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trailered. Fishing from the bank, from a pier or in the surf provides freedom of movement for them to explore. If they lose interest in fishing, they can chase crabs, look in the buckets of neighboring anglers, hunt for shells or wade the shallows.

Catch And Keep Like sports trophies, Children want and take pride in having something to show for their efforts. Allow kids to take part in the process of catching, cleaning and cooking fresh fish for dinner. In the process, they’ll learn how the meat they eat makes it to their plate.

A Few Tips

o a father and an angler, there’s nothing sweeter than the phrase, “Daddy, can we go fishing today?” I heard those words the first time three years ago from the open face and high-pitched lilt of a 6-year-old boy. It was the reward for years of careful cultivation. We’ve fished together since he was a toddler. Before, it had always been my idea, a way to drag him outside on a warm afternoon. Those early trips to a small neighborhood pond were frustrating. He wanted to do it himself, so Dad picked through snarled lines while the boy mucked around in the shallows, throwing rocks and scaring fish. At some point, I gave up on catching fish. That pivotal moment freed us both to enjoy time

together. To a 4-year-old, sharing crackers with minnows that dart from beneath a dock is as engaging as a fish on the line. Frogs, turtles and the blue heron that fished the same spawning flats we did were as integral to the experience as fish. Now, as a 9-year-old, that kid stands in the front of the boat, ties his own rigs and pounds the banks with skill. Watching his growth as an angler is immensely rewarding, and keeping it fun was/is the key to feeding his desire.

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Fishing is more fun when fish are biting. Pond bream are great for young anglers because techniques are simple and the action is fast. In saltwater, seatrout and whiting provide the same kind of action that keeps their attention. For the first few outings, leave the boat

• Be Patient: Don’t plan on fishing yourself. The adult’s job is to cast and untangle lines, bait hooks, unhook fish and avoid being hooked. • Take Snacks: The most important items in the tackle box are snacks and juice boxes. • Don’t Push It: If your kids would rather throw rocks, let them. • Their Gear: Children love stuff that is theirs. Get a small tackle box for them to carry. Load it with a small pair of pliers and a few inexpensive lures. • Lures: Some kids just want to throw it out and reel it in. Small inline spinners and some jigs are designed to catch anything that swims, and there’s no wrong way to fish them. • Let Them Learn: Nothing is more aggravating than being constantly told what to do. Offer help, but let them learn from their own mistakes.

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By Gary Turner

e were trolling along under blue skies when the back right rod started bleeding line. It was a good fish, whatever it was. But just like that, the line snapped and the fish was gone. We were all pumped after the first bite of the day. Off West Palm Beach, Stacy Flemming, Jimmy Dean and I had met the bait man early to get some goggle eyes. We were in search of big fish. Mahi, tuna, sailfish and cobia were all on the list. As we pulled baits, boats began to arrive on the water. There was a Trump boat parade that morning, a Trumptilla, and nearly all of them

came out to fish. It got a little crazy, so we decided to move farther out. That was our lucky move. As soon as we got baits back in the water, a rod started shedding line, not at a furious pace, just leisurely. “He doesn’t even know he’s hooked yet,” said Dean. About that time, line started screaming out of the reel. The fish made a long first run, and as I started to reel down on it, it leapt. It was a nice sailfish! After what seemed like an hour, the fish started to slow. We maneuvered close, and Dean grabbed its bill and unhooked the 4/0 circle hook. He revived the fish and let it swim away.

Dean has a saying, “On the boat, all is calm until it’s chaos.” Oh, how true that is! We were enjoying the sunshine and 100-foot water clarity when we hooked the next fish. Then, all of sudden, we had two. Fleming and Dean grabbed the rods. I scrambled to clear the lines. Dean’s fish came unbuttoned, but Fleming had a leaper on. We soon saw why that sailfish was doing its best to stay in the air. A large bull shark had spotted it. The shark was all over our fish! Regulations say you should leave sailfish in the water, but we had to save this one. As I backed the boat in, Fleming and Dean yanked it in the boat just as the shark made another run at it. Whew, that was exciting! With the shark out of sight, we stood watch as Dean revived and released his fish. After several more, we called it a day. The next day, we didn’t see much activity until afternoon. A large shark passed with cobia in tow, but none took our baits. Then we saw diving birds and fish smashing baitfish on the surface. About a minute later, the back-left rod bent hard. Fleming got a hold of it, and that fish was moving. When we finally saw color, it was a tuna. Fleming reeled as fast as he could, while we watched another big bull shark homing in on the tuna’s trajectory. The shark hit the tuna right above the tail but couldn’t hang on! Injured, the tuna came quickly to the gaff. We had one more hookup from that school of tuna before we decided to drop baits on a wreck to top off the cooler. It was a great couple of days off South Florida. If you’ve got an extra seat on your boat, contact Gary Turner at gary@purgeright.com.

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Gimme For Six Promotion is available Gimme Six Extended Protection promotion applies to new Suzuki Outboard Motors from 25 to 350 HP in inventory which are sold and delivered to buyer between 04/01/20 and 06/30/20 in accordance with seefor participating Dealer or visit www.suzukimarine.com. Instant Savings musttobe applied purchases against the price of the outboard motor and reflected in theFor billlist of of sale. There are no model pleasure use only, and is not redeemable for cash. Instant Savings applies qualifying of agreed-upon select Suzuki selling Outboard Motors made between 04/01/20 and 06/30/20. designated models, the promotion by a Participating Authorized Suzuki Marine dealer in the continental US and Alaska to a purchasing customer who resides in the continental US or Alaska. The Gimme Six Promotion is available substitutions, benefitDealer substitutions, rain checks, or extensions. Suzuki reserves right toagainst changethe or agreed-upon cancel these selling promotions any outboard time without or obligation. Financing available through see participating or visit www.suzukimarine.com. Instant Savings must the be applied price at of the motornotice and reflected in the*bill of sale. offers There are no model for pleasure use only, and is not redeemable for cash. Instant Savings applies to qualifying purchases of select Suzuki Outboard Motors made between 04/01/20 and 06/30/20. For list of designated models, Synchrony Retail benefit Finance. As low as 5.99% APR financing for 60 Suzuki monthsreserves on newthe andright unregistered Outboard Motors. Subject credit approval. buyers will qualify. Approval, and any rates and substitutions, substitutions, rain checks, or extensions. to changeSuzuki or cancel these promotions at anytotime without noticeNot or all obligation. * Financing offers available through see participating Dealer or visit www.suzukimarine.com. Instant Savings must be applied against the agreed-upon selling price of the outboard motor and reflected in the bill of sale. There are no model terms provided, are Finance. based onAscreditworthiness. $19.99/month permonths $1,000on financed 60 monthsSuzuki is based on 5.99% APR.Subject Hypothetical figures usedNot in all calculation; actual monthly may Synchrony Retail low as 5.99% APR financing for 60 new andfor unregistered Outboard Motors. to credit approval. buyers willyour qualify. Approval, andpayment any rates anddiffer 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 based on provided, financing are terms, credit tier qualification,$19.99/month accessories orper other factors such for as down payment and fees. 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Author Richard Matteson with an early morning beach snook.

