Coastal Angler Magazine | November 2023 | Miami Edition by Coastal Angler Magazine

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GATOR TROUT On the Fly

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COASTALANGLERMAG.COM/CONTEST VOLUME 28 • ISSUE 344

PHOTO CREDIT: CAPT. GUS BRUGGER WELCOMETOSEBASTIAN.COM

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NOVEMBER 2023

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FOR NOVEMBER’S BOUNTY By Capt. Quinlyn Haddon

ith cold fronts rolling in and the slow season phasing out, November is a special month off the Keys. Crowds of sailfish begin to move up onto our reef, and a morning spent loading the cooler with yellowtail snapper transitions easily into a trophy fish hunt. Both can be targeted at the same time. Out on the reef, filling the boat with yellowtail takes care of the grocery hunt, and it’s also an opportunity to scoop some fresh ballyhoo. Once the cooler is full, the anchor is pulled and the sailfish hunt begins in the same area. This can lead to epic trips, with dinner and a show, all on a mere half day charter. Sitting on anchor on the reef should give the captain a reasonable assessment for the next steps to take into sailfishing for the remainder of the trip. Often, you will be able to see sailfish breaking the surface around you during the snapper fishing portion of the trip. You may see them either freejumping and putting on a show or pushing up schools of ballyhoo and spraying bait into the air, indicating their presence and appetite. If this obvious display isn’t present right away, there are two viable options to pursue the sailfish.

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The captain may choose to push out to deeper water and bump troll live bait, or deploy the kite, which can be extremely productive. Alternatively, and easily the more exciting option, is to travel along the reef and look for them. As you cruise the reef looking for a sightcasting opportunity, there are a few indicators to be watchful of. First, it is possible to see the sailfish itself, but this is a little more tricky from deck-level. A sailfish in the water will appear very black and can often look like a trash bag. They can also be spotted free-jumping and cruising the tops of the waves. Looking for the fish directly is actually the least productive way to find them without a tower on the boat to scout from. The best way to find them is running and gunning. Cruising slowly while scouring the surface for bait sprays and diving frigates gives them away almost every time. When the frigates start getting down on the water or large schools of bait are spraying into the air, throttle down because it’s game on. Hauling butt over to

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the action and trying to get your bait out there before the fish eats another ballyhoo is one of the most exciting types of fishing there is. Even if you miss your shot, there’s a great chance you will see the fish. Nothing compares to the adrenaline of this type of hunt. With cooler temperatures pushing in, tourism is more focused on fishing charters. Last minute bookings become more difficult. So, if you’re planning a vacation to the Florida Keys, it is recommended to make a charter reservation beforehand. Happy hunting and Happy Thanksgiving from Sweet E’nuf Charters! Capt. Quinlyn Haddon and Sweet E’nuf Charters fish out of Marathon in the Florida Keys. Contact Capt. Haddon at (504) 920-6342 and follow her social accounts @CaptainQuinlyn.

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EuroNymphing By Nick Carter

ove it or hate it, Euro nymphing is a style of fly fishing that is growing in popularity because it is so darn effective for catching numbers of trout. Naysayers might gripe about the technique having more in common with cane-pole fishing than fly fishing, but Euro nymphers are too busy netting fish to care. It is a combination of styles employed by European tournament anglers. At the most basic level, it is a simple way to fish nymphs without an indicator. The angler remains in constant loose contact with the fly and leads the drift with the rod. Bite detection is instant, hook sets are quick, and the angler has complete control over the depth and trajectory of the drift. Grant Hawse guides out of Fish Tales Outfitters in Franklin, N.C. He honed his nymphing skills as a member of the U.S. team at the World Youth Fly Fishing Championships in Spain and Slovenia in 2016 and 2017. Here are his tips for getting into Euro nymphing.

THE BASICS

Hawse said he visualizes a 3D grid in a run. He uses a series of short flick casts to drift his nymph over every inch of that grid vertically and horizontally. Depth is controlled by the angle of the rod, making it possible to present the fly on the nose of every fish in a run. Angles, posture and smooth line retrieve are important. Rapt attention to the slightest tick of a bite leads to lightning-fast hook sets. The technique might seem tedious to traditional fly fishers, but if the goal is to catch lots of fish, Euro nymphing has proven itself superior in most situations.

BE A GEAR HEAD

You’ll need new gear to Euro nymph efficiently. Rod: Long, light rods give you reach and sensitivity. Cortland’s Nymph Series rods are 10’ 6” and come in 2- to 4-weight models. THE TECHNIQUE Reel: The reel balances the rig. Hawse said Euro nymphing is an efficient way to cover a reel rated for line one step heavier than the every inch of the water in front of you. With very rod’s rating generally does the trick. Test this by little slack in the system, the angler has complete balancing the rod with two fingers as a fulcrum on the handle. control of the path and depth of the drift.

Line: Hawse suggested spooling up with floating fly line instead of expensive Euro nymphing line. The main line rarely leaves the reel when you’re nymphing, anyway, and if you want to throw dry flies you can switch out the leader. Leader: Here’s a basic leader: 10 feet of 8-lb. mono, 6 feet of 6-lb. mono, 6 feet of 4-lb. mono, 2 feet of 6x sighter, and 4 feet of 6x tippet. Sighter is brightly colored leader material that allows the angler to see where the line is and what it’s doing. Flies: Euro nymph rigs require heavier flies. Fish Tungsten heads or nymphs with lead tied into the body. Contact Fish Tales Outfitters through their website www.fishtaleswnc.com.

