Coastal Angler Magazine - November / Connecticut/Rhode Island

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CONNECTICUT & RHODE ISLAND EDITION

Redfish On The Fly

Travel

Kings of Fall

Destinations

VOLUME 23 • ISSUE 285

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM

F R A N C H I S E

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

A V A I L A B L E

NOVEMBER 2018

W O R L D W I D E

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Target AnalyzerTM function, facilitated by Doppler technology, immediately alerts you to targets (displayed in red) that pose a threat to your vessel. Simultaneously track up to 100 moving targets, displaying their speed & course vectors.

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One trophy deserves another.

No fishing competition offers the cash – or cache – of a tournament in The Florida Keys & Key West. Win a trophy here and you’re one step closer to angling fame and fortune. And with offshore and backcountry tournaments every month of the year, and tournamentproven captains to put you on the action, the chances of topping the leaderboard are better than you might think. fla-keys.com/calendar/fishing 1.800.fla.keys 4

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Veteran’s Program Announcing Our New

for

Franchise Ownership!

EDITOR IN CHIEF : Ben Martin • camads@coastalanglermagazine.com COO : Tracy Patterson • tracy@coastalanglermagazine.com ART DIRECTOR : Rebecca Snowden • graphics@coastalanglermagazine.com EDITORIAL COORDINATOR : Nick Carter • editorial@coastalanglermagazine.com WEBMASTER : Nick Barna • webmaster@coastalanglermagazine.comw ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: Corporate Headquarters info@coastalanglermagazine.com • 888-800-9794

FRANCHISE DIRECTORY FLORIDA BIG BEND : Mike McNamara • (850) 510-7919 • captmike@coastalanglermagazine.com BREVARD : Chris Milner • (321) 631-1001 • cmilner@coastalanglermagazine.com DAYTONA/NEW SMYRNA/DELAND : Amy Chibbaro • (386) 478-3812 • achibbaro@coastalanglermagazine.com

Chris Chibbaro • (386) 478-9234 • cchibbaro@coastalanglermagazine.com

FLORIDA KEYS : Cliff Lumpkin • (305) 849-9093 • cliff@coastalanglermagazine.com FORT LAUDERDALE : Gene Dyer • (954) 680-3900 • gene@coastalanglermagazine.com FORT MYERS : Nadeen Welch • (239) 595-8265 • nwelch@coastalanglermagazine.com GREATER ORLANDO : Phillip & Giselle Wolf • (407) 790-9515 • phillip@coastalanglermagazine.com GREATER MIAMI : Gene Dyer • (954) 680-3900 • gene@coastalanglermagazine.com

If you’re a veteran, love the outdoors and have been looking for a way to own your own business, we believe we have the perfect fit for your next professional endeavor. We have franchise locations available thoughout the continental U.S. and Hawaii.

LAKELAND & SUMTER : Mary Brasher • (352) 598-4219 • maryf@coastalanglermagazine.com NAPLES : Nadeen Welch • (239) 595-8265 • nwelch@coastalanglermagazine.com NC FLORIDA/NATURE COAST : Cary & Lynn Crutchfield • (352) 372-4237 • crutch@coastalanglermagazine.com NE FLORIDA : Danny Patrick • (904) 742-4696 • danny@coastalanglermagazine.com PANAMA CITY/DESTIN/FORGOTTEN COAST : Randy Cnota • (229) 834-7880 • randyc@coastalanglermagazine.com PALM BEACH COUNTY : Barbara Ryan • (561) 373-8040 • barbara@coastalanglermagazine.com SARASOTA : Phil Prevoir • (239) 257-4684 • pprevoir@coastalanglermagazine.com TAMPA BAY : Chuck Atkins • (239) 464-5153 • chuck@coastalanglermagazine.com TREASURE COAST : Misti & Gary Guertin • (772) 285-6850 • treasurecoast@coastalanglermagazine.com

Our success with helping veterans to learn to publish their own localized fishing/outdoor magazine leads us to believe that our franchise opportunities are a perfect fit for a wide variety of veteran talents and training.

flahama@coastalanglermagazine.com

SOUTHEAST ATLANTA : Bob & Brenda Rice • (706) 614-8231 • bobr@theanglermagazine.com CHARLESTON : Sam Buckareff • (843) 607-8629 • sam@coastalanglermagazine.com CHARLOTTE/PIEDMONT : Doug Simmons • (704) 361-6189 • simmons@theanglermagazine.com

Juli Simmons • (980) 333-7273 • simmons@theanglermagazine.com

COLUMBIA/MIDLANDS : John Lux • (803) 807-6885 • jlux@theanglermagazine.com MYRTLE BEACH : Mike Masiero • (732) 674-3019 • mmasiero@coastalanglermagazine.com TIDEWATER/OUTER BANKS : Brenda Riggs • (757) 409-7518 • brenda@coastalanglermagazine.com

Now, with our special Veteran’s Program, owning a Coastal Angler or The Angler Magazine franchise has never been easier.

Mike Riggs • (757) 681-5001 • mriggs@coastalanglermagazine.com

WESTERN NC : Debra & Joe Woody • (828) 775-9663 • woody@theanglermagazine.com

NORTHEAST BOSTON : George Regan • (617) 488-2842 • boston@coastalanglermagazine.com LONG ISLAND : Lisa & Michael Danforth • (203) 321-7635 • lisad@coastalanglermagazine.com CONNECTICUT/RHODE ISLAND : Lisa & Michael Danforth • (203) 321-7635

If you love the outdoors and have ever considered owning your own business, you owe it to yourself to check out our Franchise opportunities and our new Veteran’s Program.

lisad@coastalanglermagazine.com

GULF COAST MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST : Adam Nelson • (228) 627-5903 • anelson@coastalanglermagazine.com

Toby Nelson • (228) 623-1761 • tnelson@coastalanglermagazine.com

ALABAMA/PENSACOLA : Paul Caruso • (239) 980-7738 • paul@coastalanglermagazine.com

GREAT LAKES WEST MICHIGAN : Phil Belsito • (616) 957-1714 • phil@theanglermagazine.com

INTERNATIONAL

For more information on our franchise opportunities call

(321)777-2773 or email info@coastalanglermagazine.com

VIRGIN ISLANDS/PUERTO RICO : Ace Bassue • (407) 285-9453 • ace@coastalanglermagazine.com COSTA RICA : Mike Erickson • (561) 262-2242 • mike@coastalanglermagazine.com © 2018. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. Disclaimer: Coastal Angler Magazine / The Angler Magazine will not be held liable for injuries incurred while partaking in activities described herein, or for claims made against products or services provided by advertisers.

Cover photos courtesy of (clockwise from top left) Dan Bailey, Mikey Erickson, Phil Wolf, Rosemary White, Nick Carter and Victoria Watts.

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

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AUTUMN SALES EVENT JUST IN TIME FOR THE FALL BOAT SHOW SEASON Your Suzuki Marine Dealer has exceptional deals in store for you when you purchase a new Suzuki outboard from 25 to 350 horsepower this fall. Get Suzuki’s 3-Year Limited Warranty plus 3 years of Extended Protection at no extra charge.There are Instant Savings on select models, and Low-Rate Financing is also available.

SIX YEARS OF PROTECTION 3 Years Limited Warranty + 3 Years Extended Protection

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INSTANT SAVINGS Instant Savings of up to $800 on select models. See your dealer for details.

