FREE FRANCHISE OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE COASTALANGLERMAG.COMVOLUME 27 • ISSUE 330 SEPTEMBER 2022 PHOTO COURTESY OF CHERLYN ARNOLD IG: @SLAYHERLYN @CAMTAMagazine FREAKYFISH Monster Florida THE QUEST FOR ROYALTYGAMEFISH SNOOK FORT MYERS/CAPE CORAL/CHARLOTTE HARBOR EDITION
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TYLER WOOLCOTT DROP SHOT FOR FINICKY FISH
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The water can be a little warm this time of year, and it makes bass finicky. When the bite gets tough, a drop shot flat out gets bit. It catches fish everywhere I go, and every angler should have the technique in their arsenal.There are a few reasons a drop shot can out-perform other techniques this time of year. The first of these is because of how versatile you can be with it. I have thrown a drop shot around rock, wood, grass and even in completely open water. Smallmouth, largemouth and spotted bass will all pick up a drop-shot rig, so it’s a great option regardless of what part of the country you fish or what species you target.Another factor that makes this technique excel when other things aren’t working is it’s effective on heavily pressured and sluggish fish. Sometimes getting these fish to bite calls for light line and a smaller profile bait. The dropshot rig consists of a fluorocarbon leader leading to a hook of your choosing then, below the hook, about 12 inches of line tied to a drop shot weight on the end. This creates a rig that keeps your bait up off the bottom and drives finicky bass crazy.
Drop Shot Gear: Picking the right setup for a drop shot doesn’t have to be too difficult. I like a rod around 7 foot with a medium or a medium heavy action like the 13 Fishing Omen Black 7’1M. Pair up a 3,000 sized reel with some 10lb. Seaguar Smackdown braid and a 10-lb. fluorocarbon leader. Tyler Woolcott is a professional tournament angler and guide. Check out his website www.tylerwoolcottfishing.com.at
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There are a few different styles of baits you can use on the drop shot, depending on what your fish are feeding on. This is what I usually base my bait and color choices off of. I usually throw a small finesse worm like the 13 Fishing Joy Stick Ultra Thin or a baitfish-style bait like the 13 Fishing Vertigo minnow. Both baits are small in size and can really pick up some bites when the fishing is tough.Bait color is important, but I like to keep things fairly simple. I typically throw a green pumpkin or a black-and-blue worm style bait. For the baitfish-style lure, I stick with whites or natural baitfish colors. Remember, you are trying to be as finesse as possible to trick a bass that’s not hungry into biting, so something simple and natural will excel. This technique has worked wonders for me all across the country. From down South in Florida all the way up to New York, bass eat this rig up everywhere. Next time you’re on the lake and the bite is tough, downsize your presentation and drag a drop shot around. It will pick up a few more bites.
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Throughout the summer, snook are catch-and-release-only to protect spawning fish. On the Atlantic side, snook harvest opens Sept. 1, with a 28- to 32-inch slot limit. Capt. Smith said the spawning pattern lasts well into September most years, but the big females are over the slot and must be released, anyway. He is more concerned with the beatings these fish take all summer long. His solution is to limit the number of fish he targets and to gear up heavy. Smith fishes 10,000 size reels on 50- to 100-lb. rods. He runs 80-lb. braid to a 60-lb. fluorocarbon leader and locks down the drag. The weakest link is an 8/0 thin wire circle hook, which is easier on the fish but must be changed out Heavyfrequently.gear combats a big snook’s propensity for bulldogging into structure. It also shortens the length of the fight to lessen the likelihood of fish succumbing to exhaustion or sharks. Smith said these large spawners can be 25 years and older. He urged anglers to handle them carefully for release and never to hold them vertically by their mouths.Ifyou’re looking for a snook to eat, there’s plenty of opportunity for that also. Between the moons some of the snook spread out to the bridges, docks and deep holes. The smaller, slot-sized males become more interested in feeding. Also, the mullet run will kick in toward the end of September. When mullet schools show up, everything from the fish to the anglers switch over to chasing bait. Contact Capt. Patrick Smith through his website www.swamptosea.com.
By Nick Carter
“They’re not smart fish. If they’re turned on, they’re going to eat. If they’re not, it may be five hours before they do,” he said. “But there’s going to be 30 to 40 minutes on the tide when those snook are eating. There’s not a lot of thought that goes into it. If one is interested, they all are.”
Agiant snook should be on every angler’s bucket list. They’re big, they’re strong and they’re aggressive. Southern Florida boasts the most prolific snook fisheries in the world, and Capt. Patrick Smith, of Swamp to Sea Guide Service, operates in the heart of one of the best. Swamp to Sea fishes throughout Palm Beach County up to Stuart, Fla. At times, the snook fishing can be so good that the prospect is almost mundane for Capt. Smith. “If I’ve got clients who want to catch the snook of a lifetime, we’ll go out to the inlet and let them catch one or two. Then we’ll go do something else,” he said. “It’s cool to check a big snook off the list, but light tackle is moreCapt.fun.”Smith’s nonchalance about catching snook 35 to 43 inches long and up to 25 pounds is an attitude geared toward conservation of a species he loves. When big females congregate in the inlets to spawn around the full moons of summer, they are easy targets for anglers armed with big live baits like perch and croakers.
By Capt. Michael Okruhlik
As always, the jetties are a favorite. The high current and cooler Gulf water attract every fish species that swims in our bays and nearshore waters. It’s not uncommon to catch some offshore fish there as well; it happens every year.
The Texas heat and drought are one for the record books and can make a day on the water unpleasant if you plan to stay much past noon, but there are some methods to help you be productive until things start to cool off. Many of the estuaries that were impacted by the floods are some of our deeper bay systems, and that is a good thing this time of year. Heading out early will greatly increase your odds and give you more time on the water while it is cool, relatively speaking. I have found these bays have been forgotten by some, and they’ve never been fished by those new to our sport, which makes for less crowds on the water. I target the deeper reefs in the upper stretches of the bay near the rivers. Locating new washouts can also pay off, and those are not on the maps or public knowledge, so doing a little recon before you head out on each trip can make for a more productive day.
Although I prefer lures over bait, success rates lean toward live shrimp or finfish this time of year. Depending on conditions, these can be free-lined, Carolina rigged, or fished under a loud popping cork. A free-lined shrimp tossed near a granite jetty is a good bet on any day. Stepping away from the live version, cut mullet or shad can be winners for a big pull from a red, black drum or shark. A circle hook Carolina rigged on the bottom can entice those large predators to strike. This is a great method if you have kids aboard.
Work with what Mother Nature gives you. Here on the upper Texas coast, we’ve had about seven years of excessive rainfall which, in general terms, made some of our bays unfishable for most of that time. Due to excessive fresh water, those of us who like to fish where the tributaries enter into the bays had to seek new areas where the salinity levels were suitable for speckled trout. This year, things are back to normal, and we need to relearn old patterns and work with what Mother Nature is giving us.
Although the temps are still high, you can have a successful day on the water if you modify your techniques. Remember to apply sunblock before you leave the dock, wear appropriate protective clothing and drink plenty of water. Stay safe and have fun!
Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Knockin Tail Lures, Controlled Descent Lures, and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.
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n September, with the famed mullet run in full swing, big bull redfish will be following schools of mullet and feeding heavily. It’s one of the best times of year to hook up with a bull red, and my favorite place to target them is in the Sebastian Inlet. Red drum, more commonly known as redfish, are a familiar species to most saltwater anglers. With beautiful coppercolored scales fading into a white belly, their distinctive mark is an eye spot at the base of the tail. Catching a red with multiple black spots is a true honor for many inshore and nearshore anglers. This eye spot is not merely a decoration, it also serves as a defense mechanism to confuse predators into thinking a redfish’s tail is its Reds can be found on the coasts of Mexico all the way to Cape Cod, Mass. Their habitats can vary widely due to redfish being euryhaline, which means they tolerate a wide range of salinity. Redfish are typically a nearshore species, meaning they can be found in estuaries, bays, mudflats, oyster beds and off of beaches. Young redfish prefer estuaries, where there is an abundance of prey as well as protection from larger predators. Once they reach about three years old, they tend to move off of the beaches into coastal areas. Once redfish reach maturity, at three or four years, they begin spawning. Their spawning season usually takes place from mid-August to mid-November; however, this may vary due to temperatures and other factors. Redfish usually congregate to spawn near or inside tidal inlets or fast-flowing water to ensure as many eggs as possible are fertilized. Males produce a drumming sound to attract females by contracting their muscles to vibrate their swim bladders. Females produce one-half to two million eggs per season. Most eggs do not make it to the safety of bay areas. During the mullet run, large schools of redfish follow migrating mullet. The easiest way to target these fish is to drop a live mullet below the main school of mullet. If you’re specifically targeting bull reds, you’ll want to give it a go at night. Drifting large chunks of ladyfish on an outgoing current will almost always produce a large fish. Occasionally, you will come across large schools of redfish feeding on the surface at the mouth of the inlet on an outgoing tide. When this occurs, use topwater plugs, swimbaits and large jigs. In the backcountry around the mangroves, gold spoons, live shrimp and small crabs work best.
The IGFA world record redfish weighed in at 94 lbs. 2 oz. It was caught off the North Carolina Outer Banks in 1984.
Emily Rose Hanzlik holds 51 IGFA world records in various categories. She hails from West Palm Beach, where she has a part time Bowfin Guide Service as well as fishing classes for Jr. Anglers. Find her on Social Media @emilyhanzlikoutdoors.
4 FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 2022 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
By Emily Rose Hanzlik
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“Improving and creating sustainable fisheries, coastal habitats and waterways is CCA Florida’s purpose,” CCA Florida Executive Director Brian Gorski said. “Today’s reef deployment is an extension of that commitment and also of our partnership with Duke Energy – signifying our mutual dedication to protecting Florida’s marine habitat for today and generations to come.”
“Duke Energy Florida recognizes the importance of environmental stewardship and the economic benefit it provides to the communities we serve,” Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president said. “We are proud to invest in CCA Florida’s work with the Mexico Beach Artificial Reef Association to bring this new artificial reef to Mexico Beach, a win for marine life, local anglers and outdoor enthusiasts along Florida’s West Coast.”
