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FEB 14-18
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VOLUME 29 • ISSUE 347
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM
F R A N C H I S E
O P P O R T U N I T I E S
A V A I L A B L E
FEBRUARY 2024
W O R L D W I D E
S P E N D YO U R T I M E W H E R E I T S TA N D S S T I L L R U N T H E WAT E R ™
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else, here are a few tips to help you hook and land more tripletail. • Cruise Carefully: Floating at the surface and doing its best to imitate a garbage bag, a tripletail is easy to spot once you develop an eye for it. Run a trap line on plane with a dedicated spotter and you can cover water quickly to locate “trips.” However, you’ll put fish down if you wake them too hard. Stay at least 30 feet off a trap line or channel markers while prospecting. When you spot a fish, give it a few minutes to settle and come back to the surface while you bring the boat around to approach with the trolling motor. A tripletail at ease on the surface is an easy fish to target. • Consider Your Eyewear: Obviously, polarized glasses are a must when sight fishing anything. The color of your lenses matters, too. It’s worth investing in a couple of good pairs so you can switch out according to conditions. Gray or blue works best in clear water. In dingy water, go with copper or rose lenses. • Stay Rigged and Ready: If you’re targeting trout, redfish or whatever, keep a tripletail rig on hand and keep an eye out for them when you’re running to a new spot. A good basic rig is a popping cork with a short 20-pound fluorocarbon leader of a foot or less and a 2/0 circle hook. Live shrimp is best, but if you’re fishing artificials, a DOA shrimp or a Gulp! shrimp or crab will also work. • On Approach: Come at your quarry from down-current and cast well past it so that your bait drifts back in front of its nose. If that cork starts to dance, give it a few seconds before coming tight. Tripletail have small, hard mouths and you want to be sure the fish has taken the bait. • Fish Small Baits: The reason a tripletail is hanging out on that marker is to eat the small crabs and shrimp that live there. They’re used to small food and have small mouths, which is why they’ll sometimes reject big shrimp. Pitch small or medium shrimp to them or small baitfish and lures no longer than about 2.5 inches. • Stick With Them: If a tripletail spooks or goes down, it usually isn’t going far. Try drifting an unweighted bait on a longer 4- or 5-foot leader that will get down deeper on a long drift past your structure. If that doesn’t work, t will soon be the time of year when everyone’s favorite oddball, the go hit your next mark and come back later. There’s a good chance the fish will tripletail, starts moving in closer to shore to hang out on structure or free- be sunbathing happily on the surface when you return. floating debris. Whether you actively sight fish them by running a line of traps and markers or if you just happen to see one while pursuing something For more tips and tricks, visit coastalanglermag.com.
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your veins. Then, bam! The tarpon puts on a show, soaring into the air with moves like no other. It’s a show that leaves even the most seasoned anglers wide-eyed. Those silver kings? They’re not just strong; they’re the rockstars of Islamorada. Now, let’s talk strategy. These tarpon are known for their spontaneity, so patience is your best friend. When it comes to bait, think live mullet or crabs–the kind of irresistible treats that tarpon just can’t resist. Toss your bait in front of where you think they could be, let it drift back in the current, and patiently watch the magic unfold. When your line starts to load, get ready for a ride. Keep that tension steady, brace yourself for some serious speed, and be prepared for tarpon acrobatics. It’s like a rollercoaster on water, and trust me, you’ll want to savor every twist and turn. When they jump, it’s important to bow your rod toward them to give them the slack so the hook doesn’t pull out. As you get closer to that leader touch or face grab, remember, gentle is the name of the game. Tarpon have delicate mouths, and going all WWE on them might end in heartbreak. If you’re going out with a guide, I recommend booking more than one day to give yourself better odds of landing a tarpon. So come late February through March, and the stage will be set for a front-row seat to Islamorada’s Silver King show. To book a charter, visit www.beansportfishing.com
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FEBRUARY 2024
FLORIDA 3
By Emily Hanzlik
Catch South Florida’s
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own in South Florida, the influx of exotic species is crazy. Most people know about peacock bass and snakeheads, but clown knifefish are a lesser-known exotic that are a blast to catch. You might see these fish rolling on the surface, but they’re tough to catch due to their intelligence. Clown knifefish are silver in color with black spots along their tail. These fish have a very unique shape that almost resembles the blade of a knife. Their faces are similar to snook or a tarpon, but they have a huge shoulder right behind their eyes.
4 FLORIDA
FEBRUARY 2024
These fish have a similar texture to freshwater trout, as they have micro scales and a slime coating that makes them smooth to the touch. A fun fact, since their anal fin and tail fin are conjoined, it allows them to undulate and actually swim backward. If you get one boat-side, watch as they back away from the net. Clown knives are native to southeast Asia. Their popularity as aquarium fish has led to their spread because they quickly outgrow most home aquariums and are released. These fish like warm water, and they are bimodal air-breathers, which means they surface to gulp air if the water is too stagnant. This makes them well-suited to the swamps, lakes, canals and backwater rivers of South Florida. Juveniles school together and hide in roots of plants. When they grow larger, they become solitary but still hunt from the cover of aquatic vegetation. Clown knifefish spawn in the spring. Research suggests they prefer three straight days of rain before laying and fertilizing eggs. When the time is right, the female lays eggs on a root or some other secure surface. The male then tends the eggs. Even after the eggs hatch, the male will guard the fry until they are large enough to be on their own. These fish are nocturnal. The best time to catch them is at night, or at dusk or dawn. When the sun is up, they seek refuge under structure or in thick mats of vegetation. Clown knifefish are aggressive ambush predators. If you walk canal banks at night, you can see their eyes glowing in the beam of a flashlight. I’ve found the fishing is always best after a rain, as it gets them frenzied. I use live bait like shiners or shad and freeline them near flowing pipes or in fast-moving canals. If knifefish are there, you’ll see them rolling on the surface. I use a small live bait hook on a 20-pound leader, since they do have sharp teeth. For artificials, a 2- to 3-inch white swimbait or a jig will work. An exciting option is to fish a white topwater frogs at night. Remember, when they get to the bank the fight isn’t over. They always come up to say hi, and then quickly back away into the darkness. The current IGFA all-tackle world record is 14-pound, 8-ounce fish caught from Florida’s Lake Ida in 2018 by Michael Donvito.
Whe Cen and rem add sing
Emily Rose Hanzlik holds 62 IGFA world records in various categories. Find her on social media @emilyhanzlikoutdoors.
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TAMPA BAY FISHING REPORT BY: WADE OSBOURNE
Shrimp, the “Sara Lee“ of Bait!
