The Angler Video Magazine | June 2023 Edition

PHOTO CREDIT: BRIAN BRAMMER

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WITH EXTENDED RANGE FOR OPEN WATER

GARMIN® LIVESCOPE™ XR SYSTEM: THE BEST OF THE BEST JUST GOT DEEPER

With an optimized design for deeper water, the new XR transducer has extended range elements so anglers can see up to 500’ in freshwater and 350’ in saltwater. It also includes the Reverse Range feature, allowing them to utilize more of the screen. To see detail closer to the boat, the Compress Range aspect displays a real-time look in sharp detail up close, while still letting the angler keep an eye on their further-away target.

The LiveScope XR displays seven different color palettes to view fish and structure in vivid contrast and clarity. In keeping up with previous

constantly adjust the sonar beams to compensate for boat motion, so even in rough waters, anglers will still see a steady image, even at an extended range.

The XR System delivers three unique vantage points with one mount that can easily be adjusted to fit different fishing techniques and preferences, without needing additional tools. Simply turn the transducer forward for a live look at what’s out in front of the boat, or point it down to see directly beneath the boat, or even turn it sideways with

products, visit Garmin.com/marine, or connect with @garminmarine on social media.

ORANGE BEACH BOAT LANDS

MASSIVE BLUEFIN

By David Rainer, ADCNR

Johnny Greene has been a captain on charter boats in the Gulf of Mexico for the past 33 years and has landed his share of the Gulf’s bounty. But recently something happened on his boat, the Intimidator, that had never happened before. Greene and crew unloaded a 600-pound-plus bluefin tuna at the Orange Beach Marina dock.

“At several times in my life, we have been

fishing in the April-May time frame and have run across bluefin tuna,” Greene said. “But we have never been able to even slow one down.

I remember on my old boat, I think it was the Memorial Day tournament, we ran through a school of them. We hooked six and they dumped every bit of line we had. It happened so fast, there was nothing we could do. I got my heart broke on that trip. I’ve hooked a couple of others throughout my career. My wife fought one for a while, and the fish ended up pulling the hook.

“Last year we hooked one about noon and

fought that fish four or five hours. We had 10 people on that charter, and they ended up changing the rod between anglers probably 20 or 25 times. We ended up breaking a rod after fighting him that long. We were so close, so that one was really a heartbreaker.”

Greene said everything must go right, and the right group of anglers and deck hands have to be on the boat to actually land one of the massive bluefins.

On the momentous three-day trip into the far reaches of the Gulf of Mexico, Greene’s

A group of anglers from Georgia took turns reeling in this 600-pound-plus bluefin tuna.

clients from Georgia caught plenty of bottom fish, like grouper and triggerfish, on the first day. The anglers then wanted to find something “big” to catch, but they probably didn’t expect what came next.

“About 6 o’clock that second day, we got the big bite,” Greene said. “That fish took out on top, and I guess we chased that fish for 2 miles. I didn’t see the bite well enough to see if it was a bluefin, a big yellowfin or a blue marlin. But I knew it was a big fish. We were backing up and got to within 100 feet of the leader. Then the fish made the dive like they often do. They’re warm-blooded creatures, and if they make a run on the surface, they have to dive down to cool off.

“We were fortunate enough to stop the fish on his dive on a Shimano 50-wide and a standup harness. The anglers did a good job, and then we started the process of working him back up.”

After about four hours, Greene said it was obvious the tuna had expired, and the task was then to winch the dead fish back from the depths with 80-pound-test Ande monofilament line.

“When you have to pull a 600-pound animal up, it’s not the easiest thing to do,” he said. “It requires communication between the angler, everybody in the cockpit and the wheelhouse. It’s basically a momentum game. You’ve got to get the fish coming up, and you have to keep him coming. If you take a break, the fish is going to start sinking again. It’s tricky.”

For the last hour of the fight, senior deck hand Grady Gunn donned gloves and started feeding line into the reel as the angler cranked the handle to make sure that momentum was not lost.

“I slowly started to feed the line,” Gunn said. “It was like trying to catch a 10-pound bass on 2-pound line.”

After about six hours, the big bluefin was finally beside the boat and the real work began. Deck hand Jake Rezner harpooned the tuna as soon as possible. Two gaffs followed before a tail line was tied.

Gunn said when the tuna was finally subdued, he was overcome with emotion.

“That’s one of those things you think about your whole life that may never happen,” Gunn said. “It may never happen again, but it happened this time. I couldn’t ask for a better crew or captain. If we didn’t have Jake or Jacob (Harris, deck hand), it probably wouldn’t have happened. With a fish like this, it only takes one thing to go wrong. It may happen again, or maybe it won’t, but I’ll remember this one for the rest of my life.”

With the fish secure beside the boat, Greene said everybody was celebrating until they realized they had to get the giant tuna into the boat.

“With a fish that big and the seas not calm, you have to think about every move with that much weight,” Greene said. “It was a battle.”

A come-along was employed to raise the fish out of the water to be able to clear the gunwales of the boat.

“Everybody in Alabama who has ever been stuck in the mud knows how to operate

Intimidator deck hands, from left, Jake Rezner, Grady Gunn and Jacob Harris, celebrate hauling the huge bluefin onto the Intimidator’s deck.

a come-along,” Greene said. “I think everybody should have a come-along and a ratchet strap. You never know when you need to get a fish or a person over the side of the boat.

“Once we got the fish barely high enough, we got hold of his head, and then I had to wait on the right wave. When that happened, we flipped him in the boat.”

Although it was a giant fish, Greene knew it wasn’t near the state record, an 829-pound fish caught in 2006. The decision was made to gut the fish and do all they could to preserve the quality of the meat. The fish’s gut cavity was packed with ice before it was wrapped in an insulated billfish bag, which was filled with ice for the long trip back to the dock.

When the boat got close enough to shore, Greene called the National Marine Fisheries Service to report the catch. Anglers in the Gulf of Mexico are allowed a very small incidental bluefin catch of about five fish annually. With the catch, the Intimidator reached its bluefin allowance for the year. The fish weighed 579 pounds gutted with an estimated whole weight of 625 pounds.

“That allowance is just for a situation like we had,” Greene said. “The fish was dead, and it was a way not to waste that fish.”

On a trip the week before, Greene said a blue marlin was hooked and eventually died before it could be released.

“That marlin immediately went ballistic,” he said. “He jumped and cartwheeled. He spent more time out of the water the first minute or two than he did in the water. We fought that fish for four hours. We finally got him up using

the techniques we used on the bluefin tuna. Unfortunately, the marlin got tail-wrapped and died.

“The charter was a bunch of guys from Birmingham who owned a bunch of restaurants and traveled the world on mission trips and had eaten blue marlin before. These guys took the fish home and prepared it a plethora of different ways. They smoked it, fried it, grilled it, blackened it. They cooked it every way they could. They also donated some to the Hope for Autumn Foundation for sick kids. The consensus was smoking it was the best way to prepare it, and they had thoroughly enjoyed every bit of it.”

Greene loves to take his clients on the threeday trips far into the Gulf because of the amount of time available for fishing and the variety of fish anglers can catch.

“A three-day trip is a really relaxing trip because we have so much time,” he said. “We start by catching bait before we cook breakfast. Then we’ll start bottom fishing for triggerfish, beeliners, snapper, whatever is in season. Then we’ll cook lunch and work our way offshore. We’ll catch some more snapper or grouper fish. Once we get to the deepwater rigs, we’ll stay there and jig some at night. We’ll troll and try to catch some tuna or wahoo. Then we’ll head farther offshore and do some jigging in the morning. After the morning bite is over, we’ll start fishing for the bigger fish and see if we can raise a blue marlin or big yellowfin. It could be trolling. It could be flying a kite. It could be live-bait fishing. I like big hardtails or a bonita for live-bait fishing, but we’ve had as

much trolling this year as anything.”

The big bluefin swallowed a live hardtail (blue runner) that the anglers had hooked on a diamond jig while they were trying to catch blackfin tuna.

“I like a big hardtail because they’re hardy and live a long time,” Greene said. “There’s been a lot of sargassum grass offshore. Hardtails are tough, so you can reel the bait to get clear of the grass. The grass really hampers your method of fishing. But you just have to do what you need to do with the conditions you have. On that particular day, when we caught the bluefin, the current was running back into the wind. I really had to concentrate to keep the boat ahead of the bait.