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By Richard Matteson

ishing at the beach has been hot. Big jacks are cruising the shorelines chasing bait, and if you follow the birds, that’s where you’ll find them. Be ready to spend 20 minutes trying to get these jacks to shore. Some of them weigh up to 30 pounds. Also chasing bait are large schools of bluefish and mackerel. When you get to the bait, it’s a fish every cast. The beach weed, sargassum, is starting to move into the shallow shoreline, which makes fishing difficult. My favorite beach lure is a 3/8-ounce D.O.A. jig with a 4-inch plastic D.O.A. Paddle Tail, either pearl white or silver sparkle. It works well in sargassum-filled water. The other main lure used on the beach is a silver spoon, usually with single treble hook. For big fish, use a 2-ounce silver Holographic Crocodile Spoon. For light tackle, use a 1-ounce silver or gold Johnson. I use light tackle and line: a 300-grade spinning reel with 10-pound white braid and a 30-pound fluorocarbon leader. Use a loop knot for the lure, and tie the leader to the braid with a double uni knot (look online for tutorials). I’ve landed several jacks around 20-pounds, but I’ve also been broken off by jacks and snook at the braid. Most beach fishers use 20- to 30-pound braid (40-pound leader) and for tarpon 40- to 50-pound braid with 60-pound leader. I’ve been averaging about 15 to 20 fish every morning, with one to six snook. The snook bite is best from 6:30 to 7 a.m. or in the evening around 7:30 p.m. Incoming tide seems to be best, and the fish roam around the trough near the first cut (closest wave). Fish the back of the waves near the shore for snook. Jigs and live bait work better than spoons. Several slot and over-slot sargassum snook have been caught on the beach. In the lagoon and river, they are stacked up around the bridges and around deeper piers. Inshore snook are being caught on threadfin and greenies as well as jigs and root beer color D.O.A. TerrorEyz. The Indian River Lagoon and St. Lucie River have been slow at times. Fish piers for snook and the bridges for snook and tarpon. According to Jim Harter, the South Fork has been slow, but it will pick up with warmer weather. Reports are given of trout being found in Harbor Branch area, with sporadic catches of trout farther south from Herman’s Bay to Bear Creek. D.O.A. jigs and topwaters are good trout choices. Fortunately, wading and surf-fishing are perfect activities during the coronavirus pandemic. Remember to stay safe. Good luck fishing, and tight lines!!! Contact the Stuart Rod and Reel Club at (336) 414-3440 or visit www.stuartrodandreel.com.

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Eric Henson you see a wake from a school of fish beginning to push towards

Fishing

ummertime is officially here, and things are really heating up. Make sure that you are prepared so that you can be more successful on your outings. When you start to feel hot towards the middle of the day, so do the fish in our gulf waters. Try and plan your trips early mornings, late afternoons, or at night when the water temps are cooler, and the fish are more active. Not only will you beat the heat but, the fish will be less lethargic and ready to eat! When you start in the mornings, the best time to get out there is while it is still dark. This way, by the time you are kayaking up to your spot you catch that first bit of the twilight hour, and you will be set up ready to rock. This hour is what fishermen and women refer to as the “Golden Hour”! It’s that first bit of golden sunlight creeping up over the horizon as mother nature begins to wake up. As the first light reflects off the glass water conditions,

you. Or you see a fin break the surface, a tail pop up in front of you. Your heart’s pounding, legs shaking, and you are ready to make the perfect cast. Now, I wish every morning could be just like that! But it must be the conditions, weather, wind direction, tides, and location. If the weather is more favorable in the afternoon, the last hour can be just as productive as the sun drifts behind the horizon. Not only do fish eat more in low-light conditions because they feel safer from predators, but many fish species are nocturnal and so they are more active. This is just another reason fishing at night can produce a great deal of success. When fishing at night, the time doesn’t necessarily predict when I go but I more check the best tide for what species and the location I will be fishing. So, let’s get out there, beat the heat, and take advantage of the optimal feeding time this month! Be sure and take full safety precautions while fishing in low-light or dark conditions like wearing a PFD, 360 degrees lights, and reflector flag on a 4-6 ft pole to keep boaters from running you over. The only tough part of low-light fishing is that it is a lot harder to get good pictures of your catch! Just do your best to get a quick pic so, your fish can swim away healthy and strong to fight another day. Tight lines and Tight knots to everyone! Eric Henson is the owner of Casting Kayaks LLC. a guided kayak fishing company out of Sarasota Florida. He specializes in inshore light tackle or fly fishing from Tampa Bay to Charlotte Harbor.

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2 SARASOTA / BRADENTON | JUNE 2020 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM/SARASOTA/

Capt. Philip Watson porgy’s mixed in. We then

Marking!

elcome to Red Snapper Season everyone! This is an awesome time of the year to be offshore fishing. Most of my fishing this month will be past the 120’ mark. In our neck of the Gulf Coast we have to dig a little deeper for red snapper than our panhandle friends. Our sweet spot to find plenty of fish is anywhere from 130’ – 200’ of water. With the opening of gags at the same time, it really may require a larger cooler for your offshore trips. Make sure you plan these deep trips accordingly and pay attention to the afternoon thunder storms. Sometimes you will have to do a little running and gunning in between thunder heads. This month, our highlighted trip was with a good buddy of mine, Captain James Vadas where we went out on a consulting trip. Our clients for the day wanted to learn about hard bottom fishing for lane and vermillion snapper in the 80’ to 100’ range. We started the day checking safety gear and engines on the client’s 26’ Proline. Once everything checked out, we pushed off the dock and headed out. We made our first stop in 100’ on a small ledge and quickly started pulling in a bunch of snapper. We even had a couple nice

made a short move to some productive hard bottom about a mile east and had 3 fire truck red grouper and a kingfish in the boat fairly quickly. We then moved inshore a little to 85’ to find some mangrove snapper and along the way we marked a nice ledge with fish all over the place. Soon after we anchored down and started to chum, it did not take long to get them eating. Mangrove snapper typically start off slow but the more you catch, the more they eat- until they just shut off completely. All in all, it was a great trip with new clients. Fishing is great right now and business is slow, so give us a call. We would love to take you out to get some fresh air and some fresh fish. Red Snapper season is short, so give us a call to get in on the fun! Captain Philip Watson

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FACEBOOK.COM/COASTALANGLERMAGAZINESARASOTA/ | JUNE 2020 | SARASOTA / BRADENTON 3

Chasten Whitfield

It’s All About the Fish

n our neck of the woods it’s tarpon time and the season is the best season ever where I come from, Cortez, FL. Some even say tarpon season is better than Christmas! During the week on a pretty strong outgoing tide I was able to scoop a couple of crabs in the pass and keep them in my bait pen fed frequently while waiting for a calm day. As we know around the Skyway Bridge the weather is just unpredictable and if the winds turn it could just be uncomfortable let alone dangerous. We got the right day and up and out early we headed out with some threadfins. Our first hook up which was near the bridge broke off along with our second. We repositioned our boat a little farther away thinking we could keep the tarpon from using the bridge to break off. Next hook up the fish goes in between the two pilings of the bridge, but this time we motor up to the bridge to get him off on the piling, however, these fish know how to escape! Now we repositioned the boat so that we were fishing a shadow line on the back side of the bridge so if a tarpon hits this time we’re hoping he will go out into the open water rather than going under the bridge against the current. Nope, next hook up same result. These were our only hookups this day. The following weekend, we figured we would try the beach area and as soon as we got there we saw a tarpon free jump all on his own. My mom immediately got two crabs ready and as we got closer we saw a school of tarpon. She throws a crab right on top of them as we are idling away hoping to not spook them. As she opens her bail, she lets the line out to keep from pulling the crab away from the tarpon pod and I hear my mom yelling the line is getting tight and she hands the ride over to my boyfriend Garret who has never caught a tarpon. Garret fought this tarpon for about 45 minutes saying it was the best fight he has ever had. We were actually able to get in the water and revive this beautiful tarpon. It’s absolutely amazing the show that these fish give you when they get hooked. Which in turn makes me now hooked on tarpon fishing!

