Issuu

TIDEWATER, VA/OUTER BANKS, NC EDITION

FREE

@CAMTAMagazine

SIGHT FISHING

TRIPLETAIL

CAPE COD BLITZES

RECORD BREAKING SWORDFISH VOLUME 26 • ISSUE 312

PHOTO CREDIT: TOMMY LADO COURTESY OF CHEYANNE SINGLETARY

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM

F R A N C H I S E

O P P O R T U N I T I E S

A V A I L A B L E

W O R L D W I D E

MARCH 2021

Order Your Passport Today!

800.828.4244 C h e e r s T r ai l.or g

Protect your baby (and their toys) with coverage for fishing gear and personal property too. 1- 8 0 0 -PROG RE S S IVE / PROG RE S S IVE .COM

Progressive Casualty Insurance Co. & affiliates. Additional charge may apply. Prices vary based on how you buy.

Shhhhh. No wake zone.

Explore your world

M U

A at

n t to he we thr Pr the ch cam Th by th ge ele fre it de pe ad

[

Navigate to a cleaner future Micron Navigator is a unique and revolutionary antifouling that combines both water-based and copper-free technologies enabling optimum fouling control for all waters and boats. This technology delivers multi-seasonal protection via a lower concentration of active ingredients, achieving a more environmentally responsible antifouling without compromising premium protection as you explore your world. Interlux.com

W mo ma go ca pr Ca hi we ma eve Yo wi co 30 tim

*D co

Meet the Watch That Shook Up Switzerland A watch that revolutionized timekeeping at a price equally as radical.

Wear it today for only

$29

n the history of timepieces, few moments are more important than the creation of the world’s first Piezo timepiece. First released to the public in 1969, the watch turned the entire industry on its head, ushering in a new era of timekeeping. It’s this legacy that we’re honoring with the Timemaster Watch, available only through Stauer at a price only we can offer. Prior to Piezo watches, gravity-driven Swiss watches were the standard bearer of precision timekeeping. But all that changed when the first commercially available Piezo watch came onto the market. The result of ten years of research and development by some of the world’s top engineers, they discovered that when you squeeze a certain type of crystal, it generates a tiny electric current. And, if you pass electricity through the crystal, it vibrates at a precise frequency–exactly 32,768 times each second. When it came on the market, the Piezo watch was the most dependable timepiece available, accurate to 0.2 seconds per day. Today, it’s still considered a spectacular advance in electrical engineering. “[Piezo timepieces]...it would shake the Swiss watch industry to its very foundations.” —Foundation For Economic Education With the Timemaster we’ve set one of the world’s most important mechanical advances inside a decidedly masculine case. A handsome prodigy in rich leather and gold-finished stainless steel. The simplicity of the watch’s case belies an ornately detailed dial, which reflects the prestige of this timepiece. Call today to secure your own marvel of timekeeping history. Because we work directly with our own craftsman we’re able to offer the Timemaster at a fraction of the price that many Piezo watches cost. But a watch like this doesn’t come along every day. Call today before time runs out and they’re gone. Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. Spend some time with this engineering masterpiece for one month. If you’re not convinced you got excellence for less, simply send it back within 30 days for a refund of the item price. But we’re betting this timekeeping pioneer is a keeper.

[

Timemaster Piezo Watch $299*

TAKE 9

Offer Code Price Only $29 + S&P Save $270 OFF IN 0% STA

NTLY!

1-800-333-2045

When you use

Your Insider Offer Code: TPW253-04 You must use the insider offer code to get our special price.

Stauer

® 14101 Southcross Drive W., Ste 155, Dept. TPW253-04 Burnsville, Minnesota 55337 www.stauer.com

*Discount is only for customers who use the offer code versus the listed original Stauer.com price.

Rating of A+

Stauer… Afford the Extraordinary.®

your

INSIDER OFFER CO DE

• Precision Piezo electric movement • Stainless steel caseback and crown • Cotswold® mineral crystal • Crocodile embossed leather strap fits wrists 6 ½"–8 ½" • Date window display • Water resistant to 3 ATM

G T IN FRANCHISOR-CORPORATE DIRECTORY

EDITOR IN CHIEF : Ben Martin • camads@coastalanglermagazine.com COO : Tracy Patterson • tracy@coastalanglermagazine.com ART DIRECTOR : Laura Kelly • graphics@coastalanglermagazine.com EDITORIAL COORDINATOR : Nick Carter • editorial@coastalanglermagazine.com WEBMASTER : Ryan Clapper • webmaster@coastalanglermagazine.com ADVERTISING & FRANCHISE INQUIRIES:

Corporate Headquarters 126-C N. Atlantic Ave. Cocoa Beach, FL 32931 info@coastalanglermagazine.com • 321.777.2773 FRANCHISE DIRECTORY LINK

www.coastalanglermag.com/directory

Franchise Opportunities Now Available

Help Starts Here.

Local knowledge, expert service.

Your insurance policy does not include a Sea Tow membership and all the benefits that come with it.

If you love the outdoors and have dreamed of being in business for yourself, now is the time to choose a Coastal Angler or The Angler Magazine Franchise. Established Brand • Proven Systems Training & Ongoing Support Work From Home • Be Your Own Boss

25% of our service calls are resolved without towing and Sea Tow members are always served first. Join today and save.

• • • •

Arkansas Connecticut/Rhode Island Destin, FL (Panhandle) Georgia (Coastline, Savannah) • Lake Okeechobee, FL • Long Island, NY • Miami, FL

• New Hampshire • New Orleans, LA • North Carolina (Raleigh, Wilmington) • South Carolina (Hilton Head, Myrtle Beach) • Texas (Coastal, Houston) • ...YOUR HOMETOWN!

Don’t see your location? Ask one of our specialists about franchise availability in your area.

seatow.com/angler 800-4-SEATOW

321.777.2773

info@coastalanglermagazine.com

franchise.coastalanglermag.com

4 NATIONAL

MARCH 2021

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

GO FROM FISH TO WAKE TO DAD OF THE YEAR IN THE SAME AFTERNOON.

Go from fishing to wakesurfing to conquering the water. The all new 25-foot FSH® Series from Yamaha is perfect for those who want to get the most out of their boating experience. With fishing-friendly features like a GPS Simrad® system and dual livewells, along with a premium layout and the patented Yamaha swim platform, the new 25-foot FSH Series guarantees you’ll be in the center of everything you love about life on the water. #RUNTHEWATER YA M A H A B OAT S . C O M

©2021 Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. All rights reserved. Follow instructional materials and obey all laws. Drive responsibly, wearing protective apparel. Always drive within your capabilities, allowing time and distance for maneuvers, and respect others around you. Don’t drink and drive. Any references to other companies or their products are for identification purposes only, and are not intended to be an endorsement. FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT YAMAHABOATS.COM OR CALL 1.800.88.YAMAHA.

SLOW DANCING WITH

Th fo

By Nick Carter

URTE PHOTOS CO

SY OF SOUT

HERN SALIN

IT Y

ripletail are some of the most exciting gamefish that visit inshore waters. Their peculiar tendency to hang near the surface around floating debris makes them perfect for sight fishing, and on top of that they are absolutely delicious. Capt. Jeremy Davidson is an angler devoted to these oddball fish. His charter service, Southern Salinity, is based out of St. George Island, where he specializes in inshore tripletail on Florida’s Forgotten Coast. “They start to migrate to shallower water when that water temperature starts rising,” he said “It’s wind and water temperature dependent, but everything starts to move in March or April—the bait, the pelagics, everything.” Throughout the Gulf of Mexico and up the Atlantic Coast, tripletail move shallower in waves. Davidson said the timing is different by location, but the patterns are similar. First, scads of smaller

fish move in from offshore through the passes to find homes on floating debris. The early spring bite is characterized by plentiful opportunities at smaller fish. By May or June, larger 8- to 12-pounders settle in on trap buoys, floating vegetation and tide lines. Big fish in the 20-pound range arrive in deep summer. They’re there to feed and procreate, said Davidson, which means they are primed to pick up a bait. However, catching tripletail consistently is more difficult than it might appear. THE SETUP: To spot tripletail, you must train your eyes to look beneath the surface. Fish will stay with a piece of floating cover as long as it harbors the small crabs, shrimp and glass minnows tripletail feed on. Cover could be anything, and Davidson recommends checking out everything floating on the surface. You might spot the fish itself, but the first indication is usually the sub-surface flash of a turning fish. When Davidson spots fish, he leaves the boat in gear and noses into the current to point the bow at the fish within casting range. THE CAST: “Do not hit that fish,” Davidson warned. “Pick a spot out past it. I don’t care if it’s the treeline. Just make sure to pitch past that fish.” Casting past the fish with an underhand pitch allows the angler to retrieve the bait slowly through the strike zone. If the tripletail doesn’t take the bait on the initial retrieve, it’s time to flip the bail and allow the tide to carry the bait back past the fish. “It’s a slow dance,” Davidson said. “Retrieve it slow and easy.”

