Coastal Angler Magazine | April 2023 | Ft. Myers/Cape Coral/Charlotte Harbor Edition

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MAHI A Few Facts About Everyone’s Favorite Fish

By CAM Sta

On the end of a line or wrapped up in a tortilla, dolphin sh are a worldwide fan favorite. Here are a few facts you might not have known about mahi-mahi:

• What’s in a Name? Mahi-mahi is the Hawaiian term for the sh historically called dolphin or dolphin sh in the mainland United States. In Polynesian “mahi” means “strong,” and “mahi-mahi” translates to very strong. Although most U.S. scientist still refer to the species as dolphin sh, the term mahi has become more

prevalent in recent years, perhaps through foodsh marketing or to avoid confusion with the mammal also called dolphin.

Spanish speakers typically refer to the same sh as “dorado,” which means “golden.” Obviously, this comes from the sh’s color, and dorado is also used widely in the Paci c as well as in English-speaking South Africa.

Dolphin sh are found in all the world’s tropical and subtropical oceans. ey go by many names in many languages. ey are Shiira in Japanese, goldmakrele in German, lambuka in Arabic… and the list goes on.

• All the Pretty Colors: Dolphin sh are revered for their gorgeous colors, which change according to their excitement level. ey can change colors and even icker from day-glow green and yellow with blue highlights to lighter blue and metallic silver over the course of a ght. As soon as you pull them out of the water, this brilliance begins to fade. ese changing colors are due to cells called chromatophores in their skin. Chromatophores re ect light, contain pigment, and are controlled by central nervous system, which gives mahi their awesome chameleon-like abilities.

• Rabbit of the Sea: Part of the allure of mahi for anglers is their prevalence. When they are around, there are usually a lot of them around. ey grow quickly and reproduce proli cally, like rabbits. Dolphin sh can grow up to 3 inches in a week and reach sexual maturity in just ve or six months. ey spawn two or three times a year, and each female can release up to a million eggs during each cycle.

• Size Matters: While smaller “peanut” mahi travel and feed in giant schools, larger individuals cruise in smaller packs of two to ve sh. e average dolphin only lives two or three years, and they have a lifespan of ve to seven years. e IGFA all-tackle world record weighed 87 pounds and was caught o Costa Rice in 1976.

• Speed: Dolphin sh are estimated to swim up to 50 nautical mph, which allows them to feed on pretty much anything they can t in their mouths. is includes their little brothers and sisters.

• Management: It’s usually bad news for anglers when the federal acronyms pay special attention to a species. However, years of declining catches have led Florida shermen to call for tighter regulations for dolphin sh in the Atlantic. Currently, NOAA and SAFMC are looking at options.

Florida boasts some of the best dolphin shing in the world. e sharp multi-year decline in the shery is alarming. Last year, while SAFMC mulled potential regulations changes in federal waters, Florida preemptively slashed limits in state waters by half—from 10 sh to ve sh per person, with the vessel limit dropping from 60 to 30 sh per day.

SAFMC did not follow suit. With opposition to tighter regulations from North Carolina, where dolphin shing appears to be getting better, the per-person bag limit in federal waters of the South Atlantic remained at 10 sh per person, while the daily vessel limit was modi ed from 60 sh to 54 sh. ere is a minimum size limit of 20 inches in federal waters o South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. ere is no minimum size limit o North Carolina.

Many Florida anglers were stunned by the decision to pretty much allow federal regulations to remain as they were. Changes, however, are likely on the way. NOAA/SAFMC have initiated a “management strategy evaluation” with a stated goal of annually determining dolphin sh supply before allocating harvest equally to di erent regions and user groups. We might get a look at what that means by 2024.

• Grocery Shopping: Most of the mahi-mahi you nd in restaurants or at the grocery store comes from the Paci c. In the South Atlantic, just seven percent of the total catch limit is allocated to commercial shing.

MAKE IT A DOUBLE!

Tim Barefoot

A“double tackle” is what I call rigging two lures on the same main line. In certain situations, this appearance of a school of eeing bait sh or shrimp is irresistible to predators, and I’ve got a clean and simple way to rig a double tackle.

is the time of year, a double tackle can be deadly in inshore sheries. Spring brings huge schools of small, immature bait rolling up the creeks o the Intracoastal. ey push into the shallow bays and up the rivers trying to nd a place to hide from all the predators. Rigging two identical baits together can be irresistible to predator sh, and at the same it confuses them. I think sh look at this tackle, with baits zigging and zagging, and are forced to decide which one to eat, rather than whether or not to eat.

ere is always the possibility of catching two tackle. It happens a lot.

Speckled trout, striped bass and American shad are a few likely candidates for this tackle. Spring trout sometimes key on juvenile shrimp, and this tackle is a dead-ringer for the job. American and hickory shad are complete idiots for this tackle, as they stage in tight schools and you o en catch doubles. For the speckled trout, I like a 3-inch DOA Shrimp. For shad, I prefer small so -plastic worms.

Depending on water clarity, I sh 20- to 30-pound uoro for trout and 8- to 12-pound uoro for shad. is a very ne line between using a uoro light enough to get the bite and heavy enough to withstand the force of two sh yanking against each other on the line. e knot that connects everything together is pretty simple, but it takes a little practice to get it just right. It is a must to moisten the uoro when cinching the knot

down tight, as it will cut itself if it’s not wet. Test your knots, pulling hard on them, before use.

I’m going to get sporty this year and make a double-squid tackle for the black n tuna. I may get two at once, but that’s a gamble I’m willing to take. Stay in touch to my YouTube channel for video featuring the black ns. I think the black n tackle will be made with 50-pound uoro.

Regardless of the lure, I use jig heads that make baits walk the dog underwater like a Gotsh the front lure with a jig head, and it zigs and zags with the same cadence of the trailing lure, which has no jig head, just a hook. O en the trailing bait gets the bite.

I’m not going into a lengthy explanation in writing about how to make this tackle, but will show an up-close detailed video that explains this simple knot and rigging completely.

To see video instructions on rigging Tim Barefoot’s double tackle, go to https://youtu.be/FsdUGwyM9c4. For more, visit barefootcatsandtackle.com.

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Catch More Springtime Crappie

By TAM Sta

It’s the time of year when crappie shing can get mighty easy. However, you can always strive to load the cooler with more and bigger sh. Here are a few tips:

• Know Your Prey: Crappie are on the move this time of year. ey might be staged up at prespawn or postspawn depths, or they might be right up on the banks in a foot and a half of water spawning. Knowing their cycles will help you nd them.

