Coastal Angler Magazine | February 2021 | Chesapeake Edition

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DIALING IN

MONSTER STRIPES PRE-SPAWN

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VOLUME 26 • ISSUE 311

F R A N C H I S E

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Why Are Dealers Hoarding These 100-Year-Old U.S. Silver Dollars?

W

hen it comes to collecting, few coins are as coveted as the first and last of a series. And when big anniversaries for those “firsts” and “lasts” come around, these coins become even more coveted.

Take, for example, the 1921 Morgan Silver Dollars. These 90% pure silver coins were the last of their kind, a special one-year-only resurrection of the classic Wild West Silver Dollar. Three years prior, the Pittman Act authorized the melting of more than 270 million Morgan Silver Dollars so their silver could be sold to our allies in the United Kingdom. Facing our own Silver Dollar shortage, the world’s favorite vintage U.S. Silver Dollar was brought back for one year only while the U.S. Mint worked on its successor, the Peace Silver Dollar.

Dealers Begin Stockpiling Last-Year Morgans

Knowing what we’ve told you about special anniversaries, dealers around the country are preparing for a surge in demand. 2021 will mark the 100th anniversary of the 1921 Morgan Silver Dollar—the last-yearof-issue for the most popular vintage U.S. Silver Dollar ever minted. But slow-moving collectors may be disappointed in what they find when they seek out these coins.

Since the days of the Pittman Act, millions more U.S. Silver Dollars have been melted or worn down in commerce. It’s been estimated that as few as 15% of all the Morgan Dollars ever minted have survived to the present day. That number grows smaller each year, with private hoards now accounting for virtually all the surviving Morgan Silver Dollars. And that was before silver values started to rise...

Interest in Silver Is on the Rise

19 19 19 19 19 19 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 LY G T T V C N B R R Y E LY G JU AU SEP OC NO DE JA FE MA AP MA JUN JU AU

Silver Trend Chart: Prices based on monthly averages. ©2020, AMS

As you can see from the chart on the left, in 2020, we’ve seen daily silver prices close as low as $12.01 per ounce and as high as $28.33 per ounce. That rise in value has led to a sharp increase in buyers’ interest in silver. We’re already seeing a surge of interest from collectors wanting to add vintage Morgan Silver Dollars to their collections. But at what price?

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Find & Catch Deep Winter Flounder

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By Capt. Michael Okruhlik

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PHOTO COURTESY OF KNOCKIN TAIL LURES

o all flounder migrate offshore during the winter?

I can’t be certain, but I have caught them in every month of the year. Those latewinter catches may have been flounder that never left, or they might be some that returned early. But one thing is for sure, during cold weather is when I have caught my largest flounder.

Let it be known that I am a lure fisherman at heart, but if you want to consistently target the largest flounder this time of year, live and dead bait rule supreme. A large mullet or shad in the 6-inch range is ideal. Any type of fishfinder rig will suffice with the appropriate weight for the depth of water and strength of current you are fishing.

You just need enough weight to keep your bait in contact with the bottom, where flounder live.

The method I use for flounder catching is to keep the bait in constant contact with the bottom.

Pointing the rod tip toward the water and utilizing a sweeping motion, I twitch my rod, kicking up mud and sand to create a trail of dust that attracts fish. This way I can cover some water in search of a hungry doormat. Once I feel the first tap from the flounder, I pause. I wait patiently for the second and usually a quick third tap. Then I give it a solid hook-set!

Flounder will hold on to a bait longer than most inshore species, and they don’t always engulf it all at once. I feel they want to injure their meal before swallowing it, which is why it pays to be patient and wait until they’ve got the hook in their mouth before driving the point home.

The best area to target the largest of the species is near structure, specifically bulkheads. Flounder like to bed down next to seawalls, where baitfish have fewer angles of escape. Other structure like rock jetties are also great areas to try.

On an outgoing tide, I target drain openings where high tide flows out of the marshes. These drains can be small, 1 to 2 feet of width is all it takes. As long as the marsh behind the drain has enough water to hold bait, it’s perfect.

Flounder will stage at the opening of a large drain as well, but no drain is too small, and I feel the smaller ones can easily be dismissed and easily missed.

One final note is on tide direction and strength. During a strong outgoing tide, flounder use the tide as easy transportation to open water and focus more on swimming than feeding. I tend to avoid the strong outgoing tide when targeting migrating flounder.

Be safe, stay warm, and get out there to catch the largest flounder of your life.

