BIG SNAPPER GO LIGHT FOR BACKWATERS FISHING ON A SUP
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fve things you should know about boat insurance
Are you ready to embark on your next on-water adventure? Before you set sail, here are fve things to know about boat insurance.
1. Boat insurance isn’t just for accidents
With comprehensive coverage, you’ll also be protected fnancially for theft, vandalism, and unexpected events like storms if you need repairs or replacements due to damage.
2. Accidents can happen to anyone
When accidents happen, boat insurance offers liability coverage for damages or injuries you cause while boating, up to specifed limits. It can also cover lawsuit costs if you’re sued.
3. Boat insurance can cover medical payments
Boat insurance offers a range of optional medical payments coverage limits, helping to cover medical expenses if you’re in an accident or someone is hurt on your boat, regardless of fault.
4. Most lenders require boat insurance
If you fnanced your boat, you’ll likely need boat insurance since most lenders require boat insurance to protect their investment. Additionally, some marinas or municipalities require proof of insurance for docking.
5. Progressive offers specialized boat coverages
Ever worry about getting stuck on the water?
Progressive’s Sign & Glide® On-Water Towing coverage** can help. It’s an additional coverage that steps in if your boat is disabled or breaks down on the water, paying for on-water towing, jump starts, soft ungroundings, and fuel delivery. Fuel cost isn’t included.
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A Quiet Revolution on the Water PADDLEBOARD FISHING THE BACKWATERS
By Skye Burkhardt
In recent years, paddleboard !shing has quietly emerged as one of the most immersive and rewarding ways to !sh, particularly in the backwaters where nature whispers and big !sh lurk in shallow, untouched waters. Combining the stealth of a kayak with the freedom and perspective of stand-up paddling, paddleboard !shing o ers a unique experience that connects anglers to their environment in a deeply personal way. You become part of the environment—just another element in a quiet, dynamic system. Every ripple matters, every shadow could be a !sh. It’s !shing stripped to its essentials: a board, a rod, and your wits.
WHY THE BACKWATERS?
Backwaters—those slow-moving or stagnant tributaries and tidal creeks separated from larger bodies of water—are havens for !sh and wildlife. ey’re o en shallow, weedy, and di cult to access with motorboats, making them ideal for paddleboards. ese secluded waterways harbor species like red!sh, snook, bass, tarpon, and trout, depending on your region. e calm water allows for sight !shing and careful stalking, while the surrounding vegetation provides natural structure and cover for !sh. For anglers seeking peace, solitude, and the thrill of spotting and targeting !sh in crystal-clear shallows, backwaters are unmatched.
THE PADDLEBOARD ADVANTAGE
Paddleboards o er several distinct advantages in the backwaters:
• Maneuverability: ey can access shallow and narrow areas where boats can’t go.
• Stealth: Paddleboards glide silently, allowing
you to approach !sh without disturbing them.
• Sight Fishing: Standing gives anglers a better vantage point to see !sh and structure below the surface.
• Portability: Easy to transport and launch, paddleboards can be carried to remote areas with little e ort.
• Minimal Impact: Paddleboards have a low environmental footprint, making them a great choice for conservation-minded anglers.
GEAR ESSENTIALS
Fishing from a paddleboard requires packing smart. Space is limited, so prioritize:
• Rod and Reel: A medium-action spinning setup is versatile for most species.
• Tackle Box: A compact, waterproof tackle box with your go-to lures, so plastics, hooks and leaders.
• Anchor or Stakeout Pole: To hold position in wind or current.
• Cooler: Dual-purpose for storage and seating.
• PFD (Personal Flotation Device): Required by law and essential for safety.
• Dry Bag: Keep your phone, wallet, and other valuables safe.
• Sun Protection: Hat, polarized sunglasses, and sunscreen are must-haves.
TIPS FOR SUCCESS
1. Practice Paddle Control: Master basic paddling and balance techniques before trying to !sh while standing.
2. Stay Organized: Use carabiners and bungee cords to keep gear secure and accessible.
3. Scout the Water: Stand and scan for tailing
!sh, bait activity, or subtle ripples.
4. Be Patient: Quietly dri or pole through likely spots, and avoid sudden movements.
5. Time Your Trip: Early morning and late evening o er cooler temps, calmer water, and more active !sh.
CONCLUSION
Paddleboard !shing in the backwaters is more than a hobby—it’s a return to simplicity and intimacy with nature. It’s a growing movement that emphasizes low-impact adventure, selfreliance, and a deep appreciation for wild, o en overlooked places. Whether you’re targeting snook in a mangrove tunnel, bass in a hidden freshwater creek, or red!sh on a mud at, the experience of !shing from a paddleboard is less about the catch and more about the connection— to the water, the !sh, and yourself. For anglers ready to trade noise and crowds for silence and solitude, the backwaters await.
If you’re interested in paddleboard !shing, but don’t have the equipment or gear, be sure to enter my “Ultimate Halloween Paddleboard Fishing Package” giveaway presented by Coastal Angler Magazine, where you could score a “Tricked Out” Live Watersports paddleboard equipped with an ePropulsion eLite electric motor, paddleboard !shing gear and accessories, apparel and more! Scan the code in the ad on the next page or visit coastalanglermag.com/CAM-giveaway for more details and to enter.
Find Skye Burkhardt on Facebook at “Inshore Adventures With Skye,” and on Instagram: @brassyangler87.
LITHIUM BATTERY POWER WINS BEST ENERGY AWARD AT ICAST 2025 FOR GAME-CHANGING POWERBOX SYSTEM
Lithium Battery Power (LBP), a leading innovator in advanced battery solutions, has taken top honors in the Energy category at the 2025 International Convention of Allied Sport!shing Trades (ICAST). e company’s groundbreaking Powerbox 2.5 kW / Solar Panel Lithium Battery Charging System was awarded the Best of Category: Energy, signaling a major leap forward in sustainable, high-performance energy technology for anglers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Held annually in Orlando, ICAST is recognized as the world’s largest sport!shing trade show and a hub for innovation within the industry. Each year, hundreds of new products are submitted for consideration across multiple categories, but only the most impressive make it to the winner’s circle. LBP’s Powerbox system stood out for its combination of portability, power, and green energy integration. e award-winning Powerbox 2.5 kW system delivers robust, reliable energy storage and output
in a compact, rugged form factor. It’s designed to meet the demanding needs of outdoor enthusiasts who rely on consistent power in o -grid environments. Integrated with a high-e ciency solar charging panel, the system ensures power sustainability even during extended trips, reducing the need for fuel-powered generators or frequent dock visits.
outages, hurricanes and critical jobsite power along with the heavy 12 volt demands in marine environments got their attention over all others in the Energy category.
