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VOLUME 26 • ISSUE 314

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F R A N C H I S E

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W O R L D W I D E

MAY 2021

Secrets of a Billionaire Revealed “Price is what you pay; value is what you get. Whether we’re talking about socks or stocks, I like buying quality merchandise when it is marked down.” — wisdom from the most successful investor of all time

e’re going to let you in on a secret. Billionaires have billions because they know value is not increased by an inflated price. They avoid big name markups, and aren’t swayed by flashy advertising. When you look on their wrist you’ll find a classic timepiece, not a cry for attention–– because they know true value comes from keeping more money in their pocket. We agree with this thinking wholeheartedly. And, so do our two-and-a-half million clients. It’s time you got in on the secret too. The Jet-Setter Chronograph can go up against the best chronographs in the market, deliver more accuracy and style than the “luxury” brands, and all for far, far less. $1,150 is what the Jet-Setter Chronograph would cost you with nothing more than a different name on the face. With over two million timepieces sold (and counting), we know a thing or two about creating watches people love. The Jet-Setter Chronograph gives you what you need to master time and keeps the superfluous stuff out of the equation. A classic in the looks department and a stainless steel power tool of construction, this is all the watch you need. And, then some. Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. Experience the Jet-Setter Chronograph for 30 days. If you’re not convinced you got excellence for less, send it back for a refund of the item price. Time is running out. Now CLIENTS LOVE that the secret’s out, we STAUER WATCHES… can’t guarantee this $29 chronograph will stick around long. Don’t overpay to be “The quality of their underwhelmed. Put a precision watches is equal to many chronograph on your wrist for that can go for ten times just $29 and laugh all the way the price or more.” to the bank. Call today! — Jeff from McKinney, TX

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Jackpot! Hoard of 1881-S Morgan Silver Dollars Found & Secured Mintage accounts for only 1.94% of all Morgan Silver Dollars Struck!

In 1859, Nevada’s Comstock Lode was discovered, and soon its rich silver ore made its way across the nation, including to the respected San Francisco Mint—the U.S. Mint branch known by collectors as the source of some of the finest U.S. coins ever struck. That includes the 1881 Morgan Silver Dollar, which exhibits crisp details, blazing luster, and the iconic “S” mint mark of the San Francisco Mint. Now you have the chance to add these historic, 90% pure U.S. silver coins to your collection!

Here’s the breakdown: in 1881, just 4.25% of the total Morgan series was struck. Less than half of those coins came from San Francisco. In the end, the 1881-S Morgan Silver Dollar accounts for just 1.94% of the entire series—and that’s before the mass meltings that have left so few coins for collectors to secure. And we can expect that even fewer of the survivors are of collector grade...

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 Sealed in protective holder  1881-S accounts for just 1.94% of all Morgans Struck

Actual size is 38.1 mm

Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS)! Grading service varies. The condition of these coins are as though they were struck yesterday, despite being minted 140 years ago to circulate in commerce! And yet they have survived with a quality level of eye appeal that won’t cost you an arm and a leg.

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The Morgan Silver Dollar was struck from 1878 to 1904, and again in 1921. In the 100 years since, most of these beautiful U.S. Silver Dollars have been worn out or melted down for their silver. It’s estimated that as little as 15% of all Morgans struck exist today in any condition. Even fewer come from this particular mintage.

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The Morgan Silver Dollar is the most popular and iconic vintage U.S. coin. They were the Silver Dollars of the Wild West, going on countless untold adventures in dusty saddlebags across the nation. Finding a hoard of Morgans doesn’t happen often—and when it does, it’s a big deal. So when we came across a recent hoard of 549 Morgan Silver Dollars—all struck at the San Francisco Mint in 1881—it was like hitting the jackpot!

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OFFER DETAILS: Activate a new subscription to SiriusXM Marine Fish Mapping and receive your first month free (a $99.99 savings), plus get free activation (an additional $25 savings), for a combined savings of $124.99. Add SiriusXM Select radio package at the discount rate of $11.99/mo. Fees and taxes apply. A credit card is required on this offer. You must cancel during your free month to avoid being charged. At the beginning of your second month service will automatically renew thereafter every month and you will be charged at the then-current rates. Fees and taxes apply. Please see our Customer Agreement at siriusxm.com for complete terms and how to cancel, which includes calling us at 1-800-985-9200. All fees, content, and features are subject to change. This offer may not be combined with any other trial offers and may be modified or terminated at any time. Subscription and hardware sold separately. $100 Rebate from SiriusXM available through Dec 31, 2021 with hardware and subscription purchase, see Rebate Offer Details at siriusxm.com/fishmapping. © 2021 Sirius XM Radio Inc. SiriusXM and all related logos are trademarks of Sirius XM Radio Inc. and its respective subsidiaries. All rights reserved.

THE BASICS

By Michelle Dalton

Flying OF

Kites T

here’s something about kite fishing for big pelagic gamefish that gets me going. Flying kites presents baits with a natural appearance and allows you to cover lots of water for higher catch rates. Also, the technique provides the ultimate adrenaline rush, as you get to watch the strike happen. For those unfamiliar with kite fishing, let’s go over the basics. Captains consider everything from water color and clarity to baitfish and birds to determine where to start fishing. I like fishing edges, where water color turns green to a deep blue, usually somewhere in 100 to 300 feet of water. There are different kite designs for different wind velocities. Kites are typically launched and retrieved with electric reels. Launching kites is not a piece of cake, but with the right equipment, patience and steady winds, a beginner can practice and perfect the skill. Attached to your kite line are three release clips.

Each clip is assigned to a rod. An experienced crew will fish three live baits off one kite, with each reel’s line clipped to the main kite line. Although it seems like a potential tangled mess, it’s rather organized. For the bait lines, I use high-capacity baitcasting reels spooled with 20- or 30-pound monofilament. Attached to the mono, above the leader, there are a few terminal tackle items that make up your rigs.

First, a ceramic ring is attached to the kite line using release clips. Next, a neon float dangles in the sky above each bait to help track them from a distance. From there, a small egg sinker maintains the vertical drop that keeps baits at the surface. Finally, a bead separates the sinker from your leader. Your leader depends on the targeted species. For the toothy critters, I use an 18-inch wire leader connected to fluorocarbon with an Albright knot and a 7/0 live bait hook. For sailfish, I use 10 to 12 feet of 60-pound fluorocarbon leader with a 7/0 circle hook. By paying attention and adjusting the lines, the angler keeps the baits on the surface where they make the slight commotion predators find irresistible. The rigs suspend in air above the baits, completely out of sight of the fish. I prefer fishing goggle-eyes, threadfin herring and sardines. Healthy bait is far more likely to be eaten. Ahead of tournaments, my team and I spend weeks feeding and nurturing bait to keep it healthy. If you’re fortunate enough to hook a sailfish, don’t immediately clear the other lines. Sailfish often travel in groups. Leave those other baits in the water for a chance at additional bites. Traditionally, when winds start to die at the end of spring, the number of boats trolling offshore grows. However, kite fishing goes on year-round in South Florida. Even with very little wind, a kite will fly with the help of a helium balloon. Next time your friends want to troll around offshore, tell them to “go fly a kite!” Michelle Dalton books charters through her social media pages: @Bombchelle_fishing.

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on ply. ce mer ect ely. ng. COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

MAY 2021

NATIONAL 7

Humbled

ON THE DAVIDSON By Nick Carter

he Davidson River in Brevard, N.C. is one of the most widely publicized trout streams in the Southeast. It’s a challenging fishery with beautiful water that holds some very nice fish. Part of the Davidson’s appeal, or its main drawback, is easy access. The river flows roadside through most its publicly accessible length. There is small water in the headwaters accessible only by foot, but for the most part it is a park-and-fish kind of place. On a gorgeous summer weekend, a buddy and I heeded advice from the guys at Davidson River Outfitters to join the dawn patrol. We arrived on

the river at first light to find a pod of big fish, maybe four or five in the 16- to 20-inch range, hovering near the bottom of a bellybutton-deep run. They were clearly visible in low summer flows. For the next hour, we worked the run together, one or the other of us making the same drift repeatedly as the other man tied on a new fly. It was a challenge that bordered on infuriating to see those trout, an occasional belly flash belying the fact that they were eating… just not what we offered. We tried everything, right down to a size 22 red midge pupa recommended at the fly shop. Finally, because we had tried everything else, I

tied on a white Woolly Bugger—another Davidson River staple. Just twitching it through the hole, a fish we had not previously seen streaked from the periphery to slam the streamer. Those big fish didn’t even flinch as I stripped in a pretty 11-inch brown. As I released the fish, an older gentleman waded down the side of the run. He glanced out at the pod of big fish still sitting on the bottom. “Wasn’t the one you were after, was it?” he asked. My response was to offer him a shot at the run. He declined. “Don’t want any part of it,” he grumbled. “Spent all afternoon yesterday standing right where you are.” That’s a snapshot of what fishing the catch-andrelease, fly fishing only section of the Davidson is like. The river is full of fish—and some big ones. It is also frequently full of anglers. The steady pressure makes trout wise. Of course, there’s always a guy who lights up Internet message boards with a photo of a big old bruiser. He’ll give advice like, “Use a little split-shot to get it down,” but I suspect there’s more to it. Pressured fish are on guard. Catching them requires perfect presentation of the perfect fly and also being in the right place at that right time. Arriving early, staying late and fishing hard makes it more likely you’ll be there when a 2-foot-long trout makes a mistake. This story is an abbreviated excerpt from the book “Flyfisher’s Guide to North Carolina & Georgia,” which includes maps and GPS coordinates to access points for all the region’s best trout fisheries. Purchase the book on Amazon or by contacting the author at nsc8957@gmail.com.

