Coastal Angler Magazine | May 2019 | Sarasota/Bradenton/Venice

SARASOTA/BRADENTON/VENICE EDITION

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Inside: CAMPING Review

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BAHAMA

Bones

It's Tarpon TIME

PHOTO COURTESY OF CAPTAIN NICK STANCZYK

VOLUME 24 • ISSUE 290

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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

MAY 2019

W O R L D W I D E

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THE LIGHTEST PENN REEL EVER MADE The Lightest PENN Reel Ever Made. The all new Conflict II matches an extremely light weight design with PENN’s legendary durability. Featuring our RR30 body, CNC Gear Technology and HT-100 Drag system, the Conflict II is the ultimate inshore reel.

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© 2018 PENN is a registered trademark of Pure Fishing, Inc.

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LIFE ON THE COAST IS BETTER WHEN YOU STAY CENTERED.

190 FSH SERIES

Make the most of the open water with Yamaha’s 190 FSH® Series.

Our all-new 19-foot center console boats have been redesigned from the ground up for more fishing and family fun. A saltwater corrosion resistant driveline protects you from the harshest elements. And with an extra spacious layout and new storage pods to keep all of your gear, the 190 FSH Series will put you in the middle of everything you love about living on the coast. Starting at $29,799.

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YA M A H A B OAT S . C O M | #RunTheWater ©2019 Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA. All rights reserved. Follow instructional materials and obey all laws. Ride responsibly, wearing protective apparel and USCG-approved personal flotation device. Always drive within your capabilities, allowing time COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM and distance for maneuvering, and respect others around you. Never drink and ride.

Shown with optional accessories.

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FROM SHIP TO SHORE

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© 2 0 1 9 H AVA LO N K N I V E S

AND EVERYWHERE IN BETWEEN.

The new Havalon® TalonTM Quik-Change IITM Multi-Blade Cutlery System brings together nearly 40 years of expertise in the surgical field and decades of quality time spent out in open waters.

This innovative platform features a variety of reliable add-on blades designed to make clean work of the dirty work all the way from ship to shore.

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THE STRONGEST SPINFISHER YET!!!

The 6th generation Spinfisher is now stronger and more water resistant than ever. With machined CNC gearing and an IPX5 water resistant rating, the newest Spinfisher is ready for anything.

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© 2019 PENN is a registered trademark of Pure Fishing, Inc.

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Back in Black: The New Face of Luxury Watches “...go black. Dark and handsome remains a classic for a reason” — Men’s Journal

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n the early 1930s watch manufacturers took a clue from Henry Ford’s favorite quote concerning his automobiles, “You can have any color as long as it is black.” Black dialed watches became the rage especially with pilots and race drivers. Of course, since the black dial went well with a black tuxedo, the adventurer’s black dial watch easily moved from the airplane hangar to dancing at the nightclub.

Now, Stauer brings back the “Noire”, a design based 27 jewels and handon an elegant timepiece built in 1936. Black dialed, assembled parts drive complex automatics from the 1930s have recently hit this classic masterpiece. new heights at auction. One was sold for in excess of $600,000. We thought that you might like to have an affordable version that will be much more accurate than the original.

Basic black with a twist. Not only are the dial, hands and face vintage, but we used a 27-jeweled automatic movement. This is the kind of engineering desired by fine watch collectors worldwide. But since we design this classic movement on state of the art computer-controlled Swiss built machines, the accuracy is excellent.

Three interior dials display day, month and date. We have priced the luxurious Stauer Noire at a price to keep you in the black… only 3 payments of $33. So slip into the back of your black limousine, savor some rich tasting black coffee and look at your wrist knowing that you have some great times on your hands.

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Summer Slammers Tips and Tricks For Targeting BIG Dolphin

By Gene Dyer

C

all them dolphin, dorado or mahi mahi, they are one of the most popular pelagic species to target because of their hard fighting nature and acrobatic displays, not to mention they are darn good eating. Inspired by the recent catch of a 72-pound monster bull by the charter boat Lady Pamela out of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., here are some tips and tricks to help you put some slammers in the box.

Without question, the best way to target big dolphin is on the troll. When trolling for dolphin, it’s important to maximize the presentation of your spread.

It’s all about the quality of baits over quantity. We could certainly fish seven lines from our Mako 236, but I prefer to fish five. Keeping baits swimming properly and free of weeds is critical, but even more important is fresh bait. If you can’t get fresh ballyhoo, frozen will work, but be careful which package you select. Look for clear eyes, red tips on the beak and some yellow on the top of the tail.

My five-bait spread consists of two flat lines, two outrigger baits and one in the shotgun position.

Though I’ll adjust my spread during the day, I always start with a chin-weighted naked ballyhoo in one of the corners, just behind the prop wash. I use a flat line release clip to give the bait a better swimming action. In the other corner, we fish a daisy chain consisting of four small jet heads or squid skirts with a 6/0 J hook in the last lure behind a bird. I like to position the bird just behind the naked ballyhoo. On one outrigger, we fish a chugger-type lure in front of a rigged ballyhoo. On the other we fish an Islander-style lure with a rigged ballyhoo. In the shotgun, I like a quarter-ounce black-and-red feather with an orange head. Send it way back behind the rest of the spread.

When trolling, many fish are lost because the boat gets taken out of gear with the excitement of the strike. Chances are that any slammers with an interest in your spread have been hooked before. They’ve gotten away at least once, and any slack in the line is asking for the same result. By staying at trolling speed, your other baits remain enticing to other fish in the school and increase the odds of a multiple hook up. Once the cockpit chaos has subsided, it’s OK to back the throttle off to idle speed, but never stop the boat from moving forward.

Always be on the lookout for birds, and pay attention to what they are doing.

Don’t bother chasing birds that are just flying. Look for birds that are diving or circling. Many times, they will lead you to a promising piece of debris, a well-defined edge or a nice weedline. When the birds do lead you to that magical floating debris or weedline, troll by it several times from different angles. If you don’t get bit, stop the boat on the last pass and let your baits sink for 30 seconds.

Put the boat back and gear and you may be surprised by fish that were lurking deeper in the water column.

One thing I can’t leave out is the importance of having the clickers on your reels in the on position. The obvious reason is to alert you of a strike while your eyes are scanning the horizon for birds, but there is a hidden, more important reason. Most slammers have been hooked before, and I believe they learn from those experiences. Whether they short strike your bait or intentionally try to kill it by ramming it with their broad heads, when you get knocked down and the fish isn’t there, immediately put the reel in free spool for 10 seconds. Nine times out of 10, that hungry slammer will come back to finish the meal.

By Gene Dyer

Gene Dyer is co-publisher of the Fort Lauderdale edition of Coastal Angler Magazine. Contact him at gene@coastalanglermagazine.com.

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FishingNosara Wins Costa Rica Ship Of Fools Tourney

F

or the fifteenth straight year, the Ship of Fools Tournament attracted Costa Rica’s top anglers to Playa Garza. For the second time in three years, the FishingNosara team took home the hardware.

Capt. Alex Moreno on the 32’ mega panga Harvester topped the leaderboard with 1,700 points (11 sailfish releases, one black marlin release and one blue marlin release) during the two-day event.

“Alex is the dude,” exclaimed Capt. Patrick Humphrey, of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. “He has the best eyes I’ve ever seen and fishes as aggressively as we do in south Florida.”

Capt. Humphrey runs trips for Lady Pamela II Sportfishing in Hollywood, Fla. He was joined by wife Jennifer, daughter Amelia, and angling legend Patrick Irwin.

The Ship of Fools Tournament is one of the last true billfish release tournaments in Costa Rica. Each scoring fish must be billed and photographed by hand. With no snatch-leader releases, the difficultly increases tremendously.

On the first day, 11 boats set out from Playa Garza and set up shop

12 miles offshore in 2,100 feet of water. Capt. Alex was first boat to the spot and put three sailfish releases on the board in the opening hours. As the rest of the field lagged, the mega panga hooked up a blue marlin for a two-hour fight.

After the photograph and release, a second marlin entered the spread, this time a big, bad black. Capt. Patrick belted up for the battle and conquered the fish in a two-plus-hour fight that saw eight leader grabs before the successful release.

“I had a trip planned for Hawaii in the winter to cross black marlin off my list,” said Patrick, smiling. “I guess that’s off.”

Their total of 1,000 points is a single-day record for the event, and they scored the ultra-difficult Billfish Grand Slam.

The second day was just like the first, with the Harvester scoring early and often. They snagged seven more sailfish releases, including one just a minute before lines-out.

The Harvester’s haul is an all-time best for this tournament, eclipsing the winning score of 1,200 posted two years ago by FishingNosara teammate the Explorer.

For Capt. Alex, it is the culmination of perseverance through years of adversity in this event. In 2011, as mate on the Wanderer, he recorded 14 sailfish releases during prefishing only to get zero during the event. In 2016, he had the thing won until the camera with all the proof-photos fell overboard late on the second day.

“I’m incredibly proud of what Capt. Alex has done with the Harvester,” beamed Craig Sutton, founder of FishingNosara and architect of the mega panga design. “He pushed himself and his boat to the edge during months before this event. He has honed his instincts and advanced his craft. Capt. Alex has paid the price to reach to top of the mountain.”

The FishingNosara team looks forwarded to challenging the Harvester in the 2020 Ship of Fools Tournament next April and to competing with Alex in the 1st Annual FishingNosara Invitational in early August 2019.

If you and your best anglers are ready to compete, the FishingNosara U.S. office can be reached at (904) 591-2161 USA or fishingnosara.com.

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

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Camping| 1. Outdoor Edge Chowpal

The ChowPal is an innovative new approach to outdoor eating utensils that incorporates multi-tool functionality. This all-in-one utensil set/multi-tool adds a can opener, a bottle opener, a flathead screwdriver and a wrench to the nested fork and folding knife/spoon that lock together but quickly and easily slide apart when you’re ready to chow down.

Crafted of 420J2 steel for increased strength and durability, the twopiece ChowPal set is lightweight and portable at 2.4 oz. and measures 6.5 inches long. The knife/spoon utensil features a locking, single-bevel knife blade that folds flat against the spoon, while the fork features a graduated wrench in 8, 10, 11 and 13mm. The ChowPal includes its own easy-to-find orange nylon carry pouch, so you can bring it with you on any camping, fishing, backpacking or outdoors adventures.

It’s time to upgrade from the standard three-function utensil kit and forget all the extra tools you have to pack. Just bring the practical, durable ChowPal to lighten your load and enhance your outdoor experience.

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2. Mountainsmith Mayhem 45

Mountainsmith has redesigned its Mayhem 45 pack for 2019.

Built with Spectra Fiber, this pack is ultra-durable, ultra-comfortable and ultralight, with maximum strength and abrasion resistance.

Used by military and law enforcement, Spectra Fiber is an ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene known for its light weight, strength and abrasion resistance properties. In the Mayhem 45, this means more efficient pack carry, more mileage, and a lifetime of adventures.

At 45 liters, the Mayhem 45 is designed for one- to three-night backpacking trips, backcountry huts trips and adventure travel. The hybrid top and panel opening offers easy access to the front of the pack, a must-have for tight environments and organized packing. Toss the Mayhem on your back and the hex-ridged EVA backpanel padding allows for omni-directional airflow while the sock-style shoulder strap construction prevents the straps from digging into your body.

The Interfaced Waistbelt system is designed and patterned to flow into the backpanel, allowing for a lightweight but intimate suspension fit and high levels of stability and comfort.

All Mountainsmith products come with the Forged for Life Guarantee, the official Mountainsmith lifetime warranty.

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4. Mountainsmith Vasquez Peak2 3.Sea Eagle SUPCAT10 SeaEagle’s SUPCat 10 is a whole new type of inflatable fishing craft that is extremely versatile.

With two inflatable side pontoons, The SUPCat10 offer a stable platform to stand and fish or paddle from. It can be equipped with either an electric or small gas outboard and reach speeds up to 8 mph.

From the trunk of your car to the water, the SUPCat10 sets up easily in less than 10 minutes. With the Wheels Up/Wheels Down feature, it’s possible to cart your boat and all your gear down to the water, flip the wheels up and paddle or motor away.

Features include: Four Scotty gear mounts, two Scotty rod holders, non-slip EVA foam deck pads, 360-degree swivel seat, built-in fish rulers, multiple D-ring attachment points, removable rear motor mount and four grab handles.

With the Vasquez Peak 2, Mountainsmith has crafted its most advanced backpacking tent to date. It features unmatched durability and interior space and weighs just under 4.5 pounds on trail.

This two-person tent offers added headspace, best-in-class waterproofing, and a stable design without any added weight. The interconnected pole design with the crossover brow pole allows for maximum usable sleeping space and steeper pitched door panels.

The two-door, two-vestibule design comfortably fits two adults with room for gear.

The Vasquez Peak 2 is crafted with a perimeter body panel and silicon treatment as an extra splashguard against harsh rains, while its bathtub floor construction and included footprint add durability and weather performance.

For those looking to go even lighter, leave the tent body at home and the footprint and tent fly can be used as a backcountry shelter that weighs just 3 pounds.

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5. L.L. Bean Camper’s Air Bed

5.