T
he reason? During the Winter months, there’s nothing that doesn’t like a shrimp in Tampa Bay. With water temperatures in the Bay right now in the upper 50’s, the fish are lethargic. Their slow response attacking a bait is the ideal time to deploy live shrimp. Shrimp are slow moving, unlike white bait which take more effort for fish to eat. On the way to the boat ramp, stop at a bait shop and buy some medium-
size shrimp. How much you need depends on the number of anglers and the amount of time you’ll be actually fishing. I normally figure about a dozen shrimp per person, times the number of hours fishing. Typically, on a fourhour charter with two people, I’ll buy 10 dozen. That way I won’t run out. You never want to be on a really good bite and run out of shrimp. At the end of the day, don’t do what I see many people doing, throwing out their leftover shrimp. To quote Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, “What are you thinkin’?” Don’t toss them, keep them. If you’re going back out the next day, keep them alive with an aerator. If you won’t be going fishing again for a while, bag them and stick them in the freezer. Frozen shrimp attract and catch fish. I freeze shrimp all of the time and take it with me the next time I hit the water. Sometimes, I will put one whole thawed out shrimp on the hook just to see if the fish notices a difference. I don’t think they do! Now that you know I’m using shrimp for bait, here’s what I’m catching. Sheepshead have been one of my targeted species of late, and that will only increase as their spawning season begins this month and runs through April. Sheepshead love shrimp, even pieces of shrimp. Let’s say you get a bite and reel in to check if you still have a bait and it’s only half a shrimp. Toss it back out there, and you very well may catch that fish on the next bite. Sheepshead also like fiddler crabs, mangrove crabs and pieces of barnacles. Continued on page 10
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FEBRUARY 2024
TAMPA 1
ST. PETE REPORT
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ow, what crazy weather we are having this year, so far. Temps in the 70’s one day and 50’s the next. That’s ok, we are still putting a boat load of fish in the cooler. We are going after sheepshead, drum, redfish and snappers. Some of the snappers are big coming off the docks and the numbers are great--we have been catching our limits of them. Also, the sheepshead bite has been very good, as well. We have been using Mustad Perfect Demon 1/0 and 2/0 offset circle hooks with 20-pound fluorocarbon leader. We have been using shrimp and crabs for bait. Riviera Bait and Tackle has been supplying us with quality shrimp and crabs lately. Also, the pricing on the tackle is very comparable to everybody else. Check them out, if you’re in the area of North Saint Pete--let them know I sent you. We have been running a lot of split trips in the Winter due to a lot of the people from the North coming down for vacation. We’ve come up with a great new price. We’re doing $120 per person for four hours. Also, remember to check out Relentless Knives, the best fillet knife on the market. If you’re looking to book a trip, check us out on the web or Facebook.
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Li R
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Little Manatee E River State Park
very New Year’s Day my wife and I pick a new park for us to go to for the first time. We hike along the trails, fish, do a tailgate lunch and whatever else the park offers. This year, we chose Little Manatee River State Park (LMRSP) and we were not disappointed! One thing to check with every park is when they are open. LMRSP is open 365 days a year from 8am until sunset. The park offers approximately 16 miles of hiking, equestrian and multi-use trails which provides for some great day hiking opportunities. The trails that are along the river have several viewing areas of the river for some excellent photo ops. There’s also some great kayaking and canoeing on the river. Two launch areas let you put in the river with ease! There’s also a campground onsite for both primitive and traditional tent/RV sites. Photographers have great opportunities for scenic shots and wildlife photos. Deer, birds, gopher tortoises, alligators and other species frequent the park. There’s a $5 fee upon entering the park, but it can be paid online or via a drop box at the front gate. The park was surprisingly easy to get to, as it’s just off of US301 between Tampa and Bradenton. It’s a short drive from just about everywhere in the Tampa Bay area, so get out there and experience the park for yourself!
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FEBRUARY 2024
TAMPA 3
ON FLY
TILAPIA
Backyard Invasives On The Long Rod Backyard Bulldogs By: Joshua Broer
W
hether you’re a northern angler who calls them “crappie,” or a southern angler who calls them “speckled perch” or “specks,” I suppose the old pun is always good for a laugh. “How’s the bite today?”, someone might ask. “It’s crappie!”, being the silly yet funny answer. Local slang aside, one thing’s for sure--black crappie or Pomoxis Nigromaculatus, scientifically speaking, are fun to catch, and are one of the best freshwin tackle and live bait. But, many moons ago, when I caught my first speck using a fly rod, it changed the game for me forever. You may have ordered tilapia at a local restaurant, or have seen them for sale at
the grocery store. It’s usually the least expensive seafood entrée on the menu, and the least expensive fillets in the store. It’s actually a decent table fare, and an easily farm-raised fish. Throughout Florida, for decades, locals have been harvesting these fish with bow and arrow and cast net. But, there’s another use for them. Although Tilapia are an invasive species to Florida and have overpopulated many of our lakes and ponds, years ago I discovered that there is at least one benefit. The Blue Tilapia, or Oreochromis aureus, is native to Northern and Western Africa, and the Middle East. They are primarily a fresh and brackish water fish that lives in a wide range of habitats such as streams, rivers, lakes and ponds. Tilapia were introduced into Florida in 1961 and are now the most widespread foreign species in Florida. The bad part – they change the fish community structure, because they increase competition for food sources and spawning grounds. The good part – they are a ton of fun on a fly rod! In late Winter and early Spring, you can walk past almost any retention pond or lake and see the males guarding their beds. The males dig large, circular nests with their mouths in shallow water over sandy bottom. The male swims