Coastal Angler Magazine | March 2020 | North Central Florida/Nature Coast

NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA/NATURE COAST EDITION

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@CAMTAMagazine view online at issuu.com

Palm Beach International Boat Show March 26-29

PHOTO COURTESY OF GILLZ VOLUME 25 • ISSUE 300

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F R A N C H I S E

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

A V A I L A B L E

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MARCH 2020

THE STRONGEST SPINFISHER YET!!!

The 6th generation Spinfisher is now stronger and more water resistant than ever. With machined CNC gearing and an IPX5 water resistant rating, the newest Spinfisher is ready for anything.

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Progressive Casualty Ins. Co. & affiliates. Annual premium for a basic liability policy not available all states. Prices vary based on how you buy.

There’s a reason they say, Curse like a sailor.

That’s why we offer basic plans starting at $100 a year and options with On-Water Towing.

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The easiest way to find bait when you’re ready to go fishing is by using the new Baitfinder App available for free download on both Apple and Android devices. Bait shops are the best possible resource for local information from what’s biting, and on what bait, to ensure you have the right equipment and knowledge before you head out to target a specific species of fish. Everything about Baitfinder is designed for anglers, by anglers, allowing all bait shops in your area to advertise their bait availability in real-time. There’s no more last-minute anxiety about locating bait or driving all over to locate the bait you’re looking for.

Anglers can reserve their bait of choice prior to getting to their favorite bait shop to pick it up and it’s all easily done on the app! Let your friends know of this free app and encourage all your local bait shops to enroll at: WWW.BAITFINDER.COM

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

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OUTDOOR APPAREL REVIEW Gillz 2020 Tournament Series Shirt

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illz has re-invented the original vented fishing shirt, and if you liked the original, you’ll love the new 2020 Tournament Series Shirt.

They took the best features from the original and added a few sweet twists. First, the side vents were re-engineered to pull cooling air more efficiently through and around your body, keeping you cooler than ever.

On top of that, it’s made from the proprietary and innovative GillzTec fabric. This interlocking fabric is engineered to quickly distribute moisture 360 degrees across the garment for better cooling.

Since the moisture spreads throughout the garment, it dries and evaporates much faster, keeping you cool and comfortable and essentially eliminates any sweat spots that would normally appear. In fact, it’s 30 percent cooler than competitors!

Lightweight and providing UPF 50+ protection, the shirt blocks 98 percent of UVA/UVB rays. Plus, it’s chemical free and looks pretty awesome. Gillz. The coolest gear on the planet.

Pelagic Blue Water Fishing Short

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esigned at sea, the Blue Water Fishing Short is your offshore hombre for all things fish. It has four-way stretch for maneuverability, a TightLines internal drawcord for a custom fit, and water repellency with stain guard for the inevitable elements.

Made with REPREVE recycled fibers, this is the gateway short to your bluewater addiction.

Features: • 21” Outseam • 4-Way Stretch Fabric • REPREVE Recycled Fibers • Tightlines Adjustable Waistband • Water Repellency & Stain Guard • Side Zip Cargo Pocket W/ Reinforced Tool Pocket • Mesh Lined Back Zip Pockets

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Reel Angler Saltwater Arm Sleeves

Frogg Toggs Pilot Pro Jacket in Realtree Fishing

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he Frogg Toggs Realtree Pilot PRO Jacket in the Realtree Fishing pattern is designed to handle whatever Mother Nature throws at you.

Internal zips hold the Co-Pilot liner, while the full-front zip closure with splash-proof YKK zippers and internal storm flap keep you dry and warm. A fitted, three-way adjustable and removable hood with full-face closure protects your head and face with the help of the integrated fleece-lined, high-rise collar. An internal storm flap and two-way splash-proof front closure keeps water at bay.

The jacket features an internal, zippered storage pocket and chest storage pockets, as well as zippered, oversized, fleece-lined handwarmer pockets.

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nglers need protection from the sun more than just about anyone. With Real Angler Saltwater Arm Sleeves from Solar Sleeves, you can protect your arms from the sun’s damaging rays and look cool doing it.

With UPF factor of 40+, these sleeves offer excellent solar protection. They are made of super-comfortable stretch fabric that resists slipping for all day comfort on the water. If that wasn’t enough, you can represent your passion while protecting yourself. The vivid sublimation print is sure to be an eye catcher. Go fishing or spend the day on the boat in style with Reel Angler Arm Sleeves in Saltwater print. Retail stores shop online at capsmith.com.

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Secrets of a Billionaire Revealed “Price is what you pay; value is what you get.

Whether we’re talking about socks or stocks, I like buying quality merchandise when it is marked down.”

— wisdom from the most successful investor of all time

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e’re going to let you in on a secret. Billionaires have billions because they know value is not increased by an inflated price.

They avoid big name markups, and aren’t swayed by flashy advertising.

When you look on their wrist you’ll find a classic timepiece, not a cry for attention–– because they know true value comes from keeping more money in their pocket.

We agree with this thinking wholeheartedly. And, so do our two-and-a-half million clients. It’s time you got in on the secret too. The Jet-Setter Chronograph can go up against the best chronographs in the market, deliver more accuracy and style than the “luxury” brands, and all for far, far less. $1,150 is what the Jet-Setter Chronograph would cost you with nothing more than a different name on the face.

With over two million timepieces sold (and counting), we know a thing or two about creating watches people love. The Jet-Setter Chronograph gives you what you need to master time and keeps the superfluous stuff out of the equation. A classic in the looks department and a stainless steel power tool of construction, this is all the watch you need. And, then some.

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Hook, Line & Sea Eagle Inflatable Sea Eagle FishSkiff™ 16

The super sleek, super stable inflatable FishSkiff™ 16 holds 1-3 anglers and all their gear. It’s low profile with nearly zero draft make landing fish & shallow water fishing easier and quicker. With a 6hp motor, it can reach 17 mph. Catch fish all day with 1 tank of gas. Add a bow mounted trolling motor for stealthy maneuverability. On shore just deflate & fold it up. Packs small to fit in a car trunk, SUV or RV and stores in a closet.

* 16’ long x 54” wide * Weighs just 99 lbs. (hull only) * Holds up to 3 people or 1765 lbs of people & gear * Inflates & sets up in 17 minutes

* 6 hp Capacity * Motors up to 17 mph * Packs to just 60” x 24” x 12” * Patent Pending

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ach year, millions of collectors and silver stackers around the world secure freshly struck American Eagle Silver Dollars. They are perhaps the most widely collected silver bullion coins in the world, and right now, you can be among the first to secure coins from the U.S. Mint’s brand-new 2020 mintage!

2019 Was a Great Year for Silver. What Will 2020 Hold?

In 2019, silver prices saw a significant increase. Between Sept 2018 and Sept 2019, silver values increased by 25%! No one can say for sure what the future holds, but these freshly struck, 99.9% pure U.S. Silver Dollars are finally available — meaning the time to buy is NOW! $20

Brand-New U.S. Silver Dollars

Each hefty U.S. Silver Dollar contains one Troy ounce of U.S. silver, struck in Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) condition by the United States Mint. The 100-year-old design features a walking Lady Liberty draped in a U.S. flag on one side and a majestic U.S. Eagle and shield on the other. These coins are as beautiful as they are desirable — and when silver prices rise, so does demand for these silver coins!

Final Year of Original Design

After 34 years of the Silver Eagle, the U.S. Mint has announced it will change the reverse design for 2021. That makes the 2020 Silver Eagle the last-year of the original design—something collectors crave!

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GovMint.com • 14101 Southcross Dr. W., Suite 175, Dept. AEB296-04 • Burnsville, MN 55337 GovMint.com® is a retail distributor of coin and currency issues and is not affiliated with the U.S. government. The collectible coin market is unregulated, highly speculative and involves risk. GovMint.com reserves the right to decline to consummate any sale, within its discretion, including due to pricing errors. Prices, facts, figures and populations deemed accurate as of the date of publication but may change significantly over time. All purchases are expressly conditioned upon your acceptance of GovMint.com’s Terms and Conditions (www.govmint.com/terms-conditions or call 1-800-721-0320); to decline, • THEANGLERMAG.COM I MARCH 2020 I NATIONAL return your purchase pursuant to GovMint.com’s Return Policy. © 2020COASTALANGLERMAG.COM GovMint.com. All rights reserved.

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3 6 0 - D E G R E E AC C E S S TO AN OCE AN OF POSSIBILITIES The engineless design of the FSH Series gives owners a spacious stern area, as well as 360-degree uninterrupted access to the water. With enhanced saltwater corrosion protection and a host of fishing and family-friendly features, Yamaha’s 2020 FSH Series is the best way to experience everything the coast has to offer.

YA M A H A B OAT S . C O M

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©2020 Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. All rights reserved. Follow instructional materials and obey all laws. Drive responsibly, wearing protective apparel.

Always drive within your capabilities, allowing time and distance for maneuvers, and respect others around you. Don’t drink and drive.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT OUR WEBSITE COASTALANGLERMAG.COM AT YAMAHABOATS.COM OR CALL 1.800.88.YAMAHA. NATIONAL MARCH 2020 • THEANGLERMAG.COM

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he International Game Fish Association (IGFA) tracks record fish catches around the globe, and they have been busy. Since December, they have approved 65 new entries, including line class, fly-caught and youth records for different species. More than 30 of those records are all-tackle records, which means they are the largest individuals ever documented with IGFA. Here’s a quick look at some highlights: Tan’s Nile Perch Christopher Tan of Malaysia caught and released an incredible 146-centimeter (4.8-foot) Nile perch to set the IGFA All-Tackle Length World Record. In early August, Tan was casting a Halco Laser Pro 190 in Murchison Falls, Uganda.

Pitman’s Golden Trevally Aussie angler Sahra Pitman caught a beautiful 12.25-kilogram (27-pound, 1-ounce) golden trevally to set the new IGFA Women’s 6-kg (12-lb.) Line Class World Record while fishing in Shark Bay, Western Australia. The record fish hit a McCarthy soft plastic and put up a 20-minute fight. It is currently the largest Line Class record of any received for golden trevally.

Weeks’ Green Humphead Parrotfish Mark Weeks set the bar high with the first green humphead parrotfish submitted for an IGFA All-Tackle World Record, with a massive 46.35-kilogram (102-pound, 3-ounce) fish he caught and released while fly fishing the flats of Providence, Seychelles. The record parrotfish sucked up a crab pattern and took off across the flat.

Christopher Tan with the nearly 5-foot Nile perch he caught in Uganda.

Allum’s Rainbow Trout Emily Allum caught and released an impressive 13.30-kilogram (29-pound, 5-ounce) rainbow trout to set the new IGFA Women’s 4-kg (8-lb.) Line Class World Record. Allum was casting a Glo Bug in the Tekapo Canal, New Zealand, and fought the record trout for 10-minutes prior to weighing and releasing it.

Schmid’s Arctic Char James Schmid recently set the new IGFA All-Tackle Length World Record for Arctic char with a gorgeous 93-centimeter (nearly 17-inch) fish. The char ate a Vibrax Blue Fox spinner in the Red Belly Lake, Victoria Island, Canada. After an 8-minute fight, James took the required measurement and released the fish.

(Left) Mark Weeks’ Seychelles parrotfish weighed more than 100 pounds.

(Right) Emily Allum’s New Zealand rainbow is a new line-class record.

The U.S. Coast Guard recently approved the use of Serious Signal’s flagship electronic visual distress signal device as a nighttime distress signal. The C-1002 is the industry’s first and only two-color distress light approved for carriage, which completely and legally replaces the need to carry marine pyrotechnic flares. The C-1002 also includes features that enhance its functionality to the level of an alert and notification system.

“We’re thrilled that the C-1002 Electronic LED Flare passed the extremely challenging laboratory testing required by the Coast Guard,” said Anthony Covelli, Sirius Signal CEO. “It’s the brightest multi-LED handheld SOS device on the planet—one that required sophisticated engineering and many new innovative solutions to overcome daunting challenges.”

The C-1002 flashes the SOS distress signal—three short flashes, three long flashes, three short flashes, using a two-color plus infrared SOS flash pattern (red/ orange and cyan) that has been found more effective against shoreline background light clutter, according to studies conducted by the U.S. Coast Guard R&D Center. The C-1002 is also Bluetooth-enabled with advanced mobile app connectivity, providing an additional layer of protection and communication for recreational boaters— and its infrared signal will be recognized by SAR aircraft from miles overhead.

“Based on our review… we acknowledge that the subject device, as tested, meets the performance criteria as specified in the policy letter and may be carried to meet regulatory requirements as a nighttime distress signal per 33 CFR 175.130,” noted the letter Sirius Signal received from the Coast Guard.

In time for the 2020 boating season, the C-1002 will be available for purchase on the Sirius Signal website and Amazon.com, as well as at premier marine distributors.