Artificial reefs initiate the development of natural, thriving habitats for various species of fish, invertebrates, and other marine life, such as smaller organisms that are vital food sources for other marine species, with the overall goal to create an ever-evolving ecosystem while enhancing fisheries and improving water quality.
New Artificial Reef Deployed Off Mexico Beach
6 FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 2022 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
T hose looking for some new numbers to fish off Mexico Beach now have them thanks to CCA Florida, Duke Energy and the Mexico Beach Artificial Reef Association. In May, the organizations teamed up to deploy four 38,000-pound and four 5,000-pound artificial reef modules off Mexico Beach. They are calling the new honeyhole “The Duke Energy/CCA Florida Reef.” The eight reef modules were deployed by Walter Marine at the prepermitted Sherman Site, an area known for attracting red and gray snappers, amberjack, king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, gag grouper and cobia. These specific reef structures, ranging in height from 8 to 25 feet, provide greater habit diversity while attracting fish and appealing to recreational anglers. The reef site is located offshore 11 miles west of Mexico Beach at approximately 29º 55.384, -85º 40.765.
Since 2018, CCA Florida and Duke Energy have released more than 110,000 redfish along Florida’s Gulf Coast in effort to relieve the declining population. The Duke Energy/CCA Florida Reef deployment is an expansion of its collaboration and symbolizes its continued dedication to enhancing Florida’s marine habitat and expanding fishing opportunities for local anglers.
For more information, go to ccaflorida.org.
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E verything offshore will start to notice when water temps drop a little at the end of the month, and even more obvious will be shorter daylight hours. All the fish we pursue will start thinking about one of three things: spawning, gorging to fatten up for winter or migrating back south. I’m most concerned with the grouper/snapper complex and the wahoo, so this puts my fishing in overdrive for the next few months. Groupers and snappers will be hot as a firecracker until after Christmas. Wahoo fishing will be at the peak by then as well. Another species I like to stay tuned into are the beeliners (vermillion snapper). When you stay in touch with these guys, you pretty much stay in touch with everything, because everything out there loves to eat a beeliner. The full moon is going to be on Saturday, Sept. 10. This will be a good time to spend the night at the break and have the livewell full to fish just before dawn. Beeliners will chew hard during this full moon, and the bite will shut down as soon as the moon disappears on the western horizon. If you can keep the bright lights going all night, the squid and the biggest, fattest beeliners will be readily available for the taking. When you have these two things gathered up in mass, you definitely have the wahoo and grouper there also. This is a good reason to keep the light line out with a fresh squid or a Boston mackerel just past where the light disappears into the dark water.
The only problem is the kings are there too. You may like to catch kings, and I apologize for that last sentence, but if I catch a king, it’s accidental. A lot of folks don’t even consider fishing at night, and certainly not fishing the light line at night, but it can be extremely effective for wahoo and kings. The first wahoo I ever caught from an anchored boat was at night, and it was a heck of an experience. We saw the fish swim under the lights, and I quickly put out a live beeliner. The beeliner swam away from the boat, and just as he got to the dark water, we saw the bite. I was instantly addicted to this style of bottom fishing and light lining versus just trolling for wahoo, tuna and dolphin. Dolphin will not eat at night, normally, but the night bite for tuna can be good. The stack of beeliners is the main thing I’m looking for as a good starting point for a place to fish. Gags and scamps will definitely go with the food (beeliners) until the beginning or middle of October. Then the gags will leave the beeliners to migrate inshore in search of cigs and sardines and to spawn. For more information, see www.barefootcatsandtackle.com.
Tim Barefoot
THE CHANGE WILL BEGIN IN SEPTEMBER
“By requiring the states to calibrate their more accurate—and NMFS certified—catch data to an outdated and fundamentally flawed MRIP, NMFS has failed to find an effective solution and is not making decisions based on the best available science while refusing to appropriately integrate the new data,” reads a letter from legislators. For more information on the continued political wrangling over red snapper, visit coastalanglermag.com.
The Red Snapper Battles Continue ALL REAPER RODS FEATURE THE www.americantackle.us BRAND FEARTHEREAPER AS WELL AS OTHER AMERICAN TACKLE COMPONENTS FOR ONE OF THE MOST DURABLE RODS ON THE MARKET WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/REAPERRODS
Here we go again. The hubbub over federal management of red snapper seems never ending. Most recently, Southeastern legislators penned a letter asking NOAA to suspend consideration of area closures in the South Atlantic. Meanwhile, legislators from states on the Gulf of Mexico are pushing back against new proposed federal regulations. Both groups contend the federal government is not using “the best available science” in management decisions.
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM SEPTEMBER 2022 FLORIDA 9
The South Atlantic fishery seems to be in a situation similar to what the Gulf fishery faced a few years ago. Following years of ridiculously short red snapper seasons to rebuild the stock, anglers on the water report red snapper so thick that it’s the only species they can catch. These fish must be released, despite the high likelihood they will succumb to pressure-related injuries. Ultimately these discards count against fishermen.
“Now, on top of a short red snapper season, it is our understanding that there are discussions about broad area or season closures of all bottom fishing to stop red snapper encounters altogether,” reads the letter. “This decision would be crippling economically for our states that rely heavily on our coastal Legislatorseconomy.”havecalled on NOAA to hold off on area closure consideration until data from the ongoing South Atlantic Great Red Snapper Count can be considered. Results of this study, which began in 2021, are expected by 2025.
It’s worth noting that last year’s data from a similar study, the Gulf of Mexico Great Red Snapper Count, indicated there were up to three times as many red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico as the numbers federal managers were using to make management decisions. On that note, Gulf legislators are not pleased with how “more accurate” state data is being calibrated into the “fundamentally flawed” MRIP data that federal managers have used to set regulations for years. The “data calibration framework” included within proposed rule changes would result in reductions of the state annual catch limit for some states and increases for others. State annual catch limits would increase for Florida and Louisiana by 100,000 and 50,000 pounds, respectively. Texas’ limit would remain the same, while Alabama and Mississippi’s limits would decrease by 586,000 and 95,000 pounds, respectively.Theproposal would also increase the overall red snapper overfishing limit from 15.5 million pounds to 25.6 million, while increasing the acceptable biological catch from 15.1 million to 15.4 million. That might sound pretty good for anglers; however, legislators pointed out that this would reduce allowable catch from 97 percent to 60 percent of the sustainable limit.
W e’ve talked a lot in this column over the last few months about lures that help achieve long-distance casts. Now, I’d like to cover the rest of the equipment that will help you cast farther and reach more fish.The first key element is the rod. When it comes to casting for distance, you want a fast-action rod. This is true if you are a surf angler, a boat angler targeting fast-moving tuna, or an inshore angler targeting shallow-water reds and trout that are easy to spook. The more flexible your rod is, the less momentum it will impart to the lure. Make sure your blank is stiff. Rod blanks come with a lure weight range. Most of the time the optimal lure weight for casting distance is between 1/2 and 2/3 of the weight the rod is rated for. So, for a 2- to 6-ounce rod rating, the best weight for long casts is typically 3 to 4 ounces. A rod rated for 3/8 to 1 ½ ounces usually casts farthest with a 3/4 to 1 ounce lure. Choose a rod that matches the lures you’ll be throwing. The rod handle is also a big deal when it comes to distance. For a spinning rod, you want the length of a forearm, plus a fist, between the reel seat and the butt of the rod. Length gives you leverage, but you don’t want it to be too long. For surf-casting rods, about 1 ½ times the length of your forearm seemsHigh-qualitybest. guides also make a big difference in how far you can cast. Typically you’re going to have to spend more for quality guides, but consider it an investment that results in consistently longer casts.
LURES PATRICK SEBILE ROD, REEL AND LINE FOR DISTANCE
10 FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 2022 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM2 LOCATION JUNE 2020 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
Proper guide placement makes a difference, as well. On some rods, the first guide is too close to the reel and/or the legs holding the rod to the blank are too short. This creates an angle at which the line hits the guide and adds drag to the line and lure. This simple detail can reduce casting distance as much as 10 percent. If you find a rod you really like, but the first guide is not seated properly, consider moving the guide. On the reel side, I prefer a slightly conic spool that dumps and winds line evenly. That is pretty much all you need from a reel dedicated to long distance. For line, stick to braid for its smaller diameter. I prefer braid with a smooth finish without coating. When distance is what matters most, do not hesitate to drop 25 to 50 percent lighter line than what you would normally use. For example, 40-lb. braid is common when surf fishing for striped bass. If you need longer casts to reach the fish, it is worth dropping to 30or even 20-lb. test. If you’re using a heavy lure, tie in a shock head 50 to 100 percent stronger to absorb the impact of the cast.
Legendary angler Patrick Sebile is a world record holder and an award-winning designer of innovative lures and fishing gear.Check out his creations at abandofanglers.com.
The handle is made from genuine natural bone, and features decorative wood spacers and a hand-carved motif of two overlapping feathers— a reminder for you to respect and connect with the natural world. This fusion of substance and style can garner a high price tag out in the marketplace. In fact, we found full tang, stainless steel blades with bone handles in excess of $2,000. Well, that won’t cut it around here. We have mastered the hunt for the best deal, and in turn pass the spoils on to our customers. But we don’t stop there. While supplies last, we’ll include a pair of $99 8x21 power compact binoculars and a genuine leather sheath FREE when you purchase the Huntsman Blade. Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. Feel the knife in your hands, wear it on your hip, inspect the impeccable craftsmanship. If you don’t feel like we cut you a fair deal, send it back within
the last few months about lures that help achieve longdistance casts. Now, I’d like to cover the rest of the equipment that will help you cast farther and reach more fish.
