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WELCOME
By Capt. Quinlyn Haddon
Tuna Town TO
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had only been fishing a few years when I wound up taking a job in Venice, Louisiana. I had gotten the lead on a first mate position through a mutual friend of a captain who I had never met before. When I called the captain, I asked when he needed me. He told me, “yesterday.” So I went to the tackle shop, bought my first pair of slickers, and hit the road. The only thing I knew about Venice was that there was no cell phone service and no women. As I drove down the road south of New Orleans, I began to notice ships on both sides of the road simultaneously. I realized I had better call someone to let them know I was heading to a deadzone in the middle of nowhere, filled with lonely, salty men. I arrived at night and located my captain’s houseboat, where I would be staying. I made the jump across to the boat and opened the door without knocking—as I was instructed to do. A dozen men, drinking beer, went silent as they stared at me. I looked around the room at the welcoming party, and the walls that were lined with shelves of alcohol bottles and a deer head decorated with Mardi Gras beads and bras. They offered me a beer and I declined. After the 14-hour drive, I most definitely wanted a beer, however, this did not seem like the time and place to let my guard down. The captain showed me the boat docked out back, my bunk where I would be staying, and told me what time to set my alarm for the charter the following morning. I had no idea what to expect or what I had gotten myself into, but I quickly fell in love with the fishery and a week-long trip turned into a year and a half. The fishermen there were nothing but respectful and treated me like one of the guys. I had only been fishing for two years at the time and had a lot to learn. I spent evenings teaching myself how to tie snell knots and throw a cast net. When the locals would go out fun fishing and bring back coolers with hundreds of trout, they were more than happy to teach me how to fillet fish. The fishermen didn’t cut me any slack for being a woman, which I was grateful for. I worked just as hard as they did, earned respect, and learned everything I needed to become a competent fisherman. I was openly doubted every step of the way, until I was able to learn and prove myself, which I did. But I was told that if I made it to the fall, there was no way that a woman could handle shrimp-boat season. Shrimp-boat season involves pulling behind shrimp boats and then boarding them by jumping from the bow of your boat onto the tires that hang from the stern of the shrimp boat. Then you promptly scurry up before your bow has a chance to crush your feet. You then shovel bycatch into a bag or basket, get it back to your boat, and hopefully get yourself back on the boat before your crew hooks up to a big tuna and abandons you there for the fight. The goal is to not die, break your ankles or get murdered by the shrimp-boat crew in the process. I did make it to the fall, and I did survive shrimp-boat season, and it was some of my favorite fishing I’ve done, to this day. It wasn’t until I left that the ball-busting ceased and I received positive feedback, when a captain called to tell me I did a really great job and that I’d earned a place and should come back for the following season. I am so grateful Tuna Town was a stop on my journey to where I am now. I am indebted to the fishermen there who helped teach me things the right way, without mercy. Capt. Quinlyn Haddon, with Sweet e’nuf charters out of Marathon, Florida Keys, can be reached at (504) 920-6342. See CaptainQuinlyn.com and @captainquinlyn.
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THROW UMBRELLA RIGS FOR WINTER BASS
When the bass are feeding up on baitfish in the winter, the natural bait ball presentation with multiple baits swimming together drives these bass absolutely crazy. It can make for a very fun day on the water. Setting up your “rig” is not complicated. Depending on how deep you are looking to fish, use 1/8-ounce jig heads for shallow water (10 feet or less) and ¼-ounce jig heads for anything deeper than 10 feet. Pick TYLER WOOLCOTT out some small 3- to 4-inch natural shad colored boot-tail swimbaits to attach to your jig heads and that’s all there is to it. inter can be a tricky time of year to go fishing, The winter months is typically the time when bass to feed up before but I want to tell you about a bait that might help you put some more fish in the boat. In fact, this lure is so good that they spawn. Whether you see it going on or not, they are eating a lot of bait somewhere on your some tournaments don’t allow body of water. You can throw anglers to use them anymore. this rig basically anywhere, I’m talking about the Alabama and if there are fish around, rig, which some people call they will bite it! I throw it the umbrella rig. around grass, rocks, docks, This device made its debut open water, points and on the bass fishing scene in ditches. 2011 and absolutely dominated the tournament fishing scene Gear for a few years before it was When throwing an A-rig, eventually outlawed by most it can get pretty heavy once professional fishing series for you add all the jig heads and basically being an unfair way swimbaits onto it. You’ll want to catch fish. The rig consists to use a big heavy rod with of a baitfish-style head where some strong line. A 13 Fishing you tie your line with multiple Muse Black 7’6” rod paired metal-wire arms that extend with a Concept A 6:8:1 reel is out where you attach jig heads a good fit. Spool this up with with a swimbaits. Most come 20-pound Seaguar Abraz-X standard with five metal arms line and you are good to go! and five jig heads. Good luck out there! Even though the Alabama rig is outlawed by most pro fishing leagues, that doesn’t mean you can’t use it when you are out fun Tyler Woolcott is a professional tournament angler and guide. fishing or even fishing smaller tournaments. It is a fish-catching machine! Check out his website at www.tylerwoolcottfishing.com.
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JANUARY 2024
NATIONAL 7
A GREAT LAKES FORMULA FOR
By Nick Carter
JUST ONE FISH
C
obi Pellerito’s goal in a day is just one fish, and with the surge in Great Lakes smallmouth fisheries, there’s a good chance he’ll find what he’s looking for: one giant smallie. “Big smallmouth is my jam,” he said. “It’s not like tournament fishing, where you’re looking for a limit. I’m out there looking for one big fish.” Pellerito theorized that three invasive species are responsible for Great Lakes smallmouth achieving grotesque proportions with weights in the 7- to 8-pound range. European round gobies and rusty crayfish from the Ohio River Basin have become important prey species since their invasion. European Zebra mussels are forage for another smallmouth favorite: perch, and these filter-feeders also create clear water, which is great for visual hunters like bass.
8 NATIONAL
JANUARY 2024
Pellerito bemoaned the destruction these invasives wreak but figures we might as well take advantage. THE FORMULA: The size of the Great Lakes system is incredible. From a home base in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, Pellerito has explored parts of it from Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, downstream through lakes Michigan, St. Clair, Huron, Erie and over to the St. Lawrence River. Over this vast expanse, state fisheries reports tell him where the largest smallmouth are. “Once you’ve picked a fishery, there’s no substitute for time on the water,” he said. “Find the most desirable structure in the lake or in the part of the lake you’re fishing.” Smallmouth can be patterned seasonally. From there, Pellerito fishes long days to eliminate water. He looks for big points and transitions in bottom composition. He seeks out subtle structure like boulders or logs on barren flats. Bait presence is important, whether its gobies or crayfish in the rocks, perch in the grass or balls of suspended baitfish. THE FISHING: When he finds an area he likes, Pellerito covers water quickly with a crankbait. He likes a Megabass Deep-X 300, which dives 12 to 15 feet. “Covering water until you find where the fish are is important, then you slow down,” he said. “The biggest fish tend to be a step off from where the rest of them are.” Big smallmouth hold in “wolf packs” of two or three fish, and this can sometimes lead to days of more than “just one fish.” Recently, Pellerito boated an incredible 35-pound, 9-ounce five fish limit. Find one big fish, and it pays to pick that area apart. For this, Pellerito switches to classic drop shots or tubes. A standard tube crawls through the rocks like a goby or a crayfish. With the drop shot, Pellerito fishes a Megabass 3-inch Hazedong, which looks like a goby. It takes light line to draw strikes in clear water. Pellerito uses 15-foot leaders of 5- to 7-pound fluorocarbon with a main line of 8- to 10-pound braid. He’s experienced tremendous success with these tactics. This season, he boated 39 fish heavier than 6 pounds, 19 heavier than 7 pounds and two heavier than 8 pounds. To see more of Cobi Pellerito’s giant fish, see his Instagram @cobi.pellerito.
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CATCH FRENZIED SPANISH MACKEREL
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panish mackerel are a year-round target, but this time of year they love following bluefish schools to clean up injured baitfish left behind. During this time, bluefish and mackerel all tend to school together into a feeding frenzy of terror. I definitely wouldn’t want to get my hand in the way of any of those toothy fish. Spanish mackerel are sometimes confused with baby kingfish and cero mackerel, since they can school all together. However, there are a few ways to differentiate these fish, which is important since they all have different regulations. All these mackerel have yellow spots on their sides, but there are a few differences to look for. Cero mackerel have yellow lines along their lateral line that are combined with the yellow spots. King mackerel tend to have smaller spots that are closely grouped along the lateral line. As for the Spanish mackerel, they have large uncontrolled spots. There is simply no rhyme or reason for their pattern. Another way to identify Spanish mackerel is they usually have a wider girth compared to the other mackerel. A large Spanish mackerel is considered to be around 24 inches and over 5 pounds, while kingfish are typically over 20 pounds and ceros tend to be smaller. Spanish mackerel are typically nearshore fish that hang close to shore in order to feed on bait
schools by pushing them into the breakers. In certain locations, you can find Spanish inside the intracoastal. In specific conditions, if the water becomes too warm, mackerel move deeper to find their preferred 70 degrees. Spanish mackerel are found off the Atlantic coast of the United States and in the Gulf of Mexico. They follow a migration pattern of spending the winter off Florida and then move north to North Carolina in early April and all the way up off the coast of New York by June. There are many ways to target Spanish mackerel. Some use live bait such as sardines, baby pilchards and smaller threadfins. A simple freeline with a short wire leader to a live bait hook and one of these smaller baitfish can be deadly. The wire is not absolutely necessary, but mackerel do have extremely sharp teeth. When mackerel are tailing bluefish schools, they are normally frenzied. They’ll slash at everything that comes their way. I like throwing crappie jigs into the frenzy, and I think any kind of small jig will work. A lot of commercial anglers use popping corks with a spoon tied about 4 feet below. The pop gets their attention, and then the shiny fluttering spoon is too much for them to resist.
FWC PHOTO
By Emily Hanzlik
For larger Spanish mackerel, X-Raps or other diving crankbaits work best since they imitate larger baits. If you’re throwing a lure, don’t use your favorite one. There is a good chance you might lose it. Emily Rose Hanzlik holds 62 IGFA world records in various categories. Find her on social media @emilyhanzlikoutdoors.