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

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Some discounts, coverages, payment plans and features are not available in all states, in all GEICO companies, or in all situations. Boat and PWC coverages are underwritten by GEICO Marine Insurance Company. In the state of CA, program provided through Boat Association Insurance Services, license #0H87086. GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, DC 20076; a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. Š 2019 GEICO

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COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

THE ALTERNATIVE TO BUYING A NEW BOAT

Suzuki Repower Centers are stationed around the southeast to help with your Suzuki service and repower needs.

Performance Bulletin Available

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Save The Date!

Palm Beach International Boat Show March 26-29 Superyacht Show Palm Beach Dubuts March 26-28

The 35th annual Palm Beach International Boat Show (PBIBS) pulls into port March 26 - 29, featuring hundreds of boats from around the world, ranging from 8-foot inflatables to super yachts nearly 300 feet long. As one of the top five boat shows in the country, owned by the Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County, Inc. (MIAPBC) and produced by Informa Markets, PBIBS will feature more than $1.2 billion worth of yachts and accessories while offering fun and educational activities, including free youth fishing clinics presented by Hook the Future and IGFA School of Sportfishing seminars.

Attendees will also enjoy live music and refreshments at the show’s famous floating cocktail lounges. Guests are invited to come by boat and tie up to free docks located south of the in-water displays.

The show’s Windward VIP Experience includes admission to the show and VIP lounge featuring a premium open bar, sumptuous lunch, late afternoon tapas, pop-up events as well as concierge service in an indoor and outdoor exclusive setting in the heart of the show.

Overlooking beautiful Flagler Drive at the Lakeside Pavilion, the Windward VIP is sponsored by Bradford Marine and Compass real estate.

New to the show this year is Superyacht Show Palm Beach, which will host 10 to 12 superyachts, ranging in size from 180 to 300 feet long. The invitation-only event will be held at the Flagler Museum in the town of Palm Beach and is expected to attract highly qualified buyers from across the U.S. and around the globe. Superyacht Show Palm Beach will offer an exclusive display of the Show’s most luxurious superyachts, while featuring a mix of entertainment, luxury experiences, Superyacht seminars, and private evening events. Invited guests will be treated to valet parking, private tenders and limousine service to and from the airport. Superyacht Show Palm Beach will take place on March 26-28.

General Admission: • Adults (16 & over): $28 • Adult 2-Day Ticket: $52 • Children (ages 6 -15): $18 • Children (6 and under): FREE Windward VIP Experience: For an enhanced boat show experience, guests can purchase tickets to the Windward VIP Club. Each ticket includes show entry, access to the Windward VIP Club, a private luxury VIP Lounge, featuring an airconditioned indoor space, complimentary chef-drive cuisine, premium beverages and daily special events. Ticket price is $150.

Superyacht Show Palm Beach After two years of planning and permitting, approval was granted by the Palm Beach Town Council to install temporary docks in the deep waters of the Intracoastal Waterway behind the Flagler Museum to host the new superyacht destination.

This exclusive event is invite-only and will bring together builders of the world’s most luxurious superyachts and highly qualified clientele from around the world from March 26-28.

For additional information, including parking details, please visit the website www.pbboatshow.com.

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By John Lidington

t’s no secret that I love diving the Blue Heron Bridge (BHB). When it comes to photo subjects, I crave critters. While I’ve been to many locales seeking specific subjects—dolphins, whale sharks, longsnout butterfly fish, etc.—if I had to choose a single spot for all my diving it would be the BHB. At the beginning of any dive there, I usually have some specific subjects in mind. Yet even when the targeted critters elude me, I’ve never had to end a dive without some equally, or even more interesting images.

To boost the number of those special encounters that keep me so happy, I practice “stop, look, wait” (SLW). The idea of SLW is to plan

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a shorter route of travel, with long stops along the way to allow the local inhabitants to become accustomed to my presence.

At the start of the dive, I swim out toward the snorkel trail, looking for an interesting stretch of bottom. Finding a likely spot, I check the area where I will alight for any sensitive marine life and then “settle in.”

“Settling in” doesn’t mean lying on the bottom. To remain stationary and motionless in the current, I do have to touch the bottom. But it’s with a three-point stance. I keep my fins at right angles to my legs so only their two tips touch the bottom. The third point of contact is a muck stick in my left hand. Using those three contact points, I can keep my body several inches above the bottom.

Then I wait. If I’m lucky, after a minute or two, the nearby critters relax and interesting things happen. On my last BHB dive, I was able to watch a spotfin jawfish rearrange the shells paving the entrance to his hole. During the previous dive, while photographing a pair of hermit crabs investigating a discarded glass jar, I looked up to see a longarm octopus stretched up in its tripod stance checking me out.

I also stop when I find something that will make a dramatic background. Then the wait is for something interesting to swim by in that frame. Recently, I found a spot where a starfish had climbed one of the pilings. It took almost 10 minutes, but ultimately I got the shot I envisioned—a sergeant major backed by a vertical star. Just about every SLW dive produces something very special.

For optimal results, let Pura Vida Divers hook you up with a guide for the first dive. Guides are in the water almost every day, and they are well acquainted with the secret spots at Blue Heron Bridge where you find the most interesting creatures. Once you’re acquainted with the site, add a muck stick to your dive kit, head to the bridge, get in the water—and wait. You’ll be surprised at what turns up!

Contact Pura Vida Divers through their website at www.puravidadivers.com.

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

DO THE MATH!

SUZUKI REPOWER OWNER’S EDGE

TRADE ALLOWANCE PROGRAM

The Suzuki Repower Trade Allowance Program is exclusive for members of Owner’s Edge. Members receive a trade allowance based on the age and hours of their original engine toward a new Suzuki outboard as detailed below.

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• All Suzuki repowers come with Suzuki’s “Gimme 6” 6-years of protection.

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t just 19 years old, Capt. KC Spaulding, of charter boat Caribsea, became the youngest captain ever to win the Florida Keys Gold Cup Fishing Championship Series.

Fishing with anglers Kenny Spaulding, Lee Gahagen, Phillip Bryan and Sam Milazzo, all of Islamorada, Fla, and Kevin Taylor from Port Orange, Fla., the team released a total of 23 sailfish and hoisted the perpetual Florida Keys Gold Cup Sailfish trophy when the series concluded at the Islamorada Fishing Club Captain’s Cup Sailfish Tournament Jan. 30.

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The team started out strong with a win in the 56th Annual Islamorada Sailfish Tournament, releasing 19 sailfish. The team would release another three sails during the Cheeca Lodge Presidential Sailfish Tournament Jan. 24 and 26, followed by one release to conclude the trifecta at the Islamorada Fishing Club Captain’s Cup Tournament. The combined total of 23 releases crowned the Caribsea Grand Champions with Caribee Boat Sales—and Yamaha Outboards—sponsored gold cups along with trophies for the captain and mate.

The team took home a check for $13,000.

Second place went to Capt. JC Cleare aboard the Remix. Anglers John and Ben Dorton of Weston, Fla., along with Nick Carullo, George Corzo, Sarah Melia and Madison Wright, from Miami, Fla., and Doug Meintkiewicz of Islamorada, Fla., released a total of 19 fish. The team released 12 fish in the Islamorada Sailfish Tournament, five in the Cheeca Presidential and two in the Islamorada Fishing Club Tournament. The team’s 19 releases on-time sealed second place for trophies and a check for $7,200.

Contagious took home third-place honors. Contagious Capt. Brian Cone led the team to 16 sailfish releases in the first leg of the series. Anglers Mark Mitchell and Kenneth Padgett, from Charlotte, N.C., photographer Tim Rahn, from Islamorada, Fla., along with Travis Bennett and Capt. Brian’s son Andy Cone, from Tavernier, Fla., had one more release at the Cheeca Presidential Tournament and two releases in the Islamorada Fishing Club Tournament for 19 total releases. The team received trophies and a check for $4,800.

It was a close battle for the High Point Angler Championship Ring, sponsored by Tackle Center of Islamorada. Local artist and Capt. Sam Milazzo aboard the Caribsea started on top with eight releases in the first tournament, and although the field was nipping at his heels, his two releases in the Cheeca and one in the Islamorada Fishing Club tournaments gave him 11 total to join the elite crowd of championship ring winners.

In total, 168 sailfish were released by 73 anglers participating in this season’s event. The Florida Keys Gold Cup Championship Series is a fundraiser for the Islamorada Charter Boat Association. The Series would like to thank major sponsors, Caribee Boat Sales, Yamaha Outboards, Tackle Center of Islamorada and Mangrove Mike’s Cafe. The hosts of the events included Whale Harbor Restaurants and Marina, Cheeca Lodge and Spa and the Islamorada Fishing Club.

For more information, visit www.islamoradasailfishtournament.com.

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SAVINGS ON DECK

AT YOUR LOCAL GEICO OFFICE. GILBERT SUAREZ 305-914-9220 13631 Biscayne Blvd North Miami geico.com/northmiami Some discounts, coverages, payment plans and features are not available in all states or all GEICO companies. Boat and PWC coverages are underwritten by GEICO Marine Insurance Company. GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, D.C. 20076; a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. GEICO Gecko image © 1999-2019. © 2019 GEICO 19_216446

Springtime is the official start of the fishing season. Many of us will stick to our tested and trued methods for targeting a variety of both fresh and saltwater species. Whether you’re a diehard spin-caster or a master of the plug rod, I always encourage anglers to learn a new fishing technique to add to their arsenal.

Learning the basic skills of fly fishing will open up more fishing opportunities to put more fish in the net!

Getting started: Choose the Correct Saltwater Outfit Getting started in saltwater fly fishing can seem like and overwhelming task, but it is really uncomplicated. It’s most important to purchase the right rod and reel for the type of fly fishing you’ll be doing. The East Coast striper fly fisherman will require a different outfit than the West Coast surf perch fisherman, and the guy interested in catching redfish in the Louisiana marsh will have a different rig than the angler casting to bonito off a jetty in Southern California.

Here are my suggestions The Rod: Choose a 7- or 8-weight rod. This rod is the perfect starter rod for the beginning saltwater fly fisherman. It’s heavy enough to punch a fly into a stiff wind, yet light enough to cast all day.

The Reel: A good direct-drive reel that can hold a minimum 200 yards of 30-pound Dacron backing will work well in most saltwater fly fishing situations. Currently, fly reels designed for saltwater fishing are more than adequate in handling fish up to 50 pounds. To save you the price of an extra reel, buy an extra spool for your reel to hold your shooting head.

Fly Lines: This is where it can get complicated, but fear not, it really is not that involved. Here is what you’ll need: 1) A basic weight-forward floating line matched to the weight of your fly rod. The WF floating line is a great all-around fly line for sight casting in shallow water. Don’t get confused by all the marketing of “Saltwater Taper,” “Bonefish Taper,” and “Redfish Taper;” all are lines suitable for the expert, but not for the beginner.

2) A weighted shooting head line combines the weighted front taper and an intermediate running line and is great for sub-surface fishing or fishing riptides from the beach. When fish are feeding below the surface, the shooting head will keep your fly in the hit zone longer. I would choose a 250 to 300 grain. The grain weight equals the sink rate of the fly line, so a 250 to 300 grain line will sink between 5 and 8 inches per second. This is plenty of sink rate to get you down to subsurface feeding fish.

A basic, solid rod reel and line combo will ensure you get the most enjoyment out of saltwater fly fishing and prepare you for the next step.

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T

ake a deep breath, and then think about how different your life would be if you couldn’t. Cystic fibrosis is a progressive, genetic disease that causes persistent lung infections and limits the ability to breathe. Travis Suit’s daughter Piper was diagnosed with “CF” when she was four. When Travis learned that saltwater could help alleviate the symptoms of CF, he immersed Piper in saltwater activities, and became inspired to create an ocean-based event that could raise awareness and funds to help CF patients everywhere.

Thus was born the Crossing For Cystic Fibrosis (formerly known as the Crossing For A Cure), an 80-mile self-propelled journey from the Bahamas to Florida. Travis made his first Crossing in 2013 with three stalwart friends on standup paddleboards who came to be known as “Piper’s Angels.” Since then, their ranks have grown to include hundreds of inspired paddlers, dedicated volunteers and generous sponsors. The Crossing For CF is the top paddle fundraising event in the world, and has grown into one of the largest boating events in the Bahamas.

Travis sees this amazing endeavor as a valuable life lesson for everyone involved. “When you fear your struggles, they consume you, but when you confront your challenges, you overcome them. The Crossing For Cystic Fibrosis provides a great opportunity to show that—no matter what obstacles we face in life—we can always choose to persevere.”

Registration is open for the 2020 Crossing, which will take place on June 20, and anyone can become part of the Crossing. You can paddle, captain a support vessel, volunteer at the landing or sponsor a paddler, a team, or the Foundation in any amount. Check it out, learn how the foundation has grown into one of the most impactful grassroots organizations for cystic fibrosis in the country. A whole lotta LOVE awaits you.

