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Coastal Angler Magazine | November 2019 | Naples/Marco Island/Everglades/Bonita Springs Edition

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NAPLES/MARCO ISLAND/EVERGLADES/BONITA SPRINGS EDITION

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VOLUME 24 • ISSUE 296

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F R A N C H I S E

O P P O R T U N I T I E S

A V A I L A B L E

NOVEMBER 2019

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FISH OF A LIFETIME IN SOUTHWEST ALASKA By Tom Schlichter

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o one has to tell you a halibut has taken your bait. As you set the hook with all your might, the heavy rod takes on a full bend, tip pumping rapidly as the beast powers down and away in a series of short, explosive bursts. Within minutes, beads of sweat begin to roll down your brow, and soon your back and arms begin to tire. The battle continues for another five to 10 minutes—or longer— and the enormity of the fish at the end of your line becomes apparent. This is the fish of a lifetime. This is why you came to Alaska! What saltwater angler hasn’t fantasized about taking such a trip? Yet there’s more to the beautiful, chilly waters in the far Northwest than outlandish flatfish. Ferocious-looking lingcod, giant, bright orange shortrakers, yelloweyes and other rockfish are also on the menu, as are king, coho and chum salmon, whether jigged or trolled in open water or tempted with the long rod in a river so full of fish you could walk across the dorsal fins. From breaching whales and soaring bald eagles to grizzly bears, sea lions, otters and endless miles of wild, unspoiled vistas, nature abounds in the forty-ninth state. Of course, where to start is a major questions you’ll need to tackle when planning your first Alaska fishing adventure. By and large, Southeast Alaska is the first choice if you are seeking major-league halibut. From the town of Ketchikan northwest up the coast to Chichagof Island, there are fishing lodges to accommodate your needs in such towns as Sitka, Juneau, Elfin Cove and Gustavus, plus places from which the most adventurous can set out on their own. One of the most popular spots is Tanaku Lodge. At the northwest corner of the famed Inside Passage, it’s tucked inside Elfin Cove, about 25 miles west of Glacier Bay National Park. From here you can get a terrific sampling of Alaska’s great coastal fishery, while seeing astounding amounts of wildlife and enjoying your stay in comfort. “The fishing is always great around here,” said Dennis Meier, co-owner of Tanaku Lodge with Jim Benton. “That’s a given, but we pride ourselves on making the entire experience the best it can be. Our skippers and mates are tops in the business, our lodge staff is helpful and courteous, and you’ll find the accommodations here to be first class all the way around. We may be off the beaten track, but that doesn’t mean we compromise on quality.” Tanaku is a full-service lodge with all-wood interior, vaulted ceilings, and wood burning stoves to keep you warm. Bedroom suites feature two full-sized beds and either a shared or private bath. Huge, wrap-around windows and outdoor decks offer fabulous views of the harbor. You don’t even have to bring foul-weather gear, as slicks and boots are provided for each angler. Leave your tackle home, too; the lodge offerings are in excellent shape and a perfect match to fishing you’ll encounter.

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As for the fishing, there are so many possibilities it can make your head spin. Halibut is the perfect first choice, since big ones can be found just a short ride away. Prepare to fish heavy and in water depths of 130 to 150 feet, though. Expect rods and reels suited for tuna and cannonball weights up to 2 pounds with a herring, pink salmon strip or side of pink salmon for bait. Even with all that heavy gear, a big halibut can still kick your butt. If you want to make things even more exciting (read: strenuous) try tempting these beasties with 1-pound jigs. It took me only 10 minutes of jigging in the Inside Passage to set the point to a 90-pound brute that beat the heck out of me before coming aboard. Over the next two days, I managed four more on jigs as we rotated between fishing for halibut, salmon and rockfish, depending on the most favorable tides. What a blast! As previously mentioned, salmon fishing is the other big draw here. While stocks of kings and cohos have slipped somewhat over the past few years, the number of king (Chinook), coho (silver) and pink (humpy) salmon is substantial. Anglers can troll for salmon, jig them, or set up a trip to wade a nearby river and catch them on the fly. Wherever you decide to stay on your Alaskan adventure, it’s wise to clearly state your wishes when booking a trip—especially if you hope to sample river salmon fishing or want to try for additional species like lingcod, shortrakers and various other rockfish. Not all are available from every lodge. While there are occasional off days even in this remarkable fishing wilderness—weather can be a serious issue late in the season—the odds are you’ll experience some of the best fishing of your life.

For information on Tanaku Lodge in Elfin Cove, AK, visit www.tanakulodge. com, or phone: 800-482-6258.

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Photo courtesy of Controlled Descent Lures By Nick Carter

S

pearfishers seeking a little variety in their bottom time should take a close look at the waters off New England. You won’t find warm tropical waters off the Northeast coast, but you will find a freediving experience unlike any other. Destinations like Montauk, N.Y. and Block Island, R.I. have long been recognized for some of the best striped bass fishing on the planet. The bass blitzes around Long Island Sound are legendary, and huge schools of stripers in these rocky waters offer conventional anglers and spearos the opportunity of a lifetime. Matt Belanger, of Newburyport, Mass., is one of a growing contingent of divers hooked on what New England has to offer. He’s a member of TriState Skindivers, and a big 54.2-pound striped bass he speared off

Block Island in July topped the club’s season-long TriState Leaderboard Spearfishing Tournament. “The striper is sort of our signature inshore species,” Belanger said. “It’s a very skittish fish. A lot of guys say they can hear your heartbeat. You’ve got to be really stealth when you go after a big striper.” Belanger’s description of a typical dive was intriguing. With a 50- to 60-foot bottom littered with Volkswagen-sized boulders, strong currents and visibility averaging 10 feet, it’s a different environment from Caribbean reef dives. The veil of dingy water actually makes hunting stripers easier. On the drop, you fin down through a school of striped bass to the bottom. “You’re in the middle of a giant school of hundreds of fish,” Belanger said. “Then, when you hit the bottom, they always spook… all at once. It’s crazy. It makes this big noise, almost a boom.” The secret to sticking a big bass is bottom time. After about 25 seconds, Belanger said the school begins to reconvene. Then you must spend precious seconds selecting a target from hundreds of circling fish, while minimizing movement and sound that might spook them. The goal is to take the largest fish in the school. You’re allowed only one fish per day with a 28-inch minimum size limit. A 28-inch striped bass weighs 10 to 15 pounds. They get much bigger. The IGFA all-tackle world record weighed 81-pounds, 14-ounces. It was caught from Long Island Sound off Connecticut. The speargun world record weighed 68.4 pounds. Dave Hochman, who guides Block Island Sound, stuck that fish in 2008. Hochman is the guide who put Belanger on the big striper he killed in this year’s tournament. If one fish per day seems scant to travel for, there’s a lot of excellent eating on a big striper. Also, when you get your limit—with speargun or rod and reel—there are other interesting and tasty species like tautog, black sea bass, fluke and others. A word of warning: Area waters can get sharky, with great whites a concern. A good captain will know where shark encounters are least likely. For information, contact Dave Hochman of Spear-it Charters through his website at www.spearfishcharters.com.

