Members of ‘A Band Of Anglers’ (ABOA) are passionate anglers and good people. We aren’t all world record holders or tournament pros. But we are all passionate about fishing. Members of ABOA are employees. We are investors. We are friends. We are brothers and sisters. We are anglers who love and protect the sport of fishing and the beautiful waters in which our fish swim and thrive. We have that weird gene that makes us wake up on a late winter morning thinking about fishing. We smile when we set the hook on a solid fish and feel our rod bend. And we LOVE to fish the patent-pending lures designed and made by Patrick Sebile and his friends.
Congratulations to Sam Winton of Thomasville, Ga. for winning a Suzuki DF2.5 Portable Outboard Motor from Coastal Angler Magazine and Suzuki Marine. Winton picked up his prize on Labor Day Weekend from Southeastern Marine and Repair in Douglas, Ga. When Winton arrived at the dealership, Kevin Stone presented Winton with a huge winning check and his outboard.
When Sam returned home he didn’t waste any time and started using his new outboard right away and was pleasantly surprised by how well it worked with his boat.
Thank you to over 11,000 entries who entered the contest for the outboard.
We’ve got even more great prizes every month on CoastalAnglerMag.com, so please keep checking back for more great giveaways in the future from Coastal Angler and Suzuki Marine!
To enter in our monthly drawing visit CoastalAnglerMag.com/Contest
To learn more about Suzuki Marine’s full array of 4-stroke outboard motors, call (813) 687-7200 or visit www.suzukimarine.com.
oastal Angler Magazine contributor Ryan Izquierdo was on a really hot bite on April 28 while fishing out of San Carlos in Sonora, Mexico. The boat he was on landed not one, but two IGFA all-tackle world records for star-studded grouper. With just a fraction of a kilogram separating the weights of the two fish, IGFA recently named them both a tie for the all-tackle world record. Star-studded grouper are a species that inhabits the eastern Pacific Ocean from Southern California down to Peru. The previous all-tackle world record was a 31-pounder caught by Chris Wheaton out of Loreto, Mexico.
Izquierdo’s fish weighed 15.38 kilograms, which is 33 pounds, 14.5 ounces and some change. On the same trip, Robert Navarro boated another star-studded grouper that weighed 15.51 kilograms, or 34 pounds, 3 ounces and some change. Both fish will be recorded as all-tackle world records in the Both fish were caught slow-pitch jigging with JYG Pro
Used by Bass Master Elite fisherman Brock Mosley and two time back to back Bass Master Classic Champion Hank Cherry, Dakota Lithium is the choice of champions and trusted by professional tournament anglers for those long days on the water.
The Dakota Lithium 36V 63Ah battery will allow you to fish longer with twice the power, half the weight, and four times the lifespan than your old sealed lead acid or AGM batteries –providing exceptional lifetime value. All backed by the Dakota lithium legendary 11 year warranty.
Join the Lithium Revolution now! Use the code coastalangler for 10% off on your next purchase at dakotalithium.com
By Capt. Michael Okruhlik
When it comes to snook fishing with lures, I typically see the same color patterns and lure styles displayed in the jaws of caught fish as the angler proudly presents their catch to the camera. I’d like to share some new colors and lures that I have found to be very effective when targeting solid-lined trophies.
Let’s start with what you might already know. Feather jigs are popular among those who pursue line-siders. Some may tip their jig with a grub of some sort, while others take the simple approach of feathers, lead and a sharp hook. More often than not, when I see these jigs pinned in the jaws of magnificent fish, the colors are typically white, red, chartreuse or a combination of all three. I don’t typically throw a feather jig, but when I do I prefer to tip it with a paddletail to give it extra vibration. Find one with a rattling tail, and you just increased your odds of hooking up!
Now for methods you may not have tried while targeting snook. Let’s visit our friends in the freshwater aisle and pull out an old favorite: the Rat-L-Trap! Pick up a few of these in chrome and blue, buy some stout saltwatergrade treble hooks, stainless steel split rings, and you’re set. These noisy, rattling hard baits drive big snook crazy. I fish these on a fast and steady retrieve. The simplicity, in itself, is enticing. Among the advantages are the castability of these lures, their bullet-proof construction, and best of all there is not much skill required in this tactic. Simply cast and reel at a fast pace and hold on tight. When a hungry, or mad snook nails a Trap as you burn it through salty water, they will try their best to take the lure and the rod from your hands. There is nothing like a 40-inch snook hammering a fast-moving Rat-L-Trap!
My other tip involves a color I haven’t seen pictured with many, if any, snook other than those anglers in my circle. The color is in the orange family with gold glitter and a chartreuse tail. This little gem has produced numerous snook over the years. I fish this color in a 5-inch
because I burn these swimbaits through the water.
Here’s my disclaimer: I invented Knockin Tail Lures. The paddletail I use for snook is the Knockin Tail Lure in the Halloween color. This lure, like the Rat-L-Trap, has a built-in rattle. Trust me, it works on snook.
I hope this new look at snook fishing helps you catch your next personnel best. The theme here is sound attracts fish. So, tie on some noisy lures and get hooked up!
Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Knockin’ Tail Lures, Controlled Descent Lures and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.
It’s been a good year for big swordfish. Two new state records were set in late summer and early fall. In North Carolina, a fish heavier than 500 pounds crushed the existing record, which has stood for more than 40 years. In Maryland, a nearly 400-pound fish outweighed the previous record by 90 pounds. Here’s the scoop on both of those fish.
For more record fish, visit coastalanglermag.com.
A504-pound, 8-ounce swordfish caught 55 miles off Morehead City, North Carolina was recently certified as a new state record.
The angler, 59-year-old Cary Carney, was fishing aboard the 32-foot Willow B, which was captained by his son Brandon Carney. They were fishing in about 1,300 feet of water on Aug. 21, when the big broadbill ate a strip of albacore belly. They had the fish on an electric Diawa MP3000 reel, but a blown fuse rendered it inoperable. Carney buckled down and cranked the fish in by hand on 65-pound test.
“He’s one of those old-school guys,” Brandon Carney said of his father for an article in the Raleigh News & Observer. “His arm might be hanging off, but he won’t let you know it. After about 30 minutes, it rose to about 20 feet below the surface and we could see how big it was.”
Two hours later, the big fish was boatside. They roped its tail and used the T-top as a pulley to bring it onboard. It measured 104 inches fork length and had a 53-inch girth.
Carney’s swordfish crushed the previous state record by more than 60 pounds. The old record of 441 pounds had stood since 1979. The thing is, if they had hauled it in with the electric reel, it would not have qualified for the record.
Ittook Jeff Jacobs five and a half hours to land a 393-pound swordfish that is the new Maryland state record. He was fishing in the canyons off the coast of Ocean City on a charter with RoShamBo and Capt. Willie Zimmerman.
The boat was preparing to return to the docks after a successful eight-hour trip when the big fish picked up an eel rigged with a blue and white skirt.
The fish jumped early in the fight, and everyone on the boat knew they were hooked up with a potential state record. Despite being tired from a full-day on the water Jacobs settled in for a long battle armed with a Shimano Tyrnos 50 two-speed reel.
“Giving up wasn’t an option,” Jacobs said. “When (we) saw it we all knew it was a state record.”
The previous record of 301 pounds was set just last year during the Big Fish Classic out of Ocean City.
SSaltwater fly fishing can be either the most humbling or the most rewarding experience in fishing. Many anglers new to the sport have a hard time adjusting to the techniques and know-how specific to the salt. Here are a few things to think about to help shorten the learning curve during your first few outings.
Hopefully you’ve already spent some time working on your double haul. Google it. This technique increases line speed and delivers long accurate casts, which is necessary with the bulky flies and windy conditions inherent to the sport.
Yet there’s more to fishing effectively than long-distance casting. You’ll also need quick casts, quick second casts, backhand casts and the dreaded short casts so many people muff when they’ve spent weeks practicing to sling 60 feet of line. You should work on these casts, as well.
Learn to flip quick 10- to 20-foot casts to either side of the boat. Utilize water resistance to load the rod when the fly is already in the water. Limit false casting, which wastes time in the limited window of opportunity you’ll have with moving fish. Don’t try to muscle casts. A loaded rod imparts much more line speed than the strength of your arm.
Familiarity with your gear and figuring out how to present flies quickly and accurately is all that matters. Get out on the water somewhere and get used to slinging line around.
Saltwater fly fishing is a waiting game. You’re waiting for your shot, your chance to cast at a fish that either you or your guide/ poling partner sees. Be ready to capitalize on your opportunity, which means paying attention to yourself.
If you think you’ll need a 60-foot cast, you should have 60 feet of line off the reel and either on the deck or in a stripping basket. If it’s on the deck, make sure there isn’t anything else down around your feet,
including your feet, for your line to snag on.
With the fly pinched in the fingers of your off hand, keep the head of your line, at least 10 feet or so, outside of the top guide of your rod. This allows you to load the rod immediately, so you’ll need fewer false casts before letting the fly fly.