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By Astrid deGruchy
No Telling What You’ll Catch
ON THE PATCH
P
atch reef fishing is the epitome of, “You never know what you’re going to catch.” These underwater gems are filled with all sorts of fish, and it makes them fun and exciting places to be an angler. Patch reefs are small coral formations found in the shallower parts of the water. They were named for the patchy appearance when viewed from the surface and form wherever hard bottom exists in 10 to 25 feet of water. The rocky bottom, combined with ledges, coral heads and other growth provides the structure fish love. Many of these areas are well-known here in the Keys, but if you’re up for some exploration you can find less-pressured patch reef especially when the water is clear and visibility is good. Just keep an eye out for rocky or live bottom. These areas are usually not too far from shore, so they’re easy to reach and perfect for angling action. All sorts of fish congregate around these patches. The variety includes mutton snapper, mangrove snapper, yellowtail snapper, lane snapper, hogfish, black grouper, red grouper, gag grouper, porgy, cero mackerel, yellowjack and barracuda. We fish a lighter setup on the patch reefs, and this makes for a blast. Our go-to is a PENN Authority 4500 reel with the PENN Carnage III rod. Live bait like pilchards or shrimp work like a charm. If catching live bait is a problem for you, just stop at a local tackle shop and grab some live shrimp, pinfish, or even some frozen ballyhoo. Keep it simple, and tie on a knocker rig or jig head. Anchoring the boat in the right position to present baits around the reef is an important part of this style of fishing. Dropping bait on the sandy areas near the reef allows you to fish the bottom without getting hung up. Chum can be a good idea, but don’t be so quick to put out the chum as soon as you get lined up. I recommend breaking it out only if the fishing is tough. Chum can attract some of the “trash fish” like blue runners, jacks and sharks. Also, make sure you’re up to date with the rules and regulations. There are so many species you might catch, and some of those species might be out of season. Patch reef fishing is a blast. It’s a mix of stunning views and tons of action. If you want to experience this, the cooler months are the best for this type of fishing. That’s when some better-quality fish move into the shallower reefs.
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SLIP CORKS AREN’T JUST FOR LIVE BAIT
T
Tim Barefoot
here was time in my life when I was fanatical about live bait, and a lot of the fishing I did was under a sliding cork. Well, that ship has sailed, at least the live bait part. I still fish under a sliding cork, but I now fish artificial lures under the cork for several reasons, only one of which is the evolution of soft plastic baits. Here are a few arguments for fishing artificial: 1) There’s no need to catch and store live bait. 2) My entire tackle box is now small and light enough to fit in a backpack for travel. 3) Soft Plastics are versatile in terms of presentation, and they’re effective. 4) Artificials can be cast farther and more accurately. 5) You can be ready to fish at a moment’s notice anywhere, under almost any conditions. These advantages add up to the sum of my new fishing style under a sliding or popping cork. I cherish my two- or three-hour mini vacations after work, wherever I am while traveling. I travel quite a bit and can bail out of the truck and fish for whatever is there. I’ve grown fond of fishing under and around bridges for several species, and the ease and effectiveness of this style of fishing is easy to love. In addition to fishing just a single lure under a cork—or without a cork in deeper, faster water—I’ve started fishing a tandem tackle. The bottom bait is the jig head for the weight, and the second bait has no weight and just trails out behind the jig. Some days, it’s all bites on the jig; other days, it’s a third or more of the bites on the weightless trailer. This suspended bait and trailer under a cork is not only effective, but it keeps you from staying hung up. Once I figure out how deep the water is, it’s easy to adjust the depth. I typically keep one rod set up for 6 feet deep as a starting point. If I see the cork laying over, it means the jig is sitting on the bottom. I’ll shallow it up a bit to where the jig is just off the bottom and makes a clean drift. If the water is deeper, I’ll adjust it deeper. The end goal is to keep the jig a foot or two off the bottom and allow a natural drift. I like to fish a pair of DOA Shrimp on this tackle in saltwater, and this same tactic is deadly in freshwater with Zoom Flukes or Super Flukes for smallmouth, largemouth and striped bass. The other bait I love for this style of fishing is Gulp! baits. For more detailed videos of the tandem tackle and how to tie it, and the construction of my sliding cork set up, visit my Youtube channel and/or the website. For more from Tim Barefoot, visit barefootcatsandtackle.com.
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The 29 th Annual Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade Lights Up the Night and Brings Christmas Spirit Nauti Kitty Photography by Susan Speaks McGirt
The first-place winners in the six categories for the 2023 Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade competition are as follows: Best of Parade Nauti Kitty Fan Favorite Nauti Kitty
N
orth Palm Beach, Fla. (December 6, 2023) – Dozens of boats lit up the waterways and residents’ spirits during the Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County (MIAPBC) 29th Annual Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade. Presented by Intracoastal Yamaha of Jupiter, the parade included more than 60 boats sailing along the Intracoastal Waterway from North Palm Beach to the iconic Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse. Not only were the waterways illuminated but also the skies, as a traveling fireworks show paved the path for boats. Participants in the boat parade decked out their vessels with colorful lights and decorations to win cash prizes and other rewards in several categories. In addition to kicking off Palm Beach County’s holiday season, the boat parade also served as a charitable event benefiting Little Smiles and Toys for Tots. More than 10,000 toys were collected to support children in the Palm Beach County community. CONTinued on page 14 >>
Busted Barnacles (Barnacle Busters) Tom Serio Photography
Under 25 Feet Suits Us Too 25 Feet to 35 Feet Nailed It Over 35 Feet Time Out Corporate Busted Barnacles (Barnacle Busters)
Nailed it
Tom Serio Photography
Suits Us Too
Tom Serio Photography
Congratulations to the winners of the boat competition; and thank you to all parade participants and attendees for making this year’s boat parade a magical holiday success!
For advertising or other inquiries, call 917.612.8275 or email us at ilene@coastalanglermagazine.com
Time Out
Tom Serio Photography
f i s h i n g the h e s c a e B m l Pa
H
Fishing
appy New Year Anglers! Start off the New Year right and take advantage of the fantastic fishing we are blessed with off Palm Beach County. The sailfish sector aka ‘Sailfish Alley’ of the Gulfstream is at its prime this month. The sailfish bite best when a chilly north wind starts howling, kicking up the seas as it plows head-on into the Gulfstream and stacking up the bait. A general rule of thumb to remember, the sailfish bite improves the first few days following a cold front. Anglers should look for pods of bait on their depth finder, water change or a clean water edge, or a temperature break that will lead you to the fish. Many anglers fishing offshore this month are fishing sailfish tournaments and they will be deploying kites for kite fishing, allowing anglers to have the best bait presentation possible. TIP: You should consider
Forecast
with
Darcizzle Please be sure to check out my YouTube Channel “Darcizzle Offshore” for fishing videos every week!
www.youtube.com/DarcizzleOffshore
purchasing a drift anchor if you have a center console. A drift anchor will help you stay in the depth you are fishing longer, especially when the winds are howling and pushing your vessel out of the strike zone. Historically, productive areas for sailfish range from the Jupiter
High
For land-based anglers, the Juno and Lake Worth Pier, and rock piles off Boynton Inlet, should produce a good bite. For those anglers that love to bottom fish, set up your drifts in depths of 60-120 feet near wrecks and reefs. Drift your baits using a triple hook rig with a dead sardine or a chicken rig with a sinker; both should yield muttons, yellowtail, mangrove snapper, and kingfish. Until next time, keep on catchin’!
Low
AM
ft
PM
ft
AM
ft
PM
ft
Rise
Set
Mon
12:16
2.1
12:37
2.2
6:28
0.3
7:06
0.4
7:06
5:40
2
Tue
1:02
2.1
1:15
2.2
7:12
0.4
7:48
0.3
7:07
5:41
3
Wed
1:52
2.1
1:57
2.1
8:00
0.5
8:32
0.3
7:07
5:42
4
Thu
2:45
2.1
2:44
2.0
8:52
0.6
9:20
0.3
7:07
5:42
5
Fri
3:42
2.1
3:36
2.0
9:49
0.6
10:11
0.2
7:07
5:43
6
Sat
4:41
2.2
4:33
2.0
10:48
0.6
11:05
0.2
7:07
5:44
7
Sun
5:39
2.3
5:30
2.0
11:50
0.6
7:08
5:44
8
Mon
6:35
2.4
6:27
2.0
12:02
0.1
12:50
0.6
7:08
5:45
9
Tue
7:28
2.5
7:21
2.1
12:59
0.0
1:47
0.5
7:08
5:46
10
Wed
8:18
2.6
8:13
2.2
1:54
-0.1
2:40
0.4
7:08
5:47
11
Thu
9:06
2.7
9:05
2.3
2:47
-0.2
3:30
0.3
7:08
5:47
12
Fri
9:53
2.7
9:57
2.4
3:37
-0.3
4:18
0.2
7:08
5:48
13
Sat
10:39
2.7
10:50
2.4
4:27
-0.2
5:05
0.1
7:08
5:49
14
Sun
11:25
2.7
11:44
2.4
5:17
-0.2
5:53
0.0
7:08
5:50
15
Mon
12:11
2.6
6:09
-0.1
6:42
0.0
7:08
5:50
16
Tue
12:39
2.4
12:57
2.5
7:02
0.1
7:33
0.0
7:08
5:51
17
Wed
1:37
2.4
1:47
2.4
7:58
0.2
8:25
0.0
7:08
5:52
18
Thu
2:38
2.4
2:40
2.2
8:56
0.4
9:19
0.0
7:08
5:53
19
Fri
3:41
2.3
3:38
2.1
9:57
0.5
10:16
0.1
7:07
5:53
20
Sat
4:47
2.3
4:39
2.0
11:00
0.6
11:16
0.1
7:07
5:54
21
Sun
5:49
2.4
5:42
2.0
12:04
0.6
7:07
5:55
22
Mon
6:47
2.4
6:40
2.0
12:16
0.1
1:05
0.5
7:07
5:56
23
Tue
7:39
2.4
7:34
2.1
1:13
0.1
2:00
0.5
7:07
5:57
24
Wed
8:26
2.4
8:23
2.1
2:04
0.1
2:47
0.4
7:06
5:57
25
Thu
9:08
2.5
9:07
2.2
2:50
0.1
3:29
0.4
7:06
5:58
26
Fri
9:47
2.4
9:50
2.2
3:31
0.1
4:07
0.3
7:06
5:59
27
Sat
10:22
2.4
10:30
2.2
4:09
0.1
4:43
0.3
7:05
6:00
28
Sun
10:55
2.4
11:09
2.2
4:45
0.2
5:17
0.3
7:05
6:00
29
Mon
11:27
2.3
11:49
2.2
5:21
0.2
5:51
0.3
7:04
6:01
30
Tue
11:59
2.3
5:58
0.3
6:26
0.2
7:04
6:02
31
Wed
12:29
2.2
6:38
0.4
7:03
0.2
7:04
6:03
1
ledge to the waters in front of The Breakers, down to Boynton’s water tower, the ‘Martini Glass’. Depth is key when kite fishing; you should target your efforts between 80-250 feet of water for sailfish until you determine the best depth for that day. If the seas are fairly calm this month, try to explore further offshore to find the occasional dolphin or wahoo. While traveling to and from your fishing grounds you should be on the lookout for cobia swimming in the shallows close to the beach. Also, along the beaches; delicious pompano, bluefish, and Spanish mackerel will be plentiful. Spanish mackerel put up a hard fight on light tackle and are great table fare, with fish 5-7 pounds. You can target Spanish mackerel from a boat by trolling depths 10-25 feet and casting colorful jigs, spoons, or swimming plugs along the beach.
www.USHarbors.com
Boca Raton, Lake Boca Raton, FL - Jan 2024 Date
Chunky blackfin tuna caught while trolling out of Hillsboro Inlet. This fish ate a bonita strip under a pink seawitch on the planer rod.
