Coastal Angler Magazine | September 2022 | Lakeland & Sumter Edition

FREE FRANCHISE OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE COASTALANGLERMAG.COMVOLUME 27 • ISSUE 330 SEPTEMBER 2022 PHOTO COURTESY OF CHERLYN ARNOLD IG: @SLAYHERLYN @CAMTAMagazine FREAKYFISH Monster Florida THE QUEST FOR ROYALTYGAMEFISH SNOOK LAKELAND & SUMTER EDITION

Experience Home of world class ﬁshing on the beautiful Watauga Lake, rugged Doe River and designated trophy trout stream, Watauga River PLAN YOUR TRIP TOURCARTERCOUNTY.COMAT Watauga River Watauga Lake Doe River

Shhhhh. No wake zone. Protect your baby (and their toys) with coverage for shing gear and personal property too. 1 800 PROGRESSIVE / PROGRESSIVE.COM buy.youhowonbasedvaryPricesapply.maychargeAdditionalliates.af&Co.InsuranceCasualtyProgressive

Hanapa‘a - Marlin Hanapa‘a - Ahi

4 NATIONAL SEPTEMBER 2022 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

Drop Shot Gear: Picking the right setup for a drop shot doesn’t have to be too difficult. I like a rod around 7 foot with a medium or a medium heavy action like the 13 Fishing Omen Black 7’1M. Pair up a 3,000 sized reel with some 10lb. Seaguar Smackdown braid and a 10-lb. fluorocarbon leader. Tyler Woolcott is a professional tournament angler and guide. Check out his website www.tylerwoolcottfishing.com.at

There are a few different styles of baits you can use on the drop shot, depending on what your fish are feeding on. This is what I usually base my bait and color choices off of. I usually throw a small finesse worm like the 13 Fishing Joy Stick Ultra Thin or a baitfish-style bait like the 13 Fishing Vertigo minnow. Both baits are small in size and can really pick up some bites when the fishing is tough.Bait color is important, but I like to keep things fairly simple. I typically throw a green pumpkin or a black-and-blue worm style bait. For the baitfish-style lure, I stick with whites or natural baitfish colors. Remember, you are trying to be as finesse as possible to trick a bass that’s not hungry into biting, so something simple and natural will excel. This technique has worked wonders for me all across the country. From down South in Florida all the way up to New York, bass eat this rig up everywhere. Next time you’re on the lake and the bite is tough, downsize your presentation and drag a drop shot around. It will pick up a few more bites.

FORFAMILYscotthawaii.comRUNINHAWAII90YEARS

PROAFROMTIPS

TYLER WOOLCOTT DROP SHOT FOR FINICKY FISH

The water can be a little warm this time of year, and it makes bass finicky. When the bite gets tough, a drop shot flat out gets bit. It catches fish everywhere I go, and every angler should have the technique in their arsenal.There are a few reasons a drop shot can out-perform other techniques this time of year. The first of these is because of how versatile you can be with it. I have thrown a drop shot around rock, wood, grass and even in completely open water. Smallmouth, largemouth and spotted bass will all pick up a drop-shot rig, so it’s a great option regardless of what part of the country you fish or what species you target.Another factor that makes this technique excel when other things aren’t working is it’s effective on heavily pressured and sluggish fish. Sometimes getting these fish to bite calls for light line and a smaller profile bait. The dropshot rig consists of a fluorocarbon leader leading to a hook of your choosing then, below the hook, about 12 inches of line tied to a drop shot weight on the end. This creates a rig that keeps your bait up off the bottom and drives finicky bass crazy.

Once onshore you can take it a step further showing your fellow anglers your catch of the day wearing “slippahs” from Scott Hawaii.

You raise the flags of the fish just caught to show you weren’t skunked.

price $399† Offer Code Price $99 + S&P Save $300 OUR DIVELOVECLIENTSSTAUERWATCHES… êêêêê “...I love it. I have several Stauer watches and once again you don’t disappoint.” — F., Jersey City, NJ Your Greenlight to A Deep Dive Without Going in the Red Stauer ® 14101 Southcross Drive W., Ste 155, Dept. GDW160-01, Burnsville, Minnesota 55337 www.stauer.com † Special price only for customers using the offer code versus the price on Stauer.com without your offer code. 20 ATM DivejustWatch$99 “You simply will not find a better made precision dive watch for such an unbelievable price.” ––George Thomas, Noted watchmaker&historian At just $99, the Evergreen Diver goes deep without going overboard on price. “Whether you’re looking for something to wear in the ocean, the office, and everywhere in between, a diver’s watch is for you.” — Business Insider, 2018