“We are honored to receive this recognition at ICAST,” said Don Mitchell, Sales Director for Lithium Battery Power. “Our goal has always been to push the boundaries of battery technology while supporting eco-conscious outdoor recreation. e Powerbox system is a direct response to what today’s anglers need— power that lasts, in a package that’s smart, clean, and easy to use.”
e judges at ICAST praised the Powerbox for its innovative design, versatility, and emphasis on clean energy. Weekend power
is win marks a signi!cant milestone for Lithium Battery Power, reinforcing its position as a leader in the renewable energy sector within recreational vehicle and marine markets.
As the industry shi s toward more sustainable and e cient energy solutions, Lithium Battery Power’s win at ICAST 2025 signals that the future of on-the-water power is not just electric - it’s solar, smart, and built for adventure.
By Will Schmidt
GO LIGHT FOR BIG SNAPPER
If you have spent any time bottom !shing you know that occasionally on the heaviest of tackle you can outsmart a big snapper and end up with a solid !sh. Other days you can struggle to get even shorts. If you really want to up your game, it is time to lighten up.
When I say light, I mean straight 20 or 30lb mono and light wire 3/0 hooks. You may get broken o at times, but it is worth it for a box full of stud mangos and ARS. My go to big snapper setups is G Loomis IMX Pro Blues 843 casting rod with Shimano Trinadad TN20. is out!t is light, sensitive, and deadly on snapper. Some might like a bit lighter action rod but I have found that even with straight 20lb test you can really put a lot of pressure on these !sh and the backbone is nice to get them o the bottom as quickly as you can. A bit heaver is also nice when that grouper inevitably grabs the bait.
Here is a pro tip. One of the key elements for success to get big snapper, especially mangos, is the ability to react fast. Snapper get their name because they will o en quickly snap at a bait and then release it. With these sensitive rods and a gear ration of 6.2 to 1 you can pick up 46 inches of line in a single turn. A sensitive rod and a fast
reel means when you feel that tap, you can come tight instantly even in deep water. Remember you must use circle hooks so reeling vs setting the hook is the way to connect to these A fast reel might be the most important tool when snapper !shing.
My go to bait is a live pin!sh because, everything eats a pin!sh. I like having a livewell full of nice hand size pins. I do also use thread!ns both live and dead. read are great baits, but a good stout live 7 inch thread is remarkably strong and can be tough to get to the bottom as they swim o with your lead. at means dead threads can be easier to get to the strike zone. Cut the heads and tails o and make a thread “plug.” read “plugs” are awesome for snapper bait especially when live bait is not available. If hook ups are tough, I will double up my hooks, snelling 2 circle hooks close together and getting both hidden inside the plug to increase my hookup ratio. Regardless, I use 3 to 4 feet of mono leader then a swivel and a 3 ounce lead to hold the rig right on the bottom.
light and you will likely !nd the results are worth it.
Whether you really want to target big snapper or the bite is just really tough, try going
in the Keys Tuna Time Tuna Time
By A. deGruchy
Late summer in the Florida Keys means steady black!n tuna action. Look for them around o shore humps like Marathon and Islamorada, especially early in the morning, and over wrecks in 200 to 600 feet of water.
Troll small feathers, ballyhoo, or bonito strips when the !sh are feeding near the surface. If they’re holding deeper, vertical jigging is the way to go. Savage Gear jigs in the 100 to 200 gram range work great. Drop them straight down and work them quickly to trigger bites.
For gear, the new Penn Spin!sher VII combo in the 4500 to 6500 size is a solid choice. Spool it with 30 to 50 pound braid and 30 pound uoro. It’s a strong and smooth setup that handles tuna with ease.
Watch for bird activity like frigates and terns diving. at usually means tuna are pushing bait to the surface. And always !sh with respect. Don’t troll behind another boat or crowd or someone who is already on a school. Give space and enjoy the bite.
Black!n tuna grade is better than blue!n in my opinion; you can eat it raw, do poke bowls, sushi rolls or sear it with sesame seeds!
Be sure to follow deGruchy’s adventures on YouTube (Bean Sport shing TV) and @bean_sport shing on Instagram.
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Quiet Water, Violent Strikes: TEXAS STYLE SURF FISHING
By Capt. Michael Okruhlik
Chasing Giants on the Gulf Coast
When the end of summer is near and the tides align, there’s no place I’d rather be than Southwest Florida—with a rod in hand and visions of giant snook dancing in my head. !is year, my buddies and I made the pilgrimage with a simple mission: land a personal best. Big sh only. No compromises.
Hard Twitch Baits: Strike First, Strike Hard
If I had to pick just one, hard twitch baits take the top spot. !ere’s something about that sharp, erratic dart through the water that drives trout wild — and the strikes are violent. Like “wake-up-your-neighbors”, violent. Twitch it, pause it, twitch again — boom! Bonus: many of these lures rattle, which adds an extra layer of appeal in the slightly stained surf water.
Topwaters: The Surface Showdown
When I want a front-row seat to the chaos, I tie on a topwater. Watching a speckled trout explode on a surface lure in the calm surf is pure adrenaline. If it misses, keep working it. Trout in the surf are red up and aggressive — they’ll o en come back for seconds (or thirds). Like the twitch baits, these lures rattle too, which helps draw sh in from a distance.
Old School Silver Spoon: Timeless and Deadly
!e silver spoon has earned its place in Texas shing history, and for good
reason — it still at-out works. I prefer a steady retrieve style spoon for consistent action over a jigging one, but that’s just personal taste. And hey, I’m a paddle-tail guy at heart, so a steady retrieve comes naturally.
Soft Plastics: PaddleTails & Shrimp with a Twist
So plastics shine in the surf, but go for durability. !ese sh aren’t sitting around like they do in the bay — they’re moving, and fast. !e last thing you want is to waste time swapping lures er every catch.
I use paddle tails with built-in tail rattles and super-loud rattling shrimp. Yes, rattling shrimp exist — and when trout are keyed in on shrimp, nothing else will do. !e realism and noise can turn a slow day into a urry of action.
Live Bait: Sometimes, You Just Gotta Go Natural
Live shrimp under a rattling popping cork? !at’s trout candy. It’s simple, e ective, and deadly on calm days.
