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WELCOME
By Capt. Quinlyn Haddon
Tuna Town TO
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had only been fishing a few years when I wound up taking a job in Venice, Louisiana. I had gotten the lead on a first mate position through a mutual friend of a captain who I had never met before. When I called the captain, I asked when he needed me. He told me, “yesterday.” So I went to the tackle shop, bought my first pair of slickers, and hit the road. The only thing I knew about Venice was that there was no cell phone service and no women. As I drove down the road south of New Orleans, I began to notice ships on both sides of the road simultaneously. I realized I had better call someone to let them know I was heading to a deadzone in the middle of nowhere, filled with lonely, salty men. I arrived at night and located my captain’s houseboat, where I would be staying. I made the jump across to the boat and opened the door without knocking—as I was instructed to do. A dozen men, drinking beer, went silent as they stared at me. I looked around the room at the welcoming party, and the walls that were lined with shelves of alcohol bottles and a deer head decorated with Mardi Gras beads and bras. They offered me a beer and I declined. After the 14-hour drive, I most definitely wanted a beer, however, this did not seem like the time and place to let my guard down. The captain showed me the boat docked out back, my bunk where I would be staying, and told me what time to set my alarm for the charter the following morning. I had no idea what to expect or what I had gotten myself into, but I quickly fell in love with the fishery and a week-long trip turned into a year and a half. The fishermen there were nothing but respectful and treated me like one of the guys. I had only been fishing for two years at the time and had a lot to learn. I spent evenings teaching myself how to tie snell knots and throw a cast net. When the locals would go out fun fishing and bring back coolers with hundreds of trout, they were more than happy to teach me how to fillet fish. The fishermen didn’t cut me any slack for being a woman, which I was grateful for. I worked just as hard as they did, earned respect, and learned everything I needed to become a competent fisherman. I was openly doubted every step of the way, until I was able to learn and prove myself, which I did. But I was told that if I made it to the fall, there was no way that a woman could handle shrimp-boat season. Shrimp-boat season involves pulling behind shrimp boats and then boarding them by jumping from the bow of your boat onto the tires that hang from the stern of the shrimp boat. Then you promptly scurry up before your bow has a chance to crush your feet. You then shovel bycatch into a bag or basket, get it back to your boat, and hopefully get yourself back on the boat before your crew hooks up to a big tuna and abandons you there for the fight. The goal is to not die, break your ankles or get murdered by the shrimp-boat crew in the process. I did make it to the fall, and I did survive shrimp-boat season, and it was some of my favorite fishing I’ve done, to this day. It wasn’t until I left that the ball-busting ceased and I received positive feedback, when a captain called to tell me I did a really great job and that I’d earned a place and should come back for the following season. I am so grateful Tuna Town was a stop on my journey to where I am now. I am indebted to the fishermen there who helped teach me things the right way, without mercy. Capt. Quinlyn Haddon, with Sweet e’nuf charters out of Marathon, Florida Keys, can be reached at (504) 920-6342. See CaptainQuinlyn.com and @captainquinlyn.
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THROW UMBRELLA RIGS FOR WINTER BASS
When the bass are feeding up on baitfish in the winter, the natural bait ball presentation with multiple baits swimming together drives these bass absolutely crazy. It can make for a very fun day on the water. Setting up your “rig” is not complicated. Depending on how deep you are looking to fish, use 1/8-ounce jig heads for shallow water (10 feet or less) and ¼-ounce jig heads for anything deeper than 10 feet. Pick TYLER WOOLCOTT out some small 3- to 4-inch natural shad colored boot-tail swimbaits to attach to your jig heads and that’s all there is to it. inter can be a tricky time of year to go fishing, The winter months is typically the time when bass to feed up before but I want to tell you about a bait that might help you put some more fish in the boat. In fact, this lure is so good that they spawn. Whether you see it going on or not, they are eating a lot of bait somewhere on your some tournaments don’t allow body of water. You can throw anglers to use them anymore. this rig basically anywhere, I’m talking about the Alabama and if there are fish around, rig, which some people call they will bite it! I throw it the umbrella rig. around grass, rocks, docks, This device made its debut open water, points and on the bass fishing scene in ditches. 2011 and absolutely dominated the tournament fishing scene Gear for a few years before it was When throwing an A-rig, eventually outlawed by most it can get pretty heavy once professional fishing series for you add all the jig heads and basically being an unfair way swimbaits onto it. You’ll want to catch fish. The rig consists to use a big heavy rod with of a baitfish-style head where some strong line. A 13 Fishing you tie your line with multiple Muse Black 7’6” rod paired metal-wire arms that extend with a Concept A 6:8:1 reel is out where you attach jig heads a good fit. Spool this up with with a swimbaits. Most come 20-pound Seaguar Abraz-X standard with five metal arms line and you are good to go! and five jig heads. Good luck out there! Even though the Alabama rig is outlawed by most pro fishing leagues, that doesn’t mean you can’t use it when you are out fun Tyler Woolcott is a professional tournament angler and guide. fishing or even fishing smaller tournaments. It is a fish-catching machine! Check out his website at www.tylerwoolcottfishing.com.
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JANUARY 2024
NATIONAL 7
A GREAT LAKES FORMULA FOR
By Nick Carter
JUST ONE FISH
C
obi Pellerito’s goal in a day is just one fish, and with the surge in Great Lakes smallmouth fisheries, there’s a good chance he’ll find what he’s looking for: one giant smallie. “Big smallmouth is my jam,” he said. “It’s not like tournament fishing, where you’re looking for a limit. I’m out there looking for one big fish.” Pellerito theorized that three invasive species are responsible for Great Lakes smallmouth achieving grotesque proportions with weights in the 7- to 8-pound range. European round gobies and rusty crayfish from the Ohio River Basin have become important prey species since their invasion. European Zebra mussels are forage for another smallmouth favorite: perch, and these filter-feeders also create clear water, which is great for visual hunters like bass.
8 NATIONAL
JANUARY 2024
Pellerito bemoaned the destruction these invasives wreak but figures we might as well take advantage. THE FORMULA: The size of the Great Lakes system is incredible. From a home base in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, Pellerito has explored parts of it from Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, downstream through lakes Michigan, St. Clair, Huron, Erie and over to the St. Lawrence River. Over this vast expanse, state fisheries reports tell him where the largest smallmouth are. “Once you’ve picked a fishery, there’s no substitute for time on the water,” he said. “Find the most desirable structure in the lake or in the part of the lake you’re fishing.” Smallmouth can be patterned seasonally. From there, Pellerito fishes long days to eliminate water. He looks for big points and transitions in bottom composition. He seeks out subtle structure like boulders or logs on barren flats. Bait presence is important, whether its gobies or crayfish in the rocks, perch in the grass or balls of suspended baitfish. THE FISHING: When he finds an area he likes, Pellerito covers water quickly with a crankbait. He likes a Megabass Deep-X 300, which dives 12 to 15 feet. “Covering water until you find where the fish are is important, then you slow down,” he said. “The biggest fish tend to be a step off from where the rest of them are.” Big smallmouth hold in “wolf packs” of two or three fish, and this can sometimes lead to days of more than “just one fish.” Recently, Pellerito boated an incredible 35-pound, 9-ounce five fish limit. Find one big fish, and it pays to pick that area apart. For this, Pellerito switches to classic drop shots or tubes. A standard tube crawls through the rocks like a goby or a crayfish. With the drop shot, Pellerito fishes a Megabass 3-inch Hazedong, which looks like a goby. It takes light line to draw strikes in clear water. Pellerito uses 15-foot leaders of 5- to 7-pound fluorocarbon with a main line of 8- to 10-pound braid. He’s experienced tremendous success with these tactics. This season, he boated 39 fish heavier than 6 pounds, 19 heavier than 7 pounds and two heavier than 8 pounds. To see more of Cobi Pellerito’s giant fish, see his Instagram @cobi.pellerito.