The first key element is the rod. When it comes to casting for distance, you want a fast-action rod. This is true if you are a surf angler, a boat angler targeting fast-moving tuna, or an inshore angler targeting shallow-water reds and trout that are easy to spook. The more flexible your rod is, the less momentum it will impart to the lure. Make sure your blank is stiff. Rod blanks come with a lure weight range. Most of the time the optimal lure weight for casting distance is between 1/2 and 2/3 it to be too long. For surf-casting rods, about 1 ½ times the length of your forearm seems best. High-quality guides also make a big difference in how far you can cast. Typically you’re going to have to spend more for quality guides, but consider it an investment that results in consistently longer casts. Proper guide placement makes a difference, as well. On some rods, the first guide is too close to the reel and/or the legs holding the rod to the blank are too short. This creates an angle at which the line hits the guide and adds drag to the line and lure. This simple detail can reduce casting distance as much as 10 percent. If you find a rod you really like, but the first guide is not seated properly, consider moving the guide. On the reel side, I prefer a slightly conic spool that dumps and winds line evenly. That is pretty much all you need from a reel dedicated to long distance. For line, stick to braid for its smaller diameter. I prefer braid with a smooth finish without coating. When distance is what matters most, do not hesitate to drop 25 to 50 percent lighter line than what you would normally use. For example, 40-lb. braid is common when surf fishing for striped bass. If you need longer casts to reach the fish, it is worth dropping to 30- or even 20-lb. test. If you’re using a heavy lure, tie in a shock head 50 to 100 award-winning designer of innovative lures and fishing gear. Check out his creations at abandofanglers.com. The very best hunting knives possess a perfect balance of form and function. They’re carefully constructed from fine materials, but also have that little something extra to connect the owner with nature.
30 days for a complete refund of the item price. Limited Reserves. A deal like this won’t last long. We have only 1120 Huntsman Blades for this ad only. Don’t let this beauty slip through your fingers. Call today! Stauer… Afford the Extraordinary .® Full tang stainless steel blade with natural bone handle —now ONLY $79! BONUS! Call today and you’ll also receive this genuine leather sheath! Not actualshownsize. 14101 Southcross Drive W., Ste 155, Dept. HUK831-01 Burnsville, Minnesota 55337 www.stauer.comStauer ® *Discount is only for customers who use the offer code versus the listed original Stauer.com price. California residents please call 1-800-333-2045 regarding Proposition 65 regulations before purchasing this product. Rating of A+ Bad to the Bone -aEXCLUSIVEFREEStauer®8x21CompactBinoculars$99value-withpurchaseofHuntsmanBlade Huntsman Blade $249* Offer Code Price Only $79 + S&P Save $170 1-800-333-2045YourInsiderOfferCode:HUK831-01 You must use the insider offer code to get our special price. •12" overall length; 6 ¹⁄2" stainless steel full tang blade • Genuine bone handle with brass hand guard & bolsters • Includes genuine leather sheath What Stauer Clients Are Saying About Our Knives êêêêê “This knife is beautiful!” — J., La Crescent, MN êêêêê “The feel of this knife is unbelievable...this is an incredibly fine instrument.” — H., Arvada, CO
If you’re on the hunt for a knife that combines impeccable craftsmanship with a sense of wonder, the $79 Huntsman Blade is the trophy you’re looking for.
The blade is full tang, meaning it doesn’t stop at the handle but extends to the length of the grip for the ultimate in strength. The blade is made from 420 surgical steel, famed for its sharpness and its resistance to corrosion.
Okuma’s new Salina spinning reels are lightweight, ready for battle, and designed for inshore and offshore duty. These reels are constructed of Okuma’s LITECAST body material which is 15 percent lighter than die cast aluminum. They are built for everything from light inshore to heavy offshore, and they’re perfect for high-speed vertical jigging or all-day casting.The Salina features a 6HPB +1RB corrosion-resistant stainless-steel ball bearing system with a full grease pack and waterproof seals. Salina’s Hybrid Carbonite and Japanese felt Dual Force Drag system puts out over 33 pounds of drag. With Okuma’s HDGII: High-Density Main Gear and precision machine cut brass pinion gear, you will get a smooth retrieve cast after cast. Okuma also uses a machined aluminum, screw-in handle arm with a machined aluminum twotone anodized ball handle knob. The three larger size reels feature a manual bail trip Therefunction.aresix models of Salina. The 4,000, 5,000 and 6,000 size reels feature high-speed 5.8:1 gear ratios. The 8,000, 10,000 and 14,000 size reels feature standard gear ratios of 5.4:1. All models have an interchangeable screw-in handle system that can be changed from left to right-hand retrieve. For more information on Salina Spinning reels, visit your local retailer.
OKUMA
ECS CUSTOM RODS
New Okuma ECS Custom rods are designed for the harsh environment east coast fishermen face daily. They are constructed with a hybrid 24ton carbon and e-glass blank that features Okuma’s UFR-II: Ultimate Flex Reinforcement rod tip technology for the ultimate in lifting power. With spinning, casting and trolling rods, the new ECS Custom series will adorn the back of your boat nicely. There are two spinning rods in the lineup with a 6’ Heavy and 6’6” Medium Heavy. Three casting rods for live bait and bottom fishing come in 6’ Heavy, 6’6” X-Heavy and 7’ Medium actions. There are also two trolling configurations. Two rods feature Roller Stripper and Roller Tip. These rods come in a 6’4” Medium Heavy and 6’ Heavy action. The other two trolling rods feature all roller guides and are both 6’ Heavy and X-Heavy actions. With the brute strength and drag-ripping speed anglers see on the east coast, Okuma went with only high-end components on the ECS Custom rods. All spinning and casting rods feature ALPS deep press 316-grade stainless steel guide frames with zirconium inserts. Models with All Roller Guides feature ALPS RX Series Rollers as well as Sea Guide Neptune Adjustable Rod Butts. All ECS Custom rods feature machined aluminum, anodized rod gimbals. For more information on ECS Custom Rods please visit your local retailer.
SPINNINGSALINAREEL OKUMAFISHINGUSA.COM
12 FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 2022 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
FACEBOOK.COM/COASTALANGLERMAGAZINEFTMYERS/ | SEPTEMBER 2022 | FORT MYERS 1 Back Bay Xtremes |Backbayextremes.com941-916-5769
By: Capt. Dave Stephens
The Inland Ecosystem S eems like this summer's rainy season is a far cry. This is the reason why I have decided to open my column talking about rain. I have fished Charlotte Harbor my entire life, and our rain amount for the year is way down. Our ecosystem thrives on a balance of saltwater, that depends on our summer rain falls. This year our sum mer rain has not made its grand entrance. I hope by the time my readers read this, we are complaining about to much rain. Our ecosystem is very diverse and unique, it requires a balance of freshwater mixed with salt. A large majority of our fish re quire higher salinity levels. While some of our fish require a mixture of salt and fresh. Also, we spend certain months that are considered our dry months. This time normally happens during the winter. As we move into spring, we start seeing rains moving into our area. The closer we get to summer, AKA Hurricane season, we have more abundant rain amounts. This year, we have not had the rains that our fishery require. As waters warm from the winter, the old stagnate grass and algae form and can be rather stinky. If you have been around some of the local creek mouths you have seen and smelled it. This is due in part to the lack of rain. When mother nature sends us a large amount of rain, she is doing our harbor a great justice. I'm sure if you have spent some time on the harbor, you have seen this. Well folks this has been happening for years, we just need mother nature to send us the rains to flush our harbor clean. Even though we have been dealing with some not-so-great water, our fishery finds a way to thrive. Over the past few weeks, we have kept our clients very hap py. We have caught more snook and snap per than you can count. The trout fishery has been a little slow, which is normal for summer. The key to finding feeding fish, is finding good clean water. I hope by the time this column is read, that we have had a large amount of rain. Enough to flush out the negative waters and wel come the new oxygenated water. I f you would like to experience some of Charlotte Harbor finest fishing? Give us a call or send an email. All of our charters are customized to fit your needs.
Peak season for hurricanes this month so it is important to keep an eye on the weather especially planning long runs. I have 2 local TV apps for radar. I have 1 that is for pilots called MyRadar, and it has been very helpful when those afternoon boomers start. Zoom in and see where the storm is going and make safe decision. Some anglers have radar on their boats to keep an eye on the storm. NOAA has sev eral for our coast out 20 or 60 nautical miles. If you have the means to travel out around the 80' mark, try bottom fishing for red grouper, gag grouper, mangrove snapper, even yellow tail around some good reefs. Maybe even some AJ's too. Depending on the breeze, if you like to drift try a chicken rig with a fairly long line for your hook and about 24" down to your weight. Depending on the breeze as to how much weight you may need to keep your rig on the bottom. I’ve learned that speed jigs will produce good catches too. Depending on the depth, match your jig by using the formula one gram per foot of depth. Eighty to one hundred feet 80 to 100 G speed jig. These also work very well at night, I find some glow jigs and buy an ultraviolet flashlight to make it shine. This will increase your production rate a ton. When using these style jigs, keep them close to the bottom. Drop it all the way down and jig, let it flutter down a bit and jig it again only turning the handle one turn. Keep it close and when you have it ten to fifteen feet off the bottom let it fall again and restart the process. On our coast, it has not been very popular because of the shallow depths offshore, but they will produce fish. Be careful trying this around some wrecks or reefs with a high relief you may snag it and loose a jig. Around reefs or wrecks is a great place to target yellow tails and AJ"s chumming and getting them to the top and just use chunks or small live baits and a fairly long leader, just a hook when you can see the fish in the chum on the surface. Be ready for the tax man in the grey suit. If you don’t have the means or a buddy to take you out there come into the Passes along the coast and be in search for those big schools of red drum redfish. They come in close to shore this time of year to feed up on the grass flats where there is plenty of food to prepare to return offshore to spawn. Yes, there could be fifty in a school or five thousand. They could be from the Venice Jetties as far south as Sanibel, just depending on where you fish in S.W. Florida.