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KAYAKING FOR

A DAY OF DOUBLES

By Brian Nelli

I

n offshore kayak fishing, many of the milestones we pursue come in the form of knocking off “bucket list” fish. Sailfish is at the top of that list for a lot of anglers in South Florida. The sailfish is a great achievement, but there is one fish that many either write off as improbable or just a dream. That fish is the wahoo. One of the fastest fish in the ocean, it bounces around in kayak anglers’ heads with the question of could today be the day.

I’ve been a South Florida kayak fishing guide since 2010. Here, where the currents of the Gulf Stream swing so close to coast, it is possible to launch a kayak from the beach in pursuit of offshore species. I have been fortunate to assist clients in catching multiple wahoo over the years.

To give an idea of how special this is, my best year for wahoo saw just six of these speedy fish landed in 150 offshore kayak trips. Now what do you think the chances are of catching two in one trip?

How about two at the same time? That is where our story begins.

Two days after the December new moon phase, winds were light and the ocean was flat calm. My two clients and I were running live goggle eyes on 60-pound wire stinger rigs tied to 40-pound Yozuri Hybrid Line. We were geared with Shimano Spheros 10k reels paired with Crowder Rods E-Namic 6’6” 15- to 40-pound rods. At dawn, we headed roughly a mile from shore and started slow trolling.

All hell broke loose within the first hour. It was a double hook-up on sailfish! The fish pulled my two clients in opposite directions. After screaming directions and running back and forth to each angler, we managed to secure both fish for a great photo before release. That sailfish double already made it a great day, but there was more to come.

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FEBRUARY 2021

We regrouped and got baits back out in search of another bite. At about 11 a.m., we approached a slight rip line near 150 feet of water. There was very little current and next to no surface action for most of the day, so we slowed down to stick in the rip area. Ten minutes in, I noticed one rod bounce hard and then take off. It was a good high-speed run and then line went slack. I screamed to keep reeling no matter what, as this is typical for a wahoo strike. Sure enough, the fish came tight again for another run to the bottom. As I yelled to one angler, the other client’s rod started bouncing.

He reeled down, and there was head thrashing on surface. The fish circled the yak twice, and I

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

gaffed the 29-pound wahoo within minutes.

Once we got that one, I knew by its behavior the first fish was going to be a wahoo, as well. I was excited and shaking. I’ve been hunting a double wahoo for a decade or more. Ten minutes later, with that first fish safely in-hand, I let out a scream heard round the world, “We did it!

DOUBLE WAHOO!” Brian Nelli operates Pushin’ Water Kayak Charters offering inshore and offshore kayak fishing trips out of South Florida. Contact him at Brian@tckayakfishing.com and check out his website at www.tckayakfishing.com.

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he very best hunting knives possess a perfect balance of form and function. They’re carefully constructed from fine materials, but also have that little something extra to connect the owner with nature.

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earlier, the biggest trout caught during February and March will eat crappie-sized jigs… so, there goes that theory.

For the most part, though, I like bigger shrimp to eliminate as many of the dink trout bites as possible, but even the dinks will give the biggest shrimp you throw a whack. When you miss a bite, I always say, “don’t Tim Barefoot worry about it, it’s a dink.” Trout always eat a shrimp from behind, so they can fold the shrimp up and swallow it with the horn going forward. his is the time of year when the inshore bite can slow down or get hot as a firecracker, especially for speckled trout. Always. A missed bite usually means the fish didn’t have a mouth large Right now, bait size can make all the difference between enough to “inhale” your shrimp backwards.

Another key ingredient stacking ’em up and getting to getting bites in cold water skunked. Live baits are is the speed of the retrieve. really the best bet when This is a perfect situation to things get tough, but for use a sliding cork or a fixedhard-headed anglers—like depth cork. For example: If me—who prefer artificials, you’re in water 6 feet deep it’s important to use smaller and you want to slow the profile baits and slow down bait way down, set the stop the retrieve considerably. at 5 feet and just let the As a matter of fact, I cork stand up and drift the know a guy who scales same speed as the current, down to crappie-size or if there is no current, jigs through the coldest just barely slow-take a stretches of February and wind on the reel to keep March. the bait moving forward.

I prefer a smaller Don’t twitch the bait, just version of the same shrimp barely move it forward, and I always use. I normally always use a shrimp scent throw the 4-inch shrimp on like Pro Cure Shrimp. a jig head, but when it gets cold, I like the 3-inch size.

There is not a time of the year when fish won’t eat a shrimp; there’s only a Videos for this style fishing will soon be available at: few weeks of the year when they won’t eat the 4-inch version.