out to a passing female and leads her to the nest where courtship occurs. Females lay eggs and immediately take the fertilized eggs into their mouth, then swim off until the eggs hatch in the female’s mouth. This type of parental care is called mouth-brooding. Because of this particular type of behavior, it allows the fly fisherman to target the larger males right in their bed. Here’s how to do it. The males keep their beds free of foreign objects, including any type of dirt or debris, vegetation or excrement. This is why you’ll see them constantly rooting around in their beds, sucking in debris or waste matter, and swimming to the edge of the bed to spit it out. They’re not eating, just tidying up. It makes sense then that if you cast a fly into their bed, they’re going to pick it up. Almost any type of small fly will work but, knowing their dislike for excrement in their beds, introduce the “Poop Fly.” Tie up a fly that looks like a small piece of poop. One of the easiest ways to do this is to cut the tail off of a dark-bodied Woolly Bugger, and trim down the hackle on the body. These fish have incredible eyesight, so use a long, light leader, and be as stealth as possible. When you first introduce the fly into the bed, the male will spook, but he’ll come back as long as
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It can bed if Stu before thrash Three eat. D enoug
he doesn’t see you. Strip out a bunch of line, get as far away from the bed as possible and wait. I’ll sometimes lie low in the grass or hide behind a tree. When the male feels unthreatened, he’ll return to the bed and begin cleaning again. It’s not always quick or easy though. Sometimes the fish will return to the bed, but circle it for longer than you may care to wait. They’re also notorious for swimming back into the bed but immediately swimming out, testing the safety of the environment. It can be a very time-consuming and frustrating process, so move to another bed if the fish doesn’t cooperate. Study him carefully, and when you see him pick up the fly, set the hook before he spits it out. It’s 100% a sight-fishing game. Once hooked, they’ll thrash around in their beds, then make a few blistering runs before tiring out. Three to five weight rods are ideal, and a floating line will help you see the eat. Do not live-release them, according to FWC rules. If the water is clean enough, fry ‘em up… or use for cut bait! — 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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St. Petersburg
www.USHarbors.com www.stpetefishingoutfitters.com
St. Petersburg, FL - Feb 2024 High
Date
Old Port of Tampa
www.USHarbors.com ezdocktampa.com
Old Port Tampa, FL - Feb 2024
Low
High
Date
Low
AM
ft
PM
ft
AM
ft
PM
ft
Rise
Set
6:32
1.2
6:28
1.8
12:33
0.1
12:04
0.2
7:15
6:11
Fri
7:57
0.9
7:00
1.9
1:39
-0.1
12:27
0.5
7:15
6:12
Sat
10:33
0.8
7:39
2.0
2:59
-0.2
12:37
0.8
7:14
6:13
Sun
8:31
2.0
4:26
-0.4
7:14
6:13
5
Mon
9:38
2.1
5:44
-0.6
7:13
6:14
6:15
6
Tue
10:52
2.2
6:48
-0.8
7:12
6:15
7:12
6:16
7
Wed
3:22
1.3
7:40
-1.0
6:08
1.2
7:12
6:16
1.0
7:11
6:17
8
Thu
12:02
2.4
3:44
1.3
8:26
-1.0
7:08
1.0
7:11
6:17
6:51
0.8
7:11
6:18
9
Fri
1:04
2.5
4:04
1.3
9:07
-1.0
8:02
0.8
7:10
6:17
-0.9
7:51
0.6
7:10
6:18
10
Sat
2:01
2.5
4:22
1.3
9:43
-0.9
8:53
0.5
7:10
6:18
9:31
-0.6
8:51
0.4
7:09
6:19
11
Sun
2:57
2.4
4:39
1.4
10:14
-0.7
9:45
0.3
7:09
6:19
1.4
10:00
-0.3
9:52
0.1
7:08
6:20
12
Mon
3:51
2.2
4:55
1.5
10:42
-0.4
10:39
0.0
7:08
6:20
4:27
1.7
10:26
0.1
10:58
0.0
7:08
6:21
13
Tue
4:47
1.9
5:15
1.7
11:07
-0.1
11:37
-0.2
7:08
6:20
1.4
4:53
1.9
10:47
0.4
7:07
6:21
14
Wed
5:47
1.5
5:37
1.9
11:28
0.2
7:07
6:21
1.0
5:25
2.0
12:11
-0.2
7:06
6:22
15
Thu
7:01
1.1
6:05
2.0
12:43
-0.3
11:44A
0.5
7:06
6:22
Fri
6:05
2.1
1:34
-0.3
7:05
6:23
16
Fri
8:57
0.8
6:39
2.1
2:02
-0.4
11:42A
0.7
7:05
6:22
17
Sat
6:58
2.0
3:05
-0.4
7:05
6:23
17
Sat
7:24
2.1
3:34
-0.5
7:04
6:23
18
Sun
8:13
2.0
4:29
-0.5
7:04
6:24
18
Sun
8:28
2.0
5:04
-0.6
7:03
6:24
19
Mon
9:42
2.0
5:36
-0.6
7:03
6:25
19
Mon
9:58
1.9
6:14
-0.7
7:03
6:24
20
Tue
10:59
2.0
6:27
-0.6
7:02
6:26
20
Tue
11:25
1.9
7:08
-0.7
5:35
1.2
7:02
6:25
21
Wed
11:56
2.0
7:07
-0.6
5:43
1.1
7:01
6:26
21
Wed
2:53
1.4
7:50
-0.7
6:42
1.0
7:01
6:26
22
Thu
2:49
1.2
7:39
-0.6
6:34
0.9
7:00
6:27
22
Thu
12:29
1.9
3:08
1.4
8:25
-0.6
7:30
0.8
7:00
6:26
23
Fri
12:42
2.0
2:53
1.3
8:06
-0.5
7:16
0.8
6:59
6:28
23
Fri
1:18
2.0
3:23
1.4
8:52
-0.5
8:10
0.6
6:59
6:27
24
Sat
1:21
2.0
2:55
1.3
8:28
-0.3
7:54
0.6
6:58
6:28
24
Sat
1:59
2.0
3:35
1.5
9:14
-0.3
8:46
0.5
6:58
6:28
25
Sun
1:58
1.9
3:00
1.4
8:47
-0.2
8:32
0.4
6:57
6:29
25
Sun
2:37
1.9
3:46
1.6
9:31
-0.2
9:20
0.3
6:57
6:28
26
Mon
2:35
1.8
3:09
1.6
9:05
0.0
9:11
0.2
6:56
6:29
26
Mon
3:14
1.8
3:57
1.7
9:47
-0.1
9:54
0.1
6:56
6:29
27
Tue
3:14
1.6
3:23
1.7
9:22
0.2
9:52
0.1
6:55
6:30
27
Tue
3:53
1.7
4:11
1.8
10:03
0.0
10:30
0.0
6:55
6:30
28
Wed
3:57
1.4
3:42
1.9
9:38
0.4
10:37
0.0
6:54
6:31
28
Wed
4:36
1.5
4:29
2.0
10:21
0.2
11:10
-0.1
6:54
6:30
29
Thu
4:46
1.3
4:07
2.0
9:53
0.5
11:30
-0.1
6:53
6:31
29
Thu
5:25
1.3
4:51
2.1
10:40
0.4
11:56
-0.2
6:53
6:31
AM
ft
PM
ft
AM
ft
PM
ft
Rise
Set
Thu
5:58
1.1
5:46
1.8
12:07
0.2
11:20A
0.4
7:16
6:12
1
2
Fri
7:33
0.9
6:20
1.8
1:18
0.0
11:34A
0.7
7:15
6:12
2
3
Sat
7:03
1.9
2:36
-0.1
7:14
6:13
3
4
Sun
7:58
2.0
3:56
-0.3
7:14
6:14
4
5
Mon
9:05
2.1
5:06
-0.5
7:13
6:15
6
Tue
10:16
2.2
6:05
-0.8
7:13
7
Wed
11:22
2.3
6:55
-0.9
8
Thu
3:19
1.1
7:40
-1.0
5:46
9
Fri
12:22
2.4
3:25
1.1
8:21
-1.0
10
Sat
1:19
2.4
3:35
1.1
8:58
11
Sun
2:13
2.3
3:48
1.3
12
Mon
3:09
2.1
4:05
13
Tue
4:08
1.8
14
Wed
5:15
15
Thu
6:43
16
1
2:46P
1.2
10:58A
0.7
Moon
Thu
2:39P
1.3
Moon
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Tarpon Springs
1500 US 19 Holiday, FL
www.USHarbors.com
Tarpon Springs, AncloteAnclote River River, FL - Feb 2024 High
Date
Hernando Beach
bluepelicanmarina.com www.USHarbors.com
Rocky Creek, LittleFL Pine Island Hernando Beach, - Feb 2024
Low
High
Date
AM
ft
PM
ft
AM
ft
PM
ft
Rise
Set
Moon
Thu
4:12
1.9
4:16
2.4
10:17
0.4
11:21
0.2
7:17
6:11
1
2
Fri
5:13
1.6
4:54
2.4
10:51
0.7
7:16
6:12
3
Sat
6:43
1.5
5:42
2.4
12:28
0.2
11:35A
1.0
7:16
6:13
4
Sun
8:39
1.5
6:49
2.4
1:51
0.0
12:52
1.3
7:15
5
Mon
10:13
1.6
8:04
2.5
3:09
-0.2
2:27
1.4
6
Tue
11:14
1.8
9:13
2.7
4:16
-0.5
3:44
7
Wed
11:57
2.0
10:15
2.8
5:13
-0.8
8
Thu
12:33P
2.1
11:13
3.0
6:02
9
Fri
1:05
2.2
10
Sat
12:06
3.1
1:35
11
Sun
12:57
3.1
12
Mon
1:47
13
Tue
14
Low
AM
ft
PM
ft
AM
ft
PM
ft
Rise
Set
Thu
5:08
2.0
5:12
2.6
12:30
0.3
12:18
0.4
7:19
6:11
2
Fri
6:09
1.8
5:50
2.6
1:22
0.2
12:52
0.7
7:19
6:12
3
Sat
7:39
1.6
6:38
2.6
2:29
0.2
1:36
1.0
7:18
6:13
6:14
4
Sun
9:35
1.6
7:45
2.6
3:52
0.0
2:53
1.3
7:17
6:13
7:14
6:15
5
Mon
11:09
1.7
9:00
2.7
5:10
-0.2
4:28
1.4
7:17
6:14
1.3
7:14
6:15
