Coastal Angler Magazine | May 2023 | Greater Orlando Edition

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RED SPRING USHERS IN

pring is one of my favorite seasons for shing. Fish are warming up and feeding aggressively, especially red sh. Red sh eagerly consume an array of baits this time of year, but there is one arti cial that sets itself apart from the others. Have you guessed it?

If you said, “gold spoon,” you were correct. When you look at the spoon it seems unimpressive, to be honest. However, that is the beauty of it all; we, as anglers, overcomplicate shing. Sometimes all you need is an awkward piece of gold metal to shake the skunk.

WHAT

It combines pro le, color and vibration, which play on the three signi cant senses most game sh use when feeding. e shape might resemble a crab, a small sh or a wounded shrimp, and the unique wobble lets sh know it’s an easy target. Gold spoons are great for beginners and avid anglers alike, they can be rigged weedless, and they are easy to cast. One of my go-to spoons for red sh is the FishLab Bio-Spoon.

RIGGING A SPOON

Rigging is simple; attach a 20- to 30-pound uorocarbon or mono lament leader directly to the spoon. I attach a snap swivel directly to the spoon to prevent line twists. A 1/4-ounce spoon is usually an excellent choice, especially when the bait is smaller. Remember to match the hatch in

terms of size. Pair the spoon with a 7 or 7 1/2-foot medium fast spinning rod and 15-pound braid. My preferred setup is the Okuma ITX 4000 paired with an Okuma SRT spinning rod.

Spoons can produce sh in various conditions, but there are situations when it shines. Along weed lines, mangroves or similar structures should be your rst targets, as this is where red sh congregate. Remember, reds travel in groups, so work an area thoroughly for consistent action. Repeated casts to the exact location or the same retrieval path will o en produce multiple sh.

Gold spoons are best suited for stained or dark water. In cleaner water, the same techniques can be used with a silver spoon. e shape of the spoon and hook guard combine to allow the lure to bounce o obstructions like weeds, mangroves, oyster beds or rocks where other lures might be lost.

Erratic action is the key to the spoon’s success. Many anglers cast and pause, allowing the spoon to utter. If you do not get a hit right o the bat, you have two options for the retrieve. A steady retrieve, varying speed based on conditions, will o en draw sh out and even right to the boat. Others prefer to add a twitch to their retrieve, feeling it increases the motion. Try each or mix it up based on what the sh respond to. Be bold, and try new techniques. Be sure to pick up a Salty Scales Performance shing shirt, stay protected, and remain comfortable on the water.

Capt. Joshua Taylor is a Tampa guide and founder of Salty Scales Performance Fishing Gear. Check them out at www.saltyscales.com.

MAKES THE GOLD SPOON UNIQUE?

HOW TO FISH A SPOON

By Capt. Joshua Taylor

FINALLY, BACK TO GROUPER FISHING

There was a time in my life that we took certain things for granted. For example, No limits and/or seasons on speckled trout, drum, ounder and especially GROUPER! I never thought I would say the two words “grouper” and “season” in the same sentence. Never mind, I’m just venting because I prefer bottom shing and light lining above all other styles of o shore shing.

I went through this last year about this time, but I’ll do it again for those folks who might have missed it. is is the way I start every location we anchor on, or post up with the Rhodan.

NOTE: We take two boxes of quid on every trip, and we typically have live pin sh from the marina also.

I typically have three or four folks with me every trip. We start by ring down whole squid on the jig. Meanwhile, I’m on the sabiki jigging up whatever is on the bottom below us. I don’t care what is coming up on the whole squid, as this is not the main focus. e real objective is to set a nice ‘chum slick” on the bottom to attract the sh you’re really shing for. A er 4 or 5 rounds of the whole frozen squid, we will re down live pin sh or whatever I’ve jigged up on the sabiki. e other advantage of shing a live pin sh, grass grunt, sailors’ choice or whatever you can jig up, is it eliminates the trash bites. In addition to eliminating the trash bites from small snapper, seabass and other “undesirables,” it’s like physcological warfare, as the gags, scamps and reds cannot digest all that is going on here. To them it appears like the pin sh, grass grunts etc, think the live baits were running around picking up squid pieces, and the squid or crab jigs have caught them and the live bait is struggling to get away. BAM!!! e bite happens. is, my friends, is the di erence between “bottom shing” and GROUPER shing.

Another bait that’s a dead ringer for a grouper bite is a butter ied

bait. e butter ied bait on the bottom basically does the same thing as the squid. e small snapper and other smaller sh will hammer the lets until the grouper have had enough of it. You will feel the small sh biting it constantly, but then all of a sudden the small “pecking” bites will stop. Get ready, and don’t move it… the grouper has moved in and everyone else has to leave, because it’s time for the real bite!

Enough about the bottom. I will occasionally troll for a LITTLE WHILE, but this would be to accomplish two things at once. Catch a sh or two, but also to locate the best part of any given ledge with lots of bait and sh on the bottom. As soon as we locate the bait, reel in the troll baits and get to work! Everything you catch trolling, you can catch on the light line while you’re grouper shing. Tuna, dolphin and wahoo are idiots for a big fat (live) greenie, sardine, cigar minnow or goggle eye out back behind the boat in the current.

All the best shing,

Check out more from Tim Barefoot at barefootcatsandtackle.com

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By TAM Sta

Where Southern Stripers run

WhereSouthern Stripers run WhereSouthern Stripers run WhereSouthern Stripers run

species that crosses their path.

It is a good time to be a river angler. Here are three excellent destinations for river-run striped bass in the South.

• Saluda River: Columbia, South Carolina

In spring and summer, scads of striped bass make the 60-mile run up the Congaree River from the Santee-Cooper Lakes southeast of Columbia, S.C. By late summer, most of those sh pile into the Saluda River, which is a short, 10-mile-long tributary that’s fed with cold water from the dam at Lake Murray. August is the heart of the Saluda season, when 100- sh days of 2- to 5-pound stripers are possible. Fish heavier than 20 pounds are a possibility, but this shery sees a lot of pressure and the water is normally very clear. e big ones spook easily and become nicky late in the season.

• Etowah River: Cartersville, Georgia

On Georgia’s Etowah River, the sh are spread out over about 50 miles of river, so covering water is the name of the game. Anglers should expect to do a lot of casting to each shoal and piece of wood cover where stripers might lie in ambush.

Starting in April, they run some 75 miles upriver from Alabama’s Lake Weiss to a lowhead dam downstream of Georgia’s Lake Allatoona. e sh are constantly on the move and the idea is to intercept them. Anglers might hook up with sh from 4 pounds on up to 20 pounds and larger.

• Hiwassee River: Reliance, Tennessee

e Hiwassee is more of a quality than quantity shery. Anglers are called on to sh hard for just a few bites, but those bites come from sh that o en weigh 20, 30, even 40 pounds or more.

In the South, the striped bass runs of spring and summer bring some of the most exciting shing of the year for those who prefer to sh rivers. Landlocked striped bass are as large and powerful as any sh in freshwater, and for most of the year they are only available to big-lake anglers who troll or downline live baits.

at all changes in spring. e rst groups of striper migrate into the rivers on spawning runs. In many locations, this spring run is followed by a larger summertime push, when pods of striped bass move up into cooler, more oxygenated waters. Sometimes they pile up below dams, and sometimes they patrol surprisingly skinny waters in wolf packs, gobbling up any prey

Most years, the wide, shoal-broken river around Reliance loads up with striped bass from July into September. ese are big-river sh that run some 50-miles upstream from the Tennessee River at Lake Chickamauga. ey revel in cold, oxygenated water that ows down the mountains from Apalachia Lake on the North Carolina/Tennessee border.

ey hold in the same holes and shoals every year to feed heavily on skipjack herring, gizzard shad and the stocked trout Tennessee puts in the river for anglers.

