Coastal Angler Magazine | February 2019 | Columbia

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COLUMBIA/MIDLANDS EDITION

Bass Bed

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World Record

Cutthroat Lonestar Lunkers PHOTO COURTESY OF BRETT CANNON

VOLUME 23 • ISSUE 288

F R A N C H I S E

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THEANGLERMAG.COM O P P O R T U N I T I E S

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LIFE ON THE COAST IS BETTER WHEN YOU STAY CENTERED.

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For: Coastal Angler

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FROM SHIP TO SHORE

All trademarks mentioned are owned by, or licensed to, the AkzoNobel group of companies. © AkzoNobel 2018.

© 2 0 1 9 H AVA LO N K N I V E S

AND EVERYWHERE IN BETWEEN.

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Tampa Bay, A Jewel On

Florida’s Gulf Coast

By Rosemary J. White

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ampa Bay has some of the very best fishing in the state of Florida, which means it is some of the best fishing in the world.

What makes Tampa Bay so unique is the many different varieties of both freshwater and saltwater fish to catch, as well as the many different ways to catch them.

If you are not a boat person, Tampa offers the world’s longest fishing pier, the Old Sunshine Skyway Bridge. Here you can catch snook, tarpon, grouper, black sea bass, Spanish mackerel, king mackerel, cobia, sheepshead, red snapper and pompano. That’s 10 species of highly desirable fish from just one location, without a boat! And if that list alone is not impressive enough, fishing the bridge is convenient, too. You’ll need some specialized gear, but once

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you’ve got it you can drive right onto the pier to your exact sweet spot and unload. It’s also lit at night! There’s no limit as to what time of the day you can fish.

Feel like delving into the ocean world a little deeper than a concrete bridge? Tampa Bay boasts the stunning Fort Desoto County Park. Here you can simply slip on a pair of old sneakers and wade into cerulean blue waters and lush seagrass beds. Sound surreal? It is. Wading is a stealthy approach to fishing. In addition to species from the list above, you can also catch redfish, trout and flounder.

Looking to fish the deeper waters of the bay? About 45 miles out, the water depths start to reach the 80-foot range. Out here, the possibilities are endless. Varieties of grouper, assortments of snapper, arrays of sharks, blackfin tuna, sailfish, mahi, amberjack, jack crevalle, permit and bonita can be added to the previously mentioned lists of available species.

What if you tend to lean more toward the fresh side? Tampa Bay has some of the most diverse freshwater fishing opportunities one can imagine. Use a kayak to quietly glide through the tannic waters of our creeks to catch largemouth bass that grow upwards of 10 pounds. The creeks also hold massive bluegills, crappie, toothy alligator gar, tilapia, catfish and carp. The secret to what makes our freshwater fishing so thrilling is that you never know what you are going to catch. You see, many of our saltwater species inhabit our freshwater, as well. It is not only possible, but it is common to catch a big largemouth and then five minutes later a 15-pound common snook.

Tampa Bay offers a temperate climate, direct access to the Gulf of Mexico, artificial reefs, a unique slowly sloping continental shelf, and an abundance of freshwater feeds. From grass flats and mangrove systems in our inshore ecological system, to the deeper channels throughout the bay and Intracoastal Waterway, anglers have the opportunity to catch anything from sharks to Goliath grouper. The potential for the catch of a lifetime exists on every cast.

*At Ma sal inc

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*At participating dealers only. Qualifying retail customers may receive instant savings off the selling price of a Honda powered boat package or Honda Marine engine(s) sold for repower. This promotion is limited to new Honda Marine 40 HP through 250 HP outboard engines, 2014 and newer models, sold and delivered between January 3, 2019 and June 3, 2019 and registered by the Dealer in accordance with American Honda Motor Co., Inc.’s sales registration requirements. Only Honda Marine outboard engines sold for personal use qualify for this promotion. Fleet, commercial & government sales are ineligible. Engines sold under special pricing / promotions including (but not limited to) demo and tournament fisherman engines are also excluded. Honda Marine reserves the right to modify, amend, cancel or revoke, in whole or in part, this promotion at any time without prior notice. © 2019 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Always wear a COASTALANGLERMAG.COM personal flotation device while boating and read• your owner’s manual. All Honda outboards meet EPA and CARB emissionIlevels.

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NauticStar Introduces

SEE IT AT THE MIAMI INTL BOAT SHOW BOOTH A237 The 251 Hybrid offers a fresh new look and a new 25-foot model to NauticStar’s very successful hybrid lineup. This unique multipurpose vessel offers the perfect size and features for a family friendly pleasure boat and a tournament ready fishing platform.

NauticStar has also moved into the 30-foot plus category with its

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newest member of the family: the 32 XS Offshore. This outstanding saltwater performer delivers all the necessary fishing features for the serious angler with a smooth, dry, comfortable ride with cutting edge styling and comfort features never before seen in a boat of this style and size.

With its 10’ 6” beam, the 32 XS Offshore offers a spacious and comfortable bow that features large forward lounge seating with arm rests and plush wrap-around bow seats. The head console has a fully lined interior with a sink, SeaDek floor and electric flush toilet. It has a spacious and ergonomic helm to allow for dual 12-inch or 16inch multifunction displays. The leaning post features ergonomically correct Llebrock double billfish seats with flip-up bolsters and pivot arms. It has a sink, tackle storage, and a slide-out, 35-quart YETI cooler. The D-channel, integrated T-top can be fitted with a variety of options such as a retractable shade and fold-down cockpit television.

Aft, the jump seats flip-up for a spacious fishing deck with sizable, infloor fish boxes and large port side dive door.

“Engineered for exceptional reliability and performance, the new 32 XS Offshore carries forward NauticStar’s 100-percent wood-free construction and one-piece foam filled fiberglass stringer system,” said Ryan Witt, director of engineering. “Additionally, we’ve added some great new design features such as sculpted hull sides, a sideentry cockpit door, and large insulated in-floor fish boxes. The 32 XS Offshore also features cutting edge technologies with NaviOP digital vessel control system and Klipsch custom-tuned audio system.”

“I am very proud of the team and all they have accomplished over the past year,” Schiek added. “These new models are truly exciting and we look forward to introducing many great new models in the future.”

The 251 Hybrid and 32 XS Offshore will be on display in Miami at booth A237 and available for test rides in the Yamaha in-water display.

For more information on each of NauticStar’s new model introductions, please visit: 195 Bay - https://nauticstarboats. com/boats/nauticbay-boats/195-nauticbay/ 251 Hybrid - https:// nauticstarboats.com/boats/hybrids/251-hybrid/

TI EES EHT TA LTNI IMAIM WOHS TAOB 732A HTOOB

auticStar Boats, a subsidiary of MasterCraft Boat Holdings, Inc., has been reinvesting in the business at an accelerated pace, specifically, modernizing the plant and developing leading edge new products. The Company launched the new 195 Bay Boat in August, followed by the 251 Hybrid in September and will debut its largest offshore model yet, the 32 XS Offshore, at the Miami International Boat Show.

“To say we have been busy at NauticStar is an understatement,” NauticStar President Tim Schiek said in a statement. “We have assembled a strong team of marine experts focused on delivering the highest quality and best performing boats in their segment. This is not only driving continuous improvement in our boat building processes, but throughout the entire organization. We have also implemented a more disciplined product development process that is delivering more new products, at a faster cadence, with increased consumer insights and innovation that ultimately will deliver the best boating experience for our consumers at a reasonable price.”

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

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With its sleek lines and stylish contours, the new 251 Hybrid offers a fresh new look and a 25 foot addition to the NauticStar Hybrid lineup.

This unique multi-purpose vessel offers the perfect size and features for a family friendly pleasure boat and a tournament ready fishing platform. If you need a serious fishing machine for yourself or a boat with enough room for a large crowd, the 251 Hybrid is the boat for you!

Check out all the incredible features of the 251 on our website and design the boat of your dreams.

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By Tom Schlichter

Winter Bulldogs Out Of Ocean City, Maryland

By Tom Schlichter

Ron McClelland caught this 24-pound blackfish aboard the Fish Bound out of Ocean City, Md. in April of 2018. Mate Kevin Twilley helps hoist the beast. Photo courtesy of Fish Bound Charters.

K

enneth Westerfeld was expecting a big blackfish when he set up on a solid, single-tug while wreck fishing out of Ocean City, Md. back in January of 2015. What he wasn’t expecting was a new International Game Fish Association (IGFA) world record at the end of the line.

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“We were into big blackfish right off the bat,” explained the Queens, N.Y. angler, “and I knew immediately when I set the hook that this was a double-digit white chin. I got three quick turns on the reel and then all I could do was hold the rod high and tight while she dove for the wreck. More than half way to the top, however, she got a second wind and tore 40 feet of line from my drag, which was nearly locked tight. I couldn’t believe the power.

That’s when I knew this one was more than special.”

When the monstrous bulldog finally hit the deck, Westerfeld was stunned by its size. Back at Sunset Marina in Ocean City, the huge white chin officially tipped the scales at 28 pounds, 8 ounces. That blackfish, still the all tackle world record for the tough-lipped bottom feeders, was decked aboard Capt. Kane Bounds’ six-pack charter boat Fish Bound, a vessel on which Westerfeld has taken several ’teen-sized bulldogs over the years.

“I’m convinced there’s even bigger blackfish in Maryland waters,” he said. “A couple of years ago, an experienced SCUBA diver reported seeing two giant blackfish on an offshore reef there—the smaller one he estimated at 30 pounds.”

Capt. Kane agrees that bigger fish probably lurk in the 80- to 150-foot depths where he concentrates most of his blackfish efforts. “I think our ’tog have a little longer growing season than up north,” he reasoned. “That makes a difference with a fish that can live more than 30 years. In 2017 alone, we had five that broke the 20-pound mark. Three of those were released.”

You’ll want to fish heavy in these waters if giant ’tog are your target.

Bounds recommended conventional outfits with smooth drags and 50- to 60-pound test braided lines. He also goes big on hooks, choosing 5/0 and 6/0 sizes over more traditional 3/0 and 4/0 selections. Expect to need 8 to 12 ounces of lead to get to the bottom.

Monster blackfish bite right through the winter months, with many of the largest fish decked each year in February, March and April.

Westerfeld advised anglers looking for the blackfish of a lifetime to use fluorocarbon leaders no matter which rigs or hooks they choose.

