Coastal Angler Magazine | November 2023 | North Central Florida/Nature Coast Edition by Coastal Angler Magazine

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GATOR TROUT On the Fly

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COASTALANGLERMAG.COM/CONTEST VOLUME 28 • ISSUE 344

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FOR NOVEMBER’S BOUNTY By Capt. Quinlyn Haddon

ith cold fronts rolling in and the slow season phasing out, November is a special month off the Keys. Crowds of sailfish begin to move up onto our reef, and a morning spent loading the cooler with yellowtail snapper transitions easily into a trophy fish hunt. Both can be targeted at the same time. Out on the reef, filling the boat with yellowtail takes care of the grocery hunt, and it’s also an opportunity to scoop some fresh ballyhoo. Once the cooler is full, the anchor is pulled and the sailfish hunt begins in the same area. This can lead to epic trips, with dinner and a show, all on a mere half day charter. Sitting on anchor on the reef should give the captain a reasonable assessment for the next steps to take into sailfishing for the remainder of the trip. Often, you will be able to see sailfish breaking the surface around you during the snapper fishing portion of the trip. You may see them either freejumping and putting on a show or pushing up schools of ballyhoo and spraying bait into the air, indicating their presence and appetite. If this obvious display isn’t present right away, there are two viable options to pursue the sailfish.

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The captain may choose to push out to deeper water and bump troll live bait, or deploy the kite, which can be extremely productive. Alternatively, and easily the more exciting option, is to travel along the reef and look for them. As you cruise the reef looking for a sightcasting opportunity, there are a few indicators to be watchful of. First, it is possible to see the sailfish itself, but this is a little more tricky from deck-level. A sailfish in the water will appear very black and can often look like a trash bag. They can also be spotted free-jumping and cruising the tops of the waves. Looking for the fish directly is actually the least productive way to find them without a tower on the boat to scout from. The best way to find them is running and gunning. Cruising slowly while scouring the surface for bait sprays and diving frigates gives them away almost every time. When the frigates start getting down on the water or large schools of bait are spraying into the air, throttle down because it’s game on. Hauling butt over to

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the action and trying to get your bait out there before the fish eats another ballyhoo is one of the most exciting types of fishing there is. Even if you miss your shot, there’s a great chance you will see the fish. Nothing compares to the adrenaline of this type of hunt. With cooler temperatures pushing in, tourism is more focused on fishing charters. Last minute bookings become more difficult. So, if you’re planning a vacation to the Florida Keys, it is recommended to make a charter reservation beforehand. Happy hunting and Happy Thanksgiving from Sweet E’nuf Charters! Capt. Quinlyn Haddon and Sweet E’nuf Charters fish out of Marathon in the Florida Keys. Contact Capt. Haddon at (504) 920-6342 and follow her social accounts @CaptainQuinlyn.

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EuroNymphing By Nick Carter

ove it or hate it, Euro nymphing is a style of fly fishing that is growing in popularity because it is so darn effective for catching numbers of trout. Naysayers might gripe about the technique having more in common with cane-pole fishing than fly fishing, but Euro nymphers are too busy netting fish to care. It is a combination of styles employed by European tournament anglers. At the most basic level, it is a simple way to fish nymphs without an indicator. The angler remains in constant loose contact with the fly and leads the drift with the rod. Bite detection is instant, hook sets are quick, and the angler has complete control over the depth and trajectory of the drift. Grant Hawse guides out of Fish Tales Outfitters in Franklin, N.C. He honed his nymphing skills as a member of the U.S. team at the World Youth Fly Fishing Championships in Spain and Slovenia in 2016 and 2017. Here are his tips for getting into Euro nymphing.

THE BASICS

Hawse said he visualizes a 3D grid in a run. He uses a series of short flick casts to drift his nymph over every inch of that grid vertically and horizontally. Depth is controlled by the angle of the rod, making it possible to present the fly on the nose of every fish in a run. Angles, posture and smooth line retrieve are important. Rapt attention to the slightest tick of a bite leads to lightning-fast hook sets. The technique might seem tedious to traditional fly fishers, but if the goal is to catch lots of fish, Euro nymphing has proven itself superior in most situations.

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You’ll need new gear to Euro nymph efficiently. Rod: Long, light rods give you reach and sensitivity. Cortland’s Nymph Series rods are 10’ 6” and come in 2- to 4-weight models. THE TECHNIQUE Reel: The reel balances the rig. Hawse said Euro nymphing is an efficient way to cover a reel rated for line one step heavier than the every inch of the water in front of you. With very rod’s rating generally does the trick. Test this by little slack in the system, the angler has complete balancing the rod with two fingers as a fulcrum on the handle. control of the path and depth of the drift.

Line: Hawse suggested spooling up with floating fly line instead of expensive Euro nymphing line. The main line rarely leaves the reel when you’re nymphing, anyway, and if you want to throw dry flies you can switch out the leader. Leader: Here’s a basic leader: 10 feet of 8-lb. mono, 6 feet of 6-lb. mono, 6 feet of 4-lb. mono, 2 feet of 6x sighter, and 4 feet of 6x tippet. Sighter is brightly colored leader material that allows the angler to see where the line is and what it’s doing. Flies: Euro nymph rigs require heavier flies. Fish Tungsten heads or nymphs with lead tied into the body. Contact Fish Tales Outfitters through their website www.fishtaleswnc.com.

