Coastal Angler Magazine - April / Greater Miami by Coastal Angler Magazine

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GREATER MIAMI EDITION

Venice, Louisiana:

A Paddler's Heaven

Local

Bass Pro

Mike Iaconelli

Fishing Reports Catch Photos News & Events

Talks Kayaks Inshore

PHOTO COURTESY OF JEFF SCHNEIDER VOLUME 22 â&#x20AC;¢ ISSUE 267

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Each month, Coastal Angler Magazine and The Angler Magazine staff search our vast coverage area for photos that will grace our covers. With well over a million readers in diverse coastal and inland markets, our magazines strive for broad national appeal as well as local-level intelligence to put anglers on fish. The cover is different depending on which edition you, the reader, are holding. The following is a little information about this month’s covers.

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The cover of this month’s Coastal Angler Venice, Louisiana: editions features a gorgeous Louisiana red A Paddler's caught by Kaku pro-staffer and Louisiana Heaven tuna captain Jeff Schneider while fishing from the deck of a Kahuna SUP. There is perhaps no better place in the world to chase redfish from a paddle-powered boat Local Bass Pro Mike Iaconelli than Venice, Louisiana. Kaku’s president Talks Kayaks Inshore Kevin Hawkins tells us all about it in this issue. With thousands upon thousands of acres of marshland situated around the mouth of the Mississippi Delta, it is a paradise for inshore species and the anglers who target them. There are so many options for kayak and paddleboard anglers around Venice. They range from mothership trips out in the Gulf of Mexico for big cobia, jacks and bull reds to easier hand-launch expeditions off the side of the road in Venice, where marsh ponds and canals in tall grass make it easier to find fishing out of the wind. No matter where or how one decides to deploy a little plastic boat in the waters around the Delta, the fishing will be fantastic. It truly is heaven for anglers under paddle power.

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THE ANGLER MAGAZINE Bass Pro Mike Iaconelli: Down Off The Deck

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Professional bass tournament angler and Mike Iaconelli TV personality Mike Iaconelli is one of the most recognized anglers in the world. The 2003 Bassmaster Classic Champion and 2006 Make New Lures Angler of the Year, “Ike” can claim to have won Confidence Lures Local almost every major award in professional bass fishing. But he’s also a self-described fish-head, who will fish anywhere, any way for anything that will pull on the other end of a line. It’s fitting that the rig pulling his stateof-the-art Bass Cat boat also has a Hobie kayak strapped to the roof for quick and easy, on-the-spot fun fishing. In this month’s magazine, Ike tells us about his love of kayak fishing in a question-and-answer session that delves into some of the tools and techniques he uses inshore. Ike is one of the best bass fishermen in the world, and his tournament skills translate well to saltwater. The cover of this month’s The Angler Magazines is of “Ike” with a good redfish caught while filming for his TV show “Going Ike” in Port Fourchon, Louisiana. We interviewed him in the run-up to this year’s Bassmaster Classic, and taking a moment to talk kayaks seemed a breathe of fresh air for him during crunch time. Talks Kayaks Inshore

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Kayakin’ The Spring

By Patrick Sebile

ife is getting vibrant. Things are warming up, and spring is here. As a ritual long established, I feel the need to be close to nature. And to me there’s no better way to experience the feeling of life awakening than riding a kayak with a rod in my hand. I have fished and guided from all kinds of boats, from small skiffs to majestic deep-sea vessels, but a small plastic shell puts me right next to the fish, my hands always a few inches from the water’s surface. It’s not a money matter, as I own boats. Perhaps it is the challenge? I definitively spend more time each year fishing from my skiff or bass boat, and surely catch more fish from these boats. They are true fishing machines, helping me cover lots of water to find fish. And they can carry all the gear necessary for any situation. On my kayak, I have to think effectively about what my needs are and carefully consider every single thing I will bring onboard. It’s a good way to find the balance between needs and wants. So how do I fish while kayaking? In freshwater and saltwater, my approach is to slowly and surely cover every spot. In a kayak, I am much more aware of, and more capable of, targeting the places where fish hide. Superbly silent, my Pro Angler carries me at the edge of two worlds, above the surface where we

live and the liquid world, which holds the object of all our passions. My kayak tackle boxes have a variety of carefully selected key lures that will help in different situations and environments, nothing more than what I will need. I carry Magic Swimmers, hard for open water and soft for heavy cover and structure. A Flatt Shad snagless is effective in both open and snaggy areas. Twitch baits like the Stick Shadd definitely go into my box, as they are needed if fish are active. A handful of plastic worms, a couple of bucktails, and then a topwater or a pivot frog will complete this set to fish from a ’yak. Seated just above the water, gliding silently with gentle movements of my feet on the pedals, rod in hand and with eyes searching, I use the smooth approach to get as close as I can to the spot or to the fish. Then all that’s left is a short but accurate cast. Proximity also gives me greater enjoyment of seeing the fish and seeing it bite. That’s why I love kayak fishing this time of the year. And you never know; I may let my lures sit in the tackle box and simply hook a shiner or a shrimp and let it swim. Or maybe I won’t even do a thing, just watch the water and the life that surrounds it—just enjoy life… and a kayak ride. Patrick Sebile is the owner and lure designer of Sebile Innovative Fishing (www.sebile.com).

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Mike Iaconelli Talks Kayaks And Redfish

Editor Nick Carter had the chance to interview professional bass angler Mike Iaconelli just before the Bassmaster Classic. We didn’t want to jinx Ike by talking about the Classic, so we asked the Hobie pro about his love of kayak fishing.

hat’s the appeal in stepping down from the deck of a bass boat into a kayak? Ike: Growing up in southern New Jersey, I consider myself a small-boat angler first. Many of my early childhood experiences fishing involved fishing from the bank, rowing a small jonboat or paddling a canoe. Kayak fishing fills a huge niche in my fishing life. Outside of competitive bass tournament fishing, I’m still a huge fish head. That means fishing for all freshwater and saltwater species in my down time. When I’m fun fishing or filming for TV shows, I love to access remote places that I can’t get into with my full size bass boat. Kayak fishing is also a HUGE breath of fresh air to leave behind the big boat and all of the time and preparation that go along with launching and running that boat. With your tournament schedule, do you get to spend much time on the salt? Ike: I definitely try to go inshore and offshore fishing each fall when the tournament season concludes. This past fall, I spent a week in Port Fourchon, Louisiana hanging out at Hobie Worlds 6 and filming a kayak fishing episode for season two of my TV show, Going Ike, which premiers this spring on the Pursuit Channel! I had a great time catching big redfish and trout, plus it was awesome meeting the Hobie World Championship competitors from all over the world who love fishing as much as I do. I also had a chance to go offshore fishing with my buddy Ish Monroe in San Francisco during November. We were mainly targeting lingcod, and it was an amazing day of fishing! Where do you put your kayak in and what do you fish for in New Jersey? Ike: I mostly fish the small lake behind my house, which has largemouth bass, northern chain pickerel, crappie and sunfish. My son, Vegas, got a brand new Hobie kayak from Santa for Christmas this year. The fish in our lake better watch out this summer! I’m really looking forward to spending time with my family and pursuing exciting new fishing adventures. How do redfish compare to “green fish?” Ike: Anyone who has caught a big redfish would agree that they are definitely more powerful and are a very aggressive fish in general. One of my favorite things about targeting redfish is that most of the time I can focus on shallow-water power-fishing techniques and search for active, feeding reds. With the “green fish,” there are a lot of times that I have to slow down and present a bait to them slowly such as with a jig, worm or finesse fishing.

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What skills, techniques and gear from your bass arsenal translate well to inshore? Ike: Casting accuracy/ presentation, reading tides and powerfishing techniques are the first three that come to my mind. Often when I’m inshore fishing, I am targeting fish that are relating to a grass edge or current break. If I can make accurate, quiet casts, there’s a good chance I’m going to catch more fish! Having grown up fishing the Delaware River, which can have up to a 7-foot tide swing between low and high tides, I’ve spent much of my life learning how fish position based on the tide level and current. This experience translates extremely well to inshore fishing…. I bring a lot of traditional power-fishing gear that you’d also find in my Bass Cat boat when I’m fishing for bass: Abu Garcia “Ike” Series Rods, Berkley Trilene braided/ monofilament/ fluorocarbon fishing lines, Rapala Skitter Walk and Skitter V topwaters, VMC jigheads, and Berkley Powerbait and Gulp swimbaits, grubs, and more soft plastics. How is your Hobie rigged out? Ike: I have a Power Pole Micro Anchor to stop the kayak on a dime. This is a very crucial piece of equipment, which allows me to quickly stop and fish an area without the kayak drifting with the current or wind. This is huge when you are fishing specific targets such as points, current breaks, laydowns, docks and more. I also have a Lowrance HDS 9 Touch unit, a storage crate for my Flambeau Zerust tackle boxes and tackle bags, landing net, rod holders, and of course, Hobie’s Mirage Drive pedals so I can keep my hands fishing instead of paddling! Electronics play a huge role on the bass tournament scene, what’re your thoughts on electronics in kayaks? Ike: Electronics play just as huge of a role in kayak fishing. I really use it the same as with my Bass Cat boat! As I just mentioned, I run a Lowrance HDS 9 Touch unit on my Hobie for its GPS/ sonar abilities. I rely heavily on the information I can gather from the Lowrance such as mapping/ bottom contours, reading the water temperature, and using the sonar for locating fish, cover and structure to name a few. I may mount a Hydrowave on the Hobie as well soon. It’s another great innovation in electronics, and I use it often in my boat to fire up fish. I’m always interested in adding tools to my boat or kayak that help me catch more fish!

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Lou

By Nick Carter - Photos Courtesy of Kaku

f there’s a heaven for folks who fish from paddle-powered boats, it must look a lot like Venice, Louisiana. This narrow spit of marshland at the Mississippi River Delta is a maze of canals and bays that flush into the Gulf of Mexico with fecundity born of joining waters. Channels and marsh ponds tucked into thousands of acres of wetlands make it the perfect habitat for redfish, seatrout, flounder and other species. It’s like the landscape was designed for fishing and exploring with a paddle. Kevin Hawkins was born and raised in Tarpon Springs, Fla. He is the president of Kaku Kayaks & Paddleboards but calls himself the company’s chief pro-staffer. He prides himself on the amount of fishing he does and designs his boats on experience. Venice is one of his favorite testing grounds. Whether its launching roadside into the marsh, a trip outside the pass from remote Port Eads or a mothership expedition to the Gulf ’s famous oil rigs, it’s the perfect setting to test his boats. It doesn’t hurt that the fishing is awesome. When the seas aren’t too rough, there’s no adventure quite like a mothership trip out to the oilrigs in search of cobia, kingfish and bull reds. Kaku pro-staffer Capt. Jeff Schneider is also a tuna captain who runs a 36-foot Contender when he’s not paddling a small plastic boat. With kayaks loaded, it’s about an hour and a half run from Venice Marina out to 50-foot-deep rigs in West Bay. Hawkins described a day he fished with Schneider, and although the primary target was cobia, a big 45-inch redfish was the highlight. Armed with big 5000 reels and 40- to 50-pound tackle, they dropped Kaku Wahoo kayaks into 2- to 3-foot seas. Even on the stable fishing platform, Hawkins said it might have been a bit much for new paddlers. For a veteran it was fun. “It’s awesome, man. I love paddling a good kayak in that stuff and busting over big waves,” said Hawkins. “When it gets rough like that, it’s fun.” They fished a series of four or five structures linked by a bridge, which gave space to paddle around and explore. Hawkins said he paddled right up to the corner of a pier, dropped his jig straight down and began back paddling before jigging. That’s when the big bull red ate. “When you’re in the shallows and they pull you around, they call that the Cajun sleigh ride,” Hawkins said. “When you’re in deep water like that, he heads straight down. He was pulling me, and that kayak was smashing straight down on those waves. It was pretty intense.” Invariably, fish seek something to wrap the line around, and only by kicking off a beam was Hawkins able to keep himself from going

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Experience Heaven

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under the rig and losing the fish. He gave a piece of advice for battling big fish from a kayak in deep water. “Keep the tip of the rod toward the front of the boat,” he said. “When the rod goes to the side, that’s when you run the risk of flipping.” If an open-water mothership trip seems a little much, Port Eads sits on the southernmost tip of Louisiana, right at the end of the Mississippi River. It’s only accessible by boat, and reasonable prices buy lodging and good meals. Also known as South Pass, the location is a few minutes paddle from the open Gulf and offers excellent fishing for big jacks, reds, cobia, blacktip sharks and any number of other species big enough to warrant medium-heavy rods, 3000 to 4000 reels and 30- to 40-pound-test lines. Hawkins likes artificials and prefers Slayer Inc.’s Sinister Swim Tail rigged on a 4/0 jig head. For him, sinking bait outside the pass would detract from the reason he fishes from kayaks and SUPs in the first place. “Kayaks are about stalking and hunting the fish,” he said. “You’ve got to use your instincts to find them. I don’t like to just sit on a hole and fish bait.” It’s as much fun as you can have sitting down… or standing up if seas are calm enough for an SUP like Kaku’s Kahuna, which is specifically designed for fishing. But perhaps the best bet for calm waters is a third Venice option, to launch roadside. Highway 23 runs from New Orleans to Venice, and Tidewater Road is where the pavement ends. There are any number of places to hand-launch a kayak or paddleboard. Hawkins mentioned Yellow Cotton Bay as well as a series of marsh ponds and cuts at a circular canal known as The Pinwheel. Once you find fish off the grass edges, it’s probably the best inshore action in the world, and it’s easily accessible to paddlers. Popping cork rigs are a no-brainer, but Hawkins said once you get tired of catching scads of rat reds and trout, it’s time to switch to the paddletail rig he likes to fish outside the pass. “We’re looking for the big ones,” he said. “You’ve still got to be ready for the big ones. No matter where I am in Venice, I’ve got a 30-pound rig.” For more information on Kaku Kayaks & SUPs, see kakukayak. com.

To learn more about fishing from a Kahuna Paddleboard, go to

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The 12.5′ length of the Wahoo helps ensure stability. The Wahoo spans 33″ wide, great for fishing! Weighing only 74 lbs, the Wahoo is WWW.kakukayak.com lightweight, but incredibly stable. The Wahoo has a capacity of 400lbs.

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THE DAY’S BIG CATCH SHOULD BE YOUR ONLY FOCUS Insurance coverage through BoatU.S. makes for a great start to what could be an epic day of fishing. Our policies are designed with coverages custom-made for Anglers and include 24/7 claims service from boating experts. • Agreed Value Coverage for Your Boat, Engine(s) and Boating Equipment • Broad Cruising Areas • Charter and Guide Coverage Options Available • Coverage for Fishing Gear • Tournament Coverage • Water Towing and Roadside Assistance from TowBoatU.S. – the Nation’s Largest Fleet

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Paddlesports Product Review COVERALLS KAYAK COVER

CREEKKOOLER FLOATING COOLER

Who says kayak covers need to be bulky and thick? CoverAlls kayak covers deliver protection, strength and durability in a lightweight, tough material that keeps your kayak clean and dry year-round. Protect your kayak from nature and the elements. Prevent dirt, debris, pollen and leaves from piling up in the cockpit and seat. Block bugs and critters before they move in. Keep water out with material that’s not just water-resistant—it’s water-PROOF. Our covers are also UV-resistant to preserve your kayak’s hull and rigging from the sun’s damaging rays. Best of all, CoverAlls kayak covers are a breeze to use. They slip on quickly, draw closed with a single poly cord and cam lock—not zippers—and get snug with durable Velcro straps. There’s even a built-in red flag for transport. The cover slips off easily and stows neatly in an included compact stuff bag that even fits in most deck hatches. Spend more time with a rod and reel and less time with a hose and scrub brush. See how much better protection can be at www.coveralls.biz!

Space is always at a premium when you’re on the water in a paddle-powered vessel. Whether it’s a kayak, canoe or stand-up paddleboard, a lack of stowage often forces us to leave behind the things not absolutely necessary for the activity at hand. On a larger boat where there’s plenty of room, many anglers wouldn’t think of going fishing without a cooler full of iced-down beverages. With the new Creekkooler, those navigating under paddle power can have the same luxury. The Creekkooler is an innovative floating cooler designed with dual-wall construction and top-quality insulation to retain ice and keep things cold for extended periods. Its shape cuts through the water, limiting drag and allowing it to be pulled easily behind a boat. Creekkooler has a 30-quart capacity and will hold 30 12-ounce cans and 20 pounds of ice. It has four drink holders on deck and a 1/8-turn watertight lid that makes it a great tool for extra dry storage, too. Whether it’s for keeping drinks cold during a day on the water with buddies, packing in provisions for a multi-day float trip, or extra dry storage for the stuff you need but don’t have room in the boat for, Creekkooler is an innovative new product that will make your excursion under paddle power more comfortable.