Deal with these things as soon as you step up on the casting deck, and you can turn your attention to looking for fish.
When you get a fish to eat, don’t ruin the moment by lifting the rod tip. Train
yourself to strip-set and to strip-set hard.
Also, know how you’ll fight a fish. Saltwater species are much stronger than what you’d encounter on a stream or in a pond. With too much drag, they’ll break you off with a quick blistering run. If there’s too little drag, you’ll never get that fish to the boat. Learn how to apply drag manually by palming the reel. This allows you to adjust pressure on the fish more carefully and instantly.
For more information, visit coastalanglermag.com.
Ilove spring and summer fishing, but let me say this loud and clear: I live for fall and winter fisheries!
This is the time of year that can make even me look good. The large male gags have started staging up on nearshore structures, wrecks and traditional bait-holding bottom. The scamps and large snappers have started a transitional move to their deeper wintering grounds. Water temps will soon draw a line in the water that clearly shows you where to fish.
Ahhhh, yeah! This is the time of plenty. Now is the time of year to have a community-sized fish stew to clear out all the vacuumsealed stuff in the freezer. You’ve got to make some room for freezer-stuffing grouper, snapper and seabass.
Starting this month, the larger gags will be so close in that it’ll shock you. Don’t run too far, or you’ll run over some of the biggest fish of the year. Go wherever you jig up your cigar minnows and sardines, and the gags will be right there. When you get a few baits in the well, it’s a good idea to have at least one person put a bait right back down.
After all, that is why the gags are there. They are eating the same baits that you’re catching. They come inshore to a place that holds bait, so all the smaller females have plenty to eat while they are discussing the possibilities of spawning. The same places will hold large seabass, as well. I love to eat grouper, but the way I grouper fish also produces large seabass, which I think are even better than grouper in texture and flavor.
Scamps and snappers hold a special place in my heart. Starting right now, they should be going off! It’s time consuming to stop on the way out a jig up bait. However, a 15- or 20-minute bait stop could make the difference between a good day and a great day. When you find bait in numbers, it doesn’t take long to rack up. I like to keep a Sabiki angler on each side of the boat handing me baits to dehook into a bucket in the center of the boat. Once I get 20 or so baits in the bucket, I pour them into the livewell and repeat until there’s enough.
I also like to take pinfish from the marina as a “bird in hand” for bottom fishing. The beauty of putting a live sardine on a jig and sending it to the bottom is that EVERYTHING down there eats them. The beauty of sending a pinfish, grass grunt or sailors choice to the bottom is that everything down there would love to eat them, but can’t. They can’t get their mouths around the bigger baits, but the ones that can are the fish you want to catch.
Go enjoy the bounty of the season!
For more information, go to Barefootcatsandtackle.com.
Inthe southern coastal waters, Fall is the perfect time for fly fishing. One of the masters in the craft is GILLZ Staff Pro “Crazy” Alberto Knie, renowned surf angler and the holder of the IGFA world record for striped bass on an 8-pound test line.
Alberto came to fly fishing after trying his hand at many different types of fishing over the years. After moving to New York, he began seriously surf fishing. And then it happened. He snagged his first striped bass.
The addiction took hold, and Alberto began to realize that practice, strategy and experience improved results. To stay out in the surf longer, practicing his cast and studying his target’s patterns, Alberto relies on GILLZ GEAR to keep him comfortable.
You might find “Crazy” Alberto fly fishing in shallow waters wearing a GILLZ Contender Series UV Hoodie. This ultra-cooling long sleeve offers superior UV protection with a UPF 50+ rating. The sturdy fabric is soft and flexible with 4-way stretch comfort. Plus, the 3-piece hood extends fishing time during shoulder seasons that can be warm one minute and cool the next.
Out on the lake or ocean, Alberto often
wears the GILLZ Contender Series Long-Sleeve UV T-Shirt
A fly-fishing necessity, this shirt provides the same comfort and UV protection as the hoodie. The entire GILLZ Contender Series also offers a wide range of graphic designs to suit any taste.
Fly fishing in the fall means the possibility of a brisk wind. Alberto favors the GILLZ Elite Mask with UPF 50+ UV protection to protect his face year-round. GILLZ reinvented this essential tool of the all-day angler with our signature Advance Ventilation System (AVS) and ergonomic shaping.
With GILLZ GEAR on, “Crazy” Alberto Knie and fly-fishing anglers everywhere can keep perfecting their craft and following their passions longer.
LEARN MORE AT GILLZ-GEAR.COM
“At my early stages of fishing, I thought it was all luck. Boy, was I ever wrong...” - Crazy Alberto Knie
The Atlantic Coast of Florida experiences one of the planet’s great migrations each fall. When millions of mullet push south in giant schools toward spawning grounds off the southern end of the state, it presents an exciting prospect for fishing. It’s an event anglers anticipate all year long.
The mullet run doesn’t have an official start or end date. Large schools of mullet—some the size of three football fields—move south as temperatures cool. Tarpon, sharks, kingfish and redfish are just some of the gamefish that move with these pods. Most years the fishing is on fire in October and November.
Here are some tips for anglers to take advantage of the mullet run.
• BAIT: Obviously, mullet is the bait to use this time of the year. Full-grown mullet are great for shark and tarpon fishing. I prefer free-lining finger-sized mullet, because pretty
much everything eats them.
Free-lining sounds simple, but where you choose to fish and what you’re targeting will play a role in the set-up and rig you should use.
• TACKLE: I mainly fish inshore, so light tackle
is the way for me. However, it’s important to be prepared to switch up depending on the size and species of game fish present.
In the backcountry, I like a light- to medium-action 2000 size spinning set-up to fish 10-pound leaders and 3/0 circle hooks. I prefer Mustad hooks and tie them on with a simple loop knot. I use an FG knot to connect my leader to a braided main line. This creates a true free-line, without the added weight of a swivel.
The rigging is pretty much the same if I need to beef up for larger catches. With a 2500size set-up, I’ll fish 15- to 20-pound leader. I’ll bump that up to 25- to 30-pound test on 3000size gear for bigger fish.
To fish with the mullet, I just follow the pods, cast to the outside of the school and open the bail to let the bait swim. When you hit it right, you can hook-up on nearly every cast, with the species changing from one cast to the next. Big gamefish tend to seek out
isolated or injured mullet, which is exactly what your bait is.
• ARTIFICIALS: This backcountry lady angler enjoys sight fishing and scouting Mosquito Lagoon and the marshes of the Tomoka Basin along Florida’s central Atlantic Coast. I’ll target bull reds in the inlets, but I spend most days targeting snook, tarpon and slot reds in the backcountry. This style of fishing is perfect for throwing artificials on light tackle.
This time of year, any artificial that resembles a mullet will do the trick. I like Vudu Mullet Swimbaits, Rapala X-raps, Bomber Lures Mullets, Savage Gear Pulse Tail Mullets, Livetarget Slow-Roll Mullets, MirrO-lure Suspending Twitch Mullets and DOA Bait Busters. A good, old-fashioned spoon is also in my top-three lures, as well as a basic paddletail on a ¼- or 3/8-ounce jig head.
• RESPECT THE FISH: Please remember that during the mullet run our big breeder redfish are much more susceptible to being caught from beaches, boats, bridges, docks and piers. Handling them with care and releasing them safely is important to the future of our fisheries. The statewide slot limit from 18 and 27 inches is intended to protect the large fish, which are part of the spawning stock.
Landing a bull red this time of the year is easy. With the mullet running, simply free-
line a mullet or drop one on a weighted rig to land a trophy! Before you experience the drag-pulling run, you should know how to properly handle and release your fish.
It’s heartbreaking to see breeder fish floating due to carelessness or lack of knowledge. Hauling a big redfish up vertically onto a bridge or pier, dragging it over the rocks on a jetty or tossing it back from up high severely limits its chance of survival. Get a pier net to fish from a bridge or pier, and do everything in your power to ensure the healthy release of your fish.
• REDFISH REGULATIONS: Florida recently adopted new management plan for redfish. There are now varied regulations across nine different zones. Anglers need to understand those regulations because they’re intended to protect one of our iconic species in the face of habitat loss.
Most of the state now has a one-fishper-person daily limit in the 18- to 27-inch slot. Some regions have a two-fish-per-vessel possession limit and others have a four-fishper-vessel possession limit. The Indian River Lagoon region is strictly catch-and-release only for redfish. For complete Florida redfish regulations, go to myfwc.com.
Keep up with Skye Burkhardt on Facebook “Inshore Adventures with Skye” and on Instagram @brassyangler87.
You raise the flags of the fish just caught to show you weren’t skunked.
Once onshore you can take it a step further showing your fellow anglers your catch of the day wearing “slippahs” from Scott Hawaii.
