Coastal Angler Magazine | September 2023 | Mississippi Edition

MAXIMIZE YOUR OUTPUT With

Dometic’s Mega Jackplate

ENGINEERED TO HANDLE THE STRONGEST OUTBOARD ENGINES ON THE MARKET

Today’s engine manufacturers are building engines that are more powerful and heavier than ever before. Dometic’s new Mega Jackplate has been developed to withstand the power of high performance engines and provide boaters with the ability to maximize the output of their engines while offering more flexibility in shallow water. The Mega Jackplate is rated to 600 HP and is an extension of our existing product line. It will be offered in 6”, 8” and 10” setbacks. There will be 2 versions available, a standard bolt pattern designed to fit engines like Yamaha XTO and a wide bolt pattern designed to fit Merc 500/600.

Go Big!

Up your game like never before with the biggest and brightest TZtouchXL MFDs.

10 screen layouts, including new 6-way split screen

DFF3D Multibeam Sonar see 120° Port-Starboard

DFF3-UHD high-power 2/3 kW TruEcho CHIRP™ Fish Finder NavPilot features keep you on the fish

High-power X-Class & NXT Radar options

TZT24X 24 " Multi-Touch MFD 1920 x 1080 (FHD)

TZT22X 22 " Multi-Touch 1920 x 1080 (FHD)

MCU006

Enhanced Remote Control

Furuno Ambassador Duane “Diego” Mellor

FRANCHISE OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE NATIONWIDE!

PUBLISH YOUR OWN FISHING MAGAZINE!

If you love the outdoors and dream of being in business for yourself, now is the time to choose a Coastal Angler or e Angler Magazine Franchise.

Established Brand • Proven Systems Training & Ongoing Support Work

• Alabama - SOLD

• Big Bend, FL

• Charlotte, NC

• Connecticut/Rhode Island

• Daytona Beach, FL - SOLD

• Destin/Pensacola, FL - SOLD

• Eastern Tennessee

• Georgia (Coastline, Savannah)

• Hilton Head, SC - SOLD

• Lake Erie, Ohio

• Lake Michigan

• Long Island, NY

POPPER SEASON IS ON FIRE IN EAST TENNESSEE

By Capt. Bill Stranahan

• Miami, FL - SOLD!

• Myrtle Beach, SC

• New Hampshire

• New Jersey

• New Orleans, LA

• North Carolina (Raleigh, Wilmington)

• Okeechobee, FL - SOLD

• Outer Banks, VA

• Panama City, FL - SOLD!

• Tallahassee, FL/SW GA

• Texas (Coastal, Houston)

• ...YOUR HOMETOWN!

Don’t see your location? Ask one of our specialists about franchise availability in your area.

1-888-800-9794

info@coastalanglermagazine.com

franchise.coastalanglermag.com

WATCH OUR ONLINE VIDEO HERE: https://bit.ly/3sjhMoP

This is a hard time of year for most Southern trout anglers. Water temperatures are warm all over, and most of our trout shing has slowed way down or is just plain over for a bit.

Here in East Tennessee, we are currently bringing 5- and 6-weight y rods and dri shing topwater poppers for spotted and smallmouth bass on several local rivers. We are catching some nice sh, and we’re also catching very good numbers, all on top.

It’s like hopper shing, just on the warm-water side of things. e bass are happy and should be looking up for the remainder of the summer through October, depending on water ows and weather.

It’s a nice change of pace for a bit, with many sh being in the 15- to 16-inch range and averaging a pound and a half or two, with shots at larger sh on any given dri . Giant pumpkinseed bream will also come up and hammer a popper on occasion.

If you’re getting into the bassy side of things, I recommend 2x leaders, 5- and 6-weight rods and your favorite color poppers. e occasional pop and twitch is just a way to say hello to let them know it’s there and see who comes up.

If you want to catch some hard- ghting sh and have a fun day on the water, give us a call before it’s over.

Contact Hiawassee River Guides at (423) 208-8602. See their website at http://hiwasseeriverguides.blogspot.com/.

Home of world class fishing on the beautiful Watauga Lake, rugged Doe River and designated trophy trout stream, Watauga River

Fall Snook

AND THE MULLET MIGRATION

By Nick Carter

Fall is a ne time to be an angler on the Florida coast. e summer crowds dwindle as the summer heat begins to taper o , and snook season opens Sept. 1 ahead of the mullet run.

Capt. Adam White, of St. Lucie Flats Fishing on Florida’s Treasure Coast, said this time of year o ers good snook and tarpon shing in his area. Whether he’s shing bridges at night or inshore structure during the day, there are a lot of snook to be caught around Fort Pierce and a lot of places to catch them.

“From the beach to the inlet, the bridges at night and the seawalls during the day, there’s a lot

of di erent places to sh for them,” he said. “You’ll only get four or ve bites per spot, and if you don’t get a bite in 10 minutes or so, leave. I don’t let grass grow under my feet.”