THE TAKE: Don’t set the hook! Tripletail feed delicately. They ease up and pluck their prey from near the surface. Then, to avoid spooking their next meal, they move away before engulfing it. “Let that fish roll down or go the other way,” Davidson said. “Give it 5 or 10 seconds, then lift up and he’s on. Then he turns into a wild man!” THE FIGHT: The harder you pull on a tripletail, the harder and wilder it fights back. This is important because, along with brute strength, these prehistoric fish have a sharp, line-slicing gill plate. Davidson reiterated his slow dance metaphor, saying you can sometimes lead a fish right to the boat by taking it slow and easy. “Square up with him. Keep your rod tip up, and let him run if he wants to dig,” said Davidson “Walk him around the boat. Stay square with him, and pump him in slow and easy.” THE RIG: Tripletail eat shrimp, pogies and artificials, but Davidson prefers to make a fresh-shrimp lure. He pops the heads off large restaurant-quality shrimp and pinches the flappers off their tails. Then he runs a 2/0 or 3/0 3X Strong VMC circle hook up the tail and out the second notch before turning the point back into the bait. This hides the hook and allows the shrimp to swim like a lure. To make pitching the rig easier, he ties an elongated float, like Boat Monkey’s Cigar Slip Float, between braided 30-lb. main line and a 2- to 3-foot leader of 30-lb. fluorocarbon. More advanced anglers might go bobberless for better control while working the bait. To do this, tie the braid directly to the leader with a double uni knot. Capt. Jeremy Davidson owns Southern Salinity, which runs charters on Florida’s Forgotten Coast. See their website at www.southernsalinity.com.

kn Au kn th O Fo im m un Se an Th ou bl W m tu Bu las co sh Un Yo th in do ba th Li lon Kn th yo

*D list

C Pr

• ha

il feed y from g their g it. r way,” en lift an!” on a k. This ength, slicing dance a fish

ip up, vidson h him,

pogies make a large s the or 3/0 nd out t back ws the

ies an r Slip and a More better tie the i knot.

inity, Coast. com.

Now, THIS is a Knife! This 16" full tang stainless steel blade is not for the faint of heart —now ONLY $99!

EXCLUSIVE

FREE

n the blockbuster film, when a strapping Australian crocodile hunter and a lovely American journalist were getting robbed at knife point by a couple of young thugs in New York, the tough Aussie pulls out his dagger and says “That’s not a knife, THIS is a knife!” Of course, the thugs scattered and he continued on to win the reporter’s heart. Our Aussie friend would approve of our rendition of his “knife.” Forged of high grade 420 surgical stainless steel, this knife is an impressive 16" from pommel to point. And, the blade is full tang, meaning it runs the entirety of the knife, even though part of it is under wraps in the natural bone and wood handle. Secured in a tooled leather sheath, this is one impressive knife, with an equally impressive price. This fusion of substance and style can garner a high price tag out in the marketplace. In fact, we found full tang, stainless steel blades with bone handles in excess of $2,000. Well, that won’t cut it around here. We have mastered the hunt for the best deal, and in turn pass the spoils on to our customers. But we don’t stop there. While supplies last, we’ll include a pair of $99, 8x21 power compact binoculars, and a genuine leather sheath FREE when you purchase the Down Under Bowie Knife. Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. Feel the knife in your hands, wear it on your hip, inspect the impeccable craftsmanship. If you don’t feel like we cut you a fair deal, send it back within 30 days for a complete refund of the item price. Limited Reserves. A deal like this won’t last long. We have only 1120 Down Under Bowie Knifes for this ad only. Don’t let this beauty slip BONUS! Call today and through your fingers at a price that won’t drag you’ll also receive this you under. Call today! genuine leather sheath!

Stauer® 8x21 Compact Binoculars -a $99 value-

with purchase of Down Under Knife

What Stauer Clients Are Saying About Our Knives

êêêêê

“This knife is beautiful!” — J., La Crescent, MN

êêêêê

“The feel of this knife is unbelievable...this is an incredibly fine instrument.” — H., Arvada, CO

Down Under Bowie Knife $249*

Offer Code Price Only $99 + S&P Save $150

1-800-333-2045

Your Insider Offer Code: DUK132-01 You must use the insider offer code to get our special price.

Stauer

Rating of A+

14101 Southcross Drive W., Ste 155, Dept. DUK132-01 Burnsville, Minnesota 55337 www.stauer.com

*Discount is only for customers who useNot the offer code versus the shown listed original Stauer.com price. actual size.

California residents please call 1-800-333-2045 regarding Proposition 65 regulations before purchasing this product.

• Etched stainless steel full tang blade ; 16” overall • Painted natural bone and wood handle • Brass hand guards, spacers & end cap • Includes genuine tooled leather sheath

Stauer… Afford the Extraordinary.®

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

MARCH 2021

NATIONAL 7

STINGER HOOK MADE EASY

ver the last few months, I’ve shared some techniques in these pages that people seem to be trying with some success. When you think about it, incorporating squid into your offshore spreads really is a nobrainer when you can find and purchase good whole squid. One of the best ways to rig those squid, and ballyhoo for that matter, is with a Chin Weight coupled with a “stiff-rig” stinger hook assembly. Recently, I’ve received quite a few calls and e-mails from folks all over the country asking for a simpler way to achieve the end result of a stiff-rig stinger hook. I had to go to the barn, have a few cocktails and dig deep, but here it is: The simple way to keep a stinger hook in a rigid “stiff ” position without snelling it or making a cat’s paw connection. If the terminology is throwing you off at this point, stay tuned, this actually is a very simple solution that anyone can achieve with a limited amount of materials and know how. The key to this rig is inexpensive heatshrink tubing over a standard crimped-wire connection. Granted, you might only get a bite or two out of this rig before teeth shred the heatshrink tubing and it’s no longer rigid. However, it’s so easy to make this rig that you can churn

Step two: Make a second crimp at 90 degrees to the first crimp. This is a (small) diameter in the cable to fit over a 7/0 or 11/0 Tim Barefoot Chin Weight (as shown in photo). Step Three: Slide a ¾-inch length section out dozens in different lengths of heat-shrink tubing over the crimped for different sized baits and keep them at the ready. Cut your cable to the connection of the hook and heat with a lighter correct length and make a few crimps… that’s in the vertical position. That’s it! all there is to it. Step One: Make a standard crimped connection using the High Seas 1.0 crimp and the American Fishing Wire 175# (7x7) or 49 strand cable.

Now, if you’re a visual learner like I am, go watch the video I made on the process. See it once, and it will be like a light bulb going off in your head. It really is that easy. For more information and to watch the video, go to barefootcatsandtackle.com. Click on “Heat Shrink Tubing Stiff Rig Stinger Hook.”

LET US SHOW YOU HOW TO

hav Go of o No onl but Pou

BUILD YOUR OWN RODS MUDHOLE.COM/SALT-KIT

Eve vin GU OF cho • 1 • 1 • M • A C • F

GET A FREE CATALOG! MUDHOLE.cOM/CATALOG

Eve be Plu you Nic clas

Gov

GovM right purc com’

8 NATIONAL

MARCH 2021

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

LOW AS

at 90 small) r 11/0

$ Historic 1920-1938 “Buffalos” by the Pound

ection imped ighter

visual ch the rocess. be like n your y.

plus shipping & handling

FREE

Stone Arrowhead with every bag

and o to com. ubing k.”

Released to the Public: Bags of Vintage Buffalo Nickels

ne of the most beloved coins in history is a true American Classic: The Buffalo Nickel. Although they have not been issued for over 75 years, GovMint.com is releasing to the public bags of original U.S. government Buffalo Nickels. Now they can be acquired for a limited time only—not as individual collector coins, but by weight—just $49 for a full QuarterPound Bag.

100% Valuable Collector Coins—GUARANTEED! Every bag will be filled with collectible vintage Buffalos from over 75 years ago, GUARANTEED ONE COIN FROM EACH OF THE FOLLOWING SERIES (dates our choice): • 1920-1929—“Roaring ’20s” Buffalo • 1930-1938—The Buffalo’s Last Decade • Mint Marks (P,D, and S) • ALL Collector Grade Very Good Condition • FREE Stone Arrowhead with each bag Every vintage Buffalo Nickel you receive will be a coveted collector coin—GUARANTEED! Plus, order a gigantic full Pound bag and you’ll also receive a vintage Liberty Head Nickel (1883-1912), a valuable collector classic!

Long-Vanished Buffalos Highly Coveted by Collectors Millions of these vintage Buffalo Nickels have worn out in circulation or been recalled and destroyed by the government. Today, significant quantities can often only be found in private hoards and estate collections. As a result, these coins are becoming more sought-after each day.

Order More and SAVE QUARTER POUND Buffalo Nickels (23 coins) Plus FREE Stone Arrowhead $49 + s/h

Supplies Limited— Order Now! Supplies of vintage Buffalo Nickels are limited as the availability of these classic American coins continues to shrink each and every year. They make a precious gift for your children, family and friends—a gift that will be appreciated for a lifetime.

ONE FULL POUND Bag (91 coins) Plus FREE Stone Arrowhead and Liberty Head Nickel $149 + FREE SHIPPING SAVE $47

NOTICE: Due to recent changes in the demand for vintage U.S. coins, this advertised price may change without notice. Call today to avoid disappointment.

