Coastal Angler Magazine | February 2021 | Northeast Florida Edition

NORTHEAST FLORIDA EDITION

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FLOUNDER KAYAKING FOR 'HOOS & SAILS! PHOTO COURTESY OF MALLORY HENDRIX INSTAGRAM: @MALLORY_HENDRIX VOLUME 26 • ISSUE 311

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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

FEBRUARY 2021

W O R L D W I D E

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Why Are Dealers Hoarding These 100-Year-Old U.S. Silver Dollars?

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hen it comes to collecting, few coins are as coveted as the first and last of a series. And when big anniversaries for those “firsts” and “lasts” come around, these coins become even more coveted.

Take, for example, the 1921 Morgan Silver Dollars. These 90% pure silver coins were the last of their kind, a special one-year-only resurrection of the classic Wild West Silver Dollar. Three years prior, the Pittman Act authorized the melting of more than 270 million Morgan Silver Dollars so their silver could be sold to our allies in the United Kingdom. Facing our own Silver Dollar shortage, the world’s favorite vintage U.S. Silver Dollar was brought back for one year only while the U.S. Mint worked on its successor, the Peace Silver Dollar.

Dealers Begin Stockpiling Last-Year Morgans

Knowing what we’ve told you about special anniversaries, dealers around the country are preparing for a surge in demand. 2021 will mark the 100th anniversary of the 1921 Morgan Silver Dollar—the last-yearof-issue for the most popular vintage U.S. Silver Dollar ever minted. But slow-moving collectors may be disappointed in what they find when they seek out these coins.

Since the days of the Pittman Act, millions more U.S. Silver Dollars have been melted or worn down in commerce. It’s been estimated that as few as 15% of all the Morgan Dollars ever minted have survived to the present day. That number grows smaller each year, with private hoards now accounting for virtually all the surviving Morgan Silver Dollars. And that was before silver values started to rise...

Interest in Silver Is on the Rise

19 19 19 19 19 19 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 LY G T T V C N B R R Y E LY G JU AU SEP OC NO DE JA FE MA AP MA JUN JU AU

Silver Trend Chart: Prices based on monthly averages. ©2020, AMS

As you can see from the chart on the left, in 2020, we’ve seen daily silver prices close as low as $12.01 per ounce and as high as $28.33 per ounce. That rise in value has led to a sharp increase in buyers’ interest in silver. We’re already seeing a surge of interest from collectors wanting to add vintage Morgan Silver Dollars to their collections. But at what price?

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ust like a good wristwatch movement, fashion is cyclical. And there’s a certain wristwatch trend that was huge in the 1960s and then again in the 1980s, and is ready for its third time in the spotlight. We’re talking, of course, about the flexible stretch watch band.

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Find & Catch Deep Winter Flounder

Defender

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Marine Outfitter of Choice Since 1938

By Capt. Michael Okruhlik

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PHOTO COURTESY OF KNOCKIN TAIL LURES

o all flounder migrate offshore during the winter?

I can’t be certain, but I have caught them in every month of the year. Those latewinter catches may have been flounder that never left, or they might be some that returned early. But one thing is for sure, during cold weather is when I have caught my largest flounder.

Let it be known that I am a lure fisherman at heart, but if you want to consistently target the largest flounder this time of year, live and dead bait rule supreme. A large mullet or shad in the 6-inch range is ideal. Any type of fishfinder rig will suffice with the appropriate weight for the depth of water and strength of current you are fishing.

You just need enough weight to keep your bait in contact with the bottom, where flounder live.

The method I use for flounder catching is to keep the bait in constant contact with the bottom.

Pointing the rod tip toward the water and utilizing a sweeping motion, I twitch my rod, kicking up mud and sand to create a trail of dust that attracts fish. This way I can cover some water in search of a hungry doormat. Once I feel the first tap from the flounder, I pause. I wait patiently for the second and usually a quick third tap. Then I give it a solid hook-set!

Flounder will hold on to a bait longer than most inshore species, and they don’t always engulf it all at once. I feel they want to injure their meal before swallowing it, which is why it pays to be patient and wait until they’ve got the hook in their mouth before driving the point home.

The best area to target the largest of the species is near structure, specifically bulkheads. Flounder like to bed down next to seawalls, where baitfish have fewer angles of escape. Other structure like rock jetties are also great areas to try.

On an outgoing tide, I target drain openings where high tide flows out of the marshes. These drains can be small, 1 to 2 feet of width is all it takes. As long as the marsh behind the drain has enough water to hold bait, it’s perfect.

Flounder will stage at the opening of a large drain as well, but no drain is too small, and I feel the smaller ones can easily be dismissed and easily missed.

One final note is on tide direction and strength. During a strong outgoing tide, flounder use the tide as easy transportation to open water and focus more on swimming than feeding. I tend to avoid the strong outgoing tide when targeting migrating flounder.

Be safe, stay warm, and get out there to catch the largest flounder of your life.

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KAYAKING FOR

A DAY OF DOUBLES

By Brian Nelli

I

n offshore kayak fishing, many of the milestones we pursue come in the form of knocking off “bucket list” fish. Sailfish is at the top of that list for a lot of anglers in South Florida. The sailfish is a great achievement, but there is one fish that many either write off as improbable or just a dream. That fish is the wahoo. One of the fastest fish in the ocean, it bounces around in kayak anglers’ heads with the question of could today be the day.

I’ve been a South Florida kayak fishing guide since 2010. Here, where the currents of the Gulf Stream swing so close to coast, it is possible to launch a kayak from the beach in pursuit of offshore species. I have been fortunate to assist clients in catching multiple wahoo over the years.

To give an idea of how special this is, my best year for wahoo saw just six of these speedy fish landed in 150 offshore kayak trips. Now what do you think the chances are of catching two in one trip?

How about two at the same time? That is where our story begins.

Two days after the December new moon phase, winds were light and the ocean was flat calm. My two clients and I were running live goggle eyes on 60-pound wire stinger rigs tied to 40-pound Yozuri Hybrid Line. We were geared with Shimano Spheros 10k reels paired with Crowder Rods E-Namic 6’6” 15- to 40-pound rods. At dawn, we headed roughly a mile from shore and started slow trolling.

All hell broke loose within the first hour. It was a double hook-up on sailfish! The fish pulled my two clients in opposite directions. After screaming directions and running back and forth to each angler, we managed to secure both fish for a great photo before release. That sailfish double already made it a great day, but there was more to come.

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FEBRUARY 2021

We regrouped and got baits back out in search of another bite. At about 11 a.m., we approached a slight rip line near 150 feet of water. There was very little current and next to no surface action for most of the day, so we slowed down to stick in the rip area. Ten minutes in, I noticed one rod bounce hard and then take off. It was a good high-speed run and then line went slack. I screamed to keep reeling no matter what, as this is typical for a wahoo strike. Sure enough, the fish came tight again for another run to the bottom. As I yelled to one angler, the other client’s rod started bouncing.

He reeled down, and there was head thrashing on surface. The fish circled the yak twice, and I

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

gaffed the 29-pound wahoo within minutes.

Once we got that one, I knew by its behavior the first fish was going to be a wahoo, as well. I was excited and shaking. I’ve been hunting a double wahoo for a decade or more. Ten minutes later, with that first fish safely in-hand, I let out a scream heard round the world, “We did it!

DOUBLE WAHOO!” Brian Nelli operates Pushin’ Water Kayak Charters offering inshore and offshore kayak fishing trips out of South Florida. Contact him at Brian@tckayakfishing.com and check out his website at www.tckayakfishing.com.

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Bad to the Bone Full tang stainless steel blade with natural bone handle —now ONLY $79!

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he very best hunting knives possess a perfect balance of form and function. They’re carefully constructed from fine materials, but also have that little something extra to connect the owner with nature.

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earlier, the biggest trout caught during February and March will eat crappie-sized jigs… so, there goes that theory.

For the most part, though, I like bigger shrimp to eliminate as many of the dink trout bites as possible, but even the dinks will give the biggest shrimp you throw a whack. When you miss a bite, I always say, “don’t Tim Barefoot worry about it, it’s a dink.” Trout always eat a shrimp from behind, so they can fold the shrimp up and swallow it with the horn going forward. his is the time of year when the inshore bite can slow down or get hot as a firecracker, especially for speckled trout. Always. A missed bite usually means the fish didn’t have a mouth large Right now, bait size can make all the difference between enough to “inhale” your shrimp backwards.

Another key ingredient stacking ’em up and getting to getting bites in cold water skunked. Live baits are is the speed of the retrieve. really the best bet when This is a perfect situation to things get tough, but for use a sliding cork or a fixedhard-headed anglers—like depth cork. For example: If me—who prefer artificials, you’re in water 6 feet deep it’s important to use smaller and you want to slow the profile baits and slow down bait way down, set the stop the retrieve considerably. at 5 feet and just let the As a matter of fact, I cork stand up and drift the know a guy who scales same speed as the current, down to crappie-size or if there is no current, jigs through the coldest just barely slow-take a stretches of February and wind on the reel to keep March. the bait moving forward.

I prefer a smaller Don’t twitch the bait, just version of the same shrimp barely move it forward, and I always use. I normally always use a shrimp scent throw the 4-inch shrimp on like Pro Cure Shrimp. a jig head, but when it gets cold, I like the 3-inch size.

There is not a time of the year when fish won’t eat a shrimp; there’s only a Videos for this style fishing will soon be available at: few weeks of the year when they won’t eat the 4-inch version.

The reason I normally throw the bigger shrimp is that the old saying, BAREFOOTCATSANDTACKLE.COM “bigger bait, bigger fish” kind of holds true for seatrout. But like I said

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Uniquely American stone ignites romance

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n May 18, 1980, the once-slumbering Mount St. Helens erupted in the Pacific Northwest. It was the most impressive display of nature’s power in North America’s recorded history.

But even more impressive is what emerged from the chaos... a spectacular new creation born of ancient minerals named Helenite. Its lush, vivid color and amazing story instantly captured the attention of jewelry connoisseurs worldwide. You can now have four carats of the world’s newest stone for an absolutely unbelievable price.

Known as America’s emerald, Helenite makes it possible to give her a stone that’s brighter and has more fire than any emerald without paying the exorbitant price. In fact, this many carats of an emerald that looks this perfect and glows this green would cost you upwards of $80,000. Your more beautiful and much more affordable option features a perfect teardrop of Helenite set in gold-covered sterling silver suspended from a chain accented with even more verdant Helenite.

