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WELCOME
By Capt. Quinlyn Haddon
Tuna Town TO
I
had only been fishing a few years when I wound up taking a job in Venice, Louisiana. I had gotten the lead on a first mate position through a mutual friend of a captain who I had never met before. When I called the captain, I asked when he needed me. He told me, “yesterday.” So I went to the tackle shop, bought my first pair of slickers, and hit the road. The only thing I knew about Venice was that there was no cell phone service and no women. As I drove down the road south of New Orleans, I began to notice ships on both sides of the road simultaneously. I realized I had better call someone to let them know I was heading to a deadzone in the middle of nowhere, filled with lonely, salty men. I arrived at night and located my captain’s houseboat, where I would be staying. I made the jump across to the boat and opened the door without knocking—as I was instructed to do. A dozen men, drinking beer, went silent as they stared at me. I looked around the room at the welcoming party, and the walls that were lined with shelves of alcohol bottles and a deer head decorated with Mardi Gras beads and bras. They offered me a beer and I declined. After the 14-hour drive, I most definitely wanted a beer, however, this did not seem like the time and place to let my guard down. The captain showed me the boat docked out back, my bunk where I would be staying, and told me what time to set my alarm for the charter the following morning. I had no idea what to expect or what I had gotten myself into, but I quickly fell in love with the fishery and a week-long trip turned into a year and a half. The fishermen there were nothing but respectful and treated me like one of the guys. I had only been fishing for two years at the time and had a lot to learn. I spent evenings teaching myself how to tie snell knots and throw a cast net. When the locals would go out fun fishing and bring back coolers with hundreds of trout, they were more than happy to teach me how to fillet fish. The fishermen didn’t cut me any slack for being a woman, which I was grateful for. I worked just as hard as they did, earned respect, and learned everything I needed to become a competent fisherman. I was openly doubted every step of the way, until I was able to learn and prove myself, which I did. But I was told that if I made it to the fall, there was no way that a woman could handle shrimp-boat season. Shrimp-boat season involves pulling behind shrimp boats and then boarding them by jumping from the bow of your boat onto the tires that hang from the stern of the shrimp boat. Then you promptly scurry up before your bow has a chance to crush your feet. You then shovel bycatch into a bag or basket, get it back to your boat, and hopefully get yourself back on the boat before your crew hooks up to a big tuna and abandons you there for the fight. The goal is to not die, break your ankles or get murdered by the shrimp-boat crew in the process. I did make it to the fall, and I did survive shrimp-boat season, and it was some of my favorite fishing I’ve done, to this day. It wasn’t until I left that the ball-busting ceased and I received positive feedback, when a captain called to tell me I did a really great job and that I’d earned a place and should come back for the following season. I am so grateful Tuna Town was a stop on my journey to where I am now. I am indebted to the fishermen there who helped teach me things the right way, without mercy. Capt. Quinlyn Haddon, with Sweet e’nuf charters out of Marathon, Florida Keys, can be reached at (504) 920-6342. See CaptainQuinlyn.com and @captainquinlyn.
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THROW UMBRELLA RIGS FOR WINTER BASS
When the bass are feeding up on baitfish in the winter, the natural bait ball presentation with multiple baits swimming together drives these bass absolutely crazy. It can make for a very fun day on the water. Setting up your “rig” is not complicated. Depending on how deep you are looking to fish, use 1/8-ounce jig heads for shallow water (10 feet or less) and ¼-ounce jig heads for anything deeper than 10 feet. Pick TYLER WOOLCOTT out some small 3- to 4-inch natural shad colored boot-tail swimbaits to attach to your jig heads and that’s all there is to it. inter can be a tricky time of year to go fishing, The winter months is typically the time when bass to feed up before but I want to tell you about a bait that might help you put some more fish in the boat. In fact, this lure is so good that they spawn. Whether you see it going on or not, they are eating a lot of bait somewhere on your some tournaments don’t allow body of water. You can throw anglers to use them anymore. this rig basically anywhere, I’m talking about the Alabama and if there are fish around, rig, which some people call they will bite it! I throw it the umbrella rig. around grass, rocks, docks, This device made its debut open water, points and on the bass fishing scene in ditches. 2011 and absolutely dominated the tournament fishing scene Gear for a few years before it was When throwing an A-rig, eventually outlawed by most it can get pretty heavy once professional fishing series for you add all the jig heads and basically being an unfair way swimbaits onto it. You’ll want to catch fish. The rig consists to use a big heavy rod with of a baitfish-style head where some strong line. A 13 Fishing you tie your line with multiple Muse Black 7’6” rod paired metal-wire arms that extend with a Concept A 6:8:1 reel is out where you attach jig heads a good fit. Spool this up with with a swimbaits. Most come 20-pound Seaguar Abraz-X standard with five metal arms line and you are good to go! and five jig heads. Good luck out there! Even though the Alabama rig is outlawed by most pro fishing leagues, that doesn’t mean you can’t use it when you are out fun Tyler Woolcott is a professional tournament angler and guide. fishing or even fishing smaller tournaments. It is a fish-catching machine! Check out his website at www.tylerwoolcottfishing.com.
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JANUARY 2024
NATIONAL 7
A GREAT LAKES FORMULA FOR
By Nick Carter
JUST ONE FISH
C
obi Pellerito’s goal in a day is just one fish, and with the surge in Great Lakes smallmouth fisheries, there’s a good chance he’ll find what he’s looking for: one giant smallie. “Big smallmouth is my jam,” he said. “It’s not like tournament fishing, where you’re looking for a limit. I’m out there looking for one big fish.” Pellerito theorized that three invasive species are responsible for Great Lakes smallmouth achieving grotesque proportions with weights in the 7- to 8-pound range. European round gobies and rusty crayfish from the Ohio River Basin have become important prey species since their invasion. European Zebra mussels are forage for another smallmouth favorite: perch, and these filter-feeders also create clear water, which is great for visual hunters like bass.
