Coastal Angler Magazine | June 2024 | Ft. Myers / Cape Coral / Charlotte Harbor Edition

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Swordfishing is great any time of the year, but during summer you can justify the fuel burn to get where they live. It’s nearly impossible to run that far offshore in June and not come across diving birds indicative of mahi or tuna. With minimal effort, this can be a nice score to put something in the box if you don’t have luck with the swords. It is normal to get skunked while swordfishing, and I don’t recommend going if you can’t accept that possibility.

The best way to go into it is to be fully prepared for both a fish of a lifetime or to just chill with friends. Make no mistake, when you do land one of these beasts, it’s some of the most exciting fishing you can experience, and it’s worth the skunk risk.

Although you don’t have to run as far, the same consolation prize applies to heading out for tilefish, snowy and yellowedge grouper, queen snapper, barrelfish and rosies. Mahi fishing to, from and during deep-dropping rounds out a trip nicely.

Be prepared for mahi when heading offshore in summer. Keep at least four rods designated for working a school and more for trolling. J hooks are a must for these head-shaking, sky-rocketing, flippy-flappy, squirm-fish, but just about any line and bait will do. These tasty little dummies aren’t picky and would strike a banana peel if you jigged it right. That said, the speed of the bait is a variable you might have to adapt to. Their toddler mentality kicks in when you try to take a bait away from them, encouraging them to strike something they just turned their nose up at. If you get hit when reeling in your bait, open your bail and give them a chance to eat.

If you get excited about fish with pointy faces, be prepared for a marlin encounter this time of year. I keep rigged ballyhoo in a trolling spread and a pitch rod set up. Marlin aren’t overly common here, but when you see one, you want to be prepared for more than to simply wave and think, “that was neat.”

Marlin enjoy a mahi snack as much as we do and will pop up unexpectedly while mahi fishing. If you have a large live bait, toss that sucker out. If not, a mahi from the box will do in a pinch. Give her time to eat, hang on and enjoy

By Capt. Quinlyn Haddon the ride.

Mahi season is already off to a great start for both size and numbers. Come ummer in the Keys, albeit hotter than the devil’s you-know-where, is one on down and fill your coolers! of the best times to be on the water. With more calm days, open seasons Capt. Quinlyn Haddon; Sweet e’nuf charters, marathon, Florida Keys; for most species, and mahi peppering offshore waters, this is the time of @captainquinlyn; captainquinlyn.com; (504) 920-6342. year to boogie out and hunt for whatever tickles your fancy.

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FISH THE GREATER JACKSONVILLE KINGFISH TOURNEY JULY 13-20!

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All the boats and fish coming to the docks at he “Grandaddy of all Kingfish Tournaments” will get the First Coast Jim King Park and Boat Ramp at Sisters Creek Park buzzing July 13-20, as the 44th annual in Jacksonville creates a festival atmosphere. The Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament presented by VyStar Credit Union hosts a full week of tournaments with more than $500,000 in cash and prizes.

The competition kicks off July 13 with the Kingfish Kick Off Beach Tournament, in which competitors are limited to state waters within 3 miles of shore. This event evens the odds for the smaller boats to haul in the largest kingfish of the day and collect the $50,000 cash prize.

Fishing for the General Tournament begins Friday morning, July 19. This cornerstone event pays out to 20 places for both large fish and aggregate. First place for largest fish of the tournament will be awarded a Contender 28T with twin 200 Yamaha outboards, an Ameritrail Trailer and a custom T-top and leaning post by Custom Marine. This boat package is valued at more than $225,000.

Junior anglers have a shot at a 16foot boat with a 15 hp Yamaha, and the Junior Offshore Tournament pays out to 25 places. The Ladies Division pays out to 10 places.

tournament draws a crowd of spectators who enjoy cold beverages, hot food and vendors. Awards Day on Saturday, July 20 is all about celebration, with Kids Zone activities, raffles and seminars.

For inshore anglers, the popular Redfish Tournament fishes on Saturday, July 20 with payouts of more than $12,000.

Jacksonville Marine Charities is the operating arm of the event, and it supports non-profits throughout the state. Recently, Child Cancer Fund, the Down Syndrome Association and the Child Guidance Center have benefitted from the organization, which also supports other local charity fishing events like The Premier Trout, Flounder Pounder, Wounded Heroes on the Water and others.

For complete details, visit kingfishtournament.com.

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Trout are Eating Your Nymph More than You Realize

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large trout rising to a high-riding dry fly is one of life’s true pleasures.

It’s pretty darn easy to see. The fly is bouncing happily along the surface, and with a splash it’s gone.

On the other hand, that same fat rainbow trout sucking in a nymph 6 feet down in a dark run may not be as obvious. When you’re nymphing, speed is of the essence. In a second, that fish will expel the fly. There are a bunch of different strike indicators designed to help you see the sometimes-faint signal of a hit. Some work well, some break, some slide, and some just suck.

I love yarn indicators for their sensitivity and the plastic air-filled bobbers for ease of use. Both styles rigged up the leader about twice the depth of the water you’re fishing help you detect the strike. Any hesitation, dive or shift in direction of your indicator might be a hit.

I tell clients, if they think a fish might even be breathing on the fly to set the hook! You get a heck of a lot more strikes than you think you do when nymph fishing. Any slack between your indicator and fly allows a fish eat and spit your nymph out, and sometimes go completely undetected.

At close range, high-stick or Czech-nymphing techniques work great.

No indicator is needed, as different colored lines or coiled-line indicators that straighten when a fish takes are the deal. A lot of the time, the trout is felt when it takes the fly, or you will see the line suddenly stop. This method is deadly in experienced hands.

Another method of strike indication is the use of a big dry fly as the

indicator. Usually, a piece of fluorocarbon tippet is tied to the hook and a nymph or two hang underneath. This is a good when the fish might spook if a plastic bobber crashes on their heads. A buggy looking dry fly is a lot less scary.

Another cool way to catch trout on subsurface flies is to watch them eat it. I call this ninja fishing! You’ll need the sun at your back or directly overhead. Start by locating a particular fish, and then tie on a brightly colored fly that stands out and is easy to see. Cast upstream of the fish, and let it drift down to the fish. Sometimes a fly bounced right into their face will get a reflex strike. This is a good way to learn how fish react to flies and how currents affect your offering. If you are in a pool with several fish, you might be amazed at how many fish take a swipe at it. You will then realize how many strikes you’ve been missing.

David Hulsey is a North Georgia-based guide and fly fishing instructor. Call him at (770) 639-4001 and visit Hulsey Fly Fishing at hulseyflyfishing.com.

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SCHOOLING PERMIT ON THE WRECKS

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ermit schools have been sighted in the Florida Keys over the past couple of months, and June marks the final stretch of their journey. These elusive permit are wrapping up their ‘spring break’ routine and are heading to some of our offshore wrecks to spawn.

This time of year can be great for permit, because they school up and provide ample opportunity for hook-ups. Pursuing a permit takes strategy and stamina, since these fish are known for putting up a serious battle. Any angler who is interested in trying to land one of these •

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When fishing for permit on offshore wrecks in Islamorada, we usually target schools around wreck sites like the Eagle in June. These wrecks are typically on the ocean side in deeper waters, ranging from about 30 to 100 feet deep.

For tackle, we typically use 6500 combos with fluorocarbon leaders and circle hooks. Spotting and sight-casting to permit is usually the goto method. This means looking for glimpses of flashing silver just below the surface. Permit love

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crabs, and they have great eyesight.