You’ll experience the best night of sleep you’ve ever had outdoors on L.L.Bean’s Camper’s Air Bed. This inflatable mattress features comfortable coil construction for excellent support and a plush, softflocked top fabric that adds comfort and prevents sliding. A raised outer ring provides a stable edge for support, and the 2-in-1 inflation valve allows for minor adjustments so you can achieve just the right firmness.

It’s also durable. Made of thick PVC with welded seams, it stands up to punishment trip after trip and comes with a carry bag that makes it easy to transport wherever you decide to rest your head.

The state-of-the-art rechargeable pump is compact and powerful, inflating the bed in about a minute. It comes with two chargers, one for your car and one for your vehicle, and can be charged up for use at the campsite, where there is no power source.

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COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

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Set SetUp UpCamp CampWith WithSeaEagle’s SeaEagle’s SUPCat10 SUPCat10

TheT

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hether hether base base camp camp is aisstate a state parkpark RV site RV site in the inEverglades, the Everglades, a tentapad tentwith padawith fire ring a fire beside ring beside a Catskills a Catskills mountain mountain lake lake oror a gravel a gravel barbar bivouac bivouac deep deep in the in Alaskan the Alaskan backcountry, backcountry, there there is no denying is no denying that spending that spending the night theinnight the in the outdoors outdoorsputs puts youyou where where thethe fishfish are.are.

Camping Camping and and fishing fishing go together. go together.

AlongAlong with the with obvious the obvious joys of joys sleeping of sleeping under under the thestars, stars, cooking cooking around around a campfire a campfire andand waking waking up next up next to thetowater, the water, camping camping holds advantages holds advantages for the for angler. the For angler. the For the st backpacker, backpacker, hiking hiking into into a mountain a mountain stream stream reveals reveals trouttrout that that have have seldom seldom seen aseen fly. Adventurous a fly. Adventurous kayakers kayakers might find might findFar moreFar a asmall, small, deserted deserted island island in the in the GulfGulf of Mexico, of Mexico, sleepsleep beneath beneath the palms the palms and wake and wake up in redfish up in redfish heaven.heaven.

With a With small ain-small in- 10’ long, 54” 10 flatable flatable boat boat pulled pulled up up on on thethe sand, sand, there’s there’s no hassle, no hassle, and the andbest the late-morning best late-morning breakfast breakfast is freshisfish fresh cooked fish cooked over coals over coals Far faster Fat and andenjoyed enjoyed with with dirty dirty fingers fingers around around a campfire. a campfire.

Goes 8mph Goe w 4mph with 4m a SeaEagle SeaEagle hashas been been helping helping anglers anglers enjoy enjoy these these typestypes of experiences of experiences since since 1968.1968.

Based Based out of out PortofJefferson, Port Jefferson, N.Y., N.Y.,

they theyare are right right onon Long Long Island Island Sound.

Sound.

TheThe unforgiving unforgiving coastal coastal striped striped bass fisheries bass fisheries of the of Northeast the Northeast are testing are testing grounds,grounds, where wherethey they fine fine tune tune designs designs for for inflatable inflatable boats boats that that are durable, are durable, extremely extremely fishable fishable and getand youget where you you’re whereheaded you’re headed without without the the hassle hassle or or expense expense of conventional of conventional boats. boats.

TheirTheir latestlatest offering, offering, the SUPCat10 the SUPCat10 is like aishybrid like a between hybrid between a stand a stand upuppaddleboard paddleboard andand an an inflatable inflatable one-man one-man pontoon pontoon boat.boat.

This This thingthing is a whole is a whole new type newoftype fishing of fishing vessel that vessel combines that combines the theangling angling advantages advantages of both. of both.

It isItperfectly is perfectly suited suited to load to load up with up awith cooler, a cooler, tackle,tackle, rods, reels rods,and reels small andpack small of pack essen-of essential tialcamping camping gear gear to to head head outout on aonweekend a weekend excursion excursion to some to some remote remote shoreline. shoreline.

One Onehuge huge advantage advantage of the of the SUPCat10 SUPCat10 is portability. is portability.

It can It be canstowed be stowed in a car in trunk a car and trunk inflated and inflated in less than in less 10than min-10 minutes. utes.

AnAn optional optional Wheels Wheels Up/Wheels Up/Wheels Down Down system system allows allows you to you rolltothe rollboat the down boat to down the to water the fully waterloaded. fully loaded.

Then theThen the CAT CATWheels Wheels can can be be locked locked intointo the the up position up position out of outthe of way the of way your of fishing. your fishing.

Accessing Accessing the water the is water easy is noeasy matter no matter where whereyou you decide decide to to launch, launch, andand it can it can be accomplished be accomplished in one in trip onewith trip no with running no running back and back forth andtoforth the car. to the On car. the On the water, water, this this little little boat boat is one is one of the of the most most versatile versatile crafts crafts out there. out there.

SinceSince peacepeace and quiet and isquiet a bigisreason a big reason many anglers many anglers choose choose toto fish fish from from SUPs, SUPs, thethe SUPCat10 SUPCat10 is designed is designed to handle to handle just like justan like SUP an under SUP under paddlepaddle power, power, only it’sonly much it’smore much more stable stablethan than most most paddleboards. paddleboards.

However, However, for those for those who who needneed a little a little more more speedspeed and extended and extended range, or range, if theortargeted if the targeted fish fishare are suckers suckers forfor a trolling a trolling spread, spread, thisthis boatboat can be canequipped be equipped with awith 2.3 ahp2.3 Honda hp Honda outboard outboard to motor to along motoratalong 8 mph. at 8 mph.

That’s That’sfaster faster than than anyany electric-motor electric-motor or peddle-drive or peddle-drive kayak. kayak.

The removable The removable motormotor mountmount can be can left be at home left atwhen homeyou when you choose choosetoto operate operate under under paddle paddle power. power.

SeaEagle SeaEaglehashas approached approached getting getting to the to the fish fish in efficient in efficient and innovative and innovative fashion. fashion.

What What about fishablity? about fishablity?

That’s aThat’s aFar moreFar co no-brainer. no-brainer.

This This is ais company a company thatthat has has beenbeen designing designing littlelittle fishing fishing boatsboats for decades, for decades, and they andnailed they down nailedthat down partthat of part of Wheels down Wh the theequation equation years years ago. ago.

With With twotwo sideside pontoons pontoons made made of high-pressure of high-pressure 1000 1000 DenierDenier Reinforced Reinforced Drop Stitch, Drop the Stitch, SUPthe SUPto the water to t Cat10 Cat10has has bombproof bombproof durability durability andand rock-solid rock-solid stability stability inflated inflated to 15to psi.

15With psi. non-slip With non-slip EVA foam EVAdeck foampads, deckyou pads, could you could (who have havea aone-man one-man dance dance party party on the on the deck, deck, so standing so standing to sight to sight fish, cast fish,or cast battle or battle giants giants is not aisproblem. not a problem.

A comfortable, A comfortable,(wheels are 360-degree, 360-degree, locking locking swivel swivel seatseat is there is there to sit toand sit and fish when fish when you’reyou’re readyready for a break. for a break.

The fabric The floor fabricis floor held tight is held by tight by four fourclip-on clip-on bungee bungee straps straps to prevent to prevent unwanted unwanted sprayspray or lost or cell lost phones, cell phones, lures and luresfish. andFor fish. trolling For trolling or to secure or to rods secure rods while whileyou’re you’re cruising cruising to to a new a new location, location, fourfour Scotty Scotty GearGear Mounts Mounts comecome standard standard with every with SUPCat every SUPCat as well as as well two as two Scotty Scottyrod rod holders. holders.

The The mounts mounts cancan alsoalso be used be used for electronics, for electronics, a camera a camera or whatever or whatever else anelse angler an angler might need might onneed the on the water. water.

There There areare eight eight thoughtfully thoughtfully located located D-ring D-ring attachment attachment pointspoints for strapping for strapping down coolers, down coolers, tackle boxes tackleand boxes gear, and gear, and anddual dualfront front and and rear rear carrying carrying handles handles make make loading, loading, launching launching and beaching and beaching easy. All easy. of this All of is held this is together held together by an by an ultralight ultralight aluminum aluminum frame frame thatthat serves serves as the as the bones bones of a of super-strong a super-strong and super-stable and super-stable one-man one-man fishing fishing machine. machine.

With With ananSUPCat10 SUPCat10 onon your your next next fishing fishing andand camping camping trip,trip, you’llyou’ll crawlcrawl out ofout theoftent theintent the in morning the morning gearedgeared up and ready up andtoready to wear wear’em ’em out. out.

This This month, month, Coastal Coastal Angler Angler Magazine Magazine and and SeaEagle SeaEagle are giving are giving a SUPCat10 a SUPCat10 with with a Honda a Honda motor motor to ato lucky a lucky reader. reader.

ToToenter enterthe thecontest contest gotgot to to

Introducing Intrt SUP ever! SUP Wei paddled orpad m fittings forfifittis features infeat al trunk andtrun goe

www.coastalanglermag.com/contest www.coastalanglermag.com/contest ForFor more more information information on SeaEagle’s on SeaEagle’s inflatable inflatable fishingfishing boats, boats, go to www.seaeagle.com. go to www.seaeagle.com.

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ountain t in the g under For the ght find mall iner coals

n, N.Y., rounds, headed a stand mbines essen-

Easiest Way To Get To The Fish!

The NEW Sea Eagle® SUPCat10!

Far more stable than any SUP 10’ long, 54” wide

Far faster to motor than any kayak

Goes 8mph with a 3hp gas motor, 4mph with an electric motor

10 minhen the matter On the anglers h more argeted 8 mph. hen you

hat’s a part of e SUPu could ortable, ight by re rods as two on the nd gear, r by an e. With eady to

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Far more convenient to transport Wheels down means only 1 trip to the water from your car (wheels are optional)

SUPCat10 Specs:

• 10’ long x 54” wide • Hull weighs just 42 lbs.

• Wheels hook into the rear crossbar up or down for easy transport • Takes electric motor or up to 3 hp gas engine to go farther and faster than any kayak • Easy set-up/ Easy take-down

Introducing the fastest, lightest, most portable solo fishing SUP ever! Weighing less than 45 lbs., this amazing SUP can be paddled or motored. Equipped with multiple rod-holders and fittings for fishing accessories, this small SUP packs in a lot of features in a little space. Best of all, the SUPCat packs in a car trunk and goes anywhere there is water.

5 packages available.

Honda Motor Package shown with wheels in the up position - up & out of the way for easy fishing, motoring or paddling.

Visit SeaEagle.com or call for info: 1-800-748-8066 M-F, 9-5 19 North Columbia Street, CS059B, Port Jefferson, NY 11777 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

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he worldwide demand for delicious and pricey bluefin tuna is unsustainable. The plunder of spawning accumulations in the Mediterranean drove Atlantic bluefin stocks nearly to collapse, and a similar scenario played out for Pacific bluefin off Japan. Stock assessments show Pacific bluefin tuna populations have fallen to less than 3 percent of their original levels.

More stringent fishing regulations along with the farming of bluefin tuna have helped slow the decline of Pacific bluefin tuna, but the demand remains.

Seeking a sustainable method to supply the world’s hunger for Pacific bluefin, The Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research (FEAR) has awarded a $945,000 grant to Ichthus Unlimited LLC to establish a hatchery in the San Diego Bay area, where they will attempt to cultivate Pacific bluefin eggs and grow them for distribution to tuna farms.

Because of the challenges of hatching and rearing these long-ranging apex predators in captivity, it took Japanese bluefin hatcheries more than three decades to begin successfully completing the breeding cycle without drawing from wild populations. The hope is that Ichthus Unlimited can begin providing juvenile Pacific bluefins to existing tuna farms, which currently stock their pens with wild-caught tuna.

“Today 98 percent of tuna ranching relies on wild-captured fish for the stocking of net pens. This adds to the already massive fishing pressure on wild bluefin tuna populations,” said Alejandro Buentello, president of Ichthus Unlimited. “Hatchery-reared tuna will not only make it possible to stock cages without fishing, but it can also be used as a stock enhancement strategy to empower wild tuna populations to rebound more rapidly. It is a proactive rather than reactive strategy.”

Despite the popularity of Pacific bluefin tuna, few indoor facilities in the world have the expertise needed to raise them from eggs. The team at Ichthus will collaborate with these indoor hatching facilities and leverage their combined knowledge to successfully implement this practice.

As the “holy grail” of aquaculture, bluefin tuna can sell for tens of thousands and occasionally millions of dollars per fish.

It is estimated that bluefin species products generate approximately $2-2.5 billion in value worldwide each year. Increases in tuna production would also create jobs and economic gains, particularly for coastal communities in California and the Gulf of Mexico.

“Bluefin tuna aquaculture represents a major new high-value market for U.S. farmers, but there is much science to be done to produce the fish entirely under farmed conditions,” said Sally Rockey, FFAR executive director. “This research has the potential to not only stabilize the wild population, but also create economic opportunities in farming the delicacy.”

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Beating The Breeze

By Will Schmidt

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hen we landed on Grand Bahama, the sun greeted our wintery white faces, and a 70-degree day with a light breeze warmed us to the core. Unfortunately, by morning, the greeting changed to 25 mph winds, which made conditions less than optimal for fly fishing.

At home, we might have changed to conventional tackle or even skipped the trip all together, but we came here to fly fish for bonefish, and fly fish we would. Rather than get down on the conditions, we made some tactical changes and used the wind the best we could to our advantage.

