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SHORT LINES

By Capt. Quinlyn Haddon

LEAD TO

MAHI T

he transition into the summer months brings calmer days more viable for offshore fishing. This is the season when waterways become flooded with snowbirds and weekend warriors, although current fuel prices may keep the pressure off those hot offshore numbers. With mahi season in full swing in the Atlantic, scouting the ocean for signs of life offshore is easily most exciting this time of year. Trolling for mahi near weedlines, diving birds and floating debris is extremely productive. These fish will eat just about anything they see, so much so that I wouldn’t be surprised if you could get a hookup on a banana peel. A trolling spread for mahi doesn’t have to be elaborate. Four lines or less will get the job done. Their penchant for jumping and swimming zigzags on the surface makes tangles in the spread an unfortunate reality. Lines can be kept short, as mahi will eat near a moving boat. While fishing in heavier weeds, shorter lines allow lures to skip more to kick off grass. Lures that don’t like to rid themselves of grass can alternatively be more easily observed and manually cleared with this method. Keeping the lines short also increases the chances of a hooked fish bringing the school of mahi-mahi with them to the boat. The farther back the lines are when a mahi is hooked, the more

6 NATIONAL

JUNE 2022

time the rest of the school has to lose interest in following their buddy. Once a hooked mahi is boatside, leave them in the water as a swimming, codependent chumbag. The rest of the school often follows them, giving you a chance to hook up to more. Have something on your boat to cast out in this situation. Nearly anything will do when the school is in a frenzy. Jigs, lures, cut bait, live bait, possibly banana peels. Sometimes mahi will turn their nose up at certain baits, but the key can be entirely within the presentation. They usually prefer a bait that is teasing them and just almost out of reach. Alternate between letting the bait fall and twitching it away from them. At times, you might get ready to leave a closed-mouth school only to finally have your bait crushed as you quickly reel in the pitch bait. If this is the case, they might just be in a mood to chase something moving more quickly, and getting back on the troll may be a better idea. Diving frigates and floating debris attract more than just mahi-mahi, and there are epic sightings to be had in the open water, everywhere in between.

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

From marlin to whale sharks, calm summer days offshore are as good as it gets. Calmer and sunnier days provide above average visibility, making once in a lifetime encounters harder to miss. Keep your eyes (and bananas) peeled. Capt. Quinlyn Haddon fishes for Blue Magic Charters out of Marathon in the Florida Keys. Call (504) 920-6342.

LESS IS MORE WHEN RIGGING THE BOAT

Tim Barefoot

n a time when we are in full-throated offshore (and inshore) fishing, I’d like to address the meaning of the title of this article. We all want to put gadgets on the boat to make it more efficient and comfortable. What I’m getting ready to say may offend some folks, but the ones who actually fish for results—rather than to look good or appease mom and the kids—will get it. Less is more means the more open deck space I have, the better the dance floor is when the action starts. Period. I want a clean deck, free of “toe breakers” and stumbling blocks commonly referred to as seats and coolers I have to squeeze by. When there’s a fish ripping off drag and changing directions, I want open lanes to move up to the front of the boat or around back. You see, I’ve reached a point in life that I’m going to catch the fish I want to catch, the way I want to catch them. I troll some, but it’s early in the day to locate stacks of bait and fish. When the sun comes up to the 10 or 11 o’clock position, I start posting up with the Rhodan or drifting with a kite or float baits out. I keep a bait near the bottom and baits in

the middle water column if they are marking on the recorder or when we are getting bites on the deeper baits. What we do mid-morning is a result of how hard the current is running, the wind direction and speed or a combination of these things. If I could recommend one thing to make your boat rigging most complete, it would be a Rhodan or some other trolling motor that will keep you in place, or slow your drift with the kite directly out behind you, like you are trolling with the kite out. This will allow you to fish the lower levels of the water column for the wahoo bite in the middle of the day with lighter tackle and lighter weight jigs, and also drop a bait in front of Mr. Grouper while on the drift. Keep an eye on the recorder as you are making these long drifts, and mark the areas of bait, fish and bites so you can run back up and make the same drift again. I said all that to say this: Who says you have to use a ballyhoo trolled at 6 or 8 knots to catch fish? Slow it down to a drift or post up on a mark and catch the pelagic and bottom fish while flying the kite or with float baits. When you’ve got all that going on, excess comforts or gadgetry sometimes impede your fishing rather than making it easier. Stay tuned to upcoming videos illustrating this style fishing, but remember to keep the deck clean. Less is more. See more from Tim Barefoot at barefootcatsandtackle.com.

YOUR RODS. YOUR WAY.