Satisfaction Guaranteed or Your Money Back. Wear the Evergreen Diver for 30 days. If you’re not completely happy, send it back for a full refund of the item price. Limited Reserve. A watch of this caliber, with a price that won’t drag you under, takes 6 months to create and won’t stick around for long. Call today! must use the offer code to get our special price. use this code when order to receive your code

you

• Precision crystal movement • Stainless steel crown, case, caseback & band • Screw down crown • Magnified lens over date window at 3 o’clock • Water resistant to 20 ATM • Fits wrists up to 8 ½" Stauer… Afford the Extraordinary .® Every year in Basel, Switzerland, the world’s best-known luxury watchmakers gather to display their new timepieces. It’s a great event for spotting timepieces that standout–– in performance and in personality. We saw one impossible to ignore: a precision dive watch with an arresting green dial. But we also saw the five-figure price tag and knew we could bring our customers that exact same precision and stand out appeal for a whole lot less. The Stauer Evergreen Diver is that Builttimepiece.likeasubmersible battleship with a stainless steel case, caseback, and band, the Evergreen Diver is water-resistant down to 660 feet or 20 atmospheres, a feat facilitated by a hardened crystal and screw-down crown.

1-800-333-2045YourOfferCode:GDW1 60-01 Please

Green On Your Wrist AND In Your Pocket. You could pay an awful lot elsewhere for this verdant virtuoso, but the majority of the cost is in the big designer name upcharge. We think those guys are all wet. This is how you own a top-of-the-line dive watch without helping pay for some marketing guy’s yacht.

You

discount. Rating of A+ Stauer Evergreen Diver Watch non-offer

Introducing Authority ™ , the spinning reel with a name that is set in steel. PENN ® ’s first IPX8 fully sealed body wrapped around a best-inclass stainless steel gear train and a 12-plus-one stainless steel ball bearing system. All eight sizes and select high speed models come with a Dura-Drag ™ system that can handle anything the ocean dishes out, making Authority the most durable reel ever seated.

PENN. LET THE BATTLE BEGIN ™. OUT HERE, AUTHORITY MUST BE EARNED. IT IS NOT GIVEN OUT FREELY.

Agiant snook should be on every angler’s bucket list. They’re big, they’re strong and they’re aggressive. Southern Florida boasts the most prolific snook fisheries in the world, and Capt. Patrick Smith, of Swamp to Sea Guide Service, operates in the heart of one of the best. Swamp to Sea fishes throughout Palm Beach County up to Stuart, Fla. At times, the snook fishing can be so good that the prospect is almost mundane for Capt. Smith. “If I’ve got clients who want to catch the snook of a lifetime, we’ll go out to the inlet and let them catch one or two. Then we’ll go do something else,” he said. “It’s cool to check a big snook off the list, but light tackle is moreCapt.fun.”Smith’s nonchalance about catching snook 35 to 43 inches long and up to 25 pounds is an attitude geared toward conservation of a species he loves. When big females congregate in the inlets to spawn around the full moons of summer, they are easy targets for anglers armed with big live baits like perch and croakers.

Throughout the summer, snook are catch-and-release-only to protect spawning fish. On the Atlantic side, snook harvest opens Sept. 1, with a 28- to 32-inch slot limit. Capt. Smith said the spawning pattern lasts well into September most years, but the big females are over the slot and must be released, anyway. He is more concerned with the beatings these fish take all summer long. His solution is to limit the number of fish he targets and to gear up heavy. Smith fishes 10,000 size reels on 50- to 100-lb. rods. He runs 80-lb. braid to a 60-lb. fluorocarbon leader and locks down the drag. The weakest link is an 8/0 thin wire circle hook, which is easier on the fish but must be changed out Heavyfrequently.gear combats a big snook’s propensity for bulldogging into structure. It also shortens the length of the fight to lessen the likelihood of fish succumbing to exhaustion or sharks. Smith said these large spawners can be 25 years and older. He urged anglers to handle them carefully for release and never to hold them vertically by their mouths.Ifyou’re looking for a snook to eat, there’s plenty of opportunity for that also. Between the moons some of the snook spread out to the bridges, docks and deep holes. The smaller, slot-sized males become more interested in feeding. Also, the mullet run will kick in toward the end of September. When mullet schools show up, everything from the fish to the anglers switch over to chasing bait. Contact Capt. Patrick Smith through his website www.swamptosea.com.

“They’re not smart fish. If they’re turned on, they’re going to eat. If they’re not, it may be five hours before they do,” he said. “But there’s going to be 30 to 40 minutes on the tide when those snook are eating. There’s not a lot of thought that goes into it. If one is interested, they all are.”

Before the Transition

By Nick Carter

By Capt. Michael Okruhlik

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

Although I prefer lures over bait, success rates lean toward live shrimp or finfish this time of year. Depending on conditions, these can be free-lined, Carolina rigged, or fished under a loud popping cork. A free-lined shrimp tossed near a granite jetty is a good bet on any day. Stepping away from the live version, cut mullet or shad can be winners for a big pull from a red, black drum or shark. A circle hook Carolina rigged on the bottom can entice those large predators to strike. This is a great method if you have kids aboard.