One benefit of this scenario is the fish tend to be less spooky in shallow water. The noise generated by the wind and the waves allows anglers to get closer without spooking the fish. In fact, glass calm days can be more challenging than some of the breezier ones. Here are a few tips to help out on those blustery days.

• Shortening your leader can make a huge difference in accuracy. Fly line tracks relatively straight through wind, especially if you are double hauling. But that last 10 feet or so can be a real crap shoot when the wind is kicked up over 20 mph. Shortening the leader can really help with accuracy, especially in a crosswind.

• Using a heavier fly has advantages. With wave action, weight helps the fly get down to the bottom faster, and that’s where the fish are feeding. Even in skinny water, where you would normally use just bead chain eyes, don’t be afraid to move up to some lead eyes as the disturbance caused by the wind helps conceal the splash.

• Consider stepping up one rod weight. There is no doubt a heavier rod makes a huge difference in punching through the wind. Sometimes your best bet is to step up to make sure you can get the fly in front of the fish. Another option is to over-line your rod, which is moving up to a line that’s a weight heavier than the rod is rated for. This helps load the rod on the cast, which delivers a more powerful cast.

• The best thing is practice. If you are going to spend good money to go on a trip, you want to give yourself the best chance for success. Most fly fishers only practice casting as far as possible. I don’t worry about that. Windy or not, you rarely need to cast more than 60 feet on the flats. Instead, concern yourself with quick accurate casts. And don’t forget to practice in the wind, not just head-on, but at every angle. A crosswind can move your fly off target, and casting 5 feet behind a fish rarely produces a strike.

In the end, we didn’t let the wind blow our chances for success; we prevailed with some great Bahamas bones.

Will Schmidt is a seasoned tournament angler and has been writing about fishing for more than two decades.

For video on flats fly rod rigs, go to

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RIGGING & JIGGING

Center sp Tim Barefoot

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hen fishing for many species, and especially wahoo, eliminating the “short strike” makes the fish box look a lot better back at the dock. There are few things more disappointing than checking a bait in the spread and discovering you have been pulling around a ballyhoo cleanly snipped off right behind the hook.

Older and larger fish are not stupid; this “short strike” right behind the hook is not an ac-

175-pound cable, I like to make four wraps on the hook, but try it for yourself and use whatever feels good. Here’s how I do it: • Thread the end of approximately 18 inches through the inside bite of the hook eye, and make a loop about the size of a baseball. Hold the loop between you left thumb and index finger.

• Make four wraps around the hook shank, from the back of the bend going forward.

• Pull the tag end of the cable with pliers until “snug” on

cident. Don’t get me wrong… there have been more wahoo, dolphin and tuna caught on pin-rigged ballyhoo than all the other offerings combined. However, there are days when a nice “clean” naked ballyhoo swimming like a snake with an almost invisible stinger hook is the only trick that works.

There are several brands of seven-strand cable that will work just fine, but for this snelled stinger hook, I use American Fishing Wire 175-pound, brown cable. It’s soft and folds into place nicely. And it’s strong when crimped and snelled. In addition to the stinger hook, I like to snell a short piece onto the front end of the ballyhoo to avoid the total bite off.

Snelling cable is no different than snelling mono or fluoro, but with less wraps. With the

the hook shank, and push the wraps forward toward the eye of the hook before cinching down on the cable.

• Next, make a couple wraps of the cable around one hand and pull hard on the main line and the tag end with pliers at the same time to cinch down tight on the snell.

• The main line end of cable now needs to be cut to the right length and crimped to the proper diameter to fit around the main hook and for the proper length of the ballyhoo.

For a detailed video of this clean and super strong stinger hook and how to apply it, check out the website and click on “Clean (Snelled) Stinger Hook Assembly;” www.barefootcatsandtackle.com.

For video instructions on how to tie this hook, go to:

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FLORIDA

By John Saporito • FWC Photo

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he drag was set perfectly, and your knot held true. But somehow that fish got away. As you stand there, envisioning the beautiful creature swimming off to points unknown, you agonize over what went wrong. The culprit? A pulled hook—the cause of more lost fish than any other user error.

In today’s world of zero-stretch braided lines, extra-fast action graphite rods and low-stretch fluorocarbon leader material, one reality seems to have been forgotten: stretch is a good thing. Not bungee cord, rubber band, over-the-top stretch. But some stretch.

Stretch equates to shock absorption, which along with a barb are the only things keeping the hook in your quarry’s mouth. With tackle catering to sensitivity, it should come as no surprise that pulled hooks are a bigger problem today than they were in years past, when

monofilament line and slower-action fiberglass rods dominated the market.

A pulled hook occurs when the hook comes loose from its original setting in a fish’s mouth. Provided that you have set the hook firmly to begin with, the cause will almost certainly be that the tissue in the fish’s mouth has worn too much to hold it in place. The hook then falls or is pulled out on a subsequent slack line, jerk of the rod, head turn or shake. To mitigate the stresses of battle on your quarry’s mouth, we must implement stretch into our fishing strategy. Thankfully, we don’t have to trade in all our sensitive gear for bouncier tackle of the past. Sound technique can mask the stretch deficiency inherent in today’s tackle.

First off, after you set the hook in a fish, always keep a bend in the rod. The rod is your failsafe shock absorber; it responds to how you use it. If you maintain a bend in the rod, you have guaranteed at least some stretch will remain in the system.

Next, never sweep or jerk the rod after the hook is set. This will only tear tissue in the fish’s mouth, increasing the chances of a pulled hook. Steady, even pressure wins the fight.

Most fishermen tend to think that the newest tackle to the market is always the surest bet. With braided lines being more popular than ever, many anglers fail to realize that monofilament has an important role in fishing. Some situations call for extra shock absorption and a slower response. When fishing on a beach with wave action, mono is your best option to keep a fish hooked as it fights to free itself in the last wave. Ever hook a true giant close to your position on a bridge, pier or boat? Spool up with mono now, and be thankful that you did.

Think carefully about your tackle. Evaluate the role of your rod, line and leader. Fish hard, and don’t let that big one get away.

John Saporito is a lifelong fisherman and student of the seas. For deeper insight into the world of gamefish, visit him online at www. guerillaangling.com.

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who catches one wins $10,000.

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n Memorial Day weekend, CCA Florida STAR presented by Yamaha will kick-off with some amazing prizes in Florida’s largest family-friendly saltwater fishing competition.

A unique combination of conservation, data collection and education, plus prizes and scholarships valued at over $500,000, makes CCA Florida STAR the state’s can’t-miss summer-long fishing competition.

Recognized as a “catch, photo and release” competition, STAR’s smart phone app eliminates the requirement for anglers to harvest or transport fish and constantly promotes proper handling of all species in the competition.

The 101-day, family friendly angling competition offers over $500,000 in prizes in 17 divisions including tagged, non-tagged, inshore and offshore. Anglers have a shot at prizes from brand new boat, motor and trailer packages, cash, marine electronics, Yamaha motors, tackle, scholarships and much more.

The 2019 STAR competition: • 2019 registered anglers win a $1,000 Engel Cooler prize package for catching a fish tagged between 2015-18.

• Continued free registration for current New Tide CCA Members; ages 6-17.

• Tagged Redfish Division prizes: a Contender 22 Sport, a GMC Sierra pickup truck, a Pathfinder 2200 TRS, a Hewes Redfisher 16, a 21’ Carolina Skiff and Relentless Boats Aluminum Bay/Flats boat, all powered by Yamaha. Youth angler prizes include a Carolina Skiff, powered with Yamaha 40 HP motor and trailer, Minn Kota trolling motor and Humminbird electronics.

• Tagged Dolphin Division - the first STAR registered CCA member

Divisions and prizes include: • TH Marine Non-tagged Redfish Division – Salt Marsh Skiff 1656 with Atlas jack Plate, Yamaha 40HP and trailer.

• Stumpnocker Spotted Trout Division – Stumpnocker 17 tiller powered by a 40HP Yamaha with Continental trailer.

• Piranha Boatworks Snook Division – Piranha RASO P140 with trailer and 15HP Yamaha.

• Tigress Outriggers & Gear Dolphin Division – XD top mount outrigger and 115 Yamaha motor.

• Cannon Kingfish Division – Salt Marsh Savanna with trailer & 9HP Yamaha with Cannon Unitrol STX-TS. • Grouper Division (Black, Gag, Red and Scamp) – 115 Yamaha & 240qrt Engel Cooler.

• Old Town Kayak Division - Old Town Predator PDL Angler with pedal floor console.

• Ladies Division – Body Glove Inflatable Kayak.

• Fly Division – LIVE Watersports L2 Fish paddleboard.

• Humminbird Tarpon Division – $10,000 prize package.

• Youth Scholarship Division presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors — 12 scholarships totaling $100,000 with eligible species of nontagged redfish, seatrout, snook, tarpon, dolphin, grouper, kingfish, ladyfish, jack crevalle and sheepshead.

• Power Pole Conservation Division encourages additional data collection of all species of fish caught during STAR. • Costa Kick Plastic Trash Division encourages trash collection.

• Lionfish Division helps with the removal of an invasive species and awards.

• Yamaha Guides Division- guides compete in the Tagged Redfish and Tagged Dolphin Divisions for a Yamaha 150HP motor and second and third place prizes.

Most division have six winning places and are determined by a random drawing of all photo entries of fish on the official West Marine STAR measuring device.

For more information on STAR, or to register, visit our Facebook page or ccaflstar.com.

• $500,000 in Prizes & Scholarships • 1st Tagged Dolphin / Mahi Mahi Wins $10,000 Cash • 101 Days of Fishing $40 entry for current CCA members.

All others add $35 for one year membership.

• Great Photo Contest • Prizes For Addtional Species Snook, Trout, non-tagged Redfish, Grouper, Kingfish, Dolphin, Tarpon & Lionfish • Tagged Redfish Prizes Include Truck & Boat, Motor, Trailer Packages from...

CATCH. PHOTO. RELEASE. WIN. CCA Florida STAR is the largest family-friendly saltwater fishing competition in Florida, and it’s unlike traditional fishing tournaments.

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By Chris Rehlinger s a Midwesterner spring-breaking in Cape Coral, Fla., I discovered a species that’s a lot like our native bluegill, but with an exotic twist. The Mayan cichlid lives up to fiery nicknames like “red terror” and “atomic sunfish,” and by catching them you’re doing a favor for the native fish.

The invasive Mayan cichlid is an aquarium fish that biologists say gobbles up local forage, tolerates extreme weather conditions, reproduces faster than most native species and tolerates a wide range of salinities. Native to Central and South America, the Mayan cichlid is a fishable species, and the State of Florida urges anglers to keep all

A

S alt Marsh

that are caught in an ongoing effort to reduce its population. The cichlid invasion has been documented for decades, and it’s not losing any steam. They were first documented in the early 1980s in the Everglades and have spread as far north as Tampa Bay. Mayans are known to hunt in packs for any prey, and they devour the crayfish that form the base of the local food chain. I am not a biologist, just an average angler, but I can help the cause and enjoy good fishing along with a chance of a good fresh meal of fish.

With so many canals carving up the Cape Coral area, this fish has easy access to superhighways of easy foraging and protection.

Here are a few things I observed in pursuing this species for six straight days in March: • Mayans enjoy cover either at shorelines, deadfalls or piers.

They fan out gravel pockets and hover over these areas.

• They cling tight to cover and are tough to catch in windy conditions. Calm days and early mornings put Mayans in a feeding mood.

• Along with live shrimp, small jigs with chartreuse twister tails produced strikes under piers and deadfalls.

• Filleting a Mayan cichlid is very similar to filleting bluegills or crappies, except they’ll dull a knife quickly. They’re easy to skin once the fillet is removed. The fillets are chunky, with good texture and a mild flavor.

• The Florida record is currently 2.37 pounds. On this trip, my best was 12 inches long, maybe 1.5 pounds. My goal next trip is to break the 2-pound mark.

• Mayans put up a very good fight, diving to cover, rocks and pier structures. They do not jump, but dive and circle, making strong runs.

Being introduced to a new species of fish made for an enjoyable fishing experience and a spring break to remember.

Chris Rehlinger lives on Lake Wisconsin with his wife, Lori, and sons Maxwell and Lucas. He works in engineering/construction management but always has fishing or hunting on his mind. Contact Chris at rehlly40@gmail.com.

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ivers usually look for relief, and not just the relaxing relief of gliding weightlessly underwater. They seek the reefs, wrecks or rubble that relieves an otherwise flat bottom. That’s where the flashy marine life congregates. Typically, they see the sandy areas around those features as empty spaces to be ignored, rather than explored.

It’s easy to disregard a sandy bottom, but if you make the effort, you can discover a host of creatures hiding amongst grains of sand.

Rays, flounder, gobies, crabs, shrimp and mollusks are just a few of the species you will discover with a well-trained eye.

Survival for most sand dwellers hinges on invisibility. “Bury or Blend” is the defense that helps them make it through the day (and night). When you appear, they either burrow deeper or freeze. If you go slow and learn what to look for, there is a world of interesting discoveries to be found.

When exploring the sand, stick with two speeds—slow or full stop. Establish neutral buoyancy and drift along the bottom at a measured pace. Look for holes, depressions, or cones that might mark a hiding spot. If you’re really lucky, you might even spy a pair of eyes peering back at you!