Artificial crabs like the Savage Gear 3D Crab are very realistic, and they are effective and cost-friendly. However, it’s tough to beat a live blue crab for permit bait. Hook them through the shell to keep them lively. Let the crab swim freely to drift into the school of permit and prepare for action.

During the fight, fine-tuning the drag is crucial with permit because overpowering them won’t do the trick. You want the drag set just right, enough to make progress when reeling in, but allowing the permit to run… and it will run.

Permit are one of the most sought-after sportfish in the Keys because they’re notorious for their incredible strength. Anyone who’s ever hooked one can tell you that they’re strong enough to make even the toughest angler break a sweat.

Once you do land your first permit, it is a moment you’ll never forget.

While they are a ton of fun, permit aren’t known as a particularly desirable food fish. Catch and release is the way to go because they play a crucial role in our ecosystem, and releasing them safely helps ensure we’ll have permit to play with in the future. Land them as quickly as you can. Handle them gently for a quick release to minimize stress and ensure the fishery thrives.

Many times while permit fishing, we encounter exciting bycatch like other jack species, grouper and snapper. It’s all about the thrill of the catch in these beautiful waters of the Florida Keys.

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A 9-Year-Old’s F irst For-Real F ishing Trip

on receiving the gift. “It feels really special.

He was the one that taught me how to use a fishing rod and emember the first time you went fishing for real? For many of all that stuff.” us, the earliest trips elicit memories of a blue plastic container S o…armed of red wigglers, a red-and-white plastic bobber and the ripe with the rod and muddy fish smell of an active bluegill bed. But that’s not what I’m reel and a tank talking about. I’m talking about the first time you went fishing for of live shrimp, real.

Jackson and Ryan Maybe it was the year you were finally allowed on the annual went fishing for charter trip? Or perhaps it was the long-planned bass fishing weekend real. with Grandpa? Whatever it was, the person who took you decided “I thought, you were ready to grow beyond the pushbutton-reel stage of fishing. there he goes. He’s It was on that trip when you became one of the crew instead of the kid running with the who stayed home with mom. pack now. He doesn’t need us anymore,” Remember gathering your gear in anticipation? Remember said Joann (aka Mimi). waking up throughout the night and checking the clock to make sure It wasn’t exactly a jam-up day on you didn’t sleep through the alarm? the water, but that’s fishing, and Jackson Jackson Willer, 9, of Melbourne, Fla., recently experienced his had fun. first for-real fishing trip. Really, Jackson has fished most of his life.

“First I caught a redfish, and then His first fish was a jack crevalle caught with his Pop-Pop, Chris Willer, I caught a snook,” Jackson said. “It and his Mimi, Joann Willer, when he was 3 years old. But the Willer was pretty fun trying to reel it in and men are saltwater people, and when Jackson’s older cousin Ryan everything. It was hard and it was fun.”

Willer, 21, told him to be ready early the next morning because they Jackson also said he doesn’t know were going fishing, it was something new and exciting… his first trip when the next trip is, but he’s excited. as one of the boys.

And that’s the whole point. Even if it’s just another day on the water for In the morning, before Ryan and Jackson left for Sebastian Inlet, Pop-Pop pulled a special surprise from the back of his truck. He handed the 9-year-old you, remember that the kid you’re taking was likely lying awake last night a Penn 450SS mounted on an Ugly Stik. With freshwater wash downs and seeing visions of monster fish and epic drag-peeling battles. occasional cleaning, these vintage reels spin smoothly for decades. Chris (aka If you’ve got a great fishing story to tell, email us at Pop-Pop) had been fishing this one since he bought it in the 1980s. editorial@coastalanglermagazine.com.

“I’m going to take care of it for as long as I possibly can,” said Jackson

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Warmer Weather W

By: Capt. Dave Stephens

ell, it's not officially summer yet, but it sure does feel like it. With June now here, hopefully we will start seeing some evening thunderstorms as this helps regulate the water temperatures in the Gulf and harbors. Last year we had a very dry summer resulting in very high-water temperatures. The fishing has been very good, snook have moved out to the barrier islands in good numbers and the bars are also holding good numbers of fish. Moving water is the key for the best bites. On high tides look for fish such as snook and reds to be closer to the bushes. As the tide drops fish will move of the shore or possibly into a nearby pothole. Mangrove snapper will start making its presence known and will be moving into the harbors. During the summer months, these guys move into deep creeks, mangrove point, and the local bars will hold them. Probably known for their incredible taste, but they also put up a great fight. If you're trying to get a youth angler involved in

fishing, mangrove snapper can be very cooperative. In clear water, I recommend using a light leader and small circle hook as these fish have really good eyesight that make them picky at times. Dropping down the tackle size will get the job done. The warmer water will move the trout onto the deeper flats, look for feeding fish in 4-6 feet of water. I prefer areas that have a mixture of grass and sand. Drifting is also effective to find areas that are holding fish.

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June in SWFL

By: Capt. Bart Marx

I

n Southwest Florida, June is considered silver king time as the big schools of the migratory tarpon are in our area along the coastal beaches and up into the estuaries looking for food. Many can be targeted in the passes from Venice to Ft. Myers. They can be finnicky feeders as they may eat crabs, squirrel fish, hand-picked shrimp, or even pin fish just to name a few along with the artificial lure hard and soft plastics. In the passes, it is helpful to have good bottom and side scan sounders to help locate the fish. Along the beaches you can find the little pods of tarpon that break away from the masses and I like to stalk and sight fish these, observe them, and throw live or artificial baits. The same method inshore can also find a small pod that has separated itself from the large school. To me, these methods are less stressful, especially when you get into the passes where there is less room between the boats. If you are stealthy, you could have the pod to yourself for a while before you have company wanting to target the same fish. For me I have played with the tarpon and have had my fun. I like to stick one on a fly rod and get a few jumps before it throws the hook or breaks me off. My Pops taught me not to spend much time trying to catch something that is not much good for eating. I personally, have never met anyone that has eaten a tarpon, but I do know that sharks like to eat them and they are good bait for shark. Keep in mind, tarpon are protected and you would need a tag to harvest one. However, a fresh mullet or jack fish will get the job done, and this time of year there are plenty of large sharks around to play tug of war with. The two that I personally like to eat are a three- to four-footlong black tip or a two-foot bonnet head. And this month the snook should be on the move to their spawning areas. On the points around the harbor mouths of creeks where there is food, there should be plenty of white bait and they would be the best bait for snook. Reds and trout on the edges of the sand bars and the big sand holes on the flats. And if you are one of those guys that like to head offshore there should be some nice yellowtails around the one-hundredfoot mark along with permit around the artificial reefs too. If you would like to come along with Capt. Bart Marx and learn some of these tactics. Give me a call at 941-979-6517 or e-mail me captbart@alphaomegacharters.com I also do what I call is a training session where I come on your boat for a day of training with your boat and gear. And always remember singing drags and tight lines make me smile.

Alpha Omega Charters | alphaomegacharters.com captbart@alphaomegacharters.com | 941-979-6517 2 FORT MYERS | JUNE 2024 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM/FORT-MYERS/

By: Caitlyn Gatrell

Fishin with Brycin

SCHUMAN INSURANCE

"Nothing Like A Day On The Water!"

By: Brycin

B

lue crabbing is a fun and exciting way to explore our Florida waters.

