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CLEANING OUR OCEANS FOR A BETTER
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SUZUKI’S CLEAN OCEAN PROJECT If you’re going to claim to be “The Ultimate Outboard Motor,” you’d better do more than just build great engines. This is why, for the past 10 years, Suzuki has been committed to cleaning up the marine environment through voluntary “Clean Up The World” activities around the globe. Through the recently launched CLEAN OCEAN PROJECT, Suzuki Marine is committed to reducing the use of plastics in packaging materials to its consumers which has led to eliminating 2.3 tons of plastic waste annually. Suzuki is continually finding ways to reduce plastic waste while educating and informing the boating industry about this critical issue. This is only the beginning and Suzuki is pledging itself to the important cause of protecting our planet’s waters, coastal environments, and marine ecosystems for future generations to enjoy.
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5 YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY applies to qualifying purchases of Suzuki outboard motors sold and delivered to the retail purchaser, for pleasure (non-commercial) use only, from April 1, 2021 through March 31, 2022. See Suzuki Limited Warranty for additional details. Suzuki, the “S” logo, and Suzuki model and product names are Suzuki Trademarks or ®. Don’t drink and drive. Always wear a USCG-approved life jacket and read your owner’s manual. © 2021 Suzuki Marine USA, LLC. All rights reserved.
tw Flo Ro season bites t of the “M favorit mid-F some uncom and it my fin spring Ro here, nutrie offsho 34’ Le a crew for ma Sailfish
S R E V I L E D H C A E PALM B
I
t was a good winter in the Atlantic off south Florida’s Palm Beach County. Capt. Austin Rowe said that bodes well for the spring season, when a convergence of several different bites typically makes for some of the best action of the year. “March, April and May are by far my favorite time of year around here,” he said in mid-February. “We’re already starting to see some blackfin tunas right now, which is kind of uncommon. It was a crazy-good winter for mahi, and it was a good for sailfish, as well. I’ve got my fingers crossed that the fish stick around for spring, and we can really put a hurting on them.” Rowe is a young captain who grew up fishing here, where the Gulf Stream sweeps warm nutrient-rich waters northward just a few miles offshore. He captains “Angler Management,” a 34’ Legend center console with twin 300s. With a crew of up to six clients, it is a perfect ride for making the short runs out of Singer Island’s Sailfish Marina quickly and comfortably.
By Nick Carter
“One of the really beautiful things about fishing around here is you don’t have to go very far to get to the fish,” he said. “A full tank of gas lasts a long time.” Most spring mornings start for clients with a run of just 3 or 4 miles out of the inlet with tanks pre-loaded with live threadfin herring and/or goggle eyes. Kite fishing is the preferred method in this part of the world, and that’s exactly what Rowe does when conditions are right. “I’m looking at water color, temperature and moving water. I’m also looking for bait,” Rowe said. “I’m a big fan of charts, and I study them religiously looking for eddies and things, but keeping your eyes open is the biggest thing when you’re out there. If you see live water, with birds diving, it’s probably time to pick up and go see what’s happening over there.” With kites—or drifting with flatlines when conditions call for them—you’re targeting anything that will eat live baits at the surface. That can produce some pretty exciting mixed bags.
“We see a lot of blackfin tunas. There should still be some sailfish around. The kingfish start to show up pretty thick this time of year, and there are also mahi,” Rowe said. “And don’t forget wahoo. Wahoo can get really good around the full moon in March.” If all else fails, or if his clients just want some more meat, the reef is just a couple miles from the kite-fishing grounds, and it’s usually no problem to load up a cooler full of snappers in short order. Big African Pompano also make regular appearances on the reef. Rowe said that by the end of the day, if his anglers aren’t too worn out, he’ll stop in the inlet and let them test their strength against some hard-pulling jack crevalle. You can pack a whole lot of fishing into a full day when you don’t have to run far to find fish. Check out Austin Rowe and Absolute Action Sportfishing Charters at absoluteactionfishing.com.
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NATIONAL 7
ventilation, you’ll conquer every battle, every day. GILLZ took its Pro Series UV Hoodie to the next level. They went one step further and provided anglers with a built-in mesh mask to go along with the 3-piece hood construction. Now, you’re able to keep your gear organized in one place for when that unexpected pull on the reel turns into a clash of strength. Brand new to this collection is the Pro Series Board Shorts. Made of recycled quickdry polyester, the 9-inch inseam gives you the freedom to move without worry, and the secure cellphone hip pocket keeps your devices safe from any damage. This time, Gillz introduces anglers to a new design feature: a no-sew fabrication. This means no chafing or irritation as you charge headfirst against the waves. The Contenders Series, delivers an amazing fit and feel for each and every angler. With the Contender Series Long-sleeve or Hoodie, you’re guaranteed to have 360-degree cooling and 170 GSM interlocking polyester that gives you perfect performance every single time. Moreover, you’re given an extended range of motion that allows every angler to move freely. When facing the unpredictable outdoors, GILLZ Gear and the new Spring 2022 who want Collection will give you the power to perform to face the at your best, no matter where you and Mother elements head-on. With our GILLZTEC proprietary fabric, Nature meet. With prices starting at $39.99, there’s 4-way stretch, and the ability to modify with something for every angler from the Atlantic to the shoulder shape, the Pro Series Long-Sleeves and Pacific and every waterway in between! Hoodies fit every angler to perfection. Plus, when Check out the Gillz Spring 2022 Collection you add on UPF 50+, ultra cooling, a single seam at gillz-gear.com. underarm mesh gusset, and complete 360-degree
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other Nature isn’t known for her gentle reputation. She’s known for how she changes the direction of the boat, how she pushes the wind into your skin and lets the sun beat down through clear skies. But, as you sail the rough waters or sit, breathing the fresh air, GILLZ Gear’s new Spring 2022 Collection is at your side for anything that’s thrown your way. Their Pro Series collection is for serious anglers
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MONSTER BASS ON
JURASSIC LAKE
I
t piques my interest when “Jurassic” appears in a nickname. So is the case with Jurassic Lake, a 10,000-acre reservoir in Fellsmere, Florida, officially known has Headwaters Lake. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) had a goal to turn Headwaters into a worldclass trophy bass fishery. By all accounts, they succeeded. Just a little over 10 years ago, this bassfishing mecca was farmlands, cattle pastures and orange groves. The St. Johns River Water Management District purchased the lands from Sun-Ag to build a reservoir intended to provide a water supply for surrounding communities and flood control for the St. Johns River. The FWC saw an opportunity and invested $1.35 million in bass fishing “enhancements.” Prior to the reservoir’s flooding in 2015, the FWC constructed fish habitat in the form of winding channels, dredge holes, flats, islands and more, with the goal of providing the optimum combination of structure, depth and spawning habitat. The FWC planted 15,000 bald cypress and red maple trees on the numerous islands, and they stocked over a million bass, bream and crappie. If there is a downside to Headwaters, it’s that there is so much awesome, fishy-looking habitat that it can be a little over whelming trying to figure out where to fish. Since August 2020, when the Headwaters Lake boat ramp opened, 103 trophy bass (bass eight pounds or larger) have been registered into FWC’s Trophy Catch program from Headwaters. Who knows how many other giants were caught that were never entered into Trophy Catch? The biggest registered catch is a 13-pound, 1-ounce monster caught by kayak angler Mary Kelly on January 24, 2022. Those are pretty impressive results for a reservoir that is not even seven years old. Jim Fallon, the Godfather of Headwaters,
10 NATIONAL
MARCH 2022
By Paul MacInnis
has probably fished these waters more than anybody. “I love this lake because of the design of the habitats, the natural beauty and all the great fishing,” said Fallon. You’ll find Fallon on the reservoir three to five times a week. He’s been fishing there since 2018, before the boat ramp opened, when he’d drag a kayak into the reservoir from the bank. Fallon says a competent bass angler should catch 15 to 40 bass on an average day with a decent shot at a trophy fish every trip. Fallon has caught almost 50 bass over eight pounds from Headwaters, including 13 in the double digits, all on artificial baits. The address for the Headwaters Lake boat ramp is 16245 Fellsmere Grade Road, Fellsmere, Fla. Headwaters is an hour and a half drive from Orlando, making it a great diversion on a central Florida vacation. The nearby city of Palm Bay has convenient hotels, many with bass boat friendly parking lots. An internet search will bring up several Headwaters guides who can put you on a bass of a lifetime. For more information, visit MyFWC.com.
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APPROACHING THE
TRANSITION
A
By Capt. Michael Okruhlik
s I type this article in early February, the temperature is 38 and the forecasted lows across the Texas coast will dip into the mid to upper twenties for a few nights. This should place larger seatrout into full-blown winter mode, which is a great thing. It might not be so cold where you fish, but similar patterns should exist wherever there are big trout. Predicting movements and habits is always easier when the seasons are typical. This tells me where I should start in early March versus where I should fish later in the month. In early March, I look for shallow areas with irregular soft mud and grass bottoms. I particularly like these areas adjacent to deeper water, as the night temps will still cool flats to less favorable temps for large trout. The term “deeper” will be different for each area. So, as you plan your trip, you should focus on deeper pockets in relation to the overall area. Early in the month, I will stick to a larger profile lure
like a 5-inch paddletail. The trout will still be feeding on mature mullet, and the 5-inch swimbait is a great imitation. These lures are versatile, and they are ideal due to the finicky nature of trout during the transition from winter to spring. A slow roll can be deadly when trout move onto a flat to warm and feed. Depending on the conditions, a slow roll just under the surface that creates a slight ripple can trigger an aggressive strike. If the bait is down, I will slow roll the lure in the mid to lower water portion of the water column. The versatility of these lures also allows them to be jigged and twitched; however, I prefer to do that in a little deeper water. As the water temps rise later in the month, fish become more difficult to pattern. Although high temps warm the water faster, persistent cool fronts still chill the waters, and the wind shifts can wreak havoc on the pattern. It keeps fish and anglers confused. During this part of the season, I tend to move often, not devoting too much time to a location or pattern. Changing things up often until you find them is more effective than banging it out in a spot like I would do in early March. Lures to choose from are wide open here. Small and large soft plastics in the twitch or paddletail style can all be effective. Topwaters and slow sinking hard baits can also produce. Keep moving and changing lure styles, sizes, colors and action until you find the bite. Don’t forget to take a kid fishing. You will be surprised what they can teach you when they put the electronics down. Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Knockin Tail Lures, Controlled Descent Lures, and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.