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Gimme Six Extended Protection promo is applicable to new Suzuki Outboard Motors from 25 to 350 HP in inventory which are sold and delivered to buyer between 10/01/18 and 12/31/18 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. Customer should expect to receive an acknowledgement letter and full copy of contract including terms, conditions and wallet card from Suzuki Extended Protection within 90 days of purchase. If an acknowledgement letter is not received in time period stated, contact Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. – Marine Marketing via email: marinepromo@suz.com. The Gimme Six Promotion is available for pleasure use only, and is not redeemable for cash. Instant Savings apply to qualifying purchases of select Suzuki Outboard Motors made between 10/01/18 and 12/31/18. 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. (Suzuki will, in turn, credit Dealer’s parts account.)

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 credit worthiness. $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 10/01/18 and 12/31/18. “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. © 2018 Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.

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Travel Destinations Mexico

Mexico Ecuador Trout

Photo by Justin Uga

DESTINATION: El Salto, Mexico FISH: Largemouth Bass PEAK SEASON: September-July THE FISHING: There might be a few lakes out there that produce larger largemouths on occasion, but none are as consistent as Lake El Salto at producing huge catches of quality sized bass with the ever-present potential to catch a true giant.

For more than 30 years, El Salto has been one of the world’s best bass fisheries, and it remains right at the top of the bucket list for travelling bass anglers. It is a place where 100-fish days are normal, the average fish weighs 4 to 5 pounds, and 7- to 10-pound fish are a regular occurrence. The best day on El Salto? Well, the lake record bass weighed 18 pounds, 6 ounces. The record for most bass caught in a day stands at 607 fish.

El Salto is a 25,000-acre impoundment of the Elota River. It sits in the foothills of the Sierra Madre Mountains in the Mexican state of Sinaloa. A yearround growing season and the introduction of Florida strain largemouth bass in the 1980s helped build this big-bass factory. Abundant tilapia as a forage species as well as varied habitat and lots of sunken timber maintain it.

If all this doesn’t pique your interest, it’s worth mentioning that many of the biggest fish caught each year from El Salto are victims of topwater tactics.

INFORMATION: www.anglersinn.com

Mongolia

DESTINATION: Khentii Aimag and Khovsgol Aimag, Mongolia FISH: Siberian Taimen PEAK SEASON: June 15-October THE FISHING: Imagine fly fishing a river for trout that can weigh 20 pounds

or more. Now imagine these giant trout surface feed on ducks and rodents instead of insects. Sounds like a fairytale, right?

Well it’s not. Fish like this actually exist, but the behaviors of Mongolia’s Siberian taimen are more aptly described as the stuff of nightmares than fairytales. The taimen is the largest, most ferocious salmonid in the world. Tactics for catching them include chugging giant topwater poppers on 9-weight fly rods, and the violence exhibited on a taimen’s take can only be matched by the ensuing fight.

Anglers can expect to tangle with good numbers of taimen in the 6- to 15-pound range on a week-long camp-and-float through gorgeous Mongolian canyons. A trophy longer than 40 inches and weighing 25 pounds or more is a definite possibility.

But the fishing is only part of what makes a Mongolia so special. The warmth of Mongolian hospitality, the skill of its guides and the beauty of its scenery make for an unforgettable expedition. Taimen fisheries in Mongolia are catch-and-release, fly fishing only with a single barbless hook.

DESTINATION: San Cristobal, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador FISH: Striped Marlin, Blue Marlin, Black Marlin, Wahoo, Yellowfin Tuna PEAK SEASON: January-April THE FISHING: Everyone has heard of the tortoises, diving iguanas and other strange wildlife that made the Galapagos Islands famous. The incredible bluewater fishing is not as well publicized.

Deep sea currents carry warm waters and plentiful baitfish past this underwater mountain range about 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador. Blue, black and striped marlin congregate to feed around banks that rise to 300 and 600 feet from more than 2,000 feet of water. It’s some of the best fishing in the Pacific, and it’s only about an hour’s run from the docks at San Cristobal.

The striped marlin bite might be the best in the world, with fast action for fish that average 200 pounds and get up into the 350-pound range. Blacks and blues are less frequently encountered than striped marlin, but they are plentiful and big. Fish from 500 to 800 pounds are the norm.

Topwater popper fishing for yellowfin tuna is off the chain for fish up to 150 pounds. Big dorado, African pompano and Almaco jacks are bonus fish.

And the wahoo fishing is good, as well.

INFORMATION: sportfishgalapagos.com

Florida Keys

DESTINATION: Florida Keys, U.S.A. FISH: Tarpon PEAK SEASON: April-June THE FISHING: Although the Florida Keys aren’t as remote as many of the marquee fishing destinations this planet offers, the fishing is second to none. On the southern edge of the continent, where the Gulf Stream carries fecund waters from the Gulf of Mexico through the Florida Straits to the Atlantic, this chain of islands is perfectly situated to create one of the most productive marine environments in the world.

Big-game sportfishing and backcountry fly fishing arose from the outstanding and diverse fisheries of The Keys. Year-round, there is excellent fishing inshore, nearshore and offshore. One of the most iconic of these fisheries is for big flats tarpon.

There are always tarpon present in the Florida Keys, and nowhere else in the world do they run so thick through clear, shallow waters during their migrations. In ultra-clear water, sight fishing for these beasts from a flats skiff has to be the ultimate shallow-water experience. The size and raw power of tarpon are unmatched among flats species. The aerial displays of fish heavier than 100 pounds are part of what makes fishing in The Keys legendary.

INFORMATION: fla-keys.com

INFORMATION: www.fishmongolia.com; 8 NATIONAL I NOVEMBER 2018www.mongoliarivers.com I COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

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s Hawaii

Franklin County, Florida DESTINATION: Franklin County, Fla. FISH: Tarpon, Redfish, King Mackerel, Wahoo, Jack Crevalle, Amberjack, Gag Grouper, Pompano PEAK SEASON: June-December THE FISHING: Take a step back in time to experience Florida’s Forgotten Coast. Every cast could produce something different in one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world. Last month, Hurricane Michael lashed out on this beautiful slice of the Panhandle, but the fisheries should bounce back as strong as ever.

You’ll find offshore species like wahoo, grouper and sailfish, as well as inshore species like pompano, redfish, tarpon, jack crevalle and speckled trout.

In early spring, look for cobia and Spanish mackerel nearshore, while inshore you’ll find trout and redfish crushing topwaters. In summer, the king mackerel bite can be non-stop and tarpon are big and plentiful. Several species of snapper and grouper are always on the menu while offshore, blackfin tuna, wahoo, sailfish and more can be had. As we get into fall, big jacks will be tearing up tackle and the delicious flounder will be found as they spawn.

False albacore or bonito can warm up a cool day in the blue water, also.

From the mouth of the Apalachicola River to Carrabelle, you’ll find some of the hottest action anywhere! Redfish, trout and flounder abound, and you can cast for freshwater species like bass and stripers the same day.

INFORMATION: www.floridasforgottencoast.com

Santee Cooper, South Carolina

Russia

Pike Mongolia

DESTINATION: Kona Coast, Big Island, Hawaii FISH: Pacific Blue Marlin PEAK SEASON: April-September THE FISHING: If a giant marlin is on your bucket list, there may be no better place in the world to check it off than on the Kona Coast of Hawaii’s Big Island.

On the southeastern end of a 1,500-mile archipelago in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, massive shield volcanoes protect the leeward side of the Big Island from wind and rain, resulting in nearly perpetual calm seas off the Kona Coast. Three miles from land, the bottom drops into 6,000-foot depths while winds and topography create miles-wide cyclonic eddies that funnel nutrient-rich water up into the warm surface layers. These localized patches of biologically productive water attract big pelagics.