Blue crabs are a delicacy in the crab industry and blue crabs are the reason some commercial crabbers make a living. Blue crabs are also great for our ecosystem as they are scavengers so they will eat the dead fish and other things on the bottom. Blue crabs in the larva stage also filter the water and eat zooplankton.

Why would you buy blue crabs when you can go out and catch them?

Blue crabbing is very inexpensive. There are a few ways to catch blue crabs.

The more traditional way to catch blue crabs is with a blue crab trap and blue crab traps are fairly inexpensive. You allowed 5 blue crab traps per family member. In Southwest Florida, there are about 6 other ways to catch blue crabs. In our area, the legal methods of harvesting blue crabs are dip nets, landing nets, dropnet, a fold up trap, hook and line, push scrape, or a trotline. What to use for bait? One of my favorite bait for blue crabs is fish carcasses and rotten chicken. Regular store-bought chicken or anything with a strong smell will work.

When out on the water, be aware where you place a trotline or crab trap. Don’t put them in channels cause if you put them in channels, you can risk your traps getting cut off by boat traffic and you can risk damaging someone’s boat and prop me easily. I like to put my traps near grass beds and near channels beaches and wrecks. If you are using hook and line, make sure you find a good area where you know where they're at. I use drop nets off docks and piers.

If you see commercial crabbers, please don't put your traps in their lines of pots, and don’t pull their traps and take the crabs. This is how they make their living!

WE KNOW BOATS!

Why insure yours with anyone else!

I'm Capt. David Schuman a second generation insurance agent.

Our family has been serving Lee County for 42 years.

Boat Auto Home Motorcycle Life Business Capt. David Schuman 1329 Hibiscus Dr., Cape Coral, FL 33909 239-242-8072 Davidschuman3@allstate.com 2801 Del Prado Blvd S., Cape Coral, FL 33904 239-945-8888

3114 Lee Blvd Suite 4, Lehigh Acres, FL 33971 239-369-1313

FACEBOOK.COM/COASTALANGLERMAGAZINEFTMYERS/ | JUNE 2024 | FORT MYERS 3

er Co. -1536

Summer Patterns

By: Capt. Terry Fisher

I

always look forward to the month of June for fishing and boating as windy weather has virtually played out. Less winds supported by good, strong tides, afford opportunity that previous months did not offer, especially offshore. June is the beginning of summer and mornings are much more pleasant than fishing in the mid to late afternoons.

Nonetheless, if higher tides are better suited for your target species, I recommend you ‘grin and bear it’, as they will bite. July and August summer heat, which are usually more brutal, however, will put down the fish in the afternoon to evening times.

The months of April and May did produce some nice size seatrouts.

Lots of seatrout and spanish mackerel. Higher tides allowed boat access to areas previously forbidden during the earlier spring months because of strong north and easterly breezes. Fish became more aggressive as they do every springtime, with a variety of baits to eat (shrimps, Pilchards, Threadfins, etc.) These baits will continue to be available throughout June. Higher and stronger tides tides will provide sufficient nutrients and oxygen to sustain a healthy food supply for the bigger snook, redfish, tarpon and all other species that rely on these elements for survival, which will include spawning activity.

The best news is that the higher and stronger tides will provide opportunity for fishing the back country areas that hold bigger redfish, snook and mangrove snapper as they seek out these areas for protection and easy access to food around the oyster bars and mangrove roots, more so than during the winter months, when water levels are low.

Long story short; the fish have more places to gather for eating and spawning. However, I suggest fishing the mangroves on the last half of an incoming tide and before the water levels get so high that the fish are able to retreat beyond any reasonable presentation be it live, dead or artificial. This type of circumstance will more often than not, require the use of a ‘chum bat’ to lure the fish that have taken temporary refuge deep into the mangroves, to take a chance and venture out to eat. Chumming pilchards, small pinfish or shrimps will usually do the trick.

In conjunction with this, I prefer to fish the windward side of the islands, oyster bars and other structures. This is the easiest and most

productive way to fish, just to mention that it makes casting much less tentative against the wind. I prefer a soft, southerly wind for best results.

Migrating tarpon will be here for most of the month. They will be in the passes, along the beaches and in the bay areas. The secret to catching these are to offer what they are eating (‘matching the hatch’) be it crabs, ladyfish, catfish fillets, pinfish, threadfins, etc. any of which can be fished under a cork or on the bottom, with or without weights.

June is also the month that the redfish action picks up and gets better as time goes by throughout October. The action has been good from Punta Rassa to Charlotte Harbor. I like to fish remote areas in Matlacha Pass, both north and south of the draw bridge as well as the ‘back country’ spoil islands on the west side of Pine Island, between the outer islands of N. Captiva and Cayo Costa during June and throughout the summer. I launch my 26ft. Pathfinder from Pineland Marina in Bokeelia. Regardless of which inshore species one is targeting (except Snook) shrimps are the bait of choice for me. Pilchards for snook and threadfin for tarpon. Most of my clients want to catch lots of fish and live bait performs much better than artificial.

Two basic presentations are bait on the bottom of the seabed or suspended under a popping cork.

Offshore species such as grunts, porgies, snapper and grouper, permit, cobia will provide good action. The last six months or so has played havoc on offshore fishing, not to mention inshore fishing as well, due to the windy conditions but hopefully, this month will have less windy days to get offshore. The further offshore one goes, the bigger the fish when it comes to the reef species. A minimum of 85 foot of water which equates to about 35 to 40 miles out depending on the launch location.

This is Captain Terry Fisher of Fish Face Charters. Call me direct at 239-357-6829 to book a charter on my vessel or as Captain for Hire (by the hour) on yours inshore and offshore. I am also easily contacted at fishfacecharters@yahoo.com or check out my website at www. fishfacecharters.com.

4 FORT MYERS | JUNE 2024 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM/FORT-MYERS/

Fish Face Charters | fishfacecharters.com | 239-357-6829

WHEN YOU WANT THE BEST

20 11

FACEBOOK.COM/COASTALANGLERMAGAZINEFTMYERS/ | JUNE 2024 | FORT MYERS 5

Summer’s Arrival

By: Capt. Billy Norris

S

ummer is finally here and the fishing is hot! As we move from our wintertime patterns into summer fishing, we will start to see the arrival of some of our area’s most sought after gamefish including permit, tarpon and snook. The water is currently in the upper 70s, and is continuing to rise. Our rainy season has begun, so remember to plan your fishing day accordingly, factoring in the inevitable afternoon thunderstorm. Spring was one my favorite times of year to fish, and our local waters offer some of the best springtime fishing on Earth!

The backwaters have been very productive lately. Snook, jack, redfish and trout have all been aggressively taking baits. This time of year, snook begin to make their way out of the rivers and estuaries where they hang out all winter. They move through the backwaters and end up cruising the beaches in very shallow water. I target snook in the backwaters, but my favorite is to catch them from the shore. As they make their way to the beaches, they will change colors, losing their olive-drab coloration and instead adopting a silver, nearly white, complexion.

They can be difficult to see as they move up and down the beaches, but to the trained eye, targeting beach cruising snook can make for an exciting day of fishing! Trout have also been around in large numbers.

Although the majority of the fish have been on the smaller side, there are some larger fish being caught. For backwater bait, pilchards or thread fins are always my go to. There have been massive schools of pilchards along the coast, many of which can be caught directly from shore. If you can’t throw a net, artificial works as well, and as a last resort you can always buy shrimp, but shrimp are not necessarily a great summertime bait when there is so much whitebait readily available.

