Coastal Angler Magazine | September 2021 | Lakeland & Sumter Edition

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NATIONAL 5

IN THIS BATTLE, YOU NOW HAVE THE ADVANTAGE OF SHOCK AND AWE.

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See Extensive ICAST Coverage In The Angler Video Mag

I

CAST 2021 marked a return to normalcy for the fishing industry.

In the 64th exhibition of the world’s largest sportfishing trade show, the halls of the Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center bustled with activity July 21-23.

As usual, the event kicked off with the ICAST Cup bass tournament at nearby Lake Toho, and the renowned big-bass factory did not disappoint.

In a short four-hour tournament, the winning team weighed a tournament-record 25-pound, 7-ounce five-fish limit.

But most of the action went on indoors. The annual ICAST New Product Showcase is an event the fishing world eagerly awaits every year. It is the venue where industry heavyweights and innovative newcomers roll out their best new gear for the year to come.

This year, 686 new products were entered by 218 companies to compete for Best of Category awards in 30 different categories. From rods, reels and lures to apparel, electronics, gadgets and accessories, the New Product Showcase is gear-head heaven.

The Angler Video Mag team was on-hand at ICAST 2021 to cover the show and give you a first-hand look at some of the cool and innovative products that will make you a better angler this year.

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NATIONAL 7

Live Bait Snook on South Florida Beaches

H

ere on Florida’s East Coast, we have access to some of the most exciting shore-based fishing there is. From spring, through summer and into fall, big snook run the beaches of South Florida, and they can be caught from the sand with lures and even sight fished with flies.

I am a lure fisherman, and everyone knows it, but fishing with artificials can be difficult during the doldrums of late summer and fall. The Atlantic Ocean is flatter and big snook become wary. The fish are still here; what are we to do?

Here’s a pretty simple technique that will catch snook when the fishing gets tough.

The hottest bait this time of year is live croakers.

Croakers are catching so many snook right now that the local bait shops here in the Stuart, Fla. area sell out as soon as they get a shipment. With the artificial bite kind of drying up, my friend and occasional fishing buddy, Mike Vars, showed me how to catch big snook on live bait.

Mike buys a dozen croakers when he can get them. All you need to keep them alive for a couple days is a round bucket with an aerator. Good baitsized croakers are 5 to 8 inches, anything larger might catch a big snook, but they are harder to fish. Mike uses a 3 or 4 size circle hook and hooks his croakers through the nostrils so they can

8 NATIONAL

SEPTEMBER 2021

By Richard L. Matteson

swim freely. Some anglers prefer to hook them through the tail.

Since the tactic involves free-lining, with no weight, casts should be just past the trough on a high tide, which is about 20 feet here.

Then open the spool and let that croaker run. On low tide, it might be necessary to wade past the trough and cast farther out. Mike uses a 60-lb. leader and 20-lb. braid on a spinning reel.

Before the snook takes the bait, the croaker will often wiggle excitedly—this is a signal you are about to get bit. When the line suddenly starts moving fast, it means a snook has your croaker.

Let her have the bait for a few seconds, and then begin reeling steadily so the circle hook lodges in the corner of her mouth.

Mike Vars with a nice beach snook Mike averages three or four big female snook caught on live bait. each trip with this method. He has caught several over-slot snook, with the biggest measuring about 40 inches.

Florida’s Atlantic Coast. You’re allowed one per day If you want to catch your own bait, use a between 28 and 32 inches. sabiki rig and tip hooks with a small piece of Richard Matteson writes for the Stuart Rod & shrimp. Or fish the trough with light tackle and a Reel Club and he is a long-time contributor small piece of shrimp. to Coastal Angler Magazine.

Sept. 1 marks open season for snook on

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The Mullet Run Is On!

By CAM Staff

I

t’s that time of year again when the lowly mullet becomes a primary target of interest for Florida anglers. Over the next few weeks and months, mullet in untold numbers will migrate out of the estuaries and run down the coast to their spawning grounds off South Florida. The mullet run is on, and it has switched on the predatory drive of almost every fish in the ocean.

From the beach, or on a jetty, pier, bridge or boat, anglers who encounter fish feeding in huge schools of mullet are in for a treat. These intrepid little pilgrims have made their way south from as far up as the Carolinas, and it’s a good thing they come in numbers, because a whole lot of them get gobbled up along the way.

Snook, tarpon, flounder, redfish, sharks, bluefish, jacks, Spanish mackerel,

2 FLORIDA

SEPTEMBER 2021

ladyfish… they all answer the dinner bell when mullet are balled up. To find the fish, you must find the bait. Young finger mullet make an easy meal when large schools of them are pinned against a jetty or are caught out in the open by predators running the beaches.

Live or dead mullet are the obvious baits to fish if you’ve got time to throw a net, but don’t get caught cast-netting when there is a frenzy going on. A plug or soft-plastic will also get hammered when the melee is on.

Don’t pass up your window of opportunity when the action is hot.

Bait might be heavy in an area one day and gone the next. Anglers with boats can run the beaches in search of diving birds and find fish blowing up on top. Seawalls, rocky shorelines and other obstruction to the southward migration can serve as ambush points or corrals where baitfish are pinned in. Any structure that steers schools of mullet into a predictable path can turn into a killing ground.

Shore-bound anglers must rely on good intel or just show up and hope to get lucky. Some prefer to pick a place that has been productive in the past and return frequently to catch it when it’s right. Others have a list of likely locations and eat up the road in search of activity. It’s the time of year when your gear should remain rigged and ready in the back of the truck.

A good network of fishing buddies is worth its weight in tarpon during the run. Sharing good information on locations and the southward progression of bait is a two-way street. Take care of someone else, and they will likely take care of you.

This time of year is a great time to be on the water. Temperatures are beginning to cool, most of the tourists have gone home, and thick waves of baitfish are there to be found, running the coastline with big predators in hot pursuit.

For more information, go to coastalanglermag.com.

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

PHOTO COURTESY OF KNOCKIN TAIL LURES.

A

Fall

Transition Pay Attention to Detail

By Capt. Michael Okruhlik

s fall approaches, fish patterns change. By understanding the habits of fish, you can target them with confidence. Spring fry have matured in the marsh and are ready to move into open water. Knowing the timing, tides and location of this migration can lead to great action.

I recently tried a new area. It’s a place I really hadn’t heard anything about. I planned to target reds, since satellite imagery suggested it should be favorable. This area had a long meandering bayou that emptied into a small lake, which ranged in depth from 1 to 3 feet. I was at the top of a chain of lakes and marsh, so this particular drain would see the first of the baitfish and shrimp exiting their summer home. Targeting the inland-most marshes and bayous early in the season will be the most productive. Follow the bait and schools of fish out as the season advances.

Although the reds were there, they were only 12 inches long, and the trout were smaller. They were gorging on shad and shrimp as tide poured out of the bayou into the lake. Once I noticed flounder busting completely out of the water attacking the schools of shad, I quickly changed my retrieve.

I had been working my soft-plastic swimbait high in the water column to keep it in the bait balls. When I saw those flounder, I immediately lowered my rod tip and began vigorously twitching my rod down and to the side to make the jig head hit the mud bottom hard. Kicking up clouds of silt attracts flatfish.

I started landing flounder immediately with the new retrieve. It was obvious they were aggressive since they were going airborne to feed on shad. This is why I worked the lure hard and fast, unlike a traditional flounder retrieve. I’m not sure how many I caught, released and lost, but it was well into double digits. The most productive color was white or pearl to mimic shad.

Since they were attacking schools of bait, I tied on a tandem rig using the same lures. I think the presentation looked more like the schools of baitfish they were targeting. I rigged my second lure so it would look more natural floating above the first jig-head swimbait, which was bouncing on the bottom. This increased my strikes.