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SHRINK WRAPPING


By Justin Witt

T

he Rio Pico region of Chubut province, Argentina is known to a select and adventurous few as the best big-trout country in all of Patagonia. Comprised of an immense network of lakes and drainages flowing through the Andes of southwestern Argentina, these waters are spectacular, and they’re as far off the beaten path as it gets. The diversity of the fishery is astounding. The area hosts an almost unbelievable quantity of waters in all shapes and sizes, and the region is known for trout that reach “unusual size” in pristine water with very little fishing pressure. “It was incredible. I was fishing dry flies up a little spring creek for trout as long as my leg,” said Greg Baugus, who visited the remote

area with Hemispheres Unlimited, an agency specializing in fishing trips of a lifetime. But spring creeks are not all Rio Pico has to offer. Rainbows, brookies and browns were introduced over a century ago and can be pursued with a wide variety of tackle and techniques. From large lakes and rivers to high-elevation trickles, anglers have the option to throw dry flies on delicate tippets, chuck 6-inch streamers on a heavy sink-tip line, or nymph any day of the week. It all boils down to personal preferences, and it’s all done within the gorgeous expanses and dramatic backdrop of the Andes. Some spots are numbers games, with consistent action for what in Patagonia amounts to smallish fish—fish that would be considered large almost anywhere else in the world. Most folks come down hunting bruisers, though, the photo fish, the monsters that stand out in truly amazing adventures. Hemispheres Unlimited offers perfect trips for those seeking adventure. Their Rio Pico Trout Bum program pairs anglers with local guides who grew up on these drainages and know them like the backs of their hands. It’s a unique, low-cost option for anglers more interested in fishing than luxury lodging. There’s no mint on the pillow, for sure. Instead, the Hemispheres Unlimited team makes certain preparations are in place so you can make the most of your time pursuing the fish that brought you to Argentina in the first place. Accommodations for the Trout Bum program are best described as authentic, in true, local, Patagonia style. Unless there is a specific need for backcountry camping, groups usually lodge at local hospedajes, either in town or out on one of the waters. Each spot has its own characteristics, advantages and style, and Hemispheres helps each group choose the best option for their desires. The program can be set up in a wide variety of styles, ranging from boat fishing every day of the trip to mixed trips with easier wading, all the way to more extreme hike-in and camp expeditions. For more information on the Rio Pico Trout Bum program and everything else Hemispheres Unlimited offers, go to hemispheresunlimited. com/blog/diving-mizpah.

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Photo courtesy of www.sfctravel.com

By CAM Staff

A

nglers seeking stellar offshore fishing, including the best Atlantic blue marlin fishing on the planet should book passage to Cape Verde. This island nation about 350 miles off northwest Africa is a horseshoe cluster of 10 islands and eight islets that are a popular tourist destination for Europeans. The fishery is renowned for the consistency of big blue marlin. Billfish Report ranked it best in the world for 500-plus-pound blues, edging out venerable Kona, Hawaii by the numbers in its annual rankings based on 2018 statistics. Last years numbers were 110 blue marlin heavier than 500 pounds, including a 900-plus-pounder and one grander, which stretched the scales to 1,037 pounds. It’s the kind of place where releasing three marlin heavier than 500 pounds in a day is considered possible… because it happens. With big-game fishing this good, the marlin fishing is obviously the headliner. It’s best from April through July, with March and August usually being good as well. It’s a happy coincidence that this time frame coincides with the best seasons for yellowfin tuna, sailfish, wahoo and dorado. Four islands, Sao Nicolau, Sao Vincente, Santo Antao and Maio, harbor most of the medium-sized recreational fleet. The channel between Sao Vincente and Santo Antao is the epicenter of this international hot-spot for blues. For more information, go to www.capeverdeislands.org.

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ve he R ! e Old Florida Waterfront Charm Re-Discovered N t s e O R R fO eas The Perfect Vacation Getaway for Fishing, Boating and Outdoor Enthusiasts NOWteR s N Wi Accommodations are nestled on 6 lush tropical acres of pristine waterfront directly on the Indian River Lagoon. As you make your way down the one lane road you will truly be stepping back in time. Your hosts Kim and Robert Pruitt have re-captured the very best of Old Florida charm with modern conveniences and services to make your stay truly memorable and unforgettable.

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FLORIDA

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erious saltwater anglers know how important trim tabs are to optimizing any boat’s ride, performance and fuel efficiency. The ability to fine-tune a boat’s ride is even more important with today’s high-performance center console offshore, bay and flats boats. Adjusting a boat’s running attitude with trim tabs can also compensate for how a boat is loaded, ensuring a dry, safe and comfortable ride. While modern boats have become much “smarter” and more technologically advanced in recent years, operating trim tabs was still largely trial-and-error for the boater. That has changed with the recent unveiling of Dometic Marine’s new Smart Trim Tab System, designed to give owners of inboard/outboard and outboard powered boats precision control never before possible. This new system is a “smart” reinvention of the trim tab—offering robust construction, user programmability, quick, accurate response and intuitive operation. “Today’s modern vessels are becoming smarter and more connected,” said Eric Fetchko, President of Dometic Marine Americas. “With this new introduction, we’ve taken trim tab technology and performance to a new level for boat builders and boaters alike. This will be a true game changer for the industry.” Dometic Marine has engineered the Smart Trim Tab System for inboard/outboard vessels, as well as today’s popular high-performance boats powered by single, twin, triple or quad outboards. It has the ability to connect with the Optimus Electric Steering System, joystick control and shift-throttle controls. Dometic Marine’s CAN-based smart actuator can also be used as a

standalone component to integrate with a boat’s control system. For instance, using this connected technology, wake boarders and wake surfers will be able to precisely control the shape/size of their wake by commanding an exact actuator position. This system uses a Smart Dial controller for intuitive operation and a customizable user experience. User programmable settings (Home and Favorite) make it easy to get the boat into optimum running attitude, whether the goal is to smooth the ride, maximize fuel efficiency or fine-tune the perfect wake. The easy-to-use smart dial can also be turned manually to level the boat quickly as conditions change, with built-in LED lights that indicate trim tab position. This system’s smart actuator provides unparalleled positional accuracy and repeatability. Dometic Marine’s sophisticated all-electric design reduces complexity and increases reliability. The robust actuator shaft and housing design provides strong performance in both the push and pull direction. The design also features superior actuator sealing to prevent leaks, even with extended use in the harsh marine environment. Additionally, the installer has the ability to control the speed at which the tabs deploy and retract. When synchronized with Dometic Marine’s Optimus 360 electric steering, joystick control and shift/throttle controls, the Smart Trim Tab System can respond to RPM and gear position inputs for even greater control. The tabs auto retract when the key is turned off, when the vessel is put in reverse, or any time the vessel is put into joystick mode. This exciting new Smart Trim Tab System will be available to OEM installers beginning in December 2019. For more information, visit www. seastarsolutions.com.

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56th

Islamorada Sailfish TOURNAMENT

DECEMBER 5th Thru DECEMBER 8th

Dec. 5th - Kickoff • Dec. 6-8th - Fishing • Dec. 8 - Awards $60,000.00 in prize money paid to winners in 2018

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THANKSGIVING

IN THE KEYS

By Nick Carter

T

he year-round mahi bite is legendary in Atlantic waters off the Florida Keys. This time of the year the sailfish bite is phenomenal as well. Winter is a relative term when you’re talking about Monroe County, Fla. Wintertime lows average in the high 60s at night and highs run in the mid-70s. It’s downright comfortable. Apparently it’s the same with water temperatures. Just past the reef line, which runs the length of the Keys, big pelagic species show up in numbers to overwinter and feed on abundant schools of baitfish. Chief among them are sailfish. Capt. Chris Johnson, with SeaSquared Charters out of Marathon, looks forward to Thanksgiving every year, but not because of turkey. Late November is the beginning of sailfish season. It’s a time of diving frigatebirds and showering ballyhoo, when sight-fishing sailfish is the biggest thrill on the water. Mornings begin early. Low-light is key to finding sails and other pelagics as they push schools of baitfish up to the surface and into the air. Diving birds are the dead giveaway. From a tower, the activity is visible, as birds circle progressively lower and then plummet from the sky to take part in the massacre. “When you show up on the reef and you’re seeing spraying bait and birds, it’s game on,” said Johnson. “It’s usually an early morning thing, but it can go on into the day when there’s good cloud cover.” Depending on where in the Keys you set out from, the reef is just a 3 to 7 mile run from the docks. The sharp outer reef edge, which drops steeply into the 100-foot depths, is the topography that holds fish. Unlike most fisheries, where anglers attempt to intersect roving sailfish, fish actually congregate to feed off the Keys. Plentiful bait schools on the reef in close proximity to deep water create a unique situation where sailfish move into the shallows to corral and crash balls of baitfish. “This is what we’ve got that’s unique from anywhere else. It’s exciting, with lots of visual activity,” said Capt. Johnson. “We get sailfish spraying ballyhoos in 20 feet of water.” When it’s on, it really is sight fishing. Anglers must be able to cast