30-Day Money-Back Guarantee You must be 100% satisfied with your bag of Buffalo Nickels or return it within 30 days of receipt for a prompt refund (less s/h).

HALF POUND Bag (46 coins) Plus FREE Stone Arrowhead $79 + s/h SAVE $19

FREE Liberty Head Nickel with One Full Pound

FREE SHIPPING over $149! Limited time only. Product total over $149 before taxes (if any). Standard domestic shipping only. Not valid on previous purchases.

For fastest service call today toll-free

1-877-566-6468 Offer Code VBB512-07 Please mention this code when you call.

GovMint.com • 14101 Southcross Dr. W., Suite 175, Dept. VBB512-07 • Burnsville, Minnesota 55337 GovMint.com® is a retail distributor of coin and currency issues and is not affiliated with the U.S. government. The collectible coin market is unregulated, highly speculative and involves risk. GovMint.com reserves the right to decline to consummate any sale, within its discretion, including due to pricing errors. Prices, facts, figures and populations deemed accurate as of the date of publication but may change significantly over time. All purchases are expressly conditioned upon your acceptance of GovMint.com’s Terms and Conditions (www.govmint.com/terms-conditions or call 1-800-721-0320); to decline, return your purchase pursuant to GovMint. com’s Return Policy. © 2021 GovMint.com. All rights reserved.

THE BEST SOURCE FOR COINS WORLDWIDE™

INSHORE STRATEGIES FOR THE

PHOTO COURTESY OF KNOCKIN TAIL LURES.

Most fish are still in transition between the deep mud and the shallow sand or grass flats, which keeps them spread out through the bays. Add high winds, cool fronts and the small size of the forage, and you have a tougher puzzle to put together than the other three seasons. Here are a few tips to help you sort though this maze and hopefully land a few more fish this spring. First and foremost, baitfish are extremely small this time of year, and it is not uncommon to find dozens of small glass minnows in the bellies of trout and redfish in the spring. This makes my first tip obvious, so I won’t waste a lot of space here, but downsize your lure presentation if you can. Obviously, this can impact one’s casting abilities, so rigging small lures in tandem can be By Capt. Michael Okruhlik a plus and assist in casting distance. Something else I like to use in the spring is a clear or transparent lure with some glitter, or maybe one with a light translucent color. I choose these because it’s more difficult for the fish to see the lure’s actual size, which gives the appearance that it’s smaller than it actually is. I’ve found this to be a productive alternative to downsizing. While choosing a typical-size trout and redfish lure for this application, I look for one with subtle movements. I like either a darting-style bait or a paddle lure with a very subtle vibration. Strong, big-vibrating tails have their time, but early spring is not one of them. One thing I notice about schools of small baitfish is their movement. When displaced, they seldom dart deeper, and most of their movement is side-to-side or upward. Due to this characteristic, I also like a lightweight lure with a slow sink rate. I feel this better imitates spring forage movements and increases strikes. I like a lure that twitches side to side that doesn’t sink very fast on the pause. In early spring while the fish are in transition, they will start to congregate on sandy shores with grass. This will be the main cover for the small fry. While employing these techniques and lure choices, concentrate efforts on broken grass flats with potholes and distinct edges. These areas are best when they are close to deeper water. I hope you find these tactics helpful and as the weather warms and you pring is around the corner, and a lot of fishermen who hang up their gear enjoy the outdoors, don’t forget to take a kid fishing! for winter can’t wait for the temps to rise. Although the enthusiasm is high to wet a line, spring can be the most difficult season to successfully Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Knockin Tail Lures, Controlled pattern and to consistently catch inshore fish. Descent Lures and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.

SPRING

Transition

WITH COUPON CODE

10 NATIONAL

MARCH 2021

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

“K ‘th be lo

—

w sand winds, zzle to ou sort

Over 2 carats of Verdant Peridot in precious .925 sterling silver

nd it is f trout waste a iously, can be

Save $260!

ONLY $39

nt lure e these h gives o be a ut and . I like trong,

ement. ment is weight ments ’t sink

regate all fry. rts on when

nd you

lled

“Known as ‘the Evening Emerald’ because its sparkling green hue looks brilliant any time of day.” — The American Gem Society (AGS)

Ooh and Ahh Without the Ouch Spoil her (and your wallet) with sparkling Verdant Peridot for just $39

oing over the top on jewelry doesn’t have to mean going overboard on the cost. We’re in the business of oohs and ahhs without the ouch, which is why we can bring you an effervescent verdant peridot ring for a price that simply can’t be beat. Its vivid and unique color makes verdant peridot unlike any other green gemstone. If you are looking to mark a milestone or make any occasion special, the Verdant Peridot Ring is all you need.

This elegant ring features 2 1/3 carats of captivating verdant peridotA. in three perfectly-faceted cushion cut gemstones. And, the .925 sterling silver setting is finished in tarnish-resistant rhodium for added durability and superior shine.

“Found in lava, meteorites, and deep in the earth’s mantle, yellow-green peridot is the extreme gem” — Gemological Institute of America’s Gem Encyclopedia

PRAISE FOR STAUER PERIDOT JEWELRY You could easily “...absolutely beautiful. The picture spend $400 on a sterling silver ring set does not do it justice. It is a real with peridot stones. stunner.” – S. C., Berkeley, CA But, with Stauer in your corner, the sky’s the limit for affording the extraordinary. Priced at just $39, you can treat her to the Verdant Peridot Ring set in .925 sterling silver and save your money and your love life all at the same time.

Satisfaction guaranteed or your money back. Indulge in the Verdant Peridot Ring for 30 days. If you aren’t perfectly happy, send it back for a full refund of the item price. Limited Reserves. Don’t let this gorgeous ring slip through your fingers. Call today! Verdant Peridot Ring (2 ¹⁄2 ctw) $299†

$39 +S&P Save $260

You must use the insider offer code to get our special price.

1-800-333-2045

Your Insider Offer Code: TPR189-02 Please use this code when you order to receive your discount. † Special price only for customers using the offer code versus the price on Stauer.com without your offer code.

Stauer

14101 Southcross Drive W., Ste 155, Dept. TPR189-02, Burnsville, Minnesota 55337 www.stauer.com

Rating of A+

• 2 ¹⁄3 ctw Verdant Peridot • White zircon accents • Rhodium-finished .925 sterling silver setting • Whole sizes 5-10

Stauer… Afford the Extraordinary.®

Switch to GEICO and see how easy it could be to save money on boat insurance. Simply visit geico.com/boat to get started.

geico.com/boat | 1-877-434-2678 | Local Office Some discounts, coverages, payment plans, and features are not available in all states, in all GEICO companies, or in all situations. Boat and PWC coverages are underwritten by GEICO Marine Insurance Company. GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, DC 20076; a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. © 2021 GEICO. 21_5507299281

1782-20F C

WWW.COASTAL ANGLERMAGAZINE.COM

TIDEWATER / OUTER BANKS

Existing State Record Swordfish Crushed!

MARCH 2021

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

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS J. JIM MIKE AARON JOHN JAKE

VIRGINIA SALTWATER FISHING TOURNAMENT A 597-pound swordfish, caught September 25, 2020 by Nicholas Kontodiakos of Norfolk, VA, has been certified as the new Virginia State Record by the Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament. Kontodiakos’ catch surpasses the existing record of 466-pounds, caught on August 16, 2019, by Tony Gower Jr. of Virginia Beach, VA. The record setting catch was made off Virginia Beach while drifting along the southern edge of the Norfolk Canyon in 1,000 feet of water during a daytime deep dropping trip for swordfish. The massive swordfish hit a bait suspended at about 800-feet. Kontodiakos, a rescue diver for the Navy, and fishing buddy Trey Wallace, with part time experience as a charter boat mate, left Rudee Inlet at 4:30 AM aboard the angler’s 2007, 29-foot SeeVee. After arriving at their designated location they made several long drifts and had a couple of bites that did not come tight. The lines were set for “one more drift” before they planned to head in for the day to arrive at Rudee Inlet shortly after dark. But at 3:30 PM those plans changed as the deep “buoy rod,” with a rigged dolphin belly on a blue and white skirt, came tight. After wrestling with the fish for nearly 5 hours it was clear it was a large swordfish, and when the fish was finally secured at the transom, they began to relax. But securing the fish to the transom was just round one. Round two would consist of couple of hours of stop and go, inching the fish onto the deck on each stop, tying it off and then running until they were recovered enough to resume their tug of war. Finally, with the fish on the deck and the tuna door closed, it was non-stop to Rudee Inlet. Kontodiakos’ passion to land a swordfish began 10 years earlier while living on the east coast of Florida. He admits “I had no idea how to go about catching them.” After moving to Virginia Beach and realizing there were swordfish to be had off the Virginia coast some 60 miles plus, “I decided I needed a bigger boat.” Unfortunately, even with a bigger boat, his lack of success in Florida had tagged along to Virginia. It got so bad he sometimes had to settle for fishing alone. “No one wanted to fish with me because I never came back with any fish.” Relentlessly perusing information on the internet to aid in catching a swordfish plus talking to successful anglers along the east coast for additional insight eventually began to payoff and his success improved markedly in recent years. “I think I’ve caught a swordfish in every month of the year except maybe January.” It was nearly midnight when the pair pulled inside Rudee Inlet. A call had already been made to alert the Virginia Beach Fishing Center of the catch and the boat’s bow was pointed straight to the Fishing Center’s main dock. Representatives from the Fishing Center were at dockside to assist and a small crowd of interested onlookers had already assembled despite the late hour. The mammoth swordfish would weigh an incredible 597-pounds--besting the former state record by 131 pounds! The fish measured 180 inches total length with a lower jaw fork length of 111 inches while sporting a hefty girth of 69 inches. Kontodiakos used a custom Joe Leffler 80-pound class rod, teamed with a Shimano Tiagra 50 reel, spooled with 80-pound PowerPro braided line and topped off with a 25-foot, 250-pound Moni mono leader with a Mustad 7691, 11/0 hook, attached to the business end. For more information, contact Lewis S. Gillingham, Director, Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament, 380 Fenwick Road, Fort Monroe, VA 23651, (757) 247-2013 or vswft@mrc. virginia.gov COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