For more information, go to coastalanglermagazine.com.

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By Emily Rose Hanzlik

SPRING MEANS IT’S TIME FOR TUNA

With spring settled in, the seas are becoming more shable, and more options are available. When I was little, this is the time of year when we would start catching little tunnies o the pier. At the time they were my favorite, but now that I’m older and know a few friends with boats, spring has come to mean tuna, black n tuna in particular. We catch other species of tuna, but black ns are the most abundant here o Florida.

Black n tuna are smaller than other tuna species like yellow n or blue n. Black ns we catch usually weigh between 10 and 30 pounds, and they rarely reach 30 pounds. Yellow n tuna have bright yellow on their lateral line, while black ns have a bronze, almost black line. Also, a black n’s nlets are more of a dark bronze color with white tips compared to yellow n, which have yellow nlets. Another tell is their second dorsal n, which is not elongated like other species of tunas.

Black n tuna and every other tuna use ram ventilation, meaning they must be constantly moving. During this movement, water is forced through the mouth and over the gills to supply oxygen to the blood. ey are constantly moving and highly migratory.

Black n tuna range all over the western Atlantic Ocean, from Massachusetts to Brazil. Within these areas, tuna stay more o shore in depths of 70 feet or deeper. ey prefer water temperatures between 70 and 75 degrees. is results in the tuna arriving in Florida in late spring and staying into fall, when water temperatures are optimal for them.

Black ns spawn throughout the summer. ey broadcast spawn in current, and their fry will live within oating debris elds until they get large enough to survive in the open.

To catch black n tuna, many captains will dri sh over 170 to 270 feet of water. A current that dri s the boat at about 2 knots is about as fast as you want to go, and a sea anchor can be useful in slowing the dri . Live baits such as sardines, thread n herring and others work well on the dri . Deploy some freelines as well as some weighted rigs to take baits down and cover the water column.

Jigging a spoon around reefs and rock piles is another fun and e ective way to catch black ns. Tuna will readily take a 4- or 5-inch spoon weighing 2 or 3 ounces.

Black n tuna are good to eat, and you’re allowed two per person or 10 per vessel. e IGFA all-tackle record for black n tuna is 49.06 pounds, caught out o Marathon, Fla. in 2006.

Emily Rose Hanzlik holds 62 IGFA world records in various categories. She hails from West Palm Beach, where she has a part time Bow n Guide Service as well as shing classes for Jr. Anglers. Find her on social media @emilyhanzlikoutdoors.

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Orange Lake Produces Giants

It’s been a slow year for truly giant largemouth bass in Florida. e FWC’s TrophyCatch program, which recognizes and promotes catch and release of big bass, has only registered two 13-plus-pounders this TrophyCatch season. Both sh were caught southeast of Gainesville, at Orange Lake.

Largemouths must weigh more than 13 pounds to

reach TrophyCatch Hall of Fame status. TrophyCatch season 11 began back on Oct. 1, 2022, and the veri ed Hall of Fame bass wasn’t caught until Feb. 3. at monster sh, caught at Orange Lake by Michael Matthews, weighed 13-pounds, 8-ounces. It is the largest sh entered into the program so far for the season, which ends on Sept. 30, 2023.

Apparently, Orange Lake bass were fat and full of eggs in February. e second Hall of Fame bass of the season was caught on Feb. 25 by Anthony Holland during a Big Bend Bass Club tournament at Orange Lake. You can bet Holland got a check a er bringing his giant 13-pound, 3-ounce bass to the scales.

Both Hall of Fame sh were released back into Orange Lake, and both of their weights will count for Orange Lake in the ongoing Battle of the Lakes between Orange Lake and Headwaters/Fellsmere. At the end of season 11, whichever shery has the most registered weight will win, and all the anglers who submitted sh for the winning lake will be entered into a prize drawing.

TrophyCatch also awards many other prizes to participants, including a fully rigged bass boat that will be awarded by drawing at the end of the season.

For more information, visit trophycatch

Anthony Holland caught a 13.3-pound bass during an Orange Lake tournament on Feb. 25.

The largest bass of the TrophyCatch season was caught at Orange Lake on Feb. 3 by Michael Matthews.

Here One Day, Gone the Next TARPON

By Nick Carter

Just a er daybreak, we bobbed in an anchored ski looking out over a wide, shallow bay. Capt. Scott Burgess sat on the poling platform smoking a cigar and drinking co ee. Jesse Trevathan stood on the casting deck. He wasn’t casting. With line stripped out into the decal-littered stripping bucket in front of him, he held his y—a locally tied (FC)2 Renegade—in his le hand and his rod in his right. He just watched. We all watched, eyes focused on a large patch of sand o the bow that stood out from the grassy bottom around it.

We were looking for tarpon cruising the shallows on their annual westward migration along the Gulf Coast. In this sweet spot on Florida’s Forgotten Coast, they show up in May and are gone by August. e action peaks in June and July, and their massive silver bodies would show clearly in contrast to the sandy bottom.

“ ey follow paths, the same paths, year a er year,” said Burgess. “It’s based on the topography of the bottom as they move in with the tide.”

He had positioned the boat with the bow facing a ridge that rose from 7 feet up to 3 feet deep. When tarpon move in, the tops of such ridges are too shallow for them to cross. e big sh are channeled into the shallows in search of pogies, crabs and other delicacies.

With the trap set, there was nothing to do but wait and talk. Trevathan said tarpon spawn on the new and full moons of summer. For days they evacuate the ats and head o shore.

“I’ve been out here right before the full moon, and I literally saw hundreds of tarpon. ey were doing nothing but chasing tail. ey were

daisy chaining all over the place,” Trevathan said. “I went back on the moon, and they were gone.”

e daisy chaining Trevathan mentioned, in which sh group up and swim in circles nose to tail, is thought by some to be pre-spawn behavior, a sort of courtship dance. But no spawning takes place during these events. For the most part, scientists don’t really know why tarpon do what they do.

Trevathan and Burgess both have their theories about the movements of these giants. What they know for sure is tarpon show up each summer on the ats and in the passes. Clean water is needed to see them. Seeing them is necessary to present the y. e cast must lead them, but not too much, and the retrieve must intercept the sh at the right angle to incite a strike.

If the sh eats, it takes a hard strip set to drive the hook into a tarpon’s bony mouth. How hard? “As hard as you can,” said Burgess. Even if all goes according to plan, Burgess admitted there’s a less than 50 percent chance of steering a large tarpon boat-side. e power and aerial display of a hooked tarpon are legendary. Sadly, we did not witness it that day.

As the tide turned, the murky water became more dingy. Late in the morning, the call was made to move in search of red sh.

A week later, Burgess sent a text message with an attached photo. It showed a big tarpon, which he estimated to be 135 to 140 pounds, tailthrashing the water just o the tip of his 12-weight rod, which was broken in half.

“40 min ght with a broken rod… she pulled me 2 miles from my anchor.” e text read.

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It is that time of the year where you can catch bass in all three phases and depths. Pre-spawn/ spawn / post spawn - shallow, mid-level depth and deeper water. It is a fun time of year to be on the water in Florida. You can also watch for the bream spawn. Listen for these breams up shallow - you can even smell them, really no kidding. The bass loves this forage. There are shad spawns going on too.