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live bait with accuracy that puts it on the edge of a spraying school or directly on the nose of a visible sailfish. The action can be hit or miss, but there’s nothing like it when a sailfish picks up the bait, feels the steel and starts tailwalking across the surface. Johnson said a good day sees double-digit release flags flying. When the bait showers die down, the fish remain in the area. Johnson said he’ll move off the reef edge in search of color breaks, weed lines and current breaks where baitfish are easy targets. “You want that blue water from the Gulf Stream up on that powdery water from the reef,” he said. “Sailfish love to hunt and chase bait up into that powdery water.” And where there are sailfish chasing bait, other species gather to feed as well. “If you’re into sailfish, you’re going to catch the other stuff, too,” Johnson said. “We see a lot of kingfish, blackfin tuna, dolphin, cobia, and even the occasional white marlin.” Sight fishing becomes power drifting, as Johnson deploys a spread of live baits and bumps the engine in and out of gear to cover water while presenting lively baits. Pilchards, cigar minnows and sardines are all on the menu. But when fish are keyed on ballyhoo, they won’t eat anything but ballyhoo, and a ballyhoo in open water out off the reef is bound to get hammered. In the right conditions, Johnson deploys kites with bridled goggle eyes. This tactic is particularly useful for skittish sailfish, as most of the tackle is suspended above the water where it’s not as visible to the fish. With the bait dancing near the surface, anglers might notice a fin or bill circling the bait. Then anticipation gives way to adrenaline, as the bait is inhaled and the speed and aerobatics of a fighting sailfish take over. The action is enough to make an angler forget everything but sailfish… until it’s time to unload a cooler full of blackfin and dolphin at the docks. Contact Capt. Chris Johnson and SeaSquared Charters through their website at www.seasquaredcharters.com.

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM


It’s a boy!

Troll, cast or fly a kite in the warm waters of The Florida Keys, and you could be rewarded with a real bundle of joy. Then again, if a rambunctious bull dolphin isn’t what you were hoping for, you could be blessed with a behemoth blue marlin – truly the mother of all gamefish. fla-keys.com 1.800.fla.keys COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

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MCTG-4078 Coastal Angler LO1 • November 2019

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Photo by Andrea Whitaker A diver awaits pickup at the surface after a drift dive off of Palm Beach.

By John Lidington

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rift diving is a major part of the Palm Beach County dive scene, so a lot of divers are introduced to this discipline in our waters. Any open-water diver should have skills to handle diving in currents. But developing and applying some special habits makes such dives smoother, safer and more fun. On the ideal drift dive, divers let the current carry them over long stretches of bottom. The boat drifts overhead tracking the “float ball,” a buoy connected by reel from the surface to an underwater dive guide. The most comfortable dives are those where a diver “goes with the flow” of the current. That means limiting the need to swim against current and facilitating easy pickup back on the surface.

The dive briefing is about more than where to find the goliath groupers or turtles. Listen carefully. Is the dive guide running a continuous drift or planning to tie off for a while? Are there bottom features that alter the current? How strong is the current and how good is the visibility? This information will help refine your dive plan. When the captain shouts “Dive, dive, dive!” you should be ready to jump in quickly. That means having your equipment ready early. One tip in addition to what you know by heart: After testing its power inflator, suck all the air from your BC. You’re then ready for a “negative entry,” where you hop in and immediately begin your descent. As you descend, note the strength and direction of the current with your compass. The stronger the current and the lower the visibility, the more you need to focus on staying near your buddy and the group. A one-knot current carries you about 100 feet per minute. If visibility is 70 feet and you’re poking around in a hole for a minute, your buddy will be gone when you look up. If you’re in a strong current, do your best to maintain neutral buoyancy and dive at a safe distance from the bottom to prevent bumping the reef. At the end of the dive, use your Surface Marker Buoy (SMB). Sure, the well-trained eyes of the pros running the charter boats are great at picking out bobbing divers. But, while it’s a pain to deflate and re-roll “safety sausages,” they can make retrieval of the group faster and smoother. If released when you reach your safety stop, they give the captain a two-minute warning on where divers will be surfacing. There’s a lot more to drift diving than the few tips I can offer here. PADI offers a Drift Diver specialty course that efficiently bundles theory and training into a few hours work coupled with two dives. If you want to jump-start your skills, give Pura Vida Divers a call at 561-840-8750 or visit www.puravidadivers.com.

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Naples Spearfishing

by Capt. Bill D’Antuono

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he fish are on the move once again in Southwest Florida. Fall fishing in SWFL is hard to beat. The key is studying weather patterns to find weather windows. Mangrove snapper will be moving into shallow structure in large schools. Cobia will be cruising almost any structure nearshore and deep water. Gag grouper will be returning to the shallows. Wintertime spearfishing is

nearshore and I was able to get out and land a fish that has eluded me for quite some time, a stud cubera snapper. Five years ago I lost a monster cubera spearfishing at the Doctor’s 5 mile artificial reef in 25’ of water. Ever since then, that fish has haunted me until recently. In 30’ of water I jumped in and could see the structure from the surface. Normally I would free dive down, check conditions and

not for everyone, but those who do, know it’s one of the “fishiest” times of year to be on the water. The cooler weather and cold fronts bring opportunities to catch fish. Pulling up to deep wrecks, have a cobia rod rigged up with a SpoolTek lure or live pinfish with heavy leader. Cobia will swim right up to the boat and it is always good to be prepared. Last year, we saw four whale sharks in November, all covered in cobia. For nearshore action try out artificial reefs, wrecks, and prime live bottom areas in the 8-15 mile range for mangrove snapper; they will be best when the water is the coldest. The beginning of October we saw some beautiful water

see if it’s worth it to throw on a tank. On my second free dive drop I saw a big fish sitting inside the structure. Waiting patiently for a good shot and careful not to scare the fish, it sensed I was there and moved slowly away. Then it did a slow 180° and started swimming away directly under me. Directly over the fish I took my shot, straight down through the back of the big fish. There’s a saying “I’d rather be lucky than good” which pretty much describes this scenario!