(Above) Piper and Scott Henley, President of Bahama on the podium. (Below) Travis Suit and Piper share triumph on Father’s Day weekend.

www.crossingforc ysticfibrosis.com www.pipersangels.org

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ishing line and other tackle cause problems when they enter the aquatic environment untethered to your reel.

Monofilament is not biodegradable and lasts up to 600 years, depending on environmental conditions. It is very difficult for birds and animals to see, and this can lead to them becoming entangled, resulting in injuries. Monofilament can also entangle habitats, causing damage to coral reefs and posing a threat to scuba divers.

Help prevent these issues by properly disposing of used line through the FWC’s Monofilament Recovery and Recycling Program. MRRP is a statewide project dedicated to reducing damage caused by monofilament and fluorocarbon line through a network of volunteers, recycling bins and drop-off locations.

Place used monofilament or fluorocarbon in one of the PVC MRRP bins found at many boat ramps and piers. Many tackle shops also act as line recycling drop off locations.

Collected line is cleaned by volunteers and shipped to the Berkley Pure Fishing company in Iowa for recycling.

To discard non-monofilament line, such as braid or wire, cut the line into 12-inch or smaller pieces and place into a covered trash receptacle, where it will not blow away.

Visit www.mrrp.MyFWC.com or email Marine@MyFWC.com for more information.

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he organizers of the Blue Marlin Grand Championship, one of the cornerstone tournaments on the Gulf of Mexico marlin circuit, have announced a new event. The Invitational, slated for August 6-8, will feature a field of just 30 teams and a first-place prize of $1 million.

“We asked a number of the top boat owners and captains that are currently fishing in these tournaments in the Gulf about what they would like to see in a new event,” said tournament promoter Scott Burt. “Their overwhelming response was two-fold: They wanted to know who they were fishing against, and they wanted to fish for a million dollars for the winner.”

With a minimum qualifying length of 112 inches LJFL, blue marlin will be scored at one point per pound. Released blue marlin are worth 625 points, although it’s clearly stated in the rules that the heaviest qualifying blue marlin will win first place. Second through fourth place will be decided by a combination of release and weighed fish points. However, in the event that no qualifying fish are weighed, release points decide the overall winner. Therefore, a seven-figure payday is possible for billfish releases in the Gulf.

The Invitational is an all-in format, with a flat entry fee of $50,000 per boat.

Aside from the million dollars awarded to first, second place will earn $145,000, third place is worth $100,000 and fourth, $75,000. Boats may depart from any port in the Gulf of Mexico, with the weigh-in held at The Wharf Marina in Orange Beach, Ala. To request an invitation, contact Jim Cox at (251) 802-2664 or TheInvitational@CMMMarinas.com. Visit www.milliondollarmarlin.com.

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B.A.S.S. photo by Seigo Saito

t all depends on the weather, but the Bassmaster Classic could produce some serious sacks of fish when some of the world’s best bass tournament anglers descend on Alabama’s Lake Guntersville March 6-8.

On the 50th anniversary of the iconic championship event, 53 anglers who have qualified through the B.A.S.S. tournament season will launch on the sprawling, grass-filled impoundment of the Tennessee River during what has historically been prime time for big bass on the “Big G.” Pre-spawn activity was already ramping up during an early-February warm spell, although heavy rains, high waters and the cold front that followed pushed the fish right back out in the middle of the month. What that should mean is bass are primed to move up as soon as conditions stabilize. And when they move up, they will feed up in preparation for the spawn.

If the first week of March sees warmer weather and rains hold off, this year’s Classic could become a shootout featuring heavy five-fish limits and some monster bass. Some of the largest fish of the year are usually caught during the early stages of the spawn.

On the other hand, north Alabama is a place where early spring could bring 75 degree temperatures or snow flurries. Sometimes tough fishing conditions are just the thing to separate great anglers from good ones.

Either way, with a more than $1 million purse, $300,000 for the winner and all of the industry perks that come with a Classic victory, it will be a lifechanging event for at least one angler.

For more information, go to www.bassmaster.com.

O

n Jan. 25, Forrest Lee Wood, the iconic sportsman and founder of Ranger Boats, died at the age of 87. An early pioneer of tournament bass fishing, Wood was an entrepreneur who left an indelible mark on the angling world. He is widely credited with development of the modern bass boat.

Wood began his career in the outdoors as a trout fishing guide on the White River in Arkansas. In 1968, he and his wife, Nina, founded Wood Manufacturing Co., and he built his first six boats behind a service station in Flippin, Ark. His fledgling company, renamed Ranger Boats in honor of the Texas Rangers and U.S. Army Rangers, flourished along with the exploding popularity of tournament bass fishing through the 1970s. A competitive angler himself, Wood qualified for two Bassmaster Classics. He fished 101 B.A.S.S. tournaments with a good deal of success, and his knowledge of what bass anglers want in a boat led to the prototypes that influenced all bass boats that followed.

Ranger was the official boat of B.A.S.S. from 1972-2000. In 1996, Wood’s initials were used to rename the Operation Bass tournament series, and the FLW Tour was born with its championship event the Forrest Wood Cup. In addition to his involvement in boat building and tournament bass fishing, Wood was a sportsman and a conservationist who served as commissioner of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.

COASTAL ANGLER North Central Florida/Nature Coast

Cary & Lynn Crutchfield ALACHUA, MARION, COLUMBIA, GILCHRIST, BRADFORD, DIXIE, LEVY, CITRUS

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO US!

W

ith this March 2020 issue, (our 97th) we begin our NINTH year, bringing the world’s greatest FREE fishing magazine to North Central Florida and the Nature Coast. We began March 2012, with no publishing experience, and really no clue about what we were getting ourselves into. Even though we are not young, we are smart, we can learn, and we were going to succeed no matter what, and we have!

Dr. Kevin McCarthy has been writing for us since our first issue. Every month he brings us something new and fresh. “Kevin McCarthy, you are a treasure.” See page 3 for FLORIDA WATERWAYS. New advertiser this month, Welding Works; see page 5.

Lucy Dionisio is mobile and will come to you.

I know you saw McDuffie Marine’s sticky note on our cover. See page 7 for more info on their annual sale, March 5th through 8th. Gulf to Lake Marine & Trailers is having their Open House March 7th and 8th. See page 4.

Recipe this month, Baked Red Grouper with Sour Cream Parmesan Sauce, on page 19. This dish comes together fast and easy and a great choice for a company dinner. The sour cream mixture is also great on chicken or potatoes. (Hey David, try it, and let me know what you think.)

As we begin our ninth year of publication, we first want to thank the wonderful folks at our Coastal Angler corporate office for their ongoing support and assistance. We send a really big thank you to our family of franchise owners across the country, for their generous sharing of advice, photos, articles, and sometimes, just an understanding, and sympathetic ear.

Thank you to our advertisers and distribution locations. Thank you to our writers for giving of their time and knowledge to provide us with timely forecasts and articles. Thank you to Kathleen our graphic artist. (You see her work on every page.)

Thank you to Kristi, our web master. See her work at www.

CoastalAnglerMag.com?NC-Florida. Thank you to Rosa, our distribution assistant. Last, but certainly not least, thank you to YOU, our reader. If you stop picking up our magazine, we are out of business in a hurry!

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

MARCH 2020 EDITION

Find Your Outdoors Here!

North Central Florida Nature Coast Staff SALES

Cary Crutchfield

EDITING & PRODUCTION Lynn Crutchfield

DISTRIBUTION Rosa Crisman

GRAPHIC ARTS & DESIGN Kathleen Stemley

WEB DESIGN Kristi Williams

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Bruce Butler Dr. Kevin McCarthy John Freeze Noel Kuhn Capt. Jason Clark Capt. Dan Clymer Capt. Tommy Derringer 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

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TIDES • North Central Florida Time Height

1Su 2M

3Tu

4W

5Th

6F

7Sa 8Su

5:54 AM 11:25 AM 5:29 PM 12:39 AM 7:03 AM 12:08 PM 6:15 PM 1:53 AM 8:42 AM 1:15 PM 7:19 PM 3:17 AM 10:20 AM 2:51 PM 8:41 PM 4:30 AM 11:29 AM 4:13 PM 10:00 PM 5:32 AM 12:19 PM 5:19 PM 11:07 PM 6:25 AM 12:58 PM 6:16 PM 12:06 AM 8:11 AM 2:32 PM 8:06 PM

2.5 0.9 3.3 0.2 2.2 1.2 3.2 0.2 2.1 1.5 3.2 0.0 2.2 1.6 3.2 -0.2 2.5 1.6 3.4 -0.5 2.7 1.3 3.6 -0.7 2.9 1.0 3.9 -0.8 3.1 0.6

HERNANDO BEACH

March 2020

9M

Time Height

2:00 AM 8:53 AM 3:04 PM 8:52 PM 10Tu 2:52 AM 9:33 AM 3:34 PM 9:38 PM 11W 3:42 AM 10:11 AM 4:05 PM 10:25 PM 12Th 4:33 AM 10:48 AM 4:37 PM 11:13 PM 13F 5:27 AM 11:24 AM 5:11 PM 14Sa 12:04 AM 6:24 AM 12:00 PM 5:48 PM 15Su 1:00 AM 7:27 AM 12:39 PM 6:31 PM 16M 2:05 AM 8:51 AM 1:29 PM 7:24 PM

4.0 -0.8 3.2 0.2 4.1 -0.6 3.3 -0.1 3.9 -0.3 3.4 -0.3 3.7 0.1 3.5 -0.4 3.3 0.6 3.6 -0.4 2.9 0.9 3.6 -0.2 2.5 1.3 3.5 0.0 2.2 1.6 3.3

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

17Tu

18W

19Th

20F 21Sa

22Su

23M

24Tu

3:27 AM 10:37 AM 2:45 PM 8:38 PM 4:54 AM 11:58 AM 4:20 PM 10:13 PM 6:04 AM 12:48 PM 5:40 PM 11:33 PM 6:56 AM 1:23 PM 6:41 PM 12:35 AM 7:36 AM 1:52 PM 7:28 PM 1:24 AM 8:08 AM 2:18 PM 8:08 PM 2:05 AM 8:37 AM 2:42 PM 8:43 PM 2:42 AM 9:04 AM 3:04 PM 9:17 PM

0.2 2.2 1.8 3.1 0.2 2.4 1.8 3.0 0.1 2.6 1.5 3.1 0.0 2.8 1.2 3.3 0.0 3.0 0.9 3.4 0.0 3.1 0.6 3.4 0.1 3.2 0.4 3.5 0.2 3.3 0.3

NEW

Time Height

25W 3:17 AM 9:31 AM 3:26 PM 9:49 PM 26Th 3:52 AM 9:57 AM 3:47 PM 10:22 PM 27F 4:28 AM 10:24 AM 4:11 PM 10:56 PM 28Sa 5:07 AM 10:52 AM 4:38 PM 11:33 PM 29Su 5:51 AM 11:23 AM 5:10 PM 30M 12:15 AM 6:41 AM 11:59 AM 5:48 PM 31Tu 1:07 AM 7:45 AM 12:45 PM 6:37 PM

3.4 0.4 3.4 0.1 3.3 0.5 3.5 0.1 3.2 0.7 3.5 0.0 3.1 0.9 3.6 0.0 2.9 1.1 3.6 0.0 2.7 1.3 3.6 0.1 2.5 1.5 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

MARCH 2020

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FLORIDA WATERWAYS

Fish Statues

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henever I travel to places along rivers and seas, I look for any museums, statues, and sculptures devoted to fishing and fishermen. I am sometimes pleasantly surprised to see fish-related Urk in the Netherlands has a monument to statues that lands, in Urk, Nether fishermen and boaters.

A monument oking lo ife show just how w 's an erm showing a fish d an sb r hu Finally, the sculpture entitled important fishing to the sea for he is to the local community. For example, “The Fishermen” by

By Kevin McCarthy American sculptor the town of Urk in the Netherlands, has a long monument to the town’s fishing heritage. The impressive Rafael Consuegra, monument of boaters/fishermen heading out to sea, is a testament stands on the bank of Lake Onega in to the centuries of a reliance on fishing for the town’s economy.

Petrozavodsk, Russia.

A sculpture in the same town of Urk shows a fisherman’s wife The two fishermen looking out to sea for her husband. It represents the thousands of can be seen hurling spouses waiting patiently for their partners to return from weeks a net into the water. or months at sea.

The metal net looks My favorite fish sculpture in Florida, is the one of a bass on the waterfront in Palatka, clearly indicating just how important fishing quite realistic. If any Fish sculpture in Pa readers find other is to that community and others, along the St. Johns River. The latka, Florida fi sh-related statues, sculpture shows a large bass under lily pads, which are prevalent let me know through the email address below. up and down the river. The St. Johns is famous for the many fish, many of them trophy-sized, that have been caught for several Kevin McCarthy, the author of Nova Scotia: An Illustrated Maritime thousand years by Native Americans and more modern anglers.