The Texas heat and drought are one for the record books and can make a day on the water unpleasant if you plan to stay much past noon, but there are some methods to help you be productive until things start to cool off. Many of the estuaries that were impacted by the floods are some of our deeper bay systems, and that is a good thing this time of year. Heading out early will greatly increase your odds and give you more time on the water while it is cool, relatively speaking. I have found these bays have been forgotten by some, and they’ve never been fished by those new to our sport, which makes for less crowds on the water. I target the deeper reefs in the upper stretches of the bay near the rivers. Locating new washouts can also pay off, and those are not on the maps or public knowledge, so doing a little recon before you head out on each trip can make for a more productive day.

CONDITIONSCHANGINGTACTICSCHANGINGFOR

Although the temps are still high, you can have a successful day on the water if you modify your techniques. Remember to apply sunblock before you leave the dock, wear appropriate protective clothing and drink plenty of water. Stay safe and have fun!

LURESTAILKNOCKINOFCOURTESYPHOTO

As always, the jetties are a favorite. The high current and cooler Gulf water attract every fish species that swims in our bays and nearshore waters. It’s not uncommon to catch some offshore fish there as well; it happens every year.

Work with what Mother Nature gives you. Here on the upper Texas coast, we’ve had about seven years of excessive rainfall which, in general terms, made some of our bays unfishable for most of that time. Due to excessive fresh water, those of us who like to fish where the tributaries enter into the bays had to seek new areas where the salinity levels were suitable for speckled trout. This year, things are back to normal, and we need to relearn old patterns and work with what Mother Nature is giving us.

8 NATIONAL SEPTEMBER 2022 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

#CBC1255391 Experienced and Reputable Fully Licensed Free Estimates Free 2nd Opinions SEAWALL EROSIONCONTROL SAFE FOR ENVIRONMENTTHE 1. Cracks in the seawall vertical panels or seawall cap 2. Depressions in your yard 3. Water bubbling up from the ground 4. Small sinkholes along the wall 5. Leaning or bowing of a seawall SIGNS OF SEAWALLGuaranteedFamilyEROSIONOwnedWorkCompetitive Pricing Serving All of www.FloridaSeawallSolutions.com888.426.1002Florida “This company and its employees are awesome, can’t say enough nice things about them. Great job and neat and tidy!” - Kevin O. OurStrengthensSealsFillsPolyurethanevoidscrackssoils

Still Swim

The eight remaining pink-tagged bass are still swimming in the following Florida waterbodies: Lake George, Lake Talquin, Lake Walk-in-Water, Tenoroc Fish Management Area, Lake Trafford, Lake Istokpoga, Lake Rousseau and Johns Lake. With the 10-Tag promotion ending Sept. 30, FWC is dropping hints by way of online maps showing the area where each of the remaining bass were tagged. These new tagging maps of the remaining lakes could lead lucky anglers to the pink-taggedThroughbass.Florida bass telemetry and tagging studies, FWC biologists have found that where a largemouth bass is tagged and released can frequently coincide with where an angler catches the same bass weeks, months or even yearsDewlater.caught his 10-Tag bass within yards of where the fish was released with its pink tag in Lake Griffin. Of course, these hints come with a caveat: while bass can be predictable, there are many exceptions to their typical home range patterns and some bass are not homebodies at all. In contrast to Dew’s catch, the second reported 10-Tag bass caught by RJ Crawford in Newnans Lake was more than 3 miles from where it was tagged. These hints don’t eliminate water in which a 10-Tag bass might be found but should be treated as higher-probability areas. View each of the ranges on the maps located on the 10-Tag Celebration web page. For more information, go www.trophycatchflorida.com.to Bass Worth Thousands in Lakes

14 FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 2022 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

Eight Tagged

Florida

With a deadline of Sept. 30, eight tagged largemouths worth thousands of dollars are still swimming in Florida waters.In celebration of Season 10 of FWC’s TrophyCatch big bass program, FWC tagged 10 largemouth bass with bright pink tags in Florida lakes. Just two of those pink-tagged largemouths had been caught as of presstime, so eight are still out there waiting for anglers to catch them and collect thousands of dollars worth of gift cards.

The first pink-tagged bass was caught by Florida angler Dale Dew from Lake Griffin on May 22. Florida angler RJ Crawford caught the second pink-tagged bass from Newnans Lake on June 11. Both anglers were awarded $5,000 Bass Pro gift cards and $1,000 AFTCO gift cards. They will also be entered in a drawing for an additional $10,000, which will be awarded at a ceremony this fall.

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM SEPTEMBER 2022 FLORIDA 15

16 FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 2022 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

B ack-to-school season is underway and Florida parents, teachers and school staff can apply for funding to support school fishing clubs for students. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) 2022-23 School Fishing Club Program, previously named the High School Fishing Program, offers school fishing clubs or teams the opportunity to apply for the Florida R3 Fishing Grant. The application period is open until Sept. 16. This grant program is focused on engaging youth anglers to ensure the future of fishing in Florida.