Eye on The Weather
2 FORT MYERS | SEPTEMBER 2022 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM/FORT-MYERS/ Alpha Omega Charters | captbart@alphaomegacharters.comalphaomegacharters.com|941-979-6517
By: Capt. Bart Marx
By: Capt. Mike Manis Typical Summer Patterns Punta Gorda Fly Charters | puntagordaflycharters.com941-628-7895 FACEBOOK.COM/COASTALANGLERMAGAZINEFTMYERS/ | SEPTEMBER 2022 | FORT MYERS 3 SCHUMAN INSURANCE 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. WE KNOW BOATS! Boat Auto Home Motorcycle Life Business 3114 Lee Blvd Suite 4, Lehigh Acres, FL 239-369-131333971 1329 Hibiscus Dr., Cape Coral, FL 33909 Davidschuman3@allstate.com239-242-8072 2801 Del Prado Blvd S., Cape Coral, FL 239-945-888833904Capt.David Schuman "Nothing Like A Day On The Water!" Generally, about this time of year, it’s not unusual to find yourself fishing some typical summer patterns while also looking for some new opportunities. For sure, even though we feel like fall should be on the way; it’s still summer. Just like last month, tarpon are still holding in and around the deeper holes of the upper harbor as well as the bridges. Early in the morning, looking for rolling fish is a great way to begin any day. This is the time to throw the deep running or trolling mod el D.O.A. Bait buster. Small er evenportunities,Fortheeitherturegrovearoundanyshowtarponjuvenilecouldupongivendaymanstrucalongsideofharbor.newopthough the heat still makes it feel like summer, fish are generally ahead of the curve and snook should enter a transition phase as summer slowly be gins to wind down. As their spawning season comes to a close, they’ll begin making their way away from the passes, channels and deeper cuts while moving towards river and backcountry creek systems. They’ll also need to put on weight after spawning. Any shoreline that borders the harbor adjacent to a cut, creek opening, or trough, is worth work ing. I’ll still try to spend some time looking for redfish. Typical ly, this and next month provide some of our best redfish fishing of the year. It’s now that the fish be gin to school up in preparation for the spawn. When in schools, if not spooked, they can be very aggressive as they compete to eat. Unlike snook that tend to stick close to structure, redfish will venture out and group up on an open flat. If they’re pressured, they’ll push towards the bushes so keep an eye out and try to be aware of your surroundings in order to maybe get a shot before you stumble and end up right on top of them. I say that from experience as I’ve done exactly that way too many times. Even though it’s been hot, spotted sea trout have been active all summer and they should even get more active as fall slowly approaches. Anywhere in two to three feet with some mixed grass and sand should be good, especially early. Black drum can still be found bouncing back and forth. Bait, threadfin herring, should be scattered throughout the harbors and the rest of the food chain shouldn’t be far behind. Look for spanish mackerel, jacks, and sharks to be hovering close by. In particular, keep an eye out around the markers. Until next month, good tides.
I look for inshore fishing to become even better this month and throughout October. Redfish harvests are now open and with the wa ters cooling the bite should pick up. Offshore, the reefs have been pro ductive. Lane snapper, grouper have been active and I believe Septem ber will produce even better results without having to go 40 plus miles to catch fish, as the water temperatures cool.
This year has been no different than past recent sum mers in regards to en joying the waters of both Marathon in the Keys and SW Florida. The last three years have been fun and productive the months of June thru September. Last June, 1st Mate Vicki, 2nd Mate Moby ‘Dick’ and I spent a month in Mar athon. Only a couple of windy days (and the need to rest) prevented the three of us, family, and a few friends, from catching fish every day of the trip. Every summer I frequently run across my fishing ‘counterpart’, Captain Jay Rodriguez, from Cape Coral (saltynativecharters.com), during the month. During the summer months, Jay runs his boat out of Marathon as well. Like myself, Jay is frequently a ‘Captain for Hire’ on a client’s boat teaching them where to go and how to catch fish, making their fishing trips more fun and productive while enjoying and learning on their own vessel.Imust say, it is interesting the people and things I see and come across when staying in the ‘Keys’. I continually schedule my trips base on weather (winds) and when other clients and friends are able and likely to join in on the action. It adds a totally different and enjoyable element when fishing is a way of life or a big part of their pastime. To see other fishing guides and clients in a different element and fishing environment is very rewarding. Jay and I have been doing this with friends and clients for years now and look forward to each opportunity to leave our home base in Cape Coral and change things up a bit. How ever, Jay is more committed to the Keys during the summer months than I. Afterall, He was raised there and subsequently stationed with the US Coast Guard in Key West. He has a lot of contacts and knowl edge to share with residents and visitors when it comes to fishing and catching. He feels obligated to be available to accommodate charter requests for clients and friends throughout the summer months. However, I prefer to spend most of my time in SW Florida waters as most of my clients and friends live here. None the less, I do encourage ‘mini’ trips to the east coast to change things up from time to time and enjoy a different style of fishing, more specifically ‘trolling’ for mahi mahi, sailfish, wahoo and tuna. Even though it’s hard to beat reef fishing in the Gulf of Mexico, the deeper reef waters are much closer to shore on the east coast than here and provides a lot of opportunity to ‘mix-it-up’ on a one- day charter excursion when fishing those waters. Captain Rodriquez and I frequently share loca tions, catches and expe riences for both coasts. During one of his recent trips out of Marathon he came across an abandon ‘drift’ boat (pictured here) that was apparently used by migrants to come from Cuba or another tropical island, with intentions of landing in America. These kind of finds in the open ocean (as well as driftwood, etc.) are magnets for fish. On this particular charter the group boated over 20 nice size mahi-mahi. Even though fishing for dolphin, wahoo, sailfish and tuna is much better in the Atlantic Ocean, in my opinion, SW Florida offers the best when it comes to inshore species, such as redfish, snook, seatrouts, mangrove snappers, etc. Winds do not play such an important role and these species are plentiful year-around. Snook, redfish, seatrout and mangrove snappers are plentiful and biting. Pictured are some of the catches from Dick Sharrer’s grandson’s, Josh and Luke from Pennsylva nia, catching snook off the point of N. Captiva Island during an incoming tide. A couple of days later, Josh and Luke caught a large 125lb. tarpon while fishing late eve ning off of Bowman’s Beach on Sanibel. Not to be outdone, my grand daughter, Taylor Mason from St. Louis caught a nice redfish in the back country while vacationing here. Her stepfather, Brent Walker caught his share of snook and other spe cies during that same week. Brent is an avid fisherman from Missouri. He knows the tributaries and streams like the ‘back of his hand’. He is now interested in ‘ocean-going’ fish, and I suspect will become more active over the next few years.
SW Florida to the FL Keys
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Th is is Captain Terry Fisher with Fish Face Charters, LLC. I am available as ‘Captain for Hire’ on your vessel (by the hour) for naviga tion, safety, fishing locations and techniques both inshore or offshore in SW Florida or the Keys. Check out my website at www.fishfacechar ters.com. Call me direct at 239-357-6829 or email me at fishfacechar ters@yahoo.com with any questions or to book a charter on my vessel or yours.
By: Capt. Terry Fisher Fish Face Charters fishfacecharters.com
| 239-357-6829
4 FORT MYERS | SEPTEMBER 2022 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM/FORT-MYERS/
FACEBOOK.COM/COASTALANGLERMAGAZINEFTMYERS/ | SEPTEMBER 2022 | FORT MYERS 5
Beach Access 17 along Strandview Avenue offers parking spaces at $5 per hour closest to the beach. Even the close spaces are about 50 feet from the water at high tide. If you park in the main lot near the road during low tide, you may have more than 400 feet to walk to the water with your gear – something to consider if you have a heavy pedal-drive kayak. Paddlers with heavy paddle craft may decide to launch from another beach access point and use Newton Park as a destination to get off the water for a bathroom break, water-bottle refill or just a shady lunch spot. For paddlers who can go relatively light, this is a convenient spot to launch and take a leisurely beach paddle up or down the island within a mile of beachfront restaurants for lunch. In addition to all the ame nities already mentioned, the park has educational signs for visitors on marine life, local history and native vegetation. If the surf is too rough for a safe beach launch, consider putting in at the Mound House, which is located bayside less than a mile away and is on the Calusa Blueway Trail. W hether you’re using it as a destination to paddle to or base camp for a day of relaxing and adventure, Newton Beach Park is a great site loaded with enjoyable amenities for paddlers, anglers and beachgoers alike.
Newton Park
CalusaBlueway.com
6 FORT MYERS | SEPTEMBER 2022 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM/FORT-MYERS/
By: Mike Hammond
While technically not on the Calusa Blueway Trail, Newton Park in the Town of Fort Myers Beach is potentially a great stop for both anglers and paddlers on the Gulf side of Estero YouIsland.can launch and take out paddle craft at any of the beach access points, but Newton Park offers many amenities the others do not. There are nice bathrooms available, a bottle-filling station, an outdoor shower, multiple chickee-hut shade structures and lots of picnic tables located in the shaded areas. This makes Newton Beach a comfortable spot to base your beach-paddling adventures.