Contact Capt. Neil Eisner at 239-269-5728 2 NAPLES | NOVEMBER 2019 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM/NAPLES/


FACEBOOK.COM/CAMNAPLES/ | NOVEMBER 2019 | NAPLES 3


In The Wake W

ith Summer behind us, the holidays are looming on the horizon. Our “season” seems to have come a little early this year judging by the cars on the road. See, in Florida, you can always tell its Fall when the license plates start to change color! Welcome back to those who travel the seasons, and here’s hoping for

by Capt. Jim Kalvin happy and cheerful holidays. Thinking about a boat, or a different boat? Take the time to research your options. The old saying that goes ‘round and ‘round and ‘round says: “the two happiest days of a boater’s life are the day he buys the boat, and the day he sells it!” To me, that is an indication that someone made an impulse

decision, was pressured into a sale, or found a “deal” that they “couldn’t pass up”. You get what you pay for, there are no shortcuts, and there are ways to verify the integrity of the product that you think you want. Take the time to prioritize your expectations of the acquisition in question. What is it you want to do with the boat? Are you a cruiser, partier, fisherman, or do you just like being away from the crowd? Are you adventurous or do you sail in fair weather only? Different boats do different things and the one you want may not necessarily be the one you’ll use regularly, or the one that you can afford to maintain. See….there’s this thing called “maintenance” that rarely comes up in casual conversation during the shopping process. And, you might just make a decision based upon someone else’s desires. Case in point: I was in Marathon a few years back with a client/friend (all of my boat clients are client/friends) sitting at the bar in Faro Blanco. We were staring out across the pool deck at Florida Bay after a rough crossing and he glanced at his vessel, bobbing gently in her slip. He blurted, “I hate that damn boat!” “What?” I asked in disbelief. “She’s beautiful!” “I know – yes she is. But I needed

that (brand name deleted here) like I needed another hole in my head.” “Why did you buy it?” I asked innocently. He looked at me sideways and said, “…….because my wife liked the color.” I gave him the hairy eye-ball look and said, “really?” He nodded gently as he stared into his drink. He is honest to a fault! Trying to be sensitive and supportive, I said, “yeah – she does seem to be more of a north-east type of vessel. What brought you to Naples anyway?” He perked up a little, and said, “…well, I was always told that once you get old and rich, you need to move to Naples, Florida…… And I moved there,…. and discovered that I was neither!” Everyone within ear-shot howled, and the rest of the evening was, as they say, “one for the books”. Last I heard, the boat was still for sale, and he was looking for something more suited to his style of cruising. It’s a great time of year to be in the market – just go into it knowing what you want to do, and knowing what your limitations are. There are plenty of knowledgeable brokers and dealers in the area, and with patience and a little research, you can find what you’ve always wanted.

Contact Capt. Jim Kalvin at 239-280-6054 4 NAPLES | NOVEMBER 2019 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM/NAPLES/


FACEBOOK.COM/CAMNAPLES/ | NOVEMBER 2019 | NAPLES 5


Just Kickin’ Back

N

ovember is such an amazing month to go fishing. Offshore wrecks are producing tuna and kingfish, and nearshore ledges are holding gag grouper, red grouper, and hogfish. The bait is moving, which gets the fish moving, which makes inshore gag grouper fishing in full swing. While riding offshore, make sure to watch for birds and bait balls and don’t hesitate to troll around them with your favorite Manns or Yozuri

by Capt. Philip Watson

trolling lures. I favor Yozuri crystal minnows that dive 12’ because kingfish can’t resist them, and they aren’t too large for Spanish mackerel to eat. Fishing ledges and hardbottom out to 90’ will produce good numbers of grouper and hogfish. My bait of choice this time of year is a 2-3’ pinfish and live shrimp. Once an area is chummed up, start to drop

back those pinfish for gags and bits and pieces of shrimp for hogfish. You can fish both baits on knocker rigs, just don’t forget to beef up your grouper set-ups. This time of the year you can go bigger on the leader. A while back I went fishing with a good buddy of mine, Josh Hattaway. We had one of those days where we left the fish biting! We started the morning loading the live well with white bait and pinfish, then headed about 45 miles west of Anna Maria Island, picking away at red grouper, lane snapper, vermillion, and big red snapper. We decided to move on once we caught a few and had a few break off. Our next stop was a wreck where we had almaco jacks and yellowtail snapper chummed up behind the boat, where we had so many yellowtails the water was gold. Once we figured out how to get the fish away from the barracudas and monster sharks, we had

an absolute bail session! We limited out in about an hour or so and had to leave them chewing. The fishing is almost at its peak for the season. Please make sure to call and get on the books, so we can get you out to fill your freezers.

Contact Capt. Philip Watson at 941-226-1100

6 NAPLES | NOVEMBER 2019 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM/NAPLES/


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he fall pattern is in full swing. As our water temperatures drop, we see a transition in species of our inshore waters. The sheepshead have taken over the snapper grounds. The red and black drum have been plentiful around the mangroves and flats. The snook have slipped into the backwaters, working deeper and deeper in with each cold front. Pompano should be pushing their way south and will hopefully make an appearance by month’s end. Pompano are by far my favorite inshore table-fare target. I look forward to the crisp evenings, magnificent sunsets, and low humidity while doing the “Pompano Pump.” The “Pompano Pump” is a great method for catching theses swimming tacos. I use

by Capt. Brian Boxx

a white, pink, or chartreuse 3/16th to ½ 0z jig tipped with a bit of shrimp or Fish Bites jig tippers and work the drops and edges of the passes. Fishing the beaches in the washouts of the sandbars can also be extremely productive. Pompano are a member of the Jack family and hit with a good thump followed by a sharp run. When the time is right, they can be

caught in abundance, making for hours of rod bending action. A more relaxing way to target them is using live Sand Fleas caught off our local beaches on a Pompano rig. Just cast the rod out, set it in a holder and soak up the good vibes till you get bent. Sheepshead can be found along good mangrove edges or any structure growing barnacles. The key to a successful day of herding the sheep is downsizing. Small circle hooks, like a #1 Owners, with a split-shot or a small jig head is key. Good baits include cut bits of shrimp, squid, or crab. Keep it in the strike zone. Fish tight to the structure as these fish are actively feeding from it. Slowly lift the bait up and let it fall back down. The bite is very subtle. They like to pick at their food before

swallowing it, so be patient and wait for that steady pull not the tap-taps. These tips will greatly increase your chances of getting tight vs pulling up an empty hook. Happy Holidays, Y’all. Til’ next month, Stay Salty- Capt. Brian Boxx

Contact Capt. Brian Boxx at 239-269-4426 FACEBOOK.COM/CAMNAPLES/ | NOVEMBER 2019 | NAPLES 7


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Artistic Angler

T

he Southwest Fall Open was a great time! We started the day thinking we would knock out the redfish first. We had a few spots in mind, but ended up getting two 21” redfish back to back! They were both nice fish, but we would need a larger snook to

by Capt. Christina finish the day. Our friends over at Boca Coast Chum ended up getting us some chum dip and we had a few takers, but one was more memorable than others. Of course when you are going for big snook you’ll usually get some tarpon as well and we ended up with three! I had an over 40” snook run off with my hook; it was a sad loss as she would have been big enough for the win. We got her right up next to the boat, but at the last second she spit the line back at us. A heartbreaking loss for sure, but we had a great time fishing the tournament for a second time! They also held the same tournament in the spring that we won, so it was fun to be the ones to beat! I wanted to apologize for the shorter articles, Aaron and I have been so busy the past few

months. We are very excited to announce we have both worked extremely hard and got our Real Estate licenses. Aaron and I joined MVP Realty and will be doing showings for properties in and around Naples from the boat! Since I got my captain’s license it was my goal to also do Real Estate, so we are very happy. Check us

out at www.NaplesReelEstate. com! Season is here and we are booking spots for November and December!