8 NATIONAL
JANUARY 2024
Pellerito bemoaned the destruction these invasives wreak but figures we might as well take advantage. THE FORMULA: The size of the Great Lakes system is incredible. From a home base in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, Pellerito has explored parts of it from Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, downstream through lakes Michigan, St. Clair, Huron, Erie and over to the St. Lawrence River. Over this vast expanse, state fisheries reports tell him where the largest smallmouth are. “Once you’ve picked a fishery, there’s no substitute for time on the water,” he said. “Find the most desirable structure in the lake or in the part of the lake you’re fishing.” Smallmouth can be patterned seasonally. From there, Pellerito fishes long days to eliminate water. He looks for big points and transitions in bottom composition. He seeks out subtle structure like boulders or logs on barren flats. Bait presence is important, whether its gobies or crayfish in the rocks, perch in the grass or balls of suspended baitfish. THE FISHING: When he finds an area he likes, Pellerito covers water quickly with a crankbait. He likes a Megabass Deep-X 300, which dives 12 to 15 feet. “Covering water until you find where the fish are is important, then you slow down,” he said. “The biggest fish tend to be a step off from where the rest of them are.” Big smallmouth hold in “wolf packs” of two or three fish, and this can sometimes lead to days of more than “just one fish.” Recently, Pellerito boated an incredible 35-pound, 9-ounce five fish limit. Find one big fish, and it pays to pick that area apart. For this, Pellerito switches to classic drop shots or tubes. A standard tube crawls through the rocks like a goby or a crayfish. With the drop shot, Pellerito fishes a Megabass 3-inch Hazedong, which looks like a goby. It takes light line to draw strikes in clear water. Pellerito uses 15-foot leaders of 5- to 7-pound fluorocarbon with a main line of 8- to 10-pound braid. He’s experienced tremendous success with these tactics. This season, he boated 39 fish heavier than 6 pounds, 19 heavier than 7 pounds and two heavier than 8 pounds. To see more of Cobi Pellerito’s giant fish, see his Instagram @cobi.pellerito.
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CATCH FRENZIED SPANISH MACKEREL
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panish mackerel are a year-round target, but this time of year they love following bluefish schools to clean up injured baitfish left behind. During this time, bluefish and mackerel all tend to school together into a feeding frenzy of terror. I definitely wouldn’t want to get my hand in the way of any of those toothy fish. Spanish mackerel are sometimes confused with baby kingfish and cero mackerel, since they can school all together. However, there are a few ways to differentiate these fish, which is important since they all have different regulations. All these mackerel have yellow spots on their sides, but there are a few differences to look for. Cero mackerel have yellow lines along their lateral line that are combined with the yellow spots. King mackerel tend to have smaller spots that are closely grouped along the lateral line. As for the Spanish mackerel, they have large uncontrolled spots. There is simply no rhyme or reason for their pattern. Another way to identify Spanish mackerel is they usually have a wider girth compared to the other mackerel. A large Spanish mackerel is considered to be around 24 inches and over 5 pounds, while kingfish are typically over 20 pounds and ceros tend to be smaller. Spanish mackerel are typically nearshore fish that hang close to shore in order to feed on bait
schools by pushing them into the breakers. In certain locations, you can find Spanish inside the intracoastal. In specific conditions, if the water becomes too warm, mackerel move deeper to find their preferred 70 degrees. Spanish mackerel are found off the Atlantic coast of the United States and in the Gulf of Mexico. They follow a migration pattern of spending the winter off Florida and then move north to North Carolina in early April and all the way up off the coast of New York by June. There are many ways to target Spanish mackerel. Some use live bait such as sardines, baby pilchards and smaller threadfins. A simple freeline with a short wire leader to a live bait hook and one of these smaller baitfish can be deadly. The wire is not absolutely necessary, but mackerel do have extremely sharp teeth. When mackerel are tailing bluefish schools, they are normally frenzied. They’ll slash at everything that comes their way. I like throwing crappie jigs into the frenzy, and I think any kind of small jig will work. A lot of commercial anglers use popping corks with a spoon tied about 4 feet below. The pop gets their attention, and then the shiny fluttering spoon is too much for them to resist.
FWC PHOTO
By Emily Hanzlik
For larger Spanish mackerel, X-Raps or other diving crankbaits work best since they imitate larger baits. If you’re throwing a lure, don’t use your favorite one. There is a good chance you might lose it. Emily Rose Hanzlik holds 62 IGFA world records in various categories. Find her on social media @emilyhanzlikoutdoors.
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FLORIDA 3
By Astrid deGruchy
No Telling What You’ll Catch
ON THE PATCH
P
atch reef fishing is the epitome of, “You never know what you’re going to catch.” These underwater gems are filled with all sorts of fish, and it makes them fun and exciting places to be an angler. Patch reefs are small coral formations found in the shallower parts of the water. They were named for the patchy appearance when viewed from the surface and form wherever hard bottom exists in 10 to 25 feet of water. The rocky bottom, combined with ledges, coral heads and other growth provides the structure fish love. Many of these areas are well-known here in the Keys, but if you’re up for some exploration you can find less-pressured patch reef especially when the water is clear and visibility is good. Just keep an eye out for rocky or live bottom. These areas are usually not too far from shore, so they’re easy to reach and perfect for angling action. All sorts of fish congregate around these patches. The variety includes mutton snapper, mangrove snapper, yellowtail snapper, lane snapper, hogfish, black grouper, red grouper, gag grouper, porgy, cero mackerel, yellowjack and barracuda. We fish a lighter setup on the patch reefs, and this makes for a blast. Our go-to is a PENN Authority 4500 reel with the PENN Carnage III rod. Live bait like pilchards or shrimp work like a charm. If catching live bait is a problem for you, just stop at a local tackle shop and grab some live shrimp, pinfish, or even some frozen ballyhoo. Keep it simple, and tie on a knocker rig or jig head. Anchoring the boat in the right position to present baits around the reef is an important part of this style of fishing. Dropping bait on the sandy areas near the reef allows you to fish the bottom without getting hung up. Chum can be a good idea, but don’t be so quick to put out the chum as soon as you get lined up. I recommend breaking it out only if the fishing is tough. Chum can attract some of the “trash fish” like blue runners, jacks and sharks. Also, make sure you’re up to date with the rules and regulations. There are so many species you might catch, and some of those species might be out of season. Patch reef fishing is a blast. It’s a mix of stunning views and tons of action. If you want to experience this, the cooler months are the best for this type of fishing. That’s when some better-quality fish move into the shallower reefs.