Once you find an interesting location, it’s time to carefully settle in. “Carefully” is the watchword here. Since you need to remain stationary in the current, you do have to make some contact with the sand. Use a “muck stick,” a short metal stick that you can push into the sand to keep your contact with the bottom minimal.

Then, wait quietly for the neighborhood to come off high alert. If you remain still, the local inhabitants start to relax. Heads begin to emerge, as jawfish, gobies, garden eels and mantis shrimp ease into the open and resume their activities once they decide you’re not a threat.

As you watch the area, keep an eye out for flickers of movement. As animals begin to move, they lose their cloak of invisibility.

Waiting for a goby to appear at the mouth of its burrow, you might suddenly notice a lancer dragonet roaming the bottom. I was once surprised when, catching movement out of the corner of my eye, I turned my head to find a stargazer staring back at me!

A few sessions with a photo guide from Pura Vida Divers will help you spot camouflaged creatures. Check out their web site at www.puravidadivers.com.

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n January, Coastal Angler Magazine hosted a contest on Facebook for a chance to fish with Coastal Angler Fort Lauderdale and our good friend, Capt. Ryan Palmer. Palmer runs charter trips aboard the Family Jewell, a 25’ Contender center console. After a random drawing from more than 600 entries, Bobbi Brady, of Steinhatchee, Fla. was our lucky winner.

As chance would have it, Bobbi and her husband Mark, of Florida Saltwater Flats Fishing Charters, were featured in Coastal Angler’s April magazine. They run redfish, trout and scallop charters on Florida’s Gulf Coast, so they thought this trip would be a good opportunity to target something a little different, yellowtail snapper.

As our date approached, the weather wasn’t shaping up to be good for yellowtailing. Capt. Palmer called to let them know that kingfish and maybe sailfish would be better to target. He knew fellow captains would appreciate his passion for keeping them entertained and catching fish. They even opted to upgrade their trip to a six-hour day.

On the day of the trip, we met Bobbi and Mark at the Lighthouse Point Marina, grabbed some live bait and rolled out of Hillsboro Inlet. At our first stop, we found conditions to be less than favorable with the wind out of the west and little current, but decided to fly the kite and put out a spread of live goggle eyes.

Within minutes, the middle bait was acting nervous. Hoping it was a sailfish, Palmer instructed Bobbi to reel as fast as she could once the line popped out of the kite clip. The clip never opened, so we decided to manually pop it and eventually came tight. It wasn’t a sailfish, but a rather large houndfish. We snapped a few photos and decided to make a move.

We ran north a few miles in search of cleaner water and set up just south of Boca Raton. We put the kite back up and sent out a few flat lines on the other side of the boat. Almost immediately, the deep rod went off and Bobbi was tight. I told Bobbi that it was likely a kingfish and to be prepared for the fish to make a run once it saw the boat. Sure enough, just as she got the fish close, it took off. After a few minutes, she had the fish back to the boat and Palmer ended the game with the gaff.

Shortly after that, the deep rod went off again. This time it was a monster barracuda that was released.

Palmer worked hard all day, and there was a never a dull moment as we laughed and joked from the minute we left the dock.

However, on this day, the fish just didn’t cooperate. At the end of the trip, Bobbi said “it’s OK to head in, you gave it your best.”

Keep an eye on Coastal Angler and Coastal Angler’s social media accounts for future contests and giveaways of awesome trips and gear.

Gene Dyer is co-publisher of Coastal Angler Magazine’s Fort Lauderdale edition. Contact him at gene@coastalanglermagazine.com.

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By Richard Matteson • The author recently caught this 22-inch trout from the lagoon.

pring fishing is here, bringing some hot topwater action. Snook are moving shallow as the water warms, and the slot and plusslot snook will be around piers, mangroves and seawalls chasing bait.

The water being dumped from Okeechobee into the South Fork has made the water near the lock freshwater. Regardless, the snook fishing remains good around the Palm City Bridge area. Numbers of mostly small snook are regularly being caught. Follow the bait near the shore and cast along the mangroves. There are also lots of jacks and an occasional redfish or bluefish. Outgoing tide is best.

The hot spot on the beach for tarpon and big jacks is still the “spoils” area, several hundred yards out from the power plant in Fort Pierce. You’ll get lots of action on cut bait, shrimp and jigs with spinner sharks leaping and occasionally taking cut and live bait.

The south Vero Beach area of the lagoon is still the place for trout. Look for patches of grass in the Harbor Branch and Big Pine Lake areas on the west side. The bays from Round Island boat ramp on the east side also have grass. The 4-inch C.A.L. jigs are my favorite lure with 1/8-ounce jig head. To find the trout, find grass. To find active fish, look for feeding birds on the flats. Last spring we had several 40- to 60-trout days on the east side.

Trout have started moving into shallows along the west side around the power plant and down to the Jensen Beach Causeway.

Last spring saw some hot trout action on topwater. The water is still clear, and wading is my favorite way to fish the west side. Finding fish is the key, as the schools move with the tide.

Remember to support “moving the water south” and all actions to prevent freshwater from Okeechobee being dumped into the lagoon. Sea grass can’t grow in freshwater. The sea grass has disappeared south of Bear Point in Fort Pierce for several years now. Only a healthy system will support the growth of new grass and improve fishing for everyone.

Richard Matteson is staff writer for Stuart Rod and Reel Club.

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FACEBOOK.COM/COASTALANGLERMAGAZINESARASOTA/ | MAY 2019 | SARASOTA / BRADENTON 1

The Principles of Catch & Cook

By Fish Like Us

S

panish Mackerel are one of 1,500 species that visit the Gulf Coast of Florida every year. They travel the coastline in schools herding bait and hitting almost anything that’s in front of them. They are quick, strong, and as a result...tasty!

Containing some of the highest concentrations of Omega 3 fatty acids (those are the good fats) Spanish Mackerel are a healthy choice when eaten fresh. Due to their high-fat content they don’t freeze well and will go rancid within a few months. We have also learned store-bought varieties are sometimes treated with preservatives to sustain freshness. We recommend following the first principal of Catch & Cook by eating them fresh!

We often catch Spanish Mackerel while trolling inshore.

Where there is one there are many, which means it’s not uncommon to come home with a few. Once you catch them, place on ice in a well-drained cooler to preserve freshness.

Our favorite way to eat Spanish Mackerel is to smoke them.

Smoking is a great way to preserve fish and is also ideal for bringing fats to their full flavor potential. WARNING: Once you learn to smoke there’s a good chance you’ll desire to do it more.

Best to learn it well, get creative, and practice often! You may use a commercial smoker (in which case I would follow those instructions), or a charcoal grill. We prefer our charcoal grill for its ease of use, quick turn around time, and added flavor.

YOU WILL NEED: Charcoal grill Hardwood chips Dry brine (salt/sugar) Mackerel (skin on filets) DIRECTIONS: 1. Cover both sides of filets generously with equal parts salt/ sugar and refrigerate.

2. Allow fillets to brine 1-2 hours depending on thickness.

(Meat will shrink and salt will leach water.)

3. Rinse thoroughly and pat dry. Allow fish to come to room temperature (about 1 hour or until outside of fish becomes tacky).

4. Soak wood chips in water while you wait.

5. Once fish is at room temperature, heat coals, and clean grate.

6. Move coals to one side of grill and top with a few wood chips (they will smoke). Add grate.

7. Place your fish opposite your coals covering with lid (holes above fish).

8. Maintain the temperature of coals (175 - 225 degrees) while adding wood and adjusting ventilation until fish is thoroughly smoked.

NOTE: The brine cooks the fish.

Smoking is meant to evaporate water and add flavor. The longer you smoke your fish the more flavor you’ll get. Enjoy!

Captain Erik and Chief Mate Janel, NT teach fishing lessons and provide kayak fishing charters on their Hobie PA17T. To book a fishing lesson or kayak charter call (360) 797-3275 or visit www.fishlikeus.com. Follow us on Facebook and YouTube for weekly video posts!

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2 SARASOTA / BRADENTON MAY 2019 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM/SARASOTA/

Kayak Fishing

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by Eric Henson

t’s that time of year again!!! Tarpon Time! Every year we all look forward to tarpon season like it’s a Christmas eve and we are little kids waiting to open up that one present that we’ve been wanting for so long. I literally get butterflies in my stomach just thinking about them now. Tarpon are one of the most incredible species of fish on planet earth. They will humble and earn the respect of any angler no matter the size of the fish.

Their line burning runs and acrobatic jumps are enough to get anyone’s blood rushing through their veins! But, this I where the break down happens when many battles are lost leaving you with your tail between your legs. Once you’ve learned the techniques and get the correct tackle it will help up your chances for success. Even then, I promise you won’t always win. The one that got away… is what keeps us coming back for more of this spectacular fish! There are two types of tarpon but the one we have common in our gulf waters is the Megalops Atlanticus also called the “Silver King”. These beautifully silvered colored fish can reach lengths of 8ft. and can weigh in at around 280 pounds.

They can be found in both fresh and saltwater but thrive better where waters connect to both. Tarpon spend most of their juvenile years in fresh/ brackish waters and then as they become adults they will move out to saltwater for breeding purposes and to live out their lives. The way their swim bladder is designed, they are one of the few fish species that can come to the surface and gulp air for short burst of energy. This is also a dead

giveaway tarpon are in the area when you see them surfacing to gulp air. No matter the size, tarpon will always put on a show! Also, they most definitely test your tackle so make sure you are ready.

Have fun and be safe everyone! 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. To book a guided fishing trip with Eric check out his website www.CastingKayaks.com or give him a call at 941-504-1349

FACEBOOK.COM/COASTALANGLERMAGAZINESARASOTA/ | MAY 2019 | SARASOTA / BRADENTON 3

Inshore with Capt. Rachel

by Capt. Rachel Cato

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o many options this month, it’ll be hard to decide what to fish for. If you’re a die-hard flats angler you will have all the snook, reds, and trout you want to target. If your more interested in harder and bigger fighters, tarpon and big mackerel will be in the passes and deeper water. I generally load my boat with the tarpon rods and inshore rods to be prepared for anything.

Live bait will be fairly loaded on the flats, deeper water by the piers as well as on the beach. Spanish mackerel are an excellent fish to cook fresh for table fare and perfect for smoking. I fillet the fish then trim on both sides of the blood line to remove the “fishyness” and bones. I’ll carefully skin the fillet before this step if you’re going to prefer skinless filets. There are several locations to chum up some awesome action, such as Bean Point at Anna Maria, off Rattlesnake Key out of Terra Ceia Bay and the fishing piers as well as the main bridge at the Skyway. Larger mackerel have a greater chance to bite off the leaders even while using a long shank hook. Using a 2-3 in piece of 40# wire attached by a haywire twist to the long shank hook and then tie

on the leader to the wire. This gives a couple more inches for the teeth to bite on without biting off the hook. Inshore fishing as I mentioned is quite fun this month, and I’ve often fished a few hours without seeing any other boats. Possibly because most anglers are on the hunt for tarpon or just spaced out in more areas.

Spotted Seatrout have been a little slower to show up this year. Possibly red tide that we had has killed most of the slot fish. Common areas are at the points of current on grass flats, sand holes and drop off ’s in the 4 to 6 foot depth. Not sure where to fish? Look for current, grass beds mixed in the sand, possibly birds diving on bait. Start your drift up current/upwind and throw out live bait and cut bait. After a few minutes you may see some blowups on your “chum”. If so drop your anchor and fish! If nothing is happening then keep moving and drifting until you catch fish or run out of bait!

Captain Rachel Cato has been a fishing guide out of Palmetto since 2005. She is on the pro staff with Evinrude through Gulf Coast Marine in Port Charlotte and specializes in catching many species year-round with live bait for up to 6 anglers. To book your next fishing adventure call (941) 524-9664, go to captainrachel.com, or find her on Facebook at CaptainRachelCharters 4 SARASOTA / BRADENTON MAY 2019 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM/SARASOTA/

FACEBOOK.COM/COASTALANGLERMAGAZINESARASOTA/ | MAY 2019 | SARASOTA / BRADENTON 5

Outdoor Opportunities

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by Wayne Nichols

ell the 2019 Flappy Bird Challenge has come to an end.

A lot of Osceola’s got sent to the Big Sky Roost again this year, and several gave us the slip. That’s what keeps you going back after them, nothing like getting outsmarted by a bird with a brain the size of a pea, lol. As always, I can’t wait for the first weekend of March to put hunters on Osceola’s...and shortly afterwards I can’t wait for it to end! Don’t get me wrong, I love guiding for these magnificent turkeys, but running 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily on average, will flat out turn you into a zombie after a few weeks let alone from 3/2 till 4/21. We had a semi great season, from birds in one pasture hammering to birds in the next not making a sound...strange season to say the least. This is the first time since I started guiding I can honestly say I had a few hunters not get an opportunity to harvest an Osceola.... heard and saw some but they just wouldn’t cooperate. No money was taken from them and I offered discounted hunts next year if they want to come back. I know it’s called hunting, but that’s not the point. Nothing is as exciting as hearing gobbling from daylight in the trees and having a big Tom strut into your setup, and the heartache that ensues when he hangs up or goes the other way. So now that turkey season is over we’re taking a break, briefly...Hogs are still running all over the place providing fun hunts with dogs n spears at night, as well as taking to them with guns-n-bows in hand.

