Kel’s Rod and Reel Moving to New Location

After serving the Casselberry area for more than 3 decades, Kel’s Rod and Reel is moving to a new location in Longwood just 3 miles from their current location. Their new location is not far and easy to find, it is kind of just around the corner. From their current location just drive to 17-92 and take a right (northbound). Head 2 miles north and the new location is 1055 US 17/92 on the right. The new digs are in a stand-alone blue building just before you get to SR 434. Most of us have passed this location for years heading towards Longwood, Sanford or towards Bitter’s Bait & Tackle. The new building has larger space than the existing one, which will also allow the new ownership to serve its customers better with more space for repairs, parts inventory, etc.

Current owner Terri Cheatham is set to retire once new owner Rick Wilson is all dialed in with the new location and gets through the transition of location change. Kel’s new ownership will happen over the next year or so. Terri’s father started Kel’s Rod and Reel some 38 years ago, and Kel’s has been a local staple for Central Florida anglers.

If you own a fishing rod and reel, chances are you have been to Kel’s at some point for repairs or service. Not only do they work on most types of reels they fix fishing rods with new guides etc. They are the only Minn-Kota service center in Central Florida for repairs to your trolling motor or Talon shallow water anchors. Greg the head “Guru” and chief repair specialist has been there for nearly 3 decades too! His knowledge of trolling motors and shallow water anchors is beyond belief. To say he knows those products as good or better than the companies that manufacture them is an understatement. Having to take them apart and repair them daily, he knows what breaks and causes issues with each model. Having to repair the ones which come from the saltwater is even more challenging. The crew was not looking forward to the move, but they are super excited for a new change and more space. By the time this article is in print, the move will be complete, and re-opened for business in the last 2 weeks of July at the new location. Stop by the new Kel’s and say hello! Tell them you read about the move in Coastal Angler Magazine Orlando.

Though I adamantly claim there is no bad time of year to go fishing in the shallow waters of East Central Florida, there are certain times of the year that can be a little more challenging to get some quality fish caught. August does have a habit of being one of the more challenging months. The explanation is a simple one, it’s all about the heat! Especially in the lagoons where their non-tidal and stagnate habitat lends a hand to water temperatures that can skyrocket under the high noon sun. That oppressive heat influences fish activity much like it does our own. The concept of work or physical exertion in the sun from roughly 10am-3pm will meet healthy resistance from most everyone regardless of having 2 legs, 4 legs, or fins. Not only is it downright uncomfortable but it can also be dangerous for all. To combat this and still be productive in the lagoons you must adopt a siesta frame of mind to your angling approach. This means focusing on your fishing both early and late in the day leaving the high sun noonish timeframe for other activities. Starting your morning pre-dawn and catching that early bite or waiting until the sun has settled towards the west will have you in some action. Save that midday for some air conditioning and relaxation.

Tarpon and snook will be some of your best targets in the lagoons and they always make for an exhilarating fight. Tarpon being tops on that list for their willingness to still be active regardless of how hot the water might get. August is one month where we find lagoon tarpon on the open flats as much as the backwater canals. Get in on some of the calmest conditions all year - beach launch in August and keep in mind that sea conditions will change rapidly in the fall so get the flat ocean launches while you can. Snook can be targeted from kayaks in flat calm conditions along the beach and make for a great target species typically found in the troughs closer to shore. Outside the breakers Tarpon, kingfish, large jacks and sharks can all be caught regularly around bait schools. By far the brightest bulb in the bunch for August fishing is the realization that our fall mullet run is just around the corner and some of the year’s best fishing is on the horizon, though you can’t set a date for things as dynamic as a migration of fish triggered by weather conditions several states away. I hold the last week of August to the first weeks of September as the official kick off for the mullet run and am always ready to take full advantage of that fact. The mullet run is without a doubt a don’t miss fishing spectacle!

Saturday July 1 through September 4 - CCA Star Tourney - Catch, Photo, Release, Win! Over $500,000 in prizes. Catch a Tagged Redfish and Win Boat/Motor/Trailer packages, lots of prizes non-tagged species as well, $40 per angler to register, prizes for Trash Pick-ups as well, visit CCAFLSTAR. COM to register or more info.

Tuesday August 1, 85pm till dusk, Jolly Gator Bass Series, every Tuesday evening plus 1 Saturday per month until the Classic on August 12th. The cost is $40 per event, 2 anglers per team. Teams that finish in the Top 10 in points or win an event and fish at least 20 events will qualify for the end of year Classic. Some of the best river anglers in the area fish this Bass Series. The staff of Orlando Coastal Angler Magazine is the official weighmasters for this fun tournament series. Come out and join us for the weekly weigh-ins. All Tuesday events start at 5pm till dusk, Saturday events (1 per month) are safe light till 2pm. Launch ramp at CS Lee Park next to Jolly Gator Fish Camp on SR 46 east of Sanford at St. Johns River Bridge. For questions or more info contact Jim “Squirt” Chaudoin at 407432-2822 or Phil Wolf with Coastal Angler Magazine at 407-790-9515.

Saturday August 12 –Safe light till 3pm, Jolly Gator Bass Series Classic and the end of this year’s 2023 season, Launch ramp at CS Lee Park next to Jolly Gator Fish Camp on SR 46 east of Sanford at the St. Johns River Bridge. This event is for those teams who finished in the Top 10 in points or have won an event and fished at least

20 events this season. Our “Team of the Year” and “Big Bass of the Year” will also be awarded along with payouts for all teams that qualify after final weighin is complete. More than $10,000 will be paid out this season to our qualifying Classic teams. Come join us for the weigh-in and see the huge bags that will be brought to our weighmaster from Central Florida’s best bass fishing teams! For info or questions contact Phil Wolf with Coastal Angler Magazine Orlando at 407790-9515.

Thursday August 105pm to 8pm, Alive After 5 in Sanford - The staff of Orlando Coastal Angler Magazine would like you to join us for an evening of fun in downtown Sanford. This event is the second Thursday of each month downtown. Block Party on First Street! Don’t miss the chance for a fun night out in the town.

August 7, 15, 17, 21, 22, 23, 28, 31 - Happy Birthday to CAM staff Charlie McCullough and his son Andrew McCullough, Suzanne Hodges, Ray Morales, Dottie Ortega, to our son Josh Wolf turning 38, son Jason Wolf turning the Big 40 and Grandson Gunner Wolf turning 11 years old! The staff of Coastal Angler Magazine Orlando, friends and family all hope you each have a special day and enjoy many more years to come!

If you have an event or meeting you would like included in the “What’s Hitting Around Town” column, send your details to: Phil Wolf phillip@ coastalanglermagazine. com. Deadline for inclusion is the 10th of the preceding month.

Austin & Hunter with a nice 5 bass limit at Jolly Gator Bass Series Tuesday Evening Event

Huge Congrats to Oviedo based American Tackle Co. winning “Best of Category” and “Best of Show” with their new One piece blown carbon fishing rod handles