History (available at amazon.com), can be reached at ceyhankevin@ A memorial sculpture in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, in Canada gmail.com. consists of eight three-sided columns at the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic. Inscribed on those black granite columns are the names of mariners, mostly local fishermen, who lost their lives at sea from 1890 to the present. The central column has these words: “Dedicated to the memory of those who have gone down to the sea in ships and who have never returned and as a tribute to those who continue to Lunenburg, Nova Scotia A memorial sculpture in occupy their business in the great waters.”

Another Nova Scotia monument to fishermen, is in Peggy’s Cove. In the 1980s, Finnish-born sculptor William de Garthe, who lived in the town, joined one of his students to carve from granite the 100-footlong “Fishermen’s Monument.” It shows 32 fishermen with their wives and children, all protected by the wings of a guardian angel, The “Fishermen’s Mo engaging in the hard work of catching fish nument” in Peggy’s Cove, No va Scotia in the Atlantic. After the sculptor died in “The Fishermen” in Russia 1983, his funeral was held in the small town, and his ashes were placed inside the monument.

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MARCH 2020

NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA/NATURE COAST 3

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CRYSTAL RIVER

H

ello from Crystal River, and I hope everyone has been out fishing and enjoying the water.

March is a great time to be out fishing. With the warmer weather that’s fast approaching, it really fires up the fishing.

This time of year, the trout fishing is really good. With the warmer weather, the trout who moved into the creeks and the shallow water trying to stay warm, have moved out. When targeting them, I look for baitfish and hard bottom with rock grass. Also, I like to fish the lower tide; it seems to concentrate the fish.

I’ll use hard baits mirrordines and jerk baits.

The reds have been awesome!

While targeting them, I look for bait on the islands and creeks, and I like to fish the beginning of the incoming tide, and follow the tide to stay in shallow water. Another good tactic to catching reds, is sight fishing. I like a slower incoming tide, and really take my time trolling and looking for fish. It can be very productive. For tackle, I’ll use 1/16 jig tipped with a fresh live shrimp or even gulp a shrimp. Live pins are also a good bait.

Hope everyone has great month of fishing.

Tight lines and fish hard.

Capt. James Kerr 352-362-6893 Citrusfishingchaters.com

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MARCH 2020

NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA/NATURE COAST 5

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6 NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA/NATURE COAST

MARCH 2020

ey everybody, the weather is warming up, and man is that exciting! The trout bite has been absolutely on fire on the flats, and the reds are slowly, but surely, becoming more consistent.

We have had decent luck on reds back in the creeks, using live shrimp, and a red fish row popping cork.

Incoming tide has seemed to be the better tide here lately for them.

Follow the water, and the fish further back as the tide comes in.

There also has been some decent flounder action around the sand bars on the flats. I've caught most of mine using a 1/8 ounce c & m custom baits jig head, paired with a sumkina bait bubble belly paddle tail.

Also, guys and gals, if you have had your boat sitting all winter, make sure that you perform a routine check on all your safety gear, and make sure that motor fires up before you get to your ramp. No one wants to be "that guy" at the ramp with a motor that won’t turn over.

Until next month, stay safe out there.

Capt. Jason Clark In The Slot Fishing www.intheslotfishing.com Capt.jasonclark@gmail.com 352-639-3209 Check out our Title Sponsor for the Powerpole Pro Redfish Series! www.Globaloutdoors.com

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MARCH 2020

NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA/NATURE COAST 7

STEINHATCHEE

KEATON BEACH

BUCKTEETH

F

or two reasons, I'm happy the sheepshead limit has been reduced.

Most importantly, it is wrong to exploit any fish when they are actively spawning.

When one large female is taken, not one fish is removed from the population, but potential thousands of post-spawn survivors. Female sheepshead produce millions of eggs per spawn –there are multiple egg deposits during spawning-and a mere percentage make it to adulthood. The act of tossing a large eggladen female in the fish box for accolades at the dock is a sure sign of the need for attention, neglect to educate young anglers respect for natural resources, lack of self-control, ignorance of life cycles, and I could go on and on. Watching wads of eggs wash down the drain holes on fish cleaning stations sickens me, especially when grown men brag about the largest fish, as 10% of the weight washes away and a potential ton of future fish never get a chance.

Secondly, it doesn't take as much time to make the “limit”, which means more time to pursue other good eating fish, such as sea bass.

From the first paragraph, you may interpret me as some type of liberal EcoNazi. Far from the truth. I love catching and eating sheepshead! I just don't want my zeal for something to ruin it for others in the future. So, I simply keep the smaller jakes for eating, and toss back the big girls. They eat just as well.

One of the best, and common ways I rig for sheepshead, is knot—no swivel-- a 12-inch section of 30-pound fluorocarbon to the mainline. Braided mainline is better than mono. Slip an egg sinker, of appropriate weight to just hold bottom, to the leader, then tie on a 1/0 long shank offset hook. This rig—called a knocker rig-- is to max sensitivity on your end.

Sensitivity to a sheepshead bite is very important. The knocker rig is the

cheapest means to go as well.

The best baits in choice order, are live small to medium shrimp or fiddler crabs, fresh cut shrimp pieces, and frozen shrimp. When the bite is strong, the bait is irrelevant; it simply just needs to be there.

The bite of sheepshead is a delicate tap. Set the hook before you feel it. It does take time and bait to learn how to hook them before bait is stolen.

Now to sea bass. They are also in spawn, but the male to female situation is vastly different. Not enough space to explain. Use the same set-up as for sheepshead, except switch to strips of squid once the extra sheepshead bait is used up. Squid is more durable and cost less. Also, fresh cut bait is outstanding.

Sheepshead season is wonderful time to have a memorable fishing trip with family and friends, while bringing home some delicious fillets for a fish fry.

Brian Smith | BIG BEND CHARTERS www.BigBendCharters.com CaptBrian@bellsouth.net 877.852.3474 | 352.210.3050

8 NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA/NATURE COAST

MARCH 2020

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Trout like this one have been loving the NEW SwimBait by MirrOlure

ebruary has been warmer than ever before. (Make your own conclusion about who’s lying to you.) The trout are loving it for about two hours or so a day, as long as the water temps hover around 60 degrees. Today (February 11th) I went out by myself and caught 16 keeper trout in just under two hours, and was out in the open Gulf--no creeks!

I caught fish on L&S Paul Brown Devils in two patterns, the #91 and #11. I caught trout on five different Renegade (Magnum Lazer Minnow) patterns, three different Bite-A-Bait fighters, the Clown, Silver Mullet and Blue Back Mullet, MirrOlures NEW hard Swimbait (see photo) in the EC pattern, and on Cotton Cordell’s Gold/Orange and Silver/ Blue Redfin (4.5 inch). The trout were in 2.5 to 3.0 feet of water, and with a low tide of –1.0 ft. at 9:51, the bite was 1:21-2:24 p.m. I left them

biting, so it may have gotten even better, but I had a 22-inch trout and one just under 19 inches in my five.

Expect March to kick off with a BANG, especially if water temps are in the 70s by then. Who can guess?

I will be throwing plugs like I am now, as long as the trout are loving it as much as they have been of late.

March should see redfish coming back out of the creeks, and back onto the flats as bait begins to show up around 75 degrees. Jig Spinners like Thunder-Spins and weedless Spoon like the HEX by precision Tackle, should be great choices to harvest reds in March.

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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TALES FROM THE TUPPERWARE NAVY

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elcome back Yak fans. This month I'd like to share something I believe sums up who we are. In place of Father, yours might may say Brother, Uncle, neighbor, or even your Mom. In my case, it was my Grandfather.

Hope this touches you as it did me!

A. Dale Butler, my grandfather, was a man who had worn many hats. He was a lineman who first brought phone service to rural Indiana in the 20's; I still have his gold commemorative pocket watch (a treasured keepsake). His resume also included barber, salesman, and on December 7th, 1941, a John Deere dealer. I remember him most as the guy who in the late 50's and 60's on the east coast of Florida, would take a kid fishing, and that kid was me.

A champion snook fisherman, who when the tides were right, would wake me at 3am, with a “Let’s go, if you’re coming.”, and I was always ready.

I hope this story makes you take a minute to remember that person who shared their love of fishing with you, and remember to be that person for

someone else!!

Feel free to share your stories with me.

Till next month Bruce Bruce Butler | "Stumbling Gypsy" (352) 428-5347 Bruce@IndianBayOutfitters.com Web: www.IndianBayOutfitters.com

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MARCH 2020

NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA/NATURE COAST 9

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ello everybody! I think we survived another brutal winter here in Cedar Key Florida, and just in time for this water to start to warm up. The redfish should be moving out of the creeks and deeper holes, giving us a whole lot more options on where to find them. Start looking around these outer oyster bars with a nice chunk of fresh mullet. All I use is a Jim's jig, tied to 30-pound power pro. Seems to do a pretty good job if placed in the right spot and shouldn't take too long either. If you haven't gotten a bite in about 20 minutes, move on to the next spot. With it warming up a bit, just like your yard, the grass on our flats is going to start to grow. Should be plenty of our freckled friends swimming around also. When you are popping those poppers, make sure they are splashing, just like a fish hitting the top of the water. That wimpy little light tug won’t do with all that competition out there. Make’m splash! That doesn't for this month’s write- up. Hope it helps, and I hope to see you at the shop. Take a kid fishing during spring break!

Capt. Daniel Cedar Key Paddling 352-665-1276 Dan_Gator@yahoo.com

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MARCH 2020

or those of you, who have waited and waited for the winter doldrums to go away, it is now March, and you can feel Spring in the air.

We don’t need a groundhog to tell us Spring will be early; we have alligators!

The gators have been out and about sunning towards the end of February in Bennetts Creek; it’s about to get really warm.

Sheepshead can still be found offshore for another couple of weeks, but then look for them along the spoil islands, as they make their way back in. Sheepshead make excellent table faire, but are tricky to clean. I use the Filletzall blade I found at Captains Cove Outfitters in Inglis, to make fast and easy work of it. Shrimp will still be your best bet, but a fiddler or mud crab will get them to bite if it is slow.

Water temps started to rise late in February, pushing a lot of the red drum out from the creeks, expanding into the rivers and inner bars. Mullet have been seen in droves around the inner bars. A nice finger mullet on the bottom, and or cork, should generate a nice bite from the larger reds. As the water warms, the reds will also hit faster moving artificial bait. On calm mornings and evenings, try a top water plug to get the adrenaline flowing!

Mangrove snapper will be eating well in the 20 to 35-foot depths. Mangrove’s are very leader shy. I recommend using as light a fluorocarbon leader as possible in at least an 8-foot length to generate

more bites. A simple knocker rig with shrimp, and or cut bait, works best, but you can always chum heavy and try to freeline a shrimp behind the boat to spice things up.

For a lot of you, this month will be the first time the boat has been out for the season. Verify that everything is in good working order, and that you have all your safety equipment and documentation before hitting the ramp. 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 nights 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

arch is usually the turn-aroundmonth for us here in Citrus County. Hopefully, we’re seeing the last of the winter cold fronts and some hints of spring. The once vacant grass flats of the winter begin to show new life again. Bait fish schools, birds diving and bigger tides; all of this puts a smile on an angler’s face.

Spotted sea trout come to mind when you think of spring, and that big gator trout you’ve wanted to catch, becomes a possibility. When the gulf reaches the 63-degree mark, the trout are in a happy mood. Shallow rocky bottom, spoil islands, oyster bars and near shore rock piles will be holding good concentrations of trout. For you plug fans, the MirrOlure MirrOdine, is a trout catching magnet. The slow suspension and erratic action does a superb job of enticing a hefty shallow water trout. Soft plastic jerk baits and jigs, especially in the glow color, as well as jig and cork rigs, like the DOA deadly combos, will be very productive too. Keep in mind, the trout are still spawning; therefore, it’s always best to release the large females.

The redfish are becoming more active and dropping out of the deeper back county creeks and rivers. Cover as much water as possible to locate them. They could be anywhere from the outer keys, to the edge of the backcountry. The gold spoon is a perfect prospecting lure for our area – its relatively weedless. It will cast a mile, and the red fish love it.

Add a split ring and a small barrel swivel to the eye of the spoon to eliminate line twist. The bait stealers are not here in big numbers yet. If a school of red fish is located, anchor up, and a live shrimp is the go-to bait.

The arrival of the pelagics is always a welcomed sight. Spanish mackerel, blue fish and cobia will be showing up later in the month, and especially into April.

Chumming over hard bottom areas will

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bring them right to the boat. Also, the sheepshead bite will still be very good especially in the 15 to 25-foot range.

They are still around on the inshore rocks too, but the bait stealers can make it challenging to allow a sheepshead to get to the shrimp first.

For the offshore fans, there’s plenty of mangrove snapper to target along with hog fish and grunts for some tasty meals. Bring a couple hundred shrimp, drop them down and have some fun.