The reason I normally throw the bigger shrimp is that the old saying, BAREFOOTCATSANDTACKLE.COM “bigger bait, bigger fish” kind of holds true for seatrout. But like I said

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Uniquely American stone ignites romance

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n May 18, 1980, the once-slumbering Mount St. Helens erupted in the Pacific Northwest. It was the most impressive display of nature’s power in North America’s recorded history.

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Known as America’s emerald, Helenite makes it possible to give her a stone that’s brighter and has more fire than any emerald without paying the exorbitant price. In fact, this many carats of an emerald that looks this perfect and glows this green would cost you upwards of $80,000. Your more beautiful and much more affordable option features a perfect teardrop of Helenite set in gold-covered sterling silver suspended from a chain accented with even more verdant Helenite.

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February tends to be a tough month for fishing, and outdoor recreation in general, in Maryland. And with the continuing pandemic, our usual distractions of fishing and boat shows will fall by the wayside as well. But fear not, before you know it we will back at it wetting lines and catching fish. Yellow perch will be here in short order and early warm days will turn the Snakehead on in the shallows of Blackwater. Until then use this time to tidy up those tackle boxes and clean up those reels. That’s exactly what we are doing here at Chesapeake Angler and Maryland Kayak Outfitters.

Thanks for picking up this month’s issue - I hope you enjoy it and please don’t forget to support our advertisers, as well as, other small businesses throughout Maryland.

/AnglerMagazineChesapeake /ChesapeakeAngler /ChesapeakeAngler

Brian Raines, Publisher theanglerchesapeake@gmail.com

Photo Courtesy: Alan Battista Author, Light Tackle Kayak Trolling the Chesapeake Bay COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

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CABIN FEVER FEVER!!

Captain Jason Seman - The Marylander - Denton, MD

The chill of old man winter has arrived in Maryland and a period of hibernation from the great outdoors has begun for many. We are thankful to have the season we had in 2020 at Maryland Fishing and Hunting and are beginning our preparations to make the 2021 Season even better than the last!

Though most of our boats are winterized in Maryland, it has not broken our spirit to continue on as die hard anglers. It is one of our favorite months of the year to target our favorite pan fish and return to the adventures of our adolescence, hiking along the headwaters of the rivers on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

The Yellow Perch will soon make its appearance during their spring spawn. This fishes contrasting tiger striped pattern portrays a unique appearance and is one of the best eating fish in Maryland waters. The thrill of utilizing ultra light tackle and jig heads that are miniature in stature to many in our typically summer tackle box makes this a unique experience during our calendar year.

Their period of migration may only last a short duration but there ability to replenish our rod and reel withdrawals is much appreciated during our off season.

While the Yellow Perch may be our target of choice, the occasional Chain Pickerel gives us great excitement as well. These fish have an elongated mouth and are often aggressive in nature. We often use one of the most time tested lures, the Mepps Spinner bait to antagonize these fish into biting our line.

Its flash and coarse tail make it an irresistible treat for several species of pan fish in Maryland waters as well.

Though we are in the midst of maintenance and preparation for the start of our 2021 season aboard The Marylander. The opportunity to hike into Maryland’s great outdoors to view migrating waterfowl and target our February fish of choice is a blessing for us as Maryland sportsmen. As we anxiously wait for the 2021 Striped Bass Season to open, we look forward to sharing our past angler experiences, and current status of per-season preparation aboard The Marylander on Facebook, Instagram, and additional social media platforms.

We look forward to the start of a new season aboard The Marylander and the month of February is a reminder that Cabin Fever is only temporary.

D R A O B BRAG Jason Craley

E

Landon Craley

W M

Travis Long

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Robert Shatrowsky Shane Cole Send your bragboard photos to theanglerchesapeake@gmail.com

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FEBRUARY 2021

CHESAPEAKE 5

First-Ever Maryland State Fishing Record For

Flathead Catfish

A Cecil County resident has officially been recognized by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources as the firstever state record holder for the invasive flathead catfish. Joshua Dixon caught the 57-pound, 50-inch long flathead catfish (Pylodictis olivaris) on Dec. 27, 2020 fishing near the Lapidum Boat Ramp on the Susquehanna River.

The 34-year-old angler was fishing from shore with Zoom plastic swimbait, and said it took nearly 30 minutes to pull in the flathead. Dixon was using medium-weight spinning tackle, which added to the intensity and length of the battle.