“In fishing, some days are better than others, and there are some things that are meant to be. This was one of those situations where absolutely everything went perfect. It’s a big deal. There are so many things, like the wrong time, the wrong step, anything, and it wouldn’t have happened.”

Bluefin tuna mostly spawn in two places in the world, the Gulf of Mexico and the Mediterranean Sea. Greene said the spawning in the Gulf occurs in mid to late spring, and the vast majority of the bluefin then leave on wideranging journeys.

“They have to swim at least 6 miles per hour to force enough water through their gills to breathe,” he said. “They never stop swimming. They are just eating machines. They eat and make little baby tunas. That’s all they do.”

For more from David Rainer, go to www.outdooralabama.com.

FISH THE GREATER JACKSONVILLE KINGFISH TOURNAMENT JULY 17-22 GRAND PRIZE VALUED AT $160K!

It’s Kingfish Time! The 43rd annual 121 Financial Credit Union Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament is slated for July 1722, 2023. For five days, with four tournaments and $400,000 in prizes, the “Grandaddy of all Kingfish Tournaments” will keep the docks buzzing with fun events for everyone from diehard anglers to casual spectators.

The cornerstone of this historic and thriving event is the general tournament, which launches Friday, July 21 with a boat package valued at $160,000 going to the team that lands the largest kingfish. The grand prize is a sweet 25-T Contender with twin 150hp Yamahas, a custom T-top by Custom Marine and an Ameritrail trailer. The tournament pays through 20 places for largest fish and aggregate, as well as a Lady Angler division that pays to 10 places, totaling nearly $250,000 in cash and prizes.

All the boats and the fish coming into the docks at Jim King Park and Boat Ramp at Sisters Creek Park in Jacksonville creates a festival atmosphere. Traditionally, the tournament draws thousands of spectators who enjoy cold beverages, hot food and vendors at the Liar’s Tent. Awards Day on Saturday, July 22 is all about celebration, with Kids Zone activities, drawings and

a fishing seminar, followed by eye-popping fireworks in partnership with the City of Jacksonville.

Also for the kids, there is a Junior Angler Offshore Tournament on Wednesday, July 19, as well as a Junior Angler Dock Tournament. The grand prize in the Junior tourney is an Ohana 14’

skiff with a 25hp Yamaha and trailer, and this tournament pays through 25 places.

For inshore anglers, the popular Redfish Tournament fishes on Saturday, July 22, with weigh-ins at 2 p.m. during the Awards Day activities.

Through its history, the Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament has been all about putting on a great tournament and helping to provide access to marine resources and promoting education, preservation and research in partnership with its junior anglers and Jacksonville University’s Marine Biology Department. Jacksonville Marine Charities is the operating arm of the event, and it supports non-profits throughout the state. Recently, Child Cancer Fund, the Down Syndrome Association and the Child Guidance Center have benefitted from the organization, which also supports other local charity fishing events like The Premier Trout, Flounder Pounder, Wounded Heroes on the Water and others. Visit

Last year’s tournament winners, Capt. Joe Shugart’s Team One Time, with their 49.77-pound kingfish.

BACK TO THE BASICS

Ever since I started fishing, the basics have stayed the same. If we all tell the truth, none of us started out catching gags and wahoo. It was probably more like bream, bass, catfish and shad. Granted, we didn’t fish as many lures back then as we do now, but the basics are still the same. Back then, we fished a lot of the four or five loop fisherman’s knots for soaking baits. I no longer use these.

Now, I tell folks if you know how to make five connections, you can go anywhere in freshwater or salt and fish for almost anything. These five connections are:

1) Loop knot

2) Snell

3) Uni knot (includes uni-to-uni knot)

4) Crimps (cable and fluoro)

5) Double tackle loop

Granted, there are other helpful knots like the Piere knot, which is a good wind-on for connecting braid to Floro, but I’ll stick to my guns here and say these five are the ones I use. There are three of these I can tie in pitch black

dark and have tremendous faith they’ll never fail.

I can hear it now… “Yeah, you forgot this one and you need to know this one.” OK, but the title of the article is

and nearshore fishing I do. I make connections from braided main lines to smaller fluoro leader material with the uni-to-uni. The loop knot works best on most lures. The loop knot gives any lure the freedom it needs to swing or change directions freely.

WATCH VIDEO

The snell has a place for freshwater, inshore, nearshore and offshore. This is simply because I feel the snell is a requirement for all circle hooks, in my humble opinion.

The crimps make for ease of heavy-duty connections from fluoro leaders to swivels and then to braided main lines. The crimps also make heavyduty cable connection to stinger hooks and to artificial lures.

“getting back to basics,” and these five work for everything I need to do. As soon as any of these five starts failing on me, I’ll consider something else, but between now and then, these work for everything from bream to billfish.

The loop knot and uni knot make up the meat and potatoes of the freshwater, inshore

I’ve got some videos on my website on how to tie and utilize these five connections. Some of these videos have some age on them, and I have received some request to make new ones with better lighting, backgrounds, etc. I may very well update them in the near future. However, all these videos show the knots in pretty good close-up detail. Stay in touch with my you tube channel and website for these new videos.

See more from Tim Barefoot at Barefootcatsandtackle.com.

Tim Barefoot

Consistently Catch Redfish

WATCH VIDEO

Catching a redfish shallow in the summer months is a magical experience. If you’ve caught your first redfish on the flats or in the marsh, you know what I mean, especially if you caught it on a surface lure. There is just nothing better than that aggressive… almost mean, water-frothing, hole in the water attack caused by a redfish striking your lure. Then you begin to hunt for them, because you know they are fun and feed aggressively. But sometimes they all but disappear or seem so spread out that it’s hardly worth the effort. What if I told you that redfish are predictable? In fact, they are more consistent than other inshore species day in and day out.

From the time a tiny little redfish larva gets washed back into the back of an estuarine marsh pond, its sense of tide height and current begins to develop daily. Currents that would be almost imperceptible to us are magnified to the young redfish, which uses the edges of these currents to feed on tiny forage, juvenile shrimp and baitfish. They quickly learn that they can use the current to move into an area as the tide rises, moving with ease and a relative lack of energy use. They also learn how structure such as marsh grass, sea grass and even oysters change the velocity at which water moves and makes prey susceptible to attack. They become keenly aware of where and when these currents begin and end through the day. They don’t understand why they happen and don’t need to, nor do they make conscious decisions about them, they just learn where they happen and what time, just as we know what time to avoid a certain intersection. Even with wind-driven current, they begin to learn daily patterns of when water moves because of the wind. They instinctively know when to move to each location based on the direction and speed of wave patterns and the current they have learned to sense. By the time a redfish reaches the lower end of the slot, he has become a master at using currents to locate feeding areas to survive.

This is what the new redfish angler takes so long to learn. At first redfish will occur to anglers as a random straggler across a marsh or flat. As we advance after what could be years of on-the-water experience, we finally learn what the tiny redfish learned his first year in the marsh pond. It’s at this time we begin to look in specific areas that we’ve learned over time harbor just the perfect current, structure and

By Tobin Strickland, CAM Special

forage to hold the most redfish. Experienced anglers catch more redfish more consistently because they only spend time and energy in the right current and structure and understand

how tide height affects that as well.

Tobin created TroutSupport.com - Tech Support for Speckled Trout and Redfish Anglers.

Correspondent

PHOTO COURTESY OF CAPT. STEVE SOULE

GRADY-WHITE BOATS INTRODUCES INNOVATIVE AND LUXURIOUS 281 COASTAL EXPLORER!

The newest edition to Grady-White Boats’ impressive Coastal Explorer Series, the 281 CE, made its debut at the Miami Boat Show. There, avid anglers got to check out the latest Grady-White innovations that make this boat primed for inshore and offshore fishing. Grady-White hit it out of the park with this unique new boat.

The innovation starts in the cockpit with a portside sport deck that is an electromechanically folding platform with an in-gunnel stowable ladder. An ingenious design at the transom adds to this boat’s versatility, allowing the area to transform from comfortable forward-facing seating, to casting platform, or lounge. Whether you’re riding to the fishing grounds, casting for trout, or spending the day at the sandbar, you have the right setup for the day’s activity. At the bow you’ve got incredible flexibility with a large casting platform that converts to a spacious sun pad with backrests that can be a table too. A lockable console with electric flush marine head and a 10-gallon holding tank adds to the amenities.