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SLIP CORKS AREN’T JUST FOR LIVE BAIT
T
Tim Barefoot
here was time in my life when I was fanatical about live bait, and a lot of the fishing I did was under a sliding cork. Well, that ship has sailed, at least the live bait part. I still fish under a sliding cork, but I now fish artificial lures under the cork for several reasons, only one of which is the evolution of soft plastic baits. Here are a few arguments for fishing artificial: 1) There’s no need to catch and store live bait. 2) My entire tackle box is now small and light enough to fit in a backpack for travel. 3) Soft Plastics are versatile in terms of presentation, and they’re effective. 4) Artificials can be cast farther and more accurately. 5) You can be ready to fish at a moment’s notice anywhere, under almost any conditions. These advantages add up to the sum of my new fishing style under a sliding or popping cork. I cherish my two- or three-hour mini vacations after work, wherever I am while traveling. I travel quite a bit and can bail out of the truck and fish for whatever is there. I’ve grown fond of fishing under and around bridges for several species, and the ease and effectiveness of this style of fishing is easy to love. In addition to fishing just a single lure under a cork—or without a cork in deeper, faster water—I’ve started fishing a tandem tackle. The bottom bait is the jig head for the weight, and the second bait has no weight and just trails out behind the jig. Some days, it’s all bites on the jig; other days, it’s a third or more of the bites on the weightless trailer. This suspended bait and trailer under a cork is not only effective, but it keeps you from staying hung up. Once I figure out how deep the water is, it’s easy to adjust the depth. I typically keep one rod set up for 6 feet deep as a starting point. If I see the cork laying over, it means the jig is sitting on the bottom. I’ll shallow it up a bit to where the jig is just off the bottom and makes a clean drift. If the water is deeper, I’ll adjust it deeper. The end goal is to keep the jig a foot or two off the bottom and allow a natural drift. I like to fish a pair of DOA Shrimp on this tackle in saltwater, and this same tactic is deadly in freshwater with Zoom Flukes or Super Flukes for smallmouth, largemouth and striped bass. The other bait I love for this style of fishing is Gulp! baits. For more detailed videos of the tandem tackle and how to tie it, and the construction of my sliding cork set up, visit my Youtube channel and/or the website. For more from Tim Barefoot, visit barefootcatsandtackle.com.
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Kayak Fishing
H
appy New Year! It has been a pretty average winter here so far in Southwest Florida for kayak fishing. Water temps have dropped, and the water clarity is getting better by the day. This time of year, it can become a little bit frustrating for fishermen because of high winds and weekly cold fronts. But, if you can catch it at the right time in between, the fishing can be quite good! Although water temps are lower, some species thrive quite nicely in the cooler temps. The main species that comes to my mind are speckled trout! They show up in huge numbers and this is the time of year to catch a trophy size trout which us Floridians call Gator Trout. Speckled trout can be found in inches of water trying to warm up and in deeper waters huddled together in schools. If I’m targeting them on the open grass flats, I generally like to use light to medium tackle. They are quite aggressive and ferocious in their attacks. I’ve seen them
By: Eric Henson hit top water lures so hard that they go flying over 6ft into the air! Because they are trying to fatten up for their spawn, they will be gorging themselves. I like to target them with a variety of things like hard baits, soft-plastics, flies, and of course some people prefer live bait as well. Because the larger trout are females and here to spawn, it is so important to handle these beauties with the utmost care. Wetting your hands to handle them for a quick picture is a great and safe practice as these fish are the future of our fishery for years to come. I Hope everyone has fun out there and does their part in helping our waters flourish. Tight lines and Tight knots to everyone!
Casting Kayaks | CastingKayaks.com | 941-504-1349
FACEBOOK.COM/COASTALANGLERMAGAZINESARASOTA/ | JANUARY 2024 | SARASOTA / BRADENTON 1
By: Joe Sheaffer
Head to the Passes By: Joe Sheaffer
M
any anglers in Southwest Florida stop fishing the beaches during the colder months. The colder water temps and cooler weather definitely affects activity along the surf. The weather is amazing, but fishing can be tough. I really like to fish on our beaches so I'm going regardless of the fishing conditions. During the winter months I like to fish near and around our passes. There are a few near my home and I try to fish those areas when I need a beach fix. Passes are key areas to fish year-round as they are the gateway for fish entering the bays from the Gulf of Mexico and vice versa fish heading from the bays to the gulf. There is always current because of the tide and any structure near or around the current will hold fish. Some passes have rock jetties, sea walls, rock booms and just debris from the in and out flow of current every day. Because of the constant flow of water there usually will be plenty of bait near or around or passes. The funneling of water, structure and the presence of bait increase our chances as anglers to catch fish. There are many presentations that can be effective. Jigs, spoons, live bait rigs are a few of these presentations that can produce positive results. Recently I fished the Boca Grande Pass after a cold front. I focused my efforts on eddies formed by the tide change. I worked a jig with a 3-inch paddle tail, popping it off the bottom. I hooked a couple of fun sized Permit, what a blast. I didn’t have many bites, but the day was definitely a success, well worth my time and effort. Head toward the passes during the colder months you never know what you might catch. Good luck and keep casting.
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Football Season By: Jessica Harris
A
s the new year is here, football season is coming to an end. Whether you’re an NFL fan rooting for the Miami Dolphins or sticking to college hyping up your fellow Gators, there is one thing for sure, the football of the water will be coming soon. The Blackfin Tuna! Blackfins tend to bite vigorously in the fall months and right back at it in the spring months. But why do we call that fighting little fish a football? Because that’s exactly what they’re shaped like and most of what you catch, big or small, still resembles one. A football tuna. So don’t get discouraged because football season is over, because it’s actually just getting started. Blackfin Tuna are such a fun fish to catch. Besides their football shape, they are known for hard runs, explosive bites and great table fare. Now don’t get me wrong, blackfins can be caught year-round in South Florida but if you want to specifically target them, fall and spring months are ideal. The larger tuna will be caught in the
spring months during migration. They like to eat in the low light, spending most of their time deep down hunting squid. Their big eyes help them to see great down there. If you’re planning to go fishing for blackfin tuna, the best way to target them are trolling and jigging. It’s a good idea to scale down your leader material and hooks because of their excellent eyesight. Kite fishing is a fun way and efficient way to target them as well. Keep in mind that they are a little boat shy, so you’ll really need to step up your teaser game. If you’re wondering what to use to catch them, live bait is always the answer. So now that you are a little more knowledgeable on the blackfin tuna sportfishing game, get out there and try to catch some! As an avid angler myself, I must say, I am not big on sushi. BUT, fresh blackfin on the boat is on a whole new level. Just don’t forget to bleed it out first. Happy New Year and to a new year of fishing, I hope it’s a great one.