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Hunting On the Fly Gator Trout By Nick Carter

atching gator trout heavier than 5 or 6 pounds has more in common with hunting than it does with setting up on a drop and catching schoolie trout hand over fist. Add to that the challenge of hunting them with a fly, and success becomes that much sweeter. Capt. Gus Brugger knows that sweet feeling well. He’s a regular contributor the Treasure Coast edition of Coastal Angler Magazine who has been hounding inshore species with a fly rod for nearly 40 years. He was a full-time inshore guide on Florida’s storied Indian River Lagoon for 23 years and has a lot to share when it comes to catching monster trout on the fly. “It’s got to be all about stealth if you want to get a big seatrout on the fly,” he said. “Whether from a kayak, a boat, or just accessing areas from the bank, I always feel like you’re a lot better off wading.” The primary benefit of wading is stealth, and it also forces you to work areas thoroughly. Outsized trout are notoriously skittish and spook from hull slap, shadows and even fly line on the water. With your feet in the sand, you’re less obtrusive, and while you might not be able to cover water like you would from a boat, you can be meticulous. “Grid out pieces of open water, set up with the wind off your shoulder— so you’re not knocking yourself in the head,” Brugger said. “Cast, take two steps to the side, and then cast again. Wind helps, and a little chop on the water helps keep them from spooking.” Carefully picking apart potholes, ditches and depressions on a flat is the go-to tactic for most of the year, but cooler winter water temps bring exciting opportunities for fly anglers. Winter may be the best time to target giant trout. “In winter, gators act more like snook than trout,” Brugger said. Big trout push into the backwaters in search of deeper holes with more comfortable

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water temperatures. This could be off a canal dock or in a trough of deep water along a mangrove bank. These comfort zones consolidate fish. While wading isn’t an option in several feet of muck on a canal bottom, a kayak or small skiff can get you in quietly. Brugger and his son have had great winter days at backwater holes in no-motor zones. As for gear, a 7- or 8-weight fly rod gives you the ability to throw big streamers and baitfish patterns. Brugger said they’ll eat a shrimp, but you’re better off throwing big mullet or menhaden imitations. Whether it’s a Clouser, Bendback, Polar Fiber Minnow, or some articulated monstrosity, Brugger fishes flies that are 6 inches and longer. Some days they want flashy white and chartreuse patterns. Other days they want something more natural. A clear intermediate sinking fly line is helpful for stealth and to get flies down into the strike zone. For more tips and tactics, visit coastalanglermag.com.

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THE OFF SEASON IS SO ON!

fall and winter great, but also the fact that there are fewer tourists around. That means when you go fishing in popular areas, you won’t have to fight for the best spots. Plus, lots of resorts and hotels offer off-season rates, so you can save money and get more value for your dollar. A lot of species are in migration patterns during these months, so you can expect a wide variety of fish. Many of the fish that migrate south when ocean temps begin cooling eventually park themselves off the Keys. If you’re trying to go offshore, blackfin tuna and sailfish become more plentiful this time of year. Blackfins are delicious, and sailfish offer a battle you won’t forget when they come up out of the water tailwalking. Various mackerel and snapper species are usually available for the taking around this time, as well, and that’s usually action-packed. In the backcountry, there are jumbo snook, tarpon and permit. These classic backcountry game fish will definitely give you a fight to remember. So, whether you prefer fishing in the backcountry or in open water, you’re guaranteed to have a blast and reel in some great catches. The offseason months are really the best time to visit. The water is calm, there are lots of fish species to catch, the scenery is breathtaking, and you can count on local guides to help you out. Book your trip, take advantage of the offseason rates, and embark on an unforgettable fishing adventure in the stunning Florida Keys!

By Astrid DeGruchy

f you love fishing, you’ve gotta check out the Florida Keys during the off season. While most people visit from March to June, anglers in the know go during the offseason, from August through December. Not only does the temperature drop comfortably, but the hotels are more affordable and the fishing is amazing. It’s not just the cooler temperatures that makes

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NOVEMBER 2023

NEW SNOOK MANAGEMENT BEGINS JAN. 1

eginning Jan. 1, the way Florida manages its snook fisheries will change dramatically. At its October meeting, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission approved new management regions and regulations for snook in state waters. These regulations will establish nine new snook management regions and establish open seasons as well as bag and slot limits for each region. This will allow FWC staff to monitor snook fisheries in each region independently and annually to adjust regulations regionally, similar to the way redfish are managed. “Through innovative management strategies like this, which allow us to be agile in our response to concerns, we are ensuring that Florida’s future generations of anglers will have access to this iconic fishery,” said FWC Chairman Rodney Barreto. Here’s a breakdown of the regions and regulations for next year: Panhandle, Big Bend, Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay Open Season: March – April, September – November Bag limit: one fish Slot limit: 28-33 inches Charlotte Harbor, Southwest Open Season: March – April, October – November Bag Limit: one fish Slot Limit: 28-33 inches Southeast, Indian River Lagoon, Northeast Open Season: February – May, September – Dec. 14 Bag Limit: one fish Slot Limit: 28-32 inches For more information, including the October 2023 Commission meeting presentation, visit MyFWC.com/Commission.

