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NATIONAL 3
THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, GIVE YOURSELF THE GIFT OF
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inter fishing in the Florida Keys can be a double-edged sword. This time of year can be limited by more frequent windy days. However, some of our best fishing occurs very close to land this time of year, and you don’t have to go far to get into the heart of it. Snapper are always a viable option on the reef, and targeting them also provides the opportunity to fill up the livewell with fresh ballyhoo to use for sailfish, which will be showering bait under diving frigates. If you happen to get out there on a sporty day, and the thought of rocking on anchor first thing in the morning makes your stomach turn, wahoo might be a better option. Trolling lures can be productive for targeting wahoo, and reduces the rocking of the boat that causes seasickness. Utilizing deep-diving lures, planers and trolling sinkers, there are countless ways to set up an efficient wahoo spread that can be pulled at varying speeds. Since wahoo like their baits moving quickly, high-speed trolling is a great way to target them while lessening other species as bycatch. Another great option for wahoo fishing is using live bait. This method is more exciting, and uses bait that can be acquired without dropping anchor. With wahoo rigs already set with wire leaders, and extra prerigged leaders on hand, head out to the wrecks to catch fresh bait. When targeting bigger baits like bonita, blue runners and goggle eyes for wahoo, use a heavier rod and reel, with the appropriately overpowered sabiki rig. Accounting for tangles, breakoffs and unwanted mackerel attention, make sure to have more than a few extra sabiki rigs on board. Affix a weight to the sabiki and drop it down to fill the well with blue runners, or troll the sabiki over schools of bonita, hooking them immediately to the wahoo rig and sending them back out. Power drift or bump troll a spread of live baits with some weightless, flatlined on the surface, or even under a kite, and others at varying depths with a breakaway weight or downrigger. Watching a hungry wahoo skyrocket on a surface bait provides all the adrenaline needed to knock any lingering seasickness out of you. Wahoo are excellent table fare, and they are also one of the best fighting fish you can target. Keep in mind that if your line goes slack, they might be swimming toward the boat. It is a wahoo until it’s not a wahoo, so keep reeling until you see the end of your line. Charter fishing in the Florida Keys is busy during the winter, so make sure to book your charter in advance. Sweet E’nuf Charters offers gift certificates for all the Santas out there with fishermen in the family. Capt. Quinlyn Haddon, of Sweet E’nuf Charters, operates out of Marathon, Florida Keys. Check out her website at CaptainQuinlyn.com, her social @captainquinlyn or call (504) 920-6342.
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NATIONAL 5 4/7/22 10:19 AM
SAVOR THE SEASONS in Upcountry South Carolina
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troll up WINTERTIME SLAB CRAPPIE C
By Nick Carter
old water makes catching fish more difficult, right? Not with crappie, according to allaround outdoorswoman Terrie Huffmaster. She looks forward to deep winter, when she can load the boat with the biggest slabs of the year. Huffmaster is a South Georgia farm girl from Quitman, way down on the Florida border, so she calls crappie speckled perch, or specks for short. “You catch the bigger specks in wintertime,” she said. “I like to go into the deeper water trolling for them.” A great thing about crappie is they’re predictable. In spring they move shallow to spawn, but throughout the rest of the year they are nomads in search of comfortable water temperatures. You’ll always find them near structure or cover, and they are usually schooled up tightly. Huffmaster fishes for specks on Lake
Seminole, a nearly 40,000-acre impoundment that straddles the Georgia/Florida border. It’s a relatively shallow lake, full of stumps, brush and submerged grass. When Huffmaster says “deeper water,” she means the deepest water Seminole has, which is 25 to 30 feet. Trolling delivers both quality and quantity when water temps are in the mid to high 50s. But Huffmaster isn’t looking for a 30-fish limit. She’s hunting 10 or so giant specks in the 15- to 18inch range. She catches a lot of smaller fish in the process, but she throws those back. “When you get on ’em good, it’s crazy how
many you can catch,” she said. This is how she gets on them: Huffmaster has a line she trolls that she’s identified on electronics and with previous success. It’s just outside a channel marker, where there’s a ton of submerged trees, stumps and other brush and debris to hold fish. She pulls jigs over deep water and up over humps and ledges that rise to as little as 5 feet. “You keep that trolling motor on low,” she said, “just enough where your line’s pulling, where you’re barely trolling.” Huffmaster said there’s no need to deploy huge spreads from a bank of rod holders. She fishes just one, maybe two rods at a time. Her favorites are a lightweight Mr. Crappie Slab Shaker combo and a Lew’s 6-foot Ultra Light with a Lazer Light Speed Spin 75 reel. She spools up with 8-to 10-pound braided main line and uses a 4- or 6-pound fluorocarbon leader tied to a 1/16-ounce Crappie Magnet Fin Spin or a Mr. Crappie jig head. Paddletail and curly tail bodies both have their place. Chartreuse/pearl and pumpkin are good colors. She trolls her jigs 10 to 15 feet behind the boat and keeps a loose drag so the hook doesn’t tear out of a crappie’s paper-thin mouth. “Call me old fashioned, but that’s how we do it,” she said. “And we don’t seem to have any problem catching a mess of them… and some big ones. Search up Terrie B Huffmaster on Facebook and terries_dusk_2_dawn_fishing on Instagram.
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NATIONAL 7
Which Would You Change First? By Capt. Michael Okruhlik
C
hange is inevitable. In all aspects of life, change is necessary. This is especially true for anglers. When things are not going right, we immediately think of the next lure to throw. We all embark on our fishing journeys with a plan before hitting the water. We may base it on predicted conditions, time of year, experience, or possibly, but hopefully not, a social media post. Let’s discuss what I would do when plan-A doesn’t produce as envisioned. Imagine we are in the perfect looking spot, conditions are exactly as planned, active bait is visible in the area, the tide is flowing, but nothing is biting. Most of us would make a change, and I think we are all in agreement that our first correction would not be to move with everything looking right. Now, here is where I feel most people will make a mistake. Let’s say we are throwing soft-plastic paddletails. What is the first thing you would change?
PHOTO COURTESY OF KNOCKIN TAIL LURES®.
SIZE OR COLOR:
I bet you said color. Am I right? During my decades of fishing the salty bays and marsh, I’ve found that color is the last thing I should change. If some bass fishermen are reading this article, I am solely basing this theory on saltwater for trout, redfish and flounder. It’s not your fault that you tend to change color first. Let’s face it, color is the first thing someone mentions when they describe the lure they used, and when we walk into the tackle aisle there are significantly more colors than lure choices or sizes. We are bombarded with so many colors. Color must be the key to catching, right? Well, maybe not, most of the time. I’ll use my lure brand for an example. I produce 34 unique colors, but I only produce three different sized paddletails. Having all these color options at our fingertips can be overwhelming, and hearing others focus on the color that landed
the big one has caused fishermen to focus on color first. I have found more success in changing the size of the lure over the color. The fish are typically not feeding on anything that resembles the color we are throwing, but they are feeding on a specific size that we have in our box. Matching the forage size is the better option. If that doesn’t produce a bite, then I will even switch the style of lure before the color in most situations. Ultra-clear water is an exception, and these conditions play by different rules. We can cover that in another article, but until then focus less on color and more on size and action. Take a kid fishing and enjoy the outdoors. Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Knockin Tail Lures®, and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.
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GTECHNIQ:
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an you wax your 17’ to 20’ boat inside and out in 30 minutes or less? I can tell you first-hand that it is possible, but to do it you’ve got to forget about wax and get with the times. Gtechniq’s ceramic coatings are the technologically advanced way to get great results with less time and effort. I tested it on an 11-year-old Key West 1720, and this author will never go back to wax. Wax is old technology. Do you have a rotary phone? Do you use a pager? What about a flip phone? We have new technologies available. Once
you learn of a new spray-on coating that provides three months of shine and UV protection, would you still wax-on/wax-off? With a $20 bottle of Rinse-on Ceramic, you can get shiny results in 30 minutes! First you need to start with a very clean boat. Remove stains and buff out the dull surfaces, then follow with a good scrubbing with bleach in soapy water to remove all previous wax if any is still present. Hook up the spray nozzle in the Gtechniq Rinse-on Ceramic kit to the water hose and screw on a bottle of Rinse-on. The red knob adjusts material flow and it’s recommended to run it wide open. All you do is rinse the boat with water, and then turn on the material flow to apply the ceramic coating. You’ll see a slight sudsy effect letting you know material is being applied. Rinse boat inside and out with material flow open all the way. After the first application, you will want to wipe the boat down with microfiber towels. That’s it! Spray down the cleaned boat and wipe off in 30 minutes or less! Plus, there is an added benefit: you get a thin UV coating on all your hardware, lighting, switches, console gauges and expensive electronics. Wax is now a cuss word to this author. Application is quick and easy, but what about the results? Three months and 10 trips in saltwater later, and you can still feel the coating. What about a slippery deck? Nope. The stippled deck on the Key West is not slippery after application. It is ready for another application, yet the only part of the boat that doesn’t look new and shiny is the area under waterline. Beneath the waterline did stay clean for two months, but now it has slight yellowing. This 11-year-old vessel needs a light buff under the waterline. The coating is still there, and water beads/sheets off, but stains are caught in the tiny pores evidenced by the dull appearance. This stuff is pretty amazing, and this author will never waxon/wax-off again! GTECHNIQ.COM
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FLORIDA 7
Sportsmans Licenses and Park Passes 50 Percent Off!
