NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA/NATURE COAST EDITION
FREE
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Win a
Guide
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with Skye Burkhardt
Nosara Billfish
Bonito
On The Fly
PHOTO COURTESY OF TUCKER HARRIS @MACH1TUCK VOLUME 23 • ISSUE 275
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RADAR
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2018 242CC
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THE NEXT GREAT GREAT THE NEXT
THE NEXT GREAT HAVALON HAVALON HAVALON INNOVATION INNOVATION
INNOVATION HAS LANDED. LANDED. HAS LANDED.
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EDITOR IN CHIEF : Ben Martin • camads@coastalanglermagazine.com VICE PRESIDENT : Tracy Patterson • tracy@coastalanglermagazine.com ART DIRECTOR : Rebecca Snowden • graphics@coastalanglermagazine.com EDITORIAL COORDINATOR : Nick Carter • editorial@coastalanglermagazine.com WEBMASTER : Dmitriy Pislyagin • webmaster@coastalanglermagazine.com ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: Corporate Headquarters info@coastalanglermagazine.com • 888-800-9794
Anglers Wanted Dear Reader,
FLORIDA
BIG BEND : Mike McNamara • (850) 510-7919 • captmike@coastalanglermagazine.com BREVARD : David String • (321) 684-5888 • dstring@coastalanglermagazine.com DAYTONA/NEW SMYRNA BEACH : Don Meadows • (321) 436-5895 • donm@coastalanglermagazine.com EMERALD COAST/DESTIN/PENSACOLA : Scott Risher • (850) 428-0996 • srisher@coastalanglermagazine.com FLORIDA KEYS : Cliff Lumpkin • (305) 849-9093 • cliff@coastalanglermagazine.com FORT LAUDERDALE : Gene Dyer • (954) 680-3900 • gene@coastalanglermagazine.com FORT MYERS : Nadeen Welch • (239) 595-8265 • nwelch@coastalanglermagazine.com GREATER MIAMI : Scott Deal • (561) 945-6999 • scott@coastalanglermagazine.com Monica Isaza-Deal • (561) 945-8899 • monica@coastalanglermagazine.com GREATER ORLANDO : Phillip & Giselle Wolf • (407) 790-9515 • phillip@coastalanglermagazine.com LAKELAND & SUMTER : Mary Brasher • (352) 598-4219 • maryf@coastalanglermagazine.com NAPLES : Nadeen Welch • (239) 595-8265 • nwelch@coastalanglermagazine.com NC FLORIDA/NATURE COAST : Cary & Lynn Crutchfield • (352) 372-4237 • crutch@coastalanglermagazine.com NE FLORIDA : Danny Patrick • (904) 742-4696 • danny@coastalanglermagazine.com PANAMA CITY/FORGOTTEN COAST : Randy Cnota • (229) 834-7880 • randyc@coastalanglermagazine.com PALM BEACH COUNTY : Barbara Ryan • (561) 373-8040 • barbara@coastalanglermagazine.com SARASOTA : Phil Prevoir • (239) 257-4684 • pprevoir@coastalanglermagazine.com TAMPA BAY : Chuck Atkins • (239) 464-5153 • chuck@coastalanglermagazine.com TREASURE COAST : Misti & Gary Guertin • (772) 285-6850 • treasurecoast@coastalanglermagazine.com flahama@coastalanglermagazine.com
SOUTHEAST
ATLANTA : Bob & Brenda Rice • (706) 614-8231 • bobr@theanglermagazine.com CHARLESTON : Jane A. Redden • (205) 725-9616 • jane@coastalanglermagazine.com Sam Buckareff • (843) 607-8629 • sam@coastalanglermagazine.com CHARLOTTE/PIEDMONT : Mark & Haley Alberghini • (704) 651-1934 • mark@theanglermagazine.com COLUMBIA/MIDLANDS : John Lux • (803) 807-6885 • jlux@theanglermagazine.com MYRTLE BEACH : Mike Masiero • (732) 674-3019 • mmasiero@coastalanglermagazine.com SW GEORGIA : Bob & Brenda Rice • (706) 614-8231 • bobr@theanglermagazine.com TIDEWATER/OUTER BANKS : John Tiger • (757) 707-9654 • john.tiger@coastalanglermagazine.com Laura Seitz • (757) 707-9655 • laura@coastalanglermagazine.com UPSTATE SOUTH CAROLINA : Gregg Thompson • (864) 542-3112 • gregg@theanglermagazine.com WESTERN NC : Debra & Joe Woody • (828) 775-9663 • woody@theanglermagazine.com WILMINGTON/MOREHEAD : Kenny Ritter • (910) 550-9094 • kenny@coastalanglermagazine.com
NORTHEAST BOSTON : George Regan • (617) 488-2842 • boston@coastalanglermagazine.com LONG ISLAND : Lisa & Michael Danforth • (203) 321-7635 • lisad@coastalanglermagazine.com CONNECTICUT/RHODE ISLAND : Lisa & Michael Danforth • (203) 321-7635 lisad@coastalanglermagazine.com
GULF COAST
GALVESTON/MATAGORDA/UPPER COAST : Chanci & David Mowry • (713) 446-7395 • chancim@coastalanglermagazine.com • davidm@coastalanglermagazine.com MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST : Adam Nelson • (228) 627-5903 • anelson@coastalanglermagazine.com Toby Nelson • (228) 623-1761 • tnelson@coastalanglermagazine.com NEW ORLEANS : Dr. Dave Dunaway • (225) 400-8156 • nola@coastalanglermagazine.com
GREAT LAKES WEST MICHIGAN : Phil Belsito • (616) 957-1714 • phil@theanglermagazine.com
INTERNATIONAL PUERTO RICO/VIRGIN ISLANDS : Ace Bassue • (407) 285-9453 • ace@coastalanglermagazine.com COSTA RICA : Mike Erickson • (561) 262-2242 • mike@coastalanglermagazine.com © 2017-2018. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. Disclaimer: Coastal Angler Magazine / The Angler Magazine will not be held liable for injuries incurred while partaking in activities described herein, or for claims made against products or services provided by advertisers.
Coastal Angler Magazine and its freshwater component The Angler Magazine are both part of a unique franchise publishing model developed 10 years ago by duplicating the working elements of the local Coastal Angler Magazine that had been publishing since 1996 in Melbourne, Fla. Today, there are more than 30 franchise locations throughout the Continental U.S., Costa Rica and the U.S. Virgin Islands. We are now one of the largest, most widely read outdoor publications in the country. Guess what? We’re not done yet. Our goal is to have more than 100 franchise editions throughout the U.S. and abroad. We’ve tweaked and refined our systems over the last 10 years, and now we are ready to continue our expansion.
Let’s Grow Again! If you (or someone you know) loves the outdoors and would be comfortable running your own business, please contact us for more information about joining our franchise team. Best regards,
Ben Martin Editor in Chief info@coastalanglermagazine.com
1-888-800-9794
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Marine Wintertime Blowout $209* mon
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www.factorydirectmarine.com *payments calculated at 180 months for well qualified buyers with 20% down. Please note: Prices do not include freight, dealer make ready, and rigging. Pictures may not reflect actual unit and/or available inventory. Price and payment do not include sales tax or fees. Not responsible for typographical errors.
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WE BUILD FUN INTO 26 FEET OF PURE EVERY NAUTICSTAR! FISHING JOY SPORT THE ALL NEW 265XTS DECKS
Step up to NauticStar’s biggest bay boat, the all new 265XTS – Xtreme Tournament Series. The carefully designed hull and deck is optimized for performance, functionality and fishability that will give you capabilities never before seen in a bay boat. Inshore or offshore, the STAR Performance hull is designed to minimize draft for skinny fishing and provide a forgiving ride through tight open chops and coastal swells. Check out all the incredible standard and innovative features of the 265XTS on our website.
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Some photos shown with optional equipment COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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Researchers Embark On $10 Million Gulf Red Snapper Study By CAM Staff
W
ith the ongoing debate over red snapper population estimates in the Gulf of Mexico, researchers from the University of Florida have received a $10 million grant to hopefully settle the dispute and determine what the snapper population actually is. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service and Sea Grant are funding the study, which will be conducted over two years by UF associate professors Robert Ahrens and Will Patterson along with researchers from other institutions from around the Southeast. Currently under a federal recovery plan, the Gulf red snapper fishery has been considered overfished since the 1980s by the federal government. Under the recovery plan, coastal communities and businesses, such as charter boat operations and all the others that benefit from money spent by anglers, have been hurt by extremely limited opportunities to harvest this important recreational and commercial species. All the while, recreational anglers and biologists with Gulf state wildlife agencies have been pointing to flaws in the formal stock assessments. And the structure of the allowed catch has created a rift between recreational and commercial fishermen. Over the vast Gulf of Mexico, it will be one of the largest and most ambitious fish studies ever conducted, and even with $10 million in funding, there are those who doubt the study will achieve its goal of a population estimate with a coefficient variation of 30 percent, according to a UF release. Meeting the requirement would require numerous supplementary samples until the numbers contract into the accept-
Jeff and Payton Oney caught their limit of beautiful Gulf red snapper as well as red and gag grouper and other reef fish while fishing off Anna Maria Island with Capt. Larry McGuire and Show Me The Fish Charters. able range of variance between locations. Researchers will use methods beyond catch data in their study. Remote operated vehicles, camera sleds, acoustics and divers will play a role in producing the estimate. Researchers will also be capturing some fish and taking fin clips to develop genetic tags to be used in future estimates. Along with the snapper study, there is excitement over additional information that can be gathered in a study of this size. The distribution and size of other reef fish, as well as the invasive lionfish are of particular interest.
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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GEAR GUIDE Beach Marine Products Bay Buddy Bait pens by Beach Marine Products are not your average bait cages. Built by engineers and hard-core anglers, every care was taken to design bait pens that are rugged, durable, convenient for the angler, and stress-free for the bait. They feature a sloped-bottom design and industry-changing false bottom, making recapturing your bait easy. Heavy duty aluminum construction with zinc anode assures a durable product. All hardware is stainless steel and doubled up. The pens are powder coated with no sharp edges to injure or red nose baits. Large oversize doors allow access for cast nets and large dip nets. Beach Bait Pens come in many different shapes and sizes. Their smallest pen is the Bay Buddy, which is ideal for holding shrimp, crabs and multiple species of live baitfish. The Bay Buddy is 20 inches wide by 18 inches deep.
beachmarineproducts.com
Kaku Kayak Wahoo 10.5 With the release of their new Wahoo 10.5, Kaku Kayak is building on its reputation of excellent stability and performance with a more compact boat that retains all the features and performance of the larger Wahoo 12.5. The Wahoo 10.5 tracks extremely well for a shorter kayak, is easy to stand in and responds to tight turns easily. It has all the features of its older brother, the Wahoo 12.5, with plenty of gear tracks, a raised aluminum seat and integrated mounting for the Power Pole Micro. It is also rudder ready and comes standard with a great looking deck pad. It is an extremely versatile fishing kayak that offers a stable, roomy platform for standing to cast or sight fish. There is also plenty of storage in the bow hatch, rear tankwell and a rear day hatch.
kakukayak.com
Wilderness Systems Kayak Krate Wilderness Systems has built a reputation for producing some of the finest fishing kayaks available. The fishability of their boats is improved with a unique and useful line of accessories designed to help anglers fish harder and more efficiently. The Wilderness Kayak Krate is the ultimate tankwell storage option. The Kayak Krate sophisticates tankwell storage with superior function and a sleek look that make storing and accessing gear hassle-free. An open main compartment accommodates larger gear and tackle boxes and features removable dividers. Smaller items can be stowed in the secondary lid storage. Functional and durable inside and out, the Kayak Krate is blow-molded, water resistant, is easily lashed down and comes with four rod holders.
wildernesssystems.com
Tsunami Forged 12 Lever Drag Reel Tsunami recently introduced its new FORGED 12 lever drag reel. It’s a larger and more powerful version of the popular FORGED 10, and it’s perfect for jigging, bottom fishing and live baiting. The Tsunami FORGED 12 is built to catch the strongest saltwater game fish. Its powder-forged frame is lightweight and precision machined for braided line tolerances and strength. The hardened high-precision stainless steel 4.3:1 ratio drive and pinion gears are strong, tough, and operate smoothly. The completely disengaged “floating” spool rides freely on two shielded stainless steel ball bearings mounted to a spool shaft, giving the FORGED extreme free-spool and maximum castability. The instant anti-reverse bearing, along with two failsafe backup dogs, ensure strong, sure hooksets with no line loss. That is when the smooth, powerful carbon fiber drag comes into play, giving you all the fighting control you need. Look for Tsunami’s FORGED 12 online and at your favorite sporting goods retailer.