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ICYMI: Governor Ron DeSantis Announces 50% Discounts for Florida State Park Passes and FWC Hunting and Fishing Licenses TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — On Oct. 13, 2023 Governor Ron DeSantis announced the Great Outdoors Initiative to encourage Floridians to go outdoors and explore Florida’s natural resources, including our award-winning state parks, vast recreation areas, and world-renowned waterways. As part of the Great Outdoors Initiative, Governor DeSantis signed Executive Order 23-209 (The Great Outdoors Initiative) directing the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to provide a significant 50% discount on annual state park passes and FWC Gold Sportsman hunting and fishing licenses. The Governor fully supports Floridians in enjoying our state’s natural resources and the activities that have become family traditions such as hunting and fishing. Now through Jan. 13, 2024, DEP will temporarily offer Florida State Parks annual passes for families and individuals at a 50% discount, while FWC will be discounting its annual resident Gold Sportsman license, five-year Gold Sportsman license and Lifetime Sportsman license by 50%. “Florida is home to some of the best state parks, waterways and recreational lands in the country, and I encourage all Floridians to get outdoors, experience our extraordinary natural resources and enjoy our fundamental right to hunt and fish,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “And we are now making it more affordable for families to get outside and enjoy these wonders by offering state park passes and fishing and hunting licenses at sharply discounted rates.” “Florida remains one of the country’s top destinations for world-class fishing and unique hunting opportunities,” said Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Chairman Rodney Barreto. “I encourage families to take advantage of this incredible offer with a discounted license and enjoy the abundant hunting and fishing recreational opportunities our state offers.” Florida State Parks Annual Passes at 50% discount rates: Family Annual Pass - $60, plus tax. Individual Annual Pass - $30, plus tax. The following FWC Gold Sportsman licenses, which include the saltwater fishing, freshwater fishing, hunting privileges and all associated permits, at the 50% discounted rates, plus applicable fees: Annual Gold Sportsman - $50.75. Five-year Gold Sportsman $247.75. Lifetime Sportsman License: Age 4 or younger - $201.50. Ages 5–12 - $351.50. Ages 13 and older - $501.50. DEP’s Office of Greenways and Trails coordinates a statewide system of greenways and trails over 9,600 miles long, allowing residents and visitors access to hiking, biking and equestrian recreational opportunities on multi-use and off-road surfaces. To find greenways and trails near you, visit: FloridaDEP.gov/OGT. www.FloridaStateParks.org. • MyFWC.com/license/recreational COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

NOV 2023

MIAMI 1

Clown Knifefish by Captain Mike Tojdowski

s the leaves begin to fall and temperatures dip, November champions a unique and exciting time for anglers in Miami and South Florida, particularly those seeking the thrilling pursuit of peacock bass and other exotics such as the clown knife fish. Successful peacock bass fishing in November involves a combination of finesse and a strategic approach. We like to bring out the big guns this time of year focusing on topwater lures such as poppers and prop baits can be particularly effective in the early morning or late afternoon when the water temperatures are favorable. Bright colors that mimic their young can work quite well this time of year. As the day progresses and the sun warms the water, transitioning to subsurface lures like jerk baits and swimbaits becomes more effective. Additionally, live bait, such as shiners are irresistible to peacock bass, especially when presented near their preferred hideouts. We mostly use these on our charter to increase hook up ratios and to speed up the learning curve for less seasoned anglers. While peacock bass takes center stage year-round, November offers a great opportunity to target another spectacular exotic species, the elusive clown knife fish… Known for their distinct appearance and challenging nature, this fish is coveted among exotic fishing enthusiasts. To increase your chances of landing a clown knife fish it’s essential to understand their behavior during this time of year. As temperatures drop, clown knife fish become more active during the day, seeking warmer waters. Focus your efforts on canals, lakes, and slow-moving rivers where these fish are likely to congregate. Finding deeper pockets with structure of rock piles that attract heat from the sun as well as giving them cover to hide around will help. When it comes to bait, live offerings are your best bet. Clown knife fish are carnivorous and prefer live fish such as shiners, small pan fish and even chunk bait has been known to work. Both peacocks and clown knife fish can be targeted with the same gear. We prefer a 6.5- 7ft light to medium spinning rod with braided line tipped with a 3-4 ft section of fluorocarbon leader for a stealthy presentation. Rig your live bait on a #2 circle hook to increase hook-up rates while minimizing the risk of gut-hooking the fish. Patience is key. These creatures are known for their cautious nature and super slow takes, so a stealthy approach and slow deliberate presentations will yield the best results. Traditionally you want to target them at dawn or dusk when clown knife fish are most active but on really cold days, you’ll have best luck in the middle of the day when the sun is at its peak. Pay attention to water temperatures and adjust your strategy accordingly. As the month progresses, focus on areas with slightly warmer water to find more active fish. Urban Legends Fishing Charters invites you to embark on an adventure of a lifetime. Our seasoned guides create tailor-made experiences providing ample opportunities for anglers to embrace the rich fishing opportunities that these hardfighting game fish in South Florida offer. Captain Mike Tojdowski Urban Legends Fishing Charters Call/Text 305-998-3375 Facebook / Instagram @Urbanlegendsfishing or check out our website ULFish.com

2 MIAMI

NOV 2023

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NOV 2023

MIAMI 3

FLAMINGO by NestorAlvisa

ell fall is in full effect! Our water temperatures are finally below 80 degrees and schools of baitfish (mullet and pilchards) are plentiful! You should be able to find tarpon, snook, jacks and sharks on the schools of mullet on the beaches and inlets. Big swim baits, flare hawks or just drifting live mullets should do the trick. I like using heavier rods when fishing the beaches and inlets to be able to horse the fish in much easier. A heavy rod with a 6500-8000 size reel with 5065lb braid and 50-80lb leader should work great. Just look for the schools of mullet on the beaches and inlets and start fishing around them. Another fishery that’s spectacular during this time of the year is in South Biscayne Bay for mutton snapper, mangrove snapper, grouper and jacks. I like to start my mornings netting as many pilchards as my livewells can handle. Once loaded up I’ll fish the finger channels, some shallow wrecks or some patch reefs on the ocean side for these fish. Once I’ve decided where I’ll be fishing, I’ll position the boat and use my trolling motor to spot lock “anchor” on that spot and I’ll begin tossing some pilchards out into the water. Free chum with the live baits and let them swim around the area. Soon the fish will get excited. You’ll see them blowing up on the baits. Once you see the blow ups you can put a bait on a hook and start fishing! In Flamingo, the cobia fishing is outstanding during the month of November. We’ll start to see our schools of fishing migrating into the gulf and hang around the boundary markers, wrecks and rock piles. Live pinfish on a bare hook or knocker rig on the bottom work great. Another effective technique is bucktail jigs rigged with a glowworm. Using the bucktail jigs seems to me one of the more productive ways of fishing for these fish as you’re always ready to pitch at a cobia. Nestor Alvisa HookedOnFlamingo.com @hooked_on_flamingo_charters 786.387.2443

