup! Bottom fishing the close reefs outside of ponce to the north sun glow, and to the south you have one off Flagler Ave in new Smyrna will also produce fish. Flounder, black drum, redfish, sheepshead, weak fish and more should have those spots on fire as the water temps continue to rise. Get out there and catch some fish, summer crowds are right around the corner.
Give me a shout if you’d like to book a trip and as always if you see us on the water say hello!
As George Costanza said, “The sea was angry that day, my friends! ”Setting up my fishing poles, wondering what’s the matter with me. Ya, mon! It still turns coldand windy every other day and today’s no different. Even with the big wind, it’s still sortoffishable. The current isn’t so bad.I’m holding the bottom with 3 and up to 5-ounce weights. I always give thanks to the Sinker Guy. Two of my fishing poles have sand fleas and two have live crab knuckles. It’s springtime.The fish should be here. As I’m thinking this, something’s nibbling my line. I’ll just hold it tomake sure. Through the chopping waves, a tremendous tug on the line snapped me out of mytrance. The reel is on fire, spinning. Stopping and going again, I’m not tightening up the drag yet. I’ll wait. After 10 minutes, whatever it is, it’s on the bottom and holding on. It may be a stingray or anice black drum. As luck would have it, I get a good look: The black drum is coming in, and it rolls onto the beach. A real stud, a big ugly. I’ll put this one back. Every other day, a front rolls in and brings a strong undertow at high tide, making it impossible to fish. But today, despite the same conditions, my fishing rods are
telling a different story. Right now, my far pole is getting that familiar tap... tap... tap... and as I’m running toward it my first pole goes off. I’ll put that one on hold till I reel in this other one. Zig zagging again, I reel it in quick and nice. Pompano on the other rod! This one’s got some heft to it. It’s running, swimming straight in. Got it! Pompano number two. Ya, mon! The water is now 70°, which means only one thing: the Pompano should stick around for awhile. They like it between 65 and 80°. Even with it being hit and miss every other day, it’s so worth it to be out here getting great exercise and breathing the pure air coming right off the ocean. I always remind people that surf fishing is a core exercise: Bending, pulling, running, reeling, casting. And of course, my favorite: filleting. As the sun starts to set, the fish aren’t biting. Right now, we’ll put on some nice reggae music and wind down. And of course, me and these fish are heading to the smoker.
MARCO
(386)212-4838
Wilbur by the Sea
Ormond Beach, Halifax River, FL - May 2025 Date High Low
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26 Mon 12:02 0.7 7:04 -0.2 7:07 -0.4 6:25 8:17
27 Tue 12:32 0.8 12:57 0.7 7:58 -0.3 7:59 -0.4 6:25 8:17
28
29 Thu 2:23 0.8 2:49 0.6 9:42 -0.2 9:42 -0.2 6:24 8:18
30 Fri 3:16 0.8 3:43 0.6 10:34 -0.1 10:37 0.0 6:24 8:19
31 Sat 4:08 0.7 4:37 0.6 11:28 0.1 11:34 0.1 6:23 8:20
GAMBLERLURESKAYAKTOURNAMENT
Every year Gambler Lures hosts a free kayak tournament in Florida.
The only requirement is that you have to clear every bait/lure out of your kayak, except for Gambler baits. This year‘s tournament was on the Kissimmee chain and by chance, I had that weekend off from my 2 other Trails. As my husband (Mike) was watching me load my gear, it occurred to me that he could sign up and join me! Being on the OldTown Pro Staff, I have 2 kayaks in my arsenal. We have a bass boat that he and myson use for the Bassmaster High School Series nearly every weekend, so he know show to fish, but what better way to get his feet wet in a kayak tournament than in a free one!