←

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ummer will officially be upon us by the end of the month, but South Florida seems to have missed that memo. Oppressive humidity and extreme UV indexes have already left us grasping for our favorite rambler, seeking to suck the last drop of icy cool relief from its insulated core. Is it really worth all the suffering? YOU BET YOUR BOTTOM DOLLAR IT IS! Though I may be on my 3rd set of lips for the week, the fishing has been just as hot! So, suck it up buttercup, it’s time to get bent. Schools of pilchard are still a dime a dozen off the beaches. A livewell full of these frisky baits is a great way to start your day. Use the magic of Boca Coast chum to get them grouped up, then serve them a 12ft pancake. Threadfins have also been easy pickings just outside the passes. Drift the color divide of the outgoing tide with a good chum effort and work the slick with a Sabiki rig. The beaches have been producing excellent snook fishing during the early morning hours. Run down the coastline and look for shore birds grouped up waiting for an easy meal. A quiet approach with your trolling motor; make a long cast with one of those lively baits, landing it just outside the birds reach. This tactic has been producing a well-mixed bag of trout, snook, and redfish. As the sun gets higher, if the water is clear, sight fishing has been extremely productive out front, producing some huge snook along the beaches. Trade in the sunblock for bug spray and hit the night scene. Tarpon and big snook have been chewing on the outgoing tide in the passes. Weeks opposing the new and full moon have been most productive. Live crabs, mullet, and ladyfish rigged on circle hooks have been my top producers. Snook spawn MaySeptember; please exercise extreme care when handling them, especially the large females. Allow them extra time to “revive" boat-side. After the fight is over, let them “suck on your thumb” gently moving the head side to side till they let go. Never pull the fish backwards. Next, support them from the tail and belly lightly till they swim away of their own power. If you must remove the fish from the water, always support the fish with 2 wet hands. (One on the lower jaw the other near the anal fin). Be a responsible angler and we can all enjoy a better fishery. The rains have brought out the mosquitos in full force so plan accordingly. Wear a buff! They offer as much protection from bugs as they do the sun. Repel’s plant-based lemon eucalyptus is my go-to bug spray. It also has a menthol cooling effect that brings relief from the oppressive humidity. If the winds are light a Thermocell is a true lifesaver, there is a YouTube mod that will show you how to make the butane cartridge refillable saving you some extra coin. Mosquitos carry all kinds of health concerns, so please do your best to protect yourself from them. Till next Month, Stay Salty!

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une is here and there are a few things on every angler’s mind. What’s the weather going to be like on June 11th?? This is the million-dollar question! Why is this date so significant you say? Well, it’s my son’s birthday (Happy Birthday Hunter) but it’s also the start date of AMERICAN RED SNAPPER SEASON!! These hard fighting, great tasting, absolutely beautiful fish are on the hit list. The best part is there are plenty of them around. Most commonly found in 100+ feet of water, but they have been known to lurk inshore during migratory bait movements in other regions of the gulf. These fish are a top predator on the reefs and rigs, and have no problem pushing the other snappers out of their territory. In some cases, they almost seem invasive, but that’s a good problem to have if you’re targeting this species. I have personally seen this fish on the surface in over 120 ft of water, feeding on scraps from chum bags and cut bait thrown overboard. They are very protected, and for good reason. The fillets are very hearty and a “keeper” fish must be over 16” as compared to a mangrove snapper that only has to be 10”. The reason the FWC and other state officials regulate these fish is because they are commercially harvested. The amount of fish taken from the ocean has to be regulated or the source will become depleted. Believe me, it’s heart breaking to have to throw back a 25-pound American Red Snapper “ARS” out of season, but it’s what’s best for their yearly rebound. The larger fish will always be the dominant breeding fish and produce thousands upon thousands of eggs that will then become part our fishery for years to come. This is why research is so important! Charter boat captains and recreational fishermen should report their catches in order to allow the state officials to make better assessments of the fishery. There has

6 SARASOTA / BRADENTON | JUNE 2020 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM/SARASOTA/

for gr once fish d the m unles speci room

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always been a major issue with the amount of fish taken from the sea, no matter what the species. This is why we pay our yearly dues to the state and to the FWC. We hope they can continue to make great strides in restoring our fishery to the days of ‘ole when fish were jumping in the boat! The tackle that we use offshore to wrestle with these beasts is also very important. Conventional reels with high speed cranking abilities are a must. A heavy rod with some backbone is needed too! These brutes will fight their hardest to take you back down into the rocks or structure where they came from! These ARS can be found on any artificial reefs and wrecks in 100’ of water. Sometimes these structures can come upwards off the ocean floor up to 20’ and 30’, so when you hook a big one around this type of structure, you’d better be ready to crank!! Circle hooks are a must while offshore fishing. They’re required by FWC to be used while bottom fishing for grouper and snappers. These hooks will set in the corner of the fish’s mouth perfectly once pressure is applied. A venting tool is also a requirement while fishing in the gulf for groupers and snappers. This tool is used to deflate the fish once you’ve pulled them up from the depths. Unlike divers, these fish don’t have a chance to decompress at 60’ and sometimes the man in the gray suit is lurking; (SHARKS) they will eat too unless you’re cranking like crazy! Overall, this time of year is special because these fish are so abundant. I wish we had more room to talk about everything happening in our waters. You’ll

just have to book a trip with your favorite local charter boat and find out!! Please be safe on the water. When traveling this far offshore or any distance, please check your safety equipment and make sure your guests are aware of where its located and how to use it!!