12:33
2.2
2 Palm Beach & Fort Lauderdale Areas
JANUARY 2024
Moon
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Fishing Forecast with Capt. Patrick Smith
www.swamptosea.com • 561-503-0848 Hypoluxo Dry Dock Boat & RV Storage
Palm Beach bonefish are a challenge but very rewarding.
Max Rango O: 561-508-2335 E: hypoluxodrydock@gmail.com
C
an’t believe we are already in a new year. Time flies by, make the most of it, and go fishing! January is a great time to be out there with lots of options. Typical of midwinter we are still on the crustacean game. Fiddler crabs and shrimp being the main two choices in the live bait department. Sheepshead, black drum, big croakers, and pompano are my main targets with lots of other bycatch mixed in. If you’re not into live bait, artificial baits are always a great choice. Goofy jigs with or without quills and small white bucktails can keep you in the action all day. Spinner sharks should really start to make an appearance and are one of the ultimate game fish in the area. Just make sure you have geared up your tackle to have a chance at landing one. Freshwater on the other hand can really be hit or miss
7918 Coral Street Lantana, FL 33426 www.USHarbors.com
Boynton Beach, Lake Worth, FL - Jan 2024 High
Date
ft
PM
ft
AM
ft
PM
ft
Rise
Set
Mon
12:42
2.1
1:05
2.2
7:36
0.3
8:08
0.3
7:05
5:42
2
Tue
1:27
2.1
1:45
2.1
8:21
0.4
8:54
0.3
7:06
5:42
3
Wed
2:16
2.0
2:27
2.1
9:10
0.5
9:42
0.3
7:06
5:43
4
Thu
3:09
2.0
3:14
2.0
10:04
0.6
10:32
0.2
7:06
5:44
5
Fri
4:06
2.0
4:06
2.0
11:01
0.6
11:24
0.1
7:06
5:44
6
Sat
5:05
2.1
5:03
2.0
11:58
0.5
7:06
5:45
7
Sun
6:04
2.2
6:01
2.0
12:17
0.0
12:52
0.5
7:07
5:46
8
Mon
7:00
2.3
6:57
2.2
1:08
-0.1
1:43
0.4
7:07
5:46
9
Tue
7:53
2.5
7:52
2.3
1:59
-0.3
2:32
0.2
7:07
5:47
10
Wed
8:43
2.6
8:44
2.4
2:49
-0.5
3:21
0.1
7:07
5:48
11
Thu
9:31
2.7
9:36
2.5
3:38
-0.6
4:10
-0.1
7:07
5:49
12
Fri
10:18
2.8
10:27
2.6
4:28
-0.7
4:59
-0.2
7:07
5:49
13
Sat
11:05
2.8
11:19
2.7
5:18
-0.7
5:49
-0.3
7:07
5:50
14
Sun
11:52
2.8
6:09
-0.6
6:40
-0.4
7:07
5:51
15
Mon
12:13
2.6
12:39
2.7
7:02
-0.4
7:34
-0.4
7:07
5:52
16
Tue
1:08
2.6
1:29
2.6
7:58
-0.3
8:30
-0.4
7:07
5:52
17
Wed
2:06
2.5
2:21
2.4
8:57
-0.1
9:29
-0.4
7:07
5:53
18
Thu
3:08
2.4
3:18
2.3
10:00
0.1
10:30
-0.3
7:07
5:54
19
Fri
4:13
2.3
4:19
2.2
11:04
0.2
11:31
-0.3
7:07
5:55
20
Sat
5:19
2.3
5:22
2.1
12:07
0.3
7:06
5:56
21
Sun
6:22
2.3
6:24
2.1
12:31
-0.3
1:06
0.3
7:06
5:56
22
Mon
7:19
2.3
7:21
2.1
1:27
-0.3
2:00
0.2
7:06
5:57
23
Tue
8:10
2.3
8:11
2.2
2:19
-0.3
2:50
0.2
7:06
5:58
24
Wed
8:54
2.4
8:56
2.2
3:07
-0.3
3:35
0.1
7:05
5:59
25
Thu
9:34
2.4
9:37
2.2
3:51
-0.3
4:18
0.1
7:05
5:59
26
Fri
10:11
2.4
10:17
2.2
4:32
-0.3
4:58
0.0
7:05
6:00
27
Sat
10:45
2.4
10:55
2.2
5:10
-0.3
5:35
0.0
7:05
6:01
28
Sun
11:19
2.3
11:33
2.2
5:47
-0.2
6:12
0.0
7:04
6:02
29
Mon
11:52
2.2
6:23
-0.1
6:47
0.0
7:04
6:02
30
Tue
12:11
2.1
12:26
2.2
6:59
0.0
7:22
0.0
7:03
6:03
31
Wed
12:51
2.1
1:00
2.1
7:36
0.2
7:59
0.0
7:03
6:04
1
Dayna caught this awesome black drum on 8lb. test in the lagoon.
Tom Twyford experienced a great light tackle day that included juvenile goliath groupers. for the early part of the year depending on cold fronts and water temperatures. The two reliable species are going to be crappie and sunshine bass. Largemouth and peacock bass will only shine on warm days. The best tip I can give is to fish deep and slow.
Brittany with a beautiful Lake Ida peacock bass. 4 Palm Beach & Fort Lauderdale Areas
JANUARY 2024
Low
AM
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Moon
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Success! I said, “let’s go to lunch and call it a day”. I asked Neil if he was hungry and then he disclosed to me that he ate a banana for breakfast! Neil knows not to bring bananas on the boat (it’s bad luck), but it didn’t occur to him that the curse would remain in effect with it digesting in his stomach. Myth confirmed or was it bad luck? He should’ve brought his lucky rabbit foot!!! Keith Lozott The Fishing Realtor
Living on isLand Time Give us a try and see what everybody is raving about! We put the “FUN” back into drift boat fishing! so sit back, relax you’re on island time!
y tuesdiaal spec-6:00pm
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Join Us & Catch:
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(cannot be combined with any other discounts)
$55 - Seniors
(Over 65, Weekdays Only)
PRIVATE CHARTERS AVAILABLE FOR CORPORATE GROUPS, FAMILY PARTIES & MORE!
$55 - Active Teachers, Military, Law Enforcement $45 - Children 12 & under
Sailing trips daily, 7 –7-days days aa week! – Noon••1pm-5pm 1pm - 5pm (Tuesdays 1-7pm) Sailingtwo two trips daily, week! 8am 8am-Noon (Tuesdays 1-7pm) Night trips – Wednesday & Friday 6pm – 10pm seasonally – call for more info. Plenty of free parking very close to the boat!
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Palm Beach Yacht Center, 7848 US Hwy 1, Hypoluxo, FL 33462 (between Boynton Beach and Lantana)
561-585-4473 8 PALM BEACH COUNTY
NOV. 2021
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COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
! e r e H s i r e h t a e W The
ManateeFest 2024
MANATEE LAGOON
Saturday, February 3 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Face painting, scavenger hunts, ice cream and more. FREE.
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VisitManateeLagoon.com
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COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
561-MAN-ATEE (626-2833)
JANUARY 2024
Palm Beach & Fort Lauderdale Areas 5
So what opportunities are out there? Just google “volunteer at ________ natural area” to see! • be a hiking trail steward • help remove invasive exotic plants from wooded areas
ECO ToURISM with Chris Thalmann Aqua Adventure Tours, Inc. • 561-635-6899 • www.aquaadventuretours.com
• be a tour guide or help raise funds for your favorite nature center • plant mangroves or create new oyster reefs as part of a habitat restoration project • survey for birds, fish, and other creatures as part of an annual migration study • paddle waterways each week to collect water quality data • help take care of orphaned and injured wild animals • pick up trash and debris from beaches and shorelines • join a sea turtle survey or rescue team
H
ope everyone had a wonderful holiday season and you’re enjoying a fun start to your new year! I usually try to suggest ideas for exploring Florida’s natural environments in this column. This month, I’d like to suggest something a little different - exploring and experiencing Florida’s natural areas as a volunteer. Like much of the US, Florida’s story has been one of huge growth. In 2024 Florida’s population is expected to surpass 23 million. And people just keep coming! Many are drawn by Florida’s natural beauty and lifestyle - the two are often very closely intertwined here in the Sunshine State. From ocean to gulf; rivers, bays, and waterways; wetlands to forests and freshwater to saltwater, Florida has a little something for everyone! And although it’s sometimes easy to forget, there is still a huge amount of land - even here in South Florida - that has been preserved and set aside for the public to enjoy as natural areas. The Everglades, Big Cypress, and Biscayne National Park are massive and federally managed. Others are smaller but still sizable state and locally managed areas, like Corbett WMA, MacArthur Beach State Park, and Grassy Waters Preserve. Many are much smaller - the kind you drive past by car or by boat but may never have visited or even heard of - like Green Cay Wetlands, Delaware Scrub, Cypress Creek Natural Area, and Tarpon Cove. The good news is that almost every single natural area in Florida can benefit from motivated and organized volunteers. And if you’re in the mood for even better news - getting started is as simple as googling “volunteer at ________ natural area”. It is literally that easy to see what volunteer opportunities are coming up at your nearby or neighborhood natural area. And while the very smallest areas may just have a couple parking spaces and no staff on site, many natural areas are associated with nearby nature centers. This can really boost the number and frequency of volunteer events for these areas! 6 Palm Beach & Fort Lauderdale Areas
JANUARY 2024
There’s an incredible variety of options out there and I hope you’ll consider volunteering a few hours of your time this year. Together we can improve our natural areas for everyone. Hope to see you on the water!