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ROMAN GLADIATORS FROZEN IN TIME FOR OVER 1,600 YEARS

Found: 1,600-Year-Old Roman Gladiator Coins Hold the Glory of Rome In the Palm of Your Hand

hen your famous father appoints you Caesar at age 7, you’re stepping into some very big sandals. But when that father is Emperor Constantine the Great, those sandals can be epic! Constantius II, became Caesar at 7, and a Roman Emperor at age 20. Today, he is remembered for helping continue his father’s work of bringing Christianity to the Roman Empire, as well as for his valiant leadership in battle. But for many collectors, his strongest legacy is having created one of the most fascinating and unique bronze coins in the history of the Roman Empire: the “Gladiator’s Paycheck”.

the Gladiators Paycheck

Roman bronze coins were the “silver dollars” of their day. They were the coins used for daily purchases, as well as for the payment of wages. Elite Roman Gladiators—paid to do battle before cheering crowds in the Colosseum—often received their monthly ‘paycheck’ in the form of Roman bronze coins. But this particular Roman bronze has a gladiator pedigree like no other! Minted between 348 to 361 AD, the Emperor’s portrait appears on one side of this coin. The other side depicts a literal clash of the gladiators. One warrior raises his spear menacingly at a second warrior on horseback. Frozen in bronze for over 1,600 years, the drama of this moment can still be felt when you hold the coin. Surrounding this dramatic scene is a Latin inscription—a phrase you would never expect in a million years!

Happy Days are Here Again The Latin inscription surrounding the gladiators reads: “Happy Days are Here Again” (Fel Temp Reparatio). You see, at the time these coins were designed,

the Emperor had just won several important military battles against the foes of Rome. At the same time, Romans were preparing to celebrate the 1100th anniversary of the founding of Rome. To mark these momentous occasions, this new motto was added and the joyful inscription makes complete sense.

A Miracle of Survival for 1,600 Years

For more than sixteen centuries, these stunning coins have survived the rise and fall of empires, earthquakes, floods and two world wars. The relatively few Roman bronze coins that have survived to this day were often part of buried treasure hoards, hidden away centuries ago until rediscovered and brought to light. These authentic Roman coins can be found in major museums around the world. But today, thanks to GovMint. com, you can find them a little closer to home: your home! Claim your very own genuine Roman Gladiator Bronze Coin for less than $40 (plus s/h). Each coin is protected in a clear acrylic holder for preservation and display. A Certificate of Authenticity accompanies your coin. Unfortunately, quantities are extremely limited. Less than 2,000 coins are currently available. Demand is certain to be overwhelming so call now for your best chance at obtaining this authentic piece of the Roman Empire.

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FOR ANY

S I T U AT I O N By Gary Turner

hether it’s a mess of channel catfish for supper or trophy blue cats, I love catfishing! From Texas to Virgina and Nebraska to Florida, I have caught catfish all over the country. Some of my favorite locations are the Santee Cooper reservoirs in South Carolina and the mighty Tennessee River in the stretch from Tennessee into Alabama. Here’s some information on how I catch them in lakes and rivers. These fishing styles will work for catfish all over the country.

ON THE LAKE

I use Abu Garcia 7000 reels with an egg sinker, swivel and 6/0 to 8/0 circle hook. If you are looking for smaller fish, downsize your hooks and baits. Bait can be fresh cut bream, shad, hotdogs, nightcrawlers or even chicken breast chunks. All of these work. On Moultrie, you can anchor up and wait, but usually you can cover more area drifting. Set your rods all on one side of the boat and let them drag along beside or behind the boat. If there is no wind, you might need to troll. If there’s lots of wind, you might need to drop drift socks or a bucket to slow your drift. For this setup, you can use the same reels and baits, but you will need to change your terminal tackle. Use a three-way swivel to attach a slinky, Lindy weight to the bottom eye on 6- to 12-inch piece of 10- to 20-pound leader. You want your weight line to be lighter than your main so if the weight snags you don’t lose your whole rig. On the back eye, use 24 to 36 inches of heavier leader to your hook. Some people also put a small cork a few inches in front of the hook to keep the bait just off the bottom.

Santee Cooper is one of my favorite destinations for big catfish and smaller eaters, too. It’s actually two lakes, Lake Marion, the upper lake, and Moultrie, the lower lake. These lakes both have giant flatheads, huge blues and eating-sized channels. When fishing Lake Marion, I like to anchor up, cast out a bunch of baits and wait. If no bites in 30 minutes, I change locations and try again. There ON THE RIVER are flats and standing timber, and you just keep When fishing the Tennessee River from moving until you find feeding fish. Sometimes you Lake Chickamauga in Tennessee to Alabama’s mark lots of fish that aren’t feeding. Lake Pickwick, I usually go much heavier on