Contact Capt. Christina at 239-601-3799 FACEBOOK.COM/CAMNAPLES/ | NOVEMBER 2019 | NAPLES 9


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Fishing with Joe by Joe Sheaffer

T

here are many different approaches to the inshore fishing game, including drifting, chumming, fishing points, docks, channels and I’m sure there are quite a few other strategies. When I first moved here 3 years ago, I tried many of these and had little to no success. I’m sure that these approaches can be very successful and my lack of success was a result of my lack of confidence and experience. I moved to S.W. Florida with Bass fishing experience and a cover water approach. I would fish productive areas with my trolling motor down covering water and making many casts, better known as Power Fishing to our Bass fishing friends. It didn’t take me long to try that approach down here, fishing to my strengths

and comfort level. Making a few adjustments with my equipment and presentations, it has proved to be very productive. The first key for this approach is having a boat and a trolling motor with a good battery system. I use my trolling motor to cover water, control boat position and to keep me in good casting positions. The next key is fishing productive areas. There is a method to my madness. To be really productive, it is important to put yourself in areas that have a greater potential to hold fish. Areas that contain different types of structure ( grass, docks, oyster bars, potholes, mangroves, funnel areas and others) have a greater potential of holding fish. I typically will plan to

fish 3-5 of these areas in a day and if bait is present than my confidence is very high. The third key is bait presentation. I primarily fish artificial lures and I like using moving lures( examples: swim jig and paddle tails, spoons, swimbaits, top water lures and crankbaits ). It is possible to use live bait as a presentation but you may not cover quite as much area with a slower presentation. Another key is being able to make good, accurate casts

14 NAPLES | NOVEMBER 2019 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM/NAPLES/

without getting hung up or off target. This will help you be more efficient. The philosophy is a numbers game. Cover more water, make many casts, put your lure in front of as many fish as you can, could improve your odds of finding aggressive fish. This style of fishing can also help you zero in on a pattern that will be productive throughout the day. I like my boat in continuous motion, slow enough that I can effectively make good accurate casts in front of me but fast enough that I can keep my boat in a similar position throughout the area I’m fishing. If I find a stretch that holds numbers, I will stay on that spot and fish it more thoroughly before continuing forward. This is a very effective strategy and can help anglers be very productive.


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his year is flying by! The holidays are around the corner and if you plan on taking some time off to visit

family or friends in southwest Florida and have peacock bass on your bucket list, bring your rod and reel and tell grandma you’re going for a walk after all that turkey dinner!! The peacock bass have been around in southwest Florida for a long time.

by Capt. Justin Napior Fisherman would catch the invasive species in Miami and Ft. Lauderdale and bring them to Naples. I remember catching them as a kid when bass fishing in the local lakes and canals. Now they inhabit many of the local canals in the area and have become very popular on social media and are on most anglers bucket lists! And I don’t blame them, these fish are extremely aggressive and they are a blast to catch on light tackle and fly. They are very colorful fish and photograph really well! My favorite rig for these aggressive fish is pretty simple.. I use a ¼ ounce jig head and a paddletail or an Owner twist lock and any

bright colored lure. Many classic bass fishing rigs will work, as well. These fish typically hang out near shore lines, banks, and around some sort of structure like a dock, rocks, bridges, or fallen trees. Sight fishing them is very fun and is great for any skill level! All it takes is a decent cast and a twitch or two and they are usually honed in on it. If lures are not your thing, you can pick up some live shiners from the local tackle shop like Serenity Bait Company in

Naples. Live shiners and a 2/0 circle hook will pretty much guarantee you a bite and a caught fish. You can find them in the local canal systems by walking along banks or kayaking. Many of the canals are accessible by foot, so go explore, you may be surprised at what you can find. Well, I hope everyone has a great November and if you get a chance to fish for some southwest Florida peas, I wish you luck! And till next time, tight lines everybody.

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Bonita Springs Fishing

by Capt. Billy Norris

F

ishing this past month has been excellent! Both backwater and offshore fishing have provided steady action with quality fish. The weather has begun to cool down quite a bit and the rains have slowed considerably. With the cooler weather, we will start to see the shift from summer to winter patterns. In the backwaters, both snook and redfish have been eagerly taking baits. Best bet for bait this time of year is pinfish. You will still catch fish on whitebait, but the bigger fish are dialed in on pins. In my opinion, this is most likely due to the fact that the coastlines are inundated with massive schools of whitebait, and the fish are used to seeing it. Presenting them with a pinfish is something different that breaks their baseline and they are more apt to strike. This time of year, redfish can be found throughout the backwater, the passes, and even in the Gulf on some of the nearshore wrecks. Snook are everywhere. In the late fall, they will school in large numbers on the beaches and around passes. With clearer water, you will have to go with a lighter fluorocarbon leader to get them to strike. The catch 22 with lighter line is you will get broken off more often, but a heavier leader will drastically decrease the amount of strikes you get. In addition to snook and redfish, there have been plenty of jacks and juvenile tarpon in the backwaters providing action filled days. The offshore bite has been equally good. Cobia have been around in

numbers, and targeting them on the wrecks and reefs has proven worthwhile. Up your tackle from the backwater rigs to 40-50-pound fluorocarbon leader and up your reels to at least a 5000 or 6000 level. There are still plenty of Spanish mackerel around, with kings beginning to show up as well. The mangrove snapper bite has continued to be great, and there have been quite a few mutton snappers around as well. Although not common for our area, there have been large numbers of them on the nearshore reefs, however, they are all relatively small, averaging 12”-14”. For big game catch and release fisherman, barracudas, goliath grouper, and sharks have been plentiful around the wrecks and reefs. Tarpon fishing has also remained good this past month, and should continue to stay steady until the cold fronts begin to show up. Their bait of choice can change daily, so make sure you have a variety of options to pitch to them. A combination of threads, crabs and big pinfish is a good place to start. As we move later into the year and the water cools, we should be seeing a shift into the wintertime fishing patterns. Over the next month, kingfish should arrive in numbers, as well as the annual influx of big sheepshead into both the coastal and backwater areas. Fishing has been and will continue to be great over the course of the next few months, so give us a call today and book your trip! -Captain Billy

Contact Billy Norris at 239-285-7710

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Everglades Backcountry Experience by Capt. Rodney Raffield

H

ello again Coastal Anglers, Capt. Rodney again from beautiful Chokoloskee Island here with this month’s report. Fishing continues to be great with good numbers on snook and redfish going absolutely bonkers. The rains have slowed

down which has led to snook starting to show more in the backcountry, but they won’t make a full transition until we get some colder weather. Redfish have been on fire in the Islands, as well as on the outside points. Trout are still on the slow side in my area, with an occasional limit, but still not much going on. We are catching the best redfish bite using shrimp tipped jigs, such as Mr. Wiffelure and Zman paddle tails. Snook have been

easier to produce on naked jigs, but they like shrimp as well. Big snook can be leader-shy but, in my opinion, don’t use anything less than 30lb leader line when fishing for these guys. Reds and trout are much easier on the leader line, but 30lb is a good compromise for all species you

are bound to catch in my area. So, get out there and put that favorite lure to work and that Trophy is waiting. Till next time tight lines my friends, Capt. Rodney.

Contact Capt. Raffield at 239-695-4626 18 NAPLES | NOVEMBER 2019 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM/NAPLES/


SWFL’s Freshwater Scene

T

by Capt. Capt. Roan zumFelde

he year is flying by! Happy Thanksgiving to all and wow, Christmas is around the corner. Don’t wait too long to get that Christmas shopping done; we have some wonderful stocking stuffers at the shop. This is usually a great month for most species, fresh and salt. I Love Lake Fishing this month! All the lakes in Florida should be on fire with the transition to cooler water temps. Canals should be getting better as long as the water is dropping and the fish start transitioning into the main canals and not still out on the marshes. We are going to start out on Lake Trafford this month. Ski Oleski, at Trafford Marine, believes this is one of the best months of the year to fish on Trafford. Bass fishing should be in full swing and the bite will happen on the top. Flipping and pitching creature baits will be good in midday, but the mornings and the evenings belong to top waters. I especially like the oldies, like Devils Horse and Bangolures, something with a prop. Smaller Zara Spooks in the evening work well also. Fly fishing the lake this month will also be excellent. Small foam popping bugs and muddlers in white and yellow should wreck them. I also like to throw my HJB around heavy cover and swim it out into the open water for the larger bass. Make sure you are using a minimum of a 20# class leader and a 7 or 8 weight fly rod when fly fishing, you never know when the lunker of a lifetime will be lurking close by. Okeechobee Water levels should be prime for this month for just about all types