Hanapa‘a - Marlin
Hanapa‘a - Ahi
PlantationOnCrystalRiver.com
(800) 632-6262 Hotel (352) 795-4211
Situated riverfront and surrounded by the natural springs of King’s Bay, Plantation on Crystal River is an ideal setting for travelers of all ages and interests to enjoy endless outdoor activities. From boating and fishing to scalloping and wildlife encounters, visitors from around the globe travel to Florida’s Nature Coast to enjoy the organic assets of this dynamic destination. And before or after these unique activities, guests can enjoy the full-service restaurant, lobby bar and tiki bar conveniently located on property. For international travel ers, transportation is convenient with nearby international airports, including Tampa International Airport only 70 miles away, and Orlando International airport just 90 miles away. To follow is just a sampling of the abundance of available outdoor pursuits.
With Central Florida fishing at its finest, Plantation on Crystal River is located alongside the Crystal River inlets and Kings Bay, just a short dis tance from local lakes and the Gulf of Mexico. Whether by land or by sea, fishermen can cast a line for bass, grouper, snook, flounder, redfish and oth er popular sport fish. At the end of a successful day of fishing, Plantation’s chefs will be happy to prepare the fresh catch for the guest’s dining pleasure.
There is no better place to go scalloping on Florida’s Gulf Coast than Plantation on Crystal River. Taking place in shallow waters, scalloping is a fun family activity that only requires a snorkel, net and a pair of fins; no previous experience is needed. Scalloping does require a special permit, but licensed group tours and charters are available for those without a license. Scalloping season is typically July 1 to September 24.
Guests can tee off on the resort’s traditional Florida-style 18-hole cham pionship course. Surrounded by native plants and oaks, the championship course challenges guests with a number of difficult fairways and waterways, including the course’s signature No. 11 hole. The 9-hole Executive Golf Course is a great place for beginners and experienced players to sharpen their golf skills. The Original Golf SchoolTM at Plantation on Crystal River accommo dates players of all levels, with experienced professionals offering on-course instruction, with no more that four students per professional instructor.
Plantation on Crystal River’s Adventure Center & Dive Shop provides guests with a once-in-a- lifetime opportunity to swim and interact with threatened West Indian Manatees in the waters of Crystal River and Kings Bay. Snorkelers will find many of the gentle creatures in the crystal- clear spring waters migrate during cooler winter months with some that stay year-round. The manatees can also be easily observed from any part of the Plantation’s expansive sea wall and gazebo point.
With more than 25,000 accessible acres of waterways, including Crys tal River and Kings Bay, Plantation on Crystal River is a boater’s paradise. In addition to scenic river tours from Plantation Adventure Center & Dive Shop, kayaks, jon boats and pontoon boats can be rented by guests who want to explore on their own.
Countless on-property amenities also provide entertainment to guests at Plantation on Crystal River. Highlights include a scenic, lagoon-style swimming pool overlooking the river, sand volleyball court, horseshoes, shuffleboard, oversized outdoor chess and checkers and a regulation cro quet court. Nearby attractions include Three Sister Springs State Park, Crys tal River Archaeological State Park, Homosassa Springs State Wildlife Park, Coastal Heritage Museum, Weeki Wachee and the Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins State Park.
Overthe past few months, we’ve discussed almost everything concerning long-distance lures. We’ve touched on elements an angler can control such as lure choice and the proper rod, reel and line configuration. Now I want to discuss the uncontrollable elements of weather and water conditions. They play a big role in how far you are able to cast and how effectively you can fish a lure.
If the wind is full force into your face, this adds drag on the lure and line during a cast. A highdensity lure cuts through wind more efficiently than a floating lure. Everyone loves fishing topwaters, but in windy conditions they are not the best choice. A denser lure always casts farther than a floating lure.
Typically, a long-distance model weighs 30 to 100 percent more than a floating one of similar dimensions. If a floating lure weighs 2 ounces, a similar sized distance-dedicated lure will weigh 3 to 4 ounces. That’s really a big deal, especially in wind.
When you’re casting into the wind, you should also adjust the way you cast. In long-casting lingo, I use the term “banner” to refer to the section of line between the rod tip and the lure. You should limit the banner when you’re fishing in wind. Instead of using an overhand cast, try a sidearm cast, which limits the lure’s exposure to the wind.
On a beach, with the lure on the sand, allow a banner of 50 to 70 percent of the rod’s length. This shorter banner limits the size of the belly in the line when you cast. The larger the line belly is, the more casting energy is taken from the lure’s flight, resulting in reduced distance.
A long banner also reduces your control of the lure once it hits the water. A line belly in the water pulls your lure sideways on retrieve. You also won’t be in direct contact with the lure. This affects the lure’s action, and you might also miss bites.
Water conditions are another factor worth consideration. Big waves, whitewater and strong currents limit your control. These conditions are also often the best conditions for fish to bite. When you cast, engage the reel before the lure hits the water and reel up slack. This gives you a straighter line for better control of the lure, better swimming action and more direct contact with the lure. When you can feel the lure, you can feel the bite and ultimately increase your hook-setting ratio.
Again, we all love to fish topwater, but distance-dedicated lures are in many cases the better option. In windy conditions with breaking waves and ripping currents, I definitely prefer a 3-ounce plug or a 4-ounce darter over a topwater, which weighs half as much.
Give it an honest try. I’m sure you’ll be convinced that distance lures are superior to lighter models of similar dimensions in many situations.
Legendary angler Patrick Sebile is a world record holder and an award-winning designer of innovative lures and fishing gear.
Check out his creations at abandofanglers.com.
8:17p.m.Beenoutonthelakeforhours.
theofficialbatteryof“OneMoreCast...”
It’s 8:17 p.m. Been out on the lake for hours. But there are more fish in the water. And my LBP batteries are still going strong. Maybe One More Cast . . .
Visitlithiumbatterypower.com callusat727-233-9831
the official battery of “One More Cast...”
Visit lithiumbatterypower.com Or call us at 727-233-9831
PHOTO BY JOHN P RUGGERI
In a place where the water is always sparkling and the fish are always jumping, fishing isn’t just a hobby – it’s part of our culture. Take the scenic route and explore Clay County’s not-so-secret fishing spots to reel in a new experience.
Visit exploreclay.com to find your new go-to spot.
Holy moly, what a hogfish!
Florida diver Josh Summerville speared a 24.2-pound hogfish about 40 miles out of Panama City Beach on Aug. 2. The big fish set a new state record for the species.
Summerville is a captain and dive master with Panama City Diving. He was on his day off from work and diving the Gulf of Mexico with some buddies from the center’s 36-foot boat Steel Slinger. According to Outdoor Life, Summerville dropped to about 100 feet on an area of live bottom called “Three-to-Five” by locals.
“The water was really clear, and I looked down and saw a big hogfish,” he told Outdoor Life. “I was shocked to see him, because usually we don’t see many hogfish off Panama City. There are more of them to the east near
Carrabelle or farther south in Florida. But there he was, and I went toward him right off.”
Summerville took his shot from about 10 feet and hit the fish in the jaw, just under the eye, according to Outdoor Life. He didn’t realize he had a potential new record until they reached cell service on the way in. The fish measured 35. 5 inches in length and had a girth of almost 26 inches.
Summerville’s huge hogfish was 2.5 pounds heavier than the previous Florida record of 21.7 pounds. James Michaelin speared the previous record last September in the Gulf. He actually gutted it before weighing it on certified scales, so there’s no telling how much it would have weighed intact.
The world spearfishing record for hogfish, according to the International Underwater Spearfishing Association, weighed 24.5
pounds. Diver Bruce Elliott Mock, Jr. stuck that fish off the coast of North Carolina on Aug. 3, 2017.
Hogfish are excellent to eat. They are prized by spearfishers and conventional anglers. Traditionally, they were pursued only with spearguns because their diet of crustaceans made them a difficult target on rod and reel. However, Gulf Coast anglers have begun to figure them out in the last few years. There aren’t too many fish in the sea that will turn down a live shrimp when it’s presented to them in just the right way.
The IGFA all-tackle world record hogfish weighed 21 pounds, 15 ounces. It was caught out of Charleston, South Carolina in 2011 by Wesley Covington.
For more record fish, go to coastalanglermag.com.
By CAM Staff
The Xtreme Power Assist is engineered to bring the smooth, easy control of electric power-assisted steering to a wide range of popular boats, including pontoons, runabouts, RIBS, aluminum fishing boats and center consoles.
Read more at dometic.com
Hydraulic-electric and all electric steering advancements over recent years have taken steering ease and performance to new levels for a variety of high-end center consoles, power catamarans and other high-performance fishing boats.
But what about the throngs of inshore center consoles, flats skiffs, bay boats, pontoons, deck boats and other popular vessels traditionally driven with mechanical cable steering systems?
It’s for these types of boats that Dometic Marine recently launched Xtreme Power Assist (XPA) Steering, engineered to bring the smooth, easy control of electric powerassisted steering to a new class of vessel.
Dometic Xtreme Power Assist Steering is an affordable, easy-to-install solution that brings reduced steering effort and a more enjoyable driving experience to mechanically steered boats with single outboard power from 90 to 200 horsepower. It integrates with any existing SeaStar rack or rotary cable steering system, so there is no need to install new steering to take advantage of this breakthrough. It also works with either standard or tilt helms.