equipment. I go with Penn Fathoms on Big Cat Fever Rods with 80-pound braid main and 100-pound leaders, sinker slides for bigger weights, and 8/0 to 10/0 hooks, depending on how big the baits are. Sometimes a double-hook rig improves your odds. Skipjack, fresh or frozen, is the preferred bait, with bream and shad as backups. Don’t be afraid to use giant baits in big water. There are some giant fish down there! In rivers, where’s there’s a good current, you can bottom bump. This technique is also popular on the Mississippi River. You slow the boat so the current carries your lines downstream. Use just enough weight so your baits walk and bounce along the bottom. This is very productive and allows you to cover lots of water. Another thing we do sometimes where the river is fairly flat and slow is to slow drift with all the rods and lines straight down and the hooks just off the bottom. If you are marking good fish, make several passes over them. Sometimes this will fire them up. I hope this helps you catch more and bigger catfish next time you go. Please remember, if you are not going to eat it, don’t kill it. Gary Turner is a regular contributor to Coastal Angler and The Angler magazines. Contact him at gary@purgeright.com.

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PUBLISHER & EDITOR BRENDA RIGGS MIKE RIGGS Co-publishers & Editors

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS J. JIM JIM AARON JOHN SCOTT JAKE

ANDRE BAUGH DAVISON KELLY TIGER REPPERT WORTHINGTON

GRAPHIC DESIGN JENNY DIAZ

CONTACT INFORMATION For editorial comments, articles, photography, artwork and all other inquiries please contact:

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JUNE. 2022

TIDEWATER & THE OUTER BANKS 1

SITUATIONAL AWARENESS By Scott Reppert Virginia Coastal Fly Anglers

raditionally trout anglers are encouraged to “read the water” to look for obstructions and obvious fish habitat. I would suggest a broader approach.

Safety first! As we come into a time of greater fishing opportunities there is also an influx of non-fishing vacationers to our area. As I am primarily a kayak fisherman my least favorite watercraft is a personal watercraft aka a Jet-Ski. They tend to operate in the general area that I fish usually at high speed. While on the water, please never assume that they see you even if you are in your fluorescent orange 43-foot Grady-White. I also do not assume that everyone on the water is alert and sober. Take precautions and be alert for hazards. Speaking of hazards, wherever you are scan for obstruction drop offs and people particularly little ones that may suddenly appear as if by magic as you are fishing. Watch your back cast as trees, grass and eyebrows are equal opportunity fly collectors. Have a check list in your head, or on your phone. Do I have everything I need? Some particular favorites for me include: Rags, Bucket, Chair, Rod, Reel, Fly/lure/bait, Cutters, Tweezers/pliers, hemostat, hat, sunscreen, and gloves. Feel free to make your own personal list.

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When you get to your preferred fishing destination, some things to note: Wind/air temperature, Tide/water temperature, Current, Structure Action; other anglers, birds, fish, dolphins (sometimes south of here alligators) Mostly I am interested in everyone having a fun, safe and productive time on the water. Please take your time and enjoy your surroundings. The more you are aware of what is going on around you the better you will fish. Consider visiting VCFA.org or coming to a meeting of the Virginia Coastal Fly Anglers on the 3rd Thursday of the month at Bayside Presbyterian Church in Virginia Beach. Before the meeting there is usually a choice of fly tying, casting or just sharing adventures and information. Hope to see you soon with pictures of your catch.

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THE FLYING FISHERMAN By J. Andre

Catfish Dating Season May 8th, I went out for our first May fishing adventure. I have had to switch up on my old routine, it just isn’t producing as before. Anchoring up or putting the trolling motor on Spot-Lock to sit stationary and casting out a fan of four rods with cut bait just isn’t working. It may be because the cats are working on their nesting beds and not patrolling for food. It is Catfish Dating Season. I anchored right beside a huge school of baitfish and caught nothing, but a few White Perch for cut bait. While I was waiting for the kitties to show up, one of my lines went completely slack. I waited a while to see if the fish would feel the sinker and panic, thus hooking himself, but the line was just straight up and down. Taking the rod out of the rod holder, I reeled in the slack and tightened down to put pressure on the fish, letting him set the 8/0 circle hook himself. What followed was what dreams are made of. The line went immediately tight and pulled the rod tip way over. I leaned back against the fish holding the rod for all it was worth. The reel drag was singing away. The line sliced through the water at a phenomenal speed making a ripping noise. I had visions of a Citation Blue Cat. It has been a while. Suddenly, a 20-pound plus Longnose Gar came out of the water like a blue marlin whipping its body back and forth across the whole length of the fish before throwing the hook and letting the line go slack once again. Well, that got the heart rate up while it lasted. It is almost impossible to get a circle hook into the boney beak of a Gar. They are much more apt to hold onto your bait for dear life or get the hook gap tangled up in their beak and razor-sharp teeth. They aren’t going to stay on the line long. One pass of those teeth on any mono leader will also result in a free Gar. You could hear and see other Gar patrolling the edges of the reeds. If I had some nylon rope mop Gar rigs, I could have filled the boat. Not needing any more frustration, I changed my tactics and went out on the main river staying in the shallows. The plan was to use the planer boards and dragging weights on both sides of the boat and one dragging rig pulled way back from the center of the boat. White Perch headpieces and body sections were the bait of choice. The 18-inch leaders were rigged with a snake-like dragging weight on one end of the 60-pound line and a snelled circle hook on the other. A rattle enhanced Super Spook float was rigged a few inches from the hook, making this a Super Santee Catfish Terminal Rig. Every pass we made on fish-holding structure produced a catfish. I never had a chance to deploy the center way-back-rod before another fish struck the planer rigs. Could we have caught these fish anchored up in the same area? I believe the combination of dragging an area, bait motion, and the noise of the rattles contributed to landing stationary fish found on the beds. The fish weren’t monsters, the largest was 12 pounds, but the action was steady. After a bit of a fishing drought, it was good to be on the fish again. Don’t forget, that it is important to practice catch and release, especially during the breeding season. Keep a few small fish for the table, but photograph and release the big fish – CPR (Catch, Photograph, and Release). Save some for the next time. Get out there amongst them and…Get Slimed! COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