Paying attention to the details of the location, season and tide, as well as how the fish were feeding all played a huge part in my success. These concepts can be applied in any situation at any time of year. It was not what I expected, but I will take a limit of flounder any day.

Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Knockin Tail Lures and Controlled Descent Lures. He owns www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.

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If you have a suggestion for a distribution location for Coastal Angler Magazine, please let me know. You can view all 35 magazines in the U.S., including The Bahamas, Costa Rica and Puerto Rico/Virgin Islands at www.CoastalAnglerMagazine.com Please feel free to send me any fishing photos and comments about the magazine-I would love to hear from you!

E dition Highlights & Business Spotlight Page 2-3 Sumter County Map

Page 9 Photo Of The Month

Page 4 2nd Annual Fish In The Pan Byway Tournament

Page 14-15 Polk County Map

Page 5 Tournament & Events

Page 16 Find Us Here

Page 7 BlackJack Smokin Aceses

Polk & Sumter Edition Staff: Sales, Editing & Production- Mary Brasher Graphic Arts & Design - PPP Graphic Design Distribution - Mary & Larry Brasher, Joyce & Capt Dave Ochs Media Mgr - Patrick Powers Contributing Writers - Jim Veal Jr, Capt Dave Ochs, Capt. Scott Taylor, Capt Rick Burns, Allen Wyatt, Capt Bobby Woodard

Facebook -CoastalAnglerMagazineLakelandVicinity • Twitter - @camlakeland • Instagram- camlakeland • Youtube- CAM Sumpter Lakeland Each month I will bring you the latest and best knowledge for you to put to good use. I also invite you to share my passion for this area and if you would like to become a contributing writer contact us. You can read our magazine online anytime or sign up for a free digital subscription.

Just visit our website and never miss an issue! CoastalAnglerMag.com.

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Best Fishing Days SEPTEMBER 6-20

SEPTEMBER 2021

POLK & SUMTER 1

Homosassa Area 1-Capt. Rick Burns 352-201-6111 8975 W. Halls River Rd • Homosassa, FL 34448 www.RealBurns.com Oxford Area 2- Oxford Mower & Repair 352-748-7485 • 352-748-7490 3185 E CR 466 • Oxford FL 34484 Landscaping Repair Service/ Outdoor Power Equipment Store Lake Panasoffkee 3- Pana Vista Lodge 352-793-2061 3417 Co Rd 421• Lake Panasoffkee, FL 33538 www.panavistalodge.com 4- Catfish Johnnys 863-793-2083 2396 N County Rd 470 • Lake Panasoffkee, FL 33538 www.CatfishJohnnyRestaurant.com Bushnell Area 5- Sumter Realty 352-793-3202 239 N Main St • Bushnell FL 33513 Agent Evan Merritt 6- Canada Meds 352-569-1484 512 N Main St • Bushnell, FL 33513-5112 7- Devine Family Jewelry and Pawn 352-444-2058 8271 W C-48 • Bushnell, Fl 33513 8- ParGas 352-793-1982 1452 W C 48, Bushnell, FL 33513 www.pargas.com 9- Papaw’s Country Store 352-793-1080 8271 W C-48 • Bushnell, Fl 33513 Deli, Groceries, Beer, Live Bait, Tackle, LP Gas Follow us on Facebook

The Scenic Sumter Heritage Byway Organization began as a Community Action Group in March 2009 in partnership with the Sumter County Chamber of Commerce with the express purpose of improving the southern entrance to Sumter County, therefore enhancing the visitor experience to the National Cemetary.

The Veteran’s Memorial Hwy was designated soon afterwards, and pursuit of a Florida Scenic Hwy designation began. A Corridor Advocacy Group (CAG) began meeting with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District Five Scenic Highways Coordinator in order to pursue the “scenic” classification for a series of roads within Sumter County that encompass the communities of Webster, Bushnell, Sumterville, Lake Panasoffkee, Carlson, Rutland and the surrounding areas.

The roads that comprise the 62-mile Byway traverse rural communities, pastoral farmlands, cattle ranches, parklands, lush hardwood hammock, and floodplain forests within the Withlacoochee River Watershed. The corridor highlights the scenic view and rich heritage of Sumter County through byway travel. Attractions along the Byway include the General James Van Fleet Trail State Park, Richloam Wildlife Management Area (WMA), Dade Battlefield Historic State Park, Florida National Cemetary, Lake Panasoffkee, Withlacoochee River and the Half Moon Wildlife Management Area.

The Scenic Sumter Heritage Byway Organization is a grass roots organization committed to altering their vision for the byway based on a multi-year work plan. The SSHBO consists of volunteers who are passionate about the heritage, traditions, recreational and scenic resources fo their community. They work with their partners to showcase these resources, educate the community and advocate for community-based decision making that protects and enhances these resources. Find out how to partner, be a sponsor, or donate at www.sumterbyway.com.

Webster Area 10- Scenic Sumter Heritage Byway, Inc. 352-267-8801 P.O. Box 6 • Webster, FL 33597 www.sumterbyway.com/ sumterbyway@gmail.com Sumterville Area 11- Blackjack Sporting Clays 352-569-9469 3372 County Road 526 • Sumterville, FL 33585 blackjackclays.com • info@blackjackdays.com Dale Walker Owner/Operator Webster Area 12- Webster Hardware & Farm Supply Ace 352-793-4831 120 N. Market Blvd. • Webster, FL 33597 www.WebsterFarmSupply.com Wildwood Area 13- M&M Old Hickory Smokehouse Bar-B-Q 352-399-6597 7993 NE 7th Path DR • Wildwood, FL 34785

2 POLK & SUMTER

SEPTEMBER 2021

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Support Your Local Sumter County Businesses!

The 2021 Taste of Winter Haven “Eat Out to Help Out” Dining Passport is still available! For just $50 you can receive a booklet filled with $10 off coupons to area restaurants, bars and caterers. Coupons will be good until December 31, 2021. The list of participating restaurants is below ($130 value)!

Arabellas Ristorante KFC Auburndale Tanner's Lakeside Culver's Mediterranean Fresh Grill Tempo 1930 Elite Catering Company Old Man Franks The Catering Co of Central Florida Duke's Brewhouse Richard's Coffees Fire Restaurant Smoothie Squad We are thrilled to be hosting Taste of Winter Haven in 2022 as an in-person event!! Taste of Winter Haven is an evening event focused on giving the community an opportunity to taste local cuisine, beer, and wine while enjoying live music. Taste of Winter Haven will take place at Venue 650. You must be 21 or older to attend. Early bird tickets are $35. Price will increase on January 17th and the day of.

4 POLK & SUMTER

SEPTEMBER 2021

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Your Polk & Sumter Tournament News 9/11 Bay Area Bassmasters Tournament on the Kissimmee Chain out of Camp Mack Contact Gary Ford (813)245-6944 9/12 Lakeland Bassmasters Tournament on Lake Tarpon out of Anderson Park mkeeble@hotmail.com

B.A.S.S. Nation Team Championship

9/17 Blackjack Smokin Aces 1st Annual Shooting for Aces Sporting Clays Fundraiser Shoot Light Benefit www.blackjacksmokinaces.weekly. com 9/18 Rebel Boys Bass Club Tournament on Crooked Lake out of Little Crooked. Call (863)651-7607

To qualify for the Lakeland Bassmasters Team Trail Championship, a team must fish a minimum of 3 tournaments. The Team Trail Championship winners go to the B.A.S.S. Nation Team Championship with the entry fee paid by the Lakeland Bassmasters. If the Team Trail membership is at least 50 teams, then the Team Trail Points winners will also go to the B.A.S.S. Nation Team Championship with the entry fee paid by the Lakeland Bassmasters.