But if the bite gets nicky, break out the big guns: live croaker. Controversial? Sure. E ective? Absolutely. When the water’s crystal clear and the trout are being picky, croaker can be a day-saver.
Bonus Round: Redfsh in the Mix
Don’t be surprised if a slot red — or even an oversized bruiser — crashes the party. Every lure and bait on this list will get crushed by reds in the surf. Be ready. !e surf might be calm, but your drag won’t be.
Bring the Kids – And Leave the Southwest Wind Behind
Calm surf days are perfect for family shing. Easy wading, plenty of action, and good-sized sh make it a blast for kids and adults alike.
One nal tip: if there’s any southwest wind at all, do what the surfers do on at days — stay in bed. It’ll save you some frustration.
So check that forecast, grab your favorite rattling lure, and remember: always take a kid shing.
Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Knockin Tail Lures®, and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.
PHOTO COURTESY OF KNOCKIN TAIL LURES®
COASTAL ANGLER TREASURE COAST
Serving outdoors enthusiasts in Indian River, St. Lucie and Martin counties.
TREASURE COAST BONITO BLAST REELS IN BIG WIN FOR LOCAL VETERANS
The Wounded Veterans Relief Fund’s (WVRF) annual Treasure Coast Bonito Blast fishing tournament once again proved that a community’s commitment can overcome even less-thanperfect boating weather. Hosted at Pirates Cove Resort and Marina on Saturday, August 9th, the event brought together anglers, veterans, and supporters for a day of fishing, fellowship, and fundraising in support of local Florida veterans and their families.
Despite forecasts calling for challenging conditions, over 60 boats signed up and invited more than 70 veterans to fish in the tournament. By the end of the tournament, the event had raised over $72,000, which will go toward WVRF’s life-changing and life-saving veteran programs,
including urgent financial assistance (homelessness prevention) and critical dental care.
“This tournament is about more than just fishing—it’s about honoring our veterans, raising awareness, and ensuring they have the resources they need,” said Mike Durkee, US ARMY combat veteran and Executive Director of Wounded Veterans Relief Fund. “We are deeply grateful to everyone who made this day possible, especially our sponsors and in-kind donors who step up year after year.”
Top Sponsors: HMY Yachts, Stuart Marine Services, FloGrown, Doyle Insurance, and Pirates Cove Resort and Marina were recognized for their outstanding support in making the event a success.
The Treasure Coast Bonito Blast continues to be one of the largest fishing tournaments of its kind on the
Biggest Bonito: 14.77 lbs. – Boat #55 – Dorian Theophanis 1st Place KDW: Wahoo 22.44 lbs. – Boat #43 – Jay Cobb (HMY Team) 2nd Place KDW: Kingfish 20.75 lbs. – Boat #29 – Jack Lynch; 3rd Place KDW: Kingfish 16.70 lbs. – Boat #12 – Capt. Rocky (Safari 1)
Treasure Coast, uniting the fishing community and local businesses to make a tangible difference in the lives of Florida’s veterans. Together, we are making a difference.
To learn more about the tournament and the Wounded Veterans Relief Fund go to treasurecoastbonitoblast.com and www.wvrf.org.
Sea Tow is happy to extend it’s service to include tows from Nothern Bahamas, Green Turtle, West End Marsh Harbour, Hope Town and Grand Cay to the U.S.
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PHOTOS CREDIT: Leonard Bryant Photography.
COASTAL ANGLER TREASURE COAST
SEPT ’25
DAY TIME HEIGHT
1M 3:11 AM 2.15 H
9:34 AM 0.68 L
4:16 PM 2.23 H
10:11 PM 1.05 L
2TU 4:16 AM 2.16 H
10:35 AM 0.64 L
5:20 PM 2.3 H
11:11 PM 0.98 L
3W 5:22 AM 2.24 H
11:32 AM 0.54 L
6:17 PM 2.43 H
4TH 12:05 AM 0.85 L
6:22 AM 2.39 H
12:23 PM 0.42 L
7:08 PM 2.6 H
5F 12:52 AM 0.67 L
7:17 AM 2.57 H
1:10 PM 0.29 L
7:54 PM 2.76 H
6SA 1:36 AM 0.46 L
8:07 AM 2.77 H
1:55 PM 0.19 L
8:36 PM 2.9 H
7SU 2:19 AM 0.26 L
8:55 AM 2.95 H
2:40 PM 0.12 L
9:18 PM 2.99 H
8M 3:02 AM 0.08 L
9:42 AM 3.09 H
3:25 PM 0.12 L
10:00 PM 3.04 H
9TU 3:45 AM -0.05 L
10:29 AM 3.17 H
4:11 PM 0.16 L
10:43 PM 3.04 H
10W 4:31 AM -0.1 L
11:18 AM 3.17 H
4:58 PM 0.27 L
11:28 PM 2.98 H
11TH 5:19 AM -0.08 L
12:08 PM 3.11 H
5:49 PM 0.41 L
12F 12:16 AM 2.89 H
6:12 AM 0.02 L
1:02 PM 2.99 H
6:44 PM 0.58 L
13SA 1:09 AM 2.78 H
7:10 AM 0.16 L
2:02 PM 2.84 H
7:47 PM 0.74 L
14SU 2:09 AM 2.67 H
8:17 AM 0.3 L
3:08 PM 2.73 H
8:56 PM 0.84 L
15M 3:17 AM 2.59 H
9:28 AM 0.39 L
4:18 PM 2.68 H
10:07 PM 0.86 L
16TU 4:30 AM 2.58 H
10:38 AM 0.43 L
5:26 PM 2.7 H
11:14 PM 0.79 L
17W 5:40 AM 2.65 H
11:41 AM 0.41 L
6:26 PM 2.78 H
18TH 12:12 AM 0.68 L
6:41 AM 2.75 H
12:36 PM 0.39 L
7:18 PM 2.86 H
19F 1:03 AM 0.55 L
7:34 AM 2.86 H
1:25 PM 0.37 L
8:02 PM 2.92 H
20SA 1:48 AM 0.43 L
8:21 AM 2.95 H
2:09 PM 0.38 L
8:41 PM 2.95 H
21SU 2:28 AM 0.35 L
9:03 AM 3 H
2:49 PM 0.41 L
9:18 PM 2.94 H
22M 3:06 AM 0.31 L
9:41 AM 3.01 H
3:28 PM 0.47 L
9:52 PM 2.9 H
23TU 3:42 AM 0.32 L
10:18 AM 2.99 H
4:04 PM 0.56 L
10:25 PM 2.83 H
24W 4:17 AM 0.36 L
10:54 AM 2.92 H
4:40 PM 0.68 L
10:59 PM 2.75 H
25TH 4:52 AM 0.45 L
11:31 AM 2.83 H
5:16 PM 0.8 L
11:33 PM 2.65 H
26F 5:28 AM 0.55 L
12:09 PM 2.72 H
5:52 PM 0.93 L
27SA 12:10 AM 2.55 H
6:06 AM 0.67 L
12:51 PM 2.61 H
6:32 PM 1.06 L
28SU 12:50 AM 2.45 H
6:50 AM 0.78 L
1:39 PM 2.5 H
7:21 PM 1.17 L
29M 1:38 AM 2.37 H
7:43 AM 0.86 L
2:35 PM 2.44 H
8:22 PM 1.23 L
30TU 2:36 AM 2.33 H
8:48 AM 0.9 L
3:37 PM 2.44 H
9:31 PM 1.22 L
SEBASTIAN AREA INSHORE
Capt. Gus Brugger
Pattern Setter Charters (772) 360-6787 www.WelcomeToSebastian.com
Snook
season begins September 1st and snook can be caught from the beaches to the backwaters of the Sebastian area. Indian River Lagoon region rules apply, with one snook, overall length between 28 and 32 inches, allowed per angler per day until the December 15th season closure. While snook fishing is a major focus in September, snook are not the only gamefish available to Sebastian area anglers, especially this year, with the re-establishment of healthy grass beds in most of the shallow water flats of the lagoon in the Sebastian Area.
