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COASTALANGLERMAG.COM/CONTEST VOLUME 28 • ISSUE 344
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NOVEMBER 2023
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FOR NOVEMBER’S BOUNTY By Capt. Quinlyn Haddon
W
ith cold fronts rolling in and the slow season phasing out, November is a special month off the Keys. Crowds of sailfish begin to move up onto our reef, and a morning spent loading the cooler with yellowtail snapper transitions easily into a trophy fish hunt. Both can be targeted at the same time. Out on the reef, filling the boat with yellowtail takes care of the grocery hunt, and it’s also an opportunity to scoop some fresh ballyhoo. Once the cooler is full, the anchor is pulled and the sailfish hunt begins in the same area. This can lead to epic trips, with dinner and a show, all on a mere half day charter. Sitting on anchor on the reef should give the captain a reasonable assessment for the next steps to take into sailfishing for the remainder of the trip. Often, you will be able to see sailfish breaking the surface around you during the snapper fishing portion of the trip. You may see them either freejumping and putting on a show or pushing up schools of ballyhoo and spraying bait into the air, indicating their presence and appetite. If this obvious display isn’t present right away, there are two viable options to pursue the sailfish.
2 NATIONAL
NOVEMBER 2023
The captain may choose to push out to deeper water and bump troll live bait, or deploy the kite, which can be extremely productive. Alternatively, and easily the more exciting option, is to travel along the reef and look for them. As you cruise the reef looking for a sightcasting opportunity, there are a few indicators to be watchful of. First, it is possible to see the sailfish itself, but this is a little more tricky from deck-level. A sailfish in the water will appear very black and can often look like a trash bag. They can also be spotted free-jumping and cruising the tops of the waves. Looking for the fish directly is actually the least productive way to find them without a tower on the boat to scout from. The best way to find them is running and gunning. Cruising slowly while scouring the surface for bait sprays and diving frigates gives them away almost every time. When the frigates start getting down on the water or large schools of bait are spraying into the air, throttle down because it’s game on. Hauling butt over to
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the action and trying to get your bait out there before the fish eats another ballyhoo is one of the most exciting types of fishing there is. Even if you miss your shot, there’s a great chance you will see the fish. Nothing compares to the adrenaline of this type of hunt. With cooler temperatures pushing in, tourism is more focused on fishing charters. Last minute bookings become more difficult. So, if you’re planning a vacation to the Florida Keys, it is recommended to make a charter reservation beforehand. Happy hunting and Happy Thanksgiving from Sweet E’nuf Charters! Capt. Quinlyn Haddon and Sweet E’nuf Charters fish out of Marathon in the Florida Keys. Contact Capt. Haddon at (504) 920-6342 and follow her social accounts @CaptainQuinlyn.
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EuroNymphing By Nick Carter
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ove it or hate it, Euro nymphing is a style of fly fishing that is growing in popularity because it is so darn effective for catching numbers of trout. Naysayers might gripe about the technique having more in common with cane-pole fishing than fly fishing, but Euro nymphers are too busy netting fish to care. It is a combination of styles employed by European tournament anglers. At the most basic level, it is a simple way to fish nymphs without an indicator. The angler remains in constant loose contact with the fly and leads the drift with the rod. Bite detection is instant, hook sets are quick, and the angler has complete control over the depth and trajectory of the drift. Grant Hawse guides out of Fish Tales Outfitters in Franklin, N.C. He honed his nymphing skills as a member of the U.S. team at the World Youth Fly Fishing Championships in Spain and Slovenia in 2016 and 2017. Here are his tips for getting into Euro nymphing.
THE BASICS
Hawse said he visualizes a 3D grid in a run. He uses a series of short flick casts to drift his nymph over every inch of that grid vertically and horizontally. Depth is controlled by the angle of the rod, making it possible to present the fly on the nose of every fish in a run. Angles, posture and smooth line retrieve are important. Rapt attention to the slightest tick of a bite leads to lightning-fast hook sets. The technique might seem tedious to traditional fly fishers, but if the goal is to catch lots of fish, Euro nymphing has proven itself superior in most situations.
BE A GEAR HEAD
You’ll need new gear to Euro nymph efficiently. Rod: Long, light rods give you reach and sensitivity. Cortland’s Nymph Series rods are 10’ 6” and come in 2- to 4-weight models. THE TECHNIQUE Reel: The reel balances the rig. Hawse said Euro nymphing is an efficient way to cover a reel rated for line one step heavier than the every inch of the water in front of you. With very rod’s rating generally does the trick. Test this by little slack in the system, the angler has complete balancing the rod with two fingers as a fulcrum on the handle. control of the path and depth of the drift.
Line: Hawse suggested spooling up with floating fly line instead of expensive Euro nymphing line. The main line rarely leaves the reel when you’re nymphing, anyway, and if you want to throw dry flies you can switch out the leader. Leader: Here’s a basic leader: 10 feet of 8-lb. mono, 6 feet of 6-lb. mono, 6 feet of 4-lb. mono, 2 feet of 6x sighter, and 4 feet of 6x tippet. Sighter is brightly colored leader material that allows the angler to see where the line is and what it’s doing. Flies: Euro nymph rigs require heavier flies. Fish Tungsten heads or nymphs with lead tied into the body. Contact Fish Tales Outfitters through their website www.fishtaleswnc.com.
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NATIONAL 5
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ver wondered what the depth, bottom structure and composition look like off the end of your favorite jetty, bank, beach or fishing pier? Do you fish smaller waters or from a small boat or kayak and bulky, heavy and expensive electronics aren’t an option? Deeper has brought the advantage of sonar to the masses with portable and castable fishfinders that are perfect for whatever type fishing you do, whether it’s from the shore, from a kayak or small boat, or through a hole in the ice. Deeper PRO+ can be used anywhere to show you all the fish-holding structure and cover as well as the fish themselves. Paired with a free smartphone app, this small sonar unit is smaller than a tennis ball, weighs just 3.5 ounces and can be cast out 330 feet to report back sonar readings from two beams (15 and 55 degrees). It’s the ultimate insight into where you should—or should not—be fishing.
6 NATIONAL
NOVEMBER 2023
This extremely versatile little unit has up to six hours of battery life and connects to your smartphone via its own stable Wi-Fi signal, which provides a much stronger connection than Bluetooth. It’s durable, easy to use and comes with a two-year warranty. Deeper PRO+ pairs with the free Fish Deeper app which provides a crisp, clear display and many great features to help you catch more and bigger fish. With GPS, you can reel or troll the Deeper PRO+ around to create accurate depth and structure maps of your favorite fishery, log catches, mark spots and much more. All scans are saved in the cloud at no additional cost, and you can access them from all your devices. For boaters and kayakers, the Deeper Flexible Arm and Smartphone mount for boat/kayak turns your Smartphone into a convenient and stable display to monitor readings. Shore anglers will love
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Hunting On the Fly Gator Trout By Nick Carter
C
atching gator trout heavier than 5 or 6 pounds has more in common with hunting than it does with setting up on a drop and catching schoolie trout hand over fist. Add to that the challenge of hunting them with a fly, and success becomes that much sweeter. Capt. Gus Brugger knows that sweet feeling well. He’s a regular contributor the Treasure Coast edition of Coastal Angler Magazine who has been hounding inshore species with a fly rod for nearly 40 years. He was a full-time inshore guide on Florida’s storied Indian River Lagoon for 23 years and has a lot to share when it comes to catching monster trout on the fly. “It’s got to be all about stealth if you want to get a big seatrout on the fly,” he said. “Whether from a kayak, a boat, or just accessing areas from the bank, I always feel like you’re a lot better off wading.” The primary benefit of wading is stealth, and it also forces you to work areas thoroughly. Outsized trout are notoriously skittish and spook from hull slap, shadows and even fly line on the water. With your feet in the sand, you’re less obtrusive, and while you might not be able to cover water like you would from a boat, you can be meticulous. “Grid out pieces of open water, set up with the wind off your shoulder— so you’re not knocking yourself in the head,” Brugger said. “Cast, take two steps to the side, and then cast again. Wind helps, and a little chop on the water helps keep them from spooking.” Carefully picking apart potholes, ditches and depressions on a flat is the go-to tactic for most of the year, but cooler winter water temps bring exciting opportunities for fly anglers. Winter may be the best time to target giant trout. “In winter, gators act more like snook than trout,” Brugger said. Big trout push into the backwaters in search of deeper holes with more comfortable
8 NATIONAL
NOVEMBER 2023
water temperatures. This could be off a canal dock or in a trough of deep water along a mangrove bank. These comfort zones consolidate fish. While wading isn’t an option in several feet of muck on a canal bottom, a kayak or small skiff can get you in quietly. Brugger and his son have had great winter days at backwater holes in no-motor zones. As for gear, a 7- or 8-weight fly rod gives you the ability to throw big streamers and baitfish patterns. Brugger said they’ll eat a shrimp, but you’re better off throwing big mullet or menhaden imitations. Whether it’s a Clouser, Bendback, Polar Fiber Minnow, or some articulated monstrosity, Brugger fishes flies that are 6 inches and longer. Some days they want flashy white and chartreuse patterns. Other days they want something more natural. A clear intermediate sinking fly line is helpful for stealth and to get flies down into the strike zone. For more tips and tactics, visit coastalanglermag.com.