www.USHarbors.com
Palm Beach, FL - Jan 2024 High
Date 1
AM
ft
Mon
Low PM
ft
AM
ft
PM
ft
Rise
Set
12:18
2.3
6:09
0.3
6:41
0.3
7:07
5:39
2
Tue
12:40
2.2
12:58
2.2
6:54
0.4
7:27
0.3
7:07
5:40
3
Wed
1:29
2.1
1:40
2.1
7:43
0.5
8:15
0.3
7:07
5:41
4
Thu
2:22
2.1
2:27
2.1
8:37
0.6
9:05
0.2
7:08
5:41
5
Fri
3:19
2.1
3:19
2.0
9:34
0.6
9:57
0.1
7:08
5:42
6
Sat
4:18
2.2
4:16
2.1
10:31
0.5
10:50
0.0
7:08
5:43
7
Sun
5:17
2.3
5:14
2.1
11:25
0.5
11:41
-0.1
7:08
5:43
8
Mon
6:13
2.4
6:10
2.2
12:16
0.4
7:08
5:44
9
Tue
7:06
2.6
7:05
2.4
12:32
-0.3
1:05
0.2
7:08
5:45
10
Wed
7:56
2.7
7:57
2.5
1:22
-0.5
1:54
0.1
7:08
5:46
11
Thu
8:44
2.8
8:49
2.6
2:11
-0.6
2:43
-0.1
7:08
5:46
12
Fri
9:31
2.9
9:40
2.7
3:01
-0.7
3:32
-0.2
7:09
5:47
13
Sat
10:18
2.9
10:32
2.8
3:51
-0.7
4:22
-0.3
7:09
5:48
14
Sun
11:05
2.9
11:26
2.7
4:42
-0.6
5:13
-0.4
7:08
5:49
15
Mon
11:52
2.8
5:35
-0.4
6:07
-0.4
7:08
5:50
16
Tue
12:21
2.7
12:42
2.7
6:31
-0.3
7:03
-0.4
7:08
5:50
17
Wed
1:19
2.6
1:34
2.5
7:30
-0.1
8:02
-0.4
7:08
5:51
18
Thu
2:21
2.5
2:31
2.4
8:33
0.1
9:03
-0.3
7:08
5:52
19
Fri
3:26
2.4
3:32
2.2
9:37
0.2
10:04
-0.3
7:08
5:53
20
Sat
4:32
2.4
4:35
2.2
10:40
0.3
11:04
-0.3
7:08
5:53
21
Sun
5:35
2.4
5:37
2.2
11:39
0.3
7:08
5:54
22
Mon
6:32
2.4
6:34
2.2
12:00
-0.3
12:33
0.2
7:07
5:55
23
Tue
7:23
2.4
7:24
2.3
12:52
-0.3
1:23
0.2
7:07
5:56
24
Wed
8:07
2.5
8:09
2.3
1:40
-0.3
2:08
0.1
7:07
5:57
25
Thu
8:47
2.5
8:50
2.3
2:24
-0.3
2:51
0.1
7:06
5:57
26
Fri
9:24
2.5
9:30
2.3
3:05
-0.3
3:31
0.0
7:06
5:58
27
Sat
9:58
2.4
10:08
2.3
3:43
-0.3
4:08
0.0
7:06
5:59
28
Sun
10:32
2.4
10:46
2.3
4:20
-0.2
4:45
0.0
7:05
6:00
29
Mon
11:05
2.3
11:24
2.2
4:56
-0.1
5:20
0.0
7:05
6:01
30
Tue
11:39
2.2
5:32
0.0
5:55
0.0
7:05
6:01
31
Wed
12:04
2.1
6:09
0.2
6:32
0.0
7:04
6:02
12:13
2.1
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
Moon
rs.com
Moon
jupiter inlet inshore Fishing Forecast with
Bernie with a black drum.
Capt. Craig Korczynski
PhlatsInshoreFishing.com • (561) 644-4371 • Visit us on Facebook & Instagram
Grayson playing with sharks.
H
appy New Year! January offers a plethora of species to target throughout Jupiter and Palm Beach. Cool fronts bring comfortable weather and cool water temperatures; this brings in schooling fish for anglers to battle. The Intracoastal waters will be very active as snook, tarpon, jacks, and sharks are just a few species anglers can expect to tango with. Live baits work great as well as artificial baits like D.O.A. C.A.L 3” Shad Tail in glow / gold belly rush and D.O.A. Shrimp. Remember to work your baits slow and work the area you are fishing thoroughly. Look for any signs of bait and birds signifying fish are in Jackson and Justin with a tarpon. the zone. This time of year, snook can be found basking in the shallows and near dock pilings during midday, so use a stealthy approach and present your baits slow. Artificial baits like a D.O.A. Shrimp in holographic or glow and gold rush belly is a great choice. The bigger snook can be found around bridges and deep holes ranging from 5 to 20 feet. The D.O.A. TerrorEyz and C.A.L. 3” Shad Tail are excellent baits to jig off the bottom for rod bending action The flats and channels will be holding many species as in jacks, bluefish, mackerel, drum, pompano, and snook will all be in these zones looking for food. Well, that is the fishing report for Palm Beach and Jupiter, hope you all enjoyed. Remember, you can’t catch them from the couch, so get out there and get hooked up. Tight lines!
Palm Beach In & Offshore Fishing Forecast with
High
Date
Low
AM
ft
Mon
11:50
2.3
2
Tue
12:12
2.1
12:30
3
Wed
1:01
2.1
1:12
Capt. Weston Russell
4
Thu
1:54
2.0
5
Fri
2:51
Capt. Weston Russell • www.reelintensefishing.com •561-310-2690
6
Sat
7
W
JANUARY 2024
AM
ft
PM
ft
Rise
Set
5:20
0.3
5:52
0.4
7:08
5:39
2.2
6:05
0.5
6:38
0.4
7:08
5:40
2.1
6:54
0.7
7:26
0.4
7:08
5:40
1:59
2.0
7:48
0.7
8:16
0.3
7:08
5:41
2.1
2:51
2.0
8:45
0.8
9:08
0.2
7:08
5:42
3:50
2.1
3:48
2.0
9:42
0.7
10:01
0.0
7:09
5:42
Sun
4:49
2.2
4:46
2.1
10:36
0.6
10:52
-0.2
7:09
5:43
8
Mon
5:45
2.4
5:42
2.2
11:27
0.5
11:43
-0.4
7:09
5:44
9
Tue
6:38
2.5
6:37
2.3
12:16
0.3
7:09
5:45
10
Wed
7:28
2.7
7:29
2.5
12:33
-0.6
1:05
0.1
7:09
5:45
11
Thu
8:16
2.8
8:21
2.6
1:22
-0.8
1:54
-0.1
7:09
5:46
12
Fri
9:03
2.9
9:12
2.7
2:12
-0.9
2:43
-0.3
7:09
5:47
13
Sat
9:50
2.9
10:04
2.7
3:02
-0.9
3:33
-0.4
7:09
5:48
14
Sun
10:37
2.8
10:58
2.7
3:53
-0.8
4:24
-0.5
7:09
5:48
15
Mon
11:24
2.7
11:53
2.6
4:46
-0.6
5:18
-0.5
7:09
5:49
16
Tue
12:14
2.6
5:42
-0.3
6:14
-0.5
7:09
5:50
17
Wed
12:51
2.5
1:06
2.5
6:41
-0.1
7:13
-0.5
7:09
5:51
18
Thu
1:53
2.4
2:03
2.3
7:44
0.1
8:14
-0.4
7:09
5:52
19
Fri
2:58
2.4
3:04
2.2
8:48
0.3
9:15
-0.4
7:08
5:52
20
Sat
4:04
2.3
4:07
2.1
9:51
0.4
10:15
-0.4
7:08
5:53
21
Sun
5:07
2.3
5:09
2.1
10:50
0.4
11:11
-0.4
7:08
5:54
22
Mon
6:04
2.3
6:06
2.2
11:44
0.3
7:08
5:55
23
Tue
6:55
2.4
6:56
2.2
12:03
-0.4
12:34
0.2
7:08
5:56
24
Wed
7:39
2.4
7:41
2.2
12:51
-0.5
1:19
0.2
7:07
5:56
25
Thu
8:19
2.4
8:22
2.3
1:35
-0.5
2:02
0.1
7:07
5:57
26
Fri
8:56
2.4
9:02
2.3
2:16
-0.4
2:42
0.0
7:07
5:58
27
Sat
9:30
2.4
9:40
2.2
2:54
-0.4
3:19
0.0
7:06
5:59
28
Sun
10:04
2.4
10:18
2.2
3:31
-0.2
3:56
0.0
7:06
5:59
29
Mon
10:37
2.3
10:56
2.2
4:07
-0.1
4:31
0.0
7:05
6:00
30
Tue
11:11
2.2
11:36
2.1
4:43
0.1
5:06
0.0
7:05
6:01
31
Wed
11:45
2.1
5:20
0.2
5:43
0.0
7:05
6:02
1
elcome to the January Coastal Angler Magazine fishing forecast for the waters off Palm Beach, Singer Island, and Juno Beach. Finally, the cooler air has pushed the fish down the coast and the fishing has picked up. For the offshore anglers you’re going to find sailfish and dolphin on the surface. Kite fishing is the method of choice for us over here at Reel Intense Fishing, but it’s the bottom that will be on fire! Huge muttons and fat yellowtails will be lurking deep looking for something to eat. Also, vermillion snapper will be in the mix. Small live scale bait works the best for muttons but cut bait Angler Zach Woods with will work best for tails & beelines. When there is a pair of dolphin caught a big swell, you will find them on the first reef. on the troll. Kings will also start to show up. When bottom fishing, make sure to have a flat line out. Fish on! The inshore bite along the beach will be productive. Cobia, jumbo jacks, and Spanish macks will be heading south and will be ready to bite the hook. Don’t be afraid to run the beach sight fishing. Only stop when you see something good to fish on. It’s been slow on the live bait front. If you need live bait, contact the bait boys on VHF 68. This saves time and aggravation, trust me. Good luck and tight lines! 8 Palm Beach & Fort Lauderdale Areas
www.USHarbors.com
Jupiter Inlet, south jetty, FL - Jan 2024 PM
ft
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
Moon
during hrimp round Tail are
drum,
ember,
s.com
Moon
Deploy a Chute for Fishing Success
The basic components used to successfully deploy and operate a parachute.
By Mark Ambert
The Para-Ring keeps the chute lines from tangling while the MiniShockle alleviates stress on the chute.
Pro-Tip
S
ea anchors (drift sock, sea brake, parachute) have been used for years as safety equipment aboard seagoing vessels. While this is a primary function of a parachute, using one for fishing purposes can be instrumental to success. Setting up for a proper drift is key for an angler. Whether it’s live baits on the surface, cut bottom baits below, or jigging the water column, staying in productive water can be crucial to your overall success. Once a productive weed line, bottom structure, current, or temperature break has been located, it is essential to remain in position and over the target as currents and wind move your vessel. Staying “in-the-zone” can mean the difference between one or two fish or a full cooler of edibles. Enter the sea anchor rig. Properly set up and deployed, a sea anchor or parachute will keep your boat properly aligned with the drift and all your fishing lines parallel and in the target zone as well. This leads to less tangles and keeping your baits or jigs in the zone longer for a more productive drift. Sea anchors are a great way to improve fishing opportunities. Now let’s review the product and basic sea anchor configuration.