Gator hunts on private land are also kicking off well. With few

exceptions we try not to pressure them too much in the spring.

Mating season is in full swing, so be extra careful around any water sources. Male alligators can get extremely aggressive this time of year, so keep a close eye on your kids and pets. Once mating season is over it’s the opposite. Female alligators that are nesting are very protective over their nest and will, in most cases, readily come to you to let you know you’re way too close! Be mindful of where you’re walking, fishing, boating, etc... if you find what you think is a nest (mostly looks like a pile of grass and mud) it’s best to go to another area. Trust me from experience, a bite from an alligator isn’t something you want. Aside from the pain and stitches you get to enjoy, there’s a bonus prize of getting an almost guaranteed infection...to which you’ll get some lovely antibiotics that you’ll enjoy almost as much as the bite itself! Hard to compare that great nauseous feeling you’ll have in between vomiting and burning up with a fever! It’s just more fun than you can stand!

If you have any questions about hunting down here, need information on booking a hunt or would like to know more about what we offer, give me a call anytime at 863-990-7650. I’m heading back in the woods now y’all stay safe and remember to take a kid hunting or fishing anytime you get a chance!

6 SARASOTA / BRADENTON MAY 2019 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM/SARASOTA/

On the Fly

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by Capt. Mike Manis

ight now, it’s hard not to think tarpon. For many, including myself, we wait all year for this window of opportunity.

However, during early summer, this is by far not the only game in town. With good water temperature and plenty of bait, all our bays and sounds should fish well. Redfish, Jack crevalle, spotted seatrout, sharks, and of course snook should be prowling the flats.

Off the flats, the beach is the place to be and after spending all winter in the backcountry it provides a nice change of pace.

That change includes migrating tarpon and schooling snook.

What is more, the snook can be fished from the beach. In fact, it’s probably the best shore fly fishing all year. They can be seen moving up and down just off the sand either in or just outside the trough where the waves break. I like the beaches of Boca Grande and Sanibel. Both can be accessed without a boat. White and grey or silver bait fish patterns from size 2 to 1/0 rigged with a nine-foot leader on an eight-weight and floating line work well. I have fished from both the sand and wading and have found staying out of the water works best. It’s sight fishing and they definitely notice me when I’m in the water.

It’s also a good idea to bring a stripping basket.

Most likely, since I’ll have a few more months to chase snook on the beaches, I’ll spend most of my time looking up and down the beaches hunting tarpon. Between Captiva and Stump Pass is a lot of ground to cover; however, in all likelihood I’ll find myself staked out in one or two places looking for groups or strings of tarpon moving north. In order to see the fish better, I like a shallow sandy bottom. One spot, the northwest edge of Gasparilla Pass can be good but it does see a lot of boat traffic. So, for more elbowroom I like the area between Johnson Shoals and Murdock Point south of Boca Grande Pass. It’s a rather large area with sandy shoals both close in and a good distance off the beach and even though it’s a relatively shallow area, it’s still too deep to stake out with a Power Pole. Therefore, an anchor rigged with a buoy is preferable. If necessary, this allows you to untie the anchor upon hook up. No one minds if you get on the motor to chase a fish; however, you don’t want to be motoring around trying to get in front of the fish. In addition, when staking out be considerate and don’t set up in front of another boat, as you’ll want to move off to the side or even behind them. You’ll still get plenty of shots and you’ll find that everyone helps each other out spotting fish if you show a little etiquette.

Until next month, good tides.

Captain Michael Manis is a U.S.G.C. Licensed captain and has been teaching the sport of fly and light tackle angling since 2002. He lives in Punta Gorda, Florida and can be reached at www.puntagordaflycharters.com.

FACEBOOK.COM/COASTALANGLERMAGAZINESARASOTA/ | MAY 2019 | SARASOTA / BRADENTON 7

Sarasota Tarpon Tournament 89th Annual Sarasota Tarpon Tournament

F

or the past 89 years, many anglers have competed in the great Sarasota Tarpon Tournament and the tradition continues this May - June. Weighing in at up to 300 pounds and eight feet long, tarpon are one of the most exciting fish to catch; known for spectacular leaps and determined fights. However, more battles seem to be won by the tarpon rather than the angler, making the reward of catching one a momentous occasion Check out the dates in for the angler! The Sarasota the pic. They show the Tarpon Tournament event is the oldest, continuous tournament occurring for running, public tarpon 10 weeks in 1946! tournament in the entire State of Florida. The Sarasota Anglers’ Club began this tournament in the year 1929 in an attempt to bolster the local economy, and it has been running strong and gaining popularity ever since.

Entering the “World’s Oldest Tarpon Tournament” makes this ‘game’ even more exciting because anglers not only have the

Known for their spectacular aerial displays, as seen here.

chance to compete against the Silver King, but also their fellow anglers for the top prize! The tournament is open to fishermen and women of all ages and will run May 11th through June 16th (5 weeks). For an entry fee of $125, anglers not only compete for an overall winner’s title, but also weekly, junior, ladies, fly, most releases, and His & Her division winners. Weekly winners will compete in a fish-off to win the overall tournament.

For the second year in a row, based on feedback from our anglers, the Kick-Off Celebration and Captain’s Meeting for the start of Tarpon Season will be held on Wednesday, May 8th at The White Buffalo Saloon, 5377 McIntosh Rd., Sarasota. Registration begins at 6 pm and the party starts at 7pm. Your $125 entry fee into the tournament covers the party for participants and is only $25 for non-participants. All are welcome to attend and enjoy a BBQ dinner, live music, live auction, raffle prizes, and a cash bar. Prizes include gear, tackle, paddle boards, coolers, artwork and more! Five weeks of tournament fishing take place May 11th – June 16th. The Fish-Off takes place Saturday, June 22nd with alternate dates for rain scheduled for Sunday June 23rd and Saturday June 29th.

Sponsorships are also available and has help kept this tournament running for 89 years. Please contact us if you would like to be a sponsor of Tournament Trophy this great event!

For more information: http://www.sarasotatarpontournament. net/ or email SarasotaTarponTournament@gmail.com

8 SARASOTA / BRADENTON MAY 2019 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM/SARASOTA/

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Inshore & Offshore Opportunities

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by Capt. Terry Fisher

ay is the month (unlike many other months) when it comes to opportunities for a ‘fish of a lifetime’ both inshore and offshore. Moderate and consistent warm water temperatures usually create the perfect situation for inshore, reef and pelagic species in our waters. The abundance of baitfish, big shrimps, pinfish, crab and mullet provide most anglers an arsenal to create the perfect day on the water for catching and harvesting fish. Big tarpon are migrating in schools from Mexico and are looking to feed on virtually any ‘bait of choice’ in their path. Live/dead ‘baits of choice’ include;

blue and pass crab, mullet, herring, sardines, ladyfish, pinfish, mackerel and catfish fillets. These baits may be fished on the bottom of the seabed or under a balloon or cork. Use gear strong enough to handle anything from 60 to 150-pound fish.

Spinning reels in the 6000 to 8000 classes will do the job. I suggest using 8’ rods, fully spooled with 65lb. test line. Attach a 60-100lb. leader with 6/0 to 8/0 circle hooks. Snook season

is closed in areas on the Gulf Coast. A variety of presentations will work. I prefer to free-line live sardines, herring or pinfish, using light tackle with circle hooks. I recommend 4000 series spinning reels with 10-20lb. rated rod, loaded with 10-15lb. test line. Attach a two foot 30-40lb. fluorocarbon leader to the line. Seatrout appear to be coming back in better numbers from those of the last few months. I like to use light tackle. 25003000 series spinning reels on light 10-17lb. rods with 10lb. test.

Lighter equipment with small hooks makes trout easier and more fun to catch. Spanish mackerel are on the flats and in the passes and off the beaches of the outer islands in good numbers.

I like to use silver spoons with 60 to 80lb. monofilament leaders to catch them. Look for diving birds and fish jumping to avoid being eaten from the aggressive schools of these ‘toothy’ fish. Anglers looking specifically for offshore action may want to consider fishing 75-85’ of water for legal size grouper.

Otherwise, closer inshore reefs of 30-40’ will more likely lead to catching sheepshead, small lane and vermillion snapper. This is the time of year for king mackerel, permit, cobia and other and migratory species to ‘hang out’ around these reefs. ‘Chum-up’ the waters and watch for surface action to indicate game fish are eating. All reef species require the use of circle hooks. Tripletail on the buoys require ‘run and gun’. It is expensive. Nevertheless, they are fun to hunt and catch. Many times, tripletail will be deep in the water column around the buoys. Once located, drift silently toward the buoy and free-line a shrimp to catch them. The larger the fish, the more stealth required to approach and ‘catch’ them. Check FWC regulations for current size and numbers of harvest.

Charter information may be obtained by calling me at 239-357-6829 or by emailing fishfacecharters@yahoo.com. I am also available as ‘Captain for Hire’ (by the hour) on your vessel to assist with safety, navigation, fishing techniques and fishing locations to make your boating and fishing adventures successful. Check out my frequent fishing reports at www.goboatingflorida.com under the section of ‘blogs and tips’. (www.fishfacecharters.com).

FACEBOOK.COM/COASTALANGLERMAGAZINESARASOTA/ | MAY 2019 | SARASOTA / BRADENTON 11

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her and handed off the rod to her. Moments later BAM, Analise has a Snook on!!! Analise and her mom caught a few snook and she decided to sit down and go for a chips and salsa break, her favorite. We all paused and took the opportunity for a quick snack. After

by Chasten Whitfield our break we took a short run to a flat near my friends house now on the hunt for trout. Once again, as we pulled up and held e awoke at 6am to get our bait for our day. As we made the boat still with the power poles and threw out some live baits a short run to the Skyway Bridge just north of us, bait is as chum. After several minutes, more snook were smashing the being uncooperative this morning, but with a little mumbling freebies on the surface. Analise was able to get several more under our breath and some extra throws we landed enough for today’s adventure. It’s on to the boat ramp to meet my guest. We before she became tired and wanted a boat ride. met up with Analise and her mom up at the kingfish boat ramp We ended the day with good stories and smelly hands from holding fish. I look forward to my next adventure. To watch and after a quick boat check and some hair freshening we’re ready to go. Analise got into the boat and it was obvious she was some of our adventure log on to: https://youtu.be/1r2pPl51gYk a little scared at first, but after showing her around we could tell she was becoming much more comfortable. Cruising out to our first spot, we were looking for quantity as we wanted Analise and her mom to get some sore arms from reeling in as many fish as we could land. At our first spot we dropped the power poles down next to some mangroves mixed in with several docks. The tide was high, therefore we placed our bait under the bushes. As we stealthed in to our spot, we could see snook under the bushes and our excitement grew. After tossing some bait out as chum, the snook began to feed and Chasten’s mission is to help kids of all ages, especially girls, become comfortable anglers while teaching positive life skills, thoughtfulness, doing what’s right for the we could see Analise get super right reasons, and choosing to stay active outdoors. It’s not about what you look excited. I made the first cast for

It’s All About the Kids

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14 SARASOTA / BRADENTON MAY 2019 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM/SARASOTA/

Anna Maria Island Adventures

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by Capt. James Vadas

he inshore fishing action is really good right now. We have been catching, snook, redfish, trout and flounder on the flats and near mangrove shorelines. The number of snook we are catching has been exceptional. It’s easy to see them in our gin clear nearly 80° water. I gotta tell ya though, snook out in the middle of the flats seem to have less interest in feeding. Sometimes they swim on by in a hurry late for an appointment or something I guess, compared to the snook I find hiding around the roots of mangrove bushes on small tidal islands. When looking around those islands, a good indication the conditions are favorable is schools of bait fish and mullet. If you look closely you can literally see the silhouette of snook in the light-colored edge of sand right next to shoreline. So, to catch them it is necessary to cast a live pilchard right in front of the leaves of the branches that are touching the water on a high tide. Casting in these conditions can be challenging trying not to get your hook caught in the bushes. I always encourage my

guests to cast as close as they can to the bushes. If they do get snagged, I just hand them another rod and tie up a new hook and leader for them with a smile. That’s “Fishing;” I will take luck over skill any day. Sometimes I hook the bushes too. It happens, don’t take bad casts too seriously. It takes practice like mini golf or any sport. Just last week a young lady casted a live pilchard bait fish over a branch. She could pull back on the rod and lift the bait out of the water and let the rod down the bait would descend back into the water. A Snook literally jumped up and grabbed the bait hanging from the branch! She managed to free the line from the branch with a little help from the aggressive fish. That is the first time we successfully caught and released a fish caught on a cast like that. I’m sure she will never forget that bad cast. Sometimes things in life will cause our casts to not land exactly how we planned; have faith, be patient, and keep casting - it’s God’s plan not ours.

Yours truly, Captain James Vadas

Capt. James Vadas, owner/operator of Living Water Charters on Anna Maria Island, FL can be reached at 941-812-1245. You can also find him: https://www. livingwatercharters.com https://www.facebook.com/LWCfishing/ https://www.instagram.com/livingwatercharters/

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LOCAL BUSINESSES

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Reel Salty Endeavours

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by Capt. Brian Boxx

pring in Southwest Florida is when prayers are answered and legends are born. During the month of May we see many of our inshore game fish become “Twitterpated”. This biological need to pass on their genetics call species like snook and tarpon to group together. These large schools are called spawning balls.