Limited Reserves. As one of the largest EXCLUSIVE gemstone dealers in the world, we buy more carats of Helenite than anyone, which lets us give you a great price.

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Helenite Necklace Romance guaranteed or your money back. Experience the scintillating beauty of the Helenite Teardrop Necklace for 30 days and if she isn’t completely in love with it send it back for a full refund of the item price. You can even keep the stud earrings as our thank you for giving us a try.

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Winter Surf Fishing Forecast

W

ith beach erosion from the fall hurricanes, some areas of the Treasure Coast have developed a sandbar. To get to the best water, surf casters need to think about getting their baits farther out past the sandbar.

You’ll need to go across the sandbar with longer casts by using heavy spoons or jigs or wade across the trough and fish from the sandbar. On low tide, you absolutely need to fish from the sandbar to get good results.

Surf cast with 3/8-ounce chartreuse jig with a 4-inch plastic bait in pearl white. One- or 2-ounce silver crocodile spoons are another good choice, and you can cast them a mile.

Bait schools have been sporadic recently, so look for birds to locate feeding fish. No birds, no fish.

Schools of jacks, mackerel and bluefish are cruising the beach. They are in the trough early in the morning on medium to high tides. It’s best to fish the trough at around 7 a.m., when the sun rises.

If cold weather has kept you out of the surf or from getting out to the sandbar, consider using neoprene waders. Waders are also great for fishing the Indian River Lagoon. There are a lot of jacks in the lagoon right now, with larger ones hanging around the bridges and deeper water.

Pompano are being caught on sand fleas and fish bites on the incoming tide from Fort Pierce Inlet to the St. Lucie Inlet. Some are nice sized, but the numbers aren’t great. Whiting and croaker are being caught on shrimp, sand fleas and cut bait. I’ve caught some on small jigs and spoons at high tide around the trough.

There are a lot of beach accesses from Fort Pierce Inlet to Bathtub Beach and St. Lucie Inlet. Although Bathtub Beach is closed, the St. Lucie inlet is within walking distance from other beach accesses. Stop and look for bird or bait activity before you decide to fish. Although the feeders are in the trough early in the morning, you’ll need to find baitfish to have success during the day.

I use a medium-action, 7-foot spinning rod and 10- to 20-pound braid.

I like white line, for its visibility, and I use a 30- or 40-pound fluorocarbon leader in the winter months. Make sure you retie your lure after catching a few mackerel, ladyfish or bluefish so you don’t lose the big one because of frayed line.

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THE PERFECT GRIP

By John Saporito

A

handle is much more than just the part by which you hold the rod. It is the conduit that transmits strikes to your hands and the trusted grip that ensures a hold on the fish of your dreams. But not all handles are created equal, and each material has strengths and weaknesses.

Whether buying a factory rod, building your own or having a custom rod built for you, it pays to know which handle style is the best choice for the job. This primer will give you a “grip” on which one is right for you.

EVA Foam: Foam handles are common across all types of fishing rods. They are inexpensive and durable, making them a go-to option for anglers.

However, foam is neither the most comfortable choice nor the best in terms of grip. It can become slippery when wet or after handling fish. It also lacks true sensitivity, muffling what is transmitted from hook to hand rather than delivering it directly.

Cork: A fan favorite, cork is as comfortable as it is elegant. However, it is less durable and more expensive than foam. A lightweight material, cork offers good sensitivity and a solid grip—even when wet.

Split Grip: A split grip is simply a handle that is partly covered with foam, cork or another material, and partly left bare. The narrow diameter of the naked rod won’t tire out a hand over long periods

of use and allows for maximum sensitivity, translating whatever is happening on the end of the line to the hand as efficiently as possible. Lacking coverage of their entire length, split grips are also very lightweight.

The gripping potential depends on the material. The main concern of split grips is durability, as the unprotected portion is damaged more easily than a fully covered handle.

Cork Tape: A favorite of surf fishermen, cork tape offers an incredibly reliable grip under all conditions. Its “sandpaper” texture may scare some anglers off, but it is actually quite comfortable. Cork tape is durable, although it may need replacing after seasons of use—much like the grip on a golf club. It promotes good sensitivity due to the thin and firm nature of the material.

It is perhaps the most underutilized handle type of all.

Heat-Shrink Vinyl: A cork-tape lookalike, vinyl permits excellent sensitivity, is comfortable, and provides good gripping grip materials are available for the rods that meet ability. It is both durable and inexpensive.

Many anglers turn to heat-shrink vinyl as an easy your needs. Then, the decision will practically make itself. replacement for worn handles on well-used rods.

In the end, selecting a handle doesn’t need to be a confusing affair. Evaluate which qualities you Lifelong fisherman and student of predatory fish, seek in a rod, how the rod will be used, and which visit John Saporito online at guerillaangling.com.

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Fishing Report & Forecast Mayport

By Capt. Kirk Waltz

T

he dead of winter has surely grabbed the Northern Forty-Eight and I am sure many folks are starting to get a case of cabin fever.

North Florida is no exception and has its fair share of cold weather.

That being said, it doesn’t mean you have to become a certified coach potato. Good fishing does exist this time of the year and it can be fast –n- furious. Remember cold water and associated weather slows down the metabolism of fish so when you can fish do so slowly. Good numbers of reds, though many will be 14-17 inches, will school up in creeks and shallow areas to absorb heat from the sun. Small jigs tipped with small shrimp, fiddler crabs, and mud minnows work well. Look for shell bars, rock piles, and pot holes in creek bends. The ICW south and north are great areas to hunt. Try Sherman’s Creek, Chicopit Bay, Dutton’s Creek and further south as far as Cabbage and San Pablo Creeks to the JTB Bridge. North try Sisters, Clapboard, Hannah Mills, Garden, and Broward creeks to name a few. Try working these creeks on a mid low falling tide. And remember to fish slowly. Reds, sheepshead, trout, bluefish, and black drum will be the most predominate species you will encounter.

In the big river to the jetties look for the big black drum to slowly begin to show up. Outgoing tides at the bottom of the tide when it slows are great as well as the very top of the flood too! A good fresh piece of cut blue crab is by far the best bait but, a nice jumbo fresh shrimp can be just as productive. Fish on the bottom checking the edges of hard breaks and steep drops in river elevation. The edges of both the north and south jetties are great too and can provide some decent catches. In many instances you can also pick up some very large sheepshead and bull reds in this fashion.

The big stones or jetties at Mayport are one of my favorite go to places this time of year. Good numbers of sheepshead, reds, drum, 2 NORTHEAST FLORIDA

FEBRUARY 2021

ringtails, blues, and trout hang around the inlet rocks feeding on small crabs, shrimp, and available bait fish. Jigs, float rigs, and the old sliding egg sinker rig can produce great results. I like a 7’6” rod with a 3500 spinning reel spooled with 20lb braid. This rod is perfect for sensitive light bites and allows the angler to feel the slightest nibble. Work the lower tides around clear water conditions and at times check it at the high outgoing too! Good numbers of multiple species can be caught on nice warm weather calm conditions. These high pressure “bubble days” are great days to plan an outing and hop off that big warm couch! This is also prime sheepshead and ringtail fishing during this time of the year. Fiddlers and small shrimp are best and a little chum can go a long way too! For the chum just purchase a small amount of oysters at the bait shop. Take a 5 gallon bucket and dump the oysters into it. Grab a 5 pound hammer or a solid piece of pipe and crush it into real small pieces. The small pieces will contain little chunks of shellfish that when dispersed can really ring the dinner bell for fish feeding close by. It’s a great way to get the fish fired up.

The offshore scene will be red hot on the sea bass front. Look for great numbers of black sea bass to move in closer as the water cools. Try all the local party ground spots for a limit of these great tasting fish. The hard bottom spots are usually the better ones to check first. Try putting down a bottom rig with cut squid, cigars, Boston mackerel, and sardines for fast and furious action.

Capt. Kirk Waltz can be reached at 904.626.1128 or 904.241.7560 for charters or for more info go to www.Enterprisefishingcharters. com He also can be heard on The Outdoors Show with Capt. Kevin Faver and Jeff Lageman on 1010am or 92.5fm from 7am to 10am every Saturday giving out fishing reports, tides, and weather. Go to www. outdoorsshow.com

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FLAGLER SPORTFISHING CLUB

By Chris Christian

T

he Flagler Sportfishing Club will be having its monthly meeting at the VFW on Tuesday, February 2nd; The Topic for the meeting will be Club Benefits and Sponsors. Learn about what your fishing club has to offer and where to find critical information. The

2021 is going to be a new and exciting year. Mark Feagle and Cheryl Knoy have joined forces at Watson Realty Corp., Orange Park, and created The West Bank Group. Our expansion comes with the vision to better service our customers and our community with the legendary quality service you deserve and have come to expect from Watson Realty Corp. Purchase or sell a home with The West Bank Group and we will contribute $400 towards your closing costs or give you a FREE fishing trip with our preferred captains.

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Wahoo Junkies

By Captain Tim Altman

W

e Knuckle-Dragging Wahoo Junkies love to high-speed troll for Wahoo. High-Speed trolling for Wahoo cuts out the majority of by-catch such as Amberjacks, Mahi, King Mackerel and Barracuda. In this month’s edition of Wahoo Junkies, we are going to go over what I pull in my spread, where I pull it, all the rigging and where to purchase it locally.

Let’s begin with Reels. I pull Shimano 80w and 50w class reels.

For me the Shimano reels are strong, durable and most importantly the clickers are very loud. The 2-speed feature allows you to gear down and pull the fish to the boat in the toughest of conditions. The 50w & 80w class reels have 44lbs of drag. The 50w will hold about 1100 yards and the 80w a little over 2000 yards of 130lb class line. Another important feature for the Shimano is their service center in South Carolina. If you have a problem or need to have your reel serviced, you simply go online and fill out their form, print it and mail the reels to them. Their prices are competitive and you ensure your reels are professionally maintained

by Shimano. I send all of my Wahoo reels into be serviced annually.

Lastly if you maintain them correctly, it should be a one-time purchase and you should be able to pass them on to your Grandchildren.