With all the bait in the water, you will have no trouble at all catching bass these days. Get out on the water early and watch all this activity around you. It is a great time to get your personal best. Speaking of best - your Seminole Junior Anglers are having one heck of a year. Right now, they are leading a huge field of 175 high schools in the State of Florida for High School Club of the year. SJA won this award last year and most likely will repeat as back-to-back Champions. This is the highest honor you can receive as a high school club fishing organization. Coach Dave is so proud of each team. Seminole Junior Anglers are a great group of student anglers that can fish. They also have a team that already qualified for the National Tournament on Lake Harwell in late July 2023. SJA will be bringing all 7 teams to the State Championship this June on the Harris Chain, hoping to qualify more teams for the National Tournament in July. Please help raise some funds to cover costs for the State and National events this summer. Call Dave DiMauro, Director - Seminole Junior Anglers. 407-353-4575. SJA is a non-profit / 501C3.

Quick re-cap of the year so far - SJA had two tournaments recently. Okeechobee in March and St. John’s River in April. Teams did amazing things in both events. One of the teams had big bass on the St. John’s with a 9.9-pound beast. In Okeechobee one team finished in second place with just over 18 lbs. SJA has qualified one team for Nationals in July, and all 7 of the teams will be going to the State competition in June on the Harris Chain!

We hope to qualify a few more for Nationals after the State Competition. We also had one of our anglers win the High School Bassmaster Classic held in Knoxville, TN - in conjunction with the Bassmaster Classic last month. Thank you everyone for your partnership and support of our club. Coach Dave.

Tuesday May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 - Jolly Gator Bass Tournament Series, every Tuesday evening 5pm until 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 21 events will qualify for the end of year Classic. Some of the best river anglers in the area fish in this series. Orlando Coastal Angler Magazine is the official weighmaster for this fun tournament series, come out and join us for the weekly weigh-ins. All Tuesday events start at 5pm until dusk, Saturday events (1 per month) are safe light until 2pm. Launch ramp at CS Lee Park next to Jolly Gator Fish Camp on SR 46 east of Sanford at the St. Johns River Bridge. For questions or more info contact Jim “Squirt” Chaudoin at 407-432-2822 or Phil Wolf with Coastal Angler Magazine at 407790-9515.

Saturday May 13 - Jolly Gator Bass Tournament Saturday Series Safe light until 2pm. The cost is $40 per event, 2 anglers per team. There is also a $20 side-pot for big bag. Saturday events (1 per month) are safe-light until 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.

Friday, Saturday, Sunday May 12, 13, 21 – Central Florida Shootout Fishing Tournament. Join the crowd of anglers fishing this annual event. Captain’s Party on Friday May 12 hosted by Space Coast Harley Davidson from 5:30pm until 8:30 pm, lines in the water at 12:01 Saturday AM, scales open at Noon Saturday and anglers must

be checked-in by 5:00 pm Saturday. 2 different weigh-in sites - North site is Sunrise Marina at Port Canaveral and South site is Captain Hirams on the Indian River in Sebastian. Awards ceremony & raffle ticket drawings on May 21st at Captain Hirams on the River. There will be over $20K in cash and prizes for 10 different species, also prizes for lady and junior anglers to be awarded. Visit Centralfloridashootout.com to buy tickets or register to fish!

Saturday May 13 - Safe Light until 2pm, Osceola Anglers Fundraiser Bass Tournament, launch site at Joe Overstreet ramp in Osceola County on Old Canoe Creek Rd. This event will help raise funds for the Osceola Anglers High School Bass Fishing Club - $125 per boat, $20 extra for Big Bass, $5000 to Win! $1500 for 2nd place. Expectations are 75 plus boats. Come out and have fun fishing and help these kids out. To pre-register visit Osceolaanglers.com.

Friday, Saturday May 19, 20 - 37th Annual CFOA Offshore Fishing Tournament. Captains meeting and registration Friday evening at Fishlips Waterfront Bar & Grill at Port Canaveral. Weighin hosted at Bluepoints Marina on May 20, with over $20,000 in cash and prizes to be awarded. Visit www.cfoatourney.com for more info or to pre-register.

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.

It already feels like summer outside. In May we can expect hot fishing to accompany the warmer weather in central Florida. Postspawn bass, spawning shellcracker, and spawning catfish are the freshwater targets this month.

Bass – 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/crank baits like a Rapala X-Rap. The time-trusted rattle trap in chrome with black back mimics the bream they are feeding on. Bass will readily eat the live shad if you can cast net some. After the early morning bite, focus on deeper edges near lily pads with Carolina rigged soft plastics – use dark colors like blue/ black or black/red.

Panfish – All day catching limits bestow the anglers with patience

and a big can of red worms. The spawn is on for shellcrackers. Target them along sandy shorelines anchoring before or after the bends in the St Johns near the bank in 3-8 feet of water. 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. Crappie are finished spawning but can be caught near deep water structures like the Lake Jessup bridge pilings or fallen logs found along river bends – try a red colored 1/8 oz. round jig head tipped with a 2” curly white grub tail.

Catfish – Bring on the rains! April is typically the lowest water level during the year; May is when levels begin to rise. 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 deepest river or creek bends. Use just enough weight to hold bottom.

May is here on The Harris Chain of Lakes which means that early summertime fishing patterns are starting to get the fish moving. The panfish bite has been good throughout the chain of lakes. Bream, bluegill, redears, and shell crackers are all in their spawning stages around hard bottom shallow areas in 4 ft. of water or less. If you get near them or downwind you can smell them (very fishy). Once you begin to get bites fan-cast the area to determine how big their spawning area is, move back a little and continue catching them. Red worms, night crawlers, crickets, small 1/16 oz. beetle spins or small jigs will work best. The best way is to fish the live baits right on the bottom. Use a small cork or bobber just for a bite indicator.

Once you find these areas you will have some excellent opportunities to catch nice bass in the same area. The bass are just coming off their

spawning cycle and love fattening up on panfish before heading to deeper water for the summertime. The bass will be in deeper water with eel grass, hydrilla clumps or areas with bottom transition. The best baits for the bass are swim jigs, bladed jigs, and different varieties of large soft plastic swim baits. Any natural color like orange-perch, green pumpkin, black-blue, white, or gold is what you want tied on. The panfish spawn in areas that the largemouth bass have recently spawned, so it is worth the effort of time to find these places. Another bait to try is a topwater plug or soft plastic frog both early and late in the day or low light conditions. Walk the dog type baits and poppers can really make for some explosive strikes. Remember to wait a second to feel the fish on the lure before setting the hook. Panfish are great for kids to catch, usually fast action once you find them stacked up, take a kid fishing, and make a memory that will last a lifetime.

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over the grassy areas. When using live shrimp, also hook them in the tail for better casting distance. Target the sand holes when using live shrimp. On windy days use cut bait like mullet, ladyfish or pinfish on a 2/0 circle hook and throw at land points where the wind is blowing onto them. After catching a snook, always check your leader for frays and change if

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growth, fish the sand spots and edg es that drop off a foot or two. You should also find finger mullet and large mullet on those edges. If the water is a little dirty, there is a possibility of black drum in that area. Setup and fish where the large mullet congregate because that’s where the black drum, sea trout, snook and redfish also like to hang out. When using live bait like finger mullet, try using a 3/0 J hook and hook them in the tail so they swim on the surface

Miami, Government Cut (Approximate Times)

The bridges in the Indian River, terways hold the large red drum and area where they are on the screen and use a half or whole crab, croakers or pinfish on a 3/0 circle hook and step up the leader to 30# mono attached to 20-30# braid with a small split shot.