Loaded for fishing function, you’ve got two livewells, lots of rod storage, and abundant fish boxes–over 400 quarts! The deluxe lean bar also includes a rigging station, cutting board, and recessed freshwater shower.

From the plush helm seats with flip-up bolsters and footrest, to the full height scratch resistant acrylic windshield integrated into the

T-top, Grady thought of everything. You also get the choice of a single Yamaha 450 or dual 300 engine configuration, both with integrated digital electric steering. Other options include Helm Master EX® full maneuverability with autopilot, trolling motor pre-rigging with a swivel mounting bracket with quick release, a head stabilizer, 36V battery system and a 20-amp battery charger (trolling motor not included) and an outrigger kit.

All built on Grady’s superior SeaV2® hull

with capable wave cutting technology and continuously variable vee design means you get the ultimate ride wherever the fish are biting. But don’t be fooled by its fishability, this boat is equally luxurious, making it as comfortable for long rides to the fishing grounds, as it is for relaxing days at the sandbar with family and friends.

South Atlantic Gets Two Days for Red Snapper

entlemen, start your engines! NOAA Fisheries recently announced a two-day recreational season for red snapper in federal waters of the South Atlantic off North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. It’s a sure bet known reefs and wrecks will be covered with boats as anglers take advantage of this limited chance to target one of the South’s favorite gamefish.

Recreational harvest will be open July 14 and 15, and anglers will be allowed to keep one fish per person with no size limits, so load the boat with as many buddies as it will hold. On for-hire vessels, captain and crew will be allowed to retain

Remember, use of a dehooking tool is required. There is also a requirement for the use of non-stainless steel hooks. In waters North of 28-degrees N. latitude, the use of non-offset, nonstainless steel circle hooks is required when fishing for snapper grouper species. A descending device is also required on board all vessels and must be readily available for use (attached to at least 16 ounces of weight and at least 60 feet

For more details, visit safmc.net.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CAPT. KURT TILLMAN

CAV-5NII

SEAKEEPER RIDE BRINGS MAJOR ATTITUDE TO

MARINE INDUSTRY

When Seakeeper Ride was introduced in August 2022, many wondered how it differed from Seakeeper gyroscopic stabilization systems. Seakeeper, the parent company of Seakeeper Ride has a strong reputation for bringing calmness to a rockin’ and rollin’ sea. But what exactly is Seakeeper Ride and how does it work? Seakeeper Ride is a Vessel Attitude Control System (adapted from the aerospace industry’s Attitude Control Systems) designed to control pitch, roll, and yaw. It can eliminate up to 70% of underway pitch and roll, providing an unparalleled feeling of comfort, control, and confidence. Not to be confused with trim tabs or interceptors which have linear actuators moving solely up and down, the VACS uses a rotary actuator that can move at speeds of 300mm per second to deploy the rotary blade up to one inch. This equates to 100 adjustments made per second to combat wave motions, based on proprietary software and sensors taking 1,000 measurements every second. The incomparable speed counteracts changes to both the running angle and list, immediately. Seakeeper Ride is completely automatic and predicts motion and responds automatically and instantaneously to eliminate them before they’re felt with no manual adjustments needed. The noticeable difference is not only felt by boaters but backed by real results published on the Seakeeper Ride website, based on five main benefits:

1. Pitch and Roll Elimination - Seakeeper Ride eliminates up to 70% of underway pitch and roll motion that often cause uncomfortable pounding or slamming.

2. List/Level Control - Seakeeper Ride never allows vessel list from movement onboard, wind, uneven load while underway, and/or prop torque.

3. Auto Trim - Seakeeper Ride uses a customized Trim Command Curve to automatically adjust the boat to match the optimal running angle at any given speed.

4. Hole Shot Control - Seakeeper Ride is optimized to allow for faster acceleration that gets the boat on plane more quickly which improves fuel economy during the transition to planing. The operator never loses sight of the horizon, increasing safety for all on board.

5. Coordinated Turn - Seakeeper Ride automatically adjusts the heeling angle of your boat during turns for more comfort and better performance.

Originally available as standard equipment on select models from Sportsman Boats, Scout Boats, Chris-Craft Boats, Jupiter Marine, and Dynamic Boats, Seakeeper Ride is now available for aftermarket installations on qualifying boats 19-35 feet through a dealer network.

Visit ride.seakeeper.com for more information or to locate a dealer near you.

ENTER TO WIN

SEA EAGLE® FISHSKIFF ™ 16 WITH SUZUKI DF4A OUTBOARD

Coastal Angler and The Angler Magazine, Suzuki Marine and Sea Eagle have come together to offer readers a shot at this Sea Eagle FishSkiff™ 16 paired with a Suzuki DF4 outboard that’ll take you wherever the fish are. The FishSkiff™ 16 is an inflatable fishing boat that is lightweight, sturdy, stable and extremely packable. It rolls up small enough to fit in the trunk of a car and quickly inflates into a fishing machine. Powered by Suzuki’s four-stroke DF4A, you’ll have to hold on to your hat as you scream over the flats. Designed for efficiency and performance and portability, the DF4A provides all the speed and acceleration you can handle. It’s lightweight and can be attached or removed with ease.

TYLER WOOLCOTT

SWIM JIGS AND SPAWNING BLUEGILLS TIPS FROM A PRO

This is the time of year when bass gorge themselves on bluegill. One of the best ways to catch bluegilleaters is with a swim jig.

The swim jig is a versatile bait. It can be used in different colors and actions that drive bass crazy. All the variety can make jig shopping a bit overwhelming. There are thousands of color options, countless styles, different hooks and line-tie variations. When I’m looking for the perfect swim jig, I keep a few things in mind. I only throw two different color combinations, bluegill duplicators—the greens, browns and oranges—and a black and blue. You want a jig with a slender head style with a vertical line tie that will come through the cover you’re fishing. I also like a jig with a stout hook. Throwing a swim jig around heavy cover calls for heavy line, and you don’t want your hook to bend out or break when you hook into a big one.

Selection of jig trailers can also be overwhelming. Guess what? I only throw two different styles of trailers. I usually put a swimbait-style trailer with a boot tail on the back, but occasionally I’ll use a craw trailer with two kicker legs. At the end of the day, you just want something back there kicking and giving your jig some action, and these two styles are my go-to. I match the color of the trailers to the color of the jig.

The cover to target with a swim jig can be endless. They are great in vegetation as well as around docks, wood, rocky banks and for covering

water over expansive flats with wood and grass. You can cover a lot of water with this bait, and typically covering more water leads to more bites. You should throw it anywhere bass are chasing bluegills or where bass are actively feeding. I always keep one tied on and ready.

A retrieve I find myself using a lot is a yo-yo retrieve. Point the rod tip high and vary the retrieval speed by either cranking fast and slow or moving the rod tip. This gives the bait some erratic movements and drives them crazy. I also use a steady retrieve. Depending on the part of the water column you are trying to target, you can reel the bait fast and keep it up high—even on the surface— or slow it down and creep it deeper, maybe to keep it around some submerged cover.

Swim Jig Gear

Fishing cover requires heavier equipment. I fish a heavy action rod with a length between a 7’3” and 7’6”. The 13 Fishing Defy Black 7’5H is a super affordable rod and is awesome for the job. Pair the rod up with a fast reel like the 13 Fishing Concept A 7:5 spooled up with 50-pound Seaguar Smackdown braid, and you are ready to put some fish in the boat.

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

Suzuki Marine Opens Panama City Tech Center

Suzuki Marine USA, Inc. recently announced the completion of its state-ofthe-art Suzuki Marine Technical Center in Panama City, Florida. This 20-acre waterfront property includes a 9,037-square foot main building with office space, conference rooms, technical/service bays, inside boat storage and other important equipment. Other amenities of the property include additional buildings, a private launch ramp with docks, and a 300-foot protective seawall.

A grand opening at the site brought together Suzuki staff from its Tampa corporate headquarters, select dealers and boatbuilding partners, local dignitaries, Suzuki Motor Corporation VIPs, and members of the boating press. Among those in attendance were Mr. Shuichi Mishima, Executive General Manager of Marine Operations for Suzuki Motor Corporation in Japan; State of Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis; and City of Panama City Mayor Greg Brudnicki.

Following tours of the facility, attendees took demonstration rides aboard a variety of Suzukipowered boats and explored the property from the water. The fleet of Suzuki demo boats on hand included the SeaPro 259 with twin Suzuki

DF140 outboards, which recently completed the Suzuki EcoFuel Run to the Capitol, a 940mile run by water from Florida to Washington DC for the 2023 American Boating Congress to promote new sustainable marine fuels.