WWW.COVERALLS.BIZ

KANOOLERPRODUCTS.COM

WHALEBACK PADDLEBOARDS TORTUGA

When I’m not in the studio or at the racetrack, I’m fishing. Every chance I get. I recently started SUP fishing, and the 12’6” Tortuga by Whaleback Paddleboards is a real game changer. At 12’6” x 34” x 10.5”, with twin pontoons, the stability is ridiculous. I can walk nose to tail and all around the rails to reel in fish from any direction. Its 3-inch side bite tracking fins allow me to squeeze into shallow flats, and its maneuverability and stability is great offshore as well. With a fullcoverage, water-resistant traction pad, the deck space is unmatched. And its 28 customizable

By Matt Nix, Racin’ Nation Radio

WWW.WHALEBACKPADDLEBOARDS.COM

JACKSON KAYAK KRAKEN 13.5

Jackson Kayak’s Kraken 13.5 is an all-new option for paddlers looking to tackle big water. Based on The Kraken 15.5 platform, the 13.5 sheds some length for more maneuverability but with all the punch of its big brother. This kayak, just like the original, is designed for the most challenging paddling environments and intended for the offshore and big-lake kayak angler. It’s a natural follow up to the first collaborative design between legendary kayak angler, Jim Sammons and Jackson Kayak’s design team led by Tony Lee. The new Kraken 13.5 is a boat shaped and built to accommodate those hitting the open water in a nimble, smaller footprint but still capable of big water management. It’s designed for punching through surf, handling rough offshore currents, swells, beach landings and those who desire ultimate performance and maneuverability. With more features than can be listed, Jackson has considered all the needs of bigwater anglers and packed them thoughtfully into this kayak. Its great-tracking hull has the speed to cover miles and the volume and storage to carry you and your gear comfortably on long outings. 16

inserts and deck tie downs let me rig up my YakAttack lean post, rod holders, GPS and paddle holder and still have room for the cooler, cup holder and lawn chair. Because let’s face it, nothing’s better than celebrating a good catch with a cold one. Whether you’re an experienced SUP fisherman or just getting started, the 12’6’ Tortuga is the board for you. It sets you up with everything you need. You just have to find the fish. All Whaleback boards are made in the USA. Visit www.whalebackpaddleboards.com or call 561-3361612 for a dealer near you.

PAU HANA BIG EZ ANGLER At 11 feet long and available in both 32 and 36 inches of width, Pau Hana’s Big EZ Angler is built to be stable, the perfect platform for fighting any game fish. This paddleboard is derived from the classic Big EZ, and is shaped to provide anglers the balance they need while remaining easy to maneuver in shallow water without disrupting fish underneath. It is lightweight at just over 30-pounds, which means it is easy to launch anywhere there’s a place to carry it to the water. It can be rigged up for any kind of fishing, can handle heavy loads and carry all the gear you need. With a soft and stylish deck and space in between the pieces for water drainage, the Angler comes pre-equipped with 25 multiple threaded mount attachment points using Pau Hana’s innovative SeaMount System. Coolers, tackle boxes, anchors, nets, rod holders, paddle clips, lights and anything else an angler needs can be easily mounted on deck. The Big EZ Angler is a real teak paddleboard with the capacity to carry everything an angler needs and provide a stable platform to fish from.

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Paddlesports Product Review RAM MOUNTING SYSTEMS Whether you are on a lake, stream, whitewater, inlet or ocean, kayaking is all about adaptability. RAM has created a complete line of rust-resistant mounting solutions for kayaks that allow anglers to mount items where they are needed. RAM Mounting systems offer the widest selection of kayak fishing accessories to adapt to a wide range of fishing scenarios. With a patented ball-and-socket design, RAM mounts allow anglers to mount almost anything at the perfect angle. This provides flexibility to mount equipment within reach, but out of the way. RAM’s kayak mounts and fishing accessories are rugged, compact, and have no sharp edges or points. All of our kayak mounts are backed by a lifetime warranty and are made in the USA. RAM mounts are the solution for mounting anything you might need on the water. A full line of rod holders covers everything from fly rods to conventional baitcasters and spinning rods of all sizes. Electronics, like fishfinders, chartplotters, phones, tablets and cameras can be mounted securely where they are needed. RAM even has a special system for mounting transducers for depthfinders. If there is something that needs to be mounted on a kayak, chances are RAM has thought of it and designed a product to hold it.

WWW.RAMMOUNT.COM

THE SKIMMER KAYAK MOTOR KIT Paddle fatigue getting to you? Want to motorize your kayak or canoe? There’s no need to pay $2,000 for a motorized kayak. Watercraft Technologies’ The Skimmer is a simple system for motorizing your kayak or canoe, and it costs less than $400. It is a lightweight, portable motor that mounts easily to your stern. Just snap it on when you need it. Fishing has never been easier, safer and more convenient. Go farther and save your energy for fishing! Increase your range! Catch more fish! The Skimmer weighs only 6 pounds. It’s 12v battery operated. There are easy controls for steering and motor lift. It’s environmentally safe, with no pollution, oil or gas spills. The Skimmer is made for saltwater, but does great in brackish or fresh water. It is able to propel a craft 2-4 knots and lasts two to five hours per charge. Imagine running your kayak at that speed and that long with zero effort! This propulsion system is great for people who want to get on the water and not worry about paddling hard into a swift current or strong wind. It is also great for those with shoulder, back or elbow issues. This kayak trolling motor kit carries a one-year, full parts replacement policy. See The Skimmer in action and order online at www.kayaktrollingmotor.com or order by phone at 631-848-3119.

WWW.KAYAKTROLLINGMOTOR.COM

MALIBU X-WING CONSOLE

Storage is a huge issue when all the gear you need at hand must fit in a space the size of your legs and lap. Malibu’s X-Wing Console is a fantastic option for storing and organizing gear in the cockpit of a kayak. Mounting of electronics, rod holders and other accessories can all be accomplished on one unit without drilling unnecessary holes in a kayak’s deck. A dry-storage compartment included in the unit makes the perfect place for valuables as well as being a great place for a battery. The X-Wing slides back and forth on a track mounted to the gunnel, so placement can be customized on the fly so it’s there when you need it and out of the way when you don’t. It’s also completely removable for storage and transportation. The X-Wing fits Malibu Kayaks, and modifications and adapters can be used to make the console fit other brands.

WWW.MALIBUKAYAKS.COM

YAKGEAR COOLER SEAT A cooler is one of the most valuable tools in most anglers’ arsenals. It goes everywhere and serves as a refrigerator, stepladder, poling platform, storage box and even a seat. YakGear’s Cooler Seat and Rigging Kit allows anglers to turn their cooler into a more comfortable and practical seating platform. Perfect for fishing, paddling, camping, tailgating and hunting, the YakGear Cooler Seat and Rigging Kit consists of the YakGear Sting Ray Seat and the necessary hardware to mount and secure the seat to a cooler. The kit is compatible with all coolers that feature “Front Locking Holes” including Yeti, Grizzly, Engel, Yukon, Icehole, some of the Bison models, and many more. The YakGear Sting Ray Seat features built-in back braces, which allow rigid back support without pressure from an exterior backrest. While most seats slouch down or fold over, the YakGear back braces hold the seat in place. As an additional feature, the seat has an aggressive non-slip pad to prevent unwarranted movement while sitting.

YAKGEAR.COM APRIL 2017

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FLY FISHING A Modern Take On Booking Fishing Guides And Charters

a better way. In April 2016, Fisher Guiding was founded. Since then, Hill has been working full time to turn his dream of easy one-stop shopping for charters and guided trips into reality. Fisher Guiding is a web-based service that lets anglers book trips with guides and charters online. It allows potential customers to search, review, message and pay guides all through an easy-to-use website. This service allows guides and captains to advertise and book clients based on available dates. It makes payment hassle free and allows guides and captains to market to customers in a way never before available. For some independent guides, the local fly shop is the only avenue available for them to book clients. Fisher Guiding is looking to supplement and modernize by offering a variety of scheduling and booking tools. Right now, Fisher Guiding currently has booking options from Alaska to the East Coast, Bahamas, Belize and Costa Rica. Although the consumer website just launched eight days ago, Fisher is already off to a great start with trips booked and new guides joining daily making for a constantly growing community. “Ultimately, the goal is to have guides and charters representing every market and fishing destination in the USA and around the world,” said Hill. It will be interesting to see how Fisher Guiding impacts the industry. The advantages are obvious for guides and charter services, but the greatest benefit may be for the consumer. Customers can read reviews and even message guides right through the website. Booking and paying for trips can be handled in two easy steps. While all change forces adaptation, a more competitive and transparent system will serve both the professionals and consumers. Ultimately the goal of Fisher Guiding is to make guides and charters more accessible to the public and contribute to the growth of the sport. A high tide will raise all the boats. See for yourself at www.fisherguiding.com.

FLY FISHING

ooking fishing guides and charters has not really changed at all for 50 years, so the industry is ripe for change and improvement. That is what Edward Hill—founder of Fisher Guiding– thought before launching his online service for guides and captains and the anglers who use them. Hill worked at Front Range Anglers before By Charlie Warfield graduating from the University of Colorado. There he saw firsthand how the guiding business worked in the local area. After school, he did private sector work in Washington, D.C., but after a couple years felt the need for a change and a new challenge. He began planning a trip to the Everglades with his father to do some fishing and reflection. Hill began searching the Internet for local guides. He was frustrated by the lack of information and the hoops he had to jump through to get hold of a guide. He had to look up guides and then call them for available dates and rates. It was a hassle, and it then turned out the guides he tracked down didn’t have the dates available he was looking for. Hill thought there must be

CHOOSING THE CORRECT BAITFISH FLY

f you look in many fly anglers’ boxes, you will see a huge array of flies in all shapes, sizes and colors. However, having the one correct fly in the box is the key to fishing success. Picking the correct flies for any saltwater fly fishing situation is key to whether or not you’ll be catching fish. Walking into a fly shop and looking into the fly bins can prove mindboggling to the uninitiated. The bins are filled with so many flies with which the fledgling saltwater fly fisher has little or no knowledge. Saltwater flies differ from their freshwater cousins in size and dress. Sometimes, like the kid in a candy store who is more influenced by the attractive wrapper than its contents, the beginning saltwater fly angler often chooses the eye-candy, over-dressed flies far too bulky to resemble a baitfish or a crab, flies that hook fishermen rather than fish.

Baitfish patterns

I believe a sparsely dressed baitfish pattern is preferable to a bulked up flashy fly. Why? The sparsely dressed fly will have a more natural look than will an all-too-spruced-up fly. Also, my experience has shown that a fish is far less selective when presented the sparsely dressed fly. The fly is only an imitation, a hint, of what the fish is feeding on, producing in the fish a reflexive action to strike. Perhaps one of the most important parts of the saltwater fly is its large eye that resembles closely the good-sized eyes on baitfish such as sardines, pilchards, and anchovies. Game fish zero in on that oversized eye when chasing and feeding on baitfish. Focusing on that eye results in fewer lost meals.

Color

Natural colors work best. Olive green, browns, tans and

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FLY FISHING Upstate New York

Bass On The Fly! By Mathew DeRosa

t was a very successful spring steelhead season on New York’s Salmon River. Approaching the tail end of the season, a friend and I made a “last chance” trip in hopes of finding a few final drop-back steelhead left in the system. We fished the lower section of the river, near Lake Ontario, to increase our chances of a tight line. It was one of those days when spring starts meshing into summer. The sun was shining with a few high clouds, the warm breeze was 70 degrees, and we had the river to ourselves. For an angler, being outside and fishing in a short sleeve shirt with no one around should be enough to call any day a success. This day was about to get better. As we cast into a river with increasing water temps and a majority of the steelhead already back in Lake Ontario, our expectations of a tight line were low. Soon enough, as we launched large flies

into the water, the addicting tight line grabs began. These fierce strikes were not steelhead, but hungry smallmouth bass. We enjoyed a full day on the river swinging 4-plus-inch flies and catching more than 25 smallmouth bass apiece. Are you a bass fisherman? Have you experienced the power of a bass on a fly rod? Smallmouth and largemouth bass will aggressively hunt down prey, which makes catching them on a fly rod extremely enjoyable. The late spring and early summer months are perfect to experience bass on the fly in Upstate New York. Altmar, N.Y. is on the Salmon River a short drive from the Tug Hill Sportsman Club. Both the Salmon River and the Tug Hill Sportsman’s Club are great places to learn how to fly fish and test your skills on bass. The beautiful scenery and vast expanse of meandering clear water make the Salmon River a top-priority fishing location in late spring. Favorable river conditions draw in large numbers of smallmouth bass. The river has more than 12 miles of public fishing property, and you can fish all day without encountering another angler. Smallmouth enter the river in April to spawn and remain in the system until September. Average Salmon River smallmouth bass range from 2 to 3 pounds; some weigh more than 5 pounds. Bass are present the entire length of the river from Altmar to the Douglaston Salmon Run. Tug Hill Sportsman Club The Tug Hill Sportsman Club is located on 450 acres of gently rolling land and is home to four lakes. The lakes make up about 45 acres of pristine largemouth bass-infested water. New to fly fishing or experienced, the opportunity to catch a world-class largemouth is there. The fish in these small lakes have had unpressured feeding, growing and reproductive conditions as the property has been carefully managed for more than 25 years. The goal is to provide guests with the highest quality angling. Enjoy Tailwater Lodge’s relaxing accommodations and fish the Tug Hill Sporting Club with Zero Limit Adventures! Matthew DeRosa is a guide with Zero Limit Adventures. For more information on the Tug Hill Sportsman’s Club and Zero Limit Adventures, visit www.zerolimitadventures.com.

whites are all great color combos for baitfish patterns. You should, however, carry a selection of blue and white, red and white and, of course, chartreuse and white in your fly box.

Size

Depending on what type of fish you’re pursuing, the size of your flies will vary. But, in most saltwater fly fishing situations, you’ll also need baitfish patterns that range from a small anchovy patterns in size 6 to large sardine or pilchard patterns in size 2/0. Remember, just as it is on the spring creek or on the large river, it’s all about matching the hatch, weather it’s insects or baitfish.

For more flyfishing with Bowman, go to

CAMFLYFISHING.COM

35 Acres of Private Access to the World-Renowned Salmon River 42 Luxurious Accommodations On-Site Bar and Restaurant • Daily Hot Breakfast Included Salmon River, Altmar, NY 315-298-3434

TailwaterLodge.com

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You could get a discount when you combine your auto and boat policies.

for your boat geico.com | 1-800-865-4846 | Local Office Some discounts, coverages, payment plans and features are not available in all states or all GEICO companies. Boat and PWC coverages are underwritten by GEICO Marine Insurance Company. Multi-Policy Discount available to auto insureds that have purchased a boat policy through the GEICO Marine Insurance Company. GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, D.C. 20076; a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. © 2017 GEICO

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FLORIDA

Elite Series Anglers Visit The Big O

By Steve Daniel, the voice of Okeechobee fishing

hen Bassmasters Elite Series competitors came to the Big O in February, they went all out to showcase our great fishing. In the end, Timmy Horton came out on top. He did most of his fishing with a jig in the bulrushes on the south end of the lake. He knew if the wind got up it could spell trouble, and it did. Even though he carried a 7-pound lead into the final day, it would be nerve racking to finish the job. He ran back to the Harney Pond area and caught 12 pounds to win by about a pound over Tennessee angler Ott Defoe.

At the weigh in, Horton’s daughter showed up with a pizza box, and no one knew what that was all about, but my wife Deb and I knew; we were there. Horton won an event on New York’s Lake Champlain several years ago. On the final day he made a long run, over 60 miles, to catch a 20-pound bag. The only way he could lose the event was if the weather got bad and he could not get back to the weigh in on time. Being aware of this, he returned early and tied his boat to the dock. Rules state that an angler can’t leave the boat unless there’s an emergency. After approval from Tripp Welden, tournament director, Horton’s cameraman, who was his observer and could not get out of the boat either, ordered a large pizza to the boat. They enjoyed a long afternoon tied to the dock. Here on Okeechobee, Horton also enjoyed a big lead going into the last day. The plan was to go to the south end, get a heavy bag and return early to have an early lunch tied to the dock. It didn’t happen that way. The wind got up and changed the area he was fishing, and it took Horton until 11:30 a.m. to even catch his first bass. In the end, Horton caught enough to win, and the rest is history, but that is what the box of pizza was all about. I bet the pizza got cold waiting the docks. With water levels falling here on the Big O, we will be fishing some really shallow water going into April. Here is a tip: Get a 4-foot stick and keep it by the driver’s seat to feel the bottom. If you feel sand and the water is deep enough to get on plain, you will be fine. If the bottom feels hard, keep idling out until you have deeper water. Use a little common sense. Fishing in April will be incredible. An extremely successful professional bass tournament angler, Steve Daniel is 30-year veteran Okeechobee guide and the voice of Okeechobee fishing on WRVO Radio Network 1’s Hooked Up With Steve and Deb. Check out the show at www.renoviolaoutdoors.com

To learn more about fishing in the Big O, go to

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BEACHMARINEPRODUCTS.COM

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DINNER AND

A SHOW By Michael Landress

riskly driven by warm sea breezes, we drifted in 26-fathoms—three grizzled and oft impatient anglers awaiting a bite. Biker Brad and I chartered Capt. Chris Le-Mieux and his 27foot Conch Cruiser out of Boynton Beach with expectations of catching summer dolphin. Joggling in 2-foot seas, Chris set the lines. After a few minutes, we noticed the spinning rod baited with a lively threadfin at the transom presenting a tad odd. The monofilament was loosely wrapped around the reel’s handle and bail. The line was straight down from the rod tip and disappeared beneath the Conch Cruiser. Chris seized the rod and quickly untangled the quandary then began a feverish retrieval of slack line. A tenacious, girly mahi gobbled the jittery herring then torpedoed toward the vessel. I reached for the camera in an effort to capture images of her aerial assault for freedom, but missed the opportunity because Chris forced the straining rod in my face barking, “REEL . . . REEL . . . REEL!” We watched in awe as the flailing dolphin rocketed through the air twisting and turning with great energy. Perhaps, the mahi is the prettiest fish in the world’s oceans. The brilliant harlequin green and cyber yellow of its lit skin, embellished with ultramarine specks in contrast with blue water, is spectacular. Having missed two epic jumps, I couldn’t resist the temptation. I passed

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the rod to Brad so I could focus on capturing the final flurry of vaults with a camera. But, as quickly as the acrobatic breaches had begun, they ceased. The worn dolphin laggardly cruised near the surface. Her brilliant color quickly faded as she succumbed to a well-placed, razor sharp gaff. Wild-eyed and grinning from ear to ear like yellow cartoon sponges, we extended our gratitude for the show by welcoming her aboard for a dinner engagement. Dinner and a show is how we roll!