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THE ALTERNATIVE TO BUYING A NEW BOAT
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GULF COUNCIL MULLING LIMIT CUTS for Kings, AJs and Gags
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he Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council met virtually in January to make decisions that will affect Gulf anglers. The council is the regional authority charged with managing fisheries in federal waters of the Gulf. Here’s a brief overview of what was decided.
R
Vermilion Snapper After hearing a summary of public comments and recommendations from its Reef Fish Advisory Panel, the Gulf Council took final action to South Atlantic Council is expected to take final action in March meeting. increase the vermilion snapper overfishing limit, acceptable biological The Gulf Council is expected to take final action in April. catch, and annual catch limit. The most recent stock assessment determined Greater Amberjack the stock is not overfished nor experiencing overfishing. This change will The most recent assessment shows that greater amberjack is both increase the total annual catch limit, but it will not change the daily catch overfished and experiencing overfishing, and that recent average recruitment limit of 10 fish. is lower than it has ever been. The Council’s Scientific and Statistical King Mackerel Committee recommended new overfishing limit and acceptable biological A recent update stock assessment for king mackerel determined that catch recommendations for greater amberjack. These recommendations king mackerel is not overfished or experiencing overfishing. However, the require a significant decrease in harvest. spawning stock biomass was found to be below the biomass necessary to Gag Grouper achieve maximum sustainable yield. The most recent gag grouper stock assessment determined that the stock The Gulf Council must work with the South Atlantic Council on actions for this highly migratory fish, and both are still considering options. They is overfished and experiencing overfishing. Additionally, the assessment have both removed alternatives that would reduce the recreational and identified there is a low proportion of males in the gag grouper population commercial minimum size limit for Atlantic king mackerel and will retain (less than 2%), which impacts the stock’s ability to reproduce. The Council is obligated to end overfishing and develop a rebuilding plan the 24-inch minimum size limit. Also, they both opted to allow for the retention of cut-off/damaged Atlantic migratory group king mackerel caught for gag grouper, and initiated the development of a plan amendment to revise under the recreational bag limit that comply with minimum size limits. The catch limits, accountability measures, and other management measures. • STEEL BUILDING • SALE • PRE-ENGINEERED BUILDINGS • SAVE • STEEL BUILDING • SALE • CARPORTS • SAVE • CALL NOW • SPECIALS • SALE • STEEL BUILDING • SALE •
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Catch High Season For Marlin in the Bahamas
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f a big blue marlin is on your bucket list, there’s no better time to visit The Bahamas than over the next few months, when high season for billfish brings giant pelagics to the deep blue waters off the islands. Bahamian waters are the birthplace of big-game sportfishing. Back in the 1930s, the world was introduced to adventure like no other when anglers like Ernest Hemingway and Michael Lerner did battle with giant marlin and big bluefin tuna off Bimini. The fishing is still ridiculously good. Marlin season in the Bahamas begins in March or April, when the white marlin arrive, and by June or July things get into full swing when big blue marlin show up. They come in numbers to feed off the islands, and PHOTO COURTESY OF The Out Islands Bahamas throughout summer it is not unusual to have days with multiple bites on the same trip. In recent years, far-flung destinations like Africa and Australia might have come to the forefront as the best places to tie into granders (blue marlin that weigh in excess of 1,000 pounds). Yet, The Bahamas remain one of, if not the best place, in the world to actually catch blue marlin. It’s worth noting that the Out Islands of The Bahamas are a quick and easy trip for anglers in the eastern U.S. White and blue marlin are the marquee species when trolling off The Bahamas, and there’s also a good chance other highly sought after gamefish will crash into the spread. When the outrigger snaps, you might be reeling in wahoo, tuna or mahi for dinner. Check out all the action the Out Islands of The Bahamas have to offer at www.myoutislands.com.
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FLORIDA 9
Largemouth Bass: Florida’s Gift to the World
F
lorida is the land of sunshine and hurricanes. If you stopped random people on the street in any other location in the world and asked them what first comes to mind about Florida, most would offer something about places like Daytona Beach, Disney World or the beaches of Miami. Florida is also the second largest producer of beef in the U.S., and of course Florida oranges and Indian River grapefruit. If that person you stopped fishes, they would likely talk about the Florida Keys, tarpon, or any of the other sought-after saltwater fish. But, for the freshwater angler, Lake Okeechobee largemouth bass are what dreams are made of. “Lake O” needs no introduction for those familiar with the bass fishing world. Black bass in Florida have a long and storied history. Bass anglers across the country can thank Florida and those early fishery managers who had the foresight to protect largemouth bass. The early years of the 20th century saw bass population depleted due to their importance as a food source and no regulations. As a result, the 1926 Black Bass Act was passed to restrict interstate commerce of bass and allowed states to designate them as a gamefish. These restrictions and future
By Rex Hannon
regulations limited commercial harvest and sale and increased their value as a sport fish. By mid-century, large reservoirs across the U.S. were built to accommodate the growing need for electric power. These were prime locations for bass stocking and management programs. Today, largemouth bass have been successfully exported worldwide. The economic impact is impressive; bass fishing is a $60 billion industry. Today’s Florida offers the best bass fishing on the planet. Lake Okeechobee is considered the pinnacle here, but trophy fish can be found in the countless lakes, ponds and canals that are readily available to any angler almost everywhere in the state. There is no need to travel to exotic locations or plan a vacation around fishing for monster largemouths. With a little research and some scouting, you can find them in your hometown, and often in your own neighborhood. Florida largemouth bass are a hardy species, and you can target them in a wide range of habitat and water qualities. I have caught largemouths and snook in the same canals and ponds. This speaks to the adaptability of both species. There has never been a better time to be an angler. Anglers today have access to many species
that in the past would have required a trip to far away and exotic locations. Native Florida bass have not only become a sought-after species for sport, they are an economic generator for future generations. There are anglers worldwide who dream of fishing Florida for a trophy bass of a lifetime. Whether you’re an avid angler or just someone who wets a line when time permits, today’s Florida offers something for everyone.
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MARCH 2022
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Looking Forward By: Capt. Greg Poland
W
inter is coming to an end and the Spring Breakers are packing their bags for a little fun in the sun and so are the Silver Kings! Yes, it is that time of year when the tarpon start showing up on Capt. Greg Poland 305.393.3327 | gregpoland.com those perfect days that we have all been waiting for. I absolutely love this Instagram: gregpoland time of year and when we get a stretch of warm weather my favorite fish will start showing up and eating just about anything you throw at them Facebook: Fishing in the Florida Keys with Capt. Greg Poland from a chicken feather to a jumbo shrimp! Weather is always hard to predict this time of the year and if the cool temps stick around for a bit longer then the gulf fishing for the spanish mackerel will hold on a bit longer. It has been a great winter season and I suspect they will be moving along anytime now but making way for the cobia and permit to start showing up out on the gulf spots. gregpolandphotography.com Fishing around the Islamorada area has been good on the shallow gregpolandstudios.com patch reefs if you are looking for a fish dinner as there has been a mixed bag of snapper and other bottom fish that has been pretty solid and all you need is a chum bag and a few dozen shrimp. When the weather allows, I have been out on the drop-off catching a few kings and trying for a sailfish. Yes, it is a great time of year whether in the backcountry or out on the reef. If you have been homebound due to the weather conditions out on the water, now is the time to dust off your gear and get ready!
— Contact Capt. Greg at 305.393.3327 or email gregpoland@icloud.com FACEBOOK.COM/CAMFLORIDAKEYS
MARCH 2022
FLORIDA KEYS 1
2022 Islamorada Fishing Club SAILFISH AND GOLD CLUB SERIES
T
he Islamorada Fishing Club welcomed 60 anglers fishing on 21 boats for the Islamorada Fishing Club Captain’s Cup Sailfish Tournament. The single day fishing tournament boasted $21,0000.00 for the winning boat and was the final leg of the Florida Keys Gold Cup Sailfish Championship. It would be a day of multiple hookups for many of the 21 boats. The first double header was called in at 8:54 by Captain Roy Lindback aboard his charter boat TIKI. Anglers Craig and Seanna Lindback from Islamorada, FL would release both fish by 9:13.