We made a mad dash to a local retailer to purchase any Gambler bait we could find. It was slim pickings with only one style available and that was the Big EZ. I spent nearly an hour helping him download the tournament App, how to take a picture of the fish on the measuring board as well as proper hand placement, etc. and finally, how to successfully upload the picture into the app, which serves as a live leaderboard duringthe event. After only getting a couple hours of sleep due to late planning, we were
up early, guzzling coffee and headed to Lake Toho. We launched just before daylight and I’m trying to remind Mike of everything he needs to do to stay legal (rule-wise) and safe for the tournament. Lines-in was 7:00 and at 7:10 Mike is yelling my name. He had already caught his first fish and apparently, had forgotten everything I told him! He was filled with excitement and couldn’t remember what to do first, so I walked him through getting his fish uploaded. At that moment he could see that he was in first place which was obvious because it was only 7:10! I had started moving in the direction I wanted to fish and just as I got out of sight, he’s yelling my name again! This time he is screaming that he just caught a 5-pounder and needs my help to make sure it gets uploaded properly. As much as I love my husband and was so proud of his performance, my competitiveside was screaming in my head. Like any good wife, I made my way back over to him, let him model with his fish for pictures and made sure he uploaded it properly. I then informed him that I was leaving the area, and he was on his own the rest of theday!
He was able to catch his 5 fish limit and was hovering around 3rd place most of the day. I wasn’t too far behind, but I needed a big bite, and the day was about over. To my surprise (and ultimate payback), I landed a 6-pounder right beside him! I made him take pictures of me with my fish and he watched me move up to 1st place on the leaderboard! Of course, I wanted him to enjoy the experience of his first kayak tournament, but I didn’t want him to beat me! When the tournament ended at 2:00 andwe made our way to Camp Mack for the awards, I was thrilled to receive a check for 1st place. Mike received $50 in Gambler Bucks for coming in 5th which he can use to buy more bait.
SETH TAYLOR Instagram: @soflotaylor
TikTok: @soflotaylor
ACADEMIC ANGLERS CHILDREN FISHING
Eyes like saucers and the biggest grin you can imagine- was the look that my children had on their faces as they pulled in groupers. At that time, they were preteens, we were fishing offshore near Steinhatchee, FL. This was our first time fishing as a family. We had an opportunity to go with a charter captain who was also a college associate. My children, now well into their twenties, still reminisce about that trip and how much fun they experienced. I was fortunate enough to have the resources and developed relationships to make that trip a reality. I recognize this is not the case for many families.
I shared this experience with my best friend and because we both enjoyed fishing & giving back to the community, we agreed to seek resources to help more children learn the art of fishing. We found & joined the Academic Anglers.
The Academic Anglers Children’s Fishing Clinic was founded in 1997 by retired college president and angler, Dr. Charlie Roberts with football great John Baker. The Academic Anglers
nonprofit organization has a simple goal: “Get more children fishing, more often.” They wanted to ensure that all children had the opportunity to experience the joy of fishing and receive the life skills it imparts. Over the years, the Academic Anglers Children’s Fishing Clinics have helped thousands of children learn marine safety and fishing basics, all while encouraging educationbased excitement towards the outdoors. Fishing clinics have been held in: Michigan, Virginia and Florida. Clinics are open to children ages 8 to 15, consisting of hands-on classroom sessions followed by an offshore fishing trip.
The fishing clinic teaches children basics such as: boating safety, casting, knot tying & the use of a personal flotation device. A bonus includes conservation and the Indian River Lagoon ecosystem tours hosted by the Marine Discovery Center in New Smyrna Beach.
What makes this program amazing? It introduces children to fishing, It builds resources through community sponsorships, it allows local avid anglers to volunteer their time, talent and wisdom in hopes of inspiring children to continue to seek the joys of feeding themselves for a lifetime. The Academic Anglers offers this program free of charge due to the generosity of various sponsors. As a board member it brings me joy to see a child’s eyes get as big as saucers with a grin to match as they reel their very first catch. It reminds me that I am part of something children will remember forever. And that’s just priceless.