Within sight of land, there is the opportunity to catch six species of billfish, six species of tuna, ono (wahoo) and mahi-mahi, among others. The main drawing card is blue marlin… big ones. Kona lays claim to more than 80 blues heavier than 1,000 pounds over the years, and that doesn’t include all the granders that were released. More than half of all the granders ever recorded from the Hawaiian Islands were caught off the Kona Coast.

INFORMATION: www.gohawaii.com

Photo Courtesy of James Bradley

DESTINATION: Kamchatka, Russia FISH: Rainbow Trout PEAK SEASON: July-September THE FISHING: Some scientists believe the Kamchatka Peninsula is where rainbow trout originated in a web of cold-water rivers on Russia’s eastern coast.

With very few roads and little human population to speak of, this roughly 100,000-square-mile slice of land across the Bering Sea from Alaska is as remote as it gets. In fact, the only feasible way to access its hundreds of miles of trout water is by helicopter.

Kamchatka is a place that makes even the Alaskan tundra seem overpopulated with humans. It offers a wilderness experience unlike any other, and the fishing isn’t too shabby, either. Trout that eat dry flies, streamers and deer-hair mice skated across the surface average 20 to 22 inches. Each short season, anglers catch 30-inchers that are aggressive and as hot as they come.

And while the rainbows are the headliners, there are also several species of Pacific salmon that make annual runs into the peninsula. Huge kundzha, a close relative of Dolly Varden, weigh into the teens. And trophy grayling round out a diverse fishery that’s one of the most unspoiled on the planet.

INFORMATION: www.thebestofkamchatka.com

DESTINATION: Santee Cooper Lakes, South Carolina FISH: Striped Bass, Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Shellcracker PEAK SEASON: Year-round THE FISHING: For a world-class freshwater fishery, the Santee Cooper lakes in South Carolina are as accessible as it gets. Interstate I-95 crosses Lake Marion and I-26 flanks the twin-lake system to the south. The lakes are connected by a 7-mile-long diversion canal, which provides another unique fishery.

Lake Marion’s 102,400 acres of water are a timber-studded, aquatic vegetation-laden fish factory, while Lake Moultrie’s 59,900 acres have an incredible diversity of underwater cover and structure. This twin-lake system provides unmatched freshwater diversity.

Marauding striped bass provide surface-schooling triple-digit catches per boat in peak season. The state record blue catfish was taken in 2017 and topped 113-pounds. Catfish in the 50- to 70-pound class are reasonable targets, and the big-fish population is on an upsurge. The system currently holds the world record channel catfish at 58-pounds.

Need more? Crappies are abundant and commonly exceed 2 pounds, with 3-pound-plus fish distinctly possible. The system holds state records for black crappie at 5-pounds, largemouth bass topping 16-pounds and the former world record shellcracker that tipped the scales to 5 pounds, 7 1/2 ounces.

Santee Cooper is the living legend of freshwater fishing.

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM I NOVEMBER 2018 I NATIONAL 9 INFORMATION: www.santeecoopercountry.org

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By Mike Erickson

F

ifteen years ago, a friend and I flew into San Jose and took a small plane to Quepos, Costa Rica, where we fished offshore on a 42 express boat called Fishing Frenzy. It was my first fishing trip to Costa Rica, and I didn’t know it at the time, but the over-the-top offshore experience was typical for this tropical Central American paradise. It consisted of plenty of tuna, sailfish and dorado, and the never-ending chase for marlin.

The trip had such an impact that it became an annual event. Then, four years ago everything changed. I started some business dealings in Costa Rica, which allowed me to begin splitting time between Costa Rica and my native south Florida. It has been the adventure of a lifetime.

I’m not sure I can say what specifically drew me to Costa Rica. I think it’s a little bit of everything. The people, the adventure, the fishing and the beautiful scenery are all truly amazing. The people are always happy and definitely live the national slogan “Pura Vida,” which translates to “The Pure Life.”

The diversity and magnificence of the scenery is over the top. Delivering Coastal Angler Magazine throughout the country has exposed me to different and varying locations. Within a four hour drive I can be exposed to the volcanos and hot springs of Arenal, the gorgeous beaches and surfing of Guanacaste, the beautiful and exotic jungles of Golfito and the Osa Peninsula, the quiet beauty and fishing of the Nicoya Peninsula, the world class surfing and fishing of Herradura, Hermosa and Quepos, and even the cooler climates and cultural centers of the Central Valley.

The tourism of Costa Rica is truly an adventure. From ziplining through a jungle canopy to four wheeling up a mountain, from white water rafting to rappelling down a waterfall, and even seeing sloths and monkeys in their natural habitats, the adventures are endless.

Adventure definitely exists in the fishing of Costa Rica. In 2017 the Herradura Quepos fishery was named the No. 1 billfishing area in the world by the Billfish Report. Offshore fishing easily offers the complete line up of pelagic fish and often includes double-digit catches. This is one of the few countries where catching an offshore billfish grand slam can be accomplished in one day.

Last month, Coastal Angler Editor-in-Chief Ben Martin came down and we managed to squeeze in one day of fishing on my 32 Luhrs, Dream II out of Los Suenos. Where else in the world can you catch two blue marlin, two sailfish, and 15 dorado in a day of fishing?

The inshore fishing for roosterfish, cubera snapper, snook and even tarpon is also world class. The freshwater fishing offers everything from rainbow bass (guapote) to machaca, and trout to largemouth bass.

I have been to many places in the world, and Costa Rica stands out as one of my favorite bucket list destinations.

Mike Erickson is co-publisher of Coastal Angler Magazine Costa Rica.

For more on fishing in Costa Rica, go to

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Destination Fishing!

By Tom Schlichter

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t’s 2 p.m. on a bright, sunny day and I’m pitching pilchards in the shadow of a small bridge not 50 yards from a marina. As my bait turns and swims momentarily into the sunlight, a sudden swirl connects me to a solid slot-sized snook.

My line has been in the water for less than a minute.

“It can happen fast,” chuckled Capt. George Gozdz, who in 2019 is scheduled to host a new fishing show on The Sportsman Channel called Unfathomed. “There’s quality snook under almost any significant structure around here.”

“Around here” would be the Indian River Lagoon (IRL) and St. Lucie River system, an estuarine wonderland on Florida’s southeast coast that stretches 155 miles and dishes up everything from monster snook, gator trout and delicious pompano to king-sized tarpon, jacks and a variety of grouper. The city of Stuart sits dead-center in this expansive maze of fishing heaven, and makes the perfect launch point Capt. George Gozdz shows off a monfor learning these waters. ster St. Lucie River snook. Look for “The diversity in this area is 8- to 10-foot depths with good current something special,” explained Gonear structure to find the big ones, he zdz, “Two systems converge here, said. Photo courtesy of George Gozdz. the St. Lucie River and Indian River, and St. Lucie Inlet provides access for ocean pelagics like sailfish. Inshore, snook is the most popular target on a year-round basis. From December through March, you’ll find the best action up inside the St. Lucie River because the water is warmest there.

The stretch from Rt. A1A (aka: 10 Cent Bridge) west into the north or south fork of the St. Lucie River is the prime winter snook area. I throw Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnows and Hydro Poppers in low light conditions and pitch pilchards once the sun gets up in the sky.”