Before and a er they spawn, crappie hold on brush and structure just outside of their spawning areas. ey move up into the shallows to spawn in waves, and this can go on for a month or more. So, while some sh are easy targets when they’re spawning or guarding fry on super-shallow brush, there are other, possibly larger, sh feeding a little deeper.

If you’re not catching the numbers or size you’d like to see in the shallows, get on the trolling motor and use your sonar to nd the creek channels and rst drops o the spawning areas. Find some good brush or search the fronts of docks. You might nd big schools slab crappie. Pitch jigs or minnows to individual brushpiles or slow troll these deeper areas to nd sh.

• Ditch the Bobber: A minnow under a bobber is a traditional and e ective crappie rig. It is not, however the most e cient way to catch them in most situations. During the spawn, male crappie are the ones that stay shallow and guard the nests. ey are aggressive, and they are not necessarily feeding when they attack. ese sh are particularly susceptible to gaudy, brightly colored jigs.

Crappie jigs are the best way to cover water both on

spawning banks and on deeper brush. Even when they’re feeding heavily, crappie on brush won’t chase their prey more than a few feet. A jig allows you to make numerous casts and thoroughly cover the water horizontally and vertically in the time it would take to hook and soak a single minnow under a bobber.

Move quickly until you nd the you can slow down and catch them all. If you still want to support the local live bait store, go ahead and buy some minnows and thread them through the lips on a crappie jig.

• Scent: You might not need it all the time to catch sh, but scent helps crappie nd your lure and convinces them to eat. It doesn’t hurt to tip your jig with a minnow, and arti cial attractants like PowerBait Crappie Nibbles or JJ’s Magic can sometimes make them bite when they’ve got lockjaw.

• Network: Make friends with other crappie anglers. ere’s no shortage of available crappie in most lakes. Sharing information with other anglers helps everyone stay on top of the sh. You don’t have to tell anyone where you sunk your Christmas tree in January, but a little give and take doesn’t hurt when you’re talking about stages of the spawn or e ective colors.

For more crappie shing, visit www.coastalanglermag.com.

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BIG BLUEFISH ARE ON THE WAY

By Emily Rose Hanzlik

With spring nally here, the ocean is open to many possibilities here in South Florida. One of my favorites is the arrival of larger blue sh, which tend to migrate this direction at this time of year.

Blue sh are a popular game sh in almost all the waters surrounding the United States. Smaller blue sh from 7 to 9 inches are sometimes called snapper. ese sh have extremely sharp teeth, with prominent canines on both the top and bottom jaw.

Blue sh are common along the Atlantic coast of the United States, and

range from Cape Cod down through Argentina. eir migrations are a tricky subject. Most people believe blue sh travel from Florida up to New Jersey, and then back down to Florida. However, this has never truly been proven. While doing some research, I found a few studies that never came to a clear conclusion.

What we do know is that blue sh spawn at the edge of the Gulf Stream o Florida in spring. e timing varies from year to year, but there is usually a three to seven-day window when larger blue sh swim closer to shore. For Florida, this is the time when we catch our largest blue sh, and this week is normally sometime in April.

Most smaller “snapper” blue sh tend to hang around mangroves, estuaries and bridges to ensure their safety. is provides them with cover from predators and access to smaller prey also hiding in these “safe” areas. Once they get large enough, they move o the coast to feed on larger, more abundant prey. ey are typically found in inlets, around piers and o the beaches, where large bait schools ensure a better hunt with less energy being exerted.

When hunting for blue sh, you’ll want to start where the bait is. Most of the time you will see blue sh schools popping bait schools on the surface, and other blue sh will be cleaning up the mess below. For this situation, you can use any kind of spoon, X-Raps or jigs. Normally, you’ll want to use a small piece of wire so that they don’t cut you o

If you don’t see blue sh popping baits, you can look for oil slicks. Some experts say they can smell the odor from their oils. But, for those who can’t “sni out” the sh, you can throw chunks of dead le over bait and let it stink up the water to draw them in. Usually a 2-inch chunk of mackerel, jack or even dead bait sh like sardines will attract any blue sh in the area.

Currently, on the east coast of Florida, you can keep three blue sh per person, per day. Many people prefer to use blue sh as bait, while some will make a stew or cook them whole. e IGFA all-tackle world record blue sh was a 31-pound, 12-ounce monster caught out of Hatteras, North Carolina.

Emily Rose Hanzlik holds 56 IGFA world records in various categories. She hails from West Palm Beach, where she has a part time Bow n Guide Service as well as shing classes for Jr. Anglers. Find her on social media @emilyhanzlikoutdoors.

Photo courtesy of Grant Bataille @grantbataille

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PORGY, SNOWY GROUPER, BLUELINE TILEFISH

At its late February commission meeting, FWC approved regulations changes to cut possession limits for three species and establish new open seasons for two of them in Florida’s Atlantic state waters. e modi cations are consistent with current and pending regulations for federal waters of the Atlantic.

• e bag limit for red porgy will be cut from three to one sh per person, per day. An open season of May-June will be established.

• e snowy grouper bag limit will be one sh per vessel, per day. is is a decrease from one sh per person, per day. An open season of May–June will be established.

• e blueline tile sh bag limit will be reduced from three sh to two sh per person, per day, and for-hire captain and crew will be prohibited from retaining a bag limit.

Last year, the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council approved management changes to help rebuild the red porgy and snowy grouper stocks, which are over shed and undergoing over shing, and to reduce the risk of over shing for blueline tile sh.

e red porgy recreational limits will be e ective April 1 in Atlantic state waters, and the snowy grouper and blueline tile sh regulations will go into e ect at a later date once pending federal regulations have been implemented.

For more information, visit MyFWC.com.

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RELEASE DEVICES Now Required in State Waters

Anglers pursuing reef sh in Florida state waters will now be required to have a descending device or venting tool onboard that is ready for use. ey will also be required to use the device or tool on sh exhibiting signs of barotrauma prior to release. is new rule was scheduled to become e ective April 1 a er being approved by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at its February meeting.

Release mortality is a top sheries management challenge. As reef sh are reeled up from depth, they can su er a pressure-related injury known as barotrauma. If not treated correctly, barotrauma can be lethal to sh Descending devices or venting tools can help sh recover from the e ects of barotrauma.

Barotrauma mitigation tool requirements have already been adopted in Gulf and Atlantic federal waters. In Gulf federal waters, shers have the choice of possessing either a descending device or a venting tool that is rigged and ready for use. In Atlantic federal waters, shers are required to have a descending device that is readily available for use. is new rule for Gulf and Atlantic state waters allows anglers to choose which type of tool

best ts their circumstances.