Rods. I run 50-80lb class rods on bent butts with the exception of my “shotty” or long line. Because I have a Center Console boat and my shotty sits in the rod holder just behind the backrest of my leaning post, this rod is a straight butt. This elevates the line high enough to clear people walking in the cockpit and to create some separation from all my other lines in the spread. The next two “rigger” rods have swivel tips. I use the term “rigger” even though I don’t use outriggers when high speed trolling because it’s in the position that is most commonly used while using the outriggers. The rod holders for the rigger lines are offset about 30 degrees from the centerline of the boat. When not using outriggers while high-speeding this causes the rod to bend awkwardly to the wake and the line to come off of the rod at an angle. This swivel tip allows the line as it exits the rod to sit nicely in the roller as intended vice exiting against the side housing of fixed position roller tip. My final two are my flat lines or my “shorts”. They are standard bent butt rods.

Line. For the 13 years I’ve been high speed trolling we’ve went through a lot of lost tackle & fish because of line failure. This can get expensive really quick. About 8 years ago most of us knuckle draggers settled into the Diamond 130# Hollow Core. Why Hollow Core? Again, through years of trial and error it became apparent that re-spooling reels because of lost line is expensive if you have to do the entire reel.

Hollow core allows you to replace only what you need to, thus saving you a few bucks. The Diamond Generation 3 Hollow Core 130# is what I run on all my reels. Power Pro has some #130 metered line (colored

increments of 100 feet) that I’m excited about trying very soon.

Swivels and Shock Leaders. The knot I use to attach the swivel to my mainline is a “Bimini” and the swivel is looped in with a “Catspaw”.

You can Google each of these or when visiting your favorite tackle center ask the experts on staff how to make them. For swivels I use 300# ball bearing swivels. This is very important because I learned at least a couple of times the hard way that you can’t skimp on swivels. What happens if you buy those cheap Ebay or Amazon swivels? The swivel with fail and the lure/trolling weight spin will transfer to your line. This will be evident by looking at your line as you’re trolling and you will start seeing a twist begin. The heat/added stress caused by the twist will weaken your line and make it prone to failure. For Shock Leaders I used to make my own, but now I just buy the premade Diamond Fishing Products 300#, Blue Smoke Color on the spool. The spool makes them far easier to store and keep untangled. It’s a no brainer.

Trolling Weights. Because fishing in general is 1000 little things and no 1 huge thing, every last detail is important. With that in mind I use the Diamond Fishing Products Hoo Hunter Pro trolling weights. Trust me in 13 years I’ve went through a lot of different trolling weights. Some were good, some were bad, but when I settled on the Hoo Hunter Pro when I noticed a few things that were different. The Hoo Hunter Pro runs a little deeper and a lot smoother without as much wobble as the conventional trolling weights. This is evident by the lack of bounce in your rod tips at high speed.

My Spread. My spread is a modified version of the “Steve Grant Spread”. This is the spread that Steve would put out in his High-Speed seminars years ago. I measure and mark all my lines with rigging floss.

Why rigging floss? So that the crew can feel the mark by just touching the line as they are letting it out vice looking for a sharpie mark that they will invariably miss a large percentage of the time. Each reel is labeled with the distance delineated to keep things as simple as possible.

We will begin with the shortest to longest.

Line 1 is the 50ft line in the transom rod holder on the port • side of the boat. It is on the port side because I have 3 motors. The 2 motors on the starboard side turn in one direction and the port motor turns counter. So, my South Georgia education tells me that possibly the port side might just have a slightly cleaner wake close to the boat.

Again, it is at 50ft and I run a 96oz trolling weight on a large heavy lure.

• Line 2 is 125ft flat line and I use a 64oz trolling weight.

• Line 3 is 225ft and I use a 48oz trolling weight.

• Line 4 is 275ft and I use a 32oz trolling weight.

• Line 5 is my “Shotty” and varies between 350ft to 425ft and I use a 24oz trolling weight.

Where can you purchase all of this specialized Tackle and rigging?

The best place I have found is Strike Zone Fishing Jacksonville. Strike Zone owner Dave Workman Jr. has the largest selection of Shimano Reels in Northeast Florida and has a huge selection of High-Speed Trolling specific tackle and rigging. Ask for Archie or Dalton to get expert advice on all your Wahoo specific needs.

In next month’s article I will go over lures, rigging them, colors, hooksets and touch on tactics.

Until next month, please stay safe on the water and remember that great things happen when you take a kid fishing.

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Captain Tim Altman HooDoo Sportfishing Charters www.saltwaterchallenge.com tim@saltwaterchallenge.com FEBRUARY 2021

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Fishing Report & Forecast Sisters Creek

By Capt. Tony Bozzella

F

ebruary is very similar to January’s report.

Cold & clear water.

Generally, the backcountry water is at the clearest time of the year. I like to get out with mid day low tides, high sun shine, & minimal winds. It helps sight fishing redfish on the mud flats. I like throwing a dark colored TBS bucktail in 1/4 oz ( mostly) if I’m sight fishing with artificial lures. If you spot a backing fish or see a school, lead the fish by at least 3 or 4 ft. When the fish approach the lure, move the lure with very subtle

movement. Usually you get the bite if the fish are not aware of you.

Often people get excited and things can happen quickly making it easy to make noise, bad cast, or a mistake. Very rewarding when things come together! However, many winter days do not always give us the weather, tides etc. that we want when we have time to fish. If I am not sight fishing, I like to dead stick shrimp or mud minnows on the last of outgoing tide with the lightest jig I can get away with (1/8-1/4 mostly) around oyster grass points, etc. Shrimp is my 1st choice, often there are black drum & Sheephead around at this time.

They normally do not take a mud minnow.  Last season my clients had several   Sheephead over 9 lbs!! Trout will be in the mix with many in schools and not uncommon to hook good  numbers however, trout this time of year tend be smaller, & under the 15 inch minimum. Any bright Colored  jigs slow roled across the bottom can be a ticket. Float rigs, & jig and shrimp combos will take there share.

Don’t let the cold scare you, good fishing can be had! đ&#x;?&#x;đ&#x;?&#x;!

Capt. Tony Bozzella / TBS JIGS www.tonybozzella.com 904 651 0182

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FEBRUARY 2021

NORTHEAST FLORIDA 9

Fishing Report Pier and Surf By: Noel Kuhn

W

hat a cold crazy year we have had. At my writing, the surf temperature is 58 degrees! February is typically our coldest water of the year. We could see 55 degrees this month! The Pompano are long gone. They left at 64 and are feeding like crazy down in south Florida.

So my advice to you is make a road trip or stay home tying rigs or doing reel maintenance.

It is game on right now from Melbourne to Jupiter. Just like it will probably be here in April when things warm up. It is all about the water temp. You and your spouse/roommate may argue about the thermostat but fish DO NOT! They just leave! So if you want to have a good time on

the beach just head south for three hours down I-95. There are a lot of public accesses from Cocoa to Jupiter. Also there are a lot of bait stores that carry live fleas and shrimp.

A great tool to make your road trip a success is the internet. My first go to is googling Sea Surface Temperature. I really like the Rutgers University site. Their color chart is so easy to read. Once you have found the 65 to 70 degree water then refocus on sea and wind conditions.

My next go to is the app Magic Seaweed. Then finally for wind speed “Windy” is my favorite.

Every year for the past 15 I have made at least one successful road trip in Jan or Feb to south Florida. It is great to make a long weekend out of it. Typically we stay is Vero Beach. That way we can range north or south. We always find hungry fish. Whether is north to Sebastian Inlet or south to Hutchinson Island.

If a road trip is not in your plans then just stay home and get things done. Our surf fishing action will be very slow until our waters warm back up. If you want to improve your casting distance, now would be the time. 99 percent of my students have reached 300’ in one lesson. A lot of them achieve 400’. Just give me a shout to set something up.

Noel Kuhn Surf fishing guide and long distance casting coach.

904-945-0660 www.TheSurfAngler.com

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Fishing Report & Forecast Fernandina / Amelia Island

By Terry D. Lacoss

W

ahoo fishing off from Amelia Island/Fernandina Beach where water depths drop off sharply from 180-feet of water to over a 1,000-feet of water in less than a mile offers some of our verybest Bluewater fishing action of the year. Fast swimming wahoo are attacking “High Speed” plastics trolled well over fifteen knots and can weigh over the 100-pound mark.

A deadly wahoo trolling tactic includes two short lures rigged with 64-oz. trolling weights set at 50 and 100-feet are trolled from either side of the boat. Trolling speeds range from 18-20 knots and when a big “Hoo” is hooked up, the boat speed is backed down to 5-10 knots.

Bluewater fishermen can also expect to catch colorful, high leaping dolphin fish, tuna and more. Be Sure and let someone on land your attentions to navigate far offshore in case of an emergency and it is always a great idea to team up with another fishing party. Weather is also key!

Sheepshead fishing is also a main attraction during the month of February both in the backwaters, bays and even at nearshore “KBY” artificial reef. If your sheepshead fish in the backwaters, the “Shave Bridge” holds excellent sheepshead fishing while tying directly to

the bridge pilings. Fishing close to these submerged, barnacle clad structures is key with fiddler crabs, a small piece of shrimp or even a small cluster of barnacles barbed to a #2 bait hook.

Sheepshead fishermen often catch redfish and puppy drum while targeting these delicious, toothy game fish. So, bring along a good landing net!

Both Nassau and Cumberland Sounds offer excellent whiting and puppy drum fishing during the month of February while fishing dead on the bottom with ultra-fresh shrimp. Look for the best action to come during the last few hours of the flooding and falling tides when they arrive during the warmer afternoon hours. Key water depths range from ten to twenty-five feet of water. One of the better areas includes the deep waters located just offshore of Historic Fort Clinch. Here there are a series of lime rock ledges and a good current that moves bait into their strike zone. Bring along a good anchor!

Surf fishing produces excellent catches of “Beach” whiting and blues during the month of February. Be sure and fish with ultra-fresh shrimp on a double surf setup, do not fish in one area of the beach too long with little action. Keep moving down the beach and you will be sure to find a good concentration of beach fish.

Red fishing should also be excellent during the month of February, particularly during the early morning falling tide that comes during the first portion of February. Amelia Island has several tidal estuaries where boat docks are always a great structure for holding winter redfish.

Begin fishing close to the shoreline during the high falling tide with a ¼ ounce jig head and live shrimp combo, working this deadly duo slowly along the bottom. As the tide falls, begin working your combo out towards the deeper end of the boat dock.

Other great redfish baits include Berkley “Gulp” shrimp, bullhead minnows and cut baits.