6
Tue
12:10P
2.0
10:09
2.9
6:17
-0.5
5:45
1.3
7:16
6:15
4:48
1.2
7:13
6:16
7
Wed
12:53P
2.1
11:11
3.1
7:14
-0.8
6:49
1.2
7:16
6:16
-1.0
5:43
0.9
7:12
6:17
8
Thu
1:29
2.3
8:03
-1.0
7:44
0.9
7:15
6:17
6:45
-1.1
6:31
0.7
7:12
6:18
9
Fri
12:09
3.2
2:01
2.3
8:46
-1.1
8:32
0.7
7:14
6:18
2.2
7:26
-1.0
7:17
0.4
7:11
6:19
10
Sat
1:02
3.3
2:31
2.4
9:27
-1.0
9:18
0.4
7:13
6:18
2:04
2.3
8:05
-0.8
8:03
0.1
7:10
6:19
11
Sun
1:53
3.3
3:00
2.5
10:06
-0.8
10:04
0.1
7:13
6:19
2.9
2:33
2.4
8:42
-0.5
8:51
-0.1
7:10
6:20
12
Mon
2:43
3.2
3:29
2.6
10:43
-0.5
10:52
-0.1
7:12
6:20
2:40
2.7
3:03
2.5
9:17
-0.1
9:42
-0.2
7:09
6:21
13
Tue
3:36
2.9
3:59
2.7
11:18
-0.1
11:43
-0.2
7:11
6:21
Wed
3:35
2.4
3:34
2.6
9:51
0.3
10:36
-0.2
7:08
6:21
14
Wed
4:31
2.5
4:30
2.8
11:52
0.3
7:10
6:21
15
Thu
4:35
2.0
4:09
2.6
10:23
0.7
11:37
-0.2
7:07
6:22
15
Thu
5:31
2.1
5:05
2.8
12:37
-0.2
12:24
0.7
7:09
6:22
16
Fri
5:47
1.6
4:51
2.6
10:57
1.0
7:06
6:23
16
Fri
6:43
1.8
5:47
2.8
1:38
-0.2
12:58
1.0
7:08
6:23
17
Sat
7:36
1.4
5:45
2.5
12:54
-0.1
11:41A
1.3
7:06
6:24
17
Sat
8:32
1.5
6:41
2.7
2:55
-0.1
1:42
1.3
7:08
6:24
18
Sun
9:47
1.5
7:03
2.4
2:25
-0.1
1:07
1.5
7:05
6:24
18
Sun
10:43
1.6
7:59
2.6
4:26
-0.1
3:08
1.5
7:07
6:24
19
Mon
10:58
1.7
8:29
2.4
3:46
-0.2
2:47
1.5
7:04
6:25
19
Mon
11:54
1.8
9:25
2.5
5:47
-0.2
4:48
1.5
7:06
6:25
20
Tue
11:32
1.8
9:42
2.4
4:48
-0.3
4:06
1.3
7:03
6:26
20
Tue
12:28P
2.0
10:38
2.6
6:49
-0.3
6:07
1.3
7:05
6:26
21
Wed
11:58
2.0
10:40
2.5
5:34
-0.4
5:05
1.1
7:02
6:26
21
Wed
12:54P
2.1
11:36
2.7
7:35
-0.4
7:06
1.1
7:04
6:27
22
Thu
12:22P
2.1
11:27
2.6
6:10
-0.4
5:51
0.8
7:01
6:27
22
Thu
1:18
2.2
8:11
-0.4
7:52
0.8
7:03
6:27
23
Fri
12:45
2.2
6:40
-0.4
6:29
0.6
7:00
6:28
23
Fri
12:23
2.8
1:41
2.3
8:41
-0.4
8:30
0.6
7:02
6:28
24
Sat
12:06
2.6
1:07
2.2
7:07
-0.3
7:04
0.4
6:59
6:28
24
Sat
1:02
2.8
2:03
2.4
9:08
-0.3
9:05
0.4
7:01
6:29
25
Sun
12:42
2.6
1:27
2.3
7:33
-0.2
7:37
0.3
6:58
6:29
25
Sun
1:38
2.8
2:23
2.5
9:34
-0.2
9:38
0.3
7:00
6:29
26
Mon
1:17
2.5
1:47
2.4
7:57
-0.1
8:10
0.2
6:57
6:30
26
Mon
2:13
2.7
2:43
2.6
9:58
-0.1
10:11
0.2
6:59
6:30
27
Tue
1:52
2.4
2:08
2.5
8:22
0.1
8:43
0.1
6:56
6:30
27
Tue
2:48
2.6
3:04
2.7
10:23
0.1
10:44
0.1
6:58
6:31
28
Wed
2:29
2.3
2:30
2.6
8:47
0.2
9:19
0.0
6:55
6:31
28
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3:25
2.5
3:26
2.8
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0.2
11:20
0.0
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6:31
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2.6
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1
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TAMPA 9
Continued from page 1 Redfish are also plentiful throughout Tampa Bay. Even though I’m not catching them on every outing, on the days that I do there have been numerous hookups. These aren’t your typical slot-size redfish that you catch other times of the year, they’re “rat reds.” They’re usually only 12 to 17 inches, but they’re still fun to catch. The key to finding a school of “rats” is to fish along mangrove shorelines next to some oysters. They like to hang out just under the branches around the roots, so bait placement is critical. A low sidearm cast is preferred and helps to keep you out of the trees. Seatrout and sand trout are two fish that are very cold water tolerant and fairly easy to catch right now. Both species of trout spend more time in deeper water in Winter than at other times of the year, with sand trout being in the deepest. Seatrout tend to be in water in the three-to-ten-foot range, while sand trout can be found in water as deep as 20 to 40 feet deep. As for tackle, I like to downsize my leader material and hook size in the Winter, due to water clarity. I go with a 25-pound fluorocarbon leader and a size one hook. Most of the time, I’m freelining my bait. If I’m fishing in deep water, I add just enough weight to get the bait to the bottom. As for that frozen shrimp, I like to use it for chum. Just as broadcasting
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live white bait around your boat attracts fish, so does frozen shrimp. So, when I Power Pole down on a fishing spot looking for sheepshead, redfish, and seatrout, I blanket the area with pieces of frozen shrimp. Try it, you’ll be amazed at how many fish are attracted to the “dinner bell,” the smell of shrimp in the water. Afishionado, “Always an Adventure.” Tampa fishing guide, Wade Osborne of “Afishionado Guide Services” has been plying the waters of Tampa Bay as a professional full-time captain, since 1997. Osborne has been featured on numerous TV shows and has written for multiple publications. Osborne offers multi-boat, corporate and private inshore fishing on light tackle spin, fly or plug. He also offers eco tours with an emphasis on photography. For more info visit Afishionado.com or find Afishionado Guide Services on Facebook and Instagram. Email: wade@afishionado.com Call/Text: 813-286-3474
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FEBRUARY 2024
TAMPA 11
FEBRUARY FISHING BY: CAPT. T J SHEA
F
ebruary is here, and that means it’s time to get back to doing what we all love-catching fish! Red grouper to be more specific. They are in season and should be prime for the picking since their emergency closure last July. Weather will most assuredly limit your trips, so I suggest you take advantage of every fishable day possible. That means, if its flat calm and beautiful Wednesday the 14th, I hope you are 30 miles offshore with baits in the water. Our starting point will be somewhere in that area around 90 to 100 feet of water. If you get out much deeper than that, it’s a constant battle to get baits down through the schools of red snapper that are always thriving on the same hard bottom, along with not being allowed to target them past 20 fathoms. You can start a little shallower, say 75 to 85 feet, but you will probably have to work a lot harder to get that boat limit. The deeper you go the bigger they get. We have found that 100-foot area to be a nice sweet spot, with quality fish and very little red snapper by catch. The Central Gulf Coast has acres upon acres of live bottom loaded with red grouper. If the drift is slow enough, that’s always the best way to cover ground. When you roll over a spot where you get a few good fish, mark that on your machine. I guarantee that’s where the best potholes are. Diving gives us the luxury to see exactly what the bottom looks like. It’s either hard limestone with lots of sea fans and cracks in the stone, or hard sandy bottom with holes that go down to who knows where. Your fire truck reds will stay right next to these
