Coastal Angler Magazine | October 2022 |Lakeland & Sumter Edition by Coastal Angler Magazine

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Atlantic Coast of Florida experiences one of the planet’s great migrations each fall. When millions of mullet push south in giant schools toward spawning grounds off the southern end of the state, it presents an exciting prospect for fishing. It’s an event anglers anticipate all year long.

Here are some tips for anglers to take advantage of the mullet run.

The rigging is pretty much the same if I need to beef up for larger catches. With a 2500-size setup, I’ll fish 15- to 20-pound leader. I’ll bump that up to 25- to 30-pound test on 3000-size gear for bigger fish.

Handling them with care and releasing them safely is important to the future of our fisheries. The statewide slot limit from 18 and 27 inches is intended to protect the large fish, which are part of the spawning stock.

By Skye Burkhardt

• TACKLE: I mainly fish inshore, so light tackle is the way for me. However, it’s important to be prepared to switch up depending on the size and species of game fish present.

The

This time of year, any artificial that resembles a mullet will do the trick. I like Vudu Mullet Swimbaits, Rapala X-raps, Bomber Lures Mullets,

In the backcountry, I like a light- to mediumaction 2000 size spinning set-up to fish 10-pound leaders and 3/0 circle hooks. I prefer Mustad hooks and tie them on with a simple loop knot. I use an FG knot to connect my leader to a braided main line. This creates a true free-line, without the added weight of a swivel.

Keep up with Skye Burkhardt on Facebook Inshore Adventures with Skye and on @brassyangler87.Instagram

To fish with the mullet, I just follow the pods, cast to the outside of the school and open the bail to let the bait swim. When you hit it right, you can hook-up on nearly every cast, with the species changing from one cast to the next. Big gamefish tend to seek out isolated or injured mullet, which is exactly what your bait is.

The mullet run doesn’t have an official start or end date. Large schools of mullet—some the size of three football fields—move south as temperatures cool. Tarpon, sharks, kingfish and redfish are just some of the gamefish that move with these pods. Most years the fishing is on fire in October and November.

TARGETING REDFISH During the Mullet Migration

Most of the state now has a one-fishper-person daily limit in the 18- to 27inch slot. Some regions have a two-fishper-vessel possession limit and others have a four-fish-per-vessel possession limit. The Indian River Lagoon region is strictly catch-and-release only for redfish. For complete Florida redfish regulations, go

Free-lining sounds simple, but where you choose to fish and what you’re targeting will play a role in the set-up and rig you should use.

Landing a bull red this time of the year is easy. With the mullet running, simply free-line a mullet or drop one on a weighted rig to land a trophy! Before you experience the drag-pulling run, you should know how to properly handle and release your fish.

• REDFISH REGULATIONS: Florida recently adopted new management plan for redfish. There are now varied regulations across nine different zones. Anglers need to understand those regulations because they’re intended to protect one of our iconic species in the face

• BAIT: Obviously, mullet is the bait to use this time of the year. Full-grown mullet are great for shark and tarpon fishing. I prefer freelining finger-sized mullet, because pretty much everything eats them.

• ARTIFICIALS: This backcountry lady angler enjoys sight fishing and scouting Mosquito Lagoon and the marshes of the Tomoka Basin along Florida’s central Atlantic Coast. I’ll target bull reds in the inlets, but I spend most days targeting snook, tarpon and slot reds in the backcountry. This style of fishing is perfect for throwing artificials on light tackle.

It’s heartbreaking to see breeder fish floating due to carelessness or lack of knowledge. Hauling a big redfish up vertically onto a bridge or pier, dragging it over the rocks on a jetty or tossing it back from up high severely limits its chance of survival. Get a pier net to fish from a bridge or pier, and do everything in your power to ensure the healthy release of your fish.

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the possibilities of spawning. The same places will hold large seabass, as well. I love to eat grouper, but the way I grouper fish also produces large seabass, which I think are even better than grouper in texture andScampsflavor.

and snappers hold a special place in my heart. Starting right now, they should be going off! It’s time consuming to stop on the way out a jig up bait. However, a 15- or 20-minute bait stop could make the difference between a good day and a great day. When you find bait in numbers, it doesn’t take long to rack up. I like to keep a Sabiki angler on each side of the boat handing me baits to dehook into a bucket in the center of the boat. Once I get 20 or so baits in the bucket, I pour them into the livewell and repeat until there’s enough.

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After all, that is why the gags are there. They are eating the same baits that you’re catching. They come inshore to a place that holds bait, so all the smaller females have plenty to eat while they are discussing

BIG BOTTOM FISH ARE THE BOUNTY OF FALL

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

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This is the time of year that can make even me look good. The large male gags have started staging up on nearshore structures, wrecks and traditional bait-holding bottom. The scamps and large snappers have started a transitional move to their deeper wintering grounds. Water temps will soon draw a line in the water that clearly shows you where to fish.

Starting this month, the larger gags will be so close in that it’ll shock you. Don’t run too far, or you’ll run over some of the biggest fish of the year. Go wherever you jig up your cigar minnows and sardines, and the gags will be right there. When you get a few baits in the well, it’s a good idea to have at least one person put a bait right back down.

love spring and summer fishing, but let me say this loud and clear: I live for fall and winter fisheries!

I also like to take pinfish from the marina as a “bird in hand” for bottom fishing. The beauty of putting a live sardine on a jig and sending it to the bottom is that EVERYTHING down there eats them. The beauty of sending a pinfish, grass grunt or sailors choice to the bottom is that everything down there would love to eat them, but can’t. They can’t get their mouths around the bigger baits, but the ones that can are the fish you want to catch. Go enjoy the bounty of the season!

Ahhhh, yeah! This is the time of plenty. Now is the time of year to have a community-sized fish stew to clear out all the vacuum-sealed stuff in the freezer. You’ve got to make some room for freezer-stuffing grouper, snapper and seabass.

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• Bucket Sitter: Sometimes derogatory term for someone who shes bait from the shore. “Look at those bucket sitters over there sitting on their buckets and drowning worms.”

Dink: Synonymous with peckerhead, a dink is a very small sh. “Look at this dink. It’s smaller than the plug it ate.”

nglers have their own languages. We make up words or phrases to describe situations we frequently encounter on the water. Some of these phrases are quite amusing, and some are too colorful to be used in print. Like regional dialects, they vary from location to location and even from boat to boat. Without further ado, here are some of our favorite angler idioms.

By Nick Carter

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• Mud Dart: A bill sh that dies when released and sinks nose down,

Pellet Pig: Derogatory term for sh that reach large size because of a feeding program. “ at yahoo thought he caught a trophy, but those pellet pigs are trained to eat hooks.”

Share your favorite angler idioms with us on our Facebook page: Coastal Angler & e Angler Magazine.

Easy Release: A sh that shakes the hook right at the boat. Counts as half a sh in informal shing competition. “Oh, well. Easy release. It was a little peckerhead, anyway.”