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BUILD YOUR OWN RODS

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“Rooted” GET

he Everglades is the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States. This jungle-like paradise provides crucial habitat for numerous rare and endangered species like manatees, American crocodiles and Florida panthers. It is a truly amazing land and seascape, and it’s home to an awesome angling experience like no other: an encounter with the “Silver King,” one of Nature’s most acrobatic and striking underwater wonders. Tarpon (Megalops), in brief, are like an enormous silver bullet. They are powerful, explosive and acrobatic fighters, with the stamina of an Energizer bunny. Due to their tolerance of a wide range of water salinity, tarpon swim the canals and ponds of south Florida. I’ve caught juveniles in freshwater ponds, so I’ve sampled the pure power of the species. But catching a true behemoth has long been on my bucket list. To achieve this, I traveled to Flamingo, the southernmost headquarters of Everglades National Park, in Monroe County, Fla. There I met Sam Root, an exceptionally knowledgeable Miami-based

By Rosemary J. White

IN THE FLORIDA EVERGLADES

fisherman and media personality who has traveled the world to test his fishing skills. I’ve admired Root’s media work, and have been fortunate to collaborate with him through companies like Mustad, Savage Gear and many TV platforms. On this trip, we set out to test the Savage Gear Pulse Tail Mullet and Pulse Tail Ballyhoo. These swimbaits are engineered to look and move like the baitfish they resemble, and are molded with Savage Gear’s pulse tail. The tail has a patent-pending split rear kicker that allows realistic swimming action fast or slow. The bait also features “line-through” rigging that allows the soft-plastic bait to slide up the line during the fight, giving the fish less leverage to throw the hook. With the aerial tendencies of tarpon, this is a pretty good feature to have. We launched out of Everglades National Park quickly to avoid being air lifted from the ramp by mosquitoes. The scenery was breathtaking. Winding through the narrow canals was like trekking through the Amazon. We arrived at our spot with the moon to the west and the sunrise to the east, both simultaneously visible. That was unlike anything I’ve ever seen.

The action began immediately! We hooked multiple tarpon and got a first-hand perspective of why the line-through technology is helpful. An unobstructed fight, both from the lack of structure and the lack of a lure in the fish’s mouth makes for a pure battle of strength and endurance, on both sides of the rod. The acrobatics and sheer power of these fish as they launched into the air was mind blowing. At one point, it was all I could do to hold on as Root engaged the motor in pursuit of a monster tarpon with the reel screaming in my hands. After we exhausted ourselves—and several fish—we headed into the preserve canals to sightsee. We were ecstatic to get a glimpse of the American crocodile. The Everglades is the only place on Earth where both alligators and crocodiles coexist. When Root said it was time to “call it,” I cringed. I could have gotten lost for days fishing in the unparalleled landscape. The Everglades is a mix of different habitats including freshwater, brackish and salt, an angler’s paradise. I longed for more time to explore.

For more information on Savage Gear and their products, Sam does instructional “how to” videos on his Instagram @scssam. Follow Rosemary White @roasty194 for her fishing adventures that feature destinations throughout Florida and @daryn.white.fishing for photography.

Bow and pray.

Tarpon season in The Florida Keys is all about timing, skill and luck of the draw. Hook up and be ready to bow to the king. Stay tight and pray all those hours in the gym weren’t for naught. Whether you come just for thrills or to top your personal best, don’t miss the opportunity to experience true piscatorial bliss. fla-keys.com 1.800.fla.keys For the latest protocols on health & safety in The Florida Keys, please visit our website.

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SHRIMP: THE BAIT OF ALL BAITS

4) Shrimp (weedless, or as it comes out of the package) without a jig head I can go anywhere there are shrimp and catch trout, drum, snook and more with a very small tackle box. It’s the universal bait. My favorite is just the shrimp on the Barefoot Jig without a cork, but under the fixed and sliding cork is sometimes just the ticket. You can use the sliding cork Tim Barefoot around docks and snags at an irresistibly slow speed. The reason it works ears ago, I was obsessed with live bait of all kinds. I kept livewells so well is the jig head is balanced and will maintain a perfect horizontal with mullet, shrimp, pinfish and cigar minnows. I spent a lot of position with or without a cork. time tending to bait and battling the otters at the marina. My inshore bait of choice was the live shrimp… hands down. Live mullets will get the bite, no question, but the shrimp is simply irresistible. I would spend hours and hours catching, housing and feeding bait. I was just about at the end of my inshore live bait road when along came the DOA shrimp. I love everything about that soft plastic shrimp body. It’s pretty tough, looks just like a real shrimp and can be made to work in every single situation including depth, grass/roots and current when used with the correct hardware. I have to admit there are times when I may catch a few more fish with live shrimp, but I can carry my entire inshore tackle The key is to make the shrimp look like a real shrimp. box now in just a few small trays of jig heads, DOA shrimp A live shrimp does not move around stern- or bow-heavy. colors and a bottle of Pro Cure shrimp scent. It’s extremely A live shrimp moves thru the water slowly in a perfectly easy to just plug a DOA body on the jig, apply a liberal horizontal position. Just look at them in the livewell or at a amount of Pro Cure shrimp scent on the legs and underside, tackle shop that sells live shrimp. That’s the reason the DOA and start fishing. I have so much faith in this combination. catches so many fish: it swims horizontally. It’s just a given; they will eat it when properly presented. The weedless version of this shrimp can be extremely I could write several pages of this article regarding the effective for fish tailing in the grass or around mangrove different applications, but I’ll be brief. roots. This is one reason to keep one rigged and ready and I keep four rods rigged with shrimp: always moving around quietly. For videos of these variations, 1) Shrimp body on a 3/8-ounce Barefoot Jig. visit my website and click on “videos” 2) Shrimp under a fixed cork about 20 inches deep on a 3/8 oz. Barefoot Jig. For more from Capt. Tim Barefoot, visit 3) Shrimp under a sliding cork on a 3/8-ounce barefootcatsandtackle.com. Barefoot Jig (to suspend over shell beds).

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Summer-Long, Statewide Fishing Competition Launches May 29 C CA Florida, the state’s leading marine fisheries conservation, education and advocacy organization, will begin the seventh-annual CCA Florida STAR competition May 29. The summer-long event invites anglers and non-anglers to participate and win prizes valued at $500,000, including boats, motors, scholarships and more. Launched in 2015, Florida STAR focuses on conservation with its catch, photo and release format, conservation division and unique garbage division. Additionally, STAR is driven by its smartphone app, which allows participants to upload competition photos, eliminating the requirement to harvest or transport fish. “In the past six years, it’s been amazing to see STAR participants catch more fish, practice catch and release and support recovery efforts—all to conserve and enhance our state’s coastal waters and marine resources.” CCA Florida STAR Director Leiza Fitzgerald said. “But, what’s been just as exciting, is awarding more than $1.2 million in prizes, including $600,000 in youth scholarships, to the thousands of STAR registrants.” 2021 STAR features 17 divisions targeting 12 inshore and offshore species. STAR’s signature divisions include the West Marine STAR Tagged redfish, and prizes in this division are a Contender Boats 22 Sport, Pathfinder Boats 2200 TRS and Spyder 19FX Vapor all powered by Yamaha Outboards. For the first two youth anglers who win this division, prizes include two Salt Marsh Skiff 1656 tiller boats powered with Yamaha Outboards, trailers, Minn Kota trolling motors and Humminbird electronics. The other signature division, the Tigress Outrigger & Gear Tagged Dolphin Division, offers one winner a $10,000 cash prize or scholarship to the STAR registrant and CCA Florida member who catches the first

tagged dolphin. Dolphin are captured, tagged and released off the Florida Keys by the Dolphin Research program implemented by the Beyond Our Shores foundation. With a focus on inclusion of anglers of all skill levels, every fish an angler catches counts in STAR’s Power Pole Conservation Division. This division makes each participant a citizen biologist by documenting catches in the app with data to be utilized in research. Engagement of youth is another priority of STAR, and CCA Florida youth members (ages 6 to 17) can participate in the competition for free. Kids are encouraged to submit entries in the Youth Scholarship Division presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors for an opportunity to win one of 12 scholarships with a total value of $100,000. Youth may also garner community service hours by gathering trash and disposing of it properly in the Costa Kick Plastic Trash Division or even win a new boat, motor and trailer by catching a West Marine tagged redfish. Other divisions include ladies, kayak, guides and more. Since most division winners are determined by a random drawing, it is about submitting qualifying entries for an opportunity to be drawn as a winner. Registration is open throughout the competition and ends Sept. 6. To register for STAR 2021 or receive additional information on divisions, prizes and more, visit ccaflstar.com or Facebook.

Because every ﬁsh could be a winner!

CATCH. PHOTO. RELEASE. WIN. MAY 29 TO SEPTEMBER 6 CCA Florida STAR is the largest family-friendly saltwater ﬁshing competition in Florida, and it’s unlike traditional ﬁshing tournaments.

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• Prizes for Additional Non-Tagged Non Species Snook, Trout, Redfish, Grouper, Kingfish, Dolphin, Tarpon & Lionfish

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MAY 2021

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or the first time in decades, there’s an old-school inshore grand slam tournament slated for South Florida. The first Herman Lucerne Biscayne Legends Classic, presented by Hell’s Bay Boatworks, will launch on Biscayne Bay July 7-8 thanks to The Herman Lucerne Memorial Foundation and Bonefish & Tarpon Trust. Twenty-five teams will compete in an exciting one-day contest, chasing bonefish, permit and tarpon in what is perhaps the greatest urban inshore fishery on earth. Registration is open now, and space is limited.

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TOURNAMENT DETAILS: June 5, 2021 on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes to beneﬁt Local and National Wounded Veterans Groups. $175.00 per boat (includes Big Bass).

Launching out of Joe Overstreet Boat Ramp on Lake Kissimmee. Tournament starts at safe light, 3pm weigh in. Registrations will be accepted until May 28.