4 MIAMI

NOV 2023

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NOV 2023

MIAMI 5

The Right BAIT by Raymond Munoz, Capt. Jax

ormally by November the mullet have passed by and are long gone but this year since they started late there are still plenty to go around. This mullet run has been the worst one I’ve ever seen. It’s been harder to get the fish to bite because the winds have died out and the water is so clear. The snook, tarpon and jacks see everything. I was still able to nail a few by adapting. What I did was lower the leader and hook size. I changed my rig to 25 lb. leader with 4/0 circle hooks and once I did this, I was hooking up left and right. A lighter rig does mean more break offs. I have also been working my old stomping grounds and enjoying good old fashion Florida Keys bridge fishing. There’s nothing like watching the sun rise and set while fishing the Keys. This time of year we wait for the cold fronts to move in and that’s when the bite turns on!! We fish for yellow jacks, mutton snapper, sharks and goliath groupers. Baits of choice for Florida Keys bridge fishing listed below. Mutton snapper Fresh ballyhoo Live pinfish Yellow jack Live shrimp Live pinfish for the bigger ones Sharks Anything you catch Goliath grouper Live yellow jacks for the big ones Grunts for the small ones

Capt. Jax Captain Jax Bait and Tackle 490c E 4th Ave, Hialeah, FL 33010 @captainjaxmiami 786.300.5362

FALL TUNAS

by Capt. Abie Raymond

he tunas are alive and well in the November swell. Look for them from 350 ft - 1000 ft under birds. They will be flashing and slashing and airing out on tiny baitfish and squid. If you have the resources, buy or catch a Livewell full of pilchards. Size does not matter. Match the hooks to your baits. Fish a 30 lb. fluorocarbon leader that’s short enough to cast. I like 3 feet of 30 lb. flouro’ tied to my 20 lb. braid mainline, finished with a 5/0 inline light wire Mustad hook. Pull up to the birds and try get in front of them. Quickly (with a great sense of urgency) throw a scoop of pilchards and then bait your hook(s) and cast into the frenzy of busting tunas. To keep them feeding, keep throwing scoops of pilchards. If you don’t have pilchards, have a rod or two rigged with a 150 gram vertical jig. Get in front of the birds (whichever way they are flying) and drop your jig(s) down 250 ft (to your best guess) and then jig up as fast as you can. If there ain’t bubbles where your line meets the water, then it ain’t fast enough. Between these two methods, you should catch the skipjacks and blackfins from 3-20 lbs all November long. If the water is green even in 800 ft of water, do not be discouraged, the tunas will feed in the green water just as good as the blue water in November. Mahis will be mixed in. Good luck and GO HARD. Captain Abie Raymond 305.775.5197 • @abie_raymond www.gohardfishing.com

6 MIAMI

NOV 2023

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NOV 2023

MIAMI 7

g n i l e v a r The T

Fisherman by Capt. Bouncer Smith

Bouncer’s bouncing around Bouncer’s bouncing around, Oh! That’s the name of my new and 5th book. You can order it at Amazon and by now it should be in limited tackle shops like Captain Harry’s, Harry Goodes, and R J Boyle’s. I have been on the road a little. I fished in Murrells Inlet South Carolina for a couple of days. The first day we went for red drum offshore on some rubble. There were 4 boats there for the next 3 hours. The boat with the drum sitting under it caught 8 nice 40 inch drum, 3 boats caught a few trout and stingrays. No drum. We moved into the creeks and caught several flounder on double Vudu Shrimp. The next day we got to the drum spot first. We fished 3 rods with menhaden for bait. Again there were 4 boats. We caught 5 beautiful red drum and several trout. The other 3 boats didn’t catch a drum. Lesson learned, get there first and chum heavily. My two captain/buddies both agreed that anchoring was better than using spot lock for these fish, although we used the spot lock both days as we have in many locations. I then moved up to visit my good friends Ron and Maria. The house was filled with pleasantries as Bo Robbie and his dog blue were staying there as well. 4 adults and 2 dogs made for great times in Beaufort North Carolina. I fished a couple of days. We caught lots of amberjack, a few almaco jacks and several groupers. The day I picked turned out very rough, and the day we went was flat calm and sunny skies. I am fishing my way to Miami Florida over the next few days. Check back next month for more fishing fun. Now about November in South Florida. Cooler weather, lower barometers, less rain and more northerly winds should come to Miami. That’s real good news. It means more quality fish. Ballyhoo will control a lot of good fishing. Showers of jumping ballyhoo are inspired by sailfish, cero mackerel, bonitas, small sharks, nice sized mahi and mutton snappers and groupers over the shallowest waters. You really need live ballyhoo in your bait well to be truly successful. That’s not to say you can’t catch a few of these fish by trolling dead ballyhoo. The one top success for trolling ballyhoo is on small planers or large trolling leads. Over the next couple of months trolling shallow inshore reefs can produce great mutton snapper and groupers. If you’re not sure where to troll use the CMOR mapping to troll the edges of reef structure. Trolling double hooked ballyhoo or shallow running plugs can produce lots of cero mackerel on your rigger lines. Shrimp may start migrating out of the bay this month. A live well full of live shrimp can turn into a cornucopia of action and quality over a few hours fishing in or around inlets and shallow reefs. Tarpon, spanish mackerel, kingfish, yellow jacks and assorted snappers will keep light rods doubled over with smiling anglers. Another major migration heating up in November is some of the best sailfish action. Current edges from 80 to 800 feet may hold steady action on sailfish. The best presentation is a few kite baits, a couple flat lines and a bait down around 60 feet. Top baits are small goggle eyes, large herring and pilchards and small blue runners. It is best to be sure your drift is controlled by the current. The other billfish option is steadily improving swordfish action both day and night if you pick the weather. I bet if you’re kite fishing in November, you will catch a few mahi most days If we haven’t got you fired up yet, it is prime wahoo time around the full moon November 27th. Ok last notes. Spanish mackerel along the inside reefs, from the piers and in Government Cut can offer great action with a little breeze, and this is a great month for bonefish on the flats. I hope I see you on the water, bring a jacket, it might get a little cool. If it’s too windy for fishing, read about fishing in my newest book. Capt Bouncer Smith 305-439-2475 captbouncer@bellsouth.net

