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BOOST YOUR CATCH w/RezBoostTM Technology
Interested in getting the most out of your own trusted transducer, or not sure you’re ready for the expense of installing a new CHIRP transducer? Furuno has a solution that will get the very best performance from your traditional narrowband transducer. Our RezBoostTM Fish Finders deliver clearer images than ever before, we’re talking up to 8x sharper. Whether it’s NavNet TZtouch2 or the FCV588/FCV628 stand-alone Fish Finders, RezBoostTM will boost your catch!
Get up to 8x sharper resolution, using a standard narrow band transducer, to more clearly define fish targets.
Assess individual fish size and depth based on echo strength for fish from 4 inches to over 6 feet.
Identify the sea floor composition from four types (Rocks/Sand/Gravel/Mud).
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Electronics GARMIN INREACH EXPLORER+ Going where the fish are often means exploring places where communication becomes very difficult. Whether you’re far offshore, deep in a marshy backwater or high up a remote mountain stream, wouldn’t it be reassuring to know you can connect with someone in the event of an emergency? Or you might just need to let someone know where the fish are biting? The Garmin inReach Explorer+ is a handheld GPS navigator and satellite communicator that allows you to explore anywhere and communicate everywhere. It is a rugged, compact unit that uses 100 percent global Iridium coverage for two-way text messaging and tracking anywhere in the world. Navigate with detailed, preloaded TOPO maps, follow routes, mark waypoints and find your way back with a high-detail bread-crumb trail. Using GPS tracking, you can easily share your location with family, friends, social media or emergency responders. In case of emergency, the interactive SOS allows you to communicate back and forth and receive confirmation that help is on the way. For added capability, use the free Earthmate app to pair your inReach Explorer+ with mobile devices and access unlimited maps, aerial imagery, NOAA charts, weather and more.
WWW.GARMIN.COM FURUNO DFF3D Turn your NavNet TZtouch or TZtouch2 MFD into a multi-beam sonar that can see 120 degrees port to starboard, allowing you to see the depth and direction fish schools are moving, while displaying the seabed condition in real time. Furuno’s DFF3D gives you real-time 120-degree port-starboard view of the water column and seabed in deeper than 650 feet of water, allowing you to find fish in deep water faster than conventional
single-beam sounders. Cross-Section displays the real-time sea column echo in 120 degrees port and starboard. This mode aids in understanding the distribution of baitfish and water column conditions. The 3D Sounder History provides an intuitive and easyto-understand 3D image of the seafloor, along with fish school icons. A single or triple-direction fishfinder image can be displayed. The triple beam display helps you understand the depth of fish and seabed condition in each direction, as well as the direction target fish are moving. Side scan clearly displays the shape of structure to port and starboard as a high definition image.
WWW.FURUNO.COM STANDARD HORIZON EXPLORER GX1700 GPS VHF RADIO The GX1700 makes DSC easy. With an internal 12 Channel GPS built into the front panel, there is no need to hassle with wiring the radio to a GPS for DSC. Out of the box and ready to go, DSC calling, position sharing, waypoint navigation and navigation to DSC distress calls can all be performed with just a few simple steps. The Explorer GPS VHF radio has a compact rear case of only 3.5 inches. The Built-In WAAS GPS receiver and antenna give flexibility to flush mount the radio in tight areas. The GX1700 is capable of entering and saving up to 100 waypoints, which may be navigated to by using a unique navigation compass display that shows bearing and distance to the waypoint. GX1700 is an ITU-R M493 Class D class VHF with a separate Channel 70 receiver, which allows DSC calls to be received even when listening to communications. The DSC DISTRESS function transmits a digital MAYDAY including vessel identification, latitude/longitude and time, to facilitate prompt response. Other features include a big, bold display; RAM3+ remote mic capability, easy position sharing, Clearvoice noise reduction technology, programmable channel names, NOAA Weather channels and Weather Alert. And it’s all backed by a 3-year waterproof warranty.
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Product Review ACR ELECTRONICS RESQLINK PLB
At 4.6 ounces, the ResQLink distress beacon weighs less than a couple of energy bars, and it’s smaller than the cell phone in your pocket. Small and mighty, the ResQLink PLB is a full-powered, GPS-enabled rescue beacon designed for anglers, pilots and backcountry sportsmen. With three levels of integrated signal technology—GPS positioning, a powerful 406 MHz signal, and 121.5 MHz homing capability—the ResQLink PLB quickly and accurately relays your position to a worldwide network of search and rescue satellites. A built-in strobe light provides visibility during night rescues. Even in extreme conditions and situations, the ResQLink activates easily. With its powerful 66-channel GPS, the ResQLink guides rescuers to within 100 meters of your position. And, in the continental U.S., search and rescue personnel are typically alerted in as little as five minutes. Other features include: no subscription fees, self-test and GPS-test features and typical performance 30 hours. If you have to use your ResQLink PLB, ACR will replace it free of charge.
WWW.ACRARTEX.COM
JL AUDIO MEDIAMASTER 100S BLACK EDITION The MM100s-BE is hitting the market just in time for summer. This latest Black Edition of JL Audio’s MediaMaster was introduced with an updated user interface that offers enhanced volume control flexibility and four fully variable zones, each with independent feature/control options; Volume, Tone, and Naming. NMEA 2000 interconnectivity is built into it and equipped with a NMEA2K Connector to integrate into existing networks, enabling MFD control functionality with Lowrance, Simrad and Garmin. Designed for today’s modern media environment, the MM100s-BE features a Digital AM/FM/Weather Band Tuner, Bluetooth connectivity, separate line level AUX and USB/iPhone inputs, and it’s SiriusXM-Ready. Available with an optional MMR-20BE Wired Remote. The MM100s-BE is a premium, single-chassis source unit with superb audio performance, excellent ergonomics and advanced audio features, specifically designed for marine applications. Check it out at http://www.jlaudio.com/. Available at HIGH TECH MARINE in Hialeah, Fla. 305-883-9700.
WWW.HIGHTECHMARINE.COM ANGLER’S PAL ELECTRONICS MOUNTS AND TROLLING MOTOR STABILIZERS
Boaters and anglers invest a small fortune in their equipment. Fishermen, for example, know that quality sonar, GPS, chart plotters and electric motors are vital tools that enhance their experience. For that reason, MarineTech Products, manufactures the Angler’s Pal line of electronics mounts and trolling motor stabilizers. Angler’s Pal mounts are designed to withstand the harsh marine environment and provide rock solid stability with minimal space requirements. The patented universal Ball Locking Device provides 360-degree adjustability and the strength to support the heaviest equipment without “drift.” The Angler’s Pal Trolling Motor Mounts feature a unique rubber lock-down strap that protects your trolling motor from accidental deployment or excessive vibration that can damage the shaft. Overall length: 10” and now THE NEW 14” model for longer shafts and deeper gunnels. They are made of corrosion-resistant stainless steel and hardanodized aluminum for fresh and saltwater use. They are available in a variety of lengths, and all Angler’s Pal mounts can be easily removed for storage. Angler’s Pal also manufactures 700 and 800 Series Rod Holders. For information, contact Marine Tech Products at 1 651-4862010.
WWW.ANGLERSPAL.COM
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BIG BEND : Mike McNamara • (850) 510-7919 • captmike@coastalanglermagazine.com BREVARD : David String • (321) 684-5888 • dstring@coastalanglermagazine.com DAYTONA/NEW SMYRNA BEACH : Don Meadows • (321) 436-5895 • donm@coastalanglermagazine.com FLORIDA KEYS : Cliff Lumpkin • (305) 849-9093 • cliff@coastalanglermagazine.com FORT LAUDERDALE : Gene Dyer • (954) 680-3900 • gene@coastalanglermagazine.com FORT MYERS : Nadeen Welch • (239) 595-8265 • nwelch@coastalanglermagazine.com GREATER MIAMI : Scott Deal • (561) 945-6999 • scott@coastalanglermagazine.com Monica Isaza-Deal • (561) 945-8899 • monica@coastalanglermagazine.com GREATER ORLANDO : Phillip & Giselle Wolf • (407) 790-9515 • phillip@coastalanglermagazine.com LAKELAND & SUMTER : Mary Brasher • (352) 598-4219 • maryf@coastalanglermagazine.com NAPLES : Mike Weber • (414) 531-4172 • mikew@coastalanglermagazine.com NC FLORIDA/NATURE COAST : Cary & Lynn Crutchfield • (352) 372-4237 • crutch@coastalanglermagazine.com NE FLORIDA : Danny Patrick • (904) 742-4696 • danny@coastalanglermagazine.com PANAMA CITY/FORGOTTEN COAST : Randy Cnota • (229) 834-7880 • randyc@coastalanglermagazine.com PALM BEACH COUNTY : Barbara Ryan • (561) 373-8040 • barbara@coastalanglermagazine.com SARASOTA : Phil Prevoir • (239) 257-4684 • pprevoir@coastalanglermagazine.com TAMPA BAY : Chuck Atkins • (239) 464-5153 • chuck@coastalanglermagazine.com TREASURE COAST : Misti & Gary Guertin • (772) 285-6850 • treasurecoast@coastalanglermagazine.com flahama@coastalanglermagazine.com
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ATLANTA/SW GEORGIA : Bob & Brenda Rice • (706) 614-8231 • bobr@theanglermagazine.com CHARLESTON/COLUMBIA : Eddie Hardgrove • (910) 264-5487 • eddie@coastalanglermagazine.com MYRTLE BEACH : Kenneth & Ana Moore • (843) 446-5777 • kenmoore@coastalanglermagazine.com TIDEWATER/OUTER BANKS : John Tiger • (757) 707-9654 • john.tiger@coastalanglermagazine.com Laura Seitz • (757) 707-9655 • laura@coastalanglermagazine.com SE & COASTAL GEORGIA : Tony Martin • (912) 269-9679 • tony@coastalanglermagazine.com Travis Harper • (912) 266-1430• travis@coastalanglermagazine.com UPSTATE SOUTH CAROLINA : Gregg Thompson • (864) 542-3112 • gregg@theanglermagazine.com WESTERN NC : Debra & Joe Woody • (828) 775-9663 • woody@theanglermagazine.com WILMINGTON/MOREHEAD : Kenny Ritter • (910) 550-9094 • woody@theanglermagazine.com
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INTERNATIONAL BAHAMAS : Misti & Gary Guertin • (772) 285-6850 • treasurecoast@coastalanglermagazine.com flahama@coastalanglermagazine.com PUERTO RICO/VIRGIN ISLANDS : Ace Bassue • (407) 285-9453 • ace@coastalanglermagazine.com © 2017. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. Disclaimer: Coastal Angler Magazine / The Angler Magazine will not be held liable for injuries incurred while partaking in activities described herein, or for claims made against products or services provided by advertisers.
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Garmin Introduces
W
hether it’s by land, air or sea, Garmin has made a name for itself as the industry leader in navigational electronics. Its popular and varied GPSMAP product line offers the perfect tool for anyone who needs to know where they’re going. In November, Garmin brought powerful new tools to the realm of marine electronics with the introduction of several new networking chartplotters and combination models to the GPSMAP line. Unveiled at the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show, these units lured in boaters and anglers with high-end features at a more than reasonable price point. “These new GPSMAPs are designed for the budget-conscious customer who desires premium features typically found only in a higher-end product,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin vice president of worldwide sales. “We’ve packed these plotters with industry-leading features, builtin conveniences, and we’ve added two new screen sizes to our lineup—a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12-inch keyed—to offer something for every boater.” Ranging in size from 7- to 12-inches, these new plotters are available with and without built-in sonar.
gration, and a 10Hz GPS/GLONASS receiver for smooth on-screen navigation. These compact plotters offer full-network compatibility for the Garmin Marine Network, which allows support for sharing sonar, maps, user data, radar, IP cameras and Panoptix all-seeing sonar among multiple units. Plus, there’s NMEA 2000 and NMEA 0183 support for autopilots, digital switching, weather, VHF, AIS and other sensors. Anglers, cruisers and sailors alike will benefit from the xs series that comes equipped with built-in 1kW traditional CHIRP sonar and CHIRP ClearVü scanning sonar capability for a near-picture quality view of what’s beneath the boat. Preloaded premium mapping features can be found on the GPSMAP 742/742xs and the GPSMAP 942/942xs, including both BlueChart g2 HD charts for the U.S., Canada and Bahamas and LakeVü HD maps. The GPSMAP 722/722xs and GPSMAP 922/922xs come preloaded with a worldwide basemap for general reference with support for optional mapping available at garmin.com.