JUNE. 2022

TIDEWATER & THE OUTER BANKS 3

OBX By Aaron Kelly

INSHORE

Fishing is in full swing! Golden tidelines of sargasso on southwest winds line grasses for exciting action on dolphin. These acrobat fish dart out from the shadows of these grass lines they attack baits trolled along them. The colors of yellow and blue of these fish are amazing. In the gulf stream there are also encounters this month with marlin, tuna, and wahoo! Inshore fishing the waters have warmed and the wrecks come alive! Amberjack,cobia, seabass, amd triggerfish are hanging around! Jigs, live bait, and cut bait all can bring fish to the boat. Trolling the beaches provides action with Spanish mackerel and bluefish.

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JUNE 2022

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

Soudside the action continues ret hot with schools of redfish from 1830 inchers. Speckled trout round off the bag as well! They action amd weather can be fantastic in June along the OBX! Stop by one of our many well stocked tackle shops amd get the lastest and greatest tackle amd tips. Get on the water or even book a trip you should experience tons of fun! Capt. Aaron Kelly rocksolidfishing.com 252-441-657

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JUNE. 2022

TIDEWATER & THE OUTER BANKS 5

TIDEWATER & OUTERBANKS

TRIM TABS: DO YOU NEED THEM? By John Tiger

s a young marine mechanic, I worked with an old salt who swore that a well-designed hull doesn’t need trim tabs. He was probably right about some hulls, but generally, adding trim tabs can make a good hull perform even better. Tabs give the skipper much more control as well as the ability to create dramatic changes to ride attitude. By definition, trim tabs are flat appendages, typically fashioned from stainless steel or aluminum, that are attached to the bottom edge of a hull’s transom. By moving them up or down together or independently, using electro-mechanical or hydraulic activators controlled at the dashboard, the driver can adjust the hull’s ride attitude to compensate for changing water conditions or irregular load (more weight on one side than the other, or the bow or stern loaded too heavily). They function and operate much the same as ailerons on an airplane wing. WHAT’S AVAILABLE? There are fairly clear choices, very few different types and actuating systems, and installation is not at all difficult. Many hull manufacturers offer them as factory-installed options or even standard equipment; however this is typically only the case on larger and/or more expensive models. It is rare when a boat under 24’ is offered with trim tabs; usually, this is only on specialty rigs such as flats or bass fishing boats. Trim tabs come in many sizes to fit a wide range of hulls. Typically, most models are about a foot wide by a foot long. They’re fashioned from flat plates of stainless steel; high-performance models are typically cast aluminum. Most popular trim tabs are actuated remotely, but models that use water pressure balanced with mechanical pressure to move them are also popular due to their simplicity and lower cost. WHAT’S INVOLVED? Tabs are mounted on the transom parallel to the boat’s bottom, about 3/8 of an inch above the running surface. The actuators are bolted to the transom, and the hydraulic lines (or electrical wires) are run through holes in the transom. All holes are sealed with marine sealer. With hydraulic tabs, the electro-hydraulic pump motor is mounted inside the boat. The control unit is mounted at the dash within easy reach of the operator. With “automatic” tabs, of course, there’s no pump motor, remote control unit or related wiring. The entire installation is done at the transom. ADJUSTMENT AND PERFORMANCE The driver can use the remote adjustment controls to raise or lower the tabs, together or independently. To correct a “list” (leaning to one side), one tab can be lowered while the other is raised. This feature is great when passengers want to sit together on one side of the boat. When the boat is overloaded to the stern, both tabs can be dropped, thereby leveling the fore-aft ride. Conversely, with a heavy load up front, the tabs can be raised to help lift the bow. Adjusting ride attitude to cope with different water conditions is another key feature; in rough water, the tabs can be lowered to force the bow down so the hull rides flatter with more wetted surface. The increased surface contact smoothes out the ride, although at the