“Maryland’s waters are pretty clear in the winter and low visibility fluorocarbon leaders really provide an edge,” he said. “Seaguar’s 60-lb. test Blue Label fluorocarbon leaders have worked well for me. They have great abrasion resistance and impact strength, plus very little stretch—three things you really need with these brutes.”

To fish with Capt. Kane on the six-passenger Fish Bound, contact: www. fishboundcharter.com; 443-497-1361. Open boat fans can check out the Morning Star (http://morningstarfishing.com; 410-520-2076).

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

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Central Florida Bass Are On The Beds

By Nick Carter • Photo by Brett Cannon

W

hile largemouth bass across much of the country remain hunkered down in a winter pattern, bass in central Florida are running full tilt in all three stages of the spawn. Right now tournament angler and guide Ricky Congero is wearing out big Florida strain largemouths on the eight Kissimmee Chain lakes around Orlando.

Whether you’re an angler in need of a road trip or if you’re sitting in an easy chair waiting on your reservoir to get right, Congero’s tactics might help steer you to the largemouth of a lifetime.

Starting in November and December, Kissimmee largemouths begin staging up in prespawn behaviors. The first big waves of fish hit the flats toward the end of January. They’ll move in and out with the passage of cold fronts, but from January into early March there will be fish in all stages of the spawn. The key to locating them among miles of thick vegetation is to find hard-bottomed shallow flats.

“You can pattern them year-round based on the spawning flats,” Congero said. “During prespawn, they’ll be staged in the first grass maybe

100 yards off those flats. Postspawn, they’ll move out into the dense hydrilla and hyacinth.”

Congero starts by covering water with moving baits like swim jigs and Chatterbaits in search of bass preparing to move up. When the smaller males arrive on the flats to fan out beds, it’s an indicator that fishing is about to get very good.

“If you start catching a bunch of young bucks on the flats, the big females won’t be far behind,” he said.

In the tannic waters of the Kissimmee lakes, it’s difficult to spot fish on the bed. Instead of sight fishing, Congero looks for the locations big females prefer.

“You always find the bigger females bedded on isolated pads, as opposed to the big clumps of pads,” he said. “They’ll spawn right at the base of the stem.”

And while heavy braid and heavy-duty tackle are mainstays for hossing big fish out of thick vegetation, fishing beds requires stealth and finesse. Sizing down to 17- or 20-pound fluorocarbon, Congero likes a short 5- or 6-inch Senko. A staple on the Kissimmee lakes is black with a blue tail. He Texas rigs it with 1-ounce tungsten bullet weight, which is pegged to the head of the worm. This allows him to feel when his bait hits the stalk, at which time he lets it sit on the bottom until the bass picks it up.

“Don’t set the hook as soon as you feel her pick it up,” he warned. “She might just have the tail in her mouth and you’ll come back with half a worm. Wait until she’s swimming off with it. Reel up all the slack and give her a second or two before you set it.”

For a guided trip, contact Congero at (973) 6998981 or email info@blackcloudfishing.com. Follow him on Instagram @Ricky_Congero.

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VISIT AND Visit andEXPLORE Explore Burnsville, NC Burnsville, N.C.

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hether you’re hiking, exhibits. The restaurant, conces- through Yancey fishing or camping sion stand and gift shop are open County. hether you’re hiking, fishing or Mountains and the South Toe in the mountains or May thru a fun camping in the mountains, at- October.

River Campground Valley. StretchingEnjoy nearly has 9 tent sites only. attending a performance at Parkfilled day on tending a performance at Parkway 500 miles through the mountains the Playhouse ororcoming North Virginia way Playhouse comingtotothe theMt. Mitchell Winding of along the Carolina southern and water, catching Crafts Fair Crafts or Carolina Literary without a single red light, Mt. Mitchell Fair orMountains Caro- edge of Yancey County, the Blue the the fishBlue native to Festival, there’sLiterary alwaysFestival, a good day waiting Ridge one of the best lina Mountains Ridge Parkway givesParkway travelersisan our mountains. for you in Burnsville, North Carolina, espe- scenic drives in America. there’s always a good day waiting amazing view of the Black MounWe is guarantee cially for travelers who like to discover their The Blue Ridge Parkway the forown youjourney. in Burnsville, North Car- tains and the South Toe River your fishing only access to Mount Mitchell County is home State Park at Hwy andwill mileolina, Yancey especially for travelers whoto waterfalls, Valley. Stretching for nearly 500128trip be full campgrounds, hiking post It’s five miles sumSnakeroot Ecotours offers custom tours like to discover theirbackroads, own journey. milestrails, through the355. mountains of to of the fish-catching clean rivers, and six the 10tohighest peaks mit. and The Parkway

by Civilian Con-Observation at Mount State Park. of one ofplatform the wildest andMitchell most scenic corNorth Carolina Virginia was – built Yancey County is ofhome experiences! in the eastern United States. servation Corps labor in the 1930s. Workers ners of Western North Carolina. They invite and not one single redlight – the waterfalls, campgrounds, backToe River, Located in southern Yancey County, used dynamite to blast tunnels through the you into astoundingly Southern diverse Appalachian habitatsMounand Blue Ridge Parkway is one the a Carolina roads, hiking trails,(6,684 clean feet) rivers,is the Hemlocks, Black Mount Mitchell highest mountains andofcarve road through rough, and reveal the mysteries of the Southern Appatains. More info at www.snakemountain of the peaks Mississippi River.

It drives remote terrain. The Parkway rises to an el- lachian scenic in America. and six of theeast 10 highest in best Mountain Campgrounds are all lo-Mountains. See more info at www. rootecotours.com. was designated North evation over 5,000 as it off passes through snakerootecotours.com.

Blue Ridge Parkway is thefeetcated Eastern America. the first state park in The Highway 80 in the South The Burnsville-Yancey ChamCarolina in 1916.

Today it features an obYancey County.

Located in southern Yancey only access to Mount Mitchell Toe River area of Yancey County. servation platform on the summit next to Enjoy a fun-filled day on the water, The Burnsville-Yancey Chamber of ber of Commerce and Visitor State Park at catching Hwy 128the andfish mileCounty, Mount Mitchell (6,684 State Park and and Visitor Center is located at Elisha Mitchell’s grave and an interpretive nativeMount to ourMitchell mountains.

Commerce Center is located at 106 West Main post 355. It’s miles to thefishing feet) is the highest mountain East Crabtree Meadows

by Main Street in Burnsville. Inside museum with historical and environmental Wefive guarantee your trip will be full are of accessed 106 West findofa inforhelpful The restaurant, standThe Parkway fish-catching experiences! was built by the Blue Ridge Parkway. you’ll find aStreet. of exhibits. the Mississippi River. It wasconcession des- summit. helpfulInside staff you’ll and lots and gift are park openinMay through River, Carolina Hemlocks andEcotours Black offers staff and lotslodging, of information mation shopping,on CCCOctolabor in theToe 1930s.

Workers ignated the shop first state North Snakeroot cus-on attractions, ber. Theincampground limited to used only nine Mountain are all located off dining and local businesses and services.

The attractions, lodging, shopping, dynamite to blastcampgrounds tunnels tom Carolina 1916. Today itisfeatures tours of area one of of the wildest tent sites.

Highway 80 in the South Toe River Visitor Center and office are open Monday& dining, and local businesses through the mountains and carve an observation platform on the most scenic cornersthrough of West-Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call Winding along the southern edge of Yancey County. Mountand Mitchell State Park road through rough, remote ter- ern summit to Elisha services. Visitor Center and office Carolina.

Yanceynext County, the Mitchell’s Blue Ridge a Parkway and Crabtree Meadows areNorth accessed by theWe invite (828) you 682-7413. givesand travelers an amazing view ofrain. the Black Blue Ridge Parkway.

The Parkway rises to an ele- into astoundingly diverse habitats open Monday thru Friday 9am to grave, an interpretive museum with historical and environmental vation over 5,000 feet as it passes and reveal the mysteries of the 5pm. Call (828) 682-7413.

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SOUTHEAST

Photo by Capt. Jordan Todd, Saltwater Obsessions

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s we transition from winter to spring, the fishing really starts to heat up along the Franklin County, Fla. coastline. Many pelagic fish are still not quite readily available, but Spanish mackerel usually show up in a big way just as soon as water temps start to warm a bit. Once located, Spanish can provide non-stop action trolling a Clarkspoon Mackerel Tree rig or other small spoons.

Casting at schools with spoons like the Hopkins Shorty or Kastmaster can be especially fun and productive. Spend some time cruising around looking for diving birds, they’re usually feeding on the same baitfish as the Spanish.

Here’s a tip for your Clarkspoon Tree rig: Try sliding a 1-ounce

or heavier egg sinker on the main line above the leader. Trolling it this way gets the rig deeper for more bites. Also, vary your trolling speeds from slow to fast to see what’s working best for that day; slow is usually best, but not always.

Early season means sheepshead to many folks here, and these fine-eating fish are plentiful. They’re not always easy to catch, but light line, small hooks and live shrimp or crabs will get lots of bites.

Getting them hooked and landed is at times the challenge. They like to be close to rocks and bridge pilings, and some can be large, hard fighters.

Locations like bridges, causeways and inlets offer deeper water that holds redfish and black drum… and they can be massive in size.

Once located, they can be stacked up and very aggressive, which makes for some big fun!

A strong outgoing tide is best, but an incoming or slack tide doesn’t mean fish are any less hungry. Live bait like pinfish or menhaden work great, and live or fresh shrimp will really get the job done too. Black drum are especially fond of fresh shrimp. Use a simple Carolina-style rig with a 1-ounce or heavier weight and a 16- to 24-inch leader of 20- to 50-pound-test mono or fluorocarbon matched with an appropriate sized hook.

Offshore, mangrove snapper are a good bet for reef fishing, while the abundant red snapper are out of season for harvest. Chumming chunks of Spanish sardine or cigar minnows, followed by a chunk on a free-line will get some big bites. Use a 30- to 50-pound fluorocarbon leader with a small but strong circle hook. They can be tricky to coax into biting, so fluorocarbon line is important. Try to bury the hook in the bait so it is not visible to the fish.

Experienced guides are at the ready to put you on some great early season action, but this fisherman-friendly area is perfect for accommodating boaters, so drag your rig down for the early season bite and have a ball!