GPSMAP 7x2/9x2 and GPSMAP 7x2xs/9x2xs Touchscreen Series
GPSMAP 10x2xsv/12x2xsv and GPSMAP 10x2/12x2 and Keyed Series
The GPSMAP 7x2/9x2 series plotters are 7- and 9-inch sunlight-readable touchscreen chartplotters perfect for any boater. The xs series offers the perfect solution for anglers with chartplotter/sonar combination units. These compact and powerful units are exactly what’s needed when functionality is essential and cockpit or deck space is at a premium. Building on the popularity of the 7-inch touchscreen Garmin pioneered in 2010, this series introduces a 9-inch touchscreen to the Garmin line. Both serve customers who value screen size as a compelling option. They feature builtin wireless connectivity for Garmin mobile apps and VIRB action camera inte10
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For those who prefer using a keypad, the all-in-one solutions offered by the new 10-inch GPSMAP 10x2xsv and the 12-inch GPSMAP 12xsv can’t be beat. With an all-new industrial design, these combos feature a large, sunlight-readable screen coupled with a keypad interface and new multifunction rotary control knob that offers precise, simple control for easy menu navigation and setting control, even in rough water. These units also offer four user-programmable hot keys for one-touch access to favorite features and functions. In addition to GPS and connectivity features also found in the GPSMAP 7x2/9x2xs series, the GPSMAP 10x2xsv and GPSMAP 12x2xsv also offer impressive sonar capabilities with built-in
CHIRP sonar, CHIRP ClearVü and CHIRP SideVü as well as support for Panoptix all-seeing sonar. Other premium Garmin sonar modules are also available, including two new CHIRP transducer options–the GT8HW-IH and GT15MTM. The GPSMAP 1042xs/1242xs come preloaded with BlueChart g2 coastal charts and U.S. LakeVü HD, while the GPSMAP 1022xs/1222xs offer a worldwide basemap. Two non-sonar versions, the GPSMAP 1022 and GPSMAP 1222 are also available with a preloaded worldwide basemap.
Advanced Features For Sailors
Premium sailing features have also been integrated into both new series, offering laylines, tidal information, enhanced wind rose, a current slider and other elements that prove beneficial to sailors. All new models also offer integrated ANT support for use with the quatix 3 marine smartwatch, the Garmin Nautix in-view display, gWind Wireless 2 transducer, GNX Wind marine instrument and wireless remote controls. Additionally, all sonar-enabled models feature built-in Quickdraw Contours software, a free, easy-to-use tool that lets mariners instantly create personalized HD maps with 1-foot contours on any body of water.
An Attractive Price Point
The GPSMAP 7x2/9x2 and xs series will range from $799.99 to $1299.99, while the GPSMAP 10x2/12x2xsv and non-xsv series will be priced from $1699.99 to $2999.99. This is exceptionally affordable pricing for top-quality electronics with so many sophisticated yet easy-to-use features. What more could you expect from Garmin, the company that was recently named Manufacturer of the Year for the second year in a row by the National Marine Electronics Association. For a full list of features and more information, visit garmin.com/newmarine.
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Adjustable cap with brim UV-blocking polarized sunglasses
F
Photo courtesy of Controlled Descent Lures
or nearly a century, Eagle Claw has provided premium hooks for all kinds of anglers using American steel and designing and manufacturing them right here in the U.S.A. Founded in 1925 in Denver, Colo., Eagle Claw is extremely proud of its long history of American-made fish hooks. And it is also proud of the high-quality product it produces. Trokar Eagle Claw’s Trokar hooks offer a competitive advantage for serious saltwater competitors. These premium quality hooks offer a faster, deeper, surer point penetration that requires half the pressure of the competition. Manufactured using cold forged high-carbon American-Made steel, they offer better durability and stronger holds for hard-fighting, big-game species. Trokar hooks are surgically sharpened, and their triple-sided points are regarded as the most innovative, sharpest, and most durable on the market today. The Platinum Black finish is designed to withstand repeated use in saltwater and harsh marine conditions. There are more than 20 models of Trokar hooks available for fresh and saltwater. A highlight of the Trokar saltwater line is the TK197 Primal Circle Hook, which is an awesome all-purpose bait hook with an offset, light-wire design. Made of high-carbon steel wire for strength and durability, this hook has a highly durable point and a salt-resistant coating. It offers stronger hold for battling fast and hard-fighting big game fish, and it is a dream come true for serious competition anglers who fish for serious saltwater species. Lazer Sharp Eagle Claw’s Lazer Sharp hooks are designed to be “Sharper, Stronger, Longer,” which means the patented Lazer Sharp needlepoint and forged technology ensures a sharper, stronger, longer hold than the leading competition. Lazer Sharp hooks feature uniquely blended coatings—Sea Guard, Platinum Black and Nickel— which are designed to be more durable and abrasion resistant after repeated use in saltwater. There are more than 30 Lazer Sharp saltwater models available. The L2004EL has become a staple on the boats of big-time billfish anglers. They are approved by the Billfish Foundation for tournament use, and were the original and once the only tournament-approved circle sea hook. The design of this non-offset, circle sea, with a wide gap, light wire and a forged point, results in more solid hook-ups and a much higher rate of fish hooked in the corner of the mouth, which equates to fewer escaping fish as well as less-stressful releases. To this day, the L2004EL is still the single best option for pro and amateur billfish tournament anglers looking for proven performance stemming from a decade of making champions out of competitors. Eagle Claw Fishing Tackle, Co. is an American-based company that has been designing and manufacturing innovative, high-quality fishhooks and fishing equipment for more than 90 years. Its family of brands includes Eagle Claw, Lazer Sharp, TroKar, Wright & McGill and Shappell. For more information about Eagle Claw Fishing Tackle Co. and its family of brands, visit www.eagleclaw.com, find them on Facebook at facebook. com/eagleclaw/, facebook.com/TroKarHooks/ and facebook. com/shappellcorp/ or call 720-941-8700.
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ON THE COVER Editor’s Note:
Each month, Coastal Angler Magazine and The Angler Magazine staff search our vast coverage area for photos that will grace our covers. With well over a million readers in diverse coastal and inland markets, our magazines strive for broad national appeal as well as local-level intelligence to put anglers on fish. The cover is different depending on which edition you, the reader, are holding. The following is a little information about this month’s covers.
COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE Costa Rica Sailfish
FREE
The great shot of a Pacific sailfish that graces Pacific Sails the covers of this month’s Coastal Angler In Costa Rica Electronics Edition editions comes from Costa Rica Pro Staff member Francisco Mejias. Francisco is one of the great captains who provide monthly Striped Bass forecasts for our local Costa Rica edition, Are Running Local and he captures some stunning photography as well. Knowing one’s way around a camera is important for getting cover-worthy shots. And it definitely doesn’t hurt to have a target-rich environment like Costa Rica’s beautiful Pacific coast to snap photos of trophy fish. Inside this month’s magazine, Francisco and several other Costa Rica Pro Staff members came together to share the Pacific sailfish experience with our readers. From smaller boats, they pull spreads for sails that can top 200 pounds. The techniques and tools for catching and releasing them safely are laid out in the article, and they are techniques honed by the knowledge that can be gathered during 50-sailfish days. No kidding. The fishing down there can be that good. Fishing Reports Catch Photos News & Events
PHOTO COURTESY OF FRANCISCO MEJIAS, VOLUME 22 • ISSUE 267
COSTA RICA PROSTAFF
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THE ANGLER MAGAZINE Hudson River Striped Bass
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All over the country, wherever striped bass Striped Bass live, spring incites migrations of these bruisers Are Running up the rivers to spawn. This is the time of year when very large fish can be caught in skinny water. In the Southeast, runs of landlocked Electronics stripes can be roughly timed by the blooming Edition Local of the dogwoods. In the Northeast, anglers Picky-Trout Tactics await the arrival of the Alewives. Dave Maneri, of Tivoli, N.Y., caught the big striper on the covers of this month’s The Angler editions. His buddy Paul Hughes Jr. snapped the photo while they were fishing the striped bass run on the Hudson River, which feeds the Atlantic Ocean at New York City. It was an epic day for the two anglers. They caught multiple fish, including the cover fish and another one about the same size, which Paul is holding in the photo that appears with the article. In that article, Dave tells us all about the Hudson River striped bass run and how he goes about catching big stripers from the shore as well as from a boat. The uninformed might assume there’s no fishing to be done in such close proximity to one of the biggest and busiest cities in the world. But striped bass and baitfish still run up the Hudson each year to spawn, just like they have since time immemorial. Fishing Reports Catch Photos News & Events
PHOTO COURTESY OF PAUL HUGHES JR. VOLUME 22 • ISSUE 267
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By Pro Staff Costa Rica • Photos by Francisco Mejias
T
he Pacific sailfish is one of the most sought after offshore game fish in Costa Rica. Growing larger than their Atlantic
counterpart, sailfish in Costa Rica average 60 to 80 pounds, but big ones can surpass 200 pounds! They are migratory, with the main concentration of fish arriving in our area of the Central Pacific as the dry season sets in the end of December. They move away as the wet season kicks in during early May. Even though this is the main migration, there are always sailfish present in our waters year round. We fish from smaller boats, so we use the traditional five-rod setup. A combination of natural baits and lures are used, and our main baits are ballyhoo. Our lures of choice are the Magna series from Santos. Variations of pink, lumo and blue combined with a Trokar hook are deadly combinations. If the bite is slow, we often sew a belly flap or strip bait into the lures for a more enticing bait. On the outriggers, we use teasers. A squid chain in pink on one side and a bigger lure like a Santos Carolina Seastalker on the other is a good start. The shotgun gets a Santos lure as well as the long rigger. The short rigger and the two corners are set up with naked swimming ballyhoos on Trokar 7/0 circle hooks. It is also handy to have a mullet, horse ballyhoo or tuna
rigged and ready to go as a pitch bait in case a marlin decides to crash the party. Once the fish is caught it is time for a few photos. This is a critical part of the process, as it involves fish handling. Even though some boats still bring up a sailfish for a photo, it is highly recommended to not do so, as it can be extremely harmful to the fish. It is the process of pulling the fish over the rail of the boat that causes problems. The protective mucus covering is scraped off, leaving an area of skin exposed to bacterial and fungal attack. This can result in death of the fish at a later time. Leave the fish in the water, and with a good pair of AFTCO gloves, grab the outer part of the bill and push the fish as far out from the boat as possible. Keep the head of the fish in the water as much as possible, and lift it briefly for a good photo. Take the shot from the tail end of the fish looking forward or from above if possible. Alternatively, grab the front part of the sail, pull it up and hold the bill with your other hand. Make sure the bill is always pointing away from you and not at you. Take the photo from the front of the fish. If you have never been to Costa Rica fishing, it is definitely worth it and you will be hooked! Pro Staff Costa Rica provides monthly reports for Coastal Angler Magazine’s Costa Rica edition. Search out Pro Staff Costa Rica on Facebook for more great photography, videos and fishing content.