Generally speaking, tidal stage doesn’t matter much for these snook, as long as the water is moving. Look for heavy structure near 10-foot depths with good flow and you’ll eventually connect. “Keep in mind this isn’t finesse fishing,” advised Gozdz. “There’s no way to haul a big snook— they can top 40 inches in length—out of heavy structure with light lines.

I use 80-lb. test Yo-Zuri Super Braid with an 80- to 100-lb. test Top Knot fluorocarbon leader.”

If you are looking to stay overnight in Stuart, Pirate’s Cove Resort and Marina (www.piratescoveresort.com; 772-287-2500) is a great choice with affordable rooms, wet slips and free launching around the corner at the Sandsprit Park. To fish with Gozdz, email: ggozdz@bellsouth.net.

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

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Capt. Alex, of the Harvester, ran more than 200 charter trips during the last year, so it’d be understandable if he wanted to take some time to recuperate. But Alex is a pure fisherman, so instead of kicking back he loaded up for a trip to Puerto Calero off the coast of Morocco. There he served on the crew of the Lydia and topped the scoreboard with the first marlin release of a tournament. This was a great experience for Capt. Alex to fish on a different boat in a different ocean. It was also great to see our local hero make big waves on the big stage!

Back in Costa Rica, Capt. William, of the Wanderer, and Capt. Francisco, of the Explorer, oversaw maintenance of the boats. Keeping a fleet of sportfishing boats running in such a remote environment requires patience and ingenuity, but these legendary captains have both traits in excess.

In mid-October, the Nosara area was inundated with historic flooding. The Rio Nosara swelled to 30 feet above its usual level and left many residents stranded. The FishingNosara team sprang into action and used the 23-foot Adventurer to save multiple neighbors from the floods.

Videos of this “Tico Navy” in action quickly went viral (check the FishingNosara Facebook and Instagram feed to see for yourself). All credit is due to the crews and staff for their bravery and selflessness.

All in all, it’s been an interesting off-season.

We can’t wait to get the boats wet in November for another great season of the best sportfishing in Costa Rica!

D

uring the off-season in northern Costa Rica, the FishingNosara team spent the last two months gearing up for the new season. Their five boats were completely disassembled, sanded, repainted and reassembled.

After another 800-plus-trip season, the crews earned some much needed R&R. The problem is these guys have a love of fishing so deep in their bones that they will not be kept away from the water.

Capt. Carlos, of the Discoverer, finished his maintenance early so he could run trips in September and October, which is almost unheard of in Costa Rica. He got out to the blue water, nabbed an awesome blue marlin release and backed it up with big dorados and big numbers of yellowfin tuna.

FishingNosara ran a few dozen trips during the so-called offseason and saw the fishery has reset itself into the winter patterns, which bring more dorado and fewer yellowfins. There are a lot of sailfish and marlin feeding on the mahi-mahi.

This pattern typically lasts into late March when the big schools of yellowfin tuna move in from the north. The El Nino blew through two years ago and disrupted this pattern, but we anticipate things will return to normal this season and for the next few years.

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CONNECTICUT/RHODE ISLAND EDITION

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NOVEMBER 2018

FISH FOCUS

BY ZACH HARVEY

The “N” Word: Month-Eleven in the High Surf

H

alloween used to be a serious benchmark in a surf season—a gateway of sorts into autumn casting. A pipeline of fish stretching out east and then north—Gloucester, then the South Shore, the Outer Cape, the Canal, the South Shore, Nantucket, the Vineyard, Newport, Jamestown, the South County beaches and Block Island. Waves of fish, bass, blues, but also, for a tide here or there, weakfish, bonito. Bait—big bait, small bait, bunker, squid, sand eels, bay anchovies, mullet, herring, whiting, and more sand eels, bigger sand eels. Layers of bait, layers of predators.

September, the front half of October were like a warm-up, a cocktail hour before things got moving in earnest. And then, Halloween onward, there weren’t fish clogging the first wave every tide, but if you hit it the way surfcasters eying success have always need to hit it—that is to say every night—you could pull out of the driveway around sundown with a reasonable expectation that if you were willing to put on some miles, you’d find fish somewhere.

In the second coming of stripers, the mythology of the old “fall runs” was on the lips of so many veteran surfmen that it offset the biological reality of the post-Moratorium striper hunt—at least enough to keep the new generation’s collective eye on the ball well past the October blitzes. In the early 2000s, I witnessed a few seasons when Indian summer held enough stripers on the beach to touch off mayhem when the first waves of sea herring—the last of the socalled “late bait”—blew into town in November. But in the second half of that decade, the all-important timing went to hell in a hand basket: The intensifying pace of nor’easters, sou’westers, and NW clean-up gales effectively drove our resident bass out of town by the second moon in October. Early November, the herring still offshore, and, most years, not much “in-between” bait like whiting, butterfish, squid, or foot-long sand eels to pull westbound migrant schools up into the shoal water, the last-hurrah herring action along the beach misfired and kept missing.

I must admit that I’ve lost an incremental bit of my will to cast the late innings almost every season since probably 2005. And somehow this fall, at a point when even the diehards are thinning out amid growing fears about a coming striper collapse, I have a strange will to push this hunt past the first snowfall.

Some of it is proof that I’ve managed to keep the memory of the last evil winter close enough to front-of-mind to fish with newfound urgency and some honest dread for what’s coming all too soon. But there’s also an awful lot of bait around—layers of it representing various species and all sizes, including full-size pogies milling around in every salt pond, tidal river, and harbor from Sakonnet past Westerly.

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I’ve heard loads of surfcasting and fly specialists tossing around various comments about “the table” being “set” over the last few generally forage-rich seasons. Every time I hear the phrase, I feel compelled to point out that a lot of bait is only a “set table” if there’s someone coming to dinner. Otherwise, tons of bait is just, well, tons of bait. My own cynicism notwithstanding, this autumn—so far, at least—feels different, feels fishier in ways I’d be hard-pressed to articulate.

Granted, I haven’t seen so many pogies around in any other season I fished attentively. For that matter, I’ve never seen so many schools of foot-long menhaden milling around one rod-length off the end of my boots and nary a predator in sight. More than a few nights, I’ve actually sat along the shore with the express purpose of pogy-watching—hundreds of them coasting to and fro, flipping here and there, apparently just for the joy of flipping. After watching one specific log-jam of them for two straight weeks, way up inside a local tidal river, I started to notice what I determined were terminalboredom sores growing on their flanks. These fish, unmolested for so long, had lost their collective fire. That, or all the antidepressants washing out of suburban leech fields into the river had numbed then over entirely. I can’t say for sure.

“Somehow this fall, at a point when even the diehards are thinning out amid growing fears about a coming striper collapse, I have a strange will to push this hunt past the first snowfall.”

Maybe that’s just me. After years pounding my head against the unyielding stone face of fisheries policy and politics, I decided at the outset of this season I’d pull back from that darkness, take some time to remember the numerous parts of a season fishing that drew me into this mess in the first place. I’ll admit that I’ve been a bit surprised how much—absent the pull of the black hole that is management—I still love this racket. And in the end, it’s love of winging bits of metal and plastic into a howling headwind that makes up about half of autumn’s fishing potential.

Whether or not there’s a late “run”, there will be fish in our surf another month at least. What you will have made of that a month hence is a worry you need to install in the front of your mind immediately. It’s not September anymore, and now even Halloween is bobbing along in our wake. Now, it’s that cruelest time of a surf season, when the fish we have tonight might very well leave town with the next dumping tide, and one “tomorrow night” very soon, there will be no reinforcements coming along to take their place. If you’re still doing it, do it now and do it as often as you can stand.