The offshore bite has also been great! This past month we have been catching snapper, grouper, cobia, kingfish and permit. The high-wind weather has finally calmed down, and the seas have been very pleasant.

As the water warms up, the kingfish and cobia will take off, as they prefer cooler water. However, their disappearance coincides with the arrival of a local favorite, tarpon! The tarpon have showed up in our and can be found up and down the coast in shallow water. Look for them mixed in with the big bait schools. And as always, where there is a lot of bait, there are sharks. We have been catching and releasing all different species of sharks over the last month, including spinners, blacktips, hammers, bulls, sandbars and more. Last month, Pale Horse Fishing Charters has been fishing tarpon in the Florida Keys. The Keys trips are all booked up for the 2024 season, but if you’ve ever wanted to experience world class tarpon fishing, give us a call and get on our calendar for the 2025 Keys tarpon season!

Pale Horse FC | palehorsefishingcharters.com | 239-285-7710 6 FORT MYERS | JUNE 2024 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM/FORT-MYERS/

Simple Setup l

In Business

FACEBOOK.COM/COASTALANGLERMAGAZINEFTMYERS/ | JUNE 2024 | FORT MYERS 7

fishfacecharters@ yahoo.com 239.357.6829

MATLACHA

www.USHarbors.com

June/2024 • 26°38’N 82°4’W

Matlacha Pass, FL - Jun 2024 High

Date

www.USHarbors.com

June/2024 • 26°39’N 81°52’W

Fort Myers, FL - Jun 2024

Low

AM

ft

PM

Sat

11:35

1.6

2

Sun

12:07

1.4

11:59A

3

Mon

1:38

1.3

12:26

4

Tue

3:01

1.2

5

Wed

4:20

1.2

6

ft

3771 Palm Beach Blvd., Ft. Myers, FL 33916 239.694.2185

FORT MYERS

High

Date

AM

ft

PM

ft

Rise

Set

Moon

5:47

0.3

6:49

0.5

6:33

8:23

1

1.8

6:24

0.6

7:53

0.1

6:33

8:24

2

Sun

1:00

2.0

6:54

0.8

8:49

-0.1

6:33

8:24

3

Mon

2:07

12:56

2.2

7:19

1.0

9:41

-0.3

6:32

8:24

4

Tue

1:30

2.3

7:36

1.1

10:29

-0.4

6:32

8:25

5

Thu

2:06

2.4

11:16

-0.5

6:32

8:25

7

Fri

2:45

2.4

6:32

8

Sat

3:27

2.3

12:02

-0.4

9

Sun

4:11

2.2

12:46

10

Mon

4:58

2.1

11

Tue

5:50

12

Wed

9:49

1.3

13

Thu

10:05

14

Fri

15

ft

AM

ft

PM

ft

Rise

Set

12:47

1.1

6:32

0.2

7:06

0.3

6:32

8:18

1.0

1:22

1.3

7:01

0.3

8:30

0.2

6:32

8:18

0.9

1:57

1.5

7:26

0.4

9:45

0.1

6:32

8:19

3:11

0.8

2:30

1.6

7:51

0.4

10:50

0.0

6:32

8:19

Wed

4:13

0.7

3:03

1.7

8:16

0.5

11:46

0.0

6:32

8:19

6

Thu

5:15

0.7

3:37

1.8

8:46

0.6

6:32

8:20

8:26

7

Fri

6:17

0.7

4:13

1.7

12:36

-0.1

9:24A

0.6

6:32

8:20

6:32

8:26

8

Sat

7:14

0.7

4:52

1.7

1:21

-0.1

10:16A

0.6

6:32

8:21

-0.3

6:32

8:27

9

Sun

8:05

0.7

5:34

1.6

2:03

0.0

11:18A

0.6

6:32

8:21

1:30

-0.2

6:32

8:27

10

Mon

8:51

0.7

6:22

1.4

2:41

0.0

12:25

0.6

6:32

8:21

1.9

2:12

-0.1

6:32

8:27

11

Tue

9:35

0.8

7:16

1.3

3:17

0.0

1:33

0.6

6:32

8:22

6:52

1.7

2:54

0.0

1:38

1.2

6:32

8:28

12

Wed

10:18

0.8

8:19

1.1

3:52

0.1

2:42

0.6

6:32

8:22

1.4

8:10

1.5

3:34

0.2

3:31

1.1

6:32

8:28

13

Thu

11:00

0.8

9:34

1.0

4:26

0.1

3:55

0.5

6:32

8:23

10:25

1.5

9:44

1.3

4:13

0.3

5:05

0.9

6:32

8:28

14

Fri

11:40

0.9

10:57

0.9

4:59

0.1

5:14

0.5

6:32

8:23

Sat

10:47

1.6

11:24

1.2

4:49

0.5

6:19

0.6

6:33

8:29

15

Sat

12:15

1.0

5:31

0.2

6:40

0.4

6:32

8:23

16

Sun

11:11

1.7

5:23

0.7

7:19

0.4

6:33

8:29

16

Sun

12:16

0.8

12:45

1.2

6:02

0.3

8:06

0.3

6:32

8:23

17

Mon

12:59

1.2

11:36A

1.9

5:54

0.9

8:09

0.2

6:33

8:29

17

Mon

1:29

0.8

1:13

1.3

6:32

0.4

9:18

0.2

6:32

8:24

18

Tue

2:24

1.2

12:03

2.0

6:20

1.0

8:55

0.0

6:33

8:30

18

Tue

2:36

0.7

1:39

1.4

7:01

0.4

10:16

0.1

6:33

8:24

19

Wed

3:44

1.2

12:34

2.1

6:38

1.1

9:39

-0.2

6:33

8:30

19

Wed

3:42

0.7

2:07

1.6

7:30

0.5

11:06

0.0

6:33

8:24

20

Thu

1:10

2.2

10:23

-0.3

6:33

8:30

20

Thu

4:46

0.7

2:40

1.7

8:01

0.6

11:52

0.0

6:33

8:24

21

Fri

1:50

2.3

11:06

-0.4

6:34

8:30

21

Fri

5:45

0.7

3:18

1.8

8:36

0.7

6:33

8:25

22

Sat

2:34

2.4

11:51

-0.4

6:34

8:30

22

Sat

6:36

0.8

4:03

1.8

12:34

0.0

9:22A

0.7

6:33

8:25

23

Sun

3:22

2.4

6:34

8:31

23

Sun

7:16

0.7

4:52

1.8

1:16

0.0

10:19A

0.7

6:34

8:25

24

Mon

4:13

2.4

12:36

-0.4

6:34

8:31

24

Mon

7:51

0.7

5:46

1.7

1:56

0.0

11:22A

0.6

6:34

8:25

25

Tue

5:09

2.3

1:21

-0.4

6:35

8:31

25

Tue

8:23

0.7

6:44

1.6

2:34

0.1

12:26

0.6

6:34

8:25

26

Wed

8:34

1.2

6:11

2.1

2:05

-0.2

12:24

1.1

6:35

8:31

26

Wed

8:58

0.8

7:46

1.5

