NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA/NATURE COAST EDITION
&
Boats Motors Edition
VOLUME 22 • ISSUE 268
Local
Fishing Reports Catch Photos News & Events
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM
F R A N C H I S E
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YOU’RE GONNA NEED A BIGGER BOAT. THIS ONE.
™
Introducing the Element F21: As low as $25,499* Our largest center console to date, we designed the new Element F21 to be three things; fishable, versatile and affordable. We started with our proven M-Hull™ design, giving it a deeper entry for even more seaworthiness. Then we gave it the features anglers demand to make sure it was serious about catching fish—plus options should you choose to expand your activities. Its most attractive feature could be its price. Shop if you must… we’re pretty sure you’ll end up here. Go to bayliner.com to learn more.
©2016 Bayliner Boats. All rights reserved.
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*All prices reflect MSRP in US dollars and apply to the US only. Dealer sets the actual price. Pricing does not include dealer preparation fees, taxes, registration fees, or other fees that may apply. Freight not included. Customers outside US must contact their local dealer to obtain applicable pricing.
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© 2017 Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries
THIS SEEMS TO BE THE PLACE WHERE ALL THE FISH HANG OUT. I THINK I’LL DROP IN.
12”
PROGRAMMABLE
HOT KEYS
PRELOADED
BUILT-IN
BLUECHART® G2 + LAKEVUU¨ HD CHIRP SONAR + CLEARVUU¨ + SIDEVU¨
GPSMAP® 1242xsv 4
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© 2017 Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries
Ben Martin
Editor In Chief Coastal Angler/The Angler Magazine
EDITOR IN CHIEF : Ben Martin • camads@coastalanglermagazine.com VICE PRESIDENT : Tracy Patterson • tracy@coastalanglermagazine.com ART DIRECTOR : Rebecca Snowden • graphics@coastalanglermagazine.com EDITOR : Nick Carter • editorial@coastalanglermagazine.com WEBMASTER : Dmitriy Pislyagin • webmaster@coastalanglermagazine.com
Dear Readers, This edition of the magaine that you are reading is put together by our local franchisee co-publisher. Your co-publisher’s contact information is shown in the directory adjacent to this article. We currently publish 38 separate editions of this magazine each month throughout the Continental United States, the Bahamas and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Our plan is to continue growing and to continue adding locations. If you love the outdoors and have ever considered owning your own business, you owe it to yourself to take a look at our franchise opportunities. Our franchise publishing model will enable you to make money doing what you love, being involved in the outdoor/marine industry. You don’t need to have prior publishing experience. We train you on how to do that. What you do need is a love of the outdoors and a somewhat adventurous spirit. Opening a new business is exciting and, yes, it requires hard work and commitment. But, once you bring this magazine to your community you will find it to be very rewarding and you will have created one of the best jobs and career opportunities that any angler could ever imagine. If you’re like us, owning your own fishing magazine may be an opportunity for you to be involved in an industry that you’re passionate about. Imagine never dreading to go to work but rather being excited about sharing the message of your magazine. Our ideal strategic growth would have franchise opportunities in the following locations, however, we have found that nearly any area that has an avid fishing community can be a good location for it’s own fishing magazine. GULF COAST (Available Now) • Baton Rouge, LA • Lafayette, LA • Corpus Christi, TX • Austin, TX • Mississippi FLORIDA • Okeechobee, FL
SOUTHEAST (Launch March 2017) • Raleigh, NC • Savannah, GA • Southwest Georgia • Hilton Head, SC • Columbia, SC • Myrtle Beach, SC
Come Join our Team!
NEW ENGLAND • New Hampshire (the entire state) • Maine (the entire state) • Western Massachusetts • Gloucester, MA • Cape Cod, MA GREAT LAKES • Milwaukee, WI • Detroit, MI • Cleveland, OH • The Adirondacks, NY
ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: Corporate Headquarters info@coastalanglermagazine.com • 888-800-9794
FLORIDA
BIG BEND : Mike McNamara • (850) 510-7919 • captmike@coastalanglermagazine.com BREVARD : David String • (321) 684-5888 • dstring@coastalanglermagazine.com DAYTONA/NEW SMYRNA BEACH : Don Meadows • (321) 436-5895 • donm@coastalanglermagazine.com FLORIDA KEYS : Cliff Lumpkin • (305) 849-9093 • cliff@coastalanglermagazine.com FORT LAUDERDALE : Gene Dyer • (954) 680-3900 • gene@coastalanglermagazine.com FORT MYERS : Nadeen Welch • (239) 595-8265 • nwelch@coastalanglermagazine.com GREATER MIAMI : Scott Deal • (561) 945-6999 • scott@coastalanglermagazine.com Monica Isaza-Deal • (561) 945-8899 • monica@coastalanglermagazine.com GREATER ORLANDO : Phillip & Giselle Wolf • (407) 790-9515 • phillip@coastalanglermagazine.com LAKELAND & SUMTER : Mary Brasher • (352) 598-4219 • maryf@coastalanglermagazine.com NAPLES : Nadeen Welch • (239) 595-8265 • nwelch@coastalanglermagazine.com NC FLORIDA/NATURE COAST : Cary & Lynn Crutchfield • (352) 372-4237 • crutch@coastalanglermagazine.com NE FLORIDA : Danny Patrick • (904) 742-4696 • danny@coastalanglermagazine.com PANAMA CITY/FORGOTTEN COAST : Randy Cnota • (229) 834-7880 • randyc@coastalanglermagazine.com PALM BEACH COUNTY : Barbara Ryan • (561) 373-8040 • barbara@coastalanglermagazine.com SARASOTA : Phil Prevoir • (239) 257-4684 • pprevoir@coastalanglermagazine.com TAMPA BAY : Chuck Atkins • (239) 464-5153 • chuck@coastalanglermagazine.com TREASURE COAST : Misti & Gary Guertin • (772) 285-6850 • treasurecoast@coastalanglermagazine.com flahama@coastalanglermagazine.com
SOUTHEAST
ATLANTA/SW GEORGIA : Bob & Brenda Rice • (706) 614-8231 • bobr@theanglermagazine.com CHARLESTON : Jane A. Redden • (205) 725-9616 • jane@coastalanglermagazine.com Sam Buckareff • (843) 607-8629 • sam@coastalanglermagazine.com CHARLOTTE : Mark & Haley Alberghini • (704) 651-1934 • mark@coastalanglermagazine.com MYRTLE BEACH : Kenneth & Ana Moore • (843) 446-5777 • kenmoore@coastalanglermagazine.com TIDEWATER/OUTER BANKS : John Tiger • (757) 707-9654 • john.tiger@coastalanglermagazine.com Laura Seitz • (757) 707-9655 • laura@coastalanglermagazine.com SE & COASTAL GEORGIA : Tony Martin • (912) 269-9679 • tony@coastalanglermagazine.com Travis Harper • (912) 266-1430• travis@coastalanglermagazine.com UPSTATE SOUTH CAROLINA : Gregg Thompson • (864) 542-3112 • gregg@theanglermagazine.com WESTERN NC : Debra & Joe Woody • (828) 775-9663 • woody@theanglermagazine.com WILMINGTON/MOREHEAD : Kenny Ritter • (910) 550-9094 • kenny@theanglermagazine.com
NORTHEAST BOSTON : George Regan • (617) 488-2842 • boston@coastalanglermagazine.com LONG ISLAND : Lisa & Michael Danforth • (203) 321-7635 • lisad@coastalanglermagazine.com CONNECTICUT / RHODE ISLAND : Lisa & Michael Danforth • (203) 321-7635 lisad@coastalanglermagazine.com
GULF COAST
GALVESTON/MATAGORDA/UPPER COAST : Chanci & David Mowry • (713) 446-7395 • chancim@coastalanglermagazine.com • davidm@coastalanglermagazine.com MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST : Kevin Ogle • (850) 586-3474 • gulf@coastalanglermagazine.com NEW ORLEANS : Dr. Dave Dunaway • (225) 400-8156 • nola@coastalanglermagazine.com PENSACOLA/EMERALD COAST : Kevin Ogle • (850) 586-3474 • gulf@coastalanglermagazine.com
GREAT LAKES
UPSTATE NEW YORK : Frank Geremski • (518) 898-6484 • frankie@theanglermagazine.com WEST MICHIGAN : Phil Belsito • (616) 957-1714 • phil@theanglermagazine.com
INTERNATIONAL BAHAMAS : Misti & Gary Guertin • (772) 285-6850 • treasurecoast@coastalanglermagazine.com flahama@coastalanglermagazine.com PUERTO RICO/VIRGIN ISLANDS : Ace Bassue • (407) 285-9453 • ace@coastalanglermagazine.com © 2017. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. Disclaimer: Coastal Angler Magazine / The Angler Magazine will not be held liable for injuries incurred while partaking in activities described herein, or for claims made against products or services provided by advertisers.
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HondaM
Destination Honda
For destinations found on a map, or ones that are simply a state of mind, trust a reliable Honda outboard to get you there. And back. Find out more at ca.hondamarine.com.
3.99% APR Financing On All New Honda Outboards! Ends July 6, 2017. *
APR
FINANCING*
*APR financing available on all new Honda outboard engines through American Honda Finance Corporation upon approved credit. 3.99% APR financing for 24 – 48 months, available to customers who qualify for AHFC credit tier 1. Example for new Honda outboard engines: 3.99% APR for 36 months financing at $29.52 a month for every $1,000 financed. 4.99% APR for 60 months financing at $18.87 a month for every $1,000 financed. 4.99% APR for 84 months financing at $14.13 a month for every $1,000 financed. Offer good on any new and unregistered Honda outboard engine, with a minimum amount financed of $1,000 and a minimum monthly payment of $100. Check with participating dealers for complete details. Dealers set actual sales prices. For well-qualified buyers, not all buyers may qualify. Higher rates apply for different terms and/ or buyers with lower credit rating. Lower rates may also be available. Offer valid through 07/06/17, on new and unregistered Honda outboard engines (2hp – 250hp) and only on approved credit by Honda Financial Services through participating dealers. Honda Financial Services’ standard credit criteria apply. © 2017 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM I JUNE 2017 I NATIONAL 7 Always wear a personal flotation device while boating and read your owner’s manual. All Honda outboards meet EPA and CARB emission levels.
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MOTOR REVIEW Honda Marine Debuts New
BF4, BF5 and BF6 4-stroke Engines
Portability, performance and reliability are the hallmarks of Honda Marine’s new and redesigned portable engine models, the BF4, BF5 and BF6 4-stroke outboards. Honda Marine debuts new engines with the BF4 and BF6 models, and redesigns the legendary BF5 models. Packed with the latest technology from Honda, the 127cc 4-stroke, single cylinder engines offer boaters the choice of four horsepower (BF4), five horsepower (BF5) or six horsepower (BF6). All three new engines are available with either a short (15 inch/38 cm) or long (20 inch/51 cm) shaft. “The new Honda BF4, BF5 and BF6 engines are easy to start, easy to stop and easy to carry. The new four-stroke Honda Marine engines are best-in-class performers. They are the right size for the right purpose,” said Mark DiPietro, senior manager, Honda Marine. “The new Honda BF4, BF5 and BF6 marine engines feature a new internal fuel tank and new motor mounts to run quietly and smoothly, while delivering the longest continuous running time.”
The new Honda Marine BF4, BF5 and BF6 engines provide consumers four main features—portability, performance, reliability and comfort. Portability A combination of light weight (roughly 60 pounds) and new carrying handle design make the Honda BF4, BF5 and BF6 marine engines easy to transport and store. The tiller handle fully folds out of the way, making storage options even more convenient. Performance The engines integrate a 1.5-liter, large capacity internal fuel tank, which delivers the longest continuous running time in their class—more than 40 minutes at wide-open throttle. In addition, the Honda BF5 and BF6 4-stroke engines can be connected to an external fuel tank for longer journeys. Consumers have the choice of an additional three different propeller options for the style that best fits their boating. Reliability Honda Marine’s new BF4, BF5 and BF6 models share the same, proven onecylinder, 127 cubic centimeter engine block and benefit from Honda’s 4-stroke engine technology. In case of an oil pressure drop, a new, low-oil alert system will automatically limit the engine speed to 2,300 rpm to protect the engine. Comfort The new Honda BF4, BF5 and BF6 portable engines feature a host of new technologies and features that consumers will appreciate. • A new decompression mechanism helps make all three new Honda Marine engines easy to pull start, regardless of the engine temperature. • One-push stop switch serves to shut down the engine with no chance of the engine re-starting. • The Honda Marine BF4, BF5 and BF6 portable engines feature redesigned rubber motor mounts that reduce vibration in all rpm ranges and reduce engine noise. • The BF4, BF5 and BF6 are available with an optional charging system with a capacity of 6 Amps at 12 Volts to power consumer demands for electronic devices. With a starting U.S. manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $1,875, the BF4 is a compact, lightweight engine with excellent low- to mid-range power. The new Honda BF5 delivers new features and technology at a starting price of $2,025. The starting U.S. MSRP of the new Honda Marine BF6 is $2,150. For more information, see marine.honda.com.
Promotion Ends 6/30/2017
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Using a Smartphone Isn’t Always Smart On The Water Submitted by Sea Tow
P
eople rarely go anywhere on land without their smartphones anymore, and it has become increasingly common to see boaters using cell phones when they’re out on coastal and inland waters as well. That’s fine—as long as your boat is also equipped with a VHF radio, one of the most important pieces of safety equipment you can have on board. “Your cell phone could die or you could drop it overboard. We recommend people take a 5-watt handheld VHF along on their boat, at a minimum, to use as their primary form of communication on the water,” said Capt. Ed Schrader, owner of Sea Tow Hampton Roads, Va., which serves the busy waters of Hampton Roads, Virginia Beach and Chesapeake Bay. “It’s better to have a 25-watt VHF mounted at the helm, however.”
N AU T I C A L T E R M
Capt. Sammy Royal, owner of Sea Tow Horseshoe Beach, Fla., which covers a rural stretch of the Gulf Coast on Florida’s Panhandle from Waccasassa to Keaton Beach, said boaters can’t rely on their smartphones always “having bars” in his area. “Cell phone service is very limited here. There are small fishing villages along the coast that are nine or 10 miles apart with nothing in between,” he said − making it essential to have a VHF on board. Another important benefit to using a VHF radio rather than a cell phone is that if you ever find yourself needing assistance, more than one listener can hear and respond to your call for help. “With a VHF, you are able to communicate with more people quickly on the water. Whether it’s Sea Tow, the Coast Guard, or a nearby boater, everybody’s going to hear what you’ve got to say,” said Capt. Schrader, adding, “The USCG’s Rescue 21 System also has VHF direction-finding capabilities and can obtain a relatively good location as soon as you click your mic and place that distress call. This helps greatly if you do not know your location or don’t have time to provide it.” Of course, a VHF radio can’t help you in an emergency situation if it’s not working properly. Both Captains advise using Sea Tow’s free Automated Radio Check service to quickly and easily check that your boat’s VHF is in operational prior to setting out on the water. To use the service, simply tune the VHF to the local Automated Radio Check channel, key the mic, and request a radio check. You will hear an automated response and then the call will be played back to you, confirming that your VHF radio is working and allowing you to assess transmission strength, a crucial safety check. Sea Tow Horseshoe Beach offers the Automated Radio Check service on VHF channels 26 and 27. Sea Tow Hampton Roads provides the service on channel 28. To find the Sea Tow Automated Radio Check channel in your boating area, visit https://www.seatow. com/tools-and-education/automated-radio-check. For more on Sea Tow, an international marine assistance provider, go to www.seatow.com.
# 1 7 8
full ahead: How Sea Tow Captains operate 24/7.
Running out of fuel or a conked out engine can happen to anyone. That’s why you bought ® a Sea Tow membership. They’ve got the equipment, experience and know-how to get you home quickly & safely. $10 off a Sea Tow Membership. Discount Code: CNG 800-4-SEATOW \ seatow.com
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Adjustable cap with brim UV-blocking polarized sunglasses SPF 30 bug-repellent sunscreen
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CoverAlls gives your boat the same level of protection from the heat and elements you'd give yourself. CoverAlls covers prevent expensive weather damage to your boat. They're made from tough custom material that's saltwater-proof, UV proof, and reflects 90% of radiant heat.
100% American marinegrade components like stainless grommets, braided poly draw cords, and non-metallic cam locks keep CoverAlls covers in place in all kinds of coastal weather. Give your boat CoverAlls protection.
Save 10% with coupon code "angler" at checkout!
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www.coveralls.biz COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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Boat Accessories Product Reviews AWLGRIP AWLCRAFT SE TOPCOAT With consistent technical innovation and stringent quality controls, Awlgrip’s line of topside finishing systems are the products all others are measured against. Those who take pride in the look of their vessels, whether they are dinghies or megayachts, trust in the superlative finishes provided by Awlgrip. Awlcraft SE is a revolutionary topcoat encompassing metallics, pearls and effect pigments and is fast drying with excellent opacity. It is designed to work as one layer of a multi-part system. The Awlcraft SE imparts the color and effect and is then top coated with a clear high-gloss finish topcoat to give gloss and protection. This combination forms a high-performance, high-gloss, durable topcoat system. Available for new custom or production builds, or refits, the Awlcraft SE range offers owners a great choice from more than 10,000 standard colors, as well as custom colors to match any color imaginable.