A summary of the proposed rule presented at the meeting also indicated a concern about private anglers either not being aware of the requirements or not having con dence with the use of such devices. FWC has committed to an outreach program designed to raise awareness on the proper use of barotrauma mitigation tools.

Find current reef sh gear requirements at MyFWC.com/ReefFishGear. Anyone who plans to harvest or attempt to harvest, including catch and release, certain reef sh species in Gulf or Atlantic waters from a private recreational vessel must sign up for the free State Reef Fish Angler designation and renew it annually. Learn more at MyFWC.com/SRFS and sign up today at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com.

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PHOTO COURTESY OF RETURN ’EM RIGHT

ANGLERS LAND NEW IGFA WORLD RECORDS

The International Game Fish Association (IGFA) tracks record sh catches around the globe. eir world record database is a great source to see some of the sh anglers are catching around the world. Here are a handful of catches recently approved for the record books. To see all newly approved IGFA records, visit igfa.org.

Pin’s Snakehead

On Aug. 12, 2022, Ng Yam Pin landed this beautiful 28-pound giant snakehead in Rawang, Malaysia to set IGFA’s mens 20-pound line class world record. Pin caught the big snakehead on a Duo Fangbait lure and released the sh a er recording the weight and proper measurements. e IGFA all-tackle world record for giant snakehead was also caught from Rawang. It weighed 30 pounds. Bluch’s

Rainbow Trout

On Nov. 5, 2022, Aussie angler Frank Bluch was shing the Tekapo Canal, New Zealand, with guide Nicor Sutherland, when he landed this impressive 21-pound, 13-ounce rainbow trout. It set the new IGFA men’s 2-pound tippet class world record. e sh ate a y Frank calls the “Orange Monstrosity.” e all-tackle world record rainbow was caught from Lake Diefenbaker, Canada. It weighed 48 pounds.

Ochmann’s Wels

Joachim Ochmann caught this huge 140-pound, 10-ounce wels from Rio Ebro, Spain on Oct. 1, 2022. It took him nearly two hours to land the new IGFA men’s 16-pound line class world record. He released it a er taking proper weight and measurements. e all-tackle world record wels was caught from River Po, Italy in 2010. It weighed 297 pounds, 9 ounces.

Okuyama’s Grass Carp

Fumiya Okuyama holds several IGFA world records for grass carp, and he recently set another with this 109-centimeter (nearly 43-inch) sh he caught on Oct. 20, 2022, to establish the new IGFA all-tackle length y world record. e all-tackle world record by weight was caught at Piasuchnik Dam, Bulgaria in 2009. It weighed 87 pounds, 10 ounces.

By:Capt.DaveStephens SpringHasSprung

ment. Everyone has a theory and likes to blame different things for the algae blooms. In some way all these theories, well in some ways they are all part of the problem. My biggest concern with this year is the hurricane that we had last year. There has been a lot of runoffs from sediments that got flushed into our waters and sat dormant until the salt levels came back up, and water temps began to rise. Hopefully with a little luck and some help from mother-nature we can avoid a major outbreak. We definitely don't need any major issues, we have endured enough.

The area I fish this time of year is the northern end of Charlotte Harbor, and the water has been very healthy so far. We have rivers that feed the area, and that is helping to keep the salt levels lower. I'm not saying it can't happen here, just less likely. The fishing has been steady, the snook bite being the best right now. We're also catching lots of jacks and trout with some reds mixed in. The warmer waters should get some juvenile tarpon on the feed. Normally spring is a great time to target the tarpon bite, as they are in the 20-30lb. range, but a lot of fun on light tackle.

Well here we are in April, and the fishing has been pretty good in some areas. While some of my guide friends that fish in other areas of Southwest Florida are dealing with red tide. As I sit here and write this article, I'm fortunate that my area has not been affected at the mo-

If you would like to experience some of Southwest Florida's finest fishing give us a call or send an email. All of our charters are private and customized to fit you and your party's needs.

Building a Good Set of Numbers

By: Capt. Bart Marx

The water and the fishing are headed toward summertime tactics. Yes, you will have to run further offshore out to 75 or 80 feet of water to find some good grouper fishing. If you have a good fish finder with side scan it makes it much easier than the old traditional down scan. I can remember when we would use a paper bottom machine, when you could smell the paper burning you knew that it was working well. Today, we have access to full color and side and forward scan bottom machines and technology has made it lots easier to find structure and fish where you can find hard bottom areas that have some soft corals and plants that will hold small fish which will attract larger fish. One technique to target red grouper is to drift over these types of areas with some version of a chicken rig. The hard bottom can have areas of stone and rock and a chicken rig allows your weight to slide along the bottom keeping your bait very close to the bottom but not on the bottom. If there is current you may need to have extra weight to keep it down, and if the wind is a little stiff you may need more weight. Bank sinkers are good to use, and I have seen them as heavy as 24 oz. Some anglers have a way to use the egg sinkers as well with some extra knots. There are swivels made especially for this type of rig. Some like to use a lighter pound test on your weight so if it gets snagged it can be broken off and save the hook. There are some variables that you can figure out what will work best for you. Back in the day we would carry a yellow Prestone jug with a weight and about 10-foot longer line than the depth we were fishing. And when we would get a bite, we threw the marker, reeled in the fish and went back to anchor up on that spot. With a GPS, we can mark the spot and go back and deploy a trolling motor, anchor lock and look at the side scan to see if there is a better spot close by. By doing this you can build a good set of numbers for yourself and find spots that hold snapper, lanes, or mangroves. And if you find there are some triggers on some of these spots that is usually good hard bottom, look closely in that area for the small ledges. A good rule of thumb is a gram of weight per foot of depth, so 60 ft depth, 60-gram jig. If you are fishing closer to the beach there may be some flounder around the edges of some of the nearshore artificial reefs.