4 SARASOTA/BRADENTON | JANUARY 2024 | CAMSWFL@GMAIL.COM
nding to see he best down e fishd that me. If nswer. sportyself, I whole a new
FACEBOOK.COM/COASTALANGLERMAGAZINESARASOTA/ | JANUARY 2024 | SARASOTA / BRADENTON 5
A RESOLUTION TO REFLECT
in places large and small; however, our greatest treasure, the ocean, is often hidden from us as we make our daily commutes. One of the many drawbacks to living at sea level. This is why moments of reflection, and iving in Florida year-round, it is easy to take for granted the beau- subsequent planning, are so important. When inspiration strikes, don’t ty and abundance of experiences we have at our fingertips. The hesitate to call a friend to see if they’re free to fish, or plan a weekend swaying of a sabal palm on a breezy day, the soft lapping of waves with the family to your favorite beach. These moments can be restoron a sandy shore, and the abrupt pull of a monster fish feel simultane- ative and are easily obtained, despite our many distractions, with the ously close yet so far away for many of us. The demands of modern life proper resolution. require us to create routines that can easily turn into cages if we’re not As Henry David Thoreau once wrote, “it is remarkable how easily and careful. Most of us know the value of pausing and taking a moment to insensibly we fall into a particular route and make a beaten track for appreciate what we have, but how many of us actually take the time to ourselves.” Don’t let the beaten track of honking horns and the artido it? ficial glow of high-resolution gadgets replace the melodic chirping of When visiting mountainous parts of the country, I often envy the willets or the last light of a setting sun. Just like the flashing lights in the local population’s constant exposure to the towering peaks that serve rear-view mirror as you make your way home from work, these things as daily reminders of nature’s majesty. Florida’s majesty can be found are closer than they appear.
By: Brendon Allen
L
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CORTEZ
January/2024 • 27°28’N 82°41’W
January/2024 • 27°38’N 82°34’W
www.USHarbors.com
Cortez, FL - Jan 2024
High
Date
3113 1st Street, Bradenton, FL 34208 941.746.6020
PORT MANATEE
www.USHarbors.com
Port Manatee, FL - Jan 2024
Low
High
Date
AM
ft
PM
ft
AM
ft
PM
ft
Rise
Set
Moon
Mon
2:05
1.7
4:25
1.3
10:14
-0.1
10:07
0.8
7:19
5:48
1
2
Tue
3:06
1.4
4:50
1.4
10:46
0.1
11:31
0.6
7:19
5:49
3
Wed
4:22
1.2
5:17
1.5
11:19
0.3
7:20
5:50
4
Thu
6:04
1.0
5:48
1.7
12:52
0.4
11:50A
0.5
7:20
5
Fri
8:06
0.9
6:22
1.8
2:04
0.1
12:21
0.7
6
Sat
10:09
1.0
7:00
1.9
3:07
-0.2
12:48
0.9
7
Sun
7:43
2.0
4:02
8
Mon
8:31
2.2
9
Tue
9:21
10
Wed
11
Low
AM
ft
PM
ft
AM
ft
PM
ft
Rise
Set
Mon
3:20
1.6
5:45
1.3
10:52
-0.1
10:47
0.8
7:19
5:47
2
Tue
4:23
1.4
6:16
1.3
11:28
0.1
7:19
5:48
3
Wed
5:40
1.2
6:48
1.5
12:10
0.7
12:01
0.3
7:19
5:49
5:50
4
Thu
7:10
1.0
7:20
1.6
1:33
0.5
12:33
0.5
7:20
5:49
7:20
5:51
5
Fri
8:59
0.8
7:52
1.7
2:47
0.2
12:53
0.7
7:20
5:50
7:20
5:52
6
Sat
8:27
1.8
3:48
-0.1
7:20
5:51
-0.4
7:20
5:52
7
Sun
9:06
2.0
4:41
-0.4
7:20
5:52
4:53
-0.7
7:20
5:53
8
Mon
9:49
2.1
5:30
-0.7
7:20
5:52
2.3
5:41
-0.8
7:21
5:54
9
Tue
10:37
2.2
6:16
-0.9
7:20
5:53
10:13
2.4
6:28
-1.0
7:21
5:55
10
Wed
11:27
2.3
7:02
-1.0
7:20
5:54
Thu
11:07
2.4
7:13
-1.0
7:21
5:56
11
Thu
7:47
-1.0
7:20
5:55
12
Fri
2:53
1.0
7:57
-1.0
5:49
0.9
7:21
5:56
12
Fri
12:20
2.3
4:05
1.0
8:30
-1.0
6:35
0.9
7:20
5:55
13
Sat
12:01
2.4
3:07
1.0
8:38
-0.9
7:00
0.8
7:21
5:57
13
Sat
1:15
2.3
4:17
1.0
9:12
-0.8
7:50
0.8
7:20
5:56
14
Sun
12:57
2.2
3:25
1.1
9:18
-0.7
8:15
0.7
7:21
5:58
14
Sun
2:13
2.1
4:39
1.0
9:52
-0.6
9:01
0.6
7:20
5:57
15
Mon
1:57
2.0
3:46
1.2
9:54
-0.4
9:36
0.5
7:20
5:59
15
Mon
3:15
1.9
5:06
1.2
10:30
-0.4
10:16
0.4
7:20
5:58
16
Tue
3:05
1.6
4:12
1.4
10:27
0.0
11:03
0.3
7:20
5:59
16
Tue
4:23
1.5
5:36
1.3
11:05
0.0
11:37
0.3
7:20
5:59
17
Wed
4:29
1.2
4:42
1.6
10:57
0.3
7:20
6:00
17
Wed
5:40
1.2
6:10
1.5
11:35
0.3
7:20
5:59
18
Thu
6:25
0.9
5:19
1.8
12:34
0.0
11:21A
0.6
7:20
6:01
18
Thu
7:14
0.9
6:48
1.7
1:04
0.1
7:20
6:00
19
Fri
9:08
0.9
6:03
1.9
2:01
-0.2
11:28A
0.8
7:20
6:02
19
Fri
7:33
1.8
2:31
-0.2
7:20
6:01
20
Sat
6:54
2.0
3:18
-0.5
7:20
6:03
20
Sat
8:24
1.9
3:49
-0.4
7:20
6:02
21
Sun
7:51
2.0
4:21
-0.6
7:19
6:03
21
Sun
9:19
1.9
4:52
-0.6
7:19
6:03
22
Mon
8:49