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FISH THE GREATER JACKSONVILLE KINGFISH TOURNAMENT

ingfish anglers will converge on Jacksonville the week of July 17 for the 37th edition of the Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament. Steve Thompson, Captain of the Sea Snake, will once again serve as tournament chairman. With more than 30 years of experience on the SKA circuit, he brings unique insight to the Jacksonville tournament. The traditional two-day, Thursday/Friday format returns this year. Each angling boat will be allowed to weigh one fish Thursday and up to two fish Friday. Boats that made a wrong turn on day one still have a fighting chance on day two. Also returning is the single-engine class, where payouts go to the top 10 largest fish only. This year’s event, unlike last year, will not pay big fish or aggregate. The wildly popular ladies division will be expanded for 2017 and payouts will go out to the top 10 largest fish caught by ladies. Last year there were more ladies than ever arriving at the weigh scales, and with expanded payouts more are expected this year. As usual, there will be fun for all the kiddos. Junior anglers will have their own offshore day on the boats on Tuesday, and there will be a juniors dock tournament. As bonus prizes, there will be treasure chest drawings. Every boat that weighs a fish on Friday will receive a treasure chest key. Lucky keys open one of 10 treasure chests valued at more than $700 each! With donated fish, organizers will

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also be handing out tickets for $100 drawings. Again this year, an awesome gas-powered, customized golf cart will be raffled off. This isn’t your grandad’s golf cart; this one has 14-inch offroad tires, a Yamaha gas engine, Bluetooth sound system and lights all around. It is worth more than $9,000, and raffle tickets can be purchased with a $10 donation. New this year is a traveling angler prize, where one lucky angler from outside of 75 miles of Jacksonville will win cash. This is for the heaviest king outside the perimeter. It’s this, especially for an entry fee of only $345. just another way Jacksonville On top of all that, there is the seafood festival. Marine Charities and the GJKT says thanks for Don’t forget to visit Ship2Shore, the tournament’s fishing with us. And let’s not forget the grand prize. Once seafood vendor, and enjoy some fresh cooked again, the GJKT is proud to award, for the seafood. Make plans now to attend this year’s event. heaviest kingfish of the tournament, a Contender 22 Sport boat, powered by a 250 hp Yamaha 4 The weather is predictable in July, and big fish stroke outboard. Sitting on a brand new Trailer, are always plentiful. Over the years, several with a custom T-top by Pelagic Fabrications and tournament winners have come from within 5 a custom boat cover made by Mousa’s Auto & miles of the inlet. Marine trim shop, this To learn more about last years event, go to prize is valued at more than $86,000 dollars. No one offers a prize value like

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ishing in the Big Pine Key area can be the experience of a lifetime. The areas around Big Pine Key have a deep history that includes a large range of visits by famous explorers, pirates and American industrialists. Hundreds of years ago Native American tribes made frequent visits to harvest the Florida Keys’ rich abundance of seafood the area provided. Now many years later and well into the 21st century the combination of flowing Gulf Stream waters, coral reefs, lush mangrove islands, shallow flats and a complex interconnection of deep channels make this area unlike anywhere else in the world. Due to the ability to easily access both the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, the variety of fishing is absolutely endless. Directly offshore is the famous Looe Key Reef. Tournament sport

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fishing boats often travel many miles to target a great sailfish bite off these reefs. Other pelagic gamefish such as black fin tuna, dolphin and speedy/yummy wahoo can also be targeted. Big schools of the very tasty reef fish such as mutton, mangrove, lane and yellowtail snappers are plentiful in these areas. Between May 1 and Dec. 31, grouper is open to harvest. Very nice black, gag, and red groupers can be caught around all sorts of bottom ranging from inshore patches close to shore all the way to the outer reef. If the inshore gamefish are your preference, there may be no better location in the world than Big Pine Key area. Close proximity to the famous Bahia Honda Bridge provides some of the best live bait tarpon action in all of the Keys. The shorelines, channels and bays in the area provide some of the very best habitat there is to target these giants with a fly rod. Endless amounts of shallow flats in close proximity to deep channels provide miles and miles of habitat for much sought after permit and bonefish. You could fish a lifetime in the area and only discover half of what the region is capable of providing. No matter what style of fishing you prefer, no matter what time of year, Big Pine Key is an incredible area capable of catering to both the diehard enthusiast and the casual recreational angler! Contact Capt. Nate Wheeler and Waypoint Fishing Charters at 305394-2177 or captnatewheeler@aol.com, and see the website at www. waypointfishing.net.

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ACTION CRAFT 2050 GULF COAST CROSSOVER OR “GCX” Action Craft’s new concept model, the 2050 Gulf Coast Crossover or “GCX” is the perfect combination of Texas- and Floridastyle boats, with a design based on years of research into what anglers want from a fishing boat that can also be used for family outings. Owner Chad Kovarik said, “The bottom hull is based off the very popular 2020 with upgrades for strength, stability and ride comfort. The rest of the boat came from four years of research talking to customers at boat shows, ramps and tournaments, who owned Texas-style boats being used in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida, and then also talking to owners of mono-hull boats being used in the same five states. “With this boat, we did our best to address the reoccurring themes from the thousands of people we talked to over the years. A few of these items were shallow draft with a pocketed hull, wide beam and wide gunwales, finished surfaces on the deck, in addition to a fully finished full-boat liner, which is one of kind on this length boat.” The 2050 GCX combines the needs and wants of the angler with comfort that makes the same boat ideal for family outings. Three of the four livewells are insulated. There’s a real draft of only 12 inches on a 20’ boat, a transom pocket drive and a wide beam. Five can be seated comfortably, a full-boat liner gives a softer ride, and there is a lot of storage. See the complete list of features for this boat at http://coastalanglermag. com/fort-myers/

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FLORIDA

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Center sp Rookie Wins FLW Tour on Harris Chain

ot a newcomer to the bass-tournament crowd but a rookie this season on the FLW Tour, Enigma Pro Bradley Dortch came from fifth place to win the third stop on the Harris Chain of Lakes in Leesburg, Fla. Unlike a lot of the top finishers who were sight fishing for bedding bass, Dortch caught his fish on championship Sunday switching between a lipless crankbait and a large plastic worm in junebug color to sack up 22-2 pounds of Florida largemouths. Starting the day off with a 7-pounder and a fish nearly 4 pounds right behind it proved that deciding to go winding instead of pitching a soft stick bait to grass and lily pads was a great idea. His gut instinct was right. He figured a lot of the fish had moved due to the incoming front. The decision to move as well as picking up a large worm late in the morning and making a long casts to catch a second bass of nearly 7 pounds was right-on. Dortch sacked up his huge bag on FLW Live with the huge smile on his face while the current leader Debary Florida native, John Cox was struggling to get his bedding fish to bite. In the end, Dortch bested the three-day leader by about 4 pounds to take home the Tour Trophy and a $100,000 grand check. All the while, another well-known Florida pro, J.T. Kenny, was having a great day, bringing a huge 27-pound-plus sack to the scale. It was the tournament’s largest five-fish limit, and Kenny came all the way from tenth place to take second, less than 2 pounds behind Dortch. Only the top five anglers had the FLW-Live cameras on board, so the updates to the FLW site were coming in via an I-Pad from the Marshall onboard J.T. Kenny’s boat. Kenny’s huge sack had him on the hotseat until Dortch brought his 22-pound plus sack to the scale. The three-day leader, Mud Hole Custom Tackle Pro John Cox was last to the weigh scale, and after a tough day1:14 trying get1several bedAirline_Ad_CoastalAngler_8-1-14_Layout 1 8/1/14 PM to Page

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ding fish in the 5-pound-plus class to bite, he brought in a limit of just over 14 pounds. He ended up placing third right behind Kenny. The “Angler of the Year” points leader, FLW Pro Brian Thrift, ended up in sixth place after finishing second in the last three tournaments he has fished. This makes five straight top-10 finishes for Thrift, which is the longest streak for any tour angler since Kevin Van Dam had 10 in a row. With his tournament win, Dortch has now earned 500 total Angler of the Year points on the season and is in second place in the coveted Rookie of the Year (ROY) race. Justin Atkins, of Florence, Ala., the current ROY leader, is one spot ahead of Dortch with 502.

To watch his announced win, go to

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SOUTH FLORIDA

Catching Snook from a Kayak – By Eric Henson

atching snook from a kayak can be lots of fun, whether it’s pitching baits on the beaches, stalking them on the flats or trolling creeks and rivers. There are many ways to target them from a kayak. These fish are constantly on the move, so it really comes down to finding a location where there are good numbers depending on the time of year. Snook are extremely temperature sensitive. This is one of the main reasons they are constantly moving. Their migration ranges from offshore reefs and beaches, all the way back into where creeks and rivers turn to freshwater. Once you’ve zeroed in on their location, you better have the right gear and tactics to get the job done. My personal favorite way to target them is with artificial lures. I try to match what they are eating at that specific time of year. If it is during the shrimp run, I use a life-like softplastic shrimp called a Monster 3X X-MOVE. For the mullet run, I use a Yo-Zuri 3D Inshore Series Twitchbait (SS). For the white bait run I use Mirrodines or paddle tails. And for flies I do the same thing… “match the hatch.” My

absolute favorite way to target them is with topwater lures and flies. Where I do most of my fishing around Sarasota, Fla., spring finds snook in a transition. They will be fattening up as they make their way into the passes, beaches and nearshore reefs for the big summer spawn. A lot of people will paddle into the passes and get close to some type of structure to target these fish. Dropping a live finger mullet, ladyfish or pinfish near structure on a circle hook that matches the size of the bait is a recipe for success. Make sure to use nothing less than 30-pound fluorocarbon leader because their sharp gill plates will cut through lesser line like butter. I enjoy hitting dock or bridge lights in the passes on the full and new moons. Most of the time you will see them stacked around the lights. If they are hanging near the surface, I will first pitch topwater lures like Yo-Zuri 3DB Pencil at them. If that doesn’t get the bite, I will watch the type and size of bait passing through the light. Then I will

Eric Henson is the owner of Casting Kayaks LLC, a guided kayak fishing company out of Sarasota, Fla. He specializes in inshore light tackle or fly fishing from Tampa Bay to Charlotte Harbor. Check out his website www.CastingKayaks.com or give him a call at 941-504-1349.

free line a similar size and color soft plastic like the Monster 3X BIG-M or X-SWIM. If the fish are hanging a little deeper, I will add weight to get it in the strike zone. Be sure to look for larger snook lurking in the shadow lines. Although targeting these fish in the passes from kayaks can be lots of fun, the water can be rushing at times, and I always take safety precautions. Wearing a life jacket at all times and the buddy system work best. Know your limits.

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SOUTH FLORIDA 1

3/20/17 10:55 AM

COLOR Me Caught…Choosing Lure COLORS

water. Colors, shapes and patterns are likely more important when fishing a particular run. If you are fishing the mullet run or a menhaden migration, matching the natural appearance of the food is pretty important. How to put this to use: • Black is generally the most visible color and creates the best contrast in low visibility. • Create contrast by using dark colors next to light colors. In dirty water or lowlight situations, more contrast is better. Bright clear conditions call for less contrast. • When using lures deep, use blues and greens as they are the last colors absorbed. • Consider the visible colors of natural prey at the depth you will be fishing and match that, not the surface colors. Studies show that fish react to specific colors. Maybe it is a color that occurs during mating or a color that triggers another response. However, what fish see and react to varies species to species. Also, unlike humans, fish can see ultraviolet light, which leads to options when tying flies or using skirted lures. Many materials can bring this into play. There is no doubt that color plays an important role in lure selection. Utilizing colors that show up at the depth you are fishing is a good strategy. Also, use colors that create contrast and make your bait visible under the conditions you are fishing. Photo courtesy of Controlled Descent Lures

veryone has their go to lure or fly, that certain color and pattern that always gets the job done. But why is that one lure so effective? Is it the color, shape, action or just the fact that you have confidence in it? Undoubtedly it is a combination of all of the above, especially when you consider what the fish sees. The colors fish can see are limited by the light absorbing characteristics of water as well as the amount of light and the water clarity. In water, the longest color wavelengths are absorbed first. Red is affected nearly immediately, transitioning to a shade of gray within depths of just 15 feet in clear water. The absorption continues in the order of the color spectrum to affect orange, yellow, green and finally blue. It is important to note color absorption occurs both vertically and horizontally. No matter the depth, red will appear gray to a fish that is 15 feet away from the lure. The distance is shortened in stained water. Conversely, with blue being visible to about 90 feet in clear open water, it will show up pretty well. So does that mean color has little bearing? Absolutely not; while colors might not pop bright and vivid, they have a profound effect on contrast. This might be of even more importance in fishing. Many anglers have discovered that dark colors work better at night, in low light and in dirty water. This may seem counter-intuitive, but consider that fish see the contrast of a bait to its surroundings. Using baits with two colors boosts the contrast when fishing in turbid

By Will Robinson

Will Robinson is an accomplished tournament angler and has been writing and hosting fishing shows for nearly two decades.

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COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

3/20/17 10:55 AM

Keeping Our Waterways

Free of Marine Debris

arine debris poses a threat to our waterways, from local rivers and estuaries to the Great Lakes and oceans around the world. As winter fades into the bright, sunny days of spring, we find ourselves with more excuses to spend time outdoors. This spring, help keep our rivers, lakes and coastlines free of marine debris with a few simple changes to your daily routine. Nowadays, almost everyone has heard the adage “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.” This is a great way to implement easy lifestyle changes that will help keep trash out of our oceans, but we encourage you to add one more action: Refuse. Much of the trash that winds up in our waterways come from single-use items, like plastic cutlery, grocery bags, disposable cups and straws. Plastic bags pose a particular problem for our marine life if they end up in the ocean, as they resemble jellyfish floating along the surface, a tasty source of food for many animals. Sea turtles, sharks and even swordfish ingest these bags. Their bodies cannot process the foreign materials, so eventually the animals may be starved of vital nutrients and unable to digest foods they need to survive. Instead of continuing to depend on throw-away items, we can easily replace them with reusable alternatives. Making simple changes to your lifestyle shouldn’t mean depriving ourselves of convenience, but rather finding creative ways to reduce our dependence on items that are discarded after one use. Keep reusable grocery bags in your car, and bring a mug or refillable water bottle from home to reduce your dependence on disposable cups. When you purchase a drink or head out to a restaurant, let your server know that you don’t want a straw, which can end up lodged in the nasal cavity of marine animals. As fishermen, it’s important

to know where you can drop off discarded fishing line. Pura Vida Divers serves as a Monofilament Recycling Center for Singer Island and the West Palm Beach

area. There are alternative centers throughout the state. There are so many more tips and tricks to decrease your daily contribution to marine debris. Join Pura Vida Divers on Friday, April 14 for a Social Night, where we will discuss the ways in which we can reduce our dependency on one-use items and increase practices that are beneficial to our daily lives and the environment. Each Social Night features a guest speaker and complimentary delicious food, drinks, beer and wine. You can learn more about the event or RSVP by visiting the Pura Vida Divers website at www. PuraVidaDivers.com. Ready to take action? Volunteer for the Great American Cleanup and help us keep Phil Foster Park and the Blue Heron Bridge free of debris. This is a fantastic local fishing and shore-diving location. Pura Vida Divers are proud sponsors of Phil Foster Park through the Adopt-APark program, and your help is essential to ensuring this fantastic local resource remains in pristine condition. Kids and families are welcome to participate! Volunteer hours are available for students. To register, call the Pura Vida shop at 561-840-8750 or visit www. PuraVidaDivers.com.

High-Speed Boat Racing Fun is Coming Up FAST! West End International West End Village, Grand Bahama April 22-23 Stuart Sailfish Regatta Stuart Causeway, Stuart, FL May 20-21 West Palm Beach Invitational Currie Park, West Palm Beach, FL June 17-18

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By Capt. Michael Okruhlik

of Braid I

Photo Courtesy of Controlled Descent Lures

The POWER

often tell people the power of braid will instantly make them better fishermen. I truly believe that. In last month’s article, I mentioned a very popular slow-sinking lure that everyone raved about but that I could not catch a fish with. Well, the power of braid changed that.