Cool Rays

By: Caitlyn Gatrell

While this is not of the typical species I often write about in my fishing articles, it is too cool to not include! During our times out in the Ten Thousand Islands, we often see rays, whether they are swimming by in big schools, rushing off after we spook them when trolling on the surface, or even free jumping out of the water. They always seem to be nearby, and we have had quite the experience with a couple rays on some islands out there. If you fish with me, you know I will always have a line in the water while we are stopped at an island, usually for a bait stop or to just relax and eat some lunch. I tend to just loosen my drag, let my rod sit in the rod holder, keep an eye out, and wait for that drag to start screaming. I always throw on a live bait, usually a pilchard or finger mullet. After a while my bait will kind of start to slow down and not swim much anymore, and that's when it tends to sink to the bottom. This becomes the perfect chance for these rays to scoop the bait up as they stroll along the bottom. Typically, I will notice my line seems to get tight but doesn't seem to really "take off". It almost gives the impression that it is stuck on something. At least that's what it seemed like the first time I hooked into one of these rays. Once I start to reel a bit, that's when I can tell there is definitely something on the line, when it gives a little bit of resistance as it tries to slowly swim away. Not too long after, the stingray will just take off down the beach or out into deeper water. I will say, compared to other species I catch, even tarpon, this species has got to be the biggest arm workout for me. My arms will be hurting after reeling in these rays! The fight takes a bit of time, as usually when I get them up close, they take off again and I have to just let them run. Getting them in and up close is a struggle enough, but watching out for that barb is another challenge! I usually keep a safe distance, snap a photo, and then will try to get the hook out or cut the line as short as possible. I typically don't even need to help them back in the water as they are already fired up, flapping their fins quickly to take off deeper into the water. While it is a fun fight, stingrays are not my favorite species to catch as they have me needing to take a break afterwards, lol, although I admire their beauty and strength!

WONDERFUL WORLD OF FISHING

By: Capt. Terry Fisher

The month of April is the beginning of the Tarpon migration to SW Florida from the Mexico via the Florida Straits. This sets the stage for one of the ‘Greatest Migration Shows on Earth’! This spectacular, natural display of God’s Gift to anglers is one of the biggest Tarpon Migration on planet earth. Even though the migration starts early April and last through June, Boca Grande Pass (‘Pass’) is the epicenter during the month of May. Whether fisherman or not, this natural display of wild life beauty is worth a boat ride to the ‘Pass’, if only to experience. Each spring, thousands of these prehistoric fish make their appearance in the ‘Pass’ to mate, to replenish, to grow and survive the next generation.

Prior to this however, April Tarpon will be found cruising northward and along the beaches. They are cruising the passes, such as Wiggins, Big Carlos, Redfish and Captiva Passes and numerous areas of Pine Island Sound. These fish are migrating in schools from the south and are feeding on various baits in their paths. Live/dead ‘baits of choice’ include Blue Crab, Mullet, Pinfish, Threadfin, Pilchard, Mackerel and Catfish fillets. Effective techniques include weighted presentations on the seabed or under corks/floats. Use strong equipment, such as 6000-8000 series reels with at least 30-40lb. line rated rods. I use 65lb. rated test line and 60-80lb. rated leaders to do the job. Also, use 6/0-9/0 circle hooks.

I NSHORE: fishing was good in March and should continue. With the higher tides, stronger currents and more bait fishes, fishing in April should prove to be excellent. While Snook, Redfish and Seatrout remain closed to harvest the excitement of targeting and landing these species will offer a tremendous amount of enjoyment together with memories of a lifetime. Practice makes perfect, so get out there, locate the fishing holes and when the harvests open, you will be ready to have a ‘fish’ fry with your friends and family. Many times, it’s the ‘hunt’, not the kill that provide the better experiences and memories. I applaud the FWC for strictly managing the harvest quotas and seasons that protect all species. Especially, with all of the boats and anglers putting lots of pressure on our estuaries and offshore reefs.

E xpect to catch Seatrout, Spanish Mackerel, Pompano, Jack Crevalle and Ladyfish on the deeper grass flats in open waters. Snook should be plentiful in the passes, just off the beaches, around docks and mangrove islands as water levels begin to rise higher offering boater’s access to more fishing spots. Artificial presentations with paddle tails, spoons and top water will all produce. Live shrimp and bait fish will produce the most catches.

Redfish should be easier to locate on the high side of the tides in the shallows close to, in and around spoil islands as well as oyster shoals. A few Sheepshead may still linger around seawalls, piles and docks while many will revert to reef structures offshore in deeper water as the water temperatures continue to rise. Black Drum will be found around bridges and docks fed by currents from passes and channels.

OFFSHORE: will offer anglers more success than the winter months as migratory species such as, Permit, Cobia, Blackfin and Kingfish make their appearances in open water, but more so around reef structures. Decent size Mangrove Snapper and Lane Snapper should be plentiful in depths of 45 or more feet. Larger grouper and snapper will require a trek of about forty miles offshore to fish waters in 85-110 feet. To make a fishing adventure of the latter, one should have a boat with at least a one hundred-fifty (150) mile fuel range, equipped with a VHF radio and other back up satellite communication system. Wind will dictate when and if one should go or not.

My charters produce a lot of fish both inshore and offshore. I do a lot of ‘Captain for Hire’ (by the hour) on both inshore and offshore vessels. Some of my catches are posted regularly on Face Book and Instagram by 1st Mate Vicki. I do a number of articles (fishing reports) for the Marine Industries of SW Florida website (www. goboatingflorida.com), featuring daily and weekly catches. In my fishing reports I provide accounts of the charters along with stories of my clients and pictures of their catches. I love teaching people when, where and how to catch fish on my vessel or theirs. I actually mark the fishing spots and locations for them so as to ensure that their future adventures are productive.

Right Around the Corner

By: Capt. Billy Norris

Although everyone is getting excited for the arrival of our Spring, fish like tarpon, permit and snook, the past month has provided some great fishing as well! In the backwaters, snook, redfish and trout have all been willing to bite. The grass flats have been very productive, with some giant trout being caught. In Estero Bay, local groups and state agencies alike have worked tirelessly to clean up debris from Hurricane Ian and it has paid off. Although there are still some remnants of hurricane-deposited trash out there, the majority has been removed making navigation much easier than it has been the last several months. A lot of old fishing spots like downed trees, docks, pilings, etc. have all been removed/destroyed/changed, so it may take you some time to scout out some new go-to fishing holes. The colder water has triggered our sheepshead population to show up in good numbers, and along with them pompano have made their way to the beaches/passes. Offshore has also been great! For some reason, kingfish decided to be completely absent this year around here. They usually show up in our waters sometime between Thanksgiving and Christmas, but this year decided not to come. My theory is that about the time they would have showed up, our area was experiencing heavy discharges of polluted water from Hurricane Ian, and so they simply went around us. Not to worry though, other species have made up for the kingfish’s absence! The cobia bite has been on fire this winter and has continued all the way through spring! We have been boating some beautiful fish, and consistently. Gag grouper closed on January 1st, however for catch and release fun they are still actively crushing our baits. The snapper bite has been equally as impressive, with limits of lanes, mangs, and yellowtail all being common. On a more disappointing note, we do still have some red tide in the area. This was expected following the severity of Hurricane Ian. A week of hard Southwest winds blew it all right up to the shoreline, making it look much worse than it actually is. Currently, we are still able to fish around it due to the fact that its patchy offshore. However, we are about to enter rainy season, and if it doesn’t get under control soon, we may be looking at a repeat of 2018’s red tide catastrophe. Spring is right around the corner so dust off your tarpon gear and get ready for the spring/summer bite to turn on!