Big schools of both black and red drum will also be holding in the deeper waters of both Nassau and Cumberland sounds during the month of February. Fishing dead on the bottom with a piece of blue crab, large dead shrimp, conch, or a combination of all three is a deadly fishing tactic.

Tremendous schools of red drum will also be holding offshore at some of the more popular fish havens including “KBY”, “FA”, “FB” and “FC” fish havens. Be prepared to have on board a venting tool so that you can deflate the inflated air bladder of the redfish so that it will swim back safely to its safety zone.

Striper fishing is best during the colder, windy days of February, particularly in the mid reaches of the St. Mary’s and Nassau river systems. Trolling or casting a silver and black #11 Rapala close to bridge pilings, or at deep turns in the river is key.

Fishing further back up-river fishermen will find excellent freshwater bass fishing, particularly in the Nassau River where several fishy creeks including Lofton, Boggy, Thomas’ and Mills creeks harbor largemouth bass weighing to over ten-pounds. Bass fishing during the last of the flood tide is key where warm tidal water is covering shoreline structure such as cypress roots offers excellent freshwater bass fishing.

If you are targeting trophy river bass, you just cannot beat floating a wild shiner under a small float close to shoreline cover. If you are looking for fast action, cast a dark colored floating worm also close to shoreline cover and work slowly out into deep water..

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FEBRUARY’S “BEST BET” Lower Water Temps Trigger Excellent Sheepshead Fishing Near Ocean Inlets

By Terry Newsome

T

he weather conditions forecasted for February 2021 will continue to trend below normal and will result in excellent inshore fishing for select saltwater species. Speckled trout and redfish action will be excellent this month but your BEST BET for catching quality fish in February is to target the illusive, hard-fighting sheepshead! In recent weeks, massive schools of 2 to 4-pound sheepshead have converged around area ocean inlet bridge pilings, dock pilings, oyster bars, rock piles channel markers and the Mayport jetties in the lower St. Johns River. Currently, the minimum size limit for sheepshead is 12 inches in total length and the daily bag limit is 8 per person per day. The state record is 15.2 pounds. (However, a local Jacksonville Beach coastal angler recently caught a 26-inch sheepshead that weight 17 pounds but never weight the fish on a certified scale.)

MASTERING THE ART OF SHEEPSHEAD FISHING Sheepshead fishing is truly one of my favorite types of inshore fishing and the month of February is one the best times of the year to catch your limit! If you have not had the pleasure of targeting and catching sheepshead, I must warn you that sheepshead fishing is perhaps the most challenging “type” of inshore saltwater fishing you will ever experience! Seriously, I have personally filmed several sheepshead TV shows and witnessed two experienced “seasoned coastal anglers” fishing side-by-side using exactly the same fiddler crab bait… using almost identical rods, reels and tackle… dropping their fiddler crab baits down to the exact same piling only a few inches apart. One fisherman caught their limit of 2 to 4-pound sheepshead and the other fisherman did not catch ONE fish (from the exact same spot!) This type of fishing can be frustrating, but if you employ certain time-tested techniques and strategies, it can also be extremely rewarding. When it comes to feeding, sheepshead forage on barnacles, crustaceans (shrimp,) mollusks (oysters, clams and scallops.) They use their specially adapted (human like or “sheep” like) incisors (front teeth) and crushing molars to feed. Sheepshead use their front teeth 14 NORTHEAST FLORIDA

FEBRUARY 2021

to scrap barnacles from pilings then crush the barnacles with their molars (to extract the nutrients) and finally they “spit out” most of the remaining shells. Fiddler crabs also feed on barnacles and oysters so naturally, a feeding sheepshead will quickly inhale a fiddler crab (as an easy snack,) quickly crush it (to extract the nutrients) and then “spit out” the shell. This happens in a split second and it is almost impossible to “feel” the bite! (If you do feel the bite, it is already too late!) Mastering the art of effectively and consistently catching sheepshead takes time and patience… but it is worth it! Sheepshead fishing can provide non-stop, hard fighting action so get ready for a sheepshead fun and action!

MORE TIPS FOR CATCHING BIG SHEEPSHEAD I look forward to sheepshead fishing with my Friend Danny Patrick in late Feb or early March at the tip of the Mayport South Jetties. For several consecutive years, Danny and I have limited out of 3 to 5-pound sheepshead by fishing the last 2 hours of outgoing tides at the edge of the channel in shallower water where the jetty rocks/sand structured bottom provide the optimal feeding ground for pre-spawn sheepshead. We literally catch a good-sized sheepshead on fiddler crabs with every cast! In fact, we also caught slot-sized Redfish on the same hotspot while targeting sheepshead! “Sheepshead spawn in March and April,” Danny explains, “and they spawn in shallow water but stay relatively close to deep water, so they feel secure. I prefer to use fiddler crabs for bait, but claims, oysters and small shrimp also work well. Using a small jig head with a fiddler crab can be highly effective by simply casting into the jetty rocks at the waterline and then slowly retrieve the bait bouncing off of the rocks.” Danny also revealed other hotspots for catching sheepshead in the 10-pound class for tournament fishing. “Bridge pilings at Nassau Sound and Ft. George Inlet are excellent spots but some of the biggest sheepshead are caught offshore on the close-in artificial reefs about 10 miles east of the Mayport jetties in about 65 feet of water. Pablo Grounds (PG,) Mine Mile Reef (NM) and Paul Mains (PM) are three of my favorites for catching big sheepshead! Some of the culverts and small wrecks in those area can be very good..

If you are serious about mastering the art of sheepshead fishing in Northeast Florida, be sure to fishing near ocean inlets in clear water with a slower moving current. Scout and select your fishing spot at dead low tide to look for best structure and look for bridge pilings with significant barnacle (and oyster) growth which will attract more feeding sheepshead. Generously “chum” your fishing spot periodically with fresh barnacles (scrapped from pilings where permitted) to attract the larger sheepshead. One of my personal secrets to success is to use a metal scrapper with the handle bolted inside a 10-ft. thickwalled PVP pipe (so you can reach down lower to the untouched barnacles near the base of the pilings.) If you are using live fiddler crabs, choose the larger males with a “big claw” to catch bigger fish.

I recommend using 30 lb. braided line with a 10-inch fluorocarbon 20 lb. leader with a 1 to 1 ½ oz. egg sinker, a #7-barrel swivel and a #4 wide-bend bronze hook. Be sure to fish just off the bottom and keep your line tight for better feel. Once your bait hits the bottom, very slowly and continually lift your line 12 to 18 inches; (then repeat the pattern.) Immediately and firmly set the hook if you feel any resistance, vibration or even the slightest “nibble.” Then get ready for some fast and furious action!

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EL CHEAPO 2021 SHEEPSHEAD TOURNAMENT If you are looking for a great time of family fun and sheepshead fishing, nothing can compare to participating in the annual El Cheapo Sheepshead Tournament presented by the Jacksonville Offshore Sport Fishing Club. It is a first-class, low cost, fishing tournament experience you will always remember! In fact, El Cheapo has become the “Largest Sheepshead Tournament in the World” and one of the largest fishing tournaments in the United States. Over the past several years, the tournament has grown to nearly 2000 visitors at the tournament site with up to 450 participating fishing teams at the event. The Junior Angler Division features over 150 kids participating. The appeal of a fun, family friendly, low cost tournament has created a huge following of participants and supporters every year. I recently had the privilege of interviewing Mr. Rob Darner, El Cheapo Tournament Director. Rob is an avid coastal angler, past President of the Jacksonville Offshore Sport Fishing Club, (JOSFC) and was awarded the prestigious title of 2017 Captain of the Year. “For over 21 years, we have been truly dedicated to supporting local anglers and the Northeast Florida community,” Rob proudly proclaims, “and the El Cheapo Tournament is now the biggest fundraiser of the year for the Jacksonville Offshore Sport Fishing Club. The money raised from the event each year is used for various activities throughout the year including artificial reef management and also educational, boating, and safety seminars. The JOSFC is a non-profit organization and portions of the proceeds of this year’s event will be donated to Safe Harbor Boys Home, Mayport Magnet Coastal Sciences Middle School, T.I.S.I.R.I. Reef Building Project and the Hook the Future Foundation, Inc.” When asked how the El Cheapo Tournament was created, Rob passionately shared the inspiring story. “Three close friends and I were having a conversation about how we could raise funds for the Jacksonville Offshore Fishing Club. We did not think that having another high entry-cost Kingfish tournament would add value into our local community. Kingfish and Redfish Tournaments were charging $400 entry fees at the time. So, we came up with the idea to

have a low-cost, family friendly and fun tournament for the people here in Jacksonville. The first major thing we decided was to make the Tournament low cost and fun for the entire family. Then we determined what species of fish would be targeted for the tournament.

At the time, very few recreational anglers were fishing specifically for sheepshead because they are very hard to catch. In fact, you must set the hook before you feel them bite! We wanted the Tournament to be fun, exciting but also challenging! The first year had 34 boats. The second year we had 58 boats but by year 5 we had 115 boats! Today the tournament is an overwhelming success with hundreds of boats each year and fantastic prizes! Our First-Place prize for the El Cheapo 2021 Tournament will be a one-week sport-fishing trip to Costa Rica with Craig Sutton’s Fishing Nosara… plus $5,000 in cash! We have other great prizes as well with only a $100 general entry fee before February 21, 2021. I want to personally thank our amazing JOSFC Members who Volunteer because they are the ones who make the Tournament so special year in and year out. We encourage the Northeast Florida community to join us this year for all the fun and excitement.”

The 21st Annual El Cheapo Sheepshead Tournament presented by the Jacksonville Offshore Fishing Club will be held at Mayport, Florida on March 6, 2021. You can register for the Tournament at www. elcheapojax.com. Thank you for the privilege sharing a few sheepshead fishing trips with you. I hope you catch a ton of sheepshead this month! Be safe and remember to take your family fishing to enjoy the great outdoors!

With over 25 years of corporate experience as a writer, director and producer, Terry Newsome has personally filmed and produced over 100 outdoor television shows and instructional fishing videos internationally. He is an avid coastal angler and is a former co-owner of Pine Island Fish Camp on the Intracoastal Waterway just north of St. Augustine, Florida.

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FEBRUARY 2021

NORTHEAST FLORIDA 15

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JOSFC - February Lee Bowman

W

e are excited now that we are getting 2021 rolling, we have had some great meetings in January. Even though some places are closed the oceans are open and there is plenty of room to social distance out there. Get out grab a friend or club member and get out on the water and catch some fish.