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BLUE RIDGE

By CAM Staff

W

hen it comes to trophy managed trout waters in the Southeast, not all are created equal. There are a multitude of factors to consider when fisheries managers set out to create a trophy fishery. Balancing the needs of the fish with the expectations of paying anglers is a trick that can be tough to master.

While any yahoo with some stream frontage can stock a few hundred trout and feed them until they’re fat and sloppy, it takes careful strategy to nurture a fishery for trout that not only grow large but also retain the natural instincts that make them such worthy game fish.

North Georgia’s Noontootla Creek Farms (NCF) is an example of trophy trout fishing done right. Guide David Hulsey will be the first to tell you that location has as much to do with their little creek’s productivity as anything.

To begin with, Noontootla Creek is a thriving wild trout fishery without any help at all. Upstream of the 1,200-acre NCF bird-hunting and trout fishing preserve, Noontootla flows off Blue Ridge Wildlife Management Area as one of the best public wild trout streams in the state. Its pristine, cold and clear waters provide almost everything required for a trophy fishery… including trout.

Hulsey said the farm doesn’t need to stock any fish at all. The trout are mostly stream-born rainbows and browns. A few stocked brookies and bows show up from time to time, likely migrants from the Toccoa River downstream, and the appearance of these introduced fish is dull in comparison to the bright wild fish that remain on the NCF property year-round.

Noontootla offers small-stream fishing for big trout over 2 miles of private water. With supplemental feedings, their fish grow to 2 feet and longer, but these are not pellet pigs. The fish at NCF exhibit the looks and feeding behaviors of wild trout, and it takes a certain amount of skill for anglers to catch them.

The fishing is limited to fly gear only, with barbless hooks and a strict catch-and-release requirement. The creek is broken into four half-mile beats to control the amount of fishing pressure. Through this careful management, NCF has created a trophy fishery that is as close to natural as they come, which means it can be as challenging as it is rewarding.

A strong stonefly population makes stonefly nymphs a good option year-round, while seasonal hatches of various caddis and May fly species keep trout tuned to natural feeding patterns. One of the highlights each year is the summer terrestrial bite, when giant trout jump on big, high-floating hopper patterns.

For information, see ncfga.net or call or email David Hulsey at 770-639-4001 or david@ncfga.com.

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C

orridors, ditches, pinch points, funnels—whatever you name them, these descriptions relate to the terrain fish use to travel. These corridors carry fish to and from resting and feeding grounds and play a major role in social behaviors, including spawn-related activities.

A common denominator in these fish thoroughfares is the attractant source to both predator and prey, which is current flow.

Culverts that allowed small creeks to flow under road beds that were flooded on impoundment, deliberate cuts that were established to permit boat travel, blowouts in flooded dams, road support bridges across terrain gaps, the tip ends of underwater bars or short cut-throughs between land masses are all conducive to these marine life highways.

One such area is only a mile from my home on the banks of Lake Eufaula, which sits on the Georgia/Alabama border. The now underwater confluence of Dry Branch and Sandy Branch is only 50 yards east of where a concrete culvert passed under the old highway 39. The amount of bass and crappie I have caught in this one spot cannot be counted or measured, and the area is no larger than an average-size carport.

So stretch your imagination and come up with a figure that might represent the total pounds of fish that have been caught by all anglers visiting this exact spot in 54 years, the age of Lake Eufaula. I am going to declare this one spot to be nominated to the Bass Fishing Hall Of Fame.

As I sit here plinking on my computer writing this article, at least 10 such “honey holes” come to mind. No matter where you fish, careful study of your Lake Master Maps and Humminbird units will disclose multitudes of these fish-concentration magnets. When you find one that has not previously been discovered, you just might encounter Ol’ Mossy Back, a fish that has never before seen a fishing lure.

Arguably, no person dead or alive has more fishing hours on Lake Eufaula than yours truly. Having fished this lake for a portion of 150 days a year for 54 years equals a bunch of fun. So if I can find new “honey holes,” so can you… wherever you fish.

An old saying goes: the value of any land, whether above water or below, is determined by location, location, DETECTION.

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1/21/19 10:52 AMFranchise Opps

REPORTS Lake Murray Lake Wateree Santee Lakes Coastal Rivers For advertising, distribution and/or editorial inquiries, please contact: John Lux , Publisher jlux@theanglermagazine.com

803-807-6885

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LAKE MURRAY REPORT

I

n the month of February, the water temperatures on Lake Murray will begin to warm by the end of the month. Fish will continue to move from their winter patterns into their pre-spawn patterns, bringing the fish closer to the banks and into the shallows. Focus should be on the main flow areas of the lake and around the mouths of creek arms in the color transitions on secondary points, as well as steep banks, focusing on rock and hard bottom areas.

On the upper reaches (from Dreher Island up river) of the lake, and in the backs of main lake coves where the water has more color, look for fish to be positioned in the deep water closest to shore and starting to show up on shoreline cover, such as laydowns, docks and rocky banks. This can be relative to the area. It could be a ditch in a pocket, a deep bank of a creek channel, the side of a point, or the end of a point that drops into a ditch or creek channel in front of a spawning bay.

Typically, fish will be holding relatively close to deep water, 10 foot or more, and starting to position even shallower by the end of the month.

Techniques of choice should be slower techniques with crayfish and shad mimicking baits. Good lures of choice are Greenfish Michael Murphy Signature High Class Spinnerbaits, umbrella rigs rigged with Reins Pearl White 3” Rockvibe Shad or Herring colored 3.25” Fat Rockvibe shad, crankbaits like the Ima Pinjack 200 or the flat sided Ima Shaker, Greenfish jigs; Soft Plastics or Finesse worms, creature baits, tubes and beaver type baits, such as the Reins Punchin’ Predator, Craw Tube, C-pod rigged on a Jika-rig, Texas Rigged 1/4oz Paddle Tail Worm, and Swamp Mover in a natural or green pumpkin color.

Be sure to target moving baits during cloudy or windy conditions, switching to slower moving baits as the day gets brighter and without wind. Be sure to key on areas with rock or a hard bottom, as well as docks built on black floats.

On the lower end of the lake (from Dreher Island to the Dam), focus on slower moving bottom baits, such as a jig, shakey head, or a dropshot Reins Bubbling Shaker in a Watermelon or Green Pumpkin color, especially during times with lack of wind. During conditions with wind, focus on suspending and moving baits like the IMA Flit 120 in the Sexy Pearl Shad or Boned Shad, Ima Deep Fry 95 in Chartreuse Shad or Misty Shad and Ima Pinjack 200 in the Gizzard Shad or

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2 COLUMBIA

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FEBRUARY 2019

803-567-5263 Michael Murphy USCG Approved, Merchant Mariner Licensed www.MichaelMurphyFishing.com Michael@MichaelMurphyFishing.com Bluegill color on points and deep banks with rock, and the New Reins Palpuntin jigging spoon in Silver Shad on the sides and ends of points, and by the end of the month swimbaits, like the New Ima Glide Fluke 128mm Sinking in the Half Metallic Blue and Ghost Blue Gizzard and the Optimum Baits Boom Boom Rigged Swimbait in a Sexy Shad or Blue Shad Color around docks. Key areas are those holding Blueback Herring shallower and White Perch deeper. Be sure to key on the sides of flatter points with hard bottoms where there may be a drop or an ambush area. A tip for finding these kinds of points quickly, they are typically marked with a hazard marker buoy warning boaters of shallow water. This time of year on the lower end of the lake, boat positioning can be very important, with the boat positioned over water as deep as 30-40 feet, casting toward the point. A LakeMaster chip in your graph, setting the shaded depth on your Humminbird (Press Menu twice, under Chart), to 30 feet can be extremely helpful in locating ideal humps and points. Also very important is the wind.

Follow the wind from day to day, fishing points that have the most direct wind blowing on them, paying attention to the wind can be the difference between a successful day and a difficult one this time of year.

The month of February is when fish start to venture into their prespawn areas. This is a great month to catch fish in predictable areas, as they can be easy to pattern with good electronics. Bass will be in the backs of creeks and pockets holding in the last deep water areas around rocks and docks, and set up well in deeper 25-40 foot areas off of points toward the end of the month. Up the river and in the backs of creeks and coves, where resident fish are more prevalent, fish could still be as shallow as a couple feet, as long as there is a creek channel or deep water nearby. Be sure to focus on areas with bait, hard bottom areas, and North shore banks that get the most sunlight. On the lower end of the lake where Bass are set up deep, they will be feeding on Blueback Herring, White Perch or crayfish, and will typically be positioned on long tapering points adjacent to spawning coves. This time of year is a great time to utilize your electronics and spend time idling looking for key sweet spots in the form of rock or brush piles.

A great way to get out, enjoy the outdoors, and do a little fishing is to book a trip with one of the Lake Murray area guides. I am a certified Fisheries Biologist, Coast Guard Approved, full-time Largemouth Bass guide, have fished full-time and competitively for the past 13 years across the country on both the BASS and FLW trails, and have a lifetime of fishing experience. I offer a learning experience on multiple techniques of your choice, tournament preparation, and/or electronics education. I would love to share my knowledge with you on the water and enjoy a day of fishing.

Michael Murphy, USCG Approved, Merchant Mariner Licensed, 803-567-5263, www.MichaelMurphyFishing.com, MichaelMichaelMurphyFishing.com

Follow The Angler Magazine Columbia on

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1/20/19 11:51 AM

allow releas

The w upper cfs wh what I a slow water Nymp Wool mana trout thirte was n It wa rainb throu and h as ex beaut brown a fres about off at surviv hope

Barrin Carol Look

TROUT REPORT

F

ishing has been dismal to say the least in the rivers around Columbia. Normally this time of year we are hammering stocked trout in the Saluda with high numbers and some kicker holdovers. The fishing has not been bad because of a lack of fish but because the water levels will not allow us to get on the river. Rain fall on an already saturated ground and releases from Lake Murray have been the major contributors.

The weekend before Christmas I was able to take customers on the upper sections of the Saluda River. Flows that day were around 3,500 cfs which is at the top end of what I call productive. It was a slow day with the stained water . We used Hare’s Ear Nymphs and dark colored Wooley Buggers. Finally we managed to get bit. The first trout of the day was a only thirteen inches but, this was no ordinary little fish.