“Thanks to hard work and cooperation between Suzuki Marine and government agencies, Panama City will henceforth be known as a leading source of marine industry innovation and an epicenter of new outboard motor development,” said George “Gus” Blakely, Suzuki Marine Executive Vice President Sales & Service. “We recognized early on that this was the ideal location for us to achieve our goals and—while it wasn’t easy—the final result has proved us right. We are thrilled to be here,

excited about the future and committed to being the type of corporate citizen that Panama City and the entire state of Florida can be proud of.”

Among the products and innovations being tested and evaluated was Suzuki’s innovative Micro Plastic Collecting device, which integrates with the engine’s cooling system to remove micro plastic pollution from the water. This device is now standard on Suzuki’s DF115 and DF140 4-stroke outboards. This is but one part of Suzuki’s global CLEAN OCEAN PROJECT initiative, which seeks to clean up coastal pollution, reduce the use of plastics and explore sustainable alternatives.

“Now that our Technical Center is complete and we have added several important staff members and endurance drivers, we can begin to fulfill our ultimate goal to the boating industry, Suzuki dealers and the boating public,” said Blakely. “We will be working not only with boat builders and our 1,200 dealers across America, but also with the Suzuki factory to create and refine the outboards of the future. Although we’re based in Florida—the boating capitol of the U.S.—we are also a Suzuki Technical Center for the world.”

Century Old Popping Corks Century Old Popping Corks

By Capt. Michael Okruhlik

Ibelieve the popping cork found its beginnings in the 1930s, and it’s still a mainstay in most saltwater anglers’ tackle boxes. Many versions have been introduced along the way and undoubtedly more will come. One thing is for certain, if they didn’t work, they would not have lasted for nearly a century. In Texas, a popping cork typically finds itself dragging a live shrimp, but there are other options. What makes the popping cork stand out is the cupped top, which creates a popping sound and splashes water forward when twitched. It simulates a fish feeding on the surface.

I was once no different than the masses tossing live shrimp under a cork, but in the early 2000s— when I had already turned my focus to exclusively lure fishing—I found another place for the simple but effective popping cork.

At that time, our famous Baffin Bay was plagued with brown tide, an algae bloom that turns the water, well, brown. The water had nearly zero visibility, which made fishing soft plastics difficult at best. Looking back, I wish I had already invented my Knockin Tail Lures with the built in tail rattle, but better late than never. At the time, I started using lures under a cork instead of live shrimp. I realized a noticeable increase in the number of fish I was able to catch. Depending on the circumstances, I would use a jighead, a weighted weedless hook or an unweighted hook about 24 inches under my cork. Although I heard a lot of grief from my buddies who would not touch a popping cork, it worked and I continued to out fish them on most trips. I stayed with this technique in Baffin until the brown tide cleared.

A lure under a cork is also a great way to introduce kids to lure fishing. Paddletails, twitch baits and artificial shrimp all work well with this strategy. The method takes a lot of the hand coordination out of the picture for children and lets them realize that you don’t need live bait to catch fish.

Another of the many options this cork gives the angler is a way to effectively fish jetties. At times, trout will suspend 8 to 10 feet deep off the rocks. In this situation, the popping cork’s sound creating ability is still important, but it needs to be modified. Casting a cork with 10 feet of leader to get your lure down to the fish creates a challenge. This is where the slip cork method comes into play. With a slip cork, you can cast a 2- or 3-foot leader or less, but the cork will have a rubber stop that allows your bait to sink to the desired depth where the bite is. Look up slip cork for more on this method. The weather is warm, don’t forget to take a kid fishing!

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

PHOTO

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• This kit provides protection and limits RF interference, to power for your graphs, pucks, GPS and NEMA boxes directly from your battery for the best performance and to meet Manufacturers recommendations.

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• 30 Amp fused at the battery and your choice of 3 or 5 amp at the fused connections.

• We use the best in Marine grade connections, heat shrinkable crimped connections are waterproof, vibration and corrosion free for a lifetime of use.

RECORD 776-POUND BLUE WINS ORANGE BEACH BILLFISH CLASSIC

A776.4-pound blue marlin set the docks buzzing on May 20 at Wharf Marina in Orange Beach, Alabama. On the stage at the 2023 Orange Beach Billfish Classic, it is the heaviest blue marlin weighed in the tournament’s 27-year history. It earned the crew of the 66-foot Mollie $183,000 in winnings and the top spot on the podium.

The Mollie, captained by Jeff Shoults, was 250 miles from the docks and 150 miles off the coast of Louisiana when the big blue hit a live blackfin tuna, according to a report on AL.com. Angler Brian Stover, of Paulding County, Ga.,

took the rod and battled the monster fish for 4 ½ hours to bring it boat-side.

“At that moment, everybody was seeing what I had been feeling,” Stover told Al.com. “That thing was like a dinosaur coming out of the water. The head was huge.”

The fish measured 10.5 feet in length. In a Facebook video from the tournament, Shoults said it is the largest blue marlin he has caught from the Gulf of Mexico in more than three decades of hunting blue marlin. It was about 75 pounds shy of the Alabama state record, which was caught during the 2020 Mongo Offshore

Challenge by Ginger Myers.

The Orange Beach Billfish Classic, held May 18-20, was the first major big-game event of the season and the first leg of the Gulf Coast Triple Crown series. With a 107-inch minimum length to weigh blue marlin, the event is committed to sustainable billfishing and has donated more than $730,000 to the Billfish Foundation and other conservation entities over the years.

For more information, see www.orangebeachbillfishclassic.com.

Experience

Watauga River

Home of world class fishing on the beautiful Watauga Lake, rugged Doe River and designated trophy trout stream, Watauga River

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DROP SHOT RIGGING

It’s Not Just For Bass!

The drop shot is a staple of bass anglers. But it remains a largely overlooked option for anglers pursuing other species of gamefish, including crappie. In the right situations, drop shotting can yield banner crappie catches, and even out-fish standard strategies.

“Drop shotting is a great choice whenever the fish are relatively close to bottom and you want to cover water a little faster, or with more precision, than you can with slip bobbers or vertical jigging,” said veteran guide Scott Glorvigen.

The technique is effective when crappie abandon shoreline weed beds and head to the main basin where

they’ll spend the winter. They often follow travel corridors, such as bars and points, to deeper water.

A drop shot rig excels at presenting softbaits or minnows at or just above the level of fish, and allows anglers to customize the speed of retrieve and amount of animation, without fear of the rig falling to bottom or drifting out of the strike zone.

Glorvigen had his epiphany while bass fishing.

“I was drop shotting bass with a 6-inch worm on a long finger bar leading from a shoreline saddle straight into the basin,” he recalled. “I was catching bass, but noticed on my sonar there were a lot of crappie and bluegills mixed in with them.”

Glorvigen credits the readings from his Lowrance electronics for revealing the difference between bass and panfish.

“I was also catching the occasional crappie here and there, which told me that drop shotting might be a winning presentation in

this scenario,” he added.

To tempt more crappie into biting, he traded the bass-sized worm for a more panfish-appropriate, 3-inch Impulse Angleworm. He also downsized the business end of the setup to a size 4 VMC Spinshot Drop-Shot Hook. After threading on the worm, he added a live crappie minnow for extra attraction.

Glorvigen’s rigging also includes a 7-foot, medium-light spinning outfit spooled with 10-pound-test mainline and an 8-pound-test monofilament leader tethered to the hook’s lower line tie. Leader length should be tailored to how high crappies are above bottom. Sinker weight should be as light as possible when drop shotting panfish. Pencil-style weights from 1/8- to 3/16-ounce fit most situations.

Once rigged up, he casts and lets the sinker settle, before tightening the line for a direct connection that allows bottom detection as well as subtle bites.

“You can move the rig across by reeling, drifting or using your trolling motor to slowly cover key areas,” he noted.

No matter which means of propulsion you choose, Glorvigen recommends toning down the amount of action you give the bait.

“If the bait jumps around too fast, it’s hard for them to hit it,” he said. “I’ve had the best luck with a more subtle approach than what I’d use when bass fishing. Simply shaking and gently twitching the worm is enough.”

While winter is a great time to throw drop shot rigs, Glorvigen said there are plenty of other times it pays to keep an open mind on the water.