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Hunting On the Fly Gator Trout By Nick Carter

atching gator trout heavier than 5 or 6 pounds has more in common with hunting than it does with setting up on a drop and catching schoolie trout hand over fist. Add to that the challenge of hunting them with a fly, and success becomes that much sweeter. Capt. Gus Brugger knows that sweet feeling well. He’s a regular contributor the Treasure Coast edition of Coastal Angler Magazine who has been hounding inshore species with a fly rod for nearly 40 years. He was a full-time inshore guide on Florida’s storied Indian River Lagoon for 23 years and has a lot to share when it comes to catching monster trout on the fly. “It’s got to be all about stealth if you want to get a big seatrout on the fly,” he said. “Whether from a kayak, a boat, or just accessing areas from the bank, I always feel like you’re a lot better off wading.” The primary benefit of wading is stealth, and it also forces you to work areas thoroughly. Outsized trout are notoriously skittish and spook from hull slap, shadows and even fly line on the water. With your feet in the sand, you’re less obtrusive, and while you might not be able to cover water like you would from a boat, you can be meticulous. “Grid out pieces of open water, set up with the wind off your shoulder— so you’re not knocking yourself in the head,” Brugger said. “Cast, take two steps to the side, and then cast again. Wind helps, and a little chop on the water helps keep them from spooking.” Carefully picking apart potholes, ditches and depressions on a flat is the go-to tactic for most of the year, but cooler winter water temps bring exciting opportunities for fly anglers. Winter may be the best time to target giant trout. “In winter, gators act more like snook than trout,” Brugger said. Big trout push into the backwaters in search of deeper holes with more comfortable

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water temperatures. This could be off a canal dock or in a trough of deep water along a mangrove bank. These comfort zones consolidate fish. While wading isn’t an option in several feet of muck on a canal bottom, a kayak or small skiff can get you in quietly. Brugger and his son have had great winter days at backwater holes in no-motor zones. As for gear, a 7- or 8-weight fly rod gives you the ability to throw big streamers and baitfish patterns. Brugger said they’ll eat a shrimp, but you’re better off throwing big mullet or menhaden imitations. Whether it’s a Clouser, Bendback, Polar Fiber Minnow, or some articulated monstrosity, Brugger fishes flies that are 6 inches and longer. Some days they want flashy white and chartreuse patterns. Other days they want something more natural. A clear intermediate sinking fly line is helpful for stealth and to get flies down into the strike zone. For more tips and tactics, visit coastalanglermag.com.

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fall and winter great, but also the fact that there are fewer tourists around. That means when you go fishing in popular areas, you won’t have to fight for the best spots. Plus, lots of resorts and hotels offer off-season rates, so you can save money and get more value for your dollar. A lot of species are in migration patterns during these months, so you can expect a wide variety of fish. Many of the fish that migrate south when ocean temps begin cooling eventually park themselves off the Keys. If you’re trying to go offshore, blackfin tuna and sailfish become more plentiful this time of year. Blackfins are delicious, and sailfish offer a battle you won’t forget when they come up out of the water tailwalking. Various mackerel and snapper species are usually available for the taking around this time, as well, and that’s usually action-packed. In the backcountry, there are jumbo snook, tarpon and permit. These classic backcountry game fish will definitely give you a fight to remember. So, whether you prefer fishing in the backcountry or in open water, you’re guaranteed to have a blast and reel in some great catches. The offseason months are really the best time to visit. The water is calm, there are lots of fish species to catch, the scenery is breathtaking, and you can count on local guides to help you out. Book your trip, take advantage of the offseason rates, and embark on an unforgettable fishing adventure in the stunning Florida Keys!

By Astrid DeGruchy

f you love fishing, you’ve gotta check out the Florida Keys during the off season. While most people visit from March to June, anglers in the know go during the offseason, from August through December. Not only does the temperature drop comfortably, but the hotels are more affordable and the fishing is amazing. It’s not just the cooler temperatures that makes

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NOVEMBER 2023

NEW SNOOK MANAGEMENT BEGINS JAN. 1

eginning Jan. 1, the way Florida manages its snook fisheries will change dramatically. At its October meeting, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission approved new management regions and regulations for snook in state waters. These regulations will establish nine new snook management regions and establish open seasons as well as bag and slot limits for each region. This will allow FWC staff to monitor snook fisheries in each region independently and annually to adjust regulations regionally, similar to the way redfish are managed. “Through innovative management strategies like this, which allow us to be agile in our response to concerns, we are ensuring that Florida’s future generations of anglers will have access to this iconic fishery,” said FWC Chairman Rodney Barreto. Here’s a breakdown of the regions and regulations for next year: Panhandle, Big Bend, Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay Open Season: March – April, September – November Bag limit: one fish Slot limit: 28-33 inches Charlotte Harbor, Southwest Open Season: March – April, October – November Bag Limit: one fish Slot Limit: 28-33 inches Southeast, Indian River Lagoon, Northeast Open Season: February – May, September – Dec. 14 Bag Limit: one fish Slot Limit: 28-32 inches For more information, including the October 2023 Commission meeting presentation, visit MyFWC.com/Commission.

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COASTAL ANGLER North Central Florida/Nature Coast

NOVEMBER 2023 EDITION

Find Your Outdoors Here!

Cary & Lynn Crutchfield

North Central Florida Nature Coast Staff

ALACHUA, MARION, COLUMBIA, GILCHRIST, BRADFORD, DIXIE, LEVY, CITRUS

Cary Crutchfield

NOVEMBER

ust like all of you, I am shocked beyond belief at the horror in Israel, Gaza and still Ukraine. I don’t personally know anyone there, but when I see their faces, in my heart, I know every one of them. I am a mother, a grandmother, and soon to be a great grandmother. Again, just like all of you, nothing in my life is more important to me than my babies. I pray that it ends soon. I also know that all are enjoying this early fall weather. No heat, no air and open French doors. November, my favorite month. Love it! This month recipe, Sautéed Shrimp with Rice Pilaf is very basic and easy. I give you my white and wild rice pilaf recipe that goes very well with seafood, chicken, and pork. One theme runs through all of the guides’ forecasts this month, and that is, November is just about the best month in the whole year for great fishing in our area. They would love to take you on a charter and share their wealth of fishing knowledge with you, or you can call them just to talk about fishing. They are the very best! Also, if you get the chance thank our advertisers and the folks at the location where you picked up the world’s greatest FREE fishing magazine. Don’t forget to get your Covid booster when you get your annual flu shot. You can get them both at the same time. Stay smart, stay well and stay alive. Happy Thanksgiving to all of you, and when you gather with your family this Thanksgiving, hug them all just a little tighter, and be thankful that we live in the United States.

Lynn Crutchfield Co-Publisher Coastal Angler Magazine of North Central Florida/Nature Coast

SALES

EDITING & PRODUCTION Lynn Crutchfield

DISTRIBUTION Rosa Crisman

GRAPHIC ARTS & DESIGN Kathleen Stemley

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Noel Kuhn Dr. Kevin McCarthy Capt. Jason Clark Capt. Katie Jo Davis Capt. Tommy Derringer Capt. Andrew Fagan Capt. Jonathan Hamilton Capt. Tony Johns Capt. James Kerr Capt. Pat McGriff Capt. Brent Woodward

CONTACT INFORMATION

crutch@coastalanglermagazine.com 352-542-0356

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Local Fishing Forecasts Monthly Recipe

Photo by: Suwannee River Water Management District

SAUTÉED SHRIMP WITH WILD AND WHITE RICE PILAF

w G 2 holida first S

Thank you to The Crab Plant for the shrimp. 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, FriSat 10:00-8:00. 201 NW 5th St. Crystal River 352-795-4700.

DIRECTIONS

INGREDIENTS

• 4 Tablespoons Butter, Bring water to boil in two divided separate saucepans. (You can’t • Salt & Pepper cook the rices together because of • 1/3 cup white rice (2/3 COOKING DIRECTIONS different cooking times. Wild rice cup water) takes longer.) Add the rices to • 1/3 cup wild rice (2/3 cup water) their individual pots. Turn heat • 1 Stalk Celery minced to low and cook until all water is • 1 Small Onion minced gone. • 2 Carrots roughly Melt 2 tablespoons butter in chopped large sauté pan. Add minced • ¼ Cup Italian Parsley celery, onion, and carrots. Cook chopped • 20 Jumbo Shrimp Peeled until just soft. Mix in parsley. and deveined Add this mixture to the white rice • 2 Cloves Garlic and gently fold in the wild rice. In same large sauté pan, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add the shrimp. Season with salt and pepper and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Turn shrimp over. Add more butter if pan is dry. Add the minced garlic to pan, and cook for additional 2 minutes. Serve shrimp and rice pilaf with your choice of green vegetable. This time, I chose broccoli. (You can add any additional chopped vegetables to the rice mixture. Chopped green beans are good or chopped red, green or yellow peppers if you like—I don’t.) Lynn Crutchfield, Co-Publisher Coastal Angler Magazine of North Central Florida 2 NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA/NATURE COAST

NOVEMBER 2023

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catch, go ou despit I agre him th rain. Th that sm For out to Coun that a did – I’ve ta into th exper carefu of oth quiet and ev Rig schoo of trav ances Coun fishin for wh day of rainin about And n 36-ye hiring lake u I’ve

FLORIDA WATERWAYS Grandparents

wrote the following article on Grandparents’ Day, September 20, 2023. The day is actually an official holiday in this country, celebrated on the first Sunday after Labor Day. When I look back at the photos of my children and me fishing and boating, I get good feelings of time well spent with them. For my son By Kevin McCarthy Matt’s first fish catch, I remember how he insisted that we go out on a dock in Punta Gorda, Florida, despite the fact that it was raining steadily. I agreed to go out with him, but reminded him that fish don’t always like to bite in the rain. The look on Matt’s fish when he caught that small fish was priceless. For my daughter Erin, she and I went out to a stocked catfish farm in Alachua County. It is a place that almost guarantees that anglers will catch a fish, which we did – to the delight of Erin. Since then, I’ve taken both children on party boats out into the Gulf for a different type of fishing experience, one in which they had to be careful not to entangle their lines with those of other fishermen, had to be somewhat quiet so as not disturb the other fishermen and even the fish, and had to be patient. Right after Matt graduated from high school, he and I flew to Ireland for a week of traveling around the country where my ancestors had lived. When we came to County Cork, we found that we could go fishing with a local guide. So off we went for what we hoped would be a memorable day of fishing for some kind of eel. It was raining and I got seasick, but we still talk about the experience with fond memories. And nowadays when my wife and I visit the 36-year-old Matt in Tennessee, we see about hiring a guide to spend the day fishing on a lake up there. I’ve taken my older children, Katie and

My youngest son and his first fish

My youngest daughter and her first fish

Mother and child boating

Mother and daughter fishing

Grandfather and grandson fishing

Brendan, out fishing, and I’ll mention those adventures at another time. These other photos show a future grandmother and child boating, a future grandmother and child fishing, and a grandfather fishing with his grandchildren. For grandparents having an opportunity to impart to their grandchildren how to bait a hook, cast the line, have patience waiting for a bite, and handling a canoe is a priceless chance to spend quality time with those we love. I still fondly remember my father taking my brother and me out in a rowboat

on a New Jersey bay. That was a long time ago, but the memory remains strong. So, grandparents and future grandparents, enjoy the time with your offspring. Having grandchildren near us makes every day “Grandparents’ Day,” I guess. Dr. Kevin M. McCarthy 3815 S.W. 5th Place | Gainesville, FL 32607 Phone: (352) 377-2178 | Cell: (352) 870 0819 web site: kevinmccarthy.us “Fair winds and following seas" - best wishes from a traveler

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NOVEMBER 2023

NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA/NATURE COAST 3

KATIE JO’S NATURE COAST ADVENTURES

Boat with someone you can trust.

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NOVEMBER 2023

ovember is a wonderful time to be out on the water. Cool mornings and warm afternoons, create the ideal fishing days here on Florida’s Nature Coast. Sea trout are starting to make their way into the shallower areas, and are a great fish to target during the cooler months. Typically, a 1/8 ounce jig, slowly twitched across the grassy flats and near oyster bar cuts with a shrimp will produce a great bite. Targeting snook this time of the year is definitely a favorite as they begin to school up, in our rivers looking for a highly vibrating lure swimming past their face. My go-to lure is the SXT-10 in gold or white. The redfish will begin to school up on the rocky areas of the rivers and creeks. Typically, mullet boils atop of the water are where you’ll find the redfish. I use a 3/0 circle hook with a small split shot to sit near the rocks, where the redfish can sniff it out and eat it. Regardless of the type of fish you’re

targeting in November, there is always something biting. Captain Katie Jo KD OUTDOORS FiSHING CHARTERS www.fishcrystalriverflorida.com 772–882-8932

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atie Jo HING RTERS a.com 2-8932

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ey anglers! Wow, where to begin? Cedar Key is coming back from the hurricane, stronger than ever with many businesses back up and running. I just wanted to say thank you to all who have helped and shown support. Along with the city cone back stronger, so is the bite. The redfish, snook, and trout bite has been amazing. My charters catching so

many reds and snook around the islands using cut bait. It's made for so many great charters. All you need to do is bounce around the shell beds and look for bait fish. The bait fish have been the key Ingredient to our success on those fun fish! The trout are thick on most flats right now. Depths I'm fishing are between 2 to 5 feet. Right now, I'm using Four Horsemen corks paired with Grammy Smith paddle tails from C&M Custom Baits. We see filling the cooler on most trips with that deadly combo. On top of fishing charters, I've also had the privilege of doing few weddings booked through my new "Tie The Knot, with In The Slot" page. I recently became a notary and now offer both boat and beach weddings. It's a nice change of pace from charters. So, if you know anyone looking for a unique wedding experience, please feel free to spread the word. Until next month. Stay safe out there! Capt. Jason Clark In The Slot Fishing Charters 352-639-3209 www.intheslotfishing.com

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SUWANNEE

ell it's finally November! After a hot summer capped off by a Cat 2-3 Hurricane, I am ready for some cooler weather and hot fishing! As I am writing this article in mid-October we are finishing up a few days of warm weather, but the forecast for the coming week is for morning temps in the 50s to upper 40s! Currently the water temps are lower than they have been in previous years at this time. This drop in temperatures, combined with extra low tides, will make the fish move to the mouths of the creeks and rivers. They will be looking for deeper, warmer waters. This means, fish that have been scattered on the flats, will now be bunching up and schooling. For an angler, this is the best time to get out on the water to stretch a line, and catch fish! Here on the Lower Suwannee River and Estuary, we have some great Fall and Winter fishing! As the adjacent coastal waters cool off and get cold, the fish naturally migrate to the deeper creeks of the estuary and the river, looking for warmer conditions. If you are looking for redfish and like to fish the creeks and backcountry, November is a prime month for that. The redfish will be moving into the creeks, and they will be hungry. It's hard to choose the best bait, as these redfish will hit just about anything, based on the tide. On low water, you will want to target the deeper rocky holes, especially the ones with oyster bars! The primary forage for the redfish in the Lower Suwannee Estuary at this time of the year, will be blue crabs and mud crabs, but that being

said, I've never seen a redfish who will pass up a shrimp! If artificial is your thing, then the key on most days will be to slow down your presentation! As the waters cool down, the fish are less likely to "chase a bait", as they will be conserving energy. Just slow down your presentation. If fishing with scented bait like FishBites, you will want to let your bait have periods when it's sitting still, especially during the low winter tides and colder mornings. On those days, when we have had warmer days with lots of sunshine, the fish will be active on the high tide during the middle of the day. They move up to take advantage of the shallow waters that have warmed up and will be holding bait fish and crabs. At this time, I really like to fish with the FishBites Fight Club 5-inch Jerkbait. I will rig it either on a weedless hook or a jig head, 1/16, ⅛ or ¼ ounce size. This combination Captain Tony Johns | 352-221-2510 www.lowersuwanneriverfishing.com Instagram: captaintonyjohns Facebook: Lower Suwannee River Fishing Adventures

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ST. AUGUSTINE

ater temperatures are finally cooling down, so look for the inshore fishing to heat up. The next few months are the most exciting time of year to target reds on the flats and creeks. As the water cools down, it will also clear up, making sightfishing possible in our shallow flats and creeks. The creek fishing should start to fire up too. The redfish will push into the shallowest areas of the creeks on the low tides to warm up, and feed on small minnows and shrimp. Another bonus of things cooling down this time of year is you'll get to sleep-in and wait for the sun to be out for a while to warm up the water. On extreme low tides the redfish, trout and flounder will get schooled up in the deeper bends and holes in the creeks. A live shrimp or mud minnow tossed into those holes, using a 1/4oz Saltwater Assassin jighead, will be my go-to through the fall and winter months. When up on the flats, look for the area with a darker bottom (oyster bars, mud, etc.) to be holding redfish, trout, and flounder. These areas will warm up faster than others on sunny days, and make the fish more willing to chase a bait or lure. Another phenomenon that happens when water temps start to drop, is the redfish will start schooling on the flats. If you know where to look, you can find some nice schools of tightly packed redfish. Locate those redfish from a distance by looking for “muds” (discolored muddy

water caused by moving fish) and/ or pushing wakes made by moving fish. Redfish singles and doubles can also be found sunning themselves in the shallows, especially along side and on top of oyster bars. These fish will be lazy, so make sure to present your bait in a slow and methodical manner. When I spot a stationary fish, I like to cast past, and at least a few feet to either the left or right of the fish, depending on which way he's facing. Then work the bait slowly back to where the fish is laid up. Sometimes they will like it moving a little faster, and sometimes a little slower. It’s always fun trying to find the right approach. Trout fishing should turn on as it cools down as well. My favorite trout lure for this time of year is a Saltwater Assassin “Lil Boss” paddle tail in a natural color paired with a Saltwater Assassin 1/4oz jighead. The tail has a ton of thump, and the trout just can’t resist it. The jig, jig, pause method works best for me. Target creek mouths, ICW banks, and any type of structure with moving water, and you’ll be sure to find some trout hanging out. Be sure to check out my Daily Fishing Reports online @www. InshoreAdventures.net. Happy Thanksgiving!

SURF & PIER

f Paul Revere had been a surf angler, he would be shouting “The pompano are coming! The pompano are coming!”. My fellow fisherman, it is time to grab your surf rods and hit the beach. The first wave hit our beaches the second week of October. That means, we should be catching them through this month. As long as the water temperature does not drop below 65 degrees, it is go-time! On my last charter, on St Augustine beach, we found them at low tide in a nice deep slough close to the beach. This was at low tide in the morning. Sand Flea Fishbites produced just as much as fresh killed shrimp. Both outperformed live sand fleas. That is why I always try to have live Sand Fleas, live Blue Crab, live clams and Fishbites. You never know which bait will make the difference. My go-to rig is the Mortician rig. I tie my main line out of 50 lbs. and my tippets out of 30 lbs. The tippets are finished off with Eagle Capt. Tommy Derringer Claw L197 2/0 hooks. A white float www.InshoreAdventures.net on top, and an orange bead on the 904-377-3734 bottom has recently put a ton of fish on the beach! This rig is finished off

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NOVEMBER 2023

with a four-ounce sputnik sinker. If you want to learn how to tie your own rigs, just youtube Mortician rig. I believe that this is the best rig for pompano and whiting. November is also the best month for big redfish in the surf. They are finished breeding in the inlets. Now, they have moved out on to the beach for a few weeks. They will stay there until the water gets too cold, and then they will move off shore. The latest I have caught them is December 15th. The air temperature was 35 degrees, but the water was still warm enough to cast net live mullet. If you cannot get fresh mullet, a half of a blue crab is big redfish candy. November is indeed one of the best months for surf fishing here in northeast Florida. So get out, and enjoy the cooler weather and hotter bite! See you on the beach! Noel Kuhn 43 years of surf fishing experience, surf fishing guide and long distance casting coach. Founding member of Florida Surf Casters club. 904-945-0660 www.TheSurfAngler.com

NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA/NATURE COAST 11

HOMOSASSA

CRYSTAL RIVER

ello from Crystal River, and I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying some time on the water. It surely is nice to have some cooler days and less humidity; yes, it’s November. The redfish bite continues to be great. This time of year, our big schools start to thin out, and I start focusing on locating the smaller schools of fish. I continue to follow mullet and do a lot of trolling shorelines looking for reds. Shrimp is always a good choice for bait. Artificial can be very productive. Also, mirrordines are a good choice

ovember came in a hurry! I love this time of the year. It’s not uncommon to run the river this time of the year, and smell a fire burning on an island. That just brings back great memories and reminds that it’s fall on the Nature Coast. Not only is it hunting season, oyster season, football along with your favorite spoon. season, but it’s still reall good trout Trout fishing is heating up with fishing, and I love catching big trout the cooler temps. When targeting on the Nature Coast trout, I look for good spotty bottom Trout fishing will be good in the anywhere from 1 to 3 feet of water. 3-to-4-foot range, using cork rigs I catch all my trout on artificial rigged with MirrOLure lil John’s in using DOA Jerbaits, Mirrodines, or glow and watermelon red glitter. popping corks. It can take a little Top water action can be a blast on time to figure out what they want, big trout. Try the MirrOlure top but once you do, you can be very dogs for explosive surface hits! successful. November cooler waters will bring Capt. James Kerr these fish close to the mouths of 352-362-6893 Fish Creek, St. Martins, Little River, Citrusfishingchaters.com Chazz and Mason Creek. Look for the “yellow bottom” with rock grass. Outgoing tide in the fall can sometimes produce a good trout bite. Look for redfish around the outside points as well as some of the backwater bays like Blue Bay, Fish Creek Bay, and Northwest Keys. With the waters cooling, the water clarity will improve, making sight fishing good. With the clear water, they will also be very spooky. Stealth and patience is key. Really light jig heads or weedless weighted hooks rigged with DOA shads, or top water plugs can be a lot of fun. Free-lined shrimp on a 3/0 J hook can be deadly. On the fly side, redfish sliders and gurglers will produce bites. If sight fishing isn’t your thing, concentrate on the rocky points on the last half of the incoming tide. Shrimp on a jig head

12 NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA/NATURE COAST

NOVEMBER 2023

with or without a cork will work. Cut dead bait can work as well. Once the waters cool, Snook will start their transitions back into the rivers. Look for rocky points with moving water. I really like a nose hooked DOA 5-inch Cal using 3/0 J hook, or MirrOlure MirrOdine also will create hard strikes Remember that grouper season is closed, however, catching them is still fun. November is a great time of the year to troll or cast plugs for big grouper. Mangrove snapper will be making their transition to the coastal rivers, but as long as the water temps are not too low, the nearshore rocks will still produce strong snapper, and grunt bites. Once the water temps start to fall, look in the main rivers for nice sized snapper. While you are making your runs, make sure to keep an eye out for tripletail on buoys, channel markers and any type of floating structures. I have the best luck with a live shrimp under a cork. Get up current, and let the shrimp float down to them. I have had great luck in November catching tripletail on bait fish flies as well! They are a lot of fun and great table fare. New moon is on the 13th, and the full moon is the 27th. As always stay safe on the water and good luck! November 11-12 Homosassa Arts, Crafts, & Seafood Festival www.Homosassa seafood festival.org Capt. Jonathan Hamilton www.stumpnation.us 352-424-3260

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over, a the ba Insh drop t the na cool m mome The sp transit and se cuts al Trout of year keep w handle live sh or a sm a guar dinner artifici assassi chicke as wel jerkba Remem bright The truly b with fi school female new sc creek m bug m on a ji in min slayer or Ven on a 1 Offs and re is as go Novem the yea plugs i

INGLIS/YANKEETOWN

hat’s up guys and gals! Spooky season is officially over, and so is grouper. Alright, the bad news is out of the way!! Inshore water temps begin to drop to where we like it here on the nature coast. Beautiful still cool mornings can create magical moments on the water for sure. The speckled trout will begin to transition this month, big time, and settle into deeper channels and cuts along oyster bars or in creeks. Trout are very vulnerable this time of year, so it’s always important to keep what you want for dinner and handle the rest with care. A big live shrimp from Captains Cove, or a small pinfish, is as close to a guarantee this time of year for dinner, as one can come by. With artificial in mind, a small saltwater assassin in green moon or electric chicken, has always done me well, as well as a variety of suspending jerkbaits from rapala and yozuri. Remember, trout love contrast and bright colors. The redfish however, this month truly begins my winter season with fish breaking up out of big school, and the majority of big huge females pushing back offshore, and new schools are forming inside creek mouths and rocky points. A bug mudminnow or a live shrimp on a jig is the ticket. With artificial in mind, I love a gold spoon or a slayer inc. paddletail in the Houdini or Venice glow color, slow rolled on a 1/8 oz weedless hook. Offshore, if you love catch and release, the grouper fishing is as good as it gets this month! November is the best month of the year for grouper by far, casting plugs in shallow water, trolling or

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NOVEMBER 2023

NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA/NATURE COAST 13

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he re pinfish inch b an Ori Wat mid to but sh by pri action such a Dog a Jerkba Bomb Rogue month or stru If not, unwill Soft month shallo grub c

HORSESHOE BEACH

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Cecil with a 24-inch trout taken on a. live pinfish under a Back Bay Thunder.

he trout and reds have rebounded and are taking live pinfish , live shrimp and Assassin 5 inch baits, both bounced and under an Original Cajun Thunder. Water temps are holding in the mid to upper 70s as of this writing but should be down in the low 70s by printing. Expect great topwater action this month with stick baits such as MirrOlure’s Top Dog, She Dog and She Pups. Lipped hard Jerkbaits like Cordell Redfins, Bomber Long A’s and SmithWick Rogues will all catch great fish this month. If you see bait being pushed or struck, go to the stick baits. If not, fish the jerkbaits for fish unwilling to rise to the top. Soft Plastics will also shine this month as shrimp migrate into the shallows. Fish with a cork and grub combo ‘til you find them then

switch over to an un-weighted 5-inch Assassin shad to catch larger fish quicker. LIve bait, both pinfish and shrimp will take a slew of trout and reds on board One More Cast, and don’t be afraid to find out how well they work in November. Red should be schooled or bunched together on bait, so find the bait and find the reds. Gold Intruder spoons and Hex Intruders are my go-to for finding reds, then topwater or simply the 5-inch Shad fished un-weighted will catch numbers. Meanwhile, Let's Go Fishing! Pat McGriff dba One More Cast guide service for 30 years! www.onemorecast.net onemorecast@gtcom.net cell: 850.838.7541

ello guys and gals, We have arrived at my favorite time of the year. Temperatures are starting to drop, both air and water, and that means fishing is about to get hot. A lot of species will start to move out, but this is 100% the best time to go out and get your fill of red fishing and trout. I know you’ve heard me say it before, but we are at that time of the year where you cannot do anything wrong as far as travel. You’re going to find him in 8 feet of water and you’re gonna find them in 8 inches of water. You’re gonna be able to throw Poppin corks and be able to throw top waters. Everything will work.

redfish in the creeks year-round, but the majority of them will start to be in the creeks. And the same can be said for the redfish; you will be able to throw the tacklebox them and they will eat. Also wanted to remind everybody that duck season is quickly approaching, so go ahead and get on the books for the November phase. I can promise you it’ll be some of the most fun you’ve ever had. We keep it family friendly and safe on the water.

I hope everybody continues to have a good start to the fall and come see us or just give me a call if you have any questions. Until next time, keep it Reel native!!!

Cecil again, this time with a 25-inch redfish! COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

As for the redfish, they will start to move up to the creek mouths, and slowly work their way into the creeks. Once again, you can find NOVEMBER 2023

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ONE BIG FISH! 80-Pound ’Hoo Wins Summer-Long Series

ne big fish won this summer’s West Palm Beach Fishing Club’s Full Moon Wahoo Series. A single monster 79.8-pound ’hoo caught in July gave Mike Ferrara and team Terry II the heaviest aggregate weight across the three-event series. Although several teams edged closer with weights piling up thanks to several fish caught over the three dates, none were able to catch up with Terry II’s huge fish. The Full Moon Wahoo Series is a cool tournament, with single-day events held on Saturdays near the full moons of summer. This year’s dates were July 29, Aug. 26 and Sept. 30. Wahoo are the only target species, and only club members can register teams. Cash is awarded to the top boats for each fishing day. The Overall Series Champion with the heaviest overall aggregate weight is crowned after the final event. Entering the final moon on Sept. 30, Team Yellowfin and Team Whisky Business were chasing Terry II. Both teams came in with solid 40-pluspounders from previous events, and they both weighed fish on the final moon. Yellowfin’s second fish of the series weighed 23 pounds, which brought their aggregate to 66.4 pounds, good enough for a second-place series finish. Whisky Business’ fish weighed 16.8 pounds and brought them to a third-place series finish with a 59.2-pound aggregate. More than 80 boats fished at least one moon of the series. Check out the West Palm Beach Fishing Club at westpalmbeachfishingclub.org.

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SHEEPSHEAD

By Emily Hanzlik

Carry Anglers Through the Cold Months

uring these colder months, many people focus on the end of the mullet run or the bluefish that are starting to move in. However, there are other options. One of my favorites is sheepshead. This flakey white-meat fish should be a staple in your winter diet. Sheepshead are sometimes called convicts because of the black and white bars they wear like a jumpsuit. This contrasting coloration helps when sight fishing for them because you can see those bright stripes hugging closely to the structure. Sheepshead typically weigh 3 to 5 pounds, but outsized specimens grow into double digits. The larger the fish, the longer its spines: be careful of the dorsal fin when handling sheepshead. They will tense up and flare their spines trying to escape. Sheepshead inhabit almost all coastal Atlantic waters, from Nova Scotia to Brazil and throughout the Gulf of Mexico. Sheepshead tolerate a wide range of salinity, and spend most of the year inshore and even inland in more brackish water. They love structure because that’s where the crustaceans they feed on live. You’ll find them on docks, bridges, jetties, seawalls, and in the absence of man-made structure, you’ll find them on rock or hard bottom. Sheepshead move out into deeper nearshore waters to spawn in late winter to early spring but return quickly. Sheepsheads are molluscivores meaning they only

eat crustaceans. Things such as oysters, mussels, barnacles, crabs and shrimp make up their diet. To crush all that shell, they have human-like teeth and thick back molars, enabling them to crush their prey. During the crushing process, they push water through their gills and leave their mouth slightly open to eject shell pieces, leaving only the meat for them to consume. Their odd feeding behavior makes them tricky to catch with a hook and line. They love fiddler crabs, and you can find live fiddlers at a bait shop or along rock piles. You can also pick oysters off pilings and crack them open to use the meat as bait. Some anglers use a rake or hammer to scrape barnacles off pilings to chum the water. As for artificials, crappie jigs or flathead jigs are good options. With a fly rod, you can use white Clouser Minnows or shrimp flies. Fish bridges, inlets and piers, and get as close to the pilings or structure as possible. Since they crush their prey and spit out the rest, you’ll want to use small but strong J hooks, and set the hook as soon as they inhale the bait. Relatively heavy line is necessary to avoid being frayed off in all that structure. I wouldn’t use anything lighter than 12-pound-test. The IGFA all-tackle world record for sheepshead is an enormous 21-pound, 4-ounce fish caught in New Orleans by Wayne Desselle in 1982.

Emily Rose Hanzlik holds 62 IGFA world records in various categories. She hails from West Palm Beach, where she has a part time Bowfin Guide Service as well as fishing classes for Jr. Anglers. Find her on social media @emilyhanzlikoutdoors.

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FLY FISHING FOR BASS

ly fishing for bass can be extremely productive and really fun. Growing up fishing for saltwater and freshwater species, I was introduced to fly fishing by some friends and got extremely hooked. While presenting a fly to fish can sometimes be tricky, a fly is a much more natural looking presentation to a fish than an artificial lure is, and I have seen fish eat flies much better than normal lures many times. There are times when a fly rod just isn’t an option. Having fly line everywhere and stretching the line 50 or 100 feet behind you and whipping it forward probably isn’t best if you are fishing a bass tournament. But if you are fun fishing a lake by boat or fishing a pond or stream or river by foot, fly fishing can be a rewarding experience. Like I said before, a small natural-looking fly, whether it be a baitfish or a topwater fly, can produce more bites than normal lures in some circumstances. I realized how productive fly fishing for bass can be while fishing ponds around my house when I was younger. These ponds got hammered by people throwing lures with

I’m sure you could take a deep dive into all the different gear and fly selections for different scenarios, but I keep it simple. White and silver baitfish patterns work wonders when you strip TYLER WOOLCOTT the line with small movements to make them swim like a fleeing baitfish. Topwater poppers conventional bass gear, and are extremely fun because you get to watch the fishing could be pretty them come up and eat it. Fish it with the same tough. It really impressed me when I fished them with a fly rod because I action as a conventional popper. I can’t exactly teach you how to fly fish in this article; YouTube is a great place for that. My hope is this will spark someone’s interest. Coming from someone who has done pretty much every kind of fishing, fly fishing is something every angler should try. Targeting bass and similar-sized species calls for a 6- to 8-weight fly rod. You can fish sinking lines to get down deep, but I prefer a regular floating line to fish for bass that are feeding shallow. I like premade tapered leaders in the 10- to 12-pound range. Feel free to contact me on social media with any questions or do some research online. I hope this caught more fish than I did with conventional convinces someone to go out there to target gear. I assume the bass grew wary of seeing big bass with a fly rod. It’s really fun! worms and crankbaits. A tiny baitfish fly or a Tyler Woolcott is a professional tournament tasty-looking, easy-to-eat topwater with natural angler and guide. Check out his website at movement got these fish more excited to eat www.tylerwoolcottfishing.com. than I had ever seen.

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n late September, NOAA Fisheries announced early closure dates for gag grouper in federal waters of the South Atlantic as well as the Gulf of Mexico. These closures came tight on the heels of a revelation that the data NOAA uses to manage these and other fisheries could be severely flawed. In the Gulf of Mexico, recreational harvest of gags was closed on Oct. 19. It called an early end to a season that had already been shortened on the front end. The normal season runs from June 1 through Nov. 10. However, this past spring, NOAA announced an interim measure to delay opening of gag grouper harvest to Sept. 1. Initially, three months of gag harvest were taken from recreational anglers, and now—with the early closure—the season was effectively cut from 162 days to just 48 days. In the South Atlantic, in federal waters off North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida, NOAA called an early end to gag grouper harvest on Oct. 23. The recreational season was scheduled to run from May through December. This move shaved 69 days off the regular 215-day season at a time when charter captains rely on grouper to keep clients on the water. In both instances, NOAA said its projections of recreational catch and effort data indicate the recreational annual catch limits would be reached by the early closure dates, which is their justification for shutting down the fisheries. In an explanation that seems contradictory to reason, a NOAA statement blamed high harvest of Gulf gags on the already shortened season. “Preliminary reports indicate high catch rates of gag this year, in part because of changes in the start from June 1 to September 1,” the statement reads. If that doesn’t seem to make sense, neither do NOAA’s data collection surveys that are used to determine angler effort. In a pilot study conducted by NOAA itself, the surveys, which are mailed to licensed saltwater anglers, were found to be confusing and led to “illogical responses” and “reporting errors.” The study showed that the resulting angler effort data was overestimated by 30 to 40 percent. Angler effort is a factor used to determine total harvest, which means NOAA’s harvest data is likely significantly flawed. Perhaps more concerning than that is the idea that harvest data is used in stock assessments. Estimated populations of our favorite sport and table fish are also likely inflated. For the third time in the last 13 years, significant flaws have been revealed in NOAA data collection, and this is the data being used to manage our fisheries and the industries that rely on them. For more information, see coastalanglermag.com.

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GROUPER CLOSURE CATCHES ANGLERS OFF GUARD

Tim Barefoot

t what point do we say enough is enough? I’d say THE TIME IS NOW! NOAA has shut down our gag grouper fisheries based on inaccurate data, and coastal communities are hurting because of it. The recent grouper closures—in the South Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico— caught everyone by surprise. There was very little notice given to anglers, whether they be recreational, charter or commercial. Incomplete—at best—and more than likely completely erroneous data was used to shut down the livelihoods of fishermen at a crucial point in the year. The fall grouper bite is always the best. Many commercial anglers make a good portion of their annual income in fall and winter. Charter captains book trips specifically targeting grouper this time of year. This closure also adversely affects the entire coastal economy. There is an entire industry based around fall and winter bottom fishing, and this is a substantial financial hit for the South Atlantic and Gulf coasts. As a former commercial fisherman, I know this also screams of mental and physical stress. Anglers are forced to fish more and rougher days just to get some days in before the season closes. When the news of these October closures spread,

I got calls from upset charter and commercial captains. For brevity, I’ll share just a couple comments I heard from North Carolina captains. “I’m a 61-year-old man, and I’m out here humping it hard as I can to get these last few

days in before it all shuts down,” said commercial Capt. Joe Hifko. “This is gonna hurt… both in my wallet and in my shoulders. The data is completely skewed, and based off those numbers are huge extrapolations. This is what they are basing their decisions on?” Capt. Riley Adkins is feeling the sting of charter cancellations. “My primary income in fall and early winter is based around taking clients within 30 miles of

the beach to specifically target gag grouper. This puts us captains in a bind because we are already booked out to Dec. 31, which historically was the closing of our gag season,” said Capt. Adkins. “We are having to cancel charters due to the short-noticed announcement of our gag season closing. “My clients feel like it is a waste of their time and money to book a charter because we can’t keep gag grouper, and the seabass population is in decline due to the rise of the American red snapper, which you can’t harvest either,” he continued. “This closure is detrimental to captains who rely heavily on the gag quota to keep their heads above water in winter.” The last time we had a fisheries issue of this magnitude settled, it literally took an act of Congress. The Gulf red snapper debacle showed us you can’t trust a federal bureaucracy that uses obsolete—and frankly, lazy— methods to collect data. The technology exists, and we should be hiring talented researchers from our universities to go out and collect accurate data to be used in decision making. It’s time for the recreational anglers, commercial anglers, equipment manufacturers, and the seafood industry to get together and say enough is enough. I know it’s a tall order, but we are stronger united. As soon as you finish this article, call your senators and congressional representatives to make sure they know how you feel on this issue.

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

To see more from Tim Barefoot, go to barefootcatsandtackle.com. NOVEMBER 2023

NATIONAL 13

SOLUNAR TIME!

’ve studied the solunar fishing timetables since I was a child. In the early years, these were the black, white, or striped fish images on my grandparents’ calendars and have evolved into more advanced illustrations depicting the moon phase, tide, time of day, and their effects. Some tables provide a simple one- to four-star rating of predicted fishing success. One day I was a believer, and the next I was a skeptic. I’ve played this tug of war over the years, and as I have become a more seasoned angler, I lean more toward the validity of these calculations in predicting the aggressiveness of fish and their desire to feed. Removing luck, which never hurts, it still boils down to angler skill, knowledge of the area and techniques for targeting desired species. However, over the years I have noticed better bites correlating with solunar feed times. I try not to move from one location to another during peak solunar feeding times. I’ll put myself in what I perceive to be the best spot in a general area during that time and hold tight. I save the running and exploring for non-bite windows, which make up a majority of the day. Each solunar feed cycle has a peak that is typically two hours or less, and there are usually two per day. On a recent trip with my two boys, we missed the first bite of the day due to other responsibilities. We launched the boat around 9 a.m., and the next bite was not until 1:30 p.m. We wanted to try some

By Capt. Michael Okruhlik

new spots, so we explored those first, and laid down some tracks for future reference. The fish were not active. As the morning moved on, I tried areas that had been holding nice fish recently. Once again, everything looked right, but we couldn’t get the bite. The boys were getting agitated and ready to leave, and I bought myself as much time as I could, while still trying to find the bite and waiting for the next feeding time. I headed toward the ramp to give them a cool breeze and to try a location with much deeper water, just hoping to find some activity. Unfortunately, the current was too strong in this area. I frantically studied the chart in an area about a half mile away so we could make one last move because the next solunar feed time was only minutes away. I chose our final location based on satellite imagery and little tribal knowledge, and we were off. I anchored the boat so my boys could cast downwind and fish the edge where grass met a large sandy area. They caught redfish and averaged one every six minutes for 70 minutes of the afternoon solunar feeding cycle. They doubled up twice! Take a kid fishing and tune into the solunar time!

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Your Insider Offer Code: MFP504-05 * This offer is valid in the United States (and Puerto Rico) except in TX, FL, CO, OK, RI, NH, WV, OR, SC, VA, ID and CA. These state residents will be charged one cent ($.01) + shipping & processing for the item. Void where prohibited or restricted by law. Offer subject to state and local regulations. Not valid with any other offers and only while supplies last. This offer is limited to one item per shipping address. ** Free is only for customers using the offer code versus the price on Stauer.com without your offer code.

Impossible P rice

FREE*

“Each Mitsuko® cultured pearl is harvested, polished and strung by hand.” — James T. Fent, Stauer GIA Graduate Gemologist

FREE cultured pearls limited to the first 1,900 responders to this ad only!

Stauer, 14101 Southcross Drive W., Ste 155, Dept. MFP504-05, Burnsville, MN 55337 www.stauer.com

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