It was a stream bred wild rainbow that had made it through all of the flooding and high water. I was almost as excited about this little beauty than a twenty inch brown trout. The next was a freshly stocked rainbow about ten inches long. The next two were larger hold over fish that broke off at the boat. Both were between sixteen and eighteen inches. They had survived the largest water event in South Carolina history and gave me hope for the future of the fishery.

the typical Hare’s Ear and Pheasant Tail patterns along with Prince Nymphs and olive or black Wooley Buggers. Fish these in tandem under a strike indicator or alone with your normal streamer set up. Fish will tend to congregate in the shoals, where they can get out of the current, or against the banks in the slow sections of the river. Pounding the bank with a larger streamers may also produce bites. With spinning tackle, black Rooster Tails and Mepps Spinners should produce well.

As we move into the height of the 2016 fishing season on the Saluda River will become a haven for big trout once again. Catch and release is urged during the winter month as rainbow trout go through their spawn routine. Any fish over 16 inches should be handled with care and release to give them a chance to reproduce.

Good luck this month and be safe by keeping up with water levels while on the river.

Jake Howard, Saluda Valley Guides LLC, (803)312-2435 Barron’s Outfitters , (803)254-5537

Barring any more major rain fall, February is looking great. South Carolina DNR will continue to stock through the end of the month.

Look for flows below 1,500 cfs if you plan on wading. Flies to use include

Teaching the techniques and tactics of fly fishing and casting as well as the use application of conventional tackle to catch the species of fish found in the rivers in and around Columbia, SC.

Jake Howard , Saluda Valley Guides LLC , (803)312-2435 www.saludavalleyguidesllc.weebly.com COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THE ANGLERMAG.COM

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1/20/19 11:51 AM

STRIPER REPORT

D

NR believes that is necessary to control / kill the weed. The lake is now at 350’ MSL. The draw down has not affected the bite. The best advice I can give is LOOK for the birds. Start mid lake and work your way up towards the Big Saluda River.

The large quantity of rain in December has the lake very muddy. Don’t be afraid to fish in 50’-60’ of water. The water is clearer and bite more consistent in depths at or greater. Medium size herring and gizzard shads will get the job done.

Slam on breaks when you find birds. You should be able to catch them fishing DL’s, PB’s or casting into schooling fish. Three out of every ten fish caught will likely be a 21” or greater (keeper size).

There are shoals & timber stick out of the water you are likely not familiar with - go slow & pay close attention when navigating.

Lake levels will begin returning to normal levels in February 2019.

Amateur or a pro, you will have fun. Leave the hard work to me - all you need to do is show up ready to have a great time!

Capt. Mike Glover, (803) 6090066, www.StriperMike.net

CAPTAIN MIKE’S GOALS:

• To make certain you & your guests have a safe trip!

• To make absolutely certain everyone has fun!

• Do everything possible to ensure you catch the legal limit of fish!

• To make certain your trip is memorable!

• To provide you with the one-on-one attention required to grow your knowledge of Lake Murray & fishing!

Captain Mike | 803.609.0066 | www.StriperMike.net

4 COLUMBIA

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1/20/19 11:52 AM

LAKE MARION REPORT

W

ith the water temperatures on the Santee Cooper Lakes in the mid. 40’s at the beginning and moving into the mid 50’s toward the end of this month the bite has been slow due to muddy water conditions, with the cold water conditions we have been able to catch a few fish on DNR marked stuctures in the 30 to 35 foot range up to 2 pounds.

Dependent on the weather we will begin to look for fish in the 15 to 10 foot range and possibly shallower than that on sunny warmer days towards the end of the month casting jigs as the fish start their pre spawning activities.

well the bite has been slow. They have been holding out on structures such as DNR marked fish attractors in 25 to 30 foot of water and will most likely stay in this range through out the month. We have not been catching a ton of them but the ones we have been catching have been nice healthy bream caught mostly on crickets with the occasional caught on a jig fishing around the base of the structure.

Stevie English, 4G Guide Service 843 709 8138, 4Gguidesertvice@gmail.com

The blue gill have been affected by the cold muddy water conditions as

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COLUMBIA 5

1/20/19 11:52 AM

SIX SECRET TIPS FROM CRAPPIE PROS

By Terry Madewell Crappie fishing is extremely popular throughout South Carolina and what better way to spend the cold months than catching slabs.

Professional crappie tournament anglers have learned the secrets of figuring crappie patterns out on different lakes year-round. The action on lakes in our area is usually very good during January and February, although a lot of the fish are holding in deep water.

or but degre winte On La shad and w Servic is tim bream

Here’s what two top crappie tournament fishermen do when going to a new lake to find crappie prior to a tournament. I had the opportunity to fish with them a couple years ago and these techniques will work on any area lake including lakes Murray, Marion, Moultrie, Monticello and Wateree.

Matt Morgan and Kent Watson are a crappie tournament fishing team and have fished many South Carolina lakes. Before fishing any lake for the first time this duo has a game plan already in place.

Capt D 803 30

“First, I research the Internet to see what information in there on a lake in terms of crappie,” Morgan said. “Next I use Google Earth to literally look at the lake from above in a sense and I can even go back in time and see what the lake looked like during a drawdown or drought. This can provide views of underwater cover that’s exposed at low water but may be covered by fishable water when I fish it. Plus I can see creeks and ditches that may not be marked on maps.”

Watson said that after off-lake research is complete, it’s time to get on the lake and start narrowing the focus for crappie.

“We can eliminate over 50% of the water before we launch the boat,” Watson said. “The next step is to use electronics, along with lake maps, to actually look at channels, ledges drops, brush piles and actually find fish we believe to be crappie. We use our Hummingbird graph with side and down scan to pinpoint areas we feel can be productive.

“During winter we’re often looking in deep water and it may be in the mid-lake to lower lake area,” he said. “During spring we often take a hard look at the mid-to-upper portion of a lake since that water warms first. Adapting to water temperature change is part of a crappie fisherman’s life.”

Watson said that in addition to finding crappie, it’s important to find forage.

“On our first day on the lake we often spend several hours looking at various places with electronics before we fish,” he said.”

“Then we’ve narrowed our targets and start fishing.

“We’ll use jigs, minnows or a combination and give the fish what they want,” he said. “We typically fish an 8-rod spider rig with quality rods, we prefer B’n’M rods, and quality makes a different in detecting light bites. When pre-fishing for a tournament we only catch a couple crappies from a place then move and look for larger crappie.”

He said if an angler isn’t pre-fishing for a tournament when you hit a hot spot stay with it until it slows or you’ve limited.

FROM TOP: Spider rigging with live bait or jigs is a proven tactic for winter crappie action Use of a graph with sidescan capability is very beneficial when searching for crappie.

Kent Watson and Matt Morgan look for big crappie year round.

Matt Morgan with a slab crappie taken in cold weather

Morgan added that patience can be a real key to success when crappie fishing a new lake.

“Even being totally prepared, it may take several attempts before we find fish of good quantity and quality, so patience can be crucial,” he said. “We know we have a proven process that works year round, not just in cold weather and if we stick with it we’ll find fish. Without a side or down scan unit it may take longer but the concept is still the same. Use electronics to your advantage as much as you can.”

Morgan said the six keys are use the Internet, research Google Earth, use electronics to search for specific targets, fish specific areas to find quality fish and forage, use good equipment and proper lures and finally add a dose of patience.

Instead of hoping to catch a few crappies use the above plan and go catch limits of fish, whether it’s a new lake or your longtime favorite water.

6 COLUMBIA

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1/20/19 11:52 AM

LAKE MARION/MOULTRIE REPORT

S

& S Guide Service is booking fishing trips.

Call today to book your catfish fishing experience on Lake Marion or Lake Moultrie.

Winter time is a good time to catch the big cats, so do not hesitate to call. Lake Mountie catfish are being caught in 28 - 30 ft. deep using gizzard shad or butterflied herring if available. The current water temperature is 52 degrees and some days are windy during the winter months. During the winter months, catfish are feeding on schooling bait.

On Lake Marion catfish can be caught in 30 - 36 ft. deep using gizzard shad or butterflied herring. Current water temperature is 54 degrees and wind can blow hard on some days during the winter. S & S Guide Service is fully equipped with a 24 ft. pontoon with an enclosure. It is time to start thinking about booking your spring time crappie and bream trips.

Capt David Adams, S & S Guide Service specializing in catfish bream andcrappie, 803 308 3635, sandsguideservice@gmail.com, www.sandsfishingguide.net.

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Fishing and Fitness Contributed by Dynamic Bassin Fishing and fitness don’t often collide in the same sentence and that is a real problem. As an angler who has a passion for fitness, I understand the importance of incorporating health into every aspect of my life, including fishing. I want to create awareness among anglers to create a healthier fishing community. There are a few wellness-centered things I do that greatly improve my fishing experience and performance.

I need. When I am on the water, I always keep beef/turkey/deer jerky, almonds, apples, veggies and plenty of water in my boat. Those are Stretching. I typically start my day between 4 and 5am. The first thing some great things to I do before I get going is stretch for 20 minutes. This not only helps me store in your boat that move better, but it also prevents potential injury. I do this before I start will absolutely help you on and off the water. my work day, my fun fishing day or before I fish a tournament.