holes and cracks, so you need to get your baits close. The more area you cover, the more holes you will drift across. The best part, when you red grouper fish, is constant action and quality by catch. Porgys, lane snapper, trigger fish, mangrove snapper and hogfish all inhabit the same bottom. For my palette, I would take any of these over a red grouper for my fresh catch meal. We will typically designate 2 or 3 clients fishing with big chunks of squid or live baits for the reds and 2 or 3 clients fishing light combos with shrimp for the by catch. We have found this to be the best way to maximize what you will put in your fish box. Just switch it up, as you go from spot to spot. If you want to play with big AJs, throw a few of the porgies into your live well and hit any of the wrecks on the way in. Doesn’t matter the size of your bait. Big jacks will destroy these guys, usually well before they make it to the bottom. You can’t keep them, as they are protected until August, but boy what a great way to top off your trip. You won’t get many days to fish in February, but the ones you do get will most likely be ones you won’t forget. — 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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FEBRUARY 2024
TAMPA 13
THE COLD WATER GEM
F
ebruary can be one of the best months for sheepshead fishing in the Tampa Bay area. Sheepshead are probably one of the most underrated fish when it comes to table fare, and the fight put up by a larger sheepshead. When fishing deeper water rockpiles for sheepshead, they can be very large and feel as if you are fighting a grouper, with their downward lunges. On the inshore scene, many times, you are sight fishing, and it can take an accurate cast to put the bait where it needs to be, many times under a dock. Then, it is up to you to get them out from between the pilings without getting broken off; so, the challenge is there. There is a real sense of accomplishment when you get a larger sheepshead out from the barnacle encrusted pilings without parting ways. Some areas, depending on water clarity, you cannot use heavy leader to be able to get a bite, and that is when it can get challenging.
Other areas to look for sheepshead are reefs, bridges, ledges, seawalls and any other structures that will hold a food source that they like to eat. They eat barnacles, crabs, worms, oysters, clams, mussels and shrimp, to name a few. They are known to eat small fish, but I wouldn’t use baitfish if I were targeting them. They love crustaceans, so crabs and shrimp would be my first choices, and I have done well using mussels. Sheepshead are known for their incisor human like teeth, but they have, incisors, molars and grinders to be able to eat the barnacles and other crustaceans. Large sheepsheads have the ability to crush the shells of crabs and mussels for example, so keep your fingers out of reach, since they have been known to snap a hook in half. For the set-up, start with four feet of 25-pound test fluorocarbon leader with a #1 hook. If you are seeing them and not getting bites, first try different baits and then go lighter on the leader. If I am inshore with little to no current, I like to use no weight or as light as possible, like a split shot. In deeper water or current, use a small jig head; or, use a small egg sinker knocker rig, where the leader goes through the egg sinker and the weight slides down to the hook. Sheepshead are bait steelers and they are good at it, so don’t get mad if you miss some. Like an old sheepshead fisherman once told me, “The trick to catching sheepshead is to set the hook right before they bite.” They can have a very subtle bite, so let them put a steady weight on your line. When you feel that steady weight, lift your rod tip and that should do the trick. Once you get the knack for it, you will catch what they call the convict fish. Whether they are named that due to the prison stripes on their body or because they are such good thieves is to be determined. When it comes to cooking this great tasting fish, I like to dip my sheepshead fillets in an egg batter and then in some Italian style crispy panko breadcrumbs. Then place them in some hot olive oil in a frying pan for a few minutes flip once and cook until it just turns white and flaky.
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! BY: CAPT. GEORGE HASTICK Another favorite of mine, if you have some thick fillets, is to cut 2-inch medallions out of the fillets and soak them in some Caribbean jerk marinade (or flavor you like) in a zip lock bag for about two hours. The longer the better. Then take them out and place them on a cookie sheet and wrap the outer edge with bacon. Secure the bacon with a toothpick through the center. Now take some fresh marinade and brush them liberally and place the cookie sheet in the oven and bake them at 375 to 400 degrees until the bacon is cooked, approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Flip once at the halfway point. There is never any left. So, don’t pass up the opportunity to have some fun and enjoy a great meal!
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— 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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TAMPA 15
AHOY MATES! It’s The
Tampa Bay Boat Show Chart your course at the Florida State Fairgrounds on
March 1, 2, 3 Enjoy walking around millions of dollars of inventory on hand from Tampa Bay’s leading boat dealers. The Tampa Bay Boat Show is a grand event showcasing area boat dealers/manufacturers, the latest in boating and fishing supplies.
Tampa Bay’s Largest Boating Sales Event! The Tampa Bay Boat show offers a great way to see and compare all available makes and models in one location. Pontoons, Cruisers, Center Consoles, Jet Skis, exhibits and more. Plus, you don’t want to miss the Florida Fishing School Seminars Series each day. Take part in a series of presentations by the area’s top fishing guides and local experts…great tips, secrets, and fun! Learn how to catch the big one! There is something for Boaters of all ages waiting for you. After you have found your dreamboat explore the many exhibits of the clothing, sunglasses, boating and docking accessories and so much more. The event is open to the public, and admission is free so bring the family and make a day of it. You could be on the water before the weekend is over.
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Getting Into Fly Fishing
THE SALT By CAM Staff
S
altwater fly fishing can be either the most humbling or the most rewarding experience in fishing. Many anglers new to the sport have a hard time adjusting to the techniques and know-how specific to the salt. Here are a few things to think about to help shorten the learning curve during your first few outings.