Contagious would call in a double, as would Que Mas, My Sea Cin, Smile Maker, and the Still Right. With only 20 minutes to go Captain JC Cleare called in a double on his boat Remix. One fish was released and then the team hooked two more making it a triple header. When the committee boat called lines out at 4PM Remix was still hooked up to three fish. Tournament rules allow angler to fight fish after lines out as long as they have been acknowledged by the committee boat. These fish would not only change standings for the Fishing Club tournament but also the Gold Cup series. TIKI would be guaranteed the win at the Fishing Club with mates Mike Pinckney, Tommy “Spanky” Bressler and Charlie Lane taking the leaders and releasing 5 sails. The team took home beautiful Pasta Pantaleo prints 2nd Place Gold Cup sponsored by Caribee Boat Sales and Yamaha Outboards along with the check for $2100.00. Remix anglers Bill Danko of Cincinnati OH, fishing with Jorge Corozo from Miami, FL and Doug Mientkiewicz from Islamorada, FL would release two of the triple header before 5PM landing them in 2nd 1st Place IFC place with 4 fish. 2nd Place IFC Third place anglers Mark Mitchell and Kenneth Padgett from Charlotte NC along with Travis Bennett of Islamorada, FL would take third place. The team was fishing on Brian Cone’s charterboat Contagious and released three fish before any of the other teams. Remix would be crowned the Florida Keys Gold Cup Champions. Their release of the last two fish of the tournament would propel them into first place in the series with a total of 19 releases. Anglers Nick Carullo and Sarah Melina from Miami Fl, competed with the team. Along with their 4 releases in the Fishing Club tournament the team released 6 sails in the Islamorada Sailfish Tournament, 9 3rd Place Gold Cup in the Cheeca Lodge and Spa Presidential Sailfish Tournament. Cloud Nine Captain Greg Eklund watched as the Remix slow1st Place Gold Cup ly surpassed his team putting them is second place in the Gold Cup series with 17 releases. Anglers Josh Jackson from Temple, TX, Billy Neuzil of Naples, FL along with Jake Turek and Eric Ehlers from Islamorada, FL would release 3 fish in the IST, 13 in Cheeca and 1 in the Fishing Club tournament. Third Place Gold Cup anglers Steve Orton from Coral Springs, FL, Dylan Bryan from Crystal River, FL, Cory Nelson from Ft. Lauderdale, FL and Tim Arce of Islamorada Fl would release 14 sails in the series. Captain Raymond Baiz and Justin Miller aboard the My Sea Cin would release 3rd Place IFC 1 in the IST, 12 in Cheeca and 1 in the Fishing Club tournament. Gold Cup Series top angler “The Islamorada Fishing Club Tournament created a great ending to the Florida Keys Gold Cup and winner of the prestigious Series”, stated tournament director Dianne Harbaugh. “It was a tight race, not only for the teams but Gold Cup Championship Ring went to angler Mark Mitchell for the champion angler ring”. The 2023 Florida Keys Gold Cup Series will kick off in December with aboard the Contagious. Mark rethe Islamorada Sailfish Tournament. leased 8 sails over the series. 2 FLORIDA KEYS
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Spring is a Great Time to Hit Some Wrecks
Fis Ga
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By Mi
By: Capt. Bruce Andersen
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s spring comes around one of my favorite things to do offshore of the Florida Keys is fish the deep wrecks and rock piles from 150 out to 300 feet of water. You can catch a variety of fish on these wrecks this time of year, but my main target species are either mutton snapper or amberjack depending on the spot I’m on and what my charter customers are after. If you’re looking for a big fish to really stretch your arms out there aren’t many fish that pull harder than an amberjack. Whether you’re targeting them with live bait or vertical jigs they are a whole lot of fun and a challenge to bring up from the depths. When he’s first hooked, an amberjack can pull so hard that often beginners will only last a few minutes on the rod before passing the rod off to someone else. I’ve also got groups of customers that will catch and release these fish all day. One group in particular, that fishes with me several times a year likes to target these fish strictly with vertical jigs. These guys are a special group that love jigging and we’ve caught and released as many as 36 amberjacks in a single day with them! While that group can definitely be considered an ambitious bunch, most people are content with catching a jack or two and then moving on to any of the many other types of fishing we have available. When targeting Amberjacks with jigs we’ll use high speed reels filled with 50 to 80-pound braided line on a jigging rod rated for 80-pound line with a 10foot section of 50 to 80 fluorocarbon leader and a 5 to 8-ounce vertical jig. With the live bait we usually use heavier stand up tackle in the 50-pound range filled with 50 to 80-pound braid with a 3-way swivel tied to 20 feet of 60 to 80-pound fluorocarbon and a 6/0 to 9/0 circle hook. It’s hard to beat a live goggle eye, but blue runners, speedos, grunts, and pinfish can all be great baits too. Mutton snapper are another species that can be caught on these wrecks. Although muttons are not as big as the amberjacks they’re still a very hard fighting fish. They’re beautiful fish and excellent table fare. They can be harder to catch than other bottom fish at times as they can be wary of hooks and leaders and a bit harder to trick. Because of this we normally scale down the tackle a little for the muttons. I like 30-pound conventional tackle spooled with 30- or 40-pound braid. I’ll run the braid through the lightest egg sinker I can get away with and tie it to a barrel swivel and finish the rig with a long 30-pound fluorocarbon leader and a light wire 3/0 to 5/0 circle hook depending on the bait. Live bait like live ballyhoo, cigar minnows, pilchards, or pinfish are all great choices, but dead bait can be just as effective. Some of my favorite dead baits are deboned ballyhoo, google eyes, or chunks of speedo. Fishing the wrecks offshore of the Florida Keys is a great way to get in on some action in the spring. If you would like to give it a try give me a call, we’ll see what we can get into.
— www.captaineasycharters.com You can reach Captain Bruce Andersen at Capt. Easy Charters, MM 85, call 305.360.2120 or email at: captbrucekey@comcast.net
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Fish of Florida, Gag Grouper! Gag Grouper, aka, Mycteroperca microlepis By Michael Sipos
Florida state record and International Game and Fish Association world record: 80 pounds, 6 ounces
G
ag grouper are a popular fish in the recreational and commercial fishing sectors making them among the more valuable species in the southeastern United States. Prized for their excellent food and game qualities, anglers typically target harvestable-size fish around artificial reefs, natural limestone ledges and rocky bottom in depths from 20 to 500 feet. Gags live in a wide area, from Massachusetts to Brazil, although they’re more commonly spotted from the Carolinas down to the Yucatan. Juvenile gags tend to inhabit inshore areas such as seagrass beds, mangrove roots and bridge pilings. As they grow, they tend to migrate farther offshore. Gags and other grouper within the Mycteroperca genus dine largely on fish and some invertebrates, with that food preference flipped for their cousins the red grouper and other members of Epinephelus grouper. Gag grouper can live up to 30 years and are protogynous hermaphrodites. That means they are born female and later transition to male. This strategy is more common in this family than in some other groups of fish. Females usually reach sexual maturity at around 4 years old, while males become mature at about 8. This results in large male fish becoming the limiting factor for successful spawning groups. During the spawn, gag grouper aggregate in large groups along the continental shelf between January and May. Females spawn multiple times during a season and can release anywhere from 60,000 to 1.7 million eggs at a time. These eggs are buoyant and hatch in about 45 hours, and newly hatched grouper stay in larval form for 40-50 days. The scientific name for gag grouper, Mycteroperca microlepis is derived from Greek and can be translated to “nose perch, small scales.” This species can go by a few common names, and in areas of high species overlap, gags are often verbally or visually misidentified with other grouper. Small gags are often called “grass grouper” while larger specimens go by “rusty bellies” or even “black grouper” due the darker color that may be on the bottom and fin edges of large fish. Gag grouper are often greyer or olive in color, with less-pronounced markings along their sides. Black grouper have small burnt-orange spots throughout the body that may be more noticeable around the face, which gags lack. The preopercle (bone midline of the entire gill plate) on gag grouper are notched/serrated, while a black grouper’s preopercle is smooth. It’s important to be able to properly identify these two very similar species as regulations between the gag and black grouper may vary between season and coasts.
— Michael Sipos is the Florida Sea Grant agent for UF/IFAS Extension. Contact him at sipos624@ufl.edu. For more fishy content and updates on upcoming educational programs, please check out the Sea Grant Facebook page, YouTube Channel, Instagram listing or Michael Sipos’ UF/IFAS blog.