Good fishing…

Capt. Dan Clymer 352.418.2160 www.crystalriver-fishing.com

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MARCH 2020

NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA/NATURE COAST 13

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ST. AUGUSTINE

SURF & PIER

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I

t’s my absolute favorite time of the year to fish in Northeast Florida. Spring weather will bring in the baitfish (mullet, pogies, etc.) and just about every predatory fish will be on the hunt for a good meal.

Redfish will still be up on the flats in schools, trout will be feeding along the ICW banks, and the drum and flounder will be stacked in the deeper creek holes. Just about everywhere you go, you’re going to run into some good fishing over the next couple of months.

Redfish will remain schooled as long as the water temps stay on the cooler side. Look for the big schools of reds on the lower tide stages (especially on the negative low tides we’ll get with a good west wind). I like to find flats that have somewhat of a deeper escape route for the fish.

A perfect setup would be a large flat on the edge of the ICW that has a deeper area, that drains into the ICW. The fish will absolutely stack up in those “drains” as the tide gets really low. If live bait is your thing, a mud minnow or live shrimp pegged to a ¼ ounce Saltwater Assassin jighead, will be the perfect presentation to the schooled-up fish. If you’re going with artificials, I like to use a Saltwater Assassin Sea Shad on the same jig. Locate the schools by looking for large wakes and/or “muds”, that the fish will cause by moving around. Make sure to lead the fish by quite a bit, as they can, and will be a little spooky this time of year. You can also find some big schools of redfish stacked in the creek holes on the same low tides.

Push back as far as possible in the creeks, and find that last deep spot; you’re sure to find a few good fish hanging out waiting for the tide to turn.

Redfish won’t get all the glory this time of year, it’s also troutski time!

Trout will be really turning on with

the warming air and water temps.

Toss your favorite top-water plug at first and last light along the ICW shell banks for some great big trout action. Once the sun comes up a bit, switch to a sub-surface plug, or your favorite soft plastic on a jighead. The soft plastic and jighead rig account for a good number of trout catches on my boat this time of year. I like to use the twitch-twitch-pause retrieval method. The fish usually take the lure on the pause. Target creek mouths on the outgoing tide, and the ICW shell banks on the incoming. Any kind of rocks, docks, or structure, with moving water around them, will also be holding some nice trout. And of course, the live shrimp under a popping cork sometimes can’t be beat.

March and April are typically the best times of the year for black drum in our area. The monster drum (sometimes up to 80 pounds plus) can be targeted in the deepest areas of the ICW, and in all the area inlets. A halved blue crab on the bottom is the bait of choice for these big dogs. The big ones will be spawning, so make sure to thoroughly revive them to ensure a healthy release, so they can take care of their business and keep the drum population thriving. The smaller “slot” sized black drum, can be found in the creek holes and near deeper water structure such as bridges and jetties. Live or dead shrimp, fiddler crabs, and clams fished along the bottom, will all make for some great drum action.

Be sure to check out my Daily Fishing Reports online @www.InshoreAdventures.com Capt. Tommy Derringer www.InshoreAdventures.net 904-377-3734

hen our water warms back into the low 60’s, GO FISHING! The larger whiting will be back, just like they’ve done every cold winter. As a bonus, the largest pompano seem to handle the colder water better, so they show up first. This time of year, you will catch more fish with clams. The sand fleas are almost nonexistent, because they have buried themselves deep into the sand.

Your best bet is to buy the largest clams you can find from a seafood dealer. They are called chowder or Quahog clams. The largest ones will give you three or four baits from each one. Only use a piece about the size of your thumb nail. This will most closely represent their natural food, which are Donax, aka Coquina, aka periwinkle clams.

These are the small, approximately one-inch long clams you find on the beach. If you cannot find fresh, there are always frozen or salted ones in the bait stores.

When it comes to rigging you cannot beat the double dropper, aka pompano rig. When you buy them, they usually come with 2/0 circle hooks. Whether you buy them or make them yourself, you will catch more whiting if you downsize your hooks to either 1/0, #1, or #2.

Another fun technique of surf fishing is floating live shrimp. You will have your best luck on calm days with light winds. These days will allow you to cast into deeper water, and it is a lot easier to see the cork go under. The two set-

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MARCH 2020

ups I use, are the standard “trout float” with a ¾ ounce sinker below it, or a weighted popping cork.

Occasionally, a bluefish or Spanish mackerel will actually grab the popping cork.

I am pleased to announce the 16th annual Florida Surf Casters Open Tournament. This is a whiting and pompano, family friendly contest. The date is May 16th, 2020. There are several ways to get info and register. The website is floridasurfcasters.com.

The Facebook page is “Florida Surf Casters Open to the Public Tournament”. Don‘t miss out on the fun!

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

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orest Bassers, have you landed your trophy of the year yet, or possibly your trophy of a lifetime?

So far, the bass spawn is certainly living up to its high expectations.

I think most of us assumed we'd have a good one this year, but from the amount of trophy catch pictures I've seen so far on social media alone, good is very much an understatement.

Depending on where you go, bass will be in a different stage of spawn for each basic area. As I'm writing this in February, most of the smaller (clear) lakes don't even have any beds yet, while Lake George and the St. John's River have them everywhere.

This time of year, it's always good to be prepared for each different stage of the spawn. Meaning, that you'll want to bring a few different rods and lures to match the situation you may end up facing. At the very least, make sure you have the two most important setups. #1A heavy rod, rigged with a creature bait/craw and 45 pound braid or heavier, for when you find a big female bass locked onto her bed. #2- A medium (casting) rod, rigged with something to cover water like a swimbait, for roaming bass.

The trickiest of all lake types, are the tannic (red) lakes. Visibility is basically impossible, and their shallow bedding areas are way back inside the flooded tree areas.

(See photo.) I'm not saying to eliminate them though; there are some serious giants lurking in that heavy cover. One of the biggest bass I've ever seen was in a tannic lake. She was in inches of water, up against a cypress tree, with her top fins above the surface. When I first noticed her moving, I thought it was two or three good sized male bass protecting a bed. I quietly pushpoled my way towards and realized

BAKED RED GROUPER WITH PARMESAN SOUR CREAM SAUCE

Thank you to The Crab Plant for the beautiful Red Grouper. 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.

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("Oh my...") it was an absolute monster. Unfortunately, no matter what lure I tried, she wouldn't take, and eventually exploded off.

There's no doubt 2020 is going to be a special year for us anglers. We may even see Florida's Largemouth Record (17.27 lb.) get overtaken. It's a bold statement I know, but believe me; there are bass out here much bigger than that. Rodman Reservoir has already produced dozens of double digit sized bass, and there are plenty left out there. Wherever you end up fishing, just be ready.

That slight "tap" on your line may end up being, THE ONE! John Freeze Kayak Fishing and Nature Tours TheWaterwayz@gmail.com 352-216-5798

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COOKING DIRECTIONS INGREDIENTS Preheat oven to 400.

• Red Grouper fillets for Mix the Sour Cream with the two servings Parmesan and Green Onions.

• Salt and Pepper For easy cleanup, line a sheet • 4 rounded (generous) pan with foil. (I use the non-stick tablespoons Sour Cream foil.)

• 2 rounded (generous) Salt and pepper both sides of fish, and place in pan. tablespoons grated Spread the sour cream mixture Parmesan evenly over the fish (no more than • 4 Green Onions minced ¼ inch thick). Generously sprinkle • Panko crumbs with the crumbs. Drizzle melted • 4 tablespoons melted butter over crumbs and sprinkle Butter another layer of crumbs over fish.

• Minced Parsley for Bake 15 to 20 minutes, until garnish (optional) lightly browned and fish flakes.

Garnish with minced parsley and serve with sides of your choice. I chose broccoli and my wild/ white rice pilaf. (I use cooked wild and white rice, sautéed minced onion, parsley and celery, and some time, mushrooms, grated carrots or any vegetable cut in very small pieces.)

I am going to try this recipe with boneless, skinless chicken breasts and thighs. (Cary likes the dark meat and I like the white.) I have a little of the sauce left over and tonight I am going to slice small red potatoes, spread the sauce over the potatoes and bake.

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offers views out to the side of your boat underwater upwards of 180 feet on either side. This locates fish you would not see using standard down-pointing sonar. It enables me to discover potentially productive areas without making a cast. With functional electronics, you cut a lot of time searching and focus on productive areas.

What You Need: A tournament angler might feel the need for all the bells and whistles to be competitive. This can lead to six or more graphs on the boat. That’s ok, but it can be overkill for someone who is recreational fishing.

Some basic features, however, have become must-haves. Navigation and mapping systems are important. Speed, time and temperature data are useful. A color monitor of 9 inches or larger is nice for ease of use. I would choose a unit with a few buttons and smooth functionality. Any of the notable three brands will suffice. However, having too much information can be overwhelming.

Paying The Price: When you see boats with four 16-inch TVs on the console and more on the front deck, rest assured that it set the owner back a bit. You can leave a hole in your wallet if you’re not careful.

I believe in buying what you need, not what you see. For a few hundred bucks, you can get a decent sonar fish finder that will cover basic needs. However, if you find you need an upgrade, there are units out there that cost more than a small compact car. But really ask yourself: “Do I need the electronics to play YouTube videos, or do I need them to navigate, locate and catch fish?” It’s purely personal and a choice for each to make.

Electronics are an excellent tool to help you catch more fish. They make fishing more enjoyable, but it’s wise to consider what you want and need. Learning to use all the available tools is another subject all together.

By Jay Striker ou’ve seen those bass boats with two or three large monitors at the console and just as many on the front deck. There are good reasons for having these electronics, but I believe there’s also overkill.

As a tournament bass angler, having good electronics allows you to compete against the fish in ways that did not exist in the past. Although sonar capability has been around for decades, using this technology to locate fish and eventually catch them is a game-changer. Let’s discuss the benefits of electronics, how much you need, and the cost associated with them.

Benefits: Competitive bass anglers must make pressure-packed decisions. Many of them are made based on data picked up from electronics on the boat. When I’m pre-fishing, I really try to cover Follow Jay Striker on social media @JayStriker52 on IG or check water using side imaging, which higher-end electronics provide. It him out at www.jaystriker.com.

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Photo courtesy of Capt. Bob Strange

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By Tom Schlichter

ust a 20-minute drive north of Myrtle Beach, S.C., Little River Inlet and the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) that snakes behind it offer yearround fishing in generally calm, shallow water. Check it out on a map, and you’ll instantly know this is a fishy place.

The inside waters here are bordered by marshes, parklands and plenty of drainages positioned perfectly for pumping baitfish, small shrimp and other tasty fodder right into the main channels on a dropping tide. It’s an ideal set-up for anglers to connect with speckled trout, red-

fish, black drum, flounder, sheepshead and even an occasional gray trout (a.k.a. weakfish).

“The ocean water from Little River Inlet refreshes this strip of Intracoastal Waterway,” said Capt. Bob Strange, of Strange Magic Fishing Charters (www. strangemagiccharters.com; 843-274-1082). “We spend a lot of time working the backwaters here—the creeks, the drainages, the coves.”

Strange predominately targets speckled trout, redfish and sheepshead in early spring, adding black drum and flounder in April. He’ll expand his efforts to waters outside Little River Inlet once the waters stabilize at about 70 degrees in May and June, as Spanish mackerel, king mackerel and additional species arrive.

“Our early-season action is a lot fun,” noted Strange. “The ICW can be a busy place once the summer gets rolling, but in March and April it sees very little boating traffic. That means once you find the speckled trout you can usually have ’em all to yourself.”

From his 22’ Pathfinder, Strange arms clients with 6’6” Shimano spinning rods with a medium action and fast tips. Shimano 2500 or 3000 series reels filled with 10- to 20-pound braid are a good match. He uses a 15- to 20-pound fluorocarbon leader and then the terminal tackle.

Strange fishes live mud minnows, cut bait or fresh shrimp about 25 percent of the time and artificials the rest of the way. He favors small jigs tipped with Berkley Gulp! Swim Mullets, Z-Man trailers or similar soft plastics with white or chartreuse his most productive colors. The lures can be cast and jigged back to the boat or worked beneath popping corks.

“Oyster bars make a great starting point, but don’t overlook creek bends, docks and the like,” explained Strange. “Any of these can be a hot spot. Transition areas work great, too, especially where you find shell banks changing over to grass or a drainage emptying onto a flat. Add in a little structure, and you’re in great shape.”

While it is advisable to start your search with some hired help, anglers looking to trailer their own vessels can launch at a public ramp at the base of the RT. 17 bridge where it crosses the ICW between Little River and North Myrtle Beach. Bait and tackle along with info are available at Cricket Cove Marina in Little River (843-249-7169; www.cricketcovemarina.com).

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n mid-February, the St. Johns River Water Management District and Brevard County, Fla. reached agreement on a project to capture thousands of pounds of nutrients annually before they can reach the Indian River Lagoon.