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biminibayoutfitters.com
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
12/14/17 1:01 PM
GEAR GUIDE Vexilar FishPhone Vexilar has launched a game changer in the underwater camera market. The FishPhone takes Vexilar’s proven Fish Scout camera technology and uses an innovative new WiFi transmitting system to send high quality video directly to your smartphone or tablet. FishPhone turns your smart phone or tablet into a fully functional underwater camera monitor by creating its own 100-foot WiFi hotspot that can be shared with friends or kept secure. The FishPhone works anywhere in the world, and you don’t need cell phone coverage to use it. The free software app works with both Android and IOS systems. The FishPhone comes with a unique holder and battery pack system that makes it easy to carry and manage 50 feet of cable. The camera used in the FishPhone system is a Sony Color/ B&W camera that automatically shifts from color to black and white when light conditions are limited.
vexilar.com
Native Eyewear Eddyline Native’s Eddyline model features a wood Trilaminate construction with silver polarized Reflex lenses. These shades are ideal for inshore adventures since they weigh less than an ounce, and their eight-base curvature fits your face perfectly while blocking side light with thicker temple arms. All Native Eyewear lenses are polarized, impact and scratch resistant, include Cushional non-slip nose and temple pads and come with a limited lifetime warranty. Whether you’re hitting the backcountry or going to the inlet, you need a pair of Natives!
Nativeyewear.com
Dexter SOFGRIP Knives Dexter has been famous for their SOFGRIP white-handle knives for years. It’s a handle other companies try to duplicate but can’t match. The handle is soft to the grip, ergonomically perfect in your hand, and the patented textured pattern makes it slip free. The blades are made of DEXSTEEL, a high-carbon, high-alloy stain free steel that is ultra-sharp out of the package, holds its edge and can be easily re-sharpened. Dexter has been manufacturing knives in the U.S.A. for nearly 200 years. They offer proven quality, proven designs and proven reliability. That’s why Dexter is the No. 1 choice for fishermen. The SOFGRIP comes in a large selection of designs and sizes.
dexteroutdoors.com
Phenix Rods RTS Inshore Whether you’re fishing the flats for trout and snook or pulling big reds from the mangroves, Phenix Rods’ new RTS inshore line has the power to deliver. Super light weight and sturdy, RTS rods feature a T-40 carbon fiber blank with Phenix’s own Nanolite resins that produce excellent sensitivity, while retaining the backbone to fight big hard-pulling reds and snook. The RTS series utilizes the new Phenix Essex T-Ring premium carbide guides with Ring Lock to FrameLok technology and premium high density EVA and cork blend grips, with a carbon reel seat. The RTS series, meaning “reds, trout and snook,” promises to be the lightest, most sensitive inshore rod on the market. It offers 5 casting and 5 spinning models to fit your needs.
phenixrods.com COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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8 CIGARS
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Includes 1 each of: Toraño • HC Series • 5 Vegas Ramón Bueso • Gran Habano • Black Ops Alec Bradley • Rocky Patel
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YOUR PERSONAL LIFEGUARD...
ALWAYS ON - NEVER INTRUSIVE
FREEDOM WITH SAFETY The MOB+™ is a life-saving device for your boat. It provides greater freedom of movement than a traditional kill switch, and stops the engine should you fall overboard. Connect up to 4 people at the same time.
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www.fellmarine.com
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12/14/17 1:01 PM
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT FELL MARINE MOB+ WIRELESS MAN OVERBOARD SYSTEM
Fell Marine has developed a man overboard system that promises to replace the traditional kill-switch lanyard. The MOB+ Wireless Man OverBoard system is an innovative, ABYC compliant, life-saving safety device for your boat. It provides greater freedom of movement than a traditional kill-switch lanyard, and stops the engine should you fall overboard. But its capabilities extend way beyond that. Up to four xFOB’s can be connected to the xHUB at the same time, with one unit acting as the captain’s stop unit, and the additional three as alarm units for passengers. The system consists of an easy to install xHUB (mounted on or near the boat console) and a wearable xFOB. The two communicate wirelessly with each other and stop the engine when the xFOB is submerged in water or is beyond range of the xHUB. The xFOB can be worn on your wrist, around your neck, or clipped to your PFD using xBAND or xTAG accessories. The waterproof xFOB has more than 300 hours of battery life and is powered by an easy to change standard coin cell battery. The xHUB connects to your boat power (12V-24V) and to your engine-stopping system. The system is intuitive and easy to use, and it is compatible with all major outboard and most sterndrive engines.
WWW.FELLMARINE.COM
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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Center sp By Matt Jorn
“I
’ve heard people say ‘A bad day of fishing is better than a good day at work,’” said Master Capt. William Mendoza with his trademark wry smile, “I’m not really sure I know the difference.” Capt. Mendoza is a Costa Rica-based charter captain with 30 years of experience. Since 2009 he has run over 250 trips a year on the Wanderer for the FishingNosara team from his home port on the north Pacific coast, making him the busiest charter captain in all of Central America. This area has become a hot spot for anglers because of the nearby bluewater and virtually non-existent commercial pressure; in fact the Costa Rican government has mandated that all commercial fishing must be done at minimum 60 miles from shore. The main fear of men like Captain Mendoza is: will this fishery last? Many have heard stories of Cabo Blanco, Peru and its famous “Marlin Boulevard”. In the 1950s this area produced the most granders in the world, including a 1,560-lb. black marlin catch that is still the world record. Now Cabo Blanco is a ghost town, due to human conceit and greed.
The argument still rages as to why. Some say it was overfishing of the apex predators like marlin and swordfish by sport-fishermen, while others maintain the government opened up the feeder fish, mostly sardines, for overharvesting. Let’s look at the problem from both ends of the food chain. The Costa Rican government enforces their 60-mile line vigorously and is very strong against unlicensed commercial operations. These efforts maintain a healthy number of feeder fish. At the apex level, the preservation of billfish has been spearheaded by groups like the International Billfish Foundation and the IGFA. Costa Rica has also taken the lead in this effort by prohibiting sportsmen from removing billfish from the water (no hero shots allowed) and by banning the sale of meat from marlin and sailfish. “The advantage of catch-and-release billfishing is mainly economical,” noted Capt. Mendoza. “Essentially, we want to create a market where these apex predators are more valuable swimming in the ocean than they are on the scale at a fish market.” On average, a full day of marlin fishing costs $900 and provides renewable income for the captains and mates. Conversely, the value of the same fish at an unlicensed fish market can be as low as pennies per pound. Charter fishing lies somewhere in between the bottom-line driven world of commercial fishing and the fun-loving experience of recreational fishing. “A good charter trip should be fun, productive and educational, especially for novice anglers,” said Capt. Mendoza. “These trips can bring together multiple generations, as fishing tactics are handed down from grandfather to father, father to son.” Capt. Mendoza knows all about that. This season, his 22-year-old son joined him in the mate position on the Wanderer to continue the family legacy. By operating under common-sense regulations, the fishing in Nosara should stay strong for generations to come “The ocean provides me with a livelihood, and I want to protect her the way she’s protected me. My idea of a perfect day is catch billfish, get a nice photo, set it free, and get the lines back out there again. Clearly that’s not a bad day at work.” concluded Capt. Mendoza.
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Starting at $700 pp (904) 591-2161 FishingNosara.com 14
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FLORIDA
By Jennifer Granneman
D
o you live on St. Joseph or St. Andrew Bay and have a privately owned dock or a way to get out on the bay (e.g. kayak, boat, paddleboard)? The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is looking for volunteer scallop-sitters. FWC staff will provide you with juvenile scallops and a predator-exclusion cage. We ask that you either hang your cage with scallops from your dock or place your cage in the bay. Additionally, volunteers will be asked to clean their scallops once a month from April 2018-January 2019. We will provide cages, scallops and training to you during our Florida Sea Grant-sponsored scallop restoration workshops taking place in April 2018. If you are interested in volunteering, email us at BayScallops@MyFWC. com. This project is part of an effort that began in 2016 by FWC’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute to restore bay scallops in Florida’s Panhandle. Bay scallops play a big role in the economies of many coastal Florida towns, and this project is intended to increase scallop abundance and
recreational fishing opportunities in the Florida Panhandle. The goal is to both increase depleted scallop populations in some bays and reintroduce scallops in other suitable areas from which scallops have disappeared. While we only ask volunteers to participate for a period of nine months, the project itself will last until 2026. It is funded by restoration money set aside after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. This project will boost other restoration efforts already in place. Prior to the 2016 and 2017 scallop season, FWC staff enlisted the help of community members in Port St. Joe to collect scallops prior to the opening of the scallop season and place them in cages in a no-entry zone in St. Joseph Bay. In addition, each year FWC collects adult scallops from St. Joseph Bay and brings them to a hatchery, which provides juvenile scallops the following year. There are currently about 50 cages holding both wild and hatchery-produced scallops in the no-entry zone in St. Joseph Bay. Placing scallops in cages protects them from predators and from people harvesting scallops and increases the likelihood scallops will successfully produce offspring during spawning season. Although we have made progress in our efforts to restore scallops, we think this project would be more successful with additional help from the communities around St. Joseph and St. Andrew Bays. To summarize, the only requirements to participate in this program are: • Live near St. Andrew or St. Joseph Bay from April 2018 - January 2019 • Have access to the bay: either a private dock, boat, or kayak • Be willing and able to care for and clean scallops once a month from April 2018 – January 2019 • Attend or view via webinar our scallop-restoration workshop in April 2018 We hope that partnering with the community on this project will increase our chances of successfully restoring scallops to St. Joseph and St. Andrew Bays. If you are interested in volunteering, email us at BayScallops@MyFWC.com. Jennifer Granneman, an Associate Research Scientist at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, can be reached at Jennifer. Granneman@MyFWC.com.
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Experience the Best in Boating and Sailing from Around the Globe. More than 1,400 boats—in water and on land • Over 1,100 exhibitors New boat models and product debuts • Demo docks • Marine electronics pavilion NEW for 2018! ONE location for power and sail. We’re welcoming Sail to Miami Marine Stadium—with nearly 100 sailboats and catamarans, plus sailing gear, and rigging, sail travel and charter services and education.