Xtreme Power Assist easily mounts to all major outboard brands and integrates with the boat’s mechanical steering. It reduces steering effort to levels similar to Dometic’s Electronic Power Steering, with quick response to the wheel and consistent steering effort from Starboard to Port. Once this system is installed, the mechanical steering cable now only turns the power assist unit, while the electric steering actuator actually turns the engine load.
This system differs vastly from competitive “electric helm” systems on
upgrade that will enhance the driving experience and customer satisfaction for a new and large segment of the boating market. It has been thoughtfully designed as a plug-and-play installation to serve both the OEM and aftermarket sales channels.
“This new product fills a very important gap in our family of marine steering products and the boating industry as a whole,” said Eric Fetchko, President of Dometic Marine. “We’re excited to be bringing all the benefits of power steering within reach of more boaters. The fact that Electric Cable Power Assist can be easily integrated with existing steering systems makes it even more of a win-win for boaters and the industry,” added Fetchko.
Boaters can learn more about new Dometic Marine XPA steering by visiting www.dometic.com
Redfish have black spots. Some of them have several black spots. This redfish caught on the Texas Gulf Coast had so many black spots that it doesn’t even look like a redfish. The angler, Ryan Hernandez, caught his “leopard” redfish while fishing with Capt. Danny Alvarez in the Upper Laguna Madre near Corpus Christi, Texas on Aug. 27. Hernandez said the fish had more than 300 spots per side.
Leopard redfish are rare, but they do show up from time to time. Fisheries biologists believe this rare color pattern is caused by both parents having a recessive pigmentation trait. The wild
coloration leaves the offspring particularly susceptible to predation early in its life. Not only is it rare for a leopard redfish to be hatched, it’s rare for them to reach catchable size.
According to SaltWater Sportsman, Hernandez kept his leopard redfish to have it mounted. It’ll make a heck of a conversation piece.
For more weird catches, go to coastalanglermag.com.
WATCH VIDEO
www.dexteraxle.com
Dexter’s Vault® and Vortex® marine axle lubrication systems are rigorously engineered to keep the water out and your bearings lubricated. Also, there is no annual maintenance required. Confidently backed by our industry-leading 6-year/100,000-mile warranty.
Spend your time on the water, not working on your trailer.
Demand Dexter Vault & Vortex hubs for your boat trailer.
Photo Courtesy of AmeraTrail
There’s nothing like the freedom of being on the water, but protecting your boat – and choosing the best product to protect it with – can be a drag.
With Micron® Extra SPC, the choice is easy. Its unique Self Polishing Copolymer technology constantly protects against fouling, even when your boat is docked, offering unrivaled, multi-season protection in all waters. Typically reserved for super yachts, this technology is now available for boats coast to coast and for all types of users.
Choose Micron® Extra SPC to enjoy your time on the water, wherever you go!
Relentless performance for every boat, everywhere, every time
Haveyou ever wondered about the value of that old tackle box your grandpa left you? What about that old rod and reel combo gathering dust in the attic or the vintage outboard in the back of the garage? Well, here’s your chance to find out.
The first annual Savannah Southern Classic antique tackle show, cohosted by the Florida Antique Tackle Collectors and the Carolina Antique Tackle Collectors, will be held Nov. 11-12. This first-time show will take place in the Savannah Conference Center inside the Embassy Suites, 145 West Mulberry Blvd., Savannah, Georgia 31407.
Nationally recognized and promoted, this show will attract advanced collectors from across the country—all attending to buy, sell and trade vintage fishing tackle. More than 4,000 square feet of angling antiquities will be on display—including rare lures, reels, rods, creels and other fishing-related memorabilia and ephemera.
The public is welcome to attend at the nominal cost of $5 per adult (accompanied children under 12 admitted free). Once inside, visitors can either browse or buy from the show’s many exhibitors, or receive free appraisals for their old tackle and other
fishing-related items. Those interested in selling can consign their items to our Saturday auction, where hardcore collectors will bid aggressively.
Public show times are Friday, Nov. 11 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; and Saturday, Nov. 12 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Those interested in becoming a member and exhibiting at this and future shows should visit or www. CarolinaAntiqueTackleCollectors.com.
For press passes and additional information, contact Bernie Schultz at (352) 284-2972 or bernie@bernieschultzfishing.com.
VIDEOTtypically average 30 to 60 hybrids surface, they’ll hit almost anything
time guide service, specializing in striped and hybrid bass. We also serve Lakes Hiwassee and Nottely, and Lake Blue Ridge in Blue Ridge, sh with the pros for the opportunity to be featured in Angler Magazine, and let us help
e Angler Magazine Fishing Team and a sh.com or give him a call at (706) 745-6569 or (828) 361-2021.
A118-pound, 7-ounce blue catfish was caught from Tennessee’s Cumberland River on Sept. 24. Angler Micka Burkhart released the 54-inch-long fish after keeping it alive and having it weighed. If the record is verified by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, it will beat the current state record by more than 6 pounds.
Burkhart was fishing with his wife on a stretch of the Cumberland in the northwest corner of the state near the Kentucky border.
The fish ate a 3-inch skipjack on an 8/0 hook, and it took 45 minutes to land it on 30-poundtest. On the water, the fish bottomed-out a set of 110-pound scales.
Burkhart kept the fish alive in the livewell on his boat while he waited for a TWRA officer to verify the fish, and he took it to a meat processor with certified scales to get an official weight.
“I wanted to do everything in my power to keep that fish alive and release it,” he told
Channel 9 News. “I’ve caught a lot of catfish. I’ll keep those smaller fish to eat but I like to let the big ones go to catch them again another day.”
After weighing the fish, they returned to the boat ramp and released it.
If approved by the state, Burkhart’s fish would beat a record that has stood since 1998. That fish was also caught from the Cumberland River.
For more record fish, visit coastalanglermag.com.
By Joe Mahler
In the minds of many traditional bass anglers, the subject of fly fishing is limited to topwater fishing with cork-bodied poppers and deer hair bass bugs. The truth of the matter is, wherever and whenever bass can be caught, they can be caught on flies. At first glance, fly fishing seems complicated and difficult, but with a few new skills, minimal equipment and a handful of flies, bass anglers can find a new way to enjoy something that they already love.
Fly fishing for bass is as much a state of mind as it is a sport. Fly fishers usually have different standards and expectations. For example, due to the nature of the equipment, smaller fish seem large and larger fish seem huge. While a 15-incher caught on heavy baitcasting equipment might not seem like much, the same fish battled on a 7-weight fly rod is memorable. Certainly big fish are taken on flies, but landing a bass over 7 pounds is a tall order.
The fly line is the life-blood of the outfit. Line weights commonly range from 2 to 12, and the line size determines the rod and reel size. A 2-weight outfit would be the choice for the smallest trout streams, using tiny flies. A 12-weight would match up well with large tarpon. For bass and light saltwater, a 7- or 8-weight is perfect. Choose a weightforward line (WF), and for most of your fishing, a floating line will serve you well. If budget allows, add an intermediate sink-tip line for getting your fly deeper or for fishing in choppy conditions. Another consideration is air/water temperature. If you fish mostly in warm weather that never gets below the 70s, I strongly recommend a “Tropical” line. The core of the line is stiffer and will keep its integrity in a subtropical climate, whereas a Dacron core becomes limp and more difficult
to cast. A standard Dacron core line works well in cooler water.
A good quality 9-foot, 7- or 8-weight rod will do it. If you tend to throw larger flies and fish larger, more open waters or heavy cover, go with the 8-weight outfit. Some shorter, beefier rods are marketed as bass rods, but those are special-purpose rods that will be more difficult for the novice to handle.
In fly fishing for bass, the reel plays less of a role than it does in saltwater fishing. With quarry like bonefish or tarpon, the drag system is very important. In bass fishing, rarely does a fish pull the line off the reel and get into the backing. Even a larger bass will never really test your drag. Choose a matched-size large
arbor reel with a pleasant “click,” and you are good to go.
Whether you tie them or buy them, the tapered leader is the most fragile connection to the fish. An 8-foot, 15-poundtest leader will work for most of your bass fishing. Tie your own using the following formula with uni-to-uni or surgeons knots: 4 feet of 40-pound test, 1.5 feet of 30-pound test, 1.5 feet of 20-pound test, and 1 foot of 15-pound test. Mono should be used when fishing surface flies, while fluorocarbon is great for getting sinking flies down faster.
Assemble your fly box to cover the water column. Cork bodied poppers and deer hair bugs will handle the topwater action and can be tied or purchased with weed guards. Unweighted shad or bluegill imitations and swimming frog patterns cover the mid depths of 1 to 4 feet, where I catch most of my best fish. The dog days of summer will find me plying the depths in 4 to 8 feet with heavily weighted Clouser minnows and worm flies. My favorite all-around bass fly is the StrawBoss, a versatile bucktail fly that can be tied to mimic a swimming frog, baitfish or crawfish.
When fishing topwater, the strike is obvious, but when fishing sub-surface, it is important to keep your rod-tip in or near the water. As you strip the fly you will feel resistance and a “strip set” will drive the hook home.