Functional training. With the bending, twisting and lifting involved People like the idea of in fishing, it is important to be prepared to move in different ways and getting in shape, but on different planes of motion. I use a variety of exercises and equip- actually doing it is a different ment to accomplish my goals. The core is especially important because completely that is the foundation of the body. You also use your core in every as- scenario. Have enough pect of fishing. Shoulders, back and legs are also areas of focus because self respect and disciof the stress that fishing puts on those those parts of the body. I use pline to create a healthkettlebells, bands, medicine balls, dumbbells, bosu balls, plyo boxes ier lifestyle. If not for and standard strength training equipment to fulfill my workout goals. you, do it for your family and the people you Nutrition. Your diet determines your energy levels and your perfor- love. People underestimance. If your diet is not good, your energy and performance will mate the importance of suffer. An angler should be health-focused when choosing food before a healthy lifestyle until it’s too late. You can prevent a lot of injuries, fishing and what he/she puts on their boat. I always start my day with medical issues, medical bills and worse case, death. Find the right supa good breakfast. I incorporate good sources of protein, fats and carbs. port system. Find a friend and a gym that can provide you the support All 3 sources have to be included in order for you to be successful with you need! Don’t fall for all the internet and social media scams! You your nutrition. Don’t fall for the misleading “fad” diets that you see on can only accomplish this through hard work and consistency. If you are the internet or social media. It’s all a money grab and they are setting in the Lexington area, come by one of 3, Dynamic Health and Fitness you up for FAILURE! For example, I will eat 6 egg whites, 2 turkey locations and let us help you start your journey! It all starts with having sausage links and 2 slices of Ezekial bread for breakfast. That is an ideal a positive mental attitude and believing in yourself! way for me to start my day and it gives me all of my essential nutrients

FEBRUARY 2019 EST= Eastern Standard Time (UT-5) EDT=Eastern Daylight Time (UT-4) DST= Daylight Savings Time NM=New Moon FQ=First Quarter FM=Full Moon LQ=Last Quarter

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juries, t suppport s! You ou are itness having

LAKE WATEREE REPORT

C

atfish will be caught on main lake river ledges this month anchoring up and using cut shad and perch.

Stripers have been spread out and are suspending under bait balls and can be caught trolling live baits and artificials.

Jason Wolfe, Wolfe’s Guide Service, 803-487-3690

Ten Rules on How to Lose a Giant Catfish

by Terry Madewell (aka The Last of the Keystone Cops)

It was another rainy, winter day on Lake Wateree and I felt the need to go catfishing. Braving the elements solo wasn’t by choice but because my buddies had better things to do than fish in cold, nasty weather and horrible water conditions.

Pre-dawn events began well and bait was caught by cast net before dawn and at first light I was anchored and already fishing. The lake water was on a hard rise after heavy rains and I was fishing a ledge from four-totwenty-feet deep, rigs loaded with cut shad and white perch. Almost immediately I landed a “mid-teener” blue catfish that bit aggressively and was hooked deep. The catfish wallowed slime all over the deck of my pontoon as I struggled to remove the hook. But as soon as I cast the rig back out a series of events occurred that prompted me to write these 10 rules.

It began when the catfish adaptation of ‘Moby Dick’ loaded on another rig. Hooking a big, blue catfish is akin to hooking the south end of a north-bound freight train and grunted an adjective or two as I strained to pry the rod from the holder. Once accomplished the epic battle began with drag screaming from the reel. A “panic” alarm blasted my brain as I realized two things: I was into a monster fish and my dipnet was ten feet away. But I quickly conjured a plan to simply slide back and grab it while keeping the line tight on the powerful fish.

This is where the rules on how to lose a huge catfish began.

Rule # 1: Always reposition the net where you can reach it in case Moby Dick bites. Or have a harpoon handy. Rain and catfish slime create an interesting mixture on a linoleum pontoon boat floor and two backward steps into the plan I slipped on the slippery slime, went airborne and bottomed out, literally. The only thing visible, had anyone been watching, was a deeply arched rod protruding from the boat as I lay prone, face up. I was glad no ‘Go-Pro’ video was rolling.

Rule # 2: It’s critical when fighting a big fish to remain upright.

Ego and pride busted more than anything, I clawed and crawled through the slime until I grabbed the dipnet. At that moment Moby surged and I actually accelerated in speed as my catfish-slimed Gore-Tex raingear pants slid, with me inside, across the pontoon floor to the rail. I held my catfish rod high in one hand; dip net in the other as I banged into the pontoon sideboard with a “thud.” I didn’t have to expend much effort getting to my feet; Moby’s power assisted me in a move worthy of anything Neo did in the movie “The Matrix”. If I hadn’t been able to get my knees braced under the pontoon rails this story may never have been told.

Now upright I said aloud “I got you now.”

Rule # 3: Stay calm and focused. Talking aloud to no one is a sure sign of stress usually resulting in poor choices.

I chunked and tossed rigs aside unwittingly creating the perfect scenario for a huge catfish to tangle in multiple lines simultaneously. Faster than I could move the rigs out of the way Moby cut a swath through them.

Rule # 4: Don’t let chaos rule when handling a big fish.

After a powerful run away nearly spooled the line on the big reel, Moby turned and swiftly swam straight toward the boat with all my other lines wrapped and in tow. I reeled madly and just as the line tightened the fish passed the boat and screamed drag in the other direction. With little line out I decided to free-spool and use my thumb to let off line for improved control in this close-quarters combat.

Rule # 5: Ignore the well known Nike slogan; just don’t do it. I wore a thumb blister for weeks.

Moby turned again and was going away from the boat but I sensed less power from the beast. Maybe all the other lines coupled with the weights and baits were slowing him down.

Rule # 6: Over-confidence coupled with incompetence creates bad big fish juju.

Moby stripped line, turned on a dime and handed me change. I turned to compensate, slipped again and executed a perfect Chevy Chase pratfall, landing on the slick cushion atop the live well and slid back onto the floor.

Rule #7: See Rule # 2.

Moby finally swirled and surfaced, looking like a great white shark and I reacted accordingly, in absolute terror.

Rule #8: Stay calm… right!

Now it became a battle to guide the huge fish into the dipnet. I was alone, exhausted, rod in one hand, huge dipnet in the other so think Three Stooges at their best. Finally the fish was netted with the hook tangled in the net and multiple other lines wrapped around him, but in that tangled mess of hooks, lines, slime and dipnet Moby was in the net.

Bracing my knees against the side of the boat for balance I pulled the net up, but about a foot out of the water the fish changed its mind about being boated and made a move to return to its natural environment.

I nearly went overboard as the net nearly slipped from my slimy, cold hands and the apparently rejuvenated rascal splashed and surged. I tightened my grip on the net, wrapped the other arm around the pontoon rail and wondered if the fish surged again would they even find my body.

Rule # 9: Use brains not brawn. If you have neither you’ll have an experience similar to mine.

I maneuvered the net with Moby, and basically all the fishing paraphernalia I had aboard already attached to him, to the pontoon door thus reducing the height of the lift exponentially. Moby mercifully obliged this time by coming aboard peacefully. I took photos and then freed the fish out the same door. With a couple swishes of the massive tail the fish bid me a wet-faced farewell.

It was a fitting end to the story, when Moby splashed an already wet, fish slimed, exhausted but thrilled angler because I had pictures of the catfish. Despite mayhem, miscues and miscalculations I learned you can lose all the battles yet win the war.

Rule # 10: Find another way to catch a giant catfish; this is not how to do it.

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Skinny Water for Fat Cats in Cold Weather

By Terry Madewell With the rain and cold weather fishermen have been finding catfish all over the place in terms of depths in the dingy and/or muddy water in many lakes. But one typically very productive pattern is a bit different from others and that is catching catfish, specifically big blue catfish, from very skinny water.

doing Using

According to Catfish Guide Rodger Taylor, it’s not an anomaly, it has been a consistent pattern for the past few years, but few anglers take advantage of it.

“Most winters at lakes like Wateree and Wylie we’ll catch numerous catfish, often big fish in the 30-to40-pound class from water ranging from three-feet deep down to about eight-feet deep,” Taylor said.

“I typically fish in the back of creeks and coves on softer bottom substrate and in most cases casting out to only three-or four-feet of water. Generally sunny afternoons are best because the water warms a bit thus attracting forage fish such as shad and the catfish will follow the shad.”

Taylor (803-328-9587) operates “Catfish On” Guide Service fishes both lakes Wateree and Wylie. He said this pattern holds throughout January, February and well into March. Despite the severe cold weather typical at this time of year, big fish are caught consistently in this skinny water.

“This pattern is not wind related with wind blowing baitfish up on windblown banks,” Taylor said. “In fact, most of the time I find sheltered water to anchor and fish in. The bite is consistent and we’ll typically get action every 15-to 20-mintues, but I won’t stay more than 40 minutes in most places without a bite. When I get on a good place we’ll catch several fish and usually some big ones. There are plenty of fish in the “teen” class caught as well which make great eating. We usually release the large fish.”

Taylor uses his graph to mark shad and forage for the catfish but he also keys on birds, both seagulls and cormorants.

“The birds know where baitfish is located and they’ll gang up in areas where there’s a lot of bait, especially back in the very shallow areas of the lake,” he said. “A lot of anglers never check these places during this time of year but it’s been good even in those days. It’s one of the more overlooked big catfish opportunities around.”

H

Ro O

Taylor uses cut gizzard shad and white perch as his primary baits, but whole threadfin shad can be excellent baits as well. He fishes seven-foot rods with baitcasting reels spooled with 30-pound test line. The leader is about 18 inches long and he uses a two ounce flat sinker. On some rigs he will use a two-inch float, similar to those used when drifting, just above a 6/0 circle hook. On some rigs he won’t use a float.

“That gives the fish a preference opportunity and some days one method or the other will make a difference,” he said. “When it does seem to make a difference I change them all to that method in terms of having a float to lift the bait up or have it on the bottom.

Most days they bite both rigs about the same.”

Taylor said fish can also be caught in deeper water of course but this pattern is consistent enough he often fishes it for guide trips when fishing either Lake Wateree or Lake Wylie.

He said this tactic works on several other lakes in South Carolina as well, so think skinny water for fat cats this winter.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: ‘Catfish On’ Guide Rodger Taylor with a huge Wateree Lake fat cat.

Big catfish are being caught now, find the forage and you’ll hook the cats.

Cut perch and shad make great cold weather, skinny water baits.

Fat cats can be in skinny water even in February.

Huge blue cats and cold weather go together.

Guide Roger Taylor uses a cast net to catch his bait 10 COLUMBIA

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COASTAL REPORT NORTH STRAND Inshore the Sea Trout bite is still doing well. Look for this to continue unless we see another freeze.

Using Gulp Shrimp, Vudu Shrimp and Live Shrimp are your best

Looking for us?

CO

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Pick up your copy of

monthly, at one of these locations: Santee/Orangeburg: Best Western Holiday Inn Palmetto Shores Campground Polly’s Landing

Columbia/Chapin: Beef o’Brady Carolina Wings Higher Ground Jim Hudson Toyota Mid Carolina Marine

Lexington/Newberry: Hwy. 378 Bar and Grille JC’s Outdoor Ronnie’s Country Cooking Ole Timey Meat Market

Lake Wateree: Lake Side Marine Riverdeck Grill Cedar Creek Marine Dutchman Creek

options. Offshore the bottom fishing is good as always. Snapper are further off in warmer waters but your larger Seabass have pushed in closer and keeper fish are being caught as close as 5-7miles. Using any type of cut bait is the best option while bottom fishing. Wahoo season is in full swing and we are hearing reports of larger fish being caught. Look for this to continue through winter.