Somewhere in the 1990s, I jumped on the bandwagon and bought several of these popular slow-sinking lures. I read all of the articles that were written about it and tried to follow the directions on how to properly fish it, especially in the winter for large speckled trout. Occasionally, I would catch a fish or two, but most cast came back empty handed. Fast-forward about 10 years, and one day while wade fishing Shamrock Cove in Texas’ Corpus Christi Bay with three friends, it all changed. We were lined up walking this grass flat and throwing the same famous lure. Yes, I was throwing the lure I had not been able to catch many fish on for over a decade. I tied one on because a buddy said he had been killing the trout on it. I waded alongside the three of them watching them catch trout after trout. As frustration settled in, I started to mimic my friend closest to me. I would cast within 10 yards of his cast and mirror his rod movement. I still didn’t catch a fish, while he continued to do so. By now I was completely clueless on why I couldn’t work this lure properly. I ask him to cast his lure a few feet in front of and several yards past me. Once it passed by, I could see the movement of the lure and how it twitched, paused and darted. I made my next cast in a direction where I could clearly see my lure moving through the water. No matter how vigorously I worked my rod, my lure moved almost in a straight line through the water. What I discovered was I was the only one not using braid. The non-stretch and sensitivity of the braid is what made the lure twitch and dart to attract the fish. On my next trip, I was spooled up with braid, and finally caught fish on this famous lure. Simply by using braid, I became a better fisherman, and this lure soon became one of my favorites. There are still instances when I do not use braid, but for those who have not tried it, or have not tried it in years, spool up with the newest braid technology. It can instantly make you a better fisherman. Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Controlled Descent Lures and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.

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YOUR RESOURCE FOR: Attention Advertising Sales Reps Have you ever wondered what it would be like to own the media company that you were selling advertising for? Ever considered how different your life would be if you didn’t have to hand over the bulk of your sales revenue to your employer? Have you ever thought about how much easier your sales job could be if you didn’t have to beg your sales manager for every little extra thing that you wanted to give your customer? Ever wondered what it would be like to control your own time? You don’t have to wonder anymore. Coastal Angler and its freshwater component The Angler Magazine are offering magazine franchises throughout the continental U.S. and abroad. Now, you can be the publisher and completely control the advertising department of your magazine. After nine years of franchising this magazine and with 42 current locations, we can say with confidence that these home-based magazine locations can be opened in nearly any location with a minimum population base of 500,000 and an active angling community. We have also identified our ideal candidate as being someone with previous media sales experience. Male or female, success in this endeavor is gauged more on advertising sales than fishing prowess. If you are a current or former media advertising sales rep, you owe it to yourself to check out our franchise opportunities. For more information, call 888-800-9794 or email info@ coastalanglermagazine.com.

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GREATER MIAMI April 2017

GREATER MIAMI www.coastalanglermag.com/miami

SO MUCH GOING ON IN APRIL!

Ron with a Biscayne Bay bonefish

In April we celebrate April fool’s day but in reality, one would be a fool to not fish the flats in April in Miami’s Biscayne Bay. There is so much going on, tarpon season, bonefish, permit, big sharks and barracuda. All sporty targets for anglers of all skill levels. Sure April is windy, but the wind usually provides clear skies, plenty of fish activity and rising water temperatures, all conditions for great fishing. How to get started? Ten pound class spinning outfits on 7' spinning rods, 1/0 hooks and 30lb fluorocarbon leader is all you need for bones, permit and barracudas (6" trace if wire for barracudas). Tarpon and big sharks will require stouter gear, seven foot

rods, 60/6000 class spinning reels, 30lb braid, 60 pound fluorocarbon leader with 4/0 3x circle hooks for tarpon and 5/0 bronze hooks on a 10" trace of 69 pound wire for sharks is perfect. I use Quantum Boca 60 reels on Tsunami rods spooled with Cortland braid and have been very happy with this set up. Tsunami rods on Quantum Boca 40’s will cover the bones, permit and barracuda needs. In order to put your gear to good use you need to find several conditions that allow for the high probability of finding fish which translates into screaming drags, trophy fish and lots of Facebook bragging. The number one key to finding fish is to fish moving

water. No moving water equals no fish. This means avoid fishing the slack periods of the tide or areas whose topography doesn’t allow good water flow. The second thing to look for is structure. Structure on the flats? Sure! I’m not talking downed trees, pilings or ship wrecks but there are different types of “structure” on the flats. Points, edges of flats, deep fingers that dead end on a flat and the subtle drop off of flats into slightly deeper water. Combine these types of structure with good current and you have a great start to finding fish on the flats. While chasing trophy fish we tend to get excited and not think too clearly as we let our emotions take over however, our trophy fish are very valuable to us and our marine environment therefore certain steps should be taken to ensure the safe release of each fish we land. Here are some tips that will improve the odds of survival of our finny trophies. For bones and permit always use a landing net and keep them in the water while hooks are removed, cameras are readied and photo shots are set up (always face the sun to get a clear shot of fish and angler). When taking the fish out of the water make sure they are not out for more than 30 seconds at a time. If more photos need to be taken, put them back in the landing net and in the water for a few minutes and then take the last set of shots. For barracuda I always use a landing tool such as a Boga Grip which provides some protection for me and allows me

to leave them in the water in lieu of a landing net. I release these fish by the tail and allow them to kick away when they are ready. One thing to keep in mind though, on these flats there are sharks and the sharks can be opportunistic when a fish is released before they are ready or while at boat side. Keep an eye out for sharks to make sure there is no injury to angler or fish during the landing and release phase of your catch. Tarpon releases are a bit easier since by law we are to leave them in the water at all times but as with bones and permit, a quick fight will improve their recovery phase. Always keep the tarpon at boat side with the boat idling forward to order to speed and improve their recovery before release. Shark releases are no different as we should keep them in the water, remove any hooks if at all possible and allow them to swim away under their own power. The challenge comes when boating a big shark for a photo op. These should be done in around 30 seconds and then quickly lowered into the water, held by the tail until they swim away on their own. Of course, there are inherent dangers in boating then releasing sharks but we need to factor that in when pursuing these apex predators and ensure a healthy release. Well, I hope everyone has a great April and have fun out there!

Capt. Mo Estevez

www.MiamiBoneFishing.com (786) 853-1409 Instagram @MiamiBoneFishing

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THE ANGLERMAG.COM MIAMI 1 FISHING FORECASTS & TIPS • TIDE TABLES • EVENTS & TOURNAMENTS •APRIL EN 2017 ESPAÑOL!

PEAK SEASON WINTER FORECAST

Greater Miami Publisher’s Corner April brings lots of excitement in South Florida. Our captains believe spring time is the best time to fish! Tournament season has started. Make sure to check out Monty’s Mayhem Fishing Tournament, bringing fishing tournaments back to Coconut Grove. Also the Miami Sport Fishing Tournament is on it’s way, you could be a Contender boat winner! To our advertisers and distribution locations, thank you for your continued support. We are growing every month because of you. To our readers, we are so happy to give you another issue of Coastal Angler Magazine Miami. Please support our advertisers, without them we cannot produce this FREE magazine. Always remember to share your photos with us by email, facebook or instagram, we want you to be on our bragboard and maybe our cover! Tight lines! Scott and Monica Deal scott@coastalanglermagazine.com monica@coastalanglermagazine.com

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APRIL 2017

Wow! It’s hard to believe that April is once again here. The good news is that April means spring and spring is without a doubt the best time to wet a line in South Florida. Offshore the possibilities are endless from sailfish to tuna and everything in between. Not only will we be playing host to many of the most popular game fish that swim in the Atlantic but we’ll also see some of the largest specimens of the year. Before we get ahead of ourselves, lets take a look at each one in more detail. Sailfish are without a doubt the most sought after sport fish that we target for a large portion of the year. Most sails are caught by anglers using live bait of which many are hung from a fishing kite to make the presentation the best possible. The great thing about using this kite/live bait combination is that you’ll also catch loads of kingfish, blackfin tuna, mahi, cobia, and even the ocasional yellowfin tuna or marlin. Yes, even marlin fall for this on a regular basis. Other fish like kingfish and cobia will eat surface baits as well as baits fished at or closer to the bottom. It is for this reason that I always like to stagger my baits while drift fishing. On some days you may get all or most of the action on the bottom rod while on other days the surface bite will be red hot. The key to good fishing is to have plenty of quality, live baits in your well so that you get maximum output. Big baits such as threadfin herring, goggle eyes, and

blue runners will draw the greatest attention from hungry predators. Exactly what is biting will vary, so it is important to head out with a game plan. If you’re targeting big smoker kingfish you may want to stick to big baits and use a trace of wire leader to prevent cut offs from the kings razor sharp teeth. It may also be a good idea to use a stinger hook since kingfish are notorious for short strikes (biting the tail off your bait and missing the hook). Using these techniques increases your odds with king mackerel but may turn off a picky sailfish or blackfin tuna. Speaking of tuna, here are some of the things you may want to consider if you’re looking for that sashimi dinner. Tuna have a tendency to bite best during low light hours, so it is best to target them late in the day. Also, since tunas are often leader shy, you may want to get rid of the wire leader and go to a lighter less visible fluorocarbon leader tied to a small live bait hook. Live chumming with small live pilchards will also dramatically stack the odds in your favor. Whether you are targeting kings or tuna, the great thing is that you may not always get what you want but you’ll often land another trophy fish that you can invite home for dinner. Even when the meat fish aren’t chewing, there still enough sailfish and bonito to fill the time in between bites. Do yourself a favor and get out there at least once this spring.

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Even if you have to work, the days are long enough that you can get 2-3 hours of fishing in before the sun sets. On many days, the bite will be going off during this magical time. If you bring some live shrimp or crabs along, you can run in and drift the beaches for a tarpon or two before heading in. Some of the larges silver kings of the season will be around during the month of April. The only down side to hooking one of these monsters is that the fight could go on for quite a while. Well, that’s pretty much it for right now. I will be conducting several fishing seminars at the Bass Pro Shops in Miami. Topics, dates, and times will be announced both on my FACEBOOK page and website (link below). Also, don’t forget that you can keep up with all of the action by following us on FACEBOOK, Instagram, and Twitter. If you like watching some of the action, be sure to check out my YOUTUBE page for the latest video additions. Tight lines,

Capt. Orlando Muniz

Nomad Fishing Charters www.fishingchartermiami.com (786) 266-0171

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EXPERT FISHING TIPS THAT FLIP FOP THING “That Flip Flop Thing” is a new teaser made by Squidnation. It is a squid chain depicting a critter scattering a bunch of bait in the air. Last July I made a comment to Bill Pino, the owner of Squidnation, that I was going to Marlin fish in the Canary Islands and he suggested that I should try this new teaser he named “That Flip Flop Thing.” He said the teaser looks funny and swims funny but it works and raise a lot of fish. So, I asked him to make me a large one, with 12” squids instead of the traditional 9” squids. When I got to the Canary Islands, we tried it on the first day and decided to add a medium 8” chugger lure to the back end of it to make it swim more stable. The teaser worked great on the five days of fishing and we raised 8 blue marlin, 6 of them behind this teaser. We release 7 out of the 8 fish, one weighing over 600lbs. Since them we sold quite a few of these teasers and had many customers telling us how great this teaser works for all pelagic fish, but specially for blue marlin. The 9” Flip Flop teaser sells for $89.99 plus $14.00 for the chugger that goes at the end, and the large version goes for $109.99 plus the chugger lure.

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SPRING TIME IN BEAUTIFUL MIAMI’S BISCAYNE BAY

What can I say; Spring is my favorite time of year. The cold fronts are passed us, the water temperatures are warming up, and the fishing is HOT! Coming off a pretty windy March with some minor fronts that made fishing challenging at times, over all we had a good March with great permit and bone fishing. The tarpon fishing has been steady off 4 MIAMI

APRIL 2017

the beaches and the inlets, as well as in Everglades National Park. From now (April) until the end of June and leading into July, most of my angles are coming down for the tarpon migration. You can find this happening up and down the coast of Florida, but the place to be is in South Florida. People come from all over the world just to chase tarpon with a fly rod. This

is my preferred way of catching them. There’s nothing like seeing a hundred pound tarpon eating a well-presented fly, especially in crystal clear water. For the non-fly anglers, we are catching tarpon live bait as well as artificial baits. Some of the best baits to use in April are live mullet, or live blue crabs. Pinfish are also a great bait to use if you can’t find any mullet or crabs. It always seems like crabs become a high commodity during tarpon season, and the local bait shops run out fast. It’s also good to have a variety of baits, because you never know what tarpon will be feeding on that day. Having a variety of baits will increase your chances at catching fish. Bone fishing will continue to get better and better in April especially with the water temps warming up the flats. Permit fishing will stay consistent through out April, but at times can also be challenging due to there spring time spawning. Permit head offshore into deeper water and local wrecks to spawn. You if you know where to look for them, you can find them in the hundreds.

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Cheers,

Capt. Raul Montoro Shallow Tails Guide Service, Inc. www.shallowtails.com (786) 390-9069

Professional affiliates: Yamaha Outboards, Tibor Reels, Patagonia, Simms Fishing, Okoma, Ahab Custom flies and Rods, Sage Fly Rods, Smith Optics.

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APRIL 2017

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We are in the prime fishing season for south Florida, and I love it! We have had more yellowfin tuna this year than we have seen since the 1980s. These could continue through April. Sailfish will get very consistent as we are moving into their spawning season. Kite fishing will produce the most, but with well rigged baits, trolling can be productive. Along with the sailfish, we will see more and bigger black fun tuna, kingfish, bonito and hopefully some big mahi. On the wrecks we will see more cobia and amberjack. Inshore the tarpon are in full swing. The shrimp will get harder

to get, but the tarpon will start eating crabs to solve that problem. If you find some mullet, they bring the most exciting tarpon strikes when slow trolled. The pompano are best in March, but a few will come through in April. The same will hold true for Spanish mackerel. If we get some calm weather, go east! The swordfish should be really good, if it is calm enough to get out to 1500 feet of water and fish the daytime bite.

Capt. Bouncer

www.captbouncer.com CaptBouncer@bellsouth.net (305) 439-2475

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Coastal Angler Magazine en espanol

LA IMPORTANCIA DE LOS MANGLARES

Los manglares, mas exactamente el complejo de especies que reconocemos como mangle, no son “pantanos”. Nos expresamos dejando entrever cual es nuestra valoración de lo que nombramos o describimos. Es el caso de las palabras manglar y pantano, que a veces adoptan una connotación despectiva o peyorativa, como de sitio “malsano”. Históricamente, han sido áreas de muy poca importancia económica, donde existen diversos peligros por no haber arribado lo “civilizado”. El mensaje implícito es que debe evitarse y transformarse. Nada asombra, que esta animadversión subyacente justifique que con las mejores intenciones del mundo, lleguemos alli con un bulldozer o cuando menos, enarbolando el machete. Pero estas concepciones han cambiado últimanente cuando se ha comprendido mas cabalmente la importancia de estos ecosistemas complejos El manglar, mangle, bosque de manglar (en inglés mangrove, mangrove forest, mangrove swamp) es un bosque propio de las zonas costeras cenagosas, en latitudes tropicales y subtropicales. Es un complejo de especies vegetales macroscópicas, terrestres o anfibias adaptadas a la rigurosidad y variabilidad de la zona costera. Normalmente la copa se ubica alrededor de unos 10 metros (aproximadamente 30 pies) pero en regiones tropicales de alta insolación se reporta que la copa del manglar puede llegar a tener mas de 30 metros (aproximadamente 90 pies). En el Mar Caribe y áreas adyacentes presentan una distribución en franjas (zonación) con respecto a la línea de la costa como sigue: más próxima al mar se ubica el mangle rojo o red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle), luego el mangle negro, mangle prieto o black mangrove (Avicennia germinans), después el mangle blanco, patabán o white mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa) y mas adentrado en tierra firme el mangle amarillo, botoncillo o yana (Conocarpus erectus). 8 MIAMI

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El éxito de los mangles, se basa en que son capaces de sobreponerse a altos tenores y bruscos cambios de salinidad, temperatura, humedad y tensiones mecánicas (ciclones, corrientes marinas, desecación, alta presión osmótica alrededor). Ello lo logran dadas sus características morfofisiológicas: poseen troncos y ramas de excepcional dureza, raíces muy ramificadas como zancos (fulcúreas) que les dan estabilidad al asentarse en un sustrato fangoso, un sistema especial de evacuación activa de sal desde su cuerpo (glándulas de la sal), un sistema especial de oxigenación de sus partes hundidas en el fango mediante raíces que en parte van hacia arriba (adventicias) para absorber el oxígeno atmosférico (al ser el suelo en que se asientan materia orgánica en descomposición, consume todo el oxígeno). Los manglares orlan la línea de la costa de extensas áreas y conforman en muchos lugares lagunas costeras, islas y cayerías. Se asientan en la ribera de los ríos hasta muy lejos tierra adentro. Sin ellos, podríamos imag-

Por Andrés Rodriguez © inar qué pasaría cuando hay una crecida o un huracán: la erosión se llevaría la tierra, las salpicaduras de la sal salinizarían grandes areas costeras y las harían poco productivas para la agricultura, no habría refugio para tantas especies. Estas especies anfibias, distribuidas en la zona de interrelación de ecosistemas propiamente terrestres y marinos, son uno de los ecosistemas mas extensos y de mayor riqueza de especies (biodiversidad). Sobre tierra, conforma un complejo entramado de especies entre las que suele estar uva caleta o de playa, coco herbáceas y trepadoras como el vidrio, jutías, monos, iguanas, numerosas aves como pelícanos, cotúas patos, flamencos, ibis. Debajo de la superficie, sus raíces son el sustrato de fijación de esponjas de fuego, macroalgas y moluscos, gusanos tubulares, hidrozoos, briozoos, tunicados, hongos, bacterias, etc. Entre sus canales podemos ver al manatí Trichechus manatus y reptiles como los caimanes o las tortugas marinas. Para los pescadores, los manglares tienen una especial importancia dado que son refugio de larvas, juveniles y adultos de peces diversos: robalo, sábalo o tarpon, sardinas, mojarra, lisas y camarones. Los mangles se asientan en zonas con sustrato blando (y por tanto inestable) y son sometidos rutinariamente a tensiones mecánicas que los pueden derribar. Es el caso de la gran erosión costera que implica el llenado y vaciado diario de un estero, una desembocadura de un río, una bahía. Si no fuera por los mangles las corrientes

VALOR DEL MANGLAR: • • • • • • •

Se asientan en lugares donde otras comunidades de seres vivos no serían exitosas. Alta productividad, generando hojas y frutos a ser consumidos por muchos organismos dependientes. Su estructura intricada sirve de refugio a numerosas formas jóvenes y adultas, (ramas a aves y mamíferos, raíces a larvas de peces y camarones. Pantalla o cortina que evita la salinización directa de los suelos próximos al mar, por detrás (sobre tierra firme), donde el viento puede arrastrar las salpicaduras de las olas. Directamente como sustrato, en el que se fijan numerosos otros organismos. Producen gran volumen de materia orgánica (hojas, frutos, partes del tronco), que son con sumidos directamente por aves y mamíferos que los habitan o caen en el agua y allí forman una gran biomasa de materia orgánica, que se acumula en los fondos y pueden servir como base alimentaria para organismos que se alimentan de detrito. Como creador y retenedor de suelo fangoso. Sus raíces especiales actúan como fijadores de partículas, de sedimentos terrígenos, materia orgánica en general. Ello es muy importante para regular y disminuir la erosión y proteger la zona costera. Contrarresta la acción del oleaje, las corrientes, etc.