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Spring Striped Bass Run The Hudson River By Nick Carter
E
ach spring, through the Hudson River’s mouth at bustling New York Harbor, a massive spawning migration of Atlantic stripers pushes some 150 miles upstream to the Federal Dam at Troy, N.Y. In this long stretch of tidally influenced river, striped bass show up when water temps reach the 60s. Dave Maneri, of Tivoli, N.Y., said the trick is to keep up with the migration and put yourself in the right place at the right time to intercept pods of transient stripers. “They move in big schools,” Maneri said. “Some days they’re there and you can catch them; other days they’re not. You gotta stay on the reports. They’re running the whole river, so you could travel to where the fish are or wait until they’re where you are.” Smaller schoolie striped bass show up first. They come with the spawning alewives, which are baitfish commonly called herring. Schoolies remain in the river for a couple months some years, and there’s also a year-round resident population. But Maneri said the big cows remain only for a week or two each season. They are always on the move, and connecting with them can lead to unbelievable action with big fish measuring past the 40-inch mark with weights heavier than 30 pounds. Fishing bait is generally the most productive tactic. The best bait is herring pulled right out of the river, either live or chunked. Most locals use a scap net to catch herring. A scap net is essentially a 4’x4’ dip net. The schooling herring will follow a swimbait right up to the net where they are captured. Maneri fishes his herring off the bottom using medium and medium-heavy rods with baitrunner-style reels that allow fish to run with the bait on free spool before the angler strikes to set the hook and engage the drag. He employs a main line of 30-pound braid with a 1 ½-foot leader of 15- to 20-pound fluorocarbon. A 7/0 Gamakatsu Octopus should be hooked through the bait’s mouth, and the whole rig is kept down with a 2- or 3-ounce slide swivel teardrop sinker. Maneri said stripers don’t relate to any kind of structure on their spawning run, so the good spots are the drop offs, channels and shallows where baitfish might be funneled. Obviously, a boat gives anglers the ability to move and seek out fish. But fishing from shore is also productive. When he fishes from the shore, Maneri uses rod holders made from PVC pipe and rebar. They can be wedged into rip-rap to free up the angler while waiting on a bite. And the bite can be a tricky thing. Maneri said these stripers have a knack for spitting the bait. One thing is for sure, though; when the hook sets solid and the drag is engaged, a big striped bass in heavy current is a formidable opponent. Dave Maneri is a team member of Catskill Outdoors. Look them up on Facebook.
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Tips For Catching Picky Trout
By Charlie Warfield • Photo by John Winkler, redhouseflyfishing.com
T
he upper end of the Delaware River, and more specifically the West Branch of the Delaware in the Catskill Mountains, is a favorite of many fly anglers in Pennsylvania and Upstate New York. It can also be frustrating place, as it holds some very picky trout. The river has a reputation for crystal clear water, and because it is a bottom-release tailwater, it has a very consistent temperature, which makes for great hatches and healthy fish year round. It is known for being very technical, and this is just a nice way of saying it will sometimes make you want to pull your hair out. The first time I fished it, I was tested, even frustrated by this beautiful waterway. But besides the beautiful mountain setting and endless hatches, it is in part the challenge that drove me to go back time after time. I persisted and figured out ways of tricking the beautiful native fish. I learned lessons there that have made me a better angler. The following are some insights that will give you a leg up when you go fish the Delaware or any other technical stream. Downstream Presentation: Many anglers learned to cast upstream and let the fly drift down. But when fishing for spooky or educated fish, this method can sometimes leave you frustrated. It’s harder to get a good, long drift with a downstream presentation, but many times it is your best bet. Next time you’re having a hard time getting a take, cast out at about 90 degrees to the bank, and quickly give an upstream mend, this will help you keep a drag free drift for as long as possible. Keep mending as often as needed, letting the fly swing to its full downstream position. Sweep-Style Hook Set: The downstream presentation should be matched with a sweep-style hook set. To use this technique, swing the rod downstream and strip the line at the same time, this will pull the line through the water, creating tension and giving a good hook set. By swinging the rod downstream, you are also pulling the hook into the corner of the fish’s mouth rather than pulling it up and away from the fish. Slow Down Your Hook Set: Ok, we have all done it before. It’s a tough day on the water and all of the sudden you get a strike, BAM you set the hook… and nothing. I have heard people say things like, “Next time, set the hook faster.” But most of the time the opposite is true. A good technique is to wait one second and then give the rod a gentle lift or sweep. Match the Hatch: Picky fish know what they want to eat. There can be significant variation in color, size and body shape in the same species of fly from region to region, and there are many subspecies for each type of fly we fish. So do your homework. I suggest hiring a local guide or at least stopping in at the local fly shop. It is good to support the community, and you can never beat local knowledge.
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Lousiana Seeks Control Of Red Snapper Fishery
Photo courtesy of Capt. Greg Rapp
T
he Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) had a motion passed at the recent meeting of the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (GMFMC) that could eventually allow Louisiana and possibly other states the ability to manage the recreational red snapper fishery in federal waters in addition to state waters.
C O N T R O L
“This motion is a victory for all anglers fishing from Louisiana ports. If this amendment is approved, federal waters will no longer be off limits for large portions of the season,” said Jack Montoucet, Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. “The motion is in keeping with Gov. John Bel Edwards’ long-held support of state management of red snapper for the recreational angling community. “LA Creel is an integral part of our scientific data collection program and the cornerstone for passage of this motion,” Montoucet said. “Louisiana anglers will be rewarded for their efforts in making LA Creel one of the best data collection programs in the country.” LA Creel is the harvest data program designed and implemented by LDWF to closely track the amount of fish caught by recreational anglers in Louisiana. It has been widely recognized by other states and the National Marine Fisheries Service as the best in the Gulf and enables LDWF to manage fishing seasons in near real time. The Gulf Council passed by an 11-5 vote the motion to begin the amendment to allow Louisiana the new powers at its April 6 meeting in Birmingham, Ala. The Gulf Council will deliberate on the new amendment over the next year to refine the “Louisiana only” plan. Under this amendment, Louisiana would act as pilot for the other Gulf states. The amendment would only allow Louisiana control of the recreational red snapper fishery in federal waters adjacent to the state for three years (2019 through 2021). If the pilot is successful, a similar program could be implemented Gulfwide. This action includes both the private angling and for-hire components of the recreational fishery. The LDWF thanks the private anglers and for-hire fishermen who have taken the time to express their opinions at the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council and Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission meetings. For more information, visit us at www.wlf.la.gov.
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Website: www.coastalanglermag.com/galveston/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CoastalAnglerMagazineTexas/
May is National Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motorcycles account for just 3% of all registered vehicles in the United States, yet motorcyclists account for 14% of all traffic fatalities. Looking at accident rates per vehicle mile travelled, NHTSA estimates motorcyclists are 30 times more likely than car passengers to die in a crash and five times more likely to be injured. Many of those deaths could have been prevented if motorists were more mindful of safety. For our cyclists, please make sure you have taken a Motorcycle Safety Course and for our motorists, please make sure you watch the roads closely. Everyone please stay safe while traveling the roads each day. May is also National BBQ Month. The origins of American BBQ date back to colonial times, with the first recorded mention in 1672. The core region for BBQ is the southeastern region of the United States. BBQ is strongly associated with Southern cooking and culture due to its long history and evolution in the region. As it has emerged through the years many distinct traditions have become prevalent in the United States. While the wide variety of BBQ styles makes it difficult to break down into regions, there are four major styles commonly referenced: Carolina, Memphis, Kansas City and Texas. There are hundreds of BBQ competitions across the region every year, from small local affairs to large festivals that draw from all over the region. Our own Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo BBQ championship is one of the largest in the United States. BBQ Month encourages you to take advantage of the sunny weather and to go outside and get cooking on the open grill. So, take advantage of our great Texas weather and get cooking on those open grills and check out Wild Bill at www.texasselectseasonings.com for National award winning BBQ rubs and seasonings. BELOW ARE JUST A FEW OF THE FISHING TOURNAMENTS HAPPENING IN THE MONTH OF MAY: Date Tournament Website For Information 5/6/17 Broads with Rods Fishing Tournament www.broadswithrodsfishingtournaments.com 5/13/17 Saltwater Survival Series www.ssskayaktournament.com 5/13/17 Freeport Take-A-Child Fishing www.portfreeport.com 5/20/17 Texas Coastal Fishers of Men www.texascoastalfishersofmen.com 5/20/17 Ft. Bend Boots & Buckles on the Bay www.fortbendcountyfair.com 5/27 CCA Texas Star Tournament begins www.startournament.org 5/31 First Responders Fishing Tournament www.firstrespondersfishingtournament.com As always we would like to thank our pro writer’s who take their time to offer up expert fishing tips: Cassie Willis, Craig Lambert, Jeffrey Acosta, Galveston Bay Foundation, Dean Muckleroy, Mark Franklin, Mark Talasek, Tobin Strickland, Mike Meza, Michael ‘Sharky’ Marquez and Brian Joseph Spencer. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank our advertisers: Hook Spit, Serious Tackle, Bacliff Builders Supply (Ace Harware), OJ’s Marine, Avid Anglers Jewelry Design, Fisherman’s Motel, Tran Sport Boats Inc, Gulf Coast Palapas, Cowboy’s Wild Game Washer, Spotless Services, Advanced Marine Service, LLC, Blackburn Marine, SafeFloor, JZ Rails, Gulf Coast Complete Marine and Ron Hoover RV & Marine Galveston. Without them, this magazine would not be possible. Remember to visit and shop with our advertisers and please make sure you ask for your Coastal Angler discount upon purchase. Read us online at www.coastalanglermag.com/galveston/. Click on our ‘advertiser’s ad’ and go directly to their web site. Tight lines, The Mowry Sisters – Chanci & Michelle We offer the best value for your budgeted advertising dollars. 1. Print 10,000 copies each month Conroe to Matagorda 320 pickup locations 2. Large Web presence 3. Active Facebook page 4. Local custom written fishing forecasts for each weekend. Can be sponsored!! 5. Custom distribution you can add or delete our 320 magazine pick up locations 6. Printed ‘Support our Community Business’ map featuring customer locations and contact information. 7. Rates starting at $49 per month 8. No contract just a 30 day written cancelation Contact David and Chanci Mowry Father and Daughter Team at 713.446.7395 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM MAY 2017 www.CoastalAnglerMag.com/Galveston
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WIND Cassie Willis WITH
W
hen it comes to fishing people think “WIND” but the wind is not always just blowing it helps the galvanize the fishery, especially if it is right after calm, warm weather. Undisturbed water can suffer from a lack of oxygen. Wind starting to beat on shorelines and structure, can inject oxygen into the water. Structures in the water can cause a disruption in the waves can bring up oxygen levels. And bringing up oxygen levels brings bait and the predators to the area. The wind blowing in the same direction against a shore line will push plankton and feed towards the shoreline. In which the oxygen levels in that area will increase. And the lack of oxygen in the water, comes with fish dying. Another factor with the wind that helps with fishing is the wind and wave break up the smooth surface and makes fish more less likely to be spooked by boat movement and wading. But waves hitting the boat when anchored can put off noise so be careful when positioning the boat. A strong long-lasting directional wind can create a current along shorelines, if hit at an angle. Also, it can be easy to over-estimate a current, a 30 mph wind might generate a .5 mph current, and a slower wind will generate a much slower current. Fish will almost always point their head into the current, and so you should cast into the wind and so your lure retrieve will be in the face of the fish. Usually, fish are hesitant to chase a lure which has come from behind it. Be sure to look for cuts, humps, points in water banks, with the current going over low water could be an area of high activity. Also, look for windy shorelines and if it looks like the current is running try to fish upwind. But you need to keep in touch with your lure on the retrieve, and a fast retrieve on a heavier lure. Wind makes baitfish