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’m often asked by friends and fellow anglers how to retrieve certain lures. Through the years I have simplified the type of lures I’m using and their presentation. There are lures and situations when a fast or erratic action will work best, but if I had to describe the way I primarily retrieve most of the lures, it would be “Slow and Steady”. Preferring power fishing, covering water and making long casts, the lures and presentations I prefer fit that style. I have a ton of confidence with a jig and paddletail or swimbait. Making a long cast and a slow steady retrieve allows me to cover large areas with a

lure that stays in the strike 3/27/19 8:11 AM zone longer. Basically, after the cast, simply lower the rod tip and start retrieving. Obviously conditions play a role in the presentation. Depending on depth, current, wind and structure choose a jig that will work best in each condition. The weight of the jig is usually the key. In light current, shallower water, hard structure and grass, a lighter jigs work best. Heavy current and deeper water requires a heavier jig. I have found a slow steady retrieve works very well with a spoon and slow retrieve and light twitches work very well with a weedless jerk Shad. I use an occasional plug, like a wake bait or suspending twitch bait and the slower presentation works very well. I recall this story quite often, when I moved down here a few years ago and catching redfish was a challenge. I couldn’t figure it out and was very frustrated. One day, sticking with a jig and paddle tail and a slow retrieve, I caught a couple. Since that day I have great confidence catching redfish, snook, trout and other species. Sure there are times a faster retrieve is more effective, but when it is tough, slow it down and you may be pleasantly surprised. Good luck and keep casting.

10 SARASOTA / BRADENTON | JUNE 2020 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM/SARASOTA/

11 AM

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Itâ€™s Time! T

Capt. James Vadas from the convenience of your

he fishing inshore and offshore has been incredible. I also want to mention the weather has been fabulous! There have even been some real salty characters showing up around Anna Maria Island. How about whale sharks and even a big hammerhead caught on video just chilling near Bean Point. This is the time of year when offshore fishing is on fire and it goes to show. I have seen some rare catches recently such as a sailfish, Mahi Mahi and wahoo. So, you could understand why I want to be on the water as much as possible, but the new boat had lower unit issue. So, I decided to do an offshore consult trip with my best buddy "Captain Phil" of Just Kicking Back Charters. It was awesome! We had a blast and caught a ton of fish. I would have to say that the red grouper, vermillion, lane snapper, and mangrove snapper are thick right now. So, if you have trouble filling your cooler give us call. American Red Snapper season is coming so don't wait! We can show you how to read a bottom machine and how to anchor right over the spot or throw a cast net to catch your own bait. All

boat. Thank God my boat is fixed. Just in time too. There was one trip I was eagerly awaiting. That was to take Pastor Mark from the Bridge Church on a inshore charter. He is a super cool guy. Besides leading people to Jesus, Pastor Mark and his he rides a Harley Davidson and beautiful redfish. does steam punk artwork. He and his crew caught some nice snook and redfish. We also caught some Spanish mackerel in about 20 feet of water over a secret sunken ship in the middle of Tampa Bay. Those mackerel are tough on some days; they can just bite the bait in half. So, when you reel in a bloody shiner head, you were just hit by a Samurai mackerel. They are experts in warfare and hooks. If you do catch a Samurai Mackerel it is a great honor to eat. They are the ones you don't throw back. The make great ceviche. God bless you and your crew tight lines. Yours Truly, Captain James

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12 SARASOTA / BRADENTON | JUNE 2020 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM/SARASOTA/

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Spooky

Capt. Billy Norris

his past month has without a doubt been a new experience for us all. With the Coronavirus keeping us all socially distanced and quarantined, charters were halted for several weeks. However, that doesn’t mean that like me, everyone hasn’t gotten out to fish on their own! Out of all of the negatives from the current world situation, the one bright spot is the opportunity to spend some extra time fishing with the family. I even got my 8 month old son on his first snook! The State of Florida is now reopening, and we have resumed charter operations. April and May were excellent fishing months. The absence of rental boats, jet skis and other nuisances to fisherman made the local waters a joy to fish. The backwater bite has been excellent! With the arrival of spring and the warmer weather, snook have begun showing up in big schools in the passes and along the beaches. There are plenty of small snook in the 20-28 inch range, but there are larger females mixed in as well. It’s hard to go wrong using pilchards or threadfins to target them, but mullet or artificial can be effective as well. The mangroves have been holding lots of redfish, many of them being overslot fish. Without jet ski tours constantly burning over grassflats and blowing fish out of every mangrove shoreline in bay, the redfish are less spooky and have been eating well. Target redfish using pilchards, pinfish or shrimp. The tarpon are here and in large schools. Usually this time of year, Pale Horse Fishing Charters is running tarpon charters out of Marathon in the Florida Keys, however, due to the Coronavirus we were unable to make that happen this year. Luckily, there are still plenty of tarpon in the area. This past month we have been catching them all up and down the coast. Tarpon are constantly on the move, so finding a school is the key to success. For bait of choice, I use either threadfins or crabs. Permit have also showed in the nearshore waters. We have been catching some beautiful fish, ranging in size from 5-20 pounds. Cobia have also not been uncommon catches this past month. Schools of mangrove snapper have started to come closer to shore, and if you can get them chummed up well behind your boat, catching a limit will make for an excellent dinner during your quarantine! For bigger sport, there are still plenty of large sharks and goliaths around in the area. Fishing is great right now and we are back up and operating! Call to book your trip today (239)285-7710 and be sure to like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram for daily fishing reports and catch photos!

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By John Saporito

ensory perception in the sea is much different than it is on land. Although senses like vision, hearing and smell all function beneath the water’s surface, the transition between mediums influences how organs receive stimulus input. Still, just like on land, sensory systems are all tools in the arsenal of predatory creatures that live underwater. A gamefish may use any and all of these systems at a given time to achieve its purpose, but different species rely more heavily on certain senses than they do on others. Many species rely on a less familiar but equally formidable system designed to capitalize on the peculiar nature of water itself. The extremely high density and correspondingly

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low compressibility of water, rather than hinder the sensory perception of gamefish, has allowed for the development of mechanisms that can better exploit these qualities. In addition to the five senses familiar to us—hearing, sight, smell, taste and touch—fish have a sixth sense: they can feel sound. This ability, made possible by a network of sensory organs known as the lateral line, enables fish to find and determine the source of a commotion as it is transmitted through the water. Often visible as a single horizontal stripe on each side of a fish’s body, lateral lines are fluid-filled canals that contain an intricate system of mechanoreceptors. The lateral line system detects vibrations, pressure

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changes, and movement in the surrounding water. Sounds that originate from afar are likely to be collected by the fish’s inner ear, which can be thought of as the more prototypical of the hearing systems. Sounds that are sourced near the fish, however, can be perceived by the lateral line with incredible accuracy. Lateral lines are akin to a second set of eyes; a fish can passively and continuously stay informed of all activity in its vicinity, allowing it to sense danger and locate prey without seeing it. The lateral line is especially adept at locating and distinguishing low-frequency sounds—sounds that might go unnoticed by normal auditory receptors. These include some notably faint marine disturbances, such as those generated by the pulsation of another fish’s tail. The specialized nerves of the lateral line are tuned to ignore aquatic vibrations caused by the host fish’s own movements, forwarding only signals of interest to its brain to be analyzed and eliminating confusion during times of heightened exertion, as when hunting or evading larger predators. Lateral lines are present to some extent in all fish, although the degree of sensitivity varies among species. Some of the most sought-after gamefish boast strikingly advanced lateral lines. Many species, largely due to this adaptation, are inclined to feed more voraciously at night. To them, the darkness is an asset, not a handicap. And, because a shrewd hunter must always remain vigilant, this sensory arrangement helps keep gamefish safe as they face the pitfalls of life underwater. John Saporito is a lifelong fisherman and student of the seas. Visit him online at www.guerillaangling.com.