of fishing from top waters to flipping and pitching and of course the always fall back pattern live shiners. If there was one of the better months to fish a fly on the lake this would be one of them. Big patterns on larger rods like eight or even nine weights with big poppers or HJB’s or Stealth Bombers should be in your Arsenal. MUST HAVE WEEDGUARD! The Everglades Canals will also be a tough one to forecast ahead. They are heavily dependent on how much water each has outside of the canals. What that means is; if the water is still deep in the marshes adjacent to the canals then the fish will not be as concentrated in the canals as they should be. There will still be fish in the main canal, but they will be much harder to get a lure in front of because they will be much further back into heavy cover. All the canals along I-75 should be getting very good as long as the water is receding into the canal system. Flipping and pitching worms are always the best baits, but you can catch them on just about anything in these canals. I mostly fly fish and small poppers are the ticket for bass, but if you want to target more cichlids then I like small Wooley Buggers especially those with weight in the head. My Fly of the Month for October was the Sparkle Crab which is one of my favorites for the canals for Come visit Mike and me at Mike’s Bait house and Indian Pass Outfitters on Danford Street, next to Bayview Park in Naples and we can talk fishing. We carry a full line of tackle including: fly fishing needs and both saltwater and freshwater gear, food, drink, and bait. Thanks, and good fishing. Roan z

11/30/19

Contact Capt. Roan z at 239-775-2248 or cell 239-269-4426 FACEBOOK.COM/CAMNAPLES/ | NOVEMBER 2019 | NAPLES 19


20 NAPLES | NOVEMBER 2019 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM/NAPLES/


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22 NAPLES | NOVEMBER 2019 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM/NAPLES/


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The Best Angler Photos From Southwest Florida!

Beautiful shot of Gary Shaw and his Redfish.

Ryan Connor of NY says the little guys are still fun. Cameron Fulp showing off his day’s fun.

Nice redfish caught while out w/ Fish Face Charters.

Tristan Rowand with a large clown knifefish.

Jeff Wheeler of Cape Coral caught his first tarpon at the Sanibel Causeway.

Morgan Smith, Thomas & Owen Roegele brought in some nice Reds at the same time near Stump Pass. Brittany and Dalton with their twin reds!

Tim Roegele caught a monster Redfish today off Stump Pass Beach, released safely.

Photos submitted Courtesy of Coastal Angler Readers and Contributing Writers 24 NAPLES | NOVEMBER 2019 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM/NAPLES/


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OKEECHOBEE COUNTY, WHERE OUTDOOR ADVENTURES ABOUND

Photo by Peter Dutton/flickr.com

O

keechobee County is your paradise outdoors. This beautifully serene rural community still values the old Florida lifestyle, with down-home Southern hospitality and scenic land undisturbed by towering growth. Okeechobee County is at the northern shore of the awe-inspiring Lake Okeechobee. Lake Okeechobee is 730 square miles of fishing nirvana. Lake Okeechobee, named by the Seminoles as “big water,” is host to a number of guides that will take you to treasured “fishing spots” that will give any angler stories to take home. Largemouth bass dominate the fishermen’s attention throughout the year, while the well-known speckled perch (crappie) take front position during the peak of tourism season which runs from October through March. Lake Okeechobee also offers scenic trails that are excellent for

walking, jogging, biking and bird watching. The trail that surrounds this massive lake is the Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail (L.O.S.T). This trail just about surrounds the entire lake and leaves no nature lover disappointed. Okeechobee is a well-loved area for rare and hard to find birds aplenty, the snail kite and caracara just to name a couple. Don’t be concerned by the loud cry of the sandhill crane, as these beauties are in every corner of our community and have no issue stopping traffic or wandering neighborhoods. Okeechobee County is not just about the lake, though locals are extremely proud of their greatest natural asset. Okeechobee is home to a number of other sporting activities that definitely make the location a sportsman’s paradise. Hunting is popular with not only seasonal visitors but residents as well. Deer, hog, duck and even gator hunting keep the hunting guides busy and the hunter’s hauling trophies home for bragging rights. Looking to improve or develop some great shooting skills? Okeechobee has a number of gun ranges that offer shooting sports of all kinds. Most of these facilities are outdoors and offer lodging, shopping and the greatest ranges and instructors around. There is also an indoor archery range conveniently off our main street and a new state-of-the-art gun range just on your way into town. Although Okeechobee offers fantastic outdoor adventures such as air boating, horseback riding and other entertainment, there always comes a time when the day draws to a close and the day’s activities bring on a fierce appetite. Okeechobee offers wonderful food options to the most spectacular steaks to the tastiest seafood! With dinner served and memories made, it’s now time to dream of what Okeechobee may bring the next day at any of our hotels, motels, campgrounds or RV resorts. Looking for your paradise outdoors? Welcome to Okeechobee, Florida. For information on any of these great getaways, visit www.visitokeechobeecounty.com or call 863-763-3959. Introducing Okeechobee’s Inaugural Visitor’s Guide. This beautiful guide will be your destination must have. You may request your free guide via phone or the Contact Us section of the website listed above.

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By Ed Killer

S

tuart, Fla.– The thump on the end of the line nearly pulls the rod out of your hand. It’s the kind of thump delivered by an apex predator confident in its choice to devour the offering. The line peels off the reel at a blistering pace. You can feel the trophy at the opposite end of this tug of war begin making its way to the surface. You prepare yourself for one of those mental memories you swear will stay with you forever. When this fish goes airborne, you know it’s going to be so cool. Backlit by the golden rising sun, the shower of spray from the head shakes will be glorious. You know your followers on social media are going to love it. The beauty of this encounter, for anyone who visits Martin County to fish, is that literally a half-dozen species of game fish can be plugged into the scenario. Is the soon-to-be leaping fish a tarpon, snook, sailfish or bass? Could it be a mako shark or perhaps a blue marlin? This area is known for incredible sport fishing. It developed that reputation more than a century ago, and continues to build upon it with every catch. And as fishing techniques and targets evolved, so did Martin County’s reputation as a world-class fishing destination. INSHORE Presidents once traveled to Stuart to fish for giant tarpon. Grover Cleveland, Chester A. Arthur, Theodore Roosevelt, Howard Taft and Warren G. Harding all plied the waters of the St. Lucie River in search of the “silver king.” In 1905, Cleveland purchased land in Stuart and was planning to build a home here, but never did. However, he was credited with catching one of the largest tarpon ever caught in the river’s North Fork. At the time, 200-pounders were common in the river system each spring. As popular as tarpon are, snook may be Martin County’s staple fish. The waters surrounding downtown Stuart are one of the only in the world where four species of snook can be caught – common snook, tarpon snook, fat snook and swordspine snook. Only the common snook typically reaches the legal size for harvest of 28 to 32 inches in length. Huge common snook, upwards of 30 pounds are caught lurking around bridges, marinas, rocky shorelines and spillways in the winter and spring. By summer, these fish stage closer to the St. Lucie Inlet, where spawning occurs. Live baits like sardines, herring, menhaden, mullet and shrimp are all irresistible, but artificial lures and flies work well, too. On the shallow grassflats and around the spoil islands in the Indian River Lagoon, anglers catch spotted seatrout, redfish, black drum, jack crevalles, ladyfish and sheepshead. During the winter, spring and summer incoming tides, anglers can sight cast these targets in 3 to 5 feet of water. Like the Florida Keys and Biscayne Bay, Martin County is one of