9/18 Dixie County Bass Club Tournament on the Kissimmee Chain out of Camp Lester. Rickbateman111@hotmail.com.

Contact: Matt Keeble (Tournament Director) email: mkeeble@hotmail.com or Jim Hooven (Club President) 863-698-9772 email: bassprez@tampabay.rr.com

9/26 Xtreme Bass Series Tournament on Lake Panasoffkee out of Tracy’s Pt. xbsmike@verizon.net

Lakeland Jr. Bassmaster members are welcome to fish with an adult 18+.

All participants must be members of B.A.S.S. and must join the Lakeland Bassmasters.

9/18-19 Central Florida’s Arms Show Sat 9-5, Sun 9-3 Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo. Sponsored by the Lakeland Rifle & Pistol Club www. lakelandgunclub.com 9/19 Xtreme Bass Series Tournament on Lake Reedy out of the Public Ramp xbsmike@verizon.net 9/25 St. Pete Pro Bass Tournament on Crooked Lake out of Bob’s Landing 9/25-26 Lakeland Bassmaster’s Team Championship- TBD mkeeble@ hotmail.com

10/2,3 Phillips Bait & Tackle Customer Appreciation Weekend

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*Payout Based on 20 teams - Pays Minimum 3 Places Guaranteed Payout Entry Fee: $80.00 Per Team* - Big Bass $20.00 Per Team 2021 Team Trail Schedule Sep 4-5 Team Trail Classic 2021 Draw Tournament Schedule Sep Lake Toho Only 12-Sep South Port Ramp Oct Kissimmee Chain 16 & 17-Oct Camp Mack

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SEPTEMBER 2021

POLK & SUMTER 5

CHARLOTTE HARBOR FISHING FORECAST

Homosassa Scallop Charter.

I’m happy to report that Tampa Bay is cleaning up and recovering since the horrible Red Tide bloom. I’m always amazed at how Mother Nature can fix herself if mankind will just stay out of her way. I hope that we can all come together and put enough pressure on the politicians in office to finally commit to punishing those at fault and preventing issues like his from happening in the future.

We’ve been catching tarpon consistently since April. Preferred baits have been small blue and pass crabs, squirrel fish, threadfin herring and pinfish.

We have been presenting the baits in several ways from deep drifting the passes, to sight casting in the shallows along beaches and shoals. Tarpon fishing should continue to produce results as we charge into late summer. I will begin to start fishing post spawn tarpon in bays and flats and migrating tarpon along the beaches. Historically speaking tarpon fishing should remain good through at least September, especially if we have a calm tropical weather season.

Big Snook fishing is still going well in the passes and on the beaches as they gather in mass for their summertime spawn. Try to use larger live baits like pinfish, grass grunts, or sand brim and if needed use enough weight to get the bait down towards the bottom. By doing so you can reduce the number of strikes from the smaller male snook and target the larger females.

Please make sure to use heavy enough tackle to land your breeder snook quickly and support the weight horizontally while taking a photo. It is equally important to take the time to revive them properly for a health release, the healthy future of the fishery depends on it. As we move into September these fish should begin to move towards their fall/winter homes. When they do so fishing for them on the flats around potholes, oyster bars and drop offs should be productive until the water temperature cools enough to force them into the backwater bays, creeks and rivers.

I’ve been seeing more Redfish lately on the flats. Some small schools have formed but it’s mostly been groups of a few fish here and there. If the water stays clean, I expect the larger schools of spawning redfish to return to the bay. Over the years I’ve noticed that these larger schools are staying a bit deeper on the edges of the flats. So, if you visit your favorite flat and don’t see any redfish, don’t be afraid to push out a little deeper and look for them there. I can only assume this behavior is due to ever increasing boat traffic on the flats.

Another favorite summertime boating activity for me is Scalloping! Bay Scallop season opened July 1st and runs through September 24th in Citrus County. I run my Scallop charters out of Homosassa. I like to move around a lot and explore different areas away from the fleet but in general we’re in 4-6ft of water. Sometimes slightly deeper but honestly anything over 6 starts to become work after awhile especially with any sort of current to mention.

Sometimes the scallops will be over the more sandy areas and sometimes they will be in the thicker grass. It just takes time and getting in the water and looking around to be able to find them. Scalloping is like an underwater Easter egg hunt and great fun for the whole family. If you want to give it a try, give me a call and I can take you out. If you want to try it on your own be very careful with your boat operation, stay inside the markers in the river and don’t try to pass other boats. Also please do not run your boat close to other boats with swimmers in the water and remember to pull your diver down flag when running from spot to spot.

I will be running both tarpon and scallop charters throughout the summer up to the end of season in September. If you’re interested in a charter please call me and we’ll get you out!

Capt. Bobby Woodard

CENTRAL FLORIDA REGION FORECAST It’s been one truly wild & crazy summer here with the bass fishing in Central Florida.

I can give you a handful of lakes that will consistently produce good fish day after day, then you show up and you KNOW the fish are there, and they are being obstinate and do not want to eat. Then the next day you’re Girls catch the big bass too! heading out and run past those fish to another spot they are on a feeding frenzy again so you whip back around... go figure. But, that’s why we are thankful the calendar says September so that we have Saturday college football to give us a break from “the grind as it were.”

So let’s get started out in Olde World Florida on the Kissimmee Chain fishing out of Camp Mack, a Guy Harvey Marina, Lodge, and RV Resort. We have been enjoying a good stretch of decent lake levels below the Lake Toho lock with all of the recent rains but the Army Corps of Engineers is still trying to bring the lakes down. Pray for more rain & that Mother Nature keeps up for a few more months because with the water up, the fishing has been awesome! We’re talking about incredible “offshore” fishing in 3’-5’ over shellbeds and scattered hydrilla with eel grass and it is honest to God so much fun if you like an early morning topwater bite then switching to swimjigs, chatterbaits, Gambler EZ swimmers, flukes, etc.

I’m always locked & loaded with an array of baits rigged & ready to start our days out here. I like all of the afore mentioned baits lined up, but also in different sizes and colors because again, these fish can change on a daily basis. To simplify, I’ll have “smaller” white or white & chartreuse baits along with bigger gold or gold & black baits until we know if the bass are keying in on shiners or shad.

In Winter Haven on the South Chain and many of the smaller stand alone lakes we’re still fishing out deep, deep like out in the middle of the lakes when you find schools of bait. And just because we are fishing in up to 30ft of water does not mean I won’t have topwaters and flukes rigged-up for the first 2-3 hours of the day. Here I don’t over analyze: natural color topwaters, flukes, smaller swimbaits, jerkbaits, and crankbaits. Because it is dealing with a creature with a brain the size of a pea just be versatile and it’s “normally” easy to figure out the puzzle. Til that one day they have you shaking your head, but go back the next because it’ll be “game on.”

Submitted By: Capt. Scotty Taylor TMC Guide Services, llc • 855-354-8433 Scott@TMCGuideService.com • TMCGuideService.com Capt. Scott is the official guide for VisitCentralFlorida.org & Guy Harvey Camp Mack Lodge, Marina & RV Resort

www.Captain-Bobby.com • 863-224-1418

6 POLK & SUMTER

SEPTEMBER 2021

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SEPTEMBER 2021

POLK & SUMTER 7

8 POLK & SUMTER

SEPTEMBER 2021

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KISSIMMEE CHAIN FISHING FORECAST

If you”re coming to fish the Kissimmee Chain this month, plan on some major changes. Rapidly rising water levels above normal pool have scattered the fish everywhere. Until water levels become more stable, establishing a pattern isn’t going to be easy. For Bass most of the time I am throwing soft plastic baits. But, during the times when Bass are in transition, I favor throwing the top water plugs and crank baits. Spinner baits are also a good option around isolated cover. Moving water and lipless crank baits are also a good one-two punch. Most of all , keeping the trolling motor moving and covering water is a key to a successful day of Bass fishing on the Kissimmee Chain at this time. For Bluegill and Shellcracker fishing the bull rushes and cup pads with red worms is a really good idea at this time. 1lb-11/2lb”rs is not uncommon and make for one fine meal. For Crappie try the canals with a slip cork rig and minnow along the ledges. In the lakes try long line trolling jigs and runners and small crank baits in 12”-14” of water. Fishing for Catfish in the Kissimmee River is really good. A night crawler or chicken liver on a Carolina rig with a 1oz. sinker or a ball sinker is preferred.