April/2023 • 26°38’N 82°4’W

April/2023 • 26°39’N 81°52’W

New Style of Fishing

By: Dan Carns

Iam often approached by anglers who are curious about kayak fishing but see a lot of barriers around the way they have always fished. If you are a shore angler, you may be thinking that it’s too much work having to load and transport a kayak and all the extra gear. Or perhaps you’re a boater and you think that it can’t reach your preferred spots. Both scenarios may be true but if you make the decision to at least try it you may be surprised at the results. Kayak fishing is a whole new style of fishing that the freshwater and saltwater crowd can transition to with little effort.

If you’ve been fishing from shore most of your life, a kayak is going to be an enormous new opportunity. Far less expensive than a boat, a lot less maintenance and no fuel costs are just a few of the advantages. Often you can still go to your favorite freshwater lake, river or saltwater estuary and launch in the same spot as a kayak doesn’t need a ramp. No longer bound to the bank, you can move in and out of your favorite place but get exactly where the fish are hiding out. Kayaks are super stealthy and can reach very skinny water. That’s not to say that they are relegated to shallow water as many of us are taking our kayaks out into the deep blue ocean or the many fast flowing inlets that surround the barrier islands dotting the coastline.

For the boating crowd a kayak is more of a parallel move as they are already used to trav-

eling over water to reach a fishing spot. It is true that you will not be able to pull up anchor and buzz a couple of miles to your next spot. But this is a great opportunity to explore more deeply into sheltered areas that you wish your boat could go and often you’ll see only other kayakers due to shallow water. It’s also far less expensive to own and operate a kayak.

Of course, both shore and boat anglers will need to adjust this new style of fishing. I often see the look of amazement on clients’ faces when they hook their first fish by kayak. Once they realize how simple it is to transition into a kayak most people are hooked. I would recommend that you take a little kayak tour with an outfitter the first time and let them teach you some basic kayaking skills. This way you’re not trying to learn fishing and kayaking on the same day.

Some other considerations are how will you transport your kayak. Fortunately, there is an impressive range of options from car top loading, truck bed extensions and trailer options that simplify transportation. The fishing gear your using may very well already be sufficient. Find an outfitter (like Gulf Coast Kayak in Matlacha) or ask a friend to show you how much fun this sport can be!

It’s A Wild World-Get Out There!

@paddlinandfishin

Fishman Dan

The Calusa Blueway

By: Mike Hammond

On Feb. 25, I had a Calusa Blueway table set up at the 21st Annual Burrowing Owl Festival. The Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife did a fantastic job with this well-attended event. That same day, the Matlacha Community Park and paddlecraft launch was opened to the public for the first time since Hurricane Ian came through. It felt good being able to tell people the park was once again open. Many Lee County Parks and Recreation beach sites will also be opening soon. By the time you are reading this, San Carlos Bay-Bunche Beach Preserve, Dog Beach, and some Bonita Beach accesses should also be open.

It didn’t seem that long ago that the list of open launches was short. Now the opposite is true. Only a few of our favorite launches remain closed.

W hile many launches have reopened, there is still a lot of recovery efforts happening on the water. I recommend calling the outfitters listed on the Calusa Blueway maps for the status of the waterways near their location. There may be a barge removing a boat from your favorite mangrove creek that you would prefer to avoid.

For water quality updates, please check the Florida Department of Health’s Florida Healthy Beaches Program page and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Red Tide page for updated water quality reports.

If you’re still looking for ways to help, Keep Lee County Beautiful has been organizing or involved with cleanups almost every week. Visit their Facebook page to find out when the next cleanup will be in your area. On the day this magazine hits the shelves, April 1, I’ll be on the water participating in their Great American Cleanup. It’s going to be a fun day.

L ots of good things are happening on the Calusa Blueway. Please continue to check launch site status and water quality updates before arriving and be safe.

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Take strolls on the community dock to enjoy magnificent sunset views or launch your kayak out to the tranquil waters of the Peace River and enjoy the abundance of floral fauna, exotic birdlife, and homes that grace the shorelines of this spectacular river that is the gateway to Charlotte Harbor and beyond it or sit by the pool/spa and soak up the sun or enjoy hitting the weights at your community gym. The clubhouse has an oversized room for entertaining and a kitchenette, as well as a pool table, shuffleboard, tennis courts, and pickleball. Quick walk to the boat slips and trailer storage area where all residents have the choice to pay an additional yearly fee for. With close proximity to shopping and the historic downtown of Punta Gorda with its charming shops, restaurants, and waterfront parks and trails, you couldn’t ask for a better location to enjoy the very best of the Florida lifestyle you’ve heard so much about.

Chasing Rays

By: Joe Sheaffer

As Spring takes hold in Southwest Florida, our fisheries will be in transition as well. The water is warming and the fish are definitely on the move. The inshore species are moving shallower and are going to be more aggressive. I really enjoy power fishing large flats this time of the year. If the water is clear, it can be a great time to sight fish, see, casting and catching that fish can be a huge thrill. As we scan the flats, we can see other creatures cruising these large grassy areas. Many species of rays can be seen flying over the carpets of grass and every now and then they may have company. One thing that is clear is that many of our sea creatures rely on or use other species to help them in the quest for food. Many different species swim along or hang around mullet schools, rays and even manatees. These creatures stir up the bottom as they swim along, spooking small creatures up from the grass making them easy prey for opportunistic predators. I have been able to catch redfish, cobia, snapper and even spotted sea trout swimming next to rays. This time of year as I power fish grass flats, I’m always keeping an eye out for rays, and looking to see if they have a trailer or two or three nearby. Having good casting skills can be a huge advantage for this type of fishing. Many times, the rays may be quite a distance away and being able to make a long accurate cast can be the key to getting a bite or spooking the ray. I try to make my cast in front of the swimming ray and intercept them with a swimming lure or a twitching presentation. One of the great advantages is that the fish are usually very aggressive, they just need to see your lure. Chasing rays on the flats can be a blast. Keep your eyes on the lookout for, manatees and big schools of mullet while fishing the flats. They may have a few friends chasing them around. Keep casting and good luck.