SOUTH STRAND A number of Flounder are still being caught well in Murrells Inlet.

Using live shrimp is your best bet to catch Sea Trout, but they are also hitting Gulp Shrimp on a Jig Head. Good reports of Sheepshead being caught along the docks and Jetties. Using shellfish like clams, oysters and mussels are great options for sheepshead along with barnacles and fiddler crabs. Offshore the Wahoo bite is in full swing along with Blackfin Tuna. Larger Seabass are being caught closer to shore. We have received reports of keepers even being caught at Paradise Reef but for a real chance at a keeper you’re better pushing off 7-10 Miles.

Some local piers close for the winter so check before you show up, but Apache and Cherry Grove are giving reports of Whiting and small black drum being caught using dead shrimp or squid. Surf fishing is slow but for the best chance at a catch look for structure.

Off the point at Pawleys Island the rock piles coming off the beach will hold small drum and Whiting this time of year, as well as The Groin Walls/Sea Walls along Garden City.

Legacy Charters / FishLegacyCharters.com Murrells Inlet, Georgetown, and Winyah Bay

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Wall of Fame The Wolfe family shared their fun­— Dad reeled in a hefty blue cat.

Learning teh ropes with Capt Mike, these kids had plenty to show off!

Lena Zito with her first Blue Catfish 22lbs. caught on Lake Marion.

Landon Loftin shows his catch from Wateree.

Steve reeled in a 2 lb crappie out on Lake Marion.

Norm Post shows off a largemouth caught on Lake Marion.

A dreary day on Lake Marion made for a successful outing for Rudy.

More big smiles from another successful fishing trip on Lake Murray Randy Merrell holds tight to the catch he reeled in while fishing with Jason Wolfe

12 COLUMBIA

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Look for our Brag Board every month!

Send your images to jlux@theanglermagazine.com

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1/20/19 1/21/19 10:529:11 AM AM

By Capt. Terry Fisher

L

ast September, my first-mate Vicki and I took off on a whirlwind vacation to explore the waters of Italy. We started in Venice, where other than the shoe leather express, the only way to get around is by boat. To my knowledge, Venice is the only place on earth where unique modes of water transportation play out in day-to-day living.

The Adriatic Sea plays host to yachts, cruisers, pleasure and fishing boats. The Riva de Biasio (The Grand Canal), Venice’s main thoroughfare, is busy with all types boats, like taxis, police, garbage, ambulances and construction cranes, which all share the canal in relative peace. Fishermen line the canals with long poles, catching what look like small baitfish for dinner.

Tuscany, in central Italy, was our second stop, where we hired fly fishing guide, Gianlucca Orselli, of Florence. Gianlucca was one of four terrific guides from a local fly shop in Florence. He grew up fishing the Arno River, which runs through the middle of Florence,

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but suggested we fish the Lima River, close to the towns of Lucca and Pisa.

During a 90-minute drive to the river, we saw the old castle walls of Lucca and other historical sites we would not have seen without the drive. Once in the mountains, the views were as picturesque as those of northeast Georgia. The river and its feeder creek were comparable to places we’ve fished in Colorado, Idaho and Wyoming.

We worked hard to catch rainbows and browns. Unfortunately, the fishing was not as productive as we had hoped, but it was no different than some days I’ve spent on rivers in the U.S. There are a lot of trout and char streams in Italy to consider, but we would not trade our experience of being together in this lovely setting.

Our third stop, the Italian Riviera, is where Vicki and I left part of our hearts. The Cinque Terre is part of an Italian National Forest located in northwestern Italy on the Liquarian Sea. The rugged coastline is incredibly beautiful. Five villages are built on mountain ledges, with steps up to each cliff-side dwelling.

Fishing and boating are “old world,” existing mostly for locals who make their livelihoods on the sea. A limited number of recreational fishermen on small vessels were seen close to shore or sitting on the rock ledges catching small fish on sabiki-like rigs.

We chose the quaint town of Vernazza as a base and stayed for three nights. I rented a 20-foot boat for two days to explore the waters. There were reports of yellowfin tuna swimming the rocks as close as 300 yards offshore, but all we could do was wish for adequate equipment and bait, as there were no tackle shops. Next time we will take our own.

Explore the possibilities of fishing in Italy at www.flyfishitaly. com. Or contact me by email or phone at fishfacecharters@yahoo. com, (239) 357-6829.

1/21/19 10:52 AM

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nglers from across the Southeast are waiting for the unofficial opening of the 2019 season: the Atlanta Fly Fishing Show, Feb. 1-2 at the Infinite Energy Center, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth.

The show will feature a tribute ceremony to the late fly fishing icon Lefty Kreh plus demonstrations and audio/visual presentations each hour together with wall-to-wall displays of the newest rods, reels, lines, boots, waders, clothing and flies.

In addition to tackle, lodges and exotic destinations, show visitors can view continuous fly tying demonstrations, how-to seminars and presentations ranging from Fly Fishing the Carolinas to Dorado in the Bolivian Jungle to Blue Marlin on a fly.

Seminars include those on striped bass with Henry Cowan to Fly Fishing for Bass Top to Bottom. Casting demonstrations are scheduled by Gary Borger, Bob Clouser, Landon Mayer, Brian O’Keefe and George Daniel among others.

Featured fly tiers include Ed Engle, Mayer, Cowan, Clouser, Borger and Dave Whitlock.

For the first time at the Atlanta Fly Fishing Show, the Women’s Showcase offers a women’s seminar on Saturday from 10-4 with presentations

by Heather Hodson of United Women on the Fly; Maurrie Sussman, Sister Number One of Sisters on the Fly; Emily Mauri of Bullsugar; Jen Ripple of DUN Magazine and others.

The southeast premiere of the 2019 Fly Fishing Film Festival will be held Friday at 6:30. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door.

Fly Fishing Show admission is $15 for one day, $25 for two days. Children 5 and under are free as are Boy and Girl Scouts under 16 in uniform.

Children 6 to 12 are $5. Active military with an ID is $10.

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By O’Neill Williams

S

outh Carolina’s Lake Marion and Lake Moultrie form what is known as the Santee Cooper Lakes. They are connected by a diversion canal. Lake Marion is the larger of the two lakes, covering 110,000 acres. Lake Moultrie covers 60,000 acres. They spread out between Charleston and Columbia, S.C. The Santee Cooper Lakes have gained a well-deserved reputation for yielding some of the best catfishing in the world.

Capt. Darryl Smith (www.captaindarryls.com) fishes out of Canal Lakes Marina in Cross, SC. It’s a good, safe, clean place to overnight, and Mac Daddy’s Restaurant is there with some good eats. Darryl guarantees you will catch at least 100 pounds of catfish per day. After all, he has 23 line-class world records. Call Darryl, and you’ll be fishing out of a 30foot pontoon boat with a shelter, so you’ll be dry and warm no matter what.

Darryl guides on the lake 320 days per year. In 2018, he averaged

W

ith winter fishing in full swing, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is asking the public, in particular anglers, to report any sightings of hellbenders (water dogs) to the

agency.

Reported sightings are an important part of a long-term inventory and monitoring project for hellbenders that agency staff, along with partners, began in 2007. Agency biologists want to learn more about where hellbenders—gigantic, aquatic salamanders averaging 16 to 17 inches in length—are located and how their populations are faring.

In North Carolina, hellbenders are found only in fast-moving, clean mountain streams in the western part of the state. Hellbenders, also called “snot otters” and “Alleghany alligators,” were once common but have disappeared throughout much of their habitat, due mainly to declining water quality and habitat degradation, and to a lesser degree to persecution from anglers who mistakenly think that

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catching 60 catfish per day. His largest blue weighed 140 pounds, which pushed the lake record of 143 pounds.

I’ve fished with Darryl three times, each time producing a television show. Once we fished the shallow backwaters filled with trees and stumps. Twice we fished “out in the lake” over sunken islands and old river channels. We always caught a giant cooler full, about 50 or more cats ranging from 4 pounds to 35 pounds. I think my largest blue with Darryl was 63 pounds. On many occasions, we’d have three hooked at once. Think about that, at a 20-pound average, which is very conservative, we’d have 60-pounds of cats on at once. To complete the necessary television production, Darryl and I have never been fishing more than 5 hours. I’m going back soon.

What makes these lakes so fertile to be able to produce what may be the best catfishing destination in North America? In simple terms, the water temperatures, amount of both freshwater and sea-run baitfish, shad, clams, mussels, shrimp, menhaden, even black mullet abound.

The various species of catfish: blues, channel, yellow, mud, flathead, etc. spawn up to seven times per year. It’s the perfect catfish habitat.

So, what do you have to bring along? Tackle if you like, but Darryl has just the right stuff.

You bring food and drinks and a big smile. The only other thing I might suggest is to bring some children. It’s perfect for children. The fish are very friendly and there are plenty of them. Darryl will set the rods and reels, bait up the rigs and make the casts. All you need to do is start reeling when the rod tip dips. Think about what that might do for a child’s confidence, reeling in catfish as big as they are.

At Santee Cooper, the bottom is paved with giant catfish. Go get some. But don’t wait too long. I’ve already made reservations for 2019.

The column above is one of the chapters from new book “O’Neill Outside, The Outdoor Experience,” coming out in April of 2019.

hellbenders decrease trout populations.

Although they may occasionally go after a trout on a line or stringer, looking for an easy meal, hellbenders eat mainly crayfish according to wildlife diversity biologist Lori Williams, who has done extensive work on hellbenders. “They may also eat unsuspecting minnows and scavenge for dead fish, discarded bait or other dead animals,” she said. “However, fish can be bigger predators of young or larval hellbenders than hellbenders of fish.”

Contrary to popular belief, hellbenders are not poisonous, venomous, toxic or harmful to humans, although they may bite if someone tries to pick them up. Leaving them alone is not only good for hellbenders but also it is the law. Hellbenders are listed as a species of special concern in North Carolina. Because of this listing, it is illegal to take, possess, transport or sell a hellbender or to attempt to do so.