8 MIAMI

NOV 2023

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NOV 2023

MIAMI 9

10 MIAMI

NOV 2023

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NOV 2023

MIAMI 11

PESCA EMOCIONANTE DE PAVONES Y ESPECIES EXÓTICAS by Capitán Mike Tojdowski

medida que las hojas comienzan a caer y las temperaturas descienden, noviembre se convierte en un momento único y emocionante tanto para los pescadores en Miami como en el sur de Florida; en particular, para aquellos que gustan de la emocionante búsqueda del pavón y otras especies exóticas como el pez cuchillo payaso. El éxito de la pesca del pavón en noviembre implica una combinación de delicadeza y un enfoque estratégico. Nos gusta sacar la artillería pesada en esta época del año, por lo que nos centramos en los señuelos topwater como poppers y prop, cebos pueden ser particularmente eficaces temprano en la mañana o por la tarde cuando las temperaturas del agua son favorables; además, los colores brillantes que imitan los de sus crías pueden funcionar bastante bien. A medida que avanza el día y el sol calienta el agua, la transición a señuelos subsuperficiales como jerk baits y swimbaits resulta más eficaz. Por ejemplo, los cebos vivos (como los shiners) son irresistibles para el pavón, especialmente cuando se presentan cerca de sus escondites preferidos. En nuestros charters los utilizamos principalmente para aumentar el porcentaje de enganche y acelerar la curva de aprendizaje de los pescadores menos experimentados. Si bien el pavón es el protagonista durante todo el año, noviembre ofrece una gran oportunidad para capturar otra espectacular especie exótica: el escurridizo pez cuchillo payaso. Conocido por su aspecto inconfundible y su naturaleza desafiante, este pez es codiciado entre los aficionados a la pesca de especies exóticas. Para aumentar sus posibilidades de capturar un pez cuchillo payaso, es esencial conocer su comportamiento en esta época del año. A medida que bajan las temperaturas, el pez cuchillo payaso se vuelve más activo durante el día, buscando aguas más cálidas. Concentre sus esfuerzos en canales, lagos y ríos de corriente lenta, donde es probable que se congreguen estos peces. Busque zonas más profundas con estructuras de rocas que atraigan el calor del sol y les proporcionen cobertura para esconderse. En cuanto al cebo, lo mejor son los peces vivos. Los peces cuchillo son carnívoros y prefieren las carnadas vivas como las luciopercas, los pequeños peces sartén e incluso el cebo en trozos. Tanto los pavones como los peces cuchillo pueden pescarse con el mismo equipo. Nosotros preferimos una caña de spinning ligera o media de 1,80 a 1,80 metros con sedal trenzado y un bajo de línea de fluorocarbono de 1,20 a 1,50 metros para una presentación sigilosa. Utilice un anzuelo circular del nº 2 para aumentar el número de anzuelos y minimizar el riesgo de que el pez se enganche en la tripa. La paciencia es la clave. Estas criaturas son conocidas por su naturaleza cautelosa y su lentitud a la hora de pescar, por lo que un acercamiento sigiloso con unas presentaciones lentas y deliberadas darán los mejores resultados. Tradicionalmente, es mejor pescarlos al amanecer o al atardecer, cuando los peces navaja están más activos, pero en los días más fríos, la mejor época para pescarlos es a mediodía, cuando el sol está en su punto álgido. Preste atención a las temperaturas del agua y ajuste su estrategia en consecuencia. A medida que avance el mes, céntrate en zonas con agua ligeramente más cálida para encontrar peces más activos. Urban Legends Fishing Charters le invita a embarcarse en la aventura de su vida. Nuestros guías experimentados crean experiencias a medida que proporcionan amplias oportunidades para que los pescadores aprovechen las ricas oportunidades de pesca que ofrecen estos peces luchadores del sur de Florida. Capitán Mike Tojdowski Llamada / Texto: 305-998-3375 Síguenos en Urban Legends Fishing Charter Facebook / Instagram @Urbanlegendsfishing www.ULFish.com

12 MIAMI

NOV 2023

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NOV 2023

MIAMI 13

Atunes de Otoño N

by Capitán Abie Raymond

oviembre llega a nosotros con grandes oportunidades para gozar de los atunes. Puede buscarlos entre 350 a 1000 pies, bajo las aves que merodean. Los atunes se alimentan de pequeños cebos y calamares, por lo que si dispone de recursos, compre o pesque un vivero lleno de sardinas (el tamaño no importa) y adapte los anzuelos a sus cebos. Utilice un bajo de línea de fluorocarbono de 30 lb, lo bastante corto para poder lanzarlo. A mí me gustan 3 pies de flouro’ de 30 lb, atados a mi línea principal de trenza de 20 lb y terminada con un anzuelo Mustad de hilo ligero en línea del 5/0. Acérquese a los pájaros e intente ponerse delante de ellos; rápidamente haga uso del sentido de urgencia y lance una cucharada de sardinas, luego cebe los anzuelos y lance hacia el frenesí de los atunes. Para que sigan alimentándose, continue lanzando cucharadas de sardinas. Si no tiene más, prepare una caña (o dos) con un jig vertical de 150 gramos; colóquese delante de los pájaros (en cualquier dirección en la que vuelen), deje caer el jig a 250 pies de profundidad (según su mejor cálculo) y luego súbalo lo más rápido que pueda. Si no hay burbujas donde su línea se encuentra con el agua, entonces no es lo suficientemente rápido. Con estos dos métodos debería pescar salmonetes y aletas negras de 3 a 20 libras durante todo el mes de noviembre. No se desanime si el agua está verde incluso en 800 pies de agua, los atunes se alimentarán allí tan bien como en el agua azul. Los Mahis estarán mezclados aquí y allá durante todo el mes. ¡Buena suerte y disfruten la pesca!