3:11

0.1

1:34

0.5

6:35

8:25

27

Thu

8:54

1.3

7:23

1.8

2:47

-0.1

2:05

1.0

6:35

8:31

27

Thu

9:37

0.9

8:54

1.3

3:46

0.2

2:46

0.5

6:35

8:26

28

Fri

9:18

1.5

8:51

1.5

3:27

0.2

3:46

0.8

6:36

8:31

28

Fri

10:20

1.0

10:11

1.1

4:19

0.3

4:08

0.4

6:35

8:26

29

Sat

9:47

1.7

10:38

1.3

4:04

0.5

5:19

0.5

6:36

8:31

29

Sat

11:06

1.1

11:33

1.0

4:50

0.3

5:41

0.4

6:36

8:26

30

Sun

10:21

1.9

4:37

0.7

6:40

0.2

6:36

8:31

30

Sun

11:52

1.3

5:20

0.4

7:24

0.3

6:36

8:26

8 FORT MYERS | JUNE 2024 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM/FORT-MYERS/

ft

Low PM

1

AM Sat

Moon

10871 Kelly Rd Ft Myers, FL 33908 239.267.6857

SANIBEL/ CAPTIVA

www.USHarbors.com

www.USHarbors.com

June/2024 • 26°29’N 82°11’W

June/2024 • 26°56’N 82°4’W

Punta Gorda, Charlotte Harbor, FL - Jun 2024

Captiva Island (outside), FL - Jun 2024 High

Date

3035 Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte, FL 33952 941-627-5558

PUNTA GORDA/ CHARLOTTE HABOR

Low

High

Date

Low

AM

ft

AM

ft

Sat

11:58

1.6

PM

ft

Rise

Set

5:46

0.3

6:48

0.5

6:32

8:19

2

Sun

12:30

1.4

12:22

3

Mon

2:01

1.3

12:49

1.8

6:23

0.6

7:52

0.1

6:32

8:19

2.0

6:53

0.8

8:48

-0.1

6:32

8:24

4

Tue

3:24

1.2

8:20

1:19

2.2

7:18

1.0

9:40

-0.3

6:32

6:32

8:25

5

Wed

4:43

1.2

8:20

1:53

2.3

7:35

1.1

10:28

-0.4

6:32

-0.6

6:32

8:25

6

8:21

Thu

2:29

2.4

11:15

-0.5

6:32

8:06

-0.6

6:32

8:26

8:21

7

Fri

3:08

2.4

6:32

3.2

8:50

-0.5

6:32

8:22

8:26

8

Sat

3:50

2.3

12:01

-0.4

6:32

1:08

3.1

9:34

-0.3

8:22

6:32

8:27

9

Sun

4:34

2.2

12:45

-0.3

6:32

Mon

1:55

2.9

10:16

8:22

-0.2

6:32

8:27

10

Mon

5:21

2.1

1:29

-0.2

6:32

11

Tue

2:47

2.6

8:23

10:58

0.0

6:32

8:27

11

Tue

6:13

1.9

2:11

-0.1

6:32

12

Wed

6:46

1.7

3:49

2.3

9:42

1.6

8:23

11:38

0.2

6:32

8:28

12

Wed

10:12

1.3

7:15

1.7

2:53

0.0

1:37

1.2

6:32

13

Thu

7:02

1.9

5:07

2.0

11:35

1.5

8:24

6:32

8:28

13

Thu

10:28

1.4

8:33

1.5

3:33

0.2

3:30

1.1

6:32

14

Fri

7:22

2.0

6:41

1.8

12:17

0.4

1:09

8:24

1.2

6:32

8:28

14

Fri

10:48

1.5

10:07

1.3

4:12

0.3

5:04

0.9

6:32

15

Sat

7:44

2.2

8:21

1.6

12:53

0.7

8:24

2:23

0.9

6:33

8:29

15

Sat

11:10

1.6

11:47

1.2

4:48

0.5

6:18

0.6

6:32

16

Sun

8:08

2.4

9:56

1.6

1:27

8:25

1.0

3:23

0.5

6:33

8:29

16

Sun

11:34

1.7

5:22

0.7

7:18

0.4

6:32

17

Mon

8:33

2.5

11:21

1.6

8:25

1:58

1.2

4:13

0.2

6:33

8:29

17

Mon

1:22

1.2

11:59A

1.9

5:53

0.9

8:08

0.2

6:33

18

Tue

9:00

2.7

8:25

2:24

1.4

4:59

0.0

6:33

8:30

18

Tue

2:47

1.2

12:26

2.0

6:19

1.0

8:54

0.0

6:33

19

Wed

12:41

1.6

8:25

2:42

1.6

5:43

-0.3

6:33

8:30

19

Wed

4:07

1.2

12:57

2.1

6:37

1.1

9:38

-0.2

6:33

20

Thu

10:07

8:26

3.0

6:27

-0.4

6:33

8:30

20

Thu

1:33

2.2

10:22

-0.3

6:33

21

Fri

8:26

10:47

3.2

7:10

-0.5

6:34

8:30

21

Fri

2:13

2.3

11:05

-0.4

6:33

22

Sat

8:26

11:31

3.3

7:55

-0.6

6:34

8:30

22

Sat

2:57

2.4

11:50

-0.4

6:34

23

Sun

12:19

8:26

3.3

8:40

-0.6

6:34

8:31

23

Sun

3:45

2.4

6:34

24

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8:26

1:10

3.3

9:25

-0.5

6:34

8:31

24

Mon

4:36

2.4

12:35

-0.4

6:34

25

Tue

8:27

2:06

3.1

10:09

-0.3

6:35

8:31

25

Tue

5:32

2.3

1:20

-0.4

6:34

26

Wed

5:31

8:27

1.6

3:08

2.8

8:28

1.5

10:51

-0.1

6:35

8:31

26

Wed

8:57

1.2

6:34

2.1

2:04

-0.2

12:23

1.1

6:35

27

Thu

8:27

5:51

1.8

4:20

2.5

10:09

1.3

11:31

0.3

6:35

8:31

27

Thu

9:17

1.3

7:46

1.8

2:46

-0.1

2:04

1.0

6:35

28

8:27

Fri

6:15

2.0

5:48

2.1

11:50

1.1

6:36

8:31

28

Fri

9:41

1.5

9:14

1.5

3:26

0.2

3:45

0.8

6:35

8:27

29

Sat

6:44

2.3

7:35

1.8

12:08

0.6

1:23

0.7

6:36

8:31

29

Sat

10:10

1.7

11:01

1.3

4:03

0.5

5:18

0.5

6:36

8:27

30

Sun

7:18

2.6

9:33

1.6

12:41

1.0

2:44

0.3

6:36

8:31

30

Sun

10:44

1.9

4:36

0.7

6:39

0.2

6:36

8:27

AM

ft

PM

ft

AM

ft

PM

ft

Rise

Set

Sat

8:32

2.2

9:04

1.9

1:51

0.5

2:53

0.7

6:33

8:23

1

2

Sun

8:56

2.5

10:35

1.8

2:28

0.8

3:57

0.2

6:33

8:24

3

Mon

9:23

2.8

11:58

1.7

2:58

1.1

4:53

-0.2

6:33

8:24

4

Tue

9:53

3.0

3:23

1.4

5:45

-0.5

6:32

5

Wed

1:17

1.6

3:40

1.5

6:33

-0.6

6

Thu

11:03

3.3

7:20

7

Fri

11:42

3.3

8

Sat

12:24

9

Sun

10

1

10:27A

9:31A

3.2

2.9

Moon

PM

ft

Moon

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By: Jessica Harris

Puerto Rican I Wahoo

magine the perfect day of fishing in Puerto Rico.