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more active, so select lures which imitate the baitfish. The wind will play a factor in the temperature of the water as well, so it might affect the depth of the water you need to be fishing in. Long directional wind can push warmer surface water downwind and will be replaced from upwind by colder deeper water. The downfall with wind comes more advisories in health and safety. And speaking for myself, I am horrible at getting windburn. It is merely the same thing. But the contributing, the cooling effects of the wind decrease the perception of heat and burning, meaning people are less likely to protect themselves against the sun, and most likely to stay exposed. If you plan on fishing or being on the water in high winds comes more safety precautions. Be sure your emergency equipment, anchor, life jackets are on the vessel and the motor is running well. Being safe on the water is number one and being ready for the wind and weather to change anytime. This is Texas and we all know how much the weather changes and so fast. Wind plays many factors on the water and fishing. So, good and some bad. But being cautious of your surrounds and weather is important. Good Luck Hunting Them Trophy’s and Safe Adventures, Cassie Willis, Pro Angler’
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4/17/17 6:54 PM
May is the Month to Fish
H
ello anglers, May is upon us and is one of favorite months to fish. We start that summer pattern where the winds finally lay down and we start to have a more consistent southerly blow. I’ll start fishing the harder sand bottoms targeting the tide runner trout over potholes and drop offs. The bait stands will start flying that yellow croaker flag, which gets my clients psyched for chasing big trout and summer is upon us. Tournament season gets going with one almost every weekend down here in south Texas, which are alot of fun especially the womens tournaments. That’s something I want to touch on for second. I spoke several people at the 42nd annual Houston Fishing that didn’t know about all the womens tournaments that are hosted down here on Aransas Bay. The biggest of course being the Babes on Bay out of Rockport/Fulton, last year having over 300 teams with more than 1000 lady anglers. There is also the Saltwater Sweeties put on by Rudy’s Redfish that is growing in popularity and the Babes on Baffin which is a CCA endorsed tournment that’s also a growing event. If you have never been to one of these events then you’re missing out! The ladies have alot fun with these events they come up with some crazy team names and funny costumes, that they win prizes for. If you intrested in these events but aren’t the greatest anglers, no worries. They have different categories; profesional guided artifical or bait, non professional guided artifcial or bait. So gals grab your friends, hire a guide or bring your son or husband and come and enjoy the many tournaments designed for y’all. Only one Y chromsone per boat. Tony Gonzalez | Rockport Fishing Report
FISHING REPORT
Lake Conroe
H
oly Crappie! Crappie are making a great comeback on Lake Conroe as the spawn is winding down and they fall into their post-spawn patterns. They can be found on brush piles from 5 to 25 feet in depth and caught with Minnows or any color jig. Large Bream can be caught along with the Crappie. Water temperature is over 70* and Shad are spawning on the bulkheads. Catfish are steady on baited holes but not exceptional, and can be caught at night or early in the morning as they feed on Shad on the bulkheads. Trophy Catfishing has been difficult as the water is warm and fish are spread out. Large Mouth Bass have been fairly good on everything from rattle traps to watermelon colored soft plastics in 2 to 10 feet of water, from bank lines out to the channel ledges or any kind of structure. CBradley Doyle, owner of Bradley’s Guide Service, Lake Conroe, Texas
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THE
MAY 2017
GALVESTON & UPPER COAST 3
4/17/17 6:54 PM
OUTDOORS REPORT
Port Aransas to Baffin Bay
W
ell it’s definitely been a warm winter. We all have our favorite spots which generally produce at the same time every year. I fish with clients from Port Aransas to Baffin Bay. I’ve noticed this year’s patterns here in the last couple months to be about five weeks early. They will level out at the end of the summer and when we commend to fall. But with the warmer winter everything has been activated faster. We also won’t be getting very many foggy mornings with that amazing top water bite because the water temperature just never came down enough. In Baffin Bay this year the good fishing has been more at the mouth of the bay at spots like The tire gauge bar, Point of rocks, The meadows, The Badlands and Peniscal point. The top water bite seems to be over by 8:30 am unless you can get a very overcast day. I’ve been having a ton of success on the new Homerecker soft plastics. The most effective colors have been sunrise slam, root beer, Mayham mullet, Captain Javi’s chicken off the chain and ignite bite. I like to keep my bait moving in the strike zone so I throw either a 1/16oz or 1/8 oz Hellrazor jighead. When fishing in Baffin I only throw 12lb test mono. People always ask me why. The simple answer is if there’s fish on rocks we will get hung up and we will break off but we will not walk through the fish to get your lure off. It is much easier just to break off your jighead and Retie another one on then if you were fishing braid and you break off you have to try another leader line on and then another jig head which means less time with your Lures in the water and less opportunity of catching fish. The other thing is most people have to drag sent way too tight for trophy trout. I keep mine set loose enough for 20 each trout to take drag. These fish
4 GALVESTON & UPPER COAST
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mouths are very soft. If you keep setting the hook or high-sticking that fish you will pull the hooks or will just slip out of the hole that’s Michael Zwick and Jeff with a few solid of the fish been made. they caught. The first thing I tell my clients before they even make their first cast is if you set the hook in your rod is to the left keep it to the left until you land that fish if you switch over to the right that hook will roll and 50% of the time it will roll out. Just of adjust your body and keep the fish in from your chest at all times. The worst is when clients loose big fish right in front of them. If that fish stops and your rod is not loaded the hooks will come out when you get that fish close enough and she’s no longer moving and you feel The rod not flexing as much spin in a circle to the same side did you set the hook on and continue to spin in a circle until you land that fish that will keep your rod loaded and the hook snug. Lastly never ever ever ever grab the line and try and net or boga that fish. These trout are big and beautiful creatures and are the backbone of our bay Cade Tremble with his first systems Fishery. Please David Ramos with a flounder and sheepshead. 8.6lb slot red. practice catch photo and release(CPR) on big trout. The fishing in Aransas Pass has been great for redfish and box trout. In spots such as Brian in root flats, Steadmans island, hog Island and the Lydian lakes. In the spots you can never go wrong Diane Alexander with a stud redfish. with Berkeley go under a popping cork. Very effective way of fishing for redfish. Nueces Bay has been hit or miss simply because of the weather that bays water on windy days turns to chocolate milk very quick. But on the days that the clarity has been there it has been very productive. I’d start out by fishing along the Portland causeway on the reefs they’ve been holding trout and redfish then head over to the new spoil islands that they have made the redfish seem to really like pushing the bait along there. We have lost way too many good people and good fisherman to all of the Texas coast who are not wearing lifejackets. Please watch your weather your storm systems and your wind changes be safe on the water be courteous and always help each other out when in need. Let’s have a great spring and may you catch your personal best. Capt.Javi Castillo
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4/17/17 6:54 PM
G A LV E S T O N B AY F O U N D AT I O N : R
ain barrels are a low maintenance, low cost method for easily conserving water at home. They are placed at downspouts to divert rainwater that would otherwise be directed to a storm drain. By reducing stormwater runoff, we can reduce the amount of bacteria that is being introduced into the water in our Bay, as well as into our beaches. The rain water collected in barrels is not for drinking, but can be used for watering a garden or houseplants, washing a car, and much more. Not to mention, they are great fun to decorate. Galveston Bay Foundation is now in the fourth year of its Rain Barrel Program and hosts workshops where attendants can learn all about the benefits of rain barrels and purchase a rain barrel and connector kit for $35. Our next workshop is on May 20th in Nassau Bay. Visit www.galvbay.org/rainbarrel to register and view the full list of upcoming workshops. “Our entire family very much enjoyed the
Save water and money with a rain barrel!
workshop, and especially the decorating and installation of our first rain barrel,” said Barbara Smith of Houston. “We are using it to water our backyard garden, clean our patio and supply water for kids’ painting activities, kids’ pool water and the list goes on!” Additionally, rain barrels can also reduce flooding from heavy rain events. Each barrel can potentially save up to 1,050 gallons of water per year. If every single-family housing unit in Houston had one rain barrel, the total water conserved would fill the Astrodome from floor to ceiling three times over! Since the program’s establishment in 2013, Galveston Bay Foundation has distributed 1,528 barrels into the communities surrounding Houston, potentially conserving over 3.6 million gallons of water. If you would like to learn more about the rain barrel program, visit www.galvbay.org or contact Kaitlin Grable at kgrable@galvbay.org
GALVESTON BAY FOUNDATION’S
Bay Day Festival SATURDAY, MAY 13th at KEMAH BOARDWALK FREE EVENT!
CELEBRATE THE BAY WITH: ANIMALS HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES LIVE MUSIC GAMES EDUCATIONAL EXHIBITS FAMILY FUN
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4/17/17 6:55 PM
CHOOSING THE
RIGHT ROD
C
hoosing the right rod is one of the hardest decisions an angler makes. There are a few factors you need to consider before making your purchase, how often you fish, how serious are you, do you fish off a pier – boat – wade, and if you fish or plan on fishing in tournaments. A good rod may not instantly make you a better angler but a poor rod will be a limiting factor for any angler. Your rod is a tool, and a good craftsman will always do better work with a good tool. A good rod will allow you to feel much more of what’s going on with your lure. If you’re just starting out and want a good all-around type rod my suggestion would be to look at our 6’9” and 7’ medium or medium heavy casting RedTail Rods. Medium
and medium-heavy power rods will usually provide a little more casting distance and still provide adequate hook setting power. With this being said, the length will also affect the casting distance. Light power rods are normally flexible and used for tossing lures. Heavy power rods are used for popping corks/fishing with bait. Medium power rods are a bit stiffer and offer the angler a better stiffness to the rod for landing and catching medium size Trout, Flounder, and Red Drum. Heavy Action mean exactly that....heavy fishing for Bull Reds, Bone, Tarpin.... those fish will put a rod thru the test and a heavy action rod is required to haul’em in....not saying you can haul them in with a light weight rod. Fishing Rod Power is the amount of energy it can accumulate and give back. Also known as “Power Value” or “Rod Weight” usually shows you what types of fishing, species of fish, or size of fish a particular fishing pole may be best used for. Power simply describes the overall stiffness of a blank, and the blanks ability to react. They overall have their advantages and limitations, what I would recommend is go to your nearest fishing store and see which one feels right to you. Do your research prior to your purchase. I personally use RedTail Rod in the Medium 7’ and medium heavy 7’6” for fishing off the boat tossing anything and everything. When wade fishing I use Medium heavy 6’9” which help my accuracy or medium 7’ in the RedTail Rods. For more information on RedTail Rods you can visit them at www.redtailrods.com. If you guys are looking for a trip in the Houston/Galveston area feel free to contact me at www.fishinggalvestonbaytx.com or visit my FB Acosta’s Guide Service. Whichever direction you choose to go stay safe and remember there is no feeling of one like
Rippn Lipz n Bendingrodz.
REMEMBER TO SEND IN YOUR PICTURES FOR THE BRAG BOARD, SEE YOU ON THE WATER
F I S H I NG R EP O RT
Trinity Bay W
ell I can finally report fishing is picking up. I still haven’t been fishing open water very much thanks to the wind but numbers have been picking up and we are starting to catch bigger fish. Trinity Bay is still a little off color but loaded with bait, it should be kicking in soon. The back bays are still holding fish but as we head into a summer pattern they will be moving out. I have been using a new paddle tail, It’s a Down South Blue Moon and have I been pretty successful with it. Trout are eating a lot of glass minnows and it has a silver/purple hue to it. Red shad Bass Assassin paddle tails are also a good bet. Live shrimp under a popping cork has been the best by far. I have had the best success with a long leader 3 to 5 foot. East bay has been paying off on the reefs and wading shore lines. The top water bite has started. Live shrimp supply remains good although the shrimp are very large. The croaker bite hasn’t really started yet but most of the bait camps have them. Fishing should steadily improve providing we don’t get a flood again this year. I have openings if anyone wants to give it a shot. Hope to see you on the water.