Run-and-gun tactics make for fun shing, with spurts of activity between quick boat rides. Capt. White said he can’t guarantee a one- sh-perperson snook limit because the 28- to 32-inch slot is a small window, but he said anglers can expect consistent action from under-slot snook or a shot at a big over-slot sh.

Inshore, White likes light (up to 15-pound)

spinning rigs for pitching live baits to currentswept structure, such as mangrove islands, spoil bars and docks. Snook are strong, and a decent one will take you for a ride on light tackle.

e best shot at a big snook is out in the inlet, where White will anchor up and drop baits to the bottom in hopes of just three or four bites over the course of a trip. e payo might be a snook in the 35- to 38-inch range with an outside shot at a 40-incher. ese sh might weigh 15 to 20-plus pounds.

Live bait is the best bet, and snook will eat whatever is available at the time. Live mullet or croakers are White’s preferred baits, and he doesn’t shy away from using bigger 5- to 8-inch baits, which even small snook will hammer.

Anglers who prefer arti cials will nd good action at night at the bridges. White suggested lipped-plugs like the Bomber Windcheater, which has a good mullet-like pro le in the 4 ½-inch size. Another great lure is the locally made so -plastic umper Shrimp. Rig one on a jig head with enough weight to get it down and work it slowly across the bottom.

As for the annual mullet run, when predators hound millions of mullet pushing south to spawning grounds o south Florida, White said he likes the front end of the migration. O St. Lucie County, the shing is best around the second week of September, when mullet begin trickling into the shery. Once the migration is full-blown, there are so many bait sh in the water that it’s hard to get sh to notice your bait.

PHOTO CREDIT: WALT LAUREL

1920s Style for a 1920s Price

It was a warm summer afternoon and my wife and I were mingling with the best of them. The occasion was a 1920s-themed party, and everyone was dressed to the nines. Parked on the manse’s circular driveway was a beautiful classic convertible. It was here that I got the idea for our new 1920s Retrograde Watch.

Never ones to miss an opportunity, we carefully steadied our glasses of bubbly and climbed into the car’s long front seat. Among the many opulent features on display was a series of dashboard dials that accentuated the car’s lavish aura. One of those dials inspired our 1920s Retrograde Watch, a genuinely unique timepiece that marries timeless style with modern technology.

With its remarkable retrograde hour and minute indicators, sunburst guilloche face and precision movement, this design is truly one of a kind. What does retrograde mean?

Instead of displaying the hands rotating on an axis like most watches, the hands sweep in a semicircle, then return to their starting point and begin all over again.

Retrograde watches by the big brands can set you back thousands; one recent offering from a big French fashion house is selling for more than $150,000! But because we’ve designed the 1920s Retrograde Watch in-house, we can offer it to you for just $99!

This watch is so wildly popular with our customers that we’re actually concerned about running out; we only have 937 729 left for this ad!

Join more than 1  smart people who love stauer watches

Watch Specifications:

• Precision movement

• Stainless steel case, caseback and crown

• Retrograde hour and minute indicators

• Water-resistant to 5 ATM

• Brown genuine leather band

• Fits wrists up to 8"

1920s Retrograde Watch

$399 $99* + S&P Save $300

*Special price only for customers using the offer code.

“An elegant and exciting timepiece that every collector will love.”

— George omas, internationally renowned watch expert

“[A] unique and beautiful timepiece.”

— Carlos C., Los Banos, CA

chinook are Running in the Pacific Northwest

By Nick Carter

Right now, there’s a migration gearing up in the Paci c Northwest. Chinook salmon are staged to push up out of the cold Paci c and into the inlets and coastal rivers of Washington, Oregon and Northern California. Just like they do in the famed Alaskan runs, big king salmon are making a nal return to the spawning grounds where they hatched to begin the next generation before they die.

With his father, Trevor Pelland, has shed these runs on the Hoh and Sol Duk rivers of Washington’s Olympic Peninsula since he was 8 or 9 years old. His dad was doing it before him. It’s an annual event with a time window that runs from August through December, depending on the particular drainage along this long stretch of coastline. e allure is large, hard ghting sh that are delicious seared, grilled or smoked. It’s a shing tradition that existed since long before Europeans arrived on the continent.

Fall runs are famous in places like the Columbia, the rivers that feed Tillamook Bay and others. Chinook push into the main stems and larger tributaries of many coastal rivers and as far up them as the water will allow. Pelland said backtrolling plugs tempts these big sh in the rivers. He’s caught 20-, 30- and 40-pound kings,

which proves it works.

In Oregon, District Fish Biologist Robert Bradley has watched these runs dwindle in recent years. He said the sheries are still worthwhile and draw anglers from all over, but that size and numbers of sh have been falling since at least 2015, due to ocean and environmental conditions. He said the projections for this fall are well below average.