Submitted By: Capt Dave Ochs Kissimmee Chain Fishing (863) 455-6886 Back Water Fishing Adventures Lake Wales, FL 33898

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SEPTEMBER 2021

POLK & SUMTER 9

Bo Ma

FISH DEBAITS

The Applegate family’s annual scallop trip usually turns out great. Like this haul.

The Burns brothers and sisters originally from Alaska with their very first scallop haul.

Let’s cover some info on live and dead baits and their use in the angling world.

First off, I’ve said many times before at bait speaking engagements, if there is one thing I’ve learned in guiding, it’s that sometimes you have to revert to live, or dead bait to bend the rod. (catch fish). Two very such conditions could be the dog days of summer, or the middle of winter. At both of these times, fish can go lethargic. Only wanting to burn energy on something they know they have seen or smelled before.

How many times have you been out fishing in the spring or fall, when the fish are energetic and reeeel active, and could do nothing wrong. Everything you threw at em, they bit. That’s because conditions for their enviroment are precise. Water and air temperatures are fair.

Not too cold, not too hot. When the opposite occurs, and because fish are cold-blooded creatures, they’re metabolism slows down. They don’t have to eat as much, because they don’t burn as much energy.

That’s the bad news. The good news is what? Yep, they still got to eat. And at these abnormal conditions, or less than perfect situations, live or dead bait can be the answer.

For the most part, I’m an artificial lure person. Working the lures and fooling em to bite an artificial is the fun challenge.

But remember, this is a less than ideal circumstance. So let’s take a few species, and throw a few live and dead bait offerings.

GROUPER: The ole “pullamus maximus.” Grouper, however you slice em, Gag, Black, Nassau, Strawberry, even Jewfish, which is a type of grouper. (Goliath grouper), all love live and dead baits.. You may have your own personal secret bait, but you sure can’t go wrong with frozen Sardines, frozen Herring, frozen Cigar Minnows, frozen Squid, or the frisky Pinfish. And don’t forget the offshore “Fishbites” strips. Put simply, a synthetic alternative to natural cut bait. They come in Crab, Squid, Shrimp, and Clam flavored strips. They’ll catch 3 times more with the same piece. Comes in a resealable bag. And has a long expiration date. Plus, you’re not spending time cutting,

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10 POLK & SUMTER

SEPTEMBER 2021

thawing, stinking, and washing squid juice off your boat. Ask your favorite bait and tackle store for em. Or go to fishbites.com.

TROUT: Live Pinfish, live Pinfish, and live Pinfish. They love live Pinfish. Especially In conjunction with a “Cajun Thunder Popping Cork.” No dead here. Alive, is the key word. Dead, you’re asking for shark, or whiskerfish, especially in the dead of summer. Which is all right, if you just want to see the rod bend. But I’d rather eat a trout. If you’re going after trout with bait, make it live pinfish, pigfish, or mud minnows. You can throw em a shrimp, but guess whom you’ll mostly be feeding? The pinfish! More so in the summer than winter. So feed the pinfish to the trout. I could go into more specifics, but space don’t allow. Besides, pinfish are more available, stay on the hook longer, live longer, and are a main staple of the trout. Main problem with shrimp is, EVERYTHING loves shrimp. From pinfish, to blowfish, to whiskerfish, shark, perch, jacks, ladyfish, you name it. We’re talking trout here.

REDFISH: same goes for here as the trout. Live pinfish. However, I wouldn’t be as afraid here to throw them a nice live shrimp, especially in the winter. Why? One reason, you don’t seem to have as many bait stealers in the backcountry, where you find redfish, as out on the grass flats. If, you are constantly getting picked clean though, go to pinfish, or try a good ole strip of fresh cut mullet or ladyffish. Mullet are in the backcountry! And Reds love em! Fiddler, and Blue Crabs are another staple of Reds, but harder to fool up with. (Catching, keeping, hooking).

I only touched on a few of the most popular, but certainly not all the species that live and dead baits can apply to. Sometimes it can be a DeBait whether to use them or not. But if you’re out there and aren’t catching anything. And maybe happen to foul hook a pinfish on your favorite jig. Take that plastic off, re-hook the Pin, cast him out, and see what happens.

As always, I encourage your e-mails and/or questions. www. reelburns.com Be safe, and good fishing.

Submitted By: Capt. Rick Burns Real Burns Charters • 352-201-6111 Homosassafishingguide.com • www.reelburns.com

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M&M Old Hickory Smokehouse Bar-B-Q 7993 NE 7th Dr. Behind the Sunoco Mon & Tue Closed • Wed - Sun 11am-6pm 352-399-6597 Pulled Pork, Ribs, 1/2 Chicken, Beef Brisket, Fried Fish. Pulled Pork Sandwich, Rib Basket, Brisket Sandwich, Smoked Beef Sausage and Italian Sausage. Sides include: Corn on the Cob, Green Beans, Potato Salad, Collard Greens, Coleslaw, Fries or Baked Beans. We also provide Meat Only Combo’s! Disabled Veteran Owned Blackjack Sporting Clays 3372 County Road 526 • Sumtervile, Fl 33585 352-569-9469 • blackjackclays.com Blackjack Sporting Clays is proud to offer incredible amenities to both the public and private groups/events: 38 Stations; 3 Courses, Sub Gauge Course, Five Stand, Trap & Skeet, Cart & Gun Rental, Large Pavilions/Porch, Clubhouse, Merchandise, Paved Cart Paths, Bulk Clay Packages Sweet Ella’s Produce 326 State Road 60 E • Lake Wales Florida 863-223-8775

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Factory Warranty Service for Minn Kota, Cannon Downriggers, Lowrance Ghost Motors, Motor Guide.

Erwine’s Marine 250 S. Scenic Hwy • Frostproof, FL 33843 863-635-4492 www.ErwinesMarine.com Come in to check out our new line of Lowe's Jon Boats

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Pana Vista Lodge 3417 Co Rd 421 • Lake Panasoffkee, FL 33538 352-793-2061 www.panavistalodge.com Cottages - Rv Camp Ground Hook-Ups - Camping - Boat Sales & Service. JohnsonEvinrude Motors Sales & Service. Boat Rentals Pontoon Rentals - Licenses - Bait - Ice - Gas Ramp

Action Watersports 402 Progress Rd • Auburndale, FL 33823 Ph: 863-967-4148 The brands we offer: Hobie • Jackson • RTM Perception • Feel Free • Wilderness Systems Ocean Kayak • Old Town • Hurricane • Kiwi • Solo Skiff • Evoke • Pau Hana • Amundsen are all leaders in the Kayak, Fishing, and Stand Up Paddle Board industries. Our accessories are sure to make your water experience more fun and safe.

Alligators Unlimited Airboat Nature Tours Captain John Wathey 863-696-0313 14400 Reese Dr. • Lake Wales, Fl 33898 airboatnaturetours.com Our Airboats are the “Real Deal” not 20+ passenger Air-Busses! This guarantees your EVERGLADES AIRBOAT TOUR to be personal and powerful!