Tight lines, Capt Dean Muckleroy | 281.660.4280 | www.trinitybaytxfishing.com Like us on facebook @ Muckleroys Guide Service 6 GALVESTON & UPPER COAST
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MAY 2017
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4/17/17 6:55 PM
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MAY 2017
GALVESTON & UPPER COAST 7
4/17/17 6:55 PM
O U T D O O R S M A N R E P O R T
GA
New Kayak
By
H
aving grown up along the Texas coast and spending the majority of my life fishing I have had a life time to learn and understand certain things that directly impact the fishing specifically around the Galveston bay complex. There are two major factors which a lot of fishermen seem to either completely overlook or only partially take into account and those factors are Tidal movement and wind. Most fishermen have a basic understanding of the tide and know fish in general head shallower and feed on a rising tide, and pull back out to deeper water as it falls. While most fisherman know that a tide is basically the movement of the water and that there are high and low tides and many of them believe that this is a rise and fall of the water in a horizontal fashion but it is in fact a vertical movement which is controlled by the earth’s gravity and the sun and position of the moon. It is important to understand that the tide is not the same as the current which can be caused by several factors and there is a very detailed science to this which is too much for an article such as this so I will cover the essentials related to the Galveston Bay complex. Galveston is a barrier island with only a few small openings into the bay systems that cause a restriction of water flow which results in the bays never having a fully high or low tide compared to the beach front. So onto the effects of tidal movement on fishing, the tide will force small fish and shrimp out of the back bays and marshes and the fish know this therefore when they feel certain changes they will go into a feeding mode. While both of the incoming and outgoing tides are good for fishing I prefer and outgoing tide for the best fishing. Now let’s break this down, say that a fisherman has been watching the tide charts and trying to determine a point where the fishing will be best to fish a marsh drain or an opening to a small back bay and on the tide chart has identified a time when the water will begin to dump out at 7 a.m. and slack tide or the lowest point will be at 12:00 noon he knows that he needs for this area can hold fish when the water drains out because it’s very shallow and the tide chart shows that the drop will be 8-10 inches but once he gets there he realizes that the water has only dropped a few inches and the reason for this is he was only checking the tidal movement and not taking into account the current which like I said before can be caused by several factors the most important being the wind. If he had also taken into account that the wind was blowing right out of the south and at 15-18 mph and had been for the past few days or so and as a result this had pushed massive amounts of water into the marshes and back bays, so in essence the wind was working against the tide and negated some of its movement so the current counter acted the tide. Along the Galveston coast I have learned one important thing about the wind and that is the light southeast wind is the best wind we can get since it brings in clean water and makes the fish happy. Whereas a southwest wind is considered by most to be the worst wind possible for fishing, my grandpa would not even go if the wind was out of the east any direction. A South wind can be ok for fishing depending if it’s leaning east or west and in our area the south wind has a tendency to lean to the west giving the same effect as a southwest wind. South winds will counteract tides and sometimes cause the tide to be more than 12 inches above normal and in this situation you can use a tidal correction table to adjust for tide movement where you are planning to fish. Once you break down the different elements to reading the tidal movement and the wind and you become more comfortable with understanding it you will in turn become more and more in tune with the areas that you fish. Martin Felts | www.swbkfc.com | 832-774-5576 8 GALVESTON & UPPER COAST
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MAY 2017
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4/17/17 6:55 PM
GALVESTON BAY FISHING REPORT By: Capt.Craig Lambert
T
ypically May is the beginning of some of the best fishing of the entire year. If I had to pick out the best months of the year to not only throw artificials but to catch numbers of solid speckled trout it would be from mid-May and well on in to June. On a typical year (nothing has been typical lately) the winds of spring calm down about mid-May and when that happens it just lights’em up! The waters turn “trout green” and the fish can be caught all over our entire bay system on open water reefs, along shorelines and do not forget the riprap (rocks). In years past this 3 to 4 week period has always been some of the “best fishing of the entire year.” Soft plastics will work best for numbers of fish but if you want action just
S
throw a topwater all day long. You will think you have died and gone to angling heaven! I like to concentrate my efforts from Dollar Point and the Texas City Dike area over to East Bay and also Lower Galveston Bay to West Bay. Structures like the Causeway bridge and railroad bridge can be quite effective in May for both the live baiter and hardcore artificial angler. Throwing lures around those pilings and rocks can have the potential to land a true trophy or even a state record one day. Easy access to the bridge makes it a popular spot and it can be especially crowded on the weekends . Look for bird activity to occur from Mid-day to late evening on most days in almost all of the bay systems. On average the fish are small but fishing around a swarm of diving seagulls will offer plenty of action and a good way to practice up on learning and gaining confidence in throwing artificials. Open water reefs and spoils along the channel are going to be your best areas for catching speckled trout. Look to the oyster reefs in East Bay if you want to chunk artificials but when fishing West Bay artificials seem to not work as well so I recommend using live croaker as bait when drifting for specks. Don’t ask me why, that is just the way it is for best results. The croaker bite is just beginning to kick in and plenty of action is what live croaker can produce. A 1/8th oz barrel weight above a swivel and an 18 inch leader of 30 lb test attached to a 5 or 6 ought Kahle hook and you are in business. In my opinion it is still too early for throwing these expensive baitfish. Live shrimp or artificials will catch just as many right now as live croakers. Come July ask me that same question and the answer will definitely be different. We have a great month ahead to look forward to so get off the computer and get on out there and make it happen. That fish of a lifetime is out there waiting for you right now. And don’t forget to always take a kid fishing! Capt. Craig Lambert | Galvestoninshorefishing.com | 832.338.4570
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MAY 2017
GALVESTON & UPPER COAST 9
4/17/17 6:55 PM
MATAGORDA OFFSHORE FISHING REPORT By: Capt Mark Holland
H
ello from Matagorda, Texas. Folks we are getting closer to the start of bluewater fishing time here on the Texas Coast. Since my last editorial, the National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration (NOAA) has made the determination that the Amberjack quota has been reached and the Gulf of Mexico Amberjack season closed on March 24, 2017. What that means is that the recreational harvest of greater amberjack will remain closed until January 1, 2018. NOAA fisheries is required to close the recreational sector for greater amberjack when the recreational annual catch target is reached, or is projected to be reached. The 1,255.600 pound whole weight recreational annual catch limit for 2016 was exceeded, requiring the 2017 annual catch limit and annual catch target to be reduced by the amount of the overage in 2016. Here is the problem, the folks in Florida are the ones who have been catching the gulf wide portion of the Amberjack quota because of the good weather and close proximity to the Amberjack waters. So we here in Texas are penalized because of the folks in Florida catching so many Amberjack. Isn’t that ridiculous? We need to split the Gulf of Mexico into 2 separate regions so it can be managed better. I can tell you, our area of the Gulf of Mexico has an abundant amount of Amberjack population. The offshore weather here in Texas has been horrible since Amberjack season opened January 1st, 2017 so Texans have not been able to catch many Amberjack at all. We made a trip offshore the weekend of April 8th. It was a short weather window, but this time of year we don’t have many opportunities to go offshore. Made our way out to some bottom area around 70 miles out to do some deep dropping in 1000 plus feet of water. Ended up with several Barrel fish, Tilefish and Hake. If you haven’t had the opportunity to eat Tilefish, you don’t know
10 GALVESTON & UPPER COAST
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B
what you’re missing. Deep dropping is gaining popularity because of the tighter regulations that the fisheries services has placed upon other fish Good news is that we seen several weed patches that were forming and also lots of scattered weeds. This maybe a good year for the weeds to return and bring in some mahi mahi. Speaking to other charter captains and word around the marina is that kingfish are starting to show up as well as ling. Hopefully the wind gods will decide to take it easy on us this season and we can all get out and enjoy the bluewater.
Captain Mark Holland Matagorda Sportfishing and Offshore Tackle www.matagordasportfishing.com
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4/17/17 6:55 PM
BRAG
Sponsored by
www.hookspit.com
BOARD Derrick Hayes personal best trout at Sylvan beach pier caught on a Livingston topwater lure. Ethan Garcia caught these nice sheepshead in Corpus Christi Tx.
John Touchet
CATCH of the
MONTH
The Haynes family had a good day putting Gabbi are her first Bull Red.
James Gautreaux landed this springtime treat of a Bull Redfish 4/7/2017. As a re gular at Galveston Surf, he thought this size of fish would be worth a mention, for loc al Surf Fisherman on our coast. Size 49” 35lbs pounds, Be st of all the fish was a Release, a thin g of beauty for another da y.
Catch of the Month receives a FREE $25 HOOK SPIT gift card. Send your catch pictures to chancim@coastalanglermagazine.com To redeem your ‘Catch of the Month’ Gift Card present this page at the Hook Spit store in League City COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
CAM_GALV_0517.indd 11
MAY 2017
GALVESTON & UPPER COAST 11
4/17/17 6:55 PM
Flounder Tips & Tactics I
M
By
think that the past two weeks have just been crazy. With winds blowing nonstop and changing directions every day it has made finding a good day to go out searching for flounder almost impossible. The days that actually turn out being nice have been the same times that I have prior engagements but I guess that is just how it works. At least on those few and far between days I still try and make time to go find me a few fish. I am really hoping that the tides will start to get better soon because a lot of my spots are completely exposed and where the flounder should be is dry ground. I went out earlier this week and found fish, even though I had to go to a few different areas before I found all of the right conditions. The flounder are now up in the flats and around spoils a bit better as of now but will only improve as the temperatures continue to rise and summer comes into full swing. I walked one of my spots where a nice channel, maybe ten feet deep runs in to a sand flat at the end and they were stacked up pretty good. The wind was blowing all of the bait towards the shoreline and that’s another thing I look for when fishing to try and eliminate extra walking. With bait and current comes flounder. As for rod and reel fishing the bite is getting hotter. It has continued to be a steady bite by most jetty formations that I have been around. They are Roger Campos and a buddy got these nice flounder tending to stay on in Corpus Christi Tx. the surf side or at least that is where I have been getting them, with the occasional fish on the channel side if current is in my favor. More of the fish are on the medium side at about seventeen to eighteen inches. I will always use my chickenboy lures or my thump kings on whatever size jig head that keeps me near the bottom. Colors vary depending on the water clarity but have yet to go wrong with chartreuse and black mamba. So go out there and get yourself some of the tastiest fish in the bay. In upcoming issues I will be sharing some awesome recipes for everyone. Just remember to always be safe while out on the water and don’t forget to tell someone where you are going. Tight lines and sharp gigs until next month, any questions feel free to email me or join Flounder Fanatics on Face Book. Thanks to all of my sponsors: Chickenboy lures, Salt Thugz Apparel, Fin Addict Angler, Stinkypantsfishing,com, Hookspit Rods, Redtail Republic, Thump Kings, Kelley Wigglers, Fishing Reactant Compound Brian Joseph Spencer Flounder Fanatics @ Facebook Flounderfanatics@gmail.com 12 GALVESTON & UPPER COAST
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MAY 2017
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
4/17/17 6:55 PM
MONSTA NEWS! By: Out Cast Charters
H
owdy!! It’s another beautiful month at Out Cast Charters out here in Galveston Bay! Thank you for your support and interest, and welcome to the family! The month of March has been great for Sheepshead-a.k.a. jetty snapper! We’ve been tearing them up at the North jetty and the inside of the South jetty with live shrimp. With the waters warming and the weather staying incredibly pleasant, jetty snapper, red drum, and black drum have been biting the most hitting every shrimp we’ve thrown in! Some of these drum are truly MONSTAS! Here are Told you the Jetty snapper some of the catches of the month! were biting! These are the biggest we’ve seen so far this year on our trips! Looking good in those MonstaFishin shirts guys!! Let us know what ya’ll are catching out there, tag us on Facebook and show us the love! If you like the shirts, check out the online store at http://www.monstafishin.com/! Out Cast Charters Family Questions, concerns, comments? Share so we know how to improve and give you the best experience and info out there at outcastfishincharters@gmail.com Here at Out Cast Charters, we love this time of year! The water is warming up and bringing in some of the bigger catches from the deep such as speckled trout, Spanish mackerel, jack creveles, toothy sharks, bull reds, and both black and red drums, like that MONSTA up there! We will still be seeing some flounder and jetty snapper, so don’t worry about missing your chance yet! For the most part, live shrimp on a treble will bring in most of these fish. Well, I mean to say they’ll bite on shrimp, it’s up to you to catch them!! And what better way to catch them with the tried and true Out Cast Charters with out monthly special!!
CURRENT SPECIAL Bullred & Bay Jetty Combo
$550 Half-day, $650 Full-day
BULLRED & BAY JETTY COMBO RECIPE OF THE MONTH! Lets keep the Recipe something simple this month. Lets say you come back in from your Bullred & Bay Jetty Combo trip and pretty tired from your full day of fun, but super hungry! Well you now have a freezer full of fish, so lets cook some of that up! This will work on a red fish, trout, or jetty snapper, whichever you’re feeling. You will need:
INGREDIENTS • fish on the half shell • butter • garlic • lemon • seasonings-personally I think a simple salt, pepper, and garlic powder work fine Lets get started!
• tortillas- corn are my favorite • diced up cabbage, can be bought in bags at any store • and a hot grill!
COOKING DIRECTIONS
First, wash the fish getting the meat down until its nice and white, don’t worry about scaling it any further but also make sure not to let the meat fall apart. Next has a few ways you can do it, so lets number it. 1) you can melt the butter, add the seasonings of your choice and diced garlic and drizzle it onto the fish, but leaving some to add while it is cooking on the grill 2) spread the butter-about a tablespoons worth- on each fillet and sprinkling the seasonings on after, this allows the butter to keep the seasonings on the fish better, and add some garlic on top to add some zest 3) depending on the thickness of the fillets, you can cut slits into the fish adding larger cuts of garlic and butter into the fish itself, and seasoning on top of that.