SEBASTIAN
RIVER – The tarpon and snook action in the Sebastian River will pick up significantly as the schools of finger mullet make their way into the estuary. Live finger mullet, D.O.A TerrorEyz and C.A.L. jigs, along with suspending and topwater plugs are excellent ways to target tarpon and snook throughout the Sebastian River system.
baitfish and predators alike, including the still recovering populations of sea trout and redfish. If a good bunch of trout and reds follow the mullet south from the more northern extremes of their range, I feel that the desirable habitat now available in the lagoon could hold them here. Good recruitment combined with a good spawn or two and the Indian River Lagoon, at least in my area, could again be the trout and redfish mecca it was until about a decade ago when algal blooms darkened the lagoons waters and deprived the rooted seagrasses of life-giving sunshine. Combine a revitalized trout and
INDIAN RIVER LAGOON – The arrival of schools of finger mullet to the Indian River lagoon will undoubtedly fire up the topwater bite especially over the once again vast grass flats of the Sebastian area. The grass beds are again providing shelter and food for
redfish population with the snook that have thrived in these same last 10 years, and we may see the best Indian River Lagoon fishing in a lifetime. Be patient, it may still be a year or two
SEBASTIAN (INLET)
TIME OFFSET
High Tide -48 min
Low Tide -24 min
HEIGHT OFFSET
High Tide .93 feet
Low Tide 1.0 foot
JENSEN BEACH (INDIAN RIVER)
TIME OFFSET
High Tide +2 hrs; 17 min
Low Tide +3 hrs; 4 min
HEIGHT OFFSET
High Tide .48 feet
Low Tide .92 feet
VERO (OCEAN)
TIME OFFSET
High Tide -55 min
Low Tide -35 min
HEIGHT OFFSET
High Tide 1.45 feet
Low Tide 1.36 feet
ST. LUCIE INLET TIME OFFSET High Tide +55 Low Tide +1 hr; 42 min HEIGHT OFFSET High Tide 1 foot
Low Tide .50 feet
FORT PIERCE
TIME OFFSET
High Tide -31 min
Low Tide -18 min
HEIGHT OFFSET
High Tide 1.14 feet
Low Tide 1.50 feet
JUPITER INLET
TIME OFFSET
High Tide -10 min
Low Tide -9 min
HEIGHT OFFSET
High Tide 1.08 feet
Low Tide 1.42 feet
Gus Brugger Jr. with a nice backwater snook on the fly.
PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Gus Brugger.
summer
on
Capt. Terry Wildey
Big Easy Fishing Charters (772) 538 - 1072 www.bigeasyfishingcharters.com captwildey@bellsouth.net
By September the tropics usually are heated up and stirring up our water pretty good. Assuming the waters are not too stirred up, the fishing should still be good. We should have some decent kingfish around bait pods in the 40-to-50foot range as well as the artificial reefs. For those of you new to the area that don’t have any spots in your GPS these are good places to start. There’s over a dozen of them in our area listed on the internet. These reefs hold bait (thread fins) as well as snapper, kingfish, cobia and barracuda. Always a fun place to take the kids for some rod bending action.
The 80- and 90-foot reefs should also produce a few big mangrove snapper providing you’re geared to crank them past the sharks. Looks like the shark problem is here to stay until our South Atlantic Fisheries Council does something to control
the imbalance in our fishery.
The water temps should be pushing over 85-degrees, so this should make for a picky almost lethargic bite. Light fluorocarbon leaders and a variety of live baits should help pick up the bite. I like fishing the smaller pieces on the bottom when it’s like this. Some of the little 2-to-4-foot pieces that only mark a little fuzz on. Spots that most people wouldn’t waste a drop on. This usually will produce some nice lanes, vermilions, and triggerfish. Pick your days and weather, even if we don’t get the storm, sometimes
we still get a big groundswell that will stir things up and shut down the bite. Take advantage of this time to do that boat maintenance that gets overlooked when you’ve spent all July and August on the water. September’s when I always go through all my safety gear. Life jackets, flairs, fire extinguishers. Do it all at once. This might save a life or at very least save you a $250 ticket. As always be courteous to your fellow anglers, you never know when you might need a tow lol. Take a kid fishing, He might return the favor when you get old. Fish on, gotta go!
away, catch and release, it’s more critical now than ever.
SEBASTIAN INLET – Schools of snook can be found throughout the inlet when the season opens September 1st. Live croakers, pigfish, shrimp and eventually finger mullet will all get the attention of snook and redfish at the inlet. The tips of the jetties are always good on outgoing tides, but the north and south shorelines west of A1A will also hold snook. Daytime snook fishing has historically required live bait for consistent success, but after dark bucktails, swimbaits and diving plugs will also do the trick. .