ANDRE BAUGH BUSS KELLY TIGER WORTHINGTON

GRAPHIC DESIGN JENNY DIAZ

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

BRENDA RIGGS brenda@coastalanglermagazine.com

757.409.7518 MIKE RIGGS mriggs@coastalanglermagazine.com

757.681.5001

MAR 2021

TIDEWATER & THE OUTER BANKS 1

CARP TECHNIQUES By Mike Buss

ast month we talked about carp, where to find them and what to use to catch them. We mentioned they can be found tailing, rooting for food, sipping the surface or just cruising around. In other words, they can be found doing almost anything and can be eating almost anything as well. You must not only find them, but once found you must observe what they are doing to be successful. This month we will look at some of my favorite techniques to use to catch them. You must also take note of where they are found. I like to sightfish and this usually means looking for them in shallow water. They do most of their feeding in shallow water and when they are active they give themselves away. If you can find them tailing in shallow water, you have an excellent chance at hooking one. Tailing carp are feeding along the bottom in a head down position with their tails exposed as they feed. They are often selective in what they are feeding on, but they will be moving and you can use that to your advantage. Determine their movement and pick out a target to make a cast to land slightly in front of the fish. Allow your fly to sink and watch to see if it noses down to take the fly. If it is refused, make another cast and this time make a couple of strips to get the carp’s attention. If you are fishing a soft bottom, I like to use flies like a San Juan Worm or a nymph. If you find them over gravel or rocky bottom, then a crawdad pattern may work better. You may also find them rooting along the bottom. This is similar to tailing with them cruising along and then dipping down to root something off the bottom. Again, determine the direction of travel and use the same tactics used for tailers. Because rooting carp are feeding on almost anything they come across, just about any fly could work. They also may be found traveling in groups over soft bottoms creating mud blooms as they dig up the bottom and these mud blooms give them away. Take a moment to figure out where they are headed and make a cast in that direction to land in front of them. Sometimes just letting the fly sink to the bottom without movement works. But if they consistently refuse, give your fly some movement or switch to a fly with natural movement in the water. Carp may also be found on the surface sipping their food. They could be feeding on floating seeds or insects, but I’ve usually found them doing this when there is a lot of food on the surface. This could happen during an insect hatch or after seeds have been blown in the water. They are extremely wary and casts must be accurate and soft. An errant cast will put them all down. Carp will also be found cruising shallow water looking for food. Most of the time these fish will be moving quickly and a quick cast in front of them may provoke a strike. But these are the least predictable of carp actions. They might just be moving from one area to another and completely ignore your offering. But that is what makes carp fishing fun. They are very unpredictable at first glance, but the more you fish for them and the more you observe their behavior, the more predictable they become. With enough practice and time on the water you will find you can shallow water sight fish in your neighborhood pond and pretend you are bone fishing and don’t need to travel to an exotic area. Good luck and tight lines.

2 TIDEWATER & THE OUTER BANKS

MAR 2021

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

THE FLYING FISHERMAN By J. Andre

A Stroll Down Memory Lane

The Navy brought me to Southeastern Virginia back in the 1970s. During that period, one of my stations was at the end of Dam Neck Road, the Fleet Combat Training CenterAtlantic in Dam Neck, Virginia Beach. The road started at M&M Grocery and ended at the beach where the base was located just north of Back Bay. There wasn’t much else there being well south of the resort strip. In the 70s and early 80s Back Bay was known nationwide for big healthy Largemouth Bass and plenty of them. Already, established as a waterfowl hunting hotspot, an infrastructure of boathouses, boat ramps, and concessions stood ready to service the fishermen and hunters at this year-round sportsmen’s paradise. I was a transplant from New England who lived to hunt and fish in my spare time. Back Bay became my after-work salvation. The Center’s Welfare and Recreation Department inexpensively rented Johnson 6 HP outboard motors to sailors wanting to go fishing. Yes, they also rented boats and trailers, but Mom and Pop businesses up and down the west shore of Back Bay rented 14-foot wooden skiffs for $5 a day. No trailer hitch, no problem! Lovitt Landing, Davis Marina, and Bay Haven Farm were but a few of the outlets offering boat rentals, and sales of bait, lures, fishing licenses and snacks. Sadly, in the mid-80s, within a span of about 5 years this paradise became paradise lost. What caused this? Development runoff, farming runoff, saltwater intrusion from barrier island breaches during large coastal storms, saltwater pumping stations, etc. The debate will go on forever. The Hydrilla and Milfoil plants died off. The bass disappeared. Then the marinas eventually disappeared. Being resourceful and equipped with some local intel, my fishing buddy Mike heard of some Virginia Beach public land called Munden Point that was being turned into a city park. Rumor had it that Channel Catfish could by caught there by the bucket loads. It was true! That Spring we arrived with the sun and caught all we wanted to clean and eat. We had the place to ourselves since the park was still in the building stages. We fished every Saturday morning. However soon the fences and gates went up and we were told we could not enter until 7:30 AM. What, miss the best part of the morning! Mike solved the problem. He acquired a well-used 14-foot aluminum boat and outboard. Davis’ Marina was still hanging on servicing those of us who refused to give up. We used their boat ramp and facilities to launch our new catfishing expeditions. The bass may have gone but the Channel Cats had taken over Back Bay. We were welcome at 5:00 AM and they had bait for sale. We soon learned we didn’t need live bait. We caught a crab by accident and baited him up. Within seconds an 8-pound Channel Cat devoured it. From then on, we bought a dozen crabs at the Farmers Market every Friday afternoon on the way home from work. One day our crab supplier declared, “Boys I don’t have but one live crab. The rest are dead, and I can’t sell them.” Our hearts sank. We indicated that we didn’t care if they were dead because the catfish liked them dead or alive. Misery became good fortune once it was understood that we were using his fine crabs for bait. We got our live crabs for 50 cents apiece and the dead ones for free! Life was good! Still, all good things come to an end. The last of the Back Bay marinas finally shut down. More fences ended our Back Bay catfish trips. I brought #2, a 12-ft aluminum boat, down from New England with its 5 HP Gamefisher outboard and started fishing the Suffolk Lakes for Striped Bass. Soon after getting hooked by the Striped Bass bug, I made my Virginia entry into saltwater fishing. It would be another 30 years or so before I returned to pursue the whiskered beast. Now, I live to be SLIMED! COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

MAR 2021

TIDEWATER & THE OUTER BANKS 3

OBX By Aaron Kelly

INSHORE

Well hopefully March will outperform February’s weather. Wind, rain repeat. Folks that can get to the blue water could see gargantuan bluefin tuna. So far, this winter season there have been tuna pushing 900 lbs. What in the world!? That is a fish over 111 inches long! If the quota has not been met, then the season is open and March will produce! Pushing westward we will be targeting tautog and sharks on the inshore wrecks. Decent weather conditions are needed to have an enjoyable fishing trip. Not too much fun trying to hold on out there in 15-20 knot winds. If you see a pretty day call us up or get your boat out there. In the inlet, we are pretty much in a holding pattern around here. Not much to see unless you want a chance encounter with seal sunning on the shoreline. In calmer backwaters you can find trout and striped bass. The stripers will be pushing up the rivers feeding up for the spring spawn. A lot of places will be catch and release and that’s ok. Catching fish in less crowds is a plus! Light jigs, rattle traps, and stickbaits are fun to cast around the bends of the rivers. Also, a note if you want your reels serviced for late April and May’s fishing, send them off to Daiwa, Penn, or Shimano to get serviced. They are backed up pretty good this season. Or give Pops Reel a call! Local kind and reasonable. You can find him on Facebook at https://www. facebook.com/Pops-ReelRepair-1541016616165525/ Good luck out there!

Captain Aaron Kelly rocksolidfishing.com 252-441-6575

4 TIDEWATER & THE OUTER BANKS

MAR 2021

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

Baker’s Crust is a locally owned artisan kitchen providing farm to table fd. We oer a variety of trays, boxed lunches, and entrees to suit everyone’s needs. Thank you for your continued support of small, local business!