Apply for a Grant to Support School Fishing Clubs

The Florida Sport Fish Restoration R3 Fishing Grant will award up to 40 high school fishing clubs or teams $500 to assist with club expenses and the purchase of fishing licenses or gear for participants. Participating clubs and teams will receive an updated educational curriculum comprised of lessons and activities on fisheries conservation and resource management, plus a chance to win prizes by completing the program’s Conservation Project.“The School Fishing Club program is an important program for teaching the next generation of anglers about ethical angling and conservation in Florida,” said Director of Marine Fisheries Management Jessica McCawley. “I look forward to seeing the hard work and creativity each club puts into their conservation project activities each year to help preserve the health and quality of aquatic habitats.”

The grant program is open to new or existing freshwater and/or saltwater fishing clubs or teams at public, private and charter schools throughout Florida. To be considered for the grant, school fishing clubs or teams must have a minimum of five members and be represented by a school faculty member or parent who will follow the provided instructor’s manual.Thedeadline for submitting applications is Sept. 16, 2022 at 5 p.m. The application can be found online at MyFWC.com/SFC by scrolling down to “Florida’s R3 Fishing Grant Program.” Applicants can complete the form online or download the application to submit by mail or e-mail. Submit the downloaded applications to R3Fishing@MyFWC.com or mail them to: FWC’s Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management Attn: School Fishing Club Program Grant 620 S. Meridian St., Tallahassee, FL 32399. The 2022-23 School Fishing Club Program is supported by partners including Mud Hole Custom Tackle, Pure Fishing, Coastal Conservation Association and Baitstick Fishing. For more information, contact Brandon Stys at Brandon.Stys@MyFWC.com.

•99%•ENHANCED•SUPERIOR *LIFETIME Get the LOWEST Rates! SAVE50% up to on $37,000 $75,000 $100,000 $250,000 $500,000 $264/yr $474/yr $586/yr $2,975/yr $5,985/yr BOATS & JETSKI From: InsuranceBoat BOAT INSURANCE SINKING YOU? Your #1 Source for Boat Insurance GET A QUOTE! Covering Boaters throughout the south since 1988 (888) 977-4500 (954) 785-5000 BradleyBoatInsuranceFlorida.comInsuranceGroup

Discount Marine Supplies MELBOURNE 557 N. HARBOR CITY BLVD MELBOURNE, FL 32935 (321) 254-2535 JACKSONVILLE 5615 BLANDING BLVD. JACKSONVILLE, FL 32244 (904) 778-7775 MarineOEMPartsSuppliesMarine PricesSamePricesSameLocationsLowLow JacksonvilleMelbourneMelbourne • AUTOMOTIVE • COMMERCIAL • RESIDENTIAL CTX NANO-CERAMIC TINT •SUPERIOR HEAT REJECTION •ENHANCED STYLE •99% UV PROTECTION *LIFETIME WARRANTY Certified DepartmentService Authorized OEM Marine Engine & Parts Dealer Trailer SalesTrailer Parts BoathouseDiscountMarine.comBOATHOUSE

18 FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 2022 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM GREAT FISHING! WHERE THE SUWANNEE & STEINHATCHEE RIVERS MEET THE GULF OF MEXICO YOU CAN ALWAYS FIND A BOAT RAMP DIXIEVISITDIXIE.COMCOUNTY SpaceVendorStillaVailable $3.00OFFadmiSSion withthiS flyer Marine Flea Market BOat ShOw and Sale • FiShing SeMinarS • new & USed BOating eqUipMent • SeaFOOd • naUtical decOr

• Be Sure to Hydrate and keep yourself greased up with sunscreen. Also, know the seasons, limits and safety regulations for the area you’re scallop hunting.

Bay scallop season is winding down along the west coast of Florida. In most zones it will continue well into September, so here are some tips to help you have fun on the water and maybe pick up a last-minute limit.

• Find Your Spot: The most common advice on finding a good scalloping area is to look for the boats. It’s good advice. The flotilla bearing diver-down flags is hard to miss when you find it. Be courteous, give everyone plenty of room and drive the boat slowly, keeping an eye out for swimmers.

For more information, including complete rules and regulations, go to MyFWC.com.

• Keep Them Alive: Storing scallops in a livewell is a great idea if you’ve got one. They can also be kept in a cooler of ice, but be careful to drain the freshwater out of the cooler as the ice melts because it will kill your scallops. You want them to be living right up until you clean them.

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM SEPTEMBER 2022 FLORIDA 19

• Slow Down: If you find one scallop, slow down and search the area thoroughly. There’s usually another one nearby.

• Clean Them Quickly: An alternative to keeping scallops alive is to just clean them right away. There should be at least one person in the boat at all times, and this person can clean the scallops while the rest of the team is searching. Scallops open up when they are put on ice, so chunk them in a cooler and clean them while you’re on the water. You can discard the shells into the bay.