This behavior greatly increases the chances of hooking into a trophy size specimen for anglers in the know. Finding an active spawning ball can lead to nonstop action when conditions are right. Focus your efforts on area passes and beaches. Use your sonar to locate deeper fish. Watch for boiling water and diving birds as these are tell tale signs of feeding frenzies.

As we enter into the second month of Spring our patterns have stabilized in the backwaters. The large sheepshead have moved on, but the mangrove snapper have been quick to fill their place. The snapper will eagerly gulp down a live shrimp rigged on a ¼ oz. jig or corked leader. Drift along mangrove edges with decent water flow for the best results. The pompano migration has passed, but don’t rule out the possibility of finding a stray one here and there. I’ll be impatiently waiting for their return in the fall. The speckled trout bite was really good during April, but storm water inundation from the afternoon Spring showers may cause the bite to slow. Snook and redfish are still in abundance in the outer bays, just find clean moving water and try to avoid the brown storm water. Reel Salty Endeavours specializes in night fishing and let me tell you! If it’s the sea monsters and dinosaurs you’re chasing, they are what goes “THUMP” in the night. Trade the bright and early for the red eye and experience MY kind of nightlife. (Contact info below)

Take advantage when the water turbidity is low and try your hand at sight fishing. Sight fishing the flats offers my clients a really productive and exciting endeavor. It’s hard to beat the thrill of the hunt. Imagine, you’re silently drifting along a glassy smooth flat when your captain spots that perfect fish.

With the wind and sun at your back, you make out the faint wake and execute the perfect cast. With a quick flick of her tail the peaceful calmness of the flats is shattered by the explosive strike. The acoustics of screaming drag and splashing water are almost completely drowned out by your adrenalin fueled heart rate pulsing your ears. When the water settles and the camera shutter closes you leave her with a handshake, hoping the catch her again another day. STAY SALTY -Capt. Brian Boxx Capt. Brian Boxx is the owner/operator of Reel Salty Endeavours, a proud veteran owned and operated charter service. If you, your family, or guests are looking to get out on the water, contact him through his website, https://www.reelsaltyendeavours.com/ contact-us/, Facebook at Reel Salty Endeavours, or call 904-866-5050.

18 SARASOTA / BRADENTON MAY 2019 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM/SARASOTA/

SWFL Spearfishing

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by Capt. Bill D’Antuono

ive season is here! Stash your 5mm wetsuit away and dust off your rash guards because 80-degree water is here. Water temperatures are warm, winds have settled and the fish are on the move. The annual migration of whale sharks off of our coast is underway. At the time of writing this we have already seen three whale sharks in 2019. Last year, there were over a dozen reported sightings. Just another incentive to get offshore!

Whaleshark sightings are exciting and rare, but predicting where they will be is nearly impossible. I have seen them pop up next to the boat in 80 feet of water and on deeper wrecks in over 100 feet. They could be anywhere, so keep your eyes peeled. Last year it was getting to the point that I was able to spot them on the bottom machine and even called that a “Whale shark” was under the boat. Cobia like to follow these gentle giants, so have a jig or pinfish ready to go because I’ve seen cobia swim right up to the boat when you approach a wreck.

Grouper tend to move out a

bit deeper during the warmer months, but there should still be a few hanging around. Red grouper like cooler water and will come into shallower depths during those months and we took advantage of that, finding limits on many trips this past winter.

Always head offshore with a game plan and follow current fisheries management changes. Amberjack should be open for the month of May, but the Gulf Council decided on a last-minute closure. Amberjack fishery management is currently under revision, so look forward to seeing them open during the early months next year. Here’s to a great dive season and summer! For footage of whale sharks please visit my website, www.offshorenaples.com.

Capt. Bill is a dive master at SCUBAdventures in Naples, in 2013 his efforts helped to lift a 50 year ban on spearfishing in Collier County waters, he is the founder of the Naples Spearfishing League and is available as a local spearfishing guide. You can contact Bill at naplesspearfishingleague@gmail. com - www.spearfishingnaplesFL.com

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The Best Angler Photos From Southwest Florida!

Christian Sommer w/ a nice drum on cut mullet.

Brian Jarvis is happy with his 6.52lb Shell Creek Beauty!

Jamari (L) and Pegasus (R) are serious junior anglers!

Bob Trexler caught this big sheepshead off FMB. Brittany Cortes showing off a SWFL redfish.

Capt. Johnny Spitzmiller caught this monster African Pompano using light tackle, bouncing a jig on the bottom.

Jack Paluck displays the result of a fun day on the water.

Todd Ruff of CO w/ a 100# amberjack caught offshore of Venice.

6 yo Jack Shockley of WI had a blast catching fish on S. Lido Beach!

Photos submitted Courtesy of Coastal Angler Readers and Contributing Writers 24 SARASOTA / BRADENTON MAY 2019 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM/SARASOTA/

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pringtime is cobia time in the northern Gulf of Mexico. With warming temperatures comes the annual cobia run, and boats with spotters in the towers can be seen running the white sand beaches in search of these brown bombers.

Iconic AJ’s Seafood and Oyster Bar on the docks at Destin Harbor held its Spring Fling Cobia Tournament April 5-7. The weather did not cooperate Friday and Saturday, but on Sunday the sun peeked from behind the clouds long enough for angler Josh Cannon and the crew of Lucky Dog to catch a 67.8-pound cobia. Lucky Dog went on to win the whole tournament, with winnings equaling $16,215.

AJ’s Spring Fling will donate $4,000 raised from tournament to Kids on the Coast Foundation to support local youth in Okaloosa & Walton County Communities.

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Reel, Remove, Release The Brown Pelican is a common sight in Florida and all along the Gulf Coast. Almost everyone who sees them thrills at the sight as they glide effortlessly across the water, soar on the wind, or dive headfirst from a hundred feet in the air straight into the water.

It’s a wonderful sight that residents and tourists alike, love to see and enjoy. Unfortunately, a sight that is almost as common and that most people don’t ever see, is the way they all too frequently become entangled in fishing line and die a horrible, torturous death, struggling and alone in the mangroves or other roosting sites.

Fishing line entanglement is the number one cause of death for brown pelicans. If free of human interference, Brown Pelicans could live to the age of 40 years in the wild. However, studies show only 30% of all pelicans will survive their first year – only 2% will live to reach the age of ten years. In addition to pelicans, fishing line entanglement also kills Herons, Egrets, Ibises, Cormorants and all of the other seabirds roosting in the mangrove rookeries who become tangled in the same line.

If you hook a pelican or Photos by Carol Cassels any seabird, please don’t cut your line and let the bird fly away with it attached. This will lead to entanglement, resulting in death of that bird and possibly others as well.

DO THIS Instead, follow these

simple steps to unhook the bird: Reel. Remove. Release.

1. Wear safety glasses and enlist a partner for help.

2. Reel the bird in slowly and lift it from the water. Even a large pelican weighs only 4-8 pounds 3. Grasp the bird by the head just behind the eyes and fold the wings against the body.

For pelicans, hold the beak, keeping the mouth slightly open so it can breathe. Cover the bird’s head with a cloth to keep it calm.

4. Never pull the hook out but TO PREVENT THIS carefully push the end through the skin, cut off the barb and Photos by Carol Cassels back the hook out using pliers or clippers. If the bird is entangled, remove all line.

5. Release the bird (if healthy) by placing it on the ground near the water and allowing it to take off.

6. If the bird has swallowed the hook or is severely injured, contact a local wildlife rehabilitator from the list at MyFWC. com/unhook.

Sponsored by Friends of the Pelicans, Inc. More detailed information can be found at facebook.com/friendsofthepelicans.

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he Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will be gathering public input on the future management of blackfin tuna. Share your input by attending a workshop near

you.

Blackfin tuna are currently regulated by Florida’s default recreational bag limit of 100 pounds or two fish per day, whichever is greater, in state waters. There are no regulations for blackfin tuna in federal waters. Future changes could mean management and regulations that are more tailored for this species. Upcoming dates and locations for the meetings are as follows (all meetings start at 6 p.m. local time): May 6 – Fort Lauderdale: Keiser University, Room #402B, 1500 NW 49th St. May 7 – Key West: Harvey Government Center, Board of County Commissioners room, 1200 Truman Ave. May 8 – Islamorada: Founders Park Community Center, 87000 Overseas Highway.

If you cannot attend a workshop, view a video of the presentation online and provide comments on this to FWC at MyFWC.com/SaltwaterComments.

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The goals of these research cruises are to identify bonefish prespawning sites; track bonefish offshore to determine spawning locations and depth of spawning; link prespawning sites to bonefish home ranges; understand bonefish reproductive physiology; and to understand larval behavior and diet.

A highlight of the first two cruises included a large prespawn aggregation of bonefish, which during an overnight track remained near the surface from the time they left the prespawning location at dusk and then descended to 200 feet to spawn near dawn. Another bonefish, which was tagged at a prespawning aggregation was recaptured two months later on its home flat 65 miles away.

The information collected during these cruises will be used to protect additional prespawning and spawning sites, to understand which prespawning sites are most important to which flats; and to understand what factors are most important for successful bonefish spawning, in order to focus on making sure conservation is correctly focused.

As larval behavior is learned, it will be easier to anticipate where larvae travel after being spawned, which will help indicate which locations are most important for protection.

Two more cruises are scheduled for this spawning season. Pick up the spring BT&T Journal in March to read about the early findings of the study.

A prespawn aggregation of bonefish getting ready to move offshore to spawn. Photo by Robbie Roemer.

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uring this bonefish spawning season in the Bahamas, from late October to early April, a team of scientists from Bonefish & Tarpon Trust (BT&T) and Florida Atlantic University Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute completed two cruises to the Bahamas aboard the M/Y Albula. The trips were sponsored by the Fisheries Research Foundation.

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Bonefish from a prespawning aggregation porpoise at the surface as they get ready to move offshore. Photo by Dr. Aaron Adams.

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n April, the Gulf of Mexico FishPhoto courtesy of ery Management Fish and Wildlife Council met in BiResearch Institute loxi, Mississippi and took final action on Reef Fish Amendment 50: State Management for Recreational Red Snapper.

The council chose to delegate management authority of the private angling component for recreational red snapper fishing to each state. Each state will be allocated the portion of the recreational quota it initially requested in the 2018-2019 exempted fishing permit application, with the remaining 3.78 percent distributed between Florida and Alabama.

Those values are as follows: Alabama: 26.298 percent Florida: 44.822 percent Louisiana: 19.120 percent Mississippi: 3.550 percent Texas: 6.210 percent The council also elected to delegate authority for establishing or modifying the bag limit, minimum size limit within 14-18 inches, and maximum size limit. Finally, the council selected to allow a state to close areas of federal waters adjacent to the state by requesting that NMFS implement the closure.

These suggested management changes will be transmitted to the Secretary of Commerce for approval and implementation.

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Reel in the memories.

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Pure Shot Outdoors team members, from left, Isaac Avery, Laramy Barber and Hunter Graham show off their winning catch totaling 600.3 pounds. The U.S. Open Bowfishing Championship founder, John Paul Morris, holds the championship belt above the team.

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ainy April weather couldn’t keep 118 bowfishing teams from 23 states from competing in The U.S. Open Bowfishing Championship at Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World in Bossier City, Louisiana.

More than 58,000 pounds of rough fish, or 29 tons, were removed from eight area lakes and the Red River.

The first place team, Pure Shot Outdoors, harvested 600.3 pounds and received $25,000 in cash, with each member receiving an AMS Bow.

The Texas team consisted of Isaac Avery, of Longview, Laramy Barber, of Sabine and Hunter Graham, of Henderson.

“My teammates and I have fished this tournament for three years and have always strived to be at the top. Last Saturday we were able to put the big stringer of fish together for the win. Hard work and determination from all the team put us in the right spot at the right time.

Thanks to Bass Pro Shops for hosting a tournament of this magnitude and allowing us to compete in something all bowfisherman love to do,” said Avery.

The U.S. Open Bowfishing Championship is the largest event of its kind in the fast-growing sport of bowfishing. This year’s event featured the largest competition and biggest prizes in the tournament’s seven-year history. The championship purse included more than $100,000 worth of prizes and giveaways.

A four-man team representing Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma won the Big Buffalo and Biggest Overall categories in addition to taking eighth place in the tournament. Team Obscure Adventures’ big fish weighed 73.3 pounds, and they scored an overall weight of 365.8 pounds. Their total cash payout was $9,530.

The No Limit team from Center, Texas took fourth place in the tournament and won the Biggest Common Carp category with a 51.6-pound carp out of Toledo Bend. Their total weight of 402.2 pounds netted the four-man team $6,610.

Team PossumCods, another four-man team from Texas, scored the Biggest Grass Carp category with a winning weight of 58.3 pounds and claimed the $3,200 cash prize.

Besides being a fun weekend for participants and families, the bowfishing event provides lasting environmental benefits for area lakes.

Bowfishing, combining elements of fishing with archery to harvest rough fish species, is one of the fastest growing sports in the outdoor industry. Unlike traditional game fishing, bowfishing uses specialized bows to target species including carp, buffalo and gar that plague lakes, rivers and streams around the country. Removing these undesirable species improves habitat conditions for native game fish.