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expense of fuel economy (more wetted hull surface equals more drag). The tabs can be raised in calm water to help lift the bow and decrease wetted surface, boosting speed and increasing fuel mileage. Trim tabs also help pulling skiers; dropping the tabs down, the driver can lift the stern and lower the bow, causing quicker planing. Planing more quickly and in shorter distance also helps anglers fishing shallows. LATEST DEVELOPMENTS Auto adjusting remote-controlled trim tabs are now available. A computer-controlled electronic unit continually adjusts the tabs based on constant sampling of the boat’s ride attitude and speed using GPS and gyroscopes. They combine the advantages of trim tabs without the guesswork and constant adjusting involved with operator controls. Auto-adjusting tabs that don’t require remote dash controls are also available, and these do a great job of controlling ride attitude for changing water conditions and loads without the complexity and time investment of remote-controlled tabs. These tabs can help correct a myriad of performance issues at very little cost. They use a gas-charged shock to apply downward pressure to the tab plate. At lower speeds, this helps the boat plane more quickly. At higher speeds, water pressure on the underside of the tab pushes the tab up, increasing boat speed. This is a great solution for those who need the performance advantages of adjustable tabs, but don’t want the complexity and potential problems of remote-controlled units. INVESTMENT Expect to pay at least $500 for the most basic set of remote-actuated tabs for a smaller (16’ to 20’) hull. Larger and high-performance versions range from $1000 all the way to $12,000 and even higher for tabs built for yachts and high-end ocean performance hulls. However, self-actuating tabs such as Nauticus’ Smart Tabs sell for as little as $150, and installing them takes less than an hour even for weekend mechanics. Those who prefer to let their marina do the work, add at least a half-day’s labor or more (for installation of remote-actuated units) to the “tab”. SOURCES Bennett Marine 550 Jim Moran Blvd Deerfield Beach, FL 33442 954.427.1400 www.bennetttrimtabs.com

Insta-Trim™ Boat Leveler Co. 7305 Natural Bridge Rd. Saint Louis, MO 63121 800.386.7470 www.insta-trim.com

Lenco Marine, Inc. 4700 SE Municipal Court Stuart, FL 34997 772.288.2662 www.lencomarine.com

Nauticus, Inc. 8080 Snowville Road Brecksville, OH 44141 800.233.0194 www.nauticusinc.com

John Tiger, a recognized expert in high performance boat setup, rigging and driving, outboard repair and trailer towing, John’s boating and racing experience has helped him write popular columns such as Outboard Tech and Seat Time as well as many hundreds of feature stories.

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CATCHIN’& COOKIN’ BEER BATTERED FRIED CROAKER Croaker is excellent lightly fried, scaled, and with two or three slits down the sides of the filet. This works well with spot as well. The standard way we fry the fish is to use a mix of butter and olive oil in a cast iron skillet. Brown both sides until golden brown. For breading, sometimes I use seasoned flour or if I have some on hand, House Autry mildly seafood breader mix. It’s a winner. Now to kick it up a notch, get yourself a nice brown ale, Legend is a great one, put in a bowl and add your breader mix until you get a nice pancake consistency. Use a little more oil than you would by simply lightly pan frying. Fry until brown and the filet is floating, then turn and finish cooking. Now it is time to Croaker Up!!

CROAKER UP!