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Leroy Jenkins: Derived from an Internet video game meme, this exclamation is used in kayak shing when you race ahead of your shing buddies to be the rst one on the water. “Y’all can keep mucking around on the boat ramp. I’m going shing! Leeeroooy Jenkiiins!”

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Yahoo: Refers to anyone on the water other than the anglers in the group using the term. “We went to our honeyhole, but there were a bunch of yahoos already in it.”

Dreaded Frustrations: e downward spiral of being so ustered by your poor angling performance that you seemingly can’t do anything correctly. “I was slaying them until I hung my lure on the bottom. en I broke my rod tip trying to get it loose and the dreaded frustrations set in. I couldn’t do anything right the rest of the day.”

presumably to stick in the mud on the bottom of the ocean. “Keep hauling sail sh in the boat for photos, and you’re going to keep throwing back mud darts. ”

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Bank of Despair: e opposite of honeyhole, this is an area known for not producing sh. “Man, I wasted three hours over there pounding away on the bank of despair.”

• Damn Carp: A sh caught by an angler that is any species other than the intended target. “I thought it was a big largemouth, but it’s just a damn carp.”

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Reef Donkey: Derogatory term for greater amberjack. “We were dri ing baits for kings, but all we caught were reef donkeys.”

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• Bait Chucker: Always derogatory term used by y shers to describe any other type of angler. “I think that bait chucker was jealous of my tweed cap.”

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the Indian River Lagoon for years, G. Loomis ambassador Capt. Willy Le can’t help but reminisce of the days when the Banana River was brimming with seagrass.

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With a blunt snout and downturned mouth, red sh are designed for rooting. ey aren’t wellequipped for attacking prey on the surface, but they certainly display thrilling surface strikes as they

Le shes topwaters with a size 4000 Stradic CI4+ with a 7’6” G. Loomis GCX Inshore spinning rod with medium power and extra fast action. is set-up casts heavy topwater lures well and o ers excellent control for walking the dog.

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Throw Topwater BANANA RIVER REDS

track a topwater lure and overtake the o ering a er several failed attempts.

Shimano’s Current Sniper topwater baits o er anglers a lure for every scenario. e Current Sniper Walk 110F Silent is a walking bait that lacks internal rattles and excels in calm conditions. e Current Sniper Walk Hi-Pitch emits a high-pitch rattle for rougher water.

e 31-mile-long Banana River is an isolated lagoon. Here, marsh and mangrove ecosystems ourish in a complex landscape where there is uniquely no tidal ow. ere are no freshwater tributaries, no saltwater inlets, and the only outlet to the Atlantic Ocean is through a lock at Port Canaveral.ACocoa Beach local who has been guiding

“ is at right here was so lush, the grass was thick as could be. But with water quality issues fueling massive seagrass die-o s, miles of underwater vegetation have been reduced to barren sand ats. ere are still giant red sh, though they’ve changed behavior and where they would once tail and search out the sea oor, they now just cruise around looking for bait sh,” re ected Le.

“We can sight during all hours of the day and in all weather conditions, but since red sh are focused on feeding early and late in the day this is when you will encounter the most cooperative topwater bite. With overcast conditions the topwater shing can stay strong throughout the day,” said Le.

Anglers imparting the appropriate snap of the rod tip can mimic distressed bait sh on the surface, but it’s important to choose a lure with proper action for the conditions. When the Banana River becomes moderately choppy, loud topwater lures draw in predators. On calm days, it is better to sh a quieter walking lure.

Once a red sh is spotted, it’s important to be patient and accurate. Nothing will spook a red sh faster than an improperly placed bait falling from the sky.

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Since these reds aren’t tailing, spotting them means you’re looking for wakes. Mature red sh push wider wakes at a steady pace in a straight line. Mullet make those darting V-shaped wakes.

Over

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Typically, a long-distance model weighs 30 to 100 percent more than a oating one of similar dimensions. If a oating lure weighs 2 ounces, a similar sized distance-dedicated lure will weigh 3 to 4 ounces. at’s really a big deal, especially in wind.

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When you’re casting into the wind, you should also adjust the way you cast. In long-casting lingo, I use the term “banner” to refer to the section of line between the rod tip and the lure. You should limit the banner when you’re shing in wind. Instead of using an overhand cast, try a sidearm cast, which limits the lure’s exposure to the wind.

Water conditions are another factor worth consideration. Big waves, whitewater and strong currents limit your control. ese conditions are also o en the best conditions for sh to bite. When you cast, engage the reel before the lure hits the water and reel up slack. is gives you a straighter line for better control of the lure, better swimming action and more direct contact with the lure. When you can feel the lure, you can feel the bite and ultimately increase your hook-setting ratio.

Give it an honest try. I’m sure you’ll be convinced that distance lures are superior to lighter models of similar dimensions in many situations.

A long banner also reduces your control of the lure once it hits the water. A line belly in the water pulls your lure sideways on retrieve. You also won’t be in direct contact with the lure. is a ects the lure’s action, and you might also miss bites.

If the wind is full force into your face, this adds drag on the lure and line during a cast. A high-density lure cuts through wind more e ciently than a oating lure. Everyone loves shing topwaters, but in windy conditions they are not the best choice. A denser lure always casts farther than a oating lure.

the past few months, we’ve discussed almost everything concerning long-distance lures. We’ve touched on elements an angler can control such as lure choice and the proper rod, reel and line con guration. Now I want to discuss the uncontrollable elements of weather and water conditions. ey play a big role in how far you are able to cast and how e ectively you can sh a lure.

On a beach, with the lure on the sand, allow a banner of 50 to 70 percent of the rod’s length. is shorter banner limits the size of the belly in the line when you cast. e larger the line belly is, the more casting energy is taken from the lure’s ight, resulting in reduced distance.

Again, we all love to sh topwater, but distance-dedicated lures are in many cases the better option. In windy conditions with breaking waves and ripping currents, I de nitely prefer a 3-ounce plug or a 4-ounce darter over a topwater, which weighs half as much.

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BLACKTIPSCATCHING fromBeachthe

Before blacktips begin migrating for the mating season, they will actually be in gendersegregated schools that come together only for mating. Blacktips tend to be separated due to the male’s highly aggressive drive towards the females, which could result in serious injury.

On slow days when the bite is dead and you’re catching nothing but cat sh, swim one out or cut into chunks. If there are any blacktips around, they will eat it. A lot of anglers use huge hooks and long wire leaders, which will require you to get a shore-based shark shing permit to legally sh for sharks in Florida.

e most productive way to catch blacktips is to use a 6- to 8-inch chunk of whatever fresh sh you have. Toss it out without a weight. If you are

Blacktip sharks can be found year-round in the Atlantic from Virginia through Florida. ey have been known to migrate up to Cape Cod, Massachusetts. ough they do prefer more tropical temperatures, a little cold won’t deter them from their mission. Blacktips are de nitely not picky when it comes to hunting grounds. ey can be found in bays, estuaries, coral reefs and mouths of rivers.