Good traditional bass fishers usually transition well into fly fishing. Slow your pace, learn to cast efficiently, and use your bass fishing instincts in a new way. I think you will enjoy it.
Joe Mahler is a fly fishing author, illustrator and a casting instructor.
Contact Joe to through www.joemahler.com.
By TAM Staff
What does a professional bass fisherman do when he wants to give back to the community that helped launch his career? He improves the fisheries, of course.
Major League Fishing Bass Pro Tour angler Cliff Crochet held a fundraiser banquet in his hometown of Pierre Part, La. this summer and raised more than $84,000 to stock F1 bass in local fisheries. It was one of the largest fundraisers in the history of professional fishing and will benefit Atchafalaya Basin and Lake Verret in southern Louisiana.
F1 bass are a cross between northern largemouth bass and Florida largemouth bass. They are thought to exhibit similar fast growth potential of Florida bass while also being aggressive and catchable like northern largemouths. Stocking of F1s into the gene pool has led to improved bass fishing in many states that stock them. Notably and recently, an F1 stocking program in Tennessee led to the meteoric rise of Chickamauga Lake as a bigbass factory.
Crochet wants to see something similar
happen for his home waters. The stocking of fingerling F1 bass will begin next year.
“I want everyone to know that by supporting, donating and attending that they made this event successful,” Crochet said. “It shows how much our community cares about our fisheries and the area we live in, and I am honored and humbled to have been a part of this event.”
The banquet, dubbed Every Fish Matters!, hosted more than 275 attendees who paid $40 in advance or $50 at the door to feast on fried fish and shrimp stew from Blanchard’s Cajun Cooking. Numerous local businesses sponsored tables, and live auctions and raffle drawings were headlined by an offshore trip
out of Venice, La., a guided Arkansas duck hunt and several vacation packages to fishing destinations.
Since the banquet, several matching funds opportunities have emerged that will contribute to the 2023 fish stocking, and to set up an emergency relief fund to restock the Atchafalaya Basin in the case of a hurricane or other natural disaster in the future. The 2023 stocking program will begin in March and occur throughout the Atchafalaya Basin during multiple events.
After the success of this first banquet, Crochet plans to make it an annual event.
For more information, visit CliffCrochet.com.
Berkeley County is a wonderland for outdoor enthusiasts, sports buffs, adventure seekers, and water lovers. From exemplary fishing for striped bass, or a trophy largemouth bass, to our hiking trails and water activities, along with scenic outdoors where you can catch a glimpse of white tail deer and gators, Berkeley County has activities to fit all visitors and families.
The waters of Berkeley County, SC, have been a wellspring of natural beauty, culture, and adventure for millennia; people have been coursing the intricate and beautiful waterways of South Carolina’s Lowcountry, with its tall cypresses, sunken forests, and abundant wildlife, for thousands of years.
Twenty-five distinct paddling trails over 235 miles of waterways make up the Berkeley County Blueway system, a hidden world of stunning natural splendor. Packed into this area—the largest paddling trail system in the Southeast—are kayaking and paddling opportunities for all different skill and difficulty levels.
Berkely County lakes make up one of South Carolina’s largest and most beloved freshwater resources. Fishing here is among the best in the state, across the flats of Lake Marion to the open waters of Lake Moultrie. Abundant catfish, bass, and crappie await.
Awaken your sense of adventure in these pristine waters. The Lowcountry is waiting for you at ExploreBerkeleyCounty.com.
Lust and jealousy make males of many species do stupid things they wouldn’t normally do. This is true for humans and whitetail deer, and it’s also true for brown trout, which grow aggressive this time of year as they gear up for the spawn.
Across the East, brown trout spawn in a window that runs from mid-September into December. Males and females of the species leave their summer lies to strike out upstream in search of spawning habitat. They are on the move and more visible to anglers than at any other time of year.
While the females become preoccupied with cutting nests, called redds, on shallow
gravel bars in moving water, the males put on bright colors to advertise their suitability as mates. The big boys spar with each other for the opportunity to fertilize eggs. They become ornery, and are cocked to lash out at anything that catches their eye.
The timing is different on every piece of water, but October is thought to be the peak of pre-spawn behavior for most streams and rivers. Since big browns are more aggressive than they are at any other time of year, anglers who target them should fish aggressively.
Alex McCrickard has a go-big or go-home attitude when it comes to fall browns. He’s a former fly fishing guide and the current
aquatic education coordinator for the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. As the days grow shorter, McCrickard breaks out his heavy 6- and 7-weight rods to sling big streamers.
On smaller streams, he’ll fish floating line with a 9-foot leader that tapers down to no lighter than 2x tippet. The long leader allows a weighted streamer to get down in the water column, and 2x has a breaking strength of about 10 pounds. It’s more than enough to handle the 14- to 20-inchers you might encounter in a creek or stream.
On a big tailwater, McCrickard gears up with 250-grain sinking line and runs a short
3-foot leader of 0x tippet. If the water is dingy, he’ll fish 3 feet of straight 20-pound monofilament.
“If I have that fish that’s two feet or larger, I’m feeling really confident having that fish on 20-pound as opposed to having it on 2x,” he said.
On large or small water, pre-spawn browns will hit bigger flies than you’d think they would. This could be a 2- to 3-inch-
long Woolly Bugger on a mountain stream or a 6-inch-long articulated pattern on a big river. Either way, it’s a game of covering water persistently and presenting the fly to as many fish as possible.
“A productive day is relative. When you’re throwing a 10-foot 7-weight and a 250-grain full sinking line with 3 feet of 20lb. monofilament, you’re not really going for numbers anymore,” said McCrickard. “You’re
looking for one, maybe two fish. You kind of have to go out there with the mentality of, ‘I might get skunked today, but I might catch my best fish of the year… or the best fish I’ve caught in the last five years.’”
Nick Carter is author of “Flyfisher’s Guide to North Carolina & Georgia.” It is available on Amazon or by contacting the author at nsc8957@gmail.com.
Madison County is located 15 miles north of Asheville on the North Carolina/Tennessee border in the Smoky Mountains of Appalachia. There are many attractions in our 452 square mile area, of which 73 percent is forest. Nearly one fourth is public land managed by the US Forest Service.
Main, Mars Hill, NC 28754 • (828) 680-9031
You don’t need an invitation to have fun in Upcountry South Carolina: Come kayak crys-tal blue lakes, hike to rushing waterfalls, dig into local cuisine, attend family oriented events and breathe fresh mountain air. But when you hold a South Carolina fishing license, it feels like an official ticket to enjoy the great outdoors.
Fish bite year-round in the lakes, rivers and streams of Upcountry South Carolina, which is located in the state’s northwest corner in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Devils Fork State Park in Salem is a great place to access Lake Jocassee, which holds state records for rainbow trout, brown trout, redeye bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass and yellow perch. Or try your luck at Lake Hartwell, at Lake Hartwell State Park in Fair Play and Sadlers Creek State Park in Anderson, three-time host of the Bassmaster Classic.
The Chattooga River boasts healthy wild trout populations and is also regularly stocked by Oconee County’s Walhalla State Fish Hatchery. The Whitewater River above Lower White-water Falls is another great option for wild trout. Lake Keowee, at Keowee-Toxaway State Park in Pickens County, swims with largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, crappie, bluegill, yel-low perch, catfish, brown and rainbow trout.
Pick up everything you need—including advice— at local fly shops or book a guided fish-ing trip. Sam Jones, of Jocassee Charters, puts anglers on trophy trout. Buster Green’s Guide Ser-vice reels in stripers,
hybrids and bass on Hartwell and Keowee. Chattooga River Fly Shop leads fly fishing trips on the Chattooga and Chauga rivers.
Even if you don’t fish, you can still get on the water. Jocassee Lake Tours offers tours of the lake and of Jocassee Gorges, which National Geographic called a “destination of a Lifetime.” Some amazing spots can only be reached by boat. Several tours are offered, so you can learn from a naturalist while riding on a pontoon or paddle a kayak through coves and under waterfalls.
Prefer to captain your own boat? There are several rental companies, including Tri-County Boat Rental, on Keowee, Jocassee, Hartwell and other lakes.
If you’d rather be under the water, Jocassee is a world-renowned freshwater diving desti-nation that boasts visibility of more than 50 feet at depth. Lake Jocassee Dive Shop offers lessons and guided trips to see “The Wall,” where a section of mountain was blasted to build the dam, or a 40-foot swim-through wooden sailboat.
From fishing to boating, hiking to camping, biking to bird watching and more, the Up-country’s state parks are a great place to play. Dip into the swimming hole at Oconee State Park. Hike to the tops of Pinnacle and Table Rock mountains at Table Rock State Park. Explore the 13,000-acre Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area at Caesars Head State Park. Or create your own adventure at any of the Upcountry’s 13 state parks.
Visit UpcountrySC.com to learn more.
Let us help you get the perfect machine for your “ME” time.