The only certainty in the whole fleeting transaction of November casting is this: Three months from now, you won’t regret a single night you manage to lurch out of your house and take at least a few casts.

Tired as you might feel this minute, the long rest is much closer than you think.

This story ran in an earlier version of Coastal Angler, but we loved it so much we ran it again.

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WORD ON THE BITE

BY TOM SCHLICHTER

Westbrook’s Freedom Boat Club Offers a Confluence of Fishes

I

Between those two ports, I can t doesn’t take a lot of cover plenty of water.” imagination to recognize how well positioned Being able to access the boats at Westbrook, CT is set up multiple Freedom Boat Clubs is for fishing. Tucked right up one of the perks members seem to against the shore of eastern enjoy most about this organization.

Long Island Sound between Members can sign-up at any Megis Point to the west and location across the country and Cornfield Point to the east, then use vessels at any of Freedom’s it’s also at the confluence of 160+ franchises. “It really is quite a the Menunketesuck River and bargain,” says Kolakoski.

Patchogue Rivers. Just a short Indeed, between Long Island, run offshore will put you in Connecticut and Rhode Island the rich and productive waters alone there are fourteen operations surround Duck Island, and Just look at all that pink. It marks good fishing areas in the Westport, CT area including Stamford, Stratford, Menunketesuck Island. Head on Capt. Segull’s Charts. Chart courtesy of Capt. Segull’s Nautical Fishing Charts. Branford, Westbrook, Deep a little further offshore and River and Mystic in Connecticut, you’ll come across Long Sand Newport, Portsmouth, and Shoal, a six-mile stretch of Warwick in Rhode Island, plus sandy bottom that rises to within four feet of the Freeport, Babylon, Northport, Port Jefferson and surface at points while offering 40-foot depths to Port Washington on Long Island. That’s a lot of the inside and a drop-off of up to 125 feet along coverage and, being that the locations are spread its outer edge. out, you can actually follow the best striper, fluke,

Add in the Connecticut River a few miles false albacore and blackfishing from port to port to the east, plus tons of local locations that just from Connecticut, to Long Island, up into Rhode shout the word “structure” and it’s hard to go Island and beyond if you so desire. wrong here. I mean really: West Rock, Wheeler

Victor Perry, another Freedom Boat Club Rock and Stone Island Reef and East Ledge (to member that enjoys fishing out of Westbrook, the west) and Great Rocks, Lobster Rock, Long agrees with Kolakoski’s assessment. “I’m hitting Rock and Halftide Rock (to the east.) Could the a lot of the same spots for everything from fluke names sound any better to striper, sea bass or and sea bass to blues, stripers and false albacore.” tautog fans?

Perry spends a lot of time in the fall

“This certainly is a fishy place,” says Freedom chasing Fat Alberts and stripers, particularly in Boat Club member, Jay Kolakoski of Bristol, CT. the vicinity of the Connecticut River. He’ll work “I absolutely love fishing around here. There’s just anywhere from the mouth of the river to the so much variety species and plenty of great spots I-95 Bridge for the bass, tossing topwater plugs, Victor Perry has had especially good to discover and learn.” dragging umbrella rigs or working Sluggos. “For luck trolling umbrella rigs for stripers Kolakoski, who also fishes frequently out between the mouth of the Connecticut the albies, it’s a free-for-all on the open Sound,” of Freedom’s Mystic, CT location, spends the River and the Rt. I-95 Bridge. He can get he chuckles. “For that, I’m looking for diving summer season chasing fluke, black sea bass, to the hot spot from either the Westbrook birds and chasing the pods. I’ll cast Deadly Dicks jumbo porgies, school stripers and blues with or Mystic Freeport Boat Club franchises. or Albie Snacks. Those fish are so fast and so strong, it’s really exciting.” good success. “I’m a generalist when it comes to Photo courtesy of Victor Perry.

Both Perry and Kolakoski agree that the fishing,” he explains, “so I really enjoy the variety in this part of Long Island Sound. I like that it’s a relatively short ride to no-hassle approach to boating they get with their Freedom Boat Club the Connecticut River where stripers seem to always be in good supply, membership really adds to their fishing fun.

“I get to the dock, step aboard and head out. It’s as simple as that,” and Long Sand Shoal where fluke, sea bass and scup are easy to target.

It’s only a half-hour ride from my home in Bristol, CT, to the Westbrook See Word on the Bite (Continued on Page 8) Freedom Boat Club location, and about an hour to the Mystic location.

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NOVEMBER 2018

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Pile on the Blackfish Fillets

BY TOM SCHLICHTER

I

t’s amazing how quickly the fishing can change in the waters of Long Island Sound on up into Southern New England ad November’s page appears on the calendar.

In a good year, the blues begin to thin out following Election Day until frenzied school stripers serve as the main target about ten days before Thanksgiving. In a tough year, it takes but an early gale to blow the bass out, too, leaving blackfish as the only dependable game in town. The point is: fish fast, for the season now is surely slipping away and your next great day may the last for 2018.

That isn’t to say all hope is lost. Indeed, there have been many years in which some of the best fall bassin’ throughout the region came immediately prior to Turkey Day and I have, on occasion, continued to pick keeper linesiders well into December. I’m just pointing out that now is the time to fish with urgency and pile extra fillets in the freezer in case a big nor’easter or prolonged cold snap suddenly shuts things down.

As with October, stripers should continue on parade though month’s end, inhaling poppers, bottle plugs, swim shads and tins along the beaches. With far fewer bluefish in the mix, however, the bass should now be easier to isolate and will generally show more enthusiasm toward

Hermit crabs make great baits for bulldog blackfish. The author suggests saving them for use on the slowest stages of the tide.

Photo by Tom Schlichter. lures cast from shore. Look for schools of linesiders ranging from rats to ‘teeners to swing around points on rising tides and then trap baitfish up tight against shoreline coves as the ebb begins. Most of the near-shore bass to be caught will measure 16- to 28-inches so lighten up on your gear if you feel so inclined. Out in the deeper waters of the Middle Grounds in Long Island Sound, and throughout Block Island and Fishers Island sounds, diamond jigging can see tremendous scores with bass patrolling the entire water column but the biggest ones holding deep.

While the surface continues to boil with stripers and some huge remaining blues, bottom action with blackfish reaches its zenith this month. Sure, the fishing was fun a few weeks ago when bottom bouncers 6 CONNECTICUT/RHODE ISLAND

NOVEMBER 2018

November’s deep-water blackfish often run large. Matty Ketchem decked this bulldog off Long Island’s east end while fishing aboard the Prime Time Fleet out of Orient, NY. Photo by Tom Schlichter. could hammer the ‘tog in 15- to 25-foot depths, but now that the action has shifted to between 40 and 80 feet of water, bigger fish are likely to come into play. As always, you’ll find the best blackfish action setting up over rocky or obstructed bottom. As such, any prominent point can offer a good start. Line up the slope where juts out to sea and then back out to an appropriate depth. Use your electronics and Navionics charts to locate submerged boulders or rubble piles whenever possible.