4 ORLANDO

MAY 2021

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Fishing Lake Okeechobee in May is absolutely one of my favorite times to fish the ‘Big O’. Here are my reasons: The weather isn’t too hot, too windy, or too rainy and good fishing can be found in the Kissimmee River, the lake and it’s a time that there are a multitude of species to fish for – all called fun. The bass can be found in the shallows feeding on bluegill and shell crackers (red ears) that are spawning. This means throw frogs; swim jigs; swim baits; cut-tails; paddletails; rattle traps. Big worms, jigs and deep diving crank baits work very well if you’re fishing in the river. Along the rivers’ edges you’ll find spawning panfish as well as fingerling catfish which can be the size that’s best eating. When I take fingerling catfish trips, I

Spring is here and summer is creeping up fast. The water tables are steadily dropping down to low pool for the summer rains and hurricane season. The hydrilla is now at the water’s surface making lures snag, but easy to see the edges. The bass are moving to current at the canal entrances and are hanging around the edges of the sand bars. At first light, fish open water for Bass for the first hour. They are feeding like a frenzy on the schools of shad. Bait of choice - crank baits like Rapala X-Raps or Rattle Traps. Bait of choice in open water vegetation are plastic baits like Zoom Speed Worms, flukes, Bitter’s brand vibe worms and the skinny dippers are the hot baits this month. Best colors are June bug, watermelon seed, 6 ORLANDO

MAY 2021

typically use ultra-light rigging such as a 7 ft. medium-action spinning rod and reel (Lews makes a great combo and its priced very reasonable), typically a 6-8 lb. monofilament line, a bobber stop located above and below the small bobber which is set to the water depth that I’ll be fishing then a small split shot weight and typically a #2 hook for panfish. For bait I normally use red-wigglers or red worms… yes, there is a difference…always try to buy the red wigglers and at times I’ll also use live crickets especially when the weather gets a little warmer or in areas that may have more pressure on the fish.

Spring is in the air. The clocks are back to normal now and the fishing is really getting good. We also have more light in the day to hunt down those fish. Most of the Central Florida area lakes are experiencing a short transitional period. Most of the fish have spawned out by now and begin to move off to points and weed lines. Not a bad idea to hang around those spawning areas and go slightly deeper.

If you’re bass fishing, the colorpattern to stick with: June bug; redbug; watermelon red; white; black; crawdad and shad patterns for crank baits; gold or silver/blue for rattle traps and double-willow leave spinner baits, typically one silver and one gold blade but will vary depending on water clarity conditions but what’s most important is “what you have confidence throwing”.

Cover more water by throwing some moving baits. A speed worm, jerk bait, or rattle rap might be a good option right now. If you like to slow down, try a Carolina rig in a little deeper water. Move this rig slowly on the bottom. Finding a nice shell bed is perfect for this type of set up.

black and blue.

Our biggest goal this year is to send 3 teams to Nationals in August. Right now, we have only one team qualified: Thomas Wright and Hunter Blevins have made it to Nationals. They also qualified for the World Finals in June. Way to go guys! If you’d like to sponsor a team to go to States and Nationals, please contact Dave DiMauro 407-353-4575. We are a 501c3 organization.

Crappies are out in open water. Troll at various depths until you get a bite. Run multiple jigs in various colors tipped with a minnow and when you find which color they like, change them all to that color. Panfish: The bluegills have moved up into shallow water to compete for spawning areas. This is the best time to locate the spawning areas. The males are really aggressive and are starting to fan the beds they will be easy to see. Shell cracker will also be mixed in the same area. They are finishing up and will be spawning in a little deeper water. Both panfish prefer the same type of spawning area but will move out deeper to spawn due to the warming water temps and lower water table. Break out the flyrod with a popping bug. Another good bait is the trusty beetle spin in red and white, yellow, and black. If you are a live bait fisherman crickets under a float is the best bet for panfish followed by red worms.

Our SJA team is in the top 10 for Club of the year with Florida Bass Nation High School. We have had a rebuilding season with losing 7 seniors last year. This new squad is young, but they can fish! We have three teams in the top 25 for team of the year too. Our goal this year was to get 5 teams to States on Lake Okeechobee on May 7 & 8. Right now, we have 5 teams qualified: Dalton Dunn and Jack Thornton, McKenzie and Dalton Bailey, Drew and Kam Bradstreet, Justin Lawrence and Bryce DiMauro, and Thomas Wright and Hunter Blevins. Congratulations to these teams!

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Cold w signal patter in Ce largem striper and s freshw

Early can be St. Jo Harne shad Rapal or the Bass if you the sc north. on de or eel soft p Live s

Angle good body this m you and perce the t twitch worke crank baits etc. T has b allows effect colum and c and it deep to fish

Soft p

wild shiners are best. Sunshine bass are stocked by the FWC solely for recreational anglers. Look for the stripers to shadow schools of shad in the lakes. Use the same shad imitation hard baits above. Cold weather is behind us. May signals a more stable weather pattern with warmer weather in Central Florida. Post-spawn largemouth bass, sunshine bass, stripers, spawning shellcracker, and spawning catfish are the freshwater targets this month. Early morning schooling bass can be found at first light near the St. Johns River mouths of Lake Harney and Lake Monroe. Throw shad imitation slash baits like a Rapala X-Rap, Yozuri Minnow, or the time-trusted Rattle Trap. Bass will readily eat the live shad if you can cast net some, but the schools have mostly moved north. After the early bite, focus on deeper edges near lily pads or eel grass with Carolina rigged soft plastics – use dark colors. Live shiners are always good,

Anglers are having some good luck fishing with hollow body frogs in the Harris Chain this month. With these baits you can make long casts and thoroughly fish high percentage areas across the tops of lily pads. Short twitches with a pause have worked best versus simply cranking them back in. These baits imitate frogs, baitfish, etc. The lipless crankbait bite has been working well and allows you to cover water effectively and different water columns. You can make a cast and count to 5 before reeling and it will be nearly 5 or 6 feet deep allowing for more ways to fish your bait. Soft plastic baits like creature

Daily panfish catch limits bestow the anglers with patience and a big can of red worms or live crickets. The spawn is on for shellcrackers! Target them along sandy shorelines anchoring before or after the bends in the St Johns, close to the bank in 3-8 feet of water (warmer water, go deeper). Hook size should be #4; weight the wiggler to the bottom with one or two split shots. Fly anglers using poppers will enjoy all day action especially when the love bug hatch occurs. Bring on the rains! One to three days following a big rain, the water begins rushing from the creeks into the St Johns River system flowing north. This signals catfish to swim upstream to spawn. Peeled fresh shrimp on a 2/0 circle hook works great in the river or creek bends.

types, Senkos and trick worms are a staple for lots of anglers on the Harris Chain. Colors to try: June bug, watermelon red, black and blue or an all-black bait. These colors will give you a small assortment that really catch good numbers of fish but also targets the big ones. You can pitch a creature bait to heavy cover and wait for that hard thump…wait a second… and hit ‘em hard. The bladed jig bite has been steady - don’t forget to rig on a small 3-to4-inch swim bait as a trailer on the back. These baits can be casted extremely far and worked through isolated submerged vegetation hydrilla and lily pads. Now is a great time to get on the schedule for your own guided bass fishing charter on the Harris Chain. Visit cprbasscharters.com for lots of fishing pictures and other outdoor content. Captain Mark Wyckoff 352636-6915

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Boat Dealers New & Consignment Sales 1 - Astor Marine (352) 759-3655 24535 FL-40, Astor, FL 32102 www.astormarine.com 2 - Nobles Marine (352) 787-5792

437 N Palmetto St, Leesburg, FL 34748 or 1931 N. Hwy 19, Crystal River www.noblesmarine.com

3 - Craig Catamaran (407) 290-8778 4333 Silver Star Rd. #100 Orlando, FL 32808

4 - Triangle Marine (352) 343-6146

18 - Monroe Harbor Marina (407) 322-2910 31 N Palmetto Ave, Sanford, FL 32771 www.moroneharbor.com

42 - Central Florida Airboat Tours (407) 32107534650 E State Rd 46, Geneva, FL 32732 www.centralfloridaairboattours.com

6 - Sea Tow of Central Florida Lakes

31 - Pyramid Cabinets (407) 947-8499

9 - Instant Insurance Agency (352) 735-5560 25833 State Road 46, Sorrento, FL 32776 www.instantinsuranceagency.com

34 - Thomas Lumber Company (407) 841-1250

51 - A & D Custom Canvas (407) 331-8184 725 Montana St. Orlando 32803

49 - Martin Tree Service, Inc. (407) 359-1119 1215 Bob White Trail, Chuluota, FL 32766 www.martintreeserviceinc.com

(877) 800-1492 12307 Wedgefield Drive , Grand Island, FL 32735

Bait & Tackle Shops / Outfitters / Apparel

451 Fairvilla Road, Orlando, FL 32808 www.codepyramid.com

231 W Gore St, Orlando, FL 32806, www.thomaslumber.com

15 - The Florida Angler (352) 708-8290

50 - Campbell Renovations Inc. (407) 947-0016 285 Campbell Ranch Run, Geneva, FL 32732 www.campbellrenovationsinc.com

5 - Lakeside Bait & Tackle (352) 742-3336

1000 W Burleigh Blvd, Tavares, FL 32778

55 - Vapor and Company (407) 878-7397 3621 S. Orlando Dr., Sanford, FL 32773 www.vaporandco.com

1021 N Orlando Ave, Maitland, FL 32751 www.centralfloridamarine.com

7 - Owens Fishing & Marine (352) 357-3030

59 - Celery City Craft (407) 915-5541

38 - Orlando Boat Sales (407) 253-7111

11 - Highbanks Marina & Camp Resort

11415 US-441, Tavares, FL 32778 www.trianglemarinecenter.biz

30 - Aamco East Orlando (407) 277-3311 6304 E. Colonial Dr. Orlando FL 32807 Full Service Mechanics

25 - Central Florida Marine (407) 647-6262

3165 N John Young Pkwy, Orlando, FL 32804 www.orlandoboatsales.com

37 - Southeast Marine (407) 851-1965 7576 S Orange Ave, Pine Castle, FL 32809 www.southeastmarinesales.com 24 - Boat Max USA (321) 866-0306