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Photo by John Lidington

lackwater diving—diving at night where the bottom is far out of sight, hundreds of feet below—has now come into its own. Images of bizarre creatures glowing against jet-black backgrounds seem to be everywhere. One that was taken in Palm Beach waters was even recently selected as a National Geographic Photo of the Day. This avalanche of enticing images promises divers a whole new world beyond their everyday SCUBA experiences. It’s important to recognize that this truly is a whole new world. Few will take that first plunge into dark, bottomless waters without a bit of trepidation. That hesitation typically vanishes within a couple minutes of immersion in this world of fascinating creatures. The thrill of the hunt quickly banishes the fear of the unknown. But blackwater divers must also deal with an important hazard that’s much less obvious—a lack of visual reference points. You are freely drifting in dark, featureless space. The visual clues that help alert you to changes in buoyancy and depth are absent. It’s not unusual for a diver focused on a tiny critter floating in the black to unknowingly drift up or down over significant distances. Since these dives are in relatively shallow water, where depth changes have major effects on buoyancy, things can quickly get out of hand. One way to address this problem is to introduce an artificial frame of reference. To that end, Pura Vida Divers, which has been running blackwater charters for over five years, has created a drift rig that I think of as the Christmas tree. It is a well-lit free-floating buoy that extends down forty feet into the water with 10-foot intervals clearly marked. Divers new to the blackwater environment can hang out in its vicinity for ready reference as they hone their buoyancy control skills. A side benefit is that its lights attract a number of interesting creatures. Of course, when you’re several miles offshore in hundreds of feet of water, it’s also comforting to know the whereabouts of the dive boat. Over the years, Pura Vida has experimented with underwater lighting. They’ve settled on strong blue lights under their boats for long-distance underwater visibility. In an emergency, they can put those lights into flashing mode as a recall signal for divers in the water. Shana Phelan and Andrea Whitaker, of Pura Vida Divers, have created a PADI Blackwater Diving specialty course to facilitate the entry of divers into this specialty. “We thought it the perfect subject for a distinctive specialty,” said Shana. “Our intent was to let divers try this unique style of diving under the supervision of an instructor and allow them to come away with a PADI distinctive specialty certification that they could apply towards a Master SCUBA Diver rating, or just acquire as part of their continuing diver education.” The course consists of a lecture and two dives (which can be completed on a standard blackwater charter). The classroom component covers dive etiquette and procedures specific to blackwater diving, along with an introduction to identifying and documenting nocturnal marine life. On the first dive, divers master blackwater skills. The second gives them time to seek the fascinating creatures they’ve seen in all those pictures. Ready to enter this new world? Check out Pura Vida Divers’ blackwater page, https://www.puravidadivers.com/black-water-drift-dives, then give them a call at (561)-840-8750.

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ith an eye toward the world getting back to normal, here are a couple good Florida Keys fishing tournaments to look forward to next month.

DEL BROWN PERMIT TOURNAMENT:

July 18-21, Key West

Anglers fly fish on the flats in a challenge that honors the late angling pioneer Del Brown, who caught and released more than 500 Photo courtesy of Del Brown Permit Tournament permit off the Keys. Professionals and guides are allowed to compete as well. For information, visit delbrownpermittournament.com or email lorenrea@icloud.com.

STOCK ISLAND MARINA VILLAGE KEY WEST MARLIN TOURNAMENT:

July 22-25, Key West

Anglers ply the waters once fished by novelist Ernest Hemingway, vying for $50,000 in guaranteed cash prizes. Held in conjunction with Key Westâ€™s annual Hemingway Days festival, the event awards $25,000 to the first-place team. Teams can enter one fun fish (dolphin, tuna, wahoo or released sailfish) per day to add to their point total. For information, visit keywestmarlin.com.

By Michael Okruhlik

he popping cork has a long history of catching saltwater fish when paired with live bait. Shrimp has to be the most popular bait to rig behind a cork. It might come as a surprise to some that tossing a soft plastic or spoon under a cork can be just as productive. And under certain conditions, they can even give you an edge. The popping cork has evolved since I started throwing them as a kid, and design innovations have definitely made them a better tool for catching trout and reds. But the concept is still the same. The cork makes noise and commotion to attract fish to your bait. Some have concave tops to create a slurping sound similar to a trout feeding on the surface, while others emit rattling or clicking sounds of varying degrees to attract the attention of fish. Some have also added springs to increase sound by generating force more than just the weight of the lure to slam the cork back in place. Cork construction has also changed from inline devices to self-contained units on which the cork generates a louder click sliding on a steel wire. Of all the changes, I feel the most beneficial innovation is weight placement and design to increase ease and distance of casting. Popping corks are effective paired with soft plastics under several conditions. If someone new to lure fishing has not perfected presentation, a cork can be a great option. When fishing soft plastics under a cork, they can be rigged several ways depending on conditions, water depth, current and aggressiveness of the fish. Using jigheads of varying weights is probably the most common tweak. A weedless weighted hook is a great option if you are fishing over structure, especially while drifting over grass flats and in areas of floating grass. I also like to fish them on an unweighted or a very lightly weighted weedless hook. When light weighted, I like the weight placed at the back of the hook for a more natural sink presentation. I prefer this light weedless hook in two specific scenarios. In very clear water where fish can see the lure, I feel a natural fall is going to get more strikes. Also, in totally opposite conditions of very dirty water, I feel the slower sink allows fish to find the lure before it falls to the bottom of its reach and no longer has any action. Nearly 15 years ago, I spent most of my fishing days in Baffin Bay in South Texas. At that time, Baffin Bay was inundated with brown tide and lure fishing had become very difficult. Not wanting to use live bait, I used a rattling cork on a wire with soft plastics dangling beneath. Most of my buddies gave me a hard time for tossing a cork, but I was the one catching the fish! Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Knockin Tail Lures, Controlled Descent Lures, and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.

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By CAM Staff By CAM Staff

ust like their saltwater brethren, “landlocked” striped bass in reservoirs across the country are highly mobile. Even restricted by dams, they retain the instinct to migrate, and this tendency leads to some of the most exciting fishing that exists. When stripers run up rivers and creeks each spring and summer, anglers are likely to encounter very large fish in small waters. The fish come in waves, with an initial spring spawning run followed by a larger influx when summer heat pushes fish in search of thermal refuge. Garner Reid, of Georgia’s Cohutta Fishing Company, has made it his life’s work to target big river-run stripers with a fly rod. Sure, he could catch them sinking cut bait, but it’s more fun to dance streamers around blowdowns in anticipation that a 20-plus-pounder might be waiting in ambush. The furious fights can be compared to those of big redfish, only they occur in a river, where current and cover work against the angler. “If a big striper decides he’s going to wrap your line around a snag, there’s no way you’re going to stop it,” said Reid. “You’ve got to be a little lucky.” Reid’s homewaters are Georgia’s Chattahoochee and Etowah rivers, but striped bass run in every system where they are present.