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By Capt. Scott Fisher

O

ne of the most anticipated times of the year has arrived in southwest Florida: tarpon season!

Guides from around the state and anglers from all over the world come down to partake in the abundant tarpon fishery on Florida’s southern Gulf coast.

The tarpon show up here each year to feed and spawn. Northwest of Fort Myers, Fla., Charlotte Harbor is particularly good for bait due to seemingly endless mangrove shorelines and extensive grass flats fed by two large rivers, the Peace and Myakka. With its large harbor and the deep Boca Grande Pass, Charlotte Harbor is also a good refuge when the tarpon spawn. It is not uncommon for tens of thousands of tarpon to migrate to the area starting in April.

They’ll stick around even after they finish their spawn in early July, and then they’ll have just one thing on their minds. That is to feed!

You’ve got to gear up to do battle with a silver king potentially weighing up to 200 pounds. A heavy spinning rod should be plenty, and you might even be able to get away with a medium-heavy depending on the area you fish. Couple this with a size 6000-plus spinning reel, something with around 30-pounds of max drag, spooled with 65-pound braided line. This is a fair-sized combo that allows you to fight the fish but still get it to the boat without overly exhausting it. A 50-pound fluorocarbon leader with a 7/0 circle hook will allow a clean hookset and enough strength and abrasion resistance to land the fish of a lifetime.

Where you target these fish will usually dictate the baits you use. In the Charlotte Harbor area, I catch these fish using a dead mullet on the bottom up the Peace River or a half dollar-size blue crab off the beach. It all depends on bait in the area and the area being fished. Other baits anglers may choose are pinfish, shrimp and ladyfish or artificials. All of these methods work when applied

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in the right situation.

During the tides around the new and full moons, we experience what we call “Hill tides” or a “crab flush.” These are the most exciting times to tarpon fish. Millions of small crabs are flushed out of Boca Grande Pass, which sends the tarpon into a feeding frenzy.

The thousands of fish that congregate in the narrow pass take every opportunity to eat passing crabs. Matching the hatch provides much success, which means I’ll be using live crabs and drifting them as naturally as possible in the current.

Going back to tackle, you want a setup that allows you to land fish without causing them to be overworked or too exhausted. That’s because predators like bull sharks show up to take advantage of the congregated tarpon and the large amount of bait flushing through the pass. Injured or tired tarpon make an easy meal for a hungry 12-foot bull shark!

When you land one of these majestic tarpon, idle out of the pass and into shallower water to properly revive the fish before release.

This will give it the best chance of survival so that we can ensure a healthy population for years to come.

With tarpon season here, if you do not have suitable equipment, I suggest hiring a local guide to take you on what will truly be a trip of a lifetime.

For more on tarpon fishing, look for upcoming seminars by following my Facebook page @ Facebook.com/Hookedoncharters or Instagram.com/hookedoncharters Capt. Scott Fisher is owner/operator of Hooked On Charters and operates out of Boca Grande Fla. Contact him at 941-258-5654 or www.hookedoncharters.com.

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hey grow big bait in Missouri. Brian Rehmeier, of Augusta, Missouri, snagged this 2-pound, 10-ounce gizzard shad while trying to catch Asian carp for catfish bait in late March.

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“I was pretty surprised to learn the fish I snagged would now be the new state record,” Rehmeier said. “It’s not the coolest state-record fish, but I’ll take it!”

And we’re not sure about this, but it seems likely Rehmeier’s record gizzard shad may be the first gizzard in history to ever hang over someone’s mantel. After realizing he had a state record, Rehmeier decided to have the fish mounted.

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slamorada in the Florida Keys has some of the finest and most consistent year-round swordfishing anywhere in the world. As captains out of Cape Coral, Fla., Bill Lussier and I contacted Capt. Nick Stanczyk, of Bud N’ Mary’s Marina in Islamorada, to take a casual trip and learn about daytime swordfishing.

With a beautiful sunrise and a light breeze, we cruised in the Freeman 37’ “Broad Minded” toward the Gulf Stream. Upon arrival, the seas had risen to 5- to 6-feet about three to five seconds apart. Capt. Nick carefully chose his location before he and mate, Konnor Ross, laid out the first line in about 1,600 feet of water. Now, daytime swordfishing is challenging since 10-pound weights and more than 3,000 feet of line are sometimes necessary to reach proper depths while accounting for current and drift speed.

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FLY FISHING

By Capt. Debbie Lussier

Capt. Nick very carefully positioned the boat, and once he was happy with the position and drift of the first line, he sent out a second line with a buoy.

The buoy had drifted about 100 yards from the boat when Capt.

Nick said simply, “The buoy!” Then… “It’s big!”

Immediately, we reeled in the first line to get it out of the way. Bill jumped on the buoy line and began to reel… and reel… and reel some more. Five and a half hours later, we got our first glimpse of the fish when it jumped about a quarter mile behind the boat. We could see it was big, but we didn’t realize how big because it was so far away.

Two hours later, we got a better look at the monster. Each time Bill got the leader to the reel, the broadbill saw the boat and ripped off line Bill had fought so hard to gain.

Capt. Nick busied himself keeping the line from touching the boat and keeping the fish from running under the boat. If at any point the line had touched the boat, it would have parted, and the fish would be gone. It felt like we were on a whirl ride at the carnival. We circled with the fish, and then in a flash it would streak away. Capt. Nick would turn the boat to cruise beside the fish until it dove toward the bottom.

More than eight hours into the battle, Bill brought the giant fish boatside. It was still very blue in color and fresh. The fight would have continued, except the fish made the fatal mistake of swimming within range of Konner and his harpoon.

Konner deftly stuck the fish in the backbone. After two darts and three gaffs, Capt. Nick was able to get a tail rope on this Jurassic fish, and the fight was over. It took a block and tackle and lots of brute strength to load the swordfish in the boat.

Back at the docks, it weighed 757.8 pounds and measured 111 inches from the lower jaw to the fork of the tail. The bill was 40 inches long, even though part of it had previously broken off.

To learn more about Capt. Nick Stanczyk, out of Bud N’ Mary’s Marina in Islamorada, Florida, go to daytimeswordfish.com.

FLY FISHING

Learn To Read A Fish Finder Or GPS

I

f you’re a boat owner and you fly fish, at some point you’ll have to read a fishfinder/ global positioning system or GPS unit. The fishfinder/GPS unit is a key component to success when fishing in saltwater and on large freshwater reservoirs. Whether pinpointing schools of baitfish, locating structure points, reading water temperatures or getting you safely back to your launching site, this unit’s importance to the angler cannot be overstated.

There are even portable models that allow for mounting on kayaks. Today’s fishing tackle stores and mail-order or online catalogs

optimum water temperatures.

stock numerous units from which you can choose, all units share similar features, the most important are the following:

ly, advances in weather predicting through the internet and handheld electronic devices, allow the angler to access any number of weather-predicting tools for upto-the-minute weather data.

In many cases not exercising good sense can lead to a tragic ending. If you notice a potential storm on the horizon, run for shelter if you are fishing a beach or flat. If you are on the ocean, aim your bow toward safe harbor.

Once the storm has passed, return to your fly fishing. A note of caution: Mother Nature is an unforgiving old woman, so always heed her warning signs. Be safe, not sorry.

Today’s technology is responsible for the development of customer-friendly, easy-to-use electronics. Some units have more than proved their worth to the serious saltwater angler, not only finding fish but keeping anglers safe out on the water.

What To Look For In A Fishfinder 1) GPS for navigation: A GPS is not only a tool to get you to and from fishing areas but also your lifeline if bad conditions occur on the water. A GPS will get you back to the dock if you experience low visibility from fog or heavy rain.

2) Plotter: The plotter is a great tool to use when navigating to an area as well as getting back to a good fishing area.

3) Bathymetry mapping (locating underwater structure): The best way to locate drop-offs and underwater structure such as wrecks and artificial reefs.

4) Sonar: Critical for locating baitfish and game fish.

5) Water temperature: For finding temperature breaks and

When The Weather Goes South!

Changing weather patterns are an expected and accepted component of saltwater fly fishing. Weather conditions change quickly and unpredictably. An unthreatening blue-sky day, with little warning, can be replaced by scudding, ominous black clouds producing lightning, torrential rains and quite often off-thechart winds. This is an uncontrollable circumstance faced by those of us who saltwater fly fish. Lucki-

For more Bowman, go to

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atch any group of fishermen and one or two always stand out from the others in terms of getting more strikes and catching more fish. If you monitor their approach and their movements, it’s difficult to detect anything different from other anglers, but you can bet it’s there. I call this “The Touch,” and it covers every phase of the sport from hooking a fish to landing it.

Two anglers standing side by side are fishing the same artificial lures. One man enjoys several strikes and hooks a couple of fish while his partner can’t buy a strike. The only difference in their retrieves is that the successful angler is vibrating his wrist while he retrieves the plug. That causes the lure to flash under water, and that’s the touch that produces a positive result.

In a similar situation fishing topwater plugs, it turns out the angler getting the strikes retrieves the lure like everyone else, but he pauses for an instant during the retrieve, which allows the plug to rise slightly.

The same touch is just as important with natural baits (dead or alive) as it is with artificials. How and where you present a bait makes a significant difference.

Baits should be changed frequently whether they are live or dead. Fish face into the current or they swim against it. Positioning a boat to take advantage of the local current is vital, and you also need to consider spring tides and neap tides as well as the daily rise and fall. Even when you are trolling, the key is to work in and out to change water depth and work both sides of a current. Keep in mind that water depth is a prime factor in determining where fish will be. Locating the right depth and area is

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MARK SOSIN

part of the touch.

W h e n you rig, you want the lightest and shortest leader that makes sense. Every hook must be sharpened to perfection. Eliminate as much hardware as you can.

If a sinker is necessary, opt for the smallest one that will do the job. A bait that bounces along the bottom is much more effective than one anchored to a single spot.

If your rods are custom built or can be modified, shorten the butt. That allows you to reduce the fatigue on your arms when battling an oversized denizen. When a fish takes a bait or lure, don’t swing the rod as if it were a baseball bat. Point the tip directly at the spot where the line enters the water and let the fish start to move off.

Then, just lock the pre-set drag and the fish will hook itself.

One critical aspect of battling a strong fish centers on the use of side pressure.

Most anglers keep the rod in a vertical position when fighting a fish, pumping upwards to draw the fish closer and regain line. When the fish gets a reasonable distance away, the use of side pressure is much more effective. The key lies in holding the rod waist high and parallel to the water. If the fish is swimming to the right, you want to try to force it to turn and swim to the left. Each time it turns, it gets closer to the boat or to shore.

The Touch covers all aspects of fishing. It is composed of countless little things that give the angler a decided advantage when put together. Once you begin to master it, you can bet you will get more strikes and catch more fish.

For more from Mark Sosin, visit

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Sheri Daye

hatever your sport or hobby, you probably owe a debt of gratitude to those who helped you get started. Mentors are especially important when it comes to hunting, because they teach you how to be stewards of the land or ocean.

I was fortunate to find great mentors in the spearfishing club that I joined early on. They were generous with their advice, and the lessons stay with me to this day.

Here are a few examples, some of which can be applied to other areas of life: 1) One of my earliest memories was of Bruce letting me take the shot on my first grouper. After shooting, the fish holed up in some rocks, as groupers tend to do. In my excitement, I rushed to extract it, exhausting myself and risking a tear-off by pulling on the shaft too hard. Bruce motioned for me to calm down, assess the situation, let the grouper tire, and then gently pull it out. His advice worked like a charm. In other words, there’s no need to rush—time is on your side.

2) When diving for lobsters with my friend Dave, a professional lobsterman, he laughed at my first attempts. He advised that before starting to extract the lobster with the net and tickle stick, “get your butt out of the air!” In other words, get better situated by letting the air out of your BC and planting your knees in the sand. He said, “Keep in mind that lobsters are like cattle. You can prod them where you want them to go, so take your time and herd them into the net.”

Again, I needed to take my time and use my head.

3) When I started to freedive deeper and go for bigger fish, I had the privilege of diving with Chad, a top diver. I absorbed a lot just by watching. He had smooth, calm technique when stalking and strong, purposeful maneuvers when subduing. I learned how to avoid loops in the line, how to handle sharks, the best shot placement. I most appreciate the fact that he never treated me like a girl, and he didn’t

take over if I was fighting a big fish. A good mentor lets you experience struggles and triumphs, praises you when you do well, and gives advice when needed.

There comes a time in a hunter’s life when you’ve been through the stages, and your satisfaction comes more from the total hunting experience—being outdoors, enjoying friends, seeing the beauty of nature, and passing on what you’ve learned. Remember to thank your mentors and consider paying them back by taking someone new under your wing.

Sheri is a world-record holder, host of Speargun Hunter, and producer of “The Blue Wild Ocean Adventure Expo” in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Follow “Sheri Daye” and “The Blue Wild” on Facebook and Instagram.

Sheri Daye with mentors Dave Earp and Chad Palan.

For more Sheri Daye go to,

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Let someone know where you’re going and when you expect to return. It’s good advice that’ll ensure someone looks for you if you don’t come home from your next outdoor adventure. But in many instances, when rescuers go out searching for a missing person, they’re scouring the woods or waters for a dead body. Time means everything in an emergency situation.