9700 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando FL 32817 www.boatmaxusa.com 46 - Gibson Truck World (407) 321-0660 3455 S. Orlando Dr. Sanford, FL 32773 www.gibsontruckworld.com 14 - Boat Tree Marina (407) 322-1610 4370 Carraway Pl, Sanford, FL 32771 www.boattree.com

60 - Next Level Inc. “Florida Marine Customs”

(407) 704-5676 • 87 W. Michigan St. Orlando, FL 32806 info@floridamarinecustoms.com

Boat improvement / Service & Repair Centers / Replacement Parts 36 - All American Marine (407) 855-9988 7024 S Orange Ave, Orlando FL 32809 www.allamericanmarineorlando.com

35 - All Star Marine (407) 423-9953 28 W Jersey St, Orlando, FL 32806 www.manta.com

29 - Lake Fairview Marina (407) 295-0117 4503 N Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, FL 32804 www. Lakefairviewmarina.com

786 Montose St., Clermont, Fl 34711 www.thefloridaangler.com

935 N Bay St, Eustis, FL 32726

(386) 668-4491 488 W Highbanks Rd, DeBary, FL 32713 www.campresort.com

14 - Boat Tree Marina (407) 322-1610 4370 Carraway Pl, Sanford, FL 32771 www.boattree.com

21 - Bitters Bait & Tackle (407) 699-6619 65 N US Hwy 17 92, Longwood, FL 32750 www.bittersbaitandtackle.com

43 - Bithlo Bait & Tackle (321) 355-0591

17162 Old Cheney Hwy, Orlando, FL 32833

10 - Get Hooked Bait & Tackle (407) 704-8755 670 Kissimmee Ave, Ocoee, FL 34761 44 - Big Toho Marina (407) 846-2124 69 Lakeview Dr., Kissimmee, FL 34741

114 S. Palmetto Ave., Sanford FL 32771 celerycitycraft.com

54 -West End Trading Co. (407) 322-7475 202 Sanford Ave, Sanford, FL 32771 www.drinkatwestend.com

Areas Best Picks for Restaurants 47 - Jolly Gator Fish Camp Bar & Grill (407) 349-5554 4650 E State Rd 46, Geneva, FL 32732 www.thejollygator.com

39 - Fish on Fire (407) 812-6881

7937 Daetwyler Dr, Orlando, FL 32812 www.fishonfireorlando.com

40 - High Tide Harry’s (407) 273-4422

4645 S Semoran Blvd, Orlando, FL 32822 www.hightideharrys.com

45 - Wojo’s Bait & Tackle (407) 891-1003

Oak Park Center, 4245 13th St, St Cloud, FL 34769

33 - Boston’s Fish House (407) 678-2107 Aloma Square Shopping Center, 6860 Aloma Ave, Winter Park, FL 32792 www.bostonsfishhouse.com

48 - Mud Hole Custom Tackle, Inc.

17 - St. Johns River Steak & Seafood

56 - Orlando Outfitters (407) 896-8220

37 - The Steer (407) 286-6802 8015 S. Orange Ave., Orlando FL

(407) 447-7637 2133 Componet Loop Suite 1001, Oveido, FL 32765 www.mudhole.com 2814 Corrine Dr., Orlando, FL 32803 www.orlandooutfitters.com

Home Improvement Contractors & Service Providers

(407) 878-0980 550 N Palmetto Ave, Sanford, FL 32771

22 - Huey Magoo’s (407) 706-6004

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26 - DWR Plumbing LLC. (407) 293-3717

6344 All American Blvd, Orlando, FL 32810

13 - Camp House Restaurant (407) 915-5401 100 S White Cedar Rd, Sanford, FL 32771 www.camphousebarandgrill.com

32 - Portside Marine (407) 249-1124 2730 Forsyth Rd, Orlando, FL 32792 www.portsideorlando.com

27 - Orlando Painting Service (407) 896-0839 65 Harold Ave, suite B, Winter Park, FL 32789

52 - The Deli (407) 332-8800 4360 Carraway Pl, Sanford, FL 32771

23 - Talon Marine Services (407) 542-7600

28 - Millennium Electric (407) 420-2001

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53 - T J’s Seafood Shack (407) 365-3365

439 Aulin Ave, Oviedo, FL 32765 www.talonmarineservices.com

4340 Edgewater Dr, Orlando, FL 32804 www.millennium-electric.com

197 E Mitchell Hammock Rd, Oviedo, FL 32765 12231 E Colonial Dr. #230, Orlando(407) 250-4191 www.tjsseafoodshack.com

20 - Team Marine Services (407) 260-8326 1350 28th Street, Orlando FL 32805 www.teammarineservices.com

41 - Water Works Pressure Cleaning & Sealing

54 - Oasis On The River (407) 636-6300

19 - Ahoy Marine (407) 323-8373 511 E 25th St, Sanford, FL 32771 www.superpages.com 8 ORLANDO

MAY 2021

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437 N Palmetto St, Leesburg, FL 34748 or 1931 N. Hwy 19, Crystal River Phone: (352) 787-5792 www.noblesmarine.com

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10 ORLANDO

MAY 2021

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Orlando Painting Service

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Small Tackle Shops Big on Service By CAM Staff

To get local info that you can trust - it’s the small tackle shops where you should spend your hard-earned dollars. The small shops would love to share some local info for the exchange of some of those bucks. Yes, it is much harder to compete with the big box stores who buy at prices lower than the little guys. Most small shops tell us that the big guys can sell their products with a small margin cheaper than we can even buy them from the distributor. Personal service is where the small shops shine. We visit these shops each month to drop our monthly issue and to get updates on how the local bite is going. In most cases the owners are always there to greet us.

The MicroWave Line Control System is scientifically proven to improve fishing rod performance.

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Fishing related businesses all need new clients and repeat business. What you will get locally is honest info, a decent price for what you are buying and typically good parking, decent traffic, and the small stores will have what you are looking for in stock. Oh, did I mention most are close to where you will be fishing. Many of these small shops still exist. Some you drive right bye and don’t even know are there. Here’s a mention for some local shops within our 4 county Central Florida magazine footprint – they’re close to some of Florida’s fishing hot spots. Bitter’s Bait & Tackle in Longwood, 1 block north of SR 434 on US 17/92 is packed with fresh and saltwater tackle. Bitter’s staff is always willing to help you find what you are looking for and share precious local fishing information. Down to the south in St. Cloud is WoJo’s Bait & Tackle at the corner of SR 192 & Kissimmee Park Rd. This small store is loaded with freshwater inventory plus lots of saltwater tackle and frozen baits, and of course live bait for freshwater fishing. Just to the west at downtown Kissimmee Lake Front Park is Big Toho Marina, Mark’s new store serves the best breakfast sandwiches and burgers on the lake, with lots of live bait and a large freshwater inventory right next to the launch ramp. To the north in Tavares on the east side of US 441 is Lakeside Bait and Tackle. You have passed this for years on your way to the Harris Chain and Buzzard Beach launch ramp. Stop and visit with the owners Mark and Heidi Bass for the latest info on what is biting on the Chain. Back to the east in Debary and right on the St. John’s River is Highbanks Resort & Marina, boat rentals, live bait, gas, cold beer and freshwater inventory. A must stop in the fall and winter months as this area is one of Florida’s best crappie catching areas! Do yourself and the small shop owners a favor, stop buy and spend a few bucks at one of these shops. Tell them you read about them in the Orlando Coastal Angler Magazine local section.

info@americantackle.us | americantackle.us

Microwave Line Control System By CAM Staff

If you are an angler new to fishing or well-seasoned, you need check out the Microwave Line Control System. Several top industry fishing rod manufacturers are using these rod guides on their spinning and casting rods. They are from American Tackle Company winning industry awards the past several years all over the world. These unique rod guides are scientifically proven to make rods cast further, smoother, and more accurately than the older standard guides. Personally, I own more than a dozen rods both spinning and casting series with these proven rod guides. On a spinning rod they reduce line slap moving through the first large guide on the rod allowing the line to slide through the guide with less friction and making it much smoother as the line progresses through the remaining guides on the fishing rod. Not only is it smoother but reducing line slap and friction allows the line to cast as much as 24% longer and make much more accurate casts. American Tackle Company has a long list of different sizes of systems for every size and type of fishing rods including fly rods. While these guide systems have been used for several years by custom rod builders now industry rod manufactures are using them on their production rods. Check out rods from the Wave Army Brands, Cashion Rods, Lews, Fitzgerald Fishing, and Kastking - you won’t believe the difference a small change to the normal rod guide can make. For more information about American Tackle Company visit www. americantackle.us or just visit them in person at 400 Kane Ct, Oviedo, FL 32765 · (407) 901-2621

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MAY 2021

ORLANDO 11

NearShore Fishing Madness

If you are a local Central Florida resident and an avid saltwater fisherman, you should be looking forward to the month of May and the beginning of the summer fishing months this year. Growing up in Melbourne along the east coast of Florida’s best in-shore and near-shore fishing, I remember the month of May as the start of summertime and great fishing. I still have lots of memories of the days I spent fishing in my youth and as a young adult. Notice I said fishing not catching - great memories are about the experience and adventure, catching fish was always a plus.