Fiorentino Drift Anchor
After much research and time spent using sea anchors, I’ve settled on a product line from a company named Fiorentino based in Newport Beach, CA. Fiorentino’s line of sea anchors have been successfully deployed in adverse weather conditions for over 60 years. They have been ranked the best by Sail Magazine in a direct parachute sea anchor comparison.
I also attach an 18” MiniShockle Bungee Cord by Davis Instruments – also purchased at West Marine, on the main line to provide some give - much like a bungee on a boat dock spring line. This greatly reduces the wear and tear on my chute. I also attach a line float to the retrieval cord and quick release clips to both lines where they attach. This beautiful mahi was caught on a bait deployed close to the chute.
I settled on the large size 6 ft (72”) Canopy Drift Anchor for my purposes and have successfully deployed it on my 31’ Renaissance Prowler Catamaran. Although rated for boats up to 26’, this size proved adequate for inshore and nearshore drift fishing. This size is best suited for winds up to 20 knots. One of the key features of this sea anchor is the patented stainless Para-Ring which is a highquality stainless swivel that keeps the chute lines from tangling as it spins in the water. The cost of this chute was $159 and included free shipping. They have an excellent technical support department and 1 year warranty with free repairs should it be needed.
Setup
Proper setup is key to both longevity of the chute as well as ease of deployment. I use a 15’ 1/4“ dock line to attach and deploy the chute. I use a thinner diameter cord as the release line for hauling in the chute. This line should be slightly longer than the main line and sized properly once in the water. The company will provide support for any questions you may have particular to your installation.
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
JANUARY 2024
Summary
Once an area has proven to be productive you can set up for a controlled and slower drift. You’ll be surprised how much bait will gather around the chute and in just minutes. Make sure to quickly deploy a piece of squid or cut bait on a rod near the parachute. Mahi are particularly curious and will come to investigate. My first fish is usually on a squid bait near the chute. Anglers will find that the sea anchor is most useful when drift fishing or simply to slow a vessel down. Get one and enjoy the increased productivity this essential fishing tool will have. About the company “Fiorentino chutes are US-made. We exclusively build parachute anchors and storm drogues for NASA, Space X, the US Navy, and the USCG, and recreational boaters.” Mark Ambert, IG @marksgonefishing_™ Author – Avid outdoorsman, sportswriter, and photographer. Contact marksgonefishing25@gmail.com Gear Used: Fiorentino Anchors & Shark Drogues https://para-anchor.com/ West Marine / Davis Instruments MiniShockle https://www.westmarine.com/davisinstruments-minishockles-P016253957.html Palm Beach & Fort Lauderdale Areas 9
Freshwater national park fishing with Everglades
with
Capt. steve purser
FloridaFlatsFishingAdventures.com • (954) 687-5848 FloridaFlatsFishingAdventures@gmail.com
Fishing Forecast Capt. Johnny Stabile
South Florida Fishing Charters • (954) 440-5200 • sflfishingcharters.com
Cool Times Ahead in Flamingo
A
s January kicks off, Flamingo Everglades National Park stays active, as cold weather will not deter fishing in Flamingo. We are looking in back creeks, dead end creeks, and mud banks that come out of the water and heat up from the sun. Then, when the tide comes up, warming the water in the surrounding areas, hopefully to around 65-75 degrees, we are still catching plenty of snook, tarpon, redfish, and trout. On cold days we think of snook kind of like iguanas coming out to sun themselves. They move around and warm up a little, as cold temps will slow them down. Snook will be looking for smaller baits soon instead of mullet. They may prefer jigged shrimp, bucktail jigs, or smaller 2–3-inch swim baits, as catching and digesting the bait is much easier for them. Tarpon are always here, still rolling the surface. You may see smaller ones (10-40 lbs.) in calm water spotted by their air bubbles on the surface. We often fly fish or throw small lures like a twitching mullet and work it a little slower than we would for a snook. Redfish and trout seem to be the least affected by colder temperatures. On any given day in Flamingo, you can catch every species mentioned in this article on a D.O.A. Swim Bait or any similar artificial bait. The park is known as one of the best places in Florida to fish and still it is secluded. At times you may not see another person or boat on the water the entire day which also means to make sure you or your guide is well prepared in case of any emergency as cell phones will not work in most of the areas in Flamingo. Although the cold weather in Florida usually isn’t too cold, but I will say, if it’s under 50 degrees for a week straight you may want to rebook as it could dampen your day. I’m glad summer and the storms are over for now and it’s going to be a great 2024. Try to book your trips for January through June early as they fill up very fast during the high season here. Come take a 6 or 8 hour trip, you can request more time if needed as I’m always open for the enjoyment of the Everglades National Park. 10 Palm Beach & Fort Lauderdale Areas
JANUARY 2024
H
appy New Year, everyone! I think 2024 will be a great year for all of us. It’s an opportunity to start over and get a second chance at catching those personal best catches. January brings slower fishing due to cold fronts and low-pressure systems. It is an opportunity to steer away from catching exotic fish to catching native largemouth bass, bluegill, and crappie. In case you weren’t aware, yes, we have great size coppernose bluegill, and South Florida is full of crappie(specks)! This winter should be extra cold with El Niño. El Niño typically brings colder weather with winter storms. Unfortunately, this is a bad combination for the peacock bass and cichlids in the Everglades. Some of my favorite techniques for winter largemouth bass fishing are using a drop shot and Ned Rig. I love to power fish, so I will throw a jerk bait as much as I possibly can. Live bait will work just as good, however, for me personally that takes the fun out of it. During low light conditions you will find me throwing top water plugs and Texas rigged swim baits up on the surface. If you haven’t tried it yet, I really like throwing a Z-Man Diesel Minnow on their Weighted ZWG Hook. It’s hard to go wrong with a YoZuri 4-inch Pencil, or a Heddon Spook Jr. If you’re going after larger fish, the Rebel Jumpin’ Minnow is a great option for anywhere in South Florida. The Everglades in the wintertime can be great as water levels drop due to the dry season. The Everglades is comprised of two main seasons, wet and dry season. Winter all the way through spring is considered dry season, which offers a great opportunity to catch fish in the canals off of Alligator Alley and Highway 41 (Tamiami Trail). During dry season, the water level is down, allowing the fish to be concentrated in the canals instead of spaced out on the flats. These main canals were built for drainage but offer some great fishing in the winter and spring. If you have a boat, you probably want to check out Alligator Alley. If you are on foot, you definitely want to check out Tamiami Trail, as it has more “on foot” options. The Lake Ida Chain this time of the year has some of the best available fishing for exotics for people who have access to a boat. The main lake has a depth as deep as 20 feet, which offers a haven for peacock bass when air temperatures get down in the 40s and 50s. The Lake Ida Chain has one of the largest peacock bass populations because of this deep-water offering. Fishing for these deep peacocks is much different than fishing for them in shallow canals. I found a technique of micro slow pitch jigging to work the best. If you’re looking for some of the best micro jigs on the market for this type of fishing, check out JYG-Pro Fishing. My favorite from JYG is the WYLD 20g and the MYCRO 1/2oz or 3/4oz.
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954.596.0526 | 1700 S. Powerline road, deerfield Beach, fl 33442 www.USHarbors.com
Port Everglades, ICWW, FL - Jan 2024 High
Date
www.USHarbors.com
Pompano Beach (Hillsboro Inlet), FL - Jan 2024
Low
High
Date
Low
AM
ft
PM
ft
AM
ft
PM
ft
Rise
Set
11:37
2.4
11:59
2.2
5:29
0.3
6:01
0.4
7:06
5:40
12:17
2.3
6:14
0.4
6:47
0.4
7:06
5:41
Wed
12:48
2.1
12:59
2.2
7:03
0.6
7:35
0.3
7:07
5:42
4
Thu
1:41
2.1
1:46
2.1
7:57
0.6
8:25
0.3
7:07
5:42
5:44
5
Fri
2:38
2.1
2:38
2.1
8:54
0.7
9:17
0.2
7:07
5:43
7:07
5:44
6
Sat
3:37
2.2
3:35
2.1
9:51
0.6
10:10
0.0
7:07
5:44
0.0
7:07
5:45
7
Sun
4:36
2.3
4:33
2.2
10:45
0.5
11:01
-0.2
7:07
5:45
11:42
-0.2
7:07
5:46
8
Mon
5:32
2.5
5:29
2.3
11:36
0.4
11:52
-0.4
7:08
5:45
12:23
0.3
7:07
5:47
9
Tue
6:25
2.6
6:24
2.4
12:25
0.2
7:08
5:46
-0.4
1:12
0.1
7:07
5:47
10
Wed
7:15
2.8
7:16
2.6
12:42
-0.5
1:14
0.1
7:08
5:47
1:23
-0.5
1:59
0.0
7:08
5:48
11
Thu
8:03
2.9
8:08
2.7
1:31
-0.7
2:03
-0.1
7:08
5:48
2.7
2:13
-0.6
2:47
-0.2
7:08
5:49
12
Fri
8:50
3.0
8:59
2.8
2:21
-0.8
2:52
-0.2
7:08
5:48
9:51
2.8
3:03
-0.6
3:35
-0.3
7:08
5:50
13
Sat
9:37
3.0
9:51
2.8
3:11
-0.8
3:42
-0.3
7:08
5:49
3.0
10:46
2.8
3:54
-0.5
4:26
-0.3
7:08
5:50
14
Sun
10:24
2.9
10:45
2.8
4:02
-0.7
4:33
-0.4
7:08
5:50
2.9
11:42
2.7
4:49
-0.4
5:19
-0.3
7:08
5:51
15
Mon
11:11
2.8
11:40
2.7
4:55
-0.5
5:27
-0.5
7:08
5:51
12:02
2.7
5:47
-0.2
6:15
-0.3
7:07
5:52
16
Tue
12:01
2.7
5:51
-0.3
6:23
-0.5
7:08
5:51
2.6
12:56
2.5
6:48
0.0
7:13
-0.3
7:07
5:53
17
Wed
12:38
2.6
12:53
2.5
6:50
-0.1
7:22
-0.4
7:08
5:52
1:46
2.6
1:55
2.3
7:52
0.2
8:12
-0.2
7:07
5:53
18
Thu
1:40
2.5
1:50
2.4
7:53
0.1
8:23
-0.4
7:07
5:53
Fri
2:53
2.5
2:59
2.2
8:57
0.3
9:13
-0.2
7:07
5:54
19
Fri
2:45
2.4
2:51
2.3
8:57
0.2
9:24
-0.3
7:07
5:54
20
Sat
4:00
2.5
4:05
2.1
10:03
0.3
10:15
-0.2
7:07
5:55
20
Sat
3:51
2.4
3:54
2.2
10:00
0.3
10:24
-0.3
7:07
5:54
21
Sun
5:01
2.5
5:05
2.1
11:05
0.3
11:14
-0.2
7:07
5:56
21
Sun
4:54
2.4
4:56
2.2
10:59
0.3
11:20
-0.3
7:07
5:55