“Anglers get stuck in our ways and pigeonholed into certain presentations,” he said. “But it’s always good to experiment, adjust and pay attention to what the fish are trying to tell you.”

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HOW TO RETRIEVE A FLY IN BLUE WATER

I’m often asked, “What is the correct speed when stripping and retrieving a fly in a saltwater fly fishing situation?” This is a great question, one that has many answers and differing opinions depending on who you talk too. There really is no right or wrong answer. However, there are a few saltwater fly fishing situations that lend themselves to a specific fly stripping/retrieval method.

When I was just getting into blue water fly fishing some 25 years ago, the summer yellowfin tuna runs in Southern California were famous. Fish ranged from 10 to 40 pounds and were a tremendous challenge to hook on the fly rod. Back then I started to have limited success once I figured out that these fish preferred a small, sparsely dressed anchovy imitation. However, my hook ups were few and far between even when I had schooling and feeding yellowfin around my boat. I tried every type of retrieval method I could think of: fast, slow, medium. I let the fly sink, I even jigged the fly using my rod tip to give it more action. All these methods brought limited success in convincing the yellowfin to take my fly.

I remember one particular outing, while taking a break from fishing, I observed a small anchovy swimming just below the surface. As I watched, I noticed the anchovy never stopped moving. At that moment I realized my retrieve was all wrong.

The Two-Hand Retrieve

The two-handed strip is the most versatile technique in saltwater fly fishing. When targeting a variety of blue water species like, tuna, mackerel, jacks or dorado, the two-handed method makes it possible

for the angler to imitate the movement of baitfish like anchovies, sardines and pilchards. It works for three important reasons:

1) The angler can keep the fly moving through the water without pausing the fly. Remember, most predatory fish will not, in most cases, strike a paused or falling artificial bait or fly. I’ve spent many days on the water in schools of feeding offshore fish and more often than not, when a fly is retrieved with the standard one-hand strip, pause included, the fly is totally ignored.

2) The angler can control the speed of the fly’s retrieval. Baitfish swim at various speeds at various times. If they are getting chased by a hungry school of tuna, dorado or jacks, they will swim quickly to avoid getting eaten. If the baitfish are gathered in a current seam offshore or under a floating weed line during slack water (not prime time feeding for predators), they will swim more casually. So, the two-hand retrieve can manipulate the speed to match the situation.

3) The anglers will always have a positive hook set. In other words, the hook set when using the two-handed strip technique is always a strip strike. It is impossible to lift the rod tip out of the water and pull the fly from the fishing mouth.

How To Do It

1) Place the fly rod under your arm pit below your casting shoulder. Make certain the rod tip is on the water pointed down.

2) Grab the fly line with you casting hand at the rod’s first stripping guide.

3) Pull the fly line as if you were making a one-hand strip.

4) Next, bring your other hand up to the stripping guide and repeat the strip. Visualize yourself pulling a string through the guides of the fly rod. Do not stop and pause.

Sometimes the biggest challenge in saltwater fly fishing is not catching the fish, it’s figuring out how the fish wants a certain food item presented to them. The two-handed stripping method is by far the most versatile technique in saltwater fly fishing. Master it and you will catch more blue water fish, guaranteed!

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MAXIMIZE YOUR OUTPUT

With Dometic’s Mega Jackplate

ENGINEERED TO HANDLE THE STRONGEST OUTBOARD ENGINES ON THE MARKET

Today’s engine manufacturers are building engines that are more powerful and heavier than ever before. Dometic’s new Mega Jackplate has been developed to withstand the power of high performance engines and provide boaters with the ability to maximize the output of their engines while offering more flexibility in shallow water. The Mega Jackplate is rated to 600 HP and is an extension of our existing product line. It will be offered in 6”, 8” and 10” setbacks. There will be 2 versions available, a standard bolt pattern designed to fit engines like Yamaha XTO and a wide bolt pattern designed to fit Merc 500/600.

JACKED UP!

The Benefits of Precision Outboard Height Adjustment

Electro-hydraulic jack plates give owners of outboard-powered fishing boats a couple of key performance advantages. For one, installing a jack plate on an outboard boat provides some setback between the motor and the transom. This allows the propeller to operate in less turbulent water, and can help increase performance and reduce cavitation, which occurs when the prop is spinning in aerated water and begins to “break loose.”

The second and perhaps more important advantage is the ability to precisely adjust the height of the motor on the transom with the touch of a button—independent of the outboard’s trim angle. You’re most likely to find jack plates installed on freshwater bass boats, bay boats, hybrid bay/offshore boats, flats skiffs and tunnel hulls. In these applications, adjusting the engine

can help a boat’s “hole shot,” which is when you punch it from standing still to get the boat up onto plane. What you don’t want — especially in shallow water — is for the boat to rise too much in the bow and squat in the rear as it climbs out of “the hole.” Finding just the right motor height to provide the propeller with the ideal combination of grip and slip can push the boat quickly onto plane. This is important, as too much bite will make the boat bog down, and too much slip will cause the propeller to break loose and lose thrust.

Another benefit of electro-hydraulic jack plates is the ability to run a boat in shallower water. This holds true whether you’re on plane jetting across a flat or inching a large center console up onto a shelf to throw a castnet.

Dometic’s newest entry into the jack plate market is its new Mega Plate. This electro-hydraulic system is engineered specifically for today’s breed of large, hi-horsepower outboard motors. In fact, Mega Plate is designed for use with motors ranging from 400HP all the way up to the new V-12 600HP outboard from Mercury. It is offered in 6-inch, 8-inch and 10-inch setbacks to accommodate a range of vessel types and installations. Mega Plate is offered in two versions — a standard bolt pattern for Yamaha XTO and Mercury 450R engines, and a wide bold pattern for Mercury 500 and 600HP motors.

Dometic’s built-in Smartstick Linear Position Sensor and ability to integrate with Dometic Digital Switching technology compatible with all HTML5 capable MFDs give boaters complete control of multiple engine height positions with the touch of a finger.

To learn more about premium quality jack plates from Dometic Marine, visit www.dometic.com

By Chris Beardsley

THE CLASSIC SURF POMPANO RIG

The flash of silver skimming just beneath the surface of the breaking waves gives away the pompano’s identity. Their long, parallel runs and heavier than expected pull makes catching these feisty little jacks all the more fun. Fishing from shore can be very rewarding, and when a school comes through the bite can be fast and furious but often ends as quickly as it starts.

Florida pompano are widespread, inhabiting waters of the western Atlantic from Massachusetts to Brazil. These coastal crab crushers can be found running the beaches seasonally, and that season will be different depending on where an angler does his surfcasting. But no matter where or what time of year one intercepts a school of these tasty fish in the surf, the technique for catching them is pretty simple.

The mole crab or sand flea is a common food source. Live sand fleas are a great bait, and catching them is a trick in itself. At low tide, they can be captured as the waves recede. They give themselves away with a small V shape in the sand. Use a sand flea rake or small bucket to dig for them quickly before the next wave rolls in.

Another favorite pomp treat is a small shrimp or parts of larger one. Whichever bait you choose, check it often as bait stealers are just waiting for an opportunity. I have also found that pink, shrimpscented FishBites can be a game changer when the standbys are not producing; they are extremely durable and can be presented many different ways.

Brightly colored pompano rigs—aka set rigs, bottom rigs or drop rigs—with two to three very sharp 1/0 or 2/0 circle hooks and green, yellow and orange floats are a great starting point. I prefer pompano rigs with two hooks and a 1- to 3-ounce

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pyramid sinker as the anchor. Pyramid sinkers dig deeper into the sand than bell or barrel types and should be just heavy enough to prevent your rig from walking back to shore. Keep a few different weights at your disposal and adjust accordingly.

Try using different baits on each hook. I often switch between FishBites on one hook and a small piece of shrimp or whole sand flea on the other. When hooking a sand flea, push the hook through the underside of the crab then just barely penetrate the topside of the carapace with the point of the hook. This wedges the hook tightly and prevents cast offs.

Fishing the trough between the furthest sand bar and shore is a prime area, and a light, sensitive 7-foot rod and a 3000 to 5000 series reel spooled with 10 to 15-pound test is just about perfect. Arguably lighter is better, but where there are small fish there are often big fish, and I like to be prepared. As the sun kicks up the heat index, I often switch to a 10foot surf rod with the same pompano rig and target the far edge of the sand bar. This deeper water seems to produce more fish midday.