Tarpon are starting to show up on the beaches outside of Port Canaveral. To catch tarpon, freeline live croakers or menhaden on a 7/0 circle hook with 60# fluorocarbon leader. Have lots of extra bait and hooks to deal with the sharks.

of the boat for that cobia trailing you. If your bottom fishing, keep an eye on what follows your fish up to the boat.

Good numbers of dolphin fish have been caught in the last few weeks and should only increase this month. Start looking in the 90–120-foot range as many seem to think you must go to 300 to start. 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.

CENTRAL EAST COAST

MAY 2023

1M 6:14 AM 2.09 H

12:15 PM 0.29 L

6:44 PM 2.16 H

2TU 12:37 AM 0.34 L

6:59 AM 2.18 H

12:55 PM 0.13 L

West Lake Toho - The summer bass bite has been improving with the best times to fish in the early morning and late evening. Summer rains have kept the flood control gates open every few days. The water quality is clear. Goblins Cove is still producing good numbers of bass - fishing with live shiners over hydrilla. Fish the boat runs’entrances at sunrise for good top water action. Every morning at sunrise, bass can be found schooling on shad; anywhere there is flow. It usually lasts 30 minutes after sunrise. Big beetle spins and small M-5 Rapalas work best.

7:31 PM 2.33 H

3W 1:19 AM 0.27 L

popping bug. I have thoroughly enjoyed hearing the popping bug get hit. Daytime anglers are catching good numbers fishing the shallow bedding areas. Bait of choice is crickets fished under a float.Another good area to fish is canals when the water is flowing, trolling will only trigger more bites. Crappie - Anglers are fishing open water for crappie using jigs tipped with a minnow. Anglers trolling jigs are catching good limits of crappie. The key is to find them suspended in open water.

Miami Beach, Government Cut

12F 2:50 AM 2.38 H

8:43 AM 0.27 L

3:11 PM 2.24 H

9:10 PM 0.07 L

13SA 3:51 AM 2.36 H

9:49 AM 0.16 L

4:21 PM 2.3 H

10:17 PM 0.1 L

22M 4:50 AM 0.27 L

11:07 AM 2.24 H

5:03 PM -0.08 L

11:47 PM 2.37 H

23TU 5:33 AM 0.37 L

11:49 AM 2.14 H

5:47 PM 0.06 L

24W 12:29 AM 2.25 H

East Lake Toho - Bass fishing on East Lake has been good using artificial baits early morning. The best place to fish will be at the edges of the cattails. Then move to open water as the morning progresses. Most anglers are flipping open water pepper grass matts with good success. Fish the deeper edges of the grasswatermelon seed, Junebug, and red colors work best.

7:41 AM 2.26 H

1:33 PM -0.03 L

8:15 PM 2.48 H

4TH 1:59 AM 0.2 L

8:22 AM 2.33 H

2:11 PM -0.16 L

Bluegill - I have been trying a new tactic this summer. A good way to beat the heat.I have been fishing at nighttime in the canals using a fly rod, throwing popping bugs up against the bank. On a good moon phase, the bluegill will crush the

14SU 4:52 AM 2.37 H

10:51 AM 0.01 L

5:28 PM 2.41 H

11:19 PM 0.09 L

15M 5:49 AM 2.41 H

11:46 AM -0.15 L

6:19 AM 0.46 L

12:32 PM 2.04 H

8:58 PM 2.59 H

5F 2:39 AM 0.15 L

9:03 AM 2.37 H

2:50 PM -0.27 L

9:41 PM 2.67 H

6SA 3:20 AM 0.13 L

9:45 AM 2.4 H

3:31 PM -0.34 L

10:25 PM 2.69 H

7SU 4:02 AM 0.14 L

10:28 AM 2.4 H

4:15 PM -0.35 L

11:12 PM 2.66 H

8M 4:47 AM 0.17 L

11:14 AM 2.38 H

5:03 PM -0.31 L

6:28 PM 2.53 H

16TU 12:15 AM 0.07 L

6:43 AM 2.45 H

12:37 PM -0.28 L

7:23 PM 2.64 H

17W 1:07 AM 0.05 L

7:32 AM 2.48 H

1:25 PM -0.38 L

8:13 PM 2.71 H

18TH 1:55 AM 0.04 L

8:19 AM 2.48 H

2:11 PM -0.41 L

8:59 PM 2.72 H

19F 2:41 AM 0.06 L

9:03 AM 2.46 H

2:55 PM -0.39 L

Kingfish will continue to do well this month. 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 more consistent. Some days you may have to ride south to get it and some days it’s right there in the port but at least it’s around. Beach fishing is really starting to heat up as well. Port Canaveral has already seen some nice buoy line kings and tarpons. If the bait is around chances are there will be larger fish feeding. Start with 60# mono till you start getting cut off then switch to #4 wire for kingfish.

Patrick

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

The sandbar sharks have been steady. Shark fishing is on fire! I know many say I don’t want to deal with sharks, or you can’t eat them - completely wrong. On light tackle they are so much fun, and blacktips are great to eat.

9TU 12:01 AM 2.6 H

5:37 AM 0.23 L

12:04 PM 2.33 H

5:56 PM -0.23 L

10W 12:53 AM 2.52 H

6:33 AM 0.28 L

1:00 PM 2.28 H

6:55 PM -0.12 L

11TH 1:50 AM 2.44 H

7:35 AM 0.31 L

2:03 PM 2.25 H

8:01 PM -0.01 L

Fishing Lake Okeechobee in August can be challenging but fun! Challenging due to hot temperatures, possible afternoon thunderstorms and lower water levels. Now is a good time to brush up on your deeper water angling skills whether its fishingin the Kissimmee River or the Canal system. Bass like the deeper, cooler water temperaturestie on those deep diving crank baits. Along with crank baits, a CarolinaRig (c-rig) or a texas-rigged big worm will produce some quality bass.

9:42 PM 2.69 H

20SA 3:24 AM 0.11 L

9:45 AM 2.41 H

3:38 PM -0.32 L

10:24 PM 2.6 H

21SU 4:07 AM 0.18 L

10:27 AM 2.33 H

4:20 PM -0.21 L

11:06 PM 2.49 H

In the early morning hours have a hard top water lure tied on like a bang-a-lure or devils horse and aim at the edges working the lure out about 20-25 ft as you go along the rock-bottom in the River and Canals. If you’re fishing the lake, some areas of the lake are showing signs of algae which is normal this time of year.

What’s biting now?I’ve been taking bream trips; fingerling catfish and

6:33 PM 0.2 L

25TH 1:12 AM 2.14 H

7:08 AM 0.52 L

1:20 PM 1.95 H

Panfish - Fish open water shell beds with red wigglers. If you are looking to fill the cooler for dinner, the open water shell beds are hard to beat.

7:22 PM 0.33 L

26F 1:57 AM 2.06 H

4:08 PM 1.91 H

10:09 PM 0.5 L

29M 4:26 AM 1.99 H

10:39 AM 0.32 L

5:06 PM 2 H

11:02 PM 0.47 L

30TU 5:18 AM 2.02 H

11:25 AM 0.18 L

6:01 PM 2.14 H

bass trips which are typical for this time of year. The month of September is when to start thinking of booking your bass fishing trip, as the females start to feed up while they make their way into the shallows for the early spawn time. It’s also the time to book your fall crappie trip too. Good fishing areas: parts of the shoal; Dupree Bar; Dyess ditch and Horse Island and Indian Prairie. Tin house has been solid throughout the season for crappie, bass and bream, work your way up towards 3rd and 2nd point where you’ll find some bass feeding on the bedding bream. A few areas on Kings Bar have been good and the water looks perfect.