It’s starts early with a golden sunrise and bait jumping all around. You’re setting out from a little town where the locals are already out, preparing their boats for the day’s catch. The atmosphere is full of seasoned fisherman and salt. Your charter for the day is another local expert full of stories and tips. And you learn quickly that not many Floridians get taken on Puerto Rican charters. As you hop on the old Viking that will soon be retiring, you make a plan. You’ll be on a full ride to the deep sea where Marlin are abundant, Tuna are biting and the wahoo are chasing. The captain gets us through the sea with ease, breezing through in his flip flops and aged tan lines. As you reach the prime fishing spot, that just may be a milk crate floating, the real fun begins. You let out your lines in hopes that one will pop off and shake like crazy… the wait is peaceful.

You spark conversation with the captain and realize you have a lot in common. Then BOOM! There’s a line that popped off with a fish on! Your husband and the captain are shouting encouragement and maybe a few bad jokes but after a spirited struggle, you reel in a beautiful, blue wahoo gleaming in the sunlight. Fast forward, lunchtime fast approaches. And what better way to fish than to have a fresh meal with your catch?

You get told that a nearby beach restaurant will cook it for you, but you can’t forget to say that the captain sent you.. you feel honored. The fish is grilled, seasoned with local spices and herbs making for a delicious meal and taste of victory. As the day ends, you head home with wonders of when you’ll be back for another beautiful day of fishing in Puerto Rico.

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FACEBOOK.COM/COASTALANGLERMAGAZINEFTMYERS/ | JUNE 2024 | FORT MYERS 11

Kayak Fishing by: Dan Carns

T

he original Sit on Top (SOT) kayak developed by Ocean Kayak carrying air tanks, we carry fishing gear in the tank well area. When I was intended to be used to get past the Pacific coast surf and allow see anglers without any kind of crate behind their seat, I wonder if it’s the divers to carry air tanks out to the kelp beds. It turns out that cost of the crate or they haven’t discovered the benefits of a crate. this is still the primary shape for almost all fishing kayaks but instead of There is an almost endless amount of gear many of us carry and it all needs a place to call home. By far the cheapest and simplest is the milk crate and one of my favorites. My current kayak is the Elite Pro Angler from Vanhunks, and has a remarkable six, flush mount, rod holders but I use those primarily for trolling or while actively fishing.

My preferred storage is in the milk crate set up. These are super easy to build. Pick up external mount plastic rod holders in either double or triple sets and simply zip tie them to the sides. Remember to use outside, UV resistant zip ties as interior use ties will fail after a season outside.

You can customize these with rod holders on one side, just the back or as I prefer, two sides and the back. I carry seven rods with me whether I’m in fresh or salt water. I have doubles on each side and a triple on the back. What goes inside depends on the trip and whether or not I am using bait. I mention bait because the cheapest live bait well you can get comes from a sheetrock bucket and a Bubble Box Aerator. The sheetrock bucket fits perfectly in a milk crate with the bubbler box tucked in the corner keeping it in place and out of the way. Make sure to bungee down the crate as it can tip over if not secured. If you’re not carrying bait, then the milk crate becomes great secured storage for almost anything. While it is not waterproof, I keep all kinds of gear in mine like water jugs, extra tackle bags, grappling anchor for emergencies or rain gear.

Of course, there are a number of actual storage crates and the one we carry at Vanhunks is perhaps the best, the redesigned BlackPak Pro from Yakattack. This crate has six rod holders with integrated rod leashes with hooks and has multiple attachment points. The water shedding lid also has a sticky hinge setting so that is stops in any position making it easy to reach and close. There are a number of available accessories to help you customize the design.

There are do it yourself tutorials online including current reviews of existing crates. Consider adding a crate to the tank well and up your storage options!

@paddlinandfishin | gulfcoastkayak.com | 239-283-1125 12 FORT MYERS | JUNE 2024 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM/FORT-MYERS/

FACEBOOK.COM/COASTALANGLERMAGAZINEFTMYERS/ | JUNE 2024 | FORT MYERS 13

Calusa Blueway By: Mike Hammond

B

unche Beach was ground zero for Ian’s landfall, with many boats, docks, and assorted debris finding their way into the mangroves.

Despite more than a year and a half passing since the storm, remnants of its impact linger. Nonetheless, Bunche Beach remains a prime spot for wildlife observation. Just be prepared for a few post-Ian adjustments. Currently, the two-story bathrooms near the kayak launches remain closed, with portable toilets serving as a temporary solution until repairs are complete. Parking payment has been streamlined. Instead of waiting in line to pay for parking at a machine, you can now conveniently pay using your phone. The mangrove tunnel/mosquito ditch leading towards Fort Myers Beach is accessible, although a couple of abandoned boats still dot the route. A lot of work went into clearing debris from this area. Navigating this path requires at least a foot of water with a rising tide; otherwise, you risk a muddy trek back to deeper waters. Before heading out, it’s wise to check tidal information with the onsite outfitter, Kayak Excursions. The mangrove tunnel to the west is not fully open, although access to the large open lake is possible. Getting to the mouth

of the tunnel can be a bit tricky though. Pre Ian, paddlers could paddle out of Rock Creek and turn right at Calusa Blueway marker 48 to find the trough that led them to the tunnel. The trough is now almost nonexistent. If you can’t paddle on a tide of at least one foot, be prepared to drag your kayak or SUP to get to the tunnel. The good news is there seems to be more birds out there than ever. You don’t even have to leave Rock Creek to see half a dozen species of wading birds some days. The flats are loaded with shorebirds as well. Please do your best to avoid disturbing them or explore alternative routes. You do not have to leave Rock Creek to find sizable catches like snook, snapper, or sheepshead, making it an excellent choice, especially on windy days. Bunche Beach is a local and tourist favorite for anglers, birders, and beachgoers. Don’t forget to include it on your list of places to paddle again-Bunche Beach is back!For those seeking more adventure, Kayak Excursions at Bunche Beach is participating in the Calusa Blueway Challenge. Go to: https://www. visitfortmyers.com/CalusaBluewayChallenge for more information and to start earning points.

14 FORT MYERS | JUNE 2024 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM/FORT-MYERS/

Protect Beach Wildlife from Fireworks this July Fourth Weekend

T

hinking about taking fireworks out to the beach for an Independence Day celebration? Some things to keep in mind!

Although beachside fireworks shows are entertaining to people, the bursts of color and noise directly overhead can wreak havoc on coastal birds—especially for nesting species. After each fireworks explosion, birds may panic and fly from their nests, scattering the chicks and exposing them to predators and heat until their parents return.

For this reason, it is better to attend a municipal firework show versus deploying store-bought fireworks on the beach.

Over the July Fourth weekend, Audubon Florida’s bird stewards will be out in full force at locations across the state, especially at barrier islands where boaters, anglers, and beach-nesting birds co-mingle.

State or local law enforcement officers often pitch in to ensure coastal visitors learn about the rules of the beach as well as the birds.

In addition to many natural threats, human-related disturbances can cause adult birds to abandon their nests or chicks, which can ultimately lead to chicks starving, getting eaten by a predator, or overheating in the sun. By the Fourth of July weekend, many birds are re-nesting for their final opportunity to successfully raise young this season.

It’s not just birds – fireworks can disturb pets and increase trash on our beaches. Trash left behind from private fireworks becomes marine debris and is ingested by fish, sea turtles, and marine mammals. Together we can all Share the Shore!