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y mareas pudieran arrastrar todo el fango en que se asentaba un grupo de árboles y hacerlos caer. Especialmente ello es válido cuando crece un río o pasa un ciclón. Por ello, para mantener la estructura intrincada y alta biodiversidad, el manglar debe producir una impresionante masa de semillas de una forma especial , o sea tener un alto potencial biótico. Las numerosas semillas, incluso ya están nacidas cuando van flotando verticalmente, y cuando tocan un sustrato duro ya las raicillas están listas para colonizar cualquier pedazo de tierra que encuentren. Al crecer, las raíces se ramifican como zancos o trípodes, lo cual facilita que la planta pueda resistir el oleaje y que se fije en esos fondos fangosos, donde continúa extendiéndose y creando su estructura intrincada, abigarrada, característica. El manglar ha sido una fuente histórica de madera para construcción, por ser las varas que se les pueden extraer muy rectas, duras y resistentes a los insectos, así como fuente de tanino o leña para fuego. Sin tener idea de lo que se hacía, históricamente muchas construcciones costeras los han

destruido o degradado para preparar en sus adyacencias diques, carreteras, espigones, marinas, estanques para camaronicultura, etc., algunas veces afectando a la libre circulación de aguas y dificultando su florecimiento como ecosistema y los beneficios derivados (servicios del ecosistema). En algunas zonas del Mar Caribe, no es extraño ver miles de millas de manglar como enfermo, marchito. No hay una clara explicación para ello, puede tratarse de falta de oxígeno, un efecto de la contaminación costera o algón microorganismo o la combinación de estos factores negativos. Recientemente diversos estudios han demostrado su gran importancia y hoy, se les ha revalorizado y protegido por la Convención sobre Humedales Ramsar y diversas leyes, como las vigentes en La Florida. Pero poco es lo que se hace, con respecto a lo que se debiera hacer para conservar estas especies tan únicas.

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APRIL 2017

MIAMI 9

US COAST GUARD

The Coast Guard is the principal Federal agency responsible for maritime safety, security, and environmental stewardship in U.S. ports and waterways. In this capacity, the Coast Guard protects and defends more than 100,000 miles of U.S. coastline and inland waterways, and safeguards an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) encompassing 4.5 million square miles stretching from North of the Arctic Circle to South of the equator, from Puerto Rico to Guam, encompassing nine time zones – the largest EEZ in the world. As one of the five Armed Services of the United States, the Coast Guard is the only military branch within the Department of Homeland Security. In addition to its role as an Armed Service, the Coast Guard is a first responder and humanitarian service that provides aid to people in distress or impacted by natural and man-made disasters whether at sea or ashore. The Coast Guard is a member of the Intelligence Community, and is a law enforcement and regulatory agency with broad legal authorities associated with maritime transportation, hazardous materials shipping, bridge administration, oil spill response, pilotage, and vessel construction and operation. The over 56,000 members of the Coast Guard operate a multi-mission, interoperable fleet of 243 Cutters, 201 fixed and rotary-wing aircraft, and over 1,600 boats. Operational control of surface and air assets is vested in two Coast Guard geographical Areas (Pacific and Atlantic), nine Coast Guard Districts, and 35 Sectors located at strategic ports throughout the country. Six Mission Support Logistics and Service Centers provide services for operational assets and shore facilities. Coast Guard program oversight, policy development, and personnel administration are carried out at Coast Guard Headquarters located on the St. Elizabeths campus in Washington, DC. ON AN AVERAGE DAY, THE COAST GUARD:

FOR ADVERTISING AND EDITORIAL INFO 561-945-8899 • monica@coastalanglermagazine.com 10 MIAMI

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Conducts 45 search and rescue cases; Saves 10 lives; Saves over $1.2M in property; Seizes 874 pounds of cocaine and 214 pounds of marijuana; Conducts 57 waterborne patrols of critical maritime infrastructure; Interdicts 17 illegal migrants; Escorts 5 high-capacity passenger vessels; Conducts 24 security boardings in and around U.S. ports; Screens 360 merchant vessels for potential security threats prior to arrival in U.S. ports; Conducts 14 fisheries conservation boardings; Services 82 buoys and fixed aids to navigation; Investigates 35 pollution incidents; Completes 26 safety examinations on foreign vessels; Conducts 105 marine inspections; Investigates 14 marine casualties involving commercial vessels; Facilitates movement of $8.7B worth of goods and commodities through the Nation’s Maritime Transportation System.

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2017 U.S Coast Guard Presidential Transition Team

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SUP THE NEED FOR SPEED

Chris Anders

Many of you have entered the racing scene in the SUP world and in doing so you have been trying different types of boards. One of the more common characteristics of the SUP race board is that riders look for a narrow board. The idea is that if you have a narrow board then you will be faster. However, the more narrow the board the less stabile it becomes. If you are fighting side chop or any chop for that matter then you will be trying to balance yourself and in turn you

will slow yourself down. So how do you add stability without decreasing your speed? Well one guy that has changed the way racers think and ride is Larry Allison. Larry Allison has been in the forefront of developing SUP fins for quite a while and has developed a fin system that allows racers to have a narrow board and without losing speed and adding stability. When you gain stability you will be able to ride faster. Now that I got that out of the way, here is how it works.

We are used to the single fin on a race board and we tend to sway away from the multi-fin setup for racing because it creates too much drag. Larry Allison has developed the ProBox system which is a multiple fin system with a lower profile but raked back. You can use a twin fin setup or a triple fin with a Ventral fin. The Ventral fin is mounted about the center of the board. Now many people don’t care for the Ventral fin because of the look or they feel it is difficult to stack multiple boards for transportation. However, the Ventral fin snaps in and out easily. The ventral fin is important when using the lower stretched out fins because it adds in stability for side chop, downwinding or any chop for that matter, plus it give you better tracking. The only thing you have to be aware of when running the Ventral fin is that you will have to get the board up a little higher when making pivot turns. Also, when using the ProBox system

many riders feel it is harder to draft behind you because the release of water is not smooth, it is more like boiling water and makes it hard for the riders to draft. Although the multi-fin setup has been around for many years, you will still need to experiment with your board to see which fin setup works for you. One thing is sure about the Larry Allison Probox system is that it adds stability on very narrow boards which equates to speed. Check them out www.AllisonSupRaceFins.com

Chris Anders, CEgO

www.ThePalmBeachBoatClub.com

(561) 840-1901

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APRIL 2017

MIAMI 11

YOUTH FISHING TIPS

Several times a year my dad takes my sister (Gabie) and I fishing on one of the large fishing boats out of bayside marina. Our most recent trip I caught two fish on a Chicken Rig with Bonita strips. There must have been sharks on the bottom because the fish I caught were Remoras. To set up the Chicken Rig, first, release the line into the water, continue releasing the line until you

feel it slack. When the line slacks it means that the Chicken Rig has reached the bottom. Next, reel it up three times up off of the bottom. Lastly, wait until the fish bites. Several people on our boat caught Mutton Snappers, Yellow Tails, and Grunt. They were using jigs or the same Chicken Rig set up that I was. On the back of the boat we attempted to troll. We were using Penn boat rods and old Senator reels. One of the most well made and reliable reels of all time. On my second attempt trolling between stops I was using Ballyhoo. We all of a sudden heard the line being taken away by what must have been a huge fish, probably a Marlin or Sailfish, but by the time we yelled “fish on” it had taken about three-quarters of the spool. Sadly, this giant fish got away.

ERIC’S OUTBOARD IS GROWING AND LOOKING FOR NEW CREW MEMBERS We offer great benefits like health care, paid vacation, and much more!

ACTIVELY SEEKING: Service Manager Rigging Technician If you have experience in sales, you could be the new crew member we are looking for. Submit your education and work experience to: Jennifer@ericsoutboard.com or via fax to 305-251-4588 or call 305-767-7794 and leave your name and information.

Until next time, Tight Lines to you all!

Grace Gillis

President, Lamar Loius Curry Middle School Fishing Club

SALES AND SERVICE 305-251-4067 WWW.ERICSOUTBOARD.COM • 8755 SW 129TH ST, MIAMI, FL 33176

WEST END INTERNATIONAL BOAT RACES WEST END, BAHAMAS Event organizers are planning for the inaugural West End International race day April 22 and 23 at West End Village. The high-speed boat races will be held from 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. on Sat., April 22 and Sun., April 23 with a kickoff party Friday night, April 21, at the Old Bahama Bay Resort and Yacht Harbour. Racers from all over the world will compete at the West End International, with hydroplanes, Jersey skiffs and power boats hurtling up to 170 m.p.h. speeds in the high-paced, high-energy events. In addition to the races, the event will feature food, drinks, music, vendors, shopping and activities for the whole family. “We’re very excited to host the first ever West End International,” said Betty Bethel,

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APRIL 2017

Bahamas Ministry of Tourism (BMOT) Director for Grand Bahama. “The event promises fun and excitement for our residents and visitors alike, and we are very excited to host them at the beautiful Old Bahama Bay and the surrounding resorts on West End.”

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General admission to the races is free. VIP tickets for the races are $60 and the Friday night VIP kick-off party is $75. Tickets are on sale now at WestEndBoatRaces.com. Information on accommodations at West End is also available on the website. West End is the oldest town and westernmost settlement on the Grand Bahama Island, and is the island’s capital city. Sponsorship opportunities for the race are available. To learn more about sponsorships, contact Suzanne Davis at (561) 635-8075. The West End International is powered by The Islands of the Bahamas, Old Bahama Bay Resort and Yacht Harbour, Island Coastal Charters and Environmental Manufacturing Solutions.

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APRIL 2017

MIAMI 13

HUNTER SAFETY COURSES OFFERED IN 6 COUNTIES

GRAMP’S CRAMPS By Cliff Kunde

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is offering free hunter safety courses in six counties. (List follows.) All firearms, ammunition and materials are provided free of charge. Students should bring a pen or pencil and paper. An adult must accompany children younger than 16 at all times. Anyone born on or after June 1, 1975, must pass an approved hunter safety course and have a hunting license to hunt alone (unsupervised). The FWC course satisfies hunter-safety training requirements for all other states and Canadian provinces. INTERNET-COMPLETION COURSES The online Hunter Safety Course and Skills Day covers the knowledge, skills and attitude needed to be a safe hunter. Students should register for a hands-on Skills Day, then complete one of the acceptable online courses listed below. Prior to beginning the course online, you should register for a Skills Day. Broward Monroe April 1 (7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.) April 23 (11 a.m. – 5 p.m.) April 8 (8 a.m. – 4 p.m.) April 23 (9 a.m. – 5 p.m.) Okeechobee April 8 (8 a.m. – 4 p.m.) Hendry April 1 (8 a.m. – 2 p.m.) Palm Beach April 9 (8 a.m. – 4 p.m.) TRADITIONAL COURSES The traditional hunter safety is a face-to-face, instructor led course covering the knowledge, skills and attitude needed to be a safe hunter and a hands-on Skills Day. Miami-Dade April 28 (6 – 9 p.m.) April 29 (8 a.m. – 4 p.m.) April 30 (6:30 – 9 a.m.)

Palm Beach April 8 – 9 (8 a.m. – 4 p.m.)

Those interested in attending a course can register online and obtain information about future hunter safety classes at MyFWC. com/HunterSafety or by calling the FWC’s regional office in West Palm Beach at 561-625-5122.. FLORIDA VIRTUAL SCHOOL OUTDOOR EDUCATION Florida Virtual School (FLVS®) is now offering high school students (grades 9-12) the ability to complete their Hunter Safety and Boater Safety certification while earning 0.5 credit for high school. The new FLVS physical education course is now available for free to Florida students. FIREARMS SAFETY CERTIFICATION AND ONLINE COURSE This option is recommended for adults only who are Florida residents. If you have already completed previous firearms training, meeting one of the acceptable firearm training requirements listed on the application, you can receive a Florida hunter safety card by completing one of the online courses offered at MyFWC.com/ hunting/safety-education/courses/, reading the current years hunting regulations and following the procedures outlined in the Application For Hunter Safety Certification With Previous Firearms Training. Please refer to the application to see which forms of previous firearms training documentation is acceptable. 14 MIAMI

APRIL 2017

THE FIRST BIRD Wild turkey season always brings so many great memories to mind and for the last dozen years or so, the joy of creating those memories has been paramount for me. As my father would say, “It is the adventure not the harvest”, but we’ve found that the harvest can turn the adventure into a life changer. To spend time exploring the woods and learning the ways of Mother Nature is fantastic when added to a successful harvest with pictures and mounts to back up the memories. This year, as in many years past, we’ve sponsored a youth turkey hunt where only those who’ve never harvested a turkey and have their hunter’s safety course completed through the FWC and are under 16 can participate. The woods are reserved for the youth and adult supervision. This is in conjunction with the FWC program designed to introduce our younger generation with the activities we have grown to love and appreciate. The special youth season also takes place a week prior to regular spring gobbler season so there are no others allowed in the woods. The safety of kids, adults and animals is of utmost importance. This years event took place in Central Florida about 54 minutes from Disney World, as my daughter would say. A private facility with pines, cypress heads and palmetto flats embedded in a cattle ranch. The kids arrive with their fathers, mothers, grand parents or whomever is their sponsor, and get a quick

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refresher course on firearms and safe handling there of. The next morning it is to the fields for some guided hunts. For some reason, I have no problem recruiting guides for these adventures, most of them are anxious to get into the field anyway. This year, due to some disciplinary problems, we only had two candidates that qualified, 10 year old Damian and 13 year old Kellas. Remember if you’re not good at home, you won’t be good in the woods. The boys were fed venison stew before retiring Friday night and awakened very early Saturday morning to get in the blinds before daylight. The morning was a crisp 56 degrees and everyone bundled up accordingly. Each hunter and their guide were taken to preset blinds and dropped off before the East started to get gray. When the first sign of daylight comes, the “long beards” start their conversations to find out where all the girls are. The hens will cluck back telling the guys they are not interested, but they really are and the process goes on for a while before they all fly down from their perches. Think back to you high school days and you’ll understand. We only allow mature male turkeys to be harvested, so you must keep your attention on things at this point. By golly, when a big old tom turkey flies down next to you, I just don’t know how you can pay attention to anything else. This is the first opportunity you get, not the last because they will start following those hens around and this is when they get Stupid. We set out decoys of hens and other older toms and if they are lifelike the toms will come over to challenge the intruders, be they decoys or not. This gives a great opportunity to just observe what transpires in the woods naturally. The 10 year old had several long beards within 10 yards this year, but he was not ready to take the shot. It’s OK, we have next year to try again. The 13 year old, Kellas, took his shot and harvested a beautiful 9 ½ inch long beard with 1 ½ inch spurs and weighing in over 16 pounds. He has been here several years and this time was the charm. We’ve had a good number of girls try and although not successful at their first bird, they will be back for the adventure. We encourage anyone out there that has an adventurist spirit to check “MYFWC.COM” for details where and when you too can get involved. They eat good too!