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TAMPA BAY FISHING REPORT BY: WOODY GORE
A
s we approach the cool water temperatures of Winter, shallow-water fishing improves. The fish start feeding fairly aggressively for Winter and become more active as they search for food. They’ll take an assortment of baits from live to dead. And, since they will have large appetites, anglers will have tremendous success using a more comprehensive range of artificial lures. Snook usually tops the list as the Fall transition has started, and we are catching Snook on almost every shoreline. They are still on the protected list, but are fun to catch and release. The best bite has been at the beginning and end of either incoming or outgoing tides. Snook usually respond to live baits, top water lures, jerk baits and shallow diving lures. However, we’ve been having success with dead baits on the bottom. Sea trout are found inshore and nearshore in and around seagrass flats, mangrove shorelines, deep holes and channels and above oyster bars. Freeline live shrimp or small pinfish near the bottom to entice trout out of grassbed holes. Attaching a float will allow these baits to drift over the grass beds. Casting with soft-bodied jigs and top-water poppers can also be effective. Trout are delicate, so promptly returning unwanted or illegal fish to the water is necessary to maintain a healthy population. The reds are still biting and some are schooled up and chewing everything tossed in their direction. They should continue to be consistent on the flats and around the mangroves. Various artificial lures and live shrimp, sardines and pinfish are catching their share. The key to finding redfish is fishing dark,
patchy bottoms, especially around schools of giant mullet. Although chumming with live bait works, tossing dead-cut bait around the mangroves on flooding tides usually brings them out to investigate. Most are holding close to the shoreline around grass beds and oyster bars. They are also found near docks, pilings, deeper holes and channels during the warmest and coolest months. Use live shrimp fished on the bottom, free-lined, soft-bodied jigs bounced slowly on the bottom, or use small gold spoons. December cold fronts and the traditionally high winds that follow are here. The near beach kingfish bite should improve as the water temps fall with each passing show. Tons of bait should bring the kings, Spanish mackerel, bluefish and bonito will be within a mile of the beach or inside the Bay. We’ve been having great success on huge Spanish mackerel inside Tampa Bay.
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TAMPA 1
ST. PETE REPORT BY: CAPT. ANTHONY CORCELLA
FINALLY, The Water Cools Off!
I
Boat & Jet Ski Repair Detailing
Before
t’s that time of year when the water finally cools off and the trout bite is on fire. The sheepshead fishing is firing up. The redfish are biting very well, and some of the big snook are biting. As for the trout, like I always say, jig fishing is phenomenal right now. Get some monster 3X shrimp and, believe me, this is all you’ll need. You’ll catch anywhere from 20 to 60 trout in no time. Deep water canals are holding fish, so give it 10 or 15 casts. If you don’t get a bite, move on to the next one. If you have side scan on your fish finder, you’ll be able to see them; then you’ll know they’re there. To find the sheepshead, start hitting the reefs in the Bay. Try to find some good sea walls. That’s where we’ve been catching the most. As far as the redfish bite, we have still been fishing the bushes. If you’re not fishing in them, you’re not catching redfish, especially, at Weedon Island. This is due to all the porpoises pushing them into the mangrove lines. That goes, as well, with the snook. Make sure you’re using at least 25-pound fluorocarbon leader and a 2/0 Mustad Demon Perfect hook. The best choice for both of the species have been cut pinfish –match the hatch. When you get a cooler full of sheepshead, make sure you have a good fillet knife. We prefer the Relentless fillet knife. Relentless fillet knife blades are made of titanium. If you use those garbage steel blade knives, you should throw them away. Eventually, the blade chips and you’ll find metal particles in your fish. Scan the QR code and check out the last fillet knife you will ever buy. — What makes our charter service unique is that we cater to disabled veterans and wheel chair bound clients! Our boat is able to accommodate wheelchairs and is ADA compliant. IF YOU’RE A DISABLED VETERAN, YOUR TRIP IS FREE! This is our way of giving back to our veterans. Capt. Anthony Corcella, Pocket Change Inshore Fishing Charter 727-432-6446 www.pocketchangefishingcharters.com Check us out on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok
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everal bird species migrate South for the Winter and call Florida home until the weather warms enough to head home to breed. A few of the most common ones are the gray catbird, yellow-rumped warbler and the palm warbler. By: Wes Tallyn Gray catbirds are more often heard than seen. Their call is the reason for their name, as it sounds similar to a raspy cats “meow.” They are dark gray with a black cap on their head. The tail feathers are black and rusty orange. The catbirds are secretive and prefer dense cover. They also like to feed near or on the ground sometimes turning over leaf debris in search of food. Look for catbirds in heavy cover areas near mangroves, scrubby areas and parks near waterbodies. Another very common species that winters in Florida is the yellow-rumped warbler. Wintering yellow-rumped warblers are somewhat plain in appearance. They do not have their bright bluish-gray breeding plumage feathers until breeding season. They are often heard “chipping” in oak trees and along shorelines in shrub vegetation. They get their name from their most distinguishing characteristic of bright yellow feathers on the rump above the tail. Sometimes they can be found in groups of several individuals foraging for small insects. The last species featured here is the palm warbler. Wintering palm warblers are small gray and brown birds that are often seen foraging for insects on the ground. They have some yellow feathers on their underside near the tail of the bird. The palm warblers are most easily identified by a constant bobbing of their tail. In Florida, you can find palm warblers almost everywhere in the Winter, but they love open field areas and are most easily viewed in these areas. All three of these species are likely to be in your neighborhood this Winter, so keep an eye and ear out for these wintering guests!
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TAMPA 3
ON FLY A Tough Game
SHEEPSHEAD
By: Joshua Broer
F
or years, I tried to get a sheepshead to eat a fly. I got close, but couldn’t make it happen. I tried all sorts of flies and in all sheepy haunts, but with no success. I was a skilled sheepshead bait fisherman, so how hard could this be? Was I using the wrong fly, the wrong approach, or in the wrong place?
Catching sheeps on the go-to fiddler crabs, barnacles and shrimp can be tough – on fly, well, it’s enough to make you quit. But, I didn’t quit and finally figured it out. The fly is, of course, important, but I learned it’s the method that’s key. Sheepshead are referred to as “convicts”, because with their huge, sheep-like teeth, they can pick the bait off the hook of the most skilled anglers. Even when you’re tight to a fish, it’s easy to lose them because of their big chompers. The hook must be seated just right in their mouth. J-hook, circle hook, it doesn’t matter. It’s always a tough game. Introduce the sheeps- head on fly scenario, and the game just got tougher. I tried docks, bridge pilings, shallow reefs, beaches, etc. Fish would eye my presentation, but never commit. Some would take a quick peck at the fly, then leave. I almost threw in the towel. As a seasoned fly fisherman, it was super frustrating. Then it happened. I gave up on the mission for a number of years before befriending two phenomenal fly tiers who ran the fly fishing pro shop at Tampa Fishing Outfitters – Captain Keaton Anderson and Marvin Cogar. I was impressed by these young guns’ beautiful – and functional - creations. And, they were catching sheepshead on fly! I had to know the deal. It makes sense that using a fly that imitates crustaceans is the way to go. A small crab or shrimp pattern will do, since we know that sheepshead eat them year-round. So, what was I doing wrong? Admittedly, I was handed a fly or two
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that might up my odds. But, it wasn’t the fly so much as the presentation that made the difference. Fishing on foot, I found a school of sheeps on a small, shallow rock pile, and took more time to study their behavior. This was the game changer. I noticed that, unlike bait fishing, when they’ll eat a shrimp or crab in almost any part of the water column, they would only pay attention to my fly when it was sitting motionless on structure. I finally got the eat. It still wasn’t easy though. Mostly, the fish would swim by, ignoring my fly sitting on the rock. Being patient and not moving the fly was the key. Sheepshead are spooky, so it wasn’t until they were relaxed and no longer fearing predators that they began to feed. Even then, many feeding fish would move right past my fly as if it wasn’t there. The temptation to relocate the fly was almost too much. Remaining patient and motionless was the answer. It was pure sight fishing, as I watched the fish chew the fly without hesitation. I raised my rod in a trout-set fashion and came tight. Mystery solved. I continued to work the school with a few curious fish here and there with no eats. But, now I know the trick. I suggest a small fly and light leader. Big sheepshead pull hard, so I suggest at least a 6 wt. fly rod. Mostly, be stealthy. A spooked fish will remain that way longer than you may care to wait. And the cherry on top, there’s hardly a better table fare out there, so if it’s in the slot, put this one on ice. — Joshua Broer, a Tarpon Springs native, is the Facility Manager for the College of Arts & Sciences at USF. His specialties include flats and bass fishing, fly fishing, and sea kayaking. Reach him at joshua.broer@gmail.com.