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FLORIDA 3
THE OFF SEASON IS SO ON!
fall and winter great, but also the fact that there are fewer tourists around. That means when you go fishing in popular areas, you won’t have to fight for the best spots. Plus, lots of resorts and hotels offer off-season rates, so you can save money and get more value for your dollar. A lot of species are in migration patterns during these months, so you can expect a wide variety of fish. Many of the fish that migrate south when ocean temps begin cooling eventually park themselves off the Keys. If you’re trying to go offshore, blackfin tuna and sailfish become more plentiful this time of year. Blackfins are delicious, and sailfish offer a battle you won’t forget when they come up out of the water tailwalking. Various mackerel and snapper species are usually available for the taking around this time, as well, and that’s usually action-packed. In the backcountry, there are jumbo snook, tarpon and permit. These classic backcountry game fish will definitely give you a fight to remember. So, whether you prefer fishing in the backcountry or in open water, you’re guaranteed to have a blast and reel in some great catches. The offseason months are really the best time to visit. The water is calm, there are lots of fish species to catch, the scenery is breathtaking, and you can count on local guides to help you out. Book your trip, take advantage of the offseason rates, and embark on an unforgettable fishing adventure in the stunning Florida Keys!
By Astrid DeGruchy
I
f you love fishing, you’ve gotta check out the Florida Keys during the off season. While most people visit from March to June, anglers in the know go during the offseason, from August through December. Not only does the temperature drop comfortably, but the hotels are more affordable and the fishing is amazing. It’s not just the cooler temperatures that makes
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NOVEMBER 2023
NEW SNOOK MANAGEMENT BEGINS JAN. 1
B
eginning Jan. 1, the way Florida manages its snook fisheries will change dramatically. At its October meeting, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission approved new management regions and regulations for snook in state waters. These regulations will establish nine new snook management regions and establish open seasons as well as bag and slot limits for each region. This will allow FWC staff to monitor snook fisheries in each region independently and annually to adjust regulations regionally, similar to the way redfish are managed. “Through innovative management strategies like this, which allow us to be agile in our response to concerns, we are ensuring that Florida’s future generations of anglers will have access to this iconic fishery,” said FWC Chairman Rodney Barreto. Here’s a breakdown of the regions and regulations for next year: Panhandle, Big Bend, Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay Open Season: March – April, September – November Bag limit: one fish Slot limit: 28-33 inches Charlotte Harbor, Southwest Open Season: March – April, October – November Bag Limit: one fish Slot Limit: 28-33 inches Southeast, Indian River Lagoon, Northeast Open Season: February – May, September – Dec. 14 Bag Limit: one fish Slot Limit: 28-32 inches For more information, including the October 2023 Commission meeting presentation, visit MyFWC.com/Commission.
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Florida Keys Advertise Your Business from Key Largo thru Key West Call 305.280.2021 or email: camflkeys@gmail.com
CHANGING WEATHER I
have to say it’s about time! I don’t know about you, but it seems like we have been in an oven for months. The cold snaps will be rolling in and along with that the bait will get a bit easier to find. I have not looked in the shrimp tank at the bait shop in months but that should start to change soon. As you get geared up for the winter fishing season here are a few things you will need to fish the backcountry of the Everglades National Park or the Gulf of Mexico when the spanish mackeral should start showing up. I like a spinning rod with medium action and either a jig head or circle hook depending on weather you are working the rod or letting it sit on the bottom and I always use beaded line with a rod length of fluorocarbon leader. After you get settled in a spot to fish, cast out the bottom rod with a live bait, I like to put a sinker above a swivel with 3-4ft of 30lb fluorocarbon and a live bait and let it sit. While that rod is fishing off the back of the boat, I have my clients cast the rods with the jigheads along a shoreline or a channel edge and by doing this you will figure out where the fish are holding. Depending on the conditions, I might fish different sizes of jigheads and don’t buy those cheap jigheads the hooks will just bend, and you will lose that big snook you are trying to catch.
By: Capt. Greg Poland
I buy my jigheads from Islamorada Fishing Outfitters as they have a small selection so there is no confusion, and the hooks are better quality than the run of the mill jighead at the same cost. Randy is a fishing guide and only sells what he uses on his boat! As the water temp cools off start venturing into the Gulf for spanish macks, which is one of my favorite things as we simply catch lots of fish and everybody has a great time. With this style of fishing, use light to medium spinning rods, as many live shrimp as you can afford, and a few boxes of chum. A few years ago, I bought a Chummy Hoop chum bag and it changed my life. I got so tired of those cheapo white chum bags and it’s been worth every penny. They are available online or at just about every bait shop in South Florida and so easy to use and clean up. I will write more about the macks as they start showing up when we get a few cold snaps so you’re ready when they get to town. If you would like to get out and help me break in the new boat, give me a ring or send me an email. — Contact Capt. Greg at 305.393.3327 or email gregpoland@icloud.com Instagram: gregpoland Facebook: Fishing in the Florida Keys with Capt. Greg Poland
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NOVEMBER 2023
FLORIDA KEYS 1
BUCKET E LIST By: Capt. Angelia Swanson
very year in the Florida Keys as the summer comes to an end and we have our last big push of tourists over Labor Day weekend, we go into several months of our slow season. These few months in the fall we get some time off to take our own vacations. This year, along with two of my closest and favorite friends, we decided to knock a trip off of our bucket lists. Iceland was our destination, and we were all very excited as we had been talking about it for years. Our desire to go to Iceland had begun because of many things, but the Silfra Fissure in Thingvellir National Park was high on our list. The Silfra Fissure is located on the Mid Atlantic Ridge which is a massive underwater mountain range. It marks the boundary between two tectonic plates, North America and Eurasia. In 1789, due to movements of the two tectonic plates that frame the park, the Silfra Fissure opened. These plates run all the way through Iceland, and they separate about .78 inches a year and tear open fissures in the land between them. These ravines fill with groundwater originating from a glacier about 37 miles north and travel below the Earth’s surface through lava fields. This water can take up to a century to reach Silfra and this long filtration process creates some of the clearest and purest water on Earth! My young travel companion, Hunter Lyons, had long wanted to snorkel in this crystal-clear water and see the two tectonic plates for himself. This water is COLD! Snorkeling in a wetsuit, Hunter stated “Towards the end of the 35-minute dive I definitely wanted to get out of the water because my hands and head were effectively exposed, but it didn’t distract me from the beauty”. He further stated “there was surprisingly a lot to look at. Massive strands of golden algae, neon green threads lightly spread on rocks, and the absolutely breathtaking fissure unlike anything I’ve ever seen, consisting of a massive wall of jagged rock that I could see 200’ down into it with the amazing