“It was really weird because I thought I snagged a tree,” Dixon said. “It didn’t feel like a fish but after a while, it was going crazy.”

Dixon’s record-breaking catch broke the state’s minimum flathead catfish weight of 40 pounds. The flathead catfish’s weight was officially certified by Jack Manning of Keen Compressed Gas in Elkton. A Maryland Department of Natural Resources biologist confirmed the catch.

Dixon donated his record-breaking catch to friends who harvested the fish’s protein-rich filets.

The department maintains state records for sport fish in four divisions – Atlantic, Chesapeake, Nontidal, and Invasive – and awards plaques to anglers who achieve record catches. Fish caught from privately-owned, fee-fishing waters are ineligible for consideration.

Anglers who think they have a potential record catch should download and fill out the state record application and call 443-569-1381 or 410-260-8325. The department recommends the fish be immersed in ice water to preserve its weight until it can be checked, confirmed, and certified.

According to the Maryland DNR website “Flathead differ greatly in appearance from most other catfish species.

Flatheads have a squarish tail, sometimes slightly notched. Their backs and sides are often an olive or light brown color with darker mottles or specks. Their bellies are often white or pale in color. Their heads are compressed, or flattened, and they have a protruding lower jaw.”

These ambush predators feed at night and voraciously consumer other fish. They have few natural predators besides member of their own species and anglers.

Flathead’s are not able to tolerate high salinity environments. They prefer hanging out where the water is cloudy and currents are slow. Adult flathead catfish are solitary creatures and can usually be found near or under fallen trees, logs and brush piles, while young flathead catfish usually prefer shallower water. Adults stay in deeper waters during the day and move into shallower water at night.

A little more about the Flathead Catfish

First introduced into our region in the 1960’s. This invasive species is now found in the Upper Chesapeake Bay, Susquehanna River and tributaries, the Potomac River, as well as the Elk and Sassafras Rivers.

It is native to the Ohio and Mississippi River watersheds and has expanded dramatically in Maryland.

They are ferocious predators reaching up to 100 pounds and can live at least 20 years.

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FEBRUARY 2021

CHESAPEAKE 7

Over Harvesting of Atlantic Menhaden Has to Stop!

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) has determined there are insufficient Atlantic menhaden on the Atlantic Coast to feed critically important predators such as striped bass, bluefish, and weakfish.

So they lowered the total allowable catch for all Atlantic Coast states from 216,000 metric tons to 192,456 tons for a 10% reduction. Of this total Virginia was allotted 78.66% of the total.

Virginia allocates over 90% of its quota to Omega Protein, the last remaining industrial reduction fishery on the Atlantic Coast. That total is 136,313 metric tons which represents 70.83% of the total allowable catch for the entire Atlantic Coast. Of this total the ASMFC allows 51,000 metric tons to be harvested in the Virginia portion of the Chesapeake Bay.

Omega Protein is allowed to harvest 26.5% of the entire Atlantic Coast total allowable catch from the Virginia portion of the Chesapeake Bay. They are clearly overharvesting Atlantic menhaden in the Chesapeake Bay.

It gets worse. Omega Protein frequently positions its boat just outside the entrance of the Chesapeake Bay so they can harvest migrating menhaden entering and exiting the Bay. So, what’s the impact?

Overharvesting of Atlantic menhaden by Omega Protein is adversely impacting the commercial harvest of striped bass, bluefish, and weakfish. Data indicates a steady decline in the commercial harvest of these fish in the

Chesapeake Bay and Potomac River. Over the last 22 years the commercial harvest has declined 34%, 76%, and 98%, respectively.

These declines have adversely impacted the commercial fishermen in Maryland and Virginia who are engaged in the harvesting of these predators to make a living.

Since 2000, Maryland has experienced a 39% decline in commercial fishermen (330), and Virginia has experienced a 40% decline in commercial fishermen (338).

In addition, overharvesting of Atlantic menhaden has adversely impacted ospreys in the Chesapeake Bay.

Overharvesting of Atlantic menhaden in the Chesapeake Bay has a coast-wide impact as 60% or more of the striped bass in the Atlantic Ocean begin as spawn in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. And according to the ASMFC, striped bass are in poor condition as they are overfished and overfishing is occurring coast-wide.

It’s time to end Omega Protein’s reduction fishery in the Chesapeake Bay and the ocean entrance to the Bay. Atlantic menhaden need to recover for the benefit of recreational fishermen, non-reduction commercial fishermen, and last but not least, the marine environment.