We regularly have club members looking for crew to get offshore and some of them have been on the fish this past month or two.

February is here and we are gearing up for the El Cheapo Sheepshead Tournament. As one of the biggest tournaments in Florida we can always use as many hands as possible so we are still looking for volunteers.

Sponsorship opportunities are also still available and we would love to have you or your company team up with us. The tournament will be on March 6th 2021. So figure out early where you plan to get fiddlers and crabs for bait.

Upcoming Events:

16 NORTHEAST FLORIDA

February 4th: Annual Club Chili Cook Off and you don’t want to miss it. Bring a crockpot of chili and be ready to eat good.

February 6th: Sheepshead Tune Up Club tournament. JOSFC Club members only. If you would like to participate come get a membership. Backup weather date will be Feb. 20th. This tournament will be inshore and offshore.

February 18th: Captain Vic Tyson had to reschedule from his set date last month so he is planning to give us an inshore seminar at the clubhouse. His seminars are always full of great information.

Find us on Facebook and check out our website to keep up with upcoming events, schedules, or any changes. www.JaxFish.com Our meetings are on the first and third Thursday of each month.

Due to Covid guidelines we are currently meeting outdoors. Dress for the weather. We are open to the public so we would love to have you at a meeting even if you are not a member.

FEBRUARY 2021

Capt’s meeting March 5th Weight in opens 1pm at Mayport boat ramp General entry $100.00 until Feb 21rst then $120.00

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Fishing Report St. Johns River By: Richard Hamilton

W

ell, Specks should be rockin' all over with the lakes, creeks and deeper pilings in the river, working methods used drifting to locate them and then pound the heck out of them. Dunns creek and Cresent and Dead lakes are hot right now. Look for the edge of the pads and brush piles so these beauties can deposit their eggs. Minnows are also a good bet; or perhaps a minnow and a jig combo. Both work really well Drifting and slow trolling usually have multiple rods at varying depths until they locate the magic depth and then they adjust accordingly. Lure choices are jigs, road runners, tube bodies, minnow imitations are good choices. The color and the size of head depends on depth monitoring to achieve and speed of movement. With all this information, you should give it a try.

Next up are the warmouth. These fighting beauties love the pads and really like live worms. You can catch them on any size, but they seem not to resist a nice worm under a small float in the pads or up against cypress trees or any kind of structure. If you don't get a bite after a couple of minutes,

move it to another pad or a different side of the pad. Start towards the outer edges and work back as far as you can. But a can of worms, split shot and and a number six or four hook on a can pole and you ready to go at it, so go!

Now on to large mouth bass. These wonderful fish will be bedding in the south parts, i.e., Lake George, and of connecting springs, and if the weather is right, perhaps up towards Palatka by the end of the month. Look for light colored areas in the shallow and canals. Also, drop-offs and points will be great for these pre-spawners, wanting to eat a bunch for the upcoming event. Also, creek mouths, bridges and deep down pilings and cover are also areas to look at and using either shiners or lures. Bedding fish like to protect their area, so tubing creature bait, lizards and worms should entice them enough to obtain a bite. Remember the big females on the outer areas and all you need to do is tease them with some good looking lures.

Remember your need to try, if you are so inclined,but by all means, try.

And remember Shiners always work. The problem is Commercial shiners are very hard to find now and if you do they are very small. If you find wild shiners you may be in for fantastic fishing…

Salt water species should be starting to show up again in the areas when we had the massive rainfall and cooler temps, they went up north for saltier conditions. But they should be showing up by the end of this month.

Well, that's it 'til next time. Keep your line wet and your lure movin'!-Richard.

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Fishing Report & Forecast St. Augustine Offshore

By Capt. Robert Johnson

Tuna Time

F

ebruary is the peak month for Blackfin Tuna in NE FL. I look for water temperature 72 degrees or warmer. We normally find them close to the edge of the continental shelf at the 50-mile mark. The best way to target them is monofilament leaders around 10 ft in length with a medium ballyhoo rigged without a skirt(naked). The tried and true

Cedar plug will catch them as well, but the larger fish seem to prefer the ballyhoo. Pull your long riggers and shotguns well back in your spread.

I prefer at least 150 to 300 ft back.

In addition to Blackfins there will still be some Sailfish around so don’t be surprised if one pops up behind your teasers. We normally pull a deep line rigged with wire just in case a Wahoo wants to join the party. 7 knots is the preferred speed.

On the bottom there will be plenty of Vermillion and Triggerfish biting on cut bait. If you want something larger Amberjack will be around as well as Mutton snapper. I am always hesitant to fish larger live baits on the bottom this time of year because of Grouper being closed for spawning until May first. Closer in Cobia will be around the wrecks and ledges in 100 to 120 ft. A jig tipped with a whole squid or plastic eel works great. Black Seabass will be on the closer in reefs in the 80 ft depth.

Plenty to catch this time of year and not nearly as crowded.

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Fishing Report & Forecast St. Augustine Inshore

By Capt. Tommy Derringer

M

y favorite time of year to catch redfish is here! This has been the chilliest winter we’ve had in the last ten years and that has meant some really clear water for Northeast Florida and you know what that means... it’s time to sight-fish for redfish! When the water gets below about 60 degrees the brown algae will die off, resulting in clearer water and some exciting fishing opportunities. This colder winter has had the water temp hovering right around that mark and that means that redfish will be schooled up both on the flats and in the deeper creek holes. Black drum, trout, and sheepshead will also be schooled up in the same areas. If you can get out on a nice sunny day over the next couple of months you better go because the fishing will be on fire!

We have some really good low tides coming up in February which means easy pickings for schooled up fish of all kinds. These winter-time low tides will concentrate fish down to the deeper parts of the creeks and flats. Fish the last hour or so of the outgoing tide with a 1/4oz Saltwater Assassin jig and just about anything live or artificial pegged to it and you’re sure to get hooked up. Hard bends in the creeks will have the deepest holes and a live shrimp or mud minnow will work incredibly well in those deeper spot for red, drum, and trout. Some creeks may have a shallow mouth but don’t be afraid to do some exploring, as some of the best creek holes are pretty far back in there. If you’re unsure of the depth or afraid of getting stuck, just wait until the tide goes slack and then starts pushing in. That way you’ll know if you can make it in, you can definitely make it back out as long

as the tide is still coming in. Then next time you’ll have a better idea of where your boat can and can’t go.

On those days where we have bright sun you’ll find me up shallow on the flats sight-fishing for schooled up redfish. The sun allows you to see in the water so make sure you keep it at your back if at all possible.

Redfish will tend to hang out on flats that hold bait, have easy access to deeper water, and have areas that warm up quickly. Flats with an abundance of oyster bars are a good place to start, as they tend to cover most of the above-mentioned criteria. Once you locate the school approach them as stealthily as possible. Drifting and/or poling the boat are hands down the best but if you have to use the trolling motor use it sparingly and on a low speed. The redfish get spookier every year with added pressure so slowing down will help you get in range to make a cast. This is also a good time of year to downsize your baits as clear water tends to mean spookier redfish as well. My favorite sight-fishing bait for redfish is a 1/4oz or 1/8oz Saltwater Assassin jighead with a Saltwater Assassin paddle tail. The size and action seem to be just right for our wintertime reds.

Sheepshead fishing will be in full swing by now. Just about any bridge piling or jetty rock with barnacles on it will be holding some sheepies.

The go-to bait is a fiddler crab on a small j-hook or jighead. Fish the pilings and rocks vertically with enough weight to hold the bait close to the structure. Just remember they’re quick so you’ll need to be on your hook-setting game. The old saying goes, “You have to set the hook before they bite”! Be sure to check out my website for daily fishing reports with photos.

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Capt. Tommy Derringer 904-377-3734 • www.InshoreAdventures.net FEBRUARY 2021

NORTHEAST FLORIDA 21

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ACGFA - February

D

ue to the recent rise in covid cases, the ACGFA board decided to suspend monthly club meetings until further notice. Our monthly in-club tournaments have continued.

We hope to resume meetings again in March, but that will be determined and confirmed at a later date. Welcome to the new normal! Weird.

Our Young Angler club members have been learning essential skills needed to become successful anglers and captains. They have already learned boat terms, conservation and began learning how to tie different knots before the holiday’s. Teaching the younger generation in ways that help preserve the sport of fishing is important to us. We love watching the joy that comes along with sharing knowledge!

Speaking of Young Anglers, we are in the midst of planning our Annual FREE Kids Fishing Clinic held in March. Each year, kids gather at St. Augustine Marina in Vilano Beach to participate in a progressive fishing clinic where they visit different stations that teach them the tools needed to be top notch anglers! Find us on 22 NORTHEAST FLORIDA

FEBRUARY 2021

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FaceBook page for more details and updates!

In January we targeted Wahoo in our monthly inclub tournament. Winners have not yet been determined. February is our Slam Tournament - Flounder, Redfish, & Trout. Anglers will compete to log the largest aggregate weight all month. In March, we will focus on Black Drum.

ACGFA was founded in 1958. We are a family oriented group who enjoy fishing and good fellowship. Our dues are $65 per year per family and we meet monthly at St. Augustine Shrine Club. We have speakers on some aspect of fishing, boating, or water safety every month. Guests and new members are always welcome! go to www.acgfa.com for more information.

Erin Johnson Administrative Director

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TIDE CHART - February

Mayport Degaussing Structure 30.3967° N, 81.3950° W Date

Day Time

Hgt

Time

Hgt

Time

Approximate Correction Times Palm Valley ICW: H: +2:20 L: +2:00 +/- for Other regional Locations JAX Beach: H: -:29 L: -:20 Bings Landing: H: +2:57 L: +2:44

Hgt

Time

St. Augustine Beach: H: -:07 L: -:15 St. A City Dock: H: -:04 L: +:09

Hgt

01 Mon 04:26 AM -0.67 L

10:50 AM 5.11 H

04:53 PM -0.64 L

11:14 PM 4.85 H

02 Tue 05:20 AM -0.48 L

11:38 AM 4.90 H

05:43 PM -0.53 L

03 Wed 12:05 AM 4.90 H

06:19 AM -0.29 L

12:30 PM 4.64 H

06:37 PM -0.40 L

04 Thu 01:01 AM 4.89 H

07:22 AM -0.13 L

01:27 PM 4.36 H

07:35 PM -0.27 L

05 Fri 02:02 AM 4.86 H

08:27 AM -0.03 L

02:32 PM 4.13 H

08:36 PM -0.21 L

06 Sat 03:10 AM 4.84 H

09:32 AM -0.03 L

03:40 PM 4.01 H

09:40 PM -0.23 L

07 Sun 04:19 AM 4.90 H

10:36 AM -0.12 L

04:47 PM 4.03 H

10:44 PM -0.37 L

08 Mon 05:23 AM 5.01 H

11:36 AM -0.29 L

05:47 PM 4.15 H

11:44 PM -0.59 L

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Vincent Canabal got this shot of a lemon shark swimming gracefully over a shallow reef.