Kellie Riggs | Catering Manager 1244 Greenbrier Pkwy, Suite 510 Chesapeake, VA 23320 Phone: 757.547.2787 Cell: 757.681.5002 Email: catergreenbrier@bakerscrust.com Call to have us cater your holiday event or ask about bking one at our location for free! COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

MAR 2021

TIDEWATER & THE OUTER BANKS 5

TIDEWATER & OUTERBANKS FIGHTFIGHTING

By John Tiger

Fire Extinguishers for Your Boat and Trailer Don’t have a proper fire extinguisher aboard your boat? You’re playing with…well, you know. The US Coast Guard website (United States Coast Guard (uscg.mil)) says that on-board fires have been the second leading cause of commercial fishing vessel losses from 1994 onward! If you need any further reason why you should have one, know that professional boat racers are required to have two; one aboard and one on the trailer in case of fire on dry land. Fire on board is serious stuff; if you have a fire at sea, there’s nowhere to go but overboard, and that’s a whole ‘nuther problem. USCG What does the Coast Guard say? They’re the gold standard for safety recommendations and regulations, so it pays to check out the regulations for extinguishers (http://wow.uscgaux.info/Uploads_wowII/054-20-02/ CG_Updates_Fire_Extinguishers.pdf). They’re too long to reprint, so here are the high spots: TYPES OF FIRES & WHAT PUTS THEM OUT? CLASS “A” FIRE: Includes ordinary combustibles such as wood, paper, cloth, trash, etc... The best extinguishing agents for an “A” fire are water or chemical foam. CLASS “B” FIRE: Involves flammable or combustible liquids. The best extinguishing agents for a “B” fire are carbon dioxide, dry chemical, or aqueous film forming foam (AFFF). CLASS “C” FIRE: Involves electrical equipment. The preferred extinguishing agent is carbon dioxide. Dry chemical can be used. CLASS “D” FIRE: Involves combustible metals like magnesium. The best extinguishing agent is a dry powder suitable for the metal involved. This class of fire is not likely on a fishing vessel.

are USCG approved for use on boats, and come with 6-year warranties. Most marine stores, websites and even many home stores carry these units. They’re inexpensive enough (typical Mariner 5 price is around $30, and the 110 goes for about $33) to keep a couple on board and even one mounted to the trailer. MAINTENANCE Mounting-wise, be sure to put the extinguisher in a place that’s not just readily accessible, but also easy to view the gauge and check the unit’s condition. Check it often to ensure that the gauge needle is in the “green” range, that the unit isn’t damaged, dented, rusty or leaking, and that the bracket remains mounted securely. Make sure the operating lever and nozzle are unobstructed, and that the information tag and operating instructions are in clear sight. Hopefully, you’ll never have to use it. 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.

WHAT DO YOU GET? Fire extinguishers are classified by a letter and number symbol. The letter indicates the type of fire (A, B, C, or D) it is designed to extinguish and the number (I - V) indicates the size of the extinguisher. The higher the number, the larger the extin¬guisher. Sizes I and II are hand-portable, and sizes III, IV, and V are semi-portable. Regardless, all extinguishers used on boats must be CG Approved and rated for marine use. Boats less than 26’ long must have at least one B-1 extinguisher in place; for boats 26-40 feet, two of these. Boats larger than 40’ but less than 65’ must have three. Kidde (www.kidde.com) is perhaps the most well-known supplier of marine extinguishers, and they provide units in many sizes and applications. Their Mariner 5 extinguisher is a popular Class B/C unit that comes with charge indicator gauge and mounting strap/bracket. The Mariner 110 unit is rated for Class A/B/C fires and also comes with gauge and bracket. Both

M&J Tops Canvas and boat upholstery M&J Tops LLC, specializes in marine upholstery. Boat tops, enclosures, cushions, seats, headliners, storage covers, bow rails, bolster pads, dodgers and much more! We also make custom awnings or commercial and residential buildings.

757-722-3069 www.petestopshop.weebly.com 6 TIDEWATER & THE OUTER BANKS

MAR 2021

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

MAR 2021

TIDEWATER & THE OUTER BANKS 7

TIDEWATER / OUTER BANKS

CATCHIN’& COOKIN’ JIM’S SHRIMP CEVICHE TACOS WITH AVOCADO SALSA BAUGH’S

JIM RECIPE OF THE MONTH

Hard to believe something so simple can be so good. The main trick here is to make everything fresh. First take your peeled and deveined shrimp and place them in a bowl with a cup of fresh lime and a cup of fresh lemon juice. Add a little sea salt and fresh cracked pepper. You can put this in the fridge overnight of just for several hours. For the Salsa, simply cut 5 avocados place in a bowl and add 1 cup chopped fresh tomato and a cup of fresh parsley, chopped garlic and fresh lime. Mix and cover, then put in Fridge. Now I highly recommend making your own tortillas using corn flour. If you are not going to make them homemade then at the very least go to a Mexican grocer and buy there’s, which is usually pretty good. Once the tortillas are heated, simply plate and serve. One other tip, if you can find some fresh large sea scallops, use them as well in the ceviche.

MARCH ON ! by Jim Baugh reporting from Oyster Farm at Kings Creek, Cape Charles VA One positive thing about March 2021 is that I doubt we can have more rain than we did in February. Talk about a month not even fit for a duck. Plus with the Covid, the boat show season has been, well, less than spectacular. Usually, we hit the boat shows pretty hard this time of year but instead waiting out the weather in hopes of a good day offshore. March being sort of a transitional period here in the Mid Atlantic I do have some recommendations on what to wet your line for. This is a good time of year to go out and hire a captain and target some new wrecks that you have never fished. It is hard to beat a good Tog or Golden Tile trip but for the average angler it can be a bear locating wrecks, especially ones that hold fish. There are lots of places that post GPS numbers including JBOTV. Numbers are always good to have however it really is best to go with an established Captain that is constantly on the fish. There are also so many darn artificial reefs around the tower it is just incredible. But not every wreck holds fish. There certainly is a lot of knowledge and talent involved in catching and pulling a huge Tog out of a wreck. Personally, I suck at it. Even going with the most experienced Captains, they always wax my arse every time. I just don’t have the “Feel” for Tog. That said, if you are like me don’t be disappointed, simply take the time to talk with your Charter and tell them you want to learn how to catch these fish. Which is much more important that getting luck and reeling in a couple. There are a lot of great captains in the Mid Atlantic who target these species, one you may want to start with is Captain Billy Pappas Jr out of Virginia Beach. JBOTV has done a couple of shows with this outfit and this Carter consistently catches fish. Give them a call. March is also a good time to start planning for the spring and summer. Call the Oyster Farm to reserve your slips and the Oyster Farm has some of the best accommodations on the Eastern Shore. While there, don’t forget the Seafood Eatery, fantastic food. The marina number is 757 331 8640 and the web site is www.theoysterfarmatkingscreek.com 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/

8 TIDEWATER & THE OUTER BANKS

MAR 2021

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

MAR 2021

TIDEWATER & THE OUTER BANKS 9

10 TIDEWATER & THE OUTER BANKS

MAR 2021

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

VISIT YOUR LOCAL DEALER NORTH CAROLINA KILL DEVIL HILLS Bill’s Marine LLC 252-982-6595 VIRGINIA ACCOMAC Sandpiper Marine Inc. 757-787-7783 VIRGINIA CHESAPEAKE Centerville Waterway Marina 757-547-4498 VIRGINIA NEWPORT NEWS Sports Marine, Inc. 757-595-9333 SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE Smith Mountain Boat & Tackle 540-576-2755 EXMORE Seaworthy Marine Services 757-442-3666 NORTH CHESTERFIELD Nautical Marine 804-271-3198

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

MAR 2021

TIDEWATER & THE OUTER BANKS 11

Jake’s Outdoor Adventures

By Jake Worthington

t is already March, and the fishing should be starting to pick up here on the OBX. I just want to let all the readers know that I will be the first mate on the Seaducer for Captain Jason Daniels out of the Oregon Inlet Fishing Center. Captain Daniels is an experienced Captain who has fished many years out of Oregon Inlet. We fish offshore for Dolphin, Tuna, Wahoo and Billfish so if you want to take a trip offshore, call the Oregon Inlet Fishing Center and book an offshore charter with us this year. I also want to take this time to thank all the Oregon Inlet Captains and First Mates who helped to keep me busy this past summer and fall by letting me fill in for them. I was very blessed to have them let me work on their boats and give me even more experience. A special thank you to Captain Tony Tillett for working with me, sharing his wisdom and experience, and making me a better mate. The Great Bridge Fisherman’s Association’s annual Fishing Flea Market usually held in March at the Chesapeake Convention Center has been pushed forward to June 12, 2021. The event was cancelled last year totally and because of Covid so there should be more inventory at this show than usual. I have really found some great bargains over the years at these flea markets. If you have a garage or shed full of old fishing equipment or tackle, contact the Great Bridge Fisherman’s Association and reserve a table and you might make some extra money. Now is also the time of the year to inspect your fishing equipment. Make sure you check your rod eyes for cracks that could cause line burrs or breaks. Have your reels serviced if they have not been serviced in a few years. If you own a boat, now is a great time to have your trailer serviced and check those bearings and brakes.