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TAMPA 5
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St. Petersburg, FL - Dec 2023 High
Date
Old Port of Tampa
www.USHarbors.com ezdocktampa.com
Old Port Tampa, FL - Dec 2023
Low
High
Date
Tarp
Low PM
ft
Rise
Set
1
Fri
2:28
2.5
11:03
-0.3
7:02
5:36
1
Fri
3:06
2.6
7:31
1.6
11:42
-0.2
10:15
1.5
7:02
5:35
1
2
Sat
3:14
2.3
11:51
-0.2
7:03
5:36
2
Sat
3:59
2.4
8:04
1.6
12:28P
-0.1
11:32
1.4
7:03
5:35
2
3
Sun
4:09
2.1
8:39
1.4
12:41P
-0.1
1:18
0.0
7:04
5:35
3
4
Mon
5:21
1.8
8:55
1.5
5
Tue
6:56
1.6
9:14
1.6
1:44
6
Wed
8:40
1.4
9:34
1.8
7
Thu
10:13
1.4
9:54
8
Fri
11:32
1.3
9
Sat
12:41P
10
Sun
11
Mon
12
Tue
13
Wed
12:16
14
Thu
15
AM
ft
PM
ft
AM
ft
PM
ft
Rise
Set
Moon
AM
ft
PM
ft
AM
ft
Moon
11:43
1.3
7:04
5:36
3
Sun
5:00
2.2
8:39
1.6
1:29
0.1
7:04
5:36
4
Mon
6:11
2.0
9:13
1.7
12:56
1.3
2:08
0.1
7:04
5:35
4
1.2
2:15
0.3
7:05
5:36
5
Tue
7:34
1.8
9:44
1.8
2:19
1.1
2:55
0.3
7:05
5:36
5
3:12
0.9
2:56
0.5
7:06
5:36
6
Wed
9:05
1.6
10:12
1.9
3:33
0.9
3:38
0.4
7:06
5:36
6
1.9
4:15
0.5
3:33
0.7
7:07
5:36
7
Thu
10:34
1.6
10:37
2.0
4:36
0.6
4:17
0.6
7:07
5:36
7
10:15
2.1
5:05
0.2
4:06
0.9
7:07
5:36
8
Fri
11:53
1.6
10:59
2.2
5:30
0.3
4:51
0.9
7:07
5:36
8
1.4
10:39
2.2
5:48
-0.1
4:34
1.0
7:08
5:37
9
Sat
1:04P
1.6
11:22
2.4
6:20
0.0
5:22
1.1
7:08
5:36
9
1:45P
1.4
11:06
2.3
6:29
-0.4
4:58
1.2
7:09
5:37
10
Sun
2:13P
1.6
11:47
2.5
7:06
-0.3
5:50
1.3
7:09
5:36
10
2:46P
1.3
11:38
2.5
7:11
-0.6
5:17
1.3
7:09
5:37
11
Mon
3:22
1.6
7:51
-0.5
6:17
1.4
7:09
5:37
11
7:53
-0.7
7:10
5:37
12
Tue
12:17
2.7
4:33
1.6
8:36
-0.6
6:47
1.5
7:10
5:37
12
2.6
8:39
-0.8
7:11
5:38
13
Wed
12:54
2.8
9:23
-0.7
7:11
5:37
13
12:58
2.7
9:27
-0.8
7:11
5:38
14
Thu
1:39
2.8
10:11
-0.7
7:11
5:37
14
Fri
1:46
2.7
10:18
-0.8
7:12
5:38
15
Fri
2:30
2.8
7:00
1.5
11:00
-0.7
9:23
1.4
7:12
5:38
15
16
Sat
2:39
2.6
11:10
-0.7
7:12
5:39
16
Sat
3:28
2.7
7:30
1.4
11:50
-0.6
10:34
1.2
7:12
5:38
16
17
Sun
3:39
2.4
7:44
1.2
12:02P
-0.5
12:40P
-0.4
11:54
1.1
7:13
5:39
17
18
Mon
4:50
2.1
8:02
1.3
1:28
-0.2
7:14
5:39
18
19
Tue
6:21
1.7
8:26
1.5
12:31
20
Wed
8:12
1.4
8:53
1.7
21
Thu
10:06
1.3
9:22
22
Fri
11:47
1.2
23
Sat
1:16P
1.2
24
10:25
1.1
7:13
5:39
17
Sun
4:32
2.5
7:59
1.4
12:52
-0.2
7:14
5:40
18
Mon
5:42
2.2
8:28
1.5
1.0
1:39
0.1
7:14
5:40
19
Tue
7:00
1.9
8:59
1.6
1:21
0.9
2:14
0.0
7:14
5:39
19
2:21
0.7
2:22
0.4
7:15
5:40
20
Wed
8:31
1.6
9:31
1.8
2:49
0.6
2:57
0.3
7:15
5:40
20
1.9
3:47
0.2
3:00
0.7
7:15
5:41
21
Thu
10:16
1.4
10:02
2.0
4:09
0.2
3:36
0.6
7:15
5:40
21
9:55
2.1
4:55
-0.2
3:34
0.9
7:16
5:41
22
Fri
11:58
1.3
10:34
2.3
5:21
-0.1
4:12
0.8
7:16
5:41
22
10:29
2.3
5:51
-0.5
4:03
1.1
7:16
5:42
23
Sat
1:26P
1.3
11:06
2.4
6:23
-0.4
4:46
1.1
7:16
5:41
23
Sun
11:05
2.4
6:41
-0.7
7:17
5:42
24
Sun
2:43P
1.3
11:39
2.5
7:18
-0.6
5:20
1.2
7:17
5:42
24
25
Mon
11:43
2.4
7:26
-0.8
7:17
5:43
25
Mon
3:48
1.4
8:06
-0.8
5:58
1.3
7:17
5:42
25
26
Tue
8:08
-0.8
7:18
5:44
26
Tue
12:14
2.5
4:39
1.4
8:50
-0.8
6:45
1.4
7:17
5:43
26
27
Wed
12:22
2.4
8:46
-0.8
7:18
5:44
27
Wed
12:52
2.5
5:14
1.4
9:31
-0.7
7:40
1.3
7:18
5:44
27
28
Thu
1:02
2.4
9:23
-0.7
7:18
5:45
28
Thu
1:34
2.4
5:38
1.4
10:07
-0.7
8:35
1.2
7:18
5:44
28
29
Fri
1:43
2.3
5:34
1.1
9:59
-0.6
7:50
1.1
7:19
5:45
29
Fri
2:20
2.3
5:59
1.4
10:41
-0.6
9:29
1.1
7:19
5:45
29
30
Sat
2:27
2.2
5:50
1.1
10:33
-0.5
8:56
1.0
7:19
5:46
30
Sat
3:09
2.2
6:19
1.4
11:13
-0.5
10:22
1.0
7:19
5:46
30
31
Sun
3:13
2.0
6:09
1.2
11:08
-0.4
10:12
0.9
7:19
5:47
31
Sun
4:00
2.1
6:42
1.4
11:45
-0.4
11:18
0.8
7:19
5:46
31
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Date
Moon
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Rocky Creek, LittleFL Pine Island Hernando Beach, - Dec 2023
Low
High
Date
AM
ft
PM
ft
AM
ft
PM
ft
Rise
Set
Fri
1:41
2.9
3:44
2.2
9:16
-0.3
9:03
1.3
7:04
5:36
1
2
Sat
2:21
2.7
4:21
2.1
9:53
-0.1
9:48
1.2
7:04
5:36
3
Sun
3:07
2.5
5:00
2.1
10:32
0.1
10:39
1.2
7:05
5:36
4
Mon
4:01
2.3
5:44
2.1
11:15
0.4
11:42
1.2
7:06
5
Tue
5:07
2.1
6:36
2.1
12:08
0.6
6
Wed
6:37
1.9
7:30
2.2
1:01
1.0
1:11
7
Thu
8:16
1.9
8:18
2.3
2:20
0.8
8
Fri
9:35
2.0
9:00
2.5
3:25
9
Sat
10:39
2.1
9:38
2.6
10
Sun
11:33
2.2
10:16
11
Mon
12:20P
2.3
12
Tue
1:03P
2.3
13
Wed
14
Thu
12:12
15
Fri
16
Low
AM
ft
PM
ft
AM
ft
PM
ft
Rise
Set
Fri
2:37
3.1
4:40
2.4
11:17
-0.3
11:04
1.2
7:07
5:35
2
Sat
3:17
2.9