The Crane Creek/M-1 Canal Project, located in West Melbourne, Melbourne Village and portions of unincorporated Brevard County, will reduce the loading of nitrogen, phosphorus and sediments to the lagoon by restoring billions of gallons of cleansed freshwater each year to the St. Johns River. Major project components include an operable weir located near the natural coastal ridge, a stormwater pump station and a stormwater treatment area to ensure nutrients and sediments are removed prior to the water’s return to the St. Johns River.

The Brevard County Save Our Indian River Lagoon Program contributed more than $2 million and DEP provided nearly $2.5 million, with the district funding the remainder of this project, which will cost an estimated $10.5 million. The district is managing design and construction of the project as well as operating and maintaining the system. Construction is anticipated to begin in August 2020.

THE MOST INTENSE PART OF THE TRIP shouldn’t be the drive there.

We have nine convenient locations where ever the fish are biting.

Chiefland: 352.493.2533 (Open 7 Days a Week) Cedar Key: 352.543.6601 Dunnellon: 352.489.3391 Newberry: 352.472.3596 Williston: 352.528.5111 5 NORTH FLORIDA

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Bronson: 352.486.1050 Cross City: 352.498.5546 Inglis: 352.447.6000 Trenton: 352.463.7500

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he Northeast Florida Marlin Association’s 48th Annual Bluewater Tournament is scheduled for April 23-26, which is the best time of year to target blue marlin off northeast Florida.

This tournament is one of the oldest continuing tournaments in the state, organized by one of Florida’s oldest sport-fishing clubs. The three-day tournament allows captains to fish any two days and offers a wide variety of species and payouts for captains and anglers. The Northeast Florida Marlin Association’s 4,000-square-foot clubhouse overlooking Camachee Yacht Harbor in St Augustine, Fla., hosts events each night of the tournament for visiting yachts and members.

Club NEFMA typically registers 50 to 75 boats in its tournaments and pays out 90 percent of entry fees in prize money, plus it offers trophies for ladies, juniors and top three places in each category. Entry fees of $500 for Gamefish and $750 for Billfish make this a tournament affordable for anyone. Calcuttas are offered at seven levels.

See www.NEFMA.com for entry info. Call Tournament Director Scott Stanley (904) 234-7182 or Club President Paul Raudenbush (904) 838-0421 for information.

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By Michael Okruhlik Photo courtesy of Knockin Tail Lures

he warming tides of spring bring out a little bit of everything from fat trout, returning flounder, hungry reds and a ton of boaters.

Here are a few tips to remember as the water begins to warm: downsize, speed up and look out.

When targeting inshore species in early spring, I like to downsize my lures. This time of the year, your lure is competing with the first hatch of the new year’s fry. During this phase of the life cycle, large trout and

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reds readily feed on tiny baitfish and shrimp. This small prey is plentiful and easy for fish to catch. It is not uncommon for a thrashing trout to expel very small baitfish when you land them, and their stomach will be full. When this is the case and you are not catching as many as you would like, grab the smallest lure you can cast.

As the days grow longer and the water temperature rises, so does the aggressiveness of the fish. For those who kept fishing through the winter, now is your opportunity to finally pick up the pace. After months of slow rolling, long pauses, muddy bottom wading and cold hands, I am always ready for some faster rod action. It is spring, however. Cool fronts will still pester us, dropping the water temps and bringing dreaded high-pressure systems.

Always remember to fish the conditions and not the calendar.

This is also a prime time to bring out smaller version of your favorite topwaters and slow-sinking twitch baits. This time of the year, I like some white and silver in my hard baits. Solid color or a combination of the two typically pays off.

One thing to look out for as spring approaches are stiff winds! It is not uncommon here in south Texas to have spring winds in excess of 30 knots for days on end, and I’m sure high winds are a springtime factor on inshore waters everywhere. Wind creates treacherous conditions for small boats on open bays. For my fellow kayakers and anyone fishing from smaller crafts, it is crucial to check the forecast so these winds don’t sneak up on you after you launch.

Last but not least are the crowds. Spring and spring break bring out a large number of boaters, kayakers and general fun seekers to the bays, beaches and roads leading to them. Defensive driving and boating are paramount during these busy times. Many new arrivals to your waters have not been boating since last summer, and their skills may be a bit rusty. Leave early so you can beat the crowds on the road and at the ramp, unless you just want to watch the circus. Personally, I’d rather spend my time catching fat trout and reds!

Spring break is a great time to get your kids back on the water, unless they are like mine and have never left. Take a kid fishing, have fun, and be safe!

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

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Tim Barefoot

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ish see color, but how they see color is a complicated conversation that involves terminology like wavelength and attenuation. We won’t go there, because even scientists don’t really know exactly what is translated from a fish’s eyes to its brain.

Suffice it to say that color is important in fishing, for luring them in and also for disguising what you don’t want them to see.

This is especially important for me, as I use high-visibility braided lines paired with fluorocarbon leaders for all my fishing, from bluegills to bluewater.

The main reason I use bright braid is I like to see where my line is, which tells me where my jig is. I also like to see where other people’s lines are, especially when casting in a side current while anchored or on the trolling motor. These conditions exist in a river or when the tide is pumping through an inlet. Knowing where everyone’s gear is helps avoid foul-ups, and watching that high-visibility line also tells you when you get a bite.

High-vis. braid is easy for people to see above the surface. It’s also visible to the fish you’re trying to catch. The way I “hide” highvis. braid from the fish is by coloring it with a Sharpie marker.

Since no one really knows what fish see, especially when different conditions and water clarity are added into the equation, trial and error was my best option for finding the hue that best hid my line. I’ve tried several different colors over the years, and I’ll tell you black is definitely not the best choice.

In my experience, a red Sharpie does the best job of making yellow braided line disappear in clear water. I’ve tried brown, green and black in clear water, and the red goes away much better than

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the darker colors. I especially like the red when bottom fishing. I don’t dive, but according to what I’ve heard from divers, red turns green in deeper water and blends into the surroundings. A blue Sharpie works great on high-visibility braided line when offshore trolling in blue water with a wind-on leader of the new BLUEWATER fluoro from HiSeas.

It’s best to apply several coats of Sharpie marker when the line is dry. Multiple coats of the permanent marker will thoroughly embed into the fibers of braided line. The color will fade and let the original color shine through after some time, so red or blue must be re-applied on an “as-needed” basis.

When jigging, I typically color 4 or 5 feet of the braided line above my fluorocarbon leader. This has the added benefit of letting you know how deep your jig is. When you see the red-colored line at the surface, you know your jig is only a few feet deep.

For a video of this, visit barefootcatsandtackle.com and click on “The Barefoot Jig,” or “Simple, Heavy Duty Bottom Tackle.”

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homas Hendel, of Lake Placid, Fla., reeled in 2020’s first Hall of Fame largemouth in FWC’s TrophyCatch program on Jan. 31.

It was a monster, weighing in a 14 pounds, 2 ounces.

He caught the big fish on Lake Placid in Highlands County, which is well-known for pumping out trophy bass. It is a 3,400-acre lake on the south side of the town of Lake Placid.

It offers great opportunities for those looking to catch a high number of fish, as well as the chance at a lunker. This unique lake has a variety of vegetation and quality habitat types, including deep flats, ledges and humps not typical of most Florida lakes.

“I was excited to learn I caught the first TrophyCatch Hall of Fame bass of the season and amazed at the size of my catch,” said Hendel.

“This is the first bass I’ve submitted to TrophyCatch. I look forward to continuing my participation in this program for years to come.”

For more information about the TrophyCatch program, visit www.trophycatchflorida.com.

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malltooth sawfish have been on the endangered species list since 2003.

These shark-like rays with snouts that look like saws once inhabited coastal waters from Texas to North Carolina.

Now they are only found regularly in southwest Florida, especially around Everglades National Park.

As part of an ongoing collaborative research project, scientists have been tracking the movements of smalltooth sawfish using passive acoustic telemetry. Sawfish are tagged and data are collected using stationary receivers whenever the sawfish swims by.

In 2019, Tonya Wiley, of Havenworth Coastal Conservation, and Dr. Jayne Gardiner, of New College of Florida, downloaded receivers in the Tampa Bay area. In total, five sawfish have been detected in Tampa Bay including three females. In addition, in the summer of 2019, a couple of sawfish were caught in permitted turtle relocator trawls during a dredging in the Tampa Bay ship channel.

The receivers are still in the water listening for tagged sawfish which swim near them. Wiley plans to add more receivers in 2020 in hopes of getting a better understanding of the use of the Tampa Bay area by these endangered rays.

For more information about sawfish, visit www.SawfishRecovery.org.

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“We took it out to the Bahamas and this thing was flawless; we never had to worry about it getting tangled.” —Barry Berhoff, CEO of Shurhold Industries Barry Berhoff is an avid diver off the coasts of Florida and the Bahamas. After discovering E-Z Anchor Puller at the 2017 IBEX boat builder show, Berhoff decided to install the Rebel EZ-4 on his 40’ SeaVee. “Once I got this in, I was really, really impressed because of the build quality,” he said. “…The other cool thing about this was that we were able to go to a much thinner anchor line.”

E-Z Anchor Puller Mfg. Co’s Rebel EZ-4 drum anchor winch is the perfect option for serious fishing and diving boats on the Florida scene. Known for its capabilities of holding nearly 1,000 feet of spectra or dyneema ¼-inch line, the Rebel EZ-4 is completely manufactured from 316 stainless steel and is IP68 rated water submersible.

One of the most popular options of E-Z Anchor’s free-fall series, the drum will spool out line as fast as gravity allows the anchor to fall after a quick, two-second touch of a button. Press the “power up” side to neatly and quickly retract the line back onto the drum.

“Without a doubt,” Berhoff said, “the guys at E-Z Anchor Puller built a spectacular, strong marine-grade piece of equipment. I cannot recommend it enough.”

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By Capt. Randy Cnota

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ears ago, Z-Man introduced the Original Chatterbait, and it proved to be a true fish-catcher for thousands of anglers.

Today you’ll find many versions of the Z-Man Chatterbait as well as many other manufacturers offering their version of a bladed jig. The shuddering action of these baits entices reaction strikes better than just about anything.

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As bass transition into spring patterns and move shallow to spawn, you can choose from a wide variety of lures and presentations to get bites. There will be situations when fishing very slowly with soft plastics is extremely productive, but first you’ve got to find fish. You need a reliable search tool to do this. The beauty of the bladed jig is you can vary the weights, colors and trailer types to suit any type of pattern.

If fish are feeding on shad along weed lines and channel breaks, a ½- to ¾-ounce bladed jig in a shad pattern is my first choice. I can slow roll this lure along fairly shallow breaks and let it flutter down into the deeper haunts with a lift and fall action. Bass will often move up and down contour lines feeding before they head into really shallow water to spawn. A swimbait trailer is a good bet here. Choose your line size based on how deep you want your lure to run and water clarity. If you want to get a ½-ounce lure down 10 feet, use 15-pound-test fluorocarbon. If you want to keep it shallower or if water is stained with lots of timber, move up to 20-pound fluorocarbon or 50-pound braid. A 7-foot or longer rod designed for medium-diving crankbaits works best here.

Not all bass move shallow at the same time on a body of water, and usually you can count on some being very shallow even before water temps hit the 60s. Often, the ones that do move up early are monsters, like the 8.6-pounder pictured here that fell for a bladed jig.

For searching shallow flats, it’s hard to beat a 3/8-ounce bladed jig in brown, green or black patterns with matching swimbait or craw trailers.

For clear water, I like green pumpkin. For stained water, I choose black and blue.

The biggest enemy to spawning bass is bream and bluegill. These nest robbers are hungry and follow bass to the shallows for a chance at eggs.

Most small bass don’t pay much attention to the thieves, but big bass will turn a bream’s good day into its last one. Rigged on 50-pound braid, I can cast bladed jigs to skinny water and work quickly around grass and timber to cover a lot of water. Let the lure get down into the grass, and then rip it out and let it flutter back down before retrieving again. Just be sure to hold on. This is usually when the biggest bass bite these lures.

Give bladed jigs a try, and you’ll see why they live up to the hype.

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Photo courtesy of Capt. Bob Strange

By Tom Schlichter

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ust a 20-minute drive north of Myrtle Beach, S.C., Little River Inlet and the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) that snakes behind it offer year-round fishing in generally calm, shallow water. Check it out on a map, and you’ll instantly know this is a fishy place.

The inside waters here are bordered by marshes, parklands and plenty of drainages positioned perfectly for pumping baitfish, small shrimp and other tasty fodder right into the main channels on a dropping tide.

It’s an ideal set-up for anglers to connect with speckled trout, redfish, black drum, flounder, sheepshead and even an occasional gray trout (a.k.a. weakfish).

“The ocean water from Little River Inlet refreshes this strip of Intracoastal Waterway,” said Capt. Bob Strange, of Strange Magic Fishing Charters (www.strangemagiccharters.com; 843-274-1082). “We spend a lot of time working the backwaters here—the creeks, the drainages, the coves.”