TIPS FOR BETTER SCALLOPING By CAM Staff Charters.FishingGrassRockofcourtesyPhoto

• Hunt the Slack Tides: Finding scallops is generally easiest on a slack tide during calm days when currents are minimal. When the water is still, seagrass stands up straight, and it’s easier to spot scallops at the base of the grass.•Look in the Sand: Pay attention to those sandy potholes on the grass flats. Scallops like grass, but they are easier to see against a sandy bottom. Many times, if you spot one on the sand, there will be several in the grass around it.

• Search in a Pattern: Some divers search in a grid by swimming a straight line out from the boat and then moving sideways 5 or 10 yards before returning to the boat in a straight line. This way you’ll always be looking at fresh bottom.

One trick to finding productive bottom is to pull a keen-eyed diver on a rope at idle speed. This will help cover water quickly, and once old eagle eye spots a few, you can put out the anchor.

THE MULLET ARE COMING!

Check the Pinch Points: Seawalls, rocky shorelines, jetties and any other structure that juts from the shore will consolidate and channel

BBQPatioCookers,Grills,Smokers,CustomizedTrailers

Find the Bait: Giant schools of bait pull all of the gamefish out of their summer patterns. Tarpon, redfish, snook, jacks, flounder, sharks, Spanish mackerel, bluefish and more transition from whatever they were doing and begin tailing and herding mullet pods. The predatory fish move with their food source. As an angler, you’re wasting your time if you’re not on top of the action.From a boat or from the beach, keep moving until you see fishy looking water. It’s unmistakable when you witness mullet fleeing from leaping jacks and tarpon, but the action can sometimes be harder to spot. Wear your polarized shades, keep the sun at your back and look for diving birds and the ripples of nervous water. There will be gamefish wherever there are huge schools of bait. Also, stay current with mullet activity in your area by sharing information with other anglers and being a regular at the local bait shops.

schools of mullet as they move down the coast. These are perfect feeding areas for gamefish because they provide ambush points as well structure to herd mullet against. Loud and Proud: When it comes to fishing artificials, anything that resembles a mullet is likely to get slammed around actively feeding fish. The hard part is getting marauding fish to notice your lure among thousands of real mullet. This is the time to make a commotion. Early in the mornings, loud topwater plugs that pop, walk-the-dog and throw a lot of water around will get noticed. When the topwater bite slows, it’s time to break out sub-surface plugs, spoons or paddletails on jigheads. Cast around the edges of the bait pods, because gamefish often target baitfish that stray from the pod.

20 FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 2022 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM The Return of a Custom Built Quality Outdoor BBQ Products Since 1989 For More Info www.BQGRILLS.com1-252-236-4464 6043 Hwy 301N, Elm City, NC Pig

Bait is Everywhere: Live bait is king when it comes to getting bit. A single good throw of the cast net should provide all the bait you need once you find a good school of mullet. Many anglers prefer fishing 5- to 8-inch mullet, because they’re small enough to cast and they’ll draw strikes from fish of all sizes. However, if big tarpon are pounding a bait school, some anglers swear a foot-long mullet catches bigger fish. Either way, freelined mullet are tough to beat. Gamefish look for isolated and injured baits on the outside of the school. Your mullet, hooked just behind the anal fin, will look like the perfect meal as it struggles to stay near the surface. For more on the mullet run, go to coastalanglermag.com.

D epending on where you fish on Florida’s east coast, the mullet schools have either already arrived or they are on the way. Each fall, mullet flood down the coast in an enormous migration to their spawning grounds off south Florida. Along the way, they are assaulted by everything that eats fish. It’s a special time to be an angler. Here are some of the basics of fishing the mullet run to help you get in on the action.

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM SEPTEMBER 2022 FLORIDA 21 Donate A Boat or Car Today! Family Owned & Operated for 45 Years Largest Ship Store in Lake & Sumter Counties Leesburg 352787-5792 Crystal River www.NoblesMarine.com352795-1119 437 N Palmetto St. Leesburg 1931 NW Hwy 19 Crystal River

Phone Orders Can Be Shipped (561)Custom758-8758Spliced Dock Lines & Anchor Rodes

22 FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 2022 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

BLUEFIN SPAWN STUDIED OFF NORTHEASTERN U.S.

For as much as we do know about the ocean and the species we love to pursue as anglers, it’s amazing the things still left to be discovered. A scientific paper recently published in the Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences presents evidence that the Slope Sea off the northeastern coast of the United States is a major spawning ground for Atlantic bluefin tuna. The Slope Sea is an area of the Atlantic bounded to the north and west by the northeast United States Continental Shelf and to the south by the Gulf Stream. Science to this point had identified two populations of Atlantic bluefins. One returns to the Gulf of Mexico to spawn and another spawns in the Mediterranean Sea. A 2016 paper established the Slope Sea as a third spawning ground for the species, and this most recent research suggests the Slope Sea is a good place to be a larval bluefin. Researchers used plankton nets to collect larvae in the Slope Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. They compared larval growth in the two regions by studying larval otoliths, which are small bones found in the heads of tuna. Researchers also conducted larval transport simulations to estimate the movement of larvae floating in ocean currents forward and backward in time to evaluate the origin of the larvae. What they found was evidence that Slope Sea tuna larvae grow at a similar rate as those in the Gulf of Mexico. The paper notes that an additional spawning site likely offers resilience for the species in the face of harvest as well as climate change. For more information, read the research at cdnsciencepub.com.