by Jim Baugh reporting from Oyster Farm at Kings Creek, Cape Charles VA

Yeah, June is the month things generally burst wide open. The drum, cobia, and soon the mackerel running our shores make an excellent way to kick off the summer. When it comes to fishing, everyone has their favorites. For me? I love it all! Nothing better than catching a yellowfin tuna, a freckle in the brush, or a rainbow in the Jackson River. It all is a thrill for me, always has been. I have said this before however bears repeating. When it comes to just having fun and relaxing while fishing on the water, one of my all-time favs is simply bottom bouncing Don’t even throw out the anchor. So many times, I have ventured out even just by myself, filed up the cooler with croaker, had a filet party afterwards and had awesome fried croaker filets for dinner. Key you in on a fav spot, is over top the HRBT in 30-70 feet of water and drift the channel down to the MM Bridge Tunnel I in the Channel. Then fish over the MM Tunnel. This of course would be an incoming tide drift and usually always a productive one. This is for the spring/summer bite. Now for the spot, do the same thing but use bloodworms. If you are up for something swimming on top, try cobia. If you are new to cobia fishing, I suggest a charter out of Oyster Farm. Great charters and a fantastic location to base yourself out of to catch nice cobia. Fly fishing for them is also a great heap of fun. Hey for more info and to book marina slips, accommodations, and reservations (Or boat and RV Storage) just visit www. theoysterfarmatkingscreek.com Stop by and see my Nightscape Metal Prints in a new exclusive gallery location in Virginia Beach. The Gallery is called 2Beaches Studio and Art Gallery and is located in the Bay Bridge Shoppes on 4465 Shore Drive. We have select metal prints on display and we now have metal prints available up to 24x36. Give them a call at (757)650-8424 To view our online Nightscape Gallery check the OR code below. Jim Baugh, Jimbaugh.net, Jim Baugh Outdoors TV For more updates on our fishing trips and latest shows log on to: https://jimbaughoutdoors.blogspot.com/ for updates on everything, digital prints gallery, etc. Jim Baugh Outdoors TV Amazon Prime Video https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B07Z9S825F/ref=atv_ dp_share_cu_r JBOTV Online Hubb: https://jimbaugh. blogspot.com/

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If you’ve ever wanted to learn more about the mysterious art of catching speckled trout from the surf then there is a new book dedicated to that. Capt. Gordon Churchill of Carteret County, NC, has written “Speckled Trout From the Surf ”. Learn all about the where, how, what and even the why, of pursuing the wily speckled trout in the most difficult of environments. Available as both a print or e-pub on all available on-line book retailers.

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Dominion Energy’s Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) project remains on schedule to provide Virginians with over 2 gigawatts of clean, renewable energy by 2026. The two Pilot Project turbines are already installed and producing energy. These offshore structures are also holding fish. Learn more about Dominion Energy’s CVOW project by visiting www. coast-alvawind.com for the latest project information.

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Mark Your Calendars for the 2022 Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament!

ong considered the granddaddy of all kingfish tournaments, the 42nd year of the Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament (GJKT) is slated for July 22-23 out of Jacksonville, Fla.’s Jim King Park at the confluence of Sisters Creek and the St. Johns River. Started by local businessmen in 1980, the GJKT has spawned the interest of generations of anglers, and the inaugural event was held in July of 1981. Out of its success, Jacksonville Marine Charities was born and serves as the operating arm of the GJKT. Proceeds from the event will support marine science research, preservation and education. To date, well over $400,000 have supported these ventures. Traditionally the tournament draws thousands of spectators, who enjoy the daily events and the parade of boats arriving to weigh their catch. This is as close to stadium spectating as it gets, because boats of all sizes and almost every make will make their way to weigh in. It’s great to root for the underdogs in the small boats. There will also be good food and plenty of drinks in the Liar’s Tent as well as entertainment. And don’t forget the Boatique, where you can purchase some very nice tournament shirts. Since it’s inception, the GJKT has been a multi-day event, but with the

uncertainty of fuel prices, as well as a sputtering economy, the board of directors of the GJKT has adopted a format change. This year we have moved the tournament fishing days to Friday and Saturday. Friday will be the General Tournament Day. That’s right, it is a one-day general tournament day. Anglers may weigh in two of their biggest fish and the Ladies can weigh a Lady Angler fish. The Largest Kingfish and Largest Aggregate places, as well as Largest Ladies will all come from that one day of fishing. Saturday is dedicated to the Kids Jr. Angler Tournament, and fishing will end at 2 p.m. on Saturday. All awards will be Saturday evening. These changes will save you the whole second day of expenses that normally come with tournament week, such as lodging, fuel, bait, etc., as well as saving you from using up vacation days from work. The tournament payout will still be the same! Anglers still fish for the best prize in the game, a 25-foot Contender with twin Yamaha 150s, rigged out and valued at over $160,000. Also new this year, the tournament will pay down to 20 places in Big Fish and 20 places in Aggregate as well as 10 places for Ladies! The rewards are bigger than ever, and you’ll save the added expense and wear and tear of that second day. So do your homework and be ready for game day! The GJKT looks forward to having a great event. For more information, please visit kingfishtournament.com