Phil Zalesak, President Southern Maryland Recreational Fishing Organization http://www.smrfo.com

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Harvest Increases Expected For Gulf Snapper/Triggerfish

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ulf of Mexico anglers have a couple new reasons to be excited as we head into the spring and summer fishing seasons. NOAA is looking at loosening regulations for both Gulf red snapper and gray triggerfish. That should help fill some coolers for bottom-fishers who’ve found it’s sometimes tough these days to catch anything other than snapper and triggerfish.

New catch level recommendations for red snapper are expected in time for

the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council’s April 2021 meeting, which should provide time for adjustments prior to the traditional summer peak in recreational snapper fishing.

This good news is the result of a massive study called “The Great Red Snapper Count,” a $10-million, congressionally funded, independent stock assessment initiated in 2016 and conducted by 21 scientists and 12 institutions across the Gulf.

The Great Red Snapper Count showed red snapper are far more abundant than previously estimated using the Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review stock assessment process that has been used to all but shut down snapper seasons over the last decade.

The Great Red Snapper Count estimates that for 2-year-old-plus red snapper there are 23 million off Texas, 29 million off Louisiana, 10 million off Mississippi and Alabama, and 48 million off Florida. It also showed that large fish are comparatively more abundant in the western Gulf than the eastern Gulf.

NOAA’s plan is to integrate the Great Red Snapper Count’s findings into its interim analysis for Gulf red snapper. It is worth noting that even though anglers and researchers are seeing more and larger red snapper, the spawning potential of the population is still below the original target of NOAA’s rebuilding plan. Adjustments to the state-specific catch limits are being considered to account for the harvest monitoring programs used by each state.

Loosened restrictions on gray triggerfish are being considered following an interim analysis, using video surveys to estimate abundance, that showed the stock size has been increasing, especially in the eastern Gulf, and that catch limits can be increased.

The Gulf Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee recommended increasing the gray triggerfish acceptable biological catch limit to 456,900 pounds whole weight, which allows an increase in the gray triggerfish annual catch limit. Action is expected prior to the end of the 2021 recreational fishing season.

The Council is also considering modifications to the gray triggerfish recreational fixed closed seasons and will consider that action in a separate framework action that will also address changes to the vermilion snapper recreational bag limit.

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

FEBRUARY 2021

NATIONAL 13

TIPS FOR DIALING ’EM IN

By Nick Carter

A

T

here’s no mistaking it when a monster striped bass blows up on the surface. At a slow troll just after first light, you can almost feel it’s going to happen. Behind a planer board, the stinger-hooked gizzard shad begins to struggle. Anticipation goes through the roof as the bait flees for its life.

“When you see that big shad get exploded on, it’s like a bowling ball dropped out of the sky,” said Shane Goebel, of Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service.

“The planer board streaks across the water, and it’s on! There’s really nothing else like it.”

Goebel has watched this scene take place hundreds of times while guiding the mountain lakes that straddle the Georgia/North Carolina border. He knows what it takes to boat striped bass in the 30- to 40-plus-pound range. Here are Goebel’s tips for dialing in the big-fish bite: 1) Fish Trophy Striper Season: Giants are caught year-round, but fate favors the uncomfortable angler. When the water is cold, baitfish and big stripers are forced into the shallows in search of warmer water. They push out of the main lake and into the backs of creeks and rivers, where big fish are more predictable than when they’ve got the whole lake to roam.

2) Offer Them Everything: By putting out a large spread of different baits, you’re more likely to troll a preferred meal past that big girl’s nose.

Goebel fishes as many baits as the confines of a 14 NATIONAL

FEBRUARY 2021

creek allow. He might run a couple planer boards out each side of the boat, a couple freelines off the stern and a couple of balloon baits way in back. He staggers distance and depth to cover water both horizontally and vertically.

Goebel fishes a mix of baits, too. Big gizzard shad and rainbow trout are big striper baits, but when blueback herring are the predominant forage, he’ll fish all three at the same time. You never know which bait will get hit.

3) Stay With the Baitfish: You’re probably sick of hearing this, but… “find the bait, and you’ll find the fish.”

PHOTOS COURTESY OF BIG OL’ FISH GUIDING SERVICE

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

Goebel starts cold mornings in the backs of the creeks looking for baitfish. When he sees what he likes, he deploys his spread and works from the shallows out to the creek mouth as the day advances to follow the movement of baitfish and stripers.

On some lakes, diving birds are a dead giveaway. Keep binoculars on the console to scout for gulls.

Also, especially on warmer days, don’t be afraid to drop downlines if you mark bait deep in a creek mouth.