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CATCH FRENZIED SPANISH MACKEREL
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panish mackerel are a year-round target, but this time of year they love following bluefish schools to clean up injured baitfish left behind. During this time, bluefish and mackerel all tend to school together into a feeding frenzy of terror. I definitely wouldn’t want to get my hand in the way of any of those toothy fish. Spanish mackerel are sometimes confused with baby kingfish and cero mackerel, since they can school all together. However, there are a few ways to differentiate these fish, which is important since they all have different regulations. All these mackerel have yellow spots on their sides, but there are a few differences to look for. Cero mackerel have yellow lines along their lateral line that are combined with the yellow spots. King mackerel tend to have smaller spots that are closely grouped along the lateral line. As for the Spanish mackerel, they have large uncontrolled spots. There is simply no rhyme or reason for their pattern. Another way to identify Spanish mackerel is they usually have a wider girth compared to the other mackerel. A large Spanish mackerel is considered to be around 24 inches and over 5 pounds, while kingfish are typically over 20 pounds and ceros tend to be smaller. Spanish mackerel are typically nearshore fish that hang close to shore in order to feed on bait
schools by pushing them into the breakers. In certain locations, you can find Spanish inside the intracoastal. In specific conditions, if the water becomes too warm, mackerel move deeper to find their preferred 70 degrees. Spanish mackerel are found off the Atlantic coast of the United States and in the Gulf of Mexico. They follow a migration pattern of spending the winter off Florida and then move north to North Carolina in early April and all the way up off the coast of New York by June. There are many ways to target Spanish mackerel. Some use live bait such as sardines, baby pilchards and smaller threadfins. A simple freeline with a short wire leader to a live bait hook and one of these smaller baitfish can be deadly. The wire is not absolutely necessary, but mackerel do have extremely sharp teeth. When mackerel are tailing bluefish schools, they are normally frenzied. They’ll slash at everything that comes their way. I like throwing crappie jigs into the frenzy, and I think any kind of small jig will work. A lot of commercial anglers use popping corks with a spoon tied about 4 feet below. The pop gets their attention, and then the shiny fluttering spoon is too much for them to resist.
FWC PHOTO
By Emily Hanzlik
For larger Spanish mackerel, X-Raps or other diving crankbaits work best since they imitate larger baits. If you’re throwing a lure, don’t use your favorite one. There is a good chance you might lose it. Emily Rose Hanzlik holds 62 IGFA world records in various categories. Find her on social media @emilyhanzlikoutdoors.
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FLORIDA 3
By Astrid deGruchy
No Telling What You’ll Catch
ON THE PATCH
P
atch reef fishing is the epitome of, “You never know what you’re going to catch.” These underwater gems are filled with all sorts of fish, and it makes them fun and exciting places to be an angler. Patch reefs are small coral formations found in the shallower parts of the water. They were named for the patchy appearance when viewed from the surface and form wherever hard bottom exists in 10 to 25 feet of water. The rocky bottom, combined with ledges, coral heads and other growth provides the structure fish love. Many of these areas are well-known here in the Keys, but if you’re up for some exploration you can find less-pressured patch reef especially when the water is clear and visibility is good. Just keep an eye out for rocky or live bottom. These areas are usually not too far from shore, so they’re easy to reach and perfect for angling action. All sorts of fish congregate around these patches. The variety includes mutton snapper, mangrove snapper, yellowtail snapper, lane snapper, hogfish, black grouper, red grouper, gag grouper, porgy, cero mackerel, yellowjack and barracuda. We fish a lighter setup on the patch reefs, and this makes for a blast. Our go-to is a PENN Authority 4500 reel with the PENN Carnage III rod. Live bait like pilchards or shrimp work like a charm. If catching live bait is a problem for you, just stop at a local tackle shop and grab some live shrimp, pinfish, or even some frozen ballyhoo. Keep it simple, and tie on a knocker rig or jig head. Anchoring the boat in the right position to present baits around the reef is an important part of this style of fishing. Dropping bait on the sandy areas near the reef allows you to fish the bottom without getting hung up. Chum can be a good idea, but don’t be so quick to put out the chum as soon as you get lined up. I recommend breaking it out only if the fishing is tough. Chum can attract some of the “trash fish” like blue runners, jacks and sharks. Also, make sure you’re up to date with the rules and regulations. There are so many species you might catch, and some of those species might be out of season. Patch reef fishing is a blast. It’s a mix of stunning views and tons of action. If you want to experience this, the cooler months are the best for this type of fishing. That’s when some better-quality fish move into the shallower reefs.
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4 FLORIDA
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SLIP CORKS AREN’T JUST FOR LIVE BAIT
T
Tim Barefoot
here was time in my life when I was fanatical about live bait, and a lot of the fishing I did was under a sliding cork. Well, that ship has sailed, at least the live bait part. I still fish under a sliding cork, but I now fish artificial lures under the cork for several reasons, only one of which is the evolution of soft plastic baits. Here are a few arguments for fishing artificial: 1) There’s no need to catch and store live bait. 2) My entire tackle box is now small and light enough to fit in a backpack for travel. 3) Soft Plastics are versatile in terms of presentation, and they’re effective. 4) Artificials can be cast farther and more accurately. 5) You can be ready to fish at a moment’s notice anywhere, under almost any conditions. These advantages add up to the sum of my new fishing style under a sliding or popping cork. I cherish my two- or three-hour mini vacations after work, wherever I am while traveling. I travel quite a bit and can bail out of the truck and fish for whatever is there. I’ve grown fond of fishing under and around bridges for several species, and the ease and effectiveness of this style of fishing is easy to love. In addition to fishing just a single lure under a cork—or without a cork in deeper, faster water—I’ve started fishing a tandem tackle. The bottom bait is the jig head for the weight, and the second bait has no weight and just trails out behind the jig. Some days, it’s all bites on the jig; other days, it’s a third or more of the bites on the weightless trailer. This suspended bait and trailer under a cork is not only effective, but it keeps you from staying hung up. Once I figure out how deep the water is, it’s easy to adjust the depth. I typically keep one rod set up for 6 feet deep as a starting point. If I see the cork laying over, it means the jig is sitting on the bottom. I’ll shallow it up a bit to where the jig is just off the bottom and makes a clean drift. If the water is deeper, I’ll adjust it deeper. The end goal is to keep the jig a foot or two off the bottom and allow a natural drift. I like to fish a pair of DOA Shrimp on this tackle in saltwater, and this same tactic is deadly in freshwater with Zoom Flukes or Super Flukes for smallmouth, largemouth and striped bass. The other bait I love for this style of fishing is Gulp! baits. For more detailed videos of the tandem tackle and how to tie it, and the construction of my sliding cork set up, visit my Youtube channel and/or the website. For more from Tim Barefoot, visit barefootcatsandtackle.com.