For those of you who are lucky enough to be a part time or annual resident of Central Florida, the time for catching an in-shore or nearshore trophy or memory is here! As the months of May, June, and July arrive along with a more stable weather pattern, so do the species of game fish that our local near shore fishery is famous for; tarpon, snook, redfish, kingfish, huge jacks and sharks, just to name a few. Whether you are on the east coast, west coast or in the Florida Keys, the month of May starts our summer fishing season. As the coastal waters warm and the game fish migrate closer to the inlets or passes from the rivers, creeks, back-waters or deep waters of our oceans, one thing for sure is they will be there, and they will be hungry. Not only will these hard fighting game fish be in our area, and with the right tide they are happy to all types of live, cut or artificial baits when properly presented. Reports of mixed bags of tarpon, kingfish, sharks, jacks, bonita and snook have been coming in from the east coast from Ponce Inlet, down through Port Canaveral and south to Melbourne Beach and Sebastian Inlet. We start our day heading south out of Port Canaveral after launching at the Port’s launch ramp near Jetty Park. This newer launch point is just inside the mouth of the Port’s idle zone and within a very short boat ride you are able to jump your boat on plane in lieu of a 10-minute idle from the old ramp next to Grill’s restaurant that has been taken over by cruise ships. Look for bait pods as you head south towards the Cocoa Beach Pier or further south toward Patrick Air Force Base in close to the beach just outside the shore break. Once you find a school of pogies by sight or on your fish finder, one or two throws of the cast net and you will have plenty for a day’s fishing. Look for the birds diving or start near the bait schools for active fish. Hook your live bait through the bottom lip then out through the nose with a 7/0 to 9/0 circle hook with

12 ORLANDO

MAY 2021

By Phil Wolf, Coastal Angler Magazine

at least 50lb to 80lb. fluorocarbon leader and slow troll them keeping your eyes open for rolling tarpon or schools of fish feeding in or around the bait pods. Tarpon are beginning to show up by now and the local captains mentioned that bait has just moved in from the deeper water to the shore break and the many species that feed on them are nearby. Tarpon in the 100-to-140-pound class is the norm with fish up to 200 pounds not uncommon. Captain Jim Ross and his client fought a fish exceeding the 200-pound mark last season that pulled them up and down the coast last summer for hours dragging his 24ft. bay boat over 5 miles. Jim mentioned it wasn’t the largest tarpon he has hooked but was definitely an epic battle that lucky angler will not soon forget. There is a huge school of redfish that cruise around near-shore in the summer months outside Port Canaveral known as School-X. These fish in the 30-to-40-pound class will eat just about any offering you put in front of them once you locate them. On several trips over the last few years, we were lucky enough to find this massive school ourselves, thousands of huge redfish that covered any area close to 75 yards square and all were willing to eat anything cast to them. Joining the school were sharks, huge jacks in the 20 plus pound class and several tarpon. Each time we found this school they were just north of Port Canaveral and within less than 2 miles offshore. Having the chance to witness seeing this tremendous school of fish and the sea of copper colored water is something I will never forget. Each time we ran into them we caught several each pass with many double hook-ups of fish over 35lbs. each, getting a photo and releasing them all to fight another day! If you are looking to catch a one of the many species that are roaming our near-shore waters along central Florida’s Space Coast, the month of May and is the beginning of our summer days that offer many opportunities for catching a memory of your own. You can’t catch them unless you give it a try. As always remember to be safe, watch out for the late afternoon storms that approach rapidly and always wear an approved life vest while offshore with your large outboard motor under power. Take a kid fishing with you over the summer and create a memory for them as well. Good luck and tight lines – I’ll see you out there.

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Tuesday May 4, 11, 18, 25 Jolly Gator Bass Tournament Series, every Tuesday evening 5pm till dusk, plus 1 Saturday per month until the Classic in August. 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 407432-2822 or Phil Wolf with Coastal Angler Magazine 407790-9515. Friday Saturday May 7-8 – 2021 Central Florida Shootoff, www.centralfloridashootoff. com - $25,000 cash and prizes, $50 per Angler Entry Fee, each entry good for Boat Motor Trailer raffle! - Captain’s Meeting Space Coast Harley Davidson May 7, 5:30-8pm. Two Weigh-in locations Saturday May 8, Captain Hirams and Sunrise Marina, scales open 12 noon. Join Coastal Angler Magazine for this fun event! Saturday May 8 – Safe-light till 2pm, Jolly Gator Bass Tournament Series, 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 21 events will qualify for the end of year Classic. For questions or more info contact Jim “Squirt” Chaudoin at 407-432-2822 or Phil Wolf from Coastal Angler Magazine at 407-790-9515.

www.centralfloridashootoff. com Friday, Saturday May 21, 22 - 35th Annual CFOA Offshore Fishing Tournament. Captains Party and meeting at 630 pm Friday evening hosted at Fish Lips Bar & Grill Port Canaveral for tournament registration. One day tournament on Saturday the 22nd. Bluepoints Marina will be the host for the afternoon weigh-in. Over 20 K in Cash & Prizes! Several divisions including Junior’s and Women’s, $2500 for largest fish of the Day! $175 Entry Fee per boat. For more info visit www.MyCFOA.com Friday, Saturday June 4, 5- Florida Sport Fishing Association Annual Offshore Tournament, hosted at Port Canaveral. Over $22K in guaranteed pay-outs. This is the 52nd annual event bringing some of the best anglers in Central Florida. $5,000 for Biggest Fish, $3,000 for winning the General Slam, weigh-in hosted at Sunrise Marina at Port Canaveral, to register or info visit www. offshoreslam.com Saturday June 5th- Safe-light till 3pm, “Help our Heroes” Bass Tournament on the Kissimmee Chain of lakes, hosted by Toho Marine at the Joe Overstreet boat ramp. $10,000 for 1st place based on 150 boats. 2 anglers per team, $175 entry fee. For more info or to register your team visit www.tohomarine.com or phone them at 407-892-3200. Registration closes the Friday May 28th a week before the event, no sign-ups the day of event. All proceeds go to Local and National Wounded Veterans Groups.

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@ Sunday May 16 – 2021 coastalanglermagazine.com. Central Florida Shootoff Deadline for inclusion is the Awards Party and Ticket 10th of the preceding month. Drawing at Grills Melbourne on US1 and Pineda. You do not have to fish in the tournament to participate in the drawing.

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East Coast Tide Charts Tide Charts brought to you by these businesses

May 2021 Time

1Sa

2Su

4Tu

6Th

8Sa

9Su

Miami, Government Cut

Height

12:42 AM 2.7 6:28 AM 0.1 12:53 PM 2.5 6:52 PM -0.3 1:39 AM 2.6 7:30 AM 0.2 1:53 PM 2.3 7:56 PM -0.1 2:40 AM 2.4 8:37 AM 0.3 2:58 PM 2.2 9:04 PM 0.1 3:43 AM 2.3 9:43 AM 0.3 4:07 PM 2.2 10:10 PM 0.2 4:45 AM 2.3 10:45 AM 0.3 5:13 PM 2.2 11:10 PM 0.2 5:42 AM 2.2 11:39 AM 0.2 6:12 PM 2.3 12:03 AM 0.2 6:32 AM 2.3 12:27 PM 0.1 7:03 PM 2.3 12:51 AM 0.2 7:16 AM 2.3 1:09 PM 0.0 7:47 PM 2.4 1:34 AM 0.2 7:56 AM 2.3 1:48 PM -0.1 8:27 PM 2.5

10M

11Tu

12W

13Th

14F

15Sa

16Su

17M

18Tu

Time

Height

2:13 AM 8:33 AM 2:25 PM 9:05 PM 2:51 AM 9:09 AM 3:01 PM 9:41 PM 3:27 AM 9:44 AM 3:35 PM 10:18 PM 4:02 AM 10:20 AM 4:09 PM 10:56 PM 4:37 AM 10:57 AM 4:44 PM 11:34 PM 5:13 AM 11:35 AM 5:21 PM 12:15 AM 5:52 AM 12:16 PM 6:03 PM 12:59 AM 6:37 AM 1:02 PM 6:51 PM 1:47 AM 7:30 AM 1:55 PM 7:47 PM

0.2 2.3 -0.1 2.5 0.2 2.3 -0.1 2.5 0.2 2.3 -0.1 2.5 0.3 2.2 -0.1 2.4 0.3 2.2 0.0 2.4 0.4 2.1 0.1 2.3 0.5 2.1 0.1 2.2 0.5 2.0 0.2 2.2 0.5 2.0 0.2

Po nce de Leo n Inlet Hig h Ti de -11 m in ute s Lo w Ti de +19 m in ute s

(Approximate Times)

19W

20Th

21F

22Sa

23Su

24M

25Tu

26W

27Th

Time

Height

2:39 AM 2.1 8:30 AM 0.5 2:56 PM 2.0 8:51 PM 0.3 3:34 AM 2.2 9:32 AM 0.3 4:02 PM 2.1 9:57 PM 0.2 4:32 AM 2.2 10:31 AM 0.1 5:08 PM 2.3 10:59 PM 0.2 5:29 AM 2.3 11:27 AM -0.1 6:11 PM 2.4 11:58 PM 0.1 6:25 AM 2.4 12:21 PM -0.3 7:09 PM 2.6 12:53 AM 0.0 7:19 AM 2.5 1:13 PM -0.5 8:04 PM 2.8 1:46 AM -0.1 8:12 AM 2.6 2:04 PM -0.7 8:57 PM 2.9 2:37 AM -0.2 9:04 AM 2.7 2:56 PM -0.7 9:49 PM 3.0 3:29 AM -0.2 9:56 AM 2.7 3:48 PM -0.7 10:40 PM 2.9

28F

Time

Height

4:22 AM -0.1 10:49 AM 2.6 4:42 PM -0.6 11:32 PM 2.8 29Sa 5:16 AM 0.0 11:43 AM 2.6 5:37 PM -0.4 30Su 12:25 AM 2.7 6:13 AM 0.1 12:38 PM 2.4 6:35 PM -0.3 31M 1:19 AM 2.5 7:13 AM 0.1 1:36 PM 2.3 7:36 PM -0.1 1Tu 2:13 AM 2.4 8:14 AM 0.2 2:36 PM 2.2 8:38 PM 0.1 2W 3:09 AM 2.3 9:15 AM 0.2 3:38 PM 2.1 9:39 PM 0.2 3Th 4:04 AM 2.2 10:12 AM 0.2 4:40 PM 2.1 10:36 PM 0.3 4F 4:57 AM 2.1 11:04 AM 0.1 5:37 PM 2.1 11:29 PM 0.3 5Sa 5:47 AM 2.1 11:51 AM 0.1 6:28 PM 2.2