Using this classic approach can mean the difference between soaking bait and actually catching fish.

PHOTO COURTESY OF COCOA BEACH SURF FISHING CHARTERS

Chris is a freelance writer from Wisconsin with an obsession for all things saltwater. He does most of his fishing on Florida’s Forgotten Coast.

YAMAHA’S 19-FOOT BOATS PLAY BIGGER THAN THEIR SIZE

Prepare for exhilarating water adventures with Yamaha Boats’ impressive 19 Foot Series. Featuring the Runabout lineup (SX190, AR190, SX195, AR195, and 195S) and the Center Console FSH Boats (190 FSH Sport and 195 FSH Sport), each group offers unique features tailored to specific preferences, ensuring an unforgettable experience for both family water sport enthusiasts and fishing anglers alike. Regardless of the model, consumers can look forward to Yamaha’s award winning Connext® touchscreen technology, state of the art sound system, and Bimini Top available on every 19FT unit.

Known for their style and ease of ownership, The SX190 and AR190 boast a compact design without compromising performance. Equipped with a 1.8-liter High Output Yamaha Marine engine, these boats provide a great blend of power and agility. The Connext® touchscreen technology provides easy access to navigation, entertainment, and other essential boat functions. Their compact size and trailer allow them to fit into most garages, adding convenience to your boating experience.

The SX195, AR195, and 195S take the Runabout Boats to the next level. These models offer spacious seating for up to eight passengers, ensuring that everyone can join in on the excitement. The sound system guarantees a premium audio experience, elevating your time on the water and making every adventure feel like a party. While the Yamaha SX190 and SX195 are believed to be the perfect welcome to boating, watersport lovers will be drawn to the versatility that the tower provides on the AR190, AR195 and 195S models.

The FSH Boats, including the 190 FSH Sport and 195 FSH Sport, seamlessly combine fishing functionality with family fun. Designed with anglers in mind, these boats feature a center console layout, dedicated fishing amenities, and ample storage space for gear. The 190 FSH Sport and 195 FSH Sport come equipped with everything needed for successful fishing trips, including an 18-gallon livewell, T-Top rod storage, and casting platforms. But they are not just for anglers; these boats are versatile enough for the whole family to enjoy. With their innovative helm layout, spacious seating for up to eight passengers, and integrated swim platforms

with tow hooks, you can relax, fish, and tube all in one vessel.

No matter which model you choose from the Yamaha Boats’ 19 Foot Series, you can expect exceptional craftsmanship and a thrilling on-water experience. From the Runabout Boats’ advanced technology and garage-friendly size to the FSH Boats’ combination of fishing prowess and familyfun, Yamaha offers a boat for every adventurer. Embrace the thrill and make lasting memories with Yamaha Boats’ 19 Foot Series. Whether you’re a water sports enthusiast or a fishing aficionado, these boats are designed to exceed your expectations.

For more information on Yamaha Boats’ 19 Foot Series, visit www.yamahaboats.com/boats/categories/19-ft-boats/

The Heavyweight Experience of ALASKA, USA•ALAS K ,A ASU

A

It’s easy to understand why anglers delight in preparing for an Alaska fishing expedition. Some of the thrill is the anticipation, in getting gear and tackle ready, the big reels, 12-ounce and larger jigs, and huge circle hooks that have been honed to hypodermic-grade sharpness.

It’s ensuring the cooler is properly marked with your name and address to transport the fillets you’ll be taking home, and most importantly, the arm curls and circuit training you’re doing. The workouts are necessary, and it’s easy to see why.

Alaska saltwater fishing is not for the weak of arm or back. Halibut get big in Alaska, with fish reaching weights of 400 pounds, and lengths of 9 feet long. Even the 100-pounders you’re most likely to catch can slug it out through 300 feet of pump-and-lift jabs, and rocket back to the bottom to start all

over again for round two. There’s no giving up, no taking a breather for more than a few seconds. Once you are engaged, you fight to your limit. Your arm will get numb at times, your hand pulses with fatigue, and your back quivers in spasmodic tension, but the smile frozen on your face says it all.

This is saltwater fishing as good as it gets. While I enjoy slugging it out with halibut, I also enjoy a dukefest with

rows of teeth and sinister look, these water wolves of the deep are among the tastiest fish to catch, as well as the forage they feed on; the 4- to 20-pound rockfish of various species, which are among the best-tasting fish in the north country.

But many anglers will want to jig for the five species of Pacific salmon: kings to 70 pounds, coho salmon to 20, and 4- to 8-pound pink salmon. While they might be the smallest of the Pacific salmon, oceanbright pinks can

max out an 8-weight fly rod. Best of all, odd-numbered years see the return of millions of fish, when creeks and rivers burst at the seams with In Valdez alone, as many as 11 million salmon have returned in past years. Anglers delight in catching them along the shoreline near the Solomon Gulch hatchery.

There are many places to use as a base camp to start your excursion. At the end of the Richardson Highway, there are big halibut on the outer rim of Prince William Sound, where it meets the abysmal Gulf of Alaska and its continental shelf drop-off to 14,000 feet. Worry not, hotspots like Montague Island, feature big fish feeding in the shallow 60- to 120-foot depths.

The Inside Passage is in the seldom-fished waters near Petersburg. Anglers can opt

for boat rentals for do-it-yourself fishing or guided saltwater fishing for salmon, halibut, rockfish and lingcod. This familyrun businesses offer not only fishing, but a variety of adventures and tips on enjoying the many fishing and area glacier attractions, as well as prime bear viewing and some fabulous cutthroat and rainbow trout fishing.

Of course, Kodiak Island offers superb deep-sea fishing, bordering the Aleutian trench. Huge halibut migrate from waters bordering these drop-offs and into the shallower food-rich shorelines of Kodiak and Afognak islands. While most fish range from 30 to 100 pounds, fish to 300 pounds

and heavier have been caught off Kodiak. Fish this size measure 8 feet in length. Kodiak anglers fish shallow water, from 60 to 180 feet. King salmon fishing is among the best in Alaska saltwater and runs best from April through early mid July. The best thing about fishing Kodiak is short travel time. The best hotspots are often accessed in less than an hour, which offers more time for fishing. Also, because of the remote location of the lodge, there is little if any sportfishing competition.

In Prince William Sound,

there are guided and do-it-yourself options in some of the most salmon-rich waters of south-central Alaska.

Chris Batin is editor of The Alaska Angler, and producer of the instructional DVD, “Underwater Secrets of Halibut, Rockfish and Lingcod.” For more than 40 years, he has run The Alaska Angler Information Service, which is a one-onone consultation that helps anglers plan their Alaska fishing adventures. Discover more at www.AlaskaAngler.com.

State Record Blackfish Caught Off Delaware

A22-pound, 14-ounce tautog caught on a wreck out of the Indian River Inlet on May 6 is a new Delaware state record for the species. James Milano, of North Babylon, N.Y., caught the big ‘tog while fishing with No Limit Sportfishing, captained by Jon Azato.

Officials with the Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife certified the 34-inch blackfish at Hook ‘em and Cook ‘em Bait & Tackle at Indian River Inlet. The new state record tautog weighed 1 pound, 6.7 ounces more than the previous state record, caught

in May 2022 by Brent Wiest. On the No Limit Sportfishing Facebook page, Capt. Azato reported that overall it was a tough day of fishing but that they picked up a few good ones for the cooler. Azato also reported a very good opener to the black seabass season May 15, with a limit in the fish box of seabass weighing up to 4 pounds, with a 2.1-pound average.

Follow No Limit Sportfishing on Facebook to keep up with Delaware offshore action.

Electric AN GREEN DRAKE HATCH

By Michael Fitzsimmons

into a story about a legendary green drake hatch in which he had once participated. No doubt, the green drake is one of my favorite dry flies. Yet truth be told, I’ve only fished two bona fide green drake hatches in my entire career as a fly fisherman. However, the fly should not be saved for an actual green drake hatch. Let me explain.

My Favorite “Colorado” Green Drake

The first green drake hatch I ever experienced happened late one evening. It had been a decent day on the water, but everything changed when some big #12 sized green drakes made an appearance on the surface. I tied on the only green drake I had in my possession and… Ohhh, Doctor! I started catching rainbow trout one after the other on explosive strikes. The trout simply lost their minds and

PHOTO COURTESY OF MICHAEL FITZSIMMONS

threw all caution to the wind for some tasty green drake vittles. As the sun moved down behind the mountain, it got progressively darker until I couldn’t even see my fly. But all I had to do was listen: if I heard a sound like an airplane toilet flush - Ka-floouush! - I’d set the hook and more often than not catch another trout. I got to laughing so hard I could barely stand up. I finally popped off the drake on a large fish, and that was that – but I finally knew what all the fuss was about.