“ e draw is the size of the sh,” he said. “Historically, you could see 60- and 70-pounders, but you could still reasonably expect to catch a 20or 30-pound sh. An average is probably 10 to 15 pounds.”

e states have been hatching and releasing chinook salmon smolt for decades to coincide with the natural progression of sh moving out to sea. Bradley said chinook spend one to ve years growing up in the Paci c o British Columbia and Alaska. e hatchery sh and wild sh return with similar survival rates, but not many of the stocked sh spawn with the wild group. He said most hatchery sh return to the hatchery.

e stocking does give anglers something else to sh for. Hatchery reared chinook have clipped adipose ns and don’t count toward a wild sh limit in most sheries. e seasons and regulations can be confusing and vary widely

from place to place and year to year, but one wild chinook per person, per day is the norm. Check the regulations before you go or hire a guide who knows.

e runs ramp up when fall rains spur the sh to push upriver into the current, Bradley said. In some places, the coho salmon and chinook runs coincide. Make plans now, because runs on most rivers peak in mid-October.

For up-to-date information on Oregon’s salmon sheries, go to myodfw.com.

3 Tips For Night Fishing

By: Nathan Rich

eptember is one of the hottest months here on the Gulf Coast and spending those long days out on the water can really take it out of you. This time of year, I really like to focus my efforts fishing lights around docks and marinas, lights can provide many awesome opportunities to catch a variety of inshore game fish. Here are a few tips that are sure to increase your success out on the water.

The first tip is to pick the right time to go. The best time to target lights will be after midnight. The later into the evening it gets, the more bait fish will start to appear near the lights which will attract your trout and redfish. It is also important to note that things begin to get quieter after midnight, the boat traffic slows down, and the neighborhood cookouts and parties have shut down, the only noise to be heard is caused by nature itself. This will bring the big guys out to feed.

The next tip is have the right approach to the docks. The one thing you do not want to do is pull up to a promising light just to throw out your first cast and hook the dock. To prevent this always stage

Since

Sup where your casts will be made parallel to the dock instead of throwing directly at the dock. This will also give you the opportunity to work your lures through the strike zone longer, which is directly next to the dock.

The last tip is all about tackle. When fishing lights you want to go light! Remember that these smaller baitfish are higher up in the water column and the trout and redfish are feeding up on the baitfish. A heavier presentation will put you lower in the water column and may reduce the number of bites you get. I try to stay with a 1/16 or 1/8 oz. jig head for fishing lights.

I hope you all find these tips helpful, get out there, and land some biggins. If you have any questions or want to find more helpful tips for fishing around the MS and AL Gulf Coast please feel reach to reach out to us on YouTube at Southern Salt Kayak Fishing. Until next time tight lines and stay safe!!

SHORE THING FISHING CHARTERS

WWW.SHORETHINGCHARTERS.COM

eptember is still gonna be hot, but don’t let that keep you from enjoying the incredible opportunities you can have on the water. Just make sure you set your alarm for early morning. We have been meeting our crews about 30 mins before sunup. The goal is to have everyone in the boat and idling outta of the harbor/ marina/dock when we just start having enough light to safely navigate. Also, it is the coolest part of the day, and typically the best bite for the speckled trout.

With this warm water, we have been fishing deeper. If there is any structure(shells, rocks, reefs, wrecks, etc),  we are working live baits off the bottom. Some days it’s Carolina rigs, and others it’s dropper loops. It depends on the structure, current, and what the fish want that day. Areas in close, like Taylor Reef or Jailhouse reef are perfect for this type of fishing. Watch for current lines and bait, that’s a great place to start.

September will probably be the last full month We have the big fish cruising the beaches. We have seen the big Jack Crevalles anywhere from Herron

BY: SONNY SCHINDLER

SBay to Gulfport harbor. Some days you can see them driving down Highway 90 or Beach Blvd, right off the beach in Wadefishing territory.

Unless we have some major weather event, that we will not speak of, the Tripletail fishing should be at its best over on the west side. These fish pour in all spring and summer, and this month is when you can catch them all the way over into Lake Borgne. Historically, the biggest fish we catch all year will be from now leading up until the first Coldfront next month.

With the kiddos back in school, and a lot of folks are getting ready for dove, deer, and duck season, so the crowds have definitely thinned out. There are plenty of fish to be caught in shore, and offshore. There should be another wave of Covid is coming back east on their migration. Some of the biggest trout we have ever caught were done in September. The really really big ones are typically loaners, at least the areas we fish, but they have some logs out there this month. Enjoy the warm weather, it’ll be gone before we know it, but I think everybody is excited about the cool temperatures of fall. As always, have fun and be safe