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MIAMI 1
Operation Miami Iguana Eviction:
The Battle for Paradise by Captain Mike Tojdowski
L
izard lock down and what we can do to control their numbers? In recent years, Miami has been facing an unusual invasion – not by fish this time, but by mini Godzilla iguanas on the loose. These cold-blooded reptiles, typically associated with tropical climates, have found a home in South Florida, and added themselves to an already extensive list of exotic invasive species found in our warm and sunny landscapes. While they may seem harmless, the surge in the iguana population has led to various issues, prompting the need for effective methods to catch and manage these scaly intruders. THE IGUANA INVASION AND WAYS TO STOP THEM. The green iguana, native to Central and South America, has thrived in the subtropical climate of Miami. With few natural predators and an abundance of food sources, the iguana population has exploded, causing concerns among residents and local authorities. These creatures are known for their voracious appetites, feeding on vegetation, fruits, and flowers, leading to damage to gardens, landscapes, and even infrastructure. This is why we have begun to support the effort to control and slow their numbers from increasing at such a rapid rate. We have also added them as another thrill for our clients to catch on Urban Adventure Charters. This has turned out to be a new fan favorite bucket list catch getting our clients pumped up to go after additional trophies on land as well as the fish we catch in the water. You can kind of describe these charters as a surf and turf in a way. CATCHING IGUANAS: A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE 1. Gather the Right Equipment: Before embarking on your iguana-catching adventure, gather the necessary equipment. This includes thick gloves, long sleeve shirt, a sturdy net, a fishing pole or snare, and a container to safely transport the captured iguana. 2. Identify Hotspots: Iguanas are commonly found in areas with abundant vegetation, such as parks, gardens, and waterfronts. Identify the hotspots in your vicinity where iguanas are likely to congregate. 3. Approach Cautiously: Move slowly and quietly towards the iguana, minimizing sudden movements. Iguanas can be skittish, and a rapid approach may cause them to flee. 4. Use a Snare or Pole: Extend the snare or pole toward the iguana, aiming to gently loop it around the lizard’s neck. Exercise caution to avoid injury to yourself and the iguana. 5. Secure with a Net: Once the iguana is snared, use the net to secure it safely. Be mindful of the creature’s sharp claws and tail, as they can inflict injury. 6. Handle with Care: Iguanas may resist capture, so handle them with care to avoid stress or harm. First begin by securing them behind the top of their heads and the base of their tails to avoid them biting you or getting whipped. Sometimes we use the net or a small towl to pin them down and cover their eyes. Remember that they may try to bite or whip their tails in self-defense. 7. Transport in a Secure Container: Place the captured iguana in a secure container for transport. Ensure that the container has adequate ventilation and is escape-proof. 8. Contact Local Authorities: In many areas, catching and relocating iguanas may require permission from local wildlife authorities. Contact them to ensure compliance with regulations and to seek guidance on proper handling and relocation practices. As the Miami iguana invasion continues, understanding how to catch these reptilian invaders is essential for managing their impact on the local ecosystem and nearby fishing habitat. By following a careful and humane approach, residents can contribute to controlling the iguana population and mitigating the associated challenges. Whether seeking professional assistance or taking matters into your own hands, a thoughtful and informed approach is key to addressing the Miami invasion of iguanas. Heads Up: This time of year, you need to be on the lookout for falling iguanas out of tall trees. Especially when the cooler winter temps of January drop to 65 degrees or less.
FISHING FORECAST: The month of January has been historically good for targeting brackish water snook and prespawning Peacock Bass. Targeting them during the warmer hours of the day with live bait or lures resembling a Pin Fish / Mullet seem to always do the trick. Allow your bait to slowly sink to about 5-8 ft in depth before erratically retrieving it with sporadic pauses of 5-10 seconds in duration. This time of year, these fish tend to feed on smaller baits in size between 2-4 inches in length. You’ll want to search for them around lake edges or one of Miami’s countless canals scattered throughout its neighborhoods without trespassing onto private property. Remember to always bring a net while fishing! to practice safer catch and release for both you the angler and the fish from getting hurt. Ensuring future generations to come can enjoy the abundant quality of freshwater fish Miami offers. 2 MIAMI
JAN. 2024
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Captain Mike Tojdowski Urban Legends Fishing Charters Call/Text 305-998-3375 Facebook / Instagram @Urbanlegendsfishing or check out our website ULFish.com
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JAN. 2024
MIAMI 3
FLAMINGO by NestorAlvisa
A
s we get into the heart of our wintertime months down here in South Florida my trips are solely focused on Flamingo. During the month of January, there are several techniques I’ll use and species I’ll target. One great option during this time of the year is fishing around Schooner Bank for spanish mackerel. It’s something that keeps the rods consistently bent and is great for any skill level angler. Once you get to Schooner Bank, drop your anchor and a chum bag in the water. Then let the chum bring the fish to you. A bucktail jig tipped with shrimp or a silver spoon will do the trick. Another option is fishing the crab buoys along cape sable for tripletail. You simply run from buoy to buoy at a speed and distance you feel comfortable with so that you can see the fish and not spoke them as you drive by. Once you’ve located the tripletail a free lined shrimp will not be turned down! Lastly the most common thing to do during this time of year is fish deeper creeks and channels for snook, redfish, black drum and sheepshead. As the water temperature drops these fish run to these deeper creeks and channels looking for warmer water temperatures. Working a shrimp on a jig head on the bottom works best. Nestor Alvisa HookedOnFlamingo.com @hooked_on_flamingo_charters 786.387.2443
4 MIAMI
JAN. 2024
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JAN. 2024
MIAMI 5
January Mackeral