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TIDE CHART KEY LARGO
www.USHarbors.com
Key Largo, South Sound, FL MARCH - Mar 2022 2022 High
Date
Low
TIDE CHART ISLAMORADA
Islamorada, Florida Bay, FL -MARCH Mar 2022 High
Date
www.USHarbors.com
2022
Low
PM
ft
Rise
Set
1
Tue
7:59
1.7
8:15
1.7
2:40
-0.3
3:08
-0.2
6:42
6:23
1
Tue
10:08
0.4
9:49
0.7
5:01
-0.2
4:21
0.0
6:43
6:25
2
Wed
8:45
1.7
9:03
1.7
3:30
-0.4
3:55
-0.3
6:41
6:23
2
Wed
10:40
0.4
10:36
0.7
5:39
-0.1
5:15
0.0
6:42
6:26
3
Thu
9:27
1.7
9:48
1.7
4:17
-0.3
4:40
-0.3
6:40
6:24
3
Thu
11:10
0.5
11:20
0.6
6:13
-0.1
6:05
-0.1
6:41
6:26
4
Fri
10:07
1.7
10:31
1.7
5:02
-0.3
5:23
-0.3
6:39
6:24
4
Fri
11:39
0.5
6:45
-0.1
6:55
-0.1
6:40
6:27
5
Sat
10:46
1.6
11:13
1.6
5:45
-0.2
6:05
-0.3
6:38
6:25
5
Sat
12:02
0.6
12:08
0.6
7:17
0.0
7:43
-0.1
6:39
6:27
6
Sun
11:23
1.5
11:55
1.5
6:28
-0.1
6:47
-0.2
6:37
6:26
6
Sun
12:44
0.5
12:37
0.6
7:48
0.0
8:33
-0.1
6:39
6:28
7
Mon
12:01
1.4
7:11
0.0
7:30
-0.1
6:36
6:26
7
Mon
1:27
0.4
1:08
0.6
8:18
0.1
9:25
-0.1
6:38
6:28
8
Tue
12:37
1.4
12:40
1.3
7:55
0.2
8:16
0.0
6:35
6:27
8
Tue
2:15
0.3
1:43
0.5
8:49
0.1
10:25
0.0
6:37
6:29
9
Wed
1:23
1.3
1:24
1.2
8:44
0.3
9:07
0.1
6:34
6:27
9
Wed
3:14
0.3
2:27
0.5
9:21
0.2
11:35
0.0
6:36
6:29
10
Thu
2:14
1.2
2:15
1.1
9:40
0.3
10:06
0.2
6:33
6:28
10
Thu
4:40
0.2
3:23
0.5
10:02
0.2
6:35
6:30
11
Fri
3:14
1.2
3:17
1.1
10:43
0.4
11:09
0.2
6:32
6:28
11
Fri
6:44
0.2
4:39
0.5
12:54
0.0
11:11A
0.2
6:34
6:30
12
Sat
4:20
1.2
4:24
1.1
11:46
0.4
6:31
6:29
12
Sat
7:54
0.3
6:03
0.5
2:08
0.0
12:41
0.2
6:33
6:31
13
Sun
6:22
1.2
6:28
1.2
12:08
0.1
1:42
0.3
7:30
7:29
13
Sun
9:29
0.3
8:12
0.5
4:06
0.0
2:54
0.2
7:32
7:31
14
Mon
7:15
1.3
7:23
1.3
2:00
0.1
2:31
0.2
7:29
7:30
14
Mon
9:55
0.3
9:06
0.6
4:49
0.0
3:51
0.2
7:31
7:32
15
Tue
8:01
1.4
8:12
1.4
2:47
0.0
3:14
0.1
7:28
7:30
15
Tue
10:21
0.4
9:53
0.6
5:23
0.0
4:38
0.1
7:30
7:32
16
Wed
8:43
1.5
8:58
1.5
3:30
0.0
3:53
0.0
7:27
7:30
16
Wed
10:46
0.4
10:36
0.6
5:51
0.0
5:22
0.1
7:29
7:33
17
Thu
9:22
1.6
9:41
1.6
4:11
-0.1
4:31
-0.1
7:26
7:31
17
Thu
11:12
0.5
11:18
0.6
6:17
0.0
6:04
0.0
7:28
7:33
18
Fri
10:01
1.6
10:23
1.7
4:50
-0.1
5:09
-0.2
7:25
7:31
18
Fri
11:39
0.5
6:44
0.0
6:47
-0.1
7:27
7:33
19
Sat
10:39
1.6
11:07
1.7
5:31
-0.1
5:48
-0.3
7:24
7:32
19
Sat
12:01
0.6
12:06
0.6
7:11
0.0
7:31
-0.1
7:26
7:34
20
Sun
11:19
1.6
11:51
1.7
6:12
-0.1
6:30
-0.3
7:22
7:32
20
Sun
12:46
0.6
12:34
0.6
7:41
0.0
8:19
-0.1
7:25
7:34
21
Mon
12:00
1.6
6:56
-0.1
7:14
-0.3
7:21
7:33
21
Mon
1:33
0.5
1:06
0.6
8:12
0.1
9:10
-0.2
7:23
7:35
22
Tue
12:39
1.7
12:45
1.5
7:44
0.0
8:04
-0.2
7:20
7:33
22
Tue
2:26
0.4
1:43
0.7
8:46
0.1
10:07
-0.2
7:22
7:35
23
Wed
1:30
1.6
1:35
1.5
8:37
0.1
9:01
-0.2
7:19
7:34
23
Wed
3:27
0.3
2:27
0.7
9:23
0.1
11:14
-0.1
7:21
7:36
24
Thu
2:29
1.5
2:34
1.4
9:37
0.2
10:06
-0.1
7:18
7:34
24
Thu
4:44
0.3
3:24
0.6
10:07
0.2
7:20
7:36
25
Fri
3:34
1.5
3:44
1.4
10:47
0.2
11:18
-0.1
7:17
7:35
25
Fri
6:22
0.3
4:41
0.6
12:32
-0.1
11:08A
0.2
7:19
7:37
26
Sat
4:45
1.5
4:59
1.4
11:59
0.2
7:16
7:35
26
Sat
7:49
0.3
6:17
0.6
1:55
-0.1
12:35
0.2
7:18
7:37
27
Sun
5:55
1.5
6:11
1.5
12:30
-0.1
1:07
0.2
7:15
7:36
27
Sun
8:46
0.3
7:47
0.6
3:10
-0.1
2:07
0.2
7:17
7:37
28
Mon
6:56
1.6
7:15
1.6
1:35
-0.1
2:08
0.1
7:14
7:36
28
Mon
9:28
0.4
8:57
0.6
4:07
-0.1
3:24
0.1
7:16
7:38
29
Tue
7:50
1.6
8:10
1.7
2:33
-0.1
3:01
-0.1
7:13
7:37
29
Tue
10:03
0.4
9:54
0.6
4:52
-0.1
4:28
0.1
7:15
7:38
30
Wed
8:37
1.7
8:59
1.7
3:25
-0.1
3:48
-0.1
7:12
7:37
30
Wed
10:34
0.5
10:44
0.6
5:28
0.0
5:23
0.0
7:14
7:39
31
Thu
9:19
1.7
9:44
1.8
4:12
-0.2
4:32
-0.2
7:11
7:37
31
Thu
11:02
0.6
11:28
0.6
6:01
0.0
6:13
0.0
7:13
7:39
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PM
ft
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Set
8 FLORIDA KEYS
MARCH 2022
Moon
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM/FLORIDA-KEYS
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TIDE CHART KEY COLONY BEACH
Key Colony Beach, FL - Mar MARCH 2022
2022
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www.USHarbors.com
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TIDE CHART KEY WEST
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www.USHarbors.com
MARCH 2022
Key West, FL - Mar 2022
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ft
PM
ft
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ft
PM
ft
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Set
9:10
1.9
2:54
-0.4
2:14
0.0
6:48
6:30
1
Tue
8:14
1.5
8:12
2.1
1:46
-0.5
1:38
-0.1
6:45
6:27
1
Tue
9:29
1.0
2
Wed
8:52
1.6
9:00
2.1
2:30
-0.4
2:29
-0.2
6:44
6:28
2
Wed
10:01
1.2
9:57
1.8
3:32
-0.4
3:08
-0.1
6:47
6:31
3
Thu
9:28
1.8
9:45
2.0
3:10
-0.3
3:18
-0.3
6:43
6:28
3
Thu
10:31
1.3
10:41
1.7
4:06
-0.3
3:58
-0.2
6:46
6:31
4
Fri
10:02
1.8
10:28
1.9
3:49
-0.2
4:05
-0.3
6:42
6:29
4
Fri
11:00
1.4
11:23
1.5
4:38
-0.2
4:48
-0.2
6:45
6:32
5
Sat
10:37
1.9
11:10
1.7
4:26
-0.1
4:51
-0.3
6:41
6:29
5
Sat
11:29
1.5
5:10
0.0
5:36
-0.2
6:44
6:32
6
Sun
11:12
1.9
11:53
1.5
5:03
0.0
5:38
-0.2
6:40
6:30
6
Sun
12:05
1.3
11:58A
1.5
5:41
0.1
6:26
-0.2
6:43
6:33
7
Mon
11:48
1.8
5:40
0.2
6:26
-0.2
6:39
6:30
7
Mon
12:48
1.1
12:29
1.5
6:11
0.2
7:18
-0.1
6:42
6:33
8
Tue
12:38
1.3
12:28
1.7
6:18
0.3
7:19
-0.1
6:38
6:30
8
Tue
1:36
0.9
1:04
1.5
6:42
0.3
8:18
-0.1
6:41
6:34
9
Wed
1:27
1.1
1:15
1.6
7:00
0.4
8:19
0.0
6:37
6:31
9
Wed
2:35
0.8
1:48
1.4
7:14
0.4
9:28
0.0
6:40
6:34
10
Thu
2:25
1.0
2:11
1.5
7:53
0.5
9:26
0.1
6:36
6:31
10
Thu
4:01
0.6
2:44
1.3
7:55
0.5
10:47
0.0
6:39
6:35
11
Fri
3:36
0.9
3:17
1.5
8:59
0.5
10:33
0.1
6:35
6:32
11
Fri
6:05
0.6
4:00
1.3
9:04
0.6
6:38
6:35
12
Sat
4:53
1.0
4:28
1.5
10:08
0.5
11:32
0.0
6:34
6:32
12
Sat
7:15
0.7
5:24
1.3
12:01
0.0
10:34A
0.6
6:37
6:36
13
Sun
6:56
1.0
6:33
1.6
12:09
0.4
7:33
7:33
13
Sun
8:50
0.8
7:33
1.4
12:59
-0.1
12:47
0.5
7:36
7:36
14
Mon
7:43
1.2
7:27
1.7
1:19
0.0
1:02
0.3
7:32
7:33
14
Mon
9:16
0.9
8:27
1.5
2:42
-0.1
1:44
0.4
7:35
7:36
15
Tue
8:21
1.3
8:15
1.8
1:59
-0.1
1:48
0.2
7:31
7:34
15
Tue
9:42
1.0
9:14
1.6
3:16
-0.1
2:31
0.3
7:34
7:37
16
Wed
8:56
1.5
8:59
1.9
2:35
-0.1
2:31
0.1
7:30
7:34
16
Wed
10:07
1.1
9:57
1.7
3:44
-0.1
3:15
0.2
7:33
7:37
17
Thu
9:30
1.7
9:42
2.0
3:09
-0.2
3:13
-0.1
7:29
7:35
17
Thu
10:33
1.3
10:39
1.7
4:10
-0.1
3:57
0.0
7:32
7:38
18
Fri
10:03
1.8
10:25
2.0
3:44
-0.2
3:55
-0.2
7:28
7:35
18
Fri
11:00
1.4
11:22
1.7
4:37
-0.1
4:40
-0.2
7:31
7:38
19
Sat
10:35
1.9
11:08
1.9
4:18
-0.1
4:39
-0.4
7:27
7:35
19
Sat
11:27
1.6
5:04
0.0
5:24
-0.3
7:30
7:39
20
Sun
11:09
2.0
11:54
1.8
4:54
-0.1
5:24
-0.5
7:26
7:36
20
Sun
12:07
1.5
11:55A
1.7
5:34
0.1
6:12
-0.4
7:29
7:39
21
Mon
11:45
2.0
5:32
0.0
6:13
-0.5
7:25
7:36
21
Mon
12:54
1.4
12:27
1.7
6:05
0.2
7:03
-0.5
7:28
7:39
22
Tue
12:43
1.6
12:26
2.0
6:12
0.1
7:08
-0.5
7:24
7:37
22
Tue
1:47
1.2
1:04
1.8
6:39
0.3
8:00
-0.4
7:27
7:40
23
Wed
1:37
1.4
1:13
1.9
6:57
0.3
8:09
-0.4
7:23
7:37
23
Wed
2:48
0.9
1:48
1.8
7:16
0.4
9:07
-0.4
7:26
7:40
24
Thu
2:39
1.2
2:11
1.9
7:51
0.4
9:19
-0.3
7:22
7:38
24
Thu
4:05
0.8
2:45
1.7
8:00
0.4
10:25
-0.3
7:25
7:41
25
Fri
3:53
1.1
3:23
1.8
8:58
0.4
10:33
-0.2
7:21
7:38
25
Fri
5:43
0.7
4:02
1.6
9:01
0.5
11:48
-0.2
7:24
7:41
26
Sat
5:16
1.1
4:44
1.8
10:16
0.4
11:44
-0.2