America's #1 fishing map Real-time catch reports for any species. Trusted by 14 million anglers. Scan to download for free!

24 FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 2022 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

Florida angler John Kelly seems to have figured out how to catch big snook with a fly rod. According to the International Game Fish Association, Kelly caught this beautiful 88-centimeter (almost 35inch) snook with a crab pattern on the Indian River Lagoon on July 28. Snook longer than 40 inches are caught pretty regularly from Florida waters, so this one isn’t a true monster. However, IGFA said it could potentially set the all-tackle length fly world record for the species, replacing Kelly’s own record for an 86-centimeter snook he caught in early June. On top of that, Kelly submitted another application for a 91-centimeter snook he landed in early August. These potential records are currently pending and under review by IGFA. Records or not, it’s probably safe to say that Kelly has something figured out about targeting slob snook with fly tackle. For more information, go to igfa.org. a

SLOB SNOOK ON THE FLY Nestled on six lush tropical acres of pristine waterfront directly on the Indian River Lagoon, take

step back in time to experience the very best of Old Florida charm with modern conveniences and services to make your stay truly memorable and unforgettable. The Perfect Vacation Getaway for Fishing, Boating & Outdoor Enthusiasts Re-Discover Old Florida Waterfront Charm • FULLY FURNISHED 3 ROOM COTTAGES WITH FULLY EQUIPPED KITCHENS Kingfish Lodge includes a wide screenTV and bar for small gatherings Sailfish House features a wide covered wrap-around porch for larger groups • Boat Trailer Parking on site w/ Water and Power • 250 Foot Dock w/ Covered Area • FREE Ice / FREE Guest Dockage • Cable TV, Hi-Speed Internet • 2 miles to the Ft. Pierce Inlet • 12 miles to the Gulf Stream • Laundry, BBQ Grilles and FREE use of our Kayaks NIGHTLY • WEEKLY • MONTHLY • SEASONAL RATES 3011 N. Indian River Dr., Ft. Pierce, FL 34946 www.indianriverlagoonwaterfrontcottages.com Reservations and Information: (772) 349-2206 Cover Your Vacation with Travel Insurance TRAVEL PROTECTION FORYOURRESERVESTAY28DAYSORLONGER&RECEIVE50%OFF STAY 7 DAYS, GET 2 FREE!!! Your Health and Safety are our utmost concern. COVID-19 CDC Guidelines are in full effect. All accommodations are completely cleaned and sanitized prior to guest arrival YourHeadquarters.Spearﬁshing 7610 Industrial Ln. Suite Tampa,8HFL. 33637 813-867-3250neptonics.com SCALLOPINGFREEGUNRIGGING&LOBSTERINGEQUIPMENT Use code coastal10 for 10% OFF your order

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM SEPTEMBER 2022 POLK & SUMTER 1

Understanding these changes and the effect they have on these fish is critical to your success and consistency. The best advice I could give to younger anglers, or any other angler for that matter, is to start a journal and take the time to take good notes on your day of fishing and stick with it.

For this month changes are already on the way. At this time I've already seen 3-5 pound buck bass showing up in the grass lines and isolated patches of pads. I don't normally see this until October and it's early. The threadthin shad are also moving up at this time. To me this means the larger trophy-class female are either very close in proximity to these bigger buck bass or they are not far behind them timewise.

KISSIMMEE CHAIN FISHING FORECAST REGISTER SUMTERBYWAY.COMAT CONTACT DAWN CARY FOR SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES sumterbyway@gmail.com | (352) 267-8801

This is particularly important when bass fishing. It has been my experience over the years that bass are much more sensitive than other freshwater game fish when it comes to rapid changes in their environment.

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

•

Submitted By: Captain Dave Ochs Kissimmee Chain Fishing (863) 605-2181• Back Water Fishing Kissimmee Lake Wales

Things like moon phases, cold fronts, rapid changes in barometric pressure, water levels and temperatures are major game changes when it comes to bass

Fishing weightless soft plastic baits on covers 4-6' deep or topwater hard baits on the edge of the cover is going to be very productive at this time. In addition, if you are bored of throwing artificial baits, put the trolling motor on slow and troll with some 7" long shiners 60' behind the boat in 5-50' off the grassline. Strap yourself in your seat and have a good grip on your rod, a good supply of ice packs for when you get home- its probably a good idea.

ith the dog days of summer slowly coming to an end it's time to think about making some changes in your game plan for your next fishing trip to the Kissimmee Chain or any other lake you may fish