The Caney Fork, the Hiwassee, the Cumberland, the Saluda, the list of Southeastern rivers with good striper runs is long. Reid has fished a lot of them and said the similarities are a reminder that striped bass are by nature a saltwater species. “The amount of flow coming down the river dictates where you find fish,” he said. “Dam releases are like tides. High water is a large incoming tide. Just like in saltwater, the fish are pushing up as high as they can get.” Striped bass become ambush predators in these “mountain tides.” In high water, they post up in creek mouths and on big blowdowns. When flows are low, they retreat to the depths in oxygen-rich holes below shoals. Their sensitivity to sunlight means they’re most likely to prowl in low light.

Reid said fish in ambush mode are more active. The fishing is faster, and floating or intermediate lines with un-weighted streamers can be worked relatively shallow. When stripers retreat to the depths, it’s sometimes necessary to break out sinking line and weighted streamers for a slow presentation fish can’t resist. With this need for versatility, Reid carries an arsenal of 8- to 10-weight rods rigged with floating, intermediate and full sinking lines. Fly selection is determined by available forage. Popular streamers like Clousers, Deceivers and Half & Halfs fit the bill in sizes and colors to match natural baitfish. On a particular river, that might be a 2-inch threadfin shad or it might be a 9-inch rainbow trout. Reid said bigger fish, which can weigh 20, 30, even 40 pounds, prefer larger baits. Even with a 10-weight fly rod, it’ll take some luck to get a fish like that to the boat. Check out Cohutta Fishing Company at www.cohuttafishingco.com. Follow Garner Reid on Instagram and Facebook.

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NATIONAL 13

ings K Summer

CATCH UP WITH THE

By CAM Staff

Mike Weskalnies caught this kingfish fishing with Show Me The Fish Charters off Anna Maria Island, Fla.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CAPT. LARRY MCGUIRE.

t’s that time of year when warming water temperatures in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico have sent king mackerel on their annual migrations. The action is pretty much year-round down in South Florida and the Keys, but their northward progression makes them more and more prevalent now through early fall in Atlantic waters up through the Carolinas and as far west as Texas in the Gulf. Kings prefer a water temperatures from about 68 to 73 degrees, which is extremely specific for any species. This magic temperature window is why they’re moving, and it’s how anglers find them. While anglers in central Florida see the front end of the migration in early spring, kingfishing gets better in north Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina through the summertime. The same is true in the Gulf. Summer is when they start showing up thicker in the northern regions of the Gulf. No matter where on the migration route your fishery is, kingfish will be looking for the same things when they get there. They prowl the open ocean around offshore structure and green plankton-rich waters in the thermal range where they are comfortable. They can be found on ledges, reefs, oil rigs and wrecks because that’s where the baitfish are. In summer, when baitfish move closer to shore, the kings come with them. Spotting kingfish slashing through schools of bait is one of the most exciting spectacles in sport fishing. At speeds in excess of 30 mph, they crash through teeming wads of baitfish, sometimes sending showers of threadfin into the air. Finding feeding kings is a matter of identifying preferable temperature breaks and structure using charts before heading offshore. Once there, electronics become important to scout for underwater activity. If you’re lucky, diving birds will give away bait and surface-feeding kings. Trolling is generally the most effective method to target kings, and although they will hit lures, good live bait is preferred by most tournament guys who are specifically targeting big smoker kings. Blue runners, pogies (menhaden), pilchards, threadfin herring, any bait with some silver flash is good. Switching them out and keeping them lively is important. And when the fishing is slow, it doesn’t hurt to break out a sabiki rig to catch whatever bait is on-site. Idle speed is about right for pulling live baits. It’s important to stagger depth and distance from the boat to cover a wide swath of water. Bumping the boat into neutral and just drifting when the sonar shows good bottom or good bait can also lead to a hook-up. If you’re moving slow enough, a good chum slick might be in order to draw them in.

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JUNE 2020

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A A

couple state record fish arrowed by bowfishermen this spring raise the question: Is there a size threshold where baitfish become gamefish? A striped mullet from Arkansas and a gizzard shad from Missouri were both recently recognized as alternative-method state records. The mullet measured nearly 25 inches in length and weighed 5-pounds, 6-ounces. It was arrowed from an oxbow lake off the Arkansas River a few miles upstream of its confluence with the Mississippi River. The gizzard shad weighed 3 pounds, 9 ounces. It was caught from a private pond in southeastern Missouri. Both fish are species considered to be bait by most anglers, yet both are certainly big enough to put a bend in a rod. Another question some might ask is what in the world a mullet was doing up the Arkansas River some 500 river miles from the Gulf of Mexico. Although they spawn in saltwater, striped mullet migrate into freshwater. According to Jeff Quinn, a biologist with Arkansas Game & Fish, they’ve even been known to navigate through the dams high into the Arkansas and Ouachita rivers.

By Alex McCrickard

lucky angler reeled in an unusual catch on Virginia’s Buggs Island Lake. On Easter Sunday, David Rathburn couldn’t believe the golden fish at the end of his line. Rathburn had already caught 15 crappie that afternoon fishing a Kalin grub on a 1/8-ounce jig head. “I have been fishing Buggs Island Lake for 50 years, and I always target crappie in the spring,” said Rathburn. He said that day the fish were holding PHOTO COURTESY OF DAVID RATHBURN off bridge abutments and were suspended midway in the water column in about 15 feet of water. Soon he came tight to another fish off the abutment. The water was fairly clear, and when the fish got to within 3 feet of the surface he saw the colors. With a gold flash, the most unusual crappie he had ever seen was on the surface in front of him. “What in the world is that?” Rathburn recalled thinking. “I was shocked because I didn’t think it could possibly be a crappie.” Rathburn had caught the fish of a lifetime, a golden crappie. Dan Michaelson, a Virginia fisheries biologist, was surprised about Rathburn’s catch. The fish’s color is the result of a rare genetic mutation. “While this unique golden color isn’t unheard of in crappie, it certainly isn’t common. Consider also that as a fish matures they do everything in their power to avoid being eaten,” said Michaelson. “Often cryptic coloration or camouflage is a fish’s first line of defense against a predator and being a bright, gold color doesn’t lend itself well to a long life.”