MILLENNIUM D-100 DECK CHAIR Millennium Marine has introduced the most weather resistant and durable deck chair on the market. The Millennium D-100 Deck Chair exemplifies the comfort, portability and durability Millennium has become known for. The D-100 is designed for portability and easy storage, and it is built with high strength, anodized aluminum. The anodized aluminum prevents corrosion, whether the D-100 is asked to perform under the rigorous conditions of saltwater or freshwater fishing. D-100 Deck Chairs are equipped with Millennium’s patented ComfortMax seat, which makes wet bottoms a thing of the past. They are made from a breathable fabric that won’t collect water. They are mold and mildew resistant, quick drying, and they will outlast any marine seat on the market. With 4 inches of height adjustment, and the capability to swivel 360 degrees, the D-100 Deck Chair is equipped with selfleveling feet for stability. It weighs just 12 pounds and folds up for easy transport in a nylon carrying bag.
ERGONOMICALLY ELEGANT DOCK SURFACES
WWW.AWLGRIP.COM PARKIT360 FORCE ELECTRIC TRAILER DOLLY
WWW.MILLENNIUMMARINE.COM
If you own a boat, you know the stress of backing your trailered pride and joy into a tight space. With this in mind, we took it upon ourselves to take Parkit360’s Force 10K electric trailer dolly for a test spin. Right off the bat, we were impressed. Assembly was easy, and by connecting the trailer’s power harness to the Force, we were able to control the trailer’s brakes with the Smart Brake Control System, which provides control and safety on a steep grade. Also the Bosch-designed electric motor supplied more than enough power to maneuver with little to no effort on the part of the user. The heavy-duty 4’-wide tires maintained traction on concrete as well as gravel and even in wet grass when loaded. The Force dolly proved its functionality regardless of terrain, and that could come in super handy for those parking boats, campers or anything else with a trailer ball where the concrete ends. But the most striking feature of the Force electric trailer dolly was how easy it made maneuvering the boat. With precise and easy-to-use controls, all the stress was taken out of navigating tight corners and turns in forward and reverse. We put the boat into spots we wouldn’t even attempt using a truck. Built of quality materials, powder-coated and compact enough to fit in the trunk of an SUV, Parkit360’s electric trailer dollies are a great tool for anyone who pulls a trailer.
Spider King rod holders make your fishing more productive. A modular Spider King rod holder system lets a fisherman “rig, cast and relax” with as many as eight lines in the water. And the same system can also keep a drink and tackle on hand. The plates attach to the bottom of the boat seat using existing factory holes, therefore there is no need to drill. Accessories include rod holders, drink holder, tackle holder and tackle/drink holder. We also offer outriggers by the pair in single, double and a four-rod holder gunnel-mount spider rig. Spider King products are made in the USA of 100 percent marine grade aluminum and they are powder coated so there is no maintenance or cleaning. Most items are available in black, white and argent silver. Visit the Spider King website to view all of their fine products.
WWW.PARKIT360.CA
WWW.SPIDERKINGRODHOLDERS.COM
SPIDER KING ROD HOLDERS
MARINETECH TROLLMASTER PRO 3+ Trolling is not as fun or effective for the guy tied to the motor. The world’s leading remote throttle control for gas-powered auxillary outboards is now available with wireless remote control. TROLLMaster Pro 3+ is an angler’s dream, allowing the angler to maintain optimum trolling speeds to within 1/10 mph. Slow trolling anglers understand that boat speed can make or break the day’s catch. TROLLMaster maximizes the time spent in the ‘sweet spot.’ Catch more fish with the freedom of movement that wireless control offers. Additional features include momentary ‘max throttle’ burst function for quick response or for ‘fluttering’ baits; idle/resume speed, left and right turn push button control. The hand-held remote is ergonomically designed for hours
of comfort. The remote is water resistant and comes with detachable lanyard and backlit LCD display for positive visibility in dark conditions. Engine specific throttle/hardware kits fit neatly under the cowling and are available to fit most brands of kicker motors. TROLLMaster also allows the angler to control the auxiliary 4 stroke’s steering with the addition of Panther’s Electro Steer drive units. The Panther T-4 and T-5 Electro Steer units are designed to remotely steer ‘kicker’ motors from anywhere on the boat. They mount on the tilt-tube and can be installed in minutes. Electro Steer units are available in fresh and saltwater models.
WWW.TROLLMASTERS.COM PARTNERS AND INVESTORS:
Please contact John 12 NATIONAL I JUNE 2017 CANGL_NAT3-NAT34.indd 12
Munn info@ergodockusa.com for information on how you can get engaged! I COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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N S E
NOT ALL FISH STORIES ARE EXAGGERATED.
M
We’ve all heard one. But the fact is, once in a while, life hands you a set of circumstances so astoundingly awesome, it’s hard to believe. And with the power and reliability of the Mercury 60 HP FourStroke behind you, this might happen more often than you think.
:M
Learn more at mercurymarine.com
!
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The all-electric Power-Pole Micro anchor is compact, virtually silent and drives the 3/4” Micro Spike at the push of a button. Add the rechargable Micro Battery Pak and you’re ready to go wherever adventure takes you. Get all the details and find a dealer near you at power-pole.com.
Mercury Unrolls Advanced New Features For Joystick Piloting
F
or almost 80 years, Mercury Marine has been the world’s leading manufacturer of recreational marine engines. The broad range of marine propulsion spans from 2.5hp to 1,700hp in Mercury’s new racing sterndrive engine. Over the past decade, Mercury has invested more than $800 million in research and development and expansion into its global headquarters in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. That investment has allowed the company to grow its employee base from 1,400 in 2009 to more than 3,200 in 2017—which includes more than 700 engineers. The investment has also allowed Mercury to continue its cadence of averaging one new product launch every six weeks. Today, Mercury is more than an engine company. It’s a marine propulsion solution company that not only has a portfolio of engines for any boater, but also the technology to enhance the boating experience. Mercury’s ecosystem of technology is unmatched in the marine industry and features Joystick Piloting for outboards or inboards, SkyHook virtual anchoring, Vessel View mobile and Active Trim. All four products work together with the engine to create the perfect experience on the water and allow boaters to Go Boldly. The latest innovation from Mercury is an enhancement for Mercury
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Joystick-equipped vessels. Designed for convenient purchase as downloadable content (DLC) from Mercury’s GoFree store, Skyhook Advanced Features provides Joystick vessels with even better positioning control in specific situations. Boaters and anglers who love the way Mercury’s GPS-enabled Skyhook lets their vessel maintain a steady position while waiting for a bridge opening or hold over a reef, will be sure to appreciate Skyhook Advanced Features. New Skyhook Advanced Features include: • Heading Adjust provides Joystick operators with the ability to adjust the heading lock in 1- and 10-degree increments while SkyHook is active, making vessel control even more precise. • BowHook can be used to unlock heading and just maintain position, allowing the boat to point in whatever direction the winds and currents dictate. This feature is useful when a locked-in heading is not necessary. • DriftHook lets the operator maintain heading and unlock the position of the vessel allowing winds and currents to move the vessel along. Adjustments of 1- and 10-degree increments can be made while drifting when bundled with Heading Adjust. In addition, Mercury continues to advance its Vessel View mobile technology and roll it out around the world. The VesselView Mobile app instantly provides users access to their boat’s SmartCraft digital data in the palm of their hand. SmartCraft® is a fully integrated suite of digital technologies, including marine gauges, sensors, vessel systems and computercontrolled features, that gives users a higher level of control over their boat’s propulsion and electrical systems. Now, with Mercury Marine’s VesselView Mobile, users can see SmartCraft engine data right on the screen of their mobile device. The app also includes useful new features such as Maintenance Reminders, Mapping, Performance Summary, and Fault Code Diagnostics. VesselView Mobile makes preparing for and spending a day on the water easier, safer and more enjoyable by letting users perform functions from their mobile device. For more information, visit www.mercurymarine.com.
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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INSPIRED BY STRENGTH HELL-FOR-STOUT CONSTRUCTION INCLUDES STAINLESS STEEL GEARS AND UP TO 30-POUNDS OF AVAILABLE DRAG.
NEW KOMODO SS REELS & SHADOW STALKER GULF COAST RODS Powered by aluminum framing, stainless steel drive and high-output Carbonite drag, Komodo SS reels in 350 and 450 sizes are instant favorites. Compact and comfortable with enough line capacity for incredible versatility inshore and offshore. • Shadow Stalker Gulf Coast 1-piece rod actions deliver superior sensitivity and back it with OC-9 carbon reinforcement for amazing strength when the fish of a lifetime strikes. okumafishingusa.com
OVER HALF A MILLION BOATERS CHOOSE US
Okuma KomodoSS-ShadowStalkerGC-Strength 7.625x5.0125.indd 2
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BOAT REVIEW Bayliner Element F21
in the forward section—which can also be converted to an optional livewell. The helm’s reversible seat has a cooler as its base, perfect for keeping beverages or snacks iced. The boat’s aft section features two jump seats flanking a recirculating livewell. Standard power is Mercury Marine’s 115 HP 4-Stroke outboard, with an optional 150 HP 4-Stroke also available. Anglers can also add a bow trolling motor, pedestal bow fishing seat, and an additional livewell forward of the helm console. “This boat is our largest center console model yet, and an affordable way to get out and enjoy family fishing, cruising or any number of dayboat activities,” said Bayliner’s President, Keith Yunger. “Its roominess and versatility are exceptional. When you factor in the price, it’s a value you’ll be hard pressed to beat anywhere.”
SPECIFICATIONS Continuing on the success of its innovative Element M-Hull design, Bayliner has created the Element F21, its latest and largest self-bailing center console design to-date with . The Element F21 is built for family fishing and other day-boat activities with the same clean, open layout the Element F-Series is becoming known for. It gives anglers remarkable stability provided by the M-Hull, and it has a slightly deeper entry V than its couterparts, a feature boaters interested in this size range will appreciate. The F21’s bow features an anchor locker, and two large bow storage lockers perfect for keeping a variety of gear secure. The helm has plenty of space for optional electronics and includes a storage compartment
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UNDER THE SEA 18
FREEDIVING – TRY IT!
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hile visiting a friend of mine about 15 years ago, I noticed a book on his coffee table. It was called “Bluewater Hunting and Freediving” by Terry Maas, and it had the photo of a diver holding a bluefin tuna on the front cover. I already enjoyed hunting on scuba for groupers and snappers in my backyard, but the thought of spearing a tuna intrigued me to no end… and the thought of freediving also caught my attention. I had a hard time finding like-minded friends to dive with at first, as freediving was not a mainstream activity in Florida at the time. After researching a bit, I found a freediving school called Performance Freediving International and signed up for a course. I also found a freedive spearfishing club, which consisted of about 10 guys and no women. To this day, I give the same advice to anyone who wants to learn: “Take a class from a freedive agency, and join a local club so you can make friends and perhaps find a mentor.” Before the class, I had never tried to hold my breath while holding still in a pool—called static apnea. I was predicting that I would be a one-minute diver, but after some instruction I held my breath for four minutes. Most importantly, I learned how to avoid a “blackout” and how to rescue a blacked-out diver. We were taught the importance of the buddy system and one-up/one-down diving. While these classes will at least double your breath-hold time, learning the safety aspects is even more important. Fifteen years later, I can look back and say that learning to freedive opened a whole new underwater world for me. Now that I’m an oldster in the sport, I marvel at the growth rate, the number of agencies offering classes, the number of clubs in the area, and the large number of people that are in those clubs. It’s wonderful to see so many young people enjoying the sport. Lest I give the impression that freediving is a young people’s activity or something that super-athletes do, let me debunk that myth. I have met overweight smokers that were very good at it, and I’ve been diving with 80 year olds who were still enjoying it. Freediving is for anyone
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who is willing to give Photo by Joe Marino it a try. Whether it’s to spearfish, experience the ocean in a different way, or simply find your inner-self at the bottom of the ocean, it’s an activity that anyone can enjoy. It’s a natural, satisfying and spiritual experience to hold one’s breath and become one with the ocean. If you have the slightest interest, do not be intimidated; it’s actually very easy. Just give it a try… you might like it! P.S. Terry Maas just came out with an updated digital version of the book, and I am honored that he featured my worldrecord yellowfin tuna. You never know what will happen when you try new things! Sheri Daye is a world-record holder, host of Speargun Hunter, and producer of “The Blue Wild Ocean Adventure Expo” in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Follow “Sheri Daye” and “The Blue Wild” on Facebook and Instagram.
For more Sheri Daye, go to
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FLORIDA
Permit and Grouper Make June Magnificent in Martin Co.
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t’s funny to think a tiny crab no bigger than a silver dollar is a viable live bait option in the vastly huge Atlantic Ocean. But when fishing around Martin County during the month of June, it pays to stop by a local tackle shop on the way to a boat ramp and pick up a peck of live crabs. That’s what Off the Chain sportfishing’s Capt. Scott Fawcett does. As he prepares to meet clients at his boat at Sailfish Marina on the Manatee Pocket, he’ll pick up a dozen or more crabs to toss in his live bait well. Recently, while fishing with angler Ryan Dayton of West Palm Beach, those crabs were hooked onto a lead-head jig and dropped to the top of a shallow reef just outside St. Lucie Inlet. Fawcett hoped Dayton would hook a cobia, or even a wayward tarpon (crabs work great for them, too), but most of all, a trophy permit. Permit are one of those big-three targeted catches for the advanced angler. Along with tarpon and bonefish, permit rate as a fantastic fighter on light tackle. They are capable of thrilling speeds, incredible endurance and tackle-testing strength. The one difference is that in Martin County waters there isn’t the classic Biscayne Bay or Islamorada experience of sight casting a fly to a fish feeding in 18
By Ed Killer
inches of gin clear water. Here, plenty of permit are caught, but with jigs and live crabs on artificial reefs and wrecks, natural reefs, or even along the beaches by anglers casting for much smaller permit cousins, pompano. Oh, and by the way, anglers here can catch giant tarpon and speedy bonefish, too, if that is your goal. Dayton did hook that permit, and another, too. They went about 30 pounds apiece. And surf anglers fishing from Hutchinson Island beaches earlier this year caught permit within casting range of the high-tide mark using artificial lures like Fish Bites or just a tiny clam strip. If there is something a permit likes as much as a live crab, it’s a clam strip. When the permit start to show up in the fishing reports locally, it means grouper season has opened. May 1 through Dec. 31, anglers fishing out of Martin County marinas will catch gag grouper and black grouper to 40 pounds, red grouper to 15 pounds and scamp grouper to 12 pounds in 60 to 180 feet of water. Again, the county’s extensive investment in its artificial reef construction program has led to the benefits of great fishing for game fish and sport fish which orient to structure. Like permit and grouper.
Photo by Capt. Scott Fawcett, Off The Chain Charters • Photo caption: Ryan Dayton, of West Palm Beach, made a trip to Martin County to fish for permit with Capt. Scott Fawcett of Off the Chain Fishing Charters out of Sailfish Marina in Stuart. He used a live crab on a jighead to catch it offshore.
Make reel memories. Stuart, located in Martin County, is known as the Sailfish Capital of the World. Sitting on the most biodiverse estuary in the Northern Hemisphere, and the northernmost point of the South Florida Reef, Martin County is home to 100 artificial reef systems and over 800 species of fish. Its climate, waterways and natural environment make it a mecca for fishermen and nautical explorers year-round. An array of unique shops, fine restaurants, great golf courses and quiet beaches make a day ashore fun, too. Inshore, offshore, salt water or fresh, head out for an adventure and reel in the memories.
Plan your trip at discovermartin.com
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Cox Earns Bassmaster Classic Berth
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fter more than a decade of fishing Bassmaster Southern Open events, local Florida angler John Cox finally won his first one. The event, held on the famed Tennessee River impoundment Lake Chickamauga, was a three-day tournament that was very tough on most of the anglers including Cox. The 31-year-old angler is the reigning FLW Tour Champion and he is on a hot streak. After learning the 2018 Bassmaster Classic would be hosted at South Carolina’s Lake Hartwell, he set his sights on winning an Open event to punch his ticket for a Bassmaster Classic berth. Cox is known on the bass circuit as one of the best sight-fishing anglers. He used his keen eyesight and knowledge of spawning bass to win on Chickamauga. Cox was one of the few anglers who exclusively sight fished throughout the second Southern Open of the season. It was an effective technique for several of the tournament’s top finishers. He put himself in contention for the win with a 22-6 limit on Thursday, followed by a 25-7 bag on Friday. His two-day total of 47-13 gave him more than a 3-pound lead heading into Saturday’s action, and his 20-6 limit on Saturday was heavy enough to secure the win. The Mud Hole Custom Tackle pro, who hails from Debary, Fla., picked up a contingency berth in the 2018 GEICO Bassmaster Clas-
sic presented by DICK’s Sporting Goods with the victory. Fishing all three Southern Opens this season will solidify that berth. He also won more than $8,000 in cash, as well as a Triton 19 TrX and Mercury 200 Pro XS boat/motor package worth $40,000. “I’ve tried so long to win one of these Opens, it seems like forever,” Cox said. “I started fishing the Opens when I was 19. It’s where I started, really, so this definitely is a special thing for me. Building my own custom MHX rods is key for my success, because I can build technique-special rods and actions for different conditions.” Cox won the Lake Hartwell FLW Tour event last season and is excited about his chances in the Bassmaster Classic there. He won the Hartwell event last summer fishing the back of creeks getting his aluminum bass boat in places where most anglers could not go. Although the Classic will be held on Hartwell in the early spring, Cox is pleased to be fishing his first Classic event. Cox is having a decent start to the FLW Tour season, as well. Fishing in his own backyard on the third event at the Harris Chain of Lakes in Leesburg, Fla., Cox was super excited to fish his home waters. He led the event for the first three days to finish in third place and enjoy a nice payday. Cox finished in eighth in the recent FLW Event on Arkansas’ Beaver Lake after going out in fourth place on the final day. It was his second top-10 finish on the tour with just two events left this season.