Nancy, Tim, and Kate with a nice 30” snook caught on a Redfish Rob’s Charter.

The smile says it all!! Savannah Spedding w/ a 32” redfish!

Mike had an epic night in the canals by El Jobean bridge in Port Charlotte.

Ron hooked up to more fun in the El Jobean canals w/ a nice snook.

Jim Bryan caught this red-tail catfish in the Everglades.

Cliff DeFeyter w/ a nice 31” snook from a canal off Sarasota Bay.

Garrett Nunnally caught this dinosaur of a snook in Boca Grande.

Javier w/ a beauty from a Naples boat ramp.

Patrina (Javier’s wife) with a nice snook!

Let’s grow with Florida together.

LARGEMOUTHS ON LAKE SANTA FE Springtime

Iget the springtime bass itch when the azaleas bloom. It’s the time of year when largemouth bass spawn on Lake Santa Fe.

Bass spawn around the full moons of February and March on this 5,000-acre Alachua County reservoir. is year, I planned my annual Santa Fe trip for March 2-3, ahead of the March 7 full moon.

It was like entering another world that morning as my wife Kim and I motored onto the main lake. Mist rose through the lake’s ancient cypress trees. Wood ducks whistled and banked overhead. Ospreys squealed at us from nests high in the cypress, and loons serenaded us from open water.

Just being there made me feel so fortunate. I thought back to when I was 12 years old on my rst Santa Fe trip with my dad and brother. We stayed at Gri ns Lodge, which was a famous destination for speckled perch, bream and bass shermen in the 1960s and 70s. ey had small cottages for rent and a sh camp run by an old

man named Roy Gri n.

Ol’ Roy taught me to sh Santa Fe. Over the years, he kept telling me to get away from the shoreline and to slow troll. I never really understood why until sonar showed me the grasscovered humps and ledges holding congregations of bait and game sh.

On the lake, Kim and I slowed to trolling speed to get lines out. I sh 7-foot mediumaction rods with Ambassadeur 5500s loaded with 15-pound mono. e rig is simple, just a #2 wide-bend hook tied directly to the line. I hook wild-caught shiners through both lips from the bottom up.

We pull baits very slowly with a three-rod spread. Using level-wind reels, I let baits out 50 or 60 yards behind the boat. I leave the spool in cast mode and tighten the anti-backlash knob to provide enough tension to keep the baits from pulling line. You know you’ve got a bite when the line starts running out.

We only got two lines out before our rst

strike. When the middle rig started paying out line fast, I picked up the rod and pointed it at the sh. A er 20 seconds, I engaged the reel, took up the slack and set the hook hard with a sweeping motion. I reeled fast to keep pressure on the sh and kept the rod tip low to discourage the bass from jumping.

e rst sh was a fat 4-pound female that was full of eggs. Kim landed the second sh, a gorgeous 5-pounder. We caught several more in the 4-pound range before I landed a fat 8-pounder to nish an action-packed three-hour morning with eight total sh. We released them all safely a er admiring the beautiful dark coloration characteristic of Santa Fe bass. I believe this is caused by the clear but tannin-stained water.

We experienced a great nature show, and I told Kim the bass we caught were like a bonus.

Oh, how I love Ol’ Santa Fe!

Danny Patrick is co-publisher of the Northeast Florida edition of Coastal Angler Magazine.

By Danny Patrick

Ashore-based charter shing group intended to catch the largest shark they could from Pensacola Beach, Fla. on Feb. 12. ey did not, however, expect to crank in the estimated 13-foot great white that picked up their bait.

John McLean, of Big John Shark Fishing Adventures, runs shore-based charter trips for clients who want to catch the sh of lifetime. On this particular trip, his clients wanted to “go big, or go home,” so they used a huge yellow n tuna head for bait and enlisted the help of local charter captain, Capt. David Miller, who paddled a small kayak 900 yards o the beach in rough surf to deploy the bait.

Normally, McLean uses a remote-controlled boat to deploy his baits, but these baits were too large for the RC boat to handle. ey had a big sh on before Miller even made it back to shore.

“As soon as his kayak had hit the sand, we were hooked up to a massive shark,” said McLean in a YouTube video documenting the catch.

“I’ve never seen one that fast before,” he says in the video as line rips o the spool of an oversized big game reel.

All four of his clients took turns cranking the reel while everyone else gathered around to help secure the rod rack Mclean drives into the sand and uses to battle giant sharks. Even with heavy gear, the torque of the ght with heavy braided line loosened the reel from the reel seat.

“ is shark was the strongest sh I had ever had on the line. It took all four of my clients switching in and out to land this shark,” McLean said. “ is is the only time I’ve ever seen my shing gear pushed to the absolute limit.”

It took a little more than an hour to bring the giant shark into the surf, and as soon as McLean realized it was a great white, his attention turned to releasing it as quickly as possible. ey used a tail rope to control the giant white shark, and with the leader removed from its mouth, pulled it into deeper water to revive it before it swam away on its own.

White sharks are federally protected. ey must be released immediately when they are caught, so McLean did not take measurements. However, he has extensive experience with big sharks, and he estimated this one at about 13 feet. A 13-foot white shark can easily weigh more than 1,000 pounds.

Great whites are a rare catch in the Gulf of Mexico, and especially from shore. is was not McLean’s rst monster white shark, though. In early March of 2021, also on a shore-based charter in Pensacola Beach, McLean’s clients caught and released an estimated 12-footer.

Check out Big John Shark Fishing Adventures at bigjohnshark shingadventures.com, and see the video at http://bit.ly/3LjTtyw.

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Famous for its incredible strength, the Palomar knot ties well in all line types. at’s a huge advantage, and few knots can equal it on that front. Tied properly, this knot won’t slip even on braid, making it a popular choice as an all-around knot for securing line to swivels, hooks and pretty much anything else where a snug connection is desired.

It’s also quite easy and fast to tie, though it can be a tricky choice for lures because it requires a large loop to be passed completely over and around your terminal tackle.

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THE ULTIMATE MIXED BAG in the Salmon Capital of the World

By Capt. Lukas Brickweg

The wondrous world of summer shing in Alaska draws anglers from around the world who ock to these rich waters annually. Ketchikan, Alaska, nestled in the heart of the sprawling temperate rainforest known as Tongass National Forest boasts the title of “Salmon Capital of the World,” and for good reason.