A violation is a Class 1 misdemeanor, which can result in a fine and up to 120 days in jail.

Williams also cautions people to refrain from moving rocks in mountain streams as these rocks provide shelter for hellbenders, as well as other species of fish, salamanders and insects.

Anyone who finds a hellbender is asked to leave it alone but to note the location (physical location or GPS coordinates) and take a photo, if possible, and email that information to Williams at lori. williams@ncwildlife.org. If anglers happen to catch one on hook and line, they should carefully remove the hook if it is safe to do so without harming the animal or cut the line as close as possible and return it back to the water. People also can call the commission’s Wildlife Interaction Helpline (866) 318-2401 and provide details of the observation.

For more information, visit the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission’s hellbender webpage at www.ncwildlife.org.

To learn more about the Hellbender, go to

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FISH & FISHING

r spread C

onsider this an important decision.

Other than deciding whether or not to use one, a surprising number of anglers seldom give leaders much thought. As long as there is some type of buffer against the deadly dentures of some species or the abrasive hide of others, fishermen tend to be satisfied.

Their attention shifts to other aspects of the sport.

Choosing the right material and proper construction for an effective leader are some of the most overlooked challenges in rigging. The ultimate, of course, centers on fishing a light line without a leader. That seldom is possible on the saltwater scene.

Experience will prove to you that the fish you hook has teeth, abrasive skin, or the bottom is rugged. Any of these factors will end the battle almost before it starts.

The general rule is that the heavier the leader material, the fewer strikes you will get. The solution demands a compromise. You want the strongest leader possible without sacrificing too many strikes. Monofilament leader invariably produces more strikes than single strand wire or nylon coated wire.

Sometimes you have to use wire or every fish of a given species will cut you off. When you do use wire, rely on the shortest length that will produce favorable results. For offshore trolling, a short length of wire makes it easier to rig a bait.

Some anglers even insist that a skipping offering being trolled works better if there is a short length of wire in front of it.

The length of the leader is equally significant. From

MARK SOSIN a protective standpoint, if the species you seek has an abrasive body, the leader should be longer than the average fish you might catch.

Then, when the fish is moving away from you and the line streams over its back, you have the protective advantage of a leader. This part of the leader does not have to be as heavy as the short length around its mouth and gills, but it should be stronger than the line.

Fly fishermen become aware of a leader’s importance very quickly. In that type of fishing, the leader helps to turn over the fly properly so it lands on the water delicately.

In very clear and shallow water, a longer leader enables the caster to enjoy a more delicate presentation where the fly line lands farther from the fish. This is particularly important on the saltwater flats for a variety of species including bonefish, permit, tarpon and redfish.

Fly leaders take many basic forms, but the most important thing to remember is that each succeeding section should be shorter than the one before.

The majority of tournaments and all recordkeeping organizations establish specific leader requirements.

It makes sense to study them before you decide to compete or fish for a record. Leaders are a critical part of rigging each outfit you use. Cutting corners or ignoring details can be a serious mistake.

If you lose a trophy fish because of a faulty leader, you’ll have a hard time forgiving yourself.

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Queen Conch In The Bahamas Sheri Daye

W

hile hunting for that perfect fish for dinner, you sometimes run across other tasty treats. One of my favorites is from the Bahamas: the famous queen conch.

This creature is as delicious as it is beautiful and deserves to be treated with great respect.

Their slow growth and late maturation makes them susceptible to overfishing. Once abundant in the Florida Keys, it became illegal to harvest them in the 1980s when they were harvested to the point of collapse. It’s taken quite a few years to see the beginning of a comeback, but they will likely need continued protection for years to come in the U.S. In the Bahamas, the importance of this valuable resource has been realized and rules are in place to protect it. The recreational limit is six, and they must have a thick, well-formed lip—meaning they had a chance to grow into adulthood and reproduce. Also, they must be harvested while freediving.

Inside the conch shell is a soft-bodied mollusk, which is in the same family as clams, oysters, octopi and squid. They live near coral reefs and seagrass beds and can reach up to 14 inches long. Besides humans, they have a few predators in the water—loggerhead turtles, nurse sharks, spiny lobsters and more. The meat has been consumed for centuries by islanders in the Caribbean and serves in a multitude of dishes such as salads, chowders and fritters.

Conch Tips:

1) Regulations are subject to change so double check before harvesting any marine life.

2) When diving, it is easy to see that in certain places in the Bahamas, especially close to highly populated areas, the conch are 16

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not as abundant. Do not take any from these areas, even if it’s legal.

3) They are easy to spot and move slowly, so use good judgement. Target mature adults that have reproduced and are toward the end of their lifecycle. Consider taking less than the legal limit.

4) The mollusk is not easy to extract or to clean, so if you don’t know how, make sure you have a professional on hand at the end of the day to help you or teach you.

5) Don’t forget to check for pearls in the mantle. These pink pearls are beautiful and more rare than traditional pearls.

6) The inedible part of the conch (the guts, also called “slop”) makes excellent bait for fishing, especially for mutton snappers. Nothing goes to waste!

7) You might (or might not) want to eat the pistol, also known as “Bahamian Viagra.” It is part of the conch’s digestive system and looks like a clear noodle.

8) The Bahamas exports conch to the U.S., but bringing your own conch meat back to the U.S. by boat is strictly prohibited.

Safe diving and Happy Hunting!

Sheri is a world-record holder, host of Speargun Hunter, and producer of “The Blue Wild Ocean Adventure Expo” in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Follow “Sheri Daye” and “The Blue Wild” on Facebook and Instagram.

Go here to watch the video,

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As fisherman, we all know how hard live bait can be to find. Seasonal weather patterns change the way fish are biting, so a variety of bait is key. Bait fishing is so important that fishermen spend weeks prior to tournaments catching bait and then keep them penned up all for a couple epic days of fishing.

The last thing you want is for your bait to die because of a pump failure. At Hooker Electric, we have designed a durable, strong and long-lasting baitwell system. This system is capable of supplying multiple livewells with its adequate DC brushless motor.

You will no longer need multiple pumps to supply each livewell.

Now, by adding the Hooker Electric custom manifolds, you can divert water to the designated wells by adjusting the amount of water flow to each well with our variable flow knobs. This allows you to run all of the wells from one Hooker Electric pump and have another one for redundancy.

The system is easy to use with the variable flow dial, without having to restrict the pump. This Hooker Electric livewell system is a plumb-andplay setup with a variety of sizes. It’s available in 2500, 4500 and 7500 GPH and we also offer an on/off feature for the pumps.

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Tim Barefoot

he older I get, the more I like to fish inshore for all the usual suspects from the Northeast, down through the Carolinas all the way to the Keys. From stripers and specks, to drum and snook, every fish loves a shrimp or minnow imitation under a float. And this includes many freshwater predators.

I always keep a float rig tied on when fishing inside. Popping, cigar and oval floats all have their place, and an added “clicking” sound adds value, especially when fishing a soft plastic shrimp under the float.

There are plenty of commercially available floats, but I want to share a simple and effective way to achieve the same end result… and one that will rarely foul or tangle. Whether the beads are external or internal, the clicking sound is perfectly married with the splashing sound that drives fish bananas.

To make the simple external-bead-style clicking float, view the video below. Allow 1/16- to 1/8-inch clearance (total, not both ends) between the beads and ends of the pegs to allow the beads to tap the plastic pegs.

Follow the instructions below to make the internal-bead-style clicking float.

Materials: 80-pound fluorocarbon; small plastic beads, like those found in sliding cork kits; small swivels; a commercially available foam slip cork with plastic pegs.

Steps: • Thread braided mainline through the plastic peg and one of the small beads.

• Feed the mainline through to the other side of the slip cork and then tie it to one side of the swivel.

• For the other side, thread a fluorocarbon leader through the other peg, thread on a small bead and tie it to the other end of the swivel.

• Press one peg securely into the slip cork, and then pull the bead and swivel into the float’s interior channel.

• Press the second peg into the cork, and your slip cork is now a clicking float. The tiny beads slide back and forth on the line to tap the plastic pegs inside the float.

• Tie a 3/8-ounce jig head and a soft plastic shrimp onto the leader, and… just add water.

There are a number of opinions on how deep to fish below the cork. I like between 18 and 24 inches of fluorocarbon, depending on water depth.

This same tackle works extremely well in freshwater for striped and hybrid bass in moving water. Just use a fluke-style soft plastic instead of a shrimp. The largest largemouth bass I caught this year was under cigar float with an internal clicker. I was fishing a Super Fluke for striped bass.

Smallmouth bass in rocky rivers are complete idiots over this same rig.

Wherever you are, and whatever you’re fishing for, a float rig is something you should keep tied and ready on the deck.

Visit Barefootcatsandtackle.com.

For video instructions on making a clicking cork, see:

FORTHELO VEOFFISHING.COM

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A

nglers are catching a lot of big largemouths in Texas. Last year’s Toyota ShareLunker Program, which tracks bass heavier than 8 pounds, certified 486 bass caught from 89 Texas lakes in 2018, and that’s just the fish that were reported.

At the beginning of 2018, the Toyota ShareLunker program debuted a new year-long season for anglers to enter bass for prizes, recognition, and to help enhance bass fishing in Texas.

Anglers entered largemouths into four categories including six “Legacy Class” bass of 13 pounds or heavier that were entered during the spawning window Jan.1 through March 31 and loaned to TPWD for the selective breeding and stocking program. The total number of entries in other categories who provided citizen science data included: five “Lunker Legend” bass 13 pounds or heavier caught outside the spawning window or not loaned for spawning, 107 “Lunker Elite” bass weighing 10 to 12.99 pounds, and 368 “Lunker” bass at least 24 inches or weighing between 8 and 9.99 pounds.

The top five ShareLunker producing lakes in 2018 included Lake Fork near Quitman with 73 entries, Lake Conroe near Houston with 41 entries, Lake Athens in Athens with 28 entries, Sam Rayburn Reservoir near Jasper with 21 entries, and O.H. Ivie Lake near San Angelo with 17 entries.

For updates on the Toyota ShareLunker program visit https:// www.facebook.com/ShareLunkerprogram and https://texassharelunker.com/.

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CA YMAN BILLFISH

RUNDOWN

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others withou Ad while fi length dethro Ga cords, caught longer class r Py der no where ery sin amid,

by Joh

All currency in USD.