Learn more at: fl.audubon.org

FACEBOOK.COM/COASTALANGLERMAGAZINEFTMYERS/ | JUNE 2024 | FORT MYERS 15

uch is teve Co

S

os!

e Abac

n in th aving fu

h

Owen with a 40” snook in NW Bradenton. Welcome to the 40” Club!

RJ w/ a fun-t Coral c o-catch Cape anal Ja ck!

Tristan caught a nice African Pompano fishing w/ his dad.

Jumper with his first snook at 81.

Dennis Morgan sharing his Matlacha blue fish.

arl

tip w/ E a black elia. d n a a ke ’De Matt O recky near Bo Ho

Evan Ell is an this 29” d his youngst er c snook in Sandy w/ a Red Grouper caught offshore Cape C aught oral. w/ Bad Habit FC.

Photos submitted Courtesy of Coastal Angler Readers and Contributing Writers Submit pics to: camswfl@gmail.com or text to 239.595.8265

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2024 CCA FLORIDA STAR:

WINNING IS EASIER THAN EVER!

C

CA Florida STAR presented by Yamaha launched into year-10 on Memorial Day weekend! For 100 days, this unique fishing competition will award more than $500,000 in prizes and scholarships.

CCA Florida, the state’s leading marine fisheries conservation, habitat restoration, education and advocacy organization, holds the annual event to create awareness for conservation and support the protection and enhancement of Florida’s marine habitat.

This year, participating in STAR is easier than ever. The competition has eight divisions including Tagged Redfish Division, Tagged Dolphin Division, an Inshore and Offshore Division, Native Watercraft Kayak Division, Realtree Youth Scholarship Division, Power Pole Conservation Division and Costa Kick Plastic Trash Division, and there are more than $500,000 in prizes and scholarships available!

“We are excited to kick off Florida’s largest family friendly saltwater

10 FLORIDA

JUNE 2024

fishing competition for the tenth year,” STAR Director Leiza Fitzgerald said. “This year, it is easier than ever to participate in STAR because we have simplified the competition to give anglers and non-anglers the chance to win big. Since 2015, we have given away more than $4 million in prizes, including $900,000 in college scholarships, and we can’t wait to do it again!”

STAR’s signature Tagged Redfish Division presented

by TH Marine offers five adult winners the choice of a Contender Boats 22 Sport, Dek Kat Boats 27 Flatz Kat, Spyder Boats FX19, Micro Draft Skiff 22 Extreme and a package that includes a Sea-Doo Fish Pro Trophy and a CanAm Defender. Each boat is powered by Yamaha and equipped with an Infinity trailer. For the first two youth anglers, prizes include a tiller boat powered by Yamaha, a trailer, a Minn Kota trolling motor and Humminbird electronics.

In total, there are more than 160 prize-winning tagged redfish swimming off Florida’s coastal counties. Citrus and Charlotte counties, STAR’s 2024 Destination Counties, offer the best shot at a prize-winning fish, as they received twice as many tagged reds as the other counties.

The STAR competition also focuses on conservation with its CatchPhoto-Release format and smartphone app. STAR’s Trash Division has set the bar for other fishing tournaments to implement conservation-friendly alternatives.

All STAR entries must be photographed with the official 2024 CCA Florida Measuring Device, which is available free of charge at locations throughout the state, including all Florida West Marine stores.

The CCA Florida STAR competition presented by Yamaha has a division for everyone. Now with only eight divisions, plus ALL saltwater species included in the event and most winners determined by random drawing, anglers of all ages and skill levels can fish from anywhere in Florida’s saltwater and have greater opportunities to win.

Registration is $40 for current CCA Florida members or $80 for nonmembers, which includes CCA Florida membership. Kids ages 6-17 can register for free with their current ($10) CCA Florida youth membership.

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BLUEFIN CAUGHT OFF DESTIN!

Repower Center Inventory Reduc�on Sale

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n case you haven’t seen it yet, this enormous 888-pound bluefin tuna caught in late April out of Destin just might be the largest bluefin ever caught off Florida. It was brought to the docks at Boshamps Seafood and Oyster House on Destin Harbor, and although the fish won’t qualify as a state record because landing it was a team effort, no one in Destin really seems to care. It’s a catch worth celebrating.

According to The Destin Log, Capt. George Gill was piloting the Flat Dangerous on its first Gulf of Mexico trip on Wednesday, April 24. About 68 miles out of Destin, the new 80-foot Viking encountered a massive school of surfacefeeding bluefins while the crew was fishing for bait.

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With just four baits onboard, some small yellowfin, skipjack and blackfin, the captain gave chase, and the crew tossed baits into the school of bluefins. They lost three big fish in short order, but the fish of a lifetime for boatowner Warren Williamson, of Alabama, came tight on the fourth and final bait.

The fish died about an hour into the fight, and it was a team effort to haul it to the surface over the next four hours with PHOTOS BY ANNE HINZE 100-pound main line, 150-pound braid and 400-pound leader.

The fish measured 110 inches in length and weighed 888 pounds. That’s a heck of a fish to break in a new boat!

The existing state record, caught by Rick Whitley out of Destin in 2017, weighed 826.5 pounds. Another would-be new record was caught in 2022, also out of Destin by a team of anglers sharing time on the rod. That fish weighed 832 pounds. The Gulf of Mexico bluefin tuna record stands at 1,152 pounds. That fish, caught off Louisiana in 2003, is the largest fish caught by rod and reel in state history.

For more on this awesome fish, go to The Destin Log and Get The Coast.

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CCW Petitions Big Sugar Over Everglades Restoration

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aptains For Clean Water (CCW), a non-profit organized by fishing guides, is petitioning Big Sugar to drop its lawsuit seeking access to irrigation water from the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Reservoir.

The EEA reservoir, which is currently under construction, is the centerpiece of Everglades restoration projects designed to provide relief from devastating Lake Okeechobee discharges and restore the flow of freshwater south, as nature intended, through the Everglades to Florida Bay. Big Sugar, made up of sugar producers United States Sugar Corporation, Okeelanta Corporation (Florida Crystals) and The Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative of Florida, claims farming interests in South Florida were promised water access by the federal government. Last year a federal judge threw out the case brought by Big Sugar, and this recent lawsuit is in the appeals process, with no projected timeline.

Explanation of the CCW petition reads: “If Big Sugar wins, they could push to use the EAA Reservoir as their personal taxpayer-funded water supply, upending years of restoration progress and sealing the fate of Florida’s future to include more damaging discharges, more toxic algae blooms, and more economic and environmental peril. It could also set a dangerous precedent, forcing Everglades Restoration projects to prioritize Big Sugar’s interests and replace their historical water supply over benefits to South Florida’s waters— regardless of how and when Sugar lost water supply since December 2000.”

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HIT-AND-RUN GROUPER

apart to create a lot of smell down on the bottom. Then I drop live pinfish or small snappers to the grouper drawn in by the “chum.”

Lately, I’ve resorted to dropping big, pretty live baits first to see if we can get a few grouper bites before the taxman arrives, and it’s become a matter of WHEN rather than IF he shows up. It’s “hit-and-run” fishing.

We pull up on a nice mark with pinfish and grunts already rigged on the jig. I hit the spot lock on the Rhodan and drop in for a few good bites.