by Capt. Abie Raymond
J
anuary brings cold fronts and cooler water. Mackerel slide South in serious numbers and can be found within two miles of the beach. Bring live pilchards, and plenty of them. Try to bring enough pilchards to live chum as you’re fishing. Also be ready, hang a ground chum block overboard. Anchor in 40-90 feet of water on hard bottom or the sand off the beach if the water looks dirty. Hang a chum bag and live chum 2 live pilchards every three minutes or so, if you have enough bait. Use light spinning rods and light drag to increase your odds of landing speedy, spastic mackerel. Use 15-20 lb braid main line and a 4 foot 30 lb mono leader Tied to a long shank hook appropriately sized to match the size of your pilchards. Hook the pilchards in the nose. Cast far. Close the bail. Hang on tight and let Them run. Get the ceviche bowl ready and ENJOY. From a culinary perspective mackerel are an underrated and overlooked sea food. South Florida waters are home to cero, spanish, and king mackerel, all of which do make great table fare. Mackerel is an oily, delicate, white meat fish that is extremely high in omega-3 fatty acid, meaning it is actually very good for you. These characteristics make it well known for ceviche, sashimi, and smoked preparations among others. GOOD LUCK AND GO HARD Captain Abie Raymond 305.775.5197 • @abie_raymond www.gohardfishing.com
6 MIAMI
JAN. 2024
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JAN. 2024
MIAMI 7
g n i l e v a r The T
Fisherman
by Capt. Bouncer Smith
S
ince my last post we did some traveling through Florida and had a great Thanksgiving with the family. Let’s see now. We were in Fort Lauderdale during the boat show, but that is too much walking for these old legs. We did attend the inspirational IGFA Tommy Gifford Awards. The Gifford Awards honor fishing crew members who made saltwater fishing what it is today. We inducted Ray Rosher, Brad Simond, Karl Anderson, Gene Vanderbilt Hoek and Paul Spenser, fishermen from Around the USA. The next evening I attended The Billfish‘s annual gala. There were a lot of great people from the fishing community at this event, but most were dressed appropriately for the Roaring Twenties. Dr Guy Harvey was honored for his scientific contributions and Paul Spenser was honored for his lifetime of contributions to fishing. These events occur every fall. You should join us for the fun. I’ve spent a morning trolling Lake Worth with Captain Chip Sheehan on Chips Ahoy along with Angie. We caught a bunch of bluefish, jacks and a mackerel. The next day we joined Dennis Friel and his daughter Sienna with South Florida Bass Charters, Captain Bill Lepree. Peacock and largemouth bass catches were spiced up with a clown knife fish and a crappie. From Boynton Beach it was off to Sebastian Inlet to fish with Captain Glyn Austin of Going Coastal Charters. It was very gratifying to catch loads of young sea trout and jacks. Between the tons of assorted baitfish and small trout, the future of Indian River is very promising. My next trip was with my nephew Keith and his son James fishing with Doug Youngblood of fishlakelanier.com at Lake Lanier Georgia. We slammed the striped bass and we each caught a bonus catfish. I also joined a couple of my favorite friends, Mike and Janice Arnoldy, outside Hellen Georgia for a dream trip fishing for giant private waters rainbow trout. Jeff was our guide, reached at 423-635-2459. Four of us fished the river that day and three of us caught trout over 8 pounds. Everybody caught numerous trout on fly, Except me. I got skunked. Recently we had a spectacular trip to the fresh water Everglades. Capt. Leo Lombera guided Ashley and me to over 100 assorted bass, bluegills and cichlids. Today Capt. Abie Raymond put us on some snook, assorted jack, yellowtails, a hogfish, a puddingwife and a bunch of trout from 12 to over 20 inches. Oh! You want to know what to expect in January? I wish we had a time machine. 10 years ago the sailfish would be red hot in January. The last few years the sailfish have been scarce in January. Maybe a bunch of cold fronts will save the day. So, for billfish you better hope for calm weather, because that will allow some prime swordfish conditions. Winter is best for gladiators of the sea. Don’t give up on night fishing for sport swordfish. Or get out for big swords by day dropping. Small blackfin tuna should be plentiful for small live bait chumming, trolling or vertical jigging. No grouper harvest, but tilefish season opens January first. The best will come from 580 to 800 feet. Shallower waters should produce some mutton snappers and vermillion snappers. On the patch reefs you can troll for mutton snappers with a ballyhoo behind a planer, or bring a bunch of live shrimp and or pilchards and keep the light tackle rods bent over with everything from grunts to giant muttons and cero mackerel to cobia. Chumming can work, but as well as attracting ballyhoo for baits, it also fills the water with undersized yellowtails. In or near the bay, the shrimp should be running. An evening dipping up shrimp is great family fun. Fishing with live shrimp day or night should produce all sizes of tarpon, trout, snapper, mackerel and the list never ends. Be cautious about west winds. They offer very calm seas along shore, but may produce deadly seas a few miles offshore. Don’t drop your guard and drift out into unsafe conditions. Every boat needs a good anchor and plenty of rope for when all else fails. Happy New Year and resolve to do more fishing (with the kids). Capt Bouncer Smith 305-439-2475 captbouncer@bellsouth.net 8 MIAMI
JAN. 2024
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Ahhh,
Winter Fishing by Raymond Munoz, Capt. Jax
F
ishing the summer months in Miami is rife with challenges and distractions and dangers… We have so many things to worry about: Jet skiers, weekend warriors, the heroes of the qualified captain, the yachtsman who make giant wakes in the no wake zone, and the master fishermen who pull up in your chum slick or better yet, right next to you. Then of course, and perhaps worst of all, the possibility of heat stroke. When I fish in the summertime, I am on the water by 5 AM and I’m coming back by 9 AM. Winter is by contrast a gentle time for reflection and serious fishing un-harassed by the sanguineous and unwashed. During the winter months I wait for the cold front to come in and then I fish very shallow water in a leopard print g-sting bathing suit. I normally wait for the second or third day after the front passes. My typical December target? …Mutton snapper, yellow jack, grouper, porgies, sheepshead, and black drum. This time of year, these fish come up into the bay and onto the grass in water as shallow as 6 feet. My very secret method for catching these fish? Read on adoring and aspiring Jax Nation Members. BBC! Baits By Captain Jax! Uhraa!! 