Bait & Tackle Shops/Outfitters/Apparel Taylor Made Charters & Guide Service Central Florida & Great Lakes Bass Fishing Capt. Scott Taylor USCG Licensed Captian The Official Guide for VisitCentralFlorida.Org & Guy Harvey Camp Mack Lodge, Marina & RV Resort Scott@TMCGuideService.com 855-354-8433 Bridgemasters 2131 Highway 60 E • Lake Wales, FL 33898 Phone: 863-676-1009 • Fax: 863-679-1638 www.fishermanscandystore.com

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Large selection of Bitter’s Baits, Gambler.

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Stones Bait & Tackle 2049 E Edgewood Drive • Lakeland, Fl 33803 863-940-4898 Instagram: Stones Outhouse Follow us on Facebook & Instagram A Variety of Freshwater Rods & Reels Available: NEW Abu Garcia Revo X Spinning Rods & Shimano SLX Rods . Large Selection of Strike King, Zoom & Gambler Baits.

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Big Fish Bait & Tackle 6908 US Hwy 98 North • Lakeland Fl 33809 863-815-9492 wwww.CentralFloridaAngling.com Bob Woodard-Owner Live Bait- Rod & Reel Repairs

Stretch Outdoors Discount Outfitters 848 W Daughtery Rd. • Lakeland, FL 33389 863-608-1513 We Now Carry Googan Baits!

Come In And Check Out Our New Lew’s and Abu Garcia Fishing Reels and Great Selection of Gambler and Bitter’s Baits. We also Carry Fitgzerald Rods and A Variety of Fitzgerald Fishing Products and 13 Fishing Products!

Guy Harvey Camp Mack Lodge, Marina & RV Resort 14900 Camp Mack Rd • Lake Wales, Fl 33898

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Ron’s Tackle Box The Old Angler’s Antique Gallery 380 S. Lake Shore Way • Lake Alfred, FL 33850 863-956-4990 • Fax 863-956-2525 imareellady2@aol.com Live Bait & Tackle - Cast Nets - Sportswear- Gifts & Decor Mon - Th 6AM - 6PM • Fri & Sat 6AM - 7PM

Back Water Fishing Adventures Captain Dave Ochs Guide, Professional Angler Lake Wales Fl 33898 Cell: 863-455-6886 Overdue Adventures FL. “Cracker” Fishing Style Family Fishing, Shore Lunches, Waterside Dining Snorkeling Trips, Scalloping Trips, Egmont Key Day Trips Capt. Daryl Brown First Mate: Joy Brown 518 Main Street • Auburndale, FL 33823 863-559-4480

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Lakeland Area 1- Big Fish Bait & Tackle 863-815-9492 6908 US Hwy 98 North • Lakeland FL 33809 wwww.CentralFloridaAngling.com

Lake Alfred Area 17-Ron’s Tackle Box,LLC 863-956-4990 380 S. Lake Shore Way • Lake Alfred, FL 33850 www.ronstacklebox.com

2-Champs Sports Grill 863-647-5900 6645 S. Florida Ave • Lakeland, FL 33813 www.ChampsToGo.com

Haines City Area 18- Hoppy’s Marine 863-439-7616 31499 Highway 27 • Haines City, FL 33844 www.HoppysMarine.com

3- LineX Of Lakeland 863-581-9173 3000 State Road 37 S. • Mulberry, FL 33860 www.linexoflakeland.com

Bartow Area 19- Spurlows 863-635-0240 1264 N Broadway Ave • Bartow, FL 33830 SpurlowsOutdoorOutfitters.com

4-Phillips Bait & Tackle 863-666-2248 3780 US-92 • Lakeland, FL 33801 www.CentralFloridaTrollingMotor.com

Lake Wales Area 20. Sweet Ella’s Produce 863-223-8775 326 FL-60, Lake Wales, FL 33853

5-Stone’s Bait & Tackle 863-940-4898 2049 E Edgewood Drive • Lakeland, FL 33803 6- Stretch Outdoors Discount Outfitters 863-608-1513 848 W Daughtery Road • Lakeland, FL 33389 Auburndale Area 7- Action Watersports 863-967-4148 402 Progress Rd • Auburndale, FL 33823 www.ActionWatersports.net

21- Bridgemasters 863-676-1009 2131 FL-60 • Lake Wales, FL 33898 www.fishermanscandystore.com 22- Capt Dave Och’s Backwater Fishing Adventure 863-455-6886 Lake Wales, Fl 33538 23- Gary’s Boating Center 863-638-0537 15520 Highway 27 • Lake Wales, FL 33859 www.GarysBoating.com

8-Overdue Adventures 863-559-4480 Auburndale, FL 33823 Winter Haven Area 9. Caribbean Bait & Tackle 863-292-9755 1004 N Lake Howard Dr, Winter Haven, FL 33880

24-Guy Harvey Camp Mack Lodge, Marina & RV Resort 863-696-1108 14900 Camp Mack Rd • Lake Wales, FL 33898 www.GuyHarveyCampMack.com

10-Capt. Scott Taylor 855-354-8433 Official Guide for VisitCentralFlorida.org & Camp Mack’s River Resort Scott@TMCGuideService.com

Frostproof Area 25- Erwine’s Marine 863-635-4492 250 S. Scenic Hwy • Frostproof, FL 33843 www.ErwinesMarine.com

11-Hillman Motors Inc. 863-967-4628 2701 Havendale Blvd. NW • Winter Haven FL 33881 www.hillmanmotors.net 12- Marine Supply of Winter Haven 863-297-7003 1700 3rd St SW • Winter Haven, FL 33880 www.MarineSupplyBoats.com

Placida Area 26-Fly Em High Charters 863-224-1418 Capt Bobby Woodard 6499 Gasparilla Rd • Placida, FL 33946 www.Captain-Bobby.com

13- Millers Fiberglass 863-551-1551 1505 Lake Shipp Dr, Winter Haven, FL 33880 www.facebook.com/Millers-Fiberglass-Repair-157407427716301 14- Polk Tractor 863-967-0651 3450 Havendale Blvd NW • Winter Haven, FL 33881 www.PolkTractorco.com 15-RKY Seafood 863-294-2300 175 Ave A NW • Winter Haven, FL 33880 16-Sweetwater Guide Service 863-837-7028 336 Magnolia Ave • Winter Haven, FL 33880

14 POLK & SUMTER

SEPTEMBER 2021

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Support Your Local Polk County Businesses!

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You Can Find Us Here

Bull Bay Tackle Company Central Fl Trolling Champs Sports Grill Paid Supporters of the Magazine Ciao Bella Lake Alfred Auburndale Crowder Ace Hardware Gary’s Oyster Bar & Grill Action Watersports Curtis Design Harvest Meat Market Auburndale Library Extended Stay America Ron’s Tackle Box Best Western Inn & Suites Fish City Grill The Lake Alfred Chamber of Fun Bike Center Hamptons Clubhouse Commerce Marathon Grill Smith Overdue Adventures Harvey’s Lake Wales Pizza Connection Hibbett Sports All Star Grill Pro Nails Hooters Alligator’s Unlimited Sal’s Pizza Huntington Hills Golf & Brandi’s Barber & Beauty The Twisted Crab Country Club Bridgemaster Townsend Motors Inc. Jin Jin Chinese Camp Lester Traders Pawn Just Move Cherry Pocket Restaurant Walmart King’s Wok Crazy Fish Bar & Grill LaQuinta Inn Dyer Chevy Winter Haven Laundry Florida’s Natural Visitor’s AAMCO Transmission LineX of Lakeland Center Andy Thornals MoJo’s Restaurant Gary’s Boats Ard’s Awning, Inc. New Moon Japanese Rest Grape Hammock B&W Exhaust Pro Off The Wall Adventures & Caribbean Bay Bait/Tackle/ Guy Harvey Camp Mack Outfitters Lodge, Marina & RV Resort Old Salt Marine Rest.