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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Capt. Bouncer Smith Capt. Mo Estevez Capt. Orlando Muniz Capt. Raul Montoro Chris Anders Grace Gillis Brial Nelli Andrés Rodriguez Elías Rodriguez Cliff Kunde Janet Kunde

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KAYAK FISHING

GRAM’S JAMS By Janet Kunde

ORANGE SIRACHA SHRIMP

This dish was a little spicy and very flavorful. A hint; do the prep work ahead of time so you can devote your time to the cooking which does not take much time at all. This sauce would also be very good on chicken or pork. • Nonstick aluminum foil • ¾ pound shrimp • 1 orange, for juice • 1 tablespoon soy sauce • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar • 4 tablespoons orange marmalade

• • • •

1 teaspoon sriracha sauce ¼ teaspoon lightly dried (or fresh) ginger finely grated. I used fresh. ½ cup per-sliced green onions, divided 1 cup Basmati rice

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line baking sheet with foil. Arrange shrimp in a single layer on baking sheet. Salt and pepper shrimp and mix with a very small amount of coconut oil to coat. Cook shrimp until almost done about 5 minutes. Squeeze orange for juice (½ cup). Combine in medium saucepan: orange juice, soy sauce, rice vinegar, marmalade, sriracha sauce, ginger, and ¼ cup green onions: bring to boil on medium-high. Cook 1 minute, remove pan from heat. Pour sauce into large bowl, stir in remaining ¼ cup green onions. Cook rice according to package instructions. Add shrimp to sauce and toss to coat. Serve with rice.

Nice tripletail

INSHORE

Glass minnows have showed up in good numbers and our weak spring mullet run will be right around corner. Artificial baits like DOA Cal Shad Tails, jerk bait and terror eyes will work well around the mangroves, docks and bridges. April also brings tripletail into our river system. Look to target crab trap buoys and channel markers with live shrimp to bring in these tasty fish. OFFSHORE

April is the best month of the year! Tuna and mahi should be in full force. Trolling Sealime Lures should pick up both species as well as other pelagics. Vertical jigging 230-350 feet will also produce

blackfin tuna and bonita. There are many beach areas to launch your kayak throughout Palm Beach County. The fishing grounds off our coast are anywhere form 1-3 miles. Look to work the normal 90-200ft depths. Finally don’t forget about the cobia. Bouncing the reef will put you in line for one of these tasty fish. Check us out Pushin’ Water Kayak Charters on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube for all the latest adventures my clients and I get into. See you on the water!

Brian Nelli

(772) 201-5899 Brian@tckayakfishing.com www.tckayakfishing.com

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APRIL 2017

MIAMI 15

Anthony f Curry M rom the Lamar L iddle Sch ool Fishin oius catches g Club a 33 inc h snook

Alex Torbert and his 31 inch Redfish ch with t a c t a Gre o Muniz d n la r O Capt.

Everglades National Park fishing with Capt. Dominick Dulavich

yne Bay a c is B s i’ Miam Fishing in l Montoro u a R . t p a with C

Mark & Capt. Joey Cabrera

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Fishing with Capt. Bouncer and his crew

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rgoDock CEO Kent Weisenberg’s challenge was simple, straightforward—and very ambitious. After living on the water for most of his life and watching conventional dock materials buckle, chip, splinter and fade, he sought to revolutionize fundamental dock design and repair. His driving belief: boaters, anglers and other waterfront residents should expect better performance, design life and aesthetics from their docks—especially docks that float outside high-dollar homes. Weisenberg, a multi-patented engineer, entrepreneur, inventor and also the President/ COO of SippTech, a design and engineering firm, sought with ErgoDock to improve the safety and comfort of dock surfaces—with added touches of elegance. After three years of prototyping and testing, he found the solution he was aiming for: a multi patent-pending panelized surfacing material with application potential reaching far beyond what it was originally designed for. Independent testing has shown ErgoDock consistently outperforms its competitors in safety, comfort, aesthetics and installation versatility. The product is formulated and manufactured to deliver industry-leading ergonomic performance in the most extreme climate conditions. ErgoDock has 20 times the slip resistance and impact attenuation than that of other decking materials. It’s also 30 percent cooler in direct sunlight, self-extinguishing, resists stains and eliminates pooling by self-draining, which dramatically reduces the

potential for mold and mildew. Today, ErgoDock’s ground-breaking features have gained attention from consumers—and interest from businesses seeking to grow with ErgoDock. The interest from businesses comes at an ideal time in ErgoDock’s growth plan; however, Weisenberg explained that he and his partners are looking for that one “perfect fit” company that can expand sales and expedite production to meet demand. He added that the ErgoDock concept has the potential to expand into other industries and applications including decks, patios, wheelchair ramps, walkways, bridges and many more. “It’s the product’s big numbers that have drawn the most interest from the business community, especially investors,” Weisenberg said. “Just consider: ErgoDock has more than 20 times more static and dynamic slip resistance than wood or composite decking, more than 20 times more impact absorption which mitigates injuries from falls and reducing fatigue on feet, back and joints. It’s made of 100-percent environmentally-friendly materials and because of its unique surface, it’s 30 percent cooler than wood or composite decking.

“Including prototyping and testing, we are a three-year-old company, and we’re looking to expand quickly to meet growing demand for ErgoDock’s products. As a result, we’re actively engaging in talks with investors, manufacturers and distributors to expedite the product’s reach. Currently the people we’ve communicated with clearly understand ErgoDock’s mission to create a material that far outperforms the competition on safety, comfort and customization.” ErgoDock supplies two product options— over decking applications and new decking or replacement applications. • ERGOWOOD: a permanent customizable solution that combines unparalleled technology with the durability of treated natural wood. • PEEL & SEAL: a permanent customizable coverage option that installs quickly over existing surfaces.

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Wee Willy Wigglers

Are Fly Rod Magic By Craig Riendeau

arm-water fly fishermen are always looking for the “magic fly” that will catch fish all the time no matter what the conditions… something irresistible to most species of fish in a lake all at the same time. Well, I think I’ve come up with that fly. Say hello to the Wee Willy Wiggler (W3). This fly pattern is as easy to tie as it is to fish. I would place it under a guide fly category as you can crank out a dozen easily in an hour. For detailed instructions on how to tie this pattern go to my website offthedeepedge.com. If it takes you more than five minutes to tie this, maybe fly tying isn’t for you, which then is the case I’d check out Rainys Flies Inc. They are making the Wee Willy Wiggler commercially available. As for fishing this fly pattern, it doesn’t get any easier. Several of my fishing companions call this style of fishing “just stupid easy.” I tend to fish this fly under a half inch foam indicator or as I refer to it, a depth regulator. Even though the indicator does detect strikes very well, that is really the secondary reason for its usage. Its main purpose to suspend the fly at a specific depth and hold it over a specific spot for as long as you want it to stay there. Basically, you’re putting the fly in the fish’s face and leaving it there until out of hunger, curiosity or annoyance he eats it. Lucky for us anglers, fish do not have fingers to poke at the

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APRIL 2017

fly to see what it is or push it away. Any testing comes in the form of a bite. To fish this, set the fly’s depth under the “regulator” to be just above the cover you may be fishing over. Things such as weedbeds, rocks, logs, fish cribs or even fish you see suspended on your electronic devices. Most species tend to feed upward. Then simply cast at the area and wait. It is similar to being an impatient bait fisherman with a cricket and bobber. Let the fly dangle over the area you think there is a fish for say five or 10 seconds (sometimes more). If nothing happens, give it a six to twelve-inch strip and repeat. If there is a breeze blowing, just let the indicator drift with the current, mending occasionally to control the speed of the drift. It may sound silly but it is addicting, especially once you start catching fish. So, there you have it, the most productive fishing method that you’ll ever do. When using this method and anyone asks what are you fishing for you can blatantly say “fish” without being facetious. That’s because with the Wee Willy Wiggler you’re never quite sure what is

going to eat it. Anything from a small bream to a 10-pound bass may show up at any time, so hang on to your rod tightly. Check out Craig offthedeepedge.com.

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3/20/17 10:55 AM

May 20, 2017 The Race

Sailors compete off the Ft. Lauderdale shore! Hosted by: Hillsboro Inlet Sailing Club, Gulfstream Sailing Club, Sailing Singles of South Florida, and South Florida Sailors and Boaters

Awards Celebration

Bring the family & join the party! Coral Ridge Yacht Club, Ft. Lauderdale 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Food • Drinks • Live Music • Raffles

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r spread ACR ELECTRONICS GLOBALFIX V4 Global leader in safety and survival technologies, ACR Electronics, Inc., recently released the GlobalFIX V4 Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB). ACR has taken its world-renowned EPIRB manufacturing expertise to create one of the highest quality and lowest-cost EPIRBs available. The GlobalFIX V4 is competitively priced and offers tremendous value with new features. Notable features include: user-replaceable battery with a 10year battery life, internal 66 channel GPS, a four LED array strobe light, and a new wrist strap for handsfree carrying in an emergency evacuation. The GlobalFIX V4 applies three levels of integrated signal technology: an internal GPS for pinpoint positioning, a powerful 406 MHz distress alert, and 121.5 MHz homing capability to effectively conclude final stages of rescue. The on-board GPS can quickly pinpoint the sender’s position to within 100 meters. As search-and-rescue personnel are deployed, a separate homing signal and integrated LED strobe light guide rescuers to the beacon’s exact position. For more than 60 years, ACR has been designing and manufacturing quality products to save lives. The new GlobalFIX V4 has gone through months of independent testing to ensure the design, functionality and performance live up to the ACR standard of excellence. The GlobalFIX V4 is also compact enough to be stored in your ACR RapidDitch abandon-ship bag along with all of your other safety gear. For mariners who want an EPIRB with longer operational life and more output power, ACR will continue to offer the GlobalFix iPRO and PRO range of EPIRBs.

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Bimini Bliss At The Inaugural World Resorts Bimini Wahoo Challenge

By Travis Cartwright

tense silence filled the Resorts World Bimini marina. A crowd of onlookers sat near the weighing station waiting for the next boat to arrive. Anglers from across the United States had descended on the tiny island of Bimini for the Inaugural Resorts World Wahoo Challenge Feb. 2-5. There were 25 boats, with men and women from as far away as Texas battling it out for the top prize of $35,000. Everyone at the weigh-station lingered anxiously, sipping on free rum punches and Kalik, the native beer of the Bahamas. Suddenly the silence was broken by a boisterous sound. It was music, more specifically a guitar solo. Someone was blaring George Thorogood’s “Bad to the Bone” loudly. As Team Bad Habits idled into the marina, an angler on deck was rocking out to the music, beer in hand. A group

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bikini-clad girls flocked to the men. It was obvious that Bad Habits was having a good day. “We went out early and kept hunting,” one of the men said. “It was a lot of fun being out there.” The team caught several wahoo, and they found mahi-mahi too. The event was sponsored by the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism in collaboration with Resorts World Bimini and the Bahamas Ocean Sports Authority. Team Who’s Your Daddy from Miami, Fla. caught an 80.3-pound wahoo on the first day of the tournament. Who’s Your Daddy took first place with a total combined weight of 261.5 pounds. Second place went to Bad Habits with a total weight of 248.6 pounds. Third place went to Fishin’ A Loan with a total weight of 191.3 pounds. The tournament was a celebration of all things Bahamian, and the anglers were treated to authentic Bahamian food, drinks, music and hospitality. Bimini consists of two main islands, North Bimini and South Bimini, and numerous cays just 50 miles south of Florida. It has a history of entertaining fishermen. People use golf carts to get around on North Bimini, as the island is only 7 miles long. Many visitors even rent bicycles and spend their days having picnics on the island’s gorgeous beaches. Bimini is no stranger to hosting lively and exciting events or personalities. The Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon believed the fountain of youth was located somewhere on the island. Many famous Americans visited the island during the 1960s and 70s, too, including Ernest Hemmingway, Jimmy Buffet and Martin Luther King. King, the late great civil rights leader, wrote parts of his Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech in Bimini. He stayed at the Bimini Big Game Club. The legendary Bimini Big Game Club, located in Alice Town, caters to visitors in search of world-class fishing experiences that range from bonefishing and deep sea fishing, and there’s incredible shark diving as well. Today, Bimini hosts scores of visitors in search of their own fountain of youth. The island, with its close-knit community, offers an escape from the modern world.

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Blue Wild Ocean Adventure Expo Celebrates 10th Anniversary April 22-23

Photo courtesy of Controlled Descent Lures

heri Daye, producer of the 10th Annual Blue Wild Ocean Adventure Expo announced the popular water sports expo, which features exhibits, seminars, demos, marine art and more, will return to the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center April 2223. What began as a small charity event has evolved over the past decade and flourished into an exciting, two-day event. The 2017 Blue Wild Ocean Adventure Expo will exceed 65,000 square feet, host 160 exhibitors and anticipates 5,000 attendees. Highlights include seminars and exhibits on freediving, scuba, spearfishing, fishing, marine art, underwater photography and videography, paddle boarding, adventure travel and more. The popular Kids Zone will offer face painting, art classes and crab races. The event offers activities for the whole family to enjoy. Attendees will be fascinated by the variety of celebrity speakers like TV personality Manny Puig and other experts who are a “who’s who” in the underwater worlds of freediving, spearfishing, photography, video and more. Hands-on workshops offer proven techniques and include: Yoga Session, Lionfish Preparation and Sampling, Marine Art Printmaking, Fish Filleting Demos, How to Hunt Off Your SUP and more. “I’m thrilled to be celebrating our tenth anniversary this year. We strive to offer an exciting atmosphere where like-minded ocean lovers and watersport enthusiasts of all ages can meet up and socialize,” said Daye. “I’ve crafted the expo be both educational and entertaining, where attendees can learn about latest techniques and products, shop for great deals, listen to the best speakers and network with one another.” For marine art fans, The Blue Wild Ocean Adventure Expo has one of the most impressive collections—from the world-renowned to the local scene with artists such as Carey Chen, Don Ray, Randall Scott, Jason Mathias and many more. Returning exhibitors include Aqua Lung, Mares, Cressi, SEAC,

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PADI, Pelagic, Bass Pro, YETI, Florida Freedivers, Island Water Sports, Nautical Ventures, Wong Spearguns and many more. The Expo is pleased to welcome several new exhibitors such as NAUI, Reef Photo and Video, and Coco View Resort. Adding to the excitement, the Expo also has state-of-the-art water toys, kayaks and Contender Boats. The Blue Wild Ocean Adventure Expo is known for its high-energy crowds and fun vibe. The diverse crowd includes visitors, experts and exhibitors from all over the world who flock to Fort Lauderdale for its desirable and central location. Water-lovers can also take advantage of the year-round tropical weather and warm waters. Entry is $20 at the door and includes a free goodie bag (while supplies last) and free entry to the Saturday night After-Party at the Fort Lauderdale Beach Courtyard Marriott. For more information, visit www. TheBlueWild.com or check out a video from last year at...

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Make reel memories. Stuart, located in Martin County, is known as the Sailfish Capital of the World. Sitting on the most biodiverse estuary in the Northern Hemisphere, and the northernmost point of the South Florida Reef, Martin County is home to 100 artificial reef systems and over 800 species of fish. Its climate, waterways and natural environment make it a mecca for fishermen and nautical explorers year-round. An array of unique shops, fine restaurants, great golf courses and quiet beaches make a day ashore fun, too. Inshore, offshore, salt water or fresh, head out for an adventure and reel in the memories.

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A TRIBUTE TO

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1OO

BOAT SEAT From left are Coastal Angler Magazine Co-Publisher Gary Guertin, Curt Whiticar and Jim Dragseth, president of Whiticar Boat Works. Photo courtesy of CAM/Treasure Coast.

By Ed Killer, Outdoors columnist for USA Today Network

ver the course of a life spanning more than a century, Curt Whiticar earned quite the reputation. He was the patriarch of the Stuart family best known for building classic sport fishing boats and died March 7 of prolonged congestive heart failure and kidney issues. He was 106. “Through his life, he touched so many people’s lives,” remembered his son John Whiticar, 67, of Jensen Beach. “He was one for getting things done. And he was so proficient at whatever he would set about to accomplish.” George Curtis Whiticar was born Feb. 13, 1911 to Capt. Add Whiticar, a commercial fisherman and charter captain who fished out of New Jersey. Curt Whiticar was the oldest of three brothers who all followed in their father’s fishing footsteps. They took paying customers on fishing adventures through the St. Lucie Inlet. But when customers were thin, they fished commercially. Curt Whiticar’s dad first came to Stuart to scout the bluefish and Spanish mackerel commercial fishery in 1917. The family settled in Stuart full time in 1926. Curt Whiticar built his first boat in 1921, and by the late 1930s had begun to make a name for the family with his craftsmanship. By the 1950s, his boats were in demand by anglers who wanted boats built to handle the sometimes-choppy Treasure Coast offshore waters. Whiticar boats were known for a sharp entry bow and steep deadrise, which made them perfect for slicing into a 4- to 5-foot-high wave. More than 60 Whiticar boats have been built since Whiticar assembled his first. Capt. V.J. Bell, of Stuart, ran the Bone Shaker, a 40-foot Whiticar, for Stuart’s Joe Lehner for more than 10 years. “It was a great headsea boat which was Whiticar Boats’ claim to fame,” said Bell. “It had a sharp entry, and ran really well into a sea or a chop. And once we got to where we were going, it was a fish-raising machine. It had a clean wash, small propellers. It was a very strong boat, too, overbuilt, if anything.” Bell was one of many Stuart-area captains to come to the area from the Delmarva Peninsula. Many of them came as mates working for Capt. Ray Parker, who owned a red-hulled Whiticar named Hobo. They stayed for the great sailfishing—a sport fishery pioneered by Whiticar and his family. They were among the first in the area to promote conservation of sailfish. The Whiticars were also among those who founded the Stuart Sailfish Club. Whiticar retired from boat building in 1986 at age 75. He received a number of awards and recognition for his service as a craftsman and a leader in conservation. Last month, he was inducted into the International Game Fish Association’s Captain and Crew Hall of Fame. There will be a celebration of Whiticar’s life April 9 at Indian Riverside Park in Jensen Beach. In lieu of flowers, the family asks to make contributions in his name to the Stuart Sailfish Club, the Stuart Heritage Museum or Treasure Coast Hospice.