Normally, blacktips leave Florida in the

Emily Rose Hanzlik holds 51 IGFA world records in various categories. She hails from West Palm Beach, where she has a part time Bow n Guide Service as well as shing classes for Jr. Anglers. Find her on Social Media @emilyhanzlikoutdoors.

I personally use a 5/0 extra strong circle hook with 2 feet of wire leader attached to 5 feet of 80-lb. test. e largest IGFA recorded blacktip shark weighed in at 270 pounds, 9 ounces. It was caught out of Malindi Bay, Kenya in 1984.

ese sharks are viviparous, meaning the pups develop inside the female’s body, unlike other sharks that lay egg sacks. Most pups will be le in shallow nurseries due to the high amount of prey and few predators, which increases their chances of survival.Fishing for blacktip sharks is fairly easy; however, there are days when they can be nicky. Paying attention to speci cs can increase your number of bites. On clear-water days, sharks tend to stay just on the backside of the last sandbar. On milky water days, they can literally be at your feet as they patrol up and down the rst drop.eyde nitely will eat dead bait, but will hit live and fresh-dead bait without hesitation.

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Photo courtesy of Je Tomalo

spring to travel up the coast to Georgia and the Carolinas to mate in summer. Blacktips participate in internal fertilization, meaning that each female is separately impregnated, which will then result in 4 to 11 pups every two years.

uring the mullet run on Florida’s east coast, plenty of blacktip sharks cruise past our beaches with huge schools of bait. Even if you plan to sh for blacktips outside of mullet-run season, you are still in luck. Finding a blacktip shark de nitely isn’t an issue due to a large and growing population of these big sharks.

shing in strong current, simply walk down the beach as the bait dri s. On days when they are hanging out too far for casting, swim a live bait out. Blue runners, jack crevalle and palometa work well for this.

Exotic Species in Your Backyard:

I’m sure everyone reading this can target blue tilapia within a short distance of home. ey are great ghters that stand toe-to-toe with any species of similar size.

is species is very fast growing for the rst few months, and then they settle in and grow to the 5-pound class by three to ve years of age. e Florida state record was caught by Pamela Henry, of Stuart, from of a dock on the St. Lucie River in 2011. e 9-pound, 6-ounce beast is also recognized by the IGFA as the all-tackle world record.

By Rex Hannon

Blue Tilapia

ere is no minimum size or bag limit for tilapia. e FWC encourages anglers to catch and eat them like any other invasive species. e white akey meat is mild, and wild-caught tilapia are superior to the farm-raised tilapia sold in grocery stores.

Rex Hannon is a regular contributor to Coastal Angler Magazine. See more from Rex at coastalanglermag.com.

Tilapia… blue tilapia, to be exact, are one of more than a hundred species of cichlid native to the Middle East and Africa that are all called tilapia. is is similar to the way U.S. anglers refer to multiple species of sun sh as bream.

Perhaps a lesser-known draw to the Sunshine State are the exotic species that have taken hold here. ese are the non-native, sometimes invasive species that would otherwise require expensive travel for anglers to target. ey are here, so we might as well sh for them.

waters o Key West to the many famous bass shermen that made Lake Okeechobee a destination for anglers from around the world, Florida has a rich angling history and amazing shing for everyone.

e blue tilapia (Oreochromis aureus) is the most popular of the tilapia and the species most commonly found here in Florida. It is also a very important species in the sh-farming world due to its fast growth, salinity tolerance and the fact that it can be stocked densely. Tilapia have a long history. Farming of Nile tilapia goes back to ancient Egypt, and its importance is noted by the ancients using the sh as a symbol of rebirth.

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e Blue Tilapia is considered invasive to the United States. It was introduced to Florida in the 1960s by stocking and experimental studies by both private and state entities. Tilapia are here to stay and can be found in a wide variety of locations, from lakes and ponds scattered around the state to many freshwater and brackish rivers and streams. For anglers, canals found in almost every neighborhood can be shing paradise.

Tilapia can be nicky eaters, which poses a puzzle for anglers. eir diet consists mainly of green algae, diatoms and small invertebrates. I have witnessed other anglers catching this species on corn, dog food, hot dogs and bread balls. I have caught good numbers and some very large examples with a y rod. I caught most of these sh on Clouser Minnows and other similar small bait sh patterns.

are not really that common, but Coastal Angler Magazine and its interior freshwater publication, The Angler Magazine, are changing the landscape of the publishing industry. Today, these localized fishing magazines are available for the marine enthusiast throughout the continental U.S. and Costa Rica. These publications are distinctly different, but all provide great information for anyone interested in the pursuit of fishing.

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COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM OCTOBER 2022 NORTH FLORIDA 3

4 NORTH FLORIDA OCTOBER 2022 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

The

Coastal Conservation Association has urged caution during the recovery of red snapper from historic lows, but is objecting to the massive closures as completely misguided in the face of a booming red snapper population. Among the many objections to the current proposal:

1. An independent assessment of the red snapper population is now underway – CCA is

2. Recreational discard data is perhaps the least reliable in the entire management system, relying solely on angler recall and interpretation. New data collection systems – designed and managed by the states – are desperately needed for more timely and accurate estimates.

3. Federal fisheries management must be reformed to address the absurdity of a stock being declared above historic abundance, yet still being classified as overfished and undergoing overfishing, and therefore subject to wildly inappropriate regulations.Theother related item up for discussion is Snapper Grouper Amendment 46, which is exploring implementation of a federal reef fish permit. CCA has long supported better data and efforts to define the universe of anglers for improved management. As noted above, there is a critical need for more accurate and timely estimates of the recreational catch and discards. However, NOAA Fisheries track record of recreational management is exceptionally poor.

recreational data in the South Atlantic, CCA is urging South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia to join Florida in creating state-based systems to provide more timely and accurate data for management of the recreational sector. Nothing in NOAA Fisheries management history of the recreational sector indicates a federal permit will produce the desired results or be used entirely as originally intended. Given recent comments from federal managers, CCA is concerned such a permit in federal hands will eventually be proposed to limit entry in the recreational fishery.

If a mechanism is needed to improve

The meeting was held as this magazine was going to press, so results of the Council’s decision were not yet available.

CCA SPEAKS OUT ON POTENTIAL ATLANTIC BOTTOM FISHING CLOSURES

urging the Council to delay any decisions until the results of that assessment are known and verified. A similar assessment in the Gulf of Mexico produced a completely new understanding of the red snapper population there.

South Atlantic Fishery Management Council met in mid-September in Charleston, S.C. Two items on the agenda were of particular significance to offshore anglers. In Snapper Grouper Fishery Regulatory Amendment 35, NOAA Fisheries is attempting to force massive time and area closures that would result in severe, negative economic and cultural impacts to recreational fishing, boating and coastal communities in the South Atlantic in order to prevent red snapper mortality even as bycatch.