If you get into trouble miles from shore or deep in the backcountry, you need help immediately, not hours or days later when someone notices you’re missing. That’s why carrying a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) is a very good idea. It’s an investment in your safety that you’ll hopefully never need to use.

ACR Electronics recently launched its Next-Gen ResQLink View PLB, which is their first unit with a digital display. Using survivor feedback from users who have actually activated their beacons in lifethreatening situations, ACR tweaked the design of their worldwide best-selling PLBs to make them more user-friendly and functional.

Coastal Angler Magazine recently got its hands on one of these life-saving little gadgets, and although we were tempted, we restrained from pressing the Activation Button that would immediately alert and deploy U.S. Coast Guard rescue personnel to our offices. ACR ResQLink PLBs have a proven track record.

Operating on multiple satellite systems with exceptional power and reliability, users can expect their beacon to be located within five minutes of activation, within 350 feet, 95 percent of the time. Just holding the device provides peace of mind that if something were to happen, help would be on the way.

Although we couldn’t call in the cavalry, we were able to experience the unobtrusive footprint of this indispensible piece of gear. About 5 inches long and weighing just 5 ounces, it easily slides into a pocket.

It’s clips snuggly onto a backpack or life jacket, and it was out of the way on the water. In fact, we forgot it was there when the fish started biting.

The simplicity of use was also very apparent.

Pushing the test button prompts the display to tell you the PLB is in working order, and activating the beacon is as simple flicking the antenna out, which uncovers a bright red activation button. Even suffering from injury, hypothermia or being tossed by waves, a person in distress could activate the PLB with just one hand. It’s worth noting that ACR has added an infra-red strobe light to go along with an ultra-bright strobe to assist rescue crews using night vision goggles.

The digital display screen? When activated, it displays all the beacon’s operational activities, including GPS coordinates, operating instructions, usage tips, transmission bursts and battery power. It let’s you know it’s working and that assistance will arrive soon.

With military durability and worldwide coverage with no subscription, the ResQLink View and the ResQLink 400—which has everything but the display screen—are reasonably priced for technology that could save your life. There’s no reason not to have one on you next time you’re deep in the woods or out on the water.

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FRESHWATER BRANDON LESTER

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hen a fish gets off, it’s many times due to a poor hookset. However, even a fish that’s hooked solidly can shake free. Slack in the line is the main reason for hooks coming out of a fish’s mouth. Slack can come from several factors. Let’s look at three basic scenarios.

• The fish swimming directly at you very quickly • The fish getting the line wrapped in cover • The fish jumping Sometimes a fish will make a hard run at the boat. Often this results in slack line and the hook coming out. A high-speed reel and quick recognition of the situation are key to keeping slack out of the line. A longer rod will help keep a tight line and pressure on the bass. Depending on your surroundings, you can also keep the line tight by walking backwards.

In addition to the potential for line breakage, fish getting into cover can cause slack in the line. Once a fish turns its head with the line tight against cover, there’s potential for slack to form.

Keep heavy pressure on the fish when it buries up in cover, and get it out into open water as quickly as possible. That’s another plus to a powerful hookset; it gets that fish moving in the right direction.

Losing a fish when it jumps and throws the bait can really break your heart.

Your best bet is to do everything possible to keep a bass from jumping in the first place. Sticking the rod tip down in the water will often keep a bass from jumping.

Turning the fish quickly in the opposite direction as he begins to warm up for a leap will also keep its head down and eliminate a jump.

Probably the most obvious way for fish to get off is for your line to break. Line breaks either because it gets damaged or it will break at the knot. Breaking at the knot is very discouraging. One tip to reduce this occurrence is to wet the line when cinching down the knot, especially with fluorocarbon. You also need to be proficient at several different knots. There are apps online that explain knots for each situation. The Palomar knot is the strongest knot and is useful for a wide variety of situations.

The pound test line you use has to be paired with the proper power rod and the proper sized hook. Use the line weight rating on your rod’s specifications as a starting point. A stout 5/0 Mustad Grip Pin 3X Max flipping hook needs line that is at least 20 pound test or greater. Lighter line is going to be better for smaller hooks, fished on medium-power rods. My brand of rods, MHX, has the suggested line sizes on the blanks when you purchase at www. mudhole.com.

Quality line you can trust is also important. Vicious No Fade Braid (www.GetVicious.com) is a line I highly recommend. It’s not going to break, and it’s also going to keep its dark green color over multiple fishing seasons.

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n April, on the same stage where Bassmaster Elite Series pros were weighing in during the Lake Hartwell tournament, 2019 Bass Fishing Hall of Fame inductee Davy Hite was surprised by the South Carolina Senate with a resolution honoring his career.

Rep. Jay West, acting on behalf of the resolution’s sponsors, Sen. Michael Gambrell and Sen. Floyd Nicholson, made clear that Hite was being honored not just for his angling exploits, which include the 1999 Bassmaster Classic title, the 1998 Forrest Wood Cup, and the 1997 and 2002 Bassmaster Angler of the Year awards. He certainly cited those achievements, but added that his prior career in the National Guard and subsequent career as a broadcaster and his role as a steward of our natural resources also justified this recognition.

Hite attended his first Bassmaster Classic as a spectator in 1996 and had a dream “just to maybe qualify for one.” Instead, he visited the Classic stage 14 times during a career that earned him nearly $2 million in B.A.S.S. winnings alone.

“When you get to fish for a living, and now get to talk about fishing for a living, it’s a great thing,” Hite said onstage.

He will be formally added to the rolls of the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame at its annual induction dinner at Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife Museum and Aquarium in Springfield, Mo., on Sept. 19.

For information, go to www.BassFishingHOF.com or contact BFHOF executive director Barbara Bowman at bfhof.barbara@gmail.com.

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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT Old Town Discovery 119 Solo Sportsman

For 2019, Old Town has unveiled an innovative new solo canoe, the Discovery 119 Solo Sportsman. Combining the best of both worlds, this hybrid canoe, packed with fishing and hunting-specific features, offers the simplicity and utility of a classic solo canoe with the agility and sleek handling of a kayak. The super stable design and lightweight body presents the perfect easy-to-transport watercraft for a day of fishing or hunting.

The Discovery 119 Solo Sportsman is a cutting edge take on one of Old Town’s most beloved solo canoes, the Discovery 119. The Solo Sportsman features exceptional comfort and stability, with a kayak-style contoured seat complete with an adjustable backrest and a built-in cup holder. Padded armrests and adjustable foot braces provide multi-purpose functionality and customization.

The Discovery 119 Solo Sportsman includes two flush mount rod holders, a recessed thwart accessory track for complete customization, and molded in tray storage for tackle and shotgun shells. The open and spacious hull provides ample storage for decoys, rods, tackle and a trusted dog.

This innovative new boat comes with a lifetime hull warranty.

www.oldtowncanoe.com/solosportsman

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COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

4/17/19 10:56 AM

SZ_Q2 Pro

Start the new boating season off right with the Ultimate 4-Stroke Outboard from Suzuki. Buy during our Spring Sales Event and 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. See your participating Suzuki Marine dealer for all the details.

3 Years Limited Warranty + 3 Years Extended Protection

Six Years of Protection at no extra charge on all new outboards 25 to 350 HP.

INSTA

SAVINNT GS SAV

SELECE RIGHT N T SUZ UKI O OW ON UTBO ARDS

REPOWER FINANCE

Instant Savings on select models when you buy during this promotion.

See your dealer for details.

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

To learn more, visit www.suzukimarine.com.

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 04/01/19 and 06/30/19 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 04/01/19 and 06/30/19. 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 04/01/19 and 06/30/19. “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. © 2019 Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

CANGL_NAT3-NAT32.indd 31 SZ_Q2 Promo_1PG_WIP.indd 1

I

MAY 2019

I

NATIONAL

31

4/17/19 10:56 AM 3/15/19 2:26 PM

SUPER COUPON OVER 5,000 5 STAR REVIEWS Customer Rating

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BEATS

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3.6

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NO

3/8"

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3/8"

359

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457

399 99

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*61826006 * 61826006 *WARN 96820 stated specs

26" x 22" SINGLE BANK 72" x 80" EXTRA DEEP CABINETS MOVING ALL CABINETS ALL SIZES BLANKET ALL COLORS

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$5 99

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19

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8

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ITEM 64434 64433 shown

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ITEM 64432 64431 shown

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99

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*61718875 * 61718875

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LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 9/3/19*

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

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2 HP GAS POWERED RECIPROCATING SAW EARTH AUGER WITH 6" BIT WITH ROTATING HANDLE

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RED

ITEM 64163 64162 shown

GREEN

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Cannot be used with other discounts or prior purchases. Original coupon must be presented.

Valid through 9/3/19 while supplies last. Limit 1 FREE GIFT per customer per day.

SUPER COUPON BLUE

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14

214

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$1 7999

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59

MODEL: PCE360

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*61745772 * 61745772

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ITEM 69684/61776/61970/56597/61969 shown

*61766714 * 61766714

*61773450 * 61773450

*61777763 * 61777763

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

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

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ROUGHNECK $ 99 MODEL: 27918

$

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*NATIONAL 61785837 * *61797610 * *61806780* • THEANGLERMAG.COM6 1 8 0 6 7 8 0 6 1 7 8 5 8I3 7MAY 2019 I COASTALANGLERMAG.COM 61797610 LIMIT 3 - Coupon valid through 9/3/19*

1500 WATT DUAL TEMPERATURE HEAT GUN (572°/1112°)

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113

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32

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*61758127 * 61758127

2 PIECE 1500 LB. CAPACITY VEHICLE DOLLIES

89

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MODEL: GX390UT2QAA2

ITEM 60349/60340 shown ITEM 69736, CALIFORNIA ONLY

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

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SAVE 75%

68999

Customer Rating

$

*61741660 * 61741660

100 WATT SOLAR PANEL KIT

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Customer Rating

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8750 MAX. STARTING/ Customer Rating 7000 RUNNING WATTS 13 HP (420 CC) GAS GENERATOR • GFCI outlets

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ITEM 63086/68530/56169/56171/63085 shown ITEM 68525/63088/56168/56170/63087 CALIFORNIA ONLY

NOW

$ 99

60" H WITH

*61706632 * 61706632

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ANY SINGLE ITEM*

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WITH ANY PURCHASE

• Super-Strong, Ultra-Lightweight Composite Plastic • Magnetic Base & 360° Swivel Hook for Hands-Free Operation • 3- AAA Batteries (included) • 144 Lumens

12,000 LB.

YES

20% OFF

FREE

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*

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$8

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MODEL: HG1300

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99

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*61821937 * 61821937 LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 9/3/19*

4/17/19 10:56 AM

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GAME WINNER $ 99

24

MODEL: CT8850PDB, CTB8185BK, CTC720

MODEL: FSGWHE1030

*61834802 * 61834802

*61842725 * 61842725

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

LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 9/3/19*

• 16 ft. of LED lamps

$

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• • • •

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*61925251 * 61925251 LIMIT 3 - Coupon valid through 9/3/19*

• THEANGLERMAG.COM I MAY 2019 NATIONAL 33 was At Harbor Freight Tools, the “Compare to” price means that the specified comparison, which is an item Iwith the same or similar function, 1,000+ Stores Nationwide • HarborFreight.com COASTALANGLERMAG.COM advertised for sale at or above the “Compare to” price by another national retailer in the U.S. within the past 90 days. Prices advertised by others

*Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 9/3/19.

CANGL_NAT3-NAT32.indd 33

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

4/17/19 4/4/19 10:56 8:17 AM AM

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CANGL_NAT3-NAT32.indd 34

4/17/19 10:56 AM

1782-18B Coastal Angler.indd 1 COMMON CVRS_0419.indd 3

For: Coastal Angler

12/19/18 3:50 PM 3/18/19 9:38 AM

NEW FROM THE ALL NEW

Introducing the newest member of the NauticStar family: the 32 XS Offshore. This outstanding saltwater

NAUTICSTAR

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performer delivers all the necessary fishing features for the serious angler with a smooth, dry, comfortable ride, and cutting edge styling and comfort never before seen in a boat of this class.

IT’SXS CRAZY 32 COOL! OFFSHORE

With its 10’ 6” beam, the 32 XS Offshore offers a [a] spacious and comfortable bow that features a large forward lounge seat and plush wrap-around seating. The head console has a fully lined interior with a stainless steel sink, SeaDek® floor and electricSEE flush porcelain toilet. [b] IT It has a large helm station to allow for dual 12-inch (standard) or 16-inch AT THE MIAMI INTL (optional) multifunction displays. [c] The leaning post features ergoBOAT SHOW nomically correct Llebrock® double billfish seats with flip-up bolsters BOOTH A237 and pivot arms. [d] It has a sink, tackle storage, and a slide-out, 35 Qt. YETI® cooler or optional refrigerator. The D-channel, integrated T-top can be fitted with a variety of options such as a retractable shade, and folddown cockpit television. Aft, the jump seats flip-up for a roomy fishing deck with [e] port and starboard 8.8 cu.ft. in-floor fish boxes and large port side dive door.

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a

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NauticStarBoats.com Some photos shown with optional equipment

COMMON CVRS_0419.indd 4

3/18/19 9:38 AM