Harvest Meat Market Cypresswood Golf Club Outcast Watersports Jay Bee’s Rest Dairy Queen Phillips Bait & Tackle Jennings Fish Camp Fields Equip.

Pinch A Penny Juniors Fish Market Harry’s Old Place Red Top Pit Stop Lake Haven Bait Hillman Motors Russell’s Western Wear Lake Market Howard Johnson Hotel Sandpiper Golf Club Lake Wales Country Club Jeep Shoot Straight Leadfeather Guns & Archery Liars Lair Saloon Shooter’s McKibben Powersports Marine Supply Sky Powersports Honda Miller’s Fiberglass Repair Stones Bait & Tackle Oakley Trucking Mobil Gas 1200 3rd St SW Stretch Outdoors O’Reilly Auto Parts Old Man Franks Tint Masters Pizzanos Pizza Oyster Bar Topatio’s Mexicano Rest.

Quality Boats Polk Tractor Tropical Smoothie Cafe Ridge Glass & Mirror RKY Seafood Market Tubes’n’Hoses of Lakeland San Diego’s Mexican Grill & Rural King Uncle Nick’s Shiner’s Unlimited Sports Bar Walmart 98N Spurlows Schacks BBQ Walmart S. Fl. Ave State Park Scores Family Sports Cafe Wedgewood Golf Club Sunoco Tanner’s Lakeside Winners Circle The Twisted Prop Bar & Grill Sweet Ella’s Produce XYZ Liquor The Port Rest Walmart Vinny’s Smoke-n-Grill West Marine Highlands Weikert Ford Bamboo Wok US 98 Davenport Gator’s Dockside Frostproof Davenport’s Ale House Dicks Sporting Goods Posner Anchor Down Bait & Tackle Bushnell Bagwell’s Center Optimum RV Hungry Crab Juicy Seafood Chamber of Commerce Anglers Tackle Shack Crowder Ace Hardware & Bar Beef O Brady’s Erwines Marine Mannino’s Pizza Blueberry Hill RV Frostproof Mobile Village Polk Outpost 27 Breezy Oaks Good Sam Park Posner Park Chrysler/Jeep/ Indian Estates Bronson’s Camp Outlaw at Korky’s Kountry Store & Dodge Indian Bow Saloon Ramada Bushnell Medical Clinic Little Dixie Mart Rickert Properties Bushnell Pharmacy Mini Mart Citgo Way Out West Byrd Insurance Agency Canada Meds of Sumter Lakeland Haines City County 716 Burgers & Brew Chamber of Commerce Devine Jewelry & Pawn Adventure Archery Lakeland Love’s Travel Stop China Park Ariana Barber Shop Hoppy’s Marine Papaw’s Country Store Baymont Pilot ParGas Ridgewood Lake Golf Club Big Fish Bait & Tackle Red Oak RV Brewlands Bar & Grill Walmart Sumter County Realty Broadway Food & Gas The Wood Shed Bubbaques Walmart 16 POLK & SUMTER

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Panasoffkee AA Discount Beverage Big Bass Grill Lakefront Restaurant and Marina Big Cypress Fish Camp Carter’s Kountry Store Catfish Johnny’s Countryside RV Kal’s Food Lake Panasoffkee Realty Lake Panasoffkee RV Village Mo’s Rest. CR Pan Hardware Pana Vista Lodge Shell Spirit Truck Stop Sumter Co. Chamber of Com. The Dam Pub The Inside Out Grill Thousand Palms RV Resort Tin Can Pam’s Tom & Jerry’s Swamp Boat Tours Tracy Pt Fish Camp Babson Park Crooked Bass MiniMacs Wildwood A Cut Above Polish Shop Chrome Shop Crevalle Boats Cover All Storage Hungry Howies M&M Old Hickory Smokehouse BBQ Old Salt Marine Salty Boats SPARR SpyderMX Traditions Antique Mall Wildwood Antique Mall Wildwood RV Village The Villages Buffalo’s Barbershop Beef O’ Brady’s SouthernTrace Plaza Dickey’s BBQ Pit (Traverse Trail) No. 1 Chinese (Traverse Trail) Custom Apparel & Gifts Hampton Inn Lighthouse Seafood Shell Streetrod Productions The Villages Fishing Club Walmart Winn Dixie (Burnsed Blvd) Oxford Oxford Mower & Repair River Ranch Westgate River Ranch

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The Perfect Vacation Getaway for Fishing, Boating & Outdoor Enthusiasts A drop shot is an awesome way to get bites when it gets tough. With the bait suspended off the bottom above your weight, it gives fish a different presentation than the normal Texas rig. Pitch it around hard cover like wood and rock, drag it through grass or throw it around dropoffs or deep spots. I always have a drop shot rigged this time of year, and it puts fish in the boat.

Drop Shot Gear A drop shot is a finesse approach. I use a 13 Fishing Omen Black 7’1” medium fast action rod paired with a 2500 size spinning reel. Spool this combo with Seaguar 10-lb. Smackdown braid leading to an 8- to 12-lb. Abrazx fluorocarbon leader depending on the cover and water clarity you are dealing with.

TIPS FROM A PRO

to warm h tend to

DROP SHOT WHEN THE BITE IS TOUGH

T

TYLER WOOLCOTT

he end of summer is here, and the fishing is a little tough. From fishing pressure through the summer to warm water temps, this time of year can be a grind at times.

Fish tend to get a little lock-jawed, and this can be really frustrating.

When this scenario presents itself, I pull out a spinning rod, downsize my line and bait, and slow down my presentation to get finicky fish to eat. One of my favorite techniques this time of year is a drop shot. My drop shot rig consists of a weight tied to the end of the line with a hook and soft plastic tied in about 12 to 18 inches above the weight.

There are two styles of baits I like to drop shot. One of them is a finesse-style worm like the 13 Fishing Rabbit Ear Joy Stick Ultra Thin 4.5’ worm. I like a worm on my drop shot when I’m targeting largemouth, especially in Southern states. These fish are usually feeding on a little bit larger forage, and the finesse worm is a perfect fit. Rig this worm on a 1/0 Hayabusa FPP Straight hook with a 1/4or 3/8-oz. WOO Tungsten weight for the perfect presentation.

The other soft plastic I like on a drop shot is a small baitfish imitator. The 13 Fishing Vertigo Minnow gets a ton of bites. When you find fish chasing small baitfish or you’re up north where there are smallmouth bass, this style of soft plastic gets the job done. Rig it on a Hayabusa DSR132 #1 hook with a ¼ or 3/8-oz. WOO Tungsten weight, as well.

Tyler Woolcott is a professional tournament angler and guide.

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SEPTEMBER 2021

I like to keep things simple when it comes to colors. With finicky fish, you want your bait to look as natural as possible. I match colors to the forage in the lake. When throwing the finesse worm, my favorite colors are the green pumpkins and even pinkish colors like a morning dawn. With the baitfish, I stick to white and pearl or your green pumpkin and brown.

A drop shot is an awesome way to get bites when it gets tough.

With the bait suspended off the bottom above your weight, it gives fish a different presentation than the normal Texas rig. Pitch it around hard cover like wood and rock, drag it through grass or throw it around dropoffs or deep spots. I always have a drop shot rigged this time of year, and it puts fish in the boat.

P

Drop Shot Gear A drop shot is a finesse approach. I use a 13 Fishing Omen Black 7’1” medium fast action rod paired with a 2500 size spinning reel.

Spool this combo with Seaguar 10-lb. Smackdown braid leading to an 8- to 12-lb. Abrazx fluorocarbon leader depending on the cover and water clarity you are dealing with.

Tyler Woolcott is a professional tournament angler and guide.

Check out his website at www.tylerwoolcottfishing.com.