2.1
5:14
-0.8
7:19
6:04
22
Mon
10:14
2.0
5:44
-0.7
7:19
6:03
23
Tue
9:42
2.1
5:59
-0.8
7:19
6:05
23
Tue
11:03
1.9
6:26
-0.8
7:19
6:04
24
Wed
2:01P
1.1
10:29
2.0
6:37
-0.8
4:23
1.0
7:19
6:06
24
Wed
11:48
1.9
7:03
-0.7
7:18
6:05
25
Thu
2:03P
1.0
11:12
2.0
7:10
-0.7
5:21
0.9
7:18
6:07
25
Thu
3:42
0.9
7:35
-0.7
6:06
0.9
7:18
6:06
26
Fri
2:06P
1.0
11:52
1.9
7:38
-0.6
6:11
0.8
7:18
6:07
26
Fri
12:29
1.9
3:16
0.9
8:06
-0.6
6:57
0.8
7:18
6:07
27
Sat
2:11
1.1
8:04
-0.5
7:00
0.7
7:18
6:08
27
Sat
1:08
1.8
3:20
1.0
8:35
-0.5
7:46
0.7
7:17
6:08
28
Sun
12:32
1.8
2:20
1.2
8:27
-0.4
7:51
0.6
7:17
6:09
28
Sun
1:48
1.7
3:39
1.1
9:04
-0.4
8:35
0.6
7:17
6:08
29
Mon
1:14
1.7
2:34
1.3
8:51
-0.2
8:43
0.4
7:17
6:10
29
Mon
2:30
1.6
4:02
1.2
9:31
-0.3
9:26
0.4
7:17
6:09
30
Tue
2:00
1.5
2:54
1.4
9:13
0.0
9:40
0.3
7:16
6:11
30
Tue
3:16
1.4
4:27
1.3
9:56
-0.1
10:22
0.3
7:16
6:10
31
Wed
2:53
1.3
3:17
1.6
9:35
0.2
10:42
0.2
7:16
6:11
31
Wed
4:11
1.2
4:52
1.4
10:17
0.1
11:26
0.2
7:16
6:11
1
8 SARASOTA/BRADENTON | JANUARY 2024 | CAMSWFL@GMAIL.COM
11:57A
0.6
Moon
4419 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice, FL 32493 941.493.0025
VENICE INLET
January/2024 • 27°7’N 82°28’W
January/2024 • 27°20’N 82°33’W
www.USHarbors.com
www.USHarbors.com
Sarasota, FL - Jan 2024
Venice Inlet, FL - Jan 2024 High
Date
1485 S Tamiami Trl Venice, FL 34285 888.538.4052
SARASOTA BAY
Low
High
Date
Low
AM
ft
PM
ft
AM
ft
PM
ft
Rise
Set
Mon
2:27
1.6
4:47
1.2
10:41
-0.1
10:34
0.7
7:18
5:48
2
Tue
3:28
1.4
5:12
1.3
11:13
0.1
11:58
0.6
7:19
5:49
3
Wed
4:44
1.1
5:39
1.4
11:46
0.3
7:19
5:49
5:49
4
Thu
6:26
0.9
6:10
1.6
1:19
0.3
12:17
0.5
7:19
5:50
7:20
5:50
5
Fri
8:28
0.9
6:44
1.7
2:31
0.1
12:48
0.7
7:19
5:51
7:21
5:51
6
Sat
10:31
0.9
7:22
1.8
3:34
-0.2
1:15
0.9
7:19
5:51
-0.4
7:21
5:52
7
Sun
8:05
1.9
4:29
-0.4
7:19
5:52
4:40
-0.6
7:21
5:52
8
Mon
8:53
2.1
5:20
-0.6
7:20
5:53
2.2
5:28
-0.8
7:21
5:53
9
Tue
9:43
2.2
6:08
-0.8
7:20
5:54
10:11
2.3
6:15
-0.9
7:21
5:54
10
Wed
10:35
2.3
6:55
-0.9
7:20
5:54
11:05
2.3
7:00
-1.0
7:21
5:55
11
Thu
11:29
2.3
7:40
-1.0
5:05
1.0
7:20
5:55
11:59
2.3
7:44
-1.0
5:36
0.9
7:21
5:55
12
Fri
3:15
1.0
8:24
-1.0
6:16
0.9
7:20
5:56
3:05
1.0
8:25
-0.8
6:47
0.8
7:21
5:56
13
Sat
12:23
2.3
3:29
1.0
9:05
-0.8
7:27
0.8
7:20
5:57
2.1
3:23
1.0
9:05
-0.6
8:02
0.6
7:21
5:57
14
Sun
1:19
2.1
3:47
1.0
9:45
-0.6
8:42
0.6
7:20
5:58
1:55
1.9
3:44
1.2
9:41
-0.3
9:23
0.5
7:21
5:58
15
Mon
2:19
1.9
4:08
1.2
10:21
-0.3
10:03
0.5
7:20
5:58
Tue
3:03
1.5
4:10
1.3
10:14
0.0
10:50
0.3
7:21
5:59
16
Tue
3:27
1.5
4:34
1.3
10:54
0.0
11:30
0.3
7:20
5:59
17
Wed
4:27
1.2
4:40
1.5
10:44
0.3
7:21
5:59
17
Wed
4:51
1.2
5:04
1.5
11:24
0.3
7:19
6:00
18
Thu
6:23
0.9
5:17
1.7
12:21
0.0
7:20
6:00
18
Thu
6:47
0.9
5:41
1.7
1:01
0.0
11:48A
0.6
7:19
6:01
19
Fri
6:01
1.8
1:48
-0.2
7:20
6:01
19
Fri
9:30
0.8
6:25
1.8
2:28
-0.2
11:55A
0.8
7:19
6:02
20
Sat
6:52
1.9
3:05
-0.4
7:20
6:02
20
Sat
7:16
1.9
3:45
-0.4
7:19
6:02
21
Sun
7:49
1.9
4:08
-0.6
7:20
6:03
21
Sun
8:13
1.9
4:48
-0.6
7:19
6:03
22
Mon
8:47
1.9
5:01
-0.7
7:19
6:04
22
Mon
9:11
1.9
5:41
-0.7
7:18
6:04
23
Tue
9:40
1.9
5:46
-0.7
7:19
6:04
23
Tue
10:04
1.9
6:26
-0.7
7:18
6:05
24
Wed
10:27
1.9
6:24
-0.7
7:19
6:05
24
Wed
2:23P
1.0
10:51
1.9
7:04
-0.7
4:50
1.0
7:18
6:06
25
Thu
2:01P
1.0
11:10
1.9
6:57
-0.7
5:08
0.9
7:19
6:06
25
Thu
2:25P
1.0
11:34
1.9
7:37
-0.7
5:48
0.9
7:17
6:06
26
Fri
2:04P
1.0
11:50
1.8
7:25
-0.6
5:58
0.8
7:18
6:07
26
Fri
2:28
1.0
8:05
-0.6
6:38
0.8
7:17
6:07
27
Sat
2:09
1.0
7:51
-0.5
6:47
0.7
7:18
6:08
27
Sat
12:14
1.8
2:33
1.0
8:31
-0.5
7:27
0.7
7:17
6:08
28
Sun
12:30
1.7
2:18
1.1
8:14
-0.4
7:38
0.5
7:17
6:08
28
Sun
12:54
1.7
2:42
1.1
8:54
-0.4
8:18
0.5
7:16
6:09
29
Mon
1:12
1.6
2:32
1.2
8:38
-0.2
8:30
0.4
7:17
6:09
29
Mon
1:36
1.6
2:56
1.2
9:18
-0.2
9:10
0.4
7:16
6:10
30
Tue
1:58
1.4
2:52
1.4
9:00
0.0
9:27
0.3
7:17
6:10
30
Tue
2:22
1.4
3:16
1.4
9:40
0.0
10:07
0.3
7:15
6:10
31
Wed
2:51
1.2
3:15
1.5
9:22
0.2
10:29
0.2
7:16
6:11
31
Wed
3:15
1.2
3:39
1.5
10:02
0.2
11:09
0.2
7:15
6:11
AM
ft
PM
ft
AM
ft
PM
ft
Rise
Set
Mon
2:03
1.6
4:23
1.2
10:01
-0.1
9:54
0.7
7:20
5:47
1
2
Tue
3:04
1.4
4:48
1.3
10:33
0.1
11:18
0.6
7:20
5:48
3
Wed
4:20
1.1
5:15
1.4
11:06
0.3
7:20
5:49
4
Thu
6:02
0.9
5:46
1.6
12:39
0.3
11:37A
0.5
7:20
5
Fri
8:04
0.9
6:20
1.7
1:51
0.1
12:08
0.7
6
Sat
10:07
0.9
6:58
1.8
2:54
-0.2
12:35
0.9
7
Sun
7:41
1.9
3:49
8
Mon
8:29