To book you’re next fun-filled, productive and educational fishing trip call me at 863-228-7263 or log onto my website to check out the customers and their catches; hotel recommendations; guide rates and etc. Capt Angie’s sponsors are: Caymas boats and Toho Marine; Lews; G-Loomis; BnM Poles; MidSouth Tackle; Maui Jim; Gill; Bullet Weights; Road Runner; Real Magic; Tru Turn hooks; Mega Strike; Gene Larew; Pradco Brands and BUFF USA.

Captain Troy Perez’s Guatemalan Fly-Fishing Experience

By CAM Staff

Recently Captain Troy Perez and Deanna Jenkins went to Guatemala with dreams of catching sailfish - specifically a sailfish on fly. Troy has been in Costa Rica several times without having the reward of a sailfish on fly - this is why they planned the trip to Guatemala.  The flight didn’t really take that long flying into the modern airport in Guatemala City and traveling south to Pacific Fins Resort in the city of Iztapa.

No place in the world offers more sailfish raises, bites and releases than Guatemala.  Pacific Fins’ experienced fleet averages 15-20 bites a day.  They cater to experienced and beginner fly anglers.  “We were welcomed by a warm and friendly staff that met all of our needs.”  On day one, within the first hour of fishing Deanna caught 2 sailfish on conventional tackle and then it was Troy’s turn.  The two were impressed by the mates and captain’s ability to bring sailfish to the back of the transom.  Capt. Troy was amazed at the expertise the crew had in setting up his chance to catch one on fly.  After some learning curves, Capt. Troy landed one on the 5th fish he hooked, a dream come true!  Deanna went on to catch 2 more that day and Capt. Troy also caught 2 more on conventional tackle. They also had a shot at a blue marlin on fly on day 1.  Day 2 was exciting, they landed 6 sailfish, 1 large dorado and a yellow fin tuna. At one point, 3 sailfish were hooked up at the same time and the mate had to jump in and help. They also landed a double on this epic adventure.  Offshore they encountered a large pod of several hundred spinner dolphins that entertained them with jumping and running around the boat.  The yellow fin tuna was caught in this pod of bottle nose dolphin. The mates prepared tuna sashimi with fresh avocados and onions with soy sauce to eat right while out on the boat, what a treat.  The mate also prepared grilled Mahi and tuna for us to enjoy while we fished. They also encountered large whales on each fishing trip. At the end of each day back at the lodge they were greeted by a wonderful staff that prepared meals and drinks by the pool.  The variety of food was excellent and the mahi fingers were the best! The mahi sashimi was also delicious.  Day 3 was a little rough on the seas, but Capt. Troy was able to land 2 more sailfish on fly. Deanna landed 3 more sailfish

and they both were able to catch 2 more large dorado.  The total for three days - 18 sailfish, they raised a lot more but when fly fishing they were limited to the number they could have landed.  Other boats using conventional tackle were catching 20 plus sailfish a day.  Pacific Fins has spearheaded the commission in Guatemala for the protection of sailfish in their great country.  They are laying the groundwork for future generations to enjoy, protect and experience this biggame fishing destination.

Guatemala is a country bursting with biodiversity and an indigenous culture with a vibrant identity.  It has volcanos, tropical forests, outstanding Mayan ruins and beautiful lakes and exotic wildlife. A beautiful and culturally rich country located in Central America.  It has thousands of species of plants in 19 different ecosystems.  It has 250 species of mammals, 600 bird species and 200 reptiles and amphibians.  There are 30 volcanoes spread throughout the highlands.  Although Troy and Deanna did not visit any tourist spots, there is lots to see.  El Peten in northeast Guatemala represents the largest tropical rain forest in Central America, containing ruins from ancient Mayan civilizations. The Mayan ruins of Tikal, a sprawling complex of 3000 structures, is the crown jewel among El Peten’s 13,000 sq miles. The city of Antiqua is also a must see.  With restored Spanish colonial architecture, manicured parks, international cuisine, and a horizon shaped by three volcanos it is one of the most stunning destinations in the world. Lake Atitlan is 50 square miles of deep, crystal blue water surrounded by three volcanos overlooked by 12 quaint villages, whose residents wear traditional dress that distinguishes each town from the next.  It is said to be one of the most beautiful lakes in the world.

If you ever dreamed of catching a 100-pound sailfish on fly, it is time to discover Guatemala sport fishing.  With year-round abundant sailfish populations, you will have more opportunities for hookups than anywhere else in the world.  Capt. Troy and Deanna made travel arrangements through Central American Fishing Vacations and Chris was extremely helping in planning their dream fishing trip.

August can be considered a tough time to fish in East Central Florida for several reasons, but that does not mean you can’t find plenty of opportunities to bend the rod and do battle with some awesome fish. The most notable factor that effects our lagoon fishing is the sweltering summer heat and how it plays into the day for most of our desired gamefish targets. There is only one way to beat the heat and stay catching regardless of how hot it gets. Fishing in the cooler times of the day is a sure way to keep yourself a bit more comfortable and achieve your goal of some solid catches. Hitting the water very early or late in the afternoon and even exploring your local night fishing is a spectacular work around keeping you off the water in those times of high sun and maximum heat.

As a fishing guide the fun of transitioning from our target species season to season is something that never gets old. Preparing gear and tackle along with anticipation of the memories to be made is almost intoxicating. Many nights are spent getting ready for the coming adversary. For me I’m a native Merritt Islander raised on fishy adventures around Pine Island Road where I grew up.

well, many fish in the 40/50lb class have been caught recently. Captain Joe of the FireFight had a 48-pound kingfish last week. Stud of a king. Nice work Joey

Preparation for one target species season stirs emotion like no other. The fish that holds a special place in my world and many others is the majestic Tarpon. The fact that I spent my formative years obsessed with my summertime friends at the end of the road mirrors the obsession that many people feel for one of the most interesting fish that swims. There are many solid reasons that the tarpon tops a lion’s share of angler’s bucket lists, and East Central Florida has tarpon fishing that can easily be rated in the world class category. From the juvenile lagoon fish to monster man size versions of tarpon that hunt the summer waters just outside the beach side breakers, we have it all and kayaks can reach them. Tarpon has many adaptations that make them so successful that they are known to be one of the oldest fish species found with fossil records showing them unchanged since before dinosaurs walked the earth. The ability to process breathable air as well as dissolved oxygen is an adaptation that allows their young to survive in water with oxygen levels so low that predators are scarce. However, this very adaptation and the surface roll they use to collect the supplemental oxygen is a dead giveaway to their presence and an indication of your chances to catch one. Challenging doesn’t even begin to describe the ebb and flow of tarpon fishing and personally that is one of the reasons they hold such a high regard to those who enjoy catching a fish or two. Summertime is tarpon time and May tends to be the kickoff to our season of catching this hard fishing gamefish. Though we can find a bite almost year-round the warmer waters of summer lead to increased numbers of happy fish. The Canals, ditches, and many other backwater areas will play host to tarpon in the 5-35lb range. Look at the open bridge spans that dot the lagoons for bigger fish in the 40-70lb range. You must hit the beach for the full-grown version, but plenty will be available for kayak anglers to the north and south. There is no doubt that as you read this, I am well past the beginning stages of preparation for a fish that I’ve dreamt about for as long as I can remember. Tight Lines from Capt. Alex.