FACEBOOK.COM/COASTALANGLERMAGAZINEFTMYERS/ | SEPTEMBER 2022 | FORT MYERS 7 OCTOBER 21-23, 2022 ANGLING. AUCTION. AWARDS. Two-Day Catch & Release Charity Tournament Register at www.conservancy.org/redsnook Benefitting For more information FUNDorredsnook@conservancy.orgemailcall239-403-4200THEFIGHT FOR CLEAN WATER
8 FORT MYERS | SEPTEMBER 2022 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM/FORT-MYERS/ MATLACHA 3771 Palm Beach Blvd., Ft. Myers, FL 239.694.218533916 FORT MYERS fishfacecharters@ 239.357.6829yahoo.com September/2022 • 26°38’N 82°4’W September/2022 • 26°39’N 81°52’W www.USHarbors.com Matlacha Pass, FL - Sep 2022 Date High Low AM ft PM ft AM ft PM ft Rise Set Moon 1 Thu 5:56 2.0 7:23 1.6 12:46 0.9 1:43 0.4 7:08 7:52 2 Fri 6:30 2.1 8:57 1.4 1:08 1.1 2:53 0.4 7:08 7:51 3 Sat 7:13 2.2 1:24 1.2 4:20 0.3 7:09 7:50 4 Sun 8:09 2.2 5:54 0.2 7:09 7:49 5 Mon 9:26 2.2 7:16 0.1 7:10 7:48 6 Tue 10:59 2.3 8:21 0.0 7:10 7:47 7 Wed 12:24 2.4 9:13 0.0 7:11 7:45 8 Thu 3:41 1.5 1:33 2.4 7:43 1.3 9:55 0.0 7:11 7:44 9 Fri 3:50 1.5 2:32 2.4 8:47 1.1 10:30 0.2 7:11 7:43 10 Sat 4:01 1.5 3:24 2.3 9:41 0.9 10:59 0.4 7:12 7:42 11 Sun 4:13 1.7 4:13 2.2 10:32 0.7 11:23 0.6 7:12 7:41 12 Mon 4:28 1.8 5:02 2.0 11:20 0.5 11:44 0.8 7:13 7:40 13 Tue 4:45 1.9 5:52 1.8 12:09 0.4 7:13 7:38 14 Wed 5:07 2.0 6:49 1.6 12:03 1.0 12:59 0.4 7:14 7:37 15 Thu 5:33 2.1 8:02 1.4 12:21 1.1 1:54 0.4 7:14 7:36 16 Fri 6:04 2.1 12:35 1.3 2:58 0.4 7:15 7:35 17 Sat 6:43 2.1 4:15 0.4 7:15 7:34 18 Sun 7:36 2.0 5:38 0.4 7:16 7:33 19 Mon 9:00 1.9 6:51 0.3 7:16 7:31 20 Tue 10:46 1.9 7:47 0.3 7:16 7:30 21 Wed 2:41 1.6 12:08 2.0 6:50 1.4 8:32 0.3 7:17 7:29 22 Thu 2:51 1.6 1:06 2.1 7:46 1.3 9:07 0.3 7:17 7:28 23 Fri 3:01 1.6 1:54 2.1 8:28 1.1 9:36 0.4 7:18 7:27 24 Sat 3:09 1.6 2:36 2.1 9:06 0.9 10:01 0.5 7:18 7:26 25 Sun 3:17 1.7 3:17 2.1 9:43 0.7 10:23 0.6 7:19 7:24 26 Mon 3:27 1.8 3:58 2.0 10:20 0.5 10:44 0.8 7:19 7:23 27 Tue 3:42 2.0 4:43 1.9 11:00 0.4 11:05 0.9 7:20 7:22 28 Wed 4:02 2.1 5:34 1.8 11:44 0.2 11:25 1.1 7:20 7:21 29 Thu 4:28 2.2 6:34 1.6 12:34P 0.1 11:42 1.2 7:21 7:20 30 Fri 5:00 2.3 7:58 1.4 1:33P 0.1 11:50 1.3 7:21 7:19 www.USHarbors.com Fort Myers, FL - Sep 2022 Date High Low AM ft PM ft AM ft PM ft Rise Set Moon 1 Thu 7:09 1.5 8:41 1.1 1:31 0.6 2:33 0.5 7:06 7:48 2 Fri 7:49 1.6 10:14 1.0 1:59 0.7 4:02 0.5 7:06 7:47 3 Sat 8:38 1.7 2:33 0.8 5:57 0.5 7:06 7:46 4 Sun 12:03 0.9 9:40A 1.7 3:19 0.8 7:39 0.4 7:07 7:45 5 Mon 1:34 1.0 10:59A 1.7 4:32 0.9 8:44 0.3 7:07 7:44 6 Tue 2:30 1.0 12:28 1.7 5:57 0.9 9:34 0.3 7:08 7:43 7 Wed 3:08 1.1 1:46 1.8 7:16 0.8 10:15 0.3 7:08 7:42 8 Thu 3:40 1.2 2:51 1.8 8:24 0.8 10:51 0.4 7:09 7:41 9 Fri 4:09 1.3 3:46 1.8 9:23 0.7 11:20 0.5 7:09 7:39 10 Sat 4:38 1.3 4:34 1.8 10:17 0.6 11:44 0.6 7:09 7:38 11 Sun 5:06 1.4 5:20 1.7 11:09 0.5 7:10 7:37 12 Mon 5:33 1.5 6:04 1.6 12:04 0.7 12:00 0.5 7:10 7:36 13 Tue 6:00 1.5 6:51 1.4 12:23 0.7 12:53 0.5 7:11 7:35 14 Wed 6:28 1.6 7:45 1.2 12:43 0.7 1:50 0.5 7:11 7:34 15 Thu 6:57 1.6 8:56 1.0 1:07 0.7 2:57 0.5 7:11 7:33 16 Fri 7:30 1.6 10:30 0.9 1:35 0.8 4:19 0.5 7:12 7:32 17 Sat 8:09 1.5 2:15 0.8 5:55 0.4 7:12 7:30 18 Sun 12:15 0.9 9:02A 1.5 3:14 0.9 7:14 0.3 7:13 7:29 19 Mon 1:29 1.0 10:22A 1.4 4:36 0.9 8:09 0.3 7:13 7:28 20 Tue 2:13 1.1 12:01 1.4 5:59 0.9 8:52 0.3 7:14 7:27 21 Wed 2:46 1.2 1:20 1.5 7:10 0.8 9:28 0.4 7:14 7:26 22 Thu 3:14 1.2 2:19 1.5 8:08 0.8 9:58 0.4 7:14 7:25 23 Fri 3:39 1.3 3:06 1.6 8:56 0.7 10:23 0.5 7:15 7:24 24 Sat 3:59 1.3 3:49 1.7 9:39 0.6 10:45 0.6 7:15 7:23 25 Sun 4:17 1.4 4:29 1.7 10:21 0.6 11:05 0.7 7:16 7:21 26 Mon 4:35 1.5 5:11 1.6 11:02 0.5 11:24 0.7 7:16 7:20 27 Tue 4:54 1.6 5:55 1.5 11:47 0.5 11:44 0.7 7:17 7:19 28 Wed 5:18 1.7 6:45 1.3 12:37 0.5 7:17 7:18 29 Thu 5:48 1.8 7:45 1.2 12:06 0.8 1:35 0.4 7:18 7:17 30 Fri 6:24 1.8 9:06 1.0 12:29 0.8 2:48 0.4 7:18 7:16
FACEBOOK.COM/COASTALANGLERMAGAZINEFTMYERS/ | SEPTEMBER 2022 | FORT MYERS 9 SANIBEL/CAPTIVA PUNTA CHARLOTTEGORDA/HABOR10871 Kelly Rd Ft Myers, FL 239.267.685733908 25096 E. Marion Ave. Punta Gorda, FL 941-655-711033950 September/2022 • 26°29’N 82°11’W September/2022 • 26°56’N 82°4’W PROALLEYTUNASanCarlos|(239)415-116118911STamiamiTrail,FortMyers,FL33908 Port Charlotte | (941) 627-5558 3035 Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte, FL 33952 For More Information Visit SunshineAce.com www.USHarbors.com Captiva Island (outside), FL - Sep 2022 Date High Low AM ft PM ft AM ft PM ft Rise Set Moon 1 Thu 2:53 2.8 4:20 2.1 9:47 0.6 9:12 1.4 7:08 7:52 2 Fri 3:27 2.9 5:54 1.9 10:57 0.5 9:28 1.7 7:08 7:51 3 Sat 4:10 3.0 12:24 0.4 7:09 7:50 4 Sun 5:06 3.0 1:58 0.3 7:09 7:49 5 Mon 6:23 3.1 3:20 0.1 7:10 7:48 6 Tue 7:56 3.1 4:25 0.0 7:10 7:47 7 Wed 9:21 3.2 5:17 0.0 7:11 7:45 8 Thu 12:38 2.0 10:30A 3.3 3:47 1.8 5:59 0.0 7:11 7:44 9 Fri 12:47 2.0 11:29A 3.3 4:51 1.5 6:34 0.2 7:11 7:43 10 Sat 12:58 2.1 12:21 3.2 5:45 1.2 7:03 0.5 7:12 7:42 11 Sun 1:10 2.2 1:10 3.0 6:36 0.9 7:27 0.8 7:12 7:41 12 Mon 1:25 2.4 1:59 2.7 7:24 0.7 7:48 1.1 7:13 7:40 13 Tue 1:42 2.6 2:49 2.4 8:13 0.6 8:07 1.3 7:13 7:38 14 Wed 2:04 2.8 3:46 2.2 9:03 0.5 8:25 1.5 7:14 7:37 15 Thu 2:30 2.9 4:59 2.0 9:58 0.5 8:39 1.7 7:14 7:36 16 Fri 3:01 2.9 11:02 0.5 7:15 7:35 17 Sat 3:40 2.8 12:19 0.6 7:15 7:34 18 Sun 4:33 2.7 1:42 0.5 7:16 7:33 19 Mon 5:57 2.7 2:55 0.5 7:16 7:31 20 Tue 7:43 2.6 11:38 2.1 3:51 0.4 7:16 7:30 21 Wed 9:05 2.7 11:48 2.1 2:54 1.9 4:36 0.4 7:17 7:29 22 Thu 10:03 2.8 11:58 2.2 3:50 1.7 5:11 0.4 7:17 7:28 23 Fri 10:51 2.9 4:32 1.5 5:40 0.5 7:18 7:27 24 Sat 12:06 2.2 11:33A 2.9 5:10 1.3 6:05 0.6 7:18 7:26 25 Sun 12:14 2.3 12:14 2.8 5:47 1.0 6:27 0.8 7:19 7:24 26 Mon 12:24 2.5 12:55 2.7 6:24 0.7 6:48 1.0 7:19 7:23 27 Tue 12:39 2.7 1:40 2.6 7:04 0.5 7:09 1.2 7:20 7:22 28 Wed 12:59 2.9 2:31 2.4 7:48 0.3 7:29 1.5 7:20 7:21 29 Thu 1:25 3.0 3:31 2.2 8:38 0.2 7:46 1.6 7:21 7:20 30 Fri 1:57 3.1 4:55 1.9 9:37 0.2 7:54 1.8 7:21 7:19 www.USHarbors.com Punta Gorda, Charlotte Harbor, FL - Sep 2022 Date High Low AM ft PM ft AM ft PM ft Rise Set Moon 1 Thu 6:19 2.0 7:46 1.6 12:45 0.9 1:42 0.4 7:06 7:49 2 Fri 6:53 2.1 9:20 1.4 1:07 1.1 2:52 0.4 7:07 7:48 3 Sat 7:36 2.2 1:23 1.2 4:19 0.3 7:07 7:47 4 Sun 8:32 2.2 5:53 0.2 7:07 7:46 5 Mon 9:49 2.2 7:15 0.1 7:08 7:45 6 Tue 11:22 2.3 8:20 0.0 7:08 7:44 7 Wed 4:03 1.5 12:47 2.4 6:14 1.4 9:12 0.0 7:09 7:43 8 Thu 4:04 1.5 1:56 2.4 7:42 1.3 9:54 0.0 7:09 7:42 9 Fri 4:13 1.5 2:55 2.4 8:46 1.1 10:29 0.2 7:10 7:40 10 Sat 4:24 1.5 3:47 2.3 9:40 0.9 10:58 0.4 7:10 7:39 11 Sun 4:36 1.7 4:36 2.2 10:31 0.7 11:22 0.6 7:10 7:38 12 Mon 4:51 1.8 5:25 2.0 11:19 0.5 11:43 0.8 7:11 7:37 13 Tue 5:08 1.9 6:15 1.8 12:08 0.4 7:11 7:36 14 Wed 5:30 2.0 7:12 1.6 12:02 1.0 12:58 0.4 7:12 7:35 15 Thu 5:56 2.1 8:25 1.4 12:20 1.1 1:53 0.4 7:12 7:34 16 Fri 6:27 2.1 12:34 1.3 2:57 0.4 7:13 7:32 17 Sat 7:06 2.1 4:14 0.4 7:13 7:31 18 Sun 7:59 2.0 5:37 0.4 7:13 7:30 19 Mon 9:23 1.9 6:50 0.3 7:14 7:29 20 Tue 3:04 1.6 11:09A 1.9 5:14 1.5 7:46 0.3 7:14 7:28 21 Wed 3:04 1.6 12:31 2.0 6:49 1.4 8:31 0.3 7:15 7:27 22 Thu 3:14 1.6 1:29 2.1 7:45 1.3 9:06 0.3 7:15 7:26 23 Fri 3:24 1.6 2:17 2.1 8:27 1.1 9:35 0.4 7:16 7:24 24 Sat 3:32 1.6 2:59 2.1 9:05 0.9 10:00 0.5 7:16 7:23 25 Sun 3:40 1.7 3:40 2.1 9:42 0.7 10:22 0.6 7:17 7:22 26 Mon 3:50 1.8 4:21 2.0 10:19 0.5 10:43 0.8 7:17 7:21 27 Tue 4:05 2.0 5:06 1.9 10:59 0.4 11:04 0.9 7:17 7:20 28 Wed 4:25 2.1 5:57 1.8 11:43 0.2 11:24 1.1 7:18 7:19 29 Thu 4:51 2.2 6:57 1.6 12:33P 0.1 11:41 1.2 7:18 7:18 30 Fri 5:23 2.3 8:21 1.4 1:32P 0.1 11:49 1.3 7:19 7:17