22
Mon
5:56
2.5
6:00
2.2
12:01
0.3
7:06
5:56
22
Mon
5:51
2.4
5:53
2.2
11:53
0.3
7:07
5:56
23
Tue
6:45
2.5
6:49
2.2
12:08
-0.2
12:50
0.2
7:06
5:57
23
Tue
6:42
2.5
6:43
2.3
12:12
-0.4
12:43
0.2
7:06
5:57
24
Wed
7:29
2.6
7:34
2.3
12:56
-0.2
1:33
0.1
7:06
5:58
24
Wed
7:26
2.5
7:28
2.3
1:00
-0.4
1:28
0.1
7:06
5:58
25
Thu
8:09
2.6
8:16
2.3
1:38
-0.2
2:12
0.1
7:06
5:59
25
Thu
8:06
2.5
8:09
2.4
1:44
-0.4
2:11
0.1
7:06
5:58
26
Fri
8:46
2.5
8:56
2.3
2:17
-0.2
2:48
0.1
7:05
6:00
26
Fri
8:43
2.5
8:49
2.4
2:25
-0.4
2:51
0.0
7:05
5:59
27
Sat
9:22
2.5
9:34
2.3
2:55
-0.2
3:23
0.0
7:05
6:00
27
Sat
9:17
2.5
9:27
2.3
3:03
-0.3
3:28
0.0
7:05
6:00
28
Sun
9:56
2.4
10:12
2.3
3:31
-0.1
3:58
0.0
7:05
6:01
28
Sun
9:51
2.4
10:05
2.3
3:40
-0.2
4:05
0.0
7:05
6:01
29
Mon
10:29
2.4
10:51
2.2
4:08
0.0
4:33
0.0
7:04
6:02
29
Mon
10:24
2.4
10:43
2.2
4:16
-0.1
4:40
0.0
7:04
6:01
30
Tue
11:01
2.2
11:30
2.2
4:47
0.1
5:09
0.1
7:04
6:03
30
Tue
10:58
2.3
11:23
2.2
4:52
0.0
5:15
0.0
7:04
6:02
31
Wed
11:35
2.1
5:28
0.3
5:48
0.1
7:03
6:03
31
Wed
11:32
2.2
5:29
0.2
5:52
0.0
7:04
6:03
AM
ft
AM
ft
PM
ft
Rise
Set
Mon
11:42
2.4
5:22
0.4
5:56
0.4
7:06
5:41
1
2
Tue
12:08
2.2
12:21
3
Wed
12:57
2.2
1:03
2.3
6:10
0.5
6:40
0.4
7:06
5:42
2
Tue
2.2
7:00
0.6
7:27
0.4
7:06
5:42
3
4
Thu
1:51
2.2
1:50
2.1
7:53
0.7
8:14
0.3
7:07
5:43
5
Fri
2:48
2.2
2:44
2.0
8:48
0.7
9:04
0.3
7:07
6
Sat
3:46
2.3
3:41
2.1
9:44
0.6
9:57
0.1
7
Sun
4:41
2.4
4:36
2.1
10:39
0.6
10:50
8
Mon
5:33
2.6
5:30
2.2
11:33
0.4
9
Tue
6:23
2.7
6:21
2.4
10
Wed
7:12
2.9
7:13
2.5
12:34
11
Thu
8:00
3.0
8:05
2.6
12
Fri
8:48
3.0
8:57
13
Sat
9:36
3.0
14
Sun
10:23
15
Mon
11:12
16
Tue
17
Wed
12:42
18
Thu
19
1
PM
ft
Moon
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
Mon
JANUARY 2024
Moon
Palm Beach & Fort Lauderdale Areas 11
Kayak
Fishing Forecast with
Capt. brian nelli
772-201-5899 • Brian@tckayakfishing.com • tckayakfishing.com
Jeff with his first clown knifefish.
Inshore
January targets should be pompano, Spanish mackerel, sheepshead, and bluefish. Fishing the beach and the Intracoastal near inlets will be your best bet. The more cold fronts we get, the more fish will push into the river and Intracoastal. Try fishing for pompano along channel edges near your favorite inlet. Launching your kayak at Sawfish Park in Jupiter will put you in good vicinity of some good channels. Pompano jigs, D.O.A. lures 2.75” Shrimp, and a good ‘ole bucktail jig are a few of my favorite lures. Spanish mackerel can give you some nonstop action on the beach and on the Intracoastal. Finding the schools and throwing spoons and bucktail jigs will entice a bite.
Offshore
Prepare for being cold and wet when going offshore this time of year. Get a good pair of bibs or light waders from Frogg Toggs to keep you dry while launching and from wave splashes while out there. Sailfish and kingfish will be the most common catches with a random mahi and wahoo in the mix. Slow trolling goggle eyes and blue runners in 90-250 feet of water will be your best bet to get a bite. Don’t forget to grab a few Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnows to troll as well if bait is hard to come by. I like to run a deep diver and shallow runner to cover more of the water column.
Ron with a jumbo jack.
Freshwater
Peacock bass and clown knifefish will be chewing this month. Lake Ida, West Park is a good place to launch your kayak. Try 15-to-20pound Yo-Zuri Topknot Fluorocarbon leader and a 2/0 circle hook casting in and around structure and weed lines to get onto a few clowns with finger mullet and shiners. Look to fish the mid-water column and below by adding a pinch weight to your leader and get that bait in their face. Check out Pushin’ Water Kayak Charters on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for all the latest adventures my clients and I get into.
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LINE-X OF LAUDERDALE 450 W McNab Road, Unit 7 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
954-969-7795 www.LINEXOFLAUDERDALE.cOM gIFT cERTIFIcATEs AvAILAbLE 12 Palm Beach & Fort Lauderdale Areas
JANUARY 2024
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
will be rk is a to-20leader round a few ook to adding at bait
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Come on ... Admit It!
sportfishing
Forecast Capt. Rod Roydhouse
New Lattitude Sportfishing • (954) 707-2147 • www.NewLattitude.com
S
h c t a n W t a C t u o Yo One of These! Daily Fishing Trips out of Fort Lauderdale
Starting at
ONLY 5son 6 $ r e p r pe ■ Daily Drift Fishing Trips ■ Daily Shared Sportfishing Charters ■ Large Group Charters Available ■ Shark, Swordfish, Sailfish Specialists
Capt. Andy Roydhouse
www.fishheadquarters.com
754-214-7863
Bring the Family or Host your Company Convention with the Best Crew in South Florida! COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
ailfish action is hot in Fort Lauderdale this month as we are fully into the winter fishing season. Big game anglers come from all around the world this time of year to take advantage of our great sailfish action off the Fort Lauderdale coast. Kite fishing is probably the most exciting and most successful technique to go after sailfish, and the stronger winds this month are the perfect conditions for fishing with the kites. We fly the kites as a way to present the baits, keeping them suspended and struggling on the top of the water away from the boat. When the sailfish takes the bait, it pops free from the kite and comes tight to your rod, so you can fight the fish naturally. Sailfish jump throughout the entire fight trying to shake the hook; they put on an awesome show. The great thing about sailfish is that even though they are a really big game fish, we can still catch them on light tackle equipment. Catching a 7-foot billfish on 20-30 pound test is about the most fun and exhilarating thing in the whole world. I think it’s safe to say that sailfish put the ‘sport’ in ‘Sportfishing’. Dolphin, wahoo, and tuna are also making a good presence off our coast. The dolphin come in on the reefs sometimes, but mostly stay offshore. 4-10 miles offshore, depending on the day, is where to find them. Trolling around, covering a lot of territory, and keeping a good lookout for birds, floating debris, and weedlines is the best technique to go after dolphin offshore. Also, really far offshore and biting good in January are swordfish, one of the biggest billfish in the ocean and certainly the best eating. The past few Januarys have seen some of the biggest swordfish we’ve ever caught off Fort Lauderdale. Swordfish are never a guaranteed bite, but you have a great shot at them this month. Closer inshore on the inside edge of the Gulfstream, wahoo and tuna are a good target. Wahoo can be targeted by fishing the inside of the reef on the incoming tide and the outside of the reef on the outgoing tide. Trolling faster than normal speeds gets a better wahoo bite. Blackfin tuna can be caught anywhere and anytime. We typically catch them on a live bait out on the kite or on a deep bait on our planer bait. There are some good fish biting this month in Fort Lauderdale, you just have to get out there and wet a bait. Tight lines and good fishing everybody! JANUARY 2024
Palm Beach & Fort Lauderdale Areas 13
Water temperatures will start to cool down and predator fish begin to push into back bays, canals, and coves. Snook fishing in Jupiter and Palm Beach will offer anglers steady action along seawalls, mangroves shorelines, and channel edges. Sight fishing on the flats is another option for those who enjoy watching the bite. A D.O.A. C.A.L. 3” Shad or D.O.A. 3” Shrimp presented in the right spot gets the drag screaming. Night fishing is a great alternative for snook fanatics; target dock lights with a D.O.A. e are extremely thankful for Shrimp, Deceiver Flies, live shrimp, crank baits, and top water plugs. Fall weather drives tarpon into back bays and canals offering excellent fishing for thethe amazing winter fishing season we are having in silver king. Tarpon are prevalent inside the ICW, mangrove shorelines, docks, and deep South Florida! While offshore fishing Charles with passes. Live shrimp drifted with the tide is the best bait, other baits like mullet, pinfish, was slow during the summer, we had a tarpon. and greenies work as well. Artificial enthusiasts, the deeper passes offer plentyaofblast shotscatching on mutton snapper on D.O.A. Bait Busters or D.O.A. C.A.L. 3” Shad in Arkansas glow or alewife withwrecks a jig head. off Miami. As the seasons Tarpon this time of year range from 10 to 60 pounds. changed, our luck turned around and November offers great action for big jack crevalle on the ICW water ways. we Jacks hadwill an epic swordfishing and deep gulfstream rods pounce on Rapala Skitter Walks or live custom bait in the vicinity of seawalls, docks, or open dropping month in the fall, catching 5 water flats. The jacks are schooling fish averaging 5 to 25 pounds. Battling jacks on light out of 4 trips! swordfish • www.GulfstreamCustoms.com • 561-308-5308 tackleTimothy or fly is Schmitz something an angler will never forget, come experience the tussle yourself. Wahoo fishing has ramped up big Well, that is the fishing report for the Palm Beach and Jupiter area. I hope you timeallsince then and we’re thrilled to enjoyed, so get out there and get hooked up. Tight Lines! see customers catching them almost every day. Sailfish and kingfish are plentiful and perfect for sport or Captain Craig Korczynski letting kids crank in their very first. 561-644-4371 • phlatsinshorefi shing.com Remember, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter & YouTubeyou are legally allowed to harvest 1 bull shark per person or 2 per vessel, per day with a minimum size limit of 54” (fork length). Inshore fishing is also picking up aswith the water cools, making it a Tom great a bigoption for windy days. South Florida’s jack. Lake Ida Chain is home to a ton of exotic species, providing a fun experience for anglers of all ages. We’re grateful to all our customers and hope everyone is having a fantastic holiday season. Tight lines! For guided trip information with Capt. Mutton Mike D go to www.muttonmike.com.
fishing
Forecast
Romeo with a shark.