Strange predominately targets speckled trout, redfish and sheepshead in early spring, adding black drum and flounder in April. He’ll expand his efforts to waters outside Little River Inlet once the waters stabilize at about 70 degrees in May and June, as Spanish mackerel, king mackerel and additional species arrive.

“Our early-season action is a lot fun,” noted Strange. “The ICW can be a busy place once the summer gets rolling, but in March and April it sees very little boating traffic. That means once you find the speckled trout you can usually have ’em all to yourself.”

From his 22’ Pathfinder, Strange arms clients with 6’6” Shimano spinning rods with a medium action and fast tips. Shimano 2500 or 3000 series reels filled with 10- to 20-pound braid are a good match. He uses a 15- to 20-pound fluorocarbon leader and then the terminal tackle.

Strange fishes live mud minnows, cut bait or fresh shrimp about 25 percent of the time and artificials the rest of the way. He favors small jigs tipped with Berkley Gulp! Swim Mullets, Z-Man trailers or similar soft plastics with white or chartreuse his most productive colors. The lures can be cast and jigged back to the boat or worked beneath popping corks.

“Oyster bars make a great starting point, but don’t overlook creek bends, docks and the like,” explained Strange. “Any of these can be a hot spot. Transition areas work great, too, especially where you find shell banks changing over to grass or a drainage emptying onto a flat. Add in a little structure, and you’re in great shape.”

While it is advisable to start your search with some hired help, anglers looking to trailer their own vessels can launch at a public ramp at the base of the RT. 17 bridge where it crosses the ICW between Little River and North Myrtle Beach. Bait and tackle along with info are available at Cricket Cove Marina in Little River (843-249-7169; www.cricketcovemarina.com).

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By CAM Staff mall boats with tall towers have become a harbinger of spring on coastal waters. It began as a northern Gulf Coast phenomenon, when anglers developed run-and-gun sight-fishing tactics for spring-run cobia. But the technique has migrated like the fish.

The timing varies according to the arrival of cobia in various locations around the Gulf and up the Atlantic Coast. In waters off Virginia and up into Chesapeake Bay, it’s more of a summer deal. But

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sight fishing has to be the most exciting way to catch brown bombers. These days cobia boats with elevated towers are almost as common off the coast of North Carolina as they are off Panama City, Fla. When cobia are on the move, they migrate as singles or in small pods.

They like structure when they’re not moving, and the same is true on the migration. They can often be found holding tight to moving structure, which means big rays or turtles.

Spotting them is the trick. Presenting baits or lures to cobia you see is much more effective than trying to blind-fish for them. Most cobia trips involve a lot more cruising and looking than casting, so vigilance and being ready when the chance arrives are imperative.

Most captains opt for a late-morning start because fish are easier to spot when the sun is high and there’s less glare on the water. Once fish are located, getting into casting range is the goal. Cobia are funny. The steady growl of the motor doesn’t usually put them down unless you get too close, but popping it in and out of gear will cause them to disappear in a heartbeat.

If they do go down, don’t fret. Migrating fish are on a mission. They will continue on the same heading at roughly the same speed. With a little patience, it is often possible to reconnect with a fish that has spooked by staying on its course and watching for it to resurface.

When you do get a shot, be ready with an array of rods with different lures and baits. Cobia can be picky, and they’ll let you know whether or not they’re interested if you work a bait or jig high in the water column where the fish’s reaction is visible.

Medium-heavy spinning tackle with 25- or 30-pound braided line and a 60-pound fluorocarbon leader is a good starting point. You’ll have the casting distance and the power to fight big fish in open water.

Be ready with ½ to 1 ½-ounce jigs. Bucktails are good and so are an array of soft plastics that mimick eels or baitfish. Color choice will depend on where you’re fishing, so trust your captain or ask a local tackle shop.

Keep a few live baits rigged and ready in buckets in case your jig is snubbed. Eels are great. But if you end up taking multiple shots at a fish, follow up with mullet, pinfish, whole squid or a big shrimp. Sometimes you have to just figure out what they want.

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P

eople who love boating know it’s more than just a hobby; it’s a way of life. Being on the water is a more than just a break from the mundane day-to-day grind, it’s a passion that fills your heart and captures your sense of adventure.

Whether you are the weekend warrior and love to go offshore fishing or if you like exploring backwater creeks and rivers, you are a part of that community. As part of the boating world, you have also come to know Llebroc Industries as a leader in design and comfort.

Today, Llebroc continues to develop the most influential and sought-after seating throughout the boating industry.

If you have ever been to ICAST or walked a boat show, you have seen Llebroc Industries work on display. On brands like Blazer, Phoenix, Falcon and Vexus, you can find Llebroc’s handy-work. There is a reason why Llebroc has been an industry leader for more than 35 years. The proof is in the product, and Llebroc has put its name to the test over and over and come out on top.

The Llebroc team has once again created a unique design in their SV Series of seating. Stitching and color patterns are the first to catch your eye. But as soon as you sit down on one of their chairs, you come to realize it’s more than just a great looking seat.

Comfort and durability really bring home the total package for your next seat or bench. So, as you are searching for the perfect accessories for your new boat or you’re looking to upgrade your seating, make sure to go to the best name on the market: Llebroc Industries. You will find Llebroc seating on display on Grady White, Ocean Alexander, Freeman and Cobia boats at the Palm Beach International Boat Show March 26-29.

For more information, go to www.llebroc.com.

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It’s great for offshore anglers fishing in tournaments, taking clients on charter trips or just fishing for fun.

Fishing features include recommended locations for specific game fish, Weed Lines, Sea Surface Temperatures and Front Strength, Sub Surface Sea Temperatures, Sea Surface Height Variance, and Plankton Concentration data.

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ohn Cox, of DeBary, Fla., started the FLW Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit with a bang Jan. 26 with a wire-to-wire first-place finish on Sam Rayburn Reservoir in Texas.

In the first Pro Circuit event of the season, Cox weighed a four-day total of 65 pounds, 15 ounces to add yet another accolade to his impressive FLW resume. It was his fifth FLW Tour win, which ties him for No. 6 in all-time career wins with David Dudley. His Rayburn trophy will look good with his others, which include an FLW Angler of the Year and the 2016 FLW Cup Championship.

“This was the best win I’ve ever had,” Cox said. “I usually start off the year pretty slow and get better through the season. To start the season with a win, I don’t even know what to say. I’m so thankful – this is just incredible.”

Starting with a win must be more important this season than ever for Cox. He’s the only angler who qualified and committed to fish both the FLW Pro Circuit and the B.A.S.S. Elite Series in 2020. Entry fees alone will cost more than $80,000 to fish both tours, and the more than $100,000 in earnings from Rayburn will go a long way toward keeping him on the road.

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T

ampa Bay Watch is recruiting 20 hard-working volunteers to build oyster reef balls at its Marine Center in Tierra Verde on specified weekday mornings. There are four days in March when assistance is needed.

The project involves pouring marine-friendly concrete into a fiberglass mold to create oyster reef balls and taking apart the molds that were previously poured.

Oyster reef balls help replace oyster populations in struggling habitat areas. Originally designed to rebuild coral reefs, oyster reef balls have been an integral part of Tampa Bay Watch’s restoration programs for years and have been previously installed in numerous locations that lack natural buffers that help reduce pollutants from flowing off streets and into Tampa Bay. Oysters need to attach to a hard structure to grow into adults, and the rough texture of the reef balls makes it easier for oysters to grow. Oyster communities help stabilize shorelines, provide hard bottom habitats for fish, and promote water quality improvements.

Tampa Bay Watch builds about 1,000 oyster reef balls each year in at least two large-scale projects. Reef balls can vary in size, but most weigh about 200 pounds.

They are installed along seawalls and shorelines to provide habitat.

It’s a dirty job, but it’ll make a difference for Tampa Bay! Remaining volunteer dates this spring are: March 3, March 11, March 17 and March 23.

For more information and to sign up, go to www.tampabaywatch.org.

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Great Streams and Craft Beverages Await in Hendersonville, N.C. Photo by Nick Carter

I

f you’re an angler who enjoys following up a day on mountain trout streams with a refreshing craft beverage or two, cast your attention to the Blue Ridge mountain town of Hendersonville.

This North Carolina town, about 22 miles south of Asheville, offers miles of stocked trout waters, as well as the popular Hendersonville Cheers! Trail. The two resources make it possible to spend the day catching three types of trout – rainbow, brown and brook – while spending an evening exploring three types of craft beverages – beer, wine and hard cider.

First, the fishing part. North Mills River is the prime trout stream in the Hendersonville area. The river’s 4-mile section of delayed harvest waters receives an annual infusion of 11,000 trout from N.C. Wildlife, divvied between brook, rainbow and brown. Spring is a great time to fly fish the delayed harvest waters of North Mills River because no trout have been harvested since Sept. 30.

Another hot spot for trout fishing is just across the Henderson County line toward Brevard. The Davidson River offers miles of public trout waters that receive annual stockings of 16,500 fish.

Other lesser-known spots for fishing near Hendersonville include

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three streams on the eastern side of Henderson County, about 20 to 30 minutes from downtown. Rocky Broad River has a 1.2-mile stretch of hatchery support waters from Rocky River Lane to the Rutherford County line near Chimney Rock, while Cane Creek, near the Fletcher community, has 1.5-mile stretch of hatchery supported waters.

For those who really want a unique experience, Little River in DuPont State Recreational Forest provides not only a scenic setting for trout fishing, but also a unique one. Delayed harvest waters flow through undisturbed mountains and over several notable waterfalls.

Those waterfalls were immortalized on Hollywood’s silver screen in The Last of the Mohicans, as well as the backdrop for the exploits of Katniss Everdeen in the original Hunger Games movie.

When the fishing is done, the Cheers! Trail awaits. The trail is one of North Carolina’s best, featuring 16 craft producers offering a variety of experiences. Beer fans love Sierra Nevada’s tasting room, which is one of the largest on the East Coast and features an expansive patio and outdoor amphitheater, while Bold Rock Hard Cider has emerged as a national leader in the hard cider industry and regularly hosts live music (indoors and outdoors), along with cidery tours and a food truck.

Several craft producers on the trail create small-batch beverages prized for their quality and originality. Three breweries – Southern Appalachian, Triskelion and Guidon – are within a few blocks of each other in the Depot District, while Sanctuary Brewing Co. is only a few blocks away on Main Street. Sanctuary is pet-friendly with a commitment to pet rescue.

Three wineries produce high-quality wines from European varietals.

The newest – Point Lookout Vineyards – is located atop a 3,000-foot mountain with panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards, the area’s first vineyard, is on farmland that’s been in the family for more than nine generations. And two miles from Saint Paul, Burntshirt Vineyards offers tastings in its renovated farmhouse overlooking rolling hills of vines.

For complete Hendersonville information and lodging details, call 800-828-4244 or go to: www.VisitHendersonvilleNC.org.

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MARK SOSIN

othing is more demanding in light-tackle fishing than to spot a fish and make a cast to it without much time to get ready. Speed and accuracy are the keys to a perfect presentation that results in a strike.

Several species of gamefish invade relatively shallow water in search of food as the incoming tide floods an area.

Catching them sometimes requires you to see them so you can present a bait or lure.

Your target species might be striped bass in San Francisco Bay or in coastal areas throughout the northeast. Jumbo bluefish charge across the skinny portions of Chesapeake Bay each spring because the menhaden are there. Redfish might be your target in Texas and along the Gulf Coast.

Down in Florida, the shallows are full of life with species such as bonefish, permit, tarpon, jacks, sharks and other critters.

Concentration is critical in spotting fish or in determining signs of fish. It’s a mental discipline as well as a physical one. If you’re working off-color water, start by scouting the surface for any signs of activity. It could be a swirl or a boil or surface water being pushed by moving fish. Your goal is to identify anything different from the surrounding water.

Expand your search area to waters a considerable distance away. Don’t overlook slicks, muds or anything else out of the ordinary.

When the water is shallow and a fish noses down to eat something on or near the bottom, its tail often lifts above the surface and can be spotted at a significant distance. Species such as redfish may lift their caudal fin in the air and it, too, can be seen. Tails or fins may only show for a moment or two, but if you are concentrating, you should be able to spot them.

It takes practice to see fish, even in clear water. The trick involves staring through the surface of the water as if it were a pane of glass. Focus on the bottom or just above it. Your eyes should scan the area as if they were a radar antenna, moving right, left and center. And don’t forget to look far out across the water to detect the flash of a tail, wakes, birds or any other signs of activity.

Some species may lie motionless waiting to ambush a tasty meal, while others keep moving. As you scan through the surface, a silver colored fish might look black. When a fish picks a morsel off the bottom, it creates a small puff of mud.

Experienced eyes identify this very slight discoloration in the water, and the angler knows that something was just there. If you continue to see fresh puffs, cast a bait or lure in the area.

The results could be impressive.

Presenting a bait or lure to a fish you can see is certainly the ultimate angling challenge. Putting yourself in those situations can be very demanding, requires total concentration, and, at times can prove frustrating. At the end of the day, you might be tired, but the successful experience will brighten your memory for days to come.