Ft. Pie rce Inlet, S. Jetty Hig h Ti de -31 m in ute s Lo w Ti de -18 m in utes

Po nce Inlet, Halifax Rive r Hig h Ti de +5 m in ute s Lo w Ti de +33 m in ute s

Jensen Beach Hig h Ti de +2 ho u r s, 17 m in ute s Lo w Ti de +3 ho u r s, 4 m in ute s

Po rt Canave ral (Tr i dent Pie r) Daily Pre dictio ns

Sewell Pt Hig h Ti de Lo w Ti de

Patr ick Air Fo rce Base Hig h Ti de -1 ho u r, 4 m in ute Lo w Ti de -38 m in ute s

Ju pite r Inlet, S.Jetty Hig h Ti de -10 m in ute s Lo w Ti de -9 m in ute s

Sebastian Inlet Br i dg e Hig h Ti de -48 m in ute s Lo w Ti de -24 m in ute s

Po rt Eve rgla de s - Tu r n in g Basin Hig h Ti de -31 m in ute s Lo w Ti de -13 m in ute s

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

MAY 2021

+1 ho u r s, 13 m in ute s +2 ho u r s, 9 m in ute s

ORLANDO 13

Spring is in full swing and one of my favorite “seasons” of inshore fishing is as hot as it gets! It does not matter where you decide to launch your kayak in Florida or in any of the southeast states the story for inshore is the same. Spotted sea trout fishing is to springtime as water is to wet. Of course, you can catch trout all year on the Space Coast in Volusia County and in the Tampa region, but nothing compares to Fishing on the Indian River the springtime bite. and the Mosquito Lagoons is starting to come alive after With spawning activity centered around full or new moons in a long winter. Many of the the spring and summer the need to feed is sparked. Add a predator fish begin to turn the steady influx of bait to the shallows as they warm and you get focus of their diet to a newly the best opportunity for quality and quantity. Long gone are arrived food source. Redfish the chills of the winter and sea trout will respond by happily in the Mosquito Lagoon will staging in the shallows where bait is present and the deeper eat crabs and shrimp all year waters necessary for spawning are nearby. Though sea trout long but during the warmer will be more than willing to take a wide variety of offerings months, they also feast on there is a clear favorite way to fish them for most who chase mullet, pinfish, pigfish, and these ambush predators. Top water plugs are the apex of other small bait fish, so tactics to not only get plenty of bites, but to also tempt the shifting your lure selection biggest of the bunch to take a swing. The explosive strikes from shrimp and crab to that are synonymous with the walk-the-dog action of Skitter finfish patterns is a good Walks, Zara Spooks, Ba-Donk-a-Donks and several others are move. When using bait on the hard to beat. I almost always opt for this style over inline lagoon flats, cut mullet and propeller or chugger style plugs. It takes a bit of work to ladyfish is your best choice get the proper action down but when you do the results as those same pinfish and will speak for themselves. The topwater bite is best at low pigfish will devour crab and light times like dawn and dusk, however I like to always have shrimp in a heartbeat. one rigged and ready on the kayak. More than once mullet getting chased at high noon has produced amazing topwater hits from great fish. A more traditional way to keep the action going as the sun gets higher in the sky is switching to that paddle tail lure rigged weedless or on a jighead. My top colors run the same with both techniques. Bone/white, mullet, and sea trout patterns will all get the reaction you are looking for. With the spotted seat trout pattern topping the list many times due to larger representations of the species being all to willing to cannibalize smaller trout. The regulations on sea trout have changed in size, limits, and season so make sure you are up to date if you are wanting a trout dinner. Also keep in mind that the larger specimens are the brood stock and any trout over 24 inches is a female that is much more useful serving as Good numbers of dolphin have been caught the last few weeks and a breeding machines than being served as dinner.

should only increase this month. Start in the 90-120 foot range as many seem to think you have to go to 300 feet right off the get go. Unless someone is out there on the radio telling you to go deep, start shallow. Start looking for color changes and temp breaks. Also look for weed lines and currents, as that is a good place to start. I like to use smaller islander lures with small ballyhoo or strip baits. On bright sunny days go with the yellows, pinks and bright blues. On darker days go with black, red and purple colors. Kingfish will continue to do well this month too. Best bait is going to be the bunker (menhaden shad). If not use frozen minnows. Use a good cast net for bait, heavy and fast sinking. Now that the water is warming up, live bait is much

14 ORLANDO

MAY 2021

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

Speaking of sea trout, the topwater bite will turn on this month. Fish around the schools of mullet with your favorite topwater plus for best results. Try fishing the topwater plugs at first light and stand by for some explosive action. Also remember the water is starting to warm up and warmer water holds less oxygen. So, practicing catch, photo, and release to help keep our stocks healthy. On the St Johns River, crappie will still be available in deeper water and the panfish (bluegill, shellcracker and redbreast) bite will improve as they move on and off the beds. Also look for the channel catfish bite to improve once the river levels begin to rise with the arrival of our summer rains. For largemouth and sunshine bass, focus your attention on schooling shad in the area of Lake Monroe and north.

more consistent. Some days you may have to ride south to get it and some days its right there in the port but at least it’s around. Beach fishing is really starting to heat up as well. We’ve already seen some nice buoy line kings and tarpon. If the bait is around chances are there will be larger fish feeding. I like to start with 60# mono till I start getting cut off then I switch to #4 wire for kingfish. Cobia - this is also the time frame we start seeing them free swimming out on the reefs. While you’re out there slow trolling for kings, keep an eye out the back of the boat for that cobia trailing you. If your bottom fishing, keep an eye on what follows your fish up to the boat. The sandbar sharks have been holding. Shark fishing has been on fire. I know many say I don’t want to deal with sharks, or you can’t eat them. You are completely wrong. On light tackle they are so much fun, and blacktips are great to eat. Ever wonder why many restaurants are out of the shark kabobs?

STOP BY A LOCATION NEAR YOU OR ORDER ONLINE

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MAY 2021

ORLANDO 15

Jessey Rudolph and Scott Laney with 29lbs plus on the St Johns River out of Port Canaveral Derek Vincent 22 inch triple Tail

Bass Series Tanner and Gunner at Jolly Gator

16 ORLANDO

MAY 2021

Lady angler Carrie Lawson with a huge Crystal River pompano.

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ISLAMORADA LLGF

SCREAMIN’ REELS TOURNAMENT SLATED FOR JUNE 11-13

omen, men and teens are invited to a non-intimidating Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing Screamin’ Reels tournament with education June 11-13 in Islamorada. Hosted by the nonprofit Ladies Let’s Go Fishing Foundation, the tournament kicks off on Friday with a presentation on offshore fishing and conservation, plus a meet and greet from 6-8 p.m. at The Tavernier Elks Club. Saturday and Sunday is fishing, learning on the water and friendly angler competition for inshore and offshore species, departing from Whale Harbor Marina, Islamorada. Participants can fish from their own boats or

charters supplied by the organization. Prizes will be awarded to individual anglers, including Penn combos, art prints and other fishing items, presented on Sunday upon the return of boats at Whale Harbor. Prizes for inshore and offshore species and releases include Heaviest Fish Overall, Offshore Billfish Release, Party Boat award, Junior Angler, Longest Inshore Fish, Wild Card prizes and more. This tournament offers easy rules and is perfect for novice anglers. Charter boats fill quickly, so early registration is encouraged. Registration is $89 early entry, $99 regular per adult angler, $45 for teens and includes about $20 in gifts. Featured on national network television and more, the series is supported by major partners including Recreational Fishing and Boating Foundation, Take Me Fishing, Vamos a Pescar, Mercury, Magic Tilt trailers, Shearwater Boats, Power-Pole, Penn, TACO Metals, Lowrance and Fish Florida. Largest Annual Sponsors are Freedom Boat Club, ICOM, CCA Florida STAR, Bob’s Machine Shop, AFTCO, Costa, Smith Optics, Frogg Toggs, Hubbards Marina, Star Brite and Future Angler Foundation. Local sponsors are Breezy Palms, Jeanne Towne of Fidelity Real Estate and the Monroe County Tourist Development Council. Annual and class-specific contributors are listed on the website. 2021 LLGF event plans with fishing offered schedule includes: • May 15-16: Gulf Coast Inshore Saltwater Weekend Seminar • June 11-13: Keys Fishing Learning on the Water Inshore/ Offshore • Oct. 15-17: Keys Saltwater Weekend Seminar Inshore/Offshore • Nov. 20-21: St. Augustine Surf Fishing Academy Bimini Bahamas boat trip, Virtual meetings and more TBA For more information, go to www.ladiesletsgofishing.com and www.facebook.com/ladiesletsgofishing.

Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing!®

Screamin’ Reels Tournament June 11-13 • Islamorada, FL Go fishing & win in the Florida Keys! Ladies, fish Saturday & Sunday, inshore or offshore, on charter boats or your own boat! Win prizes! Perfect for beginners or those who don’t fish a lot. Kickoff is Friday, June 11th. We will team you with others. No experience or boat necessary!

Only $89 per person to enter. Charter fishing additional for Saturday & Sunday. Can't make it? Check out the LLGF’s Fishing Fever Tournament on October 15-17, with full-day instructional & hands-on seminar on Saturday! Fishing Friday & Sunday.