Targeting: If you want great eating fish, and also a fight that you will never forget, this is the trip for you. You will get the best of both worlds. We start out in the bay targeting good eating Flounder, Trout, Redfish, Spanish Mackerel, Jetty Snapper, and more; Then head out deeper waters for the MONSTER bullreds, sharks, etc for the remaining time. With this trip, you can get everything in the water in one day! This price is for 1-3 anglers, any additional angler is $50 per person up to 6 people. Book soon, the days are filling up fast! Check out our sight and sign up at http://www.outcastfishincharters.com/ or call us at 979-2481529!
Now that you have your fish prepared to your liking, throw the fillets on the grill you have heating up! How long you have the fish on depends on how thick the cuts are, so keep an eye on them. While they’re on, add the lemon- either squeezed or cut into slices and put on top of the fish while it’s cooking.
Now that you’ve booked your trip, you need to figure out how to cook your catches right? Well don’t worry, we can help with that
Thanks for tuning in this month! Keep those rods bent and be safe out there!
Jetty snapper will be flaky when they’re finished, trout and red fish will be as well, but not as flaky as jetty snapper. When the fillets are nice and finished, take them off and when they’re cool you’re ready to eat! Get your tortillas warmed up, put some cabbage on with some fish and you have quick and easy fish tacos!
This same recipe for the fish specifically does well with rice and green beans, so whichever you are in the mood for-or how hungry you areyou can enjoy your catch from the one and only Out Cast Charters!!
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TIME WELL SPENT By: Capt. Adam Jaynes
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know how much I enjoy getting to fish with my dad so when I get to charter father and son trips it is that much more enjoyable. Recently I had Will Jenkins and his son, Roy, out for a sightfishing trip for redfish in the marsh. Will has fished with me a couple times in the past but this was the first time I had the pleasure of meeting one of his sons. Roy is only ten years old but is already well on his way to becoming a heck of a fisherman and a fine young man. The wind was blowing a sustained 20-25mph easy with some pretty heavy gusts mixed in. Fortunately for me the 17’ Yellowfin skiff poles very well so poling in those winds was not as brutal as you would think. However, casting a fly in that wind is another story, especially when you are attempting to catch your first ever redfish on a fly! Roy reminded us early on in the trip what the day was really about, “we’re here to have fun!” He was absolutely right and we did just that. That one statement made the frustrations of casting into the wind seem very trivial in the grand scheme of things. Despite the howling winds the water clarity in the marsh has been holding up tremendously well. Ideal conditions for sight casting include clear skies and light winds, we had neither but still had a great number of shots at some really nice redfish. Landing just one redfish on a fly in the conditions we were faced with was a heck of an accomplishment however we were blessed with more than that. We also even broke a couple hooks on some larger redfish. Roy is still looking for his first ever redfish on a
fly rod but he did manage to land the largest redfish of the day with spinning gear. We did not weight the fish but snapped a few pictures prior to letting it go, a memory that will last a lifetime for sure. Roy, like his father realized last year, is now aware that you do not have to travel some great distance to sight fish in crystal clear water. It is right here in our own back yard. Our fishing will continue to get better in the marsh as we move along through spring and into summer. If you prefer to venture out into Sabine Lake and chase speckled trout that bite is currently in full force. We are catching the majority of our trout on Egret’s new Zombie Walker topwater and Heddon Super Spooks. If you can this summer try and get a kid hooked on fishing! Capt. Adam Jaynes | www.justfishsabine.com | 409-988-3901
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W H AT H A P P E N E D T O O U R F I S H ?
An educational series for Coastal Anglers
NOAA must change – corrupted “politics as usual” will destroy fishing
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OAA has initiated regional meetings to discuss recreational fishermen’s access to red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico. With NOAA’s management feeling pressured, meetings will likely be rolled out in multiple markets for other fish species. Thus, this example applies to all fisheries under their federal management. The meeting is a “dog and pony show” designed to demonstrate that NOAA is “soliciting public involvement” - sadly, it appears they actually are not. The invitees are selected and limited - a mixture of 20 to 25 people partisan and/or minimallyinformed participants. This mix helps NOAA’s leadership avoid being challenged (bad for their meeting minutes!) Such meetings are promoted to “understand the issues and perspectives of recreational fishermen” - but the invited guests are not all recreational fishermen (who NOAA claims they want to hear from). Invitees may include those fattening their wallets from the current corrupted system. And, sadly, the recreational fishermen invited are those less educated on the facts, figures, past and future proposals. Sounds fishy already, huh? NOAA begins public meetings by outlining the “problem” via their “fisheries stock assessment”. This is the foundation upon which the discussions proceed – which is also the basis of all the decisions they make (and have made for several years). The hypocrisy is that NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Services office (NMFS) has already testified before Congress that these stock assessment figures are inaccurate – in fact, NMFS testified that they do not even perform their stock assessment counts for reef fish, like the red snapper, on the reefs where they live!!!! They also fail to disclose that marine biologists report that NOAA’s stock assessments are off by as much as 400%! The second “convenience” for NOAA is the most self-serving. After promoting their admittedly inaccurate stock assessment figures, they tout that the expansion of the Gulf ’s red snapper fishery is solely attributable to their superlative management actions. We agree that a partial truth is hidden that statement; certainly, NOAA’s cutting the fishing season for recreational fishermen by 97% had an impact on the fish stocks. Taking away 97% of the access for recreational fishermen would have an impact. BUT . . . NOAA (conveniently) ignores that foremost marine biologists have attributed a totally different series of causative actions as the primary reason for the recovery of Gulf ’s red snapper population. Throughout the 1990’s “bycatch” (the killing of juvenile fish in
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shrimp nets) was devastating the Gulf ’s fisheries - reportedly ten pounds of young fish were killed for every pound of shrimp harvested. Accordingly, prior to the year 2000, the Magnuson Stevens act was modified to require NOAA to improve bycatch performance from the shrimp trawling industry. The use of bycatch excluder devices in shrimp trawling was mandated. These proved effective and cut the bycatch mortality by 40%. Four years later, improved devices further cut the mortality - nearly 75% of the young fish that were previously killed were now being saved. Shrimp trawlers, often called “the wrecking balls of the sea”, were a tremendous problem for the fishery but 75% less devastation was still a big improvement – finfish bycatch was reduced from 10 pounds to 2 ½ pounds for every per pound of shrimp harvested. Beginning in 2001 imported shrimp made a huge entrance into the marketplace. Sharp competition plummeted the price of shrimp by over 50%. Annual shrimp trawling trips fell by over 50%. The erosion of profitability squeezed nearly half of the Gulf ’s shrimp trawlers out of business. By the mid 2000’s each shrimp trawler was killing 75% less juvenile fish and half of shrimping fleet had exited the market. Combined, this HUGELY impacted the populations of juvenile and young adult red snapper (and all Gulf fish)! It became obvious that the red snapper population was growing – and, over time, so was the size of the average fish caught. Formerly killed juvenile fish were growing to adulthood, breeding and expanding the population. The average size was increased by the percentage of more mature fish in the population counts – fish that were saved by the excluder devices and from the drastic reduction in shrimping activity. In 2005 Hurricane Katrina hit the upper Gulf, the heart of the devastated shrimping industry; 90% of the shrimp trawling fleet was destroyed. With the business being unprofitable, shrimpers either voluntarily abandoned the industry or were unable to secure bank financing to repair their boats and get back into business. Top marine biologists have told us that the 75% reduction in bycatch destruction, a 50% reduction in the fleet due to economics and a 90% devastation to the fleet had tremendous effects on the fish populations. By 2007 the Gulf ’s red snapper fishery was significantly less threatened. Those young fish have now grown and bred for as many as 10 years – the same period wherein NOAA credits their fisheries management for the population’s recovery. Hmmm; really? Who’s to believe that? The fact is that the huge reduction in the killing of juvenile fishes, extrapolated out through ten years and numerous spawning seasons has saved the Gulf red snapper population (and numerous other species as well.) Does anyone ACTUALLY believe NOAA was the driving force in the Gulf ’s red snapper recovery? Have an opinion or topics you’d like us to pursue? Email us at RecreationalFishemen@gmail.com. Learn more, stay abreast, and share your thoughts on our Facebook page “WhatHappenedToOurFish?”
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Big Trout Habitat By CAM Special Correspondent Tobin Strickland Photo courtesy of Baffin Bay Rod and Gun.
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any times we think we know what big trout habitat is, or where it is, and how far from the ramp it should be. But sometimes the fish know secret spots that match what they are looking for, and on the surface it doesn’t look like what we think it should look like. Those areas can become key in catching big trout. Baffin Bay in Texas has a reputation for yielding not only giant Texas spotted seatrout, but also turning them out on a regular basis. Those who know what big trout look for in the way of cover, depth, protection, and seclusion can regularly catch big fish in Baffin, and many times in any bay system. No matter where you fish, knowing where big trout like to be is the most important aspect of catching them. I spoke with Capt. Aubrey Black, of Baffin Bay Rod and Gun. He takes pride in putting people up in a first-class lodge and showing them how to target big trout. This is what he had to say: “What’s important is that these big fish are finding what they need in terms of habitat. It may not look on the surface, or surroundings, to us what we think it should look like, but to the fish this is even better because less people will fish those areas that are overlooked, ugly, or sometimes even just too close to the ramp.” Next time you head out, think about the areas near you before running all the way across the bay. They might hold big trout everyone else motors past. Tobin created TroutSupport.com - Tech Support for coastal anglers that want to catch more and bigger game fish, consistently. Airline_CoastalAnglerAd_3-2016_Layout 1 more 3/18/16 1:07 PM Page 1
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By Nadeen Welch
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oing on vacation and trying to decide where your next excursion should be? Fort Myers and Sanibel, Fla. offer something for everyone. Beaches, hiking, kayaking, fishing, camping, birdwatching and shelling abound here. With mild temperatures and low humidity, outside is Photo courtesy of Capt. Terry Fisher/ where you want to be Fish Face Charters after being cooped up through the winter! If fishing is your activity of choice, you have made a great decision. You can take the whole family, only those interested or go it alone. Your best bet for a great day on the water is to hire a professional captain or guide. You can go out on a private charter, where you and your family are the only ones on board, or you may choose a “head boat” where there will be 50 other people fishing with you. Either way, almost everything needed will be provided—boat, license, rod and reel, bait, and a good time. Usually the only things not included are sunscreen and alcoholic beverages. Make sure you ask what is included, just to make sure. Charter guides usually specialize in a certain type of fishing. Inshore fishing trips will have you fishing the flats, mangroves and back-bays. The advantage of inshore fishing is it is usually a more active fishing day, and a windy day won’t ruin your day of fishing. Your guide will move to
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different locations to find the fish, which are not sitting still waiting for you, and provide you with a better experience. This time of year, redfish, snook, mangrove snapper, sea trout and tarpon are what you will catch. These fish will give you a good fight and provide an exciting day on the water. Offshore fishing trips will still provide most required items. The captain will travel anywhere from 20 to 50 miles or more offshore to find fish. While you may not catch as many fish, you Photo courtesy of Capt. Larry McGuire/Show will catch larg- Me the Fish Charters er fish like king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, snapper, grouper and sharks, such as blacktips, spinners, bulls, and possibly hammerheads. This is an entirely different type of fishing from inshore and just as fun. Then you have tarpon fishing. The “silver king” is world famous in these waters, and people come from around the world for the opportunity to land one. The food of choice for a tarpon is a pass crab. Boca Grande is famous for its tarpon fishing history and provides a beautiful environment, if you are here specifically for tarpon fishing and a laidback island environment. If fishing is not up your alley, visiting Sanibel and Captiva will offer you many options. J.N. Ding-Darling National Wildlife Refuge is located on Sanibel Island. It is home to one of the country’s largest undeveloped mangrove ecosystems and is well known for its migratory bird populations. Captiva Cruises operates in two locations on the island and can take you to the private island of Useppa, Cayo Costa State Park, Cabbage Key and Boca Grande, as well as many other options. On the island’s beaches, shelling like you wouldn’t expect is the norm. Whatever you decide to do, relax and enjoy our “IslandOlogy.” Nadeen Welch is co-publisher of the Fort Myers edition of Coastal Angler Magazine.