With little tidal current until you get to the Ponce Inlet area in the north or Sebastian Inlet to the south, we do not have the relief of cooler ocean water flooding the shallows multiple times a day regardless of where the sun is. In those nontidal areas, the water temperatures climb as the sun does and by midday it is uncomfortably hot. Just like ourselves the fish also react to the oppressive heat and look to find some refuge. For us some cold drinks and a little shade with some breeze is exactly what we look for to cool down and relax, maybe a little time in the AC even. Typically, the last thing we look for is a giant meal. Fish do the same and look to find cooler deeper water or some shade to ride out the heat. Much like colder weather the heat also causes fish to become lethargic and many time unwilling to feed or do anything but sulk. If you do find yourself looking to catch in the heat, baits like live shrimp are a good choice as they fit the bill of a lite snack and not a full meal. In the cooler times like early morning, late evening, and even nighttime you can look to utilize more substantial offerings and the topwater plug excels at this. With the summer waters heavy bait presence those topwater plugs will get a look and can even be fished at night with great success. Also, live baits like mullet will get plenty of looks and are a great choice in the dark. Don’t let the dog days of summer get your fishing in a slump! Beat the heat and keep catching.

August fishing can be a challenge sometimes, but it’s always a fun time. The cold-water upwelling is still around and causing issues for bottom fishing and finding bait. By cold water, I’m talking about the yearly thermocline. Just because you can’t get a bottom bite going doesn’t mean the bottom fish don’t come up in the water column a little. Get on the wrecks and chum. You will find the cold pushes the fish up. They try to get to the warm water level. It’s not uncommon at all to see amberjack, snapper, cobia, mangroves, and many other species not far from the surface. Picking out the biggest fish can be fun especially for your charters.

Kingfish should continue to do

It feels like summer already. The water table is still dropping, and the lake is already at low levels – rain helps but not too much before hurricane season. Hydrilla is now at the water ’s surface making lures snag, but also makes it easy to see the edges of the drop-off. You should be able to find current at the canal entrances and bass are hanging around the edges of the sand bars. Bait of choice - crank baits like Rapala X-Raps or Rattle Traps. A lot of the bass are heading out to open water hydrilla patches and will stay there all summer. Bait of choice in open water vegetation are plastic baits like Zoom Speed Worms, flukes, Bitters brand vibe worms and the skinny dippers are the hot baits this month. Best colors are June bug, watermelon seed, black and blue.

The main crappie spawn is over, but you can still catch them around bridge pilings and along structures in the Kissimmee River. Use small minnows or a round jig head tipped with your favorite plastic tail in white or chartreuse. The breams are on the beds and will continue to spawn in the shallows all summer long especially around the full and new moon phases. To catch bream, use live crickets or small red worms. Areas for bream: Harney Pond canal; the Monkey Box and Observation Shoal; Dyess Ditch; Indian Praire; Kissimmee River; Hendry Creek and the J & S lock area.

Lake Okeechobee’s water level at 14 feet means the Corp of Engineers will discharge water into the St. Lucie canal and Caloosahatchee River systems lowering the level to 12 ft which is great for emergent vegetation but not so good for boaters who are unfamil-

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.

Nearshore beach fishing is going to really be picking up. Tarpons are there and rolling every day. You can slow troll them or just drift in the mornings with live bait. We have caught them on everything. Chunk baits, live baits and artificial. There is not much they won’t eat. Beach fishing in 20-30 feet is a blast. You’d be amazed how shallow all these fish come in. Kings, bonito, jack crevalle and many other extreme fighting fish. Look for the schools of bunker. If you find them, you will find the fish. Shark fishing is about as good as it gets right now. If you’re looking for some fun with the kids, anchor up in 20 feet off the beach and hold on. Bonita and king are an excellent

are there and rolling every day. Bonita and king are an excellent

iar with the lake. Meanwhile, the bass bite is great using wild golden shiners and artificial lures. For the lure bite a popping frog and swim bait have been working well - the bass are feeding in the shallows on the spawning bream. Other lures to use are worms, toads, and rattle traps. Soft plastic lure colors: Junebug; redbug; black/blue; white; tilapia; cichlid; green pumpkin and watermelon red. Areas to catch bass are the same mentioned above for the bream and crappie.

Capt. Angie will be available for guided trips all summer and offers a discounted rate on a 4-hour live bait trip for two people for $300.00 including 2 dozen shiners. You will get the latest tips you can apply to fishing your home waters. Discounted rates for one-person trips and the military are available. For trip info visit www.southfloridabassfishing.com or call 863-228-7263.

Capt Angie’s Sponsors: Sponsors: Toho Marine (St. Cloud, Florida); Mercury Marine; BnM Poles; Bullet Weights; Lews; Real Magic; MidSouth Tackle; Pradco Brands; Gill; Maui Jim; G-Loomis; Gene Larew and Caymas boats.

This monster 9lb. 14oz. “Trophy Catch” was caught fishing with Capt. Angie Douthit on the “Big O”

John Lorton with an oversize Snook from IRL Vero area, NICE ONE!

5 yr. old Oscar Volinschi caught this nice “Cat” in greenwood Lake, Lk. Mary

Giant cobia caught fishing aboard “Fired-up Charters” out of Port Canaveral

Let’s grow with Florida together.

Confessions of a Fishaholic, by Thatch Maguire, is a hilarious and irreverent look at one man’s quest to catch fish in spite of life’s annoying interferences. You’ll travel with this awkward adventurer as he risks home and health to pursue his passion for fishing...regardless of the consequences. Anglers of all expertise levels will immediately identify with why his addiction is incurable. This book defines the blurred line between passion and obsession.

REDFISH ON DRUGS

Last year, results of a threeyear study indicated a shocking presence of drugs found in bone sh of the Florida Keys. It comes as little surprise that Florida International University (FIU) and Bone sh & Tarpon Trust (BTT) have recently completed a year-long study that also discovered pharmaceutical contaminants in the blood and other tissues of red sh in Florida waters.

“ e results underscore the urgent need to modernize Florida’s wastewater treatment systems,” said BTT President and CEO Jim McDu e. “Humanbased contaminants like these pose a signi cant threat to Florida’s recreational shery, which has an annual economic impact of $13.9 billion and directly supports more than 120,000 jobs.”

Scientists and volunteer guides and anglers sampled red sh in nine of Florida’s most important estuaries: Pensacola, Apalachicola, Cedar Key, Tampa Bay, Charlotte Harbor, Florida Bay, Northern Indian River Lagoon (IRL), St. Augustine and Jacksonville.

Similar to results of the previous bone sh study, pharmaceuticals were found in all of the estuaries sampled, with an average number of 2.1 drugs per sh and a maximum of ve. Only seven out of the 113 sampled sh had zero drugs in their system. On average, 25.7 percent of the sh exceeded a level of pharmaceuticals considered safe, which equates to one-third of the therapeutic levels in humans.

“ ese studies of bone sh and red sh are the rst to document the concerning presence of pharmaceuticals in species that are important to Florida’s recreational sheries,” said Dr. Jennifer Rehage, FIU professor and the study’s lead researcher. “Given the impacts of many of these pharmaceuticals on other sh species and the types of pharmaceuticals found, we are concerned about the role pharmaceuticals play in the health of our sheries. We will continue this work to get more answers to these concerning questions.”