Capitán Abie Raymond • 305.775.5197 @abie_raymond • www.gohardfishing.com

Orgulloso Patrocinador de la Sección Española.

CUANDO EL TRAYECTO ES

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14 MIAMI

NOV 2023

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SZ Q2 HLF FN HALF PG CSTL ANGLR 3-11-22.indd 1

3/11/2022 12:54:30 PM

El cebo adecuado by Raymond Muniz, Capt. Jax

ormalmente en Noviembre los mújoles ya han venido y se han ido pero este año, como empezaron tarde, todavía hay bastantes en las aguas. Esta temporada ha sido la peor que he visto, pues ha resultado muy difícil conseguir que los peces piquen ahora que los vientos se han calmado y el agua está muy clara. Los róbalos, sábalos y jureles lo ven todo. Aun así, pude pescar algunos adaptándome a la situación. Lo que hice fue reducir el tamaño del bajo de línea y del anzuelo; cambie mi equipo a 25 libras con anzuelos circulares 4/0 y, una vez que hice esto, estaba enganchando a diestra y siniestra. Eso sí, un aparejo más ligero significa más roturas. También he estado trabajando en mis antiguas zonas de pesca y disfrutando de la pesca de puente a la vieja usanza en los Cayos de Florida. No hay nada como ver la salida y la puesta del sol mientras se pesca en los Cayos. En esta época del año esperamos a que los frentes fríos se muevan, ya que es cuando se enciende la acción. Pescamos jureles, pargos, tiburones y meros goliat. Los cebos de elección para la pesca de puente de los Cayos de Florida se enumeran a continuación. Pargo 1.Ballyhoo fresco 2.Pinfish vivo Jurel 1.Camarón vivo 2.Pinfish vivo para los más grandes Tiburones 1.Cualquier cosa que pesques Mero Goliat 1.Jureles vivos para los grandes 2.Grunts para los pequeños

Captain Jax Bait and Tackle 490c E 4th Ave, Hialeah, FL 33010 786.300.5362 @captainjaxmiami

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NOV 2023

MIAMI 15

FLAMINGO by Nestor Alvisa

l otoño está en pleno efecto, las temperaturas del agua finalmente ha descendido por debajo de los 80 grados y los bancos de cebo (salmonetes y sardinas) son abundantes. Usted debe ser capaz de encontrar sábalo, róbalo, jurel y tiburones alrededor de las escuelas de salmonete en las playas y ensenadas. Los grandes cebos, los halcones de bengala (flare hawcks) o los salmonetes vivos a la deriva deberían funcionar. Me gusta usar cañas más pesadas cuando pesco en playas y ensenadas para poder atrapar a los peces con más facilidad. Una caña pesada con un carrete de tamaño 6500-8000, trenzado de 50-65lb y 50-80lb líder debe funcionar muy bien. Busque los bancos de salmonetes en las playas o calas y empiece a pescar alrededor de ellos. Otro lugar espectacular en esta época del año es al sur de la bahía de Biscayne, donde se pesca pargo, pargo de manglar, mero y jurel. Me gusta empezar las mañanas recogiendo tantas sardinas como me permitan mis viveros; una vez cargados, pesco estos peces en los canales, algunos pecios poco profundos o incluso en ciertos arrecifes de parche en el lado del océano. Cuando ya tengo claro dónde voy a pescar, coloco la embarcación y utilizo el motor de curricán para echar el ancla en ese punto, donde empiezo a lanzar algunas sardinas al agua. Los cebos vivos se lanzan libremente y se deja que naden por la zona, lo que hará que los peces se emocionen. Verá cómo se hinchan con los cebos y, cuando esto suceda, puede poner una carnada en un anzuelo y empezar a pescar. En Flamingo la pesca de la cobia es excepcional durante el mes de noviembre. Empezaremos a ver a nuestros bancos de pesca migrar hacia el golfo y merodear alrededor de los delimitadores, pecios y montones de rocas. Los pinfish vivos en un anzuelo desnudo o un aparejo knocker en el fondo funcionan muy bien. Otra técnica eficaz son las plantillas de cola de ciervo con una luciérnaga; el uso de las plantillas me parece una de las formas más productivas de la pesca de estos peces, ya que siempre estará listo para lanzar a una cobia. Nestor Alvisa HookedOnFlamingo.com @hooked_on_flamingo_charters 786.387.2443

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ONE BIG FISH! 80-Pound ’Hoo Wins Summer-Long Series

ne big fish won this summer’s West Palm Beach Fishing Club’s Full Moon Wahoo Series. A single monster 79.8-pound ’hoo caught in July gave Mike Ferrara and team Terry II the heaviest aggregate weight across the three-event series. Although several teams edged closer with weights piling up thanks to several fish caught over the three dates, none were able to catch up with Terry II’s huge fish. The Full Moon Wahoo Series is a cool tournament, with single-day events held on Saturdays near the full moons of summer. This year’s dates were July 29, Aug. 26 and Sept. 30. Wahoo are the only target species, and only club members can register teams. Cash is awarded to the top boats for each fishing day. The Overall Series Champion with the heaviest overall aggregate weight is crowned after the final event. Entering the final moon on Sept. 30, Team Yellowfin and Team Whisky Business were chasing Terry II. Both teams came in with solid 40-pluspounders from previous events, and they both weighed fish on the final moon. Yellowfin’s second fish of the series weighed 23 pounds, which brought their aggregate to 66.4 pounds, good enough for a second-place series finish. Whisky Business’ fish weighed 16.8 pounds and brought them to a third-place series finish with a 59.2-pound aggregate. More than 80 boats fished at least one moon of the series. Check out the West Palm Beach Fishing Club at westpalmbeachfishingclub.org.