CASTS
Hopefully you’ve already spent some time working on your double haul. Google it. This technique increases line speed and delivers long accurate casts, which is necessary with the bulky flies and windy conditions inherent to the sport. Yet there’s more to fishing effectively than long-distance casting. You’ll also need quick casts, quick second casts, backhand casts and the dreaded short casts so many people muff when they’ve spent weeks practicing to sling 60 feet of line. You should work on these casts, as well. Learn to flip quick 10- to 20-foot casts to either side of the boat. Utilize water resistance to load the rod when the fly is already in the water. Limit false casting, which wastes time in the limited window of opportunity you’ll have with moving fish. Don’t try to muscle casts. A loaded rod imparts much more line speed than the strength of your arm. Familiarity with your gear and figuring out how to present flies quickly and accurately is all that matters. Get out on the water somewhere and get used to slinging line around.
BE READY
Saltwater fly fishing is a waiting game. You’re waiting for your shot, your chance to cast at a fish that either you or your guide/poling partner sees. Be ready to capitalize on your opportunity, which means paying attention to yourself. If you think you’ll need a 60-foot cast, you should have 60 feet of line off the reel and either on the deck or in a stripping basket. If it’s on the deck, make sure there isn’t anything else down around your feet, including your feet, for your line to snag on. With the fly pinched in the fingers of your off hand, keep the head of your line, at least 10 feet or so, outside of the top guide of your rod. This allows you to load the rod immediately, so you’ll need fewer false casts before letting the fly fly. Deal with these things as soon as you step up on the casting deck, and you can turn your attention to looking for fish.
CLOSE THE DEAL
than what you’d encounter on a stream or in a pond. With too much drag, they’ll break you off with a quick blistering run. If there’s too little drag, you’ll never get that fish to the boat. Learn how to apply drag manually by palming the reel. This allows you to adjust pressure on the fish more carefully and instantly.
When you get a fish to eat, don’t ruin the moment by lifting the rod tip. Train yourself to strip-set and to strip-set hard. 1 LOCATION JUNE COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM For more information, visit coastalanglermag.com. Also, know how you’ll2020 fight a fish. Saltwater species are much stronger
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FEBRUARY 2024
TAMPA 19
CAPT. SERGIO’S CORNER BY: CAPT. SERGIO ATANES
FINDING OLD FISHING SPOTS AGAIN
S
ometimes, we get carried away trying to find new fishing spots and we forget the old ones that got us started. February usually is cold and still has plenty of negative tides which are great for finding new spots and reuniting us with some old ones. Whether you are a shore fisherman or using a watercraft, there are plenty of places to fish that are often overlooked. Take a few minutes and make some notes of old areas you used to fish and give them a try. The biggest problem I see, and I have lived in the Tampa area all my life, is the increase in population and number of boats in the Tampa Bay market--over 103,000 registered boats as of last count. So, let’s get down to the nitty gritty of where to start fishing in upper Tampa Bay. You have Rocky Creek that offers great fishing in the Winter. Then there is Double Branch which is loaded with trout and small black drum in the potholes. When fishing the Howard Frankland area, look at Big Island Channel on the northwest side of the bridge. There is plenty of trout, sheepshead and redfish action, especially around the sunken barge. Yes, there is an old barge sunk along the shoreline in front of Big Island. The charts show one foot or less of water depth, but the cut between the island and interstate is over 10 feet deep. In the Gandy Bridge area, the rock piles in front of marine reserve on the northeast side as you enter the bridge hold a little bit of everything on high tides. The channel leading into the power plant should have plenty of silver (white) trout. The St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport rocks always hold nice sheepshead, redfish and flounder. Use live shrimp with a 1/0 circle hook and a #4 split shot about 3 inches from the eye of the hook. The Hillsborough River in downtown Tampa, with its warm water, pleases the snook, reds, trout and sheepshead. Fish the rocky shoreline and the pillars of the bridges. 20 TAMPA
FEBRUARY 2024
The Apollo Beach Power Plant is another hot spot for pompano, cobia and trout early in the morning until about 10 am. The colder the weather, the better the bite. Sharks tend to hang out just outside of the mouth of the outlet of the channel. There is a small rock jetty along the side of the power plant. This is a great spot for redfish with an incoming tide. Little Manatee River has never let me down in February. Just about every species can be found. Fish the area’s drop-offs and cuts with deeper water. This area is best fished with a falling tide. Port Manatee channel can keep you busy with gag grouper and mangrove snapper. Light tackle with cut bait or medium live shrimp works best. The lighter the tackle the more bites you will get. In the Fort Desoto area, look for the old bomb holes from the early days when the area was used as a practice bombing range. Some of them have filled in over the years, My tackle suggestions: but many are left-some as deep as • Rods: OKUMA SRT Inshore Elite Medium 7.6 feet. 15 feet. The colder • Reel: OKUMA ITXCB 3000. the weather, the • Line: FINS Windtammer 15-pound braid. better the bite. The • Leader: OHERO trout, especially, 15- and tend to migrate 20-pound there. Mullet fltuorocarbon. Key shoreline is • Hooks: OHERO excellent for wade Trident 1/0 fishermen or circle. kayakers. There is a nice drop off that • Engel 19-quart tends to hold fish live bait cooler. all year long. Live shrimp is my go-to bait this time of year. Medium size is perfect. My set up is a 7.6 medium action rod with three feet of 15-pound fluorocarbon leader, 15-pound braided line and a 3000-size spinning reel. — Capt. Sergio Atanes is host of Florida West Coast Fishing Report on Facebook and YouTube. He also hosts 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.
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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RECIPES
Sautéed Salmon, Blanched Asparagus, Wild Rice with Hollandaise Sauce I realize this is not a local fish; it is available in every supermarket. That is why I decided to make it! Living in the Tampa Bay Area there are times when the seafood market will do just fine. I mean we can’t fish everyday, even if we want to! Ingredients: • 2 8oz. salmon fillets • 4 table Spoons • Olive oil • • Seasoning of your
liking (I used Emeril’s Seasoning) 1 bunch Asparagus Wild rice of your choice (I used Vigo wild rice)
• 4 egg yolks • 2 table Spoon Lemon juice • 1 Stick of butter unsalted • Pinch of Cayenne
Prep: Wash and clean fish, pat dry, Season to taste and place on plate. Wash and trim Asparagus, cut white part off the end. Put 2 pots of water (one for Asparagus, and one for rice). Separate 4 egg yolks in a small double boiler. Set one pot on stove and bring to a boil Cook: Start rice, let cook. It usually is about 25 minutes. In the last 10 minutes I do the following Take olive place in sauté pan. When hot place salmon fillets 2 ½ minutes on each side to cook. Remove boiling water from stove throw in Asparagus for 5 minutes, until bright green. Don’t overcook or it ruins the taste and texture.
Sauce: Melt I stick of butter. I do it in the microwave. 3 minutes at ½ power. Take bowl with egg yolks and whisk in the 2 tablespoons of lemon juice. Place double boiler on stove and put to low/med. Slowly whisk in melted butter. It will be thin, let stand for thickness. If it gets too thick add a tablespoon of warm water and stir. This process takes about 5 minutes. Pinch of cayenne on top of complete dinner. Serve: I place wild rice on plate with salmon on top, Asparagus on top of salmon and drizzle the sauce on top of all of it. It looks pretty and tastes fantastic.