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ith new Sail and VIP areas, the 2018 Progressive Insurance Miami International Boat Show drops anchor at Miami Marine Stadium Park & Basin from Feb. 15-19. The five biggest days in boating will dock over President’s Day weekend, attracting an estimated 100,000 boating enthusiasts to experience the show, which is now in its 77th year. Creating the ultimate destination for boating enthusiasts from around the globe, sail will join power in one location, as the Progressive Insurance Strictly Sail Miami moves to Miami Marine Stadium, where boaters and sailors alike will have the opportunity to browse, board and buy more than 1,400 boats in-water and on-land on Virginia Key. From sport fishing boats and high performance boats to personal watercraft and wake sport boats, family cruisers, sailboats and luxury yachts, there is something for every lifestyle and budget. The latest marine technology and fishing accessories will also be on display, making the Miami Boat Show a can’t miss winter destination for those with a taste for life on the water. “Miami’s favorite Boat Show is back, bringing the best in boating and accessories from around the globe,” said Larry Berryman, manager for the 2018 show. “We have all new boats—including worldwide model debuts,
more yachts and larger boats than ever before, and every leading boat brand and major engine manufacturer on site. There truly is something for every lifestyle and budget. ” Compare and try before you buy! If you’re looking to get out on the water, the Miami Boat Show will offer sea trials, where interested shoppers can take the boat of their dreams for a spin in Miami’s open waters. This year, more boat exhibitors will participate, giving boat buyers a chance to test-drive a number of options to find the perfect fit. In addition, following last year’s popular sold-out on-water boating skills workshops, the show will offer its Discover Boating Hands-On Skills Training with more daily power boating and sailing courses. Space is limited; advance registration is recommended. “Center console and sport fishing boats are the bread and butter of our show,” said Berryman. “Buyers will be able to go for a ride on the water and then browse thousands of marine products and accessories featuring the latest innovations and cutting-edge technologies, as well as an entire tent dedicated to fishing.” Attendees seeking the VIP treatment will have access to the new, all-inclusive VIP experience, which includes one-day entry to the show and all its features, as well as complimentary food, drink and entertainment within an exclusive luxury VIP deck offering unparalleled views of Miami and the show. Travel to the show by land or sea! With the streamlining of the show’s venues into one location also comes the streamlining of transportation options. The Miami Boat Show will offer seamless transportation to and from Miami Marine Stadium Park & Basin by water taxi and shuttle bus, and include more convenient parking options on Virginia Key. www.miamiboatshow.com
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t the age of 15, fishing has become as much a part of my life as the food that sustains me. Addicted? Obsessed? Crazed? Yes, yes and yes… Thanks dad! My first experience with fishing was at the age of four while cobia fishing with my dad out of Destin, Fla. The plan was to head out and try to intercept migrating fish early in the season. I spent the day going back and forth between playing with the eels in the livewell and watching Power Rangers on my portable DVD player. Although we never found the cobia, the highlight for me (aside from the eels and Power Rangers) was reeling in a small grouper from 30 feet below the surface. I remember that day as an exciting, fun-filled adventure which ended with me asking, with a big smile on my face, “When are we going again?” Years have passed since my indoctrination. Since then, there have been countless fishing adventures, experiences and learned lessons, all of which have led me here today; writing my first column and sharing with you the first part of what it means to “Take a Kid Fishing.” The significance of this much-used catch phrase is far reaching and encompasses everything from strengthening bonds to protecting our oceans for future generations. This sport presents opportunities on all levels, from the novice angler to the most experienced. However, kids rely heavily on adults to facilitate opportunities for them, to mentor and show them the way. We are the future of fishing; we need adults to help us be the voices of tomorrow. My most recent outing took place out of Crystal River, Fla. We
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chased the gag grouper that invade the shallow-water rock piles in the Gulf as the water temperature cools. These grouper are caught in as shallow as 10 feet of water. So, on nice days even the smallest skiffs can get in on the fun. If you don’t own a boat or are not familiar with the area, there are dozens of local charter captains who will put you on the fish. We started our day by loading up the livewell with pinfish for bait. Soon after, we arrived at the first pile of rocks in 12 feet of water. Within minutes, the pinfish was on the bottom and the anticipation of a grouper inhaling my bait had me shaking with excitement. It didn’t take long before my rod doubled over as a fish tried getting back to the rocks. With the drag almost locked, I had him coming to the surface, and after a few minutes a beautiful 12-pound gag grouper was in the boat. Another five spots, and we had our limit of four fish and released another seven. We smiled all the way back to the dock. That evening, we loaded the grill with grouper and veggies, then sat back and reminisced on the awesome day we shared. Cory Gurman is a freshman at Ponte Vedra High School in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. Besides reveling in the great outdoors, Cory enjoys spending time with his three golden retrievers and rooting for the Atlanta Braves. Follow him on Instagram @fishhunter1119.
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hen a team of Kaku Kayak pro-staffers took their boats out at Flamingo in Florida’s Everglades National Park, they were hoping to catch some tarpon or big snook for promotional material on the new Kaku VooDoo. What they ended up catching was perfect testament to the boat’s stability as a fishing platform. For many, the idea of doing battle from a standup paddleboard (SUP) with a nearly 5-foot-long bull shark might seem ridiculous. The VooDoo passed this test with flying colors, which belies the fact that the boat is not really an SUP in its truest form. Kaku owner Kevin Hawkins has designed a boat that melds the best aspects of an SUP, a kayak and a micro-skiff. Flamingo was still a mess of downed trees and debris from Hurricane Irma when the four pro-staffers launched in early December. With channels to the backwater blocked, they were forced to paddle outside into Florida Bay, to fish some small mangrove islands. With a steady wind pushing it, the outgoing tide was ripping, Hawkins said. They hadn’t found the fish they were looking for, so they Power Poled down in a group to snack, talk and soak a cut mullet. “Out of nowhere, this shark jumped up right out of the water so close it splashed one of our kayaks,” Hawkins said. “We couldn’t figure out why a shark would act like that if it wasn’t chasing bait or something.” From aboard a VooDoo, pro-staffer Preston Haytac had an idea. He asked to see the cut-bait rod from the rod-holder on another team member’s boat. He cranked up the slack, and a sleigh ride ensued. “The shark must have grabbed the bait and run right toward our boats,” Hawkins said. It only took about five minutes for Haytac to battle the beast to the side of his VooDoo. Hoisting it onto the deck for the hero shot was an ordeal in itself, and further testament to the boat’s stability. It was an exciting catch that seems unimaginable from the deck of an SUP. Of course, even though it’s got the wide-open deck and stand-up capabilities of an SUP, Hawkins doesn’t really consider it an SUP. At 13 feet long, with a width of 35 inches, and weighing less than 80 pounds, the boat boasts off-the-charts stability and paddles well from seated or standing positions. The design of the chair makes the Voodoo a fantastic sight-fishing vessel. Without need for adjustment, the chair offers two seating positions and can be used as a sight-casting/poling platform. It can be adjusted forward or back on tracks to suit angler preference, load and water conditions. The vessel’s stern also sets it apart. It features five molded-in Power Pole mounts to allow for single or dual Power Pole Micros, and the options also include the ability to motorize the VooDoo along with those Power Pole mounts. Check out all of the capabilities of Kaku’s new VooDoo at kakukayak.com.
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COASTAL ANGLER North Central Florida/Nature Coast
Cary & Lynn Crutchfield
ALACHUA, MARION, COLUMBIA, GILCHRIST, BRADFORD, DIXIE, LEVY AND CITRUS COUNTIES
JANUARY 2018 EDITION
Find Your Outdoors Here! North Central Florida Nature Coast Staff SALES
Cary Crutchfield
EDITING & PRODUCTION Lynn Crutchfield
DISTRIBUTION Rosa Crisman
GRAPHIC ARTS & DESIGN Kathleen Stemley
GOOD BYE 2017 AND HELLO 2018 As I write tonight in the last days of 2017, the weather finally feels like winter and Christmas. We certainly had an awesome Fall this year. My favorite weather; no heat or air, and my French doors open all day! 2016 brought us a new daughter-in-law and 2017 brought us a new granddaughter. Our two teenage grandsons are the proudest big brothers ever! We welcome a new writer Jason Clark. You will find his column, FISHING THE NATURE COAST FLATS, on page 7. On page 13 we introduce a new restaurant in Yankeetown, Black Water Grill & Bar. The business is new, but the building is not, formerly the Riverside Inn, and the building has long been known as the Izzak Walton Lodge. When you visit, be sure to tell them that I sent you. Thank you to John Freeze for the page 1 photos (except for grandson on swing). This month’s recipe, Baked Grouper Cheeks Topped with Garlic Shrimp, on page 2 combines two of my favorites. This dish is rated, “You can do that again!” from my in-house food critic. As you know, winter fishing can be a challenge, but if anyone can help you this time of the year, it is our guides. They know “how, when and where”. Give them a call. They also enjoy just hearing from you. Let them know that you appreciate them and the time that they take to write for us. Also thank our advertisers and the location where you picked up this FREE magazine. Our wish for you is that 2018 is the best year of your life. Enjoy every day. Lynn Crutchfield Co-Publisher Coastal Angler Magazine of North Central Florida /Nature Coast
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Dr. Kevin McCarthy Bruce Butler John Freeze Capt. Stacy Horak Noel Kuhn Gary Simpson Capt. Jason Clark Capt. Dan Clymer Capt. Jimbo Keith Capt. Pat McGriff Capt. Clay Shidler Capt. Brian Smith Capt. Dan Smith
CONTACT INFORMATION
crutch@coastalanglermagazine.com 352-372-4237 www.CoastalAnglerMag.com/NC-Florida
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Tide Charts Local Fishing Forecasts Monthly Recipe
Photo by: Suwannee River Water Management District
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Baked Grouper Cheeks,
(or small fish fillets of your choice) Topped with Garlic Shrimp (for 2)
Thank you to The Crab Plant for the grouper cheeks and shrimp. Visit their Fresh Seafood Market or enjoy Cooked Seafood to go. You are welcome to sit at their table and view beautiful Kings Bay while you enjoy your delicious, freshly prepared meal, watching manatees, dolphins, pelicans and boats. Or, you can carry it home; your choice. Open Tues-Thurs 10:00-5:30, Fri-Sat 10:00-8:00. 201 NW 5th St. Crystal River 352-795-4700.