Tim Barefoot When the sharks show up, we just move up or down the ledge. Lather, rinse and repeat as often as needed. Granted, we haven’t boated as many ’ve long been a proponent of chumming up a place on the bottom with squid and then feeding grouper a big live bait. of the smaller snappers or seabass for the cooler, but we’ve caught some beautiful grouper with this “hitHowever, after the last few trips, and-run” style of bottom banging.

I’m starting to rethink this tactic The wahoo are different story. because of the number of sharks We quit putting the light line out we’ve been catching. due to the instant shark bite. I’ve I’ve never seen as many sharks got to figure something out for that. as we are seeing right now. The From now until the end of October bottom is covered with them, and or the first of November, wahoo the top layer of the water column is will be everywhere and nowhere full of them. This past trip, we put at the same time. They will come out five Spanish mackerel on light inside the edge of the Gulf Stream lines hoping for a wahoo bite. We following big stacks of bait. As usual, caught five sharks almost instantly. some king mackerel fisherman One of these bites was the biggest will catch a 100-pounder on a live tiger shark I’ve ever seen. It was at menhaden in less than 100 feet of least 12 feet long and 2 feet wide water while chasing a tournamentacross the head. The rest of them grade kingfish. were standard 6- to 9-footers; it I said all that to say this: We’re takes a toll on you to get them to the going to take more pinfish and boat for dehooking. less squid to catch “hit-and-run” Between all the American red snappers—which we aren’t allowed to keep—and all the sharks, we’ve grouper. Someone please educate me on a bait that will not catch a red been run off of several square miles of bottom lately. Thankfully, we’ve snapper! found some of the grouper we’re looking for, but I’m seriously rethinking For more info on the jigs and bait, check out Tim Barefoot’s the “chumming” part of the tactics I usually employ. Normally, I begin YouTube channel and website, barefootcatsandtackle.com. on a spot by dropping whole squid on jigs, which the smaller fish pick

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C-HAWK&MITZI SKIFF: Two Brands, One Philosophy

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n the boating world, brand loyalty is earned.

Over years, boater experiences with vessels— good and bad, on and off the water—are what build the reputations of boats. It might, or might not, come as a surprise that two brands that have garnered sterling reputations in the industry for functionality and dependability are manufactured by the same builder.

C-Hawk and Mitzi Skiff are both built in the U.S.A. with the same philosophy that simplicity leads to vessels that are easier and more affordable to operate and maintain. A simple, well-designed and well-built boat, comes with less hassle, leaving more time to spend on the water. Especially among anglers, this philosophy has built large followings for both brands among people who are more interested in fishing and boating than they are in pampering their pretty boats.

“We build a keep-it-simple-stupid boat. If you want something you can soft scrub at the end of the day and put it away, you’re my guy,” said Brad Grubbs, the owner and manufacturer of C-Hawk and Mitzi Skiff. “We set out to make boats that are affordable to operate and affordable to own, and the philosophy has worked.”

“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” Grubbs quipped.

Mitzi builds skiffs for anglers more interested in fishing than in spending a lot of money.

The 15’ remains a purpose-built flats boat for one or two anglers to sneak up on wary fish in super-skinny water. The 17’ models are more multi-purpose. They can fish three anglers, and while they are primarily a flats boat, they perform admirably as bay boats with a modified V-hull and an 11-degree deadrise at transom to reduce hull slap. Rolled gunnels knock down spray for an exceptionally dry ride.

They are solid and durable for long years of heavy use, and from hideaway pushpole holders to flush-mount hardware, Mitzi delivers clean and stable casting decks designed specifically for Although Mitzi Skiff originated in the 1990s hard-core anglers. www.mitziskiffs.com for a singular purpose, the same philosophy for simplicity applies. Fly fishing the flats drove Tom Mitzlaff to design a skiff with quiet maneuverability, C-Hawk has been around since the midextremely shallow draft and a clean deck layout 1970s and offers lines of bombproof 16’ to 29’ to make him a better fisherman. It was simple by center consoles and 22’ to 29’ sport cabins necessity, and it revolutionized the industry. that were originally developed for commercial Three decades later, Mitzi’s line of 15’, 16’and applications. C-Hawks remain 17’ skiffs achieves those purposes exceptionally widely used commercially, well, and they have led the way with innovations and many recreational that make them the flats boats other boat builders imitate. A Mitzi does everything the pricier skiffs do, yet they are affordable enough for any angler to own and operate.

Mitzi Skiff

C-Hawk Boats

boaters also see the value in a vessel that’s built to take a beating.

“Really, we just took a commercial-duty boat and put a little lipstick on it,” Grubbs said. “The boat is as tough as it ever was. It’s been the same boat for nearly 50 years.”

At their core, C-Hawks are hardcore workhorses, and the center console models have become popular with charter captains because they are built to withstand hard use for years of trouble-free boating. Grubbs pointed to C-Hawk’s 25 CC as a great example of what the brand has become. It’s an extremely stable fishing platform that drafts just 12 inches, and with a 300 horsepower max it’ll take you anywhere you need to go from skinny water to light offshore duty.

What’s more, it’s infinitely customizable from the factory.

“We can mix and match consoles, fish boxes, full transoms, cut transoms, bare hulls… you name it,” Grubbs said. “There are some recreational guys adding towers and sight fishing for cobia, and such. Everything we do is built around keep it simple, keep it efficient, keep it easy to maintain, keep it cost effective to own and operate.

They are all unique… no cookie cutter trailer queens here. The 25 is a great example of what C-Hawk is.” www.chawkboats.net

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TIPS FROM A PRO

STAY ORGANIZED ON THE WATER

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very month, I provide tips to help make you a better angler. This month’s tip is one of the most important.

With so many tackle and gear options on the market these days, staying organized on the water is difficult. Here are a few things I do that make me a more efficient angler because I know exactly where to go when looking for the right tool for the job.

Storage options vary depending on the type of fishing you do. I’m going to stick to bass fishing, but don’t be afraid to alter these tips to your style of fishing.

When storing baits, hooks, line and gear, your No. 1 enemy is moisture. Keeping your tools dry should be a priority because it keeps hooks sharp and everything else rust-free. I store almost everything in waterproof boxes or bags. These storage options might be a little more expensive up-front, but when compared to losing a whole box of lures or hooks to rust, your investment will pay for itself many times over.Another good trick I’ve learned is to use DampRid moisture absorbers. Here in Florida, where humidity is high and temperatures fluctuate, condensation builds up in boat compartments. The best thing to do is to take your tackle out of the boat and move it inside, but this is not an option if you fish a lot and have a lot of gear. DampRid containers help keep everything safe and dry by absorbing moisture from the air in your boat’s storage compartments.

Now let’s talk about organization. If you’re a bass angler, you have a ton of soft plastics in different styles and colors as well as packs of hooks, jigs and weights to fish them. I use plastic Sterlite containers with latches to store my bags of soft plastics. You can buy them at Walmart. I organize my baits by the type of soft plastic they are, and I label each container.

On the water, this makes it easy grab the style of bait I’m looking for. Also, before I leave the house, labels make it easy to load what I think I’ll need for the day and remove what I don’t.

On the hook side of organization, one mistake people make when organizing hooks is to take them out of the original packaging to place them in compartment boxes. This is a huge mistake. Hook packs are clearly labeled by size and style, which allows you to quickly identify them on the water. Also, hook packs are designed to keep hooks sharp, untangled and dry. You can store your hooks in a box, but you should leave them in their original packaging.

Hopefully, these tips help you be more efficient on the water and save you some money by protecting your investments.

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