For more from Mark Sosin, visit

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• 9800 cu. in. of storage • 1000 lb. capacity • Weighs 175 lbs.

CE YOUR CHOIRS OF 6 COLO

$

299 $279 99

99

1,750

MODEL: KRA4008FPBO

ITEM 63878/63991 COMPARE TO $ 52 64005/60566/69567 PERFORMANCE MODEL: W2364 63601/67227shown TOOL

13

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Item 64434, 56106, 56105, 56104, 64432, 64162,

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3-IN-1 PORTABLE POWDER-FREE POWER PACK WITH NITRILE GLOVES JUMP STARTER PACK OF 100 • 5 mil thickness NOW 99 SAVE 59% NOW

$49

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COMPARE TO

5999 $

8999

SUPER START MODEL: 55001

ITEM 38391/62376/64083/56349/62306 shown

COMPARE TO

$5

VENOM $ 97

14

$12499 $

7

149

99

SAVE $34 $

COMPARE TO

KOBALT

ITEM 56269/64294 shown

159

MODEL: 300841

CO

NOW

BL $

1

$699 7

MO

ITEM

$ 99 $

COMPARE TO

FLAMBEAU

1999 SAVE 65%

MODEL: 1409

Tools sold separately.

ITEM 64113

*93855622 * 93855622

*93859464 * 93859464

LIMIT 1 - Coupon valid through 5/3/20*

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• Weighs 83.65 lbs.

• 21" L x 10-1/8" H

SAVE $421 COMPARE TO

WARN $ 99

Customer Rating

720

$

MODEL: 96820

NOW

39999 $299

99

ITEM 64045/64046/63770 shown

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29

MODEL: IK-233131

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99

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17

CLICK-TYPE TORQUE WRENCHES • Reversible Item 239 shown

E YOUR CHOIC

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$9

99

ITEM 5154/64778/97181 shown

COMPARE TO

RYOBI $

SAVE 149 $84

MODEL: BD4601G

MIBRO

ITEM 56176/63629 shown

Tool Only. Battery and charger sold separately.

64

99

MODEL: 426920

$1 9

SAVE 69%

$

ITEM 40462/60658/97711 shown

*93864321 * 93864321

LIMIT 2 - Coupon valid through 5/3/20*

LIMIT 3 - Coupon valid through 5/3/20*

Customer Rating

YOUR CHOIRCE OF COLO

$1 999

$

2999

BLUE

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GREEN

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ITEM 56719 ITEM 63066/62314 shown

3

COMPARE TO

PROMIER $ 99

MODEL: 635394

MODEL: SW-SWITCH-12/24

39

LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 5/3/20*

4

NOW

9 $3299

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ITEM 64189/64723/63922 shown

34

MODEL: 1007102

ITEM 69597/62392/61196 shown

hft_coastalangler_0320_spread_M-REG1710121.indd 2

LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 5/3/20*

68999

MODEL: GX390UT2QAA2

LIMIT 1 - Coupon valid through 5/3/20*

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SHELTER LOGIC

$

199

MODEL: 23522

$

11999

ITEM 63054/62858 shown

LIMIT 2 - Coupon valid through 5/3/20*

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1

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NOW

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10 FT. x 20 FT. 30" x 18" HARDWOOD DOLLY PORTABLE CAR CANOPY • 1000 lb. capacity Customer Rating

$

S

ITEM 60349/60340 shown ITEM 69736 CALIFORNIA ONLY

SUPER COUPON

*93867943 * *93867398 * *93868653 * 93867943 93867398 93868653 NATIONAL I MARCH 2020 I COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM LIMIT 2 - Coupon valid through 5/3/20*

$

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HONDA

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• Adjust from 11-3/4" to 16-3/8"

TORIN JACK $ 99

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• Includes electric start

$1 99

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*93865360 * 93865360

COMPARE TO

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$ 99

99

RA LI FL

3999

*93864114 * 93864114

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99

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• Wireless, tool-free and easy installation

• Folding side table • 3 side pockets

4" x 36" BELT/ 3 TON HEAVY DUTY 6" DISC SANDER STEEL JACK STANDS

77

SAVE $20

200 LUMEN LED SUPER BRIGHT FLIP LIGHT

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$

• 5400 lb. capacity

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11999

Contents not included.

HEAVY DUTY FOLDABLE ALUMINUM SPORTS CHAIRS

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3/8" x 14 FT., GRADE 43 TOWING CHAIN

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ITEM 61277/63881/2696 61276/63880/807 62431/63882/239

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99

ITEM 64079

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$

STACK-ON $ 97

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99

ITEM 37050, 64417, 64418, 61363, 68497, 61360, 61359, 68498, 68496 shown

• 5 • 1 • 5

Customer Rating

SUPER COUPON

$ 99

MODEL: VEN4145

WE PR

Limit 1 coupon per customer per day. Save 20% on any 1 item purchased. *Cannot be used with other discount, coupon or any of the following items or brands: Inside Track Club membership, Extended Service Plan, gift card, open box item, 3 day Parking Lot Sale item, compressors, floor jacks, safes, storage cabinets, chests or carts, trailers, welders, Admiral, Ames, Atlas, Bauer, Central Machinery, Cobra, CoverPro, Daytona, Diamondback, Earthquake, Fischer, Hercules, Icon, Jupiter, Lynxx, Poulan, Predator, Tailgator, Viking, Vulcan, Zurich. Not valid on prior purchases.

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*93854226 * 93854226

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19

MODEL: 33700

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1599 SAVE 39%

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$1 1

99

ITEM 38970/92486/39757/60496/62398/61897 shown

*93868710 * 93868710 LIMIT 3 - Coupon valid through 5/3/20*

1

SA

CO

W

ITEM

N

%

F

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• 50-3/8" L • 13-5/8" W • 5-1/8" H

$ $

COMPARE TO

PELICAN

269

ITEM 64520 Case contents not included.

b. ty

9

tart

99

n

6

SAVE $ 99

1499 66%

ITEM 64110

*93870636 * 93870636 LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 5/3/20*

SUPER COUPON

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19

MODEL: 77280

$5 99

ITEM 69505/62418/66537 shown

8

$ 99

$

Customer Rating COMPARE TO

NOISE LEVEL

59 dB

WEIGHT

45.6 LBS.

TANK SIZE

.95 GAL

STACK-ON $ 57

564

3

OUTLETS OVERLOAD PROTECTION

YES

79.7 cc

ENGINE SIZE

98.5 cc

YES

LOW OIL ALERT

YES

YES

PARALLEL CAPABLE

YES

YES

POWER SAVER

$

4998

Contents not included.

45" x 69" TRI-FOLD ALUMINUM LOADING RAMP • 1500 lb. combined NOW

SAVE $ 99 $61 99

141

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SUPER COUPON 20-60 x 60mm SPOTTING SCOPE Customer Rating WITH TRIPOD 4 PIECE, 1" x 15 FT. RATCHETING TIE DOWNS

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ITEM 61674/62761/47835 shown

SAVE 69%

$3999

$2

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capacity

ITEM 47902/975/61328/63015/62843 shown

99

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$

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COMPARE TO

LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 5/3/20*

K TOOL $ 42

YES

1,009

PRICE

$499

*93875197 * 93875197

$5999

SAVE $559

$449

99 $499 99

3

NOW

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ITEM 64008/64011 shown

79

NOW

PREDATOR 2000

1600

YES

$27999

MODEL: SS-16-MB-E

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99 NOW $

COMPARE TO

$

CELESTRON

SAVE $

72 99 45%

MODEL: 14593491

49

99

ITEM 62774

$

12

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COMPARE TO

KEEPER $ 80

99

22

$6

39

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ITEM 90984/63056/63057/63150/56668/63094 shown

*93878291 * 93878291

*93878566 * 93878566

*93880516 * 93880516

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LIMIT 1 - Coupon valid through 5/3/20*

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8" HUNTING KNIFE 2 HP GAS POWERED EARTH AUGER WITH SURVIVAL KIT WITH 6" BIT • Drill speeds up to 320 RPM

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COMPARE TO

$6

22

31"

9

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161

ITEM 63471/44836/60237 shown

$

99

$6

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9

$ 99

ITEM 61501/61733/90714 shown

COMPARE TO

DEWALT

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69

ITEM 64716/64481/63284 shown

$12999

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EARTHQUAKE MODEL: E43 AND EA6F

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99 13999 $

$1 7999

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$ 99

ITEM 63235/63292/97626 shown

$

40V LITHIUM-ION BRUSHLESS BLOWER

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own

ng

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9

V T E

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SAVE 70%

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99

4.7 HOURS

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14999

MODEL: DOUBLE RIFLE

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99

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d y.

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ON

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9

MODEL: 7870

99¢

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$ 49

ITEM 69457/63733/66560 shown

*93888042 * 93888042

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LIMIT 1 - Coupon valid through 5/3/20*

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39

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Item 42305 shown

YOUR CHOICE

$5 99

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7

COMPARE TO

HUSKY

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17 97

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TYPE ITEM SAE 69043/63282/42304 METRIC 69044/63171/42305

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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 1,000+ Stores Nationwide • HarborFreight.com advertised for sale at or • above the “Compare to” price by another national Iretailer in the U.S. 2020 within the past I 90NATIONAL days. Prices advertised by 19 others COASTALANGLERMAG.COM THEANGLERMAG.COM MARCH *Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 5/3/20. may vary by location. No other meaning of “Compare to” should be implied. For more information, go to HarborFreight.com or see store associate.

2/6/20 4:01 PM

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I

t’s official! After years of drastically curtailed federal seasons and bag limits, NOAA fisheries voted in February to implement state management for private anglers fishing for red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico.

Under an exempted fishing permit (EFP), the five Gulf Coast states—Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas— managed the private recreational Photo courtesy of Capt. Chester Reese, red snapper fishery in the Gulf Natural World Charters. of Mexico for the 2018 and 2019 fishing seasons and saw remarkable success. The EFP was the result of a multi-year effort to give the states control after the status quo federal management approach reduced the Gulf red snapper season to an astounding three days for private anglers in federal waters.

“State management of Gulf red snapper has been a game-changer for anglers,” said Kellie Ralston, with the American Sportfishing Association. “Because of their targeted data collection and their ability to quickly respond to what’s going on inseason, each of the Gulf states has been able to provide substantial red snapper seasons for the private recreational sector. None of this would have been possible without the leadership of the states, the Secretary of Commerce and our Congressional champions. Making this management a long-term reality through the formal approval of Amendment 50 ensures this great success story will continue for years to come.”

At the Gulf Council meeting in January, each state gave a report on their data collection program and emphasized their ability to incorporate local factors to ground-truth the harvest data and to nimbly adjust the season. This state-level approach provides far greater flexibility in fishery management versus the federal one-size-fits-all, static regulations. Anglers trust the state systems because they are responsive and the regulations match the conditions seen on the water. With an independent analysis of red snapper populations set to be released in the next few months, anglers are hopeful for continued gains in the management of the Gulf red snapper fishery.

20

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MARCH 2020

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WINTER SALES EVENT SIX YEARS OF PROTECTION 3 Years Limited Warranty + 3 Years Extended Protection, No extra charge.

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To learn more, visit www.suzukimarine.com.

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 01/01/20 and 03/31/20 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 01/01/20 and 03/31/20. For list of designated models, see participating Dealer or visit www.suzukimarine.com. Instant Savings must be applied against the agreed-upon selling price of the outboard motor and reflected in the bill of sale. There are no model substitutions, benefit substitutions, rain checks, or extensions. Suzuki reserves the right to change or cancel these promotions at any time without notice or obligation. * Financing offers available through Synchrony Retail Finance. As low as 5.99% APR financing for 60 months on new and unregistered Suzuki Outboard Motors.

Subject to credit approval. Not all buyers will qualify. Approval, and any rates and terms provided, are based on 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 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 01/01/20 and 03/31/20. “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.

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êêêêê

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*

*At participating dealers only. Qualifying retail customers may receive instant savings off the selling price of a Honda powered boat package or Honda Marine engine(s) sold for repower. This promotion is limited to new Honda Marine 40 HP through 250 HP outboard engines, 2014 and newer models, sold and delivered between January 2, 2020 and March 31, 2020 and registered by the Dealer in accordance with American Honda Motor Co., Inc.’s sales registration requirements. Only Honda Marine outboard engines sold for personal use qualify for this promotion. Fleet, commercial & government sales are ineligible. Engines sold under special pricing / promotions including (but not limited to) demo and tournament fisherman engines are also excluded. Honda Marine reserves the right to modify, amend, cancel or revoke, in whole or in part, this promotion at any time without prior notice. © 2020 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Always wear a personal flotation device while boating and read your owner’s manual. All Honda outboards meet EPA and CARB emission levels.

HondaMarine_TheAngler_2020_700Off_8.125x10.875.indd 1

1/17/20 9:01 AM