TIDES • North Central Florida Time Height
1M
2Tu
3W
4Th
5F
6Sa
7Su 8M
12:02 AM 7:24 AM 2:03 PM 7:17 PM 12:51 AM 8:12 AM 2:49 PM 8:05 PM 1:40 AM 8:58 AM 3:33 PM 8:52 PM 2:30 AM 9:43 AM 4:13 PM 9:40 PM 3:20 AM 10:26 AM 4:52 PM 10:30 PM 4:13 AM 11:08 AM 5:30 PM 11:23 PM 5:10 AM 11:49 AM 6:10 PM 12:21 AM 6:14 AM 12:33 PM 6:54 PM
4.0 -1.2 3.2 1.2 4.1 -1.3 3.2 1.2 4.1 -1.3 3.2 1.1 4.0 -1.0 3.1 1.0 3.8 -0.7 3.1 0.9 3.5 -0.3 3.1 0.8 3.2 0.1 3.1 0.7 2.8 0.5 3.1
HERNANDO BEACH
JANUARY 2018
9Tu
Time Height
1:29 AM 7:31 AM 1:23 PM 7:42 PM 10W 2:44 AM 8:58 AM 2:21 PM 8:35 PM 11Th 3:59 AM 10:25 AM 3:27 PM 9:28 PM 12F 5:02 AM 11:35 AM 4:30 PM 10:20 PM 13Sa 5:52 AM 12:27 PM 5:25 PM 11:07 PM 14Su 6:35 AM 1:09 PM 6:13 PM 11:51 PM 15M 7:12 AM 1:46 PM 6:55 PM 16Tu 12:31 AM 7:46 AM 2:18 PM 7:34 PM
0.6 2.5 0.9 3.1 0.5 2.3 1.2 3.2 0.2 2.3 1.4 3.2 0.0 2.5 1.4 3.3 -0.3 2.6 1.4 3.4 -0.5 2.8 1.3 3.5 -0.6 2.9 1.2 3.6 -0.6 2.9 1.1
KINGS BAY
High Tide -20 min Low Tide 58 min
High Tide 2 hrs, 20 min Low Tide 3 hrs, 7 min
CRYSTAL RIVER
WITHLACOOCHEE ENT
High Tide 36 min Low Tide 1 hr, 30 min
High Tide 7 min Low Tide 55 min
CEDAR KEY
Time Height
17W 1:09 AM 8:18 AM 2:49 PM 8:12 PM 18Th 1:46 AM 8:49 AM 3:18 PM 8:49 PM 19F 2:23 AM 9:19 AM 3:46 PM 9:26 PM 20Sa 3:01 AM 9:50 AM 4:14 PM 10:05 PM 21Su 3:41 AM 10:23 AM 4:43 PM 10:47 PM 22M 4:26 AM 10:58 AM 5:16 PM 11:36 PM 23Tu 5:21 AM 11:39 AM 5:55 PM 24W 12:34 AM 6:30 AM 12:27 PM 6:42 PM
Time Height
25Th 1:44 AM 7:58 AM 1:28 PM 7:39 PM 26F 3:04 AM 9:36 AM 2:44 PM 8:45 PM 27Sa 4:22 AM 11:05 AM 4:05 PM 9:52 PM 28Su 5:28 AM 12:14 PM 5:15 PM 10:55 PM 29M 6:25 AM 1:07 PM 6:14 PM 11:53 PM 30Tu 7:15 AM 1:52 PM 7:06 PM 31W 12:47 AM 8:01 AM 2:31 PM 7:55 PM
0.3 2.4 1.1 3.3 0.1 2.4 1.4 3.3 -0.3 2.5 1.5 3.5 -0.7 2.8 1.4 3.7 -1.0 3.0 1.3 3.9 -1.2 3.1 1.1 4.0 -1.2 3.2 0.8
HOMOSASSA RIVER ENT
HORSESHOE BEACH
SUWANNEE ENT
STEINHATCHEE RIVER ENT
High Tide 4 hr, 30 min Low Tide 5 hr, 41 min High Tide 6 min Low Tide 18 min
2 NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA/NATURE COAST
CAM_NCFL_0118.indd 2
3.6 -0.6 3.0 1.0 3.6 -0.6 3.0 0.9 3.6 -0.5 3.1 0.9 3.5 -0.4 3.1 0.8 3.4 -0.3 3.2 0.7 3.2 0.0 3.2 0.6 2.9 0.3 3.2 0.5 2.6 0.7 3.2
COOKING DIRECTIONS
INGREDIENTS
Preheat the oven to 375 • Grouper cheeks, 4 to 5 per degrees F. Place grouper in person, depending on size shallow baking pan. Season • 1/4 lbs. small shrimp, peeled the grouper with salt and and deveined (or 6 lg cut in pepper and bake for 15 to 20 half) minutes. While the grouper • 1 small shallot, diced is baking, heat the butter and the olive oil in sauté pan • 2 cloves garlic, minced over medium heat. Sauté the • 1 tbsp. butter shallots for about 3 minutes. • 1 tbsp. olive oil Add the garlic and the red • 1 tbsp. lemon or lime juice pepper flakes. Cook for 2 to • 2 tbsp. white wine 3 minutes, making sure that • 2 tbsp. butter the garlic doesn’t burn. Add the shrimp, lemon juice, • 2 to 3 tbsp. minced parsley white wine, salt, and pepper. • red pepper flakes, salt, and Cook until the shrimp are pepper to taste pink, about 4 minutes. When the fish is done, plate the fillets, and using a slotted spoon, top with the shrimp and keep warm. Add parsley to sauce, reduce sauce to about half, and swirl in 2 tbsp. butter. Simmer another minute until slightly thickened. Pour sauce over shrimp and fish. Delicious served with green beans and baked potato.
High Tide 12 min Low Tide 20 min
High Tide 2 min Low Tide 0 min
JANUARY 2018
Lynn Crutchfield, Co-Publisher Coastal Angler Magazine of North Central Florida COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
12/14/17 12:44 PM
FLORIDA WATERWAYS
The Aucilla River Is One of North Florida’s Gems
O
ne of Florida’s relatively unknown dark-brown rivers is the Aucilla, which begins in southern Georgia, and makes its way down to the Gulf of Mexico at Apalachee Bay. The 89-mile-long waterway forms the boundary between Jefferson and Madison counties in the north, and also touches Taylor County in the south. The Aucilla has much to appeal to different kinds of people. For example, archaeologists By Kevin McCarthy have discovered mastodon bones from thousands of years ago, as well as artifacts from early human beings from 10,000 years ago. Geologists have marveled at the fact that part of the lower river disappears underground, before reappearing further downstream. And kayakers may be surprised to know that the river actually has some rapids. Near the mouth of the river, one can experience tidal fluctuations from the Gulf, changes that extend about four miles up from the river mouth. Historians point out that the river served as the boundary between various groups of Native Americans, like the Apalachee and the Yustaga, and also that Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto may have crossed it in 1539. The river was also the site of a Spanish mission, San Miguel. Those traveling by canoe can take advantage of the 19-mile-long Aucilla River Canoe Trail, and fishermen can catch bream, catfish, and largemouth bass in its waters. Those out for a day of boating can marvel at the high limestone banks in the middle part of the river. The river was memorialized in the naming of the USS Aucilla (AO-56), a Cimarronclass fleet oiler used in World War II to deliver fuel and water to ships in battle. She
returned home after the war, having won five battle stars. Her hull was laid down in May 1943, launched six months later, decommissioned in 1970, struck from the list of ships in 1976, and scrapped in 1992. The picture here shows the ship at sea. All in all, the Aucilla is one of the many watery gems in North Florida. Its waters are dark brown from the trees along the way, but it has to be one of the most peaceful, undisturbed rivers in the whole state. If you’re in the vicinity of this remarkable river in the next few months, why not try it out with a fishing pole or kayak, or your favorite boat. And keep your eyes on the look-out for more mastodon bones. It’s amazing to think that those massive animals, and even mammoths from the Pleistocene Age, used to roam and eat along the river. Kevin McCarthy, the author of “North Florida Waterways” (available at amazon.com), can be reached at ceyhankevin@gmail.com.
The Aucilla River at the
US 19 and 27 bridge
Pleistocene mastodons
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The Aucilla River begins
in Georgia
The Aucilla River seen from US 98 bridge
USS Aucilla
Pleistocene mammoth
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CRYSTAL RIVER Winter Highs and Lows
J
anuary is typically the start of Florida’s grand two-month winter, and this means that our warm water fish will be searching for ways to stay warm through it. Thankfully, the Nature Coast is blessed with hundreds of freshwater springs that pump 72 degree water to help give our fish a place to stay warm in the winter. The main targets this time of year will be speckled trout, redfish, and sheephead. Our weather can be very unpredictable in the winter time ranging from flat calm and 70 degrees, to 20 mph North winds and 40 degree air temps, so proper planning will help you stay in the game this time of year. Speckled Trout and Redfish The trout can be found this time of year in a multitude of locations, from the deeper flats and offshore holes, to the ledges and rock piles located in both the Crystal and Homosassa Rivers. Live shrimp and soft plastic jig tails will be the best options, as the trout will be hanging near the bottom, trying their best to stay warm. I rig both the shrimp and plastic baits the exact same way with an 1/8 ounce chartreuse or red jig head, connected to two feet of 30lb fluorocarbon leader. The Unfair lures, Smack Tail and Paddletail are solid options in any situation for bouncing the bottom and once the fish are located, you can take the jig tail off and thread on a
shrimp to help fire up the bite even more. When it comes to the river, the trout will be out along the river ledges and the outer edges of the major rock piles, while the redfish and sheepshead will be directly up on the rocks in the shallower water. The outgoing tide is always best in the winter as the warm spring water is dumping out and that warm water is key to a hot bite. Sheepshead When it comes to these striped bandits, there is only one way to go when it comes to bait and tackle. Live or fresh dead crustaceans with shrimp and fiddler crabs are the very best options available. I prefer to fish a knocker rig where the egg sinker rests directly on the eye of the hook, sliding freely up and down the leader. This way you can allow the sinker to rest on the bottom, and the fish can take the bait without having to feel the weight and get spooked. A 1/0-3/0 hook will be the best size to get you in the game as these fish are known for having a very small mouth and a light bite. These fish will be found on both the rock piles in the river and on the offshore rocks as well, once the spawn gets heated up towards the end of the month. When in doubt with sheepshead, always fish around rocks, ledges or oysters. Capt. Clay Shidler ClayShidler@Yahoo.com
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ny water a d n u o f We haven’toat can’t fish this b
YOUNG BOATS 131 US Highway 19 N, Inglis Fla 34449 www.YOUNGBOATS.com • 352-447-1330 SALES@YOUNGBOATS.COM FACEBOOK.COM/YOUNGBOATS JANUARY 2018
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STEINHATCHEE
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6 NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA/NATURE COAST
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I
n the past, before gag grouper had a closed winter season, trolling was so successful that I wouldn’t bother taking bait. Deep diving plugs, hung on the inside of fivegallon buckets were all that was necessary during a Blue Bird winter day. However, that is no longer an option. Why? I haven’t heard a sound answer myself. Nonetheless, there is a tasty alternative. Black seabass and Florida snapper bite so well, I call it Yo-Yo fishing. All one has to do is find a area of hard bottom, drop a squid strip, count to three and reel up a fine fish fry. If you run out of squid, you’ve got cut bait to switch to. Light tackle, such as trout gear, making the fishing that much more fun! Inshore cold-water temperatures will encourage trout and redfish to stack up around, and in the estuary creeks and rivers seeking warmth. When the fish are driven in, the tried and true jigs and Mirror Lures can produce fish on every cast. If you don’t know where the fish are, simply look for clusters of boats. Please be polite and respectful. Another winter option, is to fish bits of shrimp on the bottom of
deep holes in the river. Whiting and croaker aren’t big pole benders, but make for a delicious fish fry and a fun day on the water. Anyway, don’t let grouper closures and cold weather keep your boat idle. There are always fish biting in Steinhatchee, even in the winter. Brian Smith | BIG BEND CHARTERS www.BigBendCharters.com CaptBrian@bellsouth.net 877.852.3474 | 352.210.3050
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FISHING THE NATURE COAST FLATS
H
ey everyone, to start with, I hope everyone had great Christmas and New Year. I can tell you my family absolutely loves this time of year, and now that my 2-year old has his first fishing pole, I have a feeling a lot more days-off will be spent on the water. So down to business; being in the heart of Florida's winter, many people are asking if it's even worth going out and fishing the flats. The answer is yes! To start with, the flounder bite has been absolutely amazing along with a strong and steady trout bite, and the reds are still out there, but the bites aren't as consistent as they were last month. The flounder bite for me has been best the last couple hours of incoming tide, and the first couple hours of outgoing tide. Try fishing around oyster beds and spotty flat bottoms. I've been using a simple bottom rig; just a fluorocarbon leader with a 1/8 jig head and live shrimp. Gulp has also been a go-to for my clients and myself. Just use a slow jig along the bottom to cover as much water as possible. Now the trout have been found during low tide on some of the flats around the keys that still hold 2 to 4 feet of water. Forget the power poles and anchors, and just cut the motor and either create some drift paths, or use a trolling motor to find what depth they are hanging around. I've been using the old faithful popping cork with a fluorocarbon leader and 1/8 jig. Live shrimp and Gulp have been the key to success lately, but him sure plenty of other artificial bait will work as well. If you're searching for gator trout, I've had a lot of luck up closer to the keys and around creek mouths. They seem to hang around the same environment where the slot reds have been found. Now if you really wanna have fun with those gator trout, throw some action lures like top-
water and hard jerk-baits. That seems to be really enticing them to bite. If you're like a lot of people that struggle with the winter red bite, here's what I've been doing. I've had the best luck still finding reds around mouths of creeks, and up close to the keys during incoming tide. My bait of choice here lately has been top-water spooks and shallow running crank baits. It being January, make sure to head out to seahorse reef. The spawning sheepshead are currently coming in and man they are fun to catch. Make sure to use a very sharp hook and one that's not too thin. Fiddler crab has always been the go-to bait for them, but also chunks of blue crabs and shrimp will catch them as well. Well everyone, I hope this information helped y'all out. Stay warm and stay safe out there. Hope to see you on the water.