For more information about the Academic Anglers Children’s Fishing Clinic please visit: www.childrensfishing.academicangler.com or contact President Stan Harrison @ 386-427-5277
ELDRIDGE WYNN
Academic Anglers Children’s Fishing Clinic
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CAPTAIN HIGHLIGHT FORECAST
Mahi fishing is in full swing during the month of May along with the opening of Grouper Season on May 1st. For the best success in catching Mahi you will be making a 35-45 mile run out to the Gulf Stream. You will want to look for temperature changes and current changes which creates edges that can attract bait and ultimately pelagic fish like Mahi, wahoo, Blackfin Tuna and Sailfish. If you are lucky enough to find a weed line, try fishing the offshore edge with the cleaner water. If that’s not productive, try the inside edge. Be on the lookout for signs of life under the weeds. I like pulling both naked and skirted ballyhoo about 5-6 mph. I often run a cedar plug on my shotgun, about 100 yards or more behind the boat. When targeting grouper, I like to fish at depths of 180-230 feet using live bait. For gear, I typically use 80# braid, with a 100# wind on leader. Depending on the current, I’ll use weights ranging from 12 to 24 ounces in weight, attached to 15-20’ 100# leader with 9# circle hook.
May is one of my favorite months to fish. I hope to see you out there hooked up.
With A Menu
With A Menu
With A Menu
Locally Owned With A Chef Inspired Menu
Locally Owned With A Chef Inspired Menu
Locally Owned With A Chef Inspired Menu
Locally Owned With A Chef Inspired Menu
Locally Owned With A Chef Inspired Menu
Locally Owned With A Chef Inspired Menu
Millie’s offers fresh LOCAL seafood, meat and produce.
Millie’s offers fresh LOCAL seafood, meat and produce.
Millie’s offers fresh LOCAL seafood, meat and produce.
Millie’s offers fresh LOCAL seafood, meat and produce.
Millie’s south
3218 S. Atlantic Avenue
3218 S. Atlantic Ave, Daytona Beach Shores 386-275-1492
Millie’s offers fresh LOCAL seafood, meat and produce.
Millie’s offers fresh LOCAL seafood, meat and produce.
Daytona Beach Shores, FL 32118
Millie’s south
3218 S. Atlantic Avenue
Millie’s south
3218 S. Atlantic Avenue
386-275-1492
Daytona Beach Shores, FL 32118
3218 S. Atlantic Ave, Daytona Beach Shores
Millie’s North
3218 S. Atlantic Avenue
3218 S. Atlantic Ave, Daytona Beach Shores
Daytona Beach Shores, FL 32118
386-275-1492
Hours:
3218 S. Atlantic Avenue
386-275-1492
Daytona Beach Shores, FL 32118
3218 S. Atlantic Avenue
386-275-1492
Daytona Beach Shores, FL 32118
386-275-1492
330 S. Atlantic Ave, Ormond Beach 386-238-9756
386-275-1492
Hours:
Millie’s North
Daytona Beach Shores, FL 32118
Millie’s North
386-275-1492
Hours:
330 S. Atlantic Ave, Ormond Beach
Monday 11am-9pm • Tuesday closed Wednesday - Saturday 11am-9pm Sunday 9am-9pm
386-275-1492
Hours:
330 S. Atlantic Ave, Ormond Beach
Monday 11am-9pm • Tuesday closed
Monday 11am-9pm • Tuesday closed Wednesday - Saturday 11am-9pm Sunday 9am-9pm
386-238-9756
Monday: 11am - 9pm tuesday: Closed
Hours:
386-238-9756
Monday 11am-9pm • Tuesday closed
Hours:
Wednesday - sat: 11am - 9pm sunday: 8am - 9pm
Wednesday - Saturday 11am-9pm
Monday 11am-9pm • Tuesday closed
Wednesday - Saturday 11am-9pm Sunday 9am-9pm
Monday: 11am - 9pm tuesday: Closed
Monday 11am-9pm • Tuesday closed
Monday: 11am - 9pm tuesday: Closed
Sunday 9am-9pm
Wednesday - Saturday 11am-9pm Sunday 9am-9pm
Wednesday - Saturday 11am-9pm Sunday 9am-9pm
Wednesday - sat: 11am - 9pm sunday: 8am - 9pm
Wednesday - sat: 11am - 9pm sunday: 8am - 9pm
seafood , produce.
Under NEW Ownership by Cody Moore, Third Generation Fisherman
New Smyrna Outfitters specializes in offshore bait and tackle as well as inshore, flats, and fly fishing gear. Along with carrying all of the equipment you need, NSO offers services like rod/ reel repair, line spooling, splicing, rigging, outrigger setup, and much more. If you are not looking for fishing tackle, that’s ok, NSO also offers the best in apparel, eyewear, drinkware, and more. Some of the quality brands include but aren’t limited to Costa, Bajio, Olukai, Free Fly, Marshwear, Aftco, Anetik, Yeti, Stanley, Hemlock, Salty Crew. New Smyrna Outfitters strives to carry the best brands and offer the best customer service.