Sept. 11-23rd OUPV Captains Class

Sept. 24-27th Upgrade to Master 100 Ton

Sept. 28thAssisstance Towing

Sept. 30thSTCW CPR/Frist Aid

Night Class

Oct. 9-21st OUPV Captains Class

Oct. 22-25th Upgrade to Master 100 Ton

Oct. 26th Assisstance Towing

Night Class

The USCG Rules of the Road Part 3

The USCG Navigation Rules of the Road (NAVRULES) are regulations which aid mariners in safe navigation. The NAVRULES are legally binding and applicable to each and every boater. I will conclude this 3-part series with Rule 15, Crossing. This rule is written for two power-driven vessels who are crossing and risk of collision exists. The rule states that the vessel which has the other on her starboard side shall keep out of the way (give way) and shall, if the circumstance of the case admit, avoid crossing ahead of the other vessel. Warning: Most knuckleheads boaters do not understand this rule. Even if they are the “give way” vessel they will likely speed up, cross your bow at a close distance and as an added bonus they will do so while leaving an obnoxious wake from their speeding vessel and likely complete the maneuver with a shoulder shrug, pretending they didn’t see you, a finger, or another rude gesture to confirm that they are ignorant to any USCG rules and laws. In summary, our waterways are the “roads” used by all boaters, and they have rules that must be followed. To safely operate your boat, you need to make sure that you understand and comply with all the applicable rules for your vessel’s length and classification and at a minimum, be brilliant on the basics of all boating requirements for the area you are operating in.

Captain Jack R. Sanzalone is a 30-year submarine veteran and licensed USCG Master Captain and Assessor with 42 years’ experience. He is the owner of The Captain School Gulf Shores, Al and teaches both basic and advanced boating education. You can contact Captain Jack at: jack@boattutors.com or by visiting his website at www.boattutors.com

ACROSS STATE LINES

Boy has this weather been hot! But so has fishing!

For the past few weeks I have called the bow of the boat “hell’s front porch” yet there is one thing that has taken my mind off the heat here lately and that is flounder fishing.

Whether fishing the marsh, river mouths, docks, or hard structure of rocks and bulkheads, you can be sure these delicious flat fish aren’t far away.

Occasionally, flounder are a bycatch while fishing for speckled trout and redfish, here are some tips to specifically target flounder. The gear I like to use starts with a 7’ or 6’6” medium-fast tip rod paired with a 2500 sized spinning reel or a bait caster with 15 pound braided line with a 20 pound fluorocarbon leader attached by an FG knot.

Now for the business end. There are a few different baits I like to use and carry 3 main setups with me every time I flounder fish. The first one is a spinner bait, and no you didn’t read that wrong. After catching many flounder while fishing for redfish using a spinner bait, I have since added it to the flounder arsenal. You can buy them premade or make them yourself and pair it with your favorite soft plastic.

The second is a jig and depending on depth, I’ll use between a 5/8 to 1/8 size head. Baits of choice are Fishbites “dirty boxer” and the Gulp 4” grub. When choosing a color you can’t go wrong starting with white or chartreuse.

The last setup I always have rigged when flounder fishing is either a Carolina rig or a popping cork, depending on the location, and using live tiger minnows or bull minnows. Don’t be surprised to catch redfish or speckled trout as your bycatch while using any of these rigs to target flounder.

Lately I have been fishing everything from the marsh to rocks, docks and bulkheads in 3 to 5 feet of water. When the tide is higher, fish closer in on

Sweating For Flounder

Written By: Capt. Jason Domangue Owner Delta Jig Company

ALABAMA GULF COAST

the structure, especially the marsh, as the flounder will push right up to the edge and even into the scattered grass. If fishing docks I fish them thoroughly, as the flounder could be located anywhere on them. When I am fishing rocks or jetties, I will fan cast from right at the structure to about 20 foot off the structure until I can figure out where the fishing are holding at that particular time. One thing to remember when flounder fishing is that when you feel the bite don’t set the hook immediately i will usually give them a couple of seconds and check to feel pressure again before setting the hook.

Hopefully this will help you put some fish in the boat. Remember with this extreme heat to stay hydrated and wear proper sun protection clothing. Happy fishing!

MISSISSIPPI KITCHEN DELIGHTS

BY SEAN VARONE

Summer Grilled Shrimp Over Pasta Salad

Tocatch shrimp on the Mississippi and Alabama Gulf Coasts, you’ll need a few key supplies and techniques!

Equipment: Obtain a shrimp net, also known as a cast net. Make sure it’s legal and compliant with local regulations.

Timing: Shrimp are often more active during dawn or dusk. Try to go shrimping during these times for better success.

Location: Look for shallow waters, marshes, and areas where the tides bring shrimp closer to shore. Check local fishing reports for hotspots.

Tides: Shrimp tend to move with the tides. Low tides can be ideal, as they may concentrate shrimp in deeper pockets of water.

Casting: Stand on the edge of the water, hold the net in one hand, and gather the excess net in your other hand. With a smooth motion, swing

the net in a circular arc, releasing the gathered net as it reaches its widest point.

Retrieve: Pull the net in slowly but steadily. If you’ve caught shrimp, they will be trapped in the net.

Sorting: Once you’ve retrieved the net, sort through the catch to separate shrimp from other debris or fish.

Release Undersized Shrimp: Make sure to release undersized or unwanted shrimp back into the water to help maintain the shrimp population.

Regulations: Always be aware of local fishing regulations, including size limits, catch limits, and licensing requirements. Follow these rules to protect the environment and ensure sustainable shrimping.

Remember that shrimping techniques can vary, so it’s a good idea to talk to local anglers or visit local bait shops for additional tips specific to the Mississippi and Alabama Gulf Coasts.