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Dixie Salvage
Capt. Jason Clark In The Slot Fishing | 352-639-3209 Capt.jasonclark@gmail.com
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BAIT & TACKLE IN NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA THE MARINA IN HORSESHOE BEACH 362 3rd Street Horseshoe Beach, FL 32648 352-498-5405 www.TheMarinainHorseshoeBeach.com MCDUFFIE MARINE 1866 West US 90 Lake City, FL 32055 386.752.2500 www.mcduffiemarine.com OCKLAWAHA BAIT & TACKLE 13600 East CR 25 Ocklawaha, FL 32179 352-816-5853
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DW&D BAIT HOUSE 12831 Whiddon Ave Cedar Key, FL 352-543-6109 352-222-9383
JANUARY 2018
CEDAR KEY PADDLING 12293 SR 24 Cedar Key, FL 32625 352-665-1276 Dan_Gator@Yahoo.com ALACHUA FARM AND LUMBER 114101 NW 145th Ave. Alachua, FL 32616 386-462-3003 www.AlachuaFarmandLumber.com
YOUR BAIT & TACKLE SHOP HERE Call Lynn at 352-372-4237
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SUWANNEE RIVER/CEDAR KEY
H
appy New Year folks, I surely hope that 2017 was a great year for y’all and a very fishy one. It was one of the best years Saltwater Assassin Fishing Charters has ever had. We want to thank each and every one of y’all that choose us to help make your memories.
420 Dock Street Cedar Key, FL 32625 352-543-5142 steamerscedarkey.com info@steamerscedarkey.com Like us on Facebook! We will cook your catch. We serve fresh local Cedar Key oysters and clams. Try our delicious Gator. We get it directly from the Gator Man himself.
Happy Hour Monday-Friday 3pm-7pm 2-4-1 Wells 1/2 Price Wine $2.50 Bud Light, Miller Lite, Yuengling
Now to the important stuff, the fish! The trout bite is pretty decent in the creeks that have good water. Low incoming tide seems to be best for us. We don’t use the B52 corks usually in the creeks, but we still love the Saltwater Assassin Sea Shad
tail. We rig it on either a 1/4oz Jim’s jig head or 3/8oz Saltwater Assassin head. The GreenMoon and Stinky Pink colors seem to work really well for us. The key is to let the jig sink to the bottom and then use a slow steady retrieve. Just keep it off the bottom and wait for the TICK! When you feel the tick, then lay the wood to him, cause that was a hit. The redfish bite is also pretty decent in the creeks. They seem to be biting best on the incoming tide as well. Live shrimp seem to work best for them this time of year. If the creek is deep, we fish it on the bottom, and if it’s not too deep we may use a cork. This time of the year, you need to be extra careful not to get yourself stuck. The tide will get extra low and the bottom will sneak up you. Well folks, like I always say, get outside and enjoy what God has made for us! Capt.Jimbo Keith FishCedarKey.com Saltwater Assassin Fishing Charters 352-535-5083
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READERS WOULD HAVE SEEN YOUR AD. Contact Lynn Crutchfield | 352-372-4237 crutch@coastalanglerncf.com for more information 10 NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA/NATURE COAST
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CEDAR KEY PADDLING
H
appy New Year to you my friends! I hope you are as excited about this year's fishing seasons as we are here at Cedar Key Paddling. Let's get started, why don't we? Let's talk about sheephead and what you need to succeed at catching these fun, delicious, funny mouthed beauties. To do this right, you need a great location with barnacled up pylons with at least a 6-foot water death. There are locations that are definitely better than others, in and around Cedar Key, so don't hesitate to swing into the shop for directions. If you want to slay them and fill your freezer with a 15-limitper-angler, and of course make sure they are at least 12 inches, you need to consider the following: 1. Get a sizable cooler, and fill
it with legal oysters in the shell. 2. Wear high-water boots and gloves, cause those bad boys are sharp! 3. Dump a bag of ice into your cooler, to keep the oysters fresh while you get the rest of your stuff. 4. You want a sensitive tipped rod, because of the ridiculously sod bite these guys and gals have, and a 10 to 15lb test of your favorite line. Use a lead that works well with the amount of current you will have. You don't want the line flopping all over. Then, a swivel to stop the lead and about 18 inches of fluorocarbon, with a 1/0 2/0 hook tide on. 5. Bait fiddler crabs are good, but oysters are better, if you can keep them on your hook. 6. You have your equipment, and now take a big hammer and smash up those oysters. You are going to dump them right into your fishing spot as chum. Lower your line till it hits the bottom where the chum is, and raise it just above, and good luck! Don't forget to always find a way to take a kid fishing, and please do not hesitate to swing in our shop if we can help we will. Capt. Daniel | Cedar Key Paddling 352-665-1276 Dan_Gator@yahoo.com
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SIGNS BANNERS Copies Fax
Forms Letterhead We also offer apparel and promotional items. Envelopes Business Cards Brochures Newsletters & More Invitations Located in Chiefland Shopping Center Wedding & Graduation 208 N Main Street, Chiefland, FL 32626
(352) 493-0878 Fax (352) 493-0879
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JANUARY 2018
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INGLIS/YANKEETOWN
River Coast Realty, Inc 352-302-3114 • Fax 352-447-0001 84 Highway 40 West Inglis, Florida sunnyp45@bellsouth.net www.Yankeetownwaterfront.com 2 plus lots on a fresh water canal with sail boat access to Gulf. Owners have taken a sweet old house and renovated it into a great home on the water. New everything, from plumbing to lighting, new dock, 2-car carport, all new fixtures, fans, and paint. A must see, perfect for a weekend retreat, with the upstairs bedroom and bath for privacy and the brand-new kitchen for frying those fish.
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I
hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. January is one of the best times to be on the water. Not only do you get to try out all the new fishing gear you got for Christmas, but the fish are packed in tight and should be very easy to spot. This time of year brings clear water and low tides that will force the fish into pockets and make locating them much easier.
The redfish will look for darker bottom or rock, anything that will hold a little more heat than the surrounding area. It might only be a degree or two, but it will make a big difference. I really like the puzzle this time of year as well. I have had days where the fish wanted a fastmoving bait, and days where you had to crawl a bait on the bottom to get a bite. If I could only choose one bait for January, it would be the Paul Brown Devil in chartreuse glow. This is a redfish and trout killer. The slow suspended walkthe-dog action has always produced big numbers for me. Most of your strikes on this bait will come on the pause. If the fish are not reacting very well to the Paul Brown, switch over to a mirrolure mirrodine. It is a smaller profile bait and you can vary your retrieve speed to get the fish to strike. I would also keep a few shrimp in the boat with me this time of year. I always see good numbers of sheephead when I am bouncing from creek to creek. A free-lined shrimp will get some of these excellent table fare a ride home in your live well. If you are new to the area, you will definitely need to pay attention to the tides. This time of year with the low water situation, you can get stuck very easy, and you do not want to have to get out and push your boat in 50 degree water. Until next month, have fun, be safe and take your kids fishing. Capt. Craig Spitznogle Florida Flats Charter Company (352)445-4978
12 NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA/NATURE COAST
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HOMOSASSA
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H
ello Nature Coast Anglers, and I want to personally wish you all a Happy New Year and many great upcoming days on the water. As you all know, it’s the winter time and between the weather and the conditions, fishing can be a bit challenging. There is still some great fishing to be had and many opportunities are just a close ride from the boat ramp. Our area is very unique, as opposed to other parts of the state; having several fresh water springs feeding our rivers leading to the gulf, is a “reel” treat. If the conditions don’t allow you venture on the outside, the rivers can save a day on the water. The warm flowing spring water is a constant 72 degrees, and when the gulf water temperature drops in the low 60’s and cooler, many inshore species will run towards the warm head waters looking for comfort. Trout, red fish, black drum, sheepshead, mangrove snapper, snook, lady fish and jacks will venture all the way in to the csfresh water, and many of these species can be caught in one day. Target the various rocky points, boat docks and any sharp drop off in the river for a mixed-days catch. In between cold fronts, and on days when it’s favorable to run offshore, it’s time to tackle some sheepshead. Sheepshead are hard fighters, excellent table fare, and during these winter months, are my number one choice for dependable action. Rock piles, ledges, wrecks and basically any type of structure that gag grouper prefer, the sheepshead will be there too. Live shrimp or small
pieces of shrimp on a knocker rig is all that’s needed for success, but be prepared to lose a few, the hook-set timing takes a bit of practice. Keep in mind they are spawning, so take a couple home for a meal or two and release the others to keep our future stock strong. Red fish will not only be in the rivers, but also deep in the back country. I really enjoy this time of year sight- fishing them and a shallow draft skiff is a must. When the tide drops out, especially after a hard NE cold front, poling the flats can be exciting. The water is going to be low, but exceptionally clear, and you can learn so much about the vast bottom terrain. Look for red fish to be in small depressions and on the leeward side of an island. A properly presented free-lined live shrimp or MirrOlure lil’ John rigged weed-less, will work fantastic. Depending on the water temperature, and number cold fronts, the trout action can be fantastic on the near-shore oyster bars and rock flats on the incoming tide. The hard bottom holds heat, and as the tide rises, the trout will move in from the deeper adjacent drop-offs and basically soak up the heat. This is where a slow suspending plug like a MirrOlure MirrODine or glow DOA cal jerk bait will really produce. A slow subtle twitch is the retrieve, and on many occasions, these fish can be sight fished as well. Good Fishing!