2.1
9
Tue
9:19
10
Wed
11
Thu
12
Fri
13
Sat
14
Sun
12:55
15
Mon
16
1
2:51P
1.0
11:08A
0.6
Moon
3:04P
1.0
Moon
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AJ Han Jack ne his 12lb Randy Slak of Port Charlotte t t L h it g tle Tunn ken (16) with a u e. r. ca v J li , a s k g caught this 31” 19lb black drum on ic the coa y he caught o e linin lmer ff st of Sa Don He the beach fre a live shrimp in Spring Lake. nibel. on
Kip Traffican and Jim Partyka caught a nice cobia on a near shore wreck. Mark Mongeon w/ a 36.5” beauty caught in an Estero freshwater pond.
eling in d fun re a h r e n Gard ok!!! Tommy nice 35” sno a
Katie Benedek catching her first redfish in Sarasota Bay on live shrimp.
Larry W all from N tarpon during t aples got this Capt. Jeremy Corbitt put some clients he coole n r weath ice on big fish in Port Charlotte! er.
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THE RACE TO RESCUE
By Nick Carter
CHIPOLA SHOAL BASS
W
hen it comes to warm-water fly fishing, shoal bass are about as fun as it gets. These pugnacious river bass are native to only one river system: The Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin, and their preferred swift-water habitat was years ago reduced to tributaries and stretches between dams in Georgia, Alabama and Florida. While Georgia claims the healthiest native, reproducing populations of the species in the Flint River and in pockets of the Chattahoochee River, the situation is a little more tenuous for Florida’s shoal bass. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), The 95-mile-long Chipola River is the last remaining waterbody in the state with a known naturally reproducing shoal bass population. The species was dealt a massive blow in 2018, when Hurricane Michael ripped over the Panhandle and depleted more than 90 percent of the Chipola’s shoal bass population. FWC stepped in to suspend harvest and possession of shoal bass in the Chipola River and its tributaries. Then they began hatching and releasing genetically pure shoal bass into the river. It appears to be working. Over the last two years, 11,000 fingerling shoal bass have been stocked into the Chipola. In subsequent samplings, DNA analysis showed more than 60 percent of yearling fish sampled came from these stockings.
“The stockings over these past two years have certainly made an impact on the population; shoal bass that were stocked last year are already within the 9-10 inch range,” said FWC biologist Andy Strickland. This is the first time genetically pure shoal bass have been successfully raised in an FWC hatchery, which is a big deal because genetic impurity is one of the largest threats shoal bass face. Across their native range, interbreeding with introduced non-native black bass species like Alabama bass and spotted bass has muddied the gene pool except in small pockets where genetically pure populations are isolated from interlopers. “It is extremely encouraging not only to successfully spawn this species in a hatchery setting but also to document the significant contribution the hatcheryreared fingerlings have made to the existing shoal bass population in the Chipola River to date,” said Bob DeMauro, Hatchery Manager at FWC’s Blackwater Research and Development Center. Biologists will continue to monitor Chipola River shoal bass and evaluate these stocking efforts in years to come. To learn more about a great shoal bass fishery, visit flyfishga.com.
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Cruising Into Adventure: Your Ultimate Guide to the 2024 Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show
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et ready to set sail into an ocean of excitement at the 2024 Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show, where innovation meets Miami’s vibrancy and electric culture. This year promises an experience like no other, and we’ve got the scoop for navigating you through the show’s must-see experiences. Taking place throughout President’s Day weekend, Feb. 14-18, the show has historically welcomed over 100,000 visitors and featured more than a thousand highly sought-after boating and marine products, generating major economic revenue for the recreational boating industry and over a billion dollars to the state of Florida.