Of course you can hit up the local harbors and buy it fresh off the boats or go to any seafood market and all grocery stores along the coasts!!

Here is a quick, easy, and extremely tasty recipe to try!

Ser ved over a quick store bought pasta salad, these grilled shrimp make a fantastic lunch. You can forgo the pasta salad and serve them alone as an appetizer or use them as a great side dish for steak. For this recipe, we used a box of Betty Crocker Suddenly Pasta Salad, Classic. You can use

any variety or even pick up a container from the salad bar section of the grocery store.

2. Combine first 5 ingredients in small bowl

3. Combine shrimp, tbsp oil, a dash of red wine vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper in a large bowl and toss to coat

1/3 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley

1/4 cup minced red onion

1 tbsp finely chopped fresh oregano

1 tbsp lemon zest

1 tsp minced garlic

1 1/2 pounds large Gulf shrimp, peeled and deveined

2 1/2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, divided

2 tbsp red wine vinegar

1 tbsp honey

1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper

1/4 tsp salt

Cooking spray

INGREDIENTS HERES WHAT YOU DO

1. Preheat your grill to medium high heat

4. Arrange shrimp on grill rack coated with cooking spray; grill shrimp 3-4 mins or until plump, pink, and done. Remove from grill

5. Add remaining oil and vinegar to the herb mixture and mix well. Check for seasoning and acid levels

6. Place grilled shrimp over prepared pasta salad and top with the oil, vinegar, and herb mix. You could also mix everything in a large salad bowl and serve. Either way will be delicious and satisfying on a hot summer day.

PHOTOS

MONTHThe

When

it’s you against nature, there’s only one tool you need: the stainless steel River Canyon Bowie Knife—now ONLY

You are a man of the wilderness. The only plan you have is to walk up that mountain until you feel like stopping. You tell your friends that it’s nothing personal, but this weekend belongs to you. You’ve come prepared with your River Canyon Bowie Knife sheathed at your side. This hand-forged, unique knife comes shaving sharp with a perfectly fitted hand-tooled sheath. The broad stainless steel blade shines in harmony with the stunning striped horn, wood and bone handle. When you feel the heft of the knife in your hand, you know that you’re ready for whatever nature throws at you. This knife boasts a full tang blade, meaning the blade doesn’t stop at the handle, it runs the full length of the knife. According to Gear Patrol, a full tang blade is key, saying “A full tang lends structural strength to the knife, allowing for better leverage ...think one long steel beam versus two.”

With our limited edition River Canyon Bowie Knife you’re getting the best in 21st-century construction with a classic look inspired by legendary American pioneers. What you won’t get is the trumped up price tag. We know a thing or two about the hunt–– like how to seek out and capture an outstanding, collector’s-quality knife that won’t cut into your bank account.

This quintessential knife can be yours to use out in the field or to display as the art piece it truly is. But don’t wait. A knife of this caliber typically cost hundreds. Priced at an amazing $49, we can’t guarantee this knife will stick around for long. So call today!

customers are saying about Stauer knives... êêêêê

off, the shipping was fast and the quality is beyond what I paid for the knife. Overall I am a satisfied customer!”

—

By Capt. Michael Okruhlik FLOUNDER

September is a new beginning of sorts when it comes to saltwater shing on the Gulf Coast. First, it is somewhat cooler, although some of our visiting northern neighbors might not agree. Many anglers nd themselves torn between other passions and obligations, some of which include school in session, weekend sporting events, dove and deer hunting, and the list goes on. ese activities thin the herd of boats on the water and opens the bays back up for those of us who focus all of our free time on the water.

is is de nitely noticeable at the boat ramp the rst weekend a er Labor Day, and I can’t wait!

Less boat tra c means shing the mouths of bayou drains is wide open. I avoid these areas for safety reasons when there’s heavy boat tra c. I just don’t like boats driving over my lines or waking me, which is what happens if you sh in a boat lane during peak season. I like drains in back lakes this time of the year, because they hold “the big three”: trout, red sh and ounder.

I will speci cally target ounder in these areas in September and early October. Since the spring migration, these tasty morsels have been working their way as far back in the marsh as they could get. With autumn around the corner, they start to congregate in these drains. Outside of the fall run, many anglers do not target these ground huggers. With the pressure light,

the ounder bite can be lights out for those who know where and how to target them. part is you might not see another boat all day!

An outgoing tide is optimal to stake out one of these drains. e tide carries bait out of the deeper bayou and adjacent marsh grass and sends it on a deadly path with hungry ounder fattening up for their winter spawn. When the bite is on, it is not uncommon to see ounder breaking free of the water’s surface chasing a meal. e time I witnessed this years ago, it took me awhile to gure out what was jumping. I will never forget that day!

Paddletail so plastics are my go-to in this situation. I like bright colors such as white lightning, chartreuse with glitter, or pearl with a chartreuse tail in a 4-inch or 3.25-inch bait. Keep the lure twitching along the bottom. Quick jerks with the rod tip pointing down activates the tail vibration and kicks up clouds of mud, which really grabs their attention. A so plastic with a tail rattle adds an extra attractant.