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352-628-7639
2560 S. Suncoast Blvd. Homosassa, FL 34448
JANUARY 2018
NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA/NATURE COAST 15
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STA-SEA’S NATURE COAST ADVENTURES
KEATON BEACH
Dan Crowe of Bogart, Ga., with a 6.4lb Spanish, 11/17/17.
N
A
lot of people are asking what gear I use for inshore fishing. I am by no means going to be technical, because for me it’s what I am comfortable using, and with what I have had the most success. My personal favorite is light tackle, and by light tackle I mean, 12lb braided line, with a 20lb fluorocarbon leader, tied with a uni-to-uni knot. I do not like steel leaders at all. I like for the line to look like one piece. Make the knot clean and tight. I like a med-light action rod. These rods stiffen up quickly, which allows for a faster hookset. A 1/8 to 1/2oz jig head and a soft plastic or live shrimp is my favorite set-up. I find this set-up to be the best for trout, because you need a quick hookset with them. Trout can shake a hook better than any fish I’ve seen. Its infuriating until you figure them out. You have to experiment and use what’s right for your style of fishing. What you love, and what works for you, may not work for someone else. I have seen some crazy set-ups but I’ve also seen those crazy set-ups catch fish. Lure choice is as important as your rod choice, but
how you present those lures is by far the most important, at least in my personal experience. “How do you present a lure?” you ask. Also, personal choice, but work the lure 10 different ways, and when you start getting consistent strikes - stick with that technique. Some people may crack up laughing at the way I contortion myself while working certain lures, but I get the job done. I may have one eye closed and lean my body to the left, while squatting on one knee, but hey, it’s not about looking professional, it’s about catching fish. Use what you are comfortable with and practice, practice, practice. If you have a swimming pool, or maybe your friend has one, go toss a lure and work it and see how it looks swimming. Think to yourself, "If I were a fish, would I eat that?" I say that to myself every single time I fish! "Woooo! If I were a fish, I'd tear that thing up!" Be passionate about your bait! Think like a fish!
ow that we have passed the Brrrrr months, "Octobrr, Novembrr, and Decembrr", we find January staring us in the face, as if to say, what about the "airy" months, "Januairy & Februairy”? If current weather trends hold, it will be cold and windy as today, (December 9th), the air temp is going to 29 degrees tonight, for a low of the year, and the water temps have crashed into the mid-fifties already. The W-I-N-D is supposed to match today's 20K again tomorrow. Yikes! If water temps come back to low sixties - upper fifties, expect an abbreviated "bite" of an hour, maybe two, near the creek outflows during the first part of the outgoing tides in the mid-afternoons. Otherwise, the creek creatures will catch some trout sitting around, waiting for the shortened "bite”, not my cup of tea, anchored - ducks in a barrel - a circus of boats coming and going running all over your set-up - and all that, you see. It is now the time of year for the soft suspending baits from L & S ( MirrOlure) the Paul Brown series, including the "Devil" the Original,
Charter Fishing with Captain Stacy 352-553-3604 Freeinajeep@yahoo.com Nick took another nice trout on a Facebook: CaptainStacy Horak Bite-A-Bait fighter, also on 12/1. 16 NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA/NATURE COAST
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Nick McCulloch of Atlanta, Ga. with a trout which took a "Copper Juice" Assassin 5”, under an Original Cajun Thunder, 12/1/17. Fat Boy, and now the Soft-Dine and Soft-Dine XL. I have my favorites in all of them, but I don't go without the Soft-Dine in 09, 49 & 91 or the Devil in 09,11 & 96. Fish with line sensitive enough to feel the taps, or light strikes in the colder water. I use TrikFish copolymer "X-rated" line in 12-pound test for the smaller diameter, abrasion resistance, and the low stretch feature the X-rated products provides me. Reds will show up on the flats occasionally in January after several days of a warming trend; but expect most to stay back in the creeks. Intruder spoons, Thunder-Spins and Sleighs will take their share of reds when the bite is on. Stay Warm. Meanwhile give me a ring or e-mail and Let's Go Fishing! Pat McGriff dba One More Cast guide service for 28 years! www.onemorecast.net 850.838.7541
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TALES FROM THE TUPPERWARE NAVY
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Y
es forest fishers, we've made it to 2018, and it's time for some good ole' fashioned winter fishing. I love this time of year, because as long as you focus on catching specks, you're sure to catch a few of the other species as a bi-catch. From what I've seen so far, the speck population is healthy and thriving. In the past years, it seems like every winter I see anglers with coolers full of fish, and I haven't been able to catch more than just a few here and there. Well, this year, I think I've finally figured them out. Everyone knows to slow down and fish small jigs and live minnows when it's cold. Well that's true, but the SECRET is: You have to add a very subtle bumping action to get them to bite. What I was doing wrong before was moving my bait around a little too much. As soon as I tried keeping it just above the bottom and BARELY bumping my rod tip, I started getting way more bites. Winter makes these fish very lethargic and they don't move around much, or chase after anything. You have to keep your bait right in front of their face until they decide to take a nibble. Sometimes you won't even feel the bite. You will just notice a little extra weight as you lift your rod. When that happens, set the hook and reel up fast. Never lose tension, and have that net ready. A lot of times, they are barely hooked and you need to get them to the boat as quickly as possible. Once you've caught one, make sure to stay in that spot for a while. Specks school up, and all the other gamefish stay right there with them. Eight to ten feet is the best depth to start on. If you don't have a fish finder, just drop your line to the bottom and lift up to measure the depth. Underwater ledges are key, because fish can go from deep to shallow in a short distance.
W
When you're trolling, you have to hook your minnow or jig-tail in the lip so it swims straight. However, the BIGGEST TIP I figured out is: When you are vertical jigging, hook your bait in the middle of it's back. That way when you bump your rod, the bait will act like it's wounded and has a broken back—easy pickens! Lake Bryant and the Ocklawaha River are the best spots for boaters, while the dams at Rodman and Moss Bluff are the go-tos for shoreside anglers. Either way, the more rods you have out, the better chance of success you will have. The moon has a huge effect on the success of your day. Three to four days before the full moon (Jan.2 and Jan.31st) is the best time for a great sunset bite. Also, there is a major feed everyday, and that is when the moon is directly overhead (no matter what time of day it is). This is the most beautiful time of year to go fishing. The colors of the leaves are spectacular and when the sun is setting, everything shines like gold. Enjoy it while it lasts, and remember to have patience. Slow and steady wins the race! John Freeze | 352-216-5798 Swampsurf@embarqmail.com
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elcome back yak fans - another year, another Christmas and another birthday! As the old saying goes, “If I’d known I was going to live this long, I would’ve taken better care of myself.” The generation of "don’t trust anybody over 30", and "hope I die before I get old", and "my generation" is meeting AARP! What’s up with that? But hey, we had the ‘60s and if it weren’t for us, there would be no classic rock. So now that I’ve reflected on the past years, let’s reflect on this last year; 2017 gave us some scary weather and some other weirdness. At least we came through it all, to a new year, and hopefully, a resolution to fish often, enjoy life more, stay close to those who count, and read my column every month (LOL). On to fishing: As the days get colder, great fishing is offered for the intrepid among us. The out-flow at the power plant on the Anclote is a great spot in the winter months, either from the pier, or in your kayak along the barrels. You will find cobia, pompano, reds and of course, lady fish, jacks and other species, stacking up in there when the plant is running. Please be aware, this plant is an ondemand plant, and it doesn’t run all the time. Soft plastics, shrimp, pompano, jigs and cut-bait, work well. Also, it is a good place to work a spoon, if it’s not too crowded Ozello reports a good trout bite, but the reds are scattered. I wish I knew where the schools are running. Maybe I'll find them this weekend I need my monthly Ozello fix. In the local news, one of my favorite species, the sheepshead, seem to be up and down the coast right now, with some spotted as big as ten pounds. I was able to bring in four my last trip, and
they are some of the best eating you will ever find! For the shore guys, another place that’s on fire right now is Jenkins Creek Pier in Hernando County. Friends of mine caught reds and trout there the other day using an electric chicken fluke tail jig. Jenkins Creek Pier is a good winter spot, due to the spring directly behind it in Linda Pedersen Park. In your areas, any spring-fed creek should be holding fish, looking for warmer winter temps. Locally, the black drum are moving in, usually on the incoming tide. The drum are usually only going to hit a shrimp. I’ve found that pinching the head on the shrimp works best to get the scent out. On an interesting note, the best way I’ve found to carry live bait, (i.e. shrimp) on the kayak, is with a soft pack cooler. What you do is put a brick of blue ice in the bottom, then make a nest for the shrimp with newspaper. Moisten the paper (in salt water) and put your shrimp in dry. In other words, don’t add any more water than the wet newspaper. This technique will keep the shrimp alive and kicking for over 24 hours. The last time I went out, I picked up some bait at 6 a.m. Saturday, and forgot about them. Then at around 6 p.m. Sunday, I went to the car, opened the cooler and six shrimp jumped out at me. This system works! The other nice thing, is there is no bait bucket bubbler or O2 to deal with, and it’s compact. Give it a try and let me know. I'd like to mention that this year, is my ninth New Year with The Coastal Angler, and their success is all because of you, our readers and advertisers, Thanks. Al right, I’m going to wrap it up for this month, so here’s wishing you all a Happy New Year. Tight Lines.. Bruce Butler | "Stumbling Gypsy" (352) 428-5347 Bruce@IndianBayOutfitters.com Web: www.IndianBayOutfitters.com
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NORTH CENTRAL FL
SURF & PIER
T
he New Year finds our lakes in very nice shape, both level and vegetation-wise. At least, that’s the assessment of a fisherman who has enjoyed and closely watched them for half a century. Lots of other folks enjoy the North Central Florida lakes, and they might have a different view. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission calls everyone with interest in the lakes a “stakeholder”. Every one of the stakeholders seems to have a bit of a different take regarding how the lakes are, and how they should be. Once, our lakes were managed as fisheries. Now, jet skiers, kayakers, water skiers, bird watchers, and advocates for the invertebrates that live on the Orange Lake tussocks have equal say in their management. At any rate, Orange, Lochloosa, Santa Fe, Newnan’s, Rodman, and a multitude of other, smaller ponds are presently beautiful in the eyes of fish-catching fishers - and they should be prime for productive winter and spring seasons. In 2017’s post-hurricane months, the newlyfilled waters unexpectedly put out better catches of speckled perch than of bass. Oh, the creeks and run-ins draining the surrounding woods flowed hard for weeks after Irma scaled the state, and they certainly did concentrate the bass and produce lots of great bass catches. But, when the water ceased to flow, the bass action really toughened up. On the other hand, a remarkable crappie bite on all our lakes has not let up. Fishers employing just about every speck-catching technique have filled 25-fish limits. Most have found
their fish drifting or rolling the open-water depths with minnows or crappie jigs. But casting little jigs and spinners with ultralight tackle works, too. And the canepole-withminnows-in-the-pads bunch has hauled out plenty of slabs. The primary speck and bass spawns should get started this month or next, and we’re anxious to see how good the crappie fishing might be in the lily pads of Lochloosa and Orange Lakes….and under the Newnan’s Lake cypresses…when the big ones congregate around the shoreline cover. Even more, though, I’m looking to see how bassers fare with the local large mouths that have evaded them successfully for months.