While the red snapper population is now regarded as abundant as it has ever been in modern times, NOAA Fisheries is insisting that more severe restrictions are necessary to rebuild the population to a fully recovered status. According to NOAA Fisheries, that status cannot be bestowed until older fish – 30, 40 and even 50 years old –are present in the population, which means these severe restrictions could be in place for decades.

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Yet another item of interest besides the weather is, the very best time for redfishing which is from now through the Fall barring any cold fronts that would drop the water temp below 80. And it already looks to be a good one. We started catching most of our reds at the very end of August, and they’re still schooling in the shallows along our many mangrove islands and outer keys that line and dot our coast. Our nursery or estuary. This is some of their favorite time of the year because of the spawning ritual and the many hordes of baitfish schools for them to indulge on. Most of the popular artificials like

The “Marguerita Grill Girls” of Homosassa put forth a great effort, however Ty Parrish came in with honors of being crowned scallop king that day. Captain Rick Burns can be contacted at 352-201-6111 • www.reelburns.com REGISTER SUMTERBYWAY.COMAT CONTACT DAWN CARY FOR SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES sumterbyway@gmail.com(352)267-8801

HUNT FOR REDS IN OCTOBER

he month of October brings in a few different things along our Nature Coast area: Namely, the weather and the fishing. One item that naturally doesn’t surprise anybody that’s lived in Florida long enough is we’re in the downslope of hurricane season. At the time of writing, we haven’t been hit

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

Also, one of the very best “bait and wait” offerings is fresh cut ladyfish. So, if you happen to boat one while trout fishing, save it and use a good chunk of

Homosassa Area Rick Burns 352-201-6111 W. Halls River Rd Homosassa, FL www.RealBurns.com Panasoffkee Pana Vista Lodge 352-793-2061 Co Rd 421• Lake Panasoffkee, Catfish Johnnys 863-793-2083 N County Lake Panasoffkee, Marina 965 Co Rd Lake Panasoffkee Area Sumter Realty 352-793-3202 N Main St Bushnell 33513 Merritt Canada Meds 352-569-1484 N Main St • Bushnell, FL 33513-5112 ParGas 352-793-1982 W C 48, Bushnell, FL 33513 Store 352-793-1080 W C-48 Bushnell • Deli, Groceries, Beer, Live Bait, Tackle, LP

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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 Lowe'soutCome 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 33538 www.panavistalodge.com-RvBoatMotorsRentalsRamp 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! CROSSEDINDUSTRIES.COM/HOPPYSHOURS:31499863-439-7616HWY27SOUTH•HAINESCITYMONDAY-FRIDAY8AM-5PM•SAT8AM-12PMVETERANOWNEDANDOPERATED! 863-528-9755

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3-Phillipswww.ChampsToGo.comBait&Tackle 863-666-2248 3780 US-92 • Lakeland, FL 33801

2701 Havendale Blvd. NW • Winter Haven FL 33881

REGION FISHINGKISSIMMEEFORECASTCHAINFORECAST

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

Over on the Kissimmee Chain, and for everyone fishing out of Camp Mack’s Guy Harvey Lodge, Marina and RV Resort, we expect to see a lot of good quality fish being caught. Between the cooler lake temps and the state moving water through the chain more often than not, the bass are chasing bait and feeding in good schools. Topwater baits can be extremely effective this time of the year in the morning hours, and I don’t know a single angler who doesn’t enjoy that action.

2049 E Edgewood Drive • Lakeland, FL 33803

6. Caribbean Bait & Tackle 863-292-9755 1004 N Lake Howard Dr, Winter Haven, FL 33880

2-Champswwww.CentralFloridaAngling.comSportsGrill863-647-5900

1700 3rd St SW • Winter Haven, FL 33880

Lakeland Area

There are several baits to have on deck during this time of year: first is the aforementioned topwater bait of your choice. In open water I prefer a bait that is a little bigger and can make a commotion when ripped, but can still be “dead sticked” when I want. Fishing back in the jungle, I’ll take a hollow body frog or a Gambler EZ Swimmer. Whether you are a novice or “a pro”, pitching a carolina-rig fluke or worm over shell beds when the sun comes up is always a good bet.

Placida Area

Frost Proof Area 26- Erwine’s Marine 863-635-4492 250 S. Scenic Hwy • Frostproof, FL 33843 www.ErwinesMarine.com

14. Bridgemasters 863-676-1009 2131 FL-60 • Lake Wales, FL 33898

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

9-www.hillmanmotors.netMarineSupplyofWinter Haven 863-297-7003

Heading westward back into Winter Haven and the South Chain, you’re still going to want to have a topwater lure tied on first thing in the morning. Because of the difference in bait between the two systems, I prefer a smaller lure like a Pop-R or Jumpin’ Minnow. As the day goes on, we’ll switch over to flukes and belly-weighted swimbaits, with the occasional jerkbait thrown in for good measure.

looks like our water levels are back to normal or maybe above normal pool. Fish are resuming normal pool travel and residency patterns. For Bass the edges of thick grass passes and isolated pad patches should be really good in 5'-7' of water depth. Long lines of heavy bull rushes in close proximity to isolated patches of grass and pads should produce the largest Bass. For numbers of smaller Bass, the mouths of creeks should produce really well. You might be better off waiting until November to Bass fish up the creek until the current in the creeks slow down some. For Bass fishing use the sparse grass lines with an underspin tipped with a swim bait for devastating results. Bass fishing in the Kissimmee River is outstanding along the pad lines between the first and second locks. Bridgemaster makes a 5" senko in hematoba color that I highly recommend using in the Kissimmee River and works well in the lakes too. Crappie have been moving in at night and moving to deeper water during the day, especially during the Mayfly hatches during the full moon cycle. For Bluegills and Shellcrackers, try some cricketts in the shallows and kicker trails. Some of you Snowbirds will be looking for a real nice place to feather your nest for the Winter. Try Water's Edge on Camp Mack road. The new owners Steve and Layla have made a lot of upgrades to include remodeling cabins, store, a sandwich shop and a cozy bar where you can knock down some suds after a hard day of fishing.

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TMCGuideService.com

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16. Guy HarveyCamp Mack Lodge, Marina & RV Resort 863-696-1108 • 14900 Camp Mack Rd • Lake Wales, FL 33898 www.Guy HarveyCampMack.com

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CENTRAL FLORIDA

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15.www.fishermanscandystore.comCaptainDaveOch'sBackwater Fishing Adventures 863-605-2181 • Lake Wales, FL 33538

Lake Wales Area

a little difficult to think that it’s fall down here in Central Florida. Growing up as a kid in Michigan, October meant hot cider and doughnuts, raking leaves, and eating chili in a heavy sweatshirt watching the Wolverines in the Big House in Ann Arbor. After 12 years I’ve learned that fall down here is being thankful the temps are dropping from the low 90’s to the mid 80’s! The good news here is that the lake temps will be falling also, which in turn will mean the bass will become more active again. So with that, let’s talk about how we’re going to catch our finny friends.