5) The most important strategy is the retrieve. Using a slow steady re trieve has proven to be more effective. Faster erratic presentations haven't proved to be as successful. One last thing, I have caught many snook, trout and other species with this lure, so it can be an effective all around presentation. The spoon is definitely a very ef fective lure, and I would encourage you to give it a try anytime but especially during the fall when the Reds are schooled up. Good luck and keep casting.
2) I usually tie the spoon to my leader with a loop knot and have had no issues with line twist but a uni knot works fine.
As we enter the fall season, we know the redfish will show up in large schools and they will be easier to find and definitely more aggressive as they hang together in these large groups.
Let the Spoon do the Work By: Joe Sheaffer
1) I t ypically use a Gold Spoon, usually a ¼ -½ oz, depending on wind, current, and depth. I have used many different makes and models and have had success with each.
4) I don’t attach anything to the spoon and the only thing I add is some type of a scent like Procure. I’m not sure how much scent helps but I definitely don’t think it hurts.
3) I l ike to make long casts, as this really makes a difference especially with schooling fish.
There are many different techniques and lure presentations that can be successful in getting redfish to strike during this time of year. One lure that many use this time of year is a spoon. It seems every angler has a certain spoon, color, different ways to rig it, different ways to retrieve it and many other strategies. I’m definitely not an expert but I have fig ured out a few things that have helped me catch more redfish with this lure. A few keys that have helped me catch fish using this lure.
10 FORT MYERS | SEPTEMBER 2022 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM/FORT-MYERS/
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There are a number of ways in which to increase your catch rate. Some are simple and cost little while others may take up some extra time and cost more. If you are new to fishing, you will be automatically drawn to termi nal tackle. These are products that rapidly and easily help you secure hooks and lures to your line but if you ask around or check online, you’ll find that experienced anglers are tying directly off to their tackle and using inline knots to tie leaders to main lines. Barrel and snap swivels are fine if you’re fishing with spinners and spoons or fishing heavy gear but for most of us the lures are not made to have something heavy added to the front and fish don’t like seeing anything moving unnaturally in front of their prey. Learn to tie inline knots between your main line and a fluorocarbon leader. I know many of you will balk at the price of fluorocarbon leader materi al, but the stuff is basically invisible under water. Many species of fish are leader shy, like snook, so the price pays for itself when you begin to catch more fish! There are several great inline knots so go on-line, find one that you can figure out and tie it until you remember how to tie it off-line. Another knot you should have in your arsenal is a loop knot. Many lures and most hooks benefit from having a loop knot tied to them as it allows the lure/bait to have a more natural presentation in the water. Walk the dog style top water plugs swing more widely with increased action when tied to a loop knot. Same is true for many rubber bait selections like shad and paddle tails. If you fish only with artificial lures, you’ll need to be really good at it to catch a lot of fish. Presenta tion and cadence are ultra-import ant when trying to trick a fish into believing that your plastic imitation is the real thing. With practice this becomes easier over time. If you ha ven’t mastered this technique, try using some live or dead bait. Obvi ously dead bait is simple to store and use but live bait requires some way to keep it alive and in your kayak. It’s quite simple, place a sheetrock bucket or pre-designed bait well in the rear well of your craft and sim ply add a battery powered bait bubbler. Many states now require that you use circle hooks with live or dead bait. When you feel a fish on the line, simply pull back slowly until you feel the real weight of the fish and at that point the hook has come up out of their stomach and slid into the corner of the fishes mouth. Only then should you pull hard to set the hook.
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Tr y some of these suggestions and catch more fish! It’s A Wild World-Get Out There! Fishman Dan @paddlinandfishin Keep Lee County Beautiful
Improve Your Catch 33rd
Office:Tisha@klcb.orggo/805094aaaaa2ca4f49-20224”“https://www.signupgenius.com/toregisterandfordetails.239-334-3488
Our International Coastal Cleanup is taking place on Saturday, September 17th from 8am-11am at multiple locations across Lee County. This cleanup is the world's largest, single day volunteer effort and our largest event to clean up the marine environment. Over the years, the International Coastal Cleanup has motivat ed over seventeen million people from around the world to pick up over 348 million pounds of trash from our shorelines. This year will be the 33rd year that Keep Lee County Beautiful has hosted the event.
12 FORT MYERS | SEPTEMBER 2022 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM/FORT-MYERS/ Gulf Coast Kayak | gulfcoastkayak.com | 239-283-1125
By: Dan Carns International Cleanup
FACEBOOK.COM/COASTALANGLERMAGAZINEFTMYERS/ | SEPTEMBER 2022 | FORT MYERS 13 You Can Trust Your Local Mastry Suzuki RePower Center – It Simply Makes Sense REPOWER When you purchase a new Suzuki outboard from an authorized Mastry RePower Center you qualify to become a member of the Mastry Suzuki Owner’s Edge. Owners receive an identification card that provides them with important information about their Suzuki outboard motor as well as a passport to additional benefits during ownership. Members enjoy a detailed engine maintenance schedule, Mastry Suzuki RePower Trade Program and special pricing from Mastry Suzuki Partners. THE ALTERNATIVE TO BUYING A NEW BOAT When Considering A Repower, Consider These Factors: • Calusa Certified Marine has decades of repower experience providing proper rigging, controls, propeller matching and in water testing • With a Mastry Suzuki RePower owners gain improved performance, less noise and greater reliability • Options that will fit most any budget, financing available • Mastry Suzuki RePower’s exclusive Owner’s Edge Program* • All Suzuki RePowers come with Suzuki’s 5-years of protection suzukirepower.com | 1-800-545-4574 *Get with the Program! With 13 Locations Across Florida There is a Mastry Suzuki RePower Center Near You In Fort Myers and Cape Coral - Calusa Certified Marine is your certified Mastry Suzuki RePower Center Calusa Certified Marine 1023 SE 12th Avenue | Cape Coral, FL 33990 239-574-5053 • Mastry Suzuki RePower’s exclusive Owner’s Edge Program* Calusa Certified Marine provides high-quality, low-cost, convenient comprehensive services to all boaters with experienced, knowledgeable, factory certified technicians. Calusa Certified Marine offers full marine service and relies on teamwork and respect to guide decisions and actions, doing things right the first time with enthusiasm!