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those rare places where an angler can pursue a bonefish, tarpon, permit slam. During winter, some of the tastiest fish that swim, pompano—swarm the inshore waters. OFFSHORE Ironically, it was a poor year of tarpon fishing in the early 1930s that generated exploration of Martin County’s offshore fisheries. Early in the century, the county produced a lucrative fishing business each winter as commercial fishermen pursued bluefish and Spanish mackerel off the beaches. They would ship their catches, salted and iced, on rail cars to markets in the north. The first winter visitors to Martin County were fishermen from northern coastal towns. But when the tarpon fishing went flat for a couple of years, recreational fishermen started heading into deeper water offshore to find action. What they found would change the area forever. Sailfish are a majestic species of pelagic fish, meaning they travel great distances on open ocean. After exploring the best methods and bait-rigging techniques to catch these fish, which can measure 6 to 8 feet long and swim up to 40 mph, a charter fishing fleet developed. In January of 1938, editor of the Stuart News Ernie Lyons invited outdoor writers from all over the country to come to Stuart and catch sailfish. In a week, nearly 1,000 sailfish were caught. One writer reported to his readers back home, “You may as well call Stuart the capital of sailfish.” Lyons jumped on it. Soon the City of Stuart applied for a charter naming it “Sailfish Capital of the World.” Today, the iconic image of the leaping sailfish can be seen on signage for public and private entities and even on the city’s garbage trucks. A tournament last winter produced over 700 sailfish releases in a single day. But a bluewater angler will have a chance to catch excellent game and table fare, too. Kingfish up to 50 pounds roam the reefs in 40 to 60 feet of water every spring. Cobia up to 70 pounds can be caught when the manta rays come into shallow waters each winter. Dolphinfish are caught offshore year round. Fishing for mutton snapper, mangrove snapper, yellowtail snapper and lane snapper is very good in 40 to 70 feet of water throughout much of the year. Fishing for gag, red and black grouper, scamp and amberjacks is best on the deepwater artificial reefs, of which the county has placed dozens offshore over the past 50 years. Tilefish and snowy grouper are on the deep flats in 700 feet. Wahoo are best during the summer for high speed trollers. In recent years, expert charter captains have developed a fishery for daytime swordfish where they also occasionally catch a mako shark. Each summer, the diving for spiny lobsters creates an offshore armada along the county’s healthy coral reefs. Suffice to say, the fishing along Martin County’s shores is about as good as it can get. The hard part is picking what to fish for.

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Reel in the memories. Sitting on the most biodiverse estuary in the Northern Hemisphere, Martin County is a fisherman’s paradise. Ocean, lake and river ecosystems are home to more than 800 species of fish, from the ever-popular sailfish and snook to largemouth bass and perch. Forget your gear? Visit one of Martin’s many bait and tackle shops or outdoor retailers. Inshore, offshore, saltwater or fresh, head out for an adventure and reel in the memories.

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By Mikey Erickson

A

lot of people know Costa Rica is the “Billfish Capital of the World,” but that’s not all it is. Double-digit numbers of tarpon and an abundance of snook can be caught on the Caribbean Coast out of Tortuguero, where rivers like Rio Parismina and Rio Colorado follow the coast and open up into the ocean. Days of 30 or more fish are possible. And the river-locked town of Tortuguero is a true gem.The culture has a lot of Jamaican and Spanish influence. The season here is from February to May. Great spots for freshwater fishing include the beautiful Arenal Volcano, Lake Arenal and the rivers running through northern-inland Costa Rica. Rainbow bass, better known as “guapote,” are the main target of freshwater anglers. They are prized for intelligence, aggression and great tasting meat. The Machaca is another exciting fish that has earned the nickname “mini tarpon.” The town of La Fortuna in Arenal is a very nice place to visit. Everything is green and full of life due to the volcanic soil. There are also hot springs. The best season for this area is from January to May. On the northern Pacific Coast, fishing is great all the way down the coast from Papagayo to El Coco, Flamingo to Tamarindo, Nosara to Samara, and Santa Teresa to Tambor. The sport fishing in this area picks up from May to August with species like mahi, marlin, sailfish, roosterfish, snapper and wahoo. This region is beautiful, and the culture is very European. If you get the chance to explore this region, take it! The best fishing in the central Pacific region is near Jaco, Herradura, Quepos and Manuel Antonio. I’ve lived four years, fishing constantly, and it offers year-round angling. The marlin and sailfish bite is insane from December to June, and from April to November the mahi come in huge numbers to debris pushed out by the rivers. There are also many FAD’s (Fish Attracting Devices) 100 miles off the coast. Overnight trips offer double-digit marlin and sailfish! The southern Pacific Coast offers many great destinations both inshore and offshore. The Sierpe River offers great freshwater fishing, and places like Golfito, Drake Bay and Puerto Jimenez offer killer inshore fishing. These areas known for giant roosterfish year-round, and also feature great marlin and sailfish from August to March, mahi-mahi from May to October and tuna year-round. All in all, Costa Rica is the fishing destination of a lifetime for freshwater, inshore, offshore and spearfishing. Come explore what the land of Pura Vida has to Offer. Mikey Erickson is co-editor of Coastal Angler/Costa Rica and Tres Niñas Tours Manager. Contact him at mikey@coastalanglermagazine.com, info@tresninastours.com, U.S. Cell: +1(561)310-2665, CR Cell: +506-8305-0041. Visit www.coastalanglermag.com/costa-rica/ and www.tresninastours.com.

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NATIONAL

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TIPS FROM A PRO

BIG BASS IN MEXICO

BRANDON LESTER

T

his summer I took my second trip to Mexico’s famed El Salto. It didn’t disappoint, dishing out some of the meanest 7- and 8-pound bass I’ve ever seen. Of course, we caught numbers as well, but this time I slowed down and enjoyed everything Angler’s Inn at El Salto has to offer. On this trip, the lake was down 45 feet. El Salto is an irrigation lake, so water gets used a lot in summer. Low water levels concentrated the fish. We caught a bunch on lipless baits, a few on jigs and a good number on crankbaits. By and large, though, the best pattern was a Texas-rigged Photo by Jon Tatum worm. It’s awesome how the lake is different during different seasons. It makes each trip unique. On the first day, guides feel you out to make your trip as fun as possible. Everyone has a different goal. Some guys want numbers; some want their best shot at a 10-pounder. On Day One, we landed 70 to 80 fish, easily, but I didn’t catch any over 5 pounds. On Day Two, my very experienced guide took me after the big ones. We fished for bass suspended in standing timber. It was a little harder to catch them, but the fish were much bigger. Down

there, you can pretty much catch fish any way you want, but you can’t catch big fish doing whatever you want. The guides at El Salto have the big-fish patterns nailed down through the seasons. Last year, I went in January and we caught big fish deep cranking, so the pattern had changed completely. One thing that didn’t change was how mean the fish are. That brings me to my other takeaway: Big fish require the best gear you can throw. I fished extensively with the new 11-inch X Zone Blitz Worm, in both plum and red bug. They bit the fire out of both colors. The bait has very little salt content, so it floats off the bottom, which gives it much better action. The baits are also very soft and easy to rig. Mustad just came out with a complete line of tungsten, and I put it to the test. We used a 3/8-ounce tungsten bullet weight, and loved it. The Mustad line has Titan X finish on it, which is awesome. Most objects in nature aren’t shiny, so this mattestyle Titan X finish is more natural. The sizes are etched onto each weight. It’s a nice touch that makes selection easier. A 5/0 Grip Pin Big Bite hook is the perfect big-bass hook. There were a few sessions where I caught at least 50 fish on one hook. That’s one of the best things about a Mustad hook. Drag it across rocks and set the hook over and over. The points on their hooks will not roll. Feel free to ask me on social media about the trip and any of the gear mentioned here.

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Don’t drink and drive. Always wear a USCG-Approved life jacket and read your owner’s manual. Suzuki, the Suzuki “S” ECSTAR and Suzuki model and product names are Suzuki trademarks or ®. © 2018 Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.