clarity of the water”. I did not join Hunter on this snorkel adventure as I am afraid of water that cold! But what a thrill for us to watch and experience vicariously through him! Any vacation for me would be remiss without fishing foreign waters, so we booked a fishing trip out of Reykjavik with the Elding fleet of boats. The boat operated similar to our head boats, but much smaller and with only a handful of anglers, it provided a more personal experience for the passengers. It was basic bottom fishing with 12-ounce weights, a double hook chicken rig leader, and conventional reels. Sounds easy, right? Add in that the boat drift fishes in 2’ seas and screaming ice cold winds that will cut right through you. Not so easy as it turns out. But the cold and rough seas were ignored as we caught fish after fish. It was all Whiting and Haddock, which were not especially large or hard to fight, but the experience was pure fun, especially as my great friend, Patrick Lyons, was catching two fish at a time with the good old chicken rig and was ecstatic to be doing so. Also, as most of us passionate anglers, I was happy as can be to knock two new fish species off of my personal catch list and in a foreign country to boot. Then, what I believe was the most personal touch to the entire fishing trip, the captain was cleaning our fish towards the end of the trip while we still had lines in the water. We smelled the most delicious scent from the aft deck as we finished up our fishing endeavors. Then as I tied my rod and reel up on the rail and walked to the aft deck, the captain tapped me on the shoulder and lifted the grill cover. The freshly grilled fish was a beautiful (and warming...lol) sight! The fresh grilled fish was served with potato salad and several sauce choices to the five cold and hungry passengers in a way one could only experience in Iceland. My personal craving for a new fishing experience was sated. I send my biggest “thank you” to our marvelous Captain Vik and his mate Axel. They produced a true fishing “experience” that none of us will soon forget. Our Iceland adventure turned out to be everything we wished for and more. The amazing sight of the Northern lights has forever changed my view of our planet, and I long for the next adventure, fishing included as always! — Come out fishing with me by contacting me at: floridasaltycowgirl.com | 813-610-0078
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Just Throw a Scoop of Pilchards
By: Capt. Bruce Andersen
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NOVEMBER 2023
T
here’s an old saying among fishermen that goes “if you chum, they will come”. There are a lot of different types of chumming, but I could say firsthand that there is no better way to get a school of fish fired up, then by live bait chumming. We’ve got several different types of fishing, where chumming with live baits can lead to some of the most amazing action, you can witness out on the water! My favorite type of bait fish to chum with, would be live pilchards. Pilchards are a great bait to begin with and a favorite of most of the species, we target here in the Florida Keys. They are often readily available anywhere from the inshore channels all the way out to the edge of the reef and can usually be caught in large quantities with a cast net. When the pilchards are around, I’ll usually try to black out both of the large live wells on my conch 27 with hundreds of them so that I’ll have plenty of freebies to chum with. The technique of chumming with pilchards works on almost every species that we target here in the keys. Throwing scoops of live pilchards out behind the boat, followed by a couple of hook baits on light spinning tackle is effective for everything from Patch Reef Fishing for mutton snapper, mangrove snapper, and yellow bar jacks to catching some of the biggest yellowtail snapper you’ll ever see out on the reef, to raising packs of sailfish beyond the reef to getting the black fin tuna busting right behind the boat out on the hump. In all these scenarios when everything goes right, you’ll have fish coming up to the surface, chasing balls of pilchards, so fired up that they lose most of their inhibitions and will usually have no problem eating a hooked bait. Often, even when fishing seems very slow, a few scoops of pilchards will turn on the action fast. We are very lucky to have an abundant supply of live bait down here in the Florida Keys, and as long as the bait is available and you or the Captain your fishing with is willing to put in the work to catch them, they can be the key to a great day out on the water. So the next time you’re out and things seem a little slow, just throw a few scoops of pilchards and see what comes up busting! — 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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FLORIDA KEYS 5
THE SWORDFISH BITE By: Beth Steele
I
t was such a fun-filled month! I took a trip with friends on the Lisa B with RJ Boyle Studio and crew out of Lighthouse Point. There were a lot of laughs with this bunch. The seas were being selfish that trip, but somehow, we still made it work. Sword fishing was on point in Marathon and Islamorada. In the beginning of the month, I had one on the line that got attacked by a Mako Shark. It lost 1/2 of his side. One hour later, I got another bite and after it performed 4 nice aerial jumps, 2 1/2 hours later it was on the deck. This one weighed in at 262 pounds and was a pumpkin. They say pumpkin meat is sweet because of what they eat, and I tend to agree. By the end of the month, it slowed down a bit with just a couple of Swords, maybe it was the full moon? I took some great dolphin videos, they are such beautiful creatures and are always so playful. The Mahi were still running and I got to make some new Mahi belly Sword baits. I’m ready for the sharks to take a break and am super excited for Stone Crab Season! “Here fishy fishy” — Beth Steele | Owner, Hooker Booker LLC fishing@hookerbooker.com | @hookerbookerllc
6 FLORIDA KEYS
NOVEMBER 2023
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NOVEMBER 2023
FLORIDA KEYS 7
MINDFUL FISHING By: Brendon Allen
T
he morning sky comes alive with hues of blue and orange as the sun slowly rises above the horizon. The muddled smell of sea birds, seagrass, and salt wafts through the air as you cautiously approach the first sign of turbulent water. Bait fish spring into the air and crash back down into crystalline waters as you prepare your first cast. With a pounding heart and focused gaze, you cast your line and watch it as it gently unfolds in front of your target. You strip once, twice, and a third time before it becomes obvious that the opportunity has been missed. You turn to your buddy with a look of exasperation as he mutters the cliché, “there’s a reason it’s called fishing, not catching.” It’s a saying we’ve all heard and been slightly annoyed by, especially after losing a fish or a slow day on the water. That being said, it is a phrase worth meditating on. We all love to feed our ego by telling grand stories about how we skillfully landed that trophy fish, but does this come at an expense? More than anything, the aforementioned phrase is a reminder to enjoy the means just as much as the ends, even though that may be harder to brag to your friends about. Moreover, it’s a reminder to be in the moment, to experience the beauty of our surroundings and not lose sight of what’s right in front of us in exchange for a future that isn’t promised.
This isn’t to say that the joys of catching a prize game fish should be ignored or triumphant stories shouldn’t be told. That’s part of the fun of fishing, but only part. Being fully present as you cast brings joy to the act of casting and will most likely help you improve your cast. Being in the moment so that you can take in the smell of a tidal flat or the feel of a southerly breeze will not only connect you to your surroundings, but it might also tune you into how the fish are acting and feeding in that particular area. So, the next time you find yourself focused on the catching, remember that being in the moment during the fishing is where the real magic happens, and who knows? Maybe you’ll get the best of both worlds.