That light jigging for tautog sure was fun last month, but now the time has come to beef up your gear as you greet the bulldogs in the deep water with strong currents. Set up with a heavier meat stick that can handle 30-pound test mono or 60-pound test braided lines and 6 to 10 ounces of lead, a. The move to deeper water also brings green crabs to the forefront as the premiere blackfish bait of late fall. Sure, Asian crabs, fiddlers and even calicos will continue to catch far off the beach but the deeper you go the better the tough-shelled, meaty greenies will hold up against the raps of smaller blackfish, sea bass and bergalls. Wait out all the little taps and set up hard and fast on substantial tugs. If you keep losing baits, fish a small greenie whole with the shell still intact.

Another great blackfish bait is giant hermit crabs – if you can find a bait shop or remaining lobsterman to supply them. Hermit crabs are an offering big blacks will race too every time. Pull them out from their shells and hook each once through the soft-fleshed abdomen. Lower gently to the bottom so they don’t rip off the hook and hold on tight to your rod. If you have only a few hermit crabs on hand, save them for just before slack tide when the current is barely moving. That is when the real bulldogs come out to play.

Finding blackfish and getting your baits to fall right in front of them is only half the battle, setting the hook and hauling ‘em up is the other half. The hook-setting seems to be especially frustrating to novice anglers and that’s no surprise when you consider that blackfish have two sets of teeth and lips nearly as tough as the sole of a running shoe.

The front set, the ones you’ll see if you look inside a blackfish’s mouth, are canine-style and are used to deftly pick up and process menu items.

Further back in the throat, behind the gills, is positioned a set of molar-

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like pharyngeal teeth used to crack, crush, grind and pulverize the shells of crabs and mussels.

When a blackfish picks up a bait, the first tap transmitted up the line is the fish holding your offering in its front teeth. Try to set the hook now and you’ll pull the bait away. Not until the bait is passed back can the point be firmly driven home. Wait too long, however, and the hook will be quickly expelled with the crushed crab shell. Setting the hook, then, is a matter of timing that requires practice to master. Keeping a finger to your line to feel the difference between the pick-up and the swallow will help you learn when to make your move.

Once you decide to set the hook, set it hard so the point penetrates the tough skin that surrounds your quarry’s mouth. Lift your rod up high, over your head with your arms fully extended toward the sky, as you feel the point stick. This will tow the fish up and away from the bottom so that when it turns to dive it should come up a few feet short of the nearest hang-up. Only once the fish is clearly headed toward the surface should you lower your arms to a more normal fighting position.

A tight drag also helps prevent these brawlers from returning to their lairs - but don’t go too tight or a big fish might snap the line at a knot.

Of course, hopping on a charter or open boat makes a lot of sense if catching the blackfish of a lifetime is on your bucket list. The deeper into the season, the more alluring the thought of comfort, safety and knowledge provided by the professional fleet.

Green crabs are the standard November blackfish bait for Long Island Sound and southern New England waters. Photo by Tom Schlichter.

Editor’s Note: Catch more of Tom Schlichter on his Outdoor Tom Facebook page: @outdoortomcorp. Here, you’ll also find his Outdoor Tom E-news posted every other Tuesday.

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WORD ON THE BITE (Continued from Page 4) explains Perry. “If you plan ahead a little bit, you can reserve the exact boat you want to take,” adds Kolakoski. Even if you call at the last minute, there’s always a suitable choice. For fishing, I really like the 23foot Key West Center Console.”

Allen Schnur is one of the newer members at Freedom Boat Club’s Westbrook location. In addition to the great service and variety of boats to choose from, he likes the way he’s treated at dockside there.

“The dock-hands are polite, efficient, and they offer the latest in terms of fishing reports whenever I show up,” he says “For me, that last point is key since I’m just getting started with fishing again. I did it a as a kid, but the game has certainly changed. So far, I’ve done well with porgies right around Duck Island. Hopefully, I’ll figure out the stripers and blues next year.”

For fishing, Schnur also favors the Key West center console (the Westbrook location has three of these). When simply enjoying a day on the water with his wife, Debbie, however, he’ll usually opt for a dual console or a pontoon boat. As for being able to use any of the Freedom Boat Club facilities across the country, Schnur has been taking full advantage of the offer.

“Last March, we used the reciprocal agreement to boat out of Marco Island and Jacksonville, Florida,” he stated. “You just can’t beat that freedom of choice.”

Like many northeast Freedom Boat Club members, Jay Kolakoski enjoys pursuing false albacore well into the fall.

Photo courtesy of Jay Kolakoski.

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NOVEMBER 2018

Fishing for a Good Cause

BY TAYLOR INGRAHAM

I

want to send a sincere thank you to everyone who fished in, attended, sponsored and supported the inaugural Tightlined Slam. With a lot of help from the weather, and an assist from the albies, the weekend was a success. We had 20 boats participating, with about 60 anglers departing from Greenwich to Fairfield, and nearly 150 people at the party on Sunday.

Together, the inaugural Tightlined Slam was able to raise close to $17,000 towards the protection and conservation of our marine resources. I would also like to extend a special thank you to team Road Work Ahead, Team Lighten Up and Team Tightlined for donating some or all of their winnings back to the Marine Fish Conservation Network.

While the albie fishing was good throughout the region, just about every boat ended up landing at least one, the striped bass and blues were VERY hard to come by, with the largest bass coming in at 24” and the largest blue at 30” (which was more than 10” larger than the runner up).

The fact that twenty boats filled with skilled anglers fishing for 1.5 full days during what should be the fall run struggled to catch stripers up to 24” and one bluefish over 20” is clear testament to the critical importance of organizations like the Marine Fish Conservation Network. The fish and marine life that we all love are just not around in the numbers they should be, especially at this time of year. Bluefish of any size have been largely M.I.A. in the Western Sound for the last several summers and falls, and the numbers of medium-sized stripers have been increasingly scarce as well.

As I have said to all of you who I have spoken with about the Tightlined Slam, this tournament was not a one-and-done event, but the start of something that will continue to raise awareness and funds for the conservation of our fish and our oceans. You may know that I have twin boys who turned nine months old on the Saturday of the tournament, and they are a big reason why 2018 was the tournament’s first year. Coming from a household where I was taught to fish by my dad growing up, I want to be able to show my two boys what makes me wake up even earlier than they do in the mornings and watch them (hopefully) grow to love the water, fishing and the environment as much as I do.

While I think the tournament went very well for a first time event, I learned a lot of important lessons that will lead to improvements moving forward, not only for those fishing in it, but for those attending and supporting the fundraising party as well (and also myself in managing it).

Along those lines, if you fished, sponsored or attended the event and have any suggestions, critiques, feedback, etc., PLEASE let me know, I would love to hear from you. Additionally, if you have any interest in being part of planning or management committees for future tournaments, please reach out, any insight or help is welcome.

To help everyone get ahead of scheduling, the SECOND annual Tightlined Slam will take place next October 5th and 6th, with a Captain’s meeting on October 4 and another great fundraising party on Sunday the 6th that will be open to anglers and non-anglers alike. Save the date and come out to support the conservation of our marine resources.

Thank you again to our anglers, sponsors and partiers. Your support is greatly appreciated and together we can really make a difference in preserving our oceans.

Stay tuned for more exciting updates and I hope to hear from you soon. Until then, stay Tighlined.

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B.A.S.S. photo by Seigo Saito

B

y the time Justin Lucas made it to the stage during the weighin for the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship at Lake Chatuge, Georgia, the drama was all but gone.

Lucas entered the event with an eight-point lead in the AOY season standings—and after solid catches during the event, he had stretched that lead to an almost-insurmountable 47 points. His closest competition in the race, Arizona angler Josh Bertrand, decided not to fish because his wife was expected to deliver their second child.