Get a jump start on your ounder x before the rst cold front and the long lines of anglers targeting them during the fall run.

PHOTO COURTESY OF KNOCKIN TAIL LURES®

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

Hanapa‘a - Mahi

Hanapa‘a - Ono

Hanapa‘a - Ahi

Hanapa‘a - Marlin

Fish flags inspired by Sun Dot Marine Flags.

@fishflags

why get towing?

THEY KNOW FALL IS COMING

Tim Barefoot

Fish know fall is coming because of the reduction of daylight minutes in a day. e shorter days make a lot of species start a whole new pattern of activities. For example, the grouper complex will start the process of moving into traditional spawning areas. at migration mirrors the cigar minnows, sardines and squid. I’ve always said this and will say it again: Find the bait, nd the sh!

e cigs and sardines form large schools that attract a number of predators including kings and sail sh on the surface, and the big snappers and grouper will be on them as well. e shortened daylight hours become obvious during the middle of this month, when it triggers the “feed” to fatten up for winter and the spawn. Go to the traditional areas you’ve found bait in the past, and that’s a great place to start shing.

Another thing I’ve said in the past is: don’t go to a Chinese restaurant and order a pizza, meaning don’t drop baits that are foreign to sh that are working a school of cigs and sardines. Always have a couple boxes of frozen cigs and/ or sardines just in case you can’t nd the

bait. At least you’ll have bait that “matches the hatch” of what they normally eat.

I try to stay on the sabiki catching baits while everyone else on the boat is shing with grass grunts, sailors choice, cigs/sardines, etc. If you get on a big knot of cigs or sardines, it might be helpful to have two people on the sabiki lling the livewell. e best bait of all is whatever is there. Just put it right back down.

is is also the time of year to nd squid inshore, mixed in with cigs and sardines. If you have a live squid for bait, its life expectancy is under 10 seconds once it touches the bottom on a jig. It’s an instant bite, just like several other baits mentioned above.

e only problem I have with the live or frozen minnows is everything on the bottom will give them a whack, and you wind up catching a lot more snapper and smaller bass than if you use a larger live bait. We almost always have live pin sh from the marina that eliminate most of the trash bites. If you have a larger pin sh, grass grunt or sailor’s choice on the jig, nothing but larger bass, grouper, jacks and big snapper can put it in their mouth. I like to speci cally target grouper by putting the larger live baits down on the jig that eliminate the undesirable bites. Of course, this is a very attractive bait to the sharks, also. Every now and then you have to pay the “tax man” in a grey suit, but that’s just the chance I take. Check out some of the rigging and shing videos on the website or on youtube to see what I’m talking about.

See more from Tim Barefoot at Barefootcatsandtackle.com.

ALASKA STATE RECORD OUTWEIGHS WORLD RECORD

Alaska’s new state record shortraker rock sh was caught in late July. On uncerti ed scales at a remote shing lodge, it weighed 48 pounds, which would have crushed the existing IGFA world record by about 4 pounds. e angler, charter guide Keith DeGra , however, chose to preserve the meat by bleeding the sh instead of waiting to get an o cial weight on certi ed scales.

Days later, when DeGra nally got a certi ed weight in front of an Alaska Game and Fish representative, the sh weighed 42.4 pounds, which was good enough to set a new Alaska state record.

“It feels like the biggest accomplishment of my shing career,” DeGra said. “ is species takes time and dedication to drop down to such huge depths, and I spent a whole lot of hours and reeled miles of line trying to break this record, and it nally came to fruition.”

DeGra caught the sh from Prince William Sound on July 28 with his ancée and some friends from a rented boat. DeGra was shing 1,000 feet deep with a conventional (non-electric) Avet 2-speed 30/2 reel, a custombuilt Adventurous Custom rod built by Derwood Roberts, 3-pounds of weight, 80-pound braid and a circle hook baited with salmon and herring. e previous Alaska state record shortraker rock sh weighed 39.1 pounds. It was caught by Henry Liebman in 2013. e IGFA all tackle world record weighed 44.1 pounds. It was caught in 2017 by Angelo Sciubba at Cross Sound, Alaska, but it’s not recognized in the Alaska Game and Fish list. For more information, see www.adfg.alaska.gov.

Industry leader Dometic is o ering a “new turn” on steering for a whole new category of cable-steered boats that have o been overlooked when it comes to driving innovation.

Designed to integrate with a boat’s existing SeaStar cable steering system, new Xtreme Power Assist (XPA) steering provides smooth, e ortless electric power steering for a range of boats with single outboard motors from 90 to 200 hp. is makes it ideal for smaller ats boats, center consoles, shallow water open ski s and other coastal shing vessels that currently use mechanical steering.

Dometic’s XPA mounts easily to all outboard brands and works with all types of SeaStar mechanical steering (including rack and rotary,

need to replace the existing steering. Installing XPA requires only simple wiring and can be done by DIY boaters in about 30 minutes.