For more on the 2017 Bassmaster Classic, go to
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Don Combs The Angler By Terry Lacoss
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“T
he sun was just about to set when I noticed a large school of bait that was being pushed up to the surface by game fish deep below,” said legendary Florida blue water angler Don Combs. “The nervous school of baitfish showered the surface of the calm ocean.” Combs and his fishing party, aboard the St. Augustine-based sportfishing boat Shark Bait, were fishing for sailfish in 300 feet of water. The sailfish bite had been excellent off of Flagler Beach, Fla., which led them to believe sails were likely working that pod of baitfish. “We trolled right through that nervous school of bait, resulting in a big fish striking a black and blue Flame lure,” remembered Combs. “We fought that big wahoo for almost a half hour before we were able to bring the hooked fish up close to the transom of my sportfishing boat… I know that wahoo had to have weighed well over 150 pounds!” Combs knows what a big wahoo looks like. He holds the Northeast Florida Marlin Association’s record for a wahoo that weighed 125 pounds. He and his team had just set out a spread of high-speed lures when that big ’hoo struck. “Typically the really big wahoo will take a large bait or lure,” Combs said. “In this case we had just begun to troll with a spread of large C&H lures. Minutes later that monster ’hoo struck, and we had it in the boat in less than 15 minutes. I immediately announced on the VHF marine radio that the tournament was over and we had just landed the winning wahoo!” The Shark Bait team won the Northeast Florida Marlin Association’s annual wahoo tournament, and they also set a club record that stands to this day. Wahoo fishing is so good off northeast Florida that boats often hook up with 10 or more per trip to the ledge, where depths drop sharply from 180 to 1,000 feet of water. Combs and fishing party once hooked 21 wahoo in a single day fishing off St. Augustine. “One thing that I have learned, though, is that wahoo prefer to strike a lure that is trolled under the surface and is also trolled in a dead-straight line. Some of my favorite lure combination colors for wahoo include blue-white and red-black. Ironically, one of the very first lures I designed is still one of my favorite blue water lures today, the American Express. We have caught some really large wahoo with this popular lure, and during one blue water fishing trip to the Big Ledge, we boated a 67-, 57- and 45-pound bull dolphin with the bluewhite American Express.” Combs helped pioneer speed trolling for wahoo. He produced some of the world’s best blue water lures while heading up C&H lures, and his high-speed lures include C & H Mr. Big, Wahoo Whacker XL and the American Express. But Comb’s real windfall was putting together Salt Life outdoor apparel. He and his wife Cynthia captured the first “Super Slam” ever recorded in northeast Florida and in one year caught and released 52 billfish off north Florida.
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Photo by Lori Griffith
Paddleboarders to Cross 50 Miles from Bimini to South Florida for Cystic Fibrosis
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ore than 30 paddleboarders will cross international waters over Father’s Day weekend to raise funds and awareness for south Florida-based cystic fibrosis (‘CF’) organization, Piper’s Angels. On June 17, the philanthropic fleet will leave Bimini in the Bahamas and travel more than 50 miles non-stop to South Florida. The team, which will be led by Travis Suit, includes Palm Beach restaurateur, Nick Coniglio, and Director of the West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority, Raphael Clemente. Travis will be lead a team of paddleboarders in the name of his daughter, Piper, who was diagnosed at the age of 4 with an aggressive form of CF. Crossing For A Cure is the flagship event for Piper’s Angels, whose mission is to raise funds for cystic fibrosis research, provide support for families living with disease, and to share what they have experienced about the scientifically proven link between CF and the healing powers of the ocean. “We were devastated when Piper was diagnosed with CF. As a dad, to hear that your child is suffering from a disease with an average life expectancy of about 37-years-old, you really feel the weight of the world,” said Suit. “When we heard about the effects that salt water has on the lungs, we knew we had to get her in the ocean immediately. It doesn’t cure the disease, but she doesn’t suffer nearly as much, and we’re hoping that instilling a lifelong love for the ocean will keep her alive as long as possible. That’s why we started Crossing For A Cure. We want to make sure that everyone who suffers from CF knows that salt water can help, and provide them access to enjoy it.” According to researchers, the inhaled mist of salt water has a therapeutic effect on the lung problems associated with the disease. Scientists are optimistic that the therapy will reduce how often patients are ill and will slow the decline of lung function over time, thus extending their lifespan. Crossing For A Cure participants will check in on Thursday, June 15 before a day of mandatory safety meetings. The team of paddleboarders will be accompanied by support vessels and staff to guide them across the Gulf Stream. The long-distance endurance paddle challenge is estimated to take about 15 hours to complete. Each participant raised a minimum of $1,000. The event is expected to raise over $50,000 for the disease. All proceeds will go to CF research and local families in the CF community. The team’s target destination is the Dania Beach Pier, 300 N Beach Rd, Dania Beach, Fla. However, due to the weather events that may change the course and final destination of landfall, supporters are encouraged to monitor the Crossing For A Cure Facebook page, which will have real time updates. For more information about Crossing For A Cure, or to make a donation, visit www.crossingforacure.com, or contact Travis Suit at travis@pipersangels.org or by phone at 561-246-0205. For more on this event and the people behind it, go to
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Lorem ipsum By Nick Carter
Flies matched to the bottom color, with lots of movement, are great for bonefish. Drew Chicone’s Coyote Ugly Spawning Shrimp is an excellent fly. Look for Drew’s patterns and flies from other tiers in Ghost Stories, an upcoming volume documenting the history of the Bahamas bonefishing industry.
By Tom Karrow • Photos by Dan Decibel
F
ly anglers are as attracted to their flies as fish are, and in some cases, more attracted than the fish. I have seen many fly boxes packed full of a wide variety of flies, and I too am guilty of trying new patterns when all too often the old standby is the best choice. I have seen many flies that look very good but don’t catch many fish. I have seen the worst looking flies produce the most fish. In fact, I often find flies that have been used, abused and reduced to all but garbage frequently work the best. It may be they are permeated with fish scents, or that I have confidence in them. Whatever the case is, they work well. There are a wide variety of flies available for anglers, and selecting from the array can be complicated. There are different colors, sizes and materials. There are weighted flies and unweighted flies. So, what are the best flies? The simple answer is: it depends. I don’t feel a wide variety of different fly patterns is necessary. I do believe one should have different sizes, colors and weights of productive patterns. Whether it is a Crazy Charlie, a Gotcha, Clouser or Simram, an angler needs an assortment to choose from for at least one of these styles. I would rather have a fly box full of only one type of fly, as long as I have different sizes, colors and weights of that fly. Depending on the location, size, color and weight will vary. For much of the Bahamas, where the bonefish are large, larger flies in sizes 4, 2 or even larger, will suffice. You always want some weighted flies for deeper water or high tides. I tie a Gotcha with different sizes of lead eyes and different sizes of bead chain as well as plastic eyes to suit any condition I encounter. It is important to remember, when you don’t have a certain fly, you will surely need that fly… It’s kinda like Murphy’s Law. Over the course of my travels throughout the Bahamas and in the many interviews I have conducted of Bahamian professional
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bonefish guides, I have learned much about flies and fly selection. On one of my first trips to the Bahamas, I stayed at the North Riding Point Club on Grand Bahama, where I interviewed their head guide Stanley Glinton. Stanley is a great guy and has being a guide for more than 40 years. When I asked him about fly selection, he shared a little about how he selects a fly saying, “The food the fish feed on imitates the bottom. The crab in the grass, look more like greenish, with stripes.... the crab on the sand bar look more like beige. So when you go on the flats, you try to match what you think the feed is on that particular bottom... if it’s beige, or dark green.... you try to match the fly like that.” The old adage that a guide knows best is absolutely true. These are individuals who are on the water day in and day out. They are constantly testing flies, observing, investigating and putting their knowledge to work, and most importantly they know what has been working. When it comes to fly selection, I always ask the guide’s opinion. If a guide suggests a change, I change my fly without hesitation. People who listen to their guide usually catch more fish. A final consideration when selecting flies should be in the materials the fly is made from. Some materials have a tendency to move very well in the water, making them more attractive to fish. I prefer natural materials when I tie flies, and my favorite is rabbit hair. It is durable, comes in a wide variety of colors, is easy to use, and has great movement in the water. For more information about the interviewing and research that I have been working on throughout the Bahamas please visit http:// tomkarrow.wixsite.com/bahamas-guide-tek
For more Bonefishing, go to
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The Classic Surf Pompano Rig By Chris Beardsley
T
he flash of silver skimming just beneath the surface of the breaking waves gives away the pompano’s identity. Their long, parallel runs and heavier than expected pull makes catching these feisty little jacks all the more fun. Fishing from shore can be very rewarding, and when a school comes through the bite can be fast and furious but often ends as quickly as it starts. Florida pompano are widespread, inhabiting waters of the western Atlantic from Massachusetts to Brazil. These coastal crab crushers can be found running the beaches seasonally, and that season will be different depending on where an angler does his surfcasting. But no matter where or what time of year one intercepts a school of these tasty fish in the surf, the technique for catching them is pretty simple. The mole crab or sand flea is a common food source. Live sand fleas are a great bait, and catching them is a trick in itself. At low tide, they can be captured as the waves recede. They give themselves away with a small V shape in the sand. Use a sand flea rake or small bucket to dig for them quickly before the next wave rolls in.
Another favorite pomp treat is a small shrimp or parts of larger one. Whichever bait you choose, check it often as bait stealers are just waiting for an opportunity. I have also found that pink, shrimp-scented FishBites can be a game changer when the standbys are not producing; they are extremely durable and can be presented many different ways. Brightly colored pompano rigs—aka set rigs, bottom rigs or drop rigs—with two to three very sharp 1/0 or 2/0 circle hooks and green, yellow and orange floats are a great starting point. I prefer pompano rigs with two hooks and a 1- to 3-ounce pyramid sinker as the anchor. Pyramid sinkers dig deeper into the sand than bell or barrel types and should be just heavy enough to prevent your rig from walking back to shore. Keep a few different weights at your disposal and adjust accordingly. Try using different baits on each hook. I often switch between FishBites on one hook and a small piece of shrimp or whole sand flea on the other. When hooking a sand flea, push the hook through the underside of the crab then just barely penetrate the topside of the carapace with the point of the hook. This wedges the hook tightly and prevents cast offs. Fishing the trough between the furthest sand bar and shore is a prime area, and a light, sensitive 7-foot rod and a 3000 to 5000 series reel spooled with 10 to 15-pound test is just about perfect. Arguably lighter is better, but where there are small fish there are often big fish, and I like to be prepared. As the sun kicks up the heat index, I often switch to a 10-foot surf rod with the same pompano rig and target the far edge of the sand bar. This deeper water seems to produce more fish midday. Using this classic approach can mean the difference between soaking bait and actually catching fish. Chris is a freelance writer from Wisconsin with an obsession for all things saltwater. He does most of his fishing on Florida’s Forgotten Coast.
IMMERSE YOURSELF IN UNDERWATER ADVENTURES Catch the true spirit of the natural Florida Gulf Coast lifestyle in Crystal River. Whether you are looking for freshwater fishing, a calm day of inshore angling, or the thrill of the offshore—Citrus County has got what you need. Now’s the time to kick off those shoes, get your feet wet, and catch an adventure.
Download our FREE visitor’s guide at discovercrystalriverfl.com/visitors-guide, or call 800.587.6667 to learn more.
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2 NORTH FLORIDA
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How Alligators Catch Fish
H
aving lost some hooked fish at the deeper levels of the ocean or lake to a barracuda or similar poacher, I’ve wondered if a gator in a river or lake has ever stripped a line of a caught fish. It’s probably happened, but I’ve never seen it, although I have seen my share of gators watching me fish as they hovered in the Wakulla River while I fished away. And that got me thinking about how gators catch fish on their own—without resorting to stripping a line of a caught fish. I know that a hatchling can live off insects and small vertebrates, but a small gator depends on small mammals and small fish. Larger adults will eat turtles, birds, snakes and larger fish. I’ve watched enough documentaries and videos to know that gators are sly and patient, waiting until an unwary animal wanders by before making a very fast move to capture prey. When an unsuspecting animal like a deer or hog drops its guard for a minute to take a drink from a river or lake, the gator will submerge, swim close to the animal, and then lunge out with jaws extended to grab any part of the prey, then drag it back to deeper water to drown it. If a gator sees a fish of almost any size under water, it will chase the fish, seize it, kill it, and eat it right on the spot. The alligator
has been around for over thirty million years, in which time it has perfected its hunting skills. The living dinosaurs may be relatively slow on land, but they can reach 20 miles per hour in the water and can swim a long distance undetected in search of a beaver swimming across a river or a dog taking a drink at the edge of a lake. I live in a neighborhood in north Florida where I’ve actually seen a 6-foot-long gator walking along a paved street in search of something. My dogs thought the animal was just a log about 50 yards away, until the log got up and started meandering down the street to the woods. Young gator hatchlings are highly susceptible to being eaten by birds, otters or large gators. But once gators reach 4 feet or more in length, they only have to worry about larger gators and humans. Alligators have made a remarkable comeback from when they were listed as an
endangered species. Nowadays they are no longer endangered and can expect to live between 30 and 50 years. On a side note, I’ve spent most of my career teaching at the University of Florida, where the mascot is a gator and the football stadium has been nicknamed “The Swamp.” Bulldogs, razorbacks and Seminoles seldom get out of the swamp alive. Kevin McCarthy, the award-winning author of “South Florida Waterways” (2013 - available at amazon.com for $7), can be reached at ceyhankevin@gmail.com.
For more on Kevin McCarthy, go to
GOBOATBOUND.COM
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The Heavyweight Experience of Alaska Saltwater Fishing By Christopher Batin
I
t’s easy to understand why anglers delight in preparing for an Alaska fishing expedition. Some of the thrill is the anticipation, in getting gear and tackle ready, the big reels, 12-ounce and larger jigs, and huge circle hooks that have been honed to hypodermic-grade sharpness. It’s ensuring the cooler is properly marked with your name and address to transport the fillets you’ll be taking home, and most importantly, the arm curls and circuit training you’re doing. The workouts are necessary, and it’s easy to see why. Alaska saltwater fishing is not for the weak of arm or back. Halibut get big in Alaska, with fish reaching weights of 400 pounds, and lengths of 9 feet long. Even the 100-pounders you’re most likely to catch can slug it out through 300 feet of pump-and-lift jabs, and rocket back to the bottom to start all over again for round two. There’s no giving up, no taking a breather for more than a few seconds. Once you are engaged, you fight to your limit. Your arm will get numb at times, your hand pulses with fatigue, and your back quivers in spasmodic tension, but the smile frozen on your face says it all. This is saltwater fishing as good as it gets. While I enjoy slugging it out with halibut, I also enjoy a dukefest with Alaska’s other saltwater species. Lingcod get to 60-plus pounds, and usually attack the rockfish I’m reeling up. With their sharp rows of teeth and sinister look, these water wolves of the deep are among the tastiest fish to catch, as well as the forage they feed on; the 4- to 20-pound rockfish of various species, which are among the best-tasting fish in the north country. But many anglers will want to jig for the five species of Pacific salmon: kings to 70 pounds, coho salmon to 20, and 4- to 8-pound pink salmon. While they might be the smallest of the Pacific salmon, ocean-bright pinks can max out an 8-weight fly rod. Best of all, odd-numbered years see the return of millions of fish, when creeks and rivers burst at the seams with their numbers. In Valdez alone, as many as 11 million salmon have returned in past years. Anglers delight in catching them along the shoreline near the Solomon Gulch hatchery. There are many places to use as a base camp to start your excursion. At the end of the Richardson Highway, Tim Bouchard of Valdez Outfitters likes fishing for big halibut on the outer rim of Prince William Sound, where it meets the abysmal Gulf of Alaska and its continental shelf dropoff to 14,000 feet. Worry not, Bouchard fishes hotspots like Montague Island, where the big fish feed in the shallow 60- to 120-foot depths. He guided his client to catch the 2016 Valdez Halibut Derby winner last year with a 270-pound fish. For a taste of home-cooking mixed with a professional fishing lodge, Petersburg Sportfishing offers prime fishing on the Inside Passage in the seldom-fished waters near Petersburg. Anglers can opt for boat rentals for do-it-yourself fishing or guided saltwater fishing for salmon, halibut,
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rockfish and lingcod. This family-run business offers not only fishing, but a variety of adventures and tips on enjoying the many fishing and area glacier attractions, as well as prime bear viewing and some fabulous cutthroat and rainbow trout fishing. Of course, Kodiak Island offers superb deepsea fishing, bordering the Aleutian trench. Huge halibut migrate from waters bordering these dropoffs and into the shallower food-rich shorelines of Kodiak and Afognak islands. While most fish range from 30 to 100 pounds, fish to 300 pounds and heavier have been caught off Kodiak. Fish this size measure 8 feet in length. Kodiak anglers fish shallow water, from 60 to 180 feet. King salmon fishing is among the best in Alaska saltwater and runs best from April through early mid July. The best thing about fishing Kodiak is short travel time. The best hotspots are often accessed in less than an hour, which offers more time for fishing. Also, because of the remote location of the lodge, there is little if any sportfishing competition. In Prince William Sound, Alaska Wilderness Outfitters offers a floating cabin for do-it-yourselfers who know how to catch salmon, halibut, rockfish and lingcod in nearby waters. Each of the four, fully equipped wannigans includes a full kitchen, crab traps boats and motors and directions on where the fishing is best. They’ll transport you to the cabins from Cordova, to one of several bays protected from big-water weather. They also offered guided options in some of the most salmon-rich waters of south-central Alaska. Co-owner Katie Prijatel said guests clean and pack their catch in coolers. Alaska Wilderness Outfitters flies in daily to pick up the fish and drop off more ice. Then the fish is vacuum packed, boxed and frozen for the trip home. Chris Batin is editor of The Alaska Angler, and producer of the instructional DVD, “Underwater Secrets of Halibut, Rockfish and Lingcod.” For more than 40 years, he has run The Alaska Angler Information Service, which is a one-on-one consultation that helps anglers plan their Alaska fishing adventures. Discover more at www.AlaskaAngler.com.