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estled in the south Georgia pines just southwest of Adel, Ga. is 3,500 acres of sportsman’s paradise known as Live Oak Plantation. Campbell Roberts and I arrived with Ranger bass boat in tow via a fence-lined, well-manicured slice of green earth that led us to the lodge at Live Oak Plantation. This is where we met our expert bass fishing guide, Max Gresham. Max is a seasoned bass angler and a member of the Valdosta State Blazers bass fishing team. Max perfectly planned our day of bass fishing. With 10 ponds and more than 500 acres of fishable water to choose from, he had his sights
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set on two main bodies of water that had been producing quantity as well as quality bass for the past several days. What a breathtaking sight it was as we traveled the winding road past Jim’s Backyard Pond just as the fog was lifting off the water. We made our way to our first destination, Gator Pond and launched at about 7:45 a.m. Yes, there is a reason they call it Gator Pond and yes, we did see a couple of resident gators. The pond was impeccable, with its splendor of bass cover including grass, dollar pads, lily pads and submerged timber. We had a deck full of rods with an arsenal of big bass lures tied on: buzzbaits, frogs, flukes, trick worms and jigs. Campbell was first to hook up on 3-pound bass swimming a fluke across visible grass structure. Max and I followed with several bass including two massive topwater explosions on frogs that resulted in the big bass of the day. Gator Pond was very good to us that morning, yielding about 25 bass in about four hours. We took a break and headed back to the lodge for a quick lunch and then it was back to fishing. This time we launched the boat in Outback Pond. This pond was heavy in willow trees, laydowns and grass. The bass numbers rose quickly in this pond, one after another. The action was nonstop, cast after cast, bass after bass. We located a ball of baitfish, and the bass were close by. The fluke bite was the strongest around these schoolers, and we managed to bag another 40 bass in about four hours. We all caught our fair share of bass on both of these fine bodies of water. You would need a week or two to thoroughly fish all the beautiful ponds Live Oak Plantation has to offer. When you visit, you must stay and dine at the lodge. The lodge will accommodate up to 12 guests in 10 rooms. There is a conference center that will accommodate groups up to 20. In addition to some of the best bass fishing in the state, Live Oak Plantation offers quail, deer and turkey hunting. They also offer tower pheasant shoots. For additional recreation, there is a well-manicured golf course that has three greens and three tee boxes per hole that allows for nine different holes of golf, and there is also a driving range. For additional Information on Live Oak Plantation, visit their websites www.fishliveoak.com and www.huntliveoak.com or call direct at 800-682-4868. Live Oak Plantation is located at 675 Plantation Road, Adel, GA 31620.
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UNDER THE SEA 26
Diving in Tonga with my new PLB
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fter several years of traveling for work, I had enough frequent flyer miles to take my family to Australia to dive on the Great Barrier Reef. After returning home, we heard on the news that two Americans had accidentally been left at sea by the same dive operator we had chartered. The crew miscounted when tracking divers, and by the time the search began, they most likely suffered a slow, agonizing death. That nightmare incident was portrayed in a Hollywood movie. Unfortunately, these “left-at-sea” stories are not uncommon. Boats can become incapacitated; divers can get caught in a current; the possibilities are endless. According to U.S. Coast Guard rescue swimmers, the key to getting rescued is to make yourself visible. A whistle or Dive Alert air horn might be enough to catch the attention of your boat if it is nearby. If lost, it helps if you are wearing a brightly colored wetsuit hood or deploy a brightly colored safety sausage. Even better, you can carry signaling devices such as flares, a mirror (requires sun), or glow sticks (at night). A small LED dive flashlight or strobe can be seen from afar—especially if the USCG is searching with night vision goggles. But what if your boat sank and no one was called? What if you are in a country where there is no coast guard? These thoughts rattled around in my head before a recent trip to a remote island off of Tonga. Fortunately, advances in technology continue to provide new solutions. PLBs (Personal Locator Beacons) on the market today are small, waterproof devices designed to alert search and rescue services of your location anywhere in the world. When activated, it transmits a message on the 406 MHz distress frequency which is monitored by the COSPASSARSAT satellite system. The alert is relayed to the nearest Rescue Coordination Center. Once in the area, rescue services pinpoint your location using the 121.5 MHz homing transmitter. Unlike EPIRBs, which are registered to a specific vessel, a PLB is registered to a person and can be carried wherever you go. Before my trip, I bought an ACR ResQLink PLB from Bass Pro for
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$249. It can be used on land or sea, but divers need to know that taking it deeper than 5 meters could cause the device to activate due to pressure changes, so it should either be secured to a flag float on the surface or stored in a dive canister if taken underwater. The increased peace of mind was well worth the price. There are several similar products on the market. The Ocean Signal rescueME PLB1 operates in a similar manner. Nautilus Lifeline makes a “Marine Rescue GPS” which broadcasts a distress message to all AIS equipped ships up to 34 miles away and to the marine radio on your own vessel. The ultimate survival tool is your ability to keep calm and maintain a positive attitude while taking action to make yourself visible. Prepare ahead of time, and your chances of rescue are very good. Safe diving! Sheri Daye is a world-record holder, host of Speargun Hunter, and producer of “The Blue Wild Ocean Adventure Expo” in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Follow “Sheri Daye” and “The Blue Wild” on Facebook and Instagram.
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CAPTAINS OF FISHER GUIDING 28
A CAPTAIN AND HIS LUCKY LADY, FISHING THE VIRGIN ISLANDS
BY LUKE CAMBELL
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obert Mitchell hasn’t stopped chasing marlin since childhood, when he would see the species or its larger-finned counterpart, the sailfish, mounted on walls of seafood restaurants. After catching plenty wall-worthy fish in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf of Mexico over the years, Robert chose the Virgin Islands to begin living his dream as a charter captain. Now, he takes guests on his boat, The Lucky Lady, to catch marlin and other trophy fish surrounding St. Thomas and St. John. After visiting St. Thomas frequently over the last 10 years, local mainstays on the island have helped Capt. Mitchell settle in since moving there permanently in January. Mitchell said, “Jimmy Loveland has been great to go over to and get advice. Getting to talk to a legend like Jimmy has been fantastic. Jim on the Black Pearl (a fellow USVI sportfishing charter) came over and welcomed me into town. He is a good guy, and I would do anything for these two people.” The name Jimmy Loveland may be familiar to those who follow sportfishing. Loveland founded Marlin Magazine and the USVI Open/Atlantic Blue Marlin Tournament that runs every August in St. Thomas. In addition to advice from fellow anglers, Lady Luck has loyally followed Capt. Mitchell to teach him the nuances of fishing here. Mitchell explained, “Everywhere I have fished, I have been blessed with good luck in finding boils, birds and porpoise. Birds down here are very few. When you see a bird, you better follow it. When you see the porpoise, you might make one or two passes, but that’s it. The lonely bird has been far more successful. The other places I have fished, you looked for a flock of birds and when following the porpoise, you were just about guaranteed a tuna strike.”
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Another key difference anglers find in the Virgin Islands is distance. In contrast to other destinations Mitchell has fished, the boat ride is short. The South Drop is 6 miles from dock, and the North Drop is only 20 miles. These drops are famous. While fishing, Mitchell has watched the bottom drop from 90 to deeper than 3,000 feet in a matter of minutes. Paying close attention, and staying over the intended depth is important. Capt. Mitchell described a recent trip aboard The Lucky Lady when that awareness paid off for anglers. They started the day trolling around a FAD (fish-attracting device) when four out of six lines hit on a school of blackfin tuna. They put their spread out again, started trolling, and then the line popped with a 180-pound blue marlin. The group also caught a wahoo of about 45 pounds and a 25-pound kingfish. “It was a great day on the boat, and everybody got a chance to sit in the (fighting) chair and take a turn,” said the new captain. Luke Cambell is a co-founder of Fisher Guiding, an online marketplace to find and book fishing guides, which is proud to partner with Capt. Mitchell and The Lucky Lady.
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C
ustom rod building has entered an era of resurgence, with new components, fresh design concepts, and, most importantly, a broad base of sophisticated anglers and creative rod builders driving developments on multiple levels. Today’s avid angler understands the importance of the rod with respect to a given approach or technique. Credit this recognition in large part to the broader segmentation of the markets for fishing rods and lines. Anglers have a much broader selection of both to choose from. More importantly, they have learned to discriminate and apply the right variations to the proper settings. With better understanding and experience, a fisherman begins to dial in on the nuances that make a rod better suited to the technique and personal preferences. Custom rod makers can give an angler everything he wants from essential components to bells and whistles. While “personalization,” artistry and uniqueness drove custom rod making in the past, functionality and comfort are driving custom rod projects today. “I used to have three to five rods that I would use for a given technique,” recalls bass tournament angler and rod builder Chris Adams of Mud Hole Custom Tackle and a member of the Winn Grips pro staff. “One had the guides I liked. Another had a more comfortable reel seat that added to the rod’s sensitivity, but it didn’t have the backbone or action I wanted. Another had the right power and action but didn’t have the components I liked. I realized the easiest way for me to get everything I wanted into one rod was to build it myself, the way I wanted it!” Adams notes that rod grips from Winn (www.winngrips.com) factor into
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many rod-making decisions. The comfort and tackiness of these all-weather grips provide sure-handed angler control. Bass fishermen have driven a lot of technique-specific rod customization. But more and more saltwater anglers are tailoring rods to their task. Many saltwater anglers have taken up custom rod building as hobby or a basement business to build their own rod arsenals. Classes in rod building are available across the country. At the Saltwater Fishing Expo in Somerset, New Jersey, in March, the custom rod craze was evident. Fishermen were building rods for everything from flounder fishing to trolling for big game species. Saltwater anglers often have a more complex set of needs, from guides resistant to corrosion to rod handles that provide adequate control and comfort. A lot of attention at the Winn booth centered around the sneak preview of new tapered rod grips for heavy-duty saltwater fishing, available in multiple lengths and diameters, and the new Winn Rod Handle System. Winn also unveiled a durable and versatile extension of its very popular overwrap, Winn Superior Rod Wrap. Like its predecessor, it can be the primary material in an original rod handle or applied over an existing cork or EVA grip. Winn also will expand its Saltwater Straight Cylinder line of 1.25-inch diameter grips this summer with black grips ranging to 18 inches in length. Get to know a rod builder in your area to create the perfect rod for any technique or style of fishing. Or take up the practice yourself!
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
4/17/17 3:04 PM
WAHOO “COWBELLS’’ & ‘’SNAGGER’’ DOLPHIN LURES
44
TOURNAMENT
WINS
RIGGED N’ READY!
TROLLS 6-10 OR UP TO 20 KNOTS — NO WEIGHTS NEEDED
“TOP GUN” SALTWATER TROLLING LURES
714-545 0196 6-pak Special $69.00 w/ FREE Case
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www.BALLYHOOD.com
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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31
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# 1 SEL
RAP ALU
Multi-Mounts
ITEM 6 62160/ 60569 s
Mount all your vital angling tools and protect your investment. Great for sonar, chart plotters and GPS units.
Kayaks And Sonar:
SUP
How Big Is Too Big?
$5
By Paul Lebowitz
Aluminum/Stainless Steel 4” to 14” Fiber Composite 4”
Trolling Motor-Mount Easily secure your trolling motor to prevent damage in transport or high-speed boating. Aluminum/Stainless Steel 10” NEW Aluminum/Stainless Steel 14”
For more innovative products, visit www.AnglersPal.com Another great innovation by MarineTechProducts.com
MTP-17-005 Angler's Pal Ad (Coastal Angler)_AMH.indd 1
f/Anglers-Pal
B
ack when everyone else was rocking a 3.5-inch grayscale fishfinder, Gary sported a color 7. He always seemed to catch fish. One day I had the nerve to ask him, “Hey Gary, how much did that thing cost?” “More than the kayak,” was the deadpan response. That was years ago. Since then, sonars are more and more capable and feature rich, for less scratch. A Lowrance Hook-7 will run you $449, much less than the kayak. Downscan and side imagining are commonplace. Over time, screen sizes grew until Gary was no longer the exception, he was the rule. So how big is too big? The answer depends on your bank balance and risk tolerance as well as the water you fish and the kayak you captain. Five to 7 inches seems like the sweet spot for kayak use. The screens are wide enough to offer high-resolution readability, yet compact enough to stay out of the way of a cast—or your foot. These days the better question might be, “How big is the transducer?” For peak performance, it’s best to mount a modern transducer in direct contact with the water. Some transducers require adapters such as the Lowrance Ready Total Scan plate to fit properly. Alternatively, kayak anglers can go the MacGyver route and craft their own adapters. Where there’s a will and fish to be caught, there’s a way. Just ask Gary.