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JUNE 2020

NATIONAL 15

“Fo

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“For Me, It’s a Fishing Tool”

The Perfect Social Distancing Activity Just Got E-Zer

apt. Mickey Brelsford says his Rebel free-fall unit is the perfect fishing tool, providing him a “good, solid anchoring position.” In the past, using a windlass yielded poor retrieval results and left no room for customization, like adding special attachments or splicing rope and chain. “I don’t know how many times I’ve been on boats where [the line is] hanging up, snarling, getting knotted up in the windlass or shredding line,” Brelsford said. A retired policeman, Capt. Brelsford enjoys time fishing near the coast of St. James City, Fla. on his 37-foot “Nostalgic Lady,” a 1981 Hatteras Sportfish that carries 300 feet of 5/8 rope and 20 feet of heavy-duty chain. After adding a pulpit to his vessel, Capt. Brelsford used to pull up all his rope by hand, wasting time and energy on multiple retrieval and deployment attempts as he tried to find the perfect “boat position.” “The easiest way I can explain boat position is if you’re at the baseball game, you’re either playing—which is fishing— or you’re watching the game, which means you’re not,” Brelsford said. Brelsford decided he’d rather be in the

game than on the sidelines, so installing the Rebel EZ-5 became a no-brainer after researching product information and helpful documents on the company website, then calling the drum anchor winch manufacturer’s technical support team for additional pointers. Unlike E-Z Anchor Puller Mfg. Co’s two direct drive series (the Hero and Patriot series), the Rebel drum anchor winch has a clutch and friction plate design that allows the drum to free-spool when the clutch plate is disengaged. To get that “good, solid anchoring position,” press and hold the “raise/power up” side of the button for about five seconds. This will cause the clutch plate to once again rotate, but this time clamping down on the drum and holding the boat at anchor. “Once I deploy my anchor and it goes

into a free-fall, it’s straight down to the bottom as quick as it can go,” Brelsford said. “And then, once I set the anchor I can free-line out as much anchor rode as I need: that’s what I call boat position.” As an added bonus, the Rebel drum anchor winch is compatible with an E-Z Anchor Puller wireless long-range remote, which controls your drum anchor winch from anywhere on the boat. The wireless remotes are available for the Hero and Patriot series, as well. Capt. Brelsford purchased his on the company website, ezanchorpuller.com. “This [unit] here—don’t worry about it—it just rolls right on and keeps on rollin’. That’s what it is: E-Z!” Brelsford concluded.

Photo courtesy of Amber Rose.

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lorida fly fisher Kathryn Vallilee caught a massive 21-pound Key West permit on 6-pound tippet March 22. The catch, when approved by IGFA, is expected to crush the existing 21-year-old line-class world record by more than 11 pounds. “The fight for me was so tense because I knew this fish was the one,” Vallilee, who was fishing with Capt. Brandon Cyr, told USA Today’s For The Win Outdoors. “And I think my focus on fighting it was what makes that memory so vivid. When Brandon got the fish in the net, I just felt a wave of relief wash over me.” Vallilee is no stranger to the record books. She co-owns a Key West fly shop with her husband and already holds the 4-pound line class record. With Capt. Cyr, she has been chasing the 6-pound record all year. She and Cyr spotted three large permit as shadows over the white sand flats on March 22. She sight casted to them with a Skok’s Strong Arm Merkin fly, and the fish took. The previous record of 9 pounds, 12 ounces has stood since 1999.

t presstime, the 2020 Blue Marlin World Cup, a high stakes single-day tournament will take place as scheduled on July 4. With no captain’s meeting or awards ceremony, the Blue Marlin World Cup is a fishing tournament with built-in social distancing. Government restrictions might continue in places where the competition has been keen in the past. Travel restrictions might deter some anglers. But there are plenty of home-based spots where anglers can depart, like North Carolina, Ocean City, Virginia Beach, Orange Beach, Biloxi, Galveston, etc. These areas and many more have the potential to produce the winning marlin. All it takes is one big fish to win. The tournament entry fee for the Blue Marlin World Cup is $5,000 per team. The optional Big Blue Challenge (“BBC”) is an $8,000 entry. There is a winner for the tournament and for the BBC. If the tournament winner is also entered in the BBC, they can take home all the money in this winnertake-all format. The Blue Marlin World Cup is a one-day fishing tournament held around the world. Blue marlin weighing more than 500 pounds are the only eligible species and competing teams fish in their respective time zones from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Entries are weighed on certified government scales in their respective locales. Pending any new worldwide developments, the 2020 Blue Marlin World Cup will be held July 4. For more information or to register, visit: www.bluemarlinworldcup.com.

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JUNE 2020

NATIONAL 17

CustomBilt Pondtoon

The Pondtoon is the perfect small-water boat for avid river and pond anglers, duck hunters and bow hunters, as well as families with children or grandchildren. All boats are all-welded aluminum construction made and made in the U.S.A. with premium options to meet every angler’s needs. There are several styles to choose from that include: Fishing Series, Hunting Series, Pleasure Series, Farm/Pond Workboats, Search and Rescue and a new Camo boat. There are even wheelchair accessible models Pondtoon boats are factory assembled in three standard sizes with options and additional features that allow you to equip the boat for your fishing and hunting style at a very affordable price. Contact us to “customize” your very own CustomBilt Pondtoon boat. CONTACT CUSTOMBILT PONDTOONS AT (334) 684-2210 AND SEE THEIR WEBSITE AT BOATSANDFISHING.COM.

SPECIFICATIONS CustomBilt Pontoon

LENGTH: 14’ to 16’ BEAM: 5’ to 6’ MAX HP: 9.9 CONSTRUCTION: .090 Marine-Grade Aluminum BUILDER: CustomBilt Pondtoons 820 Hwy 27, South Geneva, AL 36340 18 NATIONAL

JUNE 2020

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GREAT SUN PROTECTION! double power capacity. That means you can connect two of them to work in tandem, delivering their full, combined power. Two lightweight EU2200is can easily start and run an RV air conditioner along with other appliances.

EU2200i Model Snapshot: Because More is More

amping adventure goes hand-in-hand with fishing fun. These days, even the most remote fish camps are hi-tech, with satellite TVs, microwaves, tablets and blenders ready for the ultimate outdoor experience. Enter the portable generator—the real power behind outdoor enjoyment and no longer just reserved for emergencies.

Super Quiet for Some Super Fun Several years ago, Honda introduced the EU2200i Super Quiet Series inverter generator, as the most versatile and reliable portable generator for work, home or play. Outside enthusiasts took note. The Honda EU2200i replaced the company’s top-selling EU2000i, delivering the same legendary, dependable power—and more of it: 10 percent more (200 watts) at the same price. The Honda EU2200i provides better performance, class-leading fuel efficiency, quiet operation and improved ease of use and maintenance. The Honda EU2200i is the perfect portable power for any trip—letting customers power more with virtually no change in weight or cost. For example, an extra 200 watts could mean the addition of a slow cooker, fan, or computer to what’s already being powered—which adds up to greater value for the ultimate outdoor experience. With a larger engine, easy start-up process and easier maintenance, the Honda EU2200i is a versatile and reliable portable power choice. What’s more, this generator can be paired with another identically sized unit to

Honda designed the EU2200i with enhanced features that deliver customers ease of use, simplified maintenance and durable, dependable operation: • Operating sound level of 53 dB at 1/4 load and 62 dB at rated load. • Maximum AC output of 120 volts (V)/2200 watts (W)/18.3 Amps (A) and rated output of 120V/1800 W/15 A. • Run time of 3.2 to 8.1 hours on a single 0.95-gallon tank, depending on load. • Bigger oil filler opening, longer spout and larger oil drain gutter for easier and cleaner oil changes. • Fuel shutoff valve (“Fuel Off ” position) allows the engine to continue running until the majority of the fuel in the carburetor is consumed and the engine shuts off, which prevents stale fuel issues during storage. • Stamped metal recoil rope insert provides increased durability and reduces potential damage to the generator body. • Increase in the ventilation area of 2.31 square inches reduces cabinet air intake resistance, resulting in improved inverter cooling. The addition of new ducts allows air to move evenly over internal parts while improving air flow for better cooling. • Improved stator/rotor configuration uses the highest quality, most powerful magnets. • Operational contact points are color-coded, guiding the user through starting operation. • Inverter-technology equipped, featuring high-quality power output, a lighter, smaller size, higher fuel efficiency and quiet operation. To learn more about Honda Generators and the Honda EU2200i Super Quiet Series, see hondanews.com, honda.com, powerequipment.honda.com, facebook.com/hondagenerators and youtube.com/honda.