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM SEPTEMBER 2022 POLK & SUMTER 3 Homosassa Springs 48 471471 SUNCOASTBLVD478A470673 50 Capt. Rick Burns Homosassa Area 1-Capt. Rick Burns 352-201-6111 8975 W. Halls River Rd • Homosassa, FL 34448 www.RealBurns.com Lake Panasoffkee 2- Pana Vista Lodge 352-793-2061 3417 Co Rd 421• Lake Panasoffkee, FL 33538 3-www.panavistalodge.comCatfishJohnnys863-793-2083 2396 N County Rd 470 • Lake Panasoffkee, FL 33538 4-www.CatfishJohnnyRestaurant.comBigBassGrillLakefrontRestaurant and Marina 352-793-8150 965 Co Rd 439 • Lake Panasoffkee, FL 33538 www.bigbassgrill.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- ParGas 352-793-1982 1452 W C 48, Bushnell, FL 33513 8-www.pargas.comPapaw’sCountry Store 352-793-1080 8271 W C-48 • Bushnell, Fl 33513 Deli, Groceries, Beer, Live Bait, Tackle, LP Gas Follow us on Facebook Webster Area 9- Scenic Sumter Heritage Byway, Inc. 352-267-8801 P.O. Box 6 • Webster, FL 33597 www.sumterbyway.com/ sumterbyway@gmail.com 10- Webster Hardware & Farm Supply Ace 352-793-4831 120 N. Market Blvd. • Webster, FL 33597 www.WebsterFarmSupply.com

1916 N Florida Ave (863)LAKELAND802-0543 405 8th Ave W (941)PALMETTO981-5626 9003 E State Rd 44 (352)WILDWOOD399-2686 3 LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU! OLDSALTMARINE.COMVIEWOURENTIREINVENTORYONLINE!

Boat/Personal Watercr aft/Canoe/Kayak/SUP Dealers Manufacturers/ New & Consignment Sales/Golf Carts Hillman Motors Inc. =--==.----.a""""-'-="""""""""" H[ItlLILDm■ 2701 Havendale Blvd. NW ' 'Y ,-,oceJ:-� Winter Haven FL 33881 AsT1Nia=-£�';:'�� 863-967-4628 • www.hillmanmotors.net M-F 9-7, Sat 9-5 Closed Sund ay Our Family Serving Yours Since 1989 Central Florida's Official Stingray Boats Dealer Factory Authorized Suzuki Marine Dealer Financing Available Ill Live Music Schedule Cabin Rental For Bass Fisherman Family Owned & Operated Seafood Restaurant Tiki-Style Bar & Waterfront Enjoy A Great Meal Inside Or On Our Outside Patio & Deck! 965 Co Rd 439 352-793-8150 Open 7 Days A Week! Sun-Thurs 11am-9pm Fri-Sat 11am-10 m Lake Panasoffkee, FL 33538 www.bi bass rill.com Wi ics & racklel Snack Food & lee. � �ffrIIKJ{!!J� U<JXMJ� �� o �� 00 Sweet Ella's Produce 326 State Road 60 E • Lake Wales Florida 863-223-8775Aunique, family owned indoor produce store which offers a LARGE VARIETY OF LOCAL fresh fruits, vegetables and Amish products. NOW Carrying: Gemma's Jams! .---------. • FertilizerWEBSTER HARDWARE • Prop ane ARM PLY • Mathews 1.1\r • Bowtech .___-=,.""•=-� --==- --' • Archery Supplies Store Hours: Mon 7:30-5:007:30-6:00-FriSat. • Feeders • Tree Stands • Metal Roofing • Animal Health Supplies • Big Green Egg & Accessories • Hardware, Paint • Lumber • Wranglers • Feed, Seed • Boots • Case Knives • Fencing Supplies • Hydraulic Hoses • Weber Grills � 352-793-4831 Millers Fiberglass Repair 1505 S. Lake Shipp Dr. Winter Haven, FL 33880 bob863-551-1551by.mfr@gmail.comWeNowHaveACertified Marine Technician Offering Service Repair On Outboard Motors. Your ONE STOP-SHOP For All Your Fiberglass Needs! Family Run & Operated Since 2003 Our Team is Certified In Gelcoat & Polyflake Repairs. No Job Is Too Big Or Too Small. Central Florida Trolling Motor Sales & Repairs 3780 Hwy 92 East• Lakeland, FL 33801 863-666-2248• Fax www.cftmr.comcftm3780@yahoo.com863-667-0213Checkoutourweeklyspecialsonfacebook!FactoryWarrantyServiceforMinnKota,CannonDownriggers,LowranceGhostMotors,MotorGuide. Erwine's Marine www.panavistalodge.comCottages-RvCampGround 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:The863-967-4148brandsweoffer: Hobie• Jackson• RTM Perception• Feel Free• Wilderness Systems Ocean K ayak• 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 Carl 1863-696-0313Johnson4400ReeseDr.•Lake Wales, Fl 33898 Ourairboatnaturetours.comAirboatsarethe"Real Deal" not 20+ passenger Air-Busses! This guarantees your EVERGLADES AIRBOAT TOUR to be personal and powerful! 155 E. Central Ave. Webster, FL (352) 569-8000 Mon-Sat 7am-2pm • Sun Closed Breakfast - Lunch Enjoy Gourmet Doughnuts Jay's “Famous” Breakfast Bowl & Specialty Coffee Selections, Chicken Meals, Snack Boxes, Tenders, Sandwiches, Wings & Wraps