25 lb. blocks of chum help. Live shrimp, fresh ballyhoo, live pilchards, and a cooler full of drinks round out the arsenal. We use the dead fresh ballyhoo for the mutton snapper. The rig for the muttons is a 5/0 circle hook, 5 feet of floro’ leader, and a 4-ounce sinker on a Carolina rig. To catch yellow jacks, I have two methods. Either live shrimp on a Hutch Touch jig head or yellowtail flag jig head, or we use the thumper shrimp, (artificial.) Yellow jack are normally supper finicky. The shrimp are somehow irresistible. Yellows will not eat dead cut bait, so your choices are live bait or a sporty artificial mimicking a live bait. The rig we use with the live shrimp is a chicken rig with two hooks and a weight appropriate for the current. The porgy, sheepshead and black drum are caught the same way with the live shrimp. Mind you we are in the shallow water and these baits are basically sitting on the bottom We use the live sardines / pilchards for the grouper. If you’re looking for a place who has all these baits, come on by. Until next month…
Capt. Jax Captain Jax Bait and Tackle 490c E 4th Ave, Hialeah, FL 33010 @captainjaxmiami 786.300.5362
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JAN. 2024
MIAMI 9
10 MIAMI
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JAN. 2024
MIAMI 11
OPERACIÓN DESALOJO DE LA IGUANA DE MIAMI: LA BATALLA POR EL PARAISO by Capitán Mike Tojdowski
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n los últimos años, Miami se ha enfrentado a una invasión inusual y esta vez no de peces, sino de iguanas mini Godzilla. Estos reptiles de sangre fría, típicamente asociados a climas tropicales, han encontrado un hogar en el sur de Florida, donde se han añadido a la ya extensa lista de especies exóticas invasoras que se encuentran en nuestros cálidos y soleados paisajes. Aunque puedan parecer inofensivas, el aumento de la población de iguanas ha dado lugar a diversos problemas, lo que ha provocado la necesidad de métodos eficaces para capturar y controlar a estos intrusos escamosos. LA INVASIÓN DE IGUANAS Y FORMAS DE DETENERLAS. La iguana verde, originaria de Centroamérica y Sudamérica, ha prosperado en el clima subtropical de Miami. Con pocos depredadores naturales y abundantes fuentes de alimento, la población de iguanas se ha disparado, causando preocupación entre los residentes y las autoridades locales. Estas criaturas son conocidas por su voraz apetito, alimentándose de vegetación, frutas y flores, lo que provoca daños en jardines, paisajes e incluso infraestructuras. Por eso hemos empezado a apoyar el esfuerzo por controlar y frenar el rápido aumento de su número; también las hemos añadido como otra especie que nuestros clientes pueden capturar en Urban Adventure Charters. Esto ha resultado ser un nuevo favorito para la lista de deseos de captura y trofeo de nuestros clientes. Es una oferta de diversión acuática y en tierra. CAPTURA DE IGUANAS: GUÍA PASO A PASO 1. Reúna el equipo adecuado: Antes de embarcarse en su aventura de captura de iguanas, reúna el equipo necesario. Esto incluye guantes gruesos, camisa de manga larga, una red resistente, una caña de pescar o trampa, y un recipiente para transportar con seguridad la iguana capturada. 2. Identifique los puntos calientes: Las iguanas suelen encontrarse en zonas con abundante vegetación como parques, jardines y riberas. Identifique los puntos calientes en su vecindad donde es probable que se congreguen las iguanas. 3. Acérquese con precaución: Muévase despacio y en silencio hacia la iguana, minimizando los movimientos bruscos. Las iguanas pueden ser asustadizas y un acercamiento rápido puede hacer que huyan. 4. Utilice un lazo o una pértiga: Extienda el lazo o el poste hacia la iguana, con el objetivo de rodear suavemente el cuello del lagarto. Tenga cuidado para evitar lesiones tanto para usted como para la iguana. 5. Asegúrela con una red: Una vez atrapada la iguana, utiliza la red para asegurarla. Tenga cuidado con las afiladas garras y la cola de la criatura, ya que pueden infligir lesiones. 6. Manipúlelas con cuidado: Las iguanas pueden resistirse a la captura, así que manipúlelas con cuidado para evitar que se estresen o sufran daños. Primero, comience asegurándolas por detrás de la parte superior de la cabeza y la base de la cola para evitar que le muerdan o se azoten. A veces utilizamos la red o una pequeña toalla para inmovilizarlas y taparles los ojos. Recuerde que pueden intentar morderle o azotarle con la cola en defensa propia. 7. Transporte en un contenedor seguro: Coloque la iguana capturada en un contenedor seguro para su transporte. Asegúrese de que el contenedor tenga una ventilación adecuada y sea a prueba de fugas. 8. Póngase en contacto con las autoridades locales: En muchas áreas, la captura y reubicación de iguanas puede requerir el permiso de las autoridades locales de vida silvestre. Póngase en contacto con ellos para garantizar el cumplimiento de la normativa y para buscar orientación sobre las prácticas adecuadas de manipulación y reubicación. A medida que continúa la invasión de iguanas en Miami, es esencial comprender cómo capturar a estos reptiles invasores para gestionar su impacto en el ecosistema local y en el hábitat pesquero cercano. Siguiendo un enfoque cuidadoso y humano, los residentes pueden contribuir a controlar la población de iguanas y mitigar los retos asociados. Ya sea buscando ayuda profesional o tomando las riendas del asunto, un enfoque reflexivo e informado es clave para hacer frente a la invasión de iguanas en Miami. Atención: En esta época del año, hay que estar atento a la caída de iguanas de los árboles altos, especialmente cuando las temperaturas invernales de enero descienden a 65 grados o menos (18c). PRONÓSTICO DE PESCA: El mes de enero ha sido históricamente bueno para la pesca de robalo de agua salobre y el pre-desove del pavón. Acercarse a ellos durante las horas más cálidas del día, con cebo vivo o señuelos parecido a un Pin Fish / Mullet, parece hacer siempre el truco. Deje que el cebo se hunda lentamente hasta una profundidad de entre 1,5 y 1,8 metros antes de recuperarlo erráticamente con pausas esporádicas, de entre 5 y 10 segundos de duración. En esta época del año, estos peces tienden a alimentarse de cebos más pequeños de entre 2 y 4 pulgadas de longitud. Deberá buscarlos en las orillas de los lagos o en alguno de los innumerables canales de Miami repartidos por sus barrios, sin entrar en propiedades privadas. Recuerde llevar siempre una red cuando pesque, para evitar que tanto usted como los peces resulten heridos. Asegúrese de que las generaciones futuras puedan disfrutar de la abundante pesca de agua dulce que ofrece Miami.