Pungo offroad Virginia Beach’s Premier Truck, Off Road and 4x4 Accessories & Service

Now is also a good time to review your boat insurance policy with your insurance agent. I found out how important your coverage was this spring when I had an occasion to have to use my boat policy. We were headed from OBX Marina to Teach’s Lair for a week of Cobia fishing out of Hatteras. At some point, we hit something-- although we never felt an impact. When we arrived at Hatteras, we found we had lost a blade on the propeller and upon closer inspection had a cracked lower unit. Anyone who owns an outboard can tell you that is an expensive repair. Because I had a good policy, all I had to pay was a deductible. Losing a week of fishing was bad enough, but because I had a great marine policy, the pain was a little less. Jake Worthington is a graduate of NC State University with a BS Degree in Parks, Recreation and Tourism and is the First Mate on the Seaducer based out of the Oregon Inlet Fishing Center. Jake Worthington First Mate out of the Oregon Inlet Fishing Center.

Custom & Factory Tires &Rims for Any Vehicle -Cars, Trucks & Trailers Brake Service on Any Vehicle // Lift Kits & 4x4 Accessories Trailer Hitch Installation

We'll beat any Written Price... guaranteed! 1800 Princess Anne Rd, VA Beach, VA 23456 757-721-6004 • 757-721-6468 www.pungotireandoffroad.com 12 TIDEWATER & THE OUTER BANKS

MAR 2021

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

MAR 2021

TIDEWATER & THE OUTER BANKS 13

From locally-built gear to greensticks, commercial reels, terminal tackle, and bait • Specializing in commercial hook and line gear • Your one-stop tuna shop

TIDEWATER & OUTER BANKS BRAG BOARD SEND YOUR GREAT FISHING & HUNTING PHOTOS TO BRENDA@COASTALANGLERMAGAZINE.COM

2991 NC Hwy 345, Wanchese, NC seaandsound.com https://www.facebook.com/Sea&soundtackle/

[ 2] [ 1]

Brags #1 & 2 - Evan Roop Compliments of G-Dadday’s Bait & Tackle Brag #3 - 143 lb Opah - Jon Wetherington, Michael MacTaggart and Nick Kemp -caught in the Norfolk Canyon off the coast of Virginia Beach Brags #4-6 - Compliments of Healthy Grin

[ 3] [ 4] [ 5] [ 6]

14 TIDEWATER & THE OUTER BANKS

MAR 2021

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

MAR 2021

TIDEWATER & THE OUTER BANKS 15

Fishing Capitol of

A Fishin’ Tradition Known the World Over

the

Wo r l d

• Full or half day charters • Book with our Head Boat or a private charter with one of our great Captains • For those with their own boats: launch ramp w/parking for trailers--gas and oil available

Fully stocked store: • Bait, tackle, boating and camping equipment, North Carolina maps equipment, and fishing/boating regulations and • Groceries, snacks, beverages, ice Groceries,

Head boat—M

iss Oregon In

let

• T-Shirts, Sweatshirts and Hats T-Shirts, • Everything you need for a great Everything day on the water! day

(800) 272-5199 (800) www.oregon-inlet.com

16 TIDEWATER & THE OUTER BANKS

MAR 2021

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

1782-20F Coastal Angler_march.indd 1

MARCH 2021

NATIONAL 13

1/29/21 11:15 AM

ENTER TO WIN! MARCH 2021 APPAREL GIVEAWAY!

coastalanglermag.com/contest GIVEAWAY FRIDAY MARCH 5TH

GIVEAWAY FRIDAY MARCH 19TH

GIVEAWAY FRIDAY MARCH 26TH

ENTER TO WIN THROUGH MARCH BY VISITING:

coastalanglermag.com/contest MARCH 2021

SPRING TROUT IN THE SMOKIES

GIVEAWAY FRIDAY MARCH 12TH

14 NATIONAL

STAY LOW FOR

By TAM Staff

uide Ian Rutter is fired up about spring in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Ample rains and a mild winter bode well for the wild trout that inhabit more than 800 miles of trout streams in the park. This time of year, fish are perking up to feed on an abundance of aquatic insects. But there’s another reason the Smokies are inviting to anglers in spring. The summertime crowds, with their campers and inner tubes, haven’t yet invaded the larger rivers. Ian and his wife, Charity, run R&R Fly Fishing out of Townsend, Tennessee. They have guided anglers in the park for a quarter century and live a stone’s throw from Little River, one of the largest and most popular streams in the Smokies. From high-elevation brook trout rills to roadside rivers, they fish it all, but Ian said it’s wise to stick to the larger flows in lower elevations this time of year. In March, and even into April, it’s likely there will still be snow on the ground up in the hills. Trout thrive in cold water, but their metabolisms slow, and they feed less readily in icy temperatures. Also, the bugs they feed on are mostly dormant at higher altitudes, which can make things slow for fly fishing. Meanwhile, down in the valleys, larger rivers like Little River, Deep Creek and the Oconaluftee will be waking up. In afternoons, even on cold days, fish should be looking to the surface for hatches of mayflies like Quill Gordons, blue-winged olives and blue quills. Throw in a few early brown stoneflies, and you’ll see why the Smokies are known for great dry fly fishing. “Oftentimes you’ll have some combination of those bugs all at the same time,” Ian said. “They’re not too particular. And even the one’s that are particular aren’t as particular as some folks think they are.” Being sneaky is more important than fly selection, Ian said. Trout in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are wild, stream-born and extremely wary of predators. So wading very carefully and making short accurate casts are important to success. Another thing about trout in the Smokies is they grow slowly. Fishing is less about catching big fish and more about the overall experience. “I like to say, ‘your results may vary,’” said Ian when asked about angler expectations. “We do catch some 16-inchers, but the important thing to remember is it’s a wild trout fishery. There aren’t any stocked trout that were put in last week at 14 inches. A 16-incher might be 10 years old. It’s survived every type of predator out there, so it’s super-smart and difficult to catch.” A proficient angler can expect to catch good numbers of brightly colored 8- to 10-inch wild trout. Any angler can expect to wade through some of the most gorgeous mountain trout water in the East. For information on fishing the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, contact R&R Fly Fishing through their website at randrflyfishing.com.

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

Going the Extra Mile for Members UNLIMITED TOWING MEMBERSHIP

$90/$165

The red boats of TowBoatU.S. and the captains that man them, go above and beyond when it comes to helping boaters. These experienced and professional towers will rush to your aid to save the day when you need assistance. For worry-free boating, join today!

BoatUS.com/Towing 800-395-2628

*One year Freshwater/Saltwater Membership pricing. Details of services provided can be found online at BoatUS.com/Agree. TowBoatU.S. is not a rescue service. In an emergency situation, you must contact the Coast Guard or a government agency immediately.

BREATHE IN THE MOMENT WITH

ILLZ Technical Fishing Apparel takes you to new levels of performance and comfort. Designed in Florida, built by anglers, for anglers, and tested on the water—in every imaginable condition—GILLZ is innovative gear, with performance in every stitch, designed so you can fish better, longer and harder—in unheard-of comfort! Innovation runs deep in the GILLZ DNA.

From proprietary fabrics that breathe to superior functionality and bold graphics and colors, GILLZ is in a class of its own. It starts with revolutionary, chemicalfree GillzTec fabric. It’s engineered to quickly distribute moisture 360 degrees across the garment, so the moisture evaporates much faster, keeping you cooler. The cross-breeze ventilation system channels cooling air under the shirt. In

fact, you’ll find GILLZ shirts breathe like nothing you’ve ever worn. And of course, all of their shirts provide UPF 50+ sun protection, so you can fish from sunup to sundown safely. GILLZ masks feature “gills” that channel air down your neck and mesh mouth openings that prevent your sunglasses from fogging. Plus, their masks can also be worn in a variety of ways to suit your particular needs. Functional hybrid shorts with pockets where you need them also feature four-way stretch fabric, an expandable waistband and a vented, gusseted crotch that lets cool air in. And who couldn’t use some cool air down there? And you’ve got to check out the epic designs and styles. Each color and print is inspired by and pays homage to nature and marine life. You’ll find bold, confident styles for anglers like you. Whatever your destination – the Bahamas, Florida Keys, Outer Banks or the Gulf of Mexico… whether you’re fishing offshore, the flats, lake, or river, only GILLZ Technical Fishing Apparel brings this level of durability, comfort, and performance to the table. That’s why it’s the choice of many pros. Rest assured, GILLZ will continue to push innovation and performance to the limit with elite new products. So, breathe in that moment out on the water when your muscles are working overtime and the sun is beating down. You’ll know that GILLZ apparel breathes with you so you can be at your absolute best. See the latest GILLZ collections by checking out their website: www.gillz-gear.com