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anhandle lionfish hunters only have until May 19 to compete in the Panhandle Pilot Program. This yearlong lionfish removal incentive program rewards divers for harvesting lionfish off Escambia through Franklin counties. The program may be ending, but lionfish are open for harvest year-round, and there are no bag or size limits. For every 100 lionfish removed, divers receive a tag that allows them to take an additional cobia or red grouper in state waters, but this tag must be used before May 19. The first 10 teams who remove 500 or more lionfish also qualify to name an artificial reef in the Panhandle. To date, six groups have qualified to rename an artificial reef. The program ends the day before the annual Lionfish Removal and Awareness Day Festival, which is May 20-21 at Plaza de Luna in Pensacola. A revamp of the statewide Lionfish Challenge will also be launched that same weekend. More information on this program will be coming soon. Learn more about the Panhandle Pilot Program and how you can get rewarded for your lionfish removals by visiting MyFWC.com/ Lionfish.

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What to Wearipsum Lorem WheN KAYAK FISHING

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im Salazar has been kayak fishing Southern California since the 1990s. He’s old school. Floridian Brandon Barton started in 2010. He’s from the new school. Both are elite-level Hobie fishing team members, a pair of Top Guns. For Salazar, the water is sizzling when it hits the relatively frigid 70s. He dresses accordingly, in a shorty farmer john wetsuit worn over a pair of fishing board shorts. For UV protection, he tops the ensemble with a hooded polyester sun shirt. His feet have it easy. “In the summer you can’t get me out of my flip flops,” he said. Where Salazar is traditional, Barton is modern. Comfort in hot weather and protection from insects are Barton’s major concerns. In the summer and spring he wears lightweight nylon fishing pants paired with a long-sleeve sun shirt. He tops them with a hat and a neck gaiter—popularly known as a buff. “The sun beats down on the water. I keep my whole body covered up,” he said. Some warm water anglers wear shoes made for the water. Barton prefers to slather sunscreen on his bare feet. If he’s fishing offshore or for dinosaurs, he adds fingerless fishing gloves. “For tarpon and sailfish, you need some hand protection,” he added. Although they fish in different climates, both pros avoid cotton. They dress for the conditions in clothing built to shed water and dry fast. You should too. Photo: Brandon Barton dressed for the warm Florida climate in lightweight sun-protective fishing clothes. Photo courtesy Brandon Barton.

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Tackle Corner:

By Mike Pehanich

Angling for comfort and joint health

nce upon a time, fishing was deemed a passive, even contemplative game, a quiet pastime spent under a straw hat and a warming sun. No more! Modern angling is an active endeavor generally characterized by energetic casts, and plenty of them. The aggressive style of the modern angler takes its toll on the body with back, wrist, elbow and shoulder injuries. “As we get older, our bodies kind of fall apart,” said Bassmaster Elite Series angler Mark Menendez during an outing on Kentucky Lake. Menendez has developed tendinitis in his elbow. “I have had to figure out ways to fish that are less taxing on my body.” He has changed technique and equipment to reduce the wear. He fishes soft swimbaits like the Strike King Shadalicious far more these days, working them on relatively light spinning tackle and line testing no more than 10 pounds. It’s effective and easier on his elbow. The other adjustments he makes relate to his tackle. He lauds the Winn grips now featured on Lew’s Custom Lite, Lew’s Tournament Performance TP1 Speed Stick and Lew’s Mach Speed Stick rods. “The advantage to the angler is that the Winn grip adheres to your hand, but it’s not sticky,” he explained. “It just makes you feel you have a good grip on your rod and reel. The grips also allow me to make longer casts because I have better control of my rod and reel.” Musky and saltwater anglers are also taking advantage of the “tacky” feel and security of the non-slip polymer to protect against joint stress. Eavesdrop on a group of musky fishers for long and you’re bound to hear complaints of sore elbows and forearms. Many musky anglers are building custom rods with Winn grips, employing larger 1.25-inch Straight Taper split grips or a Straight Taper fore

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grip coupled with a 15-inch Straight Cylinder Saltwater grip capped with a fighting butt to extend the rear handle to 18-plus inches. Winn will add a new 18-inch grip to the Saltwater line this spring. Builders of custom surf and offshore rods are already making plans for its use. But oversized grips and rod wraps are finding favor with other anglers, too. At the Bassmaster Elite Series event at Lake Okeechobee in February, anglers with arthritic hands and joint issues noticed the booth Winn shared with North Fork Bait & Tackle owner and rod builder Steve Keller, who also operates a Winn Authorized Service Center at his store in Jensen Beach, Fla. Arthritis sufferers noted their preference for larger grip diameters to ease gripping pressure. The 1.25-inch Winn grips caught their attention, as did the array of offerings in the Winn Superior Rod Wrap line of overwraps, which enable the angler to put a layer of non-slip Winn polymer over existing cork or EVA grips. Winn grips and rod wraps (www.winngrips.com) are available in a wide range of sizes and colors. The Winn interchangeable grip system offers an endless combination of configurations.

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TIPS FROM A PRO

FRESHWATER LEARN CONFIDENCE IN NEW TECHNIQUES

BRANDON LESTER

rowing up in southern middle Tennessee, I was fortunate to have a lot of really good fisheries within a couple hours of my house. I had my choice between the Tennessee River lakes like Guntersville, Wheeler and Wilson or the typical highland reservoirs located in the hills of Tennessee. I spent many days fishing club events and absorbing every bit of knowledge I could. It helped me become a versatile angler and to stay in tune with the seasonal movements of bass. These things helped prepare me for the situations I would later face on

the Bassmaster Elite Series. I remember my very first Elite Series event. It was at Lake Seminole. I had never been to the lake and didn’t know a thing about it. After a tough first day of practice, I ran way up the Flint River to see if I could find something up there all to myself. What I found was a couple of small backwaters with clear water and fish that were setting up to spawn. These places had been completely overlooked, and I finished 21st in that tournament. I caught almost every fish on a floating worm, something that is very popular during the spawn around my home waters. That tournament and many others since have taught me that no matter where you go in the country, or what body of water you’re on, there will always be something that fits your fishing style. It may not always be the winning pattern,

but more times than not, I would rather be fishing for fewer fish with more confidence. The very best lure in any tackle box is confidence. But this doesn’t mean I stubbornly sticking to the same techniques I’m comfortable with. Successful tournament anglers must keep up with the latest trends. Lures, line, rods, reels and everything else are constantly evolving. It helps to stay on the forefront. As I travel the country, I learn a lot of new techniques and about new baits that work in particular regions. Every time I go to a tournament and a new technique arises that I’m not familiar with, the first thing I do when I get home is take it to a nearby lake and try to learn it. When trying to learn something new, it’s best to do it in areas you know hold fish. A good example of this was at the first Elite Series event of this year at Lake Cherokee. Cherokee is in east Tennessee, but it is much different than my home waters. There is a hot new trend among the locals there called the “Damiki rig” that is dynamite for catching smallmouth relating to baitfish. It is a small fluke-style lure rigged on a Lake Erie-style jig head that allows for precise placement of the lure at depth. I had heard about the rig leading up to the tournament and tried it in practice, but I never could figure it out. Our tournament was actually won on that rig, and several of the top guys were doing it. After that tournament was over, I spent the next day on my home lake with nothing but that rig. I wanted to learn everything there was to know about it. I went on to catch some big smallmouth on my home lake with it, and although I still don’t consider myself an expert, I feel like I can catch them on it next time the opportunity arises.

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3/20/17 3:40 PM

Endless Fishing Opportunities

In Marathon

By Capt. Chris Johnson, SeaSquared Charters Marathon, the very heart of the Florida Keys, offers fishing options as vast as the crystal blue waters that surround the islands. to experience the exhilaration of big game sport fishing closer to shore and easier on your budget. Rounding out the sport fishing options in Marathon are bonefish, snook, Goliath grouper, permit and barracuda. Each challenging in its own right and all worthy of a place of honor on your trophy wall.

ill Your Trophy Wall With visions of Ernest Hemingway’s exploits in their heads, adventurers flock to Marathon from around the globe to fulfill their dreams of catching the sportfish of a lifetime. The offshore deep blue waters are the realm of the mighty swordfish, who live in the 1,500-plus-foot depths. Fishing for swordfish is highly technical and is best done with an electric set-up. While a magnificent creature to display above the fireplace, swordfish are also prized for their food value. Closer inshore are sailfish, which are unsurpassed in their size range for combined strength and spectacle. These silver speedsters, with their distinctive blue fan-shaped fin, are free-roamers that seem to prefer the coral reef areas. They are best fished for where their favorite foods are plentiful, such as along weed lines or around schools of blue runners, goggle eyes or pilchards. Perhaps the most elusive of all the sportfish in the Marathon waters is the Silver King. The tarpon that visit the Middle Florida Keys each spring love to hang out at bridge passes, where their food of choice is easily obtainable. These areas are known for their relative calm conditions, making tarpon fishing a comfortable experience for all anglers, even those prone to seasickness. Using light spinning tackle and circle hooks, fishing for tarpon is about as sporting as it gets. And, to hook one and chase it through the bridge pilings, hoping to be rewarded with a few jumps and maybe a picture at the side of the boat is an unforgettable experience. With a plethora of media coverage of sharks, catch-and-release fishing for them has become increasingly popular. The Marathon area sees a vast spectrum of sharks, including lemons, blacktips, bulls, blacknoses, nurse, spinners, hammerheads and tigers. These range in size from little guys to behemoths at 12 to 15 feet in length. Light tackle, shallow water angling for sharks in the Middle Florida Keys presents the opportunity 30

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Fill Your Dinner Plate When it comes to catching fish with a top-quality food value, you’d be hard-pressed to find a greater bounty than contained in the waters surrounding Marathon. On the Atlantic coral reefs and wrecks, snapper of all variety are plentiful for the taking year-round. Yellowtails, mangroves, muttons and lanes offer endless rod-bending entertainment and fill the bellies of hungry anglers at the end of the day. Grouper – blacks, reds and gags – are ever-present as well, although they tend to retreat to deeper waters during the summer heat. Additionally, the season is closed for them from January 1 to May 1. There are many more species that provide high-quality table fare – too many to list – but include amberjack, cobia, kingfish, Spanish mackerel, cero mackerel, pompano and on and on. Marathon’s offshore waters are fishing central for pelagic species that provide angling excitement. Venture 26 miles out to the Marathon Humps and you will be in tuna heaven. Blackfin and skipjack tuna are abundant year-round, and the only thing that can prevent you from getting there to catch them on any given day are the winds. But, on a calm day, the ride out and back is comfortable and the catching typically rapid-fire. Dolphin (mahi) and wahoo roam the open sea in a continuous hunt for food. Anglers seek them along weed lines and around any sort of floating debris. Feeding birds, particularly frigates, also indicate their presence. The spectacle of the blue and yellow blaze of a dolphin or the blue and white zebra-like stripes of a wahoo on the end of your line is indelible. Entertain The Family. There’s nothing finer for family bonding than spending quality time together on the water, away from the interruptions of everyday life. Marathon boasts multiple venues that are ideal for a day of family fun fishing. The patch reefs, Hawk Channel, the Seven Mile Bridge and the nearshore bay waters are chock-full of fun-catching fish. Snapper, hogfish, porgy, yellowjack, maybe even grouper, keep the rods bent with tasty rewards at the end of the day. Just for fun, there are sharks, barracuda, jacks and more. Catch ’em and release ’em and on to the next! So, whether you’re looking to fill your trophy wall or your dinner plate, or just have a great day out with the family, Marathon offers the fishing opportunities to make your dreams come true. Capt. Chris Johnson specializes in offshore, gulf/bay, reef/wreck, sailfish, shark and tarpon fishing with SeaSquared Charters, docked at Faro Blanco Resort and Yacht Club in Marathon. You can reach him at 305-743-5305, http://SeaSquaredCharters.com and http://Facebook. com/MarathonFishing.

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Micron: Generations of Innovation Every parent hopes their children will do well and have a better life than they did. At Interlux, we feel the same way about the products we make. With each new advancement and generation of Micron® Technology comes better performing, higher quality solutions. Innovation is a tradition we are proud to have carried on for over 30 years. From the long lasting and always dependable Micron CSC to our new, powerful water-based Micron Optima with Activated Biolux®, we build on our past success to deliver state of the art protection today. Whatever the year, you know you’ll always have the latest and best in Micron Technology. Visit our website for more information – yachtpaint.com

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The Bahamas Extreme Kayak Fishing Tournament

Photo courtesy of Controlled Descent Lures

nglers with the guts to mix big-game tournament fishing with kayaking will head to beautiful Grand Bahama this month to compete in the Extreme Kayak Fishing Tournament April 2023. This two-day kayak fishing tournament will attract anglers and their family members from all over the world for a chance to win more than $40,000 in cash and prizes, and all to help raise funds for the Humane Society of Grand Bahama. There will be free entertainment, food, drinks, a huge raffle and lots of fun for the entire family! “This event, now in its fourth year, has gained tremendous interest and notoriety for anglers and sporting enthusiasts from throughout the USA, Canada, China and Brazil. We have seen the competition grow each year from 40 anglers in our inaugural year in 2014 to some 280 participants last year,” said Bahamas Ministry of Tourism (BMOT) spokesman Richard Treco, Sr. “The high level of competition, coupled with our incredible on-island authentic cultural experiences and diverse product offering, makes this event most attractive for the seasoned as well as relatively new to the sport, angler.” Joe Hector, of Extreme Kayak Fishing International and organizer of the event, said he is excited to work with The BMOT on this tournament, and is particularly pleased with its rapid growth. “The Bahamas Extreme Kayak Fishing Tournament truly is the gold standard for kayak fishing in the world, as it provides everything into one great getaway: fun and family adventures, awesome fishing from white and blue marlins to huge mutton snappers, friendly people and the most beautiful destination in the world,” said Hector. Pre- and post-tournament packages range from $595 triple or qua-

druple occupancy for a three nights stay to $1,370 single occupancy for a seven nights stay, which includes tournament registration, hotel accommodations at the Flamingo Bay Hotel and Marina, round-trip transportation for the angler and his/her kayak from Port Everglades to Grand Bahama, a cocktail reception and awards dinner. Fish caught during the tournament will be given to the Grand Bahama Children’s Home, Flamingo Bay Hotel and Marina, and volunteers assisting with the project. For more information or to register for the tournament, visit www. extremekayakfishing.com or call 954-661-0175.

To learn more about the event and how to register, go to

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UNDER THE SEA

SLINGS AND POLESPEARS

from companies have challenged this SHERI DAYE traditional design by changing the here’s a fun retro-movement taking hand position. The place in spearfishing—a trend toward Headhunter Guerilla primitive hunting gear. Slings and Sling has a comfortable polespears are used in places that do not allow trigger mechanisms, such as Bermuda or the grip, which transfers the weight load from Bahamas, but they are growing in popularity the wrist and distributes the force throughout the forearm. Sea Archer slings look like an outside these regions too. This could be attributed to the new Sling/ underwater bow and arrow. The user holds Polespear category for world records, run by the body of the sling just as they would with a the International Underwater Spearfishing bow and arrow. There’s nothing more beautiful Association (IUSA). However, I suspect the than watching a skilled underwater hunter real reason is that many hunters appreciate using a sling and hitting the mark with a freethe challenge and simplicity, not unlike land- flying shaft! Polespears are another fun option. hunters opting for bow-and-arrow over rifles. It’s a beautiful art form that evokes images of They can be made of fiberglass, aluminum Indians using extreme stealth and having great or carbon fiber. The tip can have a flopper, three-prong paralyzer tip or a slip-tip. Neritic respect for their prey. Slings and polespears are great tools for Diving company makes polespears with someone who is either learning how to spearfish interchangeable sections that can be assembled or interested in improving their hunting skills. in different length configurations. Users may Compared to modern spearguns, they force a choose to use a shorter polespear when hunting diver to become calmer and stealthier because in dirtier water or in tight spaces. When diving of their shorter range. One must slow down and in deep clear water, fish may not be cooperative study the behavior of fish in order to get closer and a longer polespear may be desired. The to them. While both slings and polespears are ability to quickly construct your weapon of powered using rubber bands without trigger choice is one of the best recent innovations, along with magnetic slip-tips that don’t fall off mechanisms, these two styles differ. Slings, sometimes called “Hawaiian slings,” while diving. I must admit that I can’t help feeling a are similar to a slingshot where the band is pulled back to launch the spear. Traditionally, smug sense of satisfaction when I land an the shooter was a tubular-shaped piece of wood elusive fish with a simple stick and rubber with a hole drilled down the center so the shaft band. Regardless if you are a novice or could slide through when being launched professional, primitive hunting offers a forward by the band. Recent innovations fun and entertaining challenge. Why not

Charles Duffie with a polespeared hogfish. Photo by James Ferrara.

add another skill to your spearfishing resume and another choice in your toolkit? It will double your fun and make you a better hunter! Sheri is a world-record holder, host of Speargun Hunter and producer of “The Blue Wild Ocean Adventure Expo” in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Follow “Sheri Daye” and “The Blue Wild” on Facebook and Instagram.