To learn more from Christ Batin, go to
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Introducing the 2017
Caribbean Triple Crown Poker Run
P
rep your engines for the biggest nautical event in the Caribbean. The three-run circuit will take place in the most beautiful destinations in the region: the British Virgin Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and St. Maarten. The first run of the series was held May 28 at the Leverick Bay Marina and Resort on the island of Virgin Gorda in the BVI. The next run will be the Stars and Stripes Poker Run on July 2 at Yacht Haven Grande on St. Thomas, USVI. The final run of the series takes place at The Yacht Club at Isle de Sol in St. Maarten on July 29. The winner of The Caribbean Triple Crown Poker Run series will collect $20,000 in cash and prizes and the prestigious IGY Cup. “This will be an unparalleled event that will take place in the crystal blue waters of the Caribbean,” said Nick Willis, founder of the Leverick Bay Poker Run. “We’re excited and so grateful for the support of the boating enthusiasts that participate.” The Leverick Bay Poker Run started 16 years ago when Willis put together an event with the purpose of attracting tourists to
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Virgin Gorda. He never imagined the event would grow into what it has today—a national holiday with over 300 participating boats. The Leverick Bay Poker run was the catalyst for the development of other poker runs. The Caribbean Triple Crown Poker Run unifies the three major poker runs. “It’s a privilege to be a part of the Caribbean Triple Crown Poker Run,” said Brian Deher, general manager of IGY Marinas’ Yacht Club at Isle de Sol. “With outstanding marinas in two of the three destinations, IGY Marinas is a natural partner for the series.” Phil Blake, general manager of IGY Marinas’ Yacht Haven Grande in St. Thomas, shared his enthusiasm saying, “We are very excited to be hosting the fourth annual Stars and Stripes Poker Run and to be part of the Caribbean Triple Crown Poker Run series. The Yacht Haven Grande team is looking very forward to being on hand in St. Maarten when the IGY Cup is presented.” The Caribbean Triple Crown Poker Run organization is an official member of the Florida Power Boating Club & Poker Runs of America. Several member boats will be coming down from Florida to participate. “It has been an honor working with Nick Willis on developing the BVI Poker Run,” said Javier Lopez Matos, executive director of the Caribbean Triple Crown Poker Run. Launching the Caribbean Triple Crown Poker Run is one of the most exhilarating events in my life. Having the support of people like Stu Jones of the Florida Power Boating Club, IGY Marinas and so many others is beyond gratifying, it is an honor.” Caribbean Triple Crown Poker Run: • May 28-Leverick Bay Marina and Resort Virgin Gorda, BVI • July 2-Yacht Haven Grande Marina, St. Thomas, USVI • July 29-The Yacht Club at Isle de Sol, St. Maarten The winner of all three events will be presented with the IGY Cup, plus $20,000 in cash and prizes. For more on the event and to register, go to http://caribbeanpokerrun.com.
5/16/17 12:15 PM
COASTAL ANGLER North Central Florida/Nature Coast
JUNE 2017 EDITION
Find Your Outdoors Here!
Cary & Lynn Crutchfield
North Central FL/Nature Coast Staff
ALACHUA, MARION, COLUMBIA, GILCHRIST, BRADFORD, DIXIE, LEVY AND CITRUS COUNTIES
Cary Crutchfield
SALES
EDITING & PRODUCTION Lynn Crutchfield
C
JUNE
an it be June already; 2017 is half over? I know that you have really enjoyed our gorgeous late spring weather. I am loving it! Even though the temps are rising, we almost always have a breeze here on my river. However, we desperately need rain. I hate having to run my sprinkler but I hate dead grass even more! New advertising partner this month, Three Rivers Marine in Crystal River. See them on page 19, along with a product review of the Twin Vee 310 SE. You will enjoy working with their friendly, knowledgeable sales staff. They are located on US 19/98, across from the Chamber of Commerce. This month’s recipe, Flounder with Shrimp and Clam Chowder (??) Yes, clam chowder makes a delicious sauce and this recipe is just about the easiest, fancy, seafood dish I have ever made. Find the recipe on page 2. It definitely goes into the rotation. I try to cook seafood about once a week. Father’s Day is June 18th this year. Does Dad like to fish? Would he love a guided/ charter fishing trip? (Or maybe you are the Dad?) You can find contact info for guides from Keaton Beach to Homosassa. Give them a call. As always, always, always, please thank the folks where you picked up this wonderful (world famous?) FREE magazine and don’t forget our advertisers. They make it possible for us to pay our print bill for this FREE magazine you are holding. Until next month, get out and enjoy North Central Florida and the Nature Coast. Lynn Crutchfield Co-Publisher Coastal Angler Magazine of North Central Florida /Nature Coast
DISTRIBUTION Rosa Crisman
GRAPHIC ARTS & DESIGN Kathleen Stemley
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Dr. Kevin McCarthy Bruce Butler John Freeze Gary Simpson Capt. Dan Clymer Capt. Tom Cushman Capt. Jimbo Keith Capt. Pat McGriff Capt. Clay Shidler Capt. Brian Smith Capt. Dan Smith Capt. Craig Spitznogle
CONTACT INFORMATION
crutch@coastalanglermagazine.com 352-372-4237
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Tide Charts Local Fishing Forecasts Monthly Recipe
Photo by: Suwannee River Water Management District Photo by: Suwannee River Water Management District
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FLOUNDER WITH SHRIMP AND CLAM CHOWDER
FLORIDA SUWANNEE RIVER WATERFRONT
FOR SALE 43 acres (+or-) 1100 feet (+or-) on Suwannee River in Lafayette County at US 27, across river from Branford. Heavily wooded, perfect for residence, camp ground or hunting lodge. Elec. and well.
Thank you to The Crab Plant for the beautiful shrimp and flounder. Visit their Fresh Seafood Market or enjoy Cooked Seafood to go. You are welcome to sit at their table and view beautiful Kings Bay while you enjoy your delicious, freshly prepared meal, watching manatees, dolphins, pelicans and boats. Or, you can carry it home; your choice. Open Tues-Thurs 10:00-5:30, Fri-Sat 10:00-8:00. 201 NW 5th St. Crystal River 352-795-4700.
Cary A. Crutchfield Registered Real Estate Broker GRI and CRS Designations
COOKING DIRECTIONS
352.372.4237
TIDES • North Central Florida Time Height
1Th
2F
3Sa
4Su 5M
6Tu
7W
8Th
1:57 AM 8:38 AM 2:21 PM 8:08 PM 2:58 AM 9:33 AM 3:44 PM 9:37 PM 4:00 AM 10:24 AM 5:00 PM 10:59 PM 4:58 AM 11:09 AM 6:00 PM 12:06 AM 5:48 AM 11:48 AM 6:47 PM 12:59 AM 6:31 AM 12:24 PM 7:28 PM 1:44 AM 7:11 AM 12:58 PM 8:05 PM 2:25 AM 7:47 AM 1:31 PM 8:39 PM
0.5 3.1 1.6 3.2 0.9 3.2 1.4 3.0 1.1 3.4 1.1 3.0 1.2 3.6 0.7 3.1 1.3 3.8 0.4 3.2 1.4 4.0 0.1 3.3 1.4 4.1 -0.1 3.4 1.5 4.2 -0.1
HERNANDO BEACH
JUNE 2017
CEDAR KEY
3:02 AM 8:23 AM 2:03 PM 9:13 PM 3:39 AM 8:58 AM 2:35 PM 9:45 PM 4:14 AM 9:34 AM 3:08 PM 10:18 PM 4:50 AM 10:11 AM 3:43 PM 10:52 PM 5:26 AM 10:51 AM 4:21 PM 11:29 PM 6:05 AM 11:35 AM 5:05 PM 12:09 AM 6:49 AM 12:28 PM 5:57 PM 12:56 AM 7:37 AM 1:31 PM 7:05 PM
17Sa 1:50 AM 8:30 AM 2:44 PM 8:29 PM 18Su 2:52 AM 9:25 AM 4:00 PM 9:58 PM 19M 3:59 AM 10:18 AM 5:10 PM 11:20 PM 20Tu 5:04 AM 11:08 AM 6:12 PM 21W 12:30 AM 6:03 AM 11:56 AM 7:07 PM 22Th 1:32 AM 6:57 AM 12:43 PM 7:58 PM 23F 2:26 AM 7:47 AM 1:28 PM 8:47 PM 24Sa 3:17 AM 8:34 AM 2:15 PM 9:34 PM
Time Height
9F
10Sa
11Su
12M
13Tu
14W 15Th
16F
3.4 1.5 4.2 -0.2 3.4 1.6 4.2 -0.2 3.3 1.6 4.2 -0.1 3.3 1.6 4.1 0.0 3.3 1.6 4.0 0.1 3.3 1.7 3.9 0.2 3.3 1.7 3.6 0.4 3.4 1.6 3.4
KINGS BAY
High Tide -20 min Low Tide 58 min
High Tide 2 hrs, 20 min Low Tide 3 hrs, 7 min
CRYSTAL RIVER
WITHLACOOCHEE ENT
High Tide 36 min Low Tide 1 hr, 30 min
High Tide 7 min Low Tide 55 min
Time Height
Time Height
25Su 4:04 AM 9:21 AM 3:01 PM 10:19 PM 26M 4:49 AM 10:08 AM 3:49 PM 11:04 PM 27Tu 5:31 AM 10:56 AM 4:38 PM 11:47 PM 28W 6:13 AM 11:47 AM 5:31 PM 29Th 12:29 AM 6:55 AM 12:43 PM 6:29 PM 30F 1:13 AM 7:40 AM 1:47 PM 7:38 PM
3.6 1.6 4.6 -0.6 3.5 1.6 4.5 -0.3 3.5 1.5 4.2 0.0 3.4 1.5 3.9 0.4 3.4 1.5 3.6 0.8 3.4 1.5 3.2
HOMOSASSA RIVER ENT
HORSESHOE BEACH
SUWANNEE ENT
STEINHATCHEE RIVER ENT
High Tide 4 hr, 30 min Low Tide 5 hr, 41 min High Tide 6 min Low Tide 18 min
2 NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA/NATURE COAST
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0.7 3.5 1.4 3.2 1.0 3.6 1.1 3.1 1.2 3.8 0.7 3.2 1.3 4.0 0.2 3.4 1.5 4.3 -0.3 3.5 1.5 4.5 -0.6 3.6 1.6 4.6 -0.7 3.6 1.6 4.7 -0.7
High Tide 12 min Low Tide 20 min
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Put a couple tablespoons butter in over proof casserole dish. Melt butter in oven. Put onion and celery in casserole dish and bake in oven until onion and celery are soft. Lay fish fillets in casserole. Add salt and pepper. Cut the shrimp in 2 to 4 pieces, depending on size, and place on fish. Spoon clam chowder over shrimp and bake about 15 minutes, until sauce is bubbly and fish and shrimp test done. Garnish with parsley.
INGREDIENTS • Flounder Fillets or Mild Fish of your Choice • Shrimp • Thick Flavorful Clam Chowder (Commercial or Homemade) • Butter • Onion and Celery diced • Salt and Pepper • Chopped Parsley
I had some delicious left-over clam chowder, purchased at Lu Lu’s in Ponte Vedra. Cary brought me the flounder fillets and shrimp from The Crab Plant in Crystal River. The combination was absolutely delicious, and about the easiest home-cooked seafood meal I have ever prepared. The seasoning in the clam chowder was all that was necessary. If your chowder is very thin, thicken with a little flour. I served with local Brussel sprouts and twice baked potatoes, which my mother called “Potato Volcano”. Don’t you like that name better?
Lynn Crutchfield, Co-Publisher Coastal Angler Magazine of North Central Florida
ALLIGATOR OR CROCODILE AMERICAN ALLIGATOR • Black in color • Only upper teeth exposed when mouth is closed • Broud rounded snout • Young are dark with yellow stripes
High Tide 2 min Low Tide 0 min
JUNE 2017
AMERICAN CROCODILE • Grayish green color • Fourth tooth on lower jaw exposed when mouth is closed • Narrow tapered snout • Young are light with dark stripes
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5/17/17 7:16 AM
FLORIDA WATERWAYS
Florida’s Wild and Scenic Rivers
F
lorida has about 26,000 miles of rivers, but only two of the rivers, the Loxahatchee and the Wekiva, have been designated as National Wild and Scenic Rivers. Exactly how a river can be defined, led to the publication of one of the most important By Kevin McCarthy ecological books of the past hundred years: “The River of Grass” by Marjory Stoneman Douglas. When she was 98 years old, in 1988, I interviewed her for inclusion in a book of twentiethcentury Florida authors I was writing, and learned how her famous book came to be. Hervey Allen, editor of the Rivers of America Series, visited her in the 1940s and asked her to write a book about the Miami River, but she objected. “It’s too short for a whole book, but what about a book describing the Everglades?” They looked up the definition of “river” in a dictionary, found that a river is “a large natural stream of water flowing in a channel to the sea, a lake, or another such stream,” and decided that the Everglades in flowing to Florida Bay could be considered a river. Back to our state’s National Wild and Scenic Rivers. The Loxahatchee is only about eight miles long in Martin County in the southeastern part of our state and runs through Jonathan Dickinson State Park, a popular boating and fishing site named after a Quaker who was shipwrecked off Florida in 1696. The name of the river in the Seminole language means “river of turtles,” which is very appropriate for the many turtles found in and along the waterway. The other Florida river designated a National Wild and Scenic River is the Wekiva or Wekiwa, which is about sixteen miles long in Central Florida and ends in the St. Johns River. The name of the Wekiva goes back to a Creek Indian word meaning “spring of water” and refers to the fact that the river’s source is actually two fresh-water springs.
One of those springs is in Wekiwa Springs State Park in Apopka. The river has three main tributaries (Blackwater Creek, Little Wekiva River, and Rock Springs Run) and thirty groundwater springs that feed the river. Officials have named the Wekiva part of the Florida State Canoe Trail, as well as an Aquatic Preserve and an Outstanding Florida Water. In 2018, the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act turns fifty. It would be very appropriate this year, or in that historic year, to nominate several more Florida rivers as National Wild and Scenic Rivers. Which ones should they be? Surely, scenic waterways like the Suwannee and the St. Johns and the Apalachicola are two such candidates. Kevin McCarthy, the author of TwentiethCentury Florida Authors (1996), can be reached at ceyhankevin@gmail.com.
Loxahatchee River
A great blue heron on the Loxahatchee Wekiwa Springs State Park river
Wekiwa Springs State Par k s 2017 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM spring JUNE
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Marjory Stoneman Douglas at 104
Wekiwa Run near Wekiwa Spring NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA/NATURE COAST 3
5/17/17 7:16 AM
WELCOME TO THE
NATURE COAST
C
Frederick Snell, Broker Associate
itrus County is known for waterfront living at its best. We have it all: rivers, canals, and bays with access to the Gulf of Mexico, even lakes and estuaries where a variety of exotic fish, birds and wildlife cohabitate. Work or play, Citrus boasts numerous amenities, unique to Florida’s Nature Coast, that make it a wonderful place to visit or call home. Chassahowitzka, Homosassa, Crystal River, and Inverness, all have easy access to pristine waterways, with city and county boat launches. The barge canal, located on the
Northwest end of the county, offers excellent fishing, boating, and other water activities to explore. For the avid fisherman, Citrus County’s many bodies of water, host fishing tournaments throughout the year. For biking, hiking, and even horseback riding enthusiasts, Rails to Trails, spans a stretch of paved trail-ways, from the northern most end of the county, continuing on down to the heart of Tampa Bay. Located between Orlando and Tampa, many choose Citrus County as their forever destination because of its rare blend of
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OCALA CARRY NRA Certified Instructors ph. 352.239.2889 OcalaCarry@gmail.com
www.OcalaCarry.com Nature Coast Offshore
June 1st is a long awaited date for most nearshore and offshore fisherman. The heralded opening day of gag grouper and red snapper, means that many anglers will be gearing up and pointing their boats west, in search of tasty bottomfish. Red snapper and gag grouper are not the only great-eating species that anglers will encounter on their search for the targeted species; mangrove snapper, grunts, seabass, and cobia, are all great eating-fish, that will likely show up around offshore structure. Taking advantage of all available species can be the difference between a decent day, or an epic fishing experience, that won’t soon be forgotten.