But salmon are not all visitors can expect to catch in this world-renowned shery. As an experienced captain who runs daily charters out of Ketchikan during the season, I still nd myself surprised by the productivity of these waters. Along with ve species of salmon, we also land big halibut, giant lingcod, paci c cod and rock sh in our daily catch limits. e shing is superb, and so is the wildlife watching. Hit the water with us, and I will gladly hand over the binoculars when marauding pods of orcas show up on the surface or when magni cent humpback whales breach. We share these waters with eagles, sea lions and so much more. It makes a perfect shing getaway for the entire family.

e awe-inspiring beauty that surrounds Ketchikan is something that must be witnessed to understand. From the rugged terrain of old growth forest in Tongass down to the vibrantly rich waters, each day surprises visitors with landscapes and

wildlife that make Ketchikan a bucket-list destination.

Who doesn’t dream of giant halibut or monstrous king salmon on these scenic waters? Peak season runs from midJune through September, with the absolute best shing during the months of July and August. is occurs when we have an overlapping run of king salmon, silver salmon and pink salmon. All the while, big halibut will have moved in from deep water to feed on the abundance of food present. For these reasons, one can expect to catch all species with potential record catches of halibut, salmon, lingcod and rock sh hitting the docks by day’s end.

Here’s what you might expect on a good fullday charter. We start out bottom shing for halibut in 150 to 400 feet of water until we get a limit. Using deep-water jigging rods, you’ll be tasked with reeling in hard- ghting halibut from the depths. en we switch gears to trolling with electric downriggers, running four rods for all ve species of wild Paci c salmon. Whether or not we hit our limit of salmon, we usually end the day jigging with light tackle for giant lingcod and pelagic rock sh to top o the day’s catch. Why settle for one species

when you can sh for them all?

A processing service will llet, vacuum seal and box up your catch to be shipped home overnight or taken on your ight as a checked bag. Ketchikan is easily accessible with convenient commercial ights, just two-hours out of Seattle, and lodging accommodations are available for groups of all sizes.

Book your dream trip to Alaska with Capt. Lukas Brickweg, of Ketchikan’s Finest Fishing Charters, at www.ketchikan shingtrips.com, call (907) 6174717 or email at ketchikan shingtrips@gmail.com.

FEDS SLASH ALABAMA RED SNAPPER QUOTA

is federally imposed catch limit is the latest point of contention in a two-decade-long power struggle between the Gulf states and the federal bureaucracy over management of one of the region’s most iconic and economically important sheries. Recreational red snapper shing brings millions of tourism dollars to the Gulf Coast each summer. In Alabama, o cials say the quota cut will bring an early end to the season.

e cuts are the result of a complicated formula used by NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to assess red snapper stocks. Federal regulators and environmental groups are pointing to 2022’s reduced red snapper landings as evidence of a depleted shery. In 2020, recreational anglers o Alabama caught 1.1 million pounds of red snapper. In 2022, that gure dropped to less than 500,000 pounds.

AL.com reported that Sean Powers, a leading researcher in the 2020 Great American Red Snapper Count, said the limited landings in 2022 were caused by reduced angler e ort because of high gas prices and poor weather. “ e number of days people went out was half and we caught half of the quota,” Powers told Al.com. “ at’s straight forward. I don’t think it re ects on the health of the stock.”

It’s worth noting that the Great American Red Snapper Count is the study that showed there were more than three times as many red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico than the gures NMFS was previously using to set quotas. For years, sheries managers and politicians from all the Gulf states have been speaking out against NOAA’s “ awed science,” and the Snapper Count seemed to prove their argument. Since the study, NOAA has come up with a new system it says melds the Snapper Count with federal and state surveys. ere is plenty of skepticism over NOAA’s “calibration.”

“Red snapper shing is a huge part of Alabama’s Gulf Coast economy, which is why I’ll continue pushing back against the Department of Commerce’s disastrous proposal to decrease limits for red snapper anglers based on inaccurate data,” said U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R/Ala.) to Al.com.

Frustration is again mounting over federal management of the red snapper shery in the Gulf of Mexico. is time, the uproar is coming from the Alabama coast, where NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) slashed the state’s 2023 recreational quota by more than 50 percent.

Alabama’s quota this year is 558,200 pounds, down from 1.1 million pounds in 2022. e Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council meets in April, and there is a possibility Alabama’s quota could increase slightly.

See www.al.com to read an excellent article on the issue by John Sharp.

WALK THE DOG FOR SPRINGTIME BASS

The months of covering water with your favorite topwater are upon us, and what a wonderful time it is! In some parts of the country, bass are already done spawning. While in others, the move to the shallows has only just begun. No matter the circumstances of your sh, they are on the feed and will certainly bite your lure if the right situation presents itself.

Where I live in Florida, the bass have already nished with their spawn. ey are roaming and chasing food to replenish themselves a er a few hard weeks up in the shallows. One of my favorite ways to catch these sh is by covering water with a walk-the-dog style topwater. Not only is it just the coolest bite ever, but it is also a bait that can mimic a ton of di erent food options. is should be used to cover water at a fast pace. Once you locate groups of sh, slow down with something else. row topwater around anything the treble hooks won’t get hung up on, and remember to stay near areas where sh just nished spawning.

In many other parts of the country, bass might currently be up in the shallows spawning. is is another awesome time to throw a walking topwater. Use it to nd sh spawning, and then slow down and pick up a few more sh with a slower bait, if needed. e target options are endless. Grass ats, shallow banks, wood, points, anywhere bass might be spawning is the perfect place to throw a walking bait.

Up North, sh might be in the very early stages of prespawn or even still have ice over their heads. Whatever the case may be, sh will bite a walking bait when the time is right… or when the water is in a liquid form. I have been very successful, especially on smallmouths, throwing a spook-style bait around spawning ats and points for very aggressive sh that are preparing to spawn. Some of the greatest shing memories

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I have from those parts of the country are from the prespawn. row it over rocks or grass points where bass chase bait as they feed up ahead of the spawn. Walk it over open water or down the bank; they will bite it.

Topwater rod and reel setups can be fairly simple. I like a shorter rod, which makes it easier to walk the dog, with a moderate action, so you don’t rip the hooks out of the sh. e 13 Fishing 7’3” Medium Defy is an a ordable rod with the perfect action. I pair this up with a 7:5:1 Concept A2 spooled with 40-pound Seaguar Smackdown braid for long casts and minimal stretch. e 13 Fishing Power Slide is an awesome topwater for these situations, and I always stick to natural bait sh colors. Grab one of these, get out on your favorite body of water and have some fun!

Details of services provided can be found online at BoatUS.com/Agree. TowBoatU.S. is not a rescue service. In an emergency situation, you must contact the Coast Guard or a government agency immediately.