5:17
2.3
11:54
-0.1
11:49
1.2
7:07
5:35
3
Sun
4:03
2.7
5:56
2.3
12:33
0.1
7:08
5:35
5:36
4
Mon
4:57
2.5
6:40
2.2
12:40
1.2
1:16
0.4
7:09
5:35
7:07
5:36
5
Tue
6:03
2.2
7:32
2.3
1:43
1.2
2:09
0.6
7:10
5:35
0.8
7:07
5:36
6
Wed
7:33
2.0
8:26
2.3
3:02
1.0
3:12
0.8
7:10
5:35
2:15
1.0
7:08
5:36
7
Thu
9:12
2.0
9:14
2.5
4:21
0.8
4:16
1.0
7:11
5:35
0.4
3:12
1.1
7:09
5:36
8
Fri
10:31
2.1
9:56
2.6
5:26
0.4
5:13
1.1
7:12
5:35
4:19
0.1
4:03
1.1
7:09
5:36
9
Sat
11:35
2.2
10:34
2.8
6:20
0.1
6:04
1.1
7:13
5:35
2.8
5:07
-0.3
4:50
1.2
7:10
5:37
10
Sun
12:29P
2.4
11:12
3.0
7:08
-0.3
6:51
1.2
7:13
5:35
10:53
2.9
5:50
-0.6
5:35
1.2
7:11
5:37
11
Mon
1:16P
2.5
11:49
3.1
7:51
-0.6
7:36
1.2
7:14
5:36
11:32
3.0
6:31
-0.8
6:17
1.2
7:11
5:37
12
Tue
1:59
2.5
8:32
-0.8
8:18
1.2
7:15
5:36
1:46
2.3
7:12
-0.9
6:58
1.2
7:12
5:37
13
Wed
12:28
3.3
2:42
2.5
9:13
-0.9
8:59
1.2
7:15
5:36
3.1
2:29
2.3
7:54
-1.0
7:40
1.2
7:13
5:38
14
Thu
1:08
3.3
3:25
2.4
9:55
-1.0
9:41
1.2
7:16
5:37
12:55
3.1
3:11
2.2
8:37
-0.9
8:24
1.1
7:13
5:38
15
Fri
1:51
3.3
4:07
2.4
10:38
-0.9
10:25
1.1
7:17
5:37
Sat
1:42
3.0
3:52
2.1
9:22
-0.7
9:13
1.1
7:14
5:38
16
Sat
2:38
3.3
4:48
2.3
11:23
-0.7
11:14
1.1
7:17
5:37
17
Sun
2:35
2.9
4:33
2.1
10:09
-0.5
10:08
1.0
7:15
5:39
17
Sun
3:31
3.1
5:29
2.3
12:10
-0.5
7:18
5:38
18
Mon
3:35
2.6
5:15
2.1
10:57
-0.1
11:12
0.8
7:15
5:39
18
Mon
4:31
2.8
6:11
2.3
12:09
1.0
12:58
-0.1
7:18
5:38
19
Tue
4:45
2.3
6:02
2.1
11:49
0.2
7:16
5:40
19
Tue
5:41
2.5
6:58
2.3
1:13
0.8
1:50
0.2
7:19
5:38
20
Wed
6:13
2.0
6:54
2.2
12:29
0.7
12:48
0.6
7:16
5:40
20
Wed
7:09
2.2
7:50
2.4
2:30
0.7
2:49
0.6
7:19
5:39
21
Thu
7:59
1.9
7:48
2.4
1:54
0.4
1:53
0.9
7:17
5:41
21
Thu
8:55
2.0
8:44
2.6
3:55
0.4
3:54
0.9
7:20
5:39
22
Fri
9:33
1.9
8:39
2.5
3:10
0.0
2:54
1.1
7:17
5:41
22
Fri
10:29
2.1
9:35
2.7
5:11
0.0
4:55
1.1
7:20
5:40
23
Sat
10:48
2.0
9:26
2.7
4:15
-0.4
3:51
1.2
7:18
5:42
23
Sat
11:44
2.2
10:22
2.9
6:16
-0.4
5:52
1.2
7:21
5:40
24
Sun
11:44
2.1
10:11
2.8
5:09
-0.7
4:43
1.2
7:18
5:42
24
Sun
12:40P
2.3
11:07
3.0
7:10
-0.7
6:44
1.2
7:21
5:41
25
Mon
12:28P
2.2
10:53
2.9
5:56
-0.9
5:30
1.2
7:19
5:43
25
Mon
1:24P
2.3
11:49
3.1
7:57
-0.9
7:31
1.2
7:22
5:42
26
Tue
1:05P
2.2
11:34
2.9
6:37
-0.9
6:13
1.1
7:19
5:43
26
Tue
2:01
2.3
8:38
-0.9
8:14
1.1
7:22
5:42
27
Wed
1:40
2.2
7:14
-0.9
6:53
1.1
7:19
5:44
27
Wed
12:30
3.1
2:36
2.3
9:15
-0.9
8:54
1.1
7:23
5:43
28
Thu
12:13
2.8
2:12
2.2
7:48
-0.8
7:31
1.0
7:20
5:44
28
Thu
1:09
3.1
3:08
2.3
9:49
-0.8
9:32
1.0
7:23
5:43
29
Fri
12:51
2.8
2:43
2.1
8:21
-0.6
8:09
0.9
7:20
5:45
29
Fri
1:47
3.0
3:39
2.3
10:22
-0.6
10:10
0.9
7:23
5:44
30
Sat
1:29
2.7
3:12
2.1
8:53
-0.5
8:48
0.9
7:20
5:46
30
Sat
2:25
2.9
4:08
2.3
10:54
-0.5
10:49
0.9
7:24
5:45
31
Sun
2:09
2.5
3:41
2.1
9:24
-0.3
9:29
0.8
7:21
5:46
31
Sun
3:05
2.7
4:37
2.3
11:25
-0.3
11:30
0.8
7:24
5:45
1
Moon
Moon
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Madeira Beach Festivalof Lights Boat Parade December 9th, 2023
By: Brian Crabtree
I
f you are looking for something unique, festive and fun to do with your friends and family this Holiday Season, consider entering your boat in the Lighted Boat Parade. On December 9th, the City of Madeira Beach will hold its 57th Annual Festival of Lights Boat Parade. The Parade is a ton of fun for all ages and really gets the Holiday season into full swing. Last year, we had over 40 boats participate and brought festive cheer to tens of thousands of spectators. The Parade will begin at 6:30pm in front of American Legion post #273. From there we will head across the ICW to ROC Park in Madeira Beach where they will be hosting a Merry Market with food, fun, games and Santa! After that, the Parade will work its way South through all the finger canals in Madeira Beach ending in John’s Pass. The Parade is free for everyone, and there will be over $3,500 in cash prizes for the top 10 boats. If you don’t have a boat, but would still like to watch the Parade, you can go to ROC Park (6:30pm) or John’s Pass Boardwalk (around 9:00pm). If you can’t make it on the 9th, Redington Shores Parade will be held December 10th and Treasure Island’s will be on December 16th. To register for the 57th Annual Madeira Beach Boat Parade, come into the Ship Store @ 503 150th Avenue Madeira Beach Fl, 33708. Or call 727399-2631. Happy Holidays.