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TIDE CHART KEY LARGO
www.USHarbors.com
NOVEMBER Key Largo, South Sound, FL - Nov 2023 2023 High
Date
AM
ft
TIDE CHART ISLAMORADA
www.USHarbors.com
Islamorada, Florida Bay, FL - Nov 2023 NOVEMBER 2023
Low
High
Date
PM
ft
AM
ft
PM
ft
Rise
Set
Moon
12:19
2.0
6:59
0.2
7:30
0.5
7:27
6:40
1
Low
AM
ft
PM
ft
AM
ft
PM
ft
Rise
Set
Wed
12:41
0.9
2:21
0.5
9:02
0.1
8:06
0.3
7:28
6:43
1
Wed
2
Thu
12:23
1.8
1:06
1.9
7:48
0.3
8:22
0.6
7:28
6:39
2
Thu
1:23
0.8
3:13
0.5
9:56
0.1
8:46
0.4
7:29
6:42
3
Fri
1:11
1.7
1:56
1.7
8:41
0.4
9:19
0.7
7:28
6:39
3
Fri
2:10
0.8
4:16
0.5
10:57
0.2
9:38
0.4
7:29
6:42
4
Sat
2:04
1.6
2:50
1.7
9:40
0.5
10:21
0.7
7:29
6:38
4
Sat
3:03
0.7
5:37
0.5
12:03P
0.2
11:01
0.4
7:30
6:41
5
Sun
2:02
1.6
2:46
1.6
9:43
0.6
10:24
0.7
6:30
5:37
5
Sun
3:10
0.7
5:51
0.5
12:08P
0.2
11:38
0.4
6:31
5:41
6
Mon
3:05
1.5
3:41
1.6
10:44
0.6
11:20
0.6
6:30
5:37
6
Mon
4:30
0.7
6:34
0.6
1:04
0.3
6:31
5:40
7
Tue
4:06
1.6
4:33
1.6
11:40
0.6
6:31
5:36
7
Tue
5:50
0.7
7:03
0.6
12:58
0.4
1:51
0.3
6:32
5:39
8
Wed
5:02
1.6
5:20
1.7
12:09
0.5
12:29
0.5
6:32
5:36
8
Wed
6:55
0.7
7:29
0.7
2:01
0.4
2:30
0.3
6:33
5:39
9
Thu
5:52
1.7
6:03
1.7
12:51
0.4
1:12
0.5
6:32
5:35
9
Thu
7:49
0.7
7:55
0.7
2:51
0.3
3:02
0.3
6:33
5:38
10
Fri
6:37
1.8
6:44
1.7
1:30
0.3
1:53
0.5
6:33
5:35
10
Fri
8:36
0.7
8:23
0.8
3:33
0.2
3:31
0.3
6:34
5:38
11
Sat
7:19
1.9
7:25
1.8
2:06
0.3
2:32
0.4
6:34
5:34
11
Sat
9:20
0.6
8:53
0.8
4:12
0.2
3:58
0.3
6:35
5:38
12
Sun
8:01
1.9
8:04
1.8
2:42
0.2
3:09
0.4
6:35
5:34
12
Sun
10:03
0.6
9:24
0.8
4:49
0.1
4:25
0.3
6:35
5:37
13
Mon
8:42
2.0
8:45
1.8
3:19
0.1
3:48
0.4
6:35
5:33
13
Mon
10:47
0.6
9:58
0.8
5:26
0.0
4:53
0.3
6:36
5:37
14
Tue
9:25
2.0
9:26
1.8
3:58
0.1
4:27
0.4
6:36
5:33
14
Tue
11:31
0.6
10:35
0.8
6:05
0.0
5:23
0.3
6:37
5:36
15
Wed
10:10
2.0
10:10
1.8
4:39
0.1
5:10
0.4
6:37
5:33
15
Wed
12:18P
0.5
11:15
0.9
6:48
0.0
5:56
0.3
6:37
5:36
16
Thu
10:57
1.9
10:58
1.7
5:24
0.1
5:56
0.4
6:37
5:32
16
Thu
1:08
0.5
7:36
0.0
6:32
0.3
6:38
5:36
17
Fri
11:48
1.9
11:53
1.7
6:14
0.1
6:49
0.4
6:38
5:32
17
Fri
12:01
0.8
2:02
0.5
8:29
0.0
7:17
0.3
6:39
5:35
18
Sat
12:42
1.8
7:10
0.2
7:50
0.5
6:39
5:32
18
Sat
12:54
0.8
3:03
0.5
9:29
0.1
8:17
0.3
6:39
5:35
19
Sun
12:54
1.7
1:40
1.8
8:14
0.2
8:56
0.4
6:40
5:31
19
Sun
1:57
0.8
4:08
0.5
10:34
0.1
9:44
0.4
6:40
5:35
20
Mon
2:01
1.7
2:41
1.8
9:23
0.3
10:04
0.3
6:40
5:31
20
Mon
3:13
0.7
5:09
0.5
11:37
0.2
11:23
0.3
6:41
5:34
21
Tue
3:10
1.7
3:41
1.8
10:32
0.3
11:07
0.2
6:41
5:31
21
Tue
4:42
0.7
5:59
0.6
12:35
0.2
6:42
5:34
22
Wed
4:18
1.8
4:39
1.8
11:36
0.3
6:42
5:31
22
Wed
6:07
0.7
6:43
0.7
12:49
0.3
1:25
0.2
6:42
5:34
23
Thu
5:20
1.9
5:34
1.8
12:05
0.1
12:34
0.3
6:42
5:30
23
Thu
7:21
0.6
7:23
0.7
2:01
0.2
2:10
0.2
6:43
5:34
24
Fri
6:17
2.0
6:26
1.9
12:57
0.0
1:28
0.2
6:43
5:30
24
Fri
8:24
0.6
8:02
0.8
3:02
0.1
2:52
0.3
6:44
5:34
25
Sat
7:09
2.0
7:15
1.9
1:47
-0.1
2:18
0.2
6:44
5:30
25
Sat
9:20
0.6
8:40
0.8
3:56
0.0
3:31
0.3
6:44
5:34
26
Sun
7:57
2.0
8:01
1.9
2:34
-0.1
3:05
0.2
6:45
5:30
26
Sun
10:10
0.6
9:19
0.8
4:44
0.0
4:10
0.2
6:45
5:34
27
Mon
8:43
2.0
8:46
1.8
3:20
-0.1
3:50
0.2
6:45
5:30
27
Mon
10:56
0.5
9:59
0.8
5:30
-0.1
4:48
0.2
6:46
5:33
28
Tue
9:27
2.0
9:30
1.8
4:05
-0.1
4:35
0.2
6:46
5:30
28
Tue
11:39
0.5
10:39
0.8
6:14
-0.1
5:26
0.2
6:47
5:33
29
Wed
10:11
1.9
10:13
1.7
4:50
0.0
5:20
0.3
6:47
5:30
29
Wed
12:21P
0.5
11:21
0.8
6:58
-0.1
6:05
0.2
6:47
5:33
30
Thu
10:54
1.8
10:57
1.6
5:34
0.1
6:05
0.4
6:48
5:30
30
Thu
1:02
0.4
7:43
0.0
6:44
0.3
6:48
5:33
Geiger Key Angler’s Paradise
Unparalleled ocean access just 7 lots in from the Atlantic! • Approximately 170’ concrete dock on a deep-water canal. • Ample space for 4 vessels, all over 30’. • Updated 1,344 sq. ft. floor plan with generous accommodations for guests. • Call the Lisa Ferringo Group for information today! •
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NOVEMBER 2023
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Moon
TIDE CHART
KEY COLONY BEACH www.USHarbors.com
Key Colony Beach, FL - Nov 2023 NOVEMBER 2023 High
Date
AM
ft
Low
TIDE CHART KEY WEST
www.USHarbors.com
Key West, FL - Nov 2023 NOVEMBER 2023 High
Date
PM
ft
AM
ft
PM
ft
Rise
Set
Moon
12:26
1.9
6:04
0.2
5:46
0.9
7:29
6:45
1
Low
AM
ft
PM
ft
AM
ft
PM
ft
Rise
Set
Wed
12:02
2.4
1:42
1.4
6:55
0.1
5:59
0.9
7:32
6:48
1
Wed
2
Thu
12:03
2.6
1:13
1.8
6:55
0.3
6:32
1.0
7:30
6:44
2
Thu
12:44
2.3
2:34
1.3
7:49
0.3
6:39
1.0
7:33
6:48
3
Fri
12:52
2.4
2:05
1.7
7:51
0.5
7:27
1.0
7:31
6:44
3
Fri
1:31
2.1
3:37
1.3
8:50
0.4
7:31
1.1
7:34
6:47
4
Sat
1:48
2.3
3:04
1.7
8:53
0.7
8:33
1.1
7:31
6:43
4
Sat
2:24
2.0
4:58
1.3
9:56
0.5
8:54
1.2
7:34
6:46
5
Sun
1:51
2.2
3:07
1.7
8:56
0.8
8:46
1.1
6:32
5:42
5
Sun
2:31
1.9
5:12
1.4
10:01
0.6
9:31
1.2
6:35
5:46
6
Mon
2:59
2.1
4:06
1.8
9:54
0.8
9:56
1.1
6:33
5:42
6
Mon
3:51
1.8
5:55
1.5
10:57
0.7
10:51
1.1
6:35
5:45
7
Tue
4:06
2.1
4:54
1.9
10:42
0.8
10:54
0.9
6:33
5:41
7
Tue
5:11
1.8
6:24
1.6
11:44
0.8
11:54
1.0
6:36
5:45
8
Wed
5:07
2.1
5:34
2.1
11:23
0.8
11:43
0.8
6:34
5:41
8
Wed
6:16
1.8
6:50
1.8
12:23
0.8
6:37
5:44
9
Thu
6:00
2.1
6:11
2.2
12:00
0.8
6:34
5:40
9
Thu
7:10
1.8
7:16
1.9
12:44
0.8
12:55
0.8
6:37
5:44
10
Fri
6:47
2.2
6:46
2.3
12:26
0.6
12:34
0.8
6:35
5:40
10
Fri
7:57
1.8
7:44
2.0
1:26
0.6
1:24
0.8
6:38
5:43
11
Sat
7:31
2.2
7:21
2.4
1:06
0.4
1:08
0.8
6:36
5:39
11
Sat
8:41
1.7
8:14
2.1
2:05
0.4
1:51
0.8
6:39
5:43
12
Sun
8:14
2.2
7:56
2.5
1:44
0.3
1:42
0.8
6:36
5:39
12
Sun
9:24
1.7
8:45
2.2
2:42
0.2
2:18
0.8
6:39
5:42
13
Mon
8:56
2.1
8:32
2.5
2:24
0.1
2:17
0.7
6:37
5:39
13
Mon
10:08
1.6
9:19
2.3
3:19
0.1
2:46
0.8
6:40
5:42
14
Tue
9:39
2.0
9:10
2.6
3:04
0.0
2:54
0.7
6:38
5:38
14
Tue
10:52
1.5
9:56
2.3
3:58
0.0
3:16
0.8
6:41
5:42
15
Wed
10:23
1.9
9:52
2.6
3:48
0.0
3:32
0.8
6:39
5:38
15
Wed
11:39
1.4
10:36
2.3
4:41
-0.1
3:49
0.8
6:41
5:41
16
Thu
11:11
1.8
10:38
2.5
4:35
0.0
4:15
0.8
6:39
5:37
16
Thu
12:29P
1.3
11:22
2.3
5:29
0.0
4:25
0.8
6:42
5:41
17
Fri
12:02P
1.8
11:31
2.5
5:27
0.1
5:04
0.8
6:40
5:37
17
Fri
1:23
1.2
6:22
0.0
5:10
0.9
6:43
5:41
18
Sat
12:57
1.7
6:24
0.2
6:04
0.9
6:41
5:37
18
Sat
12:15
2.2
2:24
1.2
7:22
0.2
6:10
0.9
6:43
5:40
19
Sun
12:32
2.4
1:57
1.7
7:25
0.3
7:16
0.9
6:41
5:37
19
Sun
1:18
2.1
3:29
1.3
8:27
0.3
7:37
1.0
6:44
5:40
20
Mon
1:42
2.3
2:58
1.8
8:28
0.4
8:35
0.8
6:42
5:36
20
Mon
2:34
2.0
4:30
1.4
9:30
0.4
9:16
0.9
6:45
5:40
21
Tue
2:58
2.2
3:55
2.0
9:28
0.5
9:50
0.7
6:43
5:36
21
Tue
4:03
1.9
5:20
1.6
10:28
0.5
10:42
0.7
6:46
5:40
22
Wed
4:16
2.2
4:47
2.2
10:23
0.6
10:57
0.4
6:43
5:36
22
Wed
5:28
1.8
6:04
1.8
11:18
0.6
11:54
0.5
6:46
5:39
23
Thu
5:28
2.1
5:35
2.4
11:14
0.6
11:57
0.2
6:44
5:36
23
Thu
6:42
1.8
6:44
2.0
12:03
0.7
6:47
5:39
24
Fri
6:31
2.1
6:20
2.5
12:01
0.6
6:45
5:36
24
Fri
7:45
1.7
7:23
2.1
12:55
0.2
12:45
0.7
6:48
5:39