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Bait & Tackle Sh(!ps/-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.com855-354-8433 �\\)GEM.As]'�� "The Fisherm,1n's Candy Store• � Bridgemasters 2131 Highway 60 E • Lake Wales, FL 33898 Phone: 863-676-1009 • Fax: 863-679-1638 www.fishermanscandystore.com 10% OFF 10% Off Rod/Reel Combos Name Brand Clothing 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 Product� and 13 Fishing Products! Guy Harvey Camp Mack Lodge,Marina & RV Resort 14900 Camp Mack Rd• Lake Wales, Fl 33898 863-696-1108 LAl(EKISSIMME CAMP MAC LODGE, MARINA & RV RESORT www.GuyHarveyCampMack.comAlwaysGoodFishingAirboatNature Tours RV Camping - Trophy Bass Fishing Cabin RentalsLiars Motel - Home Sales ,--�...�1...�===========---�1-P """h-il "'l,-.p-s__B_a_it_& �1l.,.. a ...,ck'"' l,... e----------, r-;:=======-:_-:_-:_-:_-:___,---,R.,..o_n ..,.�...,1l"'"a_c .,,.kl,,.. e ""'B.,..o_x.....__________ ...a...--, it 3780 Hwy. 92E • Lakeland, FL 33801 The Old Angler's Antique Gallery a CKI,13 863-666-2248 380 S. Lake Shore Way• Lake Alfred, FL 33850 cftm3780@yaho o.com.www.cftmr.com 863-956-4990 • Fax 863-956-2525 Follow us on Facebook and Instagram imareellady2@aol.com Live Bait & Tackle Cast Nets -Sportswear- Gifts & Decor Live Bait: Cricket - Worms -Minnows - Shiners. Large selection of Bitter's Baits, Gambler. Lew's, Halo, Bull Bay and Favorite Fishing rods are in stock. Stones Bait & Tackle 2049 E Edgewood Drive • Lakeland, Fl 33803 Instagram:863-940-4898Stones 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. HUGE Apparel Sale- Save BIG!! Now Available- Stone's Bulk Senko's 25Ct/50CT/100CT Big Fish Bait & Tackle 6908 US Hwy 98 North • Lakeland Fl 33809 wwww.C863-815-9492entralFloridaAngling.comBobWoodard-OwnerLiveBait-Rod&ReelRepairs Scalloping Charter Capt. Rick Burns Reel Burns Homosassafishingguide.comCharters352-201-6111 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 ' Charters Capt. Bobby Woodard 863-224-1418 Fly'Em High Charters Capt. Bobby Redfish,www.Captain-Bobby.comWoodard863-224-1418USCG.LicensedTarpon,Snook,GrouperTrout,ScallopTrips CUSTOMER APPRECIATION DAY OCTOBER 15!

By CAM Staff

most humbling or the most rewarding experience in fishing. Many anglers new to the sport have a hard time adjusting to the techniques and know-how specific to the salt. Here are a few things to think about to help shorten the learning curve during your first few outings.

• CLOSE THE DEAL: When you get a fish to eat, don’t ruin the moment by lifting the rod tip. Train yourself to strip-set and to strip-set hard.

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM OCTOBER 2022 NORTH FLORIDA 5

for your shot, your chance to cast at a fish that either you or your guide/poling partner sees. Be ready to capitalize on your opportunity, which means paying attention to yourself.

Also, know how you’ll fight a fish. Saltwater species are much stronger than what you’d encounter on a stream or in a pond. With too much drag, they’ll break you off with a quick blistering run. If there’s too little drag, you’ll never get that fish to the boat. Learn how to apply drag manually by palming the reel. This allows you to adjust pressure on the fish more carefully and instantly.

If you think you’ll need a 60-foot cast, you should have 60 feet of line off the reel and either on the deck or in a stripping basket. If it’s on the deck, make sure there isn’t anything else down around your feet, including your feet, for your line to snag on.

Familiarity with your gear and figuring out how to present flies quickly and accurately is all that matters. Get out on the water somewhere and get used to slinging line around.

Deal with these things as soon as you step up on the casting deck, and you can turn your attention to looking for fish.

GETTING INTO FLY FISHING THE SALT

With the fly pinched in the fingers of your off hand, keep the head of your line, at least 10 feet or so, outside of the top guide of your rod. This allows you to load the rod immediately, so you’ll need fewer false casts before letting the fly fly.

Sthe

• BE READY: Saltwater fly

• CASTS: Hopefully you’ve already spent some time working on your double haul. Google it. This technique increases line speed and delivers long accurate casts, which is necessary with the bulky flies and windy conditions inherent to the sport.Yet there’s more to fishing effectively than long-distance casting. You’ll also need quick casts, quick second casts, backhand casts and the dreaded short casts so many people muff when they’ve spent weeks practicing to sling 60 feet of line. You should work on these casts, as well.Learn to flip quick 10- to 20-foot casts to either side of the boat. Utilize water resistance to load the rod when the fly is already in the water. Limit false casting, which wastes time in the limited window of opportunity you’ll have with moving fish. Don’t try to muscle casts. A loaded rod imparts much more line speed than the strength of your arm.

For more information, go to coastalanglermag.com.

So, unless you’ve already got some in the freezer, don’t plan on having stuffed flounder for Thanksgiving.

• Third place Commercial Division: Isidoro Bedoya – 1,008 pounds of lionfish

King (First place Recreational Division): Isaac Jones – 1,018 lionfish

RECORDSBREAKSCHALLENGELIONFISH

• Commercial Champion (First place Commercial Division): Paul DeCuir –1,092 pounds of lionfish

The 2022 Lionfish Challenge was sponsored by FloGrown, a Florida-based fishing and outdoor apparel company. FloGrown designed, printed and

donated custom tournament T-shirts that were awarded to all participants who reached the first prize tier of the tournament.

The seventh-annual Lionfish Challenge came to a close on Sept. 6, and the competition was stiff until the very end. Participants in this year’s tournament broke several records in their quest to earn the title of Lionfish King or Queen and Commercial Champion.

For more information, go to myFWC.com.

The Lionfish Challenge is a summer-long tournament that rewards divers for their lionfish harvests. The tournament is open to everyone, is completely free to enter and participants can compete from anywhere in the state. Divers receive prizes based on the amount of lionfish they harvest and compete for the title of the Lionfish King/ Queen or Commercial Champion.

This year’s tournament boasted a total of 707 registered participants, the most in the program’s history. A total of 196 divers conducted 676 trips throughout the state during the three-month tournament. They brought in a whopping 25,299 lionfish. This is the highest tournament total since 2018. In the end, though, two participants prevailed. Here are the winners of the 2022 Lionfish Challenge:•Lionfish

For more information on lionfish, go to MyFWC.com/Lionfish.