$
7
Com
SA $7
Custo
LIMIT 3 from origin
SA 64
BIG ICE
MAKE YOUR OWN ICE!
4/11/2017 11:19:28 AM
TRAYS
Custo
-Makes six 4” Cubes -10 lbs. of Ice per Tray -Last twice as long! -No more plastic bags -Save money by easily reusing
LIMIT 9 from origin
bigice.com contact@bigice.com
contact@bigice.com | 504-710-7766
$ Fishing Lights Dock Lights Flounder Lights
www.power-pole.com
32
NATIONAL
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785-621-2646
LIMIT 5 from origin
SAV 59%
Custom
fishinglightsetc.com
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
LIMIT 9 from origin
4/17/17 3:04 PM
hft_coas
# 1 SELLING
RAPID PUMP® 1.5 TON ALUMINUM RACING JACK ITEM 68053 62160/62496/62516 60569 shown
SUPER COUPON
$5999
$
20% OFF
3 GALLON, 100 PSI, OIL-FREE AIR COMPRESSORS A. HOT DOG
• 3-1/2 Pumps Lifts Most Vehicles • Lightweight 34 lbs.
ITEM 69269/97080 shown
A
B. PANCAKE
ITEM 95275 shown 60637/61615
SAVE 59%
99 79$129 .99
SUPER COUPON
SUPER COUPON
SUPER COUPON
SUPER COUPON
JACKS IN AMERICA
FREE WITH
6 PIECE SCREWDRIVER SET
ITEM 62728/62583 47770/62570 shown
ANY SINGLE ITEM
LIMIT 1 - Cannot be used with other discount, coupon or prior purchase. Coupon good at our stores, HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Offer good while supplies last. Shipping & Handling charges may apply if not picked up in-store. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 9/1/17. Limit one FREE GIFT coupon per customer per day.
YOUR CHOICE
SAVE $70
$3999
B
$
Voted Best Winches
SUPER COUPON 2500 LB. ELECTRIC WINCH WITH WIRELESS REMOTE CONTROL
5499
Compare
Customer Rating
$98.62
ITEM 61258 shown 61840/61297 68146/63476
Customer Rating
$
SUPER COUPON
$4999
6999 $119.99
Compare
• Weighs 14.3 lbs. • 11-1/4" W x 4-1/8" H
SAVE $70
Customer Rating LIMIT 3 - Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 9/1/17.
LIMIT 3 - Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 9/1/17.
SUPER COUPON
MOVER'S DOLLY
• 1000 lb. capacity
ITEM 60497/93888 shown 61899/62399/63095/63096 63098/63097
ITEM 69249/69115/69137 69129/69121/877 shown
$2
99
4
Compare $ 34 $8.48
LIMIT 9 - Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 9/1/17.
SUPER COUPON
$799
$
ITEM 93454/69054 63395 62603 shown Tools sold separately.
SAVE $265
SUPER COUPON
$129
99
Customer Rating
$
15999
SIZE MED LG X-LG
ITEM 62434/62426 62433/62428 62432/62429
SAVE 60% $ 99
YOUR CHOICE
$399 Customer Rating
Compare
™
5
$9.98
$99
99
METRIC
7
$ 99 $14.97
LIMIT 9 - Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 9/1/17.
CANGL_NAT3-NAT42.indd 33 hft_coastalangler_0517_M-REG109337.indd 1
SAVE $106
$
2000 WATT CONTINUOUS/ 4000 WATT PEAK POWER INVERTER
Customer Rating
SUPER COUPON Customer Rating
ITEM 60432/69662 shown
$
3/8" x 50 FT. RETRACTABLE
SAVE $138
AIR HOSE REEL ITEM 93897 shown 69265/62344
SUPER COUPON
$5999
$119
13999 $215.41 SUPER COUPON
12999 $205.99
Compare
LIMIT 3 - Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 9/1/17.
ITEM 69651 18 VOLT CORDLESS 3/8" DRILL/ 62868/62873 68239 shown DRIVER WITH KEYLESS CHUCK
Includes one 18V NiCd battery and charger.
Customer Rating
$
Compare
LIMIT 4 - Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 9/1/17.
SUPER COUPON
SUPER COUPON
ITEM 69043/63282/42304 shown
Blade sold separately.
SUPER COUPON
Customer Rating
10 FT. x 20 FT. PORTABLE CAR CANOPY
SAE
Compare
$339
99
ITEM 63054 69034/62858 shown
9 PIECE FULLY POLISHED COMBINATION WRENCH SETS
$599
Compare
SUPER COUPON
LIMIT 9 - Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 9/1/17.
YOUR CHOICE
19999 SAVE $95
Item 62429 shown
$395
ITEM 42305/69044/63171
$13499
LIMIT 4 - Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 9/1/17.
MECHANIC'S GLOVES
Compare
SUPER COUPON
Customer Rating
$
Compare
Customer Rating
SUPER COUPON
• With Laser Guide
SUPER COUPON
LIMIT 5 - Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 9/1/17.
SAVE 59%
ITEM 69684 shown 61969/61970
1099 $19.97
LIMIT 9 - Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 9/1/17.
204
$
12" SLIDING COMPOUND DOUBLE-BEVEL MITER SAW
Customer Rating
SUPER COUPON
60", 4 DRAWER HARDWOOD WORKBENCH
SUPER COUPON SAVE
SAVE 59%
SUPER COUPON
Customer Rating
LIMIT 4 - Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 9/1/17.
SUPER COUPON
7 FT. 4" x 9 FT. 6" ALL PURPOSE WEATHER RESISTANT TARP
SAVE 64%
7
$ 97 VALUE
Limit 1 coupon per customer per day. Save 20% on any 1 item purchased. *Cannot be used with other discount, coupon or any of the following items or brands: Inside Track Club membership, Extended Service Plan, gift card, open box item, 3 day Parking Lot Sale item, compressors, floor jacks, saw mills, storage cabinets, chests or carts, trailers, trenchers, welders, Admiral, Bauer, CoverPro, Daytona, Earthquake, Hercules, Jupiter, Lynxx, Poulan, Predator, StormCat, Tailgator, Viking, Vulcan, Zurich. Not valid on prior purchases. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 9/1/17.
Compare
ANY PURCHASE
7999 $198.45
Compare
LIMIT 5 - Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 9/1/17.
SUPER COUPON
900 PEAK/700 RUNNING WATTS 2 HP (63 CC) 2 CYCLE GAS GENERATOR
ITEM 63024/63025 shown
SUPER COUPON
SUPER COUPON
$1699
SAVE 65% $1999 Compare $49
LIMIT 7 - Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 9/1/17.
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM Use Coupons: In-Store, HarborFreight.com or 800-423-2567
$8999
Customer Rating
SAVE NOW
$
10999
LIMIT 3 - Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 9/1/17. At Harbor Freight Tools, the “Compare” or “comp at” price means that the same item or a similar functioning item was advertised for sale at or above the “Compare” or “comp at”
price2017 by another retailer in the U.S. within the past 180 days. MAY NATIONAL 33 Prices advertised by others may vary by location. No other
meaning of “Compare” or "comp at" should be implied. For more information, go toHarborFreight.com or see store associate.
4/17/17 3:04 PM PM 4/6/17 4:35
suzuki spring savings Three Limited Time Offers Make A Good Deal Even Better Suzuki Gives You All Three So You Don’t Have To Choose One Or The Other
Buy a new Suzuki outboard from 25 to 300 horsepower and take advantage of not just one, but ALL THREE Suzuki Spring promotional offers.
Add cash rebates on select models and you can get up to $800 cash back. Plus our Repower Financing is available at attractive interest rates (on approved credit.*)
Just say, “Gimme Six!” and you’ll get six years of product protection. That’s right, you’ll get Suzuki’s three-year limited warranty and Suzuki’s 3-Year Extended Protection Plan at no extra charge.
See your participating Suzuki Marine dealer today and find out how you can get the ultimate deal on the Ultimate 4-Stroke Outboard.
Six Years of Protection at no extra charge on all new outboards 25 to 300 HP.
Cash Rebates on select models. See your dealer for details.
REPOWER FINANCE
Rates as low as 5.99% on new Suzuki outboards (OAC).*
For details and the name of your nearest participating Suzuki Marine dealer, visit www.suzukimarine.com
Gimme Six Extended Protection promo is applicable to new Suzuki Outboard Motors from 25 to 300 HP in inventory which are sold and delivered to buyer between 4/01/17 and 6/30/17 in accordance with the promotion by a Participating Authorized Suzuki Marine dealer in the continental US and Alaska to a purchasing customer who resides in the continental US or Alaska. Customer should expect to receive an acknowledgement letter and full copy of contract including terms, conditions and wallet card from Suzuki Extended Protection within 90 days of purchase. If an acknowledgement letter is not received in time period stated, contact Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. – Marine Marketing via email: marinepromo@suz.com. The Gimme Six Promotion is available for pleasure use only, and is not redeemable for cash. Cash Rebates apply to qualifying purchases of select Suzuki Outboard Motors made between 4/01/17 and 6/30/17. For list of designated models, see participating Dealer or visit www.suzukimarine.com. Customer and participating Dealer must fill out the appropriate rebate form at time of sale. Customer will have the choice to either apply the cash rebate against the original dealer invoice (Suzuki will credit Dealer parts account) or have a check sent directly to the customer. There are no model substitutions, benefit substitutions, rain checks, or extensions. Suzuki reserves the right to change or cancel these promotions at any time without notice or obligation. * Financing offers available through Synchrony Retail Finance. As low as 5.99% APR financing for 60 months on new and unregistered Suzuki Outboard Motors. Subject to credit approval. Not all buyers will qualify. Approval, and any rates and terms provided, are based on credit worthiness. $19.99/month per $1,000 financed for 60 months is based on 5.99% APR. Hypothetical figures used in calculation; your actual monthly payment may differ based on financing terms, credit tier qualification, accessories or other factors such as down payment and fees. Offer effective on new, unregistered Suzuki Outboard Motors purchased from a participating authorized Suzuki dealer between 4/01/17 and 6/30/17. “Gimme Six”, the Suzuki “S” and model names are Suzuki trademarks or ®. Don’t drink and drive. Always wear a USCG-approved life jacket and read your owner’s manual. © 2017 Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.
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CANGL_NAT3-NAT42.indd 34 SZ_Q2Promo_1PG_WIPv2.indd 1
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
4/17/17 3:04 PM 3/12/17 5:04 PM
You could get a discount when you combine your auto and boat policies.
for your boat geico.com | 1-800-865-4846 | Local Office Some discounts, coverages, payment plans and features are not available in all states or all GEICO companies. Boat and PWC coverages are underwritten by GEICO Marine Insurance Company. Multi-Policy Discount available to auto insureds that have purchased a boat policy through the GEICO Marine Insurance Company. GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, D.C. 20076; a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. Š 2017 GEICO
COMMON CVRS_0517.indd 3
4/17/17 12:07 PM
© 2017 Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries
THIS SEEMS TO BE THE PLACE WHERE ALL THE FISH HANG OUT. I THINK I’LL DROP IN.
12”
PROGRAMMABLE
HOT KEYS
PRELOADED
BUILT-IN
BLUECHART® G2 + LAKEVUU¨ HD CHIRP SONAR + CLEARVUU¨ + SIDEVU¨
GPSMAP® 1242xsv
COMMON CVRS_0517.indd 4 Coastal Fishing Ad_US-8.125x10.875-CoatalAngler.indd 1 17-MCJT512 GPSMAP 1224xsv
4/17/17 PM 3/8/17 12:07 9:13 AM