For me, it was the next green drake hatch that will forever live in infamy. It sprung up unexpectedly one afternoon. I was fishing was a Colorado tailwater that ran for miles and miles and fished more like a true freestone. It could be tough to fish when the sun was out and the wind picked up. Sometimes you’d swear there wasn’t a single trout in the whole darn river. But I knew it was chock-full of browns and rainbows. However, after 20-plus years of fishing this river, I had never seen a single green drake, let alone a big hatch.

The elevation that day was about 8,750 feet. The left bank of the river hugged the base of a mountain ridge and the right bank opened onto a broad and relatively flat meadow full of grasses and wildflowers. The sun had been shining hot all day, and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. As a result, the trout had been down deep, lazy, and would only feed if you put a nymph right in front of their nose. Being a dry fly bigot, I was too stubborn to tie on a nymph and kept fishing dry flies. As a result, it had been a tough day for me. Any sane fly fisherman would have long ago tied on a #18 pheasant tail and high-sticked the deeper runs. But not me… I kept throwing my

arm off with dries—and with very little success. Quickly though, the weather changed. Clouds came rollin’ in over the crest of the mountain ridge and both the temperature and

atmospheric pressure drop noticeably. I saw a white flash followed quickly by a big rumble and decided it best to head back to the truck before getting caught in an extremely exposed

PHOTO BY GAIL HAMPSHIRE

position. As I started wading across to exit the river, I spotted a relatively small green drake, about a #16, on the surface nearby. As soon as I saw the fly, it was immediately annihilated by a frisky brown trout.

I hurried to tie on a Colorado Green and tossed it out into some slow water near the bank. A brown darted up from under the bank and clobbered it. It was the best action I’d had all day. I released the brown and cast the drake out again. It no sooner hit the water when BAM! This time it was a rainbow. By now, there were green drakes flitting around everywhere—some as big as a #10. The trout immediately keyed in on the hatch. As far as I could see upstream, from bank-to-bank, the surface was punctured with trout feasting on big fat green drakes. These were 14- to 18-inch rainbows and browns feeding without hesitation. Occasionally a trout’s momentous strike would take him airborne, and I swear some of them were looking for the next green drake while still in-flight.

The hatch was dry-fly fishing heaven. I was fishing my 7.5-foot, two-piece, “Perfectionist” bamboo rod (made by the late-great “Preacher Jim” Beasley, of Crossville, Tenn.) with the classic burnt orange fly line—a very stylish and functional combination. With a big ol’ green drake tied onto the end of a 5X tippet—well, it just doesn’t get any better for a dry fly fisherman. Making it even more special, I was the only person on the river. But there was a reason for that. Quickly blowing over the ridge were those blue-tinged storm clouds that high-country outdoorsmen recognize as an ominous sign of what’s to come. Sure enough, the pyrotechnic show began almost immediately, and the bolts were concurrent with super-loud thunder

claps that vibrated my internals. Lightning was pinging down all around the mountainside and meadow. It was scary. Figuring it would be more dangerous to venture across the meadow back to my truck, I chose to shelter-in-place.

Desperately seeking a safe haven, I spotted a small shallow creek that emptied into the river about 10 yards upstream. Elk, mule deer, and bear tracks showed they had used the creek bed as a trail to the river for a cool drink. As a result, they had beaten down the creek and helped create a steep foot-high bank that provided at least a modicum of protection from the lightning. I splashed and crawled my way up to the mouth of the creek and dove into it. Luckily it was mostly dry of water, but it was very muddy. For the next 10 to 15 minutes, it was too dangerous to even sit up. I crawled around to reorient my face back toward the river to see what was going on. The green drake hatch was still in full-swing and the fish were feeding with absolute abandon. I mean church was out!

Eventually the lightning strikes lessened, somewhat, and I got brave enough to get on my hands and knees to make short side-arm casts to get my drake out onto the surface. I caught a couple trout like this, but it was tough to land them because I was very wary of raising my rod tip too high in the air and effectively making a lightning rod out of myself. Several times a lightning strike or loud thunder clap had me involuntarily diving back into the muddy creek bed while throwing my rod into the grass. At one point it seemed too dangerous to even cast, so I held the fly in my hand, pulled it back until the rod bowed, and released the fly to ping out into the river. As long as the drake hit the water, there was a fish ready to take it.

Eventually, the storm passed and I was able to stand up in the middle of the river and fish the most incredible green drake hatch the way I wanted to. On one cast, two fish—a rainbow and a brown—came from opposite directions and arrived at my green drake at exactly the same time. There was a violent collision of noses and both fish quickly retreated. My green drake was partially submerged, but a brown that had obviously seen the collision circled it once and then—slowly and very daintily—took the fly. Boy, was he surprised when I hooked him! He jumped completely out of the air twice before I landed him. What a panic!

Once, I cast out and couldn’t believe it when my drake drifted almost all the way back to me without a strike. Just as I was picking up the fly to make another cast a brown trout that was upstream of the fly came at it like a freight train. He took the fly on the uptake, went airborne on the hook set and hit me right in the middle of the chest. When a 16-inch brown takes a fly, goes airborne and nails you right in the chest, it’s gotta be a green drake hatch. I’ve dreamed about fishing that green drake hatch on many a cold winter’s night.

Admittedly, this was one of my more foolish, ignorant and dangerous outings—it should not be emulated. That said, I’ll never forget the experience… or the mud I had to wash off my face, shirt, vest and waders after diving into that little creek bed so many times.

This short-story (copyrighted by the author) and many other true-life fly fishing adventures can be found in Michael Fitzsimmons’ book “Adventures of a Dry-Fly Junkie,” available only on Amazon. Contact the author at dry_fly_junkie@hotmail.com.

COOLERS

, the leader in high-performance soft-sided coolers, is hitting the water this year with new, upgraded fishing products. Our fishing team partners told us what they needed, and we listened!

Products are in stock and ready to ship; The Fishing Cooler Backpack, 2, 4 & 6ft Fish bags, Fillet bags, Boat fenders, EVA Traction pads, Inflatable Docks, ISUPs, and of course, our high-performance coolers specifically designed for use on boats, guaranteed not to leak, and to keep ice cold for up to 24 hours.

Thirty years ago, AO was launched to provide active, hard-core people with quality products at a reasonable price. We started selling our soft-sided coolers to the hard-core, go-fast boaters and fishermen in Lake Havasu. We aimed to keep ice in our coolers for up to 24 hours in 120-degree Havasu heat. That goal was accomplished 30 years ago, and we’re still at it.

We know our customers; they fish and boat in the summer and ride the dunes or trails in the winter. AO products give those high-octane souls greater freedom to embark on and enjoy what’s important to them.

Make sure that your gear does not hold you back from doing what you love. AO products are built to handle whatever offshore adventure is coming next.

AO is flexibly rugged, seriously fun, and honestly real!

We’re looking for active, adventurous folks that demand quality and performance from their gear. Share your adventure and send us your fish story or photo.

Trophies Traditions !

For those of us afflicted with the fishing bug, nothing will deter us from returning to the ocean. We’re often planning our next trip before the current one is over. There is no difference between fishing daily, or being deprived for weeks, the fisherman’s mind will never stop nagging to get back out there.

Fishing stories and trophies are a great way to keep the inner fishingmonster soothed in between trips.

Photographs are an easy way to relive moments, and should not be overlooked. It doesn’t take much effort to get out a camera and capture the catch when it hits the deck while its colors are vibrant and the smile is fresh on the angler’s face. Friends don’t let friends take dead-fish dock photos, without at least a few taken out on the blue.

When it comes to fishing trophies, there is a whole lot more to be taken home than just some good photos.

The standard go-to trophies are wall mount replicas, which can easily be reproduced with some measurements and photos. This provides the opportunity to release the fish and also be able to take it home with you. Gray’s taxidermy does excellent work with this type of customization, and outfits most charter companies with the required paperwork to get you started on this process. Make sure to ask your captain about mounting your catch, before you release the fish.