7:20
7:38
26
Sat
7:10
0.7
5:38
1.6
10:28
0.5
7:23
7:42
27
Sun
6:30
1.2
6:05
1.8
11:32
0.3
7:19
7:39
27
Sun
8:07
0.8
7:08
1.7
1:03
-0.2
12:00
0.5
7:22
7:42
28
Mon
7:25
1.3
7:15
1.9
12:45
-0.2
12:39
0.2
7:18
7:39
28
Mon
8:49
1.0
8:18
1.7
2:00
-0.2
1:17
0.3
7:21
7:42
29
Tue
8:08
1.5
8:13
2.0
1:36
-0.2
1:38
0.0
7:17
7:40
29
Tue
9:24
1.2
9:15
1.7
2:45
-0.1
2:21
0.2
7:20
7:43
30
Wed
8:45
1.7
9:02
2.0
2:21
-0.2
2:30
-0.1
7:16
7:40
30
Wed
9:55
1.4
10:05
1.7
3:21
-0.1
3:16
0.0
7:19
7:43
31
Thu
9:19
1.8
9:47
1.9
3:01
-0.1
3:17
-0.3
7:15
7:41
31
Thu
10:23
1.5
10:49
1.6
3:54
0.0
4:06
-0.1
7:18
7:44
FACEBOOK.COM/CAMFLORIDAKEYS
MARCH 2022
Moon
FLORIDA KEYS 9
March Outlook By: Capt. Chris Johnson
W
e’ve had cool temps by Keys standards the last couple of months, providing excellent fishing for our wintertime water-dwelling visitors! In the Atlantic waters, we have plenty of pelagics, including blackfin tuna, kingfish and some big cobia. But the star attraction is the abundance of sailfish. March and April will be prime time to target sails, but take your iron stomach with you because conditions can be quite sporty. In the Gulf and Florida Bay venues, we’ve seen some of the best fishing in ten years, with loads of Florida pompano, cobia and large kings. Goliath groupers and sharks keep the game interesting. On the deep side of the reef in 150 to 250 feet of water, there are good
numbers of blackfin tuna in the 10- to 20-pound class plus king mackerel and a more common occurrence of dolphin as well as sailfish. Live baits are key with live pilchards providing the most consistent action. Live ballyhoo, if you can find them, also work well. Cigar minnows and sardines will also put fish in the box. Moving inshore to the wrecks, March is typically very good for mutton snappers, kingfish and very large amberjacks. The amberjacks are beginning their spawn this month, and it’s now that we catch some of the biggest ones of the year. Fish in the 60- to 80-pound class are not unusual, with plenty of 20- to 40-pounders to wear you out. The best baits to attract the attention of the AJs are bluerunners, grunts and large pilchards. Jigging also produces excellent results. For the muttons and kings, live pinfish, pilchards or ballyhoo all work, fished down near the bottom. On the reef, the yellowtail action picks up tempo at this point in the spring. With the warming waters, the fish become more active and need to feed more, which makes it a bit easier to coerce them into taking your bait. Using plenty of chum is important. SnapperUp or Mojo Oats will bring them in right behind your boat. All you need for successful yellowtail catching are 15-lb fluoro leaders and small hooks, such as the Owner #4 Mutu Light hooks we use. The reef edge will have good numbers of king and cero mackerel. And, of course, plenty of grouper that must be released as the season is closed until May 1. In Florida Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, there are loads of cobia, large king mackerel, Spanish mackerel and mangrove snappers. Pinfish is the goto bait for all but the kings, which love small bluerunners fished either under a balloon or, preferably, hanging from a kite. We use #7 wire, as these kings are quite large and can bite through smaller wire. For everything else in the bay and gulf, it’s all about pinfish on a jighead. You’ll most likely catch some Goliath grouper. Be sure to release them quickly and unharmed as they are protected. March is a good time of year to target sharks around the flats and banks. It’s primarily blacktips, spinners, bulls and a few hammerheads to start but, as we get toward the end of the month and the waters warm up, we begin to see more lemons. Any kind of fresh dead bait or live bait works, such as jacks, bluerunners, ladyfish and the like. Be sure to use circle hooks. We always use Owner 9/0 SSW circles for fishing for all shark species, with #7 to #8 wire and 20-lb class tackle rounding out your setup. — Capt. Chris Johnson | SeaSquared Charters, Marathon FL 305-393-2929 | SeaSquaredCharters.com
10 FLORIDA KEYS
MARCH 2022
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM/FLORIDA-KEYS
Predators Spearos Encounter By: Capt. Chad Carney
Six predators divers need to keep an eye open for underwater. They hunt the same prey we do, so interaction is bound to happen. Sharks of course, but history has shown they are not really interested in us, by the way spiders, dogs, and lightning each kill more people worldwide than sharks. Spearfishing attacks usually fall into the provoked International Underwater Spearfishing Association category. I’ve been spearing for 50 years and seen lots of sharks, but I’ve World Record: 364.7 kg., 804.0 lbs. Grouper, Goliath (Jewfish) - Epinepnelus itajara never been hit, bit or lost a fish to a Record Category: Men Sling \ Polespear shark. Attracting sharks intentionally Diver: Don Pinder is crazy, but some divers are chumDate 5-10-1949 ming to get shots at cobia hanging Location: United States with sharks. Goliath Groupers. I’ve been mugged by goliaths, along with friends, grabbed by extremities and one by his head and torso. We’re all still alive and diving! Goliaths have been protected in USA since 1990. They are much smarter than sharks and quickly learn they can rush a diver after a shot and often steal fish. Goliath population in the Gulf is huge. Your best bet to win a tussle is to beat them to the prey and keep your gun in hand. Keep your fish tight to your body, not trolling it behind. I’ve had to poke predators and also pull my fish back out of their mouths. If you give up easily they want more.
1
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12 FLORIDA KEYS
MARCH 2022
3
Barracuda can weigh over 60#s, all teeth and muscle. They often pick off your prey before you can reach it. Little barracudas are fast and they know it. Usually they get just one bite and rarely are big problems for spearfishermen, but don’t dress flashy! Moray eels have been known to steal many a divers prey as they are the best at getting skinny into a reef to reach a rocked up fish. They defend their new-found possession fearlessly. Moray’s have added a few scars to my fingers, right through HD spearfishing gloves while I was still struggling to secure my fish from an unseen moray. I once had a big loggerhead turtle lunge more than once for a fish on my spear while I held onto it. My reaction was “Are you kidding me? I kept my fish!” I’ve had divers deliberately taking wild shots near me in attempts to steal away my fish! Be careful who you chose as dive buddies. A good friend of mine shot an amberjack and had it on his stringer in his hand ascending in decent visibility. Another diver shot at his fish, missed it, and instead speared through my buddy’s ankle. Then the bad shooter almost drowned him in a lame rescue attempt! My buddies and I have passed on shooting when the visibility was too poor. Moving a few miles can often find clearer water. Use common sense and have well trained buddies, and enjoy spearfishing with little fear of injury!