It eliminated all the suspense, but that suited Lucas just fine.

The California native turned Alabama resident caught five bass

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that weighed only 11 pounds, 14 ounces on the final day at Chatuge.

But his three-day weight of 39-0 was more than enough to give him the AOY title.

“I wanted this so badly,” Lucas said. “The build-up to this tournament affected every part of my life. I haven’t been sleeping because I would wake up in the middle of the night thinking about my game plan for this week. I’ve told my family and friends just to bear with me for a few more days, and everything would be okay—and now it’s all good.”

The gravity of the award hit Lucas and moved him to tears on stage.

“You think about the guys who’ve won this title—Gerald Swindle, Kevin VanDam—it’s unbelievable,” he said. “I’m the 23rd guy who’s ever won this in the 50-year history of B.A.S.S., and that’s humbling.”

Lucas came into the week knowing if he finished inside the Top 8 he couldn’t lose the AOY title—even if Bertrand won the tournament. His Sunday weight helped lift him into seventh place and capped a dominant finish to his 2018 season.

The seventh-place showing marked his fifth straight Top 12 appearance in a Bassmaster Elite Series event, dating back to the regular-season tournament held on the Sabine River in Orange, Texas, in June.

Lucas earned one of the most coveted trophies in professional bass fishing and a $100,000 bonus. Besides the AOY title, Lucas qualified for the 2019 Bassmaster Classic—his fourth time to qualify for bass fishing’s biggest event in five years on the Elite Series.

The Toyota Bassmaster Rookie of the Year award went to North Carolina pro Jake Whitaker, who finished 15th in the tournament and barely edged Arizona angler Roy Hawk for the title.

To hear a word from Lucas after his win, go to

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10/18/18 9:23 AM

RIGGING & JIGGING

Tim Barefoot

I

f I had to choose one inshore bait over all others, it would definitely be a shrimp.

I can’t name a fish that doesn’t eat shrimp. It’s especially effective for trout, drum, snook and tarpon. Here is a technique for rigging a soft-plastic shrimp with a snelled weed guard that makes it easier to fish through mangroves, marsh grass, docks and all the other thick places that hold fish.

Tools: Needle nose pliers, 80lb. fluorocarbon line for the weed guard, 20- to 50-lb. fluoro for the leader, a red or brown Sharpie marker to color the antennae/weed guard, a pre-rigged soft-plastic shrimp.

Steps:

• Carefully remove the hook from the pre-rigged soft plastic shrimp.

• Cut a 7-inch piece of 80-lb. fluoro. Pinch it at the center with pliers and bend it backward against the natural curvature of the line to create the antennae.

• Push both tag ends of the 80-lb. line through the backside of the hook eye. Leave about 1 ¼ inches of the loop that’s created on the backside of the hook shank.

• Thread a strand of the 25- to 50-lb. leader material through the backside of the hook eye.

This will be your snell.

• Using the leader material on the shank side of the hook eye, make a loop about the diameter of a baseball.

• Take this loop and snell it to the shank of the hook, which secures the antennae/weed guard.

• Trim the tag end of the leader material as well as the closed loop of 80-lb. line against the

hook shank.

• Bend the antennae back along the length of the hook, and trim them just past the barb of the hook.

• Use the Sharpie marker to color the antennae.

This same weed guard can be snelled onto almost any hook for a variety of applications. Substitute heavy-duty hooks to target species like tarpon and large snook.

The 80-lb. fluoro is stiff enough to fend obstacles off the hook point and gives the shrimp a realistic appearance. Fluorocarbon is highly preferred for its stiffness, but some monofilament lines like Triplefish and Ande are stiff enough to use for this

purpose.

This might appear to be complicated, but it is a very simple way to kill two birds with one stone.

By snelling it, you secure the antennae/weed guard to the hook and create a leader at the same time. Check out the video linked below to see the techniques used in this rig.

Visit www.barefootcatsandtackle.com.

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CANGL_FIL1-FIL4.indd 4

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W

hen Bob Sundstrom, of Odin Lure Company, created his Oozzie Jig in 2011, he knew right away it was something special. It worked wonders on the New Hampshire coast for cod, haddock and stripers, and he patented his new technology that allows hard baits to disperse a steady stream of fish-attracting scent.

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“We’ve all had fish follow a lure right to the boat,” Sundstrom said. “You caught that fish’s curiosity through sight and sound, but you haven’t convinced the fish that it’s looking at something to eat.”

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lures use sight, sound and smell to convince even the wariest fish to feed.

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On retrieve, water pushes through a rubber membrane on the front of the lure and past the Fish Smack in the bait chamber. Scented water exits through laceration points designed to look like gill slits on the lure’s sides. FRIGG lures leave a scented bubble trail that adds an element of realism and triggers strikes. On top of that, the residual baitfish scent in the water acts like chum to attract fish and spur feeding activity.

A single injection of Fish Smack will keep the lure “hot” through more than an hour of casts and retrieves. And FRIGGs are remarkably versatile on the retrieve. A concave face gives the seductive wobbling and walking action of a stunned baitfish. When slowed down, the popper’s loud pops, bubbles and gurgles are like ringing the dinner bell.

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FRESHWATER

By Michael Okruhlik • Photo courtesy of Controlled Descent Lures

A

laska, the last frontier, is truly a remarkable destination that every angler should experience. Believe it or not, river fishing in Alaska can be done easily without a guide. I like to call it a “do-it-yourself destination.”

The famous Kenai Peninsula is a place I have traveled to for several amazing fishing trips. The beautiful scenery in this area alone is worth the trip, and the number of close encounters with wild bull moose, bears, elk, bald eagles, etc. were truly amazing. While there, I find myself not wanting to sleep, since the summer days are never ending and the fishing is usually catching!

My last trip to the fabled Kenai River was a last-minute journey

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that proved to be one of my most amazing trips to the peninsula. It was mid-July, and I had been watching the salmon counts and monitoring the run charts for a few weeks. This was going to be my first attempt at catching the larger second run of sockeye salmon. Reports told of massive schools in Cook Inlet that were moving toward the river mouth.

Predictions of a record season were starting to fill the nets of the commercial fishermen.

As they started to near the river mouth in the town of Kenai, estimates of their arrival at my anticipated ambush point in the small town of Soldotna began to filter in. It was now time to break the news to my wife of this last-minute fishing trip from Texas to Alaska. Fortunately, she understands my passion for the sport and was in full support. The facts that sockeye is her favorite fish to eat and that I had a free airline ticket didn’t hurt.

Four days later, the salmon and I hit the banks of the Kenai River in downtown Soldotna. Not only was its perfect timing for the arrival of these large acrobatic fighters, Alaska also increased the limit from three salmon per day to six. Jackpot! For some reason, the crowds were also lighter than what I had witnessed on previous trips. I was not complaining. I was fortunate to harvest my limit each day.

With easy limits of salmon in the morning, I found time to head to the Russian River for some rainbow trout on the fly. This is where I had a 15-foot encounter with a momma bear and her two cubs. Fortunately, she didn’t feel threatened as the cubs were crossing the river on a fallen tree. She glanced at me, then to her cubs, back at me, and proceeded to follow her cubs across the river. I will never forget the sheer awe of that experience.

A visit to Kenai Peninsula would not be complete without a hike to view Exit Glacier and the Harding Icefields. I have made this hike three times, and if I ever return I will definitely do it again.

Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Controlled Descent Lures and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.