• Second place Recreational Division: Baye Beauford – 863 lionfish

6 NORTH FLORIDA OCTOBER 2022 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

• Second place Commercial Division: Alex Fogg – 1,090 pounds of lionfish

2022

FLOUNDER HARVEST CLOSES OCT. 15

Traditionally,

fall has been one of the best times of year to catch flounder as they run offshore through the inlets and passes to spawn. If you had plans to load up on some flat fish during this annual migration, you better do it fast. Flounder harvest in Florida will close Oct. 15 and remain closed through Nov. 30.

FWC made this regulations change last year along with other Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic states to address a declining trend in flounder stocks. The idea was to protect these tasty fish ahead of the spawn during a movement in which they are subject to a lot of angling pressure. Along with the closed season, Florida increased the minimum length limit from 12 to 14 inches and decreased the daily bag limit from 10 fish to five fish per person.

• Third place Recreational Division: Helen Rodney – 800 lionfish

The event is intended to draw attention to the threat of lionfish on Florida reefs and to promote removal of this nasty invasive species statewide.

oly moly, what a hogfish!

By CAM Staff

The world spearfishing record for hogfish, according to the International Underwater

Florida diver Josh Summerville speared a 24.2-pound hogfish about 40 miles out of Panama City Beach on Aug. 2. The big fish set a new state record for the species.

Summerville is a captain and dive master with Panama City Diving. He was on his day off from work and diving the Gulf of Mexico with some buddies from the center’s 36-foot boat Steel Slinger. According to Outdoor Life, Summerville dropped to about 100 feet on an area of live bottom called “Three-to-Five” by locals.“The water was really clear, and I looked down and saw a big hogfish,” he told Outdoor Life. “I was shocked to see him, because usually we don’t see many hogfish off Panama City. There are more of them to the east near Carrabelle or

Spearfishing Association, weighed 24.5 pounds. Diver Bruce Elliott Mock, Jr. stuck that fish off the coast of North Carolina on Aug. 3, 2017.

DIVER RECORDSPEARSHOGFISH

Summerville took his shot from about 10 feet and hit the fish in the jaw, just under the eye, according to Outdoor Life. He didn’t realize he had a potential new record until they reached cell service on the way in. The fish measured 35. 5 inches in length and had a girth of almost 26 inches.Summerville’s huge hogfish was 2.5 pounds heavier than the previous Florida record of 21.7 pounds. James Michaelin speared the previous record last September in the Gulf. He actually gutted it before weighing it on certified scales, so there’s no telling how much it would have weighed intact.

For more record fish, go to coastalanglermag.com.

The IGFA all-tackle world record hogfish weighed 21 pounds, 15 ounces. It was caught out of Charleston, South Carolina in 2011 by Wesley Covington.

farther south in Florida. But there he was, and I went toward him right off.”

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM OCTOBER 2022 NORTH FLORIDA 7

Hogfish are excellent to eat. They are prized by spearfishers and conventional anglers. Traditionally, they were pursued only with spearguns because their diet of crustaceans made them a difficult target on rod and reel. However, Gulf Coast anglers have begun to figure them out in the last few years. There aren’t too many fish in the sea that will turn down a live shrimp when it’s presented to them in just the right way.

The proposed Florida-waters gear requirement would mirror federal regulations and require those fishing from a vessel that are harvesting or attempting to harvest reef fish in state waters to have a descending device or venting tool rigged and ready for use.

FOR FLORIDA STATE WATERS

ANTIQUE TACKLE SHOW OPENS NOVEMBER 11-12

devices are required for reef fish anglers in federal waters of the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico. Florida is looking at making them a requirement in state waters, as well.

The first annual Savannah Southern Classic antique tackle show, cohosted by the Florida Antique Tackle Collectors and the Carolina Antique Tackle Collectors, will be held Nov. 11-12. This first-time show will take place in the Savannah Conference Center inside the Embassy Suites, 145 West Mulberry Blvd., Savannah, Georgia 31407.

RELEASEREQUIREMENTDEVICEPROPOSED

The public is welcome to attend at the nominal cost of $5 per adult (accompanied children under 12 admitted free). Once inside, visitors can either browse or buy from the show’s many exhibitors, or receive free appraisals for their old tackle and other fishing-related items. Those interested in selling can consign their items to our Saturday auction, where hardcore collectors will bid aggressively.Publicshow

Although requirements for barotrauma-mitigation tools differ between Gulf and Atlantic federal waters, Florida is proposing anglers be allowed to choose which device works best for their circumstances. Proper use of such tools is a concern, and outreach has been proposed to educate anglers on their use as well as to increase regulatory compliance.

8 NORTH FLORIDA OCTOBER 2022 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

For more information, go to MyFWC.com.

These devices are designed to mitigate the effects of barotrauma, which is a pressure-related injury that fish sustain when being reeled up from depth. It is thought that requiring such gear helps improve survival rates of released reef fish. Mortality rates for catch-and-release of reef fish is a management challenge in waters off the Southeastern United States.

times are Friday, Nov. 11 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; and Saturday, Nov. 12 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Those interested in becoming a member and exhibiting at this and future shows should visit www.FATC.net or www.CarolinaAntiqueTackleCollectors.com.

Have

Nationally recognized and promoted, this show will attract advanced collectors from across the country—all attending to buy, sell and trade vintage fishing tackle. More than 4,000 square feet of angling antiquities will be on display—including rare lures, reels, rods, creels and other fishing-related memorabilia and ephemera.

For press passes and additional information, contact Bernie Schultz at (352) 284-2972 or bernie@bernieschultzfishing.com.

you ever wondered about the value of that old tackle box your grandpa left you? What about that old rod and reel combo gathering dust in the attic or the vintage outboard in the back of the garage? Well, here’s your chance to find out.

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Caught on the Same Trip!

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON RECORD FISH, VISIT IGFA.ORG.

Both sh were caught slow-pitch jigging with JYG Pro jigs.

14 FLORIDA OCTOBER 2022 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

Izquierdo’s sh weighed 15.38 kilograms, which is 33 pounds, 14.5 ounces and some change. On the same trip, Robert Navarro boated another star-studded grouper that weighed 15.51 kilograms, or 34 pounds, 3 ounces and some change. Both sh will be recorded as all-tackle world records in the books.

TWO RECORDWORLDGROUPER

Star-studded grouper are a species that inhabits the eastern Paci c Ocean from Southern California down to e previous all-tackle world record was a 31-pounder caught by Chris Wheaton out of Loreto, Mexico.

oastal Angler Magazine contributor Ryan Izquierdo was on a really hot bite on April 28 while shing out of San Carlos in Sonora, Mexico. e boat he was on landed not one, but two IGFA all-tackle world records for star-studded grouper. With just a fraction of a kilogram separating the weights of the two sh, IGFA recently named them both a tie for the all-tackle world record.

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For more weird catches, go to coastalanglermag.com.