Cardiovascular medications, opioid pain relievers and psychoactive medications were most commonly detected. e antiarrhythmic medication ecainide and the opioid pain reliever tramadol were detected in over 50 percent of the red sh. e antipsychotic medication upentixol was detected above safe levels in one in ve of the red sh samples. ese are very concerning levels of exposure for red sh.

Approximately ve billion prescriptions are lled each year in the U.S., yet there are no environmental regulations for the production nor disposal of pharmaceuticals worldwide. Pharmaceutical contaminants originate most o en from human wastewater and are not su ciently removed by conventional water treatment. ey remain active at low doses, can be released constantly, and exposure can a ect all aspects of sh behavior, with negative consequences for their reproduction and survival. Pharmaceutical contaminants have been shown to a ect all aspects of the life of sh, including their feeding, activity, sociability, and migratory behavior.

“Florida is a leader in addressing water quality issues and wastewater infrastructure, including converting septic systems to sewage treatment,” said Kellie Ralston, BTT’s Vice President for Conservation and Public Policy. “ e results of this study indicate that there are additional opportunities for improvement by retro tting existing wastewater treatment plants with innovative technologies, like ozone treatment, to remove pharmaceuticals and requiring such technology on new wastewater facilities.”

For more information, go to www.bone shtarpontrust.org.

Maguire’s frst work is a compelling, fast read. His style is like a mix of Hemingway with a sardonic blend of Hunter S. Thompson. I couldn’t put it down...

Ben Martin Editor in Chief Coastal Angler Magazine

ENJOY BATTLING

THE SCOURGE OF LIONFISH

The ninth annual Lion sh Festival is slated for May 20-21 at AJ’s Seafood and Oyster Bar and HarborWalk Village in Destin, Fla. is outdoor event is free, open to the public and will feature family-friendly activities, art, diving and marine conservation booths, live music, llet demonstrations, and the world’s largest lion sh tournament, the Emerald Coast Open.

TOURNAMENT DETAILS

e Emerald Coast Open will run May 1920 and include categories for most lion sh, largest lion sh and smallest lion sh with nearly $100,000 worth of prizes up for grabs. For o cial tournament rules and registration instructions, visit EmeraldCoastOpen. com.

LIONFISH RESTAURANT WEEK

Sample lion sh at one of Destin–Fort Walton Beach’s featured restaurants during the Emerald Coast Open Lion sh Restaurant Week. Local chefs will highlight lion sh in unique dishes in the week leading up to the event to help bring awareness to the lion sh invasion in the Gulf of Mexico.

Schedule:

• e Boathouse Landing, Valparaiso – May 12

• e Harbor Tavern – May 13

• Dewey Destin’s Harborside – May 14

• Crab Trap Destin – May 15

• La Paz – May 16

• Harbor Docks – May 17

• Brotula’s Seafood House & Steamer – May 18

• AJ’s Seafood & Oyster Bar– May 20

LIONFISH CHALLENGE

e 2023 Lion sh Challenge is a summer-long tournament open to everyone and completely free to enter. Participants in last year’s Challenge reached a signi cant milestone of over 1 million lion sh harvested from Florida waters since the program began in 2014! Visit FWCReefRangers. com to register for the Lion sh Challenge.

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HARVEST CLOSED INSIDE SPECIAL PERMIT ZONE

The permit spawning season closure inside the Special Permit Zone (SPZ) began April 1. Regular permit regulations in the SPZ will reopen Aug. 1.

is closure area includes all state and federal waters south of Cape Sable on the Gulf coast and south of Cape Florida on the Atlantic coast including all of the Florida Keys and Biscayne Bay south of Rickenbacker Causeway.

During the open season, regulations within the SPZ allow a daily bag limit of one permit, with a vessel limit of two permit and a minimum size of 22 inches fork length.

For more information, go to MyFWC.com.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE BONEFISH & TARPON TRUST

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BAROTRAUMA TOOLS NOW REQUIRED IN STATE WATERS

Anglers shing from a vessel targeting reef sh in Florida state waters are now required to have on board a descending device or venting tool that is rigged and ready for use. is new regulation went into e ect April 1, and also requires use of a descending device or venting tool if a sh exhibits signs of barotrauma prior to release.

e FWC approved this rule to increase survival of released reef sh, a top priority management issue in both the Gulf of Mexico and south Atlantic. As reef sh are reeled up from depth, they can su er pressure related injuries known as barotrauma. ese injuries include the stomach protruding out of the mouth, bulging eyes, bloated belly, distended intestines and inability to swim down independently. If not treated correctly, barotrauma can be lethal to sh.

“Florida’s anglers have always played an important role in the health of our sheries and the proper use of barotrauma mitigation tools is just one way anglers continue helping to conserve Florida’s sheries for current and future generations,” said FWC’s Jessica McCawley. “ is new rule not only improves survival of released reef sh but also provides anglers the exibility of choosing the best tool that ts their situation on the water.”

For more information, go to MyFWC.com.

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YOUR KID COULD CATCH A WORLD RECORD

Would your kid be proud to set a new world record?

Of course they would, and right now is a great time for kids to catch a world record thanks to the International Game Fish Association’s new length-record category for young anglers. e category is intended to promote catch-and-release by making it possible to measure a sh for world-record consideration without killing it, and right now there 169 vacant species just waiting for anglers under 16 years old to set a new world record.

e new IGFA All-Tackle Length Junior category follows the same rules and regulations as the current All-Tackle Length record categories. e All-Tackle Length Junior category will have one record available for each eligible species, with no di erentiation made for the angler’s gender, which is consistent with current All-Tackle Length and All-Tackle Length Fly record categories. Vacancies exist for all eligible species of the All-Tackle Length record category and will follow the same minimum length requirements already established.

“By introducing the All-Tackle Length Junior category, we hope to inspire the next generation of anglers to get out and sh, while promoting ethical and sustainable shing practices,” said IGFA President Jason Schratwieser. “Fishing is a fantastic way to connect with the outdoors, and we believe that by engaging young people with this sport, we can inspire the next generation of stewards of our oceans, lakes, and rivers and help ensure the long-term health and vitality of our aquatic resources.”

With children and teenagers increasingly disconnected from the outdoors, the IGFA hopes to inspire a new wave of young anglers who are passionate about the sport and its role in connecting people to nature.

For more information, go to www.igfa.org.

PHOTO COURTESY OF IGFA.

Alexandra Hall caught this 63-pound blue cat sh from Virginia’s James River to set IGFA 20-pound line class and female junior world records for the species.

FROG FISHING FOR VERY HUNGRY BASS TIPS FROM A PRO

TYLER WOOLCOTT

Across the country, bass are either in their post spawn patterns right now or they will be soon. ere is a plethora of ways to catch these bass, but my all-time favorite for getting bit and drawing in a big one is a hollow body popping frog.

A popping frog can be used as an incredible search bait, and you can duplicate many di erent bait sh depending on where you throw it and what color you tie on. ere are many di erent options out there. I try to duplicate the bait sh forage in the particular lake I’m shing. Sometimes I use a frog to imitate a bluegill, and sometimes I throw a shad color pattern. 13 Fishing makes an incredible popping frog that comes with a stout hook and a wide variety of colors for any scenario.