T
his month, is all about water temperature! Your success on the beach or the pier, is all about the magic numbers of 65 and 60. Below 65, the pompano are gone for warmer waters. After 60 degrees, even the whiting will be gone. My favorite website to look for water temperatures is marine.rutgers. edu/cool/sat_data. The color chart is my go-to. During this month and in February, I almost always hit I-95 south, for warmer waters. I simply find the 70-degree water on the chart, and go to that spot. The fishing I find is the same that we have here in April. I look at it this way, why fish in cold water, just hoping for a wiggle of the rod tip, when I can drive 1.5 to 3 hours for it to be, FISH ON! Gary Simpson | Gary’s Tackle Box Do not forget your sand flea 352-372-1791 | Garystacklebox.com rake. Once you get back to warmer garystacklebox@gmail.com waters, you’ll also find sand fleas
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The picture is from the beach near Sebastian Inlet in February. We caught 23 big redfish in two days. It was well worth the drive.
JANUARY 2018
again. Most of the bait stores from Cocoa southward, will also sell fleas by the cup. Live or fresh dead shrimp will also produce a lot of different species in the surf. Blue crab chunks often bring upper-slot redfish from these warmer waters. Somewhere between New Smyrna and Ft Pierce, you will be able to find the right water temp. I have already booked a hotel in Vero Beach during February. Mother Nature may be fickle, but I can count on her thermostat being on 70 degrees near Vero Beach next month. I’m so looking forward to the warm water returning in March. Until then, my fellow anglers, head south!
To set up your own surf fishing adventure or long distance casting lesson please visit www.thesurfangler.com or call Noel at 904-945-0660
NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA/NATURE COAST 19
12/14/17 12:44 PM
OCKLAWAHA/BELLEVIEW UMATILA/WEIRSDALE)
MELROSE
CHIEFLAND Drummond Bank BubbaQue’s The Deer Camp The Print Shop 208 N. Main The Gathering Table New Day Wellness NAPA 1523 N Young Blvd (US 19-98) Shep’s Welding Beachamp Saw Shop Suwannee River Kubota Val’s Complete Auto 15 NW 1st Ave Wayne Fryer M/H
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Lake Area Watersports 829 N SR 21 Williamson’s Grocery Melrose Cafe
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GTO Airboats Tex Trail Jerry’s Pawn & Gun Miller Boating Center RideNow Power Sports Southern Blade Fat Daddy’s Bait Wiggler’s Bait Bi Lo Dick’s Sporting Goods Flint Creek Outfitters Battery Source Toomey’s Tools Drummond Bank Cracker House BBQ Barracuda Boat/RV Storage 4707 NW 44 Ave
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Backyard BarBQ Picketts Weaponry Newberry Feed & Seed Ace Hardware NAPA 25235 W Newberry Rd (SR 26) Hitchcocks Pawn Shop
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Bluewater Bait & Tackle Homosassa Marine Dan’s Clam Stand 7364 W Grover Cleve. Loves Motorsports Seagrass Resort Mike’s Trailers 2560 S US 19/98 LTD Motors
HIGH SPRINGS The Diner LTD Motors Alice’s Parkside Rest. Bennett’s True Value ACE Hardware
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WILLISTON NAPA 412 E Noble (US 27) Grocery Depot Bubbaque’s Drummond Bank
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CEDAR KEY Cedar Key Marina II 12780 SR 24 Cedar Key Marina Dock Island Hotel DW&D Bait & Tackle 12831 Whiddon Ave. Drummond Bank Annie’s Café CK Paddling Steamers 420 Dock St. Chamber of Commerce The Market CK General Store Robinson’s Carlins Restaurant 83 West
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Ace Hardware (Weirsdale) Still Water Marine (Belleview) Gator Joe’s Rest. (Ocklawaha) Alfie’s Restaurant (Ocklawaha) Oklawaha Bait & Tackle (Ocklawaha) Lake Weir Marine (Belleview)
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Who Dat? Casey’s Cove Young Boats (Inglis) edi Performance AirMBoat River Coast Realty NAPA (Inglis) MICANOPY 24 US 19/98 N Drummond Bank Pearl Country Store Capt Cove Outfitters Reddick Bros. Hardware 39 W SR 40 Shrimp Landing Blackwater Grill & Bar Compass Homes and Land 1 63rd Street RIVER COAST REALTY 84 Hwy West Black Water Grill & Bar 6624 Riverside Drive
a Kit
CRYSTAL RIVER Drummond Bank Moore Bait & Tackle Twin Rivers Marina Plantation Inn 9301 W Ft Landing Trail West Marine Coldwell Banker 6212 W Corporate Oaks Dr Pete’s Pier Rural King Dan’s Clam Stand 2315 N Sunshine Path AAA Marine Good Times Restaurant The Crab Plant American Pro Dive Seafood Seller Citrus County C of C 915 N Suncoast Blvd
If you have a suggestion for a distribution location for COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE, please let us know. We can be reached at 352-372-4237 or Crutch@CoastalAnglerMagazine.com. You can view all forty-plus magazines in the US, including the Bahamas, Costa Rica and Puerto Rico/Virgin Islands, at www.CoastalAnglerMagazine.com. 20 NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA/NATURE COAST
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By Capt. Randy Cnota
R
ecently, I was enjoying a quiet morning on the boat, all by myself, catching several fish in a remote place on the lower end of the Apalachicola River system. The bass were chomping on my topwater jerkbait like they’d never seen one before, and I got complacent while de-hooking one. The fish made a sudden, violent shake and suddenly I had two hooks in my hand with a flopping fish on the jerkbait’s third hook. This is one of the many hazards anglers should be prepared for when they occur; and hazards WILL occur, it’s just a matter of time. Being an old experienced salt, the removal of those hooks from my hand was not that big of a deal; it just took some time because I was alone and had only one hand to use. Had that happened to an angler who’s never had a hook in his hand, it might have been a different story. Imagine this happening to your child, an elderly person or a loved one… would you know what to do? Obvious hazards like foul weather, high winds and extreme cold are easy to negotiate as a recreational angler; you just don’t go that day! It’s the calm, pleasant, inviting days when you least expect some hazardous event to take place that they seem to occur. My intent is to inspire you to prepare for the unexpected as best you can. There are way too many hazardous scenarios that could play out in a day of fishing, so the following is just an overview of a strategy. People getting hooked, cut or falling in or out of a boat are likely the most common hazards anglers experience. Make sure everyone on board knows exactly where lifejackets and throw cushions are located and how and why to use them. Lifejackets are obvious, but some might not realize the importance of the throw
cushion. When someone falls overboard, it’s imperative that someone keeps their eyes on him to maintain his location and get a cushion tossed to him immediately! You’d be surprised how quickly this scenario can turn bad, so make sure all aboard know the drill. A basic first-aid kit on board is a good start for tending to cuts, sprains and burns, but be sure to take the next step and keep a few extra items like duct tape, rescue tape, zip ties, super glue etc. Also, make sure you know how to remove hooks and be able to determine if a hooked situation is something that can be treated on the water or if a trip to the ER is required. As a licensed captain and retired military, I’ve had plenty of training with first aid, CPR and other emergency matters, but many folks on the water have not. If you captain a vessel, be sure to get this kind of training. You owe it to the people who rely on you out there. Capt. Randy “C-note” Cnota is co-publisher of the Panama City/ Forgotten Coast edition of Coastal Angler Magazine.
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inter is a very important time for the southern California saltwater fly fisherman. This time of year means transition, and with this transition comes the seasonal migration of Pacific bonito to the nearshore waters off southern California. Although SoCal has a yearround population of bonito, many of the fish who take up residence here from early fall and through winter are the larger pelagic bonito that trek to our coast from southern waters. These fish can range in size between 5 to 15 pounds and are probably the hardest fighting fish readily available to fly fishermen off the southern
can be put in the path of the moving fish. The fly tackle best suited for bonito fishing includes 9-foot, 6- to 10-weight rods matched with a good directdrive saltwater fly reel with a minimum of 120 yards of 20to 30-lb. Dacron backing. In terms of fly lines, a shooting head with a built-in running line in weights of 175 to 350 grains will work best. Tippets should be 8 to 12 pounds, and abrasion-resistant fluorocarbon works wonders on leader-shy fish. As for flies, Clousers, Deceivers, Crazy Charlies and any anchovy pattern in sizes
California coast. These fish are found both inshore and offshore, however, most of the offshore bonito are in 30 fathoms (150 feet) or less. When fishing for openwater bonito, the angler’s best approach is to look for birds and schools working along current or temperature breaks. Once these areas are found, look for bonito chasing anchovies or sardines near the surface. Bonito can be very shy, so cutting the engine and sidling up on the fish is very important. Once the boat is in position, a 40- to 80-foot cast placed to the outside edge of the schooling fish is best. The angler should make sure the fish are moving either toward the skiff or in a crossing direction so the cast
8 through 2 will do the trick. Color is an important factor, so match the fly color to the color of the bait being taken. Green/ white and blue/white are great choices, however, chartreuse/ white is always a great attractor color. Fighting a bonito once it is hooked is an exciting and sometimes exhausting experience for the fly angler. Because the bonito is built like a mini rocket, it will make some amazing runs and will usually take line well into the angler’s backing. It’s worth a trip to southern California where fly anglers can take part in the famous bonito run.
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n their profession, surgeons require the most accurate and precise cutting tools. Professional taxidermists figured out long ago that a scalpel is the best tool for carefully cutting through all kinds of fish and animal hides. Now sportsmen can enjoy the same level of precision in knives designed to be taken into the field or out on the water. Havalon has revolutionized the market for sportsmen’s knives with surgical-edge technology redesigned for use by hunters and anglers. And they know their business. Havalon’s parent company, Havel, provided surgical cutlery to doctors and hospitals long before they brought them to the outdoors market. What Havalon dreamed up was a line of high quality folding and now fixed-blade knives that feature replaceable surgical-quality cutting edges. Whether gutting and skinning game or filleting fish, sportsmen can now enjoy the advantages of a scalpel edge in the field. And the easily replaceable blades not only ensure the knife will be scalpel sharp and ready for use without any sharpening, it opens up the opportunity for one knife to serve many purposes by switching out the style of the blade. Need a fine-bladed fillet knife that doubles as a limb saw and game-skinner, Havalon has you covered with products like the Havalon Hydra Kit, which includes 17 blades in seven different styles to fill all your needs with one tool. The latest innovation from Havalon, which every angler should have in the arsenal is the Havalon Talon. Set to hit the market this spring, the Talon is the first high-quality, surgically sharp, longest lasting replaceable fixed blade knife system. The Talon provides a firm, safe grip on heavier, stronger, larger sized
versions of the company’s already proven fillet blades, as well as a few new ones. It is the most versatile and sharpest “in-the-wild” quick-change cutlery set there is. A military-grade polymer handle has many functional features, from a Easy-Clean opening chamber to a super easy, strong and safe Quik-Change II Thumb Release Blade System. Within a water resistant roll-up pack, the Talon Fishing Pack includes the Talon handle, a serrated blade, two 5-inch fillet blades and a 7-inch fillet blade. A separately sold 9-inch fillet blade is also available. Professional captains, guides and outfitters have already discovered the benefits of using surgical-grade cutlery in the field and on the water, making Havalon a staple in the market for serious outdoorsmen. Which leaves the question: Why wouldn’t you want the most precise, accurate and versatile cutting tools in your pack or on the deck? Check out all the innovative tools Havalon has to offer at www.havalon.com.