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ed sh have black spots. Some of them have several black spots. is red sh caught on the Texas Gulf Coast had so many black spots that it doesn’t even look like a red sh.

e angler, Ryan Hernandez, caught his “leopard” red sh while shing with Capt. Danny Alvarez in the Upper Laguna Madre near Corpus Christi, Texas on Aug. 27. Hernandez said the sh had more than 300 spots per Leopardside. red sh are rare, but they do show up from time to time. Fisheries biologists believe this rare color pattern is caused by both parents having a recessive pigmentation trait. e wild coloration leaves the o spring particularly susceptible to predation early in its life. Not only is it rare for a leopard red sh to be hatched, it’s rare for them to reach catchable size.According to SaltWater Sportsman, Hernandez kept his leopard red sh to have it mounted. It’ll make a heck of a conversation piece.

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

Now for methods you may not have tried while targeting snook. Let’s visit our friends in the freshwater aisle and pull out an old favorite: the Rat-L-Trap! Pick up a few of these in chrome and blue, buy some stout saltwater-grade treble hooks, stainless steel split rings, and you’re set. ese noisy, rattling hard baits drive big snook crazy. I sh these on a fast and steady retrieve. e simplicity, in itself, is enticing. Among the advantages are the castability of these lures, their bullet-proof construction, and best of all there is not much skill required in this tactic. Simply cast and reel at a fast pace and hold on tight. When a hungry, or mad snook nails a Trap as you burn it through salty water, they will try their best to take the lure and the rod from your hands. ere is nothing like a 40-inch snook hammering a fast-moving Rat-L-Trap!

I hope this new look at snook shing helps you catch your next e theme here is sound attracts sh. So, tie on some noisy lures and get hooked up!

My other tip involves a color I haven’t seen pictured with many, if any, snook other than those anglers in my circle. e color is in the orange family with gold glitter and a chartreuse tail. is little gem has produced numerous snook over the years. I sh this color in a 5-inch paddletail lure, typically on a heavier jighead. I like a heavy head because I burn these swimbaits through the water.

Here’s my disclaimer: I invented Knockin Tail Lures. e paddletail I use for snook is the Knockin Tail Lure in the Halloween is lure, like the Rat-L-Trap, has a built-in rattle. Trust me,

CATCH BIG SNOOK

By Capt. Michael Okruhlik

Photo courtesy of Knockin Tail Lures

hen it comes to snook shing with lures, I typically see the same color patterns and lure styles displayed in the jaws of caught sh as the angler proudly presents their catch to the camera. I’d like to share some new colors and lures that I have found to be very e ective when targeting solid-lined trophies.Let’s start with what you might already know. Feather jigs are popular among those who pursue line-siders. Some may tip their jig with a grub of some sort, while others take the simple approach of feathers, lead and a sharp hook. More o en than not, when I see these jigs pinned in the jaws of magni cent sh, the colors are typically white, red, chartreuse or a combination of all three. I don’t typically throw a feather jig, but when I do I prefer to tip it with a paddletail to give it extra vibration. Find one with a rattling tail, and you just increased your odds of hooking up!

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Trapping is the most e cient method of collecting the legal limit. Each harvester is allowed ve traps. ey may be baited and placed in the water as early as Oct. 5, but traps may not be pulled and claws may not be harvested until the Oct. 15 season opener.

Recreational harvesters age 16 and older who plan to use traps are required to complete an annual no-cost trap registration at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com. rough this process, they will obtain trap registration numbers that must be included on each trap along with the owners name and address.

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Recreational

20 FLORIDA OCTOBER 2022 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM STONE CRAB HARVEST

stone crab season opens Oct. 15 and runs through May 1. e minimum claw size is 2 7/8 inches, and recreational harvesters may take a daily bag limit of 1 gallon of claws per person or 2 gallons of claws per vessel, whichever is less.

Diving and snorkeling for stone crabs is also popular. Look for crushed shells in front of holes in the rocks or reef where a stone crab has been feeding. Use a tickle stick with angle of less than 90 degrees to pull them out of the hole and grab them by the claws with gloved hands.

Whether diving or trapping, it is illegal to harvest claws from eggbearing females. It is permitted to take both claws if they are of legal length, but most people choose to take just one so the crab is le with something to feed and defend itself with.

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Congratulations to Sam Winton of omasville, Ga. for winning a Suzuki DF2.5 Portable Outboard Motor from Coastal Angler Magazine and Suzuki Marine. Winton picked up his prize on Labor Day Weekend from Southeastern Marine and Repair in Douglas, Ga. When Winton arrived at the dealership, Kevin Stone presented Winton with a huge winning check and his outboard.

When Sam returned home he used his new outboard right away and was pleasantly surprised by how well it worked with his boat. ank you to over 10,000 people who entered the contest. We've got some more great prizes every month on CoastalAnglerMag.com, so please keep checking back for more!

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By Gary Turner

Last, but not least, we fished Skilak Lake, which feeds the Kenai River from the center of the peninsula. This was my favorite place to fish. It is as beautiful as it is full of fish. We stayed 18 days in Alaska and spent our 17th on Skilak, where we slayed the fish. We landed and released more than 100 reds, silvers and trout that day! It was a great note to end our trip.

laska’s Kenai Peninsula is a world-renowned fishery, known for all of its salmon runs, of which the Kenai River king salmon run is the most famous. The saltwater fishing out of Homer, Deep Creek and Seward are also amazing. I’ve been to Alaska fishing several times, and this year I fished the fresh and the salt with five friends who were all on their first trip. Here’s a quick look at what we did in freshwater. I’ll write about our saltwater adventures in the future.

If you ever get the chance to fish the Kenai Peninsula, you will love it. Get a group of friends, do some research and go. Fish with a guide or on your own. There are so many options and so many fish that it’s hard not to have an amazing adventure.

again. It was so fun!

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

We also ventured south from Soldotna to the Kasilof River and caught salmon and trout. We crossed the peninsula to Seward and fished the Resurrection River for silvers, pinks and dog (chum) salmon. The river was full of fish, so we fished until it was too dark to see the bears and called it a day at midnight.

Catch Amazing Action on Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula

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Second only to the Kenai’s fishing is the scenery. There is a majestic feel to this area. The views are beautiful, there is amazing wildlife and tons of stuff to see. We saw it all as we drove all over the place chasing fish.

Our lodging was in Soldotna, near the mouth of the Kenai River on Cook Inlet. That’s where we fished the Kenai River for red (sockeye) salmon. The famous king salmon season closed before we arrived this year, or we would have been fishing for them. We “flossed” for reds, which is a technique used in rivers to catch salmon that are more interested in their spawning run than they are in feeding. Basically, you use a weighted leader. As pods of fish swim upstream, the line threads an open mouth and you snag the fish when the hook pulls tight. This was combat-style fishing. We stood a rod’s length from other anglers, and it was mayhem when someone hooked up.