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

MARCH 2021

NATIONAL 15

LOCAL ANGLER CRUSHES VIRGINIA SWORDFISH RECORD A daytime deep drop expedition yielded spectacular results for a Virginia angler this past September. It took four months for the Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament to officially announce it, but a 597-pound swordfish caught by Nicholas Kontodiakos on Sept. 25, 2020 absolutely crushed the existing state record. Kontodiakos, of Norfolk, Va., was drifting in 1,000 feet of water off Virginia Beach when the massive swordfish hit a bait suspended at 800 feet. Caught along the southern edge of Norfolk Canyon, Kontodiako’s fish topped the existing record by more than 130 pounds. The previous record of 466 pounds was caught in August 2019 by Tony Gower Jr., of Virginia Beach. Kontodiakos and fishing buddy Trey Wallace left Rudee Inlet at 4:30 a.m. aboard the angler’s 2007, 29-foot SeeVee. After arriving at their location, they made several long drifts and had a couple of bites that did not come tight. The lines were set for “one more drift” before they planned to head in for the day. At 3:30 p.m. the deep “buoy rod,” with a rigged dolphin belly on a blue and white skirt, came tight. After wrestling the fish for nearly five hours, it was clear it was a large swordfish, and when the fish was finally secured at the transom, they began to relax. But securing the fish to the transom was

just round one. Round two consisted of couple hours of inching the fish onto the deck. Kontodiakos’ passion for swordfish began a decade ago while living on the east coast of Florida. “I had no idea how to go about catching them,” he admitted. After moving to Virginia Beach and realizing there were swordfish 60-plus miles off the Virginia coast, he decided he needed a bigger boat. Unfortunately, even with a bigger boat, his lack of success in Florida tagged along to Virginia. “No one wanted to fish with me because I never came back with any fish,” he said. Relentlessly perusing information on the Internet and talking to successful anglers eventually began to payoff, and his success improved in recent years. He said he’s caught a swordfish in every month of the year except January. It was nearly midnight when the pair pulled inside Rudee Inlet on Sept. 25. A call had already been made to alert the Virginia Beach Fishing Center of the catch, and the boat’s bow was pointed straight to the Fishing Center’s main dock. Representatives from the Fishing Center were dockside to assist, and a small crowd of onlookers had assembled, despite the late hour. The fish measured 180 inches total length,

M Y

with a lower jaw fork length of 111 inches. It sported a hefty girth of 69 inches. Kontodiakos used a custom Joe Leffler 80-pound class rod, teamed with a Shimano Tiagra 50 reel, spooled with 80-pound PowerPro braid and topped off with a 25-foot, 250-pound Moni mono leader with a Mustad 7691, 11/0 hook, attached to the business end.

Fis fea on Th we for

Insist on Only the Best Cast Net for Grabbing Your Bait America’s #1 Cast Net Choice, Year After Year America’s Best

www.castnets.com | sales@castnets.com | 1-800-332-6387 ext. 116 | 16 NATIONAL

MARCH 2021

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

OFF add card auto at s This from

MAXIMIZE Your Time On The Water

Fish Mapping from SiriusXM gives you 8 dedicated fishing features plus all SiriusXM Marine weather information directly on your boat’s display, relative to your boat’s location. The service is delivered via satellite and is available offshore well beyond cell range. Add SiriusXM Radio and you’re all set for an incredible day on the water.

1-MONTH TRIAL + $100 REBATE

AVAILABLE ON

“Whether I’m near the dock or 60 miles offshore, with SiriusXM Marine I’m able to see up-to-date data on the storms building, allowing me to maximize fishing time and beat the bad weather in just the nick of time.” — Captain Moe, Journey South Outfitters, Venice, LA

FISH MAPPING AVAILABLE EARLY 2021 ON

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

C S

p b sh It’s the fry can Bu catchin vetera tips to 1) crappi hold o times shallow “Th for the the spa mid-5 As Then seek o of cree back o Th targets spawn could have m Sa the 10 discard

pringtime is crappie time. When water temps begin to climb, the crappie schools move shallow to stage on structure before the spawn. It’s the time of year when loading coolers for a fish fry can be quick and easy. But the thing with crappie is you’re either catching them or you’re not. With that in mind, veteran crappie angler Dan Saknini offered some tips to consistently catch slab crappie. 1) Know The Cycles: The comfort zone for crappie is 35 feet and shallower, said Saknini. They hold on deep brush during the coldest and hottest times of year, but in milder weather they move shallower in search of optimal water temperatures. “This time of year, the crappie are fattening up for the spawn,” he said. “Their comfort zone for the spawn is when water temperatures rise into the mid-50s, preferably closer to 60.” As the spawn begins, fish stage up on structure. Then they’ll move extremely shallow in waves to seek out spawning areas on the banks and backs of creeks. The females move in, lay eggs and move back out. The males stay shallow to guard the beds. Through the stages of the spawn, Saknini targets brush in 15 feet or shallower. With the spawning season lasting about a month, these could be pre-spawn fish or post-spawn fish that have moved back out. Saknini shoots jigs in and around docks in the 10- to 15-foot range. Many lake homeowners discard Christmas trees off their docks. These are

the docks you need to find. 2) Locate Structure: Regardless of the season, black crappie school up on some type of structure. They change depths, and move off structure momentarily to feed, so catching them consistently means knowing the locations of brushpiles at all different depths. Saknini said good electronics and prospecting are key to being a good crappie angler. If you fish a lake that allows it, you can build your own honey holes. “I probably sink 50 or 60 brushpiles a year,” Saknini said. “Then I go back and fish them. There might be fish there, or there might not, but I always have another one to go to.” 3) Ditch the Minnows: Fishing a minnow under a bobber is traditional, and it can be effective. However, Saknini said fishing jigs is a far more efficient. “Once you get used to jig fishing, it’s always more productive,” he said. “If you’re fishing a minnow, it’s either under a bobber or on a downline, and it’s stationary. With a jig, you’re moving and covering water.” Crappie are lazy and won’t chase a bait more than a few feet, Saknini said. There could be fish all over a piece of structure, but you wouldn’t know it if your minnow is just a foot out of the strike zone. With a jig, you can cover water vertically and horizontally for a better chance of passing through that zone.

PHOTO BY NICK CARTER

Catch More Crappie

Dan Saknini is a member of Lanier Crappie Anglers Club. Check them out at www.laniercrappieanglers.net.

FREEDIVER SPEARS WORLD RECORD SNAPPER

reediver Stephanie Schuldt broke a world record in late November when she speared a 19.3-pound (8.8 kg) dog snapper in the Bahamas. At a depth of 45 feet, Schuldt stuck the big snapper with 9-foot Headhunter Nomad roller polespear while wreck diving off Nassau. The fish qualified her for the International Underwater Spearfishing Association’s women’s world record for the species in the sling/polespear division. It also outweighed the men’s record of 19.1 pounds, which was caught by JonMichael Degidio off Grand Cay in 2016. “At the end of my breath hold I saw the dog snapper swimming in and out of the wreckage,” wrote Schuldt in a description of the event. “I came back up to the surface and told my boyfriend, Matt, ‘There is a world record dog snapper down there.’ I took some time to get a good breathe-up, dropped back down into the wreck and got a solid holding shot on the fish. It fought for a bit on the way up, but I was able to clear it from the wreck and get it to the surface. Once at the surface, it tried to bite me and tangled up my float line, but I was able to grab it by the gills and swim it back to my boat.” Even on a rod and reel, Schuldt’s fish would have been impressive. The IGFA all-tackle world record weighed 24 pounds. It was caught back in 1994 by Capt. Wayne Barder off Abaco. Check Stephanie Schuldt’s adventures at www.saillaviecharters.com. COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

MARCH 2021

NATIONAL 19

SPRINGTIME FISHING... Fiberglass Center Consoles and Pilothouses Embrace LET’S GO! www.

.com

E-Z ANCHORING By E-Z Anchor President Aaron Knopp

25’ C-Hawk CC

www.MitziSkiffs.com www.CHawkBoats.net CALL FOR YOUR LOCAL DEALER

252-235-2461

STURGEON SEASON LASTS JUST TWO HOURS

here should be a betting pool for just how quickly the Black Lake, Michigan sturgeon season will end each year. In 2020, the season lasted just six hours. This year, the scheduled Feb. 6-10 season was shut down after two hours of fishing when the harvest limit was met. Imagine getting all geared up to go spear fishing through a hole in the ice for these big prehistoric fish. The season opens at 8 a.m. Then, at 10 a.m., your hopes are dashed when Michigan DNR knocks on the door of your ice shanty. Apparently, that’s the way Black Lake sturgeon season goes for a vast majority of anglers. More than 500 anglers registered to jockey for a harvest quota of just six fish this year. It’s a credit to Michigan DNR that they even hold the event at the 10,000-acre lake, which is connected to Lake Huron by the Black and Cheboygan rivers. Rehabilitation of the lake sturgeon population in the watershed is an ongoing effort, and this limited harvest creates excitement around the effort. There are reports of anglers who have fished the season for decades without getting a single sturgeon. The six fish caught ranged from 50 to 63 inches and 25 to 61 pounds. Three of the fish had been tagged before during studies of the spawning run up the Black River. A 61-inch-long female, estimated to be about 20 years old, was tagged during the 2006 spawning run. Male sturgeon have a lifespan of about 55 years. Females can live longer than 100 years. For more information, go to Michigan.gov/Fishing. 20 NATIONAL