Gag Grouper
As a structure oriented fish, it is well known that having a “secret spot” for gags, is the easiest way to fill the cooler, but many people don’t know what to look for, in order, to find the next great honey-hole. Looking for rock piles and ledges in 35 to 55 feet of water, is my favorite way to target gags. I use a variety of live and dead baits, including live pinfish and grunts, along with frozen threadfin herring, all my top choices. For tackle, I prefer a 50 pound class set-up, with 80 pound leader and an 8/0 circle hook. Fish your bait directly on the bottom for best results, and never forget to pull as hard as you can after you hook up, to stop the grouper from
returning to its rocky home.
Red Snapper
Snappers tend to act totally different than the gags, although they share the same piece of real estate most of the time. We try to scale back our tackle a little bit as red snapper have extremely good vision, and they also are less likely to try to break you off in the rocks. For tackle, we will opt for a 30 pound setup with 50 pound fluorocarbon leader, along with an 6/0 circle. For baits, half of a dead threadfin herring seems to be our number one choice for catching quality red snapper.
Mixed bag
Live Shrimp on a medium action spinning rod, is a great way to keep the kids entertained with catching smaller snappers, grunts, seabass and hogfish. A ½ ounce egg sinker on a knocker rig is a great way to get the bite fired up, while you get the heavy tackle set up for the big fish. Capt. Clay Shidler ClayShidler@Yahoo.com
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Scalloping Season Opens July 1 in Citrus County
When it comes to scalloping, the Chamber has members that can help you with all of your needs::
Boat Rentals Charters Equipment
Plan your scalloping excursion and find the resources you need at CitrusCountyChamber.com
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JUNE 2017
NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA/NATURE COAST 5
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STEINHATCHEE
KEATON BEACH
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Rick Prietz of Marianna, Fl. with a red taken May 2.
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rout have been on fire as of this week, (full moon in May) with trout taking live pinfish under Back Bays and Assassin 5 inch shads, under the Original Cajun Thunder from 4 to 5.5 feet on the second half of the rising tide. We had 14 trout for Abe Whitfield of Perry, Florida, who along with his daughter Sarah Whitfield, (now from Gainesville, Fl.) brought in 14 trout with me, weighing a whopping 27.2 pounds! We caught our three over 20 inches, including a 24-inch fish for Abe. We caught these fish on May 11, one day Sarah Whitfield of Gainesville, after the full Moon. These larger females haven't Fl. with a nice trout May 11. The heavily stained reddish spawned yet, which really surprises me, but the upside of that is, we tannic water, which still persists all should see many of them spawn the way south to Dekle Beach, has in June. This means the larger egg- limited some of the shallow water laden Gator trout will be feeding topwater-tosser’s fun, as well as heavily, pre-spawn, right up until shifted the redfish off the hill (water they have the egg laying ritual too fresh?) back out 1/2 to a mile with the males one night in June; from shore. This means you should probably the Full Moon. Fish 4 to expect to be ambushed by some nice 45 feet of water to find this group slot redfish while you are drifting for trout. They are taking the same of fish. pinfish under Back Bay rigs as the trout. We had a nice 25-inch red on the Hex Intruder II Copper spoon this week and released a 29 inch over-slot fish the same day. I expect as the water clears a bit, and the tannic stain disperses, our reds will be back nearer the hill and take Thunder-Spins, Sleighs and Intruder spoons near the bars and creek mouths in June.
Jared Singletary of Thomasville with a red taken May 7.
charter vessels. Don't blame me; I had nothing to do with it. To be honest, these debacle of regulations hasn’t done the charter fishermen any favors. Don't hesitate to give a charter boat a spin. We could all use the support. Scallop season opens in and around Steinhatchee June 16 through September 10. Scallop surveys have been very positive for a great harvest. Have fun and be respective of other boaters. The scallops aren't going anywhere; no need to rush. Safety equipment is of utmost importance, so make sure yours in in great shape and up-todate. You are likely to get boarded for your safety, not harassment. The men and women in law enforcement are merely doing their jobs. In my opinion, anyone required to carry a firearm to do their job, should receive greater than average pay. Although closed for the remainder of the year, for reasons that can only be due to over abundance—check our Face Book for Go Pro footage—amberjack fishing is off the chain! If you feel the need for some self-abuse, pitch a live bait, any type of jig, plug or topwater lure over an offshore wreck, or artificial reef, and receive all you want your chiropractor to correct later. The perk to that is, perhaps an encounter with my favorite fish— cobia. Red grouper are open as well, which means offshore catches should be quite respectful, if but for a brief period. I fondly remember old times when we could bring home the booty. Brian Smith | BIG BEND CHARTERS www.BigBendCharters.com CaptBrian@bellsouth.net 877.852.3474 | 352.210.3050
Pat McGriff dba One More Cast guide service for 27 years! www.onemorecast.net 850.838.7541
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une is the month of openings. Gag grouper open in federal waters starting June 1st through December 31st. I say, it is about time! Although not intentional on my part, breaking peoples’ hearts by throwing back beautiful gags in the spring, shouldn't be a part of a charter captain’s job. Such restrictive limits, two per person, should provide more than enough sanctuary to the gag fishery from the recreational/charter harvest, especially considering the commercial hauls measured in the thousands of pounds/trip. Anyway, gags are being caught on artificial reefs and natural rocky bottom from forty to seventy feet of depth. Live pinfish, and such, keep the Florida snapper and sea bass at bay. However, if one or two others are enjoying catching Florida snapper, it activates the bottom instigating the grouper bite. It is a win-win. The red snapper fishery opens to the public June 1st and closes June 3rd. That is laughable. What happens if the weather is poor? Besides, what group of half-wits would come out of a fisheries meeting and have the remote thought, that the general public would find that acceptable? There are so many red snapper in the Gulf that boat limits can be caught within half an hour. The limit is merely two per person. Why not try and build a positive relationship, and have a couple of months of weekend openings? Anyway, bottom with a strong break is best, but most hard live bottom will likewise do. If the red snapper are there, any bait will do the trick. Try tipping a 2 to 3 oz buck-tailed jig with a squid head or cut bait, to eliminate smaller fish. Red snapper season is open from June 1st through July 19th for
JUNE 2017
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HORSESHOE BEACH W here is the time going; it’s June already? June is here, and there are several things we are looking forward to. School is out and summer is upon us. It is time to start weekend trips and summer vacations. Scallop season will be staring June 17, two weeks earlier than in years past. This earlier starting date will give families two additional weeks to enjoy scalloping with the kiddos out of school, and also to stimulate the economy along the Big Bend region. We should have a great scallop season this year; scallops are already thick and outside of any outbursts from Mother Nature. We are on track for a year as good or better than last year. Speaking of June, June is always predictable for recreational fishermen to get screwed by the Federal Government on the allotted days to fish. This year recreational fishermen received a 3-day season. I don’t understand how they can make this decision on collected data. Everyone agrees that the numbers do not reflect what we find when we go offshore. The red snapper has recovered to record numbers. Grouper fishing has gotten next to impossible; the snapper hits the bait on the way down, and you never get to the grouper at the bottom. I think the most disheartening aspect of the snapper season is to have to release a fish that just was pulled out of 100 feet of water, vent it, release the fish— just to watch him float off and become shark bait. The Big Bend region has little, if any snapper in state waters (inside of 9 miles) so the state season has no reflection on us at all. All of our snapper are coming from Federal water, unlike, “say” in Panama City a 6-mile trip will land you in a 100 feet of water, and plenty of snapper at that depth. In the Big Bend area, we usually start fishing in around 65 feet of water, and go out to 120 feet. That’s 45 to 85 miles offshore, and we are only receiving 3 days this entire year to do it.
Doodle, Tripp Giddens and Dalton Boyette with a nice catch of trout. On another note, inshore fishing has been good, with plenty of redfish along the shorelines, grass points and oyster bars. Some good upperslot fish are being caught in good numbers. The water has been nice and clear between blows, and 2 or 3 good tides usually clear it up. Gold Spoon or spinner bait work really well this time of year. Also, live shrimp from Cracker Bait on Main Street, or the Marina will get the job done. Trout have been scattered all along the grass flats, from 3 feet of water all the way out to 12 feet at spotty bottom. Finding trout hasn’t been a problem, and most people are bringing a limit to the hill. Just remember to handle the smaller ones with care; we want to preserve these fish to catch them in the fall or spring of next year. Live shrimp, or a soft plastic under a Cajun Thunder with about 18 to 24 inches of fluorocarbon will get it done. Speaking of spotty bottom, there have been some nice trout caught there, along with a pile of Spanish Mackerel. If Spanish Mackerel is your thing, then tie on some wire and start trolling, because they are there. We will be booking scallop trips this summer and are looking forward to a great summer in Horseshoe Beach. If you have never been or it’s been a while, come visit us for the day or weekend. Please feel free to contact us for any help with charters or accommodations. We will try to put you in touch with the right people. Be safe on the water and look forward to seeing you out there.
(352) 493-0878 Fax (352) 493-0879
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Capt. Tom’s first snook while fishing the Florida Proo COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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TALES FROM THE TUPPERWARE NAVY
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elcome back yak fans, June is here and my annual cobia hunt has not been going as I had hoped, three trips and counting, and I have yet to hook into one, but I shall persevere. Patience is a virtue, but I'm ready to try a grenade, (just kidding), but to try a grenade, I'd have to actually see a fish! Anyway, on my last foray out, the bite was a little slow, and I ran into one of my readers on the water in Aripika, which always makes me feel good, to know that I am appreciated for something other than how well I cover the bottom of a bird cage (though I'm told I do this very well). Basking in the glow of appreciation, we paddled together, and I tried to share a little of the terrain and areas to hit around Aripika. His friend was also on the water, and was rightfully proud of hooking into a snook earlier in the day, as the bite was slow. I decided to show him a couple of my snook spots, so I blind folded him. No wait, I think I said, “Tie on a Zara spook and follow me.” We hit a couple of my snook spots. He wasn't used to lures, so with a little practice, he'll do fine. As for me, I hooked into three snook,
but like a novice pilot, I was great on take-off but lousy on landing; never got one to the boat! DRAT. A bit later, I saw him paddling back and forth, so I asked, what was going on. He had lost his seventy-dollar sun glasses, and though he saw them at first, the tide had carried him away, so I helped look. Those glasses were never to be seen again. This reminded me of a similar situation I was in a while back, so I decided to share it with you again! Learning from our (pronounced “my”) mistakes: Fishing one of my favorite trout holes, I was anchored in about 4 feet of water, when I decided it was time to shift over a little, and tried to pull in my anchor, which of course was stuck fast. In this situation, rule #1 is let out more line and back paddle. About 90% of the time, this will free you up. Well, you guessed it. I made the 10%, but I was not stopped dead in my tracks. “OK”, I thought, “time for Plan B.” Let out more line, grab it and pull it loose from above. Here the story begins: As I got the line snagged, still stuck, I had this little problem. I should explain, that since childhood, I have suffered from an
affliction of NBA: No Butt At All. To compensate for this debilitating condition, I have a fancy padded seat, a foam donut and seat cushion. This puts my posterior at ease, but I was about 2 inches above the normal center of gravity of the boat, so as I snagged the line, the tide twisted me, and yes, for the first time in 5 years, I flipped the yak. Of course, being an experienced kayaker, I did not need to have my cell phone in a dry bag, or my keyless entry. As I turned and caught the boat, before it completely flipped, I watched as the assortment of loose stuff was floating away. My cell was buzzing like a razor in my pocket, and as I did inventory, I saw that I was missing two rods from the boat as well as pliers, etc. With over $600 worth of gear on the bottom, and my stuff floating away, here in lies the lesson: I immediately snagged the anchor line, took off my vest and retrieved the floaters. The important point here is, if this ever happens to you, drop the anchor or stake immediately. If you drift a couple of yards, your stuff is gone! As it was, I threw the gear back in the boat, took off my shoes,
and from the front, I let my toes feel around the mucky bottom and walked the boat in a circle, until I hit pay dirt. Once I found the scene of the crime, I resurrected both my new Fenwick rods, and even found my pliers. The really interesting point of the story is, what I was snagged on. Some idiot had dumped a tire in the middle of the bay, so when I back paddled, my anchor slid around inside, and would not come loose. To this person, I wish, like the old song goes, “May the bird of paradise fly up your nose, may an elephant caress you with his toes, etc., etc.” Hey buddy, your village is calling. Their idiot is missing. That’s it for now. If you have a fishing report or a good story let me know. Meanwhile, the cobia hunt continues. See ya on the water Bruce Butler owns and operates Indian Bay Outfitters and guides saltwater kayak charters all over Hernando County. You can reach Bruce at 352 428-5347 or visit his website: IndianBayOutfitters.com
BAIT & TACKLE IN NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA HIGH ROLLER LURES 4613 NW 6th St-D Gainesville, FL 32609 877.205.1764 THE MARINA IN HORSESHOE BEACH 362 3rd Street Horseshoe Beach, FL 32648 352-498-5405 www.TheMarinainHorseshoeBeach.com MCDUFFIE MARINE 1866 West US 90 Lake City, FL 32055 386.752.2500 www.mcduffiemarine.com ANGLER’S RESORT 12189 South William Street Dunnellon, FL 34432 352.489.2397 www.blue-gator.com
FLORAL CITY OCKLAWAHA BAIT & TACKLE BAIT & TACKLE OUTFITTERS 13600 East CR 25 7737 S. Old Floral City Rd. Ocklawaha, FL 32179 Floral City, FL 34436 352-816-5853 352-423-1507 FloralCityBaitAndTackle.com WIGGLER’S BAIT AND TACKLE TWIN RIVERS MARINA 14383 East SR 40 2880 N Seabreeze Point Silver Springs, FL 34488 Crystal River, FL 34429 352.625.1156 352-795-3552 myasnana@aol.com TwinRiversMarina.com CEDAR KEY MARINA 44 TACKLE CO. 12780 SR 24 PO Box 744 2421 Hwy 44 West Cedar Key, FL 32625 Inverness, FL 34453 352-543-6148 352.726.6100 www.CedarKeyMarina.net www.44Tackle.com ACE HARDWARE GARY’S TACKLE BOX OF HIGH SPRINGS 5721 NW 13th St 18482 High Springs Main St. Gainesville, FL High Springs, FL 32643 352-372-1791 386-454-0622 HighSprings40@Windstream.net
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DW&D BAIT HOUSE 12831 Whiddon Ave Cedar Key, FL 352-543-6109 352-222-9383 CEDAR KEY PADDLING 12293 SR 24 Cedar Key, FL 32625 352-665-1276 Dan_Gator@Yahoo.com ALACHUA FARM AND LUMBER 114101 NW 145th Ave. Alachua, FL 32616 386-462-3003 www.AlachuaFarmandLumber.com
YOUR BAIT & TACKLE SHOP HERE Call Lynn at 352-372-4237
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SIGNS BANNERS Copies Fax
Forms Letterhead We also offer apparel and promotional items. Envelopes Business Cards Brochures Newsletters & More Invitations Located in Chiefland Shopping Center Wedding & Graduation 208 N Main Street, Chiefland, FL 32626
420 Dock Street Cedar Key, FL 32625 352-543-5142 steamerscedarkey.com info@steamerscedarkey.com
H
ey there folks, I hope y'all are staying cool enough in this Summertime heat. The water temp is now well into the 80s and all species of fish have moved into the inshore waters. The trout bite is still pretty good on the inshore flats in the 3 to 5 foot range, with some already out in the 10 foot range as well. The standard B52 cork with the Bass Assassin Lures sea shad tail beneath it, is working around the shallower flats. Out on the deeper flats, we remove the cork and just use a 1/4 or 3/8 oz jig with the same sea shad tail. Color is usually chosen by the fish. One quick rule of thumb I use, is everybody throws a different color till we see what they want on the particular day! The redfish bite is still steady right now, but should be picking up towards the end of the month. Cut mullet or lady fish is still the most effective bait, while being fished on the bottom around the oyster bars. Cobia have also moved in on the channel markers, and any structure
that's holding bait. There are also a few of them seen cruising the flats. Live pin fish, fished beneath a cork or free lined, is the most effective way the catch them. Most people like to anchor-up and use a chum block to draw in the bait and predator fish. Be watching with a good set of polarized glasses, because they will cruise right up to the boat sometimes, and if you have a rod ready to pitch a live pinfish to him. In most circumstances, they will eat it pretty quick. Tarpon have also showed up in the slews between the keys. Even a few schools have been seen rolling early in the morning. If you are interested in catching one, now is a great time to do so. Drifting live pinfish, or a live mullet behind the boat seems to work great. Well folks, I hope this has help y'all out this month, and as always, get outside and enjoy what God has made for us. Saltwater Assassin Fishing Charters Capt.Jimbo Keith 352-535-5083
Like us on Facebook! We will cook your catch. We serve fresh local Cedar Key oysters and clams. Try our delicious Gator. We get it directly from the Gator Man himself.