4) USCGC Mohawk - a 165 ft cutter sunk 7-2-2012, 40nm off Fort My ers Bch. in 90 ft. This wreck is attracting lots of marine life due to its size, durability and distance offshore. Looking forward to diving this
By: Capt. Chad Carney
6) L ong Island - a shrimp boat 47.9nm off Sarasota in a depth of 163 ft. I 1998 & 99 this wreck was upright & intact with the name welded on the bow. We shot gags, blacks and AJs. Coastal Angler’s Outdoors Section - “Diving & Spearfishing” has 13 pages with some great stories written by their Editorial Staff, which includes lots by my good friend Sheri Daye. To my surprise I found 2 articles of mine. Pg 12 “Fall Spearfishing in Florida” and Pg 9 “Spear fishing Course for Freedivers.” Shoot straight Capt. Chad
Coastal Angler printed my “Favorite SW FL Wrecks to Spearfish” in Dec. 2020. You can still see my top 6 by clicking e-Maga zines and choose your area, Naples to Sarasota, scroll down to archives, where all articles since late 2016 appear. I’ve been revisiting more middle range sites and some are shallower than 132 ft. Here’s my next 6 SW FL Wrecks.
https://www.deeperblue.com/beginners-guide-spearfishing/https://www.facebook.com/floridaskindiver/chad.carney@yahoo.com727-423-7775
5)ship.Skyway Bridge Wreckage - is 58.5nm offshore Boca Grande in 170 ft. In May 1980 the freighter Summit Venture collided into the 200 ft high Skyway Bridge which spanned Tampa Bay. 35 people died in their vehicles with a Greyhound bus. On my dive I could see the bridge’s steel and concrete in very clear water, but I was maxed out on depth and dove the top 100 ft for AJs.
1) Bay Ronto - sunk in 110 ft of water in a 1919 hurricane 31.5 n.miles off Boca Grande. In 1972 it was my first deep wreck. It’s broken into 5 major pieces now and the years have produced AJs, gags, blacks and 2)mangroves.Fantastico - a Honduran Freighter sunk in the 1993 No Name Storm, 47nm off Fort Myers Beach in 115 ft of water. I dove the 2nd trip there with a bunch of wreck/tech divers who swore it was the Roatan Express. I dropped on a big cobia which led me to the bow where I shot him in front of “Fantastico" painted the size of a bus!
3) D6W & D6E - Artificial Reefs with fiberglass boat molds 31.3nm off Venice in 109 ft. Because of the distance and little fanfare this site is good. i shot a 30# gag in the center, and the E area is very good.
14 FORT MYERS | SEPTEMBER 2022 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM/FORT-MYERS/
Wrecks to Spearfish
FACEBOOK.COM/COASTALANGLERMAGAZINEFTMYERS/ | SEPTEMBER 2022 | FORT MYERS 15
Jesse Swann, 8 yo, caught this peacock bass on a shiner, 21” and 6.2 lbs.
Lexey catches her first speckled seatrout in Pine Island Sound.
Jorge and family boated thisnice backcountry tarpon outon a Captain Redfish Rob’sCharter, Naples.
Kyle Mugavero with a nice backcountry stud.
@Fishntenacity was hot on the tarpon bite!
Travis Schmahl on the successful hunt for reds.
Photos submitted Courtesy of Coastal Angler Readers and Contributing Writers Submit pics to: camswfl@gmail.com or text to 239.595.8265 Gabe C., 5yo, with his first sail catfish!
Brittany Cortes with someredfish action!
George Ramirez with a snook at Matlacha Islands.
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14 FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 2022 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
Eight Tagged
Florida
The first pink-tagged bass was caught by Florida angler Dale Dew from Lake Griffin on May 22. Florida angler RJ Crawford caught the second pink-tagged bass from Newnans Lake on June 11. Both anglers were awarded $5,000 Bass Pro gift cards and $1,000 AFTCO gift cards. They will also be entered in a drawing for an additional $10,000, which will be awarded at a ceremony this fall.
With a deadline of Sept. 30, eight tagged largemouths worth thousands of dollars are still swimming in Florida waters.In celebration of Season 10 of FWC’s TrophyCatch big bass program, FWC tagged 10 largemouth bass with bright pink tags in Florida lakes. Just two of those pink-tagged largemouths had been caught as of presstime, so eight are still out there waiting for anglers to catch them and collect thousands of dollars worth of gift cards.
The eight remaining pink-tagged bass are still swimming in the following Florida waterbodies: Lake George, Lake Talquin, Lake Walk-in-Water, Tenoroc Fish Management Area, Lake Trafford, Lake Istokpoga, Lake Rousseau and Johns Lake. With the 10-Tag promotion ending Sept. 30, FWC is dropping hints by way of online maps showing the area where each of the remaining bass were tagged. These new tagging maps of the remaining lakes could lead lucky anglers to the pink-taggedThroughbass.Florida bass telemetry and tagging studies, FWC biologists have found that where a largemouth bass is tagged and released can frequently coincide with where an angler catches the same bass weeks, months or even yearsDewlater.caught his 10-Tag bass within yards of where the fish was released with its pink tag in Lake Griffin. Of course, these hints come with a caveat: while bass can be predictable, there are many exceptions to their typical home range patterns and some bass are not homebodies at all. In contrast to Dew’s catch, the second reported 10-Tag bass caught by RJ Crawford in Newnans Lake was more than 3 miles from where it was tagged. These hints don’t eliminate water in which a 10-Tag bass might be found but should be treated as higher-probability areas. View each of the ranges on the maps located on the 10-Tag Celebration web page. For more information, go www.trophycatchflorida.com.to Bass Worth Thousands in Lakes
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM SEPTEMBER 2022 FLORIDA 15
B ack-to-school season is underway and Florida parents, teachers and school staff can apply for funding to support school fishing clubs for students. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) 2022-23 School Fishing Club Program, previously named the High School Fishing Program, offers school fishing clubs or teams the opportunity to apply for the Florida R3 Fishing Grant. The application period is open until Sept. 16. This grant program is focused on engaging youth anglers to ensure the future of fishing in Florida.
Apply for a Grant to Support School Fishing Clubs
The grant program is open to new or existing freshwater and/or saltwater fishing clubs or teams at public, private and charter schools throughout Florida. To be considered for the grant, school fishing clubs or teams must have a minimum of five members and be represented by a school faculty member or parent who will follow the provided instructor’s manual.Thedeadline for submitting applications is Sept. 16, 2022 at 5 p.m. The application can be found online at MyFWC.com/SFC by scrolling down to “Florida’s R3 Fishing Grant Program.” Applicants can complete the form online or download the application to submit by mail or e-mail. Submit the downloaded applications to R3Fishing@MyFWC.com or mail them to: FWC’s Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management Attn: School Fishing Club Program Grant 620 S. Meridian St., Tallahassee, FL 32399. The 2022-23 School Fishing Club Program is supported by partners including Mud Hole Custom Tackle, Pure Fishing, Coastal Conservation Association and Baitstick Fishing. For more information, contact Brandon Stys at Brandon.Stys@MyFWC.com.
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The Florida Sport Fish Restoration R3 Fishing Grant will award up to 40 high school fishing clubs or teams $500 to assist with club expenses and the purchase of fishing licenses or gear for participants. Participating clubs and teams will receive an updated educational curriculum comprised of lessons and activities on fisheries conservation and resource management, plus a chance to win prizes by completing the program’s Conservation Project.“The School Fishing Club program is an important program for teaching the next generation of anglers about ethical angling and conservation in Florida,” said Director of Marine Fisheries Management Jessica McCawley. “I look forward to seeing the hard work and creativity each club puts into their conservation project activities each year to help preserve the health and quality of aquatic habitats.”
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• Be Sure to Hydrate and keep yourself greased up with sunscreen. Also, know the seasons, limits and safety regulations for the area you’re scallop hunting.
• Keep Them Alive: Storing scallops in a livewell is a great idea if you’ve got one. They can also be kept in a cooler of ice, but be careful to drain the freshwater out of the cooler as the ice melts because it will kill your scallops. You want them to be living right up until you clean them.
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM SEPTEMBER 2022 FLORIDA 19
TIPS FOR BETTER SCALLOPING By CAM Staff Charters.FishingGrassRockofcourtesyPhoto
Bay scallop season is winding down along the west coast of Florida. In most zones it will continue well into September, so here are some tips to help you have fun on the water and maybe pick up a last-minute limit.
• Hunt the Slack Tides: Finding scallops is generally easiest on a slack tide during calm days when currents are minimal. When the water is still, seagrass stands up straight, and it’s easier to spot scallops at the base of the grass.•Look in the Sand: Pay attention to those sandy potholes on the grass flats. Scallops like grass, but they are easier to see against a sandy bottom. Many times, if you spot one on the sand, there will be several in the grass around it.
• Find Your Spot: The most common advice on finding a good scalloping area is to look for the boats. It’s good advice. The flotilla bearing diver-down flags is hard to miss when you find it. Be courteous, give everyone plenty of room and drive the boat slowly, keeping an eye out for swimmers.
For more information, including complete rules and regulations, go to MyFWC.com.
One trick to finding productive bottom is to pull a keen-eyed diver on a rope at idle speed. This will help cover water quickly, and once old eagle eye spots a few, you can put out the anchor.
• Slow Down: If you find one scallop, slow down and search the area thoroughly. There’s usually another one nearby.
• Clean Them Quickly: An alternative to keeping scallops alive is to just clean them right away. There should be at least one person in the boat at all times, and this person can clean the scallops while the rest of the team is searching. Scallops open up when they are put on ice, so chunk them in a cooler and clean them while you’re on the water. You can discard the shells into the bay.
• Search in a Pattern: Some divers search in a grid by swimming a straight line out from the boat and then moving sideways 5 or 10 yards before returning to the boat in a straight line. This way you’ll always be looking at fresh bottom.
Check the Pinch Points: Seawalls, rocky shorelines, jetties and any other structure that juts from the shore will consolidate and channel
schools of mullet as they move down the coast. These are perfect feeding areas for gamefish because they provide ambush points as well structure to herd mullet against. Loud and Proud: When it comes to fishing artificials, anything that resembles a mullet is likely to get slammed around actively feeding fish. The hard part is getting marauding fish to notice your lure among thousands of real mullet. This is the time to make a commotion. Early in the mornings, loud topwater plugs that pop, walk-the-dog and throw a lot of water around will get noticed. When the topwater bite slows, it’s time to break out sub-surface plugs, spoons or paddletails on jigheads. Cast around the edges of the bait pods, because gamefish often target baitfish that stray from the pod.