12 MIAMI
JAN. 2024
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Capitán Mike Tojdowski Llamada / Texto: 305-998-3375 Síguenos en Urban Legends Fishing Charter Facebook / Instagram @Urbanlegendsfishing www.ULFish.com
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JAN. 2024
MIAMI 13
Enero: mes de caballas by Capitán Abie Raymond
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nero trae frentes fríos y aguas más frescas. La caballa se desliza hacia el sur en grandes cantidades y puede encontrarse a menos de dos millas de la playa. Lleve muchas sardinas vivas, suficientes para cebar mientras pesca, y tenga también preparado un bloque de cebo vivo por la borda. Fondee a una profundidad de entre 12 y 18 metros en un fondo duro o en la arena de la playa si el agua parece sucia; cuelgue una bolsa de carnada y pesque 2 sardinas vivas cada tres minutos más o menos, si tiene suficiente cebo. Utilice cañas de spinning y arrastre ligero para aumentar sus probabilidades de pescar caballas rápidas y espásticas. Utilice una línea principal trenzada de 15-20 lb, así como un bajo de línea mono de 4 pies y 30 lb atado a un anzuelo de caña larga de dimensiones adecuadas para el tamaño de las sardinas. El proceso va así: Enganche las sardinas en el morro, lance lejos, cierre el anzuelo, sujétese bien y déjelas correr. Prepare el cuenco del ceviche y DISFRUTE. Desde una perspectiva culinaria, la caballa es un marisco infravalorado y pasado por alto. En las aguas del sur de Florida hay caballa cero, española y real, todas ellas excelentes para la mesa. La caballa es un pescado aceitoso, delicado, de carne blanca y muy rico en ácidos grasos omega-3, lo que significa que es muy bueno para la salud. Estas características hacen que sea muy conocida para usar en el ceviche, el sashimi y preparaciones ahumadas, entre otras. ¡BUENA SUERTE CON 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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SZ Q2 HLF FN HALF PG CSTL ANGLR 3-11-22.indd 1
3/11/2022 12:54:30 PM
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o r e j a i El V Pescador by Captain Bouncer Smith, Contributing Writer
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esde mi último artículo, hicimos algunos viajes por Florida y tuvimos un gran Día de Acción de Gracias con la familia. Estuvimos en Fort Lauderdale durante la exposición de barcos y asistimos también a los inspiradores premios Tommy Gifford de la IGFA. Los premios Gifford honran a los miembros de la tripulación de pesca que hicieron de la pesca en agua salada lo que es hoy. Hicimos entrega de los premios a Ray Rosher, Brad Simond, Karl Anderson, Gene Vanderbilt Hoek y Paul Spenser, pescadores de todo Estados Unidos. La noche siguiente asistí a la gala anual de The Billfish; había mucha gente estupenda de la comunidad pesquera en este evento, pero la mayoría iban vestidos apropiadamente para los locos años veinte. El Dr. Guy Harvey fue galardonado por sus contribuciones científicas y Paul Spenser por toda una vida dedicada a la pesca. Estos actos se celebran todos los otoños, así que debería considerar unirse a nosotros el próximo año para divertirse. He pasado una mañana en Lake Worth con el capitán Chip Sheehan, en Chips Ahoy, junto con Angie; pescamos un montón de anjovas, jureles y una caballa. Al día siguiente nos unimos a Dennis Friel y su hija Sienna con South Florida Bass Charters y el Capitán Bill Lepree; las capturas de pavón y lubina fueron aderezadas con un pez cuchillo payaso y un crappie. Posteriormente, desde Boynton Beach fuimos a Sebastian Inlet para pescar con el capitán Glyn Austin de Going Coastal Charters; fue muy gratificante pescar montones de truchas marinas jóvenes y jureles. Entre las toneladas de peces de cebo variados y las truchas pequeñas, el futuro de Indian River es muy prometedor. Mi siguiente viaje fue con mi sobrino Keith y su hijo James, pescamos con Doug Youngblood de fishlakelanier.com en el lago Lanier Georgia. Nos golpeó la lubina rayada y cada uno cogió un bagre. También me uní a un par de mis amigos favoritos, Mike y Janice Arnoldy, en las afueras de Hellen Georgia para un viaje de ensueño para pescar trucha arco iris gigante en aguas privadas; Jeff fue nuestro guía y puede contactarlo en el 423-635-2459. Cuatro de nosotros pescamos la mayor parte del río ese día, pero solo tres capturaron truchas de más de 8 libras. Todos pescaron numerosas truchas con mosca, excepto yo. Me dieron una paliza. Recientemente tuvimos un viaje espectacular a los Everglades de agua dulce, donde el capitán Leo Lombera nos guió a Ashley y a mí a pescar más de 100 lubinas variadas, bluegills y cíclidos. Hoy, el capitán Abie Raymond nos puso a jugar con algunos robalos, jureles, seriolas, un boquinete, un labrido, y un montón de truchas de 12 a más de 20 pulgadas. ¿Quieres saber qué te espera en enero? Ojalá tuviéramos una máquina del tiempo. Hace 10 años el pez vela estaba al rojo vivo en enero, pero en los últimos años se ha vuelto escaso. Tal vez un puñado de frentes fríos salve el día; así que, para los peces de pico, es mejor esperar que el tiempo esté tranquilo, porque eso permitirá unas condiciones óptimas para el pez espada. El invierno es lo mejor para los gladiadores del mar, por lo que use la pesca nocturna o salga durante las caídas diurnas. Capt Bouncer Smith 305-439-2475 captbouncer@bellsouth.net COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
JAN. 2024
MIAMI 15
FLAMINGO by Nestor Alvisa
A
medida que nos adentramos en el corazón de nuestros meses de invierno, aquí en el sur de Florida, mis viajes se centran exclusivamente en Flamingo. Durante el mes de enero hay varias técnicas que voy a utilizar y especies a las que voy a apuntar. Una gran opción durante esta época del año es la pesca de la caballa española en Schooner Bank. Es algo que mantiene las cañas constantemente dobladas y resulta genial para pescadores de cualquier nivel de habilidad. Una vez que llegue a Schooner Bank, eche el ancla y una bolsa de carnada al agua; deje que el cebo le traiga los peces. Un jig con punta de gamba o una cucharilla plateada serán suficientes. Otra opción es pescar a lo largo de las boyas del cabo Sable. Sólo tiene que correr de boya en boya a una velocidad y distancia con las que se sienta cómodo para poder ver a los peces, sin asustarlos, al pasar. Una vez que haya localizado al tricolor, ¡no rechazará ninguna gamba gratis! Por último, lo más común en esta época del año es pescar robalos, gallinetas, corvinones negros y sargos en los arroyos o canales más profundos. A medida que la temperatura del agua baja estos peces corren a estos lugares en busca aguas más cálidas. Usar un camarón en una plantilla en la parte inferior funciona mejor. Nestor Alvisa HookedOnFlamingo.com @hooked_on_flamingo_charters 786.387.2443
16 MIAMI
JAN. 2024
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he results are in for Florida’s 2023 Lionfish Challenge, and it was a record-breaking year for divers working hard to protect our reefs from the scourge of invasive lionfish. With 281 participants embarking on 917 trips, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) annual four-month tournament removed 30,494 lionfish from Florida waters. It was a recordbreaking year for participation, nearly doubling the program’s previous high. The total number of lionfish removed was also a new record and beat last year’s numbers by nearly 5,000 fish. The event is one tool in FWC’s box to beat back the invasion of these beautiful but destructive little critters that plague Florida’s reefs. Lionfish are native to the Indo Pacific and the Red Sea. They were first reported off the Atlantic coast of Florida in 1985, and since then have spread like wildfire. They now inhabit the Atlantic coast up to North Carolina, the entire Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean. Lionfish are well equipped to outcompete native species on warmwater reefs. An array of venomous spines makes them unlikely prey item for larger fish, and they are voracious predators of smaller native fish and invertebrates. Lionfish reproduce prolifically and populate suitable habitat in high densities. They reduce native reef populations and have negative effects on overall reef habitat and health. They are a nasty invasive, and humans killing them continuously is the only way to combat them by controlling their numbers. By the way, they taste pretty good sizzled up in butter. Divers competing in the Lionfish Challenge are rewarded for their efforts, and winners are announced at the conclusion of the tournament. The following are the divers who speared the most lionfish in the 2023 Lionfish Challenge.