Once XPA is installed, the steering cable only turns the power assist unit—while an advanced electric steering actuator moves the engine load. is eliminates steering torque through the wheel and provides smooth, nearly e ortless steering at any speed.

While an ideal upgrade, this new system is being adopted by top boat builders as a factory standard feature or optional upgrade on new boats.

MOBILE BAY

ARE EASY PICKINGS

right, shrimp, crabs, ounder and more oat to the surface in the shallows, where people just scoop them up.

In one of his weekly columns, David Rainer, with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources explained these uncommon events: e event starts with an incoming tide with very warm, still water, followed by organic load that creates a situation that depletes the oxygen in the water. O en, jubilees follow an a ernoon rain shower and an easterly or northeasterly wind. e Mobile Bay National Estuary Program explains that phytoplankton also contributes to this phenomenon by consuming oxygen near the surface of the water. When the easterly breeze starts blowing, this creates a water current that causes the oxygen-poor water to migrate toward the shore. is has a corralling e ect, herding the bottom-dwelling species into the shallows. ere those species become so lethargic that people can just pick them up. ese events usually lasts two to three hours.

Because they are short lived and rare, jubilees are a source of excitement for some Mobile Bay families who send word out to friends and loved ones to drop what they’re doing and go collect some seafood. However, Rainer warned in his column that a jubilee is not a free-for-all. Normal size and creel limits remain in e ect during the phenomenon. Alabama Marine Resources Division Director Scott Bannon said most species survive to swim or scuttle away when dissolved oxygen levels return to more normal levels.

or most folks, a jubilee is an anniversary celebration, or maybe it’s a ambe dessert made with cherries. For people in the know on the Eastern Shore of Alabama’s Mobile Bay, a jubilee is a natural phenomenon that leads to ridiculously easy seafood. When weather, water and tidal conditions occasionally align just

In case you were wondering whether Mobile Bay’s jubilees are the result of climate change or pollution, know that they have a very long history going back to a time when bells would ring to sound the jubilee because locals were dependent on seafood to feed their families.

“Nowadays, it’s more of an interesting phenomenon that occurs in only two places in the world, Mobile Bay and Tokyo Bay in Japan,” Bannon said.

August and September are the best months to encounter an Alabama jubilee, but it’s not the kind of thing you can predict. You just have to be there and hope to encounter it… or have friends in the know on social media.

For more information, see Rainer’s detailed article on jubilees at www.outdooralabama.com.

ADCNR PHOTOS BY DAVID RAINER

Re-Discover Old Florida Waterfront Charm

The Perfect Vacation Getaway for Fishing, Boating & Outdoor Enthusiasts

Nestled on six lush tropical acres of pristine waterfront directly on the Indian River Lagoon, take a step back in time to experience the very best of Old Florida charm with modern conveniences and services to make your stay truly memorable and unforgettable.

• FULLY FURNISHED 3 ROOM COTTAGES WITH FULLY EQUIPPED KITCHENS

Kingfsh Lodge includes a wide screenTV and bar for small gatherings

Sailfsh House features a wide covered wrap-around porch for larger groups

• Boat Trailer Parking on site w/ Water and Power

• 250 Foot Dock w/ Covered Area

• FREE Ice / FREE Guest Dockage

• Cable TV, Hi-Speed Internet

• 2 miles to the Ft. Pierce Inlet

• 12 miles to the Gulf Stream

TYLER WOOLCOTT

If you aren’t familiar with it, a Carolina rig is when you put a bullet weight and then a bead on your line and then tie a swivel to the end. To the swivel, I use about a 2-foot section of leader and then a worm hook to put a bait on. is rig gets deep, and the leader with a weightless bait provides a more subtle presentation than a traditional Texas rig.

Obviously, you want to drag this rig around some sort of cover that bass are attracted to. I use it everywhere from Southern largemouth in deep grass to deep smallmouth on rock up north. With the weight clicking against the bead and the free action of the bait, this old-school rig still dominates a lot of tournaments to this day.

ere are two presentations I go for when choosing a so plastic to Carolina rig. I like either a bait sh or a craw sh. If the available forage is bait sh, I use a uke-style bait in a natural bait sh color. If the bass are eating craw sh, I like a Zoom Speed Craw or a Strike King Menace grub in green pumpkin or some type of brown or orange color. ese two baits have a lot of action and small bodies to keep the bait streamlined while dragging. My go-to hook is a 4/0 Hayabusa WRM956 wide gap.

Cover

Your Vacation with Travel Insurance

• Laundry, BBQ Grilles and FREE use of our Kayaks

NIGHTLY • WEEKLY • MONTHLY • SEASONAL RATES

3011 N. Indian River Dr., Ft. Pierce, FL 34946 www.indianriverlagoonwaterfrontcottages.com

eptember is supposed to be the beginning of fall, but the reality— at least in the South—is the month is just a continuation of summer. Bass can be pretty tricky, but there are ways to target sh in cooler, deeper water. Dragging a Carolina rig is one of my favorites.You can play around with the size of the weight and the diameter of your leader line. In shallower 5- to 10-foot depths, a lighter weight can help your bait look more natural. I’d suggest ¼ to ½ ounce in that depth range. If you’re shing deeper water in 15 to 30 feet, shing a heavier ¾ to 1 ounce weight gets you down more quickly and allows you to cover bottom more e ectively.