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UNDER THE SEA 18
King of Sling – Art Pinder
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n the spearfishing community, there is one man everyone agrees deserves the title of “legend.” That is Art Pinder. Art was born in Miami in 1929, the fourth of five children. He looked up to his father and older brothers and wanted to follow in their footsteps. His father was an outdoorsman and worked his way up to captain of the Miami Beach lifeguards. Naturally, the children grew up around the water, and they learned to hunt at a very young age with homemade equipment. Their slings were different from modern spearguns, and consisted of a free-flying shaft inserted into a cylindrical wooden “shooter.” Similar to a slingshot, the shaft was powered by pulling a band back and letting go. This primitive form is making a comeback, and is the only allowable method of spearfishing in the Bahamas. The Pinder brothers dove and speared at a time when the ocean was considered mysterious and dangerous. The brothers dominated and won every tournament. Meanwhile, Art worked as a lifeguard and crewed for big-game fishermen such as Walter Clay, Bob Stewart and Tommy Gifford. He later served in the U.S. Coast Guard, stationed at the Carysfort Reef Lighthouse. In the water, Art accomplished feats that might never be duplicated. He slinged a 7-foot sailfish, a 135-pound cubera snapper and a 584-pound Goliath grouper. Outside of spearfishing, he was credited with saving many lives, including a challenging rescue of 23 people whose boat had capsized in rough waters. As Art became known for his spearfishing achievements, opportunities arose. He appeared in magazine and TV ads for liquor companies even though he didn’t drink. He graced the cover of Sports Illustrated in 1955 and was featured in a three-part series. His most uncomfortable assignment was modeling Jantzen bathing suits. They paid more in one day than he got in a whole month of lifeguarding, so he put up with the embarrassment. He did
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several shoots with Frank Gifford (NFL MVP), Bob Cousy (NBA MVP) and Ken Venturi (golfer). Art wondered why they picked him alongside these sports giants, though he did believe spearfishing combined the best of many sports. It required strength and coordination, involved body contact with 300-pound fish, had danger and excitement—all set against a backdrop of unimaginable beauty. In later life, Art became a pilot, a professional captain and a business owner, and he never stopped Above: Even later in spearfishing. I had life, Art Pinder could the honor of diving capture fish like a with him in his 20-year-old. Photo by sunset years, when Chad Carney. he could still capture Left: Art Pinder fish like a 20-yearappeared on the cover old. Art passed away of Sports Illustrated in 2014 at the age of in 1955. 84 and is survived by his loving wife, Alice. Rest in peace, Art. Sheri is a world-record holder, host of Speargun Hunter, and producer of “The Blue Wild Ocean Adventure Expo” in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Follow “Sheri Daye” and “The Blue Wild” on Facebook and Instagram.
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ome people don’t go fishing when it’s cold. That’s a huge mistake. Some of my most memorable days on the water have come this time of the year. If you outfit yourself properly, it will increase your winter fishing success astronomically. The Proper Gear First, dress properly. Layers are important, but don’t bulk up so much that it affects your mobility. I start with thermals, both the shirt and pants. My next layer is jeans and a thick hooded sweatshirt. I sometimes add a fleece jacket and then put on an outer-layer suit. You want a suit that blocks the wind and is waterproof. There are a lot of good Gore-Tex suits on the market. Headgear is also important. A fleece beanie and a neck gaiter make all the difference. A good pair of thick socks, boots and a pair of gloves, and you will be good to go. Last winter, a friend and I went fishing when it was 12 degrees. We caught 19 smallmouth. It was
cold, but we were dressed properly and had the lake to ourselves. Use Proper Equipment Fishing tackle needs to be finetuned for winter. First, I use Winn grips on all the rods I build. Most gloves have a sticky grip material on the palms. When that material meets the Winn material, it gives you unbelievable grip on your rod; it does the same for bare hands. Winn also has a new product called Winn Reel Sleeves. They are made of the same great grip material and slide over the handles of your reel. When it comes to finicky fish in the winter, you can’t afford for your hand to slip off the reel for a split second. I will have Reel Sleeves on every reel I own for the 2018 season. Check out all the Winn products and custom rod building materials at www.mudhole.com. Winter is a great time to learn how to build your own rods for 2018.
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FISH & FISHING 22
Words Of Wisdom MARK SOSIN
D
id you ever wonder how leading charter captains produce consistent catches on a daily basis in heavily fished waters. I asked a long-time friend of mine who chartered for years out of a center console, and I think you’ll find his answer of interest. By the way, his methods can be adapted to any segment of coastline and a wide variety of species. Success centers on three primary approaches. You must constantly cover the maximum amount of water with your baits. They must be fished in a totally natural manner. And, baits must be kept in the productive zone or proper depth as long as possible. One way of doing this is to fish two or three baits from a kite or two kites. By using small weights in a corner of each kite, you can keep them spread so that they do not tangle in the air. For the starboard kite, the weight goes in the upper right hand corner and just the opposite for the port kite. Assuming the seas are moderate, start by positioning upwind from the spot you want to fish. By working the engines between neutral and reverse, you can back into the wind when necessary to keep the boat at a predetermined depth. This allows the baits to hang directly below the kites and look natural. Currents will push the boat over new areas. While the kites are flying, this skipper streams a couple of flat lines 50 to 125 feet from the boat. Finally, he works two more lines, one at a depth of 50 feet and the second at a depth of 75 or 80 feet. Rougher seas dictate the use of sea anchors and they also make sense when maintaining a specific depth is not paramount. A single sea anchor tied off midships will keep the boat broadside to the wind or current. One off the bow and a second off the stern is an even better setup. At times, this captain will drag a frozen block of chum in a mesh bag in front of one or two of the baits. All this is a lot of work, but you are covering close to 100 yards of water from
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a depth of 100 feet to the surface, and this approach can produce strikes when many anglers go fishless. Weekenders often wonder why professional skippers succeed day after day, even with boats all around them. Some observers simply suggest that regulars know the spots. That’s partially true, but there is much more to the total package. It takes continuous effort to tend all those rods, monitor conditions, and handle the boat all at the same time. You can certainly get by with less, but in the tradeoff, you can expect fewer fish. Whether you decide to follow this method, modify this skipper’s approaches to your needs, or you decide you really don’t want to work that hard, you can’t overlook the obvious. Aggressive anglers catch more fish consistently, even when Lady Luck isn’t sitting on their shoulders.
For more about artifical lures with Mark Sosin, visit
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12 VOLT MAGNETIC TOWING LIGHT KIT
20% OFF
• 576 in. lbs. of torque • 2.5 amp hour battery • Weighs 3.6 lbs.
LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 5/1/18*
SUPER COUPON
Customer Rating
99
DEWALT
20 VOLT LITHIUM CORDLESS 1/2" COMPACT DRILL/DRIVER KIT
$39
MODEL: PCFP02003
LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 5/1/18*
BEATS
99
SAVE $ PORTER-CABLE 59% *52024805 * 52024805 $
COMPARE TO
*51989034 * 51989034
YOUR CHOICE
Customer Rating
MODEL: BRS9LED-B
LIMIT 1 - Cannot be used with other discount, coupon or prior purchase. Coupon good at our stores, HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Offer good while supplies last. Shipping & Handling charges may apply if not picked up in-store. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 5/1/18. Limit one FREE GIFT coupon per customer per day.
*52005090 * 52005090
26", 4 DRAWER TOOL CART
RAYOVAC
ITEM 69111 63599/62522/62573 63875/63884/63886 63888/69052 shown
2
$ 99
COMPARE TO
MODEL: 1125220
LIMIT 3 - Coupon valid through 5/1/18*
ANY PURCHASE
3-1/2" SUPER BRIGHT ALUMINUM FLASHLIGHT
ITEM 61840/61297/63476/61258 shown
*51990436 * 51990436
HUSKY
WITH
• Weighs 14.3 lbs. • 11-1/8" L x 4-1/2" H
NOW
COMPARE TO
COMPARE TO
SUPER COUPON
2500 LB. ELECTRIC WINCH WITH WIRELESS REMOTE CONTROL
• Weighs 73 lbs. Customer Rating $
FREE
M-REG130503_CoastalAnglerMagazine
SUPER COUPON
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At Harbor Freight Tools, the “Compare to” price means that the specified comparison, which is an item with the same or similar function, was advertised for sale at or above the “Compare to” price by another national retailer in the U.S. within the past 90 days. Prices advertised by others may vary by location. No other meaning of “Compare to” should be implied. For more information, go to HarborFreight.com or see store associate.
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SUZUKI MAKES IT EASY AS
1-2-3
1. Six Years of Protection at no extra charge on all new outboards 25 to 350 HP.
2. SEL
These are limited time offers. See your participating Suzuki Marine dealer for all the details or visit www.suzukimarine.com.
N SO S NG ARD AVI TBO T S I OU TANUZUK INSECT S
Instant Savings of up to $800 on select models. See your dealer for details.
3. Rates as low as 5.99% on new Suzuki outboards (OAC).*
REPOWER FINANCE
Gimme Six Extended Protection promo is applicable to new Suzuki Outboard Motors from 25 to 350 HP in inventory which are sold and delivered to buyer between 01/01/18 and 03/31/18 in accordance with the promotion by a Participating Authorized Suzuki Marine dealer in the continental US and Alaska to a purchasing customer who resides in the continental US or Alaska. Customer should expect to receive an acknowledgement letter and full copy of contract including terms, conditions and wallet card from Suzuki Extended Protection within 90 days of purchase. If an acknowledgement letter is not received in time period stated, contact Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. – Marine Marketing via email: marinepromo@suz.com. The Gimme Six Promotion is available for pleasure use only, and is not redeemable for cash. Instant Savings apply to qualifying purchases of select Suzuki Outboard Motors made between 01/01/18 and 03/31/18. For list of designated models, see participating Dealer or visit www.suzukimarine.com. Customer and participating Dealer must fill out the appropriate form at time of sale. Instant Savings will be applied against the original dealer invoice (Suzuki will credit Dealer parts account). There are no model substitutions, benefit substitutions, rain checks, or extensions. Suzuki reserves the right to change or cancel these promotions at any time without notice or obligation. * Financing offers available through Synchrony Retail Finance. As low as 5.99% APR financing for 60 months on new and unregistered Suzuki Outboard Motors. Subject to credit approval. Not all buyers will qualify. Approval, and any rates and terms provided, are based on credit worthiness. $19.99/month per $1,000 financed for 60 months is based on 5.99% APR. Hypothetical figures used in calculation; your actual monthly payment may differ based on financing terms, credit tier qualification, accessories or other factors such as down payment and fees. Offer effective on new, unregistered Suzuki Outboard Motors purchased from a participating authorized Suzuki dealer between 01/01/18 and 03/31/18. “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. © 2018 Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.
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COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
12/14/17 1:02 PM 12/8/17 2:46 PM
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Where do you want to be? Don’t take the same old journey. Be somewhere genuine. Be somewhere amazing. Be changed.
800.828.4244 ¡ visithendersonvillenc.org Call for your complimentary Getaway Guide
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