Designed to work smarter than the competition, the 1 Series Compact Tractors maximize your yard without breaking the bank. From the comfort of your seat, you’ll appreciate big performance and convenient sizes.
The affordable 1023E is easy to use and provides plenty of muscle for jobs around the yard.
From mowing and loading to tilling and digging, these compact tractors are built to make a long day of chores feel simple. When you turn the key of a John Deere 1 Series, you’ll quickly see why these tractors are the one.
Asa young adult Billy Chapman was a pioneer, working for his Dad as a fishing guide in Mexico before discovering the exciting potential the Amazon River posed for superior peacock bass angling. The rainforests of Brazil soon became a bucket list must do for anglers worldwide. Chapman opened the door to the area in the late 1970s.
Chapman took the challenges of opening up jungles to fishermen in South America in stride and his Anglers Inn International outfitting business was born. His efforts awarded him with induction into the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame, the only outfitter ever so honored. The induction was based on unparalleled service, the keynote of the Chapman operation.
Now Chapman is the premier largemouth bass fishing outfitter for Mexico with operations at the legendary Lake El Salto and relative newcomer Lake Picachos. Anglers continue to set personal records for the largest bass they ever caught, typically double-digit weights, while at El Salto and huge daily numbers of quality bass at Lake Picachos. Chapman introduced the largemouth bass to Lake El Salto and started the catch and release program at El Salto.
Both lakes feature 5-star lodges complete
with fine dining prepared by a professional chef, daily room service and laundry service, ground transportation, open bar and more. The guides are top notch and know every nuance of the lakes like the back of their hands. Custom outfitted Tritons boats powered by Yamaha with Minn Kota trolling motor take anglers out every day for the fishing of a lifetime. St. Croix rods are provided eliminating traveling with rods on today’s commercial flights. The anglers only pay for airfare, personal tackle and guide/lodge staff gratuities.
Speaking of travel, anglers fly into Mazatlan’s General Rafael Buelna International Airport (MZT) with easy flights originating from major Florida airports with easy connections. Once landed and passed through customs, anglers are whisked away totally taken care of by Anglers Inn staff.
Now Chapman is exploring a totally new fishing destination in Florida. Look for tarpon, snook, redfish and more from this new location. This has been a goal of Chapman’s for some time and the process continues to mature. Look for some great announcements soon. In the meantime, call 1800-GOTAFISH and let Anna take care of arrangements for your own trip of a lifetime.
Andros,
the largest of the Bahamian Islands, is a marvel, with stunning blue holes, turquoise waters, unique wildlife and of course large land crabs. Its people are highly patriotic and passionate, they are accommodating and friendly. The island’s geography is highly diverse and its flats are unparalleled. Andros is know as the “bonefishing capital of the world,” and for
good reason. Flats are extensive, fish are large and diversity great. In short, Andros is an angler’s paradise and a fly angler’s heaven.
I’ve spent time on Andros, travelling from the south tip all the way north to the Joulters, exploring, documenting and interviewing guides for research in conjunction with Bonefish and Tarpon Trust, The College of the Bahamas and The Bahamas Fly Fishing
Industry Association.
South Andros is a tropical paradise with several great lodges including. In South Andros, there are literally thousands of miles of shorelines where bonefish, permit, tarpon and a host of other saltwater species live. The sheer magnitude of flats available is overwhelming, and although there are many do-it-yourself opportunities in South Andros,
it is best to hire local guides whose knowledge is tuned to the daily, monthly and seasonal movements of bonefish. Indeed, bonefishing is the heart and soul of Andros; the guides rely on this, and consequently they are highly knowledgeable. If you want the best guides, you need to support them.
Flats on the east side of South Andros are usually narrow, truncated by the Tongue of the Ocean, an ocean trench that drops deeper than 6,000 feet. This trench extends the length of Andros, providing ready access to pelagic species and world-class diving and snorkeling. For flats anglers, this proximity to deep water means water temperatures are generally more moderated (cooler in the summer, warmer in
the winter) and access to deeper water often provides comfort for fish, hence the east coast tends to be where larger fish prevail. Flats vary widely from hard sandy substrates to sharp coral, and anglers need wading boots in most places. Standard bonefish flies work well in South Andros, but do not be afraid to use larger versions, 1s, 2s and even 1/0s or larger. Fly colors should match the bottom color, and anglers are advised to seek moving water for best results. Creeks and cuts channel food and oxygen-rich water, which concentrates fish.
I stayed at Bair’s Lodge while in South Andros. Bair’s widely acknowledges the importance of scientific research, historical documentation and conservation. They offer
the finest accommodations, high quality service and outstanding cuisine. Guides at Bair’s are resident locals, many of whom learned from their fathers who angled for bonefish as a form of subsistence in days gone by. Bonefishing has become a family tradition and an intergenerational pursuit.
I thoroughly enjoyed my time on South Andros. I look forward to returning some day. If you have not already been to South Andros, I highly encourage you to go!
For more information on Thomas Karrow’s research, please visit, tomkarrow.wixsite.com/ bahamas-guide-tek. For more from Thomas Karrow, visit coastalanglermag.com.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF BAIR’S LODGE.
By Emily Rose Hanzlik
During the mullet run on Florida’s east coast, plenty of blacktip sharks cruise past our beaches with huge schools of bait. Even if you plan to fish for blacktips outside of mullet-run season, you are still in luck. Finding a blacktip shark definitely isn’t an issue due to a large and growing population of these big sharks.
Blacktip sharks can be found yearround in the Atlantic from Virginia through Florida. They have been known to migrate up to Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Though they do prefer more tropical temperatures, a little cold won’t deter them from their mission. Blacktips are definitely not picky when it comes to hunting grounds. They can be found in bays, estuaries, coral reefs and mouths of rivers.
Before blacktips begin migrating for the mating season, they will actually be in gender-segregated schools that come together only for mating. Blacktips tend to be separated due to the male’s highly aggressive drive towards the females, which could result in serious injury.
Normally, blacktips leave Florida in the spring to travel up the coast to Georgia and the Carolinas to mate in summer. Blacktips participate in internal fertilization, meaning that each female is separately impregnated, which will then result in 4 to 11 pups every two years. These sharks are viviparous, meaning the pups develop inside the female’s body, unlike other sharks that lay egg sacks. Most pups will be left in shallow nurseries due to the high amount of prey and few predators, which increases their chances of survival.
Fishing for blacktip sharks is fairly easy; however, there are days when they can be finicky. Paying attention to specifics can increase your number of bites. On clearwater days, sharks tend to stay just on the backside of the last sandbar. On milky water days, they can literally be at your feet as they patrol up and down the first drop.
They definitely will eat dead bait, but will hit live and fresh-dead bait without hesitation. The most productive way to catch blacktips is to use a 6- to 8-inch chunk of whatever fresh fish you have. Toss it out without a weight. If you are fishing in strong current, simply walk down the beach as the bait drifts. On days when they are hanging out too far for casting, swim a live bait out. Blue runners, jack crevalle and palometa work well for this.
On slow days when the bite is dead and you’re catching nothing but catfish, swim one out or cut into chunks. If there are any blacktips around, they will eat it. A lot of anglers use huge hooks and long wire leaders, which will require you to get a shore-based shark fishing permit to legally fish for sharks in Florida.
I personally use a 5/0 extra strong circle hook with 2 feet of wire leader attached to 5 feet of 80-lb. test. The largest IGFA recorded blacktip shark weighed in at 270 pounds, 9 ounces. It was caught out of Malindi Bay, Kenya in 1984.
Emily Rose Hanzlik holds 51 IGFA world records in various categories. She hails from West Palm Beach, where she has a part time Bowfin Guide Service as well as fishing classes for Jr. Anglers. Find her on Social Media @emilyhanzlikoutdoors.
By Chagrin River Outfitters
NortheastOhio provides anglers with a world class fishing opportunity to target Lake Erie steelhead trout. Cool rains in September/October raise water levels of our spate streams from typical late summer flows, and allow the first pushes of steelhead to enter area streams. Angling opportunities are plentiful as these fresh run fish are very willing to take a properly swung streamer, or a naturally drifted egg and nymph tandem rig. Fishing typically becomes consistent by mid-October, and continues to be steady until cold settles in, usually around early to midJanuary. If you can handle a little cooler temps December/January offers some of the best fishing of the year and is the favorite of veteran steelheaders.
Ten foot, seven and eight weight rods are a great all-around choice for our area. Anglers looking specifically to swing streamers should consider shorter “spey” and “switch” rods paired with Skagit lines and sink tips. A large arbor reel with a solid drag system capable of holding 125 yards of backing is sufficient to handle Lake Erie chromers. Floating - weight
forward or indicator taper lines provide anglers with the versatility to fish for steelhead using a variety of techniques. For indicator nymph fishing, leaders in 0x-1x are preferred with fluorocarbon tippet in 0x-3x. Breathable waders combined with base layers and fleece/ wool and a windproof/waterproof wading jacket allow anglers to remain comfortable during the ever-changing weather conditions along Lake Erie’s southern shore. In addition, boots with studs and a wading staff can provide the angler with an extra sense of security while wading some of our slippery spate streams.