4) Keep a Pitch Rod Ready: Goebel keeps lightweight spinning rods rigged and ready with Flukes and Redfins. Those casting rods come in handy when feeding breaks loose on the surface.

It’s quicker and easier to cast lures to visible fish than it is to steer a trolling spread over them. And nothing beats fighting a big striper on light tackle.

Check out Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service at bigolfish.com.

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FEBRUARY 2021

NATIONAL 17

TACTICS FOR TOUGH DELAYED HARVEST TROUT E

By CAM Staff

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ven in the depths of winter, there is trout action to be found on delayed harvest (DH) streams where state agencies stock trout heavily under catch-and-release regulations.

DH stretches offer high densities of trout that grow progressively wilder through winter into spring. And while stocked trout are renowned for their gullibility, they can also be difficult at times. Bill Stranahan, a veteran guide with Southeastern Anglers has a few tricks up his sleeve for catching DH trout.

Bugger Time: “Wooly Buggers are so important this time of year,” Stranahan said. “You’re looking for that reaction strike. Swing and strip. Keep it moving.”

Olive and black are perennial favorite colors whenever and wherever, and for winter fishing he prefers smaller Buggers in sizes 6 to 10. The primary DH stretches he fishes are Tennessee’s Hiwassee tailrace and the Tellico River, which is a freestone. They are very different fisheries, yet swinging and stripping Buggers is pretty much universally productive.

Get Down On It: If catching numbers of fish is the goal, nymphing is normally the best tactic. When the trout are less active—especially when they’re holed up in deeper, slower runs during a cold snap—it might be the only way to catch fish.

The key to catching fish in these conditions is depth. Trout won’t move far to feed when they’re hunkered down, so getting your nymphs down to them is imperative.

Stranahan likes a weighted Pat’s Rubber Legs, or a similar heavy stonefly nymph in sizes 6 to 10. It’s a big buggy-looking mouthful, and it’s also a great anchor fly to fish in tandem with other nymphs. Depending on what the fish want, the Pat’s could be fished below “junk food” like a Squirmy Worm, a mop or egg pattern, or flashy attractor nymphs like a Rainbow Warrior or Lightning Bug. Or, if trout want something more natural, the Pat’s could anchor a small black stonefly nymph, a Hare’s Ear or a Prince.

Again, depth is the key, so Stranahan likes a good sliding indicator that’s easy to adjust. Judge the depth of each hole, and try to get your anchor fly to drift just off the bottom.

Headhunting: “Depending on how froggy you feel as an angler on a given day, you can go out running and gunning with big streamers,” Stranahan said.

On a large tailwater or in deep holes on a smaller stream, big streamers have a way of turning the biggest fish. A big Zonker, a Swimmin’ Jimmy, a Zoo Cougar or one of Kelly Galloup’s other articulated patterns make a commotion when fished on sinking line.

You’re trying to get their attention. If you don’t get chased in one hole, switch something up and move until you find what’s working. Sticking to the plan is important, though. You’re hunting a few fish large and aggressive enough to eat a raucous fly.

Check out Southeastern Anglers at www.southeasternanglers.com.

18 NATIONAL

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NATIONAL 19

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E-Z ANCHORING Applies to Pontoons

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PART II

ebuting the Hinged Pontoon Anchoring Solution and Retractable Tritoon Anchoring Solution at Pennsylvania’s Lake Youghiogheny, E-Z Anchor Puller president Aaron Knopp and system installer Don Snyder spoke about and demonstrated the ease-of-use of these two permanent solutions. Underneath the crossmembers of a 24-foot Playbouy pontoon, a Hero EX-1 drum anchor winch was paired with the Hinged Solution, while the Retractable Solution was retrofitted to the 24-foot SouthBay tritoon sporting the Hero EX-2. Read on to discover the similarities and differences between these two innovative solutions that anyone can install!

Aesthetics: The difference between the two is a matter of visibility; the Hinged protrudes ever-so-slightly underneath the deck in order to lift and drop the river anchor out of the water, whereas the Retractable remains completely invisible until it slides out from underneath the boat to release anchor, rode and chain in one sweeping motion. While some prefer to see the river or mushroom anchor lifted and held by the Hinged, a waterproof, wifi camera is also available so the operator can watch their Hero EX-1, EX-2 or Patriot EZ-1 deploy the rode from their smartphone.

Mechanics: Each system’s operational differences lie within hollow-tube raceways. While the Hinged system has a folding bow roller that lifts when the anchor makes contact, the Retractable system has an internal spring that compresses with deployment and retrieval.