SHARK

AWARENESS W

By John Lidington

intertime is shark time off south Florida’s Atlantic coast! Yearround populations of lemon, bull and reef sharks swell as thousands of migrating blacktip sharks move through. The concentration of hammerheads, which feed on blacktips, also goes up. If you poll dive tourists on what marine animals they most want to see, you’ll find sharks at the top of the list.

In Palm Beach County, Pura Vida Divers focuses on February as “Shark Month.” This “sharky” time maximizes the probability divers will encounter sharks in the wild. But for those who want more than a passing encounter, February is a great time to take the PADI AWARE Shark Conservation Specialty course.

Anyone diving in the ocean will have some thought of sharks lurking

in the back of their mind. But whether of curiosity, anxiety or excitement, these thoughts generally center on shark behavior. When they think of sharks, few divers relate those thoughts to a need for conservation. The shark conservation course aims to change that.

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) maintains the “red list” of species threatened with extinction. Of the 1,000 or so shark and ray species, over 30 percent are on that red list. Unfortunately, it’s a downhill trend. In 2019, the IUCN increased the threat level of both the great hammerhead and scalloped hammerhead from “Endangered” to “Critically Endangered” (their highest threat classification) and jumped the oceanic whitetip two levels to “Critically Endangered” from its 2015 ranking of “Vulnerable.”

The shark conservation course includes a morning classroom session, followed by a two-tank charter dive in the afternoon.

“The course revolves around creating diver awareness of sharks, the threats they face, and the conservation initiatives that strive to protect them,” said Jillian, Pura Vida Divers’ Director of Training. “Students will learn about these themes during the classroom session, along with details about local shark species. Once students have a baseline understanding of sharks as a whole, they’ll learn more about why shark populations are declining and what they can do to make a difference.”

After the classroom session, students will head out on two dives. The dives are planned to maximize the chance of shark encounters in a natural setting.

“The course is tailored to local shark species, which divers will aim to see and study during the specialty dives,” Jillian said. “Typically, these dives take place at deeper sites—the 70- to 90-foot wrecks and reefs—since that’s where we tend to see more sharks. Since winter is prime shark season, we’re usually lucky enough to see sharks on most dives. As we drift along the reefs or wrecks, students will find and identify different shark species, observe their natural behavior, and identify potential threats.”

Nitrox is recommended, though not required, for these dives. If you aren’t enriched-air certified yet, ask about that, too.

Contact Pura Vida Divers at (561) 840-8750 and see their website at www.puravidadivers.com.

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Gyotaku G yotaku is a Japanese art form that replicates a catch with a print made from the actual fish.

Gyotaku artists can produce a beautiful representation of your catch at a fraction of the cost of traditional taxidermy, and the final product might also compliment your home better than a giant 3D mount. Even better, you can attempt this art for yourself. While providing the satisfaction of catching and memorializing the fish yourself, if you’re quick enough with the process, you can still enjoy eating it.

You will need: • A fish • Acrylic paint and paintbrushes • Paper towel • Rice paper or cloth After a long day on the water, the last thing you’ll want to do is start painting a fish. The sooner you get to a print, the better the final product will be. However, it is fine to leave your catch on ice overnight or even freeze it. If you freeze it, make sure it’s as flat as possible and its fins aren’t squished. Fins damage easily when shoved up against the back of the freezer.

When you’re ready to start, the first step is to dry the fish. Open all the fins and dry out all the crevices. The drier the fish is, the more readily it will receive paint and transfer it back to your canvas.

Next, use rolls of paper towels to prop open and extend the dorsal, pelvic and anal fins and tail. Use bits of paper towel shoved into the gills to give them depth in the final product, as well as propping up the pectoral fin for the same reason.

Consider colors of the fish for your paints as well as for which color

16 FLORIDA

FEBRUARY 2021

By Capt. Quinlyn Haddon

paper or cloth you want to use for the background. Then cut a manageable sized piece. Typically, white or black backgrounds produce the best outcome.

Apply paint directly to the fish while standing above it. Keep in mind that you want to achieve a two-dimensional image. If you paint too far over the top of its head or too far under its belly, your final image will look obese.

This is especially important to keep in mind with rounder fish, like tuna.

Have fun with all the details, and don’t forget the eyeball and even small amounts of paint on the teeth.

Next, lay the cloth or paper over the painted fish and rub your fingers over it, starting from the center and working to the edges. Be delicate and thorough, touching every ridge on every fin, every contour, every scale and every tooth you painted.

Slowly peel off the paper or cloth, let it dry, and then touch up the details.

Any fish works for this process, but ones with more pronounced scales, like a snapper, produce a much more detailed print.

Capt. Quinlyn Haddon guides with Reel Lucky Fishing Charters out of St. Petersburg, Fla. Contact them at (504) 920-6342.

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Impressive IGFA

By CAM Staff

2020 World Records R

ecords are made to be broken, and with so many species and line-class records out there for anglers to chase, the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) is constantly updating its records. Here’s a quick look at some of the most impressive IGFA records caught and confirmed in 2020.

JUDY LANGENHOVEN Giant African threadfin inhabit waters of the Atlantic coast of Africa and grow quite large.

The IGFA all-tackle world record weighed more than 122 pounds. Last July, Judy Langenhoven used a McCarthy paddletail and 30-lb. test to land a 93-pound,11-ounce behemoth from Angola’s Kwanza River. It took her more than an hour to subdue the beast, which set a new Women’s 30-lb. line class record.

JULIETH CASTRO SANCHEZ

RAY YAMAO A big brown trout from Japan might be the most impressive salmonid record from 2020. Angler Ray Yamoa caught the monster 26-lb., 10-oz. brown on Aug. 8, while trolling an Ora Minnow plug on Japan’s Lake Shikotsu.

Averaging 870 feet deep, Shikotsu is a 30-squaremile caldera lake that maintains stable temperatures year-round thanks to volcanic influence. It is most famous among anglers for salmon, but it obviously grows big trout, too.

Yamoa’s giant brown trout set a new 30-lb. line class world record.

EMILY ROSE HANZLIK

How’d you like to haul up something like this on your next bottom-fishing trip? Julieth Castro Sanchez was jigging a Williamson jig out of Esterillos Oeste, Costa Rica when a giant Pacific cubera snapper yanked on her line.

The big snapper weighed in at 70 pounds, 8 ounces, which was good enough for a new Women’s 50-pound line class record. The all-tackle world record, caught off Costa Rica in 1988, weighed 78 pounds, 12 ounces.

Hanzlik is a 15-year-old fishing fanatic with 29 IGFA world records to her name. In 2020, she tallied two records that have already been accepted by IGFA, and her third of the year was still pending at presstime.

Last June was good to Hanzlik. On June 12, she set a new women’s 20-lb. line class record with a 22-lb., 6-oz. grass carp from the canals of West Palm Beach, Fla. Then, on June 23, she set the junior class record for jack crevalle at 32 lbs., 10 oz.

The jack crevalle Hanzlik is holding in this photo is a pending record. If accepted by IGFA, this 35-lb., 6-oz. jack will be a new women’s 50-lb. line class world record. Hanzlik caught it fishing from the shore in West Palm Beach.

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The Deal With

WESTERN DRY ROCKS

A

bout 10 miles southwest of Key West, Western Dry Rocks is an area of reef and rocks known for large spawning aggregations of permit and various snapper and grouper species. Its proximity to Key West as well as the dependable nature of the fishery make it a popular fishing spot, especially for charter captains and private anglers in search of

bountiful half-day trips.

Over the past few months, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Resources Commission (FWC) has been mulling a seasonal closure at Western Dry Rocks to allow some of these spawning aggregations to go unmolested by angling pressure. Most recently, FWC held workshops and gathered public input on a proposal to close fishing at a 1-square-mile area at Western Dry Rocks from May through June for the next five years. This time period is the heart of the season when several species congregate to spawn in a relatively small area, which leads to the kind of spectacular fishing that can do damage to overall populations.

Western Dry Rocks is a unique environment where it is thought these aggregations play a role in supporting fish populations throughout the Florida Keys and up into nearshore waters of South Florida. Swirling ocean currents collect fish eggs and larvae and carry them northeast up the coast, where they are deposited. Also, Bonefish & Tarpon Trust (BTT) has conducted tagging studies, which show permit from throughout the Lower Keys travel up to 50 miles to the annual aggregation at Western Dry Rocks.

FWC data shows angler effort absolutely centers around known aggregation areas, which makes sense. Numerous Keys fishing guides are understandably unhappy about the prospect of a closure.

Permit, yellowtail snapper, mutton snapper and gray snapper are all known to aggregate at Western Dry Rocks from April through July. Other species, such as black, Nassau and gag groupers, aggregate at Western Dry Rocks during the cooler months, and they are already protected by seasonal bag limits.

BTT has called out for an even longer, four-month closure from April to July at Western Dry Rocks, to encompass the entire spawning season for permit. Permit harvest is already closed throughout the Keys from April through July; however, BTT studies show up to 39 percent of hooked permit at Western Dry Rocks were eaten by sharks before they made it to the boat.

“When spawning aggregations are protected, the predictable outcomes are more abundant fish populations with a greater abundance of larger fish in the surrounding area,” reads the BTT press release.

At presstime, FWC was collecting public input prior to taking action on the proposal for a seasonal closure at Western Dry Rocks.

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lounder regulations on Florida’s Atlantic coast will be tightened as part of a package designed to restore flounder numbers. Both increased size limits and reduced bag numbers were approved at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s December meeting. The regulations changes become effective on March 1, 2021.

A stock status update suggested the flounder fishery statewide has been in a general declining trend in recent years and is likely overfished and undergoing overfishing on the Atlantic coast of Florida. Other south Atlantic and Gulf states have also reported declines in flounder populations and have been making their own regulation changes.

Changes include: • Extend all FWC flounder regulations into federal waters.