When I throw a frog as a search bait, I work it faster than most. Cover as much water as possible until you put a pattern together on what exactly the sh are focusing on. at’s the magic of a frog; you can literally throw it around everything! Docks, lay downs, grass and open water are just a few of the targets I look for. Once you locate a group of sh or put a pattern together, slow down and pick them o a little slower. I have noticed sometimes there isn’t a “too fast” while working a popping frog.

A couple things I look for this time of year are bass guarding fry and also sh roaming the banks feeding on bluegill. is is very predictable and an awesome way to catch big ones. Typically, if you know a few areas where the sh previously spawned, these patterns will occur in the same areas. I throw a bluegill pattern popping frog because bluegill chase bass fry, and that drives bass crazy.

Another pattern to watch for is a shad spawn. is occurs in the mornings and evenings and can lead to a bunch of sh in a hurry. Look

for birds feeding on banks while running down the lake. Find the birds and you nd the bait! A white popping frog or a bait sh color is typically my choice in this situation.

A popping frog can work all year long, but it really drives post spawn sh crazy. Who doesn’t like catching sh on a topwater with heavy line and a heavy rod?

Frog Fishing Gear

Heavy gear is needed for setting those big frog hooks and shing around heavy cover. I sh a 13 Fishing 7’4H Omen Black rod paired with a Concept A 8.3 reel spooled up with Seaguar 50-pound Smackdown braid. is setup allows you to get sh out of heavy cover and into the boat!

Tyler Woolcott is a professional tournament angler and guide. Check out his website at www.tylerwoolcott shing.com.

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40-POUND PIKE BREAKS IDAHO RECORD!

BLACK SEA BASS OPEN YEAR-ROUND IN SOUTH ATLANTIC

Black sea bass o en y under the radar for anglers o the coast of the Southeast. Perhaps it’s because their size and numbers are thickest in the middle of winter, when it’s not as pleasant to be on the water? Or maybe it’s because they don’t grow as a large as the other grouper species that inhabit our wrecks and reefs?

This 40.76-pound northern pike is a new Idaho state record. It beat the existing 13-year-old record by a little more than half a pound.

Avid pike sherman omas Francis landed the monster sh on March 21 from Hayden Lake in northern Idaho. e sh was more than 4 feet long, with an o cial length of 49 inches and an impressive girth of 26.5 inches.

Francis told Idaho Fish and Game he speci cally targets big pike almost every day. In late March, ice still ringed the banks at Hayden Lake, so Francis was casting his lure up to the edge of the ice.

“When my lure hit the water, I let it sink all the way to the bottom,” he said. “As soon as my lure hit the bottom, I felt her hit. I sh with 80-poundtest line, and she almost immediately started peeling drag, a lot of it.

“She pinned herself to the bottom and just kept going, peeling drag the whole time,” he continued. “I knew that wasn’t normal, and I could tell it was something special.”

e IGFA all-tackle world record northern pike was caught in Germany in 1986. It weighed 55 pounds, 1-ounce.

For more information, go to https://idfg.idaho.gov

Whatever the reason, there’s no denying that black sea bass are some of the tastiest critters in the ocean, and anchoring over a wreck or reef teeming with them can ll a cooler in short order. Just ask the folks up in New England, where the species is a highly sought a er target of anglers.

NOAA recently announced that recreational harvest of black sea bass will again be open year-round for the 2023-2024 season in federal waters of the South Atlantic, south of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. So, sharpen the hooks on your chicken rigs and go collect some meat.

NOAA Fisheries has projected that the 2023-2024 recreational catch limit of 366,510 pounds whole weight will not be met. e season in federal waters will run from April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024. Seasons in state waters vary, so be sure to check state regulations where you plan to sh. In federal waters of the Atlantic, south of 35 deg 15.0321’ N, there is a seven sh per person bag limit with a 13-inch minimum size limit.

A descending device is required on board all vessels shing for or possessing snapper and grouper species in federal waters of the South Atlantic. e descending device must be readily available for use and attached to at least 16 ounces of weight and at least 60 feet of line. For more information, go to coastalanglermag.com.

Flip Flip Hooray!

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STILL TIME FOR A TROPHY TROUT

By Capt. Michael Okruhlik

If you are big trout enthusiast like me, you know there is still some time le if you haven’t had your ll over the past ve months. December through a portion of May is when I set my eyes on catching a personnel best speckled trout. With the full moon on May 3 this year, I feel the entire month will hold promise to land one full of eggs before the rst full moon in June. May is also a little more enjoyable, too, so sit back and let me tell you why.

Most anglers in Texas think about big trout mid-December through early April, and when the waders come o they change their focus. Fortunately, not all the big girls have dropped their eggs yet and will still hold them into May. It gives us the opportunity for a heavy trout to take a big smiling photo with.

Speaking of taking the waders o , wading in May is typically warm and enjoyable even if the sh don’t cooperate. e pleasant temperatures are more appealing than dreary, cold, winter days, and they also allow me to sh the way I prefer. At times in winter, we must slow down our presentation and this can become a little monotonous; however, targeting big trout in the warmth of May allows us to work the lure more aggressively.

ere is not much more exciting than a topwater explosion, and spring is one of my favorite times to utilize this tactic for trophy trout. May is also a great time to throw other lures. Traditional slow-sinking and suspending lures also work wonders this time of year.

As most of you know, I am a paddletail fanatic! is month, I’ll give several sizes a shot at getting inhaled by a huge yellow mouth. ese large predators will take 3-, 4- and 5-inch lures this time of year. As their bodies warm with the water, they become as aggressive as they will be all year, so adding some rattling sound to your tails can really get the sh active.

I seek out areas of grass ats in knee- to waist-deep water. Finding a at with a drain from a small lake or creek will work wonders for concentrating sh over adjacent shallow grass. A depression along such a at is another area you should target. When choosing a at with these criteria, areas of potholes are a plus over a solid grass- lled at.

I hope these tips help you get your PB trout on your last chance of the year to nd one lled with eggs. Take a kid shing. ey like big trout too. And be safe. May is the uno cial start of summer, and inexperienced boaters will be on the water.

Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Knockin Tail Lures®, and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.

PHOTO COURTESY OF KNOCKIN TAIL LURES®

KAYAKER LANDS

102-POUND PADDLEFISH

An angler got a little more than he bargained for in early April while shing for walleye in the Upper White River in northwestern Arkansas. Fishing 12-pound-test line and a 3-inch-long crankbait, Robert Murphy accidentally snagged a 102-pound paddle sh and spent the next hour battling the sh from his kayak.

In April, the Upper White experiences spring runs of several species into the riverine sections of Beaver Lake, including white bass, walleye and paddle sh. Paddle sh, also known as spoonbill, are a large zooplankton eating species. ey won’t chase lures or live bait, so anglers typically “snag” them during Arkansas’ paddle sh snagging season. e daily limit is two sh per person.

Murphy might not have intended to snag a paddle sh, but that’s exactly what he did. According to Outdoor Life, Murphy was throwing a 3-inch Berkley Flicker Shad for walleye when he saw a big sh on his sonar. inking it was a big striped bass or a gar, he ran his 10- to 12-foot-diving plug through the area and hooked his river monster in the top of the tail.

Anyone who has ever foul-hoked a sh knows how hard they ght when you can’t turn their head. Well, Murphy spent the next hour battling the beast from his kayak as it pulled him up and down the river. A er he nally hauled it into his kayak and brought it to shore, he weighed and measured the sh. With a length of 71.5 inches, it was nearly 6 feet long, and at 102 pounds, it was shy of the 118-pound, 9-ounce state record that was caught from Beaver Lake in 2020.

For more information, see www.agfc.com.