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3/21/19 2:26 PM


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www.ratchetjacket.com

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By CAM Staff

20% OFF CODE: ANGLER

ake Picachos, Mexico might not warrant the title of the world’s best trophy lake, but it might just be the world’s most fun bass fishery. Picachos is the newest of northwest Mexico’s storied bass fisheries. The dam for this 14,000-acre reservoir on the Presidio River was completed in 2009. It was opened to anglers in 2013. A decade since its formation, the lake is pumping out almost unbelievable numbers of 3- to 5-pound fish. According to Angler’s Inn International, it’s not unusual for a pair of skilled anglers to catch 200 to 300 fish a day. According to Ron Speed Jr.’s daily reports, Picachos regularly produces 150-fish days with big fish each day topping out at 6 to 8 pounds. That’s incredible action for solid fish. The lake record is 12-pounds, 14-ounces, and the bar is expected to rise as the fishery matures. An ample forage base of tilapia, plenty of heavy cover, clean water and catch-and-release regulations point to a bright future. Mornings and evenings generally see an outstanding topwater bite, which is a ton of fun for conventional anglers with walking baits and poppers as well as for fly-rodders throwing bass bugs. Spinnerbaits, lizards, stickbaits, Flukes and shallow-running crankbaits also provide action that leads to bleeding bass thumb. Lake Picachos is about 30 miles inland from the Pacific Coast resort town Mazatlán. Fishing is great year-round, with a peak from February into June. For information, go to www.anglersinn.com or www.ronspeedadventures.com.

PRED 20

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EXPERIENCE THE

M

ore litigation looms in the latest chapter of the three-decade saga to protect the world’s largest salmon run. Bristol Bay, Alaska, home to thriving sport and commercial fishing industries, is under the gun again as the U.S. photo by Nick Carter Environmental Agency recently removed protections that again Julie Carter with a Kvichak River sockeye. open the door for the proposed Pebble mine. Pebble mine is an exploration project investigating enormous deposits of gold, copper and other minerals near the headwaters of the Kvichak River and lakes Clark and Iliamna. These remote and pristine waterways offer some of best rainbow trout fishing in the world and feed Bristol Bay with the clean water that supports massive sockeye and Chinook salmon runs. Trout Unlimited recently joined other groups in filing suit against the EPA, alleging that the EPA ignored science and the potential impacts of developing the mine when it withdrew the Bristol Bay Proposed Determination, which are protections for the region that have been in place since 2014. “Billions of dollars have been spent in attempt to restore salmon runs in the Pacific Northwest. Meanwhile, Bristol Bay sets records for its salmon returns year after year. All we need to do is have the humility and common-sense to leave this landscape alone,” said Chris Wood, CEO of Trout Unlimited. “Sacrificing a place such as Bristol Bay for some gold is a short-sighted fools-errand. We are not a litigious organization, but we and millions of other sportsmen and women will not allow greed to compromise the most important salmon fishery on the planet.”

FIGHT!

For more information on the Save Bristol Bay campaign, go to SaveBristolBay.org.

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FLY FISHING

The permit is the Holy Grail for many serious saltwater fly anglers. Many, including me, have traveled and spent endless days pursuing these great gamefish with little to show for our efforts. Of course, the challenge is what’s special about permit fishing, not the number of fish brought to hand. However, there is one place where an angler can have great success catching permit on the fly; that place is the Yucatan Peninsula’s Punta Allen. Here, just a few kilometers south of Tulum in the Sian Ka’an Biosphere, is the world’s most fertile and diverse permit saltwater fly fishery. The Unicorn of the Flats Ghostlike, spooky and finicky are three words to describe permit. It is one of the most difficult saltwater fish to catch on the fly and has been the Achilles heel for many saltwater fly angers. But if there is one destination where one can successfully sight cast to large schools of permit consistently, it’s the Sian Ka’an Biosphere. Because of the vast numbers of permit ranging from 2 to 20 pounds, a fly angler will have multiple shots per day. In addition, Yucatan permit are aggressive eaters, making them a great target for the less-experienced or first-time saltwater fly anglers. Flies and Tackle The primary food items for permit are crabs and shrimp. A good selection of these patterns will give the angler the best chance at success. For crab patterns, I like Merkins and Ragheads in sizes 4 and 6. I find the color of the fly should match the color of the habitat you’re fishing. For example, if you’re fishing over light colored sand, then a fly pattern should be tan or even white. If you’re fishing in turtle grass or a darker bottom, then a green or even a dark brown works best. Tackle A 9-foot, 9-weight rod matched with a large arbor reel that holds 250 yards of 30-pound Hi Viz Dacron or micron backing is the perfect combo for Yucatan permit. Since a majority of the fishing is in shallow water, I suggest only using a weight-forward tropical floating line. Keep your leaders long: 10 to 12 feet with 16- to 20-pound tippets. Casting to Permit It’s important to be able to quickly and accurately cast 30 to 60 feet when targeting permit on the flats. Your ability to make longer casts will increase your chances of catching more fish. Of course, you can hook a permit close to the boat, but it’s always to your advantage be able to make the long cast when the opportunity presents itself. The back-hand cast is another to be able to execute. Permit schools will often present themselves on the opposite side of the boat, so being able to make a quick back cast is very important.

For more Bowman, go to

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êêêêê “The quality of their watches is equal to many that can go for ten times the price or more.” — Jeff from McKinney, TX

“Blue face watches are on the discerning gentleman’s ‘watch list’.” – watchtime.com

Stone Cold Fox So good-looking...heads will turn. So unbelievably-priced...jaws will drop.

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very once in a while a timepiece comes along that’s so incredibly good looking, masterfully equipped and jaw-droppingly priced, that it stops us stone cold. A watch that can take you seamlessly from the 18th hole to the board room. A watch that blurs the line betweens sports watch and dress watch. We’re talking the Blue Stone Chronograph, and it sits at the top of the discerning gentleman’s watch list. Striking in appearance and fully equipped with features, this is a watch of substance. The Blue Stone merges the durability of steel with the precision of crystal movement that’s accurate to 0.2 seconds a day. Both an analog and digital watch, the Blue Stone keeps time with pinpoint accuracy in two time zones. The watch’s handsome steel blue dial seamlessly blends an analog watch face with a stylish digital display. It’s a stopwatch, calendar, and alarm. Plus, the Blue Stone resists water up to 30 meters, making it up for water adventures. A watch with these features would easily cost you thousands if you shopped big names. But overcharging to justify an inflated brand name makes us blue in the face. Which is why we make superior looking and performing timepieces priced to please. Decades of experience in engineering enables Stauer to put quality on your wrist and keep your money in your pocket.

Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. Experience the Blue Stone Chronograph for 30 days. If you’re not convinced you got excellence for less, send it back for a refund of the item price. Time is running out. Originally priced at $395, the Blue Stone Chronograph was already generating buzz among watch connoisseurs, but with the price slashed to $79, we can’t guarantee this limited-edition timepiece will last. So, call today!

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• Precision movement • Digital and analog timekeeping • LED subdials • Stainless steel crown, caseback & bracelet • Dual time zone feature • Stopwatch • Alarm feature • Calendar: month, day, & date • Water resistant to 3 ATM • Fits wrists 7” to 9”

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Gimme Six Extended Protection promo is applicable to new Suzuki Outboard Motors from 25 to 350 HP in inventory which are sold and delivered to buyer between 10/01/19 and 12/31/19 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. Instant Savings apply to qualifying purchases of select Suzuki Outboard Motors made between 10/01/19 and 12/31/19. For list of designated models, see participating Dealer or visit www.suzukimarine. com. Instant Savings must be applied against the agreed-upon selling price of the outboard motor and reflected in the bill of sale. (Suzuki will, in turn, credit Dealer’s parts account.) 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 10/01/19 and 12/31/19. “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. © 2019 Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.

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