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TAMPA 11
A LOOK BACK BY: CAPT. T J SHEA
N
ot long ago, I had the chance to sit down after a full day of spearfishing and chat with some of my crew and regular clients. Our conversation eventually turned into a look back at the year, so far. We talked about the ups (which thankfully were many) and, of course, some of the downs. As a business, 2023 was our best year yet. What is often our trickiest variable, weather, was truly fantastic. Across hurricane season, we only had to prepare for one major storm that would ultimately cause us no damage and give us a chance to do a thorough deep cleaning. I had to disappoint reporters that were looking for a story on the threat of record-setting water temperatures. We were more fortunate than our neighbors to the South, and our temperatures never exceeded what they would in a typical Summer. And, when it came to the dreaded Red Tide, luck would give our area a free pass this year. For all this, we’re extremely thankful, because for 8 out of 10 months this year we were able to enjoy more trips than any time in our history. At times, this year’s fishing brought me back to when I was out here as a kid--both with a rod and reel and with a speargun. While we’re still getting used to the new regulations and restrictions on many species, I’m glad to say that, to me, it appears that we have a very healthy fishery. The numbers of large groupers, red snappers and amberjacks that we have either harvested or
released this year are greater than any of us could remember. Today saw numerous gag grouper on dives between 35 feet and 60 feet, all over 30 inches and a few that were pushing 25 to 35 pounds. We found massive schools of legal amberjack on all three wrecks we dove, along with a good number of large red grouper. Other than some trips lost with the emergency early closure of gag grouper season, fishing in 2023 was outstanding. Our fishermen weren’t the only ones to benefit from a surprisingly long run of great conditions throughout the year. Starting off with a mild Winter, scuba divers had water clarity that was not only above average, but calm seas that lasted until midJune. After a few variable summer months, the normally consistent lower visibility that we expect to see well into Fall was replaced with unseasonable top-to-bottom visibility, and our Veterans Day weekend turned out to be some of the best diving of the whole year. So, as 2023 comes to a close, we can look back and count more ups than downs, and be thankful to have been given another healthy, happy year on the Gulf of Mexico. — Capt. TJ Shea. Owner/Operator 2 Shea CHARTERS Fishing and Diving Charters. TJ has been exploring above and below the Gulf of Mexico since he was 8 years old. Contact us at 813-385-2169 and at info@fishanddivetampa.com
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TAMPA 13
FALLING INTO WINTER FISHING BY: CAPT. GEORGE HASTICK
D
ecember fishing is a month that is greatly affected by how much the climate and water temperatures change. If we have a mild December, when the water temperatures stay in the mid-to-high 60’s, you can expect the fish to be very active between fronts in the shallow waters, as they warm from the sun. This holds very true for the snook, especially. The snook will position themselves near deeper water adjacent to a flat so that they can go there during the night to stay warm and survive. When the shallow water starts to warm up faster, due to the dark grass and being shallow, the snook will m igrate there during the day to feed. They will also start going to the rivers for the warmth, and will stack up at the mouths of rivers and work their way further up the river as the days get colder. If we have a quicker colder season, this will happen sooner rather than later, and the power plant outflows will become a haven for snook and many other species of fish. Snook become lethargic below 60°, start to get into trouble around 55° and lose their equilibrium and start to die around 47°. These temperatures are approximate, depending on the speed in which the temperature drops. If we have consecutive harsh cold fronts without warmer
days in between, and we get a rapid temperature drop, the snook cannot acclimate or move to warmer water, then they get into trouble. So, watch your water temps and that will dictate where to find the snook. If we are having a bad winter for the snook, it is better to leave them alone and target fish that acclimate better to the cold like redfish, trout, sheepshead and flounder. Redfish and trout can be found on many of the same terrains. Look for them to be on shallow grass flats with plenty of sand holes and/or oysters that has warmed up from the sun to the canals and docks with dark bottom. Another area that warms up that fish will gravitate to is the metal corrugated sea walls that warm up from the sun. Fish the west sides of the canals first, since the sun will be on them first in the morning heating the water sooner. Live shrimp under a Four Horseman popping cork or a Saltwater Assassin 1/4-ounce jig head with a Lit’l P & V in the brown or green grass minnow color will both work great for covering areas to find fish. Drift or wade the area while fan casting to find the fish. Look for signs like birds or mullet, both of which will point you in the right direction for food source for the redfish and trout. Depending on the temperatures, you will start to see more and more sheepshead, and larger ones, as it cools even more. Flounder will also start to show up in better quantities. Shrimp and fiddler crabs will work for both, but
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I like the shrimp for the flounder better and I have caught plenty of sheepshead on shrimp, but they will never pass up a fiddler crab (or mud crab). Look for sheepshead around the docks and on the flats, but the quantity of larger ones will be on the bridge pilings, reefs and rock piles out in the Bay. Flounder can be found in a variety of places, but you must have a sandy bottom area. This can be inshore on the grass flats with nice sand holes, but it can also be out in the Bay or offshore around rock piles and reefs. The sand around the rocks or dumped rubble of the reefs will hold flounder once they move in. Inshore, use a jig head with a live shrimp or a Lit’l P & V to slow reel along the sandy bottom areas. Offshore, or in deeper water, use a larger jig head or weight just enough to keep you on the bottom. When you think you have a snag, slowly lift your rod tip. If it moves, or even has a slight pull back, set the hook--you’ve got a flounder! Good Luck this Winter and Tight Lines. — Capt. George Hastick of “Fish Hunter Fishing Charters” in St. Petersburg, Fl. is the co-host of Florida West Coast Fishing Report and co-hosts Fishing Adventures Florida which is on five streaming channels and You Tube. He has been fishing the waters of the Tampa Bay area for over 40 years and guiding over 20 years.
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DECEMBER 2023
TAMPA 15
CAPT. SERGIO’S CORNER
I
remember the year 1952 when my Uncle Manuel, age 19, arrived from Cuba to live with us until he could go out on his own. This is when my life turned around at the age of five. He lived with us for about a year, until Uncle Sam sent him an invitation to join the Army (the draft). During that short period, he taught me how to fish. Coming from a poor family, both of my parents worked to make ends meet and pay the bills. There was just enough left over each week for me to go to the Ritz Theatre on Saturday and not much more, so fishing became my big outlet. My uncle took me under his wing and started to teach me the basics of fishing he had learned in Cuba, and I caught on quick. Buying a fishing rod and reel with tackle was not in the budget. We took a yoyo (Cuban hand reel) and wrapped kite string around it. Then we used a D size battery as a lead weight, punched a hole through the top of the battery with an ice pick and tied it to the string with a hook at the end. It wasn’t much, but
to a 5-year-old it was the best outfit around, and I caught fish. In fact, I remember my first fish was a puffer from the shore of the Courtney Campbell Causeway. That December, a friend of ours took us to Clearwater to visit Howard the Trader, a closeout marine store. I still remember we paid nine cents for a box of 100 Eagle Claw hooks. There were hundreds of boxes scattered on a big table and we bought at least four boxes of different sizes. Christmas was coming and I could hardly wait. All I could think about was getting a real fishing rod and reel. I knew deep inside this could not happen, but it didn’t stop me from wishing. I prayed to God please bless my family for Christmas and make sure Santa read my letter I had sent to him. Well, Christmas Day arrived and behold I got a fishing rod--and not just any rod. It was handmade for me by my Uncle Manuel. He made it from a broom stick that he had taped one end, sanded it and put on guides from an old rod someone had thrown away. To me it was the most beautiful rod I had ever seen. He used a multi-colored thread on the guides, and the butt was wrapped in nylon twine and covered with clear varnish with clamps for a reel seat. The reel was a used Ocean City my uncle traded for some
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BY: CAPT. SERGIO ATANES mechanical echanical work on a neighbor’s car. One last thing my parents had ad bought me was the fishing line, a box of hooks, some real lead ead sinkers and my own small tackle box. I did not know it, but myy parents had given some money to my uncle when we visited Howard oward the Trader earlier in the month to purchase these items. This might not sound terrific but, for a 5-year-old boy from Ybor or City, it was my best Christmas gift ever.
DECEMBER FISHING REPORT
Fishing gets a little trickly in December. It all depends on the weather. If cold and water temperatures dip into mid 60’s or lower, the sheepshead action goes crazy with the big mamas moving in from the Gulf into the deepwater rocks and jetties of Tampa Bay. Live medium shrimp is your best bait. The speckled trout action turns on hot and heavy on the deepwater flats and potholes around the mangrove edge. dge. Artificial baits are your best bait for them. The use of Pro-Cure Shrimp Scent, cent, just a drop or two, will increase your catch. My favorite method I
call the Deadly Duo; the Four Horsemen float with a leader just long enough to keep the artificial just above the grass and my favorite artificial lure, the Saltwater Assassin Lit’l P & V SW in green or brown glass minnow color. On bright days, try the Lit’l P & V SW in OP.NT. Glow/Lime tail.
— Capt. Sergio Atanes is host of Florida West Coast Fishing Report on FaceboCapt. Sergio Atanes, Host of Fishing Adventures Florida TV show airing on YouTube, Waypoint TV, Carbon TV, Outdoor Action, and Angling TV. Owner of Reelfishy.com Charter business covering the west coast of Florida with over 135 captains on staff. For information contact Capt. Sergio at (813) 973-7132 email: atanes@msn.com.
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TAMPA TAMPA 17
THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO SELECTING YOUR PERFECT SPEARGUN
By: Jerry Guerra
spearguns also require regular maintenance in order to maintain maximum performance. Traditional Band Powered Spearguns – One advantage of operating a band powered speargun is its nearly complete silence when firing. Considering how easy it is to both maintain and use this piece of spearfishing equipment, it’s no wonder most underwater hunters prefer it to old school pneumatic spearguns. Roller Spearguns – Roller spearguns have been around since the beginning of spearfishing, though new improvements in materials and designs have fueled a return in their popularity. While also powered by large rubber bands, roller spearguns pull the rubber and shaft over rollers mounted at the front of the gun. The advantage here is that the bands apply steady and consistent energy to the shaft allowing for a longer stroke than traditional spearguns. Another advantage is that these guns have relatively no recoil, as the rubber and shaft’s energy cancel each other out.