Installation: For the Hinged solution, place the bow roller head so it protrudes slightly from under the deck. Keep trailering in mind, and plot where the best-suited location is in tangent when trafficking your boat to and from the water. The sleeve of the hollow raceway, which is immediately connected to the hinged bow roller’s head, is placed directly on the edge of the bullnose/front of the decking bracket that secures the square hollow raceway

Scan the QR code with your smartphone to watch the full review of the Hinged and Retractable solutions’ performance, installation, drum winch stats and more.

to the vessel’s crossmembers.

For the Retractable, install the raceway 10 to 12 inches from the front of the boat. Both solutions have four drilled holes at the opposite end of the solution (the drum winch end) to allow for further flexibility when mounting to the crossmembers of the boat.

Hardware: Both solution kits come with a universal underside mounting plate with pre-drilled holes for the winch selected. Elongated slots are designed to fit any crossmember, no matter how close or far apart they may be. Additional mounting hardware includes required mounting brackets, hex bolts, lock nuts and flat washers. Both solution raceways have several predrilled holes to correctly locate the included mounting tabs and brackets to the crossmembers, and both can be powered by the Hero EX-1, EX-2 or Patriot EZ-1. The drum anchor winch of choice is sold separately.

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NATIONAL 23

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SUPER COUPON (3755) 3-Ply Disposable Face Masks Pack of 10

2

3

Save

$

Compare to Fecedy B01711ZXI4 $8.99

Black

ITEM 58065

Non-medical.

Blue

ITEM 57593

In-Store Only

*56201167* 56201167

$

LIMIT 4 - Exp. 3/3/21*

WOW!

ITEM 63971/63970 shown

Use Online & In-Store

56338012

LIMIT 1 - Exp. 3/3/21*

3

ITEM 69504/62336/47262 shown

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ITEM 64110

119

$

Compare to Pelican 227939 $199.97

SUPER COUPON

Black

YOUR CHOICE

$

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Pancake

*56252563 * LIMIT 3 - Exp. 3/3/21* 56252563

81%

$

Compare to Dewalt DW1369 $60.09

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*56275508 * LIMIT 3 - Exp. 3/3/21* 56275508

ITEM 5889/62281/61637 shown

SUPER COUPON

4-1/2" Angle Grinder

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Compare to Ironton 61451 $22.99

56%

Use Online & In-Store

*56291813 * LIMIT 4 - Exp. 3/3/21* 56291813

ITEM 69645/60625 shown

$

$

$

ITEM 56621/56622/56623/56624 shown

Use Online & In-Store

*56293492 * LIMIT 1 - Exp. 3/3/21* 56293492

115

Compare to ShelterLogic 76377 $290.75

199Use Online & In-Store 99 ITEM 62859/63055/62860 shown

99 *56312091* LIMIT 1 - Exp. 3/3/21*

ITEM 61277/63881

3/8" Drive 1/2" Drive

$

ITEM 62431/63882 shown

Compare to Husky H2DTWA $89.97

9

*56323345* 56323345

LIMIT 4 - Exp. 3/3/21*

*Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 3/3/21.

hft_coastalangler_0221_M-REG176349.indd 1

Compare to Neocraft 60635 $51.45

Use Online & In-Store

*56282372 * LIMIT 3 - Exp. 3/3/21* 56282372

ITEM 62515/66911 shown

SUPER COUPON (4094)

230

ITEM 60363/69730 shown

Use Online & In-Store

*56299466 * LIMIT 3 - Exp. 3/3/21* 56299466

Compare to Honda GX200UT2QX2 $329.99

ITEM 68121/69727 CALIFORNIA ONLY

69

99

Save Compare to Ironton 54123 $84.99

29%

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*56301321 * LIMIT 2 - Exp. 3/3/21* 56301321

SUPER COUPON (2300)

5999

$ 99

Use Online & In-Store

1,100+ Stores Nationwide • HarborFreight.com

99

99

2500 lb. Capacity Electric Winch with Wireless Remote Control

YOUR CHOICE

1999

$

$

ITEM 68998/63248 64080/64263 shown

$

88%

1999 27

$

(2580)

Save

ITEM 61276/63880

18" Working Platform Step Stool

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Compare to Anvil A137HOS $75.88

$

1/4" Drive

(5547 )

SUPER COUPON

Click-Type Torque Wrenches

$

SUPER COUPON

$ 99 $ 12499

60%

40

56252177

6.5 HP (212 CC) OHV Horizontal Shaft Gas Engine

3999

(4271)