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LURES

CASTING FAR FROM SHORE: THE DYNAMICS OF LONG DISTANCE LURES PATRICK SEBILE

If you read my column last month, I introduced the topic of true long-distance lures. This month, I’m going to present the elements of a lure that allow it to be cast a long way. I hope this helps you select lures that achieve excellent distance and action. Shape: A lure that’s built for distance is elongated so that the widest diameter or width is no more than a quarter of the lure length. Width adds air resistance, which results in lost momentum and poorer performance. On the other hand, counter to what some may think, very slim lures are also not the best. Unless most of the weight is at the very end of the tail, a super slim lure will These see-through pencil lures illustrate tumble with air resistance weight placement for an optimized on a cast, which has balance of casting distance and fishing a negative effect on action. They also demonstrate proper distance. ratios between length and width. The longest distance lures have their widest diameter at a fifth and a third of the length of the lure, from the tail. Buoyancy: There is no doubt that sinking lures cast farther than floating lures with a similar shape. Within reason, the more dense a lure is, the farther it will fly. Depending on the brand, these can be called “Super Long Distance,” “Bullet” or “Rocket” type lures. Unless you specifically want a topwater presentation, you want a lure that sinks at rest if you’re after distance. Weight Position: To impart the most momentum to a lure in the casting movement, the majority of weight should be located between the tail and a third of the length from the tail. Total Weight: This one depends on angler preference as well as the rod being used. There are situations when light tackle is called for. However, for pure distance, regardless of a lure’s dimensions, there’s a weight range between 1.5 and 4 ounces for most anglers and most rods to deliver the most efficient casts. That can be narrowed down to a sweet spot of 2.5 to 3 ounces in most cases. Only trial and error will dial in what works best for you and your needs. Appendages: The denser the lure, the better it is for the distance. The catch is, high density may impact swimming action. The best lures offer the best of both worlds. Appendages such as side wings provide lift in the water when a lure is retrieved, which provides action without sacrificing casting distance. Next month, we’ll speak about types of long distance lures. Legendary angler Patrick Sebile is a world record holder and an award-winning designer of innovative lures and fishing gear. Check out his creations at abandofanglers.com.

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MITZI SKIFF:

the marketplace. Mitzi Skiff became the brand for skinny-water anglers who value simplicity and functionality. A Mitzi does everything the pricier skiffs do, yet they are affordable enough for any angler to own and operate. About 30 years later, Mitzi has expanded to offer 15’, 16’ and 17’ skiffs that all perform the purposes of the original design exceptionally well. Continued innovation has made Mitzi a boat other builders imitate, and they still come at a significantly lower price point than the competition. The 17’ and the 17’ Tournament have become the brand’s hottest sellers. “The 15’ took the micro-skiff market by storm,” said Brad Grubbs, who owns and manufactures Mitzi Skiffs in North Carolina. “Since then, the brand has sort of evolved toward the 17’, which works just fine as a multi-purpose boat. It really is a very nice boat, notwithstanding the price point.” The Mitzi Skiff 17’ is a stripped-down and customizable version of the 17’ Tournament, which comes with the options Grubbs said most of his fishing customers were asking for. Both boats draft just 7 inches loaded, they pole easily, they pole straight, and they reach speeds into the 40s with a 60 hp engine. While the 15’ is a one or two-man boat that’s at-home on the flats, the 17’ can fish three people and it’s got better range. The 17’s primary purpose is still as a flats boat, yet it also doubles admirably as bay boat. “It’s not just a flats boats; it’s a little bit of an open water boat, too,” Grubbs said. The 17’ features a modified V-hull with an 11-degree deadrise at transom. There’s no hull slap, and rolled gunnels knock down spray for an exceptionally dry ride. They are built for light weight to run shallow, yet they are solid and durable to stand up to long years of heavy use. From hideaway pushpole holders to flush-mount hardware, Mitzi has obviously put some thought into making decks clean and fishable for fly anglers. Large, clean and stable casting decks are something Mitzi has become known for. “Keep it simple stupid, and if it ain’t broke don’t fix it,” Grubbs quipped. f you’re a shallow-water angler, you might already know the story behind the legendary Mitzi Skiff. In the mid-1990s, Tom Mitzlaff started toying For nearly three decades, Mitzi has built skiffs for anglers more interested in with ideas to build a boat for his own use. There was nothing affordable fishing than in spending a lot of money. It’s a philosophy that works. on the market with the shallow draft, clean layout and quiet maneuverability Mitzi Skiff boats are available exclusively through select dealers. needed for fly fishing the flats. So, Mitzlaff built the original 15-foot Mitzi Skiff. For more on Mitzi Skiffs, go to www.mitziskiffs.com. It didn’t take long for anglers to take notice, and that boat revolutionized

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CHOOSE FIBERGLASS PONTOON HULLS FOR THE BEST BOAT RIDE EVER StyleCraft Boats Makes Proprietary Fiberglass Pontoon Hulls