W
hether you’re looking for the best speargun for beginners or you’re a veteran in the underwater field, one important fact remains constant; you need to choose the right spearfishing equipment for the job. Specifically, you need to choose the right speargun. If you’re looking for a comprehensive guide to help you do just that, our spearfishing experts have shared some of their tips. Keep reading to learn what it takes to select the right speargun for your personal spearfishing needs.
Types of Spearguns
Before we get into selection criteria, it’s crucial to get the basics down, so you can be sure you choose the right speargun. Basic number one: there are three types of spearguns leading the market today. Two types of spearguns are pneumatic and band powered. Let’s take a quick look at some of the key identifiers of each type of speargun. Pneumatic Spearguns – These spearguns were popular during the 1960s and 1970s, but are only used in a few parts of the Components to Consider Of course, there are still a few considerations to make after you’ve deworld today. Many divers preferred these guns originally, because they fired with minimal recoil and allowed divers to make longer-range shots with more accura- cided which type of speargun you’ll be using. Like all spearfishing gear, cy. The power of this model is limited to the strength of the diver using it. These there is no universal speargun solution for everyone. It comes down to a matter of personal preference and abilities. There are moving parts, when it comes to your speargun. Let’s dive in! Speargun Length – The length of your speargun will rely on several factors. Most importantly, it will rely on the type and size of fish you’re hunting. If you’re hunting in cramped spaces like caves or poor visibility, you’ll want a speargun in the 70cm to 90cm range. If you’re hunting for big game in open water, you’ll probably prefer a 150cm to 165cm speargun, for additional range to hit the fish. Shaft Tip – Of course, one of the most important aspects of a speargun is the spear itself. The most important part of the shaft is the tip. There are two commonly found spear tips, the flopper and the slip tip. The flopper shaft uses a hinged barb that deploys after the shaft passes through the fish. A slip-tip detaches from the shaft after penetrating the fish, yet remains attached to the shaft with either spectra or wire leader. For reef fish, floppers are predominately preferred; whereas, for blue water fish and more delicate fish, slip-tips are preferred. Speargun Bands – When selecting your speargun bands, the two most important factors to consider are stretch and diameter. Shorter bands require more strength to load, but they also provide more power when shooting.
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DECEMBER 2023
Ultimately, there’s a near endless amount of customization when it comes to selecting the perfect speargun. We haven’t even discussed our homemade speargun equipment yet. These essential pieces of spearfishing equipment could make or break your experience, so make sure you’re choosing wisely. If you’re a beginner, you want to go with equipment that is easy to use and maintain. For more information and a wide range of spearfishing gear for beginners and experts alike, contact Neptonics today.
— Neptonics: 7610 Industrial Lane Suite 8H Tampa, FL. 33637 813-867-3250. Neptonics.com
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TALES FROM THE TUPPERWARE NAVY BY: BRUCE BUTLER
W
elcome back yak fans. This month I’m taking us up to Yankeetown, located north of Crystal River, just above the Barge Canal and the Withlacoochee River. This area is a kayaker’s dream. Yankeetown was founded in 1923 by Armanis F. Knotts from northern Indiana--also known as AF Knotts. He was a member of the Indiana House of Representatives as well as being instrumental in the founding of Gary, Indiana. As you know, I really enjoy doing these kinds of stories. You never know what you may learn as you dig in. Also, as to two other things near and dear to my heart--bait shops and food. For the first, Captains Cove outfitters on 40 just past the light has a great shop with a full line of bait and tackle, helpful staff and spot on fishing reports (As they say everybody there is a fisherman). So, if you head that way, stop in and tell them I said “Hey.” As to food, I was going by the Shrimp Landing restaurant at 5:30 am and saw they were open. So, next trip I’ll be stopping In. But, back to fishing. Remember, this is a column about kayak fishing in case you forgot, LOL. Yankeetown offers several put ins, both on the Withlacoochee and the Gulf side. On the River side, you have Allen Park. This was a little hard to find and locals have warned me about leaving a vehicle there, so be warned.
20 TAMPA
DECEMBER 2023
Another, just before Yankee town at the end of the Barge Canal, you drive out to the end of that road and there is a little launch from which you can reach the river or the power plant outflow (but that’s a bit of a paddle). Going out toward the boat ramp on the right, you have Bird Creek Park. Both of these areas are best to fish on an incoming tide and, by the time you read this, the monster black drum should be stacking up at the outside of the river-I’ll be going back soon. The last trip I took was to Bird Creek Park and paddled back toward Pumpkin Island. My client was working a fast-moving cut with a Gulp Mantis Shrimp on a jig head and soon had his limit of trout. I was working a top water, the Zara Spook Jr in bone silver, (like that’s a surprise to those of you who read my stuff) around the grass islands and a monster red came up and snatched it. After fighting for a minute, he headed straight for the grass and I’m thinking, not again. Into the grass he went, as my leader goes thumping through and he comes out the other side. I’m trying to figure out how that spook didn’t get caught in the grass, but he didn’t give me much time to reflect as he came straight at me, and under the yak He went. I barely get that back under control and into another stand of grass he goes and, again, I don’t lose the lure or the fish. Now I’m really confused! I finally worked him into deeper water and, after about five minutes, I get the answer to my question. The reason I didn’t get hung up was because it wasn’t there. Mr. red swallowed the whole thing! As I peered down and saw the spook, sideways no less and just above the crusher plates. I’m wondering how I’ll ever get it back out, but a pair of forceps came through and, with only a bloody lip from the leader, five minutes later he swam away. We caught some more reds and a few black drum and had two really heavy break offs. At the end of the day my client had his limit and a fun day on the water. Till next time, and happy holidays to you and yours.
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INSHORE SALTWATER REPORT BY: CAPT. BRENNON KIRBY
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DECEMBER 2023
R
ocks, oyster bars and hard bottom are all things that can cause you to lose your lower unit. This time of year, with the negative tides and 15-20 knot winds out of the north or east it’s crucial to be able to identify these hazards. Your tide charts do not incorporate wind factors. For instance, if your tide chart says you have 2 feet of water, but the wind has been blowing 20 knots for three days out of the Northeast, you probably only have about a 1/2 ft of water. That makes a huge difference, especially running the creek mouths where the fish have pushed back because of the cold weather. At the same time, you can also find fish on the same rocks that could easily remove your lower unit. Now that I have your attention about the rocks, let’s talk about how you can also use them to your advantage. In low or negative tides fish group together because there’s no water, so they have no choice but to fall off into deeper holes or troughs. You can target Redfish, Sheepshead, and Trout with shrimp using popping corks or jig heads. Nearshore reefs will hold Hogfish, Mangrove Snapper, Mackerel and Gag Grouper. However, Gag Grouper are catch and release until next year. Inshore fishermen, watch your tides and winds and when you come across some rocks the size of tanks, don’t be afraid to fish ‘em! For all fishermen on foot, there are several parks in our area such as Anclote River Park, Anclote Gulf Park, and Fred Howard park to name a few. Always remember, the best thing to do when searching a new area is to go slow or hire an experienced captain to show you around.