Polarized sunglasses are also a must. Steelhead are aggressive and opportunistic feeders. However, you will need to match the water conditions (which change often), with flies of the appropriate size, weights, and colors. A good selection of egg, nymph, and streamer patterns will be needed to be consistently successful.
Contact Chagrin River Outfitters at (440) 247-7110 or via their website: www.chagrinriveroutfitters.com
Who knew a simple thing like fishing could have such an impact on our lives? I am over 60 years old and still remember my first fish. My Dad took me to Charles Mills Reservoir near Mansfield when I was very young. I actually lassoed a catfish and drug it in sideways, (which made it seem very large and heavy). The fish wasn’t hooked very well, but I was, and I have been fishin ever since. Later my Mom would let me go to a farm pond down the road by myself when I was eight years old. There I caught a huge two and half pound bass and ran back home with it. My Mom, (bless her heart), cleaned it and cooked it for me. Who knew such seemingly little events would end up being some of my fondest memories? Thanks Mom and Dad.
Some of my family’s best trips and funniest experiences were associated with fishing. From having my son Mitch hook my hat and throw it in the lake, to people falling in the water, there was always fun times associated. The fishing was just a good excuse for getting outside, away from electronics and the world. On one trip I took the family to Rose Lake in Hocking Hills State Park. My then three year old son Jared fell in and was completely submerged. He was okay, my wife didn’t think it was funny but the rest of us sure got a good laugh.
One of my favorite trips was when we took the whole family to the AEP Lakes in Southeastern Ohio. We hiked two miles to a lake just full of bass. My wife fell in on that trip. She didn’t find that funny either, but I was chuckling when she wasn’t looking. Half of us got lost on the way back to the car, but it was a great trip!
I sincerely encourage you to take a kid fishing as often as you can, and Ohio is a great place to do that in. There is such a diversity of species and method’s for catching them: from charter fishing at Lake Erie to fly fishing for trout in the Mad River and steelhead in the
Shores & Islands Ohio is more than just a place, it’s a feeling. Discover something new with each adventure. Whether you’re a first timer or a seasoned regular, experiences here stay in your heart for a lifetime. Find your Lake Erie Love at SHORESandISLANDS.com.
Lake Erie tributaries, to big rig fishing for catfish in the Muskingum River to catching sauger in the Ohio River and saugeye at Buckeye Lake. Ohio is a great place to fish and make memories, so, take a kid fishin, who knows, maybe he or she will grow up and be the Co-
Photo by Mitch Philpott
Clendening Lake. Known for having the largest undeveloped shoreline in Ohio, Clendening Lake is described as one of the best fishing lakes in the region by local anglers. Clendening Lake features 1800 acres of water surface with three public launch ramps. Anglers will find largemouth and smallmouth bass, saugeye, channel and flathead catfish, crappie, and bullheads. Clendening Lake Marina offers docking, boat rentals, fuel, boating and fishing supplies, and concessions. The lake has a 10-horsepower limit.
Tappan Lake. Located along SR 250 northwest of Cadiz. Tappan Lake is a 2,350 acre lake with two public launch ramps and is home to an abundance of channel and flathead catfish, white bass, crappie, bluegill, and saugeye. It has a 399-horsepower limit and there’s a marina with boat rentals.
Piedmont Lake. Located both in Belmont and Harrison Counties near the village of Piedmont along SR 22. Piedmont is a 2270-acre lake. Secluded bays make for great bass and muskellunge fishing, (a state record was caught here!). It also has catfish, bluegill, crappie, perch and saugeye. There is a 10-horsepower limit and two public launch ramps. Piedmont Marina offers boat rental, docking, fuel, boating and fishing supplies.
Atwood Lake. Located in nearby Tuscarawas and Carroll Counties off St. Rt. 212, is a 25horsepower lake which offers 1540 acres of water surface. It has two public launch ramps and two marinas featuring boat rentals, docking, fuel, boat sales and service. It stocks northern pike, catfish, largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, perch and saugeye.
Leesville Lake. A 1000 acre lake located between New Philadelphia and Carrollton off Rt. 22 in Carroll county. It has a great reputation for Muskie fishing, as well as northern pike, catfish, largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, perch and saugeye. It has two public launch ramps, a 10-horsepower limit and two marinas.
Seneca Lake. A 3,500 acre lake stocked with catfish, white bass, striped bass, largemouth, bluegill, crappie, perch and walleye. It has a full-service marina that provides boat and motor sales, service, rental, boating supplies, bait, tackle, and licenses.
Muskie
By Troy White
fishing in the heat of summer can be thought of as a fruitless effort, as most of the adult fish seek refuge in main basin areas, making them a formidable opponent. Hours of endless casting at nothing in open water can break down even the most hardened muskie veterans. But as the cool October nights allow these fish access to littoral zones, or feeding flats, without over stressing their bodies, everything changes.
Lake fly fishing heats up for the Ohio anglers in October. The type of feeding flats to focus on may vary from day to day, but what to look for generally, is big open weed beds that have a “highway,” or means of egress from the main basin to the feeding flat. The reason for this is, after feeding, these large predators need to be able to go back out to “sea,” so to speak, to regulate their bodies for digestion. So weed beds having creek channels or old roadbeds that reach back to the basin seems to be prime territory.
Muskie, being a moon-orientated predator, can be “scienced out” to exact times of migration in and out of these feeding areas, making it a very obtainable trophy fish and not just the fish of 10,000 casts. As a guide I’ve been very fortunate to spend endless days on the water and really key in on the factors that can lead to the lifting of a big ol’ muskie out of 30 feet of water.
There’s a litany of factors, but over the years I’ve keyed in on one thing in particular that works well, from our local lakes to the Great Lakes, and that is to look for the bait fish. They sometimes gather at bug hatches after algae blooms. Schools of bait fish such as shad and panfish is what we’re
looking for.
Wherever in the lake or flowage you may be fishing is experiencing a collection of “meat,” this is where you want to be. If you want to find a big predator, you should probably check at their refrigerator first, correct? She will probably be heading to these weed beds come the next moon phase.
My recommended gear ranges from 1-pound rubber baits to blades on buck tails the size of the palm of your hand, 100-pound braid on XXXH rods and 200-pound leaders. This isn’t fishing for the faint of heart. For fly fishing, flies ranging from 7–14-inch game changers and 60-pound wire leaders. It is no easy task to cast these on 12-weight rods, so we try to make every cast count, and setting yourself up for that “spot-on spot” where the big ones are actually feeding will be a huge determining factor to your success.
Contact Troy White at Chagrin River Outfitters, (440) 247-7110 or via their website: www.chagrinriveroutfitters.com
Kenai Peninsula is a world- renowned fishery, known for all of its salmon runs, of which the Kenai River king salmon run is the most famous. The saltwater fishing out of Homer, Deep Creek and Seward are also amazing. I’ve been to Alaska fishing several times, and this year I fished the fresh and the salt with five friends who were all on their first trip. Here’s a quick look at what we did in freshwater. I’ll write about our saltwater adventures in the future.
Second only to the Kenai’s fishing is the scenery. There is a majestic feel to this area. The views are beautiful, there is amazing wildlife and tons of stuff to see. We saw it all as we drove all over the place chasing fish.
Our lodging was
in Soldotna, near the mouth of the Kenai River on Cook Inlet. That’s where we fished the Kenai River for red (sockeye) salmon. The famous king salmon season closed before we arrived this year, or we would have been fishing for them. We “flossed” for reds, which is a technique used in rivers to catch salmon that are more interested in their spawning run than they are in feeding. Basically, you use a weighted leader. As pods of fish swim upstream, the line threads an open mouth and you snag the fish when the hook pulls tight. This was combat-style fishing. We stood a rod’s length from other anglers, and it was mayhem when someone hooked up.
We also fished from a boat on the Kenai River, where we anchored to deploy small Kwikfish. These lures settle into the current near the bottom and vibrate. Fish swimming upstream see them and attack. Unlike the red salmon, which aren’t interested in eating, the pink (humpback) and silver (coho) salmon jumped all over this setup.
Twice, we traveled
northeast by van to Hope, Alaska, where we fished for pinks in Resurrection Creek. They were so thick that we stayed busy catching and releasing them after we all caught our limits. On our second trip to Resurrection, we went in search of silvers but they had not arrived yet, so we caught pinks all day again. It was so fun!
We also ventured south from Soldotna to the Kasilof River and caught salmon and trout. We crossed the peninsula to Seward and fished the Resurrection River for silvers, pinks and dog (chum) salmon. The river was full of fish, so we fished until it was too dark to see the bears and called it a day at midnight.
Last, but not least, we fished Skilak Lake, which feeds the Kenai River from the center of the peninsula. This was my favorite place to fish. It is as beautiful as it is full of fish. We stayed 18 days in Alaska and spent our 17th on Skilak, where we slayed the fish. We landed and released more than 100 reds, silvers and trout that day! It was a great note to end our trip.