• Increase the minimum size limit from 12 inches to 14 inches total length.

• Reduce recreational daily bag limit from 10 to five fish per person.

• Establish an Oct. 15 – Nov. 30 recreational closed season.

• For commercial harvesters using allowable gear: Establish a commercial trip and vessel limit of 150 fish from Dec. 1 – Oct. 14, and 50 fish from Oct. 15 – Nov. 30.

• Modify incidental bycatch limit for commercial harvesters using non-allowable gear from 50 pounds to 50 fish per trip.

• Create a federal waters trawl bycatch limit of 150 flounder per trip from Dec. 1 – Oct. 14, and 50 fish per trip from Oct. 15 – Nov. 30.

Learn more about flounder regulations at MyFWC.com/Marine.

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elebrate the fight against invasive lionfish at the seventh-annual Lionfish Removal and Awareness Festival May 15-16 at AJ’s Seafood and Oyster Bar in Harbor Walk Village, Destin.

Activities will include fillet demonstrations; family-friendly games and activities; art, diving and conservation booths; and the world’s largest lionfish spearfishing tournament, the Emerald Coast Open. Satisfy your taste buds by visiting any of the participating locations of Lionfish Restaurant Week May 10-14 to try this delicious invasive.

The event is currently seeking vendors for the festival and divers for the tournament. Booth space is being implemented to abide by COVID-19 guidelines and allow for social distancing. Learn more by visiting FWCReefRangers.com.

Divers interested in competing in the Emerald Coast Open lionfish tournament should register at EmeraldCoastOpen.com. The tournament is currently seeking sponsors and volunteers.

The state’s 2021 Lionfish Challenge removal incentive program will begin May 21 and continue through Labor Day, Sept. 6. More details on how to get rewarded for your harvest is coming soon to FWCReefRangers.com.

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Catch A Florida Memory Closed On Banner Year

L

ast year was record setting for the state’s Catch a Florida Memory program. The FWC angler-recognition program sent out a thank you to nearly 1,400 program participants who have sent in more than 15,000 submissions for recognition of about 2,800 achievements over the years.

One headline-making fish in 2020 was a monster catch coming out of the 2020 Pelagic Shamrock Shootout in Palm Beach in March.

The first fish to hit the scales in the tournament was a 194.8-pound big eye tuna caught by Team HYJENX. The species didn’t qualify for the tournament, but it did qualify Anthony Beau Kelly and his fishing buddies for a Florida state record. The monster tuna measured 71 inches in length.

Catch a Florida Memory also recognized three new additions to their Grand Slam Tier 1 list. Grand Slams require anglers to catch three specified species in a 24-hour period. There are nine different Grand Slams anglers can pursue for different habitats and styles of fishing.

Those appearing on the Grand Slam Tier 1 list must achieve three Grand Slams.

Richard Brundage, John Dobbins and George Saridakis landed on the Tier 1 list in 2020. Dobbins qualified with several Family Grand Slams, a Bay and Estuary Grand Slam and multiple Inshore Grand Slams, while Saridakis got on the list with a Reefs and Rubble Grand Slam, an Inshore Grand Slam and a Family Grand Slam. Brundage made the list, with an Inshore Grand Slam, Family Grand Slam and Shoreline Grand Slam.

Adam Ball and JD Malone became the second and third anglers to ever reach the Saltwater Fish Life List 50-Fish Club, which is quite an achievement.

The two anglers have landed some special catches like Malone’s bull red drum earlier this year and Ball’s yellowfin tuna from back in 1986. It was a

24 FLORIDA

FEBRUARY 2021

This 194.8-pound state-record big eye tuna was caught during the 2020 Pelagic Shamrock Shootout.

spectacular adventure for both anglers to reach this milestone.

Lastly, Catch a Florida Memory saw countless anglers reach the Life List 10-Fish Club in 2020. This is exciting because it shows new anglers catching a diverse array of saltwater species, not just the same few. In fact, the over 5,200 fish that were submitted in 2020 by nearly 700 different anglers reached close to 1,000 achievements.

Find out how to participate by visiting CatchaFloridaMemory.com.

Follow the action at the Catch a Florida Memory Facebook page.

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ulf of Mexico anglers have a couple new reasons to be excited as we head into the spring and summer fishing seasons. NOAA is looking at loosening regulations for both Gulf red snapper and gray triggerfish. That should help fill some coolers for bottom-fishers who’ve found it’s sometimes tough these days to catch anything other than snapper and triggerfish.

New catch level recommendations for red snapper are expected in time for

the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council’s April 2021 meeting, which should provide time for adjustments prior to the traditional summer peak in recreational snapper fishing.

This good news is the result of a massive study called “The Great Red Snapper Count,” a $10-million, congressionally funded, independent stock assessment initiated in 2016 and conducted by 21 scientists and 12 institutions across the Gulf.

The Great Red Snapper Count showed red snapper are far more abundant than previously estimated using the Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review stock assessment process that has been used to all but shut down snapper seasons over the last decade.

The Great Red Snapper Count estimates that for 2-year-old-plus red snapper there are 23 million off Texas, 29 million off Louisiana, 10 million off Mississippi and Alabama, and 48 million off Florida. It also showed that large fish are comparatively more abundant in the western Gulf than the eastern Gulf.

NOAA’s plan is to integrate the Great Red Snapper Count’s findings into its interim analysis for Gulf red snapper. It is worth noting that even though anglers and researchers are seeing more and larger red snapper, the spawning potential of the population is still below the original target of NOAA’s rebuilding plan. Adjustments to the state-specific catch limits are being considered to account for the harvest monitoring programs used by each state.

Loosened restrictions on gray triggerfish are being considered following an interim analysis, using video surveys to estimate abundance, that showed the stock size has been increasing, especially in the eastern Gulf, and that catch limits can be increased.

The Gulf Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee recommended increasing the gray triggerfish acceptable biological catch limit to 456,900 pounds whole weight, which allows an increase in the gray triggerfish annual catch limit. Action is expected prior to the end of the 2021 recreational fishing season.

The Council is also considering modifications to the gray triggerfish recreational fixed closed seasons and will consider that action in a separate framework action that will also address changes to the vermilion snapper recreational bag limit.

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FEBRUARY 2021

NATIONAL 13

TIPS FOR DIALING ’EM IN

By Nick Carter

A

T

here’s no mistaking it when a monster striped bass blows up on the surface. At a slow troll just after first light, you can almost feel it’s going to happen. Behind a planer board, the stinger-hooked gizzard shad begins to struggle. Anticipation goes through the roof as the bait flees for its life.

“When you see that big shad get exploded on, it’s like a bowling ball dropped out of the sky,” said Shane Goebel, of Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service.

“The planer board streaks across the water, and it’s on! There’s really nothing else like it.”

Goebel has watched this scene take place hundreds of times while guiding the mountain lakes that straddle the Georgia/North Carolina border. He knows what it takes to boat striped bass in the 30- to 40-plus-pound range. Here are Goebel’s tips for dialing in the big-fish bite: 1) Fish Trophy Striper Season: Giants are caught year-round, but fate favors the uncomfortable angler. When the water is cold, baitfish and big stripers are forced into the shallows in search of warmer water. They push out of the main lake and into the backs of creeks and rivers, where big fish are more predictable than when they’ve got the whole lake to roam.

2) Offer Them Everything: By putting out a large spread of different baits, you’re more likely to troll a preferred meal past that big girl’s nose.

Goebel fishes as many baits as the confines of a 14 NATIONAL

FEBRUARY 2021

creek allow. He might run a couple planer boards out each side of the boat, a couple freelines off the stern and a couple of balloon baits way in back. He staggers distance and depth to cover water both horizontally and vertically.

Goebel fishes a mix of baits, too. Big gizzard shad and rainbow trout are big striper baits, but when blueback herring are the predominant forage, he’ll fish all three at the same time. You never know which bait will get hit.

3) Stay With the Baitfish: You’re probably sick of hearing this, but… “find the bait, and you’ll find the fish.”

PHOTOS COURTESY OF BIG OL’ FISH GUIDING SERVICE

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

Goebel starts cold mornings in the backs of the creeks looking for baitfish. When he sees what he likes, he deploys his spread and works from the shallows out to the creek mouth as the day advances to follow the movement of baitfish and stripers.

On some lakes, diving birds are a dead giveaway. Keep binoculars on the console to scout for gulls.

Also, especially on warmer days, don’t be afraid to drop downlines if you mark bait deep in a creek mouth.

4) Keep a Pitch Rod Ready: Goebel keeps lightweight spinning rods rigged and ready with Flukes and Redfins. Those casting rods come in handy when feeding breaks loose on the surface.

It’s quicker and easier to cast lures to visible fish than it is to steer a trolling spread over them. And nothing beats fighting a big striper on light tackle.

Check out Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service at bigolfish.com.

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For over a century, a league of canned crusaders have been fighting to keep boats safe from barnacles, slime, algae and other aquatic evils that rob your boat of its true performance. With advanced know-how and unique capabilities, each antifouling is tailored to different conditions, and has the power to defeat fouling in all its forms.

Micron® CSC is a highly dependable and steadfast polishing antifouling for boaters, boatyards and builders, providing heroic protection in all waters and trusted by boaters and boatyards everywhere. Its polishing action wears away at a controlled rate, reducing paint build-up and achieving consistent performance across multiple seasons in all waters.

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10391/01-21

Start The New Year Out In Your New

GILLZ GEAR:

BREATHE IN THE FIGHT

www.

.com

S

ome days you battle the fish. Some days you battle the elements. Some days you battle both.

You know the kind of day. The one that’s chilly, windy and choppy, with spray everywhere.

But you’re determined to stay out until you get a few hits. These are the times GILLZ gear was made for. Innovative gear, with performance in every stitch, is designed with a single goal: for you to be able to fish better, longer and harder— in total comfort!

Take the Pro Series Full Zip Storm Fleece.

Engineered with air pockets embedded in the fabric, it provides insulation and temperature regulation while keeping the hoodie lightweight.

This soft, warm hoodie can handle light rain, boat spray and features four-way stretch comfort, three zippered front pockets, a rear key pocket, and is fully lined.

The Waterman Pant is ideal on cooler days. Extensively field-tested on the ocean, these pants are made with heavy-duty polyester, yet are amazingly lightweight and durable. Add a quick-dry, stretch fabric for maximum comfort, UV 50+ sun protection, water-repellant coating, security zipper pockets, and these may become your favorite fishing pant.