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—Capt. Brennon Kirby | 863-409-0540 KiryKatch.com | CaptainKirby4@gmail.com
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ESCAPE. IT’S CLOSER THAN YOU THINK By Rex Hannon
T
he mortgage is due. Your children have practice after school. Your employer just informed you that mandatory overtime is on the horizon. There are countless reasons in today’s world why you lost track of who you were or why you stopped doing the things you enjoy. It’s the same story around the world. The lack of excess time and the demands of everyday life have robbed us of that part of life that often keeps us healthy and happy. But, if you’re an angler and live in the State of Florida, I just may have some ideas for you to get back on the water, even with the time restraints. Florida is surrounded by water. The Atlantic Ocean and the Indian River Lagoon on the East Coast, and the Gulf of Mexico on the West. There are also many rivers and streams that crisscross the state. But, what if I told you there are some of the most productive waters right there in your neighborhood and often in your own backyard? The canals, water filtration systems, and the countless man-made lakes and ponds dot the landscape in every region of Florida are waiting to be explored. I live in the Central Florida area and, like most places in the state, there are canals, ponds on golf courses and at housing developments, along with water treatment lakes that are full of a wide variety of species that are just waiting for the angler. I can tell you that regardless of where you live in this area, you could be fishing productive waters in just a matter of minutes. Some of my favorite locations are closer to my home than the local convenience store. The best part is that I have the vast majority of these places all to myself. I can spend a few minutes or several hours catching fish and never see another person. The solitude helps unwind and recharge. It brings me back to being that person I lost along the way. The species found in these locations will often surprise the novice angler. I have caught largemouth bass on one cast and a snook on the next. The snook and the tarpon can call these brackish/freshwater systems home. These saltwater species have evolved to tolerate places that many would never consider possible. These species are not only surviving; they are thriving. I have caught countless juvenile examples that
24 TAMPA
DECEMBER 2023
prove they were born there which is an indication of a healthy environment. I often frequent these places when the weather makes fishing the larger water systems impossible. With so many locations available, you can always find a place to escape the unfavorable elements. Another attractive aspect of these water systems is the opportunity to now catch species that were once only accessible after a costly trip to a faraway country. The peacock bass has been on the “Bucket List” of many fishermen throughout the world. I personally know several anglers that made pilgrimages to the Amazon just to have the opportunity to catch one of these colorful warriors and now we have them within a short drive from our homes. I have caught beautiful examples on Lake Ida in Del Ray Beach and there are good numbers to be found in the canal system of Palm Beach County. These locations are also known to be home to another exotic that have anglers haunting these waters; the clown knifefish. This tropical species is native to countries like Thailand and Indochina and were likely introduced to American waters after being
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released from pet aquariums. The state of Florida is the only known state to house this species and even here it is limited to the Southeast Region, primarily in Lake Osborne, Lake Ida and all associated canal systems in the Del Ray Beach area. There are still other invasive/exotic species that call these waters home such as the snakehead (native to Africa and Asia), Mayan Cichlids that originally came from Mexico and Central America, and other numerous species are waiting for your angling pursuits. These locations can often be scouted in your home areas without ever leaving the easy chair. Google Earth is a tool that can be used to plan your next adventure. It’s surprisingly accurate and simple to use, even for those like me that are less than a professional in computer knowledge. I have also found that if you ask those that live near these systems, they’ll be more than happy to share their knowledge or experiences. I found some of my prime spots just by asking a few simple questions of the residents. If you haven’t fished in a long time, I hope these words of encouragement help you get you back out there and you find a special place that lets you escape the hustle of everyday life. There is a great big, beautiful world out there. Take a few minutes and explore. Your next adventure can be a lot closer than you thought possible.
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urf Expo, the premier watersports and coastal lifestyle tradeshow, returns to the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando on Jan. 10-12, 2024, in the West Concourse with a broad selection of brands and a full event line up. Over 700 exhibiting companies are expected to participate in the January show, including over 60 new exhibiting brands. “Surf Expo continues to be the ‘go-to marketplace’ for buyers and brands to connect in person, discover new products and trends, and conduct business,” said Roy Turner, Emerald SVP and Surf Expo Show Director. “Our January show allows retailers to preview all the new styles and new introductions ranging from top surf brands, hardgoods, apparel, footwear, swimwear, boutique fashions and accessories, value-priced resort items, fishing and marine products, souvenirs, and coastal gifts.” The show has also expanded its footprint with watersports and coastal retailers with its new Shoreline offering. This new floor area compliments neighboring product categories on the show floor – Surf, Skate, Paddle and Bluewater — by targeting business associated with recreation found along rivers and lakes. Shoreline will feature products related to day camping, portable power, inflatables, overland, wakeboard, SUP, and performance related clothing and footwear. “From the trails to the lakes and beyond, Shoreline at Surf Expo supports the natural evolution of the waterman’s lifestyle with gear, apparel and accessories that will take them from coastal shoreline activities into camping, hiking, climbing and other recreational activities found along the rivers and lakes,” said Turner. A wide range of exhibitors have signed up for the January 2024 show that cater to the outdoor and fishing industries such as: Howler Bros., HUK, The Duck Co., Xtratuff, Keen, Guy Harvey, AFTCO, Fahalo, Columbia Sportswear, Teva, BAJIO Sunglasses, Chums, Dark Seas, Salty Crew, Fish Hippie, Mang and many more. Surf Expo is also the market to find the next new. More than 60 new exhibiting brands have signed on including Finaddicts, Handy Beach Goods, Neso, Paddlesmash, Sun Drunk, American Hatmakers, Fate, K’Lani, Livin Hooked Headwear, ORB, Our Own Candle Company, Tres Bien, ShuBug, Patsy Kane, Great Coast – Woodcraft, Jodi Melissa, Little Miss Zoe, Conscious Step, Jack & Sage Co, Hardcore Apparel, Dip LLC, and more. Surf Expo January will feature a full schedule of events including industry networking events, daily fashion shows, happy hours and learning labs. Special onsite events will include The East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame 2024 Induction Ceremony and the annual Florida Shape Off surfboard shaping competition.
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ANGLERS GET TWO MONTHS FOR GULF AJ
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t will be another short season for amberjack in the Gulf of Mexico next year. The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council decided in late October to modify both the recreational season and commercial trip limits for greater amberjack. The result for recreational anglers is a two-month fall season, which is expected to close a few days early based on projections. The council chose to modify the recreational season so it opens on Sept. 1 and remains open through Oct. 31, unless the annual catch target is projected to be met earlier. The projected date for reaching that annual catch target is Oct. 26. The council also chose to reduce the commercial trip limit to seven fish, which is equivalent to about 210 pounds gutted weight. This framework action will be transmitted to the Secretary of Commerce for approval and implementation as soon as practicable. In anticipation that this rule may not be implemented before the beginning of the 2024 commercial fishing season, the Council requested that NOAA Fisheries implement an emergency rule to reduce the commercial trip limit to seven fish at the start of the year. Since Amendment 54 reduced catch limits by about 83 percent, and the 2023 commercial annual catch limit was exceeded, a payback provision will reduce the 2024 commercial annual catch target to 56,661 pounds whole weight. Under the current 1,000-pound trip limit, the commercial fishing season is expected to be incredibly short. For more information, go to https://gulfcouncil.org/.
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ransform any small boat, kayak or float tube into a high-spec sonar system within minutes using the Deeper gear combo. The Deeper PRO+ is a wireless fish finder, roughly the size of a tennis ball, connecting to your phone via its own Wi-Fi signal, scanning down to 260 ft. With a reliable 6-hour battery, built-in GPS, and two beam scanning frequencies, it delivers accurate, trustworthy readings. Waterproof and capable of handling temperatures as low as -4°F, it’s a versatile fishfinder suitable for various fishing types. For kayak fishing, it seamlessly pairs with the Deeper Flex Arm 2.0. Crafted from high-strength materials, the Flex Arm with G-clamp suits a wide range of vessels, offering easy installation and mounting without the need for drilling or tools. Use Deeper to map out waters, understand bottom structures, water temperature and depth, and locate fish holding spots faster. Enjoy a successful day on the water with Deeper. BUYDEEPER.COM
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
LOOKING FOR THE
PERFECT GIFT?
A custom rod building kit makes a great gift for the Holidays!
ENTER TO WIN SUZUKI DF2.5 PORTABLE OUTBOARD MOTOR
Suzuki’s DF2.5: Small in size but big in features. Weiging just 30 pounds, the portable and versatile DF 2.5HP outboard motor is the lightest Suzuki 4-stroke motor ever built. This smooth, quiet engine is water-cooled for increased dependability, features a digital CDI, and its anti corrosion system ensures the aluminum propeller stays durable in marine conditions.
YOUR RODS. YOUR WAY.
MUDHOLE.COM
Drawing to be held 12/22/23. Winners will be announced on Facebook.
FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN, ENTER ONLINE AT:
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM/CONTEST
Happy Holidays FROM
S EA -DOG.COM COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
DECEMBER 2023
NATIONAL 11
scotthawaii.com FAMILY RUN IN HAWAII FOR 90 YEARS
Hanapa‘a - Marlin
Fish flags tell the story! Catch all 4 Hanap‘a “slippahs” from Scott Hawaii Hanapa‘a - Ono
Hanapa‘a - Mahi
Hanapa‘a - Ahi
The Return of a Fish flags inspired by Sun Dot Marine Flags.
Custom Built Quality Outdoor BBQ Products Since 1989
Pig Cookers, Patio Grills, Smokers, Customized BBQ Trailers
For More Info 1-252-236-4464 www.BQGRILLS.com 6043 Hwy 301N, Elm City, NC 12 NATIONAL
DECEMBER 2023
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
@fishflags
Sacred Stone of the Southwest is on the Brink of Extinction
C
enturies ago, Persians, Tibetans and Mayans considered turquoise a gemstone of the heavens, believing the striking blue stones were sacred pieces of sky. Today, the rarest and most valuable turquoise is found in the American Southwest–– but the future of the blue beauty is unclear.
26 carats of genuine Arizona turquoise B.