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FLORIDA 15

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR TRIP Tim Barefoot

Y

es, everyone wants to catch a grouper, or three, but you should be prepared— tackle-wise—to come home with “the groceries.”

One way to accomplish this is to keep a beeliner/triggerfish rig ready on a rod and to have someone willing to use it when you get on the right mark. Not all big stacks of bait on the recorder are beeliners and triggerfish, but get accustomed to it and you’ll have a pretty good idea of what you’re looking at. The bigger species of the reef complex tend hang out under a big stack of bait, like cigar minnows, sardines, beeliners, etc. But the truth of the matter is, what you might be looking for is near the top of the stack.

For example, the larger beeliners might sometimes be the first taps you get on your jig as it drops toward the bottom. When I’m grouper fishing, I fish a revolving spool reel rather than a spinning reel for several reasons.

The main reason is so I can feel the bait as it drops. If you feel the bait on the jig getting tapped on the way down, understand that you’re in beeliners, triggers and/or American reds. At that point, it’s up to you to capitalize or just continue to grouper fish for grouper only. If you choose to do it, you can load up on some pretty tasty groceries by sizing down your tackle.

T H E

P E R F E C T

I take a 5-lb. box of squid on every trip offshore for a number of reasons, but this is one of the main reasons. Using a small 1/0 circle hook, double tackle and a 2- or 3-oz. bank sinker, you can harvest grouper bait and dinners deluxe. I count the strips it takes to get to the fish. This is also where multi-colored line can come into play. Drop your bait down to the same color where they were hitting, and then start a very slow descent.

These fish like to eat bait as it falls. When you feel the tap or the bait just stops falling, click the reel into gear and let the circle hook do its work. When you get them working upward in the water column, keep them going.

If you stop catching them, you’ll see the top of the mark start working it’s way back closer to the bottom. The top of the school is typically where the larger fish will be, especially the triggerfish. Triggers are hard to catch on the grouper jigs, but smaller circle hooks are deadly on these crafty bait stealers.

I always anchor to grouper/bottom fish.

This style of teasing beeliners and triggers up toward the surface only works from a stationary boat, not drifting.

Check out videos on rigging and using doublecircle-hook tackle at barefootcatsandtackle.com.

E S C A P E

I N

T H E

H E A R T

O L D

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F L O R I D A

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR TRIP

Y

Tim Barefoot

es, everyone wants to catch a grouper, or three, but you should be prepared—tackle-wise—to come home with “the groceries.”

One way to accomplish this is to keep a beeliner/triggerfish rig ready on a rod and to have someone willing to use it when you get on the right mark. Not all big stacks of bait on the recorder are beeliners and triggerfish, but get accustomed to it and you’ll have a pretty good idea of what you’re looking at. The bigger species of the reef complex tend hang out under a big stack of bait, like cigar minnows, sardines, beeliners, etc. But the truth of the matter is, what you might be looking for is near the top of the stack.

For example, the larger beeliners might sometimes be the first taps you get on your jig as it drops toward the bottom. When I’m grouper fishing, I fish a revolving spool reel rather than a spinning reel for several reasons. The main reason is so I can feel the bait as it drops. If you feel the bait on the jig getting tapped on the way down, understand that you’re in beeliners, triggers and/or American reds.

At that point, it’s up to you to capitalize or just continue to grouper fish for grouper only. If you choose to do it, you can load up on some pretty tasty groceries by sizing down your tackle.

I take a 5-lb. box of squid on every trip offshore for a number of reasons, but this is one of the main reasons. Using a small 1/0 circle hook, double tackle and a 2- or 3-oz. bank sinker, you can harvest grouper bait and dinners deluxe. I count the strips it takes to get to the fish. This is also where multi-colored line can come into play. Drop your bait down to the same color where they were hitting, and then start a very slow descent.

These fish like to eat bait as it falls. When you feel the tap or the bait just stops falling, click the reel into gear and let the circle hook do its work. When you get them working upward in the water column, keep them going. If you stop catching them, you’ll see the top of the mark start working it’s way back closer to the bottom. The top of the school is typically where the larger fish will be, especially the triggerfish. Triggers are hard to catch on the grouper jigs, but smaller circle hooks are deadly on these crafty bait stealers.

I always anchor to grouper/bottom fish. This style of teasing beeliners and triggers up toward the surface only works from a stationary boat, not drifting.

Check out videos on rigging and using doublecircle-hook tackle at barefootcatsandtackle.com.

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COMSEPTEMBER JUNE 2020 2021

LOCATION FLORIDA 17 3

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itzgerald Fishing’s New Bryan Thrift Signature Series Drop-Shot/Ned Rig Rod was voted on by 2021 ICAST attendees as the “Best New MicroWave Rod” debuted at the show.

The contest consisted of entries from all the Wave Army brands that attended the show and debuted a new rod or new rod series featuring the award-winning MicroWave Guides. The Wave Army is comprised of brands in the fishing industry that utilize American Tackle MicroWave Guides on a rod or series of rods.

Thrift, who competes on the MLF Bass Pro Tour, designed two finesse spinning rods to compliment his current signature series with Fitzgerald Fishing. He is one of the most accomplished anglers ever to compete in bass tournaments, with two Angler of the Year titles on the FLW Tour and a 2019 Forrest Wood Cup Championship to his name.

The rod entered into the contest was the Fitzgerald Fishing Bryan Thrift Signature Series Drop-Shot/Ned Rig rod, a 7-foot medium action rod featuring the MicroWave 20 Guide set. Thrift designed this rod to have a fast action to help anglers fight fish better using light line applications and added length to increase casting distance. The rod also features a unique two-hook keeper design to help anglers decrease drop shot line tangles and coming ‘undone’ during long, hard runs on the deck of a boat. This added feature allows anglers to attach both the hook and weight to the rod.

Thrift utilized this rod specifically at Stage 5 of the 2021 MLF Bass Pro Tour on Lake Champlain to throw a drop-shot rig. It is available now at your favorite Fitzgerald Fishing online dealer or tackle shop!

Check out Fitzgerald rods at fitzgeraldrods.com.

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Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing!®

FISHING FEVER

Tournament & Seminar October 15–17 • Islamorada, FL Ladies fish Friday and Sunday, inshore or offshore, on charter boats or your own boat!

Win prizes! No experience or boat necessary!

We will team you with others. Perfect for beginners or those who don’t fish a lot.

Kickoff Social: Friday, Oct. 15 Seminar & Party: Saturday, Oct. 16

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Go Fishing & Win in the Florida Keys!

T

he recreational harvest of greater amberjack and gray triggerfish opened in Gulf of Mexico state and federal waters in August.

Greater amberjack is scheduled to remain open through Oct. 31 in Gulf state and federal waters. Gray triggerfish is scheduled to remain open through Dec. 31 in Gulf state and federal waters, but an early quota closure is possible for either species.

The bag limit for amberjack is one per person, per day, with a minimum length of 34 inches fork length.

The bag limit for triggerfish is one per person, per day, with a minimum length of 15 inches fork length.

If you plan to fish for amberjack or gray triggerfish anywhere in Florida state or federal waters from a private recreational vessel, you must sign up as a State Reef Fish Angler (annual renewal is required).

To learn more, visit MyFWC.com/SRFS. Sign up today at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com.

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“A

iyeeeeee, yeeee, yeeee, yeee!”

The shout sounded Cajun, or perhaps like the intro to a mariachi tune. Either way, it amplified the chaos on deck.

Three rods were bent. Two anglers scrambled to uncross lines screaming off reels. A third angler dove to wrap an arm around the 10-year-old who held a death grip on rod number three. It was a tossup as to whether the kid would lose the rod or be yanked overboard into a very active chum slick.

The whole scene unraveled when a 10-foot tiger shark rose to the surface. It smashed the boy’s cobia straight through the surface, blowing up close enough to drench us, maybe 15 feet off the stern.