Twice, we traveled northeast by van to Hope, Alaska, where we fished for pinks in Resurrection Creek. They were so thick that we stayed busy catching and releasing them after we all caught our limits. On our second trip to Resurrection, we went in search of silvers but they had not arrived yet, so we caught pinks

We also fished from a boat on the Kenai River, where anchored to deploy small Kwikfish. These lures settle into the current near the bottom and vibrate. Fish swimming upstream see them and attack. Unlike the red salmon, which aren’t interested in eating, the pink (humpback) and silver (coho) salmon jumped all over this setup.

“A productive day is relative. When you’re throwing a 10-foot 7-weight and a 250-grain full sinking line with 3 feet of 20-lb. monofilament, you’re not really going for numbers anymore,” said McCrickard. “You’re looking for one, maybe two fish. You kind of have to go out there with the mentality of, ‘I might get skunked today, but I might catch my best fish of the year… or the best fish I’ve caught in the last five years.’”

advertise their suitability as mates. The big boys spar with each other for the opportunity to fertilize eggs. They become ornery, and are cocked to lash out at anything that catches their eye.

Across the East, brown trout spawn in a window that runs from midSeptember into December. Males and females of the species leave their summer lies to strike out upstream in search of spawning habitat. They are on the move and more visible to anglers than at any other time of year.

On a big tailwater, McCrickard gears up with 250-grain sinking line and runs a short 3-foot leader of 0x tippet. If the water is dingy, he’ll fish 3 feet of straight 20-pound monofilament.

Alex McCrickard has a go-big or go-home attitude when it comes to fall browns. He’s a former fly fishing guide and the current aquatic education coordinator for the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. As the days grow shorter, McCrickard breaks out his heavy 6- and 7-weight rods to sling big streamers.Onsmaller streams, he’ll fish floating line with a 9-foot leader that tapers down to no lighter than 2x tippet. The long leader allows a weighted streamer to get down in the water column, and 2x has a breaking strength of about 10 pounds. It’s more than enough to handle the 14- to 20-inchers you might encounter in a creek or stream.

ust and jealousy make males of many species do stupid things they wouldn’t normally do. This is true for humans and whitetail deer, and it’s also true for brown trout, which grow aggressive this time of year as they gear up for the spawn.

AggressiveTactics

12 NATIONAL OCTOBER 2022 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

Nick Carter is author of “Flyfisher’s Guide to North Carolina & Georgia.” It is available on Amazon or by contacting the author at nsc8957@gmail.com.

By Nick Carter

While the females become preoccupied with cutting nests, called redds, on shallow gravel bars in moving water, the males put on bright colors to

FOR AGGRESSIVE FALL BROWN TROUT

The timing is different on every piece of water, but October is thought to be the peak of pre-spawn behavior for most streams and rivers. Since big browns are more aggressive than they are at any other time of year, anglers who target them should fish aggressively.

On large or small water, pre-spawn browns will hit bigger flies than you’d think they would. This could be a 2- to 3-inch-long Woolly Bugger on a mountain stream or a 6-inch-long articulated pattern on a big river. Either way, it’s a game of covering water persistently and presenting the fly to as many fish as possible.

“If I have that fish that’s two feet or larger, I’m feeling really confident having that fish on 20-pound as opposed to having it on 2x,” he said.

FREE SHIPPING over $149! Limited time only. Product total over $149 before taxes (if any). Standard domestic shipping only. Not valid on previous purchases.

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Long-Vanished Buffalos Highly Coveted by Collectors

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1-877-566-6468 Offer Code VBB587-07 Please mention this code when you call. Released to the Public: Bags of Vintage Buffalo Nickels Historic 1920-1938 “Buffalos” by the Pound StoneFREEArrowheadwitheverybag LOW AS $49 plus shipping & handling FREE Liberty Head Nickel with One Full Pound GovMint.com® is a retail distributor of coin and currency issues and is not a liated with the U.S. government. e collectible coin market is unregulated, highly speculative and involves risk. GovMint.com reserves the right to decline to consummate any sale, within its discretion, including due to pricing errors. Prices, facts, gures and populations deemed accurate as of the date of publication but may change signi cantly over time. All purchases are expressly conditioned upon your acceptance of GovMint.com’s Terms and Conditions (www.govmint.com/terms-conditions or call 1-800-721-0320); to decline, return your purchase pursuant to GovMint. com’s Return Policy. © 2022 GovMint.com. All rights reserved.

• 1930-1938—The Buffalo’s Last Decade

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You must be 100% satisfied with your bag of Buffalo Nickels or return it within 30 days of receipt for a prompt refund (less s/h).

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of the most beloved coins in history is a true American Classic: The Buffalo Nickel. Although they have not been issued for over 75 years, GovMint.com is releasing to the public bags of original U.S. government Buffalo Nickels. Now they can be acquired for a limited time only—not as individual collector coins, but by weight—just $49 for a full QuarterPound Bag.

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Millions of these vintage Buffalo Nickels have worn out in circulation or been recalled and destroyed by the government. Today, significant quantities can often only be found in private hoards and estate collections. As a result, these coins are becoming more sought-after each day.

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QUARTER POUND Buffalo Nickels (23 coins) Plus FREE Stone Arrowhead $49 + s/h

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The Return of a

HAND-CRANKS 504

8-ounce swordfish caught 55 miles off Morehead City, North Carolina was recently certified as a new state record.

For more information, visit deq.nc.gov.

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A504-pound,

ANGLER POUND RECORD SWORDFISH

IGFA all-tackle world record swordfish weighed 1,182 pounds. It was caught off the coast of Chile in 1953 by Louis Marron.

The angler, 59-year-old Cary Carney, was fishing aboard the 32-foot Willow B, which was captained by his son Brandon Carney. They were fishing in about 1,300 feet of water on Aug. 21, when the big broadbill ate a strip of albacore belly. They had the fish on an electric Diawa MP3000 reel, but a blown fuse rendered it inoperable. Carney buckled down and cranked the fish in by hand on 65-pound test line.

“He’s one of those old-school guys,” Brandon Carney said of his father for an article in the Raleigh News & Observer. “His arm might be hanging off, but he won’t let you know it. After about 30 minutes, it rose to about 20 feet below the surface and we could see how big it was.”

Two hours later, the big fish was boatside. They roped its tail and used the T-top as a pulley to bring it onboard. It measured 104 inches fork length and had a 53-inch girth.

Carney’s swordfish crushed the previous state record by more than 60 pounds. The old record of 441 pounds had stood since 1979. The thing is, if they had hauled it in with the electric reel, it would not have qualified for the record.The

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Remember

From exemplary fishing for striped bass, or a trophy largemouth bass, to our hiking trails and water activities, along with scenic outdoors where you can catch a glimpse of white tail deer and gators, Berkeley County has activities to fit all visitors and families.

Learn more about Berkeley County at: exploreberkeleycounty.com

Berkeley County is a wonderland for outdoor enthusiasts, sports buffs, adventure seekers, and water lovers.

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Berkeley County, South Carolina & No Other!