NSB Outfitters specializes in offshore bait and tackle, as well as inshore, flats, and fly fishing gear, with extensive options in apparel and accessories. New Smyrna Outfitters has the knowledge and experience to guide through whatever type of fishing you’re looking to do. SAME STREET, NEW LOCATION!
223a Canal St. | NewSmyrnaOutfitters.com (386) 402-8853
Mon-Sat 9am-6pm | Sunday Closed
EDGEWATER BACKCOUNTRY FORECAST
May is the first month when summer fishing patterns kick in—time again to start thoseserious pre-sunrise trips again to take advantage of the first light feeding period. Morebaitfish will be appearing in the ICW, including the Edgewater Backcountry andMosquito Lagoon: finger mullet, pigfish, croakers, spots, small menhaden and pilchards.
Early morning is topwater lure time, use smaller and quieter styles when conditions arecalm, try larger and louder lures on choppy water, walk the dog types or chugger heads. I like Skitter Walk, Super Spook Jr, Chug Bug, and Zara Puppy, look to work top waterstight to oyster bars, shorelines, shallow back bays, and flats. Fish the top waters early, then switch to sub surface lures after the sun is up a bit, like twitch baits, Mirrodine’s, spoons, soft plastic jerk baits, and DOA or Gulp shrimp. Finger mullet will again becoming into shallow water, fish them free-lined, tail hooked, around the shallow oysters, flats, and shorelines for redfish and trout. On deeper drop offs fish lip hooked mullet,mud minnows, or live shrimp with split shot or ¼ oz sinker. Tarpon and Bull Redfishreturn to the intracoastal waterway, backcountry and Lagoon waters, for Tarpon they willshow themselves on the surface by rolling and gulping air, as they roll, their dorsal finand tail break the top of the water, they are notoriously
picky so patience is a must, alive shrimp, silver dollar blue crab, live finger mullet, plastic swim baits or lures are goodto try, the Tarpon is a top challenge for fly fishers, with the sight casting chance at asilver king hookup.
Larger Redfish will again be along the ICW channel, watch for low-profile surfaceactivity, like big boils and surface strikes, as they eat drifting blue crabs or baitfish, afree-lined whole or half crab, large live shrimp, pinfish, pigfish, croaker, spots, give thebest chance of a pickup. Use heavier tackle for the big Reds and Tarpon for a
shorterfight and healthy release, hold these bigger fish horizontally for a photo not hanging from the lip which can damage these valuable breeder size fish, remember only Tarponunder 40”are legally allowed to be removed from the water so a photo with the fish inthe water is needed on smaller fish. Summer is the best time of year for night time dock light fishing, the lights attract bait fishand shrimp which in turn bring in the trout, jacks, ladyfish, snook, and redfish to name a few. A free-lined live shrimp can be the go-to bait or match the hatch of which type of bait you are seeing, try a small size lure, swim bait, jig, twitch bait, or soft plastic shrimp. Anchor just up tide and a cast out from the light, throw your bait up current from thecircle of light on the water and allow it to“swim”naturally through the target area. Outgoing tide can be best, but a moving tide in either direction is a must for a good bite.
The month of May brings warmer water, bait fish, reds, snook, trout and tarpon. Snook will be eating as much as they can to get ready for their spawn which begins in June. Tarpon will be following schools of bait fish up and down the river and when they enter the basin —the tarpon will sometimes venture upriver as far as 95. May is the start of fishing early morning before light. Using live bait attach to a popping cork with a three- or four-foot leader and open the bail and float it with the current. The trout and reds will be shallow early morning and my favorite bait is a top water lure. As the day gets warmer use a sub-surface lure or if you prefer live bait use shrimp, bait fish or crab on the bottom with a slip sinker.
871-8500
6thJune & 7th
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Sweetwater
Sea Pro
EZ-GO
SCARAB
HURRICANE
VERANDA
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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