MAY 2021

FLORIDA 13

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he clown knifefish looks like guide, of Swamp to Sea Guide Service, in south it escaped from a mad scientist’s Florida to talk about his history with this amazing laboratory. Originally from tropical species. Here’s what he wrote: “I remember over 25 years ago when my mom Asia, it is one of the non-native species that have taken hold in Florida waters. With its would drive me around to the local tackle shops long knife-shaped body and black spots, it is a so I could speak with shop hands and check for beautiful species that anglers from all over the new pictures on the wall. On occasion, we would see a Polaroid tacked up with a giant silver alien world travel to target in south Florida. Clown knifefish are powerful and agile. fish with black dots all over it. When you asked They offer explosive thrashing jumps similar the guy at the counter what they caught it on, to tarpon, and are nearly impossible for most the response was always the same: a Gambler anglers to land without a net. I caught my first red shad worm, because that’s all you fished if clown knifefish when I moved to Palm Beach you weren’t using live bluegill. County 10 years ago. My biggest clown knifefish weighed more than 12 pounds. I caught it while fishing with my buddy Capt. Bill Lepree. It ate the last shad in the livewell as we were eating Publix subs. After some drag screaming runs, it got wrapped around bridge pilings and broke the line as it swam backward into the net. I once made a “Catch & Cook “Everything has made a Clown Knifefish” Youtube video. complete rebound since then. We’ve Let’s just say they’re not as tasty as learned to catch them consistently they are fun to catch. on bait, artificials and even a few on Any of the ponds and canals fly. I’ve managed to build a successful connected to Lake Ida in Palm guide business with clients calling Beach County are good places to from around the world to target target clown knifefish. I use light clown knife fish. fluorocarbon line, a small octopus Capt. Patrick Smith holds the world-record 14.5-pound clown “In 2018, I was lucky to have a hook and live shiners, shad or knife fish for Michael Donvito, the client who caught it. client catch the current IGFA record bluegill. They can also be caught PHOTO COURTESY OF SWAMP TO SEA GUIDE SERVICE. at 14.5 pounds. I’m sure that record on artificials and fly. Small white “It took another 15 years or so before I will fall any day, as we are seeing some absolute swimbaits, bladed baits and small hair jigs all work, and you’ll likely catch peacock and finally got my hands on a real clown myself. giants out there.” largemouth bass, along with many other exotic Unfortunately, it was during the freeze of 2010, Follow Ryan Izquierdo on Youtube when the canals were full of dead ones, along species when targeting clown knife fish. (RyanIzFishing) and Instagram @ryan_izquierdo I reached out to my buddy Capt. Patrick with dead peacock bass, shad and just about to check out his fishing adventures. Smith, a world-record holding clown knifefish everything else.

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GET SET FOR A

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By John Lidington

ummer is just around the corner. As temperature and humidity climb and seas calm, the best place to be is underwater! Now is the time to prepare, so your diving plans can proceed smoothly when the season gets hot. When do your tanks’ VIPs expire? If it’s during the busy summer season, schedule a VIP now. What about their hydro dates? Again, if the date is near, do it now. Hydrostatic testing will usually take them out of commission for several days. Don’t be without them when you really want to be diving. While you’re checking them, put fresh o-ring in the regulator seats, too. When was your regulator last overhauled? If it has been more than a year or 100 dives, it’s time for an annual service. But even with regular maintenance, problems can still occur when salt crystals, corrosion or plain old grit get where they shouldn’t be. If your regulator is still within a year from the last service, some simple checks will help catch developing problems now, before they impact your summer diving. Mount your regulator onto a tank, turn the air on, then off. Tank pressure should read constant for at least an hour. If it falls, air is leaking from the system and you need to do a careful bubble check of the regulator and all hoses to locate the problem. With air still off, gently inhale through each second stage mouthpiece. If they don’t hold vacuum, there’s an exhaust valve problem. Don’t forget your BCD. Exhaust valves and dump valves can get stuck when sitting idle for a while and may sometimes tear when used. After checking all those valves, inflate your BCD fully. Will it stay fully inflated overnight? If not, more thorough servicing is needed. Okay, your gear is set. But are you ready to dive? Summer is the best time for visiting Palm Beach County’s wrecks, reefs, turtles and Goliath groupers. That means drift diving. If you are new to drift diving, or want to refresh your skills, join Pura Vida Divers for a one-day PADI Drift Diver course. This class is scheduled every Saturday in May. Students will complete an independent online e-learning component, then do a classroom review before heading out for a two-tank dive to put skills into practice. On Sundays, follow up with the PADI Delayed Surface Marker Buoy Diver course. This one-day course covers the advantages and techniques to deploy your surface marker buoy (or “safety sausage”) on a line from depth. During busy summer boat traffic, a surface indicator is essential as divers begin their ascent. Both courses can be completed in one weekend. Contact Pura Vida Divers at (561) 840-8750, or visit www.puravidadivers.com.

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OYSTER REEF DEPLOYED IN CHARLOTTE HARBOR

ater quality, marine fisheries and recreational angling are set to get a boost after two dump truck loads of oyster shells were deployed in Turtle Bay in Charlotte Harbor last month. CCA Florida partnered with Ingman Marine, Abbott Construction, Lee Reefs, SanibelCaptiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF), Capt. Jay Withers, Placida Point LLC, Clermont Oyster Bar and Lake County Solid Waste Division to make the project a reality. Abbott Construction hauled dried-out oyster shells from CCA Florida’s Oyster Recycling Program in Astatula to a staging area in Placida. The materials were loaded on a barge and deployed in Turtle Bay at a pre-permitted location. “This is a unique partnership involving a huge amount of support from the community as well as our sponsors and members,” CCA Florida COO Adam Miller said. “With all the water quality issues Charlotte Harbor is facing, it is important to partner together and do what we can to help restore the water quality, seagrasses and marine life.” The oyster shells, donated by Clermont Oyster Bar, are dried for six months to kill potential pathogens and will, over time, form a new oyster reef. “With an estimated 85 percent loss of oyster reefs worldwide, efforts for restoration must be made a priority all around the state, ” said CCA Florida Director of Habitat and Environmental Restoration Frank Gidus. In the near future, SCCF and Lee Reefs plan to deploy fossilized shell at the same site to serve as a host structure for new oyster growth. Oyster reefs filter pollutants, reduce turbidity and create habitat for a variety of marine species.

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FISH SMELL 1000X BETTER THAN WE DO. Underwater. In current. And even in nutrient-dense saltwater, fish can pick up a scent at the parts per billion level. Think that’s impressive? How about a bait with the ability to trick that sense of smell into believing it is even better than real food. In scientific tests, Gulp!® proved so effective on saltwater gamefish, it actually outfished real bait time and time again. Not only does the scent outperform real and artificial bait, it has 400 times the scent dispersion of the best competing soft plastic bait. Now, Gulp! is available in all of the most popular sizes, colors and actions, including the new Firetail options. Berkley® Gulp! We’ve done the science, now you catch the fish. berkley-fishing.com ©2020 Pure Fishing, Inc.

THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE BITE Berkley Saltwater Gulp! Continues to Outshine Live Bait for Coastal Anglers

ll along the coast, as the highways near the busiest launch ramps, the bait shop signs announcing what’s for sale reinforce what most anglers already know: natural bait does a good job of catching fish. Live baitfish and live shrimp are almost always on the bait shop menu as they present the most natural food source. But even the frozen slabs of baitfish and chunks of cut bait that are also widely sold—baits which have no action to them whatsoever—are eaten by saltwater species if presented the right way. But why? The answer is simple, as it all pertains to one of the most misunderstood senses in fish biology: a fish’s sense of smell. It’s this sense of smell that inspired the development of Berkley Saltwater

Gulp!, the line of baits that has transformed saltwater fishing with their effectiveness, ease of use and value. For as effective as live or cut bait can be in saltwater fishing, it’s far from the perfect solution. Live bait can be very expensive and difficult to keep alive. Unused bait becomes a treat for pushy pelicans or gets dumped into the water. Presented with a problem, the scientists at Berkley set out to find a solution. Fish smell on the parts-per-billion level, the equivalent of a single drop of water in an Olympicsized swimming pool. This powerful sense of smell is extremely important to a fish’s ability to feed. Fish rely upon their sense of smell because they live in an aquatic environment filled with particles

and debris that can look like food. Their noses tell fish the difference between food and other organic compounds. Berkley scientists set out to make the first artificial bait that really appealed to a fish’s sense of smell. The first step was getting scent to disperse from a soft bait. While fish attractants and scents are nothing new, all of the competitive versions were oil-based. And just like the old adage reminds us, oil and water don’t mix. An oil-based scent that is smelly to a human has no effectiveness on fish since it is not soluble in water. That’s why Gulp! scents are water-based. The water-based scent formula, now known as Berkley Gulp! and which has since become synonymous with saltwater fishing across the country, caught more fish than live bait in headto-head tests. This scent, combined with the proprietary material used in Berkley Gulp! baits, disperses scent 400 times more effectively than any other soft bait, meaning it creates a scent field that is easily detected by fish and which continues to expand as the bait is retrieved. “I started really using Gulp! in about 2007, a few years after it came out,” said Capt. Jot Owens, who operates out of Wrightsville Beach, N.C., where he specializes in putting his clients on big redfish, flounder and other species. “And from the first year I started fishing with Gulp!, we were catching more and bigger flounder than we had ever caught before—and we were fishing in the same areas we had always been fishing. I don’t

know what the magic formula is, but it really wakes fish up.” Capt. Owens said he prefers Berkley Saltwater Gulp! for a host of species, but especially for redfish and flounder. His go-to set up for flounder varies slightly depending on whether he’s fishing inshore or farther out. The set up consists of a 6-inch Saltwater Gulp! Jerk Shad (Chartreuse/Pepper/ Neon or Firetiger) on a 3/8-ounce long-shank jig head. Because Gulp! baits are wet inside and out, they can come unrigged, so Capt. Owens relies on a Berkley Fusion19 jig that has lead lips and a wire hook to keep his Jerk Shad rigged properly. When fishing inshore, he uses a medium-fast Fenwick HMG Inshore paired with a Size 2500 or 3000 PENN Battle III DX spinning reel, which is spooled with 15-pound braid and a 30-pound fluorocarbon leader. Farther out, he will increase the line size to a 20-pound braid mainline and a 40-pound fluorocarbon leader spooled onto a Size 3500 PENN Spinfisher. “Just make sure the bait is bouncing on bottom; I’m typically jigging with the rod tip pretty high,” Capt. Owens said. “It’s not that you won’t get bit dragging it on the bottom, but the bait is more effective bouncing up and down.” For redfish, Capt. Owens has his clients using 3- or 4-inch Gulp! Shrimp (Sugar Spice Glow or Chartreuse) on a 1/8- or 1/4-ounce jig head, increasing the weight of the jig based on fishing depth and current. The rest of his redfish set up is similar to that of his inshore rig for flounder:

medium-fast Fenwick HMG Inshore paired with a Size 2500 or 3000 PENN Battle III DX spinning reel, which is spooled with 15-pound braid and a 30-pound fluorocarbon leader. “The best retrieve is a hop-hop; let it sit for a second or two then give it another hop-hop,” Capt. Owens said. “Redfish are really bottom feeders, so they’ll almost always hit it on the drop or while it’s sitting on bottom for the brief pause. The way the Berkley Saltwater Gulp! Shrimp is putting out scent, redfish pick it up with the same excitement as they would a hunk of cut bait even though it’s not moving.”