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SHEEPSHEAD

By Emily Hanzlik

Carry Anglers Through the Cold Months

uring these colder months, many people focus on the end of the mullet run or the bluefish that are starting to move in. However, there are other options. One of my favorites is sheepshead. This flakey white-meat fish should be a staple in your winter diet. Sheepshead are sometimes called convicts because of the black and white bars they wear like a jumpsuit. This contrasting coloration helps when sight fishing for them because you can see those bright stripes hugging closely to the structure. Sheepshead typically weigh 3 to 5 pounds, but outsized specimens grow into double digits. The larger the fish, the longer its spines: be careful of the dorsal fin when handling sheepshead. They will tense up and flare their spines trying to escape. Sheepshead inhabit almost all coastal Atlantic waters, from Nova Scotia to Brazil and throughout the Gulf of Mexico. Sheepshead tolerate a wide range of salinity, and spend most of the year inshore and even inland in more brackish water. They love structure because that’s where the crustaceans they feed on live. You’ll find them on docks, bridges, jetties, seawalls, and in the absence of man-made structure, you’ll find them on rock or hard bottom. Sheepshead move out into deeper nearshore waters to spawn in late winter to early spring but return quickly. Sheepsheads are molluscivores meaning they only

eat crustaceans. Things such as oysters, mussels, barnacles, crabs and shrimp make up their diet. To crush all that shell, they have human-like teeth and thick back molars, enabling them to crush their prey. During the crushing process, they push water through their gills and leave their mouth slightly open to eject shell pieces, leaving only the meat for them to consume. Their odd feeding behavior makes them tricky to catch with a hook and line. They love fiddler crabs, and you can find live fiddlers at a bait shop or along rock piles. You can also pick oysters off pilings and crack them open to use the meat as bait. Some anglers use a rake or hammer to scrape barnacles off pilings to chum the water. As for artificials, crappie jigs or flathead jigs are good options. With a fly rod, you can use white Clouser Minnows or shrimp flies. Fish bridges, inlets and piers, and get as close to the pilings or structure as possible. Since they crush their prey and spit out the rest, you’ll want to use small but strong J hooks, and set the hook as soon as they inhale the bait. Relatively heavy line is necessary to avoid being frayed off in all that structure. I wouldn’t use anything lighter than 12-pound-test. The IGFA all-tackle world record for sheepshead is an enormous 21-pound, 4-ounce fish caught in New Orleans by Wayne Desselle in 1982.

Emily Rose Hanzlik holds 62 IGFA world records in various categories. She hails from West Palm Beach, where she has a part time Bowfin Guide Service as well as fishing classes for Jr. Anglers. Find her on social media @emilyhanzlikoutdoors.

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FLY FISHING FOR BASS

ly fishing for bass can be extremely productive and really fun. Growing up fishing for saltwater and freshwater species, I was introduced to fly fishing by some friends and got extremely hooked. While presenting a fly to fish can sometimes be tricky, a fly is a much more natural looking presentation to a fish than an artificial lure is, and I have seen fish eat flies much better than normal lures many times. There are times when a fly rod just isn’t an option. Having fly line everywhere and stretching the line 50 or 100 feet behind you and whipping it forward probably isn’t best if you are fishing a bass tournament. But if you are fun fishing a lake by boat or fishing a pond or stream or river by foot, fly fishing can be a rewarding experience. Like I said before, a small natural-looking fly, whether it be a baitfish or a topwater fly, can produce more bites than normal lures in some circumstances. I realized how productive fly fishing for bass can be while fishing ponds around my house when I was younger. These ponds got hammered by people throwing lures with

I’m sure you could take a deep dive into all the different gear and fly selections for different scenarios, but I keep it simple. White and silver baitfish patterns work wonders when you strip TYLER WOOLCOTT the line with small movements to make them swim like a fleeing baitfish. Topwater poppers conventional bass gear, and are extremely fun because you get to watch the fishing could be pretty them come up and eat it. Fish it with the same tough. It really impressed me when I fished them with a fly rod because I action as a conventional popper. I can’t exactly teach you how to fly fish in this article; YouTube is a great place for that. My hope is this will spark someone’s interest. Coming from someone who has done pretty much every kind of fishing, fly fishing is something every angler should try. Targeting bass and similar-sized species calls for a 6- to 8-weight fly rod. You can fish sinking lines to get down deep, but I prefer a regular floating line to fish for bass that are feeding shallow. I like premade tapered leaders in the 10- to 12-pound range. Feel free to contact me on social media with any questions or do some research online. I hope this caught more fish than I did with conventional convinces someone to go out there to target gear. I assume the bass grew wary of seeing big bass with a fly rod. It’s really fun! worms and crankbaits. A tiny baitfish fly or a Tyler Woolcott is a professional tournament tasty-looking, easy-to-eat topwater with natural angler and guide. Check out his website at movement got these fish more excited to eat www.tylerwoolcottfishing.com. than I had ever seen.