25
Sat
7:26
2.1
7:03
2.6
12:50
0.0
12:46
0.6
6:46
5:36
25
Sat
8:41
1.6
8:01
2.2
1:49
0.0
1:24
0.7
6:48
5:39
26
Sun
8:15
2.0
7:46
2.6
1:39
-0.1
1:30
0.6
6:46
5:35
26
Sun
9:31
1.5
8:40
2.3
2:37
-0.1
2:03
0.7
6:49
5:39
27
Mon
8:59
1.9
8:29
2.6
2:26
-0.2
2:13
0.6
6:47
5:35
27
Mon
10:17
1.4
9:20
2.3
3:23
-0.2
2:41
0.6
6:50
5:39
28
Tue
9:41
1.8
9:12
2.5
3:12
-0.2
2:55
0.6
6:48
5:35
28
Tue
11:00
1.3
10:00
2.2
4:07
-0.2
3:19
0.6
6:51
5:39
29
Wed
10:22
1.8
9:56
2.4
3:57
-0.1
3:38
0.6
6:48
5:35
29
Wed
11:42
1.2
10:42
2.1
4:51
-0.2
3:58
0.6
6:51
5:39
30
Thu
11:03
1.7
10:41
2.3
4:43
0.0
4:21
0.7
6:49
5:35
30
Thu
12:23P
1.2
11:24
2.0
5:36
-0.1
4:37
0.7
6:52
5:39
Moon
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FLORIDA KEYS 13
LIONFISH By Captain Tony Young
I
t is well known that what happens below the surface of the water often goes unnoticed. This is the story of many stressors that affect the beautiful reef tract of the Florida Keys. We hear a lot about water temps, diver stress, fishing pressure, over usage, nutrient runoff, etc. But what many of us hear and often ignore, are the stressors that live and feed on the reef each day. One very “special”, beautiful, and perfectly evolved invasive predator that has had a devastating effect on the Florida Keys is the lionfish. We’ve all heard about lionfish, know what they are and why they are bad, now let’s truly hear the story about this fish in our area and the work that is being done to remove them! I consider lionfish “special” because there truly is no other fish like it. They are perfectly evolved as a predator and are extremely impressive in their hunting techniques. They are able to travel long distances in a day, they reach sexual maturity early in their life and reproduce in high numbers, they have a gluttonous appetite, and most importantly they are armed with venomous spines that prevent potential predators from eating them. Although lionfish are not the largest fish in the ocean, they work in mass numbers feeding on our ecologically and economically important native fish species. We all know about lionfish, however this was not always the case. Going back only a few years, restaurants were scared to cook these fish and divers avoided them. They were seen as a sort of voodoo, definitely not a fish you wanted to handle let alone try to eat. Education on Lionfish was not common and only a few divers would really go out and try to remove them. Moving forward, today lionfish are seen as a delicacy. Restaurants and grocery stores fight over them, the skin is being tanned for high end shoes, and their venomous spines have been transformed into beautiful jewelry. So, what changed, who swung the pendulum on lionfish. In my opinion, the hard work and dedication from our local non-profit Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) is responsible for education and changing the minds of the public on lionfish. In 2009, REEF put together their first lionfish derby. The goal was to bring the community together, provide education, and most importantly remove as many lionfish as possible. Over the years, REEFs Upper Keys Lionfish Derby has removed over 33 thousand fish alone and yes, that is making a huge difference. Thanks to REEF, our local lionfish population has dramatically declined, although they are still a huge issue and will likely never disappear completely, divers are now comfortable and excited to remove these fish every time they are seen. Aside from tournaments, REEF works year-round to learn as much as possible about lionfish. They host workshops, statewide presentations, and do some amazing grant work that is improving education and eradication strategies of these fish. As a Florida Resident and Florida Keys community member, I am very grateful for the work REEF has done over the years. Without their work, our local fishery would be very different and greatly unstable. As a diver, hunting lionfish has become one of my greatest passions. Sharing this with guests on our charters and with my friends during the annual derby, has been a true blessing! This past September’s derby our team “Forever Young” set a new tournament record with 648 fish, bringing the lionfish removal total between 22 teams up to 2,071 fish. Thank you, REEF, once again for hosting this amazing tournament and working hard for tomorrow’s fishery! To learn more about Lionfish, contact REEF directly! Dive Safe!
— Capt. Tony Young can be reached at Forever Young Spearfishing in Islamorada, FL at 305-680-8879
H
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FLORIDA KEYS 15
F SAIL INTO A NEW SEASON
By: Jessica Harris
D
id someone say fall? As summer has ended, we’re expected to see the sailfish rolling in through October and November months. Too chilly is never an issue here, the good thing about Florida is fishing yearround! Yep, the captains always love that one. We’re still seeing the mahi mahi bite which is always a fun and tasty fish to see, not to mention a pretty one. As pictured, I always tend to find a school, but I’m not complaining! They make the best tacos and always so unique in color. The full moons may also have the wahoo biting, too which is another tasty fish. But what a lot of anglers from all over the world come to find in the fall months aren’t the ones you catch to eat, but the ones you catch to admire. They are the majestic sails. Their colors are bright and they’re feeding quick. Something about that little dance they do always has people coming back for more! When I caught the sailfish pictured, he was so quick to get the bait that he nearly broke his bill on the boat. Not to mention he
16 FLORIDA KEYS
NOVEMBER 2023
wasn’t even hooked, he was bill wrapped and another sail was right behind him chasing the same bait. The boat may have got a few scratches on it this go round but they will always have a story to tell. Talk about a nerve wrecker and a sight to see! He swam off to see another day and hopefully make a wonderful fishing story for the next angler. The sailfish is a good and safe bet for a bucket list fish for anyone. It’s an exhilarating, beautiful and one-of-a-kind catch. Whether you catch 1 or 25, the adrenaline is always the same. I have also tagged a sailfish before which I recommend anyone doing if they’re able. It’s so neat to see how they live, what they try to eat, where they travel to, etc. I’ve noticed that a hardy live bait on the kite always does the trick. You must bribe those suckers but once you get one, it’s worth the wait. Make sure to keep them living and make the photos quick. They’re a heavy fish so they need the best care! Get ready to become addicted to the chase, keep the flags flying and Happy Fishing!