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key to unlock all that the show has to offer. Whether you’re eyeing the latest in fishing or charting the course to explore the docks and enjoy over 100 food concessions and satellite bars sprinkled throughout the show, the 2-Day pass is your ticket to an extended celebration. Make sure to stop by the Stella Artois Beer Garden and Goslings Island Bar for a refreshing pause between the vessels up for exhibition. Looking to indulge in the luxury of the show’s Windward VIP experience? This year, the VIP passes are available at two exclusive locations – Herald Plaza and MBCC. Elevate your journey by securing tickets for one or both and enjoy premium perks that come with VIP status. Exclusive access to areas like Superyacht Miami is provided to Windward passholders. VIP ticket holders will also receive a complimentary one-day admission to Art Wynwood, Miami’s premier winter art fair, taking place Feb. 16-18. A Seamless Experience: From Water Taxis, Shuttles, Brightline Skip the traffic headaches by using the water taxi or the show’s bus shuttle network. Visiting from Orlando, Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Aventura? Hop on the Brightline and enjoy a complimentary shuttle to the show at Herald Plaza. Water taxi tickets require a separate purchase. As the excitement builds, the 2024 Miami International Boat Show invites you to embark on an unforgettable adventure. Celebrate the maritime lifestyle, cutting-edge technology, and the latest in personal boating and yachting. Secure your tickets by visiting miamiboatshow.com.
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ENTICE BIG TROUT WITH
ERRATIC ACTION PHOTO COURTESY OF KNOCKIN TAIL LURES®.
By Capt. Michael Okruhlik
A
common principle anglers abide by during winter months is to slow down their retrieve or presentation. Although this is a good default option, it may fail to entice strikes of those big, cold, winter trout. Let’s discuss. Some of my favorite lures for targeting trophy trout in the winter are those that suspend, slow sink, and have an erratic movement. When I
define a slow presentation, I am referencing the speed at which the lure moves toward the angler, the retrieve speed, not the motion. As a young angler, I was always told to slow down when it’s cold and then slow it down a little more. Although this has its place, it should not be set in stone, or ice if it’s really cold. OK, enough of the bad jokes. When trout are cold and may not be feeding
as aggressively as we would like, an extremely erratic motion can entice the strike. This erratic motion makes the lure dance in place with little to no forward movement. I use a rod with a whippy action for this. This allows me to point my rod tip at the lure and shake it up and down aggressively causing the lure to almost dance in place. I then let it pause, suspending or slow-sinking as I reel up the slack. I then repeat this practice, modifying according to the conditions. Fishing braided line is imperative for this method. The stretch in mono will not allow your slow-sinking lure to dance in place at the end of a long cast, but the zero stretch of braid makes it move like it is on a wire. I learned this the hard way 20 years ago. I was fishing with four friends, and I was the only one using mono and the only one not catching. I mimicked every move my buddy made to no avail. I then ask him to cast his lure and retrieve it near me. I watched it dance past with great action. I then cast my lure near him. Although I moved my rod more vigorously, he said my lure was moving in a straight line as if I was just reeling it in. I switched to braid on the next trip and never went back, and of course this dancing method started to produce fish! If you pay attention to the strike, this method will let you know if you should modify your retrieve. If they bite on the pause, you may want to slow it down a bit. If they bite on the shake, you may want to speed it up. I hope this helps you land more big trout this season. Good Luck! Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Knockin Tail Lures®, and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com
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A BIG INSHORE SURPRISE!
t was a chilly winter morning, and my crew—a good friend Zach and his two sons—all knew it was going to be either a tough day or a great one. It was a typical morning for winter here in the Daytona, Fla. area, with overcast skies, highs in the low 60s and a dominant wind and swell headed from the northeast. The inshore bite is typically pretty good this time of year, with a variety of different species usually willing to cooperate. Red drum are a favorite backcountry target during the colder months. When they move up on the flats to feed, it can lead to good action on spoons and paddletails. On the end of the outgoing tide, we hoped to bag a few redfish before the switch, but the bite never happened. We kept busy with some small permit, pompano, mangrove snapper and even a flounder. By the time the tide switched mid-morning, the bite had slowed down with just a few small sheepshead taking our bait. Sheepshead are delicious, and around here the causeways of the Intracoastal along with barnacle- or oyster-encrusted docks, bridges and jetties are a pretty good bet for picking up a few for the cooler. They love sand fleas and fiddler crabs but will also eat shrimp on a jig head or Carolina rig. Something I like to do while targeting other species is to leave baits out for red or black drum. I had two dead stick bottom rods out the back soaking halved blue crabs in the hopes that a drum would be hungry enough to pick it up. With the action pretty slow, and while we still had some time left in the trip, I decided we should make a move. I told Zach’s younger son Gavin, who is an employee of mine at Yellow Dawg Bait & Tackle in Ormond Beach, to reel in the back rods that had been soaking. At first it looked like he had a snag as the rod bent when he picked it up, but then the drag took off. Big black drum are tanks! It’s almost like they have shoulders and they’ve been working out all week waiting for you. The big ugly that highlighted that trip was somewhere in the 50-plus-pound range, a trophy for sure! Gavin, who is the younger guy in the photo, will be in U.S. Coast Guard boot camp when this edition hits the racks. His dad, Zach, is a veteran, along with his other two sons Logan and Cameron. A big thanks to all the men and women out there who serve our country! Capt. Jamie Thrappas is Co-Publisher of Coastal Angler - Volusia County and owner of Yellow Dawg Fishing. Check out yellowdawgfishing.com. To win a free half-day inshore or offshore charter with Capt. Thrappas, enter the Fish with Coastal Angler drawing at coastalanglermag.com/contest.