NEARSHORE ATLANTIC
– When weather conditions are favorable, the waters within two miles of the beach between Melbourne and Fort Pierce can be explosive in September. Tarpon, snook, Spanish mackerel, blues, cobia, tripletail, sharks, jacks, and flounder all follow the migrating mullet southward. Fish live mullet, large plugs, spoons, shad tailed jigs, and the like, from the beach or from a boat to take advantage of some of the best surf/nearshore fishing of the year. Tight lines!
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PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Terry Wildey.
Nice
kingfish
the Big Easy.
FISHING
FORECASTS
MARTIN COUNTY OFFSHORE
Capt. Scott Fawcett
Off the Chain Fishing Charters (772) 285-1055 offthechainfishing.com fishscottyf@bellsouth.net
Amoment of silence for my late best friend Capt Patrick Price “DayMaker” who passed 9/6/21. If you’ve been on the Treasure Coast for any length of time, I’m sure you knew him or at least heard his name. The only thing better off since his passing are the fish. I just wanted to take this moment to say “we miss you, Patrick and wish you were here still fishing alongside us.” We made it through another hot and steamy one, and September is the perfect month to clean up, fix and replace everything that broke the last few months.
First off, a trip to the store to re-up on all our cleaning supplies. Shurhold has you covered. From the extendable blue and yellow deck brushes that we’re all so familiar with, to soap, polish, wax and even newly designed shammies that absorb more water and leave the boat drier than anything else I’ve ever used.
There are still some dolphin, blackfin tuna and wahoo around, so I’m not saying don’t go fishing, it’s actually still pretty good but if you don’t get this stuff done in September and October, you’ll be stuck doing it when it really fires off later in the year. Take this time to go through the boat, wash and wax, make sure all your bilge pumps and float switches work. Check to make sure your live wells are not making noise, fresh and saltwater pumps working along with pressure switches, replace any lights that may have burned out, speakers that may have blown.
Go through all your safety equipment with the main ones being life vests, fire extinguisher, handheld VHF, flares, and EPIRB. It’s good habit to have a ditch bag ready to go with the above basics along with some water, peanut butter or some type of protein and a flashlight. Whether
you’re doing a long trip or just a daily outing being prepared like that can make the difference.
Historically, we would be taking the kites off the boat and switching over to trolling as the fall approaches but in the last few years there’s been some really good live baiting days in September, so we’ve been keeping it all on board and we’re ready for anything. I would recommend the same for you. I am excited to get the OTC dredges back in the water and see what kind of footage and ideas we can come up with this season, but I think that’s going to have to wait until November around here. This time of
year, off the Treasure Coast whether you’re trolling or live baiting, I would recommend a little bit more wire in the spread than normal. Wahoo are little more common now, along with some big king mackerel, so it’s worth sacrificing a few bites to catch the ones you actually have.
Whatever style of fishing you decide to do this month I hope it’s great, and I hope your next fishing adventure is Off The Chain! Please give me a call with any questions or if you would like to reserve one of our boats for a day. Thanks!
Ten-year-old Jack put the whipping on this almost 200 lb. sandbar shark last month aboard Off the Chain.
PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Scott Fawcett.
Capt. Jonathan Earhart
Chaos Fishing Charters
(772) 341 – 2274
www.chaosfishingcharters.com
jon@chaosfishingcharters.com
The fall mullet run has begun on the Treasure Coast! I love fishing this time of year as the mullet migration invades our local waterways, bait is plentiful, and the predators are abundant. This is the time of year when I won’t leave the dock unless I have a cast net on the boat. Mullet is easily accessible if you can throw circles with the net. Typically, I suggest using a 3/8-inch mesh. This is a good general use size
MARTIN COUNTY DEEP SEA
Capt. Rocky Carbia
Safari I Deep Sea Fishing
Pirates Cove Resort and Marina 4307 SE Bayview St. Port Salerno Reservations: (772) 334-4411 www.safari1deepseafishing.com
Weather is one of the key components that influences all fishing strategies. Historically, in September, the weather focus will be on the tropical development of storms that could affect the Florida peninsula and its near coastal waters. The September summer will slowly and subtly transition
for varying mullet sizes this month.
Snook fishing early mornings with top waters is also a good choice if the cast net is not an option. Fishing around the structure can produce some epic bites on the surface from said topwaters like Rapala Skitter Walks and MirrOllure Top Dogs. Expect some big jacks, redfish, trout, and the occasional tarpon mixed in when topwater fishing.
Tarpon fishing has been good around channel edges fishing live mullet on the drop offs. Big circle hooks, heavy leaders, and large Quantum Cabo spinning reels recommended if you want to see the larger silver kings boatside.
Beach fishing is a good alternative if you don’t have a boat available this month. Drive the beaches by car until you find the schools of mullet nearshore. Scouting with binoculars from the sand dunes is an easy way to
to fall and provide the potential for tropical low-pressure systems to peak this month—and could have many possible impacts for offshore fishing interests. Barring any weather systems of this nature, offshore fishing can be business as usual as favorable weather windows allow fishing crews to fish the many reef structures east of the St. Lucie Inlet. Reefs and wrecks that form the bottom contour of our fishing zone are the foundation for saltwater ecosystems and will set the food chain in action as larger fish are attracted to the smaller fish and creatures that magically associate themselves with these structures. Many species of fish, including snapper and grouper, will be found around the base of these reef sites and can also
locate said schools when leapfrogging from beach-to-beach scouting for said mullet schools. Fish lures or live mullet around the schooling mullet off the beach for a variety of species
patrol to the higher profiles along the reef line and “suspend” atop of a particular reef, at mid-level depths in the water column. Live and dead bait strategies will work in tandem as anglers deploy their spreads at different depths. Always crucial is bait deployment to make sure the baits are deployed near or around the top of these reef structures. Fishing
like tarpon, snook, ladyfish, jacks, and sharks. If the bite is on, you’ll see schools of mullet showering out of the water. Lets go!! Tight lines!
around structure is the common thread that runs through all types of successful fishing strategies.
Vermilion snapper will likely be found in good numbers this month and will best be caught using cut bait (especially squid). Mangrove, lane, and mutton snapper will also avail themselves to salty grocery collectors during the days of September.
Mutton snapper will avail themselves this September, like this pair of trophy fish caught by Bryan Williams aboard the Safari 1
PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Jonathan Earhart.
Tony with a large snook caught on a medium live mullet on a knocker rig with a 6/0 BKK circle hook.