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17 FLO
FLORIDA KEYS FISHING GUIDES Snorkeling • Inshore
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T
he recently completed Taylor Slough Improvement Project delivers needed fresh water to the Everglades, improving habitat for fish, birds, alligators, and South Florida communities. Located within Everglades National Park, the improvement project was completed so quickly thanks to both the South Florida Water Management District team and the Army Corps of Engineers. The Taylor Slough Flow Improvement Project will restore freshwater flows to Florida Bay. Located on the east side of the southern Everglades, Taylor Slough is one of two major freshwater sloughs in Everglades National Park. Due to both the infrastructure of the Central and Southern Florida System and the con...redirect fresh water to its struction of Old Ingraham Highway, the latter of which inadvertently acted rightful path while also restoring as a dam, water flow to Taylor Slough natural plant communities in the was cut off significantly. The project area, including seagrass beds restores water connectivity through the installation of 18 culverts in nine that prey and game fish need to different locations along Ingraham Highway and plugs several canals that survive and thrive in this region. had diverted water from the slough. These steps will redirect fresh water to its rightful path while also restoring natural plant communities in the area, including seagrass beds that prey and game fish need to survive and thrive in this region. At Audubon, we have protected wildlife while studying the health of the Everglades—especially Taylor Slough—for almost 100 years. Because of our longstanding history here on Florida Bay, we know that the additional connectivity into Taylor Slough from this project will improve water conditions in this area and support habitat and wildlife. We look forward to continuing to monitor Taylor Slough and sharing the results of this project as the benefits are realized.
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18 FLORIDA KEYS
NOVEMBER 2023
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Who Doesn’t Want to be Here…
eeded gators, l Park, h Flor-
Were happy to announce our recent partnership with Coastal Angler Magazine as their exclusive apparel brand for the Florida Keys Region!
ows to Slough o both
natume fish
he Evlongctivity ea and Taylor
Welcome to Los Cayos! The spark that led to the creation of Los Cayos was realized in an Upper Keys Tiki Bar one hot summer evening. While enjoying a cold beverage and listening to the vibrant conversations of those at surrounding tables, we soon realized the common theme to those conversations was “Los Cayos”. As those words rolled off their tongues, I couldn’t help to think of how sexy they sound. This was the moment we began our journey to create an authentic “Keys inspired” lifestyle brand. It’s the no-worries, always-sunny, warm breezes, and sunshine experience that everyone wants to live! Here on the island, you don’t move at the pace society tells you to. It’s no wonder our catchphrase is “Who doesn’t want to be here?” Los Cayos started as an apparel company and now offers a full line of outdoor performance clothing, hats, and accessories for the whole family. You’re not like everyone else, so why wear the same clothes they do? What is island living without the proper cold beverage? Well, we also added an absolutely amazing lime lager beer with the unapparelled ability to transport you to a place we call paradise. Look for it at your favorite Keys watering hole. Mass distribution is in the works along with many other great Los Cayos products on the way! Come join the Los Cayos family and take a journey with us. We may not know exactly where we’re going, but hopefully we’ll know when we get there! Capt. “Franker
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@LosCayosApparel FLORIDA KEYS 19 @LosCayosBeer
NOVEMBER 2023
FLATS FISHING TECHNIQUES
FOR KAYAKERS By: Randy Morrow
S
mall paddle craft like kayaks, paddle boards and canoes offer a unique experience for the flats angler. While they don’t have the extended range of a power boat, they give the pursuit of fish an incredible intimacy, and the small footprint of a paddle craft allows the angler to get much closer to fish without spooking them. Today I’ll offer a few techniques for catching flats fish from a little plastic boat. Whether to stand or sit is a good place to start our discussion. Standing
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NOVEMBER 2023
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has myriad advantages, the main one being that you can see your targets before they notice you. This is especially important with bonefish, one of the harder species for the newcomer to see. However, some paddle craft, due to their narrow width, are just not suited for standing. Or sometimes the paddler is just not comfortable in the standing position. That’s okay, you can still catch a bonefish! A productive technique is to chum a little bit. Once you find an area that looks good and has current, anchor your kayak, dice up shrimp into fingernail-sized pieces and toss about 30 feet from your boat. Then put one or two rods with live shrimp very close to your diced shrimp and wait. If you don’t get action in about 15 minutes, then try a different spot. This method will also get you some small bonnethead sharks which are zippy fighters on light tackle. Fishing for juvenile tarpon doesn’t require the angler to stand either. Tarpon, especially around sunrise and sunset, will “roll”, breaking the water’s surface with the upper part of their body. Once you seen this a few times, it’s unmistakable, and it tells the angler the location and direction of travel of the fish so you know where to cast. Lemon sharks, a terrific sight fishing target, especially in the winter months, will often swim the flats with their dorsal fins out of the water making a distinctive wake you’ll see from a distance. Approaching them deliberately and presenting a piece of cut fish will generally result in a reel-screaming hookup! Permit are many times difficult to get a good shot at because they seem to constantly change direction as they move across a flat. But sometimes they will settle down in an area, especially if they’re feeding, and poke their tail out of the water. A well-placed live crab or shrimp will usually get you hooked up. Big barracuda are typically common on the flats in the cooler months and offer one of the most exciting “takes” or “eats” in saltwater fishing! It truly has the appearance of a heat-seeking missile as they track down your lure. The best lure for a spin fisherman is the tried and true “tube lure”, available at all the local tackle shops. If you’re standing, a bright sunny day can help you see big cudas lying motionless on the flats. If you’re sitting, blind casting to likely ambush spots can be quite productive. Feel free to call, text or email if I can help you with your piscatorial pursuits!