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Now Featuring Featuring Now High Pressure Pressure Drop-Stitch Drop-Stitch Keel High Now Featuring Keel for precise precise steering steering and and superior superior motoring motoring for High Pressure Drop-Stitch Keel (U.S. Patent # 8,286,573 B2) (U.S. Patent # 8,286,573 B2)
for precise steering and superior motoring (U.S. Patent # 8,286,573 B2)
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16’ xx 54” 54” Infl Inflated ated •• 60” 60” xx 24” 24” xx 11” 11” Defl Deflated ated •• 16’ Weighs 95 95 lbs. lbs. for for hull hull && transom transom •• Weighs •• Low Low Profi Profile le 6” 6” Thick Thick Drop Drop Stitch Stitch Chambers Chambers •• Infl Inflates ates to to 15 15 psi psi Takes UpxTo To24” 10 xhp hp11” Motor • 16’ x 54” Inflated • 60” Deflated •• Takes Up 10 Motor • Motors Up To 21.5 mph To & 21.5 mph • Weighs 95• Motors lbs. forUp hull transom
• Low Profile 6” Thick Drop Stitch Chambers • Inflates to 15 psi • Takes Up To 10 hp Motor • Motors Up To 21.5 mph
800-944-7496 •• Dept. Dept. CS014B CS014B 800-944-7496
Go online online or or call call for for aa FREE FREE catalog catalog or or to to order order Go
800-944-7496 • Dept. CS014B
NO trailer trailer required!! required!! NO 16’ Boat Rolls up up 16’ Boat Rolls NO trailer required!! to fifitt in in aa bag bag in in your your trunk trunk to
16’ Boat Rolls up to fit in a bag in your trunk
ed!! kk up r trunk
Delayed Harvest Trout By Nick Carter
A
AT FIRES CREEK, N.C.
delayed harvest trout stream is a better place than most to spend a winter afternoon, and if you can find a two- or three-day warming trend, there’s a good chance you’ll get into some pretty good fishing. North Carolina’s Fires Creek has a 2-mile stretch of delayed harvest water on U.S. Forest Service land off U.S. 64 between Murphy and Hayesville. Rainbow, brown and brook trout are stocked in the creek and protected under catch-and-release, single-hook, artificial only regulations during the October into June delayed
harvest season. It’s a small-stream setting with more and bigger trout than one would find in most creeks this size. The creek is gorgeous, with clear plunge pools and deep bend runs sliding into skinny pocket water that twists for miles through the bottom of a rhododendron-choked valley. Even the rounded river rocks are notable for their beauty, with striking dark gray and tan bands that’ll make you want to stash a few flat stones in your vest to take home. The fishing is about like any other delayed
harvest in terms of fish size and the density of stockings, but it is a small stream, so you’ll be tempted to—and you should—explore your way upstream instead of settling in on the big holes. Small streams are just more fun when you fish them that way. Around each bend lies a new challenge, another series of pools and runs. Tightlining nymphs is probably the most effective way to fool fish this time of year. They might fall for the standard “junk flies,” but a few months into the DH season, the fish might also be looking for something more natural. In winter, the aquatic insects will be small. Little black stoneflies, midges and blue-winged olives might hatch off on a warm afternoon and lead to some dry fly action, but unless you see bugs in the air, you’re better off fishing subsurface imitations of these insects. A double-nymph rig with a big attractor nymph below a smaller more natural looking nymph is always a good option. The foot bridge at the Fires Creek Picnic Area is the lower boundary of the DH water. Access above the foot bridge is easy on a streamside trail and also along Fires Creek Wildlife Road. This gravel track parallels the creek way up into its headwaters. The delayed harvest ends at the Forest Service 340A bridge. Upstream of this point, the trout population trends toward stream-born rainbows that top out at 10 or 11 inches. For GPS coordinates to access points and detailed maps of North Carolina and Georgia’s best trout water, check out “Flyfishers Guide to North Carolina & Georgia.” It is available at fly shops, on Amazon, and signed copies are available from the author by e-mailing nsc8957@gmail.com.
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JANUARY 2024
NATIONAL 15
A FEW THOUGHTS ON
SHEEPSHEAD By CAM Staff
S
heepshead have become a wintertime staple when water temps drop and the regular cast of inshore characters become more difficult to target. If you’re a cold-weather inshore angler, you’re probably already familiar with sheepshead, so here are a few tips you might not have heard yet. Finding Fish: Convict fish travel and feed in packs. Once you locate them, the action can be fast, but you have to find them first. Obviously, they like structure like bridges, docks and jetties, where they can happily gnaw on barnacles. When considering structure, older, rambling docks with lots of pilings provide more surface area for established colonies of crustaceans. These can be honeyholes, but keep moving if you’re not catching fish. You might run a dozen different structures in a day and catch 90 percent of your fish on one. In the clear water of winter, sheepshead can often be sight fished, and they don’t really spook, so look for them before casting. If the water is too dingy to see them, you can sometimes hear them crunching shells if you listen quietly. Chum ’Em Up: This might sound silly, but sheepshead get excited about free food just like any other species of fish. Keep a shovel on the boat and scrape barnacles off the structure you’re fishing. This rings the dinner bell, and it’ll also help you spot them as they dart around to pick off the falling morsels. Looking for scraped pilings is also a good way to identify where other anglers have chummed sheepies before. Play the Tides: Pretty much every fish feeds best on a moving tide, but a ripping flow can be detrimental when fishing for such a structure oriented fish. Fast moving water tends to pin sheepshead right up against structure. This, and the tide itself, can make presenting baits more difficult. Find a moderate tide, and
sheepshead will spread out and move around a little more, which makes them easier to catch. Position yourself up-current and allow your baits to drift down into the fish. The Business End: Although they are not skittish, sheepshead can be selective. Whether you’re fishing fiddler crabs, shrimp tails, sand fleas, oysters or clams, use a small, short-shank hook and hide it inside your bait. Also, fish braided line. Braid has less stretch, so those little bumps when a sheepshead taps your bait translate better to the rod tip. Braid also has better abrasion resistance for when they pull you around a piling, but the increased sensitivity is key. With their black and white bars, convicts are notorious bait thieves. You need to know it the instant they suck in your bait.
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ere’s a memorable beach moment: You’re basking in the warm sun, toes in the sand, letting the gentle turn of the foam-capped waves lull you into a state of complete relaxation. As your eyes scan the endless horizon of blue on blue, you’re rewarded with a school of dolphins making their way across the sea. There’s no denying their signature shape as they leap from the water. If you don’t see anything else extraordinary the rest of the day, you can take solace knowing you’ve witnessed one of nature’s most playful and intelligent creatures in their natural habitat. Why not re-create that special toes-in-the-sand moment with our Blue Topaz Dolphin Pendant? The beloved sea mammal has been captured mid-jump in sterling silver. And, tucked into its fins is a full two carats of shimmering blue topaz. Nothing captures the shimmering color of the ocean in the midday sun like blue topaz. With its sparkling clear blue color and high refractive index, blue topaz is one of the top-selling blue gemstones. And with our special price, you have quite the catch.
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