4 5 6
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— Captain Chad Carney | Diving Instructor & Journalist mobile: 727-423-7775 | e-mail: chad.carney@yahoo.com https://www.facebook.com/floridaskindiver/ https://www.deeperblue.com/beginners-guide-spearfishing/
Please welcome our new team members, we are so excited to have you aboard!
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11400 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY, #105, MARATHON, FL 33050
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MARCH 2022
FLORIDA KEYS 13
Captain Joel’s Fishin Holes By: Capt. Joel Brandenburg
We offer three types of trips in the middle keys. • Offshore: Fishing past the reef in 650ft or less. • Deep Sea: Fishing deeper than 650ft or more. • Inshore: Fishing reefs, wrecks, ledges, bridges and flats.
W
hen we get a call from someone who wants to book us for a charter fishing trip and they’re not sure what they want to do, we explain the difference between offshore, deep sea and inshore fishing. Many times Mother Nature and/ or time of year determines which option is the best. We can only take up to 6 people per boat per trip, because we have a license called a Six Pack license that only allows us to charter up to 6 people at a time. Novice anglers are more likely to choose a 4 or 6 hour trip either inshore or offshore. Experienced anglers are more likely
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MARCH 2022
to choose a 6, 8 or 10 hour charter trip Deep Sea or offshore. • The Offshore trips: are typically run out of our 53ft Hatteras, 45ft Hatteras or our 28ft Grady White. We recommend 6, 8 or 10 hours. We’ll troll for mahi, wahoo, tuna and kingfish with artificial and dead bait. We’ll sight cast, kite fish and/or bump troll for sailfish with live bait. Also bottom fish for mutton snapper, cobia, African Pompano, tilefish and many other species. • The Deep Sea trips: are typically run out of our 53ft Hatteras or our 45ft Hatteras. We recommend 8 or 10 hours. We’ll troll for Mahi, Wahoo, Tuna, Sailfish and Marlin. We’ll deep drop with electric reels for Golden Tilefish, Barrel fish, Wreck fish, Queen snapper, Snowy Grouper, Yellow Edge Grouper, Black Bellied Rosies and Swordfish. • The Inshore trips: Bridges, ledges, reefs and wreck trips are typically run out of our 28ft Grady White, 26ft Grady White, 25ft Dusky or 25ft Sea Cat. While or flats and back country trips are run in our 24ft Hanson. We’ll sight cast, flat line, anchor fish, drift fish with live bait, cut bait and/or artificial bait for mutton snapper, yellowtail snapper, lane snapper, vermilion snapper, red grouper, gag grouper, black grouper, cobia, Spanish mackerel, cero mackerel, kingfish, permit, pompano, shark, bonefish, tarpon, barracuda, yellow jack, amberjack, jack crevalle and many other species. A lot of inexperienced anglers vacation down in the Florida Keys and have dreamed of going deep sea fishing. Many times the tourist considers deep sea fishing or offshore fishing being any fishing done in a boat off of the shore in saltwater. Our goal in describing all options to our prospective anglers is to make sure they fully understand what they are signing up for. When they understand what they’re signing up for there’s no surprises and normally there expectations are met. We attribute part of our long standing 5 star review rate to our ability to explain options and over communicate expectations with our clients. After all, our number one goal is to exceed our anglers expectations so they will refer other anglers to us and become repeat clients. Some very experienced anglers call us up and are so specific they’ll say “we have 5 people, we want to fish for 6 hours on your 28ft Grady White and we want to fish with conventional reels only with live bait only on mutton rigs only and we want to go to wrecks and would prefer to catch a mutton snapper 15lbs or larger. We just say ok and sign them up. Some very inexperienced anglers will call and say we’d like to catch some fish to eat. At that point we discuss options, no matter what option they choose we like to keep the rods bent and the drags screaming as much as possible, because at the end of the day all anglers experienced or not would rather catch than fish and that’s why we maintain a No Fish No Pay Policy and have for over 20 years! — For a charter with Captain Joel or Jojo Brandenburg of Ana Banana Fishing Company in Marathon Florida Keys call cell 813-267-4401 or office 305-395-4212 or visit www.marathonkeyfishingcharters.com or visit us in person at Ana Banana Marina located at 11699 Overseas Hwy Marathon Florida Keys. Look for the big yellow Ana Banana sign with antlers around it.
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Florida Keys The Main Attract ion 2 ladies had a blast reeling in th is strong reef do nkey, better known as an amberjack! Amberjack are a great fight and a good fish to smok e for fish dip.
st Mate Main Attraction’s Fir liath go a g sin ea rel Lance f. ree e grouper on th
Main Attraction’s First Mate Josie assisting a client with her jumbo Cero mackerel. Nice work ladies!
Josh with a 28” Grouper caught off Key Largo
e Sheila caught this nic rgo La y Ke off h Fis er gg Tri
Delicious mutton sn apper caught by the Jackson group wi th Capt. Jason Bell and SeaSquared Charters.
If you have a catch to brag about send your picture and caption to: flkeys@coastalanglermagazine.com
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THE NEW POMPANO BEACH FISHER FAMILY PIER
I
’d heard good things, so on a recent Sunday morning I drove to Pompano to see all the work the city has done to improve the pier and the surrounding area. I was pleasantly surprised by how tasteful and inviting the results are so far. Originally constructed in the early 1960s, the newly titled Fisher Family Pier now sports an up-to-date entrance comfortably showcased between two attractive oceanfront restaurants. The whole waterfront area has been rebranded as the Pompano Beach Fishing Village. There’s a new visitor center and a six-story parking garage a short walk away on Pier Street (NE 2nd Avenue). Streetscape improvements along
By James P. Goss
Pompano Beach Boulevard include a bricked boardwalk, contemporary streetlights, and other eye-catching design elements. The centerpiece continues to be the pier, revamped to resemble a fish: a pompano, of course. At the pier’s eastern end, the rounded shape of the fish’s head features a mouth and an eye gazing southeast. In addition to new wood decking and railings, there are fish prep areas and built-in metal fishing rod holders. Blue sail awnings fly overhead. Artists’ renderings of tropical fish— kingfish, bluefin tuna, false albacore, pinfish, bottlenose dolphin, hammerhead sharks—pop up between the railings. As I wandered the pier, a fisherman adjusting
his lure told me, “I usually get here around seven in the morning and leave around nine. I got here late today. If I catch anything, I’ll be lucky.” As all anglers know, good fishing depends on a variety of fickle factors in addition to the time of day… or night. These include weather (cold fronts, prevailing winds), tides and currents, species’ particular habits and migration patterns. Clear or murky water plays a role, as do reef features and ocean floor contours. Ocean health depends on a delicate balance: an adequate supply of nutrients, minimal pollution and species diversity—including the presence of apex predators like sharks. Another angler had a line in near a small school of needlefish. Hoping to attract Spanish mackerel, he used a Got-Cha lure. He confided, “They like clear water when the air temperature is a little bit chilly.” Over the many years he’s fished the Pompano pier, he’s caught a lot of snapper and hooked three types of sharks: blacktip, reef and nurse. But he hasn’t seen too many pompano around lately. “They don’t like a city named after them,” he joked. In a more serious tone, he wondered about the effects of all the recent construction. To help address this type of environmental concern, contractors added structures to the ocean floor to augment the existing reef. Still, the fisherman said many popular South Florida fishing spots, including the Pompano Beach pier, are getting “fished out.” The challenge of maintaining adequate stocks of fish is an ongoing concern the world over. Along with millions of dollars spent on physical upgrades to the pier itself, habitat work will hopefully ensure the fish keep showing up.
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THE
’HOOS
ARE STILL OUT THERE By CAM Staff
16 FLORIDA
MARCH 2022
W
ahoo are a favorite fish of any angler who has ever been hooked up to one. They are incredibly fast, sleek and powerful. The initial blistering run is enough to hook anyone. With line pouring off the reel, instinct begs you to stanch the flow. Just hold on. The fight is predictable. After that run, the fish will most likely turn back to the boat, shaking its head to throw the hook. Then it’s a sprint to pick up line. In the boat, the beauty of the fish will amaze you. Perfectly camouflaged in blue water, a wahoo’s silvery belly gives way to a dark blue back with undulating cobalt blue bars falling vertically down its sides. If you can look past that weird toothy beak, it is a gorgeous fish. Photos never do it justice, as the color fades as soon as you take them from the water. What doesn’t fade is the excitement this species brings to the table. They are mackerel, but they don’t taste like it. Wahoo meat is snow white, firm and has a mild taste sometimes compared to albacore. It’s a tremendous sportfish that travels in loose schools and sometimes feeds in packs. Find one and you’ll likely find several hanging and feeding near blue water structure. They move and feed with the bait, migrating to stay in the water temps they prefer, 70 degrees and higher. Wahoo are notoriously unpredictable. They are streaky feeders, and might not eat unless time of day, tides and moon phases align just right. Late winter is the best time to catch them off northeast Florida, when they will be feeding on the ledges with a bite that sometimes lasts into April. Expect decent numbers of fish from 35 to 60 pounds, and every year a few fish show up heavier than 80 pounds. Down in South Florida, wahoo can be found on the edge of the Gulf Stream, with peak fishing occurring late spring through summer. During that same time period, anglers in the Keys will be targeting smaller wahoo, averaging 25 pounds, on floating debris. But arguably the best wahoo fishing in this part of the world is the Bahamas. Here there is a shot at triple-digit fish, and good numbers of fish in the 40-pound range are the norm. Winter is best from the northern Bahamas around the Abacos and farther south, around the San Salvador humps. In the Gulf, wahoo season is also in winter, but winter brings with it foul weather. Early spring is a favorite time of many captains because the fish are still around and you can actually get to them. They’ll be hunting in packs and following baitfish. There’s a good chance at some 30- to 50-pounders this time of year, and 80- or 90-pound fish are not unheard of.