Bait is Everywhere: Live bait is king when it comes to getting bit. A single good throw of the cast net should provide all the bait you need once you find a good school of mullet. Many anglers prefer fishing 5- to 8-inch mullet, because they’re small enough to cast and they’ll draw strikes from fish of all sizes. However, if big tarpon are pounding a bait school, some anglers swear a foot-long mullet catches bigger fish. Either way, freelined mullet are tough to beat. Gamefish look for isolated and injured baits on the outside of the school. Your mullet, hooked just behind the anal fin, will look like the perfect meal as it struggles to stay near the surface. For more on the mullet run, go to coastalanglermag.com.
D epending on where you fish on Florida’s east coast, the mullet schools have either already arrived or they are on the way. Each fall, mullet flood down the coast in an enormous migration to their spawning grounds off south Florida. Along the way, they are assaulted by everything that eats fish. It’s a special time to be an angler. Here are some of the basics of fishing the mullet run to help you get in on the action.
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Find the Bait: Giant schools of bait pull all of the gamefish out of their summer patterns. Tarpon, redfish, snook, jacks, flounder, sharks, Spanish mackerel, bluefish and more transition from whatever they were doing and begin tailing and herding mullet pods. The predatory fish move with their food source. As an angler, you’re wasting your time if you’re not on top of the action.From a boat or from the beach, keep moving until you see fishy looking water. It’s unmistakable when you witness mullet fleeing from leaping jacks and tarpon, but the action can sometimes be harder to spot. Wear your polarized shades, keep the sun at your back and look for diving birds and the ripples of nervous water. There will be gamefish wherever there are huge schools of bait. Also, stay current with mullet activity in your area by sharing information with other anglers and being a regular at the local bait shops.
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BLUEFIN SPAWN STUDIED OFF NORTHEASTERN U.S.
For as much as we do know about the ocean and the species we love to pursue as anglers, it’s amazing the things still left to be discovered. A scientific paper recently published in the Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences presents evidence that the Slope Sea off the northeastern coast of the United States is a major spawning ground for Atlantic bluefin tuna. The Slope Sea is an area of the Atlantic bounded to the north and west by the northeast United States Continental Shelf and to the south by the Gulf Stream. Science to this point had identified two populations of Atlantic bluefins. One returns to the Gulf of Mexico to spawn and another spawns in the Mediterranean Sea. A 2016 paper established the Slope Sea as a third spawning ground for the species, and this most recent research suggests the Slope Sea is a good place to be a larval bluefin. Researchers used plankton nets to collect larvae in the Slope Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. They compared larval growth in the two regions by studying larval otoliths, which are small bones found in the heads of tuna. Researchers also conducted larval transport simulations to estimate the movement of larvae floating in ocean currents forward and backward in time to evaluate the origin of the larvae. What they found was evidence that Slope Sea tuna larvae grow at a similar rate as those in the Gulf of Mexico. The paper notes that an additional spawning site likely offers resilience for the species in the face of harvest as well as climate change. For more information, read the research at cdnsciencepub.com.
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Florida angler John Kelly seems to have figured out how to catch big snook with a fly rod. According to the International Game Fish Association, Kelly caught this beautiful 88-centimeter (almost 35inch) snook with a crab pattern on the Indian River Lagoon on July 28. Snook longer than 40 inches are caught pretty regularly from Florida waters, so this one isn’t a true monster. However, IGFA said it could potentially set the all-tackle length fly world record for the species, replacing Kelly’s own record for an 86-centimeter snook he caught in early June. On top of that, Kelly submitted another application for a 91-centimeter snook he landed in early August. These potential records are currently pending and under review by IGFA. Records or not, it’s probably safe to say that Kelly has something figured out about targeting slob snook with fly tackle. For more information, go to igfa.org. a
The Tennessee River’s WHITE BLUE CATS
Scenic City has three captains who specialize in guiding anglers to catfish. They’ve encountered four of these white catfish since 2018. Simms keeps records of his catches, and he estimated Scenic City catches about 5,000 catfish a year. While one white catfish in 5,000 caught is hardly good odds, it’s a lot better than one in a million. This one stretch of river is producing more of these strange fish than anywhere else we’ve heard of.
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White catfish are rare anomalies that never fail to set social media abuzz each time an angler catches one. In most instances, biologists attribute the looks of these beautiful pinkishwhite fish to leucism, a genetic trait that results in reduced pigmentation and the pale, sometimes patchy coloration they display.
Contact Scenic City Fishing Charters via www.sceniccityfishing.com.
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM SEPTEMBER 2022 NATIONAL 9
PHOTO BY RICHARD SIMMS
On June 28, 15-year-old Edwards Tarumianz caught a gorgeous, almost pure white blue catfish on the Tennessee River near downtown Chattanooga, Tenn. It was the latest in a string of such fish to come from one small stretch of river. While catching a white catfish has been likened to winning the lottery, it seems the odds are much higher on the Tennessee River below Chickamauga Dam.“It’s become pretty clear to us that we’ve got a little recessive gene floating around in the river right here in the Chattanooga vicinity,” said Richard Simms, owner of Scenic City Fishing Charters. “I actually saw another one just a week or so ago. A guy, just a regular fisherman, caught a piebald. So, yeah, we’ve got a recessive gene floating around.”
Paylor said a rule of thumb is to troll live baits at around 2 miles per hour. When you get a bite, the rod slams down and the reel starts screaming. Make sure your drag is not set too tightly or it’ll be over.You’ll get a nice long run when the fish is first hooked. The smaller fish of less than 20 pounds will run out of energy pretty soon. Bigger ones, from 30 to 50 pounds, won’t tire as readily, and the real monsters may do it a few times before they tire. Keep your drag set light and let the fish do its thing; follow it with the boat if necessary. A fish (besides sharks) that is the bane of king mackerel anglers is the amberjack. If you troll near any high spot, usually the top of a shipwreck, there may be a school of them there. Their detractors call them “reef donkeys” with disdain. When you are trolling with a carefully prepared trolling rig and putting in hours looking for trophy kings, one of these bad boys can mess you up. Tournament anglers especially dislike them. If you are out trolling for kings and a school of amberjacks show up in your trolling spread, don’t get mad. Have fun! These fish are a blast and hit topwater plugs with abandon. Cast soda-bottlestyle poppers in the 5- to 6-inch-long range such as the Rapala Magnum Xplode or the Yozuri Bull Pop, retrieve them with a big pull and a pause to make a huge splash, and be prepared for an amazing display. Often a group of them will come up together and slash at it with reckless abandon until one finally gets hooked. Be prepared with a heavy casting rod. I’ve caught them on 12-weight fly rods with the biggest popper I could make. They can show up at any time over any wreck or reef. You just have to be ready. If you’re not fishing in a tournament, why not go have fun with them instead of cursing at them. They will come in fast, hit hard and then keep you occupied for about 20 minutes while they try to pull you out of the boat. This article was reprinted from CoastalReview.org.
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“They are so consistent with their yearly patterns that if you caught them in a spot in previous years, they are probably going to be there again,” he said.
He recommends using a sea surface temperature chart and seeing where the water is hovering in the 70-degree range and starting your day at a reef or wreck in that zone. If you see bait working—and especially if you see kings feeding—give it a serious shot. If you have seen kings feeding in open water, you’ll never forget what it looks like; they skyrocket out of the water like a submarine-launched missile.
By Capt. Gordon Churchill
With their aggressive nature, willingness to hit almost anything, and ability to make drag screaming runs when first hooked, king mackerel are just a bunch of fun. Because of these qualities, there is a king mackerel tournament somewhere almost every weekend. Plenty of boats head out in pursuit of them from every port, and plenty of tackle dedicated to them is sold in coastal shops.
To get an idea of what a day chasing kings is like, I spoke Capt. Matt Paylor, of Sound-N-Sea Charters in Morehead City, N.C. For gear, he likes a 7-foot, live-bait trolling rod with a Shimano TLD reel filled to the brim with 20-pound line. Smaller, school-sized kings eagerly hit trolled spoons and frozen cigar minnows, and you can catch a lot of them.When 10- to 20-pounders are hanging out around a structure, such as artificial reefs, wrecks or ledges, casting to them with swimming plugs and topwaters can lead to fast action. For a challenge, try a 10-weight fly rod rigged with a sinking line and a big streamer fly attached to a wireAleader.20-pound king mackerel can make a fly reel sing, Paylor said, however, if you want to get the big ones, you have to use live bait. His go-to is live menhaden, but he also uses live bluefish in the 2to 3-pound range. For trolling live bait, tie 15 feet of 30-pound fluorocarbon to the end of your main line, and to that attach a double hook live bait rig made with No. 5 single-strand wire and size 4 “quad strong” trebleCapt.hooks.Paylor said kings are very predictable.
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An angler from New Jersey caught a North Carolina state record for cubera snapper on Aug. 3. Thomas Madsen caught the 58-pound, 8-ounce fish offshore of Hatteras while fishing with Capt. Tyler Fleetwood and Sea Dream FishingMadsen’sCharters.big fish measured 49.5 inches total length and had a 41-inch girth. He caught it using a Shimano jigging rod, and a Diawa Saltist reel with 80-pound test. It replaces the previous record, which weighed 58 pounds and was caught off Beaufort Inlet in 2016.The IGFA all-tackle world record for Atlantic cubera snapper was caught off Louisiana in June of 2007 by Marion Rose. It weighed 124 pounds 12 ounces. For more information on North Carolina state records, find the State Saltwater Records webpage at deq.nc.gov.
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This is not someone’s escaped goldfish; it’s a bright orange smallmouth bass. Angler Josh Chrenko caught the rare genetic anomaly this summer from the Muskegon River in Michigan. Biologists explained that the fish’s odd coloration is due to a rare genetic condition called xanthochromism, which— like albinism or leucism—is usually caused by a recessive gene.
Xanthochromistic fish are orange because the red pigmentation in their skin is replaced by yellow pigmentation.
“Until I caught this guy, I didn’t even know [xanthic bass] existed,” Chrenko wrote in a Facebook post. “For someone that lives and breathes fishing for smallmouth, this is one I’ll remember my entire life… I can only imagine that this little guy had to overcome crazy odds to survive the first couple of years of his life from predation. Being neon-orange would make for a tough life as a small freshwater fish.” Chrenko released his orange smallie after taking a few photos. For more weird fish, go to coastalanglermag.com.
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