Happy Hour Monday-Friday 3pm-7pm 2-4-1 Wells 1/2 Price Wine $2.50 Bud Light, Miller Lite, Yuengling
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CEDAR KEY PADDLING
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t's Summer time and that means water, and water is good for you! My goodness, if you don't have water in your life you will actually die. Seriously, ask your doctor. You have to have water! While you are beating the heat by sipping on your favorite cold-water-based-beverage, do not forget to check your bait because a monster snook, red, trout, flounder, mackerel, cobia or tripletail may have stolen your bait. They are all out here right now, and you a 100% chance to not catch one,
and tell the big whopper to your friends and family, if you do not get out here on the WATER! Okay, now that you are all pumped and ready to go make some memories, I want to talk to you about equipment you want to have. When I say equipment, I don't mean bait and tackle. We have you covered here at the shop on those needs. I mean equipment a lot of folks do not think about, that will make your next fishing trip much more fun. Grab you a hand-full of clean rags that you can soak in your ice water, so when it gets a little hot, you can place them on your neck and wrists for a quick wonderful cool down. Footwear is very important also. Cedar Key is where flip flops come to die, I swear. A water shoe, or an old tennis shoe works better. If you absolutely have to walk around, or in the water, protect those feet. The oysters are razor sharp and will ruin your day, as fast as one of our tarpon waves good-bye. A well-charged cell phone with My Tide Times app; It's free, and if you switch it to satellite view, you will thank me for what you can zoom in and see. A dry-box or bag, get one! That's it for now, and TAKE A KID FISHING! @ thereal_c_world Capt. Daniel | Cedar Key Paddling 352-665-1276 Dan_Gator@yahoo.com
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ithout a doubt, from the inshore to the offshore species, June offers it all for the Nature Coast angler. Migrating schools of tarpon, bruiser-sized cobia, red fish on rocky points, and gag grouper season opens. Red fish are going to kick off this forecast and there’s no better place to find them than on the various backcountry and outer rocky points. If you’ve never given the gold spoon a try, I suggest doing so for several reasons. With a spoon, you can cover a lot of water, they cast a mile, they’re relatively snagless around the rocks and they’re perfect for exploring new areas. The spoon is a great searching tool and when a red fish is hooked, you can bet that location will produce for future trips.
Grab the heavier tackle, some live pin fish and anchor up tide from your favorite cobia structure. The cobias are here in large numbers, and channel markers, high profile rocks and wrecks, will be excellent locations for our early summer cobia. Also, with gag grouper season opening, they are a welcomed bonus when you’re sending down that pinfish. The much anticipated gag grouper season is now open until December 31st, and also a very short recreational red snapper season. I suggest starting in the 40 foot range, and heading west from there. Live baits are always more productive during the summer months and spending the time to catch quality 12 NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA/NATURE COAST
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baits will prove to be very valuable while going offshore. If you’re into variety shows, the bombing range or “foul area” between Crystal River and Homosassa will be to your liking. Using DOA cal shad tail and MirrOlure Lil’ John jigs on 1/8th oz jig heads, will produce a multitude of species. Spanish mackerel, trout, grouper, sea bass, flounder, pompano, lady fish, blue fish, etc., are just some of the species that will keep you busy. The average depth is 5 to 8 feet of water and look for the “spotty bottom” of sand, rock, and grass to put you in the right area. The mighty tarpon is on location off Homosassa for these couple months and once again, many world-class fly fishing anglers come to battle the silver king. The tarpon fishery to the south of Homosassa is noted fly fishing grounds, but there are several schools that can be targeted migrating north towards Crystal River. As always, feel free to contact me with any other questions about the area. Good Fishing! Capt. Dan Clymer www.crystalriver-fishing.com 352.418.2160
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INGLIS/YANKEETOWN
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S
ummertime is here, and this year the scallop season has opens early again. Our area from Crystal River, all the way up to Keaton Beach, is the best scalloping you could ever ask for. The area just south of Gomez Rocks will be loaded. This activity is a great to get the whole family involved, and enjoy some quality time out on the water. Be sure to read up on the
regulations. If you are not using a guide, make sure to be courteous to other boaters. This time of the year is always a high traffic time and we don’t want anything bad to happen, so pay attention when you are running. The redfish and snook bite is going strong right now north of Yankeetown. This time of year, I like to focus on the Lowes Bay, or 11 prong area. You won’t have all the scallop traffic to compete with, so the fish won’t feel nearly as pressured. I would focus on the mullet schools with a mirrolure topwater, first thing in the morning, and switch over to a AquaDream spoon once the bite tappers off on the topwater. With the water temperatures rising, make sure you also key-in on moving water. The fish will tend to migrate
towards moving water, instead of stagnate water, for the temperature difference. If trout is what you are looking for, the grass flats off the trout stake will hold all you are looking for. I look for the 4 to 5 foot range. I will start with a mirrodine first thing in the morning while the fish are pretty active, and switch over to a Zman trout trick, once the sun gets overhead. If you are out on the flats, pay attention to any floating grass patches. Also, you can pick up a few tripletail, hanging around the patches, if your lucky. Free-line a live shrimp around the grass patch for the best results. Offshore, the gag grouper is open. Try to locate rock piles and Swiss cheese bottom. I like trolling stretch 30s, in the 30 to 40 foot range. If the fish are not really chasing the plugs, stop and drop cut squid or herring, to put a few broomtails in the boat. If you are interested in exploring our area, give me a call and set up a trip. Until next month, have fun, be safe and take your kids fishing. Capt. Craig Spitznogle Florida Flats Charter Company (352)445-4978
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hen it’s time to pen a Coastal Angler fishing report, it is surely nice to be able to tell tales of fast action and big fish. At the start of this summer, however, that’s going to be a stretch. Gulf fishing is great, but things are generally quite sub-par on our lakes here in North Florida. The problem doesn’t have much to do with the fish themselves; it’s their homes that are challenged. Our lakes were already low at the end of winter, and now, after enduring the driest spring season seen here since 1912, it’s painfully obvious that several of our best bass and bream waters are in some trouble. Some lakes are in better shape than others, but the lowest ones are pretty much off the table for anglers looking to access them in boats of normal size. Over the last few decades, we’ve seen times of low water like these, and some have been considerably worse. Then again, the ongoing drought could well get uglier, too. Among the aforementioned bodies of fresh water that are still in pretty good shape, Lake Santa Fe is absorbing much of the “bassing” pressure close to us here in Gainesville, and catches on Santa Fe have held up well. A mid-week tournament trail held here every Wednesday evening
has been attracting thirty or more teams, and it’s taking five-bass limits, weighing around 15 pounds, to do well. But the number-one option for the freshwater fisher here in the Gainesville area is the St. John’s River system. Palatka offers Gainesville fishers their closest access onto the big river. In the recent NEFAR Bass Tournament out of Palatka, bass catches were outstanding as 183 teams scattered for many miles north and south, also accessing Crescent, George, and Rodman Lakes. Being a part of the river system, these lakes aren’t nearly as subject to the low-water trouble. At day’s end, the NEFAR weigh-in was quite a spectacle, with 15 teams lugging 5-fish bass limits weighing at least 20 pounds to the scales. These big catches were topped by Bobby and Judith Foxx Johnson’s limit, that weighed 31.97 pounds. A 9-pound largemouth anchored the big bag of bass, and helped the Gainesville couple claim the tourney’s top paycheck. Gary Simpson Gary’s Tackle Box 352-372-1791 Garystacklebox.com garystacklebox@gmail.com
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CENTRAL FLORIDA INLAND
H
ey there forest fishin' folks. I hope you're catchin' 'em like I have been. Low water levels have fish battling over territory, which is making them more aggressive, and easier to find. Bass fishing was on fire last month, as the pst-spawn phase of the year wrapped up. To find success now, it is important to down-size your lures, and search for anything that bass can use for shade, such as fallen trees, brush-piles, and aquatic vegetation. Slowly retrieve trickworms through shallow cover, and pitch craws or creature baits into deeper cover for a reaction strike. Small swimbaits and flukes are my choice for open water search baits. Tip: Top-water frogs will draw explosive strikes during low light conditions. The Ocklawaha River is a great summertime spot. Tall trees, along the narrow river's edge, create the perfect shade to escape the heat and catch every freshwater fish species
while the dam at Rodman is best for catfish and others. Note: Moss Bluff dam is under construction and not flowing water as I write this report. Salt Springs run is perfect for both swimming and fishing. Its cool, crystal clear water flows into the famous Lake George, which is known for its giant bass and mixture of freshwater and saltwater species. The north end of the lake, around Drayton Island, is reporting good numbers of bass in the dollar bonnet fields and hybrid stripers on the deeper water ledges. Bonus flounder are common, and even the
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the forest has to offer. Eureka Bridge area and north, are producing best right now. Look for swirling water bends in the river to find the biggest concentrations of fish. The "S curves" near Cypress Bayou are always dependable. Shoreside fishers are catching nice messes of panfish, by walking along the river's edge at Sharpes Ferry Bridge. Night fishing heats up in the summer and is especially good around the full moon, which is June 9th. Lake Kerr is the top choice for some night-time bass action,
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occasional redfish is possible. I've noticed cleaner fishing spots lately and would like to thank everyone who is helping to keep it that way. Make sure to prepare for the sun this summer, so you can spend more time on the water and put more fish in the boat! John Freeze | 352-216-5798 Swampsurf@embarqmail.com
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MPH 4.0 5.0 7.6 10.3 16.9 23.9 29.6 34.6 39.5 45.0 49.5 52.4 55.1
PERFORMANCE DATA GPH 1.1 2.0 4.2 5.3 9.0 12.1 15.5 21.6 27.3 34.9 40.2 51.2 52.2
MPG 3.64 2.50 1.81 1.94 1.88 1.98 1.91 1.60 1.45 1.29 1.23 1.02 1.06
RANGE 772 531 384 413 399 420 406 340 307 274 262 217 224
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T
eddy Beach grew up racing. Racing and fishing have always been his family’s two passions. “Jim Reider once told me, ‘Hey, kid you’re going to be fine,” Teddy said, remembering a night at the Indianapolis State Fairgrounds in 2005. “Over the course of the race, I heard his voice many times for he was my crew chief and spotter that night. We went on to win the 2005 Hoosier 100. I will remember those words forever.” Teddy’s dad was a drag racer at many different professional lev-
els. Teddy grew up with a fist full of throttle and a loud pedal under his right foot. Brakes were optional. Ted Sr. is Teddy’s hero, best friend and mentor. The elder is a third-generation manufacturer, farmer and entrepreneur. They come from a small village named Donnelsville, Ohio, where Teddy grew up running down the hill from the house directly into their tool and die shop. Mike Zimmer was their engineer at the time, and he would run Teddy out of the drafting room because he got tired of the boy destroying erasers and asking too many questions. The point of all this is to explain that engineering and manufacturing are in the family’s blood. Fishing is a passion, and they have fished all over Florida since Teddy was born. From bottom fishing for grouper and snapper off Fort Myers to sailfish and mahi in the Keys and marlin and tuna over in the Bahamas, if they weren’t racing, they were fishing. Out of the combination of those two passions, Beach Marine Products was founded to provide the market with innovative and professional saltwater fishing products. Beach Marine’s live bait pens are industry changing. With a sloped-bottom design and industry changing false bottom, these bait pens were engineered to reduce stress on baitfish. Heavy duty all 6061 aluminum construction with zinc anode assures a durable and long-lasting product. All hardware is stainless steel and doubled up, so there is no single point of failure. They are powder coated with no sharp edges to hurt or red nose baits. The Beach Blue color gives the pens a unique clean appearance as well as a calming atmosphere to decrease stress on the bait while holding. Large oversize doors allow access for cast nets and large dip nets. Beach Bait Pens come in many different shapes and sizes ranging from a 30Gal round, to a monster 400Gal oval. Beach Bait Pens are tough just like the Anglers who use them everyday. If you fish live bait, there is only one bait pen you should own. That is a Beach Marine Products. Learn more at www.beachmarineproducts.com.
Flats or Bay, which one?
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FLY FISHING
BE HONEST ABOUT YOUR FLY CASTING ABILITIES
W
hen booking a saltwater fly fishing trip with a guide, a mistake some fly fishers make is overstating their casting abilities. This will most likely lead to frustration for both the angler and guide resulting in a very long day on the water. Here are a couple of tips to make sure this situation is avoided Practice Makes Perfect Yep, the old saying “practice makes perfect” is so true. So, before embarking on a guided fly fishing trip, take the time to practice casting to a comfortable distance. For example, if you’re targeting redfish, make sure you can cast to a target at 40 feet. Most redfish are hooked at a closer range, however, being able to make the longer 40-foot cast will make the shorter casts of 15 to 30 feet seem much easier. Remember, casting is not only about proper timing and technique but also how confident the angler is at making the cast. Set Your Target Range Like archery, fly casting is all about executing a cast to a specific spot at certain distance. The best way to accomplish this is to set up targets in an open space in your backyard or at the park. I find the best targets are small orange soccer cones. These are easily seen, have a small diameter and won’t blow away in the wind. I also prefer the orange cones over the traditional hula hoops because it forces the caster to cast to a smaller target area.
Mouse It’s What’s For Dinner
By Charlie Warfield
E
veryone knows summer is a great time to catch trout on a fly. But for those looking to take fly fishing for trout to a whole new level, consider mousing. Mousing refers to fishing for trout with large topwater patterns meant to mimic small rodents. It is a tactic best utilized at night, when nocturnal rodents forage. The basic premise is that large trout have adapted their diet to eat mostly meat, be it smaller fish, rodents, frogs or even small birds. These fish are the top of the food chain in the waters where they reside, and they can be extremely hard to catch. They mostly hunt at night, and use the cover of darkness to stay safe from predators. Fishing at night has its challenges, and it has its rewards.
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10 Feet To 40 Feet Set these cones at the following distances: 10, 20, 30 and 40 feet. I suggest instead of lining up the cones in a straight line, stagger the cones over an area at the appropriate distances. This will force you to make casts in different directions much like you would when encountering gamefish in shallow water. Cast to each target, starting with the cone closest to you and working up to the farthest cone. The key here is to try to only make one false cast before making the final forward cast to the target. By doing this you are forcing yourself to get the cast to the target as quickly as possible without wasting time on multiple false casts. Remember, false casts might look pretty, but they don’t catch fish! Accuracy Once you are comfortable casting to each target, start to work on placing the fly as close to the target as possible. As I mentioned earlier, the small diameter of the soccer cone forces you to cast the fly to a very small target zone similar to a fish’s feeding zone. You want to land the fly within a 2-inch by 2-inch window from the target. Once you are able to hit the target consistently from each distance with one false cast, you’re ready to hit the water. So, when booking a saltwater fly fishing trip with a guide, don’t make the mistake of overestimating your casting abilities. Follow the above steps and you will become a better fly caster, catch more fish and make your guide very happy.
For more fly fishing with Bowman, go to
CAMFLYFISHING.COM Here are a few things to keep in mind when mousing. 1. Be quiet. Sometimes it is hard to remember that fish can hear, too. Vibration from even our footsteps can spook these giants. So stealth is the name of the game; walk carefully and quietly and maybe the splash of your fly on the water will be followed by the eruption of water that is an eat from a big nocturnal fish. Keep light to a minimum and use a red/green light so the fish will not be spooked and your eyes will not be shocked by the light. 2. Be aware. When fishing at night, it is critical to know the stream you are fishing. It can be dangerous to be on the banks of a river in the dark, so always move slowly, not only will this help your stealth factor but it will keep you safer. As your senses adjust to the darkness, you can tune in with your surroundings, and you might be amazed at the things you hear and even see with just the light of the moon. 3. Be ready. Big fish eat big food. This applies to fishing streamers during the day or fishing mice in the dark. Have a good selection of large flies that swim on or just below the surface. When mousing, you can also use large subsurface streamers that push a lot of water. Fish can’t see very well in the dark, so they rely on sound and vibration when hunting at night. Large wind-resistant flies are hard to cast when you can see what is going on, much more so when you can’t see your hand in front of your face. Use clear-lensed glasses to protect your eyes. 4. Be calm. It is easy to get excited and pull the fly out of the fish’s mouth when setting the hook, so wait a couple of seconds after you hear the splash. Give the fly a small twitch and wait until you feel the fish, then set the hook and get ready for the night of your life! See more from Charlie Warfield at www.modernflyfisher.com.
For more on mousing, go to
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5/16/17 12:15 PM
Jacksonville’s Fluid Technologies Fixes Hydraulic Steering
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ne of the most common issues seen with hydraulic steering is water intrusion or air in the system, which leads to rust inside the system causing it to not properly work. With basic maintenance and awareness of your hydraulic system, you can in most cases catch this issue before it becomes fatal. Water intrusion can come from a variety of situations on a steering system. A bad seal, a nick in the shaft, electrolysis on the shaft, loose fittings, and basic wear and tear are only a few of the causes. Here are some symptoms: Wheel spinning freely = contamination in system/ Check ball not seated. Motor walking = indicates a leak or system is not purged correctly. Clicking when wheel is being turned = contamination in helm, causing pistons and or check valves to stick. Electrolysis comes from the current from the motor that runs through the cylinder shaft, which causes the nickel platting to separate from the metal shaft. This causes damage to the glands that in turn can lead to water getting in the system. Fluid dripping from helm or shaft seals on cylinder or having to add fluid to system means there is a bad seal. A lot of issues can be resolved by just a reseal of unit. And for preventive maintenance this can be performed at a cost effective price to ensure your unit is properly working. Fluid Technologies is a Jacksonville-based company started nearly 20 years ago that stays current with factory standards and techniques to provide up-to-date and quality service to the customer.