There was stunned silence, then...

“Ayeeee, yeeee, yeeee, yeeee!” our captain hollered. “I love chaos!”

Man, what a trip. It was a lot more than my two brothers and I expected upon reconnecting with a childhood friend in Bluffton, South Carolina. Our captain, Keene Reese, is a successful real estate agent with Ussery Group, Charter One Realty in the Lowcountry. He is also a very fishy dude. In mid-June, he invited us—along with my 10-year-old son— on a 20-mile ride offshore, where cobia were thick on a well-known wreck.

With a beautiful chum slick snaking off the stern of Reese’s 25’ Regulator “Copacetic,” it didn’t take 10 minutes for “brownies” to start showing on the surface. There was no need for down-lines that day. All the action was on top, visible and simple. Pitch a live menhaden on a freeline, and a cobia would take it before you reached the rod holder.

Over the course of a few hours, we boated well over a dozen cobia,

although the action came in such crazy spurts that no one could keep count. The thing is, we only landed four fish longer than the 36-inch minimum. That’s good news, according to Mel Bell, the director of Fisheries Management with South Carolina DNR. For decades, South Carolina was famous for its inshore cobia runs. May is the peak of a spawning run that once saw scads of cobia pushing into Port Royal Sound, Calibogue Sound, St. Helena Sound and the Broad River. Bell said boats lined up to target big eggbearing females before they could reproduce. The fishery collapsed.

“We were in a bad place in 2016,” Bell said. “The numbers were scary. Even the anglers were telling us we had to do something.”

While overall Atlantic cobia stocks are in good shape, according to the latest assessment, Bell said sound-spawners in South Carolina are a distinct “sub-population.”

The Southern Cobia Management Zone was formed in 2016 to protect these inshore-spawning fish. The zone stretches from Jeremy Inlet on Edisto Island, S.C. south to the Georgia border.

It extends three miles offshore, and within this zone there is a one fish per person, three per boat daily limit—except in May, when cobia harvest is closed. The limit in federal waters is one per person, six per boat. The minimum length is 36 inches, which brings us back to all the short fish.

Bell said South Carolina DNR isn’t ready to release hard data. However, he’s heard fishermen reporting lots of smaller fish, which are likely the age classes protected since 2016. If anecdotes translate into survey data, it would mean the restrictions are working. Bell said next year might be time to take a close look and see just how well cobia are returning to the sounds.

PHOTO BY GILBERT CARTER

By Nick Carter

For more information, go to www.dnr.sc.gov.

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KEEP IT GENUINE PRECISION PROTECTION

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he approach of autumn doesn’t mean you should fall back on the game!

The seasons are changing, but the action isn’t. Fall is nothing more than a second spring. So, spring into action with the Contender series raglan long sleeve shirt. The raglan sleeve construction allows for increased movement, which you will need since the fair weather will liberate you from the sweltering summer heat. Even though the sun is less intense in the fall months, you still need sun protection, and the raglan long sleeve shirt delivers by blocking UVA and UVB rays for all-day protection.

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THREE WAYS TO TARGET

I

BIG CATS

f you like the feel of really big fish on the end of a line, catfish are a good option. There are several different types, but trophy hunters set their sights on blue and flathead catfish. Both species grow large and can weigh in excess of 100 pounds.

For bait, catfish have been caught on just about everything you can think of. But generally, big flatheads are predators and like whole, live, hand-sized bream. Blues like large cut bait like bream, skipjack or carp.

Once you’ve got your bait, here are some ideas for how to fish it.

Fish a Fan: My favorite technique is to anchor up in a good spot near rocky bottom or structure such as a ledge, river channel or creek bed. I have 14 Driftmaster 255 H Pro Duo rod holders, which I use to put out a fan of baits on Penn Fathom reels and medium to heavy rods. These are spooled with 80-pound PowerPro braid. The terminal end is a weight slide on the main line then a swivel and a 3- to 5-foot leader, with a Gamakatsu 8/0 circle hook on the end.

These are the rigs I use to fish Cabela’s King Kat tournaments. They are heavy duty because you never know when a 100-pound monster will show up.

Back-Trolling: On big rivers, back-trolling can be very effective. Use your trolling motor in reverse to slow

the boat’s drift in the current and present baits to catfish holding on the bottom.

Bottom bouncing is Bill Dance’s preferred method on the Mississippi River. It’s also very popular on the Tennessee River. It allows you to keep your bait about a foot off the bottom and bounce it to fish facing upstream.

Tie a three-way swivel to a mainline of 40- to 80-lb. braid. On the bottom eye of the swivel, tie in 12 inches of 20-lb. mono drop line and attach a bank sinker. The drop line should be lighter than your main line so you can save the rest of the rig when your sinker gets caught. On the third eye, use a 2- to 3-foot piece of the same line as your main line and attach a 6/0 to 12/0 circle hook, depending on the size of your bait.

Drift Fishing: Drift fishing is very popular on big lakes like Santee Cooper in South Carolina. On windy days, set all your rods on one side of the boat with weights that will slide along the bottom. Pencil, Lindy and slinky sinkers all work well for this. If the wind pushes the boat too fast, deploy driftsocks to slow the boat. If you don’t have driftsocks, 5-gallon buckets work in a pinch.

Gary Turner is a long-time contributor to The Angler and Coastal Angler Magazine. Contact him at gary@purgeright.com.

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SEPTEMBER 2021

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INSETTA BOATWORKS:

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A LOOK AT THE NEW 35IFC AND ITS ‘RELATIVELY NEW STYLE DRUM WINDLASS’

nsetta Boatworks has always aimed to “continuously challenge the standards of an average catamaran” by setting the bar high for performance, stability and safety. Insetta’s IFC system (Internal Foil Catamaran) not only increases cruising speed and handling and stability, it also provides the boat with better acceleration and better fuel efficiency by 20 to 40 percent, meaning “20 to 40 percent farther cruise range.”

Last spring, their commitment to being “the best-performing center console sportfish boat in its class by way of the hull design, cruise speed and best miles per gallon” expanded to the anchoring system on the new 35’ Internal Foil Catamaran. They installed an E-Z Anchor Puller Patriot EZ-3 drum anchor winch. The Georgia-based, fiberglass original equipment manufacturer excitedly announced in an April 23 Facebook post that they were “extremely impressed with the performance and reliability” of the installation, posting the maiden voyage of their demo boat on social media as well as writing about it on their official blog.

“We kept it simple on Hull #2 with the Patriot by E-Z Anchor Puller Mfg. Co. and have really enjoyed using it,” they wrote.

In another Facebook post from July, they wrote: “[It] takes up [approximately] 3 cubic feet and holds 560’ of chain, rope and dyneema.”

Utilizing the Patriot series, Insetta’s boats are equipped with a complete 316 stainless steel unit, much like their commitment to use this corrosionresistant, marine-grade metal wherever applicable during the construction of their own vessels. Insetta has instilled a standard of transparency in their day-to-day processes as well, encouraging factory visits and taking a sales-

team approach to the buying process by giving customers a single point of contact for each buying experience.

“The highest quality materials and best workmanship possible are paired to produce the finest boats on the market. From the first drawing to final installation, the Insetta design and construction teams ensure the final boat can withstand the rigors and stripes in adverse conditions.” - Insetta Boats, insetta.com

About the Patriot Series The Patriot series is the perfect shallow coastal saltwater anchoring solution for center consoles and sportfishing boats. With three sizes, the Patriot spools rope capacities from 1/2” nylon down to 1/4” dyneema.

Completely 316 stainless steel components make the Patriot the ultimate saltwater anchoring solution. Engineered to evenly spool anchor rope, these units deploy and retrieve at an average 100-feet-per-minute.

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