W
with
CONTinued FROM page 1 christmas Boat Parade >> This year’s themes included Barbie, space exploration, Frosty the Snowman, and Santa Claus. Sponsors and local officials had the honor of judging the competition, with more than $14,000 in cash and prizes on the line for contestants. The public also voted on their “Fan Favorite” of the parade by casting their votes on Facebook. For the second consecutive year, the 2023 “Best of Parade” and “Fan Favorite” titles were awarded to Nauti Kitty from Jupiter. The 53-foot catamaran dazzled the audience with an incredible display of vibrant pink lights to celebrate their Barbie-inspired theme. An inflatable Barbie sat on top of the vessel while boatgoers danced the night away dressed in festive, light-up accessories. LED hearts, flamingos, and the letter B illuminated the yacht to create a true Barbie paradise on the water. Nauti Kitty donated their cash prize winnings back again this year to go towards buying more toys!
To see pictures of tournaments and events email 57LDBryant@gmail.com for link
About Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County 14 The PALM BEACH COUNTY NOV. COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM Marine Industries Association of2021 Palm Beach County, Inc. (MIAPBC)
is a not-for-profit organization formed in 1986. Their mission is to promote and protect the sound growth of the marine industry in Palm Beach County for the benefit and education of its members, the community, and the environment. The MIAPBC brings the community two annual signature events: the Palm Beach International Boat Show and the Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade. The Palm Beach International Boat Show (PBIBS) features billions of dollars of yachts and accessories, with an economic impact of $1.05 billion statewide and $4.7 billion in Palm Beach County. MIAPBC supports over 40 local marine-related events and nonprofits that protect and promote the marine industry in Palm Beach County and beyond, with a portion providing scholarships to deserving students. Since its inception, the MIAPBC has donated over $2.5 million to local nonprofit organizations and scholarship candidates. 14 Palm Beach & Fort Lauderdale Areas
JANUARY 2024
561.721.5249
Wishes you a
! r a e y w e N y p p Ha COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
ith
49
T
he 2023 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS) closed with a wave of excitement and drawing in over 100,000 visitors from across the globe. Showcasing over 1,000 stunning vessels, this year’s FLIBS highlighted South Florida’s boating and marine industry with resounding success. “The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show remains a vibrant hub for our industry, energizing the continued enthusiasm for boating and marine activities year after year to kick off the Boat Show Season of events,” remarked Andrew Doole, President of U.S. Boat Shows at Informa Markets. “This year showcased exciting new products, innovation, and awardwinning designs. FLIBS continues to set the benchmark, and we’re delighted to welcome back our passionate customers. We extend our sincere gratitude to all our customers and local partners for their invaluable support in making this incredible event possible.” According to data from marine industry leader Brunswick Corporation, FLIBS had exceptionally strong sales and share gains for many of Brunswick’s award-winning brands. This included brands like Mercury Marine which reported record outboard market share for the sixth consecutive year in FLIBS and Boston Whaler which increased unit sales by 38% and revenue by 22% compared to FLIBS 2022. For Nautical Ventures, this year’s FLIBS marked an unprecedented triumph in its 11-year journey. Of the 60 boats proudly showcased, the company reported that half found new owners during the event. Surpassing expectations, Nautical Ventures projected that their FLIBS sales goal exceeded by a staggering 30%. Adding a splash of excitement, Nautical Ventures’s Aquazone, located inside the Broward Convention Center, generated over a quartermillion dollars in sales. The Aquazone’s allure extends beyond boats, enticing enthusiasts with a
The 2023 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show Marks a Successful Five-Day Celebration
Anchored in triumph and innovation, the 64th Annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show set sail, leaving a clear mark on the boating industry captivating array of water toys, including kayaks, paddle boards, and more. “The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show continues to be a pivotal element of our city’s identity and economic vitality,” expressed Mayor Dean Trantalis, Mayor of the City of Fort Lauderdale. “FLIBS remains a driving force in our city, and we’re thrilled to witness its return with unparalleled enthusiasm.” Phil Purcell, President and CEO of the Marine Industries Association of South Florida, echoed the sentiment, “We’ve reached unprecedented heights with the 64th edition of the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, setting a benchmark for our industry. It’s been an incredible journey, and we’re immensely grateful for the tremendous support from exhibitors, the city of Fort Lauderdale, county officials, and our dedicated staff that make the show possible.” The Broward County Convention Center was host to a variety of educational seminars that included sustainability research and fishing clinics, interactive experiences at the Kid’s Corner, and debuts from industry giants like Yellowfin
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JANUARY 2024
Yachts, Sportsman, Grady White, and more. Serving as the show’s transportation hub, the Convention Center ensured seamless travel between show locations, including the Bahia Mar Yachting Center and SuperYacht Village at Pier 66 via complimentary air-conditioned shuttles and ticketed Water Taxis. The FLIBS experience also brought together the local community joining forces with the Florida Panthers Foundation. Through strategic partnerships with Informa Markets and other committed collaborators, the event contributed generously to support the Florida Panthers’ philanthropic initiatives this year. Additionally, the event showcased an extensive range of pioneering sustainability projects, significantly minimizing its environmental impact and spearheading the industry towards a more ecoconscious future. A notable feature of this year’s sustainability efforts was the introduction of the MRH Innovation & Sustainability Award, a joint effort with the Marine Research Hub. This distinguished award honored organizations that have showcased exceptional dedication and innovation in advancing sustainability across various sectors of the marine industry. The overall winner of this year’s inaugural ceremony was Sunreef Yachts/Sunreef Ventures, adding to their impressive accolades as Sunreef was also among the finalists for Best in Show this year. The 65th annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show is set to return from Wednesday, October 30th through Sunday, November 3rd, 2024. As the largest in-water boat show globally, FLIBS showcases more international and national debuts than any other, solidifying the City of Fort Lauderdale as the Yachting Capital of the World. The event is owned by the Marine Industries Association of South Florida (MIASF) and produced by Informa Markets. Palm Beach & Fort Lauderdale Areas 15
B O A G A R R D B
Zane in Flamingo where he hooked his first redfish .
Murat and Kenan had
a great day!
Murat with a mackerel and kingfish he caught from his boat off Riviera Beach.
Kenan and Grant ready to grill lane snappers they caught off Peanut Island.
ook he Jackson with a sn go. in m Fla caught in
16 Palm Beach & Fort Lauderdale Areas
Bragging is good! JANUARY 2024
Send us your catch photos with details: Who, When, Where, With What, etc. to ilene@CoastalAnglerMagazine.com
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he results are in for Florida’s 2023 Lionfish Challenge, and it was a record-breaking year for divers working hard to protect our reefs from the scourge of invasive lionfish. With 281 participants embarking on 917 trips, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) annual four-month tournament removed 30,494 lionfish from Florida waters. It was a recordbreaking year for participation, nearly doubling the program’s previous high. The total number of lionfish removed was also a new record and beat last year’s numbers by nearly 5,000 fish. The event is one tool in FWC’s box to beat back the invasion of these beautiful but destructive little critters that plague Florida’s reefs. Lionfish are native to the Indo Pacific and the Red Sea. They were first reported off the Atlantic coast of Florida in 1985, and since then have spread like wildfire. They now inhabit the Atlantic coast up to North Carolina, the entire Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean. Lionfish are well equipped to outcompete native species on warmwater reefs. An array of venomous spines makes them unlikely prey item for larger fish, and they are voracious predators of smaller native fish and invertebrates. Lionfish reproduce prolifically and populate suitable habitat in high densities. They reduce native reef populations and have negative effects on overall reef habitat and health. They are a nasty invasive, and humans killing them continuously is the only way to combat them by controlling their numbers. By the way, they taste pretty good sizzled up in butter. Divers competing in the Lionfish Challenge are rewarded for their efforts, and winners are announced at the conclusion of the tournament. The following are the divers who speared the most lionfish in the 2023 Lionfish Challenge.
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THE RACE TO RESCUE
By Nick Carter
CHIPOLA SHOAL BASS
W
hen it comes to warm-water fly fishing, shoal bass are about as fun as it gets. These pugnacious river bass are native to only one river system: The Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin, and their preferred swift-water habitat was years ago reduced to tributaries and stretches between dams in Georgia, Alabama and Florida. While Georgia claims the healthiest native, reproducing populations of the species in the Flint River and in pockets of the Chattahoochee River, the situation is a little more tenuous for Florida’s shoal bass. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), The 95-mile-long Chipola River is the last remaining waterbody in the state with a known naturally reproducing shoal bass population. The species was dealt a massive blow in 2018, when Hurricane Michael ripped over the Panhandle and depleted more than 90 percent of the Chipola’s shoal bass population. FWC stepped in to suspend harvest and possession of shoal bass in the Chipola River and its tributaries. Then they began hatching and releasing genetically pure shoal bass into the river. It appears to be working. Over the last two years, 11,000 fingerling shoal bass have been stocked into the Chipola. In subsequent samplings, DNA analysis showed more than 60 percent of yearling fish sampled came from these stockings.
“The stockings over these past two years have certainly made an impact on the population; shoal bass that were stocked last year are already within the 9-10 inch range,” said FWC biologist Andy Strickland. This is the first time genetically pure shoal bass have been successfully raised in an FWC hatchery, which is a big deal because genetic impurity is one of the largest threats shoal bass face. Across their native range, interbreeding with introduced non-native black bass species like Alabama bass and spotted bass has muddied the gene pool except in small pockets where genetically pure populations are isolated from interlopers. “It is extremely encouraging not only to successfully spawn this species in a hatchery setting but also to document the significant contribution the hatcheryreared fingerlings have made to the existing shoal bass population in the Chipola River to date,” said Bob DeMauro, Hatchery Manager at FWC’s Blackwater Research and Development Center. Biologists will continue to monitor Chipola River shoal bass and evaluate these stocking efforts in years to come. To learn more about a great shoal bass fishery, visit flyfishga.com.
1
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Cruising Into Adventure: Your Ultimate Guide to the 2024 Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show
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et ready to set sail into an ocean of excitement at the 2024 Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show, where innovation meets Miami’s vibrancy and electric culture. This year promises an experience like no other, and we’ve got the scoop for navigating you through the show’s must-see experiences. Taking place throughout President’s Day weekend, Feb. 14-18, the show has historically welcomed over 100,000 visitors and featured more than a thousand highly sought-after boating and marine products, generating major economic revenue for the recreational boating industry and over a billion dollars to the state of Florida.