With a full time technician with over 20 years of experience and a comprehensive test facility, they have the ability to service many hydraulic units that are out in the field. They currently service and repair of all Sea Star units including older Teleflex, Capilano, Hynautic and Baystar systems. Also, Sea Star power steering units and Power purge systems can be serviced under some circumstances. All repairs come with a one-year limited warranty. Only factory parts and test parameters are used when repairing and testing units. They offer rush service when needed, and typical turnaround time is only 5-7 business days. Fluid Technologies also sells refurbished helms and cylinders that meet factory standards. In addition to Hydraulic repairs, Fluid Technologies is also a certified Lewmar repair facility that repairs the majority of Lewmar windlasses. As these units have a strenuous job, they do have the potential to fail. As always, Fluid Tech only uses factory parts and can repair these units in a fraction of the cost for a new one. Fluid Tech is located at 3477 Lakeshore Blvd, Jacksonville, Fl 32210. Call them at 904-389-4536 or see their website at www.charlesaperry.com.
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ith the feds providing a measly three-day season for private recreational anglers in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico, Florida announced a 78-day recreational red snapper season that opened in early May for state waters in the Gulf. The season opened with red snapper harvest allowed during weekends only in May and then transferred to daily snapper harvest allowed on May 27. This daily season will remain open through July 9. The season will also reopen for Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in September and October, and on Labor Day. This season will maintain fishing opportunities for recreational anglers in state waters and provide spring, summer and fall fishing options. The Gulf federal season was recently announced by NOAA Fisheries and will be June 1-3 for private recreational anglers and June 1 through July 19 for federally permitted charter boats and head boats. Those who plan to fish for red snapper in Gulf state or federal waters from a private recreational vessel must sign up as a Gulf Reef Fish Angler (annual renewal is required). To learn more, visit MyFWC.com/Fishing and click on “Saltwater Fishing,” “Recreational Regulations” and “Gulf Reef Fish Survey” under “Reef Fish.” Sign up today at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com.
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The perfect fishing knot is not a knot, but a weld!
Sea Turtle Nesting Season Is In Full Swing
Andrea Whitaker got this great shot of hatchling loggerheads making their way to the surf. The photo was taken during a federally permitted sea turtle nesting survey.
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ishermen have been on an eternal quest for the perfect knot. This effort is futile because the line must bend to tie any knot, which always weakens the line, in many cases, substantially! Tauten has replaced the knot with a polymer line weld which results in virtually no loss in system strength. Instead of the line breaking at the weld, the line itself will fail first. Works on braid, mono or fluorocarbon Simply run line through lure/hook and back over device, push button and line is welded to itself in seconds Takes easily replaced and inexpensive polymer cartridges (up to 12 welds per) Device derived from one used by surgeons to tie surgical knots and is extremely durable, lightweight and it floats! Allows you to use smaller diameter line or increases the breaking strength of existing line No more failed knots!
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very year, thousands of sea turtles wander up south Florida’s sandy beaches to build nests and lay eggs. Our shorelines are an essential habitat to future generations of many species of sea turtles, including loggerheads, greens, hawksbills, leatherbacks and Kemp’s Ridley. Sea Turtle season begins in south Florida in early March and lasts until the end of October. Loggerheads are by far the most popular species to visit our beaches. The southeastern U.S. is home to the largest nesting aggregation of loggerhead sea turtles in the entire world. Palm Beach County hosts more loggerhead nests per square mile than anywhere else in the world. Sea Turtles carry out their nesting practices nocturnally. Females with fertilized eggs swim ashore, slowly scooting their way up the beach and away from the waterline. Occasionally, these turtles will feel uncomfortable releasing their eggs and head back into the water to explore a new section of beach. These instances create a “false crawl,” which can be identified by turtle tracks that form a U shape, leading up the beach and then back down into the water with the absence of a nest. Once a female turtle has reached a desired spot on the beach and deems it safe to create her nest, she will utilize her strong, paddle-shaped flippers to dig a hole, into which she will release eggs. Generally, sea turtles lay around 100 eggs per nest. Before returning to the water, the turtle uses her flippers to fill in the hole and cover her eggs with sand. After 60 to 90 days in the nest, depending on species, the baby, or “hatchling,” turtles will emerge from their soft shells and dig their way out of the nest. Hatchlings often emerge at nighttime, and are guided naturally into the water by waves and ambient moonlight reflecting off the ocean. Throughout much of south Florida, sea turtle nesting season puts into practice “lights out” along the beach. Too much ambient light from populated areas along the beach can disorient baby turtles and cause them to move in the wrong direction, away from the water. Most of the sea turtle species that nest along our Florida beaches are already endangered, so it’s important to minimize any negative impacts that our presence may have on them. Pick up any trash or discarded marine supplies you see along the shoreline when you visit the beach. If you come across a sea turtle nesting, keep a good distance between you and the turtle, and keep lights and noise to a minimum. Remember to fill in any holes that may have been dug during your time at the beach, and stay away from sea turtle tracks and marked nests. You can learn more about sea turtles and their nesting habits during Pura Vida Divers’ June Social Night, or by completing a PADI Sea Turtle Awareness Distinctive Specialty. Visit our website for a full list of upcoming events at www.puravidadivers.com, or call the shop to sign up for an upcoming class: 561-840-8750.
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CCA Florida STAR Focuses On Education, Conservation
T
he largest family friendly saltwater fishing competition in Florida—CCA Florida STAR, presented by Yamaha—kicked off May 27. With more than $500,000 in prizes and scholarships, the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) is using the social media-based, 101-day event to educate the public on the importance of protecting Florida’s marine resources. Recognized as a “catch, photo and release” competition, STAR’s smart phone app eliminates the requirement for anglers to harvest or capture and transport fish. Registered anglers submit a photo of their catch on a free official measuring device via the app directly from the boat, dock or ramp. Once photographed, catches may be immediately released back into their natural habitat. “Our state’s natural resources and fisheries are here for our enjoyment, but we understand that smart angling will preserve these resources for the future,” stated Brian Gorski, executive director of CCA Florida. “The STAR event is a fantastic way to provide a fun competition with amazing prizes, protect our fish populations and generate critical data in the process.” The event’s Conservation Division is designed to reward anglers who provide the most catch data on all fish caught and released, no matter what species or size. The conservation community and organizations like the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, Snook and Game Fish Foundation, University of Florida and others use the data to make science-based decisions on habitat management, stock assessment and other relevant issues. In STAR’s signature division, officials will release an average of four tagged redfish per coastal county throughout Florida. Registered adult anglers catching the first six tagged redfish, and using the STAR app to record their catch, are eligible for their choice of prizes including a new GMC Sierra or one of several Yamaha-powered boat packages including a Contender 22 Sport, Pathfinder 2200TRS, Maverick HPX-S, Sea Hunt 225 Ultra or the Carolina Skiff 21 Sport & Fish. Youth anglers will be eligible to participate in the tagged redfish division with the first two winners taking home a Carolina Skiff 16 JVX CC powered by a 40hp Yamaha and a Road King trailer. A new division to the 2017 STAR event, the Costa Kick Plastic Trash Division rewards participants who gather trash and debris from waterways and submit a photo entry with the 2017 free official measuring device. As with other divisions, participants will be eligible for a random drawing at the end of the 101 days of STAR for a $500 cash prize. Other divisions include Open, Ladies, Fly, Kayak, Lionfish and Professional Guides. Eligible species are spotted seatrout, snook, sheepshead, non-tagged redfish, cobia, dolphin and kingfish. Division winners are determined by a random drawing, a format that encourages participants of all ages to protect and conserve Florida’s fisheries. The STAR Youth Scholarship Division offers the opportunity to win one of twelve scholarships totaling $100,000. The event runs from Memorial Day, May 27 to Labor Day, Sept. 4 at 5 p.m. In 2016, more than 5,000 anglers registered for STAR. More than 150 tagged redfish were released throughout the state’s coastal waters, with more than 20 caught and submitted. For more information on STAR, or to register, visit www.ccaflstar.com. COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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40 Years Committed to Life’s Everyday Adventures
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The Gator Den is a brand new, 12 room motel located at Angler’s Resort, on the Withlacoochee River, Dunnellon, FL. We have a Bait & Tackle Shop, Pontoon and Jon Boat Rentals, Airboat Tours and the Blue Gator Tiki Bar Restaurant, all on premise making this a fisherman’s getaway. 12189 S Williams St Dunnellon, FL 34432 | www.AnglersResort.us Motel: 352-489-2397 Restaurant: 352-465-1635 Boat Rentals: 352-489-2397
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COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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Snakehead Spawning Patterns
By Brandon Tourigny • The author displays a snakehead he caught that was guarding fry.
S
ince discovered the existence of the species in Florida twenty years ago, it’s safe to say anglers across the state are getting an itch to target snakeheads. For anyone planning a fishing trip for these invaders, there is no better time than now to target them. Being a tropical species, snakeheads naturally prefer the hot spring and summer months in Florida, and with their spawn entering full swing in May and early June, snakehead anglers should be ready for the best bite of the year. Here I’ll share a few of my more successful tactics for catching snakeheads and observations I’ve made from fishing this time of year which I hope will provide you with as much action as it has for me. When snakeheads begin their spawn, they’ll cruise the shallowest parts of the canal or lake that they inhabit, so a lot of your fishing will be sight fishing. Early in the spawn, when I am looking for snakeheads that are paired up, the surest way to get them to bite is to reel a buzz frog up over their heads. These prespawn pairs will unleash a vicious strike on any topwater bait you throw at them. If you are able to land the first fish fast enough, the second fish will hang around long enough to throw another lure at it. Prespawn snakeheads can be a little harder to sneak up on once you have spotted them, though, since you are now dealing with trying to hide from two sets of eyes rather than one. Being able to make long, pinpoint-accurate casts can be a game changer for anglers trying to land a prespawn snake. Once the snakehead fry hatch, I have witnessed snakehead parents strike lures around their fry just as hard as prespawn fish, but I have also seen snakeheads guarding their fry be frustratingly picky. When you find yourself in a situation with a pair of snakeheads that have a bad case of locked jaw, you have to use lures that would attack their fry. Snakehead parents’ only interest is defending their fry, so trying to get the fish to chase down lures, like they would if they were hunting, is not necessarily the best card to play. I have found that when a jig or crawfish-imitating bait quietly drops into the middle of the fry, the fish’s parental instincts kick in and it will almost always attack the lure. There are so many creative ways to land snakeheads, so don’t just try my tactics. Get creative and experiment! These are a fun fish to target, which provide one of the best fish battles in freshwater. Good luck and tight lines! COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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o
YAMAHA
Rolls Out Exciting Developments For Offshore Anglers
Y
amaha has some exciting new developments in the marketplace this summer that should catch the eye of offshore anglers. The latest version of the venerable F350 outboard now offers five full years of limited warranty protection. Also, Yamaha’s Helm Master Integrated Boat Control System has a new feature that will make large boats powered by big outboards even easier to control. The newest version of Yamaha’s most powerful outboard, the new 5.3-liter F350C now provides five full years of limited warranty coverage, wrapping a refined outboard package with a list of benefits and features that are still unique in the marketplace nine years after the debut of the original F350. “The inclusion of five years of limited warranty coverage with the F350C underscores the reliability of the F350,” said Ben Speciale, president, Yamaha Marine Group. “We are confident that this benefit for our 5.3-liter V8 customers builds in exceptional value for Yamaha’s most powerful outboard on the market.” Yamaha’s F350 redefined offshore power in 2007 and still has little competition in its class. The first F350 offered an outboard capable of the raw thrust necessary for pushing larger and heavier offshore boats. Thousands of F350s later, there is still nothing like it. And for boaters looking to control all that power, the new and improved Helm Master Integrated Boat Control System makes fishing from and docking big boats a breeze. Yamaha Marine Group recently announced a new feature that gives its Helm Master Integrated Boat Control System even greater levels of control. With the Set Point boat positioning function, boaters now have the capability to integrate all boat control systems and then guide them with GPS navigation technology. “The introduction of Helm Master changed the way boaters think about controlling larger outboard-powered boats,” said Speciale. “Helm Master made docking less stressful and fishing on the open water more enjoyable. Set Point takes that functionality and precision to the next level.” Set Point is comprised of a suite of satellite-guided capabilities designed to improve the boater’s ability to fish, maneuver and simply enjoy life on the water. Using a unique dual-antenna GPS to provide Helm Master’s operating system more navigational information, the Set Point function provides even greater and more precise control. Set Point has three primary modes: Stay Point, Fish Point and Drift Point. Each Set Point mode provides a solution to the tricky maneuvering challenges boaters encounter every day. Stay Point keeps the boat positioned near a particular spot; it maintains a selected position and heading. This mode is particularly helpful when a boat must hold a position and heading, for example at a fuel dock or at a bridge opening. In adverse weather or high currents, Helm Master uses higher RPM and greater engine activity to keep the boat as close to the mark as possible, within a 75-foot circle of the set point. Fish Point enhances fishing options; it maintains a selected position, but not a heading, and primarily uses only idle RPM to do so. The Fish Point mode makes use of a captain’s knowledge in heading a boat into the current or wind, bow upstream or downstream, to maintain a heading. Under normal condi-
tions, the Set Point function will use no more than idle RPM to hold the Fish Point position, which means Fish Point operation is less likely to scare the fish. In stronger seas, Fish Point will attempt to keep the boat on the point selected using no more than the requested Fish Point RPM to do so, up to 2,500 RPM. Yamaha’s Shift Dampener System propellers play a role in keeping the boat on point quietly, too. Drift Point allows the boater to drift the boat with the wind or the current; it maintains a selected heading, but not a position. Drift Point mode is particularly useful to maintain a heading when drift fishing or kite fishing. Drift Point allows the boat to drift with the wind or current, but stay pointed in the heading chosen. Each Set Point mode is activated with the touch of a button. The Set Point control buttons are integrated into the new Helm Master joystick and use Yamaha’s new CL7 touch screen display to initially configure the operator’s preferences. Each Set Point mode is user-defined for the needs of individual boaters. Helm Master Set Point hardware includes a dual-antenna GPS and stern-mounted lighting that illuminates any time any mode of the SetPoint system is active. The Yamaha CL7 display has a 7-inch touch panel screen with full multi-function display (MFD) capability and connectivity. The display offers precise engine and boat systems data for up to four outboards on one screen, along with other MFD functions such as maps, fishfinder, and graphing capabilities using its built-in 10 MHz GPS. It is the primary display for Yamaha’s fully integrated Helm Master boat control system, and is the required point of access to configure Set Point. Contact your dealer about the latest version of the Helm Master or for information about a retrofit kit that will bring earlier Helm Master-equipped boats up to date with the new technology. For information on all of Yamaha’s industry-leading products, go to www.yamahaoutboards.com.
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MOTOR REVIEW Tohatsu Introduces New Colors For MFS40 and MFS50
In 2014, Tohatsu brought to market some of its most popular outboards to date with its 40 and 50hp four strokes, the MFS40 and the MFS50. Weighing less than any other outboard in their class, they have experienced tremendous success in the mid-range market. New for 2017, Tohatsu is offering these in-demand outboards in a new color, Beluga White. One of the coolest looking outboards on the market is now offered in both Aqua Marine Blue and Beluga White. Boaters now have the option to choose which color best fits with their boat. The MFS40 starts at just 209 pounds. This outboard is equipped with proven technology, including electronic fuel injection (EFI) and digital CD ignition, which provides quick throttle response, excellent fuel economy and very smooth rides on the water. The MFS40 also has a high output 21 amp alternator for superior battery charging. The adjustable steering friction and trim tab reduces your amount of steering effort, making for an easier and more enjoyable boating experience. Convenience is also covered with the 40hp four stroke’s
built-in freshwater flushing system, making routine flushing quick and easy. The 40hp EFI four stroke not only offers a more powerful ride while using less fuel, but is among the lightest on the water in its class. With proven reliability and performance, the MFS40 is every boater’s versatile choice for work, play or even once-in-a-lifetime memory making. Many of the same things can be said of the MFS50. It is the lightest weight motor possible, and it has been upgraded with an improved gear case with a lower gear ratio, giving you the increased low end torque your boat needs. This outboard also has variable idling speed control from 650 to 950 rpms. And the MFS50’s stainless steel water pump housing liner gives you outstanding durability. With the 50hp four stroke’s power to quickly reach your destination, exceptional fuel performance to keep gas costs down and proven electronic fuel injection technology for worry-free boating, you’ve never had a day on the water quite like this.
For more on Tohatsu’s complete lineup of outboards, see www.tohatsu.com/outboards/.
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BOAT REVIEW Piranha F2000
underway and the breeze out of your face. The incorporated padded cooler seat offers insulated storage for you meals and drinks or today’s catch. Built into the hull design is our transom pocket tunnel that allows you to get the engine jacked up or down to allow for a smooth dry ride in either shallow or deeper water. The F2000 deck design includes built in toe kick and spray chine to keep you on the boat and the water out. The F2000 is the ultimate fishing platform. Designed by Jesse Rhodes, of Rhodes Yacht Design, an avid inshore fisherman, it takes advantage of the newest hydrodynamics with simplistic style.