If you’d like to leave feedback I can be reached at Cnmoasis@gmail.com Thank you and Enjoy!
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
FEBRUARY 2024
TAMPA 21
INSHORE SALTWATER REPORT BY: CAPT. BRENNON KIRBY
CLEAREST WATER OF THE YEAR
F
ebruary has some of the clearest water of the year because there are little to no algae blooms since the water is so cold. Add a bluebird sky and a cold front and you might have a puzzle to figure out. Generally speaking, I use 20 pound fluorocarbon all year round. However, if I see fish and they are scattering off, even from a distance, I will definitely lighten it up to 15 pound or even 12 pound fluorocarbon. Using a 7’6” to 8 foot rod with 10 pound braid will definitely enable you to get the distance. Spotted sea trout are definitely on my menu this month. There are a lot of different ways to target them. My favorite is a probably a popping cork. Live shrimp, You can drift with the current or green backs, and pinfish wind to cover a lot of ground. are all great choices to use under a popping cork. You If you find one there are usually can use paddle tails, and jerk more in the area. baits under a popping cork as well. Trout love to hang around rocks, oyster beds, and hard bottom patchy spots in the grass flats. Deep troughs in the flats, channels, and docks will definitely hold trout in February. You can drift with the current or wind to cover a lot of ground. If you find one there are usually more in the area. If you’re on foot, Fred Howard Park, Anclote River Park, and the Anclote pier by the power plant are great places to find trout. — Capt. Brennon Kirby | 863-409-0540 KirbysKatch.com | CaptainKirby4@gmail.com
22 TAMPA
FEBRUARY 2024
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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R E L G N A L A T S COA
D R A O B BRAG Fishing in Homos assa, Kellie Douglas said this 33-inch snook got tangled in som e mangroves after it slammed her mullet, but she was still able to get it out with a net and sa fely release it.
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While scouting for red grouper, Chase Vaughan ran across a nice pile of scamp grouper in 190 ft. of water. He and his crew ended up catching the boat’s limit in just two hours!
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For a chance to be featured on the Brag Board, upload your high-quality photos (at least 1MB) along with all of the catch details at: COASTALANGLERMAG.COM
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Fish Methodically When the Bite Slows PHOTO COURTESY OF KNOCKIN TAIL LURES®.
By Capt. Michael Okruhlik
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recently had a stretch of tough fishing days that called for a thorough covering of a cove to find what I was looking for. Over the next few paragraphs, I’ll cover what changes I made that saved the day, and I think you will see the logic in my decision and possibly implement this method when you find yourself in a slow-bite situation. Keep in mind, I typically don’t have the patience to utilize this approach, as it is very methodical, leaving no stone unturned, so to speak, but it can and did pay off. During a normal wade, I only target the sweet zones, but when they are not there or not feeding, I map out a deliberate path where I cover every inch of the area, twice. Depending on whether I start from the shore or from offshore via a boat or kayak, I will choose a direction to wade. For this example, let’s say I walked in and started from the bank. I will slowly walk out to the maximum depth I want to fish casting to my right, left and straight ahead. I vary my retrieve speed, depth and action throughout until I find what the fish are looking for. Once I reach the farthest point I want to cover, I make a 90-degree turn and walk about the distance of a long cast as I continue casting right, left, and straight ahead. Once I reach that point, I turn another 90 degrees and head back toward the shore repeating the same casting process. One direction will be covering the same water I just fished but from a different angle. At times, this can make a difference and entice the bite, depending on how they are staged on the structure or the direction they are swimming through the area. Once my cast has reached the shore, I may decide to change lure size or type. Once again, I turn 90 degrees and repeat the process. During a tough bite, you need to pull out all the stops. This is not the time to be stuck in a rut of what typically works or what your favorite fishing style may be. It’s important to change your retrieve style and speed. Don’t let a slow bite convince you that inactive fish will only eat a slowly presented lure. Many times, a faster erratic retrieve is what gets them to strike. Cover the gamut and see what works. I rarely use this method, as it is tedious. However, if I have high confidence in the area and the fish are inactive or possibly deeper or shallower than I anticipated, working methodically has paid off, and I learn something new each time it does. Take a kid, and even a tough day of catching will still be a good day of fishing.
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TIPS FROM A PRO
FISH TOPWATER TO LOCATE SPAWNERS
Shallow flats adjacent to deeper water are preferred spawning grounds, and a topwater is one of my favorite ways to cover water and locate productive areas. Whether it be a frog, walking bait, prop bait or buzzbait doesn’t matter. Pick your confidence lure and chuck it around to see if you can get some bites. Typically, a bass on a bed will show itself TYLER WOOLCOTT to some form of topwater, even if it doesn’t actually eat it. They might eat it, or they might just wake behind it or swirl on it. Curiosity and his time of year, in some parts of the country and especially in the South, bass are about to start transitioning to protectiveness of the area typically gets the best of them this time of year, and a topwater is an awesome way to move up on beds and spawn. cover a lot of water to find productive Whether you’re fishing from shore in areas. a pond or by boat in a big lake, this Once you’ve located some fish, time of year is prime time for making slow down with something like a memories because the biggest fish wacky worm to pick up some of the in the lake become more visible and other fish in the area. Typically, bass more vulnerable to anglers. prefer to spawn next to some sort As the bass spawn rolls northward of cover or structure, so keep this with warming temperatures over the in mind. They will use grass, trees, next few months, keep the following docks, rocks, sand, or pretty much tips in mind. For the most part, I do anything hard to make a bed for their the same things, whether I’m fishing eggs. Find a shallow area with plenty for big Southern largemouths or of objects you can cast to, and there’s smallmouths up north. In a nutshell, a good chance bass will be around it I’ll fish through areas fairly quickly in some stage of the spawn. until I find some aggressive fish and The biggest bass I’ve ever caught then slow down and pick them apart was during the spawn in 2013. It with something slower. This is when weighed 13 pounds, 1 ounce and is I can also look for beds with my eyes pictured here. Get out there and find to sight fish. some big egg-laden females over the The spawn is triggered by a few key factors. Major moon phases, whether it be a full moon or a new next few months, and there’s decent chance you’ll get to take a photo moon, along with a general warming weather trend are the triggers for with your new personal best. bass to move up and start their spawn. Staying on top of these factors will Tyler Woolcott is a professional tournament angler and guide. tell you when fish are likely to be moving shallow at your lake. Then you Check out his website at www.tylerwoolcottfishing.com. can go find them and put them in the boat.
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to commercial-application standards. They are designed to withstand hard use for years of trouble-free boating, and you can customize your C-Hawk from the factory in any way that suits your purpose.
At its core, the C-Hawk 25cc is a hard-core workhorse with a 300 horsepower maximum that will take you anywhere you need to go. Its 9’6” beam allows it to float in very skinny water with just a 12” draft, and it is also extremely stable, which should appeal for bottomfishing, diving and any other pursuit where a stable platform is preferred.
“We can mix and match consoles, fish boxes, full transoms, cut transoms, bare hulls… you name it,” Grubbs said. “There are some recreational guys adding towers and sight fishing for cobia, and such. Everything we do is built around keep it simple, keep it efficient, keep it easy to maintain, keep it cost effective to own and operate. They are all unique… no cookie cutter trailer queens here. The 25 is a great example of what C-Hawk is.”