I like the leader between my swivel and hook to be lighter than my main line because it’s less visible to the sh and allows better bait action. If I’m shing 15-pound mainline, I’ll use a 10- to 12-pound leader.

Carolina Rig Gear:

When using this rig, making long casts to cover water is a must, and being able to hook a sh at the end of a long cast is critical. For these reasons, I use a pretty long rod. My go to is a 13 Fishing 7’6” MH Omen Black Casting rod.

You’ll also need to pick line up fast with the reel to remove slack on the take. I use a 13 Fishing Concept A 8:3:1 reel, which eats up line quickly. Spool this reel with 15-pound Seaguar uorocarbon, and grab a small spool of 10- or 12-pound line for leaders.

Tyler Woolcott is a professional tournament angler and guide. Check out his website at www.tylerwoolcott shing.com.

S

TIPS FROM A PRO

DRAG A CAROLINA RIG

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

100% Valuable Collector Coins—GUARANTEED!

Every bag will be filled with collectible vintage Buffalos from over 75 years ago, GUARANTEED ONE COIN FROM EACH OF THE FOLLOWING SERIES (dates our choice):

• 1920-1929—“Roaring ’20s” Buffalo

• 1930-1938—The Buffalo’s Last Decade

• Mint Marks (P,D, and S)

• ALL Collector Grade Very Good Condition

• FREE Stone Arrowhead with each bag

Every vintage Buffalo Nickel you receive will be a coveted collector coin—GUARANTEED!

Plus, order a gigantic full Pound bag and you’ll also receive a vintage Liberty Head Nickel (1883-1912), a valuable collector classic!

Long-Vanished Buffalos Highly Coveted by Collectors

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

Supplies Limited— Order Now!

Supplies of vintage Buffalo Nickels are limited as the availability of these classic American coins continues to shrink each and every year. They make a precious gift for your children, family and friends—a gift that will be appreciated for a lifetime.

NOTICE: Due to recent changes in the demand for vintage U.S. coins, this advertised price may change without notice. Call today to avoid disappointment.

30-Day Money-Back Guarantee

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

Order More and SAVE

QUARTER POUND Buffalo Nickels

(23 coins) Plus FREE Stone Arrowhead

$49 + s/h

HALF POUND Bag

(46 coins) Plus FREE Stone Arrowhead

$79 + s/h SAVE $19

ONE FULL POUND Bag

(91 coins) Plus FREE Stone

Arrowhead and Liberty Head Nickel

$149 + FREE SHIPPING

SAVE $47

FREE Liberty Head Nickel with One Full Pound

FREE SHIPPING over $149!

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

We’ve Found the Most Beautiful Endangered Species

Theirs sold at auction for $226,000. Ours is JUST $29! Curious? Read on!

To art nouveau jewelers at the turn of the last century, nothing was more beautiful than the dragon y. In the dragon y’s long body and outstretched wings, jewelers found the perfect setting for valuable stones. ese jewelers’ dragon y designs have become timeless statements of style; a dragon y pendant designed by French jeweler René Lalique recently sold at auction for $226,000. Inspired by his stunning artistry, we’ve crafted our Dragon y Nouvelle Collection, an elegant jewelry set for JUST $29!

True artisanship in Austrian crystal and yellow gold. is necklace and earring set features gorgeous multicolored enamel paired with Austrian crystals and a yellow gold nish. Ask any jeweler and they’ll tell you it takes true artisanship to properly blend the blues and purples found in this enamel. While art nouveau dragon ies are hard to come by, we’re helping to repopulate their numbers with this artfully stylized depiction of some of nature’s smallest wonders!

Buy the pendant, get the earrings FREE. If Stauer were a normal company, we’d sell the necklace and earrings for $199 each, but because we engage the world’s best artisans and cut out the middlemen to sell directly to you, we’re o ering the necklace for JUST $29! Even better: If you buy within the next few days, we’ll throw in the earrings for FREE! at’s a nearly $400 value for JUST $29!

Act fast! e rst time we ran this jewelry in our catalog, it sold out in a matter of days. Get this collection now before this o er goes extinct!

Jewelry Speci cations:

• Enamel with Austrian crystal. Yellow gold nish

• Pendant: 1 ½" W x 1 ¼" H.

Chain: 18" + 2", lobster clasp.

Earrings: 1 ¼" L, french wire

Dragonfly Nouvelle Collection

A. Necklace $199 $29* + S&P Save $170

B. Earrings $199 FREE with purchase of Dragonfly Nouvelle Necklace

*Special price only for customers using the offer code.

1-800-333-2045

Your Insider Offer Code: DFC163-01

Stauer, 14101 Southcross Drive W., Ste 155, Dept. DFC163-01, Burnsville, MN 55337 www.stauer.com