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Spearfishing Course for Freedivers

By Capt. Chad Carney Photo courtesy of Controlled Descent Lures

n 2016, Freediving Instructors International (FII) presented their new spearfishing course at The Blue Wild Expo in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. If you’re new to spearfishing or a veteran, this wealthof-knowledge course, from many of the world’s best spearfishermen and freedivers will be invaluable. All students must already have a Level 1 freediving certification from an internationally recognized agency. FII founder Martin Stepanek, and freediving instructors John Dornellas and Cameron Kirkconnell, wrote the textbook for the course, called FII Spearfishing. The first course was taught by Martin and John at Florida Freedivers, Jonathan and Kelsey Dickinson’s dive shop in North Palm Beach, Fla. just days before The Blue Wild. Jonathan became a FII Spearfishing Instructor in September and taught the course to most of his staff and several customers since. The classroom section of the course runs a half day and is packed with great content including spearfishing ethics, freediving safety, location safety about dive planning, site obstructions, currents, marine animals, divers and boats. Information about spearfishing gear, it’s handling and use is covered thoroughly along with underwater hunting skills and techniques. The second half of the day is the pool training, where speargun handling and float line training is hands-on. The provided spearguns are unique in that they can be loaded in the water with total safety, because their shafts are completely stationary, as they are permanently bolted to the muzzles and mechanisms. Otherwise, the spearguns are fully functional and allow the best practice for pool or confined water training. Hunting styles and tricks are also taught and practiced in the pool around a portable artificial reef at the pool bottom where students will stalk a foam fish. Certification is completed with the classroom and pool session, along with a written test. A day of real ocean spearfishing is an option and may vary from location to location, but in the Palm Beaches, Jonathan says they plan for a day of spearfishing in moderate depths where water entries with gear can be polished, and also float lines can be used in currents. Reefs with low structure are available for stalking with, aspetto and agguatto techniques. The photo is Jonathan Dickinson with a recent 70-pound amberjack!

Check out www.floridafreedivers.com and www.freedivinginstructors.com for more information about the course and spearfishing and freediving equipment. Capt. Chad Carney runs diving and spearfishing charters in southeast Florida and can be reached at 727-4237775 or chad.carney@yahoo.com.

To learn more about Florida Free Divers, go to

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FISH & FISHING

THE LIGHT WAND MARK SOSIN

earning to fish a fly in saltwater adds a new and extremely challenging dimension to the sport. Light-wand enthusiasts on the marine scene don’t have to trip over tradition that sometimes limits the thinking and performance of their brethren who focus attention solely on trout and salmon. There are differences. When you work over fish in a stream, you often have ample time to contemplate the situation, change flies if the first one doesn’t work, and even try several approaches. Even a shoreline largemouth bass lays claim to a stationary feeding station near a log or under the lip of a lily pad. Saltwater critters remain on the move, probing and prowling continuously or they hold on a seat in the restaurant until the water level rises or falls a certain amount. Then, they change position. If you happen to spot your quarry, you only have seconds to get a fly in front of it. The first cast has to count. Simple hesitation can cause you to miss the opportunity. When you are blind casting, it’s important to read the water and recognize another set of signals. Predators frequently follow a feeding rhythm tied directly to the stage of the tide. Since they are not restricted to a few deep pools or the tail end of a run, finding them and presenting a fly with accuracy requires detailed knowledge of their habits and habitat. Casting in saltwater demands a bit more distance than it does in many freshwater settings. False casting becomes a handicap when you’re trying to drop a fly in the path of a cruising gamefish. You won’t have time to admire the tight loops or match the distance to the target precisely before dropping the fly gently on the skin of the water. The repeated surges of a powerful marine denizen tethered to flyline, leader and backing, or the task of driving a fly into the wind and in front of a cruising fish have no parallels in other forms of angling. Once experienced, these challenges trigger an insatiable appetite that demands more.

For smaller species of fish, a 9-weight fly rod that is 9-feet long would be my first choice. The reel should be single action, hold adequate backing, and left or right hand retrieve. You should turn the handle with your primary hand rather than what many fly fishermen do today. With a 9-weight rod, the reel should hold at least 200 yards of 20-pound dacron or braid. The second outfit for larger fish starts with a 12-weight or 13-weight rod and a reel that holds at least 275 yards of backing. Again, if you are right handed, choose a right hand retrieve. If you’re new to fly fishing, the time to break out the fly rod is when fishing is very good and your chances of success are boosted. It pays to keep it rigged and handy all the time. Let me warn you that catching fish on a fly rod becomes addictive. Once you start hooking fish on the light wand you will also be hooked.

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A slippery knife can make filleting fish a difficult chore. Dexter UR-Cut Fillet knives were designed to eliminate this problem, while providing comfort and control by custom molding the grip to a user’s hand. Coastal Angler put Dexter’s design to the test at the docks with a cooler full of sheepshead, which are known to be difficult to clean. The customization involves boiling the handle before dipping it in cold water and gripping it tightly so the owner’s grip is impressed on the handle. With attention to thumb position during the process, we were able to customize the grip to the exact position our fillet men prefer. It took just a few minutes, and the result was a well-balanced tool that felt secure and comfortable in the hand. Then we took our blades to the cutting table. Dexters are known for maintaining a super-sharp edge, and having just the right amount of flexibility. Past experience has taught us they are also easy to sharpen. We were not surprised to find the blade on our new UR-Cut knives performed flawlessly working along spines and ribcages. Our hands and the table were coated in slime, and this is where the URCut showed why it is more than just a good knife. We intentionally created a slippery situation by not washing down, and the non-slip properties of the custom handles performed as advertised. For more information, visit...

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PANTHER SWIM PLATFORM OUTBOARD MOTOR BRACKET Now, with the new Panther Swim Platform Outboard Motor Bracket you can transform the family boat or even the work boat into a fishing machine. The convenience of having a kicker motor makes slow trolling for your favorite species much more efficient and productive. The new bracket easily mounts to most swim platforms and features three levels of convenient height adjustment to accommodate most platform heights and motor shaft lengths, for optimal prop depth and performance. • Rated for two- and four-stroke motors up to 20 hp with max motor weight of 195 pounds • Constructed of black powder coat aluminum • Comes complete with transom support bar for weight support torque resistance For more information, contact MarineTech Products at 1 651-486-2010 or visit

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ost anglers would probably enjoy a shopping spree in the fishing section of the local Walmart. An Ohio man allegedly helped himself to not one, but two free-ofcharge shopping sprees last October, and has now been charged with stealing an estimated $3,800 worth of fishing gear, according to NBC affiliate WLWT. Warren County, Ohio prosecutor David Fornshell told reporters that Derrick Marcum, “pretty much cleared out the aisle.” According to the WLWT report, Marcum was arrested last October when he attempted to carry two backpacks stuffed with fishing gear out of an Ohio Walmart. He was arrested that same day for the theft of $1,300 worth of gear. But it wasn’t until recently that investigators connected that incident with another theft that occurred the previous day at another Ohio Walmart. Marcum allegedly filled five plastic bins with tackle and then proceeded to the self-checkout, where he paid only for the bins. Investigators valued that heist at about $2,500. A grand jury indicted Marcum, and he waits in jail for his arraignment, according to reports. Jail time seems a pretty steep price, even for thousands of dollars worth of fishing gear.

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Limit 1 coupon per customer per day. Save 20% on any 1 item purchased. *Cannot be used with other discount, coupon or any of the following items or brands: Inside Track Club membership, Extended Service Plan, gift card, open box item, 3 day Parking Lot Sale item, compressors, floor jacks, saw mills, storage cabinets, chests or carts, trailers, trenchers, welders, Admiral, Bauer, CoverPro, Daytona, Earthquake, Hercules, Jupiter, Lynxx, Poulan, Predator, StormCat, Tailgator, Viking, Vulcan. Not valid on prior purchases. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 8/1/17.

$269.99

• Weighs 73 lbs.

SUPER COUPON

20"

Customer Rating

SAVE $269 LIMIT 3 - Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 8/1/17.

SUPER COUPON

$99

ITEM 69780 41005 shown

SUPER COUPON

14999 $369.32

Compare

$1799 $

ITEM 60626 shown 69474/62861

SUPER COUPON

LIMIT 6 - Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 8/1/17.

45 WATT SOLAR PANEL 10 PIECE KIT ITEM 62443 68751 shown

SAVE $83

Compare

Customer Rating

149

Compare

$203.73

SUPER COUPON

SAVE $94

Blade sold separately.

ITEM 61971/61972 98199 shown Customer Rating

SUPER COUPON

$84

99 119$179

Compare

LIMIT 4 - Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 8/1/17.

hft_coastalangler_0417_M-REG100631.indd 1 NAT_0417.indd 41

VALUE LIMIT 1 - Cannot be used with other discount, coupon or prior purchase. Coupon good at our stores, HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Offer good while supplies last. Shipping & Handling charges may apply if not picked up in-store. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 8/1/17. Limit one FREE GIFT coupon per customer per day.

SUPER COUPON

Voted Best 2500 LB. ELECTRIC WINCH Winches in WITH WIRELESS Quality & Price

REMOTE CONTROL

179

Compare

$49

$446.61

LIMIT 5 - Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 8/1/17.

SUPER COUPON

$699

1199 $34.95

Compare

8$17.97

Compare

Customer Rating

LIMIT 7 - Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 8/1/17.

SUPER COUPON

SUPER COUPON POWDER-FREE NITRILE GLOVES • 5 mil thickness PACK OF 100

ITEM 68287 shown 69652/62872/62869 Customer Rating Includes one 18V NiCd battery and charger.

SAVE 74% $2499 Compare $79

SUPER COUPON

$19

LIMIT 6 - Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 8/1/17.

Item 68498 shown

SAVE 62%

SIZE MED LG X-LG

Customer Rating

YOUR CHOICE

Compare

$119.99

SUPER COUPON

SAVE 85%

LIMIT 6 - Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 8/1/17.

18 VOLT CORDLESS 3/8" DRILL/DRIVER AND FLASHLIGHT KIT

6999

AUTOMATIC BATTERY FLOAT CHARGER

$ 99

LIMIT 4 - Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 8/1/17.

SAVE 66%

SUPER COUPON

Customer Rating

SUPER COUPON

4 PIECE 1" x 15 FT. 72" x 80" MOVING BLANKET

SAVE 80%

SAVE $70

SUPER COUPON

RATCHETING TIE DOWNS ITEM 69505/62418 ITEM 63056/63057/60405/63094 66537 shown 63150/61524/62322/90984 shown

LIMIT 3 - Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 8/1/17.

10" SLIDING COMPOUND MITER SAW

$ 99

• Includes keychain remote • Weighs 14.3 lbs. • 11-1/4" W x 4-1/8" H

SUPER COUPON

$1 1999

$149

3999 $62.27

LIMIT 3 - Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 8/1/17.

SUPER COUPON

ITEM 69030 69031 shown

ITEM 63476/61840/61297/68146/61258 shown

SUPER COUPON

$2999

Compare 99 $39 .94

1" x 25 FT. TAPE MEASURE

• Air delivery: 5.8 CFM @ 40 PSI, 4.7 CFM @ 90 PSI

7" VARIABLE SPEED POLISHER/SANDER

Customer Rating

ANY PURCHASE

WITH

SAVE $296

SUPER COUPON

SAVE 51%

FREE

Customer Rating

LIMIT 4 - Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 8/1/17.

Customer Rating

SAVE 54%

ITEM 69091/61454 61693/62803 67847 shown

SUPER COUPON

1000 LB. CAPACITY SWING-BACK TRAILER JACK

2.5 HP, 21 GALLON, 125 PSI VERTICAL OIL-LUBE AIR COMPRESSOR

SUPER COUPON

ITEM 68496/61363 68497/61360 68498/61359

$499

LIMIT 9 - Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 8/1/17.

SUPER COUPON

AMERICA'S BEST GENERATOR

SUPER QUIET

4000 PEAK/3200 RUNNING WATTS 6.5 HP (212 CC) GAS GENERATORS

Customer Rating

ITEM 69676/69729/63080/63079 shown ITEM 69675/69728/63090/63089 CALIFORNIA ONLY

SAVE $149

7 $15.99

LIMIT 8 - Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 8/1/17.

SUPER COUPON

$ 99 Compare $34.99

Customer Rating

$ 99

Compare

ITEM 69594/69955 42292 shown

339

Wheel kit sold separately.

SUPER COUPON

99 9 8 $2 99 Compare

$439

LIMIT 3 - Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 8/1/17. At Harbor Freight Tools, the “Compare” or “comp at” price means that the same item or a similar functioning item was advertised for sale at or above the “Compare” or “comp at” price by another retailer in the U.S. within the past 180 days. Prices advertised by others may vary by location. No other meaning of “Compare” or "comp at" should be implied. For more information, go toHarborFreight.com or see store associate.

Use Coupons:COASTALANGLERMAG.COM In-Store, HarborFreight.com or 800-423-2567 • THEANGLERMAG.COM APRIL 2017

NATIONAL

3/8/17 12:34 PM 3/20/17 3:41 PM

suzuki spring savings Three Limited Time Offers Make A Good Deal Even Better Suzuki Gives You All Three So You Don’t Have To Choose One Or The Other

Buy a new Suzuki outboard from 25 to 300 horsepower and take advantage of not just one, but ALL THREE Suzuki Spring promotional offers.

Add cash rebates on select models and you can get up to $800 cash back. Plus our Repower Financing is available at attractive interest rates (on approved credit.*)

Just say, “Gimme Six!” and you’ll get six years of product protection. That’s right, you’ll get Suzuki’s three-year limited warranty and Suzuki’s 3-Year Extended Protection Plan at no extra charge.

See your participating Suzuki Marine dealer today and find out how you can get the ultimate deal on the Ultimate 4-Stroke Outboard.

Six Years of Protection at no extra charge on all new outboards 25 to 300 HP.

Cash Rebates on select models. See your dealer for details.

REPOWER FINANCE

Rates as low as 5.99% on new Suzuki outboards (OAC).*

For details and the name of your nearest participating Suzuki Marine dealer, visit www.suzukimarine.com

Gimme Six Extended Protection promo is applicable to new Suzuki Outboard Motors from 25 to 300 HP in inventory which are sold and delivered to buyer between 4/01/17 and 6/30/17 in accordance with the promotion by a Participating Authorized Suzuki Marine dealer in the continental US and Alaska to a purchasing customer who resides in the continental US or Alaska. Customer should expect to receive an acknowledgement letter and full copy of contract including terms, conditions and wallet card from Suzuki Extended Protection within 90 days of purchase. If an acknowledgement letter is not received in time period stated, contact Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. – Marine Marketing via email: marinepromo@suz.com. The Gimme Six Promotion is available for pleasure use only, and is not redeemable for cash. Cash Rebates apply to qualifying purchases of select Suzuki Outboard Motors made between 4/01/17 and 6/30/17. For list of designated models, see participating Dealer or visit www.suzukimarine.com. Customer and participating Dealer must fill out the appropriate rebate form at time of sale. Customer will have the choice to either apply the cash rebate against the original dealer invoice (Suzuki will credit Dealer parts account) or have a check sent directly to the customer. There are no model substitutions, benefit substitutions, rain checks, or extensions. Suzuki reserves the right to change or cancel these promotions at any time without notice or obligation. * Financing offers available through Synchrony Retail Finance. As low as 5.99% APR financing for 60 months on new and unregistered Suzuki Outboard Motors. Subject to credit approval. Not all buyers will qualify. Approval, and any rates and terms provided, are based on credit worthiness. $19.99/month per $1,000 financed for 60 months is based on 5.99% APR. Hypothetical figures used in calculation; your actual monthly payment may differ based on financing terms, credit tier qualification, accessories or other factors such as down payment and fees. Offer effective on new, unregistered Suzuki Outboard Motors purchased from a participating authorized Suzuki dealer between 4/01/17 and 6/30/17. “Gimme Six”, the Suzuki “S” and model names are Suzuki trademarks or ®. Don’t drink and drive. Always wear a USCG-approved life jacket and read your owner’s manual. © 2017 Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.

NATIONAL

NAT_0417.indd 42

APRIL 2017

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

3/20/17 3:41 PM

PENNFISHING.COM

LET THE BATTLE BEGIN The Slammer is back! Featuring a full metal body and rotor, IPX6 sealed gear box and spool design, a full Brass CNC Gear system,

COMMON CVRS_0417.indd 3

and a smooth yet powerful Dura Drag System. The Slammer is not only back…. it’s better than ever before.

3/19/17 2:26 PM

COMMON CVRS_0417.indd 4

3/19/17 2:26 PM