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Troll and Watch Bottom for Spring Grouper By CAM Staff

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t’s a lot more fun to fill fish boxes when the various Gulf and Atlantic grouper seasons open in spring. These days, advances in electronics have made finding good grouper bottom easier than ever. There is, however, a trade-off. In the good old days, captains precisely timed their courses out of the pass in hopes of coming off throttle near a fish-producing rock pile. Before GPS and sonar, the best indicators of productive bottom were boats already there and catching fish. Successful anglers even welcomed new PHOTO COURTESY OF CRYSTAL LAFOSSE boats to the party, reasoning that more baits in the water served to excite fish into feeding. In case you didn’t notice, that’s not the way things work any more. Now any yahoo with a boat can plug coordinates into their navigation system and sleepwalk straight to a ledge or wreck. Community holes and artificial reefs are crowded and sometimes picked clean of fish. To avoid this, a good set of numbers is a jealously guarded secret. Camaraderie on the open sea is officially a thing of the past when picking up and moving off productive bottom is a logical step to avoid being marked in the mapping system of a passing vessel. We’ve traded open sharing of information for technological advancements the old salts couldn’t have dreamed of. With advanced radar, sonar, mapping and GPS, it’s up to the angler to spend time on the water to locate their own magic numbers. With grouper seasons opening in state and federal waters off the southern states, most species have finished with the peak of spawning. They have begun moving to deeper water and are hungry to feed-up and regain what was lost to the rigors of the spawn. However, grouper are also spread out more thinly right now than they are when they group up on deep-water structure in summer. You might not have to run as far to reach productive bottom, but you will likely have to do more spot-hopping to fill the boxes. It’s a good time of year to troll. Some fish will still be shallow enough to target with deep-diving lures. Using planers and downriggers, it’s possible to get lures down to 60 feet or deeper, and some very deep-diving plugs can get down to 40 feet on their own with the right braided line. This allows you to cover ground on and around those ledge coordinates you have marked. It’s a throwback to the olds days, when trolling up a grouper was the method for finding an area to stop and drop baits. If you keep an eye on the bottom machine, you might even spot a small formation you didn’t know was there. These small blips are the honeyholes that produce when the larger reefs and structure succumb to constant fishing pressure. Don’t care for boat rides and watching rods? Traditional bottom fishing may still be the best method. Check your shallower coordinates as you head out this time of year. Many boats ride right over good structure on the way to their deeper summer spots. Reefs or rocks as shallow as 40 feet will hold fish before they head out to their mid-summer haunts. Just be sure to drop some chum down upstream of the structure to bring them out of their hidey-holes. See your state’s saltwater fishing regulations to determine which species of grouper are open for harvest where you fish.

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NATIONAL 17

On the Swordfish Ledge

off Marathon

By Capt. Quinlyn Haddon

f you’ve ever been swordfishing out of Marathon, Fla., chances are you were deep dropping the same area I was in April, when the U.S. Coast Guard ticketed us for fishing in Bahamian waters. Dropping for swordfish is exhausting. Staring mindlessly at one single rod tip, it’s easy to lose your mind questioning if every other wave was a bite. It is also possible to spend an entire day doing the crazy-eyed swordfish rod stare and never get a nibble. During a slow drift along the ledge in 1,800 feet of water, our luck finally changed. A flock of diving terns approached and crossed behind the

boat. We opened bails on the flat lines and let pinfish swim toward the commotion. Immediately we hooked up and stole a school of mahi from under the birds. With four mahi hooked up along the port side, we had just begun the assembly line from hook to killbox when we were informed the U.S. Coast Guard was about to board our boat. Approaching from starboard to accommodate our fishing, three “Coasties” boarded to conduct a routine safety check. After about half an hour with our official guests on board, we finished with the school of mahi and decided to reel up the sword line. We activated the electric reel, and— distracted by our visitors—it took a moment to

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realize we were hooked up. The Coasties were going to have to put a pin in it. “Hang on fellas; we’re hooked up!” For the next half hour, we didn’t hear a word from our visitors. As the fish began to surface, the line scoped out underneath the Coast Guard cutter raft. We radioed asking them to move. After a lot of chaos and tight boat maneuvering, we landed the 150-pound swordfish with the Coast Guard on board. They even took the catch photos. It was all high fives and celebration until they asked us for our Bahamian fishing licenses and informed us we were illegally fishing in the Bahamian Exclusive Economic Zone. Later on, extensive research by Steve Steenstra, owner of Blue Magic Charters, revealed the Bahamian EEZ line runs about 24 miles from land, straight across the U.S. sword ledge. None of us, not even our GPS mapping knew about this line. A law enacted some 40 years ago had just been enforced for the first time. We were the first vessel cited. As I understand it, after visiting the Coast Guard Station in Key West, the EEZ line was drawn straight down the middle by default. Now that they’re enforcing it, recreational swordfishing from the Keys is threatened, along with the livelihoods it supports. As the situation unfolds, it would be wise to stay up to date before venturing offshore from the Keys. Capt. Quinlyn Haddon and Blue Magic Charters are following this situation closely. Contact her at (504) 920-6342 or through Instagram @CaptainQuinlyn and @BlueMagicCharters.

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ach spring, inshore anglers are greeted with big winds, big tides and small baitfish. There is no time where the size of your lure can make or break your trip more than the spring season. With the abundance of small baitfish in the water, it can be difficult to get the attention of your target species, especially when you are fishing with artificial lures. It is also very common to find gamefish gorging themselves on tiny glass minnows. This is routinely evident when you land a fish and they spit up these miniature meals. As anglers, we have two obstacles here: the sheer amount of forage in the water competing with your lure and the small size of the lure required. What I have found to be the most successful tactic is to use the smallest lure I can cast and appropriately present to the fish. Both hard and soft lures can be effective. Another key to success is color. I prefer a white-and-silver combination that closely matches the natural forage. I like to fish these lures on the edge of large bait balls when possible. I try to keep my lure on the edge or under the school to let the fish focus on a single target rather than a large mass.

By Capt. Michael Okruhlik

Using a slow-sinking lure is an advantage at this time of the year. A lure that will suspend or slow-sink is ideal. This allows the predator time to target your lure, and it also gives the appearance of a wounded baitfish, which is always a plus. When the bait is this thick, your lure needs to stand out, but you still need to match the forage in size and color. The use of tandem rigs allows for a couple of advantages. Casting two smaller lures could equal the weight of one of your typical offerings. This allows you to cast farther and still have the appropriate size lure. Rigging two small silver spoons with white bucktails is a great combination when fishing glass minnow schools. I also like to use a small floater/ diver with a small spoon trailer. The diving action in conjunction with the added weight of the spoon is a unique combination of action to entice strikes. Downsizing your lure presentation in spring can definitely up-size your catch. Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Knockin Tail Lures, Controlled Descent Lures and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.

PHOTO COURTESY OF KNOCKIN TAIL LURES

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“T

he easiest way I can explain ‘boat position’: if you’re at the baseball game, you’re either playing—which is fishing—or you’re watching the game, which means you’re not…” Capt. Mickey Brelsford decided he’d rather be in the game than on the sidelines, so installing the Rebel EZ-5 became a no-brainer after researching product information and helpful documents on the company website, then calling the drum anchor winch plate design that allows the drum to free-spool when the manufacturer’s technical support team for additional pointers. clutch plate is disengaged. To get that “ good, solid anchoring In the past, using a windlass yielded poor retrieval results position,” press and hold the “raise/power up” side of the and left no room for customization, like adding special button for about five seconds: this will cause the clutch plate to attachments or splicing rope and chain. Now, Capt. Brelsford once again rotate, but this time clamping down on the drum says his Rebel free-fall unit is the perfect fishing tool, providing and holding the boat at anchor. him a “good, solid anchoring position.” “Once I deploy my anchor and it goes into a free-fall, it’s “I don’t know how many times I’ve been on boats where straight down to the bottom as quick as it can go…” Brelsford [the line is] hanging up, snarling, getting knotted up in the said. “And then, once I set the anchor, I can free-line out as windlass or shredding line.” Brelsford said. much anchor rode as I need: that’s what I call ‘boat position’.” A retired policeman, Capt. Brelsford enjoys his time fishing As an added bonus, the Rebel drum anchor winch is near the coast of St. James City, Fla. on his 37-foot “Nostalgic compatible with an E-Z Anchor Puller wireless long-range Lady”: a 1981 Hatteras Sportfish that carries 300 feet of ⅝-inch remote, which controls your drum anchor winch from rope and 20 feet of heavy-duty chain. After adding a pulpit to anywhere on the boat. Capt. Brelsford purchased his on the his vessel, Capt. Brelsford used to pull up all his rope by hand, wasting time company website, ezanchorpuller.com. and energy on multiple retrieval and deployment attempts as he tried to find “This [unit] here—don’t worry about it—it just rolls right on and keeps on the perfect “boat position.” rollin’. That’s what it is: E-Z!” Unlike E-Z Anchor Puller Mfg. Co’s two direct drive series (the Hero To learn more, call 1-800-800-1640 or visit ezanchorpuller.com. and Patriot series), the Rebel drum anchor winch has a clutch and friction

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