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THE RACE TO RESCUE
By Nick Carter
CHIPOLA SHOAL BASS
W
hen it comes to warm-water fly fishing, shoal bass are about as fun as it gets. These pugnacious river bass are native to only one river system: The Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin, and their preferred swift-water habitat was years ago reduced to tributaries and stretches between dams in Georgia, Alabama and Florida. While Georgia claims the healthiest native, reproducing populations of the species in the Flint River and in pockets of the Chattahoochee River, the situation is a little more tenuous for Florida’s shoal bass. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), The 95-mile-long Chipola River is the last remaining waterbody in the state with a known naturally reproducing shoal bass population. The species was dealt a massive blow in 2018, when Hurricane Michael ripped over the Panhandle and depleted more than 90 percent of the Chipola’s shoal bass population. FWC stepped in to suspend harvest and possession of shoal bass in the Chipola River and its tributaries. Then they began hatching and releasing genetically pure shoal bass into the river. It appears to be working. Over the last two years, 11,000 fingerling shoal bass have been stocked into the Chipola. In subsequent samplings, DNA analysis showed more than 60 percent of yearling fish sampled came from these stockings.
“The stockings over these past two years have certainly made an impact on the population; shoal bass that were stocked last year are already within the 9-10 inch range,” said FWC biologist Andy Strickland. This is the first time genetically pure shoal bass have been successfully raised in an FWC hatchery, which is a big deal because genetic impurity is one of the largest threats shoal bass face. Across their native range, interbreeding with introduced non-native black bass species like Alabama bass and spotted bass has muddied the gene pool except in small pockets where genetically pure populations are isolated from interlopers. “It is extremely encouraging not only to successfully spawn this species in a hatchery setting but also to document the significant contribution the hatcheryreared fingerlings have made to the existing shoal bass population in the Chipola River to date,” said Bob DeMauro, Hatchery Manager at FWC’s Blackwater Research and Development Center. Biologists will continue to monitor Chipola River shoal bass and evaluate these stocking efforts in years to come. To learn more about a great shoal bass fishery, visit flyfishga.com.
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ENTICE BIG TROUT WITH
ERRATIC ACTION PHOTO COURTESY OF KNOCKIN TAIL LURES®.
By Capt. Michael Okruhlik
A
common principle anglers abide by during winter months is to slow down their retrieve or presentation. Although this is a good default option, it may fail to entice strikes of those big, cold, winter trout. Let’s discuss. Some of my favorite lures for targeting trophy trout in the winter are those that suspend, slow sink, and have an erratic movement. When I
define a slow presentation, I am referencing the speed at which the lure moves toward the angler, the retrieve speed, not the motion. As a young angler, I was always told to slow down when it’s cold and then slow it down a little more. Although this has its place, it should not be set in stone, or ice if it’s really cold. OK, enough of the bad jokes. When trout are cold and may not be feeding
as aggressively as we would like, an extremely erratic motion can entice the strike. This erratic motion makes the lure dance in place with little to no forward movement. I use a rod with a whippy action for this. This allows me to point my rod tip at the lure and shake it up and down aggressively causing the lure to almost dance in place. I then let it pause, suspending or slow-sinking as I reel up the slack. I then repeat this practice, modifying according to the conditions. Fishing braided line is imperative for this method. The stretch in mono will not allow your slow-sinking lure to dance in place at the end of a long cast, but the zero stretch of braid makes it move like it is on a wire. I learned this the hard way 20 years ago. I was fishing with four friends, and I was the only one using mono and the only one not catching. I mimicked every move my buddy made to no avail. I then ask him to cast his lure and retrieve it near me. I watched it dance past with great action. I then cast my lure near him. Although I moved my rod more vigorously, he said my lure was moving in a straight line as if I was just reeling it in. I switched to braid on the next trip and never went back, and of course this dancing method started to produce fish! If you pay attention to the strike, this method will let you know if you should modify your retrieve. If they bite on the pause, you may want to slow it down a bit. If they bite on the shake, you may want to speed it up. I hope this helps you land more big trout this season. Good Luck! Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Knockin Tail Lures®, and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com
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By Capt. Jamie Thrappas
A BIG INSHORE SURPRISE!
t was a chilly winter morning, and my crew—a good friend Zach and his two sons—all knew it was going to be either a tough day or a great one. It was a typical morning for winter here in the Daytona, Fla. area, with overcast skies, highs in the low 60s and a dominant wind and swell headed from the northeast. The inshore bite is typically pretty good this time of year, with a variety of different species usually willing to cooperate. Red drum are a favorite backcountry target during the colder months. When they move up on the flats to feed, it can lead to good action on spoons and paddletails. On the end of the outgoing tide, we hoped to bag a few redfish before the switch, but the bite never happened. We kept busy with some small permit, pompano, mangrove snapper and even a flounder. By the time the tide switched mid-morning, the bite had slowed down with just a few small sheepshead taking our bait. Sheepshead are delicious, and around here the causeways of the Intracoastal along with barnacle- or oyster-encrusted docks, bridges and jetties are a pretty good bet for picking up a few for the cooler. They love sand fleas and fiddler crabs but will also eat shrimp on a jig head or Carolina rig. Something I like to do while targeting other species is to leave baits out for red or black drum. I had two dead stick bottom rods out the back soaking halved blue crabs in the hopes that a drum would be hungry enough to pick it up. With the action pretty slow, and while we still had some time left in the trip, I decided we should make a move. I told Zach’s younger son Gavin, who is an employee of mine at Yellow Dawg Bait & Tackle in Ormond Beach, to reel in the back rods that had been soaking. At first it looked like he had a snag as the rod bent when he picked it up, but then the drag took off. Big black drum are tanks! It’s almost like they have shoulders and they’ve been working out all week waiting for you. The big ugly that highlighted that trip was somewhere in the 50-plus-pound range, a trophy for sure! Gavin, who is the younger guy in the photo, will be in U.S. Coast Guard boot camp when this edition hits the racks. His dad, Zach, is a veteran, along with his other two sons Logan and Cameron. A big thanks to all the men and women out there who serve our country! Capt. Jamie Thrappas is Co-Publisher of Coastal Angler - Volusia County and owner of Yellow Dawg Fishing. Check out yellowdawgfishing.com. To win a free half-day inshore or offshore charter with Capt. Thrappas, enter the Fish with Coastal Angler drawing at coastalanglermag.com/contest.