Save

56312091

56277684

2999

SUPER COUPON

10 ft. x 17 ft. Portable Garage

174

*56277684 * LIMIT 1 - Exp. 3/3/21*

Save

(2259)

$

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ITEM 64031, 64722, 64030, 64721, 64061, 64720, 56429

10499

SUPER COUPON

$

Compare to Snap-on Blue-Point KRBC10TBPES $830

$

94

Compare to Powerbuilt 647593 $135.27

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*56252177 * LIMIT 3 - Exp. 3/3/21*

ITEM 63750/56810/63181 shown

61%

130 Piece Tool Kit with Case

99

Save

Compare to Game Winner FSGWHE1030 $24.99

(4522)

Rapid Pump® 3 Ton Steel Heavy Duty Floor Jack

$

1499

Save

(1116) 1 SELLING JACKS IN AMERICA

(2535)

1199

SUPER COUPON

#

9

YOUR CHOICE OF 7 COLORS

630

SUPER COUPON

(7151)

$ 99 $ 99 13

Side tray sold separately.

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ITEM 69269/97080 shown

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19999

23999

LIMIT 1 - Exp. 3/3/21*

$

(1878)

$

Hot Dog

Compare to Porter-Cable PCFP02003 $98.62

*56231627 * LIMIT 1 - Exp. 3/3/21*

$

1899

ITEM 60637 61615 shown

59%

Use Online & In-Store

30", 5 Drawer Mechanic's Cart

99

56208312

SUPER COUPON 0.50 cal.

Metal Ammo Can

SUPER COUPON

10

$

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*56208312*

ITEM 64008/64011 shown

52%

(5605)

29 Piece Titanium Drill Bit Set

Contents not included.

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56231627

SUPER COUPON

3 Gallon, 100 PSI Oil-Free Air Compressors

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79

ITEM 64520

(4565)

5499

$

158

Compare to Stack-On SS-16-MB-E $438.70

$

Save

ITEM 56862

56214959

99

Case contents and locks not included.

Tan

Use Online & In-Store

*56209438 * *56214959 * LIMIT 4 - Exp. 3/3/21* LIMIT 4 - Exp. 3/3/21* 56209438

(828)

YOUR CHOICE OF COLOR

73%

Compare to Go Green Power GG-113-30LPOP $14.99

Exp. 3/3/21*

Model 9800

Save

4

$ 99

$

56203480

Waterproof Protective Rifle Cases

$ 99

4

$ 99

3999

*56203480*

SUPER COUPON

250 Lumen Pop-Up Lantern

3

CA DOJ Compliant

LIMIT 3 ITEM 61319/64073/64145/63958 shown

Use Online & In-Store

(4480)

$ 99

60%

2

$ 89

Compare to Energizer HDB32EH $15.98

*56338012*

SUPER COUPON

40" x 72" Moving Blanket

Save

89 ¢

Wheel kit and battery sold separately.

Compare to Honda EM6500SXK2AT $2,929

34999 $

2,279

ITEM 63969/63968 CALIFORNIA ONLY

27999

Save

(5636)

$

$

99

Save

SUPER COUPON

Compare to Pratt Retail Specialties HDMOVBLAN $9.98

$

64999 699 $

WHILE SUPPLIES LAST

66%

10 Gun Electronic Security Safe

(972)

Less Than 30¢ per Mask

$ 99

Swivel Lens Headlamp

(373)

9000w Max. Starting Extra Long Life Gas Powered Generator

YOUR CHOICE OF COLOR

$ 99

(4614)

S

SUPER COUPON

SUPER COUPON

SAVE 94%

4 AMP High Frequency Battery Charger/Maintainer

27

$ 99 $ 3999 Save $

ITEM 61297/63476/61840 shown

Use Online & In-Store

*56328352* 56328352

LIMIT 1 - Exp. 3/3/21*

83

Compare to Snap-on EEBM500A $111

ITEM 63350

Use Online & In-Store

*56329809* 56329809

LIMIT 3 - Exp. 3/3/21*

Pricing, promotions, and availability may vary by location and at www.harborfreight.com and are subject to change without notice. We reserve the right to limit quantities. “Compare to” advertised price means that the specified comparison, which is an item with the same or similar function, was 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. Although we make every effort to assure that our prices and products are advertised as accurately as possible, we are only human and in the event an error is made, we reserve the right to correct it.

1/6/21 12:36 PM

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