16 FLORIDA
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The World’s Largest Boat and Yachting Show: From Miami’s Mainland to the Deep Blue Embark across the City of Miami and Miami Beach, stopping at six iconic show locations, each with its own unique charm. From the Miami Beach Convention Center (MBCC) to the Venetian Marina to test drive the latest vessels at sea trials, there’s a maritime wonderland waiting for you at every stop. Other show locations include: the Progressive Boat Show Experience at Pride Park, Herald Plaza, Museum Park Marina, and SuperYacht Miami at Yacht Haven Grande Miami. Unleash the Adventure with 2-Day Passes Dive into our exclusive 2-Day passes, the golden
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key to unlock all that the show has to offer. Whether you’re eyeing the latest in fishing or charting the course to explore the docks and enjoy over 100 food concessions and satellite bars sprinkled throughout the show, the 2-Day pass is your ticket to an extended celebration. Make sure to stop by the Stella Artois Beer Garden and Goslings Island Bar for a refreshing pause between the vessels up for exhibition. Looking to indulge in the luxury of the show’s Windward VIP experience? This year, the VIP passes are available at two exclusive locations – Herald Plaza and MBCC. Elevate your journey by securing tickets for one or both and enjoy premium perks that come with VIP status. Exclusive access to areas like Superyacht Miami is provided to Windward passholders. VIP ticket holders will also receive a complimentary one-day admission to Art Wynwood, Miami’s premier winter art fair, taking place Feb. 16-18. A Seamless Experience: From Water Taxis, Shuttles, Brightline Skip the traffic headaches by using the water taxi or the show’s bus shuttle network. Visiting from Orlando, Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Aventura? Hop on the Brightline and enjoy a complimentary shuttle to the show at Herald Plaza. Water taxi tickets require a separate purchase. As the excitement builds, the 2024 Miami International Boat Show invites you to embark on an unforgettable adventure. Celebrate the maritime lifestyle, cutting-edge technology, and the latest in personal boating and yachting. Secure your tickets by visiting miamiboatshow.com.
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ENTICE BIG TROUT WITH
ERRATIC ACTION PHOTO COURTESY OF KNOCKIN TAIL LURES®.
By Capt. Michael Okruhlik
A
common principle anglers abide by during winter months is to slow down their retrieve or presentation. Although this is a good default option, it may fail to entice strikes of those big, cold, winter trout. Let’s discuss. Some of my favorite lures for targeting trophy trout in the winter are those that suspend, slow sink, and have an erratic movement. When I
define a slow presentation, I am referencing the speed at which the lure moves toward the angler, the retrieve speed, not the motion. As a young angler, I was always told to slow down when it’s cold and then slow it down a little more. Although this has its place, it should not be set in stone, or ice if it’s really cold. OK, enough of the bad jokes. When trout are cold and may not be feeding
as aggressively as we would like, an extremely erratic motion can entice the strike. This erratic motion makes the lure dance in place with little to no forward movement. I use a rod with a whippy action for this. This allows me to point my rod tip at the lure and shake it up and down aggressively causing the lure to almost dance in place. I then let it pause, suspending or slow-sinking as I reel up the slack. I then repeat this practice, modifying according to the conditions. Fishing braided line is imperative for this method. The stretch in mono will not allow your slow-sinking lure to dance in place at the end of a long cast, but the zero stretch of braid makes it move like it is on a wire. I learned this the hard way 20 years ago. I was fishing with four friends, and I was the only one using mono and the only one not catching. I mimicked every move my buddy made to no avail. I then ask him to cast his lure and retrieve it near me. I watched it dance past with great action. I then cast my lure near him. Although I moved my rod more vigorously, he said my lure was moving in a straight line as if I was just reeling it in. I switched to braid on the next trip and never went back, and of course this dancing method started to produce fish! If you pay attention to the strike, this method will let you know if you should modify your retrieve. If they bite on the pause, you may want to slow it down a bit. If they bite on the shake, you may want to speed it up. I hope this helps you land more big trout this season. Good Luck! Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Knockin Tail Lures®, and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com
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By Capt. Jamie Thrappas
A BIG INSHORE SURPRISE!
t was a chilly winter morning, and my crew—a good friend Zach and his two sons—all knew it was going to be either a tough day or a great one. It was a typical morning for winter here in the Daytona, Fla. area, with overcast skies, highs in the low 60s and a dominant wind and swell headed from the northeast. The inshore bite is typically pretty good this time of year, with a variety of different species usually willing to cooperate. Red drum are a favorite backcountry target during the colder months. When they move up on the flats to feed, it can lead to good action on spoons and paddletails. On the end of the outgoing tide, we hoped to bag a few redfish before the switch, but the bite never happened. We kept busy with some small permit, pompano, mangrove snapper and even a flounder. By the time the tide switched mid-morning, the bite had slowed down with just a few small sheepshead taking our bait. Sheepshead are delicious, and around here the causeways of the Intracoastal along with barnacle- or oyster-encrusted docks, bridges and jetties are a pretty good bet for picking up a few for the cooler. They love sand fleas and fiddler crabs but will also eat shrimp on a jig head or Carolina rig. Something I like to do while targeting other species is to leave baits out for red or black drum. I had two dead stick bottom rods out the back soaking halved blue crabs in the hopes that a drum would be hungry enough to pick it up. With the action pretty slow, and while we still had some time left in the trip, I decided we should make a move. I told Zach’s younger son Gavin, who is an employee of mine at Yellow Dawg Bait & Tackle in Ormond Beach, to reel in the back rods that had been soaking. At first it looked like he had a snag as the rod bent when he picked it up, but then the drag took off. Big black drum are tanks! It’s almost like they have shoulders and they’ve been working out all week waiting for you. The big ugly that highlighted that trip was somewhere in the 50-plus-pound range, a trophy for sure! Gavin, who is the younger guy in the photo, will be in U.S. Coast Guard boot camp when this edition hits the racks. His dad, Zach, is a veteran, along with his other two sons Logan and Cameron. A big thanks to all the men and women out there who serve our country! Capt. Jamie Thrappas is Co-Publisher of Coastal Angler - Volusia County and owner of Yellow Dawg Fishing. Check out yellowdawgfishing.com. To win a free half-day inshore or offshore charter with Capt. Thrappas, enter the Fish with Coastal Angler drawing at coastalanglermag.com/contest.
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Delayed Harvest Trout By Nick Carter
A
AT FIRES CREEK, N.C.
delayed harvest trout stream is a better place than most to spend a winter afternoon, and if you can find a two- or three-day warming trend, there’s a good chance you’ll get into some pretty good fishing. North Carolina’s Fires Creek has a 2-mile stretch of delayed harvest water on U.S. Forest Service land off U.S. 64 between Murphy and Hayesville. Rainbow, brown and brook trout are stocked in the creek and protected under catch-and-release, single-hook, artificial only regulations during the October into June delayed
harvest season. It’s a small-stream setting with more and bigger trout than one would find in most creeks this size. The creek is gorgeous, with clear plunge pools and deep bend runs sliding into skinny pocket water that twists for miles through the bottom of a rhododendron-choked valley. Even the rounded river rocks are notable for their beauty, with striking dark gray and tan bands that’ll make you want to stash a few flat stones in your vest to take home. The fishing is about like any other delayed
harvest in terms of fish size and the density of stockings, but it is a small stream, so you’ll be tempted to—and you should—explore your way upstream instead of settling in on the big holes. Small streams are just more fun when you fish them that way. Around each bend lies a new challenge, another series of pools and runs. Tightlining nymphs is probably the most effective way to fool fish this time of year. They might fall for the standard “junk flies,” but a few months into the DH season, the fish might also be looking for something more natural. In winter, the aquatic insects will be small. Little black stoneflies, midges and blue-winged olives might hatch off on a warm afternoon and lead to some dry fly action, but unless you see bugs in the air, you’re better off fishing subsurface imitations of these insects. A double-nymph rig with a big attractor nymph below a smaller more natural looking nymph is always a good option. The foot bridge at the Fires Creek Picnic Area is the lower boundary of the DH water. Access above the foot bridge is easy on a streamside trail and also along Fires Creek Wildlife Road. This gravel track parallels the creek way up into its headwaters. The delayed harvest ends at the Forest Service 340A bridge. Upstream of this point, the trout population trends toward stream-born rainbows that top out at 10 or 11 inches. For GPS coordinates to access points and detailed maps of North Carolina and Georgia’s best trout water, check out “Flyfishers Guide to North Carolina & Georgia.” It is available at fly shops, on Amazon, and signed copies are available from the author by e-mailing nsc8957@gmail.com.
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A FEW THOUGHTS ON
SHEEPSHEAD By CAM Staff
S
heepshead have become a wintertime staple when water temps drop and the regular cast of inshore characters become more difficult to target. If you’re a cold-weather inshore angler, you’re probably already familiar with sheepshead, so here are a few tips you might not have heard yet. Finding Fish: Convict fish travel and feed in packs. Once you locate them, the action can be fast, but you have to find them first. Obviously, they like structure like bridges, docks and jetties, where they can happily gnaw on barnacles. When considering structure, older, rambling docks with lots of pilings provide more surface area for established colonies of crustaceans. These can be honeyholes, but keep moving if you’re not catching fish. You might run a dozen different structures in a day and catch 90 percent of your fish on one. In the clear water of winter, sheepshead can often be sight fished, and they don’t really spook, so look for them before casting. If the water is too dingy to see them, you can sometimes hear them crunching shells if you listen quietly. Chum ’Em Up: This might sound silly, but sheepshead get excited about free food just like any other species of fish. Keep a shovel on the boat and scrape barnacles off the structure you’re fishing. This rings the dinner bell, and it’ll also help you spot them as they dart around to pick off the falling morsels. Looking for scraped pilings is also a good way to identify where other anglers have chummed sheepies before. Play the Tides: Pretty much every fish feeds best on a moving tide, but a ripping flow can be detrimental when fishing for such a structure oriented fish. Fast moving water tends to pin sheepshead right up against structure. This, and the tide itself, can make presenting baits more difficult. Find a moderate tide, and
sheepshead will spread out and move around a little more, which makes them easier to catch. Position yourself up-current and allow your baits to drift down into the fish. The Business End: Although they are not skittish, sheepshead can be selective. Whether you’re fishing fiddler crabs, shrimp tails, sand fleas, oysters or clams, use a small, short-shank hook and hide it inside your bait. Also, fish braided line. Braid has less stretch, so those little bumps when a sheepshead taps your bait translate better to the rod tip. Braid also has better abrasion resistance for when they pull you around a piling, but the increased sensitivity is key. With their black and white bars, convicts are notorious bait thieves. You need to know it the instant they suck in your bait.
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