SPECIFICATIONS Piranha Boatworks of Sanford, Fla. has designed the ultimate fishing platform with its F2000 Flats/Bay boat. Drafting 6 to 8 inches, with a maximum of 150 hp, this sleek hull can get you to and from your favorite fishing grounds in short order. It offers all that Piranha Boatworks is famous for, a large forward casting deck, plenty of storage fore and aft and 6 under-gunnel rod holders. The deck is laid out with a large dry storage compartment forward and three storage wells aft. The aft wells are comprised of an aerated live well, release well and dry storage in a saddle bag configuration. The F2000’s large center console has space for all your flush mount electronics. The console grab rail and wind screen keep you steady while
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LENGTH: 19’6” BEAM: 7’8” DEADRISE: 7 Degrees DRAFT: 6’-8” WEIGHT: 1,250 lbs. MAX HP: 150 FUEL CAPACITY: 30 gallons
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MOTOR REVIEW Suzuki Marine Introduces New Models To Outboard Lines
Suzuki Marine is expanding two of its most popular lines of outboards with new models to fill the needs of boaters and anglers. New SS-Series Models The performance-oriented SS-Series, with its signature matte-black paint job and distinctive graphics, is growing with a new 200hp four stroke and the availability of a 25-inch shaft length on its premier 250 SS V6. “People really like the performance matte black look and have been asking us to expand the line,” said Gus Blakely, vice president of sales for Suzuki Marine. “We’re happy to do that by adding the 200SS and making the 250SS available for more kinds of boats.” The Suzuki 200SS features Suzuki’s 200-horsepower inline 4-cylinder powerhead, with 175.0 cubic inch displacement, dual overhead cams and a 10.2:1 compression ratio for increased power and performance. Engine operations are managed by an onboard Engine Control Module and an array of sensors that control the engine’s multi-point sequential electronic fuel injection system and Lean Burn Control technology. The 200SS will come with conventional mechanical throttle and shift control and will be available in 20-inch and 25-inch shaft models. At just 518 lbs, this 4-cylinder outboard delivers V6 like performance in a more compact, lightweight package.
The availability of a 25-inch shaft model for the popular 250SS has been eagerly awaited. The V6 4-Stroke 250SS, with 4.0 liter displacement and a powerful 2.08:1 gear ratio, has built a solid reputation on the pro-bass circuit. With the addition of a 25-inch shaft length model, this high-powered outboard will find new application on bay boats, walleye boats, even the new breed of performance pontoon boats. New AP Advanced Series Models Suzuki has every right to be proud of the DF150AP and DF175AP, two new models in their toptier AP-Series. In addition to a long list of advanced features, these new 150- and 175-hp inline four cylinder outboards feature Suzuki Precision Control drive-by-wire throttle and shift, as well as Suzuki’s innovative Selective Rotation gear case. These outboards share their engineering DNA with Suzuki’s popular DF200AP 200-horsepower inline-four cylinder outboard. All three engines are built off of the same 175 cubic inch displacement inlinefour cylinder engine block. The new DF150AP and DF175AP boast the largest displacement in their respective horsepower classes. Engine performance is enhanced by a 10.2:1 compression ratio that generates optimal power, contributing to an impressive hole-shot and mid-range acceleration. A newly developed Semi-Direct Air Intake System further boosts power by providing cooler airflow to each cylinder. With the addition of these two models, Suzuki offers a wide range of new generation lightweight, compact, yet powerful inline four cylinder 4-stroke outboards. For more information on Suzuki’s full line of 4-stroke outboard motors, visit www.suzukimarine.com or call 714-996-7040.
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SZ_Q2
suzuki spring savings Three Limited Time Offers Make A Good Deal Even Better Suzuki Gives You All Three So You Don’t Have To Choose One Or The Other
Buy a new Suzuki outboard from 25 to 300 horsepower and take advantage of not just one, but ALL THREE Suzuki Spring promotional offers.
Add cash rebates on select models and you can get up to $800 cash back. Plus our Repower Financing is available at attractive interest rates (on approved credit.*)
Just say, “Gimme Six!” and you’ll get six years of product protection. That’s right, you’ll get Suzuki’s three-year limited warranty and Suzuki’s 3-Year Extended Protection Plan at no extra charge.
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For details and the name of your nearest participating Suzuki Marine dealer, visit www.suzukimarine.com
Gimme Six Extended Protection promo is applicable to new Suzuki Outboard Motors from 25 to 300 HP in inventory which are sold and delivered to buyer between 4/01/17 and 6/30/17 in accordance with the promotion by a Participating Authorized Suzuki Marine dealer in the continental US and Alaska to a purchasing customer who resides in the continental US or Alaska. Customer should expect to receive an acknowledgement letter and full copy of contract including terms, conditions and wallet card from Suzuki Extended Protection within 90 days of purchase. If an acknowledgement letter is not received in time period stated, contact Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. – Marine Marketing via email: marinepromo@suz.com. The Gimme Six Promotion is available for pleasure use only, and is not redeemable for cash. Cash Rebates apply to qualifying purchases of select Suzuki Outboard Motors made between 4/01/17 and 6/30/17. For list of designated models, see participating Dealer or visit www.suzukimarine.com. Customer and participating Dealer must fill out the appropriate rebate form at time of sale. Customer will have the choice to either apply the cash rebate against the original dealer invoice (Suzuki will credit Dealer parts account) or have a check sent directly to the customer. There are no model substitutions, benefit substitutions, rain checks, or extensions. Suzuki reserves the right to change or cancel these promotions at any time without notice or obligation. * Financing offers available through Synchrony Retail Finance. As low as 5.99% APR financing for 60 months on new and unregistered Suzuki Outboard Motors. Subject to credit approval. Not all buyers will qualify. Approval, and any rates and terms provided, are based on credit worthiness. $19.99/month per $1,000 financed for 60 months is based on 5.99% APR. Hypothetical figures used in calculation; your actual monthly payment may differ based on financing terms, credit tier qualification, accessories or other factors such as down payment and fees. Offer effective on new, unregistered Suzuki Outboard Motors purchased from a participating authorized Suzuki dealer between 4/01/17 and 6/30/17. “Gimme Six”, the Suzuki “S” and model names are Suzuki trademarks or ®. Don’t drink and drive. Always wear a USCG-approved life jacket and read your owner’s manual. © 2017 Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.
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BOAT REVIEW CustomBilt Pondtoon
The Pondtoon is the perfect small-water boat for the avid river and pond angler, duck and bow hunter, as well as the family with children or grandchildren. All boats are all-welded aluminum construction made in the USA with premium options to meet every fisherman’s needs in boating. There are several styles to choose from that include: Fishing Series, Hunting Series, Pleasure Series, Farm/Pond Workboats, Search and Rescue and our new Camo boat. There are even wheelchair-accessible models Pondtoon boats are factory assembled in three standard sizes with options and additional features that allow you to equip the boat for your fishing and hunting style at a very affordable price. Contact us at 334-684-2210 or pondtoons@gmail.com with any questions to help you “customize” your very own CustomBilt Pondtoon boat.
SPECIFICATIONS LENGTH: 14’16” BEAM: 5’ to 6’ MAX HP: 9.9
CONSTRUCTION: .090 marine-grade aluminum BUILDER: Custombilt Pondtoons
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FIELD TEST
Sea Eagle FishSUP FS126
Standup paddleboard fishing is trending, so we eagerly tested Sea Eagle’s new inflatable FishSUP FS126. Sea Eagle calls it super stable. We were super impressed. With a length of 12’6” and a width of 40”, it’s a spacious platform that’s tough enough to work hardened shorelines. Heavy duty .90 drop-stitch material covers the top, bottom and sides for superior protection against punctures and a 90” by 18” thick, camouflage EVA pad adds additional buffering while providing a non-slip footbed. An integral 36-inch ruler makes fish measurement a snap. We packed this rig in the trunk, hit the beach, and fully inflated it in less than 10 minutes. Smartly positioned D-rings tightly secured optional accessories including a swivel seat with Scotty rod holders, battery, 34-lb. thrust electric motor and forward mesh storage box with tube-style rod holders. An SUP paddle, kayak paddle, backpack, hand pump and repair kit come with the basic package. Price: $1099. For more information, call Sea Eagle at 800748-8066 M-F, 9-5 EST, or check out their website.
WWW.SEAEAGLE.COM
NEVER WAX AGAIN! Defender RESTORE AND PROTECT YOUR BOAT Poli Glow does what wax can’t! As seen on Ship Shape TV
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for more than 12 months with a finish that is “like new!”
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Record Channel Cat Caught In N.Y. Reported by Justin Walts
E
PWC Fishing Towers
Enclosures
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Casting Platform
E-Box
Accessory Mounts
Lights
ric Scordo, of Watertown, N.Y., is a trophy catfish hunter. On April 30, he achieved a long-held dream of breaking the New York state record for channel catfish when he boated a massive 35.25-pounder from Lake Ontario’s Chaumont Bay. Caught on live bait using an Okuma reel paired with an Ugly Stick rod and an Addya hook, the beast smashed the existing record by more than 3 pounds. The previous record, which stood since 2002, weighed 32.12 pounds and was caught from Brant Lake, a 1,300acre reservoir in the Hudson River drainage. Scordo is a little bit of a fanatic about catch and release. The philosophy makes sense for someone specializing in large catfish, as it can take these fish decades to grow to state record size. Scordo was determined to release his record fish alive. So after it was weighed on a certified scale at Chaumont Hardware, the fish was taken to Chaumont Bay Marina where assistance was provided in keeping the fish alive and healthy. It was kept in a bait tank for a full day before a state biologist made it out for verification. After the record was verified, Scordo nurtured the fish to recovery and released it back into Chaumont Bay. An impressive gathering of local media were on-hand to video the fish’s release. Check out Chaumont Bay Marina on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/chaumontbaymarina/?rf=120452787968030
For more on this record catch, go to
Storage Bag
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You could get a discount when you combine your auto and boat policies.
for your boat geico.com | 1-800-865-4846 | Local Office Some discounts, coverages, payment plans and features are not available in all states or all GEICO companies. Boat and PWC coverages are underwritten by GEICO Marine Insurance Company. Multi-Policy Discount available to auto insureds that have purchased a boat policy through the GEICO Marine Insurance Company. GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, D.C. 20076; a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. © 2017 GEICO
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• Makes precision cross, bevel and miter cuts • Powerful 15 amp motor
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CANGL_NAT3-NAT34.indd 33
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5/16/17 AM 5/9/17 11:52 4:00 PM
UR-Cut
Fishmaster Launches Best Catch Contest for Customers Nationwide
F
i s h m a s t e r, creators of the first universal folding T-Top, has launched the Fishmaster Best Catch Contest. This contest offers Fishmaster customers and anglers throughout the U.S the opportunity to win a custom fiberglass reproduction of their award-winning catch crafted by American Fish Taxidermy. Contestants can submit unlimited pictures of their catch for a chance to win monthly prizes and to become eligible to win this grand prize, valued at $500 to $1,000. Entrants are encouraged to submit as many photos of different catches as possible. The contest kicked off Saturday, April 1, 2017 and ends on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017. “We design our products with the ultimate goal of helping our fellow anglers reel in the perfect catch,” said Greg Spivia of Fishmaster. “We want to showcase our loyal customers with the fish they caught in a way they can remember forever, through partnering with the most talented fish taxidermist in the U.S.—American Fish Taxidermy.” Through the contest, Fishmaster is awarding monthly prizes through September. Monthly prizes will be announced via email and Facebook on the first Monday of each month. The Grand Prize Winner will be announced on Oct. 15 via email with public notice on Fishmaster’s Facebook page. Monthly winners are eligible for the Grand Prize; however, our independent team of anglers will review all submissions before naming the big winner. Fishmaster encourages all interested parties to learn more about the Best Catch Contest, official rules, and how to enter at https://fishmaster. com/bestcatch.
BIG ICE
MAKE YOUR OWN ICE!
TRAYS
-Makes six 4” Cubes -10 lbs. of Ice per Tray -Last twice as long! -No more plastic bags -Save money by easily reusing
Ergonomically perfect. Virtually non-slip. Unmatched comfort. Unmatched control. Takes minutes to do.
UR-Cut features the same legendary DEXSTEEL, super-sharp edge, and just-right flexibility that you are used to with Dexter... 1.Dip handle in boiling water for 2 minutes. 2. Dip in cold water for 1 second. 3. Grip and form handle for 10 seconds. 4. Put back in cold water for 10 seconds and your done.
dexteroutdoors.com
BOAT REVIEW Mitzi Skiffs Mitzi 17
bigice.com contact@bigice.com
contact@bigice.com | 504-710-7766
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• Regional Reports • Featured Articles • Fishing Tips • Giveaways
If you shallow-water fish and need a flats boat, Mitzi Skiff is the boat for you. All Mitzi Skiff models float very shallow, they pole easily and track straight. With a minimum of horsepower, they are quick and provide a very smooth and dry ride. Mitzi Skiffs offers several models to fit an angler’s needs and budget. Their Mitzi 17 is perfect for the most demanding shallow-water anglers and charter captains. From its ability to get you home comfortably to its ultra-stealthy, no-hull-slap hull, it’s truly an angler’s boat. The 17’s CAD-designed hull has performance unmatched by any other shallow-draft skiff, at any price. It will do 45mph with a 60 hp engine, and it is capable of fishing 3 or 4 people. It offers lots of storage, easy maintenance and is remarkably dry. With a wide bow area and 11-degree deadrise hull, these boats take you to the shallow areas to find the fish and across open water as well. Mitzi Skiffs came from the idea that flats fishing didn’t have to be a rich man’s sport. Mitzi skiff is a boat that all of us can afford. They are lightweight, all composite, shallow water workhorses. There are many options available including center consoles, live wells, built-in tanks, Power Poles and much more. Professional captains guide out of Mitzi Skiffs every day, even days that are less ideal conditions.
SPECIFICATIONS
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Fillet Knives
The only custom moldable handle fillet knife.
I
LENGTH: 16’10” BEAM: 77” DRAFT: 7”
WEIGHT: 550 lbs. FUEL: 12 gallons MAX HP: 70
WWW.MITZISKIFFS.COM
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YAMAHA OUTBOARD’S
SEASON OF SAVINGS SALES EVENT
OFFER VALID FROM
MAY 1, 2017–JUNE 16, 2017 Get the season started with a reliable Yamaha four-stroke outboard. For a limited time, purchase an eligible, select, new Yamaha 2.5-hp to 175-hp† four-stroke outboard, and receive:
750
$ ELIGIBLE FOUR-STROKE OUTBOARDS
DEALERSHIP CREDIT TOWARD THE PURCHASE OF GOODS/SERVICES
175 HP†
$750 based on MSRP
115-150 HP†
$500 based on MSRP
60-90 HP
$400 based on MSRP
30-50 HP
$300 based on MSRP
20-25 HP
$200 based on MSRP
8-15 HP
$150 based on MSRP
2.5-6 HP
$125 based on MSRP
†
†
†
UP TO
The following four-stroke models are NOT eligible for this promotion: VF175XA, VF115XA, F90LB, F90XB, F90JB, F75LB, F25SMHC, F25LMHC, F25SWHC, F25LWHC, F25SWC, F25LWC, F25LC and F25LWTC.
IN DEALER CREDIT
Toward the purchase of additional goods or services from your authorized, participating Yamaha outboard dealer.*
See your authorized participating Yamaha outboard dealer today for details! Other restrictions and conditions may apply. *PROGRAM TERMS AND CONDITIONS: Consumer benefit for purchasing a new (unused not previously warranty registered) eligible Yamaha 2.5 to 175 HP four-stroke outboard is a credit based on MSRP toward the purchase of goods and/or services at the authorized, participating dealer that sold the outboard, at no extra cost to consumer. NO BENEFIT SUBSTITUTIONS. The following four-stroke models are NOT eligible for this promotion: VF175XA, VF115XA, F90LB, F90XB, F90JB, F75LB, F25SMHC, F25LMHC, F25SWHC, F25LWHC, F25SWC, F25LWC, F25LC and F25LWTC. To be eligible, outboards must also have been manufactured since January 2010. Promotion is only applicable from authorized participating Yamaha Outboard dealers in the U.S.A. sold to purchasing consumers residing in the U.S.A. Promotion is limited to available stock in dealer inventory that is sold, PDI completed, delivered and warranty registered on YMBS by the dealer in accordance with Yamaha’s promotion and warranty registration requirements during applicable dates. No model substitutions, benefit substitutions, extensions or rain checks will be allowed. Outboards sold or provided for commercial, camp, resort, rental, promotional/demo, scratch-and-dent, government agency, competition, tournament or sponsorship use are not eligible. This promotion cannot be used in conjunction with any other Yamaha offer. Some exceptions may apply. See authorized, participating Yamaha dealer for complete details. Yamaha reserves the right to change or cancel this promotion at any time. Other restrictions and conditions apply. REMEMBER to always observe all applicable boating laws. Never drink and drive. Dress properly with a USCG-approved personal floatation device and protective gear. © 2017 Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. All rights reserved.
YamahaOutboards.com
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