MARCH 2021

ooking through Facebook and reminiscing on traveling for boat-show season, one conversation starter I remember most fondly is, “That’s too big for my rope locker.” In spite of American fiberglass OEMs like Sea Chaser and Sea Pro factory-installing the Rebel EZ-4 on specific series, there’s still a popular myth that drum anchor winches are built predominantly for aluminum boats. One too many boaters have told me this when they stopped at our company’s booth during the 2020 season, and while we’re officially homebound due to the pandemic, we’re as busy as ever answering questions and informing customers about our product. We want to help them achieve the best anchoring results for them. From newbies who have recently embraced boating, to longtime hobbyists who have extra time to add new features on their boats, there is usually an anchoring solution, whether it’s a Patriot direct drive unit or a Rebel free-fall unit. “You can click the ‘Products’ tab on the website and select the winch that interests you,” Sara Hitchins, E-Z Anchor Puller’s office and trade show manager said. “Select the unit you’d like to view and the link to the dimensional drawings are on the product page. One way to measure is to make a cardboard cutout at home to measure against your boat.” If you’re one of the new boaters looking for a new fiberglass model or researching that windlass upgrade on your family boat, these center consoles from customers and builders prove that a drum winch looks sexy on center consoles, too! SEA PRO: Sea Pro Boats introduced the world to their 320 Deep V Center Console at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, joining Carolina Skiff to become another American fiberglass OEM to factory-install E-Z Anchor Puller’s Rebel EZ-4 free-fall unit, adapting the innovative technology one year after Georgia-based OEM Carolina Skiff began installing. SEA CHASER: “I liked it so much I installed a Patriot on my own personal boat,” Ed Johnston, engineer at Carolina Skiff told us when we saw him at the Miami International Boat Show. The 35’ Sea Chaser also uses the free-fall Rebel EZ-4 and hides it in the rope locker. PARKER: “I know this is an old post, but I love my EZ on my 2820,” one writer on Classicparker.com posted to a company thread, “I have 600’ of dyneema, 75 of nylon and 50’ of chain. With lots of extra room still.” Live2fish posted several pictures depicting the Rebel EZ-4 unit resting on a bow pulpit. ARIMA: Mark Fitch was an avid poster of his installation process on ArimaOwners.com, documenting his journey with various “beer breaks” in between. Mark’s 1987 Arima Sea Pacer was sized for the Patriot EZ-1, a smaller complete 316 stainless steel unit. He still tags #ezanchorpuller in his fishing posts.

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

s ce

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

MARCH 2021

NATIONAL 21

HUGE SWORDFISH SETS NEW FLORIDA RECORD

n Jan. 20, four young anglers from Pompano Beach, Fla. set out early from Hillsboro Inlet to get in on the fast action being reported from the swordfish grounds, some 15 miles off the coast. They returned to the docks that evening with a 767.8-pound swordfish that set a new Florida state record. The official record holder and the man who manned the LP electric reel was 21-yearold Timmy Maddock. The 31-foot center console they fished from belongs to 17-yearold Hunter Irvine, who put the final dart in the enormous fish. Lady angler, Jaime Johanson, 20, videoed the landing and got in with the gaff, while Jeremy Rafferty, 21, manned the helm as they subdued the new record. It took five and a half hours to fight the fish into submission. It took almost another hour and a radio call for help to get the swordfish through the tuna door and safely in the boat. Rob Doda, who was fishing solo nearby left his boat floating and boarded Irvine’s boat to help haul the giant fish onboard. It was an epic catch for the group of young anglers, and the 400 pounds of meat their fish yielded was shared with friends and family, with the charity organization Filet for Friends, and at a celebratory barbecue for the whole Pompano Beach fishing community. To read Timmy Maddock’s account of the catch, see the Florida section of this magazine or online at www.coastalanglermagazine.com. 22 NATIONAL

MARCH 2021

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

NEW ENGLAND AWAITS

warm water, and they’re looking for that constant bait source. That’s what the rivers provide.” Action is fast in tidal rivers like the Weweantic on the north side of Buzzards Bay. Murphy walks the dog with topwater baits like a 7-inch Lil’ Doc to draw explosive strikes from good numbers of stripers in the rivers. They’ll also eat By Nick Carter soft-plastic eel or herring imitations like those made by Hogy, and although these river fish aren’t the monsters Murphy pursues later in the season, there aren’t many anglers who’d turn their nose up to consistent topwater activity from fish up to 20 inches. As the season progresses, the bite moves to the mouths of the rivers, where stripers ambush herring moving out. This is where some of the bigger fish come into play, and they also can be taken on topwater. By mid-May, Murphy said he’ll be chasing the classic New England bass blitzes, when schoolie-sized fish ball up bait and crash the surface. At this point, fish will have spread up around Cape Cod or through the Cape Cod Canal into Massachusetts Bay. Action ou can almost feel the excitement building on the coast of can be intense for fish in the 2- to New England. Winter is ebbing, and soon warming water 10-pound range. conditions will spark the migration of striped bass up the “You can go out early in the Atlantic coast. Jack Murphy will be waiting when they arrive. morning any day and find blitzing Murphy and his partner, Jack Loveday, co-founded Lucky Jacks schoolies,” Murphy said. “You can Fishing in Marblehead, Massachusetts. For them, April begins the catch 30 or 40 fish in just a couple busy striper season off Rhode Island and Massachusetts. hours.” As you read this, striped bass are spawning in tributaries of By the first part of June, anglers Chesapeake Bay, Delaware Bay and the Hudson River. When in search of big fish will head 5 to water temperatures rise into the 50s, these fish push north with 10 miles offshore to find big pogy huge schools of menhaden to feed ravenous post-spawn appetites. PHOTOS BY SEAN MAIORANO PHOTOGRAPHY (menhaden) schools. This is a Murphy said the first fish collect on the south side of Cape Cod WWW.SEANMAIORANOPHOTOGRAPHY.COM short-lived first-light bite. in Buzzards Bay. Timing is dependent on weather and water temperatures, so “When you come on one of these schools that’s getting harassed, you’re in Lucky Jacks spends spring studying winds and water temps to try and intercept the first waves of migrating fish. They normally show up in the second or third for a heck of a day.” Murphy said. “We’ve had a few days when our smallest fish were 37 pounds, and 40- to 50-pound fish are very possible.” week of April. “When river herring (alewife) push into the rivers to spawn, the first waves of stripes will be right on their tails,” Murphy said. “They’re looking for that Check out Lucky Jacks Fishing at www.luckyjacksfishing.com.

BLITZING BASS

The Return of a

Custom Built Quality Outdoor BBQ Products Since 1989

Pig Cookers, Patio Grills, Smokers, Customized BBQ Trailers

For More Info 1-252-236-4464 www.BQGRILLS.com 6043 Hwy 301N, Elm City, NC COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

MARCH 2021

NATIONAL 23

P360-COAS-FP-JAN-2021-OUTLINED.indd 1

1/12/2021 12:00:28 PM

ls n e a i c ari e p S iM Make it a r e k t Super Cool White Winter Win S u z u with some amazing deals f ro m from Suzuki Marine

a le in Pe b a l i a so Av

rl Nebular Black

INSTANT

SAVINGS SAVE RIGHT NOW ON

SELECT SUZUKI OUTBOARDS

INSTANT SAVINGS Instant Savings on select models when you buy a new Suzuki Outboard. See your dealer for details.

REPOWER FINANCE Rates as low as 5.99% on new Suzuki outboards on approved credit.* [60 Months]

SIX YEARS OF PROTECTION 3 Years Limited Warranty + 3 Years Extended Protection, No extra charge.

™

Gimme Six Extended Protection promotion applies to new Suzuki Outboard Motors from 25 to 350 HP in inventory which are sold and delivered to buyer between 01/01/21 and 03/31/21 in accordance with the promotion by a Participating Authorized Suzuki Marine dealer in the continental US and Alaska to a purchasing customer who resides in the continental US or Alaska. The Gimme Six Promotion is available for pleasure use only, and is not redeemable for cash. Instant Savings applies to qualifying purchases of select Suzuki Outboard Motors made between 01/01/21 and 03/31/21. For list of designated models, see participating Dealer or visit www.suzukimarine.com. Instant Savings must be applied against the agreed-upon selling price of the outboard motor and reflected in the bill of sale. There are no model substitutions, benefit substitutions, rain checks, or extensions. Suzuki reserves the right to change or cancel these promotions at any time without notice or obligation. * Financing offers available through Synchrony Retail Finance. As low as 5.99% APR financing for 60 months on new and unregistered Suzuki Outboard Motors. Subject to credit approval. Not all buyers will qualify. Approval, and any rates and terms provided, are based on creditworthiness. $19.99/month per $1,000 financed for 60 months is based on 5.99% APR. Hypothetical figures used in calculation; your actual monthly payment may differ based on financing terms, credit tier qualification, accessories or other factors such as down payment and fees. Offer effective on new, unregistered Suzuki Outboard Motors purchased from a participating authorized Suzuki dealer between 01/01/21 and 03/31/21. “Gimme Six”, the Suzuki “S” and model names are Suzuki trademarks or ®. Don’t drink and drive. Always wear a USCG-approved life jacket and read your owner’s manual. © 2021 Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.