Whatever the conditions, GILLZ has www.gillz-gear.com the gear.

Welcome New Dealer

San Carlos Marine Ft. Myers, FL • 239-334-3424

CALL FOR YOUR LOCAL DEALER

252-235-2461

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

FEBRUARY 2021

NATIONAL 17

TACTICS FOR TOUGH DELAYED HARVEST TROUT E

By CAM Staff

Made in USA

C.A.L. 5” Swim Bait C.A.L. 4” Shad Tail C.A.L. 3” Shad Tail C.A.L. 4” Jerk Bait C.A.L. 5.5” Jerk Bait

C.A.L. Paddle Tail C.A.L. Curl Tail

www.doalures.com

ven in the depths of winter, there is trout action to be found on delayed harvest (DH) streams where state agencies stock trout heavily under catch-and-release regulations.

DH stretches offer high densities of trout that grow progressively wilder through winter into spring. And while stocked trout are renowned for their gullibility, they can also be difficult at times. Bill Stranahan, a veteran guide with Southeastern Anglers has a few tricks up his sleeve for catching DH trout.

Bugger Time: “Wooly Buggers are so important this time of year,” Stranahan said. “You’re looking for that reaction strike. Swing and strip. Keep it moving.”

Olive and black are perennial favorite colors whenever and wherever, and for winter fishing he prefers smaller Buggers in sizes 6 to 10. The primary DH stretches he fishes are Tennessee’s Hiwassee tailrace and the Tellico River, which is a freestone. They are very different fisheries, yet swinging and stripping Buggers is pretty much universally productive.

Get Down On It: If catching numbers of fish is the goal, nymphing is normally the best tactic. When the trout are less active—especially when they’re holed up in deeper, slower runs during a cold snap—it might be the only way to catch fish.

The key to catching fish in these conditions is depth. Trout won’t move far to feed when they’re hunkered down, so getting your nymphs down to them is imperative.

Stranahan likes a weighted Pat’s Rubber Legs, or a similar heavy stonefly nymph in sizes 6 to 10. It’s a big buggy-looking mouthful, and it’s also a great anchor fly to fish in tandem with other nymphs. Depending on what the fish want, the Pat’s could be fished below “junk food” like a Squirmy Worm, a mop or egg pattern, or flashy attractor nymphs like a Rainbow Warrior or Lightning Bug. Or, if trout want something more natural, the Pat’s could anchor a small black stonefly nymph, a Hare’s Ear or a Prince.

Again, depth is the key, so Stranahan likes a good sliding indicator that’s easy to adjust. Judge the depth of each hole, and try to get your anchor fly to drift just off the bottom.

Headhunting: “Depending on how froggy you feel as an angler on a given day, you can go out running and gunning with big streamers,” Stranahan said.

On a large tailwater or in deep holes on a smaller stream, big streamers have a way of turning the biggest fish. A big Zonker, a Swimmin’ Jimmy, a Zoo Cougar or one of Kelly Galloup’s other articulated patterns make a commotion when fished on sinking line.

You’re trying to get their attention. If you don’t get chased in one hole, switch something up and move until you find what’s working. Sticking to the plan is important, though. You’re hunting a few fish large and aggressive enough to eat a raucous fly.

Check out Southeastern Anglers at www.southeasternanglers.com.

18 NATIONAL

FEBRUARY 2021

201667_DOA_7.14_CAL ad_Coastal Angler_3.75x5.indd 1

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM 7/14/20 4:22 PM

D T

elayed under

wilder r their guide trout. year,” . Keep

PENN UPGRADES RENOWNED BATTLE III REELS

L

ong recognized for strength, smoothness and durability, PENN Battle spinning reels are revered as reliable workhorses. With upgraded gears and technology, new Battle III spinning reels and combos offer enhanced performance for inshore, offshore and surf fishing, while remaining one of the most accessible reels available.

The Battle III is equipped with PENN’s proprietary CNC Gear Technology, which ensures pinion and drive gears are cut to exact tolerances using premium metals. The PENN HT-100 Carbon Fiber Drag System is smooth under the strain of hard-fighting saltwater fish. With a full-metal body and sideplate, Battle III reels stand up to the harsh marine environment. These features make Battle III extremely durable and high performing across a wide range of applications, at a price point that encourages anglers to get down and dirty with fish.

Additional features include a superline-ready spool, line capacity rings for easy reference and 5+1 sealed, stainless ball bearings. Battle III comes in nine sizes, from 1000 to 10000. Three high-speed configurations, designated by an eye-catching red-and-black trim package, are also available.

Battle III Combos feature graphite composite blanks with updated actions for inshore models, PENN Dura-Guides and a Sea-Guide double locking nut reel seat. Also new for 2020 are two new travel models, which include a case, reel and spare spool.

If you’re looking for high-end performance and durability at a surprisingly low cost, check out PENN’s new Battle III reels and combos. They’ll serve you for years in the surf, on the deck of a skiff www.pennfishing.com or out on the open blue.

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Insist on Only the Best Cast Net for Grabbing Your Bait America’s #1 Cast Net Choice, Year After Year America’s Best

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FEBRUARY 2021

NATIONAL 19

20 NATIONAL

FEBRUARY 2021

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

E-Z ANCHORING Applies to Pontoons

D

PART II

ebuting the Hinged Pontoon Anchoring Solution and Retractable Tritoon Anchoring Solution at Pennsylvania’s Lake Youghiogheny, E-Z Anchor Puller president Aaron Knopp and system installer Don Snyder spoke about and demonstrated the ease-of-use of these two permanent solutions. Underneath the crossmembers of a 24-foot Playbouy pontoon, a Hero EX-1 drum anchor winch was paired with the Hinged Solution, while the Retractable Solution was retrofitted to the 24-foot SouthBay tritoon sporting the Hero EX-2. Read on to discover the similarities and differences between these two innovative solutions that anyone can install!

Aesthetics: The difference between the two is a matter of visibility; the Hinged protrudes ever-so-slightly underneath the deck in order to lift and drop the river anchor out of the water, whereas the Retractable remains completely invisible until it slides out from underneath the boat to release anchor, rode and chain in one sweeping motion. While some prefer to see the river or mushroom anchor lifted and held by the Hinged, a waterproof, wifi camera is also available so the operator can watch their Hero EX-1, EX-2 or Patriot EZ-1 deploy the rode from their smartphone.

Mechanics: Each system’s operational differences lie within hollow-tube raceways. While the Hinged system has a folding bow roller that lifts when the anchor makes contact, the Retractable system has an internal spring that compresses with deployment and retrieval.

Installation: For the Hinged solution, place the bow roller head so it protrudes slightly from under the deck. Keep trailering in mind, and plot where the best-suited location is in tangent when trafficking your boat to and from the water. The sleeve of the hollow raceway, which is immediately connected to the hinged bow roller’s head, is placed directly on the edge of the bullnose/front of the decking bracket that secures the square hollow raceway

Scan the QR code with your smartphone to watch the full review of the Hinged and Retractable solutions’ performance, installation, drum winch stats and more.

to the vessel’s crossmembers.

For the Retractable, install the raceway 10 to 12 inches from the front of the boat. Both solutions have four drilled holes at the opposite end of the solution (the drum winch end) to allow for further flexibility when mounting to the crossmembers of the boat.

Hardware: Both solution kits come with a universal underside mounting plate with pre-drilled holes for the winch selected. Elongated slots are designed to fit any crossmember, no matter how close or far apart they may be. Additional mounting hardware includes required mounting brackets, hex bolts, lock nuts and flat washers. Both solution raceways have several predrilled holes to correctly locate the included mounting tabs and brackets to the crossmembers, and both can be powered by the Hero EX-1, EX-2 or Patriot EZ-1. The drum anchor winch of choice is sold separately.

The Return of a

For more information, refer to ezanchorpuller.com to view the product, read the manual or subscribe to the company YouTube channel to watch the complete review and installation overview video.

Custom Built Quality Outdoor BBQ Products Since 1989

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For More Info 1-252-236-4464 www.BQGRILLS.com 6043 Hwy 301N, Elm City, NC COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

FEBRUARY 2021

NATIONAL 21

PARKIT360

MAKES BOAT AND RV PARKING EASY

M

ake parking your boat or RV trailer easier than ever with Parkit360’s new Transformer 15K Trailer Dolly. Optimized for today’s rigorous moving standards, the allnew low-profile design easily fits underneath any ball-mounted, fifth wheel or gooseneck trailer.

The Transformer 15K is built strong and secure to safely move up to 15,000 pounds on firm grass, packed gravel, and 4 to 6 percent inclines.

Controlled by an all-new rechargeable wireless remote, the Transformer 15K now includes Intelligent Speed Control (ISC), a mainstay feature on the Force ISC 5K and 10K dollies. Switch between high and low speed anytime, anywhere at the press of a button! With a gradual start and stop to every movement, get your trailer into position without putting strain on your hitch or cargo.

Mount the remote on the dolly’s handle, or control it from a distance! This lightweight controller fits in the palm of your hand or in your pocket when you’re on the go. Micro-adjust your trailer’s position at the source of those trouble areas like tight door frames, corners and trees within a range of 50 feet or more!

Every Transformer package includes two 12V U1 Interstate Batteries and an internal battery charger for self-contained power that’s always ready to work.

Plug your trailer’s electric or surge brakes into the dolly for added safety and control.

Move your trailer with ease and get in PARKIT360.CA and out of storage faster than ever!

HIGH PERFORMANCE TRAILER COMPONENTS

Dexter offers the most comprehensive line of axles, actuators and disc brakes engineered specifically for the marine market. Popular features include removable spindles on Eliminator™ axles, aluminum master cylinders and corrosion resistant coatings. Choose Dexter for trouble-free towing.

Together. Carrying what matters most.

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

FEBRUARY 2021

NATIONAL 23

ls n e a i c ari e p S iM Make it a r e k t Super Cool White Winter Win S u z u with some amazing deals f ro m from Suzuki Marine

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SELECT SUZUKI OUTBOARDS

INSTANT SAVINGS Instant Savings on select models when you buy a new Suzuki Outboard.

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REPOWER FINANCE Rates as low as 5.99% on new Suzuki outboards on approved credit.* [60 Months]

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

™

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 01/01/21 and 03/31/21 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 01/01/21 and 03/31/21. 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 01/01/21 and 03/31/21. “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. © 2021 Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.

N PO OCW OU

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