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MARCH 2022
FLORIDA 17
OKEECHOBEE SHORTCUT CLOSED FOR REPAIRS
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oaters making the trip between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico via the shortcut through Lake Okeechobee will be forced to take the long way around for the next couple months. The St. Lucie Lock and Dam was closed and dewatered for maintenance Jan. 4. The “Okeechobee shortcut” is expected to re-open by April. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District also announced temporary closure of some recreational facilities at the St. Lucie Lock and Dam. The St. Lucie Visitor Center, lock observation decks and the St. Lucie North Recreation Area will be closed until the project is complete. The St. Lucie South Campground will remain open. “The safety of our employees, volunteers and visitors remains our top priority. Equipment and materials are currently being staged at the St. Lucie Lock and Dam in preparation for the upcoming dewatering operation and lock repairs,” said Tammy Cleveland, deputy chief of the South Florida Operations. “We know that the St. Lucie Lock and Dam is a very popular recreational area for the local community and visitors. This the first major maintenance to be performed on this lock in 26 years, and we apologize for any inconvenience during this temporary closure.” According to Ed Killer, with Treasure Coast Newspapers, closure of the Okeechobee shortcut creates a roughly 320-mile detour around Florida’s southern tip for mariners travelling between the Atlantic and the Gulf. Last year, more than 3,000 boats passed through the St. Lucie Lock. For more information, visit: www.saj.usace.army.mil/VisitorCenters/.
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To Introduce You to Spring in the Keys
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he transition into spring can be unpredictable, as it brings dramatic changes to the fishery and obeys no written calendar. Migration, water temperatures and spawning create unique variables this time of year. As the exchange of targeted species swings from winter to spring, each day can be an opportunity to pioneer the new season. The fishery can change overnight in the coming weeks, and you never know when you will stumble across an abundance of fish that haven’t been seen in months. The Florida Keys, this month, will see more permit, cobia and pompano, while also welcoming the start of our world-class tarpon fishery. During the seasonal transition, there will be an overlap, when iconic spring species, such as permit and tarpon, will be chewing along with the sailfish that favor the shallow reefs in winter. Permit harvest season closes in the Keys at the end of March. Although the permit is respected as a game fish, and socially encouraged to be released, it does yield fillets of decent size and of excellent tablefare. Targeting permit can be a little more of a challenge than your average “send-out-the-shrimp” fishing. Whether you are sight casting to a school of them or floating a crab over a wreck, their bite is a
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little bit different than most fish. For a drag-screaming, hard-fighting fish, such as the mighty permit, one might expect them to crush the bait with force. However, permit can suck a hook clean, like a ninja cowfish, without drawing much attention. Learning their bite, especially when freelining in heavy current, can take a bit of practice, but it is absolutely worth the investment. Targeting this species offers a little extra for the angler who has it all. They definitely aren’t top of the beginner’s list, but they absolutely should be top of the bucket list. Crabs are king for permit fishing. Hook a crab on the edge of its shell, avoiding any interference with its back two legs, the swimmerets, so that it can move naturally in the water. Sight casting can be productive with a crab on a jighead, but if you just want to soak a crab over a wreck while fishing for other species, skip the jighead and affix a float up the leader. Put the float as far up the leader as you can stand to have it for casting, and I mean the standing-on-the-bow, swinging-the-momentum-like-you’re-fly fishing kind of casting. Combat different current scenarios by adding split-shot to the leader.
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No matter what time of year, the Florida Keys always have an incredible fishery. Each day can produce once-in-a-lifetime sightings of epic species. It is worth noting that regardless of weather, season, time of day, bananas on the boat, or a small zombie apocalypse, the snapper are always snapping! Quinlyn Haddon captains boats with Blue Magic Charters, in Marathon, Florida. Call her at (504) 920-6342 and check her out on social media @captainquinlyn.
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The U.S. Mint Just Struck Morgan Silver Dollars for the First Time in 100 Years!
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Actual size is 38.1 mm
I
t’s been more than 100 years since the last Morgan Silver Dollar was struck for circulation. With a well-earned reputation as the coin that helped build the Wild West, preferred by cowboys, ranchers, outlaws as the “hard currency” they wanted in their saddle bags, the Morgan is one of the most revered, most-collected vintage U.S. Silver Dollars ever. Struck in 90% silver from 1878 to 1904, then again in 1921, these silver dollars came to be known by the name of their designer, George T. Morgan. They were also nicknamed “cartwheels” because of their large weight and size.
Celebrating the 100th Anniversary with Legal Tender Morgans
Honoring the 100th anniversary of the last year the Morgan Silver Dollar was minted, the U.S. Mint struck five different versions in 2021, paying tribute to each of the mints that struck the coin. The coins here honor the historic New Orleans Mint, a U.S. Mint branch from 1838–1861 and again from 1879–1909. These coins, featuring an “O” privy mark, a small differentiating mark, were struck in Philadelphia since the New Orleans Mint no longer exists. These beautiful coins are differO PRIVY MARK ent than the originals for two reasons. First,
they’re struck in 99.9% fine silver instead of the 90% silver/10% copper of the originals. And second, these Morgans were struck using modern technology, serving to highlight the details of the iconic design even more than the originals.
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MARCH IS THE TURN-AROUND MONTH
The early part of the month will feature very cold water temps around the inlets and river mouths, and keep the trout, drum (redfish) and flounder a little on the sluggish side, but that doesn’t seem to bother the shad, rock and cats. As a matter of fact, it kicks them into overdrive. It’s not water temperature so much as it is the length of daylight in the beginning of the month, but water temps do come into play by the end Tim Barefoot of March. The end of March will see the big spawning female speckled trout his has been a winter for the books, with cold temps, constant wind and sometimes too much rain keeping us arriving at the inlets and river mouths, and the drum bite will be on from the offshore grounds weekend after weekend. In light of fire. This is the time of year when you stand to catch an egg-filled gator trout, but for goodness sakes, take some this, let’s talk about some of the things that brought a lot of good photos and dimensions/weight us to the dance, the anadromous fish that are coming home and let her go do her spawn. This can be in the month of March. the time of year for some great topwater/ If you live on the East Coast, white and hickory shad, popping cork trout and drum bites. striped bass and sturgeon are coming back to the place There are bites, then there are topwater they were born to spawn. March is traditionally a very bites. It’s exciting fishing to say the least. windy month, so on the days we can’t get offshore, there is March will also produce tuna, a safe haven up in the river for some entertainment. Truly, dolphin and wahoo when you can get some of the best to them. The wind will keep us inside memories I have a lot during March, but whenever the were made up seas lay down enough to get offshore, the river. While go for it. This can be the time to catch a not the best stud wahoo and numbers of tuna. Find table fare, white a temperature break and/or the bait, and and hickory you’ll find the wahoo and tuna. They are shad are right on the move and chewing. up there at I don’t care what the wind is doing, I the top of the can always find somewhere to get a bite entertainment and grin in this turn-around month we list. Other fish call March. that have always been at the top See more from Capt. Tim Barefoot of my favorite spring entertainment list are striped bass (rock) and blue at barefootcatsandtackle.com catfish. They come back to the upper reaches of the river to spawn in and rigandjig.com. large numbers.
T
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MARCH 2022
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temps dfish) bother rdrive. in the he end
d trout be on d gator some weight can be water/ bites. pwater e least. tuna, an get inside er the shore, atch a . Find it, and ey are
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PHOTO BY SEIGO SAITO/B.A.S.S.
At Hartwell, Stage is Set for 2022 Bassmaster Classic By TAM Staff
F
or months the field has been set for the big show. From March 4-6, some of the world’s top professional bass anglers will fish South Carolina’s Lake Hartwell, vying for a championship in the 2022 Bassmaster Classic. Upstate South Carolina will play host to the field of 55 professional anglers as well as hordes of fans, who will attend daily weigh-ins at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville and morning takeoffs at Green Pond Landing & Event Center, near Anderson. The annual Bassmaster
Classic Outdoors Expo will take place each day at the Greenville Convention Center. As for the fishing, Hartwell is familiar to the anglers. The 2022 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk will mark the fourth time the tournament has been held on the 56,000-acre reservoir. The fishery is renowned for excellent spotted and largemouth bass fishing. Early March is typically a transition period on upstate lakes, when bass begin moving up in preparation for the spawn. Weather will have
SPRINGTIME FISHING...