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BLITZING BASS INVADE
EARLY SEASON ESTUARIES By Nick Carter
S
triped bass are king along the crags and marshes of the Massachusetts North Shore, and each year around the first week of May something very interesting takes place. They call it the early season in this stretch of coastline north of Boston, and it can bring on some of the fastest action of the year. All the baitfish—the herring, the sand eels, the silversides and bunker— push into the estuaries in search of warmer water temperatures. Big schools of striped bass move in with them. It leads to classic bass blitzes, when pods of stripers push bait up to boil on the surface as birds hammer them from above.
You can bet Matt Zimmerman, owner of Back Eddy Charters out of Beverly, Mass., will be there in the middle of the melee standing in the water waving a stick in the air. “I fly fish pretty much everywhere for everything, but it’s better early season,” he said. “You can use a slower presentation, mimic smaller baits, and cover the water column a lot better with a fly.” Historically, the pattern produced 40-fish days of smaller 14- to 26-inch stripers, known as “schoolies.” However, recent years have seen an uptick in larger 26- to 30-inch fish in the early season. “That’s great for fishing, but it’s not a great sign for the fishery,” Zimmerman said. If you haven’t heard, fisheries managers are scrambling to prop up Atlantic striper populations. Since 2019, striper reproduction on the Eastern Seaboard has been dismal due to weather conditions. Emergency action reduced the recreational limit to one fish in a slot limit from 28 to 31 inches, and more restrictive measures may be on the horizon. “The regs? I’m all catch and release, so it hasn’t impacted me too much,” Zimmerman said. “They’re trying to get the stocks up, but most of what we’re seeing is slot fish and up.” That’s not necessarily the case in the early season, which Zimmerman said is a time when you can just park the truck and wade in. “Most of the time I fish from a boat,” he said. “But early season, when there’s lots of fish in the river, it’s easier and you can catch more fish wading from shore.” Zimmerman fishes 5- to 8-weight rods and leaders of straight 20- or 30-pound monofilament. Intermediate sinking lines allow for good depth control, and a handful of Clousers and Deceivers are all you need. Zimmerman suggested 4- to 6-inch patterns and colors of green/white, yellow/white and gray/white. The fishing is best on the last three hours of an outgoing tide or the first couple hours of an incoming tide, when the bait moves around and incites feeding activity. This river bite is Zimmerman’s go-to pattern for about a month, after which he’ll move out to the beaches and rocky islands, where huge stripers herd bait and slam 6- to 8-inch Hollow Fleyes. Find Matt Zimmerman on Instagram @backeddycharters.
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arly in my career, I fished out of Venice, Louisiana. On off days, we fished inshore and roadside, which produced incredible catches like bull reds, 100-pound alligator gar and 70-pound blue cats. It was nothing to complain about, but my heart is always offshore. The offshore fishing off Venice is topnotch for yellowfin tuna, wahoo, marlin and swordfish, but the gas bill was too much for me to get out there as anything but crew. One evening, I was invited on an offshore trip and was told I got to plan the route. I ecstatically hit my Hilton’s offshore report to check the salinity chart and decided to hit an overlooked rig called Moxie. We headed out the next morning, caught bait and arrived at the rig. This rig sits in shallower waters and is a bit off the path for rig hopping, so it is often passed by. I was surprised to see another boat when we arrived. The bottom machine lit up with giant marks, and we tossed out our baits. I was running the deck and focused on the back of the boat, but I kept hearing the captain comment on the other boat. It seemed like they were diving, but they didn’t have a dive flag up. I heard him say the boat looked to be sitting
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low in the water. All of a sudden, Capt. Travis Mayeux started screaming, “LINES IN, LINES IN!” I was reeling everything up as quickly as I could when he pushed the boat to full throttle. I wasn’t sure what was going on until I had the lines secured and I turned around. The motors of the other boat had gone under, and the bow reached for the sky before slipping away. The boat sank in seconds. By the time we got to the scene, most of the flotsam had been carried away by the currents. We rescued the spearfishermen, one Pelican case and a fish bag. We ended our trip and took the spearfishers back to the dock. Their wallets and keys sank offshore, so they called Plaquemines Parish Sheriff ’s Office to get into their truck. The deputy ran their names, and one of them had an outstanding warrant. He was taken to jail for the weekend. It was a rough day for those guys, but it could have been much worse. Fishing offshore oil rigs provides a false sense of security. You are still very much offshore even though you are near a structure. The crew on those rigs are not lifeguards and are not paying attention to you. Considering how quickly the debris dispersed and how unfished that rig was, those fellas were very lucky we were there that day. Capt. Quinlyn Haddon guides with Sweet E’nuf Charters, out of Marathon, Florida Keys. Contact her at (504) 920-6342, captainquinlyn.com or @captainquinlyn.
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ON AMERICA’S HOTTEST BIG BASS LAKE By Nick Carter
I
f a truly giant largemouth bass is on your bucket list, make plans to visit O.H. Ivie Lake in Texas over the next few months. Last year, this 19,000acre impoundment of the Colorado River burst onto the scene as the hottest big bass lake in the nation. A string of 17 monster largemouths from January through April kept O.H. Ivie in the headlines, and 10 of them were caught in February. And when we say monster, we’re not talking about 8- to 10-pounders, we’re talking about 13-plus-pound behemoths. According to data from Toyota ShareLunker, Texas’ trophy bass recognition and breeding program, February is the time to catch a giant at this central Texas reservoir. Bass are at their heaviest and most aggressive ahead of the spawn, when they are fat, feeding and full of eggs. Last February’s incredible streak was highlighted by an enormous 17.03-pounder that is the lake record and the eighth largest bass ever caught in Texas. Jason Conn caught it on Feb. 13, 2023, and he said the fish was even heavier before it started regurgitating shad in his livewell. Moving into March and April last year, the trophy bass statistics were still pretty amazing—with 34 fish heavier than 8 pounds—but the giant fish tapered off. Five 13-plus-pounders were caught during those two months, and then no one registered another one until November, when Shawn Strength caught a 16.65-pound monster. The totals for 2023 were 75 fish heavier than 8 pounds and 18 heavier than 13 pounds. The true total is potentially much more impressive, because these statistics include only the fish anglers bothered to register with ShareLunker. So, why has the productivity of O.H. Ivie largemouth bass fishing exploded
over the last three or four years? According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, intensive stocking of bass with Florida-strain genetics is the secret ingredient. Florida strain genetics produce larger, faster-growing fish than the native-northern strain genetics in the system. Part of the mission of the ShareLunker program is to breed trophy fish, and they do this by using 13-plus-pounders caught by anglers in their breeding program. It is estimated 75 to 85 percent of the bass in O.H. Ivie possess those Florida genetics. On top of that, weather played a role in the lake’s rise. Following a prolonged drought, heavy rain in the fall of 2018 raised water levels by more than 30 feet. “It gave these bass pretty much unlimited food and space to grow,” said a ShareLunker representative, “and they just grew like crazy.” Stay tuned. It’ll be interesting to see what America’s hottest big bass lake produces over the next four months, especially with all the added angler attention that comes with a bright hot spotlight.
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See more on last year’s incredible fishing at O.H. Ivie at coastalanglermag.com.
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