FISHING
FORECASTS
ST. LUCIE COUNTY OFFSHORE
Capt. Bo Samuel
Pullin Drag Charters (772) 971-6661
facebook.com/Pullin-Drag-Charters catainbofishing@gmail.com
When it’s September, the main show in town is SNOOK!
The highly prized snook, known for its distinctive black lateral line that extends to the tail, and sometimes called “linesiders” for this very reason, provide a superior fight and truly excellent dinner. Area anglers count down the days until they can put snook back on their family menu. September 1 through December 14 is the second open season of the year for these very popular trophy fish, and our beautiful Fort Pierce Inlet is a top fishing destination.
My favorite live bait for snook is mullet, threadfins, pilchards, and select shrimp but they are aggressive enough for artificials as well. We
keep the drag tight, so these smart and elusive sportfish have a harder chance to break the line on nearby structure. The slot limit for snook is not less than 28 inches and not more than 32 inches but over-slots and under-slots are frequently caught. When that happens, it’s important to practice good catch-and-release techniques and minimize exposure to air to maintain the long-term health of our snook fishery. August showed a pretty good king mackerel bite, and it should
continue in September. Smoker kings are prized for their serious fight and are a great trophy fish.
ST. LUCIE COUNTY INSHORE
Capt. Adam White
St. Lucie Flats Fishing Charters (609) 820-6257 www.stlucieflatsfishing.com
It’s almost mullet time! We should start seeing some early pushes throughout this month depending on the weather. September is a great month on the Treasure Coast. The early mornings will be slightly cooler, the days start getting noticeably shorter, and we start the transition into fall patterns. Snook, redfish, trout, and tarpon will be abusing the mullet as they filter their way through the area over the next few months.
September 1 is the opener for the fall season for snook on the Treasure Coast. For many anglers this is their number one sought after fish. My favorite way to fish for snook is with topwater lures just before or right at grey light through the fall. Yo-Zuri hydro pencils, MirrOlure top dogs, and Rapala Skitter Walks are my three go-to topwaters when fishing for snook. Focusing on areas that are 1.5 to 2.5 feet of
I recommend live pilchards, threadfins, or sardines on a slow troll around bait pods and out to about 100 feet. While targeting kingfish, be sure to stay prepared for mahi and sailfish opportunities. Cobia are frequently part of the mix and a catch will really make the day rewarding so keep that pitch rod on board and your gaff handy. Summer may be winding down, but our Treasure Coast fishing remains hot! Call to get on our snook charter schedule for your own linesider adventure. And hang with the locals at my homebase, the historic Little Jim Bait & Tackle, a waterfront restaurant where the bait shop, music, food, and staff are fantastic. Let us make your next custom fishing trip one amazing memory-maker. Happy Labor Day, wave the flag, and never stop Pullin Drag!
water that have grass, potholes, lots of pinfish and mullet are always my starting points. What makes snook so desirable is whether you wade fish, walk the beach, fish the jetties, kayak, fish the bridges, or get out on the boat, these extremely hard fighting inshore fish are available to everyone.
This year the grass has made a strong comeback just like 2024. As a direct result the trout fishing has gotten very good. It is hard not to sniff out where the trout are holding while working 2-to-4 feet of water with D.O.A. C.A.L.s or MirrOdines. A lot of historic areas have been holding fish—Hermans Bay or Big Mud flats to the south and Queens Cove or Big Starvation to the north with several fish in between. If you’re not getting the tails bitten off your plastics by pinfish, you need to move on and look for more fertile stretches of grass.
The winter winds will be knocking at our door in the blink of an eye. The next several months are some the best inshore fishing that the Indian River along the Treasure Coast has to offer. Make it a point to get out and stretch the line.
Bo Lewis caught a hefty cobia on a recent trip.
PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Bo Samuel.
PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Adam White.
Matt with a nice mullet muncher just off the beach.
ST. LUCIE COUNTY DEEP SEA
Capt. Scotty Gold
Miss Fort Pierce Fishing (772) 766-0191 www.fortpiercefishing.com
Aswe close out August, bottom fishing has been a disappointment. With all the cold water we’ve had on the bottom since the end of March we did not see the numbers in the migration of the mangrove and mutton snapper. Now that the temperatures have warmed up, we’re starting to see a little bit of movement.
September could be very good fishing but challenging with the weather. Continue to fish traditional areas, the bottom for the mutton and mango snappers, adding on the rough bottom for the mangroves and the sand adjacent to structure for the muttons. Fish with 30- or 40-pound test leaders this time of year. Live bait that can be netted around piers and structures in the inlet can be a ticket to success. Grunt plugs, sardines and cigars work great too.
You will also see a lot of bonito moving through this time of the year. Always make sure you have a light
spinning rod with 20-pound test rigged up and ready to go. Throw a chunk on and pitch right out in front of the fish. Use it to add tastier fish to the catch.
This time of year, please take special caution with the weather. Even though the ocean is flat, we still have long ground swells from offshore storms that play havoc at the inlet. Safety is always key
The Miss Fort Pierce will be going into the boat yard around September 15. There are a lot of new additions and changes coming to the boat this fall at the yard. We’re allowing eight weeks, but I believe it will take us around six.
If you would like to join us for one of our upcoming trips or a
private charter aboard the Miss Fort Pierce,
PHOTOS CREDIT: Miss Fort Pierce Fishing.
We often think about a legacy as something we bequest, or an inheritance. But there is also a broader environmental/ecological connotation. There was a time in many cultures that leaving a valuable legacy for future generations was the highest aim of conservative economic thinking. Planning for the future requires a certain amount of regulation and impulse control. We now live in the Anthropocene. Mankind has made its indelible mark on earth’s air, water and land, a different kind of legacy.
Approximately 300 million years ago photosynthesizing organisms (autotrophs) and the organisms that consumed them died, and with time and pressure became the petroleum we used to industrialize the world. It is the energy from ancient sunlight and complex molecules that we catabolize in order to power our highly industrialized resource leveraged lifestyles. The consequence of this is ever-increasing emissions of CO2 and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and sea. Renewable energy doesn’t rely on 300-millionyear-old sunlight or the breakdown of complex molecules. We must wisely choose better technologies as we become aware of their consequences to give our future selves the best chance possible.