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everything to do with how successful anglers will fish. The two normal patterns that set up that time of year are either a deeper bite on ditches and points in 30 to 60 feet of water, or a shallower bite when bass move up into the 5- to 20-foot range to stage next to the spawning flats. The prespawn bite can provide excellent numbers of fish as well as some solid size, which could potentially produce fast action and heavy sacks for Classic competitors. Lake Hartwell’s bass eat a lot of blueback herring, and Hartwell tournaments are responsible for the rise of the underspin as popular bass lure. If the fish are deep, it’s likely underspins, shaky heads and football jigs will see a lot of time in the water. If fish are shallow, jerkbaits, jigs and red crankbaits are Hartwell staples. Each of the three previous Classics have provided action-packed finishes. In 2008, Texas pro Alton Jones Sr. went into the final day with little more than a pound lead, but managed to hold off the rest of the field and claim his only Classic trophy. In 2015, when temperatures dipped as low as 9 degrees, hometown favorite Casey Ashley, of South Carolina, came from behind on the final day to win his only title. Then in 2018, young Alabama pro Jordan Lee jumped from sixth place on the final day to win his second-straight Classic. Fans turned out in droves for all three visits, creating an electric atmosphere for the weigh-ins and packing the Expo all three days. For information on fishing Upcountry South Carolina, visit FishUpcountrySC.com.
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Notes from the field:
BERN NOTICE O
n paper, I was in Switzerland to ski the Alps and eat my weight in fondue. According to some, I was actually there to keep an eye out for Karloff, a rival spy who’d been attempting to rip off a Swiss bank. Walking through Bern’s picturesque Old City, passing Einstein’s house,
have Texas y with ged to s only atures avorite from y title. n Lee to win out in lectric ng the
I noticed that I was being followed by a dark figure in a trench coat. No matter how I zigged and zagged through the old cobblestone streets, I couldn’t shake him. Finally, I turned a corner and quickly ducked into an old watch shop. The place looked like it had been there for ages, as did the shopkeeper. Taking me for a customer, the shopkeeper began giving me the full story on why Swiss-made watches are renowned the world over. In 1971, he said, rules were established mandating that any timepiece bearing the “Swiss-made” hallmark must have its mechanics, casing and final inspection take place in Switzerland. Swiss watches are built to last several lifetimes. I smiled, because I knew only Stauer can build Swiss-made watches without it costing a fortune. Now you can also enjoy the precision and accuracy of a Swiss-made sports watch with a moveable bezel. Introducing the Pride of Bern Watch, a timepiece built to keep pace with the underworld of spies. The first time we offered this watch it sold out in TWO DAYS. Finally back in stock after six months, supplies of this quality Swiss-made timepiece are still limited. Get your hands on it before we run out again!
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rom humble beginnings in a home office five years ago, GaugeSaver has flourished on word-of-mouth and happy customers. The company has found great, hardworking friends to help the business grow, and a year ago expanded into a commercial property at 5049 Hwy 17-S in Green Cove Springs, Fla. They fixed up a 1,500-square-foot building for a main office and technician space, and recently constructed a 2,500-square-foot rigging shop. The plan is to grow into this space and offer electronic installs, repairs, etc. Happy customers are the key to GaugeSaver’s growth. Eric Clayton and his wife Tammy believe in their service so much that they both left 25-plus-year IT careers to grow the brand. They now do more than just gauge restorations. They remanufacture replacement parts for Yamaha, Mercury and Suzuki gauges. They restore LCDs for many devices and most major manufacturers including Garmin, Raymarine, Furuno, Simrad, iCOM, Volvo, Honda, Humminbird, SeaDoo, Kawasaki, and more. They can restore almost anything that has an LCD. This includes VHFS, Chartplotters, AutoPilots, Jet Skis and Side-By-Sides. GaugeSaver can even replace LCD assemblies with aftermarket or OEM parts to keep electronics out of landfills. GaugeSaver was founded to extend the lifespan of electronics and save people money. Every week they are learning new ways to do so. They offer Dealer Discounts for friends in the industry. Check out Gaugesaver.com (or drop by and meet the shop dog, Jeb) to see if WWW.GAUGESAVER.COM GaugeSaver can save you money!
18 NATIONAL
MARCH 2022
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
AndAlusiA MArine & powersports inc.
Headquarters For All your Boating needs Xpress •
1707 River Falls Street, Andalusia, AL 36421
Alweld •
(334) 427-1428
stingrAy • VerAndA • Quest
All kinds of parts and accessories in stock and ready for delivery! Innertubes • Ski’s • Wakeboards Ropes • Life jackets Solas and Michigan Wheel Props
certified full line YAmAhA deAler!
GreAt service!
• Humminbird • Garmin • Lowrance • Minnkota - authorized sales and service center • Rhodan • Certified Full Line Yamaha Dealer
www.andalusiamarine.com www.facebook.com/andalusiamarine
Unlimited Fishing Range NEW Sea Eagle® PaddleSki™ 437ps
With the new inflatable PaddleSki™ 473ps kayak you can go 17 mph with a 6 hp outboard and motor 70 miles on just a 3 gallon tank of gas. That means this unique catamaran kayak can get you to fishing spots that no other fishing kayak can get to! And when you get there, you can fish in ways no other fishing kayak can...you can stand up and cast with the sure knowledge that you are stable and safe. You can sit for hours fishing on the swivel seat and enjoy 360° views in total comfort.
GET TO THE FISH!
The Return of a
800-944-7496 For a FREE Catalog • SeaEagle.com for info
Dept. CS032B, 19 N Columbia St., Ste 1, Port Jefferson, NY 11777
Custom Built Quality Outdoor BBQ Products Since 1989
Pig Cookers, Patio Grills, Smokers, Customized BBQ Trailers
For More Info 1-252-236-4464 www.BQGRILLS.com 6043 Hwy 301N, Elm City, NC 20 NATIONAL
MARCH 2022
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
DEXTER SURGE ACTUATORS
D
exter’s complete line of surge actuators are highly engineered, easy to use, and go through rigorous testing to ensure that you get to your destination safely. Available in capacities from 6,600 lbs. to 20,000 lbs. in both disc brake and drum brake varieties, Dexter surge actuators provide smooth and powerful operation. All you need to do is replace the trailer’s standard tongue coupler with a surge actuator and add hydraulic brake end units. The “surge” or “push” of the trailer toward the tow vehicle during deceleration automatically synchronizes the trailer brakes with the tow vehicle brakes. As the trailer pushes against the tow vehicle, the actuator compresses and applies force to its master cylinder, which supplies hydraulic pressure to the trailer’s brakes. As a trusted leader in the Marine Industry, Dexter also outfitted its surge actuators with corrosion-resistant rollers and bushings to create smoother movements and added longevity. Tow with WWW.DEXTERAXLE.COM confidence – Demand Dexter!
MAINTENANCE-FREE TOWING www.dexteraxle.com
Dexter’s Vault® and Vortex® marine axle lubrication systems are rigorously engineered to keep the water out and your bearings lubricated. Also, there is no annual maintenance required. Confidently backed by our industry-leading 6-year/100,000-mile warranty. Spend your time on the water, not working on your trailer. Demand Dexter Vault & Vortex hubs for your boat trailer.
Photo Courtesy of AmeraTrail COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
MARCH 2022
NATIONAL 21
WILD SALMON THREATENED BY INTERBREEDING WITH FARMED FISH
I
nterbreeding between farmed salmon and wild populations in Norway is changing the lifecycle of wild salmon, according to a report from the website Phys.org. Researchers with the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research and Rådgivende Biologer studied scale growth patterns in thousands of salmon taken from rivers in Norway from 2010 to 2017. They looked at the impact of escaped farmed salmon breeding with wild salmon by collecting scales from 6,900 adult wild Atlantic salmon in 105 Norwegian rivers. The researchers conducted genetic tests on the scales to learn the genetic history of the fish. The researchers found that both farmed salmon and wild salmon with farmed ancestry mature and age at a faster rate and return to rivers earlier to spawn. It was hypothesized this accelerated maturation process puts salmon at a higher risk of predation because they venture into saltwater earlier, when they are less likely to evade capture by sharks and halibut. Prior studies have indicated that salmon with farmed ancestry are less afraid of predators. The study suggests interbreeding of farmed and wild salmon will result in reductions in wild populations, which has already been observed in some areas. To read the entire report, see phys.org
Donate A Boat or Car Today!
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22 NATIONAL
MARCH 2022
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
Stauer
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Praise for DiamondAura® “So much sparkle and the play of light on DiamondAura® beats any diamond!” — D.D. from Columbus, OH
How to Win at Love
A classic tennis bracelet serves up over 10 carats of sparkle for a guaranteed win
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t was the jewelry piece that made the world stop and take notice. In the middle of a long volley during the big American tennis tournament, the chic blonde athlete had to stop play because her delicate diamond bracelet had broken and she had to find it. The tennis star recovered her beloved bracelet, but the world would never be the same. From that moment on, the tennis bracelet has been on the lips and on the wrists of women in the know. Once called eternity bracelets, these bands of diamonds were known from then on as tennis bracelets, and remain the hot ticket item with jewelers.
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Hi-tech rods perform like skittish show dogs. This one just puts fish in the boat. Built durable to handle the salt, the Ugly Stik® Bigwater is as mean as it gets. TM
© 2021 Pure Fishing, Inc.
FOR REEL
GOOD FISHING Visit Upcountry South Carolina Stop by the South Carolina Lakes booth at the Bassmaster Classic Expo, March 4-6, 2022 at the Greenville Convention Center.
Perfectly Seasoned FishUpcountrySC.com
864-233-2690
Lake Hartwell, host of the 2008, 2015, 2018, and 2022 Academy Sports & Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk