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PELAGICS From Little Plastic Boats
PATTERN SPRING SPECKS PHOTO BY JORGE BUSTAMANTE, COURTESY OF BRIAN NELLI - WWW.TCKAYAKFISHING.COM VOLUME 25 • ISSUE 301
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1782-
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For: Coastal Angler
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Due: 3/2/2020
Photo courtesy of Knockin Tail Lures
By Capt. Michael Okruhlik
F
or those who want to catch a heavy speckled trout, April is perhaps your best opportunity. April trout are still heavy from their lowered metabolism of winter. They are heavy with eggs and about to spawn. This makes April a prime month for heavy fish. The warmer water also makes them extremely aggressive and more willing to strike artificial lures of all styles. Let’s go over the how, when and where to target trophy trout in the spring. How: When water temp reaches the low to mid 70s, topwater action can be some of the best of the year. Aggressive trout are attracted by the rattling sound and erratic sway of the cigarshaped lures. You can’t go wrong with bone/white/ silver or a combination of these colors. I like to match the size to the conditions and forage in the immediate area. Required casting distance and surface conditions also play a vital role in my decision making. In rougher conditions, I typically use a large lure. The rattles of various lures also have different pitch. I prefer to use the higher pitch over a muddy bottom and a lower tone over sand, grass or shell. Slow-sinking, rattling, shad-style twitch baits
are also a good choice when trout don’t want to “rise” to the occasion. I prefer these lures with near-mirror reflective finishes. They do an excellent job of impersonating a wounded baitfish, and no large spawning trout in its right mind will pass up an injured baitfish. I can’t leave out the most versatile trout lure of all, the soft plastic. There are many styles, sizes and colors, but I prefer those that give more bang for the buck. When the fish are aggressive, I steer toward a soft plastic with a larger paddle that vibrates, creates a great swimming motion even on the pause, and one that rattles. These three components stimulate a fish’s lateral line, and they can’t resist the need to feed. When: I plan trips according to the solunar tables. I make every effort to be at my spot fishing during peak feeding times so that I’m not traveling from spot to spot when the fish are eating. Where: In spring, I direct my attention to grass flats. Wading is the superior method to consistently catch large trout, but you can still target flats from a boat. I prefer a flat with broken grass patches, potholes, channels, the dreaded prop scar or anything else that breaks up the grass to create ambush points for trout. Try to cover each transition from multiple angles, as trout will
stage on the edge of the sand against the grass. Pay attention to the where, when and how on your next trip. It will increase your odds of landing a trophy trout. It never hurts to practice catch and release on these beautiful fish. Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Knockin Tail Lures, Controlled Descent Lures and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.
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atching big pelagics is one of those “someday” goals for many kayak anglers. Venturing into the open ocean under paddle power after species like kingfish, mahi, sailfish and tuna can seem daunting to anglers accustomed to inshore waters or freshwater lakes and rivers. The first question you might have is: “Where am I going to find them?” Inshore, there are grass flats, mangroves and channels drop-offs that offer kayak anglers good places to start. Offshore waters don’t always give up information quite as easily, but the clues are out there. You just have to know what you’re looking for. The ocean is a big place, but I believe 10 percent of the water holds 90 percent of the fish. Narrowing it down to that 10 percent is the first step. Start your research off the water by locating a beach or other launch point that is close to hard bottom, wrecks or a reef line. This can be done with a little online research and a good mapping chip for your GPS. When the day comes to venture into the pelagic zone, take some time on the beach before heading out. Know the current, wind and water conditions. Is it calm? Is it rough? Are there a lot of weeds on the beach? Is there bait close to shore? Which way is the wind blowing? Answering these questions helps you decide what baits to use and at what depths to fish them. In general, calm days call for running baits deeper in the water column. With some surface chop or visible action on top—like bait jumping or fish breaking the water—run baits closer to the surface. Other things to look for are rips, color changes, birds and weed lines. A rip is an area where two currents meet. The water will look more turbulent than surrounding areas. A defined color change will have strong current running along its edge. Usually these color breaks and rips consolidate debris and weeds, and often birds will hover over these areas. The weeds and current attract bait, which in turn attract the pelagics. When you’re offshore, you have to take what the ocean gives you. Anything that looks different than the surrounding water is a place to put baits out. If you find yourself on the water with no wind, surface activity or weeds, look to your GPS to show you the way to hard bottom, structure, rock piles or reefs. There will always be some type of baitfish around these areas to attract pelagics. Find the bait, and you will find the fish. If you are new to offshore kayak fishing or are thinking about trying it, this information should give you a start on your quest to land a pelagic from your kayak.
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By Brian Nelli
Brian Nelli operates south Florida’s Pushin’ Water Kayak Charters. Check them out at www.tckayakfishing.com and email Brian at brian@tckayakfishing.com.
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By Nick Carter
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ennessee’s Lake Chickamauga has garnered a lot of press in recent years for giant largemouth bass. The introduction of Florida-strain largemouths certainly paid off for this 60-mile-long Tennessee River impoundment. The thing is, all the hype over bucketmouths has overshadowed world-class fisheries that already existed on the Tennessee River from Chickamauga down through Chattanooga. Flowing between high ridges of The Scenic City, the big river pumps out some pretty spectacular action for catfish and smallmouth bass. Richard Simms, of Scenic City Charters, said the fishing heats up with water temperatures this time of year. Whether you’re looking for bigshouldered river smallies, giant blue cats—or a little bit of both—right now is the time to be on the water. Smallmouth Bass: The Chickamauga tailrace lights up with aggressive smallies in spring. They feed up in a 10-mile stretch below the dam. Simms said fishing jigs and soft plastics around rip-rap, current seams and edges is productive. But drifting live threadfin shad or shiners with the current leads to faster action. With light 6-poundtest line enticing the most bites, any smallmouth is a handful. They typically run from 2 to 4 pounds on the river, and a decent day will produce 10 to 15 of
these scrappy bronzebacks. Simms said to expect a mixed bag on live bait. Everything eats shiners, so anglers will also catch white bass, spotted bass, largemouth bass, crappie, yellow bass, catfish and maybe a striped bass. Catfish: Big blue catfish are abundant on the Tennessee River from Chickamauga Dam all the way down through Chattanooga. When flows are right, the tailrace can be very good. When too much water is being released from the dam, Simms heads up to the reservoir. Either side of the dam, the prespawn bite peaks in April. “Both fisheries hold great big catfish,” said Simms, “and pre-spawn is a great time for catching trophy fish.” On the reservoir, deep drop-offs and river channel holes with structure are the places to vertical drop cut skipjack herring, bluegill or chicken breast. Below the dam, Simms drift fishes those same baits on light 10-pound tackle. In 2009, Simms’ client, Jerry Uhrine, caught a 52-inch-long, 75-pound blue catfish on 10-poundtest line. It is a National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame line-class record. “That light tackle technique is really fun because the average catfish we catch is 5 to 10 pounds,” said Simms. “Those 10 to 20 pounders aren’t unusual,
Photos courtesy of Scenic City Charters.
and every now and then we get one of those really big fish.” An average half-day trip from April through October typically yields 50 to 100 pounds of catfish. “It’s real easy to stock a freezer,” said Simms. Check out Scenic City Fishing Charters at www.sceniccityfishing.com.
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Photos courtesy of Tuna Duck Charters, Hatteras, NC.
April action can be fast and furious off the Outer Banks. Here’s one on deck and another on the line.
By Tom Schlichter
T
he Outer Banks of North Carolina needs little introduction to fishing fans. A true angling Mecca, it boasts super action with striped bass, red drum, cobia, sea trout and a host of inshore species while also offering tremendous offshore action for tuna, billfish, wahoo, mahi and additional pelagic favorites. These ocean predators really get your blood boiling in April, when the action comes alive 25 to 30 miles offshore. “We really do see a great mix of blue water species in April,” said charter Capt. Dan Rooks of the 51-foot custom Carolina Sportfisher, Tuna Duck (252-216-6160; http://tunaduck.com) which sails out of Hatteras Harbor Marina (252-986-2166; https://www.hatterasharbor.com.) “Typical action this month sees yellowfins in the 40- to 70-pound class, blackfin tuna weighing 20 to 25 pounds, and wahoo to 60 pounds. Early in the month, you might also deck a bluefin while the end of the month sees white marlin, blue marlin and sailfish arrive on the scene. Many of the big blues will top 400 pounds.” It’s the combination of bottom structure and a meeting of offshore currents that draws big game species to these waters, explained Rooks. The warm waters of the Gulf Stream flowing up from the south and cool waters of the Labrador Current dropping down from the north meet along the edge of the continental shelf, providing sharp temperature breaks that stack squid, ballyhoo, flying fish and other baitfish. Match a Anglers aboard Capt. Dan Rook’s Tuna Duck Charters celebrate a break over some structure, and you have a great spot to start hefty tuna that slammed a popper off North Carolina’s Outer Banks. your search. “It’s not as important that the temperature break be large as that it be well-defined,” noted Rooks. “I’ve seen breaks here as small as half-a- said. “A storm might push the cool water farther out or bring warmer water degree and as large as 20 degrees. Any break can produce if the surrounding closer in, so you constantly need to make adjustments. Expect to spend some conditions are right. Look for clean water, active baitfish and plenty of life. time searching out the fish even if they were stacked up just a day before. That’s one plus for heading out with a charter skipper; we’re on the water daily, Those are tip-offs that you are in the right area.” Although he’ll sometimes jig or work poppers for tuna, Rooks spends which helps us keep track of shifting currents, temperature breaks and baitfish most of his time trolling. His favorite setup is a natural dead-bait spread, with schools. Some days you find the predators sooner than others – but never give eight ballyhoo trolled in a V-pattern at 7 knots. He works hard to drag his up hope because once you dial ’em in, the fishing here is as good as it gets.” Anglers looking to trailer to this area can find transient dockage, fuel, hotel offerings across structure points, where temperature breaks are discovered accommodations and a boat launch ($10) all at Village Marina (252-986-2522; using on-board temperature gauges and satellite imagery. “The breaks move, of course, and you need to be aware of that,” Rooks www.villagemarinahatteras.com) in Hatteras. COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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n today’s uncertain world, everyone, especially kids, welcomes an opportunity for stability. One obvious source is family, and any activity that strengthens family will pay dividends. Snorkeling certainly qualifies as a family building activity. The family that plays together stays together. Having fun is important for building family unity if for no other reason than it makes you want to continue what you are doing. But it’s what happens during play that creates feelings of strength and security that make family members see family as a source of support. Building family strength requires communication, shared responsibility, commitment, shared chores and established routines. Snorkeling together fits this framework well. It gives adults and children the chance to demonstrate and practice these behaviors. Consider what goes into planning a dive outing—and how each family member can have a role: • Where do we go? Everyone can have a say on the big trips, while choice of quick local trips could rotate among family members. • What do we bring? Deciding what gear will be needed and how to organize and pack it may require adult oversight, but kids can, and should, take part. • How do we stay safe? Again, age may dictate how you buddy up, but even youngsters should understand they have a responsibility to stay close and check on their partner. Who tows the dive flag this time? • How do we finish up? Everyone needs to take on chores to pack up,
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unpack, clean, dry and store the gear once home. So, when should you introduce your child to snorkeling? Plant the seeds early. I think using a mask and fins should be part of learning to swim. A mask gives clear underwater vision and forces mouth breathing. Fins greatly increase kicking efficiency, boosting a child’s confidence. As soon as they are comfortable swimming and diving with the mask and fins, add a snorkel. While teaching basic snorkeling skills is a family affair, there are other fun ways to strengthen and add to those skills. Pura Vida Divers’ offers a summer Kids’ Snorkel Camp for kids 8–12, built around the PADI’s Skin Diver program. This day camp uses exciting, interactive games and group activities to enhance skills ranging from marine life identification to underwater buddy rescue. The last day brings the whole family together for a pizza party and snorkel outing. The ultimate memory maker is a family snorkeling vacation. There’s no shortage of locations offering interesting aquatic environments for snorkeling. Two very special snorkeling trips are offered each year by Pura Vida Divers—a manatee watching trip to Crystal River, Fla. and swimming alongside whalesharks off of Isla Mujeres, Mexico. For information on the Kids’ Snorkel Camp, guided snorkeling at the Blue Heron Bridge or manatee and whale shark trips, call Pura Vida divers at 561-840-8750 or visit their website at www.puravidadivers.com.
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By Capt. Kirk Waltz
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n a lifelong pursuit of many fish up and down the East Coast, I finally found the species that constantly holds me in awe when I planted roots in northeast Florida more than 30 years ago. With their beauty, strength and tenacity, redfish are second to none. At one point not too many years back, redfish were almost was wiped out, but with good conservation they bounced back in a big way. They have become one of Florida’s pet fish, a favorite of many anglers, that have provided untold hours of fun. Of all the redfish studies conducted, one intensive study by South Carolina’s Dr. Charles Wenner stands out as one of the best. He dissected the habitat of the species and really gives insight as to where, when and what they do. North Florida’s Atlantic coast offers prime habitat that allows redfish to grow to enormous size. Here are some interesting tidbits gleaned from Dr. Wenner’s study. The world record redfish weighed 94 pounds, 2 ounces and was caught out of Avon, N.C. on the Outer Banks. With a range that extends from the Texas Gulf Coast all the way to Maryland and Delaware in the Atlantic, they are also called red drum, spottails, channel bass, redfish and puppy drum. After hatching, juvenile reds grow to about a half-inch in a short period of time and then move from deep water to shallow estuaries. They love our spartina grass flats, where they begin the transition from fry to sub-adults. This occurs during the fall and winter, when they don’t eat much. They remain fairly inactive while waiting for spring. When spring sets in, their metabolism kicks into high gear. By July, juveniles can grow to 7 to 8 inches or longer by
eating small crabs, shrimp and small fish. Redfish mature at about 33 inches and 5 years of age. They typically begin the spawning cycle around the last moon of August and peak from October into November, depending on water temperature. Males produce a drum-like sound, hence the name red drum, which draws the females close and lets the school know it’s time to spawn. Dr. Wenner studied eight females and 22 males in a huge tank. They produced 60 million eggs in a three-month period. Large individuals reach a ripe old age of 45 to 50 years. That’s a long time for a fish to live, so be sure to handle big ones carefully. One of the coolest things I learned was that a redfish tagged in Bulls Bay, S.C. was caught 189 days later in Mantanzas Inlet, Fla. That’s quite a journey for a fish that measured 18 inches to start. Most redfish only travel about 5 to 10 nautical miles from where they were hatched. Capt. Kirk Waltz is a radio talk show host, writer and charter captain who runs Enterprise Fishing Charters. Like them on Facebook or Instagram or go to www.Enterprisefishingcharters.com. Listen to the Outdoors Show in the First Coast area every Saturday on 1010am or 92.5fm from 7-10 a.m.
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Photo courtesy of Capt. Scott Burgess, Skinny Situation Charters
By John Saporito
I
n fishing, it often pays to be suspicious. Unchecked hearsay saturates the pursuit, and it all amounts to an unfortunate barrier that every novice angler must confront. As a result, few people ever really get good at this sport. For the proficient angler, a thorough understanding of fish and their habitat ushers fishing far closer to a science than it does to a crapshoot. As humans, we are born only with an understanding of how to operate on dry land. We are able to breathe, to move about, and we know how to seek out comforts and avoid dangers. These capacities do not translate to the marine environment. We are biologically unfit to survive beneath the water’s surface, and most people, therefore, cannot empathize with the aquatic world. Water is an incredibly different medium than air. The most tangible distinction is the tremendous shift in density from one medium to the next. The sea is roughly 800 times denser than the air. Think about that for a moment. Sea creatures, as a result, don’t experience the constraints of gravity that land-based organisms endure. Their bodies are perpetually supported by water. This leads to a phenomenon known as indeterminate growth, which allows fish to continue growing throughout their lives. If a fish keeps living, it keeps growing. Such a trait can give rise to colossal specimens, but it requires a feat of survival. The sea is the ultimate crucible of life and death—a domain where mistakes spell doom and second chances are nonexistent. A seemingly endless, hopelessly convoluted food web blankets the planet’s marine ecosystems, bridging regions that are separated by immense distances and orchestrating the fates of all organisms that make their home in the sea. There is no getting ahead in this world; survival ensues on a meal-by-meal basis. Predatory fish, masters of instantaneous evaluation, must promptly determine the risk and reward in every feeding opportunity. Each decision a gamefish makes will dictate whether it perishes or lives long enough to feed again. The fundamental duty of all fish is to eat without being eaten by something else. From its earliest days as a fledgling hunter, the survival of any gamefish is contingent on its ability to carry out this task. Most will not even have the good fortune of transcending their formative stage as hunters of plankton. The minority that survive long enough to contribute a new generation to the sea will do so by becoming proficient in sensing danger and making good predatory choices. This is why big gamefish are so hard to catch; their size is a reflection of a lifetime of excellent judgment. A big fish is a smart fish, an experienced fish. John Saporito is a lifelong fisherman and student of the seas. Visit him online at www.guerillaangling.com.
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TIPS FOR 1 SUP FISHING
PLAY THE TIDE, WIND AND CURRENT: SUPs are lightweight and highfloating by design. This makes them portable, and it also makes them susceptible to the slightest current or wind. By knowing the currents, tides and weather and planning around them, you can save yourself from a grueling paddle at the end of a day. Either start the day with a paddle against the elements and drift fish back to the put-in, or use two vehicles to drift from a put-in to a separate take-out.
By CAM Staff
2 3
TAKE AN ANCHOR: An anchor or stake-out pole is essential when you want to stop paddling to fish. Staking yourself down with a pole keeps you stationary in shallow water, while an anchor gives the freedom to fish deep water. Even small fish have strength to pull an SUP, so an anchor helps when fighting fish, as well.
RIGGED OUT COOLER: On an SUP, your cooler is much more than an icebox. Mounted to the deck just aft of the middle of the board, it is a seat, a work surface and a great place to mount rod holders. Consider getting a cushion for comfort. Mount vertical rod holders to the cooler. Opt for a cooler top with a tray or cup holders to keep stray tackle from going overboard.
4
STREAMLINE GEAR: An uncluttered deck reduces hassle and makes fishing from an SUP much more fun. Take only what you need, which should include no more than a couple rods and reels and a small ith the explosion of kayaks and stand-up paddleboards (SUPs) in selection of tackle. Some folks like a strapped-down milk crate or a fishing, new boats have hit the market combining the best features 5-gallon bucket for holding gear. Others prefer to wear their gear in a tackle of both. Some even draw on the benefits of skiffs, including motor pack. You’ll also want pliers and fish grips on a lanyard. A small dry bag is power, to become hybrid vessels more like one-man flats boats. good for your phone, wallet and keys, because everything is going to get wet. This evolution of fishing vessels is good, but sometimes the results bear little resemblance to what drew people to the pursuit to begin with. Access to PADDLE LEASH: Tie down anything you mind losing, and this backwaters, portability, stealth and an elevated position are three advantages includes your paddle, which you’ll be up the creek without. Many prefer of SUP fishing. But the reasons most people get into it are cost-savings and a paddle leash with a waist loop. The other end ties off to the paddle simplicity. It’s like bank fishing with much better access. a couple feet below the handle. With the paddle head resting on the The unique experience is a primary driver for SUP anglers. The following board, the handle hangs right off your hip. With a little practice, this setup are a few tips to enhance that experience. allows for one-handed maneuvering of the board. Photo courtesy of Kaku
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By Henry Jackson
any kayak fishermen enter the sport as fishermen, not kayakers. Therefore, fundamental paddling skills are typically relatively low. Through necessity and self-discovery, most of us learn how to make a kayak move in the direction needed. But many bad habits are developed in the process, and bad habits can put stress on a paddler’s shoulders. Taking the time to learn correct paddling strokes will increase time on the water and decrease the chance for injury. The forward stroke is the most basic of all paddle strokes, and it’s usually the first one beginning paddlers figure out on their own. It’s also the most important stroke to perform correctly because you’ll use it 90 percent of the time. The key to a correct forward stroke is to engage the large muscles of the core and use them to power the stroke instead of our arms and shoulders. Performed correctly, the stroke is more efficient and allows you to paddle farther with less discomfort. Engage core muscles by rotating your torso as you reach forward to plant the blade in the water. As the blade is drawn toward you, unwind your torso to power the stroke, keeping your arms relatively straight. A great method for learning the concept is to hold the paddle out in front of you, arms completely straight, and paddle only by rotating your torso. The reverse stroke is another basic stroke that is learned relatively early by new paddlers. This stroke can put extremely high levels of stress on the shoulders when done incorrectly. To begin the reverse stroke, fully rotate your torso and plant the paddle blade at the stern of the boat. Then unwind your torso, powering the stroke, and bring the blade out of the water when it is even with your hips. It will take practice, but eventually you should be rotating far enough that the paddle shaft is horizontal with the side of the kayak, and if you were to drop the paddle it would land in the water without hitting the kayak. The draw stroke is one that, now that I’ve learned it, I cannot paddle without. The draw is used to move the kayak sideways. To perform the draw, rotate your torso until you are facing sideways in the direction you want to travel. Reach out, turn the paddle blade horizontal with the kayak, plant it in the water and draw it toward you. To recover, turn the blade 90 degrees and slide it through the water away from the kayak. Rotate it horizontally, and draw it back toward you. Repeat as necessary. Mastering the correct versions of these strokes will greatly improve your paddling experience and increase your time on the water. Youtube has several excellent channels that illustrate proper stroke techniques. One of my favorite channels is SeaKayakingTV, and there are several others that are top notch.
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COASTAL ANGLER North Central Florida/Nature Coast
Cary & Lynn Crutchfield ALACHUA, MARION, COLUMBIA, GILCHRIST, BRADFORD, DIXIE, LEVY, CITRUS
APRIL 2020 EDITION
Find Your Outdoors Here! North Central Florida Nature Coast Staff SALES
Cary Crutchfield
EDITING & PRODUCTION Lynn Crutchfield
DISTRIBUTION
F
or most April editions, I begin with happy thoughts about Spring. This year however, happy Spring thoughts are overshadowed by scary thoughts of this out-of-control virus. My thoughts are with all of you. I do believe that going out on your boat (or with a guide) in the fresh air, has to be about as safe an activity as you can find. Please follow the healthy guidelines suggestions. I believe that we will all survive. New advertising partners this month include Cricket cell phone service, page 2. Also, see page 2 for two fishing tournaments, Pete’s Pier King of the Bay in Crystal River and Taking the Crown, in Steinhatchee. See page 10 for the CCBA tournament in Homosassa. Big prize money out there! Recipe this month is Spaghetti Carbonara with Pan Seared Shrimp. This dish requires a little more prep than most that I share with you, but it is well worth it. It is absolutely delicious! My river (Suwannee) has been steadily rising for about a month, but I don’t really expect a flood unless South GA gets a big a big rain in the near future. Come enjoy the Suwannee; spring is “springing” and it is gorgeous! The yellow flowers you see on this page, are growing at the edge of the swamp in my back yard. The river photo with little boy on rope swing, is my front yard. Thank you, John Freeze, for beautiful the sunset (or is it sunrise?). Wash your hands, check on your neighbors and stay well. Lynn Crutchfield Co-Publisher Coastal Angler Magazine of North Central Florida/ Nature Coast
Rosa Crisman
GRAPHIC ARTS & DESIGN Kathleen Stemley
WEB DESIGN Kristi Williams
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Bruce Butler Dr. Kevin McCarthy John Freeze Capt. Jason Clark Capt. Dan Clymer Capt. Eric Hasty Capt. James Kerr Capt. Pat McGriff Capt. Brian Smith Capt. Dan Smith
CONTACT INFORMATION
crutch@coastalanglermagazine.com 352-372-4237 www.CoastalAnglerMag.com/NC-Florida
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Tide Charts Local Fishing Forecasts Monthly Recipe
Photo by: Suwannee River Water Management District
TIDES • North Central Florida Time Height
1W
2Th
3F
4Sa
5Su 6M
7Tu
8W
2:15 AM 9:12 AM 1:54 PM 7:44 PM 3:37 AM 10:42 AM 3:30 PM 9:14 PM 4:54 AM 11:47 AM 4:53 PM 10:42 PM 5:58 AM 12:35 PM 6:00 PM 11:55 PM 6:53 AM 1:14 PM 6:58 PM 12:58 AM 7:41 AM 1:48 PM 7:49 PM 1:55 AM 8:24 AM 2:20 PM 8:37 PM 2:48 AM 9:04 AM 2:51 PM 9:23 PM
0.2 2.4 1.7 3.4 0.2 2.5 1.8 3.3 0.0 2.7 1.6 3.5 -0.1 3.0 1.2 3.7 -0.2 3.2 0.7 3.9 -0.2 3.4 0.3 4.0 0.0 3.6 -0.2 4.0 0.2 3.7 -0.4
HERNANDO BEACH
April 2020
9Th
Time Height
3:39 AM 9:42 AM 3:23 PM 10:09 PM 10F 4:31 AM 10:18 AM 3:56 PM 10:57 PM 11Sa 5:25 AM 10:55 AM 4:32 PM 11:46 PM 12Su 6:20 AM 11:34 AM 5:12 PM 13M 12:38 AM 7:18 AM 12:16 PM 5:58 PM 14Tu 1:35 AM 8:28 AM 1:10 PM 6:54 PM 15W 2:45 AM 9:52 AM 2:26 PM 8:09 PM 16Th 4:06 AM 11:01 AM 4:00 PM 9:49 PM
3.9 0.5 3.9 -0.6 3.6 0.9 4.0 -0.6 3.3 1.2 4.0 -0.5 3.0 1.4 3.9 -0.2 2.7 1.7 3.7 0.1 2.5 1.8 3.4 0.4 2.5 1.9 3.1 0.6 2.6 1.8 3.0
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
CEDAR KEY
Time Height
17F
18Sa 19Su
20M
21Tu
22W
23Th
24F
5:16 AM 11:51 AM 5:19 PM 11:14 PM 6:09 AM 12:29 PM 6:18 PM 12:18 AM 6:52 AM 1:01 PM 7:05 PM 1:09 AM 7:27 AM 1:29 PM 7:45 PM 1:52 AM 7:59 AM 1:55 PM 8:21 PM 2:31 AM 8:28 AM 2:18 PM 8:55 PM 3:08 AM 8:57 AM 2:41 PM 9:28 PM 3:44 AM 9:26 AM 3:05 PM 10:02 PM
0.6 2.8 1.5 3.0 0.6 3.0 1.1 3.2 0.6 3.2 0.8 3.3 0.7 3.4 0.5 3.4 0.7 3.5 0.2 3.4 0.9 3.6 0.1 3.4 1.0 3.7 -0.1 3.3 1.1 3.8 -0.1
Time Height
25Sa 4:22 AM 9:56 AM 3:32 PM 10:37 PM 26Su 5:03 AM 10:27 AM 4:02 PM 11:15 PM 27M 5:48 AM 11:03 AM 4:38 PM 11:58 PM 28Tu 6:38 AM 11:45 AM 5:22 PM 29W 12:49 AM 7:36 AM 12:39 PM 6:17 PM 30Th 1:50 AM 8:47 AM 1:50 PM 7:28 PM
3.2 1.3 3.8 -0.2 3.1 1.4 3.9 -0.2 3.0 1.5 3.9 -0.1 2.9 1.7 3.8 0.0 2.8 1.8 3.7 0.2 2.8 1.8 3.5
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
High Tide 12 min Low Tide 20 min
High Tide 2 min Low Tide 0 min
APRIL 2020
CALL 808-679-5575 FOR MORE INFO
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FLORIDA WATERWAYS
Gravestones for Fishermen
W
hen fishermen and other sportsmen plan their headstones for after their death, they usually put something of importance to them on the stone, whether words of wisdom, or engravings of fishing/hunting scenes, or even a picture of themselves. Having wandered through dozens of cemeteries in Florida and elsewhere, I have come upon some particularly noteworthy scenes clearly in reference to fishermen. By Kevin McCarthy It might be something as simple as a model of a favorite species of fish, for example a trout or shark or salmon. Some choose to have high-tech laser etchings done of a jumping fish, its species to be determined by individual taste. I found one tombstone of a man who had clearly liked to hunt and fish in his lifetime. His tombstone had a deer incised at one corner, and a jumping fish in the other corner. Or it might be a generic deer or fish for a hunter/fisherman. The words used in place of “Died” or “Passed on” might be “Gone fishin.” A longer version of that favorite one: “Gone fishing,’ the sign said that hung upon the door. An angel had put it there. God was waiting on the shore.” A particularly personal engraving on one person’s headstone shows the man fishing with two children, clearly commemorating good times for the family. A cremation urn for a boater/ fisherman shows a man in a boat holding up a caught trout. My children gave me a framed “Fisherman’s Prayer” that hangs on my wall with these words; “God, grant that I may live to fish until my dying day, And,
when it comes to my last cast, I then most humbly pray, When in the Lord’s safe landing net I’m peacefully asleep, That in His mercy I be judged As big enough to keep.” For someone named Fish, wordlovers can have fun with something like this: “Worms are bait for fish/But here’s a certain change: Fish is bait for worms – Isn’t that really strange?” Some have had placed in their coffin important memorabilia. Ronnie Van Zant (1948 – 1977), who founded the Lynyrd Skynyrd Band, was killed when the plane he was flying in, crashed in Mississippi. His family had his favorite fishing pole placed inside his coffin before he was buried in Jacksonville, Florida. In the end ,I’ve decided to have my body cremated, the ashes to be spread over the Gulf of Mexico, reminding my descendants to check the direction and force of the wind before scattering me.
Fish on a tombston
e
Fish and deer
Gone Fishin sign on
on a tombstone
a tombstone
Kevin McCarthy, the very much alive and author of “South Florida Waterways” (2013 - available at amazon.com for $7), can be reached at ceyhankevin@gmail.com.
Headstone with family
fishing
An image of death gone fishing with his boney catch on a stringer.
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APRIL 2020
Cremation urn for a fisherman NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA/NATURE COAST 3
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CRYSTAL RIVER
I
hope everyone is enjoying the warmer weather and the sunshine, I know we are here in Crystal River. The warmer water, combined with the good tides this time of the year, makes for some of the best fishing conditions. The transition from cooler months to the warmer months really fires up the fish. Trout- The bite has been really good. I’ve been fishing the falling outgoing tide, especially if it’s in the late afternoon/evening. This time of year, they will move from all the creeks and shallow water to the deeper flats, but you can still get them inside as well. When I’m looking for them in the deeper water (4 to 8-foot range) I’ll look for kelp on the bottom. I’ll use 1/16 or 1/8 jig tipped with a Little John. Sometimes you have to throw a few different colors to see what they want. Pay attention to birds and bait. You can drift until you find some. Another technique I use once I find fish is, I’ll use my spot lock on my trolling motor to hold my position and thoroughly cover the area. Remember, there are new regulations with trout. It’s really been awesome releasing big trout to help sustain our fishery. Reds- This time of year, the red fish bite is awesome. I really like to target bigger fish. I’ll start my days either early or late, paying attention to the tides. I like the beginning of the incoming, or the whole falling tide. If I have clients, pinfish are always a good bait. Free-lined with a good circle hook is best. Pay attention to the mullet; they will tell you where the reds are. For artificial, I’ll use DOA jerk baits or a mirriodine. Look for hard bottom areas with good water flow. Take your time when approaching the areas you are going to fish. I always troll up, or let the wind and tide take me in. You would be amazed at how many more fish you catch by taking a slower approach.
Snook are pretty much everywhere the reds are. Look for good moving water, bait, and areas where they can easily ambush their prey. A large pin fish is always a good selection. As far as artificial, there’s a wide selection that you can use. They like fast baits; it helps to get a reaction strike. I prefer a mirrordine with a steady retrieve. Up your leader size as well I would use nothing less than 40 lbs. The Plantation on Crystal River is a great place to stay and relax. Come on down, book a room and go fishing. Pete’s Pier in Crystal River is having its first annual King of the Bay fishing tournament May 8-9th. There’s going to be arts and crafts venders, live music, fishing venders and food trucks. Check them out at PetesPier.com Tight lines and fish hard. Capt. James Kerr 352-362-6893 Citrusfishingchaters.com
SPAGHETTI CARBONARA WITH PAN SEARED SHRIMP (FOR 2)
Thank you to The Crab Plant for the beautiful 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, Fri-Sat 10:00-8:00. 201 NW 5th St. Crystal River 352-795-4700.
Lynn Crutchfield, Co-Publisher Coastal Angler Magazine of North Central Florida
COOKING DIRECTIONS
INGREDIENTS 20 Large Shrimp, shelled and deveined 4 Strips Bacon 1 Shallot, minced 2 Garlic Cloves, minced 6 Green Onions, sliced 2 tablespoons Butter 1 Egg Yolk ¼ cup Heavy Cream ½ cup Parmesan Spaghetti for 2 (about 6 ounces) Salt and Pepper 1 tablespoon Oil ¼ cup Saved Pasta Water ¼ cup Chopped Parsley
Dry shrimp with paper towel, • sprinkle with salt and pepper and set aside, spread out on paper towel. In • small bowl, mix the egg yolk with • cream and six tablespoons Parmesan. • Roughly chop bacon. • Heat medium skillet over medium heat and add bacon, cooking until • just starting to crisp; about 3 minutes. • Add shallots, white parts of onions • and half of green parts. Cook about • two minutes. Add garlic and cook • one minute more. Drain mixture on paper towel-lined plate. Keep warm in a very low oven. Drain grease from • pan, wipe and set aside. • Cook spaghetti, drain (reserving • ¼ cup water) and return the spaghetti • to pot, along with the bacon mixture and the egg/cream mixture. Add butter and toss well. Make sure the spaghetti is hot enough to cook the eggs and melt the cheese. Season with salt and pepper. If dry, add hot pasta water. Heat one tablespoon oil in the bacon pan. Add shrimp and cook about two minutes, flip and cook another two minutes. Divide spaghetti between two plates. Top with shrimp, one tablespoon Parmesan per plate, parsley and remaining sliced green onion. Serve with green vegetable of your choice. This time I chose broccoli. Enjoy
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APRIL 2020
NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA/NATURE COAST 5
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H
ey everybody, I can say with confidence, that spring is officially here! The bite is absolutely on fire on the flats. It's truly one of my favorite times of the year. The flats are just loaded with fish. We are catching, trout, mackerel, pompano, flounder, bluefish, Jack's, and there have even been some huge schools of black drums and redfish roaming around. Get your boat or kayak ready and your favorite rod and reel and come on out and enjoy all this amazing fishing that is going on. Until next month, stay safe out there!
Capt. Jason Clark In The Slot Fishing www.intheslotfishing.com Capt.jasonclark@gmail.com 352-639-3209
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6 NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA/NATURE COAST
APRIL 2020
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APRIL 2020
NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA/NATURE COAST 7
STEINHATCHEE
KEATON BEACH
GIRLFRIEND
T
A
pril should be the name of a long-ago girlfriend you can't forget, because once a year, she comes back around, offering the thing you desire most--great fishing. April is spring, and spring is great fishing for all fish. Inshore the most, where fish are flooding the flats, with inexperienced anglers having, perhaps the best day ever. Guides, or local experts, producing exceptional catches of trout, redfish, and such, with a surprise early cobia cruising the flats. I'd be the Don Quixote of guides during this time of year, because I'd know beforehand the fish dragons would be slayed early, with my being not only self-heroic, but to others as well. That would be awesome if only I could figure out how to mount a 150 hp plus outboard, to the stern of my donkey. Anyway, the flats will burst with life, because the grass flat are flourishing. The grand return of pinfish from offshore, and the arrival of bait pods coming up from the south, culminating to a loud ringing diner bell for every shallow-water fish. Cast out your bait and be a Quixote hero. The same phenomenon is occurring offshore. The bait pods are arriving, the pelagics are trailing them, and the fishing can be seen on the rod tip. Spanish mackerel and kingfish are escorting the bait pods. Live or fresh baiting around such bait areas is successful. “Razor spring Spanish” will savage any baits cast-netted from the schools, live or dead. Begin with 30 lb. mono leader. If that is cutoff with regularity, twist on a foot section of #1 to #2 wire. In time, kingfish cruise amongst the Spanish—they like to eat the Spanish. So, if you have a wire harness for a live bluerunner, or Spanish, flip one, maybe two, out on the leeward side, underneath a large slip cork. That trick needs to be done using a reel combo with exceptional line capacity of 20 to 30-pound test mono, or equivalent braided line. It is always best to let the kingfish run wild from the reel drag as opposed to
tightening down, to horsing the fish to the boat. Over excretion from the fisherperson, will only pull the hook from their mouth, and that goes for live, dead or artificial baits. For kingfish production, trolling is the best method. Trolling covers the most ground, while providing a method to present various styles of bait, such as, spoons, dusters, plugs etc. in a varied vertical and horizontal pattern. More baits can be set-back for more opportunities. Never exceed your skill-set, or boat design, to form a multi-strand thin line trolling malfunction. It is always better to troll quality, than a water rake behind the boat.
Brian Smith | BIG BEND CHARTERS www.BigBendCharters.com CaptBrian@bellsouth.net 877.852.3474 | 352.210.3050
8 NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA/NATURE COAST
APRIL 2020
Capt. Pat with a nice redfish
rout are taking off like crazy, according to all reports as of this week. (March 13 today) Doug Garwood, and his good buddy, Joe Duncan, down from Dalton, Ga. have caught quality trout and flounder all week, using the Ole Walmart Renegades, a hard jerk bait similar to a 14 A Bomber made in the 90’s. Trout are taking Redfins, MirrOdines, Paul Brown Devils, and I guess almost anything else you throw at them, as the water temps are soaring back to the lo 70’s for the first time since January, up from 55 degrees this past Saturday (March 7th). Depths of 2.0 to 3.5 feet seem to be the ticket when the bite is on. April should be outstanding, as our weather this week includes seven days over 80 degrees. Who can say how warm it will be by late April, but I wouldn’t be surprised to find trout spawning by then? If so, I would ply depths of 3 to 5 feet, expecting the large sow trout to be feeding night and day, to feed their eggs, and that makes for an aggressive bite, and usually means almost any style of bait will take nice trout. We have yet to see any pelagic bait show up from down south, so when that happens, your true topwater (stick baits) fishing will be “on”. Once you begin seeing the schools of ballyhoo on the surface, set up your drifts accordingly. Top Pups, Top Dog Jr.s, SkitterWalks, and Zara Spooks will all take quality trout off the top. Color: bone, bone and let’s see, BONE. Yeah, throw your favorite, but always have “bone” ready to go. Gold, with an orange belly would be my second choice. I will be drowning some live pinfish on my One More Cast charters, by mid to late April, but
Capt. Bert Deener with a trout caught on a three-way fluke rig
Billy Pillow with a nice trout caught on a Paul Brown Devil
don’t think I won’t be dreaming about tossing topwater most of the time. Redfish have already begun taking Thunder-Spins and other Jigspinners, so have one tied on, and don’t forsake your weedless spoons. I will be using the HEX spoons by Cajun Thunder (Precision Tackle) in Gold and Copper with my favorite size, the 1/2-ounce Spoon. Meanwhile, Let's Go Fishing! Pat McGriff dba One More Cast guide service for 30 years! www.onemorecast.net onemorecast@gtcom.net 850.838.7541
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APRIL 2020
NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA/NATURE COAST 9
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10 NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA/NATURE COAST
APRIL 2020
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S
pring is in the air everybody! Bait is pouring into our waters, and lots of the predator fish you love to catch, are right on schedule eating them up! Red fish have moved out of the creeks and can be caught around our bigger islands and oyster bars. They are looking for mullet and bait fish. On my charters, my go-to is a chunk of steamed mullet that is about an inch thick. Fish that bait, on the bottom, with your favorite jig head. I like to use 30 lb. green power pro line. If I am fishing with a mud minnow or pin fish, which I prefer, I use a 2 oz. egg with a foot and a half of 50 lb. fluorocarbon attached to a triple swivel. An 8 in. piece of 20 lb. fluorocarbon, with a 4/0 owner circle hook. Remember, if you set this hook, you might lose your fish, so let it take the bait, and raise and reel. Trout are still loving our grass flats so
don’t hesitate to pop them corks with your favorite D.O.A. plastics (electric chicken). I hope this helps, and I hope to see you at the shop! Take these kids fishing! Capt. Daniel Cedar Key Paddling 352-665-1276 Dan_Gator@yahoo.com
SIGNS BANNERS Copies Fax
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APRIL 2020
NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA/NATURE COAST 11
INGLIS/YANKEETOWN
A
pril is a great month for you to catch a slam! Reds, snook, and trout are on the prowl, looking for your live or artificial bait! The inshore bite will be on fire this month, due to the warmer water temps. Look for spots with hard bottom near grass, and some tidal movement. Fish will be in these areas looking to ambush their prey. Snook are hitting large artificial baits like the Bomber and Yo-Zuri Crystal 3D Minnow Magnum. The friendly staff at Captains Cove Outfitters will help you with the right selection. Reds and trout are hitting a variety of shrimp, pinfish, and gulp. Warmer water has brought these fish back into deeper water. Expect to catch fish around the outer bars and spoils this month. You may even get your limit of sheepshead retuning from the spawn. Offshore will offer it first; look at cobia and kings. Please check the new regulations on the cobia before placing one in the cooler. Cobia will hardly refuse a freeline pinfish when presented right in front of its nose. While bottom fishing for mangrove snapper and grunts, have a freeline running off the back of the boat for king mackerel. I recommend a little bit of wire with a stinger hook placed in a live or frozen herring. Keep the drag loose and just wait for the bite. Kings offer an excellent challenge, and make great fish dip or steaks. April will bring a lot of fishermen back out on the water. Please be patient
Available in 17’, 20’, 22’, 24’ and 27’
12 NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA/NATURE COAST
APRIL 2020
at all the local boat ramps as some people may be just a bit rusty. As always, just have fun; that’s what it is all about! Please reach out to me at capterichasty@ gmail.com with any questions you may have. In addition, check out We Be Tailing, live Wednesday night’s at 7:00 for more tips and tricks at the ShastyMcNasty Fishing Facebook page.
Capt. Eric Hasty ShastyMcNasty Fishing LLC www.shastymcnastyfishing.com 352-220-3206
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SEAFOOD AT ITS BEST!
M
ixed bag opportunities are plentiful here off Citrus County, for the month of April. This is month is one of our prime months for fishing, and just about every species we have to offer is a possibility. From trout, to red fish, to mackerel, to tripletail, to cobia, etc. It’s time to go fishing! Cobia will be making an appearance as April comes around. Keep and eye out when cruising the flats, and running by channel markers. I always like to have a stout spinning rod accessible, rigged with a large soft plastic jerk bait for when a cobia is seen. Lead the cobia by a couple feet, and began aggressively twitching the bait. Be ready for the strike; this is sight fishing at its finest. Large “gator” trout can be found on the shallow hard bottom areas, near shore rock piles, and spoil islands. For targeting the shallow locations such as rock flats and oyster bars, I have great success with DOA soft plastic glow colored jerks baits, deadly combo shrimp cork rigs and MirrOlure MirrOdines. The near-shore rock piles between Homosassa and Crystal River in 5 to 8 feet of water, will be holding schools of trout as well. 1/8th oz jig heads rigged with MirrOlure Lil’ Johns and DOA cal shad tail soft plastics are a recipe for success. Fish around the rock piles, and any cast could bring trout, sea bass, flounder, grouper, etc. It’s really fun fishing. Red fish can be scattered form the outside points, to the backcountry. It’s best to cover
some water until you start seeing fish, as opposed to anchoring up and point fishing. Once the fish are located, there will be more around, and you‘ll likely be in the zone. Spoons, jerk baits and select sized live shrimp will keep the rod bent. Also, be ready for a snook or two! They are on the same points as the red fish, and pretty much prefer the same baits. The season is still open, so have your snook stamp, and try to find that slot fish. King fish will be migrating through the area as well. While offshore, troll Yo-zuri crystal minnows or mag minnows rigged with a foot of wire leader around your favorite offshore grouper locations. Watch for skyrocketing kings, and you’ll know you’re in the right area, and while you’re offshore, bring plenty of shrimp to drop down on the rock piles. Grunts, hog fish and mangrove snapper will keep you busy all day long. For the tournament anglers, The King of the River tournament out of Pete’s Pier Marina will be May 8th and 9th. For further information, please contact Pete’s Pier. Capt. Dan Clymer 352.418.2160 www.crystalriver-fishing.com
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APRIL 2020
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NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA/NATURE COAST 13
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14 NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA/NATURE COAST
APRIL 2020
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TALES FROM THE TUPPERWARE NAVY
W
elcome back. Here we are in April, and spring is just around the corner, which gives me a selfprovided Segway into this month's offering, spring fishing. When I say spring, I'm not talking about the season, I'm talking about cold weather fishing, and the Floridan aquifer. This aquifer, which stretches from Georgia, Alabama, and all of Florida, is the closest to the surface, on Florida's Nature Coast. Combine that with the porous lime rock substrata, and you have springs!, whether it's Weeki Wachee, Homosassa, Chassahowitzka, Three Sisters and many others. Every creek and river on our coast is fed by this source. So, where am I going with this you may ask!? The answer is unbelievable cold weather fishing, Filmans Bayou, Hammock Creek, the Mud River, and both Jenkins and Higginbotham creeks, all have springs in the back. So when the Gulf temperature drops, many species head to the springs, with their constant 72° outflow, that makes for a fishy happyspot, and a target-rich environment for the Intrepid angler, willing to brave the cold to reap the benefits. My last two trips have been fantastic
with redfish, trout, sheepshead, black drum, mangrove snapper, snook, and even goliath grouper, not bad for a hole as big around as a one-car garage door! This is a spot where you sometimes have to get out and drag the kayak over the rocks to get to it, then set up your anchor, and drop a line down, up to 40 feet. The deepest reading I've gotten over the mouth of this particular spring has been over a hundred feet! These spots are Nature Coast treasures, and well worth the time and effort to discover and fish them. I may be the only angler hoping for one more cold snap. Springs are still productive, though slightly decreased in the summer, when the bay temperature starts to rise, and the dark bottom shallow bays turn to bath water range temperature, from the summer sun. That 72° outflow is again a natural comfort zone. Think about seven species in one spot, and I never pulled up my anchor! Let me know if you enjoyed this story. Bruce Butler | "Stumbling Gypsy" (352) 428-5347 Bruce@IndianBayOutfitters.com Web: www.IndianBayOutfitters.com
IF YOU ADVERTISED HERE
10,000
READERS WOULD HAVE SEEN YOUR AD. Contact Lynn Crutchfield | 352-372-4237 crutch@coastalanglerncf.com for more information
CENTRAL FLORIDA INLAND
F
orest Fishers, there's only one word to describe how the fishing has been these past few months - sporadic. As soon as you think you're getting dialed in, "Poof ", the bite vanishes into thin air/ water. Keeping an eye on weather patterns will help you predict how fish are going to act before you hit the water. Back in the day, we had to rely on the forecast of our local meteorologist. Now, most anglers keep an eye on their phone's weather app to decide which day, and time of day, has the best odds for success. For bass anglers, weather forecasts are crucial. A basic rule of thumb is, bass move around (feeding heavily) on overcast days. On bluebird-sky days however, it's the opposite. You'll find them hiding under any cover that casts a good shadow, and they'll stay there as long as the sun is shining. For them to bite, you basically have to knock 'em on the head with your bait, creating a reaction strike. The best strategy is to just keep moving, from spot to spot, while pitching a craw or creature bait at every bit of cover you find. I'm writing this in mid-March, and the bass beds and bass fry (babies) have just started to appear. The spawn is definitely behind schedule, compared to last year. So far behind, there's a good chance that while you're reading this, female bass are still moving up to do their bedding process. I could go into detail on ways you can trigger a strike, or how you know if a big girl is going to eat. More important than any tips on hooking these fish, are the facts of what happens when you take a bass away from the eggs or young it is protecting. In the blink of an eye, sunfish and other bed raiders can annihilate thousands of future bass.
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APRIL 2020
Now don't get me wrong, I'm a trophy bassaholic as well. The sight of a massive, potential bass of a lifetime get's my adrenaline pumping like nothing else. I'm not the type of person who tells people what they should or shouldn't do, and there's no way I can convince you to forget about the one thing you've spent your life chasing and dreaming of. However, please think about what your plan is once you hook and land that very old, very rare, potential future world record. A little preparation can mean the difference between watching that beaut go belly up, or watching it swim away to live on and continue growing. So, that one day, just maybe, you two may meet again. John Freeze Kayak Fishing and Nature Tours TheWaterwayz@gmail.com 352-216-5798
NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA/NATURE COAST 15
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16 NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA/NATURE COAST
APRIL 2020
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STATE RECORD FISH REQUIRE PROPER CERTIFICATION
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hat largemouth bass you’ve been battling with is now in your boat. It’s huge. Could it be the new state record? And if it is, how do you certify it? The current state record for largemouth bass weighed 17.27 pounds and was caught by Billy O’Berry in Polk County in 1986. Although that record has stood over 30 years, recent submissions of giant 15- and 16-pound bass to FWC’s TrophyCatch program has anglers and biologists wondering when the next state record will show up. If you’re the lucky angler holding a potential state record, here’s what you need to know: To properly certify a new Florida state record, an FWC biologist must identify the fish species, and an FWC employee—usually but not necessarily the same individual—must witness its weighing on a certified scale. Anglers can check the current state records at BigCatchFlorida.com by clicking on “State Record,” and should notify the nearest FWC regional office if they believe they have caught a record fish. Contact information for
Nathaniel Scott Kicklighter with his 14-pound, 11-ounce bass.
FWC regional offices can be found at MyFWC. com/contact by clicking on “Contact an FWC office” then the “Regional Operations” tab. Biologists urge anglers not to confuse the state record certification with the FWC’s TrophyCatch program. TrophyCatch is a citizen-science program that partners with industry leaders, such as Bass Pro Shops, to offer rewards for the catch, documentation and release of largemouth bass weighing 8 pounds or more. Nathaniel Scott Kicklighter just became the current leader for TrophyCatch’s eighth season with a 14-pound, 11-ounce bass from an unnamed Putnam County lake. “It’s important to note that while all that is needed to submit a fish for TrophyCatch is a photo of the entire fish on a scale with the weight clearly visible, that photo is not enough to certify a state record,” said Allen Martin, FWC’s North Central Regional Fisheries Administrator. “A state record catch is an amazing angling accomplishment,” said Martin. “However, if the fish isn’t certified in person by an FWC biologist, the angler won’t get credit for a new state record.”
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E E V R Old Florida Waterfront Charm Re-Discovered E R TH ON! S E R FO EAS The Perfect Vacation Getaway for Fishing, Boating and Outdoor Enthusiasts NOWING S SPR Accommodations are nestled on 6 lush tropical acres of pristine waterfront directly on the Indian River Lagoon. As you make your way down the one lane road you will truly be stepping back in time. Your hosts Kim and Robert Pruitt have re-captured the very best of Old Florida charm with modern conveniences and services to make your stay truly memorable and unforgettable.
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READING THE BEACH
Photo by Paul Brennan
T
o the uninitiated, surf fishing might seem easy. Stake out some rods, sit back in a chair and enjoy a cold one, right? Well, if you actually want to catch fish, it’s necessary to read the surf. For beginners seeking to catch fish from the beach, setting up in the right place is the first step to success. Ask the local tackle shop about baits, rigs and appropriate gear. This article should get you started seeking out productive water. Ever notice five or six dudes clustered on one short stretch of beach with an array of rods stuck in the sand just a few yards apart? These guys know what they’re doing. They’ve found structure that consolidates bait and fish. Don’t assume there’s an invitation to plop down and fish with them. But be polite, don’t crowd them, and they might share advice. Notice what the beach and the surf look like where they are fishing, and 18
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try to find something similar somewhere else. Scouting begins with a long walk on the beach. Low tide might not be the best time to fish the surf, but it’s a great time to see how the bottom will lay out when the tide rolls in. Bottom contours manipulate current, and any irregularity on a flat expanse off the beach will draw bait and fish. Often, fine sand indicates a bottom with a gradual slope and little structure. Coarse sand with crushed shell or gravel points the way to steeper drops or deeper holes. Pay attention while you’re walking, and you’ll likely see the sand change character. The most common structure you’ll find off the beach is a sandbar. This is where the waves begin to break as they approach the shore. Inside of this sandbar there is a trough of deeper water between the sandbar and shore. There’s another drop off the ocean side of the sandbar. Fish of all kinds utilize these slightly deeper waters to move along the beach, hunting smaller fish or crustaceans. Dropping baits in the trough or on the backside of the sandbar can lead to hookups, but your odds increase if you can find a break in the sandbar, where a large tide, a rip current or a storm surge has punched a hole in the bar. Sand stacks up on either side of the cut, leaving shallow points on either side of a deeper bottom. These spots are obvious when the tide is out. When the tide is in, it’s the spot where waves don’t break as they pass over the sandbar. On a falling tide, you might notice faster water being sucked out through the cut. Fish use these breaks to move in and out of the trough. Current rushing through sandbar breaks also disorients baitfish, and predators will line up. Keep in mind that the sand is always moving. It changes day-today, and being cognizant of even small irregularities on an otherwise featureless bottom can help locate fish.
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Clean Up Florida Waters July 11
F Reel in the memories. Sitting on the most biodiverse estuary in the Northern Hemisphere, Martin County is a fisherman’s paradise. Ocean, lake and river ecosystems are home to more than 800 species of fish, from the ever-popular sailfish and snook to largemouth bass and perch. Forget your gear? Visit one of Martin’s many bait and tackle shops or outdoor retailers. Inshore, offshore, saltwater or fresh, head out for an adventure and reel in the memories.
DiscoverMartin.com 20
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lorida Realtors, the state’s largest trade association, is organizing a statewide event slated for July 11 to clean up Florida waters. Drawing from the organization’s extensive reach and calling out to all marine enthusiasts and conservationists, the event is aimed at cleaning up lakes, rivers, streams, retention ponds, bays, Intracoastal Waterways, the Gulf and Atlantic Ocean. The event was dreamed up between Orlando and Jacksonville realtors Mark Feagle Jr. and Jeff Fagan, who are avid anglers and Coastal Conservation Association members. The idea was quickly adopted by the trade association, which has the manpower of 195,000 members. The goal is to remove tons of trash and debris from waterways statewide in a single day, utilizing volunteers on land and water. “As a native Floridian, I have always enjoyed surfing, fishing and diving in our local waters. I want the natural beauty of this state to endure for my daughter and future generations,” said Feagle. “When you ask tourists or future residents what attracted them to Florida, the answers are typically: white sand beaches, lakes for boating, rivers for kayaking and our natural springs. Yet, many of our waterways are littered with bottles, cans and other debris. The good news is, trash is a people problem, which means we are also the solution.” On July 11, join thousands of Florida realtors to clean up Florida waters. Every effort makes a difference. To get involved, visit www.floridarealtors.org/events/clean-up-florida-waters or contact your local real estate offices to get details on local efforts. Use the hashtag #cleanupfloridawaters on social media to find local events and support the effort.
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elebrate the fight against invasive lionfish at the sixth-annual Lionfish Removal and Awareness Festival May 16-17 at AJ’s Seafood and Oyster Bar and HarborWalk Village in Destin. Activities will include fillet demonstrations; family friendly games and activities; art, diving and conservation booths; and the world’s largest lionfish spearfishing tournament, the Emerald Coast Open. Satisfy your taste buds by visiting any of the participating locations of Lionfish Restaurant Week (May 11-14) for your chance to try this delicious invasive. Learn more by visiting FWCReefRangers.com. The 2020 Lionfish Challenge removal incentive program will begin May 22 and continue through the Pensacola Lionfish Classic on Oct 11. Register for the tournament at EmeraldCoastOpen.com. For more information on FWC’s lionfish awareness programs go to FWCReefRangers.com and MyFWC. com/Lionfish.
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SOUTHWEST FLORIDA SEAGRASS RESTORATION UNDERWAY
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apid fluctuations in salinity due to freshwater releases from Lake Okeechobee have caused the loss of up to 1,200 acres of seagrass beds in NOAA photo by Heather Dine Caloosahatchee Estuary on Florida’s southwest coast. For more than a decade, prime habitat for inshore gamefish has dwindled. In 2018, an ambitious project began to restore seagrass to Caloosahatchee Estuary. Spurred by the Angler Action Foundation and funded by the state of Florida, the first stage of plantings appear to be thriving. In late 2018, about 20 acres of tape grass and widgeon grass were planted in areas decimated by excessive freshwater releases. Widgeon grass was selected for its ability to pioneer new habitat and tolerate a wide range of salinity. Tape grass, also known as eelgrass or wild celery, is more tolerant of freshwater than other grasses. Planting these two species provides some insurance that seagrass beds will establish and remain intact under widely varying salinity levels. Seagrass plantings were protected by wire-mesh exclosures to protect them from turtles and manatees, to allow the plants to take root. Initial surveys indicate very high survival rate, with up to 95 percent of plantings thriving and producing seeds and rhizomes that will disperse and hopefully establish themselves in adjacent areas, resulting in a self-sustaining seagrass meadow. Future plans are to expand the footprint of the planted areas. It is hoped the same methods can be used in other parts of Florida, such as the Indian River Lagoon, which has also suffered devastating losses of seagrass habitat.
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his is the time of year I start organizing for the upcoming fishing season. Whether I’m traveling abroad or staying close to home (which might be the case with current Covid-Virus situation), being practical and thorough are the keys to success. Pack Light: Many fly fisherman decorate themselves with useless stuff: dull-bladed scissors, moth-eaten fly patches and rust-encrusted hemostats; in addition, vest pockets are crammed with fly boxes of every size, each pocket on the verge of popping its stitching. On occasion, I have noted fly fishermen toting as many as three tackle bags, each bag containing enough stuff to stock a small fly shop. When saltwater fly fishing, dispense with the stuff and use the less is more approach. One box of flies will cover your targeted species, and you’ll need small spools of tippet material, nippers and pliers. If you’re fishing with a guide, he or she will have most of these items available to you. Know What the Fish Eat: Research flies you’ll need for the location and if your guide will provide them for you. Far too many anglers allow ego to take over their thinking in the selection of flies, resulting in the purchase of flies ill-suited for the targeted species. Ask the guide what flies are appropriate.
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Traveling Abroad? If you’re fishing in a foreign country, investigate the culture, customs and perhaps the language spoken. Doing so will ensure your trip’s success and impress the natives. Don’t forget your passport and an extra copy placed in another piece of luggage or carry on. Leave a copy of it at home just in case! And get a Trusted Traveler card (formally Global Enter card). It’s well worth the $100 and saves you from suffering the long customs lines when re-entering the United States. Cast: Prior to your trip, spend a half-hour each day casting into the wind, a practice that will prepare you for unforgiving, blustery winds you will encounter on the flats and offshore. Work on distance. Casts of 40 to 50 feet with no more than two false casts are a must. Find A Guide: A good fishing guide is an outstanding provider of the information you need when fly fishing unfamiliar waters or in distant fly fishing destinations. Your guide has logged hundreds of hours studying the local fish and has honed saltwater fly fishing skills. Listening is guaranteed to make you a better fly fisherman. Hiring a guide and lending him your ear is a giant step in the right direction if learning to saltwater fly fish is your goal. Once you have enlisted his assistance, pay attention; listen and learn. You’ll find most saltwater fishing guides are good listeners, and often they become good and trusted friends. However, avoid bending his ear too much with stories about your skills as a freshwater fly-flinger. You are there to learn from him, not vice-versa.
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TONS OF TRASH Removed From Broward Waters
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ore than 1,000 volunteers showed up in early March for the 43rd Broward County Waterway Cleanup. On land and in water with 120 vessels, including boats, kayaks and paddleboards, volunteers collected nearly 25 tons of trash and debris from 35 sites around the county. The event was presented by the Florida Inland Navigation District (F.I.N.D.) and National Marine Suppliers and organized by the Marine Industries Association of South Florida (MIASF). “We had beautiful weather, dedicated volunteers and a great time,” said Event Coordinator, Nicole Hoekstra, “The annual Waterway Cleanup is a perfect day to celebrate all that Broward County has to offer, while taking part in keeping it clean,” Following the cleanup, volunteers were invited to attend the Trash Bash Thank You party at MIASF Headquarters, where participants were treated to live music, free food and beverages, and more than a dozen raffle prizes. For more information, visit www.waterwaycleanup.org.
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CHERRY DOMINATES THE CLASSIC
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here was no denying Elite Series veteran Hank Cherry. Riding a first-day sack of nearly 30 pounds, he led wireto-wire during the 50th anniversary Bassmaster Classic at Lake Guntersville to capture the most coveted title in tournament bass fishing. The 46-year-old B.A.S.S. photo by Gary Tramontina from Lincolnton, N.C. hoisted the trophy on championship Sunday March 8 and accepted his winnings of $307,500 as the Classic champion. It was sweet redemption for a man who’s fished the Classic five times and came heartbreakingly close to winning the whole enchilada back in 2013. During the 2013 Classic at Grand Lake, Oklahoma, a lost jerkbait fish dropped Cherry into third place. It’s safe to say his luck held on Guntersville, where limits of 29-3, 16-10 and 19-8 gave him a three-day total of 65 pounds, 5 ounces. He did most of his damage during Friday’s first round with a Z-Man Jack Hammer. The pattern led to a tournamentbest bag that featured a pair of 7-2 largemouths. On Days 2 and 3, he relied on his own Hank Cherry Signature Series Jig from Picasso in green pumpkin with a matching Berkley MaxScent Chunk trailer and a jerkbait—a Megabass 110+1 in the French pearl OB color. He spent practically the whole event fishing one causeway and one grass flat after a Day 1 arm injury limited his travel in windy conditions. “I never put gas in the boat all week,” Cherry said. “Y’all know me. If it’s windy, I’m not going to be making a lot of long runs—and anyway, I just didn’t need to.” South Carolina pro Todd Auten finished second with 58-10. Arkansas angler Stetson Blaylock took third with 58-1. The Berkley Big Bass award went to Auten for a 7-9 he caught on Day 1.
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MARK SOSIN
ound is critical to a fish’s survival beneath the surface of the water. They rely on sound to signal the presence of prey or warn them of impending danger. Since sound travels five times faster in water than it does in air, it becomes a critical factor in a fish’s daily life. If you have watched fish for any period of time, you know they instinctively become alert to unfamiliar sounds or noise and tend to move away from the source. I watched a scientific experiment with trout in a clear water stream from a concealed tower. As an associate approached the edge of the stream from wooded concealment on the opposite bank, the trout became instantly alert. A few slipped back into protective cover, while the rest became motionless and waited to see what would happen. Every fish within view stopped feeding. Large predators sometimes invade a chum slick simply because they respond to the sound of smaller fish feeding. They can actually hear potential prey as the little guys devour the chum. The sound of other fish feeding will often trigger additional fish to begin feeding. Game fish are intensely aware of the distress vibrations given off by injured or impaired fish and usually are attracted to move in closer. These distress vibrations telegraph the
presence of an easy meal. That’s why a larger predator often attacks a hooked fish as you struggle to land it. Unique in the animal kingdom, the lateral line on either side of a fish is an extremely precise sound-detecting organ. It responds to low frequency sound within relatively short range in a system known as near-field displacement. Anything moving through the water disturbs the molecules and this is detected by neuromasts in the fish’s body. The accuracy of the system is nothing less than amazing. A fish can strike prey it cannot see with incredible accuracy. Negative sounds or noises are equally important. Too many anglers ignore the damage that noises can cause. Once a fish is alerted that something is not right, it seldom will risk striking a bait or lure. A plug landing too close to an oversized shark or a 100-pound tarpon can send that critter scurrying for safety. The noise of an outboard can eliminate fish in a given spot. Racing to reach a spot or to get to breaking Photo by Nick Carter fish as quickly as possible can shut down the activity. And making noise aboard a boat, particularly when it is easily transmitted through the hull has negative effects. The shallower the water, the more damaging noise can be. All it takes is dropping a pair of pliers, sliding a tackle box so it scrapes or making heavy sounds of any type. It pays to live by the rule that silence is golden. If you do, you’ll catch more fish.
For more from Mark Sosin, visit
CAMFISHING.COM
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WAHOO “COWBELLS’’ & ‘’SNAGGER’’ DOLPHIN LURES
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NOAA CLAMPS DOWN
ON ATLANTIC SNAPPER
I
n early March, NOAA Fisheries announced that red snapper season in the South Atlantic, from the Carolinas to Florida, will be a scant three days long with a one-fish per person daily limit… if there is to be a snapper season at all. It’s frustrating news for anglers, who are experiencing a similar situation to what occurred in the Gulf of Mexico prior to states taking control of red snapper management. While anglers and charter captains report plentiful and increasing red snapper catches, federal managers continue clamping down on regulations. And even the three-day season is contingent on a change to regulatory framework, which currently does not allow a season at all if NOAA determines it will be three days or less. According to a release from the South Atlantic Fisheries Management Council (SAFMC), the change that would allow a three-day season is expected to be in place before the 2020 season. Since 2010, recreational anglers have been allowed just 37 days total to harvest red snapper in the South Atlantic. NOAA’s decision on the 2020 season is based on landing estimates from 2019, when a five-day recreational season produced an estimated 49,674 fish and exceeded the annual catch limit. The current annual catch limit is set at 29,656 fish.
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E-Z ANCHOR PULLER PATRIOT SERIES
E
-Z Anchor Puller Mfg. Co. provides a solid, reliable, easy-to-use solution for anchoring. As a leading drum anchor winch manufacturer, our products are a safe, consistent launch and retrieval system for vessels in calm or rough seas. No more trips toward the front of your boat to untangle line and chain: we have a drum anchor winch that provides years of dependability and safety for you and your anchor, from 18-foot all the way up to 55-foot vessels! The Patriot series is especially developed for fiberglass fishing boats in shallow coastal waters. Before purchasing his E-Z Anchor Puller unit, Jarrett Sanchez pulled up a 22-pound anchor and 230 feet of rope and chain onto his 1977, 25’ Mako Center Console all by himself, by hand. Now, he can simply press a button to drop his anchor to the bottom, then simply push “up” for three seconds to ensure his line is nice and tight. Manufactured completely from 316 stainless steel and rated IP68 waterproof submersible, the Patriot series is immune to saltwater environments, whether it’s exposed on the deck or hidden away in the rope locker while you’re out on the water. With three sizes (EZ-1, EZ-2 and EZ-3) in the series, the Patriot is the winch of choice for Florida boaters who own vessels 18 to 35 feet, and can hold between 175 and 325 feet of ⅜-inch line, or 150 to 200 feet of ½-ich line depending on preference and need. The power-up, power-down direct drive button gives boaters more control over deployment and retrieval with an average of 100 feet per minute for deployment and retrieval. Sanchez’s particular unit, the Patriot EZ-2, holds 150 feet of ½-inch line where he boats off of the coast of Treasure Island, Fla. Even though his decision to buy our unit was, “99.9 percent his wife and family,” we think Sanchez is one happy customer, too! No drifting, no tangled lines and one less thing to worry about on the open water. To check out the Patriot series in its entirety, visit our website at ezanchorpuller.com/collections/anchor-winch
Ezanchorpuller.com/collections/anchor-winch
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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FOULFREE TRANSDUCER COATING
M
Enter To Win A VOODOO KAKUKAYAK! The Kaku Voodoo is the ultimate sight casting paddle craft. This Authentic Fishing Paddle Craft has a unique look and performance. Part Kayak, part paddle board, with some micro skiff qualities. “ The Kaku Voodoo is like a Cadillac on the water, comfort and stability combined with all the accessories an angler could want.”
Visit
Length 13’ Width 35” Hull Weight 77lbs Capacity 450+
CoastalAnglerMag.com/contest 18
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arine growth on the transducer inhibits the performance your sonar. A fouled transducer reduces sensitivity, bottom-echo returns and positive fish targets. In other words, when the transducer is dirty, you’re not seeing what’s down there. Also, transducers perform best when there’s minimal turbulence over their surface during operation. Consider this next time you’re idling over structure looking for bait and fish. With streamlined water flow over your equipment, you’ll get a better image of what’s below. To solve these performance issues, Propspeed, a leading innovator of underwater coatings, developed a revolutionary foul-release coating designed specifically for transducers. Foulfree is a biocide-free coating that when cured creates a super-slippery surface over the transducer. It prevents marine growth without poisons to keep your transducer clean, streamlined and performing at its peak. One application lasts through an entire year of service and even longer in cooler climates. “Foulfree is an exciting new coating specifically made to enhance the performance of transducers,” said Chris Baird, CEO of Propspeed. “Bringing together our revolutionary product design and working with the experts in transducer functionality from Airmar, we are able to offer boaters around the world a new solution to an age-old problem and improve sonar performance for anglers and cruisers alike.” Foulfree joins Propspeed’s award-winning product line which includes Propspeed an industry-leading foul-release system for propellers and running gear and the groundbreaking transparent foulrelease coating specifically formulated www.oceanmax.com for underwater lights, Lightspeed.
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
T
he dawning of the new year has been good to West Virginia anglers who are setting new state records. A monster blue catfish and a big grass carp were certified as state length records by the West Virginia Division of Naturaral Resources, and then the grass carp record was broken again. On Jan. 3, Zachary Adkins, of Cabins, W.Va., caught a 53.1-inch, 59-pound grass carp from Warden Lake, a 44-acre state-managed reservoir in the northeastern corner of the state. Adkins used a large swimbait to catch the fish, which broke the previous length record of 50.75 inches. Then, on Feb. 18, John Miller, of Lost City, W.Va., bested Adkins’ mark with a 54.75-inch, 67.4-pound grass carp, also from Warden Lake. Warden Lake is apparently a hotbed for big carp. The state weight record of 71.69 pounds also came from Warden. It was caught by William Tucker in 2005. On Jan. 11, Justin Conner, of Culloden, W.Va., caught his 49.84-inch, 58.38-pound blue catfish on the Ohio River over on the Ohio border. Conner’s big blue ate a chunk of cut shad. It broke the previous length record of 47.75 inches. Mark Blauvelt still holds the weight record with a 59.74-pound blue catfish caught on the Ohio River in 2016. The IGFA alltackle world record blue catfish weighed 143 pounds. It was caught out of Kerr Lake, Va. in 2011. COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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Airline_CoastalAnglerAd_3-2016_Layout 1 3/18/16 1:07 PM Page 1
RIDE THE BULL In Grand Isle Louisiana
T
he maze of bayous around the mouth of the Mississippi River south of New Orleans holds the best redfish fishing in the world. This unique system of waterways on Louisiana’s Gulf Coast also lays out perfectly for anglers fishing from kayaks. It’s fitting that the world’s largest kayak fishing tournament should be held out of Grand Isle, Louisiana. On Aug. 28-29, Ride the Bull will flood Caminada Pass with hundreds of kayak anglers chasing the event’s heaviest single redfish. It will be the 11th edition of this catch-and-release bull redfish tournament hosted by CCA Louisiana. And whether you’re a competitor or one of the hundreds of spectators, it’s an event you need to see. Because of the tournament’s boundaries within Caminada pass, it is suitable for anglers of all ages and experience levels. The fishing, however, can be pretty serious, with a leaderboard filled by redfish approaching 30 pounds. In addition to the fishing on Saturday, Aug. 29, vendors will be there displaying their wares, and usually there’s live music on Friday night after the captains meeting. Registration opens June 1 and hotel rooms on Grand Isle fill up quickly, so make reservations early. For more information, go to ccalouisiana.com.
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$
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At Harbor Freight Tools, the “Compare to” price means that the specified comparison, which is an item with the same or similar function, was advertised for sale at or above the “Compare to” price by another national retailer in the U.S. within the past 90 days. Prices advertised by others may vary by location. No other meaning of “Compare to” should be implied. For more information, go to HarborFreight.com or see store associate.
3/6/20 4:13 PM
Time to get to your local Suzuki Marine Dealer for the Ultimate Outboard Motors. Buy during our Spring Sales Event and get Suzuki’s 3-Year Limited Warranty plus 3 years of Time to get to your local for the Ultimate Outboard Motors. Extended Protection at noSuzuki extra Marine charge.Dealer There are Instant Savings on select models,Buy and during ourFinancing Spring Sales Event and get Suzuki’s 3-Year Limited Warranty plus 3 years of Low-Rate is also available. Extended Protection atSuzuki no extra charge. There are Instant Savings on select models, and See your participating Marine Low-Rate is also available. dealer for Financing all the details. See your participating Suzuki Marine dealer for all the details.
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Gimme Six Extended Protection promotion applies to new Suzuki Outboard Motors from 25 to 350 HP in inventory which are sold and delivered to buyer between 04/01/20 and 06/30/20 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. The Gimme Six Promotion is available for pleasure use only, and is not redeemable for cash. Instant Savings applies to qualifying purchases of select Suzuki Outboard Motors made between 04/01/20 and 06/30/20. For list of designated models, Gimme Six Extended Protection promotion applies to new Suzuki Outboard Motors from 25 to 350 HP in inventory which are sold and delivered to buyer between 04/01/20 and 06/30/20 in accordance with see participating Dealer or visit www.suzukimarine.com. Instant Savings must be applied against the agreed-upon selling price of the outboard motor and reflected in the bill of sale. There are no model 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. The Gimme Six Promotion is available 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 for pleasure use only, and is not redeemable for cash. Instant Savings applies to qualifying purchases of select Suzuki Outboard Motors made between 04/01/20 and 06/30/20. For list of designated models, 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 see participating Dealer or visit www.suzukimarine.com. Instant Savings must be applied against the agreed-upon selling price of the outboard motor and reflected in the bill of sale. There are no model terms provided, are based on creditworthiness. $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 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 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 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 authorized Suzuki dealer between 04/01/20 and 06/30/20. “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 terms provided, are based on creditworthiness. $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 read your owner’s manual. © 2020 Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. 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 04/01/20 and 06/30/20. “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. © 2020 Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. NATIONAL APRIL 2020 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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êêêêê “Very hefty, well-built knife and sheath. Extremely goodlooking and utilitarian.” — R., Lacey, Washington Damascus Curva Knife, you’ll be ready to throw a curve of your own. Limited Reserves. Damascus steel blades are a lost art form that only a handful of artisan bladesmiths have mastered. These legendary blades take time to forge and only a few are crafted each month. Don’t let this beauty slip through your fingers. Call today!
BONUS! Call today and you’ll also receive this genuine leather sheath!
The Damascus Curva Knife celebrates those legendary blades. It uses modern Damascus steel, with the same rippled texture pattern on the blade, to create a curved folding knife that’s 7 ½" in total length. With a liner lock mechanism, which allows the knife to be opened and closed using just one hand, and a ergonomic handle made of buffalo horn and colored bone, this $79 knife is a trophy for any hunter or collector.
Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. Feel the knife in your hands, wear it on your hip, inspect the impeccable craftsmanship of Damascus steel. If you don’t feel like we cut you a fair deal, send it back within 30 days for a complete refund of the item price. But we believe that once you hold the
“The most common aspects of Damascus steel knives that enthusiasts consider ideal are the aesthetics and high performance.” –– Knife Informer
Damascus Curva Folding Knife $179*
Offer Code Price Only $79 + S&P Save $100
1-800-333-2045
Your Insider Offer Code: CFK280-01 You must use the insider offer code to get our special price.
Stauer
®
14101 Southcross Drive W., Ste 155, Dept. CFK280-01, Burnsville, Minnesota 55337
www.stauer.com
*Discount is only for customers who use the offer code versus the listed original Stauer.com price.
• Damascus steel blade & bolster • Buffalo horn & colored bone handle • Liner lock • Overall length, open : 7 ½" • Includes genuine leather sheath
Stauer… Afford the Extraordinary.®
Rating of A+