— Randy Morrow, Kayak Fishing Guide | LowerKeysKayakFishing.com randy@lowerkeyskayakfishing.com | 305-923-4643
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NOVEMBER 2023
FLORIDA KEYS 21
THIS TIME OF YEAR
By: Capt. Joel Brandenburg
N
ow that we are getting into the windy cooler months it’s time to start fishing the bridges more and more. Many times, this time of year our charters are scheduled for offshore, deep sea, big game trips, but sometimes Mother Nature has different plans in store for that day. Even though our anglers first choice may be offshore, sometimes it’s not only to rough to fish offshore it’s also too rough to anchor on the reef. In this case we’ll tuck into our bridge spots and pull off a heck of a fishing trip that our clients will never forget. The fish we catch around the bridges this time of year include tarpon, bonefish, yellow jacks, jack crevalle, red grouper, black grouper, gag grouper, permit, african pompano, hog fish, mangrove snapper, lane snapper, yellowtail snapper, school master snapper, cobia, spanish mackerel, cero mackerel, snook, redfish, trout, barracuda, lady fish, sheepshead, many species of shark and a variety of other fish. We target these bridge fish with live bait such as shrimp, pilchards, pinfish, and mini mullet. Live shrimp is by far bait #1. We also fish with cut bait such as squid, chunks of ballyhoo and slivers of mullet and Bonita bellies. When we fish with live shrimp, we use whatever sized jig head that will stay in the middle column in the current between the surface and the bottom the best. In other words, nothing so big that it immediately sinks to the bottom and nothing so small that it won’t sink your bait in the rushing current. Heavy current means heavier jig, slack or slackish current smaller jig. For example, if the current is running left or right from the bridge, cast out your jig hooked shrimp parallel to the bridge and work it back to the boat slowly. I like to jig, reel, reel, jig, and make your retrieval somewhat sporadic. Sometimes the game fish just like the jig’d shrimp to go with the flow. It’s very important to hook your shrimp correctly. If you look on the internet “how to hook a live shrimp” you’ll see a hundred different ways. Your shrimp should be hooked so when you retrieve it, it will be streamlined and hydro dynamic and not helicoptering. We like to hook the live shrimp under its chin, up through its head and make your hook flush with its horn. It’s important to miss its brains so the shrimp will stay lively. The shrimp’s head is transparent, and you can usually see it’s brains clearly. If you run the hook through its brains the shrimp will go immediately limp and dead, and the gamefish can tell that it’s dead too and will be much less likely to feed on that shrimp. When we fish the bridges, we like to chum a lot. During Fall, we use an average of one block of chum per hour. Most bait shops in town sell chum by the box or by the case. One case of chum includes six boxes, so if we’re going out on a trip that’s six hours or less, bring a case of chum. If we were going out on a charter more than six hours, we bring two cases of chum. It’s better to have too much chum then not enough chum. If you have leftover chum at the end of the day, you can always stick it in your freezer, and it’ll be good for the next trip. When anchoring at a bridge, I used to think it was better to anchor off the bridge and have your chum and hook bait flowing towards the bridge. I found out years ago that in most cases, it’s better to anchor close to the bridge and have your charm and hooked bait flowing away from the bridge. You catch just as many if not more fishing away from the bridge as you do fishing into the bridge and you don’t have as many fish breaking off by getting wrapped around the bridge pylons during the fight. Also, if you’re fishing into the bridge, and your anchor comes loose then your boats flowing towards the bridge, which can be dangerous, especially if you have a boat with a higher tower. Speaking of potentially dangerous situations while bridge fishing, if you see a Danger Falling Debris sign on the bridge, pay attention to it because bridge debris really does fall from the bridge on occasion and even though you don’t hear of it much, one day a big chunk of debris is going to fall off the bridge and take somebody out. Especially around the old 7-mile railroad bridge. Just don’t anchor directly under it. Sometimes at the 7-mile bridge we like to target large snapper and grouper under the highest bridge span. We like mackerel and jacks near Fred the Tree and most of our tarpon, shark, and barracuda bridge fishing is on the extreme east side of the bridge at the entrance to Marathon near Sunset Grille. We like targeting bonefish and permit in the shallower water near Pigeon Key section of the bridge, and troll around Vaca Cut Bridge and catch snook and redfish near Duck Key Bridge and Long Key Bridge. Remember when the weather is rough and you want to stay close to port and fish the bridge the fish run for cover too in rough weather and hang around the bridges for shelter and food. — 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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MARINE THEFT PREVENTION • Install motion sensor lights. Make sure areas around the boat are well lighted. • Install surveillance cameras and make sure they will capture the face of an intruder. Cameras are often installed too high and only capture the top of a suspects head or the brim of the hat he is wearing. • Install a GPS tracking device on your boat and/or engines. • Install a boat alarm. Alarms are very effective at preventing equipment and boat thefts. • Disconnect the batteries to disable the trim / tilt function. Keep the engine down, touching the ground so the lower unit can’t be removed. • If the boat is on a trailer, chain the rims together or boot one of the wheels to prevent the boat and trailer from being stolen. • Keep a trailer hitch lock on at all times. • Install bolt locks on the engine or put extra-long engine bolts on and bend the ends. • Destroy the threads on one bolt so the nut can’t be removed. • Keep valuable electronics in a secure location. It might be a hassle, but it will same you thousands of dollars in the long run. • Take pictures and record serial numbers if available. • Don’t leave fishing and diving equipment unattended outside. It only takes a thief a minute - literally - to take it. • If you are gone for an extended period, call your local Sheriff’s Office substation. Our deputies will keep an eye on your property while you are away.
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Florida Keys Jackson
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First mate A lex Lewis, o f Main Attra ction Charte with a pair of queen sn rs, appers.
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ONE BIG FISH! 80-Pound ’Hoo Wins Summer-Long Series
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ne big fish won this summer’s West Palm Beach Fishing Club’s Full Moon Wahoo Series. A single monster 79.8-pound ’hoo caught in July gave Mike Ferrara and team Terry II the heaviest aggregate weight across the three-event series. Although several teams edged closer with weights piling up thanks to several fish caught over the three dates, none were able to catch up with Terry II’s huge fish. The Full Moon Wahoo Series is a cool tournament, with single-day events held on Saturdays near the full moons of summer. This year’s dates were July 29, Aug. 26 and Sept. 30. Wahoo are the only target species, and only club members can register teams. Cash is awarded to the top boats for each fishing day. The Overall Series Champion with the heaviest overall aggregate weight is crowned after the final event. Entering the final moon on Sept. 30, Team Yellowfin and Team Whisky Business were chasing Terry II. Both teams came in with solid 40-pluspounders from previous events, and they both weighed fish on the final moon. Yellowfin’s second fish of the series weighed 23 pounds, which brought their aggregate to 66.4 pounds, good enough for a second-place series finish. Whisky Business’ fish weighed 16.8 pounds and brought them to a third-place series finish with a 59.2-pound aggregate. More than 80 boats fished at least one moon of the series. Check out the West Palm Beach Fishing Club at westpalmbeachfishingclub.org.
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SHEEPSHEAD
By Emily Hanzlik
Carry Anglers Through the Cold Months
D
uring these colder months, many people focus on the end of the mullet run or the bluefish that are starting to move in. However, there are other options. One of my favorites is sheepshead. This flakey white-meat fish should be a staple in your winter diet. Sheepshead are sometimes called convicts because of the black and white bars they wear like a jumpsuit. This contrasting coloration helps when sight fishing for them because you can see those bright stripes hugging closely to the structure. Sheepshead typically weigh 3 to 5 pounds, but outsized specimens grow into double digits. The larger the fish, the longer its spines: be careful of the dorsal fin when handling sheepshead. They will tense up and flare their spines trying to escape. Sheepshead inhabit almost all coastal Atlantic waters, from Nova Scotia to Brazil and throughout the Gulf of Mexico. Sheepshead tolerate a wide range of salinity, and spend most of the year inshore and even inland in more brackish water. They love structure because that’s where the crustaceans they feed on live. You’ll find them on docks, bridges, jetties, seawalls, and in the absence of man-made structure, you’ll find them on rock or hard bottom. Sheepshead move out into deeper nearshore waters to spawn in late winter to early spring but return quickly. Sheepsheads are molluscivores meaning they only
eat crustaceans. Things such as oysters, mussels, barnacles, crabs and shrimp make up their diet. To crush all that shell, they have human-like teeth and thick back molars, enabling them to crush their prey. During the crushing process, they push water through their gills and leave their mouth slightly open to eject shell pieces, leaving only the meat for them to consume. Their odd feeding behavior makes them tricky to catch with a hook and line. They love fiddler crabs, and you can find live fiddlers at a bait shop or along rock piles. You can also pick oysters off pilings and crack them open to use the meat as bait. Some anglers use a rake or hammer to scrape barnacles off pilings to chum the water. As for artificials, crappie jigs or flathead jigs are good options. With a fly rod, you can use white Clouser Minnows or shrimp flies. Fish bridges, inlets and piers, and get as close to the pilings or structure as possible. Since they crush their prey and spit out the rest, you’ll want to use small but strong J hooks, and set the hook as soon as they inhale the bait. Relatively heavy line is necessary to avoid being frayed off in all that structure. I wouldn’t use anything lighter than 12-pound-test. The IGFA all-tackle world record for sheepshead is an enormous 21-pound, 4-ounce fish caught in New Orleans by Wayne Desselle in 1982.
Emily Rose Hanzlik holds 62 IGFA world records in various categories. She hails from West Palm Beach, where she has a part time Bowfin Guide Service as well as fishing classes for Jr. Anglers. Find her on social media @emilyhanzlikoutdoors.