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n late September, NOAA Fisheries announced early closure dates for gag grouper in federal waters of the South Atlantic as well as the Gulf of Mexico. These closures came tight on the heels of a revelation that the data NOAA uses to manage these and other fisheries could be severely flawed. In the Gulf of Mexico, recreational harvest of gags was closed on Oct. 19. It called an early end to a season that had already been shortened on the front end. The normal season runs from June 1 through Nov. 10. However, this past spring, NOAA announced an interim measure to delay opening of gag grouper harvest to Sept. 1. Initially, three months of gag harvest were taken from recreational anglers, and now—with the early closure—the season was effectively cut from 162 days to just 48 days. In the South Atlantic, in federal waters off North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida, NOAA called an early end to gag grouper harvest on Oct. 23. The recreational season was scheduled to run from May through December. This move shaved 69 days off the regular 215-day season at a time when charter captains rely on grouper to keep clients on the water. In both instances, NOAA said its projections of recreational catch and effort data indicate the recreational annual catch limits would be reached by the early closure dates, which is their justification for shutting down the fisheries. In an explanation that seems contradictory to reason, a NOAA statement blamed high harvest of Gulf gags on the already shortened season. “Preliminary reports indicate high catch rates of gag this year, in part because of changes in the start from June 1 to September 1,” the statement reads. If that doesn’t seem to make sense, neither do NOAA’s data collection surveys that are used to determine angler effort. In a pilot study conducted by NOAA itself, the surveys, which are mailed to licensed saltwater anglers, were found to be confusing and led to “illogical responses” and “reporting errors.” The study showed that the resulting angler effort data was overestimated by 30 to 40 percent. Angler effort is a factor used to determine total harvest, which means NOAA’s harvest data is likely significantly flawed. Perhaps more concerning than that is the idea that harvest data is used in stock assessments. Estimated populations of our favorite sport and table fish are also likely inflated. For the third time in the last 13 years, significant flaws have been revealed in NOAA data collection, and this is the data being used to manage our fisheries and the industries that rely on them. For more information, see coastalanglermag.com.

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GROUPER CLOSURE CATCHES ANGLERS OFF GUARD

Tim Barefoot

t what point do we say enough is enough? I’d say THE TIME IS NOW! NOAA has shut down our gag grouper fisheries based on inaccurate data, and coastal communities are hurting because of it. The recent grouper closures—in the South Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico— caught everyone by surprise. There was very little notice given to anglers, whether they be recreational, charter or commercial. Incomplete—at best—and more than likely completely erroneous data was used to shut down the livelihoods of fishermen at a crucial point in the year. The fall grouper bite is always the best. Many commercial anglers make a good portion of their annual income in fall and winter. Charter captains book trips specifically targeting grouper this time of year. This closure also adversely affects the entire coastal economy. There is an entire industry based around fall and winter bottom fishing, and this is a substantial financial hit for the South Atlantic and Gulf coasts. As a former commercial fisherman, I know this also screams of mental and physical stress. Anglers are forced to fish more and rougher days just to get some days in before the season closes. When the news of these October closures spread,

I got calls from upset charter and commercial captains. For brevity, I’ll share just a couple comments I heard from North Carolina captains. “I’m a 61-year-old man, and I’m out here humping it hard as I can to get these last few

days in before it all shuts down,” said commercial Capt. Joe Hifko. “This is gonna hurt… both in my wallet and in my shoulders. The data is completely skewed, and based off those numbers are huge extrapolations. This is what they are basing their decisions on?” Capt. Riley Adkins is feeling the sting of charter cancellations. “My primary income in fall and early winter is based around taking clients within 30 miles of

the beach to specifically target gag grouper. This puts us captains in a bind because we are already booked out to Dec. 31, which historically was the closing of our gag season,” said Capt. Adkins. “We are having to cancel charters due to the short-noticed announcement of our gag season closing. “My clients feel like it is a waste of their time and money to book a charter because we can’t keep gag grouper, and the seabass population is in decline due to the rise of the American red snapper, which you can’t harvest either,” he continued. “This closure is detrimental to captains who rely heavily on the gag quota to keep their heads above water in winter.” The last time we had a fisheries issue of this magnitude settled, it literally took an act of Congress. The Gulf red snapper debacle showed us you can’t trust a federal bureaucracy that uses obsolete—and frankly, lazy— methods to collect data. The technology exists, and we should be hiring talented researchers from our universities to go out and collect accurate data to be used in decision making. It’s time for the recreational anglers, commercial anglers, equipment manufacturers, and the seafood industry to get together and say enough is enough. I know it’s a tall order, but we are stronger united. As soon as you finish this article, call your senators and congressional representatives to make sure they know how you feel on this issue.

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To see more from Tim Barefoot, go to barefootcatsandtackle.com. NOVEMBER 2023

NATIONAL 13

SOLUNAR TIME!

’ve studied the solunar fishing timetables since I was a child. In the early years, these were the black, white, or striped fish images on my grandparents’ calendars and have evolved into more advanced illustrations depicting the moon phase, tide, time of day, and their effects. Some tables provide a simple one- to four-star rating of predicted fishing success. One day I was a believer, and the next I was a skeptic. I’ve played this tug of war over the years, and as I have become a more seasoned angler, I lean more toward the validity of these calculations in predicting the aggressiveness of fish and their desire to feed. Removing luck, which never hurts, it still boils down to angler skill, knowledge of the area and techniques for targeting desired species. However, over the years I have noticed better bites correlating with solunar feed times. I try not to move from one location to another during peak solunar feeding times. I’ll put myself in what I perceive to be the best spot in a general area during that time and hold tight. I save the running and exploring for non-bite windows, which make up a majority of the day. Each solunar feed cycle has a peak that is typically two hours or less, and there are usually two per day. On a recent trip with my two boys, we missed the first bite of the day due to other responsibilities. We launched the boat around 9 a.m., and the next bite was not until 1:30 p.m. We wanted to try some

By Capt. Michael Okruhlik

new spots, so we explored those first, and laid down some tracks for future reference. The fish were not active. As the morning moved on, I tried areas that had been holding nice fish recently. Once again, everything looked right, but we couldn’t get the bite. The boys were getting agitated and ready to leave, and I bought myself as much time as I could, while still trying to find the bite and waiting for the next feeding time. I headed toward the ramp to give them a cool breeze and to try a location with much deeper water, just hoping to find some activity. Unfortunately, the current was too strong in this area. I frantically studied the chart in an area about a half mile away so we could make one last move because the next solunar feed time was only minutes away. I chose our final location based on satellite imagery and little tribal knowledge, and we were off. I anchored the boat so my boys could cast downwind and fish the edge where grass met a large sandy area. They caught redfish and averaged one every six minutes for 70 minutes of the afternoon solunar feeding cycle. They doubled up twice! Take a kid fishing and tune into the solunar time!

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