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Within a short panga ride from your hotel, you can cast flies to rolling tarpon on the open-water flats. Tarpon here are accommodating, often hitting poppers or a well-placed subsurface fly. Once hooked, baby tarpon put on a spectacular show, burning fly line off reels and making their trademark jumps.

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If you’re looking for that first-time tarpon destination and want lots of great sight fishing action, book your trip to the Yucatan peninsula ASAP!

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CANGL_NAT3-NAT26.indd 21

Baby tarpon can be spooky, so keep the fly line out of the tarpon’s field of vision, especially in calm conditions. I suggest a 10- to 12foot leader of 20-pound test with a floating line. You’ll also need a short 40-pound bite tippet.

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SHELTER LOGIC

$19999 270 SAVE $100

MODEL: 76377

ITEM 62859/63055/62860 shown

*70454740 * 70454740

*70456551 * 70456551

LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*

LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*

LIMIT 9 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*

LIMIT 3 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*

SUPER COUPON

SUPER COUPON

4-1/2" ANGLE GRINDER

SUPER COUPON

18" MACHETE WITH SERRATED BLADE

.50 CAL METAL SNATCH BLOCK AMMO CAN Customer Rating

UPER UPON

• Includes sheath Customer Rating

Customer Rating

NOW

$1 999

NOW

SAVE 65%

NOW

COMPARE TO

PERFORMAX $ 99

$

28

MODEL: 2411-1

$999

14

99

ITEM 69645/95578/60625 shown

99

$12

COMPARE TO

GAME WINNER $ 99

24

MODEL: FSGWHE1030

SAVE 48%

$

$

COMPARE TO

15

99

ITEM 63750/63181 shown

WARN $ 99

NOW

$499 $599

2899

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41

MODEL: WAR88898

$

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SOG

ITEM 62435/61673 shown

1869 SAVE 73%

MODEL: 947981

ITEM 62682/69910/60641/62683 shown

*70457789 * 70457789

*70457886 * 70457886

*70458197 * 70458197

*70458661 * 70458661

LIMIT 9 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*

LIMIT 7 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*

LIMIT 7 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*

LIMIT 9 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*

SUPER COUPON

SUPER COUPON

ATV/LAWN MOWER LIFT

Customer Rating

• 300 lb. capacity • Weighs 72.5 lbs.

UM TER

$

ating

SUPER COUPON

80 PIECE ROTARY TOOL KIT

Customer Rating

NOW

8999 $74

99

SAVE $67 Customer Rating

SUPER COUPON

2/10/50 AMP, 12 VOLT BATTERY CHARGER/ 12" WIDE MOUTH ENGINE STARTER TOOL BAG

COMPARE TO

MAX LOAD

$

142 08

MODEL: 38028

ITEM 60395/62325/62493/61523 shown

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59

NOW

$2999

SCHUMACHER $ 99 MODEL: SE-1250 ELECTRIC ITEM 60581/60653 shown

SAVE 75%

Tools sold separately.

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AWP

1998 $ 99 8

MODEL: 3L-2216

ITEM 38168/62163/62349/61467 shown

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99

$4

SAVE 73%

NOW

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$699

26

9

$ 35 PROFESSIONAL WOODWORKER MODEL: 51832

$ 99

ITEM 69451/68986/63235/63292/97626 shown

*70462654 * 70462654

*70462904 * 70462904

*70463421 * 70463421

*70463587 * 70463587

LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*

LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*

LIMIT 8 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*

LIMIT 8 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*

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long d ating

4

6499 SAVE 69%

MODEL: 426920

*70453466 * 70453466

Customer Rating

99

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MIBRO

$1 999

*69721420 * 69721420

shown

9

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LIMIT 6 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*

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MODEL: T830018Z

97

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99

*69720196 * 69720196

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$

LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*

COMPARE TO

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TEQ $

*69710418 * 69710418

$34

199

• Weighs 73 lbs.

COMPARE TO

LIMIT 9 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*

99

9

• 5400 lb. capacity

20"

*69709049 * 69709049

NOW

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3/8" x 14 FT., GRADE 43 TOWING CHAIN

LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*

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Side tray sold separately.

Customer Rating

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$2

Customer Rating

SUPER COUPON

18" x 12" 1750 PSI ELECTRIC MOVER'S DOLLY PRESSURE WASHER

Customer Rating

• 1000 lb. capacity

COMPARE TO

GRIZZLY $

425

MODEL: H7723

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$

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BUFFALO TOOLS $ 65

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MODEL: HDFDOLLY

$

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44 SAVE $94 BRIGGS & $ STRATTON MODEL: 20600 ITEM 63255/63254 shown

174

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59

MODEL: PCE360

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$1 999 $

2799

*70464930 * 70464930

*70465235 * 70465235

*70466108 * 70466108

*70466416 * 70466416

LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*

LIMIT 9 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*

LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*

LIMIT 7 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*

At Harbor Freight Tools, the “Compare to” price means that the specified comparison, which is an item with the same or similar function, was 900 Stores Nationwide • HarborFreight.com COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM I national NOVEMBER 2018 I NATIONAL advertised for sale at or above the “Compare to” price by another retailer in the U.S. within the past 90 days. Prices advertised 25 by others

*Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 3/1/19.

CANGL_NAT3-NAT26.indd 25

may vary by location. No other meaning of “Compare to” should be implied. For more information, go to HarborFreight.com or see store associate.

10/18/18 10/2/18 9:49 1:54 AM PM

26

NATIONAL

I

CANGL_NAT3-NAT26.indd 26

NOVEMBER 2018

I

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

10/18/18 9:49 AM

WHO CARES ABOUT LIVE SCANNING SONAR? ANYONE WHO FISHES.

PANOPTIX™ LIVESCOPE SYSTEM LIVE, REAL-TIME

2 MODES IN

SEE AROUND YOUR BOAT

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SCANNING SONAR 1 TRANSDUCER SEE BELOW YOUR BOAT TO 200’

WORKS EVEN WHEN

AHRS STABILIZES

BOAT IS STATIONARY SONAR VIEW

EASY TO INSTALL

INTEGRATES SEAMLESSLY

© 2018 Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries.

COMMON CVRS_1118.indd 3 18-MCJT11128 Panoptix LiveScope Full-page Near Shore Ad-8.125x10.875-CoastalAngler.indd 1

10/18/18 AM 10/10/18 10:50 2:01 PM

THE PLANET’S

CLEANEST OUTBOARD *

It’s never been this much of a rush to make the right choice. The new Evinrude® E-TEC® G2® gives you power plus responsibility. Run the cleanest combustion outboard on the planet, period. Not just clean, but lean, with up to 15% better fuel efficiency**. No competitor takes you further on a tank of fuel. That’s more adventures to the gallon, more fish in the boat, more dollars in your wallet. The planet friendly E-TEC G2. No outboard engine runs cleaner.

©2018 Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP). All rights reserved. ®, TM and the BRP logo are trademarks of BRP or its affiliates. * Emissions claim based on reported certified emissions of Evinrude E-TEC G2 250 H.O., Yamaha 250 SHO® and Mercury OptiMax® 250 Pro XS™. Actual emissions dependent on engine model. ** Fuel economy claim based on BRP-conducted ICOMIA testing of Evinrude E-TEC G2 250 H.O., Yamaha 250 SHO® and Mercury OptiMax® 250 HP in a test tank to determine ICOMIA average cycle. Actual fuel economy dependent on engine model.

COMMON CVRS_1118.indd 4

10/18/18 10:50 AM