There are still people who work with the tried and true art of fish taxidermy, utilizing the fish itself, but these services are harder

By Capt. Quinlyn Haddon

Gyotaku fish rubbings are another way to accredit the true size of a trophy fish. The fish itself is painted and printed on paper. This method does not allow you to release the fish, but if you work quickly, and utilize acrylics, the fillets may still be consumed. This is a fun method to try on your own, but there are artists you can hire for this as

Various parts of the fish can be taken and treated, such as bills, tails, skeletal systems and even eyeballs transformed into epoxy shot glasses. These trophies can have some of the best outcomes, but require some involved and stinky DIY processing. There are a variety of techniques for this, and endless creative potential.

Participating in fishing traditions is another great way to boost the excitement of a first catch, and add to the memory. Who knows how these got started, but it is our communal obligation to keep them alive.

I’m sure there are some I have missed, but here are the ones I know of, and practice.

When you catch your first tuna, it is customary to eat the heart, or at very least, take a bite out of it. It’s not bad with a bit of lime and a chaser. Tastes a bit like what I would imagine tuna-jerky to taste like.

When you catch your first marlin, you earn a celebratory jump in the ocean. Usually, this is done back at the dock for safety reasons. This is the most refreshing dip you’ll ever take.

When you catch your first swordfish, your crew will hollow out the eyeball, as to make a cup out of it, and you then take a drink from it. I highly recommend being quick about this before extra slime leeches out into your drink. Don’t worry, it all tastes like victory.

However deep your commitment to your fishing affliction may be, the best trophy will always be memories of having a good time. Most importantly, don’t forget to enjoy being out there. Your local captains understand that it’s difficult to manage life between fishing trips, and we are here for you. Sweet E’Nuf Charters is available for your next fix, out of Marathon, Florida Keys.

Capt. Quinlyn, of Sweet E’Nuf Charters, is also a Gyotaku artist and a Gray’s Taxidermy agent. Contact her at (504) 920-6342 and follow her social accounts @CaptainQuinlyn.

HILTON’S MAKES THE QUANTUM LEAP TO YOUR VESSEL’S MONITORS

Since 2004, Hilton’s has helped serious offshore anglers catch more fish while burning less gas. This is the company that pioneered online satellite fish forecasting with timely updated charts that display all of the pertinent fish-finding information at a reasonable cost for the best anglers in the world.

This year, Hilton’s pushed the industry forward again with its SAT2NAV system. In a quantum leap ahead of any other service in the industry, Hilton’s has brought its unparalleled charts where they belong… to your boat’s chart plotter screen!

Gone are the days when a separate smart device was required to navigate on charts downloaded while in cell phone range. SAT2NAV allows you to surf Hilton’s online mapping portal, select desired charts and then navigate on them—all on the water and all from the multifunction display in your cockpit. Nobody in the industry can do what Hilton’s is doing with SAT2NAV.

SAT2NAV is an external device that connects to the monitors of your Garmin, Raymarine or Furano multifunction displays. It has its own WIFI and GPS antennas and brings access to Hilton’s charts

to the monitors at your helm. It is now possible view your vessel’s position relative to temperature breaks, color changes, highres bathymetry, altimetry, etc. on your multifunction display. With split-screen, all of this powerful imagery can be displayed alongside sonar, radar or other desired information.

With SAT2NAV, it’s never been easier to identify and navigate to ocean features where bait and gamefish congregate. You can do your homework on the charts at home, but sometimes it’s necessary to call an audible on the water. With Hilton’s charts clearly visible on your monitor, you can find those good currents, minute temperature changes, seasurface upwellings, color breaks and navigate to them. Perhaps more importantly, you can eliminate dead water, which makes you a much more efficient and effective angler.

Of course, all of this comes with Hilton’s unrivaled service. Their philosophy, reputation and longevity in the industry rely on the concept that if the information doesn’t help you catch fish, you won’t use it. So, they continually strive to provide the best up-to-date imagery, information and technology, and they’ll go above and beyond

to make sure you know what you’re looking at and how to use it.

Hilton’s, again, is leading the industry. With SAT2NAV they can do what no one else in the industry can do right now. At the same time, they are continually working to be better with additional eye-opening features that will further distinguish Hilton’s as the best in the fish forecasting industry. Stay tuned…

Learn more at realtime-navigator.com.

FAT COLORADO LAKER OUTWEIGHS WORLD RECORD

If this potbellied 73.29-pound lake trout isn’t a new world record, it should be.

Scott Enloe and his son Hunter were fishing an undisclosed Colorado lake in early May when Scott hooked into the 47-inch-long monster on a 6-inch tube jig and 10-pound test. According to Free Range American, it took 13 tense minutes to fight the huge laker boat-side, and both men had to haul it over the side because their net was too small to land the fish.

The fish was full of eggs and had an

incredible girth of 37 inches. After some photos and measurements, they released it to go lay those eggs and spread the genetics for obesity.

The IGFA all-tackle world record for lake trout weighed 72 pounds, even. It was caught in 1995 by Lloyd Bull at Great Bear Lake in Canada. With the strict procedures required by IGFA for record consideration, it is unlikely Enloe’s fish will break the all-tackle world record, but there is a chance the organization will consider it for a world length record.

The current Colorado state record weighed 50.35 pounds. It was caught by Donald Walker in 2007. We’re not sure about Colorado’s record submission requirements, but most states require a weight taken on certified scales. Regardless, it is the fish of a lifetime for Enloe, and if it doesn’t qualify for a record… it should.

To read the full report from Free Range American, go to https://freerangeamerican.us/ world-record-lake-trout-enloe/

PHOTO COURTESY OF HUNTER ENLOE

Recreation, culture and history

Madison County is located 15 miles north of Asheville on the North Carolina/Tennessee border in the Smoky Mountains of Appalachia. There are many attractions in our 452 square mile area, of which 73 percent is forest. Nearly one fourth is public land managed by the US Forest Service.

North Carolinian Smashes U.S. Surf Casting Record

There’s no doubt these guys can get it out past the breakers. The Carolina Surf Casters Association gets together four times a year to hold distance-casting competitions. In an April contest, North Carolina’s Ryan Lambert set a record for the longest fishing cast in U.S. history. He launched a massive 889-foot, 4-inch cast.

Lambert is a frequent competitor in the sport of surf casting, known in Europe as long distance casting of sea weights, in which participants gather on a large marked field with surf fishing tackle to see who can cast different sizes of large sinkers (3.5 to 8 ounces) the farthest.

Though the sport originated in the U.S., reportedly as far back as the 1890s, it has become more popular in Europe and South America in recent decades. Only three surf casting clubs exist in the U.S. today. They are SurfCast USA (SCUSA), based in Maryland, Surf Fishing & Casting Club International (SFCCI), on Texas’ Gulf Coast, and Carolina Surf Casters

Association (CSCA), in eastern North Carolina.

Lambert is the vice president/secretary of the CSCA – a more than 10-year-old organization with members from North Carolina, South Carolina, Delaware, Virginia, Maryland and Texas. The club organizes four competitions per year in spring and fall. These events are open to surf casters of all skill levels.

Lambert, a sales representative for a large agricultural supplier, lives in Angier, N.C., with his wife Blair and their two daughters. He’s an experienced saltwater fisherman who, like most competitive casters, originally developed longdistance casting skills to improve catch rate from piers and the beach. He learned those skills under the tutelage of fellow North Carolinian and long-time U.S. surf casting champion Tommy Farmer.

Tapping into his athleticism from playing baseball for N.C. State University, Lambert is able to generate huge power using a pendulum cast. This highly specialized technique involves

swinging the sinker into an orbit around the tip of a long 12- to 14-foot surf rod, and at a precise moment, rotating the body and rod through a large arc, ending with a powerful punch-pull motion with the right and left arms.

“It’s great that one of our own from North Carolina—someone from our club, no less— was able to set this new benchmark,” said Matt Tuers, president of the CSCA. “One of the main objectives of this organization is to grow a community where U.S. casters can develop and start taking back the international records. Casters like Ryan are in a position to do that, as well as inspire the next batch of elite American competitors.”

The current world record longest cast is held by “Big Danny” Moeskops of Belgium with a 940 foot cast made in the early 2000s. The previous U.S. record was held by Will Nash of Texas, with 873 feet.

Check out CSCA at carolinasurfcasters.org.

Popular on the tournament field, but rarely seen on U.S. beaches, the pendulum cast is Ryan Lambert’s preferred casting style for launching heavy sinkers long distances.