LEGACY
By Jim Moir, Indian Riverkeeper Executive Director
Carbon has several isotopes, carbon-14 has a very specific radioactive decay rate, created when nitrogen-14 interacts with solar radiation. Knowing the ratio of carbon-12 (about 99% of all carbon) to carbon-14 one can accurately determine the age of organic materials, up until the mid 1950s. In the 1950s people started testing large nuclear bombs, and that threw the C-12:C-14
ratio off enough to make carbon dating things younger than 75 years old no longer accurate. An un-intended consequence of the nuclear age. But you can use isotopic ratios to discover how much of a living organism is composed of petroleum products. Products like synthetic fertilizer or plastics. A terrifying larger percentage each year, and a tragic legacy of the chemical revolution.
Regulation patience and self-control have been hallmarks for good resource management and legacy planning. Take limits were imposed on some species soon after we learned we could extirpate them otherwise. National parks were created to provide an experience of the wilderness to an ever-urbanized world. Toxic substances were regulated to preserve public health. The Clean Air and Water Acts gave the EPA authority to make regulations on emissions. Marine protected areas (MPAs) were created to protect habitat and to allow the spillover effect to restore stocks. The basic tenets of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation Act is the precautionary principle that seeks to prevent degradation of resources and facilitate restoration. These were all positive steps toward reversing shifting baselines and protecting natural resources.
Recently there has been a move toward lessening conservation regulations and pollution prohibitions. There is also a concerted effort to remove market restrictions on natural resource protections. These deregulatory efforts may be profitable for a few in the short term, but this shift in political policy will certainly endanger future generations of many species including us. Legacy building often requires deferring immediate gratification in favor of some sacrifice and being more accountable. We must respect the wild and understand that bigger buffers are better.
To learn more about the benefits of supporting Indian Riverkeeper, email Exec. Director Jim Moir at IndianRiverKeeperFL@gmail.com or call (772) 341-4953.
SOURCE: Save Our Seas.
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MISSOURI ANGLER REELS IN MASSIVE 86.8-POUND BLUE CAT
An angler from the Midwest recently had a !shing experience to remember along the banks of the Missouri River near St. Louis.
Wally Klein hooked an enormous 86.8-pound blue cat!sh—an incredible catch that tested both his !shing technique and physical strength.
Using gizzard shad as bait and a standard rod-and-reel setup, Klein fought the powerful !sh before !nally bringing it ashore near Washington, Missouri, according to the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC).
A er snapping a quick photo to commemorate his achievement, Klein released the massive cat!sh back into the river unharmed.
Klein told MDC o cials it was the largest !sh he’s ever caught. e department congratulated him on the impressive feat, saying, “Congrats on this impressive !sh.”
e Missouri River is a well-known destination for trophy cat!sh, particularly blue cat!sh, which are prized for their size and their spirited !ghts—making them a favorite and true challenge among seasoned anglers.
Klein’s cat!sh was a monster, but it didn’t quite break the state record — which was also set in the Missouri River. Back in 2010, Greg Bernal landed a 130-pound blue cat!sh, a catch that was a world record at the time.
Want to learn more about cat shing Missouri’s big rivers?
Visit: https://mdc.mo.gov/ shing/species/cat sh/big-river-cat shing.
SNOOK FISHING WITH ARTIFICIAL SHRIMP
Capt. Mike Smith
The common snook, a.k.a. linesider, a.k.a. robalo, is one of the most sought a er game!sh in Florida waters. Sportsmen and women from all over the world come to Florida to catch these hard !ghting, jumping, head shaking, drag pulling !sh.
Snook will de!nitely eat top water lures, jigs, jerkbaits, wake baits, suspending hard baits, spoons, and ies but they love arti!cial shrimp.
Arti!cial shrimp will catch snook all year long; day or night; salt or fresh water; in every ecosystem, anywhere that snook live.
One of the best ways to catch snook with arti!cial shrimp is skipping them under and around structures like mangrove branches, docks, sea walls, sand bars and oyster bars. Pitch the shrimp to the structure and let it sink. en give it a twitch, twitch and let it sink again, then twitch, twitch and repeat the process until your arms get tired of reeling in linesiders..
Snook like a slower retrieve in the cooler months. Make sure to slow it down when the water temperatures approach the 70 degree level or less. A faster retrieve works better when water temperatures are between 75 and 85 degrees. Snook o en stop biting when water temperatures get above 90 degrees.
Another great characteristic of the arti!cial shrimp is that it skips like a dream. e 3 inch shrimp is the go to arti!cial shrimp lure for most hardcore snook !shermen. However, there are days when the snook are more discerning and a 2.75 inch or a larger 4 inch shrimp is the better size and pro!le choice.
e best color choices for shrimp lures are transparent, natural colors with gold or silver glitter in them for sunny days and clear water scenarios. More opaque and darker colors work better in dirty water and on cloudy days.
Many !shermen struggle when !shing arti!cial lures into tight cover scenarios. Sometimes, it takes about 50 casts and the loss of a half dozen shrimp lures to perfect the technique. But it is de!nitely a skill that any serious snook !sherman needs to master.
Capt. Mike Smith, owner of Fish Your Ass O Charters, is an inshore shing guide who has been shing the inshore waters, oyster bars and grass ats of Florida for more than 40 years. Reach him at (561) 339-2317, email: contact@ shyourasso .com or visit shyourasso .com.
Unlocking Fall Panfish Patterns
Whether for sport or for the table, pan!sh—especially slab crappies and hand-sized bull bluegills—are a favorite target among anglers. And when the air cools and leaves start to fall, pan!sh !shing heats up. Autumn can be one of the best times to catch these !sh, but it comes with a unique set of challenges. Changing vegetation, dropping water temperatures, lake turnover, and bait!sh migrations can make !nding pan!sh feel like solving a seasonal puzzle.
Fortunately, by learning to read these fall cues you’ll consistently !nd success on the water.
As lake temperatures cool and turnover occurs, bait!sh begin shi ing toward shallower cover where they can !nd safety and warmth. is movement sets o a chain reaction. Pan!sh follow the food, o en stacking up around cover like submerged wood or rocky structure. ese areas become prime real estate for fall !shing.
Weather plays a major role, too. On cold, blustery fall days, pan!sh o en slide deeper, becoming more predictable and easier to !nd with electronics. Deep basin areas in 20 to 25 feet of water can light up with schools of crappies—and sometimes bluegills—suspended and ready to bite. ese deeper !sh are o en aggressive, making for a rewarding but ethically sensitive bite. When !shing at those depths, barotrauma becomes a real issue. Released !sh o en don’t survive, even if they swim o , so it’s important to harvest what you catch, regardless of size.