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

JUNE 2020

NATIONAL 19

The Return of a Custom Built Quality Outdoor BBQ Products Since 1989

Pig Cookers, Patio Grills, Smokers, Customized BBQ Trailers

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

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DOA 2.75 Shrimp - the totally new design is the best of both worlds – it’s like fishing a jig and a DOA Shrimp. The weighted hook is super sharp and slips seamlessly into the body of the shrimp. Slightly smaller and heavier than the Original, it has a molded in rattle cavity to easily add sound, skips well, sinks fast, and casts like a bullet.

www.doalures.com 20 NATIONAL

JUNE 2020

apt. Tim Barefoot is having trouble concentrating. In the middle of May, he was on rockfish so thick he had to ice his arms in the evenings. Reports from across the Mid-Atlantic indicate huge spawning runs of striped bass up coastal rivers that ramped up in the middle Photo Credit: Tim Barefoot of March. This is very good news considering all the doom and gloom we’ve been hearing about Atlantic striped bass populations lately. Barefoot has first-hand information from the James, Rappahannock, Occoquan and Potomac rivers. “They have all been chock full of fish and bait this year,” he said. “And it’s the nicest class of fish we’ve seen in several years.” The action is incredible for fish in the 3- to 12-pound range, and Barefoot is seeing the occasional 15- to 20-pounder. But he was almost as excited about the baitfish as the stripers. “One of the most encouraging things was to see the way the herring showed up,” he said. “The herring are so thick they brought the loons with them from the ocean. And when the herring are here like that, everything’s feeding and everything’s healthy.” Typically the rockfish will stick around in the rivers until mid-June or later. Until then, Barefoot said there’s no need for live bait. He’s been wearing them out on a Super Fluke rigged on a Barefoot Jumping Jig with the barb mashed down for easy releases. For more information, contact Capt. Tim Barefoot through his website at barefootcatsandtackle.com.

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201578_DOA_1.14_Coastal Angler_Coupon Ad_3.762x5.012.indd 1

1/14/20 8:50 AM

PHOTO CREDIT: George Costa, TCO Outdoors

By Nick Carter

ure, 90 percent of a trout’s diet might come from below the surface, but there’s nothing that satisfies like solving the puzzle during a hatch and catching fish on a dry fly. No discussion of hatches is complete without mention of Penns Creek, Pennsylvania. This venerable stream is one of the best dry fly fisheries in the

country, boasting what may be the most famous green drake hatch in the East. From Coburn downstream to Glen Iron, Pennsylvania, there are roughly 20 miles of “Class A Wild Trout Stream,” and much of it is accessible only on foot through central Pennsylvania’s Bald Eagle State Forest. Penns Creek supports an incredible amount of insect life. Guide George Costa, with TCO Outdoors, said things pick up in April when blue-winged olives, Hendricksons and grannoms appear and lead into a riot of bug activity in May. “Sulphurs, March browns, caddis, blue quill, olives, pretty much everything under the sun is hatching,” said Costa. “It can be massive, and all at once.” These insects are a precursor to the main event, which is 10 days in early June when big meaty green drake mayflies conduct their courtship. The hatches move progressively upstream with warming water temperatures, and big size 8 to 10 patterns match the adult stage of this mayfly. Of course, all the other bugs will be on the water at the same time, so it’s wise for anglers to keep options open. Costa said the best pattern during a drake hatch is a size 16 sulphur. Penns Creek brown trout seem to prefer the flavor of the smaller pale yellow sulphur mayflies. Every fish in the river takes part in the annual smorgasbord. Brown trout are the dominant species, a few rainbows show up, and native brook trout enter the flow from tributaries. At Penns Creek, there’s a chance to catch tiger trout, which are a brown trout/brook trout crossbreed. Fish size is good, too. Costa said they average 13 to 16 inches, and there’s potential to encounter fish 20 inches and longer. Adventurous anglers who want to target large fish with dry flies should pack a headlamp. In the final stage of the green drake lifecycle, they molt into big white coffin flies. They lay their eggs and then die en masse, falling to the river in an event known as a spinner fall. Most of the action takes place after dark. The angler listens for fish slurping spinners off the surface and then casts a big size 6 or 8 pattern to the unseen target. The largest fish in the river feed during the spinner fall. For maps, GPS coordinates and tactics for the Southeast’s best trout waters, get a copy of Nick Carter’s book “Flyfisher’s Guide to North Carolina & Georgia.” It’s available on Amazon, and autographed copies are available by emailing the author at nsc8957@gmail.com.

Barefoot

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JUNE 2020

NATIONAL 21

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5/8/20 8:02 AM

3 6 0 - D E G R E E AC C E S S TO AN OCE AN OF POSSIBILITIES The engineless design of the FSH Series gives owners a spacious stern area, as well as 360-degree uninterrupted access to the water. With enhanced saltwater corrosion protection and a host of fishing and family-friendly features, Yamaha’s 2020 FSH Series is the best way to experience everything the coast has to offer. YA M A H A B OAT S . C O M

©2020 Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. All rights reserved. Follow instructional materials and obey all laws. Drive responsibly, wearing protective apparel. Always drive within your capabilities, allowing time and distance for maneuvers, and respect others around you. Don’t drink and drive. FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT YAMAHABOATS.COM OR CALL 1.800.88.YAMAHA.

Sacred Stone of the Southwest is on the Brink of Extinction

enturies ago, Persians, Tibetans and Mayans considered turquoise a gemstone of the heavens, believing the striking blue stones were sacred pieces of sky. Today, the rarest and most valuable turquoise is found in the American Southwest–– but the future of the blue beauty is unclear. On a recent trip to Tucson, we spoke with fourth generation turquoise traders who explained that less than five percent of turquoise mined worldwide can be set into jewelry and only about twenty mines in the Southwest supply gem-quality turquoise. Once a thriving industry, many Southwest mines have run dry and are now closed. We found a limited supply of C. turquoise from Arizona and snatched it up for our Sedona Turquoise Collection. Inspired by the work of those ancient craftsmen and designed to showcase the exceptional blue stone, each stabilized vibrant cabochon features a unique, one-of-a-kind matrix surrounded in Bali metalwork. You could drop over $1,200 on a turquoise pendant, or you could secure 26 carats of genuine Arizona turquoise for just $99. Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. If you aren’t completely happy with your purchase, send it back within 30 days for a complete refund of the item price. The supply of Arizona turquoise is limited, don’t miss your chance to own the Southwest’s brilliant blue treasure. Call today!

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LOCATION 1