luminum has dominated the platform boat industry for years, until now. Move over aluminum, fiberglass pontoon hulls are the way to go for so many reasons. StyleCraft Boats creates multiple versions of the popular pontoon boat, all based on proprietary fiberglass pontoons with a racing hull design. The advantages of fiberglass over aluminum are great for the boat owner. Starting with the design, StyleCraft Boats uses A&M Manufacturing fiberglass pontoon hulls with a successful track record of a quarter century. The unique design is not round but flat on the bottom. This produces a very shallow-running boat with a draft of just 8 to 10 inches. The flat bottom pontoon also enhances the boat’s performance. Getting on a plane is much quicker, and the boat quietly glides across the water with less friction. As a result, less engine horsepower is needed. Less horsepower means less fuel demand. With today’s gasoline prices, this is a huge plus. Ever see an aluminum hull with welding scars that weaken the aluminum, bent fins or creased sides? The durability of fiberglass eliminates these issues. The fiberglass on a StyleCraft Boat is 1/2 inch thick, with much more body than aluminum of equivalent weight. StyleCraft Boats can take the abuse and mishaps with little to no harm. And should the boat have an accident, the fiberglass can be repaired back to new condition. No one enjoys boat maintenance, and fiberglass pontoon hulls are extremely user friendly. The very nature of aluminum causes electrolysis in saltwater, which deteriorates from corrosion on the hull surface in a big way. Not so with fiberglass. StyleCraft even coats the bottom of the pontoons with a special “SharkSkin” paint layer to reduce biological

growth of both plants and animals such as algae and barnacles. StyleCraft fiberglass pontoons always look clean, sleek and higher end. So, what’s it going to be? The smart STYLECRAFT BOATS.COM choice is fiberglass pontoon hulls from 1-855-STYLECRAFT StyleCraft Boats for that next boat purchase.

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ere’s a memorable beach moment: You’re basking in the warm sun, toes in the sand, letting the gentle turn of the foam-capped waves lull you into a state of complete relaxation. As your eyes scan the endless horizon of blue on blue, you’re rewarded with a school of dolphins making their way across the sea. There’s no denying their signature shape as they leap from the water. If you don’t see anything else extraordinary the rest of the day, you can take solace knowing you’ve witnessed one of nature’s most playful and intelligent creatures in their natural habitat. Why not re-create that special toes-in-the-sand moment with our Blue Topaz Dolphin Pendant? The beloved sea mammal has been captured mid-jump in sterling silver. And, tucked into its fins is a full two carats of shimmering blue topaz. Nothing captures the shimmering color of the ocean in the midday sun like blue topaz. With its sparkling clear blue color and high refractive index, blue topaz is one of the top-selling blue gemstones. And with our special price, you have quite the catch. Satisfaction guaranteed or your money back. Enjoy the Blue Topaz Dolphin Pendant for 30 days. If it doesn’t pass the test swimmingly, send it back for a full refund of the item price.

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PARKIT360°:

BUILDING THE WORLD’S MOST ADVANCED TRAILER DOLLY

uccess stories are often driven by individuals with the ingenuity and work ethic to recognize and fill a need in the marketplace. The longevity of a dream results from a commitment to quality and continued innovation. Parkit360° is such a story. In 2009, when founder Steve Houle brought his electric trailer dollies to market, it was the culmination of years working to fill a niche need. About a decade later, with business booming, Steve has passed down the same work ethic and problem-solving spirit to his son Stefan Houle, who now manages the company and continues to produce the planet’s most advanced trailer dollies for happy customers worldwide. None of this happened overnight. Steve is a problem solver and the son of a millwright. He grew up around a machine shop using his mind, hands and machines to build things. He credits his father for instilling in him work ethic as well as the business sense to turn good ideas into marketable solutions. “I’ve always enjoyed building solutions to problems I saw around me,” Steve said. “Being able to turn this hobby of mine into a career has been hands down the greatest experience of my life.” Years ago, a problem manifested itself in dramatic fashion when Steve and his wife purchased a 27-foot cabin cruiser. On their maiden voyage, the wind blew them into another boat while maneuvering out of the docks. That costly mishap set Steve on a career path devising tools to maneuver large objects safely in small spaces. “The same week, out of pure necessity, I developed my own bow thruster, spending countless days testing, developing, and finally bringing this product to the market,” he said. “We received great feedback from the release.” That bow thruster became Sideshift, which revolutionized bow and stern thruster technology to make docking large boats easier. But Steve didn’t stop there. “Backing a trailer into a tight spot can be the most frustrating experience in the world. I know firsthand,” Steve said. “I found this gap in the market and I aimed to do my best to fill it.” Thus, Parkit360° was born. Steve started small, collecting feedback from RV enthusiasts and boaters and building prototype trailer dollies in his garage shop. “My number one priority was to help individuals trying to fit their boats or RVs into a small spot in their garage or yard,” he said. After seven prototypes, Steve finally built a product he was satisfied with. He began selling units one-off on ebay. Since then, Parkit360° has grown along with its reputation as a superior product. The company now

occupies a 12,000 square foot facility with numerous employees building thousands of units per year. And as the passion for a product passes on to the next generation, Stefan is tasked with continued improvement to trailer dollies that are already more powerful, more versatile and easier to use than anything else on the market. Check out Parkit360° at https://parkit360.ca.

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