ONLY $99
On a recent trip to Tucson, we spoke with fourth generation turquoise traders who explained that less than five percent of turquoise mined worldwide can be set into jewelry and only about twenty mines in the Southwest supply gem-quality turquoise. Once a thriving industry, many Southwest mines have run dry and are now closed. We found a limited supply of turquoise from Arizona and purchased it for our Sedona Turquoise Collection. Inspired by the work of those ancient craftsmen and designed to showcase the exceptional blue stone, each stabilized vibrant cabochon features a unique, one-of-a-kind matrix surrounded in Bali metalwork. You could drop over $1,200 on a turquoise pendant, or you could secure 26 carats of genuine Arizona turquoise for just $99. C.
Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. If you aren’t completely happy with your purchase, send it back within 30 days for a complete refund of the item price.
A.
The supply of Arizona turquoise is limited, don’t miss your chance to own the Southwest’s brilliant blue treasure. Call today! Jewelry Specifications: • Arizona turquoise • Silver-finished settings
Sedona Turquoise Collection A. Pendant (26 cts) $299 * $99 +s&p Save $200 B. 18" Bali Naga woven sterling silver chain $149 +s&p C. 1 1/2” Earrings (10 ctw) $299 * $99 +s&p Save $200 Complete Set** $747 * $249 +s&p Save $498 **Complete set includes pendant, chain and earrings. Call now and mention the offer code to receive your collection.
1-800-333-2045 Offer Code STC851-09
Rating of A+
You must use the offer code to get our special price. *Special price only for customers using the offer code versus the price on Stauer.com without your offer code.
Stauer
® 14101 Southcross Drive W., Ste 155, Dept. STC851-09, Burnsville, Minnesota 55337 www.stauer.com
Necklace enlarged to show luxurious color
Stauer… Afford t he Ext rao r d i n ar y.®
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
DECEMBER 2023
NATIONAL 13
We’ve Found the Most Beautiful Endangered Species Theirs sold at auction for $226,000. Ours is JUST $29! Curious? Read on!
T
o art nouveau jewelers at the turn of the last century, nothing was more beautiful than the dragonfly. In the dragonfly’s long body and outstretched wings, jewelers found the perfect setting for valuable stones. These jewelers’ dragonfly designs have become timeless statements of style; a dragonfly pendant designed by French jeweler René Lalique recently sold at auction for $226,000. Inspired by his stunning artistry, we’ve crafted our Dragonfly Nouvelle Collection, an elegant jewelry set for JUST $29!
Buy pend earrings Fant, get REE!
$29
True artisanship in Austrian crystal and yellow gold. This necklace and earring set features gorgeous multicolored enamel paired with Austrian crystals and a yellow gold finish. Ask any jeweler and they’ll tell you it takes true artisanship to properly blend the blues and purples found in this enamel. While art nouveau dragonflies are hard to come by, we’re helping to repopulate their numbers with this artfully stylized depiction of some of nature’s smallest wonders!
A NEARLY VALUE FOR JUST $29! Buy the pendant, get the earrings FREE. If Stauer were a normal company, we’d sell the necklace and earrings for $199 each, but because we engage the world’s best artisans and cut out the middlemen to sell directly to you, we’re offering the necklace for JUST $29! Even better: If you buy within the next few days, we’ll throw in the earrings for FREE! That’s a nearly $400 value for JUST $29! Act fast! The first time we ran this jewelry in our catalog, it sold out in a matter of days. Get this collection now before this offer goes extinct! Jewelry Specifications: • Enamel with Austrian crystal. Yellow gold finish • Pendant: 1 ½" W x 1 ¼" H. Chain: 18" + 2", lobster clasp. Earrings: 1 ¼" L, french wire Dragonfly Nouvelle Collection A. Necklace $199 $29* + S&P Save $170 B. Earrings $199 FREE with purchase of Dragonfly Nouvelle Necklace *Special price only for customers using the offer code.
1-800-333-2045
FREE! A $199 value!
Your Insider Offer Code: DFC208-01 Stauer, 14101 Southcross Drive W., Ste 155, Dept. DFC208-01, Burnsville, MN 55337 www.stauer.com
AFFORD THE EXTRAORDINARY
14 NATIONAL
DECEMBER 2023
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
CLEANS EVERYTHING.
PERIOD.
Clean, Waxes & Protects Glass, Lexan, Isinglass, Metal, Gelcoat, Fiberglass, Paint, Plastic & Rubber
Remove & Prevents Oxidation, Scuff Marks, Bird & Spider Poop, Fish Blood, Rust, Water & Exhaust Stains
Restores Gelcoat, Fiberglass, Metal, Plastic Windows & Rubber
USE CODE BOAT10 FOR 10% 0FF
www.koenigpolish.com • 1-877-843-9929 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
DECEMBER 2023
NATIONAL 15
Over 2 carats of Verdant Peridot in precious .925 sterling silver
ONLY $39
Save $260!
“Known as ‘the Evening Emerald’ because its sparkling green hue looks brilliant any time of day.” — The American Gem Society (AGS)
Ooh and Ahh Without the Ouch Spoil her (and your wallet) with sparkling Verdant Peridot for just $39
G
oing over the top on jewelry doesn’t have to mean going overboard on the cost. We’re in the business of oohs and ahhs without the ouch, which is why we can bring you an effervescent verdant peridot ring for a price that simply can’t be beat. Its vivid and unique color makes verdant peridot unlike any other green gemstone. If you are looking to mark a milestone or make any occasion special, the Verdant Peridot Ring is all you need.
This elegant ring features 2 1/3 carats of captivating verdant peridotA. in three perfectly-faceted cushion cut gemstones. And, the .925 sterling silver setting is finished in tarnish-resistant rhodium for added durability and superior shine.
“Found in lava, meteorites, and deep in the earth’s mantle, yellow-green peridot is the extreme gem” — Gemological Institute of America’s Gem Encyclopedia
PRAISE FOR STAUER PERIDOT JEWELRY You could easily “...absolutely beautiful. The picture spend $400 on a sterling silver ring set does not do it justice. It is a real with peridot stones. stunner.” – S. C., Berkeley, CA But, with Stauer in your corner, the sky’s the limit for affording the extraordinary. Priced at just $39, you can treat her to the Verdant Peridot Ring set in .925 sterling silver and save your money and your love life all at the same time.
Satisfaction guaranteed or your money back. Indulge in the Verdant Peridot Ring for 30 days. If you aren’t perfectly happy, send it back for a full refund of the item price. Limited Reserves. Don’t let this gorgeous ring slip through your fingers. Call today! Verdant Peridot Ring ( 1/2 ctw) $299† $39 +S&P Save $260 You must use the insider offer code to get our special price.
1-800-333-2045
Your Insider Offer Code: TPR283-02 Please use this code when you order to receive your discount. † Special price only for customers using the offer code versus the price on Stauer.com without your offer code.
Stauer
®
14101 Southcross Drive W., Ste 155, Dept. TPR283-02, Burnsville, Minnesota 55337 www.stauer.com
Rating of A+
• 2 1/3 ctw Verdant Peridot • White zircon accents • Rhodium-finished .925 sterling silver setting • Whole sizes 5-10
Stauer… Afford the Extraordinary.®
16 NATIONAL
DECEMBER 2023
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
ABALONE HUMMINGBIRD PENDANT & EARRINGS COLLECTION Graceful Hummingbird Design Solid 925 Sterling Silver Abalone Mother of Pearl
Matching Abalone Hummingbird Earrings
Complimentary 22” Chain 1.57” Length
Natural Abalone Shell
TAKE FLIGHT WITH THIS DAZZLING DELIGHT The hummingbird is a traditional symbol of love and beauty. Suspended in mid-flight, with a rainbow of iridescence in wave-like patterns, outstanding shimmering Abalone decorates her body and wing. Each unique, one-of-a-kind piece of Abalone shell has been molded into a sterling silver pendant. Traditionally, Abalone shell is believed to induce feelings of calm, compassion and love. It has a tranquil, warm and gentle cosmic vibration. Spiritually uplifting, Abalone is said to soothe the nerves, encourage serenity and bestow a feeling of inner peace. Originally priced at $249, this stunning piece of jewelry can be yours today for a special offer price of just $79 with promo code: CA3DHB
Original Price Without Code $249 - With Promo Code Now Only $79 Abalone Hummingbird Pendant $79 plus S&H Abalone Hummingbird Earrings $79 plus S&H Abalone Hummingbird Complete Collection Now Only $149 (EXTRA SAVING)
ORDER NOW TOLL FREE 24/7 ON: 1-800 733 8463 AND QUOTE PROMO CODE: CA3DHB Or order online at: timepiecesusa.com/ca3dhb and enter promo: CA3DHB PAY BY CHECK: Timepieces International Inc. 10701 NW 140th Street, Suite 1, Hialeah Gardens, FL 33018