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FLY FISHING FOR BASS
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ly fishing for bass can be extremely productive and really fun. Growing up fishing for saltwater and freshwater species, I was introduced to fly fishing by some friends and got extremely hooked. While presenting a fly to fish can sometimes be tricky, a fly is a much more natural looking presentation to a fish than an artificial lure is, and I have seen fish eat flies much better than normal lures many times. There are times when a fly rod just isn’t an option. Having fly line everywhere and stretching the line 50 or 100 feet behind you and whipping it forward probably isn’t best if you are fishing a bass tournament. But if you are fun fishing a lake by boat or fishing a pond or stream or river by foot, fly fishing can be a rewarding experience. Like I said before, a small natural-looking fly, whether it be a baitfish or a topwater fly, can produce more bites than normal lures in some circumstances. I realized how productive fly fishing for bass can be while fishing ponds around my house when I was younger. These ponds got hammered by people throwing lures with
I’m sure you could take a deep dive into all the different gear and fly selections for different scenarios, but I keep it simple. White and silver baitfish patterns work wonders when you strip TYLER WOOLCOTT the line with small movements to make them swim like a fleeing baitfish. Topwater poppers conventional bass gear, and are extremely fun because you get to watch the fishing could be pretty them come up and eat it. Fish it with the same tough. It really impressed me when I fished them with a fly rod because I action as a conventional popper. I can’t exactly teach you how to fly fish in this article; YouTube is a great place for that. My hope is this will spark someone’s interest. Coming from someone who has done pretty much every kind of fishing, fly fishing is something every angler should try. Targeting bass and similar-sized species calls for a 6- to 8-weight fly rod. You can fish sinking lines to get down deep, but I prefer a regular floating line to fish for bass that are feeding shallow. I like premade tapered leaders in the 10- to 12-pound range. Feel free to contact me on social media with any questions or do some research online. I hope this caught more fish than I did with conventional convinces someone to go out there to target gear. I assume the bass grew wary of seeing big bass with a fly rod. It’s really fun! worms and crankbaits. A tiny baitfish fly or a Tyler Woolcott is a professional tournament tasty-looking, easy-to-eat topwater with natural angler and guide. Check out his website at movement got these fish more excited to eat www.tylerwoolcottfishing.com. than I had ever seen.
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I
n late September, NOAA Fisheries announced early closure dates for gag grouper in federal waters of the South Atlantic as well as the Gulf of Mexico. These closures came tight on the heels of a revelation that the data NOAA uses to manage these and other fisheries could be severely flawed. In the Gulf of Mexico, recreational harvest of gags was closed on Oct. 19. It called an early end to a season that had already been shortened on the front end. The normal season runs from June 1 through Nov. 10. However, this past spring, NOAA announced an interim measure to delay opening of gag grouper harvest to Sept. 1. Initially, three months of gag harvest were taken from recreational anglers, and now—with the early closure—the season was effectively cut from 162 days to just 48 days. In the South Atlantic, in federal waters off North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida, NOAA called an early end to gag grouper harvest on Oct. 23. The recreational season was scheduled to run from May through December. This move shaved 69 days off the regular 215-day season at a time when charter captains rely on grouper to keep clients on the water. In both instances, NOAA said its projections of recreational catch and effort data indicate the recreational annual catch limits would be reached by the early closure dates, which is their justification for shutting down the fisheries. In an explanation that seems contradictory to reason, a NOAA statement blamed high harvest of Gulf gags on the already shortened season. “Preliminary reports indicate high catch rates of gag this year, in part because of changes in the start from June 1 to September 1,” the statement reads. If that doesn’t seem to make sense, neither do NOAA’s data collection surveys that are used to determine angler effort. In a pilot study conducted by NOAA itself, the surveys, which are mailed to licensed saltwater anglers, were found to be confusing and led to “illogical responses” and “reporting errors.” The study showed that the resulting angler effort data was overestimated by 30 to 40 percent. Angler effort is a factor used to determine total harvest, which means NOAA’s harvest data is likely significantly flawed. Perhaps more concerning than that is the idea that harvest data is used in stock assessments. Estimated populations of our favorite sport and table fish are also likely inflated. For the third time in the last 13 years, significant flaws have been revealed in NOAA data collection, and this is the data being used to manage our fisheries and the industries that rely on them. For more information, see coastalanglermag.com.
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PHOTO COURTESY OF ROSEMARY WHITE
GROUPER CLOSURE CATCHES ANGLERS OFF GUARD
A
Tim Barefoot
t what point do we say enough is enough? I’d say THE TIME IS NOW! NOAA has shut down our gag grouper fisheries based on inaccurate data, and coastal communities are hurting because of it. The recent grouper closures—in the South Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico— caught everyone by surprise. There was very little notice given to anglers, whether they be recreational, charter or commercial. Incomplete—at best—and more than likely completely erroneous data was used to shut down the livelihoods of fishermen at a crucial point in the year. The fall grouper bite is always the best. Many commercial anglers make a good portion of their annual income in fall and winter. Charter captains book trips specifically targeting grouper this time of year. This closure also adversely affects the entire coastal economy. There is an entire industry based around fall and winter bottom fishing, and this is a substantial financial hit for the South Atlantic and Gulf coasts. As a former commercial fisherman, I know this also screams of mental and physical stress. Anglers are forced to fish more and rougher days just to get some days in before the season closes. When the news of these October closures spread,
I got calls from upset charter and commercial captains. For brevity, I’ll share just a couple comments I heard from North Carolina captains. “I’m a 61-year-old man, and I’m out here humping it hard as I can to get these last few
days in before it all shuts down,” said commercial Capt. Joe Hifko. “This is gonna hurt… both in my wallet and in my shoulders. The data is completely skewed, and based off those numbers are huge extrapolations. This is what they are basing their decisions on?” Capt. Riley Adkins is feeling the sting of charter cancellations. “My primary income in fall and early winter is based around taking clients within 30 miles of
the beach to specifically target gag grouper. This puts us captains in a bind because we are already booked out to Dec. 31, which historically was the closing of our gag season,” said Capt. Adkins. “We are having to cancel charters due to the short-noticed announcement of our gag season closing. “My clients feel like it is a waste of their time and money to book a charter because we can’t keep gag grouper, and the seabass population is in decline due to the rise of the American red snapper, which you can’t harvest either,” he continued. “This closure is detrimental to captains who rely heavily on the gag quota to keep their heads above water in winter.” The last time we had a fisheries issue of this magnitude settled, it literally took an act of Congress. The Gulf red snapper debacle showed us you can’t trust a federal bureaucracy that uses obsolete—and frankly, lazy— methods to collect data. The technology exists, and we should be hiring talented researchers from our universities to go out and collect accurate data to be used in decision making. It’s time for the recreational anglers, commercial anglers, equipment manufacturers, and the seafood industry to get together and say enough is enough. I know it’s a tall order, but we are stronger united. As soon as you finish this article, call your senators and congressional representatives to make sure they know how you feel on this issue.
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
To see more from Tim Barefoot, go to barefootcatsandtackle.com. NOVEMBER 2023
NATIONAL 13
I
SOLUNAR TIME!
’ve studied the solunar fishing timetables since I was a child. In the early years, these were the black, white, or striped fish images on my grandparents’ calendars and have evolved into more advanced illustrations depicting the moon phase, tide, time of day, and their effects. Some tables provide a simple one- to four-star rating of predicted fishing success. One day I was a believer, and the next I was a skeptic. I’ve played this tug of war over the years, and as I have become a more seasoned angler, I lean more toward the validity of these calculations in predicting the aggressiveness of fish and their desire to feed. Removing luck, which never hurts, it still boils down to angler skill, knowledge of the area and techniques for targeting desired species. However, over the years I have noticed better bites correlating with solunar feed times. I try not to move from one location to another during peak solunar feeding times. I’ll put myself in what I perceive to be the best spot in a general area during that time and hold tight. I save the running and exploring for non-bite windows, which make up a majority of the day. Each solunar feed cycle has a peak that is typically two hours or less, and there are usually two per day. On a recent trip with my two boys, we missed the first bite of the day due to other responsibilities. We launched the boat around 9 a.m., and the next bite was not until 1:30 p.m. We wanted to try some
By Capt. Michael Okruhlik
new spots, so we explored those first, and laid down some tracks for future reference. The fish were not active. As the morning moved on, I tried areas that had been holding nice fish recently. Once again, everything looked right, but we couldn’t get the bite. The boys were getting agitated and ready to leave, and I bought myself as much time as I could, while still trying to find the bite and waiting for the next feeding time. I headed toward the ramp to give them a cool breeze and to try a location with much deeper water, just hoping to find some activity. Unfortunately, the current was too strong in this area. I frantically studied the chart in an area about a half mile away so we could make one last move because the next solunar feed time was only minutes away. I chose our final location based on satellite imagery and little tribal knowledge, and we were off. I anchored the boat so my boys could cast downwind and fish the edge where grass met a large sandy area. They caught redfish and averaged one every six minutes for 70 minutes of the afternoon solunar feeding cycle. They doubled up twice! Take a kid fishing and tune into the solunar time!
PHOTO COURTESY OF KNOCKIN TAIL LURES®
IT’S
Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Knockin Tail Lures®, and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.
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