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FRESHWATER Nevada’s WORLD-CLASS CUTTHROAT

T

he International Game Fish Association (IGFA) keeps the most extensive list of fishing records in the world. With categories for all types of tackle and species, some records are more impactful than others. This potential all-tackle length world record for cutthroat trout is without a doubt an impressive fish.

Adam Garcia caught and released this giant cutthroat on Nov. 11, 2018 while fishing Nevada’s Pyramid Lake. The fish measured 85 centimeters in length, or more than 33 inches. Once the paperwork clears, the fish could dethrone the old 81-centimeter length record.

Garcia is no newcomer to the record books. According to IGFA records, he holds four line-class world records for weight, all cutthroats caught from Pyramid Lake in 2016 and 2017. Some of those were actually longer than his Nov. 11 fish. The biggest one, which holds the 16-lb. line class record, weighed 24 pounds.

Pyramid Lake is a large and natural desert lake near the California border northeast of Reno. It is the world hotspot for giant cutthroat trout, where anglers can wade from shore and cast jigs for record-class fish. Every single one of IGFA’s line class cutthroat records were caught from Pyramid, as well as the all tackle world record, which was caught back in 1925

by John Skimmerhorn.

Surprising Winter is the Best Planting Time

I am often asked when is the best time to plant fruiting plants. My answer is usually the same; the best time is 20 years ago or today. The second best time to plant is during the winter months. Plants are dormant, and can be easily shipped and planted with no stress on the plant because there is not a lot of maintenance once the plant or tree has been planted. Simply dig a good hole, water thoroughly

at planting, and take the rest of the winter off. Even though there are no signs of growth above ground, the root systems will have time to get adjusted to their new location and begin to initiate new root growth.

There are plenty of advantages of growing your own edibles. First of all, you know what has been done over the course of the growing season from a chemical stand point.

Second, the fruit just taste

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better coming out of your home orchard versus buying fruit from the grocers that have little to no flavors. Thirdly, it is good for your soul and you will feel more connected to the environment and nature.

Whether it is an apple tree, muscadine vine or a blueberry bush; now is the time to plant. Let’s Grow Together.

Greg Ison, Ison’s Nursery and Vineyards, 800733-0324, www.isons.com

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TIPS FROM A PRO

Cold-Water Bassin' BRANDON LESTER

F

ebruary is one of those transition months.

Spring is just around the corner, and it might have already arrived in some places, but it’s still wintertime for most of the country’s bass fisheries.

Bass are cold-blooded animals, which means the colder the water is, the more the fish’s core body temperature decreases.

That also means the fish’s metabolism slows down.

Metabolism is the chemical processes that occur which allow the fish to maintain life, grow, heal and make energy.

Humans are warm blooded, so our body temperature stays a steady 98.6 degrees. A fish’s temperature drops with the water temp, which makes them more sluggish the colder it gets. If you’re like me, you’re ready to eat three meals a day and some snacks 365 days a year. It’s different with fish.

In warm water, fish feed every day, throughout the day and into the night. In the winter they don’t feed nearly as often. One reason is they don’t move around as much, so they don’t come into contact with prey. Fish feed-up heavily in the fall when the water is still warm to put on weight. Bait is plentiful then, and instinctually they feel cold weather coming.

I have way more 20- and 30-fish days in spring than winter.

You’re not likely set any records for fish catches in cold water. Fish bite for two basic reasons, either because they’re hungry and the bait looks like food or because the bait has come into their territory

and they instinctively attack it. Reaction strikes are greatly reduced during the winter. In water mid-50 degrees and lower, you really need to make the fish want to eat in order to catch them.

I try and fish the warmest water on a lake, as fish in these areas will be more active. A couple degrees in water temperature can make all the difference.

Slower-moving baits work best for cold-water bass. I like baits that stay in one place and can be worked slowly, like a jig. A suspending jerkbait with Mustad KVD trebles will hang in one place, hopefully right in front of their face. Use lighter line in cold water, as it allows the bait to move more realistically. Eight or 10-pound Vicious fluorocarbon is preferable on a jerkbait.

Objects in the water, especially rocks, retain heat. On sunny days, the shallow water near rocks on the bank will often be warmer. Keep in mind that fish don’t bite nearly as hard in cold water. You will feel them kind of “load up” on the bait instead of slamming it. The fish are just picking up the bait and doing as little as possible to catch it. Those “light bites” increase the importance of having a sensitive rod.

I build my own rods and will tell you that MHX Rods from Mud Hole Custom Tackle help me catch more fish, especially in cold water. Higher quality graphite makes a more sensitive rod. MHX Rods are much more affordable and the quality is better than a vast majority of rods out there. For extremely light bites, I recommend the NEPS series of blanks built with Winn Grips.

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LIMIT 9 - Coupon valid through 6/3/19*

Customer Rating

MECHANIC'S GLOVES

$ 99

$

*75399843 * 75399843

Limit 1 coupon per customer per day. Save 20% on any 1 item purchased. *Cannot be used with other discount, coupon or any of the following items or brands: Inside Track Club membership, Extended Service Plan, gift card, open box item, 3 day Parking Lot Sale item, compressors, floor jacks, safes, saw mills, storage cabinets, chests or carts, trailers, trencher/backhoe, welders, Admiral, Ames, Bauer, Cobra, CoverPro, Daytona, Diamondback, Earthquake, Fischer, Hercules, Icon, Jupiter, Lynxx, Poulan, Predator, Tailgator, Viking, Vulcan, Zurich. Not valid on prior purchases. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 6/3/19.

SUPER COUPON

SUPER COUPON

8750 MAX. STARTING/ Customer Rating 7000 RUNNING WATTS 13 HP (420 CC) GAS GENERATOR

7 FT. 4" x 9 FT. 6" CAMOUFLAGE WEATHER RESISTANT TARP

20% OFF

FREE

1,000+ Stores Nationwide • HarborFreight.com

SUPER COUPON

SUPER COUPON

SAVE $65

COMPARE TO

K TOOL $ 68

125

MODEL: KTI63094

NOW

9 $599 $

7999

ITEM 64545/64552/64832 68053/62160/62496/62516/60569 shown

*75409033 * 75409033 LIMIT 3 - Coupon valid through 6/3/19*

COASTALANGLERMAG.COMAt •Harbor THEANGLERMAG.COM I NATIONAL 25 was Freight Tools, the “Compare to” price means Ithat FEBRUARY the specified comparison,2019 which is an item with the same or similar function, *Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 6/3/19. advertised for sale at or above the “Compare to” price by another national retailer in the U.S. within the past 90 days. Prices advertised by others may vary by location. No other meaning of “Compare to” should be implied. For more information, go to HarborFreight.com or see store associate.

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1/21/19 10:31 AM 1/2/19 11:24 AM

L E A S S EVEN R E T IN T W With Special Offers For the 2019 Boat Show Season Your Suzuki Marine Dealer has exceptional deals in store for you when you purchase a new Suzuki outboard from 25 to 350 horsepower during the winter Boat Show Season. Get Suzuki’s 3-Year Limited Warranty plus 3 years of Extended Protection at no extra charge.There are Instant Savings on select models, and Low-Rate Financing is also available. See your participating Suzuki Marine dealer for all the details.

INST

SELEC ANT SA VING T SUZ S UKI O UTBO ON ARDS

REPOWER FINANCE

SIX YEARS OF PROTECTION

INSTANT SAVINGS

REPOWER FINANCE

Six Years of Protection at no extra charge on all new outboards 25 to 350 HP.

Instant Savings on select models when you buy at the boat show.

See your dealer for details.

Rates as low as 5.99% on new Suzuki outboards on approved credit.* [60 Months]

3 Years Limited Warranty + 3 Years Extended Protection

Gimme Six Extended Protection promo is applicable to new Suzuki Outboard Motors from 25 to 350 HP in inventory which are sold and delivered to buyer between 01/01/19 and 03/31/19 in accordance with the promotion by a Participating Authorized Suzuki Marine dealer in the continental US and Alaska to a purchasing customer who resides in the continental US or Alaska. Customer should expect to receive an acknowledgement letter and full copy of contract including terms, conditions and wallet card from Suzuki Extended Protection within 90 days of purchase. If an acknowledgement letter is not received in time period stated, contact Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. – Marine Marketing via email: marinepromo@suz.com. The Gimme Six Promotion is available for pleasure use only, and is not redeemable for cash.

Instant Savings apply to qualifying purchases of select Suzuki Outboard Motors made between 01/01/19 and 03/31/19. For list of designated models, see participating Dealer or visit www.suzukimarine.com.

Instant Savings must be applied against the agreed-upon selling price of the outboard motor and reflected in the bill of sale. (Suzuki will, in turn, credit Dealer’s parts account.) There are no model substitutions, benefit substitutions, rain checks, or extensions. Suzuki reserves the right to change or cancel these promotions at any time without notice or obligation. * Financing offers available through Synchrony Retail Finance. As low as 5.99% APR financing for 60 months on new and unregistered Suzuki Outboard Motors. Subject to credit approval. Not all buyers will qualify. Approval, and any rates and terms provided, are based on credit worthiness. $19.99/month per $1,000 financed for 60 months is based on 5.99% APR. Hypothetical figures used in calculation; your actual monthly payment may differ based on financing terms, credit tier qualification, accessories or other factors such as down payment and fees. Offer effective on new, unregistered Suzuki Outboard Motors purchased from a participating authorized Suzuki dealer between 01/01/19 and 03/31/19. “Gimme Six”, the Suzuki “S” and model names are Suzuki trademarks or ®. Don’t drink and drive. Always wear a USCG-approved life jacket and read your owner’s 26manual.

NATIONAL FEBRUARY I COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM © 2019 SuzukiI Motor of America, 2019 Inc.

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1/21/19 10:31 AM

12/9/18 12:09 PM

Progressive Casualty Ins. Co. & affiliates. Annual premium for a basic liability policy not available all states. Prices vary based on how you buy. *Available with comprehensive and collision coverage.

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There’s a reason they say, Curse like a sailor.

That’s why we offer basic plans starting at $100 a year with options that won’t depreciate your watercraft and accessories*.

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1/21/19 9:58 AM

Don’t take the same old journey.

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1/21/19 9:58 AM