If you ever get the chance to fish the Kenai Peninsula, you will love it. Get a group of friends, do some research and go. Fish with a guide or on your own. There are so many options and so many fish that it’s hard not to have an amazing adventure.
Gary Turner is a long-time contributor to The Angler Magazine. Contact him at gary@purgeright.com.
The weather has finally heated up, and it is time to get outside with K2 Coolers. Our products are geared toward the person who is looking to enjoy the outdoors with gear that does not slow them down. Whether you are out enjoying a hot day on the water, or watching your kids sporting event, K2 Coolers has a product that will keep your beverages and snacks cold all day long. K2 Coolers has products that fit every adventure’s needs.
Check out our website at https://www.k2-coolers.com/ to save money on your next cooler purchase and to take advantage of our free shipping
Tuna is a show my fiancé, Capt. Brandon Storin, and I like to watch. As an avid angler betrothed to a charter captain, I think it’s pretty cool to watch these guys reel in giants, but it’s even cooler to do it yourself.
Brandon and I wanted this experience, so we went on a charter with the legendary crew of the “Hard Merchandise.” Docked in Gloucester, Mass., the boat is very spacious with a heated cabin, full head and all the latest electronics. Capt. Joe Marciano and his Mate, Jay, are exactly as they are from the show, and their skillsets for catching huge bluefin tuna are amazing.
During our time with them, conditions were a bit rough. It called for us leaving the docks earlier than anyone else, and while riding out, you could really see how meticulous they are in each part of the rigging and set up. During the boat ride, conversation was great, with plenty of laughs to go around. Before we knew it, we were at the tuna grounds.
In the midst of catching and soaking baits and waiting for the bite, the crew made us fresh breakfast and it was amazing. We had bacon and scrambled eggs with lobster.
The experience is very much like what you would expect from watching the show. There’s lots of refreshing baits and waiting for a bite. When they mark fish on the sonar, the enthusiasm from the crew is amazing, just like on television. Capt. Joe and Jay jump up, yelling “WE’RE MARKING!” Adrenaline starts pumping with anticipation as you hope everything is lined up perfect enough to get a bite.
Fortunately, we did get tight, and I have never seen a fish take such a wild and ferocious run… several times. I was up to battle this fish with coaching from Capt. Joe and Jay. There is finesse needed to fight a giant like this, and a craft in staying tight and knowing when to let him run. Every second spent
reeling elevated the hope that we might land this big tuna. Yet there was also anxiety. If you’ve watched the show, you know that losing one of these monsters is a very real possibility.
We battled the fish for a while. Gaining where I could, adrenaline kept me pumping while the crew maneuvered the boat. The communication is constant as everyone works together.
Finally, I saw this huge beast start surfacing. Capt. Joe moved in with the harpoon, ready to take the shot. Everything happened so quickly!
The beast surfaced, and Capt. Joe drilled it with a perfect gill shot. It wasn’t over yet, but it was just a matter of time. After the fish made one last run, taking a bunch of rope, we hauled it back in and roped its tail. At that point, I knew I had landed my top bucket-list fish. It was an amazing experience, and it felt like we were literally in an episode of Wicked Tuna. What you see from the show is what you get in person. There is no script; nothing is fake. There is only grit, talent and hope, and these guys have all that.
The Hard Merchandise team recently launched Angelica Seafoods, where one can order fresh bluefin, lobster, scallops, oysters and more to be delivered to your door. If you plan a trip to Boston and want to catch a fish of a lifetime, book a charter with the Hard Merchandise.
For more information on the Hard Merchandise, visit www.angelicafisheries.com/ fv-hardmerchandise. IG: @catching_astrid @bnmbean @hardmerchjoe @melodyredwing @hardmerchandisejay.
By Nick Carter
Anglers have their own languages. We make up words or phrases to describe situations we frequently encounter on the water. Some of these phrases are quite amusing, and some are too colorful to be used in print. Like regional dialects, they vary from location to location and even from boat to boat. Without further ado, here are some of our favorite angler idioms.
BUCKET SITTER: Sometimes derogatory term for someone who fishes bait from the shore. “Look at those bucket sitters over there sitting on their buckets and drowning worms.”
BAIT CHUCKER: Always derogatory term used by fly fishers to describe any other type of angler. “I think that bait chucker was jealous of my tweed cap.”
MUD DART: A billfish that dies when released and sinks nose down, presumably to stick in the mud on the bottom of the ocean. “Keep hauling sailfish in the boat for photos, and you’re going to keep throwing back mud darts. “
DAMN CARP: A fish caught by an angler that is any species other than the intended target. “I thought it was a big largemouth, but it’s just a damn carp.”
REEF DONKEY: Derogatory term for greater amberjack. “We were drifting baits for kings, but all we caught were reef donkeys.”
DINK: Synonymous with peckerhead, a dink is a very small fish. “Look at this dink. It’s smaller than the plug it ate.”
YAHOO: Refers to anyone on the water other than the anglers in the group using the term. “We went to our honeyhole, but there were a bunch of yahoos already in it.”
PELLET PIG: Derogatory term for fish that reach large size because of a feeding program. “That yahoo thought he caught a trophy, but those pellet pigs are trained to eat hooks.”
DREADED FRUSTRATIONS: The downward spiral of being so flustered by your poor angling performance that you seemingly can’t do anything correctly. “I was slaying them until I hung my lure on the bottom. Then I broke my rod tip trying to get it loose and the dreaded frustrations set in. I couldn’t do anything right the rest of the day.”
EASY RELEASE: A fish that shakes the hook right at the boat. Counts as half a fish in informal fishing competition. “Oh, well. Easy release. It was a little peckerhead, anyway.”
LEROY JENKINS: Derived from an Internet video game meme, this exclamation is used in kayak fishing when you race ahead of your fishing buddies to be the first one on the water. “Y’all can keep mucking around on the boat ramp. I’m going fishing! Leeeroooy Jenkiiins!”
BANK OF DESPAIR: The opposite of honeyhole, this is an area known for not producing fish. “Man, I wasted three hours over there pounding away on the bank of despair.”
Share your favorite angler idioms with us on our Facebook page: Coastal Angler & The Angler Magazine.
Thedebate over which hull design is preferable (mono-hull vs. dual-hull) has been battered around for decades. Most cat-hull owners are very familiar with mono-hulls. My suspicion is that many mono-hull enthusiasts may not necessarily be familiar with the attributes of a dual-hull vessel.
Forrest Munden and Charlie Henderson are very familiar with dual-hulls. They’re the people behind Sea Cat, one of the smoothestrunning, most fuel efficient and versatile boats on the water. This boat thrives in a 3- to 5-foot chop. Sea Cat owners share the experience of often being the only boats on the water during choppy bad weather days. Dual-hull boats, and Sea Cat in particular, do not pound… ever! Remove pounding from your boating experience, and you’ll see how much more enjoyable your time on the water becomes. You’ll also be out there running comfortably when conditions are too rough for most boats.
Before you allow your position on the monohull vs. dual hull debate to be etched in stone, I strongly recommend you take a ride, preferably on a rough day, in the legendary Sea Cat. I predict you’ll be instantly convinced of its benefits.
The thing most first-time Sea Cat passengers do is to hold on to a railing and brace for a pounding that never occurs. You can see it in the tense position of their feet, legs and arms as they hold on to the rail. It’s a fairly standard mono-hull position. They are accustomed to the pounding. They’re prepared for it, anticipating it... but on the Sea Cat it never occurs. Never.
It’s actually pretty funny to see the look on a Sea Cat passenger’s face when they finally realize there’s no need to brace. That’s also when a smile spreads across their face. They’ve settled the debate.
Love the outdoors? Self-motivated?
Enjoy meeting new people?
passionate about the outdoors and want to enjoy the freedom and benefits
own business,
owning
Angler
With a combined national readership of over a million per month and distribution to over 11,000 businesses in four regions, Coastal Angler Magazine and The Angler Magazine are the preferred resources for anglers and outdoor enthusiasts. Our brand is well known throughout the fishing world, and our free monthly magazines are recognized as well-designed, thoughtful publications that provide newsworthy and entertaining information pertinent to the marine and fishing industries.
Be in Business For Yourself...But Not By Yourself. An exceptionally rewarding and fulfilling business opportunity, as a co-publisher of your area’s Coastal Angler or The Angler Magazine, you’ll enjoy the benefits of controlling your own time and future. Our proven franchise publishing system enables individuals with no prior publishing experience to publish a credible and profitable localized version of our award winning magazine. We provide complete training and on-going support to ensure your success.
888-800-9794 | info@vidmag.com www.VidMag.com
The Angler Video Magazine connects fishing and boating enthusiasts with industry news and shared community interests in a unique, industry-first format — a video magazine. Sent to over 3.2 MILLION licensed anglers, The Angler Video Magazine is provided to its readers for FREE. No subscriptions or payments are required for viewing.
Support The Angler Video Magazine’s mission to provide FREE content to the recreational fishing and boating communities and industries throughout the world by sharing, subscribing and advertising.