On the ip side, when the weather is mild and
the sun is out, pan!sh can be found shallower, relating to weedlines, cribs, and brush piles. Healthy, vertical weeds are a magnet for fall pan!sh and can hold !sh all the way into !rst ice. In fact, some of the best fall bluegill bites happen in just !ve to eight feet of water, especially in lakes where dense, green weedbeds persist.
Lake size also in uences fall behavior. On smaller lakes—200 acres or less—dropping water temps and decaying weeds tend to concentrate !sh even more. As long as green weeds remain, pan!sh will hold tight to them. But as those weeds die o , the !sh begin to push toward deeper structure or out into the basins in preparation for winter.
Crappies in particular become more predictable in the fall, o en schooling up tighter and acting more aggressively than during other seasons. ey’re easier to pattern as they transition from summer haunts to winter basins, o en stopping along the way at deep weedlines or submerged timber. In lakes with ample wood or crib structure, these can be hotspots that hold large schools well into late fall.
Bluegills, while more opportunistic and scattered, still relate strongly to weed edges and shallow cover when the conditions are right. eir adaptability means they can be caught both shallow and deep, but they may take more searching to !nd than their crappie counterparts.
Despite the variables, the recipe for fall pan!sh
success remains relatively consistent: follow the forage, !nd healthy weeds or cover, and adjust based on the weather. Whether you’re chasing aggressive schools of crappies in deep water or hunting bluegills in shallow weed patches, fall o ers a window of opportunity that savvy anglers won’t want to miss.
THE UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS: Naturally in Rhythm—No
Nestled in the heart of the Caribbean, the US Virgin Islands embody a harmonious blend of natural beauty, cultural vibrancy, and laid-back serenity. ese islands are more than just a picturesque getaway; they are a living testament to nature’s rhythm and resilience, e ortlessly in tune with the world around them.
With no passport required for U.S. citizens, from the moment you arrive, the islands’ natural rhythm is palpable. e gentle sway of palm trees, the soothing sound of surf crashing against sandy shores, and the vibrant melodies of local music all echo the heartbeat of this tropical paradise. e islands’ lush landscapes, with their verdant hills and crystal-clear waters, mirror the steady pulse of life that sustains the local ecosystems and communities alike.
e US Virgin Islands’ environment is a symphony of biodiversity with world class !shing and diving. ese natural elements are not static; they dance in harmony, in uenced by the tides, wind, and seasonal changes— further emphasizing the islands’ intrinsic rhythm. is delicate balance underscores the importance of conservation e orts, ensuring that future generations continue to
experience the islands’ natural cadence.
Culturally, the US Virgin Islands are equally in tune. e music, dance and festivals re ect a vibrant heritage rooted in African, European and Caribbean traditions. e spirited calypso beats and reggae rhythms are expressions of life's ongoing dance—celebrating resilience, community and joy. ese cultural expressions are an extension of the islands’ natural rhythm, showcasing how human life here moves seamlessly
with nature’s ow.
In a world o en dictated by chaos and rapid change, the US Virgin Islands serve as a reminder of the beauty of being in sync with nature’s tempo. eir natural, cultural and ecological rhythms o er a blueprint for sustainable living and harmony. As travelers and residents alike continue to embrace this rhythm, they uphold a legacy of balance—one that celebrates life’s natural ow and the enduring spirit of these remarkable islands. In the US Virgin Islands, being in rhythm isn’t just an ideal; it’s a way of life.
Learn more at www.VisitUSVI.com.
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CHANGE IS ON THE WAY
Tim Barefoot
September is a peculiar month. Some of the hottest days of the year, hurricane season is in full swing and the !rst northeast winds and cold fronts are about to occur. is is the time of year when wahoo and yellow!n can be caught right up against the beach on big schools of cigar minnows and sardines, or out in the deeper water. ere is no rhyme or reason to it this time of year; these !sh simply follow the bait schools
is is also the time of year when scamp grouper are very vulnerable. If you have the ability to keep a pin!sh trap in the water, it’s a good idea to take live pin!sh with you o shore for a number of reasons. One, pin!sh are very hearty and will live until the end of the day in the live well. Two, they are very sought a er by scamps because scamps view them as egg eaters and will kill them (eat them) so they don’t eat their eggs. And three, they are readily available at all !sh cleaning stations, at most marinas. Yes, I strongly suggest taking two or three boxes of frozen cigar minnows for bait, but live pin!sh are a ringer for scamps and other grouper/ snapper species in the deeper water.
with a cigar minnow. Proof is in the pudding...and here’s your proof. I’ve always said if you !nd the bait you !nd the !sh, and if you !nd big marks of bait (cigs, sardines, tinks, beeliners etc…) you’ll !nd the !sh. It’s always a good thing to have a “spotlight trolling motor” option to be able to sit on the bait or at least slow your dri in currents, but !sh under the bait on or near the bottom for grouper and snappers and keep the light line out for all the pelagics.
Designate one person in the crew to keep multiple light-line baits tended. Do not let this person get complacent and start bottom !shing. e same person should stay focused on the baits and working the Sabiki for whatever bait is below the boat. I’ve always said “Don’t walk in a Chinese restaurant and order a pizza,” meaning whatever is there is what they’re eating! A couple obvious execptions to this is pin!sh on the bottom and greenies/sardines; these baits are universal. We can’t keep gag grouper this time of year or American red snapper, but you can de!nitely !ll the box with other species.
September is when you will see all the tropical species in places you don’t normally see them. All the tropical snappers are everywhere now. Frozen cigar minnows on the Squid Decoy Jig are a wonderful option, but live cigs and sardines are a “whole nother story.” As shown in the photo, the all-time IGFA world record scamp was caught on the 12 ounce
Be ready for that big bite on the light line by choosing your tackle wisely as well. Yes, you need to keep the leader ( oro and wire) size small to get the bites, but use the correct size hooks, reel and line capacity to handle bigger !sh. Like I mentioned earlier, this is the time of year when wahoo are everywhere...and nowhere. You could catch a giant wahoo or tuna inshore, or in the deep water, just be prepared for it and be ready to chase it down if need be. e kite is always a great option if you have the team that can y the kite and bottom !sh simultaneously as it can be a challenge with wind speed, direction and current.
Learn more from Tim Barefoot on his YouTube channel and at barefootcatsandtackle.com.