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Delayed Harvest Trout By Nick Carter
A
AT FIRES CREEK, N.C.
delayed harvest trout stream is a better place than most to spend a winter afternoon, and if you can find a two- or three-day warming trend, there’s a good chance you’ll get into some pretty good fishing. North Carolina’s Fires Creek has a 2-mile stretch of delayed harvest water on U.S. Forest Service land off U.S. 64 between Murphy and Hayesville. Rainbow, brown and brook trout are stocked in the creek and protected under catch-and-release, single-hook, artificial only regulations during the October into June delayed
harvest season. It’s a small-stream setting with more and bigger trout than one would find in most creeks this size. The creek is gorgeous, with clear plunge pools and deep bend runs sliding into skinny pocket water that twists for miles through the bottom of a rhododendron-choked valley. Even the rounded river rocks are notable for their beauty, with striking dark gray and tan bands that’ll make you want to stash a few flat stones in your vest to take home. The fishing is about like any other delayed
harvest in terms of fish size and the density of stockings, but it is a small stream, so you’ll be tempted to—and you should—explore your way upstream instead of settling in on the big holes. Small streams are just more fun when you fish them that way. Around each bend lies a new challenge, another series of pools and runs. Tightlining nymphs is probably the most effective way to fool fish this time of year. They might fall for the standard “junk flies,” but a few months into the DH season, the fish might also be looking for something more natural. In winter, the aquatic insects will be small. Little black stoneflies, midges and blue-winged olives might hatch off on a warm afternoon and lead to some dry fly action, but unless you see bugs in the air, you’re better off fishing subsurface imitations of these insects. A double-nymph rig with a big attractor nymph below a smaller more natural looking nymph is always a good option. The foot bridge at the Fires Creek Picnic Area is the lower boundary of the DH water. Access above the foot bridge is easy on a streamside trail and also along Fires Creek Wildlife Road. This gravel track parallels the creek way up into its headwaters. The delayed harvest ends at the Forest Service 340A bridge. Upstream of this point, the trout population trends toward stream-born rainbows that top out at 10 or 11 inches. For GPS coordinates to access points and detailed maps of North Carolina and Georgia’s best trout water, check out “Flyfishers Guide to North Carolina & Georgia.” It is available at fly shops, on Amazon, and signed copies are available from the author by e-mailing nsc8957@gmail.com.
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NATIONAL 15
A FEW THOUGHTS ON
SHEEPSHEAD By CAM Staff
S
heepshead have become a wintertime staple when water temps drop and the regular cast of inshore characters become more difficult to target. If you’re a cold-weather inshore angler, you’re probably already familiar with sheepshead, so here are a few tips you might not have heard yet. Finding Fish: Convict fish travel and feed in packs. Once you locate them, the action can be fast, but you have to find them first. Obviously, they like structure like bridges, docks and jetties, where they can happily gnaw on barnacles. When considering structure, older, rambling docks with lots of pilings provide more surface area for established colonies of crustaceans. These can be honeyholes, but keep moving if you’re not catching fish. You might run a dozen different structures in a day and catch 90 percent of your fish on one. In the clear water of winter, sheepshead can often be sight fished, and they don’t really spook, so look for them before casting. If the water is too dingy to see them, you can sometimes hear them crunching shells if you listen quietly. Chum ’Em Up: This might sound silly, but sheepshead get excited about free food just like any other species of fish. Keep a shovel on the boat and scrape barnacles off the structure you’re fishing. This rings the dinner bell, and it’ll also help you spot them as they dart around to pick off the falling morsels. Looking for scraped pilings is also a good way to identify where other anglers have chummed sheepies before. Play the Tides: Pretty much every fish feeds best on a moving tide, but a ripping flow can be detrimental when fishing for such a structure oriented fish. Fast moving water tends to pin sheepshead right up against structure. This, and the tide itself, can make presenting baits more difficult. Find a moderate tide, and
sheepshead will spread out and move around a little more, which makes them easier to catch. Position yourself up-current and allow your baits to drift down into the fish. The Business End: Although they are not skittish, sheepshead can be selective. Whether you’re fishing fiddler crabs, shrimp tails, sand fleas, oysters or clams, use a small, short-shank hook and hide it inside your bait. Also, fish braided line. Braid has less stretch, so those little bumps when a sheepshead taps your bait translate better to the rod tip. Braid also has better abrasion resistance for when they pull you around a piling, but the increased sensitivity is key. With their black and white bars, convicts are notorious bait thieves. You need to know it the instant they suck in your bait.
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WE SERVICE MORE THAN JUST GAUGES! CHART PLOTTERS, VHF’S, RADARS, SOUNDERS, AUTOPILOTS, JET SKI CLUSTERS, AND MUCH MORE.
904-701-9726 • GAUGESAVER.COM 5049 HIGHWAY 17 SOUTH, GREEN COVE SPRINGS, FL 32043
16 NATIONAL
JANUARY 2024
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
If your device has an LCD that has faded over time, or want to inquire about possible repair options for your unit, give us a call or visit our website!
Flip Flip Hooray!
A perfect symbol of fun in the sun for only $79
H
ere’s a memorable beach moment: You’re basking in the warm sun, toes in the sand, letting the gentle turn of the foam-capped waves lull you into a state of complete relaxation. As your eyes scan the endless horizon of blue on blue, you’re rewarded with a school of dolphins making their way across the sea. There’s no denying their signature shape as they leap from the water. If you don’t see anything else extraordinary the rest of the day, you can take solace knowing you’ve witnessed one of nature’s most playful and intelligent creatures in their natural habitat. Why not re-create that special toes-in-the-sand moment with our Blue Topaz Dolphin Pendant? The beloved sea mammal has been captured mid-jump in sterling silver. And, tucked into its fins is a full two carats of shimmering blue topaz. Nothing captures the shimmering color of the ocean in the midday sun like blue topaz. With its sparkling clear blue color and high refractive index, blue topaz is one of the top-selling blue gemstones. And with our special price, you have quite the catch.
Satisfaction guaranteed or your money back. Enjoy the Blue Topaz Dolphin Pendant for 30 days. If it doesn’t pass the test swimmingly, send it back for a full refund of the item price.
A full two carats of shimmering blue topaz set in sterling silver
Limited Reserves. A full two carats of genuine blue topaz set in sterling silver for this price is as rare as a dolphin sighting. We cannot guarantee availability for long. Call today!
Limited to the first 1900 responders to this ad only! To show exquisite details, pendant shown is not exact size. Chain sold separately.
“Enormously popular, significantly intelligent and scientifically sophisticated, dolphins are amidst the most beloved animals among people.” — Dolphins-World
“This sterling silver dolphin is absolutely beautiful and the blue topaz is like the color of the ocean”
— Vivian, Cabool, MO
† Special price only for customers using the offer code versus the price on Stauer.com without your offer code.
Blue Topaz Dolphin Pendant non-offer code price $395 † Offer Code Price Only $79 + S&P Save $316! You must use the insider offer code to get our special price.
1-800-333-2045
Your Insider Offer Code: DPP349-03 Please use this code when you order to receive your discount.
14101 Southcross Drive W., Ste 155, Dept. DPP349-03, Burnsville, Minnesota 55337 www.stauer.com
• 2 ctw blue topaz; ½ ctw The Ultimate Diamond Alternative®, DiamondAura® • .925 sterling silver setting • Sterling silver chain sold separately
Stauer… Afford the Extraordinary.®
Rating of A+
SAVOR THE SEASONS in Upcountry South Carolina
Every season is the best season to explore the many treasures in the Upcountry.
A N D E R S O N C H E RO K E E G R E E N V I L L E O C O N E E P I C K E N S S PA R TA N BU R G
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