CENTRAL FLORIDA REGION FORECAST

6 POLK & SUMTER SEPTEMBER 2022 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM Lakeland Area 1- Big Fish Bait & Tackle 863-815-9492 6908 US Hwy 98 North • Lakeland FL 33809 2-Champswwww.CentralFloridaAngling.comSportsGrill863-647-5900 6645 S. Florida Ave • Lakeland, FL 33813 3-Phillipswww.ChampsToGo.comBait&Tackle 863-666-2248 3780 US-92 • Lakeland, FL 33801 4-Stone’swww.CentralFloridaTrollingMotor.comBait&Tackle863-940-4898 2049 E Edgewood Drive • Lakeland, FL 33803 5-North Lakeland Outfitters 863-608-1513 848 W Daughtery Road • Lakeland, FL 33389 Winter Haven Area 6. Caribbean Bait & Tackle 863-292-9755 1004 N Lake Howard Dr, Winter Haven, FL 33880 7-Capt. Scott Taylor 855-354-8433 Official Guide for VisitCentralFlorida.org & Camp Mack’s River Resort 8-HillmanScott@TMCGuideService.comMotorsInc.863-967-4628 2701 Havendale Blvd. NW • Winter Haven FL 33881 9-www.hillmanmotors.netMarineSupplyofWinter Haven 863-297-7003 1700 3rd St SW • Winter Haven, FL 33880 10-www.MarineSupplyBoats.comMillersFiberglass863-551-1551 1505 Lake Shipp Dr, Winter Haven, FL 33880 www.facebook.com/Millers-Fiberglass-Repair-157407427716301 Lake Alfred Area 11-Ron's Tackle Box, LLC 863-956-4990 380 S. Lake Shore Way • Lake Alfred, FL 33850 www.ronstacklebox.com Haines City Area 12- Hoppy’s Marine 863-439-7616 31499 Highway 27 • Haines City, FL 33844 www.HoppysMarine.com Lake Wales Area 13. Sweet Ella’s Produce 863-223-8775 326 FL-60, Lake Wales, FL 33853 14. Bridgemasters 863-676-1009 2131 FL-60 • Lake Wales, FL 33898 15.www.fishermanscandystore.comCaptainDaveOch'sBackwater Fishing Adventures 863-455-6886 • Lake Wales, FL 33538 16. Guy HarveyCamp Mack Lodge, Marina & RV Resort 863-696-1108 • 14900 Camp Mack Rd • Lake Wales, FL 33898 www.Guy HarveyCampMack.com Frost Proof Area 26- Erwine’s Marine 863-635-4492 250 S. Scenic Hwy • Frostproof, FL 33843 www.ErwinesMarine.com Placida Area 27-Fly Em High Charters 863-224-1418 Capt Bobby Woodard 6499 Gasparilla Rd • Placida, FL 33946 www.Captain-Bobby.com

We are finally going some “almost decent” lake levels below the Lake Toho lock with all of the 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.”

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 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.

Capt. Scotty 855-FL-GUIDETaylor (855-354-8433) TMCGuideService.com Capt. Scott is the Senior Pro Guide at Camp Mack, a Guy Harvey Marina, Lodge, and RV Resort and is the Official Guide for VisitCentralFlorida.org

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM SEPTEMBER 2022 POLK & SUMTER 7 AUBURNDALE CUMMINGSFORT CountryGolfCypressandClub Lake Wales Highland Park LakeCrookedPark BartowAirportMunicipal Highland City Crystal Lake EagleClubHeightsClevelandGolfandCountryClubAtBrookeMedulla BartowHomeland Wahneta DundeeWaverly Grenelefe 17 27 27 27 570 98 17 98 98 92 17 4 60 60 60 60 17 37 655 LAKELANDHighlandsLakeland LakeHainesHamiltonCity Placida RD.GASPARILLA CAMP MACK RD. FlyPLACIDARD.Em High Charters Lake Wales Guy Harvey Camp Mack Lodge, Marina & RV Resort

(863)LAKELAND802-0543 (941)PALMETTO981-5626 (352)WILDWOOD399-2686 We provide the latest and best in boats, equipment, parts and service with 3 locations to serve you: North Lakeland Outdoors 848 W Daughtery Rd, Lakeland, FL Facebook.com/NorthLakelandOutdoors33809(863)608-1513 10% OFF ROD/REEL COMBOS Priced $150 or over. Excludes sale or reduced items. 10% OFF NAMECLOTHINGBRAND (863) 605-2181