Tyler Woolcott is a professional tournament angler and guide. Check out his website at www.tylerwoolcott shing.com.

TYLER WOOLCOTT

YAMAHA 22 FT FSH LINE: FISH AND PLAY IN VERSATILE LUXURY

Yamaha’s product line of 22 FT FSH boats has made quite the splash since hitting the water in August of 2022. Building upon the success of Yamaha’s versatile 21-foot center console line that it replaced, there are three separate 22-foot FSH® models that come with Yamaha’s best center console technology and features.

“Speci cally, the new models are 9 inches longer, with gunwales 2 inches higher at the helm and 4 inches higher at the bow than the previous 21-foot line,” said Jon Sutter, Yamaha Boats Product Planning Manager. “And the gunwales are thinner too, which adds to the roominess when passing by the center console.”

is series begins with the value-minded 220 FSH Sport powered by twin 1L TR-1 HO (High Output) engines. Moving up the line is the featurerich 222 FSH Sport, and the premium 222 FSH Sport E being the pinnacle of the series.

O ering sleek lines, agile handling, and superb performance, the new Yamaha 220 and 222 Series center console boats are big, with twin Yamaha marine engines generating up to 360 horsepower. Both 222 FSH models feature added performance delivered by twin 1.8L HO motors. All three models come with a fabric or berglass-molded T-Top with four “rocket launcher” rod holders.

e new 22-foot platform continues Yamaha’s trend toward contemporary design with its deep cockpit and great freeboard, enabling a spacious interior and large bow and cockpit areas.

e center console is nicely nished with plenty of room for Yamaha’s Connext® 5-inch touchscreen that controls the boat’s entertainment and vital system functions, a glass windshield, stainless steel steering wheel, a locking glove box, and a 9-inch Simrad® marine electronics system. And for the rst time on a Yamaha center console boat, all three models get a wirelesscharging phone mount.

ere’s nothing better than hanging out at a favorite cove listening to a great summer playlist. Yamaha has you covered here with its a Hertz® premium sound system that comes standard on the 222 FSH Sport E. is marine sound system comes with a Hertz® head unit, four deck speakers, and two speakers in the color-matched hardtop.

All three 22’ FSH models come standard with mounts for optional swimup seats. At anchor, two removable seats can be attached to the stern. ese seats sit just below the water’s surface, providing comfortable in-water seating facing the transom of the boat. And since the reboarding ladder is located between both seat positions, egress onto the swim platform is a breeze.

Fishing Amenities for Anglers

Understanding that fishing is the heart and soul of this product line, anglers around the globe have the below features to look forward to when purchasing a Yamaha 22FT FSH series boat:

• Storage for eight rods under the gunwales

• Storage for six rods on the side of the console

• Aerated 26-gal stern livewell

• Simrad® multi-function display

• Jet Wash® washdown system

Ultimately, Yamaha’s 22’ FSH models have set the standard in versatile luxury, while continuing to keep the end consumer in mind with its plethora of convenient amenities. Whether you’re enjoying its premium sound system or relaxing with the award-winning swim up stern seating, your days on the water can only be enhanced with Yamaha.

Learn more at YamahaBoats.com

222 FSH Sport E

Doing Your Homework

Eat, sleep, sh, repeat. Although I would love to live this life, it is just not possible… yet. I recently saw a cartoon that listed things I like to do in my spare time. Go shing, buy shing tackle, research shing and talk about shing. is rang true to me since this sport consumes my thoughts as it does many of yours. Here are a few things that I do when I am not shing that help me when I do have the opportunity to go. With the high winds of spring upon us, we all might have a little more dock time than water time.

I’m fascinated with weather. Not only do I look at the current conditions and forecast where I am, but I also look at it in areas where I travel to sh. is does a couple of things for me. First, it allows me to see possible great weather opportunities when I might be able to plan ahead and sneak away. It also keeps me from going on a day when the weather might be great, but the previous several days featured winds blowing strong from an unfavorable direction. For example, here on the Texas coast, southwest is a detrimental direction for high winds. It muddies most bays on our coast. e previous days’ wind velocity and direction are good to know and determine where I head when I launch the boat.

I spend a lot of time on the road, and I like listening to shing podcasts. Some of these give general information, and some are weekly reports covering current conditions and activity. ese can be great to stay in tune with what is happening and to learn from new points of view on approaching certain situations. ey might also cover new products I want to try.

Di erent social media platforms also keep you in tune. Find reputable anglers or guides in your area or an area you plan to go. Some frequently post how-to or what’s been working for them. ey might also talk about how to approach a certain area. If you like to travel to new areas, which I do, knowing how to approach an area can be key. In my local waters, we might approach a spot one way, but if I go to another state they may do the opposite. Knowing the local game plan can save the day.

By Capt. Michael Okruhlik

Last but not least, I look at satellite imagery very o en. One tip is to change the view and the year the image was taken for areas you sh. ese images can be dramatically di erent than the current images, and they might o er a much-improved view of bottom structure to point you to a spot you’ll want to try next time you are on the water.

e weather is warm, don’t forget to take a kid shing!

Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Knockin Tail Lures®, and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.

PHOTO COURTESY OF KNOCKIN TAIL LURES®

How To Rock a Walking Stick

An essential part of a gentleman’s wardrobe

In the 17th century, the walking stick overtook the sword as an essential part of a gentleman’s wardrobe. Though it was primarily used as a decorative accessory, it could also function as a weapon if necessary. For men of the era, these walking sticks were a statement piece, and a way to communicate their wealth and refinement.

carats

Today, walking sticks still represent status and prosperity –– a way to show off your deep pockets without being too flashy. In that vein, we present the Santa Fe Walking Stick. Made of eucalyptus wood painted a glossy black with an antiqued silverfinished sculpted handle, what gives this piece of finery a distinctive edge is an 18-carat turquoise inlay that’s been enhanced to bring out its best blues. Don’t be bashful about your affluence. See why the Santa Fe Walking Stick is the embodiment of sophisticated elegance for the modern gentleman.

Don’t delay: Our must-have Santa Fe Walking Stick was one of our best-selling items this past year. Because of this, we can only offer 723 walking sticks at this price with this ad! See why Stauer is becoming one of America’s fastest-growing sellers of walking sticks today!

Praise for Stauer Walking Sticks

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— Chas, Placida, FL

Speci cations:

• 18 carats of enhanced turquoise. Antiqued silver-finished and sculpted brass handle. Eucalyptus wood. Rubber tip

• Supports up to 250 pounds

Santa Fe Walking Stick

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